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‘Sandeshkhali a minor issue, amplified by BJP, media’: Ravish Kumar parroting Mamata Banerjee’s statements burnishes his creds as an opposition lapdog

श्रवण शुक्ल
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‘Sandeshkhali a minor issue, amplified by BJP, media’: Ravish Kumar parroting Mamata Banerjee’s statements burnishes his creds as an opposition lapdog

Ravish Kumar, once a prominent figure at NDTV, often viewed as aligned with the Congress party, has transitioned to YouTube. However, his biased approach remains unchanged, as he continues the same type of work on his channel. Kumar, who prides himself on impartiality and criticizes journalists with differing ideologies as ‘Godi Media,’ uploaded a new video on May 30th about West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s election campaign. In this video, he not only covered her rallies but also acted as her advocate, portraying himself as a unique journalist who focuses on the underprivileged ignored by others. Meanwhile, he claims that those covering other political figures’ rallies are part of the ‘Godi Media.’

In the video, he could be seen repeating the remarks of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC or TMC) leader. The video lacked substantial content or research, consisting mainly of him reiterating her accusations and voicing his disdain and frustration towards the Bharatiya Janata Party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Ravish Kumar linked the gruesome Sandeshkhali incident to a BJP conspiracy, blaming the ‘Godi Media’ for publicizing the crimes of TMC leaders. He ignored how journalists were harassed and victimized by Mamata Banerjee’s government while covering the issue that shocked the nation. He also didn’t mention the decade-long land seizure by Sheikh Shahjahan and his men, who transformed agricultural land into ponds. Kumar echoed Mamata Banerjee’s claim that it was a BJP plot and criticized ‘Godi Media’ for reporting on it, repeating these points in a very agreeable manner. This could be heard from 22:10 minutes to 22:55 in the video.

Media is only covering PM Modi

Ravish Kumar’s claim that PM Modi is the only person being shown by the national media is false and misleading. Priyanka Gandhi has given over a hundred interviews during this Lok Sabha election. Rajdeep Sardesai, Kumar’s former colleague now with India Today, interviewed her along with his entire team and channel owners. Additionally, media interviews with figures like Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav are broadcast daily, and Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal also receive significant media coverage.

Now, let’s discuss the central figure of his recent video, Mamata Banerjee. What significance does Mamata Banerjee’s padayatra (a political procession on foot) televised live have for a voter from Churu in Rajasthan? If they are interested, they can watch it on YouTube, a platform now utilized by all political parties. Ravish Kumar was misleading when he claimed he wasn’t ‘Godi Media’ for covering Mamata Banerjee’s rally, unlike others who didn’t. Consider for yourself, as Ravish also mentioned that Mamata Banerjee undertook a strenuous 12-kilometre padayatra in South Kolkata’s 35-degree heat—what relevance does this have for an ordinary person sitting in Shimla?

Notably, opposition rallies, widely shared on social media, seem invisible to Ravish Kumar, as if he has blinders on. By his logic, opposition rallies need to be televised to avoid being labelled ‘Godi Media.’ However, it is worth questioning whether someone who merely echoes Mamata Banerjee’s comments and broadcasts her rally qualifies as a “boot-licking journalist.”

Certificates for ‘independent journalism’ have been handed out liberally, and now Ravish Kumar has created his category of ‘Godi Media’ and ‘Piddi Media.’ Those he deems ‘Godi Media’ are recognised as such, while others fall under his label of ‘Pidi Media.’

Arvind Kejriwal will have to return to Tihar Jail on 2nd June, Delhi court refuses urgent relief and reserves verdict in interim bail plea for 5th June

OpIndia Staff
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Arvind Kejriwal will have to return to Tihar Jail on 2nd June, Delhi court refuses urgent relief and reserves verdict in interim bail plea for 5th June

After the Supreme Court of India refused to extend the conditional interim bail to Arcvind Kejriwal that requires him to return to jail tomorrow, 2nd June, a Delhi court today refused him immediate relief in an interim bail plea. The court reserved the matter for on 5th June after hearing the govt and the Delhi CM’s lawyers today, which means Arvind Kejriwal will have to surrender at Tihar Jail tomorrow.

Judge Kaveri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue court refused Arvind Kejriwal’s plea for immediate relief so that he does not have to return to jail, but the plea was rejected. Representing Kejriwal, Senior Advocate N Hariharan told that by pronouncing the verdict on 5th June, it will be infructuous as the relied is required by 2nd June, but the court refused to concede.

The lawyer said, “It will become infructuous. I require it latest by tomorrow. Otherwise I will have to surrender.” To which the court said, “You have said you are not asking for an extension of interim bail,” and reiterated that the order will be pronounced Wednesday.

Arvind Kejriwal has filed two bail petitions at the trial court, one seeking a regular bail and the other seeking a 7-day extension of the current interim bail granted by the Supreme Court. The interim bail plea was heard today, while the regular bail plea will be heard on 7 June.

Kejriwal’s lawyer argued that he needs extension of bail for medical tests as he has serious medical condition, which was opposed by the Enforcement Directorate. The probe agency was represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor General SV Raju exposed the lies of Arvind Kejriwal regarding his health.

They busted the lie of ‘weight-loss’ being peddled by AAP and Kejriwal, saying that his weight actually gained by 1 kg. Moreover, SG Tushar Mehta said that for a person of 5 feet 5 inches height, his current weight of 64 kg is normal.

Both the SG an ASG said that while Kejriwal is now seeking extension of bail for medical tests, he didn’t even go for a scheduled doctor appointment on 24 May. They said that he is attending election rallies since the day he was released from jail, and now he is seeking bail.

SG Tushar Mehta categorically told the court that Kejriwal is lying about being seriously ill, pointing out the way he is travelling across the country attending election rallies. The ASG said that Kejriwal is lying about having kidney disease, saying higher ketone level can be caused by various factors, not only kidney disease.

Responding to the demands for medical tests, the ED lawyers stated that the tests can be done in an hour, and it does not require bail. They assured to get the tests done at AIIMS.

“He does not have kidney disease. It would have required dialysis. All this is a figment of his imagination. This is all bogus … If any tests are required, we will provide all the facilities in jail. We will take him to AIIMS if required … If a person is seriously ill, he cannot campaign like this,” ASG Raju said.

The ED lawyers also raised technical issues, saying that the trial court can’t extend the interim bail granted by the Supreme Court. ASG Raju said that if the trial court was going to consider the plea for interim bail on merits, the rigours of Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) would apply. Which means the trial court will have to examine whether or not there is a prima facie case made out against Kejriwal and whether he is likely to commit a money laundering offence while out on bail.

He also told the court that Kejriwal’s lawyer has hidden the fact that the Supreme Court has already refused to extend the interim bail by 7 days.

Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 for his role in a money laundering case related to the Delhi liquor policy scam case. He was sent to Tihar Jail in judicial custody on 1 April, and the Supreme Court granted him interim bail on 10th May till 1 June so that he can campaign for the Lok Sabha elections, ordering him to surrender on 2nd June.

Pakistan: Vietnamese ambassador’s wife goes missing in Islamabad

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan: Vietnamese ambassador’s wife goes missing in Islamabad

The wife of the Vietnamese Ambassador to Pakistan Nguyen Tien Phong has reportedly gone missing in Islamabad.

Police officials stated that the ambassador reported that his wife left their residence at 11 am and did not return.

It was noted that there had been a dispute between the ambassador and his wife.

According to reports, investigations are ongoing to ascertain if the disappearance is connected to the incident.

Islamabad police have initiated an investigation and have been scouring through CCTV footage from the city cameras to track the missing woman’s movements. Officials mentioned that separate teams had been established for the investigation and operational divisions, with DIG and SSP Operations supervising the efforts.

Last week, a tragic event occurred in Islamabad’s diplomatic enclave when a foreign national woman was robbed by impostors dressed as police officers in the F-6 Supermarket.

Sources report that two men, pretending to be police officers, stopped the woman for a check and seized £500 along with other valuables.

Sources indicated that the fake police officers were not in uniform when they stopped the foreign national woman.

In a separate incident, a foreign woman was reportedly raped by a security guard assigned to protect her in Islamabad’s G-6/4 area.

Uttar Pradesh: Shakeel Ahmed kidnaps 18-year-old Hindu girl, forcefully converts her and changes her name to Iqra, forcibly marries and rapes her

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Shakeel Ahmed kidnaps 18-year-old Hindu girl, forcefully converts her and changes her name to Iqra, forcibly marries and rapes her

An incident involving the abduction of a Hindu girl and her forced conversion to Islam has surfaced in Banda, Uttar Pradesh. The 18-year-old was taken by Shakeel Ahmed on 20th May, according to her family members and she was brought to Mumbai. Afterwards, he converted her to Islam and tied the knot with her. Furthermore, he changed her name to Iqra. On 28th May the two were found by the authorities, who have opened a case based on the allegation of the female’s family. She was kept in the One Staff Centre of the women’s police station.

After her medical examination on 29th May, the accused was produced in the court from where he was sent to jail in judicial custody. The police also recorded her statements in court. Now, further legal action has been initiated. The leaders of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) also arrived to meet her family. They also charged that the perpetrator had been receiving funds for love jihad from somewhere. They have demanded legal action and inquiry into the matter.

The matter pertains to the Girwan police station area. The family members told the cops that on 20th May (voting day) the Muslim youth belonging to Mahua village, along with his two companions, kidnapped their daughter from home by making her inhale an intoxicating substance after which the police launched a case under section 366.

The police went to Mumbai and found the young pair and began their probe. The victim revealed that the culprit made her sniff something and kidnapped her. She regained consciousness and found herself inside a train. He threatened to kill her when she tried to plead for help and hence had to remain quiet out of fear.

He then took her to Mumbai and kept her at a close friend’s house. She was subjected to threats and forcefully converted to Islam in a mosque as well as given a new name ‘Iqra’ after which he pressured her into marrying him and then proceeded to sexually assault her. VHP President Chandra Mohan Bedi reached the village with his team after the issue came to light. He spoke with the family members and sought strict measures from the administration. He emphasized that a huge amount is flowing into this case of love jihad which will be exposed if a thorough investigation is conducted.

The girl’s family also revealed that their daughter has also suffered psychologically and her mental state was not good. The offender had posted their Nikahnama (Islamic contract of marriage) along with threats on social media due to which they learned about the shocking development. Station House Officer (SHO) Girwan Rakesh Tiwari stated that a case was registered under section 366 on the basis of the complaint of the victim’s family. He mentioned that her mother had filed a kidnapping complaint against the accused. Now, both youngsters were recovered and the girl’s statement was recorded in court after which section 376 of the Indian Penal Code and religious conversion were added. The Muslim male has been put behind bars. He assured that an example would be set through legal proceedings in this case.

‘BJP will not go beyond 140 seats’: SP chief Akhilesh Yadav even as poll pundits predict thumping BJP victory

OpIndia Staff
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‘BJP will not go beyond 140 seats’: SP chief Akhilesh Yadav even as poll pundits predict thumping BJP victory

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday exuded confidence in forming the government of the INDIA bloc at the Centre after the Lok Sabha elections results were declared on June 4 and said that the Bharatiya Janata Party will not cross 140 seats.

“INDIA alliance will form the government The truth is that the one who is sitting facing the sea has turned his back on the public. The people are also against them. What does ‘400 paar’ mean? They (BJP) will not go beyond 140,” Akhilesh Yadav told ANI on Saturday.

Samajwadi Party chief arrived in Delhi on Saturday from Lucknow airport to attend the meeting of the INDIA bloc leaders.

Several other INDIA bloc leaders arrived in New Delhi to participate in the alliance’s meeting regarding the Lok Sabha elections.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, AAP MP Raghav Chadha, Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren, and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Desai were among the leaders who arrived here today.

Tejashwi said, “Today people are voting to teach a lesson to those who have increased inflation, poverty, and unemployment. We will bring 300 plus (seats). Everyone knows about exit polls under which everything is shown in a one-sided manner. It won’t be effective this time. There will be surprising results in Bihar. There will be so many seats that BJP will not be able to form a government at the Centre.”

AAP MP Raghav Chadha said, “A meeting of top leaders of the INDIA bloc has been called at the residence of Mallikarjun Kharge today. AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and all of us from the party will take part in that meeting.”

Jharkhand CM and Champai Soren also arrived in Delhi and said that the INDIA bloc will get a good number of seats.

“Our alliance will have discussions related to the elections. INDIA Alliance will get a good number of seats. All of that (NDA 400 paar slogan) is wrong,” he said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and party candidate from the South Central seat, Anil Desai said that this time the ground reality is different, and people are very angry with the BJP.

It is worth noting that Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav had similarly made outlandish claims in March 2023 when he said his party would defeat the BJP in all 80 Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The SP is contesting only 62 seats this election.

(With inputs from ANI)

PoJK is not part of Pakistan, it is “foreign territory”: Pakistan govt lawyer tells Islamabad High Court in poet Ahmed Farhad Shah missing case

ANI
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PoJK is not part of Pakistan, it is “foreign territory”: Pakistan govt lawyer tells Islamabad High Court in poet Ahmed Farhad Shah missing case

Admitting that Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) is not part of Pakistan, the government lawyer has told the Islamabad High Court that the poet Ahmed Farhad Shah, who is in police custody in PoJK, cannot be brought to the court in the federal capital as he is in “foreign territory” that does not come under the country’s jurisdiction, according to Dunya News.

At the outset of the proceedings, Additional Attorney General Munawar Iqbal Duggal stated that there were cases registered against Farhad in Azad Kashmir, and he was on physical remand till June 2.

He stated that Farhad’s family had met him, so the habeas corpus petition be disposed of.

The Dunya News report said that Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani presided over the proceedings on the plea filed by Arooj Zainab, Farhad’s spouse.

Petitioner’s lawyer Imaan Mazari said her client had not only asked for the return of her husband, but also sought action against those responsible for his enforced disappearance, Dunya reported. .

The High Court remarked that the case would culminate only on the appearance of Farhad in court.

In his argument, AAG Duggal stated that Kashmir was a foreign territory with its own constitution and courts, where judgements of Pakistani courts were treated similarly to judgments of foreign courts, Dunya News reported.

The petitioner’s attorney told the court that Farhad’s family had travelled from Islamabad to the Dhirkot police station, but when they arrived, they were told that he had been transferred to Muzaffarabad due to the inclusion of sections relating to the charges of terrorism.

When Justice Kayani asked the Islamabad prosecutor general where Farhad had been before his detention on May 29, he said that the PoJK court would deal with it.

Justice Kayani remarked that everyone should work within the law, to which the prosecutor general maintained that he works within the law, reported Dunya News.

“We have to determine the misuse of law,” Kayani said to the petitioner’s attorney’s argument that the court should also consider cases involving the misuse of laws and procedures.

The court adjourned the hearing of the case until June 7, rejecting the request to dispose of the petition for the recovery of poet Ahmed Farhad.

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

Another plot to target Salman Khan: 4 with links to Lawrence Bishnoi gang arrested by Navi Mumbai, were planning to attack the actor’s car

OpIndia Staff
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Another plot to target Salman Khan: 4 with links to Lawrence Bishnoi gang arrested by Navi Mumbai, were planning to attack the actor’s car

Salman Khan’s Bandra home was the target of gunfire more than a month ago, and now the Navi Mumbai police reported that they discovered another conspiracy to assassinate the Bollywood actor. Last week, four people were taken into custody by the police on suspicion of plotting another attack on him while he was travelling to his farmhouse in Panvel. The arrested accused have been identified as Dhananjay Tapesingh alias Ajay Kashyap, Gaurav Bhatia alias Nahvi, Waspi Khan alias Wasim Chikna and Rizwan Khan alias Javed Khan.

According to reports, as early as February, the suspects had carried out a thorough reconnaissance of Panvel. Orders for weaponry from a Pakistani arms supplier known as Dogar were planned. More than seventeen individuals, including Lawrence Bishnoi, Anmol Bishnoi, Sampat Nehra and Goldy Brar are the subject of a first information report. The police stated that further investigation was underway.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Vivek Pansare conveyed, “We have made four arrests in the case. The accused had been plotting to target the actor for a long time and had stayed in Panvel to conduct recce.” According to a copy of the First Information Report submitted at the Panvel police station in Navi Mumbai, the actor was the object of an attack by the incarcerated gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, his cousin Anmol Bishnoi, who lives in Canada, and his accomplice Goldy Brar by obtaining sophisticated weapons from a Pakistani supplier including an AK-47, M-16, and AK-92.

Police sources unveiled that the intention was reportedly to storm the property or waylay his vehicle. Investigators are still unsure of the motivation behind the second plan to shoot at the actor’s Bandra residence. Four people connected to the earlier scheme were nabbed by Navi Mumbai police last week, and they are currently searching for at least fifteen to twenty more Lawrence Bishnoi gang members who had been staying near Salman Khan’s farmhouse since February of this year. Senior Inspector Nitin Thackeray discovered the plot last month after receiving a tip that several individuals were preparing to attack the actor’s farmhouse.

“We got to know recently after the Bandra shooting that Bishnoi had sent a few men to Navi Mumbai, namely Ajay Kashyap and others who went by the nicknames of Rocky Shooter, Satish Kaur and Sukha Shooter,” an official mentioned. On 14th April, two males riding bikes opened fire outside Salman Khan’s Galaxy Apartments in Bandra, Mumbai. Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal were later arrested in Gujarat.

On 26th April, Anuj Thapan and another accused involved in the case were captured in Punjab. On 1st May Anuj Thapan, passed away inside the crime branch lock-up of the Mumbai police. Mohammed Rafique Chowdhary another member of Lawrence Bishnoi from Rajasthan was caught by the Mumbai crime branch for offering financial assistance to Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal to purchase a motorcycle and rent a place to live. Furthermore, he repeatedly carried out surveillance in and around Salman Khan’s home.

Salman Khan’s security has been heightened to Y-Plus since November 2022 as a result of threats from gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar. He has reportedly purchased a new armoured vehicle for increased safety and has been given permission to keep a personal pistol.

A threat email addressed to the 58-year-old actor was received at his office in March of last year. As a result, the Mumbai Police submitted a formal complaint under sections 34 (common intention), 506-II (criminal intimidation), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) against the gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar as well as an additional individual. The FIR was based on an allegation that a man named Prashant Gunjalkar launched with the Bandra Police. The police noted that the complainant ran an artist management company and regularly visited Salman Khan’s home in Bandra.

Major embarrassment for Chinese ambassador in Nepal after demanding apology from a journalist for exposing hidden details of Chinese loans, journalist vows to reveal proof

OpIndia Staff
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Major embarrassment for Chinese ambassador in Nepal after demanding apology from a journalist for exposing hidden details of Chinese loans, journalist vows to reveal proof

Recently, the Chinese ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, courted major public embarrassment after a Nepali journalist refused to yield to his pressure. The journalist not only refused to issue a public apology but also vowed to follow up on his story about hidden details in Chinese loans to Nepal.

Notably, the row erupted after Taksar News chief editor Gajendra Budhathoki revealed that Nepalis were misled about the details of Chinese loans to Pokhara Airport. Taking to X on 27th May, Budhathoki wrote in Nepali, “They said that the loan taken for Pokhara airport is 2 percent interest rate. It is 5 percent.”  

(Image Source – OpIndia Hindi)

According to the post, Nepal had taken loans from China to develop the Pokhara Airport, and the Nepali citizens were told that the interest rate on loans was two per cent. However, after Budhathoki revealed that it was five per cent, Chinese Ambassador Song tried to rubbish his claim as “lies”. 

Responding to the journalist’s post, Song wrote, “Worst lies that I ever saw. It is public information, yet you dare to lie about it.” 

To which, Budhathoki asserted that he would publish (details) with proof. 

Following the journalist’s assertion, the Chinese ambassador demanded an apology from the journalist.   

Alluding that the journalist is affiliated with a ‘third party’ or working for some group, Song tried to cast aspersions on the journalist’s intention and wrote, “We demand a formal apology from you and whoever people you represent.” 

“If you have the document, publish it. If you don’t, need time to find proof, then what kind of intention is this. Spreading lies first, then wait for the tide to subside, and spread again,” Song also dared him to publish the details.

Refusing to apologise, Budhathoki replied, “Do not intimidate me, know your boundaries Mr. Chen, I have evidence from the Nepal Government.” He also said that he will publish the details in his magazine.

Continuing the verbal spat, Song said, “When you spread lies, do you have any boundaries?” 

Several Nepali X users slammed the Chinese ambassador for intimidating a journalist. Others lambasted China’s wolf warrior diplomacy which has earned notoriety for the brazen aggressive and intimidating posturing of Chinese Ambassadors, diplomats and its Foreign Ministry spokespersons.

One user wrote, “Sir, this is not your dictatorship. Have you heard anything about “freedom of speech”? We demand a formal apology from you for trying to interfere in our freedom of expression.”

Gajendra Budhathoki is the Chief Editor at the Nepali news outlet, Taksarnews. According to the outlet’s earlier report written by Budhathoki, the Nepali government had paid interest and commitment fee of Rs 94 crore 95 lakh to the Exim Bank of China for the loan taken for Pokhara International Airport by the end of the last Nepali financial year (2079/80). 

It is pertinent to note that China has been notorious for luring several countries into its debt trap by promising to build modern infrastructure and granting them loans for ‘financially unviable’ projects at higher interest rates with several conditions attached that are concealed from the general public, media and Parliament/Judicial scrutiny.   

This airport was inaugurated on 1st January 2023. For China, this project was part of its ultra-ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project but the Nepal government rejected its claim. While rejecting it, it was made clear that till now no project under BRI has been completed in Nepal and that China’s claims were false.

However, the company that is operating Pokhara Airport paid one instalment of the interest but it failed to pay the second instalment due in March 2024. The project garnered attention when Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Dahal Prachanda visited China. 

Earlier this year in March, Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal announced that diplomatic efforts were initiated with China to convert a loan for Pokhara International Airport to a grant as it failed to garner income, instead piled up more debt. 

The development came after opposition lawmaker Chanda Chaudhary raised questions about the increasing loss and piling debt, Nepal Prime Minister said that talks are underway to convert the loan into a grant.

Additionally in March 2024, the Auditor General of Nepal submitted an audit report of government expenses to the nation, demanding an investigation into the role of Finance Minister Varshaman Pun and questioning the viability of this project. 

The Auditor General stated that the decision to build Pokhara Airport was taken without any prior study and contained many flaws. The report claimed that approving the construction of an unnecessary international airport in Pokhara constitutes corruption. The then-Finance Minister Varshaman Pun, who is still the Finance Minister in the Prachanda government, has allegedly benefited Chinese contractors. Furthermore, a Chinese company was given a tax exemption worth more than Rs 2 billion, which the report also identifies as corruption.

Furthermore, on 1st November 2023, a major raid was conducted on the Chinese company that has been part of the Pokhara International Airport over allegations of corruption. Subsequently, the bank accounts of the employees were sealed. Nepal’s anti-corruption agency, the Akhtiyar Misuse Research Commission, raided the office of the Chinese company CAMC Engineering. The raid was conducted based on allegations of poor-quality work and commission-taking at the airport. 

Since its inception on 1st January 2023, the radar and VHF system of this airport have malfunctioned several times, causing planes to be sent back midway. This raid was conducted following complaints of corruption.

Poll violence continues unabated in West Bengal: ANI stringer suffers serious head injury in stone pelting in Canning

OpIndia Staff
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Poll violence continues unabated in West Bengal: ANI stringer suffers serious head injury in stone pelting in Canning

Amidst multiple reports of violence, intimidation of voters, and mob violence targeting polling booths in West Bengal, a stringer (journalist) associated with news agency ANI, Bunty Mukherjee has suffered a severe head injury in a stone pelting incident in the Canning area which falls under the Jaynagar Lok Sabha constituency. The stinger was covering the seventh and final phase of polling in the area when clashes broke out between Trinamool Congress and BJP workers. Following the incident, Mukherjee was taken to Medica Superspecialty Hospital in Kolkata. 

Taking to X, ANI shared the details and posted, “A stringer associated with ANI, Bunty Mukherjee suffered a severe head injury when a stone pelting occurred in a clash between TMC and BJP workers in Canning, under Jaynagar Lok Sabha constituency of West Bengal. The stringer was covering the last phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024 today. He has been referred to Medica Superspecialty Hospital in Kolkata for treatment.

Earlier in the day, an angry mob threw EVM and VVPAT machines into a pond in the South Paraganas, causing hindrance to the polling. It is said that some of the polling agents were not allowed to sit in the polling booth, after which the mob barged into the polling station, snatched the EVM and VVPAT machines, and threw them into the pond.

The incident unfolded at booth numbers 40 and 41 in the Kultali area in South 24 Parganas district where the mob threw an EVM and voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) machine into the pond. However, the Election Commission stated that they were reserve machines, and the Chief Electoral Office (CEO) in West Bengal informed that an FIR had been filed in this matter.

According to reports, a clash broke out between supporters of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Indian Secular Front (ISF) at Bhangar in the Jadavpur constituency. Following the violent clashes, supporters of both parties hurled crude bombs at each other. Both the parties held a protest after the Police reached the spot. They raised allegations against each other which forced the Police to resort to lathi charge, disperse the mob, and bring the situation under control. The Police have also recovered some crude bombs from the area. 

BJP has said that in several areas, voters are being intimidated to cast their votes in favour of the ruling Trinamool Congress.

In a separate incident, TMC workers heckled BJP candidate Tapas Roy after he visited some polling booths at Cossipore in Kolkata Uttar constituency. The hecklers interrupted his visit and raised ‘go back’ slogans. According to the information received, goons brutally attacked a BJP Karyakarta in booth number 25 in the Sandeshkhali, Boyermari GP area.

Taking to X, BJP leader Amit Malviya said that vigilant people foiled an attempt to capture Booth 271 in Diamond Harbour (West Bengal).

Poll violence continues unabated in West Bengal: TMC and ISF hurl crude bombs, mob throw EVM and VVPAT machines into pond in South Paraganas

OpIndia Staff
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Poll violence continues unabated in West Bengal: TMC and ISF hurl crude bombs, mob throw EVM and VVPAT machines into pond in South Paraganas

On Saturday (1st June), violence broke out in several parts of West Bengal as nine constituencies in the state are voting in the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections. In West Bengal, incidents of violence have been reported in all seven phases, marring the polling process in the state which has been gripped by poll-related violence for more than a decade now. In the South Paraganas, a mob threw EVM and VVPAT machines in a pond, causing hindrance for the polling and security officials. 

According to reports, a clash broke out between supporters of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Indian Secular Front (ISF) at Bhangar in the Jadavpur constituency. Following the violent clashes, supporters of both parties hurled crude bombs at each other. Both the parties held a protest after the Police reached the spot. They raised allegations against each other which forced the Police to resort to lathi charges, disperse the mob, and bring the situation under control. The Police have also recovered some crude bombs from the area. 

According to reports, an angry mob threw an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) and VVPAT machine into the pond in West Bengal’s South Paraganas. It is alleged that some of the polling agents were not allowed to sit in the polling booth, after which the mob barged into the polling station, snatched the EVM and VVPAT machines, and threw them into the pond.

The incident unfolded at booth numbers 40 and 41 in the Kultali area in South 24 Parganas district where the mob threw an EVM and voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) machine into the pond. However, the Election Commission stated that they were reserve machines, and the Chief Electoral Office (CEO) in West Bengal informed that an FIR had been filed in this matter.

A Senior EC official clarified, “The polling process has not been vitiated. Those which were kept in reserve were thrown in water. We have sought a report from the presiding officer.”  

Taking to X, the Chief Electoral Office, West Bengal wrote, “Today morning at 6.40 am Reserve EVMs & papers of Sector Officer near Benimadhavpur FP school, at 129-Kultali AC of 19-Jaynagar (SC) PC has been looted by local mob and 1 CU, 1 BU, 2VVPAT machines have been thrown inside a pond. Sector Police was a little behind.”

It added, “FIR has been lodged by Sector Officer and necessary action has been initiated. The poll process in all six booths under the Sector is running uninterrupted. Fresh EVM and papers have been provided to the Sector Officer.”

The saffron party has alleged that in several areas voters are being intimidated to cast their votes in favour of the ruling Trinamool Congress.

In a separate incident, TMC workers heckled BJP candidate Tapas Roy after he visited some polling booths at Cossipore in Kolkata Uttar constituency. The hecklers interrupted his visit and raised ‘go back’ slogans. According to the information received, goons brutally attacked a BJP Karyakarta in booth number 25 in the Sandeshkhali, Boyermari GP area.

BJP has alleged that while violent incidences have been reported in several parts of the state, the worst affected region is Diamond Harbour from where Mamata Banerjee’s nephew and heir apparent is contesting. Taking to X, Amit Malviya said that BJP workers are being intimidated, not allowed to sit in the booths, and their polling documents were destroyed. He alleged that West Bengal Police is acting like Abhishek Banerjee’s henchmen. Even the Muslims have not been spared because a large number of them are voting for CPI(M) candidate Pratikur Rahman. TMC’s ‘secularism’ dies the moment Muslims start voting against it, he added.

In another tweet, BJP leader Malviya added that vigilant people foiled an attempt to capture Booth 271 in Diamond Harbour (West Bengal).

It is alleged that in Bhawanipur, some people tried to abduct BJYM member Raghubir Singh from the BJP office.

Furthermore, the Bharatiya Janata Party said that TMC workers and policemen threatened its polling agents on Friday night. It alleged that the TMC cadre and Policemen visited their homes in the Bermajur area in Sandeshkhali and threatened them. The saffron party shared video clips and said that the women of Sandeshkhali have once again protested against the TMC government’s move to terrorise the people ahead of the last phase of elections.

In the seventh and last phase of Lok Sabha elections, voting is underway in nine seats in West Bengal amid tight security arrangements. These constituencies include Dum Dum, Barasat, Basirhat (under which Sandeshkhali falls), Jaynagar, Mathurapur, Diamond Harbour, Jadavpur, Kolkata Dakshin, and Kolkata Uttar seats.

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