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Sat, 14 April 2018
Kremlin-owned channel tells Russians to be ready for World War 3
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20:53 Kremlin-owned channel tells Russians to be ready for World War 3
Russians have been told to be prepared for a Third World War which could be sparked off by the current crisis in Syria, a state-run Russian TV channel has reported.
The Kremlin-owned channel suggested the ideal supplies for survival and told people to pack iodine to protect the body from radiation while taking refuge in bomb shelters.
The report on Rossiya-24 came amid deep tensions over Syria and as a top military analyst warned that the world is already witnessing a second Cuban Missile Crisis.
Alexander Golts told Rain TV in Moscow, "A year ago when I said we had entered a new Cold War, nobody agreed with me. Now everyone agrees but it has become clear that events in this second Cold War develop a lot quicker. It's only just started and, here you go, we already have Cuban Missile Crisis 2.0".
The bomb shelter advice included stated, "The food supply for doomsday includes many items but the main idea behind packing an emergency stock is less sweets, more water. Viewers were told to pack rice - it can be stored for up to eight years, oatmeal for three to seven years".
Experts 'say that it is also necessary to take supplies of medicines with iodine that help body deal with radiation'.
However, the same report also claimed there were too many Western scare stories about a catastrophic global conflict. It said the panic was worse in America, adding, "It is interesting whether Russians believe this nonsense. After electing (Donald) Trump, the business of American producers of bomb shelters is booming". -- PTI
IMAGE: The image provide by the US Navy shows the guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) fires a Tomahawk land attack missile on Friday during the military attack on Syria for using chemical weapons. Photograph: US Navy Photo/via PTI
The Kremlin-owned channel suggested the ideal supplies for survival and told people to pack iodine to protect the body from radiation while taking refuge in bomb shelters.
The report on Rossiya-24 came amid deep tensions over Syria and as a top military analyst warned that the world is already witnessing a second Cuban Missile Crisis.
Alexander Golts told Rain TV in Moscow, "A year ago when I said we had entered a new Cold War, nobody agreed with me. Now everyone agrees but it has become clear that events in this second Cold War develop a lot quicker. It's only just started and, here you go, we already have Cuban Missile Crisis 2.0".
The bomb shelter advice included stated, "The food supply for doomsday includes many items but the main idea behind packing an emergency stock is less sweets, more water. Viewers were told to pack rice - it can be stored for up to eight years, oatmeal for three to seven years".
Experts 'say that it is also necessary to take supplies of medicines with iodine that help body deal with radiation'.
However, the same report also claimed there were too many Western scare stories about a catastrophic global conflict. It said the panic was worse in America, adding, "It is interesting whether Russians believe this nonsense. After electing (Donald) Trump, the business of American producers of bomb shelters is booming". -- PTI
IMAGE: The image provide by the US Navy shows the guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) fires a Tomahawk land attack missile on Friday during the military attack on Syria for using chemical weapons. Photograph: US Navy Photo/via PTI
20:00 CBI makes second arrest in Unnao rape case
The Central Bureau of Investigation today made a second arrest in the Unnao rape case as it took into custody Shashi Singh, the woman who allegedly took the victim to Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar on the day of crime.
The victim's mother has alleged in the complaint given to the Uttar Pradesh Police, which is now part of the CBI first information report, that the woman lured her daughter to the MLA after which he raped her.
She has also alleged that while the MLA was raping her daughter, Shashi Singh stood outside the room as a guard.
The agency arrested Sengar, the prime accused in the case, last night after 16 hours of questioning at its office in Lucknow.
The CBI has taken over the investigation in the three cases related to the alleged rape of the 17-year-old girl by Sengar. -- PTI
The victim's mother has alleged in the complaint given to the Uttar Pradesh Police, which is now part of the CBI first information report, that the woman lured her daughter to the MLA after which he raped her.
She has also alleged that while the MLA was raping her daughter, Shashi Singh stood outside the room as a guard.
The agency arrested Sengar, the prime accused in the case, last night after 16 hours of questioning at its office in Lucknow.
The CBI has taken over the investigation in the three cases related to the alleged rape of the 17-year-old girl by Sengar. -- PTI
19:46 A perfectly executed strike, mission accomplished: Trump
"Mission accomplished," declared United States President Donald Trump as he praised the 'perfectly executed' airstrikes against the Syrian regime.
Trump ordered the launch of air strikes on Syria in retaliation to the alleged chemical attacks by President Bashar al-Assad.
The US president claimed that the joint action was meant to establish a 'strong deterrent' against the production, spread, and use of chemical weapons.
Trump said he has ordered 'precision strikes' against Syria, where dozens of people were killed last weekend in a suspected toxic gas attack on Douma, the largest town in a former rebel stronghold outside Damascus.
In his first reaction after military of the three countries carried out strikes against the chemical weapons infrastructure of Syria, Trump declared 'Mission Accomplished'.
'A perfectly executed strike last night. Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!' Trump said in a tweet today.
'So proud of our great military which will soon be, after the spending of billions of fully approved dollars, the finest that our country has ever had. There won't be anything, or anyone, even close!' tweeted the US President.
Congressman Vern Buchanan said that the strike against Syria by the US, British and French forces was a measured response to Assad's use of internationally banned chemical weapons.
"Important not to escalate our role in the conflict or provoke Russian military action," he said.
However, Senator Cory Booker, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he is deeply concerned that Trump continues to conduct military operations without any comprehensive strategy or the necessary congressional authorisation. -- PTI
IMAGE: US President Donald Trump announces military strikes on Syria while delivering a statement from the White House in Washington on Saturday. Photograph: Yuri Gripas/Reuters
Trump ordered the launch of air strikes on Syria in retaliation to the alleged chemical attacks by President Bashar al-Assad.
The US president claimed that the joint action was meant to establish a 'strong deterrent' against the production, spread, and use of chemical weapons.
Trump said he has ordered 'precision strikes' against Syria, where dozens of people were killed last weekend in a suspected toxic gas attack on Douma, the largest town in a former rebel stronghold outside Damascus.
In his first reaction after military of the three countries carried out strikes against the chemical weapons infrastructure of Syria, Trump declared 'Mission Accomplished'.
'A perfectly executed strike last night. Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!' Trump said in a tweet today.
'So proud of our great military which will soon be, after the spending of billions of fully approved dollars, the finest that our country has ever had. There won't be anything, or anyone, even close!' tweeted the US President.
Congressman Vern Buchanan said that the strike against Syria by the US, British and French forces was a measured response to Assad's use of internationally banned chemical weapons.
"Important not to escalate our role in the conflict or provoke Russian military action," he said.
However, Senator Cory Booker, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he is deeply concerned that Trump continues to conduct military operations without any comprehensive strategy or the necessary congressional authorisation. -- PTI
IMAGE: US President Donald Trump announces military strikes on Syria while delivering a statement from the White House in Washington on Saturday. Photograph: Yuri Gripas/Reuters
19:28 Navy drone crashes in Gujarat; no reports of injury, damage
An unmanned, remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) of the Indian Navy crashed in Gujarat today, an official said.
No injury, loss of life or damage to property was reported due to the crash, he said.
The RPA crashed about 25 kilometres from Porbandar, a Defence spokesperson said.
The aircraft was on a routine surveillance mission when it lost datalink communication with the ground station, he said.
Another RPA of the Indian Navy had crashed in Gujarat last month. -- PTI
No injury, loss of life or damage to property was reported due to the crash, he said.
The RPA crashed about 25 kilometres from Porbandar, a Defence spokesperson said.
The aircraft was on a routine surveillance mission when it lost datalink communication with the ground station, he said.
Another RPA of the Indian Navy had crashed in Gujarat last month. -- PTI
18:47 Unnao rape case: BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar sent to 7-day custody
JUST IN: Main accused in Unnao rape case Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar sent to seven-day police custody.
He was earlier produced before a Lucknow court, where he said "I have faith in judiciary.'
Sengar was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation last night after 16 hours of questioning. -- ANI
He was earlier produced before a Lucknow court, where he said "I have faith in judiciary.'
Sengar was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation last night after 16 hours of questioning. -- ANI
17:42 CBI books ex-UCO bank CMD in Rs 621-crore cheating case
The Central Bureau of Investigation has booked former UCO Bank CMD Arun Kaul and others for allegedly cheating the bank to the tune of Rs 621 crore, officials said today.
The agency is carrying out searches at 10 locations-- eight of them in Delhi and two in Mumbai -- in this connection, they said.
It was alleged that the accused persons in pursuance of criminal conspiracy defrauded the UCO Bank to the tune of Rs. 621 crore (approx)by diversion and siphoning of the bank loans, they said.
Besides Kaul, others booked by the CBI are Era Engineering Infra India Ltd. (M/s EEIL), its CMD Hem Singh Bharana; two chartered accountants -- Pankaj Jain and Vandna Sharda -- Pawan Bansal of M/s Altius Finserve Pvt. Ltd., and other unidentified persons, they said. -- PTI
The agency is carrying out searches at 10 locations-- eight of them in Delhi and two in Mumbai -- in this connection, they said.
It was alleged that the accused persons in pursuance of criminal conspiracy defrauded the UCO Bank to the tune of Rs. 621 crore (approx)by diversion and siphoning of the bank loans, they said.
Besides Kaul, others booked by the CBI are Era Engineering Infra India Ltd. (M/s EEIL), its CMD Hem Singh Bharana; two chartered accountants -- Pankaj Jain and Vandna Sharda -- Pawan Bansal of M/s Altius Finserve Pvt. Ltd., and other unidentified persons, they said. -- PTI
17:37 AP CM to sit on hunger strike on April 20
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday announced that he will sit on a one-day hunger strike against the Centre's non-cooperation of the state.
Naidu said that he will go on strike on his birthday, on April 20.
The Andhra Pradesh politicians have been protesting demanding Special Category Status for Andhra Pradesh, which was promised by the Center during the bifurcation of the state in 2014.
Ahead of the 2014 general elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party forged an alliance with Telugu Desam Party with the promise to grant Special Category status to the state.
The Andhra ruling party and the BJP-ruled Centre have been at the loggerheads ever since the announcement of 2018-19 Union Budget.
The TDP alleged that the Centre ignored the demand of 'Special Category Status' to Andhra Pradesh in the budget, while the latter brushed aside the charges.
On March 16, the ruling TDP reached a deadlock with BJP over this issue and ultimately quit the National Democratic Alliance. - ANI
Naidu said that he will go on strike on his birthday, on April 20.
The Andhra Pradesh politicians have been protesting demanding Special Category Status for Andhra Pradesh, which was promised by the Center during the bifurcation of the state in 2014.
Ahead of the 2014 general elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party forged an alliance with Telugu Desam Party with the promise to grant Special Category status to the state.
The Andhra ruling party and the BJP-ruled Centre have been at the loggerheads ever since the announcement of 2018-19 Union Budget.
The TDP alleged that the Centre ignored the demand of 'Special Category Status' to Andhra Pradesh in the budget, while the latter brushed aside the charges.
On March 16, the ruling TDP reached a deadlock with BJP over this issue and ultimately quit the National Democratic Alliance. - ANI
17:05 Pakistan violates ceasefire in J&K's Rajouri
Pakistani troops today violated the ceasefire by resorting to unprovoked and indiscriminate firing along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, prompting retaliation from this side, officials said.
A defence spokesperson said there was no report of any casualty in the skirmishes, which continued for several hours.
Pakistani troops started the unprovoked and indiscriminate firing from across the border in Nowshera sector around 8.30 am, the spokesperson said.
A police official said the Bhawani area was targeted by the Pakistani troops with small and medium weapons and mortar guns, causing panic among the residents.
There has been spurt in the ceasefire violations along the LoC and the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir this year, resulting in the death of 29 persons, including 15 security personnel, in over 650 such incidents. -- PTI
A defence spokesperson said there was no report of any casualty in the skirmishes, which continued for several hours.
Pakistani troops started the unprovoked and indiscriminate firing from across the border in Nowshera sector around 8.30 am, the spokesperson said.
A police official said the Bhawani area was targeted by the Pakistani troops with small and medium weapons and mortar guns, causing panic among the residents.
There has been spurt in the ceasefire violations along the LoC and the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir this year, resulting in the death of 29 persons, including 15 security personnel, in over 650 such incidents. -- PTI
16:13 Dalit members 'cleanse' Ambedkar statue after tributes by BJP leaders
Members of Dalit community today 'cleansed' Dr B R Ambedkar's statue in Vadodara soon after Union minister Maneka Gandhi and some Bharatiya Janata Party leaders paid floral tributes on his 127th birth anniversary, a Dalit leader said, claiming that their presence had 'polluted' the atmosphere.
Thakor Solanki, general secretary of SC/ST the Employees Union of Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, claimed that they had gathered at the venue to pay their tributes before the BJP leaders.
The members of the Dalit community raised slogans at the GEB Circle area on Race Course against other party leaders and Gandhi, the Women and Child Development minister who is in the city to attend a number of events.
She arrived at Ambedkar's statue along with BJP MP Ranjanben Bhatt, city mayor Bharat Dangar, BJP MLA Yogesh Patel and others.
The members of the Dalit community, led by Solanki, started raising slogans against them. An argument broke out between them and the police personnel, but no untoward incident took place.
After Gandhi and other leaders garlanded the statue around 9 am and left the venue, the members of the community washed it with milk and water, saying the BJP leaders' presence had 'polluted' the atmosphere.
"We told the police that since we had gathered there much before the BJP leaders came, it was our right to pay tributes first. However, police prevented us from garlanding the statue stating that as per the protocol, it was the mayor's right. This angered our members," Solanki said.
"The statue and the atmosphere in the GEB circle area was polluted after the arrival of Gandhi and other BJP leaders. Therefore, we cleansed Ambedkar's statue with milk and water after it was garlanded by the BJP leaders," he added.
Before Gandhi's arrival, Jivraj Chauhan, general secretary of SC/ST cell of BJP's state unit, was also gheraoed by the Dalit members, who shouted slogans against him, forcing him to leave the venue. -- PTI
Photograph: ANI
Thakor Solanki, general secretary of SC/ST the Employees Union of Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, claimed that they had gathered at the venue to pay their tributes before the BJP leaders.
The members of the Dalit community raised slogans at the GEB Circle area on Race Course against other party leaders and Gandhi, the Women and Child Development minister who is in the city to attend a number of events.
She arrived at Ambedkar's statue along with BJP MP Ranjanben Bhatt, city mayor Bharat Dangar, BJP MLA Yogesh Patel and others.
The members of the Dalit community, led by Solanki, started raising slogans against them. An argument broke out between them and the police personnel, but no untoward incident took place.
After Gandhi and other leaders garlanded the statue around 9 am and left the venue, the members of the community washed it with milk and water, saying the BJP leaders' presence had 'polluted' the atmosphere.
"We told the police that since we had gathered there much before the BJP leaders came, it was our right to pay tributes first. However, police prevented us from garlanding the statue stating that as per the protocol, it was the mayor's right. This angered our members," Solanki said.
"The statue and the atmosphere in the GEB circle area was polluted after the arrival of Gandhi and other BJP leaders. Therefore, we cleansed Ambedkar's statue with milk and water after it was garlanded by the BJP leaders," he added.
Before Gandhi's arrival, Jivraj Chauhan, general secretary of SC/ST cell of BJP's state unit, was also gheraoed by the Dalit members, who shouted slogans against him, forcing him to leave the venue. -- PTI
Photograph: ANI
15:09 Rajpal Yadav, wife convicted in 5-crore loan case
A Delhi court on Saturday convicted Bollywood actor and comedian Rajpal Yadav, his wife Radha Yadav and a company in connection with a loan case.
An argument on the court's order is likely to be heard on April 23.
Rajpal and his wife allegedly failed to repay a loan of Rs 5 crore which the actor had taken from a Delhi-based businessman for his directorial debut in 2010.
Earlier in 2013, Yadav was sent to Tihar Jail from December 3 to December 6 for submitting a false affidavit in the case. -- ANI
An argument on the court's order is likely to be heard on April 23.
Rajpal and his wife allegedly failed to repay a loan of Rs 5 crore which the actor had taken from a Delhi-based businessman for his directorial debut in 2010.
Earlier in 2013, Yadav was sent to Tihar Jail from December 3 to December 6 for submitting a false affidavit in the case. -- ANI
14:04 PM inaugurates first health centre under Ayushman Bharat Scheme
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first health centre under Ayushman Bharat Scheme at Jangala, Bijapur, in Chhattisgarh today.
He also inaugurated the first phase of the Bastar Internet scheme under which a 40,000-km-long network of fibre optics cable would be spread across the seven districts of the tribal region.
The districts are Bijapur, Narayanpur, Bastar, Kanker, Kondagaon, Sukma and Dantewada.
Modi, who is the first prime minister to visit the tribal district of Bijapur, also inaugurated a new rail line and a passenger train between Gudum and Bhanupratapur, bringing north Bastar region on railways' map.
This was the prime minister's fourth visit to Chhattisgarh, where assembly elections are due later the year.
He had visited Dantewada in May 2015, Naya Raipur and Rajnandgaon in February 2016 and Naya Raipur in November 2016.
Modi also inaugurated bank branches in seven villages and visited rural BPO centre developed under the India BPO promotion scheme. The BPO centre is provided Internet by the Bastar internet scheme.
He also laid foundation stones for road and bridge projects worth over Rs 1,700 crore. The prime minister's visit to the state coincides with the birth anniversary of Dalit icon Dr B R Ambedkar.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh chaired the programme while Union Health Minister J P Nadda was the chief guest on the occasion.
Under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, the government aims to open 1.5 lakh health and wellness centre by 2022, which would be equipped to treat host of diseases, including blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and old-age illness.
Also under the scheme, the government has prepared the broad contour of the National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS) and work is on to finalise parameters for identifying beneficiaries and hospital entitlement. -- PTI
He also inaugurated the first phase of the Bastar Internet scheme under which a 40,000-km-long network of fibre optics cable would be spread across the seven districts of the tribal region.
The districts are Bijapur, Narayanpur, Bastar, Kanker, Kondagaon, Sukma and Dantewada.
Modi, who is the first prime minister to visit the tribal district of Bijapur, also inaugurated a new rail line and a passenger train between Gudum and Bhanupratapur, bringing north Bastar region on railways' map.
This was the prime minister's fourth visit to Chhattisgarh, where assembly elections are due later the year.
He had visited Dantewada in May 2015, Naya Raipur and Rajnandgaon in February 2016 and Naya Raipur in November 2016.
Modi also inaugurated bank branches in seven villages and visited rural BPO centre developed under the India BPO promotion scheme. The BPO centre is provided Internet by the Bastar internet scheme.
He also laid foundation stones for road and bridge projects worth over Rs 1,700 crore. The prime minister's visit to the state coincides with the birth anniversary of Dalit icon Dr B R Ambedkar.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh chaired the programme while Union Health Minister J P Nadda was the chief guest on the occasion.
Under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, the government aims to open 1.5 lakh health and wellness centre by 2022, which would be equipped to treat host of diseases, including blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and old-age illness.
Also under the scheme, the government has prepared the broad contour of the National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS) and work is on to finalise parameters for identifying beneficiaries and hospital entitlement. -- PTI
12:48 Kathua case: Mehbooba lauds people for dismissing communal forces
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today lauded the people of Jammu for dismissing communal forces and their unwavering support for justice to an eight-year-old girl who was raped and killed in Kathua.
'I commend the manner in which the people of Jammu dismissed communal forces and were unwavering in their support for a little girl.
'It has strengthened my belief that Jammu serves as a model of inclusiveness and together the people of J-K inspire secular unity and righteousness,' Mufti said in a tweet.
In an earlier tweet, the chief minister expressed satisfaction over the Supreme Court taking cognisance of an alleged attempt by lawyers in Kathua to obstruct the Crime Branch in filing their charge-sheet in the case.
'Heartening to see the Supreme Court take cognisance of the attempted obstruction of justice by some lawyers in the brutal Kathua rape and murder case reminding us once again of the greatness of this nation,' she said.
'While it may seem to get bogged down by different discourses at times, it's DNA of love and compassion always remains the same,' she added.
Two Bharatiya Janata Party mnisters, Chaudhary Lal Singh and Chander Prakash, who had attended a rally in support of the accused persons in Kathua, yesterday submitted their resignations to party's state president Sat Sharma.
While a meeting of the BJP legislature party is scheduled to be held in Jammu today to chart the future course of action on the issue, legislators of coalition partner People's Democratic Party are also meeting here to 'take stock of the situation'.
The rape and killing of the girl, who belonged to the nomadic Bakerwal Muslim community, has become a national issue.
The gory details of the heinous crime surfaced following filing of charges.
The girl had disappeared from a spot near her house close to Rasana village on January 10. A week later, her body was found in the same area.
A special investigation team, formed to probe the incident, has arrested eight people, including two special police officers (SPOs) and a head constable, who was charged with destroying evidence. -- PTI
'I commend the manner in which the people of Jammu dismissed communal forces and were unwavering in their support for a little girl.
'It has strengthened my belief that Jammu serves as a model of inclusiveness and together the people of J-K inspire secular unity and righteousness,' Mufti said in a tweet.
In an earlier tweet, the chief minister expressed satisfaction over the Supreme Court taking cognisance of an alleged attempt by lawyers in Kathua to obstruct the Crime Branch in filing their charge-sheet in the case.
'Heartening to see the Supreme Court take cognisance of the attempted obstruction of justice by some lawyers in the brutal Kathua rape and murder case reminding us once again of the greatness of this nation,' she said.
'While it may seem to get bogged down by different discourses at times, it's DNA of love and compassion always remains the same,' she added.
Two Bharatiya Janata Party mnisters, Chaudhary Lal Singh and Chander Prakash, who had attended a rally in support of the accused persons in Kathua, yesterday submitted their resignations to party's state president Sat Sharma.
While a meeting of the BJP legislature party is scheduled to be held in Jammu today to chart the future course of action on the issue, legislators of coalition partner People's Democratic Party are also meeting here to 'take stock of the situation'.
The rape and killing of the girl, who belonged to the nomadic Bakerwal Muslim community, has become a national issue.
The gory details of the heinous crime surfaced following filing of charges.
The girl had disappeared from a spot near her house close to Rasana village on January 10. A week later, her body was found in the same area.
A special investigation team, formed to probe the incident, has arrested eight people, including two special police officers (SPOs) and a head constable, who was charged with destroying evidence. -- PTI
11:42 Presence at rally was meant to diffuse situation: Choudhary Lal Singh
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Choudhary Lal Singh today defended his participation in a rally supporting the accused in the Kathua rape and killing case, saying that it was meant to defuse the situation and restore normalcy.
Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga, BJP ministers in the Jammu and Kashmir coalition government, yesterday tendered their resignations after facing criticism for their participation in the event.
The issue would be decided in the Legislative Party meeting today.
"We had gone to defuse the situation created due to migration one and half months back. We told them they should go back. Abdul Gani Kohli (minister) was sent to the house of the victim, so that an ugly situation was not created," Lal told reporters.
"I had gone there, (ministers) Bali (Bhagat) and (Abdul Gani) Kohli had gone to Nowshera and Sunderbani to listen to people. Should we not listen to them? For what are we people's representatives? Should we allow people to burn the state and die," he asked.
The rally was organised by Hindu Ekta Manch in favour of the men accused of raping and killing an eight-year-old girl from the Bakerwal community.
The residents of Rasana village had also migrated to Hiranagar as a protest and blocked a road against the People's Democratic Party-BJP government alleging harassment.
Lal said their primary responsibility was to maintain peace and communal harmony in the state.
"Is it fine that state keeps on burning and the people become violent... I do not believe in Hindu-Muslim politics. Everybody is equal for me," Lal said.
He said they had gone to Rasana as they had a responsibility to reach out to the people.
"Migration had taken place. Our party leadership, the party president, sent us there with responsibility. They did the right thing. We sat with over 5,000 people and made them understand. They heard us and went back to their homes," he said.
He said that people were told that an inquiry would be held and they wouldn't be harassed. He claimed that the people in Kathua suspected that the inquiry would not be impartial and demanded a CBI probe.
"We put forth their demand before the party as well as chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, who rejected it and said the Crime Branch would probe the matter," he said.
"The people told us that one probe panel was replaced by another and then by a third one. I want there to be peace and normalcy in the area. Those responsible should be punished but a wrong person should not be blamed," he said.
The body of the girl was found in Rasana forest on January 17, a week after she went missing while grazing horses in the forest area.
On January 23, the government had handed over the case to the Crime Branch which formed a special investigation team and arrested eight people, including two Special Police Officers (SPOs) and a head constable.
Lawyers also opposed the action, alleging that minority Dogras were being targeted.
"The way some media persons created a certain perception in the country is wrong. We had gone to defuse the situation created due to migration," he said. -- PTI
Photograph: Arun Sharma/PTI Photo
Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga, BJP ministers in the Jammu and Kashmir coalition government, yesterday tendered their resignations after facing criticism for their participation in the event.
The issue would be decided in the Legislative Party meeting today.
"We had gone to defuse the situation created due to migration one and half months back. We told them they should go back. Abdul Gani Kohli (minister) was sent to the house of the victim, so that an ugly situation was not created," Lal told reporters.
"I had gone there, (ministers) Bali (Bhagat) and (Abdul Gani) Kohli had gone to Nowshera and Sunderbani to listen to people. Should we not listen to them? For what are we people's representatives? Should we allow people to burn the state and die," he asked.
The rally was organised by Hindu Ekta Manch in favour of the men accused of raping and killing an eight-year-old girl from the Bakerwal community.
The residents of Rasana village had also migrated to Hiranagar as a protest and blocked a road against the People's Democratic Party-BJP government alleging harassment.
Lal said their primary responsibility was to maintain peace and communal harmony in the state.
"Is it fine that state keeps on burning and the people become violent... I do not believe in Hindu-Muslim politics. Everybody is equal for me," Lal said.
He said they had gone to Rasana as they had a responsibility to reach out to the people.
"Migration had taken place. Our party leadership, the party president, sent us there with responsibility. They did the right thing. We sat with over 5,000 people and made them understand. They heard us and went back to their homes," he said.
He said that people were told that an inquiry would be held and they wouldn't be harassed. He claimed that the people in Kathua suspected that the inquiry would not be impartial and demanded a CBI probe.
"We put forth their demand before the party as well as chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, who rejected it and said the Crime Branch would probe the matter," he said.
"The people told us that one probe panel was replaced by another and then by a third one. I want there to be peace and normalcy in the area. Those responsible should be punished but a wrong person should not be blamed," he said.
The body of the girl was found in Rasana forest on January 17, a week after she went missing while grazing horses in the forest area.
On January 23, the government had handed over the case to the Crime Branch which formed a special investigation team and arrested eight people, including two Special Police Officers (SPOs) and a head constable.
Lawyers also opposed the action, alleging that minority Dogras were being targeted.
"The way some media persons created a certain perception in the country is wrong. We had gone to defuse the situation created due to migration," he said. -- PTI
Photograph: Arun Sharma/PTI Photo
10:59 Missile strikes against Syria not for regime change: Britain's May
British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Saturday she had authorised British forces to conduct precision air-launched cruise missile strikes on Syria to degrade its chemical weapons capability, saying there was no alternative to military action.
Four Royal Air Force Tornado jets using Storm Shadow missiles had taken part in the attack on a military facility near Homs where it was assessed Syria had stockpiled chemicals, Britain's Ministry of Defence said.
The strike, conducted with the United States and France, was "limited and targeted", designed to minimise any civilian casualties, May said. The MoD said the initial indications were that the precision weapons and meticulous target planning had "resulted in a successful attack".
"This is not about intervening in a civil war. It is not about regime change," May said in a statement.
She said the strike was a response to significant evidence including intelligence showing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government was responsible for attack using chemical weapons in Douma in Syria last Saturday that killed up to 75 people including children.
May added Britain and its allies had sought to use every diplomatic means to stop the use of chemical weapons, but had been repeatedly thwarted, citing a Russian veto of an independent investigation into the Douma attack at the UN Security Council this week.
10:20 Hope authorities bring Kathua rape perpetrators to justice: UN
Terming as "horrific" the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, UN chief Antonio Guterres has expressed hope that the authorities will bring perpetrators of the brutal crime to justice.
The girl from the nomadic Bakerwal Muslim community disappeared near her house on January 10 and a week later, her body was found in the same area.
She was allegedly raped by six men who had held her in captivity in a village temple for a week in January. The victim was drugged, rapped repeatedly before being bludgeoned to death.
The incident has sparked outrage across India.
"I think we've seen the media reports of this horrific case, of the abuse and the murder of a young girl. We very much hope that the authorities will bring the perpetrators to justice so they can be held accountable for the murder of this young girl," Guterres' spokesperson Stephane Dujjaric told reporters at his daily press briefing here yesterday.
Dujjaric was responding to a question about the Secretary General's response to the rape and murder of the girl.
A Special Investigation Team of Crime Branch, formed to probe the incident, has arrested eight people, including two special police officers and a head constable and a sub-inspector, who were charged with destroying evidence.
Expressing anguish over the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday called it as a "shame" for the country and asserted that the guilty will not be spared.
"I want to assure the nation that no criminal will be spared. Justice will be done. Our daughters will get justice," he said.
-- PTI
10:09 Observe Ambedkar Jayanti as 'Protect Constitution Day', say Dalit leader
On the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti on Saturday, several Dalit leaders have called for April 14 to be observed as "Protect Constitution Day" across the country. Several Dalit organisations have demanded an ordinance to be immediately brought by the Centre to restore the status quo of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Dalit leaders are also urging the Centre to include the Act in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution. The Ninth Schedule provides protection to legislation placed under it. A law placed under the Schedule is not open to judicial scrutiny.
Dalit leaders announced that they will hold a unified action and observe 14 April as "Protect Constitution Day". "The government should issue an ordinance to maintain and restore the status quo of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and put the Act in the Ninth Schedule on the Constitution. We have decided to hold a unified action on April 14 as Protect Constitution Day on Ambedkar Jayanti," Srinivas Rao, Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch leader, said.
The Dalit leaders have threatened to hit the street if Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not announce the government decision on August 15, from the ramparts of the Red Fort, to resolve their demands.
09:51 Office of profit case: EC to hold fresh hearing for 20 AAP MLAs on May 17
Two weeks after the Delhi high court set aside the disqualification of 20 AAP MLAs on the ground that the Election Commissions recommendation in the office-of-profit case was bad in law, the poll panel set a date to hold a fresh hearing on the merits of the complaint.
The Commission has dispatched notices to all legislators informing that Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat and Election Commissioners Sunil Arora and Ashok Lavasa will conduct oral hearing on the matter at 3 pm on May 17.
In a 79-page order passed last month, the Delhi HC had said that the Commissions opinion, tendered to the President on January 19, had failed to comply with the principles of natural justice as the EC had not given the MLAs a hearing.
The plea was then sent back to the Commission for fresh hearing. The EC had not held a single hearing on the case after its ruling of June 23, 2017, when Nasim Zaidi was the Chief Election Commissioner.
The poll panels last ruling had stated that the Commission will intimate the next date of hearing to all the parties concerned in the present proceedings in due course.
However, it tendered its opinion to the President on January 19. The EC had defended its decision to not hold oral hearings on the merits of the case on the ground that the AAP MLAs were asked to present their defence in writing, but they didnt seek an opportunity for personal hearing.
09:31 CJI Dipak Misra meets 2 top judges, tells them he's looking into issues
under pressure after the letters from Justices Jasti Chelameswar and Kurian Joseph about the government's role in stalling appointment of judges to the Supreme Court and high courts, Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra is understood to have informed two of his colleagues that he is working to address the concerns.
Sources said that CJI Misra informally met Justices Ranjan Gogoi and Kurian Joseph and indicated that he was looking into the issues pertaining to the apex court. The meeting, which lasted for half-an-hour, followed the inauguration of the gymnasium in the Supreme Court premises by the CJI.
Without referring to the letters or naming any individuals whose appointments have been stalled, CJI Misra is learnt to have informed his two colleagues of his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sources said the CJI spoke to Modi at a meeting to discuss the Lokpal selection committee.
Justices Gogoi and Joseph are both members of the collegium for selection of judges for the Supreme Court, and were among the four Supreme Court judges who went public with their letter to the CJI, over various issues pertaining to the functioning of the court, at a press conference in January. The other two judges, Justices Chelameswar and Madan Lokur, were not present during the informal meeting on Wednesday evening.
09:29 Russian envoy warns of 'consequences' after US-led strikes on Syria
Syria ally Russia has warned of "consequences" following the launch of US-led strikes against Bashar al-Assad's regime in retaliation for a suspected chemical attack.
"Again, we are being threatened," Russia's ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, said in a statement.
"We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences. All responsibility for them rests with Washington, London and Paris."
"Insulting the President of Russia is unacceptable and inadmissible," added the envoy, after President Donald Trump directly called out his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over his support for the Assad regime.
08:46 Finance Minister Arun Jaitley may resume office in North Block next week
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley may resume office in North Block later next week, sources said. The minister, while recovering at home, continues to receive files and directs work in the finance ministry.
Two officials have confirmed that, subject to a go-ahead from the doctors, Jaitley could be back in office. They did not share details on his current medical status. "He has not really taken leave. He continues working from home. Subject to the doctor's approval, he will start working from North Block," said one of the officials.
On Monday, Jaitley underwent dialysis at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences where he was admitted last week for a kidney transplant surgery. The surgery has not taken place yet. Jaitley's scheduled trip to the United Kingdom, slated for this week, has been postponed. He had cancelled a number of public appearances and did not take oath after his re-election to the Rajya Sabha. Given Jaitley's physical absence, the seniormost figures are Ministers of State for Finance Pon Radhakrishnan and Shiv Pratap Shukla.
Jaitley had in September 2014 undergone a bariatric surgery to treat weight-gain that he suffered because of a long-standing diabetic condition. That surgery was performed at Max Hospital. He had to be later shifted to AIIMS because of complications. He had a heart surgery several years ago.
-- Arup Roychoudhury/Business Standard
08:29 US and allies launch strikes on Syria chemical weapons sites
The US, UK and France have bombed multiple government targets in Syria in an early morning operation targeting alleged chemical weapons sites.
The strikes are in response to a suspected chemical attack on the Syrian town of Douma last week.
"A combined operation with the armed forces of France and the United Kingdom is now underway," President Trump said in an address to the nation.
Explosions were reported near the Syrian capital Damascus.
Officials at a Pentagon briefing listed three targets that had been struck:
>> A scientific research facility in Damascus, allegedly connected to the production chemical and biological weapons
>> A chemical weapons storage facility west of Homs
>> A chemical weapons equipment storage and an important command post, also near Homs
Syrian state television said government forces had shot down more than a dozen missiles.
The government's main ally, Russia, issued a statement through its US ambassador, saying "such actions will not be left without consequences".
08:06 EC panel: Karnataka poll schedule not leaked, was speculation
An in-house committee set up by the Election Commission to probe the alleged leak of Karnataka poll schedule minutes before the official announcement, said today the information was not leaked but mere speculation.
The EC had set up the committee after the BJP's IT cell chief announced in a tweet the schedule for the Karnataka Assembly polls before the official declaration on March 27. He, however, had got the date for counting of votes wrong.
The committee noted that the media has speculated election schedules before and it seemed similar attempts were made in the case of Karnataka elections.
"As pointed out by (a private TV channel) in its response, the alleged leak was not a leak and was merely speculation. Thus, the committee is of the opinion that there was no leak of schedule of elections to Karnataka Legislative assembly 2018," the committee said it its report.
The TV channel had stated it had accessed the details of the poll schedule from informed sources and, given that the information was not entirely accurate, it was obvious that it was not a leak.
The committee, in its report, said the official announcement of schedule is integral to the electoral process.
"It is the responsibility of all the stakeholders including media and political parties not to attempt any speculation that may create unnecessary doubts in the minds of our stakeholders and citizens at large. The commission may like to convey this concern to the stakeholders in its future interactions," the report said.
The committee is of the view that the existing system is robust. "However, considering the secrecy of the process the committee will separately brief the commission for further strengthening the process, if required," it added.
Ahead of the official announcement on March 27 by Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat, BJP IT-cell chief Amit Malviya had tweeted that voting will be held on May 12 and the counting will take place on May 18.
He was correct about the day of voting, but got the counting date wrong. The counting will take place on May 15.
The panel said Malviya, in another tweet, had attributed a news channel as his source.
In his press conference to announce the poll schedule, Rawat had described the leak as a "very serious" issue that merited a probe and "stringent action".
Immediately after Malviya's tweet, the Congress said: "BJP becomes the 'Super Election Commission' as they announce poll dates for Karnataka even before the EC. Credibility of EC is on test."
The committee has noted that the information of alleged leak appeared in public domain for the first time at 11.06 am.
"From the responses, it can be safely concluded that the alleged information was first displayed on (the TV channel) which was used by all others in tweet/media (TV)," the report said, adding since the counting date did not matched with the actual date, "it can be safely concluded that the alleged leak contained different information about the schedule of election".
-- PTI
00:03 Kathua rape case: Girl's family leaves for higher hills
The grief-stricken family of the eight-year-old girl, who was brutally raped and murdered in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, has set off on their annual journey to the pasture lands deep in the hills of the state, with the hope that justice will be done in the case.
The family, belonging to the Bakerwal community, quietly packed their bags, saddled their horses and set off on the arduous journey to the higher hills a few days ago, the police said.
"They do it every summer. They have not abandoned the hamlet. Neither they fled nor they were forced out," SSP Kathua Suleman Choudhary told PTI.
He rubbished media reports that the grieving family had abandoned the hamlet.
"The incident left the girl's parents and her two brothers devastated... The family followed the probe closely. They left the hamlet a few days ago, with the hope that the culprits would be punished and justice done," one of their relatives said.
The girl loved her horses and grazed them in the meadows. The family never imagined this would happen to them, the relative said.
"When she went missing, we scoured the entire region, searched each home in the village and the forest belt. When we could not locate her, we approached the police.
"Sniffer dogs were deployed and after a few days, her lifeless body was recovered from the forest," he said.
The relative alleged that the residents of the hamlet 'did not allow us to bury the body in the area'.
The family had good relations with the local residents, but 'we were not allowed to bury her in the area', he said. -- Anil Bhatt/PTI
Photograph: PTI Photo
The family, belonging to the Bakerwal community, quietly packed their bags, saddled their horses and set off on the arduous journey to the higher hills a few days ago, the police said.
"They do it every summer. They have not abandoned the hamlet. Neither they fled nor they were forced out," SSP Kathua Suleman Choudhary told PTI.
He rubbished media reports that the grieving family had abandoned the hamlet.
"The incident left the girl's parents and her two brothers devastated... The family followed the probe closely. They left the hamlet a few days ago, with the hope that the culprits would be punished and justice done," one of their relatives said.
The girl loved her horses and grazed them in the meadows. The family never imagined this would happen to them, the relative said.
"When she went missing, we scoured the entire region, searched each home in the village and the forest belt. When we could not locate her, we approached the police.
"Sniffer dogs were deployed and after a few days, her lifeless body was recovered from the forest," he said.
The relative alleged that the residents of the hamlet 'did not allow us to bury the body in the area'.
The family had good relations with the local residents, but 'we were not allowed to bury her in the area', he said. -- Anil Bhatt/PTI
Photograph: PTI Photo
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