PTI, DARJEELING, MAY 18, 2024 : The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway will introduce two additional joy ride services to cater to the increased flow of tourists to the hills station. The DHR is already operating eight joy rides on the popular toy train.
Meandering through narrow roads with houses on both sides of the road, the joy ride covers a distance of 16 km from Darjeeling to Ghoom and back and is one of the most sought after tourist activities.
Station Master of Darjeeling Suman Pradhan said tourists were facing difficulty in purchasing tickets from the counter due to the rush.
“There is huge rush and demand for the joy ride. Presently, we are running eight rides. We are booked till May 26. This has resulted in several tourists failing to take the ride. Therefore, we have decided to introduce two more joy rides to cater to the demand,” he said.
Pradhan said the two new joy rides will be on diesel engines and will operate at 11.25 a.m and 1.25 p.m.
“One of the main reasons people come to Darjeeling is to take the joy ride. If we see more demand for the joy ride then we will introduce two more rides,” said Pradhan.
Tourists who were not getting tickets for the joy ride have welcomed the decision of the DHR to press into service additional rides.
“One of the reasons we came to Darjeeling during this time was to beat the excruciating heat back home. We heard that two joy rides were introduced today, and we are happy about it. Being a large group of 13 t5 tourists, we were not getting tickets. We wanted to enjoy the joy ride together and we finally got a chance,” Karthick Ghosh, a tourist from Kolkata, said.
Moumita Ghosh, also from Kolkata, said: “This is the first time I will be taking a ride in the toy train and this was possible only due to the additional two rides being started. Looking at the large crowd here I feel they will have to introduce more joy rides.”
The 16 km joy ride meanders through the roads of Darjeeling passing the shops and houses along the way.
The ride also passes through the Batasia War Memorial where a short break is made with another break made at the Ghoom Railway Station which is the highest railway station in Asia. Visitors can also take a tour of the DHR museum before the return trip back to Darjeeling.
PTI, Kargil, May 18, 2024 : Amid a three-cornered fight in Ladakh, Independent candidate Mohammad Haneefa Jan said his focus remains on the demands such as safeguards under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and statehood raised with the Union government.
Haneefa, who was a National Conference (NC) leader till recently, quit the party along with the entire Kargil unit to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Ladakh. While he belongs to Kargil, INDIA bloc’s Tsering Namgyal and BJP’s Tashi Gyalson are from Leh.
It is believed that being the lone candidate from Kargil gives Haneefa an edge over the other two candidates.
Of the around 1,84,000 voters in Ladakh, Kargil has around 95,000 voters while Leh has around 89,000 voters, according to the local officials. With votes from Leh likely to split between Congress’s Namgyal and BJP’s Tashi Gyalson, Haneefa seems to have an advantage.
Haneefa told PTI that he is getting support from all social and religious groups in Kargil. His team is also campaigning in the Leh district with a four-point demand in focus.
The Ladakh seat was given to the Congress under the seat-sharing arrangement of the INDIA bloc. Namgyal, the leader of opposition in Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council, was announced as their candidate.
The entire unit of the NC in Kargil resigned citing pressure to support the Congress candidate. The local unit of the Congress is also backing Haneefa.
“We were hoping that the Congress will give a chance to a candidate from Kargil this time. We had decided that we will give a candidate from the NC.
“I had already been announced as the candidate. Unfortunately, the decision went in favour of Leh,” Haneefa told PTI in an interview.
He said under the seat-sharing deal of the INDIA bloc, the Ladakh seat was given to the Congress. The NC’s Kargil unit was under pressure to support the Congress candidate.
“We said the whole Kargil is united. The whole NC’s Kargil unit resigned,” he said.
Haneefa said supporting the opposition bloc candidate from Leh could have worked in favour of the BJP.
“It was not possible to support the Leh candidate at the ground level. That would have meant the BJP’s victory or the emergence of some other independent candidate,” he said.
At his rallies in Kargil, ‘ittehad’ or unity is the key word, as all social, political and religious groups are backing him under the banner of Ladakh Democratic Alliance (LDA).
For Haneefa, the focus remains on the four demands being raised by the Ladakhis — safeguards under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, statehood, job reservations and a separate public service commission. Two separate Lok Sabha seats for Kargil and Leh are also on his agenda.
He said the Union Territory status for Ladakh was originally the demand of the people from Leh. The people of Kargil wanted to remain with Jammu and Kashmir. But in today’s scenario, the people of Kargil are also on the same page over the demands.
“This is the first time in history that Kargil and Leh are unitedly fighting over something. We have staged protests in Leh, Kargil, Jammu and at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Unfortunately, in the last five years, the elected MP did not raise the issues of Ladakh.
Haneefa was referring to Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, the outgoing Ladakh MP, who was replaced with Gyalson as the BJP candidate from the constituency in these Lok Sabha elections.
“Maybe he was under some pressure from his party. He became a representative of the party and not of the people of Ladakh. He kept trying to please his party leaders by talking about Kashmir and not about the people of Ladakh,” Haneefa said.
“Had he (Jamyang Tsering Namgyal) been a representative of Ladakh, he would have acted as a bridge between the government and the people. Maybe our message could have reached the leadership,” he said.
Haneefa claimed that despite the regional divide, all communities in Kargil are supporting him. His team is also campaigning in Leh, where the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), a prominent religious body, has said the focus remains on their demands for safeguards and democracy.
“Earlier the divide was on a regional and religious basis. But today, Buddhist, Christians and Sikhs, all are together. We are united over the issue of Ladakh.
“The LBA president also said we will support the candidates who are secular and talk about the interests of Ladakh. That is why we are able to campaign openly in Leh as well. Many Buddhist brothers called me and welcomed that I was fighting elections on the four demands,” he said.
Haneefa stressed that implementation of both statehood and Sixth Schedule are extremely important here in order to protect the local culture, identity, as well as interests of people, specially when it comes to employment.
“Ladakh has a very huge area but a very low population. If a large number of outsiders come here, we will be finished,” he said.
Ladakh, which holds the distinction of being India’s largest constituency in terms of area, will go to polls on May 20. This is the first time Lok Sabha elections are being held here since the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir which paved the way for the creation of Ladakh as a Union Territory but without legislature.
EOI, KOLKATA, MAY 18, 2024 : A mega Assam Rifles Ex- servicemen Rally for ex- servicemen of West Bengal and adjoining States was conducted under the aegis of Headquarters Directorate General Assam Rifles at Kalimpong, on Saturday.
The rally elicited participation by more than 500 Ex-servicemen from all the districts of the state including Gallantry awardees, Veer Naris, widows and their dependents.
The aim of the rally, organised under the theme “Serving Those Who Served Us”, was to connect with the veterans, strengthen bonds with them and also acknowledge their contribution made for the country during the prime of their lives.
Photo Courtesy : Hamro Varta Television
The occasion was graced by Lt Gen P C Nair, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, PhD, DG Assam Rifles as the Chief Guest. Speaking on the occasion, the Director General Assam Riles lauded the contribution of the veterans and the serving soldiers who have contributed immensely to ensure the security and prosperity of the North– East and the country.
The veterans were informed about various beneficiary schemes including the recruitment rallies, sports quota for recruitment in Assam Rifles, reservation in various educational institutes/hostels, Ayushman Bharat and extension of Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) to Assam Rifles veterans.
The Director General also highlighted the concept of an Ex-servicemen (ESM) Cell at every Unit level, adoption of Veer Naris and disabled veterans and outreach programme as part of which the Assam Rifles is reaching out to Veer Naris and veterans pan India.
As part of the event, a felicitation ceremony was organised in which the Director General Assam Rifles felicitated Veer Naris, Gallantry awardees and other Ex-Servicemen. The representatives of Headquarters Directorate General Assam Rifles Shillong also provided a platform for registration of grievances and redressal.
Selected veterans were provided wheel chairs and other assistance devices at the venue. An ex- servicemen grievance cell, eye camp and help desk of SBI was also established as a part of the Ex-servicemen rally to facilitate the veterans.
The event was followed by lunch for all participants. The Ex-servicemen expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Director General Assam Rifles for organising the event.
PTI, Kolkata, May 18, 2024 : Asserting that electors of the country will teach a lesson to the BJP in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday claimed that the term of the saffron party-led NDA government at the Centre will expire soon.
Addressing a rally in Kultali in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district in support of Trinamool Congress candidate from Jaynagar Pratima Mandal, Banerjee blamed the BJP for “making the lives of poor people miserable”.
“A right lesson has to be taught to the BJP which always makes empty promises. The saffron party has stopped making payments to West Bengal under various central schemes like 100-day work and housing programmes,” he said.
Banerjee, also the nephew of Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, said the “central government every year takes away Rs 1.20 lakh crore from West Bengal and the state owes Rs 1.65 lakh crore from the Centre on account of various schemes”.
He also claimed that though the Centre is “not making payments” under various schemes, the West Bengal government is “meeting up all these monetary dues of the poor from its exchequer”.
The TMC has accused the BJP-led NDA government of withholding dues to Bengal under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and Gramin Awas Yojana.
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 aims at enhancing the livelihood security of households in rural areas by providing at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year.
The time has come to secure the basic rights of the people, Banerjee said.
“The state government, through various social welfare schemes like the ‘Laskhmir Bhandar’, is making efforts to financially help the people of West Bengal,” he said.
‘Laskhmir Bhandar’ is a popular welfare scheme of the TMC government, which provides a monthly allowance of Rs 1,000 for general-category women and Rs 1,200 for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe women in the state.
The Trinamool Congress MP also alleged that under the present dispensation at the Centre, the “poor are becoming poorer and the rich getting richer”.
“The term of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre will expire soon, which will be evident once the Lok Sabha election results are out on June 4. The INDIA bloc will form the government and the Trinamool Congress will play a decisive role,” he claimed.
He also accused the saffron camp of orchestrating a conspiracy to defame the women of Sandeshkhali by “paying them to make false rape allegations”.
“Also see, how Tamluk BJP candidate Abhijit Gangopadhay had made obnoxious comments against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The BJP should be thrown away into the Bay of Bengal”, the TMC leader said at the rally.
A purported video in which BJP nominee and former Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay was heard wondering about “the amount at which Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is getting sold,” triggered a row with the TMC labelling it as the saffron party’s guarantee of disrespecting women, while the BJP raised doubts about the clip’s authenticity.
PTI, however, couldn’t verify the authenticity of the video.
Banerjee said that the BJP always delves into “divisive politics” and is “not bothered about social and economic uplift of the poor”.
Later speaking at a roadshow at Diamond Harbour from where he is contesting in the Lok Sabha polls, Banerjee said, “Central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate had tormented my family by summoning in fabricated cases against us”.
Banerjee, who is also the sitting MP from the constituency, said the time has come now to give a reply in a befitting manner.
The Trinamool Congress leader said the “saffron party will have to be immersed democratically so that development of the state continues unabated”.
The BJP seeks votes in the “name religion and always believed in divisive politics”, he alleged.
PTI, Sonipat (Haryana), May 18, 2024 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday kept up the attack on the Congress, saying it should forget the “dream” of bringing back Article 370 as it has been “buried” in the “kabristan (graveyard)”.
Addressing a rally at Gohana, his second of the day in Haryana after one at Ambala, Modi referred to the Lok Sabha polls as a “Kurukshetra (battle)” in which “there is development on one hand and ‘vote jihad’ on the other”.
Striking a chord with the locals, Modi referred to Gohana’s famous “Matu Ram ki jalebi” to target the opposition INDIA bloc, saying it has a formula of having five prime ministers in five years if they come to power. “Ask them is the prime minister’s post our Matu Ram ki jalebi,” he told the crowd.
“In the 2024 ‘kurukshetra’, there is development on one hand and ‘vote jihad’ on the other,” he said. “I want to ask the people of Haryana… who will win?”
He waited for the crowd to respond before saying, “Your reply has decided ‘Phir Ek Baar’,” and the crowd went, “Modi Sarkar.”
Modi said now the Congress is not even hiding its “desh-virodhi agenda (anti-national agenda)”. They are saying openly what Modi did in 10 years they will reverse it if they come to power, he said.
But their “dream” of bringing Article 370 back will never be fulfilled, he added. “They are saying that we will restore Article 370 in Kashmir… This means once again a free run for terrorism and bloodshed in the Valley.”
“From the brave land of Haryana, I want to tell those associated with the Congress that only tricolour will fly in Kashmir now,” he said.
“Forget the dream of bringing back 370 in Kashmir. And if you try to do it ‘lene k dene padd jayenge’ (you will to pay very heavy price),” he said. “Dhara 370 ki deewar hamne kabristan me gaad di hai….We have buried the hurdle of Article 370 in the kabristan (graveyard).”
Earlier at the Ambala poll rally too, Modi attacked the Congress and said it was his “dhakad” (strong) government that removed the Article 370 impedient and as a result, Jammu and Kashmir is now moving on the path of progress.
Back at Gohana in Sonipat, Modi said the Congress is out of power for 10 years and therefore they are jittery. They are remembering their old days when the “shahi parivar” used to run government with a remote control, he said, adding all government schemes used to be in the name of only one family and there was corruption too.
During the Congress rule, he said, firing at the borders and ceasefire violations used to be in the headlines regularly.
But under his government, he said, the situation has changed even though the enemy is the same. It is not Modi, but the power of a vote of people which changed the situation, he added.
Modi said he gave the soldiers, including the brave soldiers from Haryana, guarding the borders a free hand.
The Congress and INDIA alliance are not able to digest these decisions, Modi said.
“They cannot see this situation of Pakistan. Now people associated with the Congress have become Pakistan’s spokespersons and are saying the neighbouring country has nuclear bomb.”
“Tell me, should India be scared of Pakistan?” he asked the gathering.”Ye Modi ka daur hai, hum ghar mein ghus ke marte hai (This is Modi’s period, we hit the enemy inside its territory).”
He railed against the opposition INDIA bloc, calling it a gang of the corrupt. (Jamaat of ghotalebaaz).” “They want power at any cost. And what is that cost? It is the country’s security, stability and respect. And five prime ministers in five years. This is their formula to run the government,” he said.
“Will the country benefit, if there is new PM each year. What will they do? Will you allow the country to go back to that period of instability.”
Accusing the Congress of appeasement politics, Modi said its manifesto has Muslim League imprint. “It will X-ray your land, jewellery, will get property inquired, where is Mangalsutra, all of this property, which is in excess of your requirement, will be distributed among those who do Vote Jihad,” he said.
“Will you allow your property to be snatched away? Will you allow those who do Vote Jihad have rights on your property.”
He also attacked the Congress by mentioning the 2006 remark then PM Manmohan Singh and on the issue of “inheritance tax”.
Accusing the Congress of backstabbing Babasaheb B R Ambedkar and shredding the Constitution, Modi said the party wants to give reservation meant for SC, ST and OBC to Muslims.
“They have started this in Karnataka. After forming the government, they declared all Muslims as OBC and as a result, they robbed the OBC of their share, looted a big chunk of it while the original OBC were left in the lurch,” said Modi.
He also alleged the Congress created as many obstacles as it could in the Ram Temple construction to make those who do ‘Vote Jihad’ happy. “They have so much hatred towards Lord Ram that they rejected the invitation (for consecration ceremony).”
Whereas Iqbal Ansari, who fought against Ram Mandir in court, attended the ceremony, he said.
Modi alleged “INDI Alliance” leaders openly say Ram Mandir is “useless”. One Congress leader said there was a discussion on how to overturn the court verdict and send Ram Lalla back to the tent, the PM said. “Will you make the poisonous politics of Congress and INDI alliance a success.”
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and the BJP’s Lok Sabha poll candidate from Sonipat Mohan Lal Badoli were also on the stage.
The bench passed the verdict while setting aside a Delhi HC judgment that had taken a contrary view and directed the registration of an FIR against Priti Agarwalla and five others besides the station house officer of Fatehpur Beri police station
R. Balaji, TT, New Delhi, 18.05.24 : The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that a person cannot be prosecuted for alleged offences under the SC, ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act unless casteist remarks were made in “public view” with an intention to humiliate.
The bench of Justices M.M Sundresh and S.V.N. Bhatti passed the verdict while setting aside a Delhi High Court judgment that had taken a contrary view and directed the registration of an FIR against Priti Agarwalla and five others besides the station house officer of Fatehpur Beri police station.
The appellants were represented by senior advocate Sidharth Luthra while complainant Praveen Kumar aka Prashant was represented by Kapil Nath Modi. Besides being an advocate, Modi is the administrator of the Olympic Riding and Equestrian Academy, Eastern Jaunapur, New Delhi (OREA).
Praveen and most of the appellants used to train at the OREA where skirmishes reportedly broke out, resulting in the filing of complaints and counter-complaints.
Modi submitted that the appellants often hurled casteist slurs at Praveen, saying equestrian sports were meant for the rich and not a “Chamar” like him.
However, Luthra said the allegations were fabricated. He maintained that the offence alleged against the appellants was stated under Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of the SC, ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. To constitute an offence under Section 3(1)(r), the complaint must aver that the commission or omission had been made in public view, he said.
He added that the complaint did not satisfy the required ingredients of an offence under the Act.
Agreeing with the arguments, Justice Bhatti said Section 3(1)(r) of the SC, ST Act identifies as an offence an intentional insult or intimidation intended to humiliate a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe in public view.
“The cumulative effect of the structured application to a given situation is that the intentional insult or abuse coupled with the humiliation is made in any place within public view. The expression ‘in any place within public view’ has an important role to play in deciding whether the allegation attracts the ingredients of an offence or not,” Justice Bhatti observed.
“The accusation of intentionally abusing and humiliating Respondent No. 2 (Praveen) spans over a period of two years between 2016 and 2018. The allegation prima facie appears to be an omnibus and ambiguous allegation.”
The bench said the specific allegation in the complaint on Appellant No. 2 is that Appellant No. 2 had called Respondent No. 2 “Chuda” and “Chamar”, among other things.
“The allegation does not refer to the place nor the public view before whom it was made. An important test for ‘in any place within public view’ is within the view of persons other than the complainant,” the apex court noted.
“In this case, we are not examining whether OREA is a private or public place, but to appreciate the alleged offence. We juxtapose the allegation(s) with the requirement of insulting or intimidating in any place within public view is satisfied or not.”
Dibyendu Sinha, MP, 17 May 2024, Jalpaiguri: A woman was caught by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) while attempting to traffic a minor girl to Delhi under the pretense of offering work. The arrested woman, Sita Parikh, 49, was apprehended along with the rescued minor at Jalpaiguri Road Station on Friday.
According to RPF sources, the woman is a resident of the Natar Bari area in Assam. Initial inquiries revealed that the minor was missing for the past three days.
A missing person’s complaint was lodged at the concerned police station in Sonitpur, Assam, by her family. The incident came to light on Friday when an AC coach attendant on the 15658 Down Brahmaputra Mail, travelling from Guwahati to Delhi, grew suspicious upon seeing the minor with the woman in an AC coach.
He then informed the RPF personnel about the situation. RPF Inspector Biplap Dutta of Jalpaiguri Road Station stated: “We initiated a search as soon as we received the information. The minor’s brother had also sought help from the Railways. When the Brahmaputra Mail arrived at Jalpaiguri Road Station, we took Sita Parikh into custody and rescued the girl.
During interrogation, the accounts of the minor and the woman did not match, leading to Sita’s arrest. We have contacted Assam Police and the minor’s family, who are on their way to Jalpaiguri.”
YOWAN MOTHAY, EOI, ALIMPONG, MAY 17, 2024 : The Tibetan community of Kalimpong on Friday evening held a candlelight procession in the city to demand the release of the Panchen Lama by the Chinese authorities.
The Tibean community has accused the Chinese authorities of holding the 11th Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima captive since 1995 in an undisclosed destination. President of Regional Tibetan Human Association Chongdak Bhutia told reporters that the protest was being held every year for the release of the 11th Panchen Lama, held captive.
Bhutia said members of the Tibetan community organized rallies and protests in various parts of India, demanding the release of the Panchen Lama.
The Panchen Lama, the second in hierarchy in the Tibetan Buddhist order, next to the Dalai Lama, had turned 37 years old, he said. “But where is he? What kind of situation is he facing? Nothing is known about him.”
Bhutia demanded that the Indian government should also help in the release of the Panchen Lama
PTI, New Delhi, May 17, 2024 : The Supreme Court on Friday sought the Centre’s stand on a petition challenging the marital rape exception under the new criminal laws.
A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud issued notice on the petition by the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) and said it would be listed for hearing in July along with other petitions seeking to criminalise marital rape.
“It is a constitutional issue. This will be live even after the new code,” the bench, also comprising Justice J B Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra, said.
The top court had on January 16, 2023 sought the Centre’s response on certain petitions assailing the Indian Penal Code (IPC) provision which provides protection to a husband against prosecution for forcible sexual intercourse if the wife is an adult.
Under the exception given in Section 375 of the IPC, sexual intercourse or sexual acts by a man with his wife, the wife not being minor, is not rape.
Even under the new law — Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), exception 2 to section 63 (rape) has clarified that “sexual intercourse or sexual acts by a man with his own wife, the wife not being under eighteen years of age, is not rape”.
The newly enacted laws — the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and the Bharatiya Sakshya Act — that would completely overhaul the criminal justice system will come into effect from July 1.
Besides the exception under the BNS, AIDWA has also challenged in the Supreme Court the constitutionality of section 67 of the BNS, which prescribes imprisonment ranging from two to seven years for married men who rape their separated wives.
The plea, filed through lawyer Ruchira Goel, objected to the provision on the ground that the penalty is lower than the mandatory minimum 10-year sentence otherwise applicable in cases of rape.
It also assailed as unconstitutional section 221 of BNSS, which facilitates a “lenient regime” under section 67 by prohibiting a court from taking cognizance of the offence without “prima facie satisfaction of the facts which constitute the offence upon a complaint… by the wife”.
The petitioner emphasised that the marital rape exception violates Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution as it negates a married women’s consent to sex and perpetuates sexual and gender stereotypes about the subordination of a woman’s individuality.
“The impugned provisions, in pegging the legal status of a woman’s consent to her marital status, are manifestly arbitrary. There is no determining principle to justify the select deprivation of married women of a legal right to complain of the commission of the offence under Section 63 of the BNS by her husband,” the petition said.
It further stated that the protection of the “institution” of marriage as the “objective” to sustain the exception is wholly unjust and unfair.
The petition also stated that the marital rape exception is against Article 19(1)(a) and Article 21 of the Constitution because it takes away a married women’s rights to bodily integrity, decisional autonomy, and dignity.
“Given that this Hon’ble Court is seized of the matter insofar as it concerns the pari materia (in similar matter or when two provisions of two different statutes deal with the same subject) provisions of the BNS and BNSS as they were contained in the IPC and CrPC, it is prayed that this Hon’ble Court hear the instant case, which challenges provisions of the BNS and BNSS that constitute and secure the MRE (marital rape exception), respectively,” the plea said.
One of pending pleas in the Supreme Court has been filed in relation to the Delhi High Court’s split verdict of May 11, 2022 on the issue. This appeal has been filed by a woman, one of the petitioners before the Delhi High Court.
However, two HC judges — Justice Rajiv Shakdher and Justice C Hari Shankar — had concurred on granting a certificate of leave to appeal in the Supreme Court as the matter involved substantial questions of law which required a decision from the top court.
AIDWA was also one of the petitioners before the high court.
While Justice Shakdher, who headed the division bench, favoured striking down the marital rape exception for being “unconstitutional” and said it would be “tragic if a married woman’s call for justice is not heard even after 162 years” since the enactment of the IPC, Justice Shankar said the exception under the rape law is not “unconstitutional and was based on an intelligible differentia”.
Another plea has been filed by a man against the Karnataka High Court verdict which had paved the way for his prosecution for allegedly raping his wife.
The Karnataka High Court had on March 23, 2022 said exempting a husband from allegation of rape and unnatural sex with his wife runs against Article 14 (equality before law) of the Constitution.
Lokmat Times, Kohima, May 17, 2024 : The Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) on Friday rejected the Nagaland government’s appeal and remained firm on abstaining from participating in the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections, scheduled on June 26.
ENPO Secretary W. Manwang Konyak said that they did not receive any written appeal and only saw in the media that the state government has made an appeal not to boycott the ULB polls.
“We have to go by the decision of our grassroots level people and organisation. We would abstain from participating in the ULB polls,” Konyak told IANS.
After a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, the Nagaland government on Thursday urged the ENPO not to boycott the vital ULB polls.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister K.G. Kenye, who is the Spokesman of the state government said that the government has appealed to ENPO and its constituent bodies to participate in the ULB elections, which are being conducted on the directions of the Supreme Court.
The ULB election is for empowering local self-governance and facilitating development and uplift of the citizens at the grassroots, he said.
Kenye said that after a prolonged battle involving the women’s reservation in the ULBs, the state would be holding the ULB election in the larger interest of the public and their welfare.
He said that ULB elections should not be seen as a means for ENPO to register resentment and protest for their demands on Frontier Nagaland Territory.
Since 2010, the ENPO has been demanding a separate ‘Frontier Nagaland Territory’ or a separate state comprising the six eastern Nagaland districts — Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, and Tuensang and it also boycotted the election to the lone Nagaland Lok Sabha seat on April 19 in support of its demand.
The ENPO Secretary said that they have already informed the State Election Commission (SEC) that the people of the six districts would abstain from voting in the ULB polls, covering three Municipal Councils and 36 Town Councils.
Konyak said that the ENPO had, on March 19, adopted a unanimous resolution that the people of the region would not participate in any central and state elections due to the delay in creating the ‘Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT)’ as offered and assured by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on December 7, 2023.
“Through many letters to MHA and mass rallies, we tried to persuade the Central government to resolve our demand but it turned a deaf ear,” the Naga leader said.
However, the ENPO has clarified that this stance should not be misconstrued as opposition to the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2023 with 33 per cent reservation for women.
Nagaland Chief Minister earlier said that the state government has proposed the constitution of an autonomous body for the development of eastern Nagaland and its people.
The ENPO has been demanding a separate ‘Frontier Nagaland Territory’ comprising six eastern districts inhabited by seven backward tribes — Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Tikhir, Sangtam, and Yimkhiung.
The ENPO and its allies had given a call to boycott the Assembly elections held in February last year but withdrew it later following an assurance from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
PTI | Mumbai | 17-05-2024 : 30 days ahead of UEFA EURO 2024, the biggest football festival of the year, Sony Sports Network has launched its blockbuster campaign “Universe Ka Sabse Bada Football Festival of 2024” featuring their brand ambassador for football, Bollywood sensation Kartik Aaryan. The champion can be seen assuming a dual role in the enthralling campaign film which raises the bar of anticipation for the quadrennial tournament.
The campaign film which is high on visual effects encapsulates the level of enthusiasm of fans for UEFA EURO 2024 and provides a glimpse of what ‘the biggest footballing event of the universe’ will bring to the table. The film is a visual delight on Indian television and features Kartik Aaryan, who for the first time dons the avatar of an alien from the outer space, intrigued by the celebrations on Earth and decides to join the festival of football. The alien finds his identical self in a human form. The duo then joins hands along with thousands of other fans to celebrate their favourite European teams and players participating in the tournament.
A continental spectacle, UEFA EURO 2024 is one of the most eagerly-awaited sporting events of the year. The competition will feature 8 out of the top 10 FIFA-ranked countries including reigning champions Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, England, Netherlands and Croatia vying for the coveted title. Undoubtedly, the best players and coaches, not just in Europe but across the world will be seen in action as international football takes over the mantle from club football for a month. Fan favourites Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Thomas Mueller, Virgil van Dijk, Luka Modric and others will don their national colours, showcase their magic on the pitch and aim for the ultimate prize.
The campaign by Sony Sports Network paves way for an exciting month for football fans as the countdown begins for UEFA EURO 2024. Stay tuned for more on the “Universe Ka Sabse Bada Football Festival of 2024” campaign on Sony Sports Network.
”UEFA EURO is widely celebrated as one of the biggest football tournaments in the world and we are thrilled to collaborate with Kartik Aaryan, our Brand Ambassador for Football on Sony Sports Network, on this extraordinary campaign for this tournament. This kind of a film with a high end scale and special effects for a football tournament has never been seen by Indian audiences with Kartik Aaryan at the helm of it. The film resonates the excitement for the continental spectacle and captures the emotions of the football fans further reaffirming Sony Sports Network’s commitment to bringing the best experience to our viewers.” Kartik Aaryan, Bollywood Superstar & Brand Ambassador for Football on Sony Sports Network: ”It’s a pleasure to be associated with Sony Sports Network for this amazing campaign for the UEFA EURO which is the biggest footballing event of 2024. Being a football fan, this campaign is particularly close to my heart. I really enjoyed playing an alien for the first time in my life and for this spectacular campaign. The countdown begins for UEFA EURO 2024 which is going to be a fantastic experience for all audiences in India.” Sony Sports Network is the official broadcaster for UEFA EURO 2024 in India. Watch the drama unfold from 15th June, LIVE on Sony Sports Ten 2 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 4 SD & HD, Sony Ten 5 SD & HD.
About Culver Max Entertainment Private Limited (formerly known as Sony Pictures Networks India) Sony Pictures Networks India is the consumer-facing identity of Culver Max Entertainment Private Limited, which is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, Japan. The Company has several channels including Sony Entertainment Television (SET and SET HD), one of India’s leading Hindi general entertainment television channels; Sony MAX, India’s premium Hindi movies and special events channel; Sony MAX 2, another Hindi movie channel showcasing great India Cinema; Sony MAX HD, a high definition Hindi movie channel airing premium quality films; Sony WAH, the Hindi movies channel for rural markets; Sony SAB and Sony SAB HD the family-oriented Hindi comedy entertainment channels; Sony PAL, a genre leader in rural Hindi speaking markets (HSM) showcasing the best of Hindi general entertainment and Hindi movies from its content library; Sony PIX and Sony PIX HD, Sony BBC Earth and Sony BBC Earth HD, the premium factual entertainment channels, Sony AATH, the Bangla entertainment channel; Sony YAY!, the kids entertainment channel; Sony Sports Network – Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 1 HD, Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Sports Ten 2 HD, Sony Sports Ten 3, Sony Sports Ten 3 HD; Sony Sports Ten 4, Sony Sports Ten 4 HD; Sony Sports Ten 5; Sony Sports Ten 5 HD; Sony Marathi, the Marathi general entertainment channel; Sony LIV – the digital entertainment VOD platform and Studio NEXT the independent production venture for original content and IPs for TV and digital media. The Company reaches out to over 700 million viewers in India and is available in 167 countries.
The Company is recognised as an employer of choice within and outside the media industry. It is a recipient of several awards, including India’s Best Companies to Work For 2021 by the Great Place to Work® Institute, India, ‘Aon Best Employers India’ awards in recognition of the company’s unique workplace culture and exceptional people practices, consistently ranking amongst India’s Top 10 Companies with Best Health & Wellness Practices by SHRM & CGP Partners and listed by Working Mother & AVTAR as one of the 100 Best Companies for Women in India.
The Company is in its 28th year of operations in India. Besides having overseas subsidiaries, it has a subsidiary MSM-Worldwide Factual Media Private Limited, and an affiliate, Bangla Entertainment Private Limited in India.
PTI, New Delhi/Kolkata, May 17, 2024 : The Election Commission on Friday issued a show-cause notice to former high court judge and BJP Lok Sabha candidate Abhijit Gangopadhyay for his “improper, injudicious and undignified” remarks against Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The comments by Bandopadhyay triggered a war of words in poll-bound West Bengal, with TMC claiming that the comments reflect the “misogynist mindset of the BJP,” and the BJP claiming that his remarks have been “misconstrued by the TMC.”
Gangopadhyay is the fourth politician in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections to have been served a notice for undignified remarks against women.
BJP’s Dilip Ghosh and Congress’s Supriya Shrinate were censured by the EC after being served notices for their remarks against Mamata Banerjee and Kangana Ranaut respectively.
Randeep Surjewala of the Congress was barred from campaigning for 48 hours for his remarks against BJP’s Hema Malini.
The poll panel acted on a complaint by the Trinamool Congress against Gangopadhyay for his remarks against Banerjee while addressing a public meeting held on May 15 in Haldia.
The BJP has fielded Gangopadhyay from Tamluk seat in West Bengal where voting will be held on May 25.
The EC in its notice noted that Gangopadhyay’s comment has been found to be “improper, injudicious, beyond dignity in every sense of the term, in bad taste” and prima facie violative of the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct and its advisory to political parties.
The EC has sought a response by 5 pm of May 20.
The notice reminded the former Calcutta High Court judge about its recent advisory which said that political parties and candidates should refrain from any deeds or actions or utterances that may be construed as being repugnant to the honour and dignity of women.
The Trinamool Congress said it would also take recourse to legal action and claimed that his remarks had crossed all limits of decency.
In a purported video which surfaced on Thursday Gangopadhyay was heard wondering about “the amount at which Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is getting sold,” triggering a row with the TMC labelling it as BJP’s guarantee of disrespecting women, while the saffron party raised doubts about the clip’s authenticity.
PTI, however, couldn’t verify the authenticity of the video.
TMC leader and West Bengal minister Shashi Panja said, “The remarks made by Gangopadhyay smack of his anti-women traits. This shows that the politics of the BJP has reached a nadir”.
“The remarks made by the BJP candidate of Tamluk are sexist in nature and his candidature must be cancelled”, she demanded.
Reacting to EC’s notice, the BJP said Gangopadhyay would reply to the notice but his remarks had been “misconstrued by the TMC.”
“He will give a reply. But the TMC has misconstrued his words. He wanted to point out how Mamata Banerjee is disrespecting women, especially BJP candidate Sandeshkhali Rekha Patra,” BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said.
The BJP on Thursday questioned the authenticity of the video and dubbed it as a “ploy by the TMC to release fake videos” to malign the saffron camp.
While passing the judgment, the apex court also frowned on the alleged practice among some special courts, formed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), of taking accused into custody when they appear in answer to summons
R. Balaji, TT, New Delhi, 17.05.24 : The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that once a special PMLA court takes cognisance of a complaint, the Enforcement Directorate is “powerless” to arrest an accused without the court’s permission.
“Cognisance” refers to a judicial court applying its mind to a complaint filed before it, either by the investigating agency or a private complainant, to examine whether summons or warrants should be issued against an accused.
While passing the judgment, the apex court also frowned on the alleged practice among some special courts, formed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), of taking accused into custody when they appear in answer to summons.
Senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, appearing for a batch of accused persons, and other lawyers had complained that this practice among some special courts was compelling their clients to apply for bail or anticipatory bail under the PMLA’s stringent provisions.
“…Such a practice, if followed by some special courts, is completely illegal. Such a practice may offend the right to liberty guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution of India,” the bench of Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan said.
The apex court rejected the argument of the ED, represented by additional solicitor-general S.V. Raju, that once an accused appears before the special court, they are deemed to be in custody.
“Once cognisance is taken of the offence punishable under Section 4 of the PMLA, the special court is seized of the matter,” Justice Oka, who authored the judgment, said.
“After the cognisance is taken, the ED… (is) powerless to arrest an accused named in the complaint.”
But, while pursuing its investigation into the same case, the ED is free to arrest a person (presumably a new suspect) who has not been shown as an accused in the complaint before the special court, the judgment said.
On the allegation against some of the special courts themselves, the apex court said: “We cannot countenance a situation where… after the filing of the complaint, after he (accused) appears in compliance with the summons, he is taken into custody and forced to apply for bail.”
If the ED wants custody of an accused who has appeared in the special court after being served with summons, it must apply to the special court, the bench said.
After hearing the accused, the special court must pass an order on the application by recording brief reasons.
While hearing such an application, the court may permit custody only if it is satisfied that custodial interrogation at that stage is required, the bench said.
Thousands joined the Ramon Magsaysay Award winner whose life inspired actor Aamir Khan’s character Rancho in Bollywood blockbuster ‘3 Idiots’
Education reformist and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk with actor Prakash Raj during the hunger strike, in Leh, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Sonam was on the hunger strike for the statehood of Ladakh and the protection of the fragile Himalayan ecology.PTI
PTI, Leh, 17.05.24 : In March this year, Leh, known for its breathtaking landscapes and monasteries, made headlines as climate activist Sonam Wangchuk led a 21-day fast in sub-zero temperatures seeking autonomy for Ladakh.
Thousands joined the Ramon Magsaysay Award winner whose life inspired actor Aamir Khan’s character Rancho in Bollywood blockbuster “3 Idiots”.
After ending his fast on March 26, Wangchuk began a sit-in which was called off on May 10 in view of the Lok Sabha elections.
Though the government did not accede to the protesters’ demands for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, Wangchuk says the movement is anything but over.
“On one hand, land is going to corporations and on the other hand, China is capturing our land, thousands of square kilometres of land. People of the country need to understand our pain,” Wangchuk told PTI.
“The Sixth Schedule is required to protect the mountains, glaciers and ecology. Though it is required in the whole country, mountains are ultra-sensitive. The use and throw philosophy of the present times, whether it is a plate or a river or a glacier… we don’t want it for Ladakh or the nation,” he said.
Wangchuk said that locals are concerned that in the absence of safeguards, their lands will be taken over by corporates and outsiders who may not respect the environment in the ecologically sensitive Himalayan region.
“These glaciers are the source of water. This is Dev Bhoomi, you cannot pollute it,” he added.
The Sixth Schedule contains provisions related to the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram through autonomous district councils (ADCs).
The ADCs are granted autonomy on legislative, judicial and administrative matters and can make laws regarding land, forest, water and agriculture, etc.
The climate activist said the inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule will ensure that corporates have to ask the people before doing anything with the mountains and rampant development will be stopped.
Asked how he feels after his fast, Wangchuk said, “Better than before. Fasting never hurts.” After the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, Wangchuk was among those who had welcomed Ladakh getting the status of a Union territory.
However, his view has changed now.
“We supported the abrogation of Article 370 because Ladakh was reduced to being a district of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Ladakh wanted to be a state or Union territory, which could not happen due to Article 370 as the Union government could not do that. So people thought Ladakh would have its own existence now and it was welcomed,” he said.
At the same time, there was concern regarding preservation of the environment and sensitive ecology of Ladakh, Wangchuk said.
“The government came forward and assured that they will protect us under the Sixth Schedule,” he said.
The BJP had also promised safeguards under the Sixth Schedule in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and the 2020 Hill Development Council polls, he said.
“First they went cold on the issue, then they went back on their word, so we had to… (launch) an agitation,” he said.
After almost 10 meetings, the government said “we can’t give anything”, he claimed.
The activist cited the example of a 10 GW solar power project planned for the Pang region of Changthang that will be spread over an area of 20,000 acres.
The land earmarked for the project is pasture land where locals graze their Pashmina goats which produce the most expensive wool in the world, he said.
“Hundreds of square kilometres of pastures — I am talking about an area as big as Delhi — is being given to Solar Energy Corporation of India without discussing with the people,” he claimed.
Suggesting that the Union government is probably under “pressure” from corporate lobbies, he said, “We felt we also need to build pressure so that there is a balance. If a deal has been struck, only a change of government can change things.” “Whether the government changes or the government changes its thoughts, we will continue with our movement so that the deal is cancelled,” he said.
A ‘Pashmina March’ that was announced during the recent protests was later called off.
Wangchuk said the march was called off as their point was proved by the restrictions imposed by the administration against the march and they did not want any clashes with police.
“They imposed so many restrictions, imposed Section 144 (of the Code of Criminal Procedure) and threatened to cut off the internet, so we felt what we wanted to prove was done while we were sitting here. The government does not want us to show the truth to the nation,” he said.
Wangchuk hopes that a new government would fulfil Ladakhis’ demands.
“If a Congress government comes, we have a lot of hope. If the BJP does not change its stand, we will hope that those who are in favour of protecting Ladakh come to power,” he said.
If needed, Wangchuk is ready to keep fighting.
“Ladakh is the crown of India. We do not want to protest again… But if there is a need, we will sit on protest again,” he added.
Ladakh goes to polls in the fifth round of seven-phase Lok Sabha elections on May 20.
MP, 16 May 2024, Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to hold as many as six rallies in East Midnapore and Jangalmahal on May 19-20. These Lok Sabha seats will go to polls in phase VI on May 25.
It was learnt that Modi may attend four rallies each at Purulia, Tamluk, Jhargram and Ghatal or Midnapore on May 20, on the day the fifth phase elections will be conducted.
Elections will be held in Bongaon, Barrackpore, Howrah, Serampore, Hooghly, Uluberia and Arambagh Lok Sabha constituencies on May 20.
Prime Minister Modi is expected to hold two rallies each one at Bankura and Bishnupur on May 19.
On the night of May 19, Modi is expected to stay at Raj Bhawan. PM Modi and the Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee addressed voters of the same districts on May 12 during their respective election campaigns for the same constituencies.
Earlier, both these heavyweight leaders held election rallies on the same day in several places, including Cooch Behar and Burdwan.
PTI, New Delhi, May 16, 2023 : Retiring India football captain Sunil Chhetri’s sheer hard work, passion and professionalism made him different from other players of his generation as he went on to become an iconic player, feels his former skipper Bhaichung Bhutia.
The 39-year-old Chhetri on Thursday announced his decision to retire after the FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait on June 6 in Kolkata, bringing the curtains down on a glorious career that is unparalleled in Indian football for its longevity and consistency.
“The sheer hard work, passion, dedication and true professionalism, his focus and desire to get better everyday is something which makes him different. As a young boy, he was always willing to learn and do everything possible (to excel),” Bhutia told PTI on Thursday, paying glowing tribute to Chhetri.
“Sunil has done a huge service for Indian football and his contribution is immense. It is a big loss for Indian football. He will go down as one of the greatest players India has ever produced.” Bhutia was already Indian football’s poster-boy and captain by the time Chhetri made his debut in 2005. They formed a great strike partner in the six years they played together in the Indian team, mostly under Englishman Bob Houghton. Chhetri later took over the mantle from Bhutia, who retired in 2011. In fact, Chhetri surpassed almost all the records set by Bhutia.
“We had a great understanding as a strike partner and we enjoyed it. I am honoured to have played along with him,” said the 47-year-old legendary player.
“When I came in, (IM) Vijayan was senior to me and when I was about to retire, Sunil came in. I have been fortunate to have been in between two of them.” Chhetri had in the past admitted Bhutia’s influence in his career, especially during his younger days.
Bhutia said Chhetri was different from others and he knew it from the time the youngster first joined the iconic club Mohun Bagan in 2002.
“From the day one he came to Kolkata as a professional, I was there in Mohun Bagan. As we are from the hills, we have always developed a relationship on and off the field,” said the ‘Sikkimese Sniper’.
“He (Sunil) did not lose track and focus. There were a lot of players who were with him and who came to Mohun Bagan at that time but many of them lost way. But Sunil was different.”
Police said that with this, so far five minors have been rescued and 21 accused arrested in the inter-state prostitution racket involving human traffickers from the state and neighbouring Assam.
PTI, Itanagar, 16 May 2024 : The Arunachal Pradesh Police have arrested 21 people, including government officers, for their alleged involvement in an inter-state prostitution racket, and rescued five minors in the age group of 10-15 years, officials said on Wednesday.
The arrested government officers include a deputy superintendent of police and a deputy director of health services, they said.
The minors were being trafficked to the state from Dhemaji in neighbouring Assam by two women (sisters) who run a beauty parlour in Itanagar, Capital Superintendent of Police (SP) Rohit Rajbir Singh said.
Based on inputs that a prostitution ring involving minor girls is active at Chimpu, near here, the capital police team conducted a raid at the alleged brothel cum residence of two women on May 4 and rescued two minor girls.
The minor girls revealed that they had been brought to Itanagar from Dhemaji, by two sisters, the SP said.
After being trafficked to Itanagar they were forced into prostitution by the sisters along with the two other ladies, the SP said.
The child welfare committee (CWC) was informed and based-on the complaint of the minor girls, a case was registered at the Itanagar women police station and an investigation was initiated.
Consequently, it was learned that two more minor girls trafficked from Dhemaji were in the custody of a woman and were later rescued.
All the women were arrested and they are currently in police custody, while the rescued minor girls are at shelter homes where they are receiving further medical and mental health care, he said.
Police during investigation, arrested six more accused persons, including three pimps and three sexual assailants and recovered one more minor girl from a lodge at Zoo Road at Chimpu, near here on May 11 last, the SP said.
The police team also learned that the accused persons have also trafficked one more minor girl, and the said girl is also a victim child sex trafficking ring. Accordingly, a raid was conducted at a hotel following which the accused persons were arrested.
As many as 10 people involved in the prostitution racket have been arrested, while 11 customers, including five government officers, were arrested, Mr Singh added.
Mid Day, Itanagar, 16 May, 2024: As inter-state prostitution racket continues to haunt Arunachal Pradesh, six more accused, including a state police official and three pimps, have been arrested and one more minor girl rescued from the clutches of the traffickers, police said on Wednesday. Police said that with this, so far five minors have been rescued and 21 accused arrested in the inter-state prostitution racket involving human traffickers from the state and neighbouring Assam.
A police official said that after interrogating the earlier 15 detainees, six more persons, including Deputy Superintendent of Police Bulang Marik, posted with the first battalion of Arunachal Armed Police, a police constable, three pimps, and one more were arrested on Tuesday. The fifth minor girl (15 years old) was rescued from a lodge at Zoo Road in Chimpu.
As part of the ongoing probe, the police identified a couple — Dulal Basumatary, 52, and Dipali Basumatary, 44 — who run the City Hotel at Zoo Road in Itanagar, along with its manager Deepak Parajuli, 24, who had pushed minor girls into the flesh trade. The Basumatarys are residents of Udalguri and Parajuli hails from Assam’s Narayanpur.
Police, on May 1, busted the inter-state prostitution and human trafficking racket, rescued four minors, and arrested 15 persons, including six government servants, in connection with the case. According to police, the minor girls, aged 10 to 15 years, were trafficked into Arunachal Pradesh from Dhemaji in neighbouring Assam by two sisters, who allegedly ran a brothel in Itanagar.
The rescued girls told the police that they were brought to Itanagar from Dhemaji by the sisters, identified as Pushpanjali and Purnima Mili. Subsequently, two more minor girls trafficked from Dhemaji were rescued from the clutches of Pushpanjali Mili. The girls were forced into prostitution by the sisters along with two other women. The police also identified two hotels and a beauty parlour involved in the crime.
Arunachal Pradesh Women Commission Chairperson Kenjum Pakam urged the state government to take stern action against those involved in the child trafficking and sexual exploitation racket. The Commission, in a statement, said that it was deeply shocked and anguished by the heinous crime of sex trafficking of minor girls from the neighbouring state. It is also shameful to know that women and learned persons are involved in the case, it said.
It urged the police to keep vigil on hotels, parlours, or any other suspicious places in and around the Itanagar Capital Region so that no immoral activities take place. The Apatani Women Association Ziro (AWAZ) in the Lower Subansiri district has strongly condemned the racket, while the Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Society (APWWS) has demanded the cancellation of the licence of hotels and beauty parlours involved in the case.
In a petition to Itanagar Capital Region Deputy Commissioner Shweta Nagarkoti Mehta, it said that the gravity of the situation necessitates immediate and decisive action to address the root causes and prevent further exploitation of vulnerable girls from poor families. APWWS President Kani Nada Maling said: “The fast action would serve as a deterrent and indicate the zero-tolerance policy of the state government towards such reprehensible practices.” The NGO said that as part of the stringent measures, all the guests must produce valid ID cards, and a daily guest list must be submitted to the local administration and the police for thorough scrutiny and verification.
.png?w=1038&resize=1038,576&ssl=1 "Inter-state prostitution racket busted in Arunachal, five govt officers including a DSP and a Dy director of health among 21 held")
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