Monday, November 30, 2015
A ninth standard girl gave birth to a baby girl in school toilet near Madhapur, Mandal educational officer suspended
In a shocking incident, a Class IX student delivered a child in the washroom of her school in Madhapur area here, which is the city's IT hub, police said today.
The 14-year-old student of a government high school went to the washroom after complaining of stomach pain while sitting in the classroom on Saturday, Malkajgiri's Deputy Educational Officer (DEO) A Usha Rani said.
"After sometime the students and teachers heard cries of a newborn baby and were shocked to find the girl with the baby. Both the mother and the baby girl were handed over to police," the DEO said, adding, even the girl's friends said they did not notice her swelled abdomen.
Madhapur Police Inspector K Narasimulu said that based on a complaint by the girl's father, they have registered a case of rape against a person named Dhanu who is known to the victim.
The DEO has suspended the school headmaster, S Basavalingam, and issued charge memos to class teachers as to why they failed to notice that the girl was pregnant.
The girl's father is a labourer and lives in nearby Lambada Tanda (hamlet), the police officer said, adding, the girl's family was aware that she was pregnant.
Hyd-Kol flight makes emergency landing due to unwell passenger
A Kolkata-bound flight from Hyderabad made an emergency landing at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubneshwar today after a passenger became unwell and complained of chest pain.
The ailing passenger was admitted to a city hospital for medical treatment and the IndiGo flight took off for Kolkata after the unscheduled halt for about 30 minutes at Bhubaneswar this morning, said Airport Director Sharad Kumar.
The condition of the passenger, identified as Sashi Menon, is now better and he would soon be sent to Kolkata by another flight, he said.
'Outlook' magazine admits to quoting Rajnath "erroneously"
"Outlook" magazine tonight admitted to have "erronously" attributed to Home Minister Rajnath Singh Hindu leader remark which created a storm in Lok Sabha.
In a statement uploaded in the weekly's twitter handle @Outlookindia, the magazine said that in a Lok Sabha debate earlier today, CPI-M MP Mohammad Salim referred to a story publish by it in its November 16 issue.
"In this story, a remark made by late Ashok Singhal of Vishwa Hindu Parishad was erronously attributed to Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Outlook deeply regrets the lack of diligence in verifying the source of the statement.
"It was not our intention to denigrate the Home Minister or Parliament. Outlook sincerely regrets the embarrassment caused to Mr Rajnath Singh and Mr Mohammad Salim. The online version of the said article has been corrected to put the facts on record," the statement of the weekly said.
The article created a storm in Lok Sabha after Salim raised it, prompting the Home Minister to strongly deny it.
The statement of Salim was later expunged by the Speaker.
Sunday, November 29, 2015
''Cow smuggler'' shot dead by Haryana police
An alleged cow smuggler was shot dead and his accomplice injured in an encounter with Haryana police near Thanesar town here in the wee hours today, police said.
The deceased has been identified as Abid (27) of Yamunanagar and his injured accomplice is Ashraf (28), also of Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra Superintendent of Police (SP) Simardeep Singh said.
Police received information about cow smuggling taking place in the early hours. A police party reached Anaj Mandi and tried to stop the smugglers, who opened fire on them, he alleged.
The policemen retaliated in which Abid died while Ashraf was injured, he said.
The SP said that police had registered some eight cases of cattle smuggling against the two in the past.
In the firing by smugglers, a police vehicle was badly damaged, he said. However, no policeman was injured in the encounter.
Police has confiscated the vehicle used by the smugglers, he said.
Singh said that the cattle smugglers were using the vehicle for smuggling cows.
Sources said that three other smugglers managed to escape under the cover of darkness.
Haryana government has recently brought into effect Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Act that bans cow slaughter and prohibits transportation of cows for sale to other states.
Milkha Singh flags off 'Hyderabad 10K Run'
'Flying Sikh' Milkha Singh today flagged off the 13 edition of the 'Hyderabad 10K Run' in which around 10,000 enthusiasts participated, displaying their willingness to run for a cause.
Addressing sports enthusiasts from the city who gathered in thousands, the legendary athlete cited examples of US President Barack Obama, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and himself when it came to working hard with commitment and will power.
Singh urged those present at the venue to achieve bigger things with the same kind of determination, a release said.
Expressing happiness on hosting such a event that encourages people to take interest in sports, he urged all of them to continue the same throughout their life.
While supporting Prime Minister Modi's initiatives to keep peace with neighbouring nations, Milkha wanted the government to keep politics and sports apart.
He further urged the 'Hyderabad 10K Run' organisers to set up a training academy for budding runners, irrespective of their financial status.
The winners of the run were selected under six different categories.
Elite 10K Run Category for Men: First Position - Man Singh, - 28 minutes 43 seconds, Second Position - B Srinivas 28 min 48 sec, Third Position - Deepak Kumar- 29 m 22s.
Elite 10K Run Category for Women: First Position - Monika Rout- 33m 17 s, Second Position - Monika Chowdhary - 34 m 25 s, Third Position - Manisha Solanki- 35 m 05 s.
Open Category of 10K Run for Men: First Position - Sahnder 29 m 54 s, Second Position - Pawar 29 m 56 s, Third Position - Rampal 30 m 42 s.
Open Category of 10 K Run for Women: First Position - Ruma Devi- 31 m 11s, Second Position - Vaddi Navya - 40 m 58 s, Third Position Kanaku - 41 m 41 s
Open Category of 10K Run for Men (Veteran): First Position - Y Srinivasa Rao, - 45 m 01 s, Second Position - N Chakradhar, 45 m 55 s, Third Position - Francis Winakar, 47 m 32 s
Open Category of 10K Run for Women (Veteran): First Position - Samyuktha Jadav, 49 m 59 s, Second Position - Jacklin Xavier - 51 m 18 s and third position - Usha Kiran V - 55 minutes 22 seconds, the release added.
AP: Missing minor boy found dead in sugarcane field
A two-year-old boy, who had gone missing, was today found dead under mysterious circumstances in a sugarcane field near Lingampeta village in the district.
N Manideep went missing yesterday while he was playing outside his house. Following a complaint lodged by his family, police had initiated a search, sub-inspector of KD Peta police station Ch Harikrishna said.
This morning, Manideep was found dead in the sugarcane field with injury marks on his body, the officer said.
A case under relevant sections of CrPC has been registered and investigations are underway, police said.
Medak : 3-year-old boy dies after falling in borewell
A three-year-old boy died after falling into an abandoned borewell in Telangana's Medak district, police said today.
The boy, Rakesh, fell into the borewell yesterday at around 9 AM while playing near his house at Bommareddi Gudem village in Pulkal mandal of Medak district.
His body was retrieved from the borewell today.
"The boy has died...today morning his body was taken out from the open borewell and handed over to his parents," Deputy Superintendent of Police (Medak sub-division) Raj Ratnam told PTI over phone.
Rakesh, the child of daily wagers, slipped at a depth of 30 feet inside the borewell. The land around the borewell was dug up to reach the boy, the DSP said.
Earth moving machines were used to dig a parallel hole to rescue the boy and oxygen was also pumped into the borewell.
The rescue operations by revenue department and other district officials hit a roadblock for sometime last evening when they came cross a sheet of rock while digging. Later, the officials continued the rescue work in the night, but the efforts failed to save the boy.
The borewell was left uncovered by a local farmer when he failed to find any water even after reaching an estimated depth of around 150 feet.
Rakesh, who was playing near it yesterday along with his brother, fell inside the borewell and got stuck even as his brother and other family members tried to pull him out, but in vain.
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Asad Owaisi congratulates Nitish, Lalu for victory in Bihar
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi today congratulated the Grand Alliance on its astounding victory in Bihar Assembly polls and urged the new government not to discriminate against Dalits and minorities.
"We congratulate the Grand Alliance on its astounding victory in the Assembly polls. We hope the rulers refrain from discriminating against Dalits and minorities as it will not be tolerated," he told the party workers in Kishanganj.
Downplaying the AIMIM's abysmal performance in its maiden electoral foray in Bihar, Owaisi said his party has lost the polls, but its morale was still high as a strong foundation has been laid on which the party can grow further.
AIMIM had put up six candidates from constituencies in Seemanchal region and all of them lost in the wave in favour of the Grand Alliance comprising RJD, JD(U) and Congress.
The firebrand AIMIM president, who is a Lok Sabha member from Hyderabad, had also actively campaigned for his party candidates in the state.
Lok Sabha to discuss intolerance on Monday
The issue of intolerance is set to reverberate in Lok Sabha on Monday with the Speaker accepting notices of CPI(M) member P Karunakaran and Congress MP K C Venugopal for a discussion on the matter.
The two opposition members had given notices for a discussion on the issue under rule 193, which does not entail voting. The matter has been listed for Monday.
The opposition has been seeking a discussion on the issue of intolerance for quite some time. At the all-party meeting held on November 25 in the backdrop of actor Aamir Khan's remarks on 'growing intolerance', opposition parties made a strong pitch for an early discussion on the issue, insisting that returning of awards by writers, artistes and filmmakers should not be taken lightly.
Assuring members on this count, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu had said that the government was ready to discuss all issues including that of the "so-called intolerance" though it fell in the domain of states.
He had said, "The government is particularly aware of the opposition's concerns over some unfortunate incidents that have happened in recent weeks including the Dadri incident and killing of M M Kalburgi. The government has condemned those incidents as they go against the traditional and highly cherished values of tolerance."
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had also made it clear that his party was going to raise the issue of intolerance as what was happening in the country was "disturbing" and the Prime Minister is "silent".
The government has been facing flak from different quarters on the issue of "growing intolerance" in the wake of the Dadri lynching, the beef row and incidents of communal violence.
Suspended SI tries to kill self
A police sub-inspector, suspended on corruption charges, allegedly tried to commit suicide by consuming a poisonous substance at the Cyberabad Police Commissionerate premises here today, police said.
SI Saidulu, suspended yesterday by the Cyberabad Police Commissioner C V Anand, drank a liquid mosquito repellent.
He was immediately taken to a hospital where he was being treated. Probe is on.
Air India passengers stranded in Hyderabad airport for six hours
Passengers of an Air India flight were stranded at the airport here for more than six hours after the carrier failed to get landing clearance in Bengaluru due to "bad weather" and thereafter had to deploy new set of pilots.
The flight which came from Muscat was scheduled to depart to Bengaluru at around 3.30 am.
"Because of bad weather in Bengaluru, we did not get clearance", an Air India official said. In the meanwhile, after getting the clearance, the two pilots came under "Duty Time Limitations" which means they cannot fly after certain number of hours on duty.
"So, we had to get another set of pilots", the official said. The flight finally took off at around 10 am.
There were a total of 153 passengers ten from Muscat and 143 from Hyderabad, it was stated.
Friday, November 27, 2015
Sultan Bazar traders observe bandh over metro route alignment
Traders in Sultan Bazar of the city today observed a bandh against the Telangana Government's decision to allow the elevated Hyderabad Metro Rail to pass through the area as per the original plan.
As traders downed the shutters, some stretches of the bustling old commercial market wore a deserted look.
They took to streets holding placards like 'Save Sultan Bazar' and 'Keep Your Promise KCR; Save Sultan Bazar'.
The businessmen alleged that sticking to the original alignment of Metro route, which passes through the Bazar, will result in loss of livelihood for them as it their establishments will get demolished.
Sultan Bazar mainly comprises garment and textile shops.
The state government had earlier sought realignment in the metro route in order to bypass the Legislative Assembly building and Sultan Bazar.
However, V B Gadgil, Chief Executive and Managing Director, L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad), yesterday said the government has dropped its proposal seeking a realignment of the metro lines in the two locations.
"The government has conveyed orally to go ahead with works at Sultan Bazar and Assembly areas as per the original alignment," he had said.
Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Sultan Bazar) Ravula Giridhar told PTI that the bandh was totally peaceful.
"Only few traders, that too in a 100 meter stretch of Sultan Bazar, participated in the protests and downed shutters. Otherwise, shops in Badichowdi and most parts of Sultan Bazar and Koti remained opened," the ACP said.
He said three protesters were taken into preventive custody and later released.
Giridhar said the owners of the shops appear in favour of the government's move to stick to earlier alignment.
However, tenants seemed to be opposing the move as they are now paying less rents and once the demolitions of the shops/buildings happen they will have to shift to other areas and have to pay more rents.
L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad (L&TMRH), the concessionaire, is developing the 72-km elevated metro rail project here with three corridors and 66 stations.
Why so much hullabaloo over Aamir statement, asks Nagma
Actress and Congress member Nagma today came out in support of Aamir Khan over his comments on "growing intolerance" and said the superstar never thought of leaving India, as she slammed BJP leaders like Yogi Adityanath over their remarks.
She wondered why so much hullabaloo has been created over his statement on "intolerance" when similar sentiments have been expressed by some other prominent personalties.
Asked by reporters to comment on Khan's statement, the filmstar-politician shot back "kaun sa pahad toot gaya hai desh par (what big trouble his statement has caused)?"
The 40-year-old "Baaghi" actress criticised BJP leaders like Yogi Adityanath for targeting Khan.
"When did Aamir say he wants to leave the country? There is a false propaganda against him. He never said he wants to leave India."
The 50-year-old actor has featured in advertisements for the Government of India and does not belong to any political party, she said.
The General Secretary of All-India Mahila Congress had come to Jambusar town in Bharuch district to campaign for party candidates contesting the taluka panchayat polls slated for November 29.
President Pranab Mukherjee, RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan and Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy, among others, have also spoken on the issue of intolerance, she said.
The Congress politician took potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his frequent foreign visits, saying "he should be issued an NRI (Non-Resident Indian) passport".
Nagma alleged law and order situation is deteriorating in BJP-ruled Gujarat, where she claimed attacks on women are increasing.
She criticised the Gujarat government for extending soft loan at 0.1 per cent interest to Tata Motors for their Nano car plant in Sanand near Ahmedabad.
Three more aerospace, defence parks proposed around Hyderabad
Telangana government is proposing to set up three more aerospace and defence parks on the outskirts of the city here over the next four years with an investment of Rs 2,500 crore and will shortly come out with a sector-specific policy, a senior official said today.
"In the next four-year timeline, depending on the requirement, we are planning to have three more aerospace and defence parks around Hyderabad.
"The idea is to make Telangana a hub of aerospace and defence where all activities, including R&D, manufacturing, incubation, will be provided at one place," Arvind Kumar, the Telangana Industries and Commerce Secretary told reporters.
"We are hoping that in the coming years, Hyderabad becomes the aerospace and defence hub. So, whatever is the land and manpower requirement, we will be able to provide. As of now, we are envisaging three more aerospace and defence parks. If that is not sufficient, we will expand further in terms of area and in terms of numbers," he added.
The Aerospace Park in Adibatla Special Economic Zone here, which is spread over 500 acres, is already fully functional. Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) and their JV partners have set up facilities with Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin for the manufacture of helicopter cabins, aircraft and its components.
Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems have also announced a joint venture that will manufacture aerostructures for aircraft, the senior official said.
He added that 500 acres has been provided at Eliminedu in Ibrahimpatnam for setting up another aerospace park while two more parks will come up on the outskirts of the city here around the Outer Ring Road.
The secretary earlier announced the holding of the second edition of Defence and Aerosupply, a three-day global aviation conclave which will be held here from November 30.
"After this three-day workshop, we will form a sub- committee and work out sector-specific policy on aero supply and defence for Telangana. We have studied different incentives offered by neighbouring states to stay competitive," he said, adding that, based on last year's conclave deliberations, the first draft has been developed and is being fine-tuned.
"Since the conduct of the first Defence and Aerosupply in November last year, we have got approximate investment of Rs 1,000 crore in aerospace and defence, which does not include (investments from) SMEs," Kumar said. .
India first is only religion, Constitution only holy book: Modi
Facing attack over 'intolerance', Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said 'India first' is the only religion of his government and Constitution is the only holy book while asserting his commitment to work for the welfare of people of all sections and religions.
He ruled out any review of the Constitution and reached out to the Opposition by saying that the ruling side does not believe in forcing decisions using its majority but believes in working through consensus.
Replying to a two-day long debate on the Constitution in Lok Sabha, Modi also rejected the Congress contention that the NDA government was trying to deny due credit or undermining the role of leaders like Jawahar Lal Nehru, to whom he paid rich tributes.
Speaking in the backdrop of attack over 'intolerance', he asserted that diversity is the strength of India and it needs to be nurtured.
"For the government, the only 'dharma' is 'India first, the only 'dharma granth' (holy book) is the Constitution," the Prime Minister asserted in his about 70-minute reply to the debate during which opposition members raked up the issue of 'intolerance' and questioned his silence over the issue.
Modi invites Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh for tea
In a move to reach out to the opposition for the passage of key legislations in Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Congress President Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh for tea this evening. Talking to reporters Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu said in New Delhi that Mr Modi called them yesterday and invited them to discuss the issues related to important bills and working together for smooth functioning of Parliament. He said he is hopeful of a fruitful meeting.
The meeting which will take place at Prime Minister’s residence , is significant as the government and the Congress are at loggerheads on the passage of crucial legislations like the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill.
Yesterday, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said that Mr. Modi is willing to speak to everyone to get the landmark indirect tax law through. Congress had stalled passage of the GST Bill in the last session objecting to some provisions of the bill. Reports say this will be the first face-to-face meeting between the Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi since BJP won the Lok Sabha elections last year.
YSRCP MP booked for assaulting Air India official
A criminal case has been registered against a YSR Congress MP from Andhra Pradesh for allegedly slapping a station manager of Air India (AI) at Tirupati airport.
Lok Sabha MP P Mithun Reddy went to the cabin of AI manager at the airport Rajasekhar yesterday afternoon and picked up an "argument" with him regarding boarding passes for his relatives for a flight.
He later "shouted" at the manager before allegedly slapping him, Yerpedu police station sub-inspector Ramakrishnaiah said based on a complaint lodged by the victim.
Following the complaint, a case was registered last night against the MP along with his 15 other followers under sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 448 (house-trespass) of IPC, he said.
"We are investigating the matter," the SI told PTI over phone.
Some passengers, who were to board the flight, had also complained to the MP that the manager had allegedly misbehaved with them, after which Reddy went to Rajasekhar's cabin.
Mithun Reddy represents Rajampet constituency in Kadapa district of the state.
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Hyderabad metro gets nod to proceed with work on 2 locations
L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad), which is implementing a Rs 16,000-crore elevated metro rail project in the city, today said it has got a green signal from the state government to proceed with work in two of the three locations.
Earlier, it had been asked to suspend work pending decision from the government.
"The government has conveyed orally to go ahead with works at Sultan Bazar and Assembly areas as per the original alignment. Talks are still on with regard to old city area," V B Gadgil, Chief Executive and Managing Director L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) said in a press conference.
The infrastructure major had earlier said they suspended work in the three locations based on a "request" from the state government.
Meanwhile, Gadgil today inaugurated the sample retail stores and unveiled the retail development plans.
He said a typical station has retail space ranging from 2,500 sft to 9,000 sft at two different locations at a concourse level while Interchange and Special Stations have retail spaces ranging from 10,000 sft to 40,000 sft with store sizes ranging from 1,500 square feet to any maximum possible size.
Pakistan voices concern over spike in hate crimes against Muslims
Pakistan today voiced concern over a spike in hate crimes targeting Muslims across the world after the horrific Paris attacks, saying terrorism has nothing to do with Islam, which is a religion of peace.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah at a media briefing here expressed concern over the growing incidents of hate crimes against Muslims after the November 13 Paris attacks claimed by Islamic State militants in which 130 people were killed.
Terrorism has nothing to do with Islam, which is a religion of peace and preach brotherhood, Radio Pakistan quoted him as saying.
According to a report to the British government's working group on anti-Muslim hatred, there has been a 300 per cent spike in hate crimes targeting Muslims in Britain in the week following the Paris attacks.
The spokesperson also said that the tension between Turkey and Russia after the Turkish military shot down a Russian jet at the border with Syria should be eased through peaceful negotiations.
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Seventh anniversary of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks today
The seventh anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks is being observed today. The Maharashtra government and Mumbai Police will pay homage to those killed in the attack.
On this day in 2008, ten Pakistani terrorists had arrived by sea route and opened fire indiscriminately at people killing 166, including 18 security personnel, and injuring several others, besides damaging property worth crores of rupees. The attack had begun on 26 November and lasted until 29 November.
The then Maharashtra ATS Chief Hemant Karkare, army Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Mumbai's Additional Police Commissioner Ashok Kamte and Senior Police Inspector Vijay Salaskar were among those killed.
Ajmal Kasab was the only terrorist who was captured alive. He was hanged four years later on November 21, 2012.
The entire Mumbai city has been put on alert and security has been increased at key installations in the city. Martyrs will be remembered and paid homage at various locations in the city today.
Sedition case filed against Aamir in Bihar court
A complaint was filed in a court here today against film star Aamir Khan and his wife Kiran Rao under various sections including sedition over his remarks on intolerance.
The complaint was filed by advocate Sudhir Kumar Ojha in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Sushma Trivedi.
The court fixed December one for hearing into the matter.
Ojha stated in the complaint that he felt hurt hearing Aamir's remarks.
The complaint was filed under sections 153 (A),(B) and 124 (A). 153 (A) pertains to promoting enemity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language etc and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony.
153 (B) relates to imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration and Section 124 (A) relates to sedition.
Khan found himself in the eye of a raging storm after he commented last Monday in a programme, "Kiran and I have lived all our life in India. For the first time, she said, should we move out of India...She fears for her child, she fears about what the atmosphere around us will be.
Reactions proved my apprehensions, I stand by what I said' says Aamir Khan
Fake currency racket busted, 4 held
Hyderabad Police has claimed to have busted a counterfeit currency racket with the arrest of four students, including one from Bangladesh, and seized fake notes with a face value of Rs 3.81 lakh allegedly from them.
The arrested gang members -- Md Al Masrekin alias Sathy from Bangladesh, Razibul Hoque, Asif Iqbal and Minarul Islam, all students from different districts in West Bengal -- were allegedly engaged in exchanging of counterfeit currency in Hyderabad, a police release said.
The Bangladeshi student, along with the three other students, formed a gang and were allegedly circulating counterfeit currency in India with the help of prime accused Sofikul Islam and Shorif, both also from West Bengal, who are absconding, it said.
Sofikul Islam and Shorif supplied fake currency, the release said.
Sathy came to India on a tourist visa in 2009 for higher studies and resided in West Bengal. He later obtained a student visa which is valid up to 2016.
In July this year, the gang members circulated counterfeit currency with a face value of Rs 6 lakhs, the release said. In September, the accused went to Visakhapatnam with fake currency of Rs 6 lakhs and exchanged half of the amount in the market, it said.
Later, they went to Vijayawada and exchanged the remaining fake currency in the market and shared the genuine money received as per the agreement, the release said.
On November 4, the four came to Hyderabad with fake currency of Rs 5 lakhs face value received from Sofikul Islam and Shorif and shifted to a rented house in Bapu Nagar here and informed the landlord that they had come for studies, police said.
"After circulating counterfeit currency, two members of the gang again went back to their native place and came back to Hyderabad with more fake currency having face value of Rs 5 lakh. The gang members exchanged fake currency in the market and secured genuine currency," police said.
Purchasing a pen worth Rs 50 by one of the gang members Razibul Hoque (with fake currency) at a shop in Koti area here on November 23 led to the arrest of all the four accused, the release said. A hunt has been launched to nab Sofikul Islam and Shorif, it said.
Police also seized 381 fake currency notes in Rs 1,000 domination from them, it added.
Film industry has always been leftist: Anurag Basu
Director Anurag Basu feels the ongoing debate on intolerance and the artistes returning awards just prove that the film industry is leftist like it has always been.
The "Barfi!" director said people in the film industry have always raised their voice against the establishment.
"As a film fraternity we are a little leftist, we are always against the establishment. The artists have always protested. It has always been there but it is being discussed more," Basu told PTI here.
The filmmaker said this growing protest also shows that there is freedom of expression in the country.
"I think they don't hesitate (to protest) and that means there is freedom of expression. You can't do this in any other country the way people are returning awards. The fact that we are having this debate is itself very positive."
On the extreme censorship in the country, Anurag said he has neither experienced any extreme issue with the censor board.
"To be very frank I have not heard anybody throttling my voice or my colleagues' voice. Nobody has told us don't do this because the film censor will not like it. From the film industry point of view, I don't think we have to react because nothing has happened yet.
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Ex-DGP's grandson, two others kiiled in road accident
Three persons, including the grandson of former Director General Police (DGP) and Telangana government advisor Pervaram Ramulu were killed on Wednesday at Kokapet near Outer Ring Road under the limits of Rayadurgam police station limits.
Varun Pawar, grandson of Ramulu died when the Scoda car in which he was travelling hit a milk van on its rear side. Varun and two others Gnanadev and Pavan died on the spot and another person sustained injuries. The police reached the spot and shifted the injured to the hospital and his condition was said to be critical.
Muslims will never leave India: Asad Owaisi
Unani `doctor' accused of causing man's death arrested
A so-called Unani doctor, accused of causing a patient's death and trying to burn the body, was today arrested, Cyberabad police here said.
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) police station's inspector T Sudhakar said Hussain, the accused, was produced before a court which remanded him in judicial custody.
Nayeemuddin, the victim, had visited Hussain's clinic in Old City area complaining of back-pain last Saturday. Hussain allegedly gave him an injection but Nayeemuddin developed some complications and later died.
Hussain then tried to dispose of the body by burning it at an isolated spot, but some local people noticed it and alerted the police who registered a case under sections 302 (murder) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) of IPC.
Though Hussain claimed to be a Unani doctor, police didn't find any certificates in his possession. Further probe is on.
IS activities disrupting global economy: Jaitley
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today warned that disruptive ISIS activities could impact the world economy.
"Meeting the challenges of development will now be increasingly diverted towards security measures and which part of the world is safe itself will become a great question," he said while speaking at the annual meet of an industry chamber.
He further said that what ISIS has been doing across the world in the last few months poses a new danger to civilisation and "therefore its impact on global economy cannot be understated."
The terrorist outfit Islamic State or ISIS has captured territories in Iraq and Syria and launched attacks in western world, including the recent attacks in Paris that killed 129 persons.
"And which part of the world will be safe itself will become a good question," he said adding ISIS activities will have consequential bearing on buoyancy in currency, trade, and tourism.
Jaitley said that earlier management of the economy was easier because there was one crisis in a decade or more, "but now, today, you live in a world, which is full of turmoil, full of volatility and you have to be think ahead of others because you are continuously busy dowsing the impact of one fire and trying to put firewalls around your own economy so that you can be saved of that crisis.
"I do believe the new global norm is volatility and turmoil. It is no longer stability and things can change very fast."
Moreover, he added, the patchy recovery and occasional green shoots witnessed in BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) nations were overtaken by certain geopolitical factors which has created global instability.
Jaitley further said that global resources which were earlier intended to be spent on poverty alleviation and meeting the challenges of development will now be increasingly diverted towards security measures and "which part of the world will be safe itself will become a good question.
What Aamir said is a reality: Azam Khan
Senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan today came out in support of Bollywood actor Aamir Khan arguing what he said was not about intolerance but a reality and exhorted people not to target the film star.
"What he (Aamir) has said is not about intolerance but a reality and he should not be targetted for it," he told reporters here.
Khan, who also sent a letter to Aamir, said that whatever the actor said were feelings of his wife, a Hindu who is insecure about the future of her children under the present circumstances.
"When Aamir Khan's wife is not feeling safe, can you imagine what the common people might be feeling," he asked.
TRS wins Warangal LS bypoll with 4.6 lakh votes
The ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) today retained the Warangal (SC) Lok Sabha seat as its candidate Pasunoori Dayakar won by a massive margin of nearly 4.6 lakh votes.
Dayakar polled 6,15,403 votes as he humbled Congress nominee and former Union Minister Sarve Satyanarayana (1,56,311) and BJP-TDP combine's Pagidipati Devaiah (BJP) (1,30,178) in the November 21 bypoll, for which counting was taken up this morning.
"A big thanks to Warangal. You've inspired us to work more and better", tweeted K Taraka Rama Rao, the Minister for Panchayatraj, Rural Development and Information Technology and son of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, as the party won with a margin better than last time.
The bypoll was necessitated following the resignation of Kadiyam Srihari after he was made Deputy Chief Minister.
Srihari had won the seat with a margin of 3.92 lakh votes in last year's election.
The bypoll was seen a first major political test for the Chief Minister after the government assumed office in June last year.
The Congress in particular had put up a spirited campaign, with senior party leaders Sushil Kumar Shinde, Meira Kumar, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Digvijay Singh and Sachin Pilot addressing public meetings.
TRS victory in Warangal people's endorsement of govt: KTR
The victory of TRS candidate Pasunoori Dayakar in the Warangal (SC) Lok Sabha constituency bypoll is people's endorsement of the party's rule in Telangana, state IT Minister K T Rama Rao said here today.
"At least after this endorsement by the people, the Opposition parties should stop trying to defame the state government," Rama Rao, son of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao told reporters.
A section of the media has also tried to malign the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government, he claimed.
"A big thanks to Warangal. You've inspired us to work more and better," Rama Rao, who is also minister for panchayat raj, tweeted on the bypoll outcome.
The November 21 bypoll was necessitated following the resignation of Kadiyam Srihari after he was made Deputy Chief Minister. Srihari had won the seat with a margin of 3.92 lakh votes last year.
Meanwhile, jubilant scenes were witnessed at Telangana Bhavan, the TRS headquarters here, with party workers bursting crackers and dancing to celebrate what is termed as better-than-expected result for the ruling party.
While the victory was in a way "a foregone conclusion", the talk before the bypoll revolved around the victory margin, with many predicting a reduced majority for TRS in Warangal.
TRS heads for spectacular win in Warangal
The ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) is heading for a spectacular win in Warangal Lok Sabha seat with its candidate Pasunoori Dayakar establishing an unassailable lead of more than 3.8 lakh votes.
At the end of the 15th round of counting today, Dayakar secured 5,11,608 votes, leaving behind Congress nominee and former Union Minister Sarve Satyanarayana (1,30,253) and BJP-TDP combine's Pagidipati Devaiah (BJP) (1,00,456) in the distinct second and third positions.
The November 21 bypoll was necessitated following the resignation of Kadiyam Srihari after he was made Deputy Chief Minister. Srihari had won the seat with a margin of 3.92 lakh votes in last year's election.
"A big thanks to Warangal. You've inspired us to work more and better", tweeted K Taraka Rama Rao, the Minister for Panchayatraj, Rural Development and Information Technology and son of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao.
Aamir Khan's comments on intolerance misplaced: Govt
Government today termed as "misplaced" superstar Aamir Khan's comments on growing intolerance, saying such statements only bring disrepute to the country as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"His comments on intolerance is completely misplaced.
Comments like this only bring the image of country and the Prime Minister Modi down," Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju told reporters on the sidelines of a function here when asked to comment on Aamir Khan's statement yesterday at an award function in the national capital.
The 50-year-old actor had said he has been "alarmed" by a number of incidents and his wife Kiran Rao even suggested that they should probably leave the country.
Rijiju said communal incidents in the country has come down ever since the Modi government came to power in May 2014.
"Communal violence has come down since NDA came to power.
There were less number of communal incidents," he said.
According to Home Ministry statistics, 86 people were killed till October this year in various communal violence incidents in comparison to 90 deaths in the corresponding period of 2014.
However, the total number of communal incidents till October witnessed a rise this year with 630 incidents being recorded as compared to 561 incidents in 2014.
In 2013, when the UPA was in power, the corresponding figure was 694 incidents, though that was largely on account of the Muzaffarnagar riots that claimed more than 60 lives.
As many as 1,899 people were injured in various communal violence till October 2015 in comparison to 1,688 people injured last year.
A total of 644 communal violence incidents took place in 2014, resulting in 95 deaths and injuries to 1,921 people.
Monday, November 23, 2015
Aamir Khan joins intolerance debate, says Wife suggested moving out of India
Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan on Monday joined the chorus of intelligentsia against growing intolerance, saying he has been "alarmed" by a number of incidences and his wife Kiran Rao even suggested that they should probably leave the country.
He also virtually supported those returning their awards, saying one of the ways for creative people to express their dissatisfaction or disappointment is to return their awards.
"As an individual, as part of this country as a citizen, we read in the papers what is happening, we see it on the news and certainly, I have been alarmed. I can't deny. I have been alarmed by a number of incidents," he said while speaking here at the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards.
The actor said he also feels that the sense of insecurity and fear has been growing in the past six or eight months.
"When I chat with Kiran at home, she says 'Should we move out of India?' That's a disastrous and big statement for Kiran to make. She fears for her child. She fears about what the atmosphere around us will be. She feels scared to open the newspapers every day.
"That does indicate that there is this sense of growing disquiet, there is growing despondency apart from alarm. You feel why this is happening, you feel low. That sense does exist in me," 50-year-old Aamir said.
The actor said for any society, it is important to have a sense of security and sense of justice.
Taking potshots at politicians, he said "... People who are our elected representatives, people who we select to look after us for five years, state or centre... when people take law into their hands, we look upon these people to take a strong stance, to make a strong statement, speed up the legal process, when we see that happening there is a sense of security but when we don't see that happening there is a sense of insecurity."
Endorsing the move by scientists, writers and filmmakers to return their awards to register their protest against the atmosphere of growing intolerance, he said for creative people it is important to voice what they feel.
"A number of creative people -- historians, scientists -- increasingly had a certain feeling in them, which they felt they need to express. For creative people, one of the ways of expressing their dissatisfaction or their disappointment is to return their awards. I think that's one way of getting your point across," he said.
When asked whether he endorsed the protests by the people, Aamir said he would as long as it is non-violent as "all individuals have a right to protest and they can protest in any manner that they feel is right as long as they are not taking the law into their hands."
TRS accuses Centre of short shrift, to raise issues in Parl
Telangana Rashtra Samithi would raise a string of issues like division of high court, granting national status to irrigation projects and drought relief in forthcoming session of Parliament even as it accused the Centre of meting out a "raw deal" to the youngest state.
"The Centre is giving a raw deal to Telangana. They dropped Central schemes, but we cannot drop. We are implementing them from Budget. National status was promised (to some irrigation projects). We wanted to focus (on) six, seven issues," TRS Rajya Sabha member K Keshav Rao told reporters here.
TRS MPs today called upon the party president and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao here and discussed the issues to be raised in the session, beginning November 26.
A government release stated that Rao has suggested party MPs to raise the issues including division of high court, national highways in the state and according national status to irrigation projects.
TRS has been demanding the division of High Court between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh following bifurcation last year.
TRS MP K Kavitha, daughter of CM, had earlier alleged that the NDA government has not been too helpful with regard to the demands made by the state government.
She had expressed unhappiness with the NDA government over allocation of institutes of higher learning, release of funds to the newly-carved out state since its formation in June last year.
Another MP Jitender Reddy said the TRS would raise the issue of setting up an AIIMS-like institution in the state and the drought relief of Rs 500 crore.
Warangal by-poll: Counting of votes Tuesday
Counting of votes for the just held by-election to the Warangal (SC) Lok Sabha seat would be taken up tomorrow.
"The exercise would be undertaken in seven halls in the Enumamula market yard here," District Collector V Karuna said.
The counting would begin at 8 am.
Section 144 of CrPC (preventing unlwaful assembly) has been imposed at the venue to as a precautionary measure.
The by-poll held on November 21 had witnessed a voter turn-out of 68.59 per cent.
Twenty-three candidates were in the fray. The main contest is considered to be between P Dayakar of the ruling TRS, main opposition Congress nominee and former Union Minister Sarve Satyanarayana and BJP candidate P Devaiah on behalf of the BJP-TDP combine.
YSRCP's N Suryaprakash and a Left-backed candidate are also part of the electoral battle.
The by-poll was necessitated following the resignation of sitting TRS MP K Srihari after he became Telangana Deputy Chief Minister.
If Assam governor has problem, he can go to Nepal: Azam Khan
Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan today waded into the controversy surrounding Assam Governor P B Acharya's comments, saying Muslims would prefer 'kabristan' than Pakistan and suggested that he can go to Nepal, if he has any problem in staying with the minority community.
"We prefer kabristan (graveyard) instead of going to Pakistan. Arrange kabristan for us, we will not go to Pakistan. And if the governor has any problem in staying with us, he can go to Nepal. For him doors of Nepal cannot be closed," he told reporters.
His remarks came against the backdrop of Acharya's statement, which stoked controversy yesterday when he said that Indian Muslims are free to go anywhere, including Pakistan and Bangladesh.
"There are a handful of people, who are trying to create a civil war in the country. They should decide their path. Whom should they complain against governor? The president has all information...," he asked.
"All these things are insult to the Constitution. Whatever happened in 1992 was also against Constitution. The mosque was demolished there (Ayodhya), now it is not there. Ram temple is there. Repeating the same thing is an attempt to vitiate atmosphere," he claimed.
"It appears that there is no Constitution in the country.
And if it is there attempts are on to finish it," Khan alleged.
Attacking BJP and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's "push for construction of the Ram temple", he claimed that they had tried things like 'love jihad' and others but failed and so they are now trying to incite feelings of Hindu with controversial statements.
AP Power sector to get Rs 4,000-cr assistance from World Bank
The World Bank has given an in-principle approval for providing nearly Rs 4,000-crore financial assistance to Andhra Pradesh for power sector.
"The Centre is also extending support for infrastructure development in power sector for both rural and urban areas to the tune of nearly Rs 3,200 crore", a statement issued by the State Energy Conservation Mission said.
"During the meeting, Ajay Jain, Secretary (Energy) apprised the Chief Minister (N Chandrababu Naidu) that World Bank has given in-principle clearance to provide Rs 3,200 crore to Andhra Pradesh power sector for infrastructure development, besides Rs 750 crore for laying underground cabling system in Visakhapatnam," it said.
Quoting Jain, the release said steps have been taken by AP discoms to clear all 1,932 low tension and high tension pending applications with 500 MW load on war footing.
The CM has directed officials to work out modalities for ensuring zero power interruption by constructing required new substations and laying alternate lines for the industries in addition to the dedicated feeders in a time bound manner, it added.
IS appoints leader in B'desh; threatens attacks
The dreaded Islamic State terror group has appointed a 'regional leader' in Bangladesh and threatened more attacks on the "crusaders and their allies" wherever they may be found.
"The soldiers of the Khilafah in Bengal pledged their allegiance to the Khalifah Ibrahim (Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi), unified their ranks, nominated a regional leader, gathered behind him and dissolved their former factions," the outfit said in an article in its latest online magazine 'Dabiq'.
However,
it does not name the leader nor does it provide any clue to who it could be.
The article says that the militants have "performed the necessary military preparations, and hastened to answer the order from the Islamic State leadership, by targeting the crusaders and their allies wherever they may be found."
Indian and Western intelligence officials say the 'core' of this unified jihadi platform that has linked up with the Islamic State includes elements of the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), according to Bdnews24.
The JMB, which seemingly meets the Islamic State's Salafist standards, has presence in Bangladesh and in bordering states in India, it added.
An explosion in a bomb-making factory in West Bengal's Burdwan town in October last year blew the lid on the considerable JMB presence in India.
The post in 'Dabiq' criticises Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led Awami League government for insisting there is no Islamic State presence in Bangladesh.
"There is no use denying IS presence in Bangladesh," the post says.
The outfit has claimed several operations in Bangladesh in recent months including shooting and injuring an elderly Italian priest, killing an Italian aid worker and a Japanese farmer.
IS does not consider Indians good enough fighter
Dreaded terrorist group ISIS does not consider South Asian Muslims, including Indians, good enough to fight in conflict zone of Iraq and Syria and so treats them as inferior to Arab fighters often tricking them into suicide attacks.
According to an intelligence report prepared by foreign agencies and shared with Indian agencies, fighters from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh as well as certain countries like Nigeria and Sudan are considered inferior to Arab fighters.
There appears to be clear hierarchy wherein the Arab fighters are preferred as officer cadre and provided better arms and ammunition, equipment, accommodation and salaries.
"The fighters from South Asia are usually housed in groups in small barracks and are paid less than the Arab fighters and are provided inferior equipment," the input says.
There are reports that the so-called inferior fighters are also, at times, tricked into suicide attacks. Usually they are given a vehicle loaded with explosives and asked to go near a targeted destination and call a certain number, who would purportedly come and meet them to explain the mission.
However, as soon as the number is dialled, the car explodes due to a pre-set mechanism aimed at destroying a specific target.
A total of 23 Indians have so far joined the ISIS of which six reportedly killed in different incidents. The dead are: Athif Vaseem Mohammad (Adilabad, Telangana), Mohammad Umar Subhan (Bangalore, Karnataka), Maulana Abdul Kadir Sultan Armar (Bhatkal, Karnataka), Saheem Farooque Tanki (Thane, Maharashtra), Faiz Masood (Bangalore, Karnataka) and Mohammad Sajid alias Bada Sajid (Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh).
The intelligence report suggests that there is a disproportionately high level of casualty among the South Asian and African foreign terrorist fighters since they are forced to the frontlines of battle as foot soldiers.
The Arab fighters with better battle experience are mostly positioned behind these fighters and hence their casualties are proportionally less in terms of their total numbers. This explains why so many Indians from a small Indian contingent have died, it says.
Inclusiveness keeps Indian Muslims from joining IS: US
The inclusive model of the country has kept Indian Muslims from joining terror outfit Islamic State, US Ambassador to India Richard Verma said here today.
"India has been a model of inclusiveness," Verma told reporters when asked why have so few Indian Muslims joined the IS.
To a query on his assessment of threat perception of the dreaded terror group to India, Verma said it is for Indian officials to address that question.
"But as President (Barack) Obama said, this is a serious threat and we intend to intensify our strategies and it will require diligent efforts from all levels," Verma said.
For countering terrorism in mega-cities, governments must create an ecosystem of cohesion and inclusivity, the US Ambassador said.
"We have to get to the root causes of unrest. As cities grow bigger here is a potential that certain sections of population become disaffected and frustrated. So there is an importance of good governance," he said.
The US Ambassador also spoke of India-US cooperation on terrorism front including "shutting of the terror outfits finances and networks".
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Cultural policing in India is dangerous: Nandita Das
Voicing her concern about the growing environment of intolerance and throttling of the voice of expression in the country, acclaimed actress-filmmaker Nandita Das says this kind of cultural policing is dangerous for a democracy like India.
The 46-year-old "Earth" actress feels it is crucial to give importance to every opinion as that is the only way one can learn to respect what others have to say.
"Even in film festivals where I have been to as a jury member; there are a lot of different viewpoints. And its ok as that is how we slowly educate ourselves with the perspective of another person and that way our own thinking will evolve and change.
"I think this throttling of the voice and this kind of cultural policing that is happening is extremely dangerous," Nandita told PTI.
Calling India one of the most stable democracies the actress said it is necessary for people of the country to save their freedom of expression.
"We are proud to be part of democracy and one of the most stable democracies in the South-East Asian region. All other countries they look up to us as the biggest pillar of democracy. So we must protect our freedom of expression."
Nandita says it is absolutely fine to have varied opinions as it is a healthy sign and freedom to speak up is necessary for the growth of a society
"For any society to grow we have to have freedom to speak up. You and I may completely disagree but if we are not even allowed to talk about it then how does any new voice, or any conversation emerge.
Khammam : Judge grants divorce after hearing petitioner through Skype
In a rare instance, a Khammam court has granted divorce to a couple after hearing one of the petitioners over Internet video calling facility Skype.
Senior Civil Judge of Khammam M Venkata Ramana, based on a recent judgement of Hyderabad High Court, used Skype to interact with the woman who was in the US, before granting divorce.
According to Basava Punnaiah, counsel for the woman, her client had requested the court to grant her divorce from Kiran Kumar.
She has been staying in the US for the past two years and could not attend the court hearing yesterday.
"First the Judge asked my client to identify her father and her husband (now ex-husband) through Skype. After she did, he asked the final opinion about the divorce for which she said she wanted. Based on that, the judge granted divorce," the counsel told PTI.
The couple was married in 2012 and soon after differences cropped up between them.
The man filed 'Nullity of Marriage' petition in the court while the woman had filed a petition under IPC Section 498 (A) (domestic violence).
The woman then moved to the US to pursue higher studies and later both the families came to an understanding. The couple filed a divorce with mutual consent petition in the court, the counsel said.
"She gave power of attorney to her father. However, in divorce cases, the court would like to hear both petitioners personally. As she is in USA and not able to attend the court, we filed a petition requesting the court to hear her version through Skype, for which the judge agreed," Punnaiah said.
The judge used a laptop to interact with the petitioner and passed decree of divorce yesterday, he added.
BSP rules out tie-up with MIM
The BSP today rubbished speculations about a possible tie-up with the Hyderabad-based AIMIM and said it will contest all 403 seats alone in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, slated to be held in 2017.
BSP's National General Secretary Swami Prasad Maurya said, "There is no question of a tie-up with the party of Owaisi brothers. The BSP does not require any electoral alliance in UP."
"The party will fight on its own and emerge victorious, like it had done in the 2007 Assembly polls, under the leadership of BSP supremo Mayawati," he said.
The party will fight on the plank of "Kanoon ka Raj" (rule of law) against BJP's 'Danga Raj' and SP's 'Goonda Raj', Maurya, who was among the senior most Cabinet ministers in the previous BSP government, said.
Maurya was responding to queries about a possible tie-up with parties like the AIMIM and the Congress against the backdrop of the spectacular performance of Grand Alliance in Bihar Assembly elections, where arch rivals Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad had joined hands to defeat the BJP and its allies.
"The Congress may have been a part of the 'Mahagathbandhan' in Bihar, but the situation is different in UP. The party is a spent force here and does not even have adequate number of grassroots workers. On the other hand, we have a formidable organization," Maurya said.
"Similarly, the AIMIM is a non-entity in UP. It has little influence beyond Hyderabad, which is the hometown of the Owaisis. Even in Bihar, where it had announced its decision to contest Assembly polls with so much fanfare, it came a cropper," he added.
"Moreover, we had got a majority on our own in UP in 2007. Our track record while in power will be sufficient to propel our party towards victory.
"We will fight the next Assembly elections by offering the alternative of 'Kanoon ka Raj' as against the BJP's "Danga Raj' and the ruling SP's 'Goonda Raj,'" Maurya,, said.
KCR lays foundation stone of Hyd Police Commissionerate
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao today laid the foundation stone of Hyderabad Police Commissionerate Headquarters-cum-Integrated Command and Control Centre, which will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 302 crore.
The state-of-the-art complex proposed to be built on 7 acres land at plush Banjara Hills here will comprise four blocks and will have twin glass towers (18 and 24 stories building) and will facilitate functional integration of all wings of Hyderabad City Police under one roof and fusion of technologies relating to all functional wings.
The building is designed as an environment-friendly project with solar photovoltaic roof and building integrated photovoltaic in facade to produce clean and green electricity.
It will also have a helipad at the top of the structure.
"The state government's focus is on people-friendly policing and as part of it several people-friendly measures have already been undertaken by the police," Chandrasekhar Rao said.
"An amount of Rs 302 crore was sanctioned yesterday towards the cost of this modern building. An additional sum of Rs 700 crore will be made available in the next budget," he said.
Neighbourhood policing concept which prevails in countries Singapore and China, will also be replicated in the state, the Chief Minister said.
About 10,000 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras would be installed across the city towards enhanced surveillance, he said.
"Elected representatives should also contribute funds for installing CCTV system that will enhance public safety and CSR funds will also be utilised for the purpose," Rao added.
Hyderabad Police M Mahender Reddy said the proposed building will be the technology driven operational hub for all wings of Hyderabad City Police and will make the government interaction smooth.
The surveillance cameras to be installed in the city and police headquarters of all the districts would be synchronised with the Command Control Centre and it will also have a mega video wall.
"It will be an unique tower with technology fusions in the country-a Hawk Eye protecting people of the city and enhancing safety and security standards," he said.
Saturday, November 21, 2015
No annual increment for non-performing employees
Central government employees should not be allowed to earn annual increments if they fail to meet performance criterion, the Seventh Central Pay Commission has recommended even as it sought upgradation of performance benchmark to "very good" from "good" level.
It has also recommended introduction of the Performance Related Pay (PRP) for all categories of central government employees.
There is a widespread perception that increments as well as upward movement in the hierarchy happen as a matter of course. The perception is that grant of Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP), although subject to the employee attaining the laid down threshold of performance, is taken for granted, the panel said.
"This Commission believes that employees who do not meet the laid down performance criterion should not be allowed to earn future annual increments. The Commission is therefore proposing withholding of annual increments in the case of those employees who are not able to meet the benchmark either for MACP or a regular promotion within the first 20 years of their service.
"This will act as a deterrent for complacent and inefficient employees. However, since this is not a penalty, the norms for penal action in disciplinary cases involving withholding increments will not be applicable in such cases.
This will be treated as an efficiency bar," it said in the report submitted to the government.
Additionally, for such employees there could be an option to leave service on similar terms and conditions as prescribed for voluntary retirement, the panel said. .
Six TRS leaders 'detained' by Maoists released
Six local leaders of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) from Khammam district of the state, who were 'detained' by Maoists in the neighbouring Chhattisgarh state were released today, police said.
"All six of them were released today and they safely reached their homes," Bhadrachalam Sub-Division Additional Superintendent of Police R Bhaskaran told PTI over phone.
TRS Bhadrachalam constituency in-charge M Ramakrishna and five others, who had gone to Pusuguppa village in Charla mandal of Khammam district on Wednesday evening, a village located on the border and 5 kms from Chhattisgarh, were called for a meeting by the Maoists and had been detained since then.
Police received information that the six people were called by the Ultras for a discussion on some issues and they were kept in custody of the Maoists," Khammam Superintendent of Police Shahnawaz Qasim had earlier said adding that, "It cannot be termed as abduction or holding hostage."
A letter in the name of CPI (Maoist) had "mentioned that six people have come to us and we are discussing with them."
In the letter, the ultras accused the Telangana government of carrying out anti-people work and termed the killing of two persons (Maoists) in an exchange of fire with the police in Warangal district in September as "fake" encounters. They also sought stopping of combing operations.
Last month, three local leaders of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) were allegedly held captive by Maoists in Visakhapatnam.
They were released after a few days.
65 per cent turnout in Warangal bypoll
A healthy 65 per cent polling was reported today in the by-election to Warangal (SC) Lok Sabha constituency in Telangana, which witnessed a multi- cornered contest among the ruling TRS, Opposition Congress, BJP-TDP combine and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).
The polling was by and large peaceful.
Citing information available till around 6 PM, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Bhanwar Lal told PTI that the final voting figure would be more than 65 per cent.
The polling passed off peacefully without any untoward incident reported from the constituency, about 130 km from here, he said.
Polling began at 7 AM amid tight security and voters who were in queue at 5 PM (closing time for balloting) were allowed to exercise their franchise.
In morning, polling officials welcomed the first voters at several booths by giving them flowers to encourage the electorate to turn up in large numbers.
There are 15,09,671 voters in the constituency - 7,57,231 men and 7,52,293 women, according to the CEO.
Among the 1,778 polling stations, 642, 498 and 33 were identified as sensitive, hyper-sensitive and left wing extremism-affected booths, respectively.
Tight security arrangements were made, especially in the sensitive and left wing extremism-affected booths, to ensure free and fair polls for which 7,606 policemen were deployed.
The counting of votes would take place on November 24.
In the 2014 general elections, 76.15 per cent voting was recorded in the Parliamentary constituency.
The by-election was necessitated following the resignation of TRS MP Kadiam Srihari after he became Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana. Srihari had won the election with a margin of more than three lakh votes.
Two men stopped from boarding flight in US for speaking Arabic
Two Palestinian-origin men were stopped from boarding a flight back home in the US because a fellow passenger was scared to fly with them for speaking in Arabic, an incident showing public paranoia after the Paris attacks.
Maher Khalil, 29, even shared sweets with fellow passengers after they kept on enquiring about a small white box and made him open it.
Khalil, who owns a pizza shop in the US, was in Chicago with his friend Anas Ayyad, 28, visiting each other's families and the duo were asked to step aside during the boarding process for returning home because a fellow passenger said he was afraid to fly with them.
The two men had moved to Philadelphia from Palestine 15 years ago, NBC reported.
"If that person doesn't feel safe, let them take the bus," Khalil told a Southwest Airlines gate agent on Wednesday night after being denied boarding the aircraft.
"We're American citizens just like everybody else," he said as he called the police himself to deal with the unexpected situation.
The flight was delayed and the two men were ultimately allowed to board after being questioned again by airport security and police. The airline issued a statement acknowledging a brief disagreement with two customers.
While on board, some passengers were very supportive, but others made the flight home outright uncomfortable, Khalil said.
"We're walking down the aisle and I'd already told him (Ayyad) to smile and act like nothing was wrong. But then people kept asking me, 'What's in that box?!' I was carrying a small white box. And the passengers made me open the box!"
"So I shared my baklava with them."
A second Southwest flight from Chicago to Houston was also delayed on Wednesday when passengers refused to allow six Muslims on the flight. The Muslim passengers had to be rebooked on another flight.
"Safety is our primary focus, and our employees are trained to make decisions to ensure that safety, and to safeguard the security of our crews and customers on every flight," the airline's statement read.
The incidents come following last week's Paris terror attacks that killed 130 people, highlighting public paranoia.
Friday, November 20, 2015
Polling underway for Warangal by poll
Polling is underway in the by-election to Warangal SC Lok Sabha constituency in Telangana where a multi-corner contest among ruling TRS, Opposition Congress, BJP-TDP combine and the YSRCP is being witnessed.
Polling began at 7 AM amid tight security arrangements and it would continue 5 PM.
Polling officials welcomed the first voters at several booths in the constituency by giving them flowers to encourage the electorate to turn up in large numbers.
There are 15,09,671 voters in the constituency including 7,57,231 men and 7,52,293 women, according to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Bhanwar Lal.
Among the 1778 polling stations, 642, 498 and 33 have been identified as sensitive, hyper-sensitive and Left wing extremism-affected polling stations respectively. The authorities have made arrangements for 'live' webcasting in 626 polling stations.
Tight security arrangements have been made, especially in the sensitive and left wing extremism-affected booths to ensure free and fair polls by deploying a total of 7606 policemen.
Though a total of 23 candidates are in the fray, the main contest is considered to be among the ruling TRS candidate P Dayakar, former Union Minister Sarve Satyanarayana (Congress), BJP's P Devaiah on behalf the BJP-TDP combine and YSRCP's N Suryaprakash.
Keen on retaining the seat, the ruling TRS has appointed state ministers as in-charges for campaign in the assembly segments falling under the Warangal LS constituency and put up an aggressive campaign.
In addition to the ministers, TRS President and CM K Chandrasekhar Rao addressed a public meeting in support of the party candidate.
Congress, which sought to salvage its prestige after the drubbing in last year's election despite "delivering" on the separate statehood demand, suffered an early setback with its candidate S Rajaiah landing in jail following the deaths in mysterious circumstances of his daughter-in-law and three children at his home in Warangal.
Rajaiah withdrew his candidature and Satyanarayana became the Congress nominee. .
Children's Film Festival concludes in Hyderabad
The 19th International Children's Film Festival of India, ICFFI, concluded in Hyderabad Friday. Russian film 'Celestial Camel' bagged the best feature film award. Korean film 'How to Steal a Dog' was adjudged as the best film in Asian Panorama section. Belgium’s film 'Song of the Sea' bagged the best animated film award.
Governor of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, ESL Narasimhan was the chief guest at the concluding ceremony. Speaking on the occasion, the governor said, the children’s film festival provided an opportunity to showcase the talent in children.
Chairman of Children Film Society of India, CFSI, Mukesh Khanna called upon children to become physically fit and bring laurels to the country. Amidst cheers from kids, he announced that he would return as Shaktimaan, the popular serial that was telecast by Doordarshan in the past.
Three day Tablighi Jamaat Ijtima to begin from tomorrow near Pahadi Shareef in Hyderabad
Stage is set for the 3-day Tableeghi Jamat congregation to begin from tomorrow. Unprecedented arrangements have been made for the congregation to be held from November 21 to 23, 2015. This will be the 1st Tableeghi Ijtema after formation of Telangana State. Approximately 5 lakh people are likely to attend the congregation. Temporary tents have been set up and special food arrangements have been made. A temporary water pool has also been prepared to meet water needs. Ablution house has also been made.
Hyderabad Metro Politian Water Supply and Sewerage Board helped the organisers in making the pool, ablution house and toilets. Arrival of delegations has begun from various places. Noted scholars will also attend.
Maulana Ilyas Kandhalvi had founded Tableeghi Jamat in 1927.
Student commits suicide after being 'ragged' by senior
A 19-year-old student, who was studying in an engineering college in Chennai and came home on Diwali, hanged himself at his house in Nizampet area here alleging "ragging" by one of his seniors in the institution, police said today.
V Krishna Chaitanya, a second-year B Tech student at a private college in Chennai, hanged himself to the ceiling fan at his house late last night, KPHB Police Station Inspector V Sreekanth Goud told PTI.
"Following a complaint from Krishna's family members, we have registered a case of abatement to suicide under section 306 of IPC and under relevant sections of Anti-Ragging Act," he said, adding that the case will now be transferred to a police station concerned in Chennai.
Before resorting to the extreme step, Krishna purportedly wrote in his diary that he was committing suicide following "harassment" by one of his seniors, Shekhar, a third year student at his college in Chennai, he said.
The senior student used to forcibly take Krishna's pocket money for his own expenses and also beat him up, the official said quoting from the diary.
Krishna's family members are residents of Nizampet and he had come down to Hyderabad recently for Diwali festival.
Further probe is on, police added.
No info on whereabouts of TRS leaders under Maoist detention
The whereabouts of six local leaders of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) from Khammam district of the state, who are allegedly under detention of Maoists in the neighboring Chhattisgarh state were still not known, police said today.
"There is no information about their whereabouts...nothing has been confirmed (on their location)," a senior police officer from Bhadrachalam Sub-Division of Khammam district told PTI over phone.
TRS Bhadrachalam constituency in-charge M Ramakrishna and five others had gone to Pusuguppa village in Charla mandal of Khammam district on Wednesday evening, a village located on the border and 5 km from Chhattisgarh, from where they were called for a meeting by the Maoists, police yesterday said.
Around 60 villagers who had gone for their search last evening towards the area in Chhattisgarh to protest against the move of the Maoists, also did not find them, the police officer said.
Police received information that these six people were called up by the ultras to hold discussion on some issues and they were allegedly in custody of the Maoists," Khammam district Superintendent of Police Shahnawaz Qasim had said adding, "It cannot be termed as abduction or holding hostage."
A letter in the name of CPI (Maoist) had "mentioned that six people have come to us and we are discussing with them."
In the letter, the Ultras accused the state government of carrying out anti-people work and termed the killing of two persons (Maoists) in an exchange of fire with the police in Warangal district in September as "fake" encounters. They also sought stopping of combing operations.
Last month, three local leaders of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) were allegedly held captive by Maoists in Visakhapatnam after summoning them, though they subsequently reached their homes after few days.
Facebook craze drops among Hyderabad teens
Craze of popular social networking site Facebook has witnessed a drop among city youngsters with 83 per cent using it against 91 per cent last year, a TCS survey showed.
"Facebook leads from the forefront (used by 83 per cent) followed by Google+ (used by 74 per cent). An interesting observation was that Google+ was more popular among young girls of the city (used by 78 per cent) as against Facebook (used by 67 per cent girls)," the TCS Youth Survey results announced today said.
Last year, Facebook recorded a lion's share of 91 per cent young users, followed by Google+ at 72 per cent and Twitter at 47 per cent.
The TCS Youth Survey is one of the largest surveys in the country that captures the Digital habits of children between the age group of 12-18 years.
Generation Z (Gen Z) is defined as the group born after 1995 the current youth generation.
TCS has been conducting the TCS Youth Survey with students across 15 cities, as part of the TCS IT Wiz Quiz.
The report also revealed that smartphones are the most coveted electronic gadget (84 per cent) amongst Hyderabadi teenagers.
However, desktops/home PCs and laptops are the most popular mode of accessing the Internet (48 per cent) followed by smart phones (33 per cent).
Vice President and Global Head, Technology Business Unit, TCS, V Rajanna said Gen Z youth of Hyderabad are socially collaborative, technologically aware and true Digital Natives.
"Our annual survey of high school children across India helps us understand tomorrow's professionals and create exciting career and learning opportunities for them," he said, adding the sample size of Hyderabad was 1000 students from 50 schools across the city.
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Pay Commission recommends 23.55% hike
In a big bonanza to central employees and pensioners, the seventh Pay Commission today recommended a 23.55 per cent increase in salary, allowances and pension along with a virtual one-rank-one-pension for civilians, involving an additional outgo of Rs 1.02 lakh crore a year.
A minimum pay of Rs 18,000 per month and a maximum of Rs 2.5 lakh per month has been recommended by the Commission, headed by Justice A K Mathur, that presented its 900-page report to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley here.
The recommendations, which are to be implemented from January 1, 2016, will benefit 47 lakh central government employees and 52 lakh pensioners.
The impact the recommendations will be Rs 1.02 lakh crore -- Rs 73,650 cr on Central Budget and Rs 28,450 cr on Railway Budget.
The award of the pay panel will also benefit staff of autonomous bodies, universities and public sector units, Jaitley said after receiving the report.
"In percentage terms, the overall increase in pay and allowance and pensions over the business-as-usual scenario will be 23.55 per cent," the report said. Within this, the increase in pay will be 16 per cent, in allowances 63 per cent and in pension would be 24 per cent, it said.
The total salary and pension bill of the central government, which will also include railway employees, will go up from estimated Rs 4.33 lakh crore to Rs 5.35 lakh crore during 2016-17.
The panel has suggested abolition of the pay band and the grade pay, though it retained the annual increment of 3 per cent.
It has also recommended a fitment factor of 2.57 which will be applied uniformally to all employees. .
Please visit the link below for my lecture on the art of Editing and Translation at Maulana Azad National Urdu University
https://soundcloud.com/shaji-ullah-firasat/my-lecture-on-the-art-of-editing-and-translation-at-maulana-azad-national-urdu-university
35 killed in rain-related incidents in Andhra Pradesh
As many as 35 people lost their lives in various rain-related incidents as incessant rains, triggered by north east monsoon, battered several districts of Andhra Pradesh during the past one week, a top official said today.
35 people were killed in different rain-related incidents like wall collapses in several districts which bore the brunt of the heavy downpour, Parakala Prabhakar, Advisor (Communications), told PTI.
The districts of Chittoor, Nellore, Kadapa and Anantapur were the worst-hit due to the heavy rains. Several rivers and rivulets were in spate following the rains.
Low-lying areas were inundated in villages and towns in the affected districts and crops suffered extensive damages.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu undertook an aerial survey of the rain-hit districts and directed ministers to supervise rescue and relief measures.
The CM also directed the officials to expedite the supply of essential commodities to the victims in affected areas in Nellore, Chittoor and Kadapa, where he is going to visit tomorrow, according to an official release.
The officials were also asked to reconstruct damaged roads and bridges on war footing to clear vehicular traffic on national highway between Gudur and Chennai, it said.
He appealed to the Centre to release Rs 1,000 crore as advance funds for taking up immediate relief and rehabilitation efforts, it added.
Naidu has written letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh seeking assistance, it said.
Noting that a loss of Rs 3,000 crore has occurred due the heavy rains and floods as per preliminary estimates, he said the final report would be sent after enumeration.
6 TRS leaders 'detained' by Maoists in Chateesgarh
Six local leaders of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) from Khammam district of the state have been allegedly held up by Maoists in the neighbouring Chhattisgarh state, police said today.
TRS Bhadrachalam constituency in-charge M Ramakrishna and five others had gone to Pusuguppa village in Charla mandal of Khammam district yesterday, a village located on the border and 5 km from Chhattisgarh, from where they were called for a meeting by the Maoists, they said.
"We have received information that these six people were called up by the ultras to hold discussion on some issues last evening and they are allegedly in custody of the Maoists," Khammam district Superintendent of Police Shahnawaz Qasim told PTI over phone.
"What are those issues we don't know. For discussion on some issues they were called for a meeting...It can be known only once they come back," the SP said, adding, "It cannot be termed as abduction or holding hostage."
The senior police officer further said "a letter in the name of CPI (Maoist) has mentioned that six people have come to us and we are discussing with them."
In the letter, the ultras accused the state government of carrying out anti-people work and termed the killing of two persons (Maoists) in an exchange of fire with the police in Warangal district in September as "fake" encounters. They also sought stopping of combing operations.
Meanwhile, around 60 villagers have gone towards the area in Chhattisgarh to protest against the move of the Maoists.
Last month, three local leaders of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) were allegedly held captive by Maoists in Visakhapatnam after summoning them, though they subsequently reached their homes after few days.
Campaigning ends for Warangal Lok Sabha by-poll
Curtains came down on a high-octane campaign, marred by a war of words between the ruling TRS and the opposition Congress and TDP-BJP combine, for the Warangal (SC) Lok Sabha constituency by-poll to be held on November 21.
Upbeat over a thumping win in last year's elections, the ruling TRS fielded party leader P Dayakar and put up an aggressive campaign by making state ministers as in-charges for the assembly segments falling under the Warangal Lok Sabha constituency.
The main opposition Congress, which sought to salvage its prestige following the drubbing in last year's election despite "delivering" on the separate statehood demand, suffered an early setback with its candidate S Rajaiah having to go to jail following the deaths in mysterious circumstances of his daughter-in-law and three children at his home in Warangal.
Rajaiah withdrew his candidature and former Union Minister Sarve Satyanarayana became the Congress nominee.
Overcoming the embarrassment, Congress ran a determined campaign with senior leaders like Sushil Kumar Shinde, Meira Kumar, Ghulam Nabi Azad, AICC General Secretary (in-charge of party affairs in Telangana) Digvijay Singh and Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot canvassing for the party candidate.
BJP fielded an NRI medical professional P Devaiah on behalf of the TDP-BJP combine.
Union Ministers Bandaru Dattatreya, Hansraj Ahir, Telangana state president G Kishan Reddy and other party MLAs, besides key TDP Telangana leaders campaigned for the NDA candidate.
Four chain-snatchers, cop held
Four persons, alleged to have been involved in several cases of chain-snatching, and a policeman have been arrested by Cyberabad Police today and around 1.13 kg of gold was recovered from them.
With the arrests, police claimed to have solved 46 cases.
"Two chain-snatching offenders Mohammed Ahmed and Mohammed Farooq, along with constable K Mohan who assisted them and abetted commission of five chain snatching under Cyberabad Commissionerate limits, have been arrested. Police have recovered 10 tolas (100 grams) of gold from them," Cyberabad Police Commissioner C V Anand told reporters.
The officer said Mohan, while working as a crime constable at Narayanaguda police station, developed good rapport with Farooq while he was in custody.
"After remand, the constable visited the jail for a 'mulakath' (meeting) with Farooq. He arranged bail expenditures and co-operated to release him on bail," the Commissioner said.
Farooq has said that Mohan insisted him to commit theft for returning him the money which he had spent for his bail, and in return asked the cop to get his colleague Ahmed released, the top cop explained.
"As such Mohan approached Ahmed at 'jail mulakath' and also arranged bail for him. After getting both the offenders released on bail, the constable illegally provided them one bike which was an abandoned vehicle at Narayanaguda police station and encouraged them to commit snatchings," Anand said.
Accordingly, the accused duo committed five chain snatchings and the stolen property was distributed between the offenders and the police constable.
In another case, a chain snatcher identified as Waseem Osman Sayed, belonging to Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, was apprehended by police who during interrogation confessed to committing 22 chain snatchings along with his associate Hyder Gareebshah Irani who is absconding.
The duo allegedly committed several chain snatchings in Pune, Shirdi, Ahmednagar, Nasik and in some places of Tamil Nadu.
Gold ornaments weighing 43.5 Tolas (435 grams) were recovered from them and 22 cases committed under different police stations here have been detected.
In another case, a chain snatching offender D Ramprasad, who allegedly committed 19 snatchings in the limits of Cyberabad and Hyderabad Police Commissionerates and in Medak district of Telangana, was arrested and police recovered 60 tolas (600 grams) gold from him, the commissioner said.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Tension in Dadri as Hindu woman "elopes" with Muslim man
A Hindu woman allegedly eloped with a Muslim man in Uttar Pradesh's Dadri village sparking tension today, less than two months after a man there was lynched over rumours of beef consumption triggering a national outrage.
Her family members have lodged kidnapping complaint against the man.
DSP Anurag Singh said an FIR has been lodged under sections 363 (kidnapping) and 366 (inducing a woman to compel her marriage) of IPC.
"We are trying to trace the woman and the accused man.
She was to get married to some Hindu man, which the family had arranged," he said adding she eloped with her Muslim "paramour" a day prior to her wedding.
50-year-old Mohammad Akhlaq, was lynched to death while his son Danish left severely injured by a mob on September 28 following allegations that the family had consumed beef.
Muslim body stages protests against Paris attacks
Condemning the terror attacks in Paris, Muslim organisation Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind today staged protests in several parts of the country, saying that killing of innocent people in the name of religion is tarnishing the image of Islam.
"We staged silent protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and in various parts of the country including Lucknow, Muzaffarnagar, Ahmedabad, Guwahati and Jaipur, among others," Abdul Hameed Noumani, Secretary, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind said.
The organisation's general secretary and former MP, Maulana Mahmood Madani had yesterday claimed that Muslims are being unnecessarily attacked and connected with terrorists.
"It is unfortunate that certain 'elements', intentionally or unintentionally attribute these mindless act of violence with Islam and connect terrorists with jihadis. Waging 'jihad' is a positive act intended to root out evils from the society, not killing innocent people," he had said during a press conference here.
The terror attacks in Paris on Friday had killed 129 people and injured 350 others.
US Muslims face backlash after Paris attacks
Muslims around the US are facing backlash following the deadly attacks in Paris, including vandalism to mosques and Islamic centres, hate- filled phone and online messages and threats of violence.
Advocacy leaders say they have come to expect some anti- Muslim sentiment following such attacks, but they now see a spike that seems notable, stirred by anti-Muslim sentiment in the media.
"The picture is getting increasingly bleak," said Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for the Washington, DC-based Council on American-Islamic Relations. "There's been an accumulation of anti-Islamic rhetoric in our lives and that I think has trigged these overt acts of violence and vandalism."
He said the rise in the level of anti-Muslim sentiment is reflected by some GOP presidential candidates, governors and others speaking out in opposition to the US accepting more Syrian refugees.
Hooper said the council is seeing an increase in anti- Muslim incidents since Friday's attacks in Paris that killed 129 people and wounded more than 350.
In Connecticut, the FBI and local police are investigating reports of multiple gunshots fired at the Baitul Aman mosque in Meriden hours after the attacks.
Leaders of the mosque don't know the motive of the shooter or shooters, said Salaam Bhatti, a spokesman for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in New York, to which the mosque belongs. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a movement within Islam.
Bhatti said the shooting has not rattled mosque members.
He said many are from Pakistan, where conditions for the Ahmadiyya movement are much worse.
"It's a teachable moment," Bhatti said. "As we do raise awareness of attacks in mosques, we will see mosques do not respond in violence. Islam teaches us to teach peace."
At the University of Connecticut, authorities are investigating after the words "killed Paris" were discovered on Saturday written beneath an Egyptian student's name on his dorm room door.
Muslim leaders also have reported recent vandalism, threats and other hate crimes targeting mosques in Nebraska, Florida, Texas, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, Ohio, New York and other states.
After the Paris attacks, the Omaha Islamic Centre in Nebraska reported that someone spray-painted a rough outline of the Eiffel Tower on an outside wall.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations has called for the FBI and local police to investigate the incident as a possible hate crime, and they're doing just that, according to Nasir Husain, general secretary of the centre. Muslims in the central US city are afraid, he said.
150 youths under surveillance for leanings towards IS
Nearly 150 youths in the country are under the surveillance of security agencies for their alleged leanings towards dreaded terrorist group ISIS, responsible for the recent terror attacks in Paris.
According to a report prepared by the intelligence agencies, the 150 people, mostly from South India, are believed to be attracted to the ISIS and sympathetic to the group's activities.
"Most of them are in regular contact with some ISIS activists through online. Hence, we have kept all them under surveillance of security forces," an official privy to the development said.
So far, a total of 23 Indians have gone to ISIS hold areas in Iraq-Syria to fight for the terrorist group. Of them six were killed while one returned home in Mumbai.
30 other Indians, who were radicalised by ISIS elements, were also prevented from travelling to the conflict zone in the Middle-East.
Among those who are currently fighting for ISIS include two youth from Kalyan in the outskirts of Mumbai, an Australia-based Kashmiri, one youth from Telangana, one from Karnataka, one Oman-based Indian and another Singapore-based Indian.
Among the six Indians, who fought alongside ISIS and got killed were three Indian Mujahideen terrorists, including Sultan Ajmer Shah and Bada Sajid, who had joined its ranks after being in Pakistan, two from Maharashtra and one from Telangana.
On September 15, the UAE deported four Indians suspected to have links with ISIS.
The UAE had also sent back in September a 37-year-old woman, Afsha Jabeen alias Nicky Joseph, who was allegedly involving in recruiting youths for ISIS.
In January, Salman Mohiuddin of Hyderabad was arrested at Hyderabad airport when he was preparing to board a flight to Dubai on way to Syria via Turkey.
In an advisory sent yesterday, the Home Ministry said the recent multiple attacks in Paris clearly indicate the intention of the outfit (ISIS) to expand the area of terror action beyond the core area of Iraq and Syria.
The Home Ministry said though the ISIS has not been able to establish any significant presence in India, its success in radicalising some youth, attracting certain sections of local population or Indian diaspora to physically participate in its activities or the possibility of piggy backing on terrorist groups operating in India have opened up the possibility of ISIS sponsored terrorist action on Indian territory.
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Chittoor Mayor murdered in her office ' husband injured
The Mayor of Chittor, Katari Anuradha was shot and stabbed to death by at least six assailants today in her office who also attacked her husband leaving him seriously injured.
Police have taken three of the assailants into custody.
The police said the attack could be a fall-out of a family dispute.
"The incident occurred at Chittoor Municipal Corporation at around 11.30 am when five-six persons with their faces covered barged into the Mayor Katari Anuradha's chamber and stabbed her and shot at her," inspector general of police (Rayalseema) V Venugopal Krishna told PTI.
Anuradha, aged around 50, belonged to the ruling TDP.
Before fleeing, the assailants went into an adjoining room where Anuradha's husband K Mohan, also a TDP leader, was sitting, and shot at him before stabbing him several times with sickles and knives, the IGP said.
"She died of stab injuries...she also had bullet wounds.
The husband's condition is critical," the IGP said. Mohan was taken to the Christian Medical College Hospital at Vellore.
"As per the preliminary information, the attack was carried out following a family dispute....a financial angle has also come to light and Mohan's nephew Chandrasekhar alias Chintoo has emerged as the prime suspect," Krishna said.
The CCTV footage showed six persons entering the Mayor's chamber. Some of the attackers belonged to Karnataka, he said, adding three of them had been taken into custody.
A pistol and a knife were recovered from the spot.
Tension prevailed in Chittoor city following the incident. Some two-wheelers were set on fire near Chandrasekhar's office. "Prohibitory orders have been imposed and the situation is now under control," the IGP said.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief and condemned the incident terming it "a very heinous act".
Paris mosque urges Muslims to join 'anti-terror' protest
The Great Mosque of Paris today urged French Muslims to gather at the country's most important mosque on Friday to say "No to terror" and "We are all Paris!".
A statement called on "all Muslim citizens and their friends" to gather at 2:00 pm (1300 GMT) to say "no to terror" and voice "their deep attachment to Paris, its diversity and the values of the Republic."
The gathering of French Muslims after Friday prayers was "the best response to those seeking to instill the venom of discord and suspicion within the national community," the statement added.
The rector of the Great Mosque earlier this week called on all French imams to lead the faithful in Friday prayers for the victims of the country's worst ever terror attacks.
Rector Dalil Boubakeur voiced "horror" at the "unspeakable acts" which had targeted "absolutely innocent" Parisians.
"We, Muslims of France, can only insist on the need for national unity in opposing this misfortune which has afflicted us and which attacks indiscriminately," he said.
"We are all victims of this barbarity," he said.
The suicide bombers behind Friday's attacks on the national stadium, a packed music venue and bars and restaurants were "people who call themselves Muslims but who should, by rights, be called barbarians.
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