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Google removes ‘Mitron’ and ‘Remove China Apps’ from Google Play store on all Android devices over ‘policy violation’

OpIndia Staff
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Google removes ‘Mitron’ and ‘Remove China Apps’ from Google Play store on all Android devices over ‘policy violation’

The mysterious behaviour of tech-giant Google over its arbitrary regulation of Android apps has yet again come to the fore as Play Store seems to have succumbed to Chinese pressure and has removed two rival apps which had posed a challenge to the Chinese apps.

‘Mitron’ – the popular alternative for TikTok, which was developed by a Pakistan-based software development company Qboxus and later purchased by an Indian student and another app – ‘Remove China Apps’ have been removed from the Google Play Store after the two apps became a direct threat to Chinese apps that were being used in the country.

Interestingly, the tech giant has not confirmed why the app was removed from the play store and whether it will be available again or not.

Mitron app’s source code issue

‘Mitron’, which was touted as the alternative for the controversial Chinese app – TikTok, had seen a large number of downloads in the last few days. However, it has been removed from the Google Play Store as it posed a threat to the Chinese app. At the time of removal, the app had over 5 million downloads. 

It is being reported that the app was taken down for being repetitive and offering the same content and experience which is already being provided by another app.

In its spam and minimum functionality page, Google claimed, “We don’t allow apps that merely provide the same experience as other apps already on Google Play. Apps should provide value to users through the creation of unique content or services.”

Pakistan connection to Mitron app

Reportedly, Mitron app was first developed by a Lahore-based company named Qboxus. The Pakistan-based company had created an app called TicTac, similar to TikTok. Later, the app was later rebranded in India as ‘Mitron’ whose source code was purchased from a website called CodeCanyon.

According to Irfan Sheikh – the founder of Qboxus, the owners who purchased the source code from them have not made changes to the original app. Interestingly, Mitron has no customisations and is a direct copy of TikTok clone app called TicTac, said Sheikh.

The QBoxus team has claimed that the TicTac app was actually created by them before putting up the source code of the app on sale. The source code was reportedly purchased by an IIT Roorkee student, Shivank Agarwal, who rebranded the app into Mitron. 

‘Remove China Apps’ also taken down from Play Store

Another application ‘Remove China Apps’, which had gained popularity in India in recent weeks has also been removed from the Google Play Store. The app allowed users to detect and easily delete apps developed by Chinese firms.

More than one million people in India had installed the application on their phone to delete Chinese apps present on their smartphone.

The app, developed by Indian firm OneTouch AppLabs, had gained popularity in the country at a time when there is a rising anti-China sentiment among many citizens as tensions between two countries has escalated in recent days over border stand-off.

However, the Google intervened on Tuesday to remove the app from its Play Store after millions of Indians had downloaded the app.

The developer of the app – Jaipur based OneTouchAppLabs announced on Twiter that their app has been suspended from Play store. The firm are not aware of why Google removed the app from Play Store.

If a user has already downloaded the ‘Remove China Apps’ application on their phone it will still work for you, but new downloads cannot be made.

Google bats in favour of Chinese app – ‘TikTok’

Earlier, the tech-giant Google had come to the rescue of controversial Chinese social media platform TikTok by deleting millions of negative reviews from its Play Store, in an attempt to improve the rating of the application.

Google had removed nearly than 7 million negative reviews for TikTok which has ultimately improved its rating. On May 20, the ratings of the controversial app had plunged to 1.3 stars after millions of social media users had massively downrated the Chinese app for enabling its users to promote and glorify various horrific crimes and anti-Hindu propaganda.

However, a week later on May 28, the app had only 20 million reviews on the Play Store, indicating that Google had removed close to 7 million negative reviews reported against the Chinese app. The ratings of the app were upgraded to 4.4 stars from 1.3 stars a week before.

Kerala: Pregnant wild elephant dies after pineapple stuffed with crackers fed by locals exploded in her mouth

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala: Pregnant wild elephant dies after pineapple stuffed with crackers fed by locals exploded in her mouth

In a shocking case of animal cruelty from Kerala, a pregnant elephant has died after some locals fed her cracker-filled pineapple which later exploded in her mouth. The incident took place in Malappuram district of Kerala when the elephant had wandered into village in search for food. However, some villagers stuffed pineapples stuffed with firecrackers on her tusks while she was walking on the streets.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden Surendrakumar said that her jaw was broken and she was unable to eat after she chewed the pineapple which exploded in her mouth. The issue came to light when forest officer Mohan Krishnan shared about it on social media. He said that she was standing in the river with her head dipped in water. “She trusted everyone. When the pineapple she ate exploded, she must have been shocked not thinking about herself, but about the child, she was going to give birth to in 18 to 20 months,” he wrote on Facebook.

“She had a sixth sense that she was going to die. She took the Jalasamadhi in the river in a standing position,” he wrote as he shared her photo from inside the river.

An FIR has been lodged against unknown persons in the case.

As reported by news agency ANI, Mannarkkad forest range officer has said that an FIR under relevant sections of the Wild Life Protection Act has been registered.

Pre independence slavery genes? Kangana Ranaut questions Bollywood’s silence on Palghar Sadhu lynching as they voice solidarity over #BlackLivesMatter

OpIndia Staff
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Pre independence slavery genes? Kangana Ranaut questions Bollywood’s silence on Palghar Sadhu lynching as they voice solidarity over #BlackLivesMatter

Even as celebrities voice their solidarity and put up social media campaign on #BlackLivesMatter, Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut has questioned their silence on the Palghar Sadhu lynching. In an interview given to online magazine Pinkvilla, wondered if the ‘Black Lives Matter’ campaigned where Bollywood celebs have chipped in, is perhaps because of the ‘pre independence slavery genes’.

According to Pinkvilla, Kangana said that the Palghar Sadhu lynching happened a few weeks back but no one said a word. This, especially when it happened in Maharashtra where most of these celebrities reside. “It is a shame they [Bollywood celebrities] continue to live in a bubble and never fail to jump on the bandwagon, which can give them two minutes of fame, but ‘white people’ must drive the bandwagon. Perhaps, it is because of their pre-independence colonial slavery genes,” she told Pinkvilla.

Further questioning Bollywood’s selective outrage, Kangana said that how these celebrities would rather fight and side with a white teenaged kid but don’t have a word to say on Indian environmentalists who are doing exceptionally well without any support of help from anyone. “Some of them were honoured with the Padma Shri award. I was amazed to see their stories, but they never get the same acknowledgement from the industry. Perhaps, sadhus or tribal people aren’t fancy enough for the Bollywood crowd or their followers,” she said.

Various Bollywood celebrities including Priyanka Chopra have spoken up in solidarity with George Floyd killing.

Palghar Mob Lynching incident

On 16th April 2020, two Sadhus associated with the Juna Akhara, 70-year-old Kalpavrishka Giri Maharaj, and 35-year-old Sushil Giri Maharaj along with their driver 30-year-old Nilesh Telgadewere were on their way from Mumbai to Gujarat to give Samadhi to another Sadhu. At Gadakchinchale village, a wild and frenzied crowd of over 100 people attacked them. It was initially reported that the villagers allegedly deemed them as thieves and started attacking them. The police claim that their team which had rushed to the spot to rescue the 70-year-old man also came under the attack of the violent mob.

But later videos emerged which completely debunked the claim of police, as it was seen that the sadhus were in the custody of the police, but the police personnel handed them over to the mob. The mob then proceeded them to beat them to death in front of the policemen.

George Floyd killing

On May 25, a 46-year-old African-American man, George Floyd was reportedly murdered by a Minneapolis white police officer, Derek Chauvin, who knelt on the former’s neck for 7 long minutes until his body became unresponsive. A shopkeeper had called the cops on Floyd for allegedly trying to pass a ‘potential counterfeit bill’. Despite the victim complaining about not being able to breathe, coupled with verbal protest from onlookers, the said officer was unmoved. On being taken to the Hennepin County Medical Center, Floyd was pronounced dead.

Following his death, widespread riots have taken place in America and dozens of cities have been kept under curfew to bring back law and order.

West Bengal: Mamata Banerjee government quarantines five migrant workers in an abandoned public toilet in Kolkata

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal: Mamata Banerjee government quarantines five migrant workers in an abandoned public toilet in Kolkata

West Bengal’s unpreparedness to handle the coronavirus crisis was exposed once again after Calcutta News reported that five returning migrant workers have been quarantined in an abandoned public toilet in Ward No 79 of Taratala, Kolkata, by the Mamata Banerjee government.

According to the local news channel, when approached, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation denied any such occurrence, but visuals of migrants being placed in the erstwhile bathroom, along with their belongings, have been captured on camera by Calcutta News. The migrant workers have been placed in the abandoned public toilet of Taratala Godagacha, which is a densely populated area of the state capital.

The visuals show the migrant workers housed in a public toilet which has been abandoned for a long time. The fixtures in the toilets and bathrooms are broken and the entire facility filled with garbage. The report also mentioned that although power connection was restored after it was the workers spent 24 hours at the quarantine centre set up in the public toilet, it does not have any fan. This means that the quarantined people will have to spend 14 days in such an inhuman condition.

As soon as this news became public, irate locals took to the street, protesting against the government, reported Calcutta News.

The indifference in the West Bengal government’s attitude toward the migrant workers have received flak from Congress leader Abdul Mannan, has accused Mamata Banerjee of showing utter disrespect toward these individuals. He questions the decision of turning the abandoned toilets into a quarantine centre while numerous schools and colleges of the state are standing empty at the moment, as all classes have been stalled for now.

These buildings could have been used as isolation facilities for these destitute individuals, opined the Congress MLA, furthering that this decision has exposed the inhumane side of the TMC government, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Calcutta News removed by Cable operators for critising state govt

It may be noted that Calcutta News has been facing the ire of the Mamata Banerjee government for exposing the mismanagement of the Coronavirus pandemic by the state administration. The Channel was blocked by all cable operators in Kolkata and nearby areas. West Bengal BJP termed it as an undeclared emergency in Bengal. They said that after gag order on mainstream media and arrests of Social Media activists, now the channel has been banned as it it has been taken off air by all MSOs.

The channel had confirmed that it was under the attack of state government. They updated the banner image in their social media accounts to inform that their channel was off the air from some areas not due to some technical issue, but due to attack from the state government.

I am helpless, there is nothing I can do

Expressing her utter helplessness to stop coronavirus cases in the state, the Bengal CM stated yesterday: “It is not in my hands any more. Now I have nothing to do. You can sleep with corona by your side. Make it your pillow. I am sorry.”

West Bengal has recorded 5130 cases of coronavirus as of date. 309 people have died in the state so far. 18 out of 22 districts have recorded coronavirus cases. Kolkata has the highest number of cases, followed by North 24 Parganas. Both regions were also badly affected by cyclone Amphan.

Blames migrant workers for increase in coronavirus cases

However, this decision to place migrant workers in public toilets does not come as a surprise as the apathy of the Mamata Banerjee’s government towards them had become evident when she had claimed that the number of coronavirus cases is increasing in the state due to the incoming of the migrant workers and termed the Shramik trains bringing back thousands of labourers of her own state to their homes, as ‘Corona Express’.

Center accused Mamata Banerjee of not cooperating in dealing with migrant worker crisis

Earlier, the Home Minister Amit Shah had levelled serious allegations against the Mamata Banerjee government that they are not supporting the Centre in resolving the migrant crisis. Indian Railways had echoed similar sentiments.

Earlier, reports had emerged that suggested that the Mamata Banerjee government had abandoned the stranded tourists stuck in Uttarakhand as the state government had been unresponsive despite repeated requests that have been made by the migrants.

Death of woman at Muzaffarpur station: Railway affidavit filed in Patna HC states she died 4 hours ago in train, brother-in-law said she had prior ailments

OpIndia Staff
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Death of woman at Muzaffarpur station: Railway affidavit filed in Patna HC states she died 4 hours ago in train, brother-in-law said she had prior ailments

A few days back, a heart-rending video of a hapless child trying to wake up its mother, who was lying motionless on a platform on Muzaffarpur station, was widely circulated on the Internet. The video had gone viral on social media websites after which several media organisations and prominent personalities shared the video and raised questions about the plight of migrant workers who are being transported to their native places even as the coronavirus stalks through the country.

The Patna High Court last week took suo moto cognisance of the death of the woman on board a train from Gujarat to Bihar after the video of the child fiddling with the dead body of his mother provoked outrage on social media. The Railways responded by submitting an affidavit in the court filed by Sarvapriya Mayank, Principal Chief Security Commissioner, RPF in East Central Railway on behalf of the Union of India.

The affidavit mentioned that the train which was boarded by Wazir Alam, Kohinoor Khatoon and her children and sister Arbina Khatoon(deceased) proceeded from Ahmedabad on May 23, 2020 at 11 PM towards Madhubani. The concerned family had to go to Katihar as Md Wazir was a resident of Katihar.

The train reached Muzaffarpur on May 25 at 3.55 PM. The total time of the travel was approximately 41 hours. The route taken by the train was from Ahmedabad to Ajmer—Gorakhpur—Hajipur—Muzaffarpur. The affidavit mentions that the normal running time on the route, traversed by Sabarmati Express (19165), is usually 43 hours but the Shramik train which was boarded by Arbina Khatoon took lesser time than the normal train, dismissing various reports that claimed that the train took multiple diversions and reached its destination very late.

In addition, the affidavit declared that the lady was disembarked from the train at Muzaffarpur station and she was lying in an unconscious state. Inspector of RPF on duty, Ved Prakash Sharma and Muzaffarpur Station Master was informed about the incident. A requisition memo was sent to Railway Doctor who later arrived at the platform 3 and pronounced the lady dead. Finding no apparent cause of death he advised postmortem examination.

The affidavit clearly mentions that the brother-in-law of the deceased lady admitted that Arbina had died at 12 PM on the same day, meaning 4 hours before the train reached Muzaffarpur station, and after discussing with his relatives on phone, he was advised to get down at Muzaffarpur to proceed to Katihar on some vehicle by road. Xerox copy of the Doctor’s report has been attached with the affidavit.

The statement was made by the deceased’s brother-in-law, in front of the officer-in-charge of GRP and with his wife Kohinoor Khatoon by his side. He also claimed that Arbina had become mentally unstable from some time, adding that her husband had deserted her and she was keeping unwell since a while back.

Statement made by the deceased’s brother-in-law

The affidavit said that there has been no negligence or lapses of any nature on the part of Railway administration and/or Railway officials in discharging their duties at any place.

Concerns raised over nuclear and chemical plants in Maharashtra as cyclone Nisarga heads towards the state

OpIndia Staff
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Concerns raised over nuclear and chemical plants in Maharashtra as cyclone Nisarga heads towards the state

As the Cyclone Nisarga is heading towards the coasts of Maharashtra, a huge concern has been expressed regarding the nuclear and chemical plants that may come in its direct path. Expectedly, the cyclone will enter the coasts late Tuesday night or early Wednesday.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray while updating about the cyclone said, “Care is being taken to prevent power outages. Precautions are being taken at chemical units and nuclear power plants in Palghar and Raigad.”

Maharashtra posses a string of chemical and nuclear plants. In Palghar, the oldest Tarapur Atomic Power Plant complex and other power units are present while Mumbai has the BARC set up and Raigad houses power, petroleum, chemicals, and other major industries besides the Mumbai port trust, the Jawaharlal Nehru Post trust and vital installations of the navy.

People living in non-pucca houses have been shifted to safer shelters for them and slum dwellers have been asked to vacate for their own safety. As per reports, 50 patients were shifted from the Bandra Kurla complex COVID-19 hospital to the Goregaon NESCO hospital.

Rescue operations underway

Several units of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed for rescue operations and six more are kept in the reserve. As per reports, a 24×7 control room has been operationalized and the security forces and IMD have been instructed to ensure coordination.

The Western Naval Command(WNC) has claimed that it has prepared itself for emergency response during heavy rain and flooding due to cyclone Nisarga, along with the five flood rescue and three diving teams that would be in place throughout the monsoon.

Cyclone Nisarga to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm within 24 hours

The Indian Meteorological Department announced that depression in the Arabian Sea may develop into a cyclonic storm in the next 12 hours and further intensify into a severe cyclonic storm within 24 hours. The deep depression – ‘Cyclone Nisarga’, which is headed towards the coasts in Maharashtra and Gujarat, is likely to hit the western coast on Wednesday.

The IMD said that Cyclone Nisarga is moving at a speed of 11 kmph. “It lay centered over East-Central Arabian Sea about 280 km west-southwest of Panjim (Goa), 490 km south-southwest of Mumbai (Maharashtra) and 710 km south-southwest of Surat (Gujarat),” said IMD in its release.

“It is very likely to move nearly northwards during the next six hours and recurve north-northeastwards thereafter and cross north Maharashtra and adjoining south Gujarat coast between Harihareshwar (in Maharashtra’s Raigad) and Daman during the afternoon of June 3,” the IMD further said.

The intensity of Cyclone Nisarga is currently picking up and the speed of the winds could go up to 90-100 kmph. The wind speed is expected to be 105-115 kmph gusting to 125 kmph when it nears landfall.

Religious conversions of Dalit Hindus in Uttarakhand prevalent since ages becomes more rampant during coronavirus pandemic

OpIndia Staff
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Religious conversions of Dalit Hindus in Uttarakhand prevalent since ages becomes more rampant during coronavirus pandemic

Though Uttarakhand became the 7th state to pass the anti-conversion law in 2018, the state has witnessed rampant conversions of Hindus over a period of time. Dalit Hindus en masse have been abandoning their faiths to become Christians. The issue of religious conversions has assumed serious and contentious proportions in this state.

However, this is something which is not new but has been prevalent since ages. It has been observed by numerous scholars through the ages that the Christian missionaries convert people primarily by offering them financial benefits rather than the virtue of their preaching. Like others, the marginalised Dalit Hindus in small villages in Uttarakhand too are easily lured by the freebies offered to them by the cash-rich Christian Missionaries.

Earlier, poor Hindus in small districts of Uttarakhand were targeted by Christian proselytisers who came to dwell with these poor people and offered them religious Christian books. The fascinating stories written in the form of comic strips and fascinating illustrations enticed the poor Hindus and attracted them towards the religion.

How Christian proselytisers used 2013 Uttarakhand flood to lure poor Hindus

But after the 2013 flash floods in Uttarakhand which wiped out settlements and decimated lives, things began to change. These Christian proselytisers became more active in the villages of Uttarakhand. Under the guise of providing relief and help, large scale religious conversions started happening in these villages rampantly. The work which was happening secretly till now started taking place openly under the pretext of help.

Various teams of doctors started carrying out free health check-ups and distributing free medicines. The innocent villagers were made to believe that some “world bank” has sent these medicines, which the government was not providing them with.

Gradually many such instances, where Christian preachers started converting Dalit families by luring their children with freebies like cycles and other expensive things which were not within the reach of these poor people, started coming to the forefront. Slowly, the marginalised Hindu Dalits started falling into the trap laid by the Christian proselytisers. Now, the pictures of Hindu deities which were found in the houses of these Dalit Hindus started being replaced by the pictures of Jesus Christ and the aartis replaced by the hymns. The bags full of rice and scrumptious meals laden with meat were enough to lure these poor Dalits into mass conversion.

Coronavirus pandemic gives an added trust to the Christian missionaries strategem

Religious conversion in Uttarakhand was in full swing when the recent coronavirus epidemic yet again gave the Christian missionaries an opportunity to lure the economically affected backward class Hindus in the state via monetary inducements. These Christian proselytisers started distributing ration amongst the Dalit Hindus in various villages of the state almost twice a week. It also ensured that every household is getting to cook and eat meat daily.

In fact, some of the marginalised have been given so much money and brainwashed to such an extent that they are now building their own houses with this money and making churches on the roof of their houses. Without the locals even realising, these Christian proselytisers are gradually Christianising entire chunks villages in the state of Uttarakhand.

The question is that if Christian missionaries want to eliminate hunger and poverty from the world, then why have they chosen only Scheduled Castes for this task? Another question which crosses our mind is that whether being from the scheduled caste means that the person is poor and can be easily lured with freebies?

No, in fact, there are many people in these villages who own ancestral land for centuries and are farming on it. But the fact is that these freebies being distributed unsparingly are making these villagers lazy and negligent. The abundant supplies of free ration being provided to them regularly attract them towards these proselytisers who then brainwash them and into converting.

Only until a few years ago, those school-going students who wanted to join the police or the army are now asking the Christian missionaries to ‘fund’ them to build a church.

Though religious conversions are happening rampantly in the state of Uttarakhand, this practice is not only confined to this state. The Christian preachers are targeting Dalits and people from backward communities for religious conversions from all across the country.

Christian missionaries use various tactics to convert Hindus to Christianity

  • Christian missionaries send letters saying – ‘Embrace Christianity because only Jesus is the saviour’. 
  • To impress upon the local people that only Jesus is the saviour, various churches circulate such pamphlets.
  • On railway stations, Christian missionaries distribute free booklets propagating Christianity to Hindu passengers. The passengers read whatever is available freely and easily to pass time during boring railway journeys. Hence, these Christian missionaries are certain that these booklets will be read by the passengers.
  • Christian missionaries visit the houses of Hindus who are in need and pray for them.
  • Converting youth from the upper strata of society under the pretext of de-addicting them.
  •  Distributing free comics and animation films on Jesus to children
  •  Luring unemployed youth with promises of high-salaried jobs or capital to start a business
  • Enticements given to people affected by calamities natural calamities like tsunami, earthquakes

Christian missionaries are carrying out the task of converting Hindus through activities such as setting up homes for the aged, organisations to eradicate leprosy, homes for abandoned women, schools etc., that are labelled social services. Christians who participate in such social service behave as if they are the sole benefactors in the world. Their ulterior motive of religious conversions is realised much later.

As a result, the cultural pride that was still alive until at least recent generations, over time, will also perish with this cultural Christianisation.

Pakistan: Christian couple, convicted for blasphemy, gets an appeal hearing against death penalty after 6 years

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan: Christian couple, convicted for blasphemy, gets an appeal hearing against death penalty after 6 years

A Division Bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) led by Justice Shahbaz Ali Rizvi will reportedly hear the appeal of Shagufta Kausar and her husband Shafqat Emmanuel, a Christian couple accused of blasphemy, on Wednesday against the death penalty awarded to them in 2014. The duo who hail from Gojra in the Toba Tek Singh district of Punjab in Pakistan has been languishing in jail for the past 6 years.

The poor Christian couple is being represented in LHC by lawyer Saif ul Malook who was successful in overturning the death penalty in the sensational case of Asia Bibi. Interestingly, the judge, Shahbaz Ali Rizvi, who will be hearing the case of the Christian couple on Wednesday had earlier upheld the death penalty that was awarded to Asia Bibi.

According to Malook, the evidence that has been produced to convict Kausar and Emmanuel was weaker than that of Asia’s case. He added that judges are sometimes fearful of being targeted by extremists and therefore may not release suspects falsely convicted of blasphemy. Malook was offered citizenship by the European Union but he instead chose to stay in Pakistan.

Prior to the arrest, Shagufta worked as a caretaker in a nearby Christian school. Her husband who is partially paralysed has reportedly been tortured by the police to make a confession. The duo has been kept in the same prison cell where Asia Bibi was lodged. They have four children whom they did not meet ever since their incarceration. Christians constitute 1.6% of the population and are largely impoverished in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

The Alleged Blasphemous Texts

As per the complaint, one Muhammad Hussain, a local Imam, had received blasphemous text messages from Shagufta’s phone when he was praying at a mosque. Hussain then showed those messages to his friends Muhammad Shabbir and Khalid Maqsood. When he approached a lawyer, Hussain received five more messages. Even his lawyer received 3-4 messages on his mobile phone.

Reportedly, the number was registered in the name of the wife Shagufta Kausar. According to her brother Joseph who has been traumatised by the incident, the couple were illiterate and could not type the contentious blasphemous messages in English. Their hopes of a fair trial have increased, post the verdict in the Pakistan Supreme Court’s verdict in the Asia Bibi case.

The duo had accused their Christian neighbour of trying to frame them in the case by purchasing a SIM card in the name of Shagufta Kausar and sending the controversial texts. Reportedly, the accused engaged in a verbal confrontation with their neighbour 8-9 months before the case. They alleged that the neighbour who was employed at her workplace got hold of a copy of her national identity card (CNIC) and sent the messages in collusion with Muhammad Hussain.

Under Section 173 Code of Criminal procedure (CrPC), the police contended that the accused had confessed to the crime and would face trial. The duo was handed the death sentence by an additional district and sessions judge of Toba Tek Singh on April 4, 2014, and asked to pay 1,00,000 Pakistani rupees each.

The Appeal for Justice

While the prosecutor claimed that the SIM card was bought by Kausar and Emmanuel, their counsel Malook informed the Court that Emmanuel was paralysed and that he could not walk or move. He stated that the couple was illiterate and hence could not send messages in English. Malook further argued that there was no evidence which suggested that the SIM was purchased by the accused from a franchise. Besides, the appeal highlighted that the trial court judgment resulted in a miscarriage of justice as the Judge relied on ‘surmises and conjectures’ instead of solid evidence.

Malook emphasised how Section 196 CrPC was not followed in the case as the FIR was lodged by a private individual and not a competent authority. Besides, the witnesses were related to the complainant and hence their testimonies required independent corroboration, something which was not done in this case. The appeal stated that the evidence was ‘shaky’ and unreliable.

Blasphemy in Pakistan

The blasphemy law, constituted under Section 295C of the Pakistan Penal Code states, ”Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation or by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.” According to human rights activists, the draconian law is often used to settle personal scores and target religious minorities in Pakistan. While none has been executed so far, around 80 people are still incarcerated under the said law.

Delhi riot charge-sheet: Tahir Hussain met Umar Khalid, Pinjra Tod activists sent messages asking Muslims to keep acid, petrol, hot water, stones ready

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi riot charge-sheet: Tahir Hussain met Umar Khalid, Pinjra Tod activists sent messages asking Muslims to keep acid, petrol, hot water, stones ready

The details mentioned in the charge-sheet filed in the Jafrabad riot case and Chand Bagh riots case establishes beyond doubt that the anti-Hindu riots that convulsed the national capital in February this year were a part of a deep-rooted, well-planned conspiracy to throw Delhi into a state of anarchy.

The police charge-sheet in the two cases reveal how the arrested individuals were actively conspiring to flare up communal riots in Delhi and send the national capital into disarray. The police investigation into the matter to determine the role of these individuals in provoking violence in Delhi has brought to fore conclusive evidence that validate their earlier claim that the riots that rocked India’s capital were preorganised, extensively planned and a part of a wider conspiracy.

Jafrabad riots case

A case was registered by Delhi Police for murder and riots that took place on February 25, 2020, on 66 Futa Road, outside Crescent Public School, near Jafrabad Metro Station, Delhi. A man named Aman had died due to gunshot injury during the riot.

The investigation into the riots that took place in Jafrabad revealed the involvement of a certain “Pinjra Tod Group”, a far-left organisation, in inciting the riots in the region. The Delhi Police had recently arrested two persons in connection with the riots that ensued in Jafrabad. On May 23, the Special cell of Delhi police had arrested two women named Natasha Narwal and Devangna Kalita in the North-east Delhi riots case. Both the women are founding members of Pinjra Tod, which was established in 2015.

The Delhi Police had alleged that both the women-Natasha and Devangana were involved in hatching the conspiracy to incite riots in Jafrabad. Natasha was booked under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for her role in inciting the anti-Hindu communal riots in Northeast Delhi in February. The FIR against them mentions that they are charged under Sections 147, 148, 149, 186, 353, 332, 333, 323, 283, 188, 427, 307, 302, 120B, 34 of the Indian Penal Code and under the Arms Act and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. The two arrested women were also a part of a larger conspiracy and were found to be associated with “India Against Hate” group and Umar Khalid.

The damning WhatsApp messages retrieved from the phone of one of the accused, mentioned in the charge-sheet, proves it without a shadow of doubt their involvement in planning and implementing the conspiracy to stir riots in Delhi. “Ghar me garam khaulta hua pani or tel ka intezam kare (Keep boiling water and oil handy in your house)”, “Tezab ki bottle ghar me rakhe (Keep bottles of acid in your houses)”, Cars/bikes se petrol nikalkar rakhe (extract petrol from your car/bike and keep with you)”, Balcony/terrace par eit or patthar rakhe (store bricks or stones on your balcony or terrace)”, “Lohe ke darwazo me switch se current ka istemal kare (metal doors should be electrified using switches)” are some of the instructive messages that were propagated in Whatsapp groups as a part of the preparation for violence in Delhi.

Police arrested Pinjra Tod activists

The Special cell of Delhi police on May 23, 2020, arrested two women named Natasha and Devangna in the North-east Delhi riots case. A few days later, Natasha Narwal was booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for inciting riots in north-east Delhi.

It was found that on February 22 evening Pinjra Tod members had mobilised local residents for protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and directed them to gather at Jaffrabad metro station. “Anti-CAA protesters gathered at the metro station on February 22 night at 10 p.m. We thought they would gather at the old site at Seelampur service lane, which is around a kilometre away,” sources said.

The Delhi police had earlier mentioned that they believe some external force is provocating riots. They also mentioned that the ‘Pinjra tod’ group can be that external factor. The police also believe that the Pinjra Tod activists were not only involved in their capacity of expressing solidarity with the protesting women but were instrumental in the escalation of the protests.

Tahir Hussain case

An FIR was filed against Tahir Hussain, an Aam Aadmi Party Party councillor, for his role in the brutal murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) employee Ankit Sharma who was horrifically dragged inside Hussain’s home in Chand Bagh by a bloodthirsty mob of rioters and later his abandoned body was recovered from a ditch in the neighbourhood. Hussain has emerged as the key figure in the Northeast Delhi riots which claimed that lives of 53 people and left innumerable injured. After his role in the Delhi riots was exposed, his links with anti-CAA protests also emerged later.

The charge-sheet mentions that fifteen people, including Tahir Hussain, played a pivotal role in the riots that took place outside Hussain’s house in Khajuri Khas, Delhi. His younger brother, Shah Alam was also arrested. Tahir’s licensed pistol, which was used by him during the riots, was impounded by the police during the investigation.

Tahir along with others have been booked under 109, 114, 147, 148, 149, 186, 353, 395, 427, 435, 436, 452, 454, 153A, 505, 120B, of the Indian Penal Code and 3/4 PDPP Act and Arms Act. The charge-sheet notes an interesting finding that the AAP councillor had released his pistol from PS Khajuri Khas on February 22, 2020, one day prior to the starting of the riots in Delhi. Here again, Hussain was found in contact with Umar Khalid and Khalid Saifi, who were a part of a larger group of persons involved in inciting riots in Delhi.

‘Recovery of crates containing glass bottles having some liquid filled in them and their necks stuffed with pieces of clothes which were used/to be used as Molotov cocktails, a large number of bricks and stone pieces and three catapults from the house of accused Tahir Hussain further point towards the conspiracy and the extent of preparation for causing riots in the area,” the FIR read.

Charge sheet filed against Tahir Hussain

Earlier today, the Delhi police crime branch had filed two charge-sheets in the Anti-Hindu Delhi riots case. One charge-sheet included the name of Ex-AAP councillor Tahir Hussain on the recommendations of SIT alleging that he funded the Chand-Bagh riots. The 1030 page charge-sheet says that Tahir Hussain not only funded the riots, but he was the mastermind behind it and he was controlling and directing the violence during the riots.

The charge-sheet was filed in the Karkardooma court by the police. Sources claim that this charge sheet has a detailed account of an amount of Rs 1 crore 30 lakh funded by Tahir Hussain for the riots in Chand Bagh and everything was under his control. The other charge-sheet was filed in regard of the Jafrabad riot case.

Intelligence report says terrorists and anti-social elements planning attacks in Delhi, CRPF steps up security in the national capital

OpIndia Staff
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Intelligence report says terrorists and anti-social elements planning attacks in Delhi, CRPF steps up security in the national capital

A fresh intelligence alert has been issued warning a possible attack on the units of Central Reserve Police Force in Delhi. The Communication issued by the intelligence agencies revealed, “Terrorists of the various groups as well as anti-social elements might be planning terror attacks in Delhi.”

Following the alert, the CRPF has asked all the units in the capital to tighten the security cover of all installations and place more personnel at such locations.

The Unit heads have been alerted to keep round-the-clock security of their camps and send additional details to the headquarters.

An official stated, “As CRPF troops deployed at all places, including static guards/vital installation/camp security duties, therefore all the troops be briefed about the security drill, conduct/behavior, role/importance of the static guard, response in a contingency scenario by keeping necessary coordination with all stakeholders etc.”

The CRPF has ordered to deploy extra personnel immediately at all vulnerable points. A CRPF official while briefing about the fresh procedures stated, “All units Control Room/Signal center should be manned suitably” and sufficient jawans should be deployed to guard installations.”

The piece of information also says that “a close liaison has to be maintained with intelligence agencies and civil police in the areas of responsibility besides activating own sources for timely receipt of inputs and proactive appropriate precautionary and preventive measures.”

The alert said, “Brief your troops to remain extra alert and vigilant on duties outside and inside the camp area to avoid any untoward incident. All outside and inside the camp should also be put under constant watch to avoid any untoward incident.”

This alert came days after the security forces averted a terror attack after an attempt was made by terrorists to carry out a blast using a vehicle-borne IED. The Pulwama Police received information that a terrorist was moving in a car laden with explosives. Eventually, the suspected vehicle arrived at night and a few rounds of bullets were fired at it. The driver abandoned the vehicle a bit further down the road and managed to escape in the darkness. On inspection, the car was found to be carrying explosives in a drum. The attempted terror attack has a great resemblance to the one in Pulwama where a vehicle-borne IED was used in a suicide attack.

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