Tag: NSA

  • Deport radical elements: India suggests UK during bilateral meet

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:   A day ahead of the planned rally by Khalistani supporters across countries, including the UK, Britain’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Tim Barrow held a bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval.

    “India has raised the issue of the extremist elements in the UK threatening individual officers of the Indian High Commission and urged the UK government to take strong action against these elements such as deportation or legal prosecution,’’ said a source aware of the meeting’s development.

    India and the UK also agreed to enhance cooperation to address violent extremism and radicalism. They reiterated that there can be no justification for violent extremism and radicalization in a democracy.It may be recalled that Khalistani supporters had brought down the Indian flag at the Indian High Commission on March 20 this year. Britain has assured India of all support to rein in these extremist elements. Khalistani supporters have called for a rally on July 8 and in the posters talking about the rally they have added pictures of Indian diplomats threatening to harm them.

    The meeting between the NSAs comes after the mysterious death of Avtar Singh Kanda, UK chief of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) on June 15 in Birmingham. Kanda had spearheaded the vandalism of the Indian High Commission in London and brought down the Indian flag.

    Khanda is said to have been an expert in bomb-making. He was admitted to Sandwell Hospital Birmingham and was on life support after being diagnosed with cancer. However, there are conflicting reports on the exact cause of his death and there isn’t any official confirmation of the same.

    Khanda was born in Moga, Punjab and was the son of Kulwant Singh Khurana- who was from KLF too and was gunned down by security forces in 1991. His mother too is said to have been related to KLF terrorist Gurjant Singh Budhsingwala.

    Meanwhile, both the NSA’s agreed to work closely on counter-terrorism. “Both the sides agreed to work closely on counter-terrorism, counter-terror financing, use of the internet for terrorism purposes, illicit drug trafficking and counter-radicalisation,’’ a source said.

    Barrow is in India on the invitation of Doval for the India-UK Strategic Dialogue. He is accompanied by a delegation of senior UK government officials. “The two had productive and wide-ranging discussions on furthering the UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and also covered global security issues,’’ according to the British High Commission.

    Both Barrow and Doval have met at regular intervals and have been regularly engaged in discussing bilateral, regional and global issues. The current visit has given them the opportunity to continue their high-level dialogue, which will include a review of the multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries as well as explore futuristic areas for technology collaboration.

    Both sides have agreed to accord maximum priority to further enhance the security linkages.it was also agreed to deepen collaboration in critical and emerging technologies. Barrow is likely to meet other dignitaries during his ongoing visit.

    NEW DELHI:   A day ahead of the planned rally by Khalistani supporters across countries, including the UK, Britain’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Tim Barrow held a bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval.

    “India has raised the issue of the extremist elements in the UK threatening individual officers of the Indian High Commission and urged the UK government to take strong action against these elements such as deportation or legal prosecution,’’ said a source aware of the meeting’s development.

    India and the UK also agreed to enhance cooperation to address violent extremism and radicalism. They reiterated that there can be no justification for violent extremism and radicalization in a democracy.
    It may be recalled that Khalistani supporters had brought down the Indian flag at the Indian High Commission on March 20 this year. Britain has assured India of all support to rein in these extremist elements. Khalistani supporters have called for a rally on July 8 and in the posters talking about the rally they have added pictures of Indian diplomats threatening to harm them.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The meeting between the NSAs comes after the mysterious death of Avtar Singh Kanda, UK chief of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) on June 15 in Birmingham. Kanda had spearheaded the vandalism of the Indian High Commission in London and brought down the Indian flag.

    Khanda is said to have been an expert in bomb-making. He was admitted to Sandwell Hospital Birmingham and was on life support after being diagnosed with cancer. However, there are conflicting reports on the exact cause of his death and there isn’t any official confirmation of the same.

    Khanda was born in Moga, Punjab and was the son of Kulwant Singh Khurana- who was from KLF too and was gunned down by security forces in 1991. His mother too is said to have been related to KLF terrorist Gurjant Singh Budhsingwala.

    Meanwhile, both the NSA’s agreed to work closely on counter-terrorism. “Both the sides agreed to work closely on counter-terrorism, counter-terror financing, use of the internet for terrorism purposes, illicit drug trafficking and counter-radicalisation,’’ a source said.

    Barrow is in India on the invitation of Doval for the India-UK Strategic Dialogue. He is accompanied by a delegation of senior UK government officials. “The two had productive and wide-ranging discussions on furthering the UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and also covered global security issues,’’ according to the British High Commission.

    Both Barrow and Doval have met at regular intervals and have been regularly engaged in discussing bilateral, regional and global issues. The current visit has given them the opportunity to continue their high-level dialogue, which will include a review of the multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries as well as explore futuristic areas for technology collaboration.

    Both sides have agreed to accord maximum priority to further enhance the security linkages.it was also agreed to deepen collaboration in critical and emerging technologies. Barrow is likely to meet other dignitaries during his ongoing visit.

  • Amritpal case: Families meet detainees in Assam’s Dibrugarh Central Jail

    By Express News Service

    CHANDIGARH: The ten detainees of the Amritpal case met with their families at Assam’s Dibrugarh Central Jail, today. 

    Lawyers who were accompanying the families claimed that the Pro-Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh has asked the lawyers to fight all the cases of those arrested under the National Security Act (NSA) collectively.

    Talking with this newspaper over the phone from Dibrugarh, SGPC member Bhagawat Singh Sialka said, “The advocates should not go for a credit race. They should peruse the case collectively and for this, a panel will be shortly formed. A letter in this regard was drafted and signed by Amritpal Singh today as we met him and others in the jail along with their family members.” Bhagawat Singh also heads the panel of lawyers. 

    “The detainees met with their families in jail for about four hours. The prisoners’ family members had brought them fruits, packed foods and clothes,’’ said Sialka.

    He said,“ It is the first time the family members are meeting with the detainees since the arrest. We landed here today and will tomorrow fly back to Delhi and further to Amritsar. In the future also we will try to bring the family members to meet the detainees.’’

    CHANDIGARH: The ten detainees of the Amritpal case met with their families at Assam’s Dibrugarh Central Jail, today. 

    Lawyers who were accompanying the families claimed that the Pro-Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh has asked the lawyers to fight all the cases of those arrested under the National Security Act (NSA) collectively.

    Talking with this newspaper over the phone from Dibrugarh, SGPC member Bhagawat Singh Sialka said, “The advocates should not go for a credit race. They should peruse the case collectively and for this, a panel will be shortly formed. A letter in this regard was drafted and signed by Amritpal Singh today as we met him and others in the jail along with their family members.” Bhagawat Singh also heads the panel of lawyers. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2′); });

    “The detainees met with their families in jail for about four hours. The prisoners’ family members had brought them fruits, packed foods and clothes,’’ said Sialka.

    He said,“ It is the first time the family members are meeting with the detainees since the arrest. We landed here today and will tomorrow fly back to Delhi and further to Amritsar. In the future also we will try to bring the family members to meet the detainees.’’

  • Amritpal Singh booked in eight cases, National Security Act invoked against him

    Express News Service

    CHANDIGARH: Besides invoking the stringent National Security Act (NSA) on pro-Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh the Punjab Police has registered eight cases on the radical leader and his associates as they were booked under several criminal cases related to attempt to murder, kidnapping, assault, extortion, illegal confinement, spreading disharmony among classes, attack on police personnel and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duty by public servants.

    On February 16: Punjab Police booked Amritpal Singh and others including Lovepreet Singh alias Toofan for kidnapping, assault, criminal intimidation and snatching on the complaint lodged by Varinder Singh of the Chamkaur Sahib in Anandpur Sahib as he alleged that they beat him up and threatened to kill him if he posted anything against them on social media.

    On February 24: a case was registered against Amritpal Singh and some of his associates for attempt to murder, and assault police officials as they attacked Ajnala Police Station on February 23 to free his close aid Lovepreet Singh alias Toofan on February 17, later Toofan was released by the court.

    On March 18: Amritpal Singh was booked for rash and negligent driving and disobedience to the order of a public servant at Mehtpur Police Station, as he broke through police barricades.

    On March  19: a case was registered on Amritpal Singh and others in two cases. A case was registered at Khilchian Police Station for rash and negligent driving, obstructing public servants from doing duty and criminal intimidation. Another case was registered on the same day by Amritsar (Rural) Police under the arms act after weapons were recovered from people associated with him.

    On March 20:  Amritpal Singh, his uncle Harjit Singh and their driver Harpreet Singh was booked by the Punjab Police on charges of trespass, wrongful confinement, whoever commits house-trespass in order to commit offence punishable with death and criminal intimidation at Mehatpur Police Station on the complaint of Udhowal village sarpanch Manpreet Singh who alleged that Harjit and Harpreet held him and his family hostage for 29 hours at gunpoint following the crackdown.

    On March 21: Amritpal Singh and four of his accomplices were booked for rioting, unlawful assembly, extortion by putting a person in fear of death, criminal intimidation and arms act at Shahkot police station, on the complaint of Ranjit Singh, the priest of the gurdwara at Nangal Ambian village. In his complaint, Singh stated that Amritpal pointed a gun at his son, Tejinder Singh and demanded clothes to change into. He threatened to kill him if he did not relent.

    On March 24: Amritpal Singh and his close associate Papalpreet Singh were booked on charges of extortion and illegal confinement at Bilga Police Station of Jalandhar (Rural). On the complaint of Gurmeet Kaur, wife of Sukhwinder Singh a priest at Singha Sabha Gurdwara in Shekhpur, who alleged that her family was allegedly taken into illegal confinement at gunpoint by Amritpal to help him and his accomplice cross Sutlej river.

    CHANDIGARH: Besides invoking the stringent National Security Act (NSA) on pro-Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh the Punjab Police has registered eight cases on the radical leader and his associates as they were booked under several criminal cases related to attempt to murder, kidnapping, assault, extortion, illegal confinement, spreading disharmony among classes, attack on police personnel and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duty by public servants.

    On February 16: Punjab Police booked Amritpal Singh and others including Lovepreet Singh alias Toofan for kidnapping, assault, criminal intimidation and snatching on the complaint lodged by Varinder Singh of the Chamkaur Sahib in Anandpur Sahib as he alleged that they beat him up and threatened to kill him if he posted anything against them on social media.

    On February 24: a case was registered against Amritpal Singh and some of his associates for attempt to murder, and assault police officials as they attacked Ajnala Police Station on February 23 to free his close aid Lovepreet Singh alias Toofan on February 17, later Toofan was released by the court.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    On March 18: Amritpal Singh was booked for rash and negligent driving and disobedience to the order of a public servant at Mehtpur Police Station, as he broke through police barricades.

    On March  19: a case was registered on Amritpal Singh and others in two cases. A case was registered at Khilchian Police Station for rash and negligent driving, obstructing public servants from doing duty and criminal intimidation. Another case was registered on the same day by Amritsar (Rural) Police under the arms act after weapons were recovered from people associated with him.

    On March 20:  Amritpal Singh, his uncle Harjit Singh and their driver Harpreet Singh was booked by the Punjab Police on charges of trespass, wrongful confinement, whoever commits house-trespass in order to commit offence punishable with death and criminal intimidation at Mehatpur Police Station on the complaint of Udhowal village sarpanch Manpreet Singh who alleged that Harjit and Harpreet held him and his family hostage for 29 hours at gunpoint following the crackdown.

    On March 21: Amritpal Singh and four of his accomplices were booked for rioting, unlawful assembly, extortion by putting a person in fear of death, criminal intimidation and arms act at Shahkot police station, on the complaint of Ranjit Singh, the priest of the gurdwara at Nangal Ambian village. In his complaint, Singh stated that Amritpal pointed a gun at his son, Tejinder Singh and demanded clothes to change into. He threatened to kill him if he did not relent.

    On March 24: Amritpal Singh and his close associate Papalpreet Singh were booked on charges of extortion and illegal confinement at Bilga Police Station of Jalandhar (Rural). On the complaint of Gurmeet Kaur, wife of Sukhwinder Singh a priest at Singha Sabha Gurdwara in Shekhpur, who alleged that her family was allegedly taken into illegal confinement at gunpoint by Amritpal to help him and his accomplice cross Sutlej river.

  • Muzzling free speech or legit controls? Social media politics divides govt, activists, experts

    By IANS

    AGARTALA:  Sometimes in favour of militant outfits, occasionally against government or political personalities, on a few occasions on controversial issues, social media posts now and then put people behind the bars, but some men and women continue to post in various social media on various issues.

    Social media experts said that there are both positive and negative sides in the social media posts. However, like the traditional media there must be a controlling and monitoring authority for the social media to curb the destructive and harmful posts.

    A young wushu player and boxer Maina Chutia, 23, college students Barshashree Buragohain, 19, Bitupan Changmai, 22, Pramod Kalita, 22 were separately arrested in Assam since May this year for allegedly commenting in Facebook posts in support of banned terror outfit United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) headed by Paresh Baruah.

    Many people criticised the government for arresting them, while their families claimed that their poems and posts were not provocative.

    The poem written by Barshashree has no direct reference to the terror outfit. However, the FIR against her mentioned that the poem was an implicit endorsement of the ULFA-I, a banned extremist organisation, and pointed towards a larger “criminal conspiracy” and “intent to wage war against the Indian government”.

    Barshashree, who was accused of “supporting” ULFA-I, was granted bail recently by the Gauhati High Court. Following criticism from a large section of people, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said: “Barshashree was given protection from destroying her life.”

    “One must remember many people have been given death sentences in the ULFA-I camp, which may not be even known to the outfit leader Paresh Baruah.”

    Sarma added: “The girl was repenting for her action and the family has also assured that they will take care so that she should not indulge in such type of activities in future.”

    The Assam police under the Cyberdrome Project monitored social media platforms and found 990 “objectionable posts” by such brainwashed youths during 2021-2022.

    The Chief Minister recently said in the Assembly that on the basis of such posts, the police have registered around 100 cases across the state and 85 people were arrested while 581 others were counselled in the presence of their parents and guardians.

    Around 400 social media posts were removed from different platforms, he had told the House.

    The Assam police in April last year had arrested Guwahati based writer Sikha Sarma for allegedly making controversial comments against Martyrs on social media.

    Police officials said that the 48-year-old Assamese writer was arrested on various charges including sedition for her alleged Facebook post on security forces after 22 security personnel were killed in a Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh in early April last year.

    Sarma was arrested following an FIR lodged by two lawyers — Umi Deka Baruah and Kangkana Goswami.

    Police officials said that she was arrested on charges of sedition, violation of the Information Technology Act and under other sections of the Indian Penal Code.

    According to the police Sarma had allegedly written on Facebook : “Salaried professionals who die in the line of duty cannot be termed martyrs. Going by that logic, electricity department workers who die of electrocution should also be labelled martyrs. Do not make people sentimental, the media.”

    In her Facebook page, Sarma, who was later granted bail by the court, said: “Isn’t it a crime to harass me by giving the wrong interpretation of my posts? Will they come under the law for the false slander against me?”

    Assam Congress leaders had said the law will take its own course as police have arrested Sarma, but some people have threatened to gang rape her and police should also take action against them.

    The Gauhati High Court released her on bail of Rs 30,000 with conditions, directing her to refrain from committing any similar offence in future.

    In Manipur, activists Erendro Leichombam and Wangkhemcha Wangthoi were arrested under the National Security Act (NSA) in July last year for his Facebook post criticising BJP leaders for advocating cow dung and cow urine as a cure for Covid-19.

    Subsequently, the Supreme Court and the Manipur High Court ordered the release of Leichombam and Wangthoi respectively.

    The duo were arrested following a complaint filed against Leichombam and Wangthoi by Manipur state BJP vice-president Usham Deban and general secretary P. Premananda Meetei, accusing both the activists of posting “offensive comments” referring to the death of state BJP president Saikhom Tikendra Singh, who succumbed to Covid-19 in a hospital in Imphal on May 13 last year.

    Leichombam and Wangthoi had been arrested twice earlier on charges of sedition and for making various posts on social media against the government.

    Leichombam, educated abroad, is the founder of the People’s Resurgence and Justice Alliance, a political party whose candidate in the 2017 Manipur elections included rights activist Irom Sharmila. He had also unsuccessfully contested the Assembly polls in 2017.

    Rights activists and various Manipur-based organisations and elsewhere in the country had then criticised the government for “overreacting”.

    Social media and security expert Mans Paul said that like the traditional and institutional media, there must be a controlling authority and mechanism to curb the destructive, depressing and harmful posts, photographs and visuals.

    “However, social media posts are always not harmful and destructive, sometimes these posts do constructive criticism and properly guide the traditional and institutional print and electronic media,” Paul, who authored a few books on security affairs, told IANS.

    He said that some people with a purpose and plan make posts in social media, but some people without knowing a particular issue and event randomly make posts in various social media.

    During Durga Puja festivities last year and after incidents of communal violence in Bangladesh, provocative social media posts both in Bangladesh and India created some unrest on both sides of the border.

    As per media reports, mob violence erupted in Comilla in October last year after unconfirmed posts went viral on social media about the alleged desecration of the Quran at a Durga Puja venue, following which Hindu temples were vandalised.

    Reports quoting Rana Dasgupta, general secretary of the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddha Christian Oikya Parishad, said in the communal violence in Bangladesh at least six people were killed and many injured, while at least 70 Hindu temples and scores of houses and property were damaged in six districts across that country.

    AGARTALA:  Sometimes in favour of militant outfits, occasionally against government or political personalities, on a few occasions on controversial issues, social media posts now and then put people behind the bars, but some men and women continue to post in various social media on various issues.

    Social media experts said that there are both positive and negative sides in the social media posts. However, like the traditional media there must be a controlling and monitoring authority for the social media to curb the destructive and harmful posts.

    A young wushu player and boxer Maina Chutia, 23, college students Barshashree Buragohain, 19, Bitupan Changmai, 22, Pramod Kalita, 22 were separately arrested in Assam since May this year for allegedly commenting in Facebook posts in support of banned terror outfit United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) headed by Paresh Baruah.

    Many people criticised the government for arresting them, while their families claimed that their poems and posts were not provocative.

    The poem written by Barshashree has no direct reference to the terror outfit. However, the FIR against her mentioned that the poem was an implicit endorsement of the ULFA-I, a banned extremist organisation, and pointed towards a larger “criminal conspiracy” and “intent to wage war against the Indian government”.

    Barshashree, who was accused of “supporting” ULFA-I, was granted bail recently by the Gauhati High Court. Following criticism from a large section of people, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said: “Barshashree was given protection from destroying her life.”

    “One must remember many people have been given death sentences in the ULFA-I camp, which may not be even known to the outfit leader Paresh Baruah.”

    Sarma added: “The girl was repenting for her action and the family has also assured that they will take care so that she should not indulge in such type of activities in future.”

    The Assam police under the Cyberdrome Project monitored social media platforms and found 990 “objectionable posts” by such brainwashed youths during 2021-2022.

    The Chief Minister recently said in the Assembly that on the basis of such posts, the police have registered around 100 cases across the state and 85 people were arrested while 581 others were counselled in the presence of their parents and guardians.

    Around 400 social media posts were removed from different platforms, he had told the House.

    The Assam police in April last year had arrested Guwahati based writer Sikha Sarma for allegedly making controversial comments against Martyrs on social media.

    Police officials said that the 48-year-old Assamese writer was arrested on various charges including sedition for her alleged Facebook post on security forces after 22 security personnel were killed in a Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh in early April last year.

    Sarma was arrested following an FIR lodged by two lawyers — Umi Deka Baruah and Kangkana Goswami.

    Police officials said that she was arrested on charges of sedition, violation of the Information Technology Act and under other sections of the Indian Penal Code.

    According to the police Sarma had allegedly written on Facebook : “Salaried professionals who die in the line of duty cannot be termed martyrs. Going by that logic, electricity department workers who die of electrocution should also be labelled martyrs. Do not make people sentimental, the media.”

    In her Facebook page, Sarma, who was later granted bail by the court, said: “Isn’t it a crime to harass me by giving the wrong interpretation of my posts? Will they come under the law for the false slander against me?”

    Assam Congress leaders had said the law will take its own course as police have arrested Sarma, but some people have threatened to gang rape her and police should also take action against them.

    The Gauhati High Court released her on bail of Rs 30,000 with conditions, directing her to refrain from committing any similar offence in future.

    In Manipur, activists Erendro Leichombam and Wangkhemcha Wangthoi were arrested under the National Security Act (NSA) in July last year for his Facebook post criticising BJP leaders for advocating cow dung and cow urine as a cure for Covid-19.

    Subsequently, the Supreme Court and the Manipur High Court ordered the release of Leichombam and Wangthoi respectively.

    The duo were arrested following a complaint filed against Leichombam and Wangthoi by Manipur state BJP vice-president Usham Deban and general secretary P. Premananda Meetei, accusing both the activists of posting “offensive comments” referring to the death of state BJP president Saikhom Tikendra Singh, who succumbed to Covid-19 in a hospital in Imphal on May 13 last year.

    Leichombam and Wangthoi had been arrested twice earlier on charges of sedition and for making various posts on social media against the government.

    Leichombam, educated abroad, is the founder of the People’s Resurgence and Justice Alliance, a political party whose candidate in the 2017 Manipur elections included rights activist Irom Sharmila. He had also unsuccessfully contested the Assembly polls in 2017.

    Rights activists and various Manipur-based organisations and elsewhere in the country had then criticised the government for “overreacting”.

    Social media and security expert Mans Paul said that like the traditional and institutional media, there must be a controlling authority and mechanism to curb the destructive, depressing and harmful posts, photographs and visuals.

    “However, social media posts are always not harmful and destructive, sometimes these posts do constructive criticism and properly guide the traditional and institutional print and electronic media,” Paul, who authored a few books on security affairs, told IANS.

    He said that some people with a purpose and plan make posts in social media, but some people without knowing a particular issue and event randomly make posts in various social media.

    During Durga Puja festivities last year and after incidents of communal violence in Bangladesh, provocative social media posts both in Bangladesh and India created some unrest on both sides of the border.

    As per media reports, mob violence erupted in Comilla in October last year after unconfirmed posts went viral on social media about the alleged desecration of the Quran at a Durga Puja venue, following which Hindu temples were vandalised.

    Reports quoting Rana Dasgupta, general secretary of the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddha Christian Oikya Parishad, said in the communal violence in Bangladesh at least six people were killed and many injured, while at least 70 Hindu temples and scores of houses and property were damaged in six districts across that country.

  • Remarks do not reflect views of government: MEA on controversial comments on Prophet

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Iranian foreign ministry has removed from an official readout some portions relating to Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian’s conversation with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on the issue of controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad.

    The visiting Iranian foreign minister and the NSA held talks on Wednesday covering a wide range of issues including trade, connectivity, counter-terror cooperation and the situation in Afghanistan.

    The Iranian readout on Abdollahian’s talks with Doval said the foreign minister raised the issue of the controversy triggered by the comments on Prophet Mohammad and that he was satisfied by the NSA’s response.

    Asked at a media briefing about the readout including comments attributed to Doval that wrongdoers will be dealt with in a way that is a lesson for others, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said he would not like to comment on the conversation between Doval and Abdollahian.

    At the same time, he said: “My understanding is that what you are referring to in a readout has been pulled down. Even if it is I do not want to get into what was said or not.” The revised readout on the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s website only carries a brief paragraph on the issue as against long references to it in the previous statement.

    It said the NSA reiterated the respect of the Indian government and officials for the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and that the matter will be “treated as a lesson for others.” The earlier statement had elaborate details on the issue.

    “Pleased to meet PM Modi, FM Jaishankar & other Indian officials to advance our bilateral strategic dialogue. Tehran & New Delhi agree on the need to respect divine religions & Islamic sanctities & to avoid divisive statements,” Abdollahian tweeted on Wednesday.

    Asked whether the Iranian foreign minister raised the issue of controversial remarks on the Prophet in his talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Bagchi suggested that it was not brought up. “My understanding was that this issue was not raised during that conversation,” he said.

    On the strong reaction to the comments by the Arab world, Bagchi said the government has made it clear that the remarks do not reflect the views of the government. “We have made it pretty clear that tweets and comments do not reflect views of government,” Bagchi said at a media briefing.

    “This has been conveyed to our interlocutors as also the fact that action has been taken by the concerned quarters against those who made the comments and tweets. I really do not think I have anything additional to say on this,” he said.

    The BJP on Sunday suspended its national spokesperson Nupur Sharma and the party’s Delhi unit media head Naveen Jindal for allegedly making derogatory comments.

    Abdollahian’s visit to India came days after Iran joined Kuwait and Qatar in summoning the Indian ambassadors over the remarks by Sharma and Jindal.

    Since then, several countries including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Indonesia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Jordan, Bahrain, Maldives, Malaysia, Oman, Iraq and Libya denounced the comments.

    Asked about reports that India has asked its ambassadors to reach out to authorities in their respective countries of postings to apprise them on the issue, Bagchi said the envoys regularly brief their interlocutors on issues and concerns of the day. “They are also in regular touch with the headquarters,” he said.

    Asked whether Jaishankar and Abdollahian discussed the issue of crude oil, Bagchi did not give a direct reply. He, however, referred to Jaishankar’s public remarks earlier where he highlighted the absence of oil from Iran and Venezuela and said it has made it more difficult for India to meet its energy security needs.

    The crisis in Ukraine and the situation in Afghanistan were among the key issues that figured in the talks Abdollahian had with Jaishankar.

  • Ram Navami violence: NSA invoked against two persons in Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone

    By PTI

    BHOPAL/ KHARGONE: The local administration has invoked the stringent National Security Act (NSA) against two persons allegedly involved in the violence that erupted during a Ram Navami procession in Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone city, an official said on Tuesday.

    Khargone SP Rohit Kashwani said that the NSA was invoked against Nawaz, a resident of Talab Chowk area and Mohsin alias Nati, resident of Jakaria Masjid area, for alleged involvement in the April 10 violence, in-charge.

    He said that as many as 153 persons have been arrested and 65 First Information Reports (FIRs) registered in connection with the violence. Kashwani urged people to help police identify the culprits. Stone-pelting took place during a Ram Navami procession in the city on April 10, leading to clashes and arson.

    Among the injured was former SP Siddharth Choudhary who was hit by a bullet.

    Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Addl Chief Secretary (Home) Rajesh Rajora and Addl DGP (STF)Vipin Maheshwari visited Khargone on Tuesday and held meetings with members of both the Hindu and Muslim communities.

    They also inspected riot-hit areas including Aurangpura, Talab Chowk, Sanjay Nagar, Mohan Talkies, Bhatwadi, Sarafa Bazaar and met the those affected by the violence. The victims will get help and action will be taken against the rioters, the officials assured.

    The Madhya Pradesh government has announced aid of Rs one crore for providing relief to the people affected by the violence. The Khargone administration on Tuesday relaxed the curfew in the city from 8 am to 12 noon and from 3 pm to 5 pm. “The administration had conducted a survey and sent a report to the state government which has allotted Rs one crore for relief,” said district collector Anugraha P.

    Based on this survey, financial assistance will be provided immediately to the affected people and vendors whose houses, shops and vehicles were damaged in the violence, the collector said. Only the stores selling milk, vegetables and medicines were allowed to remain open during the relaxation of curfew.

    A government order said that people can purchase essential items from the shops in their neighbourhood. Petrol pumps will remain closed and the sale of kerosene will remain suspended at fair price shops, it added.

  • NSA invoked against Vikas Dubey’s aide: UP Police

    The arrests were made on charges of criminal conspiracy and helping Dubey in his nefarious design by providing him cash and cartridges hours before the Bikru village ambush.

  • Madhya Pradesh government informs SC about revoking doctor’s detention under NSA, wife’s plea disposed

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Madhya Pradesh government Friday informed the Supreme Court that it has revoked the detention of a doctor, accused of black marketing anti-COVID Remdesivir injections at Indore, under the National Security Act.

    The state government said that following its decision, the district magistrate wrote to the Jail Superintendent of Central Jail at Indore and the doctor was subsequently released.

    A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud, Vikram Nath and Hima Kohli, after recording the submission of additional advocate general Saurabh Mishra, disposed of the plea filed by Aasefa Khan challenging the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s July 16 order dismissing her habeas corpus petition challenging the detention of her husband under NSA.

    During the brief hearing, Mishra said that on July 16, the state government has decided to revoke the detention under NSA of the doctor and on August 2, district magistrate had written to Jail Superintendent of Central Jail, Indore to release him.

    The bench said that nothing survives in the petition as the accused has been released and disposed of the plea filed by his wife.

    Advocate R S Chhabra, appearing for Aasefa, said that they have also filed an appeal against rejection of bail by the high court, which in a way is also a stigma.

    Chhabra said that the appeal also needs to be heard at the earliest.

    The bench said it will take up the appeal against rejection of bail in the due course of time.

    On August 19, while issuing notice the top court had asked the Madhya Pradesh government, Can an incident affect public order enough to invoke NSA”.

    The plea has recorded various grounds, mostly procedural, on which the detention is being challenged by the petitioner like the detenu was declared as “absconding” in the detention order dated May 19, whereas he was in jail since May 13.

    The detention was also challenged on the grounds that the documents referred by the Superintendent of Police for recommending the doctor’s detention under NSA, 1980 were not forwarded to the detaining authority.

    Aasefa had stated that the memorandum relied upon by the detaining authority was not supplied to the detenu and the valuable right of representation to the detaining authority was defeated due to delay in execution of detention order, and by the time it was served, it had been approved by the state government.

    The high court erred in not appreciating the consequence of wrongful declaration of the detenu as absconding as due to this the statutory authorities formed an impression that detenu is liable to be punished under provision of NSA, she said.

    The plea filed through advocate P S Sudheer said, “The high court further erred in not appreciating the fact that memorandum of section 27 of the Indian Evidence Act, was referred to in the grounds of detention but was never served upon the detenu and thereby violating Article 22 (5) of the Constitution”.

    It said the high court erred in not appreciating the fact that there was delay in execution of detention order and no explanation was offered in the reply as to why there was delay in execution of the order when the detenu was already in custody.

    No explanation is tendered as to why it took 6 days after passing of the detention order to seek approval of the competent court to formally arres the detenu.

    Delay in execution of detention order vitiates the subjective satisfaction of the detaining authority, the plea said.

    It said that the high court erred in not appreciating that Article 22(5) of the constitution mandates that an earliest opportunity is to be afforded to the detenu to make a representation against the order.

    In the present case, the right of representation to the detaining authority was rendered otiose on account of delay in execution of detention order on the detenu.

    The detention order dated May 19 was approved by the state government on May 28 whereas the same was served on the detenu on June 5”, it said.

    The plea said that the detenu was deprived of his right to make representation to the detaining authority as the detention order was approved by the state government before it was served on the detenu.

    That by virtue of explanation to section 3(2) of the National Security Act, 1980 no order of detention under the National Security Act, 1980 could have been passed as the alleged act of the detenu falls within the ambit of Prevention of Black-marketing and maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980,” the plea said.

    The high court while dismissing her plea said that indulging in black marketing of a drug like Remdesivir in days of extreme crisis is certainly such an ugly act and fact which can very well be a reason for invoking NSA.

    On May 1, during the peak of the second wave of COVID, Indore police arrested two persons for black marketing Remdesivir Injection opposite a hospital and case was registered at Vijaynagar police station.

    Based on the statement of those arrested, the doctor was arrested in the case.

    According to the plea, police had not recovered any injection from him but seized Rs 1,200 from his possession.

  • Pro-Pak slogans: Ten held; NSA invoked against four in Ujjain

    By PTI

    UJJAIN: Police on Sunday invoked the stringent National Security Act (NSA) against four persons out of ten arrested so far for allegedly raising pro-Pakistan slogans during a Muharram event in Ujjain of Madhya Pradesh, a senior police officer said.

    The development comes a day after some right-wing organisations and religious leaders clad in saffron staged demonstrations, torched effigies of Pakistan, and demanded tough action by the police against those people who had raised pro-Pakistan slogans in the Geeta Colony area on the night of August 19.

    Ujjain superintendent of police Satyendra Shukla confirmed to PTI that the NSA has been invoked on four persons who among others had allegedly shouted the slogans.

    He refused to give names of the accused.

    The district collector invoked the NSA on four accused on the recommendation of the police, police sources said.

    Shukla said police have arrested ten people for sloganeering so far.

    Reacting to the incident on Friday, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had said his government would not tolerate a “Taliban-like” mindset.

    When asked if the sloganeering was a reaction to the district administration’s decision to ban all public processions because of the coronavirus pandemic, Ujjain police had denied any such link.

    Police had booked over a dozen people under sections 124 (a) (sedition) and 153 (provocation which can cause riot) of the Indian Penal Code.

    “We have identified 16 persons who raised the slogans. Efforts are on to identify others,” Shukla said.

    CM Chouhan had also said the government has taken a tough stand vis-a-vis the Ujjain incident.

  • SC directs release of Manipur-based political activist detained under NSA by 5 pm

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday directed release of Manipur-based political activist, booked under NSA for his criticism of BJP leaders on use of cow dung and cow urine as cures for COVID-19, by 5 pm, saying he cannot be put in jail for even a night.

    A bench of Justice D Y Chandrachud and M R Shah said that his continued detention will be in violation of his fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.

    The bench listed the matter for Tuesday after Solicitor General Tushar Meha said that he was not contesting the plea but would file a response.

    The top court directed that the order be immediately communicated to the Manipur jail authorities to enable his release by 5 PM on Monday itself.

    Supreme Court orders for the release of Manipur based journalist Erendro Leichombam today @NewIndianXpress
    — kanupsarda (@sardakanu_TNIE) July 19, 2021

    At the outset, advocate Shadan Farasat, appearing for L Raghumani Singh, father of political activist Leichombam Erendro, said that preventive detention clause has been used in a case where not even simple penal provisions are required.

    He said the activist has only criticised BJP leaders purportedly advocating cow dung and cow urine as cures for COVID-19.

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    The plea has challenged the preventive detention of the political activist under the National Security Act (NSA), alleging that it has been done “solely to punish him” for his criticism of BJP leaders purportedly advocating cow dung and cow urine as cures for COVID-19.

    The plea, filed by father of political activist Leichombam Erendro, claimed that his son had on May 13 posted on Facebook that cure for coronavirus is not cow’s dung and urine.

    “The statement was made in the context of the death of the President of the Manipur BJP due to COVID-19, as a criticism of the unscientific position taken and misinformation being spread by several BJP politicians regarding cow urine and cow dung being effective in preventing/treating COVID-19,” the plea said, adding that the post was deleted soon after being posted on May 13 itself.

    The petition, filed through Farasat, alleged that for this criticism Erendro has spent some days in custody pursuant to criminal cases initiated against him and thereafter in preventive detention after grant of bail.

    “The present case is a shocking instance of misuse of preventive detention law to stifle completely innocuous speech that is fully constitutionally protected and was made in public interest – Erendro, a Manipuri political activist, has been preventively detained solely to punish him for his criticism of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders for advocating cow dung and cow urine as cures for COVID-19,” the plea alleged.

    It has sought quashing of May 17 detention order and the grounds of detention issued by District Magistrate, Imphal West District.

    The plea has also sought direction to the concerned authorities to set Erendro, who is the co-convenor of political outfit Peoples’ Resurgence and Justice Alliance, at liberty forthwith.

    It said that appropriate compensation, including cost of litigation, should be awarded to the petitioner and his son for the alleged illegal detention that Erendro has suffered.

    The plea has claimed that his detention is in violation of the apex court’s April 30 order and a separate contempt petition has also been filed in the top court.

    On April 30, the apex court, while hearing the suo motu case on distribution of essential supplies and services during the pandemic, had warned authorities — from the Centre down to the police chiefs — against silencing people and their pleas for help on the presumption that they are raising false grievances on the internet.

    The top court had made clear that any attempt to clampdown on free flow of information on social media including the call for help from people would be treated as the contempt of court.

    The plea said that four FIRs have been registered against Erendro by Manipur Police.

    It said Erendro was arrested on May 13 itself and was remanded to police custody till May 17, the date on which his bail application was to be listed for consideration before the trial court.

    It alleged that in anticipation of the trial court’s consideration of the matter and “knowing fully well about the completely flimsy nature of the criminal proceedings”, the district magistrate passed an order for preventive detention under the NSA to “render infructuous the bail” to be granted by the court.

    The plea said Erendro was granted bail but was not released due to the detention order.