Home Blog Page 1461

Hadiya, who had converted to Islam after marrying a PFI Islamist, found living with her second husband, Court dismisses family’s petition

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Hadiya, who had converted to Islam after marrying a PFI Islamist, found living with her second husband, Court dismisses family’s petition

On Friday (15th December), the Kerala High Court dismissed KM Asokan’s habeas corpus petition after the prosecution informed the court that Hadiya, his daughter is currently residing with her second husband.

Hadiya rose to national prominence in 2016 after converting to Islam and marrying an Islamist who was member of the now banned terrorist group PFI. The court decided to dismiss the habeas corpus petition after reviewing the prosecution’s report, which indicated that Hadiya was not being held illegally.

As per the report by NDTV, the High Court learned that Hadiya’s first marriage had ended and that she had entered into a second marriage and was living with her second husband near Thiruvananthapuram.

Hadiya’s family had petitioned the Kerala High Court, saying that they had been unable to locate her for the past month due to her conversion to Islam and subsequent marriage to a man named Shafin Jahan.

Her father, Asokan, petitioned the High Court, alleging that his daughter was illegally detained by people, including her husband, who are allegedly members of the banned Popular Front of India.

Asokan had told the High Court that Hadiya had been untraceable to him and his wife for the previous month. He claimed that whenever they called their daughter, she either did not answer the phone or, on several occasions, the phone was turned off.

Asokan also stated that they went to her newly opened homeopathy clinic in Malappuram, but it was closed and the neighbors were unaware of it. Earlier, it was reported that Hadiya recently informed her mother about Shafin Jahan and said that they were no longer together and that she didn’t know where he was. Asokan then expressed his worries that his daughter had been held against her will by people connected to Shafin Jahan and Sainaba.

Hadiya converted to Islam while studying medicine in Coimbatore and married Jahan in 2016 when she was 25 years old. Soon after, Asokan filed a writ petition in the High Court, arguing that the conversion was coerced and that Jahan had ties to extremist organisations such as PFI. He also claimed she would be trafficked to Syria and join the Islamic State.

The marriage was then declared a ‘sham’ by the High Court. However, Jahan later petitioned the Supreme Court, which overturned the High Court’s decision in 2018.

Telangana: Tension erupts in communities as VDC calls for social boycott against Muslims over land dispute

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Telangana: Tension erupts in communities as VDC calls for social boycott against Muslims over land dispute

On 9th December, the Village Development Committee (VDC) in village Velpur of district Nizamabad in Telangana declared a social boycott against the Muslim community. The call was made in connection to a disputed piece of land. As per a report in Siasat, Hindus in the region alleged that the land was historically grazing land. On the other hand, Muslims claimed the graveyard and Eidgah on the piece of land have been there for over 150 years.

Following the tension between the two communities, authorities imposed Section 144 in the region to avoid any clashes. Furthermore, notices were issued to VDC and the Muslim community to resolve the matter peacefully. So far, VDC has not attended any meetings.

As per the Siasat report, on 10th December, around 200-250 people from the Hindu community gathered at the 4.12 acre disputed land that has Eidgah and the graveyard of the Muslim community. They tried to take over the land but police placed barricades and used lathi charges to disperse the members of the Hindu community.

On 11th December, the district collector of Nizamabad called for a meeting including representatives from the Waqf Board, RDO, ACP, and Velpur village elders. VDC members were not called for the meeting as they were deemed not to represent either village administration or government. No concrete resolution was reached in the meeting.

On 13th December, a statement was released by the Muslim community accusing VDC of indulging in anti-social activities to create communal tension. They pleaded with the Telangana Director General of Police to intervene and ensure the safety of Muslims in the region.

In the recent meeting that was held on 18th December, members of the Waqf Board, the Assistant Commissioner of police, elders from the village and Revenue Divisional Officers (RDO) discussed the matter. However, no resolution has been achieved to solve the dispute between the communities. The Muslim side asked for two days to resolve the matter and said it would be done by 20th December.

Tension over land in Velpur

The conflict over the disputed land erupted back in 2015 when VDCs alleged that the land was historically used for grazing. On the other hand, Muslims have asserted that the land has been used as a graveyard for over 150 years. The matter reached Lok Adalat but the members of the Muslim community did not attend the court proceedings.

What are VDCs?

Village Development Committees or VDCs were formed in the villages of Nizamabad and Kamareddy districts by the locals. These committees run on a self-organisational mechanism and handle disputes in the villages without reaching out to the courts or police.

OpIndia tried to contact the local police but could not connect.

‘Hindus seeking right to worship on Gyanvapi land, restoration of temple not barred by Places of Worship Act,’ rules Allahabad HC, all 5 petitions of Muslim side rejected

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Hindus seeking right to worship on Gyanvapi land, restoration of temple not barred by Places of Worship Act,’ rules Allahabad HC, all 5 petitions of Muslim side rejected

In a massive win for the Hindu side, the Allahabad High Court has ruled that the civil suits filed by Hindu worshippers and deity seeking the right to worship on the disputed Gyanvapi land and restoration of the temple are not barred by the Places of Worship Act 1991.

The Allahabad HC has rejected the plea filed by the Masjid Committee which challenged the suits filed by the Hindu worshippers and the deity in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple-Gyanvapi land title dispite.

The ruling, which was reserved on 8th December, was passed by the bench of Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal.

The lower court has also been directed to expeditiously decide the suit in 6 months. It also added that if the court deems a survey necessary for any part, it may instruct the ASI to conduct it.

A suit was filed in 1991 by the Ancient Idol of Swayambhu Lord Vishweshwar and 5 others before a local court in Varanasi seeking the removal of the mosque and restoration of the disputed land to Hindus.

On 8th April 2021, the Varanasi civil court allowed the ASI to conduct a comprehensive physical survey of the disputed site adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

The Anjuman Intezamiya Masjid Committee had moved high court against this order. The HC had stayed the proceedings before the lower court including the ASI survey of Gyanvapi.

Five petitions including a plea were being heard together by the HC in the case. In a related matter, 5 Hindu worshippers filed a suit before a local court seeking the right to worship Hindu deities inside the Gyanvapi complex.

A scientific examination of the controversial complex was mandated by the Varanasi court on 21st July to determine whether the mosque was “constructed over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple.”

The ASI was instructed to undertake scientific investigation at the property in question, i.e. settlement plot number 9130 (Gyanvapi site), by District and Sessions Judge AK Vishvesha. The survey was to exclude the ‘Wazukhana’ area, which was sealed on the Supreme Court’s order.

The mosque committee, however, sought a stay on the survey from the Allahabad High Court and then the Supreme Court. The survey was resumed on 4th August under security arrangements after both courts cleared the way.

The ASI asked the court for more time to finish the survey after the allotted time had passed. “In compliance with the said order, the ASI is conducting a scientific investigation/survey at the site,” the ASI stated in its request asking for an extension of time.

The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, which had previously requested that the survey of the controversial mosque complex be halted, objected to giving the ASI more time.

Last month, the ASI informed the court that it had completed a scientific survey at the site but that the ground-penetrating radar survey report was still being prepared, and that it would need more time to submit the survey report.

Finally on 18th December, the ASI submitted its report on the a scientific survey it had undertaken at the controversial Gyanvapi complex.

Made to believe that I was the only female he was in love with: Ex-girlfriend of ‘comedian’ Munawar Faruqi lifts the lid on his adulterous life

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Made to believe that I was the only female he was in love with: Ex-girlfriend of ‘comedian’ Munawar Faruqi lifts the lid on his adulterous life

On Monday (18th December) evening, the former girlfriend of Munawar Faruqi exposed how the ‘comedian’ had been dating multiple people while being in a relationship with her.

Nazila Sitaishi, an influencer and Faruqi’s ex-girlfriend, went live on Instagram and said, “I was made to believe that I was the only person in his life. I was the only female he was in love with but it was not true. And there were a lot of other girls involved that I don’t want to talk about”

“If Ayesha (another ex-girlfriend of Munawar Faruqi) was the only person involved in this, I would consider forgiving but she isn’t. I wish people knew what went down off-camera but clearly they don’t,” she emphasised.

“I want people to stop paying attention. After watching today’s episode, I have nothing to do with Munawar,” she added. It must be mentioned that the ‘comedian’ is a contestant in the 17th edition of the reality TV show ‘Big Boss’. His another ex-girlfriend Ayesha Khan is also a part of the show.

Nazila Sitaishi continued, “I remained silent because I wanted to see what he had to say and how he justified this whole thing. It was just a bunch of lies and I am not satisfied with all this. I don’t need to justify to anybody over here and I did not even want to come on live but things have gone to such an extent that I had to come live and put my side of the story out there for once.”

“This is my truth and I don’t need to prove it to anyone. This is the last time I am speaking about this. I am never going to acknowledge this in my life. I don’t have to do anything with this person or situation,” she said. Sitaishi claimed that she was unaware of Faruqi’s relationship with Khan.

“It is a shame that these things have become public. People are talking about it publicly and are making fun of my personal life, things that they know nothing about, abusing me in comments and on Twitter, and fake videos. I don’t enjoy this at all,” the Instagram influencer concluded.

Munawar Faruqi and his anti-Hindu remarks

The ‘comedian’ sparked public outrage due to his controversial portrayal and mockery of Hindu deities, as well as his insensitive remarks regarding the victims of the Godhra train burning incident. The tragic event occurred when a Muslim mob set fire to the Sabarmati Express near Godhra station, resulting in the death of 59 karsevaks.

In January 2021, Faruqui was arrested for making indecent remarks about Hindu deities during his stand-up performances. Although he was later released, his comments on Hindu genocide and derogatory statements about Hindu Gods led to widespread protests against his shows.

Despite issuing an apology, claiming that he never intended to hurt anyone’s sentiments with his jokes, Munawar Faruqui continued to engage in demeaning portrayals of Hindus and their cultural heritage through his ‘comedy’ performances.

US announces 10-nation naval force to combat Houthi rebels threatening maritime trade in Red Sea route

OpIndia Staff
-
0
US announces 10-nation naval force to combat Houthi rebels threatening maritime trade in Red Sea route

The US announced the creation of an international coalition against Houthi attacks on international maritime trade in the Red Sea, The Hill reported.

Operation Prosperity Guardian will involve the navies of Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, Spain, UK and US. The task force falls under the Combined Maritime Forces, a multinational alliance tasked with defending the world’s shipping lanes.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said ‘Operation Prosperity Guardian’ will be a new security initiative involving several countries; UK, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain, The Hill reported.

The Houthis rebel group has attacked multiple merchant vessels and forced companies to suspend routes through the region. The US and other naval forces already operate in the Red Sea region to defend commercial shipping, but the new task force is expected to ramp up security.

“Operation Prosperity Guardian is bringing together multiple countries to include the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain, to jointly address security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, with the goal of ensuring freedom of navigation for all countries and bolstering regional security and prosperity,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement.

Operation Prosperity Guardian will specifically be managed by Task Force 153, a component of the Combined Maritime Forces that defend the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait near Yemen and the Gulf of Aden, according to The Hill.

During a briefing on Monday, Austin told reporters that the Houthis have “violated international law” by harassing ships in the Red Sea.

“So we’re taking action to build an international coalition to address this threat,” Austin said. “This is not just a US issue — this is an international problem, and it deserves an international response.”

Austin added that he would also be convening a meeting with foreign leaders to discuss efforts to keep the Red Sea free from attacks.

Since the Israel-Hamas war broke out on October 7, the Iranian-backed Houthis have joined in with other militia groups across the Middle East in assaulting US positions and assets, The Hill reported.

The Houthis have launched aggressive attacks on commercial ships as part of the fighting, including seizing a boat last month in a daring raid.

The violence has scared off merchants, with oil giant BP joining container shipping company Maersk in rerouting transits away from the Red Sea. The redirected transits could force vessels to take a much longer hike around Africa and dent the pace of commercial shipping.

Notably, around 10 per cent of global trade flows through the Red Sea each year.

While the US and other naval forces already operate in the Red Sea region to defend commercial shipping, the new task force is expected to ramp up security, according to The Hill. 

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

Delhi Anti-Hindu Riots: Delhi court dismisses ex-AAP councilor Tahir Hussain’s plea to stay ED’s money laundering case against him

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Delhi Anti-Hindu Riots: Delhi court dismisses ex-AAP councilor Tahir Hussain’s plea to stay ED’s money laundering case against him

On 14th December, Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat of Karkardooma Court in Shahadara district of Delhi dismissed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) former councilor Tahir Hussain’s plea to stay the money laundering case against him. In his plea, Hussain had requested the court to stay the matter until the charges were framed against him in another matter related to the anti-Hindu Delhi Riots of February 2020.

Hussain is accused in multiple cases related to the riots including the brutal murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma. He is also accused of hatching the larger conspiracy behind the riots.

The Delhi Police is pursuing the criminal cases against him. On the other hand, the Enforcement Directorate is pursuing the money laundering case in the matter. As per the ED, hussain laundered crores of rupees using Shell Companies to fund the protests against the Citizen Amendment Act (CAA) and the anti-Hindu riots.

In his orders on 14th December, Justice Rawat rejected Hussain’s arguments that there were no proceeds of the crime of money laundering the matter. The appeal in similar matters has already been rejected by the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court which was mentioned in the orders. Justice Rawat added that the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) is registered against a person only if there is a predicate offence, which in this case is the conspiracy to incite riots).

The court said, “Once the investigation into the PMLA has been initiated, it is also tried as a separate case. Thus, predicate offence triggers initiation of a case under PMLA but is not only independently investigated but also independently and separately tried.”

The order further read, “It is also clear that if there is an order of discharge or acquittal in the predicate offence, then the proceedings in the PMLA case shall come to a stop. That does not mean that if there is an order on charge or conviction, there would also be an automatic conviction in the PMLA case.”

The court asserted that if the case is stayed, it might result in public witnesses being lost. Furthermore, there was no mandate by law to stay the proceedings. Staying the recording of evidence in the matter would jeopardise the case even if the witnesses were available. The court said, “In such circumstances, to contend that until there is no charge or conviction, the proceedings under PMLA should be stayed is not mandated by law. If the PMLA matter is stayed till the charge or by the same logic till the conclusion of the case by way of conviction, then witnesses, particularly public witnesses, may be lost.”

Notably, the charges under relevant sections of PMLA against Hussain were framed in January 2023. At that time, it was noted by the prosecution that the conspiracy was hatched and there was a clear case against Hussain.

Apart from the money laundering case, Tahir Hussain was charged in the matter related to the brutal murder of IB officer Sharma. The charges were framed user Sections 147, 148, 149, 153A, 302, 365, 120B, and 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Digvijaya Singh comes out in support of urban naxals Shoma Sen and Umar Khalid: Here is what they are facing trial for

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Digvijaya Singh comes out in support of urban naxals Shoma Sen and Umar Khalid: Here is what they are facing trial for

On Monday (18th December), veteran Congress leader Digvijaya Singh came out in support of ‘activists’ Shoma Sen and Umar Khalid who were arrested for their respective roles in the Bhima Koregaon riots and the anti-Hindu riots in Delhi.

While reacting to an X (formerly Twitter) user eulogising Umar Khalid, Singh called for an expedited trial for the two accused. He suggested that Umar Khalid and Shoma Sen were incarcerated for supposedly speaking up for Dalits and minorities.

“Most respected Hon CJI Your Lordship is it Justice to keep Prof Soma Sen and Umar Khalid in Jail? I always believed “Justice delayed is Justice denied” Bhima Koregaon and CAA/NRC are two such cases,” the veteran Congress leader brazened out.

“Who are the accused? Who spoke up for Dalits and who spoke up for Minorities. Doesn’t our Indian Constitution provide protection to the SCST and Minorites? Is it a crime to speak up for them?” Digvijaya Singh attempted to give a clean chit to the duo by conveniently ignoring their role in instigating violence.

Bhima Koregaon riots and arrest of Shoma Sen

The Bhima Koregaon case pertains to an event named ‘Elgar Parishad’ organised at Shaniwar Wada in Bhima Koregaon village of Maharashtra on December 31, 2017.

Violence broke out on the following day (1st January 2018) at the village where lakhs of Dalits had gathered to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon.

The said battle was won by the British Army against the Peshwas in 1818. On 8th January 8, 2018, Pune Police lodged an FIR and the probe revealed that the event was organised by urban Naxals.

Shoma Sen, who has now received support from Digvijaya Singh, was arrested by the Pune Police on 8th June 2018 for her involvement in the Bhima Koregaon violence. She was charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for her links to Maoist groups.

Sen was eventually suspended from her position as the Head of the English Department at the Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU). She has also been a part of the controversial organisation, Committee for Protection of Democratic Rights (CPDR).

It may be recalled that a letter was unearthed by Pune Police in 2018 suggesting plans to assassinate Prime Minister Modi in a “Rajiv Gandhi type incident” by “targeting road shows”. Sen’s name too came up in connection to the assassination plot.

A number of Naxal ideologues and urban Naxals were arrested including Stan Swamy, Hany Babu, Sudha Bharadwaj, Rona Wilson, Surendra Gadling, Mahesh Raut, Arun Ferreira, Vernon Gonsalves, Varavara Rao and Gautam Navlakha in connection to the Bhima Koregaon case.

Umar Khalid and his role in Delhi riots

The Delhi Police apprehended Umar Khalid on September 13, 2020, and charged him on November 22 that year under several provisions of the UAPA and the Indian Penal Code.

The FIR filed against Khalid includes serious allegations such as Sections 13, 16, 17, 18 of the UAPA, Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act, and Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act of 1984.

It must be mentioned that the e prime accused in the Delhi anti-Hindu riots case, former AAP councillor, Tahir Hussain, has named Umar Khalid as the one who introduced him to Khalid Saifi for planning the riots in the city.

Earlier, an FIR was registered against Umar Khalid which said that the Delhi Riots were a preplanned conspiracy that was hatched by the former JNU student and his associates.

As part of the conspiracy, Umar Khalid is accused of giving provocative speeches at two different locations and appealing to people to take to the streets during the visit of US President Donald Trump so that the propaganda that minorities are oppressed in India can be internationalised.

In the chargesheet, it is also mentioned that Umar Khalid had told Tahir Hussain not to be concerned about the funding for the riots as the Popular Front of India (PFI) would provide the funding as well as logistic support.

It may be noted that Khalid’s bail plea has been rejected multiple times since his arrest in September 2020.

Punjab: Panic ensues for over 20 minutes as Pitbull mauls a Woman in Ludhiana, leaves her badly injured

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Punjab: Panic ensues for over 20 minutes as Pitbull mauls a Woman in Ludhiana, leaves her badly injured

Amid rampant dog bite cases reported in residential areas of NCR, a case of dog menace has emerged from Punjab. As per reports, a woman in Ludhiana was viciously attacked by a Pitbull and the traumatising experience lasted over 20 minutes. 

The woman is said to have suffered multiple wounds and has been admitted to the hospital in critical condition. Although bystanders tried to help the woman by hitting the canine with sticks, the pitbull clanged onto the woman’s arm, persistently attacking and mauling the woman. 

As per reports, the incident took place in Kidwai Nagar of Ludhiana. A woman named Reetu said that she was returning home after completing her banking errands. At around 1 o’clock when she passed through the street, an aggressive Pitbull lunged and attacked her arm. Hearing her scream, people gathered around to help her, she added. 

However, the dog forcefully hurled her to the ground, resulting in substantial injuries. People tried to help her and repeatedly struck the dog with sticks in an attempt to ward it off. After a strenuous 20 minutes, the gathered crowd managed to free the woman from the dog’s grip, rushing her to the hospital. 

As of now, no formal complaint has been lodged with the police regarding this incident. The pitbull’s owner claimed ignorance, stating to have no knowledge of the dog’s heightened aggression. According to the dog’s owner, the dog is just 16 months old.

This marks the third occurrence of pitbull attacks on humans in Punjab in under 10 days. Earlier this month, a domestic worker faced a severe mauling by two pet pitbulls in Kharada, Mohali, resulting in significant facial injuries. Merely two days afterward, another pitbull attacked a four-year-old child, causing harm to their private area in Zirakpur. The child has been admitted to Chandigarh PGI, where they are scheduled for surgery.

Meanwhile, OpIndia earlier reported that on 6th December, the Delhi High Court asked the Union government to expeditiously make a decision, preferably within three months, on a representation to ban and cancel licenses for the possession of “dangerous” dog breeds like Pitbulls, Terriers, American Bulldogs, and Rottweilers.

Notably, the petition was filed in October. The petition filed by Legal Attorneys and Barristers Law Firm alleges that dog breeds like Bulldogs, Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, Terriers, and Neapolitan Mastiffs are “dangerous dogs”. It noted that these “dangerous” breeds of dogs are banned in more than 12 countries including India. However, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi was still registering them to be kept as pets, the petition added.

Dawood Ibrahim aide Chhota Shakeel confirms the gangster is ‘alive and healthy, met him multiple times yesterday’: Report

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Dawood Ibrahim aide Chhota Shakeel confirms the gangster is ‘alive and healthy, met him multiple times yesterday’: Report

Another report has put to rest the rumours about Dawood Ibrahim’s death. After two days of speculation and hear-say, News18 has confirmed that the gangster is a alive and well after an exclusive conversation with his close aide Chhota Shakeel.

“Dawood is alive and healthy. Even I was shocked to see this fake news. I met him multiple times yesterday,” the gangster told News18. On Monday (19th December), a relative of Dawood confirmed to Republic TV that he was not dead.

Responding to the report that were claiming that Dawood was poisoned, the relative while speaking to Republic TV claimed that it was not true. “The news of poisoning is incorrect. Also, we are unaware of his whereabout,” the relative said.

How did the rumours spread?

Rumours began to spread on Sunday (17th December) claiming that Dawood Ibrahim was poisoned by an unknown person and was rushed to hospital. Some reports claimed that he was dead. This was after Pakistan witnessed a nationwide internet shutdown.

Amid the rumours, an alleged screenshot of caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan, Anwaar Ul Haq Kakar, went viral on social media with claims that the said post confirmed the death of Ibrahim.

The post read, “The Messiah of humanity, dear to every Pakistani heart, our beloved His Excellency Dawood Ibrahim passed away due to poisoned by unknown. He breathed his last in a hospital in Karachi. May Allah grant him the highest position in Jannat. Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.”

However, when OpIndia investigated the screenshot and the official handle of the Pakistani PM, we found that there was no such tweet. Furthermore, the handle used in the screenshot was anwaar_kakkar, while the real ID of the Pakistani PM is anwaar_kakar.

Pakistani media and journalists also fuelled the rumours.

Dawood Ibrahim is one of the most notorious and dreaded gangsters/terrorists wanted by India. A criminal mobster and drug dealer from Mumbai’s Ratnagiri, it is believed that Dawood Ibrahim now resides in Karachi, Pakistan. 

He was designated as a global terrorist in 2003 by India and the United States, with a reward of US$25 million for his capture for his role in the 1993 Bombay bombings. 

In 2011, the FBI and Forbes named him number three on The World’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitives. While Dawood’s death rumours are all over social media, it has to be noted that such rumours find their place on social media platforms once or twice every year. 

It is a fact that Dawood Ibrahim is hiding in Pakistan, and the hostile neighbour categorically refuses to accept his presence in the country.

Similar rumours in the past

In 2020, there were reports that Dawood Ibrahim and his wife contracted Coronavirus. It was one of the “silver lining” reports during the COVID-19 pandemic. Later, it was reported that he died of the infection. However, the reports were proven wrong, and Dawood lived.

In 2017, there were reports that Dawood died of a heart attack. Some reports suggested he had a brain tumour that led to his worsening health. However, the reports later proved to be fake.

In 2016, there was another rumour on social media and mainstream media that Dawood got gangrene on his legs, and doctors might have had to amputate them. The same was contested by Chota Shakeel, who said, “Your agencies have the wrong information. Dawood is perfectly fit.”

China: Death toll from earthquake rises to 111, ‘all-out’ operation launched

ANI
-
0
China: Death toll from earthquake rises to 111, ‘all-out’ operation launched

At least 111 people have been killed in China’s Gansu and neighbouring Qinghai provinces after the strong 6.2-magnitude earthquake, state media Xinhua reported, citing local earthquake relief headquarters.

This comes after a 6.2-magnitude earthquake jolted an ethnic county in northwest China’s Gansu Province at midnight Monday.

In addition to the death toll, around 200 people are injured, the New York Times reported citing Chinese state media.

Regarding the situation, Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged ‘all-out’ search and rescue efforts and proper arrangements for affected people to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property.

According to Global Times, Xi has issued important instructions, demanding full-scale search and rescue efforts, proper resettlement of affected people, and maximum efforts to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property.

In another development, the State Council’s earthquake relief headquarters and the Ministry of Emergency Management have upgraded the national earthquake emergency response to Level II.

Xinhua reported, citing the China Earthquake Networks Center, that the quake jolted at 11:59 p.m. (local time) on Monday and had a focal depth of 10 km.

The epicenter Liugou Township is about 8 km from the county seat of Jishishan Bao’an, Dongxiang, Sala Autonomous County in Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu.

The witnesses said that the earthquake caused damage to houses, roads and other infrastructure. Several villages have suffered power failures and disruptions to water.

Xinhua reported, citing local meteorological authorities, that the daily low temperature in Jishishan is reported to reach minus 10 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.

The provincial fire and rescue department has sent 580 rescuers, aided by 88 fire engines, 12 search and rescue dogs, and more than 10,000 sets of equipment, to the disaster area.

Hu Changsheng, Party chief of Gansu, and Ren Zhenhe, governor of Gansu, have rushed to the disaster area to command rescue and relief.

The railway authority has also suspended passenger and cargo trains passing through the quake zone and ordered a safety check of railway tracks, Xinhua reported. (ANI)

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

1...1,4601,4611,462...7,577Page 1,461 of 7,577