News Analysis India

Tag: protesters

  • ‘Why PM Modi was stopped if there was less crowd at Punjab rally?’ MP Home minister Narottam Mishra

    By PTI

    BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra on Thursday said, “why was Prime Minister Narendra Modi “stopped” if there was less crowd at a ground in Punjab where he was to address a rally, and sought a response from Congress president Sonia Gandhi over the matter”.

    In a major security lapse, the prime minister’s convoy was stranded on a flyover due to a blockade by protesters at Ferozepur in Punjab on Wednesday. He returned from the poll-bound state without attending any event, including a rally.

    Talking to reporters here, Mishra questioned the silence of Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu over the matter.

    On Wednesday, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi said “there were 70,000 chairs which had been put up at the Ferozepur public rally venue of the BJP, but “only 700 turned up (for the BJP event), what can I do in this? Asked about Channi’s comments, Mishra said, “If there was less crowd, then they should have allowed the prime minister to go. Why did they stop him?”

  • Pakistan Cops Fire Tear Gas At Teachers Marching On PM Imran Khan’s House; Arrests Made

    Pakistan police on Saturday resorted to a baton-charge and fired tear gas on hundreds of teachers when they were marching on the residence of Prime Minister Imran Khan in Banigala, Islamabad. According to the Dawn, they were protesting against the new regularisation policy of their department. Police officers informed that a small unit succeeded in pushing back the protesters and getting the road leading to the Pak premier’s residence cleared.

    The area was later ‘sealed’ and given under the protection of a well-equipped police contingent that included personnel of the Counter-Terrorism Department and Anti-Riot Unit, while dozens of protesting teachers were detained in different police stations. Four teachers had been arrested by the police for ‘interfering’ in the discharge of duties by government officials and for violating coronavirus safety protocols, reported The News International.

  • Nearly 100 Nearly 100 People Detained During Anti-govt Protests In Minsk

    As many as 100 people have been detained for attending unauthorized anti-government demonstrations in the capital city of Belarus, Police Department of Minsk City Executive Committee said on December 20. Thousands of people, mostly on Sundays, coalesce together demanding the overthrow of ‘elected’ President Alexander Lukashenko, who has been ruling the country for the past 26 years. Demonstrations in Belarus have now entered their fourth month with pepper sprays and detentions becoming a regular sight.

    The police said that the demonstrators were “repeatedly warned” about the inadmissibility of unlawful actions, but they continued to protest. They added that all the detained individuals were currently being investigated in line with the law. Lukashenko has been facing mass protests and numerous accusations since the results of the Presidential vote were first announced. The elections, which were held on August 9, saw a competition between Alexander Lukashenko, who was contesting for a sixth term and Svetlana Tikhanouskaya, who joined the race after her husband was jailed.

  • India closed against new agricultural laws, AAP claims- Kejriwal under house arrest

    Farmers protesting against agricultural laws in Delhi have declared a Bharat Bandh today. This bandh has got the support of about 24 opposition parties in the country. On Tuesday, the impact of this bandh was seen in Maharashtra, where the rail was stopped by protesters. At the same time, strict security arrangements have been made in Uttar Pradesh for the Bharat Bandh. Under this, section 144 has been implemented by the Yogi government in rural areas of Lucknow. In addition to Lucknow, there were restrictions on processions, picketing-demonstrations, rallies and sieges by five or more persons in the city as well as in rural areas. Let people in Odisha protest against this bandh. Charanjit Singh, president of Punjab Transport Association, said that the All India Motor Transport Congress has decided to block the block on December 8 in support of the farmers. Transport Union, Truck Union, Tempo Union have all decided to make the bandh a success. This bandh will take place across India.

  • Justin Trudeau backs farmers’ protests in India

    Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday came out to extend his support on the protest by Indian farmers against the three farm laws. Trudeau is the first international leader to do so.

    On the occasion of Gurupurab Trudeau was interacting with Canadians from the Sikh community where he talked about the ongoing protest in India.”I would be remiss if I didn’t start by recognising the news coming from India about the protest by farmers. The situation is concerning. We are all very worried about family and friends. We know that’s a reality for many of you

    Let me remind you, Canada will always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protesters. We believe in the process of dialogue. We’ve reached out through multiple means to the Indian authorities to highlight our concerns. This is a moment for all of us to pull together”, Trudeau added.

    This video was put out on the evening of 30 November in Canada, which according to Indian time is the 1st of December. Earlier Canadian defense minister Harjit Singh Sajjan had written on Twitter:

    “The reports of peaceful protesters being brutalized in India are very troubling. Many of my constituents have family there and are worried about the safety of their loved ones. Healthy democracies allow peaceful protest. I urge those involved to uphold this fundamental right,”

  • Traffic jam at Delhi-Gurugram border, CISF deployed

    The Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 were passed by the Upper House in September through voice vote despite objection from opposition parties.

    Heavy presence of security personnel was seen at Singhu border (Haryana-Delhi border) on Friday, in the wake of farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest march. Apart from the presence of personnel, barricading laced with barbwires was placed to stop the approaching protestors.

    Earlier today, farmers heading towards Delhi against the Centre’s recently passed farm laws halted near the Panipat toll plaza at the National Highway. Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the farmers who broke barricades in some places in Haryana. After the night halt at Panipat, the protesting farmers will resume the march the next morning.

    Amandeep, a farmer, while speaking to ANI said: “The main demand is that they should listen to us. They have brought farm laws and still, they are not hearing us. If the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Arhtiyas system (middlemen or service providers) are removed then what will the farmers do?”

    While the government said the three laws will do away with middlemen, enabling farmers to sell their produce in the commercial markets, protestors fear that this could lead to the government not buying produce at guaranteed prices, thereby disrupting their timely payments.

    “We have brought enough ration to sustain for five to six months in Delhi. We are conducting peaceful agitation. Gurudwaras are sending us food supplies as well,” he added.

    He further said: “In Kurukshetra, police chased away the elderly farmers by beating them. Will we not be offended by these acts of the state? The farmers will break the barricades. We know how to satisfy the hunger of people so we can overcome any obstacle to meet our demands.”

    Another farmer Robindeep Singh said: “We have arranged food supplies to conduct our protests. We have also arranged warm clothes to face the cold. We are going to stay here in the night.” Moreover, heavy security has been deployed at the Rohtak-Jhajjar border, Delhi-Gurugram and Delhi-Jammu highway near Karna Lake in Karnal.

    Furthermore, Delhi-Jammu Highway also saw heavy traffic jam due to a strike called by farmers on Thursday. Forces from at least two police stations, besides three Central Reserve Police Force battalions, have been deployed at the Delhi-Faridabad border.

  • Peru Elects Manuel Merino As New President Amid Political Turmoil

    Peru on Tuesday, November 10, swore-in the head of Congress Manuel Merino as its new President after his predecessor was controversially ousted. Political turmoil intensified in the country following the Merino’s surprise move a day earlier to remove President Martín Vizcarra. He was recently accused of trying to secure the military’s support for a congressional effort to boot Vizcarra out over unproven corruption allegations.

    The former head of Congress and businessman Manuel Merino placed his hand on a Bible and swore to carry out the remainder of the current presidential term, which is set to expire in July of next year. Merino then wore the red and white presidential sash while wearing a face mask and stood as the nation’s anthem was played.

    Meanwhile, Merino’s swearing-in was met with protests on the streets of Peru’s capital a day after Congress voted to oust popular President Martín Vizcarra, who had campaigned against corruption. Peruvians widely suspected the legislators and decried Vizcarra’s removal as an apparent power grab. Further, the analysts warned that the country could be thrown into a new period of instability at the same time as it fights with the worst coronavirus outbreaks. Furthermore, the riot police blocked hundreds of protesters against Merino who banged pots and pans as he was sworn into office.