NEWS DIGEST, EVENING
02 March 2020: 06 Rajjab 1441: Vol: 12, No: 146
*DELHI VIOLENCE*
Delhi violence:369 FIRs registered, 1,284 people held, death toll rises to 47
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/delhi-violence-369-firs-registered-1284-people-arrested-or-detained/1749803
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-violence-full-list-names-deceased-6295089/
Delhi Police has registered 369 FIRs and arrested or detained 1,284 persons in connection with the northeast Delhi violence, a senior officer said on Monday.44 of the cases were registered under the Arms Act, police said. According to police, 21 cases were registered under cyber crime. These included cases related to spreading of hate messages, they said.The situation in the riot-affected areas is under control, officer said. Death toll due to the violence in northeast Delhi last week touched 47 today, with 5 more fresh deaths reported from RML Hospital. Till now, 38 deaths have been reported from GTB Hospital, three from Lok Nayak Hospital, one from Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital, 5 from RML.Here is the full list of people killed in Delhi violence: Mubarak Ali, (35), Alok Tiwari, (24), Mohd Irfan, (32), Rahul Thakur, (23), Suleiman, (22), Ankit Sharma, (25), Mohd Shahbaan, (22), Sanjeet Thakur, (32), Ratan Lal, (42), Akbari, (85), Anwar, (58), Dinesh Kumar, (35), Aamir (30), Hashim (17), Musharraf, (35), Vinod Kumar, (50), Vir Bhan, (48), Zakhir, (26), Ishtiyak Khan, (24), Deepak Kumar, (34), Ashfaq Hussain, (22), Parvez Alam, (50), Mehtab, (21), Mohd Furkan, (32), Rahul Solanki, (26), Mudassir Khan, (35), Shahid Alvi, (24), Amaan, (17), Mahroof Ali, (30), Mohd Yusuf, (52), Mubarak Husen, (28), Dilbur Negi, (20), Monis, (21), Babbu Salmani, (33), Ayyub, (60), Faizan, (24), Anwar Qassar (51), Prem Singh, Nitin Kumar (15), Mohsin Ali (24). 5 bodies found on Monday are yet to be identified; information on two deceased is awaited. Indianexpress/ PTI
Delhi : Police got 481 distress calls from West Delhi; 40 arrested for rumour mongering
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-northeast-violence-maujpur-babarpur-jaffrabad-mustafabad-6293445/
Maximum number of distress calls were received by the police from West Delhi, Dwarka, and Outer Delhi after rumours of violence spread across parts of the national capital on Sunday. 481 calls were received from west Delhi, followed by 310 from Dwarka and 22 from Outer Delhi, said Delhi Police in a release listing out district-wise count of distress calls received on Sunday.A total of 40 persons — 21 from Northwest district, 1 from Rohini district and 18 from South district — have also been arrested for rumour-mongering so far. The death toll in the violence in northeast Delhi which broke out last week rose to 47 on Monday.Delhi Police Commissioner S N Shrivastava said some anti-social elements are trying to spread rumours in Delhi. "Instead of panicking, please call the central police control room of Delhi Police to confirm any report you get," he said. Special Commissioner (Law and Order) Shrivastava took up the additional charge of police commissioner.indianexpress
Delhi rumours: Over 3,000 distress calls on Sunday, 1/5th from and around Shaheen Bagh
https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/delhi-rumours-over-3000-distress-calls-on-sunday-1-5th-from-and-around-shaheen-bagh/1886810/
Delhi police got over 3,000 distress calls on Sunday from people panicked over riot-related rumours like violence, arson and stone-pelting across the national capital, officials said. Around one-fifth of these calls on the emergency 100 and 112 numbers came from Shaheen Bagh in South East Delhi and nearby areas in South Delhi, they said on Monday. Panic gripped residents across the national capital on Sunday evening following false rumours of violence but the police denied any incident and appealed for calm, days after riots in northeast Delhi.“More than 3,000 emergency calls were received at the PCR after rumours related to violence started doing rounds in Delhi on Sunday evening. 413 calls were from South East Delhi and 157 from South Delhi,” a senior police officer said.PTI
Delhi Unrest: Over 300 Cases Registered, Says Police Commissioner
https://www.thequint.com/news/india/violence-in-northeast-delhi-police-caa-nrc-npr-live-updates-2
Delhi: A Week After Violence Began, Night of Rumours Sparks Panic
https://thewire.in/uncategorised/delhi-violence-rumours-panic
Delhi: Rumours spark panic after day of rallies, police warn of action
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/tilak-nagar-rumours-delhi-police-6294814/
24 arrested over Sunday’s rumour-mongering, says Delhi Police
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/24-arrested-over-sunday-s-rumour-mongering-say-delhi-police/story-NbAo4FPM4UcBvfr8aTF8vL.html
'Can't handle that', says CJI as SC agrees to hear plea seeking FIRs against BJP leaders over their hate speech on Wednesday
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/supreme-court-to-hear-plea-on-delhi-violence-seeking-fir-against-bjp-leaders-1651517-2020-03-02
"We can't handle that," said CJI SA Bobde, while hearing a plea demanding FIR against BJP leaders Anurag Thakur, Kapil Mishra, Parvesh Verma for their hate speeches.Asserting that the task to control violence during riots is that of the Executive and not the judiciary, Bobde said, "We cannot stop things from happening. We cannot give preventive reliefs. We feel a kind of pressure on us. We can only deal with the situation after it occurs, the kind of pressure on us, we can’t handle that. It’s like Court is responsible. We are reading newspapers, we know the kind of comments are made. Courts come on to the scene after the thing is done and courts have not been able to prevent such thing."The SC agreed to hear plea on 4 March. Bobde further added that the apex court wishes for peace but has its own limitations, where it only comes into the picture when something has happened and can pass appropriate orders. The statements were made by CJI on Monday when the SC agreed to hear plea by victims of Delhi violence. The petition sought immediate FIRs against BJP leaders who delivered hate speeches, which the petitioners have claimed added fuel to Delhi riots.Among other things, the petitioners have also demanded an SIT be formed, with officers from outside Delhi to probe the riots, deployment of Army to maintain law and order and constitution of an Inquiry Committee headed by a retired judge to probe the alleged involvement of Delhi Police personnel in violence. Aadvocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for petitioners, urged the Supreme Court bench to intervene in the matter without undue favour being meted out to "influential" persons.Gonsalves also told the bench that HC has deferred the pleas on violence for 4 weeks despite the fact that people are still dying.”When people are still dying then why can’t the high court hear it urgently,” he said, urging the apex court to list the plea for urgent hearing.Replying to Gonsalves, CJI Bobde sad that courts are not equipped to control riots and it is the job of the executive.However, Gonsalves argued that court can prevent the situation from deteriorating, Live Law reported.The plea also sought directions to make public the full list of persons detained by the police and paramilitary and preserve all CCTV footage of riot-affected areas besides the immediate release of ost-mortem reports of the deceased.A similar plea is pending before the Delhi High Court, which will be taken up for next hearing on 13 April. Firstpost
We can’t stop such incidents from taking place — CJI Bobde on Delhi communal riots
https://theprint.in/judiciary/we-cant-stop-such-incidents-from-taking-place-cji-bobde-on-delhi-communal-riots/374032/?fbclid=IwAR2RwJ37V6TIzteV1CxsQxI83dYTXBX2np6mCpxwWg25THnQIUFf9Y0YRr4
Delhi violence: HC asks police to file report on rehabilitation measures for victims
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/delhi-violence-hc-asks-police-to-file-report-on-rehabilitation-measures-for-victims/article30961792.ece?homepage=true
Delhi High Court on Monday asked the police to file a status report on measures taken by it for medical treatment and rehabilitation of violence-affected people in northeast Delhi.A Bench of Chief Justice D.N. Patel and Justice C. Hari Shankar directed the Delhi Police to submit a report on the measures taken by them in compliance with the court’s February 26 order by which certain directions were made for rehabilitation of victims.The court listed the matter for further hearing on April 30. The court was hearing a plea seeking urgent orders for safe passage of ambulances for the injured and rehabilitation of the violence-affected people.PTI
Delhi violence; Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha adjourned as Opposition raises uproar seeking Shah's resignation
https://www.firstpost.com/india/delhi-violence-toll-rises-to-47-lok-sabha-rajya-sabha-adjourned-as-opposition-raises-uproar-seeking-amit-shahs-resignation-8106391.html
An uproar was witnessed in Budget Session of Parliament, with Opposition MPs raising their voices against the riots, leading to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha being adjourned soon after initiating proceedings. As the Budget Session of the Parliament resumed, protests by the Opposition were witnessed, demanding a debate on the situation in Delhi. However, as uproar continued in Houses, both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned. Congress, AAP and TMC leaders stood in the Parliament complex and raised slogans. Ahead of the proceedings, Suspension of Business notices were given in Rajya Sabha by AAP’s Sanjay Singh and CPM’s KK Ragesh. In the Lok Sabha, Adjournment Motion notices were served by Congress MPs Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and K Suresh and MPS from TMC, CPM, CPI, NCP and DMK. Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to reply to the issue in the Parliament, a BJP source told News18.Cash crunch at several bank branches and ATMs was also reported in violence-affected parts of the National Capital.firstpost
Delhi violence: PMO calls meet with insurers for quick, hassle-free settlements
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/delhi-violence-pmo-calls-meet-with-insurers-for-quick-hasslefree-settlements/1749815
PMO has called a meeting with the state insurers on quick and hassle-free settlement of the claims coming from the riot-hit areas in northeast Delhi as the situation in the area limps back towards normalcy. Though these are initial days, preliminary estimates show that there could be insurance claims to the tune of Rs 10-15 crore which could go up as surveyors start assessing the situation once full normalcy returns. IANS
Delhi violence: Muslim BJP leader says mob burnt down his, relatives’ homes
https://scroll.in/latest/954931/delhi-violence-muslim-bjp-leader-says-mob-burnt-down-his-relatives-homes
A Muslim BJP leader has claimed that his home, along with those of a few of his relatives, were burnt down by mobs that indulged in violence in Delhi last week, PTI reported.The politician, Akhtar Raza, alleged that a crowd had gathered in his Bhagirath Vihar locality on the evening of Feb.25, and added that the mob went on a rampage soon after. “The crowd raised religious slogans and began setting houses on fire,” Raza, the district vice president of the saffron party’s minority cell, said. “There are 19 houses belonging to Muslims in area including mine and three of my relatives... all were burnt down.” BJP leader claimed that most of those who indulged in arson and violence in his neighbourhood were not residents. He further alleged that stones were pelted on him and his family as they fled the locality. “I sought the help of police but was told that the force was short-staffed,” Raza added. “I did not receive any phone call or relief from the party but I have been assured of justice.”Raza said there were 19 Muslim homes in his neighbourhood and all of them had been “identified and burnt”. “The rioters were from outside,” he told The Telegraph. “But some local residents identified the houses of Muslims.” 6 two-wheelers and all of Raza’s family’s possessions in their home were burnt, he said.BJP leader has been associated with his party for the past five years, but no one has contacted him after the violence, he claimed, adding there was no “relief or special treatment”. He asserted that he was still with the BJP, adding “maybe I will continue”.scroll
2 Muslim Brothers Among Bodies Recovered From Drains in North East Delhi
https://thewire.in/communalism/delhi-riots-drain-muslim-bodies
New Delhi: On Wednesday, brothers Aamir Khan and Hashim Ali called home at 9:30 pm to say they will be back in five minutes. The two had been staying with their nani (maternal grandmother) in Bhopura, Ghaziabad – about eight km from where they lived in North East Delhi’s Old Mustafabad.Hashim, 19, worked in a jeans factory and Aamir, 30, was a driver. Aamir has 2 young daughters – 5.5 and two years old.“They went to meet their grandmother last week because she hadn’t been keeping well,” their chacha (maternal uncle) Mohammad Aziz told The Wire on Sunday evening. “Then they stayed on there because of the violence. On Wednesday evening things seemed calmer, so they decided to come back.”The brothers’ were on a motorcycle, and the police found the burnt number plate near where the bodies were recovered. They haven’t recovered the rest of the vehicle, and Aziz is convinced it is one of the many charred vehicles lining the streets of North East Delhi right now.thewire
A village burned unnoticed till residents moved into a shelter
https://m.hindustantimes.com/cities/a-village-in-ghonda-burnt-in-the-riots-unnoticed-till-its-residents-moved-into-a-relief-camp/story-PjUX5UcPgfIIxLraD5nMPI_amp.html?__twitter_impression=true&fbclid=IwAR3SBS3Sm2mG6AYBy_RQ5BhTaMMZDUJxGYYdr62cOF7wlQWFf3h0OHLVUXU
New Delhi:Around 6.30pm on Monday, Mehboob Hassan, 74, was preparing for evening prayers inside small Mubarak mosque in Old Garhi Mendu village in north-east Delhi’s Ghonda assembly seat when he heard a loud thud on the tin roof. Seconds later, as sounds persisted and grew louder, Hassan realised it wasn’t untimely rain, but stones being thrown at the mosque. Hassan, the muezzin of the only mosque in the tiny Gujjar-dominated village, asked the 4 men who had come for namaz to rush out. Minutes later, around 8 people entered the mosque and started breaking the taps and sound system, which Hassan had put in place moments ago.“I was trying to get the keys to lock the mosque when they came running at me. They asked ‘namaaz padhayega?’ I couldn’t utter a word. Some of them had rods, but most had wooden legs of charpoys in their hands. They hit me on the forehead and leg,” he said.Hassan, and members of his family are among the 42 families from Old Garhi Mendu village living in the relief camp set up at a community centre in Shriram Colony, right across Wazirabad road in Khajuri Khas. “Nobody — neither the police nor the city administration — knew about riots in the village until victims started coming to this camp. On Friday, 2 area SDMs and the local police inspected the village and prima facie found that at least 15 houses, five shops, two godowns, one mosque and 2 to 3 cars were burnt. Some properties were damaged too, but nobody died. There are about 5 people with injuries,” said Sunil Kumar, a tehsildar who has been made the in-charge of the camp.But some like 62-year old Chand Bibi and her husband decided to stay put in their homes, a choice they call “the biggest mistake” they have made.Around 8pm on Feb.25, a mob of around 25-30 people broke open the front gate of Bibi’s home — the first attack on day two. But, the group had a faux pas.“They dragged my husband out and started sprinkling petrol from small plastic bottles onto a pile of clothes that we had and on the bed. They tried lighting a fire with a matchbox they had brought, but failed over and over again. They picked up the matchbox lying on our table and set the pile of clothes on fire,” Bibi said.“Seeing the fire reach the bed, they began retreating, and I started throwing water at the fire. The last person to leave then shouted to the others ‘isne toh aag bujha di’ (she has doused the fire). But thankfully, he left,” she said.At one end of the village, Rukmini Jairam, 31, was collecting sheets of half-burnt tin from a corner of the road.“This was my shop. I had set it up with the help of my husband. Nothing remains of it now,” she said.When asked who did it, she said, “I don’t know. All Muslims who lived here have fled. It’s only us Hindus here now. I can’t tell.”HT
In Riot-hit Shiv Vihar, Lone Hindu Chemist Lives in Fear of Mobs Screaming 'Jai Shri Ram'
https://www.news18.com/news/india/in-riot-hit-shiv-vihar-lone-hindu-chemist-lives-in-fear-of-mobs-screaming-jai-shri-ram-2522475.html
New Delhi: Barricades. The first things that one encounters while trying to enter riot-stricken lanes of north-east Delhi’s Shiv Vihar are makeshift barricades. Made of sticks, bamboo, sundry sheets of metal and belligerent humans, these barricades are meant to prevent “outsiders” (and media personnel) from entering the inner lanes of the Shiv Vihar, which saw some of the worst of the sectarian violence starting Feb.23."Sab chaley gaye, yahan kuch nahin hai' (They all left, there’s nothing inside),” says one of the teenage boys standing sentry, with stern eyes and a saffron mark on his forehead.While finding a way around the angry gatekeepers and approaching what was once called the “Madina Masjid Gali”, one is greeted by the stench of burnt rubber and ash. Madina Gali is a ghost town as all Muslim families on the street have already fled.Four days after violence first broke out in nearby Shiv Puri where a majority of the residents are Hindus, the Muslim-dominated Madina Masjid Gali sits charred in a pile of debris. Broken doors and windows hang from blackened hinges, skeletons of vehicles toasted to crisp lie askew, looted goods from bakeries and medical stores and broken glass dot the street among an assortment of everyday objects that are no longer good for use: a broken stethoscope, a blackened tea-strainer.After 4 days of violence, only Hindus remain in the neighbourhood.Muslim families in Shiv Vihar that lived in Madina Gali started to flee the street on Sunday itself. A witness recalls masked mobs chanting “Jai Shri Ram” marching in the streets with rods, sticks, farm tools, petrol bombs and country-made pistols, attacking Muslim as well as Hindu households.Amid the shuttered shops and charred tenements of Madina Gali, a chemist has opened his store. The owner, Dushyant Kumar, sits inside with three other Hindu men. According to him, stone-pelting started on Sunday night as “outsiders from Johripur” started to lob rocks and petrol bombs onto the street. “The mob started to torch homes and beat people on streets. There was total chaos,” Dushyant tells News18. “It was these men who set fire to and desecrated the mosque as well.”news18
Delhi riots aftermath: Muslims lock up homes, flee to find shelter in other parts of city, country; many are rebuffed
https://www.firstpost.com/india/delhi-riots-aftermath-muslims-lock-up-homes-flee-to-find-shelter-in-other-parts-of-city-country-many-are-rebuffed-8105881.html
Ground Report: ‘Normalcy’ Returns to a Corner of Delhi, But Fear and Grief Are a Step Away
https://thewire.in/communalism/shiv-vihar-delhi-riots
Muslims forced to leave Shiv Vihar, their houses and mosques burnt, now only ‘fear’ resides here
http://twocircles.net/2020mar01/434993.html
In This Riot-hit Delhi Neighbourhood, Muslims Guarded Hindu Widow, Her Kids
https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-in-this-riot-hit-delhi-neighbourhood-muslims-guarded-hindu-widow-her-kids/348162
30-year-old Savitri stays in northeast Delhi’s Babu Nagar area with her 2 kids and brother-in-law. She has been living there for more than 10 years.Her husband passed away a few years ago and her brother-in-law takes care of the family’s financial needs.On Feb.24, when reports of communal violence emerged from the neighbouring Shiv Vihar and Chand Bagh, Savitri, worried about her family’s safety, decided to go to her relatives’ place in other parts of Delhi.There are around 2,000 houses in the area where she stays and Hindu families own only 50 houses, that too are scattered all over. Others are owned by Muslims.60 odd houses in the street, where Savitri lives, house Muslim families.In that tense atmosphere, she was afraid when she saw hundreds of Muslim families from Shiv Vihar moving to Babu Nagar to take shelter at homes of their relatives. But her fears were allayed after her neighbours promised to take care of her family.“I had some concerns initially but before I could prepare to leave, my neighbours sensed it all. They came and asked about my well-being. When I asked them if I should leave, they got upset and told me that they would not let that happen,” Savitri said.“They told me that if they have to risk their own well-being, they would do that but would not let anything happen to me and my kids,” she said.Savitri’s neighbour, Asif Mirza, says he told everyone in their colony to take care of Savitri and her family.The elders in the colony said they would not let even other Hindu families leave.outlookindia
Delhi: Mushtari Khatoon got past rioters, rescued 40 trapped relatives via rooftops
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/woman-got-past-rioters-rescued-40-trapped-relatives-via-rooftops/articleshow/74421441.cms
New Delhi: Mushtari Khatoon 42-year old mostly stays at home, doing stitching jobs to supplement her husband’s income. On Feb. 25, when her family members needed help, Mushtari walked a kilometre through roads that had fallen to the mobs, managed to dodge stones and petrol bombs, and got past rioting groups to get to trapped members of her extended family in Khajuri Khas. There were 40 of them and Mushtari managed to get everyone out safely, showing great presence of mind to move the group along terraces of houses till they reached a police team that gave them safe passage.In Chandu Nagar, where she and her husband, Hakeem, live, Mushtari has since become a household name. Neighbours call her “a hero”.“I knew if someone didn’t go to them, they would lose their lives,” Mushatri said on Saturday, back home, relieved that her young nieces and nephews are unhurt.“When the mob grew closer, I asked them to jump from the terrace of one building to the other. The possibility of the mob seeing us was less if we moved along the terraces. I had called people from our neighbourhood for help to get us out. The women who were with me were scared and someone had to guide them,” said Mushtari, who managed to hold her nerve through the escape till they met a police team, which gave them a passage across the main road so that they could reach Chandu Nagar. Along with police were over 100 people from Chandu Nagar who escorted Mushtari and the others back. Mushtari saved 8 families, all related, that day.Mushtari said she wasn’t scared; all she was focused on getting her family members out. TOI
Traders live in fear of economic crisis a week after Delhi riots
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/traders-live-in-fear-of-economic-crisis/articleshow/74432448.cms
New Delhi: When 43-year-old Mohammed Ajmeri Malik decided to build his footwear showroom with Nagpur teak, among the more expensive wood, his family lauded him as it would serve well to attract the best groom for his daughter.His showroom located in Brijpuri was a lavish one, one that gave good discounts to its customers and, admirably, a flat 50% on school shoes for girls.4-storeyed showroom that also housed Ajmeri’s residence was among the 95 shops in this area gutted by rioting mobs last Tuesday. “I am a Haji (who has gone on pilgrimage to Mecca). I am supposed to forgive everyone. I have been brought to the footpath today. My only dream was to have a grand wedding for my daughter… In our community of Maliks, nothing less than a crore fetches a good groom… And I wanted the best for my daughter. That won’t be possible now,” he said, fighting back his tears.Bhajanpura traders Association collected more than Rs 67,000 from traders from both communities to hire private security personnel to guard the shops.On Sunday, shops remained closed at Chand Bagh and Mustafabad. In areas of Shiv Vihar that continued to remain tense, there was heavy patrolling by RAF personnel, even as most shutters were down.economictimes
At Funeral of Mechanic, Killed By Delhi Mob Last Week, Fear Reigns Supreme
https://thewire.in/communalism/mustafabad-delhi-riots-aqil-ahmed
New Delhi: On the afternoon of Feb. 25, NSA Ajit Doval toured the violence-hit areas of north-eastern Delhi, and told residents and the onlooking media that “the situation is under control“. Later that evening, at around 6 pm, car washer and mechanic Aqil Ahmed (40) decided to set out from his in-laws’ place in nearby Loni, to get to his house in the affected area of Mustafabad.3 days later, on Saturday evening, his family found his body among the ‘unknown’ corpses at the GTB Hospital. They told this reporter that a mob stopped Ahmed near the Bhagirath Vihar nallah, a kilometre or so away from his Mustafabad residence and lynched him that Wednesday evening.On Sunday afternoon, in the warren of lanes in Mustafabad where Ahmed’s house is located in Galli Number 6, a large crowd gathered as his body was brought from the hospital and prepared for the burial. Family members shared with us a recording of a 2-minute call Ahmed made to his friend on Wednesday evening, while approaching Mustafabad.In it, Ahmed’s friend can be heard telling him the situation is tense, and he should not have stepped out. thewire
Grim funeral for Faizan who was forced to sing national anthem
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/grim-funeral-for-a-lost-youth/cid/1750141?ref=top-stories_home-template
New Delhi:In one corner of northeast Delhi’s Kardampuri, people had gathered to receive 23-year-old Faizan’s dead body. The ambulance was on its way as the number of locals swelled outside his home in Gali No. 5. Women huddled on a veranda outside Faizan’s home, mourning his death.Faizan had died on Thursday. A video clip had gone viral, which showed him and four other young men lying injured on the road even as a group of policemen forced them to sing the national anthem.Soon after the ambulance arrived, his body was taken to a folding bed placed outside his home. Covered in white shroud, only his face was visible; it had marks of injury. Men, women and children walked past his bed to take a last look at him.“The son’s body is kept where his father’s was kept a few years ago. His father died when Faizan was still young,” said a middle-aged woman, his neighbour.It had started to rain as people prepared for his burial in a graveyard nearby.According to multiple accounts, local residents saw Faizan near the protest site near the Kardampuri ‘ghetto’ on Monday, soon after stone pelting was reported at Maujpur further down the road. He had gone to fetch his mother as the stone pelting had inched closer. To escape the tear gas, Faizan ran in the direction of the violent mob and police instead of towards Kardampuri, close to his own people. Nobody knows what happened then.In the minute-long video clip, five bleeding and injured men are seen being filmed by men in uniform and being told to sing the national anthem. As one of them sings a portion of the anthem lying on the ground, others are either writhing in pain or are seemingly unconscious. The policeman are seen kicking them, hitting them with baton or poking their mouths.The Telegraph
Delhi violence: Woman undergoes DNA test to claim dead father''s severed, charred leg
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/delhi-violence-woman-undergoes-dna-test-to-claim-dead-fathers-severed-charred-leg/1749848
New Delhi:When 27-year-old Gulshan enquired at a mortuary here about the body of her father who was killed in last week''s communal violence in northeast Delhi, she was shown a severed burnt leg.Gulshan was told by some eyewitnesses that her father, Mohammad Anwar (60), was first shot and then burnt by unidentified people. Police found a leg from his charred rented accommodation in Shiv Vihar area."The doctors took my DNA sample on Saturday and will confirm if the body part is my father''s, following which they will hand over his remains to me," she said.Anwar, who sold goats for a living, financially supported his only daughter, her visually impaired husband and two children. He didn''t have any other children and his wife had died earlier.PTI
Rs 10 Lakh Compensation For Soldier's House Burnt In Delhi Violence
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-violence-rs-10-lakh-compensation-for-soldiers-house-burnt-in-clashes-2188691
New Delhi: BSF jawan Mohammed Anees -- whose house was set on fire during the communal violence in north-east Delhi last week -- was presented an aid cheque of Rs. 10 lakh by IG of BSF DK Upadhyay on Monday.BSF jawan's house in Khajuri Khas was torched during the violence on February 25. His colleagues have come forward to help Mr Anees at this crucial time.Mr Anees is going to get married soon and preparations for the wedding ceremony were on at his house. BSF officials had also visited Anees's house along with him on Sunday. BSF is also helping Anees rebuild his charred house as soon as possible.ANI
Delhi violence: Bhim Army seeks UN intervention
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/delhi-violence-bhim-army-seeks-united-nations-intervention/1749831
Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad has approached United Nations requesting an investigation into "serious human rights violations in India".Azad''s letter to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights comes against the backdrop of largescale violence in northeast Delhi."As I write, 45 people are confirmed dead even as the toll is rising every hour. Men are being mob-lynched and stabbed to death and women and girls are being raped," he wrote in the letter. "Thousands have been displaced and are fleeing their hometown... the state administration''s response to all this has been a failure," he said and alleged that the Delhi Police has remained a "mute spectator".PTI
Delhi violence a matter of great shame: Harsh Mander
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/delhi-violence-a-matter-of-great-shame-harsh-mander/article30964727.ece?homepage=true
Human rights and health activists on Monday demanded that State and Central govs immediately start trust-building measures, provide medical, legal and rehabilitation camps to help violence-affected people of northeast Delhi. Calling the violence a matter of great shame, activist Harsh Mander said it was hard to believe that the Delhi Police, the second largest police force in the country, couldn’t stop the violence. “The suffering, pain, fear that we are seeing now is a reflection of our collective failure. It is not the governments who came out to help; it is the common man in Delhi,”he said, speaking at a press conference organised by JSA.thehindu
Centre is '100%' responsible for violence: Pawar
https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/delhi/2020/mar/01/centre-is-100-responsible-for-delhi-violence-sharad-pawar-2110729.html
Central government is "100%" responsible for the Delhi violence, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said here on Sunday and accused the ruling BJP of playing divisive politics in the national capital after losing Assembly elections. Addressing the convention of NCP here, Pawar also took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his speeches in the run-up to the Delhi polls.PTI
Delhi govt's relief camps are empty – despite riot-hit people desperately needing shelter?
https://scroll.in/article/954917/why-delhi-government-s-relief-camps-are-empty-despite-riot-hit-people-desperately-needing-shelter
In a large, empty hall, 3 men were lying around listlessly. They were regulars at the night shelter, clarified Ratan Kumar, its caretaker, not riot-affected people.Days after 47 people were killed in communal violence in North East Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party government released a list of nine relief camps for those displaced in the violence.On Monday, Scroll.in visited three of them and found not a single violence-affected family there. Of the nine camps located in the Shahdara and Seelampur area, eight are essentially night shelters run by the government.“Everyone knows the condition of rain baseras [night shelters],” said Kumar, the caretaker of shelter number 202, located on the Pushta Usmanpur Road in Seelampur. “These shelters do not have proper hygiene. Only those who are addicts come here.” Kumar’s shelter has a capacity to accommodate 50 people with mattresses, blankets, one toilet and drinking water. But only three beds were occupied on Monday by those who regularly stayed there, he said.Social activists coordinating relief work by non-government organisations in North East Delhi said night shelters cannot be a substitute for relief camps.scroll
*anti-CAA,NRC-NPR stir*
Bangladesh delegation cancels India tour amid ongoing turmoil over CAA
https://scroll.in/latest/954901/bangladesh-delegation-cancels-india-tour-amid-ongoing-turmoil-over-caa
Bangladesh Parliament Speaker cancelled her tour to India on Sunday, just a day before her visit, reported Dhaka Tribune. “Speaker Dr Shirin was scheduled to lead an 18-member delegation to India following an invitation from Lok Sabha, but tour has been cancelled,” Noor-e-Alam Chowdhury Liton, chief whip of Parliament, told the newspaper.This comes as there are large-scale protests in India against CAA and the proposed NRC. However, Liton refused to link the cancellation of the delegation’s visit to the ongoing protests. “There will be special session of Jatiya Sangsad on March 22-23 on the occasion of Mujib Year,” he told Dhaka Tribune. “We need to prepare everything for the special parliamentary session. Keeping this in mind, the delegation led by the speaker will not be travelling to India.” Bangladesh is celebrating the centenary of the country’s first president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The delegation will visit India after the special session is over, he added. The delegation was to include the Speaker, the chief whip, the secretary of parliament secretariat and other top officials of the government.Amid tension over the citizenship law, three Bangladesh ministers have earlier cancelled their visits to India.scroll
Bangla opposition parties urge Hasina to cancel invitation to Modi, Banga parliament speaker cancels visit to India
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/bangladesh-opposition-parties-urge-sheikh-hasina-to-cancel-modis-invitation-to-march-17-event-bangladeshi-parliament-speaker-cancels-her-scheduled-visit-to-india
NRC will not affect Bangladesh, entirely internal process, India’s foreign secretary tells Dhaka
https://scroll.in/latest/954937/nrc-will-not-affect-bangladesh-entirely-internal-process-indias-foreign-secretary-tells-dhaka
India on Monday assured Bangladesh that proposed NRC exercise – to identify undocumented migrants – will not affect Bangladesh as it was a process that was entirely “internal”, reported PTI. The remarks came a day after a delegation from Bangladesh cancelled their India tour, which was scheduled to begin on Monday.India’s Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla made the remarks at an event in Dhaka during his visit to Bangladesh. “Updation of National Register of Citizens is a process that is entirely internal to India,” he said. “India assures Bangladesh that NRC will have no implications for the country and its people.”scroll
Guj cop accused of calling Jamiat-E-Ulema members as 'Pakistanis'
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/guj-cop-accused-of-calling-muslim-body-members-as-pakistanis/1748940
Surat:A Muslim organisation has alleged that in-charge Surat Commissioner of Police, DN Patel, called their representatives "Pakistanis and Bangladeshis" when they recently went to meet him over an ongoing anti-CAA protest in the city.When contacted, Patel refused to comment on the allegation saying he would give his reply to the government.In a letter addressed and e-mailed on Feb.28 to Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and state Home Department, the state chapter of Jamiat-E-Ulema-E-Hind alleged that Patel misbehaved with their representatives when they went to meet him over the anti-CAA protest going on at Shirin Bagh in Surat''s Rander area.Jamiat claimed that on the lines of Shaheen Bagh in Delhi, women have been staging a sit-in against the CAA and NRC since last 22 days in a peaceful manner.In the letter, the organisation alleged its delegation went to meet Patel to request him not to take any coercive action against the agitating women at Shirin Bagh."When we went to request him to let this peaceful protest continue, he insulted us and labelled the delegation as Pakistanis and Bangladeshis. We urge you to ensure that officials do not discriminate among the citizens and behave properly with people," the letter said.Patel said he would give his reply directly to the government over the allegations.PTI
PMC Bank depositors denied permission for protest in Mumbai, police cite CAA protests, Delhi violence
https://www.deccanherald.com/business/business-news/pmc-bank-depositors-denied-permission-for-protest-in-mumbai-police-cite-caa-protests-delhi-violence-809734.html
Mumbai:In view of the violence in Delhi and protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, the Mumbai Police have denied permission to depositors of the troubled PMC Bank for staging a protest outside the RBI Bank's office here on Monday."They approached us, but we denied permission... gathering or protest is not allowed," DCP Datta Nalawade said.No one can gather without permissionunder provisions of Bombay Police Act. Such an order is issued by police every 15 days as a routine, DCP Pranay Ashok said.A delegation of PMC Bank depositors had approached the police seeking permission for a 'peaceful protest' outside RBI office in BKC on Monday morning.Hundreds of account holders of the bank were likely to participate in the protest.Vishal Vashisth, who was part of the bank depositors' delegation, said, "We approached the police and met DCP Datta Nalawade as well as ACP (West) Manoj Sharma, who briefed us that due to violence in Delhi and anti-CAA protests, no one is allowed to protest or assemble." PMC Bank has been put under restrictions by RBI after an alleged fraud came to light following which the deposit withdrawal was initially capped at Rs 1,000, causing panic and distress among depositors.PTI
Maharashtra: Now, Ajit Pawar of NCP says CAA, NPR won’t take away citizenship, no resolution needed
https://scroll.in/latest/954882/maharashtra-now-ajit-pawar-of-ncp-says-caa-npr-wont-take-away-citizenship-no-resolution-needed
NCP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has said that CAA,NRC,NPR will not take away anyone’s citizenship, PTI reported.Addressing a convention of NCP in Mumbai, Pawar said it was unnecessary for the state Assembly to pass a resolution against CAA and NPR, as some other Opposition-ruled states had done.Pawar’s uncle and NCP chief Sharad Pawar had said last month that like eight other states, Maharashtra too should bring a resolution against CAA, NRC and NPR. Sharad Pawar was present at Sunday’s event, but did not contradict his nephew.Ajit Pawar said some people have been spreading misinformation about CAA, NRC and NPR. He referred, as evidence, to a resolution passed by Bihar Assembly last month to not implement NRC in the state. The Assembly had also said that NPR would be implemented according to its 2010 format, not the new format proposed by the Modi-led central government.scroll
Maharashtra: BJP-ruled municipal council passes resolution against Citizenship Act, NRC
https://scroll.in/latest/954950/maharashtra-bjp-ruled-municipal-council-passes-resolution-against-citizenship-act-nrc
BJP-ruled Selu Municipal Council in Parbhani district of Maharashtra has unanimously passed a resolution against the implementation of CAA and NRC, PTI reported.“The resolution was passed by majority without any opposition on Feb. 28,” Chairperson Vinod Borade said. He added that there were 27 councillors and three co-opted members in the council.Borade said that the local public representatives also supported the decision. The chairperson summoned a meeting two days before the resolution was passed, as demanded by the members of the Nationalist Congress Party, Congress and seven councillors from the Muslim community.scroll
Days after lashing out at Centre over Delhi violence, Rajinikanth’s offer on CAA
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rajinikanth-is-ready-to-play-any-role-to-maintain-peace-in-country/story-EJI5fN3eAW5PZbGibfCR2J.html
New Delhi: Actor and aspiring politician Rajinikanth has said that he is ready to play any role to maintain peace in the country. He made the comments on Twitter after meeting a few leaders from a Muslim outfit at his residence.“I am willing to play any role in order to maintain peace in the country. I too agree with their (Muslim outfit leaders) comment that a country’s prime objective should be love, unity and peace,” 69-year-old actor said in a tweet on Sunday.Rajinikanth also assured the members of ‘Tamil Nadu Jama’athul Uama Sabai’ (TNJUS) that he would do the needful, said the outfit’s president KM Baqavi. TNJUS members had met Rajinikanth on Sunday and apprised him of issues Muslims would face due to CAA, NPR and NRC.The actor had earlier said he would be the first person to raise voice even if a single Muslim was affected by the CAA.HT
Patiala:CAA, NRC unconstitutional, says Sangharsh Committee
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/caa-nrc-unconstitutional-says-sangharsh-committee-49789
Patiala;Many unions, under the banner of Lok Sangharsh Committee, held a meeting today in a run up to the state-level protest against CAA and NRC. Calling CAA and NRC as “unconstitutional”, committees said they would hold a state-level protest at Ludhiana on March 25 to oppose those “divisive” laws. Committee members said that they would go house-to-house to make people aware of the “divisive” and “discriminatory” Citizenship Amendment Act and the NRC. Government teacher Vikram Dev, a committee member, said the central government was out to attack on the very soul of the Constitution with the CAA and the NRC. The said laws were a precursor to Fascism, said Dev.Tribune
Bilal Bagh, Shaheen Bagh in Bengaluru since Feb.8
https://frontline.thehindu.com/dispatches/article30962410.ece
Bengaluru has witnessed continuous protests since the passage of CAA in December last year. The protests have attracted massive support, with one protest on December 23 attended by an estimated 1 lakh people in the city. In spite of this, there was the need felt by the community of protesters for a round-the-clock protest site where the momentum of the campaign could be sustained like at Shaheen Bagh in Delhi. Bengaluru has found this in ‘Bilal Bagh’, named after the mosque next to the protest site, Masjid-e-Bilal, and women have been protesting there since Feb.8. Bilal Bagh is located in a lane just off Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (BSA) Road in north Bengaluru, which is popularly known as Tannery Road. The area is densely populated with limited civic amenities. Apart from Muslims, it is mostly Dalits who live in the area.As one nears Bilal Bagh, slogans of “Azaadi! Azaadi! Arre hum kya chahte, Azaadi!” (Freedom! Freedom! What do we want, freedom!) rend the air. The banner marking the entry to the party-sized marquee reads ‘Bilal Bagh: Bangalore’ and has portraits of Mahatma Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, Bhagat Singh and Tipu Sultan amid fluttering Indian flags.The person leading the sloganeering is Syed Imran, a businessman who is also the driving force behind Bilal Bagh.
Bengaluru: Civic body under fire for banning protests at iconic Town Hall
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/bengaluru-civic-body-under-fire-for-banning-protests-in-front-of-iconic-town-hall-anti-caa-protests-6295800/
Bengaluru :Activists and the Congress party have criticised Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for its decision to ban protests in front of the iconic Sir Puttanna Chetty Town Hall.The Town Hall recently saw multiple demonstrations against CAA and the proposed NRC.On Saturday, BBMP council passed a resolution banning all protests in front of the Town Hall with immediate effect. According to BBMP, the hall is for pre-booked programmes and events, but due to the demonstrations, people have stopped booking it.The Congress party, in opposition in the BBMP council, criticised the ruling BJP’s move and said it was done to stifle anti-CAA protests. Speaking to indianexpress.com, former mayor and councilor Gangambike Mallikarjun said, “The Opposition was not aware of such a resolution till it was passed at the end of the council meeting. This is not right. People have been protesting in front of the Town Hall for years.”indianexpress
3 BJP workers arrested in Bengal for 'goli maaro' chants but none in Delhi: Mamata
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mamata-banerjee-delhi-violence-genocide-1651556-2020-03-02
Kolkata:West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has hit out at BJP and called the turmoil in the national capital a 'planned genocide' in the wake of communal violence."It was a planned genocide, yet BJP has not apologised for it. And shamelessly they came here and said they want to capture Bengal," she said. She said, "Let's take a pledge today. Unless we uproot this autocratic govt we shall not stop."This comes a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited West Bengal and accused Mamata Banerjee of triggering riots in the state. "Goli maaro" slogans were also raised by some BJP workers.indiatoday
UP: Yogi govt backs down; protesting women vacate road in Aligarh
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/uttar-pradesh-yogi-govt-backs-down-protesting-women-vacate-road-in-aligarh
Hundreds of women protesting against CAA on Sunday vacated the road they had been occupying for a week in Aligarh, only when Yogi government, while taking a step back gave some key concessions, according to a report by The Telegraph.Only after meeting police, eminent residents, clerics and BJP and SP politicians on Saturday, the women vacated the Quarsi Road Bypass and returned to Shah Jamal Idgah, their original protesting site.In a back down, government has agreed to provide ₹2 lakh as compensation to Mohammad Tariq, 25, who had suffered a gunshot injury during a clash between the protesters and police on Feb.23.The climb down also includes that the police will not harass any protesters without proper evidence of their direct involvement in any violence.The Telegraph quoted Yogi Adityanath on Friday as saying, no compensation would be given for deaths or injuries suffered by citizenship protesters.“We are giving ₹2 lakh to Tariq for his treatment,” Aligarh DM Chandra Bhushan Singh said on Sunday.nationalheraldindia
15, including 8 AMU students, booked for instigating anti-CAA protests in Aligarh
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/amu-students-other-booked-instigating-anti-caa-protests-aligarh-1651675-2020-03-02
Aligarh:15 people, including 8 AMU students, have been booked for allegedly instigating anti-CAA protests, police said here on Monday.Police said apart from former AMU students' union vice-president Sajjad Rathar, those booked included students belonging to Kashmir.A case was registered against them at the Civil Lines police station on Sunday for instigating protests at the Jiwangarh bypass in Aligarh, police said.Meanwhile, in view of upcoming festivals, notices were served on 752 people for their alleged links with last week's "disturbances" in the town.
‘Kafeel Khan May Get Killed Inside Jail, Not Given Food for 5 Days’: UP Doctor’s Wife to HC
https://www.news18.com/news/india/kafeel-khan-might-be-killed-inside-jail-not-given-food-for-5-days-up-doctors-wife-to-allahabad-hc-2521777.html?fbclid=IwAR1YYZORQWdtpkOuWLp25kYQmVqbVfSfEWbiy91oZ16GjQr0JVF5KsThDkA
Lucknow: Shabista Khan, wife of Dr Kafeel Khan who was detained under NSA for alleged inflammatory statements during an anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protest, has expressed concern over the security of her husband inside Mathura jail in Uttar Pradesh saying he “might be killed inside the prison”.Shabista has written a letter to the Chief Justice of the High Court requesting security to her husband, claiming his life might be in "danger".In the letter, which has also been marked to Additional Chief Secretary Home Uttar Pradesh and DG Jail Uttar Pradesh, she said that Khan was being treated “inhumanly” in the jail as he was not provided food for five consecutive days and was being “mentally harassed”. “I met my husband Dr Khan in Mathura Jail. I came to know that there is a life threat to him. He is being mentally harassed inside and was not even given food for five days after he was brought to jail. I fear that he might be killed inside the jail. I have requested Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court to ensure his security,” Shabista Khan told media.news18
BJP are getting taste of their own medicine: Justice Dharmadhikari on CAA, NPR, NRC
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/bjp-are-getting-taste-of-their-own-medicine-justice-dharmadhikari-on-caa-npr-nrc
Unfortunately, they (BJP) have forgotten they are in power. They are getting the taste of their own medicine,” said Justice (retd) Satyaranjan Dharmadhikari of the Bombay High Court. He was speaking about the nationwide protests by citizens against CAA, NPR and NRC. The judge, who recently resigned from his 16 years of service, said if there is no room for dissent, then there will be no democracy. Justice Dharmadhikari (60) spoke on an array of issues ranging from the ongoing anti-CAA protests to the appointment of judges by the Supreme Court collegium. “Dissent is an integral part of democracy. In fact, there will be no democracy if divergent or different views are disallowed. Thus, people have all the right to protest peacefully to ensure different views are heard,” Justice Dharmadhikari said.Free Press Journal’
Wanted to meet anti-CAA protestors, but stopped by cops:Bhim Army chief
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/wanted-to-meet-anti-caa-protestors-but-stopped-by-cops-says-bhim-army-chief/story-ztUzOidKmmN4GV4srW4N8H.html
Lucknow: Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad was quizzed by Lucknow police at VIP Guest House in Dalibagh area, an hour after arriving in the state capital on Sunday.The police swung into action believing that Azad might visit the Clock Tower and extend support to the women sitting on anti-CAA protest there, said sources.Chandrashekhar said he wanted to meet the protesters at Clock Tower, but was stopped by the police. “The women protesting at Clock Tower are our own people. I wanted to meet them.”There were rumours that Chandrashekhar was put under house arrest, but police officials refuted it.HT
Reject CAA, NRC, NPR: Owaisi to Andhra CM Reddy
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2020/mar/02/reject-caa-nrc-npr-aimim-chief-asaduddin-owaisi-to-andhra-cm-jagan-mohan-reddy-2110954.html
Guntur: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi requested Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to reject CAA, NRC and NPR “as the black laws are harmful to all sections of the society” at a programme at BR Stadium here on Sunday.He appealed to the CM not to fear Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Home Minister Amit Shah in rejecting the policies and said YS Rajasekhara Reddy would have done the same in the interest of the poor.He alleged that the Centre was spreading false campaign, which posed a threat not to just Muslims but to people of all faith.newindianexpress
Assam's Proposed Delimitation Is 'Untimely' : Activists and Opposition
https://thewire.in/politics/assam-delimitation-nrc-untimely-activists-opposition
Guwahati: With the contentious CAA still triggering tensions amongst people in Assam resulting in continuous protests, the latest notification for the delimitation of electoral constituencies in states like Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal and Manipur has been met with anger and is being termed as ‘untimely’ both by civil society and the opposition in Assam, especially in the context of the pending updating of the NRC.Delimitation involves the process of redrawing the boundaries of constituencies with the aim of equalising the electorate per seat. It is usually carried out with reference to administrative convenience and geographic and demographic factors.BJP-led state government backed the delimitation exercise in the “interest of the indigenous people of the state and unless it is carried out, they would remain vulnerable”.But both the Congress and AIUDF stated that the exercise will raise complications. Debabrata Saikia, leader of the opposition in the state assembly, said, “With NRC completion still pending and the fate of those who were excluded still uncertain, delimitation will create more complications.”Prabajan Virodhi Manch (PVM), an anti-influx body in a statement said that notification for delimitation of constituencies in Assam and in other states of the northeast was detrimental to the interests of the indigenous people as it would create another set of complications. Upamanyu Hazarika, a Supreme Court lawyer said, “The entire exercise will be flawed as NRC is not complete.”The Wire
Meghalaya violence: 28-year-old man stabbed, 4 shops burnt, stone-pelting incidents reported
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/meghalaya-violence-man-stabbed-shops-set-afire-stone-pelting-incidents-reported-1651672-2020-03-02
Shillong: A 28-year-old man was stabbed with a broken glass bottle in the Mawprem area in Shillong, as sporadic incidents of violence were reported from across Meghalaya in the aftermath of clashes between tribal and non-tribal groups that has left 3 people dead, police said on Monday.4 shops rented to non-tribal businessmen were set on fire in Photkroh town in South West Khasi Hills District in the early hours, they said.There were also reports of stone-pelting on vehicles plying along the national highway near Puriang village in East Khasi Hills District on Sunday, AIGP said.The death toll in the clashes between tribal and non-tribal groups increased to 3 on Sunday after a 37-year-old man was killed by 3 unidentified people at his house in East Khasi Hills district, police said.The clashes had broken out between KSU members and non-tribals during a rally organised against CAA and to demand implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP), at Ichamati on Friday.PTI
Delhi violence will only push more people into ghettos, but anti-CAA protests are part of global wave of urban uprisings: Political scientist Gayer
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/all-that-matters/delhi-communal-violence-will-only-push-more-people-into-ghettos-says-political-scientist-laurent-gayer/articleshow/74419952.cms
Laurent Gayer, a political scientist who has worked on urban spaces and social integration in both India and Pakistan, and co-author of the book Muslims in Indian Cities, speaks about violence and coexistence in the light of Delhi violence and anti-CAA protests. Laurent Gayer said, "Urban sociology classically established a distinction between enclaves, whose residents are supposed to congregate by choice with their kith and kin, and ghettos, where stigmatised populations are thought to be confined against their will. The growing sense of insecurity among Indian Muslims has collapsed these 2 categories into a single experience of marginalisation. In Delhi, as in other highly segregated Indian cities, middle-class Muslims currently live side by side with working-class Muslims in dilapidated localities. They have traded the comforts of middle-class urban living for security. Obviously, recent pogrom will lead to new displacements and new attempts to search for safety in numbers." Gayer continued, "anti-CAA protests are part of a global wave of urban uprisings, for which the city is not merely a background setting but a major stakeholder in the conflict between insurgents and incumbents. These are all struggles for the city, for its territories and flows, for the control of place and pace. The global enthusiasm of protesters for occupations and blockades is not merely a matter of protest tactics, though. It also carries a desire for new forms of collective life, brandished against the forces of parochialism, the disruptive power of capital and the violence of state repression. Anti-CAA activists in Shaheen Bagh and Jaffrabad did not only craft a new style of protests: night after night, they reclaimed the city as a place for pluralistic living and political solidarities across denominational divides. This sort of constituent imagination is a matter of concern for authoritarian neo-liberal states that are becoming the norm worldwide. In India, this concern overlaps with what many Muslims and secular non-Muslims see as a systematic process of disenfranchisement of Muslim population. In this perspective, reclaiming the streets is not only about restoring law and order or resetting the pace of circulatory flows essential to the economy: it is part of a political program aiming to replace the old citizenship by right with a citizenship by permit, which will be granted at the discretion of the rulers. The idea of the street as an arena for universalistic public claims, firmly rooted into the language of rights, is anathema to this new conception of citizenship. The ‘new India’ should brace itself for some street-fighting years."TOI
Anti-CAA activist Jalmi arrested for controversial remarks in Goa rally; held for hurting religious sentiments, says police
https://www.firstpost.com/india/anti-caa-activist-ramakrishna-jalmi-arrested-for-controversial-remarks-in-goa-rally-held-for-hurting-religious-sentiments-says-police-8106721.html
Panaji:Anti-CAA activist Ramakrishna Jalmi was arrested on Sunday over his alleged controversial utterances during a rally in south Goa on Saturday.SP Pankaj Kumar said Jalmi has been arrested under sections 295 (A) and 153 (A) of IPC for hurting religious sentiments.Jalmi was one of the speakers who delivered speech at the rally, organised by various bodies including Centre for Social Peace and Justice (CSJP) backed by the Goa Church, in Benaulim village."He was arrested for derogatory utterances," Kumar said.PTI
*J&K AND S. ASIA*
SC refuses to refer Article 370 matter to larger 7-judge Bench
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sc-refuses-to-refer-article-370-matter-to-larger-seven-judge-bench/article30961396.ece?homepage=true
A 5-judge Constitution Bench led by Justice N.V. Ramana on Monday declined a plea to refer to a larger Bench petitions challenging the abrogation of special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution. The Bench said it would continue to hear the case on merits.hen one of the lawyers for the petitioners sought an early date to resume the hearing, it said a date would be fixed after considering the dates for the nine-judge Sabarimala Bench.The Bench had heard arguments and reserved its decision on whether there was a “direct conflict” between the judgments of 1959 and 1970 on the nature and extent of Article 370.However, Justice Ramana, who pronounced the judgment for the Bench, concluded that there was no conflict between the 1959 and 1970 judgments.Senior advocate Dinesh Dwivedi, seconded by senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, had argued that Justice Ramana’s Bench was the third five-judge Bench examining a case concerning the use of Article 370. The petitions should be referred to a larger Bench, they urged.thehindu
J&K's proximity to Pakistan, links to past events: How govt defended Omar Abdullah's detention
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kashmir-proximity-to-pakistan-how-govt-defended-omar-abdullah-detention-1651600-2020-03-02
https://www.firstpost.com/india/supreme-court-to-hear-plea-against-omar-abdullahs-detention-under-public-safety-act-on-5-march-8108441.html
New Delhi:Jammu and Kashmir administration told the Supreme Court on Monday that former J&K CM Omar Abdullah's detention for over 7 months is justified as he continues to be a threat to public order. J&K administration told the court that the court cannot review the detention of Omar Abdullah.The SC bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Indira Banerjee was hearing a plea filed by Omar Abdullah's sister Sara Abdullah Pilot challenging the detention of her brother and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah under PSA.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta filed the response on behalf of Jammu and Kashmir administration on Pilot's plea before a bench.J&K administration defended the prolonged detention of Omar Abdullah saying the action was a result of leader's "live and proximate link" to past events."Geographical proximity of J&K and Ladakh to Islamic republic of Pakistan is also a factor," said Jammu and Kashmir administration while defending the detention.The Court said it would hear on 5 March on it.The bench, while posting the matter for hearing on Thursday, said that the petitioner can file a rejoinder, if any, on the response filed by the Jammu and Kashmir administration.indiatoday/firstpost
Jammu: Historic City Square is renamed ‘Bharat Mata Chowk’ by BJP-led municipal corporation
https://scroll.in/latest/954906/jammu-historic-city-square-is-renamed-bharat-mata-chowk-by-bjp-led-municipal-corporation
BJP-led Jammu Municipal Corporation on Sunday decided to rename the City Square in Jammu “Bharat Mata Chowk”, PTI reported. The corporation passed a resolution to change the name of the city’s commercial hub. “I had moved a resolution in the general house some 4 months ago demanding renaming of ‘City Chowk’’ to ‘’Bharat Mata Chowk’ on the popular demand of the public,” BJP leader and Jammu Municipal Corporation Deputy Mayor Purnima Sharma said. She said the corporation adopted the resolution.The corporation also decided to rename the starting point of the circular road the “Atal Chowk”, after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.However, V Gupta, the joint secretary of the Kanak Mandi Market Association, was not impressed. “They placed the board overnight without consulting the locals,” he said. “This is the oldest residential and commercial area of the city and known by the name of City Square. It came as a big surprise for us.”scroll
*OTHERS*
2012 Delhi gangrape: Execution of 4 convicts stayed till further orders
https://scroll.in/latest/954945/2012-delhi-gangrape-execution-of-four-convicts-stayed-till-further-orders
A court in Delhi on Monday stayed the execution of the four convicts in the 2012 Delhi gangrape and murder case, ANI reported. Akshay Thakur, Vinay Sharma, Mukesh Singh and Pawan Gupta were scheduled to be hanged at Tihar Jail in Delhi on Tuesday at 6 am. The court deferred the matter after one of the convicts, Pawan Gupta, filed a mercy petition before President Ram Nath Kovind earlier in the day. His lawyer had requested the court to stop the execution citing the petition.Additional Session Judge Dharmender Rana rapped his lawyer for filing the curative and mercy pleas so late. “You are playing with fire, you should be cautious,” said the judge, adding, “One wrong move by anybody and you know the consequences.”Earlier in day, the Supreme Court rejected Gupta’s curative petition. He had sought commutation of his death penalty to life imprisonment.The four convicts were given the death penalty – first by a trial court in September 2013, which was upheld by the Delhi High Court six months later and the Supreme Court in May 2017.scroll
Nirbhaya Case: Why 4 Death-Row Convicts Won't Be Hanged Tomorrow Morning?
https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-nirbhaya-case-will-the-four-death-row-convicts-be-hanged-tomorrow-morning/348160
SC bench recuses from hearing pleas against bail to Swami Chinmayanand in rape case
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sc-bench-recuses-from-hearing-pleas-against-bail-to-swami-chinmayanand-in-rape-case-6295909/
New Delhi :A Supreme Court bench on Monday recused from hearing the plea challenging the Allahabad High Court order granting bail to former Union minister Swami Chinmayanand in a rape case lodged by a law student.A separate plea seeking transfer of the case to a Delhi court from Uttar Pradesh also came up for hearing before a bench of Justices R Banumathi and A S Bopanna.“List both the matters before some other bench where Justice R Banumathi and Justice A S Bopanna are not members, after obtaining orders from the Chief Justice of India,” the bench said in its order.PTI
BJP Offering Rs 25-35 Crore to Congress MLAs to Bring Down MP Govt, Alleges Digvijaya; BJP Rebuts
https://www.news18.com/news/politics/bjp-offering-rs-25-35-cr-to-congress-mlas-to-bring-down-mp-govt-alleges-digvijaya-bjp-rebuts-2522233.html
Bhopal: Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh on Monday accused the BJP of trying to poach MLAs at Rs 25-35 crore and bring down the Congress government in the state.“Shivraj (Singh Chouhan) is dreaming of becoming the chief minister and Narottam Mishra his deputy. Those who looted the state for 15 years are now luring Congress MLAs with Rs 25 crore to 35 crore. The first installment would be of Rs 5 crore, while the second would be paid after Rajya Sabha nominations. The final one would be paid after the state government is brought down,” Singh claimed.However, unlike Karnataka, MLAs “are not for sale in Madhya Pradesh”, said Singh. “I never level any allegations without proof,” he added.The remarks came close on the heels of the BJP starting its preparations for Rajya Sabha nominations as assembly session gets underway from March 16.Responding to the allegations, Leader of Opposition Gopal Bhargav said, “No one is in touch with me and those who wish to act on their conscience are most welcome. If he (Singh) has proof, let him furnish it publicly.”Meanwhile, BJP state head VD Sharma began preparations to chalk out the strategy for Rajya Sabha nominations in Bhopal by summoning all the leaders to the party office as the outfit is no mood to offer a walkover to the Congress for the third seat.news18
After CAA, Centre might bring population control law: Union Minister Jyoti
https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/after-caa-centre-might-bring-population-control-law-niranjan-jyoti-809674.html
Union Minister of state Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti on Sunday said after CAA, the Centre might bring a population control law. Jyoti claimed that she has already spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard2EShe said she believes that this issue is under the prime minister's consideration and he himself has discussed the importance of bringing this law."There was a time when abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir was impossible. It was feared that if such thing happens, there will be bloodbath. No one will be hold the national flag in Kashmir. But this government can bring any law in favour of the nation," Jyoti said."Now, everyone believes that if Article 370 can be removed...Prime Minister Narendra Modi can bring any law which is important for the country," she added. PTI
Now, Uniform Civil Code: Delhi HC seeks Centre’s response on pleas for drafting it
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/now-uniform-civil-code-delhi-hc-seeks-centres-response-on-pleas-for-drafting-it
Delhi High Court on Monday sought the Centre's response within three weeks on a batch of petitions seeking constitution of a judicial commission to draft a uniform civil code.A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar issued a notice to the Central government on four such petitions and listed the matter for further hearing on March 23.In a petition, BJP leader and lawyer Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay has sought framing of a uniform civil code to promote national integration and gender justice, equality and dignity of women. Four other similar pleas seeking UCC have been filed on which the court sought the Centre's response on Monday.The court also issued a notice to Upadhyay and the Centre on an application by AIMPLB seeking to be impleaded as a party in the petition filed by the BJP leader.PTI
After Maharashtra, now Madhya Pradesh mulls Muslim quota
https://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2020/mar/01/after-maharashtra-now-madhya-pradesh-mulls-muslim-quota-2110397.html
After Maharashtra, now Congress-ruled Madhya Pradesh could reserve seats for Muslims in educational institutions. Dropping hints about the reservation, Madhya Pradesh Water Resources Minister Hukum Singh Karada, on Saturday, said, “We too are preparing a detailed plan for minorities. You will see that we’ll provide more relaxation than what Maharashtra has announced. I won’t be able to give details, as I’m not authorised to make any announcement, but I can assure that relaxation would be more than Maharashtra.”Karada said, “Just wait and watch, surely our government will give a more liberal message soon.” Sources within the state Congress confided that there is a plan to grant reservation to Muslims in educational institutions in MP. On Friday, Maharashtra Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik informed the state legislative council that their government will pass legislation to extend five per cent reservation to Muslims in educational institutes. Malik on Saturday said that the Maharashtra BJP leaders were trying to create confusion among people on reservations to the Muslim community but the Maha Vikas Aghadi will manage to dispel all doubts. newindianexpress
UP: Gesture of harmony: Muslims return cheque donated by Sikh Samaj
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/gesture-of-harmony-muslims-return-cheque-donated-by-sikh-samaj/story-LV2rViOfbWFg1rwuMFUluJ.html
Meerut In a gesture of communal harmony, Muslims returned Rs four lakh cheque for the proposed land donated by the Sikh Samaj for the construction of a mosque to end the land dispute between the two communities in Saharanpur, which also led to a fierce riot 6 years ago and claimed lives of three persons. Muslim community also declared to offer ‘kar seva’ during the extension of the Gurudwara in Kutubsher area and in return, Sikh Samaj will construct a building, preferably a ‘langar’, dispensary or something else in the name of the Muslim saint Baba Farid.Muslim community also declared to offer ‘kar seva’ during the construction of Gurudwara and in return, Sikh Samaj will construct a building, preferably a langar, dispensary or something else in the name of the Muslim saint Baba Farid.On Wednesday, both the communities had resolved the issue and agreed on constructing the mosque at another place. The Singh Sabha offered to bear the cost of the land and gave a cheque of Rs four lakh to the Muslim community.HT
Two Lingayat mutts in Karnataka ring in peace by appointing Muslim and Kuruba heads
https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/two-lingayat-mutts-karnataka-ring-peace-appointing-muslim-and-kuruba-heads-119237
Amidst the hate speeches and communal strife that we’re witnessing lately, two Lingayat mutts in Karnataka quietly set an example of religious tolerance, by appointing a Muslim and a Kuruba (Backward Class) as their head last week. A bonus to this development: of the two mutts, one is headed by a woman seer from the Backward Class; though nearly 20 Lingayat mutts in the state are led by women, they are from the same community.While Diwan Sharief Rahimsab Mulla, a 33-year-old former autorickshaw driver and flour mill owner influenced by the 12th century social reformer Basavanna, took the Linga Deeksha (initiation) to head the Murugarajendra Koraneshwara Shanthidhama mutt in Asuti village of Gadag district, 47-year-old Neelamma Taayi, a teacher now known as Vijaya Mahantamma Taayi, became the Uttaradhikari (successor) of Basava Kendra Mahanta mutt in Mareguddi-Budhni PM village of Jamkhandi taluk, Bagalkot district.thenewsminute
Tamil Nadu: To dispel misconceptions, Vaniyambadi mosque opens doors to all faiths
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/tamil-nadu-to-dispel-misconceptions-vaniyambadi-mosque-opens-doors-to-all-faiths/articleshow/74434857.cms
VELLORE: In an initiative to build peace and harmony, the Khaderpet mosque near Vaniyambadi in Tirupattur district invited people from other faiths to make them aware of how a mosque functions and clear any misconceptions about Islam.The one-day event, ‘Visit our mosque’, witnessed more than 300 people from other religions, including students and women who were visiting a mosque for the first time. The event was organised by Student Islamic Organization of India (SIO) (student wing of Jamat-e-Islami Hind).“The mosque is the centre of love and affection, and is integral to the life of followers of Islam. We see negative thoughts being associated with mosques, which triggers fear in people of other religion. To remove these fears and rumours the event was planned after obtaining permission from the Khaderpet mosque executive members,” said Ihtishaam Ul Huq, a member SIO in Vaniyambadi.TOI
SIMI member surrenders before police in MP:ANI
https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/simi-member-surrenders-before-police-in-mps-burhanpur20200229182414/
Burhanpur: An alleged member of SIMI, who was absconding for the last 18 years on Saturday surrendered before the police here. In 2001, a case was registered against Mohammad Iliyaas allegedly for anti-law activities.He was produced before a local court here today which sent him to jail till March 13.
'Islamic extremists' Aamir Khan, Javed Akhtar targeted Kangana Ranaut, claims her sister Chandel
https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/bollywood/islamic-extremists-aamir-khan-javed-akhtar-targeted-kangana-ranaut-claims-rangoli-chandel
Actress, Kangana Ranaut's sister Rangoli Chandel is an avid Twitter user and often makes headlines for her outspoken tweets. On Sunday, Rangoli took to the micro-blogging app and slammed 'Bollywood Islamic extremists' - AamirKhan, Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi - for targeting her sister.In a series of tweets, Rangoli called them out for supporting Alia Bhatt's 'Raazi' and not Kangana's 'Manikarnika'. She said that 'Razi' glorified a 'stupid girl', whereas 'Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi' was the story of the greatest martyr.She wrote, "Kangana has been a target of Bollywood Islamic extremists,no word for greatest Martyrs story Manikarnika from AamirKhan, Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi orLibrandus like KJo, immense negative campaigns for Manikarnika but they all glorified Razi some stupid girl who goes to Pakistan"Kangana's sister also blamed them for playing religion politics and concluded by saying, "You guys have only made her determined to bring back lost glory of Bharat, get ready for her first directorial... Ayodhya .... Jai Shri Ram"freepressjournal
‘Is this happening because I’m Dalit?’ Congress MP alleges BJP leader assaulted her in Parliament
https://scroll.in/latest/954953/is-this-happening-because-im-dalit-congress-mp-alleges-bjp-leader-assaulted-her-in-parliament
Congress MP Ramya Haridas on Monday wrote a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, alleging that a BJP MP had assaulted her after a ruckus erupted during the Parliament’s Budget Session, reported Outlook. “…I was physically assaulted by MP Ms Jaskaur Meena,” the Congress MP’s letter read. Haridas also questioned if she was assaulted repeatedly “because I am Dalit and [a] woman?”, adding that action should be initiated against the BJP leader.Congress MP alleged that Meena hit her on the shoulder as she proceeded to the Well of the Lower House. “Parliament is not secure for women Parliament members,” she told ANI. However, Meena refuted the allegations, and claimed: “As she opened the banner in Lok Sabha, it hit me on my head. I asked her to move ahead. I didn’t hit or push her. If she says she is using ‘Dalit’ word, then I’m also a Dalit woman.”scroll
Congress stages walkout of Himachal Assembly over ‘discrimination’ against Dalits in state
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/congress-stages-walkout-of-himachal-pradesh-assembly-over-discrimination-against-dalits-in-state
The opposition Congress today walked out of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly over alleged discrimination against Dalits in state.Flaying Congress, CM Jai Ram Thakur said instead of walking out of the assembly, the opposition party should have had a serious discussion on how to eliminate such discrimination.He claimed that Congress MLAs were doing this just to remain in headlines of the newspapers. Congress MLAs returned to the House within a few minutes of the walkout and then raised slogans against the BJP govt in the state.According to a police complaint, Chandramani, resident of a village in Mandi's Balh tehsil, had organised a religious function at his home on Sunday when Narendra Kumar came there and disrupted the programme by pouring water into the 'chulah'. He also allegedly kicked the utensils containing food.PTI
India’s unemployment rate rises to 7.78% in Feb – highest in 4 months
https://scroll.in/latest/954954/indias-unemployment-rate-rises-to-7-78-in-february-highest-in-four-months
The unemployment rate in India rose to 7.78% in February, the highest since October 2019, Reuters reported on Monday, citing data released by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy. This reflects a decline in economic activity in the country.In rural areas, the unemployment rate increased to 7.37% in February from 5.97% in January, while in urban areas, it fell to 8.65% from 9.70%, according to the data released by the Mumbai-based private think-tank.scroll
PAN card holders may be fined Rs 10,000 for not linking it to Aadhaar by March 31 deadline
https://www.indiatoday.in/business/story/pan-card-holders-may-be-rs-10-000-for-not-linking-it-to-aadhaar-by-march-31-deadline-1651553-2020-03-02
New Delhi:Adouble whammy awaits individuals who fail to link their PAN cards with Aadhaar by the end of March 31, 2020, the final deadline set by the Income Tax Department.Not only will their PAN cards become inoperative but they could also face a fine up to Rs 10,000 for using an inoperative PAN card, the tax department has said in a fresh notification.It is worth mentioning that under Section 272B of the Income Tax Act, a person found using an invalid/inoperative PAN card may be fined Rs 10,000.India Today
UP Officials Crush Crops Amid Protests By Farmers. Priyanka Gandhi Tweets
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/up-officials-crush-crops-amid-protests-by-farmers-in-mirzapur-priyanka-gandhi-tweets-2188638?pfrom=home-topstories
Mirzapur: Visuals of UP government officials crushing crops in Mirzapur district have led to an outrage, with Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeting about the incident.The visuals shared by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Twitter showed police forcibly pushing people on one side of the field and a JCB machine crushing the crop. "In Mirzapur, farmers had grown their crop with a lot of effort but the BJP government and the police have trampled upon the crop. Just yesterday (Saturday), the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister had given a host of false assurances to farmer. It has not even been 24 hours but look at how the government is behaving with women farmers. An anti-farmer attitude is embedded in the BJP," the Congress leader tweeted this morning along with a video.ndtv
9 swine flu deaths in UP,17 PAC jawans test positive
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/9-swine-flu-deaths-in-up-17-pac-jawans-test-positive
After the coronavirus scare it is now swine flu that is raging on in Uttar Pradesh. The death toll in the state has reached nine, six of which are from Meerut alone, and 17 PAC jawans have tested positive for swine flu in the district in the past 48 hours.Meerut CMO Raj Kumar said, "Out of the 27 PAC jawans of the Sixth Battalion admitted to LLRMMC with complaints of fever, cold and other similar symptoms, 17 have tested positive for swine flu. Hence, around 370 jawans in the battalion were given Tamiflu tablets and instructed to remain on the campus to prevent further spread of the infection. With this, the total number of swine flu cases in the district has gone up to 71."The official said, "We have added 40 more beds in the isolation ward of the LLRMMC taking the total number to 56."IANS
*US-TALIBAN AFGHAN PEACE DEAL*
US-Taliban agreement is like long-awaited ‘Pakeezah’ release: External Minister Jaishankar
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-taliban-agreement-is-like-long-awaited-pakeezah-release-says-jaishankar/article30961529.ece?homepage=true
Likening US-Taliban agreement in Doha to the long-awaited release of a film, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said India was “watching the space” closely to see that the gains of the last two decades were not lost.“The agreement has been anticipated for so long; it is like the release of Pakeezah after watching lots of trailers,” Jaishankar said, referring to 1972 Hindi film that took 15 years to complete. “Our message to US is that the achievements of the last 18 years should not be lost,” he added.Speaking at the Centre for Policy Research’s “Dialogue 2020”, in conversation with former Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran, Jaishankar also said that he believed the “real negotiations” would only begin now, a possible reference to Intra-Afghan dialogue due to begin on March 10 this year, as well as a Pakistan-Afghanistan dialogue facilitated by US on securing their borders and ending terror safe havens.“How cohesive are the various players, does the Taliban join the democratic set-up, or will the democratic set-up have to adjust to Taliban...We are all watching this space,” he said.India stopped short of welcoming US-Taliban and US-Afghanistan agreements announced on Saturday, for which texts were widely distributed in the media. According to an MEA statement, India “noted that the entire political spectrum in Afghanistan...has welcomed the opportunity and hope for peace and stability generated by these agreements.”thehindu
Pakistan warns US of 'spoilers' on US-Taliban deal in Afghanistan
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/pakistan-warns-spoilers-taliban-deal-afghanistan-200302093650382.html
The political players in Afghanistan should set aside their "personal interests" in moving the country's peace process forward, Pakistan's foreign minister has said, before warning US of "spoilers" that could derail a landmark agreement signed a day earlier to bring peace to the country.a day after attending the signing ceremony of an agreement that is aimed at ending US's 18-year war in neighbouring Afghanistan, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said it was important for intra-Afghan talks to begin swiftly."People want peace. Now it is time to see what the [Afghan] leadership does," he said. "Do they prioritise Afghanistan's interests, or do they give their own personal benefits more importance? This is a very big decision."Qureshi said he told US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who was also present at the signing of the agreement in Doha, that US must be wary of "spoilers" who could derail the process."We cannot be in denial about this. There were spoilers, there are spoilers," said Qureshi without elaborating on the nature of the alleged "spoilers".aljazeera
Taliban To End Partial Truce, Resume Operations against Afghan Forces
https://www.news18.com/news/world/taliban-to-end-partial-truce-resume-operations-against-afghan-forces-2522679.html
Kabul: Taliban today said they were resuming offensive operations against Afghan security forces, ending the partial truce that preceded the signing of a deal between the insurgents and Washington."The reduction in violence... has ended now and our operations will continue as normal," said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid."As per (US-Taliban) agreement, our mujahiddin will not attack foreign forces but our operations will continue against the Kabul administration forces."AFP
*WORLD*
Coronavirus: 2 more cases confirmed in Delhi, Telangana; travel advisory issued for 5 nations; claims over 3,000 lives globally
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/coronavirus-outbreak-india-march-2-6295746/
Delhi and Telangana reported their first cases of the novel coronavirus on Monday, taking the total number of persons who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the country to five, the Union Health Ministry said.The infected person from Delhi recently traveled to Italy and is being diagnosed at Ram Manohar Lohia hospital while other patient from Telengana traveled to Dubai, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said in a press conference.“Both the patients are stable and being closely monitored,” a statement from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated.Meanwhile, DGCA said it would expand screening of all passengers arriving in flights from Italy and Iran besides the flights from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.Poultry breeders on Monday demanded a relief package from the government, claiming that the sector had incurred heavy losses of around Rs 1,750 crore in a month due to fake news that coronavirus was spreading due to chickens, PTI reported.The virus has claimed over 3,000 lives globally and has been reported in at least 60 countries. In US, second death due to the virus was reported today. The virus, which first emerged in China, has now infected more than 88,000 people in over 60 countries. The rapid spread of the coronavirus has raised fears over its impact on the world economy, causing global markets to log their worst losses since the 2008 financial crisis.indianexpress
Coronavirus toll tops 3,000, more countries hit
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/algeria-egypt-confirm-coronavirus-cases-live-updates-200301232150803.html
Cow Urine, Cow Dung Can Cure Coronavirus: Assam BJP MLA Suman Haripriya
https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-cow-urine-cow-dung-can-cure-coronavirus-assam-bjp-mla-suman-haripriya/348159
As novel coronavirus scare runs across the world, Assam BJP MLA has suggested a bizarre treatment for the virus infection.Speaking at the budget session of Assam Legislative Assembly, BJP MLA Suman Haripriya said cow urine and cow dung can treat deadly coronavirus, local media reported.“It (cow urine and cow dung) can cure cancer patients. We have got evidence. Even an Ayurvedic hospital in Gujarat applies cow dung to cancer patients. They are given Panchamrit prepared from cow urine and cow dung.”“Therefore, we can apply the same things in case of coronavirus,” News Live TV quoted Haripriya as saying.Earlier, Hindu Mahasabha had also said that cow urine and dung can be used for treatment of coronavirus. outlookindia
Iran: Council member close to supreme leader Khamenei dies from coronavirus
https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/iran-council-member-supreme-leader-khamenei-mohammad-mirmohammadi-dies-coronavirus-1651611-2020-03-02
Tehran:Iranian state radio says a member of a council that advises Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has died after falling ill from the new coronavirus.The report Monday said Expediency Council member Mohammad Mirmohammadi had died. He was 71.The council advises Khamenei, as well as settles disputes between the supreme leader and parliament.His death comes as other top officials have contracted the virus in Iran, which has the highest death toll in the world after China, the epicenter of the outbreak.Trying to stem the outbreak of the new coronavirus, Iran on Monday held an online-only briefing by its Foreign Ministry as Britain began evacuating nonessential staff and families from the country which has the highest death toll from the virus outside of China.Iran has reported 978 confirmed cases of the new virus with 54 deaths from the illness it causes, called COVID-19. Across the wider Mideast, there are over 1,150 cases of the new coronavirus, the majority of which are linked back to Iran. indiatoday
Erdogan hopes for Idlib ceasefire deal in Putin talks
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/turkey-erdogan-visit-russia-tensions-syria-idlib-200302085502839.html
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that he hopes to reach a deal on a ceasefire in Syria's northwest when he meets his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin later in the week."I will go to Moscow on Thursday to discuss the developments in Syria," Erdogan told members of his party in the capital, Ankara."I hope that he [Putin] will take the necessary measures there, such as a ceasefire, and that we will find a solution to this affair," Erdogan said in the televised speech on Monday, which came amid rising tensions following a surge in fighting between Turkish and Syrian forces in the war-torn country's Idlib region.aljazeera
100 Pakistan mercenaries in Syria to fight on behalf of Turkey: US journalist
https://theprint.in/world/100-pakistan-mercenaries-in-syria-to-fight-on-behalf-of-turkey-says-us-journalist/374199/
New Delhi: A batch of 100 Pakistani mercenaries has landed in war-torn Syria to fight alongside Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA), with more expected to come in the near future, ThePrint has learnt. Sources in Indian defence establishment said they were trying to find out more about the development.The fact that Pakistani mercenaries have landed in Syria has been revealed by Lindsey Snell, an American journalist who has covered the nine-year-long-and-counting Syrian war. Snell, who has reportedly been abducted by an al-Qaida affiliate and even jailed by Turkey, told ThePrint that the information was given to her by a “source in FSA”.According to her source, she said, a total of 1,400 Pakistani mercenaries are to join Turkish-backed group, which is one of the many non-government militias involved in the Syrian civil war.Snell, however, added that information had not been independently verified.theprint
Israel general elections: 3rd vote in less than a year
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/israel-general-elections-vote-year-200302082958867.html
Polls in Israel open shortly in an unprecedented third general election just under a year.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing three separate corruption cases, and his main rival Benny Gantz are running neck-and-neck.Israeli politics remain as fractured as in the previous two elections when no party was able to form a government.aljazeera
Uncertainty looms as Iraqi PM-designate Allawi steps down
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/uncertainty-looms-iraqi-pm-designate-allawi-steps-200302063000903.html
Iraq's PM-designate Mohammed Allawi has withdrawn his candidacy for the post, accusing members of the country's fractured parliament of standing in his way and prolonging a months-long political crisis.Allawi's move on Sunday came hours after legislators failed for the second time this week to approve his cabinet of independents amid political infighting in a country that has been rocked by months of anti-establishment protests that forced the resignation of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi."I tried with all possible ways to save our country from sliding into the unknown and to solve the current problem. But during the negotiations, I ran into many things unrelated to the country's interests," Allawi said in a statement presented to President Barham Salih.aljazeera
*views, Articles, FEATURES*
Why Indian Muslim is feeling insecure: K. Rahman Khan, telegraphindia
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/why-indian-muslim-is-feeling-insecure/cid/1750173
Kejriwal Has Shown During Delhi Riots He is Now a Politician for Whom Only Votes Matter:Ashutosh, news18
https://www.news18.com/news/opinion/arvind-kejriwal-has-shown-during-delhi-riots-he-is-now-a-politician-for-whom-only-votes-matter-2521963.html
Lessons From Arvind Kejriwal's Response to the Pogrom in Delhi:Rohit Kumar, thewire
https://thewire.in/politics/arvind-kejriwal-delhi-pogrom-response
How we define and categorise the Delhi violence matters:Ashutosh Varshney
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/delhi-violence-riots-death-toll-6294461/
Shah Of Delhi's Misery: Ajaz Ashraf , mid-day
https://www.mid-day.com/articles/shah-of-delhis-misery/22650202
NRC possible even without CAA: Law, rules and notification already in place:Prabhash K Dutta
https://www.indiatoday.in/news-analysis/story/nrc-possible-even-without-caa-law-rules-and-notification-already-in-place-1651552-2020-03-02
Communal riots in Delhi are now part of Modi’s legacy as Prime Minister:Rohan Venkataramakrishnan
https://scroll.in/article/954816/the-political-fix-communal-riots-in-delhi-are-now-part-of-modis-legacy-as-prime-minister
In Meghalaya, 3 deaths widen CAA, ethnic faultlines: ‘Had machetes… planned attack’:indianexpress
https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/meghalaya/meghalaya-shillong-caa-curfew-6294492/
Why India should leave Afghanistan to Pakistan as US signs peace deal with Taliban:NAYANIMA BASU
https://theprint.in/diplomacy/why-india-should-leave-afghanistan-to-pakistan-as-us-signs-peace-deal-with-taliban/373905/
Dissatisfaction with democracy across countries at its highest in past 25 years:DARREN THACKERAY
https://theprint.in/world/dissatisfaction-with-democracy-across-countries-at-its-highest-in-past-25-years/373375/
JNU sedition case: In 2016, Kejriwal called Kanhaiya Kumar's speech brilliant. Why U-turn now?Mukesh Rawat
https://www.indiatoday.in/news-analysis/story/arvind-kejriwal-kanhaiya-kumar-jnu-sedition-case-2016-1651469-2020-03-02
US-Taliban peace deal: India remains deeply skeptical of ‘agreement’; New Delhi has no options but to cross fingers and pray:Sreemoy Talukdar
https://www.firstpost.com/india/us-taliban-peace-deal-india-remains-deeply-skeptical-of-agreement-new-delhi-has-no-options-but-to-cross-fingers-and-pray-8109391.html
Deep mistrust in Muslims, fear of violence, mixed signals from govt keep Dalits away from anti-CAA protests: Tarushikha Sarvesh and Abdul Hafiz Gandhi , firstpost
https://www.firstpost.com/india/deep-mistrust-in-muslims-fear-of-violence-mixed-signals-from-the-government-keep-dalits-away-from-anti-caa-protests-8106791.html
This toddler’s family is missing in violence-torn Delhi – and so are many others:Ipsita Chakravarty, Vijayta Lalwani & Arunabh Saikia
https://scroll.in/article/954846/this-toddlers-family-is-missing-in-violence-torn-delhi-and-so-are-several-young-men
At BSF Jawan Mohammed Anees's House, Household Objects Are Still Smouldering:Ritu Tomar
https://thewire.in/communalism/bsf-jawan-house-delhi-riots
Modi’s image as world statesman has taken battering since his second term began:Tavleen Singh
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/narendra-modi-delhi-violence-caa-6293141/
BJP wants people with different opinions to harden their positions:P Chidambaram
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/northeast-delhi-violence-police-caa-6293114/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:53 PM).
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