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Pakistani comedian Umer Sharif dies in Germany before reaching US for treatment, his request for help to Imran Khan was stuck in paperwork

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistani comedian Umer Sharif dies in Germany before reaching US for treatment, his request for help to Imran Khan was stuck in paperwork

On Saturday (October 2), Pakistani comedian Umer Sharif died in Germany at the age of 66, after suffering from serious heart complications. His demise was confirmed on Twitter by the Pakistani ambassador to Germany, Dr. Mohammad Faisal. In a tweet on Saturday, he wrote, “With deep sorrow, it is announced that Mr. Umer Sharif has passed away in Germany. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends. Our CG is present at the hospital to assist the family in every way.”

Prior to his death, Umer Sharif had appealed to the government to facilitate his visit abroad for further treatment. “My doctor has recommended me to travel abroad for better treatment. I had initially undergone treatment at the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre. Whenever Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan asked me to amplify his voice, I did so at his request. Today, when I need to be treated in the United States, I hope Imran Khan will listen to me and do the needful,” the comedian had made an appeal to the federal government on September 9.

(Video Courtesy: Youtube/ ARY News)

Financial aid and the delay in travelling to the United States

Waseem Badami, the host at ARY News, added that Umer Sharif had to be treated within a span of two weeks. While taking cognisance of the matter, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah had released PKR 4 crores for his treatment from the ‘Sindh Relief Measures and Discretionary Grants.’ However, it was only until September 14 that the matter was brought to the notice of the CM’s Secretariat. On September 16, Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui, the advisor to the Sindh CM, informed on Twitter that the US Consulate had issued the visa for Umer Sharif.

However, it was not until September 28 when Umer Sharif could finally depart for the US from Pakistan via an air ambulance. Waseem Badami had tweeted, “Finally, Umer Sharif left for America. Praise the Almighty. And thank you very much for the steps taken by the federal and Sindh government…Umer Bhai, get well soon and come back.” The Pakistani comedian, who had originally appealed to Imran Khan for help on September 9, could not leave the country for surgery until 3 weeks later on September 28.

He was scheduled to leave for the US last Sunday (26th September), but it was delayed as his health condition deteriorated hours before the scheduled departure. The departure was delayed as doctors had said that his condition was critical and it was not safe for him to travel. Finally, the air ambulance carrying him and his wife Zareen Umer had departed from Karachi on September 28. But it was too late by then, as Umer Sharif died before reaching USA for better treatment.

Umer Sharif hailed invasion of Somnath temple, had mocked Brahmins in the name of comedy

A popular figure in Pakistan and India, Umer Sharif’s health deteriorated during a stopover in Germany. He was rushed to a hospital where he succumbed to complications. The Pakistani comedian had appeared in the Indian comedy programme ‘Laughter Challenge.’ His death was mourned by several Indians, including comedian Kapil Sharma. However, Sharif exhibited religious bigotry during a Pakistani show and gleed at the destruction of the ancient Somnath temple by Islamic invaders.

“Read the history of Islam. We attacked Somnath 17 times before conquering it. Here will be just one round and Pakistan will beat India to raise its flag,” he was heard as saying. When he appeared on the ‘Laughter Challenge’, he mocked Brahmins by claiming that a Muslim man (who played the character of a Hindu pandit) took the name of ‘Allah instead of a Hindu God’.

Shahrukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan arrested in rave party case, NCB to seek police remand next

OpIndia Staff
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Shahrukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan arrested in rave party case, NCB to seek police remand next

Aryan Khan, son of Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan, has been arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) after he was detained by the NCB after a raid at a rave party. He is reportedly being taken for a medical check up.

Reportedly, Aryaan Khan has been arrested under section Section 27A of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. This means he is not charged with just consuming drugs, because this section deals with punishment for financing illicit traffic and harbouring offenders. It says that whoever indulges in financing dealings of narcotic products, directly or indirectly, will be punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a minimum ten years which may extend to twenty years, along with a fine.

ANI had reported that three of the eight detained individuals, including Aryan Khan, were taken for a medical examination. Arbaz Seth Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha were the other two individuals.

Two others have also been arrested in the matter, reports say. CNN News-18 reported that the NCB will seek remand of the accused next, in order to carry out further investigations into the matter.

Earlier, NCB Mumbai Director Sameer Wankhede had said that eight persons, namely, Aryan Khan, Arbaaz Merchant, Munmun Dhamecha, Nupur Sarika, Ismeet Singh, Mohak Jaswal, Vikrant Chhoker and Gomit Chopra were being questioned in connection with the raid.

As per reports, late last night the NCB detained at least ten people in a raid conducted on a cruise ship sailing from Goa to Mumbai. The high-profile party was organised onboard the Cordelia Cruises’ Empress ship. Based on a tip-off, the NCB officials had boarded the cruise ship after disguising themselves as passengers. Once the ship sailed off the coast of Mumbai, the rave party began and several passengers began consuming illicit drugs. The NCB officials swung into action and detained 7-8 individuals, who were allegedly seen taking drugs.

Some people have made my father Lalu Prasad hostage in Delhi, alleges Tej Pratap Yadav, brother Tejashwi reacts

OpIndia Staff
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Some people have made my father Lalu Prasad hostage in Delhi, alleges Tej Pratap Yadav, brother Tejashwi reacts

A fresh power tussle has erupted in the Lalu Prasad family as his elder son Tej Pratap Yadav on Saturday alleged that some people who are dreaming to become the national president of the RJD, have held former Bihar chief minister and RJD president Lalu Prasad hostage in Delhi. This, many believe, was a veiled attack on Lalu Yadav’s younger son and Tej Pratap’s brother Tejashwi Yadav.

“Months back my father Lalu Prasad was released from jail but he is not allowed to come to Patna. He has been kept as a hostage in Delhi. There are four to five people who are dreaming to become national president of the party,” said Tej Pratap Yadav.

Tej Pratap who is also MLA said that if the situation continues like this then party organisation will not grow, rather it will collapse.  

He is currently fighting a succession battle with his younger brother Tejashwi Yadav said this during a programme of Chhatra Janshakti Parishad, the outfit he floated last month to keep his politics floating as he has been sidelined within the party. This outfit is parallel to Chhatra RJD which is the students’ wing of the RJD.

Without naming his younger brother and Bihar RJD president Jagdanand Singh, he said that people know who the people are who have kept his father hostage. In August Tej Pratap had also a fight with Jagdanand Singh after the latter removed Akash Yadav as state president of youth wing of the party.

Convicted in fodder scam cases, Jharkhand High Court granted bail to Lalu Prasad in April this year on the health ground. A close aide of Lalu Prasad told OpIndia that Lalu Prasad is staying with his wife Rabri Devi and daughter Misa Bharti.

Tejashwi Yadav who virtually ran the party during absence of his father has emerged as the political heir of Lalu Prasad. The ailing Lalu Prasad has nearly distanced himself from political activities for various reasons. His term as national president of the RJD is also stated to end in November this year.

He is facing trial in yet another infamous fodder scam case RC 47 A/96 related to illegal withdrawal of worth Rs 139.35 crore from Doranda treasury of Ranchi in 1995-96.

In the context of the above the succession battle has intensified once again. “My father is not keeping well. I don’t want to put any pressure on him. He is suffering from various diseases. I asked my father to stay with me in Patna and see how the organization is running. There was a time when the gate of our house remained open for people and Lalu Prasad used to hold meetings. But, these four or five people made the provision of rope barricading so that people stay away from him,” Tej Pratap said.                 

Often referred as maverick and mercuric Tej Pratap always alleged that a negative perception was created against him and he was deliberately kept away from his father. “Some people are forcibly keeping Laluji away from me. They are also feeding wrong information about me,” he charged.

Tejashwi later on countered allegation of his elder brother stating that a man who remained chief minister of Bihar for such a long time can’t be kept as hostage.

Mentioning that Lalu Yadav even got L K Advani arrested (during the Rath Yatra during Ram Janmabhoomi movement), Tejashwi Yavad said ‘these things’ (holding him hostage) don’t match with his stature.

Kerala Bishop slams ‘Pseudo Secularists’ for suppressing voices that speak against social evils, had earlier warned about ‘love jihad’ and ‘narcotics jihad’

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala Bishop slams ‘Pseudo Secularists’ for suppressing voices that speak against social evils, had earlier warned about ‘love jihad’ and ‘narcotics jihad’

Bishop of the Pala diocese of Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in Kerala has slammed the ‘pseudo secularists’ in an article called ‘Don’t stay silent when there is a to speak out’ published in Deepika, the official mouth-piece of the church. According to a report by The Hindu, Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt wrote against those people who ignore and try to shut down voices that expose social evils. “Those who insist that one should not talk about the evils that befall his own community, are silently encouraging such things to flourish. Instead of ignoring the warnings issued against such social evils, attempts should be made to discuss and study these issues to prevent their further occurrence,” he wrote.

While the Bishop stood by secularism as a core of India, he wanted to warn against pseudo-secularism which according to him ‘will destroy the country’. He said, “Secularism is at the core of our constitution. The religious community and the secular community must learn to live together. The essence of Indian secularism is the respect towards all religions.”

However, Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt also expressed his concerns about how secularism could lead to extremism noting. He said, “from the growth of conservative racist movements in the West, we should learn how secularism gives birth to religious extremism. The situation of India too will not be different if we fail to accept Indian secularism in its true sense.” The Bishop also worried if Kerala would become communally polarised through secularism.

Earlier the Bishop of Pala, Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, had accused a section of the Muslims of carrying out Narcotics Jihad and Love Jihad against non-muslim boys and girls where they were trapped for exploitation and conversion. According to a report published in Kerala Kaumudi, the Bishop had been vocal about the targeting of young Christian by Islamist groups for conversion and exploitation.

During an event, Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt had said non-Muslim boys and girls are increasingly becoming the victims of Narcotics Jihad along with Love Jihad in the state. He went further and said that there are specific groups operational in Kerala that are targeting non-Muslim youngsters and even providing assistance to carry out targeted exploitation of non-Muslim youth. The video of the event where the Bishop made the statement was reportedly shared by the Kuravalingad Church.

While the Church council condemned Bishop Joseph’s statement citing Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) disapproval, it is to be noted that even the KCBC spoke against the State and Union Government and criticized it for turning a blind eye to the issue, and not conducting a proper probe into the case of “missing women and children”.

The Media Commission of the Syro Malabar Church, the Synod of the Church made a press release stating, “the menacing rise of Love Jihad stands to imperil the communal harmony and peace in Kerala. It is a fact that Christian girls are being targeted by the love jihad in the state,”

Mahant Narendra Giri’s signature on the suicide note matches the signature in the bank records: Report

OpIndia Staff
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Mahant Narendra Giri’s signature on the suicide note matches the signature in the bank records: Report

The signature found on the suicide note of Late Mahant Narendra Giri has been matched to the signatures in his bank records, reports say. Central Bureau of Investigation has sought the forensic report and fingerprint report on the suicide note. Mahant Giri was the President of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad and Mahant of Baghambari Gaddi in Prayagraj. He was found dead on September 20.

CBI wants to conduct a lie detector test

Reports suggest that the CBI has been preparing to conduct a lie detector test of accused Anand Giri. The agency will soon take the required permission from the court so that the test can be done. For the last few days, CBI has been investigating the call details of Narendra Giri and Anand Giri. They are questioning sewadars of Baghmbri Math and the saints who were close to late Mahant Narendra Giri and collecting information about those who were regular visitors of the Math.

The agency is checking all the bank transactions as a part of the investigations. Reports suggest that the agency got the information that Mahant owed money to so many people, and that angle is also being investigated.

Death of Mahant Narendra Giri

Mahant Narendra Giri’s body was found hanging to a noose in his room on September 20. An alleged suicide note was recovered from the scene where he had blamed Anand Giri, Aadhya Tiwari and Sandeep Tiwari for the suicide. They were arrested by the Police. Mahant Giri made Balbir the successor of Baghmbri Math in his note.

On Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Uttar Pradesh Police constituted a Special Investigation Team to probe the case. It was later handed over to the CBI. During the investigation, it was found that the CCTV cameras installed around his room were switched off. A video was also recovered during Police investigation that was recorded by Mahant Giri before his death. The investigation report has been handed over to the CBI, and the investigation is underway.

AAP Logic: Sanjay Singh questions PM Modi if he approved of film on Godse, here is why

OpIndia Staff
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AAP Logic: Sanjay Singh questions PM Modi if he approved of film on Godse, here is why

On October 3, Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh questioned PM Modi if he had given permission for making a biopic on Nathuram Godse. In a tweet, he said, “Filmmakers, who made a film on Modi ji’s life, are now going to make a film on “Godse” as a smart attempt to glorify Godse, the terrorist who killed Bapu. This is the poster of the film. Modi ji, have you given permission to make this film?”

The reason behind his questioning PM Modi was that one of the producers of the film, Sandeep Singh, also produced a biopic of PM Modi in 2019. Notably, permission from Prime Minister Modi is not required to make any feature film or biopic unless it is directly linked to his life. Once the movie is ready for release, the producer would approach the censor board and take the certificate so that the movie can be released in India. But somehow, Sanjay Singh, who once used to allegedly sell movie tickets in black, finds it appropriate to question PM Modi for a biopic and not the team behind it.

The movie was announced by filmmaker Mahesh Manjerkar on Gandhi Jayanti yesterday. “The story of Nathuram Godse has always been close to my heart,” he had tweeted.

The upcoming film on Godse would be produced under the banners of Legend Global Studio and ThinkInk Picturez. At the moment, the film’s script is being written, and it is expected to hit the floor in the second half of 2022.

In the press release, Manjrekar said, “It takes a lot of courage to back a film of this nature. I always believe in hard hitting subjects and uncompromised storytelling and this one fits the bill. People do not know much about Godse other than he’s the man who fired at Gandhi. While telling his story, we neither want to patronize nor want to speak against anyone. We’ll leave it to the audience on who is right or wrong.”

Manjrekar also published an Instagram post in which he wrote.

Sandeep Singh said, “The Nathuram Godse’s story is the one which I wanted to tell ever since I made my first film. This is an untold tale that deserves to be presented to the cinemagoers. There are various versions of the stories about Godse and Gandhiji. Mahesh, Raaj and I intend to bring out the factual story and thereby bring this cinematic opus of forgotten history characters for today’s generation.”

Raaj Shaandilyaa said, “Over the last few years, there’s been a renewed interest in knowing about Nathuram Godse. Also, we are living in times where freedom of expression and different viewpoints and opinions are encouraged. Hence, we feel this is the right time to bring a film on Nathuram Godse.”

It is notable that Nathuram Godse was the assassin who killed MK Gandhi on January 30, 1948. Godse was hanged to death on November 15, 1949.

Just Sunday Things: Netizens have a meme fest after Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan detained in Mumbai rave party case

OpIndia Staff
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Just Sunday Things: Netizens have a meme fest after Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan detained in Mumbai rave party case

A day after the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) raided a rave party and detained the son of Shahrukh Khan, netizens had a gala day sharing memes on the actor and his son Aryan Khan.

The micro-blogging site was soon filled with memes and stills from movies with funny anecdotes. Since Shah Rukh Khan is expected to rescue his son at the earliest, one Twitter user shared a movie dialogue by Pankaj Tripathi. It goes as, “It is not important that he is dumb. It is important that he is my son.”.

Another Twitter user took a dig at the SRK’s movie, named ‘My Name is Khan.’ He wrote, “My name is Khan and I am a druggist.”

Another meme, targeting Barkha Dutt is also doing the rounds of the Twitter. The user had shared a picture of the journalist with Shah Rukh Khan and insinuated that his misfortune was due to her.

Another user suggested that when NCB will ask the Bollywood actor’s son about the seized drugs, he will respond, “Sniff it once sir. You will get so much pleasure that you will forget everything else.”

One Twitter user posted a ‘movie teaser’ by NCB titled, ”My name is Khan and I am Charsi”. It claimed to be inspired by Rhea Chakraboty and Deepika Padukone.

Another user superimposed the picture of Aryan Khan atop Arnab Goswami’s face with the infamous dialogue of ‘Mujhe drugs do‘ (Give me drugs).

Others too shared memes that added humour to the existing discourse on Aryan Khan’s detention.

Meanwhile, one Twitter user cried foul that Aryan Khan is targeted for being a Muslim.

On Saturday (October 2), the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) raided a rave party that was being held onboard a cruise ship in which Aryan Khan, son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan was reportedly detained. The raid conducted by zonal director Sameer Wankhede led to the detention of 7-8 people. As per reports, Aryan Khan’s phone was seized and scanned by authorities. He is neither booked nor arrested so far.

As per reports, the high-profile party was organised onboard the Cordelia Cruises’ Empress ship. Based on a tip-off, the NCB officials had boarded the cruise ship after disguising themselves as passengers. Once the ship sailed off the coast of Mumbai, the rave party began and several passengers began consuming illicit drugs. The NCB officials swung into action and detained 7-8 individuals, who were seen taking drugs.

India Today reported that the raid took place on the cruise ship during an event, which was integrated about 2 weeks ago. The NCB officials recovered banned drugs such as hashish, cocaine and MDMA. News Agency ANI reported that at least 10 people were detained during the raid. The officials also seized the luggage of several passengers, who were onboard the ship. The rave party was organised between October 2 and October 3.

Richa Bharti, who was ordered to distribute Quran, continues to fight for justice after murder of her father, writes to CM Nitish Kumar

Vijay Deo Jha
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Richa Bharti, who was ordered to distribute Quran, continues to fight for justice after murder of her father, writes to CM Nitish Kumar

The Jharkhandi girl Richa Bharti, who had shot to national fame by refusing to distribute Quran as per a court order to secure bail, is unhappy with the Nitish Kumar government and the Bihar police for not catching the accused who had murdered her father in February this year in Nalanda district of Bihar.

Richa Bharti wondered if Nalanda DSP Md Shibli Nomani, who is supervising the case, is showing honesty to give justice to her father.

Two days ago Richa Bharti posted a fresh appeal to Nitish Kumar on her Twitter account stating that it is almost nine months but the accused are freely roaming and no action has been taken. Richa Bharti is a native of Nalanda which is the home district of Nitish Kumar. But the family settled in Ranchi years back.

“When people talk big about Sushasan in Bihar and respectfully refer to Nitish Kumar as Sushanbabu I just cry because I see those who had brutally murdered my father Mohan Kumar are walking freely,” Richa Bharti told OpIndia over the phone.

“I don’t blame but I doubt that Md Shibli Nomani has something in his mind. He doesn’t look to be doing justice. There are a total nine accused in this case. The court issued arrest warrants against five accused in March. But none have been arrested,” she said.

These five accused are Chandramauli Prasad, Karu Kumar, Deonarayan Prasad, Lallu Prasad and Sallu Prasad.   

“There are a total of nine accused but the warrant was issued only against five. We have not been explained that why police have not secured warrants against the remaining four and why no arresting has been made. I doubt if the Nalanda police and DSP are trying to save these accused also,” she said.

Richa said that these accused her killed her father in front of her mother Meena Devi, sister Rachana Bharti and grandfather Nandlal Prasad under Sarmera police station area.

Asked why she doubts Md Shibli Nomani may not act fairly to her and her family, she said, “I believe that the DSP dislikes my background. I am a nationalist and I was once unnecessarily dragged into a controversy when the Ranchi court had asked me to distribute five copies of the Holy Quran. But that was a different case which has nothing to do with the ongoing investigation of the murder of my father.”

She said that she has been running from pillar to post for the justice of her father but her desperate appeal has fallen on the deaf ears of the police and DSP. “After my father was murdered a number of murder cases took place in Nalanda and I have seen how police arrested accused in these cases quickly within 10 days. Those who murdered my father are freely roaming. I wonder,” she said.

This 21-year-old ordinary girl of Pithoria village of Ranchi hogged national headlines in July 2019 a Ranchi court directed her to distribute five copies of the Holy Quran for allegedly making a communal remark. She also refused to obey the court order stating that what if in future she is asked to offer namaz or asked to convert to Islam. She was accused of disrespecting Islam in a Facebook post.

The court order was widely criticized and the court had later withdrawn the order.

After the murder of her father, the family feared for her life. Her mother, younger brother and sister stay in Ranchi but she left for Gujarat where she is staying with her maternal uncle. “I had fought for myself and I am fighting for my father while in Gujarat,” she said.

TMC shows why Covid restrictions on Durga Puja are so crazy: Gathers huge crowds to celebrate while High Court bans entry into Pandals

K Bhattacharjee
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TMC shows why Covid restrictions on Durga Puja are so crazy: Gathers huge crowds to celebrate while High Court bans entry into Pandals

Mamata Banerjee is set to emerge victorious in the Bhawanipore by-poll elections as trends show the Chief Minister of West Bengal in pole position to win. With results in her favour, celebrations have erupted with leaders and supporters dancing and making merry in the streets.

The intriguing aspect of the matter is that the celebrations come days after the West Bengal informed the Calcutta High Court that it had no problems with banning visitors from entering pandals. Consequently, the High Court again imposed restrictions that banned visitors from entering the pandal.

Thus, while citizens are banned from celebrating their festivals as they see fit, politicians are out in the street, without masks, flouting all sorts of rules they want others to follow.

Some of the celebrations are quite extravagant, with impromptu jigs and all that. It’s unlikely that any Court will take any action against such antics.

Nonetheless, the Trinamool Congress has demonstrated perfectly why the restrictions on Durga Puja and other Hindu festivals are so crazy and have nothing to do with Covid-19. It is not just West Bengal where such restrictions have been imposed.

Mumbai, Odisha and multiple other states have selectively targeted Hindu festivals in the name of Covid-19 while allowing crowds to congregate for protests, election rallies and other such reasons. Authorities appear to believe that only Hindu festivals spread Covid-19 while other mass gatherings suffer from no such menace.

The celebrations in Bengal after the entry of visitors in Puja pandals are a slap on the face of the fundamental right to observe one’s religious faith and only further cements the fact that the restrictions that have been imposed in recent times have nothing to do with Covid-19 at all.

Canada: Woman arrested for allegedly not showing ‘vaccination status’, forcibly taken away and banned from public arena

OpIndia Staff
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Canada: Woman arrested for allegedly not showing ‘vaccination status’, forcibly taken away and banned from public arena

On Wednesday (September 29), a woman was arrested by police officials in Canada for alleged ‘trespassing’ after she refused to provide information about her vaccination status, reported Rebel News. The incident took place at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre near Toronto in Canada.

The woman, identified as one Sara, had visited the community centre with her partner Josh Dawson and four children for recreational activities. In a video shot by Dawson, which has now gone viral on social media, two Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers are seen asking Sara to leave the property. They claimed that the facility manager had asked them to leave. The cops insisted that Sara show her vaccination status.

Josh Dawson argued, “You can give us a ticket… This is a public facility that we paid for.” The police officers claimed that Sara violated the Trespass to Property Act and that she did not leave the property despite the facility manager’s refusal. In front of her children, they forcibly handcuffed the woman and took her away. In the viral video, the children were seen crying and clinging to their mother.

“We are within our rights…Why did you arrest her? This is not trespassing… A mandate is not a law,” Dawson emphasised. One of the cops was seen confronting him and telling him to find out the rules by himself. He later returned to the children who appeared visibly upset at the incident. In a statement, he later informed, “The Kincardine OPP detachment drove Sara in cuffs to the Ripley Public School, issued her a $65 ticket alleging trespassing, drove her back to the Ripley Arena, and told her she’s banned from the arena.”

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