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Bangladesh: Maulvi cuts off sacred thread of a child in exchange for relief supplies, refuses to give it back calling it bad omen

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladesh: Maulvi cuts off sacred thread of a child in exchange for relief supplies, refuses to give it back calling it bad omen

While Bangladesh is grappling with a ravaging flood, a video went viral on Thursday (August 30), wherein a Maulvi is seen cutting off a sacred thread from a child’s neck in exchange for some relief material. The video is reportedly from Noakhali in Bangladesh.

In the viral video, a small boy is seen standing in knee-deep water when a Maulvi in a skull cap, accompanied by two other young men, stops him and displays a bag of relief materials. The Maulvi leans forward and cuts off the sacred thread the boy was wearing around his neck, while another youth hands the boy a plastic bag. As the boy clutches the bag with his left hand, he asks the Maulvi to return his Holy thread. One of the young men is then heard saying that it would bring bad luck and a curse if the boy took it back.

Though the audio in the video is somewhat unclear, one of the youths can be heard saying in Bengali, “taale tumaake shraap debe,” which roughly translates to “you will be cursed otherwise.” Another youth warns the boy that he will not receive the relief materials again if he asks for the thread.

The two youths then ask the boy to look into the camera and wave goodbye. He tells that boy in Bengali, “Jaao, jaao, khishi toh, tata dao”, which roughly translates to “go, go, hope you are happy, say goodby”.

In this video, it is unclear whether the boy is a Hindu or a Muslim, nevertheless, the Maulvi is seen removing the sacred thread from the child’s neck in exchange for relief material. Even if, for once, we consider that the little boy was a Muslim, we must understand that such things are symbolic of increasing radicalisation as a Puritan form of Islam insists on not following such practices. While apologists could claim it’s simply a maulvi doing his job, these are symptomatic of how Jamaat ideology is growing rapidly.

In fact, even attacks on Sufi shrines in Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated in recent years, driven by Salafists and other jihadist sects that view such practices as haraam (forbidden) within their interpretation of Islam. These extremist groups consider worship at dargahs (shrines), the use of tabeez (amulets), kalawa (sacred threads), and other Sufi rituals as heretical behaviours, which they believe deviate from the “pure” teachings of Islam.

The ideological opposition of Salafists and jihadists to Sufism has led to violent attacks on Sufi shrines, particularly in Pakistan and Afghanistan. These attacks are often brutal, involving bombings, shootings, and other forms of terrorism aimed at destroying the shrines and instilling fear in their devotees. The attackers view these acts as a religious duty to eliminate what they see as heretical practices.

How Islamists have been preying on innocent Hindu lives, homes and places of worship in Bangladesh

The violence in Bangladesh, which began on August 5, after the fall of Sheikh Hasina has been unrelenting, especially against the Hindu minority of the Islamic nation. There have been several instances reported of Hindus coming under attack by Islamist mobs. Hindu houses have been burnt, some have been lynched and the unabated violence has engulfed several Hindu Temples in the country.

On 9th August, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad released a report detailing 205 instances of attacks on minority community members especially Hindus in the country’s 52 districts following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s departure.

While several Hindus have been mercilessly lynched, the unabated violence has engulfed several Hindu Temples in the country.

Hindu temples in Natore, Dhamrai in Dhaka, Kalapara in Patuakhali, Shariatpur, and Faridpur, as well as houses in Jessore, Noakhali, Meherpur, Chandpur, and Khulna have been targeted. Dinajpur saw the vandalisation of 40 Hindu shops.

Several Hindu women in Bangladesh have come forward to share their tales of horror at the hands of the rampaging Islamist mob. In a video shared by Hindu Voice on August 8, several Hindu women living in different areas of the Pirojpur district in Bangladesh can be heard narrating their plight. 

Earlier, OpIndia spoke to a few Bangladeshi Hindus who told us that the dire situation is only getting worse for Hindus. Speaking to OpIndia, the Hindus in Bangladesh who spoke to OpIndia said that Jamaat-e-Islami members have been making a list of Hindu businesses and Hindu houses since the fall of Sheikh Hasina.

The Hindus, on the condition of anonymity due to security concerns also said that many are unable to move to safer locations because the Jamaat-e-Islami groups and other Islamists are roaming the streets with guns, making it impossible for them to move to safer locations. Several videos and photos of attacks on Hindus surfaced on social media.

Note: An earlier version of this report identified the boy as Hindu given the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Hindus underway in Bangladesh. However, it is not clear whether the boy is a Hindu or a Muslim. It is, however, true that the sacred thread was cut off in exchange for relief material. The report has been updated to reflect the change.

Rajasthan: Ex-CRPF jawan assaults Congress leader Rafiq Khan for allegedly harassing his wife, Congress workers thrash him badly before handing over to police

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan: Ex-CRPF jawan assaults Congress leader Rafiq Khan for allegedly harassing his wife, Congress workers thrash him badly before handing over to police

On Thursday, 29th August, Rafiq Khan, the Congress leader in the Rajasthan Assembly, faced an alleged assault outside his home in Bani Park, Jaipur, as he was headed for the House following a meeting with visitors. As per the reports, Khan was beaten by a man for allegedly harassing a woman. The attacker initially engaged in a heated argument with Khan after which he grabbed his collar and attempted to slap him.

People in Khan’s home overpowered the attacker, assaulted him, and handed him over to the police. I a video of the incident, several supporters of the Congress MLA can be seen beating the man. After some time the police arrived at the scene and took him into custody.

The apprehended individual has been identified as Vikas Jakhar, a former assistant commandant of the Central Reserve Police Force. He was granted the Shaurya Chakra during his service and is believed to have resigned from the force in 2021.

Khan, a two-time Congress MLA from Jaipur’s Adarsh Nagar constituency, claimed that Jakhar punched him in the chest and attempted to suffocate him. “He attacked me all of a sudden when I was about to sit in my car. I held both his hands to protect myself, after which my supporters and people present there took him away,” Khan said. 

“I have no knowledge about this man or his background and intention, but only a person with a criminal mindset can do such an act,” he added. Khan defeated Bharatiya Janta Party’s Ravi Nayyar with a margin of 14,073 votes in the 2023 Assembly election.

According to the authorities, Jakhar, 39, of Jhunjhunu district, complained that Khan was harassing his wife and admitted to acting in a “fit of rage”.

It has been reported that Vikas’ wife is a government health worker, and the MLA had harassed his wife and his complaints were not addressed. He was detained on allegations of disturbing the peace.

Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Pradesh Congress Committee president Govind Singh Dotasra criticized the attack on Khan, saying it reflected the state’s deteriorating law and order situation. Probe in the case is underway.

Supreme Court asks Omar Abdullah and his estranged wife Payal to appear before the court’s mediation centre for settlement

ANI
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Supreme Court asks Omar Abdullah and his estranged wife Payal to appear before the court’s mediation centre for settlement

The Supreme Court on Friday asked former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his estranged wife to appear before the top court mediation centre at the top court in regard to settlement between the parties.

The matter was listed before the bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Ahsanuddin Amanullah.

Let the party work out for mediation, the top court said and asked the party to appear before the apex court mediation centre.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal appeared for Omar Abdullah while Senior Advocate Shyam Diwan appeared for his estranged wife and both of them suggested for mediation.

The top court said that an attempt can be taken for a settlement though it understands some marriages are not fixable.

Omar Abdullah has challenged the Delhi High Court order December 12 2023 order which dismissed his plea against a family court order denying him divorce from his estranged wife.

Delhi’s Patiala House Court on August 30, 2016, dismissed his petition seeking divorce on the grounds of cruelty. He filed the plea in 2013.

They got married in September 1994 but have been living apart since 2009. The couple has two sons.

While dismissing the appeal, the division bench of the Delhi High Court said it found no infirmity in the family court order denying divorce to him. The high court also said the allegations of cruelty by Omar Abdullah against his wife are vague.

The bench noted further that the appellant failed to prove any act of cruelty, whether physical or mental, by his estranged wife.

The high court dismissed the appeal, finding it without merit.

The family court had dismissed his petition, stating that he failed to prove the claims of cruelty or desertion.

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

Forced women to dance to item songs, extorted money and controlled hostel: ‘Trinamool Chhatra Parishad’ goon Mostafizur under scanner for ragging junior doctors at Medinipur medical college

OpIndia Staff
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Forced women to dance to item songs, extorted money and controlled hostel: ‘Trinamool Chhatra Parishad’ goon Mostafizur under scanner for ragging junior doctors at Medinipur medical college

On Thursday (29th August), junior doctors at the Medinipur Medical College and Hospital in West Bengal launched a sit-in protest against the constant harassment meted out to them by a Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) leader named Mostafizur Rahman Mallick.

A close aide of the ex-Principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Sandip Ghosh, Mostafizur is accused of being involved in ragging. He has reportedly forced junior female doctors to dance to item songs.

According to a protesting doctor named Mohammed CB, Mostafizur graduated from the Medinipur Medical College and Hospital about 3 years ago. Despite this, the accused continues to stay in the hostel.

“He continues to harass us and threatens to evict junior doctors from the hostel. When we tell Mostafizur that we will file a complaint against him, he tells us that nothing would happen to him even if we were to approach the Health Department,” Mohammed was heard as saying.

He stated that Mostafizur has threatened not to allow junior doctors access to their registration certificates. “The TMCP leader controls everything, starting from the seating arrangement in the exams to even failing students,” Mohammed continued.

He also informed that Mostafizur even extorted ₹2000 from each junior doctor and forcibly inducted them in Trinamool Chhatra Parishad. “They run a syndicate through they they control everything (inMedinipur Medical College and Hospital),” the protesting doctor concluded.

While speaking about her ordeal, a medical student named Shreya Mondal told Republic TV, “Since the first day we took admission in this college, the teachers left the class and the students were in the class, then this unit came and closed our doors, and the rascals belonging to this Mostafizur came and ragged us.”

“We are harassed. The time we were freshers, we were taken to the auditorium. In front of the whole auditorium, they say play the item song and dance. Since that day, we are afraid. Many of the juniors are threatened that if you protest, you will become a target!” she emphasised.

She further added, “This unit enters our class and closes the door. Mostafizur Rahman comes in with his followers and they ragged us like anything. The women in the classroom were not respected; we were publicly harassed. We have an auditorium, a student was put up there, lights were flashed on the face of that student, and the rest of the auditorium was dark. They came in under the influence of drugs. From off-stage, they used to say, ‘I am playing an item song, you dance on it.’ This is how the women are treated. As of now, this place has not turned into RG Kar but it might very soon if we keep tolerating this kind of behavior.”

Forced by circumstances, the junior doctors at the Medinipur Medical College and Hospital are now holding demonstrations demanding the immediate expulsion of Mostafizur Rahman Mallick from the hostel.

In the aftermath of the protests, the administration swung into action and issued a temporary ban on the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad leader from entering the college and hospital. The authorities also gave ‘written assurance’ to address all grievances of the junior doctors.

The principal of the college stated, “We are rectifying the lack of security and CCTV. We are bringing in more CCTV and have informed the health department. Security officers and safety measures, from police to constables, are being worked on. We are reforming the committees to include student representatives.”

Rape of 13-year-old girl triggers massive protests in Ghaziabad, police arrest accused Faizan, family says three other scrap dealers were also involved

OpIndia Staff
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Rape of 13-year-old girl triggers massive protests in Ghaziabad, police arrest accused Faizan, family says three other scrap dealers were also involved

Kabadis (ragmen/scrap dealers) entered a residence in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, and sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. The primary culprit, Faizan, has been taken into custody after the accused fled from the spot. Rehan, Rashid and Wasim are the names of the other culprits. The family stated that the girl had been gang-raped. People also demonstrated demanding the arrest of all the accused. They protested in front of the police station in the Brijvihar area on 29th August evening and asked for the perpetrators to be hanged immediately.

They also vandalised the items and vehicles outside the accused’s shop. An e-rickshaw was set on fire. The matter is related to two communities and the authorities are present at the scene due to the tense situation. The victim girl’s aunt revealed that all male and female members of the house had gone to work on 28th August. Meanwhile, three to four boys who buy and sell junk broke into the house by jumping over the back gate while the youngster was alone there. She was physically assaulted and they sexually violated her when she became unconscious.

Assistant Police Commissioner Rajneesh Upadhyay mentioned that the girl’s mother lodged a complaint at Link Road Police Station on 29th August morning. He added that she wrote about how her daughter was thrashed and raped by a scrap dealer who belonged to another community, in her complaint. A case has been filed on the complaint and one accused has been arrested. Hindu organisations have also raised their voice against the crime. Hindu leader Ashish Pal unveiled that anti-social elements regularly assembled near the accused’s scrap shop and the local criminals have no fear of the police. The cops are now probing the charge of gang-rape and the matter is under inquiry.

On the other hand, the police reported that when the minor’s mother and other family members arrived at the police station early on 29th August, they had charged only one person with rape. A First Information Report was filed right away and the offender was apprehended. However, they are now accusing three or four youths of gang rape, according to the cops and hence the matter will be investigated thoroughly.

Ghaziabad Additional Commissioner Dinesh Kumar P said that the prime accused has been arrested, and now police are considering action against other people named by the victim’s family. He added that action will also be taken against people who broke the law.

Delhi Court orders CBI to frame charges against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in 1984 anti-Sikh genocide: Read how Congress rewarded Tytler over the years

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi Court orders CBI to frame charges against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in 1984 anti-Sikh genocide: Read how Congress rewarded Tytler over the years

The Delhi Rouse Avenue Court on Friday ordered the CBI to frame charges against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in connection with a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, where three people were killed.

The court determined that the trial against Tytler could proceed under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 143, 147, 153A, 188, 295, 436, 451, 380, 149, 302, and 109.

In its charge sheet filed in May 2023, the CBI accused Tytler, a former union minister, of inciting and provoking a mob that gathered near the Pul Bangash gurdwara on November 1, 1984.

According to a witness, Tytler exited a white ambassador car in front of the gurdwara and incited the crowd, shouting, “Kill the Sikhs, they have killed our mother!” Subsequently, three people were killed by the enraged mob, angered over the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards the previous day.

In August last year, a sessions court granted anticipatory bail to Tytler in the case, on a personal bond of ₹1 lakh and a surety of the same amount.

The CBI has brought charges against Tytler under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 147 (rioting), 109 (abetment) and 302 (murder).

How Congress rewarded Jagdish Tytler over the years

The Congress party is not only tainted with accusations of leading the genocide of Sikhs in the wake of former PM Indira Gandhi’s assassination by her two Sikh bodyguards, but over the years, the party has also earned the dubious distinction of rewarding those accused of egregious charges during the anti-Sikh pogrom.

The 1984 Anti-Sikh riots took place in the aftermath of the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Indira Gandhi was assassinated on 31st October 1984 by her Sikh bodyguards as revenge for Operation Blue Star. From 1st November to 4th November, Sikhs across the country were killed. The government figures suggest the angry mobs, many of which were led by Congress leaders, brutally murdered 3,350 Sikhs.

However, Congress not only shielded those who carried out the pogrom but also rewarded them. 

One of those rewarded was Jagdish Tytler, who continues to hold sway in the Congress party. The Nanavati Commission recorded the testimony of a witness namely, Jasbir Singh, who stated that on 3rd November 1984, he was passing by the TB hospital gate after taking dinner at the house of one Sucha Singh situated at Outram lane when he had seen Jagdish Tytler coming there in a car. 

Singh furthered that he heard Tytler “rebuked” the persons who were standing because his instructions were not faithfully carried out. Therefore his position was greatly compromised and lowered in the eyes of the central leaders. He has alleged to have further stated that there was only nominal killing in his constituency compared to East Delhi, Outer Delhi, and Cant. etc. and it would be difficult for him to stake a claim in future as he has promised large-scale killing of Sikhs. He had complained to those persons that they had betrayed and let him down.

Despite the damning testimony against Tytler, the Congress party did not take punitive action against him. He remained a mainstay of the party’s Delhi unit, often attending meetings and weighing in on his opinions on matters of import.

Jagdish Tytler was subsequently given tickets to contest the election by the Indian National Congress and also made Union Minister of Civil Aviation first and then the Labour Department. He had contested the 2004 elections and won as well. He was dropped in the 2009 polls. 

In December 2022, Tytler was seen attending the Congress Delhi Unit’s meeting over the preparations for the Bharat Jodo Yatra. He was also seen campaigning for the Congress party during the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections.

Monsoon floods, and crocodiles roaming all over Vadodara: What is it about the city that these creatures love so much? Explained here

Krunalsinh Rajput
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Monsoon floods, and crocodiles roaming all over Vadodara: What is it about the city that these creatures love so much? Explained here

What if you open the door of your house and witness a massive crocodile that appears to be looking for food, jaws open, right on your doorstep? Well, this is ‘normal’ for Vadodara residents. While Vadodara’s monsoon conditions change from year to year, one thing that consistently haunts the residents during the monsoons is crocodiles. The flood levels of the Vishwamitri river in Vadodara have receded during the last four days. On Thursday (August 29, 2024), the water began to subside, and gigantic crocodiles were seen wandering across the city. The forest department and other organizations promptly initiated a rescue operation, relocating several crocodiles to safer habitats.

OpIndia called Karan Singh Rajput, Range Forest Officer, Vadodara Forest Department who stated that more than 14 crocodiles had been rescued until Thursday, August 29, 2024) in this year’s monsoon. The forest department and local non-governmental organizations helped in rescuing seven crocodiles.

Rescue of 14 crocodiles in four days, appeal to Vadodara residents to be careful

According to Karan Singh, the longest crocodile rescued in these four days came from Karelibagh and was roughly 15 feet long. When asked about the increasing number of crocodiles and their venture into Vadodara city, he told OpIndia, “We have 1300 volunteers enrolled with Karuna Abhiyan in Vadodara who work to conserve diverse species and biodiversity. Currently, there are 15 to 20 such NGOs dealing with the flood problem. 50-60 people work in all NGOs, and all of them have joined us. One can say that the people of Vadodara are so aware of crocodiles and the steps need to send them back to their natural habitat that they co-operate fully and man-animal conflict cases are negligible.

According to Charan Singh, approximately 70 snakes, in addition to crocodiles, have been successfully rescued. According to him, the Vadodara Forest Department was prepared to deal with a variety of eventualities even before the floods. The department had built appropriate crocodile capture cages, transport vehicles, and other arrangements. He also advised Vadodara residents to be cautious in the future, as crocodiles will emerge when the water recedes. He further requested that anyone with a crocodile or any other wildlife rescue or emergency request should call 9429558883 or 9429558886.

Why Vishwamitri river is the home of so many crocodiles?

There are several rivers in Gujarat. But why are there more crocodiles only in the Vishwamitri river? In response to this query, RFO Karan Singh of the district forest department says, “The Vishwamitri river can be called the crocodile’s stronghold. This is due to Vadodara’s geographical location, as well as the suitability of the Vishwamitri River for crocodiles. The river that runs through the city is so deep that it provides an ideal habitat for crocodiles. On the other side, one factor is central Gujarat’s climate, which is ideal for crocodile breeding. These are freshwater crocodiles, and the protected green stretch of the Vishwamitri River offers a favorable environment.” 

“The breeding season for male and female crocodiles begins with the arrival of hot summer days. In May, the female crocodile digs a hole in the earth and lays her eggs inside. A riverbed with dense trees and foliage provides an ideal environment for crocodile eggs to hatch. However, because the Vishwamitri River is so deep, it supplies enough food for crocodiles. Apart from some areas where the river’s water receedes, there are several areas of the river with deep water where crocodiles can find plenty of food. Thus, the stretch of the Vishwamitri River has been confined by nets; however, if livestock enters the stretch, crocodiles kill them too,” he added. 

How many crocodiles live in Vishwamitri?

According to a report in the Times of India in June, more than 300 crocodiles live in a 17-km stretch of the Vishwamitri river that bisects the city of Vadodara. The crocodiles were last counted in the year 2020 and at that time their number was 275.

It is worth mentioning that this is only about Vishwamitri river. As for the rest of the geographical location, the river mainly receives water from the Ajwa lake and the lake is also home to a lot of crocodiles. Apart from this, there are a good number of crocodiles in Jambuwa and Dev rivers around Vadodara. Recently, a case of a crocodile attack came to light in Gutal village of Waghodia taluka. The number of crocodiles is continuously increasing due to the amenity of the Vishwamitri River. It is also said that more than 6 crocodiles are living in the Vishwamitri River in every one-kilometer radius.

Which species of crocodiles are found in the river?

There are 23 species of crocodiles in the world, three of which live in India. There are additional variations between saltwater and freshwater crocodiles. The species of crocodile found in Vadodara is known as the ‘marsh crocodile’. This type of crocodile is known for its hoof-hunting abilities. They have the art of using their legs to chase and catch prey. The marsh crocodile’s jaws are placed upside down, so once the victim is trapped, it cannot escape. This crocodile can bite with a force of three tons.

Marsh crocodiles may run up to 8 miles per hour for short distances when hunting. The faster it can run or walk, the quicker it can swim. Marsh alligators can swim at speeds of 10 to 12 mph, and sometimes even quicker. Marsh crocodiles are classified as medium-sized. These crocodiles are 8 to 15 feet long.

Crocodiles generally live for 50 to 80 years. Its breeding season begins with the end of winter and the arrival of heat in July. When the weather gets hot, they lay their eggs in riverbeds and, in some circumstances, burrows. At the beginning of the monsoon, baby crocodiles hatch from eggs and the breeding of adults continues.

Nihang Sukhdev Singh beats Malkit Singh to death in Amritsar, the accused used to mock the victim over his short height, killed him for protesting

OpIndia Staff
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Nihang Sukhdev Singh beats Malkit Singh to death in Amritsar, the accused used to mock the victim over his short height, killed him for protesting

35-year-old Malkit Singh, a resident of Jahangir village of Kambo police station area in Amritsar, Punjab was brutally beaten to death by his neighbour Nihang Sukhdev Singh on Wednesday. The accused used to tease the victim for his short height and called him a midget. A fight erupted between the two over the issue on the night of 28th August after which Sukhdev Singh broke into his house through the roof (or jumped over the wall as per some reports) on the morning of 29th August, murdered him and fled from there. No one was in the house at the time of the incident.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Lakhwinder Singh Kaler reached the scene with the police force and started an investigation as soon as he received information about the occurrence. The police registered a case of murder against Sukhdev Singh who is from the same village and have conducted raids to arrest him. Officials assured that he will be arrested soon. The victim was the only son of his parents and had two sisters. The cops took the body into custody and sent it for post-mortem. His mother Amrit Kaur revealed that the perpetrator who lives behind their home had a grudge against her son.

He entered the place at 11:30 am and beat Malkit Singh to death as he was by himself. Malkit Singh’s family discovered his lifeless body drenched in blood when they arrived home in the morning and notified the authorities. The offender was reportedly armed with a pistol and a sword when he committed the crime. He also threatened the villagers with dire consequences if they intervened.

The victim’s brother-in-law, Rajpal Singh of Majitha Road Ganda Singh unveiled that he used to frequently visit his in-laws and talked about how the assailant teased him because he was a dwarf and got abused in retaliation. They had an argument over the matter on 28th August as well. He mentioned that the culprit often indulges in hooliganism in the area and has assaulted many elderly people.

Furthermore, he issued death threats to people. Sikhdev Singh had gotten into a conflict with the family about something or other. Amrik Singh, the sarpanch of the hamlet, claimed that the duo had repeated quarrels over the matter in the past and were made to compromise many times.

Fallout of Khatakhat politics? Congress-ruled Himachal Pradesh considering legalising use of cannabis for ‘medicinal purposes’ to tackle financial crisis

OpIndia Staff
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Fallout of Khatakhat politics? Congress-ruled Himachal Pradesh considering legalising use of cannabis for ‘medicinal purposes’ to tackle financial crisis

Just like other Congress-ruled states in the country, Himachal Pradesh seems to be reeling from the fallout of the famed ‘Khatakhat politics’ as it faces a dire economic crisis as Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced deferring his salary, allowances and other benefits for the next two months citing financial crisis. However, the government is also mulling over legalising the limited use of cannabis for ‘medicinal purposes’ to improve the state’s finances.

“The CM has taken a good initiative to overcome the financial troubles we are facing in the state. We are trying to strengthen the resources in the state – be it through water resources or our excise policy and mining policy. We are also trying to legalise cannabis for limited purposes like for medical purposes,” Himachal Pradesh minister and Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh said.

Earlier, CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukku announced that he and his cabinet has decided to forgo 2 months’ salary as a symbolic measure to redress state’s fiscal failure

“After discussing in the cabinet, all the members of the cabinet decided that until the state sees good improvement in the coming times, we will not take any salary, nor TA, nor DA for 2 months… This is just a small amount, but it is a symbolic amount,” Sukku said.

‘Khatakhat politics’ taking its toll on Karnataka

A similar economic crisis has beset the Congress government in Karnataka, with senior leaders and ministers often admitting a lack of funds for implementing developmental schemes as the bulk of the state exchequer goes into fulfilling the party’s poll guarantees.

Consequently, the Karnataka government has hiked the prices of essential commodities such as water, milk, electricity, etc. to foot the bill of the party’s freebie politics.

Last week, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated that the water tariff must be increased to mitigate the financial losses currently faced by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board (BWSSB). Shivakumar lamented that the state has no choice but to raise prices by 20-30% to ensure the survival of the water utility.

“Citizens scold us when water does not come, they hound us with messages and calls,” said Shivakumar. “Let anyone criticise me, I’m going to increase the water tariff in Bengaluru, or else we won’t survive.”

Similarly, in July this year, the Karnataka government had raised milk prices by Rs 3 per litre, months after Congress party fought the elections on the Amul vs Nandini plank, asserting that the BJP government in the state was allowing Amul to sell fresh milk and curd in Bengaluru, which it claim would hurt the business of the local brand Nandini, owned by Karnataka Milk Federation.

Nashik: 15-year-old girl dies under suspicious conditions after harassment by Kalam Mansuri, others, 10 booked as family says ‘forced to drink poison’. Exclusive details

Siddhi Somani
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Nashik: 15-year-old girl dies under suspicious conditions after harassment by Kalam Mansuri, others, 10 booked as family says ‘forced to drink poison’. Exclusive details

On Thursday, 29th August Maharashtra Police filed a complaint against 10 persons after a 15-year-old minor girl committed suicide in Nashik district. The girl notably decided to end her life after being stalked and threatened by a 22-year-old man identified as Kalam Izhar Mansuri. As per the reports, the family members of the man also threatened the girl after which she decided to end her life by consuming poison.

Team OpIndia has obtained the FIR copy of the incident. The other accused persons booked in the case based on the complaint by the parents of the girl are Nana Khala (Kalam’s mother), Jahangir Sheikh, Bablu Sheikh, Munna Sheikh, Laden Mansuri, Sameer Bablu Sheikh, Nadda Mansuri Sheikh, Anjum Sayyed and Sahil Sayyed. The accused persons have been booked under sections 107, 351 (2), 3 (5), and 78 of the Bharatiya Nyay Samhita, 2023, and section 12 of the POCSO Act, 2012.

As mentioned in the FIR, the victim girl was being harassed by the primary accused Kalam since the year 2022. The girl was in the school at that time. The accused used to block the girl’s way from home to school or vice-versa and say that he liked her. He at times has also forced the girl to talk to him and take his phone number for communication. However, the girl told this at home the very first time it happened. After this, the parents of the girl began taking extra care of her. They also talked to the parents of the accused and told them that they would not want their daughter to go through any trouble. However, the accused continued to stalk and harass the victim.

Due to the harassment, the girl was forced to take her 10th board exams from home. Eventually, the girl was admitted to an Arts College in the Devlali area of Nashik. On 23rd August, the girl failed to return home at her regular hour of 12:15 pm. After an hour or so, the mother of the girl got a call saying that her daughter was found unconscious on the road near a bridge. The call was from accused Anjum and Sahil Sayyed.

The duo called the mother and said that they found the girl unconscious on the road and were taking her to the Bitco Hospital. They also asked the woman to reach the hospital as early as possible. However, the two accused had fled by the time the mother reached the hospital. The girl, as per the FIR, also told her mother that she was feeling scared.

“Doctors checked her and gave her medicine. But on our way home, my daughter started vomiting and feeling unconscious. At that time she told me that she was being harassed by Kalam and his family. She told me that Kalam used to force her to marry him and threaten her. His mother had also been threatening my daughter to marry his son. She also mentioned the names of Jahangir, Bablu, Munna, Laden, Samir, and Nadda who used to force her to marry Kalam,” the mother of the girl said in the FIR.

The girl was declared dead on the same day. However, on 25th August, the family of the girl checked the CCTV footage close to Anjum Sayyed’s house. In the CCTV footage, the family saw that Anjum and Sahil took the girl on their scooter to the hospital. However, they claimed that they had found the girl unconscious on the road near the bridge, after which they took her to the hospital. On suspicion, the girl’s parents have also booked the two.

As per exclusive information obtained by Opndia, the parents of the girl believe that the girl has been poisoned by the accused and his relatives and then was admitted to the hospital by Sahil and Anjum Sayyed. The duo carrying a covered-up, and unmoving person, allegedly the victim, on a two-wheeler can be seen in the CCTV footage shared with OpIndia. The police failed to confirm anything over the phone in the case given its sensitivity. However, OpIndia obtained FIR copies and CCTV footage.

On 19 August, another minor girl had committed suicide after facing harassment by one Kasim Pathan

It is important to note that this is the second such case reported from Maharashtra within 10 days. On 19th August, a 16-year-old girl had committed suicide 8 months after facing harassment at the hands of one individual identified as Kasim Yasin Pathan. The girl was believed to have jumped into a well ending her life in Aher village of Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. 

The victim minor studied in 11th from the science stream whereas the accused worked as a mechanic in a local garage. The girl was staying in the city as she had been admitted to a private coaching center for her studies. However, she recently went to her village for the Rakshabandhan festival.

The accused as per the initial information liked the girl and forced her to accept his advances. He, in the past eight months, had threatened the girl saying that he would kill her brother if she failed to accept his love advances. The girl tried to avoid the accused in all the ways possible but to no avail. On 18th August she committed suicide forcing her relatives to demand the strictest punishment against the accused.

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