Home Blog Page 1928

Rising crime against women in Rajasthan: Minor rape victim gang-raped in hospital; school teacher rapes and kills a student after kidnapping her

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Rising crime against women in Rajasthan: Minor rape victim gang-raped in hospital; school teacher rapes and kills a student after kidnapping her

Congress ruled Rajasthan has devolved into a land of crimes in the past few years. In the latest news, a case of gang rape with a minor girl and impregnation has come to light in Salumbar. It is reported that the hospital parking staff and the compounder sexually assaulted her again after she went there for treatment.

On the other hand, a school teacher in Sawai Madhopur district has been accused of rape and murder of another minor girl. She was missing since 8 August and her body was found in a well on 10 August. The accused is presently in police custody.

A 15-year-old pregnant girl was admitted to the Salumber district hospital on 6 June according to media accounts. She was being treated by Dr Narendra Sharma there. He enquired with her family after growing concerned. She was discovered to be unmarried and under the age of 18. The police were informed about the matter. She gave birth to a baby girl in the hospital.

However, her family members requested the police not to pursue the case out of fear of public humiliation. Nevertheless, her maternal grandfather and grandmother made a complaint. Police investigated the matter and arrested the perpetrator Laxman Mogia who was an occultist. Thereafter, the victim recorded her statement before the Magistrate under section 164. She also named three other individuals apart from him.

She narrated her ordeal to the court and stated that the accused raped her repeatedly on the hospital premises as well. The police then apprehended Rohit and Harish along with a minor. Two of them are in charge of the facility’s parking while the third is a compounder.

Her father revealed that the occultist had told him that he would treat the young girl. He then went on to act inappropriately with her under false pretences. DNA samples of the four offenders as well as her have been sent for analysis, per the police, to identify the father of the newborn.

Kidnap, rape and murder of a minor girl

A school teacher of Hanutiya village under the Bonli police station area of Sawai Madhopur district has been accused of abduction, rape and killing of a minor female student of his own school. She was studying in class 12 at a local government institution.

The 16-year-old’s family filed a First Information Report with the police station on 8 August following her sudden disappearance with concerns of kidnapping. They accused that Ramratan Meena had taken their daughter. Afterwards, the police began looking into the issue.

Meanwhile, a pair of a girl’s slippers were spotted by a well on 10 August at about 11 a.m. and her body was discovered floating in the well when the police searched it out of suspicion. The police are interrogating the culprit based on her family’s allegations.

The deceased’s father asserted that she and the accused used to converse on the phone. His daughter was killed after being taken hostage by him. There is also a possibility that she was raped. The police, however, are probing homicide from the perspective of honour killing and murder to suicide.

Her relatives and local villagers organised a protest and placed her dead body in the schoolyard. They asked for restitution, the termination of all school employees, an inquiry by senior police officials, and immediate arrest of the perpetrator.

Her post-mortem could not be performed under the difficult circumstances. Ramratan Meena has been arrested and is currently being questioned. The school has suspended him along with other male members of the staff.

BJP slammed Congress

Rajendra Singh Rathore, the leader of the opposition in the Rajasthan assembly, attacked the administration over the occurrence and asserted that crime against women has increased in the state under the reign of Congress.

He voiced, “The safety of women has become the biggest question today under Congress rule. Another girl was raped and murdered in Sawai Madhopur. This incident of throwing the dead body into the well is shameful to humanity. This incident is also a question mark on the law and order of the state.”

The Bharatiya Janata Party lawmaker representing Churu Constituency criticised the government’s announcement of the ‘Indira Gandhi Smartphone’ scheme for women on 10 August and added that girls and women in the state needed justice more than smartphones.

As Modi government is revamping criminal justice system by replacing British-era laws, read the major provisions of the 3 bills introduced in parliament

Raju Das
-
0
As Modi government is revamping criminal justice system by replacing British-era laws, read the major provisions of the 3 bills introduced in parliament

In a major step in revamping the criminal justice system of India, Home Minister Amit Shah today introduced 3 new bills in the parliament to replace 3 British-era laws. The Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 and the Evidence Act, 1872 are being repealed, which will be replaced by three new laws named Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, and The Bharatiya Sakshya Bill 2023 respectively.

He said that the bills have been prepared after comprehensive discussions and studies, and the task was started in 2019. Suggestions were taken from all High Courts, Law universities, chief ministers, governors, MPs, MLAs etc. Several reports from several parliamentary committees were compiled while drafting the bills in a process that took 4 years.

Amit Shah said that the existing laws were passed by the British parliament in the UK. The existing laws still carry several terms relating to colonial legacies, like the UK Parliament, the provincial act, notification by the crown’s representative, London gazette, jury and barrister, Lahore government, commonwealth proposals, British crown etc.

The minister said that in as many as 475 places, there were references to the British Raj, which will no longer be there in the new laws.

Significant changes have been made in the bills, with laws related to the colonial rule and outdated laws being repealed, and new laws being introduced. The IPC has 511 sections, while its replacement Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita will have 356 sections. 175 sections have undergone changes, 8 new sections have been added and 22 sections have been repealed.

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita will have 533 sections, 160 sections in it have been changed, 9 new sections have been added and 9 sections have been repealed. Bharatiya Sakshya Bill will have 170 sections against 166 in the existing evidence act, 23 sections have been changed, 1 new section has been added and 5 sections have been repealed.

Amit Shah said that the old laws were meant to punish, not to do justice, and the new laws will ensure that the rights granted to Indian citizens by the constitution are protected. He said that punishments will be applicable only in those cases where there is the need to create a sense of stopping crimes. From 1860, India’s criminal justice system was run by laws and rules formulated by the British, but from now on, Indian-made laws will replace them, Amit Shah said.

The home minister said that the basic approach of the criminal laws is being changed, where crimes like sedition, loot of state funds etc came before crimes against women. In the new law, crimes against women, children, and crimes against human bodies including murder will come first. The focus of the law will shift to the citizens from the rulers, the home minister said.

While talking about laws against crime against women, the home minister said that establishing sexual relations by hiding one’s identity will be made a criminal offence, which can be seen as a major step in a crackdown against love jihad.

Gang rape will invite 20 years in jail or life imprisonment, while the rape of minors will be punishable with the death penalty.

The new law will also repeal the offence of sedition, while new offences of terrorist acts, and organised crime have been added. Secession, armed rebellion, subversive activities, separatist activities, or endangering the sovereignty and unity of India are some of the offences listed in the new law. Significantly, there is a one-year imprisonment for bribing voters during elections.

There will be new provisions related to mob lynching, incidents of which have seen a rise, which will be punishable with 7 years or life imprisonment or the death penalty.

Snatching is also defined as a new offence, as at present it is not defined as a specific crime. It does not fall under theft, and often snatchers are able to escape prosecution using loopholes in the law.

Specific timelines have been prescribed for time-bound investigation, trial and pronouncement of judgements. Charge sheet to be mandatorily filed within 90 days of FIR, which can be extended by maximum 90 days by the court. Police will have to conclude the probe and file a charge sheet within maximum 180 days, which will increase the speed of justice significantly.

The courts will have to frame charges in 60 days of receiving the charge sheet. Judgment will have to be mandatorily delivered within 30 days after the conclusion of the hearing, and the same must be made available online within 7 days.

Minor crimes attracting 3 years or less in jail term will be disposed of in summary trials, which will result in 40% of the cases moving out of the sessions courts and will be concluded by the lower courts.

Moreover, the police will have to inform the status of a complaint to the complainant in 90 days, after every 15 days after that.

No case punishable with 7 years or more shall be withdrawn without providing an opportunity for hearing to the victim of the crime. There will also be provision of protection for complainants and witnesses.

The new laws will make formal provision of ‘Zero FIR’, which will enable to citizens to file an FIR at any police station, regardless of jurisdiction. The Zero FIR will have to be sent to the concerned police station within 15 days. The provision of E-FIR is also being added.

In case of arrest of persons, the police station must inform the family immediately. Community service as a punishment will also be added to the law. Although at present courts grant community service as punishment in some cases, it is not listed in the law.

While prosecuting civil servants in criminal cases, if no sanction is received from authorities within 120 days, it will be considered as the sanction received.

The complete process from registering FIR to case diary to charge sheet and judgement will be digitised. Along with that, the complete trial included cross-examinations could be done via video conferencing. While recording statements of victims of sexual crimes, video recording will be mandatory.

The definition of documents under criminal laws has been expanded to include all kinds of electronic and digital devices and data, including emails, SMS, device data etc. Video recording during search and seizure procedures will be made mandatory.

The new laws will increase the use of forensic science in investigating crimes in a massive scale, so that rate of conviction can be increased. Amit Shah said that after 3 years, every year 33,000 new forensic science experts will join the workforce.

Visit of a forensic team will be mandatory in probe of any crime involving jail term of 7 years or more. This has been successfully implemented in Delhi using mobile FSL teams, and the same will be implemented in the entire country.

Under existing laws, the investigating officer in a case have to appear in the court even if that officer is posted elsewhere or retired. Under the new law, the current officer in the same position will attend courts in the old cases by referring to case files. The existing rule causes a significant delay in trial, as the officers who are posted elsewhere, often in higher positions, can’t attend court on designated dates for various reasons.

‘Should hang Ali Sethi publicly,’ Pakistani Islamists attack Pasoori fame Ali Sethi over rumours of marriage with his male partner Salman Toor

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Should hang Ali Sethi publicly,’ Pakistani Islamists attack Pasoori fame Ali Sethi over rumours of marriage with his male partner Salman Toor

On Friday, August 11, several Pakistani Islamists descended on various social media platforms like X (formally Twitter) and Instagram to attack popular Pakistani singer Ali Sethi of Pasoori fame after rumours of his marriage with his long-time male partner Salman Toor started doing rounds on the internet. Reports emerged that the duo have tied the knot in a hush-hush intimate ceremony in New York City.

Though neither Ali Sethi nor his Pakistani American painter partner Salman Toor officially confirmed the news of their marriage, Islamists in Pakistan started losing their mind and began attacking the singer with abusive posts both on Instagram and X.

A Pakistani named Gul Noor Khan was so angry by the news that she went on to declare that Ali Sethi and his partner should be hanged publicly. “If this is true! So they should hang Ali sethi and the guy publicly. This is not a joke literally. If this is Islamic republic of Pakistan so they will take action. This is increasing day by day which is so disgusting man!!! ?#AliSethi,” she wrote on X.

Another Pakistani Islamist Mohsin Khan shared a verse from the Quran to declare how homosexuality is haram in Islam and lambasted Ali Sethi and his partner for going against Allah.

“LGBTQ IS HARAM. If Ali Sethi and toor did this, they will face jhnum and everyone supporting it or choosing silent over it will bear consequences. I am no one to give fatwa on this but it is clearly mentioned in Quran,” another Pakistani Pakiza Amit posted.

Another Islamist from Pakistan named Maryam was so miffed that she urged her Muslim brethren to boycott the songs of Ali Sethi, whom she went on to declare a ‘Fitnah’ (Kufr or Kafir).

“Boycott Ali Sethi‘s songs. Our media is too much in this filth. It’s up to us to boycott him completely. Stand against Ali sethi before this fitnah attacks our homes,” Maryam wrote.

Such was the rage that one Pakistani Islamist went ahead to curse Ali Sethi’s father Najam Sethi. While Najam Sethi defending cypher His son #AliSethi got married to Salman Toor. Pure example of ” Haram kha k bachay Harami hi nikalte hain,” tweeted Tanzeela Fayyaz.

Pakistani Islamists on Instagram were also quite unsparing towards the Pasoori singer. They too lambasted Ali Sethi for engaging in conduct considered ‘haram’ in Islam.

Apparently, according to an India Today report, Ali Sethi and Salman Toor had first met at an art class at Aitchison College. While there is no confirmation of the news of their marriage, Salman once talked about his sexuality with The New Yorker in 2022 and revealed that he had tried telling his parents about his sexuality when he was 15 years old. “They didn’t accept that,” he recalled.

On the work front, Ali Sethi is a famous Pakistani songwriter, composer, and author. He rose to prominence with his debut novel, The Wish Maker (2009). He made his film debut as a singer in Mira Nair’s 2012 film, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, with ‘Dil Jalane Ki Baat Karte Ho’ song.

In 2015, he made his debut on Coke Studio Pakistan with the well-known Punjabi folk song ‘Umraan Langiyaan’. His recent single for Coke Studio – ‘Pasoori’ which came out in 2022 got massive love and adulation not just in Pakistani but in India as well.

Watch the song can be seen below.

Delhi HC halts IT procedures against Oxfam India, accused of violating FCRA and receiving Rs 1.5 crores in foreign funding

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Delhi HC halts IT procedures against Oxfam India, accused of violating FCRA and receiving Rs 1.5 crores in foreign funding

The Delhi High Court has recently halted the Income Tax (IT) reassessment procedures that were started against the non-profit organization, Oxfam India.

On August 4, 2023, a division bench consisting of Justices Rajiv Shakdher and Girish Kathpalia issued an interim order and sent a notice to the IT department in response to Oxfam’s plea, which contested the income tax proceedings.

Oxfam became subject to IT proceedings after an office survey on September 7, 2022. On March 29, 2023, Oxfam received a notice under Section 148A(b) of the IT Act.

The notice indicated that Oxfam was involved in activities contrary to Section 8(1) of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) and had accepted contributions from foreign individuals.

Additionally, it was claimed that Oxfam did not acknowledge more than ₹15 crores as revenue. This sum was reportedly received as an advance for upcoming projects.

The authorities also asserted that the NGO did not allocate 85% of its total receipts for its intended purposes within the applicable period, as mandated by the IT Act provisions concerning charitable or non-profit entities.

Earlier this year, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs recommended a CBI probe against Oxfam India over alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. The Income Tax Authorities conducted a survey at Oxfam’s Delhi headquarters in September 2022 on possible economic irregularities. A survey was also done by the department at the CPR (Centre for Policy Research) think tank in Delhi. Authorities reportedly suspect that Oxfam India might have sent money in the form of a commission to the Centre for Policy Research.

“Oxfam India continued to transfer Foreign Contributions to various entities even after coming into force of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020 which prohibits such transfers. The amendment came into force on September 29, 2020. Oxfam India transferred funds to other NGOs, violating provisions of the FCRA, 2010,” a source in the Home Ministry said.

“Oxfam India, which is registered to carry out social activities, routed funds to the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) through its associates and employees in the form of commission,” the sources said. The same is also reflected in the TDS data of Oxfam India which shows a payment of Rs 12,71,188 to the CPR in the Financial Year 2019-20 under section 1943.

BJP dismisses reports that it supported SDPI in Karnataka panchayat polls, says elections not contested on party lines

OpIndia Staff
-
0
BJP dismisses reports that it supported SDPI in Karnataka panchayat polls, says elections not contested on party lines

On Friday, August 11, Times Now published a report which claimed that BJP workers have backed SDPI in the gram panchayat elections in Karnataka. As soon as Times Now posted the claim on X (formerly Twitter) the assorted bunch of leftists and members of the opposition parties rushed to use the post to further their anti-BJP agenda. Heading the list was Alt News co-founder Mohammad Zubair, notorious for peddling fake news and the Congress party and its loyalists. BJP, however, trashed the media report calling it fake.

In a report shared by Times Now, it was claimed that the political wing of the Popular Front of India (PFI), SDPI was backed by BJP workers in the gram panchayat elections in Karnataka.

The report was also retweeted by Alt News rumour mongerer Mohammed Zubair.

Meanwhile, the Congress machinery also had a gala time further amplifying the fake news. Sharing the false news, Congress wrote, “Amit Shah ji talks big on PFI and now his party is supporting its political wing.”

The entire Congress machinery went ahead to actively push the narrative that BJP has tied hands with SDPI, the political wing of PFI which it had banned.

BJP’s social media in-charge Amit Malviya took to X (formerly Twitter), however, was quick to dismiss the Times Now report saying there are “no party symbols in Panchayat”.

“This is #FakeNews. To start with, there are no party symbols in Panchayat in Karnataka. So how can there be any alliance? Besides there is no question of supporting the SDPI. Period.,” Malviya wrote.

Karnataka BJP leader Tejasvi Surya also trashed the Times Now report which claimed that BJP is backing the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) candidate for the presidency of gram panchayat in the southern state. Alleging that the report is ‘fake news’ and saying that ‘Panchayats don’t take place on party lines’, Surya advised media to verify facts before publishing such news.

“This is fake news. Elections to Panchayats don’t take place on party lines. BJP has not supported SDPI or any other party in these elections. Media is advised to verify facts before publishing such news,” Surya wrote in his post on X.

According to this Times of India report, (the archive version of the report can be viewed here)T Ismail was elected president of Talapady gram panchayat in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district. He was elected with the backing of SDPI. The report says that Ismail was voted president with the support of members who were backed by the BJP.

Even as BJP-supported candidate Satyaraj had the upper hand, he was defeated after two “BJP-backed” members cross-voted in favour of Ismail. But Times Now in its full-frame breaking news plate wrote, “Surprise alliance in Karnataka. BJP backs SDPI in Gram Panchayat. SDPI elected Prez with BJP backing” giving the impression that there is a political alliance between BJP and SDPI instead of cross-voting, even as the anchor corrected the same by saying that only “some BJP workers had supported SDPI candidate.”

Besides members of the ruling party, Twitterati was also quick to fact-check Times Now and Zubair with the latter trolling another Twitter user @MrSinha, a Hindu rights activist, who called out the Islamist propagandist for spreading fake news.

On 10th August, Thursday, a Muslim member was elected president from a Sindhanur taluk in Raichur district prompting resignation by gram panchayat members who argued that the post should have been reserved for the general or OBC category.

The president’s post for this term was reserved for the general category. The members were angry that the reservation was not followed and a Muslim was made president alleging that some people were made to participate in the election on 3rd August owing to political pressure. A demand has now been raised urging re-election.

Notably, OpIndia spoke to Karnataka BJP leader Tejasvi Surya who said, “They aren’t BJP backed. They aren’t even members of the BJP. Panchayat elections don’t have party lines voting or even party symbols”

Rajya Sabha Chairman extends AAP senior leader Sanjay Singh’s suspension for repeated and deliberate misconduct, has been a repeat offender

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Rajya Sabha Chairman extends AAP senior leader Sanjay Singh’s suspension for repeated and deliberate misconduct, has been a repeat offender

On Friday, August 11, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar announced the extension of the suspension of AAP MP Sanjay Singh for repeated and deliberate misconduct in the upper house of the Parliament.

Announcing the extension of the suspension of Singh, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said, “I find it expedient to refer the matter to the Committee of Privileges. Suspension order dated 24th July 2023 may continue beyond the current session till the Council has the benefit of recommendation by the Committee of Privileges.”

This is after Leader of the House, Piyush Goyal indicated that on 56 occasions AAP MP Sanjay Singh appeared in the well of the house. “This repeated and deliberate misconduct deserves to be noted and recognized by India. I seek suspension of Sanjay Singh till committee of privileges investigate,” he said.

Singh’s suspension came after AAP MP Raghav Chadha, who faced accusations of ‘forging’ signatures of five Rajya Sabha MPs, was suspended from the Upper House of Parliament.

Singh was suspended in July for violating the directions of the Chair

AAP’s Singh was suspended on July 24 from Rajya Sabha for the remainder of the monsoon session of Parliament for “repeatedly violating directions of the Chair.” This happened amid Opposition’s protest in the House over the Manipur issue.

Sanjay Singh, along with other opposition members, were demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi make a statement on the Manipur issue in the Rajya Sabha. But when their demand wasn’t accepted and the Question Hour started, Sanjay Singh walked to the Well of the House to press his demand.

As per the reports, he was first told to go back to his seat but when the AAP member did not comply, Dhankar approved the motion to suspend him for the rest of the duration of the session and until the last day of this current session.

Dhankhar had reportedly earlier cautioned Sanjay Singh saying that he would be forced to name the AAP member after he repeatedly protested against the proposed bill to replace Centre’s ordinance for control over services in Delhi. Dhankhar had cautioned the AAP member after repeatedly urging AAP members to take their seats.

AAP was among opposition parties demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament on the situation in Manipur and a detailed discussion on the issue. The government had said it was prepared to discuss the situation in Manipur. In spite of this, the opposition kept on protesting in the Parliament.

AAP’s Sanjay Singh in 2020 had broke mic of Dy chairman, assaulted Marshal on duty in Parliament, was suspended

Singh was also suspended in 2020 along with other 7 opposition MPs for a week after they were found guilty of exhibiting unparliamentary behaviour. Derek O Brien, Sanjay Singh, Raju Satav, KK Ragesh, Ripun Bora, Dola Sen, Syed Nazir Hussain, and Elamaran Karim were not allowed in the Upper House for a period of seven days.

At that time, video clips of AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh assaulting a Marshal on duty had gone viral on social media. The Marshal was trying to stop him from charging at the deputy chairman and creating a ruckus.

Singh also climbed on the table and raised slogans against the farm bill, which was later passed in the Rajya Sabha. The AAP leader also unabashedly admitted on national television that he was the one who broke the mic of the Deputy Chairman of the House. 

Monsoon session of the Parliament ended on August 11

Notably, the Monsoon Session of Parliament ended on Friday, August 11 with the violence in Manipur remaining central to the Opposition’s protest that led to multiple disruptions followed by an unsuccessful no-trust vote.

Also, five members of the Rajya Sabha, including BJP leader Jugalsinh Lokhandwala (BJP), who will retire on August 18, bid farewell. Four of the nine departing members have been re-elected, but the House will miss the other five, said chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Four members who have been re-elected to the Upper House include S Jaishankar of BJP and three AITC members Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, Derek O Brien, and Dola Sen. Whereas the five retiring members are Jugalsinh Lokhandwala and Dinesh Chandra Jemalbhai Anavadiya of the BJP, Sushmita Dev and Shanta Chhetri from the AITC and Pradip Bhattacharya from Congress.

The Monsoon session of Parliament began on July 20 and ended today August 11.

PM Modi mentions the 1966 bombing of Mizoram: When Indira Gandhi had ordered the IAF to carry out an aerial attack in Aizawl and its aftereffects

Gopal Tiwari
-
0
PM Modi mentions the 1966 bombing of Mizoram: When Indira Gandhi had ordered the IAF to carry out an aerial attack in Aizawl and its aftereffects

On August 10, 2023, during his no-confidence motion address in the Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi castigated the Congress administration led by Indira Gandhi for ordering an airstrike on Indian civilians in Aizawl, Mizoram, utilising the Indian Air Force back in 1966. Modi’s comments have reignited conversations surrounding historical grievances in Mizoram, resurfacing the painful memories of the aerial bombardment that continues to cast a shadow over the state’s past.

In his Lok Sabha speech, PM Modi said: “On 5th March 1966, Congress had its Air Force attack the helpless citizens in Mizoram. Congress should answer if it was the Air Force of any other country. Were the people of Mizoram not the citizens of my country? Was their security not the responsibility of the Government of India?”

“Till today, Mizoram mourns the day of 5th March. They never tried to tend to those wounds. The Congress hid this truth from the country. Who was ruling then? Indira Gandhi,” Modi added.

The Mizoram Bombing of 1966

On March 5, 1966, in response to an insurgency led by the Mizo National Front (MNF), the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted an airstrike on the city of Aizawl in the Mizo Hills, now known as Mizoram. The decision to bomb Aizawl was made under the directives of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It’s reported that the Mizo National Famine Front, initially established to address food shortages, evolved into the Mizo National Front, which subsequently expanded its activities to include an armed faction known as the Mizo National Army. This armed wing consisted of former soldiers from a disbanded Assam Rifles battalion.

The bombing took place on March 5, 1966, during the Mizo National Front (MNF) insurgency against the Indian government. The MNF was seeking independence for the Mizo Hills, which were then part of Assam. The Indian government responded to the insurgency by sending in the army. The MNF rebels were quickly overwhelmed, but they retreated to the hills and continued to fight. In an attempt to flush out the rebels, the Indian Air Force bombed Aizawl, the centre of the Mizo Hills district. The bombing killed an estimated 100 civilians and destroyed much of the city.

On March 2, 1966, the Mizo National Army initiated an aggressive campaign against Indian forces, successfully capturing the Aizawl treasury and armoury. Subsequently, four Indian Air Force fighter jets were employed, initially engaging in machine gun fire upon Aizawl before escalating to aerial bombing. Tragically, the bombing operation resulted in an approximate loss of 100 lives, predominantly civilians. It left a trail of destruction, decimating residences, enterprises, and government edifices. This devastating event marked a significant juncture in the Mizo insurgency, propelling the region into an extended period of turmoil and uncertainty.

Effects of The Mizoram Bombing of 1966

The bombing elicited widespread condemnation, resonating both within India and across international borders. The United Nations advocated for an impartial inquiry into the incident, a plea that was met with refusal by the Indian government. The repercussions of the bombing cast a long shadow over Mizoram. It sowed profound distrust among the Mizo populace toward the Indian government, subsequently impeding the region’s journey towards eventual statehood and causing a significant delay in its attainment.

Even in the present day, the echoes of the bombing resonate within Mizoram, serving as an enduring testament to the region’s tumultuous history. It stands as a poignant symbol, evoking feelings of anguish and resentment among the Mizo populace. The 1966 bombing of Mizoram remains a sombre episode etched in the annals of India’s past, reflecting not only the government’s forceful reactions to dissent but also the sobering toll of human suffering in times of conflict.

‘If we hadn’t run away, we would have been burned alive’: Kali temple in Nuh was also attacked, attackers shouted Allahu Akbar, says the priest

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘If we hadn’t run away, we would have been burned alive’: Kali temple in Nuh was also attacked, attackers shouted Allahu Akbar, says the priest

On July 31, 2023, a disturbing incident unfolded in Nuh, Mewat, Haryana, as an Islamic mob launched an attack on Hindu pilgrims participating in the Jalabhishek Yatra. The rioting Muslims attacked the Nalhad Mahadev temple by rioting Muslims. As a result, numerous Hindu devotees found themselves ensnared in a hostage-like situation for an extended period.

The Shringar Temple, located about 45 minutes away from the Nalhad temple, was also targeted. Apart from this, another Baba Gorakhnath Kali temple of Nuh was also targeted by the mob of rioters.

Evidence of violence continues to linger, visibly etched upon the main gate and walls of the Kali temple. Upon reaching the temple on August 9, 2023, Team OpIndia encountered visible signs of vandalism and deliberate arson in numerous areas. The temple’s priest and his family bore the brunt of the mob’s aggression, with targeted actions directed against them. Expressing their account to OpIndia, the temple priest highlighted that their safety and security were preserved due to the resolute defence mounted by fellow Hindus against the marauding assailants.

The priest of the Kali temple told OpIndia that on July 31, a mob of more than 500 attacked the temple. They were shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’. They had many other weapons including stones in their hands. He said, “As soon as we ran into the room, we put a latch inside. We were accompanied by Bhagat ji and two devotees who had come to meet me, whose bikes were later set on fire by the mob.”

According to the priest, there was a heavy stone pelting around the temple for about 2-3 hours. The entire road was covered with stones. The mob had broken the lock of the temple, but they could not enter the temple. If this was the case, they could also damage the idol of Goddess Kali and the Shivaling.

The priest mentioned that upon learning about the attack, the colony’s inhabitants promptly came out of their residences. He said, “If we hadn’t run away, we would have been burned alive. It was the people of the colony who somehow took us out of here.”

According to the priest, he had also sought help from the administration at the time of the attack, but no help was received. The police arrived six hours after the attack.

The priest told OpIndia that the rioters also uprooted the tap of the drinking water from which everyone – including Muslims also – used to drink water. The temple bell and Shankh are also missing. According to him, the mob included people between the ages of 15 and 30-35. He also showed the injury marks that he received on his feet due to stones while they were fleeing.

The priest of the Kali temple has demanded a police post in the area. On that day, Hindus organised and saved the temple and his family from the attack by a Muslim mob, he said. But the Hindus in the vicinity are still scared because the entire area is Muslim-dominated.

The attack on the Kali temple also shows that the July 31 violence was a well-planned conspiracy. Hindus and Hindu temples were systematically targeted. So far, 216 people have been arrested in connection with the violence. 104 FIRs have been registered.

Former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik granted interim bail on medical grounds, was arrested in money laundering case

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik granted interim bail on medical grounds, was arrested in money laundering case

On Friday, August 11, the Supreme Court granted interim bail to former Maharashtra cabinet minister Nawab Malik who was arrested in February last year in a money laundering case with links to terrorist Dawood Ibrahim. Malik has been granted bail for a period of two months only. The bail order was granted on medical reasons, not on merits, stated a bench comprising Justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela M Trivedi.

“He is in the hospital for kidney disease and other problems. Let counter-affidavit be submitted in response to the main petition within 5 weeks, followed by 3 weeks for a rejoinder. List after 10 weeks. Bail granted. “We are passing the order solely on medical grounds and have not taken into account merits,” the order stated.

The ruling was issued in response to a petition filed by Malik against a Bombay High Court order dismissing the interim medical bail petition.

The leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is in judicial custody and is being treated in a private hospital.

On July 13, the High Court denied Malik bail on medical grounds. Malik had sought relief from the High Court, claiming he had a chronic kidney-related condition in addition to other maladies. He also requested bail on the basis of merit. The high court said it will examine his bail application on merit in two weeks.

ED had arrested the NCP leader for alleged links with Dawood Ibrahim. On 21st April 2022, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) submitted the charge sheet against the NCP leader and Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik in Special PMLA court, in connection with the Dawood Ibrahim money laundering case. The charge sheet contained 5,000 pages and includes a statement of witnesses and other documentary evidence.

In February last year, the National Investigation Agency had revealed that fugitive terrorist Dawood Ibrahim was planning to launch terror attacks on India using explosives and lethal weapons. He had formed a special unit with the aim of inciting violence in different parts of the country.

The probe agency has also said that he has been transferring funds through Hawala channels to provide financial help to all those involved in a planned attack. He is involved in promoting anti-national activities and is also trying to create a rift between different religious groups, the agency added.

Nawab Malik’s name reportedly appeared in the process of investigation after the intelligence inputs directed the agency to look into the hawala transaction while probing a money laundering case against Ibrahim, Iqbal Mirchi, Chhota Shakeel, Parkar and Javed Chikna. The agency traced several hawala transactions linked to money illegally obtained through extortion, drug trafficking, sale of real estate in Nagpada and Bhendi Bazaar area of Mumbai, and other unlawful activities.

Assam: 13-year-old orphan minor pregnant after Arabic teacher rapes her for two months, accused booked under POCSO Act

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Assam: 13-year-old orphan minor pregnant after Arabic teacher rapes her for two months, accused booked under POCSO Act

A shocking incident has surfaced in the Dhubri district of Assam where a 13-year-old was raped and impregnated by her Arabic teacher named Ashif Sheikh alias Dipu, a report published in Organiser said. She used to learn Arabic at the house of the 24-year-old culprit. The heinous crime came to light when the victim was revealed to be pregnant.

The Arabic teacher threatened her not to disclose the terrible act and physically assaulted her for two months. The little girl was too afraid and ashamed to inform her relatives about the startling ordeal. However, he was exposed when the former was discovered to be impregnated by him.

Afterwards, her relatives contacted Nikhil Bharat Mahila Samiti when they found out the truth. They along with the minor were taken to the Dhubri Sadar police station by members of the organisation. A case (310/23) was brought against the accused under section u/a 376 of the Indian Penal Code and R/w sec 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

She was examined by the police on 8 August after the occurrence was reported. However, the perpetrator went missing on the same day. The Dhubri police used their informant network to find the evading culprit after executing raids in several locations. They carried out a raid in the Beguntali neighbourhood under the Gauripur police station based on specific information on 10 August. He was eventually captured and taken into custody in the wee hours of the night.

The residents of Vidyapara Bhatigaon urged that the rapist receive harsh punishment. Notably, he is quite popular for his YouTube videos on Islam and is a very active user of social media as well. People were horrified after they learned about the instance. According to Dhubri police, he is scheduled to appear in court on 11 August and police are to seek his custody so they can proceed with their investigation.

1...1,9271,9281,929...7,647Page 1,928 of 7,647