Archives for May 2022

HUBBALLI: Pakistan based suspected terrorist at Dharwad jail has begun a hunger strike and developed health issues at the jail. For treatment, he has been shifted to KIMS hospital in Hubballi.

Mohammad Fahad, a Pakistan national, is a suspected member of the banned Al-Badr terror outfit. He entered India with forged documents with the help of a few people in Kerala. 

When the Mysuru police were checking suspects people following intelligence information that Pakistani terrorists are planning terrorist activities in Mysuru, the police arrested Fahad with weapons in 2006.

He was also allegedly involved in a few blast activities and cases booked in Madawala of Bengaluru police station. Under the unlawful activities and in other cases, he was jailed since 2006. In February 2021 he was shifted to Dharwad jail.

Fahad was kept in a separate cell in Dharwad jail as he used to quarrel with other inmates. Demanding the court speed up the hearing of his cases, he began a hunger strike on May 3. The jail officials tried to convince him a lot to end his hunger strike but he didn’t listen.

Dharwad jail superintendent M A Marigowda said on May 5 evening, his health was upset and his sugar level was down. On the advice of the doctor, we shifted him to KIMS hospital.

Before shifting him to the hospital, we informed him about his strike to higher officials, the deputy commissioner, superintendent of police and other officials. With full security he is now getting treatment in KIMS hospital recovering,” he added.

COLOMBO: The Indian High Commission here on Wednesday categorically dismissed speculative media reports about New Delhi sending its troops to Colombo, saying India is fully supportive of Sri Lanka’s democracy, stability and economic recovery.

The whereabouts of Mahinda Rajapaksa has been speculated since his resignation on Monday.

It was reported that Mahinda had left his office-cum-official residence, Temple Trees.

In its first reaction to the situation in Sri Lanka, India on Tuesday said that it is “fully supportive” of the island nation’s democracy, stability and economic recovery.

“The High Commission would like to categorically deny speculative reports in sections of media and social media about #India sending her troops to Sri Lanka. These reports and such views are also not in keeping with the position of the Government of #India,” the Indian mission said on Twitter.

“The Spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs of India clearly stated yesterday that India is fully supportive of Sri Lanka’s democracy, stability and economic recovery,” it said in another tweet.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in New Delhi on Tuesday: “India will always be guided by the best interests of the people of Sri Lanka expressed through democratic processes”.

Mahinda, 76, resigned as prime minister amid unprecedented economic turmoil in the country, hours after his supporters attacked anti-government protesters, prompting authorities to impose a nationwide curfew and deploy Army troops in the capital.

The attack triggered widespread violence against pro-Rajapaksa politicians.

A group of protesters gathered around the Naval base in the eastern port district of Trincomalee, claiming Mahinda had taken refuge there.

Calls for his arrest are increasing for his alleged instigation of a mob which went on to attack anti-government protesters who are calling for the Rajapaksa family, including President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, to resign.

At least 8 people have died while over 250 people have been injured in the clashes which also saw scores of properties belonging to ruling party politicians being set on fire.

President Gotabaya has urged the people to stop “violence and acts of revenge” against fellow citizens and vowed to address the political and economic crisis facing the nation Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1948.

The crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices.

Thousands of demonstrators have hit the streets across Sri Lanka since April 9.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will have talks on Wednesday with the ruling party dissidents and the main Opposition SJB to end the political impasse after the resignation of prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

After nearly two days of political deadlock, the stakeholders are engaged in prolonged talks to try and appoint a successor to Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Mahinda, 76, resigned as prime minister on Monday amid unprecedented economic turmoil in the country, hours after his supporters attacked anti-government protesters, prompting authorities to impose a nationwide curfew and deploy Army troops in the capital.

The attack triggered widespread violence against pro-Rajapaksa politicians.

“We will have more talks today (Wednesday). Hopefully we will see an end (of the political impasse) today,” Anura Yapa, a senior leader of the independent group that had split from the ruling SLPP coalition, told PTI.

The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), the ruling party dissidents and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa have been holding talks for the last two days without much success, according to sources.

“This is the time for all Sri Lankans to join hands as one, to overcome the economic, social & political challenges. I urge all #Srilankans to reject the subversive attempts to push you towards racial & religious disharmony. Promoting moderation, toleration & coexistence is vital,” the President said on Twitter.

Parliamentary sources said Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeyawardene’s plan to hold a party leaders’ meeting on the reconvening of Parliament before its scheduled date next week has become difficult as parties had raised safety issues in the current volatile situation.

The Speaker would opt for an online meeting.

The main Opposition had handed over a motion of no trust against the government.

But the Speaker said it would be no longer relevant as the government had already stepped down.

The motion to express displeasure on the President has been placed on the order paper but Abeyawardene said it would also be of no use as the President would not be bound by any outcome of it.

Political sources said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa would be having one-to-one meetings with main Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe whose UNP has a solitary seat.

According to the Speaker, the independent group and former president Maithripala Sirisena’s SLFP could both provide external support to Premadasa to be the interim prime minister, and subsequently implement other reforms.

However, indications from the SJB are that Premadasa seeks the President’s resignation for him to agree to be the interim prime minister.

The SJB has only 54 seats in the 225-member assembly and could bank on another 50 plus seats from the dissidents to be in charge of the country’s affairs.

A group of protesters gathered around the Naval base in the eastern port district of Trincomalee, claiming Mahinda had taken refuge there.

Calls for his arrest are increasing for his alleged instigation of a mob which went on to attack anti-government protesters who are calling for the Rajapaksa family, including President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, to resign.

At least 8 people have died while over 250 people have been injured in the clashes which also saw scores of properties belonging to ruling party politicians being set on fire.

President Gotabaya has urged the people to stop “violence and acts of revenge” against fellow citizens and vowed to address the political and economic crisis facing the nation Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1948.

The crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices.

Thousands of demonstrators have hit the streets across Sri Lanka since April 9.

AHMEDABAD: Amid intensified efforts by both BJP and AAP to chip away the tribal vote bank of Congress, the grand old party has found itself mired in confusion after the party’s tribal committee chairman planned a rally on the day Rahul Gandhi attending a tribal event in the state. 

Notably, both events are being held eying the tribal voters. Patel’s rally is being held far from Dahod, in protest against the Par-Tapil-Narmada project. 

With two programmes happening on the same day, a section of party leaders expressed worries about its impact on the voters.

“If the chairman of the tribal committee is working in a different direction, it will send out a wrong message,” a Congress leader said.

“If Rahul is coming, then why there is a need for another programme of the tribal community on the same day,” he wondered.

However, Patel justified the move.

“Our programme was already decided. Earlier, we had to cancel a rally due to another Congress event. Now, if we cancel our programme for the second time, it will have a negative impact,” the tribal leader said.

Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said Patel’s rally is being organised with the consent of entire leadership.

“Our fight is against the BJP government and to get justice to the tribals. Patel is organising the rally with the consent of the entire Congress.”

AHMEDABAD:  It has sustained life for millennia, but now seeks death. Poignantly, the news comes from Mahatma Gandhi’s hometown, Porbandar. A leader from the local Muslim fishing community has approached the Gujarat High Court seeking permission to undergo euthanasia for himself and 600 members of his people. 

Allarakha Ismailbhai Thimmar from the Gosabara wetlands in Porbandar filed the petition on Thursday, lamenting the fishing community’s deteriorating economic situation. The application, filed on behalf of the Gosabara Muslim Fishermen’s Society, alleged “the government does not provide facilities to people belonging to a particular community.” 

Faced with “political persecution,” the petitioners are seeking to end their life, pending several submissions from the local level to the Governor.  The petitioner’s counsel, Dharmesh Gurjar, says the mooring of boats has been banned at Gosabara port since 2016. “Thimmar and his community are being denied their rights despite having licences.” 

Thimmar alleges that authorities have been “harassing” their families on the basis of religion and claims all facilities are regularly given to Hindu fishermen. The petition said the community has always been “loyal to the nation” and never engaged in “anti-national activities” like smuggling. Instead, they have often “given information to security agencies” on such activities “sponsored by Pakistan and others.” 

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said police are investigating the explosion at the Intelligence Wing headquarters of Punjab Police in Mohali and asserted that anyone trying to disturb peace in the state will not be spared.

“The Punjab Police is investigating the explosion in Mohali. Anybody who tries to spoil the atmosphere in Punjab will not be spared,” said Mann in a tweet in Punjabi.

Mann’s statement comes a day after a rocket-propelled grenade was fired at the third floor of the highly-guarded building in sector 77 in Mohali on Monday night, following which an alert was sounded.

The incident is being seen as a major intelligence failure as the office houses the state counter intelligence wing, special task force and some other units.

No one, however, was injured in the explosion, which political parties termed “disturbing” and “shocking”.

Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha dubbed the incident as an act of cowardice and said strongest possible action will be taken against those who were behind it.

“Explosion in Mohali is an act of cowardice by those powers who want to disrupt the hard-earned peace of the state. Punjab government will not spare those involved and strongest possible action will be taken,” tweeted Chadha, who is a Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab.

Another AAP MP Sandeep Pathak said the attack was despicable.

“Attack at Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali is despicable. I strongly condemn this vicious attack. The incident is being investigated by police, and not a single culprit should be spared,” said Pathak in a tweet.

AAP chief spokesperson Malvinder Singh Kang said the perpetrators of the crime will not be spared.

“Blast in Mohali is unfortunate however the situation is under control, matter is being investigated, the perpetrators of the crime will not be spared, nobody will be allowed to fiddle with hard earned peace and harmony. An uneasiness of anti-Punjab forces is understandable,” said Kang in a tweet.

NEW DELHI: Sending out a clear message to critics within the organisation, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Monday said self-criticism is needed in party forums but it should not be done to erode self-confidence and morale, as she asserted that it is time “to repay our debt to the party”.

Addressing top Congress leaders at the party’s working committee meeting, she said the Chintan Shivir should not become a ritual and it should herald a restructured organisation to meet the ideological, electoral and managerial challenges ahead.

“Self-criticism is of course needed in our party forums. But this should not be done in a manner that erodes self-confidence and morale and an atmosphere of gloom and doom prevails. To the contrary, we are beholden to put our heads together and together, collectively overcome the challenges that face us,” Gandhi said.

“This requires that the Chintan Shivir (brainstorming session) does not become a ritual, something we must just get through. I am determined that it should herald a restructured organisation to meet the many ideological, electoral and managerial tasks we confront,” she said.

The Congress chief said that “there are no magic wands”. It is only with selfless work, discipline and a sense of consistent collective purpose that “we will demonstrate our tenacity and resilience,” she said.

“The party has been central to the life of each and every one of us. It has expected our total allegiance and has been good to each and every one of us. Now, when we are at a crucial juncture, it is imperative that we step forward and repay our debt to the party in full measure,” Gandhi said at the party’s top decision-making body — Congress Working Committee (CWC) — meeting here.

In a press conference after the CWC meet, Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Randeep Surjewala said the aim of the shivir is to prepare a new action plan and road map to get the party battle-ready for the 2024 Lok Sabha and upcoming assembly elections.

“It is not a destination it is the beginning of a long journey. It is a milestone. After each of the Chintan Shivirs, the organisation has undergone transformation, this is a transformation of unprecedented magnitude,” Ramesh said.

He said there are serious challenges before the country, and the Congress and the people expect the party to play a role. “The fact that we are holding the shivir is in itself a message that the Congress president means business.”

Gandhi also talked about the deliberations to be held at the shivir which will be in six different groups – taking up political, economic, social justice, farmers, youth and organisational issues.

The Congress chief said delegates have already been informed about the groups in which they are expected to participate and on May 15, the party will adopt the “Udaipur Nav Sankalp” after it has been approved by the CWC there.

“I request your full cooperation in ensuring that the single over-riding message that goes forth loud and clear from Udaipur is one of unity, cohesion, determination and commitment to our party’s accelerated revival,” she said.

Gandhi said around 400 Congress members will be attending the shivir and stressed on the message of every leader holding one party post. The party has made every effort to ensure a balanced representation from every angle, she said.

Surjewala said the aim is to prepare a new constructive role for the Congress as an opposition party as per people’s aspirations, come true to people’s expectations by internalising transformations and bring forth a new resolve.

“The aim of the Nav Sankalp Shivir is to rise to the expectations of people after bringing about organisational changes, and come out with a new pledge to save the country,” he said, adding, that is why six separate groups were formed to take up the challenges on various fronts.

The conveners of the six groups gave detailed reports and plans, and CWC members discussed these as well as put forth their views, Surjewala said Detailed discussions on all these issues will be held at the session in Udaipur, he said.

Ramesh said the session will help make the Congress a rejuvenated and strengthened party to deal with the political and other challenges before it. Organisational changes will also be an outcome of the shivir, he said.

“We are not going to Udaipur to draft an action plan to strengthen the Congress to deal with the political, economic, social and other challenges,” Ramesh said. He said this is the fourth Chintan Shivir, after the ones in Pachmarhi in 1998, in Shimla in 2003 and in January 2013 in Jaipur.

Fifty per cent of the delegates for the upcoming shivir are below 50 years of age and around 35 per cent are below 40 years. Twenty-one per cent are women, representing different sections of society, Surjewala said.

CWC members, including special and permanent invitees, state presidents, CLP leaders, former Union ministers, AICC secretaries and joint secretaries, all MPs, presidents of various AICC cells and departments, all national office-bearers of party wings, besides 50 party leaders who are part of the coordination panel or selected by party chief, are among the 422 invitees for the session, he said.

At the meet, the CWC approved an amendment in the party constitution to include digital membership and decided that Ladakh will have a separate Congress territorial wing.