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NYTimes loses verified badge on Twitter

ANI
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NYTimes loses verified badge on Twitter

In less than a week after Elon Musk declared Twitter’s new policy for keeping verification badges, US’s leading media house “The New York Times” lost its verification badge on Twitter on Sunday. 

Twitter announced that it will be doing away with the blue ticks for legacy verified accounts starting April 1. The microblogging site will remove the verified check-mark status of accounts that Twitter had verified as notable before Elon Musk’s takeover unless they have subscribed to Twitter Blue or the business-focused Twitter Verified Organizations plan, Variety reported. 

The only individual Twitter users, who will have verified blue checkmarks, are those paying for Twitter Blue, which in the US costs USD 8/month via the web and USD 11/month through the in-app payment on iOS and Android. 

Earlier Thursday, the company announced that Twitter Blue was now available worldwide. 

“On April 1st, we will begin winding down our legacy verified program and removing legacy verified checkmarks. To keep your blue checkmark on Twitter, individuals can sign up for Twitter Blue,” Twitter posted from its official handle. 

Twitter, however, has not revealed how it will deal with the accounts of people who have “notable” mentioned on it. 

For companies and brands, Twitter recently introduced a gold check mark and has shifted government accounts to a grey check mark. As previously indicated, a subscription to the social network’s new Twitter Verified Organizations program in the US — which will be the only way to keep a gold or grey check-mark badge — will cost USD 1,000/month (plus tax) and USD 50/month (plus tax) for each additional affiliate subaccount. 

Twitter first introduced verified accounts in 2009 to help users identify that celebrities, politicians, companies and brands, news organisations, and other accounts “of public interest” were genuine, not impostors or parody accounts. The company didn’t previously charge for verification. 

Musk launched Twitter Blue with the check-mark badge as one of the premium perks within two weeks of the company’s takeover. 

The members of the White House will have to spend on their own in order to keep the blue verification checkmarks on Twitter, the White House informed its staffers on Friday via an email saying that won’t be subscribing to Twitter Blue, New York Post reported. 

After Elon Musk took control of Twitter as the CEO, a change was announced regarding the blue checkmarks. According to the new policy, Twitter plans to discontinue its long-running verified programme, removing the blue checkmarks from accounts that don’t pay the USD 8 monthly subscription fee. 

The White House will join individuals like NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who won the Super Bowl, and NBA superstar Lebron James in refusing to continue paying the monthly price to be verified, New York Post reported. 

After taking over the microblogging site, Musk announced the ability for users to purchase a blue tick verified through Twitter Blue. 

Despite getting internal warnings from Twitter’s own trust and safety staff, Musk’s plan resulted in the impersonation of high-profile accounts, including Twitter’s advertisers, The Verge reported. 

After Musk took over Twitter, the microblogging site has been adding and removing separate, grey checkmarks on high-profile accounts without explaining the reason. 

“It is our understanding that Twitter Blue does not provide person-level verification as a service,” White House Director of Digital Strategy Rob Flaherty informed staffers via email, according to New York Post. 

“Thus, a blue check mark will now simply serve as a verification that the account is a paid user. Staff may purchase Twitter Blue on their personal social media accounts using personal funds,” Flaherty wrote in the email. 

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

Amid media reports of Hindus leaving their homes in Sasaram after Ram Navami violence, Bihar police claims situation under control

OpIndia Staff
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Amid media reports of Hindus leaving their homes in Sasaram after Ram Navami violence, Bihar police claims situation under control

Media reports have suggested that Hindus in Sasaram, Bihar, are terrified after recent incidences of stone-pelting, rioting, and arson there on Ram Navami and afterward. The Bihar Police, however, claims that the situation is under control and that everything is normal. Yet videos and pictures of Hindus purportedly leaving their homes are surfacing online, and those impacted by the riots are being compelled to leave their homes for the safety of their families. Several houses have locks hanging on their doors in viral visuals.

Several images and videos have surfaced in which locks may be seen hanging on houses. In such a case, concerns are being voiced about how the situation is under the control of the police administration. The majority of victims were not even willing to speak in front of the camera. Violence and arson continued, according to the Aaj Tak report, even after police were deployed. Many cops were injured.

The magistrates stationed there, however, deny any such occurrences. Internet is still suspended, meanwhile, Rohtas Superintendent of Police released a video wherein he appealed to the residents of the district not to give attention to any sort of rumours. The situation is completely normal, he claimed. “Today Officer Rohtas and Superintendent of Police Rohtas held a peace committee meeting in the city,” he stated in the video. Following the meeting, a goodwill march was also conducted in presence of all societal sections and communities. A rumour is being spread that people in some areas are migrating to other places, however, this is totally baseless and misleading rumour. People should not pay attention to such rumours.”

According to a Navbharat Times report, a woman voiced concern about her family’s safety saying how would they be safe by staying here, given that there are five girls in the home. One woman even alleged that the police set her home on fire. The bomb was thrown, and following this, it has been claimed that the petrol was sprinkled all over and her house was set ablaze. The mother stated that dowry money and jewelry for her two daughters were kept in the house when it was allegedly set on fire.

Meanwhile, a woman alleged that the police had accused her of setting fire to her own house and of doing mischief and making up stories. The perpetrators damaged and threw away household items during the violence. A broken washing machine from a residence was found outside. The Bihar Police has mentioned that there is peace in both Nalanda and Sasaram while providing details on the arrests. Houses in Kadirganj, Lakhnu Sara, and Sahjalal Peer were looted.

There have also been reports of migration in these areas. A woman said that in addition to having her house set on fire, the goats and buffaloes left outside were also freed. People are fleeing on bicycles and handcarts while carrying as many belongings as they can. Many of the houses had flames coming out of them. In front of the camera, a man was seen sobbing since his home and all of his belongings were destroyed. Some women were also seen crying.

Notably, On 31st March 2023, a day after Ram Navami celebrations, violence erupted between two groups in Sasaram of Bihar over the burning of the Ram Navami pandal soon after the processions concluded. Section 144 has been imposed in the city, and a heavy police force is deployed to control the situation. Following the violence, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had to cancel his Sasaram visit. 

West Bengal: State CID arrests 38 people, registers 2 cases over the violence on Ram Navami in Howrah

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal: State CID arrests 38 people, registers 2 cases over the violence on Ram Navami in Howrah

The investigation into the violence that occurred during Ram Navami processions in Howrah, West Bengal, on Thursday and Friday has been taken up by the state’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID). A special team of the investigation agency reached Shibpur police station and took over the probe.

The investigation has been started by a special team under the direction of Inspector General of Police, CID Sunil Choudhury. A police spokesperson stated, “The state CID has officially taken over the investigation into the case on Saturday. Our team visited the areas which witnessed violence and collected evidence.”

The FIR, case details, and other relevant documents were gathered by CID. The team visited regions where violence occurred along with senior personnel from the Howrah police commissionerate.

“I request everyone to be calm. Now, there is no reason to fear. The situation is fully under control. People are moving normally. A total of 38 people have been arrested in connection with the violence. Two cases have been registered,” informed Howrah Police Commissioner Praveen Kumar Tripathi.

He added that area dominance exercises are being carried out by the Police to increase public confidence while Section 144 has been implemented in select areas.

A large police contingent monitored the bylanes in the Shibpur and Kazipara districts on Saturday. Prohibitive orders under Section 144 of the CrPC are in effect. Internet connections, which were restricted on Friday in the areas, were restored early Saturday morning.

Police asserted, “Though there were no new incidents of violence after Friday, tension prevailed in PM Basti, Kundal Bagan area, and a few other places in Shibpur. We are alert and forces have also been deployed in these areas.”

Units of the police and the Rapid Action Force are still present in the area. A group of 11 IPS officers are currently in charge of maintaining law and order in Howrah. As part of security preparations, police also staged marches in several neighbourhoods close to the Shibpur police station.

Violence erupted in Howrah during Ram Navami celebrations earlier on Thursday, the rioters pelted stones on the procession and vandalized both public and private property. Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose and took stock of the situation. He also called West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar and enquired about the law and order situation in the state.

Suvendu Adhikari, the leader of the opposition in the State Legislative Assembly, filed a PIL in the Calcutta High Court on Friday asking for an investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the immediate deployment of Central Forces in the areas affected by the violence.

The PIL was permitted to be filed by the acting justice of the Calcutta High Court, who also ordered that it be listed first on Monday, April 3.

Adhikari remarked that state chief minister Mamata Banerjee is useless and called for her resignation. He also urged the court to ‘step forward’ in this case.

In the midst of the political uproar, the Mamata Banerjee administration handed the Howrah violence inquiry over to state CID on Friday. She earlier accused ‘outsiders’ of causing upheaval in the state.

Gwalior: Gym trainer Firoz Khan rapes woman by keeping her son at knifepoint after she learnt that he was faking to be Hindu and ended friendship

OpIndia Staff
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Gwalior: Gym trainer Firoz Khan rapes woman by keeping her son at knifepoint after she learnt that he was faking to be Hindu and ended friendship

In the Gwalior district of Madhya Pradesh, a gym trainer has been booked for allegedly raping a woman by keeping her son at knifepoint. The Muslim man had introduced himself as a Hindu and had a friendship with the Hindu woman, but after she learnt that he is Muslim, she had ended communications with him some time ago. As revenge, he came to her house and raped her.

On Wednesday, March 29, the accused barged into the victim’s house in New Rachna Nagar in the Gola Ka Mandir area at around 11 pm. He allegedly put a knife around the neck of the victim’s son and raped her. When the victim protested, accused Firoz thrashed her and also destroyed household items.

The accused who has been identified as Firoz Khan, a resident of the Kampu police station precinct, reportedly posed as Raja to lure the Hindu woman. According to an ETV Bharat report, the 32-year-old victim met the accused on a social media platform and the two soon became friends and drew close. 

Reportedly, for the last six years, the victim’s husband has been staying in a different city due to his job. A Times of India report, however, states that the victim has separated from her husband and has been raising her son independently. During this time, the victim met Firoz who posed as Raja. According to the victim, she called off her friendship with the accused after learning about his true identity two months later. Following this, the accused started blackmailing and pressuring her for a physical relationship and threatened to defame her. The victim filed a police complaint against accused Mohammed Firoz aka Raja after she reportedly approached Bajrang Dal for help. 

Meanwhile, SSP Rajesh Dandotiya said that a woman has filed a complaint against a person alleging that he broke into her house and raped her. A case has been registered based on her complaint and an investigation has been initiated. Police are also conducting searches to nab the absconding accused. 

West Bengal: BJP leader Raju Jha shot dead by unknown attackers in Bardhaman

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal: BJP leader Raju Jha shot dead by unknown attackers in Bardhaman

Raju Jha, a Durgapur-based businessman, and BJP leader, was shot dead by two unknown assailants at Shaktigarh in West Bengal’s Purba Bardhaman last evening. Two others accompanying the politician were also injured in the attack. All three were taken to a local hospital where Raju Jha was pronounced dead.

The injured are currently undergoing medical treatment. Brathin Mukherjee, one of the persons accompanying Raju Jha, is in critical condition.

Raju Jha aka Rakesh stopped at the Amra sweet shop near the Shaktigarh police station on his way home when the anonymous assailants arrived and started firing indiscriminately at him, causing a stampede. Five rounds reportedly struck Jha.

According to the police, Jha was allegedly waiting in his automobile outside the store when the two perpetrators pulled up in a car. One of the accused broke the windscreen of Jha’s vehicle with a rod, and the other started shooting at him. 

According to eyewitnesses, Raju Jha and two acquaintances were seated in a white Fortuner and the gunmen were in a blue car. He was sitting in the front, next to the driver’s seat.

Senior police officials have examined the incident spot. Superintendent of Police (SP) Bardhaman, Kamanasish Sen informed that the motive behind the killing is not ascertained yet and efforts are being made to  identify the accused

Raju Jha had ties to the coal and hotel businesses. Before the December 2021 assembly elections, Raju Das joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of the then state party president, Dilip Ghosh.

‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ slogans raised in Una in Gujarat on Jumma during Ramzan, stone pelting also took place, read details

OpIndia Staff
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‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ slogans raised in Una in Gujarat on Jumma during Ramzan, stone pelting also took place, read details

On March 31, Islamists raised slogans of ‘sar tan se juda’ in Gir Somnath, accusing Kajal Hindustani of giving an anti-Muslim speech during the Ram Navami procession. The videos of the incident have gone viral on social media. The slogans were raised in front of a police station.

Reportedly, the Ram Navami procession (Shobhayatra) was taken out on March 30. Following the procession, a public meeting was also held where political and social activist Kajal Hindustani was one of the speakers. She talked about forced religious conversion where Hindu girls are lured into relationship by non-Hindu men who usually hide their religious identity and eventually force them to convert their faith, demography change in parts of India and several other issues.

The video of her speech was shared on social media, and as a reaction, thousands of Islamists took to on roads to protest. They demanded action against Kajal while chanting slogans calling for beheading. The protest march calling for beheading took place on Friday, March 31, during the Islamic holy month of Ramzan. The police intervened to maintain law and order.

Stone pelting after a reconciliation meeting

Una police organised a peace meeting between the two communities. However, it led to further disagreements, resulting in tension in the area. The merchants closed down the shops, and the market remained closed in many areas across the city.

Later, Gir Somnath’s Superintendent of Police (SP) reached the spot and called five leaders of both communities at the Circuit House. The police kept the security arrangement tight throughout the weekend.

The meeting held by SP was not fruitful as the situation deteriorated again in the evening resulting in stone pelting by miscreants in Kumbharwada, Koliwad and Chandrakiran areas. They also threw soda bottles. The police again intervened to control the situation.

Protests against Nupur Sharma and its aftermath

In May 2022, following remarks during a debate on Times Now, former spokesperson of Bharatiya Janata Party Nupur Sharma came under Islamists’ radar. However, she quoted what is written in the Islamic text. During protests, Islamists raised ‘sar tan se juda‘ slogans. Alt News’ co-founder Mohammed Zubair played a vital role in instigating protests against Sharma in India and abroad. As a result, BJP removed her from the party. Islamists kill many Hindus, including Rajasthan’s Kanhaiyalal and Maharashtra’s Umesh Kohle, for supporting Nupur Sharma. To date, Sharma is in hiding while Taslim Ahmed Rehmani, whose statement against Bhagwan Shiv made her angry during the debate, is roaming free.

Ten days after conviction in defamation case, Rahul Gandhi appeals against 2 years jail sentence, read details

OpIndia Staff
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Ten days after conviction in defamation case, Rahul Gandhi appeals against 2 years jail sentence, read details

Senior Congress leader and former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi is likely to be in Surat on Monday, April 3, to appeal against the conviction in defamation case. Citing Congress sources, news agency ANI said that the former Congress President will move the upper court, Sessions Court in Surat, against the conviction of the lower court. However, Indian Express, citing Congress sources, has reported that Rahul Gandhi has already filed the appeal and the plea will be heard tomorrow.

Rahul Gandhi was convicted by Surat Magistrate Court on 23 March 2023. He was held guilty in a criminal defamation case filed against him over his remarks insulting the Modi surname. During an election rally in 2019, Rahul Gandhi had alleged that everyone with the Modi surname, including Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi and Narendra Modi, are thieves. Following this, Gujarat BJP leader Surat Purnesh Modi had filed a criminal defamation case against the Congress leader, accusing him of defaming the entire Modi community.

The court found Rahul Gandhi guilty of the same, and sentenced him to 2 years in prison, while giving a month to appeal against the verdict. The court also kept the sentence suspended till he files an appeal.

Following his conviction, Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from being an MP and the same can be overturned only if the upper court stays the conviction. However, it has been ten days since the conviction and Rahul Gandhi has not yet filed an appeal. Earlier it was reported that the delay in appeal was a procedural delay as Congress leaders were working to get a translation of the order that was in Gujarati. Congress has a battery of legal eagles including some lawyers from Gujarat Congress team who could have helped with translation. Despite that, the appeal took ten days.

Banned terrorist outfit Khalistan Liberation Force takes responsibility for setting fires at three locations across Haryana, Delhi and UP

OpIndia Staff
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Banned terrorist outfit Khalistan Liberation Force takes responsibility for setting fires at three locations across Haryana, Delhi and UP

On April 1 (local time), the banned terrorist organisation Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) took responsibility for setting three major fires across Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. In a press release that was published on Facebook and Twitter accounts that claimed to be linked to the terrorist organisation, KLF’s Ranjodh Singh claimed responsibility for three fires that broke out at the Wazirpur factory in Delhi, Azma Hotel in Panchkula (Haryana) and Kanpur market.

KLF took responsibility of three fires in Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Source: Facebook.

Twitter account where the press release was published is withheld in India. There is no official word from any security agency if KLF’s claims are true. OpIndia could not verify the claims independently.

In English, it said, “Khalistan Liberation Force claims responsibility for the arson attacks in Delhi (Wazirpur), Kanpur (Market) and hotel Asma Revolving in Panchkula India. This is our response to Indian atrocities against the Sikh nation. We do not believe in killing civilians, our goal is to hit the Indian state’s infrastructure and economy. Long Live Khalistan!”

In the press release that was in Punjabi, the organisation took responsibility for the three attacks and called it a retaliation to the “continuous wave of repression against the Sikhs by the Hindutva government of India”. It added that their ‘war’ was not against the people but against the Indian State, economy, and infrastructure. This same organisation has been behind multiple assassinations over the years.

It further claimed those who faced financial loss had helped the rioters in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Furthermore, it was deemed as a response to sacrilege incidents in recent times. KLF claimed putting Sikhs in jail or killing pro-Khalistanis would not stop their war against India

They warned the Sikhs working for the police, Indian Army and security agencies to stop helping them; otherwise, they would face severe consequences. It also urged Sikhs to contribute to the war with mind, body and money.

The three fire incidents

On March 31, a fire broke out in Hamraj Market of Bansmandi, Kanpur. Hundreds of shops were gutted in the fire. On the same day, a massive fire broke out at a factory in Wazirpur, Delhi. The third incident took place in Panchkula’s Amravati Enclave at Aasma Hotel. The false ceiling reportedly caught fire and engulfed the hotel. No casualties were reported in any of the incidents.

About Khalistani Liberation Force

Khalistan Liberation Force of KLF is one of the Pakistan-based Khalistani terrorist organisations responsible for assassinations, abductions and attacks on Indian security agencies. The terrorist group was responsible for multiple bombings during the insurgency in the 1980s and 1990s. In 2014, it was reported that the organisation was active in multiple countries and getting funding from the United Kingdom, Malaysia and Spain, among other countries. One of the operatives arrested by NIA linked to KLF was Jagtar Singh Johal (Jaggi), who is currently lodged in Tihar jail.

Jaggi was also accused of paying Rs.27 lakh to the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) chief Harminder Singh Mintoo (deceased) in France in 2013 to assassinate RSS leader Ravinder Gosain. His name also appeared in the attempt to murder Shiv Sena activist Amit Arora and firing at RSS Shakha in Kidwai Nagar in Ludhiana in 2016. Multiple campaigns are being run to prove he was innocent.

 The Government of India banned the organisation under UAPA.

Wanted criminal Rashid, accused of murdering Suresh Raina’s relative, killed in a UP Police encounter

OpIndia Staff
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Wanted criminal Rashid, accused of murdering Suresh Raina’s relative, killed in a UP Police encounter

On Saturday, April 1, Rashid, who was one of the accused in murder of the relatives of cricketer Suresh Raina in 2020 was killed in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh in Shahpur. 

According to senior Superintendent of Police Sanjiv Suman, Muzaffarnagar, the wanted criminal also identified by his other names ‘Sipahiya’ and ‘Chalta Firta’, who carried a cash reward of Rs 50,000 was killed in an encounter.

“Police is now scanning the records to gather information about his activities,” SSP Suman added.

Meanwhile, Budhana’s Deputy Superintendent of Police, Vinay Kumar Gautam, stated, “Rashid had fled to Moradabad and went to Muzaffarnagar to carry out his next crime. Despite being stopped, he opened fire and was murdered on Saturday in retaliatory firing. Shahpur SHO Bablu Singh also sustained a bullet injury and has been moved to a hospital. Rashid’s aide managed to flee.”

According to the police, Rashid was wanted in multiple murder and dacoity cases, including the triple murder case of Suresh Raina’s relatives in 2020.

On August 19, 2020, in Tharyal village of Pathankot district, the Chhaymar gang members had entered the house of Suresh Raina’s uncle Ashok Kumar while he was deep asleep at his home. The robbers attacked Kumar and his son named Kaushal during the robbery. While Ashok Kumar who was a government contractor died on the spot, his son Kaushal succumbed to his injuries on August 31, 2020.

After the incident, the then Chief Minister of Punjab formed an SIT under the leadership of IGP Border Range (Amritsar) to investigate the matter. In this case, the SIT also arrested three suspects on 15 September 2020. In July 2021, one Chajju Chaimar, the mastermind of the crime, was arrested by the police. In September 2022, the UP Police arrested Talib and Shahjan who had committed a robbery at Raina’s aunt’s house two years ago in Punjab’s Pathankot district. The two were also involved in murdering three persons including Raina’s uncle Ashok Kumar and his cousin.

Free flour quota in Pakistan’s Dera Ghazi Khan division insufficient to meet demands

ANI
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Free flour quota in Pakistan’s Dera Ghazi Khan division insufficient to meet demands

Pakistan’s Dera Ghazi Khan division authorities have said that the quota of free flour for the four districts is insufficient to meet the demands, Dawn reported. 

In the Dera Ghazi Khan division, the Pakistan government has set up 100 distribution centres. Divison’s Commissioner Nasir Mehmood told reporters that 124,943 flour bags have been distributed in Muzaffargarh, 105,746 in Rajanpur, 77,560 in Dera Ghazi Khan, and 75,395 in Layyah. 

He said that the allocated quota of free flour for deserving dwellers of the Dera Ghazi Khan division was 500,000 bags, whereas the actual demand is 850,000 flour bags. 

He maintained that special arrangements had been made for wheat supplies to flour mills to meet the demand, according to Dawn. 

In one place where the demands are not met, in other places, there rush of people at the centres that are leading to stampedes and ultimately death of people. 

On Friday, in Karachi, at least 12 people have been killed, including 9 women in the stampede on Friday during a ration distribution drive in a factory, Geo News reported. 

According to rescue officials and police authorities in the region, three children were killed as well. 

Also, six people passed out during the stampede, rescuers informed Geo News. Police officers said that a sizable crowd had gathered at the location while the ration was being handed. 

According to rescue officials, they also received reports of a fire caused by a petrol leak at the factory. They also discovered water in the narrow streets, which appears to indicate that factory workers attempted to put out the fire. 

After the incident, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Friday night announced Rs500,000 compensation for the legal heirs of each deceased of the SITE stampede, reported Dawn. 

He also announced Rs 100,000 for each injured person. 

The CM directed the chief secretary to get details about the deceased and injured immediately for the distribution of compensation among them. 

Meanwhile, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the factory management did not inform the police or district administration about the distribution of charity, according to Dawn.

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

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