IS trying to expand foothold in Southeast Asia

Terrorist group Islamic State (IS) is trying to expand its foothold in Southeast Asia by launching a Malay-language newspaper to woo its supporters in the region, according to a report today. The newspaper named Al-Fatihin - meaning 'The Conqueror' in Arabic - was launched in southern Philippines on June 20 and is being distributed in Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, southern Thailand, as well as southern Philippines where Muslims speak the Malay language. The move can be seen as an "unofficial warning" that the Malay archipelago is in ISIS's sights, an unnamed security expert was quoted as saying in the report by Malay daily Berita Harian (BH). "This psychological campaign means that the terrorists have a big objective, which is to expand their influence among people who understand the Malay language," said the expert. "Based on the way the language is used, we believe the writer or editor of the paper may be from this country," the expert added. A paper by the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research at S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, last month provided some details on the newspaper's first issue. The 20-page edition focussed on the month of Ramzan and the act of jihad or "holy struggle," with a three-page message from Egyptian ideologue Abu Hamzah al-Muhajir, also known as Abu Ayyub al-Masri, calling on IS fighters to "continue their jihadist activities, search for martyrdom and kill and crucify the polytheists, disbelievers, oppressors and transgressors". According to BH, its editor invited all militant groups in Indonesia and the Philippines to unite and pledge allegiance to IS leader and self-styled caliph Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi. Malaysia's Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division senior assistant director Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay refused comment on the matter but said the IS is believed to be expanding its media arm, in the fields of information technology, audio visual, processing and publishing to maintain its global communications.

T'gana govt undertakes plantation of several lakh saplings

The Telangana government today undertook plantation of several lakh saplings in and around here as part of the mega 'Haritha Haram' programme which was launched three days ago. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao planted saplings in Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS). His Cabinet colleagues including his Minister son K T Rama Rao (KTR) also planted saplings at other places, an official release said. As a part of the programme, KTR along with senior executives and employees of various IT companies and senior government officials planted saplings at the IT Corridor in Gachibowli. According to an official release issued yesterday, the state government intended to plant as many as 25 lakh saplings in and around the city today. The 'Haritha Haram' programme which was launched in Nalgonda district on Friday by KCR aims at planting 46 crore saplings across the state this monsoon. Over 105 government and private organisations participated in programme with nearly 4,000 sites across the city witnessed the event. Officials of the IT department, members of Hyderabad Software Enterprises Association, Society for Cyberabad Security Council, IT professionals, students and personalities from Tollywood also took part in the drive. Collectors and Superintendents of Police of all the districts and their officials have been instructed to participate in the programme, it said. "This two-week programme would be the performance indicator for employees, MPs, MLAs and Ministers. Take this initiative seriously as we are obligated to give green and clean environment to our future generations," KCR said. The Chief Minister requested people to take the programme with a positive sense and warned serious action on those who do not comply with.

Why UoH Vice Chancellor not arrested yet: JAC

The Joint Action Committee for Social Justice today sought to know why Hyderabad Central University Vice Chancellor Appa Rao Podile had not been arrested by the Telangana police in the Rohith Vemula suicide case. The Joint Action Committee (JAC), which represents a section of the University students, said in a release here that students shouted slogans when Podile took part in a tree plantation program on the campus today. The Vice Chancellor was involved in "desecration" of banners, a statue of Dr B R Ambedkar and a statue of Vemula on the campus (installed by protesting students after his death), it said. "Cases of atrocities are pending against Appa Roo Podile and BJP ministers. Another case has been filed against Podile for desecrating and stealing Ambedkar's statue. There is no normalcy at University of Hyderabad," the JAC said. "Why Telangana police have not arrested Appa Rao and the BJP minister yet? What happened to the assurance given by the (Chief Minister) KCR in Telangana Assembly? When will you ask the Prime Minister to recall Appa Rao," it asked. The JAC and other protesting students are seeking Podile's ouster for his alleged role in the suicide of Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula at the University premises earlier this year.

PM warns against preachers of hate threatening society

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today warned that "preachers of hate and violence" are threatening the fabric of the society, in comments that assume significance amid the controverssy surrounding Islamic preacher Zakir Naik. He also appeared to be hitting out at Pakistan as he emphasised that those giving shelter to terrorists and using them as political instruments must be condemned. Addressing the students at the University of Nairobi here, Modi pitched for a world free from terror and hate, saying safety and security of people and societies is essential for realising the benefits of the economic progress. "Preachers of hate and violence are threatening the fabric of our society," he said without taking any names. Underlining the need to counter radicalization, he said "Youth can play an important role in building a counter narrative to extremist ideologies." His comments assume significance in view of the expanding footprint of ISIS terror group, which is particularly attracting the youth through a campaign of radicalisation. A recent case in point was the attack in Bangladesh some days back at a cafe by a group of six educated youth in which 22 people, mostly foreigners, were killed. Some of these six attackers were allegedly influenced by the controversial Indian Muslim preacher Zakir Naik, who gives sermons on a TV channel, which is under scrutiny of the Indian government now. Apprehensions of some Indian youth getting attracted towards ISIS is also gaining ground with 15 youngsters from Kerala going missing mysteriously. The Prime Minister, while speaking about developmental strides, said, "A steady march towards our economic goals is indeed a priority. But, we also cannot ignore the safety of our people."

Goa MP demands FIR against Zakir Naik

Goa MP Shantaram Naik today said the Union Home Ministry should immediately file an FIR against controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik as his speeches "incite communal violence". "Zakir Naik should be booked immediately. The process to ban his television channel and organisation can take time. But action against him should be immediate," Naik told reporters here during a press conference. "The Union government has been delaying filing an FIR against Naik," the Rajya Sabha MP said. "I don't know if the Home Ministry has conducted any study of Naik's speeches. If the investigating agencies examine his speeches, they will realise what he has said about a particular community. His speeches incite communal violence," the Congress leader said. "I heard him saying that there should be only one religion and the rest should come under its wing," he said.

A message from Hyderabad against terrorism

Umar Khalid praises Burhan Wani

JNU student Umar Khalid, who is out on bail in a sedition case today kicked off another controversy by comparing Burhan Wani, the Hizbul Mujahideen commander who was gunned down earlier this week, with a revolutionary. "I don t care if I fall as long as someone else picks up my gun and keeps on shooting. These were the words of Che Guevara, but could have just been Burhan Wani s too," he said in a facebook post which he removed hours later. He praised Wani for his bravery and said, "Burhan wasn t scared of death, he was scared of a life lived in subjugation. He detested it. He lived a free man, died a free man .....". Khalid has earlier been a centre of controversy for being one of the organisers of the controversial event in JNU against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru during which anti-national slogans were allegedly raised. His remarks on Burhan did not go down well with the RSS student wing ABVP which has been locked in an ideological battle with the left-affiliated groups in JNU campus. "After supporting Afzal Guru, Khalid has now expressed his sympathies with Burhan, this is an indicative of his association with terrorists and his support for them. Such anti-nationsals are even dangerous for the society than terrorists. I demand that his bail be cancelled and investigation about his links be conducted," Saurabh Sharma, lone ABVP member in JNU students union said in a statement.