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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

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.

Bangladesh: Bail plea of ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das deferred as no lawyer came up to defend him due to threats from Islamist lawyers

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladesh: Bail plea of ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das deferred as no lawyer came up to defend him due to threats from Islamist lawyers

In a major blow to ISKCON priest Chinmoy Krishna Das, none of the lawyers came forward to represent him before a Bangladeshi court. Consequently, his bail plea case has been deferred to next month. Chinmoy Krishna Das’s associate at Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote Swatantra Gauranga Das alleged that no lawyer represented the Hindu leader owing to threats from a “politically motivated lawyers’ group”.

In a statement, Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote said, “Due to continuous threats and obstructions, no lawyer could participate in the bail hearing of Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote spokesperson Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari. The leaders of Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote have expressed extreme concern and anger over this issue. This concern was expressed through a statement to the media on Tuesday (December 3). Strong condemnation and protest were expressed for not allowing any lawyer to participate on behalf of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari and cooperation from international organizations was sought.”

The Hindu group further alleged that nearly 70 Hindu lawyers who participated in the case of Chinmoy Krishna Das’s behalf have been falsely booked to prevent them from defending Das. In addition, the Hindu lawyers have been threatened by Islamists not to enter the court premises.

“The statement said that, on December 3, the bail hearing of Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote spokesperson Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari was held in the court of Chittagong Metropolitan Sessions Judge Saiful Islam. But no lawyer was given the opportunity to participate in the court on behalf of Chinmoy Prabhu. Already, 70 of the lawyers who participated in the case on behalf of Chinmoy Krishna Das have been made defendants in the case and others are being threatened in various ways. Which is a complete violation of human rights. Because religious leaders could not appoint a lawyer for himself. Not only that, before the hearing, Hindu lawyers were threatened by a procession in the court premises not to come,” it added.

Amidst Chinmoy Krishna Das’s bail plea being deferred to next month after lawyers refused to represent him, a video of several Bangladeshi lawyers issuing threats to lawyers intending to take up Das’s case has surfaced online. In the video, a lawyer accompanied by several other lawyers is reportedly heard saying “If Chinmoy Prabhu has a lawyer, he will be beaten up and his license will be revoked…”

In recent days, lawyers attempting to represent Das in court have been physically assaulted. Advocate Ramen Roy was “brutally” beaten by miscreants on Monday, according to Radharamn Das, spokesperson for Iskcon Kolkata.

Roy was reportedly assaulted, his house looted, and his chamber vandalised. Meanwhile, the lawyer is reported to be in critical condition in the hospital. Speaking to IE, Das said, “Roy’s only ‘fault’ is that he is defending Chinmoy Krishna Das. His home was ransacked, and he was severely beaten. He defended Das when he was first produced in court on November 26. He’s still in the ICU, battling for his life.”

On 3rd December, it was reported that an advocate named Raegan Acharya was seriously injured in the court premises in Chittagong while seeking the bail hearing of arrested monk Chinmoy Krishna Das. unidentified elements attacked and vandalised the private office chamber of advocate Raegan Acharya too. The office was badly damaged and furniture was destroyed during the attack. Some social media handles shared the photo of a young man, reportedly Raegan Acharya, lying down with bandaged head wounds. However, we are unable to confirm at the moment whether the man is indeed Raegan Acharya. Bangladesh arrested former ISKCON monk, head of Sanatan Jagaran Manch and the chief of Pundarik Dham in Chittagong, Chinmoy Krishna Das on November 25.

2,277 companies left Mamata Banerjee ruled West Bengal between 2019 to 2024, including 39 listed entities

OpIndia Staff
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2,277 companies left Mamata Banerjee ruled West Bengal between 2019 to 2024, including 39 listed entities

According to an official reply in Rajya Sabha by the ministry of Corporate Affairs, a staggering 2,277 businesses including 39 listed companies moved their registered offices from Mamata Banerjee-ruled West Bengal to other states between 2019 and 2024.

The shocking statistics came to light on 3rd December after the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs replied to a query posed by first-time Bharatiya Janata Party’s Member of Parliament Samik Bhattacharya.

Bhattacharya had also inquired as to whether the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC or TMC) government had determined the causes of the relocations of these companies and whether any efforts were underway to attract and retain businesses. “Administrative, operational, convenience, cost-effectiveness and for better control” among other things was the response.

Bhattacharya had questioned, “Will the Minister of Corporate Affairs be pleased to state (a) the total number of companies that have shifted their registered office from West Bengal to other states of the country from 2019 to 2024, (b) the number of such companies listed on stock exchanges, and sectors where they primarily belong to, (c) the reasons identified by Government for companies shifting their headquarters from West Bengal to other States, including any challenges or disadvantages cited by these companies in operating from West Bengal and (d) the steps being taken by government to address these issues and to retain and attract businesses to West Bengal?”

“2227 number of companies have shifted their registered office from the State of West Bengal to other States during the period from 2019 to 2024. (b) Out of the above 2227 companies, 39 companies are listed companies. These companies are engaged in activities of manufacturing, financing, commission agents, trading etc. (c) & (d) Companies are permitted to shift their registered office from one state to another, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13(4) of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 30 of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014. The reason for shifting their registered office provided by the companies in their applications are administrative, operational, convenience, cost-effectiveness, for better control etc,” the ministry answered.

It is noteworthy that the government’s policies to prevent such company migrations in the future were not mentioned. Meanwhile, Amit Malviya, in-charge of BJP’s National Information & Technology Department who also serves as the co-incharge West Bengal also flagged the information and attacked the TMC supremo. “Here is Mamata Banerjee’s report card on corporate exodus from West Bengal and what a massive disaster she is, as a chief minister,” he pointed out while quoting the figures.

“This is a concerning trend, which underlines the grim state of lack of jobs, trade and industrial growth in West Bengal. The data was provided by the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs in response to a question posed by Rajya Sabha MP Shri Samik Bhattacharya,” he added. The saffron party has regularly asserted that the state’s present government is “anti-industry” and the development could cause a lot of embarrassment for the TMC administration.

Bangladesh: Hindu houses, temples vandalized in Doarabazar over alleged ‘blasphemous’ comment on Facebook

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladesh: Hindu houses, temples vandalized in Doarabazar over alleged ‘blasphemous’ comment on Facebook

On Monday, 3rd December, no lawyer for ISKCON head Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh could appear for him in Chattogram court forcing the authorities to postpone the date of the hearing to January 2nd. As per the reports, advocate Rabindra Ghosh who was to appear for Das in the court was denied entry in the court premises.

Notably, earlier it was reported that one of the other advocates who was appearing for Das, Ramen Roy was seriously injured in the court premises in Chittagong while seeking the bail hearing of the arrested monk.

As per reports, unidentified elements also attacked and vandalized the private office chamber of advocate Ramen Roy. The office was badly damaged and furniture was destroyed during the attack. Some social media handles shared the photo of a young man, reportedly Roy, lying down with bandaged head wounds. However, ISKCON Vice President and Spokesperson from Kolkata, Radharaman Das further confirmed that the advocate was brutally attacked by the anti-Hindu elements in Bangladesh.

“Please pray for Advocate Ramen Roy. His only ‘fault’ was defending Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu in court. Islamists ransacked his home and brutally attacked him, leaving him in the ICU, fighting for his life,” Radharaman Das said.

It is crucial to note that since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government in August this year, the minority community in Bangladesh has been targeted and several temples have been destroyed in the area in a major crackdown on Hindus. OpIndia has recorded several such incidents, the details of which can be read here. Further, the arrest of three Hindu priests has sparked a major controversy with minorities protesting across Bangladesh seeking justice. 

In an update to the terrible attacks, social media handles have been reporting that 130 houses and 20 Hindu temples have been vandalized by the Islamist mob in Doarabazar, Sunamganj area of Bangladesh on the night of 3rd December. This is following an alleged blasphemous Facebook comment that locals claim caused insult to Islam.

Several social media posts are making rounds in the given case however, none of them could be individually verified by the OpIndia team. The social media posts claim that one of the individuals identified as Akash Das posted an alleged blasphemous remark against Islam, as a result of which the locals got enraged and resorted to violence.

At present, police and the army have been deployed in the area as the violence is underway in the Mongla Gao region of Bangladesh.

Notably, on 3rd December, a senior Bangladeshi government official claimed that the minority Hindu community was more protected in Bangladesh under the rule of the interim government than they were during the administration of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In an exclusive interview with India Today, Shafiqul Alam, the press secretary of the Muhammad Yunus government, claimed that Indian media was running an “industrial scale misinformation campaign” to spread false narratives about minorities being targeted in Bangladesh.

“Hindus are well protected here. They are more protected than they were during Sheikh Hasina’s regime. What we are witnessing here is an industrial scale misinformation campaign originating from India,” Alam was quoted as saying.

Amid this, Alam during the interview confirmed that one of the Hindu temples in the Chittagong region was attacked, and an effort to strike three Iskcon centers in the previous week was executed. He however said that security in the region has been increased. 

In the given case, no details regarding the violence could be independently verified by OpIndia. The story is still developing. Further details will be reported once obtained.

Sambhal violence: Forensic team recovers cartridges made in Pakistan and USA, police investigating possible links to terrorism

OpIndia Staff
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Sambhal violence: Forensic team recovers cartridges made in Pakistan and USA, police investigating possible links to terrorism

On 3rd December, in a significant breakthrough, the forensic team recovered cartridges made in Pakistan and the USA from the violence-hit area in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. According to media reports, police uncovered Sambhal violence’s link to Pakistan after discovering an empty cartridge manufactured in the Pakistan Ordnance Factory. The cartridge was recovered alongside five others from a drain at the site of the 24th November violence.

Speaking to the media, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shrish Chandra said, “On Tuesday, the forensic team arrived at the Kot Garvi neighbourhood, where violence occurred on November 24 during the survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. The team found six cartridges in the drains. One of these empty cartridges was manufactured at the Pakistan Ordnance Factory.”

Authorities on high alert after shocking recovery

The recovery of international ammunition has raised serious concerns, and the security agencies have been alerted about the discovery. The cartridges included two 12-bore and two 32-bore shells along with 9 mm shells of foreign origin.

In a statement, Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Singh confirmed the discovery of foreign-made cartridges and said, “One of the cartridges had ‘POF’ (meaning Pakistan Ordnance Factory) written on it. It is a 9 mm cartridge, and the bullet was shot. It is suspected that it is made in Pakistan. Another 9 mm cartridge with ‘FL with two stars’ is possibly made in the USA. Additionally, two 12-bore and two 32-bore shell casings were found. The police team is still conducting a search operation using metal detectors. We are taking the help of the Municipal Corporation in the drive.”

Special Investigation Teams formed to probe foreign connections

Following the violence, two Special Investigation Teams (SITs) have been formed to investigate the matter. Sambhal’s Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar said, “Two SITs were formed to carry out the investigation of the Sambhal violence. One of the investigation officers carried out a search operation with the support of the Municipal Corporation and recovered one made in Pakistan and one made in the USA cartridge, along with four other cartridges.”

He added, “The recovery of international cartridges is shocking for the police, and it will be investigated thoroughly with the help of investigation agencies. In the past, NIA took the help of local police in collecting information about criminals involved in anti-national activities. We will check the history of all criminals with any connection to terrorism and check if they were involved in the violence.”

The incident has drawn comparisons to previous National Investigation Agency (NIA) investigations, where local police assisted the central agency in probing anti-national elements. The SP added, “We will leave no stone unturned in identifying whether these foreign-made cartridges were used intentionally to incite violence.”

Court-ordered survey at Jama Masjid in Sambhal and violence that erupted on 24th November

On 19th November, a court-mandated survey was conducted at Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. The court ordered the survey in response to a petition filed by Supreme Court Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, and seven co-plaintiffs, asserting that the mosque occupies the site of a temple dedicated to Bhagwan Kalki. The site in question is a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act of 1904. The survey was carried out under the supervision of Advocate Commission. A heavy police force was deployed in the area to ensure the survey proceeded peacefully.

However, on 24th November, during the second round of court-mandated survey at Jama Masjid, Islamist mobsters gathered outside the mosque and engaged in violence. They pelted stones at police, opened fire at police personnel and set ablaze vehicles and shops. At least 20 police personnel were injured during violence and four mobsters were killed in the mayhem, likely from illegal guns carried by rioters.

In the aftermath of the Sambhal violence on 24th November, police have clarified that the deaths of three individuals occurred due to firing by rioters, not by the police. Post-mortem reports revealed that two victims were shot with country-made pistols, while the 315-bore bullet was found inside the body of another victim, a type not used by Uttar Pradesh Police. Sambhal SP Krishna Kumar Bishnoi stated that the police initially fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the mob but were fired upon by rioters.

During the survey, however, Muslims living in the area gathered outside the Jama Masjid and raised religious slogans. The District Magistrate of Sambhal confirmed that the survey was completed in around two hours and stated that a report would be submitted to the Civil Court, which will review it on the next date of hearing, 29th November 2024. OpIndia accessed the petition filed by the plaintiffs in the case.

As of now, the Supreme Court of India has stayed the hearing in the District Court, Sambhal, in response to plea filed by the Muslim side. Furthermore, the survey report submitted by the Advocate Commissioner has been ordered to be sealed and not to be opened till an order is passed by the High Court in the matter. Next hearing in the matter will be in January 2025. A judicial committee was formed by CM Yogi Adityanath to investigate the cause of the violence.

OpIndia’s detailed report on petition filed at the court can be checked here.

Pappu Yadav’s own man threatened him to get his security upgraded; no link to Lawrence Bishnoi gang: Bihar Police

OpIndia Staff
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Pappu Yadav’s own man threatened him to get his security upgraded; no link to Lawrence Bishnoi gang: Bihar Police

Ram Babu Yadav from Arrah, a suspect who was nabbed from Bhojpur for allegedly threatening Purnea Lok Sabha MP Rajesh Ranjan, popularly known as Pappu Yadav, is in fact, his own man. On 3rd December, police denied that the intimidation was carried out by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and informed that the accused did so that his leader could get Z security. On 3rd December, Purnea police apprehended Ram Babu Yadav and confiscated some videos from him.

During questioning, he admitted that he sent threatening video messages in exchange for money at the request of the latter’s close aide. “The arrested person has confessed that he was asked to send a video message and for this, he was to be paid Rs 2 lakh. He admitted that he was given Rs 2,000 for making and sending threat videos,” Purnea superintendent of police (SP) Kartikeya K Sharma informed the media.

According to him, recovered calls and videos showed no link to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. He was an active member of Pappu Yadav’s Jan Adhikar Party (JAP), which he founded in 2015 after leaving the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), based on the authorities. He was reportedly urged to do so for Pappu to obtain Z security, and if he did, he was assured greater political responsibility. “Police have seized two videos from his possession, one was released and the other was to be released after some time,” the official added.

He implied that all of this was orchestrated by someone close to MP to elevate his security from the Y level to the Z category. He did not, however, reveal the identity of the individual, stating that it would influence additional investigation. The offender threatened, “You will be murdered in the last 24 hours. Our companions are fully prepared and have close access to you. Even your guards will not be able to save you. Happy birthday to you from Lawrence Bhai and his team. Purnea MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, enjoy your last day,” Pappu’s spokesperson Rajesh Yadav reported.

The accused claimed to be speaking on behalf of the Bihar gang Lawrence Bishnoi network in a 13-second video that he sent on the MP’s close associate’s cell phone on 1st December in which he threatened to kill Pappu. The MP received a threatening message on his WhatsApp on 29th November from a number based in Pakistan. Police have so far determined that the majority of the dozens of threatening calls and messages that Pappu allegedly received were prank calls. For two months, he has been the target of constant threats.

2000 Malpura Riots: Islam, Ishaq, and 6 others sentenced to life imprisonment for hacking farmer Hariram to death 24 years ago

OpIndia Staff
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2000 Malpura Riots: Islam, Ishaq, and 6 others sentenced to life imprisonment for hacking farmer Hariram to death 24 years ago

A court has sentenced 8 Muslim rioters to life imprisonment in the murder case of farmer Hariram. The incident transpired in the year 2000 during the riots in Malpura in the Tonk district of Rajasthan which claimed the lives of 6 people including Kailash Mali. The court granted the benefit of the doubt to 5 of the defendants in his murder case, resulting in their acquittal. A special court of Jaipur pronounced its verdict in both cases on 2nd December.

According to media reports, Islam, Mohammad Ishaq, Abdul Razzaq, Irshad, Mohammad Zafar, Sajid Ali, Bilal Ahmed and Mohammad Habib were sentenced to life imprisonment in the Hariram murder case. After hearing all of the defence and prosecution’s arguments, the court declared that no leniency can be shown against those who commit brutal murders with sharp weapons. However, the 5 accused in Kailash Mali’s case were released because there were no eyewitnesses.

On 10th July 2000, Hariram’s widow, Dhanni Devi, filed a report at the Malpura police station regarding his murder. She was reportedly accompanying her spouse to their field. The rioters used a sharp knife to assault him during this time and repeatedly struck him on his body after which he died. His son had filed a First Information Report (FIR) in the murder case of Kailash Mali.

The complainant stated that he had been informed about the attack on his father by some villagers, but his father had already passed away when he arrived at the location after learning about the shocking development. Five people were charged in this case. There were no eyewitnesses, according to the defence. The accused was found not guilty after the court accepted this argument.

On 10th July 2000, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kailash Mali was murdered in Malpura of Tonk district. Kailash Mali was pushed off a moving bike and stabbed with knives. He died on the way to Jaipur. The news of Kailash Mali’s murder spread in the urban and rural areas of Tonk. Muslim mobs targeted Hindus at many places, amid the critical atmosphere. People from both communities died due to the unrest. Cases against 17 other people are still pending in court. Kailash Mali was made the main accused by the police in the 1992 riots that took place in the Tonk district after the Babri demolition which put him on the target list of fundamentalists. On the other hand, his wife asserted that he was falsely implicated.

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