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Argentina signs letter of intent with HAL to acquire indigenous light combat helicopters for its armed forces

OpIndia Staff
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Argentina signs letter of intent with HAL to acquire indigenous light combat helicopters for its armed forces

On Thursday, July 20, Argentina’s Ministry of Defence and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) inked a Letter of Intent (LoI) pledging their commitment to a productive partnership and the purchase of Light and Medium Utility Helicopters for Argentina’s armed services.

According to a release from the Bengaluru-based PSU, the LoI was signed by the Argentinean Defence Minister Jorge Taiana and HAL Chairman and Managing Director C B Ananthakrishnan in Bengaluru.

Argentinean Defence Minister Jorge Taiana and HAL Chairman and MD C B Ananthakrishnan signing LoI in Bengaluru (Source: IADN Twitter handle)

A letter of intent (LOI) is a document that states a party’s initial intention to do business with another. The letter outlines the key conditions of a potential agreement.

“The Lol was signed by Jorge Taiana, Argentinian defence minister and HAL CMD CB Ananthakrishnan in the presence of Francisco Cafiero, secretary of international affairs, Ambassador Hugo Javier Gobbi, Ambassador Dinesh Bhatia and other senior officers from the Argentinian side and HAL,” the PSU said in a statement.

According to media reports, Taiana, who arrived in New Delhi on July 17 for a four-day visit, planned to sign a Rs 8,675 crore contract with India for the fourth-generation fighter aircraft Tejas Mark-1A and LCH (Light Combat Helicopter) Prachanda.

On July 18, 2023, Jorge Taiana met with Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and discussed bilateral relations and pledged to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

Argentina expresses interest in buying Tejas fighter aircraft

Notably, last year, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar confirmed that after Malaysia, Colombia and several other countries, the South American nation Argentina had shown interest in buying Tejas. In August 2022, External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar acknowledged Argentine interest in the Tejas fighter aircraft and highlighted the importance of the proposal in enhancing the strategic quotient of bilateral relationships. A joint press statement issued by both countries after the Joint Commission Meeting said, “EAM, acknowledging Argentine interest in the Made in India TEJAS fighter aircraft for Argentine Air Force, highlighted importance of the proposal in enhancing strategic quotient of the bilateral relationship.”

It is notable that Argentina is the first Latin American nation to show interest in acquiring Tejas for its air force. Before this, several other countries including Australia, Egypt, the USA, Indonesia, and the Philippines have shown interest in buying the fighter made by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). 

HAL seals contract with Argentinian Air Force for supply of helicopter spares

In February this year, HAL inked a contract with the Argentinian Air Force (AAF) for the supply of spares and engine repair of legacy two-tonne class helicopters. The contract was signed by Brigadier General Xavier Issac, Chief of AAF and Chairman and Managing Director of HAL C B Ananthakrishnan on the sidelines of Aero India 2023.

Crores pulled out of poverty in Uttar Pradesh in last 6 years, says CM Yogi Adityanath, distributes appointment letters to 700 officers recruited under UPPSC

OpIndia Staff
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Crores pulled out of poverty in Uttar Pradesh in last 6 years, says CM Yogi Adityanath, distributes appointment letters to 700 officers recruited under UPPSC

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed the appointment letter distribution program of 700 newly appointed officers selected by the state’s public service commission organised at Lok Bhavan in Lucknow under Mission Rozgar on 20 July. According to him, Uttar Pradesh was being hollowed out by dishonest and unscrupulous individuals up till six years ago.

The chief minister also distributed appointment letters to the officials recruited by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC).

The Bharatiya Janata Stalwart stated, “Uttar Pradesh was not innately backward. Dishonest and corrupt people who were engaged in plundering the entire state held multiple positions. We must be prepared to fight corruption head-on. Casteism, corruption and discrimination are the biggest obstacles to development.”

He further continued, “5.5 crore people in Uttar Pradesh have come out of poverty and were now living decent lives. According to National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog figures, Uttar Pradesh is on track to emerge as the second-largest economy in the country and removed the label of being a BIMARU state.” The acronym has been used to refer to Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, to imply that they have lagged in terms of economic growth, healthcare and education.

He revealed, “Uttar Pradesh’s per capita income has doubled. The economy is on track to reach one trillion dollars. This has been made feasible through teamwork.”

He remarked, “The youth of Uttar Pradesh were experiencing an identity crisis six years ago. The young people felt embarrassed to identify as being from the state. However, things have changed in our government. The young generation of today enthusiastically identifies as Uttar Pradesh residents.”

The BJP leader added, “The development process for Uttar Pradesh is advancing rapidly. The work in the infrastructure sector is improving. The state as a whole has successfully executed poor welfare programmes. We are upholding the standards set for the government by the citizens of the state. This was made possible due to the concerted efforts of the government, administration and every employee.”

He informed, “Posts in the Ayush department were vacant for years following the Ayurveda scam. The entire procedure was hampered. Today 422 Ayush medical officers are being appointed here. We applaud Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving Ayush a new identity. Now it is your responsibility to speed up the work of the department by giving impetus to the Health and Wellness Center.”

He told the fresh recruits that their term of duty is between 30 to 35 years. “Your level of self-satisfaction will increase during this if you are sensitive and work honestly. We must carry out our duties with the 25 crore people in mind, and we must live up to their expectations. If you work diligently for Uttar Pradesh, the state will reward you with recognition and the opportunity to succeed.”

The programme included participation from the Ministers of Finance Suresh Khanna, Urban Development and Energy AK Sharma, Minister of Khadi and Village Industries Rakesh Sachan, Minister of State for Revenue Anoop Pradhan Balmiki, and Minister of State for Ayush Dayashankar Mishra Dayalu.

39 Deputy Collectors in the Appointments Division, 93 Deputy Superintendents of Police in the Home Division, 7 Food Marketing Officers/District Supply Officers in the Food and Logistics Division, 12 Treasury Officers/Accounts Officers in the Finance Division, 10 Executive Officers Category-1/Assistant Municipal Commissioners/Tax Assessment Officers in the Urban Development Division, 44 Tehsildars in the Revenue Division, 422 Medical Officers in the Ayush Division, 53 technical assistants, mining officers, and mines in the directorate of geology and mining, five Management Officers/Administrators in the Inspector, State Property Department and 15 Managers/Special Executives in the Khadi and Village Industries Board each received an appointment letter.

Notably, he distributed 10,000 appointment letters under Mission Rozgar in the Health Department in one and a half month time starting from 9 June. He also criticised the former Samajwadi Party-led administration in the state and asserted that while the uncle-nephew team used to extort money from the populace whenever job openings in the government were publicised, no one is able to do so now with regard to the state commissions or boards.

“We are taking the recruitment process for government jobs forward in a transparent manner by making better use of technology. The result of this is that there is enthusiasm among the youth of the state, who are also willing to contribute to the state’s progress,” he proclaimed while handing over the appointment letters to auxiliary nurses at Lok Bhawan. He also reffered to Uttar Pradesh as a “Saksham” (efficient) state.

Pakistan: Youth kills his 3 minor sisters by slitting their throats in Muzaffargarh, says he did it under the influence of PUBG game

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan: Youth kills his 3 minor sisters by slitting their throats in Muzaffargarh, says he did it under the influence of PUBG game

In a horrific incident in Pakistan’s Muzaffargarh, a youth killed his three minor sisters by slitting their throats. It has been reported that he committed the crime under the influence of the PUBG game.

The incident took place at the Thermal Power Colony in Muzaffargarh on Monday. The victims were identified as 7-year-old Fatima, 8-year-old Zahrah and 11-year-old Areesha. Their father Ejaz works as a security sergeant at the power plant.

As per reports, Fatima and Zahrah had gone outside to play on Monday evening at around 5 PM, but didn’t return home. After some time, their elder sister Areesha went out in their search, but she also didn’t return. When the family could not find the three minor girls, police were informed by their brother Basit.

After an extensive search, the bodies of the three sisters were found in a vacant quarter in the colony on Tuesday morning.  Their throats were found slit. District Police Officer (DPO) Muzaffargarh Syed Hasnain Haider said, “Immediately after receiving information from the girls’ family, the police initiated a search and discovered three bodies in an abandoned house near the victims’ home,

After an investigation, it was revealed that Basit himself had killed his sisters, then called the police and joined them in searching for the girls. Police suspected Basit after seeing a bruise on his hand. He confessed to the crime during the interrogation.

City Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rehan Rasool Afghan said that Basit allegedly killed his three sisters and later threw them in a vacant quarter. Police said they had registered a case against Basit who is a soldier, and have arrested him.

DSP Rehan Rasool Afghan further added that the accused was influenced by PUBG game and he confessed to killing his sisters.

A first information report (FIR) of the murders have been registered at the City police station under Section 302 (intentional murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

AAP govt failed to implement E-Vidhan Application even after 4 & half years, Delhi assembly is the only non-digitised house: Delhi LG VK Saxena

ANI
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AAP govt failed to implement E-Vidhan Application even after 4 & half years, Delhi assembly is the only non-digitised house: Delhi LG VK Saxena

In a move that could further escalate the fight between Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, LG has accused the AAP government in the national capital of being failed to implement National E-Vidhan Application (NeVA) which aims at making the digitization of Legislative Assemblies across the country.

Claiming that Delhi Legislative Assembly remains the only House in the country which has not initiated the digitization process so far, Saxena said that even eight years after the rollout of the ambitious NeVA in 2015, the government failed to implement it. Saxena further said that the Secretary of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has written to the LG Secretariat, urging for intervention into the matter and ensuring implementation of the project using the funds already available under the project NeVA.

“Despite 100 per cent funding being provided by the Central Government for the project, the AAP Government in Delhi, in 2019, refused to accept the Central Government’s financial and technical assistance for the project and instead, chose to develop the application on its own, at an estimated cost of Rs 20 crore. However, the project is yet to see the light of the day despite a lapse of more than four-and-half years,” a statement by the LG office said quoting Saxena.

The LG Secretariat further said that it has forwarded the request to the Principal Secretary of Law, Justice and Legislative Affairs, Delhi for appropriate action in the matter.

It is noteworthy that all 37 Legislative Assemblies and Councils in the country, except Delhi Legislative Assembly, have already implemented or initiated the process for digitalization of the House.

Earlier, the Secretary of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs had written to Delhi Chief Secretary in February this year, asking the government of Delhi to adopt Project NeVA.

“The Government of India is providing 100 per cent funding for the Union Territory of Delhi for implementation of NeVA, for digitalization of Vidhan Sabha, for maintenance, upgradation, customization of the application, capacity building, Cloud deployment charges and charges for security audit for life,” read the letter written to the Chief Secretary, adding that since NeVA is a process based application, the recurring cost of running the Assembly would be the bare minimum and the entire saving will accrue to the government of Delhi, for spending and for convenience of the Legislators and the general public.

It may be noted that in January 2019, Delhi Assembly had decided to “opt-out” of Project NeVA saying it would develop the eViddhan project from its own budget, which was estimated at Rs 20 crore.

The statement further said that in his communication to Delhi Law Minister Kailash Gahlot on May 13 in 2020, Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel acknowledged an “added urgent need to digitize and adopt electronic means of communication besides the various other advantages of the paperless legislature.

“However, the Delhi Assembly and the Delhi Government have kept sitting over the project since 2019,” the LG said. NeVA is one of the 44 mission mode projects under the Digital India Programme of the Union government seeking to make the functioning of all state legislatures paperless by transforming them into “Digital House”.

As per the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry, National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) is a Unicode-compliant software developed to make all legislative body work and data available online for usage by both citizens and Assembly members. NeVA also includes a website and a mobile app.

This software allows for simple access to many documents such as the list of questions, list of businesses, and reports, among others. NeVA also embodies the concept of ‘One Nation, One Application’ with the objective of Cloud First and Mobile First to serve Members FIRST.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed a ‘One Nation, One Legislative Platform’ in November 2021.

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

Telangana Police manhandles G Kishan Reddy and stops him from visiting PMAY housing site, Union Minister complains to President, LS Speaker

OpIndia Staff
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Telangana Police manhandles G Kishan Reddy and stops him from visiting PMAY housing site, Union Minister complains to President, LS Speaker

On Thursday, July 20, Telangana Police forcefully detained Union Minister and BJP Telangana BJP president G Kishan Reddy near Shamshabad Airport in the state’s capital of Hyderabad. The Union Minister was manhandled and detained by the police while he was on his way to the housing construction site at Batasingaram village in Telangana’s Rangareddy district.

Telangana BJP has accused the BRS government of indulging in “large-scale corruption and diversion of funds” released by the Centre and the funding agencies for the construction of two-bedroom housing for the poor in the State. A 60-member delegation led by Union Minister G Kishan Reddy was on his way to the Batasingaram village to review the construction of houses sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) when the Telangana police stopped the convoy and manhandled the minister.

Sharing a picture which showed how he was manhandled by the Telangana Police, the BJP leader slammed the BRS government for running an anarchic regime in Telangana. “??? ??? ????, ????????? ?? ???? ??? ???? ??? ?? ???????? ??????? ??????? ???? ?? ??? ??? ???? Our fight will last until every homeless gets home in Telangana. Our fight will continue for the people’s issues.

In another video of the incident shared by G Kishan Reddy, the minister is heard saying in Telugu “Am I a criminal? Am I a terrorist? I have the right to go anywhere, Is this a police state? Is this the kingdom of Kalvakuntla (KCR).” The police, meanwhile, are seen forcefully picking up the minister and carrying him to a car.

The Union Minister was reportedly on his way to Batasingaram when he was stopped near Tukkuguda by the Rachakonda Police.

Expressing strong exceptions against the Telangana police, working at the behest of the BRS government in the state, preventing a cabinet minister from visiting a public housing site, the Union Minister sat on a protest in the rain near the airport after his convoy was stopped. He threatened to complain to the Lok Sabha speaker for restricting his movement. This led to an argument with Police Commissioner D Chouhan.

The Police Commissioner is heard telling the BJP Minister that they are just doing their duty. When G Kishan Reddy refused to move, the Telangana police lifted him forcefully and made him sit in a car. He was later taken away by the police.

According to reports, the police took the minister’s convoy through different places in the city before leaving him at the BJP state office in Nampally.  

Following the arbitrary action taken by the Telangana police against the Union Minister, the latter wrote a letter to President Draupadi Murmu in which he wrote how the Telangana police had arrested him despite being given advance notification about the proposed trip to inspect the stalled two-bedroom housing project at Batasingaram on Thursday.

In an official letter to the President, a copy of which was released to the media, the Telangana BJP president informed that about 2.5 lakh two-bedroom houses were sanctioned under the PMAY – Prime Minister Awas Yojana, and as a Union Minister he was duty bound to inspect the Centre schemes. He had informed the police that his visit was not to conduct any agitation or a sit-in protest, yet the TS government had inhibited him from discharging his duties as an MP and as a Union Minister, he said.

In a separate communication to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha Om Birla, the Minister urged him to consider his arrest by the TS police as a “breach of privilege” and sought his earliest attention to the matter.

Telangana police places several BJP leaders under house arrest

Notably, hours before G Kishan Reddy arrived in the city of Hyderabad on Thursday, several Telangana BJP leaders, including Huzurabad MLA Eatala Rajender, were placed under house arrest.

BJP leader and Union Minister G Kishan Reddy condemned the arrests and said it exposed the tyrannical rule of K Chandrashekar Rao’s Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). Taking to Twitter, he said, “The house arrest of Telangana BJP leaders ahead of the visit to the housing construction site at Batasingaram Village in RR dist, Telangana is highly condemnable. It yet again exposes the tyrannical rule under BRS.

“High-handedness and muzzling of the opposition voice have become the hallmark of KCR govt,” he added.

Kishan Reddy accused the State administration of being anti-poor and claimed that the government’s actions were meant to silence those who dissent from it.

He asserted that the Narendra Modi administration has approved three crore homes for the poor across the nation and that the Centre was ready to approve additional houses for Telangana if necessary.

He asserted that the State Government was neglecting the construction of houses for the poor.

It may be recalled that in 2018, the Central government had asked the Telangana state government to return the 190 crores given in 2016-17 for building rural houses for the economically backwards under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

This move from the Centre came after the State refused to update the Centre about its progress on implementing the scheme. Telangana was given a target of building 70,674 houses in 2016-17 and the first instalment of Rs 190.78 crore was provided to the state.

As per the report published in October 2018, the KCR government in Telangana also did not seek the second instalment of PMAY-Grameen funds for 2016-17 till then. As per the ministry’s portal, Telangana had not made a single house under PMAY-Grameen until then.

Pakistan: 18-year-old cricketer Ayesha Naseem announces retirement from the sport to live her life according to Islam

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan: 18-year-old cricketer Ayesha Naseem announces retirement from the sport to live her life according to Islam

Pakistani 18-year-old all-rounder Ayesha Naseem has taken the cricketing world by surprise with her unexpected retirement announcement. She bid farewell to her budding career to lead a more religious life following the teachings of Islam. She has also informed the Pakistan Cricket Board of her decision on Thursday.

Ayesha reportedly told PCB, “I am leaving cricket and want to live my life according to Islam”.

The right-handed batter made her international debut for Pakistan in March 2020 against Thailand. She was selected for Pakistan’s squad in the 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. She continued to perform over the years solidifying her position as a key player in the team.

She participated in four One Day and four T20 Internationals for Pakistan. She has scored a total of 369 runs in her T20 international career with a strike rate of 128.12. She has struck two sixes in one-day internationals and 18 in the T20 ones. She played her last T20 International match on 15 February of this year. Her first ODI match was in July 2021, while her last was in January 2023.

Her international career witnessed her score 402 runs in total. She gained popularity in January 2023 owing to her brief appearance in the inaugural T20I game against Australia. She scored 24 runs in 20 balls, with the help of three sixes and a four.

Notably, she is not the only Muslim celebrity to make such a momentous decision. Pakistani actresses like Anum Fayyaz and Zarnish Khan along with their Indian counterparts Sana Khan and Zaira Wasim, among others, left their careers for the sake of religion and to spend their lives per the Islamic laws.

Rajasthan: Man brutally assaulted and dragged behind scooter by his younger brother in Nagaur, police take action after video goes viral

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan: Man brutally assaulted and dragged behind scooter by his younger brother in Nagaur, police take action after video goes viral

In a shocking incident that has come to light from Gurjar Kheda village in Nagaur, Rajasthan, a distressing video has emerged showing a younger brother mercilessly beating his elder brother before tying him to the back of a scooter and dragging him through the village. The incident, fueled by mutual rivalry, has left the entire community in shock and disbelief.

The CCTV footage from the village square captured the horrifying episode. The elder brother, identified as Manohar, son of Badri Ram Meghwal, was sitting in the square when his younger brother, Hansraj Meghwal, approached him for a conversation. What initially seemed like a verbal exchange soon escalated into a violent scuffle. Hansraj unleashed a brutal assault on his elder brother, knocking him to the ground without any sign of mercy.

Instead of ceasing the attack, Hansraj callously took things to an even more harrowing level. He secured a rope around Manohar’s body and tied him to the back of his scooter. In a display of unimaginable cruelty, Hansraj then drove the scooter at high speed, dragging his helpless elder brother along the village streets. Throughout the ordeal, Manohar remained defenceless and unable to escape his brother’s torment.

The entire incident was captured on the village’s CCTV camera, which later served as crucial evidence for the authorities. Upon learning about the viral video, the police swiftly registered a case and took immediate action. The accused younger brother, Hansraj, who is reportedly a government employee posted as the panchayat secretary in the village, was promptly arrested.

Initial investigations by the police pointed towards longstanding animosity between the two brothers as the motive behind this brutal act. However, a thorough investigation is underway to determine the exact cause and any underlying issues that might have contributed to this shocking act of violence.

The video of the incident has sent shockwaves through the community and has prompted discussions about the importance of resolving disputes amicably and avoiding such extreme measures. The police have assured the public that they will conduct a fair and transparent investigation to ensure justice is served.

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh gets bail, Delhi HC asks IOA why Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia were given direct entry to Asian Games without trials

OpIndia Staff
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Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh gets bail, Delhi HC asks IOA why Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia were given direct entry to Asian Games without trials

On Thursday, July 20, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue High Court granted bail to outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The court was hearing the regular bail application of Singh in connection with the case pertaining to the alleged harassment of women wrestlers. The Federation’s assistant secretary Vinod Tomar has also been granted bail. 

Both were granted bail on a personal bail bond of Rs 25,000 each by the court. While granting bail, the Court placed various restrictions, including that the accused not directly or indirectly encourage the complainants or witnesses and not leave the country without the court’s consent.

The court has ordered Wrestling Federation of India President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh not to leave the country without the court’s permission. The next hearing date is July 28, 2023, for document scrutiny. 

On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court had granted interim bail to Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar in the case of alleged sexual harassment of women wrestlers.

Delhi HC questions WFI’s decision to grant trial exemption to wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia

Meanwhile, Delhi High Court asked Indian Olympic Association (IOA) ad-hoc panel why wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia were granted exemption from trials allowing them a trial-free entry in the upcoming Asian Games. 

Both wrestlers were granted exemption from trials on Tuesday, sparking outrage. On Wednesday, Under-20 World Champion Antim Panghal and Under-23 Asian Champion Sujeet Kalkal filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, asking the court to overturn the panel’s decision.

Justice Subramonium Prasad of the Delhi High Court has directed the ad hoc panel to submit its response by Thursday. 

During the hearing, the court asked the lawyer for the ad-hoc WFI panel to explain the selection process, other than Phogat and Punia being good athletes, because the petitioners’ “entire case” was that “there has to be some kind of trial.”

The Centre’s Additional Solicitor General, Chetan Sharma, informed the court that the selection policy itself provides for an exemption for certain categories of players.

Meanwhile, the petitioners contended that Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia’s trial exemption violated the policy’s conditions.

This comes after wrestlers Antim Panghal and Vishal Kaliraman objected to trial-free entry to Asian Games for Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia.

Antim had released a video statement in which she said, “Vinesh (Phogat) has been given direct entry for Asian Games despite not practicing for the past year. I won the gold medal in the 2022 Junior World Championship. Even in the Commonwealth Games trial, I had a 3-3 bout with her. Then too, I was cheated. I let it go and thought I would compete in Asian Games, but now they say Vinesh has been selected for the tournament. Is this the right way?”

Recently, IOA ad-home Committee announced trial dates for wrestling. The trials have been planned for 22nd July for men’s Greco-Roman and women’s trials. On 23rd July, trials for the freestyle team will take place. The committee will conduct trials in 18 Olympic weight categories.

Notably, the circular issued by IOA noted they have already chosen wrestlers for the men’s freestyle 65 KG and women’s 53 KG categories. However, the remaining six weight categories across the three styles of wrestling will take place as scheduled. The circular did not mention the names of Vinesh and Bajrang, but speaking to PTI, member of the ad-hoc panel Ashok Garg confirmed that the two wrestlers had been exempted from the trials.

5 Pakistan-authorised passports, 1 unused passport with incomplete details and other items recovered from Seema Haider by UP ATS

OpIndia Staff
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5 Pakistan-authorised passports, 1 unused passport with incomplete details and other items recovered from Seema Haider by UP ATS

The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) has recovered five Pakistan-authorised passports, an unused passport, an identity card, four mobile phones, and two video cassettes from Pakistani woman Seema Haider. The unused passport has incomplete details of name and address.

She was taken, along with her Indian “husband” Sachin Meena and his father, to an undisclosed location for questioning by the UP ATS. So far, reports quoting sources say that no details have come to the fore to suggest a spy angle or her being an ISI agent.

The Pakistani woman was arrested on 4th July for illegally entering India and later released on bail on 7th July. Seema Haider entered India via Nepal over a month ago with her four children to be with her lover, Sachin Meena, in Uttar Pradesh’s Greater Noida.

Haider was arrested on 4th July from Palwal in Haryana by Noida Police in Uttar Pradesh. The Uttar Pradesh police had also registered an FIR against Seema Haider’s boyfriend Sachin and Sachin’s father Netrapal under Section 120B of the IPC and Section 14 of the Foreigners Act, 1946 for conspiracy.

The Uttar Pradesh ATS released a brief note amid the ongoing interrogation. According to the brief, Seema Haider had purchased a 39-square-yard house for Rs 12 lakh in Pakistan. She sold the same three months later for the same amount because she wanted to shift to India to be with Sachin Meena.

“At first, on 10th March, Seema Haider arrived in Nepal’s Kathmandu airport from Pakistan’s Karachi airport via UAE’s Sharjah airport on a 15-day tourist visa. On 17th March, she returned to Pakistan’s Karachi airport through the same route.

On 8th March, Sachin Meena reached Gorakhpur from Pari Chowk in Gautambudhnagar and on 9th March he left Gorakhpur for Kathmandu via Sonoli Border. He arrived in Kathmandu in Nepal early morning on 10th March and booked a room in New Vinayak Hotel, the brief note stated.

In a conversation with ANI, the owner of the hotel said, “They came here in March and left after staying here for 7-8 days. Most of the time, they used to be inside their room, go out in the evening and return early because our hotel closes by 9.30-10 pm… Sachin came here first and booked the hotel. He told us that his wife will join him the next day. Seema came the next day… At the time of leaving, Seema left first & Sachin left the next day… Only the two had come, they didn’t have the children with them… He had entered his name as Shivansh. They had made the payment in cash in Indian currency notes.”

Quoting the owner of the hotel in Nepal, ANI confirmed that the couple was living under fake names.

The brief note further states, “Sachin Meena received Seema Haider at the Kathmandu airport on the evening of 10th March and reached the New Vinayak Hotel. The two stayed at the hotel from March 10 to 17.”

Furthermore, Seema Haider made her second visit to Nepal on 11th May. On 10th May, she again arrived at Dubai airport on a 15-day tourist visa but this time along with her four children namely Farhan alias Raj (7 years 6 months), Farwah alias Priyanka (6 years 6 months), Fariha alias Pari (5), and Munni (3). From Dubai airport, she arrived at Kathmandu airport early on 11th May. She boarded a public transport van from Kathmandu for Pokhara in Nepal where she stayed at a hotel.

Early on 12th May, Haider boarded a bus from Pokhara and entered India via the Khunwa border, Siddharthnagar, and on 13th May she arrived at Rubupura cut, Gautam Buddh Nagar via Lucknow and Agra. Sachin had rented a room in advance in Rubupura cut. Haider and Meena were staying in this rented room.

The police have launched a probe into the recoveries made. While the Gautam Buddha Nagar police had reportedly written to the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and UP ATS to investigate the evidence that they had gathered so far, the IB has also sought a report from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), the central force tasked with guarding the Indo-Nepal border in UP and Bihar.

Goa Crime Branch foils potential disaster: 150 kg explosives, 1200 gelatin sticks, 300 detonators seized, two arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Goa Crime Branch foils potential disaster: 150 kg explosives, 1200 gelatin sticks, 300 detonators seized, two arrested

On Thursday, 20th July 2023, a major operation conducted by the Goa Police Crime Branch led to the arrest of two individuals in connection with the illegal possession of explosives. The arrests were made in South Goa, and the recovered materials included 150 kg of illegal explosive substances, 1200 gelatin sticks commonly used in mining and construction industries, and 300 detonators.

The two suspects have been identified as Bhujang Khatavkar (32) and Talak Baptiste (35). They were apprehended in the Guddamol area of Sanvordem while in possession of hazardous materials. The explosives were concealed in six boxes, weighing a total of 150 kg, while the 300 detonators were bundled separately.

Upon interrogation, the suspects revealed that they were transporting the material with the intention of using it for an explosion in a stone quarry. However, they did not possess a valid license for such activities, which led to their arrest.

This illegal possession of explosives poses a threat to public safety and the well-being of the community. In response to the severity of the crime, the two accused have been booked under Section 286 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and various sections of the Explosive Substances Act.

The authorities are continuing their investigation into the matter to uncover any potential accomplices or networks involved in the illegal trafficking of explosive materials. The case will be meticulously examined to ensure that all those responsible for endangering public safety are brought to justice.

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