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Supreme Court concludes major cause of air pollution in Delhi is not ‘stubble burning’ after Centre says so

OpIndia Staff
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Supreme Court concludes major cause of air pollution in Delhi is not ‘stubble burning’ after Centre says so

Amidst the deteriorating Air Quality Index (AQI) in the National Capital, the Centre told the Supreme Court that stubble burning in neighbouring states of Haryana and Punjab is not a major contributor to air pollution.

The Union government told the apex court that stubble burning contributed to only 10% of the pollution and thus is not a major cause of pollution in Delhi. It suggested the implementation of the odd-even rule, lockdown (in worst case scenario) and ban on entry of trucks in the National Capital.

As such, the Supreme Court concluded that major causes of pollution are industries, transport and vehicular traffic, besides stubble burning in some areas.

The apex court directed the Cente to hold an emergency meeting to discuss issues such as the implementation of work from home, stopping power plants, construction and non-essential transport.

Apex court lambasts Delhi government

The Supreme Court slammed the Delhi government for suggesting that stubble burning has been contributing to the poor AQI in Delhi. While slamming the Arvind Kejriwal-led government, it pointed out how the affidavit was based on ‘bashing farmers’. It also questioned the stance of the government for passing the buck on the Municipal Commissioner. “This kind of lame excuse will force us to hold an audit of the revenue you are earning and spend on popularity slogans,” the apex court said.

Earlier, the court also pulled up the Arvind Kejriwal-led-Delhi government over the non-installation of smog towers and emission control projects. “You have opened all schools in the national capital and now children are exposed to pollutants. This is not the Centre’s but your jurisdiction. What is happening on that front?”

Maharashtra: Minor girl gang-raped by 400 men including a Policeman over a period of six months, 3 arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra: Minor girl gang-raped by 400 men including a Policeman over a period of six months, 3 arrested

A horrifying case of gang-rape has come to light in district Beed, Maharashtra, where a minor girl was gang-raped by around 400 different people, including a policeman, over a period of six months. According to a report in News 18 Lokmat, the victim tried multiple times to file a case, but the Police did not take any action.

According to the complaint filed by the girl, her mother passed away around two years ago. After her mother’s death, her father married her away. For a year, the victim stayed at her matrimonial house, where her in-laws and husband repeatedly harassed her. After living there for a year, she returned back to her paternal home.

Her father refused to take care of her. As a result, she was forced to live at the Ambajogai bus stand six months ago. In these six months, she was raped by more than 400 people. The girl said in her statement that she tried to file a case at Ambajogai Police Station, but no one helped her. Instead, a policeman allegedly took advantage of the situation and raped her. She said, “I have been abused by many people. I went to Ambajogai police station several times to file a complaint, but the Police took no action against the culprits. Instead, I was harassed by a policeman.”

Finally, last week her complaint was filed, and a case was registered by the Police. A case under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act has been filed against her father and relatives for arranging child marriage. The accused have been booked under the POCSO and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for rape and molestation.

According to news agency ANI, Raja Ramasamy, Superintendent of Police, Beed, said, “3 people arrested in an alleged case of rape of a minor married girl. The survivor is two months pregnant. Based on the complaint lodged by the survivor, a case has been registered under the child marriage act, rape, molestation & POCSO.”

The repeated sexual assault on the minor girl left her pregnant. The Child Welfare Committee is in the process to abort the foetus. So far, the Police has arrested four people. Further investigation is underway.

Dombivli gang-rape case

In September 2021, another horrifying gang-rape case was reported in which a 14-year-old minor girl was allegedly gang-raped by over 30 people over a period of eight months. She was first raped in the month of January when her lover made an indecent video of her and blackmailed her. He repeatedly raped her and got his friends and acquaintances to gang-rape her as well. All the arrested accused have been booked under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 376 (rape), 376 (N), 376 (3), 376 (D) (A) and Section 4,6 and 10 of the POCSO Act.

Munawar Faruqui’s Hindu hatred called out, Panaji organisers cancel show after Raipur show was shut

OpIndia Staff
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Munawar Faruqui’s Hindu hatred called out, Panaji organisers cancel show after Raipur show was shut

Amidst the opposition of the Hindu Janjagriti Samiti in Panaji, the organisers of the standup comedy show of Munawar Faruqi had decided to cancel it. The development comes days after the cancellation of two shows of ‘comedian’ Munawar Faruqui in Raipur in Chhattisgarh.

As per reports, the comedian was set to perform at a mall in Panaji on Monday (November 15). But, the organisers ‘LVF Comedy’ pulled the plug on the show citing the law and order problem. The decision was taken following a meeting at the Panjaji police station. The organisers were reportedly told that the show of Munawar Faruqi could cause a law and order problem. Although the cancellation of the show was confirmed by ‘LVF Comedy’, founder Warren Viegas did not comment on the matter.

The Hindu Jagriti Samiti had earlier urged the State to not allow Faruqi to perform in Panaji, owing to his past record of making ‘vulgar jokes about Hindu Gods.’ Spokesperson Jayesh Thali remarked, “He was behind bars for 37 days in Madhya Pradesh for insulting the Hindu religion. There are elections in Goa and such events could create acrimony in the state. If Pramod Muthalik can be banned in Goa, why is Munawar allowed in Goa,” he asked.

VHP and Bajrang Dal had earlier asked Raipur authorities to cancel show of Faruqi

Faruqui was scheduled to perform on November 14 in Raipur. However, his shows were cancelled following the opposition of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal. VHP leader Santosh Chaudhary had informed that the two groups had submitted a written application to Raipur Collector and Superintendent of Police in this matter. 

“Faruqui mocked our Gods in past and such anti-Hindu people should not be permitted in the capital. And if the administration permits, it will be the administration’s responsibility because we will stop the program in our own way,” said Chaudhary. Vishwa Hindu Parishad had warned that they will stop the show if the local administration gives permission to host the program. After Gujarat and Mumbai, Munawar Faruqui’s show was eventually cancelled.

‘Muslim mob attacked with swords, pelted stones at Hindu establishments’: Local BJP leaders on Amravati violence

OpIndia Staff
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‘Muslim mob attacked with swords, pelted stones at Hindu establishments’: Local BJP leaders on Amravati violence

A sense of tenuous calm prevails over the restive city of Amravati, belying the brutal wave of violence it had endured for over two days starting November 12. Streets wear a deserted look, giving the city an appearance of a ghost town, as business establishments remain shuttered and people hunkered down at their homes following the local administration’s decision to impose a curfew and suspend internet services in an effort to salvage deteriorating law and order in the city.

“There is calm so far and the situation is under control,” BJP leader Tushar Bharatiya told OpIndia. “The police have started combing operations and are now sifting through the CCTV videos to identify the miscreants who were responsible for plunging the city into chaos and disorder.”

Violence had gripped the state of Maharashtra this week, most notably the city of Amravati in Vidarbha, following the state-wide protests and rallies organised by some Muslim organisations on Friday, November 12, against reported incidents of mosques being vandalised in Tripura.

Besides Amravati, at least two other cities—Malegaon and Nanded—were in turmoil as scores of supporters heeded the call of Muslim organisations and took to streets in protest against the alleged vandalisation of mosques in Tripura. The protests inevitably turned violent, with the mob going on a rampage, destroying public and private properties in their wake. 

While the situation was brought under control in Malegaon and Nanded, fresh violence was reported from Amravati, after a shutdown was called on Saturday, November 13, by several organisations, including the BJP, Bajrang Dal, VHP and others to mark their protest against the administration’s inability to prevent Muslim protesters from indulging in violence and vandalism a day earlier. 

Revealing details of the turn of events that took place on Friday, BJP’s Tushar Bhartiya told OpIndia that the protest march on November 12, which was led by the Raza Academy was bound to turn violent as the notorious group has a history of being involved in violent protests. “The protests were going to turn violent as the Raza Academy is known for inflaming passions and there have 3 protest demonstrations organised by them, all of which have resulted in violence and disruption,” Bharatiya said.

Followers of Muslim organisations, including Islamist group Raza Academy, the same organisation that was responsible for the Azad Maidan riots in Mumbai in 2012, along with members of a radical group that venerates Islamic ruler Tipu Sultan, participated in a protest rally whose aim was to reach the Collector office and submit a memorandum demanding a probe into the alleged vandalisation of mosques in Tripura. 

The protest rally was largely under control until it reached the Chitra Chowk, a Hindu-dominated region, recalls Bharatiya in conversation with OpIndia. Soon it crossed Chitra Chowk, the protesters ran riot, pelting stones at Hindu establishments, vandalising and ransacking shop owned by Hindu residents. Bharatiya said 

“At least 70,000-80,000 Muslims participated in the protests. As soon as the march reached the Chitra Chowk area of Amravati, the protesters turned violent. They pelted stones at Hindus establishments, damaged properties owned by Hindus and ransacked their shops. A grocery store in owned by our leader and former minister Jagdish Gupta was attacked and plundered,” Bharatiya said. 

‘Police used brutal measures against our supporters but not against Muslims rioters’: Tushar Bharatiya

The BJP leader also accused the administration of their lax attitude in bringing the Muslim mob under control. “As against thousands of protesters, the deployment of police personnel was woefully poor. They were vastly outnumbered by the protesters, who exploited their numerical superiority to wreak havoc,” Bharatiya further added. 

Then on Saturday, November 13, a bandh was called by the BJP and affiliate parties in response to riots and vandalism witnessed during the protest march carried out by Muslim organisations and their supporters the previous day. 

On Saturday too, violence erupted as police officials used baton-charge against supporters of BJP, Bajrang Dal and other organisations who had organised a sit-in vigil to condemn violence that broke out during the protest march by Muslim organisations. The Hindu protesters were carrying sticks for their self-defence while the opponents had swords and pelted stones against us, Bharatiya said. 

To understand what led to the clashes between police officials and demonstrators on Saturday, OpIndia got in touch with BJP functionary Badal Kulkarni, Vice President BJYM. The BJP leader said the protest had been peaceful until the police officials used lathi-charge on the protesters who had gathered to condemn the violence meted out on them by Muslim supporters. 

Peaceful sit-in protest turned violent after police personnel baton-charged demonstrators: BJP leader Badal Kulkarni on Amravati violence

“BJP, Bajrang Dal, VHP and other affiliate organisations had called for a bandh on Saturday. Our bandh got support from all trade associations, who had been at the receiving end of the violence that erupted during the rally carried out by Muslim supporters. The clashes broke out after police personnel opened lathi-charge against protesters peacefully protesting against injustice suffered by them,” Kulkarni said.

“The protest had been peaceful until police personnel used baton-charge against the protesters. They felt enraged and angry at the administration for subjecting them to violence even as they were the victims of rioting and vandalism by Muslim hooligans,” Kulkarni added.

The BJP leader pointed towards the dichotomy of action taken by police against Hindu protesters as compared to their inaction against Muslim rioters. “No lathi-charge or tear gas or other strict measures were used against Muslim protesters, but the police officials showed no inhibitions in attacking our supporters who were simply protesting peacefully,” Kulkarni said.

Ancient Shani Mandir in Amravati damaged and attacked

Kulkarni also recounted the ferocity of the Muslim mob that created ruckus in Amravati. He said a legion of Muslim protesters, close to 25,000 to 30,000 in numbers, gathered in protest against the alleged mosque vandalisation in Tripura, had turned violent as soon as it passed through the Hindu-dominated region near the Chitra Chowk. Kulkarni also revealed how an ancient Shani Mandir located in Sakkar Saath faced the wrath of a frenzied mob.

“An ancient Shani Mandir was attacked and damaged by a mob during the clashes. The temple is perched right at the edge of the Hindu-majority area of Sakkar Saath and adjoining a Muslim-majority colony. The hoodlums had also barged into the house of the family who takes care of the family. Even the pandit of the temple was beaten up,” Badal said. 

Taking cognisance of deteriorating law and order, the local administration imposed a curfew in Amravati town on Saturday. In addition to this, internet services were snapped for three days in the region as a preemptive measure aimed at preventing fresh bouts of violence. 

MHA debunks fake news about vandalisation of mosques in Tripura

The violence was triggered by fake news of vandalisation of mosques in Tripura. On Saturday (November 13), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) debunked fake news about the vandalism of a mosque in the Gomati district of Tripura. The development comes amidst deteriorating law and order situation in Maharashtra over alleged violence against Muslims in the North-Eastern State.

In a statement, the MHA informed, “There have been news reports that have been circulating that a mosque in Kakraban area of Gomati district in Tripura has been damaged and vandalized. These news reports are fake and are a complete misrepresentation of facts. The mosque in Dargabazar area of Kakraban has not been damaged and the Tripura Police in Gomati district is working to maintain peace and tranquillity.

Tripura Police detains 2 HW News journalists for publishing fake news to spread communal violence

OpIndia Staff
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Tripura Police detains 2 HW News journalists for publishing fake news to spread communal violence

On November 14, Arindam Nath, IG (Law and Order), Tripura Police, informed that they had detained two HW News journalists Samriddhi Sakunia and Swarna Jha, on Saturday. They were detained based on multiple complaints filed against them for publishing and broadcasting false and fabricated news for disrupting communal harmony. The complaint was filed by Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s leader Kanchan Das. 

Assam Police detained the duo in district Karimganj while they were going to Guwahati. According to a report in Live Hindustan, Sakunia and Jha were on their way to Agartala. However, to skip security checks, they changed their route and travelled towards Assam. When Tripura Police came to know about the change in route, they informed Assam Police, after which they were detained.

According to News Agency ANI, Tripura Police said, “Taking a cue from the recent violence in Amravati & other parts of Maharastra as a repercussion, it has become clear that some vested interest is trying to flare up the communal incident in Tripura.”

Sakunia, in a tweet, shared a copy of the FIR against her and the other journalist. As per the FIR copy, a case under Sections 120(B), 152(A) and 504 of the Indian Penal Code have been registered at Fatikroy Police Station. In his complaint, Das said that the duo had visited Paul Bazar under Fatikroy Police Station and visited a few houses where Muslims lived. He alleged that the journalists “delivered instigating speech against Hindus and Tripura Govt.”

Copy of FIR. Source: Samriddhi Sakunia/Twitter

He further added that Sakunia falsely imparted VHP and Bajrang Dal for allegedly damaging the mosque on Paul Bazar. He said their actions were part of criminal conspiracy and to destroy communal harmony in the region.

Fake news of mosque vandalism and its after-effects

Tripura had faced a series of incidents related to vandalism and communal tension in the last week of October this year. The reports suggest that there were incidents where public and private property was vandalised during a protest rally organised by VHP in Tripura against the attack on Hindus in Bangladesh. As a result, a large mob of Muslims came out on the streets and restored to the vandalism of Hindu establishments.

Amidst the communal tension, some reports surfaced that a mosque has been vandalised in that. Several social media handles shared unrelated visuals and made fake claims of a mosque being damaged during communal tension. Both Tripura Police and Union Home Ministry have categorically denied such reports.

In the aftermath of Tripura violence, rallies were carried out in Maharashtra by Muslim organisations, including the infamous Raza Academy. Hindu establishments were vandalised, and owners were attacked at several locations. Curfew was imposed by the authorities in the regions where such incidents happened. Ministry of Home Affairs later issued a statement refuting reports of a mosque being damaged in Tripura and warned against spreading fake news to instigate communal tension.

Actor Vikram Gokhale extends support to Kangana Ranaut on ‘Independence ki bheek’ remark, agrees we got real freedom in 2014

OpIndia Staff
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Actor Vikram Gokhale extends support to Kangana Ranaut on ‘Independence ki bheek’ remark, agrees we got real freedom in 2014

Veteran actor Vikram Gokhale on Sunday extended his support to Kangana Ranaut in her statement that India attained true independence only after 2014.

Gokhale said that we in India got freedom in alms as it was ‘given’. He said many freedom fighters were hanged and the bigwigs at that time didn’t try to save them and remained mute spectators, he said.

Earlier, four time national award winning actress Kangana Ranaut had stoked up controversy after she said that India attained real freedom only in 2014 when the Narendra Modi government came to power. She had described India’s independence in 1947 from the British as ‘bheek’ (alms). After her comment drew ire, Kangana had gone on to defend herself and said that she would return her Padma award if she is proven wrong.

Gokhale was speaking on the sidelines of an event organised by Brahman Mahasangh in Pune to honour his 75th birthday. Speaking to Indian Express, Gokhale said that he agreed with Kangana that India got real freedom in 2014. He further said that he is not a blind supporter of PM Modi and that he does not necessarily agree with all that PM Modi and HM Shah say during the election campaigns. “But yes, when they work in national interest, like how they put China on the backfoot, I support them,” he said.

Reacting to Gokhale’s support to Ranaut, Congress leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan taunted and asked him to join the BJP if he (Gokhale) is supporting Ranaut. Gokhale, however, said that his views are his alone and he was not a supporter of any political party. Meanwhile, Santosh Shinde of Sambhaji Brigade has claimed Gokhale’s support to Kangana is seditious and he would file a police case on him. Similarly, Aam Aadmi Party is also contemplating legal action against Gokhale.

USA: 19-year-old YouTuber faces up to 5 years jail for suicide bombing hoax, had shouted Allahu Akbar to scare diners

OpIndia Staff
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USA: 19-year-old YouTuber faces up to 5 years jail for suicide bombing hoax, had shouted Allahu Akbar to scare diners

On Friday (November 12), a 19-year-old boy pleaded guilty in a federal court in Manhattan in the United States for pulling off a ‘suicide bombing’ prank. He now faces up to 5 years in prison.

As per reports, the accused have been identified as one Malik Sanchez. In February this year, the Youtuber had live-streamed a video where he pretended to be a ‘suicide bomber’ to scare two female diners outside a restaurant. Before threatening to blow himself up, Sanchez had positioned himself near the table of the diners. He then yelled, “Let’s enhance their meal…Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. ‘Bomb detonation in two, in two minutes. I take you with me and I kill all you.”

To make his act look genuine, the prankster further added, “And I kill all you for Allah. F, f that s. I’m gonna Allah. I’m gonna do it. I’m gonna f**g do it for Allah. I’m gonna do it, for, Allah, Allah, Allahu Akbar, Come on. I do it, bomb now, bomb now.” This prompted the diners to immediately flee the scene and rush back into the restaurant. During the act, Sanchez kept laughing as the video garnered views on Youtube. Reportedly, he was encouraged by his audience who kept on sending him cash tips.

When the police received information about the incident, they immediately rushed to the spot. However, Sanchez had left the scene by then, although the video of his prank remained on his Youtube channel. During the court hearing, counsel Clay Kaminsky had dubbed the prankster as an ‘attention seeker’ who was in need of help. Earlier in May, US attorney (Manhattan) Audrey Strauss remarked, “As alleged, Malik Sanchez perpetrated a hoax bomb threat at a Manhattan restaurant that frightened innocent victims, sowed chaos, and diverted precious law enforcement resource.”

In May this year, Judge Collen McMahon put Sanchez on home confinement, three weeks after his arrest. She noted, “The first thing I thought was, this is a kid who needs to be seeing a psychiatrist, this is somebody who needs mental health counselling. I’ve seen the crime. I’ve seen it, because he videotaped it, and he broadcast it on YouTube and it’s disgusting. It’s absolutely disgusting. It’s juvenile, it’s puerile, it’s deeply troubling, but it’s available. Anybody who thinks what I saw in the video was funny is definitely in need of mental health care, definitely.”

Malik Sanchez sought inspiration from an ‘incel’ killer

The Youtuber had entered a plea deal and now faces up to 5 years in prison for conveying misleading information and hoax. Reportedly, Sanchez will be sentenced on February 8 next year. He sought inspiration from Elliot Rodger, who killed 6 people and injured 14 others in the 2014 Isla Vista Killings. Rodger is considered the ‘hero’ who started the incel movement. An incel is a young man who considers himself an ‘involuntary celibate’ for not being able to attract a romantic partner, despite desrining for one.

Sanchez had expressed disturbing views in support of Rodger. He said, “(The victims) deserved to be run over and hit by a truck. They deserved to be slaughtered.” His Youtube videos feature him approaching strangers and young women and insulting them on the face. He had earlier pleaded guilty for illegally climbing the Queensboro bridge. Reportedly, incels had committed at least 5 deadly attacks since 2014 in the US and Canada, killing 28 people in total.

Actor Sonu Sood announces his sister Malvika Sood is joining politics, to contest Punjab assembly election from Moga

OpIndia Staff
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Actor Sonu Sood announces his sister Malvika Sood is joining politics, to contest Punjab assembly election from Moga

Actor Sonu Sood announced on Sunday that his sister Malvika will be joining politics ahead of the Punjab elections. Malvika Sood will contest the Punjab assembly elections next year. However, the political party she will be joining has not been revealed.

Sonu Sood said, “My sister Malvika will be entering politics. She is ready and I have seen her service to people” in a press conference held at Moga. The actor said that they were yet to decide which political party she will be joining ahead of the upcoming assembly polls in Punjab, stating that their decision will be revealed at the right time. Malvika Sood is most likely to contest from the constituency of Moga, the actor informed, saying that she is connected to their roots in Moga.

The actor said that he is not joining politics, but is meeting politicians regarding his sister’s venture into politics. He said that recently he met chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, and he is open to meeting other political leaders including AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal. “But it is a big decision of life when it comes to joining a political party, it is more about ideologies not casual meetings. We will reveal at right time about the party,” Sonu Sood said.

Malvika Sood Sachar is a prominent philanthropist in Moga town, known for her social work in the education, employment and health sectors. Malvika and Sonu together run the Sood Charity Foundation in memory of their late parents Shakti Sagar Sood and Saroj Bala Sood. Malvika Sood is an engineer by education and she runs an IELTS coaching centre in Moga and provides free English coaching to needy students. 

Sonu Sood’s philanthropic work during the Covid crisis received much praise from the public and the actor was named as the brand ambassador of the “Desh ka Mentors” programme for school students by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Sood also offered assistance to patients of Dengue fever and kidney ailments in his announcement saying, “I have seen that Dengue is spread in various parts of Punjab. I assure that Rs 5,000 will be provided throughout Punjab to families of patients suffering from Dengue who cannot afford treatment. Also, people in Moga do not need to worry about their dialysis. Earlier, they had to go to other districts for their dialysis but we will provide free dialysis to the patients,”

Notably, the Central Board of Direct Taxes had issued a statement on the month of September where it had said that Sood evaded taxes to the tune of over Rs 20 crores. Searches were conducted for three days in a row against the actor by the IT department.

The actor also faced trouble with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation on allegations of illegal construction in a residential building and converting the building into a hotel without permission. The BMC had called him a habitual offender in an affidavit that was submitted in the Bombay High Court.

Drug menace worsens in Jammu and Kashmir as addicted teens need emergency treatment, Heroin replaces charas and medicinal opioids

OpIndia Staff
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Drug menace worsens in Jammu and Kashmir as addicted teens need emergency treatment, Heroin replaces charas and medicinal opioids

Drug menace has worsened in Kashmir with a considerable increase in the number of youths including children being affected, who have been admitted to the drug de-addiction centres. According to Jammu and Kashmir Police chief Dilbag Singh, drugs are being smuggled into Kashmir from the Punjab and Jammu borders.

Singh also blamed Pakistan for playing a dirty game of spoiling the youth by giving arms training and then making them addicted to drugs. He said, “they are repeating the same dirty game that they played in Punjab” adding, “We had some good seizures too. We know that sale proceeds of the drugs are pumped into funding terrorism and, therefore, we have been extra vigilant about it and taking efforts to curb it,”

Karnah in North Kashmir, Anantnag in South Kashmir and some areas of Jammu were the main areas said to be affected. Dr Mohammed Muzzafar Khan, head of a drug de-addiction centre told PTI, “Earlier, we used to see boys aged 18 and above (addicted to drugs) but now there are cases of 12 and 13-year-olds and the nature of drug abuse has changed as well. Earlier, it was charas or medicinal opioids but now heroin is replacing them.” Khan has informed that the drug menace has spread across Kashmir including both rich and the poor and that earlier they required de-addiction centres whereas now they need a medical emergency facility because cases of heroin overdose were being seen unlike before.

He said youths get addicted to heroin quickly and within days become dependent on injections to inject drugs intravenously. Khan added that the situation on the ground has become worse as more and more young boys are getting addicted to narcotics.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration had earlier noted that there were at least 6 lakh residents affected by drug addiction in the region. Officials have pointed out that J-K is located in the vicinity of the “Golden Crescent”, a name by which South Asia’s opium-producing countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan were known. Drugs from the “Golden Crescent” produced 80 per cent of the world’s opium and was considered as the prime source of the illicit drug trade.

Earlier this year, Jammu and Kashmir police had seized a huge narco-terror module in Kupwara, evidently sponsored by Pakistan. Three terrorists of Lashkar-e-Taiba were reportedly arrested along with the drugs and loads of cash in Handwara division.

In October this year, a Pakistani smuggler was arrested at the Amritsar border in an operation led by the BSF battalion 144 and 6 kg of heroin was recovered. The smuggler was identified as Kashi Ali and six packets of heroin were recovered from him.

Madhya Pradesh govt to procure cow dung to produce fertilisers and other products, says CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan

OpIndia Staff
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Madhya Pradesh govt to procure cow dung to produce fertilisers and other products, says CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Madhya Pradesh government is working on an ambitious idea to procure cow dung for the purpose of making fertilisers and other products out of it. This was announced by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday.

“We are working in the direction of purchasing the cow dung and making fertilisers and other products out of it,” said the CM. He said that nowadays several products like fertilisers, pesticides, medicines and other items, are made by using cow urine and dung.

Chief Minister said this while addressing a convention of women veterinarians organised by the Indian Veterinary Association in Bhopal, which was inaugurated by Union minister Parshottam Rupala.

Revealing the plan of the government Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that his government was also working on a plan to start an ambulance service with the helpline number ‘109’ so that animals can be treated at their own place instead of transporting them to veterinary hospitals and veterinarians. He said that at times cows, buffaloes and bulls suffer from various diseases and bringing animals to veterinary hospitals and veterinarians is very difficult.  “So we have thought like ‘108’ (an ambulance service for citizens), there should be a helpline ‘109’ ambulance services for animals. The veterinary doctor will reach the spot for their treatment, he said.

He said that said cows have been the key to the Indian economy adding that the cow, its dung and urine can strengthen the economy of India. He spoke about steps taken to promotion of cow rearing including cow sanctuaries and shelters. “But the effort needs the participation of society. Experts should focus on how cow rearing could be a profitable business for small farmers. As women have entered the sphere of veterinary science, I’m sure we will succeed,” he said.

He was referring to India’s first cow sanctuary; Kamdhenu Gau Abhyaranya, set up in September 2017 on 472 hectares in Salaria village in Agar Malwa. The sanctuary was developed at a cost of ₹32 crores and it can give food and shelter to 6,000 cows at a time.  

He added that growth can only happen when society accepts the fact that cows and buffaloes are important gateways, and not just via government’s schemes and gaushalas. “As women have entered this sphere (veterinary science), and will be treating cows, buffaloes and other animals, I am sure that going ahead, if not immediately, we will certainly succeed,” the CM added.

He added that veterinary doctors and experts should engage in result-oriented work on how cow rearing could become a profitable business for small farmers and livestock owners.

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