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Pankaj Tripathi Launches Gurgaon Poster

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pankaj_tripathi__gurgaon

Pankaj Tripathi recently launched his poster of Gurgaon, a noir thriller slated for a pan India release on 4th Aug, 2017 where he plays the role of Kehri Singh. The film is produced by JAR Pictures, the makers of award winning & internationally acclaimed films, Liar’s Dice, Killa & Nil Battey Sannata.

Pankaj Tripathi has appeared in some of Bollywood’s movies like Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 1 & 2, Agneepath, Manjhi: The Mountain Man, Singham Returns, Dilwale, Masaan and will also be seen in Newton very soon.

In Gurgaon, he plays the role of Kehri Singh, a real estate baron, who runs his business Preet Real Estate in his daughter’s name. She is his lucky charm & the apple of his eye. His oldest son Nikki Singh, is often side – lined by him as a brash, insolent & good for nothing, who only brings bad luck.

Gurgaon, is a cautionary tale that reminds us of the famous saying, what goes around, comes around. At his poster launch of Gurgaon, Pankaj Tripathi averred, “Gurgaon is a very special film for me. I always try to bring some kind of positivity in every negative character I play & I’ve kept the same approach to my character Kehri Singh in Gurgaon. It was a beautiful experience to work with such great people like Ajay Rai & Shanker Raman. So, see you guys on 4th Aug,2017 just at the theatres near you. Gurgaon with a tagline – Yahaan Kisi Ki Guarantee Naa Hai.

Ajay G. Rai, the producer of Gurgaon & co – founder of JAR Pictures along with Alan McAlex avers, “Gurgaon is a noir thriller and a very special film for JAR Pictures. This is our 4th film to release after Liar’s Dice, Killa & Nil Battey Sannata & the 1st ever film that we are releasing ourselves. We are really looking forward to the audiences’ response.”

The film is produced by Ajay G. Rai & Alan McAlex of JAR Pictures along with Madhukar R. Musle of M. R. Filmworks, Nisha N. Sujan of Hashtag Film Studios & Abbas Ali Rattansi.

2 dynamic film production professionals with a wide body of experience ranging from independent cinema, to non – mainstream art house films to commercially successful Bollywood hits between them, Ajay G. Rai & Alan McAlex, came together to form JAR Pictures. The company produced Liar’s Dice which was the official entry for Sundance Film Festival 2014, it also played in varied other film festivals, winning numerous awards and followed by India’s official submission for the 2015 Academy Awards. They also produced Killa that was selected at Berlinale Film Festival 2014, winning the Crystal Bear as well as the Special Mention. Their latest feature The New Classmate was lauded at the BFI London Film Festival 2015 and had a very successful theatrical run too.

Mohanlal & Pranav Mohanlal Start Their Projects Together

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Mohanlal Pranav Mohanlal

Mohanlal & Pranav Mohanlal Start Their Projects Together

It was a special day for Mohanlal and his son Pranav Mohanlal. The customary pooja function of Mohanlal’s upcoming movie Odiyan & Pranav Mohanlal’s hero debut Aadhi, directed by Jeethu Joseph were held together at Trivandrum recently. Both the movies are being produced by the same production company, Aashirwad Cinemas, the grand pooja function brought together the teams of Odiyan & Aadhi. Odiyan is being directed by V A Shreekumar Menon, who had also announced the 1000 crore magnum opus based on M T Vasudevan Nair’s Randamoozham. While the recently released 1st look motion poster of Odiyan is already a huge hit on social media, the title & motion poster of Pranav Mohanlal’s hero debut Aadhi was released at the pooja function. Reportedly, both Mohanlal & Pranav Mohanlal have started shooting recently for Odiyan & Aadhi respectively.

Prithviraj’s Unbelievable Transformation For Vimanam

Prithviraj who wrapped up the shoot of Adam Joan recently, has resumed the shoot of his upcoming movie Vimanam helmed by debutante Pradeep M Nair. Months ago, Prithviraj had shot for some portions of the movie and the 2nd leg of shoot has commenced recently. A picture from the shooting location leaked online and his transformation for the character is unbelievable!!! In the movie, Prithviraj will be essaying the role of a deaf & a mute person, who builds an aircraft on his own. As the movie will revolve around the different stages of the protagonist, the actor will be sporting distinct looks. To get into the skin of the character, Prithviraj went on to the extent of shedding a few kilos. The actor will also be undertaking flying classes for the movie. Newbie Durga Krishna is playing the female lead. Produced by Listin Stephen, Vimanam will also feature Anarkali Marikar, Saiju Kurup, Nedumudi Venu, Alencier Ley & Sudheer Karamana in pivotal roles.

Gayathri Arun Makes Her Mollywood Debut

Gayathri Arun, popularly known after her serial character named Deepthi IAS, is a household name amongst the Kerala audiences. The mini – screen super police is now all set to make her celluloid silver screen debut with the Anoop Menon starrer upcoming entertainer Sarvopari Palakkaran. In the movie too, the gorgeous actress will be doing a cop’s role named Chandra Sivakumar, Thrissur City Police Commissioner. Along with Gayathri, Anoop Menon will also be playing a cop’s role in the movie. Interestingly, Anoop Menon is someone who came from the mini – screen and made it big in movies. Directed by Venugopan Sarvopari Palakkaran stars Anoop Menon in the lead along with Aparna Balamurali & Anu Sithara. Sarvopari Palakkaran is expected to hit the screens on 21st Jul, 2017.

Dileep’s Movi Ramaleela Has Been. Postponed

One of the reigning celebrities of Malayalam film industry, Dileep has been going through a phase of hurdles in his personal life & career for quite some time now. Much to the disappointment of Dileep’s fans, the release date of the actor’s upcoming movie Ramaleela has been postoned. The movie which was earlier slated to hit the big screens on 7th Jul, 2017, has now been postponed due to the delay in post -production work. The movie’s director Arun Gopy, revealed the reason for postponing the movie through his Facebook handle. Later, he also announced the new release date as 21st Jul, 2017. In the movie, Dileep plays enacts the role of a non – practising lawyer, a common man who one day becomes an MLA named, Ramanunni. Set in the backdrop of political affairs, Ramaleela has Prayaga Martin in the female lead along with Raadhika Sarathkumar playing the role of Dileep’s mother. Apart from Dileep, Prayaga Martin & Raadhika Sarathkumar, the movie also has a large cast that includes Mukesh, Salim Kumar, Siddique, Vijayaraghavan, Suresh Krishna, Renji Panicker & Kalabhavan Shajon in pivotal roles. Scripted by Sachi, the movie’s editing is handled by Vivek Harshan & camera by Shaji Kumar. Produced by Pulimurugan fame Tommichan Mulakupadam, Ramaleela has music by Gopi Sunder.

Fahadh Faasil’s Next Movie Gets A Title

Anwar Rasheed will once again wear the director’s hat with an upcoming Fahadh Faasil starrer movie. There were a lot of speculations regarding the project’s title, and now, the makers have zeroed in on a title for the movie. Fahadh Faasil & Anwar Rasheed’s movie has been titled as Trance and the 1st look poster of the film was released recently. The poster went on to be a huge hit on the social media platforms. Produced under the banner of Anwar Rasheed Entertainments the movie will have its cinematography department handled by Amal Neerad. Oscar Award winner Resul Pookkuutty is also a part of this mega project. Scripted by Vincent Vadakkan, the major portions of the film will be shot in Kanyakumari. Trance is being planned as an Apr, 2018 release.

Trisha Krishna Once Again Plays A Lessie Like Character

Trisha Krishnan will be making her Mollywood debut with the Nivin Pauly starrer Hey Jude directed by Shyamaprasad. As the curiosity surrounding the film is already sky high, the latest is that Trisha Krishnan will be enacting the role of a Christian girl in Hey Jude. It is needless to say, how perfectly she had enacted the role of Jessie, a gorgeous Christian girl in VTV. But in the upcoming romantic movie, Trisha Krishnan will be enactin a similar Christian girl avatar which is equally challenging. It may be noted that earlier Trisha Krishnan had stated that the film has a very strong script and has a lot of scope for performance.

Dileep States That He Is Confident

The actress kidnapping case has seen dramatic turnarounds during the past few days, especially after Dileep & his friend Nadhirshah revealed that the key accused Pulsar Suni had blackmailed the hero. Dileep said while going inside the Police Club at Aluva for questioning at 12.30 pm on 28th Jun, 2017 that he was there to give a statement regarding his complaint. However, the media had to wait till 1 pm in the night when Dileep, Nadhirshah & Dileep’s manager Appunni came out. Dileep was seen totally relaxed and he said that he is confident. He also confirmed that he will attend the scheduled AMMA general body meeting.

Fahadh Faasil To Star In Anwar Rasheed’s Trance

Anwar Rasheed, who has directed Rajamanikyam, Chotta Mumbai, Annan Thambi, Ustad Hotel & 2 short films in the anthologies Kerala Café & 5 Sundarikal, has announced his new film. Titled Trance, the film has Fahadh Faasil in the lead. Trance is being produced under the banner of Anwar Rasheed Entertainment. Anwar Rasheed has earlier produced Bangalore Days, Premam & Comrade in America. Amal Neerad is the cinematographer & Oscar winner Resul Pookkutty is in charge of the sound design.

Prabhakar To Star In Mammootty’s Parole

In director Sharrath Sandith’s Parole, Mammootty is said to be playing a prisoner. Meanwhile, there are some reports that suggest that Mammootty is in fact playing an investigative officer as well. Though that has not been confirmed, Parole is a realistic thriller based on some actual incidents. Telugu actress Pallavi & Miya George are the heroines. Also in the cast is actor Prabhakar, who played the role of Kaalakeya in Baahubali. Sharrath Sandit has earlier directed Mammootty’s ad films for a bank. The shooting of the film has started in Bengaluru. The success of The Great Father early this year has been significant for Mammootty and the actor is busy with quite a number of new projects at varied stages of completion.

Mohanlal Also Stars in Tiyaan

Mohanlal is also part of the Prithviraj – Indrajit starrer Tiyaan, releasing this week. But his presence in the film will be as a narrator. Tiyaan, directed by Jiyen Krishnakumar, has been an eagerly awaited movie ever since the well – made trailer of the movie came out. Jiyen Krishnakumar has earlier directed Kaanchi. The presence of Mohanlal was announced by scenarist Murali Gopy & Prithviraj. Interestingly, Prithviraj’s debut as a director, Lucifer, is being written by Murali Gopy and has Mohanlal in the title role. Tiyaan, produced by Haneef Mohammed, has hit the screens on 29th Jun, 2017.

Mamta Mohandas Teams Up With Dhyan Sreenivasan

Mamta Mohandas who was last seen in Mammootty’s Thoppil Joppan, is all set for her next titled Goodalochana. Directed by Jamna Pyari fame Thomas Sebastian, Goodalochana marks the debut of Dhyan Sreenivasan as a scenarist. Mamta Mohandas will be seen essaying a cameo role in this Dhyan Sreenivasan starrer, which also has Aju Varghese, Sreenath Bhasi, Hareesh Perumanna, Oru Mexican Aparatha fame Vishnu Govindan et al, in equally important roles. Niranjana Anoop will appear in the female lead. The movie which promises to be a fun – filled youth – centric movie is currently shaping up at a brisk pace in Kozhikode. Meanwhile, Mamta Mohandas will be seen essaying an important role in Manju Warrier’s upcoming film Udhaharanam Sujatha, which is in post – production stage. The gorgeous actress will also be seen in debutant Nirmal Sahadev’s Detroit Crossing sharin screen space with Prithviraj & Venu’s new directorial Carbon opposite Fahadh Faasil.

Anjali Menon’s Next Movie Is With Nazriya & Prithviraj!!!

Many online news forums have been reporting that filmmaker Anjali Menon has roped in Nazriya & Prithviraj to play the lead roles in her next directorial. Responding to the reports in a recent interview, Anjali clarified that the cast & the crew of her next are yet to be finalized. Anjali said that she is currently finalizing the cast & the crew and will soon officially announce on her next. If the rumoured project with Nazriya & Prithviraj materializes, it would be the best comeback for Nazriya, who has been away from movies post her marriage with Fahadh Faasil in 2014. It is worth mentioning that in a recent interview, Fahadh had revealed that Nazriya is awaiting a good script to mark her re – launch.

Clashes in Kashmir on Burhan Wani’s death anniversary

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Thousands of security forces were deployed to Kashmir ahead of the anniversary [EPA]

Thousands of security forces were deployed to Kashmir ahead of the anniversary [EPA]

Srinagar: Authorities clamped curfew in three towns including Tral in Kashmir and imposed restrictions on the movement of people in the rest of the valley to foil the separatists’ plan to hold a rally on Saturday to mark the first anniversary of the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani

Police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in strength across Kashmir to handle any security challenges. Curfew was imposed in Tral, the native town of Wani, in Pulwama district as a precautionary measure to maintain peace in the valley, a senior police official said

The joint separatist camp, including Hurriyat Conference factions led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik-led JKLF, has asked the people to march to Tral to pay tributes to Wani, who was killed in an encounter with security forces on this day last year.

The official said curfew had also been imposed in Shopian town of South Kashmir and Trehgam in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district. “Elsewhere in the valley, restrictions on the movement of people are being strictly enforced,” he added. All the examinations scheduled for Saturday have been postponed by universities

Normal life came to a standstill in the valley due to a strike call given by the separatists and the curfew-like restrictions imposed by the authorities. Shops and business establishments remained closed while vehicles remained off the roads, the official said, adding that the situation was peaceful so far.

(Agencies)

US and Russia agree new Syria ceasefire deal

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First meeting between Trump and Putin wrapped up with the announcement of a truce deal covering southwestern Syria.

The deal was reached during Trump and Putin's meeting in Hamburg [Reuters]

The deal was reached during Trump and Putin’s meeting in Hamburg [Reuters]

by Al Jazeera

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump have agreed on a ceasefire deal covering southwestern Syria, during talks at the G20 summit, officials from both countries said.

The deal was reached during the two leaders’ meeting in Hamburg on Friday on the sidelines of the G20 summit of industrialised and developing nations.

“Russian, American and Jordanian experts … agreed on a memorandum of understanding to create a de-escalation zone” in the regions of Daraa, Quneitra and Suweida, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday.

“There will be a ceasefire in this zone from midday Damascus time [9:00 GMT] on July 9,” he added.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson confirmed the agreement, saying that it showed that the US and Russia were able to work together in Syria and that they would continue to do so.

“We had a very lengthy discussion regarding other areas in Syria that we can continue to work together on to de-escalate the areas and the violence, once we defeat ISIS,” he said, using an acronym for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group.

‘Resident feel unsafe’

Previous ceasefires in Syria have collapsed or failed to reduce violence for long, and it was unclear whether this deal would fare any better.

Al Jazeera’s Natasha Ghoneim, reporting from Gaziantep, Turkey, said that despite such announcements of ceasefires, fighting continues and residents feel unsafe.

“This week there were peace talks in Astana and ahead of those talks, a ceasefire was announced, but in the west of the country, rebels are in a fierce battle with the Syrian forces who are trying to regain control and along the southern border there is sporadic fighting going on, the Syrian opposition is in control for the most part along the border with Jordan, but clearly fighting continues despite these ceasefires,” she said.

“We have spoken to residents in the southwest portion of Syria and they say that despite a ceasefire, they don’t feel safe and humanitarian aid doesn’t reach them.”

The Syrian conflict has killed nearly half a million people, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, and forced millions of others to flee the country.

Russia is one of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s most important backers and the survival of his regime is critical to maintaining Russian interests there. The US has argued that Assad’s regime must be toppled and backs “moderate” rebels fighting Syria government forces.

Desperate BJP Playing Communal Tactics in Karnataka: Siddaramaiah

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Siddaramaiah

Mangaluru: Desperate BJP playing communal tactics in Karnataka for political gain as it is very likely to be defeated by Congress party in next state assembly elections, said Karnataka Chief Minister, Congress party leader Siddaramaiah speaking in a party convention held at outskirts of Mangaluru city on Friday. Congress workers, leaders, candidates who contested in the elections and other from Kodagu, Dakshina kannada and Udupi districts gathered at Adyar garden near Mangaluru city.

Siddaramaiah asked his party workers not to allow BJP to win next assembly elections in 2018 and Lok Sabha elections scheduled to be held in 2019. Congress party led state government has fulfilled 95% of assurances made prior to the last state assembly elections and would continue with its same trend in the future also, he added.

All India Congress Committee General Secretary KC Venugopal, KPCC President Dr G Parameshwara, Congress Leader UT Khader and others were present in the convention.

(Agencies)

FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 draw throws up intriguing ties

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FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017

The Official Draw for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which will be played in six venues across India between 6 and 28 October 2017, took place on Friday in Mumbai.

The draw revealed that hosts India will take on USA in their opening match of the competition in New Delhi. Group A also includes Colombia and Ghana, who will also clash as part of the first day’s action.

Perhaps the most intriguing quartet of teams can be found in Group D, where FIFA tournament debutants Niger were drawn with Korea DPR, Brazil, and Spain.

The draw ceremony was held in the presence of Sunil Gulati, FIFA Council member, Praful Patel, President of the All India Football Federation and Vijay Goel, Indian Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports. Assisting in the draw ceremony were FIFA Legends Esteban Cambiasso and Nwankwo Kanu, as well as Indian national team legend Sunil Chhetri and Indian badminton star Pusarla Venkata Sindhu.

One of the highlights of the ceremony was the performance of the tournament’s Official Song. Pritam and Babul Supriyo revealed ‘Kar Ke Dikhla De Goal’ for the first time, much to the delight of the assembled audience.

FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 Draw
Group A: India, USA, Colombia, Ghana
Group B: Paraguay, Mali, New Zealand, Turkey
Group C: Iran, Guinea, Germany, Costa Rica
Group D: Korea DPR, Niger, Brazil, Spain
Group E: Honduras, Japan, New Caledonia, France
Group F: Iraq, Mexico, Chile, England

‘Phase II’ Tickets are now on sale. The phase will exclusively be available for Visa cardholders between 7 and 21 July. Fans will be able to buy tickets at all six venues – New Delhi, Navi Mumbai, Guwahati, Goa, Kolkata and Kochi – after knowing the teams that will play at the respective Host City.

Further information on the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 is available on FIFA.com.

Moo! Maharashtra police get beef detection kits, result in 30 minutes

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mob assam cow death

Mumbai: It is just the size of a pregnancy detection kit and can help police detect the most contentious contraband in the country – beef.

Maharashtra Police have confirmed they ordered 45 of these beef detection kits to be carried around in mobile vans to sniff out cow meat.

“The kit will detect the proteins in the meat and give a result in 30 minutes. If the detector shows a change in colour, then the test is positive,” said Maharashtra forensics science laboratary director Krishna Kulkarni.

The samples which test positive will be taken to labs for further analysis, he said adding the kit will help police register an FIR based on a prima facie report.

The Maharashtra lab hit upon the idea has several cases on possession of beef were getting stuck in courts because of backlogs in labs.

The Shiv Sena has criticised the move. “This is not the job of the police,” Shiv Sena leader Neelam Gorhe said.

“All this violence surrounding this issue is very sad and disturbing. Shiv Sena has taken a clear stand this,” she added.

About 100 police personnel will be taught how to operate these kits of which the first batch of 25 have already started training. The anti-beef unit will be selected on the basis of their educational qualifications.”Constables and officers with a degree in the field of science will be selected,” Kulkarni said.

(Agencies)

ED raids premises of Lalu’s daughter, her husband in Delhi

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lalu prasad yadav

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate today conducted raids at three Delhi farmhouses of Misa Bharti, RJD MP and daughter of party chief Lalu Prasad, her husband and a firm linked to them, in a money laundering case probe.

Sleuths of the central probe agency swooped on the farmhouses in Ghitorni, Bijwasan and Sainik Farms areas here early morning.

The farmhouses are linked to Bharti, her husband Shailesh Kumar and M/s Mishail Printers and Packers Private Limited.

Two more premises are under the scanner of the agency and can be searched later, an ED official said.
The searches are connected to a money laundering probe being conducted by the agency against two brothers, Surendra Kumar Jain and Virendra Jain, and others who are alleged to have laundered several crore rupees using shell companies.

The Jain brothers were arrested by the ED under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

One of the firms that the arrested duo dealt with was M/s Mishail Printers and Packers Private Limited. Bharti and her husband are alleged to have been directors of this firm in the past.

The agency said it was detected that 1,20,000 shares of M/s Mishail Printers and Packers Private Limited were bought during 2007-08 at a rate of Rs 100 per share by four shell companies — M/s Shalini Holdings Limited, M/s Ad-Fin Capital Services (India) Pvt. Ltd, M/s Mani Mala Delhi Properties Pvt. Ltd., and M/s Diamond Vinimay Pvt. Ltd.

These 1,20,000 shares, it said, were bought back by Bharti at Rs 10 per share.

The ED had also arrested Rajesh Agarwal, a Chartered Accountant allegedly linked to Bharti, who provided accommodation entries (black funds) of about Rs 60 lakh to M/s Mishail Printers and Packers Private Limited.

The firm, it said, was registered at 25, Tughlaq Road here till the shares were bought back by Bharti. In 2009-10, the address was changed to Bijwasan, it added.

(PTI)

‘Bhakts’ will cause Modi’s fall, predicts Shiv Sena

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uddhav thackeray

Mumbai: Incensed by pro-Narendra Modi slogans at a party-controlled BMC function on Wednesday, the Shiv Sena today said “Modi bhakts (supporters)” would lead to his fall just like those of late PM Indira Gandhi led to hers.

The Sena’s latest outburst was triggered by pro-Modi slogans of the BJP corporators rending the air during a cheque-handing ceremony at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters on Wednesday.

In the function, Maharashtra Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar had handed had over a cheque of the first tranche of the GST (Goods and Services Tax) compensation to the civic body on Wednesday.

“Today, those who are unnecessarily shouting pro-Modi slogans, are actually maligning his image. There was a time when the slogans in the name of Indira Gandhi were chanted too. Her ‘bhakts’ had insulted the nation by shouting slogans like ‘Indira is India’ and that insult triggered a spark of revolution which culminated into her defeat,” the Sena said in an editorial in the party mouthpiece ‘Saamana.’

Sena said one should understand the difference between being proud of Narendra Modi and being frenzied about it.

“The truth is that Indira Gandhi not only won the war against Pakistan in 1971 but also made Pakistan go down on their knees by dividing that country. We want to tell the BJP leadership that Gandhi still lost and that was because of the excessive ‘Indira bhakti’ (worship) displayed by her supporters,” the edit said.

At a time when the world was against Modi, the Sena stood by him whereas those who are now shouting pro-Modi slogans preferred to remain silent that time out of fear, it said.

“Our friend (the BJP) should remain cautious of its own ‘bhakts.’ Those shouting pro-Modi slogans today may become the reason for his own downfall tomorrow,” the edit said.

The function held at the civic body was attended by several leaders of the BJP and the Sena, including its chief Uddhav Thackeray.

When Mungantiwar was presenting the cheque, some BJP corporators and party workers started chanting “Modi-Modi,” prompting the ruling Sena camp to raise counter-slogans. During the ruckus, a BJP corporator was reportedly manhandled by some Sena workers.

“What was the need to chant Modi’s name? The chief minister and the BJP president should ask themselves this question. This (GST compensation) money neither came from the BJP’s treasury nor will it go to the Sena’s treasury. The money will be used for the welfare of Mumbai,” the Sena said.

(Agencies)

Egypt arrests Chinese Muslim students amid police sweep

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Scores of Uighurs forced to flee in Cairo and Alexandria after police sweep on Beijing’s request, rights groups say.

Some 20 Uighur students from Cairo's Al-Azhar University were arrested in Alexandria [File: AP]

Some 20 Uighur students from Cairo’s Al-Azhar University were arrested in Alexandria [File: AP]

by Al Jazeera

Egyptian police have detained scores of Chinese students from the Uighur ethnic minority on Beijing’s request, forcing dozens into hiding or to flee to Turkey, activists have said.

The sweep began on Tuesday when police raided two restaurants frequented by Uighur students in Cairo and detained at least 37 people, Abduweli Ayup, a Uighur activist in Turkey, told Al Jazeera on Friday.

Dozens more have been arrested since, Ayup, said, including 20 from Cairo’s Al-Azhar University who were stopped in the city of Alexandria on their way out of the country late on Wednesday.

They were told they would be deported to China, Ayup said.

“Students, especially those who study religion, are being targeted,” Ayup said. “The police are searching apartment by apartment … In Cairo, people are in hiding. They are terrified. They are afraid to go out.”

The detentions come amid reports that authorities in the Uighur homeland of Xinjiang in western China are seeking the immediate return of Uighurs studying abroad.

China blames unrest in Xinjiang, which has included bombings and vehicle and knife attacks, on exiled Uighur separatist groups.

A traditionally Muslim group, many Uighurs complain of cultural and religious repression and discrimination by China.

Forced return

Lucia Parrucci, a spokeswoman for the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization advocacy group, said rights groups have moved some 60 Uighur students out of Egypt to safety in Turkey on Thursday alone.

Many of those remaining in Cairo “told us that they are afraid to sleep at home out of fear of their own arrest,” she said in an email to Al Jazeera.

Some 80 Uighur students have been arrested since the sweep began, she said.

The Chinese government has forced thousands of Uighur students abroad to return home since January 2017, she said, adding that some 90 percent of the estimated 7,000 – 8,000 Uighurs living in Egypt had returned to China.

“We have learned that many of the students have been arrested directly at the airport upon their return and sent to re-education camps. None of them have been able to see family members and no information was provided to their families about their whereabouts,” she said.

Human Rights Watch urged Egypt on Wednesday not to send Uighur detainees back to China, saying they faced “persecution and torture” there.

Sarah Leah Whitson, HRW’s Middle East director, also urged authorities to disclose the whereabouts of Uighur detainees and grant them access to lawyers.

Unverified videos shared on Twitter showed more than 70 Uighurs sitting on a floor in a government building and others being driven in a truck in handcuffs.

Ayup said rights groups lost touch with the detainees on Friday.

Abdullah, an Asian student of Islam at Al-Azhar university, told the Associated Press news agency that Uighurs were being detained in the Hay el Sabia area of Cairo’s Nasr City district. He gave only his first name for fear of reprisals.

“They’re mostly arresting the young men,” Sumaya, a Uighur woman living in Cairo, told The Middle East Eye on Thursday. “But I know of women who have been taken too, though we hide when we hear the government knocking on our door.”

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman appeared to acknowledge on Thursday that Chinese citizens had been detained in Egypt, saying at a regular briefing that consular officials would visit them.

Geng Shuang, a foreign ministry spokesman, said that “as far as I know, China’s embassy in Egypt has sent consular officials to conduct consular visits”. He gave no further details.

The Egyptian police denied requests for comment.

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