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JeM chief Masood Azhar cites ‘dream’ by Taliban’s Haqqani to rally support for jihad in Kashmir, Haqqani dismisses it saying ‘no knowledge of any such dream’

Jinit Jain
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JeM chief Masood Azhar cites ‘dream’ by Taliban’s Haqqani to rally support for jihad in Kashmir, Haqqani dismisses it saying ‘no knowledge of any such dream’

In his first public appearance in over two decades, the founder of the terror outfit Jaish-e-Muhammad, Maulana Masood Azhar, tried to position himself as a close aide of top Afghan Taliban leaders and rally support for his renewed jihadist operations against India. But he was promptly cut to size by Sirajuddin Haqqani, an Afghan Taliban leader, who rubbished his fanciful imaginations aimed at aggrandizing himself in Pakistan’s terror landscape.

Azhar, who spoke for over 66 minutes during a public event held most likely last month, has been desperately trying to raise funds for his terror group’s activities in Kashmir. In the speech that was released online, the JeM chief tried to reinforce his credibility and influence by highlighting his alleged relationship with top Afghani Taliban leaders.

In his speech, Azhar claimed that Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Afghan Taliban’s deputy leader, had shared a dream with him, which he presented as a significant endorsement. Azhar seems to be leveraging this narrative to strengthen his standing within Pakistan’s militant networks.

While Masood hoped presenting himself as a reliable ally of senior Afghan Taliban figures would raise the morale of his followers and help them with the belief of achieving something similar in Kashmir as the Taliban managed to do in Kabul in August 2021, Haqqani’s reported dismissal of the JeM chief’s claims has thrown spanner in the works for the terrorist who seems to be trying to gain a foothold in a rapidly dynamic terror landscape in Pakistan.

A journalist quoted a media associate close to Sirajuddin Haqqani, dismissing the imaginary notions peddled by Masood Azhar in his recent public appearance. Sirajuddin Haqqani has categorically denied Masood Azhar’s claim, dismissing it entirely and stating he does not know of any such dream, the journalist tweeted quoting the Talibani aide.

Even though the Taliban has snubbed the JeM chief, the episode nevertheless highlights how Pakistan has been a sanctuary to terrorists operating against India, especially for their mythical goal of “liberating” Kashmir—a north Indian state that has been amongst the worst hit by the menace of terrorism emanating from Pakistan.

Google to set up its fifth Safety Engineering Centre in Hyderabad, signs agreement with Telangana government

ANI
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Google to set up its fifth Safety Engineering Centre in Hyderabad, signs agreement with Telangana government

The GSEC in Hyderabad will be the first of its kind in the APAC region after Tokyo and only the fifth globally, with similar facilities in Dublin, Munich, and Malaga, according to a statement.

This GSEC is a specialised international cybersecurity hub designed to play a crucial role in developing advanced security and online safety products tailored for the Indian context.

The centre will focus on cutting-edge research, AI-driven security solutions, and creating a collaborative platform for leading experts and researchers in cybersecurity. It also aims to foster skill development, boost employment, and enhance cybersecurity capabilities in India, the Telangana CMO stated.

The release further highlighted that Google, which already has its largest employee base in Hyderabad, is currently constructing its biggest office globally outside its headquarters in the city.

The GSEC was first announced on October 3, 2024, during the Google for India 2024 Conclave, sparking intense competition among states to secure this investment.

“We are very proud that Google has chosen Hyderabad for setting up the GSEC. This partnership is a testament to Hyderabad’s position as a leading IT and innovation hub in the country and the world,” said Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy after the partnership was formalised.

Welcoming Royal Hansen, CIO of Google, Revanth Reddy remarked, “Telangana has always been at the forefront of digital skill development. Hyderabad has been the epicentre of IT/ITES development globally. Our city is already home to five of the most valuable tech companies in the world–Alphabet (Google), Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and Meta (Facebook). With this partnership, I hope we can address global cybersecurity challenges effectively from Hyderabad.”

During discussions with the Google team, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy emphasised Hyderabad’s leadership in cybersecurity initiatives in India. This leadership, he noted, is underscored by the state’s proactive approach in forging strategic partnerships with global technology leaders.

The establishment of GSEC in Hyderabad is expected to be transformative for the city and the state, attracting top-tier safety engineers, local policy experts, and fostering collaborations with academic institutions and government partners to address India’s unique cybersecurity challenges, the release added.

The initiative will enhance the digital safety of businesses, government institutions, and citizens while creating thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities.

Telangana’s collaboration with Google aligns with its broader vision of nurturing a thriving technological ecosystem that supports research, training, and innovation in ICT.

As part of its ongoing digital transformation, the Telangana Fiber (T-Fiber) initiative aims to connect over 47 lakh rural households. This partnership with Google will ensure the digital safety of these homes through secure Android TV/Smart TV systems. GSEC’s collaboration is set to strengthen these efforts, ensuring a secure and connected future for Telangana’s citizens.

The release described the partnership as a significant step towards boosting Telangana’s cybersecurity capabilities, fostering innovation, and setting global benchmarks in digital safety.

The GSEC will not only enhance Telangana’s digital infrastructure but also promote academic training and research, aligning with the Chief Minister’s vision of creating a pool of world-class cybersecurity experts in Hyderabad.

Royal Hansen, CIO of Google, said, “We are excited about establishing the GSEC in Hyderabad, a city uniquely positioned to become the global hub for safety engineering, including cyber and digital security. With this partnership, Hyderabad can emerge as a global leader in this critical domain and address worldwide security needs. The shared vision of excellence between Google and CM Revanth Reddy holds great promise for further collaborations.”

CM Revanth Reddy expressed gratitude to Royal Hansen for his support and participation in this landmark event. He also extended thanks to Arijit Sarkar (VP Global Google Tech, Hyderabad), Sreenivasa Reddy (Managing Director, Government Affairs and Public Policy, Google India, Delhi), Mangla Seshadri (Senior Director and Head – Global Cybersecurity, Hyderabad), and Apurva Chamaria (Head of Startups for Google) for their contributions to making this partnership a reality.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Sambhal violence: 33 accused have been sent to jail, 400 identified, says DM Rajendra Pensiya

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Sambhal violence: 33 accused have been sent to jail, 400 identified, says DM Rajendra Pensiya

Following violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal during a mosque survey, District Magistrate Rajendra Pensiya announced on Wednesday that 33 people have been sent to jail, and over 400 individuals have been identified.

Speaking to ANI, DM Pensiya urged people to avoid visiting the area until December 10.

“So far, 33 people have been sent to jail. Security remains in place in Sambhal, and full vigilance is being maintained. More than 400 individuals have been identified. We have requested everyone to refrain from visiting until December 10 due to the sensitivity of the situation,” he said.

Sambhal Superintendent of Police (SP) KK Bishnoi reassured that the situation in the area is currently peaceful.

“The administration and police have worked diligently to maintain peace since the incident occurred. Presently, 10 companies of PAC and RAF are deployed for daily patrolling and to ensure peace at key locations. In view of the District Magistrate’s order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), we appeal to public representatives to cooperate in maintaining peace until December 10. The situation will be reviewed after that date to determine whether normalcy has been restored, and further decisions will be taken accordingly,” SP Bishnoi said.

Earlier today, Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and other Congress leaders were stopped by police at the Ghazipur border while attempting to visit violence-hit Sambhal. The delegation subsequently returned to Delhi.

Commuters at the Ghazipur border raised slogans against Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday as traffic slowed due to barricades related to his attempted visit to Sambhal. A scuffle also broke out between Congress workers and commuters on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, causing massive traffic congestion.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi expressed his willingness to forgo his convoy and travel to Sambhal alone under police supervision. However, authorities advised him to return after a few days, a move he criticised as unconstitutional and a violation of the rights of the Leader of Opposition.

“We are trying to go to Sambhal, but the police are not allowing it. As Leader of the Opposition, I have the right to visit, but they are stopping me. I am willing to go alone or under police escort, but they refused. They asked us to return after a few days. This is a violation of the rights of the Leader of Opposition and the Constitution. We just want to visit Sambhal, meet the people, and see what happened. My constitutional right is being denied. This is the new India–a country undermining the Constitution and eroding Ambedkar’s legacy. We will continue to fight,” Rahul Gandhi said.


(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Delhi HC dismisses PIL against Navjot Sidhu for saying that Ayurvedic diet helped his wife in recovering from stage-4 cancer, says nobody forced to follow the views

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi HC dismisses PIL against Navjot Sidhu for saying that Ayurvedic diet helped his wife in recovering from stage-4 cancer, says nobody forced to follow the views

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the claims of Navjot Singh Sidhu that his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu recovered from stage 4 cancer with the help of an Ayurvedic diet plan. The PIL had also sought removal of social media posts by the cricketer-turned-politician about the same.

The petition had alleged that such claims might promote misinformation about cancer treatment, potentially deterring patients from modern medical care. However, a Bench of Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela said that Sidhu was expressing his personal opinion and his freedom of speech cannot be curtailed.

“He is just voicing his opinion. He has later on said he was advised by the doctors. It is his freedom of speech. You counter his claims by your free speech. We believe in freedom of speech in this country. This is not our domain,” Chief Justice Manmohan said.

Navjot Singh Sidhu had earlier credited his wife’s recovery to a strict Ayurvedic-inspired diet, which included herbal drinks, use of herbs like neem and turmeric, and fasting. He has said that the diet chart facilitated the treatment of his wife, that that is why he is releasing the diet plan for the benefit of the people.

Doctors had said that Navjot Kaur Sidhu had only 3% chance of recovery from her stage 4 cancer, but medical treatment along with lifestyle and diet changes treated her condition completely. Sidhu had said after extensive research and consultations, they had zeroed on an Ayurveda-based diet plan for his wife, which accelerated her recovery.

He had said, “We learnt that cancer inflammation comes from milk, carbohydrates like wheat, refined maida, refined sugar, refined oil, milk products and aerated drinks. It was totally cut off from her diet. She was put on ancient ‘desi’ remedies like warm water with lemon, neem, raw turmeric, garlic, etc.”

Sidhu said a positron emission tomography (PET) scan was conducted on his wife, which testified that she was clinically cancer-free now.

Sidhu’s comments on the Ayurvedic diet plan sparked criticism from some people who alleged that claims made in the video as unscientific and lacked in medical credibility. Several doctors criticised him for the comments, asserting that his wife recovered due to modern medical treatments and the traditional diets had no role in it. Dr. C S Pramesh, director of Tata Memorial Hospital, criticized Sidhu’s claims as unscientific on social media. He said that medical treatments like surgery and chemotherapy cured Mrs Sidhu, not the Ayurvedic dietary regimen.

Responding to this, Sidhu later clarified that his wife underwent comprehensive medical treatment alongside the Ayurvedic diet plan, which complemented her overall recovery process.

In a video shared on 25 November, while Sidhu said that doctors provided the primary treatment, the Ayurvedic diet was adopted and implemented on the advice of doctors and experts. Sidhu’s wife also asserted that the Ayurvedic diet plan helped her reduce weight, which helped in her treatment of cancer.

He also shared the diet plan on social media for the benefit of others.

Following this, a petition was filed at the Delhi High Court seeking directions for a scientific study on the claims made by Sidhu and his wife, and the removal of the social media posts by Sidhu on the claims on Meta and X. The petitioner also sought directions to Sidhu to provide his wife’s medical records regarding the cancer diagnosis and the alleged recovery through the diet plan.

The other demands made in the plea were directions to the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to frame guidelines for regulating the dissemination of unverified medical or health-related claims on digital platforms and social media, and directions to the Indian Council of Medical Research and the All India Institute of Ayurveda to initiate an investigation into Sidhu’s claims.

However, the high court has rejected the PIL, asserting that regulating personal medical narratives was beyond its scope. The court added that if the petitioner does not agree with Sidhu’s views, he need not subscribe to them. The court said, “He is not asking you to follow it. He is just saying this is what he did.”

Defending the freedom of speech of Sidhu, Chief Justice Manmohan said, “We have a proper mechanism to deal with such cases. We cannot put fear of contempt on freedom of speech.” The court stated that disagreements should be addressed through discourse, not legal suppression. “Counter free speech by free speech and not by curtailing his free speech under the fear of legal action or contempt. We still have freedom of speech in this country,” the bench stated and advised the petitioner to engage in open dialogue if he disagreed with Sidhu’s views instead.

The court also advised the petitioner to file a petition against the manufacturing of cigarettes and alcohol instead, saying that he would agree that these are not healthy at all.

Following the court’s verdict, the petitioner chose to withdraw the petition.

2002 Mumbai Serial Blasts convict Saquib Nachan approaches Supreme Court against government declaring ISIS as terrorist organization

OpIndia Staff
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2002 Mumbai Serial Blasts convict Saquib Nachan approaches Supreme Court against government declaring ISIS as terrorist organization

Saquib Nachan, the mastermind of the Mumbai serial explosions in 2002 and 2003, has petitioned the Indian Supreme Court in relation to ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), reported Live Law. He has submitted an appeal to overturn official announcements designating the terror outfit and related groups as terrorist organizations. Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan heard the case on 4th December after he made a virtual appearance in front of the bench from his prison. Justice Kant told Nachan to employ an amicus.

The bench stated, “You can appear online from jail. If you want to add something, we will allow you.” It added, “We will ask jail authorities to allow you to meet the amicus,” when Nachan gave his consent. He was named by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2023 as the primary suspect and leader of the ISIS module. He is attributed with administering the “bayath,” or “oath of allegiance to the Khalifa of ISIS,” to young people who were joining the terrorist group.

He was found guilty of the Mumbai Blasts in March 2016 and was released in November 2017 after less than two years because he had been “disciplined” while inside. As a terrorist since 1991, he has also been charged with fighting alongside other Mujahideen (terrorists) during the Afghan Jihad and transferring Indian Muslims to Pakistan for terrorist training.

Nachan was one of 15 terrorists nabbed by the NIA last year in relation to operations on over 44 sites in Karnataka and Maharashtra that were part of an ISIS terror plot. The village of Padgha in rural Thane was self-declared as “Al-Sham” by the ISIS terrorists who were caught, a reference to the ISIS “liberated zones” in Syria. He was deemed culpable of participating in a bombing in 2002 that killed hundreds of people at the Mulund, Mumbai Central, and Ville Parle stations in Mumbai.

Nachan, a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom or B Com) graduate who operated a land development company before entering the world of Islamic terrorism, was the former secretary of the outlawed terrorist organization “Students Islamic Movement of India,” which was later renamed the “Indian Mujahideen” to avoid arrests and punitive measures by intelligence agencies. Nachan, the son of a social worker and Zill Parishad chief, possessed enormous swaths of ancestral land in and around Borivali village, Padgah, Thane district.

School bullies sneak into ICU to mock 12-year-old victim they pushed to hang herself, share photos

OpIndia Staff
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School bullies sneak into ICU to mock 12-year-old victim they pushed to hang herself, share photos

In a shocking incident in South Carolina, USA, some middle school bullies first allegedly pushed a 12-year-old girl to end her life by hanging and later went to the ICU and clicked pictures to mock her online. While the girl attempted to end her life on 17th March 2023, the case has made headlines now as the disturbing details of the lawsuit filed by the victim’s mother have emerged.

The victim identified as Kelaia Turner, was subjected to physical and verbal abuse by five of her peers at Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher Middle School in Greenville, South Carolina, for more than a year. Kelaia attempted suicide in 2023. As per an NY Post report, she was pronounced dead eight minutes before the doctors revived her.

“She was cool to the touch, blood was coming out of her nose. She had fully committed to what it was that she was attempting to do, and she was gone for 8 whole minutes,” the victim’s mother said.

Consequently, the girl sustained severe brain injury and was in a coma for several weeks. Meanwhile, one of the bullies went to the ICU and photographed the comatose girl, then published them on social media to circulate rumours about her injuries and mock her.

The victim’s mother, Ty Turner, has filed a case against Greenville County Schools, alleging negligence in addressing her bullying and harassment accusations.

The 24-page lawsuit says that the school let bullying continue for a year and a half and that staff and teachers played a role in their daughter’s suicide attempt. It further claims that the bullying began in 2021, when Kelaia began wearing her natural hair to school, prompting students to call her a “roach” and that she resembled “a man.”

Kelaia’s teacher allegedly joined in on the harassment and mockery, acknowledging when her bullies questioned, “Where’s the roach?” when referring to Kelaia Turner. The victim’s mother claimed to have complained to the school authorities seven to nine times, however, no concrete action was taken.

Kelaia’s parents alleged in 2022 that students played an inflammatory YouTube video titled ‘The Black People Song’ loudly in class and that their teacher did not stop them.

Later in the year, bullies allegedly splashed water on the girl’s clothes before throwing them away. After a series of verbal and physical attacks, things worsened when Kelaia got into an altercation with one of her bullies, prompting school administrators to suspend her rather than the bully.

On March 17th, 2023, the victim’s mother found her daughter in her room after she tried suicide. In response to Ty Turner’s allegations against the school staff, the Greenville Country Schools authorities rejected the allegations, claiming that they responded appropriately when harassment complaints were brought up.

The disturbing incident has enraged the netizens who demand stern action against the bullies and the school administration. In this vein, one X user wrote, “Name and show the bullies and their trash parents from Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher Middle School in Greenville. Sue the hospital as well. Kelaia Turner needs all the justice.”

“I hope these demonic children and their shitty ass parents and teachers and school officials get exactly what they gave out and what they allowed to happen,” another one wrote.

Similarly, another one said, “This is truly sick and heartbreaking. These bullies need to go to prison. Justice for Kelaia Turner.”

Traffic blockage, high drama at Gazipur border as Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka attempt to politicize Sambhal violence under the pretext of meeting victims’ families

OpIndia Staff
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Traffic blockage, high drama at Gazipur border as Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka attempt to politicize Sambhal violence under the pretext of meeting victims’ families

On Wednesday, 4th December, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi created a high-voltage drama at the Gazipur border after being stopped between Delhi and Noida while on their way to violence-hit Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh. As per the reports, both leaders saw the barricades placed on the border and came out of the car to speak with senior police personnel, but were not allowed to proceed to the violence-hit place.

The Congress delegation for the Sambhal visit consisted of the Gandhi siblings and five other Congress MPs.

Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal commented on the issue and claimed that the leaders were deliberately stopped at the border. “We are determined to meet the victims’ families in the interest of peace and communal harmony in our country, the UP government must allow the delegation to visit Sambhal,” he said.

“What is the reason behind the UP Government stopping the Lok Sabha LOP from visiting the families of those who lost their lives in the violence? It is basic humanity to stand by someone who has suffered such grief and loss. Rahul ji’s motto has been ‘Nafrat ke bazaar mein mohabbat ki dukaan’. And when the ruling regime has created an atmosphere of hatred, it is our duty as the opposition to bring compassion, empathy, and love,” he added.

It is important to note that the delegation has been stopped due to prohibitory orders imposed in the district following last month’s violence during a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, which claimed five lives. However, the Congress leaders claimed that they were deliberately stopped from meeting the victim and their families.

Reports suggest that the Sambhal district officials had asked surrounding districts to stop the Congress leaders before they entered the district. The District Magistrate had written to authorities in Bulandshahr, Amroha, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar, urging them to intercept the leaders at the border. He has also directed officials to closely monitor Rahul Gandhi’s movements on his route to Sambhal.

It’s crucial to note that the barricades have been constructed at several points, and vehicle checks have begun along the Delhi-Sambhal highway. Massive traffic congestion has been observed at many locations along the Delhi-Meerut Expressway.

The Congress leaders, especially Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi have adopted a habit of creating drama in serious situations in the states ruled by the BJP. They cash the opportunity of such violence in the BJP-ruled states and target the state leaders for alleged disturbance of peace.

In the year 2020, during the Hathras incident, this pair of siblings cashed the opportunity to politicize the incident against the BJP leaders in the name of expressing solidarity with the victim’s family. While they were on their way to meet the family of the victim girl, they could be heard sharing a burst of laughter in the car. The siblings at that time came under intense criticism for their callousness. People pointed out how they laughed and had fun while visiting the family of the bereaved.

The Congress party has long ago adopted a habit of politicizing such severe matters in order to reap political mileage out of it. In the given case also, the leaders proceeded to the violence-hit area when prohibitory orders had already been imposed in the district.

Interestingly, the siblings never try to visit the families of victims when the state government is from the Congress party or one of its allies.

On 1st December, a judicial commission tasked with investigating the violence in Sambhal visited the violence-affected areas. The three-member panel was led by retired Justice Devendra Kumar Arora of the Allahabad High Court and included IAS Amit Mohan Prasad and IAS Arvind Kumar Jain. The commission toured the area and conducted an inspection inside the Jama Masjid, which was the center of the violence on 24th November.

Following the violence on 24th November, there has been an uproar among opposition parties and leaders. Both Congress and the Samajwadi Party who have accused the BJP administration of mishandling the situation. The violence also led to heated arguments in Parliament.

Two Hindu brothers brutally killed by a Muslim family within six months in Delhi’s Naraina over a minor Muslim boy’s affair with a Hindu girl

OpIndia Staff
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Two Hindu brothers brutally killed by a Muslim family within six months in Delhi’s Naraina over a minor Muslim boy’s affair with a Hindu girl

On Saturday, 30th November, 36-year-old Manoj was stabbed to death in Delhi’s Naraina area. The police arrested seven people in this case, including two Muslim women, three minors, and two accused identified as Maqsood and Mohammad Akhtar. According to authorities, the accused’s family murdered Manoj’s elder brother Pradeep six months ago. While the Muslim family murdered Pradeep for informing the family of a Hindu girl that she was having an affair with a Muslim youth, Manoj was killed months later for revenge.

According to reports, Manoj went somewhere alone on Saturday night. Meanwhile, Maqsood, Mohammad Akhtar, Angoori, and Juhi Khatoon, along with their three minor family members, surrounded and began beating Manoj. When Manoj attempted to flee, the accused stabbed him repeatedly. Manoj received severe injuries and was taken to the hospital where the doctors declared him dead.

Following Manoj’s murder, his father lamented his helplessness, saying, “Pradeep has three children, while the younger son [Manoj] has two. My younger son was slain because a Muslim boy was involved in an affair with a Hindu girl. He told this to the girl’s father, but after that, the Muslim family began to bear a grudge.”

A picture of Manoj’s two children in the crematorium has surfaced, showing both innocent children looking at their father’s funeral pyre with withered eyes.

This case concerns the month of May 2024, when Manoj’s elder brother Pradeep was also brutally stabbed to death. According to the police, one of Pradeep’s killers was an underage boy who was having an affair with a Hindu girl. When Pradeep learnt of this, he informed the girl’s family, who imposed tight limitations on the girl. Following this, the Muslim boy became enraged and murdered Pradeep with the help of his minor friend.

Following the murder, the authorities arrested both youths and sent them to a juvenile home. Pradeep’s brother Manoj was among the witnesses in the case. One of them was granted bail in July, the other in September. Following this, the accused’s family began to hold a vendetta against Manoj and was planning to murder him.

On Saturday, police apprehended 49-year-old Mohammad Maqsood, 62-year-old Mohammad Akhtar, 35-year-old Anguri, Maqsood’s 34-year-old wife Juhi Khatoon, and three juveniles. The case is being investigated, and more legal action is being taken. Following the incident, the enraged Hindu community protested during Manoj’s burial procession. The police lathi-charged the demonstrators, and the deceased’s family claims that the cops also beat up the women of their house.

Devendra Fadnavis elected Leader of Maharashtra BJP Legislative Party

ANI
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Devendra Fadnavis elected Leader of Maharashtra BJP Legislative Party

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Devendra Fadnavis was unanimously elected as Leader of Maharashtra BJP Legislative Party.

A legislature party meeting of the BJP was held at the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan here to elect its leader, who is expected to take over as the next chief minister of the state.

The BJP core committee chose Fadnavis as their leader.

Chandrakant Patil and Sudhir Mungantiwar formally nominated Fadnavis as the party’s legislative leader. “I nominate Devendra Saritatai Gangadharrao Fadnavis as the leader of the party’s legislative wing,” they announced.

State BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said that they all fought a historic election under Devendra Fadanvis and won a historic mandate for the Mahayuti alliance.

“We are committed to taking Maharashtra to the number one position with the help of PM Modi. We should thank crores of the people of Maharashtra that we contested 149 seats and won 132 which is the highest in history. Our allies also won 57 and 41 seats. 7 MLAs have also given support to us so we will have 237 Mahayuti members in this Assembly,” Bawankule said.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Ashish Shelar is to be the chief whip of the party.

BJP’s Central Observers for the state, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Vijay Rupani were present at today’s meeting.

Yesterday leaders of the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP’s Mahayuti alliance visited Mumbai’s Azad Maidan to oversee preparations for the oath-taking ceremony of the new Chief Minister, scheduled to take place on December 5.

The ceremony will mark the beginning of the new government in Maharashtra, following the Mahayuti alliance’s landslide victory in the state assembly elections.

Several Yuti alliance leaders including BJP leader Girish Mahajan, Gulab Rao Patil and Sanjay Shirsat, visited the sports ground. The event is expected to be attended by senior NDA leaders, several Chief Ministers and Prime Mister Narendra Modi.

The Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024 witnessed a decisive victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti alliance, securing a landslide win with 235 seats. The results marked a significant milestone for the BJP, which emerged as the single-largest party with 132 seats. The Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party also made notable gains, with 57 and 41 seats, respectively.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Amritsar: Police detains Khalistani terrorist for attempted assassination of SAD’s Sukhbir Singh Badal at Golden Temple, investigation underway

OpIndia Staff
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Amritsar: Police detains Khalistani terrorist for attempted assassination of SAD’s Sukhbir Singh Badal at Golden Temple, investigation underway

On 4th November, Khalistani terrorist Narain Singh Chaura attempted to assassinate the former Chief Minister of Punjab and Shiromani Akali Dal chief, Sukhbir Singh Badal, at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Videos of the attempted assassination went viral on social media. Chaura was overpowered by the security personnel present at the scene. He was detained by the Punjab Police, and further investigation into the matter is underway. Chaura is currently associated with Dal Khalsa and has links to Khalistani terrorist outfit Babbar Khalsa International.

In the visuals, the assailant was seen walking towards the guarded entrance of the Golden Temple, where Badal was sitting in a wheelchair. He took out a gun from his pocket and fired a shot towards Badal as the security personnel standing around him rushed to stop him.

Chaura was immediately taken into custody by the Amritsar Police. As he was being taken away, media personnel questioned him about his name and the motive behind shooting at Badal, but Chaura kept smiling and did not say anything.

When the shot was fired, Bikram Singh Majithia was also present at the scene. Notably, Badal was at the Golden Temple to offer “seva” as a “religious punishment” pronounced by Sri Akal Takht Sahib two days earlier, on 2nd December. Badal was sitting in a wheelchair, wearing a blue “sevadar” uniform, with a spear in his hand, serving his punishment. He is currently suffering from a fractured leg that has rendered him wheelchair-bound.

Speaking to the media, ADCP Harpal Singh assured that there were proper security arrangements at the Golden Temple. He further added that Chaura had been at the Golden Temple the day before as well. Before opening fire at Badal, he paid obeisance to the Guru, said ADCP Singh. Furthermore, he stated that no one was hurt in the shooting.

Speaking on the matter, SAD leader Daljir Singh Cheema said, “First of all, I would like to thank Guru Nanak. Jako Rakhe Saaiyan, Maar Sake Na Koy. ‘Sevaks’ were offering ‘seva’ here. SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was sitting by the Guru Ram Das Dwar as ‘Chowkidar’. Bullet was fired in his direction…I thank Guru Nanak that he saved his ‘sevak’…This is a huge incident, what era is Punjab being pushed into?…I would like to ask the CM of Punjab, where do you want to take Punjab?…The attacker was caught on the spot. I also thank the security personnel here. Had they not acted promptly…There should be a high-level judicial enquiry into the incident…We will continue with our ‘seva’…”

Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said, “Due to the alertness and deployment of our Police, this attack attempt was foiled. Our personnel Rishpal Singh, Jasbir and Parminder displayed alertness and foiled the attempts. Narayan Singh Chaura (attacker), who has a criminal record, has been arrested. Case has been registered. There were adequate arrangements for Sukhbir Singh Badal’s security…There were foolproof security arrangements…Deployment for a protectee is made as per threat perception…So, there was heavy deployment…There are several cases registered against him (Chaura), arms were recovered from him in the past, we will have to check records…”

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann appreciated promptness of Punjab Police at the scene and condemned the attack on Badal. In a post on X in Punjabi, he said, “Punjab Police prevented a major incident from happening today. It is the result of the promptness of the Punjab Police that the conspiracy to defame Punjab and Punjabis has failed. The police achieved great success by arresting the assailant on the spot with their promptness. I appreciate the promptness of the police, I strongly condemn the attack on Sukhbir Badal ji. I have issued strict instructions to the police to immediately investigate the incident and submit a report.”

Congress MP from Amritsar, Gurjeet Singh Aujla said, “This is highly condemnable and wrong. This should not have happened because that is the premises of Darbar Sahib. Nobody has the right to take law into their hand. The incident happening there is absolutely wrong…”

BJP national spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill also condemned the incident and called it worrying and disturbing. He said, “The assassination attempt on Sukhbir Singh Badal is worrying, disturbing and indeed shocking. The question is that when will Aam Aadmi Party wake up to the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab? How many more people have to put their life at risk for Kejriwal-Bhagwant Mann ‘jodi’ to wake up to the slipping law & order situation of Punjab? Aam Aadmi Party promised Punjab to be turned into a hub of development. Instead, under AAP’s watch, Punjab has turned into a playground for extremists, criminals, and extortionists. Today, attempt on Sukhbir Singh Badal, earlier – the killing of Sidhu Moosewala and before that killing of businessmen in Jalandhar and Ludhiana, killing of a Policeman, RPG attack on a Mohali Police Station. Have people forgotten the killing of two Kabaddi players? The point is, the AAP has completely surrendered to criminals. The question is, what is the nexus between AAP’s Kejriwal-Bhagwant Mann Govt and with these extremists and criminals? Why has crime increased in Punjab since AAP has taken over? I think Bhagwant Mann should immediately resign from the post of CM because every Punjabi today is asking if Punjab is slipping into the dark times under Kejriwal-Bhagwant Mann Govt.”

SAD leader Naresh Gujral said, “Today’s attack is an attack by extremists on the moderate forces of Punjab. Sukhbir Badal and Shiromani Akali Dal are moderate forces in Punjab – among both Sikhs and Punjabis. As per preliminary reports, the attacker has Khalistani connections. The so-called Khalistanis want to destabilise Punjab somehow. There can be a conspiracy by Pakistan as well. It is clear that foreign forces – sitting in Canada, America have a hand in this. We would want an inquiry by NIA and the people and forces involved in this should be revealed and they be interrogated. Only then will there be peace in Punjab…”

Who is Narain Singh Chaura?

Narain Singh Chaura is a Khalistani terrorist with a history of underground activities and criminal cases. He is known for his role in extremist circles and hails from the Dera Baba Nanak area in Punjab. Chaura gained popularity as the mastermind behind the Burail jailbreak, where he helped Babbar Khalsa International terrorists Jagtar Singh Hawara, Paramjit Singh Bheora, Jagtar Singh Tara, and Devi Singh escape by cutting off the prison’s electricity. Despite his past full of terrorist activities, he reappeared recently positioning himself as a Panthic leader.

According to the police, in 1984, Narain Singh Chaura crossed over to Pakistan, where he played a key role in smuggling large quantities of weapons and explosives into Punjab during the early days of militancy. During his time in Pakistan, he also wrote a book on guerrilla warfare and “seditious” literature. Chaura reportedly returned to India in the mid-1990s and continued his involvement in terrorist activities. He is facing multiple cases under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and has been jailed several times. Most recently, he was released on bail in 2022 and is currently facing multiple cases in Amritsar, Ropar, and Tarn Taran.

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