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

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

Lucknow: The Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh are locked in a war of words over a purported video which shows Uttar Pradesh Police brutally beating up alleged protestors inside a police station.SP president Akhilesh Yadav had tweeted the video questioning the action of the cops. "Hawalat par sawalat," he said."Questions should be raised on police action otherwise justice will lose its credibility. Uttar Pradesh is number one in custodial deaths, in violation of human rights and harassment of Dalits," he stated. The video, to which the attention was drawn initially by BJP MLA Shalabh Mani Tripathi who tweeted it saying it was a "return gift" to rioters, was retweeted by Akhilesh.The two Deputy Chief Ministers, Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, have now accused the SP of "supporting rioters".Maurya asked why Akhilesh was speaking in support of the accused, saying: "Action is taken against rioters and stone-pelters but Akhilesh Yadav feels its pain. What is the reason behind this?"Pathak said the SP chief was upset when the Yogi Adityanath government demolished "illegal" properties of stone-pelters in Prayagraj and Kanpur."When some terrorists carried out bomb blasts in Varanasi, Ayodhya and Lucknow, then SP even went to the high court to claim that they were innocent. The convict in the Varanasi blast, who was recently given the death penalty by the sessions court, was also innocent for SP. If you remember, the court had then commented on the government asking whether they would give these people a Padma Bhushan as well," he said.Pathak added that a party which used to support rioters when it was in power, was now talking of justice."There is no place for rioters under the BJP government. The government is working on zero tolerance policy to ensure that no culprit is spared," he said. The Minister added that action being taken by the government was on legal grounds but since SP had only practiced appeasement politics, it would never understand that.&nbsp;—IANS

The Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh are locked in a war of words over a purported video which shows Uttar Pradesh Police brutally beating up alleged protestors inside a police station.

SP, BJP In War Of Words Over Alleged Beating Of Protesters

Patna: The agitation against the Agnipath scheme turned violent as it continued for a third straight day in Bihar with protesters allegedly attacking the houses of Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Renu Devi and Bihar BJP president and West Champaran MP Sanjay Jaiswal.The residence of Jaiswal, in Bettiah, was attacked by agitators protesting against the Agnipath recruitment scheme. At least one policeman was injured.Jaiswal, while confirming the development to ANI, said that he was at his ancestral residence when the incident took place. “Not much damage to the property has been done,” he said.Meanwhile, Renu Devi’s son told ANI, “Our residence in Bettiah was attacked. We suffered a lot of damage. She (Renu Devi) is in Patna.”Today, railway traffic was blocked and train coaches were set ablaze in several states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Telangana. Meanwhile, anticipating violence in the state, the Haryana government has suspended internet services in Faridabad district’s Ballabgarh.In Telangana, several people were injured, after Telangana police allegedly opened fire on a mob at Secunderabad railway station as protests against the Agnipath scheme escalated into large-scale violence and arson.Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra today slammed the Centre over the Agnipath scheme. Rahul Gandhi tweeted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not understand what the country wants, listing out initiatives by the central government that were “rejected” by the people.“He can’t hear anything except the voice of his ‘friends’,” Rahul said. Meanwhile, Priyanka asked PM Modi to withdraw the scheme immediately. She added that the government had changed its rules for the Agnipath recruitment plan in less than 24 hours, indicating that it is being imposed on the youth in a hurry.Violent protest over the Central government’s ‘Agnipath’ scheme for recruitment in armed forces continued across Bihar on Thursday with hundreds of aspirants disrupting rail and road traffic while police fired tear gas shells to disperse them.On Wednesday also, aspirants staged protests at Muzaffarpur, Begusarai and Buxar districts over the scheme, disrupting road and rail traffic movement. The recruitment of ‘Agniveers’ would begin in the next 90 days and the first batch will be ready by July 2023. “The government should give ‘Agniveers’ 20-30 per cent reservation in other jobs once they are out of service after four years under the ‘Agnipath’ scheme”, said a protester.Agnipath Scheme was recently launched by the government in an effort to bring a change in the recruitment process of the Armed Forces. With the new military recruitment scheme facing a backlash by Opposition, the Centre has decided to bring a change in the upper age limit for recruiting Agniveers. Granting a one-time waiver, the Centre on June 16, 2022, announced that the Agniveer upper age limit for recruitments via Agnipath Scheme has been extended to 23 years from 21 years.Consequent to the commencement of the Agnipath scheme, the entry age for all new recruits in the Armed Forces has been fixed as 17 1/2 – 21 years of age, said the Ministry of Defence on Friday.The Ministry of Defence, in its statement on Tuesday, said that the Agnipath scheme has been designed to enable a youthful profile of the Armed Forces. It will provide an opportunity to the youth who may be keen to don the uniform by attracting young talent from the society who are more in tune with contemporary technological trends and plough back skilled, disciplined and motivated manpower into the society. It is envisaged that the average age profile of the Indian Armed forces would come down by about 4-5 years by the implementation of this scheme. The nation stands to immensely benefit from the infusion of highly inspired youth with a deeper understanding of self-discipline, diligence and focus who would be adequately skilled and will be able to contribute in other sectors.This is a major defence policy reform introduced by the Government to usher in a new era in the Human Resource policy of the three Services. The policy, which comes into immediate effect, will hereafter govern the enrolment for the three services.—ANI

The agitation against the Agnipath scheme turned violent as it continued for a third straight day in Bihar with protesters allegedly attacking the houses of Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Renu Devi and Bihar BJP president and West Champaran MP Sanjay Jaiswal.

Protesters Attack Houses Of Bihar Dy CM, BJP chief

Colombo: Sri Lankan protesters have vowed to continue their struggle for a complete change of the system by abolishing the presidency, as the popular uprising that ousted Gotabaya Rajapaksa as president marked the 100th day on Sunday.The anti-government protest began on April 9 near the presidential office and has been continuing without a break.We will continue our fight till we achieve our goal for a complete change of the system," Father Jeewantha Peiris, a leading activist of the movement, said.This is a freedom struggle. We managed to send home an authoritarian President through people's power," Peiris said.Rajapaksa, 73, who fled to the Maldives on Wednesday and then landed in Singapore on Thursday, formally resigned on Friday, capping off a chaotic 72 hours in the crisis-hit nation that saw protesters storm many iconic buildings, including the President and the Prime Minister's residences here.Acting president Wickremesinghe appears to be their next target for the protesters and the campaign to oust him has already begun.On July 5, we issued an action plan. Foremost of that was removing Gotabaya and defeating Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Rajapaksa regime," he said.We press for the abolition of the presidency to make it a true realisation of our action plan," he said. We do not fear the government," the protesters chanted in chorus.After occupying the three most important administrative buildings in the capital, the protesters vacated three of them other than the presidential office. The protest had seen violence since it began mid-April.Some elements with extremist political agendas have been blamed for arson attacks on the personal properties of Sri Lankan leaders.Wickremesinghe's private house suffered an arson attack the same day when Rajapaksa fled the country.He is one of the four candidates who seek to succeed Rajapaksa in the vote in Parliament scheduled for July 20.Wickremesinghe, who is also the prime minister, on Friday pledged to maintain law and order after he was sworn in as Sri Lanka's interim president. He said that the armed forces have been given the powers and the freedom to deal with any acts of violence and sabotage. "I am one hundred per cent supportive of peaceful demonstrations. There is a difference between rioters and protesters," he had said. Wickremesinghe said the true protesters would not resort to unleashing violence. —PTI

Sri Lankan protesters have vowed to continue their struggle for a complete change of the system by abolishing the presidency, as the popular uprising that ousted Gotabaya Rajapaksa as president marked the 100th day on Sunday.

Sri Lankan Protesters Vow To Continue Their Struggle For Complete System Change

Baghdad:&nbsp;Hundreds of followers of Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr broke into the Iraqi Parliament building in central Baghdad to protest against the nomination of Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani for the post of Prime Minister.The riot police fired tear gas canisters and warning shots to disperse the protesters, but there were no clashes between the protesters and the security forces, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua news agency.Many videos aired by TV channels and social media showed dozens of demonstrators inside Parliament building waving Iraqi flags and chanting slogans hailing Moqtada al-Sadr.Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi urged in a statement the protesters to withdraw from the building immediately.Al-Sadr told the demonstrators to end the protest in a tweet late Wednesday night, saying "your message has arrived... Go back to your homes safely".The protest came two days after the Coordination Framework, an umbrella group of Shia parliamentary parties, nominated Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani.The Coordination Framework became the largest alliance in the Iraqi Parliament after al-Sadr ordered his followers in the Sadrist Movement, the biggest winner in the elections held on October 10, 2021, with 73 seats, to withdraw from Parliament.During the past months, the continuing disputes among the Shiite parties have hampered the formation of a new Iraqi government, as Parliament has been unable to elect a new president by a two-thirds majority of the 329-seat Parliament under the constitution.If elected, the President will appoint the prime minister nominated by the largest alliance in Parliament, the Coordination Framework, to form a new government that would rule the country for the coming four years.—IANS

Hundreds of followers of Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr broke into the Iraqi Parliament building in central Baghdad to protest against the nomination of Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani for the post of Prime Minister.

 Protesters storm Iraq's Parliament against new PM's nomination

Kolkata (The Hawk): A large police detachment forcibly evicted protesters demonstrating in front of the West Bengal Board of Elementary Education (WBBPE) office here at midnight over alleged irregularities in the appointment of primary teachers in the state.
On Thursday evening, a large police detachment arrived at the protest site, advising demonstrators to end their sit-in and fast-unto-death movement, citing a Calcutta High Court single-judge bench judgement to uphold Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The court ruling, however, did not direct the police to remove the demonstrators.
To evade the imposition of Section 144, which prohibits gatherings of four or more persons in one area, the demonstrators took an unconventional approach. They dispersed into small groups (fewer than four people in each) and began protesting while keeping a reasonable gap between two groupings. Meanwhile, leaders from major opposition parties, including the BJP, CPI(M), and Congress, arrived to the demonstration site to express support with the protesters.
In the face of the presence of opposition leaders and a slew of reporters, the police contingent present began to show signs of withdrawing for the day. However, at approximately 12.15 a.m. (Friday), the police force returned to the scene and began dragging the demonstrators across the streets. The agitators staged a futile resistance protest, resulting in significant bruising for some, including ladies.
Meanwhile, opposition party officials hurried back to the scene, warning of statewide protests against such a late-night police raid.
On late Thursday evening, the office of Calcutta High Court Chief Justice Prakash Srivastava admitted the plea of protesters' counsels contesting the single-judge bench order to keep Section 144 in place on an emergency basis. The case will only be heard on Friday.
The opposition leaders have warned that there will be twin battles over this development beginning on Friday, the one in court and the second on the streets.
(Inputs from Agencies)

A large police detachment forcibly evicted protesters demonstrating in front of the West Bengal Board of Elementary Education (WBBPE) office here at midnight over alleged irregularities in the appointment of primary teachers in the state.

Teachers' recruitment scam: Police physically remove protesters demonstrating outside WBBPE headquarters

Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday ordered for detailed magisterial inquiry into the alleged lathi charge incident by the police on the youngsters who were demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the recruitment scams in the state.
"The Chief Minister has directed the Chief Secretary for a detailed magisterial inquiry into the law and order situation and the entire sequence of lathi charge," a statement from the CM office said.
"After checking all the facts and circumstances, the inquiry officer will make the detailed inquiry report available to the government," it added.
The Uttarakhand police used a baton charge on the youngsters who were demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the recruitment scams in the state after stones were allegedly pelted at them during a massive protest in Dehradun on Thursday, police said.
Dehradun DIG while taking note of the matter said that an investigation is underway into the matter. He also said that some "outside elements" entered the protest to vitiate the atmosphere.
Some outside elements entered the protest to vitiate the atmosphere. Stone pelting was done and police vehicles were damaged while many personnel were injured. An effort is underway to identify the accused. Probe underway," he further said.
However, police personnel also detained several protestors during the demonstration.
Meanwhile, hitting out at the Dhami government, former Chief Minister of state Harish Rawat said that the lathi charge by the police on the students was "unfortunate".
"Students are demanding a robust exam system. Already there is a lack of jobs due to the BJP government, then paper gets leaked and cancelled. When students were protesting they were lathi-charged which is unfortunate," Rawat said.
He also said that CM Dhami should speak with the students.
The government is facing sharp criticism after several exams were cancelled due to the leakage of the examination papers. The recent UKPSC paper leak which resulted in the Patwari Lekhpal exam being cancelled for around 1.4 lakh candidates. Uttarakhand recently faced a major paper leak case in December.
The case pertains to a written exam conducted by the UKSSSC in December 2021.
It was one of the major examinations conducted by the commission for 854 posts across 13 departments.
However, there were widespread allegations of irregularities in the conduct of the test. Following these allegations, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami called for a probe and strict action against those guilty.
Following this, the secretary of the commission was removed from the post. A Special Task Force (STF) was also constituted to investigate the alleged irregularities.
After the Uttarakhand State Subordinate Service Selection Commission was caught up in a paper leak case, the government asked the Uttarakhand Public Service Commission to conduct recruitment exams.
However, UKPSC officials were also arrested for their alleged involvement in the UKPSC Paper leak for the Patwari Lekhpal exam, which was conducted on January 8, 2023. As of now, a total of four people have been arrested in the case.
A case has been registered against nine people at Haridwar's Kankhal police station on Friday after an investigation by Police's Special Investigating Team (SIT) for the irregularities in AE/JE exam under Uttarakhand Public Services Examination (UKPSE), as informed by Uttarakhand CMO.
However, the CM on Thursday said that he approved an ordinance to bring the country's strictest "anti-cheating law".
"As a promise to the youth, our government has decided to bring the strictest anti-cheating law of the country. I have approved the Ordinance in this regard and sent for further action," he wrote in a tweet in Hindi. —ANI

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday ordered for detailed magisterial inquiry into the alleged lathi charge incident by the police on the youngsters who were demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the recruitment scams in the state.

Magisterial Inquiry Ordered In Lathi Charge Incident On Youth Protesters

New Delhi: A group of pro-Khalistan protesters on Sunday attacked and damaged the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, prompting sharp condemnation from Indian-Americans who demanded immediate action against those responsible for it.
'We are also appalled by the complete law and order failure in both in London as well as in SFO where a few radicalised separatists attacked India's diplomatic missions,' Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) said after pro-Khalistani protesters attacked the Indian Consulate in San Francisco.
Raising pro-Khalistan slogans, the protesters broke open the makeshift security barriers raised by the San Francisco police and installed two so-called Khalistani flags inside the Consulate premises. Two consulate personnel soon removed these flags.
Soon thereafter, a group of angry protesters entered the consulate premises and started hitting the door and windows with the iron rods. There was no immediate comment from San Francisco police on the incident.
Community leader Ajay Bhutoria strongly condemned the attack by pro-Khalistan protesters on the Consulate of India building in San Francisco.
"This act of violence is not only a threat to the diplomatic relations between the United States and India but also an attack on the peace and harmony of our community," he said. In a statement, Bhutoria urged local authorities to take immediate action against those responsible for this attack and bring them to justice. "I also call on all members of our community to unite and promote peace and harmony," he said. FIIDS said it is extremely concerning to see that the United Kingdom and the United States have failed to fulfil the commitments as per Vienna Convention to protect diplomatic missions.
'We would urge law and order institutions like Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the FBI as well as the CIA to ensure that terrorism finds no place and support in the United States of America,' FIIDS said. It said that Pakistan's spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is behind instigating and funding Sikh radicalisation with false propaganda. 'We ask Indian Americans including Sikh-majority to rise against the extremism,' FIIDS said. Expressing his heartfelt solidarity with the government of India, Bhutoria said he stands with them during this difficult time. Such heinous acts of violence have no place in our society, and we must all come together to condemn and resist them, he said. "Let us work together towards a world where all communities can live in peace and mutual respect. We must not let such incidents divide us or sow the seeds of hatred and violence. Our strength lies in our unity, and together we can overcome any challenge," he said. In Canberra, Khalistan supporters gathered outside Australian parliament to protest against police crackdown on radical preacher Amritpal Singh and his associates in Punjab.
—PTI

 A group of pro-Khalistan protesters on Sunday attacked and damaged the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, prompting sharp condemnation from Indian-Americans who demanded immediate action against those responsible for it.

Khalistan Supporters Attack Consulate In San Francisco

Beijing: Clashes broke out between Chinese Police and people in a Muslim-Majority town in southwestern China as protestors tried to stop the cops from demolishing a domed roof of the centuries-old Najiaying Mosque, Washington Post reported. On Saturday, dozens of officers got into a clash with a crowd as they pushed toward the gate of the Najiaying Mosque, an important seat of worship and religious teaching for ethnically Hui Muslims in Yunnan province, according to videos viral on Twitter. Videos viral on Twitter showed that police had retreated from the area while demonstrators staged a sit-in outside the gate that continued through the night. Dozens of officers from the armed police arrived on Sunday. The incident is related to a court judgment from 2020 that ruled some of the mosque's most recent renovations were illegal and ordered demolition, Washington Post reported. On Sunday, Tonghai County Police labelled the incident "seriously harmful to orderly social management" and urged anyone involved to surrender themselves to law enforcement before June 6 for a chance at a lighter punishment. The 13th-century Najiaying Mosque was expanded many times over the years to add buildings, as well as four minarets and a domed roof. In 2019, part of the structure was listed as a protected cultural relic. In recent years, however, Communist Party restrictions on religions have escalated. The country's top leader, Xi Jinping, has demanded absolute political loyalty of faith communities and the "Sinicization" of religion. Surveillance of religious leaders has also intensified. This month, a nationwide database of officially approved Islamic, Protestant and Catholic religious teachers was launched, Washington Post reported. The campaign has focused on Islam and Christianity because of the party's deep-seated fear of faith being a vector for foreign influence. As well as restricting international exchanges and donations, authorities have remodelled religious buildings whose outward appearance was deemed insufficiently Chinese. Xinjiang, a northwestern region that was home to millions of Turkic-language-speaking Uyghur Muslims, was hit the hardest. There, the Sinicization push was combined with a "deradicalization" program of mass detention and reeducation, which the United Nations ruled last year may amount to crimes against humanity. Estimates of the number of mosques and shrines destroyed in the region reach into the thousands. Unlike in Xinjiang, the Mandarin Chinese-speaking Hui minority originally avoided similarly severe restrictions. But eventually, the crackdown spread to Islamic communities across the country's northwest, including to Hui in Qinghai. Situated in an ethnically diverse and remote region of China, the Hui of Yunnan are among the last to face scrutiny. The region is often held up as an example of an ethnically and religiously diverse place, where residents are adept at navigating various identities and being politically flexible when necessary, Washington Post reported. On Monday, as news of the unrest spread, nationalist commentators urged a forceful response. On microblog Weibo, Xi Wuyi, an influential Marxist scholar at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences known for her hard-line stance against religious expression, called for "zero tolerance" of what she labelled criminal activities. —ANI

Clashes broke out between Chinese Police and people in a Muslim-Majority town in southwestern China as protestors 

Chinese Police Clash With Protesters Over Demolition Of Mosque

Hubballi: After high drama, civic authorities have allowed Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at the controversial Idgah Maidan in Karnataka’s Hubballi district.
Dharwad-Hubballi City Corporation Commissioner, Ishwar Ullagaddi handed over the permission letter late Friday night to allow the three-day festivities.
The opposiiton BJP and Hindutva organisations had staged a protest led by saffron party MLAs Arvind Bellad and Mahesh Tenginakayi.
The protesters resorted to a road blockade condemning the civic body for not handing over the permission letter even after the High Court judgment.
Police Commissioner Uma Sukumaran and additional police force had rush to the spot and cleared the road block after pacifying the protesters.
Earlier on Friday, the Dharwad bench of the Karnataka High Court on Friday quashed a petition opposing the installation of Ganesh idol and celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi in the Idgah Maidan premises.
The petition was submitted by the Anjuman-E-Islam organisation opposing the decision of the Hubballi-Dharwad City Corporation giving permission for celebration of Ganesh festival in the controversial site.
The approval was given in the general body meeting held last month and later the civic body refused to give permission.
The Idgah dispute in Hubballi began in 1971 when the Anjuman-e-Islam tried to construct a shopping complex at the site and erected a building allegedly violating the lease agreement of 1921.
Over the years the dispute took a political turn.
In 1992, under the Congress’, an attempt was made to hoist the Tricolour on the premiese.
However, the then ruling party stopped the action, debating that the flag cannot be hoisted on “disputed” land.
It was feared that the action might lead to communal tension.
In 1994, BJP leader Uma Bharti said that on Independence Day she would hoist the Indian flag on the grounds.
However, fearing communal tension, the Congress government imposed a curfew and stopped her and a few others were arrested after forcefully entering the town.
Six people were killed in the police firing in the incident.
—IANS

After high drama, civic authorities have allowed Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at the controversial Idgah Maidan in Karnataka’s Hubballi district.

Permission granted for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at Idgah Maidan in K'taka's Hubballi

Chandigarh: The Haryana Police on Friday released a series of video clips of several farmers, showing them pelting stones and purportedly attempting to provoke the security personnel at Shambhu border near Ambala.
Police in its post on X asserted that 'ruckus' cannot be allowed under the guise of farmers' movement.
Watch: <a href="https://twitter.com/police_haryana/status/1758480582357713261?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1758480582357713261%7Ctwgr%5E3968bf6ec81b6caae3ea18b1b84955cd922c5cca%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.deccanherald.com%2Findia%2Fharyana%2Fharyana-police-posts-videos-showing-farmers-pelting-stones-provoking-security-says-ruckus-cannot-be-allowed-2898226" target="_self">https://twitter.com/police_haryana/status/1758480582357713261?</a>
Meanwhile, the farmer leaders spearheading the 'Delhi Chalo' call claimed that the Haryana security personnel used 'force' against protesters by hurling tear gas shells and firing rubber bullets at them, leaving many injured.  The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have given a 'Delhi Chalo' call to press the BJP-led central government to accept their demands of minimum support price, among others.
Farmers from Punjab began their march to the national capital on Tuesday but were stopped by security personnel at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana.
Watch: <a href="https://twitter.com/police_haryana/status/1758473633742348424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1758473633742348424%7Ctwgr%5E3968bf6ec81b6caae3ea18b1b84955cd922c5cca%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.deccanherald.com%2Findia%2Fharyana%2Fharyana-police-posts-videos-showing-farmers-pelting-stones-provoking-security-says-ruckus-cannot-be-allowed-2898226" target="_self">https://twitter.com/police_haryana/status/1758473633742348424?</a>
On Tuesday, farmers mainly from Punjab clashed with Haryana Police at the two border points and were faced with tear gas and water cannons as they tried to breakthrough the barricades.  The Haryana Police on Friday also fired tear gas shells to disperse protesting farmers, a day after talks between Union ministers and farmer leaders remained inconclusive.  In one of the videos shared by the Haryana Police on X, many young protesters with faces covered could be seen hurling stones at the security personnel at the Shambhu border.  In another video, protesting farmers could be seen collecting stones to throw at the security personnel.
Police said 25 security personnel -- 18 Haryana Police and seven paramilitary force jawans -- were injured in these clashes.  "Under the guise of farmers' movement, miscreants are creating disorder at the Shambhu barrier,' police said in a post.  They also said that despite assurance of a peaceful protest at the Shambhu border, continuous efforts are being made by protesters to provoke policemen.  In one of the videos, a youth, one of the protesters, could be seen brandishing a sword sitting atop a cemented barricade.  Some of the protesters could be seen carrying sticks and one of them could be seen challenging the policemen with a thigh slap, a customary style to challenge for a duel.  "Even today, the protesters created a ruckus and repeatedly tried to provoke the Haryana Police," said one of the posts.  "Ruckus cannot be allowed to spread under the guise of farmers' movement. Protesters should not disturb law and order and hold peaceful protesters," said police.  In their turn, during the third round of meeting with a panel of Union ministers Thursday night, the farmer leaders raised the issue of force being used by police and paramilitary against the protesters.
—PTI

Haryana Police release videos of farmers' clash at Shambhu border. 'Delhi Chalo' protesters face force. Samyukta Kisan Morcha demands MSP.

Haryana Police posts videos showing farmers pelting stones, provoking security personnel

A close ally of late opposition leader Alexei Navalny urged Russians on Tuesday to turn out in big numbers for an election day protest against President Vladimir Putin next month that Navalny had called for shortly before he died.
The Kremlin warned there would be legal consequences for anyone who heeded what it called a provocative call from people it has labelled as dangerous US-backed extremists.  In a post on social media on Feb. 1, Navalny had urged Russians to register their protest by all turning out to vote at the same time, at noon on March 17. Navalny died in an Arctic penal colony on Feb. 16.  Navalny's ally Leonid Volkov, in a video published on YouTube, said the protest call was "Navalny's direct political testament", and the last call to action that he issued.
"Now this is no longer just a political action aimed at overcoming political loneliness and isolation. Now this is a rally of mourning and a civic memorial, an action in memory of Navalny, who asked us to hold it," he said.  "People will thus fulfil the last will of Alexei Navalny, so this is very important. Do it. And in the time remaining before the election, convince as many people as possible to do this."  Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Navalny's supporters were well known for their "provocative" appeals to break the law, and that there would be consequences for those who heeded such appeals.  "These people, so-called supporters (of Navalny) are well know for their provocative calls - to break the laws of the Russian Federation," Peskov said.  "This is a very harmful practice and has legal and law enforcement consequences for those who respond to these calls."  Navalny had called for the "Noon against Putin" protest as a way for people to mount a show of resistance without risking arrest, as they would simply be queuing up to vote legally.  Putin is assured of winning a new six-year term in the election. Two anti-war candidates have been disqualified on technical grounds and none of the remaining three candidates is critical of the president.
—Reuters

Join the crucial protest against President Putin on election day, honoring Alexei Navalny's final call for unity and resistance. A moment to remember a hero and challenge oppression.

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