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After incessantly writing about being sued by rape and murder convict Ram Rahim, propagandist Shyam Meera Singh agrees to delete tweets

OpIndia Staff
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After incessantly writing about being sued by rape and murder convict Ram Rahim, propagandist Shyam Meera Singh agrees to delete tweets

On 30th December 2023, YouTuber Shyam Meera Singh told the Delhi High Court that he will delete the tweets posted by him on Friday regarding the defamation case filed by Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh against him.

Shyam Meera Singh’s counsel Kapil Madan assured the court that he will not tweet on the matter while it is sub judice. This came after Justice Manoj Jain expressed his displeasure over the tweets posted by him.

“No further tweets while the matter is sub judice… I want your client (Shyam Meera Singh) to be responsible. If he is a journalist, he needs to be responsible. Please do not make any tweets which interferes with the justice delivery system,” Bar and Bench quoted Justice Jain as saying.

Notably, Ram Rahim’s counsel Mohit Mathur told the court that in one of his tweets posted on Friday, Shyam Meera Singh asked his followers to download his YouTube video titled: “How Gurmeet Ram Rahim fooled his bhakts?” before it is taken down. Advocate Mathur said “every second that the video is available on YouTube, it is damaging his reputation.”

Shyam Meera Singh’s counsel told the Court that the video was based on a book authored by another journalist named Anurag Tripathi in 2018, and that Ram Rahim has not included him as a party in the lawsuit. He further contended that Singh is a ‘journalist’ and that ordering the video to be removed without the court reviewing it and reaching a prima facie conclusion would set a wrong precedent.

Meanwhile, the Court stated that it will hear Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s interim relief plea seeking directions to Shyam Meera Singh to remove the video on January 4 after Singh’s counsel files their reply.

In one of the tweets, Shyam Meera Singh wrote in Hindi, “Ram Rahim has demanded a ban on this video in Delhi High Court. Its urgent hearing is tomorrow. You may not be able to watch this video after tomorrow.”

In another tweet, he wrote, “I fear that in tomorrow’s hearing the court may not put a stay on the video or order its deletion. Ramdev has already got my Rajiv Dixit video removed from India by showing a court order. People living in India can never see him again. You download Ram Rahim video.”

Moreover, Shyam Meera Singh had posted another contentious tweet in Hindi which read, “Those are the two people whom Ram Rahim got murdered. 1. Ranjit Singh (former manager of Dera Sacha Sauda Ashram). 2. Journalist Ramchandra Chhatrapati. After years of hard work, CBI was able to prove it. Gather evidence. Proved. The court gave punishment. But the government releases Ram Rahim free on parole.”

It all started after YouTuber Shyam Meera Singh received a legal notice on 29th December on a plea by Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan which was filed in response to a video dubbed “How Gurmeet Ram Rahim Fooled his Bhakts”. The thumbnail of the YouTube video read “Ram Rahim’s real truth”. It was uploaded by Shyam Meera Singh on his official YouTube channel on 17th December. The plaintiff demanded financial recompense for the alleged slander in addition to pursuing that the controversial footage be taken down.

As reported earlier, YouTube was also delivered a notice after Justice Shalinder Kaur heard the case. The court stated that notice must be sent by WhatsApp and email. The case was then scheduled for another hearing the following day. Attorney Rajat Aneja represented Ram Rahim and alleged that Shyam Meera Singh was a repeat offender who failed to remove the video even after receiving a legal notice. He cited a post on 24th December on X (Twitter) in which the journalist admitted receiving a notification but declared he would not remove the video and would instead take the matter to court. The counsel contended that the video was slanderous and insulting.

Notably, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2017 for the rape of two disciples. Furthermore, he is serving a life sentence for his role in the 2002 killings of Dera Manager Ranjit Singh and Journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati.

It is worth mentioning that former AajTak journalist Shyam Meera Singh was dismissed in 2021 for his derogatory comments on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The media outlet stated in the termination letter that he had continued to express his opinions on social media platforms in violation of their social media policy, even after receiving two formal warnings in the past.

“Only PM Modi could have brought Ayodhya back to limelight”: Mauritius MP Mahend Gungapersad

ANI
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“Only PM Modi could have brought Ayodhya back to limelight”: Mauritius MP Mahend Gungapersad

Mauritius Member of Parliament (MP) Mahend Gungapersad expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stressing that “only PM Modi could have brought Ayodhya back to the limelight, as he has done it.”

Gungapersad, an MP for the Labour Party in Mauritius, is currently in India.

“You can’t imagine how proud I feel, like most of you and most Mauritians of the Hindu faith are very happy and proud that today Ramji has his mandir at the place where he was born,” he said.

“I can honestly say that only Modi could have brought Ayodhya back to the limelight, as he has done it. And the way the mandir is being built and has been built, we are proud of Modi ji for what you did,” he expressed.

Gungapersad also praised PM Modi’s efforts in the education sector.

“The education sector has blossomed under his tenure, and we can see it in every sector. The students were coming out of universities and schools. They reflect the New India, the new system of education, and for that, I need to congratulate Modiji and his, educational policies that are being implemented,” he added.

Further calling PM Modi a “charismatic leader”, he said that he is a leader who’s unique in his own way and has transformed India, the destiny of India, and the image of India.

“Today, people look up to India, and I think the one person who deserves our gratitude and our praise is Narendra Modi for whatever he has done,” he said and added that this new India has been made possible only because of his vision.

“I have no doubt that under his tenure, India has a very bright future as it is today. I think, well, there has been a change in the way people look at India. And thanks to Modi ji, many countries want to befriend India. They want to have very close ties with India,” he emphasised.

Highlighting the India-Mauritius relationship, Gungapersad said that the relationship is being further strengthened.

“We Mauritians have always entertained a very good relationship with India and under Modi’s tenure, this relationship is being further strengthened, and I’m thankful to Shri Narendra Modi for that,” he added.

“Modi hai toh mumkin hai,” Gungapersad said.

The city of Ayodhya is gearing up for the grand consecration ceremony.

As per temple officials, the consecration ceremony will be held over seven days, starting on January 16. On January 16, the host appointed by the temple trust, Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, will conduct the atonement ceremony. The ‘Dashvidh’ bath, Vishnu worship, and offering to cows will be held on the banks of the Saryu River.

Following that, on January 17, a procession carrying the idol of Ram Lalla, depicting Lord Ram as a five-year-old, will reach Ayodhya. Devotees carrying Saryu river water in ‘Mangal Kalash’ will reach the Ram Janmabhoomi temple.

On January 18, formal rituals will kick off with the Ganesh Ambika puja, Varun puja, Matrika puja, Brahmin Varan, and Vastu puja.

On January 19, the holy fire will be lit, followed by the establishment of ‘Navagraha’ and a ‘havan’ (holy ritual surrounding the fire).

The sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple will be washed with Saryu water on January 20, after which the Vaastu Shanti and ‘Annadhivas’ rituals will take place.

On January 21, the idol of Ram Lalla will undergo a ceremonial bath with water from 125 urns. On the final day, January 22, after the morning puja, the deity of Ram Lala will be consecrated in ‘Mrigashira Nakshatra’ in the afternoon. (ANI)

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

As PM Modi flags off the first two Amrit Bharat Express Trains, read about the brand-new train service launched by Indian Railways

OpIndia Staff
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As PM Modi flags off the first two Amrit Bharat Express Trains, read about the brand-new train service launched by Indian Railways

On 30th December Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurated eight new trains including six Vande Bharat Express trains and two Amrit Bharat Express trains in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. He was at the recently renovated Ayodhya Dham station where he flagged off the fresh trains. Two trains, Darbhanga-Delhi Amrit Bharat and Ayodhya-Anand Vihar Vande Bharat were marked off from Ayodhya railway station and others were launched via a video link simultaneously.

Darbhanga to Anand Vihar via Ayodhya Amrit Bharat Express and Darbhanga to Anand Vihar Amrit Bharat Express trains are the first two Amrit Bharat Express trains, a new category of trains launched by Indian Railways.

The Amrit Bharat Express is the first batch of extremely fast passenger trains that are designed with the comforts of the common man in mind. It has a striking orange and grey colour appearance. It has non-airconditioned carriages and is an LHB push-pull train. There are two locomotives on either end of this train to improve acceleration. In addition to better luggage racks, LED lighting, smartphone charging connections, redesigned seating, CCTV and public information systems, it offers superior amenities for travellers. Railway officials have stated that the locomotives on these trains are aerodynamically constructed.

These “jerk-free” trains are scheduled to operate between Darbhanga in Bihar and Anand Vihar in Delhi via Ayodhya, Malda Town in West Bengal and Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminus in Bengaluru. They provide a pleasant ride across numerous destinations owing to semi-coupler technology and novel advancements in train operations. When a train starts and stops, the jerk effect is reduced because of the technology that joins two coaches in this way.

There will be a total of 22 non-AC coaches on the trains, which include 12 sleeper coaches, 8 second-class unreserved coaches and two guard compartments cum luggage coaches. Push-pull technology will be used to power the freshly built train which has a speed capability of 130 kmph (kilometres per hour) and a 6,000 HP WAP5 locomotive at each end and has faster acceleration as well as reduced travel time. The presence of two locomotives at boths ends will also mean that there will be no need for a locomotive reversal at terminals, ensuring faster operation.

The WAP5 locomotive has been upgraded with an aerodynamic frontal nose, flat rear nose, a crew-friendly console and cab, anthropogenic crew seats, integrated converter and hotel load converter, Kavach, RTS, CVVRS, air-conditioning, WTB enabled for push-pull operation. While the locomotives are capable of very high speeds, the speeds of the trains will be limited by limitation of tracks.

Traveling on Amrit Bharat Express trains within a one- to fifty-kilometer radius requires a minimum ticket price of Rs 35 which does not include the reservation fee or other costs. A railway official stated, “If we compare the fares for these two classes, second and sleeper with other currently-running mail or express trains, Amrit Bharat’s fare is 15 to 17 per cent higher.”

According to the official, concessional tickets and tickets against free complimentary passes that are not reimbursed will not be accepted on these trains. Additionally, railway employees will be eligible for privilege passes, duty passes, PTOs (privilege ticket orders) and other benefits on the same basis as those available by mail or express.

These trains consist of appealing features such as “horizontal sliding windows, semi-permanent coupler between the coaches, dust-sealed wider gangways, an aerosol-based fire suppression system in toilets and electrical cubicles, an emergency disaster management light, floor guide fluorescent strips, bench-type design for LWS coaches, segregation of reserved and unreserved coaches (with sliding doors), etc.”

Other features in the trains include CCTV Cameras, bio-vacuum toilets, sensor-based water taps, a passenger information system, electric outlets, LED lights etc.

Train number 15557 is set to leave Darbhanga at 3:00 PM on Mondays and Thursdays. It will arrive at the Anand Vihar Terminal station in Delhi at 12:35 PM on the following day for a total route duration of twenty-one hours and thirty-five minutes. Kamtul, Janakpur Road, Sitamarhi, Bairgania, Raxaul, Narkatiyaganj, Bagha, Kaptanganj, Gorakhpur, Basti, Mankapur, Ayodhya Dham, Lucknow, Kanpur Central, Etawah, Tundla, Aligarh Junction, and lastly Anand Vihar Terminal are among the stations at which the train will stop.

Even though Amrit Bharat and Vande Bharat have similar naming schemes, they are completely different trains. The entire Vande Bharat train was newly developed by Indian Railways. On the other hand, Amrit Bharat uses LHB coaches, which are already in use, with improved features and upgraded locomotives.

PM Modi also unveiled six brand-new Vande Bharat Trains which will run from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to New Delhi, Amritsar to Delhi, Coimbatore to Bangalore Cantonment, Mangalore to Madgaon, Jalna to Mumbai and Ayodhya to Anand Vihar. Vande Bharat Express is a chair car train with air conditioning that is now operating on multiple routes throughout the entire country. It is a self-propelled train with a 160 kmph maximum speed.

Furthermore, PM Modi is also laying the groundwork for development projects worth Rs 15,700 crore for Uttar Pradesh comprising Rs 11,100 crore for Ayodhya and opening the recently constructed airport in the temple town. The redesigned train station which will now be known as Ayodhya Dham was also officially inaugurated by him. Redeveloped for Rs 240 crore, the three-story building is a certified green structure with escalators, lifts, waiting areas, cloakrooms and food plazas. The visit by the prime minister has set the tone for the events leading up to the much anticipated Ram Mandir’s consecration ceremony on 22nd January.

USA: Inspired by 7 October Hamas terror attack, New Jersey man tries to join terror group Al-Shabaab for missions of ‘death and destruction’, arrested

OpIndia Staff
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USA: Inspired by 7 October Hamas terror attack, New Jersey man tries to join terror group Al-Shabaab for missions of ‘death and destruction’, arrested

On Friday (29th December), US authorities made it public and announced that a New Jersey man who got inspired by Hamas’s 7th October terror attack in Israel and was en route to join Somalia-based Islamist terror group al-Shabaab was arrested earlier this month in Kenya. According to the prosecutors, the terror accused Karrem Nasr (23) aka “Ghareeb Al-Muhajir” was “devoted to waging violent jihad against America”. 

As per the US Department of Justice, Nasr, a U.S. citizen, was taken into custody in Nairobi, Kenya, on 14th December 2023. He was transported to the United States on 28th December 2023 and the authorities filed charges against him on Friday 29th December. 

The Manhattan federal prosecutors have charged him with a single count of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organisation and he could face up to 20 years in prison. As per the authorities, Nasr offered to “write for any group that he joined” and also “wanted to train to ‘shoot’ with any [terror] group he joined.”

On Friday, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams said, “As alleged, Karrem Nasr, motivated by the heinous terrorist attack perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, devoted himself to waging violent jihad against America and its allies.”

As per the complaint, Nasr was in communications with an FBI confidential source (the “CS”), who was posing as a facilitator for terrorist organisations. In his communication with CS, Nasr stated that the number one enemy was “evil America,” which he called the “head of the snake.” 

As per the US agencies, Nasr told the source, “After the Oct. 7 events, I felt that something has changed [for] the better, I mean. I felt that pride and dignity came back to the Muslims.”

According to the US authorities, Nasr wanted to visit Kenya to join and train with al-Shabaab – US proscribed terror organisation – to execute his jihadist mission of death and destruction. For his plan, he was prepared to kill and be killed to support the jihadist cause. 

Sharing the details about the case, US Attorney Williams added, “Nasr, a citizen of this country, traveled from Egypt to Kenya bent on joining and training with al Shabaab so that he could execute his jihadist mission of death and destruction. Nasr was prepared to kill and be killed to support the jihadist cause, and in his own words, he described America as ‘evil’ and the ‘head of the snake.’” 

Williams noted that because of the efforts of law enforcement agencies, they disrupted Nasr’s plan to train with a terrorist organisation and wage violent jihad. He reiterated that US authorities are committed to investigating, disrupting, and prosecuting anyone who is inspired by Hamas’s October 7 attack and seeks to harm Americans, whether here or abroad.

FBI special agent Bilal Morgan submitted it in writing before the court that Nasr had moved to Egypt in July to study Arabic. As per the court document, Nasr became “particularly motivated to become a jihadi” after Hamas terrorists carried out the large-scale assault on Southern Israel killing more than 1200 people, kidnapping around 250 Israeli and foreign nationals, raping women, and brutally murdering babies on 7th October, this year. In retaliation, Israel carried out aerial bombardment followed by extensive ground operation which is still ongoing. Click here, for detailed reports about the Israel-Hamas war.  

Morgan wrote, “In recent public social media posts, Nasr warned that ‘Jihad’ was ‘coming soon to a US location near you,’ posting airplane, bomb, and fire emojis.”

(As per US authorities, Hamas terror attack on Israel galvanised him after he wanted to join Al-Shabaab which is linked with Al-Qaeda)

“Nasr expressed his intent to join al Shabaab [sic] to receive military training and engage in jihad; that he was prepared to kill and be killed; and that he specifically aspired to be a martyr for the jihadi cause.” 

The US authorities also included Nasr’s online posts that expressed support for jihad and terrorist ideology. 

(Image Source – US Department of Justice)
(Image Source – US Department of Justice)

During his Kenya trip, Nasr had planned to meet members of al-Shabaab, which has links with another dreaded terror outfit Al Qaeda, while he had been engaging with an FBI source posing as a facilitator for terrorist organisations last month. 

He also mentioned Osama bin Laden’s 2002 “Letter to America,” which recently resurfaced and garnered attention among TikTok users who claimed they had never heard of Al Qaeda’s complaints about the conflict between Israel and Palestinians. 

According to court documents, Nasr told the source, “I do not know if you follow the news in the West, but there are a lot of people now in America, not Muslims, just reading the letter from Sheikh [Osama] bin Laden and there are a lot of people, because of this letter, [who] have completely changed their opinion on him, and they finally understand how evil America is.” 

Morgan added that Nasr reportedly offered to “write for any group that he joined” because he “could write well and knew how to translate”. Further Nasr also “wanted to train to ‘shoot’ with any [terror] group he joined.” 

Originally, he had planned to meet the jihadists in Kenya later in January. However, he told the source that he accelerated his plans to join al-Shabaab when he learned that his mother was visiting from the US in mid-December and wanted to take him “back to America to continue my education and work.”

Ayodhya: Vasudev Gupta sacrificed his life for the Ram Mandir movement, his wife also did karseva, and now their son serving in Ram Janmbhoomi Trust

राहुल पाण्डेय
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Ayodhya: Vasudev Gupta sacrificed his life for the Ram Mandir movement, his wife also did karseva, and now their son serving in Ram Janmbhoomi Trust

The construction of a temple at the birthplace of Lord Ram in Ayodhya is in full swing. On 22nd January 2024, the idol is going to be consecrated here in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There is a sense of devotion and happiness across the nation on this auspicious occasion. However, at the same time Hindu society is also honouring those Ram devotees who sacrificed their lives for Ramjanmbhoomi from the Mughal era to the Mulayam rule. One of them was Vasudev Gupta from Ayodhya who was shot dead on 30th October 1990 on the orders of the then Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav. On 28th December 2023, OpIndia inquired about the present condition of his family.

Family struggling with severe financial hardship

Vasudev Gupta used to run a sweet shop in the Nayaghat area of Ayodhya to support his family. His wife, their three daughters and two sons survived on the proceeds from this store. Now, it is damaged and its wreckage is strewn in their new house because of lawsuits from neighbours and others. Their new place has only two rooms. Debris was all around when the OpIndia team arrived there to visit the family members. Utensils were scattered inside the rooms. Although Vasudev’s daughter didn’t disclose anything, the circumstances indicated that the family was facing serious economic strain.

The house of the Gupta family. (Source: OpIndia Hindi)

Later his wife, daughter and son also died

We found Seema Gupta, the late Vasudev’s daughter in the home. She informed us that one by one her mother, one sister and one brother passed away following the passing of his father. She stated that every one of them died from illness. Seema added that the three members of her family could have been saved if they had received the necessary funding for medical care. There are currently one son and two married daughters in Vasudev’s household. Vasudev’s son Sandeep Gupta is married and a father of two children.

Ram Janmbhoomi Trust granted job after witnessing their poor situation

Vasudev’s son Sandeep told OpIndia that after the death of his father, mother, brother and sister, his family was in terrible monetary plight. Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Ram Janmbhoomi Trust helped the Gupta family in this situation. The trust employed Sandeep in the locker department of Ramjanmbhoomi. The job was provided on the instruction of the VHP functionary Champat Rai. Sandeep receives very meagre pay, but the family members remarked that when there is nothing, at least the little money keeps the house running. Vasudev’s daughter Seema Gupta hoped that the Hindu society and the current government would help improve the condition of her family sooner or later.

Gupta Family (Source: OpIndia Hindi)

Vasudev’s remaining task was concluded by his spouse

Seema Gupta revealed to us that her mother Shakuntala Gupta was a follower of Lord Ram just like her husband and that she completed the unfinished work left by Vasudev. She started a clothing store to support the family after her husband lost his life. She also got one son and two daughters married with the money she earned from the shop. Seema mentioned that her mother and a few other women were there at the scene when the disputed structure collapsed in 1992. She conveyed that her mother provided treatment to numerous injured karsevaks during the time.

On 6th December 1992, Vasudev Gupta’s wife Shakuntala was performing karseva. (Source: OpIndia Hindi)

The dead body was not being handed over for the final rites

Seema Gupta broke down in tears as she recalled her father. She proclaimed that she remembered everything even though she was just 7 years old in 1990 when her father was shot. She reported that her mother had to fight to obtain Vasudev’s corpse because there was a reluctance to hand over his body after the post-mortem. However, there were loud protests during this period from Hindu organisations which compelled Mulayam Singh’s administration to back down.

Vasudev Gupta’s body following an autopsy. (Source: OpIndia Hindi)

Vasudev stepped out to save the honour of the people of Ayodhya

Vasudev Gupta was originally a resident of Ayodhya. His daughter further told us that his father was a great devotee of Bajrang Bali. When the Ram Mandir liberation movement started, worshippers of the deity from different parts of the country were reaching Ayodhya. Meanwhile, Vasudev Gupta told his family that it wouldn’t reflect well on the people of Ayodhya if he didn’t join them. She unveiled that her father voiced that those living in Ayodhya would be laughed at in the future for not coming out of their homes. Vasudev was shot three times in the waist and stomach after he went out with a group of karsevaks. His life ended on the spot. The lifeless body of Vasudev was discovered at Ramjanmbhoomi in Ramkot.

Vasudev Gupta’s body was found in this condition. (Source: OpIndia Hindi)

Threat received in the name of Hizbul Mujahideen

Seema Gupta also informed us that a threatening letter was delivered to their home one to two years post her father’s death. This three-page letter was stamped by Hizbul Mujahideen and written in Urdu. The letter contained multiple threats along with, “You have sent one, keep the other one safe. Saryu River will be named ‘Sharifa River’ and Ayodhya as ‘Ayubabad’.” Vasudev Gupta’s wife Shakuntala then complained about it to the administration.

Father’s dream of Ram Mandir came to fruition

Vasudev Gupta’s family is very happy with the construction of Lord Ram’s Mandir. His son Sandeep and daughter Seema commented that their father’s dream had been realised with the building of the temple. The family of Vasudev also desires that the temple commemorates the sacrifices made by his father and other adherents of Lord Ram. Seema Gupta is hopeful that to preserve her father’s memory, the present administration will certainly erect a memorial in his honour.

Mention of Vasudev Gupta in the newspapers in the 1990s. (Source: OpIndia Hindi)

OpIndia’s team is in Ayodhya from the last week of December 2023. From here we will enumerate for you the numerous unidentified yet sacred locations in Ayodhya as well as the faceless martyrs of the Ramjanmbhoomi movement and the events that have been forgotten. The second news of this series will be published soon.

“500 acres of land encroached through land jihad freed,” says Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami

OpIndia Staff
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“500 acres of land encroached through land jihad freed,” says Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami

On Friday (December 29), Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami said that his government has freed 5000 acres of land encroached through Land Jihad.

“For the betterment of the Devbhoomi, we had to take some challenging and tough decisions with the blessings of Bhagwan Ram. We have never stepped back from taking tough decisions. One of which was removing encroachments from government lands. We were successful in freeing more than 5000 acres of land by getting rid of land jihad and the drive shall continue till all illegal and forceful possessions are removed,” Dhami remarked while attending a ‘Ram Katha’ in Delhi’s IP Extension.

After several complaints of encroachment on government land, CM Dhami directed the state police and forest department to identify all such illegal constructions.

The state government identified a total of 3,793 such areas until May 2023, TOI reported citing data provided by the state government. The Nainital district had the highest number of encroachments, with around 1,433, followed by Haridwar district, which had 1,149. Other districts with a large number of illegal structures are Tehri (209), Almora (192), and Champawat (97). The great majority of these encroachments were on forest land.

Since the start of an anti-encroachment campaign earlier this year, the state has demolished around 500 mazars and roughly 50 temples. 

In May this year, it was reported that the state authorities had demolished over 330 Mazars in 90 days. Earlier in March 2023, the Uttarakhand government rolled bulldozers over illegal mazars which were built by encroachment on the reserved forest land. The action took place after Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami directed the state authorities to clear forest land of encroachment. The government authorities demolished 26 mazars that were illegally constructed on the government’s forest land. The authorities conducted a survey and identified around 1400 religious structures built illegally on government land.

​Land mafia challenge Nitish Kumar’s Jal Jeevan Hariyali Mission, ponds in Darbhanga encroached, vanish overnight from under administration’s nose

OpIndia Staff
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​Land mafia challenge Nitish Kumar’s Jal Jeevan Hariyali Mission, ponds in Darbhanga encroached, vanish overnight from under administration’s nose

A pond was stolen overnight in Bihar’s Darbhanga in the Kadirabad area which falls under the Vishwavidyalaya Police Station. When SDPO and Darbhanga city DSP Amit Kumar visited ward number 4 in the area, there were absolutely no signs of the Neem Pokhar pond, as if it never existed.

As per reports, the land mafia has been encroaching the land by filling up the pond with soil. Locals informed the police that some trucks and equipment were being brought to and fro the area through the night for days.

The police, finally acting on the repeated complaints by residents, visited the site but only after the filling of the pond was complete. The mafia has also erected a hut on the levelled land.

Residents have reportedly said that the illegal of filling the pond has been happening for the past one to two weeks. They revealed that hundreds of people used to be present whenever the levelling of the land was done.

Several earth-moving machines and vehicles were also deployed. As per reports, locals said that the police had visited the site a number of times before and had also seized equipment, yet, the administration was caught unawares when they found the pond-site levelled. Similarly, another pond was filled in the same area. Two people have been detained for interrogation.

DSP Kumar said, “The people living here have told us that the filling took place in the last 15 days. It was done mostly in the night hours. 10 to 15 vehicles and earth-moving equipment were deployed for this. We don’t have any information about who owns this land. The local police station in charge had earlier visited the site. He had also seized some of the equipment deployed here.”

“The local administration has also visited here earlier and they also went back after paying a visit. We will thoroughly investigate this case. We will convey this matter to the concerned officials. We will take the necessary steps in this case. Some people were filling up another pond nearby. We have detained two persons from that site for interrogation,” he added.

As per reports, locals were using the pond for breeding fish and also for growing water fruits and for other uses.

DSP Amit Kumar further added, “We received some complaint letters and some phone calls from the locals who complained that there are some government ponds in the locality. The products of these ponds like fish etc would be auctioned by the government. Locals told us that these ponds are being filled and levelled by some people. We took cognizance and informed the local police station and visited the place. We are questioning locals about how it all happened.”

Darbhanga has reeled under water shortage reportedly since 2005 despite being a water-rich region. Accessibiliy to drinking water had reduced significantly, especially during summers back in the days. Even as activists organised awareness drives and campaigns to save waterbodies, encroachment, mismanagement and mistreatment reduced the number of ponds in Darbhanga.

As per a report from 2020, Darbhanga had over 300 ponds till 1964. This number reduced to 213 by early 1990s. As of 2020, only 84 ponds remained, the report stated citing local urban body data. In this backdrop, the defiant land mafia has only been making matters worse moreso for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his Jal Jeevan Hariyali Mission.

Bihar’s Jal Jeevan Hariyali mission is aimed at conserving water in the state. However, encroachment by land mafia on ponds is actively defeating Nitish’s mission.

ED issues 7th summons to Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren in land scam case, says “last chance to record statement”

ANI
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ED issues 7th summons to Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren in land scam case, says “last chance to record statement”

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued a fresh summons to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Saturday for questioning in connection with an alleged land scam.

This is the seventh summons issued to CM Hemant Soren by the ED under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 asking him to record his statement.

As he had not turned up on ED’s six summons, this time the agency has said that it is his last opportunity to record the statement.

“Since you have not come to the office of the Directorate of Enforcement in obedience to the summonses issued to you, we are giving you this last opportunity to record your statement under section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, at the place, date and time, mutually convenient to you as well as the undersigned (ED), which should be within 7 days of receipt of this notice/Summons,” said the ED in its summon.

The agency has asked him to specify the place, date and time within two days of receipt of this communication.

“Despite the issuance of six summonses, you (Hemant Soren) have not appeared before this office, citing unfounded reasons. This non-appearance is impeding and hindering the progress of the investigation in the present case,” ED mentioned in the summons.

The ED issued the sixth summons on December 12 for questioning but the Chief Minister skipped the proceedings.

CM Soren was first summoned by the ED earlier in mid-August in connection with a land ‘scam’ case. However, the CM ignored the summons, claiming that he was busy with the state’s Independence Day celebrations.

He was asked again to appear on August 24 and September 9 but he skipped the dates, citing preoccupations.

The agency then issued its fourth summons to the Jharkhand CM, asking him to report to the agency on September 23. The CM had earlier threatened to move for legal proceedings against the Centre if it did not withdraw the summonses issued against him.

In his letter to the agency, Soren said he had provided all necessary documents and information to the ED.

He wrote that if the ED needed any information, it could refer to the documents that he had already shared with the agency.

However, he alleged that the ED summoned him on August 14 at the behest of its “political masters”.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Google agrees to settle $5 billion lawsuit, which accused the tech giant of tracking user data in ‘Incognito mode’

OpIndia Staff
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Google agrees to settle $5 billion lawsuit, which accused the tech giant of tracking user data in ‘Incognito mode’

Google has agreed to pay at least $5 billion to resolve a consumer privacy lawsuit alleging that it tracked the data of users who thought they were browsing the internet privately in Incognito mode.

On Thursday (December 28), US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California, paused the proposed class action trial, which was set to begin in February, after lawyers for Google and consumers informed that they have reached a preliminary settlement. 

The terms of the settlement were not revealed, however, lawyers said that they reached an agreement through mediation. By February 24, 2024, the attorneys are also expected to provide a formal agreement to the court for approval.

The $5 billion lawsuit was filed in 2020 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California and covered “millions” of Google consumers, claiming damages of $5,000 per user or three times actual damages, depending on what was greater.

As reported earlier, the lawsuit alleged that the company used different systems, including Google Analytics, Google Ad Manager, website plug-ins and other applications, including mobile apps, to track users.

It sought at least $5 billion in compensation from Google and its parent company Alphabet. The US District Judge Lucy Koh in San Jose, California, had said that Google failed to notify users that the company allegedly collects data while users are browsing in private mode.

It all started in June 2020, when three Google users filed a complaint and claimed that the company carries on a “pervasive data tracking business.” They said that Google collects browsing history and other web activity data even if it has switched on the “incognito” mode.

Other lawsuits have been filed against Google for its search and digital advertising practices. Earlier this month, the technology behemoth agreed to pay $700 million to settle a lawsuit filed by a group of US states accusing Google of stifling competition to its Play Store on Android devices. This comes just days after it lost in a US court dispute by Fortnite creator Epic Games. In 2020, the video game firm sued Google for unfairly favouring its app store over competitors.

Delhi: Love triangle gone wrong, Arman Khan stabs Mahir to death after argument over dating the same woman they met on Instagram

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi: Love triangle gone wrong, Arman Khan stabs Mahir to death after argument over dating the same woman they met on Instagram

A 20-year-old youth named Mahir was stabbed 50 times in Delhi’s Bhagirathi Vihar area on Wednesday (27th December) by 18-year-old Arman for speaking to a girl on video call. It turned out that Arman and Mahir were befriended by the same woman (21).

Arman had met the woman on Instagram. The woman had also befriended Mahir through the social media platform. As per reports, the woman liked Mahir more and this did not go down well with Arman.

Angry about the same, Arman snatched the woman’s phone from her and saw her several video call logs with Mahir.

A few days later, Arman called Mahir and told him to meet him on the pretext of returning the woman’s phone. When Mahir arrived, Arman allegedly stabbed him to death, according to the police.

Another report quotes Deputy Commissioner of Police, Northeast, Joy Tirkey, who said that Mahir had caught the woman speaking to Arman on video call following which Mahir began pursued a verbal argument with Arman.

“She had befriended both boys on Instagram. One day when Mahir reached the girl’s house, he found her speaking with Arman on a video call. Out of jealousy, Mahir abused Arman.”

“On that day, Arman had called Mahir on the pretext of giving the girl’s phone back to him. When he arrived, Arman, Faisal and Sameer stabbed him to death,” said the DCP.

The police have arrested Arman and two of his friends Faisal (21) and Mohammed Sameer (19) based on the statement given by the woman and other evidence.

Mahir’s body was recovered lying on the roadside in a pool of blood. “We got information through a PCR call around 9 pm on 27th December after which an FIR of murder was registered,” the DCP said.

Probe revealed that Mahir was on call with the accused Arman before the murder and both Mahir and Arman had long calls with a woman.

A knife was also found on the spot and the body was shifted to the GTB Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem.

Mahir was working as a supervisor in a company which made flex boards in central Delhi’s Paharganj. A accused have been remanded to judicial custody and a charge sheet will reportedly be filed against them.

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