Mehbooba urges for calm

Srinagar, Jul 9, 2016, (PTI)

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today expressed "profound" grief and agony over the death of youths during protests in the Valley and asked security forces to avoid use of disproportionate force for crowd control besides urging people for calm.
"I express profound grief over the tragic death of the youths and extend my heart-felt condolences to the bereaved family members in their hour of immense grief," she said in a statement issued here.

Mehbooba said disproportionate use of force for crowd control results in loss of precious lives and grave injuries which should be avoided at all costs.

She asked the police and the paramilitary forces to use Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) while dealing with protesters to avoid loss of precious human lives or injuries.

Urging for calm, Mehbooba sought people's cooperation in restoration of normalcy in the Valley.

Violence only brings miseries to the people and tragedies for the victim families, she said and appealed people, especially the youth not to fall prey to the machinations of the vested interests, who play politics over the dead bodies of Kashmiris.

She also prayed for early recovery of the injured including civilians and the police personnel and asked health authorities to provide best possible treatment to them.  

B'desh govt doesn't believe I inspired terror act: Zakir Naik

Mumbai, Jul 9, 2016, PTI:

Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who is facing heat over reports that one of the Dhaka attackers was inspired by his speeches, today claimed that no Bangladesh government official had said that he inspired the act of terrorism.

"I spoke to Bangladeshi government people. They told me that they do not believe I inspired this Bangladeshi terrorists to do this act of killing innocent people. That is a different issue that he was my fan," Naik said.

"There are millions of fans of mine throughout the world. More than 50 per cent Bangladeshis are my fans but to say that I inspired him to kill innocent human beings is devilish," Naik said in a video released here.

Naik, who is in Saudi Arabia now, said the only country which had banned him from entering was the United Kingdom.

"The only country that I am aware that I was once banned from entering once was the UK. I don't have any proof that any country has banned me officially. And Malaysia? It is illogical because less than three years back, I got Tokoh Mall Hijrah award and King Faisal International Prize, which is the highest award of Malaysia...," he said.

"In the last 25 years, I was the fourth foreigner to get this award... Can they award a person who promotes terrorism? Indian newspapers picked up Dhaka newspaper report without verifying it," he added.

A Dhaka report has said Bangladesh government was investigating Naik and examining the possibilities of banning his "provocative" speeches in the wake of two brutal terrorist attacks in the country within a week, in which 25 people died.

Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said its intelligence agencies were investigating the Islamic preacher.

"He is on our security scanner... Our intelligence agencies are investigating his activities as his lectures appeared provocative," Khan said.

Maharashtra government has ordered a probe into the speeches by the 50-year-old Mumbai-based televangelist that has kicked up a storm.

Activities of his NGO, Islamic Research Foundation, are also under the scanner of the Union Home Ministry amid allegations that funds from abroad received by it have been spent on political activities and inspiring people towards radical views.

Bribery case: Present and ex-MD of PSU arrested

New Delhi, Jul 9, 2016, PTI:

In the ongoing probe into the alleged bribery case against suspended Principal Secretary of Delhi Chief Minister, CBI today arrested former and present Managing Directors of a PSU for allegedly favouring a private company in awarding of tenders.

Both R S Kaushik and his predecessor G K Nanda, present and former Managing Directors of Intelligent Communication Systems India Ltd (ICSIL), a Delhi Government undertaking which is a joint venture of Telecommunication Consultants India Ltd (TCIL) and Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation, were taken into custody.

The two have been arrested as they were allegedly evasive during their questioning. They will be produced before a competent court tomorrow, Chief Information officer of CBI R K Gaur said here.

CBI also claimed that the duo had been intimidating some of the officers whom the CBI had been calling for questioning in the case involving Kumar, suspended Principal Secretary of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

With these fresh arrests, the number of people nabbed by the CBI has gone up to six. Besides Kumar, Deputy Secretary in Kejriwal's officer Tarun Sharma and two owners of Endeavour Systems Private Limited-- Sandeep Kumar and Dinesh Gupta-- have been arrested by the agency.

All of them have been named in the FIR by the CBI for allegedly abusing official position by "favouring a particular firm in the last few years in getting tenders from Delhi government departments".

The case has been registered under 120-B of IPC (criminal conspiracy), and 13(2), 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act (Criminal conspiracy, criminal misconduct etc) for allegedly favouring a private company in five contracts worth Rs 9.5 crore during 2007-14.

The CBI had also conducted searches at six premises--in Delhi, Noida and Agra--including office of Kumar's Chartered Accountant (CA) in the national capital during which they claimed to have recovered Rs 27 lakh in cash.

The CBI claimed that investigation so far show that the money from the accounts of M/s ESPL was routed to a Noida-based firm and a real-estate company and a publication in Agra.

The arrest of the top Delhi government official had triggered a political storm with the Delhi government accusing the Centre of indulging in "political vendetta" and "paralysing" governance.

6 killed in Maoists-police crossfire, Odisha orders probe

Phulbani (Odisha), Jul 9, 2016, PTI:

Six persons, including two women and a child were killed and five others injured in cross fire during an anti-Maoist operation in Odisha's Kandhamal district prompting the state government to order a judicial probe into the incident.

Police said the six were caught in an exchange of fire between security personnel and Maoists while they were travelling in an auto-rickshaw at Gumutmaha village in a dense forest area near Kuttamgarh under Tumudibandha police station jurisdiction last night.

Five of those caught in the cross fire died on the spot, while another person succumbed to injuries later, Kandamal superintendent of police Pinak Mishra told reporters.

The condition of four others, who were shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital at Berhampur was stated to be serious, said a police official.

The SP said acting on information about Maoist movement in the area, CRPF, Special Operations Group and district voluntary force (DVF) personnel had set up an ambush but the auto-rickshaw carrying the villagers came in between.

"It is unfortunate that the civilians were caught in the cross fire. Those killed included two women and a minor boy," he said, adding the circumstances in which the incident took place were being probed.

Expressing deep concern over the incident, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ordered a judicial inquiry into it.

"The Chief Minister has also announced Rs 5 lakh exgratia for the family members of the each dead person," a statement released by the chief minister's office said.

Meanwhile, irate local residents blocked Rayagada- Phulbani state highway protesting against the killing of innocent persons in the police-Maoist encounter.

Demanding a court-monitored probe by a special investigating team, the Campaign Against Fabricated Cases (CAFC), Odisha, blamed the police for the killing of people belonging to tribal and dalit communities in the incident.

The organisation demanded suspension of the SP and police personnel responsible for the killings, FIR against them under Section 302 and Rs 50 lakh compensation to bereaved families.

The chief minister also announced that the next of kin of the dead in the cross fire would be provided with government job.

"The families of the victims will also be covered under various social security schemes like housing," Patnaik said.

Odisha PCC vice-president Pradeep Majhi hit out at the state government for the tragedy and dubbed it as "anti-tribal" and "anti-dalit."

Majhi, who was last month jailed over his agitation in Nabarangpur demanding tribal right over forest land, told a at a press conference in Rayagada alleged that similar incidents had also taken place in Kalahandi and Rayagada.

"The government has been targeting the tribals in the name of anti-Maoist operation," Majhi said and warned that a mass movement was taking shape against killing of tribals and dalits.

Shah continues to attack SP, BSP in Uttar Pradesh

Mau, Jul 9, 2016, (PTI)

Likening Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) with 'Rahu' and 'Ketu', BJP president Amit Shah today said the two parties could not usher in development in Uttar Pradesh.

"SP and BSP are like 'Rahu' and 'Ketu' which are eclipsing the development of the state. Uttar Pradesh's development is not possible in their regimes," he told a rally jointly organised by his party and Bharatiya Samaj Party here, claiming that development of the state would only be possible under a BJP rule.

"The development 'rath' (chariot), which has started its journey in the country, gets stuck in Uttar Pradesh. The reason being the government here does not want benefits of development to reach the people," he said.

Referring to Bharatiya Samaj Party chief Om Prakash Rajbhar on the dais, Shah said even when he was not within the NDA fold during the 2014 general elections, BJP and its allies had managed to win 73 out of 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh.

"Now, he is with us, so Mulayamji, what is on the cards," he asked in a veiled challenge to SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Highlighting various programmes launched by the Narendra Modi government at the Centre, includung Jan Dhan and Mudra Bank schemes, Shah pointed at the dearth of job opportunities in Uttar Pradesh.

"Whether you go to Gujarat or Maharashtra, you see a number of youths from Poorvanchal (eastern India) working there. They are forced to leave their families behind and go to other states. The country has prospered but not Uttar Pradesh," he said, adding, "whatever is sent to Uttar Pradesh, will not reach you".

Alleging that jobs were distributed on the basis of caste in the state, the BJP chief said, "We do not discriminate on the basis of caste and religion. Our motto is 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas'."

Shah praised BSP founder Kanshi Ram as "a man with a clear heart".

"But after him, Mayawati has turned BSP into a money-minting machine. If you want development, you have to dislodge SP and BSP who have taken turns to rule the state for 20 years," he said.

Taking a jibe at SP, Shah said "three-and-a-half" chief ministers were currently ruling the state.

"The first Chief Minister is Akhilesh (Yadav), then Netaji (Mulayam), his (Akhilesh's) two uncles and then Mohammad Azam Khan," he said and termed SP's recent merger with Quami Ekta Dal and the subsequent announcement to call it off a "drama".

"First an uncle (Akhilesh's uncle and state minister Shivpal Yadav) announced the merger with Mukhtar and Afzal. Later, Akhilesh said he was against it. If you expel elements like Mukhtar, a day will come when SP will become non-existent," he claimed.

Shah said there were great opportunities for development in Uttar Pradesh. "If you strengthen the arms of Modiji, I promise that within five years, we will lead the state to the number one position in terms of development," he said. 

Himachal CM PMLA case: ED arrests LIC agent Chauhan

New Delhi, Jun 9, 2016, (PTI)

In the first arrest in connection with its money laundering case against Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, ED today took into custody LIC agent Anand Chauhan.
Chauhan was arrested from Chandigarh under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as he was allegedly not cooperating with the investigating officer of the case, officials said.

"Chauhan will be produced in a competent court. As he is not cooperating, his custodial interrogation is necessary," they said.

The LIC agent is a crucial entity in this case as both the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI have earlier found that Chauhan was the one who allegedly insured the said tainted funds of the CM in life insurance policies.

ED had questioned him multiple times in this case earlier.

The agency has also attached assets worth about Rs eight crore against the Chief Minister earlier this year.

The agency has filed a case under criminal provisions of money laundering laws after taking cognisance of a complaint filed by the CBI in this regard in September last year.

ED had also conducted searches in this case last year in three states of Delhi, Maharashtra and West Bengal.

The agency is working to investigate the allegation that Singh and his family members allegedly amassed wealth of Rs 6.1 crore between 2009-11, disproportionate to his known sources of income, while serving as the Union minister of steel.

The CBI FIR (First Information Report) had named Singh, his wife Pratibha Singh, Chauhan and his brother C L Chauhan and they were charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

CBI suspects that during the 2009-11 period, Singh allegedly invested Rs 6.1 crore in life insurance policies in his and his family members’ names through Chauhan claiming this money to be his agricultural income.

It alleged that Singh attempted to legitimise the same as agricultural income by filing revised Income-Tax returns in 2012.  

Incessant rain claims 11 lives in MP

Bhopal, Jul 9, 2016, (PTI)

As many as 11 people have died due to flood in Madhya Pradesh in the last couple of days as heavy rains continued to lash large parts of the state with Army shifted over 400 deluge-hit people in Satna district to safer places.

"Eight people have died due to flood and excessive rainfall in the last three-four days in the state," Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan told reporters here today.

Two persons have died in Bhopal, one each in Tikamgarh, Rewa, Jhabua, Betul, Raisen and Panna, he said.

"One more death was reported around this noon when Sourabh Katiyar (21) was washed away in a swollen nullah near Shahpur lake here while travelling on a motorcycle. His body has been recovered," a police official said.

Earlier, one person died each in Mandla and Singrauli districts yesterday after they were washed out in flooded nullah.

The CM said Narmada river was flowing above the danger mark in Hoshangabad.

"Any one in distress, can dial 1079 for help," he said adding officials have been instructed to swiftly act in case of flooding.

Chouhan said he has postponed the scheduled meeting with his cabinet colleagues at Halali dam near here tomorrow and asked ministers to rush to their respective districts and remain there to monitor the situation and help out people in distress.

"Food packets have been sent to Bhopal. To deal with any untoward incident, NDRF team is also present there. In these circumstances we are trying to provide relief and rescue measures so that people may not suffer," the CM added.

Meanwhile, the Army has shifted over 400 deluge-hit people in Raghuraj tehsil of Satna district to relief camps, while the district administration has made arrangements for rehabilitating nearly 300 persons affected by swollen Tamas, Sone and Mandakini rivers.

"Army has shifted 400 flood affected persons to relief camps in Raghuraj Nagar tehsil of Satna district yesterday," an official of Public Relation department said today.

Besides, the district administration has also made arrangements for shifting nearly 300 persons affected with flood in Tamas, Sone and Mandakini rivers in the district.

The relief work is being carried out by Home guard, police and revenue officials and employees, the official said.

Rewa district Collector has also informed the Relief Commissioner Office that an Army helicopter has rescued three persons stranded in the floods in village Sirmour Bhadra in the district.

Many parts of the state have been inundated with incessant downpour in the last 48 hours.

Meteorological department in Bhopal has forecast rain shower likely at most places over West and East MP. It has issued warning that heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places over Sagar, Jabalpur, Hoshangabad, Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain and Gwalior divisions.

Meanwhile, since June 1 till date, 25 districts have received more than normal rainfall in the state, 16 normal rainfall, nine less than normal and one is still deficient.

The 25 districts which received more than normal rainfall are Jabalpur, Katni, Chhindwara, Seoni, Mandla, Narsinghpur, Sagar, Damoh, Panna, Chhattarpur, Sidhi, Satna, Umaria, Morena, Gwalior, Shivpuri, Guna, Ashoknagar, Datia, Bhopal, Sehore, Raisen, Vidisha, Rajgarh and Hoshangabad.