*INDIA- ISLAMOPHOBIA, HUMAN RIGHTS & OTHERS*

Delhi riots: HC grants bail to pregnant Jamia student Safoora Zargar

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/delhi-violence-hc-grants-bail-to-jamia-student-safoora-zargar/article31897563.ece?homepage=true

Delhi High Court on Tuesday enlarged on bail 23 weeks’ pregnant Safoora Zargar, the Jamia Coordination Committee media coordinator who was arrested in connection with the north-east Delhi violence case.Justice Rajiv Shakdher passed the order after the Central government, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, agreed to Ms. Zargar's bail plea on humanitarian grounds.Solicitor General said that the order enlarging her on bail should not be made a precedent and additonally insisted on a series of conditions to be followed by Ms. Zargar after her release.Taking note of the Solicitor General's request, the high court ordered that Ms. Zargar, after her release, will not induldge in activities for which she has been investigated.The high court further said Ms. Zargar will refrain from influencing or hampering the ongoing investigation. If Ms. Zargar is required to leave NCT of Delhi, she will seek permission of the court concerned, the high court said.Solicitor General Mehta, additionally, asked for the presence of Ms. Zargar to the Police Station concerned every 15 days, but Justice Shakdher declined it, saying interaction with the concerned investigating officer over the phone once every 15 days was enough.Advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan, appearing for Ms. Zargar, agreed to the terms and conditions set by the court.

Safoora gets bail after police doesn’t object to humanitarian grounds

 

Delhi HC Dismisses Plea Seeking Release Of Gulfisha Fatima Arrested In Delhi Riots Case

https://www.indialegallive.com/constitutional-law-news/courts-news/delhi-hc-dismisses-plea-seeking-release-of-gulfisha-fatima-arrested-in-delhi-riots-case

Delhi High Court has dismissed a plea seeking release of Gulfisha Fatima who was arrested in the Delhi riots case.A bench comprising Justice VipinSanghi and Justice Bhatnagar passed its decision on a habeas corpus plea filed by the Aqil Hussain, the brother of Gulfisha Fatima who was arrested in a protest during the Delhi Riots.Aqil Hussain alleged that after Sessions Judge, Shahdara District allowed the bail application of Gulfisha Fatima she was illegally continued to be kept in custody on account of another FIR registered by Crime Branch.He further submitted that Special Courts constituted under NIA Act– empowered to extend judicial custody of persons charged under any provisions of UAPA, have not been holding sittings since 23.03.2020 – owing to the suspended functioning of courts subordinate to this Court due to COVID-19, and the consequent lockdown measures imposed by Union Government. Since the Special Courts empowered to extend judicial remand custody have not been sitting, the continued detention of Gulfisha Fatima is without any authority of law, submitted Aqil Hussain. Consequently, the petitioner had approached High Court seeking issuance of a writ of Habeas Corpus for production and release of Gulfisha Fatima, his sister.The bench however observed that UAPA does not provide that offences under the Act can be tried only by a special court and it is clear that apart from NIA, other police establishments are equally competent to investigate cases under UAPA.

 

Police plea to cancel riot accused Faizal Farooq’s bail: Delhi HC grants him time to file response

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/police-plea-to-cancel-riot-accused-faizal-farooqs-bail-delhi-hc-grants-him-time-to-file-response

Delhi High Court has granted time to Faizal Farooq to file a reply in a plea moved by Delhi Police seeking cancellation of bail granted to him by the trial court in a case alleging participation in Delhi riots.The Single Bench of Justice Suresh Kumar Kait has granted 4 weeks to the Respondent to file his reply.In Monday’s order, while issuing notice, the court had stayed the release of Farooq till further orders are passed.On Tuesday, Farooq informed the court that despite being granted bail, he is kept in custody for some other case filed against him.It was further informed by Senior Advocate Ramesh Gupta, who was appearing for Farooq, that since the notice was already issued by the court, he wishes to file a detailed reply and needs time to file the same.

Delhi riots: ED conducts raids at premises of ex AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, other locations

https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/delhi-riots-case-ed-conducts-raids-at-premises-of-ex-aap-councillor-other-locations/1874824

(ED on Tuesday conducted raids at multiple locations including at the premises of suspended AAP councillor Tahir Hussain in connection with its money laundering probe in the Delhi riots case, officials said. They said at least six premises in Delhi, Noida and few other locations in the national capital region are being searched.The raids are aimed at collecting additional evidence in the case, they said. ED, in March, had booked suspended Hussain, PFI and some others on charges of money laundering and alleged funding of the riots in Delhi in Feb.PTI

 

Police Links Bhim Army to Delhi Riots. Chandrashekhar Azad Replies

https://www.thequint.com/videos/news-videos/delhi-riots-charge-sheet-links-bhim-army-chief-chandra-shekhar-azad

Delhi Police has named Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad in the ‘chronology’ section of the charge sheets that have been filed in connection to the 24-25 Feb.Delhi riots.A day before violence broke out in Delhi, on 23 Feb., Azad had called for a Bharat Bandh to press for reservations and protest against CAA-NRC-NPR. The Jafrabad metro station blockade, which is one of the starting points of the violence according to police charge sheet, was in response to the Bharat Bandh call.“On 22.02.2020 at about 10.30-11.00 PM, a crowd of about 1000 persons including about 400-500 women and children, in a well-orchestrated way, gathered and sat under Jafrabad Metro Station on main 66 Foota Road in response to a call of Bharat Bandh by Chandrashekhar Azad @Ravan of Bheem Army. Protestors were raising slogans against the government and had clogged the traffic at 66-Foota Road going from Seelampur T-Point towards Maujpur, Delhi, ”said Delhi Police Charge Sheet in FIR number 65. Azad said, “Bharat Bandh that happened on 23 Feb.would have become a topic of debate on following days. People would have raised questions on the issues. To save themselves from embarrassment, the government resorted to the politics of riot.”thequint

 

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta withdraws from Delhi riots case ‘out of disgust’ after spat

https://theprint.in/judiciary/solicitor-general-tushar-mehta-withdraws-from-delhi-riots-case-out-of-disgust-after-spat/447373/

The tug-of-war between Delhi Police and Delhi govt over who should represent former, in a case related to February riots, turned ugly when Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta withdrew himself as the special counsel.The incident took place Monday when Justice Suresh Kait of the Delhi High Court was hearing a Delhi Police plea challenging the trial’s court’s bail order to riots accused Faisal Farooq.A spat ensued between Mehta and Rahul Mehra, senior standing counsel (criminal) for Delhi govt, when the latter objected to solicitor’s presence.Mehra disputed the solicitor’s assertion that he was under instructions from the central government to file the present petition and appear before the high court. The senior counsel said the central government had no power to file the petition against the bail order.Mehta then withdrew his name from the case “out of disgust”. He also accused Mehra of aiding the accused with his approach.

Delhi police accused of filing false charges over Feb riots: The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/23/delhi-police-accused-after-charging-activists-over-february-riots

Delhi police have been accused of filing false and politically motivated charges against pro-democracy activists to blame them for the Delhi riots – while not arresting any ruling party figures and police officers for their role in the violence. Over 80 charge sheets have been filed naming those allegedly responsible for inciting the riots, which broke out in February in some of worst religious violence in India for decades. Among those charged are one of India’s most prominent human rights activists; two members of a feminist student collective; a councillor from the progressive political party; three student activists from the Muslim-majority university Jamia Milia Islamia, one of whom is 5 months pregnant; and a Sikh man who set up a community kitchen for Muslim female activists.Several have been detained under draconian terrorism laws and denied bail. Accounts given to Guardian in the aftermath, backed up by CCTV footage, accused officers of not only ignoring the violence carried out by Hindu mobs but in some cases enabling it and even taking part.

 

Price Of Protesting CAA: Student Leader Pooja Shukla Discovers More FIRs Against Her

https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/pooja-shukla-caa-fir-uttar-pradesh_in_5ef09ffcc5b627efb396919d

New Delhi:On Friday Pooja Shukla, a student leader with Samajwadi Party, learnt that Uttar Pradesh Police had booked her under 2 more FIRs in connection with protests against CAA. This brings the tally of FIRs against Shukla, a member of the Samajwadi Party based in Lucknow, to four FIRs that cites dozens of crimes under IPC, Criminal Law Amendment Act, and IT Act. Shukla said she found out about FIRs when she was summoned to Thakurganj Police Station on Friday to sign undertakings that she would not tamper with any evidence or witnesses. Sadaf Jafar, a political activist and member of Congress, and only woman arrested in Lucknow in connection with the anti-CAA protests on 19 Dec, found out about at least two more FIRs registered against her when she was similarly summoned to the Thakurganj Police Station on Tuesday, last week.

 

Delhi's Riot Survivors Driven Out Of Public Hospitals As Govt Focuses On COVID Patients

https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/delhis-riot-survivors-driven-out-of-public-hospitals-as-govt-focuses-on-covid-19-patients_in_5ef0b6d3c5b6624a2b4cc0f5

The rising number of COVID-19 cases in India’s national capital—and the resulting attempts by Kejriwal-led Delhi govt and Modi-led union govt to expand the healthcare system’s capacity to serve more people infected by the coronavirus—have deprived many patients suffering from other critical ailments of healthcare services. Among those struggling to get access to healthcare services in the affordable or free public hospitals are many people who were adversely affected by the communal violence in Delhi. HuffPost India spoke to three patients who have been unable to access affordable treatment and source life-saving medicines as govt hospitals they depended on were turned into COVID-19 facilities.Their experiences capture the problems faced by countless others in Delhi who are unable to access healthcare services due to attempts being made to expand infrastructure for coronavirus-related treatment and restrictions on provision of other health services in govt hospitals. The people affected by communal violence are living with the consequences of govts’ failure twice within the space of a few months. If the first time it was about the various arms of the government failing to protect their life and liberty during communal violence, the second time the state has failed to protect the people’s right to health which, as HuffPost India recently reported, has been recognised as a fundamental right under Article 21 of Indian constitution.

Delhi Riots: Several Complaints Name BJP Ex-MLA

https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/delhi-riots-jagdish-pradhan-kapil-mishra-bjp-mla-muslims

One name which has come up repeatedly in testimonies of Delhi riot survivors is that of BJP leader Jagdish Pradhan, former MLA from Mustafabad in Northeast Delhi.In the police complaints accessed by The Quint, the complainants claimed seeing Pradhan's supporters take part in the rioting. One complainant going on to allege that the person leading the mob had received a call from Jagdish Pradhan. As part of its investigation into the communal violence that took place in Northeast Delhi in the last week of February, The Quint has so far reported on testimonies regarding the role of BJP councillor Kanhaiya Lal, Hindutva leader Ragini Tiwari and the curious omission of BJP leader Kapil Mishra’s name from the Delhi Police’s probe.The Quint

 

Delhi Riots: Police, SDM Office Dithered on Compensation Claims for Months Before HC Order

https://thewire.in/rights/delhi-riots-compensation-claims-police-sdm-office

Delhi high court, on Monday, came to the aide of Delhi riot survivors and ordered that the compensation forms of the petitioners be accepted and processed and their compensation paid to them immediately.Riot survivors Neha Fareen and Mohsin had approached the court with a writ petition alleging that SDM’s office, the authority responsible for assessment of compensation amounts, was refusing to accept compensation forms and had told the petitioners that the last date of submitting the forms was March 20.The petition claimed that the SDM’s office had not resumed work till June 8 despite rules pertaining to the national lockdown having been lifted almost a month ago. The petition claims that on June 12, when Mohsin visited the SDM’s office, he was orally informed that the last day of submitting the compensation forms was March 20 and was asked to come after July 1 for any further queries.

 

Cancel Amulya Leona’s bail, transfer case to NIA: Plea in Karnataka High Court

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/cancel-amulya-leonas-bail-transfer-case-to-nia-plea-in-karnataka-high-court

A petition has been filed has been filed before the Karnataka High Court seeking a transfer of Sedition case against 19-year-old student Amulya Leona Noronha to NIA, BarandBench.com reported.Amulya was charged with Sedition for raising pro-Pakistan slogans during an Anti-CAA rally held in Bengaluru in Feb.

 

UP: Muslim carpenter beaten to death in Saharanpur village, police dismiss ‘lynching’ angle

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/up-man-beaten-up-for-attacking-child-dies-faces-murder-bid-fir-6471616/

Noida :A 35-year-old Muslim carpenter in Saharanpur district was beaten to death for allegedly attacking a minor last Thursday. Subsequently a video, in which a man is seen lying in a foetal position as attackers wielding sticks surround him, went viral on social media.According to an FIR filed at Deoband police station, the mob cornered the victim, Israr, at Dehra village on Thursday evening, and beat him with sticks and rods. Israr was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died during treatment. Police, however, maintained that it was not a case of “lynching”, pointing out that another FIR was filed in the same station against Israr under charges of attempt to murder. Moreover, police are yet to make any arrest. Describing attack, Israr’s brother Gulfam said in FIR, “At around 6.30 pm I was told by locals that they are beating up my brother in village Dehra. As I reached the place, I saw the accused were assaulting him with sticks and rods. They were also using a sharp weapon and Israr had been tied up. When I told them to stop, they beat him up even more. I called 112 after which he was rushed to a hospital. He was attacked for no fault of his.”According to Israr’s family, he had left the house in Imaliya village for work an hour before Gulfam received the phone call.The accused named in the FIR are Sunda, Dharmveer, Rohit, Nitin, Johru, Satu, Dharmendra, Ravi, and Vijay. Two others have not been identified yet. All the accused are from Dehra, said the police.

 

'Dabangs' In Delhi's Bijwasan Village Ban 'Azaan' On Mike, Bar People From Outside To Pray In Village Mosque

http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/dabangs-in-delhis-bijwasan-village-ban-azaan-on-mike-bar-people-from-outside-to-pray-in-the-village-mosque?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=emailemail&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Indiatomorrownet+%28IndiaTomorrow.net%29

New Delhi:It has been 10 months since Sept.2019, some ‘Dabangs’(local strongmen) are neither allowing calling of ‘Azaan’ on loudspeaker from Jama Masjid in Bijwasan village under Kapashera Police station, nor allowing the Muslims from outside the village to offer prayers in the mosque.This has resulted in immense hardship to those Muslims who are working in nearby govt and private institutions, particularly with regard to offering Friday congregational prayers. According to locals, there are over 300 Muslims working in nearby institutions who earlier came to this mosque for offering Friday prayers.The village Hindus, most of whom have their loyalties with BJP and other right wing organisations, have issued a verbal diktat that only original natives of village can offer prayers but without giving ‘Azaan’ on loudspeaker. There are only 5 Muslim families with a total of 14 members in the village which is about 11 kms from the Indira Gandhi International Airport, bordering Gurugram of Haryana. Dr. Intizar Khan, resident of Bijwasan said there was no problem till Sept.8, 2019. “However, some people led by local BJP leaders came to mosque on Sept.19, 2019, which was Friday and objected to people offering prayers on the road outside the mosque. We accepted it and prevented people not to pray on the road”, said Dr. Khan.

 

Mangaluru: Muslim Men Attacked for Transporting Buffalo, Meat

https://www.thequint.com/news/india/mangaluru-muslim-men-waylaid-attacked-for-carrying-buffalo

A 57-year-old man, Abdul Rashid, was attacked by a group of men and his vehicle was vandalised when he was transporting buffalo meat from a slaughterhouse in Kudroli in Mangaluru to Kankanady market in the city early morning on 21 June. Charges of criminal intimidation, wrongful restraint, rioting among others have been made against 5 youths for the attack on Rashid, who has been transporting meat in his auto for the last decade.A week ago on 14 June, 34-year-old Mohammed Hanif, a cattle and poultry trader was attacked while taking 4 buffaloes for slaughter to Kudroli, as he has for many years. While Hanif claims that he was attacked by 10-15 men, FIR has been registered against 6 unknown persons on ‘diluted’ charges, he said. The accused, believed to be from Bajrang Dal, have been released on station bail.

 

1 Dead As Mobs Chase 3 Transporting Cattle, Rajasthan, UP Cops Pass The Buck

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/1-dead-as-mobs-chase-men-transporting-cattle-rajasthan-up-cops-pass-the-buck-2251041?pfrom=home-topstories

Bharatpur: The investigation into the death of a man accused of illegally transporting cattle has hit a roadblock with police from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan each passing the buck to the other. The man, who was one of three accused of moving the animals unlawfully, was allegedly killed by a mob on the border between the two states.The cops in Rajasthan have said the mob from UP's Mathura crossed border into their state near Jurhera town. Their counterparts in UP have claimed that since the incident happened in Rajasthan, they will not be conducting any inquiries.Amid the bureaucratic tussle between the police forces, two of the three men being chased were injured and admitted to a hospital in Mathura. One of these 2 has died.The third, from Bulandshahr, was caught by villagers from Nonera in Rajasthan's Bharatpur and has been booked by police under relevant sections. He too has received medical aid for injuries.

 

Indore admn invokes NSA against two for cow slaughter

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/indore-madhya-pradesh-cow-slaughter-nsa-6471717/

Indore district administration on Monday invoked NSA against two people held for cow slaughter — first such invocation of stringent provision since BJP returned to power in Madhya Pradesh three months ago.On June 19, Indore police chased Shahzad Sattar, 30, and Shanid Shakil, 21, who were allegedly carrying meat on a motorcycle. While Sattar was arrested and the meat was seized, Shanil managed to escape. When a laboratory report confirmed that meat was beef, the police booked them under Sections 5 and 9 of the Cow Slaughter Act and the Arms Act.Bhopal

 

Elgaar Parishad: HC seeks Centre, Maharashtra govt response on plea against transfer of case to NIA

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/elgaar-parishad-court-nia-6472655/

Bombay High Court today asked Centre, Maharashtra government and NIA to file response to a plea by lawyer Surendra Gadling and poet-publisher Sudhir Dhawale, arrested in Elgaar Parishad case, challenging the transfer of the case to NIA. A division bench of Justices SS Shinde and Abhay Ahuja heard the plea through video conference on Tuesday. Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh and advocate Sandesh Patil, appearing for Centre and NIA, sought time to take instructions and file an affidavit in response to the plea.Gadling and Dhawale, along with seven others, have been behind bars since 2018 after being arrested by Pune Police in connection with Elgaar Parishad event organised in Pune on Dec. 29, 2017.

 

Elgar Parishad: NIA wants to question Navlakha again

https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/elgar-parishad-nia-wants-to-question-gautam-navlakha-again/story-wa01w6qyxgJ4nBy6vGzOqO.html

NIA has moved an application to once again obtain the custody of civil rights activist Gautam Navlakha who was arrested in Elgar Parishad case after he surrendered at the agency’s Delhi office on April 14.The application was moved before special NIA court through special public prosecutor Prakash Shetty claiming that chief investigating officer in the case had not questioned him when he was in NIA’s custody and that he needs to question him over the statement given by witnesses.Meanwhile, Navlakha has sought bail as the agency has failed to file a charge sheet within 90 days.

 

Elgar Parishad case | Bombay High Court to hear on Friday Sudha Bharadwaj’s bail application

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/elgar-parishad-case-bombay-high-court-to-hear-on-friday-sudha-bharadwajs-bail-application/article31899116.ece

The Bombay High Court will hear on Friday a bail application filed by activist Sudha Bharadwaj, an accused in Elgar Parishad case.Bharadwaj, who was arrested in Aug.2018, moved the HC last week against the order of NIA court in Mumbai that rejected her interim bail plea on May 29.The case was scheduled for hearing before a bench led by Justice S.S. Shinde on Tuesday but the hearing was adjourned to Friday as NIA, the prosecuting agency, was yet to be served a copy of the petition by Bharadwaj’s lawyers.PTI

 

UP ATS arrests Kashmiri youth ‘linked to Bareilly man held for terror’

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/up-ats-arrests-kashmiri-youth-linked-to-bareilly-man-held-for-terror-6471780/

Lucknow :4 days after the arrest of a 28-year-old man from Bareilly on charges of trying to instigate youths into joining terror activities, UP’s ATS on Sunday arrested another youth from J&K for his alleged links with the Bareilly man. Police claimed that 26-year-old Salman Kursheed Wani, a native of Ramban in Jammu & Kashmir, was also trying to recruit youths for terror activities. ATS obtained Wani’s transit remand to bring him to Lucknow after he produced before a local court of Ramban on Sunday,said ADG, ATS, DK Thakur.

 

Stop criminalising free speech, protect journalism: PUCL

https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/06/23/stop-criminalising-free-speech-protect-journalism-pucl.html

 PUCL has issued a statement demanding that criminalising free speech should be stopped and journalism should be protected. The statement draws attention to many journalists facing police complaints under various laws, including Disaster Management Act, SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, besides IPC.The journalists mentioned in the statement include Supriya Sharma who wrote about the status of the residents of Domari, a village in Varanasi adopted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

 

Teesta Setalvad nominated for Spring Congregation Honorary Degree by University of British Columbia

https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/teesta-setalvad-nominated-for-spring-congregation-honorary-degree-by-university-of-british-columbia

Renowned civil rights activist Teesta Setalvad, who played a massive role in the campaign for justice for the victims of the 2002 massacre of Muslims in the state of Gujarat, has been nominated for Spring Congregation Honorary Degree by University of British Columbia.

 

Khwaja Yunus custodial death in Maharashtra: Mother files contempt plea against reinstatement of cops

http://www.asianage.com/india/crime/230620/khwaja-yunus-custodial-death-mother-files-contempt-plea-against-reinstatement-of-cops.html

Asiya Begum (72), mother of late Khwaja Yunus, an accused in 2002 blast case, on Monday filed contempt petition in Bombay high court against reinstatement of four policemen, including encounter specialist Sachin Waze. These policemen were suspended on order of the high court, pending inquiry against them for their alleged involvement in Yunus's custodial death.Begum, a resident of Parbhani, has filed the petition with the help of Jamiat-e-Ulema Maharashtra in which it is stated that by revoking the suspension of the four police personnel, three constables and police sub-inspector Sachin Waze, the Commissioner of Police and Principal Secretary(special) Home Department have committed contempt of court.The petitioner has reproduced part of the order passed by the high court on April 7, 2004. In this order, the HC had not only directed to suspend the four personnel but had also ordered an enquiry against them.According to the petition, the four policemen have been reinstated in violation of the court order and that too without conducting any enquiry against them or even without seeking permission from the court.ASIAN AGE

 

Telangana HC Issues Notices In Plea Seeking Removal Of Communal Hashtags From Twitter

https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/telangana-hc-issues-notices-in-plea-seeking-removal-of-communal-hashtags-from-twitter-158756

High Court of Telangana has issued notices on a petition seeking removal of "communal hashtags" trending on Twitter, which demonise and blame entire Muslim community of deliberately spreading the corona virus across the country. The division bench comprised by Chief Justice Raghvendra Singh Chauhan and Justice B Vijaysen Reddy has issued notices to Central Government, State Govt and to Twitter.The court has asked Respondents to file their counter affidavits in the matter within four weeks, and explain why such tweets had not been removed.Petitioner, Advocate Khaja Aijazuddin had earlier approached the Supreme Court seeking restraint on all websites in India from carrying "islamophobic" posts, that have the potential to hurt the sentiments of Muslim community.He had stated that due to "massive publicity" given to members of Tablighi Jamaat, who later tested Covid positive, the religious congregation was given a communal color, leading to widespread social media posts, linking the religion to the disease.livelaw

 

NIA forced me to turn pardoned-witness: Alan Shuhaib

https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/nia-forced-me-to-turn-pardoned-witness-says-alan-shuhaib-1.4853262

Kozhikode: Alan Shuhaib, first accused in Pantheerankavu UAPA case alleged that the NIA had forced him to turn a pardoned-witness.Speaking to the media here after receiving parole for three hours, Alan Shuhaib added that he would not become a pardoned-witness. Alan Shuhaib said that NIA officials forced him to turn a pardoned witness and that he was presented with such an offer. Alan Shuhaib was granted parole for three hours to visit his grandmother’s younger sister, who is suffering from age related ailments. He was brought to his relative’s house here around 10.30 am under heavy police security. Alan was taken back to Viyyur Central Prison by 1.30 pm. Police had arrested Alan Shuhaib and Thaha Fasal on Nov.1, 2019 over alleged Maoist links. Later, NIA took over the case.

 

Dalit case: Won't rest till my parents are punished for my husband's murder, says Activist Kausalya

https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-wont-rest-till-my-parents-are-held-guilty-of-my-husbands-murder-social-activist-kausalya-shankar/355293

Kausalya Shankar (23) still cannot believe how her father Chinnaswamy, facing death sentence as accused number one, could walk free fully acquitted by Madras High Court. “They could have at least sentenced him to undergo life imprisonment like they did for the five assailants. But it beats all logic how he was found totally not guilty of any crime?” she asked. “I would now appeal in the Supreme Court and will not rest till both my parents are held guilty of murder. They are the brain behind the conspiracy as only they had the motive to settle scores against Shankar for marrying me,” she observed. Her husband Shankar, a Dalit, was hacked to death in March 2016 in broad daylight at Udumalpet in Tamil Nadu, for marrying her, an upper caste girl. Her parents had vehemently opposed her marriage to a boy of lower caste. Kousalya’s father and 5 of the assailants were sentenced to death by a district sessions court, admitting the evidence and accepting the theory that Kousalya’s family was angry over her marriage to a boy from the lower caste. However, her mother and two others were acquitted by the lower court for want of evidence.outlookindia

 

NIA arrests key accused in recruiting of radical Sikh youths to carry out arson, illegal activities

https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/jun/23/nia-arrests-key-accused-in-recruiting-of-radical-sikh-youths-to-carry-out-arson-illegal-activities-2160376.html

 NIA has arrested a key member of a gang allegedly involved in recruiting radical Sikh youths for outlawed SFS group on directions from foreign handlers in a bid to create unrest in the country, an official said.Pargat Singh, 23, a resident of Punjab's Sri Muktsar Sahib, was arrested on Sunday and produced before a special NIA court in Mohali on Monday which remanded him to NIA custody until June29,he said.PTI

 

Babri demolition case: Court records statement of accused

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/babri-trial-court-records-statement-of-accused/articleshow/76529128.cms

Lucknow: Special CBI court on Monday recorded statement of accused Dharmendra Singh Gurjar under Section 313 of CrPC in Babri mosque demolition case. Another accused Dharmadas also appeared before it, but his statement could not be recorded due to paucity of time. The court will continue proceedings on Tuesday. Earlier, special Judge SK Yadav directed its office to circulate the letter to NIC on Monday itself for making arrangement at residence of nine accused, including former deputy prime minister LK Advani, former UP chief minister Kalyan Singh and BJP leader MM Joshi for video conferencing in order to record their statement. In compliance of the court’s June 20 order, the office could not sent the letter to NIC as the next day was Sunday. Gurjar was the 14th out of 32 accused whose statement has been recorded since the process under Section 313 of CrPC began on June 4.

Babri mosque trial: 14th accused records statement

 

 

Citizen’s rights must be given primacy: Ex- CJI Dipak Misra

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/dipak-misra-citizen-rights-6471217/

Former CJI Justice (Retd) Dipak Misra emphasised on the need to give primacy to fundamental rights of each citizen and called the “notion” that in India everyone talked of rights but not duties. Justice Misra was speaking at a webinar on ‘Transformative Constitutionalism’ on Monday jointly organised by the Faculty of Law and the Institute of Leadership and Governance of MS University of Baroda.Each individual must be given the due recognition and his identity must be adequately credited so that he realises his freeness and potentiality, said the former Chief CJI. Emphasising further on fundamental rights of each citizen, Misra stated that rights of the citizens should always have primacy.

 

RJD vice-president Raghuvansh Prasad resigns, five MLCs defect to JD(U) ahead of Legislative Council polls

https://www.firstpost.com/india/double-blow-to-rjd-party-vice-president-raghuvansh-prasad-singh-resigns-five-mlcs-defect-to-jdu-ahead-of-legislative-council-polls-8516171.html

In a major blow to RJD ahead of the Bihar Legislative Council polls, party national vice-president Raghuvansh Prasad Singh resigned from his post on Tuesday, 22 June.According to news agency ANI, Singh is currently admitted to AIIMS, Patna after being tested positive for COVID-19.According to PTI, Singh has been upset over reports that Rama Singh, a mafia don-turned-politician who was formerly associated with Ram Vilas Paswan’s LJP and had defeated the RJD veteran in his pocket borough of Vaishali in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, might join the party.

 

CBI summons Manipur ex-CM Ibobi Singh in Rs 332-cr scam as BJP struggles to hold onto state

https://theprint.in/india/cbi-summons-manipur-ex-cm-ibobi-singh-in-rs-332-cr-scam-as-bjp-struggles-to-hold-onto-state/447345/

New Delhi: CBI has summoned former Manipur CM and Congress leader Ibobi Singh in connection with the alleged Rs 332-crore Manipur Development Society scam, ThePrint learnt.The move comes at a time when BJP is struggling to retain power in Manipur, after 9 ruling coalition members, including 4 ministers, resigned.According to sources in CBI, Ibobi will be questioned in Imphal Wednesday along with the 4 retired IAS officers, also named in the same case.

 

AMU scientist discovers proteins that form Cancer in liver

https://www.indiatvnews.com/science/amu-scientist-discovers-proteins-form-liver-cancer-628253

An AMU zoologist, Dr Hifzur R. Siddique, has collaborated with Prof Keigo Machida of University of Southern California, to discover the protein forming cancerous cells in the body, causing growth of tumour in the liver. Their research could serve as a potential therapeutic target for the drug design and give a direction to the management strategy for this deadly disease.AMU scientist said that he had been working on these cells for a decade and has established a dedicated lab to initiate pioneer research on Cancer Stem Cells at AMU.IANS

 

US alleges discrimination, moves to regulate AI’s chartered flights under Vande Bharat Mission

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/us-alleges-discrimination-moves-to-regulate-ais-chartered-flights-under-vande-bharat-mission

US has described as "discriminatory and restrictive" Indian government not allowing American carriers operate chartered flights on Indo-US routes even though Air India was doing so under the Vande Bharat Mission.Therefore, Air India will not be allowed to operate any chartered flight on Indo-US routes from July 22 onward unless specifically permitted by US' Department of Transportation (DOT), said an official order of DOT on Monday."We are taking this action because Government of India has impaired the operating rights of US carriers and has engaged in discriminatory and restrictive practices with respect to US carrier services to and from India," said DOT order.Scheduled international passenger flights have been suspended in India since March 25 due to the coronavirus pandemic.PTI

 

*SOUTH ASIA- INDO-PAK, J&K*

India, China Don't Need Help: Russian Foreign Minister At Trilateral Meet

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/russia-india-china-meeting-india-china-dont-need-outside-help-says-russian-foreign-minister-sergei-lavrov-2250912?pfrom=home-topstories

India and China do not need outside help in resolving long-standing issues between the two countries, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday at a virtual meeting of RIC(Russia-India-China) foreign ministers.Lavrov's remark comes amid tension between India and China over clashes in eastern Ladakh's Galwan region last week that left 20 Indian soldiers dead and 76 injured."I don't think India and China need any help from outside. I don't think they need to be helped, especially when it comes to country issues. They can solve them on their own," Sergei Lavrov said, adding, "this means recent events"."New Delhi and Beijing have shown commitment to a peaceful resolution. They started meetings at the level of defence officers and foreign ministers and neither has made any statement to indicate either will pursue non-diplomatic solutions," he was quoted by ANI.ndtv

 

At Russia-India-China Meeting, India Talks of Need to Respect International Law

https://thewire.in/diplomacy/india-russia-china-ric-trilateral-meeting

With Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi looking on, external affairs minister S. Jaishankar said on Tuesday that recognising the “legitimate interests of partners”, along with respecting international law, is key to building a durable world order.Jaishankar was speaking at the special foreign minister level meeting of the trilateral group of Russia-India-China (RIC), which was being held through video conference due to COVID-19 pandemic.Since the special meeting was held to mark 75 years of victory over Axis powers, Jaishankar began by reminding both Russia and China that 2.3 million Indian troops had helped Allies win Second World War.While trilateral meeting forecloses the possibility of raising the tensions since bilateral matters are not discussed, Jaishankar obliquely referred to responsibilities of the “leading voices of the world”, with one of them being to recognise “legitimate interests” of partners.In his statement, the Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi also did not make any direct allusions to the bilateral friction with India.However, as per Chinese foreign ministry readout, Wang Yi also made a oblique reference, similar to Jaishankar, that 3 countries should handle sensitive issues in bilateral relations properly.

 

Border talks:No timeline set but India, China look at a roadmap

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-china-border-disengagement-galwan-faceoff-6472274/

Corps Commanders of the Indian and Chinese armies, who held talk for nearly 11 hours Monday, reached “mutual consensus to disengage” with detailed discussions on modalities of sector-wise, stage-wise disengagement on the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh.But no timeline for the disengagement process was finalised at the meeting, sources said Tuesday, a day after XIV Corps Commander Lt General Harinder Singh and South Xinjiang Military District Commander Major General Liu Lin met at Moldo border point on the Chinese side, opposite Chushul. On Tuesday, Army chief General MM Naravane reached Leh on a 2-day visit to Ladakh. He visited the Military Hospital Leh and met the soldiers injured in the Galwan Valley incident on June 15 — 20 Indian personnel were killed in clashes with Chinese troops.Army Commanders had held a detailed review meeting on the situation on the northern and western fronts. An official said that meeting at Moldo built on the understanding reached in the previous meeting of Corps Commanders on June 6, and involved detailed discussions on “all the friction areas,” i.e., Galwan Valley, Hot Springs and Pangong Tso areas.

 

‘India Must Revisit China Policy; US or Russia Won’t Help Us Much’

https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/india-china-border-army-galwan-russia-us-ambassador

After Lt Gen level talks in Moldo, both India and China have agreed to deescalate matter along LAC. However, fine print of promised disengagement is yet to be seen. The talks followed the worst clashes between Indian and Chinese troop along LAC since 1962. On 15 June, 20 Indian soldiers, including a colonel, were killed in these clashes. China has not confirmed any fatal casualties on their side as yet.The Quint spoke to ex diplomat Meera Shankar, India’s ambassador to US (2009-2011), about the ongoing India-China tensions.Former Indian ambassador to US as well as Germany, Shankar insists that India needs to revisit its China policy as there has been ‘deception’ on China’s part in present scenario. Shankar suggests that India should aim to have a secure economic and security environment without dependence on allies and partners. It is to be noted that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is in Moscow today for a trilateral meet of Russia India China grouping. Shankar says that neither US nor Russia can unequivocally support India against China in a bilateral conflict because of their economic enmeshment. She also argues for India’s need to achieving parity with China in trade terms.

 

‘For sure it’s fake news’: China official on losing 40 soldiers in Ladakh

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/for-sure-it-s-fake-news-china-official-on-losing-40-soldiers-in-ladakh/story-Eb6RZa3HSFq0yAFInJx79O.html

China has dismissed as “fake news” reports indicating that PLA had suffered at least 40 casualties in the bruising brawl with Indian soldiers in eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley on June 15.While denying the reports on PLA casualties, Chinese foreign ministry said Indian and Chinese militaries held a meeting on June 22 to resolve the ongoing tension through talks.“China and India are in dialogue, in talks with each other to resolve this issue through diplomatic and military channels,” ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said. “As for what you saw in media, for example, some people alleged that casualties on Chinese side amounted to 40, I can tell you for sure that this is fake news,”Zhao said responding to a specific question on PLA’s casualty numbers.HT

 

Adverse weather, Chinese hostility and psyops: Latest army brawl video from Sikkim decoded: india today

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-china-brawl-video-sikkim-decoded-lac-ladakh-galwan-psyops-1692003-2020-06-23

Right about the time the Indian Army's Lt Gen Harinder Singh was holding talks with his Chinese counterpart Maj Gen Lin Liu at Ladakh's Chushul-Moldo, a video clip broke the surface on social media, popping up first on Instagram, and then quickly proliferating elsewhere.The clip, just over 5 minutes long, depicted a scene that has become familiar -- Indian and Chinese army personnel sparring in a lonely forward area, throwing angry punches over territorial transgressions. While the precise details of the video remained unknown yesterday, India Today TV has learnt that it is from this month in North Sikkim.While there remains no categorical confirmation, multiple sources say the video is from the base of 22,000-feet high Chomo Yummo mountain in North Sikkim, which sits practically on Border.

 

China ordered attack on Indian troops in Galwan River Valley: US Intel

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/china-ordered-attack-on-indian-troops-in-galwan-river-valley-us-intel/articleshow/76528366.cms

A senior Chinese general authorised his forces to attack Indian troops in the Galwan River valley last week, resulting in a brutal skirmish that killed dozens and dramatically escalated tensions between the two Asian powerhouses, according to a U.S. intelligence assessment. Gen. Zhao Zongqi, head of the Western Theater Command and among the few combat veterans still serving in People's Liberation Army, approved the operation along the contested border region of northern India and southwestern China, a source familiar with assessment says on condition of anonymity.ANI

 

While in oppn, BJP cornered, questioned UPA govt on China; sent teams to border

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/while-in-oppn-bjp-cornered-questioned-upa-govt-on-china-sent-teams-to-border-6471518/

While the BJP has slammed Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi for raising questions on the killing of 20 soldiers in Ladakh, with party president J P Nadda accusing the Congress of being an “irresponsible” opposition party and its leaders of trying to “demoralise” the nation and the soldiers and Home Minister Amit Shah asking Rahul to rise above “petty politics”, as an opposition party during UPA years, the saffron party had tried to corner the government several times on similar issues.Between 2004 and 2014, the BJP had issued political resolutions, sought a white paper, sent its own delegation to the border, and held several press conferences criticising then Manmohan Singh govt. An analysis of press releases issued by BJP in these years, available on the party’s official website, shows that it had issued almost two dozen statements on China, cautioning the then govt many a times and seeking explanations.

 

Modi has betrayed Army, says Rahul Gandhi at CWC meet

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/modi-has-betrayed-the-army-says-rahul-gandhi-at-cwc-meet

In the wake of the ongoing face-off between India-China along LAC in Ladakh, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi launched a stinging attack on PM Narendra Modi in CWC meet held on Tuesday.In continuation of his tirade against PM Modi over Chinese aggression and occupation of land in Ladakh, Rahul alleged that PM had “betrayed the army”.“China has brazenly occupied our territory. PM has destroyed our position and betrayed our army by accepting their position that they occupied no Indian land,” said Rahul addressing CWC meet – the highest decision making body of the Congress party.“Chinese can’t be permitted to get away with this unacceptable usurpation of our land. Everything needs to be done to ensure that sacrifice of our martyrs is not in vain,” he added. Blaming Modi for creating a personality-centric foreign policy, Rahul said that the PM has destroyed “established institutional structure of diplomacy”.

 

Sonia Gandhi: Crisis along LAC, economy attributable to mismanagement of Modi govt

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sonia-gandhi-india-china-lac-economy-modi-govt-6472169/

Launching a fresh salvo at Centre, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday said the current economic crisis and the tension on border with China were a result of the mismanagement by BJP-led government and wrong policies pursued by it.“India has been hit by a terrible economic crisis, a pandemic of huge proportions and, now, by a full-blown crisis on the borders with China. Much of each crisis is attributable to the mismanagement of BJP-led NDA Government and the wrong policies pursued by it,” she said.

 

Hindu Sena activists deface Chinese embassy signboard

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hindu-sena-activists-deface-chinese-embassy-signboard-6472335/

Hindu Sena workers on Tuesday defaced a signboard outside the Chinese embassy here against the killing of 20 Indian soldiers in clashes with the Chinese troops in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley last week.“Today in protest against People’s Republic of China’s aggression on LAC, Hindu Sena activists pasted protest poster stating ‘Cheen Gaddar Hai, Hindi Cheeni Bye Bye’ (China is a traitor, India China Bye bye) on Chinese embassy’s signboard,” Hindu Sena president Vishnu Gupta said.PTI

 

Days after border dispute, Nepal prevents India from carrying out embankment work in Bihar

https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-days-after-border-dispute-nepal-prevents-india-from-carrying-out-embankment-work-in-bihar-2829084

Days after engaging in a border dispute with India, Nepal has once again contested the international border and laid claim over Indian territory. This time, the area of contention happens to be the Nepal border with the Indian state of Bihar.In a surprising turn of events, the Nepalese authorities have now stopped Indian officials from carrying out construction work along the border area. Embarkment-related work was being carried out by the Water Resources Department (WRD) of Bihar state govt in what Nepal is now calling 'No Man's Land'.The incident occurred on June 15 on the banks of Lal Bakey River in Bihar's East Champaran district, 45 kilometres away from the Motihari town.

 

Nepal’s new citizenship proposal to impact India-Nepal ‘roti-beti’ ties

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/nepal-citizenship-proposal-impact-india-nepal-roti-beti-ties-1691480-2020-06-22

In a fresh move by Nepal’s lawmakers, the parliamentary State Affairs and Good Governance Committee on Sunday endorsed an amendment bill to Citizenship Act 2063, which would make it compulsory for a foreign woman married to Nepali men to wait for seven years to acquire naturalised citizenship.While it is for all foreigners, given the number of marriages that take place between families of India and Nepal, many believe that this is targeted against India.In yet another move by Oli administration to level with India, the government is contemplating reciprocal moves in its citizenship act as well. India’s laws on citizenship for foreigners who get married to Indians have been tough and time consuming.

 

Nepal's ruling party leader calls 'Roti Beti ka Rishta' with India old rhetoric

https://zeenews.india.com/world/nepals-ruling-party-leader-calls-roti-beti-ka-rishta-with-india-old-rhetoric-2291405.html

The ruling Nepal Communist Party 's (NCP) leader Bishnu Rijal on Monday (June 22) called the 'Roti Beti ka Rishta' with India old rhetoric and that it is 'not wise to talk about the Roti Beti relationship'.

 

China could set up border outposts in encroached territories: Nepal govt document

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/china-could-set-up-border-outposts-in-encroached-territories-nepal-govt-document/story-UD04e4xBMlTSbXcj2BQh8N.html

Massive road development projects in the Tibet Autonomous Region have led to rivers changing their course and expanding China’s boundary into northern territories of Nepal, a document by Nepal’s agriculture department has warned. The document, accessed by HT, said patches of Nepalese territory in several districts had already been encroached by China and cautioned that Beijing could take over more territory in the north if the rivers continue to change course. The loss of Nepalese territory due to the rivers changing course could run into “hundreds of hectare land”, it said.“There is a high possibility that over the period of time, China may develop its Border Observation Post of Armed Police in those territories,” the document by the agriculture ministry’s survey department said.

 

OIC backs Kashmiri people’s demand for self-determination , rejects Art.370

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/oic-body-rejects-art-370-move/story-le4PpVB1RQPCNN4aUdZoTP.html

A key body of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Monday backed the Kashmiri people’s demand for self-determination and rejected the Indian government’s decision to scrap the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.A virtual meeting of the OIC’s contact group on Kashmir, held on Pakistan’s call, adopted a communique that also expressed concern over ceasefire violations along LoC and called on India to “rescind its unilateral and illegal actions, and allow the Kashmiri people to freely exercise their right to self-determination through a UN-supervised plebiscite”.A statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the communiqué was unanimously adopted by the contact group.A separate statement issued by the OIC said the contact group reaffirmed continued support for the Kashmiri people and called on the UN secretary-general to make India abide by the UN Security Council resolutions and “engage in dialogue to calm the situation in the region”.The contact group called on India to halt security operations in Kashmir, respect basic human rights, “refrain from changing the demographic structure” of the region and settle the issue under UNSC resolutions, according to the OIC statement.The statement added contact group had welcomed efforts by some OIC members to calm the situation between India and Pakistan.There was no immediate response to the developments from Indian officials. HT

 

Qureshi urges OIC to 'step up its efforts' to resolve Kashmir issue Pak FO

https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/international/2020/06/22/fes67-pak-oic-kashmir.html

Pakistan on Monday urged the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to "step up its efforts" to resolve the Kashmir issue. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi made the remarks during a virtual meeting of OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir held "on the request of Pakistan", Foreign Office said.   In his address, Qureshi urged OIC to "step up its efforts to facilitate a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue," FO said.Qureshi told the media after the meeting that the group agreed to form an observation mission to know the situation in Kashmir.

 

US blocks Pakistan's effort to term India terror backer:TOI

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/us-blocks-pakistans-effort-to-term-india-terror-backer/articleshow/76519224.cms

Pakistan's efforts, after UN ban on JeM chief Masood Azhar, to draw a moral equivalence with India on the issue of cross-border terrorism have been nullified by US.Top Indian government sources told ToI that US had formally informed all members of UNSC on Friday that it was officially blocking, and thus terminating, a proposal to proscribe an Indian national by UNSC 1267 sanctions committee.Venu Madhav Dongara, an engineer with an Indian construction company active in Afghanistan, is 1 of the 4 Indian nationals Pakistan had linked with terror attacks on its territory. Pakistan was hoping to get Dongara listed as a global terrorist by UNSC with support from China.

 

India asks Pak to reduce High Commission staff strength by 50% within 7 days

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-pakistan-high-commission-staff-strength-6472737/

Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said the government had decided to reduce staff strength in the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi by 50 per cent. The decision, which is to be implemented in 7 days, was conveyed to Pakistan’s Acting High Commissioner Syed Haider Shah.“The Government of India has taken the decision to reduce the staff strength in the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi by 50 per cent. It would reciprocally reduce its own presence in Islamabad to the same proportion,” the MEA said in a statement. Haider Shah was summoned and informed that India had repeatedly expressed concern about the activities of officials of Pakistan High Commission.“They have been engaged in acts of espionage and maintained dealings with terrorist organizations. The activities of the two officials caught red-handed and expelled on May 31 was one example in that regard,” MEA said.indianexpress

 

India-Pak, oil sanctions exemptions and treaties: India in Bolton’s book

https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/india-pak-oil-sanctions-exemptions-and-treaties-india-in-boltons-book/article31899453.ece?homepage=true

Former US NSA John Bolton’s book, The Room Where It Happened, was officially released in US on Tuesday but much has been written about it in the press already. India finds a few mentions in the book, none of them positive, many neutral, and several as a country that has not fallen in line in the context of international treaties.For instance, Bolton calls Paris Agreement a ‘charade’ that has given ‘leeway’ to countries like China and India, leaving them “essentially unfettered”.“China, for example, had the greatest proportion of its large, growing, already-deployed missile capabilities in INF-forbidden range, endangering U.S. allies like Japan and South Korea, as well as India and Russia itself, a fine irony,” Mr. Bolton writes. He goes on to add India to the list of countries, along with Iran, North Korea and Pakistan whose nuclear arsenal was poised to expand. U.S. quit the treaty in August last year, having announced its intention to leave six months prior to that.He talks about the threat US allies and others face from the INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) treaty because a number of countries such as China are not party to it.

 

J&K: CRPF personnel, 3 militants killed in Pulwama

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pulwama-encounter-jammu-and-kashmir-live-updates-6471809/

Srinagar :A CRPF personnel and two militants were killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Tuesday.Kashmir Police Zone said on Twitter that 2 militants were killed in an encounter in Bandzoo area of Pulwama. Separately, a CRPF spokesperson confirmed that one of their personnel who had suffered bullet injuries in the gunfight succumbed to injuries. “Regret to inform that the injured HC of 182 Bn CRPF succumbed and attained martyrdom,” the spokesperson said.

 

Trump freezes H-1B visas; revamp plans may hit Indian outplacement firms

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/trump-freezes-h-1b-visas-revamp-plans-may-hit-indian-outplacement-firms

US President Donald Trump has suspended till the end of year H-1B visas prized by Indian professionals and announced a far-reaching reform plan that could deal a blow to Indian companies that place technology workers in US companies.The freeze ordered by Trump on Monday will not affect those already in the US on the H-1B and the other work visa categories being put on pause. Making the announcement, the White House said that Trump wants to reform immigration system to a "merit-based" one.Briefing reporters about the reform plan, a senior official said that one of its features would ban companies from bringing in employees on H-1B visas and outplace them to work in other US companies.Many Indian -- and some US -- companies that act as subcontractors sponsoring workers on H-1B visas and deputing them once they are in US to work elsewhere could see their business model hit.The official said that another reform would change the way the 85,000 annual H-1B visas are given from the current lottery system to one where the wages will determine who gets them. Those offered the most wages will get priority instead of those hitting "a lucky number" in the lottery, official said. Indians are the single largest group of H1-B visa-holders accounting for nearly 74 per cent of the work visas.IANS

 

White House outraged by defacement of Gandhi statue

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/white-house-outraged-by-defacement-of-gandhi-statue

US President Donald Trump's spokesperson has expressed outrage at the defacement of the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Washington during protests against police brutality.For the protesters, "apparently the line goes all the way to Gandhi", Kayleigh McEnany said on Monday commenting on the spree of defacing and damaging statutes sweeping the nation. Gandhi's statue was defaced with personal insults to him and an unprintable anti-India slogan on June 2.Asked about demands by protesters against police brutality and their supporters to remove some statues, she said: "What we're seeing across the country is really quite confusing, because you're seeing statues defaced, like Gandhi's statue defaced and Ulysses S Grant's statues."Before becoming President, Grant was US commanding general during the civil war leading the fight against the secessionist confederate states that opposed the abolition of slavery.His statue was pulled down by anti-racism protesters on San Francisco on June 19.IANS

 

*CORONAVIRUS- LOCKDOWN*

Coronavirus: As Saudi cancels Haj for foreigners, Indian govt initiates reimbursement

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-indian-pilgrims-will-not-travel-to-saudi-arabia-for-haj-2020-says-naqvi/article31896662.ece?homepage=true

New Delhi:Following a phone call by Saudi Arabia’s Haj and Umrah Minister Mohammad Saleh Bin Taher Benten to Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi informing him that no international pilgrims will be allowed for Haj due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Indian govt said it would reimburse payments made by Indian pilgrims for the same.“Honouring the decision of the Saudi Arabia government because of serious challenges of Corona pandemic and keeping in mind the health and well-being of the people, it has been decided that Muslims from India will not go to Saudi to perform Haj (1441 H/2020 AD),” said  Naqvi. He said that process of immediately refunding (without deductions) amount deposited by pilgrims for the journey was being initiated. Around 2,13,000 applications had been received for Haj 2020. The money will be refunded through online DBT mode into bank accounts of the applicants. Of these pilgrims, 50% were women with 3,040 women having performed Haj after the Union govt ensured Muslim women can perform Haj without Mehram(male companion) in 2018.This year too, more than 2,300 women had applied to perform Haj without Mehram. These women pilgrims will be allowed to go to Haj 2021 on basis of this year’s application. Women pilgrims who file a new application for journey will also be considered for Haj next year.

No Haj this yr, application money to be fully refunded: Naqvi

 

Saudi cancels Hajj for international pilgrims amid coronavirus fears

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200623-saudi-arabia-cancels-hajj-for-international-pilgrims-amid-coronavirus-fears/

Saudi Arabia has banned entry for Hajj pilgrimage this year to international pilgrims, implementing the long-expected decision in order to prevent the further spread of coronavirus. The annual pilgrimage, which draws an estimated two million Muslims from around the world to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, will now only be attended by those currently living in the kingdom, according to Saudi state media.The cancellation of Hajj this year for international pilgrims has long been predicted due to fears that the coronavirus – which has spread to more than 180 countries across the world with fatal consequences – would cause a higher infection rate and increase the number of deaths as a result. With the current infection cases in the kingdom numbering over 161,000 and the death rate being over 1,300, Saudi enforced strict measures earlier this year in order to curb the virus, including the closure of public institutions, schools and even mosques and banned congregational prayers. The lesser pilgrimage, Umrah, was also banned and the sanctuaries within the two holy cities were restricted to officials, workers and cleaners.MEMO

Around 1,000 Pilgrims In Saudi Will Be Allowed To Perform Hajj: Minister

 

Gujarat HC Refuses to Follow SC's Puri Example to Allow Ahmedabad Rath Yatra

https://thewire.in/law/rath-yatra-supreme-court-puri-gujarat-ahmedabad

Monday’s Supreme Court order lifting the stay on Puri’s Rath Yatra is silent on whether it can be used as a precedent for permitting, with similar conditions, religious gatherings elsewhere.  Though the Supreme Court had made it clear during the hearing that it was hearing applications to allow the Rath Yatra at Puri alone, and not in the rest of the state, its silence in the final order regarding its applicability elsewhere had led to doubts. The Gujarat high court, at a special hearing in the early hours of Tuesday, took note of the Supreme Court’s order uploaded on Monday night, but refused to use it as a precedent for permitting the Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad – also scheduled to start on Tuesday. 

 

Coronavirus: Jagannath Temple servitor tests positive before Rath Yatra in Odisha

https://scroll.in/latest/965463/coronavirus-jagannath-temple-servitor-tests-positive-before-rath-yatra-in-odisha

One of the traditional servitors at the Puri Jagannath Temple in Odisha tested positive for coronavirus ahead of the annual Rath Yatra, district administration said on Tuesday. This came a day after the Supreme Court had directed that only those who test negative would be allowed to pull chariots and participate in rituals. Puri district administration said 1,143 servitors were tested for coronavirus on Monday. “Except one, all are found negative,” a tweet said.

 

Delhi Police yet to interrogate or arrest Tablighi Jamaat chief Maulana Saad — Here's why

https://zeenews.india.com/india/delhi-police-yet-to-interrogate-or-arrest-tablighi-jamaat-chief-maulana-saad-heres-why-2291380.html

New Delhi: Maulana Saad Khandalvi — controversial Muslim cleric who has been named in the FIR lodged over the religious congregation in Nizamuddin Markaz, has still not been arrested by Delhi Police. According to reports, Delhi Police is waiting for a green signal from Home Ministry to take any legal action on Maulana Saad.

 

COVID might push 120 million children into poverty in South Asia, including India: UNICEF

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/covid-19-might-push-120-million-children-into-poverty-in-south-asia-including-india-unicef

An estimated 120 million children living in South Asian countries, including India, could slip into poverty within the next 6 months due to COVID-19 crisis, taking the total number of such kids in the region to 360 million, according to a new UNICEF report.The report -- How COVID threatens the futures of 600 million South Asian Children -- covers 8 South Asian countries namely Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, the Maldives and Sri Lanka.It says that an estimated 240 million children already live in "multi-dimensional" poverty -- including factors such as poor health, lack of education, poor sanitation and poor quality of work in these countries.An additional 120 million children could be pushed into poverty due to COVID crisis, taking total number to 360 million, it says.PTI

 

India has 1 COVID death per lakh population, 6.04 globally, says Centre; no let up in surge in new cases

https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/india-has-1-covid19-death-per-lakh-population-604-globally-says-centre-no-let-up-in-surge-in-new-cases/1875326

As COVID-19 fatalities in India crossed the 14,000 mark, the Centre on Tuesday said the country has one death from the disease per lakh population and the mortality rate is among the lowest as against the global average of 6.04 while there was no let up in the surge in new cases. The country recorded 14,000 plus coronavirus cases for fourth straight day as Delhi, the second worst affected state, witnessed the biggest single-day jump of 3,947 infections to take its tally to 66,602.With Union Health Ministry crediting India’s low COVID-19 mortality rate to timely detection of cases, extensive contact tracing and effective clinical management, recovery rate also steadily improved and it was nearly 57 per cent.A total of 2,48,189 patients recovered so far, while there were 1,78,014 active cases, according to the ministry data. During the last 24 hours, a total of 10,994 COVID-19 patients have recovered.Till date, 14,011 people have died in India due to the viral infection with 312 fatalities reported in 24 hours till Tuesday 8 am, while 14,933 new cases took the total case load to 4,40,215. India is in the eighth position in the global death count of 472,541. The US accounts for the highest number of deaths totalling 120,402.PTI

Covid-19 Bulletin: Recovery rate reaches 56.38%

 

 

Delhi records 3,947 new COVID-19 cases, 68 deaths; tally crosses 66,000-mark

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/delhi/delhi-records-3-947-new-covid-19-cases-68-deaths-tally-crosses-66-000-mark-103245

Delhi’s tally of COVID-19 cases crossed the 66,000-mark on Tuesday with the biggest single-day jump of 3,947 fresh infections, while the death toll due to the disease mounted to 2,301, authorities said.From Friday to Sunday, 3,000 or more fresh cases were reported per day in the national capital. On Monday, 2,909 cases were recorded.Sixty-eight fatalities have been recorded in the last 24 hours, a Delhi health department bulletin said on Tuesday.The death toll due to COVID-19 has risen to 2,301, and the total number of cases has mounted to 66,602, it said. The death toll due to COVID-19 stood at 2,233 in Delhi on Monday. PTI

 

AYUSH Ministry orders Patanjali to stop advertising of COVID-19 drug

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-coronavirus-lockdown-june-23-2020-live-updates/article31895795.ece?homepage=true

AYUSH said advertisement of Patanjali’s alleged drugs regulated under Drugs regulated under Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954. The Patanjali has been asked to provide at the earliest details of name and composition of medicine being claimed for COVID treatment, said the AYUSH. AYUSH also asked Patanjali for details of sample size, sites, hospitals where research study was conducted, and ethics panel clearance.

Ramdev’s Patanjali claims to have COVID-19 medicine, 100% recovery in 7 days

 

 

Out of work, Delhi govt guest teachers selling fruits on cart, repairing bicycles to make ends meet

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/out-of-work-delhi-govt-guest-teachers-selling-fruits-on-cart-repairing-bicycles-to-make-ends-meet/story-iYL0YWV6Myr6eSXY7nvy3O.html

New Delhi:An English teacher is forced to sell vegetables on the road; a natural science teacher has set up a bicycle puncture repair shop; and a Sanskrit teacher has returned to his village to work on wheat fields.Many guest teachers working on a contractual basis in Delhi government schools and paid on a daily basis have been forced to find alternative livelihoods to make their ends meet after being rendered out of work for two-three months as schools remain closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and amid little signs of them reopening in the immediate future.More than 20,000 guest teachers are employed in 1,030 government schools across Delhi. Paid between Rs 1,040 and Rs 1,400 per day, their contracts are renewed every year.They are not paid for Sundays, summer and winter vacations, or any national holiday. Some of them, though, do manage to find work even during summer vacation as teachers are engaged in summer camps and other activities. But the Covid-induced lockdown has made matters worse for them this year.

 

Mumbai: 31-year old Shahnawaz sells SUV, gives oxygen cylinders to 250 families for free

https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/cover-story/malad-man-sells-suv-gives-oxygen-cylinders-to-250-families-for-free/articleshow/76520049.cms

31-year old Shahnawaz Shaikh’s Ford Endeavour was his prized possession. When he bought it in 2011, Malad resident spent extra on a premium number plate - 007 - and a customised music system. During the lockdown, he had been using it as a makeshift ambulance.But on May 28, the sister of his business partner - who was six months pregnant - died of Covid-19 in an autorickshaw, outside a hospital, after being turned away from 5 others.On learning that her life could have been saved if she had received oxygen in time, Shaikh decided to sell his SUV, use money to buy oxygen cylinders and give them for free to others in need. Since he began distributing them on June 5, he has given oxygen cylinders to more than 250 families of Covid-19 patients.Shaikh said, “[The woman’s husband] took her to five hospitals but none was willing to admit her. Some said they didn’t have any vacant beds for people with Covid-19 symptoms. Others didn’t have ventilators.She died in an autorickshaw outside the sixth hospital.” He said that when he narrated the incident to some of his friends who are doctors, they told him that she could have been saved had she been provided oxygen in time. This, he said, made him resolve to find a way to help people in similar situations. He started doing some research, and soon realised there was a shortage of oxygen cylinders on the market. He said, “A friend of mine helped me contact a manufacturer directly. They were touched when I told them I wanted to buy cylinders and give them away for free.

 

7 girls found pregnant at Kanpur shelter home for children

https://clarionindia.net/seven-girls-found-pregnant-at-kanpur-shelter-home-for-children/

57 girls have tested positive for Covid 19 in a state-run shelter home for children in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur. Besides, 7 minor girls have been found to be pregnant. Five of those seven girls were also tested positive for the virus, press reports quoting officials say.The shelter home, located in Kanpur’s Swaroop Nagar area, has been sealed by the district administration and the staffs have been quarantined. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi has raised questions on the functioning of the shelter home.However, district and police administration have denied any wrong doing at the shelter home. “The seven girls were pregnant at the time when they came to the shelter home. Two girls are undergoing treatment at LLR Hospital in Kanpur, while three are undergoing treatment at private hospital,” said Kanpur district Magistrate, Brahma Dev Ram Tiwari.5  pregnant girls are from Agra, Etah, Kannauj, Firozabad and Kanpur. They were referred to children’s shelter homes by the Child Welfare Committees of these districts. POCSO Act is in force on in all these cases.Kanpur’s Senior Superintendent of Police Dinesh Kumar P. said” “Many people are spreading rumours that these girls got pregnant while at the shelter home, which absolutely isn’t true. This is not a case akin to Muzaffarpur,” he said.

 

Punjab moves towards further reopening, allows restaurant dine-in, marriage halls at 50% capacity

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-coronavirus-lockdown-june-23-2020-live-updates/article31895795.ece?homepage=true

Punjab govt Tuesday moved towards further reopening of the economy, allowing hotels, restaurants and marriage halls to operate at 50%t capacity, with strict adherence to social-distancing norms and other health protocols. According to fresh guidelines issued here, restaurants in the state are now allowed ‘dine-in’ facility till 8 pm, with 50% occupancy or 50 guests, whichever is less. Keeping in view concerns of the Industry and MHA instructions, we have decided to reopen hotels, restaurants, marriage halls & other hospitality services at reduced 50% capacity.

 

10 Pak players test positive for Covid before England tour

https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/seven-pakistan-players-covid-19-coronavirus-positive-6472750/

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Tuesday that 7 more players have tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the team’s departure for England on June 28.The infected players — Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Hafeez, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Hasnain, Imran Khan — took the test for the virus along with each one of their 29 squad members. In support staff, Malang Ali, masseuse, has also contracted the virus.“PCB medical panel is already in contact with these players and the masseur, who have been instructed to observe strict quarantine at their homes for their and their families’ wellbeing,” board said.On Monday, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, and Haider Ali were diagnosed with the virus and were instructed to “immediately go into self-isolation” by the governing board. Today’s tests take the total number of COVID-positive players in Pakistan’s squad to ten.indianexpress

 

Djokovic becomes fourth tennis player to test positive

https://www.thehindu.com/sport/tennis/novak-djokovic-becomes-fourth-tennis-player-to-test-positive-for-coronavirus/article31899224.ece?homepage=true

Novak Djokovic tested positive for coronavirus on Tuesday after taking part in a tennis exhibition series he organized in Serbia and Croatia. Top-ranked Serb is fourth player to test positive for virus after first playing in Belgrade and then again last weekend in Zadar, Croatia. His wife also tested positive.AP

 

Over 4.6 lakh homes likely to miss delivery deadline in 2020 due to lockdown

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/over-46-lakh-homes-likely-to-miss-delivery-deadline-in-2020-due-to-lockdown

Indian real estate, which already is reeling under the delays in completion of flats and stalled projects, may witness another delay due to pandemic and the resultant lockdown. Around 4.66 lakh units across 7 major cities, which were scheduled to be delivered by end of 2020 may now miss deadline, said report by Anarock Property Consultants.IANS

 

PM outlines easing of lockdown measures in England

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/06/boris-johnson-outlines-easing-lockdown-measures-england-200623132218335.html

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the two-metre (6.6-foot) distancing rule will be revised to "one-metre plus" from July 4 when pubs and restaurants are allowed to reopen in England.Johnson told Parliament's lower chamber on Tuesday the country's "long national hibernation is beginning to come to an end".  he social distancing rule has been very hard on restaurants and pubs and other sectors of the hospitality industry, he said.aljazeera

 

*WORLD*

Thousands of Palestinians protest against Israeli annexation plan

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/06/thousands-palestinians-protest-israeli-annexation-plan-200622173919963.html

Thousands of Palestinians have rallied in Jericho to protest against Israel's unilateral plan to annex large swaths of the occupied West Bank and Jordan Valley. Monday's gathering was also attended by dozens of foreign diplomats, including United Nations peace envoy for the Middle East, Nickolay Mladenov, and European Union's representative, Sven Kuehn von Burgsdorff.British, Chinese, Russian, Japanese and Jordanian diplomats were also at the rally.Citing the presence of the dignitaries, Al Jazeera's Nida Ibrahim said: "Palestinians hope that by doing gatherings like this, they would pressure the international community." "They want the foreign diplomats to [speak] to their countries to pressure Israel not to move forward with its plan," she said from the Jericho rally. "They want these countries to tell Israel that they are going to impose sanctions."

 

Israel fines Palestinian $30,000 after demolishing his East Jerusalem home

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200623-israel-fines-palestinian-30000-after-demolishing-his-east-jerusalem-home/

A Palestinian home located in East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Silwan was demolished because it allegedly lacked the necessary construction permit, reported Wafa. Palestinians are rarely granted building permits by the Israeli occupation authorities, especially in occupied East Jerusalem.Jerusalem-based Wadi Hilweh Information Centre said that occupation municipality crews, accompanied by a large number of Israeli occupation forces, stormed the Al-Bustan neighbourhood to surround the house of Mohammad Al-Rajabi and proceeded to demolish it.Al-Rajabi said the municipality issued the demolition order against his house, which was built 2 months ago, and did not give him the right to appeal the order.

 

 

Overnight clashes with Israeli soldiers in eastern Nablus

https://english.palinfo.com/news/2020/6/23/Overnight-clashes-with-Israeli-soldiers-in-eastern-Nablus

Nablus:Violent clashes on Monday night broke out between Palestinian youths and Israeli soldiers after latter stormed the eastern area of Nablus city to secure roads for Jewish settlers before they flocked to Joseph’s Tomb for rituals. According to local sources, dozens of local young men clashed with Israeli occupation forces, who intensively used tear gas and stun grenades during the skirmishes.The youths responded by throwing stones and incendiary bottles at soldiers. No reports of casualties among the protesters. PIC

 

Israeli forces  injures 9 Palestinians in West Bank confrontations

https://english.palinfo.com/news/2020/6/22/IOF-injures-9-Palestinians-in-West-Bank-confrontations

Ramallah:Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Monday evening shot and wounded 9 Palestinians during confrontations in Jericho and Ramallah in West Bank. Palestinian Red Crescent Society said that 4 Palestinian citizens were injured by rubber-coated metal bullets and four others were injured by tear gas canisters in Jericho. Confrontations broke out in Jericho after IOF closed all entrances leading to the city and prevented Palestinian citizens from taking part in an event against the annexation of the Jordan Valley. PIC

 

Israeli police evacuate areas around Aqsa Mosque for settlers’ march

https://english.palinfo.com/news/2020/6/22/Israeli-police-evacuate-areas-around-Aqsa-Mosque-for-settlers-march

Jerusalem, (PIC)Israeli occupation police on Sunday evening closed the Aqsa Mosque’s Asbat Gate (Lion’s Gate) and forced Palestinian citizens to leave al-Ghazali Square outside Islamic holy site in order to secure a march staged by hordes of Jewish settlers.According to local sources, large numbers of Israeli police forces were deployed at the Aqsa Mosque’s gates and entrances during settlers’ march. Settlers marched provocatively carrying Israeli flags and temple mount banners in some of Old City streets and around Aqsa walls.

 

Dozens of Jewish settlers defile al-Aqsa Mosque

https://english.palinfo.com/news/2020/6/22/Dozens-of-Jewish-settlers-defile-al-Aqsa-Mosque

Jerusalem(PIC)Dozens of Israeli settlers, led by extremist rabbi and former MK Yehudah Glick, on Monday morning broke into al-Aqsa Mosque amid heavy police presence.Local sources reported that the settlers performed provocative rituals and dances at al-Aqsa Mosque and roamed its courtyards while receiving presentations on alleged “Temple Mount”. Pro-Aqsa activist and teacher Khadija Khweis warned of an Israeli plan targeting eastern part of al-Aqsa Mosque and Bab al-Rahma prayer area which has been increasingly attacked by Israeli police and settlers recently.

 

US’ Trump signs law sanctioning China officials for anti-Uyghur policies

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200623-us-trump-signs-law-sanctioning-china-officials-for-anti-uyghur-policies/

US President Donald Trump signed into law Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020, a White House spokesman said.The law authorises imposition of US sanctions against Chinese officials responsible for detention and persecution of Uyghurs, a Turkic, Muslim ethnic group predominantly residing in Xinjiang autonomous region in western China.Last month, US House of Representatives passed legislation calling for sanctions against officials in China responsible for human rights abuses in the country’s western region of Xinjiang, a district in China that mainly Uyghur Muslims live.Under this legislation, US govt can ban the individuals or entities found responsible for human rights abuses in Xinjiang from entering America.China’s policies towards Uyghurs have publicly been condemned by US officials, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Vice President Mike Pence, US ambassador at large for international religious freedom Sam Brownback and US ambassador at large for counterterrorism Nathan Sales.

 

Taliban killed 291 Afghan security personnel in past week: official

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/06/taliban-killed-291-afghan-security-personnel-week-gov-200623063140659.html

Taliban has killed at least 291 Afghan security personnel over the past week, a top govt official said, accusing the armed group of unleashing a wave of violence ahead of potential peace talks.The previous week was the "deadliest" in the country's 19 years of conflict, Javid Faisal, spokesman for National Security Council, said on Monday.Taliban group carried out 422 attacks in 32 provinces during the past week, killing 291 security personnel and wounding 550 others, Faisal said on Twitter."Taliban's commitment to reduce violence is meaningless,and their actions inconsistent with their rhetoric on peace," he said. Taliban rejected the latest govnt figures."The enemy aims to hurt the peace process and intra-Afghan talks by releasing such false reports," Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban's spokesman in Afghanistan, told AFP.aljazeera

 

Iran: Ties to UAE improving, ready for dialogue with Saudi

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200623-iran-ties-to-uae-improving-ready-for-dialogue-with-saudi-arabia/

Iran said its relationship with UAE has improved and it is ready for dialogue with Saudi Arabia, Al Jazeera reported a top Iranian military official saying. The channel reported Yahya Safavi, adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader for military affairs, saying: “Our relationship with UAE has improved and Abu Dhabi’s attitudes towards us have changed.”He also said: “[We] are ready for dialogue with Saudi without preconditions if they agree to this.”Safavi added: “Riyadh must admit the failure of its war in Yemen and adopt a new policy … What is happening in Yemen is the futile military chaos that Saudi Arabia bears firstly.”

 

Daesh named as inspiration for ‘satanic’ neo-Nazi plotting to kill US soldiers

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200623-daesh-named-as-inspiration-for-satanic-neo-nazi-plotting-to-kill-us-soldiers/

Details of a recent terror plot foiled by FBI and US army has raised more questions than answers about the evolving threat of far-right extremists.In the latest of such cases, the Daesh terror group is said to have been an aspiration for a US soldier who plotted with a UK satanic neo-Nazi cult to stage a “murderous ambush” on his own unit. 22-year-old Ethan Melzer from Louisville confessed to sharing secret information about his unit to a satanic neo-Nazi cult as part of a plot to launch a “mass casualty” attack intended to cause “the deaths of as many of his fellow service members as possible”, according to an indictment unsealed.MMEO

 

*views, Articles, FEATURES*

The country needs a de-escalation of rhetoric. govt needs room to decide its strategy:Yogendra Yadav

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/a-time-for-maturity-narendra-modi-india-china-galwan-dispute-6469946/

‘350 inmates in 6 rooms, only 3 toilets’: Letter describes Gautam Navlakha’s jail in Raigad

https://theprint.in/india/350-inmates-in-6-rooms-only-3-toilets-letter-describes-gautam-navlakhas-jail-in-raigad/446552/

Delhi Riots Exclusive: BJP Councillor Led Mob, Claims ‘Eyewitness’

https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/delhi-riots-bjp-councillor-kanhaiya-lal-kapil-mishra-jagdish-pradhan-muslims

Watch Karan Thapar show: 'It's Expected That Ultimately, Half of India Will Get COVID-19':

https://thewire.in/health/watch-karan-thapar-epidemiologist-jayaprakash-muliyil

 

 Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 9:40 PM)