NEW DELHI, Oct 21: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said terrorism is the biggest violator of human rights as he urged Interpol and its member countries to join hands for cross-border cooperation so that cross-border terrorism can be defeated.
Addressing the 90th Interpol General Assembly on its concluding day here, Shah said criminal syndicates are working in a nexus and hence, global police and intelligence agencies should work together.
“Terrorism is the biggest violator of human rights…. The narrative of good terrorism and bad terrorism, small terrorism and big terrorism cannot go together,” he said, addressing the delegates from 164 countries.
The Interpol general assembly is being organised in New Delhi to coincide with the 75th anniversary year of India’s independence.
Shah said the current crime incidents are “borderless” and all the Interpol member countries will have to rise to meet this challenge and the global police organisation’s role in tackling these issues is “very important.”
Cross-border cooperation is of utmost importance in checking cross-border terrorism, the home minister added.
Narratives of good terrorism and bad terrorism, small terrorism and big terrorism cannot go together, he said.
Talking about online radicalisation, Shah said this cannot be termed a political problem as in that case, the battle against it will be half-hearted.
He said the Narendra Modi government is trying its best to make police forces capable of dealing with all kinds of challenges.
Shah said India is preparing a national database on terrorism and narcotics so that police agencies can use information effectively.
He also said citizens’ security is the first priority of any police force. (Agencies)
Terrorism biggest violator of human rights; Interpol’s role very important: HM Amit Shah
Pakistan’s Election Commission disqualifies former PM Imran Khan for five years
ISLAMABAD, Oct 21: Pakistan’s Election Commission on October 21, 2022 disqualified former Prime Minister Imran Khan for five years in the Toshakhana case for hiding proceeds from the sale of gifts he received from foreign leaders.
After the ruling, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman cannot become a member of the parliament for five years.
The ruling coalition government lawmakers had filed a case with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in August against 70-year-old Khan seeking his disqualification for failing to reveal the proceeds from the sale of gifts that he purchased at a discounted price from the state repository, also called Toshakhana.
The ECP after hearing the case had reserved its judgment on September 19 on the conclusion of the proceedings.
The four-member bench of the ECP, headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja, on Friday unanimously ruled that Khan was involved in corrupt practices and was disqualified as a member of the parliament.
The ECP also announced that action would be taken against him under the corrupt practices laws.
Asad Umar, Secretary General of Khan’s party, announced that the decision would be challenged in the Islamabad High Court.
Fawad Chaudhry, another PTI leader, rejected the verdict and asked Khan’s followers to stage protests.
Mr. Khan, who came to power in 2018, apparently received expensive gifts from rich Arab rulers during official visits, which were deposited in the Toshakhana. Later he bought the same at a discounted price as per the relevant laws and sold the same at hefty profits.
Though morally apprehensive for rulers like Khan, who always takes a high moral ground and leaves no occasion to castigate his opponents as “corrupt”, the purchase and sale were legally allowed.
The former premier informed the ECP during the hearing that the sale of the gifts that he had procured from the state treasury after paying Rs 21.56 million fetched about Rs 58 million.
The gifts, among others, included a Graff wristwatch, a pair of cufflinks, an expensive pen, a ring and four Rolex watches.
According to his opponents, Khan failed to show the sales in the income tax returns, making him liable.
The case filed with the ECP seeks his disqualification under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution which suggests disqualification if someone is not truthful.
Established in 1974, the Toshakhana is a department under the administrative control of the Cabinet Division and stores precious gifts given to rulers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats, and officials by heads of other governments and states and foreign dignitaries. (Agencies)
Some people justify killings of innocents because of self-interest: LG Sinha on Farooq Abdullah remarks
Jammu, October 21: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant General Manoj Sinha on Friday alleged that several people are justifying the killings of innocent citizens in the Union Territory because of their self-interest.
“We are keeping an eye on elements trying to jeopardise communal harmony. Some people justify the killings of innocent citizens because of their self-interest,” L-G Sinha said while attending an event on Police Commemoration Day.
He also paid tribute to the martyrs at the Armed Police Complex in Zewan. He assured that strict action would be taken against anybody ‘jeopardising’ the country’s integrity with their statements or actions.
“If anybody jeopardises the nation’s integrity by their statements or acts then action will be taken against them under the purview of law,” L-G Sinha added.
Sinha’s remarks came days after Jammu and Kashmir’s National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah alleged that incidents of targeted killings by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir are not going to stop “until justice is served.”
“This will never stop until justice is served. Earlier they said such killings were happening due to Article 370, but it’s abrogated now, so why such killings haven’t stopped? Who’s responsible?” National Conference’s Farooq Abdullah said on October 17.
Abdullah’s remarks were sharply criticised by the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress.
Reacting to Farooq Abdullah’s remark, Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina on October 18 said that the NC chief should condemn Pakistan instead of calling for talks with the neighbouring country.
“Instead of advocating for talks with Pakistan, Farooq Abdullah should condemn Pakistan and also call for unity in India’s fight against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism,” Raina said.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Salman Khurshid also said that one should not compare the value of human life and political scores and it is crucial to hold a healthy conversation with the ones who have been there experiencing the ground reality.
Notably, Abdullah had made these comments on the targeted killings in the Kashmir valley. (AGENCIES)
Mughal Road remains shut on 2nd straight day
Rajouri Oct 21: The Mughal road connecting Poonch district with Kashmir valley continued to remain closed for second consecutive day on Friday due to heavy snowfall at Pir ki Gali in Shopian.
The road was shut on Thursday morning due to fresh snowfall.
Officials said that heavy snowfall triggered closure of road between Poshana and Pir Ki Gali.
They said that road is lying closed for day two on Friday even as snow clearance work has also been set into motion to restore road for vehicular movement.
J&K BJP Councillor Rajinder Sharma elected as Jammu Mayor
J&K BJP Councillor Rajinder Sharma elected as Jammu Mayor
J&K administration asks Mehbooba to vacate official bungalow
SRINAGAR, Oct 21: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has been served a notice to vacate her official bungalow in the high-security Gupkar area here.
”The notice to evict from Fair View was served to me a few days ago. This has not come as a surprise and is along the expected lines,” the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister told PTI.
She said although the notice mentions that the bungalow is meant for the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, that is not the case.
”This place was allotted to my father (Mufti Mohammad Sayeed) in December 2005, after he relinquished the chief minister’s office. So the grounds mentioned by the administration are not correct,” Mufti said.
Asked if she will challenge the notice in the court of law, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief said she will consult her legal team.
”I do not own a place where I can stay. So I have to consult my legal team before taking a decision,” she said. (Agencies)
PM Modi performs puja at Kedarnath Temple
Rudraprayag (Uttarakhand), Oct 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed puja at Kedarnath Temple on Friday.
Prime Minister donned a traditional pahadi outfit at the holy shrine. PM Modi’s handmade attire was made by the women of Chamba, Himachal Pradesh. The dress is popularly called ‘Chola Dora’.
It was gifted to Prime Minister during his recent visit to the state.
PM was accompanied by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at the temple.
Prime Minister is on a visit to the Himalayan state to lay the foundation stone of projects worth over Rs 3,400 crore.
PM Modi arrived at Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun and was received by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Gurmeet Singh.
PM will lay the foundation stone of the Kedarnath Ropeway Project. After that, he will visit the Adi Guru Shankaracharya Samadhi Sthal. He will also review the progress of development works along Mandakini Asthapath and Saraswati Asthapath.
Later on the day, Prime Minister will reach Badrinath where he will perform darshan and pooja at Shri Badrinath Temple.
He will then review the progress of the development work of the riverfront, followed by laying the foundation stone of road and ropeway projects at Mana village. He will review the progress of development work of arrival plaza and lakes.
The ropeway in Kedarnath will be around 9.7 Km long and will connect Gaurikund to Kedarnath, reducing the travel time between the two places from 6-7 hours at present, to only about 30 mins. The Hemkund ropeway will connect Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib. It will be around 12.4 km long and will reduce the travel time from more than a day to only about 45 mins. This ropeway will also connect Ghangaria, which is the gateway to Valley of Flowers National Park, said the PMO statement.
The ropeways, which will be developed at a cumulative cost of around Rs 2,430 crore, are an environmental friendly mode of transport that will provide a safe, secure and stable mode of transport. This major infrastructure development will give a boost to religious tourism, which will give a fillip to the economic development in the region and lead to creation of multiple employment opportunities as well.
Foundation stone of road widening projects worth around Rs 1000 crore will also be laid during the visit. The two road widening projects – from Mana to Mana Pass (NH07) and from Joshimath to Malari (NH107B) – shall be another step towards providing last-mile all-weather road connectivity to our border areas. Apart from boosting connectivity, these projects will also prove beneficial from a strategic point of view as well.
Kedarnath and Badrinath are one of the most important Hindu shrines. The area is also known for one of the revered Sikh Pilgrim site – Hemkund Sahib. The connectivity projects are aimed to ease access and improve basic infrastructure in places of religious significance. (AGENCIES)
Dengue patient dies after allegedly being tranfused fruit juice instead of platelets in Prayagraj, hospital sealed
NEW DELHI, Oct 21: A private hospital in Prayagraj was sealed on Thursday for allegedly transfusing fruit juice instead of blood platelets to a dengue patient who later died, police said.
After a video of the alleged incident went viral on social media, the district administration swung into action and on the direction of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, the hospital was sealed.
The patient, Pradeep Pandey was shifted to another hospital, where he died after his condition deteriorated, officials said. However, no FIR has been registered at the local police station.
The owner of the private hospital claimed that the platelets were brought from a different medical facility and the patient had a reaction after three units were transfused.
In a tweet, Deputy CM Pathak said, “Taking cognisance of the viral video at the hospital where a dengue patient was transfused with sweet lemon juice instead of platelets, on my directive the hospital was sealed and the platelet packets have been sent for testing.”
“If found guilty, strict action will be taken against the hospital,” he said.
According to sources, the patient died due to the transfusion of “wrong platelets” and the samples of those will be examined.
Asked about the reason for sealing the hospital, an officer, on condition of anonymity, said it has been done on the instructions of the chief medical officer and will remain so till the sample is tested.
Saurabh Mishra, the owner of the hospital, said that since the patient Pradeep Pandey’s platelets level dropped to 17,000, his relatives were asked to arrange blood platelets for him.
“They brought five units of platelets from SRN Hospital. After transfusion of three units, the patient had a reaction. So we stopped it,” he said.
Mr. Mishra said that the platelets should be examined and their origin should be traced because they had the sticker of SRN hospital on them.
District Magistrate Sanjay Kumar Khatri, said, “An inquiry is underway and the platelets will also be tested.” (Agencies)
Military chopper crashes near Upper Siang district in Arunachal
Arunachal Pradesh, October 21: A military chopper crashed on Friday near Mingging village, 25 kilometres away from the Tuting headquarters in the Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh.
Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) crashed near Tuting area in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang district today at around 10:40 am today, according to Defence PRO, Guwahati.
Jummar Basar, Superintendent of Police Upper Siang, said over phone, “The site of the accident is not connected through road. A rescue team has been rushed and all other other details are awaited.”
Further details are awaited.
Earlier on October 5 this year, an Indian Army pilot lost his life in a Cheetah helicopter crash near Tawang area of Arunachal Pradesh.
“The Cheetah helicopter flying in forward areas near Tawang crashed at around 10:00 AM during a routine sortie. Both the pilots were evacuated to the nearest Military Hospital,” Army officials had said. (Agencies)
Last leg of Bharat Jodo Yatra to resume in K’taka, Priyanka likely to join
The last leg of Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi will be taken up in Karnataka from Friday. The padayatra will enter the Raichur district of Karnataka from Mantralaya in Andhra Pradesh.
Meanwhile, party sources confirmed that another scion of the Gandhi family, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is most likely to take part in the padayatra on Saturday.
The padayatra resumed from Mantralaya Temple Circle in Andhra Pradesh at 6 a.m. It will enter Karnataka’s Gillesegur in Raichur district at 10 a.m.
The Congress leaders will take up padayatra for three days in the district. The padayatra will cross the Tungabhadra bridge and pass through Yaragera, Raichur city and Shakthinagar.
Rahul Gandhi is interacting with the farmers and local people during the Yatra. He is staying at the Ranganatha Swamy Temple at Yaragera village.
On October 23, the padayatra will enter Telangana. The Congress leaders have been tasked with gathering 20,000 to 30,000 people during the yatra.
The police department has deputed 2,000 police personnel to ensure security. Padayatra has so far got a good response from the people in the state. Sonia Gandhi had also taken part in the padayatra briefly in Mandya district of south Karnataka.
The Congress party leaders are upbeat about the padayatra and they maintain that the party has gained right momentum in the run up to the state Assembly elections. The elections are scheduled to be held in another six months in Karnataka.
The internal survey conducted by the Congress leaders has shown that it will obtain a simple majority in the state Assembly elections.
The padayatra entered Karnataka on September 30. It will cover 511 kilometres of distance in the state.