New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday urged all Indians to stand together to secure a just and inclusive India, saying hate and violence are weakening the country. His remarks came a day after communal clashes broke out in Himmatnagar and Khambhat cities of Gujarat during Ram Navami processions, leaving one person dead, and also violence in the JNU campus over serving of non-vegetarian food on the festival."Hate, violence and exclusion are weakening our beloved country. The path to progress is paved with the bricks of brotherhood, peace and harmony. Let's stand together to secure a just, inclusive India," Mr Gandhi said on Twitter.On Sunday, two groups of students clashed at the Jawaharlal Nehru University's Kaveri Hostel allegedly over serving of non-vegetarian food on Ram Navami in the mess. Six students were injured in the violence. Several purported videos of the violence surfaced on social media, with one them showing a student bleeding from the head. Officials have not confirmed the authenticity of the videos. —PTI

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday urged all Indians to stand together to secure a just and inclusive India, saying hate and violence are weakening the country. His remarks came a day after communal clashes broke out in Himmatnagar and Khambhat cities of Gujarat during Ram Navami processions, leaving one person dead, and also violence in the JNU campus over serving of non-vegetarian food on the festival.

Hate, Violence Weakening Country: Rahul Gandhi

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat Police on Wednesday said that the violence that broke out in the Khambat area of Anand district during the Ram Navami procession was a pre-planned conspiracy.According to the police, the boys were brought from outside for stone-pelting and they were assured of all kinds of legal and financial help if they were caught by the authorities. It was decided to pelt stones from cemeteries as stones could be easily found there.A total of nine people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in violence and stone-pelting during the procession."As part of a pre-planned conspiracy, stones were hurled during the Ram Navami procession in Khambhat. The motive of the accused was that once the Ram Navami procession was stoned and threatened, no such religious procession would take place in the future. The accused had started planning for the procession after news broke that the Ram Navmi procession was about to start and the entire conspiracy was hatched in the last three days after the procession got police permission," said Superintendent of Police Ajit Rajiyan of Anand district. The police said that the six accused hatched the conspiracy as part of a need-to-know-based module/sleeper module. He said that Maulvi Razak Patel has been named as the mastermind of the conspiracy and is absconding."These people were in touch with people from outside the district and abroad for the funds to carry out the conspiracy. The responsibility of raising funds was handed over to Matin. An investigation is currently underway into who helped from outside the state and the country for the funds," said the Anand SP. In fact, the way the stones were pelted and the place selected for the pelting of stones, the state intelligence department was suspicious, after which the investigation was started by the state ATS, in which Jamshed Pathan was nabbed and interrogated, he told the security officials about the mastermind, Maulvi Razak Patel," he added.He further said that Mustakin Maulvi had conspired to stop this Ram Navami Rath Yatra. "He prepared Wasim and Wajid to face legal action. The money was managed by Matin Alti and his brothers Mohsin and Azad. Apart from this, the boys were arranged by Chintu Farid, Razzak Patel, Akhtar, Naseer and Zahid to stop the procession. Everyone's names are in the FIR except Alti and his brothers," said SP. Several incidents of stone-pelting between communities were reported in Gujarat's Himmatnagar and Anand districts after which the police fired tear gas shells to disperse the mob.—ANI

 The Gujarat Police on Wednesday said that the violence that broke out in the Khambat area of Anand district during the Ram Navami procession was a pre-planned conspiracy.

Ram Navami Violence Was Pre-Planned: Gujrat Police

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday evening spoke to Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthan to take stock of the situation after widespread clashes were reported from Delhi's Jahangirpuri area following alleged stone pelting on a Shobha Yatra, leaving several persons injured, including cops. Sources said the Delhi Police chief has also briefed the officials in the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the present situation in the violence-hit area. A Fire Department official told IANS that received several calls in the evening regarding arson in the area. "We can't respond to such request, but at 6.43 p.m. we got a call about a fire incident at a shop in the Jahangirpuri area after which two fire tenders were immediately pressed into service," the official said. The official further informed that two fire engines are still in the area as a precautionary measure. The injured have been shifted to the Babu Jagjeevan Ram hospital. —IANS

 Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday evening spoke to Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthan to take stock of the situation after widespread clashes were reported from Delhi's Jahangirpuri area following alleged stone pelting on a Shobha Yatra, leaving several persons injured, including cops.

Jahangirpuri Violence: Shah Speaks To Delhi Police Chief

New Delhi: There is no evidence for the theory that a bid to plant saffron flags at a mosque led to violence in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri but was “a minor argument which later took the shape of massive violence”, Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana said on Monday.“The people who are saying that someone attempted to plant a flag there… it is not true,” he said at a press briefing on the Jahangirpuri communal violence.He said it is too soon to tell what the reason for provocation was . “This is part of the investigation. I can’t tell you anything because the investigation is yet to be completed,” he said. Asked again about planting the saffron flag, Asthana said: “It is not right. There was no such thing.” However, Jamiat-Ulema-e-Hind’s Delhi state General Secretary Abdul Raziq, who visited the site of the violence along with a delegation on Sunday, told IANS that when the third procession was passing near the mosque, some miscreants tried to enter and place a ‘saffron flag’ at the gate of the mosque.Asthana also said that at the time of violence the police were present in adequate numbers and initially even managed to separate both the groups.“Nine people, including 8 cops, were injured in the clashes. This shows that the police efficiently did their job which prevented any injury to the public,” he added.—IANS

There is no evidence for the theory that a bid to plant saffron flags at a mosque led to violence in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri but was “a minor argument which later took the shape of massive violence”, Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana said on Monday.

Jahangirpuri Violence: Delhi Police Chief Says No Bid To Plant Saffron Flag On Mosque

New Delhi: Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana on Monday said 23 people from both communities have been arrested so far in connection with the Jahangirpuri violence, and asserted that those involved will not be spared irrespective of class, creed or religion.The Delhi police chief also denied claims that attempts were made to hoist saffron flags at a local mosque in Jahangirpuri during the Hanuman Jayanti procession.He told a press conference that some people were trying to spread rumours on social media to keep the situation tense, and appealed to people to ignore them.The investigation into the Saturday clashes has been handed over to the Crime Branch and 14 teams have been formed to take it forward, he said, adding four forensics teams also visited the spot to gather evidence. The probe will cover all angles through analysis of CCTV footage and digital inputs, he said.—PTI&nbsp;

 Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana on Monday said 23 people from both communities have been arrested so far in connection with the Jahangirpuri violence, and asserted that those involved will not be spared irrespective of class, creed or religion.

Delhi Violence: 23 Held So Far, From Both Communities

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Monday cancelled the bail granted to Ashish Mishra, son of Union minister Ajay Mishra, in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case and asked him to surrender in a week, saying the ‘victims’ were denied “a fair and effective hearing” in the Allahabad High Court which adopted a “myopic view of the evidence.” The apex court held that the high court took into account irrelevant considerations and gave extra weightage to the contents of the FIR.It remanded the bail application for fresh adjudication “in a fair, impartial and dispassionate manner, and keeping in view the settled parameters” within three months after taking note of relevant facts and the fact that the victims were not granted a complete opportunity of being heard.The top court dealt in detail with the rights of victims in criminal cases and said they are “totally independent, incomparable, and are not accessory or auxiliary to those of the state” under the Code of Criminal Procedure.“We are, thus, of the view that this court on account of the factors like (i) irrelevant considerations having impacted the impugned order granting bail; (ii) the High Court exceeding its jurisdiction by touching upon the merits of the case; (iii) denial of victims’ right to participate in the proceedings; and (iv) the tearing hurry shown by the High Court in entertaining or granting bail to the respondent/accused; can rightfully cancel the bail, without depriving the Respondent-Accused (Mishra) of his legitimate right to seek enlargement on bail on relevant considerations,” said a bench comprising Chief Justice N V Ramana and justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli.Writing the 24-page order for the bench, Justice Surya Kant took note of submissions of victims that they were not heard in the high court as the video connection of their lawyer was lost and said, “we are constrained to express our disappointment with the manner in which the high court failed to acknowledge the right of the victims.” The verdict considered questions including whether a ‘victim’, as defined by CrPC, is entitled to be heard at the stage of adjudication of the bail plea of an accused.It also dealt with the issue of whether the high court overlooked relevant considerations while granting bail and if so, should the apex court interfere.It said until recently, criminal law had been viewed on a dimensional plane in which courts were required to adjudicate between the accused and the state, and the ‘victim’ had no participation in the adjudicatory process and “was made to sit outside the Court as a mute spectator.” The verdict said, “a victim’s within the meaning of CrPC. cannot be asked to await the commencement of trial for asserting his/her right to participate in the proceedings.” “The victim has a legally vested right to be heard at every step post the occurrence of an offence,” it said, adding, “such a ‘victim’ has unbridled participatory rights from the stage of investigation till the culmination of the proceedings in an appeal or revision.” On the first issue, it answered in the affirmative and held that in the present case, the ‘victims’ have been denied a fair and effective hearing at the time of granting bail to the accused."It cannot be gainsaid that the right of a victim under the amended Cr.P.C. are substantive, enforceable, and are another facet of human rights. The victim’s right, therefore, cannot be termed or construed restrictively like a brutum fulmen,” it said, adding such rights are “totally independent” of the State.The verdict said while deciding the bail plea, a court “should refrain from evaluating or undertaking a detailed assessment of evidence, as the same is not a relevant consideration at the threshold stage.” A court may examine prima facie issues, including any reasonable grounds whether the accused committed an offence or the severity of the offence itself, an extensive consideration of merits which has the potential to prejudice either the case of the prosecution or the defence, is undesirable, it said.“Instead of looking into aspects such as the nature and gravity of the offence; severity of the punishment in the event of conviction; circumstances which are peculiar to the accused or victims; likelihood of the accused fleeing; likelihood of tampering with the evidence and witnesses and the impact that his release may have on the trial and the society at large; the high court has adopted a myopic view of the evidence on the record and proceeded to decide the case on merits,” it said.“The High Court has taken into account several irrelevant considerations, whilst simultaneously ignoring judicial precedents and established parameters for grant of bail. It has been ruled on numerous occasions that an FIR cannot be treated as an encyclopaedia of events,” it said.While allegations in the FIR that the accused used his firearm and the subsequent post mortem and injury reports may have some limited bearing, there was no legal necessity to give undue weightage to the same, it said, adding observations of high court may have bearings on the trial.“Keeping all these factors cumulatively in mind, we have no difficulty in answering the question (B) also in the affirmative. It is held that the order under challenge does not conform to the relevant considerations,” it said referring to the high court order that had discussed the merits of the case.—PTI&nbsp;

 The Supreme Court Monday cancelled the bail granted to Ashish Mishra, son of Union minister Ajay Mishra, in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case and asked him to surrender in a week, saying the ‘victims’ were denied “a fair and effective hearing” in the Allahabad High Court which adopted a “myopic view of the evidence.”

'Victims Denied Fair Hearing': SC Cancels Ashish Mishra Bail In Lakhimpur Case

Bhopal: Eight days after communal clashes broke out in Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone, the first death was reported on Monday.The body of a person identified as Ibarish Khan, who was reported missing since April 10, was found in Indore’s MY hospital morgue.The family of the deceased identified the body at the morgue, which is around 120 km from Khargone. The family alleged that the police tried to hide the death.The family claimed that the deceased had been missing since the day violence erupted in Khargone. A missing complaint was also lodged at the police station, family claimed.According to the local police, Ibarish Khan was murdered by seven-eight men on the night of the clashes.“An unidentified body was found a day after communal violence in the Anand Nagar area of Khargone had occurred,” senior Khargone police officer Rohit Kashwani told reporters on Monday.He added that Khan died of a head injury and his body was identified by his family on Sunday night.Khan’s body was kept in a freezer at Indore’s MY Hospital. His family was taken to the hospital on Sunday night and that was when the body was identified as that of the missing man.The body was handed over to the family and brought to Khargone early Monday, police said.Ibarish Khan was a local municipality employee in Khargone and leaves behind a wife and a young son.Deceased’s family alleged that he was killed by the police and local residents when he had gone to a mosque to arrange food for iftar.The family also claimed that Ibarish Khan was last seen in police custody at Khargone police station on April 10 evening. “The people in Anand Nagar attacked my brother with weapons and crushed his head with a stone,” said the deceased’s brother Iqhlak Khan.According to him, the police finally told him about Ibarish Khan’s death only after he threatened to go to the media. “A policeman came to me on Sunday night and told me that Ibarish’s body is kept in Indore,” he said.The condition of the body indicated a brutal attack, Iqhlak said. “His one eye was damaged, there were cuts on his face and legs,” he added.On April 10, communal violence erupted in Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone during the Ram Navami celebrations. Stones were hurled at the procession, triggering incidents of arson wherein some vehicles were set on fire, prompting authorities to clamp curfew in three areas and section 144 of CrPC in the entire city. Police fired tear gas shells to control the situation.—IANS

Eight days after communal clashes broke out in Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone, the first death was reported on Monday.  The body of a person identified as Ibarish Khan, who was reported missing since April 10, was found in Indore’s MY hospital morgue.  The family of the deceased identified the body at the morgue, which is around 120 km from Khargone. The family alleged that the police tried to hide the death.

1st Death Reported In Khargone Communal Violence

New Delhi: Delhi Police arrested five people and apprehended one minor of the same family in connection with the April 16 Delhi Jahangirpuri violence.A total of 23 people have been arrested and two juveniles apprehended so far in connection with the incident in which nine people, including eight police personnel and a civilian, were injured.Delhi Police have arrested people from 'both communities' for the violence. Among all the arrested, the police have arrested all the men of a family belonging to 'one particular community'.The accused have been identified as Suken Sarkar, his brother Suresh Sarkar, Suken's two sons Neeraj and Suraj, and Suken's brother-in-law Sujit.Police have also detained Suken's minor son.After the arrest, Suken's wife Durga Sarkar told ANI, "My husband, brother-in-law, three sons and my brother have been arrested by the police. They are all innocent. They were on the chariot in the procession and stones were pelted at him. A brick was thrown at my husband. His brother suffered severe injuries to his head, but despite this, they saved the Hanuman idol."Durga told that her husband came home and told her that people belonging to the 'other community' first started arguing with them and they also were the ones to start stone-pelting."My husband ran away from that place to save his life. He does a small job and my son is in Class 12. He has his board exams. If he is not released, his life would be ruined", she added.Durga Sarkar further alleged a larger conspiracy.She said, "Why is just my family members arrested? There were others too. This is a conspiracy, I want my family members to be released."Arrested Sujit's wife Meenu said, "My husband has been arrested by the police. He was pulling the chariot in the Shobha Yatra. He told that 5-6 people came from the mosque and asked them to stop the loudspeaker and stop chanting Jai Shri Ram.""When the people in the procession refused, hundreds of people from the 'other community' came out with swords and attacked the procession. My husband somehow ran to save his life", added Meenu.According to Meenu, her husband did not participate in stone-pelting. "Or he would only do it for self-defence. If someone comes to kill me, should I not try to protect myself?" she added."My husband knows all the people who actually started the riot. But despite this, the other community became heroes, our people became villains. We live in Hindustan and it is our right to chant Jai Shri Ram."Clashes broke out between two groups after stone-pelting incidents were reported from the Jahangirpuri area in the national capital on Saturday evening during a procession last Saturday.Some people, including two policemen, have been injured.—ANI

 Delhi Police arrested five people and apprehended one minor of the same family in connection with the April 16 Delhi Jahangirpuri violence.  A total of 23 people have been arrested and two juveniles apprehended so far in connection with the incident in which nine people, including eight police personnel and a civilian, were injured.

Jahangirpuri: 5 Of Family Arrested, Including Minor

 Delhi Police arrested five people and apprehended one minor of the same family in connection with the April 16 Delhi Jahangirpuri violence. A total of 23 people have been arrested and two juveniles apprehended so far in connection with the incident in which nine people, including eight police personnel and a civilian, were injured.


 

New Delhi: The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has threatened to launch “a battle” against the Delhi Police if any action is taken against its workers in connection with the Jahangirpuri violence during a Hanuman Jayanti procession.This comes after the police said it has registered an FIR against the organizers for taking out the procession without permission and arrested a VHP leader Prem Sharma. The police, however, withdrew the statement later, citing that IPC section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) is a bailable offense and the VHP leader was let off after questioning.Later, the police issued a revised statement that did not name the VHP and the Bajrang Dal.Usha Rangnani, Northwest Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) told PTI that an FIR was registered against organizers for carrying out a procession on Saturday without permission and one accused person was investigated.“We have learned that an FIR has been registered against VHP and Bajrang Dal activists, and one of the activists has been arrested as well. They (police) have done a big blunder,” said Vinod Bansal, national spokesperson of VHP.Rejecting police claim that the procession was taken out by the organizers without permission, he called it “absurd” saying, it seems the police have bowed down before “Islamic jihadis”.“If there was no permission, how police personnel in such a large number were accompanying the yatra (procession)?” Bansal questioned. VHP is “a law-abiding organization”, he said adding that leveling such an allegation against it and its activists raises many questions about the functioning of the police. VHP will not “tolerate such things.”The Hindutva member warned that “VHP will launch a battle if they (police) try to lodge a false case or pick any of its activists.”—PTI

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has threatened to launch “a battle” against the Delhi Police if any action is taken against its workers in connection with the Jahangirpuri violence during a Hanuman Jayanti procession.

VHP Threatens To Launch 'Battle' Against Delhi Police

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has threatened to launch “a battle” against the Delhi Police if any action is taken against its workers in connection with the Jahangirpuri violence during a Hanuman Jayanti procession.



New Delhi: Bulldozers razed several structures in violence-hit Jahangirpuri on Wednesday during an anti-encroachment drive by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation but it was stopped following a Supreme Court order.The anti-encroachment drive continued for one-and-a-half hours even after the Supreme Court directed authorities to stop it. A civic official, requesting anonymity, said the drive continued because of the absence of a written order from the Supreme Court. It was stopped as soon as the order was received, the official added. The Supreme Court directed the apex court Secretary-General to convey the earlier order to stop demolition in the riots-hit Jahangirpuri here to the NDMC Mayor and the Delhi Police Commissioner immediately.A bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana, in the forenoon, ordered the stopping of the drive and also agreed to hear a petition challenging the action of the civic bodies allegedly aimed against the accused of the communal offences.Despite the apex court's directions, bulldozers were seen razing structures near a mosque in Jahangirpuri's C Block where a violence had erupted on April 16.The drive went on for 1.5 hours.Earlier, senior advocate Dushyant Dave mentioned a petition against the special joint encroachment removal action of civic bodies including the NDMC and the Public Works Department (PWD), and said 'a completely unauthorised and unconstitutional demolition' has been ordered.He alleged that the demolition, which was to start at 2 pm on Wednesday, has begun at 9 am and no mandatory notice for demolition has been served on the alleged violators.Later, Dave informed the court that despite its order, the demolition was on as the authorities are saying that the same has not been communicated to them.The SC took note of Dave's submission and directed the apex court Secretary-General to convey the earlier order to stop demolition to the NDMC Mayor and the Delhi Police Commissioner immediately."It will be too late otherwise," Dave said urging urgent remedial action on the part of the top court."Ok. Communicate it through Secretary-General or Registrar General (of the apex court) immediately," the CJI said.NDMC Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh said the drive has been stopped in the wake of Supreme Court's order."We will follow the Supreme Court orders. We have stopped the drive. The civic machinery there is now only lifting the garbage and other items lying on the roads in the area," Singh told PTI.Heavy police and paramilitary forces were deployed ahead of the drive.Officials said security forces were carrying out a flag march in the area and they took stock of the situation before the drive was launched.A drone has also been deployed to monitor the situation.Ahead of the drive, people in Jahangirpuri C Block voluntarily removed their belongings from roadsides, they said.The area witnessed violent clashes, including stone pelting, arson and firing, between two communities during a Hanuman Jayanti procession on Saturday.Eight police personnel and a local resident had sustained injuries.Meanwhile, the Delhi high court on Wednesday agreed to hear during the course of the day pleas against the anti-encroachment drive in Jahangirpuri, but refused to interfere in the process at this stage.Acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi asked the lawyers, who mentioned the cause for urgent listing and relief, to file their petitions and said, "I am not saying anything (on stopping the demolition) but that they (authorities) should be ready (with instructions)."Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma stated that the Supreme Court is already seized of the issue.The Acting Chief Justice said that the petitions would be heard during the course of the day once they were filed, and observed that 'there was nothing new' and the drive was 'already in contemplation'."They have acquired force now. You file it (the petitions)," he said and asked the authorities to be ready with instructions.The lawyer appearing for one of the aggrieved parties urged the court to 'protect' the dwellers till 2 pm.In the aftermath of the violence, some residents are not in the area and some are in custody, she added.—PTI

Bulldozers razed several structures in violence-hit Jahangirpuri on Wednesday during an anti-encroachment drive by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation but it was stopped following a Supreme Court order.

Jahangirpuri Razing Went On For 1.5 Hours After SC Order

Bulldozers razed several structures in violence-hit Jahangirpuri on Wednesday during an anti-encroachment drive by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation but it was stopped following a Supreme Court order.





New Delhi: Hitting out at those alleging biased action in the Jahangirpuri violence case, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Wednesday said action has been taken on the basis of 'crime and conspiracy', not on 'caste and community'.The senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader's remarks came after All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader Asaduddin Owaisi alleged that 'one-sided action' is being taken in the Jahangirpuri violence case. Clashes broke out between two communities during a Hanuman Jayanti procession at Jahangirpuri on Saturday, leaving eight police personnel and a local resident injured. According to police, there was stone-pelting and arson during the clashes and some vehicles were also torched.Naqvi said the culprits have been arrested on the basis of the crime committed by them and not on the basis of their creed. "No one should be allowed to harm the harmony of society," he said."Some people are constantly engaged in delivering 'no-ball of hate' and 'hat-trick of hostility'," the minister told reporters. "The country and society will never allow such 'defeated players' to disturb communal and social harmony," Naqvi said. He said those trying to hide a crime behind 'communal cover' want to create 'fear' in society through a "caucus of criminals"."The syndicate indulging in 'political lynching of harmony' will never succeed in their 'nefarious designs' to disturb the unity of the country," Naqvi said. "We all have to work together to ensure peace and harmony in society," he asserted.The Delhi Police has slapped the stringent National Security Act (NSA) on five persons arrested in connection with the April 16 Jahangirpuri violence.—PTI

Hitting out at those alleging biased action in the Jahangirpuri violence case, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Wednesday said action has been taken on the basis of 'crime and conspiracy', not on 'caste and community'.

Not Against Muslims: Naqvi Defends Jahangirpuri Action

Hitting out at those alleging biased action in the Jahangirpuri violence case, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Wednesday said action has been taken on the basis of 'crime and conspiracy', not on 'caste and community'.





New Delhi: The Jahangi-rpuri violence was pre-planned by prime accused Mohammed Ansar Sheikh, said sources in the Delhi Police’s Crime Branch, which is probing the case.Seven days before the April 16 Hanuman Jayanti procession, a meeting was organised by Ansar to carry out the attack, sources said on Friday. The sources privy to the investigation said Ansar held the meeting at Kushal Chowk in Jahangirpuri with 30 people in which it was planned as to how they would stop the procession.“Red colour stones were assembled by the accused at the roof top of several houses. It was all pre-planned. The accused later washed the whole roof. It was done in a bid to destroy the evidence,” said the source. The source said that around 30 people attended the meeting called by Ansar.&nbsp;The meeting was attended by a few juveniles also, said sources.The sources also said that the accused were talking on whatsApp call to avoid recording.Police are now trying to establish the identity of the accused.Suresh, who was pulling the procession cart, said that Ansar was leading the protest and was also provoking the mob against them. He said Ansar pushed him and asked him to stop the procession.The Crime Branch has also scanned dump data of the 10,000 numbers which were active in the area at the time of attack.Northwest Delhi’s Jahangirpuri witnessed violent clashes during a Hanuman Jayanti procession on April 16. Delhi Police have arrested 22 people in the case so far.—IANS

 The Jahangi-rpuri violence was pre-planned by prime accused Mohammed Ansar Sheikh, said sources in the Delhi Police’s Crime Branch, which is probing the case.

Jahangirpuri Violence: Ansar Had Called Meeting To Stop Procession, Say Sources

 The Jahangirpuri violence was pre-planned by prime accused Mohammed Ansar Sheikh, said sources in the Delhi Police’s Crime Branch, which is probing the case.




New Delhi: Seven people were arrested after they allegedly threw pieces of pork, letters abusing Muslims and torn pages of an Islamic text at some mosques in Ayodhya in an attempt to instigate communal violence, police said on Thursday.The arrested belong to an outfit called the 'Hindu Yodha Sangathan', and the leader of the group is a history-sheeter with four criminal cases registered against him, they said.The police said they have registered four FIRs in connection with the incidents that took place at the Taatshah Jama Masjid, Ghosiyana mosque, a mosque at the Kashmiri Mohalla and a mazar known as Gulab Shah Baba.'It was an attempt to create communal violence and incite riots in Ayodhya,' they said in a statement.On Tuesday midnight, the accused threw pieces of pork, letters threatening a particular community and torn pages of a sacred text at the mosques and a mazar, it said. Eleven people were involved in the conspiracy and four of them are on the run, the police said, adding that they found the accused had purchased skull caps, two copies of the Quran, pork and writing materials.During the investigation, it was found that the accused were annoyed over the Jahangirpuri incident in Delhi and wanted to take revenge, the statement said.Those arrested were identified by the police as the outfit's leader Mahesh Mishra, and Pratyush Kumar, Nitin Kumar, Deepak Gaud, Brajesh Pandey, Shatrughan and Vimal Pandey, all residents of the Kotwali City police station area.The accused have been booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class) and 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), the police said. They first attempted to plant the objectionable items at a mosque in Beniganj, but due to police presence in the area, they moved to the three mosques and the mazar, the police said.—PTI

Seven people were arrested after they allegedly threw pieces of pork, letters abusing Muslims and torn pages of an Islamic text at some mosques in Ayodhya in an attempt to instigate communal violence, police said on Thursday. The arrested belong to an outfit called the 'Hindu Yodha Sangathan', and the leader of the group is a history-sheeter with four criminal cases registered against him, they said.

Sacrilege At Ayodhya Mosques To Incite Riots: 7 Held

Seven people were arrested after they allegedly threw pieces of pork, letters abusing Muslims and torn pages of an Islamic text at some mosques in Ayodhya in an attempt to instigate communal violence, police said on Thursday.
The arrested belong to an outfit called the 'Hindu Yodha Sangathan', and the leader of the group is a history-sheeter with four criminal cases registered against him, they said.





Jaipur: As many as 141 people have been arrested so far in connection with communal clashes over the hoisting of a flag before Eid in Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s constituency Jodhpur where a curfew continued for the second consecutive day on Wednesday.The situation is under control and no fresh incident of violence has been reported, police said.Nearly 1,000 police personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order. Earlier, the authorities issued orders imposing a curfew till Wednesday midnight besides suspending mobile internet services. DGP M L Lather said 141 people have been arrested and 12 FIRs registered in Jodhpur. Four FIRs were registered by police and eight lodged by people, he said. He said nine policemen were injured in the violence.Tensions broke out the night intervening Monday and Tuesday over putting up of Islamic flags on the Jalori gate circle, which led to stone pelting.The situation was brought under control in the early hours on Tuesday with heavy deployment of police but tensions escalated again in the morning after prayers at an Eidgah close to the Jalori gate circle.Shops, vehicles and houses were pelted with stones near the Jalori gate area. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday appealed to people to maintain peace and harmony and has sent two ministers Rajendra Yadav and Subhash Garg to Jodhpur. The clashes triggered a war of words between Gehlot and the BJP.Talking to reporters Gehlot on Wednesday accused the BJP of instigating riots on the “orders of its high command”.Targeting BJP leaders, Gehlot said they are trying to defame the Congress party’s government in the state as they are “unable to digest peace”.“The BJP is nervous. Therefore, they are instigating riots,” he told reporters in Udaipur.“They have instructions from their high command to defame the Rajasthan government and create instability as much as they can,” the CM alleged.Earlier on Tuesday, the BJP targeted the state government over law and order. Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat claimed that police are working under pressure. Shekhawat threatened that he, along with other party leaders, will sit on a dharna at the Jalori gate circle if the rioters are not arrested.State BJP president Satish Poonia had alleged that communal incidents are taking place “under the patronage of the state government.” He alleged that saffron flags were removed by anti-social elements and an Islamic flag put up on the statue of freedom fighter Balmukund Bissa.—PTI&nbsp;

As many as 141 people have been arrested so far in connection with communal clashes over the hoisting of a flag before Eid in Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s constituency Jodhpur where a curfew continued for the second consecutive day on Wednesday.

141 Arrested After Communal Violence In Jodhpur

Colombo: Amidst violent clashes and unrest in Colombo, Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Monday resigned from his post.He handed over his resignation to President and his younger brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa.Mahinda Rajapaksa's resignation following violent clash between pro-Rajapaska supporters and anti-government protesters which has injured over 100. The violence started when pro-government protesters attacked the ant-government protesters who had occupied entrance to the President's Office and Prime Minister's residence for nearly a month demanding the government to step down.Pro-Rajapaksa supporters met Mahinda Rajapaksa in the morning and insisted he not step down. They later armed themselves with clubs and attacked the anti-government protesters who had been in front of PM's house first and burnt the huts. Later, they marched to the main anti-government protest site near President's House and attacked the protesters there too. Main opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, who visited the site, too was attacked by pro-Rajapaksa supporters.However as the attackers who were going back in buses, public on various locations attacked them and some of them were thrown into rivers.As the violence was continuing, curfew was imposed across the entire island. Soon after, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie J. Chung, in a tweet, condemned the violence in Colombo."We condemn the violence against peaceful protesters today, and call on the government to conduct a full investigation, including the arrest &amp; prosecution of anyone who incited violence. Our sympathies are with those injured today and we urge calm and restraint across the island, " the Ambassador said.President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and PM Mahinda Rajapaksa too later tweeted condemning the violence.Condemning the attack, doctors at all government hospitals are to stay away from work on Tuesday.With severe shortages of many essentials including food, medicine, fuel and cooking gas, people have been protesting on streets for months and on Friday, trade unions, both private and government, launched a major strike demanding both President and PM Rajapaksa to resign. Trade unions have given an ultimatum to the government to resign before Wednesday. Main opposition have filed two no-confidence motions to remove the President and the PM and they are to be fixed for voting. —IANS

 Amidst violent clashes and unrest in Colombo, Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Monday resigned from his post.  He handed over his resignation to President and his younger brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

With Violence, SL PM Mahinda Rajapaksa Hands Over Resignation

 Amidst violent clashes and unrest in Colombo, Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Monday resigned from his post.

He handed over his resignation to President and his younger brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Colombo: Sri Lanka's former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is facing calls for his arrest from Opposition politicians for inciting violence against peaceful anti-government protesters that claimed at least five lives, left over 200 people injured and saw arson attacks on the homes of several politicians.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 resignation of the prime minister has automatically annulled the Cabinet and the country is currently being run by his younger brother and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.Mahinda Rajapaksa has been accused by the Opposition of inciting the ruling party mobs to attack peaceful protesters by making a defiant speech while addressing several thousands of his supporters to deflect calls for his resignation."Rajapaksa (Mahinda) must be arrested and brought before the law," M A Sumanthiran, the main Tamil legislator, said in a message.The same sentiments were expressed by former President Maithripala Sirisena and the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya party's leader Ranjith Madduma Bandara."He must be arrested for encouraging violence. There was no reason to attack the peaceful protesters," Sirisena said.The Colombo national hospital said at least 213 people had been admitted for treatment.One of the protesters who had been brutally assaulted by the Rajapaksa supporters remains in a very critical condition.Mahinda Rajapaksa later resigned, saying he was making way for his brother president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to set up an all-party interim government.There were reports from all parts of the island of arson attacks on the homes of ruling party politicians, including on the ancestral house of the Rajapaksa family in the deep southern district of Hambantota.Meanwhile, Mahinda Rajapaksa vacated the Temple Trees, the official residence of the prime minister, Tuesday morning, according to media reports.The police on Monday used tear gas and fired in the air to stop a mob which was trying to break into Temple Trees, the office cum residence of the prime minister.An all-island curfew, which was scheduled to be lifted on Tuesday, was extended last night until Wednesday as arson attacks were reported from most parts of the country.Army chief General Shavendra Silva called for calm and said the necessary action would be taken to maintain law and order.In the current state of emergency, the troops are given extensive powers to arrest people.The Opposition parties urged the reconvening of Parliament before the scheduled date of May 17.The trade unions announced that they would launch a continuous strike from Tuesday to protest against the government-backed crackdown on the peaceful protests.The violence occurred as pressure mounted on the embattled government led by President Gotabaya to form an interim administration to overcome the worst economic crisis facing the country.Sri Lanka is currently in the throes of unprecedented economic turmoil since its 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.Thousands of demonstrators have hit the streets across Sri Lanka since April 9 seeking the resignation of President Gotabaya and Prime Minister Mahinda, as the government ran out of money for vital imports; prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed and there are acute shortages in fuel, medicines and electricity supply.In a special Cabinet meeting on Friday, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared a state of emergency with effect from Friday midnight. This is the second time that an emergency was declared in Sri Lanka in just over a month as the island nation was in the grip of the worst economic crisis.—PTI

Sri Lanka's former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is facing calls for his arrest from Opposition politicians for inciting violence against peaceful anti-government protesters that claimed at least five lives, left over 200 people injured and saw arson attacks on the homes of several politicians.

Mahinda faces calls for arrest as 5 killed in violence

Colombo: After clashes broke out in Sri Lanka where the protestors came under attack by the pro-government supporters, the World Bank (WB) has expressed deep concerns over the deteriorating situation in the Island Nation.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.WB Country Director for the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka Faris H. Hadad-Zervos on Monday tweeted, "We are deeply concerned with the perpetration of violence in Sri Lanka.""Those responsible are only standing in the way of the country's immediate economic recovery and making the task even more difficult for development partners," he added.Meanwhile, the ancestral home of the Rajapaksa family in Medamulana, Hambantota was set on fire by protesters. The protestors also set on fire Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella's house in Kandy.Moreover, the houses of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MPs Bandula Gunawardena, Prasanna Ranatunga, Channa Jayasumana, Kokila Gunawardena, Arundika Fernando, Thissa Kuttiyarachchi, Kanaka Herath, Pavithra Wanniarachchi have also been attacked.Earlier, Sri Lanka Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa's residence in the city of Kurunegala in the north-western province was set on fire, 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.A large number of protesters including the Inter-University Students Federation (IUSF) were out on the streets and attacked the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna MPs. Even some Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) offices were set ablaze.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. 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 USD 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

After clashes broke out in Sri Lanka where the protestors came under attack by the pro-government supporters, the World Bank (WB) has expressed deep concerns over the deteriorating situation in the Island Nation.

World Bank Expresses Grave Concern Over Perpetration Of Violence In Sri Lanka

New Delhi:&nbsp;The Delhi Police's Crime Branch has arrested one more person in connection with the last month Jahangirpuri violence which broke out during a Hanuman Jayanti procession, officials said on Thursday.The accused has been identified as Abdul and he was arrested from the national capital, an official said.With this, 37 people, including three juveniles, have been apprehended by police so far.Clashes broke out between two communities during the procession in Jahangirpuri in the national capital on April 16, leaving eight police personnel and a local injured.According to police, there was pelting of stones and arson during the clashes and some vehicles were also torched.—PTI

The Delhi Police's Crime Branch has arrested one more person in connection with the last month Jahangirpuri violence which broke out during a Hanuman Jayanti procession, officials said on Thursday.

One more arrested in Jahangirpuri violence case

The Delhi Police's Crime Branch has arrested one more person in connection with the last month Jahangirpuri violence which broke out during a Hanuman Jayanti procession, officials said on Thursday.



Bhopal: More than a month after violence during Ram Navami celebration in Khargone, the Madhya Pradesh government has transferred the district's collector and superintendent of police.Stone-pelting had taken place during the Ram Navami procession in Khargone city on April 10, leading to clashes and arson.The district administration also imposed curfew partially for 24 days.As per a government order issued late Saturday night, Khargone Collector Anugraha P has been transferred as officer on special duty at the Madhya Pradesh Bhawan in New Delhi.Ratlam's Collector Kumar Purushottam will be the new collector of Khargone.Besides, Khargone's superintendent of police Siddharth Choudhary, who was shot in leg by a rioter, was also transferred as Assistant Inspector General at the police headquarters in state capital Bhopal.Satna district Superintendent of Police Dharmveer Singh will now be the SP of Khargone.The government also transferred Jhabua's SP Ashutosh Gupta to Satna in the same capacity, while deputy commissioner of police, Indore, Arvind Tiwari has been transferred as Jhabua's SP.Niwari Collector Narendra Kumar Suryavanshi has now been appointed as the collector of Ratlam, while Jabalpur's additional commissioner (revenue) Tarun Bhatnagar has been made the district collector of Niwari, as per the order.—PTI

More than a month after violence during Ram Navami celebration in Khargone, the Madhya Pradesh government has transferred the district's collector and superintendent of police.

Khargone collector, SP shifted 1 month after Ram Navami violence

Amaravati: Arson broke out in Amalapuram town in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday when police resorted to lathi-charge at people who staged a protest against the proposed renaming of the newly-created Konaseema district as BR Ambedkar Konaseema district, with a number of police personnel left injured and the protestors opposed to the name change allegedly setting the houses of state minister P Viswarupu and a ruling YSR Congress MLA P Satish on fire. While the ruling party blamed unnamed forces behind the arson, all opposition parties hit out at the Jagan Mohan Reddy government over its "gross failure" in controlling the situation.The opposition parties appealed to people to observe restraint and ensure peace returned to Konaseema. State Home Minister Taneti Vanitha said some 20 police personnel were injured in stone pelting by the mob while the protestors torched a school bus.Prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC were clamped in Amalapuram even as additional police forces were rushed in to bring the situation under control. Eluru Range Deputy Inspector General of Police G Pala Raju, who rushed to Amalapuram, said they were observing restraint and trying to bring the situation under control. He said the injured police personnel were "not in danger."Trouble started when the police allegedly prevented leaders of the Konaseema Sadhana Samiti from going into the district Collector's office for submitting a memorandum against renaming the district and resorted to a lathi-charge.The Samiti was opposed to the proposed renaming of the newly-created Konaseema district as B R Ambedkar Konaseema district.As police tried to chase the Samiti leaders and workers away, stone pelting ensued. As trouble broke out, shops in the town downed their shutters even as the protestors allegedly went berserk and first set a school bus on fire.They later went to the house of Transport Minister Viswarupu and torched it. Sensing trouble, police had by then moved the family members of the ministers out to safety.Later, the protestors targeted Mummidivaram MLA Ponnada Satish's residence and set it on fire."It was such a horrifying thing when a mob of 1,000-1,500 persons came and burnt our house. They were carrying petrol in bottles, which clearly indicated that they did all this intentionally," Satish said.He and his family members were, however, moved to safety.The state Home Minister Vanitha told reporters at the Secretariat here that some parties and anti-social elements apparently instigated the arson."It is unfortunate that over 20 police personnel sustained injuries in the incident. We will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and bring the culprits to book," she added.Principal opposition Telugu Desam Party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, Jana Sena and the Congress hit out at the government over its gross failure in controlling the Amalapuram situation."The arson in Konaseema, known for its peace, is unfortunate. The Home Minister made baseless allegations on a delicate issue. This is completely a failure of the government and the police," Telugu Desam chief N Chandrababu Naidu said in a statement.Jana Sena chief K Pawan Kalyan lashed out at the Home Minister for blaming the opposition parties over the Amalapuram incidents."It is nothing but an effort to cover up the government's failure in maintaining law and order. The ruling party is only seeking to push the blame on to the opposition to cover its failures," Kalyan said.State BJP president Somu Veerraju strongly condemned the incidents and blamed the government for failing to ensure peace."The government should take responsibility for its failure to maintain peace in Konaseema," he added.State Congress president Sake Sailajanath too blamed the government over this.Former director general of police V Dinesh Reddy, too, found fault with the police."Instead of blaming I can say it is failure of police. (When I was) DGP of combined AP, such incidents were never allowed to boomerang on this scale," Dinesh Reddy said in a social media post.He recalled that he worked as SP of the erstwhile East Godavari district for a long period and people of Konaseema were found to be peace-loving. "I am shocked at the turn of events," he added.On April 4, the new Konaseema district was carved out of the erstwhile East Godavari.Last week, the state government issued a preliminary notification seeking to rename Konaseema as BR Ambedkar Konaseema district and invited objections, if any, from the people.Viswarupu said the proposal to rename the new district was based on the demand raised by all political parties.In this backdrop, the Konaseema Sadhana Samiti objected to the proposed renaming of the district and wanted the name Konaseema retained.The Samiti organised a protest on Tuesday and sought to submit a memorandum to the district Collector Himanshu Shukla against the renaming.Police tried to foil the protest, which apparently infuriated the protestors and eventually all hell broke loose in the otherwise quiet town.—PTI

Arson broke out in Amalapuram town in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday when police resorted to lathi-charge at people who staged a protest against the proposed renaming of the newly-created Konaseema district as BR Ambedkar Konaseema district, with a number of police personnel left injured and the protestors opposed to the name change allegedly setting the houses of state minister P Viswarupu and a ruling YSR Congress MLA P Satish on fire.

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