NEWS DIGEST, MID-DAY
17 May 2018:01 Ramazan 1439: Vol:10, No:23
INDIA
Karnataka POLITICS
Karnataka: SC refuses to stay Yeddyurappa swearing-in, hearing on Cong-JDS plea to continue Friday
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sc-refuses-to-stay-bsy-swearing-in-hearing-on-cong-jdu-plea-to-continue-friday/articleshow/64198472.cms
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to stay BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa's swearing-in as Karnataka CM after a rare pre-dawn hearing which saw Congress-JD (S) combine making a last-ditch attempt to stall the saffron party's surge in the southern state. The SC, which commenced the hearing at 2.11am and ended at 5.28am, however made it clear that the swearing-in and the Govt formation in the state would be subject to the final outcome of the case before it. A special bench comprising Justices AK Sikri, SA Bobde and Ashok Bhushan directed the Centre to place before it two communications, sent by Yeddyurappa to Governor Vajubhai Vala in which he had staked claim to form the Govt , saying their perusal was necessary to decide the case.The top court also issued notices to Karnataka Govt and Yeddyurappa seeking their replies on the plea filed by Congress-JD (S) combine and posted the matter for hearing tomorrow."This Court is not passing any order staying the oath taking ceremony of B S Yeddyurappa. In case, he is given oath in the meantime, that shall be subject to further orders of this court and final outcome of the writ petition," the bench said.While senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Congress-JD (S) combine, persisted with his arguments that the swearing-in ceremony should be stayed or deferred, the bench said, "we are not staying the oath taking ceremony". Congress questioned the Governor's decision to give 15 days time to Yeddyurppa to prove majority in the house and claimed that this might lead to "horse trading" and "poaching" of MLAs. It said that they were not sure how much time Yeddyurppa himself had sought from Governor to prove the majority but as per their information, BJP leader had sought 7 days time. Latest in the drama-- Congress, JD(S) combine has now filed a fresh plea in the SC to stop appointment of an Anglo-Indian community member in the Karnataka assembly.Petition filed in the SC seeks to stop Karnataka Governer Vajubhai Vala from nominating an Anglo-Indian member to the Karnataka Assembly before the trust vote.PTI / Indian express
In overnight hearing, SC okays Yeddy swearing-in, but case still on
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/170518/karnataka-power-battle-sc-refuses-to-stay-yeddyurappa-swearing-in.html
Jethmalani moves SC against Governor’s move to invite BJP to form Karnataka govt, calls it ‘gross abuse’
http://indianexpress.com/elections/ram-jethmalani-moves-sc-against-governor-vajubhai-vales-order-to-invite-bjp-to-form-karnataka-govt-calls-it-gross-abuse-5180056/
Calling Governor Vajubhai Vale’s decision to invite BJP to form Govt a “gross abuse” of constitutional power, senior lawyer Ram Jethmalani on Thursday moved the SC in his personal capacity challenging the order.CJI Dipak Misra listed the matter for hearing on Friday and asked Jethmalani to present it before the bench concerned.“Governor’s order is a gross abuse of the constitutional power and this has brought disrepute to the constitutional office he has been holding,”Jethmalani submitted while seeking nod to submit his views in the case.indianexpress
Rahul, Yashwant Sinha, Kejriwal slam SC decision not to stay BSY's swearing-in, say India will mourn the day
https://www.firstpost.com/politics/karnataka-elections-rahul-gandhi-yashwant-sinha-arvind-kejriwal-slam-supreme-court-decision-not-to-stay-bsys-swearing-in-ceremony-4472565.html
Discussing the Supreme Court's decision, Sanjay Nirupam, president of the Mumbai Congress Committee, claimed that the Supreme Court's decision was exactly what the BJP wanted. He added that it would be difficult to predict whether justice would prevail on Friday. He further stated that when constitutional institutions become "enslaved to power", the rulers become the sole authority. BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha expressed the hope that ultimately justice would prevail in the present situation. In a thinly veiled attack against the party, Sinha also stated that "What is right for Meghalaya, Manipur and Goa should be right for Karnataka too".Yashwant Sinha, who had quit the BJP earlier this year, warned that the party would try to "subvert democracy" once again if it failed to get majority in the Lok Sabha next year.Ahead of Yeddyurappa's swearing-in ceremony, Rahul Gandhi termed BJP's "irrational insistence" that it will form the Govt in Karnataka as a "mockery" of the Constitution. firstpost
Worried over MLAs being poached, JDS-Congress to shift their lawmakers outside Karnataka till floor test
https://www.newsx.com/karnataka-election-results-2018/mla-poaching-karnataka-mla-poaching-hd-kumaraswamy-rahul-gandhi-yeddyurappa-siddaramaiah-karnataka-elections-cm-karnataka-modi-amit-shah-mlas-moved-outside-karnataka
In order to protect the Congress MLAs from going to BJP camp, the party has reportedly decided to shift its lawmakers outside of Karnataka and beyond the reach of BJP leaders. JD(S) leader and one of the contenders for the post of CM of Karnataka, HD Kumaraswamy claimed that the attempts are being made by the BJP to buy out the MLAs of the party. He added that the JD(S) MLAs were being offered up to Rs 100 crore to give their support to BJP. Reports suggest that Congress will be shifting its lawmakers to Cochin in Kerala. JD(S) MLAs are also expected to follow the Congress’ path on this.The following reports surfaced soon after BJP’s CM candidate BS Yeddyurappa was sworn-in as CM of Karnataka for the third time. BJP which currently holds 104 out of 222 seats has been given a time period of 15 days to prove the majority. On the other hand, Congress-JD(S) that declared its combined strength of 116 seats are leaving no stone unturned in protecting that majority for the given time.Reports of Congress MLA being poached also surfaced after a Congress MP claimed that all the party MLAs are protesting against Yeddyurappa’s oath ceremony at Vidhan Soudha apart from Anand Singh. Congress MP said, “Anand Singh is in clutches of Narendra Modi.” The reports were later confirmed by HD Kumaraswamy who stated that a Congress leader has told him that BJP is using ED to claim a majority.
Naidu, KCR, Left offer to shelter Congress, JDS MLAs
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/karnataka-live-updates-congress-jds-protest-as-bjp-bs-yeddyurappa-sworn-in-as-cm
Goa Congress says they’re single-largest party, will meet Governor to stake claim; RJD-Congress in Bihar
https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/karnataka-election-2018/story/live-updates-yeddyurappa-takes-oath-as-karnataka-cm-after-supreme-court-midnight-hearing-1234995-2018-05-17
After the Supreme Court refused to put a stay on the swearing-in of BS Yeddyurappa-- 2-time CM BSY took oath as Karnataka CM today.As Goa Congress prepares to submit to Governor Mridula Sinha a formal letter containing signatures of all the 16 party MLAs, similar protests are being planned in Meghalaya and Manipur.In addition, RJD and Congress party in Bihar will parade their MLAs and demand that their coalition be given the chance to form Govt too-- akin to Karnataka. Following this, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has sought time from the Bihar Governor to demand dismissal of the Nitish Kumar Govt and invite RJD-Congress combine to form govt.In view of the Karnataka rumble, Goa Congress has now sought an appointment with the Governor to stake claim to form Govt .Congress party had emerged as the single largest party in the Goa assembly election last year.Congress had bagged 17 seats in 40-member House, falling short of majority figure by 4 seats. BJP, which got 14 seats, formed the Govt in alliance with Goa Forward Party and MGP, both of which had secured three seats each. 3 Independents also went with the BJP.
Karnataka: Goa Congress says they’re single-largest party, will meet Governor to stake claim
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/karnataka-fallout-goa-congress-says-theyre-single-largest-party-will-meet-governor-to-stake-claim-5180434/
BJP announces date and time for Yeddyurappa’s swearing in even before Governor, Congress moves SC
http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/karnataka-crisis-bjp-announce-time-for-yeddyurappas-swearing-in-even-before-governor-congress-moves-supreme-court/186158/
In a sensational development, the Karnataka unit of BJP on Wednesday announced the date and time for BS Yeddyurappa’s swearing-in ceremony even before Governor Vajubhai Vala made the announcement public.Karnataka BJP’s tweet had read, “The moment that crores of Kannadigas are awaiting is here. Sri @BSYBJP will take oath as CM of Karnataka tomorrow morning at 9.30 AM at Raj Bhavan. The movement to build Suvarna Karnataka has begun.”The tweet by Karnataka BJP was posted at 8.31 PM, long before Governor Vala made the official announcement. An angry Congress slammed the governor calling him a BJP puppet. Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted, “Vajubhai Vala denigrates the Governor’s office,tramples upon Constitution,abuses the law & acts as a BJP puppet. He chooses to serve his Master’s in BJP rather then serve the Constitution. As @BJPKarnataka informed in advance, orders come from BJP HQ then the sanctity of office .”jantakareporter
Karnataka Governor Invites BJP Even as Congress-JD(S) Submit List of 117 MLAs
https://thewire.in/politics/cong-jds-submit-list-of-117-mlas-karnataka-governor
BJP Celebrates Hollow Victory, India Mourns Defeat of Democracy: Rahul Gandhi on Karnataka
http://www.india.com/news/india/yeddyurappa-oath-taking-as-karnataka-chief-minister-rahul-gandhi-breaks-silence-calls-it-defeat-of-democracy-on-twitter-3058934/
Karnataka: BJP is destroying democratic systems; Governor has misused office, says HD Kumaraswamy
http://www.timesnownews.com/elections/karnataka-assembly-election-2018-latest/election-news/article/karnataka-election-bjp-is-destroying-democratic-systems-governor-has-misused-office-says-hd-kumaraswamy/228997
2 Muslim leaders from Cong-JDS sealed pact
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/a-1230-pm-call-two-muslim-leaders-from-cong-jds-sealed-pact/articleshow/64185641.cms
New Delhi:On Sunday night, two Muslim leaders, each from Congress and JDS were quietly discussing their journey from science graduation to political career at a Delhi's suburban hotel.One of them, Ghulab Nabi Azad, a former J&K CM and incumbent leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha while other a JD(S) supremo HD Devegowda's confidante and party's general secretary Danish Ali, who is still eyeing a Rajya Sabha berth for a decade.At the meeting, however, the 2 agendas dominated: saving secular credentials and Kannada pride as they had their share of tea. This even as the two joked about having more Hindu friends in their outfits followed by a banter over food delights in the southern state.TOI
OTHERS
W. Bengal Panchayat Result: TMC set for a clean sweep, BJP at distant 2nd
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/west-bengal-panchayat-election-results-tmc-bjp-congress-cpim-mamata-banerjee-5180190/
Kolkata: The ruling Trinamool Congress is all set for a clean sweep in the 3-tier West Bengal panchayat polls with the party leading in most of the Gram Panchayat and Panchayat Samiti seats.Out of 31,802 Gram Panchayat seats where polls were held, TMC has won 4,713 seats and leading in 2,762 seats till 1 pm. BJP has emerged second after it won 898 GP seats and leading in 242 seats. Surprisingly independent candidates won 317 GP seats and leading in 136 seats. CPM won 226 seats and leading in 161 seats. Congress won 33 GP seats and leading in 60 seats.Out of 6,123 Panchayat Samiti seats, TMC was leading in most of the seats. Counting of total 621 Zilla Parishad seats will begin shortly.State panchayat polls held on Monday were marred by widespread violence resulting in the death of 14 people. The polls were held in 66% of the total seats as TMC won 34% seats uncontested. Yesterday, repoll was held in 572 seats across 19 districts. The counting of votes began today at 8 am across 291 counting centres.indianexpress
SC:Collegium defers decision on Just. Joseph’s elevation
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/collegium-defers-decision-on-justice-km-joseph-elevation/article23905891.ece?homepage=true
The Supreme Court Collegium, which met on Wednesday to discuss the elevation of Uttarakhand Chief Justice K.M. Joseph to the apex court, deferred its decision, sources said. At the May 11 meeting, 5-member Collegium agreed “in principle” to reiterate its January 10 recommendation to the Govt to elevate Justice Joseph. Govt had objected to his appointment, saying he was too junior to become a Supreme Court judge. The Collegium had resolved to send back his name, along with a list of fresh names of High Court judges for appointment to the apex court.The Collegium meeting was scheduled to discuss in detail the High Court probables for the SC. Sources had said it was considering sending Justice Joseph’s name, along with other names being considered for Supreme Court judgeships. This means that Justice Joseph would have to wait till the Collegium zeroes in on the names of the other probables for the SC.When the Collegium finally formalises its reiteration of Justice Joseph and sends the file back to the Govt , the latter would be bound by the Collgium’s decision.thehindu
Babri Masjid case: SC to resume hearing today
https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/ram-mandir-babri-masjid-dispute-supreme-court-to-resume-hearing-in-ayodhya-matter-today/1170954/
The Supreme Court today will resume hearing the Ayodhya-Babri Masjid land dispute case. The SC is hearing 13 appeals filed against the 2010 judgment of the Allahabad High Court that mandated a three-way division of the disputed site in Ayodhya.It earlier dismissed all the 32 intervention petitions, including applications of filmmakers Shyam Benegal and Aparna Sen, and journalist Teesta Setalvad, in the case.ANI
Gurugram : Will not disrupt namaz, assures one outfit but others threaten
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/will-not-disrupt-namaz-assures-outfit/article23907253.ece
Gurugram: Sanyukt Hindu Sangharsh Samiti has assured Gurugram officials that it will not disrupt offering of namaz in open spaces this coming Friday in view of the onset of the holy month of Ramzan.The right-wing organisation, however, told the district administration that it stood by its nine demands, including a ban on prayer congregations in the open.Led by the outfit’s patron Natthu Singh, a delegation met top officials of the district administration on Wednesday. Its convenor Mahavir Bharadwaj and retired District and Sessions Judge Anil Kumar, who were part of the delegation, said that offering of namaz at designated places would not be disrupted till the time the administration arranged ‘mosques and eidgahs for the Muslims’.The retired judge also submitted legal documents to Deputy Commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh claiming that the demands made by the outfit were legal. He claimed that as per Muslim Law, the offering of namaz was prohibited in the open and at disputed places. Organisation said that administration assured them that they would seriously consider their demands and identify and deport illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and Rohingyas. Members of the outfit also criticised those trying to take political mileage out of the controversy over the issue and warned Hindu community to be wary of ‘opportunists’. The organisation’s executive member, Vikram Yadav, had on Monday said that the local administration had broken their trust by allowing the Muslim community to hold Friday prayers at 47 locations across the city. He had also threatened to disrupt prayer congregations at public places this week. Convenor of Akhil Bharatiya Sant Parishad Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati has threatened to set himself on fire outside Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar’s official residence in Chandigarh on May 20 if the administration allowed Muslims to hold prayers in Hindu-dominated areas on May 18.thehindu
Udaipur: Miscreants leave burning cylinder outside mosque
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/miscreants-leave-burning-cylinder-outside-mosque/articleshow/64196905.cms
Udaipur: A day before the commencement of the holy month of Ramadan, some miscreants tried to create a commotion outside a mosque at Chetak Circle in wee hours Few men, who came in a car, fled after abandoning a burning gas cylinder outside the masjid gate. Luckily, the Bohra community people who had risen for ‘Sehri’ witnessed the incident and immediately reported to police. The fire fighters arrived in time and thus an explosion was averted.The incident is quite shocking as the mosque is situated on one of the busiest streets in the heart of the city, with the police station located just around 100 meters away. There were a few cars parked on the road sides and eyewitnesses said if the cylinder had exploded, the flames would have spread in a larger area and caused great damage.The entire incident was caught on a CCTV and the police have taken the footage to identify the miscreants and know their intention behind the act. The incident has triggered panic and anger among the Muslim community which alleged that authorities are taking the act in a casual manner and have not even registered a case against anyone.Anjuman Talimul Islam society's office bearers said that the authorities are taking it quite casually and if they do not arrest the guilty in three days, the community would hold protests. “There are over 50 cameras installed on the street between Hathipole and Chetak Circle however, police have not been able to identify anybody in the case so far,” Riyaz Hussain informed. Meanwhile, SP Rajendra Prasad Goyal said that the incident was not too ‘serious’ and perhaps committed by some mentally sick person with no profound intentions. TOI
Indian Christian Businessman gifts mosque to Muslim workers in UAE
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/other-news/christian-from-india-gifts-mosque-to-muslim-workers-in-uae/articleshow/64191855.cms
DUBAI: A wealthy Christian businessman from India has gifted a $3 lakh mosque to hundreds of Muslim workers ahead of Ramzan in UAE, a media report said. Saji Cheriyan, 49, who hails from Kerala's Kayamkulam, built the mosque for Muslim workers living in a worker accommodation that he rented out to 53 companies in Fujairah, Gulf News reported. He will name the mosque as Mariam, Umm Eisa.Cheriyan said he decided to build the mosque after he saw workers taking taxis to go to the nearest mosque."They have to spend at least 20 dirhams to go to Fujairah city or another industrial area to attend the Juma prayer in a mosque. So, I thought it will make them happy if I build a mosque here next to their accommodation," he said. The businessman, who had landed in UAE in 2003 with just a few hundred dirhams, is gifting the 1.3 million dirham mosque to hundreds of workers this Ramzan.The mosque in the East Ville Real Estate complex in Al Hayl Industrial Area can accommodate 250 worshippers at a time, it said.Facilities for another 700 to pray in the interlocked courtyard of the mosque, which will be shaded by the time it opens, have also been arranged, it said."When word spread about my mosque, many other people also offered cash donations, construction materials like sand and paint. But I have politely refused all those offers as I would like to pay from my pocket for this mosque," he said.He said he has opted for the name Mariam, Umm Eisa (Mary, the Mother of Jesus) for the mosque after an Abu Dhabi mosque was renamed so in 2017.Cheriyan, an Orthodox Christian by birth, had previously built a church for his parish in Dibba and also keeps the doors of a multipurpose hall in the East Ville Complex for various other groups of Christian believers to pray.PTI
Meerut: Mayor seeks to cancel cultural programmes, says will disturb Muslims during Ramzan
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/city-others/meerut-mayor-seeks-to-cancel-cultural-programmes-says-will-disturb-muslims-during-ramzan-5180032/
Meerut mayor Sunita Verma has sought cancellation of cultural programmes at the centuries-old Nauchandi fair here saying they will distract Muslims during the fasting month of Ramzan that begins Thursday. “A number of Muslim leaders living in vicinity of the Nauchandi fair venue…have appealed to me to get these programmes cancelled as they will distract them from offering prayers. I have written a letter to the city commissioner, Manoj Kumar Chauhan, urging him to… respect religious sentiments,” Verma, a BSP member, said. Meerut’s BJP councillors objected to the mayor’s suggestion and vowed not to allow anyone cancel the programmes. "Cultural programmes during the fair have been organised for ages. None of our Muslim brothers have objected so far. Why now?” asked BJP councillor Pawan Jindal. Chauhan said both the groups have given him their viewpoints. “I will talk to leaders of the both communities before taking any decision.”indianexpress
Violence over Jinnah portrait: AMU students end protest
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/jinnah-portrait-row-aligarh-muslim-university-students-end-protest-5179582/
The students of the AMU ended their protest Wednesday over a portrait of Pakistan founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah, an official said. According to AMU spokesman Omar Peerzada, at around 8 pm this evening the vice chancellor Professor Tariq Mansoor accompanied by his wife Dr Hameeda Tariq visited the dharna site and offered juice to student protesters who were sitting on a hunger strike since past three days.AMUSU leaders sat on an indefinite hunger strike demanding a judicial enquiry into the violence on the campus over the portrait of Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah.The violence that erupted last week saw members of the Hindu Yuva Vahini, a right-wing organisation, enter the campus and clash with university students over the presence of the portrait of Muhammad Ali Jinnah in the campus. They were then taken away to a police station from where they were later “rescued” by other protesters, AMU student union members had said.PTI
Najeeb’s mom meet AMU students on relay hunger strike
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/najeebs-mom-meet-amu-students-on-relay-hunger-strike/articleshow/64195625.cms
The indefinite relay hunger strike called by students of the AMU entered its fifth day on Wednesday.The protesters were greeted by an unexpected visitor - Fatima Naseef, mother of missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed.Fatima told students that their “fight is likely to go on for a long time” and urged them to discontinue the hunger strike. Calling state Govt “insensitive”, she also said that those in power were least bothered about the welfare of students. “I have been fighting for my son in the hope that someday I will get justice. I do not want any parent to suffer like I have. It is unfortunate that police had resorted to lathicharge during the AMU violence,” she added.TOI
Suspension of operations in JK no concession to militants; no lowering of guard: Officials
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-suspension-of-operations-in-jk-no-concession-to-militants-no-lowering-of-guard-officials-2615955
The suspension of operations against militants in J&K during Ramzan is not a concession to extremists but an effort to create an environment free of terror and violence during the holy month, officials said today, while asserting there will be no lowering of guard. The central Govt has been trying to create an environment free of terror and violence to enable Muslims to observe Ramzan in a peaceful manner and in a conducive environment so that terrorists do not exploit their religious sentiments, a home ministry official said, explaining the reason behind the Govt decision.Motivated by this consideration, the Govt has issued instructions to the security forces and Army not to undertake offensive operations during Ramzan in J&K , the official said.However, if it is essential for protecting the life of the common people, the security forces will be compelled to take appropriate action. It is expected that all Muslim brothers and sisters who follow the true tenets of Islam will cooperate in ensuring the success of this initiative, the official said.PTI
Pak Army ready to join dialogue process with India
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ready-to-join-dialogue-with-india-pak-army/article23905872.ece?homepage=true
Pakistan Army is ready to formally inject itself into any dialogue process with India, the country’s military spokesman indicated to a group of visiting South Asian journalists in a rare on-the-record conversation on Sunday. Pakistan’s Army chiefs have engaged with India after assuming power directly but have shied away from talking to New Delhi when a civilian Govt holds power in Islamabad.Other foreign leaders routinely meet the current Army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa in Rawalpindi, as was the case with his predecessors.“We have passed that stage,” Major-General Asif Ghafoor, DG of ISPR Directorate, said when asked by The Hindu whether Army chief would join Pakistan’s civilian leaders in talking to India or meeting his Indian Army counterpart.thehindu
Another Gujjar family attacked in Jammu: Assault part of polarization, says Advocate Talib Hussain
https://freepresskashmir.com/2018/05/16/another-gujjar-family-attacked-in-jammu-assault-part-of-polarization-says-advocate-talib-hussain/
On May 15, a video posted on YouTube showed a couple of women and a man, identified as Abdul Kareem in a hospital with fractured legs. The victims are the members of the Gujjar Community who belong to the Shahpur village of Jammu.They were allegedly ‘punished’ as their cattle had crossed over to the property of the perpetrator, who has been identified as Biloo Sharma. The incident, according to the video, has taken place a week ago.Confirming that the incident actually took place, Advocate turned Tribal Activist Talib Hussain said that the incident is a part of the same polarization campaign that has been ignited in the region to drive out Muslim nomads.“It is just that their cattle had crossed over to Biloo’s land. They may have caused some damage but there is a proper way to deal with it. You cannot just hit the women. This is a part of that polarisation. By one way or the other, they want to worsen the situation,” said Advocate Hussain.freepresskashmir
Chennai woman held in Manipur for trafficking Myanmar nationals with fake Aadhaar cards
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/chennai-woman-held-in-manipur-for-trafficking-myanmar-nationals-with-fake-aadhaar-cards/article23902711.ece
Guwahati: Manipur police have caught a 60-year-old woman with a Chennai connection for attempting to smuggle in 9 Myanmar nationals with fake Aadhaar and voter identity cards. The arrest of the 9 in Manipur’s border town Moreh on Sunday follows that of 24 Bangladeshi nationals in Tripura. 24 were caught at Agartala railway station after getting off a train that arrived from New Delhi on May 10. Police in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district said Paritha Begum, a resident of Sriram Nagar in Chennai, was among 10 people caught travelling in two vans with forged documents.“Inquiry revealed the woman from Chennai is part of global human trafficking network. All 9 Myanmarese with fake Aadhaar cards are from Yangon state in Myanmar, and 2 of them are into trafficking,” said S. Ibomcha, Tengnoupal DSP.The online ticketing agent, identified as Gopal Krishna, had procured train tickets for the 10 arrested people to Chennai from Dimapur in Nagaland.THE HINDU
Student body bars entry of CM Sonowal into Dibrugarh University
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/student-body-bars-entry-of-cm-sarbananda-sonowal-into-dibrugarh-university/articleshow/64193773.cms
Guwahati: A student body has barred entry of Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal into Dibrugarh University in protest against BJP led Govt not opposing Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016. University unit of All Assam Students Union (Aasu) protested against the Govt 's move of not opposing the bill. Sonowal was a student of Dibrugarh University. The bill for making minority communities such as Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan eligible for applying for Indian citizenship is under the consideration of JPC of both the Houses. JPC recently visited Assam and Meghalaya. Different organisations in Assam want BJP led Govt to adopt Meghalaya like stand where Conard Sangma led Meghalaya democratic alliance which also has BJP in the coalition, has said no to the bill.Akhil Gogoi-led peasant organiaation , Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti(KMSS) has announced series of protest against the bill. The organisation has decided to protest during the BJP president Amit Shah's visit to Assam. economictimes
Assam citizenship bill: Govt employees to go on strike
https://www.newsclick.in/Govt -employees-assam-go-strike-against-citizenship-bill
India says deeply concerned over tensions at Gaza border
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-says-deeply-concerned-over-tensions-at-gaza-border-5179816/
New Delhi:India has said that it is “deeply concerned” at the tensions at the border between Gaza strip and Israel, where more than 50 Palestinian nationals lost their lives and thousands injured on May 14.Expressing deep sadness at the loss of lives, New Delhi urged all sides to avoid escalation of the situation. This is the first Indian response on the situation, however, it falls short of describing how these Palestinian nationals “lost their lives”.“India is deeply concerned with continuing tensions on the border between Gaza strip and Israel where more than 50 Palestinian nationals lost their lives and thousands injured on 14th of May. We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives. We urge all sides to avoid escalation of the situation so as to create a conducive atmosphere to resume the peace process,” the statement by the Ministry of External Affairs said.indianexpress
Majlis Mushavirat condemns Israeli atrocity on Palestine
https://www.siasat.com/news/muslim-body-india-condemn-israeli-atrocity-palestine-1356197/
New Delhi: All India Muslim Majlis Mushavirat has expressed concern over Israeli attacks on innocent and armless Palestinians which killed 58 Palestinians and left thousands injured. President Mushavirat Naveed Hamed strongly condemned the use of explosive material on innocent citizens including children. He demanded that killings of Palestinians by Israel should be immediately stopped.He said Jerusalem is the holy city of Muslims where Muslims first Qibla and the 3rd holiest masjid is located. US one-sided decision to shift its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and declare Jerusalem as Israel’s capital is not only against international values but is also the violation of UN resolution.siasat
US embassy in Jerusalem an insult to global public opinion:Maulana Arshad Madani
https://www.siasat.com/news/us-embassy-jerusalem-insult-global-public-opinion-1356175/
New Delhi: As announced by it, US has opened up its embassy in Jerusalem which is not only opposed by Palestinians but is also condemned by the entire country. Oppressed Palestinians are brutally killed during protests.President Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and ustaad Darul Uloom Deoband Maulana Syed Arshad Madani condemned the move. He declared opening up of US embassy as the insult to world public opinion and termed the attitude of US as perversity. He said by ignoring the unanimous decision of international laws, public opinion and UN, US would gain nothing but will be responsible for restiveness in the region.Maulana Madani urged the Govt of India to condemn the move and reiterate its old policy in which India advocates for a free Palestine, whose capital is Jerusalem.siasat
Married or abducted? SC will speak to woman today
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/married-or-abducted-supreme-court-will-speak-to-woman-today-5179790/
Dehradun : Just over 3 weeks after she “married” Mohammad Danish, a 20-year-old from Haldwani will be produced before Supreme Court on Thursday in a case of abduction lodged by her family against Danish. Danish, now in police custody, had subsequently filed a habeas corpus petition. The SC ordered that the woman, now with her family in Haldwani, who, according to the petition, had converted to Islam before their marriage on April 19 this year, be produced before court.Manoj Gorkela, Uttarakhand’s deputy advocate general, who is representing the state in the case, said, “We we will present her in court. She can decide whether she wishes to stay with her family, or Danish’s family.” Danish, now 23, and the Hindu woman (name withheld), in 2014.indianexpress
Hindu-Muslim unity comes to the fore post violence
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/aurangabad/hindu-muslim-unity-comes-to-the-fore-post-violence/articleshow/64191272.cms
Aurangabad: The recent violence has left a trail of destruction but also brought to the fore Hindu-Muslim unity, thus sending a strong message to communal elements that they will not succeed in their evil designs.The camaraderie is evident from the fact that members of both communities have come out to help each other in resurrecting small and big business establishments that were either looted or burnt by rioters on Friday night.The traders have estimated losses to the tune of over Rs 100 crore while losses to other assets are yet to be estimated.Irshad Ahmed’s second generation runs an electrical and electronics shop in the Hindu-dominated Raja Bazaar area. It was looted and torched during the night-long frenzy. However, the residents have come forward to help him restart the business.Sunil Choudhari, a resident of the locality, said, “It is very unfortunate for us that we could not save the shop. We are, however, firm on helping Irshad start afresh.”Irshad said it was his father who had taken the shop on rent about four decades ago and Friday’s communal violence shattered the family, which has four shops in the area. “All the shops were not only looted but also torched by the rioters.”In different parts of the city, several NGOs and individuals were found coming forward to help the victims of communal violence, irrespective of their religious beliefs. Jamiat-e-Ulma representatives surveyed different areas on Tuesday and vowed to provide financial assistance to the victims of the violence, irrespective of their religious affiliations.TOI
NHRC Notice to UP Govt Over Imprisonment of 2 Minor Muslim Girls on Charges of ‘Cow Slaughter’
http://caravandaily.com/portal/nhrc-notice-to-up-govt-over-imprisonment-of-2-minor-muslim-girls-on-charges-of-cow-slaughter/
New Delhi:Responding to media reports about two young minor girls being sent to jail instead of juvenile home in an alleged case of “cow slaughter” in Muzaffarnagar district of UP, NHRC has issued notice to UP’s BJP Govt, demanding an explanation.2 young Muslim girls Sheeba and Layba, barely 17 and 13 respectively, could come out of the jail on bail only after spending 3 and half months there and were understandably extremely traumatised. Girls were granted bail by Allahabad High Court on March 27th and finally got released on April 7th when the family had approached the HC after a local court had refused their bail plea.In its notice to the UP Govt , the NHRC has observed that the contents of the news report about the incident, if true, amount to “gross violation of human rights of the two minor girls. Not sending the minor girls to juvenile home, if they are in conflict with the law, is a violation of the statutory obligation on part of the public servant.”Caravan Daily
Set up team to probe 17 encounters: NHRC to UP govt
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/set-up-team-to-probe-17-encounters-nhrc-to-up-govt-5179776/
HRC has directed UP Govt to constitute a 5-member investigative team for a fact-finding enquiry into the 17 cases of alleged fake encounters in the state. The direction came after the families of people killed in the alleged fake encounter, represented by advocate Prashant Bhushan and representatives from the fact-finding team of ‘Citizens Against Hate’, met NHRC head Justice HL Dattu. On May 7, families had presented a complaint of 9 cases supported by affidavits.
Nagrota land deal: J&K High Court asks officials to lay down law, file report
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/nagrota-land-deal-jk-high-court-asks-officials-to-lay-down-law-file-report-5179754/
Jammu:J&K High Court has asked senior revenue and police officials to file by May 30 their report regarding compliance of its earlier direction to strictly implement restrictions imposed by state Govt on construction activity near Army’s ammunition depot in Nagrota.This followed a petition by the Army seeking initiation of contempt proceedings against Mamta Singh, wife of former Deputy CM and now J&K Assembly Speaker Nirmal Singh, for allegedly violating the court’s order dated May 7 last wherein it had directed authorities to ensure implementation of the August 2015 notification of Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, banning construction near the depot. Petition also seeks initiation of contempt proceedings against Revenue Commissioner Shahid Anayat Ullah; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu,Hemant Sharma; Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Kumar Rajeev Ranjan; Senior Superintendent of Police Vivek Gupta and Station House Officer of Nagrota Police Station. In the petition, Army submitted that construction work had been going on at disputed site despite court’s instructions.indianexpress
Varanasi bridge collapse: 5 warning letters were sent to flyover firm but no one read
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/varanasi-bridge-collapse-five-warning-letters-were-sent-to-flyover-firm-but-no-one-read-5179766/
Varanasi/lucknow:A day after 18 people were killed when a section of a flyover under construction fell on moving cars and pedestrians in Varanasi, UP police said they had sent at least five letters to the UPSBC since November last year and registered an FIR in February this year for not following traffic safety regulations during construction.IG Deepak Ratan said: “We have shot five letters to the Bridge Corporation since November last year, asking it to ensure safe traffic regulation during construction work. Ideally, when they are constructing a portion of the flyover, they are supposed to deploy their own staff for safe traffic regulation and they can request police for assistance. But it is we who have been alerting them about the potential problem and they have not acted.”According to police, staff of the Sigra police station registered an FIR against the Pariyojana Prabandhak of the UPSBC on February 19 under IPC sections relating to public nuisance and danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation.indianexpress
Land acquisition woes thwart India’s mega refinery plan with Saudi Aramco:Reuters
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/land-acquisition-woes-thwart-india-s-mega-refinery-plan-with-saudi-aramco/story-fjOZWKPEHLbTZA6CCfbHDO.html
New Delhi:At the International Energy Forum in Delhi in April, the world’s top oil producer Saudi Aramco inked a preliminary deal to partner with a consortium of Indian players to build a $44 billion refinery and petrochemical project on India’s west coast. The huge project was touted as a gamechanger for both parties — offering India steady fuel supplies and meeting Saudi Arabia’s need to secure regular buyers for its oil. Despite the obvious benefits, though, prospects for the plan — in works since 2015 — are growing dimmer by the day.Thousands of farmers oppose the refinery and are refusing to surrender land, fearing it could damage a region famed for its Alphonso mangoes, vast cashew plantations and fishing hamlets that boast bountiful catches of seafood.“We earn enough to fulfil our needs and wedo not want to surrender our lands for a refinery at any cost,” says Sandesh Desai, standing amid his fruit-laden mango orchard in Nanar,a village in Ratnagiri district, some 400 km south of Mumbai.Land acquisition has always been a contentious issue in rural India, where a majority of population depends on farming for their livelihood. In 2008, for example,India’s Tata Motors had to shelve plans for a car factory in West Bengal after facing widespread protests from farmers.
KSA $44 billion refinery plan in India faces farmer ire
https://thewire.in/political-economy/saudi-arabias-44-billion-refinery-plan-in-india-faces-farmer-opposition
Ramadan 1st Day announced in Pak, Bangla; India divided
http://www.ummid.com/news/2018/May/16.05.2018/live-news-update-ramadan-2018-moon-report-from-india-pakistan-bangaldesh.html
Dhaka/Mumbai/Islamabad: Jama Masjid Mumbai in a late night decision announced that it was unable to confirm sighting of the new moon on Wednesday hence it is decided that the first day of Ramadan will be Friday.Following the decision by Mumbai Jama Masjid, the head office of local Hilal Committee, Rooyat-e-Hilal committees in Malegaon, Dhule, Aurangabad and other parts of Maharashtra also declared start of Ramadan on Friday.Jamiat Ahle Hadees Mumbai however has declared start of Ramadan on Thursday.However, its counterpart in Malegaon, Dhule and other parts of Maharashtra have announced beginning of Ramadan on Friday. There are also reports from some parts of UP, including Banaras and Maunath Bhanjan, where Muslims have decided to welcome on Friday. On the other hand, Imarate Sharaiyah Hind, New Delhi, Hilal Committee Ludhiana Punjab, Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadees Hind, Subai Jamiat Ahle Hadees Mumbai, Jamiat Ahled Hadees Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, Imarate Shariah Bihar, Odisha and Jharkhand, and a statement jointly issued by Jamiat-e-Ulema and Darul Uloom Deoband announced start of Ramadan on Thursday.Meanwhile, Muslims in almost entire North and South India, and also in West Bengal, Punjab and Kashmir have welcomed the month of Ramadan and offered Taraweeh prayers on Wednesday. According to the Central Ruet-e-Hilal committee Pakistan, first day of Ramadan in Pakistan is Thursday. On the other hand, Islamic Foundation Bangladesh and Hilal Committee, Nepal say the new moon is not sighted in these countries on Wednesday, hence Ramadan will begin in Bangladesh and Nepal on Friday. ummid.com
WORLD
Erdogan: UN finished after failing to act over Gaza killings
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/erdogan-finished-failing-act-gaza-killings-180516190122103.html
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said UN "collapsed" when faced with Israeli security forces killing more than 60 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip during protests earlier this week. Erdogan described the UN as "finished" because of its lack of response to Israel's continued use of deadly force against demonstrators in the besieged coastal enclave.On Monday, Israeli forces killed more than 60 Palestinian protesters along Gaza's fence with Israel as tens of thousands of people rallied as part of the Great March of Return, and against the opening of a new US embassy in Jerusalem.Erdogan accused Israel of "tyranny" and said Turkey would evacuate those injured from Gaza, where hospital facilities are reportedly at a breaking point.Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Israel was "blasphemous" in referring to protesters killed along the Gaza border as "terrorists". aljazeera
Turkey-Israel row: airport frisking deepens tensions
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/turkey-israel-row-video-airport-frisking-deepens-tensions-180516092623378.html
A diplomatic row between Turkey and Israel following the Israeli army's killing of dozens of Palestinians is showing no signs of slowing down amid reciprocal expulsions and heated exchanges.In latest episode, Israel protested on Wednesday over what it called Turkey's "unbecoming treatment" of its expelled ambassador after he was shown on Turkish TV undergoing an airport security check in public view.aljazeera
Turkey: Egypt,Israel stopped transfer of injures from Gaza
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180517-turkey-egypt-and-israel-prevented-transfer-of-injured-people-from-gaza/
Turkish Deputy PM Recep Akdag said that the Israeli and Egyptian Govt s prevented Turkish aircraft to transport injured persons from the Gaza Strip to Turkey.He pointed out that Turkey is seeking to engage the WHO to put pressure on the Israeli Govt in order to get permission to land.Akdag was speekingat Ercan International Airport in the Turkish Cyprus during an official visit. He added that under the instructions of Tayyip Erdoğan and PM Binali Yildirim, Ankara demanded to bring injured from Gaza to be treated in Turkey.He said:"Chief of Staff and the Directorate of Emergency Affairs sent aircraft for this purpose, and the Ministry of Health staff are ready and waiting for permission. However, the Israeli and the Egyptian Govt s have not allowed our planes to land so far. Turkish Foreign Ministry seeks to resolve the issue."middleeastmonitor
Qaradawi: Palestine is a cause for all Muslims
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180516-qaradawi-palestine-is-a-cause-for-all-muslims/
Chairman of the International Union of Muslim Scholars Yusuf Al-Qaradawi said that all Muslims around the world should be concerned about Jerusalem and defend it, stressed that this is not only a matter that affects Palestinians and Arabs.“We emphasise and reiterate that Palestine is the first cause for all Muslims and it is a religious and moral duty to defend it,” Al-Qaradawi wrote on Twitter after the United States transferred its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.middleeastmonitor
Israel strikes Hamas-linked sites in Gaza Strip
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/israel-strikes-hamas-linked-sites-in-gaza-strip/1148794
Gaza :Israel early Thursday raided two military sites affiliated with the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, in the northern and western Gaza Strip, according to a Palestinian security source and an Israeli army statement. “Israeli fighter jets struck a Brigades position in the town of Lahia in northern Gaza,” a Palestinian security source told Anadolu Agency anonymously due to restrictions on talking to media.Israeli fighters, the source added, had struck the site with four missiles.Another Hamas-linked site was targeted by Israeli warplanes west of Gaza city, the source added without providing further details.Anadolu Agency
Military force will be used if blockade goes on: Hamas
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/military-force-will-be-used-if-blockade-goes-on-hamas/1148440
Luxembourg summons Israeli envoy over Gaza massacre
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180517-luxembourg-summons-israeli-ambassador-over-gaza-massacre/
Luxembourg’s Foreign Ministry summoned Israeli Ambassador to his country Simona Frankel for reprimand and protest over the massacre committed by the Israeli occupation forces on Monday on the Gaza Strip border.It is noteworthy that Frankel, who is also envoy to Belgium, was summoned for a similar conversation at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belgium. “Belgium’s Foreign Minister Didier Reynders called in Frankel after she claimed that all Palestinians killed in border clashes earlier in the week were “terrorists”. Summoning of Frankel comes one day after Ireland had summoned the Israeli ambassador the country.middleeastmonitor
Bolivia UN envoy says to Israel: You kill children, women
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180517-bolivia-un-envoy-says-to-israel-you-kill-children-and-women/
Bolivian representative to the UNSC, Sacha Llorenti, said to Israel “you kill children and women” after reading out the names of 61 Palestinian victims who were killed by the Israeli soldiers in Gaza earlier this week.The representative said during an emergency meeting on Tuesday that Gaza has turned into a large prison adding that transfering US Embassy to Jerusalem has inflamed emotions.“As a member of Security Council and in the presence of my dear brother, the ambassador to Palestine; I wish to ask for his forgiveness, and say how sorry I am to the 6 million Palestinian refugees who have lost their homes and today live in camps” he added.MEMO
US Senate committee confirms Trump's pick for CIA chief
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/senate-committee-confirms-trump-pick-cia-chief-180516155057213.html
A key US Senate panel has approved President Donald Trump's nominee to head CIA, Gina Haspel, paving the way for her confirmation to lead the spy agency.Senate Intelligence Committee voted 10-5 behind closed doors to approve her nomination. Despite criticism of her ties to CIA's former "enhanced interrogation" programme for "terror" suspects in the years after the September 11 attacks, Haspel is expected to become the agency's first female director.aljazeera
Trump ponders N.Korean threat to cancel Singapore summit with Kim Jong Un
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/05/16/donald-trump-ponders-north-korean-threat-cancel-kim-summit/614480002/
Trump administration declared Wednesday that it's up to North Korea to follow through on its threats to cancel a summit with Kim Jong Un, saying the US remains prepared to meet."We'll see what happens," Trump told reporters during a photo opportunity with the president of Uzbekistan, adding that he will insist on North Korean "denuclearization" as a condition of talks. Earlier, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said of the North Koreans: "If they want to meet we’ll be ready and if they don’t, that’s OK too."USA TODAY
US, Gulf Arab states place curbs on Hezbollah leadership
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-gulf-arab-states-place-curbs-on-hezbollah-leadership/article23910827.ece?homepage=true
US and 6 Gulf Arab states announced sanctions on leadership of Hezbollah, as Washington seeks to step up economic pressure on Iran and its allies in the region.US and Saudi-led TFTC said sanctions were aimed at Hezbollah’s Shura Council, powerful Lebanese militia’s decision-making council, led by Shia group’s secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah.Nasrallah, Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Naim Qasim, and three other Shura Council members were listed under the joint sanctions, which aim at freezing vulnerable assets of those named and blocking their access to global financial networks.
Iraq’s Sadr to form Govt of technocrats in Iraq
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180517-iraqs-sadr-to-form-Govt -of-technocrats-in-iraq/
Iraqi Shia cleric, Moqtada al-Sadr called for a Govt of technocrats. Al- Sadr’s remarks came after preliminary results revealed that his cross-sectarian coalition, Sairon appeared in the lead in Iraq’s parliamentary elections, meaning that the coalition will have the opportunity to form the next Govt.MEMO
Egypt bans sermons from over 20,000 informal mosques in Ramadan
https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/egypt-bans-sermons-from-informal-mosques-over-ramadan-1.731159
More than 20,000 storefront mosques in Egypt have been banned from preaching sermons throughout Ramadan in what the Govt religious oversight body says is a bid to prevent extremist incitement during the holy month.“Salafis and Muslim Brotherhood members took control of many of these mosques and have continued to use them as platforms to broadcast their religious misconceptions,” Jaber Taya, spokesman of Ministry of Religious Endowments said regarding the move announced on May 2. The National
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
Why does unelected governor hold the fate of Karnataka in his hands now?Blame British Raj:Shoaib Daniyal
https://scroll.in/article/879211/why-does-an-unelected-governor-hold-the-fate-of-karnataka-in-his-hands-now-blame-the-british-raj
How BJP Deftly Played Congress in Karnataka: The Wire
https://thewire.in/politics/how-the-bjp-deftly-played-the-congress-in-karnataka
Hanging by a thread: Karnataka verdict explained in 22 charts and maps:Gilles Verniers
https://scroll.in/article/879224/hanging-by-a-thread-the-karnataka-verdict-explained-in-22-charts-and-maps
'Worse than prison': A rare look inside China's detention camps to 'brainwash' Muslims:AP
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/worse-than-prison-a-rare-look-inside-chinas-detention-camps-to-brainwash-muslims/articleshow/64205285.cms
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 5:15 PM)
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