LIVE
Wed, 20 January 2016
Kejriwal to visit Hyderabad varsity tomorrow, will meet Dalit scholar's kin
Timeline Refresh
22:56 IS razes to ground the oldest Christian monastery in Iraq, satellite images show
The Islamic State group has completely destroyed a 1,400-year-old Christian monastery in Iraq, the oldest of its kind in the country.
Satellite images released on Wednesday showed just a pile of rubble where St Elijah's Monastery used to stand on a hill above Mosul, the terror group's stronghold in Iraq.
The monastery had survived as a place of Christian worship for almost one-and-a-half millenia, predating Islam itself, and had only suffered superficial damage throughout the country's most recent conflicts.
Read HERE
Satellite images released on Wednesday showed just a pile of rubble where St Elijah's Monastery used to stand on a hill above Mosul, the terror group's stronghold in Iraq.
The monastery had survived as a place of Christian worship for almost one-and-a-half millenia, predating Islam itself, and had only suffered superficial damage throughout the country's most recent conflicts.
Read HERE
22:14 After polygraph, Salwinder Singh to undergo behavioural tests
The lie detector test on senior Punjab Police officer Salwinder Singh as part of National Investigation Agency probe into the attack on Indian Air Force base in Pathankot concluded today and he will now be subjected to behavioural tests.
Singh, at present posted as Assistant Commandant of 75th Punjab Armed Police after being shunted out as superintendent of police (Headquarters) Gurdaspur, underwent the polygraph (lie detector) test for two consecutive days.
An official spokesman of the NIA, while saying that the polygraph test was over, refused to share any details as it could hamper the ongoing investigation into the terror attack.
Singh, at present posted as Assistant Commandant of 75th Punjab Armed Police after being shunted out as superintendent of police (Headquarters) Gurdaspur, underwent the polygraph (lie detector) test for two consecutive days.
An official spokesman of the NIA, while saying that the polygraph test was over, refused to share any details as it could hamper the ongoing investigation into the terror attack.
21:45 Kejriwal to visit Hyderabad varsity tomorrow, will meet Dalit scholar's kin
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will visit the University of Hyderabad tomorrow to meet the students and family members of Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula who committed suicide.
Kejriwal, who was scheduled to visit Bengaluru for undergoing naturopathy treatment for his chronic cough on January 22 for ten days, has deferred his visit and will now go there on January 27.
"The Chief Minister will visit the University of Hyderabad tomorrow to meet the students and the family members of the Dalit scholar who committed suicide," said sources in the Delhi government.
AAP leaders Ashish Khetan and Ashish Talwar today reached Hydrabad to meet protesting students.
Kejriwal, who was scheduled to visit Bengaluru for undergoing naturopathy treatment for his chronic cough on January 22 for ten days, has deferred his visit and will now go there on January 27.
"The Chief Minister will visit the University of Hyderabad tomorrow to meet the students and the family members of the Dalit scholar who committed suicide," said sources in the Delhi government.
AAP leaders Ashish Khetan and Ashish Talwar today reached Hydrabad to meet protesting students.
21:09 Hardik wants truce; sets deadline for release of Patel leaders
Jailed Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel has set a 10-day deadline for the Gujarat government to release him and other imprisoned Patel leaders for reaching a compromise formula, failing which it warned to that it would intensify its stir.
In a letter written from Lajpore jail in Surat which surfaced today, Hardik, addressing the Patel community, admitted that he is in talks with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government to arrive at a compromise formula.
The letter has surfaced after some prominent Patel community members started the exercise to broker a compromise between the BJP government and Patel community members agitating for quota under the banner of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti.
Hardik further stated that the truce, however, will happen only when the government accepts the demands of Patels including the release of their leaders.
'It is true that I have talked about compromise with government (from jail). But, I want to assure you that I will not do any compromise at the cost of community's interests. Our first and foremost condition is that our demands must be met,' said Hardik, convener of PAAS.
'The BJP government is given time till January 30. We have set a condition that talks with government will take place only when the government releases me and other jailed Patel youths by January 30 and withdraw all the cases against us,' he claimed in his letter, which was circulated in the media by his lawyer Yashwantsinh Vala.
'Patel community will think about the BJP government only when they think about us. Till January 30, we will sit peacefully. After that, Patel community will do its work,' warned Hardik in his letter.
He further clarified his political stand by claiming that he will never contest elections and the fight to get reservation for Patel community is not against any political leader of a particular party.
In a letter written from Lajpore jail in Surat which surfaced today, Hardik, addressing the Patel community, admitted that he is in talks with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government to arrive at a compromise formula.
The letter has surfaced after some prominent Patel community members started the exercise to broker a compromise between the BJP government and Patel community members agitating for quota under the banner of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti.
Hardik further stated that the truce, however, will happen only when the government accepts the demands of Patels including the release of their leaders.
'It is true that I have talked about compromise with government (from jail). But, I want to assure you that I will not do any compromise at the cost of community's interests. Our first and foremost condition is that our demands must be met,' said Hardik, convener of PAAS.
'The BJP government is given time till January 30. We have set a condition that talks with government will take place only when the government releases me and other jailed Patel youths by January 30 and withdraw all the cases against us,' he claimed in his letter, which was circulated in the media by his lawyer Yashwantsinh Vala.
'Patel community will think about the BJP government only when they think about us. Till January 30, we will sit peacefully. After that, Patel community will do its work,' warned Hardik in his letter.
He further clarified his political stand by claiming that he will never contest elections and the fight to get reservation for Patel community is not against any political leader of a particular party.
20:33 Tradition stays: BSF camel contingent to march in R-day parade
The Border Security Force's camel contingent will continue to march in the ceremonial Republic Day parade on Rajpath in New Delhi after all.
In an afterthought, the contingent of camels caparisoned in rich bridal attire and silver bracelets jingling has been finally called in to march down the Rajpath, keeping alive the 66-year-old tradition of the country's main parade on January 26.
With less than a week to go for the national event, the iconic contingent today took part in dress rehearsals for the first time after it was made to skip the same exercise on January 17 and 18.
The four-footed contingent, colourfully bedecked, is a major attraction at the parade every year.
Officials said the Border Security Force authorities were informed yesterday evening by the Ministry of Defence to mobilise their squad and participate in the drill at the Rajpath today morning.
"The camel contingent today participated in the dress rehearsals for the first time. The squad has been here for the last about three months but no intimation for participating in the rehearsals for January 26 parade were made earlier. It skipped the scheduled and notified rehearsals held on January 17 and 18," the officials said.
The 90-camel contingent, 54 with troops and the rest with band personnel, first became part of this national festival celebration in 1976 after it replaced a similar squad of the army which had been participating in the Republic Day parade since it first took place in 1950.
In an afterthought, the contingent of camels caparisoned in rich bridal attire and silver bracelets jingling has been finally called in to march down the Rajpath, keeping alive the 66-year-old tradition of the country's main parade on January 26.
With less than a week to go for the national event, the iconic contingent today took part in dress rehearsals for the first time after it was made to skip the same exercise on January 17 and 18.
The four-footed contingent, colourfully bedecked, is a major attraction at the parade every year.
Officials said the Border Security Force authorities were informed yesterday evening by the Ministry of Defence to mobilise their squad and participate in the drill at the Rajpath today morning.
"The camel contingent today participated in the dress rehearsals for the first time. The squad has been here for the last about three months but no intimation for participating in the rehearsals for January 26 parade were made earlier. It skipped the scheduled and notified rehearsals held on January 17 and 18," the officials said.
The 90-camel contingent, 54 with troops and the rest with band personnel, first became part of this national festival celebration in 1976 after it replaced a similar squad of the army which had been participating in the Republic Day parade since it first took place in 1950.
20:26 Dattatreya says only forwarded students' representation to HRD ministry
Dismissing allegations that a letter written by him to Union Human Resource Development ministry led to the suspension of a Dalit scholar who later committed suicide, Union minister Bandaru Dattatreya today sought to clarify that he merely forwarded a representation given to him by the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad.
Rohith Vemula was one of the five students who were barred from accessing the hostel and other facilities of Hyderabad Central University.
'Apart from being a Union minister, I am also an elected member of Parliament from Secunderabad constituency. Since my entry into politics in 80s, I have always been a leader connected to masses and to all sections of the society on a daily basis, whether or not in any positions of power. Taking representations from common people, constituents and forwarding it to concerned ministries is what I consider my earnest responsibility by being an elected people's representative,' the Union minister said in a statement.
Expressing 'deep shock' over the scholar's demise, Dattatreya said he would have forwarded the representation in the same way had they been given by any student groups.
'My role was only limited to forwarding these two representations. I would have happily forwarded representations of any other student body, if they had approached me,' he said hoping that the matter now will rest with this clarification.
Rohith Vemula was one of the five students who were barred from accessing the hostel and other facilities of Hyderabad Central University.
'Apart from being a Union minister, I am also an elected member of Parliament from Secunderabad constituency. Since my entry into politics in 80s, I have always been a leader connected to masses and to all sections of the society on a daily basis, whether or not in any positions of power. Taking representations from common people, constituents and forwarding it to concerned ministries is what I consider my earnest responsibility by being an elected people's representative,' the Union minister said in a statement.
Expressing 'deep shock' over the scholar's demise, Dattatreya said he would have forwarded the representation in the same way had they been given by any student groups.
'My role was only limited to forwarding these two representations. I would have happily forwarded representations of any other student body, if they had approached me,' he said hoping that the matter now will rest with this clarification.
19:45 Court asks CBI to return original documents seized during raid on Kejri's principal secy
The Central Bureau of Investigation today came under a scathing attack from a Delhi court which directed it to return documents sought by the Delhi government seized during recent raids on the office of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's principal secretary, saying the agency 'cannot be clothed with divine powers' to flout its own rules.
"The CBI cannot retain the documents in the garb of the argument that investigation is in progress without whispering the fact in what manner they are related to the present case (against principal secretary Rajendra Kumar)," Special CBI Judge Ajay Kumar Jain said.
"The acceptance of vague reasons like investigation is still in progress implies that CBI is recognised with unbridled power to investigate even in violation of the relevant laws and regulations," he said.
"The seizure of the present documents in question is in utter violation to the clause 14.19 of the CBI manual. Needless to say, clauses of CBI manual are binding upon the CBI," the judge said.
Directing the agency to return the documents as sought by the Delhi government, he said 'any recognition of absolute immunity and unlimited powers will tantamount to recognition of divine power which no authority on earth can enjoy. The CBI cannot be clothed with divine powers'.
The court said that the CBI manual is binding upon the agency and in the garb of argument that the investigation is in progress, it cannot seize documents which are not related to the case.
The judge said if the CBI is not able to disclose the reason why they want to retain these documents, then they have no right to keep them.
"The CBI cannot retain the documents in the garb of the argument that investigation is in progress without whispering the fact in what manner they are related to the present case (against principal secretary Rajendra Kumar)," Special CBI Judge Ajay Kumar Jain said.
"The acceptance of vague reasons like investigation is still in progress implies that CBI is recognised with unbridled power to investigate even in violation of the relevant laws and regulations," he said.
"The seizure of the present documents in question is in utter violation to the clause 14.19 of the CBI manual. Needless to say, clauses of CBI manual are binding upon the CBI," the judge said.
Directing the agency to return the documents as sought by the Delhi government, he said 'any recognition of absolute immunity and unlimited powers will tantamount to recognition of divine power which no authority on earth can enjoy. The CBI cannot be clothed with divine powers'.
The court said that the CBI manual is binding upon the agency and in the garb of argument that the investigation is in progress, it cannot seize documents which are not related to the case.
The judge said if the CBI is not able to disclose the reason why they want to retain these documents, then they have no right to keep them.
19:11 Huge explosion heard outside Russian Embassy in Kabul; dozens feared dead
An explosion took place outside the Russian Embassy in Afghanistan's capital of Kabul on Wednesday, local media reported.
Russian embassy staff in Kabul told Sputnik "an explosion was heard clearly." A source in the Russian Foreign Ministry said that the embassy staff were not injured.
According to the recent reports, more than a dozen people may be dead and injured. Firefighters are currently battling fire in a building in front of the Russian embassy.
Read more HERE.
18:50 Over 120 non-performing babus under govt scanner
Over 120 officials have come under the scanner of the government for 'non-performance' and their services are being reviewed.
The Department of Personnel and Training has sought comments from various ministries on 122 Deputy Secretaries to ascertain quantum and quality of work done by them in their career.
Of them, a highest of 17 are working in Defence Ministry, 13 in Higher Education, seven in Health and Family Welfare, and six each in Commerce, Food and Public Distribution, Revenue and Rural Development departments, an order issued today by DoPT said.
Of the total, one each are also working in crucial departments like National Intelligence Grid (Natgrid), National Security Council Secretariat.
Five Deputy Secretaries each, whose services are being reviewed, are in Labour and Employment, Environment, Forests and Climate Change and four in Labour and Employment, three each in DoPT, Industrial Policy and Promotion and Textiles and two each in Legal Affairs, Food processing Industries, Financial Services, Civil Aviation and Ayush ministries, respectively.
18:26 IS releases 270 of 400 civilians abducted in east Syria
The Islamic State group released 270 of more than 400 civilians it had abducted during its assault on the eastern Syrian city of Deir Ezzor, a monitor said.
Those released included women, children under 14 years old, and the elderly, said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
He said they had been freed after undergoing questioning by IS jihadists to determine whether they had ties to Syria's regime.
"They will not go back into Deir Ezzor city, but will be spread out among local tribes in the province," Abdel Rahman told AFP.
IS still holds 130 civilians, mostly teenage and adult men, whom Abdel Rahman said were being questioned.
17:59 Hero prof who died saving his students in Pak university massacre
In a heroic act, a Pakistani chemistry professor in his 30s lost his life today while trying to protect his students using his licensed pistol against armed Taliban militants who stormed the university.
Assistant professor Syed Hamid Hussain, 34, fought back against the terrorists as he warned students not to leave the building of the Bacha Khan university in Charsadda, some 50 kms southwest of Peshawar.
Students spoke of the hero teacher, who flashed his pistol but was gunned down by the militants. Twenty-four others lost their lives in the massacre.
He was holding a pistol in his hand, he said. Then I saw a bullet hit him. I saw two militants were firing. I ran inside and then managed to flee by jumping over the back wall.
Another student told television reporters he was in class when he heard gunshots. We saw three terrorists shouting slogans and rushing towards the stairs of our department, he said as he described seeing the chemistry professor holding a pistol and firing at the attackers.
Then we saw him fall down and as the terrorists entered the (registrar) office we ran away, said the student.
President Mamnoon Hussain confirmed Hamid was among the deceased and condoled his death. Netizens took to social networking sites like Twitter to hail the lecturer as a martyr. Martyr of #education: Prof Hamid who was killed by terrorists in #BachaKhanUniversity #Pakistan, tweeted journalist and academic Raza Ahmad Rumi.
The official Facebook page of the university also said Hamid was among those killed. Teachers in northwest Pakistan were given permission to carry firearms in the classroom after the Peshawar school carnage of December 2014 in which Taliban militants killed over 150 people, mostly children.
Assistant professor Syed Hamid Hussain, 34, fought back against the terrorists as he warned students not to leave the building of the Bacha Khan university in Charsadda, some 50 kms southwest of Peshawar.
Students spoke of the hero teacher, who flashed his pistol but was gunned down by the militants. Twenty-four others lost their lives in the massacre.
He was holding a pistol in his hand, he said. Then I saw a bullet hit him. I saw two militants were firing. I ran inside and then managed to flee by jumping over the back wall.
Another student told television reporters he was in class when he heard gunshots. We saw three terrorists shouting slogans and rushing towards the stairs of our department, he said as he described seeing the chemistry professor holding a pistol and firing at the attackers.
Then we saw him fall down and as the terrorists entered the (registrar) office we ran away, said the student.
President Mamnoon Hussain confirmed Hamid was among the deceased and condoled his death. Netizens took to social networking sites like Twitter to hail the lecturer as a martyr. Martyr of #education: Prof Hamid who was killed by terrorists in #BachaKhanUniversity #Pakistan, tweeted journalist and academic Raza Ahmad Rumi.
The official Facebook page of the university also said Hamid was among those killed. Teachers in northwest Pakistan were given permission to carry firearms in the classroom after the Peshawar school carnage of December 2014 in which Taliban militants killed over 150 people, mostly children.
17:32 Under fire, Dattatreya says he only forwarded students' representation
Dismissing allegations that a letter written by him to the HRD ministry led to the suspension of a Dalit scholar who later committed suicide, Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya today sought to clarify that he merely forwarded a representation given to him by some students.
Rohith Vemula was one of the five students who was barred from accessing the hostel and other facilities of Hyderabad Central University. "Apart from being a Union Minister, I am also an elected member of Parliament from Secunderabad constituency. Since my entry into politics in 80s, I have always been a leader connected to masses and to all sections of the society on a daily basis, whether or not in any positions of power.
"Taking representations from common people, constituents and forwarding it to concerned ministries is what I consider my earnest responsibility by being an elected people's representative," the Union Minister said in a statement.
Expressing "deep shock" over the scholar's demise, Dattatreya said he would have forwarded the representation in the same way had they been given by any student groups.
"My role was only limited to forwarding these two representations. I would have happily forwarded representations of any other student body, if they had approached me," he said hoping that the matter now will rest with this clarification.
"I have expressed my deep shock on learning about the death of Hyderabad University research scholar Rohit Vemula and I wish his family condolences and the strength to withstand and overcome this tragic loss," he added.
Elaborating the series of events, Dattatreya said on August 10, 2015 he received a representation on the "state of affairs" in the University, which, he said, disturbed him "greatly" and he forwarded the same to the Ministry of HRD hoping that things in the campus would change for better.
"On 29th August 2015 I received a second representation in this and this too I forwarded to the MoHRD with a request, to look into the matter and to do the needful," he said. "The University of Hyderabad, is an autonomous institution with established procedures and I have no role in the administration of the University," he explained.
Rohith Vemula was one of the five students who was barred from accessing the hostel and other facilities of Hyderabad Central University. "Apart from being a Union Minister, I am also an elected member of Parliament from Secunderabad constituency. Since my entry into politics in 80s, I have always been a leader connected to masses and to all sections of the society on a daily basis, whether or not in any positions of power.
"Taking representations from common people, constituents and forwarding it to concerned ministries is what I consider my earnest responsibility by being an elected people's representative," the Union Minister said in a statement.
Expressing "deep shock" over the scholar's demise, Dattatreya said he would have forwarded the representation in the same way had they been given by any student groups.
"My role was only limited to forwarding these two representations. I would have happily forwarded representations of any other student body, if they had approached me," he said hoping that the matter now will rest with this clarification.
"I have expressed my deep shock on learning about the death of Hyderabad University research scholar Rohit Vemula and I wish his family condolences and the strength to withstand and overcome this tragic loss," he added.
Elaborating the series of events, Dattatreya said on August 10, 2015 he received a representation on the "state of affairs" in the University, which, he said, disturbed him "greatly" and he forwarded the same to the Ministry of HRD hoping that things in the campus would change for better.
"On 29th August 2015 I received a second representation in this and this too I forwarded to the MoHRD with a request, to look into the matter and to do the needful," he said. "The University of Hyderabad, is an autonomous institution with established procedures and I have no role in the administration of the University," he explained.
17:24 Dhoni takes responsibility for failed chase
Taking full responsibility for the inexplicable collapse against Australia in the fourth cricket ODI, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni today said he should have steered the team home after fluent centuries from Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli. Chasing 349 for a win at the Manuka Oval, the visitors were sailing along at 277 for one before they lost nine wickets for 46 runs to nosedive to 323 all out in 49.2 overs.
Losing the match by 25 runs, India trail the five-match series 0-4 and Dhoni was expectedly disappointed.
"I am not angry, I'm disappointed. This was one game we should have batted much better. I'll take responsibility, I should have carried on but I got out...There was a bit of pressure on the youngsters. International cricket is all about pressure, you think about the right shot. You realise you have to take a bit more time and take the game slightly to the end," Dhoni said in the post-match presentation.
Losing the match by 25 runs, India trail the five-match series 0-4 and Dhoni was expectedly disappointed.
"I am not angry, I'm disappointed. This was one game we should have batted much better. I'll take responsibility, I should have carried on but I got out...There was a bit of pressure on the youngsters. International cricket is all about pressure, you think about the right shot. You realise you have to take a bit more time and take the game slightly to the end," Dhoni said in the post-match presentation.
17:20 The man who can break the ice between PDP-BJP
The Prime Minister Office (PMO) is depending on Union Finance Secretary Ratan Watal, not for Union Budget 2016, but for breaking ice with PDP leader Mehoobha Mufti.
Watal (pictured), a 1978 IAS from the Andhra Pradesh cadre, speaks six languages and is a hardcore political animal despite being a career bureaucrat.
Without the involvement of any politicians, Watal has a knack of brokering negotiations between BJP and PDP.
In fact, Watal was a close confidante and the private secretary of PV Narasimha Rao when he was PM.
The late Jammu and Kashmir CM Mufti Mohammed Sayeed had sought the PMO's permission to depute Ratan Watal as Chief Secretary of the state. He has been a close observer of Kashmir issues and the PDP-BJP alliance.
Watal (pictured), a 1978 IAS from the Andhra Pradesh cadre, speaks six languages and is a hardcore political animal despite being a career bureaucrat.
Without the involvement of any politicians, Watal has a knack of brokering negotiations between BJP and PDP.
In fact, Watal was a close confidante and the private secretary of PV Narasimha Rao when he was PM.
The late Jammu and Kashmir CM Mufti Mohammed Sayeed had sought the PMO's permission to depute Ratan Watal as Chief Secretary of the state. He has been a close observer of Kashmir issues and the PDP-BJP alliance.
17:07 HRD official who wrote to VC on Rohith says it was his job
Here's more on the Rohith Vemula's suicide: Subodh Kumar Ghildiyal, the deputy secretary at the HRD ministry who wrote the letter to the vice-chancellor of Hyderabad Central University, when asked by Rediff.com what he meant by "anti-national activities', asked us to refer to the minister's (Smriti Irani) statement today about alleged anti-national activities at the Hyderabad Central University.
Ghildiyal said he had nothing to say in the matter but when asked why he had signed the letter, he said that was his job.
17:01 Pak varsity attack: professor dies fighting with militants
In a heroic act, a Pakistani chemistry professor in his 30s today lost his life while trying to protect his students using his licensed pistol
against armed Taliban militants who stormed the university.
Assistant professor Syed Hamid Hussain, 34, fought back against the terrorists as he warned students not to leave the building of the Bacha Khan university in Charsadda, some 50 kms southwest of Peshawar.
Students spoke of the hero teacher, who flashed his pistol but was gunned down by the militants besides 24 others, media reports said.
16:59 LeT militant killed in gunbattle; youth in firing
A Lashkar-e-Tayiba militant was killed in an overnight gunbattle with security forces, triggering violent protest which left one person dead after
security personnel opened fire to disperse the mob in Pulwama district of south Kashmir today.
LeT militant Shariq Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Awantipora area in the district, was killed in encounter with security forces in Naina Batapora village of Pulwama, an army official said.
The official had earlier said that two militants were killed in the gunbattle but only one body was recovered from debris of the house where Bhat was hiding since yesterday.
One AK assault rifle and some ammunition has been recovered from the scene of the gunbattle which began last night following information about the presence of militants in the area, the official said.
16:50 Student suicide: Issue politicised; am not BJP man, says VC
In the eye of a raging storm over suicide by a dalit research scholar, Hyderabad Central University Vice Chancellor Appa Rao Podile today
criticised attempts to "politicise" the issue and trashed talks about his being a "BJP man".
Rao also said disciplinary action against Rohith Vemula and four other dalit students was not taken under any pressure from the HRD Ministry or Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Bandaru Dattatreya.
16:41 Delhi schools to suspend primary classes for 3 days due To cold
With the weather refusing to get warmer, the Delhi government has declared holidays from Thursday to Saturday for students up to class five.
The Delhi government has directed the schools run by it to suspend primary classes in the wake of the chilly weather in the national capital.
While private schools have been asked to amend their timings themselves, directions have been issued to government schools to start an hour later than their usual time.
"Due to the ongoing cold weather and the forecast that the temperature may dip further, it has been decided that primary classes (class KG to V) will remain suspended from Jan 21-23," a Directorate of Education communique to schools said.
16:29 Rohith's suicide not Dalit vs non Dalit issue: HRD minister
HRD minister Smriti Iran holds a press conference in the aftermath of Hyderabad Central university Dalit student Rohith Vemalu's suicide. Highlights...
-- In the aftermath of a young life cut short, I express my grief over the death of Rohith.
-- A group of students allegedly attacked another student, we have ascertained that this is not a Dalit vs non-Dalit confrontation.
-- There has been a malicious attempt to project the issue as a caste battle.Truth is that, it is not:
-- I am here to clear certain misrepresentation of facts on the suicide of Rohith.
-- The students challenged the order of suspension from hostel, HC refused to put a stay on the order.
-- Executive Council was not formed by the government, they are nominees of the previous government.
-- The students challenged the order of suspension from the hostel, HC refused to put a stay on the order.
-- This is not a case of a Dalit being targetted. This is a malicious bid to portray the case as a Dalit vs non Dalit case.
-- In the aftermath of a young life cut short, I express my grief over the death of Rohith.
-- A group of students allegedly attacked another student, we have ascertained that this is not a Dalit vs non-Dalit confrontation.
-- There has been a malicious attempt to project the issue as a caste battle.Truth is that, it is not:
-- I am here to clear certain misrepresentation of facts on the suicide of Rohith.
-- The students challenged the order of suspension from hostel, HC refused to put a stay on the order.
-- Executive Council was not formed by the government, they are nominees of the previous government.
-- The students challenged the order of suspension from the hostel, HC refused to put a stay on the order.
-- This is not a case of a Dalit being targetted. This is a malicious bid to portray the case as a Dalit vs non Dalit case.
-- They are some media debates which claim a particular suicide note. We requested a copy from local police.
-- This suicide note does not mention an MP, any University official or an organisation.
-- Letter from Congress MP Hanumantha Rao shows that such incidents were happening in past 4 years as well.
-- Letter from Congress MP Hanumantha Rao shows that such incidents were happening in past 4 years as well.
-- Let us be extremely responsible, its easy to ignite passion.
Pic: HRD minister Smriti Irani holds up a copy of the suicide letter written by Rohith Vemalu.
Pic: HRD minister Smriti Irani holds up a copy of the suicide letter written by Rohith Vemalu.
15:39 Yes, Sunny, I will be happy to work with you, says Aamir
Here's more reason to cheer for Sunny Leone fans (and they have grown hugely since her interview to CNN IBN's Bhupendra Chaubey).
Superstar Aamir Khan tweeted today to say that he would be happy to work with the actress.
Aamir posted this message for Leone on his Facebook page, "I think Sunny conducted herself with a lot of grace and dignity in this interview.... I wish I could have said the same about the interviewer. And yes Sunny, I will be happy to work with you. I have absolutely no problems with your "past", as the interviewer puts it. Stay blessed. Cheers. Aamir"
Aamir was invoked in the infamous interview with Bhupendra Chaubey, who used all of the 20 minutes of his programme, Hot Seat, to get Leone to admit that she 'regretted' her past as a port star. Unfortunately for the moralistic journalist, Leone said she had no regrets on that count and that she was where she is now because of her past.
Clearly disappointed and even incredulous, Chaubey then refused to mention her new film -- Mastizaade -- which is why she was supposed to have been interviewed and focused almost entirely on her earlier career as a porn actor.
While Chaubey has been widely criticized as being unfair, judgemental and crass, the actress was feted for the grace and dignity with which she conducted herself.
So, Chaubey asked her towards the end of the interview, "You think that Aamir Khan would ever work with you?"
To which Leone pointed out that the question must be asked of the actor.
"Would you want to work with Aamir Khan?" he went on. She said yes.
"So you would like to work with Aamir Khan but Aamir Khan wouldn't want to work with you? How would that reflect on you then?" he probed.
Aamir has now answered the question on Facebook.
Leone responded with this tweet: @SunnyLeone I think my heart just dropped seeing this!! Thank you so much for the support. It means the world and beyond to me!
Superstar Aamir Khan tweeted today to say that he would be happy to work with the actress.
Aamir posted this message for Leone on his Facebook page, "I think Sunny conducted herself with a lot of grace and dignity in this interview.... I wish I could have said the same about the interviewer. And yes Sunny, I will be happy to work with you. I have absolutely no problems with your "past", as the interviewer puts it. Stay blessed. Cheers. Aamir"
Aamir was invoked in the infamous interview with Bhupendra Chaubey, who used all of the 20 minutes of his programme, Hot Seat, to get Leone to admit that she 'regretted' her past as a port star. Unfortunately for the moralistic journalist, Leone said she had no regrets on that count and that she was where she is now because of her past.
Clearly disappointed and even incredulous, Chaubey then refused to mention her new film -- Mastizaade -- which is why she was supposed to have been interviewed and focused almost entirely on her earlier career as a porn actor.
While Chaubey has been widely criticized as being unfair, judgemental and crass, the actress was feted for the grace and dignity with which she conducted herself.
So, Chaubey asked her towards the end of the interview, "You think that Aamir Khan would ever work with you?"
To which Leone pointed out that the question must be asked of the actor.
"Would you want to work with Aamir Khan?" he went on. She said yes.
"So you would like to work with Aamir Khan but Aamir Khan wouldn't want to work with you? How would that reflect on you then?" he probed.
Aamir has now answered the question on Facebook.
Leone responded with this tweet: @SunnyLeone I think my heart just dropped seeing this!! Thank you so much for the support. It means the world and beyond to me!
15:03 Social Justice min seeks report on dalit student's suicide
Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry has sought a report from Telangana government over the alleged suicide by a dalit student of Hyderabad Central University.
"The Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment has written to the Chief Secretary Telangana government and sought a report over the suicide by a dalit student of Hyderabad University," said a Ministry official.
Chairman of Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) Sukhdeo Thorat had met Social Justice Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot on Monday and handed him a memorandum submitted by the expelled students.
The incident has snowballed into a major issue with BJP rivals wading into it and demanding the removal of Union Ministers Smriti Irani and Bandaru Dattatreya, accusing them of being responsible for the student's death.
Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya and Hyderabad University Vice Chancellor have been named in an FIR over the alleged suicide of the dalit student.
The issue took a political turn with allegations that the extreme action was a result of discrimination against dalit students at the behest of Dattatreya, who had written a letter to Irani, seeking action against their "anti-national acts".
The deceased student, Rohith Vemula, was among the five research scholars who were suspended by Hyderabad Central University (HCU) in August last year and also one of the accused in the case of assault on a student leader. They were also kept out of the hostel.
"The Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment has written to the Chief Secretary Telangana government and sought a report over the suicide by a dalit student of Hyderabad University," said a Ministry official.
Chairman of Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) Sukhdeo Thorat had met Social Justice Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot on Monday and handed him a memorandum submitted by the expelled students.
The incident has snowballed into a major issue with BJP rivals wading into it and demanding the removal of Union Ministers Smriti Irani and Bandaru Dattatreya, accusing them of being responsible for the student's death.
Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya and Hyderabad University Vice Chancellor have been named in an FIR over the alleged suicide of the dalit student.
The issue took a political turn with allegations that the extreme action was a result of discrimination against dalit students at the behest of Dattatreya, who had written a letter to Irani, seeking action against their "anti-national acts".
The deceased student, Rohith Vemula, was among the five research scholars who were suspended by Hyderabad Central University (HCU) in August last year and also one of the accused in the case of assault on a student leader. They were also kept out of the hostel.
14:57
Sensex falls over 583 points to 23,896.44.
14:54 Why Rahul steers clear of cricket corruption
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has to steer clear of corruption in cricket as his lieutenant Jyotiraditya Scindia, the MP from Guna, is in close touch with BJP leaders including Arun Jaitley and BCCI secterary Anurag Thakur. Eight AICC leaders are in the thick of BCCI and IPL, which explains the predicament of IPL Commissioner Rajiv Shukla who has to sail in two boats -- one foot in the Rahul Gandhi camp and the other in the Arun Jaitley group.
14:33 ABVP forces cancellation of journalist Siddharth Varadarajan as chief guest
RSS' student wing ABVP seems to have won this round.
Allahabad University Students Union president Richa Singh has backed down from inviting senior journalist Siddharth Varadarajan as chief speaker after ABVP protests.
Varadarajan tweeted @svaradarajan So in the face of ABVP's threats, the Allahabad Univ admin & city admin have forced the cancellation of my talk on freedom of speech!
The Indian Express reported that Varadarajan had been invited for a national seminar being held on the campus on Wednesday.
The ABVP leaders, who hold significant posts in the union, sat on an indefinite hunger strike on Tuesday outside the residence of AU Vice-Chancellor R L Hangloo demanding cancellation of the seminar.
The seminar, on Democracy, media and freedom of expression, was to be presided over by Hangloo.
Late Tuesday, Richa sent an email to the President, the Prime Minister and Union HRD minister, informing them that if any untoward incident happened on Wednesday, then ABVP members of the student union would be responsible for the same.
She claimed there was imminent danger that the student leaders would attack her, other organisers of the event and the speaker.
Most shocking is the role of the vice-chancellor, who has refused to take responsibility of our security He has forced me to write a letter that I am conducting this event at my own risk and whatever happens tomorrow is not his responsibility, Richa added, seeking that the HRD Ministry directs the V-C to ensure security on the campus.
Earlier in the day, ABVP leader and AUSU vice-president Vikrant Singh said, There are two reasons behind our protest. First, the union president did not consult us before planning the event.
Secondly, Siddharth Varadarajan is a controversial man, who used to write pro-naxal and anti-national articles. Richa has invited a person who has a communal mindset while she herself had earlier opposed campus visit of BJP MP Yogi Adityanath last year, calling him communal.
Allahabad University Students Union president Richa Singh has backed down from inviting senior journalist Siddharth Varadarajan as chief speaker after ABVP protests.
Varadarajan tweeted @svaradarajan So in the face of ABVP's threats, the Allahabad Univ admin & city admin have forced the cancellation of my talk on freedom of speech!
The Indian Express reported that Varadarajan had been invited for a national seminar being held on the campus on Wednesday.
The ABVP leaders, who hold significant posts in the union, sat on an indefinite hunger strike on Tuesday outside the residence of AU Vice-Chancellor R L Hangloo demanding cancellation of the seminar.
The seminar, on Democracy, media and freedom of expression, was to be presided over by Hangloo.
Late Tuesday, Richa sent an email to the President, the Prime Minister and Union HRD minister, informing them that if any untoward incident happened on Wednesday, then ABVP members of the student union would be responsible for the same.
She claimed there was imminent danger that the student leaders would attack her, other organisers of the event and the speaker.
Most shocking is the role of the vice-chancellor, who has refused to take responsibility of our security He has forced me to write a letter that I am conducting this event at my own risk and whatever happens tomorrow is not his responsibility, Richa added, seeking that the HRD Ministry directs the V-C to ensure security on the campus.
Earlier in the day, ABVP leader and AUSU vice-president Vikrant Singh said, There are two reasons behind our protest. First, the union president did not consult us before planning the event.
Secondly, Siddharth Varadarajan is a controversial man, who used to write pro-naxal and anti-national articles. Richa has invited a person who has a communal mindset while she herself had earlier opposed campus visit of BJP MP Yogi Adityanath last year, calling him communal.
14:19 Pak university terror attack ends
The death toll in the terrorist attack has risen to 21, Pakistan's Dawn reports quoting regional police chief Saeed Wazir without specifying if that included the four militants the army stated it had killed.
Wazir said the operation had ended and security forces were clearing the area, with most of the student victims shot dead at a hostel for boys on the campus.
The medical superintendent at District Headquarters Hospital, Charsadda confirmed 19 dead.
DHQ Charsadda's officials also stated that casualties had cuts on the bodies, probably inflicted from a sharp-edged weapon.
Wazir said the operation had ended and security forces were clearing the area, with most of the student victims shot dead at a hostel for boys on the campus.
The medical superintendent at District Headquarters Hospital, Charsadda confirmed 19 dead.
DHQ Charsadda's officials also stated that casualties had cuts on the bodies, probably inflicted from a sharp-edged weapon.
14:03 Rohith was my student, I feel his pain, but won't quit: Hyderabad VC
Hyderabad Central University (HCU) Vice Chancellor Appa Rao, who is at the centre of a raging controversy over the suicide by a dalit student following his suspension, today asserted there had been "no pressure" from Union Ministers or the HRD Ministry to act against the youth.
Speaking to India Today, Rao said Rohith was his student and he felt his pain, but would not quit over the issue.
He also claimed that the youth, Rohith Vemula, did not mention his suspension as the reason for the extreme step in the suicide note and that he had favoured leniency for the students allegedly involved in the ABVP leader attack in view of their background so that they could continue to get their scholarship to pursue their studies.
"I am not sure whether suspension has really been the cause for suicide. At least not from the face of the suicide note as left by the student," he said.
Rao said he was deeply disturbed by the loss of a precious life and the disruption of academic activities. He also sought to distance the HRD Ministry and the two ministers Smriti Irani and Bandaru Dattatreya from the decisions taken by the University which allegedly forced Rohith Vemula to commit suicide.
"There was no pressure. We took the letters received as routine letters," he said, adding "there was no phone call from either of the ministers or any ministry official".
The HRD ministry had written as many as five letters to Hyderabad University on Labour Minister Bandaru Dattareya's complaint regarding "anti national activities" on the campus and the "violent attack" on the ABVP leader Susheel Kumar.
The Ministry has maintained it was standard procedure on such "VIP references".
Asked why there were discrepancies in the interim report and the final report which called for suspension, Rao said the interim report was made without talking to the "so called victim". He claimed that it was later decided that the punishment would be "mellowed down" in view of the background of the students as a semester suspension would have denied them the scholarship and would have virtually made impossible for them to continue their studies.
The VC appealed to the students to resume academic activities and "not give space for any political games". He offered to hold talks with students to resolve the issues raised by them and called for collective efforts to avoid recurrence of such incidents in the future. Rao said that the mother of ABVP leader Susheel Kumar, who was allegedly beaten up by students including Vemula, had filed a case in the High Court.
The court in return had several times asked the University about what decision it had taken on the complaint, he said.
Pic: Congress VP Rahul Gandhi met Rohith's family yesterday.
Speaking to India Today, Rao said Rohith was his student and he felt his pain, but would not quit over the issue.
He also claimed that the youth, Rohith Vemula, did not mention his suspension as the reason for the extreme step in the suicide note and that he had favoured leniency for the students allegedly involved in the ABVP leader attack in view of their background so that they could continue to get their scholarship to pursue their studies.
"I am not sure whether suspension has really been the cause for suicide. At least not from the face of the suicide note as left by the student," he said.
Rao said he was deeply disturbed by the loss of a precious life and the disruption of academic activities. He also sought to distance the HRD Ministry and the two ministers Smriti Irani and Bandaru Dattatreya from the decisions taken by the University which allegedly forced Rohith Vemula to commit suicide.
"There was no pressure. We took the letters received as routine letters," he said, adding "there was no phone call from either of the ministers or any ministry official".
The HRD ministry had written as many as five letters to Hyderabad University on Labour Minister Bandaru Dattareya's complaint regarding "anti national activities" on the campus and the "violent attack" on the ABVP leader Susheel Kumar.
The Ministry has maintained it was standard procedure on such "VIP references".
Asked why there were discrepancies in the interim report and the final report which called for suspension, Rao said the interim report was made without talking to the "so called victim". He claimed that it was later decided that the punishment would be "mellowed down" in view of the background of the students as a semester suspension would have denied them the scholarship and would have virtually made impossible for them to continue their studies.
The VC appealed to the students to resume academic activities and "not give space for any political games". He offered to hold talks with students to resolve the issues raised by them and called for collective efforts to avoid recurrence of such incidents in the future. Rao said that the mother of ABVP leader Susheel Kumar, who was allegedly beaten up by students including Vemula, had filed a case in the High Court.
The court in return had several times asked the University about what decision it had taken on the complaint, he said.
Pic: Congress VP Rahul Gandhi met Rohith's family yesterday.
13:53 The three Modi mantris you should watch in 2016
The Sensex may be at a dismal 24,000 mark, a pre-Narendra Modi low, but BJP insiders can't stop bragging about the government's achievements.
They say the BJP netas to watch this year are Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal and Nirmala Sitharaman.
Among them, Union Transport minister Gadkari, will be the star attraction after his success in laying 6548 km of road in 18 months.
Power and energy minister Goyal has to his credit made the coal and mining sector free of government controls, while the power sector is looking up. Summer 2016 is a test case for power generation and Goyal is confident of overcoming the crisis.
Commerce and Industries minister Sitharaman, despite her unassuming style has achieved with 'Make in India', 'Start up India' and the WTO talks - her goals. Party insiders say by year end her contribution to Make in India will be visible at the ground level. Interestingly, the RSS is keen on Nitin Gadkari's (who has risen from the ranks in the RSS) promotion, but the final call will be taken by the prime minsiter.
They say the BJP netas to watch this year are Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal and Nirmala Sitharaman.
Among them, Union Transport minister Gadkari, will be the star attraction after his success in laying 6548 km of road in 18 months.
Power and energy minister Goyal has to his credit made the coal and mining sector free of government controls, while the power sector is looking up. Summer 2016 is a test case for power generation and Goyal is confident of overcoming the crisis.
Commerce and Industries minister Sitharaman, despite her unassuming style has achieved with 'Make in India', 'Start up India' and the WTO talks - her goals. Party insiders say by year end her contribution to Make in India will be visible at the ground level. Interestingly, the RSS is keen on Nitin Gadkari's (who has risen from the ranks in the RSS) promotion, but the final call will be taken by the prime minsiter.
13:38 IS releases 270 of 400 civilians abducted in east Syria
The Islamic State group has released 270 of more than 400 civilians it had abducted during its assault on the eastern Syrian city of Deir Ezzor, a monitor said. Those released included women, children under 14 years old, and the elderly, said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
He said they had been freed late yesterday after undergoing questioning by IS jihadists to determine whether they had ties to Syria's regime.
"They will not go back into Deir Ezzor city, but will be spread out among local tribes in the province," Abdel Rahman told AFP.
IS still holds 130 civilians, mostly teenage and adult men, whom Abdel Rahman said were being questioned. "If IS sees that they have no ties to the Syrian government, they will take a religious course and will be released," he said.
IS launched a multi-pronged assault on Deir Ezzor city on Saturday, with dozens of its fighters carrying out suicide bomb attacks as they stormed government positions. The group is now in control of 60 per cent of the city and has tightened its siege around it by capturing surrounding towns.
He said they had been freed late yesterday after undergoing questioning by IS jihadists to determine whether they had ties to Syria's regime.
"They will not go back into Deir Ezzor city, but will be spread out among local tribes in the province," Abdel Rahman told AFP.
IS still holds 130 civilians, mostly teenage and adult men, whom Abdel Rahman said were being questioned. "If IS sees that they have no ties to the Syrian government, they will take a religious course and will be released," he said.
IS launched a multi-pronged assault on Deir Ezzor city on Saturday, with dozens of its fighters carrying out suicide bomb attacks as they stormed government positions. The group is now in control of 60 per cent of the city and has tightened its siege around it by capturing surrounding towns.
13:26
A cop injured in the attack at Bacha Khan university is being treated in hospital. At least 20 people feared dead. The picture was tweeted by @JavedAzizKhan.
13:22 Pak Taliban claims responsibility for university attack, 20 feared dead
Pak university update: Four terrorists killed, block by block sanitisation of the university continues by Army. No firing being heard anymore. The Tehreek-e-Taliban claims responsibility. Two of the four terrorists were believed to be suicide bombers.
13:02 70% students of Pak university under attack rescued, 20 feared dead
Pakistan intel sources told Dawn News that eight to 10 terrorists were inside the Bacha Khan university adding the men were between 18 and 25 years old.The death toll has now risen to 20.
The Pakistan army has contained the terrorists in two blocks. At least three students and one professor have been killed, Deputy Inspector General Saeed Wazir told Reuters. He said that 70 percent of students had been rescued. Students who escaped say many dead inside the campus. Pak media has reported that 10 blasts have been heard so far.
At least three gunmen entered the Bacha Khan University in Charsadda district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, some 50 km, south west of Peshawar, and opened fire on students and teachers in classrooms and hostels, media reports said.
Pic: Security personnel outside the Bacha Khan university.
The Pakistan army has contained the terrorists in two blocks. At least three students and one professor have been killed, Deputy Inspector General Saeed Wazir told Reuters. He said that 70 percent of students had been rescued. Students who escaped say many dead inside the campus. Pak media has reported that 10 blasts have been heard so far.
At least three gunmen entered the Bacha Khan University in Charsadda district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, some 50 km, south west of Peshawar, and opened fire on students and teachers in classrooms and hostels, media reports said.
Pic: Security personnel outside the Bacha Khan university.
12:37 Amit Shah gets clean chit in hate speech case
Just in: BJP President Amit Shah gets clean chit in hate speech case during 2014 Parliament elections in UP. Shah had reportedly asked Jats to avenge the killing of their community members in the 2013 riots by voting for the BJP in an election speech in Muzaffarnagar. He had been booked under Section 153(A) of the Indian Penal Code (promoting enmity between different groups) and Section 125 of the Representation of the People Act (promoting enmity between classes in connection with election).
12:33
Chemistry professor Hamid who was killed in the attack on Bacha Khan University in Pakistan.
12:25 Attackers still inside Pak university, at least 15 feared killed
Heavily-armed terrorists today stormed a university in Pakistan's restive northwest Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province and opened indiscriminate fire on students and teachers, killing at least one professor and two students and injuring at least 10 persons, reports PTI.
However, Pakistan's Dawn reported that death toll claims run from 15 to 60 killed. DIG Saeed Wazir said two attackers had been killed.
Security personnel are still entering the school to control the situation. Wazir told Reuters he believes most of the students had been rescued but several gunmen remained at large inside the university.
The remaining terrorists are giving stiff resistance to security forces as they continue the clearance operation. Intelligence sources say eight to 10 terrorists are still inside the school.
The terrorists scaled the university walls and opened fire. Multiple blasts were heard along with continuous heavy gunfire.
At least three gunmen entered the Bacha Khan University in Charsadda district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, some 50 kms, south west of Peshawar, and opened fire on students and teachers in classrooms and hostels, media reports said.
@AsimBajwaISPR tweeted saying, that Army troops have reached the university and the area has been cordoned off. Clearance ops have begun and an air surveillance is being done.
"Armed men stormed into the university premises early this morning," police said, adding that two explosions were heard inside the building and firing was still going on.
The families of students have lined up outside the school. Journalists and all other non-essential personnel have been asked to stay back in order to not interfere with the ongoing security operation. Up to 20 ambulances have entered the university to rescue the injured, the Dawn reported.
Geo TV reported that Professor Hamid of chemistry department was killed while 10 other persons were injured. "A teacher of the varsity after evacuation said Chairman Chemistry Department Hamid has been martyred by the firing of the militants," it said, adding the terrorists barged into Hamid's room and fired at his head, killing him instantly.
At least 10 persons, including security guards, sustained multiple injuries in the terrorist attack, police said. The injured were shifted to hospital.
An emergency has been imposed in all hospitals in the town. University Chancellor Dr Fazal Rahim said there are over 3,000 students present inside the university along with an additional 600 guests who are present for a poetic symposium to mark the death anniversary of Khudai Khidmatgar Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan alias Baacha Khan who died on January 20, 1988.
The terrorists barged into the university where the event was being attended by a large number of students. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Member of Provincial Assembly Arshad Ali said the attackers entered the university after scaling its walls, Dawn reported.
It quoted a woman inside the university as saying that intense firing is underway. Citing DSP Charsadda, the state-run PTV said that three armed men entered the university premises and opened fire.
A large contingent of security forces had reached the site and started evacuating students. Army troops, police and personnel of Elite Force engaged the militants into gunfight. Security forces are not sure how many terrorists are holed up inside the university. The Taliban militants massacred over 150 people, mostly students, in an attack on an army-run school in Peshawar in December, 2014.
However, Pakistan's Dawn reported that death toll claims run from 15 to 60 killed. DIG Saeed Wazir said two attackers had been killed.
Security personnel are still entering the school to control the situation. Wazir told Reuters he believes most of the students had been rescued but several gunmen remained at large inside the university.
The remaining terrorists are giving stiff resistance to security forces as they continue the clearance operation. Intelligence sources say eight to 10 terrorists are still inside the school.
The terrorists scaled the university walls and opened fire. Multiple blasts were heard along with continuous heavy gunfire.
At least three gunmen entered the Bacha Khan University in Charsadda district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, some 50 kms, south west of Peshawar, and opened fire on students and teachers in classrooms and hostels, media reports said.
@AsimBajwaISPR tweeted saying, that Army troops have reached the university and the area has been cordoned off. Clearance ops have begun and an air surveillance is being done.
"Armed men stormed into the university premises early this morning," police said, adding that two explosions were heard inside the building and firing was still going on.
The families of students have lined up outside the school. Journalists and all other non-essential personnel have been asked to stay back in order to not interfere with the ongoing security operation. Up to 20 ambulances have entered the university to rescue the injured, the Dawn reported.
Geo TV reported that Professor Hamid of chemistry department was killed while 10 other persons were injured. "A teacher of the varsity after evacuation said Chairman Chemistry Department Hamid has been martyred by the firing of the militants," it said, adding the terrorists barged into Hamid's room and fired at his head, killing him instantly.
At least 10 persons, including security guards, sustained multiple injuries in the terrorist attack, police said. The injured were shifted to hospital.
An emergency has been imposed in all hospitals in the town. University Chancellor Dr Fazal Rahim said there are over 3,000 students present inside the university along with an additional 600 guests who are present for a poetic symposium to mark the death anniversary of Khudai Khidmatgar Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan alias Baacha Khan who died on January 20, 1988.
The terrorists barged into the university where the event was being attended by a large number of students. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Member of Provincial Assembly Arshad Ali said the attackers entered the university after scaling its walls, Dawn reported.
It quoted a woman inside the university as saying that intense firing is underway. Citing DSP Charsadda, the state-run PTV said that three armed men entered the university premises and opened fire.
A large contingent of security forces had reached the site and started evacuating students. Army troops, police and personnel of Elite Force engaged the militants into gunfight. Security forces are not sure how many terrorists are holed up inside the university. The Taliban militants massacred over 150 people, mostly students, in an attack on an army-run school in Peshawar in December, 2014.
12:24 Sensex crashes to pre-Modi levels
Sensex cracks below 24,000-level for the first time since May 16, 2014, by plunging 482 points to 23,998.65. That's at the levels it was before the Narendra Modi government took over.
12:11 AAP gets plot in Delhi for party office
The Delhi government has alloted a spacious government plot in the heart of the city to AAP to build their party Office. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal is likely to lay the foundation for the three-storeyed building next month and the building is expected to be ready next year. At present the party is functioning from a rented place in the national capital.
11:55 1 teacher, two students killed in Bacha Khan university
Just in: One teacher, two students killed in the attack on Bacha Khan university in Pakistan's restive northwest Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. Eight explosions have been heard so far. Pakistan media says the situation is now under control.
11:44 Two militants killed in Bacha Khan university attack
Pakistan police say they have killed two of the militants who attacked university. Armed gunmen today stormed a university in Pakistan's restive northwest Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province and opened indiscriminate fire, injuring at least three persons.
Heavy firing is taking place inside the Bacha Khan University in the province's Charsadda town, some 50 kilometres from Peshawar local media reports said.
"Armed men stormed into the university premises early this morning," Sardheri police officials said, adding that two explosions were heard inside the building. Eyewitnesses also said they heard explosions. They said three armed men had entered the premises of the varsity. Officials added that two guards were injured at the gate besides one other person.
Meanwhile, extensive firing continues in the area and heavy contingents of elite force have been deployed. Taliban militants massacred over 150 people, mostly students, in an attack on an army-run school in Peshawar in December, 2014
Heavy firing is taking place inside the Bacha Khan University in the province's Charsadda town, some 50 kilometres from Peshawar local media reports said.
"Armed men stormed into the university premises early this morning," Sardheri police officials said, adding that two explosions were heard inside the building. Eyewitnesses also said they heard explosions. They said three armed men had entered the premises of the varsity. Officials added that two guards were injured at the gate besides one other person.
Meanwhile, extensive firing continues in the area and heavy contingents of elite force have been deployed. Taliban militants massacred over 150 people, mostly students, in an attack on an army-run school in Peshawar in December, 2014
11:25 Pathankot attack: Keep quizzing me, you won't get anything, Punjab SP says
Former Gurdaspur SP Salwinder Singh who was subjected to a lie-detection test on Tuesday has told the NIA during his questioning last week, that
"even if you keep questioning me for next 10 more days, you won't find
anything because I haven't done anything".
The special court gave the go-ahead to the NIA to conduct the polygraph test after the agency felt that the officer may be hiding some information.
The court, while allowing NIA's application, directed the agency to get the test done within three days.
Sources said NIA officials had briefed forensic experts about the possible questions that he can be asked.
Salwinder had given his consent to undergo the lie-detection test after which he was taken to the court on Monday for the permission.
Salwinder, who is at present posted as assistant commandant with 75th battalion of Punjab Armed Police, was shunted barely few days before the January 2 terror strike as superintendent of police (headquarters) of Gurdaspur and faces charges of breach of discipline.
Salwinder said his car was hijacked by terrorists before they entered the Pathankot IAF base.
He had claimed he was kidnapped by the terrorists after his visit to a shrine and let off later as they did not know his identity.
Six terrorists were killed by the Indian forces at the Pathankot air base during the terror attack that claimed the lives of seven security personnel.
The special court gave the go-ahead to the NIA to conduct the polygraph test after the agency felt that the officer may be hiding some information.
The court, while allowing NIA's application, directed the agency to get the test done within three days.
Sources said NIA officials had briefed forensic experts about the possible questions that he can be asked.
Salwinder had given his consent to undergo the lie-detection test after which he was taken to the court on Monday for the permission.
Salwinder, who is at present posted as assistant commandant with 75th battalion of Punjab Armed Police, was shunted barely few days before the January 2 terror strike as superintendent of police (headquarters) of Gurdaspur and faces charges of breach of discipline.
Salwinder said his car was hijacked by terrorists before they entered the Pathankot IAF base.
He had claimed he was kidnapped by the terrorists after his visit to a shrine and let off later as they did not know his identity.
Six terrorists were killed by the Indian forces at the Pathankot air base during the terror attack that claimed the lives of seven security personnel.
11:12
Update on the encounter in Pulwama: Two militants were killed in an overnight gun battle with security forces in a village in Pulwama district of south Kashmir. Troops of 53 Rashtriya Rifles and police cordoned off Naina Batapora village last evening following information about presence of the militants in the area, an army official said today.
As the security forces were closing in on the target house, the militants opened fire. The security forces returned the fire, triggering the gunbattle which left two militants dead.
File pic of an encounter in J-K
As the security forces were closing in on the target house, the militants opened fire. The security forces returned the fire, triggering the gunbattle which left two militants dead.
File pic of an encounter in J-K
10:49 3 gunmen attack Bacha Khan university in Pakistan
At least three gunmen have reportedly attacked Bacha Khan University in northwest Pakistan, injuring several people. Students and teachers were alleged to have been present on the premises at the time of the attack.
Pakistans Geo TV station is citing local police who say firing can be
heard coming from inside the university. According to the channel's
reporter on site, five injured people were taken off the premises. The
armed men are reported to be hiding on campus. A heavy police presence
is also reported on the site of the attack.
10:34 Maha govt files petition to challenge HC verdict on Salman's hit-and-run case
The Maharashtra government will file a Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court in a week's time, challenging the Bombay high court verdict that acquitted Bollywood superstar Salman Khan in the 2002 hit-and-run case. An official in the Law and Judiciary department said that directions have been issued to state lawyers to file the SLP. "The government will challenge the high court verdict on its merits. The SLP will be filed within a week's time," the official said. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had alreadyannounced that the state government would appeal against the high court verdict that acquitted Khan of all charges.
09:43 Heavenly! 5 planets to align in extremely rare astronomical dance
Morning people and skywatchers, take heed! For the next few weeks, five of the brightest planets in our solar system will be visible to the naked eye in the pre-dawn sky.
Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Mars and Jupiter will all be visible across the sky for the first time in more than a decade. You will also be able to see the stars Spica and Antares.
The planets can best be seen about an hour before sunrise from January 20 through the end of February.
This is the first time five planets have been aligned in a night sky since January 2005.
Dr Alan Duffy, research fellow at Swinburne University in Melbourne, told the Australian Geographic that this rare alignment is essentially a quirk of the universe.
All five visible planets to happen to line up is 'something well worth seeing,' he said.
The reason for the unusual astronomical sight is that the five planets happen to be on the same side of the sun at the same time, he further explained.
That means the planets can all be seen in the morning, rather than some of them being visible in the evening. Because all the planets sit on a single plane, and were looking at them from inside that plane, they will all appear to be sitting in a line.
09:40 ISRO launches its 'desi GPS'
Indian space agency ISRO launched its fifth navigational satellite -- IRNSS-1E, being dubbed as 'Desi GPS', on board PSLV-C31 rocket from Sriharikota.
This will be the fifth navigation satellite to be launched in orbit as part of the seven satellite constellation. With four satellites already in space the Indian Space Research Organisation is already providing 18 hours of signal for the Indian version of a satellite navigation system.
India will be the sixth country in the world to have this system that is much needed by the Indian armed forces. IRNSS-1E is the fifth navigation satellite in the IRNSS space system, comprising seven satellites, which would be on par with American Global Positioning System
09:17 4-year-old raped in moving school bus by conductor in Ujjain
A nursery student was raped on a moving school bus by the conductor in Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday. The alleged rapist has been arrested. The police say the man assaulted the four-year-old after all other students got off the bus.
After the child was dropped home, she told her parents and they immediately went to the police. The conductor, who had tried to escape, was caught in the evening.
08:57 Delhi CM to visit University of Hyderabad tomorrow
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal will visit University of Hyderabad tomorrow to meet students and family members of Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula who committed suicide.
On Tuesday, Kejriwal attacked PM Modi demanding that he should sack the Union minister accused in the matter and also apologise to the nation. "It's not suicide. It's murder. It's murder of democracy, social justice and equality. Modi ji should sack ministers and apologize to the nation," the Delhi chief minister had said.
08:50 Encounter in J-K's Pulwama resumes, 2 two terrorists still hiding in village
The Pulwama encounter which was halted last night has resumed in the morning. According to reports, two terrorists are still hidding in a villager's house since night. A gun battle broke out last night between security forces and militants holed up in a village in Pulwama district of south Kashmir, a police official said.
Troops of 53 Rashtriya Rifles and police cordoned off Naina Batapora village following information about the presence of the militants in the area, an official said.
The official added as the security forces were closing in on the target house, the militants opened firing.
08:25 Pathankot attack: Two out of six attackers may be 'insiders'
Two of the six terrorists killed by security forces at the Pathankot airbase could have been "insiders", top officials of the National Investigation Agency said. The forensic report due next week, examination of call logs of phones recovered from the attack sites in the airbase and a close scrutiny of personnel at the air force station will help determine the identity of the "insiders", NIA officials said.
NIA officials said the possibility that two of those killed by security forces could be insiders is strengthened by the recovery of only four AK-47 guns. These were used by four Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists.
08:13
JUST IN: Delhi Police and the National Investigation Agency bust a terror cell in Ardh kumbh, Haridwar.
07:56 Master strategist Prashant Kishor to manage Amarinder Singh's campaign
Star election strategist Prashant Kishor, who managed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and was responsible for Nitish's election in Bihar, will be managing the Congress campaign for the assembly elections in Punjab. "Yes, I am doing the campaign strategy for Captain Amarinder Singh and the decision was taken after a series of meetings with him," Kishor said.
The Congress has been out of power in Punjab for the last nine years, having been defeated twice by ruling Akali-BJP combine. Assembly elections in the state will be held in 2017.
03:35 Sarah Palin to endorse Trump's bid in Iowa
Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and 2008 vice-presidential nominee who became a Tea Party sensation and a favorite of grass-roots conservatives, will endorse Donald J. Trump in Iowa on Tuesday, officials with his campaign confirmed.
The endorsement provides Trump with a potentially significant boost just 13 days before the state's caucuses.
'I'm proud to endorse Donald J. Trump for president,' Palin said in a statement provided by his campaign.
Her support is the highest-profile backing for a Republican contender so far.
'I am greatly honored to receive Sarah's endorsement,' Trump said in a statement trumpeting Palin's decision
'She is a friend, and a high-quality person whom I have great respect for. I am proud to have her support,' Trump said.
In Iowa, where Palin spent years developing support, the endorsement could be especially helpful.
Read HERE
The endorsement provides Trump with a potentially significant boost just 13 days before the state's caucuses.
'I'm proud to endorse Donald J. Trump for president,' Palin said in a statement provided by his campaign.
Her support is the highest-profile backing for a Republican contender so far.
'I am greatly honored to receive Sarah's endorsement,' Trump said in a statement trumpeting Palin's decision
'She is a friend, and a high-quality person whom I have great respect for. I am proud to have her support,' Trump said.
In Iowa, where Palin spent years developing support, the endorsement could be especially helpful.
Read HERE
03:10 Islamic State confirms Jihadi John is dead
A media outlet associated with terror group Islamic State has released a eulogy Mohammed Emwazi, known as 'Jihadi John'.
Emwazi was described in Isis's Dabiq magazine by his nickname in the group, 'Abu Muharib al-Muhajir'.
Dabiq said he died 'as the car he was in was targeted in a strike by an unmanned drone in the city of Raqqa, destroying the car and killing him instantly'.
The terrorist became notorious for his filmed executions of hostages.
Read HERE
Emwazi was described in Isis's Dabiq magazine by his nickname in the group, 'Abu Muharib al-Muhajir'.
Dabiq said he died 'as the car he was in was targeted in a strike by an unmanned drone in the city of Raqqa, destroying the car and killing him instantly'.
The terrorist became notorious for his filmed executions of hostages.
Read HERE
02:50 Congress accuses Chhattisgarh police of organising marriage of Jiram attack accused
The Congress today alleged that Chhattisgarh police organised the wedding of Naxalites accused in the Jiram Valley attack of 2013 in the state, a charge denied by officials.
Leader of opposition in the assembly T M Singhdev told reporters in Raipur that police in the Bastar district headquarters had organised the wedding of the accused in the Jiram Valley attack.
Slamming the alleged move, he asked whether the Naxalites were 'being rewarded' through such actions.
"This was an irresponsible action on the part of police and the state government. It is condemnable," he charged.
"Innocent and unarmed people were killed in the Jiram attack. Nobody who was involved in the attack deserves any sympathy," added Singhdev.
Meanwhile, IG Dipanshu Kabra said that while former Naxalite Podiyami Laxman's marriage was organised by Bastar police with Kosi Markam, a surrendered ultra, on January 16, police officials in Bastar have told him that the duo were not involved in the Jiram attack.
Leader of opposition in the assembly T M Singhdev told reporters in Raipur that police in the Bastar district headquarters had organised the wedding of the accused in the Jiram Valley attack.
Slamming the alleged move, he asked whether the Naxalites were 'being rewarded' through such actions.
"This was an irresponsible action on the part of police and the state government. It is condemnable," he charged.
"Innocent and unarmed people were killed in the Jiram attack. Nobody who was involved in the attack deserves any sympathy," added Singhdev.
Meanwhile, IG Dipanshu Kabra said that while former Naxalite Podiyami Laxman's marriage was organised by Bastar police with Kosi Markam, a surrendered ultra, on January 16, police officials in Bastar have told him that the duo were not involved in the Jiram attack.
02:14 Siddharth Dhar's sister 'believes' he is not 'New Jihadi John'
The sister of an Indian-origin Islamic State terror suspect dubbed 'New Jihadi John' today said she is hoping that the masked man in a recent video of the terror group is not her brother and her family was in the dark about how he developed increasingly radical views.
Konika Dhar appeared before a House of Commons Home Affairs Committee hearing over the possibility of her brother Siddhartha Dhar being the masked man who recently appeared in an IS propaganda video which showed 'British spies' being executed.
"I'm still holding to the firm belief that what I'm seeing is not him -- and I haven't had verification otherwise. It's sort of the realisation that is he really my brother who has done this and I can't accept that he would ever do that. I can't accept it," the London-based law student said.
Siddhartha, a former bouncy castle salesman from London, had changed his name to Abu Rumaysah after converting from Hinduism to Islam.
Speaking to the parliamentary committee, his sister said she and her family were 'left in the dark' over how he came to convert about a decade ago and how he adopted his radical views, but feared he had been 'brainwashed' by individuals in the community.
In response to a question, she said it would 'absolutely' be a good idea to have organisations for families to turn to for advice or share their concerns in confidence.
Konika Dhar appeared before a House of Commons Home Affairs Committee hearing over the possibility of her brother Siddhartha Dhar being the masked man who recently appeared in an IS propaganda video which showed 'British spies' being executed.
"I'm still holding to the firm belief that what I'm seeing is not him -- and I haven't had verification otherwise. It's sort of the realisation that is he really my brother who has done this and I can't accept that he would ever do that. I can't accept it," the London-based law student said.
Siddhartha, a former bouncy castle salesman from London, had changed his name to Abu Rumaysah after converting from Hinduism to Islam.
Speaking to the parliamentary committee, his sister said she and her family were 'left in the dark' over how he came to convert about a decade ago and how he adopted his radical views, but feared he had been 'brainwashed' by individuals in the community.
In response to a question, she said it would 'absolutely' be a good idea to have organisations for families to turn to for advice or share their concerns in confidence.
01:16 Facebook says TRAI office unsubscribed to its mails on Free Basics
Social media major Facebook has alleged that someone at the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's office blocked email from its websites which people used for sharing their comments on differential pricing issue -- a key issue of net neutrality.
Facebook has launched a public campaign to defend its free Internet platform Free Basics in response to consultation paper floated by the TRAI on regulatory framework for differential pricing for data services.
The social media apprehends that the regulator may ban its Free Basics platform, which allows access to some websites and applications, and hence launched a massive campaign to gather support in its favour.
According to sources, Facebook in a letter to the regulator, has said that despite clear and timely efforts by millions of Indians to send their comments, 'someone with access to designated TRAI email account appears to have blocked receipt of all emails from Facebook to that TRAI account.'
It said that during its query, it was found that 'on December 17 at 5.51.53 GMT, an individual with access to the TRAI email account designated to accept comments took action that blocked Facebook from delivering any additional email to that address'.
Facebook said that the action by person prevented its system from sending further responsive email to TRAI.
Facebook has launched a public campaign to defend its free Internet platform Free Basics in response to consultation paper floated by the TRAI on regulatory framework for differential pricing for data services.
The social media apprehends that the regulator may ban its Free Basics platform, which allows access to some websites and applications, and hence launched a massive campaign to gather support in its favour.
According to sources, Facebook in a letter to the regulator, has said that despite clear and timely efforts by millions of Indians to send their comments, 'someone with access to designated TRAI email account appears to have blocked receipt of all emails from Facebook to that TRAI account.'
It said that during its query, it was found that 'on December 17 at 5.51.53 GMT, an individual with access to the TRAI email account designated to accept comments took action that blocked Facebook from delivering any additional email to that address'.
Facebook said that the action by person prevented its system from sending further responsive email to TRAI.
00:41 Stay silent or get shot at El Chapo's birthplace
It's the kind of place where everybody abides by a code of silence. If you say too much in Badiraguato, you may lose your life. Your family may be shot and killed.
This much is clear: If you stay silent, don't ask too many questions and mind your own business, you should be OK.
It's the birthplace of drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, so perhaps it's no surprise that the 3,700 people of this town in the mountains of the northern state of Sinaloa have kept their lips tight.
Mexican media reported 15 homicides in and around Badiraguato last month. An additional seven people were killed in November. Five men were ambushed, shot and killed in June.
Read HERE
This much is clear: If you stay silent, don't ask too many questions and mind your own business, you should be OK.
It's the birthplace of drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, so perhaps it's no surprise that the 3,700 people of this town in the mountains of the northern state of Sinaloa have kept their lips tight.
Mexican media reported 15 homicides in and around Badiraguato last month. An additional seven people were killed in November. Five men were ambushed, shot and killed in June.
Read HERE
00:35
JUST IN: Four-year-old girl allegedly raped in a moving school bus by the conductor in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. A case has been registered.
00:04 New Jersey schools evacuated over bomb, shooting threats
United States authorities today evacuated at least nine schools in New Jersey after receiving a bomb and shooting threat, a sheriff office's spokesman said. The schools affected are located in Bergen County in the northeastern part of the state, across the Hudson River from Manhattan.
Police in the town of Clifton said 'numerous school districts in the area' had received a bomb threat by voice mail early Tuesday.
Police teams were dispatched to Clifton High School but have found 'no credibility to these threats' although 'precautions are still being taken throughout the district in response to the situation,' it said in a statement on Facebook.
The message was apparently recorded overnight and 'indicated a non-specific threat to the school district involving the placement of a bomb in one of the schools, as well as a secondary threat of a mass shooting,' police wrote.
The schools evacuated are located in Bergenfield, Englewood, Fair Lawn, Garfield, Hackensack, Leonia, Tenafly and Teaneck, said the spokesman for Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino. AFP
Police in the town of Clifton said 'numerous school districts in the area' had received a bomb threat by voice mail early Tuesday.
Police teams were dispatched to Clifton High School but have found 'no credibility to these threats' although 'precautions are still being taken throughout the district in response to the situation,' it said in a statement on Facebook.
The message was apparently recorded overnight and 'indicated a non-specific threat to the school district involving the placement of a bomb in one of the schools, as well as a secondary threat of a mass shooting,' police wrote.
The schools evacuated are located in Bergenfield, Englewood, Fair Lawn, Garfield, Hackensack, Leonia, Tenafly and Teaneck, said the spokesman for Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino. AFP
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