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Assam Police foils cattle smuggling bid along the India-Bangladesh border in Mankachar district, rescues 4 cows

OpIndia Staff
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Assam Police foils cattle smuggling bid along the India-Bangladesh border in Mankachar district, rescues 4 cows

On Tuesday, the Assam Police busted yet another cow smuggling operation along the India-Bangladesh border in the South Salmara Mankachar district of Assam and recovered four cows. The Police, however, could not catch the accused smugglers as they later managed to flee from the spot upon noticing the Police.

According to the reports, the incident is said to have happened on Tuesday night. Further action by the police is being taken care of. A similar incident happened on Monday night in Assam’s Biswanath district when the Police foiled a smuggling attempt and recovered 24 cow heads from a truck.

According to authorities, on Monday night, a police unit apprehended a truck with the registration number NL-02Q-7983 on National Highway 15 in Borgang, coming from the Gohpur side. “During Naka checking, we intercepted the truck, but the truck driver fled after seeing the police team. During the search, we found 24 cattle heads in the truck and seized the vehicle. Out of 24 cattle, one cattle was found dead. Further investigation is on,” a police officer of Borgang police outpost, B Bey was quoted saying.

Meanwhile, authorities have opened an investigation into this. Earlier on December 22, the Assam Police arrested two persons after seizing a big amount of Ganja in the Biswanath area. The arrested accused have been identified as  Krising Daimary and Nahu Daimary. The cops seized around 75 kilograms of Ganja.

According to reports, a police unit chased a car and apprehended two people in the Jamugurihat Borpathar region based on secret intelligence. Kulendra Nath Deka, Additional Superintendent of Police of Biswanath stated that when the police squad was following the car, the seized men had dumped numerous packets of Ganja on the road and tried to run. 

“When our team chased them they tried to flee from the area, but we caught them. We brought them to Kolapani road and recovered 75.20 kg of Ganja. We have also seized a vehicle bearing registration number AS-12 X-0498. Our investigation is on and we will catch all persons involved with this,” Kulendra Nath Deka said.

In the current case, the Assam Police have recovered four cows along the India-Bangladesh border in the South Salmara Mankachar district of Assam. The Police, however, have launched a manhunt to nab the accused smugglers who fled from the spot upon noticing the Police. Further investigations into the case are underway.

Vladimir Putin signs Decree banning export of oil to countries and entities implementing the price cap on Russian oil

OpIndia Staff
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Vladimir Putin signs Decree banning export of oil to countries and entities implementing the price cap on Russian oil

On Tuesday, December 27, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to ban sales of oil to countries and companies that are backing the G7 and European Union’s newly imposed price cap on Russian seaborne oil. This executive order by Russia came in response to the “unfriendly actions” of the United States and other foreign states and International organisations that backed the price cap.

According to the Presidential decree, “The supply of the Russian oil and oil products to foreign legal entities and Individuals is prohibited if the contracts for such supplies directly or indirectly use the oil price cap.” The decree said that it have been issued to protect the national interests of the Russian Federation and in accordance with the federal laws on special economic measures and coercive measures, federal laws on security and federal laws on ‘measures to influence (counter) unfriendly actions against the United States of America and other foreign countries’.

The decree says that the supply of Russian oil and oil products to foreign legal entities and individuals persons is prohibited if such entities and individuals expressly and indirectly support the price cap. The prohibition applies at all stages of supply to the final buyer.

Effective from February 1 to July 1, the executive order mentions that the ban may be lifted in individual cases on the basis of President Putin’s  ‘special decision’. 

An interdepartmental working group has been tasked with ensuring compliance with the executive order. This group works on issues pertaining to Russia’s fuel and energy activities.

The decree issued by Moscow banning oil supplies to countries backing the price cap

The Russian government will determine the list of codes of goods according to the unified Commodity Nomenclature for Foreign Economic Activity of the Eurasian Economic Union, for which the provisions of the Decree apply, and will adopt acts aimed at implementing the prohibition established by the Decree. The Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation has been directed to monitor the implementation of the Decree on a regular basis.

This comes after the Group of Seven (G7) and European Union (EU) on December 3 agreed upon imposing a price cap of $60 per barrel on Russian seaborne oil in response to Russia’s offensive in Ukraine.  As per the regulations of the EU and G7 imposed price cap, G7, and EU-based insurance and reinsurance companies that provide services for tankers carrying Russian crude oil, as well as institutions financing Russian crude transactions, will not be allowed to handle such cargoes unless the oil is bought at or below the price cap. Shipping companies will not be allowed to provide tankers for the transport of Russian crude as well unless the oil is sold at or below the $60 price cap. 

Aimed at “reducing Russian revenues” and yet “ensuring the supply of Russian crude to the global market”, this price cap came to effect on December 5. 

Notably, it was reported earlier that Russia has rejected the West’s price and Moscow might soon ban oil exports to countries backing the price cap in retaliation. 

The Russian President has earlier said that the “ill-conceived, and miscalculated oil price cap will not have an impact on Russia and its war against Ukraine. However, he asserted that the West’s move will have a drastic effect on the global energy markets. 

It is pertinent to note that Russia is the world’s second-largest oil exporter after Saudi Arabia. In order to avert the sanctions imposed by the West, Russia has been selling its seaborne oil to countries like China and India at a 40-50 percent discounted rate. Besides, Russia is also confident of finding new buyers even after the West’s price cap. 

This decision will not impact India as the Indian government has refused to accept the price cap on Russian oil imposed by G7. Hardeep Singh Puri, India’s Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, said that the oil price cap will not have an impact on India. Russia has welcomed this decision by India. “The Deputy Prime Minister welcomed India’s decision not to support the price cap on Russian oil, which was imposed on 5 December by the G7 countries and their allies,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement earlier this month.

Uttarakhand: 3, including a Nepalese national, arrested for issuing fake Voter IDs, Aadhaar Cards, PAN cards for foreign nationals

OpIndia Staff
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Uttarakhand: 3, including a Nepalese national, arrested for issuing fake Voter IDs, Aadhaar Cards, PAN cards for foreign nationals

On Monday, the Uttarakhand Police Special Task Force (STF) arrested three individuals from Rishikesh, including a Common Services Centre (CSC) administrator for providing fake identity documents including Aadhaar cards, voter identity cards, and Permanent Account Numbers (PAN cards) based on bogus or fabricated papers.

According to STF senior superintendent of police Ayush Agarwal, the three were apprehended on Monday evening from Rishikesh, only hours after an Aadhaar card and voter ID were given to a police proxy, a Nepalese national, for Rs 10,000. According to the ‘official’ identification papers provided by the accused, the Nepalese citizen was made to look like a resident of a village in the Pauri Garhwal area, 150 kilometers from Rishikesh.

The accused first charged Rs 3000 and promised to issue voters ID and Aadhaar Card. On December 26, the Police busted the racket as the Nepalese were provided with a fake voter’s ID with the address of a village in Pauri Garhwal, and the form to issue Aadhaar Card was filled up.

Other suspects identified by police include CSC operator Lakshman Singh Saini’s brother, Babu Saini, and Bharat Singh, a Nepalese native who lives in the Kalyasaur region of Pauri Garhwal district.

According to the reports, CSC offers access points for vital public utility services, social assistance systems, and other government services via information technology. “So far, it has come to light that they were making fake identity documents of Nepalese citizens,” Agarwal said.

Agarwal went on to say that the use of fraudulent papers for official identity cards has long been a cause for concern since they may be used for criminal or anti-national actions. 

Agarwal stated that the group is yet to figure out how many identity cards were issued in the previous year. “It appears to be a large racket,” the officer remarked, adding that they are investigating how they ensured field verification. Some other persons are likely engaged as well, he added. 

The police in the case has recovered a total of 640 blank plastic cards, 200 lamination covers, 28 Voter IDs, 68 Aadhaar Cards, and 17 PAN cards. The police have also recovered 7 Ayushman cards and several electronic machines which were being used to make these fake documents.

The police confirmed that the said Common Services Center was in operation for the past 4 years and that it was run by accused Laxman Singh Saini. The other two accused were helping Laxman in making fake documents of Nepali people who came to Uttarakhand to work as laborers. All three accused in the case have been arrested by the Police under relevant sections of the law. Further investigations are underway.

Salman Khurshid now says Rahul Gandhi is not Lord Ram, but BJP is following path of Ravan

ANI
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Salman Khurshid now says Rahul Gandhi is not Lord Ram, but BJP is following path of Ravan

Congress leader Salman Khurshid, who recently triggered a controversy by comparing party MP to Rahul Gandhi with Lord Ram, on Wednesday added fuel to the fire as he said that “Rahul Gandhi is not Lord Ram but the BJP is following the path of Ravana.”

“Rahul Gandhi is not Lord Ram, but he can follow the path shown by Lord Ram. They (BJP) are saying that you do not have the right to walk on it. We have objection as they are following the path of Ravana instead of Ram,” said Khurshid. The controversy began after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was seen in T-shirt in the chilly Delhi winter. On the occasion of the Congress party’s 138th foundation day, Rahul Gandhi replied to a question about him wearing a T-shirt. When a reporter asked today also in T-shirt, Rahul Gandhi said, “T-shirt hi chal rahi hai aur jab tak chal rahi hai chalayenge…” 

Rahul Gandhi is in the limelight for his mass padayatra “Bharat Jodo Yatra.” This is the longest march covered by any Indian politician as claimed by the party. 

Khurshid on Monday said, “Rahul Gandhi is superhuman. While we are freezing in the cold and wearing jackets, he is going out in T-Shirts (for his Bharat Jodo Yatra). He is like a yogi doing his ‘tapasya’ with focus.” 

“Lord Ram’s ‘khadau’ goes very far. Sometimes when Ram ji is not able to reach, Bharat takes the ‘khadau’ and goes to places. Like that, we have carried the ‘khadau’ in Uttar Pradesh. Now that ‘khadau’ has reached Uttar Pradesh. Ram ji (Rahul Gandhi) will also come,” he added. 

Khurshid’s statement drew a backlash from the ruling BJP. 

BJP hit out at Congress leader Salman Khurshid on Tuesday for comparing Rahul Gandhi with Lord Rama. BJP National Spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia on Tuesday said that the Congress can do any kind of politics to get votes. 

“It is in the DNA of the Congress party. If they want votes, they can do any kind of politics and this is the reason behind Salman Khurshid comparing our adorable deity Lord Shri Ram with such a person (Rahul Gandhi) who is out on bail and the people of India will give him the answer,” said Gaurav. 

“It is not wrong to call Rahul Gandhi a hypocrite Hindu, said Gaurav. “When elections come, he becomes a hypocrite Hindu,” said Bhatiya.

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

Stonepelting in Jaipur, Rajasthan over molestation case, houses set on fire, read details

ANI
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Stonepelting in Jaipur, Rajasthan over molestation case, houses set on fire, read details

As many as six people have been detained in Jaipur after a violent clash broke out between two groups over an alleged case of molestation in the Rajasthan capital that resulted in stone pelting, said police on Wednesday. 

The incident took place around 11 pm on Tuesday in Krishna Colony under Brahampuri Police Station causing damages to buildings and vehicles. North Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Parish Deshmukh said that the police took action and peace was restored. 

DCP Deshmukh said that in the preliminary investigation it has come to the fore that the entire dispute took place over the alleged incident of molestation of a woman. 

“A brawl occurred between two groups of people, at around 11 pm, over the alleged molestation of a woman in Krishna Colony under Brahampuri PS in Jaipur,” he said. 

Several houses were damaged in the stone pelting incident and the glasses of the vehicles were broken. 

“As soon as we got the information through the control room, we reached the spot. At present, the situation is under control. Peace is maintained. Teams have been formed to nab those who are accused in this entire matter. Six people detained so far, and the situation is being monitored,” said the DCP. 

On being asked about any firing incident, he said that at present no shells have been recovered from the incident site. 
Further investigation is underway. 

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

Salman Khan fans lathi-charged, had gathered outside his house for his birthday

OpIndia Staff
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Salman Khan fans lathi-charged, had gathered outside his house for his birthday

On Tuesday, December 27, Bollywood actor Salman Khan celebrated his 57th birthday. Like every year, the fans of Salman Khan gathered outside the actor’s Galaxy Apartment in Bandra.

However, things went awry when a crowd of Salman Khan fans jammed the road when the actor arrived at his balcony to greet his fans, forcing the Mumbai Police to lathi charge them, to control the crowd and avoid any accident.

In a video of the incident, it is seen that the Mumbai Police is seen managing the crowd and thrashing some fans of the actor creating a ruckus and blocking the road. This video is rapidly going viral on social media and netizens are sharing their opinions on the incident.

Responding to an Instagram post by Bollywood paparazzo Viral Bhayani, several users called fans of the actor ‘unemployed.’

One user wrote, “Mumbai Police reminding people of their unemployment.”

Another commented, “Seriously, jobless people, who have so much time god knows. “

Another user said, “Freaks, these people are crazy and unemployed seriously.”

Reacting to the video shared by ANI on Twitter, a Twitter user wrote, “Every Chapri & unemployed man is Salman Khan’s fan…”

Another user asked people to understand that the actors are paid for their acting performances.

On the work front, Salman Khan will be next seen in Tiger 3 along with Katrina Kaif, which is slated to hit the screens in April 2023. In addition, Salman Khan has been hosting Bigg Boss 16.

Rajasthan: Hindu holy scriptures burnt at mass conversion to Buddhism ceremony in Barmer, three including one Ajmal arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan: Hindu holy scriptures burnt at mass conversion to Buddhism ceremony in Barmer, three including one Ajmal arrested

On December 27, Barmer Police arrested three people for allegedly burning pages of Hindu holy scriptures during an initiation to Buddhism event.

While Hindu organisations are alleging that pages of the Gita were burnt, the Bhim Army members claim they burnt pages of Manusmriti. Three people arrested in the matter were identified as Ajmal, Amritlal and Arjunsingh.

Bhim Army members claim it was Manusmriti and not Gita. Source: Twitter

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Narpat Singh told news agency ANI that the incident occurred on December 25. A video went viral on social media of burning Hindu scripture. A case was registered in the matter, and three people were arrested. Police said more arrests might take place.

Notably, ‘Manusmriti Dahan Diwas’ takes place every year in different parts of the country, following the footsteps of Dr BR Ambedkar, who started it in 1927.

The conversion program of December 25

On December 25, advocates Amrit Dante, Bhant Kashyap, and their associates of Samta Sainik Dal organised a conversion program to initiate Hindus to Buddhism. The event was organised at Bhakasar in district Barmer, Rajasthan. During that event, pages of Hindu Holy Scripture were allegedly burnt, and the remains were crushed under the feet. A video was made of the incident and shared on social media that went viral.

On December 26, Hindu community members gathered and protested against the incident. A complaint was filed at Bhakasar police station. ASP Singh said in a statement that a case was filed under Section 151 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and three people were arrested in the matter. Further investigation is underway. The police are also trying to get the video removed from social media platforms. Notably, Bhakasar is a sensitive area sharing a border with Pakistan.

Members of the Hindu community said anti-social elements are trying to create a law and order problem in the country. Locals said they do not have a problem with people converting to Buddhism, but they cannot tolerate insults to Hindu Holy Scriptures.

‘Talked to us in Hindi after being told to speak in English’: Tamil ‘actor’ Siddharth alleges harassment at Madurai airport

OpIndia Staff
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‘Talked to us in Hindi after being told to speak in English’: Tamil ‘actor’ Siddharth alleges harassment at Madurai airport

On Tuesday (December 27), Tamil ‘actor’ Siddharth alleged that he and his family members were harassed by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, stationed at the Madurai airport.

In a now-disappeared Instagram story, Siddharth claimed that the CRPF jawans spoke in Hindi despite asking them to talk in English. “Harassed for 20 minutes at empty Madurai airport by CRPF,” he wrote.

“They made my senior parents remove coins from their bags! And repeatedly talked to us in Hindi before being told to speak in English. Rude AF (as f*ck),” he continued his tirade.

Screengrab of the Instagram story by Siddharth, image via Republic TV

“When we protested they said in India this is how it is. Jobless people showing off power,” Siddharth concluded with a ‘vomit’ emoji. The actor, who has been out of work for some time now, had courted several controversies in the past.

Earlier in January this year, Siddharth had attacked Saina Nehwal with a crass, sexual comment while responding to her tweet on PM Modi’s security lapse in Punjab. “Subtle cock champion of the world… Thank God we have protectors of India. Shame on you #Rihanna”, he had said.

‘Cock’ is slang used for the male genitalia. Siddharth’s crass comments were widely criticised on social media. After sharing a lame excuse trying to justify his earlier comment, Siddharth had written an open letter to the Badminton Champion, apologizing for his behaviour.

Screengrab of the tweet by Siddharth

Identifying himself as an ‘ally’ of the feminist movement, Siddharth had said that he was being funny and had no intentions to disrespect a woman.

“I want to apologize to you for my rude joke. I may disagree with you on many things but even my disappointment or anger when I read your tweet, cannot justify my tone and words. Sorry about a joke that didn’t land”, the letter read.

Later, the Chennai Police summoned the actor for his derogatory tweet against the badminton champion.

Noida: Woman booked for assaulting househelp in Cleo County society claims her maid indulged in theft and added sleeping pills to her meals

OpIndia Staff
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Noida: Woman booked for assaulting househelp in Cleo County society claims her maid indulged in theft and added sleeping pills to her meals

The woman who was booked for assaulting househelp in Cleo County society in Noida has claimed that her maid had indulged in theft and added sleeping pills to her meals. The woman also said that she has CCTV footage and evidence of her maid’s theft and criminal activities.

Shefali Koul, the woman who is accused of assaulting her maid and holding her captive, recently took to Twitter to share videos of her maid answering questions asked of her. In one of the videos, the maid admits that her relatives routinely come to meet her and there are no restrictions imposed on her to meet them.

Koul shared another video in which her maid acknowledges that her relatives have misbehaved with Koul.

The video was shared by Koul after a CCTV from Noida’s upscale Cleo County society went viral on the internet. In the video, a woman is seen dragging her househelp outside the society’s elevator.

The police filed an FIR after the video of the incident had gone viral on social media platforms. The police issued a statement saying that necessary action has been initiated in the matter and an FIR has been filed against the woman for assaulting her maid and holding her as a hostage in the Cleo County society.

Tripura elections: Back-to-back hike in DA can prove to be a game changer for the BJP. Here is why

Dibakar Dutta
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Tripura elections: Back-to-back hike in DA can prove to be a game changer for the BJP. Here is why

On Tuesday (December 27), the BJP-led Tripura government announced a 12% increase in dearness allowance (DA) for State government employees. Similarly, a 12% hike in dearness relief (DR) was also announced for the state government pensioners including family pensioners.

The development comes months before the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections, which are expected to take place in February 2023. The surprise move by the BJP government is set to benefit a whopping 1,04,600 regular employees and over 80,800 pensioners.

Besides, the wages of more than 8,600 non-regular employees including daily-rated workers (DRW), contingent, monthly-rated workers (MRW), and part-time workers have also been revised.

The new remunerations will be effective, starting with the salary/pension of December 2022. Earlier in August this year, the Tripura government had announced an additional 5% hike in the dearness allowance (DA) and dearness relief (DR) of State-govt employees and pensioners.

In February last year, the BJP government revised the DA and DR of regular employees and pensioners by 3%. Thus, so far the net hike in DA and DR between February 2021 and December 2022 has been 20%.

Understanding the politics behind the numbers

The Left Front ruled Tripura continuously for over 25 years (1993-2018). While the rest of the country witnessed tremendous economic growth, the State was wrecked by the policies of the Left regime (first under Chief Minister Dasarath Deb and then under Manik Sarkar).

State government employees (mostly teachers) were forced to work for low salaries, with prolonged periods of no revision. As per a report by The Hindustan Times, Tripura employees were still stuck on the 4th Pay Commission scale (prevalent in the late 1980s) even in 2017.

Given that privatisation had taken a hit under the Left regime, most people were dependent on that one family member (who had a government job). When the Modi wave finally reached Tripura, the people were desperately looking for a change.

There were increasing demands to revise the Dearness Allowance at par with the Central governmental employees, not to forget the revision of salaries in line with the 7th Pay Commission.

When the BJP promised the same, the Left government was booted out of power. Soon after, the State government announced a hike in the pay scale for employees and pensioners at par with the 7th central pay commission.

The revision drastically changed the structure [pdf] of monthly payouts handed over to the Tripura government employees. Employees were overwhelmed (net salaries increased by over 50%) after years of remaining underpaid under the Left regime.

This was followed by 3 years of gloom when no revisions in the salaries/ pensions were made to keep the fiscal budget in check. The BJP began its course correction, first with a 3% (February 2021) hike, then a 5% (August 2022), followed by a whopping 12% (December 2022) increase in DA.

The unease among government employees, caused due to inflation, has largely been mitigated with three back-to-back revisions. Although the Central employees are being paid 34% DA, the State government has been able to bridge the gap by 20% now.

This is a game changer at a time when the Left, TMC or Congress has failed to promise a better alternative. With the change of Chief Ministership, the inauguration of new projects and a timely revision of salaries/pensions, the BJP is now eyeing a victory in the Northeastern State of Tripura.

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