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As the economic crisis deepens, Pakistan’s public assets are up for sale

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As the economic crisis deepens, Pakistan’s public assets are up for sale

Unable to meet its forex requirements, Pakistan’s capital Islamabad is selling its public assets to third countries. Islamabad leased four of its berths 6-9 at Karachi Port’s East Wharf to a UAE-based company for USD 220 million.

Under the term of the 50-year concession agreement, the newly created Karachi Gateway Terminal Ltd. (KGTL) would manage, operate, develop port terminals and increase its capacity. 

The move marks the first inter-governmental transaction under a law enacted last year to raise emergency funds. Leasing of terminal solves twin purposes. As it provides urgently needed forex, it also reduces the burden of providing forex for critical imports required for handling and developing the port. 

Though Islamabad was offering its assets since last year, no one showed interest. But now one of its friendly countries, the UAE has agreed to buy an interest in Karachi port to bail out the country at a time of unprecedented forex crisis. The ongoing political and economic uncertainties had kept foreign investors out of Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Islamabad has decided to lease out the first phase of the New Islamabad International Airport to international investors. Its plan to lease out other two international airports in Karachi and Lahore faced difficulties, mainly due to nonpayment of dues by Pakistan International Airlines and other pending dues. 

Moreover, the Islamabad airport has ‘clean’ transactions compared to other airports. It is a general knowledge and perception that Pak public assets are not clean for businesses and investments.

Pakistan’s sources of funds from friendly countries that were flowing in are dried up. At present, the crisis stuck Pakistan is not getting easy loans or deposit transfers from its friendly countries. It is bracing for new challenges and adverse economic impact as one of its reliable development partners, 

Saudi Arabia ends its ‘blank checks’ aid strategy, marking a shift toward economic accountability for struggling states including Pakistan. There are reports of Saudi officials getting frustrated while watching their financial assistance evaporate in struggling economies without any positive outcome. 

Due to this Saudi Arabia is no longer willing to bail out Islamabad and it has refused to provide ‘easy money’ to Pakistan until it implements economic reforms.

According to analysts, since the Pak economy is badly managed, the friendly countries are pressuring Islamabad to adopt IMF conditions first so that the economy could be restructured and reformed. The delay in IMF assistance is hurting the credibility of Pakistan.

Now, the Pakistan government has no option but to listen to the IMF. The National Assembly finally approved changes for the Finance Bill 2023-24, including Pakistani rupees (Rs) 215 billion in additional tax measures, a spending cut (Rs 85 billion) and the power to increase the petroleum levy from Rs50 to Rs 60/litre, among other criteria. 

The budget was approved under the tight watch of the IMF in an attempt to secure pending funds. Now the government expects a breakthrough to get direly needed bailout funds.

Islamabad has also realized that foreign investors are withdrawing from the country. The recent being Bayer’s management selling its Pak assets to a local company, assuring existing employee’s job security. Since the workers continue to be employed as per the agreement, there is no need for retrenchment packages which is again both the country and workers suffer. 

Bayer is the second international pharmaceutical company to exit Pakistan. Earlier in November last year, US pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly announced the closing of its businesses in Pakistan. Shell Pakistan also announced that its parent company, Shell Petroleum Company Ltd. has notified its intent to sell its shareholding in Shell Pakistan Ltd. Shell Pakistan has been in the business for 75 years and has a substantial retail footprint and a strong lubricants business.

There is a big list of foreign companies selling their stake in Pak business. It all started last November with Norwegian company Telenor offering to disinvest in Pakistan’s telecom sector. South Korea-based Lotte Chemical Company Pakistan Ltd. which makes purified terephthalic acid (PTA) said that it is selling its entire stake of 75.01 per cent in the local firm. Lotte’s existence is a major shock to Pakistan’s textile industry. The divestment by the Korean investor is part of a years-long trend in which foreign companies have been exiting the Pakistan market.

Subsequently, many overseas investors also reported losses in their Pakistan investments. Pak Suzuki Motor Company Ltd. announced frequent closure of its motorcycle and four-wheeler plants due to the Letter of Credit (LoC) crisis. The rupee has slumped more than 20 per cent this year after officials devalued the currency, making it one of the worst performers globally. Indus Motor, the assembler of Toyota vehicles in Pakistan, reported its profit tumbling 62 per cent for the third quarter of fiscal year 2022-23.

Critics point out that over the years, Islamabad progressed as a consumption-led and import-led economy, creating a drain on its forex reserves, mainly dependent on funding from bilateral loans from GCC and China besides multilateral entities like the IMF, ADB & IDB. 

As the Pakistan crisis saturated, aid flows from global donors remained far below the desired levels. Though Islamabad is claiming that it is always fighting against terrorism, over the years, liberal donors had always doubted this claim. This has damaged the reputation of Pakistan.

Dragged down by agitational politics, cataclysmic floods, import restrictions, and a dangling IMF bailout on top of bare minimum foreign exchange reserves, eventually force its poor citizens to bear the brunt of uncertainty. Pakistan’s government is now selling its asset as a last resort to bring in whatever forex it could mop up.

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

USA: Supreme Court rejects President Biden’s plan to forgive over $400 billion in student loans, upholds freedom to not do business with gay couples

OpIndia Staff
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USA: Supreme Court rejects President Biden’s plan to forgive over $400 billion in student loans, upholds freedom to not do business with gay couples

A day after the US Supreme Court struck down the race-based admissions at the University of Harvard and the University of North Carolina, the apex court of the USA has delivered two more blows to the liberals. On 30th June 2023, the Supreme Court of the USA blocked the move of US President Joe Biden to cancel $430 billion in student loan debt. The court, in another decision, upheld the freedom of a web designer to not cater his services to make wedding websites for gay couples.

Striking down President Joe Biden’s plans

The apex court has declared that the Biden administration exceeded its authority when attempting to limit student loans for millions of Americans. As a result, nearly half a trillion dollars of debt will be reinstated on household balance sheets. In response to this development, the President is preparing to unveil fresh measures aimed at safeguarding borrowers.

Last year, President Joe Biden unveiled a plan worth $400 billion, which aimed to eliminate up to $20,000 in federal student loans for 43 million individuals. Among them, 20 million people would have had all their remaining student debt completely forgiven.

In a 6-3 decision, the majority of conservative justices concluded that the Biden administration must obtain Congress’ approval before implementing such an expensive program. The court rejected arguments that a bipartisan 2003 law dealing with national emergencies, known as the HEROES Act, gave Biden the power to forgive loans of such large amounts without the approval of Congress.

“Six States sued, arguing that the HEROES Act does not authorize the loan cancellation plan. We agree,” Chief Justice John Roberts said in the order.

Unless Congress takes action, American households, who together carry a total of $1.6 trillion in educational debt, will soon need to resume monthly loan payments amounting to hundreds of dollars. This requirement comes after a hiatus of over three years without such payments. According to the administration, 43 million would have been eligible for the relief and 26 million had applied. The cost was estimated at $400 billion over 30 years.

Following the court order, loan repayments will resume in October, although interest will begin accruing in September. Loan payments have been on hold since the start of the coronavirus pandemic more than three years ago. The forgiveness program would have cancelled $10,000 in student loan debt for those making less than $125,000 or households with less than $250,000 in income.

Although this decision has placed the responsibility of repayment back on borrowers, it is expected to result in a significant reduction in this year’s deficit, at least on paper. According to the Department of Education, the projected cost of the debt relief program would have amounted to approximately $30 billion per year over the next ten years, considering the loan repayments that would have been forgone. This estimate translates to around $2.5 billion each month or a total of $305 billion. Additionally, the Department estimated the net present value of the loan forgiveness to be $379 billion over the span of a decade.

Upholding the rights of citizens to deny business interactions with LGBTQ

In a blow to the so-called gay rights, the conservative majority of the Supreme Court issued a ruling on June 30, 2023, stating that a Christian graphic artist, who desires to create wedding websites, can decline to serve same-sex couples. One of the liberal justices on the court expressed dissent, asserting that this decision effectively relegates gays and lesbians to a second-class status and creates a potential gateway for further instances of discrimination.

In a 6-3 decision, the court sided with designer Lorie Smith, despite the presence of a Colorado law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, race, gender, and other protected characteristics. Smith contended that the law infringes upon her freedom of speech.

Smith’s adversaries cautioned that a victory in her case could potentially enable various businesses to engage in discrimination, denying service to customers based on their race, religion (such as Black, Jewish, or Muslim individuals), marital status (such as interracial or interfaith couples), or immigration status. However, Smith and her proponents argued that a ruling against her would compel artists of different mediums, including painters, photographers, writers, and musicians, to produce work that contradicts their religious beliefs.

The court’s ruling represents a setback for the LGBTQ+ rights. Over the course of nearly three decades, the court had been broadening the rights of LGBTQ individuals and portrayed what liberals called a progressive outlook towards gender minorities. Notably, this included granting same-sex couples the right to marry in 2015 and, five years later, declaring in a decision that a significant civil rights law safeguards gay, lesbian, and transgender individuals against employment discrimination.

Consumer Affairs Dept asks online platforms to not use ‘Dark Pattens’ like false urgency, basket sneaking, subscription trap, confirm shaming etc

ANI
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Consumer Affairs Dept asks online platforms to not use ‘Dark Pattens’ like false urgency, basket sneaking, subscription trap, confirm shaming etc

The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India on Friday urged online platforms to refrain from incorporating any design or pattern in the online interface of their platform that may deceive or manipulate consumer choice and fall in the category of dark patterns.

In a letter addressed to major online platforms in India, Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh strongly advised online platforms to not engage in ‘unfair trade practices’ by incorporating dark patterns in their online interface to manipulate consumer choice and violate ‘consumer rights’ as enshrined under Section 2(9) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. “It is pertinent to note that dark patterns involve using a design and choice architecture to trick, coerce or influence consumers to make choices not in their best interest. Engaging in such deceptive and manipulative conduct by using dark patterns in online interfaces unfairly exploits consumers’ interest and constitutes ‘unfair trade practice’ under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019,” an official statement said.

Recently, regulators in other jurisdictions such as European Union, USA and UK have taken action against dark patterns involving unfair and deceptive practices in online interfaces which were found to be detrimental to consumers.

The activities which the platforms were observed to be indulging include Non-consensual enrolment in subscription programs (USA) Pressure selling using a misleading countdown clock (UK), Secretly saving credit card information and charging users without consent (USA), Putting in place a cancellation process designed to deter consumers from opting out of subscription (Norway).

Ministry also mentioned some examples of Dark Patterns used as unfair trade practices.

“False Urgency is a tactic that creates a sense of urgency or scarcity to pressure consumers into making a purchase or taking an action. Basket Sneaking is a tactic in which websites or apps use dark patterns to add additional products or services to the shopping cart without user consent. Subscription Traps are a tactic that makes it easy for consumers to sign up for a service but difficult for them to cancel it, often by hiding the cancellation option or requiring multiple steps,” an official statement said.

“Confirm Shaming involves guilt as a way to make consumers adhere. It criticizes or attacks consumers for not conforming to a particular belief or viewpoint. Forced Action involves forcing consumers into taking an action they may not want to take, such as signing up for a service in order to access content,” it added.

Nagging refers to persistent, repetitive and annoyingly constant criticism, complaints, and requests for action. Interface Interference is a tactic that involves making it difficult for consumers to take certain actions, such as cancelling a subscription or deleting an account, the statement said.

With the growing penetration of the internet and rising smartphone usage in India, consumers are increasingly choosing e-commerce as the preferred mode of shopping. In such a scenario, it is essential that online platforms do not indulge in unfair trade practices by incorporating dark patterns which result in a harmful or undesirable outcome for the consumer.

Ministry said that consumers can report instances of ‘dark patterns’ or provide feedback and report such manipulative online practices on the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) by calling ‘1915’ or through Whatsapp on 8800001915. 

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

Riots in France continue for the third day as rioters burn down the largest library in Marseilles, President Macron blames video games and social media

OpIndia Staff
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Riots in France continue for the third day as rioters burn down the largest library in Marseilles, President Macron blames video games and social media

The riots in France following the death of a teenager in a police shooting continued for the third night, with multiple fires in various locations, looted police cars and store break-ins. Rioters also burned down cars, raided banks, and erected barricades in other parts of the country. The largest library in Marseilles, Alcazar, also fell victim to the violence and was set on fire.

Around 40,000 police officers were stationed across the country. More than two hundred police personnel were injured and 875 people were arrested overnight. Police fired tear gas grenades during clashes with youths in the tourist hotspot of Le Vieux Port in Marseille.

The government asked all local authorities to halt public transport early on Friday evening in a desperate attempt to restore order after rioters torched buildings and cars in the third night of rage sparked by the killing of Algerian youth Nahel.

Violence has flared in Marseille, Lyon, Pau, Toulouse and Lille as well as parts of Paris in the country. Rioters clashed with police, torched vehicles, looted stores and burnt them down, videos of which have gone viral. In just three days of violence, cities and towns in France resemble a war-torn region, with burnt vehicles and looted stores.

Texts that read ‘Vengeance for Nahel’ were pasted across buildings in Nanterre, a town on the western outskirts of Paris where the minor was killed. Paris vowed to examine “all options” to restore order on Friday after the massive chaos.

President Emmanuel Macrons informed that more police will be deployed across France. He urged parents to keep young rioters off the streets. “It’s the responsibility of parents to keep them at home. It’s not the state’s job to act in their place,” he notified.

The president also criticized social media and video games after a crisis meeting with his ministers. The French president said social media was playing a considerable role in fomenting the unrest, adding that he wants platforms such as Snapchat and TikTok to delete sensitive content.

The policeman who shot Nahel has expressed his regret to his family. He is accused of voluntary homicide and his attorney claimed he is “devastated.” He requested his family to forgive him. He reported the cop had shot at the latter’s chest after bumping into him while aiming for his leg.

A library burnt down in Alcazar

In a significant development, the largest library in Marseilles city in Alcazar was vandalised and torched by the rioters. According to local officials, a scuffle broke out nearby when police used tear gas to disperse a group of 100 to 150 people who allegedly tried to set up barricades. After that, the rioters targeted a number of public buildings, including the library located in the city centre.

Twitter owner Elon Musk equated the action to sacrilege.

In another location in the city,  rioters used a truck to break into a shopping centre, which was then looted and burned.

Netizens Compare it with Nalanda

Following the attack on the library, Indians compared it to the burning of the Nalanda University library almost a thousand years ago.

Nalanda was a Buddhist monastic institution established during the Gupta Empire era in ancient Magdha, present-day Bihar in eastern India. It was considered by historians to be the world’s first residential university and among the greatest centres of learning in the ancient world.

However, in the fall of 1202 CE, the first troops of the Ghurid dynasty General Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khalji destroyed and began the demise of Nalanda and other monasteries near it, such as the Odantapura Vihar, now called Bihar Sharif, about 6 miles away from Nalanda. According to records, Nalanda library had 9 million books and manuscripts when it was burnt down by the Islamic invaders. It is said that the fire in the library burtn for 3 months.

Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khalji captured and looted the sacred institution. The majority of the locals there were Brahmans and every single one of them had their heads shaved and had been killed. Alcazar and Nalanda became prey to the barbarity of the same ideology during two entirely distinct historical periods.

Social media users couldn’t help but compare the devastation of Alcazar with that of Nalanda. Dr Anand Rangnathan stated, “Knowledge is everything. The villain understands this more than the victim,” while drawing a comparison between the two learning facilities.

A netizen commented, “Even the Library of Alexandria, was burned down on the orders of Umar ibn al-Khattab.” He added that those who read one ‘revealed book’ like to burn all others.

Another remarked that “history is repeating itself.” He further wrote that these people were given refugee by France to protect them.

A Twitter user compared libraries to “sacred sanctuaries of knowledge & heritage” and referred to their destruction as “cultural atrocity.”

One posted a meme to convey how the grave situation caused due to the major influx of refugees in Europe is a self-inflicted wound.

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.”

PM Modi talks to Russian President Putin over the phone, reiterates call for dialogue and diplomacy on Ukraine situation

ANI
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PM Modi talks to Russian President Putin over the phone, reiterates call for dialogue and diplomacy on Ukraine situation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his call for dialogue and diplomacy on the situation in Ukraine over a telephonic conversation today with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“They reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. President Putin informed PM about the recent developments in Russia,” the PMO release said. While discussing the situation in Ukraine, PM Modi reiterated his call for dialogue and diplomacy.

According to Kremlin, “The situation around Ukraine was touched upon. The President of Russia assessed the current state of affairs in the special military operation zone, emphasizing Kyiv’s categorical refusal to take political and diplomatic steps to resolve the conflict.”

In connection with the events of June 24 (Wagner’s march to Moscow), Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed understanding and support for the decisive actions of the Russian leadership to protect law and order and ensure stability in the country and the security of its citizens, Kremlin stated.

The conversation was informative and constructive, and the leaders decided to keep in touch and reiterated their shared desire to enhance the unique strategic alliance between Russia and India.

Earlier in September 2022, during the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement ‘Not an era of war’ to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin made headlines.

“I know that today’s era is not an era of war, and I have spoken to you on the phone about this,” Modi told Putin on the sidelines of a regional security bloc summit in Uzbekistan, adding that it is democracy, diplomacy and dialogue that keeps the world together.

In response, Putin said, “I know about your position on the conflict in Ukraine, and I know about your concerns. We want all of this to end as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the opposing side, the leadership of Ukraine, announced its abandonment of the negotiation process and declared that it wants to achieve its goals by military means, as they say, ‘on the battlefield. Nevertheless, we will always keep you informed of what is happening there,” Putin said in response to Modi, asserting that he understood the Prime Minister’s concerns, according to a statement issued by the Kremlin. 

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

Manipur: Imphal court finds ground for case against two Kuki leaders for contentious remarks in interviews with Karan Thapar on The Wire

OpIndia Staff
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Manipur: Imphal court finds ground for case against two Kuki leaders for contentious remarks in interviews with Karan Thapar on The Wire

On 30th June 2023, a court in Imphal found that prima facie grounds exist for defamation cases against two Kuki leaders for the comments they made against the Meitei community. They had made the comments amid the ongoing conflict and violence in Manipur in two seperate interviews with Karan Thapar for The Wire.

The court also issued summons to the Convenor of the Kuki Women’s Forum Mary Grace Zou and Kuki People’s Alliance co-founder Wilson L Hangshing and ordered them to appear on 24th July 2023. This summons is issued to both the Kuki community leaders for their contentious remarks against the Meitei community and the chief minister of the state and the state police departments. These leaders have made controversial remarks in an interview with Karan Thapar on the propagandist YouTube channel ‘The Wire’ on 26 May and 14 June.

After the interviews were posted on the YouTube channel of The Wire and the portal published reports based on the same, Manipuri activist Lourembam Cha Somorendro filed a complaint against Mary Grace Zou and Wilson L Hangshing under section 200 of CrPC. Accordingly, a case was filed against the two based on this complaint under sections 153A (Promoting enmity between different groups), 200 (false statement), 505(1) (Statements conducing to public mischief), and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC.

The court order says that the court has found that prima facie materials exist for the commission of offences under the above-mentioned sections. However, the court said that there is no material for offence under the IT Act, as the allegations are mainly related to comments made in the interview at Wire.

Both the accused are ordered to appear before the chief judicial magistrate of Imphal East on 24th June 2023.

Regarding the prayer of the complainant to seize the phones of accused Mary Grace Zou and Wilson L Hangshing, the court said that it will be considered as and when necessary for the investigation and trial.

What is said in the complaint against the Kuki leaders?

In his complaint, Lourembam Cha Somorendro said, “I have come across the interview of both the accused taken by the “Wire” news Channel on 18-19 June 2023 which were downloaded in my phone. Accused Mary Grace Zou stated in the above interview that the Meitei community has pre-planned to kill Kukis and ethnic cleansing of Kukis in the valley area of Manipur and the ethnic violence started in the valley area on 3rd May 2023. The very statement of Mary Grace Zou is totally false and fabricated which shall amount to communal enmity and hatred between the Meitel and Kuki communities. Mary Grace Zou also gave a defaming statement in the above interview that some Meitei cultural organisations of Manipur are responsible organisations instigating the present violence which also amounts to the commission of deliberate and malicious acts intending to outrage the Meltei community.”

Lourembam Cha Somorendro further said, “Mary Grace Zou also accuses in the above interview that the Chief Minister of Manipur is the main person for causing violence against the Kuki or genocide of Kuki which is totally false. The present situation has been created by the armed Kuki militants against the state Government policy namely 1) Cracking down against illegal immigrants from Myanmar by way of implementing NRC, 2) War on illegal drugs declared by the state government and 3) eviction process against illegal encroachers inside the Reserved Forest Area. One of the reasons assigned by Mary Grace Zou that the present situation is only for demanding Schedule Tribe status by the Meitel community is completely false and irrelevant. Such is the reason the very statement of Mary Grace Zou is destined to encourage the communal tension and disharmony between the Meiteis and Kuki. The very violence in the state of Manipur which started on 3rd May 2023 has been particularly done by the Kuki militants by using heavy and sophisticated weapons in their hands.”

Lourembam Cha Somorendro also mentioned in detail the statements given by another accused Wilson L Hangshing. He said in his complaint, “Wilson L Hangshing as stated in the interview with “Wire” News Channel that the Government of Manipur used the Reserved Forest and Protected Forest to prosecute the Kuki community which are totally false, fabricated and allegation has been made to promote enmity between the different community. He further stated in the said interview that the state government led by Shri N. Biren Singh who is a Meitei wants to prosecute and forcibly evict Kuki Community from Reserved and Protected Forest. The propaganda of Wilson L Hangshing in the said interview has inflicted doubt on the professional integrity of the Manipur Police Personnel.”

He added, “Not only this the accused Wilson L Hangshing and many people doubted Indian Army by saying many Officers are Meitei and Indian Army cannot be trusted or otherwise transfer. Wilson L Hangshing further stated that thousands of distressed Meitei who have been chased out due to the present violence from Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, Kangpokpl and Moreh town are living in the said hilly area with the permission of the District Council which he corruptly uses or attempt to use knowing the same to be false. In fact, the Meitei community have been staying in those areas since time immemorial with proper Jamabandi issued under MLR & LR Act, 1970. Both the accused have committed serious offences with their statements.”

Not resigning at this crucial juncture: CM Biren Singh

In a new turn of events in the violence-hit Manipur, chief minister Biren Singh clarified that he is not going to resign at this crucial juncture. He announced that he will not resign from the post when the state is facing massive violence for almost two months. Amid reports that he will resign today and protest against the decision to resign by his supporters, Biren Singh tweeted that he is not resigning.

Amid opposition demands for his resignation, it was widely reported today that he is likely to tender his resignation today. The reports claimed that Biren Singh will reach the governor at 1 PM today and tender his resignation.

Following the reports, thousands of his supporters, mostly women, gathered in support of him and urged him to not resign. They even blocked the road preventing him from going to the Raj Bhawan. They were carrying banners and placards in support of the CM, asking to remain in the post.

Manipur has been burning amid conflict between the two ethnic groups, Meiteis and Kukis. Tensions flared up on May 3 following a ‘Tribal solidarity march’ which was organised against the Meitei community seeking ST status.

Meiteis account for the majority of the Manipur population whereas Nagas and Kukis account for about 40% of the population. About 130 people have been killed in the clash and several have been displaced after their houses were torched and razed.

Fact Check: Viral video claiming ‘Bangalore Muslims boycotting Hindus’ is from 2019 in Rajasthan’s Barmer

OpIndia Staff
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Fact Check: Viral video claiming ‘Bangalore Muslims boycotting Hindus’ is from 2019 in Rajasthan’s Barmer

A video is making rounds on social media in which it is being claimed that the Muslim community in the Bangalore city of Karnataka is boycotting Hindus and is pledging that no Muslim would buy anything from Hindus. The video posted by one of the users with the Twitter id @Ashtalakshmi8 also indicates that the Muslims are issuing fatwas against Hindus especially after the Congress government took over the reigns in the state of Karnataka.

Though the content of the video is as per the claims, the details associated with it are not. The video going viral since June 29 this year is actually old, from the year 2019.

The Twitter id @Ashtalakshmi8 while sharing the video on June 29 said, “Bangalore Muslims decide not to buy anything from Hindus. They want to break Hindus. Think 20% Jihadists threatening 80%. What if Hindus turn the tables? Jaago Sanatana.”

screenshot from Twitter

The Twitter user further claimed that it was a recent video made after the elections and that it was from a Muslim Public Meet in Banglore, right after the Congress government came to power.

The video is from the year 2019 from a village in Barmer, not Bangalore

However, the fact is that this video is not from Bangalore in Karnataka but is from the Barmer region of Rajasthan. OpIndia discovered that the same video had gone viral over the internet on March 15 of this year to which the Barmer Police had responded saying that the video is from the year 2019 and the required action against it has been already taken.

“The above video is of 2019 of village Bhojaria police station Bijrad. On 28.6.2019, one person had died and three persons were injured due to an accident in a private bus in front of the petrol pump in Gagaria village of police station Ramsar. In protest against this incident, several such demands were made by the relatives of the deceased during the funeral at their house. At the same time, this speech was also given by the relatives of the deceased. The action was taken then as per the rules,” the Barmer Police was quoted as saying.

screenshot from Twitter

‘We’ll attain Jannat only if we stop buying items from non-Muslims,’ the man in the video says

The man dressed in the viral video can be seen delivering an inciting speech saying that no Muslim shall buy petrol, medicines, etc from the non-Muslims in Ramsar. “If you are a true Muslim, no one will buy petrol from this petrol pump, no one will buy medicines from him. We’ll attain Jannat only if we stop buying items from non-Muslims,” the Muslim man could be heard saying to which all the Muslim addressees seemed to agree.

Similar video was also posted by one another Twitter user named Rakesh Krishnan Simha who also claimed that the video was from Bangalore, Karnataka. “Muslims planning complete boycott of Hindus. ‘We must swear by prophet Muhammad and his children that we Momins will not get petrol at Hindu pumps, buy medicine from Hindu shops, or ride in their vehicles. If you boycott Hindus, then Allah will allow us into jannat’,” he captioned the video.

As stated by the Barmer Police, the matter hails from Ramsar region of Barmer, Rajasthan. The family of the individual deceased in the road accident in the year 2019 had also filed an FIR at Ramsar police station on June 28, a copy of which was procured by Boom. The Police had also taken required action against the Muslim person delivering the hateful speech.

To note diligently, in the given case, the man in the viral video can be heard saying that “we’ll attain Jannat only if we stop buying items from non-Muslims.” The said video is from June 2019, almost a year after Congress’ Ashok Gehlot had just taken over the state reigns in Rajasthan. Also, the video is from Rajasthan and not from Bangalore, Karnataka as wrongly claimed by a Twitter users on June 29 this year.

“Would have hanged Kanhaiyalal’s murderers by now”: Home Minister Amit Shah targets Ashok Gehlot govt over law & order collapse in Rajasthan

OpIndia Staff
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“Would have hanged Kanhaiyalal’s murderers by now”: Home Minister Amit Shah targets Ashok Gehlot govt over law & order collapse in Rajasthan

Union Home Minister Amit Shah today launched an unsparing attack on the Ashok Gehlot govt over the law and order situation in Rajasthan. Addressing a public rally in Udaipur in Rajasthan, he brought up the case of Kanhaiyalal’s murder and targeted the Congress govt in the state for failing to take action against the murderers.

“The Rajasthan govt has not yet taken the High Court in confidence to form a special court otherwise Kanhaiyalal’s murderers would have been hanged by now,” the Home Minister said.

He further accused the Gehlot govt of denying security to Kanhaiyalal before he was killed, saying that the state didn’t even want to catch his murderers, who were nabbed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

“And don’t lie Gehlot ji that no chargesheet has been filed. I guarantee that the chargesheet has been filed on 22 December 2022. It is your job to formulate a special court in order to expedite the punishment process.” Amit Shah accused the Rajasthan govt of playing vote bank politics by using delaying tactics in the case.

The Home Minister also hit out at the Gehlot govt over the acquittal of all accused in the 2000 Jaipur blasts. “Law and order has completely collapsed in this state. In 2000, a bomb blast occurred in Jaipur, I was the Home Minister of Gujarat then, Vasundhara Raje was here. Everyone was nabbed but their Advocate General had no time to pursue. All (criminals) got released. Today, those terrorists who killed 50 people are roaming around freely and these people (Cong govt) have no shame. And they ask me what has been done in the Kanhaiyalal case.”

Amit Shah further said that if Rahul Gandhi becomes the prime minister of India, scams will become the ‘destiny’ of the country, while fraudsters will go to jails if Narendra Modi returns to power again after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

“If Rahul Gandhi becomes prime minister, scams and corruption will become the destiny of India and if Narendra Modi becomes the PM again, fraudsters will go behind bars,” Amit Shah said at a rally organised to highlight the achievements of the Narendra Modi government in the past nine years in Udaipur.

Kanhaiyalal murder case

On the dreadful day of June 28 last year, two Islamists identified as Riyaz and Ghous Mohammad brutally beheaded a poor Hindu tailor Kanhaiya Lal in Udaipur, Rajasthan. He was murdered for posting a social media message in support of former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma. The murderers had also made a video boasting about their heinous act, basking in false bravado over killing the hapless poor man inside his shop.

The Islamists, who had entered the shop pretending to be customers, slit Kanhaiya Lal’s throat and stabbed him around 26 times on his body, especially on the neck. They also recorded the murder on a video and released it on social media platforms. After the incident, the killers released a video claiming responsibility for the act. The duo had also later threatened PM Modi with murder.

It has been a year since Kanhaiyalal’s gruesome murder but his family still awaits justice even as Hindus continue to be victims of Islamic radicalisation.

UP: Gulfaam kills Dalit shopkeeper after a dispute over Rs 10 in Mainpuri, arrested

OpIndia Staff
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UP: Gulfaam kills Dalit shopkeeper after a dispute over Rs 10 in Mainpuri, arrested

In the Mainpuri district of Uttar Pradesh, a Dalit shopkeeper was killed by a person over a dispute of a mere Rs 10 on 12th June. The victim has been identified as Maheshchand Jatav, a resident of Faizpur village in the Ghiror police station area. 

The deceased victim was sleeping outside his makeshift shop when accused Gulfaam alias Gulla Banjara shot a bullet in his head. Following the incident, multiple police teams were deployed to nab the absconding accused. On Tuesday, June 27, the accused was arrested by the police.

According to Additional Police Superintendent Rajesh Kumar, Gulfaam said during questioning that the deceased Dalit victim used to sell petrol along with other items at his shop. Gulfaam had bought petrol from Maheshchand Jatav just a few days prior to the incident. Accused Gulfaam noticed a Rs 10 discrepancy in the transaction after leaving the shop, according to the police.

Gulfaam then asked Maheshchand to adjust the balance amount, which he declined, resulting in an argument between them. After questioning the accused, police said Maheshchand made threats to Gulfaam.

Following this, accused Gulfaam decided to exact revenge over this minor dispute and shot the victim dead on the night of June 12 while he slept on a cot outside his makeshift shop. According to the police, the accused has been arrested and further necessary action is being taken in the matter.

Hyderabad connection of the ISKP module unearthed, Gujarat ATS detains woman named Khadija and interrogates other suspects

OpIndia Staff
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Hyderabad connection of the ISKP module unearthed, Gujarat ATS detains woman named Khadija and interrogates other suspects

Gujarat ATS disrupted a module of ISKP (Islamic State of Khorasan Province), a division of the notorious terror organisation ISIS, on 9th June 2023 by picking up three terrorists from Porbandar. Led by these three, a Muslim woman from Surat and a terrorist from Srinagar were also arrested. Now three more people have been arrested in connection with this ISKP module, one of whom is a woman from Hyderabad.

A team of Gujarat ATS probing the ISKP module reached other cities for investigation. A Muslim woman named Khadija was detained by the Gujarat ATS from Hyderabad. According to reports, the woman from Hyderabad had become a hardliner Islamist and was in constant touch with ISKP terrorists. During the investigation of her call details, several other names were revealed, one of which is Faziullah of Hyderabad who is being interrogated by detaining.

ATS has detained a person named Tariq from Gorakhpur, who was in touch with Sumerabanu. Sumerbanu is the same woman who was nabbed from Surat after the terrorists were nabbed from Porbandar. All of them are currently in the custody of Gujarat ATS and the case is under investigation.

ISKP terrorists were arrested from Porbandar

On 9th June 2023, Gujarat ATS nabbed three men from the Porbandar railway station based on of intelligence inputs. Interrogation revealed that the three were residents of Srinagar and were planning to flee to Iran via Porbandar and from there to Afghanistan. The trio confessed during interrogation that they wanted to escape by hijacking the boat. Not only this, a woman named Sumerabanu from Surat was to come with two children and a man named Zubair Ahmad of Srinagar was also going to join them.

All of them were planning to carry out fidayeen terrorist attacks in Iran and from there to Afghanistan by going to Khorasan. But before they could succeed, Gujarat ATS had picked up the pace. Sumerabanu was arrested by the Surat ATS team on the same day after the interrogation of the three terrorists, and two days later Zubair Ahmad Munshi was also arrested from Srinagar. Gujarat ATS reached Hyderabad with more names revealed in their interrogation, from where more accused have been detained.

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