Nasheman

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

You are here: Home / 2015 / Archives for May 2015

Archives for May 2015

Ten persons get eight-year jail in hand chopping case

by

T J Joseph

Kochi: A special NIA court here on Friday sentenced 10 persons to eight years jail term in the sensational hand chopping case of T J Joseph, professor of Newman College in Thodupuzha in Idukki, in 2010.

The Special NIA court Judge P Sasidharan gave two years jail term to three persons — Abdul Lateef, Anwar Sadique and Riyas – over charges under Section 212 of IPC dealing with harbouring offenders.

The court also ordered that an amount of RS 8 lakh as restitution from the convicts be given to the victim.

Those who were sentenced to eight years in jail are Kalappura Veetil Jamal (44), K M Muhammed Shobin (28), Shamsuddin (37), Punnakal Shanavas (32), Kaipalli Veetil K A Pareedh (36), Yunus Aliyar (34), Ayyukudi Veetil Shejeer (32), K E Kasim, Paruthikaatukudi Jafar (33), and K K Ali (34). They were found guilty under various sections of the central law dealing with terror — the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Besides UAPA, the court has also found the 10 convicts guilty under various sections of Explosive Substances Act and IPC that deals with criminal conspiracy and attempt to murder.

Eighteen people were acquitted by the court citing lack of evidence against them in the case.

The 13 persons owing allegiance Popular Front of India (PFI) were convicted in the case in which the right hand of T J Joseph was chopped while he was returning home after attending a Sunday mass at a church in Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district on July 4, 2010.

The court in its judgment said the prosecution has proved beyond all reasonable doubts that eight of the accused along with some others entered into a criminal conspiracy to eliminate the professor by inflicting grievous injuries.

They did it out of enmity towards Joseph accusing him of hurting religious sentiments of a community through a question paper he set for his students.

The court, which began the trial of the case in July 2013, had examined over 300 prosecution witnesses, four defence witnesses, over 950 prosecution documents, nearly 30 defence documents, and over 200 material objects.

Thirty-seven persons were charge-sheeted by the NIA in the case. However, 31 only underwent trial as the remaining six, including first accused Savad were absconding.

Joseph, head of the Malayalam department in the college, was suspended from service following the controversy over framing of a ‘derogatory’ question paper in 2010. His family went through tough times after he became jobless. His wife Salomi, who stood by Joseph during his trying times, ended her life last year as the family was facing severe financial problems.

Within days of her death, the college took him back before his retirement on March 31, last year.

(Agencies)

One year on, no achievements on ground by Modi government, admits BJP MP

by

MODI-GOVERNMENT

New Delhi: BJP Member of Parliament from Ballia, Bharat Singh has dropped a bombshell in the parliamentary party meeting when he said that Narendra Modi-led government was talking about its achievements at the end of NDA’s one year in power but things were not that visible on the ground.

What was worrisome for the party leaders and Union Ministers was that this found resonance in the meeting and several MPs from U.P. thumped their desks.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present, but did not speak.

Road not constructed

Asking to be heard after BJP Union Ministers Venkaiah Naidu, Arun Jaitley, Ananth Kumar and party’s organising secretary Ram Lal spoke about taking to the people the good work done by the NDA, Mr. Bharat Singh said not an inch of road had been constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojna in Uttar Pradesh and MPs were not being heard.

“Hume bhi bolne ka mauka dijiye (Give us an opportunity to speak),’’ he reportedly said after the Ministers asked MPs to be present in the House as Constitutional Amendments Bills on GST and Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh were coming up.

Mr. Singh, who is a former president of the Banaras Hindu University, said MPs were “neither heard by Ministers in U.P. nor here [Centre].” His observation came at the fag end of the hour-long meeting which was then abruptly concluded.

Fellow party MPs endorse Bharat Singh’s views

Several BJP MPs confirmed the observations of Mr. Bharat Singh. They said more time should be given to MPs at the parliamentary party meeting to air their views.

A senior leader from Bihar expects the Prime Minister to address the grievance as he is “sensitive.’’ A Delhi MP said the problem has arisen because there are no District Vigilance and Monitoring Committees in place in States.

In a bid to counter the Opposition attack on the NDA on the Land Acquisition Bill and the delay in reaching compensation to rain and hail-hit farmers, MPs are under pressure to tell people about the achievements of the government and the welfare measures taken for the underprivileged sections and farmers such as the “Jan Kalyan Parva” starting from May 26 to June 1.

After achieving a target of over 10 crore members, the BJP now plans to have a mass contact programme, Mr. Ram Lal told MPs.

The party has issued a whip to its MPs in both Houses of Parliament till Friday.

Addressing the meeting, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley gave details of the GST Bill saying that it was a revolutionary taxation reform which will curb leakage of revenue, end corruption, the burden of multiple taxation and harassment of common people.

Regarding the Bill to operationalise the Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu told MPs that it was in the “national interest.”

“Our boundary will be secured, fencing will be done with Bangladesh and there will be no further infiltration. The road distance between India and Bangladesh will also be reduced and good ties will be maintained. We decided to accept the Congress suggestion of including Assam in the agreement,’’ he added.

(Agencies)

Salman Khan won't go to jail for now! 5-year sentence suspended by High Court

by

Salman Khan

Mumbai: In a huge relief to Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, the Bombay High Court today suspended his 5-year sentence in the 2002 hit-and-run case and granted him bail pending his appeal against conviction. The term of interim bail was to expire today.

“He has been on bail for a long time and his liberty was not curtailed. Normally, in such cases, the appeal is admitted and an accused is granted bail,” Justice Abhay Thipsay said, while staying his conviction and granting him bail.

The judge directed him to surrender before the trial court and furnish a fresh bail bond of Rs 30,000.

Thipsay had on May 6 granted 48-hour interim bail to the actor, hours after he was convicted and sentenced to five years rigorous imprisonment by the trial court on the ground that he had not been supplied with a detailed order explaining the reasons for his conviction.

Here are the latest developments:

  1. The trial court had on Wednesday found Salman Khan guilty of drunkenly driving over a group of men sleeping on a pavement, killing one. It had sentenced him to five years in prison for culpable homicide.

  2. The actor had been exempted from appearing in court today. He had broken down in the sessions court on Wednesday when the trial court sentenced him.

  3. The 49-year-old actor had the same day moved the Bombay High Court, which had granted him interim or temporary bail till today.

  4. Salman Khan’s appeals are being argued in the High Court by senior lawyers Amit Desai and Shrikant Shivade. Today is the final working day of the High Court before it begins annual summer vacations till June 8.

  5. People protested outside the court, some in support of the actor, others holding up placards that said, “We are the city, we are not dogs,” a reference to tweets by Bollywood singer Abhijit and other members of the film fraternity that caused outrage.

  6. On Wednesday, Additional Sessions Judge DW Deshpande held Salman Khan guilty on all the prosecution’s seven charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, rash and drunken driving and driving without a valid licence.

  7. In a 240-page judgment, Judge Deshpande has said, “I find that it is established beyond reasonable doubt by prosecution that accused was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident,” rejecting the actor’s submission that his driver Ashok Singh was driving.

  8. He has also observed that Salman Khan “did not wait for police on the spot… Instead of visiting police station, the accused went to his house and till 10.30 a.m. he hided himself… If really the accused did not commit any wrong, he could have visited the police station immediately. (sic)”

  9. The judge has rebuked Salman Khan for not taking “any positive steps by visiting hospital to see the injured and provide medical aid to them” and said that the “well known cine actor” knew he must not drive without a license and after consuming liquor.

  10. In the early hours of September 28, 2002, Salman’s Toyota Land Cruiser ran over a group of men sleeping on the pavement in front of a bakery not far from the actor’s sea-facing home in Galaxy Apartments in upscale Bandra (West). One man died, four were injured.

(Agencies)

"I am quite excited to be a part of Udanchoo": Rajneesh Duggal

by

Rajneesh_Duggal

Rajneesh Duggal has proved time & again that he is an actor par excellence. Just recently fresh from the success of ‘Ek Paheli Leela’, the talented ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ Season 5 Winner will be seen in a brand new avatar in R – Vision’s edge – of – the – seat thriller ‘Udanchhoo’.

Ravindra Singh’s R – Vision India Pvt Ltd recently announced that they have signed on the ‘Ek Paheli Leela’ star and talented ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ Season 5 winner Rajneesh Duggal for their upcoming film ‘Udanchhoo’. The movie also marks the entry of Director Vipin Parashar, who has helmed ‘No Exit’ and ‘CM Saab’, into mainstream Hindi cinema and the debut of lead actress Saisha who will be seen romancing Rajneesh Duggal. Apart from the lead pair, other cast includes Prem Chopra, Bruna Abdullah, Ashutosh Rana & Bijendra Kala.

Speaking about signing the film Rajneesh Duggal averred, “I am quite excited to be a part of this film. After ‘Ek Paheli Leela’ I wanted to do something really interesting & exciting and ‘Udanchhoo’, being the captivating edge – of – the – seat thriller it fits perfectly.” The talented actor further added, “Vipin is a friend and when he narrated the film, I was instantly hooked onto the story and wanted to be a part of it.”

Commenting on the choice of Rajneesh Duggal as the main lead, Vipin said, “Udanchhoo for me is a very special film as it would be my 1st full – length Hindi commercial film. It was thus imperative for me to get every bit right. Given that the main lead would need to pull off a difficult action – thriller role with a significant emotional quotient, my brief for the casting agency was a difficult one. Then one day I just happened to meet Rajneesh Duggal casually and it immediately struck me that he was perfect for the role – tall, good looking, fresh from ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ and a talented actor all in one. I immediately made him the offer and he agreed. But then there were date issues and we had to go with Gautam Gulati. But destiny had its own strange way and Gautam then had date issues and Rajneesh Duggal had just these dates free. It was really awesome for me as he was my original choice for the role anyway.”

The film’s music has been composed by Avishek Majumder, a music composer who is trained in western classical music & Jazz from London College of Music.  He has been working with various advertising agencies as a music composer and has worked in more than 100 advertising campaigns. He debuted as a music composer in a Hindi film with Jimmy Shergil starrer film “Four Two ka One’.  Some of his upcoming films are ‘Gadaar’ & ‘Saddey CM Saab’ (Punjabi feature films, featuring Harbhajan Mann), “No Exit” (Hindi Feature Film).

Other credits include: Story & Screenplay: Vishal V. Patil, Dialogues: Vishal V. Patil, Vaibhav Bajpai & Vipin Parashar, Executive Producer: Sandeep Chandra, Costume: Fahad Khan & Swati Singh, Art Director: Pradeep Singh et al.

R – Vision India Pvt Ltd founded in 2000 by Ravindra Singh who is also the company’s Managing Director, R – Vision is one of the fastest growing production houses in the industry, producing at least 2 – 3 films each year, the company started off in New Delhi and with 15 years of persistent endeavor it has now over 2 dozen hit music albums & 5 commercial films to its credits. It was founded with the core objective of offering movies in genres like action, adventure, comedies to family dramas. R – Vision also has a 24×7 TV Channel R – Vision TV that provides the audience access to good entertaining films & music content.

R – Vision’s 1st home production was ’27_13.20 Nakshatra’, directed by Mohan Savalkar, starring Anupam Kher & Milind Soman. He added more feathers to his hat with the release of the romantic film ‘Pappu Can’t Dance Saala’, starring Vinay Pathak, Neha Dhupia & Rajat Kapoor. And family entertainer ‘I M 24′ directed by Suarabh Shukla, starring Rajat Kapoor, Ranvir Shorey, Neha Dhupia & Manjari Fadnis. Besides, there are more movies in the pipeline to be released by 2015. R – Vision is currently working on a new project directed by Vipin Parashar, titled ‘Udanchhoo’ and is anticipated to release this year.

Bollywood Round Up

by

Mukesh-Khanna

Mukesh Khanna New Chairperson Of Children Film Society, India (CSFI)

Mukesh Khanna actor & producer became the new chairman of Children Film Society. Shravan Kumar,COO of the CFSI conformed the news, “It gives me immense pleasure to inform that the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has appointed Mukesh Khanna of ‘Shaktiman’ fame as the Chairman of Children’s Film Society, India.” Mukesh Khanna who is better known as Shaktiman is very happy and is flooded with sms and letters from his fans. Somebody told him that now something will happen as the seat is given now to the right candidate who truly belongs to children and who sincerely thinks for welfare of the children of the world.”

Swati Sharrma’s “Banno“ Number From ‘Tannu Weds Manu Returns’ Garners Innumerable Hits

Singer Swati Sharrma is not only excited with the stupendous success of her latest foot tapping & peppy number, “Banno” from ‘Tanu Weds Manu Returns which took the listeners with a storm, but with the success of this number Swati has garnered tons & tons of appreciation as well she has undisputedly reached the horizon of the Bollywood musical domain. The singing star who has become a sensation overnight speaks elatedly, “I’m so happy that people are enjoying this number! It wasn’t a cake walk to be able to pitch the exact note, the high tone of this sexy peppy & foot tapping number had to match the Haryanvi character played by none other than Kangana. I also want to thank director Aanand L Rai for giving be break with this song. The rage of “Banno” has proved one thing again that the songs which bring in the true feelings and the real depth of our Indian Culture surely allure the listeners’ ears. Swati’s folk- lore sort of a sexy peppy vocals is a proven fact that she is here to stay. However, Swati begs to differ having been trained from a tender age, I can bet my last penny and proudly say that , I have sung a few romantic numbers too and have bagged a few more ,which I can disclose only after everything gets finalized. Undeniably, I am not conceited about my vocals but yes! I credit myself for being able to complete my daily riyaz religiously. I have traveled all the way to Mumbai moreover; my parents have extended their support in every manner whatsoever. Keeping this in mind and also my ambition to achieve success in the Musical industry I conduct myself accordingly. I know my painstaking efforts will bear fruits sooner or later this is just the beginning.” Hailing from Muzaffarpur, Bihar, Swati shot to fame amongst the youth when her single song “Kyu Kho Gaye”, which was composed by Raeth, the popular Pakistani Band which bears the credit of having crossed a million views on Zee Music Company’s channel on you tube. Swati has learnt music from Sangeet Visharad from Chandigarh University namely Pracheen Kala Kendra. The singer also took training from her guru Pankaj Maharaj. Undoubtedly, the intense & devoted training from her Guru has enabled her to be able to rise to this position within a short span of her musical struggle. Swati is already a personality to reckon with in the Marathi musical domain merely with the success of having lent her voice for 1 song in the film titled, ‘Yudh’, Hereafter there’s no looking back for Swati at all with few songs already in her kitty namely ‘Ek Tera Saath”, ‘Direct Ishq’ & ‘Flame’.

Ekaansh Bhaardwaaj & Leena Kapoor Launched Their Audio Of Film ‘Madmast Barkhaa’

TV news reporter turned actor Ekaansh Bhaardwaaj is making his debut with Leena Kapoor in Jaspal Singh produced & directed film Madmast Barkhaa. They released the audio at an event recently. Ekaansh & Leena performed on track from the film. The film is made under the banner of Singh Multimedia creation and the film is releasing on 15th May, 2015 all over. Raj Verma music director of the film gave inputs regarding the music of the film.

Hollywood Actress & Singer Sofia Hayat Wears 1 Crore’s Dress For Bridal Wear Shoot In London

Sofia Hayat recently wore 1 Crore’s dress made especially for her to model. The dress is covered in diamonds which have been hand stitched. The Italian designers Atelier Italia, made this for a photo shoot especially for the actress, singer & supermodel. The head piece by Louis Mariette, designer & judge of America’s Next top model, was also an unpriceable diamond piece. Security was provided throughout the shoot and the dress & head piece returned with the body guards.

Model & Actress Ekta Jain Got Her Photo Shoot Done For Her New Serial

Ekta jain who has done loads of anchoring, ramp shows,TV Serials, films, ad films et al is coming back after 6 years with a new serial for Doordarshan. She did the photo shoot recently for the show where she will play different characters. Vishal Saxena did the photo shoot. The show will be directed & produced by H Bharti.

Shreyas Talpade Receives “Dada Saheb Phalke Film Foundation” Award for ‘Baji’

Actor – Producer – Director Shreyas Talpade recently received the “Dada Saheb Phalke Film Foundation” Award for the 2nd time for his performance in Marathi film ‘Baji’. The film which was released on 6th Feb, 2015, saw the talented actor essay the role of Marathi cinema’s 1st ever vigilante superhero film. Shreyas had earlier won the “Dada Saheb Phalke Film Foundation” Award for his performance in his debut film ‘Iqbal’. An elated Shreyas said, “It’s an honour to receive this prestigious award, winning it again is like a pat on the back and is in a way a validation that I am on the right track and have done something to deserve it. It also drives me to push the boundaries of my art further and explore new depths.” The talented actor who has been in the industry for more than a decade made a mark with his debut film ‘Iqbal’ and since then there has been no looking back for him. The talented actor has been part of many successful films like ‘Om Shanti Om’, “Golmaal” series to name a few. The actor had also recently produced his 2nd Marathi film ‘Poshter Boyz’ which was a critically acclaimed as well as a blockbuster film and will also be directing the sequel. In the past he has won the Zee Cine Critics award for outstanding acting skills for his debut film ‘Iqbal’ in 2005. He also won the Best Comedian award for ‘Dor’ at the Star Screen Awards as well as Stardust Breakthrough Performance (Male) award in 2007 and the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor for ‘Om Shanti Om’ the same year.

Sanchiti Sakat Meets Padamshri Anup Jalota

Padamshri Anup Jalota always support new talent. He is doing a devotional musical show Shehar on Big FM every morning. Anup Jalota invites new talent in every morning show. Sanchiti Sakat who sings in 7 languages was excited when she sang a bhajan in front of Anup Jalota. Anup Jalota gave blessings to her and told her to do more riyaaz which will make her strong in classical & traditional music. Sanchiti Sakat recently released her album “Jazbaat” with Bhoomi Trivedi, Shahid Mallya, Vaishali Made et al.

Yogesh Lakhani of Bright Outdoor Meets Daler Mehndi & Irfan Khan

Yogesh Lakhani of Bright Outdoor Media Pvt Ltd is a very reputed name in outdoor publicity. He is part of 90% of events in India & Abroad. He was recently seen chatting with Daler Mehndi & Rajeev Thakur at event and next day he was with Shahrukh Khan at other event. He also met Irfan Khan at a event in Andheri.

It's official: Global carbon levels surpassed 400 ppm for entire month

by

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says level sets new record for world’s atmosphere

An animation showing how carbon dioxide moves around the planet. (Screenshot: NASA/YouTube)

An animation showing how carbon dioxide moves around the planet. (Screenshot: NASA/YouTube)

by Sarah Lazare, Common Dreams

Marking yet another grim milestone for an ever-warming planet, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration revealed on Wednesday that, for the first time in recorded history, global levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere averaged over 400 parts per million (ppm) for an entire month—in March 2015.

“This marks the fact that humans burning fossil fuels have caused global carbon dioxide concentrations to rise more than 120 parts per million since pre-industrial times,” said Pieter Tans, lead scientist of NOAA’s Global Greenhouse Gas Reference Network, in a press statement. “Half of that rise has occurred since 1980.”

This is not the first time the benchmark of 400 ppm has been reached.

“We first reported 400 ppm when all of our Arctic sites reached that value in the spring of 2012,” explained Tans. “In 2013 the record at NOAA’s Mauna Loa Observatory first crossed the 400 ppm threshold.”

However, Tans said that reaching 400 ppm across the planet for an entire month is a “significant milestone.”

A tweet released by NOAA on Wednesday shows that this development is consistent with rising levels over recent years.

However, zooming to a wider historical lens shows an even more dramatic increase. During pre-industrial times, CO2 levels were at 280 ppm. Scientists have warned that, in order to achieve safe levels, CO2 must be brought down to a maximum of 350ppm—the number from which the environmental organization 350.org derives its name from.

Bill Snape, senior counsel to the Center for Biological Diversity, told Common Dreams, “The fact that we are now firmly over 400 ppm for first time in human history indicates to me that we ought to be moving with much more urgency to fix the underlying problem.”

CAR to sue French soldiers over alleged sex crimes

by

Justice minister announces case against soldiers accused of raping children in exchange for food at a refugee camp.

A UN report detailed interviews with six children, aged eight to 15, who approached the French soldiers to ask for food [EPA]

A UN report detailed interviews with six children, aged eight to 15, who approached the French soldiers to ask for food [EPA]

by Al Jazeera

The Central African Republic will take legal action against the French soldiers accused of raping children in exchange for food at a refugee camp, the country’s justice minister has said.

“Legal action will be pursued … These are still very serious acts,” said Justice Minister Aristide Sokambi on Wednesday, insisting his nation was not targeting France but individual soldiers.

Several children – the youngest just nine – allege that 14 soldiers dispatched to the impoverished nation as part of a peacekeeping force sexually abused some of them in exchange for food between December 2013 and June 2014.

“We regret the fact we were not brought into these investigations despite the cooperation agreements we have with France,” Sokambi added.

“So I have instructed the public prosecutor to open a probe and seek the evidence already at the disposal of the French.”

French troops were deployed to the Central African Republic in December 2013 to help African Union peacekeepers restore order after a bout of sectarian violence triggered by a coup.

Hundreds of troops were stationed at Bangui’s M’Poko airport, which was transformed into a giant refugee camp.

Most of the displaced families living amid the abandoned planes had lost everything in the conflict, which pitted mainly Muslim rebels against vigilantes from the majority Christian population.

Paris investigates

Prosecutors in Paris have opened an investigation into the reports, with France’s defence ministry pledging to take “all the measures necessary for the truth to come out”.

The defence ministry has said it immediately launched a probe into the case, sending police investigators to the former French colony on August 1 after receiving the news.

The ministry has denied attempting to cover up a potentially devastating scandal. The allegations were contained in an internal UN report that was leaked to French authorities last summer by a UN official.

If proven, the allegations will not only affect the French army but also the Central African Republic, which is trying to find a way out of a conflict that has killed thousands and displaced nearly 900,000 people.

Many people living in the camp at M’Poko airport had lost their livelihoods to the violence.

Hunger in the camp became so widespread that riots often broke out when food was distributed.

Four arrested in Germany over 'plot against Muslims'

by

Three men and a woman held for possession of explosives and for planning attacks on mosques and leading Muslim figures.

A report links the increase in anti-immigrant attacks to the rise of right-wing groups in the country [Reuters]

A report links the increase in anti-immigrant attacks to the rise of right-wing groups in the country [Reuters]

by Al Jazeera

German authorities have conducted raids across the country, seizing explosives and arresting four people accused of founding a right-wing group to attack mosques and housing for asylum seekers.

Police arrested three men and a woman accused of leading the group during raids by some 250 investigators on homes in Saxony and four other states, the federal prosecutor’s office said in a statement.

Prosecutors allege the four helped found the “Oldschool Society” (OSS) group and were planning to attack asylum-seeker housing, mosques and well-known members of the Islamic community in Germany.

The four arrested, identified only as Andreas H, 56, Markus W, 39, Denise Vanessa G, 22, and Olaf O, 47, in line with German privacy laws, are being held on terrorism charges and are also accused of having procured explosives.

The statement identified Andreas H and Markus W as the group’s president and vice president.

The North Rhine-Westphalia state interior ministry said Olaf O was from the western city of Bochum and had been under observation since November as “a leading member of the OSS”.

“According to current investigations, it was the group’s goal to conduct attacks in smaller groups inside Germany on well-known Salafists, mosques and asylum-seeker centres,” the statement said.

“For this purpose the four arrested procured explosives for possible terror attacks by the group.”

Inquiries made by the Associated Press news agency to an apparent cell phone number and email address for the group were not immediately returned.

Attack plans

German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said the Oldschool Society appeared to be a newly formed group.

Rhineland-Palatinate interior minister Roger Lewentz, at the same news conference, held up what appeared to be the group’s logo – a white skull on black background framed by bloody butcher’s cleavers with lightning bolts resembling the runes of the Nazi SS.

“The SS rune is in there – that’s not for nothing,” Lewentz said.

Prosecutors said they are still trying to determine whether the group had concrete attack plans and refused to comment beyond their written statement.

There have been conflicts in recent years between far right groups and the Muslim community in North Rhine-Westphalia that have escalated into violent street fights.

In 2013, authorities said they foiled a plot to assassinate a high-ranking member of a far-right party in the state.

Right-wing groups have been a renewed focus for German intelligence agencies after it came to light that a neo-Nazi group calling itself National Socialist Underground, or NSU, allegedly killed eight Turks, a Greek and a policewoman between 2000 and 2007. It is also believed to be behind two bombings and 15 bank robberies.

De Maiziere said statistics released Wednesday showed a sharp increase of 22.9 percent in violent crimes by right-wing extremists in 2014 to 1,029, three times the number in 2013.

Anti-Semitic attacks have also reportedly increased.

The report suggested the rise could be linked to months of non-violent anti-Islam protests by a group calling itself Patriotic Europeans against the Islamisation of the West, or PEGIDA.

IPL: Chris Gayle leads Kings XI rout

by

Royal Challengers Bangalore's Chris Gayle celebrates after competing his 100 runs during IPL 8 match against Kings XI Punjab in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Photo: Shailendra Bhojak, PTI

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Chris Gayle celebrates after competing his 100 runs during IPL 8 match against Kings XI Punjab in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Photo: Shailendra Bhojak, PTI

Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), riding high on a hurricane century by Chris Gayle, handed out a massive 138-run defeat to a spiritless and spineless Kings XI Punjab in an Indian Premier League match and moved into the fourth spot with their fifth win in 10 outings here on Wednesday.

It was a hiding of sorts as RCB piled up 226 for three which left visiting skipper George Bailey ruing his decision to field after winning the toss, and under pressure, the visitors collapsed to 88 in 13.4 overs as pacemen Mitchell Starc (4 for 15) and Sreenath Aravind (4 for 24) sliced through the line-up.

Gayle struck a brilliant 117 off 57 balls, with seven fours and 12 sixes.

For Kings XI Punjab, runners-up last season, but looking like ragtag team, it was their fifth consecutive defeat in 10 matches, leaving them at the bottom of the eight-team league with just four points with little hopes of qualifying for the playoffs.

RCB, with a massive total on the board, bowled well even as the Kings XI batsmen, barring Axar Patel (40 not out, 21b, 5×4, 2×6) showed little or no determination to even make a fight of it, much less win the game.

The early dismissals of openers Manan Vohra (2) who replaced Virender Sehwag, and Murali Vijay (2), took the wind out of Kings XI sails.

It was a regular procession thereafter before Axar Patel used the long handle, but to little effect as wickets fell in a heap at the other end.

RCB, thus, recorded their biggest IPL victory (in terms of runs), beating their previous best of 130-run win over Pune Warriors in 2013, at this very venue when Gayle smashed his highest T20 score of 175.

Earlier, it was all about Gayle and his 14th T20 century as he led a merciless onslaught on the Punjab bowlers who were made to look ordinary while the home batsmen rained 18 sixes and 14 boundaries on a balmy night when the rains stayed away.

The visiting attack had no answer to first Gayle, who was let off when on 27 with Bailey unable to get to a skier off Sandeep Sharma in the third over of the innings.

The lapse proved costly as Gayle showcased his brute power as well as a fine sense of timing to gallop to his century.

Spearhead Mitchell Johnson, bowling at some speed, leaked 43 runs in his four overs while left-arm spinner Axar Patel went for 51.

Only seamer Anureet Singh, though wicketless, looked the part, conceding just 25 runs in four overs.

Gayle and skipper Virat Kohli (32) laid the platform with a 119-run partnership for the first wicket in just 11.2 overs before the innovative de Villiers joined the Jamaican to heap more misery on Punjab bowlers.

Along with de Villiers, Gayle, who completed 3,000 runs in IPL, added 72 runs before offering a tame return catch to Patel.

The South African then took over and though he lost Dinesh Karthik (8), picked up some easy runs in the company of young Sarfaraz Khan (11 not out) to ensure RCB a winning total.

(IANS)

Gram Panchayat elections scheduled on May 29 and June 2

by

Gram Panchayat

Bengaluru: The State Election Commission (SEC) on Tuesday announced that elections to 5,844 gram panchayats (GPs) in the State will be held in two phases on May 29 and June 2.

The first phase of polling on May 29 will see 15 districts voting and the second phase on June 2 will have the remaining 15 districts voting. Counting of votes for both phases will be on June 5. The first phase of the election will be notified on May 11 and the second phase on May 15.

Out of a total of 6073 gram panchayats only 5,844 are going to polls since the terms of 229 gram panchayats are either scheduled to end only in August 2015 or notified for changes or under legal scrutiny.

The state government has made voting compulsory recently by amending the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act. While the amended law has received the assent of the Governor, the government has said there will be no penalty on those who violate the compulsory voting clause.

Elections will be held on a non-party basis and a total of 94,458 GP members will be elected by an electorate of 2.81 crore during the two phases of polling. Fifty per cent of the seats are reserved for women. Polling will not be held in 229 GPs as their tenure will end after August 2015.

During the first phase, on May 29, polling will be held in 15 districts—Mysuru, Chikkamagaluru, Dakshina Kannada, Hassan, Kodagu, Mandya, Chamarajnagara, Udupi, Belagavi, Vijayapura, Haveri, Bagalkote, Uttara Kannada, Dharwad and Gadag.

During the second phase, on June 2, polling will be held in the remaining 15 districts—Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagara, Chitradurga, Davanagere, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Shivamogga, Tumakuru, Bidar, Ballari, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur and Koppala.

(Agencies)

KNOW US

GET INVOLVED

PROMOTE

Archives