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‘Young people are more likely to die after vaccination. I won’t take vaccine’: Prashant Bhushan clarifies how he’s NOT anti-vaccine

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‘Young people are more likely to die after vaccination. I won’t take vaccine’: Prashant Bhushan clarifies how he’s NOT anti-vaccine

Earlier this morning, Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan went on a ranting spree against COVID-19 vaccination. In a series of tweets, though, Bhushan claimed that he is not anti-vaccine but against the promotion of universal vaccination.

Bhushan claimed younger population have a higher chance of dying through vaccination as compared to suffering severe complications or even death due to coronavirus.

Explaining on how he is not anti-vaccine, Bhushan cited an article about a bereaved man who lost his wife allegedly after taking vaccine and said he believes it is “irresponsible to promote universal vaccination of experimental and untested vaccines, especially to young and COVID-19 recovered people”.

Prashant Bhushan’s tweets against COVID vaccine

“The healthy young have hardly any chance of serious effects or dying due to covid. They have a higher chance of dying due to vaccines. The covid recovered have much better natural immunity, than the vaccine gives them. Vaccines may even compromise their acquired natural immunity,” Bhushan said in a subsequent tweet.

Prashant Bhushan on why he will not take the COVID vaccine

He further added that he has not taken COVID-19 vaccine, and does not intend to take one either.

Prashant Bhushan’s sly attempts to undermine COVID-19 vaccinations

While naysayers are perpetually in the attack mode to slam the central government for not speeding up the vaccination process, some of their comrades among public “intellectuals” and members of civil society are actively and unabashedly promoting vaccine hesitancy and providing meretricious arguments to claim they are not against the vaccines.

Bhushan’s stand against vaccination is not a new phenomenon. For months now, the prominent Supreme Court lawyer has been accused of promoting vaccine hesitancy and creating doubts in the minds of people about the alleged damaging effects of the vaccines.

Recently, Bhushan continued his propaganda against COVID-19 vaccines by sharing a misleading report to allege that death rate is more among vaccinated people. He tweeted a report by a website named lifesitenews.com, which suggested that among the people who were infected with the delta variant of the Coronavirus, the mortality rate was higher in vaccinated people compared to people who have not received any vaccine.

Earlier this month, Bhushan carried on with his subtle attempt to undermine vaccines by sharing a report and alluding that people are dying of Covid-19 even after taking vaccines. The report that he shared on Twitter is on Uttarakhand cops testing positive for Coronavirus, which said that more than 2000 policemen in the state had tested positive, and 90% of them were vaccinated. Among them, 5 had died, the report said.

In April 2021, Bhushan tried to slyly push his anti-vaccine propaganda when he raised doubts about the efficacy of the vaccines in the United Kingdom vis-a-vis India.

Besides, Bhushan had in the past, also questioned the efficacy of masks in preventing the spread of coronavirus.

While Twitter has been very strict in not allowing its platform to be used for promoting anti-vaccine propaganda in the West and suspends people indulging in such behaviour, it remains to be seen if Prashant Bhushan’s Twitter account will be banned on the lines of the suspension of American author Naomi Wolf, whose Twitter account was withheld after she was found indulging in spreading misinformation about vaccines.

‘ISIS wants doctors and engineers, hence recruits from Kerala because people are educated’: Outgoing DGP

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‘ISIS wants doctors and engineers, hence recruits from Kerala because people are educated’: Outgoing DGP

Amidst the growing menace of Islamic radicalisation in Kerala, and cases of Kerala youth going to join ISIS, the outgoing Director General of Police (DGP) Loknath Behera has informed that the phenomenon is due to the high literacy rate of the state, reported The New Indian Express.

While speaking on the matter, Behera emphasised, “Radicalisation is a matter of concern in Kerala and the state police have been taking big efforts to address it by conducting de-radicalisation and counter-radicalisation programmes.” He said that the recruitment of Keralites by ISIS remained a grave concern for the State but number of recruits has reduced recently.

Behera pointed out, “According to the inputs, Kerala is a recruiting ground because the people here are educated and the IS requires engineers and doctors. But we have dealt with it in a systematic way and it has come down.” He informed that the state constituted ATS (anti-terrorist squad) to keep an eye on vulnerable individuals, provide counselling with the help of their parents and track those planning to join ISIS.

“After the exodus of 21 families to IS-controlled areas, we did lots of things. How many went after that? We have formed one of the best ATSs in the country and it is doing a great job behind the scene. That’s why there is not much concern. But we cannot be complacent,” he added.

DGP Loknath Behera also informed that the police are conducting surveillance of sleeper cells of terror outfits in the state.

The Kerala DGP, who is set to retire on June 30 this year, clarified that he has no hesitancy in invoking the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against such criminals. He added that he used to charge such terrorists with UAPA, given that it was enacted by the Parliament. Behera’s statements come two weeks after the mother of an ISIS bride urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure the safe return of her daughter from Afghanistan.

Four couples from Kerala had joined Islamic State: NIA

In June 2016, four couples left Kerala for Afghanistan to wage a war against the US forces in ISIS-controlled Khorasan Province. The women were identified as Nimisha Fathima alias Fathima, Sonia Sebastian alias Ayisha, Merrin Jacob alias Mariyam, and Raffaela. After their husbands were killed, they surrendered before the Afghan government in 2019. They had expressed the desire to return back to India.

According to the charge sheet filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2017, Sebastian had left India in 2016 to join the ISKP in Afghanistan along with a group of 21 men and women from Kerala. They had crossed over to Afghanistan on foot from Iran. The NIA said Sebastian, from Kasargod in Kerala, left India on May 31, 2016, with her husband, Abdul Rashid Abdulla, from Mumbai airport.

They had said the couple held secret classes supporting IS and jihad during the last part of Ramzan in Padanna and Kasaragod. Sebastian is an engineering graduate. Another IS sympathiser, Merrin Jacob alias Mariyam, was married to Bestin Vincent, a resident of Palakkad. The couple escaped to Afghanistan in 2016 to live in the IS-controlled territory. Later, the Chrisitan couple converted to Islam after their marriage, and Vincent assumed the identity of Yahya. Vincent was later killed in Afghanistan.

Similarly, Vincent’s brother Bexon and his wife, Nimisha alias Fathima, also converted to Islam and escaped to Afghanistan with them. Raffaela was married to a 37-year-old physician Ijas Kallukettiya Purayil a physician from Kasargod. The couple is believed to have stormed a prison in a terror attack in Eastern Afghanistan’s Jalalabad in August 2020. Around 30 persons were killed in the attack.

Various organisations, including the Catholic bodies, have been raising concerns over the targeted conversions and brainwashing of non-Muslim girls by radical elements in Kerala to use them as wives of ISIS terrorists.

India overtakes United States in number of COVID vaccination doses administered

OpIndia Staff
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India overtakes United States in number of COVID vaccination doses administered

In a significant achievement, India’s cumulative COVID vaccination coverage crossed the landmark of 32.36 crores to become the first country to inoculate so many people till now.

The data was shared by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare which showed India has administered 32,36,63,297 doses till now which is marginally higher than the US. America has till now administered 32,33,27,328 doses.

India vaccinated over 64.25 lakhs of people on Sunday to take the cumulative tally of total vaccination count to over 32.26 crores, beating the United States of America.

For over a week now, the Modi government has stepped up its vaccination programme across the country. More than 50 lakh people are being vaccinated across the country constantly, with more than 4 crores people getting jabbed in just last one week. On June 21, 2021, India administered a record breaking 86,16,373 vaccine doses in single day.

UP conversion racket: Umar Gautam, Qasmi had received Rs 2 crores from UK, ATS tracking illegal foreign funding

OpIndia Staff
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UP conversion racket: Umar Gautam, Qasmi had received Rs 2 crores from UK, ATS tracking illegal foreign funding

The Uttar Pradesh ATS has intensified its probe into the illegal and forced mass conversions racket. It is now being reported that the investigation has exposed the trail of foreign funding to fuel illegal religious conversions in India. As per ATS, Rs 2 crore were diverted from the United Kingdom and misused by the prime accused Umar Gautam and Mufti Qasmi.

The ATS has informed that the bank account of a Gujarat-based businessman was used for these transactions. Inspector general of police, ATS, GK Goswamy informed, “Transactions to the tune of crores of rupees have been made from the UK into the accounts of a businessman in Gujarat, who is under our scanner. We are verifying the accounts.”

Elaborating on the matter, another official revealed that the transfer of Rs 2 crore was done from UK illegally, without following the guidelines. Also the account of a trust/society was used to make private transactions.

“Evidences show violation of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), which is being probed. ED is also looking into it,” added the officer. 

ATS officials said they were tracing the details of transactions from the Middle East countries to the accounts of the two accused. Additionally, an investigation is on looking into the properties owned by the arrested duo and identifying other accomplices.

School used as prime centre under scrutiny

Nurul Huda English School located in Fatehpur has been named as a prime centre used by Umar Gautam for his conversion activities. The NCPCR has demanded a report on the school in three days. 

Over 50 students, teachers and administrative staff have registered their video statement. The police have also seized the CCTV footage of the school, however, footage of the prayer hall and classrooms have been found missing.

The UP ATS had earlier stated that the duo of Umar Gautam and Jahangir Qasmi had targeted women, underprivileged and differently-abled children for illegal conversions, to the extent of alienating many from their families and radicalizing them. Many have been converted with the lure of money too.

Several cases of hearing and speech impaired children at the Noida Deaf Society being converted to Islam at the behest of the conversion racket had also come to light. ATS had stated earlier that huge funds from foreign sources have been moved to sustain the conversion racket.

ATS takes Umar Gautam to 4 districts

The ATS on Saturday took the prime accused Umar Gautam and Mufti Kazi Jahangir Qasmi to four districts near NCR which they frequented for conversion purposes. 

An ATS official informed, “We found documents of some individuals in NCR, who were forcefully converted. “Umar Gautam and Mufti Kazi Jahangir Qasimhad visited these areas several times. All these details are being scrutinised,” said the officer.

‘Charampanthi nahin aatankwadi’: Netizens correct BBC for watering down terror attack

OpIndia Staff
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‘Charampanthi nahin aatankwadi’: Netizens correct BBC for watering down terror attack

United Kingdom’s national broadcasting news service BBC on Monday watered down the ghastly terror attack on Jammu & Kashmir Special Police Officer (SPO) in Pulwama by referring to terrorist as ‘charampanthi‘.

BBC report

‘Charampanthi’ means extremist, which is different from terrorist. On June 27, terrorists shot dead a former special police officer (SPO) of Jammu and Kashmir Police at his home at Hariparigam Village in district Pulwama, Jammu & Kashmir. Ex-SPO Fayaz Ahmad Bhat’s wife Raja Begum and daughter Rafia were also critically injured in the attack. His wife succumbed to injuries while daughter is still critical.

Terrorists, on Sunday, barged into his house and fired multiple rounds of bullets.

However, BBC, continuing the tradition of being Islamist apologist and having an anti-Hindu bias, referred to the terrorists as ‘extremist’.

This angered netizens who pointed out that BBC needs to call spade a spade.

People pointed out how there is a difference between the two. They even questioned if the BBC believes the perpetrators of 9/11 terror attack in New York were terrorists or extremists.

Netizens also pointed out how the BBC usually comes up to clean up after such terror attacks by playing down such terror activities.

The BBC has not tried to hide its anti-Hindu bias. During February 2020 anti-Hindu riots in Delhi, the BBC played up its narrative and used visuals to show one-sided stories about the Delhi Police. It did not make any effort to show the murderous attack on police personnel, including the death of Delhi police constable Ratan Lal and IB employee Ankit Sharma. It is alleged that Sharma was murdered by the Islamist mob led by AAP leader Tahir Hussain.

In February this year, the BBC provided platform to British writer to fuel the Hindu vs Sikh divide on the farmer protest. BBC has also come under fire for providing platform to Hamas terrorist and tried to portray her as a victim. BBC has also been accused of being racist especially against India.

TMC MLA who is Bengal Bar Council chief accuses acting chief justice of Calcutta HC of bias, wants CJI to remove him

OpIndia Staff
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TMC MLA who is Bengal Bar Council chief accuses acting chief justice of Calcutta HC of bias, wants CJI to remove him

On Friday (June 25), the West Bengal Bar Council wrote a letter to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana, seeking the removal of Justice Rajesh Bindal from the post of the Acting Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court. The letter was signed by advocate Ashok Kumar Deb, who serves as the Trinamool Congress MLA and the Chairman of the West Bengal Bar Council.

Reportedly, the Bar Council alleged that Justice Bindal was ‘biased’ towards the BJP and had ‘improperly’ listed and heard high profile cases such as Narada Scam, the election petition of Mamata Banerjee, and the case pertaining to medicine wastage in West Bengal. “Justice Bindal is a partial, unfair and biased judge whose continuance at High Court interferes with fair and impartial dispensation of justice,” it claimed.

While highlighting the Narada sting case, the letter claimed that the decision of the Calcutta High Court to reject the interim bail of 4 TMC leaders was an indication of Justice Bindal’s alleged bias. It further stated that the decision of the High Court to overrule the CBI special Court order even compelled Justice Sinha to condemn the act in the form of a letter.

Screengrab of the letter via Utkarsh Anand

Ashok Kumar Deb, advocate and TMC MLA, alleged that there were pictures of Justice Rajesh Bindal and West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankar. He added, “The picture coupled with the conduct of Justice Bindal seem to suggest that he is doing the bidding of the Governor at Calcutta High Court.” In his letter, he accused the Acting Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court of allowing repeated requests by CBI to file affidavits but denying similar requests from Mamata Banerjee and State Law Minister Moloy Ghatak.

The West Bengal Bar Council further alleged that the social media posts of Justice Bindal gave the impression that he was a ‘BJP’s man.’ It accused the Acting Chief Justice of transferring the hearing of the election petition of Mamata Banerjee from Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharya to another ‘biased BJP man’ Justice Kausik Chanda. The letter concluded, “We request Your Lordship to take immediate steps for removal of Justice Rajesh Bindal as judge of Calcutta High Court so that the majesty and sanctity of Calcutta High Court is upheld.”

It must be mentioned that Justice Bindal was appointed as a Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2006. Later in December 2020, he was appointed as the Chief Justice of the High Court for Jammu and Kashmir and Union territory of Ladakh. He was then transferred to the Calcutta High Court in January this year and appointed as the Acting Chief Justice of the Court on April 28, 2021.

Mamata Banerjee calls Judge ‘BJP member’ to cast doubts on Judiciary

Recently, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has fired off a letter to the Acting Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court Rajesh Bindal objecting to the listing of her petition before Justice Kaushik Chanda. The petition pertains to the re-evaluation of the voting results in the Nandigram constituency, where she lost elections to her rival Suvendu Adhikari.

The letter alleged that Justice Kaushik Chanda was an ‘active member of BJP’ and that the petition of Mamata Banerjee will have political ramifications. Counsel Sanjay Basu urged the Court to reassign the case to another Judge to resolve the apprehension of bias against the West Bengal CM. He said that the case ought to be reassigned to ensure public confidence in the Judiciary so that it did not appear that Justice Kaushik Chanda was a ‘Judge in his own case.’

Pulwama: Hours after Jammu IAF station drone attack, terrorists kill former SPO and his family

OpIndia Staff
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Pulwama: Hours after Jammu IAF station drone attack, terrorists kill former SPO and his family

On June 27, terrorists shot dead a former special police officer (SPO) of Jammu and Kashmir Police at his home at Hariparigam Village in district Pulwama, Jammu & Kashmir. Ex-SPO Fayaz Ahmad Bhat’s wife Raja Begum and daughter Rafia were also critically injured in the attack.

They were rushed to a local hospital, where Ahmad and his wife succumbed to injuries. Their daughter was shifted to another hospital, where she succumbed to the fatal injuries too.

As per reports, the incident took place on Sunday evening. The terrorists barged into their house and fired multiple rounds. The security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to identify and track the terrorists.

In a tweet, Kashmir Zone Police said, “#Terrorists barged into the house of SPO Fayaz Ahmad of Hariparigam Awantipora & fired #indiscriminately. In this #terror incident, he, along with his wife & daughter, received #critical gunshot injuries. Fayaz Ahmad #succumbed to his injuries. Area cordoned off. Search going on.”

Jammu & Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha condemned the attack and said, “I strongly condemn the brutal terrorist attack on SPO Fayaz Ahmad & his family at Awantipora. This is an act of cowardice & perpetrators of violence will be brought to justice very soon. My deepest condolences to the family of martyr & prayers for the recovery of injured.”

Drone attack on IAF base

The attack on the former SPO’s family has come hours after another terrorist attack at Jammu Air Force Station. As per reports, two low-intensity blasts took place inside the technical area of the Air Force Station in Jammu within a five-minute gap. The bomb blasts occurred in the premises of the specialised area of the Jammu airbase. The two blasts were heard within an interval of five minutes, the first blast sound is captured in the CCTV at 1:37 AM while the second at 1:43 AM.

The drone dropped the bombs at a location close to the Helicopter hangar. The IAF suspects that these attacks were intended to target the strategic assets of the Indian Air Force located inside the airbase. The Indian Air Force has initiated an investigation into the matter along with civilian agencies.

Kejriwal welcomes Surat realtor Mahesh Savani in AAP, who is accused of kidnapping and extortion

OpIndia Staff
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Kejriwal welcomes Surat realtor Mahesh Savani in AAP, who is accused of kidnapping and extortion

Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday welcomed Surat businessman Mahesh Savani into Aam Aadmi Party ahead of the Gujarat state assembly elections likely to be held in December 2022.

The move, however, garnered intense criticism as Savani, a top realtor from Surat was arrested in 2020 on allegations of extortion and kidnapping.

Who is Mahesh Savani?

Savani, who also owns several educational institutes and also an alleged social worker, was accused of kidnapping Gautam Patel (65) from his house and demanding Rs 19 crore for his release. 

Patel and his business partner who is now deceased had allegedly borrowed money from Savani for an infrastructure project. Patel who was liable to pay Rs 3 crore could not do so, hence offered 60 per cent share in a plot of land. Savani could not recover his money and allegedly hatched a plan to kidnap Patel when he arrived in India for his son’s marriage.

Patel’s kidnapping by Savani and his aides was reportedly captured in the former’s CCTV footage installed at his residence. 

On the other hand, Savani is famous for organizing mass marriages for orphaned girls and gifting cars and homes to his employees. 

Mahesh Savani’s selection

Addressing a press conference on the day of joining AAP and claiming to be impressed by the political party’s good governance, Savani said, “After 51 years of social service, I decided to join politics to continue my services at a larger level. Education is the foundation for everything. Government-run schools in Delhi are the best. During a recent visit to Delhi, I got to know that the Delhi government runs 700 to 800 schools. I visited seven such schools that can compete with any private school. I have also seen medical facilities there. The initiatives by the AAP government are excellent, so I have decided to join the party.”

It must be mentioned here that the interim report submitted by a panel led by AIIMS doctors on Supreme Court mandated oxygen audit said that Delhi government overstated oxygen demand and it could have worsened the crisis during the second wave of Chinese coronavirus.

Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister and AAP leader Manish Sisodia talking about the party’s growth in the state said, “The AAP is like a vacant plot in Gujarat, where a house of new and modern politics of the state can be built. To lay the foundation of this, we welcome Mahesh ji to the Aam Aadmi Party.”

“In Gujarat, the AAP is growing day and night at quadruple speed,” Sisodia claimed. 

“Now it is not only the work of Delhi, but the work of Gujarat has also started speaking, the work of the councillors has started speaking. Impressed by all that, Mahesh bhai decided to join the AAP family,” said Sisodia welcoming Savani into the party. 

AAP leader abusing Brahmins

We reported earlier how another Aam Aadmi Party Gujarat leader Gopal Italia’s old videos had been doing the round on social media where he could be heard insulting Brahmins and Hindu rituals.

Insulting the Hindu rituals, he claimed that those who attend these Satsangs/Kathas clap like ‘hijras’ (eunuchs). “I am ashamed of such people. It angers me. If you don’t like what I said block me. We don’t need those who clap like hijras in name of rituals and culture. Some Sadhu will speak nonsense from the stage and we have to clap like hijras?” he said.

Italia was seen sitting next to Sisodia during a press conference held on Sunday to induct Savani into the party.

Winning 27 out of the 120 seats in the civic body elections, AAP considers it to be ready to take on the Bhartiya Janta Party in the state. The party has also announced its plan to contest the state elections of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

Maharashtra: 22 including ex-Bigg Boss contestant detained after Nashik police raids drug party in Igatpuri, cocaine recovered

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra: 22 including ex-Bigg Boss contestant detained after Nashik police raids drug party in Igatpuri, cocaine recovered

22 people including 12 women are detained by Nashik rural police early on Sunday after a raid on drug party in Igatpuri, Maharashtra. Cocaine and other drugs have been recovered by the police. As per reports the 12 women include six models and actresses, most of whom have worked in various web series. There were also two choreographers and one model of Iranian origin.

One of the women arrested is reportedly actress Heena Panchal, who is former contestant at the reality show Bigg Boss Marathi. She had also participated in another dating reality show ‘Mujhse shaadi karoge’.

The 10 men detained are businessmen and one of a bookie as per reports. The police is currently in the process of filing an FIR. Their medical examination has been conducted. The raid was conducted on basis of the tip off they received. The police is also probing prostitution angle in the rave party.

Reports say two villas, Sky Taj Villa and Sky Lagoon Villa were raided by police where birthday party of Mumbai resident Piyush Sethia was underway. The accused have been charged under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. A Nigerian national has also been arrested in Mumbai for questioning in the same case.

Days after being summoned by UP Police, Twitter’s grievance officer Dharmendra Chatur quits

OpIndia Staff
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Days after being summoned by UP Police, Twitter’s grievance officer Dharmendra Chatur quits

Dharmendra Chatur, appointed by Twitter as its interim grievance officer as per the requirement of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021, has quit the job. The development leaves the social media platform without a grievance officer.

As per Economic Times, Dharmendra Chatur declined a comment on the matter. Twitter has not offered a statement either. Chatur has deleted his Twitter account as well. Recently, Dharmendra Chatur was summoned by the UP Police along with Twitter India Managing Director Manish Maheshwari in connection with a manipulated video that peddled a fake hate crime.

The development comes days after IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad’s Twitter account was locked for allegedly violating USA’s Copyright Act.

Twitter Inc. is in the middle of a tussle with the Indian government over the new IT rules. Ever since the Indian government enforced the new rules, the micro-blogging site has failed to comply with the Indian laws and has been delaying the compliance.

As Twitter did not comply with the rules, the Indian government sent a barrage of notices to the tech giant to follow the Indian laws. As usual, Twitter asked for more time to follow the Indian laws. With Twitter failing to follow the rules, the Indian government promptly withdrew its intermediary status for not complying with the new Information Technology Rules, which came into force on May 26.

In addition to the non-compliance, the Uttar Pradesh Government has initiated action against Twitter India for failing to take down tweets that spread misinformation about a crime in the state. An FIR has been lodged against the social media platform in connection with the Loni incident after Twitter failed to flag the fake news put out by alleged fact-checkers.

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