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AAP Uttarakhand shares Laati Toon in anti-BJP tweet without permission, artist demands removal and apology

The political parties depend a lot on social media for upcoming Assembly Elections in five states as the Election Commission has banned physical rallies amidst the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Political parties like Aam Aadmi Party are trying to use every possible way for promotion, and in such an attempt, they used a copyright cartoon ‘Laati’ for an anti-BJP tweet. Kanchan Jadli, the artist who is behind Laati Toon, expressed her displeasure over the unauthorized use of her character for political purpose, and asked AAP Uttarakhand to remove the tweet and issue an apology for the same.

In the tweet, Kanchan wrote, “Laati is my copyrighted cartoon character, and your misuse is a violation of copyright regulations. You AAP Uttarakhand are urged to take down this immediately and apologise for the same.”

AAP alleged ‘Lati’ wants to remove BJP from Uttarakhand

Kanchan Jadli was reacting to a tweet published in Hindi by AAP Uttarakhand, which had said, “Now Laati of Uttarakhand is also saying – BJP has destroyed Uttarakhand.” The Tweet included the Laati cartoon character, with BJP’s lotus symbol on her scarf, which was crossed over by AAP. The presence of the lotus symbol shows that the artwork was commissioned by BJP for promotional purposes, and AAP misused it for its own benefit.

Unauthorized use of Laati Toon by AAP Uttarakhand. Source: Twitter

The original image was shared by BJP

Laati Toon is being extensively used by Bharatiya Janata Party in its promotion for Uttarakhand Assembly elections. The edited image that AAP had used was originally shared by BJP Uttarakhand. In that tweet, BJP Uttarakhand had written, “BJP is dedicated for the all-round development of the future of the daughters of Uttarakhand. BJP has done it, BJP is doing it, and only BJP will do it in the future. Uttarakhand wants Modi-Dhami government.”

There are several other tweets where BJP has shared Laati Toon. Here are a few examples.

Laati Toon was shared by PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also shared a tweet where Laati Toon was used. PM Modi had quoted a tweet by Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami in which he had wished the people of Uttarakhand for the Makraini-Utraini festival. PM Modi said, “This message is going to connect everyone emotionally. The way Devbhoomi is progressing on the path of progress, it is proof that Uttarakhand is going to play an important role in the making of New India.”

Who is Kanchan Jadli?

Kanchan is a young freelance artist from Uttarakhand. She created the Laati cartoon character during her stay at her native place during lockdown to showcase Pahadi culture. In Kumaoni and Gadhwali languages, Laati means silly girl. Using her toons, Kanchan spreads awareness about the environment, wildlife, Pahadi culture and more.

By the time this report was published, AAP Uttarakhand had not deleted the tweet or issued any apology.

Uttar Pradesh: Man beats a cow mercilessly at a shelter, police file FIR after video of the incident went viral

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In a shocking incident on Friday, a man fled away after brutally beating a cow for several minutes with a long, hard stick in the Sawaijpur village of Narwal, Uttar Pradesh. The resident of the village identified as Shyamu Kushwaha allegedly tied one foot of the cow inside the cowshed and mercilessly hit her, a video of which went viral on social media.

According to the reports, the residents of Maharajpur and Narwal reported the incident to the Police after watching the viral video on their mobile phones. The Narwal Police reached Kushwaha’s house for inspection but found out that Shyamu Kushwaha had already fled away.

It is notable that while social media users claim that the cow died due to the assault, media reports say she is alive and is being treated for her injuries.

The cow, having suffered severe injuries is in critical condition and is being treated and taken care of by a veterinarian. Sub Inspector Dhanya Kumar of Narwal Police station confirmed the viral video and said that the incident took place on January 16. He informed OpIndia that an FIR has been registered in the case and that the police is in search of the accused. “Action will be taken against accused Shyambabu”, he added.

The Police also mentioned that there are about 40 destitute animals in the temporary cow protection centre built in Sawaijpur village. On January 16, the cows came out and were grazing around a standing wheat crop in Shyambabu’s field. Arriving at the farm, Shyambabu drove the cattle from the field to the cowshed and started beating them mercilessly with a stick.

It is pertinent to note that, according to the provisions of Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955, whoever causes any physical injury to a cow or its progeny with the intentions of endangering its life, does not provide with food or water shall be punished with imprisonment up to 10 years with fine which shall extend to Rs 3 lakh.

In a Clubhouse room called ‘Sexual frustration of RW r*ndis’, woman threatens Hindu man saying she will get his mother and sisters raped

While police in multiple states are working overtime to catch the culprits behind Bulli Bai and Sulli Deal apps that targeted Muslim women, multiple forums on multiple platforms continue to operate targeting Hindu women. Social audio app Clubhouse is notorious for such content, where there are several rooms targeting Hindu women.

An audio clip from a Clubhouse discussion has come to light, where a supposedly liberal woman was heard threatening a man to get women in his family raped by goons. In a club called ‘Clubhouse townhall’ with a very derogatory name for Right-Wing woman, one woman gave this threat while arguing with a man.

The title of the room on voice-app Clubhouse, where such comments were made, was “Sexual frustration of rw randis lead them to spit poison”.

In the clip, it can be heard that the man was arguing with the woman saying that she does have the status to stand in front of him. In response, the woman said, “I will get your mother and sisters raped and kidnapped by sending goons to your house, now tell”. It is shocking that a woman was threatening to get other women raped just because she had one disagreement with a man on an online forum.

After the clip came out, one social media user requested the Gujarat Home minister for state Harsh Sanghavi to take action, noting that they can’t expect Mumbai police to take action as Hindu women are targeted. Minister Harsh Sanghavi took cognisance of the matter by responding to the tweet.

This is not the first time such Hinduphopbic discussions on Clubhouse have appeared. Last year, the left-liberals on the platform were discussing how they wanted to have hate sex with Sanghi girls. There many such forums on various social media platforms, where right wing women are regularly targeted, but no action is taken against such forums.

Tamil Nadu police to probe suicide of student based on her dying declaration alleging ‘forced to convert’ by missionary school

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The Tamil Nadu police have begun probing the suicide of M Lavanya, a student of standard 12th in Sacred Heart Higher Secondary School, Thirukattupali in Thanjavur, Tamilnadu, based on her dying declaration where she alleged that the govt-aided Christian missionary school she went to had been pressuring her to convert to Christianity.

The initial FIR had simply mentioned that the student was residing at the hostel and that on January 9, the warden reportedly compelled her to undertake household tasks. She apparently attempted suicide because she couldn’t stand the brutality any longer.

Thanjavur Superintendent of Police Ravali Priya Gandhapuneni has, however, confirmed now that the Tamil Nadu police have registered her dying declaration and are basing the probe on it. The police are probing all angles including the allegation that Lavanya was facing pressure to convert to Christianity from the school authorities. But for this, police will have to first find the origin of the video, said the SP.

The girl’s parents’ initial statement was bereft of the conversion angle, said the police, adding that a new petition has been filed, in which the angle will be investigated as well.

“On January 9, a juvenile girl consumed some poisonous material. We were informed of the incident around 8:30 pm on January 15 by her parents. Immediately a video was recorded and the case was registered under the Juvenile Justice Act. The judicial magistrate recorded the girl’s dying declaration, which was included in the FIR. An FIR by the girl’s parents was also registered,” SP Ravali Priya said.

It may be recalled that a video of Lavanya’s call for help was published on social media where she was seen talking about her torture. The video, originally in Tamil (translated by The Commune) says, “My name is Lavanya. They (school) had asked my parents in my presence if they can convert me to Christianity and help her for further studies. Since I didn’t accept, they kept scolding me.” She also named one Rachael Mary who had allegedly tortured her.

SP Ravali Priya, speaking about the aforementioned video that went viral on social media, said that it was being spread in violation of the law. “The case is now under investigation,” she said, adding that anyone circulating or releasing the identify, photo, video, address, or dying declaration of the victimised teenager on social media would face legal prosecution under the Juvenile Justice Act and relevant IPC sections.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu police have remanded Rachael Mary, the 62-year-old warden in question and sent her to judicial custody in a Trichy prison.

12th standard Tamil Nadu girl ends life after missionary school allegedly pressurised her to convert to Christianity to continue her study

Lavanya has been living at the St. Michael’s Girls Hostel near her school for the past five years, and the Sacred Heart Higher Secondary school, where she was studying, had been pressuring her to convert to Christianity. However, Lavanya was adamant about not leaving her religion and refused to get converted. Angered by Lavanya’s resistance, the school administration had cancelled her leave application for Pongal Celebrations. Lavanya who was supposed to visit home during her holidays was forced to do chores like cleaning toilets of the school, cooking and washing dishes. It is reported that dejected Lavanya consumed pesticides used in the school garden to end her life.

Lavanya showed signs of discomfiture on the night of January 9, where she was taken to a local clinic after continuously vomiting. The warden of the hostel called her parents and asked them to take her home. Lavanya was then admitted to Tanjore Government Medical college hospital. She was being treated in the ICU with almost 85% of her lungs intoxicated. It is being reported that Lavanya breathed her last on January 19, battling her condition in the hospital.

Ground Report: Irfan Siddiqui, who had gone to jail for raping a Dalit woman, comes out and kills her brother Hiralal Gujrati

Hiralal Gujrati, 38, father of three used to maintain his family by selling birds. He was brutally murdered on 17 January 2022 in Sultanpuri, Delhi. Irfan Siddiqui and his brother Sanu are accused of murder. Both have been arrested by the police.

The Dalit family of Hiralal lives in the B block of Sultanpuri. Irfan, who lived in the next street, was not alien to him. He was like a son to his mother. But first, he raped Hiralal’s sister. Irfan was jailed in this case. As soon as he came out of jail, he killed Hiralal.

The complainant of this incident is Arjun, nephew of the deceased Hiralal. In the complaint given to the police, it is stated, “The incident happened on January 17 at around 7.30 pm. The attack on Hiralal took place in Dadia Park of B4 Colony of Sultanpuri. When Hiralal and Narsingh went to the park, Irfan and his brother Sanu were already present there. Irfan had a knife in his hand and Sanu had a pistol in his hand. Irfan said that you sent me to jail in the rape case. Sanu instigated Irfan to kill both of them. Irfan attacked Hiralal with knives. Sanu opened fire on Hiralal and Narsingh who went to save him. Hiralal was also hit with a brick.” After the attack, both the victims were taken to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital where Hiralal was declared dead. Narsingh, 42, also sustained bullet injuries and is undergoing treatment.

FIR copy

The wife of the deceased Hiralal told OpIndia, “Irfan and his younger brother Sanu kill him (Hiralal). Both of them killed him there with knives and bullets. His terror is so much in our area that no one tried to stop him. He keeps abusing and threatening everyone. He had threatened that if he comes out of jail, he will have an open fight. When he used to come on the date, he used to threaten and say let me be free from here, then see what I do to every one of you.” She further said “Irfan was jailed in the rape case of my sister-in-law. Earlier he used to visit my house. My mother-in-law treated him like a son. At that time we did not even think that he would do this to us. He used to call my sister-in-law. She could not understand. Later my sister-in-law told her mother, she refused to do anything.”

wife of deceased Hiralal

Who got Irfan out in the rape case?

The wife of the deceased further said, “He forcefully misbehaved with my sister-in-law, raped her, and pressurized her for not telling this to anyone. Irfan said that if you tell anyone, your brother Heera will be killed. Your family should not know what I am doing to you. My sister-in-law kept on suffering silently.” She says, “This incident of rape happened about 5 months ago. Irfan was arrested in this case. It was 3 days that Irfan was released from jail. We did not even think that he would kill after being released. Threats were being given continuously but we did not take them seriously. He had already done all the settings. He knew nothing would happen to him. We do not know who took his bail and who got him released in the rape case. He has got the support of some big man, that is why he came out. How come he is set free?”

Quest for justice from Hiralal’s widow

Hiralal’s wife told, “My husband was very scared. He used to talk about leaving Delhi and going to Rajasthan. He was always concerned about his children. He was engaged in arranging the necessary money before leaving Delhi. Before killing her, she abused my husband. My husband remained silent. How could the Muslims dare to do such a thing? If someone had spoken, he would not have dared. Irfan must be hanged. He ruined the lives of my little kids. Who will feed them now? What is the crime in standing with your sister? Taking this as a crime, Irfan has killed my husband.”

‘Used teachings from Bhagwat Gita to revolt against Christian missionaries’: Legend of Birsa Munda book dispels ‘woke liberal’ claims about the tribal leader’s life

History has been unkind to our tribal heroes and Freedom Fighters, whose contribution to our struggle for independence is no less significant than the well-known names we all have been taught about. In sync with India celebrating 75 years of independence this year, BJP leader and author Tuhin A. Sinha has written a much-needed book on the life of tribal hero Birsa Munda. Ankita Verma is the co-author.

The book ‘Legend of Birsa Munda’ glorifies the tribal revolution and Birsa Munda’s contribution to India’s freedom struggle. It was released on Wednesday at the hands of Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. “Birsa Munda is an ideal freedom fighter for the entire nation”, he said congratulating the authors on their efforts and extensive study.

The book is a thoroughly researched tribute to the life and times of the great tribal hero, Birsa Munda. Filling gaping holes in Indian literature and history, the book aims to bring to the forefront the role of this lesser known tribal revolutionary who played an extremely important role in India’s struggle for independence, the official statement read.

Author Tuhin Sinha while speaking to OpIndia said that it was a great feeling to write about one of India’s greatest revolutionaries Birsa Munda who lived from 1875 to 1900. This is the 75th year of independence when PM Narendra Modi decided to celebrate the unsung heroes who have not got their dues, the book launch is an extension of that philosophy. The plot points of Birsa Munda’s life are astounding, from opposing the spread of Christianity to finally leading the revolution. He was a social reformer in many different ways.

According to Sinha, Birsa Munda’s contribution is special as in a short life span of merely 25 years, he had challenged the German Missionaries, which were aided by the British administration and had unleashed unstoppable conversion in the villages of present-day South Jharkhand. He experienced, as he grew up, that the British were attracted to that region for its vast natural resources, forest wealth and minerals. He realized that this led to the rise of various ugly and terrible changes not only in the traditional Janjati agrarian system but also disrupted the ancient faith and culture of the Janjatis.

Birsa Munda realized that the Christian missionary activities in the garb of school education were annihilating the vigor and vitality of Janjatis by tearing apart their beliefs and customs. He noted predatory missionary’s deceit for altering ancient Janjati faith into Christianity thereby making the tribals drift away from their culture and social bonds.

The book further puts into words the religious revolution initiated by Birsa Munda in 1895. The religious movement that came to be known as Birsait, was focused against the ‘dikus’ or oppressors who were Christian missionaries and landowners. A good chunk of those who joined his religious movement was Munda sardars who had previously converted to Christianity. Birsa, in his teachings, drew from Hindu religious scriptures, dedicated his efforts against the predatory Christian missionaries, which is evident in the trail of destruction witnessed in the armed revolution starting December 1999.

When asked about anti-Hindu claims made by woke liberals against Birsa Munda, the author said that Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s revolution against the Britishers and the Christian Missionaries had brought vigour to the lives of Adivasis living in the areas of Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh. “Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s mentor in the early 1890s after he shunned Christianity and walked out the Chaibasa Missionary school, was a Vaishnavite preacher, Anand Panrai. It was the time spent with this preacher, who employed learning from Bhagwad Gita and generously quoted anecdotes from the Ramayan and Mahabharat, that led to a spiritual transformation in Birsa, evident and documented from 1894 onwards. At no point in Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s life is there any definitive antipathy towards Hinduism”, he said.

On January 1, Sinha had written a letter to PM Narendra Modi requesting for the Bharat Ratna to be conferred upon tribal revolutionary icon Birsa Munda. He also had demanded the construction of a war memorial at Dombari Hills in Jharkhand, where Birsa Munda’s resolute warriors had put up an incredible fight against the British soldiers in January 1900.

Destruction of Somnath temple and its reconstruction by Sardar Patel carry big messages for us: PM Modi while inaugurating circuit house in Somnath

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On Friday, PM Modi inaugurated a new circuit house that has been built near the iconic Somnath Temple in Gujarat. PM Modi appreciated the project saying that at the peak of the temple, the devotees will feel the consciousness of India standing proud despite the ravages of time.

According to a release from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Somnath Temple is visited by lakhs of devotees from India and abroad every year. The need for the new Circuit House was felt as the existing government facility was located far off from the temple. The new facility near the Somnath Temple has been built at a cost of ₹30 crore, which is a 4-story building with 48 rooms. This new circuit house has VIP and deluxe rooms, suites, conference room, auditorium hall etc, along with ample parking space.

PM Modi at the event also remarked that the circumstances in which the Somnath temple was destroyed, and the circumstances in which the temple was renovated by the efforts of Sardar Patel, both carry a big message. “Today, when in the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, we wish to learn from our past, places of culture and faith like Somnath are in the centre of that”, PM Modi pointed out.

In his speech, PM Modi called for a boost in the tourism sector and said that India’s ancient, cultural heritage sites must be maintained. He said that the development of tourist centres is not just a part of the government schemes, but a campaign of public participation. He suggested ways to improve tourism and said that today the country is looking at tourism in a holistic way.

The Prime Minister listed four things that are can be crucial to increase tourism- cleanliness, convenience, time and approach. “Earlier our tourist places, holy pilgrimage places were also unhygienic. Today Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has changed this picture. The scope of facilities should not be limited to tourist places only. The facility of transport, internet, correct information, medical arrangements, should be available at all places and the government is working in this direction also”, he noted.

Taking a jibe at previous governments, PM Modi said that after independence, only a few families in Delhi witnessed development. But today the country is leaving behind that narrow thinking, building new places of pride, giving them grandeur. “After independence, buildings were constructed in Delhi only for selected families. However, it is this government which built the Baba Saheb Memorial in Delhi and APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial in Rameshwaram. Similarly, attention was given to places related to Subhas Chandra Bose and Shyamji Krishna Varma,” he said.

Uttar Pradesh police crackdown on illegal arms as the state prepares for Assembly polls: What they found

Barely a month ahead of the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections, the Muzaffarnagar police have unearthed illegal arms manufacturing and seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition. Three accused, including one Sarfaraz, a resident of Kidwainagar, Shahid, a resident of Khalapar, and Rajesh have been arrested during the raid.

SSP Abhishek Yadav said that weapons were being made in the mango orchard near the Badkali village, Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. The seized arms included at least 131 pistols and guns of various bores and various other firearms and weapons.

According to the police, the accused revealed that they planned to sell the illicit weapons stash to the states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Punjab.

Shalabh Mani Tripathi, the information adviser to Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath, shared two videos wherein the police displayed the huge cache of illegal weapons seized during the raid.

It is worth noting that the Uttar Pradesh police have busted several such illegal arms manufacturing rackets in the last few days.

Only yesterday, the Muzaffarnagar police shared information of a similar raid through its official Twitter handle. During the raid, the Police recovered 5 315 bore pistols, two 12 bore pistols, six live cartridges, six semi-finished guns, six 12 bore barrels, eight 315 bore barrels, one drill machine, one welding machine, ten-meter cable etc. 

The primary accused, Tamrez, was apprehended by the Chhapar police in Muzaffarnagar, according to police. He was working out of a factory on Barla-Baseda Road that had been closed for a long time. Tamrez, who had been previously jailed for serious crimes like murder, theft and illegal arms possession had been dodging the police for very long, said the police.

Similarly, on January 13, the Mathura police apprehended 6 accused namely Mubba, Arif, Ansaar, Shahnavaj, Kanjar and Bholi, all residents of Mathura, for running an illegal arms manufacturing unit in a village falling under the limits of the Kosikalan police station. At least 25 country-made pistols and firearms of various bores, as well as over 50 cartridges of various bores, were seized during the raid.

On the same day, in a different raid, eleven pistols, three muskets, one revolver, 13 barrels and other components of firearms were recovered from a dilapidated building near a canal bridge under Shahpur police station limits in the Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh.

In this case, too, one person, Noor Mohammad, was detained, and during his interrogation, he confessed that the illegal arms were being made for use in the state’s upcoming assembly elections.

The Uttar Pradesh police have launched an anti-arms-smuggling operation to ensure a free and fair election in the state. Muzaffarnagar goes to poll in the first phase on March 10.

Rocket Boys trailer out: Sony Liv series shows the story of Indian scientists Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai

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The trailer of ‘Rocket Boys’ has been released by Sony Liv. This web series is based on the lives of two great scientists of India, Homi Jehangir Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai. This web series shows how Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai together played an important role in advancing science and technological development in India.

Jim Sarbh will be seen as Homi Bhabha and Ishwak Singh will play the role of Vikram Sarabhai in this series.

The trailer of ‘Rocket Boys’ shows the early lives and struggles faced by the scientists and their efforts to take the newly independent and struggling country forward in the technology path.

Rocket Boys trailer

The trailer shows young Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai becoming friends and working together under difficult circumstances in a country that is struggling under colonialism and poverty. The trailer shows clips of the nuclear physicists doing experiments at Cambridge University and teaching at the Indian Institute of Science. Rajat Kapur is seen in the role of ex-PM Jawaharlal Nehru.

A heartwarming clip in the trailer also shows Vikram Sarabhai being introduced to a bright young scientist from “far away in South India”, a smiling young man named APJ Abdul Kalam.

Earlier when the teaser of the series was launched on 15th August 2021, Jim Sarbh had said “Today, after many life-saving inventions, we all have started understanding the importance of science. ‘Rocket Boys’ is the story of two great people like Vikram Sarabhai and Homi Bhabha. I hope his story will inspire generations of scientists, researchers, and innovators to come.”

Ishwak Singh who has played the role of Vikram Sarabhai had said “Portraying such a great person on screen as an artist is an experience in itself. Also, there is a huge responsibility. Hope I can do justice to the character of Vikram Sarabhai, who initiated the Indian Space Research and made a very important contribution in making India a nuclear power.”

Homi Bhabha

If India is a nuclear power country today, then a lot of credit goes to Dr Homi Jehangir Bhabha. He was born on 30 October 1909 in Mumbai. Homi Bhabha is remembered as the Father of the Nuclear Program of India. He was a researcher in Cambridge before he decided to stay in India and join CV Raman’s Indian Institute of Science. He had later become the founder-director of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai. On 24 January 1966, Bhabha was going to New York by an Air India flight. In a tragic plane crash high in the European Alps, Bhabha was killed along with 117 other passengers.

Interestingly, Bhabha’s death came just 3 months after he had declared that India can develop a nuclear bomb in 18 months. Many have claimed over the years that the USA’s CIA was behind Bhabha’s death.

Vikram Sarabhai

Vikram Sarabhai, born on 12 August 1919 in Ahmedabad, is known as the father of the Indian space program. It was Vikram Sarabhai whose efforts led to the establishment of ISRO. Dr. Vikram Sarabhai along with his friend and senior Homi Bhabha also built the first rocket launching station in Thiruvananthapuram. Dr Vikram Sarabhai had also played a key role in setting up the Physical Research Laboratory and IIM in Ahmedabad, and a number of scientific institutions in India. Sarabhai was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1966 and Padma Vibhushan in 1972.

On 30 December 1971, Sarabhai was about to review the design of the India SLV at Thiruvananthapuram and had a phone conversation with Dr APJ Abdul Kalam when he had a sudden cardiac arrest and died. He was just 52 years old. Over the years, there have been many allegations that his death was not natural and CIA may have played a role in it.

‘Rocket Boys’ is directed by Abhay Pannu, who was an assistant director in shows like ‘Mumbai Diaries’, ‘Yeh Meri Family’. It is produced by Siddharth Roy Kapoor, Nikhil Advani and others.

Apart from Jim Sarbh Ishvak Singh and Rajat Kapur, actress Regina Cassandra, Saba Azad, Dibyendu Bhattacharya and Arjun Radhakrishnan have played key roles in the series.

It will be streamed on Sony Liv from February 4 onwards.

Lahore: Bomb blast leaves 3 dead, police harass Pashtun and Baloch students under the garb of investigation

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On Thursday (January 20), a massive explosion took place at the Anarkali market in Lahore city in Punjab province of Pakistan. As per reports, the bomb blast was carried out by Baloch Nationalist Army (BNA). During the attack, about 33 people were injured while 3 people succumbed to their injuries. The explosion damaged the window panes of adjacent buildings and created a deep crater on the road.

Although the police initially believed that it was caused by an explosion of a gas cylinder, it was later confirmed that the blast was caused by a bomb. Besides the Baloch National Army (an amalgamation of the United Baloch Army and Balochistan Republican Army), Tehreek-i-Taliban had also claimed responsibility for the attack.

Several videos, captured in the aftermath of the incident, have been doing the rounds of the internet. Journalist Aown Muhammad Shah tweeted, “6 attacks in last 48 hours across the country and now Lahore. Thoughts and Prayers for our dear homeland.”

Another video footage shows an elderly man, bleeding from his leg.

A CCTV footage of the incident has also come to light.

A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against unidentified individuals by the Punjab Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on charges of murder, attempted murder and terrorism, based on a complaint filed by Lahore SHO Abid Baig.

The victims were identified as Ramzan (31), Yasir (19) and Absar Ahmad (9). According to Ramzan’s brother, the victim ran a sweetmeat shop and died on the spot after the explosion took place in his vicionity. The 9-year-old Ahmad, a resident of Karachi, was on a tour to Lahore with his family. He and his family had gone to visit the Anarkali Bazaar when the incident took place.

While speaking about the incident, an injured man named Haider Sultan stated, “Though I received minor wounds on my leg, some moving scenes at the blast site terrified me.”

One Muhammad Wahid, who sustained injuries during the attack, said, “When the blast occurred, I felt as if a powerful storm dragged me out on the road as I lost control over my body due to the intensity.”

Police initiates probe, identifies suspect in Lahore blast

Preliminary investigation suggests that the attack was carried out using a time-device bomb. The same modus operandi was employed during a blast carried out in July 2013, which killed 5 people and injured 12 others.

According to DIG (Operations) Muhammad Abid Khan, the bomb was kept on a motorbike or under a cart that was found damaged at the site of the blast. The incident has been dubbed a terror attack. An investigation is underway to determine whether an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was used during the attack.

The cops have begun analysing the CCTV footage, which showed a suspect planting explosives at Paan Mandi. A high alert has been enforced across the Punjab province and police patrolling have been intensified.

As per a report in The Pakistan Daily, an attacker has been identified by the Lahore police. So far, 6 suspects have been detained in the Lahore blast case. Reportedly, two people were involved in surveying the area of the attack. The attacker was in contact with the suspect and had met him at some distance from the site of the blast.

Punjab police harass Baloch, Pashtun students after Lahore bomb blast

In the aftermath of the attack, the Punjab police resorted to harassing students belonging to ethnic minority groups such as Pashtuns and Balochis .

Student activist Muhammad Ali Aftab informed, “After the Anarkali blast, the Lahore administration searched the rooms of Baloch and Pashtun students in Punjab University hostels at 2 pm. It is very shameful to harass students like this instead of terrorist organizations.”

Earlier on December 18 last year, an explosion occurred at a bank branch in Karachi’s Shershah area which killed more than a dozen people and left several others injured. The bank branch damaged by the explosion belonged to Habib Bank Limited which was also the Pakistan’s largest lender. According to a senior police officer, the blast could have been caused by a gas leak as the bank was constructed over a drain. However, the police in Pakistan are trying to determine the actual cause of the explosion.