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Australia: Queensland MP Brittany Lauga allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted during night out, says many other women might also have been similarly attacked

OpIndia Staff
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Australia: Queensland MP Brittany Lauga allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted during night out, says many other women might also have been similarly attacked

An Australian Member of Parliament was allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted in the country’s central Queensland town of Yeppoon last weekend. Notably, Queensland Labour MP Brittany Lauga shared her ordeal in a post on her social media platforms. She stated that the tests at the hospital confirmed the presence of drugs that she didn’t take. She added that several other women might also have been drugged and attacked on the same night. 

Additionally, the Guardian reported that a purported video of the alleged assault of Lauga seemingly filmed from across the street, was also making rounds on social media. The Labour MP was alerted about the same after she reported the assault to the Police.

In a statement posted on social media, Lauga said she had contacted police in the early hours of Sunday morning (28th April).

The post read, “In the early hours of Sunday morning, I went to the Yeppoon police station and Yeppoon hospital, after being drugged and sexually assaulted. Tests at the hospital confirmed the presence of drugs in my body which I did not take. This substance impacted me significantly. A police investigation is underway.”

She stressed that after she shared her ordeal, several other women also contacted her, who might have also been drugged in the coastal town of Yeppoon, on the same night.

“I have had multiple women contact me who have experienced the same thing in our town,” it added.  

She further stated, “This could have happened to anyone and tragically, it does happen to many of us. It’s not ok. We should be able to enjoy socialising in our town without the risk of being drugged or assaulted.” 

The Queensland Police Service has confirmed that it is investigating a sexual assault complaint relating to an incident in Yeppoon last Sunday. 

Queensland Premier Steven Miles said that the provincial government is supporting Lauga in any way they can. He said, “No one should have to go through what Brittany is going through. My sole focus is on Brittany and her well-being. I’ve told Brittany that we’re here to support her, whatever she needs.”

Queensland Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon said that the statement made for “difficult reading”. She said, “Those are shocking allegations … I understand that Brittany is going to take a short time to look after herself and we absolutely support her to do that.” 

In her post, Lauga requested people to respect her privacy adding that she would take “time to physically and emotionally heal” after the incident. 

She also urged people to come forward if they have any information that could help the Police. 

The post further stated, “Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me in support. I truly value your thoughtful messages, gestures, and kindness. If you have any information that may assist the investigation, please tell the police.” 

A professional town planner, Lauga (37) has served in parliament for almost a decade. She was initially elected to represent the Keppel constituency in 2015. She currently serves as the assistant minister for health and regional health infrastructure.

False and malicious: FSSAI refutes reports of allowing 10 times more pesticide residue in spices, says India’s standards strictest in the world

OpIndia Staff
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False and malicious: FSSAI refutes reports of allowing 10 times more pesticide residue in spices, says India’s standards strictest in the world

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has refuted media reports claiming that it allowed 10 times more pesticide residues in herbs and spices.

The food safety regulator issued a press note Terming the reports “false and malicious”, and asserted that India has one of the most stringent standards of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) in the world and MRLs of pesticides are fixed differently for different food commodities based on their risk assessments.

“Some media reports are claiming that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) allows ten times more pesticide residue in herbs and spices. Such reports are false and malicious,” FSSAI said in the press release.

Notably, on 4 April, The Economic Times published a report claiming that FSSAI has allowed 10 times more pesticide residue in herbs and spices. Citing an order issued by regular on 8 April, the report said that FSSAI has raised the maximum residue limit (MRL) for a pesticide in herbs and spices to 0.1mg/kg from the earlier 0.01mg/kg.

The report further claimed that the regulator cited “various representations” for this upward revision in MRL. The Economic Times report by Shambhavi Anand was then reproduced by almost every other media house yesterday, triggering outrage against FSSAI and the govt in social media amid the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

But now, FSSAI has clarified that it has issued no such order to increase pesticide residue in herbs and spices. Responding to the claim of increasing the limit from 0.1mg/kg from the earlier 0.01mg/kg, FSSAI said that maximum allowed residue limits are different for different food commodities, it is not uniform across all products, as the report suggested.

For instance, the use of Monocrotophos is allowed on many crops with different MRLs such as Rice at 0.03 mg/kg, Citrus fruits at 0.2 mg/kg, Coffee beans at 0.1 mg/kg and Cardamom 0.5 mg/kg, Chilli at 0.2 mg/kg.

FSSAI added that the MRL of 0.01 mg/kg was applicable in case of pesticides for which MRLs have not been fixed. This limit was increased to 0.1 mg/kg only in cases of spices and is applicable only for those pesticides which are not registered in India by CIB and RC, it said.

One pesticide/insecticide is used in more than 10 crops with different MRLs. For example, Flubendiamide is used in Brinjal with an MRL of 0.1 whereas for Bengal Gram the MRL is 1.0 mg/kg, for Cabbage 4 mg/kg, for Tomato 2 mg/kg and for Tea it is 50 mg/kg. Similarly, Monocrotophos used for food grains with MRLs at 0.03 mg/kg, for citrus fruits 0.2 mg/kg, for dried chilli it is 2 mg/kg and for Cardamom 0.5 mg/kg.

“The MRLs are dynamic in nature and regularly revised based on the scientific data. This practice is aligned with global standards and ensures that MRL revisions are made on a scientifically valid basis, reflecting the latest findings and international norms,” FSSAI said.

The press released said that in India, pesticides are regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA and FW) through Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee (CIB and RC) constituted under Insecticide Act,1968. The CIB and RC regulate the manufacturing, import, transport, storage of pesticides and accordingly the Pesticides are registered/banned/restricted.

The Scientific Panel on Pesticides Residues of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) examines the data received through CIB and RC and recommends the MRLs after performing risk assessment considering the dietary consumption of Indian population and health concerns in respect of all age groups, FSSAI said.

Total pesticides registered by CIB and RC in India are more than 295 out of which 139 pesticides are registered for use in spices. Codex has adopted total 243 pesticides out of which 75 pesticides are applicable for spices, FSSAI said.

Hamas supporter, Owaisi fan, in touch with radicals from Indonesia to Kazakhstan: Exclusive details on Maulvi Abu Bakar arrested for conspiring to kill Nupur Sharma

राहुल पाण्डेय
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Hamas supporter, Owaisi fan, in touch with radicals from Indonesia to Kazakhstan: Exclusive details on Maulvi Abu Bakar arrested for conspiring to kill Nupur Sharma

Gujarat Police has arrested a 27-year-old Maulvi (cleric) named Sohail Abu Bakar Timol from Surat on Saturday, 4th May 2024. He is accused of conspiring to kill suspended Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Nupur Sharma, party MLA from Hyderabad’s Goshamahal T Raja Singh, Sudarshan News editor-in-chief Suresh Chavhanke, and Sanatan Sangh national chairman as well as social media activist Updesh Rana. The Maulvi considered them ‘gustakh’ (blasphemers). Sohail maintained contact with supervisors living in Pakistan and Nepal to execute his nefarious plans. He was also using a foreign SIM card to evade security agencies. Now, further revelations are expected during his interrogation.

According to the Gujarat Police, the police teams were on high alert for the 2024 Lok Sabha Election. Meanwhile, Surat’s crime branch observed the suspicious activities of a cleric by the name of Mohammad Sohail who is also known as Sohail Abu Bakar Timol. He is originally from Nandurbar, Maharashtra. He served as a Hafiz (a Muslim who knows the Quran by heart) in a madrasa in Surat and imparted religious education through tuition to Muslim students in Karjan-Amboli village. Sohail also worked as a manager in a thread factory in Diamond Nagar, Surat.

The cleric had been in touch with handlers in Pakistan and Nepal over the previous year and a half, the police uncovered during their inquiry. The handler in Nepal has been identified as Shahzad. The cleric talked with each of them via a SIM Card issued from Laos. He used WhatsApp and other social media platforms to communicate. Sohail was ordered by his superiors to ‘straighten out’ those who were defaming the honour of the Islamic Prophet.

WhatsApp group had members from Indonesia to Kazakhstan

The foreign handlers named Suresh Chavhanke, Nupur Sharma, T Raja Singh, and Updesh Rana as the cleric’s targets and urged Sohail to murder them by slitting their throats similar to Kamlesh Tiwari. The maulvi was promised Rs 1 crore in lieu of these killings. He also started his own WhatsApp group and added people who shared his radical ideology at the behest of the handlers. The cleric posted offensive remarks about Hinduism in this group, along with a picture of Upadesh Rana and an appeal to kill him. He is also charged with altering pictures of India’s flag. Sohail also referred to the 6th December (Babri demolition) as “Black Day.” He uploaded maliciously doctored images of Hindu gods and goddesses in his group. It’s also believed that he has contacts in Vietnam, Indonesia, Kazakhstan and other countries in addition to Pakistan and Nepal.

He was also in the process of ordering arms through foreign handlers. However, he was nabbed by the Surat Crime Branch before he could carry out his deadly plot. He has been booked under sections 153(A), 467, 468, 471, 120(B) of the Indian Penal Code and sections 66(D), 67, 67(A) of the Information Technology (IT) Act at the D.C.B. police station of Surat. Surat Crime Branch is probing the case. It is suspected that he might disclose more information after further interrogation.

Follower of Owaisi, lover of Hamas and fan of Salman Khan

OpIndia looked into the activities of Maulvi Sohail Abu Bakar Timol and his handlers. He used the picture of Hamas terrorists as his WhatsApp profile picture in which many masked terrorists could be seen prostrating in front of lethal weapons. He had written “Owaisi’s follower” in broken English as an introduction to his True Caller.

Source: OpIndia Hindi

His handler in Nepal, Shahzad was discovered to have a liking for Bollywood actor Salman Khan and had utilised a still from the movie “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam” featuring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as his WhatsApp display picture. 

Source: OpIndia Hindi

WhatsApp’s use in the conspiracy

The police are also investigating the WhatsApp group operated by the cleric. Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot stated that the 27-year-old cleric had been caught in the Chowk Bazar area of Surat. He added that after looking through the cleric’s phone, it was immediately apparent that he was inspired by extremist ideology. It is suspected that he was involved in the death threat issued to Surat Resident Updesh Rana last month. The accused were using some apps which were not easily traceable. All of them used to post pictures and videos of their target in their group and collectively plotted to commit the heinous crime.


National Anti-Doping Agency suspends wrestler Bajrang Punia after he refused to give sample for dope test, could be barred from Olympic selection trials

OpIndia Staff
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National Anti-Doping Agency suspends wrestler Bajrang Punia after he refused to give sample for dope test, could be barred from Olympic selection trials

Wrestler Bajrang Punia has been provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) after he refused to give a dope sample during the trials held at Sonipat in March. Notably, on 10th March 2024, Punia suffered a crushing 1-9 defeat against Rohit Kumar in the men’s freestyle 65kg semifinal. After losing the bout, Punia refused to give his urine sample for a dope test and stormed out of the premises of the Sports Authority of India (SAI). The NADA officials tried to take a sample from Bajrang Punia for a dope test, but he left even without competing for the third-fourth place bout.

The provisional suspension is related to Bajrang Punia’s refusal to provide dope samples during the selection trials held on 10th March. According to the procedure, NADA had to provide an explanation to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regarding why one athlete did not provide his sample. During this process, WADA and NADA had an extensive discussion, after which WADA directed NADA to issue a notice to Punia explaining why he refused the test.

On 23rd April, NADA issued a notice to Bajrang Punia asking him to reply by 7th May. As per reports, so far Bajrang Punia has not replied to the notice and hence has been provisionally suspended. 

In its communication dated 23rd April, NADA said, “With subject to paragraph 4:1:2 below and in accordance with article 7.4 of the NADR 2021, you are immediately provisionally suspended from participation in any competition or activity prior to the final decision reached at a hearing in this matter.”  

As per reports, the suspension letter was addressed to the now-defunct ad hoc committee of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), rather than the federation recognised by the United World Wrestling (UWW). 

Punia, who had previously shared a video alleging expired dope collection kits a couple of months ago, refused to comply with the dope control officer’s (DCO) order on the pretext that NADA officials were yet to respond to his concerns. The DCO’s report noted that he left despite being informed that refusal to provide a dope test would result in a notice for violating anti-doping rules.

The DCO’s report said, “Punia, surrounded by his supporters, continuously repeated his statement and immediately left the venue refusing to give dope sample.” 

Bajrang Punia has been asked to send a written explanation by 7th May for refusing to provide his urine sample along with supporting documents. 

The letter said, “If you do accept the consequences, the case will be resolved without further disciplinary proceedings, subject to the right of appeal. If you disagree, the matter will be referred for adjudication to the anti-doping disciplinary panel.” 

Earlier, Punia had undergone training in Russia to prepare for the trials which are being organised by the IOA ad-hoc panel. Pertinent to note that if the charges stay, that is, the provisional suspension is not lifted, Punia will be barred from selection trials scheduled to be held sometime next month. 

So far, no Indian wrestler has won a quota in the 65kg category. Sujeet Kalkal will represent India at the World Qualifiers scheduled to begin in Istanbul on 9th May.

Meanwhile, as per the India Today report, despite losing the qualification match in India, Bajrang might be invited to the 31st May trials at the World Qualifiers to challenge the winner of the 65kg category as he was a medallist in the Tokyo Olympics. 

Congress fully on path to become Muslim League 2.0? Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar furthers ’26/11 done by Hindus’ conspiracy theory by Pakistan

OpIndia Staff
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Congress fully on path to become Muslim League 2.0? Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar furthers ’26/11 done by Hindus’ conspiracy theory by Pakistan

On 4th May, the leader of the opposition in the Maharashtra assembly, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar, claimed that the bullet that killed IPS officer Hemant Karkare was not fired by Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab but from the weapon of an ‘RSS-linked’ police officer. Karkare was one of the police officials who lost their lives during the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attack.

Attacking Ujjwal Nikam, the former senior public prosecutor who fought the case against Kasab, Wadettiwar said he was a “traitor who suppressed the fact”. In his statement, Wadettiwar claimed that key information was out but “it was suppressed by Ujjwal Nikam, who is a traitor. My question is, why is BJP protecting a traitor and nominating such a person for Lok Sabha polls? By doing this, BJP is protecting tractors.”

Reacting to his statement, Nikam said, “What a reckless statement is being made. I am pained by such baseless allegations, raising doubts over my integrity. It reflects the level of electoral politics. I never thought politicians would stoop to such low levels. For political gain? He (Vijay Wadettiwar) is insulting not me, but the 166 departed souls and all persons injured in the 26/11 attacks.”

“They (Congress) hold Kasab as innocent. Even Pakistan had accepted that Kasab was involved in the conspiracy and the terror attack on India and was guilty,” Nikam added. He said that Indians are well aware of the legal steps taken to ensure Kasab’s conviction and added the public would give a reply to Congress on 4th June.

Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, said, “Our alliance is with Nikam, while Congress has joined hands with Kasab.”

Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) spokesperson Kiran Pawaskar also reacted to the statement and demanded that Wadettiwar should be arrested by the National Investigating Agency (NIA) to probe why he was defending Kasab. he said, “From Wadettiwar’s statement, it appears Congress is supporting terrorists who attacked Mumbai. More shocking is the fact that Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has maintained silence over the episode.”

Is Congress becoming Muslim League 2.0?

Congress is heading down on the path of becoming the reincarnation of Muslim League 2.0. What Congress leader has said about 26/11 Mumbai attack echoes with the narrative propagated by Pakistan that it was Hindus who were behind the deadly terror attack on the financial capital of the country. Previously, AR Antulay, then-minority minister, had propagated in 2008 itself and he was widely panned.

Such assertions have also been made controversial figures such as Zaid Hamid, who made baseless claims that Ajmal Kasav was a Hindu. Though Congress has not went on the length to narrate the same, the way they are entertaining illogical theories align them with Pakistan’s rhetoric. This narrative is also parallels with the previous insinuations like calling Pulwama an inside job, echoing Pakistan’s conspiracy theories. Congress’s flirtation with these ideas raises questions about its ideological direction and raises the question if the grand old party is on the path of becoming Muslim League 2.0.

BJP fielded Ujjwal Nikam from Mumbai North Central

On 27th April, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fielded former special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam as its Lok Sabha candidate from the Mumbai North Central seat. Nikam has several high-profile cases including the 1993 Bombay bombing, the Gulsham Kumar murder case, the Pramod Mahajan murder case, and the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Polling for Lok Sabha Elections 2024 in Mumbai North Central will take place on 20th May (5th Phase). Results will be announced on 4th June 2024.

Investigation still going on, not limited to 3 arrests: Canadian PM Justin Trudeau on arrest of Indians in Nijjar murder case

ANI
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Investigation still going on, not limited to 3 arrests: Canadian PM Justin Trudeau on arrest of Indians in Nijjar murder case

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Sunday that the investigation into the killing of India-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar is “not limited” to the arrest of three Indian nationals and is ongoing.

Trudeau said that it is important because “Canada is a rule-of-law country”.

The Canada PM’s remarks came days after three Indian nationals were arrested for their alleged involvement in the killing of Nijjar.

The Canadian police on Saturday released photographs of all three persons arrested in the last year’s killing of Nijjar amid an ongoing probe into the alleged connections of the Indian government.

The police have not given any evidence of any link to India, as was being speculated in Canadian media. India has repeatedly denied the allegations, terming them “absurd and motivated.”

Giving an address at the Sikh Foundation of Canada’s Centennial Gala event held at the Royal Ontario Museum on Sunday, Trudeau began by acknowledging the arrests made in connection to the case, emphasising that the investigation remains ongoing.

“I need to begin, somewhat awkwardly perhaps, but importantly, to acknowledge the arrests that were made in relation to the murder of Nijjar. As the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) stated, the investigation remains ongoing, as does a separate and distinct investigation, not limited to the involvement of the three people arrested yesterday,” he said.

He highlighted Canada’s status as a rule-of-law country with a robust and independent justice system. “This is important because Canada is a rule-of-law country with a strong and independent justice system, as well as a fundamental commitment to protecting all its citizens. I know that many Canadians, particularly members of the Sikh community, are feeling uneasy and perhaps even frightened right now,” Trudeau added.

Trudeau also reassured that every Canadian has the fundamental right to live safely and free from discrimination and violence. He urged them to “remain calm… remain steadfast in our commitment to our democratic principles and our system of justice. This is who we are and what we do as Canadians”.

A day ago, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said Canada has been issuing visas to people with links to organised crime despite warnings from New Delhi. Jaishankar said some people in Canada, with ‘pro-Pakistan leanings’, have organised themselves politically and taken the shape of an influential political lobby. He said he saw reports that three people have been arrested, and, the Canadian police have conducted ‘some investigation’.

Nijjar, who was designated a terrorist by India’s National Investigation Agency in 2020, was shot and killed as he came out of a Gurdwara in Surrey in June last year.

On June 18, 2023, the Surrey RCMP received a report of a shooting at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey. First responding members located a man, later identified as Hardeep Singh Nijjar, suffering from fatal gunshot wounds inside a vehicle.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has been carrying out the investigation. It has continued to work closely with a number of partner agencies and support services across Canada, as far east as Ontario, including the Surrey RCMP, the Alberta RCMP and other Lower Mainland Integrated Teams.

Nijjar’s killing triggered diplomatic tensions between Canada and India after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of being involved in the killing — a claim that India has rejected as “absurd.”

The video of his killing that reportedly surfaced in March this year showed Nijjar being shot by armed men in what has been described as a “contract killing”.

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

“People linked to organised crime in Punjab welcomed in Canada”: EAM Jaishankar

ANI
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“People linked to organised crime in Punjab welcomed in Canada”: EAM Jaishankar

In a fresh critique of the Justin Trudeau-led dispensation for giving space and legitimacy to “extremism, separatism, and advocates of violence” in the name of free speech, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said Canada has been issuing visas to people with links to organised crime despite warnings from New Delhi.

Sharing the stage with the state’s intellectuals and professionals for an interaction on his book ‘Why Bharat Matters’, Jaishankar said some people in Canada, with ‘pro-Pakistan leanings’, have organised themselves politically and taken the shape of an influential political lobby.

On the rise of pro-Khalistani activities in Canada and the arrest of three Indians over their alleged involvement in the killing of India-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Jaishankar said, “In some countries, these kinds of people have organised themselves politically and become a political lobby and in some of these democratic countries, the politicians of these countries are made to believe that if they defer to these people or pander to these people, these people have some ability to get a community to support them. So, they have tried to create space for themselves in the politics of these countries. I mean, at this time, it’s not so much a problem in the US.”

“Our biggest problem right now is in Canada. Because in Canada, actually, today the party in power in Canada, and other parties in Canada have given these kinds of extremism, separatism, and advocates of violence a certain legitimacy in the name of free speech. See, when you tell them something, their answer is no no we are a democratic country but it is free speech. The point that they need to understand, it is no longer a world that runs as a one-way street. If there are that which happen out there, there will be pushback. Newton’s law of politics will apply there also. There will be a reaction. Others will take steps or counter it,” he added. 

He said he saw reports that three people have been arrested, and, the Canadian police have conducted ‘some investigation’.

Nijjar was shot and killed after he had stepped out of a gurdwara in Surrey in June last year. A video clip of his killing reportedly surfaced in March this year, purportedly showing Nijjar being fatally shot by assailants, in what was claimed to be ‘contract killing’.

Jaishankar said Canada has been welcoming people from India with links to organised crime, ignoring warnings by New Delhi.  

“Often, when I see for example these kinds of attacks, threats to our embassies, because they concern me very deeply and I tell the foreign minister, suppose if (they) happened to you, if it was your embassy, your diplomat, your flag, how would you react. We have to keep our position strong on this particular report which has come. I also saw it yesterday night, I was coming to Odisha in the morning, somebody may have been arrested, their police may have done some investigation,” Jaishankar said at the event.

“But, the fact is that a number of gangland people, a number of people with organised crime links from Punjab have been made welcome in Canada. We have been telling Canada saying look these are wanted criminals from India, you have given them visas. Many of them have come in false documentation and yet you allow them to live there. If you decide to import for political purposes people with very dubious, actually, very negative backgrounds, there will be issues, they have in some cases created problems in their own country as a result of their own policies. No, why would we fear, if something happens there, it is for them to worry about,” he added. 

On May 4, Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh levelled a fresh allegation of an India hand in the killing of Nijjar. However, the Canadian police administration did not share any evidence suggesting India’s involvement in the killing of the Khaliatani leader.

Jagmeet’s party backs the Liberal minority government led by Trudeau in exchange for support on some key bills.

After the Canadian Police announced the arrest of three alleged accused in the killing of Hardep Nijjar, Jagmeet renewed his claim of an Indian hand in the incident.

“The Indian government hired assassins to murder a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil – at a place of worship. Today 3 arrests were made. Let me be clear – any Indian agent or state actor that ordered, planned or carried out this murder must be exposed and met with the full force of Canadian law. For Canada, democracy and free speech – there must be Justice for Hardeep Singh Nijjar,” Jagmeet posted from his X handle.

In 2023, the Canadian PM alleged an Indian hand in the killing, a claim that was vehemently denied by India which called it ‘absurd and motivated’. The Canadian Police have also not given any evidence linking India to the killing. 

Earlier, on Friday, Canadian police released photographs of all three persons arrested in the killing of India-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year amid an ongoing probe into alleged connections of the Indian government.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in a statement named the three men, all Indian nationals, as Karanpreet Singh, 28, Kamalpreet Singh, 22 and Karan Brar, 22 and released their photographs. The trio were arrested in Edmonton City in Alberta.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) of Surrey, RCMP on Friday (local time) said that on the morning of May 3, IHIT investigators, with the assistance of members from the British Columbia and Alberta RCMP and the Edmonton Police Service, arrested the three men for the June 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey.

The trio have now been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in relation to the homicide, according to a Royal Canadian Mounted Police press release. Along with photographs of the three accused, the Canadian police have also released the photographs of the car believed to have been used by the suspects in the time leading up to the homicide, in and around the Surrey area.

Addressing reporters at a news conference on Friday, RCMP Assistant Commissioner David Teboul, who leads the Federal Policing Program in the Pacific Region, emphasised the active nature of the investigation into Nijjar’s murder.

“Three suspects have been arrested and charged for their alleged involvement in the killing of Nijjar… We are not able to make any comments on the nature of the evidence… Nor can we speak behind the motive of the murder of Nijjar… However, I will say this matter is very much under active investigation,” he said.

“There are separate and distinct investigations ongoing into these matters, certainly not limited to the involvement of the people arrested today, and these efforts include investigating connections to the government of India,” Teboul also said. 

India and Canada are dealing with an unprecedented diplomatic crisis, after the Canadian Prime Minister accused agents of the Indian government of killing Canadian Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. However, India has dismissed the accusations as “absurd” and “motivated.” 

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

Gujarat: Islamic preacher Sohail arrested for threatening to kill Hindu activist, was planning to target Nupur Sharma and T Raja Singh

OpIndia Staff
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Gujarat: Islamic preacher Sohail arrested for threatening to kill Hindu activist, was planning to target Nupur Sharma and T Raja Singh

On Saturday (4th May), the Surat police arrested a radical Islamic preacher for threatening to kill Hindu activist Updesh Rana, who runs an organisation named ‘Sanatan Sangh’.

As per reports, the accused was identified as Sohail Abubakar Teemol. He is a resident of Kathor area in Surat city of Gujarat. Surat Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot confirmed the development during a press conference.

Besides working as a factory manager, Sohail serves as an Aalim (Islamic scholar) at a madrassa. He had threatened Updesh Rana over WhatsApp, following which a police complaint was filed against him.

Besides Updesh Rana, Sohail was also planning to target ex-BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and Hyderabad MLA T Raja Singh. The Surat Police have also found anti-Hindu content on the mobile phone of the radical Islamic preacher.

The cops have initiated a probe into the matter and are interrogating him in connection to the case. According to the Surat Police Commissioner, Sohail and his henchmen had other Hindu leaders on their target as well.

The accused was reportedly in touch with handlers in Nepal and Pakistan for 1.5 years, besides people based in Indonesia, Vietnam and Kazakhstan. He used to use gaming platforms to chat with his accomplices.

During the press conference, Anupam Singh Gehlot informed that Sohail is an Islamic fanatic, who wanted to avenge those supposedly involved in mocking Prophet Mohammed.

Australia: Police shoot dead 16-year-old boy armed with a knife after he stabbed a man in Perth, the minor was enrolled in de-radicalisation program

OpIndia Staff
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Australia: Police shoot dead 16-year-old boy armed with a knife after he stabbed a man in Perth, the minor was enrolled in de-radicalisation program

A 16-year-old boy was shot dead by police in Perth’s south after stabbing a civilian and calling the police to threaten them with more “acts of violence.” He did not identify himself or give specifics about where he was when he initially contacted Triple Zero but a second call alerted the police to someone brandishing a huge kitchen knife and “running around a car park.” When Western Australia Police arrived at a Bunnings parking lot in Willetton on 4th May night, shortly after 10 pm, they discovered the accused wielding a knife. Authorities were also notified by several onlookers of a potentially dangerous situation that was taking place on the High Street.

Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese also reacted to the incident and sent his condolences to the victims. He stated, “I have spoken with WA Premier Roger Cook this morning, and I thank the WA Police for acting swiftly to contain the incident.” The AFP Commissioner and the Director-General of ASIO also briefed him on the circumstances. He added, “I’m advised there is no ongoing threat to the community on the information available. We are a peace-loving nation and there is no place for violent extremism in Australia.”

Within minutes of receiving a tip, three police officers arrived at the area, per Western Australia Police Commissioner Col Blanch. They found a lone guy scuttling around the parking lot while carrying a big kitchen knife. According to him, when the youngster refused to lay down the knife as ordered and instead lunged at the officers, two officers tried to tase him. “Both of them didn’t have the full desired effect, and the male continued to advance on the third officer, who fired a single shot and fatally wounded the male,” Col Blanch informed during a press conference on 5th May.

After reviewing the bodycam footage of the officers, the commissioner declared that he was satisfied with how the response had been appropriate given the gravity of the danger. During the news conference, Western Australian Premier Roger Cook stated that although the adolescent seemed to have been “radicalised online” by extremist ideology, there was no indication that he belonged to any kind of network or group.

Furthermore, a man in his 30s with stab wounds in his back was discovered at the Bunnings parking lot and was taken to a hospital. He is in a stable condition now. Officials stated that until the teenager was shot, they were unaware of a victim. Other reports noted that the person who was stabbed was “doing well” and in a serious but stable condition in the hospital.

According to Commissioner Blanch, the perpetrator was brought to the attention of law enforcement in 2022 while participating in a de-radicalization (countering violent extremism) initiative aimed at combating violent extremist beliefs. Police contend that it is premature to consider the incident to be an act of terrorism until the attack’s reasons have been investigated, which is why it hasn’t been labelled as such. “It certainly has the hallmarks of one (a terrorist attack) and the reason why I would declare it as a terrorist act going forward, it’s about timing. Sometimes you’ll see terrorist acts being claimed very early or declared very early.”

He highlighted, “I believe this is a person acting alone. I don’t need additional capability at this time whilst it meets the criteria or at least the definition.” The police commissioner described the attacker as a “caucasian male.” Since another 16-year-old boy attacked an Assyrian Orthodox bishop and priest in a church on 15h April, police and operatives from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation have been conducting a counterterrorism investigation in Sydney, a city on the east coast.

Punjab: 19-year-old Bakshish Singh beaten to death over alleged sacrilege, SGPC justifies the killing, calls for boycott of murdered boy’s family

OpIndia Staff
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Punjab: 19-year-old Bakshish Singh beaten to death over alleged sacrilege, SGPC justifies the killing, calls for boycott of murdered boy’s family

On 4th May, a 19-year-old youth identified as Bakshish Singh alias Gola was beaten to death by angry devotees over alleged sacrilege outside the premises of Gurdwara Sahib Baba Bir Singh, in village Bandala of district Ferozpur, Punjab. As per reports, Bakshish allegedly tore the ‘Holy Ang’ of Shri Guru Granth Sahib at the Gurdwara, after which the devotees present at the scene caught him. They dragged him outside where he was brutally beaten before handing over to the police. Bakshish succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. For those who are unaware, the pages of Shri Guru Granth Sahib are known as ‘Ang’.

Police were informed about the incident but the devotees beat him mercilessly before the police reached the scene. He was handed over to the police in an unconscious state. Police rushed him to the nearest private hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Devotees and villagers informed police that Bakshish never visited the particular Gurdwara ever before.

Speaking to the media, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), City Police Station, Sukhvinder Singh said that a young man committed sacrilege at Gurdwara Sahib Baba Bir Singh. Police added that after tearing the pages, Bakshish tried to run away. The devotees present at the Gurdwara held him and beat him to death. In a statement, Bakshish Singh’s father Lakhvinder Singh said he was mentally unstable and was on medication for the past two years. A video of people beating Bakshish Singh went viral on social media platforms.

An FIR under Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against the deceased has been registered over sacrilege at the Arifke Police Station based on the complaint of chairman of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Committee’s chairman Lakhvir Singh. However, Bakshish’s father urged the police to file another FIR for the murder of his son.

SGPC justified killing the youth over allegations of sacrilege

Following the incident, Shri Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) issued a statement and justified lynching of youth over allegations of sacrilege. In the statement, SGPC said, “Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Raghbir Singh termed the death of the accused of sacrilege as a reaction to the ‘failure to punish the culprits and give exemplary punishments by law’. Moreover, the Jathedar has also ordered the Sikh Sangat to socially and religiously boycott the family of the accused of sacrilege and not to allow the last rites of the accused to be held in any Gurdwara Sahib.”

The complete statement by SGPC read, “Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Raghbir Singh today expressed deep grief over the incident of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji at Gurdwara Baba Bir Singh in Bandala village in Ferozepur district and termed the death of the accused of sacrilege as a reaction to the ‘failure to punish the culprits and give exemplary punishments by law’. Moreover, the Jathedar has also ordered the Sikh Sangat to socially and religiously boycott the family of the accused of sacrilege and not to allow the last rites of the accused to be held in any Gurdwara Sahib. Today in a statement issued from the Secretariat, Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh said that for a long time, incidents of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji have been taking place under a well-planned conspiracy. He said that the government’s law is neither proving successful in stopping the incidents of sacrilege nor in punishing the culprits. He said that today’s incident of sacrilege at Gurdwara Baba Bir Singh in Bandala village of Ferozepur district is a very unfortunate incident in this series which has hurt the sentiments of Sikhs. He said that for Sikhs there is nothing above Sri Guru Granth Sahib and incidents of sacrilege badly harm the soul and mentality of Sikhs. The Jathedar said that when the rule of law fails miserably in performing its duty, then people are forced to seek justice in their own way. He also warned the government that instead of troubling the Sangat or any Sikh regarding the death of the accused of sacrilege, the truth should be brought before the Sangat as soon as possible as to who sent the accused of sacrilege and under what conspiracy.”

Multiple cases of murders over alleged sacrilege in Punjab

This is not the first time there has been a case of murder over alleged sacrilege in Punjab. In January this year, Nihang Sikh killed a young man at a gurudwara in Phagwara, Punjab, on suspicion of sacrilege. The accused identified as Ramandeep Singh Mangu Math, posted the footage of the youth before murdering him and claimed responsibility for the murder.

In 2023, protests erupted after a man allegedly attacked two ‘granthis’ (Sikh priests) and desecrated the ‘Guru Granth Sahib’ at a gurudwara in Morinda. The accused, Jasvir Singh, had been apprehended by the Punjab Police.

In a video of the event that circulated on social media, Jasvir was seen entering the sanctum sanctorum of medieval Gurudwara Kotwali Sahib Kotwali after crossing the railing and then hitting two ‘granthis’ reciting Gurbani, before throwing the holy book on the ground. Jasvir was later overpowered and beaten by worshippers at the temple. He was then turned over to the police.

In another incident reported in November 2023, a Punjab home guards constable was killed and five policemen were injured in a clash with Nihang Sikhs in Kapurthala’s Sultanpur Lodhi. The deceased constable has been identified as Jaspal Singh, who was posted at Sultanpur Lodhi police station.

The incident happened as two of the Nihang groups had been at loggerheads for the past days over the control of the Gurudwara Akal Bunga situated opposite to main Gurudwara Ber Sahib. The Nihangs, who were heavily armed, had locked the Gurudwara from the inside. The police had barricaded the whole area and initiated talks with the Nihang group to vacate the possession. However, clashes erupted and the police home guard constable was killed.

On December 18, a man was lynched to death by the Sikh Sangat (Sikh devotees) in Shri Harmandir Sahib Gurudwara in Amritsar over an alleged attempt to disrespect the holiest book of Sikh religion, Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. As the CCTV footage showed, the young man jumped into the Sanctorum where the holy book was placed. He picked up the kirpan (sword) that was placed next to the holy book. By that time, Sikh Sangat present got into action and grabbed him. Reports suggest the Sangat alleged he was trying to desecrate Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The man was lynched by the Sangat, and his body was placed outside the Gurudwara premises. More such case cases can be checked here.

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