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Tag: Rajasthan

  • Leadership change in Rajasthan: Congress to meet at Gehlot’s residence today

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Congress legislative party meeting will be held at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s residence in Jaipur on Sunday evening in which a resolution will be passed relating to the change of leadership in Rajasthan.

    The resolution will be passed that decision on change of face in Rajasthan will be taken by the Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi.

    Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot is also likely to resign from his post before filing his nomination for the Congress President poll.

    All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge of Rajasthan Ajay Maken, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge will be present in the meeting which is scheduled to be held at 7 pm on Sunday.

    Earlier on Saturday, Ajay Maken had a meeting with Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi.

    AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal said the Congress president had appointed Mallikarjun Kharge and Ajay Maken as observers for the Rajasthan CLP meeting to be held on Sunday at 7 pm in Jaipur.

    “Congress President has appointed Mallikarjun Kharge as Observer along with Ajay Maken, Gen. Secretary AICC, Incharge of Rajasthan, to attend the meeting of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) of Rajasthan Legislative Assembly slated to be held on 25th September at 7 pm,” Venugopal said in a tweet.

    Filing of nominations for the post of Congress president began on Saturday with a contest between Ashok Gehlot and former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor on the cards.

    The nominations will be filed till September 30 and results declaring the new Congress chief will be announced on October 19. This will be the first time in 25 years that Congress will see a non-Gandhi chief after Sonia Gandhi replaced Sitaraman Kesri as party chief in 1998.

    The last time the party had a non-Gandhi chief was in 1997 when Sitaram Kesri defeated Sharad Pawar and Rajesh Pilot.

    Chairman of Central Election Authority Madhusudan Mistri will be available in Congress headquarters in the national capital to take the nomination papers as returning officer of the election.

    Gehlot had earlier made it clear that there will be no candidate from the Gandhi family this time.

    Speaking to ANI Gehlot said, “I have requested him (Congress MP Rahul Gandhi) multiple times to accept everyone’s proposal of becoming the Congress President. He clarified that no one from the Gandhi family should become the next chief.”

    Till now, Gehlot has made it clear publically that he will contest the elections, while another name that is most likely to give him a contest is Shashi Tharoor who is also in the fray and had met Madhusudan Mistri.

    Sources close to former union minister Manish Tewari had also said that he is also considering the possibility of contesting the polls.

    The crux of the story that emerges is that the Congress party is all set to witness a tripartite or more contest.

    Earlier, Madhusudan Mistri said that more than 9,000 delegates will be voting in the polls. Anybody can contest and 10 delegates will be needed to support his or her candidature. The last date for filing a nomination is September 30.

    NEW DELHI: Congress legislative party meeting will be held at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s residence in Jaipur on Sunday evening in which a resolution will be passed relating to the change of leadership in Rajasthan.

    The resolution will be passed that decision on change of face in Rajasthan will be taken by the Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi.

    Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot is also likely to resign from his post before filing his nomination for the Congress President poll.

    All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge of Rajasthan Ajay Maken, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge will be present in the meeting which is scheduled to be held at 7 pm on Sunday.

    Earlier on Saturday, Ajay Maken had a meeting with Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi.

    AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal said the Congress president had appointed Mallikarjun Kharge and Ajay Maken as observers for the Rajasthan CLP meeting to be held on Sunday at 7 pm in Jaipur.

    “Congress President has appointed Mallikarjun Kharge as Observer along with Ajay Maken, Gen. Secretary AICC, Incharge of Rajasthan, to attend the meeting of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) of Rajasthan Legislative Assembly slated to be held on 25th September at 7 pm,” Venugopal said in a tweet.

    Filing of nominations for the post of Congress president began on Saturday with a contest between Ashok Gehlot and former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor on the cards.

    The nominations will be filed till September 30 and results declaring the new Congress chief will be announced on October 19. This will be the first time in 25 years that Congress will see a non-Gandhi chief after Sonia Gandhi replaced Sitaraman Kesri as party chief in 1998.

    The last time the party had a non-Gandhi chief was in 1997 when Sitaram Kesri defeated Sharad Pawar and Rajesh Pilot.

    Chairman of Central Election Authority Madhusudan Mistri will be available in Congress headquarters in the national capital to take the nomination papers as returning officer of the election.

    Gehlot had earlier made it clear that there will be no candidate from the Gandhi family this time.

    Speaking to ANI Gehlot said, “I have requested him (Congress MP Rahul Gandhi) multiple times to accept everyone’s proposal of becoming the Congress President. He clarified that no one from the Gandhi family should become the next chief.”

    Till now, Gehlot has made it clear publically that he will contest the elections, while another name that is most likely to give him a contest is Shashi Tharoor who is also in the fray and had met Madhusudan Mistri.

    Sources close to former union minister Manish Tewari had also said that he is also considering the possibility of contesting the polls.

    The crux of the story that emerges is that the Congress party is all set to witness a tripartite or more contest.

    Earlier, Madhusudan Mistri said that more than 9,000 delegates will be voting in the polls. Anybody can contest and 10 delegates will be needed to support his or her candidature. The last date for filing a nomination is September 30.

  • Action time in Rajasthan as Sachin begins attempts to Pilot his way to CM’s chair

    Express News Service

    JAIPUR: With the election for the next Congress party president fast approaching, everyone is now keen on knowing who will be the new Rajasthan Chief Minister.

    Current CM Ashok Gehlot had met Rahul Gandhi in Kerala on Thursday and announced his decision to file a nomination for the post of AICC president. Gehlot had also confirmed that he will resign as CM if he becomes the new party president.

    Against this backdrop, one of the main contenders Sachin Pilot reached Jaipur on Friday and started lobbying with MLAs.

    He also met the Speaker of the Assembly and senior Congress leader CP Joshi.

    Joshi, a former Union Minister, is seen as one of the major contenders should Gehlot win and move to Delhi. It is being said that Gehlot has recommended that Joshi be crowned his successor.

    Meanwhile, Gehlot himself returned to Jaipur from Kerala via Shirdi late Friday evening.

    ALSO READ | Gehlot likely to step down as Rajasthan CM, Tharoor may get CWC berth

    In the morning, Pilot reached the assembly and met the MLAs supporting him, including Ved Prakash Solanki, Indraj Gurjar and Rajesh Pareek. He also met Gehlot supporters Girraj Malinga and independent MLA Khushveer Jojawar. After these meetings, Pilot smiled and left with folded hands.

    He then reached Speaker Joshi’s chamber after meeting a dozen MLAs in the assembly lobby. At this meeting, Gehlot’s close aide Dharmendra Rathod, cabinet minister Pratap Singh Khachariawas and Gujarat Congress in-charge Raghu Sharma were also present.

    Sources said that Pilot has started talking to Congress MLAs of all factions. These include those MLAs who were once considered his staunch opponents.

    The meeting between Joshi and Pilot is especially being considered very important. Right now both these leaders are seen as frontrunners to replace Gehlot. Although the conversation between the two leaders has not been disclosed, it is believed that there has been a round of consultation between them regarding the future CM of Rajasthan.

    ALSO READ | Cong prez polls: Anyone including Sachin Pilot acceptable as CM, says Gehlot’s minister

    Gehlot’s statement, in which he had spoken of the need to consider the sentiments of MLAs in the choice of a new CM, is believed to be behind Pilot’s aggressive lobbying.

    At the moment, 80 percent of the MLAs are with Gehlot and about 20 percent are in favor of Pilot. Pilot is trying to woo the MLAs in the Gehlot camp away in his favor.

    The Pilot camp also wants Gehlot to leave the CM chair before he is crowned as the President of AICC because they fear that he may create difficulties otherwise.

    When asked in Kerala about who will succeed him if the CM’s post falls vacant in Rajasthan, Gehlot had said the “decision about the next CM will be taken through a proper process. Sonia Gandhi and general secretary in-charge Ajay Maken will decide together”.

    JAIPUR: With the election for the next Congress party president fast approaching, everyone is now keen on knowing who will be the new Rajasthan Chief Minister.

    Current CM Ashok Gehlot had met Rahul Gandhi in Kerala on Thursday and announced his decision to file a nomination for the post of AICC president. Gehlot had also confirmed that he will resign as CM if he becomes the new party president.

    Against this backdrop, one of the main contenders Sachin Pilot reached Jaipur on Friday and started lobbying with MLAs.

    He also met the Speaker of the Assembly and senior Congress leader CP Joshi.

    Joshi, a former Union Minister, is seen as one of the major contenders should Gehlot win and move to Delhi. It is being said that Gehlot has recommended that Joshi be crowned his successor.

    Meanwhile, Gehlot himself returned to Jaipur from Kerala via Shirdi late Friday evening.

    ALSO READ | Gehlot likely to step down as Rajasthan CM, Tharoor may get CWC berth

    In the morning, Pilot reached the assembly and met the MLAs supporting him, including Ved Prakash Solanki, Indraj Gurjar and Rajesh Pareek. He also met Gehlot supporters Girraj Malinga and independent MLA Khushveer Jojawar. After these meetings, Pilot smiled and left with folded hands.

    He then reached Speaker Joshi’s chamber after meeting a dozen MLAs in the assembly lobby. At this meeting, Gehlot’s close aide Dharmendra Rathod, cabinet minister Pratap Singh Khachariawas and Gujarat Congress in-charge Raghu Sharma were also present.

    Sources said that Pilot has started talking to Congress MLAs of all factions. These include those MLAs who were once considered his staunch opponents.

    The meeting between Joshi and Pilot is especially being considered very important. Right now both these leaders are seen as frontrunners to replace Gehlot. Although the conversation between the two leaders has not been disclosed, it is believed that there has been a round of consultation between them regarding the future CM of Rajasthan.

    ALSO READ | Cong prez polls: Anyone including Sachin Pilot acceptable as CM, says Gehlot’s minister

    Gehlot’s statement, in which he had spoken of the need to consider the sentiments of MLAs in the choice of a new CM, is believed to be behind Pilot’s aggressive lobbying.

    At the moment, 80 percent of the MLAs are with Gehlot and about 20 percent are in favor of Pilot. Pilot is trying to woo the MLAs in the Gehlot camp away in his favor.

    The Pilot camp also wants Gehlot to leave the CM chair before he is crowned as the President of AICC because they fear that he may create difficulties otherwise.

    When asked in Kerala about who will succeed him if the CM’s post falls vacant in Rajasthan, Gehlot had said the “decision about the next CM will be taken through a proper process. Sonia Gandhi and general secretary in-charge Ajay Maken will decide together”.

  • IAF raises first squadron of indigenous Light Combat helicopters, to be commissioned next month

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The first squadron of the Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) is ready to get commissioned into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the state of Rajasthan next month. The training sorties of the helicopters at the base have begun.

    The Indian Air Force will induct the first batch of 10 Make-in-India LCH at the Jodhpur-based Air Force Station in Rajasthan on October 3, in the presence of Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh.

    The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in March this year approved the procurement of 15 Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Limited Series Production at the cost of Rs. 3,887 Cr along with Infrastructure sanctions worth Rs. 377 Cr. Of these 5 LCH are to be inducted into the Indian Army.

    Light Combat Helicopter Limited Series Production (LSP) is an indigenously designed, developed and manufactured state-of-the-art modern combat helicopter containing approx. 45% indigenous content by value which will progressively increase to more than 55% for SP Version, says the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

    The Helicopter is powered by a twin Shakti Engine and has a range of 550 km and a maximum speed of 268 kmph. It is compatible for high-altitude deployment with the capability to take off and land at about 5000 metre (16,400 feet).

    It should be noted that the IAF is yet in the process of finalising the number of LCHs to be procured. These choppers may replace the ageing Russian Mi-25 and Mi-35 attack choppers.

    In June this year, the Indian Army inducted the first LCH squadron in Bengaluru. It will be moved to Eastern Command along the Line of Actual Control (LCH) next year. It has planned to induct 95 LCHs.

    As per the MoD, “This helicopter is equipped with requisite agility, manoeuvrability, extended range, high altitude performance and around-the-clock, all-weather combat capability to perform roles of Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), Destruction of Enemy Air Defence (DEAD), Counter Insurgency (CI) operations, against slow-moving aircraft and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs), high altitude bunker busting operations, Counter Insurgency operations in jungle and urban environments and support to ground forces and would be a potent platform to meet the operational requirements of Indian Air Force & Indian Army.”

    State-of-the-art technologies and systems compatible with stealth features such as reduced Visual, Aural, Radar and IR signatures and crashworthiness features for better survivability have been integrated in LCH. Several key aviation technologies like Glass Cockpit and composite airframe structures have been indigenised.

    The future Series Production version will consist of further modern & indigenous systems.

    Production of LCH will reduce import dependence for Combat helicopters in the country. Light Combat Helicopters are already in the import embargo list.

    NEW DELHI: The first squadron of the Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) is ready to get commissioned into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the state of Rajasthan next month. The training sorties of the helicopters at the base have begun.

    The Indian Air Force will induct the first batch of 10 Make-in-India LCH at the Jodhpur-based Air Force Station in Rajasthan on October 3, in the presence of Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh.

    The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in March this year approved the procurement of 15 Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Limited Series Production at the cost of Rs. 3,887 Cr along with Infrastructure sanctions worth Rs. 377 Cr. Of these 5 LCH are to be inducted into the Indian Army.

    Light Combat Helicopter Limited Series Production (LSP) is an indigenously designed, developed and manufactured state-of-the-art modern combat helicopter containing approx. 45% indigenous content by value which will progressively increase to more than 55% for SP Version, says the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

    The Helicopter is powered by a twin Shakti Engine and has a range of 550 km and a maximum speed of 268 kmph. It is compatible for high-altitude deployment with the capability to take off and land at about 5000 metre (16,400 feet).

    It should be noted that the IAF is yet in the process of finalising the number of LCHs to be procured. These choppers may replace the ageing Russian Mi-25 and Mi-35 attack choppers.

    In June this year, the Indian Army inducted the first LCH squadron in Bengaluru. It will be moved to Eastern Command along the Line of Actual Control (LCH) next year. It has planned to induct 95 LCHs.

    As per the MoD, “This helicopter is equipped with requisite agility, manoeuvrability, extended range, high altitude performance and around-the-clock, all-weather combat capability to perform roles of Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), Destruction of Enemy Air Defence (DEAD), Counter Insurgency (CI) operations, against slow-moving aircraft and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs), high altitude bunker busting operations, Counter Insurgency operations in jungle and urban environments and support to ground forces and would be a potent platform to meet the operational requirements of Indian Air Force & Indian Army.”

    State-of-the-art technologies and systems compatible with stealth features such as reduced Visual, Aural, Radar and IR signatures and crashworthiness features for better survivability have been integrated in LCH. Several key aviation technologies like Glass Cockpit and composite airframe structures have been indigenised.

    The future Series Production version will consist of further modern & indigenous systems.

    Production of LCH will reduce import dependence for Combat helicopters in the country. Light Combat Helicopters are already in the import embargo list.

  • Rajasthan reported highest number of rape cases in 2021: NCRB

    As per the NCRB report, in comparison to 2020, an increase of 19.34 per cent has been recorded in the number of rape cases this year.

  • Rajasthan: Man throws 11-month-old son into canal due to financial trouble

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Facing financial trouble, a man threw his 11-month-old son into a canal in Rajasthan’s Jalore district and lied to his wife that he had dropped him off at his father’s place, according to police.

    The accused, Mukesh Berwal, a resident of Gujarat, has been arrested and the infant’s body has been recovered, the police said.

    “The couple wanted to give a good life to their son but Mukesh was barely earning anything. As he was not even able to feed his son, he decided to kill him.  He knew about the Narmada canal in Jalore, nearly 50 km from his place in Gujarat, and decided to throw his son into it,” said Station House Officer, Sanchore, Praveen Kumar.

    The accused came to Jalore’s Sanchore area with his wife Usha and son Rajveer on Thursday. He lied to his wife that his father lives in a village in Sanchore and they can leave Rajveer with him, the SHO said.

    “Later, Mukesh told his wife to wait for him at a place near the canal while he would go and drop Rajveer at his father’s home. He told Usha that since their’s was an inter-caste marriage, his father would not accept her,” he added.

    Berwald threw his son into the canal 150-200 metres from the place where his wife was waiting. He returned to Usha and told her that Rajveer was with his father now, Kumar said.

    However, a local man, who had seen Berwal throw the infant into the canal, caught him and handed him over to the police, he said. During interrogation, Berwal confessed to his crime. He has been arrested he said.

    “Meanwhile, a rescue operation was launched and divers started looking for the boy. The body was recovered on Friday,” the SHO said, adding that it has been handed over to the infant’s mother.

    JAIPUR: Facing financial trouble, a man threw his 11-month-old son into a canal in Rajasthan’s Jalore district and lied to his wife that he had dropped him off at his father’s place, according to police.

    The accused, Mukesh Berwal, a resident of Gujarat, has been arrested and the infant’s body has been recovered, the police said.

    “The couple wanted to give a good life to their son but Mukesh was barely earning anything. As he was not even able to feed his son, he decided to kill him.  He knew about the Narmada canal in Jalore, nearly 50 km from his place in Gujarat, and decided to throw his son into it,” said Station House Officer, Sanchore, Praveen Kumar.

    The accused came to Jalore’s Sanchore area with his wife Usha and son Rajveer on Thursday. He lied to his wife that his father lives in a village in Sanchore and they can leave Rajveer with him, the SHO said.

    “Later, Mukesh told his wife to wait for him at a place near the canal while he would go and drop Rajveer at his father’s home. He told Usha that since their’s was an inter-caste marriage, his father would not accept her,” he added.

    Berwald threw his son into the canal 150-200 metres from the place where his wife was waiting. He returned to Usha and told her that Rajveer was with his father now, Kumar said.

    However, a local man, who had seen Berwal throw the infant into the canal, caught him and handed him over to the police, he said. During interrogation, Berwal confessed to his crime. He has been arrested he said.

    “Meanwhile, a rescue operation was launched and divers started looking for the boy. The body was recovered on Friday,” the SHO said, adding that it has been handed over to the infant’s mother.

  • IAF fighter aircraft crashes in Barmer, Rajnath speaks to Air Chief Marshal

    By PTI

    BARMER: An Indian Air Force’s fighter aircraft Thursday crashed in Rajasthan’s Barmer district, the collector said.

    “It was an IAF plane that crashed near Bhimda village in Baytoo,” Barmer District Collector Lok Bandu told PTI.

    #WATCH | Rajasthan: A MiG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed near Barmer district. Further details regarding the pilots awaited pic.twitter.com/5KfO24hZB6
    — ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2022
    He said he was on the way to the site of the incident.

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on the crash of the MiG-21 fighter aircraft. The IAF chief briefed him on the incident in detail, claimed ANI reports. 

    Further details are awaited.

    BARMER: An Indian Air Force’s fighter aircraft Thursday crashed in Rajasthan’s Barmer district, the collector said.

    “It was an IAF plane that crashed near Bhimda village in Baytoo,” Barmer District Collector Lok Bandu told PTI.

    #WATCH | Rajasthan: A MiG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed near Barmer district. Further details regarding the pilots awaited pic.twitter.com/5KfO24hZB6
    — ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2022
    He said he was on the way to the site of the incident.

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on the crash of the MiG-21 fighter aircraft. The IAF chief briefed him on the incident in detail, claimed ANI reports. 

    Further details are awaited.

  • IAF fighter aircraft crashes in Barmer, both pilots killed

    By PTI

    BARMER: Two Indian Air Force pilots were killed when their twin-seater Mig-21 trainer aircraft met with an accident near Barmer in Rajasthan Friday night.

    The IAF said the accident took place around 9:10 pm.

    “A twin seater Mig-21 trainer aircraft of the IAF was airborne for a training sortie from Utarlai air base in Rajasthan this evening,” it said.

    #WATCH | Rajasthan: A MiG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed near Barmer district. Further details regarding the pilots awaited pic.twitter.com/5KfO24hZB6
    — ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2022
    “Around 9:10 pm, the aircraft met with an accident near Barmer. Both pilots sustained fatal injuries. The IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families,” the IAF said in a statement.

    A court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari following the crash.

    “Deeply anguished by the loss of two Air Warriors due to an accident of IAF’s Mig-21 trainer aircraft near Barmer in Rajasthan,” Singh said on Twitter.

    “Their service to the nation will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of sadness,” he said.

    BARMER: Two Indian Air Force pilots were killed when their twin-seater Mig-21 trainer aircraft met with an accident near Barmer in Rajasthan Friday night.

    The IAF said the accident took place around 9:10 pm.

    “A twin seater Mig-21 trainer aircraft of the IAF was airborne for a training sortie from Utarlai air base in Rajasthan this evening,” it said.

    #WATCH | Rajasthan: A MiG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed near Barmer district. Further details regarding the pilots awaited pic.twitter.com/5KfO24hZB6
    — ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2022
    “Around 9:10 pm, the aircraft met with an accident near Barmer. Both pilots sustained fatal injuries. The IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families,” the IAF said in a statement.

    A court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari following the crash.

    “Deeply anguished by the loss of two Air Warriors due to an accident of IAF’s Mig-21 trainer aircraft near Barmer in Rajasthan,” Singh said on Twitter.

    “Their service to the nation will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of sadness,” he said.

  • If elected as VP, Dhankhar will be the second Jat leader: Facts to know

    Dhankhar's election as the vice president is almost a certainty as the BJP has a majority in the electoral college comprising the members of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

  • Udaipur murder: Prime accused has links with Pak-based Dawat-e-Islami, curfew remained clamped

    By Online Desk

    UDAIPUR: Kanhaiya Lal, who was brutally killed by two men here, was cremated on Wednesday in the presence of a large number of people even as curfew remained clamped in parts of the city.

    A large number of people gathered at Lal’s home in sector 14 here and raised slogans after his body was handed over to family members after postmortem.

    People shouted slogans like ‘Bharat Mata ki Jay’ and ‘Kanhaiya Hum Sharminda Hain Tere Katil Jinda Hain’ while others carried saffron flags. Leader of opposition Gulab Chand Kataria also attended the funeral.

    Lal’s wife Jasoda told reporters that Kanhaiya was scared and did not open his shop for six days due to the threat to his life. He was murdered as soon as he opened the shop, she said.

    “We want that either their (murderers) encounter should happen or they should be hanged to death. It’s needed to instil fear in them,” Lal’s son told media.

    ALSO READ | NIA registers case under UAPA in Udaipur killing, says accused wanted to ‘strike terror among masses’

    Lal, a tailor, was on Tuesday killed by two men who had posted videos online that said they were avenging an insult to Islam. The incident triggered stray cases of violence in Udaipur and curfew was clamped in seven police station areas of the city.

    The Centre directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take over the probe into the brutal murder of a tailor in Udaipur where curfew remained clamped in seven police station areas while mobile Internet services were suspended across all 33 districts of Rajasthan following stray incidents of violence.

    The Uttar Pradesh Police has stepped up vigil in its state. Police has also warned of strict action against anyone posting provocative posts on social media.

    Pakitan-based terror links

    Meanwhile, one of the two prime accused in the brutal killing had links with the Pakistan-based organisation Dawat-e-Islami and had visited Karachi in 2014, the Rajasthan Police chief said on Wednesday.

    The police have detained three more people in connection with the killing so far, Director General of Police (DGP) M L Lather said at a press conference here.

    ALSO READ | Tailor murder: Prime accused has links with Pak-based Dawat-e-Islami, visited Karachi, says DGP

    Two men, identified as Riaz Akhtari and Ghouse Mohammad, allegedly hacked Kanhaiya Lal to death with a cleaver at his shop in Udaipur on Tuesday and posted videos online saying they are avenging an insult to Islam.

    Muslim organisations condemn

    Prominent Muslim organisations on Wednesday condemned the brutal killing, calling it “un-Islamic” and asserting that no person has the right to take law into one’s hands.

    Bodies like All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind issued statements condemning the murder of Kanhaiya Lal by two men who had posted videos online that claimed they were avenging an insult to Islam.

    Delhi Jama Masjid Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari called the killing an “act of cowardice” and “an act against Islam”. Islam is a religion of “peace and tranquillity,” he said.

    ALSO READ | Udaipur murder meant to spread terror, both accused booked under UAPA: Gehlot

    In its statement, the AIMPLB said such acts were against the principles of Islam and that no one should take law in their hands.

    “Insulting holy personalities of any religion is a serious crime. BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma made derogatory remarks about the holy Prophet of Islam, which is very sad for Muslims. The government not taking any action against Nupur Sharma is like rubbing salt on the wounds. But despite this, taking the law into one’s own hands and killing a person by declaring him a criminal is a condemnable act,” the statement issued on behalf of AIMPLB general secretary Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani.

    Condolences pour in

    Similarly, the Working President of the ruling TRS in Telangana K T Rama Rao expressed shock over the brutal murder and favoured “most stringent punishment” to the culprits. 

    Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan came out against Madrassas and wondered whether young children were taught there that punishment for blasphemy is beheading.

    ALSO READ | Day after Rajasthan ‘beheading’, expelled BJP spokesperson Naveen Jindal claims death threats

    Union minister Anurag Thakur slammed the Ashok Gehlot dispensation in Rajasthan over the killing of a tailor in Udaipur, saying the Congress government remained a “mute spectator” as the party’s “internal rivalries” took a toll on the state’s law and order.

    Markets to remain closed

    Meanwhile, a traders’ body supported by the VHP and other Hindu groups has announced that markets in Jaipur will remain closed Thursday in protest against the murder of a tailor in Udaipur for allegedly insulting Islam.

    The call was given by the Sanyukt Vyapar Mahasangh which is supported by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and other Hindu groups.

    (With inputs from agencies)

  • Udaipur murder: Prime accused has links with Pak terror group, says Rajasthan DGP

    By Online Desk

    UDAIPUR: Kanhaiya Lal, who was brutally killed by two men here, was cremated on Wednesday in the presence of a large number of people even as curfew remained clamped in parts of the city.

    A large number of people gathered at Lal’s home in sector 14 here and raised slogans after his body was handed over to family members after postmortem.

    People shouted slogans like ‘Bharat Mata ki Jay’ and ‘Kanhaiya Hum Sharminda Hain Tere Katil Jinda Hain’ while others carried saffron flags. Leader of opposition Gulab Chand Kataria also attended the funeral.

    Lal’s wife Jasoda told reporters that Kanhaiya was scared and did not open his shop for six days due to the threat to his life. He was murdered as soon as he opened the shop, she said.

    “We want that either their (murderers) encounter should happen or they should be hanged to death. It’s needed to instil fear in them,” Lal’s son told media.

    ALSO READ | NIA registers case under UAPA in Udaipur killing, says accused wanted to ‘strike terror among masses’

    Lal, a tailor, was on Tuesday killed by two men who had posted videos online that said they were avenging an insult to Islam. The incident triggered stray cases of violence in Udaipur and curfew was clamped in seven police station areas of the city.

    The Centre directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take over the probe into the brutal murder of a tailor in Udaipur where curfew remained clamped in seven police station areas while mobile Internet services were suspended across all 33 districts of Rajasthan following stray incidents of violence.

    The Uttar Pradesh Police has stepped up vigil in its state. Police has also warned of strict action against anyone posting provocative posts on social media.

    Pakitan-based terror links

    Meanwhile, one of the two prime accused in the brutal killing had links with the Pakistan-based organisation Dawat-e-Islami and had visited Karachi in 2014, the Rajasthan Police chief said on Wednesday.

    The police have detained three more people in connection with the killing so far, Director General of Police (DGP) M L Lather said at a press conference here.

    ALSO READ | Tailor murder: Prime accused has links with Pak-based Dawat-e-Islami, visited Karachi, says DGP

    Two men, identified as Riaz Akhtari and Ghouse Mohammad, allegedly hacked Kanhaiya Lal to death with a cleaver at his shop in Udaipur on Tuesday and posted videos online saying they are avenging an insult to Islam.

    Muslim organisations condemn

    Prominent Muslim organisations on Wednesday condemned the brutal killing, calling it “un-Islamic” and asserting that no person has the right to take law into one’s hands.

    Bodies like All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind issued statements condemning the murder of Kanhaiya Lal by two men who had posted videos online that claimed they were avenging an insult to Islam.

    Delhi Jama Masjid Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari called the killing an “act of cowardice” and “an act against Islam”. Islam is a religion of “peace and tranquillity,” he said.

    ALSO READ | Udaipur murder meant to spread terror, both accused booked under UAPA: Gehlot

    In its statement, the AIMPLB said such acts were against the principles of Islam and that no one should take law in their hands.

    “Insulting holy personalities of any religion is a serious crime. BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma made derogatory remarks about the holy Prophet of Islam, which is very sad for Muslims. The government not taking any action against Nupur Sharma is like rubbing salt on the wounds. But despite this, taking the law into one’s own hands and killing a person by declaring him a criminal is a condemnable act,” the statement issued on behalf of AIMPLB general secretary Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani.

    Condolences pour in

    Similarly, the Working President of the ruling TRS in Telangana K T Rama Rao expressed shock over the brutal murder and favoured “most stringent punishment” to the culprits. 

    Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan came out against Madrassas and wondered whether young children were taught there that punishment for blasphemy is beheading.

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    Union minister Anurag Thakur slammed the Ashok Gehlot dispensation in Rajasthan over the killing of a tailor in Udaipur, saying the Congress government remained a “mute spectator” as the party’s “internal rivalries” took a toll on the state’s law and order.

    Markets to remain closed

    Meanwhile, a traders’ body supported by the VHP and other Hindu groups has announced that markets in Jaipur will remain closed Thursday in protest against the murder of a tailor in Udaipur for allegedly insulting Islam.

    The call was given by the Sanyukt Vyapar Mahasangh which is supported by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and other Hindu groups.

    (With inputs from agencies)