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Kolhapur: Waqf claims properties worth Rs 3500 cr of Mohamedan Education Society founded by Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj

OpIndia Staff
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Kolhapur: Waqf claims properties worth Rs 3500 cr of Mohamedan Education Society founded by Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj

The Mohamedan Education Society of Kolhapur and the assets it owned, worth Rs. 3,500 crores, have been taken over by the State Waqf Board. The said society was established by Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj in the year 1906 and is also known as ‘The King Edward Mohamedan Education Society’ or the ‘Muslim Boarding’. 

On June 23, the waqf board sent directives to the trustee of the organization, stating that after carefully examining the paperwork, it had determined that the institution was a waqf institution and that its assets belonged to the waqf. However, the Mohamedan Education Society’s officeholders assert that the organization is not governed by the waqf board.

According to the Times of India report, Waqf properties are essentially donated properties used for a variety of purposes. The Muslim Boarding has also received a registration certificate and registration number from the Waqf board. The organization had previously been authorized by the state charity commissioner.

“I was convinced of the documentary evidence submitted before me that showed that the properties under the Mohamedan Education Society are actually waqf properties, and they need to be governed as per the Waqf Act,1995. The evidence also includes the charters (sanads) issued by Shahu Maharaj. The strict restrictions on the sale and purchase of waqf properties are imposed by law,” Waqf’s chief executive officer M B Tashildar was quoted as saying.

The charters (sanads) that Shahu Maharaj issued are also included in the proof. The law imposes severe limitations on the sale and acquisition of waqf properties.

A committee overseen by a chairman conducts daily business for the Muslim Boarding. Activities related to religion and education are under the institution’s supervision. The authorities claim that these institutions are reluctant to register with the Waqf board because of its stringent rules.

The Waqf board has also sent a letter to the trustees of the Muslim Boarding requesting a list of its members, financial records, and other information. It even notified the state charity commissioner’s office about the change in registration and asserted that it would now have ownership rights to the assets, the TOI report stated.

However, the Mohamedan Education Society’s officeholders assert that the organization is not governed by the waqf board. They also say that it should remain independent because Shahu Maharaj founded it with educational goals in mind.

The vice-chairman of the organization, Adil Faras, stated, “As per natural law, the waqf board should have issued a notice to the society about the change it has made. We have received no such notice. We will take the stand over the issue once the chairman and administrator of the society return from their haj pilgrimage.” 

India refuses to endorse China’s Belt and Road Initiative at the virtual SCO summit hosted by India

OpIndia Staff
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India refuses to endorse China’s Belt and Road Initiative at the virtual SCO summit hosted by India

India has declined to ratify the paragraph endorsing the Belt and Roads Initiative (BRI), a favourite project of Chinese President Xi Jinping, in the New Delhi declaration issued at the conclusion of the leaders’ summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). A similar formulation was used in the Samarkand declaration in 2022 when India refused to sign off on the paragraph.

India was the only participant who didn’t support the initiative. Other countries including Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan reiterated their endorsement of the Belt and Roads Initiative in the statement released at the conclusion of the conference which was hosted by India. The event was virtually attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other SCO leaders.

“Reaffirming their support for China’s ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ (BRI) initiative, the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Russian Federation, Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan note the ongoing work to jointly implement this project, including efforts to link the construction of the Eurasian Economic Union and BRI,” the statement by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) read. Pakistan is a major beneficiary of the initiative.

Originally announced as “Silk Road Economic Belt”, the Belt and Road Initiative is a global infrastructure development strategy adopted by the Chinese government to invest in more than 150 countries and international organizations. Through this, China invests in ports, skyscrapers, railroads, roads, bridges, airports, dams, power stations, and railroad tunnels in the countries that have signed up for the scheme.

It mentioned, “They spoke in favour of implementing the Roadmap for a gradual increase in the share of national currencies in mutual settlements by the interested Member States.”

The Delhi declaration utilises similar language to the Samarkand declaration on the subject of terrorism but substituted the word “chauvinism” for “ultranationalism” this time.

“The member states consider it important to build up joint coordinated efforts by the international community to counter the activities of terrorist, separatist and extremist groups, paying special attention to preventing the spread of religious intolerance, aggressive nationalism, ethnic and racial discrimination, xenophobia, ideas of fascism and chauvinism,” it further continued.

India had already turned down Xi Jinping’s main initiative for connectivity and trade. The country has not modified its position on the BRI since the previous SCO meetings, making it the only nation in the group to oppose the initiative.

“The member states intend to broaden and deepen cooperation for sustainable socio-economic development and to improve the well-being and living standards of the people in the SCO region. They consider it important to ensure the implementation of the SCO Economic Development Strategy 2030 adopted by interested Member States, other joint programmes and projects aimed at promoting cooperation in such priority areas,” the declaration noted.

The SCO Economic Development Strategy 2030, which “interested member states” had adopted, as well as projects aimed at fostering cooperation in a number of areas, including the digital economy, finance, energy, and food security, as well as the modernisation of current international rail and road routes, were also cited as being important in the declaration.

Earlier, in his opening remarks at the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that it is crucial to protect the fundamental tenets of the SCO charter, particularly the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states while working to increase connectivity.

In the meantime, according to state news agency Xinhua, Xi Jinping reaffirmed Beijing’s position on advancing BRI and spoke of “high-quality Belt and Road cooperation” with the regional cooperation ventures and development strategies of various nations.

He remarked, “Efforts should be made to further promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, speed up the development of port infrastructure and regional and international logistic corridors, and ensure stable and smooth functioning of regional industrial and supply chains. Ten years ago, I proposed the Belt and Road Initiative, and on its tenth anniversary, China will hold the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.”

Although connectivity is crucial, India has asserted that the integrity of the territory and sovereignty of other nations must also be respected. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra proclaimed, “Prime Minister clearly said in his remarks that connectivity is important for SCO member states. But connectivity has to be respectful of sovereignty and territorial integrity. India’s position on the BRI has been clear,” while addressing the briefing of the Ministry of External Affairs on 4th July.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and other group leaders attended the conference that Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over.

The SCO has seen a lot of activity and productive member-state cooperation under India’s presidency. Fourteen ministerial-level meetings were among the 134 meetings and events that the latter held. The country is still dedicated to contributing positively and constructively to the group and is anticipating a successful SCO Summit as the conclusion of its Chairmanship. India will continue to hold the rotating presidency through September of this year.

Delhi: Gunshots fired in Tis Hazari court during a clash between two groups of lawyers, caught in video

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi: Gunshots fired in Tis Hazari court during a clash between two groups of lawyers, caught in video

On the 5th of July afternoon, a firing incident was reported within the premises of Tis Hazari Court in Delhi. The firing incident took place at around 1.35 PM near the court premises which falls under the Subzi Mandi Police Station. 

The Delhi Police officials stated that two different groups of lawyers, including office bearers, allegedly fired shots in the air. They added that the incident occurred due to an argument among lawyers over some issue. However, no injuries have been reported so far. A video of the incident has emerged, where a man can be seen holding a pistol and firing a round upwards. He is surrounded by several people, presumably lawyers, and noises of a commotion can be heard.

Some other men in the uniform of lawyers can be seen pelting stones and other such projectiles at the other group, which is not in the video.

The officials said, “Police are present at the spot”. The Police said that the situation is normal and legal action has been initiated in this matter. 

Sagar Singh Kalsi, DCP North, also confirmed the firing incident. Kalsi said, “A firing incident took place around 1.35 pm on Wednesday in Tis Hazari court. When police reached the spot, it was learned that two different groups of lawyers, including office bearers, had allegedly shot in the air and no one was injured.” 

Chairman of the Delhi Bar Council, KK Manan condemned the firing incident within the court premises. He said, “Detailed inquiry into the matter will be undertaken. It will be inquired if the weapons were licensed or not. Even if the weapons were licensed, no lawyer or anyone else can use them like this inside or around court premises.”

Past incidences of firing within Court premises

Earlier this year in April, two people were injured in a firing incident at Delhi’s Rohini court complex. Media reports stated that a bullet was fired from the service weapon of a Nagaland Police constable. The Nagaland Police constable was stationed outside the court gate. When a scuffle broke out between two advocates, to pacify things a bullet was fired from his service weapon which hit the ground.

On 9 December 2022, a man was injured in a low-intensity explosion that occurred in the Rohini district court complex.

Similarly, On the 24th of September, 2021, a jailed gangster Jitendra Gogi was shot dead inside the Rohini courtroom. Reportedly, the two attackers belonged to a rival gang and they impersonated lawyers to gain access.

Pakistan announces nationwide protest on Friday over Quran burning incident in Sweden

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan announces nationwide protest on Friday over Quran burning incident in Sweden

While Pakistan’s economy is in shambles, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for a nationwide protest on July 7, Friday (Jummah) against the recent burning of the Quran in Sweden. Pakistan will observe the upcoming Friday (July 7) as “Yaum-i-Taqaddus Quran” and will convene a joint parliamentary session a day earlier.

The decision was made during a meeting presided over by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the problem of desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden.

In the said meeting it was decided that nationwide protests would be held to condemn the Quran-burning incident. Sharif urged the Pakistani people, including all political parties, to join the protest.

Moreover, in the Joint Parliamentary session to be held on July 6, the MPs will discuss developing a national policy on the subject and represent public opinion through the parliamentary process. In addition, a resolution will also be passed to denounce the burning of the Quran. 

Sharif stated that Muslims are united by their belief in the sacredness of the Holy Quran. Errant minds, according to the Prime Minister, were devising a sinister plan to fan the flames of Islamophobia.

The Pakistani Prime Minister also stated that countries and leaders who believe in peace and coexistence must contain violent forces infested with Islamophobia and religious biases.

This comes after a man identified as Salwan Momika burned a copy of the Quran in front of Stockholm’s Central Mosque while under police protection on June 28.

The foreign minister of Turkey, Hakan Fidan, had denounced the incident and said it was wrong to permit anti-Islamic demonstrations in the guise of freedom of expression. “To condone such atrocious acts is to be complicit,” he charged.

Prior to Eid-Al-Adha, on June 28, the Swedish Police gave one Salwan Momika permission to burn the Quran at a demonstration outside the largest mosque in Stockholm after a Swedish court struck down the police’s ban on Quran-burning demonstrations.

Two other requests, one by a private citizen and the other by an organisation, for similar activities that include Quran burning were turned down by police in February outside the Turkish and Iraqi embassies in Stockholm. The appeals court concluded in June that the protests should have been permitted. It ruled, “The order and security problems that the police had cited had not been clearly connected to the planned event or its immediate vicinity.”

Before this, Danish far-right politician Rasmus Paludan burnt a copy of the Quran next to the Turkish embassy in the country’s capital prompting Turkey to halt discussions with Sweden about its NATO membership in late January.

Notably, the Lahore-based ISI-backed Sunni terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) declared on Sunday, July 2 that it would attack Christians and churches in Pakistan in retaliation to the Quran burning in Sweden. 

While Pakistan is fuming over the desecration of the Quran in Sweden, in its own land the self-proclaimed ‘Riyasat-e-Medina’ does not even allow the Ahmadis, a minority Islamic sect to practice to celebrate Islamic festivals. Pakistan is quick to stage protests, and issue condemnations over incidents of ‘Islamophobia’, however, it exhibits deliberate incompetence in protecting the rights and dignity of religious minorities, particularly Hindus and Christians, as several cases of non-Muslim girls being abducted and converted to Islam are reported regularly from there. 

Mumbai: Man enters ladies’ compartment of a local train, smokes ganja despite the objection of passengers

OpIndia Staff
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Mumbai: Man enters ladies’ compartment of a local train, smokes ganja despite the objection of passengers

Mumbai local trains have made headlines on several occasions largely owing to massive crowds, wild fights for seats among commuters, breaching of the queue of commuters, and blocking the gates of the trains. This time the commuters witnessed a rather irksome incident.

A video of a drug addict onboard a Mumbai local train has gone viral on social media. The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday evening when a man boarded the ladies’ compartment of the 7.14 pm Mumbai CSMT to Badlapur local at Byculla. The women commuters can be heard objecting to the same.

The man, donning a skullcap, is seen taking out something from his bag. By the time the train arrives at Dadar, he is seen smoking Cannabis (Ganja) even as the women warn him to deboard the train. By then passengers waiting on the platform board the train and the man rushes back inside the compartment. He was removed from the compartment at Kurla station by Women RPF personnel.

It is not known what further action was taken against the man after he was removed from the train. His intentions for boarding the women’s compartment is also not known.

Smoking on local trains is an offence and the sale or consumption of cannabis is illegal in India. However, several such incidents of both, men entering ladies’ compartments and of smoking onboard the Mumbai local train have come to the fore in the past.

22 June 2023: Scuffle erupts after a group of men boards ladies’ compartment

A group of men entered the ladies’ compartment of a train following which a massive brawl erupted between the commuters. The women commuters filed a complaint with the Railway Police Force (RPF).

5 January 2023: Man caught smoking onboard Mumbai local train

A video of a man went viral showing him smoking on a train bound from Thane to Karjat. Moreover, he was traveling in the compartment reserved for disabled persons.

The Railways last year conducted an anti-smoking surprise drive and collected a fine amounting to Rs 1,40,900 in just a week. Cases of sexual assault on Mumbai local trains have also been a common occurrence.

Sharad Pawar’s grandnephew NCP MLA Rohit Pawar invents an ‘EVM angle’ to justify his party breaking up: Here is what he said

OpIndia Staff
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Sharad Pawar’s grandnephew NCP MLA Rohit Pawar invents an ‘EVM angle’ to justify his party breaking up: Here is what he said

On 5th July 2023, Rohit Pawar, Sharad Pawar’s grandnephew and Nationalist Congress Party MLA from the Karjat-Jamkhed assembly constituency of Maharashtra invented the EVM (electronic voting machine) angle in the recent defection in his party. He implied that the Bharatiya Janata Party orchestrated this rift in the Nationalist Congress Party as it aims to secure more seats from Maharashtra in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections which will be preponed by at least 4 months because of the EVM repairing and manufacturing.

He interacted with reporters as he reached the YB Chavhan center for the NCP MLAs meeting called by Jitendra Awhad, whip of the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP.

Rohit Pawar said, “Four days ago officials received instructions to begin checking Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) or start manufacturing EVMs. This shows that Lok Sabha elections may be held in December 2023. The Maharashtra Assembly election, which is slated for October 2024, may be held alongside the Lok Sabha polls.”

Rohit Pawar added, “The checking reports of EVMS are taken 5-6 months before Lok Sabha or state elections and four days ago some Maharashtra officials were instructed to start repairing and manufacturing EVMs. This indicates that Lok Sabha elections can be conducted in December 2023.”

Rohit Pawar claimed that the main reason behind this move is the loss of the BJP in the Karnataka elections.

“This is happening because of BJP’s loss in the Karnataka elections as the same can happen in Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and other states. BJP tried to break NCP and Shiv Sena keeping in mind the forthcoming elections,” Rohit Pawar said.

NCP crisis after break up, each faction calls its own meeting

Meanwhile, the crisis in NCP is escalating with the two factions in Maharashtra calling separate meetings on Wednesday. NCP suffered a split on Sunday with Ajit Pawar joining the Eknath Shinde-BJP government along with eight other MLAs.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Sharad Pawar has moved a disqualification petition against the nine MLAs to Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar.

Ajit Pawar and Chhagan Bhujbal along with Dilip Patil, Hasan Mushrif, Dhananjay Munde, Dharmaraobaba Atram, Aditi Tatkare, Sanjay Bansode, and Anil Patil joined Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis Maharashtra government on Sunday.

‘EVMs can be controlled by towers near polling stations’: Sharad Pawar in 2019

It is notable that Sharad Pawar is known for blaming the Electronic Voting Machines for the electoral defeat of his party in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. On 9th May 2019, Sharad Pawar raised concerns over the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in polls, claiming he himself had once seen during a presentation that a vote cast for his party went in the BJP’s favour.

Taking the fantasies about EVM hacking to a new level, Pawar had claimed that EVMs can be ‘controlled’ and manipulated via ‘towers’ located near polling stations.

Even after the results of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections were declared, Sharad Pawar continued to blame EVMs in June 2019.  Instead of humbly accepting the public mandate, Sharad Pawar resorted to scaremongering, taking the beaten-to-dust argument of ‘EVM issues’, claiming that the seemingly calm population may soon take the law into their hands if they realise that their votes are not going to the candidate of their choice.

In a bid to avoid accountability for his party’s poor performance, Pawar raised a new theory to disparage the mandate the country has given. Pawar alleged that EVM and VVPATs had no problem but the machines with the electoral officers that is last counted had problems. Pawar further added that he is going to the depth of the issue, discussing with the technicians and experts and the opposition members.

Sharad Pawar is also known for appealing to the voters to attempt double voting and bogus voting. On 23rd March 2023, while addressing a meeting of Mathadi workers in New Mumbai, he asked the Mathadi workers to wipe off the voting ink on their fingers, go to their hometowns and vote again there. Sharad Pawar said this in an attempt to appeal to his supporters to take advantage of the multiple phases of voting and commit double voting or bogus voting in favor of the Nationalist Congress Party.

Now, Sharad Pawar’s grandnephew Rohit Pawar has come ahead to invent the EVM angle in the recent defection in his party. Rohit Pawar is the son of Sharad Pawar’s nephew Rajendra Pawar. Rajendra Pawar is the son of Sharad Pawar’s brother Appasaheb Pawar. Ajit Pawar is another nephew of Sharad Pawar. He is the son of Sharad Pawar’s other brother Anantrao Pawar. Ajit Pawar’s son Parth Pawar is also active in politics and he lost the 2019 Lok Sabha election from the Maval constituency of Maharashtra.

Enraged netizens demand phone ban in Kedarnath Dham after a proposal video goes viral, temple committee warns social media influencers

OpIndia Staff
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Enraged netizens demand phone ban in Kedarnath Dham after a proposal video goes viral, temple committee warns social media influencers

On Monday, July 3, the Badrinath Kedarnath Trust issued a notification indicating that mobile phones will soon be banned in the Kedarnath temple area which is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The letter raised objections over the Instagram and YouTube reels being created by the ‘devotees’.

“The Social media influencers make YouTube and Instagram reels inside the Kedarnath temple premises which are hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus residing all over the world. People are reacting and demanding action in such cases. Therefore, strict action shall be taken against those who make reels in the temple premises. Also the influencers need to be watched,” the letter by Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee read.

Letter issued by Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee

This is days after a video went viral over the Instagram App in which a woman could be seen proposing her boyfriend right in front of the Kedarnath Temple. The woman identified as Vishakha Fulsunge who is an influencer with more than 8 lakh followers on Instagram, sat down on her knees and proposed to her boyfriend in the temple premises.

The video of the incident went viral over the internet and was also criticized by many who indicated that Kedarnath temple was not a picnic spot. The place needed to be respected as it is one of the twelve jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.

Netizens criticizng the video

“This is not the place to make reels,” said one of the users while the others demanded a ban on electronic gadgets at such holy places. Ajendra Ajay, president of the Badrinath-Kedarnath temple committee had also commented on the issue and said that religious places have dignity, beliefs, and traditions and devotees should behave accordingly.

Netizens criticizing the video

There are many reels that have been going viral recently over the internet from the Kedarnath temple. Electronic gadgets are banned inside many Hindu temples and there have been a steady demand to ban mobile phones in the premises.

The Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee has therefore on Monday said that strict action would be taken against the influencers so that they don’t end up hurting the religious feelings of the Hindus. The letter also indicated that phones and other electronic gadgets can soon be banned on the temple premises.

Congress supporters, Live Hindustan and others attribute misleading quote on Manipur to Sunil Chhetri: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Congress supporters, Live Hindustan and others attribute misleading quote on Manipur to Sunil Chhetri: Details

On 4th July, Congress supporter Roshan Kumar Rai attributed a misleading quote on Manipur to the Captain of the Indian Football Team, Sunil Chhetri. The quote was later picked by Live Hindustan and made its way to the print edition on 5th July.

Live Hindustan carried a misleading quote to Sunil Chhetri. Source: Liev Hindustan epaper

In the now-deleted-tweet, Rai wrote, “Sunil Chhetri, Indian captain after winning #SAFFChampionship2023: This win is dedicated to my people in Manipur, Manipur loves football, and it pains me to see what’s happening there; I hope Manipur unitedly celebrates this win. What a champ, what a player, what a citizen.”

Twitter user Ankur Singh shared a screenshot of the tweet. OpIndia has contacted Chhetri’s management team to get an official statement on the controversy, as we could not find any authentic source of the quote that was attributed to him. Once we receive a reply from them, the story will be updated.

The tweet, though deleted by Rai, was published at 10:36 PM. When we searched the text on Twitter, we found that the oldest tweet with the same still available text was published at 10:43 PM by an AAP supporter named Gurbinder Singh.

The Meitei Heritage Society and a troll Twitter account Niiravmodi also published it.

The controversy around Jaekson Singh Thounaojam

Though Chhetri was apparently misattributed to the quote, a statement on Manipur was given by another football player Jaekson Singh Thounaojam who hails from Manipur. After winning the game, Jaekson was seen wearing the Meitei flag, which resulted in an uproar over social media. The flag worn by him was the Flag of Kangleipak or Salai Taret Flag, which represents the seven clan dynasties of the Meitei ethnicity of Ancient Manipur. Twitter user Lian Guite said, “the flag hoisted by Indian football players and fans over the Indian National Flag raises serious concerns and calls for immediate action” as it “sends a wrong message about the unity and patriotism of the individuals involved”.

Speaking to ESPN’s Shyam Vasudevan, Jeakson said, “It’s my Manipur flag. I just wanted to… what’s happening in Manipur…I just wanted to tell everyone in India and Manipur to stay in peace and not fight. I want peace. It’s been 2 months now, and still, fighting is going on. I don’t want that kind of thing to happen more, and I just want to bring the government’s and other people’s attention to get peace, you know. My family is safe, but there are a lot of families who have suffered and lost their home and all. Yeah, it’s difficult now…even for me, it’s difficult to go back home now with the situation…even I don’t know what’s going to happen. I hope things get well soon.”

Following the uproar, Jaekson took on Instagram and apologised for it and said he only wanted to bring attention towards what was happening in his home state. He added there was no intention to hurt anyone’s sentiments. “

He wrote, “By celebrating in the flag, I did not want to hurt the sentiments of anyone. I intended to bring notice to the issues that my home state, Manipur, is currently facing. This win tonight is dedicated to all the Indians. I hope that peace returns to my home state of Manipur. Thank you to the fans for coming out and supporting the team tonight!

On July 4, the Indian Football team led by Sunil Chhetri defeated Kuwait in a penalty shootout to win the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship for the 9th time.

Manipur: One man killed after a mob tries to loot weapons from a security force camp in Thoubal, one Assam Rifles jawan shot at

OpIndia Staff
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Manipur: One man killed after a mob tries to loot weapons from a security force camp in Thoubal, one Assam Rifles jawan shot at

An Assam Rifles jawan was shot at and a 27-year-old man was killed after a mob tried to loot firearms from an Indian Reserved Battalion (IRB) camp which resulted in a confrontation with the security forces in Manipur’s Thoubal district on Tuesday.

According to the officials, the mob attempted to raid the third IRB battalion’s camp in the Khangabok region in order to steal weapons and ammunition following which a swift struggle with the troops ensued. The security forces initially used rubber bullets and tear gas rounds to try to control the situation. However, the armed crowd started to shoot, forcing them to retaliate.

The mob barricaded numerous roads leading to the camp in an effort to impede reinforcements from getting there, however, the soldiers managed to get through. An Assam Rifles unit that was travelling to the camp was also attacked by them. They opened fire on the Assam Rifles unit and shot one soldier in the leg as well as set fire to their vehicle.

A man named Ronaldo was shot during the altercations. He was initially transferred to the Thoubal district hospital, but because of his serious condition, he was later sent to an Imphal hospital. Officials informed that he passed away en route to the state capital. They further disclosed that ten additional individuals were hurt in the skirmishes.

Nevertheless, extra columns of the Assam Rifles and the Rapid Action Force were able to be added, and together with the security forces, the situation was brought under control.

Background of the Manipur violence

The ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities in the northeastern state has already resulted in more than 100 fatalities and thousands of displaced residents. The first clashes occurred on May 3 following a “Tribal Solidarity March” organised by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) in the hill areas to oppose the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Tensions rose in April as a result of a Manipur High Court decision ordering the state administration to make a decision regarding the Scheduled Tribe status issue. The Indian Army had already sent out about 10,000 soldiers and paramilitary units to quell the rioting and restore order.

The majority of Meiteis, who make up around 53% of the northeastern state’s population, reside in the Imphal Valley. Another 40% of the population is made up of the Naga and Kuki tribes, who live in the hill districts.

Home Minister Amit Shah visited the northeastern state on May 29 for a period of four days during which he held meetings with Chief Minister N Biren Singh, leaders of all political parties, civil society, women groups, tribal groups, and security personnel. He announced the formation of a peace committee and a judicial commission under the chairmanship of a retired Chief Justice of a High Court to investigate Manipur violence.

Odisha Conversion Case: NCPCR seeks a detailed inquiry report after 11 Hindu minor children were being converted to Christianity by a ‘Canadian’

OpIndia Staff
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Odisha Conversion Case: NCPCR seeks a detailed inquiry report after 11 Hindu minor children were being converted to Christianity by a ‘Canadian’

Days after OpIndia reported about a Christian conversion case from Katesingpur village of the Jagatsingpur region, Odisha, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has taken cognizance of the event and has written to the Jagatsinghpur administration to initiate immediate action against the accused persons.

In a letter to IAS Parul Patwari, Collector and District Magistrate, Jagatsingpur, the NCPCR stated that around 11 Hindu minor children were being illegally converted in an event that was organized by a Canadian national named Eapan Mohan Kidangalil along with two other missionaries from Tirtol.

“The commission requests the good offices to conduct a thorough inquiry of the events and take necessary action to ensure the safety and security of those children. It is also requested to register an FIR against the perpetrators. Details of the children and other relevant documents be submitted to the commission within 3 days of the receipt of this letter,” the letter by NCPCR read.

On June 24, the Odisha Police filed an FIR against a Canadian citizen identified as Eapen Mohan Kidangalil for luring the poor tribal children under the pretext of ‘Prarthana Sabha’ and attempting to convert them to Christianity. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad members came to know about the event and caught the accused after which the police filed an FIR in the case.

As per the FIR copy obtained by OpIndia, the accused person had been booked under section 4 of the Odisha Freedom of Religion Act, 1967. Reportedly, members of two other Christian missionaries from Tirtol were also present at the spot probably assisting the accused.

The Police are said to have filed a case under the Odisha Freedom of Religion Act, 1967, and have also seized a Bible, tourist visa, cash, and some medicines from the accused. “Medicines which may/could be used to drug minor kids were also seized from Eipen Mohan Kidangalil of Canada,” the Kalinga Rights Forum, a local legal activist group added.

Bajrang Dal members confirmed to OpIndia that the accused used a non-registered white Bolero car to ferry around 40 tribal people including 11 minors to the ‘Prarthana Sabha’. One of the local tribal women who was being converted was questioned by the Bajrang Dal members. The woman said that she earlier used to worship Lord Jagannath but now would stop worshipping him as she was converted on the occasion.

Futher, SHO Shubranshu Parida confirmed to OpIndia that the accused Canadian citizen and the Christian Missionary members were released after they were issued a notice under section 41 (which provides for arrest by police on receiving a reasonable complaint/information or has reasonable suspicion of a cognizable offence having been committed) of the CrPC Act.

On asking about the conversion attempt, the Police said that no such evidence had been found yet. “The case has been booked but no such evidence regarding the conversion activity has been attained yet. The local tribal people are also being interrogated in the case. As soon as we find any evidence, the accused persons will be arrested and further action will be taken. At present, the accused persons have been released and sec 41 CrPC has been issued to them,” the SHO confirmed.

The NCPCR had taken cognizance of the event and had assured that strict action in the case would be taken. The NCPCR on July 4 therefore sought a detailed inquiry report on the issue from the Collector and District Magistrate, Jagatsingpur. Further investigations are underway.

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