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Jama Masjid’s Shahi Imam issues a fatwa, asking Islamic groups to maintain ‘silence’ over Uniform Civil Code: Reports

OpIndia Staff
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Jama Masjid’s Shahi Imam issues a fatwa, asking Islamic groups to maintain ‘silence’ over Uniform Civil Code: Reports

Amidst the ongoing debate over the legislation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the country, the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid has reportedly issued a fatwa to Islamic groups to maintain silence on the issue.

As per a report by News18, the Shahi Imam issued the fatwa on the occasion of Eid-al-Adha. He was abroad when he reportedly asked Muslim outfits to keep mum on the debate surrounding the Uniform Civil Code.

Earlier, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) wrote a letter to the Law Commission seeking six months’ time to give its suggestions.  It is pertinent to note that AIMPLB and its members have often discarded the idea of UCC and said that nobody, not even the State, can alter Sharia law.

On June 14, the Law Commission sought the views of all stakeholders and religious organisations on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

PM Modi bats for UCC

On June 27, Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the subject of UCC during his address to party workers in Bhopal.

While stating that political parties are trying to mislead Muslims, he strongly batted for equal rights and Uniform Civil Code enshrined in the Constitution. He also dropped a hint that UCC might be on the cards in the upcoming Parliament session.

PM Modi said, “Today people are being instigated in the name of UCC. How can the country run on two laws? The Constitution also talks of equal rights. Supreme Court has also asked to implement UCC. These (Opposition) people are playing vote bank politics.”

Meanwhile, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami also said that the State’s UCC draft was in the making. 

Buldhana Bus Accident: Driver Danish Sheikh booked under IPC and Motor Vehicle Act, taken into custody along with conductor Arvind Jagtap

OpIndia Staff
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Buldhana Bus Accident: Driver Danish Sheikh booked under IPC and Motor Vehicle Act, taken into custody along with conductor Arvind Jagtap

Hours after the dreadful bus accident occurred in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra, the state police has taken into custody the bus driver identified as Danish Sheikh (25) and booked him under section 304 (causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code. Sheikh has also been booked under sections 279, 184 and 134 of the Motor Vehicle Act.

The driver, during the interrogation, confirmed to the police that the accident occurred after one of the tyres of the bus burst on the Samruddhi Expressway. According to the reports, the conductor of the bus identified as Arvind Jagtap has also been taken into custody by the police and is being interrogated in the case.

However, Buldhana SP Sunil Khadasne has confirmed that only Sheikh has been booked under the relevant sections of the law and Jagtap is still being interrogated. Earlier, Maharashtra Minister Girish Mahajan had also said that the driver and the conductor have been taken into custody and that they have suffered no injuries.

“The bus driver and conductor have been taken into custody by police. The bodies of the passengers who lost their lives in the tragic incident cannot be identified. We know their identities but it is difficult to trace who is who. The forensic teams will soon arrive at the spot and the procedure will be furthered,” Mahajan said.

Meanwhile, the owner of the victim bus Virendra Darna said that he had bought the bus in the year 2020 and all the papers related to the bus are in place. “We bought the bus in the year 2020. The bus driver Danish was experienced in driving. We have got information that the bus hit the road divider after tyre burst. Due to the presence of flammable items in the bus, the bus caught fire,” he said.

On Saturday, July 1, in a tragic incident, a bus burst into flames on the Samruddhi Mahamarg Motorway in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district, killing at least 26 people including 3 minors. The accident occurred around 1:30 am early morning on Saturday, while the bus was travelling from Yavatmal to Pune. According to police, the injured are receiving treatment at Buldhana Civil Hospital.

“Around 25 people are feared dead and several others injured after a bus carrying 32 passengers burst into flames on Buldhana’s Samruddhi Mahamarg motorway. The injured are being taken to Buldhana Civil Hospital,” Baburao Mahamuni, Buldhana’s Deputy Superintendent of Police said.

According to the police, the bus was carrying wedding guests when it crashed due to the rainy conditions. According to police, the bus’s diesel tank burst and caught fire.

Balasore train accident: CRS report indicates faults at various levels along with some staff in charge, sabotage angle to be probed by the CBI

OpIndia Staff
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Balasore train accident: CRS report indicates faults at various levels along with some staff in charge, sabotage angle to be probed by the CBI

The investigation by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) into the June 2 accident involving the horrific triple train accident in Odisha has reportedly found faults from the signalling and telecommunication department (S&T) for the grave tragedy. The Commissioner submitted its report on Thursday. The accident involving Chennai-bound Coromandel Express, the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast, and an iron-ore good train claimed 292 lives and injured over 1,200 passengers in Bahanaga Bazar station near Balasore in Odisha.

The accident took place after the Coromandel Express entered the loop line at the station instead of going straight on the main line, hit the goods train parked there at full speed, and its derailed coaches hit the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast which was just passing the station. It was evident the signalling was wrongly set for the train at the station.

Talking about the report, a railway official stated, “The report was submitted and has found lapses on the part of a few departments along with some staff in charge of the relay room. The sabotage angle, if any, will only be probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).”

The premier investigative agency is also looking into the incident in addition to the CRS inquiry after the Railway Board recommended a CBI probe to look into possible sabotage angle. The authorities noted, however, that the Railways had chosen not to make the report public in order to prevent any influence or interference with the CBI investigation into the disaster.

“We will not be disclosing the CRS report because of another ongoing independent enquiry. This is to ensure that this report does not in any way influence or interfere with the other report. We will take cognisance of both the reports and make an overall evaluation of the incident and then take whatever steps necessary,” informed another railway officer.

Senior authorities generally have access to these findings to ensure that the commission’s recommendations are carefully followed and carried out. Within a week of any accident, the latter typically produces an intermediate assessment prior to the final one, according to officials, but this time, it has just submitted one report.

The railway board had ordered a double-locking configuration for all of its relay rooms with train controlling mechanisms, relay huts (containing level-crossing signalling and telecommunications equipment), and point and track circuit signals days before the report was presented. A double locking system that would prevent access to the rooms was intended to make the entry to the relay room impenetrable to tampering.

It had observed that “access to the relay room” was crucial to the “signalling interference” that led the Coromandel Express to use the loop line at Balasore and collide with a stopped goods train, in a letter. According to the officials, the station manager got a memo informing that the interlocking system was disconnected to do some work and then got another memo indicating that the system has been reconnected after the completion of the work.

But, it has been found that the system was tampered with to send false messages to the station manager, and actually the job was not completed on the system. “However, in reality, the technician bypassed the system because the work was not complete and he rigged the location box to get a ‘green signal’ for the Coromandel Express,” the official said.  

The safety protocol of testing the signalling system before allowing a train to pass was not followed. Moreover, the signalling personnel kept working even after the reconnection message was sent, as a result, both the station’s operations employees and the signalling maintenance team shared accountability for the catastrophe.

“It is the protocol that whenever maintenance of assets of any nature is carried out, the operations staff is also responsible for the safety of trains along with the engineering staff concerned, be it track-related or signalling related,” a railway officer remarked.

The Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express entered the station’s loop route rather than the designated main line and collided with a halted freight train in one of the worst railway accidents in recent memory. The train derailed and parts of it hit another train, the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast, which also derailed, resulting in high casualty figures.

South Eastern Railway GM transferred

Following the submission of the report by the Commissioner of Railway Safety, South Eastern Railway General Manager Archana Joshi was transferred as general manager to the Rail Wheel Factory in Karnataka’s Yelahanka on Friday. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, on the recommendation of the Railway Board, appointed Anil Kumar Misra, an Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers officer, as the new GM of South Eastern Railway.

 Earlier, the Railway Board had transferred five senior zone officials, including the assistant general manager and the divisional railway manager.

Patna Police lathi-charge CTET aspirants for protesting against state government for ending domicile rule in recruitment

OpIndia Staff
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Patna Police lathi-charge CTET aspirants for protesting against state government for ending domicile rule in recruitment

On Saturday, July 1, the Bihar Police lathi-charged some of the Central Teachers’ Eligibility Test (CTET) candidates as they were protesting against the state government in Patna over the recruitment process. The Bihar police acted against the protesters saying that the protesters were taking to the roads causing traffic jams, stopping school students, and causing damage to the property.

Earlier on Tuesday, after a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the state government announced that eligible candidates from all states can apply for teaching jobs in the state’s government-run schools.

Before implementing this, there was a rule which mandated that applicants with the domicile of Bihar could only apply for teaching jobs in the state’s government-run schools

DSP Kotwali, Law and Order, Nurul Haque commented on the issue and said to the news agency, “A case will be registered against the protesters. They are taking to the roads causing traffic jams, stopping school students, and causing damage to the property. They will have to go to jail for this. The police are removing them using lathis to control them.”

The enraged DSP also said that the police were forced to use lathi-charge as the protesting students created a ruckus and blocked the traffic in the capital city of the state. “We will lathi charge again if they become uncontrollable,” he could be heard saying in the video statement.

The Central Teacher Eligibility Test, abbreviated to CTET, is a nationwide exam held in India by the Central Board of Secondary Education to ascertain a candidate’s suitability for employment as a teacher.

Earlier the CTET aspirants and State Teacher Eligibility Test (STET) aspirants had launched a protest in March this year urging the government to immediately release the notification for their recruitment under the seventh phase. The protesters had raised slogans against the government and had warned the system to face dire consequences in the forthcoming elections.

Further, in the year 2022, the Patna police had lathicharged and deployed water cannons on hundreds of aspiring teachers protesting against a delay in their recruitment. Several Bihar Teacher Eligibility Test (BTET) and Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) candidates were reported injured and detained during the protest.

(With inputs from ANI)

Jharkhand: Two communities clash with each other in Dhanbad over the theft of an e-rickshaw charger; stones pelted, bombs thrown, 12 injured

OpIndia Staff
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Jharkhand: Two communities clash with each other in Dhanbad over the theft of an e-rickshaw charger; stones pelted, bombs thrown, 12 injured

Tensions in the Katras police station area of Dhanbad, Jharkhand escalated on 30th June when a clash broke out between two groups over the theft of a battery charger of an e-rickshaw owned by one Janaradan Yadav. The instance which happened at around 11:20 PM sparked an argument which then soon escalated into a major fight.

There was a lot of stone pelting, houses and shops were ransacked, seven vehicles including a police car were vandalised and even bombs were hurled during the conflict. Afterwards, section 144 was imposed as a result and hundreds of police and security personnel were deployed to maintain law and order there.

The CCTV camera installed in a nearby store captured the theft along with the faces of some people. Shamshad alias Bablu Ansari was inquired about the same by some associates of Janaradan Yadav at the former’s shop in Kailudih which led to the bloodshed.

About 12 people have been injured in the violent altercation. Initially, there was a dispute and confrontation between the two sides regarding the theft, but within two hours the situation took a turn for the worst.

One community came on the road in Chhatabad and set fire to the effigy of a councillor representative of Ward 2, Masoom Khan and social worker Mohd. Shahabuddin which incensed the other group. They complained that the two were not able to pacify the matter.

Police reached the spot, however, they were unable to contain the situation after which more force had to be sent out from the district headquarters. Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Prem Kumar Tiwari’s directives led to the imposition of prohibitory orders in Chhatabad, Kailudih, and Akashkinari.

Nisha Murmu, the deputy superintendent of police for Baghmara, stated that the precise cause of the violent row is still unknown and is being looked into. “Multiple people are hurt. The entire region has been secured by police presence. Action is being taken against the perpetrators.”

There were skirmishes between the two factions at least three to four times a day. Six bombs were also launched during the same. People attacked an e-rickshaw in the presence of cops, and the driver was beaten with sticks which resulted in injuries.

The police had to use baton charge to get things under control. The local atmosphere continues to be strained. Katras police have begun an inquiry to find the accused and many individuals have been summoned to the police station in the case.

On the other hand, Baghmara Circle Officer KK Singh reported that the matter had been resolved, but one side intensified its assault following the Friday prayers. He nonetheless refuted the bombing incident.

World Bank gives nod to $1.5 Billion financing for India’s low-carbon transition

OpIndia Staff
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World Bank gives nod to $1.5 Billion financing for India’s low-carbon transition

On the 29th of June, the Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank approved $1.5 billion in financing to India. Its aim is to accelerate India’s development of low-carbon energy. It will help India promote low-carbon energy in three separate ways. 

First, with more finance at its disposal, India will scale up and accelerate the pace with which it is increasing its share of renewable energy. Further, it will help boost the development of green hydrogen within the country. Lastly, the fund will help India to stimulate climate finance for low-carbon energy investments.

As per World Bank, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) will grant this $1.44 billion loan. It is facilitated by the United Kingdom’s $1 billion assurance. 

Another $56.57 million credit comes from the International Development Association (IDA). Apparently, this is from a recommitment of canceled IDA credit balances.

Currently, India’s energy consumption per capita is said to be around one-third of the global average. However, the energy demand is expected to increase sharply as the Indian economy expands rapidly. Notably, the Indian economy is one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world, so the energy demand has to be in sync with that. 

However, this expected increase in energy demand comes against the backdrop that the nation is aiming to phase out fossil-based energy sources. This is in line with India’s stated aim to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. 

This is why Green hydrogen is expected to play a major role in India’s low-carbon transition. It is claimed that Green Hydrogen can help decarbonise fertilizer and refinery industries which are considered carbon-intensive industries. It can also transform heavy industries including iron and steel.

The First Operation launched by World Bank to support India’s low-carbon transition

As per reports, the World Bank has envisaged a series of two operations. The First Low-Carbon Energy Programmatic Development Policy Operation will aid India in developing green hydrogen. This operation is aligned with the World Bank’s Hydrogen for Development (H4D) Partnership launched at CoP27.

World Bank’s Country Director for India, Auguste Tano Kouame said, “The program will support the successful implementation of the National Green Hydrogen Mission that aims to stimulate $100 billion in private sector investment by 2030.”

He added, “The World Bank remains committed to supporting India’s low-carbon transition by complementing public financing and enabling private sector investments.”

The program wants to expand the renewable energy supply which will reduce cost and improve grid integration. Further, this will help India to reach its target of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. 

For achieving this aim, the Indian government has planned to issue bids for 50 GW of renewable energy each year starting from FY23-24 to FY27-28. As per reports, this will help reduce carbon emissions by 40 million tons per annum by the year 2026.

The program will help establish a national carbon credit trading scheme and launch a national carbon market. It is important to note that a national carbon market tries to create a level-playing field between low-carbon energy and fossil fuels. 

Further, the program will also support efforts to issue $6 billion in green bonds by 2026.

Earlier, in January 2023, India issued its first sovereign green bond.

Apart from approving the finance, the World Bank noted India’s impressive progress in renewable energy installed capacity.

France: Mobs run riots for the fourth day amidst govt crackdown, countries issue travel warnings. Here is what happened

Dibakar Dutta
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France: Mobs run riots for the fourth day amidst govt crackdown, countries issue travel warnings. Here is what happened

France was engulfed in a fourth day of violent clashes and looting as rioters confronted the police and looted stores. Despite the government’s repeated calls for calm and increased policing, the unrest continued on Friday (June 30).

An Apple store in Strasbourg was looted, following which the cops fired tear gas shells at the rioters. At the same time, a fast-food outlet’s windows were smashed in Paris. Attempts were also made to break into a closed store, which was successfully thwarted by the police officers.

The southern port city of Marseille, initially spared from the violence in Paris, experienced a second consecutive night of unrest. A frenzied mob of rioters threw projectiles, set fires, and looted shops, leading to at least 50 arrests.

Furthermore, the rioters also broke into a gun shop in Marseille and stole weapons. A man was subsequently arrested with a hunting rifle. Violence spread to the suburbs of Lyon, where rioters engaged in arson, clashed with police and attempted to loot shops.

Additionally, an unauthorised protest against police violence drew around 1,300 people to the city centre. The authorities made 21 arrests in response to the unrest. The riots were not limited to mainland France, as its overseas territories also experienced turmoil.

To address the law and order situation, President Emmanuel Macron decided against declaring a state of emergency. The French government instead deployed an additional 5,000 officers on Friday (June 30) night, bringing the total number to 45,000.

As per reports, some officers were also called back from their vacations. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin informed stated that the police had made 1300 arrests so far in connection to the riots.

He also implemented a nationwide night-time shutdown of public buses and trams, as they were targeted during the three consecutive nights of riots. Darmanin also issued a ban on the sale and carrying of powerful fireworks, as well as the sales of containers of gasoline, acids, and other flammable substances.

He also warned social media networks that they should not allow their platforms to be used for inciting violence and emphasised the importance of their cooperation in identifying those who promote violence.

In French Guiana, a 54-year-old individual was killed by a stray bullet when rioters fired at the police in the capital city of Cayenne. On the Indian Ocean island of Réunion, rioters engaged in burning garbage bins, attacking the police, and damaging vehicles and buildings. In response, authorities announced the deployment of 150 officers to maintain security throughout the weekend.

President Macron addressed the role of social media platforms in fueling the violence, specifically mentioning Snapchat and TikTok. He called for collaboration with technology companies to establish procedures for removing sensitive content and stressed the need for a sense of responsibility from them.

In response, Snapchat announced an increase in moderation efforts to identify and act upon content related to the riots in France. Meanwhile, two of the country’s top police unions, Alliance Police Nationale (APN) and UNSA Police issued a statement, saying that are engaged in a war against vermins.

UK, US and others issue travel warnings

Meanwhile, both the United Kingdom and the United States have issued warnings against travel to France. On Friday (June 30), the British embassy in France stated, “There may be disruptions to road travel and local transport provision may be reduced…”

“Some local authorities may impose curfews. Locations and timing of riots are unpredictable. You should monitor the media, avoid areas where riots are taking place,” it further added.

The Irish embassy informed, “Irish citizens should exercise caution and avoid areas of confrontation. Keep an eye on updates from your transport provider; trams and busses in Paris will stop service early this evening.”

On Thursday (June 29), the US embassy in France said, “US citizens should avoid mass gatherings and areas of significant police activity as they can turn violent and result in clashes.” Saudi Arabia has also asked its citizens to remain cautious about the developments in France.

Background of the violence

Protests and unrest ensued in Paris suburbs after a teenager was killed by a police officer on 27 June. The 17-year-old named Nahel M. was a delivery agent. He was stopped by the police and was asked to show documents while he was driving when he tried to flee the scene during which shots were fired.

One of the bullets hit him in the chest and he died on the spot. The instruction to stop was issued under a routine traffic check. The victim was previously convicted of failing to stop at a signal as well as driving without a license. The accused official was detained on suspicion of manslaughter.

President of France Emmanuel Macron issued a statement over the incident. “We share the emotion and pain of the family and loved ones of the young man. I want to tell them our solidarity and the nation’s affection is with them.”

He proclaimed that the gendarmes (paramilitary forces) and police are committed to serving the country and its people. He voiced, “I thank them every day for that. They do so within an ethical framework that must be respected. It is up to justice to establish the truth and assign responsibility. I hope that this work can be completed quickly.”

UP CM Yogi Adityanath hands over the keys of 76 flats built on land seized from slain mafia Atiq Ahmed

OpIndia Staff
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UP CM Yogi Adityanath hands over the keys of 76 flats built on land seized from slain mafia Atiq Ahmed

On June 30th, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath handed over keys to 76 flats built for the poor on land confiscated from slain mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed in Prayagraj. The flats were constructed as part of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) and were distributed via lottery on June 9.

Verification of the applicants for 76 flats built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana on land freed from the possession of mafia Atiq Ahmed in the Lukerganj area of Prayagraj has been completed by the district Urban Development Authorities (DUDA). As many as 6,030 people had applied online for the flats. Of these, 5127 people were found ineligible. 903 applicants are found eligible.

The chief minister and his deputy, Keshav Maurya, were seen inspecting the flats and interacting with children in photos from the site. At a later event, the Chief Minister distributed allotment letters and keys to the recipients. The Prayagraj Development Authority completed the construction of these flats in less than a year and a half.

“Before 2017, any mafia could capture the land of the poor, leaving them helpless,” CM Yogi Adityanath said at the event. However, we are now building flats for the poor on the land that has been freed of such mafias, it is a great achievement.”

Prayagraj Development Authorities (PDA) secretary Ajit Kumar Singh earlier said, “The District Urban Development Agency (DUDA), entrusted with the responsibility of completing the verification of those who had applied for the flats, found that 85% of applicants did not fit the criteria. DUDA has given us a list of 903 applications but we have asked them to give us the details pertaining to the criteria based on which the application was rejected.”

The PDA has developed two ground plus three-story structures on a plot of land measuring 1731 sqm. Block A has 36 flats, whereas Block B has 40. The state government purchased this land in September 2021, and the foundation stone for the project was laid by Chief Minister.

These apartments include one bedroom, one living room, one kitchen, one toilet, one bathroom, a balcony, electricity, sewage and parking. These flats are allotted on the basis of reservation to Scheduled Castes and Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Physically Handicapped and Senior Citizens.

Samruddhi expressway accident: Survivor broke bus window to escape; PM Modi announces 2 lakhs ex-gratia compensation

OpIndia Staff
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Samruddhi expressway accident: Survivor broke bus window to escape; PM Modi announces 2 lakhs ex-gratia compensation

On Saturday, July 1, in a tragic incident, a bus burst into flames on the Samruddhi Mahamarg Motorway in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district, killing at least 26 people. The accident occurred around 1:30 AM early morning on Saturday, while the bus was travelling from Yavatmal to Pune. 

The passenger bus was heading towards Pune from Nagpur. This bus with registration number MH29 BE181 left Nagpur for Pune at 5 PM on June 30. The accident took place around 1.30 AM. The bus had passengers from Nagpur, Wardha and Yavatmal. It was a bus from Vidarbha Travels.

At 1.22 AM on July 1, the front tyre of the moving bus suddenly detached near Pimpalkhuta village near Sindkhedraraja on the Samruddhi Highway and the bus overturned after hitting the divider. Minutes later, an explosion ensued, setting the private passenger bus on fire and causing the accident.

The accident has been mourned across the country. There is a lot of speculation about how the accident took place and what happened in the early morning hours. Meanwhile, the police briefed reporters on the accident in Buldhana on Saturday, July 1.

The police said, “The accident took place on Samruddhi highway around 1.35 AM. The bus first hit an electric pole on the Samruddhi expressway. After the collision, the diesel tank hit the divider as the bus came forward. This caused the diesel tank to burst. Later, the bus overturned and caught fire.”

The police further informed, “There were 33 people on the bus. There were 26-27 people in the manifest. Some passengers may have been picked up during the journey. Of these, eight passengers who were able to break the windows of the bus and get out have been saved. That includes the 25-year-old driver. The driver has been identified as Sheikh Danish Sheikh Ismail.”

The police added, “Two drivers and a cleaner were on the bus. One of the drivers has died. The driver who was driving the bus is safe. So far, the police have sent 25 bodies to Buldhana.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to express his feelings. PMO India tweeted, “Deeply saddened by the devastating bus mishap in Buldhana, Maharashtra. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to the affected. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the bus mishap in Buldhana. Rs. 50,000 would be given to the injured.”

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde has also announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh. Stating that he was distressed by the horrific accident, the Chief Minister has ordered an inquiry into the incident.

Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis tweeted, “The accident of a private bus of Vidarbha Travels going to Pune at Pimpalkhuta in Buldhana district killing 25 people is very shocking and heart-wrenching. I pay my heartfelt tribute to them. 8 people were injured in this incident and they have been admitted to hospital in Sindkhedaraja. The condition of the injured is out of danger. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of the deceased in this accident. The state government will bear the cost of treatment of the injured.”

Meanwhile, opposition leaders have already started politicising this accident. Jitendra Awhad of NCP tweeted, “Is this highway of prosperity or highway of death? Since the inception of this Samruddhi Highway, there have been many accidents till now. In the last year, many innocent people lost their lives on it. Despite imposing a speed limit on Samruddhi Highway, the accident session does not stop. It has come across that these accidents are happening due to faulty construction of the Samruddhi Highway and human error. The government should plan measures and take appropriate steps in time to prevent such accidents from happening again..!”

Imtiaz Jaleel of AIMIM tweeted, “In a hurry to inaugurate the Samruddhi expressway, CM Eknath Shinde and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis drove 5 crore car making it a media event, only to come back a few months later to announce Rs 5 lakh compensation to 25 persons killed in an accident. I call it murder. Were necessary road safety clearances obtained before the inauguration? Why not a single food plaza built for travellers to refresh? There was not a single fuel station when it was inaugurated. No washroom on the entire stretch of the expressway. The question is what was the hurry to inaugurate?”

We are at war with vermin: French Police unions release an official statement on violent protests

OpIndia Staff
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We are at war with vermin: French Police unions release an official statement on violent protests

Amid the ongoing violence in France, the Unions which represents half of the French police announced on the 30th of June, that they are engaged in a ‘war against vermins’. France has been witnessing violent protests, acts of looting, arson, and vandalism after an officer shot a teenager, Nahel M, outside Paris on Tuesday, 27th June.

As per media reports, two of the country’s top police unions, Alliance Police Nationale (APN) and UNSA Police have warned of a revolt unless the French government provides concrete legal protection to the police. 

They said, “Today the police are in combat because we are at war. Tomorrow we will enter resistance and the government should be aware of this.”

In their official communique, they remarked, “Faced with these savage hordes, it’s no longer enough to call for calm, it must be imposed.”

As per the translated English version, the letter’s heading categorically states “Now that’s Enough”.

The Unions said, “Facing these savage hordes, asking for calm is no longer enough, it must be imposed! Restoring the republican order and putting the apprehended beyond the capacity to harm should be the only political signals to give.” 

It also called for unity within the police family. The Unions said that in the face of such exactions, the police family must stand together.

The Unions further asserted that like the majority of citizens, their colleagues too can no longer bear the tyranny of these ‘violent minorities’. 

It further read, “The time is not for union action but for combat against these “pests”. Surrendering, capitulating, and pleasing them by laying down arms are not the solutions in light of the gravity of the situation. All means must be put in place to restore the rule of law as quickly as possible.” 

However, the Unions anticipate that once things are restored, they already know that the country will relive this mess that they have been enduring for decades. 

They also warned the government that in the end, they will be in action and hence require concrete measures for the legal protection of the Police and appropriate penal response. 

The letter added that they will also judge the extent of the consideration given by the government, saying that if the officers will not be given greater legal protection and more resources in the future, “tomorrow they will be in resistance”.

This warning comes in the wake of President Macron’s earlier statement on June 28, that infuriated the Unions. Back then, he had described the shooting as “inexplicable and unforgivable”.

Will Emmanuel Macron impose an Emergency?

French President Emmanuel Macron has refrained from officially declaring a state of emergency in the riot-affected areas. Instead, he pledged more police officers to bring back the situation to normalcy. 

In response, the union statement released soon after said, “Now is not the time for industrial action but for fighting against these ‘vermin’.” 

However, this letter by the Unions representing half of the French Police has not gone down well with several politicians, particularly from the Left-wing parties in France. 

Jean-Luc Melenchon is the former presidential candidate for the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party. He tweeted, “Police ‘unions’ calling for civil war should learn to keep quiet. We’ve seen the fatal behaviour this kind of talk leads to. Politics needs to regain its grip on the police.”

Greens party leader Marine Tondelier also condemned the Unions’ letter. Tondelier said, “Can we finally say that we have a structural problem in the police? This text is an appeal for civil war.” 

The violent spree has been continuing in France for nearly a week now. Apart from countless incidences of arson and looting, the rioters, on June 30, burned down the largest library in Marseilles city in Alcazar. 

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