Islamabad: Massive protests were staged across major cities of Pakistan against the ouster of former Prime Minister Imran Khan through a vote of no-confidence called by the country's opposition.The protests on Sunday night took place from about 9.30 p.m. in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Malakand, Multan, Khanewal, Khyber, Jhang, Quetta, Okara, Abbottabad , Bajaur, Lower Dir, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Swat, Gujrat, Faisalabad, Nowshera, Dera Ghazi Khan and Mandi Bahauddin, reports Dawn news. Taking to Twitter (NYSE:TWTR) late Sunday night, Khan thanked the thousands of protesters who came out in his support."Thank you to all Pakistanis for their amazing outpouring of support &amp; emotions to protest against US-backed regime change abetted by local Mir Jafars to bring into power a coterie of pliable crooks all out on bail. Shows Pakistanis at home &amp; abroad have emphatically rejected this," he said.On Sunday evening before the protests were staged, the former premier had tweeted: "Pakistan became an independent state in 1947; but the freedom struggle begins again today against a foreign conspiracy of regime change. It is always the people of the country who defend their sovereignty &amp; democracy."In capital Islamabad, the protest started from the city's Zero Point, leading to traffic snarl at the Srinagar Highway, reports Dawn news.Meanwhile, a large number of Khan's supporters, including women and children, turned up at the Peshawar Press Club and chanted slogans against the opposition.In Lahore, a rally moved towards the city's Liberty Chowk, with people sloganeering against the US.The protest in Karachi was held on the Rashid Minhas Road where a large number of supporters were in attendance.Besides Pakistan, protests were also staged in Dubai and London's Hyde Park.Khan has become the first Prime Minister in the history of Pakistan to be ousted through a no-confidence vote after 174 members in the 342-strong National Assembly on Sunday voted in favour of removing him from the post. --IANS

Massive protests were staged across major cities of Pakistan against the ouster of former Prime Minister Imran Khan through a vote of no-confidence called by the country's opposition.

Massive Pro-Imran Protests Staged Across Pakistan

Colombo: Sri Lanka Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa's residence in the city of Kurunegala in the north-western province was set on fire on Monday, hours after the leader tendered his resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, as the country goes through an intensified civil strife amid a crippling economic crisis.Earlier on Monday, anti-government protesters also set on fire the official residences of Sri Lanka's Moratuwa Mayor Saman Lal Fernando and the MPs Sanath Nishantha, Ramesh Pathirana, Mahipala Herath, Thissa Kuttiarachchi and Nimal Lanza.A large number of protesters including the Inter-University Students Federation were out on the streets and attacked the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna MPs.Even some Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna offices were set ablaze,&nbsp;Daily Mirror&nbsp;reported.Moreover, two people were shot dead and five others were left injured at the residence of the chairman of the Weeraketiya Pradeshiya Sabha, the local police informed.The developments come, even as the prime minister tendered his resignation and has called for the formation of an all-party interim government to handle the ongoing economic crisis in the country.The military has been deployed on the roads to maintain calm despite an island-wide curfew, reported&nbsp;Daily Mirror.The developments come even as nationwide protests against the government have intensified over the past few days resulting in an increase in incidents of clashes with the security forces deployed at protest sites.More than a hundred protestors were injured on Monday at the Galle Face protest site during violent clashes resulting in a nationwide curfew in the country."While emotions are running high in #lka, I urge our general public to exercise restraint and remember that violence only begets violence. The economic crisis we're in needs an economic solution which this administration is committed to resolving," Mahinda Rajapaksa said in a tweet shortly before resigning earlier on Monday.Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since independence with food and fuel shortages, soaring prices and power cuts affecting a large number of the citizens, resulting in massive protests over the government's handling of the situation.The recession is attributed to foreign exchange shortages caused by a fall in tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as reckless economic policies, like the government's move last year to ban chemical fertilizers in a bid to make Sri Lanka's agriculture "100 per cent organic".Due to an acute shortage of foreign exchange, Sri Lanka recently defaulted on the entirety of its foreign debt amounting to about $51 billion.The economic situation has led to huge protests with demands for the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.—ANI

Sri Lanka Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa's residence in the city of Kurunegala in the north-western province was set on fire on Monday, hours after the leader tendered his resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, as the country goes through an intensified civil strife amid a crippling economic crisis.

Sri Lankan PM's house set afire; 2 shot, several hurt in protests

Colombo: A protest began in front of Sri Lanka's Trincomalee naval base on Tuesday after reports emerged that former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and some of his family members were there after leaving the official residence in Colombo, a media report said.Violence erupted in Sri Lanka on Monday after supporters of then prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa attacked peaceful anti-government protesters demanding his ouster over the country's worst economic crisis that led to acute shortages of staple food, fuel and power.Over 200 people have also been injured in the violence in Colombo and other cities.Mahinda Rajapaksa, 76, resigned as prime minister on Monday amid unprecedented economic turmoil, hours after his supporters attacked anti-government protesters, prompting authorities to impose a nationwide curfew and deploy Army troops in the capital.A protest has begun in front of the Trincomalee Naval Base after reports Mahinda Rajapaksa and some of his family members are there after leaving Temple Trees, the official residence of prime minister,&nbsp;the Daily Mirror&nbsp;newspaper reported.Trincomalee is a port city on the northeast coast of Sri Lanka.On Monday, the violence saw arson attacks on the homes of several politicians, including the ancestral home of the Rajapaksas in Hambantota.Video footage showed the entire house of Mahinda Rajapaksa and his younger brother and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Medamulana in Hambantota city was burning.Mahinda Rajapaksa's House in Kurunegala was also set on fire by protesters while a mob also destroyed D A Rajapaksa Memorial - constructed in the memory of the father of Mahinda and Gotabaya - in Medamulana, Hambantota.There have been protests over soaring prices and power cuts since last month.'Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1948.The crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices.—PTI

A protest began in front of Sri Lanka's Trincomalee naval base on Tuesday after reports emerged that former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and some of his family members were there after leaving the official residence in Colombo, a media report said.

Protests at Lankan naval base housing ex-PM Mahinda

Colombo: An investigation has been launched by Sri Lanka's jail authorities on the allegations that a group of inmates from a prison camp in the island nation were used to attack anti-government protesters in Colombo this week, according to a media report on Thursday.Violence erupted in Sri Lanka on Monday after supporters of former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa attacked peaceful anti-government protesters demanding his ouster over the country's worst economic crisis that led to acute shortages of staple food, fuel and power.Over 200 people have also been injured in the violence in Colombo and other cities.Sri Lanka prisons have launched an investigation on the allegations raised claiming that a group of inmates from the Watareka Open Prison Camp were used to attack protestors in Colombo recently, Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya was quoted as saying by the News First website.Footage posted on social media following the attack on peaceful protests showed locals detaining a group of men who later claimed that they were prisoners from the Watareka Open Prison Camp, the report added.It was observed that the pants worn by the group of detained men were identical to those worn by people who were among the group that attacked peaceful protests on Monday in Colombo.The Commissioner-General of Prisons said that the men were not wearing prison fatigues, but were wearing a uniform provided to them by the institutions that employed their services.The Commissioner-General of Prisons, and another officer will be present at the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka on Thursday for an inquiry over the matter.Several people sustained injuries as the supporters from the ruling SLPP, armed with poles and other objects, attacked 'GotaGoGama' protesters in Galle Face.The mob destroyed several tents and other structures erected at Galle Face and also attacked some of the demonstrators, demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.Mahinda Rajapaksa, 76, resigned as Sri Lankan Prime Minister on Monday amid unprecedented economic turmoil, hours after his supporters attacked anti-government protesters, prompting authorities to impose a nationwide curfew and deploy Army troops in the capital.The violence saw arson attacks on the homes of several politicians, including the ancestral home of the Rajapaksas in Hambantota—PTI

An investigation has been launched by Sri Lanka's jail authorities on the allegations that a group of inmates from a prison camp in the island nation were used to attack anti-government protesters in Colombo this week, according to a media report on Thursday.

Lankan prison inmates employed to attack anti-govt protesters? Probe ordered

Islamabad: Pakistan is surreptitiously leasing out the Upper Hunza Valley to China in the near future to ease its mounting debt burden from the Chinese investment in the now increasingly burdensome China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.The move, which is likely to allow the Chinese to mine the mineral-rich area of Gilgit Baltistan rampantly, has triggered another wave of protests and violence by the local communities.In fact, the clash between the local population and the Pakistan Army has increased considerably in the past few weeks with the locals throwing stones at officers and their vehicles in Skardu.Late last month, the Pakistan Army soldiers beat up the Gilgit Baltistan Tourism Minister and Health Minister for standing up to fight for the local community which had been protesting against the army's takeover of Skardu Road.The Tourism Minister, Raja Nasir Ali Khan, happens to be a staunch supporter of ousted Prime Minister, Imran Khan.The incident, which took place on April 27, 2022, sparked off public protest against the army.Angry people threw stones at the army officials and their vehicles after the incident.The local community has been up against the army on different occasions in the recent past.Raja Nasir later tweeted that another minister, incumbent Health Minister Haji Gulbar Sab, was also assaulted by the soldiers.'Enough is enough, this must end here. Respect should be earned thru (through) friendly behaviour, not through a course of violence and abuse.'He later wrote, 'by no means, we can be subdued'.The region has been witnessing a spurt in local protests against the Pakistan Army over land issues.The local people are angry at the 'land grabbing' spree of the army, all in the name of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).Local communities strongly believe that Pakistan has in fact leased out the entire Gilgit Baltistan to China under the garb of CPEC and its security for the next half a century.Several thousand Chinese are already present in the region working on the CPEC project.With them are hundreds of Chinese spies and military men keeping an eye on the locals as well as providing security cover to Chinese companies.Besides the CPEC projects, hundreds of Chinese companies have usurped, along with contractors linked to the Pakistan Army, almost all the mining leases in the region.More than 2000 leases for mining gold, uranium and molybdenum have been awarded to Chinese firms by the Pakistan government in Gilgit Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.It is reported that Hunza and Nagar are said to be rich in uranium and other minerals mostly used in nuclear and space technology.There are areas in upper Hunza like the Chapursan valley where Chinese miners have been carrying out tunnelling and exploration of minerals.Public protests against the rampant Chinese-Pak Army takeover of their region have for long been suppressed with brutal military might.With skirmishes coming out into the streets and people challenging the armed soldiers openly, Gilgit-Baltistan is more than likely to become the next point of conflict for Pakistan's leadership.—ANI

Pakistan is surreptitiously leasing out the Upper Hunza Valley to China in the near future to ease its mounting debt burden from the Chinese investment in the now increasingly burdensome China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

Protests in Gilgit-Balistan over secret land deals with China

Colombo: A lawyer has moved a Sri Lankan court seeking direction to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to immediately arrest seven persons, including former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa while alleging conspiracy to commit criminal intimidation and abetting attack on a peaceful protest in front of the Temple Trees and Galle Face earlier this week.According to Daily Mirror, a personal complaint has been lodged before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court by a lawyer requesting to direct the CID for the arrests.More than 100 protestors were injured at the Galle Face protest site during violent clashes resulting in a nationwide curfew with the country’s tri forces ordered to shoot at sight all those who plunder public property or cause personal harm last Tuesday. Mahinda Rajapaksa, who recently tendered his resignation from the position of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, has been barred from leaving the country by a local court.The travel ban has also been imposed on Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son and former Minister Namal Rajapaksa, Johnston Fernando, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, C B Rathnayake, Sanath Nishantha, and Sanjeewa Edirimanne, among others, News Wire reported citing sources. Mahinda Rajapaksa and some of his family members were shifted to Trincomalee Naval Base, a day after he resigned following violent protests that led to a nationwide curfew. Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since independence with food and fuel shortages, soaring prices and power cuts affecting a large number of the citizens, resulting in massive protests over the government’s handling of the situation.The recession is attributed to foreign exchange shortages caused by a fall in tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as reckless economic policies, like the government’s move last year to ban chemical fertilizers in a bid to make Sri Lanka’s agriculture “100 per cent organic”. Amid the political and economic crisis, the leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa who had earlier demanded the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa before assuming Prime Ministership, has written an open letter to the President that he is ready to assume the office of Prime Minister of Sri Lanka if Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigns within a stipulated time after Premadasa assuming office.—ANI

 A lawyer has moved a Sri Lankan court seeking direction to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to immediately arrest seven persons, including former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa while alleging conspiracy to commit criminal intimidation and abetting attack on a peaceful protest in front of the Temple Trees and Galle Face earlier this week.

Lawyer moves court for arrest of ex-Lankan PM for attack on protesters

Tripura: In a surprise move, Bharatiya Janata Party made Rajya Sabha MP Manik Saha the new chief minister of Tripura, succeeding Biplab Kumar Deb who resigned earlier on Saturday.Saha, the BJP's state president, was elected the legislature party leader at a meeting at the chief minister's official residence soon after a crestfallen Deb tendered his resignation to Governor SN Arya.As Deb proposed the 69-year-old Saha's name in the meeting, minister Ram Prasad Paul protested, which led to a scuffle among MLAs. Paul also broke a few chairs before the situation was calmed, sources said.Paul wanted deputy chief minister Jishnu Dev Varma, a member of the erstwhile Tripura royal family, as the next chief minister of the state, they said.Senior BJP leaders Bhupender Yadav and Vinod Tawde were observers for the election of the legislature party leader."I was a common worker of the party and will continue to be so," Saha told reporters after being named the next chief minister.Deb, 50, resigned a day after meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda in New Delhi."Party is above all. I am a loyal worker of the BJP. I hope I have done justice to the responsibilities that were given to me -- whether it was as BJP state president or as Tripura chief minister. I have worked for the overall development of Tripura, and to ensure peace for the people of the state," Deb said after resigning."The 2023 election is coming, and the party wants a responsible organiser to take charge of the affairs here. Because, a government can only be formed if the organisation is strong," he said, explaining the party's decision to give him organisational responsibilities.Deb was appointed the chief minister after the BJP stormed to power in 2018, ending 25 years of Left Front rule in the Northeastern state.—PTI

In a surprise move, Bharatiya Janata Party made Rajya Sabha MP Manik Saha the new chief minister of Tripura, succeeding Biplab Kumar Deb who resigned earlier on Saturday.

Manik Saha named new Tripura CM; MLA breaks chairs in protest

Islamabad: As Pakistan's Pir Koh tehsil of the Dera Bugti district reels under the worst cholera outbreak, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed the Pakistan federal and provincial governments to take necessary actions on an emergency basis to stop the spread of the disease.Sharif has issued directives that the people of Pakistan must be provided with clean drinking water, and food items reported the Dawn newspaper. Further, the Pakistan Prime Minister also directed that those who have been affected by the widespread cholera outbreak must be given medicinal provisions and other assistance as well. This comes after the Pir Koh residents had opted for a sit-in protest over the absence of clean drinking water and the increasing number of cholera cases. The angry mob of protesters took their protests to the streets, carrying placards and banners which were inscribed with their demands.The protesters engaged in sloganeering against the incumbent government as well as the local administration and later blocked the roads too, reported the Dawn newspaper. The local tribal leaders of Pir Koh complained that the lack of clean drinking water in the area led the people to drink contaminated water from the ponds along with the animals, which has resulted in a severe cholera outbreak. Further, the protesters stated that although they have been staging demonstrations fr the past two days, no actions were taken by the Pakistan government to supply clean drinking water. They added that to date, the cholera outbreak in Pir Koh tehsil has claimed the lives of over a dozen people, including children.Meanwhile, Mohammad Saleh Nasar, the Health Secretary of Balochistan has confirmed that teams of doctors along with paramedical staff have arrived at the cholera-affected regions, bringing the required medicines with them. A medical camp has also been established by the Pakistan health department for the treatment of the people suffering from the disease, reported the Dawn newspaper. Sarfraz Bugti, the Senator of the Balochistan Awami Party has also urged the authorities to declare a state of emergency in Pir Koh. He instructed the authorities further to lend aid to the afflicted accompanied by completing water supply schemes.—ANI

As Pakistan's Pir Koh tehsil of the Dera Bugti district reels under the worst cholera outbreak, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed the Pakistan federal and provincial governments to take necessary actions on an emergency basis to stop the spread of the disease.

Pak PM orders 'emergency' measures to curb cholera outbreak

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday ordered an inquiry into&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rediff.com/news/report/batons-tear-gas-used-on-protesting-kashmiri-pandits/20220513.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(71, 123, 196);">the use of force</a>&nbsp;against the Kashmiri Pandit employees who were protesting the killing of Rahul Bhat. Protests were held at several places in J-K against the killing as well as against the failure of the administration to provide security to the Kashmiri pandit employees. Police used batons and tear smoke shells at Sheikhpora in Budgam on Friday to quell the protest.The government has ordered an inquiry into Bhat's killing and a SIT has been constituted. "Bhat's murder was a targeted killing and an attempt has been made to create an atmosphere of fear and terror. He was a very good employee. We have constituted a SIT over the issue. The SHO has been attached. The SIT will investigate all the angles," Sinha said in Srinagar. He said the SIT will also inquire into the use of force on the protestors."The force which was used will also be investigated. In one week's time, their posting will be done in safe and secure places. They have some other grievances and those will also be looked into. We understand their pain and difficulties," the LG said, adding, "The administration will make arrangements for full security wherever they live." The LG also said he has directed the administration that there is no need to use force. Bhat, who had got the job of a clerk under the special employment package for Kashmiri Pandits in 2010-11, was gunned down by terrorists inside the tehsil office in Chadoora town on Thursday. He appealed to the Kashmiri pandit employees to keep patience for some time, assuring them that all their issues will be resolved. Sinha said some people were trying to disturbing peace in Kashmir, but the administration is taking the issue very seriously. "I appeal the politicians and political parties as well as common people that this is the time to stay together so that the peaceful atmosphere remains. "Some people are trying to disturb the atmosphere, but I want to tell them that their attempts will not succeed. Two foreign terrorists involved in the incident have been killed and the police is after the others," he said. He said the administration is sensitive to the issue and will make every attempt to resolve their issues. "I appeal all the political parties that to issue an appeal for social boycott of such elements involved in these (killings) incidents," Sinha said.—PTI

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday ordered an inquiry into the use of force against the Kashmiri Pandit employees who were protesting the killing of Rahul Bhat.

SIT to probe use of force against Kashmiri Pandit protesters

Mumbai: The Nationalist Congress Party's Pune city unit on Monday alleged an office-bearer of the party was assaulted by the Bharatiya Janata Party workers inside an auditorium during a face-off between the two sides when Union minister Smriti Irani was attending a book release event at the venue in Pune on Monday evening. The police said a probe was on into the alleged incident. The Congress and NCP workers staged protests against price rise outside a luxury hotel and the Bal Gandharva auditorium, where Irani attended events during her visit to the city. The two parties are constituents of the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra. "One of our party functionaries, Vaishali Nagawade, was assaulted by BJP workers inside the auditorium when she and others went to give a memorandum (to the minister)," claimed Prashant Jagtap, Pune city NCP president.Some NCP members workers went to the Deccan Gymkhana police station to lodge a complaint against the BJP activists, he said.Speaking to reporters, Nagawade said the incident took place when she along with other NCP workers went to submit a memorandum to Irani over the LPG price hike.Senior NCP leader Ankush Kakade said when the BJP was in opposition at the Centre before 2014, Irani used to aggressively raise the price rise issue and his party was doing the same now."When Irani was in a hotel for some event, our women party workers requested her to accept a memorandum but she refused. As a result, our women workers staged an intense agitation outside the hotel," he said.Kakade said the book launch event at the auditorium, organised by the BJP, was open to all."Our four party functionaries, including Vaishali Nagawade, had gone inside the auditorium. Some BJP workers said they are from NCP and started heckling them, and assaulted Nagawade. Had the police not intervened in time, things would have turned really ugly," he said.Kakade said the police should investigate the incident thoroughly and take stringent action against the culprits.Murlidhar Karpe, senior inspector, Deccan police station, said four women workers of the NCP had come to attend the programme and they were identified by BJP workers which led to some tension.He said these women were escorted out by police after commotion inside the auditorium.Asked about allegations of heckling and assault, Karpe said a probe was on.Congress workers staged protests and shouted slogans against the Centre over the price rise issue during the visit of Irani."Around 12 noon, Pune city women Congress committee members staged a protest (outside the hotel) over inflation and rising prices of LPG. Since the central government has failed to check inflation in the country, the women members had gone to present bangles to Union minister Smriti Irani," said a party functionary.The protesting Congress members were detained by police and later released, he said.Later in the evening, Congress activists held a demonstration over soaring prices of essential goods outside the Bal Gandharva auditorium. Pune city Congress president Ramesh Bagwe said, "We shouted slogans against the rising prices and showed placards standing outside the auditorium."Irani attended the release of Marathi version of a book on the political journey of Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah. The English version of the book is titled 'Amit Shah and the March of BJP'.—PTI

The Nationalist Congress Party's Pune city unit on Monday alleged an office-bearer of the party was assaulted by the Bharatiya Janata Party workers inside an auditorium during a face-off between the two sides when Union minister Smriti Irani was attending a book release event at the venue in Pune on Monday evening. 

Smriti Irani faces Cong-NCP protests over price rise in Pune

Srinagar: Protests by Kashmiri Pandits over the killing of Rahul Bhat by terrorists inside his office last week continued in Ganderbal and Anatnag districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, officials said. Scores of Kashmiri Pandits assembled at Tulmulla in Ganderbal district to protest against the killing of their community member, the officials said. The protesters held photographs of Bhat, who was shot dead by the ultras inside his office at Chadoora in Budgam district on May 12, and shouted slogans like "we want justice", the officials said. Similar protests were also held in Anantnag where the protesters also set afire effigies depicting the present government.The Union territory administration has ordered a probe by a special investigation team into Bhat's killing.—PTI

Protests by Kashmiri Pandits over the killing of Rahul Bhat by terrorists inside his office last week continued in Ganderbal and Anatnag districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, officials said.

Protests against Rahul Bhat's killing continue, govt's effigies burnt

Chandigarh: Punjab farmers ended their protest at the Chandigarh-Mohali border on Wednesday after the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led state government accepted several of their demands. The development came after representatives of more than 20 farmer bodies held a marathon meeting with Mann at Punjab Bhawan in Chandigarh.Conceding one of the key demands of the protesting farmers, Mann announced a fresh schedule for staggered sowing of paddy on June 14 and June 17, thus restricting the total number of zones to just two instead of the earlier four. However, the border belt across the fence has been excluded from the zonal restrictions and farmers of this region have been allowed to sow paddy from June 10.Notably, it was earlier decided to undertake paddy cultivation in a staggered manner by dividing the entire state into four zones with dates of sowing being June 18, 22, 24 and 26 but the farmer bodies had rejected this schedule. Mann told the farmer leaders that the state government has already issued a notification to procure the entire moong (green gram) crop at a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 7,275 per quintal, according to an official statement. He also said the state government is finalising modalities to also procure maize at MSP to give a boost to its ambitious programme of crop diversification. On the issue of MSP for Basmati crop, Mann said he will call on Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday to urge the Centre to announce MSP on Basmati crop so as to encourage growers to cultivate it in a big way. He told Samyukt Kisan Morcha members that he will also take up the contentious issue of change of rules for appointment of top officers to the Bhakra Beas Management Board with Shah. Later, Rural Development Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said Mann will also raise with Shah the issue of giving bonuses on wheat to farmers. Mann urged the union leaders to give him at least a year's time to bring farmer-friendly reforms in the agriculture sector. He said his office and residence are always open to resolve any issue related to farmers' welfare. He urged farmers to shun the path of agitation and said if they have any grouse against the government, they should sit across the table to find an amicable solution. On Tuesday, the chief minister had termed the farmers' protest 'unwarranted and undesirable'.Responding to another issue raised by the representatives of farm unions, Mann said the state government will soon come out with a comprehensive policy for bestowing ownership rights on cultivators in possession of panchayat land and cultivating the same crop for long to make barren land cultivable. He asked Dhaliwal to convene a meeting with the representatives of farm associations to resolve this issue at the earliest. Later, Dhaliwal shared the details of the meeting with the agitating farmers at the protest site in Mohali and said it was held in a conducive atmosphere. He told farmers that sugarcane arrears will be released and chip-based smart electricity meters will not be installed. No arrest warrants will be issued against farmers over their unpaid debt, he added. Later, Bharti Kisan Union (Sidhupur) state president Jagjit Singh Dallewal announced the decision to lift the protest. The state government also released a picture of Mann hugging Dallewal after the three-hour meeting. Earlier in the day, farmer leaders were invited to hold a meeting with Mann and 36 of them were taken to Punjab Bhawan in a bus. Several temporary teachers also joined the farmers' protest at the site, demanding regularisation of their services. Scores of Punjab farmers began a protest near the Chandigarh-Mohali border on Tuesday after they were stopped from heading to the state capital to press their various demands, including a bonus on wheat and beginning paddy sowing from June 10. Farmers had given an ultimatum to the government and had said if the chief minister did not hold a meeting with them by Wednesday, they would break barricades and move towards Chandigarh for holding an indefinite protest. They spent the night on the Chandigarh-Mohali road near YPS Chowk.The farmers had submitted a list of 13 demands including Rs 500 bonus on each quintal of wheat as its yield has been low and shrivelled due to unprecedented heatwave conditions, issuing a notification on MSP for maize, moong and basmati, lowering of charges on the extension of electricity load and 10-12 hours of power supply. They were also against the Punjab government's decision to allow paddy sowing in a staggered manner from June 18.—PTI

Punjab farmers ended their protest at the Chandigarh-Mohali border on Wednesday after the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led state government accepted several of their demands.

Punjab farmers end protest after govt accepts several demands

Lucknow: The budget session of Uttar Pradesh Assembly began on a stormy note on Monday with Samajwadi Party members marching into the well of the House during the governor's address. As soon as the House met, SP members came in the well with placards in their hands raising issues related to law and order, farmers, stray cattle, and incidents of rape.The lawmakers raised the slogan "Governor go Back".Governor Anandiben Patel continued to read her speech amid the pandemonium. Leader of Opposition Akhilesh Yadav, PSPL leader Shivpal Singh Yadav, and Abdullah Azam were present in the House among others.—PTI

 The budget session of Uttar Pradesh Assembly began on a stormy note on Monday with Samajwadi Party members marching into the well of the House during the governor's address.

Budget session of UP assembly starts amid protest by SP

Peshawar: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan announced that his party's long protest march to Islamabad will begin on May 25 demanding the dissolution of the National Assembly and a date for the next general election and invited people to join in large numbers. Speaking at a press conference on Sunday after his party's core committee meeting in Peshawar, Imran Khan said that he will meet the people on the Srinagar highway on May 25 and asked them to join him at 3 pm."Today we held our core committee meeting and made important decisions, the biggest question was when to begin the long march, and we have decided. On the 25th of May, I will meet you in Islamabad on the Srinagar Highway. You have to reach there at 3 pm," The Dawn quoted Khan as saying.Before announcing the date for the march, the PTI chairman explained his allegations of conspiracy as well as the purpose of his march. "I want people from all walks of life to come because this is Jihad and not politics. I invite all the women because I've seen your anger. I had never seen that before. I have decided and told all my team that we have to be ready to sacrifice our lives," he said, The Dawn reported.Speaking of the purpose of the march, Imran Khan, who was ousted as the Prime Minister of Pakistan following a no-confidence vote in April, noted that it would convert into a sit-in and continue until his demands are accepted. "We will never under any situation accept them. No matter how long we have to remain in Islamabad we will remain there," he said adding, "The march would have two primary demands: dissolution of assemblies and a date for elections."Khan demanded a free and fair election in the country and said that he would accept it if the nation would bring the current government back into power but no country from outside will be allowed to impose them on us. Referring to the present PM Shehbaz government, Imran said, "I want to give a little background of how we reached here. There was a foreign conspiracy against Pakistan from the US. In this regime change, they used locals -- the most corrupt people, who were ready to become part of any conspiracy to save their corruption," The Dawn reported."This conspiracy was hatched eight months ago and I was alerted about it in June, and after August, I fully understood what was happening. We did our best that somehow this conspiracy could be voided but unfortunately, we couldn't stop it." The former PM said that the government will try various ways to stop the march, asking his supporters to prepare beforehand for factors such as communication, transport, and fuel." He also asked the military to stick to its stated stance of being neutral. "I also say to my army that you said you are neutral so now remain neutral," he said, adding, however, I want to invite everyone to the march, including the families of civil servants, army personnel, and ex-servicemen," The Dawn reported. Khan emphasised that the party had always remained peaceful in its protests, and the same will be true for the upcoming march and warned that the party would take legal action against any wrong action taken against the peaceful protest march.—ANI

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan announced that his party's long protest march to Islamabad will begin on May 25 demanding the dissolution of the National Assembly and a date for the next general election and invited people to join in large numbers.

Imran Khan's PTI to begin protest march to Islamabad on May 25

Srinagar: A group of Kashmiri Pandits staged a demonstration in Jammu on Wednesday in support of the demand for the relocation of the community members employed in Kashmir under the prime minister's package, who are on protest following the killing of their colleague, Rahul Bhat, by terrorists earlier this month. The protesters assembled under the banner of the newly-formed Kashmiri Pandits United Front in front of the statue of Maharaja Hari Singh, near the Tawi bridge in the heart of Jammu, raising slogans against the Jammu and Kashmir administration and demanding security to the community members serving in the valley under the prime minister's package. "We have come here (Jammu) to support the protesting prime minister's package employees who are demanding their relocation till the situation improves in the valley," KPUF convenor Satish Kissu, a retired government officer, said.He said the demand of the Pandit employees is genuine, keeping in mind the killing of Bhat, who was shot dead inside his office in broad daylight in the Chadoora area of central Kashmir's Budgam district on May 12.Condemning targeted killings by terrorists, Kissu said the security situation in the valley is not conducive, as is evident from the latest killing of a policeman and injuries to his minor daughter outside their house in Srinagar on Tuesday.Amid anti-Pakistan and pro-India sloganeering, the protesters accused the government of holding the prime minister's package employees hostage in the valley."Bhat's killing was the result of the administration's failure. He was killed because of a security lapse as his killers walked into his office and fled the scene without facing any resistance after killing him. The incident has sparked panic among the community," KPUF spokesperson Kuldeep Pandita said.He alleged that successive governments used the Kashmiri Pandits as "scapegoats" and said, "We are not ready to tolerate atrocities against our community anymore and will continue our protest to ensure the relocation of the prime minister's package employees."—PTI

A group of Kashmiri Pandits staged a demonstration in Jammu on Wednesday in support of the demand for the relocation of the community members employed in Kashmir under the prime minister's package, who are on protest following the killing of their colleague, Rahul Bhat, by terrorists earlier this month.

Kashmiri Pandits protest in Jammu, step up 'shift out of Kashmir' demand

Islamabad: PTI supporters who were awaiting Imran Khan’s arrival at D-Chowk in Islamabad entered the Red Zone on Thursday morning, after the party chief gave a six-day deadline to the government for announcing elections and warned that he would “return” to the capital if the demand was not met, police said. According to a statement issued by the Islamabad police spokesperson, the protesters were being stopped by police, Rangers and other law enforcers with “patience”, reports Dawn news. He said Islamabad Inspector General of Police Akbar Nasir Khan was also present at the site and protesters were being instructed to leave the Red Zone. The Dawn report said that they have since begun to disperse after negotiations with the police. Earlier, Khan addressed the protesters at Islamabad’s 9th Avenue and gave a six-day deadline to the government for announcing elections and dissolving assemblies and warned that he would return to the capital with the “entire nation” otherwise, Dawn reported.“I had decided that I will sit here until the government dissolves assemblies and announces elections, but of what I have seen in the past 24 hours, they (govt) are taking the nation towards anarchy,” the ousted Prime Minister said, claiming that the government was also trying to create a divide between the nation and police. Khan said the government would be happy if he staged a sit-in in Islamabad as it would lead to clashes between the people and police and the army. He denounced the “tactics” used by the “imported government”, including raids and arrests, to stop the PTI’s march and thanked the Supreme Court (SC) for taking notice of the matter. The former premier said there was a “huge responsibility” on Supreme Court judges, as he went on to ask where in a democracy peaceful protests were not allowed and demonstrators had to face tear-gas shelling, police raids and arrests.—IANS

PTI supporters who were awaiting Imran Khan’s arrival at D-Chowk in Islamabad entered the Red Zone on Thursday morning, after the party chief gave a six-day deadline to the government for announcing elections and warned that he would “return” to the capital if the demand was not met, police said.

PTI Protesters Enter Islamabad Red Zone

Kolkata:&nbsp;Demanding online examinations, students demonstrated at the Calcutta University (CU) on Friday. Around 200 students demonstrated outside the varsity's main campus at College Street, claiming that two months of classroom teaching was not enough for finishing the syllabus of a six-month semester and holding offline examinations. "Classes were held on campus only for two months and we are expected to write papers based on the whole syllabus. This is possible only if exams are held in an open book format like the last two years," said Arijit Saha, a student of CU-affiliated Bangabasi College. Similar protests were held twice in the last one week at the varsity's main campus. Two high-power committees formed by CU have recommended the undergraduate and post-graduate end-semester examinations be held in the offline mode. However, principals of colleges have been asked to give their feedback on the recommendation. Vice-Chancellor Sonali Chakraborty Banerjee told PTI on Thursday that the varsity will take the final decision after getting opinions from all stakeholders. A CU official said that while the faculty is overwhelmingly in favour of offline exams, a section of students, including the students' unions, want the online examination system to continue. Trinamool Chhatra Parishad state president Trinankur Bhattacharya said general students were demanding online examinations.—PTI

Demanding online examinations, students demonstrated at the Calcutta University (CU) on Friday.

Protest at Calcutta University demanding online exams

Demanding online examinations, students demonstrated at the Calcutta University (CU) on Friday.



MANSA:&nbsp;A protest was held on Monday outside the Mansa civil hospital, where Sidhu Moosewala's body has been kept for post mortem, demanding action against those responsible for the Punjabi singer's killing.The protesters, who were mostly villagers of the area, also raised slogans against the AAP government in the state for curtailing his security cover. Several markets in Mansa remained shut on Monday.Inspector General of Police Pradeep Yadav and other officials visited the residence of the singer to talk to his family members about the post-mortem. It is learnt that Moosewala's family was not agreeing to conduct the post-mortem as of now.Moosewala, 28, was shot dead on Sunday by unidentified assailants in Punjab's Mansa district, a day after the state government curtailed his security cover. His cousin and a friend, who were travelling in a Mahindra Thar jeep with him, were also injured in the attack.He had fought the recent assembly election on a Congress ticket from Mansa and was defeated by the AAP's Vijay Singla.Heavy security has been deployed by the police outside the civil hospital and barricades have also been put up.A protester said, ''We are demanding action against those who were behind the murder of Sidhu Moosewala.'' Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, former deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and some other Congress leaders reached the residence of Moosewala in Mansa and condoled his death.A large number of supporters and villagers also gathered at his residence.Meanwhile, an FIR has been registered over the killing of Moosewala over the complaint of his father Balkaur Singh.The Punjab Police has termed the killing of Moosewala a result of an inter-gang rivalry and blamed the Lawrence Bishnoi gang for it.At least three weapons including one of 9 mm calibre were used and 30 empty cases were recovered from the site.Leaders of the Congress and other political parties expressed shock and anger over the killing and blamed the AAP government for the incident. A three-member Special Investigation Team has already been set up to probe the killing.—PTI

 A protest was held on Monday outside the Mansa civil hospital, where Sidhu Moosewala's body has been kept for post mortem, demanding action against those responsible for the Punjabi singer's killing.

Villagers protest outside Mansa civil hospital over Moosewala's killing

Srinagar: Kashmiri Pandits, employed under the PM package, on Tuesday threatened to undertake mass migration from the valley if the government did not relocate them to safe places within next 24 hours as employees from the community hit the streets at various places to protest against the killing of a lady teacher by terrorists in Kulgam district."We have decided that if the government did not take any concrete steps for us (safety) within 24 hours, there will be mass migration again," one of the protestors said in Srinagar. He said the target killing of Kashmiri Pandits is continuing and the community is now tired of making appeals to the government."We should be relocated so that we can be saved. Our delegation had met the LG earlier and we had asked him to save us. We are asking for temporary relocation for two to three years till situation in the valley returns to normal. It is the same time frame put by IGP Kashmir for making Kashmir terrorism free," he added.A handful of KP employees assembled at the Ghanta Ghar (Clock tower) at Lal Chowk in Srinagar to protest against the killing, the officials said.Another group of employees assembled at Batwara in Sonawar area of Srinagar and raised slogans against the union territory administration for its failure to ensure foolproof security for employees of Hindu communities.The protestors, mostly women, raised slogans like 'Administration hai hai (down with administration)', 'minorities ko jeenay do (let the minorities live)' and 'We want justice'.In South Kashmir Qazigund town, the KP employees blocked one tube of the Jammu-Srinagar Nartional Highway to protest against killing of Rajni Bala inside a school at Gopalpora in Kulgam district on Tuesday. The protestors appealed to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene in the matter to ensure security of the Kashmiri Pandit minorities.Government has failed completely in providing security for the KPs.Rahul Bhat was killed inside a district (Tehsil) office on May 12 and today our sister Rajni Bala was shot dead inside the school."We appeal PM, HM and LG to intervene in the matter. Kashmiri Pandits are on roads now, there is no hope of survival," one of the protestors said.—PTI

Kashmiri Pandits, employed under the PM package, on Tuesday threatened to undertake mass migration from the valley if the government did not relocate them to safe places within next 24 hours as employees from the community hit the streets at various places to protest against the killing of a lady teacher by terrorists in Kulgam district.

Kashmiri Pandits Warn Govt: Another Migration If...

Srinagar: Kashmiri Pandits, employed under the prime minister's package, on Tuesday threatened to undertake mass migration from the Kashmir Valley if the government did not relocate them to safe places within the next 24 hours as they hit the streets at various places to protest against the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rediff.com/news/report/kashmiri-pandit-teacher-shot-dead-by-terrorists-in-jk/20220531.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(71, 123, 196);">killing of a lady teacher</a>&nbsp;by terrorists in Kulgam district. "We have decided that if the government did not take any concrete steps for us (safety) within 24 hours, there will be mass migration again," one of the protestors said in Srinagar.The targeted killing of Kashmiri Pandits is continuing and the community is now tired of making appeals to the government, he added."We should be relocated so that we can be saved. Our delegation had met the LG (Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha) earlier and we had asked him to save us. We are asking for temporary relocation for two to three years till situation in the valley returns to normal. It is the same time frame put by the IGP Kashmir for making Kashmir terrorism free," he added. A handful of Kashmiri Pandit employees assembled at the Ghanta Ghar at Lal Chowk in the hearr of Srinagar to protest against the killing, the officials said.Another group of employees assembled at Batwara in the Sonawar area of Srinagar and raised slogans against the Union territory administration for its failure to ensure foolproof security for employees of Hindu communities.The protestors,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rediff.com/news/report/teachers-murder-kashmiri-pandits-protest/20220531.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(71, 123, 196);">mostly women</a>, raised slogans like 'Administration&nbsp;hai hai&nbsp;(down with the administration)', 'minorities&nbsp;ko jeene do&nbsp;(let the minorities live)' and 'We want justice'.In Qazigund, South Kashmir, Kashmiri Pandit employees blocked one tube of the Jammu-Srinagar national nighway to protest the killing of Rajni Bala inside a school at Gopalpora in Kulgam district on Tuesday.The protestors appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene and ensure security of the Kashmiri Pandit minorities.<a href="https://www.rediff.com/news/report/kashmiri-pandit-employee-shot-dead-inside-j-k-government-office/20220512.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(71, 123, 196);">Rahul Bhat was killed</a>&nbsp;inside a Tehsil office on May 12 and today our sister Rajni Bala was shot dead inside the school," one of the protestors said."Kashmiri Pandits are on the roads now, there is no hope of survival," he added.Protests against the teacher's murder rocked several parts of Jammu city as well on Tuesday, with protesters burning an effigy of the administration and raising slogans against Pakistan.In Jammu, Kashmiri Pandits took out a rally in the Durga Nagar area to protest Rajni Bala's killing and the administration's "total failure" to protect them. They also raised slogans against Pakistan.Terming the killing a "cowardly act", the protesters said assurances given by the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir administration to ensure the safety of minorities in the Valley have proved to be false.Some demanded that members of the community be provided arms licences to enable them to possess weapons for their protection."There have been 22 killings of Hindus by terrorists in the Valley and over 14 people have been injured. Four temples have been attacked. This is an undeclared assault on minorities in Kashmir and the government is saying that the situation is normal," Kashmiri Pandit leader Vinod Tickoo said.The Dogra Front also took out a protest rally in the city. Two hundred Bajrang Dal activists also held a protest against Bala's killing.They raised slogans against the Jammu and Kashmir administration for failing to protect government employees belonging to the minority community. They blocked a road for an hour and burnt an effigy of the administration."The government should grant us arms licences, we will fight in Kashmir. Minority Hindu employees serving in the Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley should also be given weapons for their personal protection," Rakesh Kumar, president of the Bajrang Dal's Jammu unit, told reporters.Shiv Sena activists led by the party's Jammu and Kashmir unit president Manish Sahni also held a protest against Bala's killing. Sahni told reporters that all the assurances of security given by the central and state governments are proving to be completely false.Sahni also demanded that people be granted arms licences to be able to fight terrorism in the Kashmir Valley. Licensed weapons in the hands of people is the only way for them to protect themselves and their families, he added. Activists of Mission Statehood Jammu and Kashmir also held a protest at the Janipur high court road in Jammu and blocked traffic. They raised anti-Pakistan slogans and demanded that all government employees from the minority community be transferred to Jammu from Kashmir.Bala's was the seventh targeted killing in Kashmir this month. While three of the victims were off-duty policemen, four were civilians.—PTI

Kashmiri Pandits, employed under the prime minister's package, on Tuesday threatened to undertake mass migration from the Kashmir Valley if the government did not relocate them to safe places within the next 24 hours as they hit the streets at various places to protest against the killing of a lady teacher by terrorists in Kulgam district.

The Hawk

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Tag : Protest

Massive Pro-Imran Protests Staged Across Pakistan

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