Wednesday, September 30, 2015
DSP suspended following arrest in corruption case
A Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) was suspended after he was arrested by Anti-Corruption Bureau in connection with a disproportionate assets case against him.
"Kurra Surender, DSP Jangaon was placed under suspension today by Telangana Director General of Police Anurag Sharma after he was arrested by ACB and remanded to judicial custody on charge of possessing disproportionate assets," Additional DGP Sudeep Laktakia said in a release.
"The DSP was suspended as part of exercise to clean up the corrupt elements in the police department," it added.
Cyber terrorism deadliest form of terror, says Governor
Cyber terrorism is the most deadliest form of terrorism and the fight for computer security is still at a "very" infant stage in the country, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Governor E S L Narasimhan said here today.
"We started working on computer security a decade ago and knew that computer security was going to be the biggest threat in the decades ahead. Today, we find that is indeed the case, but I am sorry to say that we are at a very very infant stage in the fight for computer security," he said, after launching the Cyber Defense Security Center (CDCC).
CDCC, which was set up as a result of an association between TalentSprint, Atlantis Analytics and Sypris Electronics, will cater to cyber education, skills, and analytical needs of organisations in the cyber security arena.
"Today, among all forms of terrorism, cyber terrorism is probably the deadliest form of terrorism, because it costs nothing. It gives you enormity, it gives you proxy and it gives you all the advantages. Sitting in any part of the world one can bring down computer systems," he said.
Speaking about 'Digital India', the Governor said, "As we are going for bold initiative to establish a 'Digital India', we need to have a very close look at our defensive and offensive capabilities in the cyber world."
"Today, we have excellent defence systems but how are you going to change the mindset of people using computers? I think this is the most critical aspect of everything. Whatever you might do, unless you are able to target the mindset of the person behind the computer, none of your systems are going to improve at all," he said. .
Muslim man lynched over rumour of storing beef in house
The lynching of a 50-year-old man by a mob which accused his family of consuming beef in a Dadri village has sparked outrage with opposition parties alleging that such incidents are a result of the "climate of hate" propagated under BJP to polarise people.
Around 200 persons attacked the residence of Iqlakh on Monday night after rumours spread in the village that a cow has been slaughtered and beef was stored in his house, police said today.
The mob allegedly beat Iqlakh to death while his 22-year-old son Danish was critically injured in the attack and is undergoing treatment at a hospital, they said.
An FIR was filed against 10 people for attacking the family, six of whom were arrested, police said.
A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the family of the victim.
As tension prevailed in the area, PAC and additional police force from Ghaziabad, Bulandshahr and Hapur have been deployed in Bisrakh area to prevent any communal flare-up, Senior Superintendent of Police of Gautam Budh Nagar, Kiran S, said.
Narrating the ordeal, the victim's relatives claimed that only goat meat had been kept in the house and an announcement made in a local temple that a cow has been slaughtered led to the violence by the mob.
The incident drew sharp condemnation from parties with Congress alleging that such communal incidents are bound to escalate in the run up to the Bihar elections.
"Such politics needs to be condemned. There is a growing ambiance and climate of hate... politics of poison and hatred is bound to grow in the run up to the Bihar elections. Silence from top despite having great oratory is eloquent," Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, adding it was shocking that such an incident is happening on the outskirts of Delhi.
"In last 15 months such incidents have been rising so also the trust deficit," he said.
The ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh too attacked the BJP, saying it was using issues like beef ban to spread hate.
Terming the incident as "painful", Union Minister Mahesh Sharma, who is BJP MP from Noida, said it happened due to "misunderstanding" and dismissed allegations that it was an attempt to polarise the village ahead of panchayat polls there.
Jaan Mohammad, a relative of the victim, said, "An announcement was made in a local temple that a cow has been slaughtered here, following which a large number of people attacked our family."
The victim's daughter said the mob stormed the house and assaulted her father and brother. "They harassed me and also beat up my grandmother," she said.
The attackers looked into the fridge for beef, but it was only goat's meet which had been brought for Eid, another woman relative said, claiming that police had later confirmed it.
"Yes there was meat in our fridge, but it was not cow's meet. It was goat's meet. In one bowl was cooked meat and in another bowl it was uncooked," she said.
The family alleged that the attackers also looted jewellery.
Cow slaughter is banned in Uttar Pradesh. .
Dadri killing: National Minorities Commission seeks report
Taking a strong note of the Dadri incident, National Commission for Minorities (NCM) today sought a report from the district administration, after which it would take up the matter with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.
Responding to concerns expressed by lawyer-activist Shehzad Poonawalla, the Commission stated it was monitoring the measures being taken by the district administration to bring the perpetrators of the "ghastly" crime to justice.
"The NCM strongly condemns this cowardly and reprehensible attack on an innocent Muslim which also resulted in severe injury to his 23-year-old son.
"The Chairman, NCM has already spoken to DM, Dadri and asked him to send a report on the incident to the NCM at the earliest. After receipt of the report, we will be taking up the matter with both the Union Home Minister and the Chief Minister. It will also be discussed in the next weekly meeting of NCM," Commission member Praveen Davar said.
Batting for stringent punishment to the guilty, Davar said the incident shown communalism "in its ugliest manifestation" and "cannot, and must not, go unpunished in a secular nation".
Earlier, in his petition to the NCM, the Centre and the state government, Poonawalla had sought "immediate" action against the perpetrators.
He demanded that the Commission issue direction for registration of an FIR against the perpetrators and their arrest.
The lawyer-activist, also a founder-member of think-tank Policy Samvad, demanded the Commission to ensure that probe into the matter is carried out in a free, fair and impartial manner.
"The Ministry of Home Affairs must take cognisance of such communal incidents being done by certain elements to create social disharmony in the county to ensure that 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas' doesn't become a mere slogan," he said.
Fifty-year-old Mohammad Iqlakh was allegedly beaten to death and his son, Danish, left severely injured by a mob on Monday night following rumours that his family consumed beef in a village in Dadri town of Uttar Pradesh.
Danish (22) is undergoing treatment at a hospital. An FIR has been filed against 10 people for attacking the family, six of whom were arrested, police said.
Omar terms Dadri killing as 'shameful'
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today termed the lynching of a man by a mob which accused his family of consuming beef in Dadri village as shameful and asked how could the country claim to be "tolerant" and "secular" following such incident.
"How can India claim to be a tolerant, secular nation if a person can be killed for what they are believed to have eaten? #shame," Omar said in a Tweet.
Omar also said that the adulation on the international stage for the country would not matter if the nation could not get its basics right.
"What good is adulation on the international stage if we can't get our basics right at home?" he said.
The National Conference (NC) working president also said "the fact that the murdered man has a son serving in the Air Force is neither here nor there. Would the murder be acceptable if son jobless?".
Telangana to implement remaining phases of loan waiver in a go
The Telangana government would make efforts to implement the remaining phases of its loan waiver programme in one go as part of its short term and long term measures to prevent farmers' suicides in the state, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said here today.
Speaking during a debate on farmers' issues in the Legislative Assembly, he said about Rs 8,000 crore are needed for implementing the loan waiver scheme at one go.
The state government had already implemented initial phase of loan waiver with Rs 8,336 crores.
The government is trying to mobilise funds to the tune of Rs 4,200 crore under commercial tax arrears, about Rs 3,000 crore vis-a-vis FRBM Act, sale of certain lands and through other means, he said.
Noting that supply of quality power by the government provided much needed relief to farmers, he said it would supply electricity for nine hours from March next.
Observing that Telangana has vast potential for seed development, he said the government is trying to promote it.
The government has asked the 360 seed companies in the state to adopt the diffeerent mandals for the benefit of farmers, Rao said.
The Centre gave a positive response to extend the NREGS in the state from 100 to 150 days, he said.
Observing that farmers's suicides is the result of cumulative factors that occurred over the years, he said the government would take short term and long term measures to address the issue.
The government would promote research in agriculture and try to enhance productivity in the fields. Agronomists would be made available for farmers, he added.
He appealed to the farmers not to commit suicide.
The state government on September 11 said that 141 farmers had committed suicide and that ex-gratia was being paid to their families.
Congress and other Opposition parties allege that about 1,400 farmers have ended their lives.
Police arrests scores to foil chalo assembly program
Scores of activists and members of Left and different social organisations were today taken into preventive custody as police foiled their attempts to march towards Telangana Legislative Assembly here as part of the 'Chalo Assembly' rally.
Protesting against the killings of Shruthi and Vidyasagar, both CPI (Maoist) underground cadres, in a recent exchange of fire in Warangal district of the state, Left parties and other Human Rights organisations under the aegis of 'Telangana Democratic Forum' had given a call for 'Chalo Assembly' today.
However, Hyderabad Police had denied them permission to hold the rally on the grounds that 'Telangana Democratic Forum' was formed at the instance of CPI (Maoist) Party and this programme was being organised in support of the furtherance of the cause and the ideology of CPI (Maoist).
The ongoing monsoon session of the Telangana Legislative Assembly Police is currently underway and police has made elaborate security arrangements around the Assembly premises
besides imposing prohibitory orders.
It is reliably learnt that, 'Chalo Assembly' call was given at the instance of CPI (Maoist) to support its cause, as such the cadres, supporters, and activists of all Mass Organisations of CPI (Maoist) Party from the affected areas of Telangana, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand and Andhra-Orissa Border are likely to reach Hyderabad in large numbers, a senior official said.
"These extremist elements are likely to indulge in large scale violence and disturb public peace and tranquillity," Deputy Commissioner V B Kamalasan Reddy said while denying the permission for the rally.
Leaders from TDF, including CPI (M) and CPI state secretaries Tammineni Veerabhadram and Chada Venkata Reddy among several others, condemning the killings, raised slogans against Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and squatted on the road near Baghlingampally from where the rally was proposed to start.
Police immediately swung into action and packed off the protesters into vehicles. Revolutionary poet Varavara Rao was among those who were taken into preventive custody.
Lokesh gets an elevation in TDP
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu's son Lokesh has got an elevation in the party with his appointment as the General Secretary of its Central Committee.
Naidu today announced two separate committees for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in the wake of the state's bifurcation.
Naidu would be the President of the party's central committee, as per the party plans to emerge as a national party.
Lokesh, who has been the coordinator of party workers welfare fund, would be one of the general secretaries in the Central Committee.
Lokesh (32) is an MBA graduate from Stanford University in the United States.
K Kala Venkat Rao and L Ramana have been named Presidents of TDP's Andhra Pradesh and Telangana committees respectively.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Heated exchange between Akbar Owaisi, KTR in T assembly
Telangana Legislative Assembly witnessed a heated exchange of words today between Telangana Infotech and Panchayat Raj Minister K T Rama Rao and AIMIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi during a debate on farmers' issues.
Rao, who is the son of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, objected after Owaisi alleged that some Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) members were laughing while discussing a subject like farmers' suicides.
"To say that the government is not serious, to say that some legislators are laughing and to say that somebody is monitoring us...We are senior legislators here, we are in a responsible position in the government. We are far more serious," the minister said.
He said that Owaisi should not play to the gallery and express his point in a straight forward manner.
Taking objection to his comments, Owaisi said that the minister cannot tell him to speak "straight".
"What does the honourable minister mean by seedha seedha boliye? main teda bol raha hoon? seedhe ka matlab kya hai? (Speak straight to the point. Am I speaking improperly? What is the meaning of speak straight?) Hon'ble Speaker sir, you are on the chair. You are the custodian of this House.
Minister cannot speak like this," he said.
Two new swine-flu cases in Telangana
Two fresh cases of swine flu have been reported in Telangana, the state government said here today.
"In the current season from August 1 till September 28, 799 samples have been tested, out of which 123 found to be positive and number of deaths because of other complications and swine flu as on date are five," a bulletin on swine flu said.
It said two of the 32 cases tested yesterday have been found positive for the H1N1 virus. No death was reported yesterday.
Sufficient stock of medicines and testing kits are available at all districts, area and teaching hospitals, it added.
Citizens are advised to report to a hospital upon suffering from first symptoms of swine flu like high fever, body pains, sneezing and cough.
Asad Owaisi responds to Maha Minister's views on MIM
Senior BJP leader and Maharashtra revenue minister Eknath Khadse here today compared the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) to the Sanatan Sanstha and said if organisations could be banned without evidence then AIMIM would have to be banned as well.
"We cannot ban any organisation until we have concrete evidence that the organisation is involved in illegal activities. Unless we have concrete evidence, the ban will not stand in court. AIMIM is also known for making provocative statements. Likewise, other parties and organisations also indulge in explosive statements. Do we keep banning all of them? Even if we do, will it stand in court," Khadse told PTI.
Replying to a query, he said that the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has never spoken against the country or against society.
"The MNS has never spoken against the country or against society. On the other hand, AIMIM indulges in provocative speeches. We have not banned the AIMIM also, because we do not have concrete evidence that will stand in court," Khadse, the senior-most member of the Maharashtra Cabinet, said.
Reacting to Khadse's statement, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said that Khadse has been "hypnotised" by the Sanatan Sanstha's dream of making India a Hindu Rashtra (nation) by 2023.
"AIMIM firmly believes in the Indian constitution and pluralism of the country. We do not want India to become a Hindu Rashtra. Khadse has been hypnotised by the Sanatan Sanshta's dream of making India a Hindu Rashtra by 2023," Owaisi said.
"To compare the AIMIM to Sanatan Sanstha which does not even believe in parliamentary democracy is absurd. It is now confirmed that Pansare's murderer will go scot-free because a sitting cabinet minister like Khadse holds such views," Owaisi said, demanding that Khadse withdrew his statement immediately.
Modi, Nawaz wave at each other at UN peacekeeping summit
Reflecting a chill in bilateral relations, waving at each other was all that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif did today as they attended the UN peacekeeping summit.
Assembling for the Leaders' Summit on Peacekeeping hosted by US President Barack Obama, Modi walked into the conference hall first and took his seat at the right-side of the horse-shoe shaped table in chamber hall.
Sharif walked in a few minutes later and took his seat right across from Modi at the left-side of the table. The two leaders did not immediately wave or smile at each other.
Just minutes before the programme was about to begin, Sharif waved at Modi, who on seeing Sharif waving at him, smiled back and responded with a wave.
After a brief pause, Modi waved again to Sharif, who smiled back and nodded his head.
Apart from the wave, there was no other interaction or gesture between the two leaders.
Since they had reached the chamber just minutes before the summit was to begin, they took their seats and did not walk around the room to meet or greet any other leaders present. They clapped at the end of each other's speech.
On Sharif's side of the table was seated US President Barack Obama, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and leaders from Rwanda, Ethiopia.
On Modi's side were the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and leaders from France and Indonesia.
Modi and Sharif were in the chamber for almost an hour and a half and the Indian leader left immediately after addressing the summit.
He did not walk up to any leader to shake hands.
Sharif left the summit about 10-15 minutes after Modi.
Before taking his seat next to Indian leader, Abe had walked up to him and cordially shook his hands.
Modi, sitting in his chair, also smiled back and shook hands with the Japanese leader.
Sharif and Modi were staying in the same hotel and the summit was the only platform where they were under one roof during their stay in the city for the UN General Assembly.
Modi and Sharif had last met in Ufa, Russia, in July on the sidelines of the BRICS and SCO summits.
India-Pak ties are going through a chill particularly after last month's cancellation of NSA-level talks following differences over the agenda proposed by Islamabad, and a planned meeting between Kashmiri separatists and Pakistan's National Security Adviser Sartaj Aziz.
Bank loans to cost less
Home and corporate loans will cost less as the Reserve Bank today lowered the key interest rate by 0.50 per cent - the biggest cut in over three years - to bolster the economy.
In its fourth bi-monthly monetary policy for the current fiscal, RBI cut benchmark repurchase (repo) rate from 7.25 per cent to 6.75 per cent, lowest in four-and-half-years.
RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, who had faced growing pressure from the government as also industry to reduce one of Asia's highest borrowing costs, justified the bigger than expected reduction saying consumer inflation was likely to be at 5.8 per cent, below the 6 per cent target for January.
The focus should now shift to bringing inflation to around 5 per cent by March 2017, he said, adding that RBI will be vigilant for signs of monetary policy adjustments that are needed to stick to the "deflationary path".
He also drew comfort from US Federal Reserve delaying the first hike in interest rates in nine years, which may have put emerging market currencies under pressure.
RBI lowered its economic growth forecast for the current fiscal to 7.4 per cent from its previous projection of 7.6 per cent.
"While the Reserve Bank's stance will continue to be accommodative, the focus of monetary action for the near term will shift to working with the government to ensure that impediments to banks passing on the bulk of the cumulative 125 basis points cut in the policy rate are removed," Rajan said.
The reduction comes on the back of interest rates being cut thrice earlier this year by 25 basis points each.
Within minutes of RBI policy announcement, Andhra Bank cut its benchmark lending rates by 0.25 per cent. The other banks are likely to follow suit.
The BSE Sensex, which was over 300 points down, staged a recovery after the announcement of the policy. However, it again slipped into the negative zone. .
Monday, September 28, 2015
Death toll of Indians in Mina stampede rises to 45
The number of Indians killed in a stampede at the Haj rose to 45 today as authorities identified 10 more bodies among the victims of the worst tragedy in 25 years to hit the annual pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
Hajj Consulate in Jeddah today said the deceased included three pilgrims from West Bengal and two each from Kerala and Jharkhand and one each from Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
Earlier, 13 more bodies were identified among the dead yesterday raising the death toll to 35.
Saudi authorities have put the total death toll from the stampede during Haj to 769. The number of injured stands at 934. At least 13 Indians were among those injured.
King Salman has ordered the formation of a committee to probe the deadly incident during the five-day pilgrimage in which around two million people from over 180 countries took part. From India, 1.5 lakh pilgrims performed Haj.
Haj is one of the five pillars of Islam that should be performed at least once in a lifetime by every Muslim who is financially and physically capable.
The stampede broke out after two massive lines of pilgrims converged on each other from different directions at an intersection close to the five-storey Jamarat Bridge in Mina for symbolic stoning of the devil.
It was the second major accident this year for pilgrims, after a construction crane collapsed on September 11 at Mecca's Grand Mosque, killing over 100 people, including 11 Indians.
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Mina stampede: Saudi FM rejects criticism
Khamenei demands Saudi apology for Mina deaths
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei demanded Saudi Arabia apologise today for a stampede that killed nearly 770 pilgrims at the hajj, at least 144 of them Iranians.
"Instead of passing the buck and playing a blame game, the Saudis should accept their responsibility and apologise to the world's Muslims and the bereaved families," Khamenei said in comments reported by the official IRNA news agency.
Iranian leaders have been fiercely critical of Saudi authorities' handling of safety at the hajj and questioned whether Riyadh was fit to continue organising the annual pilgrimage.
Khamenei's comments came just hours after Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir hit back at the criticism from its regional rival, saying it "shouldn't play politics with a tragedy".
Culture Minister Ali Janati is to head a delegation to Saudi Arabia to follow up on 323 Iranians Tehran says are missing, but IRNA said his team still has not received visas.
On Saturday, Tehran summoned Saudi Arabia's charge d'affaires for the third time since the stampede, to press the kingdom for greater cooperation.
President Hassan Rouhani appealed for UN mediation with the Saudis in a meeting with UN chief Ban Ki-moon in New York, state television reported.
"Sadly, Riyadh isn't offering enough cooperation on the missing pilgrims and the transfer of the dead and injured," it quoted Rouhani as saying.
"It is crucial that the UN remind Riyadh of its legal and humanitarian obligations."
Ganesh procession passing off peacefully in Hyderabad
Ganesh Chaturdhi festivities are coming to an end with the immersion of Ganesh idols across Telangana including capital Hyderabad. Under the surveillance of CCTV cameras and huge number of armed police personnel, the procession of Ganesh Idols has begun at Balapur on the out skirts of Hyderabad. About 55 thousand Idols in various sizes and hues will be immersed in 24 waterbodies in and around Hyderabad including the Historic Hussain Sagar.
It is a visual treat to watch thousands of Gensh idols in various sizes, colours, forms and hues proceeding to Hussain Sagar Lake for immersion. Lakhs of devotees throng the surrounding areas to bid adieu to their god and have a glimpse of the beautifully decorated idols. The historic Sobha Yatra began from Balapur on the outskirts of the state Capital this morning.
The procession of Ganesh Idols by various community, business and residential associations will be culminating in the main yatra as and when it crosses their respective areas. The Police and local municipal authorities have made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth and peaceful passage of the Ganesh Immersion Procession.
Over 22 thousand police personnel including those drawn from Chattisgarh and also reserve police battalions have been deployed while about 2 thousand CCTV cameras and Camera Mounted Vehicles are providing constant surveillance. The immersion procession will continue throughout the night.
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Will fight with full might in Seemanchal' says Asad Owaisi
Mina stampede beyond human control, says top Saudi Mufti
Saudi Arabia's top religious leader says a stampede which killed 717 pilgrims was beyond human control, official media reported today, the final day of this year's hajj.
The stampede was the worst disaster in a quarter-century to strike the annual event and drew fierce criticism of the Saudi authorities' handling of safety, particularly from regional rival Iran.
"You are not responsible for what happened", Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh told Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef in a meeting in Mina yesterday, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
"As for the things that humans cannot control, you are not blamed for them. Fate and destiny are inevitable," Sheikh told the prince, who is also minister of interior.
Mohammed chairs the Saudi hajj committee and has ordered an investigation into Friday's stampede during a symbolic stoning of the devil ritual by hundreds of thousands of pilgrims at Jamarat Bridge in Mina, just outside the holy city of Mecca.
King Salman, whose official title is "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques" in Mecca and Medina, also ordered "a revision" of how the hajj is organised.
Today, groups of pilgrims were moving from early morning towards Jamarat Bridge for the last of three stoning days.
The interior ministry has said it assigned 100,000 police to secure the hajj and manage crowds.
But pilgrims blamed the stampede on police road closures and poor management of the flow of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims in searing temperatures.
Abdullah al-Sheikh, chairman of the Shura Council, an appointed body which advises the government, stressed that pilgrims must stick to "the rules and regulations taken by the security personnel... In doing so they protect their lives, their security and facilitate their performing of the rituals."
Health Minister Khaled al-Falih earlier made similar remarks that faulted the worshippers.
In comments carried late yesterday by SPA, the Shura chairman called on citizens and Muslims to ignore "the biased campaigns carried out by the enemies of this pure country, to question the great efforts exerted by the kingdom to serve the holy sites, their construction and expansion, and to serve the visitors and pilgrims."
Riyadh's regional rival Iran said 131 of its nationals were among the victims, and on Friday stepped up its criticism of the kingdom, demanding that affected countries have a role in the Saudi investigation into the disaster.
"Saudi Arabia is incapable of organising the pilgrimage," said Ayatollah Mohammad Emami Kashani, leading the main weekly prayers in Tehran.
"The running of the hajj must be handed over to Islamic states," he said.
Iran vows legal action against Saudi after Mina disaster
Iran today vowed to take international legal action against Saudi Arabia's rulers over the crush of Muslim pilgrims at this year's hajj, which killed at least 769 people, including 136 Iranians.
The pilgrims suffocated or were trampled to death Thursday when two massive crowds converged on a narrow street, in the worst disaster to occur during the annual pilgrimage in a quarter-century.
Shiite Iran has accused its Sunni archrival Saudi Arabia of mismanaging the pilgrimage, which annually draws some 2 million people from 180 countries.
Iranians comprise the largest group of casualties identified so far. Iranian state TV says Ghazanfar Roknabadi, a former ambassador to Lebanon, as well as two Iranian state TV reporters and a prominent political analyst are among those still missing.
"Under international law, this incident is absolutely subject to prosecution. The Al-Saud must be responsive," Iran's State Prosecutor Ebrahim Raisi told state TV, referring to Saudi Arabia's ruling family.
He said Saudi authorities blocked a road used by hajj pilgrims to allow a royal convoy to pass through, causing the deadly convergence in the town of Mina on the outskirts of Mecca.
"They have to know that we will pursue the trial of Al-Saud for the crime they have committed against the hajj pilgrims through international courts and organizations."
Iran's Foreign Ministry meanwhile summoned the Saudi charge d'affaires for a third time in three days to protest Riyadh's handling of the disaster.
State TV said Saudi Arabia has yet to issue visas for an Iranian delegation to visit the kingdom to oversee the treatment of injured Iranians and the repatriation of remains.
The Saudi Health Ministry said today on Twitter that the death toll in the hajj disaster stood at 769 pilgrims killed and 934 injured, updating previous figures. It did not offer nationalities for the dead and injured.
Iranian state TV said 136 Iranian pilgrims were among the dead and 85 were injured, while 344 Iranians remain missing.
India's government meanwhile raised its estimated death toll of Indian citizens to 18, while Pakistan raised its estimated death toll to 11.
Today, the final day of the hajj, pilgrims streamed into Mina's Jamarat, a multi-story complex with crowd-monitoring technology and wide ramps for large crowds to perform the final rites of the hajj.
Muslims believe the devil tried to talk the Prophet Ibrahim, or Abraham as he is known in the Bible, out of submitting to God's will in Mina. In one of the final steps of the hajj, pilgrims throw stones at three large pillars in a symbolic casting away of evil.
Sania-Hingis clinch another title
Death toll of Indians in Mina stampede goes up to 18
Death toll of Indians in the Mecca stampede has gone up to 18. This was disclosed by MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup in New York this morning. The stampede on Thursday at Mina in Saudi Arabia has claimed 717 lives and left 863 people injured. Two million pilgrims from 180 countries were taking part in the Haj when the incident took place.
Saudi Arabia's King Salman has ordered a safety review of the Haj pilgrimage after the tragedy. A commission to investigate the stampede has also been formed by the Saudi government.
Friday, September 25, 2015
Eid Ul Zuha is being celebrated with traditional enthusiasm and devotion
Eid-ul-Zuha, the festival of sacrifice, is being celebrated with traditional gaiety and devotion in different parts of the country today. The faithfuls will offer Eid prayers in Eidgahs and mosques.
President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have greeted people on the occasion of Id-ul- Zuha. In a message, Mr Mukherjee said, let this festival be an occasion to share happiness and resources with the lesser privileged, suffering and in need. The President said, may Id-ul-Zuha bring all the communities and regions of India together in a celebration of its composite civilization.
In his message, the Vice President said that Id-ul-Zuha symbolises the spirit of sacrifice, sympathy and brotherhood in society. Mr Ansari said, the festival inspires mankind to inculcate values of truthfulness and compassion in their lives.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the Muslim community across the world on the occasion of Id-ul-Zuha. In his message, Mr Modi conveyed his warm greetings and wishes to the Muslim community across the globe.
In Uttar Pradesh, elaborate security arrangements have been made in major cities including Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Meerut, Allahabad and Bareilly. AIR correspondent reports security has been beefed up near the Eidgahs and main mosques where people are thronging to offer special Namaz.
14 Indians among 717 people killed in Haj stampede
Fourteen Indians were among 717 people killed here when Haj pilgrims jostled their way to perform the symbolic stoning of the devil in the second worst ever tragedy to hit the annual pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
"Our consul general Jeddah reports loss of 14 Indian lives in stampede," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted today.
Thirteen Indians were among over 800 people injured in the tragedy, she said.
"The exact number will be known after confirmation by Saudi authorities," she further said.
The second biggest tragedy to hit the annual pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia took place yesterday at 9 AM local time (1130 IST) due to a sudden surge in the number of pilgrims heading to Jamarat for symbolic stoning of the devil by throwing pebbles against three stone walls.
Authorities had yesterday said that four Indians, including a woman and a volunteer, were killed in the stampede which occurred at the intersection of two streets leading to Jamarat, about five kilometres from Makkah.
This is the second worst tragedy to hit the Haj after 1990, when 1,426 pilgrims were killed in a stampede inside a tunnel leading to holy sites.
Saudi Arabia has launched a probe into the incident.
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Two Hyderabad women among those killed in Haj stampede
Another woman from Hyderabad is among those killed in the stampede during Haj at Mina near the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, officials said.
The woman is identified as Saba Tasleem (aged around 65 years), a resident of Chandrayanagutta here, an official in the Telangana State Haj Committee said, citing information available with them.
The woman went for Haj through private operators and not the Haj Committee, the official said.
The Haj Committee had yesterday announced the death of Bibi Jan, wife of Abdul Majeed, in the stampede.
The State Haj Committee has set up 24X7 helpline numbers, 040 23214193 for Telangana and 040 23298793 for Andhra Pradesh.
The Haj Committee of India has also set up a 24x7 control room with telephone numbers 022-22717100/ 22717101/ 22717102.
The Union Government said fourteen Indians were among 717 people killed in the stampede.
"Our consul general Jeddah reports loss of 14 Indian lives in stampede," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted today.
Thirteen Indians were among over 800 people injured in the tragedy, she said.
"The exact number will be known after confirmation by Saudi authorities," she further said.
Fourteen Indians were dead and 13 others injured in the grisly stampede as the death toll in the worst tragedy to hit the annual pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia in 25 years rose to 719.
4 Indians among 717 killed in Haj stampede
At least 717 people, including four Indians, were killed and over 860 injured in a stampede today during Haj here, in the second worst ever tragedy to hit the annual pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
The four Indians killed in the tragedy during the symbolic stoning of the devil, included a woman and a volunteer, Indian Consulate officials in Jeddah said. Two Indians were also injured.
The Saudi civil defence authority said 717 pilgrims from different nationalities were killed and 863 others were injured in the stampede that took place due to a sudden surge in the number of pilgrims heading to Jamarat for symbolic stoning of the devil by throwing pebbles against three stone walls resulted in the stampede at 9 AM local time (1130 IST).
The state-run Saudi Press Agency said the stampede occurred at the intersection of two streets leading to Jamarat, about five kilometres from Makkah.
Among the Indians killed was man from Kerala identified as Mohammed from Kodungaloor in Thrissur district, Kerala's Rural Development and Non Resident Keralite Affairs (NORKA) Minister K C Joseph said in Thiruvananthapuram.
The deceased had gone for the Haj through a privately- sponsored group, he said. A woman from the state was among those injured, he added.
A woman pilgrim from Hyderabad identified as Bibi Jaan was also killed in the stampede, said S A Shukoor, special officer of Telangana State Haj Committee.
Jaan had gone on the pilgrimage with her husband and two other relatives on September 2. She was caught up in the stampede and died at a hospital in Mina, he said.
Two Indians from Assam were among the injured and have been admitted to hospital.
This is the second worst tragedy to hit the Haj after 1990 when 1,426 pilgrims were killed in a stampede inside a tunnel leading to holy sites.
Indian Haj mission doctors were deployed in all government hospitals in Mina and Mecca.
More than 700 killed in Mina stampede
At least 718 people have been killed in a stampede at the annual Hajj pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia's civil defence directorate said, as the death toll continued to rise.
The directorate said at least 800 other pilgrims were injured in Thursday's stampede, which took place in Mina, on the outskirts of the holy city of Mecca.
The injured have been evacuated to four different hospitals in the Mina region, according to a civil defence spokesman.
Mina is where pilgrims carry out a symbolic stoning of the devil by throwing pebbles against three stone walls. It also houses more than 160,000 tents where pilgrims spend the night during the pilgrimage.
Al Jazeera's Basma Atassi, reporting from Mina, said the incident took place in a street between pilgrim camps.
"The street where it happened is named Street 204. This stampede did not happen at the site of the 'stoning of the devil' ritual, which was happening today.
"During and after the stampede the pilgrims continued to flock into Mina to perform the devil stoning ritual."
Amateur video shared on social media showed a horrific scene, with scores of bodies - the men dressed in the simple terry cloth garments worn during Hajj - lying alongside crushed wheelchairs and water bottles.
The head of the Central Hajj Committee, Prince Khaled al-Faisal, blamed the stampede on "some pilgrims from African nationalities," Saudi-owned al-Arabiya TV channel reported.
Survivors assessed the scene by standing on the top of roadside stalls as rescue workers in orange and yellow vests combed the area.
About 4,000 people from the rescue services were participating in the operation to help the injured and about 220 ambulances were directed to the scene, a civil defence spokesman said.
Photos released by the defence directorate on its official Twitter account showed rescue workers helping the wounded onto stretchers and loading them onto ambulances near some of the tents.
Al Jazeera's Omar Alsaleh, reporting from Mecca, said the number of deaths may rise.
"This is only the initial number ... The Hajj season was already overshadowed by the crane accident that killed 107 people and wounded more than 200," Alsaleh said, adding: "The area has turned to a big massive construction site to allow more pilgrims to visit Mecca during Hajj.
"Mina has more than 160,000 tents divided over several camps, and with the 1.9 million people taking part in this year's Hajj, you will understand the logistical nightmare that the Saudi authorities are facing."
Deadly Hajj incidents
Saudi authorities take extensive precautions to ensure the security of the Hajj and the safety of pilgrims. But tragedies are not uncommon.
In 2006, more than 360 pilgrims were killed in a stampede, also in Mina.
The day before the 2006 Hajj began, an eight-story building being used as a hostel near the Grand Mosque in Mecca collapsed, killing at least 73 people.
Two years earlier, a crush at Mina killed 244 and injured hundreds on the final day of the pilgrimage.
And, in 2001, a stampede at Mina killed 35 people.
The worst hajj-related tragedy, which happened in 1990, killed 1,426 pilgrims in a stampede in an overcrowded pedestrian tunnel leading to holy sites in Mecca.
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Eidul Azha being celebrated in Saudi Arabia, other countries
Eidul Azha, the Muslim feast following Hajj, is being celebrated in Saudi Arabia and other gulf states today.
Major Eid congregations were held in the holy mosques Masjid-ul-Haram and Masjid-e-Nabvi.
Large number of Muslims attended the Eid prayers, where Imam of the holy Grand Mosque stressed on unity among the Muslims.
Special prayers were offered for the unity among the Muslim Ummah and peace in the world.
Eid is also being celebrated in gulf states and United States.
Man found murdered after abduction
A 29-year-old man, who was allegedly kidnapped for ransom by unidentified persons, has been found dead near a residential complex in Jawaharnagar here, police said today.
Rakesh Reddy, a private employee, had left his house at 6 AM yesterday informing his parents that he has to attend a meeting, they said.
"At 8 AM, Rakesh's parents received a threat message to their cell phone by SMS from the victim's phone stating that they were planning to abduct their daughter for the past one month and had now got their son kidnapped," Jawaharnagar Police Station Inspector P Venkatagiri told PTI.
At 2 PM, the parents received another message from Rakesh's phone with Rs 8 lakh ransom demand to free him, the Inspector said.
However, locals and Rakesh's relatives spotted one body near a residential complex last night and informed police.
After reaching the spot, police found that Rakesh's mouth was gagged and his throat slit.
A case under relevant sections of IPC has been registered and further probe is on to locate the absconding accused, police said.
Asad Owaisi objects to Digvijay's tweet
All India Majlis-e-Ittehad ul Musilmeen (MIM) PresidentAsaduddin Owaisi today took strong exception to the posting of the MIM leader's'objectionable picture' by Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on the Twitter.
In a chat with newsmen, Mr.Owaisi said the picture 'depicting one of hisfaces as that of RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat' was an insult to Muslim community and added by it,Mr.Singh had insulted all Muslims.
Hitting out at the Congress, Mr.Owaisi charged that it was under Congress rulethat Mumbai witnessed riots in December 1992 and January 1993. He also charged that the country had witnessed maximum communal violenceduring the Congress regime only.
The MIM was the only party which opposed tooth and nail the BJP andthe RSS not only in Telangana but all over the country, Mr Owaisi , the Hyderabadi MP,claimed.
Only when Muslims and Dalits get their rights in education, employment, housingand other sectors,that secularism would be strengthened in the country,he added.
Hajj sermon : Grand Mufti urges Muslims to rise against misguided forces
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Hajj’s main pillar, Wuquf-e-Arafat today
Ghilaf-e-Kaaba changed
The annual ceremony to change Ghilaf-e-Kaaba held on Wednesday morning at Masjid-e-Al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque) in Saudi Arabia where millions of Muslims have gathered to perform Hajj.
The covering cloth of the Kaaba, known as Kiswa, is changed on 9th Zilhaj every year after Fajr prayer on the day of Arafat that is main pillar of the Hajj.
The new cover has been prepared with estimated 150 kg pure gold and 670 kg silk fiber.
The cover, inscribed with verses from the Holy Quran, is prepared by over 200 weaving experts in Dar-ul-Kiswa factory with the cost of 20 million Saudi riyals.
The old Ghilaf, that covers four walls and the door of Kaaba, is torn into pieces and gifted to foreign dignitaries after the changing ceremony.
Size of the Ghilaf is 657 square metre (14 metre high) and it is comprised of 47 pieces.
Telangana Assembly pays rich tributes to APJ Abdul Kalam
The Telangana Legislative Assembly today paid rich tributes to former President A P J Abdul Kalam and sitting Congress MLA P Kishta Reddy who passed away recently.
Moving a condolence motion on the first day of the Monsoon session, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao hailed the services of the 'missile man' to the country.
He recalled that he had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to name the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad after Kalam.
Kalam worked at the DRDL on different vital defence-related projects for about a decade.
Lauding his accomplishments and contribution to the nation, leaders of Congress, TDP, BJP and others supported the request to name DRDL after Kalam.
TDP floor leader E Dayakar Rao recalled that his party President N Chandrababu Naidu strongly proposed the candidature of Kalam for President's post.
Telangana BJP president and MLA G Kishan Reddy said the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee went ahead with Pokhran nuclear tests with Kalam on his side.
YSR Congress member P Venkateswarlu said the metro rail project be named after Kalam, while CPI's Ravindra Kumar said one of the new universities in the state can be named after the former President.
Finance Minister E Rajender recalled that Kalam, who addressed a joint sitting of undivided AP legislature, had said teachers and parents can eradicate social evils like casteism and communalism.
Moving a separate condolence motion on the demise of sitting Congress MLA from Narayankhed, P Kishta Reddy, the Chief Minister expressed sorrow over the death of Reddy who was Chairman of Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
Congress members, who spoke on the motion, proposed that a family member of Reddy be elected without contest in the bypoll to be held for the constituency.
Two arrested from Malakpet in cheating case
Two persons, including a student, were today arrested from Malakept area for allegedly duping 29 people of over Rs 11 lakh on the pretext of providing visas to them to work abroad, police said today.
Chaderghat police arrested Mohammed Abdul Gafoor, a businessman, and his nephew Syed Mukram along with absconding accused Shakeel Shaik, a resident of Mumbai.
One computer, 19 passports and two mobile phones were seized from their possession, they said.
"The trio created fake visas for Malaysia and Saudi Arabia by forging the original names and collected an amount of Rs 11.20 lakh from 29 persons," Assistant Commissioner of Police (Sultan Bazar Division) Ravula Giridhar said.
Four new cases of swine flu detected in Telangana
Four fresh cases of swine flu were reported in Telangana today, taking the total number of positive cases since August one to 78, an official statement said here.
The disease and related complications have claimed three lives in the state between August 1 and September 21.
"From August 1 to September 21, 527 samples were tested, of which 78 were found to be positive....on September 21, 30 cases tested, out of which four are found positive," the statement said.
Hajj rituals begin from Mina
T'gana Assembly session to begin tomorrow' likely to be be stormy
Farmers' suicides due to agrarian distress, redesigning of irrigation projects and drought in parts of the state are expected to rock the Monsoon session of Telangana Legislative Assembly beginning tomorrow.
The Assembly's Business Advisory Committee would decide on the agenda and duration of the session, expected to last for ten days.
Alleging that more than 1,000 farmers have committed suicide due to agrarian distress since the TRS government assumed office more than one year ago, main opposition Congress, TDP, BJP and other parties have been holding protests against the government.
The state cabinet has recently enhanced the ex-gratia paid to the families of the deceased farmers from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs six lakh.
The state government on September 11 said 141 farmers have committed suicide, adding, ex-gratia was being paid to their family.
Dismissing the opposition allegations, the ruling TRS alleged that the previous Congress and TDP governments were responsible for the present spate of suicides.
Deputy Chief Minister K Srihari, who spoke after a cabinet meeting last week, had said the government has taken many pro-farmer measures like supplying seeds and fertilisers and uninterrupted power, to the extent possible.
The government also waived farmers' loans to the tune of Rs 17,000 crore, he said, adding that the government would wait till September 30 to announce various mandals as drought-hit as per Centre's norms.
Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is expected to make a statement on the issue.
The redesigning of irrigation projects, the ruling party's promise of two bed room houses to the poor and the defection of some opposition MLAs to the TRS, among other issues, are likely to figure prominently during the session.
Police constable killed, 3 injured as speeding lorry turns turtle
A police constable was killed and three others were injured after a speeding lorry overturned and fell on them near a check-post near Golconda in the wee hours today.
A check-post was put up recently and a group of police constables were deployed near the check-post, police said.
The lorry-driver, who was apparently in a drunken state hit one of the barricades and lost control over the wheel following which the lorry overturned, killing constable Rahul Yadav (23) on spot, Golconda Police Station Inspector Khaleel Pasha said.
"The lorry, which got dragged to a distance also hit other constables resulting in injuries to three of them. All of them were rushed to different hospitals," the Inspector said, adding, the lorry driver was taken into custody.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner M Mahender Reddy visited the accident spot and also the injured constables at different hospitals and met their family members and assured them of all necessary help from the government towards meeting their medical expenses. Further probe is on.
Woman arrested for smuggling gold at Shamsabad airport
A woman passenger was arrested while she was allegedly trying to smuggle 1.7 kg gold at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport here today.
The burqa-clad woman had arrived at the airport last night from a flight from Abu Dhabi and on being interrogated by the officers about possession of any dutiable/prohibited goods, she denied, Customs (Hyderabad Zone), Assistant Commissioner, Priyanka told PTI.
"On suspicion, a check was carried out and 1.7 kg gold that she had concealed in her clothes, were found," the officer said.
The officials, however, did not reveal the name of the passenger.
Monday, September 21, 2015
Six fresh cases of swine flu come to light in Telangana
Six cases of swine flu have been reported in Telangana, taking the number of positive cases detected in the state since August 1 to 74.
"From August 1 to September 20, 497 samples were tested, of which 74 were found to be positive and the number of deaths because of other complications and swine flu as of the date are three," said an official statement.
"On September 20, 26 cases were tested, of which six are found to be positive. No deaths have been reported on September 20," it added.
Sufficient stock of medicines and testing kits were available, it said, advising the citizens to report to a hospital on noticing first possible symptoms of swine flu-like high fever, sneezing and cough.
Storage of all messages to be mandatory for 90 days
Every message that you send--be it through WhatsApp, SMS, Email or any such service--must be mandatorily stored in plain text format for 90 days and made available on demand to security agencies under a draft New Encryption Policy that has triggered privacy concerns.
Legal action that could also include imprisonment has been proposed in the draft policy unveiled by the government for failure to store and produce on demand the encrypted messages sent from any mobile device or computer. The policy also wants everyone to hand over their encryption keys to the Government.
The draft proposes that users of encrypted messaging service on demand should reproduce same text, transacted during a communication, in plain format before law enforcement agencies and failing which the government can take legal action as per the laws of the country.
The proposed policy, issued by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology, would apply to everyone including government departments, academic institutions, citizens and for all kind of communications -- be it official or personal.
Generally, all the modern messaging services like WhatsApp, Viber, Line, Google Chat, Yahoo messenger etc, come with high level of encryption and many a time security agencies find it hard to intercept these messages.
"All information shall be stored by the concerned B/C entity for 90 days from the date of transaction and made available to Law Enforcement Agencies as and when demanded in line with the provisions of the laws of the country," the draft said.
The draft has defined 'B category' as all statutory organizations, executive bodies, business and commercial establishments, including all Public Sector Undertakings, Academic institutions.
The 'C category' as per the draft are all citizens including personnel of government and business performing non-official or personal functions.
In case of the user having communicated with foreigner or entity abroad then the primary responsibility of providing readable plain text along with the corresponding encrypted information would be that of the user in the country.
Besides this, all service providers located within and outside India that use encryption technology for providing any type of services in India must register themselves with the government, as per the draft.
The draft proposes to introduce the New Encryption Policy under section 84 A of Information Technology Act 2000. This section was introduced through amendment in 2008.
The sub-section 84 C that was also introduced through the amendment has provision of imprisonment for violation of the act.
"Encryption products may be exported but with prior intimation to the designated agency of Government of India.
Users in India are allowed to use only the products registered in India. Government reserves the right to take appropriate action as per Law of the country for any violation of this Policy," the draft said.
The last date for public to comment on the draft is October 16, 2015.
"Having a draft on issue is a welcome step. It looks at everything with prism of law enforcemnnt. It will create a license raj. There is very much concern around privacy of citizen. The policy wants messages to be given on demand. If my private information is sought by government, it should be done through courts," Arun Sukumar,Head, Cyber Initiative, said. .
Najma rubbishes allegations of rise in attacks on minorities
Ajmer Dargah vacated after hoax bomb call
Ajmer Dargah premises was vacated and searched thoroughly today after police received a hoax call, threatening a bomb in the shrine.
After the call was received at Ajmer police control room, SP Vikas Kumar along with bomb disposal squad reached the spot and vacated the Dargah.
"The dargah premises was searched but no suspected object was found. The caller is being identified," the SP said.
There was huge rush in the Dargah today and the police vacated the place in the name of VIP visit.
No panic was created, the Dargah sources said.
Bombay HC refuses to stay ban on bull slaughter for Eid
The Bombay High Court today refused to grant interim stay on ban on slaughter of bulls and sale of their meat during the Muslim festival of Bakri Eid.
A division bench of justices A S Oka and V L Achliya, hearing a batch of petitions seeking relaxation on the ban on slaughter and sale of meat of bulls from September 25 to 27 on the occasion of Bakri Eid, declined to grant any interim relief to the Maharashtra Act by which the ban was imposed.
"We are not inclined to grant any drastic interim relief at this stage which would amount to a stay on section 5 of the Maharashtra Preservation of Animals (Amendment) Act," the court said.
"Can interim relief be granted on the state government's statutory power? If there was power of relaxation under the Act we would have asked the state government to consider it.
How do we grant relief without staying the statutory provision," the court queried.
The court refused to accept the petitioners' contention that slaughter of animals and their sacrifice forms an essential part of the Muslim community's religious practice.
Advocates Gayatri Singh and Ejaz Naqvi, appearing for the petitioners, argued that slaughter of animals is a crucial part of the Muslim community's religious practice to sacrifice.
"The state government issued a circular banning slaughter of animals and sale of mutton and chicken for two days during the Jain community's festival of Prayushan. Why cannot it (government) issue a circular relaxing the ban on beef for the Muslim community," Naqvi argued.
The court said the matter can be dealt with only after a detailed affidavit is filed by all the respondents and posted it for final hearing on October 12.
The petitions sought direction to the state government to temporarily suspend provisions banning and penalising the slaughter of bulls/male calves and possession of their meat in amended Maharashtra Preservation of Animals (Amendment) Act.
According to the petitioners-- Aslam Alamgir Malkani and Ishaque Abdul Aziz Shaikh--the Act violates articles 25 (freedom of religion), 26 (freedom to manage religious affairs) and 29 (protection of interests of minorities) of the Constitution.
The other petition, filed by Huzaifa Electricwala, also challenges the Act and seeks a similar relief.
Pilgrims march to Mina ' Hajj to begin tomorrow
Sunday, September 20, 2015
A middle aged man, Qadeer Pasha resident of Bogulkonta murdered in Sultan Bazaar area in wee hours today.
Unknown assailants stopped his car at around 3 AM and attack him with sharpened weapons.
Police suspects that the relatives of his estranged wife are involved in his murder, said sources.
The Muslims and Dalits of Bihar will create history ' says Asad Owaisi
Asaduddin Owaisi addressed members of Bihari community living in Hyderabad at MIM headquarters Darussalam
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad not given his due: Najma Heptulla
Union Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptulla expressed regrets here today that previous governments had "failed" to give due recognition to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad for his role in transforming education in independent India.
"He (Azad) had the necessary vision and foresight to recognise the need of quality secular education for a newborn democracy like India. Therefore his first focus was to build a strong institutional edifice for a modern educational system for the country," Heptulla said.
"As a result, we saw setting up of University Grants Commission, Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), institutions like Indian Council of Cultural Relations and several other bodies to promote higher education in the country," she said.
A conference on how education can revitalise communities, will be held at Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) campus here, she said.
"Had he not laid a strong foundation for education in independent India, today the country would not have had more than 700 universities and 35,000 colleges. However, I would like to tell you that it is unfortunate and regrettable that his contribution and thoughts are not remembered -- neither by governments nor the people," she said.
"He never got recognition from previous (successive) governments for what he did," Heptulla said.
"Education is one of our most important nation building activities. A good education not only provides knowledge and information but also equips an individual with skills needed to thrive in a highly competitive world," she said. .
KCR approves 350 houses for Malayali community members in Hyd
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao today sanctioned 350 two-bedroom houses for economically-backward members of the Malayali community residing in the city.
Speaking in the presence of Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy at the foundation stone-laying ceremony for a 'Kerala Bhavan' here, Rao said, "I have just received a list of 350 members of poorest of the poor Malayalis settled in Hyderabad.
"I am announcing we are sanctioning double-bedroom houses for them with immediate effect."
Earlier, on February 1, Rao had announced the allotment of one acre land for the Bhavan and Rs 1 crore as financial assistance towards the construction of the building.
Chandy had offered five acres land for the construction of a Telangana Bhavan at Nilackal near Sabarimala for Ayyappa devotees from the state.
Bihar''s secular alliance "incompetent": Asad Owaisi
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, whose decision to foray into the Seemanchal region of Bihar in the state assembly polls is giving anxious moments to the JD(U)-RJD-Congress alliance over fears of split in minority votes, has trashed accusations of being propped up by the BJP.
Calling the anti-BJP secular alliance "incompetent and discredited", he said it failed to usher in "development and justice" in the four backward northeastern districts of 'Seemanchal' during its constituents' long stint in power.
"...Now they are incompetent and they are discredited. And that s why all these allegations are being made against me," the Lok Sabha MP from Hyderabad said reacting to insinuations by some leaders of the secular alliance that All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has decided to enter the fray at BJP's bidding to split the minority votes.
"Similar allegations were made against Kanshi Ram when he floated the BSP. I don t mind it. They are honouring me by making all these allegations," he said.
"They (the three-party alliance) have not done justice or development and their track record clearly shows that the real prosperity or justice has not been done. We have decided to limit ourselves only to Seemanchal area and that too we are yet to take a decision on how many seats of 24 (in the region) we are going to contest," Owaisi said.
In constituencies where the AIMIM is not contesting, the party has requested the people of Bihar to defeat BJP and to vote for any secular candidate or secular combination, he said.
"Despite that, they are fully drunk in arrogance and they don t want AIMIM to participate," Owaisi told PTI in an interview, attacking the "Mahagathbandhan" (grand alliance) of JD(U), RJD and Congress.
AIMIM s stand, he said, is very clear that it wants to contest on the plank of development and justice for Seemanchal region and "wherever we are not there (not contesting) in Seemanchal or anywhere in Bihar, we request the people of Bihar to vote for secular candidate or secular combination".
The Seemanchal region comprising Kishanganj, Katihar, Purnia and Araria districts on the state's border with West Bengal has sizeable population of Muslims, who have been voting for Lalu Prasad's RJD after they shifted their allegiance from Congress in the aftermath of the Bhagalpur riots.
After Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's open criticism of Gujarat riots and Narendra Modi, a section of Muslims has also been voting for JD(U). Contesting together, the secular alliance should have been comfortably placed in the region, but AIMIM's presence in the fray might queer the pitch for them.
Shah Rukh meets Mahesh Babu, promises to have Hyderabadi food
Superstar Shah Rukh Khan met Mahesh Babu on the sets of Telugu actor's his upcoming film "Brahmotsavam".
Shah Rukh, 49, who is shooting for the upcoming Rohit Shetty-directed comedy-drama "Dilwale" here, took to Twitter to compliment the "Okkadu" star.
"@urstrulyMahesh It was my pleasure actually. And your crew was so warm and welcoming. Will drop in again and have some Hyderabadi food with you."
Mahesh, 40, said the cast and crew of his family-drama was thrilled when the "Chennai Express" actor visited them.
"It was a pleasure meeting @iamsrk on our 'Brahmotsavam' sets today. The entire cast and crew were thrilled... Thanks Sir... Humbled," he tweeted.
Recently, badminton ace Saina Nehwal also met Shah Rukh, Kajol, Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon on the sets of the film.
"Diwale" will release on December 18.
Saturday, September 19, 2015
We are serious about winning in Bihar' says Asad Owaisi
Nation faces Collective assault on IQ' says Arundhati Roy
Hyderabad to host 3rd 'Taleem ki Taquat' conference on Sunday
The third edition of 'Taleem ki Taquat', a conference on how education can energise communities, will be held at Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) campus at Gachibowli here tomorrow.
Union Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptulla and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao will chair the conference.
The conference has been organised with a particular emphasis on empowering different communities, particularly the Muslim community. It also looks into ways to accelerate the process of bringing the minorities into the mainstream through the use of Taleem or education, a release said today.
The first edition of this "movement" was held in Mumbai on August 3, while the second one was held in Patna on September 5.
Zafar Sareshwala, the Chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University will preside over the conference, in which Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mohd Mohamood Ali, Supreme Court Judge Justice M Y Eqbal, among other dignitaries will take part.
"The only agenda behind this initiative is to encourage different communities, particularly the Muslim community, to equip itself with knowledge and skill through education since it is the only key to development for its social and economic transformation," Sareshwala said.
"I want Muslims and all young people, particularly women, to engage with the government and take benefit of diverse welfare schemes," he added.
Man held for raping minor girl in Dabeerpura
A middle-aged man was today arrested for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl in Dabeerpura area, police said.
Hamidullah K, a football coach providing training to local youths, allegedly raped the girl two days ago at his house, Dabeerpura Police Station Inspector M Mattaiah said.
The girl's mother lodged a complaint in this regard and also accused Hamidullah of misbehaving with the girl a fortnight ago, the police officer said.
Following the complaint, a case was booked under relevant sections of the IPC and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and he was arrested.
Hyderabad police launch 'Vehicle mounted CCTV cameras'
As part of its efforts to make Hyderabad, a 'safe and secure' city, Hyderabad Police today launched Vehicle mounted CCTV cameras.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner M Mahendar Reddy, who flagged off five vehicles mounted with CCTV cameras at Tank Bund here told reporters that they would soon equip all the 120 patrolling police vehicles plying in the city under the mounted CCTV camera project besides installing them on Interceptor vehicles also.
"In view of the ongoing Ganesh festival and forthcoming Bakr Eid festival, five vehicles mounted with CCTV cameras have been launched as part of security arrangements," the Hyderabad Police chief said.
The mounted CCTV cameras provide a 360 degree panoramic view and the footage can be stored for 15-days. Such vehicles will be linked to 'Command Control Centre' from where the footage captured will be monitored, Reddy explained.
Keeping in view the immersion programme of idols of Lord Ganesha in Hussain Sagar lake, a Command Control Centre was also opened today near Tank Bund.
"This project will help in making Hyderabad a 'safe and secure' city. Under the mobile surveillance, the vehicles mounted with CCTV cameras will film after moving in different locations."
"This will help in enhancing vigil by keeping a watch on anti-social elements, who may create disturbances and it will also help in prevention of untoward incidents," Reddy added.
Telangana cabinet hikes ex-gratia for kin of farmers who committed suicide
Telangana government today decided to enhance the ex-gratia being paid to families of farmers who have committed suicide due to distress like low crop yield or indebtedness to Rs 6 lakh from Rs 1.5 lakh.
Briefing reporters after a meeting of the state Cabinet, Deputy Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari said the decision to raise the ex-gratia would be effective from today.
The 'Kalyana Lakshmi' scheme of providing help for the marriage of young women would be extended to the families of farmers who committed suicide, he said.
Srihari said that the Cabinet expressed regret that farmers are committing suicide due to deficit rainfall, low crop yield or indebtedness.
He appealed to the farmers not to take the extreme step of ending their lives.
Farmers' suicides has, of late, become a political issue in the state with opposition Congress, TDP and other parties alleging that hundreds of farmers have committed suicide due to distress in the last over one year since TRS assumed office.
The ruling party, however, has dismissed the allegation.
A state government release issued on September 11 said that 141 farmers have committed suicide so far and that ex-gratia was being paid to them.
Srihari said the political parties, media and NGOs should instill courage among farmers and that the issue should not be used for politics.
Highlighting that the state government has taken many pro-farmer measures, he said that seeds and fertilisers have been made available for agriculture and uninterrupted power is being supplied to the extent possible.
The government also waived farmers' loans to the tune of Rs 17,000 crore, the Deputy CM said, adding that the government would wait till September 30 to announce various mandals as drought-hit as per Centre's norms.
He said the Cabinet has decided to appoint 1,000 agriculture extension officers in the state in addition to 1,100 such officers who are working to serve about 41 lakh hectares of cultivable land in the state.
Telangana Assembly to meet from September 23
Telangana Assembly will meet for five days beginning September 23. KCR has called for a meeting of his cabinet colleagues tomorrow afternoon to discuss the strategy to face the opposition questions. Also, he will discuss the ways and means to counter the problem of farmers' suicides and how to prevent them. Over 400 farmers are said have died up till now. - See more at: http://www.ap7am.com/lv-199075-telangana-assembly-to-meet-for-five-days-from-sept-23.html#sthash.4a64k16z.dpuf
Centre needs to tread cautiously on Netaji files' says Venkaiah
The Centre will take a decision on declassification of files related to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose only after studying its impact on India's relations with other countries, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said in Hyderabad today.
"The West Bengal government has made public certain confidential files related to Netaji. It is good... it needs to be studied what is there in those files before the Centre takes such a decision, its impact on the international community, our relations with other countries, neighbouring countries, needs to be studied.
"The Centre will have to take a final decision after studying that. I personally feel that people of the country have the right to know the truth on the Netaji issue.
Government will think of it and decide how and when to do it," the Parliamentary Affairs minister told reporters here on the sidelines of an event.
Seventy years after his mysterious disappearance, 64 files running into nearly 13,000 pages were declassified yesterday which shows some of Netaji's family members were spied upon in independent India.
However, there was no clarity on whether Bose died in an air crash in 1945 as is widely believed.
Tucked away in police and government lockers for decades, the files containing 12,744 pages were declassified by West Bengal government in the presence of Bose's family members, who have been demanding that information on Netaji be made public.
The files have been kept inside glass cases at the Kolkata Police Museum before they are made accessible to the public on Monday.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has demanded that the Centre declassify files pertaining to the nationalist leader and said that it is unfortunate that the mystery of Netaji's disappearance has remained unresolved for 70 years.
Some of Netaji's family members have rejected the theory that he had died in a plane crash in Taihoku airport in Taiwan on August 18, 1945.
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