Nasheman

India's largest selling Urdu weekly, now also in English

You are here: Home / Archives for Nasheman

Handwara incident: Family says girl pressurised into giving statement

by

Kashmir-firing

Srinagar: The family of the girl, whose alleged harassment led to a spate of violence in Kashmir, today claimed that she was pressurised into giving a video statement denying she was molested and has approached court seeking an independent probe into the incident.

“My girl is just 16 years old and was alone in the police station when her statement was recorded. She was pressurised by police to give that statement,” her mother claimed.

A civil society group scheduled a press conference here for the family but it was not allowed by police.

Talking to reporters, the girl’s mother alleged that police detained her daughter without informing the family and revealed her identity by recoding the video statement without covering her face.

She said, “When the girl was returning home after school on Tuesday, she went to a bathroom and was followed by an army man. When she saw the army man in the bathroom, she raised an alarm, attracting attention of the nearby shopkeepers. The policemen also came to the scene but the army man fled.”

“She was then taken to a police station without our knowledge,” the mother said.

“We have approached court and demanded an independent inquiry into the incident. We do not want police or Army, those who have done this, to inquire it,” she said.

Five persons have been killed since Tuesday after violence broke out following allegations that the girl was harassed by a soldier.

“Were not allowed to meet our girl. Her father and aunt were also detained. We do not have any information of our arrested daughter for the last five days,” she alleged and accused the police of “defaming” her daughter by revealing her identity to the media.

(PTI)

Japan earthquake forces evacuation of 40,000

by

At least nine killed and nearly 1,000 injured after 6.2-magnitude earthquake strikes 11km east of Kumamoto city.

Japanese media showed residents, some of them wrapped in blankets, huddling in a parking lot [Kyodo News]

Japanese media showed residents, some of them wrapped in blankets, huddling in a parking lot [Kyodo News]

by Al Jazeera

At least nine people have been killed and nearly 1,000 injured after a 6.2-magnitude earthquake knocked down houses and destroyed roads in the southwestern Japan.

The tremor struck 11km east of Kumamoto on Thursday, according to the US Geological Survey, and strong aftershocks continued to shake the area around the city on Friday.

More than 40,000 people were evacuated to schools and community centres, some spending the night outside after the first quake hit around 9:30pm local time.

Roads cracked, houses crumbled and tiles fell from the roof of Kumamoto Castle in the centre of the city.

More than 3,000 troops, police and firefighters were dispatched to the area from around Japan, and Shinzo Abe, prime minister, said more would be sent if needed.

One of the victims in Mashiki died after being pulled from the rubble, and the other was killed in a fire.

Footage from public broadcaster NHK showed firefighters tackling a blaze in a building in Mashiki, a town of about 34,000 people near the epicentre of the quake.

About 16,500 households in and around Mashiki were without electricity, according to Kyushu Electric Power Company.

There were no irregularities at three nuclear plants on the southern major island of Kyushu and nearby Shikoku, the Nuclear Regulation Authority said.

The plant is 130km south of Kumamoto. The operator restarted the reactors last year, the first two units under updated regulations.

In March 2011, a 9.0-magnitude earthquake led to a devastating tsunami that killed 18,000 people along Japan’s northeast coast.

The wave struck the Fukushima nuclear plant, causing a major radiation leakage.  

More than 100,000 displaced people are still unable to return to their homes near the nuclear plant because of the contamination.

 

Petrol price cut by 74 paise per litre, diesel by Rs 1.30/litre

by

petrol-price

New Delhi: In marginal relief to consumers, oil marketing companies have cut petrol and diesel prices by 74 paise per litre and Rs 1.30/litre respectively. The oil prices had been hiked steeply only last week.

On April 4, petrol price had been hiked by Rs 2.19 a litre and diesel by 98 paise per litre.

State-owned fuel retailers IOC, Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) revise rates of the fuel on 1st and 16th of every month based on the average oil price and the foreign exchange rate in the preceding fortnight. “The movement of prices in the international oil market and the rupee-USD exchange rate shall continue to be monitored closely and developing trends of the market will be reflected in future price changes,” IOC has said in the past.

Consumers are still to get all the benefits from the sharp drop in international oil prices to a decade low as the government on five occasions since November has raised excise duty on the two auto fuels.

The five levy hikes add up to Rs 4.02 per litre on petrol and Rs 6.97 on diesel, handing the government a neat Rs 17,000 crore as additional revenue.

In 2014 diesel prices were deregulated, giving oil marketing companies the liberty to hike or cut prices according to global price movement.

(Agencies)

 

Syria’s civil war: At least 30,000 flee ISIL attacks

by

Rights group says residents of temporary camps in Aleppo among those affected by clashes between ISIL and Syrian rebels.

Syrian girls react following a reported Syrian regime air strike in a rebel-controlled area in the northern city of Aleppo on February 8, 2016. (AFP/Ameer al-Halbi)

Syrian girls react following a reported Syrian regime air strike in a rebel-controlled area in the northern city of Aleppo on February 8, 2016. (AFP/Ameer al-Halbi)

by Al Jazeera

At least 30,000 civilians have fled fighting between armed groups and rebel factions in northern Syria in the past 48 hours, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).

The US-based watchdog group made the announcement on Friday while calling on Turkey to open its border to the civilians.

It also accused Turkish border guards of shooting at some of those displaced in Aleppo province as they approached the frontier.

Turkey has denied the accusation.

HRW said many of those who fled were residents of emergency camps set up along the border and decided to head for other camps or nearby towns and villages even though they were still unsafe because of fighting between the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group and opposition rebels.

“Civilians were trying to flee but some were met with gunfire or told they would not be able to enter,” Nadim Houry, deputy director of Human Rights Watch Middle East and North Africa division, told Al Jazeera from Beirut in neighbouring Lebanon.

“Those people need to be allowed with safety. The whole world is talking about fighting ISIS, and yet people who are escaping them are not welcomed anywhere.”

Al Jazeera’s Reza Sayah, reporting from Geneva in Switzerland, said a senior Turkish official had denied the claims.

“Turkey is denying accusations that it’s firing gunshots at refugees,” he said.

“The official said that sometimes smugglers and armed men infiltrate these groups of refugees, so they are firing at them and not refugees.”

The surge in violence comes as representatives of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime are expected in Geneva on Friday for the latest round of talks aimed at ending the war.

Outlining its bargaining position, the opposition bloc High Negotiating Committee (HNC) said it would be willing to share equally in a transitional council with the government, but repeated its rejection of a role for Assad.

Salim al-Muslet, spokesperson for the HNC, told Al Jazeera there was “no place for Assad” in the new set-up.

“I believe we’re doing the right thing for our people,” Muslet said from Geneva.

“The other side, the government, was forced to come here. They don’t care about our people. We don’t want to see any more fighting and killing. It’s important that we find a solution here in Geneva.

“But there’s no place for Assad or people around him who committed crimes in Syria. For us, it’s important to have people who care about their own people who deserve to see an end to this nightmare.”

The latest violence comes as escalating fighting between Russian-backed regime forces and rebels around the provincial capital, Aleppo city, threatens a nearly seven-week ceasefire that had largely been holding.

ISIL and other armed groups are excluded from the truce.

The five-year conflict in Syria has killed more than 270,000 people and displaced half the population.

Gujarat Lions thrash Pune to register second win of IPL-9

by

Rajkot: Gujarat Lions' Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo with Rising Pune Supergiants captain MS Dhoni after winning the IPL match between Rising Pune Supergiants and Gujarat Lions at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on April 14, 2016. (Photo: Surjeet Yadav/IANS)

Rajkot: Gujarat Lions’ Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo with Rising Pune Supergiants captain MS Dhoni after winning the IPL match between Rising Pune Supergiants and Gujarat Lions at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on April 14, 2016. (Photo: Surjeet Yadav/IANS)

Rajkot: Gujarat Lions produced an impressive all-round performance to outclass Rising Pune Supergiants by seven wickets in their Indian Premier League (IPL) tie at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium here on Thursday.

Batting first, Pune posted 163/5 in 20 overs, thanks to Faf du Plessis’ 43-ball 69.

In reply, riding on Aaron Finch’s 50 and Brendon McCullum’s 49, Gujarat chased down the total comfortably scoring 164/3 in 18 overs.

Chasing a challenging target of 164, openers Finch and McCullum got Gujarat off to a flying start scoring 62 runs in the powerplay.

Finch took the initiative from the word go to hit seven boundaries and two sixes in his 36-ball innings to put his team in a comfortable position. He was well supported in the other end by McCullum, who hit three boundaries and three sixes in his 31-ball innings.

But young leg-spinner Murugan Ashwin brought the much needed breakthrough removing in-form batsman Finch in the ninth over to put Pune back into the game.

McCullum, as he was looking good to reach yet another T20 fifty, was removed by Ishant Sharma in the 14th over to have Gujarat at 120/2.

But despite the openers getting out, the duo has done their job to help team stay on track for their second win of the tournament.

New batsman Suresh Raina (24) and Dwayne Bravo (22 not out) held on scoring runs at a good pace to take team close to victory line.

But after the dismissal of Raina in the 17th over, Bravo along with Ravindra Jadeja (4 not out) took team over the line with ease.

Earlier, electing to bat first on winning the toss, Pune skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni saw his decision justified as openers Faf du Plesis and Ajinkya Rahane (21) gave the team a good Astart.

With du Plesis going after the Gujarat bowlers, Rahane played a steady innings at the other end, with four well-timed hits to the fence. Pravin Tambe handed the hosts the breakthrough when Rahane missed the line of a delivery that kept straight after pitching, only to see the ball hit him on the backfoot.

Rahane’s dismissal did not bring any respite for the Gujarat bowlers as Kevin Pietersen (37) joined du Plesis in the middle and the duo proceeded to lay the foundation for a competitive total.

Bravo finally got rid of Pietersen with an in-swinging slower delivery. He was completely fooled by the clever change of pace as the ball crashed into the stumps.

Tambe struck another crucial blow for the Lions soon after by sending du Plesis back to the pavilion. The South African right-hander had smashed a four and six off the previous two deliveries. He went for a third consecutive bit shot, dancing down the track in an effort to hit the ball over the long on fence. But he miscued his shot as Gujarat wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik pulled of a smart stumping.

Jadeja then sent back Steven Smith (5) early in the next over to put the brakes on Pune’s once soaring run rate. However, Dhoni (22 not out) produced a trademark strong finish, plundering 22 runs off 10 balls help Pune finish on a strong note.

Ravindra Jadeja (2/18), Pravin Tambe (2/33) were the pick of the bowlers for Gujarat.

Brief scores:

Rising Pune Supergiants 163/5 in 20 overs (Faf du Plesis 69, Kevin Pietersen 37; Ravindra Jadeja 2/18, Pravin Tambe 2/33) vs Gujarat Lions 164/3 in 18 overs (Aaron Finch 50, Brendon McCullum 49; Murugan Ashwin 2-31)

(IANS)

Pistol, threat letter against Kanhaiya Kumar found on bus

by

Kanhaiya Kumar. AFP

Kanhaiya Kumar. AFP

New Delhi: A country-made pistol and a threat letter against JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar, purportedly written by a man who had earlier threatened the student leader over Facebook, were recovered from a bus operating between an ISBT and JNU campus following which Delhi Police is mulling enhancing his security.

The weapon was recovered in a bus operating between Kashmere Gate ISBT and the JNU campus, after the driver spotted an unclaimed bag and raised an alarm.

Police is trying to ascertain identity of the bag’s owner and several persons have been questioned, a senior official said today.

With the gun, there was also a letter which said that Kanhaiya and Umar Khalid, who were arrested under sedition charge over a controversial event in JNU campus, will be decapitated.

The letter was purportedly written by the person who had threatened Kumar over Facebook earlier saying that men with weapons are already present inside the campus, ready to kill him any moment, the official said.

Kumar doesn’t get security cover inside the campus but the university authorities have clearly been instructed to inform Vasant Kunj (North) police station everytime he leaves the campus and security is provided accordingly.

After the alert, the police are likely to increase his security cover and also enhance vigil around the JNU area, the official added.

(Agencies)

511 fined in first five hours after roll out of odd-even-II

by

delhi-traffic-pollution-cars

New Delhi: Over 500 persons were challaned by Delhi Traffic Police for violating the odd-even norms in the first five hours of the second phase of the road-rationing formula implemented in the national capital today.

The highest number of challans were reported from south Delhi, closely followed by the western part of the city, with 129 and 108 challans respectively issued till 1 PM today, a senior official said.

As many as 511 motorists were challaned between 8 AM and 1 PM, the official said.Delhi Traffic Police has strategically chosen over 200 intersections in the city where 2,000 officials have been deployed in teams of three to ten depending upon the volume of traffic there.

The second phase of the fortnight-long odd-even scheme today rolled out in Delhi with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealing to the people of the city to join hands and make the road-rationing plan a success.

(PTI)

Vijay Mallya’s passport suspended

by

Vijay Mallya

New Delhi: Vijay Mallya, whose Kingfisher Airlines has defaulted on loans of over Rs 9,400 crores, and has been defying Enforcement Directorate summons, today suffered a major blow when his passport was suspended by the government which has threatened to revoke it.

The diplomatic passport of the flamboyant 60-year-old industrialist, who has been in Britain for over a month and has refused to appear before the ED, was suspended by the External Affairs Ministry on the recommendation of the agency.

“On the advice of the Enforcement Directorate, the Passport lssuing Authority in the MEA has today suspend the validity of Vijay Mallya’s diplomatic passport with immediate effect for a period of 4 weeks, under Section 10 A of the Passports Act, 1967.

“Mallya has been asked to respond within one week as to why his passport should not be impounded or revoked under section 10(3)(c) of the Passports Act, 1967. If he fails to respond within the stipulated time, it will be assumed that he has no response to offer and the MEA will go ahead with the revocation,” MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

(Agencies)

Restrictions, shutdowns mar lives across Kashmir Valley

by

Kashmir-firing

Srinagar: Authorities continued restrictions in North Kashmir’s Handwara town and parts of Srinagar city on Thursday to maintain law and order.

“Restrictions will continue to remain in fore in areas falling under the jurisdiction of six police stations in Srinagar and Handwara town in Kupwara district,” a senior police officer told IANS.

“In Srinagar city, the areas where restrictions were imposed fall under Rainawari, Khanyar, Nowhatta, M.R.Ganj, Safa Kadal and Maisama.”

“In addition, we have also made adequate arrangements in other places like Pulwana, Bramulla, Sopore and Kupwara towns to ensure that miscreants are prevented from creating any law and order problems,” the officer added.

Separatist leaders including Syed Ali Gilani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik, have appealed to people people to observe a protest shutdown against the killing of four civilians over two days — Tuesday and Wednesday — during clashes between stone pelting mobs and security forces in Drugmulla, Kupwara district.

They have also called for post-prayer protests on Friday.

Areas where restrictions have not been imposed, shops, public transport, other businesses, also remain shut.

Earlier in the day, mobile and internet services were suspended in Kashmir. Initially the suspension was only in north Kashmir, but now it is all across the Valley.

The four civilians were killed as a result of a rumour that was spread in Hanwana town on Tuesday that a school girl was allegedly molested by an army soldier.

However, the girl denied the allegations via a video clip that went viral on social media.

An assistant sub-inspector (ASI) has been suspended for allegedly firing at the protesters.

Lt General D.S.Hooda, GOC-NC, Udhampur headquarters, Northern Command, visited Handwana on Wednesday and assured completion of a time-bound inquiry to ascertain facts regarding the incident on Tuesday.

(IANS)

PM inaugurates first-ever Maritime India Summit

by

Narendra_Modi

Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugrated the first-ever three-day Maritime India Summit (MIS) here, aimed at attracting global investors to the huge opportunities in the maritime sector.

Modi said the country has inherited a glorious maritime heritage and is now the government’s endeavour to revive and restore her position of eminence in the global maritime sector.

“Maritime transport can be the most extensive mode of transport. It is also the most eco-friendly mode of transport,” Modi said.

“But we have to make sure that our lifestyle, transport systems and trading behaviour do not spoil the ecology of the oceans,” he added.

The prime minister also stressed the importance of maritime security, freedom of navigation, safety and security of sealinks for trade, development and progress.

“The elimination of sea piracy, which was a big threat to international shipping a few years ago, is a good example of how joint efforts by maritime nations can yield good results,” Modi pointed out.

“This is the first time that a global event on such a large scale is being organised by India,” he added.

Earlier, Modi inaugurated a maritime exhibition at the Ship Museum showcasing the glorious Indian heritage in the sector and its future potential.

The MIS will showcase to a global audience sectors like existing port development and modernisation of berths and terminals, Greenfield ports, port-led development under ‘Sagarmala’, shipbuilding, repairs and breaking, coastal shipping, inland water transport, cruises, lighthouse tourism, hinterland connectivity and logistics handling.

(Agencies)

KNOW US

GET INVOLVED

PROMOTE

Archives