Category Archives: National

Crime, National, Northeast

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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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. 
National, Politics, West Bengal

We are and will be part of INDIA bloc at national level, asserts Mamata

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While addressing an election rally at Tamluk, Banerjee said that the TMC is not in alliance with the CPI(M) and the Congress in West Bengal

PTI, Tamluk/ Egra, May 16 2024 : A day after announcing that he would extend outside support to the opposition front INDIA after it comes to power, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said she is very much part of the anti-BJP alliance at the national level and would form the next government with it.
While addressing an election rally at Tamluk, Banerjee said that the TMC is not in alliance with the CPI(M) and the Congress in West Bengal.
“At all India level, some people have misunderstood my statement yesterday. I am very much part of the INDIA alliance. The INDIA alliance was my brainchild. We are together at the national level and will continue to be together. INDIA bloc was brought together by me. We will form a government with that alliance and we are a part of it,” she said.
Banerjee alleged that the West Bengal units of both CPI(M) and Congress, who are part of the INDIA alliance, have joined hands and helped the BJP in the state.
“Do not count on the CPI(M) and the Congress in Bengal. They are not with us, they are with the BJP here. I am talking about that (INDIA bloc) in Delhi,” she said.
The TMC boss urged the people not to vote for anyone other than TMC candidates in Bengal.
Banerjee on Wednesday said her party will extend support to the opposition INDIA bloc from outside to form the government at the Centre.
Expressing scepticism about the BJP’s ambitious target of achieving 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections, she said people will reject them.
“The entire country has understood that the BJP is a party full of thieves. We (TMC) will support the INDIA bloc from outside to form a government at the Centre. We will extend our support so that in Bengal, our mothers and sisters never face a problem… and those who work in the 100 days’ job scheme, also do not face problems,” Banerjee had said.
The TMC had walked out of the INDIA bloc in West Bengal in January but asserted that she would continue to be part of the opposition bloc at the national level.
The TMC supremo was addressing a rally in Tamluk, under which comes the Nandigram assembly constituency from where she had lost to the BJP in the 2021 state polls.
On Thursday, she vowed to avenge the defeat as she asserted that the poll results didn’t reflect the people’s mandate.
“As far as Nandigram is concerned, I have said it before, I was betrayed. There was rigging and votes were looted. The mandate was stolen by the BJP through unscrupulous means. They disconnect the power supply at the counting centre. I had moved court against it. But either today or tomorrow I will avenge my defeat. I will avenge this injustice,” she said.
The anti-land acquisition movement in Nandigram in 2007 against the then Left Front government was instrumental in the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress’ rise to power in 2011 in Bengal.
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari defeated Banerjee by 1,956 votes in Nandigram in the 2021 assembly polls.
Vowing not to allow the implementation of CAA and NRC in the state, she said, “If people do not want divisive CAA-NRC or UCC that will erase our diversity, they must vote against the BJP.”
“The BJP must be voted out of power. When the INDIA government comes to power, we will abolish CAA, NRC, and UCC. The BJP knows that as long as I am here, I will not allow CAA-NRC in Bengal,” she said.
National, Politics

INDIA bloc will disintegrate’khata khat’ after June 4: Modi

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PTI, PRATAPGARH,  MAY  16, 2024 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday said the INDIA bloc wants to make five prime ministers in five years and claimed that it will disintegrate after June 4.


The counting of votes for all the seven phases of polling for the Lok Sabha elections will be undertaken on June 4.

Addressing an election rally in support of Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Sangam Lal Gupta at the Government Inter College Pratapgarh grounds here, Modi said the INDIA bloc wants to replace the stable NDA government and make five prime ministers in five years.

“Many things will happen after June 4. The INDI alliance will disintegrate and they will look for a scapegoat after the defeat.”

Modi took a jibe on Rahul Gandhi’s statement of sending money khata khat, khata khat (quickly) in the account of women after coming to power.

“The Modi government will definitely be formed after June 4 but the INDI alliance will disintegrate khata khat, khata khat,” said the prime minister.

“These people will run away khata khat, khata khat after the elections. Only we will remain. I guarantee that I will work day and night to serve you,” he said.

In an apparent attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, he said, “The shehzade (princes) of Lucknow and Delhi will leave for abroad on summer vacations,” said Modi.

Commenting that running a country is not a play for those born with a golden spoon, Modi said, “They have gone from Amethi and will go even from Rae Bareli.”

The prime minister said, “The entire country is saying that the third term of this government will be more powerful.”

Modi said his every moment and every bit of his body will be in the name of the people.

He attacked the INDIA bloc leaders by saying they had questioned the bravery of the Army.

“What is their agenda? They are saying they will reinstate Article 370 in Kashmir. They will repeal the CAA law made by Modi… These people are appealing for ‘vote jihad’ against Modi,” he said, referring to an SP leader’s remarks.

Without taking names, Modi said a companion of the Congress’ prince remarked that if their government is formed they will send Ram Lalla back to the tent again and will lock him. But these people are forgetting that it is impossible to happen under him and the country will force the people of this mentality to live in tents, he added.

Modi said the SP and Congress leaders will again go to Pakistan with bouquets of flowers and fly pigeons with them and asked the people to be cautious with them.

He said the Congress and INDIA bloc have been out of power for 10 years and their coffers of “black money” have become empty. Their eyes are on the country’s treasury now, he added.

“The prince of the Congress is saying that they will get everyone’s earnings investigated. They will confiscate your money and distribute it among their vote bank,” he said.

Accusing the opposition parties of ruining the country before 2014, he said, “When the country became independent, it was the sixth largest economy in the world. These people caused such destruction that we reached number 11 from the sixth position.”

He claimed, “You gave Modi an opportunity to serve. We worked hard. Today we have brought the country’s economy to number five in the world. If we form the government for the third time, we will make India the third largest economy in the world. This is Modi’s guarantee.”

Enumerating schemes like toilets, housing and Ujjwala, he said the opposition questioned the development done in the country and they asked what was its need.

Modi said for the “princes” of the SP and the Congress, the development seems like children playing “gilli-danda”.

“But these princes born in palaces have neither the habit of doing hard work nor of getting results,” he said.

Modi asked the excited crowd shouting slogans, “Today the world is watching the glory of India. India’s voice is heard in the world. India organises G20 with great success. India leaves the imprint of its tricolour on the Moon. So don’t you feel proud of these successes?”

Appealing for votes for the BJP candidate, he said, “Could you have imagined such success 10 years ago? Was there any such news except the scams worth thousands of crores?”

Polling in Pratapgarh is in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections on May 25.
Health, National, Northeast, Regional, Sikkim, West Bengal

Neonatal mortality rates worsen in multiple states in India, account for nearly 50 per cent of deaths in children

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Findings published in medical journal JAMA Network Open, underline an ‘immediate need’ for health authorities to focus on strategies to improve quality aspects of institutional deliveries
The neonatal intensive care unit of Rural Development Trust Hospital in Bathalapalli, Andhra Pradesh: File picture

G.S. Mudur, TT, New Delhi, 16.05.24 : Neonatal mortality rates have stagnated or worsened in multiple states in India in recent years and account for nearly 50 per cent of deaths in children under five years of age, researchers have said in a study.

Their study has found that nearly 50 per cent of deaths in children under five in India occurred within seven days after the child’s birth, both in 2016 and in 2021, alongside improvements in overall child mortality rates.
The findings, published in the medical journal JAMA Network Open, underline an “immediate need” for health authorities to focus on strategies to improve quality aspects of institutional deliveries, the researchers have said.

India’s proportion of institutional deliveries — births in healthcare facilities — has more than doubled from around 40 per cent in 2005-06 to 83 per cent in 2019-21.

The new study led by S.V. Subramanian, professor of population health at Harvard University, has suggested that reductions in neonatal mortality have not kept pace with the rise in institutional deliveries.

Subramanian and his colleagues used three decades of datasets from the Union health ministry’s National Family Health Surveys — the latest in 2019-21 — to analyse child mortality patterns after seven days, 30 days, a year, and five years of birth.

They classified deaths within seven days as early neonatal mortality, deaths between 8 and 28 days as late neonatal mortality, and deaths between a month and a year as post-neonatal mortality.

India’s overall under-five child mortality has decreased to 42 per 1,000 live births in 2019-21 from 50 per 1,000 in 2015-16 and 75 per 1,000 in 2005-06. And most states have seen decreases in mortality rates across all the child age groups.

But between 2016 and 2021, early neonatal mortality increased in nine states or Union territories, late neonatal mortality either remained stagnant or increased in 13 states, and post neonatal mortality increased in 12 states, their study found.

Early neonatal mortality rose in Haryana, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar and Daman and Diu, late neonatal mortality rose or didn’t improve in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Telangana and Andaman and Nicobar. Post-neonatal mortality rose in Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Telangana, Tripura, Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar and Chandigarh.

“While India has made substantial progress over the years in reducing the risk of mortality among young children, age-specific interventions may be needed to address mortality in different age groups,” Subramanian told The Telegraph. Early neonatal mortality may require improvements in quality of care in healthcare institutions while post-neonatal mortality would need a focus on ensuring vaccination and food.

The researchers’ call for urgent measures to address neonatal mortality comes against a backdrop of long-standing concerns among paediatricians and public health experts about neonatal deaths hampering progress towards infant mortality targets.

India’s National Neonatology Forum had in 2003 highlighted the need for intensified efforts to protect babies during the first four weeks of life as part of efforts to reduce infant mortality rates.

The health ministry has helped establish a network of newborn care facilities, including newborn intensive care units, sick newborn care units, and newborn stabilisation units in public health facilities across the country.
Games & Sports, National, Regional

Stalwart Chhetri announces retirement, World Cup qualifier match in Calcutta on June 6 to be his last game

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Chhetri, who made his debut in 2005, has scored 94 goals for the country. He will leave the scene as India’s all-time top scorer and most-capped player

PTI, New Delhi, 16.05.24 : The iconic Sunil Chhetri on Thursday announced his decision to retire from international football after the FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait on June 6, bringing the curtains down on a career that is unparalleled in Indian football for its longevity and consistency.

The long-serving national team captain announced his decision via a video he posted on his social media accounts.
Chhetri, who made his debut in 2005, has scored 94 goals for the country. He will leave the scene as India’s all-time top scorer and most-capped player.

He is also third in the list of goal scorers among active players behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi and currently sits as the fourth in the all-time list of international goal-scorers as well.

Chhetri, 39, will walk into international sunset after rendering yeoman service for nearly two decades, 19 years to be precise, to a team that was heavily reliant on the 5’7″ forward to deliver the goods every time he wore the blue jersey.

https://assets.telegraphindia.com/telegraph/2024/May/1715837464_chhetri-sunil-2.jpg
“The match Against Kuwait is the last,” Chhetri said while announcing his decision.

Chhetri’s final match will be played at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, and it is appropriate that he will end his journey in a city, where he has played a lot of his football while evolving into a potent striker.

India are currently second in Group A with four points, behind leaders Qatar.

Chhetri had made his 150th national appearance in March and scored on the occasion against Afghanistan in Guwahati. India, though, stunningly lost that game 1-2.

On his international debut against Pakistan way back in 2005, Chhetri, who would go on to become one of the game’s most lethal strikers, scored, and he rated it as his best moment.

“There is one day that I never forget and remember it quite often is the first time I played for my country man, it was unbelievable.

“But the day before, morning of the day, Sukhi sir (Sukhwinder Singh), my first national team coach, in the morning he came to me and he’s like, you’re going to start? I can’t tell you how I was feeling man,” Chhetri recalled.

He added, “I took my jersey, I sprayed some perfume on it, I have no idea why. So that day, everything that happened, once he told me, from breakfast to lunch and to the game and to my first goal in my debut, to conceding late in the 80th minute, that day is probably that I will never forget and is one of the best days of my national team journey.” Speaking on the future of Indian football, Chettri said that it was time for the country to find the next 9. He felt the team is currently handicapped as none of the current lot of players play as the main striker for their respective clubs and sees the massive hole in the current national team.

In recent times, Chhetri said he could sense that he was heading towards the end of his glorious journey.

“You know the feeling that I recollect in the last 19 years is a very nice combination between duty, pressure and immense joy. I never thought individually, these are the many games that I’ve played for the country, this is what I’ve done, good or bad, but now I did it.

“This last one and a half, two months, I did it and it was very strange. I did it because probably I was going towards the decision that this game, this next game is going to be my last.” The moment he had arrived at the decision, memories came flooding back to his mind.

“And the moment I told myself first, that yes, this is the game that is going to be my last, is when I started recollecting everything.

“It was so strange, I started thinking about this game, that game, this coach, that coach, that team, that member, that ground, that away match, this good game, that bad game, all my individual performances, everything came, all the flashes came. So when I did decide that this is it, this is going to be my last game.” His family members reacted differently to his big decision.

“I told my mom, my dad and my wife, my family first, my dad was…he was normal, he was relieved, happy, everything, but my mom and my wife started crying,” he said.

“…they couldn’t express to me as to why they burst into tears. It’s not that I was feeling tired, it’s not that I was feeling this or that, when the instinct came that this should be my last game, then I thought about it a lot.” Among major successes, Chhetri helped India win the Nehru Cup (2007, 2009, 2012) as well as the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship (2011, 2015, 2021).

He also played a part in India’s 2008 AFC Challenge Cup win, which helped them qualify for the first AFC Asian Cup (2011) in 27 years.

The Secunderabad-born footballer, who made his club debut for Mohun Bagan in 2002, went on to play for USA’s Major League Soccer team Kansas City Wizards in 2010 as well as for the reserve team of the Sporting CP in the Portuguese football league back in 2012.

The seven-time AIFF Player of the Year winner has also represented major Indian clubs like East Bengal (2008-2009), Dempo (2009-2010), and Indian Super League sides Mumbai City FC (2015-2016) and Bengaluru FC.

In club football, he has tasted most success at Bengaluru FC, winning major trophies like the I-League (2014 and 2016), ISL (2019), Super Cup (2018). He also led Bengaluru FC to the AFC Cup final in 2016.

Chhetri was felicitated ahead of his 150th outing for the Blue Tigers in the World Cup qualifier against Afghanistan in Guwahati.
National, Politics, West Bengal

BJP fields about 8 turncoats for LS elections in Bengal

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Pradip Chatterjee, MP, 15 May 2024, Kolkata: The BJP has nominated around eight turncoats out of the 42 seats in the ongoing Lok Sabha candidates. Party’s leaders have justified their decisions, citing “winnability and political strategy” as paramount considerations. 

However, the nomination of turncoats has triggered protests and resentment against the BJP in certain regions. 
BJP had earlier also adopted a strategy of favouring turncoats over seasoned leaders in their candidate selections. 
BJP which had no robust organisation base in Bengal has increasingly been embracing the practice of endorsing turncoats, causing dissatisfaction among their loyal supporters. 
BJP MP from Barrackpore, Arjun Singh, who returned to the saffron camp after defecting to the TMC two years ago, was re-nominated from the same seat. 
Tapas Roy, a four-term MLA from TMC, joined the BJP due to disagreements over candidate selection and was nominated from Kolkata North. 
Silbhadra Dutta, a two-term TMC MLA who had switched to the BJP ahead of the 2021 assembly polls, was nominated from the Dum Dum Lok Sabha seat this time. 
Soumendu Adhikari, former TMC leader and chairman of TMC-led Kanthi municipality, is contesting from Kanthi on BJP’s ticket. He had switched sides after his elder brother Suvendu Adhikari joined the BJP. 
From the Howrah Lok Sabha seat, Rathin Chakraborty, a former TMC leader and ex-Mayor of Howrah, who joined the BJP ahead of the 2021 Assembly polls, has been nominated. 
Soumitra Khan is contesting from Bishnupur Lok Sabha seat on BJP’s ticket. Khan had once been associated with Trinamool Congress. 
Nisith Pramanik who had once been a Trinamool Congress leader had switched to the BJP and became an MP from Cooch Behar. He is again contesting from the same seat on BJP’s ticket. 
Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress, in its roster of 42 candidates, has included four turncoats who are either elected representatives from other parties or joined the party in recent years. 
Among the notable turncoats fielded by the TMC are Biswajit Das, Mukutmani Adhikari, and Krishna Kalyani, contesting from Bongaon, Ranaghat and Raiganj Lok Sabha seats respectively. 
Another prominent candidate, Sujata Mondal from Bishnupur, is a former BJP leader and ex-wife of BJP MP Soumitra Khan. Mondal unsuccessfully contested the assembly polls on a TMC ticket in 2021. 
Actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha, who won the Asansol seat in a bypoll on a TMC ticket in 2022, has been renominated from the same seat. 
Sinha, a former Union minister and two-term BJP MP from Patna Sahib, had defected from the BJP to join the Congress ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls before joining the TMC in 2022.

https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/bjp-fields-about-8-turncoats-for-ls-elections-in-bengal-563959
National, Politics, West Bengal

‘Will retrieve Bengal’s dues within 3 months once INDIA bloc forms govt’

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Soumyadip Mullick, MP, 15 May 2024, Kolkata: Campaigning for his party candidates of Arambagh and Barrackpore seats, Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday said as soon as the BJP government at the Centre gets dislodged from power, his party will get back the dues of Rs 1.65 lakh crore owed to Bengal. Banerjee assured the gathering that the exit of the BJP government at the Centre is inevitable. 

He said BJP is anti-poor and anti-people and that is apparent from how the Centre has withheld dues owed to Bengal in relation to 100 days work under MGNREGA and PM Awas Yojana. He urged the people to give a “befitting” reply to the BJP in this Lok Sabha elections. 
Banerjee claimed that following the defeat of the BJP, “TMC will play a decisive role in the formation of a government at the Centre as part of the INDIA bloc”. “As soon as that happens, we will get back the dues for Bengal and will use it rightly for people’s welfare. We will get it back in three months from the time of the formation of the new Central government,” he promised. 
Abhishek also held a contrasting picture where he said that on one hand the BJP-led Centre is depriving people of their rightful dues and on the other TMC is spending on welfare schemes for people in Bengal. 
On the Sandeshkhali issue, he called the BJP “anti-national” and accused the party of allegedly insulting the women by paying them money to level false allegations of rape. He said that by doing this the BJP has also insulted Bengal. 
Banerjee maintained his position on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as he claimed once again that if it is implemented the most affected will be the backward classes. 
He alleged that the BJP wants to change the Constitution to suppress the rights of minorities and backward classes. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/will-retrieve-bengals-dues-within-3months-once-india-bloc-forms-govt-563965
National, Politics

Fight for 6th Schedule key poll plank for Cong’s Ladakh candidate Tsering Namgyal

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PTI, Leh, May 14, 2024 :  Congress candidate in the Ladakh Lok Sabha seat Tsering Namgyal is contesting the election on a four-point agenda for the Union territory, the key among which is the fight for implementation of the 6th Schedule of the Constitution that guarantees land and job for the locals.


The four-point agenda also includes statehood demand, a public service commission for Ladakh and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.

Stressing the INDIA bloc was committed to safeguarding the rights of the people of Ladakh, he said there is discontent among the populace following the failure of talks involving Home Minister Amit Shah and representatives of Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance over the demand for the 6th Schedule of the Constitution.

“The dialogue stopped there and so did our hope… people are now worried and angry,” Namgyal said in an interview with PTI.

The political landscape of Ladakh has been roiled by nearly two months of protests led by activist Sonam Wangchuk, culminating in a 21-day climate fast. Demonstrations, commencing on March 6 and concluding on May 10 to pave the way for parliamentary polls saw a turnout of around 50,000 people, representing a substantial portion of Ladakh’s population.

Ladakh’s transition into a Union Territory following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 has catalysed divergent reactions in the region. While celebrations marked the response in Leh, Kargil witnessed a contrasting sentiment marked by dissatisfaction with the territorial restructuring.

“At that time people danced and sang. Today, people are crying. People had hopes that our youth would get jobs and that ecology would be protected. But at the end of the day people are not happy with this government,” said Namgyal, the leader of the opposition in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council.

The unfulfilled promises of attaining the 6th schedule status pledged by the BJP during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and subsequent hill development council elections have fueled a shift from jubilation to discontent, prompting a wave of protests throughout the region.

“People hoped for a new beginning, but the dialogue did not go the way it should have. The government delayed it first, kept it hanging till the Model Code of Conduct came into place, and at the last moment, our leaders were called for talks,” said Namgyal, the leader of opposition in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council.

Citing unmet expectations regarding job opportunities, land rights and environmental preservation he alleged that there was a lack of transparency in budgetary allocation and a failure to empower the hill councils effectively.

The Congress candidate accused the BJP of fooling the people of Ladakh.

“People of Ladakh are aware… they will not believe the false promises. People will vote in favour of the four-point agenda,” he said.

Namgyal remains optimistic about the prospects of the INDIA bloc and hints at a potential shift in national leadership dynamics.

Poling in Ladakh will be held on May 20. The showdown between Namgyal, BJP’s Tashi Gyalson, and Independent candidate Haji Hanifa Jan can shape the region’s political trajectory significantly.

The BJP had won the Ladakh seat for the first time in 2014, with prominent Buddhist leader Thupstan Chhewang becoming an MP. Chhewang, however, resigned from the post and BJP in 2018, citing disagreements with the party’s leadership. In 2019, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal of the BJP won the seat. 
National, Politics

CAA gets rolling, 1st set of 14people granted citizenship

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PTI, New Delhi, May 15, 2024 :  The first set of citizenship certificates under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act was issued Wednesday here to 14 people, nearly two months after rules under the contentious law were notified to grant Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from three neighbouring countries.

Sources said 14 people were handed over the certificates symbolically at a special function held here while digitally signed certificates are also being sent to a “few hundred” other applicants through email.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah termed it a “historic day”, saying the decades-long wait of those who faced religious persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan is over.

Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla handed over the certificates to the 14 people after their applications were processed online through a designated portal, an official spokesperson said.

This comes in the midst of the general elections which started on April 19. The last phase of polling will be held on June 1 while the counting will take place on June 4.

The CAA was enacted in December 2019 for granting Indian nationality to persecuted Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who came to India on or before December 31, 2014.

After the enactment, the CAA got the president’s assent but the rules under which the Indian citizenship was granted were issued on March 11 after over a delay of four years.

“It is a great feeling to be an Indian. It has given a new life to me,” 24-year-old Bharat Kumar, who had come from Sindh in Pakistan 11 years ago, told PTI minutes after he received the citizenship certificate.

Shah said the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian brothers and sisters who fled religious persecution in the three countries have started getting Indian citizenship and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has fulfilled the promise made at the time of the country’s independence.

“I express my gratitude to Modiji for giving justice and rights to these people who suffered for decades. I also assure all my refugee brothers and sisters that the Modi government will give citizenship to all of them through the CAA,” he said on X in Hindi. “Modi’s guarantee…the guarantee of fulfilling promises.” While granting the citizenship certificates, the home secretary congratulated the 14 applicants and highlighted the salient features of the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024.

Secretary Posts, Director of the Intelligence Bureau, Registrar General of India and senior officers were also present during the interactive session when the certificates were issued.

The CAA rules envisage the manner of application form, procedure for processing applications by the District Level Committee (DLC), scrutiny and grant of citizenship by State Level Empowered Committee (SLEC).

“In pursuance of these rules, applications have been received from persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who have entered into India up to December 31, 2014 on account of persecution on grounds of religion or fear of such persecution,” the spokesperson said.

The DLCs chaired by Senior Superintendents of Post or Superintendents of Post as designated officers, on successful verification of documents, have administered the oath of allegiance to the applicants.

After processing as per rules, the DLCs have forwarded the applications to SLEC headed by Director (Census Operation). Processing of application is completely done through the online portal.

The empowered committee, Delhi, headed by Director (Census Operation), Delhi, after due scrutiny, has decided to grant citizenship to 14 applicants. Accordingly, Director (Census operation) granted certificates to these applicants, the spokesperson said.

The passing of the CAA in 2019 sparked protests in different parts of the country with agitators terming it “discriminatory”. Over a hundred people lost their lives during the anti-CAA protests or police action in various parts of the country.

Shah has been maintaining that no one can stop the implementation of the CAA as it is the law of the land. He accused opposition of misleading the people on the issue. 
National, Politics

Srinagar Lok Sabha elections 2024: Kashmir sees highest turnout since 1996, says EC : Overall: 37.98 per cent

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 Srinagar voted for the first time in the Lok Sabha Elections after the removal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. The parliamentary constituency had recorded a total voter turnout of 14.43 per cent in the 2019 elections.

Ashesh Mallick, Edited By: Ashesh Mallick, India Tv:  In a tectonic shift and noticeable change in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar, which voted for the first time in the Lok Sabha Elections post-Article 370 era on Monday (May 13), the parliamentary constituency has witnessed highest voter turnout of over 37.98 per cent till 11 pm since 1996. It is more than double the turnout of nearly 14.43 per cent in the 2019 elections. It breached the 2014 turnout of 25.86 per cent as well. The polling began at 7 am amid tight security in the fourth phase of polls in which 17.48 lakh voters are eligible to use their franchise in the city.

Polling was incident free without any calls of poll boycott.

According to the latest Election Commission data at 11 pm, the following are voting percentages in the Srinagar city

Central Shalteng – 26.43 per cent

Chadoora – 49.10  per cent

Char-e-Shareef – 56 per cent

Channapora – 22.60  per cent

Eidgah – 26.81 per cent

Ganderbal – 49.48 per cent

Habba Kadal – 14.05 per cent

Hazratbal – 28.28 per cent

Kangan (ST) – 58.80 per cent

Khan Sahib – 50.35 per cent

Khanyar – 24.24 per cent

Lal Chowk – 27.33 per cent

Pampore – 38.01 per cent

Pulwama – 43.39 per cent

Rajpora – 45.79 per cent

Shopian – 47.88 per cent

Tral – 40.29 per cent

Zadibal – 29.41 per cent

Overall: 37.98 per cent


Voting percentages in Srinagar in various general elections before the abrogation of Article 370:

1996: 40.94 per cent

1998: 30.06 per cent

1999: 11.93 per cent

2004: 18.57 per cent

2009: 25.55 per cent

2014: 25.86 per cent

2019: 14.43 per cent

Article 370 was abrogated in Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019, ending the special status given to the erstwhile state, which is now a Union Territory. 

National, Sikkim, Techno/ Science

AI to keep track of vehicles and traffic in Sikkim: New system installed at 16 points in first phase

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 The state transport department made the announcement on Tuesday after running trials of the new system at various places for about a week

Vivek Chhetri, TT, Darjeeling, 15.05.24 : 
A road in Gangtok. Sikkim will introduce an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven traffic management system throughout the state from May 25.

The state transport department made the announcement on Tuesday after running trials of the new system at various places for about a week.

“In this first phase, the system has been installed in 16 points across Sikkim. Depending on the feedback from police, we will install the system at additional places in the second phase,” Raj Yadav, the secretary of the transport department, told The Telegraph.

The system has been set up at four places in Gangtok.

The new system powered by advanced AI algorithms automatically detects the validity of documents like insurance, and fitness pollution and immediately generates e-challans.

“Since the data of all vehicles in the country have been uploaded on NIC (National Informatics Centre), the system on reading the registration number can scan the document details of the vehicle,” said Yadav.

Apart from hauling up document defaulters, the system that encompasses cameras can detect and fine traffic violations such as speeding, jumping signals and improper lane usage among others.

This is the first time that an AI-driven traffic management system has been introduced in the region. Since the start of the trial period, people in Sikkim have been rushing to get their documents, especially pollution certificates, updated.

“There is a huge rush. In fact, we kept our pollution centre in Gangtok open even on Sunday to tackle the rush,” said an employee of the centre.

The new system is also expected to ensure better traffic control in Gangtok, where traffic congestion is the norm, especially during peak tourism seasons.

“For example, if there is no congestion on a particular stretch, the traffic signal would coninue to remain green thus ensuring smooth traffic flow,” said Yadav.

Many traffic signals work on timers which does not necessarily reflect the needs of the road. Traffic signals manned by humans do not have a live update on the overall traffic situation in the area either.

The police said the system would ensure that time was not wasted unlike when physical checking of vehicle documents was done.

“Transparency will also be strengthened,” quipped a driver.

Courtesy & source: The Telegraph
Crime, National, Politics

Supreme Court orders release of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha, declares his arrest ‘invalid’

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 The order was issued by a bench of Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta

PTI, New Delhi, 15.05.24 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday declared as “invalid in the eyes of law” the arrest of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha in a case under the anti-terror law, and directed that he be released from custody.


The apex court observed that a copy of the remand application in the “purported exercise of communication” of grounds of arrest in writing was not provided to Purkayastha or his counsel before the passing of the remand order dated October 4, 2023 which “vitiates” his arrest and subsequent remand.
“As a result, the appellant is entitled to a direction for release from custody by applying the ratio of the judgement rendered by this court in the case of Pankaj Bansal,” a bench of Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta said.


“Accordingly, the arrest of the appellant (Purkayastha) followed by the remand order dated … and so also the impugned order passed by the High Court of Delhi are hereby declared to be invalid in the eyes of law and are quashed and set aside,” it said.

The bench delivered its verdict on Purkayastha’s plea challenging the high court’s October 13 last year order dismissing his plea against arrest and subsequent police remand in the case.

He was arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police on October 3 last year.

While pronouncing the judgement, the apex court said, “Though, we would have been persuaded to direct the release of the appellant without requiring him to furnish bonds of security but since the charge sheet has been filed, we feel it appropriate to direct that the appellant shall be released from custody on furnishing bail bonds to the satisfaction of the trial court.” The bench made it clear that none of the observations made by it shall be treated as a comment on the merits of the case.

After the verdict was pronounced, Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, appearing for the Delhi Police, said since the arrest was declared to be void, it should not preclude the police from exercising the correct powers of arrest.

“We need not observe anything on that,” Justice Gavai said, adding, “Whatever you are permitted in law, you are permitted in law.” The high court had on October 13 last year dismissed the pleas of Purkayastha and NewsClick’s human resources department head Amit Chakravarty against their arrest and subsequent police remand.

Chakravarty had earlier withdrawn from the Supreme Court his petition against his arrest under the anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

A Delhi court had earlier allowed Chakravarty to turn an approver in the case lodged against the news portal under the UAPA over allegations that it received money to spread pro-China propaganda.

According to the FIR, the news portal allegedly received huge amount of funds from China to “disrupt the sovereignty of India” and cause disaffection against the country.

It also alleged that Purkayastha conspired with a group — People’s Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS) — to sabotage the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

On April 30, a Delhi court had taken cognisance of a charge sheet filed against Purkayastha in the case.

The court had in January allowed Chakravarty to turn approver in the case.

The judge had pardoned Chakravarty, who was arrested in the case on October 3, 2023, on his application that claimed he had material information which he was willing to disclose to the Delhi Police, which is investigating the matter.
International, National, Politics

Bank notes showing parts of India as belonging to Nepal are the latest of our problems with Kathmandu, China’s the No. 1 problem

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China’s deadly serious about undermining India’s influence in Nepal, and India needs to come up with a counter strategy hinging on more bilateral trade, investment in infrastructure sectors and building on ‘civilisational ties’

Paran Balakrishnan, TT, 14.05.24 : It was a distinctly unsubtle punch from across the border. Nepal’s new 100-rupee banknotes show parts of India as being Nepalese territory – and it’s gone to unusual lengths to publicise the move. India, uncharacteristically, shrugged off the provocation, with foreign minister S. Jaishankar observing mildly that the Uttarakhand territory marked on the bills is definitely inside India.

The banknote row marks yet one more, albeit minor, skirmish in the battleground between India and Nepal. The strategic buffer state sandwiched between China and India has long resented India as the Big Brother that flexes its muscles too often. Nepal hasn’t forgotten the 2015 blockade at a crucial land crossing with India – New Delhi denied involvement – which came months after two deadly earthquakes when Kathmandu promulgated its new constitution.
But the once minor differences have become exacerbated. That’s partly because Nepal’s other giant neighbour is taking way more interest in the mountainous nation than it used to when Nepal was not only known as landlocked but “India-locked”. Says one former Indian ambassador: “In the old days, the Chinese were mostly worried about Tibetans using Nepal as an escape route to India. Now, they are deadly serious about undermining India’s influence in Nepal.”

There’s an additional factor also at play which has put Nepal in the headlights of big power rivalry. The US has turned its gaze on Nepal, and has become the third player in the 21st-century’s Himalayan Great Game. The Chinese, meanwhile, are liberally splurging money to make headway in Nepal.

Now, also, the Chinese have their dream ruling ticket in Nepal. The incoming prime minister is a pro-China advocate: Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal, best known by his rebel civil war name Prachanda. And his main coalition partner, the Communist Party of Nepal, is headed by former prime minister K. P. Sharma Oli has alway been pro-Beijing. Indeed, in what’s seen as “advantage Beijing,” Nepal’s foreign minister broke with tradition and made his first foreign visit to Beijing rather than New Delhi. “Today, after working with the left forces in Nepal, the Chinese are most satisfied because leftist forces have come together.” says another former diplomat.

At times, the Nepalese moves to annoy India have verged on the farcical – though they’re deadly serious for Hindu believers. Veteran politician Oli, Nepal’s then prime minister, claimed that Ayodhya, where Lord Ram was born, was actually a place called Thori in Nepal. Says Oli firmly: “The place called Thori, near Birgunj is the real Ayodhya, where Lord Ram was born. In India there is a great dispute on Ayodhya. But there’s no dispute in our Ayodhya.”

Oli stirred the pot once again by claiming that yoga originated in Uttarakhand, which he insists was a part of Nepal in ancient times. He also laid claim to Samkhya philosophy, which is said to form the theoretical framework for yoga. “Yoga originated from Uttarakhand and at that time Uttarakhand was not in present-day India.” said Oli, adding for good measure that, “India was not even born as an independent country at that time.” Going one step further, he also claimed that the founder of ayurveda, Charak Rishi, was born in Nepal.

But these are mere pinpricks. There are much bigger battles being fought over Nepal. The biggest battles involve a plan by the US to pour $500 million over the next five years into Nepal for vitally needed infrastructure, under what’s called the Millennium Challenge Corporation. The money will go mainly to boost hydropower generation and build roads. For starters, the US is looking at building a 300-km high voltage power line that will run through almost one-third of the country and have an extension to the Indian border.

Not to be left behind, India’s just signed a deal to buy 10,000MW from Nepal over the next 10 years. For the moment it appears that India has checkmated China – by refusing to buy power from projects built with Chinese money. That’s forced Nepal to hand-over several projects that had originally been given to the Chinese. It’s reckoned that Nepal has the capacity to produce about only 42MW of hydropower from its many fast-flowing Himalayan rivers.

But the Chinese are playing power games of a different kind meddling in Nepal affairs. (It’s believed to have helped engineer the coming to power of the current seven-party coalition and its crucial position in Nepal was visible when the deputy prime minister and foreign minister Narayan Kaji Sreshta made China his first port of call. He spent a full week there and China has managed to persuade Nepal to resume cooperation on Belt & Road projects – a move strongly opposed by India and the US which have warned Kathmandu it could fall prey to a Sri Lanka-style debt trap.

Can Nepal’s fragile democracy bring prosperity to the impoverished country? Nobody’s betting big on it. Nepal’s most recent government is barely 45 days old. (Since the advent of Nepal’s chaotic multi-party democracy in Nepal in 1990, the country has had a string of revolving-door governments).

There’s also still a royalist party and former king Gyanendra’s hoping the political parties mess up so badly, he’s called on to return to the throne. Says a senior Indian diplomat: “Gyanendra is hoping there’ll be this huge nostalgia for the monarchy. It’s more wishful thinking, though certainly pro-monarchy sentiment has grown.”

There’s another new factor in India-Nepal relations. The BJP and RSS have strong links in Nepal, which, while being overwhelmingly Hindu, now is constitutionally a secular republic. The BJP and RSS are eager to promote Nepal as a Hindu Rashtra. Says one former diplomat: “The BJP’s foreign cell and the RSS are supporting a lot of voices in Nepal that want a Hindu state.”

Also, there’s Yogi Adityanath who has always had a deep interest in Nepal though he hasn’t talked much about it after becoming Uttar Pradesh chief minister. His matt in Gorakhpur has always been close to Nepal. Says a diplomat: “His group has a very old connection with the Gurkha kings.”

Can India steer its way through the Nepalese minefield and regain its “special relationship” with Kathmandu? For what it’s worth, we’ve got some friends in Nepal who’ll raise their head above the parapet. On the weekend, Chiranjivi Nepal, an economic advisor to the Nepalese president, quit over the bank notes issue. Nepal, an ex-central bank governor, said it was “inappropriate” to publish notes with the inaccurate map. India and Nepal’s borders are internationally recognised, he pointed out, and clearly different from those shown on the banknote map.

But India has been facing increasing hostility from some Nepalis who object to what they see as New Delhi’s “high-handedness” and meddling. To counter this image, India’s been playing its cards right by keeping a low profile and avoiding interference in Nepal’s internal affairs, trying to lower the pitch in the “Big Brother-Small Brother” relationship, analysts say.

And India faces a stiff challenge from China. “Chinese diplomats are publicly warning Nepal about the ‘dangers’ of close relations with India. They’re openly meddling in Nepal’s internal affairs,” says a former ambassador. While China’s pockets are far deeper than India’s, and it’s been extending its sway in countries that have traditionally been India’s strategic backyard, New Delhi can’t afford to give up. More bilateral trade, investment in important Nepal infrastructure sectors and building on “civilisational ties” are all recipes for India to rebuild ties with Nepal.
Crime, National, Politics, West Bengal

Another sexual misconduct case against Guv: Cops submit report to Nabanna

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MP, 14 May 2024, Kolkata: Kolkata Police has reportedly sent a report to the Nabanna after conducting an enquiry on the allegations of sexual harassment of an Odishi dancer by the West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose. 

Sources said a few months ago a woman who is a professional dancer lodged a complaint against Bose alleging that last year she was sexually harassed by the Bengal Governor in Delhi. 
The woman reportedly claimed that last year she met the Governor who took her to Delhi to perform in a programme. A relative of Bose from Bengaluru had booked a room in a five-star hotel in Delhi for her. 
The complaint alleged that Bose sexually harassed her inside the hotel room. As no case can be registered against the Governor, Kolkata Police has started an enquiry into the matter which was reportedly led by a Deputy Commissioner ranked officer. 
After the enquiry was over, Kolkata Police submitted the report at the Nabanna in a sealed envelope. Kolkata Police presently is also conducting an enquiry based on a complaint of molestation against Bose which was filed by a contractual staff of the Raj Bhavan. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/another-sexual-misconduct-case-against-guv-cops-submit-report-to-nabanna-563777
National, Politics, Regional, West Bengal

Mamata’s offer to cook food for PM Modi stirs controversy

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 She made these remarks during an election rally in Kolkata, amidst the controversy regarding a video of RJD leader, Tejashwi Yadav, consuming fish during Navratri.

PTI, Kolkata, May 14, 2024 :  West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s offer to “cook food” for Prime Minister Narendra Modi elicited mixed responses from different political parties, with the BJP terming it a “political agenda” and the CPI(M) dubbing it as an “understanding” between the TMC and the saffron party.
    
Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his recent allegation that RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav last month had fish during a period when some Hindus abstain from having non-vegetarian food, Banerjee on Monday said she was ready to “cook something for him (Modi)” if he wanted though she was not sure whether he would eat what she cooked.

Banerjee, at an election rally here, had made the remarks while taking a dig at the BJP for allegedly interfering with the food habits of the people and had said she would be happy to cook food for Modi but is not sure “whether the PM will be ready to savour my cooked meal.”

“I have been cooking since my childhood days. People have praised my cooking. But will Modi ji accept my food? Will he trust me? I will cook whatever he loves,” she had said.

The TMC supremo had said, “I love both vegetarian foods like Dhokla and non-veg foods like macher jhol (fish curry). Different communities, and different sects among Hindus have their own unique rituals and eating habits. Who is BJP to impose a diktat on an individual’s dietary habits? It shows the BJP leadership has little idea and concern about the diversity and inclusivity of India and its people.”

Banerjee’s offer to cook for the prime minister, who is a vegetarian, drew sharp reactions from the saffron camp.

“Mamata Banerjee wants to feed Modi ji with fish and rice cooked by her. Good proposal. But before that, why doesn’t she first offer pork chop to her lieutenant Firhad Hakim? It will serve three purposes, secularism will be asserted, it will show charity begins at home and the fritters will also be praised,” former BJP state president and ex-Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy posted on X.

BJP leader Sankudeb Panda claimed Banerjee had deliberately invited Modi knowing well that he is a strict vegetarian.

“This is nothing but her ploy to trap the PM. She knows on the one hand the PM will never eat fish or any non-veg item. If she believes everyone should be allowed to eat what he/she loves to eat, then why is she twisting Modiji’s comments about one’s dietary habits? She is insulting devout Sanatani Hindus” he added.

Reacting to Banerjee’s comments, CPI(M) leader Bikash Bhattacharya said, “Being Dada-Bon (brother and sister), Mamata didi can certainly offer to cook meals for the prime minister, do not know if it is to placate him.”

Bhattacharya was referring to the jibe – “Didibhai-Modibhai” that the Left and the Bengal Congress unit use to refer to the alleged tacit understanding between the BJP and the TMC.

He said such comments in the backdrop of her public posturing against “Modi’s politics and divisive speeches show an apparent contradiction” in what she publicly says and preaches in private.

“Both Mamata Banerjee and Narendra Modi are responsible for bringing the country to such a state. Both are mixing politics with religion,” he added.

The TMC, however, supported the party supremo’s remark and said she spoke about the unique religious, and cultural diversity of India and the theme of “unity in diversity”.

“She spoke rightly and her comment regarding Modi stems from the fact that as Modi has the right to eat what he likes, every other Indian too has the same right,” TMC MP Dola Sen told PTI.

She also criticised the BJP for trying to impose the “Sangh Parivar’s narrative” about their agenda to impose a diktat on diets and other customs on people of this country.
National, Politics

Yet again, PM Modi uses Ram temple issue to attack Cong

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Alleging that the JMM, Congress and INDIA bloc have become the biggest model of corruption, appeasement and dynastic politics, Modi said he has resolved to free India from these vices

PTI, Giridih (Jharkhand), May 14 2024 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday attacked the Congress, accusing it of indulging in “shameful” politics and plotting to send “Ram Lala to tent” again.
Alleging that the JMM, Congress and INDIA bloc have become the biggest model of corruption, appeasement and dynastic politics, Modi said he has resolved to free India from these vices.
Addressing a public meeting at Jharkhand’s Giridih, the prime minister said, “Shameful statements are being issued by Congress leaders over Ram temple. Their leaders are plotting to send Ram Lala to the tent once again, and talk against the Supreme Court judgement.”
The old idol of Ram Lala was kept in a tent-like structure after the Babri Masjid was demolished.
They want to lock the premises again, he claimed and urged people to oust such “corrupt” forces.
Modi said, “Congress forced the nation to Naxalism, whereas BJP contained Naxal violence in the country.”
He also promised that during his third term as the prime minister, he would wipe out “Naxalism and terrorism” from the face of the country.
Modi alleged that the JMM-led ruling alliance in Jharkhand has been patronising infiltrators in the state.
He said his topmost priority would be giving priority to deprived people.
The prime minister also said that the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir is one of the biggest steps in the interest of the nation and he is happy that the people there could celebrate the festival of democracy on Monday after decades.
The Srinagar constituency witnessed voting on Monday in the first Lok Sabha election in the Valley since the scrapping of Article 370.
He said INDIA bloc leaders are “dreaming of digging Modi’s grave”, but he is well protected with “suraksha kavach” of love and affection of people.
“I was not born in a royal family; I was poor. I have lived in poverty and have vowed to free my people from it,” Modi said, adding that this was the reason his government introduced Ayushman Bharat scheme for providing healthcare to the poor and set up AIIMS hospitals in various places including one in Jharkhand’s Deoghar.
He said his government has been providing food grains free to 80 crore people and promised to continue this for the next five years, if voted to power.
Referring to the UPA administration, Modi alleged that during the “Sonia Ben government”, food grains were subjected to rot but not distributed.
Citing instances of recovery of huge cash found at premises linked to Congress leaders in Jharkhand, the prime minister asserted that the JMM-led alliance in the state is neck-deep in corruption.
“JMM and Congress dance to the tune of ‘Shahi Parivar’. I will not allow thieves to sleep peacefully,” he said, adding that no corrupt people would be spared.
Modi also said that Jharkhand was devoid of benefits of its minerals including mica in Koderma, but it was his government that ensured that tribal areas get the mineral funds for development.
“During the Congress-JMM regime people got nothing, no benefits of mica were accrued to people. But Modi has ensured Rs 12,000 crore to Jharkhand under District Mineral Fund,” he said.
He charged the JMM-led alliance in Jharkhand with patronising infiltrators who were grabbing the land of tribal women by marrying them.
“INDIA bloc has openly announced Vote-Jihad against Modi,” he said.
The prime minister said he has resolved to make three crore women “lakhpati didis”.
The Lakhpati Didi scheme of the central government is aimed at training women in self-help groups so that they can earn a sustainable income of at least Rs 1 lakh per annum.
Referring to Jhumri Telaiya, a town in Koderma that shot to fame for the maximum number of requests for songs for then Radio Ceylon and Vividh Bharti, Modi said it is “more beautiful than its name” and apologized for the delay in arriving.
The prime minister’s rally was initially scheduled at 9 am which was postponed to 1.30 pm and finally started around 5 pm.
He said, “I have brought blessings of Bholebaba from Kashi. I filed my nomination and after filing nomination, this is my first public meeting.'”
A strong government keeps the interest of its people while a weak government as those headed by the Congress weakens the nation, Modi claimed.
Modi was campaigning for Union minister Annapurna Devi who is contesting from Koderma Lok Sabha seat, BJP ally AJSU Party’s candidate Chandra Prakash Chaudhary from Giridih Lok Sabha constituency and BJP nominee for Gandey assembly seat Dilip Kumar Verma.
Jailed former Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s wife Kalpana Soren is contesting bypoll to Gandey assembly segment which comes under Koderman Lok Sabha constituency.
The elections to these seats will be held on May 20.
National, Politics

Merger wish deepens Leh-Kargil divide as Ladakh’s Buddhist-Muslim unity comes under fresh strain

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 Sonam Wangchuk said he was disturbed by Kargili’s statement and asked Kargil-based leadership to condemn or distance themselves from remarks

Muzaffar Raina, TT, Srinagar, 12.05.24 : Ladakh’s Buddhist-Muslim unity has come under fresh strain after Kargil leader Sajjad Kargili favoured re-merger of the region with Jammu and Kashmir if separate statehood for the cold desert was not possible.

Kargili wrote on X on Friday that they have been fighting for a four-point agenda, including statehood and Sixth Schedule status, for the last three years but regretted that the Congress has not clarified its position on the statehood for Ladakh in its manifesto but supports the Sixth Schedule status demand.

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“It’s necessary for the government to decide: grant us statehood or contemplate merging #Ladakh with J&K again when reinstating statehood to #JammuAndKashmir. With this UT setup, people across Ladakh are not happy,” he said on X.

The region’s top Buddhist leader, Sonam Wangchuk, who recently led a weeks-long fast for statehood and the Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh, on Saturday said he was disturbed by Kargili’s statement and asked the Kargil-based leadership to condemn or distance themselves from the remarks.

Speaking to a local social media channel, Wangchuk said Kargili should have spoken to the residents of Kargil before making such a contentious demand.

“Since he is a leader of KDA (Kargil Democratic Alliance), I think he should have first asked the people of Kargil whether it was their demand or his personal views. I think he is doing it at somebody’s behest. It is a loaded statement, which would create gaps between Leh and Kargil. I want to send a message to Kargil to avoid such things which will deepen the divide between Leh and Kargil,” Wangchuk said.

He added that other leaders of Kargil should also condemn the remarks or distance themselves from it. “If they don’t condemn it and if it is indeed people’s desire, we respect it with heart,” he said, adding it will not be a good thing for Ladakh though.

He said Kargil and Leh were his two eyes with one language, culture and identity.

“But if you still want to go with Jammu and Kashmir, Leh will be a UT and Kargil will become part of Jammu and Kashmir. If it is really so, we shall raise such a demand but I hope there is no such demand. That is why Kargil residents and leaders should clarify whether it is Sajjad sahab’s or Kargil’s desire or somebody is tutoring him so that there are divisions between Leh and Kargil,” he said.

Kargili shot back saying he was not expressing his opinion but as a representative of the Jamiat ul Ulama Isna Asharia, a major religious group in Ladakh.