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Bangladesh: Top Jamaat-e-Islami lawyer and co-convenor of Jamaat offshoot political party made chief prosecutor of International Crimes Tribunal

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladesh: Top Jamaat-e-Islami lawyer and co-convenor of Jamaat offshoot political party made chief prosecutor of International Crimes Tribunal

Muhammad Yunus-led interim govt of Bangladesh on Saturday appointed Supreme Court lawyer Md Tajul Islam as the chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal. Tajul Islam is the joint convener of Amar Bangladesh Party, a political offshoot of Jamaat-e-Islami, and is also known for being the top lawyer of Jamaat-e-Islami leaders before the International Criminal Tribunal.

The interim govt reconstituted the prosecution team of the tribunal and named four other prosecutors. According to a notification issued by the govt, Advocate Tajul Islam will enjoy the status like that of the attorney general of the state. Earlier all 13 prosecutors of the tribunal had resigned after the fall of Hasina govt.

The International Crimes Tribunal (Bangladesh) is a domestic war crimes tribunal in Bangladesh set up in 2009 to investigate and prosecute suspects for the genocide committed in 1971 by the Pakistan Army and their local collaborators including Razakars, Al-Badr and Al-Shams during the Bangladesh Liberation War. However, its role has been expanded to detention, prosecution and punishment of persons responsible for committing genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and other crimes under international law.

The other newly appointed ICT prosecutors include Md Mizanul Islam, Gazi Monawar Hussain Tamim, BM Sultan Mahmud, and Abdullah Al Noman. Tamim represents the plaintiffs in the ICT cases against Hasina and her aides. Mizanul Islam has been designated as an additional attorney general. He had also defended top Jamaat leaders in their cases.

The appointment of Tajul Islam as the chief prosecutor of the tribunal has raised eyebrows, as he is a politician aligned with Jamaat and not a neutral lawyer. As the Tribunal is expected to try former PM Sheikh Hasina and other Awami League leaders, the appointment of a pro-Jamaat lawyer gives a clear indication of what will happen in those cases.

Tajul Islam has resigned from the position of joint convener of Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), a party formed by reformist leaders and activists of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in 2023.

Journalist David Bergman who has a particular interest in Bangladesh called it a terrible decision by the new interim government, saying that it suggests that the govt has learnt absolutely nothing from previous experience of the ICT and is not interested in fair trials.

He said that first the International Crimes (Tribunal) Act 1973 needs considerable amendment in order to ensure a fair trial, and appointment of prosecutors before the amendment is wrong. He said that the presence of a chief prosecutor, who by the very nature of his position is primarily concerned about convictions, will be a huge drag in preventing the necessary amendments being made.

Bergman added that the appointment of Tajul Islam in particular to this position is a really bad one, as ICT needs an independent-minded lawyer respected by all wings of the legal community, and able to be perceived by the public as fair and independent.

He said that Tajul Islam is not perceived as a fair and independent, as he has been closely aligned to the islamist Jamaat-e-Islami for many years and then he has been the co-convenor of its off-shoot the Amar Bangladesh party. David Bergman noted that Tajul made his name as a senior member of the Jamaat-e-Islami defence team which represented Jamaat-e-Islami leaders who were convicted and sentenced to death “in extraordinary unfair trials at the ICT itself.” He added that those trials were organised and approved by some of the very politicians who now are likely to prosecuted before the very same Tribunal.

The journalist said that the appointment feels like part of a revenge fantasy, rather than a decision by a government seeking to hold fair trials.

The appointments to the ICT came at that time when cases and allegations against Sheikh Hasina and other Awami leaders are rising day by day. Notably, just after the appointment to the post, Taijul Islam said that Sheikh Hasina will be brought back to the country and tried before the tribunal. He said that Hasina will be tried over alleged crimes against humanity and genocide during the recent anti-discrimination student movement in the country.

“As she (Sheikh Hasina) is considered to be the main perpetrator and she has fled the country. We would initiate the legal process to bring her back. The extradition treaty between Bangladesh and India was signed in 2013, during the tenure of her government. As we guess that she would be the main accused and she was made accused in most of the cases filed over the genocide that took place in Bangladesh recently, we would try to make her stand trial after bringing her back to the country,” Advocate Tajul Islam said in his initial reaction after becoming ICT chief prosecutor.

Bangladesh: Teenage Hindu boy who was assaulted by mob in police station booked under Cyber Security Act over alleged blasphemy, to be arrested after dischage from hospital

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladesh: Teenage Hindu boy who was assaulted by mob in police station booked under Cyber Security Act over alleged blasphemy, to be arrested after dischage from hospital

A Hindu teenage boy, Utsab Mandal, was brutally assaulted by a mob inside a police station in Khulna, Bangladesh, last week over an alleged blasphemy charge. He has now been booked under the contentious Cyber Security Act on the allegations of hurting religious sentiments. The case against the 15-year-old boy, who is undergoing treatment for injuries in the attack, was filed on 5th September at Khulna Sadar Police Station by a 42-year-old man identified as Nasir Uddin of Sher-e-Bangla Road.

While the case was recorded on 5 September night, it was revealed only on 7 September. Notably, the boy will be tried as a 19-year-old in the matter. The officer-in-charge of the police station, Kamal Hossain Khan, claimed in a statement that the boy’s actual age is higher than what is listed on his birth certificate and other documents, suggesting a conspiracy.

OC Kamal Hossain Khan said that after preliminary verification, the complaint has been registered under the Cyber ​​Security Act. He has been accused of hurting religious sentiments and destroying communal harmony and deteriorating the law and order situation. He has been charged under sections 27, 28 and 31 of the Cyber ​​Security Act. As Mandal is currently in hospital under army protection, he will be handed over to the police after he is discharged from the hospital.

Complainant Nasir Uddin told the media that the honour of Prophet Muhammad is more valuable than his life in the heart of every Muslim. 

Notably, on 3rd September during the Bangladesh-Pakistan cricket match, Utsav was accused of insulting Prophet Muhammad on a Facebook Live session. The student of Class XI of Azam Khan Government Commerce College allegedly abused the Holy Prophet Muhammad in vulgar language. He is also accused of making similar comments as comments under his post on Live.

The next day on 4th September, around 8 PM, students of Khulna’s Azam Khan Government Commerce College dragged Utsab Mandal to the office of the deputy commissioner of Khulna Metropolitan Police (South), Tajul Islam, after he allegedly made a social media post insulting Prophet Muhammed. The post reportedly angered locals, who dragged him to the police station, accusing him of hurting religious sentiments. Meanwhile, word spread about the incident, and a large mob gathered at the spot, demanding that the Hindu boy be handed over to them. The mob of 3,000-5,000 people surrounded the office, calling for instant justice.

Deputy Police Commissioner Tazul Islam reportedly tried to intervene after the mob started assaulting the boy in his office but failed. Eventually, the army intervened and dispersed the crowd. It has been reported that to satisfy the bloodthirsty mob, police had to declare the boy dead. Announcements were made from loudspeakers of nearby mosques stating that the Hindu youth had died, after which the mob retreated.

The incident occurred in the presence of police, Army, and Navy personnel. Later, the Directorate of Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) of the country issued a statement saying that Utsab Mandal is being treated at a hospital under army supervision and is out of danger.

The ISPR issued the statement after several media houses reported that the college student was killed by the mob after being snatched from the police and the army. The directorate said that Mandal was rescued alive by the efforts of the armed forces and then admitted to the hospital. The army urged people not to believe in rumours circulating on social media claiming that the youth was dead.

The statement issued by ISPR further mentioned that after Utsab Mandal is released from the hospital, he will be handed over to law enforcement agencies as he is booked in a blasphemy case. Referring to the attempt to lynch him by an Islamist mob, the statement said that the Bangladesh army is always committed to preventing extrajudicial killings and upholding the rule of law.

Contrary to the statement made by the government authorities, Hindus are being attacked in Bangladesh since Sheikh Hasina resigned from her post on 5th August. It has been over a month and Hindus have been assaulted, raped and killed. Their houses, shops, temples and establishments have destroyed and burnt to ashes. OpIndia’s complete coverage of atrocities against Bangladeshi Hindus can be checked here.

‘Spiked her drink, blackmailed her using obscene video and raped her repeatedly’: UP police book Samajwadi leader for rape of female lawyer

OpIndia Staff
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‘Spiked her drink, blackmailed her using obscene video and raped her repeatedly’: UP police book Samajwadi leader for rape of female lawyer

On Sunday (8th September), the Mau police in Uttar Pradesh lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against Samajwadi party leader Virendra Bahadur Pal in connection to the rape of a female lawyer.

The accused is the son of ex-Samajwadi party MLA Dayaram Pal and has served as the former President of the Central Mau Bar Association.

According to reports, the victim filed a complaint with the Mau police accusing Virendra Bahadur Pal of raping her after spiking her drink. She also informed that the Samajwadi party leader recorded the obscene video of the act and used it to repeatedly rape her.

The female lawyer stated that the accused threatened to make the video viral on social media. The victim further revealed that she was taken to Lucknow against her will by Virendra Bahadur Pal.

According to the police, the Samajwadi party leader has been absconding since the case was registered against him.

The victim had claimed that the local police did not register the complaint initially but swung into action only when she appealed to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The Mau police have now formed teams to capture Virendra Bahadur Pal.

Ganeshotsav: Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s role in making it Maharashtra’s main festival and how it helped to fight British occupation – A look into history

Anurag
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Ganeshotsav: Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s role in making it Maharashtra’s main festival and how it helped to fight British occupation – A look into history

Ganeshotsav is currently in full swing, especially in Maharashtra, where Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak transformed Ganeshotsav from a private celebration into a major public festival. The festival, where Hindus bring a Swaroop of Bhagwan Ganesh into their homes, became a symbol of unity and resistance against British rule, all thanks to Lokmanya Tilak.

The history of Ganeshotsav’s evolution is deeply rooted in the spirit of India’s struggle for independence. It is a testament to how cultural revival can become a powerful tool in the fight for freedom and self-realisation. Interestingly, although Maharashtra is known for its renowned grand Ganeshotsav celebrations today, historical accounts suggest that Madhepura in Bihar once held equally impressive festivities. However, over time, those festivities faded away due to various reasons.

Ganeshotsav : From ancient roots to a public movement

If we look at the history, Ganeshotsav holds a significant place in Hindu worship. References to Bhagwan Ganesh can be found in various Puranas, including Agni Purana, Brahmavaivarta Purana, and Skanda Purana. The origin of the festival can be traced back to the time of the Satavahanas, Chalukyas, and Rashtrakutas. These dynasties were instrumental in promoting Ganesh worship across their domains.

The cultural thread of worshiping Bhagwan Ganesh continued through the Maratha Empire, where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj elevated Lord Ganesh to the status of ‘Rashtradev’ or the state deity. His devotion towards Bhagwan Ganesh further embedded the festival into the region’s socio-religious fabric.

After 1818, Ganeshotsav retreated into private celebrations within households as the Peshwas lost their hold on the region. It took another 75 years for the festivities to become public again, when, in 1893, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak revitalised the festival and turned it into a public event to mobilise Indian sentiment against British rule. Ganeshotsav became a platform for Indians to gather, express solidarity, and communicate nationalist ideas under the guise of a religious festival.

Early celebrations in Bihar: A forgotten chapter

Before LokManya Tilak transformed Ganeshotsav in Maharashtra, the festival was very popular in the Madhepura region of Bihar. The celebrations are mentioned in the autobiography of Mahamahopadhyay Sir Ganganath Jha, who was born in 1872 in Madhubani’s Sarisab Pahi. Jha was a renowned scholar of Sanskrit and Indian philosophy.

His writings revealed that every year, during the month of Bhadrapada, Maharaja’s brother Srinandanjee would organise a week-long Ganesh Puja on a very large scale. However, these celebrations were lost in history following lack of political support and other disputes. On the other hand, Ganeshotsav celebrations gained momentum in Maharashtra and became a national symbol of unity against colonial oppression.

Lok Manya Tilak’s vision: Uniting Indians through Ganeshotsav

The idea behind publicising Ganeshotsav was both symbolic and strategic. It was a time when the British had banned public assemblies. Lokmanya Tilak used Ganeshotsav festivities to bypass these restrictions and promoted a sense of unity and identity among Indians. Larger-than-life public celebrations, full of music processions, and cultural programs transformed Ganeshotsav into a powerful tool of mass mobilisation.

Tilak was clear in his vision. He wanted to use the festival as a medium to bridge the gaps between different sections of society, including overcoming caste barriers. According to Tilak, Ganeshotsav had the potential to foster a sense of trust and affection among the people of India and raise collective national pride. All these qualities were essential for the freedom struggle. Tilak incorporated social and political messages into the festivities while keeping the spirit of resistance alive. He educated the masses about their rights and duties towards the nation on the sidelines of the Ganeshotsav festival.

Ganeshotsav as a catalyst for independence

Tilak’s idea worked like a charm, and his message to the people of India broke boundaries like never before, bypassing the censorship imposed by the British. The festival thus became a stage for speeches, performances, and discussions about independence, self-rule (Swaraj), social reforms, and making Ganeshotsav an integral part of the larger national movement. Tilak’s call for “Swarajya is my birthright and I shall have it” resonated deeply during the festivities and attracted people to participate actively in the struggle for independence.

Furthermore, Ganeshotsav also provided a stage to address social issues, including untouchability and communal harmony. Tilak integrated these themes within the festival, providing it with a broader scope of making India inclusive and unified. Tilak made sure that no communal tensions erupted during the festivities, even when religious sentiments ran high. The British policy of “divide and rule” was countered effectively with Ganeshotsav celebrations, which fostered Hindu-Muslim unity on several occasions.

The legacy of Tilak’s Ganesh Utsav

Ganeshotsav festivities have moved past their initial form, becoming more grand and vibrant, attracting millions of devotees. The popularity of the festival is a testament to Tilak’s insight that cultural unity has the potential to pave the way for political freedom.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak revived Ganeshotsav celebrations not only as a cultural revival but also as a strategic move that laid the groundwork for a mass movement against the British. His efforts ensured that Bhagwan Ganesh would forever be linked to the Indian struggle for independence, making Ganeshotsav much more than just a festival; it became a symbol of the nation’s fight for freedom and identity.

Ganeshotsav celebrations serve as a reminder that when we adapt something rooted in ancient tradition, it becomes a powerful force for social and political change. Tilak’s legacy lives on and re-emerges with the drumbeats, processions, and chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya” that echo with the same spirit of resistance and unity that first brought millions together over a century ago. The story of Bihar’s once-grand Ganesh celebrations, though largely forgotten, also serves as a reminder that cultural traditions can be lost without political support and recognition, which contrasts with the way Maharashtra celebrates the festival every year.

Bangladesh: Former Awami student wing leader, who left politics long ago, beaten to death in Rajshahi, earlier his leg was severed by Jamaat student activists

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladesh: Former Awami student wing leader, who left politics long ago, beaten to death in Rajshahi, earlier his leg was severed by Jamaat student activists

A former leader of Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of Bangladesh Awami League, was lynched by a mob on 7 September night in Rajshahi. The 35-year-old victim Abdullah Al Masud was a former assistant secretary of BCL’s Rajshahi University unit and had a physical disability due to an attack in 2014.

Police said that about 100 to 150 furious people captured Abdullah Al Masud and beat him up in Binodpur area adjacent to the Rajshahi University last night. They accused him of carrying out attacks on protesting students on 5th August. They then took him to the police station and held a demonstration demanding his trial.

First, he was taken to Matihar police station, but as there was no case registered at that police station regarding g the 5 August violence, he was transferred to Boalia police station so that he could be shown arrested in a case related to violence.

Police sent Abdullah Al Masud to hospital but he could not be saved. “We rescued him with the help of the army personnel and sent him to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital where he died of his injuries around 12:30am,” said SM Masud Pervez, officer-in-charge of Boalia Model Police Station.\

The OC said that Masud sustained severe injuries from the mob beating. He added that they would take legal action in this connection if the victim’s family lodges any written complaint.

Rajshahi Medical College Hospital’s spokesperson Shankar Kumar Biswas confirmed Masud’s death and stated that the exact cause of death will be determined following an autopsy.

Before being taken to the hospital, an injured Masud told journalists at the police station that he was attacked when he went to the Binodpur area to buy medicine. He became a father of a baby girl on September 3. He said that he was attacked for his past association with Chhatra League, even though he left politics long ago.

“They caught and beat me as I was involved with Chhatra League once. My right leg was severed and tendons of both hands and legs were cut in 2014. I left politics a long time ago,” he added.

In April 2014, unidentified criminals severed his right leg and cut tendons of his other leg and hand on Rajshahi University campus, Daily Star reported. At that time, Chhatra League leaders had blamed activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, for the attack.

Masud was employed as store officer at Rajshahi University medical centre with the rank of section officer.

Corruption, strong-arm tactics, no-confidence in state government: TMC MP Jawahar Sircar resigns from Rajya Sabha citing RG Kar rape and murder case, quits politics

OpIndia Staff
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Corruption, strong-arm tactics, no-confidence in state government: TMC MP Jawahar Sircar resigns from Rajya Sabha citing RG Kar rape and murder case, quits politics

On Sunday, Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP Jawhar Sircar resigned from his parliamentary post and announced his retirement from politics. In his resignation letter addressed to TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee, Sircar also came down heavily on the state government’s mishandling of the trainee doctor’s rape and murder case at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata and corruption by TMC leaders. 

In the letter, he stated, “…I must inform you that I have decided to resign from parliament and also from politics altogether.” 

Lambasting TMC’s strong-arm tactics against the public movement, Sircar flagged the “unchecked overbearing attitude of the favoured few and the corrupt” in his party. He wrote, “I just cannot accept some things, like corrupt officers (or doctors) getting prime and top postings.” He pointed out that the recent public movement is as much to seek Justice for Abhaya as it is against the TMC government which has lost confidence.  

(Image Source – X)

He wrote, “…the present spontaneous outpouring of public anger is against this unchecked overbearing attitude of the favoured few and the corrupt. In all my years, I have not seen such angst and total no-confidence against the government, even when it says something correct or factual.” 

He specifically highlighted the Kolkata case and noted that things could have been different if the Mamata Banerjee government had handled the case differently and acted firmly against the corrupt officials.

(Jawahar Sircar’s resignation letter as doing rounds on social media)

He wrote, “I have suffered patiently for a month since the terrible incident at RG Kar Hospital, and was hoping for your direct intervention with the agitating junior doctors, in the old style of Mamata Banerjee. It has not happened and whatever punitive steps that government is taking now are too little and quite late. I think normalcy may have been restored in this state much earlier, if the caucus of the corrupt doctors was smashed and those guilty of taking improper administrative actions punished immediately after the scandalous incident happened.” 

Sircar also advised the party not to take a confrontational approach noting that the protests are primarily driven by a desire for justice and punishment rather than political motives.

He further stated, “It is my belief that the mainstream of the agitation is non-political and a spontaneous one and it is not correct to take a confrontational stand, by labelling it political. They want no politics: they want justice and punishment. Let us analyse frankly and realise that the movement is as much for Abhaya as it is against the state government and the party. ”

He noted that he was compelled to say all these things in writing because the TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee didn’t give him time to meet for several months. 

Sircar also highlighted that a year after he joined politics, he was shocked to witness open evidence of corruption by TMC Ministers. He added that when he made public statements about the party and the government tackling corruption, his senior party colleagues heckled him. 

He, however, stated that he didn’t resign back then as he hoped that Mamata Banerjee would carry on with her so-called public campaign against ‘cut money’ and corruption that she had started a year earlier. 

He added that after persuasion from his well-wishers, he continued as an MP but he became increasingly “disillusioned” as the state government seemed quite “unconcerned about corruption” and the increasing “strong-arm tactics” of a section of leaders. 

Highlighting corruption at all levels, Sircar further stated, “…I get amazed to see that several elected panchayat and municipal leaders have acquired big properties and move around in expensive vehicles. This hurts not only me, but the people of West Bengal… West Bengal is unable to accept this extravagant corruption and domination.”

Slamming the TMC government for promoting corrupt officials, Sircar said, “I just cannot accept some things, like corrupt officers (or doctors) getting prime and top postings. No.” 

He also announced his retirement from politics stating, “I shall go to Delhi soon and offer my resignation to the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and will also disassociate myself totally from politics.” 

He concluded by urging Mamata Banerjee, “Please do something to save the state.”  

The TMC MP’s resignation comes at a time when the Mamata Banerjee government’s back is against the wall because of the mounting public pressure and widespread protests in the

‘Agent brought us here, we were supposed to leave for Bengaluru’: Tripura police arrest four Bangladeshi nationals, booked for crossing border illegally

OpIndia Staff
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‘Agent brought us here, we were supposed to leave for Bengaluru’: Tripura police arrest four Bangladeshi nationals, booked for crossing border illegally

On Saturday (7th September), four illegal immigrants from Bangladesh were apprehended by the police at the Dharmanagar railway station in the Northeastern state of Tripura.

As per reports, the two men and two women were detained by a patrol team after being found behaving suspiciously near the station road.

The accused were identified as Mohammed Hanif, Yusuf Ali, Parul Begum and Jasmine Akhter. During the interrogation, they admitted to being Bangladeshi nationals and crossing the border illegally.

A case was registered against the four accused. While speaking to the media, a Bangladeshi national said, “An agent (identified as Rubel) brought us here late at night two days ago. We did not know which part of Tripura we crossed into.”

“But we were supposed to leave for Bengaluru on a train Saturday,” the accused pointed out. The illegal immigrants attempted to rationalise their decision to infiltrate into the Indian territory citing political turmoil in Bangladesh and lack of employment opportunities.

One of the human trafficker, dropped the four people at the Dharmanagar railway station and fled. This was when the police caught and interrogated the accused. They have now been arrested and produced before a court.

The illegal immigrants are said to be residents of the Bagerhat district in the Khulna Division of Bangladesh.

Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez leaves country and heads towards Spain on a Spanish Air Force plane, requests political asylum

ANI
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Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez leaves country and heads towards Spain on a Spanish Air Force plane, requests political asylum

Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez has left the country and is heading to Spain, his lawyer and Venezuela’s vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, has announced, CNN reported.

He departed from Venezuela after an arrest warrant was issued against him last week, accusing him of terrorism, conspiracy, and other crimes related to the presidential election held in July.

In a statement, Delcy Rodriguez said, “Today, September 7, opposition citizen Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who has been a voluntary refugee in the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in Caracas for several days, has left the country and requested political asylum from that government.”

She stated Venezuela allowed Gonzalez to leave “for the sake of the tranquility and political peace of the country.”

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said Gonzalez was “at his own request” travelling to Spain on a Spanish Air Force plane, according to CNN report.

Taking to X, he stated, “The Government of Spain is committed to the political rights and physical integrity of all Venezuelans.”

Previously, Edmundo Gonzalez ignored at least three summons to appear before prosecutors as part of a probe into claims he secured victory in the presidential polls, CNN reported.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was declared the winner of the election with 51 per cent of the vote by the country’s electoral authority–a body stacked with the president’s allies, despite thousands of election tallies released by the opposition that demonstrated a convincing win for Gonzalez.

The opposition in Venezuela and various Latin American leaders refused to recognise Maduro’s victory, which erupted protests in the country in which thousands were arrested, CNN reported.

Recently, the US pressurised the Venezuelan government to “immediately” release specific data about the presidential polls, citing concerns regarding the credibility of Nicolas Maduro’s claimed victory, as it also seized one of Maduro’s aircraft, saying it was purchased in violation of US sanctions.

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

Uttarakhand CM Dhami acts against love and land jihad in the state: Police starts verification campaign across Uttarakhand to check demographic change

OpIndia Staff
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Uttarakhand CM Dhami acts against love and land jihad in the state: Police starts verification campaign across Uttarakhand to check demographic change

Amid reports of demographic changes in various areas of Uttarakhand, the government of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has started taking action. The police have started a ‘verification campaign’ to verify the people living in the state. Earlier, CM Dhami met DGP Abhinav Kumar and other senior police officers, and directed them to take action against demographic change, conversion, and love jihad in the state.

Regarding the verification campaign, DGP Abhinav Kumar said on Saturday (7th September 2024), that there has been no census for population information after the year 2011, but there is a belief among some people, especially in the hill districts, that the demography there has changed due to the settlement of people from outside in the last few years. Therefore, this month-long campaign has been started.

According to the TOI report, the DGP said that a month-long verification campaign has been started in some areas to check the anti-social elements settled in the state. After its completion, a conclusion can be reached about the demographic change. If there is any such case, then this campaign will provide information about it.

In fact, during the last census in 2011, the total population of Uttarakhand was about 1.10 crores. Out of this, about 84 lakh population was Hindu, which was 83% of the total population. At the same time, the population of Muslims was 14.06 lakh i.e. 13.9% and Sikhs were 2.34%. Notably, in the 2001 census, the Muslim population in the state was 10.12 lakh.

Regarding love jihad cases, the DGP said that two adults are free to choose their life partners. However, if someone forms a relationship with the intention of converting the other’s religion, then the police will take action under the existing laws. If there is no such intention, then the police will not harass anyone. He said that both the issues are a priority for the state police.

Recently, some Hindu organisations have said that the population of Muslims has increased massively in some hill districts like Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital, Pauri Garhwal and Tehri Garhwal. They say that this is part of a wider conspiracy to change the demography of Devbhoomi and it is being carried out in a planned manner.

In fact, there were recent communal tensions in some hilly areas like Purola town of Uttarkashi, Dharchula and Nandanagar area of ​​Chamoli. Love jihad played a big role in this. Regarding this, Hindu activists have also raised the question of increasing presence of outsiders in the state. After these protests, CM Dhami took action and ordered this verification campaign.

Assam Rifles deploys anti-drone systems in Manipur after multiple drone and missile attacks by suspected Kuki terrorists, CRPF and state police too deploy more units

ANI
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Assam Rifles deploys anti-drone systems in Manipur after multiple drone and missile attacks by suspected Kuki terrorists, CRPF and state police too deploy more units

The Assam Rifles (AR) have deployed anti-drone systems in Manipur to counter any ‘rogue drones,’ and additional anti-drone guns are being brought into the state by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to enhance security measures.

In a post on social media platform X, the Manipur Police said, “AR has deployed a few anti-drone systems in the state at fringe areas to repel any rogue drones. CRPF has also tested one anti-drone system and given it to the force deployed in the State. Some more anti-drone guns are being brought to the state by CRPF shortly.”

“The state police have also started the process for procurement of anti-drone systems to enhance its security measures and tackle threats from drones effectively,” it added.

Kuki militants reportedly deployed long-range rockets at two locations in civilian areas, killing a 78-year-old man, identified as RK Rabei, and injuring six others in Bishnupur, as confirmed by Manipur Police on Saturday.

The police also mentioned that three bunkers were destroyed due to the attack. “Two bunkers at Mualsang village and one bunker at Laika Mualsau village of Churachandpur were destroyed,” Manipur police confirmed in a post.

The police also reported that the Superintendent of Police (SP) was fired upon by suspected Kuki militants in the area.

Senior officers, including the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), have inspected the affected areas to implement immediate countermeasures and supervise the situation. A team from the Mobile Forensic Unit, DFS, Manipur, was on-site to collect evidence.

Manipur Inspector General of Police, Intelligence, K Kabib, said on Saturday that three bodies of miscreants were found after a heavy exchange of fire at Nungchappi village in Jiribam district. He also said that a 63-year-old civilian was killed in an attack by suspected Kuki militants in Jiribam, adding that the three bodies of the miscreants were recovered as well.

IGP Kabib added that the Manipur Police are closely reviewing the security situation and deployment in coordination with other forces.

“The combing operations on both sides, hill and valley, are intensified, focussing on the long-range rockets and drones. The combing operations will cover a minimum of 3-5 km. The ‘nakas’ are also being strengthened,” he said.

Earlier, the district magistrate issued prohibitory orders, restricting assemblies of more than five people and the carrying of arms and ammunition.

According to Manipur police, search operations and area domination were conducted by security forces in the fringe and vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts on Saturday.

“Movement of 83 and 310 vehicles along NH-37 and NH-2 respectively with essential items have been ensured. Strict security measures are taken up in all vulnerable locations and security convoy is provided in sensitive stretches in order to ensure free and safe movement of the vehicles,” Manipur police said in a post X.

“A total of 92 Nakas/Checkpoints were installed in different Districts of Manipur, both in the hill and the valley and Police detained 129 persons in connection with violations in different districts of the State,” it added.

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

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