LIVE
Fri, 10 January 2020
UP: Bus bursts into blaze after mishap; 21 injured
Timeline Refresh
23:47 UP: Bus bursts into blaze after mishap; 21 injured
At least 21 people sustained severe burn injuries in a fire that broke out after a bus collided with a truck near Uttar Pradesh's Chiloi village on Friday, police said.
Fire tenders were rushed to the spot and the blaze has been controlled, they said.
There were around 45 passengers in the bus which was on its way to Jaipur from Farrukhabad, police said, adding that the accident took place under the Chhibramau Police Station area here.
Mohit Agarwal, Inspector General of Police, Kanpur said 21 people have been rescued and admitted to hospital and efforts are on to contact their family members.
The blaze has been controlled and rescue operations are on, Agarwal said.
Uttar Pradesh director general of police, O P Singh said it appears that the diesel tank of the vehicle exploded under the impact of the collision.
Our first priority is to rescue the passengers safely and senior officers are present at the spot, the DGP said in Lucknow.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken cognisance of the incident and asked the district magistrate and superintendent of police to ensure all possible medical assistance to the victims. -- PTI
23:21 ABVP members were part of JNU mob: TV sting
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-affiliated Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad members were part of the masked mob that perpetrated the violence in Jawaharlal Nehru University on January 5, which left 35 injured, an investigation by a news channel claimed.
The two suspects in purported videos, in a sting done by Indian Today, states that they are ABVP volunteers and varsity students pursing Bachelors in French.
The ABVP has refuted the charges, saying both students who figured in the purported videos are not their members.
In the sting videos, the students are seen admitting that they were part of the violence outside the varsity's Sabarmati hostel.
In one of the videos, another suspect is seen admitting that 20 more ABVP volunteers were part of the masked mob.
A sting was also done on a student affiliated to a left-leaning student body.
The former JNUSU office bearer is seen admitting that she was part of the group that shut down servers at the JNU's Centre for Information Systems.
An FIR has already been registered in this case but no student has been named as an accused yet.
In a tweet, the woman said, "JNU VC increases our fee a thousand time. He sends punishment letters for demanding right to education. I myself have received countless such letters. We are fighting for our rights. We are in civil disobedience. That's what I have said. Nothing to hide." -- PTI
The two suspects in purported videos, in a sting done by Indian Today, states that they are ABVP volunteers and varsity students pursing Bachelors in French.
The ABVP has refuted the charges, saying both students who figured in the purported videos are not their members.
In the sting videos, the students are seen admitting that they were part of the violence outside the varsity's Sabarmati hostel.
In one of the videos, another suspect is seen admitting that 20 more ABVP volunteers were part of the masked mob.
A sting was also done on a student affiliated to a left-leaning student body.
The former JNUSU office bearer is seen admitting that she was part of the group that shut down servers at the JNU's Centre for Information Systems.
An FIR has already been registered in this case but no student has been named as an accused yet.
In a tweet, the woman said, "JNU VC increases our fee a thousand time. He sends punishment letters for demanding right to education. I myself have received countless such letters. We are fighting for our rights. We are in civil disobedience. That's what I have said. Nothing to hide." -- PTI
23:01 US announces more sanctions against Iran
United States President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing another set of crippling sanctions against Iran, targeting several of its top leaders, military commanders, and its infrastructure industry, according to a statement from the White House on Friday.
Trump said the executive order authorises the imposition of sanctions against any individual or entity operating in the construction, manufacturing, textiles, or mining sectors of the Iranian economy or anyone assisting those who engage in this sanctioned business.
The sanctions are the latest in a series of retaliatory measures between the two nations.
Iran's powerful military commander Qasem Soleimani was killed last Friday in US drone strikes, ordered by President Trump, bringing the entire Gulf region close to a full-blown conflict.
Regional tensions remained high after Iran on Wednesday fired missiles at two bases in Iraq used by US forces.
"Today, I am holding the Iranian regime responsible for attacks against United States personnel and interests by denying it substantial revenue that may be used to fund and support its nuclear program, missile development, terrorism and terrorist proxy networks, and malign regional influence," said Trump on Friday, after signing the executive order.
"This order will have a major impact on the Iranian economy, authorising powerful secondary sanctions on foreign financial institutions.
"The Iranian regime has threatened United States military service members, diplomats, and civilians, as well as the citizens and interests of our allies and partners, through military force and proxy groups. The United States will continue to counter the Iranian regime's destructive and destabilising behaviour," the president said.
Trump said the economic sanctions will remain till the Iranian regime changes its behaviour. -- PTI
Trump said the executive order authorises the imposition of sanctions against any individual or entity operating in the construction, manufacturing, textiles, or mining sectors of the Iranian economy or anyone assisting those who engage in this sanctioned business.
The sanctions are the latest in a series of retaliatory measures between the two nations.
Iran's powerful military commander Qasem Soleimani was killed last Friday in US drone strikes, ordered by President Trump, bringing the entire Gulf region close to a full-blown conflict.
Regional tensions remained high after Iran on Wednesday fired missiles at two bases in Iraq used by US forces.
"Today, I am holding the Iranian regime responsible for attacks against United States personnel and interests by denying it substantial revenue that may be used to fund and support its nuclear program, missile development, terrorism and terrorist proxy networks, and malign regional influence," said Trump on Friday, after signing the executive order.
"This order will have a major impact on the Iranian economy, authorising powerful secondary sanctions on foreign financial institutions.
"The Iranian regime has threatened United States military service members, diplomats, and civilians, as well as the citizens and interests of our allies and partners, through military force and proxy groups. The United States will continue to counter the Iranian regime's destructive and destabilising behaviour," the president said.
Trump said the economic sanctions will remain till the Iranian regime changes its behaviour. -- PTI
22:25 Modi, Mamata likely to share stage on Jan 12: Sources
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal chief mamata Banerjee are likely to share the stage during a programme here on Sunday, TMC sources said.
"As far as we know, she (Banerjee) will attend a programme of the Kolkata Port Trust on January 12, where the prime minister would also be present," a senior Trinamool Congress leader told PTI.
Modi will be on a two-day visit to the city from January 11. -- PTI
22:18 Citizenship Act comes into force from today
The Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 has come into force.
In the notification published in the official gazette today, the central government 'appoints' the 10th day of January, 2020, as the date on which the provisions of the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019, shall come into force.
The Citizenship Amendment Bill was passed by Lok Sabha on December 10 last year.
A day before, it was introduced in Lok Sabha, and a day later it was passed in Rajya Sabha.
The President gave his assent on December 12, 2019 and it was notified on the gazette the same day.
The CAA grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, Jains and Parsis who had arrived in India by December 31, 2014 from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh due to religious persecution.
21:42 Probe into JNU case 'shoddy': Congress
Accusing the Delhi Police of conducting a "shoddy" investigation into the Jawaharlal Nehru University violence case, the Congress on Friday alleged that it was clearly influenced by the government, the home minister and the ruling party, and demanded the removal of the city police chief and the university's vice chancellor.
The Delhi Police on Friday released pictures of nine suspects in the JNU violence case and claimed that JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh was one of them. Of the nine, seven belong to left-leaning student organisations while two are affiliated to right-wing students' body, it said.
Congress' senior spokesperson Ajay Maken said question marks have been raised on the investigations by the Delhi police as it has "failed to carry out the probe independently" and identify the culprits.
"It is a shoddy investigation to say the least. The victims have been made the accused. The investigation is clearly influenced by the government, the home minister and the ruling party," he told reporters.
Playing some video clips purportedly of the January 5 violence in the JNU campus, the party claimed that one Vikas Patel has been identified by the police as a rioter, but his real name is Shiv Mandal.
Raising questions on the probe, Maken said, "The Delhi Police has not done a good work as far as investigation is concerned and in a way it seems that the force was also an accomplice in the entire incident because everything happened in front of it. The Delhi police has not been able to identify even a single rioter correctly, it has wrongly identified them."
Alleging that the Delhi police has carried out the probe under the influence of the home ministry, the Congress leader said, "There should be investigations against the home minister also." -- PTI
21:36 No change of guard ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan between Jan 18 and Feb 2
There will be no change of guard ceremony on the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan between January 18 and February 2 due to the rehearsals for the Republic Day Parade, an official statement issued on Friday said.
The 30-minute ceremony, in which a group of presidential guards are changed, is a military tradition that takes place on Saturdays and Sundays.
The change of guard ceremony will not be held on January 18, 19, 25 26, and February 2 due to the rehearsals for the Republic Day Parade/Beating Retreat Ceremony and the Rashtrapati Bhavan Divas celebrations, the statement by the Rashtrapati Bhavan said. -- PTI
21:31 13 killed, several injured in blast at mosque in Pakistan's Quetta
At least 13 people including a prayer leader and a police officer were killed in a powerful bomb blast at a mosque in Balochistan's capital Quetta on Friday, just three days after a similar incident killed two persons in the city, according to media reports.
Several people have been injured in the incident which took place at the mosque in Quetta's Satellite Town, The Express Tribune reported.
An emergency has been declared at all hospitals in the area.
The nature of the blast was being analysed, the report added.
The blast occurred three days after two men were killed and over a dozen injured in a blast near a vehicle of the security forces in Quetta. -- PTI
21:28 2 decades on, 5 from Pak given Indian citizenship in Kota
Five people who had come to India from Pakistan around two decades ago were given citizenship papers by the district administration in Kota on Friday.
They have been living in the city with their relatives and had travelled to India from Abdu village in Sindh's Shikarpur village.
They were garlanded and given the papers by Kota Collector Om Kasera.
Those given Indian citizenship are Rekha Bhojwani, Sonam Kumari, Muskan, Sandeep Kumar and Sudaman.
"A long-awaited dream has today come true with the citizenship of India," said one of them after receiving his papers.
As soon as the citizenship papers were handed over to them, they raised slogans of 'Bharat Mata ji Jai' and 'Vande Matram'.
The state government had organised a camp in the presence of a delegation from the Centre a few days ago, in which their documents were verified, Additional District Collector R D Meena said.
Eight people were granted Indian citizenship on December 30, he added. -- PTI
20:59 Delhi Police a 'govt stooge': Left leaders
Left leaders on Friday accused the Delhi Police of being a "government stooge" after the force named nine suspects involved in the Jawaharlal Nehru University violence, claiming seven of them are from Left-leaning student bodies.
The police on Friday released pictures of the suspects in the January 5 violence and claimed Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union president Aishe Ghosh was one of them.
"It is sad that Delhi Police has become the stooge of home minister Amit Shah. In JNU, the reality is that ABVP and RSS activists attacked students and Delhi Police today did not say a word on it. The Delhi Police now has zero credibility," Communist Party of INdia-Marxist politburo member Brinda Karat said.
Hitting out at Shah, CPI general secretary D Raja said that the Delhi Police's revelation was an attempt by the government to hurt the ongoing protests against the amended citizenship law being led by Left-leaning student bodies.
"They have charged the victims. It's ridiculous. While the Delhi Police have identified Left leaning students, TV channels have these goons confessing to attacking students. Why is Delhi Police not investigating this? This is just an attempt to damage the CAA protests. It is in public knowledge who the perpetrators of the violence were," he said.
"The question that the police have to answer is that who were the masked goons who entered JNU while they were waiting outside and how could they enter the premises," he added. -- PTI
20:08 If outsiders can visit J-K, why not us: Sibal
A day after envoys from 15 countries arrived in Jammu and Kashmir on a two-day visit, Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Friday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi why people from outside India "have the right to visit" the region and not the country's politicians.
He welcomed the Supreme Court order on Internet ban in Jammu and Kashmir, saying it will restore free flow of information from the region and termed as "path-breaking" its observation that prohibitory orders under CrPC Section 144 cannot be used indefinitely to suppress freedom of speech and expression and difference of opinion.
"I want to ask the prime minister that why do you have so much affection with foreigners and why not with the people of India. At least, you should be more transparent and open with the people of India," Sibal told a press conference.
"Why don't you allow us to visit Jammu and Kashmir? Why you do not have faith in us or the people of India? If people from outside India have the right to visit Jammu and Kashmir, why not us? Do you consider us as perpetrators of violence?" he asked.
Sibal also sought to know from Home Minister Amit Shah as to what was the emergency on August 4, 2019, that Internet service suspended was from August 5 "without any reason".
In a significant judgment with implications on basic freedoms beyond Kashmir, the Supreme Court on Friday said internet access is a fundamental right under Article 19 of the Constitution and asked the Jammu and Kashmir administration to review within a week all curbs in the union territory. -- PTI
20:01 Hope both 'Chhapaak' and 'Tanhaji' do well: Ajay Devgn
Bollywood star Ajay Devgn on Friday said that he wants Deepika Padukone's Chhapaak and his own film Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior to do well commercially.
Both the films released on Friday and are locked in a battle for box office dominance.
Ajay's Tanhaji is based on the life of Tanhaji Malusare, the military leader of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's army.
While Deepika's Chhapaak, directed by Meghna Gulzar, presents the story of acid attack survivor and activist Laxmi Agarwal.
Deepika's film, however, has been facing the wrath of certain section of people after she visited Jawaharlal Nehru University to express solidarity with the students, who were attacked by a mob on January 5.
Soon after her visit, hashtag #boycottchhapaak started trending on Twitter and several people asked the audience to watch "Tanhaji".
When asked about the Twitter war between both the films, Ajay said, "Who is doing the war? I don't think there is any war. People put their opinion and we should not take it seriously. Both films have good subjects and I hope both the films do well."
The actor was talking on the sidelines of a special screening of Tanhajifor school children.
Ajay's co-actor Sharad Kelkar, who played the role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, accompanied him at the event.
"I am very happy with the response. Media has seen it and they have loved it, hopefully, everyone will love it," Ajay said.
"Apart from this (technology), this kind of story, on this scale and technology has not been made, the emotion, the drama, the action has worked as per the media," he added. -- PTI
19:41 PSA against 26 people in JK revoked
The Jammu and Kashmir home department has revoked the stringent Public Safety Act against 26 people who are lodged in various jails in the newly-carved out union territory, officials said on Friday.
This is seen as an attempt by the union territory administration to ease the situation in the region.
These people were picked up and booked under the PSA after the Centre's decision on August 5 last year to revoke special status of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcate it into two union territories. -- PTI
19:06 Left design in JNU unmasked: Smriti Irani
Union minister Smriti Irani on Friday cited the information shared by Delhi Police on Jawaharlal Nehru University violence to say that the 'Left design' in the varsity has been 'unmasked' and accused it of turning the campus into a political battleground.
'Left design in JNU unmasked. They led mobs of mayhem, destroyed public property paid for by taxpayers, disallowed new students from being enrolled, used the campus as a political battleground. #LeftBehindJNUViolence becomes public knowledge as Delhi Police releases evidence,' the former Human Resource Development minister said in a tweet. -- PTI
18:07 JNU V-C says classes will start from Monday
Jawaharlal Nehru University vice chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar on Friday met Human Resource Development Secretary Amit Khare and said the varsity administration was implementing the 'record of discussions' with the ministry issued on December 11 and the classes will start from January 13.
'The JNU administration is implementing the record of discussions with MHRD issued on December 11. The administration is making every effort to make sure that students and teachers have conducive environment to pursue their academic activities,' Kumar said in a statement.
The vice chancellor said he also informed that the JNU has written to University Grants Commission that it should meet utility and service charges concerning the fee hike.
"In meeting with deans and chairpersons, it was decided that classes would start from January 13. MHRD was informed that if required, registration date for winter semester would further be extended," he said.
Khare had on Thursday met a delegation of JNU comprising members of the students' union (JNUSU) led by president Aishe Ghosh and teachers association (JNUTA) led by Prof D K Lobiyal besides faculty members.
On January 5 more than 30 students of the university, including JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh, were injured and taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre after a masked mob entered the varsity and attacked them and teachers with sticks and rods. -- ANI
17:18 Did not carry out any assault: Aishe Ghosh reacts
JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh on JNU probe and the meeting with HRD secretary Amit Khare: "They have assured us that they will have positive intervention in the matter and will release a circular on the issue soon."
-- On the Delhi police naming her for the attack at a JNU hostel: "Delhi Police can do their inquiry. I also have evidence to show how I was attacked. Biased information by the police. I don't fear anything, haven't done anything wrong. I have not carried out any assault."
-- We demanded that JNU VC should be removed from his post immediately as he is not able to run the university. We need a VC that can help in a fresh beginning and can help in bringing normalcy at the campus. VC acting like ABVP president.
17:10 Cops name Aishe Ghosh for attack on JNU hostel
Delhi Police PRO, MS Randhawa and Dr Joy Tirkey, DCP/Crime hold a joint presser on the violence in JNU before Sunday evening. This is not a presser of the JNU violence on Sunday, January 5. The police identified a few students, included JNUSU Aishe Ghosh, as one of many who vandalised the JNU server room.
Those identified include- Chunchun Kumar, Pankaj Mishra, Aishe Ghosh (JNUSU President elect), Waskar Vijay, Sucheta Talukraj, Priya Ranjan, Dolan Sawant, Yogendra Bhardwaj, Vikas Patel.
Delhi Police releases photograph of JNU campus attackers, including JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh. The police said on January 5, several people including JNUSU President Aishe Ghosh attacked students at Periyar hostel, targetting specific rooms.
Randhawa said that the investigation regarding the criminal cases filed in connection with the violence in JNU is being done by Crime Branch. "But it has been observed that a lot of misinformation related to these cases is being circulated," he said.
Dr Joy Tirkey, DCP/Crime, Delhi Police said three cases have been registered till now, and they are being investigated.
The Delhi Police releases images of the suspects on the basis of videos that went viral during the incident.
"No suspect has been detained till now, but we will begin to interrogate the suspects soon. A large majority of students want to register but the mentioned groups and their sympathizers are not allowing students to do the same.," Dr Tirkey added.
The police said that the JNU administration has decided to go for online registration of students from Jan 1-5. JNU Students' Union including Students Front of India, All India Students Federation, All India Students Association and Democratic Students Federation were against it, the police said.
"A large majority of students want to register but the mentioned groups and their sympathizers are not allowing students to do the same," the police said, beginning the conference with a backgrounder.
Details awaited.
16:32 Ex-ICICI chief Chanda Kochhar's assets attached
Enforcement Directorate has attached properties of former MD and CEO of ICICI Bank Chanda Kochhar and her family. Total assets worth Rs 78 crore (book value) have been attached. This includes her flat in Mumbai and some properties of the company of his husband.
The Enforcement Directorate made a provisional attachment of her assets and properties and her husband, Deepak Kochhar, in connection with the Videocon loan case.
The assets include her plush South Mumbai apartment, besides certain shares, investments and offices of Deepak Kochhar's companies including Nupower Renewables.
16:26 BJP throws 'visit Kota' challenge at Priyanka
Hitting out at Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra over her multiple visits to Uttar Pradesh to meet those injured in anti-CAA protests, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said on Friday that she understands pain "selectively".
The national spokesperson of the BJP also sought to know when will Priyanka Gandhi visit Kota in Congress-ruled Rajasthan where 100 infants died in a hospital in December alone. Claiming that Priyanka Gandhi has announced that if the Congress comes to power, it will declare all those against whom police have taken action as "martyrs", Patra asked, "The Congress called (then) Army Chief Vipin Rawat a street goon and those involved in arson 'martyrs'. Is this the definition of martyrdom for the Congress?" Over the death of infants in a Kota hospital, he said, "I give her Kota challenge and ask her when will she go to Kota where under the nose of the Congress government so many children have died. She herself is a mother, she should realise the pain of other mothers as well."
"It seems she understands the pain selectively as when she visited AIIMS trauma centre she chose to look away from the injured students who differed from her ideology. This reeks of selectivism," Patra alleged at a press conference at the BJP's party office in Delhi.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been visiting and meeting family members of those who have arrested or died during protests in Uttar Pradesh against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
Taking on other opposition parties as well on the amended citizenship law issue, Patra said a competition is on between them for politics of appeasement and to disturb the atmosphere of the country.
"A T-20 cricket match is on between various opposition parties for the politics of appeasement," he said. "Now, TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said that she will not attend the opposition meeting on January 13, changing her stand as she's disappointed by the nasty politics of the Congress and CPI(M) and blamed them for arson and violence in her state," Parta said. -- PTI
16:18 Most political leaders in J&K free: Ram Madhav
Majority of political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir detained following the abrogation of Article 370 have been set free now and the remaining about 20 -25 would "hopefully' be released in the next few weeks, BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav said on Friday.
"Majority of the leaders are free now. About 20-25 of them are still in detention. I am hopeful that they will be set free by the end of this month or maybe next few weeks," he said on the sidelines of an event in Hyderabad.
He was asked when the detained political leaders would be allowed to participate in normal activities. The curbs on internet are being "progressively" removed and the services would be fully restored in the entire Union Territory 'very soon,' he said.
"Mobile services are fully operational now, including messaging service and I am sure very soon the internet services will also be fully restored in the entire Union Territory," Madhav said. On the visit of foreign envoys, the BJP leader said it was an important event to tell the entire world about the true situation in the valley.
15:32 It's your country, don't burn it: Naidu
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said on Friday that peace is necessary for progress as it has been proven that violence has not solved any issues. He also disapproved of arson and damage to property and vehicles saying that if someone wants to oppose any measure, then they should "burn the idea" behind that instead of engaging in physical violence.
Naidu's statements come in the wake of violent protests in the country against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). He was speaking at the inauguration of the 100th 'All India Oriental Conference' being hosted by Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University in Nagpur.
"We have to see to it that we as a nation develop positive attitude, leave negativism, stop affliction, destruction and move towards construction...that should be the attitude of everybody," he said.
"After all it is your own country. Burning a bus, burning a train and burning vehicles...you will have to burn the idea not the physical things. And violence cannot bring any solution, it has been proven," he said.
"Peace is very much required for progress and if we have tension then you cannot pay attention. So we must all come together to create a peaceful co-existence, peaceful country and peaceful world so that the entire humanity can live happily, not only with prosperity," Naidu added.
"Prosperity alone will not give happiness as you require something more for happiness. That is there in our Indian tradition and you should see to it that this tradition reaches the new generation," he said.
15:28 Tiranga Rally against CAA taken out in Hyderabad
"Tiranga Rally," an anti-CAA protest led by AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, was taken out here on Friday with thousands of people marching with the national flag.
Shops and establishments near Charminar downed shutters in support of the rally organised by the United Muslim Action Committee, comprising various Muslim groups. The rally which would cover a distance of about three km from Mir Alam Eidgah to Shastripuram began around 1 pm.
"Nahi Chalega Nahi Chalega CAA Nahi Chalega. Hindustan Zindabad," protesters chanted slogans holding placards. The city police made elaborate arrangements and also regulated traffic in the old city. Asaduddin Owaisi had earlier appealed to the public to participate in the rally to vent their opposition on CAA and NRC. -- PTI
15:09 Lucknow witnesses sudden surge in demand of birth certificates
While citizens in several parts of the country are still expressing their dissent over the implementation of Citizenship Amendment Act and National Register of Citizens, Uttar Pradesh's capital city Lucknow has witnessed a sudden surge in the demand of birth certificates in December last year.
In the month of December, 6,193 applications for birth certificates were received by five tehsils as well as Municipal Corporation.
In the city, people aged between 40-60 years are seeking birth certificates for themselves and their children.
"There is a sudden rise in the number of people seeking birth certificates. It is a regular procedure and there is no need to link it with the CAA and NRC. We have arranged facilities in eight zones to ease the process. Elderly people are also applying for a birth certificate. It is a constitutional right for people to get their birth certificates," Amit Kumar, Aditional Municipal Commissioner, told ANI.
"There is no load on us, the online process is very easy. Within 24 hours we are providing a birth certificate if all documents submitted by an applicant are valid," he said.
The applicants, who have applied for birth certificates, gave mixed responses.
While some said the increase in demand for birth certificates is due to NRC and CAA, others called it is a regular process.
"I came here to get a birth certificate for my child for her admission school. It is easily available. These are just rumours that this is because of the CAA and NRC. We have required documents so we are applying for a birth certificate. The opposition has made it an issue," a local said.
Abdul Qadir Khan, another local, said, "I came here to get a birth certificate for my daughter. The officers here are supporting us. This is true that people are seeking birth certificates amid the row over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. People are now more aware of the need for documents. This is good as everyone should have official documents required to claim citizenship of this country," Abdul Azim, resident of Lucknow, said. -- ANI
15:02 You are the most incredible man I know: Sussanne to Hrithik on his birthday
As Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan turned 46 on Friday, his ex-wife Sussanne Khan took to Instagram to wish the actor and said that he is the most incredible man she knows.
Khan in her Instagram post shared a series of videos and pictures of Hrithik with his sons Hridhaan Roshan and Hrehaan Roshan.
"Happiest Happiest Birthday Rye... you are the most incredible Man I know," Khan captioned the post.
Earlier in the day, Hrithik's father and film producer Rakesh Roshan also took to Twitter to wish the actor.
"Happy Birthday Duggu my Sun keep shinning aur apni roshni se sare jahan ko roshan kardo.@iHrithik," read Rakesh Roshan's tweet.
Besides the family of the actor, actor Preity Zinta also took to Instagram to wish him.Roshan's 'Lakshya' co-star Preity Zinta shared a picture of herself with the actor where she was seen kissing the actor on the cheek.
"Happy birthday to the super talented, super hot, super fit & super sharp @hrithikroshan Love you loads today & always," Zinta captioned the post.
On the work front, the 46-year-old was last seen in director Siddharth Anand's 'War' along with Tiger Shroff. The film emerged out as the top grosser of 2019 as it minted over 300 crores across India. -- ANI
Image: The Roshans in 2013.
14:46 BJP intimidated by films on social issues: Sisodia
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia hit out at the BJP for being "easily intimidated by" and "fearing" certain films that invoke a sense of social responsibility among people. In response to a question on a BJP leader's call to boycott the Deepika Padukone-starrer 'Chhapaak', Sisodia said it is very disgraceful to see people "getting intimidated" by films based on social issues.
"How can they be scared of a movie which is based on an acid attack victim?" he asked. "What kind of a political party is (BJP) if it is easily intimidated by and fears certain films that invoke a sense of social responsibilities among people and other important issues such as education," he said. -- PTI
Image: Deepika Padukone prays at Mumbai's Siddhi Vinayak temple as her film, Chhapaak gets released today.
14:10 Delhi police presser on JNU violence
Delhi Police to address an important press conference at 4 pm today on the January 5 JNU violence.
13:57 Salman's next is: Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali
So, there you have it, Salman Khan announces his next. The all caps text is his tweet: "Announcing my next film... KABHI EID KABHI DIWALI .... STORY & PRODUCED BY SAJID NADIADWALA ... DIRECTED by FARHAD SAMJI... EID 2021 ..."
The 54-year-old actor took to Twitter to announce the movie which will be written and produced by filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala. "Housefull 4" helmer Farhad Samjhi will be directing the film.
The actor, whose last release "Dabangg 3" performed moderately at the box office, will next be seen in Prabhudheva's "Radhe". The film will hit the theatres on Eid this year.
File pic from his film, Sultan.
13:52 It's a Bengal weekend for PM tomorrow
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in the West Bengal capital on Saturday and Sunday to participate in sesquicentenary celebrations of the Kolkata Port Trust and dedication of heritage buildings to the nation.
On Saturday, the prime minister will dedicate to the nation four refurbished heritage buildings in Kolkata to the nation, a statement from the Prime Minister's Office said. These are the Old Currency Building, the Belvedere House, the Metcalfe House and the Victoria Memorial Hall. The Culture Ministry has renovated these iconic galleries and refurbished them with new exhibitions, while curating the old galleries.
The ministry is developing cultural spaces around iconic buildings in various metro cities in the country. To begin with, Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Varanasi are being taken up under the project. Modi will also participate in the sesquicentenary celebrations of the Kolkata Port Trust on Saturday and Sunday.
He will be handing over a cheque of Rs 501 crore towards the final instalment to meet the deficit of pension fund of retired and existing employees of the Kolkata Port Trust, the statement said.
The prime minister will also be felicitating two oldest pensioners of the Kolkata Port Trust -- Nagina Bhagat, 105, and Naresh Chandra Chakraborty, 100. He will also launch the Port anthem during the event. Besides, he will unveil a plaque of 150 years of commemorative installation at the site of original Port jetties.
The prime minister will also inaugurate the upgraded ship repair faciility of Cochin Kolkata Ship Repair Unit at Netaji Subhas Dry Dock. He will inaugurate the full rake handling facility while dedicating the upgraded railway infrastructure of Kolkata Dock System of KoPT for smooth cargo movement and improving turnaround time. -- PTI
Image: PM Modi during a visit to West Bengal in May last year ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
13:24 Situation in JNU normal: VC
Jawaharlal Nehru University VC M Jagadesh Kumar: "The situation in the university is peaceful and normal. University will continue to function and conduct academic activities. We would like to help every student to continue their academic goals."
13:07 3 JNU profs move HC to preserve CCTV footage
Three professors of JNU Friday approached the Delhi High Court seeking directions to preserve data, CCTV footage and other evidence relating to the January 5 violence at the varsity campus.
The petition also sought directions for preservation and retrieval of all material/evidences available with WhatsApp Inc, Google Inc and Apple Inc pertaining to relevant data of WhatsApp groups 'Unity Against Left' and 'Friends of RSS' including messages, pictures, videos and phone numbers of the members, in connection with the violence at JNU.
The petition was filed by JNU professors Ameet Parameswaran, Atul Sood and Shukla Vinayak Sawant seeking necessary directions to the Delhi Police Commissioner and Delhi government. The petition also sought a direction to the Delhi Police to retrieve all CCTV footage of JNU campus.
Image: The Sabarmati hostel inside the JNU campus was ransacked on Sunday.
12:49 Never been intimidated by authority: Kangana
Actor Kangana Ranaut who never shies away from taking on people said on Friday that she has a natural instinct to challenge the authority of powerful people.
"I have never been intimidated by any powerful person and authority. I have a natural instinct to challenge authority and to test them, and it's very natural. Authority asks you for a certain submission, certain surrender. For that, it's very important to test the authority," said Ranaut.
Terming herself as a dominating person, the actor said, "To be honest, I think I am a dominating person by nature, but I am also very devotional.
So, if I find somebody who is worthy of the position they are taking, I am the first one to surrender. But, I do test them. They may be powerful for others, I find them truly powerless," the actor added.
She made the remarks at an event called 'Think Edu 2020' hosted by the New Indian Express.
On the work front, the actor will next be seen in Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari's 'Panga' where she is playing the role of Kabaddi player Jaya Nigam. Besides Ranaut, actors Richa Chadda, Jassi Gill and Neena Gupta will be seen as playing pivotal roles in the film.'Panga' is set to hit the big screens on January 24, 2020. -- ANI
12:21 Day 28@Shaheen Bagh: No bar on protests, says SC
The Delhi High Court on Friday refused to entertain a plea seeking directions for removal of demonstrators protesting the CAA at Shaheen Bagh here in order to clear road blockages that are causing traffic congestions at the DND route.
The application, in the form of a handwritten letter, was mentioned before a bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar which declined to give any relief. The letter, written by Tushar Sehdev and Raman Kalra, said the route from Delhi to UP, Delhi to Uttarakhand, Delhi to Noida hospitals, Ashram and Badarpur is unavailable due to this protest as the roads around Shaheen Bagh are blocked and vehicles are being diverted to the DND flyway.
Lakhs of people are suffering because of the road closure and it is also an issue for people facing emergencies, the letter said.
The protest, that began on December 14, 2019 and entered its 27th day on Thursday, is affecting several lakh vehicles which are forced to avoid the route, the plea said. It claimed that protestors have put barricades and heavy stones on the sides of the roads and are not allowing even pedestrians to pass.
The protesters have also damaged road dividers and other public properties installed on the roads which is also causing loss to the government exchequer, it said. The plea sought that these protests should be done at authorised protesting areas without damaging any properties and urged the court to pass directions for removal of the road blockage and make the passage clear for public. -- PTI
12:02 Priyanka in Varanasi to meet activists held during CAA protests
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency on Friday and will be meeting activists held during protests against the amended Citizenship Act and NRC.
During her about four-hour visit, Priyanka will be meeting anti-CAA protests, social activists and those held "illegally and lodged in jail by the Yogi Adityanath government," a Congress statement said.
Among those, Priyanka will be meeting activist couple Ekta Shekar Singh and her husband Ravi Shekhar, Dalit worker Anup Shramik, BHU student Deepak and others. She will meet also meet BHU students and representatives of civil society before leaving for Jaipur at 2 pm. -- PTI
11:49 3 more complaints in JNU violence, total 14
The Delhi Police has received three more complaints in connection with last week's violence on the JNU campus, officials said on Friday.
A total of 14 complaints have been received so far in connection with the January 5 incident when masked men barged into the varsity premises and thrashed students and teachers, a senior police officer said.
All these 14 complaints are being investigated by the Crime Branch which is probing Sunday's violence on campus, he said.
Earlier, police had received 11 complaints in connection with the violence. Out of these, one complaint was lodged by a teacher while the others were lodged by the students. "So far, we have received 14 complaints and others, if received, will be forwarded to the Crime Branch for investigation," the officer said. -- PTI
11:43 JNU VC to meet HRD Secretary today
Jawaharlal Nehru University Vice-Chancellor, Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar will on Friday meet the Ministry of Human Resource Development Secretary Amit Khare. The meeting was supposed to have taken place at 11:30. Fresh update on that as we get it.
Khare had on Thursday said that officials of the ministry will today meet with Kumar and also hold a discussion with students of the varsity in an attempt to resolve outstanding issues.
On Thursday, Khare met with a delegation of JNU comprising members of the students' union led by president Aishe Ghosh and teachers association led by Prof D K Lobiyal and faculty members.
"Whatever has happened in the last few days is extremely sad. Students have a list of grievances. The teachers also have grievances against the administration, we are trying to resolve all of them," he told ANI.
"I have called the Jawaharlal Nehru University VC and team tomorrow morning. I have also offered the students that I will be meeting them again tomorrow regarding their demands. Such incidents should not re-occur," he added.
On January 5, more than 30 students of the university, including JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh, were injured and taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre after a masked mob entered the varsity and attacked them and professors with sticks and rods. - ANI
11:30 J-K DGP reviews law and order in Valley
Jammu and Kashmir DGP Dilbag Singh on Thursday chaired review meetings with all jurisdictional police officers at the districts' headquarters to review the law and order and security situation in the region.
The DGP chaired the meetings during the second day of his visit to Kulgam and Awantipora.
In Kulgam, Singh said that Jammu and Kashmir Police, along with other security agencies, are fighting on multiple fronts including those against drug peddlers and crime.
"People's participation must be increased by interacting with civil society at different levels. Besides measures for maintaining peace and order in coordination with other security agencies, police officers must focus on tackling the crime against women, and weaker sections of the society," he said.
Appreciating the Jammu and Kashmir Police and security forces for neutralising a terrorist in Awantipora, the DGP directed the officers to strengthen the nakas and augment the security grids to enhance the security for the citizens of the Valley.
The DGP stressed for more community-based initiatives and programmes and curbing the menace of drugs.
He directed the police to take strict action against rumour mongers, who are trying to create panic in the Union Territory. -- ANI
File pic
11:21 Markets open in the green
The Indian stock market started in the green on Friday and the BSE Sensex continued with its upward trend. It rose over 207 points or 0.50 per cent at 41,659 at 11 in the morning.
The Nifty too rose 64 points at 12,280 in the two hours of trade today, driven by gains in IT, private banks, auto, healthcare stocks, amid positive domestic and global cues.Bulls regained control amid softening crude oil prices on Thursday following optimism in global markets after US President Donald Trump's comments on the Iran conflict eased worries and improved risk appetite. -- ANI
11:19 Within minutes, mob was at door: Woman evicted after Amit Shah rally
'Badtameez ladki,' 'naak kata di', and 'ghar se baahar niklo' are some of the things Surya Rajappan (27) and her 26-year-old flatmate heard from their landlord and neighbours on Sunday evening when they unfurled an anti-CAA banner from the balcony of their rented house in South East Delhi's Lajpat Nagar -- as Home Minister Amit Shah's rally crossed their lane.
Read the report here.
Image: An anti-CAA rally at August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai last week.
11:09 Deepika prays at Siddhivinayak temple
Deepika Padukone offers prayers at Shree Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai. Her film Chhaapak is releasing today.
11:05 State rivalries shouldn't interfere in defending democracy: Yechury
Local differences and rivalries at the state level should not come in the way of defending democracy, said CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury while taking a dig at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for boycotting an Opposition meeting on the CAA. Banerjee, while speaking in the state Assembly on Thursday, said she will not attend the meeting convened by Congress President Sonia Gandhi here on January 13.
Her decision was in protest against the violence allegedly carried out by the Congress and Left in the state during the nationwide trade union strike on January 8.
"The defence of India's secular democracy in the face of sinister attacks by RSS/BJP is the task of every patriot. No differences or rivalries at local & state levels should come in the way to defend our Constitution. We, in Kerala have shown how this struggle should be conducted," Yechury tweeted late last night.
Yechury also slammed the Bengal government for preventing the passage of an anti-CAA resolution in the assembly. "It is strange that the West Bengal government has rejected a Resolution, suggested by Left parties and Congress in the Business Advisory Committee, against the CAA/NRC/NPR this morning," he said.
Earlier, Banerjee said in the House that since the Assembly had adopted a resolution against a pan-India NRC in September last year, which also denounced according Indian citizenship to people on the basis of religion, there was no need for a fresh resolution. -- PTI
10:56 Review restrictive orders in J-K in a week: SC
Update: Supreme Court while delivering the verdict on petitions on the situation in J&K after abrogation of Article 370 directs the Jammu and Kashmir Govt to review all restrictive orders within a week.
-- The court said that temporary suspension of internet, basic freedoms of citizens should not be arbitrary, open to judicial review.
-- Internet suspension in J&K is to be reviewed. Internet suspension orders can be challenged in a court of law.
-- The state administration is to review all orders, including shutting down the internet.
-- The internet is to be restored for all essential services like e-banking and trade.
-- Repeated imposition of Section 144 is an abuse of power.
10:48 Internet a fundamental right: SC on J-K pleas
The Supreme Court is delivering its verdict on petitions challenging the restrictions imposed in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution in August last year.
The court will decide on petitions including those by Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and Kashmir Times Executive Editor Anuradha Bhasin.
A bench of Justices N V Ramana, R Subhash Reddy and B R Gavai had reserved its judgment in the matter on November 27, 2019.
This is what the apex court is saying:
>> The importance of internet cannot be underestimated and the internet as a tool should be distinguished from the Freedom of Expression through the internet, the apex court said. Internet is a major means of information, therefore the Freedom of Expression through the internet is part of Article 19(1)(a) and restrictions on it should be in accordance with restrictions to this right, the court observed.
>> Justice Ramana began reading out a passage from the classic 'Tale of two cities' before pronouncing the judgment. She also said that the court will not delve into the political intent behind the orders. The bench also observed that liberty and security are always at loggerheads and that it is the court's job to ensure that the citizens are provided their rights.
>> Govt should consider a less intrusive measures unless unavoidable
10:22 Devotees take holy dip, offer prayers at Prayagraj
Hundreds of devotees on Friday offered prayers and took a holy dip at Sangam Ghat in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj on the occasion of Paush Purnima, considered as one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar. Also celebrated as Shankambhari Purnima, Paush Purnima falls on the full moon day of the Paush month of the Hindu calendar. On this day, devotees take a dip or bath in holy rivers, particularly Ganga as it is considered to be 'sacred' as per Hindu tradition. -- ANI
10:17 Cong, SP to screen Chhapaak
Listen up all those who went #boycottchhapaak: The Punjab Government's department of social security and development of women and children will be screening the film for acid attack survivors tomorrow.
The Samajwadi Party on the directive of party president Akhilesh Yadav will organize a screening of the film for its workers. A cinema hall in Lucknow has been booked.
Read the Chhapaak review here.
09:17 SC verdict on curbs imposed in J&K today
The Supreme Court will today deliver its verdict on pleas against restrictions imposed in Kashmir post abrogation of Article 370. A bench of Justice NV Ramana, Justice R Subhash Reddy and Justice BR Gavai had earlier reserved the verdict on November, 27.
The petitions were made by Congress leader, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anuradha Bhasin, Executive Editor of Kashmir Times, among few other interveners .
On November 21, the Centre had justified restrictions imposed in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of provisions of Article 370 and said that due to the preventive steps taken, neither a single life was lost nor a single bullet fired.
The Centre had referred to terror violence in the Kashmir Valley and said that for the past so many years terrorists were being pushed through from across the border, local militants and separatist organisation had held the civilians captive in the region and it would have been "foolish" if the government would not have taken preventive steps to secure the lives of citizens.
However, many skeptics believe that by withdrawing Article 370, the BJP government had fulfilled its longstanding ideological agenda.
09:15 Priyanka to meet BHU students in Varanasi today
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to visit Varanasi on Friday to meet students of Banaras Hindu University and members of civil society.
Priyanka will meet the students of BHU and activists who were arrested during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens in Varanasi.
The Congress leader, who also met the families of those who died during anti-CAA-NRC protests in Uttar Pradesh will arrive at Varanasi airport on Friday at 10 am. She will visit Guleria Kothi, Guleria Ghat and Ram Ghat at 11 am, as per the schedule.
She will meet the BHU students and representatives of civil society at 11:30 am before leaving for Jaipur at 2 pm.
-- ANI
08:50 Canadian PM: Iran missile brought down airliner
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said multiple intelligence sources indicate that Iran shot down a Ukrainian airliner after it took off from Tehran, killing all 176 on board, including 63 Canadians.
Trudeau's comments came as video emerged that appeared to show the moment the airliner was hit.
That and other footage posted on social media increasingly pointed to a catastrophic mistake by Tehran's air defense batteries in bringing down Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 early Wednesday.
The video, which The New York Times said it verified, shows a fast-moving object rising at an angle into the sky before a bright flash is seen, which dims and then continues moving forward. Several seconds later an explosion is heard.
Citing information from allies as well as Canada's own intelligence, Trudeau said the plane appeared to have been hit by an Iranian surface-to-air missile.
"We know this may have been unintentional. Canadians have questions, and they deserve answers," Trudeau told reporters.
He was backed by other Western leaders, including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson who said mounting evidence supported a missile strike, which "may well have been unintentional." US President Donald Trump indicated that Washington officials believed the Kiev-bound Boeing 737 was struck by one or more Iranian missiles before it ditched and exploded outside Tehran.
The US National Transportation Safety Board late Thursday said it had received formal notification of the crash from Iran and would send a representative to join the crash probe.
Iran's foreign ministry earlier invited the US plane maker Boeing to "participate" in the inquiry.
The flight went down in the dark just minutes after takeoff, with no radio message from the pilot to indicate distress, according to the Iranian Civil Aviation Organisation.
It was carrying 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians, 11 Ukrainians, 10 Swedes, four Afghans, three Germans and three Britons.
00:47 I do not endorse violence: Sunny Leone on JNU
Actor Sunny Leone is the latest name from Bollywood to comment in the wake of the recent attack in JNU, saying she is "pro-peace" and believes conflicts can be resolved if people engaged in a conversation.
On Sunday, a mob of masked young people stormed JNU campus in south Delhi and systematically targeted students in three hostels, unleashing mayhem with sticks, stones and iron rods, hitting inmates and breaking windows, furniture and personal belongings.
The actor said she doesn't want to share her opinion on "the actual thing that people are fighting over" but wants to address the issue of violence.
"I think that there are many things that we can do if we put our fist down, if we speak to each other and stop the violence, because violence is something that our children see and learn," Sunny told reporters on Wednesday.
She said violence doesn't exist in isolation and has ripple effects.
"Violence doesn't just affect just one person who is being violated or hurt. It affects the entire family because it also emotionally hurts them, because their child is being hurt, their father, mother, sister are hurt.
"I am pro-peace and I do not endorse violence. I am sure that there's some resolution that will come without violence here," she added. -- PTI
TOP STORIES
© 2024 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances