Home Blog Page 1927

Delhi: 28 students of MCD school hospitalised after alleged gas leak from railway tracks, railways deny and opposition blames midday meal

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Delhi: 28 students of MCD school hospitalised after alleged gas leak from railway tracks, railways deny and opposition blames midday meal

On Friday, August 11th, 2023, a distressing incident unfolded as around 28 students from a Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) school in West Delhi’s Naraina were hospitalised. Allegedly, they suffered from illness attributed to gas leakage. The affected students, comprising those in classes 4 and 5, were swiftly taken to RML Hospital and Acharya Bhikshuk Hospital for medical attention.

As per the police, a PCR call was received reporting that students at Nigam Pratibha Vidyalaya had experienced vomiting. Two of the impacted students received oxygen assistance and showed improvement. Out of the total affected, 19 students were admitted to RML Hospital, while nine were accommodated at Acharya Bhikshuk Hospital.

An MCD official said, “An unfortunate instance of hospitalisation of school students from MCD school in Naraina has been reported. The gas leakage had taken place at nearby railway tracks… students have been taken to Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital and Acharya Bhikshuk Hospital. A team of doctors from the health department of MCD along with officials of the education department are also present at the hospital to monitor the situation.”

Deputy Commissioner of Police (West), Vichitra Veer, stated that a PCR call was received regarding students experiencing vomiting at the school. He said, “Police reached the spot, and found several children unwell. They were immediately shifted to the hospital. According to the latest updates from the hospitals, all children are now doing fine and will be discharged soon.”

He added, “It appears that the fumes caused the students to feel uneasy and some of them puked. Students in the other classrooms did not report any discomfort. We have also collected food samples from the school and sent them for testing.”

As per the police, the event transpired approximately between 11 am to 12:30 pm while the students were attending class. Nausea, vomiting, and even fainting were reported among the students. Swift action was taken by the school authorities, who promptly informed both the police and the fire department. Officials from the fire department noted a potent diesel odour within the school vicinity, leading them to speculate that the gas leakage could potentially have emanated from the adjacent railway tracks. The affected students received medical care at hospitals, and their condition has since stabilised. It is anticipated that they will be discharged shortly.

Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi assessed the situation and ensured a thorough investigation. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi, in an official statement, attributed the gas leak to the adjacent railway tracks. As per the mayor’s account, the students abruptly detected an unusual odour and subsequently began vomiting, prompting their swift transportation to the hospital.

However, the Railways released a statement clarifying that no reports of gas leaks from any station had been received. They affirmed that their wagons never transport any form of toxic gas that could potentially endanger public health.

Raja Iqbal Singh, the Leader of the Opposition in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and former Mayor, contended that the students fell unwell following the consumption of midday meals at the school. He asserted that the Mayor and her party were attempting to attribute the incident to a gas leak as a means of self-preservation.

Free movies in multiplexes for the public to celebrate Independence day: Lucknow administration issues order

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Free movies in multiplexes for the public to celebrate Independence day: Lucknow administration issues order

The state of Uttar Pradesh is gearing up for the upcoming Independence Day on 15 August. Multiplexes would screen patriotic movies free of cost for the public in the state capital of Lucknow in a special move to celebrate the historic day. Viewers are set to enjoy the films without spending any money. Surya Pal Gangwar, the district magistrate for Lucknow, issued an order in this regard.

According to the statement, “On the national festival ‘Independence Day-2023,’ patriotic films will be screened without charge in the multiplexes operated in the district just like last year. Hindi feature films will be played at multiplexes for cost-free to the general public and students on a first-come, first-served basis.” Furthermore, a list of the movie theatres with the scheduled showings was released.

Wave Multiplex, Cinepolis Vanavadh Center, Cinepolis Fun Republic, PVR Saharaganj and PVR Singapore Mall, all in Gomti Nagar, as well as PVR Phoenix, Alambagh along with PVR Lulu Mall, Sushant Golf City, are selected to broadcast the films for free.

In addition to this, the notification also included Inax River Side Mall Gomti Nagar, Inax Garden Galleria Mall Telibagh, Inax Umrao Nishatganj, Inax Crown Chinhat Faizabad Road, Inax Emerald Ashiyana, Inax Plasio Gomti Nagar Extension, Moviemax Alambagh Bus Stand.

Notably, a similar directive was issued before the independence day of last year as well to add to the joy of the momentous occasion.

Pune ISIS module case: NIA nabs Shamil Nachan of Thane for fabrication of IEDs, total 6 arrested till now

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Pune ISIS module case: NIA nabs Shamil Nachan of Thane for fabrication of IEDs, total 6 arrested till now

On Friday, 11th August 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) published a press release to share crucial updates on the Pune ISIS module case. According to this press release, the agency has arrested one Shamil Nachan of Thane for the fabrication of improvised explosive devices in this case. The total number of arrests in the Pune ISIS module case till now has reached 6.

The NIA said in its press release, “Making another breakthrough in the Pune ISIS module case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday arrested another accused for active involvement in promoting terrorist activities of the designated foreign terrorist organisation. This is the sixth arrest by the NIA in the case.”

Providing the details of the arrested accused, the press release further said, “The accused, Shamil Saquib Nachan son of Saquib Nachan resident of Padgha, Thane, was found involved in the fabrication, training and testing of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) for the commission of terrorist acts. He had been working in collaboration with five other accused, identified as Zulfikar Ali Barodawala, Mohammed Imran Khan, Mohammed Yunus Saki, Simab Nasiruddin Kazi and Abdul Kadir Pathan, along with some other suspects.”

The agency further said, “Two of the accused, namely Imran Khan and Mohammed Yunus Saki, were members of the ‘Sufa terrorist gang’ and were absconding. NIA had declared them ‘most wanted’ in a case relating to the recovery of explosives from a car in Rajasthan in April 2022. These members of an ISIS sleeper module, including Shamil, were operating from a house in Kondhwa, Pune, where they had assembled IEDS and also organised and participated in Bomb training and making Workshop last year. They had also carried out a controlled explosion at this location to test an IED fabricated by them.”

Recalling the background and investigations of the case further, the NIA said in its press release, “Investigations by the NIA into the ISIS Pune module case on 3rd August 2023, have shown that the accused had plans to commit terrorist acts with the aim to disturb peace and communal harmony of the country. They had planned to wage a war against the Government of India in furtherance of the ISIS agenda.”

It concluded by saying, “ISIS, also known as Islamic State (IS)/Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL)/Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)/Daish/ Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP)/ISIS Wilayat Khorasan/Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham Khorasan (ISIS-K)), has been working on its anti-India agenda by spreading terror across the country through violent acts. The NIA has been carrying out extensive investigations to foil the terrorist outfit’s plans to spread terror and violence in India.”

Notably, on Saturday, August 5, a Pune court sent five accused of running an Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) module in Pune to Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) custody till August 11. In a statement in the court, ATS said they found incriminating material from the accused, including an Indian map with several cities marked, laptops containing material to study the modus operandi of terror attacks and more.

 National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested several terrorists in connection to the case on 3rd July. Four operatives arrested by the agency were identified as Tabish Nasser Siddiqui from Mumbai, Zubair Noor Mohammed Shaikh alias Abu Nusaiba from Pune, and Sharjeel Shaikh and Zulfikar Ali Barodawala from Thane.

Later, on 18th July, Pune ATS arrested Khan and Saki for their association with the terrorist organisation Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) offshoot SUFA. They were arrested from Kondhwa and were wanted by NIA in the terror module case. Furthermore, ATS also arrested Simab Nasaruddin Qazi for helping another accused, Shahanawaaz Alam, who is currently absconding. ATS took Zulfikar into its custody from NIA from Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai.

Russian Ministry bans iPhones and iPads for work over fear of espionage

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Russian Ministry bans iPhones and iPads for work over fear of espionage

The Russian Ministry of Digital Development has prohibited employees from using Apple iPhones and iPads for professional use, according to an Interfax report, quoting the minister, Maksut Shadaev.

Minister Shadaev reportedly said that the ban will be enforced on usage of Apple devices for accessing work applications and email exchanges, however, the employees will be allowed to use Apple iPhones and iPads for personal use.

“A ban is imposed on using Apple mobile devices like smartphones and tablets to access work applications and work email exchange,” he stated at a digital conference, according to the agency.

“It is allowed to use iPhones for personal purposes,” Minister Shadaev stated.

The ban came two months after the Russian main Federal Security Service or the FSB, claimed that thousands of Apple devices had been infiltrated as a result of a US espionage operation. The accusations, however, were refuted by Apple saying that it does not work with any government to make backdoors into any of the Apple products.

The FSB asserted that several thousand iPhones, including those with Russian SIM cards and those registered to Moscow diplomatic missions in NATO nations, Israel, Syria, and China, were “infected” with monitoring software that suggested Apple’s “close cooperation” with the US National Security Agency.

In response to the alleged US espionage endeavour, the Russian Ministry of Trade told its workers not to use Apple iPhones for work reasons in July.  The trade ministry had stated then that the usage of iPhones for “work purposes” will be prohibited. 

It was reported in March of this year that the Kremlin had instructed officials engaged in the preparations for Russia’s presidential election in 2024 to refrain from using iPhones. The officials were told to switch phones by April 1st. The Russian authorities, it was alleged, would offer alternative devices with various operating systems to replace the iPhones, and the order to stop using Apple phones was geared at people involved in internal politics.

Chandigarh: Police stops activists from hoisting Indian Tricolour at terrorist organisation SFJ chief Gurpatwant Pannu’s house

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Chandigarh: Police stops activists from hoisting Indian Tricolour at terrorist organisation SFJ chief Gurpatwant Pannu’s house

On Friday, August 11, several activists led by Ludhiana’s Gursimran Singh Mand attempted to raise the Indian Tricolour at a house owned by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu in Sector 15, Chandigarh. With the Tricolour in their hands, the National President of the International Anti-Khalistani Front, Gursimran Singh Mand and his supporters raised anti-Khalistan and anti-Pannu slogans.

Mand informed the media that it is an insult to the country that the Indian police prevented him from raising the Tricolour at the home of a declared terrorist and separatist after Chandigarh Police officers stopped him from marching towards Pannu’s residence.

“I want to give a message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our Tricolour is our honour, our pride. We came here to hoist the Tricolour here, we did so last year as well. Gurpatwant Pannu is a known terrorist. The officers here are saying that Pannu is not at home, but it does not matter, the message will reach India and the world that our Tricolour is our pride. Pannu is a terrorist declared by the central government. We will never let Khalistan become a reality even if we have to sacrifice our lives for that or the police arrest us,” Mand said.

Taking to X, Mand said that he will soon be meeting the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister after being stopped from hoisting the tricolour at Pannu’s house.

It is pertinent to recall that in August last year when ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign was launched by the central government ahead of the 75th Independence Day, the tricolour was hoisted by Gursimran Singh Mand and his supporters at Pannu’s house. 

“We prevented the people from reaching a house belonging to Gurpatwant Singh Pannu due to the law and order situation,” said a police officer from Sector 11 police station. “Except for a caretaker, no one resides in the house.” 

Chennai court sentences former MP Jaya Prada to six months in jail, imposes Rs 5,000 fine: Details

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Chennai court sentences former MP Jaya Prada to six months in jail, imposes Rs 5,000 fine: Details

On Friday, August 11, 2023, Jaya Prada, a veteran film star in both South Indian and Bollywood cinema and a former Member of Parliament, was sentenced to six months of imprisonment by the Egmore Metropolitan Magistrate Court. This verdict was announced in relation to accusations of her failure to make payments towards the Employees State Insurance (ESI) funds for the employees working at a cinema theatre owned by her in Chennai city. The court’s decision followed a formal complaint filed by the theatre workers, asserting that Jaya Prada had disregarded her financial obligations towards the ESI for her employees.

Having remained connected to the cinema hall for a span of ten years, despite its closure during that duration, these workers brought to light the issue that while their earnings were subject to ESI deductions, these deducted funds were not being transferred to the state insurance corporation as required. Confronted with the withholding of their entitled benefits, they chose to seek recourse through legal channels. After this, the Labour Government Insurance Corporation filed a case against Jaya Prada and her business partners Ram Kumar and Raja Babu in the Egmore Magistrate Court in Chennai.

In this case, renowned actor-turned-politician Jaya Prada has received a six-month prison term from a Chennai court, accompanied by a Rs 5,000 fine. Furthermore, her business associates Ram Kumar and Raja Babu were also convicted in the case.

Jaya Prada, along with the group of three employees responsible for theatre management, had jointly filed a plea with the Madras High Court, appealing for intervention to suspend the proceedings in the Egmore court. However, the High Court rejected all three of these petitions, marking a setback for their legal efforts.

During the subsequent session convened at the Egmore court, Jaya Prada presented a proposition to resolve the outstanding dues owed to the workers. Nonetheless, the legal counsel representing the Employees State Insurance (ESI) voiced opposition to this proposition, leading the presiding judge to render a verdict of a six-month imprisonment term for the actress.

Notably, a few years earlier, Jaya Prada and her associates held ownership of a Chennai-based cinema hall. But later, substantial financial losses forced them to halt its functioning. In a subsequent development, the cinema’s former employees initiated legal action against the proprietors, alleging non-reimbursement of the deducted ESI funds from their earnings.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Jaya Prada prominently featured in Hindi and South Indian cinema, emerging as a leading actress of her generation. She notably collaborated with Jeetendra and Amitabh Bachchan, delivering memorable performances in movies like “Tohfa,” “Maa,” “Sharabi,” “Sargam,” “Aaj Ka Arjun,” “Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani,” “Sanjog,” “Maqsad,” and “Ganga Jamuna.”

Jaya Prada joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2019. Earlier she joined the Telugu Desham Party in 1994 and was nominated as a Rajya Sabha member by the party. Later she went on to win the Lok Sabha elections of 2004 and 2009 from Uttar Pradesh on a Samajwadi Party ticket. In 2019, she joined the BJP.

Sudarshan News journalist arrested by Gurugram police over a tweet, channel’s editor-in-chief raises questions

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Sudarshan News journalist arrested by Gurugram police over a tweet, channel’s editor-in-chief raises questions

Mukhesh Kumar, a resident editor at Sudarshan News, has been arrested by Gurugram Police for allegedly spreading fake news. Gurugram Police released a statement on Twitter saying that Mukesh Kumar was arrested on 11th August for posting misleading and false information on Twitter. Before the arrest, an FIR was filed against him on under section 66C of the IT Act and sections 153B, 469, 501, 505(1)(C) over his tweet dated 8th August.

The first information report (FIR) was filed against the Sudarshan News journalist by the Gurugram police for allegedly making false claims against the Gurugram police regarding Nuh violence. On 8th August, Kumar tweeted that the Gurugram police commission (CP) is being pressurised by Al Jazeera to take action against Hindus over the Nuh violence case.

He tweeted, “Gurgaon Police Commissioner is getting calls from @AJENews (AL JAZEERA NEWS CHANNEL). She is being Pressurised to act against Hindus. And @DC_Gurugram after getting the call comes under so much pressure that she is picking up Hindu activists from just about anywhere. @cmohry Please take cognizance.”

The police, upon filing the complaint, reportedly stated, “The tweet was posted based on baseless, untrue, and misleading facts from the ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) handle @mukeshkrd on August 8. Taking cognisance of this, the Gurugram Police have registered a case and further investigation into the matter is underway.”

FIR has been filed against Mukesh Kumar under sections 153B, 401, 469, and 505 (1) (C) of the IPC and section 66-C of the IT Act. Kumar had been covering the violence in Nuh ever since the incident took place on 31st July.

Sudarshan News Editor in Chief raises questions over the arrest

After the confirmation of the arrest by police, Sudarshan News Editor-in-Chief Suresh Chavhanke raised several questions to the police over the development. He asked why a senior journalist was arrested by police ‘like goons’ and why they were in civilian clothes and not in uniform.

Chavhanke further alleged that while the police are unable to arrest jihadis in Mewat, they misbehaved with a journalist. He alleged that while those who harrassed Hindu women are roaming free, police filing FIR on a mere tweet. He asked if the Haryana government bows before the ego of an officer.

Suresh Chavhanke also questioned the nationalist journalists for their silence over the arrest, asking what would have been their reaction if the arrest was made by a non-BJP govt. He also questioned where the journalist organisations and human rights groups are.

It is notable that earlier Sudarshan News had triggered a controversy by alleging that their resident editor Mukhesh Kumar was abducted in broad daylight from Gurugram. According to the tweet on their official Twitter page, “Kumar had reached Mewat to help Hindu activists who were struggling. He was dragged from the driving seat of the car by goons from Gurugram’s Sector 17.”

However later Suresh Chavhanke said that the journalist was picked by police in civilian clothes.

On 31st July, a Muslim mob in Nuh of Mewat, HaGururyana, attacked thousands of Hindu devotees attending the Jalabhishek Yatra on Shravan Somvar. Hindus were physically attacked by an Islamist mob killing at least six people, their shops and houses were vandalised in the pre-planned attack.

The police were also attacked by the mob injuring many cops and killing two Homeguards.

‘Initiate an enquiry to ascertain the full extent of anti-India conspiracy’: 255 eminent citizens write to President, CJI over NewsClick Chinese funding scandal

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Initiate an enquiry to ascertain the full extent of anti-India conspiracy’: 255 eminent citizens write to President, CJI over NewsClick Chinese funding scandal

Over 255 eminent citizens are signatories to a letter addressed to the President of India and the Chief Justice of India, calling for strong action against NewsClick in view of its clandestine China connection and funding as revealed in a recent New York Times report.

“We are writing this letter as Indians who are deeply pained by the anti-India agenda originating from fake news peddlers and vested lobbies. A recent investigation by The New York Times, exposing the news portal NewsClick as an organisation funded by millionaire Neville Roy Singham, at the behest of China, is the cause at the centre of our pain and anguish,” the letter said.

Expressing anger over the impunity with which inimical forces are spreading misinformation and trying to interfere with India’s democratic process, the signatories said that the country had given too wide leverage to such individuals and organisations under the garb of ‘free press’. “What such immunity which is not founded upon any law does is that it not only harms the national interest but also opens the door for tarring those legitimate organs of media who should unquestionably be free.”

Among the 255 distinguished individuals who have endorsed the petition addressed to the President of India and the Chief Justice of India against NewsClick, are judges, government officials, and decorated veterans.

The letter also drew attention to the 2021 Enforcement Directorate raids on NewsClick founder and Editor-in-Chief Prabir Purkayastha in connection with a money laundering case pertaining to foreign funding to the tune of about Rs 76.9 crore between 2018 and 2021.

“It is crystal clear that Neville Roy Singham is associated with the propaganda arm of the Communist Party of China (CCP). Reportedly, Mr Singham transferred a huge sum as FDI to NewsClick by purchasing its shares at an astronomical premium,” the letter said.

The searches conducted at the NewsClick premises revealed consistent email correspondences associated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). These email communications were particularly concerning as they implicated not only journalists but also high-ranking members of Indian political parties who hold influence over state affairs.

Furthermore, the signatories emphasised the undeniability of substantial amounts transferred to specific journalists who were knowingly involved. Those who are presently outwardly championing press freedom conveniently overlooked the facts, even as our national agencies brought to light covert funding by the Chinese Communist Party (CP) aimed at constructing a ‘media narrative’ closely aligned with Beijing’s objectives, the letter said.

It also pointed out the manipulation of Indian taxpayers underway by fake news and subterfuge manufactured in China. “The fact that a website based in India is actively working for China makes us concerned, distressed and angry,” the letter said.

The letter highlighted that the subjects for which these entities were receiving compensation to shape a media narrative in India closely paralleled the effort to salvage China’s image during the scrutiny following the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this week, email correspondence between the NewsClick team and Editor-in-chief revealed that they were taking instructions from Neville Roy Singham to paint a positive image of China concerning its handling of the coronavirus outbreak.

If this wasn’t sufficient to jolt the collective consciousness of the nation, the email correspondences substantiate that these media establishments and compensated agents, masquerading as journalists, were also actively involved in constructing a pro-China storyline within India following the tragic Galwan clashes, the letter addressed to the President of India and the Chief Justice of India said.

“We have no words to describe such people except as traitors. They were exchanging emails with a Chinese agent on how to get world maps changed so as to show undisputed Indian territory as either disputed or even part of China,” the letter further read.

The signatories also accused NewsClick of undermining the Indian democratic fabric, adding that the organisation covertly funded by China kept challenging India’s democratic traditions in the name of free speech.

The opposition parties also came under the attack of the signatories, who lambasted them for having supported an organisation and furthering claims made by them that received funding from China. “NewsClick has had the temerity to portray India’s elected government as fascists, while simultaneously being on the payroll of China. Worse, there have been worrisome instances of the Indian opposition supporting this.”

The letter essentially argued that a considerable portion of the opposition apparatus, a highly crucial element in any democratic system, is readily aligning with a promoter of an anti-nationalist agenda. It is now evident that the synchronization between the coverage of the Rafale fighter jet deal on NewsClick and the narrative adopted by the opposition parties was not a mere coincidence, but a deliberate strategy, the signatories said.

“The tragedy is that the anti-national activities of these mercenaries are an insult to lakhs of media personnel at the grassroots who are actually working for making a positive difference,” the letter said.

The publicly available email correspondences unequivocally establish that these individuals are not leaders, but rather dealers. They are not columnists, but rather individuals acting as fifth columnists.

“It is high time that this manufactured consensus of anti-national, anti-democratic, and ironically anti-free press agenda is exposed and redressed,” the letter stressed.

“We, the undersigned, are respectfully writing this letter to request you to direct the Union Government to initiate an enquiry forthwith, at the highest levels, to ascertain the full extent of this anti-India conspiracy and thereby bring these enemy agents to justice. No country in the world is indulgent towards treacherous conduct and neither should our Motherland,” the signatories of the letter demanded.

Madhya Pradesh: FIR filed against those who chanted ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ slogan in Ratlam, Home Minister Narottam Mishra says NSA will be imposed

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Madhya Pradesh: FIR filed against those who chanted ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ slogan in Ratlam, Home Minister Narottam Mishra says NSA will be imposed

Madhya Pradesh state home minister Narottam Mishra announced on Friday, August 11, that an FIR has been filed against individuals who shouted “Sar tan se juda” (separate the head from the body) slogans while demonstrating in Ratlam in opposition to a controversial social media post.

Mishra called them “terrorist slogans” and assured that sections of the National Security Act (NSA) will be imposed upon the criminals after they get arrested. 

Mishra further slammed the Congress party in opposition and said, “Madhya Pradesh is not Rajasthan, it is not the Congress but the BJP government. Those who raise such controversial slogans should be careful, otherwise, strict action will be taken.”

Notably, a sizable group of enraged Muslims staged protests at a police chowki in Ratlam on Wednesday, August 9 night over allegedly offensive social media posts insulting Islam. The demonstrators called for severe punishment, including the residence of the unnamed girl who posted the objectionable content from her account being demolished.

Some of the protesters were also heard yelling controversial slogans, demanding the beheading of the alleged accused girl. On Thursday, August 10 several recordings of the demonstration went viral on social media, prompting the state authorities to respond.

On Wednesday, August 9, 2023, a mob of Islamists raised murderous slogans in front of the police post in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, during the night. This followed after a social media post about Islam offended the members of the Muslim community. The situation escalated rapidly, with a mob converging at the police post to raise ‘sar tan see juda’ slogans, which have earlier led Islamists to murder several non-Muslims on allegations of ‘blasphemy’.

The mob swelled in size within a short span, as Muslims demanded stringent action against the individual behind the post allegedly against Islam. As tensions heightened, the scene drew the attention of the police station in charge, along with officers from two police stations, and the CSP.

Meanwhile, Mishra also praised the state government and said that the court had in the first case of conviction under the anti-conversion law, awarded a 20-year-old man named Mohammad Sabir 20 years of rigorous imprisonment under 376(3) IPC and 5(L) and 6 of the POCSO Act and up to 7 years of jail and Rs 56,000 fine under sections 450 and 506 of the IPC.

“Whatever the BJP government says, it does! In the case of raping an innocent after forcibly converting her to another religion in Indore’s Hatod, the court convicted the accused and sentenced him to 20 years of imprisonment under the Freedom of Religion Act and various other sections,” he said.

As reported earlier, the accused was punished for forcing a Hindu girl into religious conversion.

TMC trying to derail the formation of Panchayat Boards in places where BJP has won majority: BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari

OpIndia Staff
-
0
TMC trying to derail the formation of Panchayat Boards in places where BJP has won majority: BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari

On Friday, August 11, Bhartiya Janata Party MLA and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari alleged that the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) is creating hurdles in the formation of Panchayat boards in areas where the BJP has won. 

Taking to X, Adhikari said that just as coal cannot be washed clean, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her “pet” administration cannot align with the democratic norms. He goes on to assert that CM Mamata Banerjee’s approach to fetch power by all possible means has undermined democracy.

“As the famous saying goes – “A leopard doesn’t change its spots” or as we say in Bengali; “coal can’t be washed clean”; similarly Mamata Banerjee & her pet Administration can never conform to Democratic Norms. Her autocratic approach to grab power by any means has undermined Democracy on every possible occasion,” Suvendu Adhikari wrote on X.

Adhikari further alleged that after the TMC unleashed violence in the state to undemocratically grab power in the recently held Panchayat elections, the party is hell-bent on derailing Panchayat board formation. He added that even some of the Block Development Officers (BDOs) are also involved in the conspiracy. He added that these BDOs are involved in granting an unfair benefit to the TMC. 

“After unleashing unabated State-Sponsored Violence for the last couple of months to grab power undemocratically in the Panchayat Elections, now they are creating hurdles in those places where the BJP has won the majority. They want to derail the formation of Panchayat Boards by hook or by crook. Even some BDOs are co-conspirators. They are defying rules to extend unfair advantage to the TMC Party,” Adhikari wrote. 

Suvendu Adhikari further mentioned some recent incidents to substantiate his claims. 

“BJP Candidates have gained majority in the Krishnapur Gram Panchayat; Mandirbazar Block. The Panchayat Board was to be formed today, but the BDO postponed it citing “security reasons due to lack of adequate Police Force”. The actual reason is that the BDO helped the TMC Party gain some additional time, which they would utilise by intimidating & threatening the BJP Members hoping that they might crossover due to the fear of dire consequences,” Suvendu Adhikari wrote.

The Nandigram MLA further mentioned similar incidents from Kukrahati and Sagarpara Gram Panchayat.

“In Kukrahati; Sutahata Block, the Mamata Police SDPO Rahul Pandey entered the premises during the Board Formation and nabbed the BJP Members so that they can’t participate in the process. BJP Members of the Sagarpara Gram Panchayat; Jalangi Block, have been attacked during the Board Formation process. Some have broken noses and blood stains on their clothes. Women members were also not spared,” Adhikari’s post on X reads.

The BJP MLA closed his long tweet by pointing out the irony that people who are slaughtering democracy in West Bengal every single day are calling on to ‘Save Democracy’ in Parliament while exploiting Manipur for political gain.

During the panchayat elections in Nandigram, East Midnapore district, the BJP inflicted the ruling TMC a major setback. In Nandigram, considered Suvendu Adhikari’s stronghold, the BJP won several gram panchayat areas in Nandigram I and II blocks.

Taking to X, the Nandigram MLA boasted the saffron surge and informed that the BJP has formed Panchayat Boards in 11 out of 17 panchayats in Nandigram blocks I and II.

“Saffron surge in Nandigram. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the People of Nandigram for electing Bharatiya Janata Party Candidates in the Panchayat Elections. Today, with the blessings of the Electorate of Nandigram, Bharatiya Janata Party has formed 11 out of the 17 Gram Panchayats in the Nandigram I & II Blocks. Other than this, we have also extended our support to like-minded Members to form one more Gram Panchayat Board in the Nandigram Block I,” Suvendu Adhikari wrote.

1...1,9261,9271,928...7,647Page 1,927 of 7,647