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Archives for July 2015

Powerful earthquake hits Indonesia’s Papua

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Magnitude 7.0 quake strikes west of provincial capital Jayapura.

earthquake Papua

by Al Jazeera

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake has hit Indonesia’s Papua region, the US Geological Survey says.

The quake struck at 6.41am on Monday, almost 250km west of the provincial capital Jayapura.

No tsunami warning was issued after the quake, which struck inland, and Indonesia’s national disaster agency said there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

“The quake was felt very strongly for four seconds,” disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told the AFP news agency.

“Residents panicked and rushed out of their homes.”

Nugroho said there were no initial reports of damage but added the region around the epicentre, in Indonesia’s remote east, was difficult to reach, and data was still being collected.

The Earthquake-Report monitoring website said the area has “steep mountain ranges and its vegetation is rainforest, which means that the chance of dangerous landslides is real”.

Weak shaking was reportedly felt in Jayapura for a few seconds.

Both Indonesian authorities and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no threat of any tsunami waves from the quake, which occurred beneath a jungle.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, where tectonic plates collide, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity.

Muammar Gaddafi’s son Saif al-Islam sentenced to death

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Son of slain Libyan leader sentenced in absentia to die by firing squad along with other members of former regime.

Saif al-Islam had appeared by video link in sessions at the start of the trial [EPA]

Saif al-Islam had appeared by video link in sessions at the start of the trial [EPA]

by Al Jazeera

Saif al-Islam, the most prominent son of Libya’s slain leader, Muammar Gaddafi, has been sentenced to death by firing squad.

He was sentenced in absentia on Tuesday in Tripoli along with eight other senior members of the former regime, which was overthrown in 2011.

They were accused of war crimes and suppressing peaceful protests during the revolution, a state prosecutor said in early June.

The trial had started in April 2014 before fighting between rival factions resulted in a power struggle with two governments competing for authority – one based in the capital, Tripoli, and the other one in Tobruk in the east.

Saif al-Islam has been held since 2011 by a former rebel group in Zintan that opposes the Tripoli government.

Abdullah Senussi, the former intelligence chief, was among the former regime officials sentenced, as well as former prime minister Baghdadi Ali Mahmudi.

Salah al-Bakkoush, a Tripoli-based political analyst, said he did not expect the rulings to have strong resonance in Libya.

“Libyans in general have so many problems right now that many were not even following the trial,” he told Al Jazeera. “Those who participated in the struggle against the regime of Gaddafi will be following and will be happy.”

The International Criminal Court and other human rights organisations worry about the fairness of Libya’s justice system although the North African country won the right in 2013 to try Gaddafi’s former spy chief at home instead of at the ICC in The Hague.

Saif al-Islam’s appearances before the court have been by video link and there have been none since May last year.

The Zintanis have refused to hand him over, saying they do not trust Tripoli to ensure he would not escape, but had agreed before the trial to have him tried in a court there.

Anas El-Gomati, a political analyst and director of Tripoli-based Sadeq Institute, said the trail had been “anything but legal and fair”.

“I don’t think the Zintanis will give him up,” he told Al Jazeera. “They will not look for any solution going forward. These are two [administrations] who oppose each other and show no signs of trying to work together.”

Gaddafi was killed in October 2011 after being captured by rebels during Libya’s war. He had ruled Libya for four decades.

SC bench split over Yakub Memon’s plea, refers it to CJI

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Yakub Memon's photograph on his IGNOU records

Yakub Memon’s photograph on his IGNOU records

New Delhi: A two-judge bench of the Supreme Court today delivered a split verdict on a plea by Yakub Abdul Razak Memon, the lone death convict in 1993 Mumbai blasts case, seeking stay of his scheduled execution on July 30 and referred the matter to the Chief Justice to take call on it.

While Justice A R Dave dismissed his plea, Justice Kurian Joseph stayed the death warrant issued on April 30 for his execution on July 30.

Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi and other senior advocates, including Raju Ramachandran, appearing for Memon, said that since the two judges have differed on staying the death warrant, “there will be no order in law if one judge has stayed it and the other has not”.

The bench referred the matter to Chief Justice of India H L Dattu to take an urgent call at 4 PM in view of the divergence of opinion on the issue of death warrant.

The bench also requested the Chief Justice to constitute an appropriate bench and list the matter for hearing tomorrow.

Justice Dave dismissed the petition filed by Memon and said it will be open for the Maharashtra Governor to dispose of his mercy plea before the scheduled date of execution of death warrant.

While rejecting the petition in which Memon has contended that the correct procedure was not adopted in deciding his curative petition on July 21, Justice Dave disagreed with Justice Kurian on the issue of staying death warrant issued by the TADA court in Mumbai on April 30.

“Sorry, I will not like to be part of staying the death warant. Let CJI decide,” Justice Dave said and quoted a couplet from Manu Smriti relevant to the issue.

Justice Kurian said he is expressing his inability to agree with Justice Dave as there is a “procedural violation” in deciding the curative petition filed by Memon.

Justice Kurian said once it is found that the procedure established under law is not followed while dealing with the curative petition, that too when the life of a person is concerned, and there is error apparent on the face that the mandatory process has not been followed, then such defects need to be cured.

While holding that Memon’s curative petition is required to be heard afresh, Justice Kurian referred to the order dismissing his curative petition, saying, “The curative petition itself was not decided in accordance with the rules laid down by this court. That defect needs to be cured otherwise there will be a clear violation of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.”

Justice Kurian said the technicalities involved in dealing with the matter should not stand in the way of justice being done to a person as this court under the Constitution is for the protection of life of a person.

He said, “The technicalities should not stand in the way as the law is for common man and also law is not helpless and this court should not be rendered powerless.”

He noted that Article 21 deals with the right to life of a person and same shall be deprived only in accordance with the procedure adopted by law.

“It has been noticed that the procedure by law was not followed in this case while depriving the right to life of a person,” he said.

(Agencies)

Muslim organisations in Karnataka appeal for cancelling death punishment to Yakub Memon

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(L-R) Umar Shariff (DIET), Mr. Mahir (MPJR), Syed Mohammed Iqbal (KMMM), Syed Shafiullah (JDS), Mr. Khalid (MPJR)

(L-R) Umar Shariff (DIET), Mr. Mahir (MPJR), Syed Mohammed Iqbal (KMMM), Syed Shafiullah (JDS), Mr. Khalid (MPJR)

Bengaluru: A collective of Karnataka-based Muslim organisations including, Mission Possible for Justice & Rights (MPJR), Karnataka Muslim Muttahida Mahaz (KMMM), Discover Islam Education Trust (DIET), All India Dawah Centres Association (AIDCA) and Karnataka Muslim Muttahida Tehreek (KMMT) today urged the Centre not to hang 1993 Mumbai blast death row convict Yakub Memon.

Addressing the press here, Mr. Umar Shariff, president of DIET said that, “Yakub Memon has already spent around 22 years behind the bars for the role which has not even been clearly or convincingly established. He or his family should not be punished for the alleged crimes of his brother”.

Referring to the view of the late head of the counter-terrorism division of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) B Raman, who had favoured clemency for Yakub Memon on the ground that he had cooperated with investigating agencies and does not deserve to be hanged, Syed Shafiullah of Janatal Dal (Secular) urged the government to commute the death penalty to life sentence, for if carried out, it would not serve the interests of justice.

He also presented former Supreme Court judge Justice (Retd.) Markandey Katju, who last week said that the evidence on which Memon has been found guilty is “very weak”, and there has been “gross travesty of justice” in the case.

Syed Mohammed Iqbal, general secretary of the Karnataka Muslim Muttahida Mahaz, questioned what he termed as ‘double standard’ practiced in the decision to hang Menon.

“Justice B N Srikrishna’s report, submitted in 1998, had named Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray as the man who directed the violence in the January 1993 phase of the riots, which claimed the lives of over 900 innocent people, yet he was given a state funeral. He pointed out that those scheduled to hang for two other crimes, the assassinations of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, have not yet been hanged. All we are asking is to give Memon the same clemency that these people have been granted.”

The organisation stated that there many in the country, including the Communist Party of India (Marxist), CPI, MDMK and others, who feel feel that Yaqub Memon should not be hanged.

A P J Abdul Kalam’s mortal remains reach Delhi

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A P J Abdul Kalam

New Delhi: The body of former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who died after suffering a cardiac arrest during a lecture at the IIM-Shillong on Monday, was flown to Delhi early Tuesday morning by a special aircraft.

President Pranab Mukherjee received the body of Kalam. Delhi Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung was present at Palam Airport.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar too were present at Palam airport.

The Army, Navy and Air Force paid their last respects to the mortal remains of the former president.

Kalam’s body will be kept at his residence in Rajaji Marg, New Delhi, for public to pay their last respects from 4 pm.

Leaders pay tribute

Several leaders including Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and senior IAF officials joined in paying tribute to India’s ‘Missile Man’ whose departure has plunged the nation into overwhelming grief.

“It is an irreparable loss to the nation. He loved children, he loved the nation. I have met him many times. I took him to rural areas of Assam. He was a very simple and honest man. Along with India, entire state is mourning his death,” Mr. Gogoi said.

Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Anjan Dutta and other senior party leaders were also present and paid their respects.

State mourning

Wrapped in the tricolour, the casket carrying his body was taken inside the aircraft as a mournful hymn played in the background.

The Union Cabinet is expected to hold a special meeting in New Delhi to condole his death.

The government has announced a seven-day State mourning in honour of Kalam. “As a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, seven days of state mourning will be observed throughout India from July 27, 2015 to August 2, 2015, both days inclusive,” an official statement said.

President, PM condole

Condoling Kalam’s death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “India mourns the loss of a great scientist, a wonderful President & above all an inspiring individual.”

President Pranab Mukherjee said in a message, “In his passing away, we have lost a great son of India who dedicated his entire life for the welfare of the motherland and its people. Mr. Kalam was a people’s President during his lifetime and will remain so even after his death.”

Parliament pays tribute to Kalam

Paying glowing tributes to former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the Union Cabinet today passed a resolution saying the country has lost “a visionary scientist, a true nationalist and a great son.”

The meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed its profound sorrow at the sad demise of former President of India yesterday in Shillong.

In the resolution, it said, “in his passing away the country has lost a visionary scientist, a true nationalist and a great son”.

Both Houses of Parliament adjourned for the day after paying glowing tributes to Kalam.

(Agencies)

Southern Movies Round Up

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Katappa

As compared to films produced in Bollywoodian & Hollywoodian Cinema arena, South Indian Cinema is rapidly & regularly progressing by churning out its own brand of gems of milestone movies in all the 4 languages namely Kannada, Malyalam, Telugu & Tamil. In an exclusive Nasheman.In, Shaheen Raaj will present a sneak preview of the productional happenings of Southern Cinema every fortnight. Time to stay tuned in.

Sathyaraj Turns Villain In ‘Sandakozhi 2’

Director N. Linguswamy revealed recently that he will start filming for ‘Sandakozhi 2’ from 9th Sept, 2015 and just recently Sathyaraj has been signed on for a major role and he will be the main villain having a very powerful role. ‘Sandakozhi 2’ stars Vishal, Meera Jasmine, Keerthi Suresh, Rajkiran, Soori & Lal with music by D. Imman & produced by Vishal Film Factory.

G. V. Prakash Once Again Has A Catchy Title For His Next Film

G. V. Prakash’s next film as a lead hero will be directed by Prashanth Pandiyaraj, a former assistant to National award winning director Pandiraj. This film is going to be produced by Selvakumar of Kenanya films. Shankar is in charge of cinematography while GVP himself will score the music. The team considered various titles for the film and now they have zeroed in on a catchy name. The film has been titled as ‘Bruce Lee’ reminding us of yesteryear’s Hong Kong Superstar. The film is expected to go on floors in Sept, 2015.

Vijay Fans force The Producer To Have More Cinema Halls

The Telugu version of Vijay’s ‘Jilla’ which released last Friday has become a super hit in Andhra and in the wake of that the Telugu fans of Vijay seem to be loving it and the extraordinary demand has forced the producer of the film to increase the theatre count by 50 from this weekend. The charisma of Illayathalapathy Vijay and the presence of well known stars like Mohan Lal, Kajal Agarwal, Brahmanandham, Poornima Bhagyaraj & Sampathraj coupled with the high quotient masala elements that director R. T. Neason has mixed in the script seems to have gone down well with the Telugu audiences.

Andrea Gets Anjali’s Support

Intense filmmaker Ram of ‘Katradhu Tamizh’ & ‘Thangameengal’ fame has finished his urban love story ‘Taramani’ that has Andrea in the leading role with newcomer Vasanth Ravi playing her love interest. Azhangam Perumal & child actor Adrian Knight Jesly are also in the cast. ‘Taramani’ has music by Yuvan Shankar Raja and is produced by J. Sathish Kumar under the banner JSK Film Corporation. Anjali is making a special appearance in the film and it is said that her role will be an important one serving as a turning point to the story. The film is expected to release in a couple of months.

Manisha Koirala & Shaam Shoot For A Romantic Song

Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala will be joining the cast of the Tamil film ‘Oru Melliya Kodu’. The unit will be shooting 2 songs 1 with Shaam & Raksha Bhatt and the other song featuring Shaam & Manisha Koirala in Bangkok. Both the songs are romantic numbers, composed by Ilaiyaraaja.

The film revolves around a murder mystery in which Manisha plays politician’s wife and Arjun & Shaam are the protagonists.

Mahesh Babu’s Latest Avtar Decoded

Mahesh Babu has recently upped his eye candy quotient to a new level to get into the role of a filthy rich NRI in his forthcoming film ‘Srimanthdu’. Apparently, Mahesh had to follow an exhausting weight training sessions & cardio schedule that helps him perform his action & dance sequences. And that’s not all; the superstar has also experimented with his looks for this movie. Apparently, Mahesh will be seen in at least 7 new looks as he tried everything, from scarf’s to dhotis, a corporate look, a college look, et al. He will also be seen in a never seen before dhoti and a shirt avatar.

Anjali To Act In Another Cameo Role

Actress Anjali has played a cameo in filmmaker Ramsubramaniam’s ‘Taramani’, which features débutante Vasanth Ravi and singer – turned -actress Andrea Jeremiah in the lead.

“It was at the personal request of direct Ram that I accepted this offer. It’s a role quite contrary to anything I’ve done lately,” Anjali told. Anjali had previously worked with Ram in his critically acclaimed directorial debut ‘Kattradhu Thamizh’. Said to be a moody urban romantic saga, ‘Taramani’ is jointly produced by Ram & JSK Sathish. The film, which has music by Yuvan Shankar Raja, is currently in its post production phase.

Nikhila Waits For Sreebala’s Next

Nikhila Vimal is on a high after her debut vehicle as an actress namely ‘Love 24×7’ which is getting rave reviews. Her performance in the movie as Kabani was much appreciated and many reviewed that she was a face to watch out for. Nikhila however says that she did nothing for the role and all she did was to follow director Sreebala’s instructions. Nikhila revealed that she had known Sreebala ever since she had acted in ‘Bhagyadevatha’ when she was in class 8. Sreebala had been associate to Sathyan Anthikad then.

Samvrutha Writes To Malayalees

After a long sabbaitical Samvrutha Sunil’s voice was heard loud & clear as she addressed Malaylees. Specifically, her post was addressed to people who “might be interested in her marital status”. This is after some rumours sprang up stating that she was on the verge of a divorce. She wrote, “To everyone who might be concerned about my marital status…….I am happily married and leading a peaceful life by God’s grace. I have a 5 month old baby who is keeping me very busy and I barely have the time to even post this message”.

Katappa To Don A Villainous Avatar

Versatile actor Satyaraj, who played many different roles in his illustrious career, is going to be seen in a negative role once again. As Katappa has been roped in as the baddie in the sequel of ‘Pandem Kodi’ (Sandakozhi).
Lingusamy, who directed the 1st part, will also direct this film. Though it was speculated that Shamili will play the lead actress in this film, the unit has rubbished those rumours. Akshara Haasan is being considered as the heroine but she is not finalized yet.

‘Sri Sai’ Audio Released

Noted director Om Saiprakash at the edge of his 100th film direction released audio CD of ‘Sri Sai’ at a function attended by prominent pontiffs. Adhichunchanagiri Sri Nirmalananda Swamiji, Murugarajendra Brihanmath Mokshapathi Swamiji, Mukthinaga Kshetra Daivagna Subramanya Shastry, Sri Angala Parameshwari Temple Elumalai Swamiji & Maharshi Dr Ananda Guruji presided over the audio release function and blessed the makers of ‘Sri Sai’, a Kannada film. Producer TS Senthil brother MLC Sharavana plays devotee of Shirdi Saibaba in this film.

Bengaluru beat Puneri Paltan, Bengal lose three on the trot in PKL

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pro-kabaddi-league-dabang-delhi-vs-bengal-warriors-0232

Kolkata: Bengaluru Bulls staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Puneri Paltans 31-26 while hosts Bengal Warriors lost to Dabang Delhi 21-32 in Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) matches at the Netaji Indoor Stadium here on Saturday.

The triumph helped Bengaluru retain third place with three wins from four games, whereas Paltan remain last in the leaderboard with four consecutive losses.

Bengal slumped to their third consecutive loss and have only one win from five games while Delhi jumped ahead of their opponents to the fourth place with two triumphs from three outings.

In the first contest, Paltan were quick off the blocks, racing to a 4-0 lead courtesy successful raids from skipper Wazir Singh and Tushar Patil and the defence too played its part in holding onto raiders.

But Bengaluru charged back into the match through their captain Manjeet Chillar who with his all-round performance made sure his side was breathing down the neck of its rival.

Bengaluru raider Ashish Chhokar was at the top of his game too as he stormed into the opponents half and clinched six points till the breather.

Wazir collected a few more points ensuring Paltan did not crumble under pressure and at half-time, they led 13-12.

It was again a tight contest after the break but Bengaluru, with more consistency, moved ahead and had a 27-19 lead at the 32nd-minute mark.

Raider Rajesh Mondal and Joginder Narwal combined with Dharmaraj Cheralatan to make sure they logged precious points for Bengaluru, even substitute Rakesh Narwal had three touch points to his credit.

Seeing the game going out of their grasp, Wazir again tried to take the game by the scruff of the neck as he along with Amit Rathi pulled back a few points and inched closer to Bengaluru.

Bengaluru, however, did not choke and held onto their lead till the end, winning the match 31-26.

In the last game of the night, Delhi surged ahead at halftime leading 15-10 against Bengal.

Delhi’s star raider Rohit Kumar Choudury made all the difference in the first 20 minutes of the game as he bagged six points including a bonus.

Bengal too had their moments as captain Dinesh Kumar and South Korean recruit Jang Kun Lee ventured into the opponent half successfully.

Locked at 5-5 in the 14th minute, Choudury was inspirational as he landed his palm on the middle line even after he was grabbed by three defenders. Warriors defender Nilesh Shinde suffered a blow to the head and had to be stretchered off the playing surface.

On the other side, Delhi captain Ravinder Pahal was brilliant in his defensive duties.

Bengal suffered another heavy jolt as Dinesh limped off the mat after halftime.

Empty, unsuccessful raids eventually made the hosts pay as Delhi clinched the game quite easily.

(IANS)

Saudi Arabian airstrike kills 120 civilians as US-backed war in Yemen rages

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Humanitarian crisis continues with no end in sight as forces armed and supported by the United States continue to terrorize the people of Yemen

Houthi followers demonstrate against Saudi-led air strikes in Yemen's capital Sanaa July 24, 2015. A Saudi-led coalition of Arab states has been bombing the Iranian-allied Houthi rebel movement and army forces loyal to former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh since late March in a bid to restore exiled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to power. (Photo: Reuters/Khaled Abdullah)

Houthi followers demonstrate against Saudi-led air strikes in Yemen’s capital Sanaa July 24, 2015. A Saudi-led coalition of Arab states has been bombing the Iranian-allied Houthi rebel movement and army forces loyal to former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh since late March in a bid to restore exiled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to power. (Photo: Reuters/Khaled Abdullah)

by Jon Queally, Common Dreams

Intense fighting between Houthi factions and Yemeni forces allied with a Saudi-backed military campaign continued on Sunday, just a day after the killing of approximately 120 civilians by a Saudi airstrike spurred an impromptu call for a five-day ceasefire in the war-torn and poverty-stricken country.

According to the Associated Press:

The airstrikes late Friday hit workers’ housing for a power plant in Mokha, flattening some of the buildings to the ground […] A fire erupted in the area, charring many of the corpses, including children, women and elderly people.

Wahib Mohammed, an eyewitness and area resident, said some of the bodies were torn apart by the force of the blast and buried in a mass grave on Saturday. Some of the strikes also hit nearby livestock pens, he said. Human and animal blood pooled on the ground of the surrounding area.

The deadly strike highlights growing concerns that the Saudi-led coalition’s airstrikes are increasingly killing civilians as they continue to target Shiite rebels known as Houthis.

Responding to the carnage, Hassan Boucenine of the Geneva-based Doctors Without Borders told AP, “It just shows what is the trend now of the air strikes from the coalition. Now, it’s a house, it’s a market, it’s anything.”

In the wake of the deadly airstrike on Saturday, the Saudi-led coalition, which includes the United States and allied Gulf states, called for a five-day ceasefire that would begin at midnight local time on Sunday.

However, even as mixed reporting by Reuters indicated that Houthi military leaders may have rejected the call, a fierce battle raged near the port city Aden over a strategically valuable air base:

The al-Anad base, 50 km (30 miles) from the major southern port city, has been held by the Iranian-allied Houthi movement for much of a fourth-month-old civil war, and is regarded as a strategic asset commanding the approaches to Aden.

The Arab coalition on Saturday announced a ceasefire to take effect at 11.59 p.m. (2059 GMT) on Sunday evening for five days to allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Reuters indicated that a Houthi leader may have taken to Twitter to reject the call for the midnight ceasefire, but other journalists expressed doubt that the message was valid:

Since the Saudi-led bombing began in March of this year, the United Nations last week estimated that in addition to the many more thousands injured and maimed, at least 1,693 civilians have been killed in Yemen, of which 365 were children. Already one of the poorest nations on the planet before the fighting and subsequent bombing campaign began, both the UN and independent aid agencies have warned that so long as the war continues and humanitarian blockade enforced, Yemen’s further spiral towards total political chaos and a full-fledged famine will continue.

Bengaluru City police and Amnesty International India partner to enable safe reporting of sexual violence

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Amnesty International India will also inform people about the process of filing an FIR through virtual reality kiosks in select neighbourhoods, Interactive voice responses, WhatsApp, e-learning videos and Haptik (a mobile-based chat platform that offers support services).

by Karuna Mishra

Nasheman.in reporter Karuna Mishra understanding the process to file FIR by the ready to report campaign.

Nasheman.in reporter Karuna Mishra understanding the process to file FIR by the ready to report campaign.

Bengaluru: The Bengaluru City Police and Amnesty International India today launched the ‘Bengaluru, get Ready to Report’ initiative to empower women in the city to report sexual violence with safety and dignity.

The initiative is part of Amnesty International India’s ‘Ready to Report’ campaign. It will involve local neighborhood communities working with the Bengaluru police to enable safe and dignified reporting, in line with international standards.

Launching the initiative at the Ashok Nagar police station, M. N. Reddi, the Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City, said “We want to encourage women to report instances of sexual abuse or harassment to the police without any loss of time. Unless women are ready to report, it is difficult for the police to act.”

“We are collaborating with Amnesty International India in 10 police stations where our staff and officers will take a pledge to enable women in the area to freely report cases of sexual abuse and harassment.”

Speaking to Nasheman.in, he said, “he is concerned with the sexual harassment faced by the women in the city and the police is trying its best to reduce it by educating such concept.”

The Commissioner inaugurated a ‘virtual kiosk’ set up by Amnesty International India that offers a simulated experience of being inside a police station and explains the step-by-step process of filing an FIR in Kannada and English. He joined local residents in painting the wall of the Ashok Nagar police station on the theme of ‘women’s safety’.

sexual violence

“National statistics show that for every one woman who reports sexual violence to the police, there are 99 that do not. Women often do not feel confident about walking in to a police station to report any form of sexual violence. Sometimes, they are not aware of the formal procedure to file an official complaint,” said Gopika Bashi, Amnesty International India’s Women’s Rights Campaigner.

“Through our ‘Ready to Report’ campaign, we hope to inform and make it easier for women to approach the police.”

Amnesty International India will also inform people about the process of filing an FIR through virtual reality kiosks in select neighbourhoods, Interactive voice responses, WhatsApp, e-learning videos and Haptik (a mobile-based chat platform that offers support services).

The police stations from the six divisions of Bengaluru that will be part of the initiative are: North – Yeshwantpur, West – Chickpet, Central – Cubbon Park, Sadashiv Nagar, Ashok Nagar, East – Indira Nagar, South – Electronic City, Basavangudi, South East – Whitefield, Koramangala. The stations will host events to build relationships with neighborhood communities.

The artist Ullas Hydoor, Zoom car, Logical Indian, Flippar and Haptik are the other partners in the initiative.

Wedding celebrations in Afghanistan turn bloody

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At least 20 people killed by gunmen who opened fire at wedding guests in northern Baghlan province.

Afghanistan

by Al Jazeera

At least 20 people have been killed by gunmen who opened fire at a wedding in Afghanistan’s north, officials said.

The attack, apparently linked to a feud between two families, happened in the Andarab district of Baghlan province on Sunday night. One family was hosting a wedding as members of a rival family arrived and started shooting at male guests, sources told Al Jazeera.

The bride and groom survived the attack.

Most of the dead were wedding guests aged from 14 years old to 60 years old, Jaweed Basharat, the governor of Baghlan province, told the AP news agency. He said 10 people were also injured.

The remote district, with little government presence, has witnessed frequent family disputes over land and other issues, Al Jazeera’s Qais Azimy said. Deaths in such disputes are reported almost every month but the number of casualties at the wedding was unusually high.

Police has sent reinforcement to the area, but gunfire was still reported there on Monday morning.

Fatal gun fights and celebratory gun fire are common at Afghan weddings, which have boomed in recent years in a country battered by nearly 40 years of war.

Afghan soldiers fired mortars at a wedding party in late December in the southern province of Helmand, killing 17 women and children.

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