Just In ( Page 56 of 86 )

Bombay High Court raps CBI June 23, 2016 18:13

The Bombay High Court has asked the Maharashtra Govt. to confirm the reports of Govind Pansare's murder case, being transferred to the CBI and also obtain the Scotland Yard report on Pansare, M M Kalburgi and Narendra Dabholkar murders in six weeks. Pansare’s family told the High Court, that they were informed that the investigation of this murder case has already been handed over to the CBI. However public prosecutor Sandip Sindhe stated that no such decision was taken regarding this case. Since the information was not confirmed, the court proceeded with the hearing of the public interest litigation, filed by activist Ketan Tirodkar. Meanwhile both CBI, which is investigating the murder of Dabholkar and SIT, that is probing into Pansare's murder, produced their progress reports before the court. Justice Dharmadhikary commented on the reports, "One word of the dictionary - juvenile is also childish not just child like. This is childish what we have been noticing for the past one month". The High court voiced its displeasure after Shinde informed the court about CBI’s arrest of Virendrasingh Tawade, in connection with the murder of Debholkar. Dharmadhikar said, "Were you ignorant about this person and the organization to which he is affiliated? It is a shame that officers sought help of family members to find suspects. This needs to end as you will be ruining the investigations if work continues in this fashion," He also asked the CBI to get the report from Scotland Yard by speaking to the officers of the Indian high commission in UK. The agencies feel that all three murders are similar in nature and thus ballistic reports and material were sent to Scotland Yard, for their opinion. By Prakriti Neogi

Famous singer Amjad Sabri shot dead June 22, 2016 18:29

Renowned Qawwali singer Amjad Sabri was shot dead on Wednesday by unidentified attackers in Pakistan. This tragic incident took place in Liaqutabad area of Karachi. The police surgeon told media, “he was targeted in his car and was shot six times.” It is further reported that Amjad was rushed to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Sabri and one of his assistants were in the car when the gunman fired at him. Both of them were taken to the local hospital but Sabri succumbed to injuries. Amjad was one of Pakistan's finest qawwals, known for his soul-stirring renditions of mystic poetry. Almost whatever the Sabri brothers sang became an instant hit. But some of their most memorable and famous qawwalis were Bhar Do Jholi Meri, Tajdar-i-Haram and Mera Koi Nahin Hai Teray Siwa. The reason behind the assault is yet to be ascertained. Karachi police has launched a search operation to nab the shooters. His death is a huge loss to the Sufi music and Qawwali. The attack evolved an insecure environment for other artists living in Pakistan. By Prakriti Neogi

Terrorists suspected to stay in Pathankot June 21, 2016 18:52

Terrorists are hiding in villeges close to the “vulnerable” Pathankot airbase. The Parliamentary Standing Committee (PSC) on Home Affairs has informed that a fresh attack can come from them. The committee was in Jammu to review the security arrangements, along the international border and they had gone to Pathankot earlier. Chairman of the committee, P. Bhattacharya has informed, “ After going back from Pathankot, we made our suggestions to the government and said that there can be further attack on Pathankot. We were told by the villagers that some terrorists were still hiding in the villages there,". He added, "Do you know that a few days ago, government asked the CRPF, BSF and the Army to guard the air force station because some terrorists are hiding there. How they are hiding there, it is not my business to find out but as we got the information from the villagers, it was very clear to us that they are hiding somewhere. We have informed the Government of India about it,". After the recommendation of the committee, the government has alerted the CRPF, BSF and the army and handed over the security of the airbase to them. Also Read: Existence of Terrorists in Pakistan affects ties with the Country : Pentagon Reports. By Prakriti Neogi

Eight school children killed in Karnataka's Kundapur accident! June 21, 2016 16:33

At least eight schoolchildren killed and nine injured in a head on collision between a school van and a private bus in Karnataka's Udupi district. The accident took place at Mohadi Cross, Trasi, Kundapur, Gangolli Police Station limits, around 400 km from Bengaluru around 8:15 am. The private bus was on its way from Byndoor to Kundapur and the Maruti Omni van was plying in the opposite direction. According to the police, eight children were killed on the spot. The others, including the driver, are being treated at a hospital in Manipal, senior police officer Annamalai. "One child is critical. The other seven kids and the van driver are out of danger," he said. Also Read: Terrorist eliminated in Encounter Nandini

Three women made a History in For Indian Defence Force June 18, 2016 11:24

Another history for Indian women has been created on Saturday when Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar formally commissioned three women fighter pilots along with flight cadets with various branches of Indian Air force at a combined graduation parade at the air force academy in Dundigal. Avani Chaturvedi from Madhya Pradesh, Mohana Singh of Rajasthan and Bhawana Kanth of Bihar have stepped into a new chapter in Indian defence forces in their early 20’s. Mohana’s father was a warrant officer in the IAF and her grandfather served as a fight gunner at Aviation Research Centre. So for Mohana, being a part of the Defence forces was like carrying forward the tradition in generation. She said, "I wanted to carry on the family legacy of serving the nation by being in defence and what better way than fighter-flying," With a dream to fly the best IAF’s fighter aircraft Mohana makes her parents proud of her. Mohana, Avani and Bhawana will be awarded the President’s commission as flying officers of the fighter combat stream by defence minister Manohar Parrikar. They will then be posted to either Bidar or Kalaikuda airbase to undertake “transitional” fighter training in hawks, which includes learning intensive combats, manoeuvres and armament firing spread over a year to ensure the rookie pilots can handle highly unforgiving old fighters like MiG-21s or relatively new multi-role ones like Sukhoi-30MKIs and Mirage 2000s. Each has cleared the first stage of training and has about 150 hours of flying. After getting their wings tomorrow as flying officers, they will be trained for six months in the Advanced Jet Fighter, the British-built Hawk and they will be assigned as fighters in squadrons. Also Read: Indian Air Force To Soon Introduce Women Fighter Pilots By Prakriti Neogi

Terrorist eliminated in Encounter June 17, 2016 18:23

A terrorist was killed in an ongoing encounter, with the security forces at Bomia village in Sopore town in north Jammu and Kashmir. Encounter started, when an army and police officer launched a joint operation after they received an information about the presence of two terrorists in the village situated in Sopore town of Baramulla district. An army spokesperson told , "One terrorist has been killed in the encounter. Operation is going on,". Police said that two terrorists have taken shelter, in a residential house and gunfight was still going on. Four terrorists were killed during a major gun battle in Tangdhar Sector, in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district, after an army foiled an infiltration bid in the line of control. An army soldier was also killed during the firing. This was the second time that the army attempted an infiltration along the line of control in past three days. By Prakriti Neogi

Quantum of Sentence is pronounced for Gulbarg Massacre June 17, 2016 14:51

The court had finally concluded the argument on the quantum of sentence on Friday, Last week after the submissions were made by both the prosecutions. A special SIT Court in the Gulbarg society massacre has pronounced the quantum of sentence to the 24 convicts. 11 accused for murder got Lifetime imprisonment, and remaining 12 were awarded a jail sentence of seven years. 1 more convict was sentenced jail for 10 years. But none of them got Capital Punishment. During the argument, the special public prosecutor and counsel for the Supreme Court appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT). R C Kodekar appealed for nothing other than death sentence or jail term till death for the 24 convicts. The Gulbarg society was attacked a day after the S-6 coach of Sabarmati Express was burnt near Godra station on 27th February where 58 “Kar Shevaks” were killed while returning from Ayodhya. The Gulbarg society massacre took place on 28th February, 2002 when 400 people attacked the society in the heart of Ahmedabad and killed 69 residents including former Congress MP Eshan Jafri. Advocate Teesta Setalvad, secretary of Citizens for Justice and Peace, who has been fighting for the families of those who died in the massacre appreciated the judgment but expressed the desire to appeal against the lesser snetence for those who have not been awarded lifetime imprisonment. She said, "We welcome the judgment but we are disappointed in the lesser sentence. We are not for revenge verdict but reformative justice. On compensation, don't know what judge said." By Prakriti Neogi

President Pranab Mukherjee awarded highest honour of Cote D'Ivoirie! June 15, 2016 17:37

President Pranab Mukherjee has been awarded with the highest honour of Cote D'Ivoirie by its President Alassane Ouattara. President Mukherjee is on his maiden visit here. The president was awarded with Grand Cross National Order of the Republic of Cote D'Ivoirie in a ceremony held at the President's Palace. "I feel greatly honoured, Excellency, by your gesture of conferring on me the National Order of the Republic of Cote D'Ivoirie. I consider it to be emblematic of the long standing mutual friendship between the peoples of our two countries," Mukherjee said. Calling for UN reforms, He said that, "We both recognize the imperatives of strengthening the UN system and other international organizations. We would like to see them reformed s that they remain relevant and effective in addressing the challenges that confront the world today. In this context, India stands ready to shoulder greater responsibilities in the specialised organs of the United Nations, particularly the UN Security Council." "We have been co-ordinating closely in regional and multilateral fora on this and other key issues including disarmament, climate change and sustainable development," he said. "We would be happy to join your government in developing the infrastructure that you require in the different sectors of your growing economy. We have much to offer. At this time - when both our nations are growing at a rate of 7-9 per cent, there are infinite opportunities that must be seized," Mukherjee said. Nandini

Cabinet clears National Civil Aviation Policy! June 15, 2016 17:35

The Union government approved a much awaited plan to replace a decade-old rule for allowing new domestic airlines set up in India to fly on international routes. The new norms were a part of the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016. The new plan allows new airlines, such as Vistara and AirAsia to fly to international routes after operating at least 20 aircraft in the domestic market. The Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju describe the policy as a "game changer". “NCAP NDA govt clears India's first ever integrated National Civil Aviation Policy. This will be a game-changer for the sector,” he said. The previous norm known as ‘5/20 rule’ allows a domestic airline to go international only after completing five years of domestic flying and operate at least 20 aircraft. “This is to ensure that any new airlines starting business in India should essentially serve the remote parts of the country,” a ministry official said. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) had said last month, that, "India's domestic traffic soared 21.8 per cent, marking the 20th month of double-digit traffic growth and the 13th consecutive month it has led the domestic markets.” Also Read: SIT to reopen 75 cases of anti-Sikh riots! Nandini

SIT to reopen 75 cases of anti-Sikh riots! June 13, 2016 17:31

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the central government in 2015 is all set to reopen 75 cases related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in the capital ahead of the Punjab assembly elections early next year. The move is the result of a letter submitted by Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6. "The SIT has failed to reopen even a single case. I urge you to either get your SIT to do something or kindly wind up this SIT and allow the Delhi government to set up an SIT for a proper investigation and get justice for the victims," Kejriwal wrote. The Human Rights Watch (HRW),in its 2011 World Report, had stated, that, "The government has yet to prosecute those responsible for the mass killings of Sikhs that followed the 1984 assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards. Delivery of justice for mass violence against Muslims in Mumbai in 1992-93 and in Gujarat in 2002 has been slow." Nandini

Jeans banned for Haryana school teachers! June 11, 2016 11:34

The Haryana education department ordered state school teachers not to wear jeans at work. The office of the director, elementary education, the district education officers have been issued a directive to school teachers in this regard. According to the government, the teachers should become "role models" for the students. They desist from wearing jeans in schools as it is considered improper attire, especially in the rural areas. The order issued on the behalf of director of state primary education RS Kharb, said that, "Usually, it is noticed that the teachers of government primary and middle schools come to the schools wearing jeans. They are similarly clad when they visit the directorate for any work, which is not appropriate." “The orders have been issued at Directorate level. The logic is the teacher is expected to be a role model to students and display discipline and propriety in dressing,” additional Chief Secretary, Haryana, School Education Department, P K Das said. Deepak Goswami, general secretary of the Rajkiya Prathmik Shikshak Sangh, Haryana, said that, “We do not mind if the government gives us a dress code. It is enforced for teachers in some states in the country. But teachers should be asked what kind of dress code they want. It is not right to issue such letters without consultation. A large number of teachers who are teaching in the schools are young.” “They at times wear jeans. It seems that some official did not like it that teachers were wearing jeans when they went to the education department office and the order was issued,” says Goswami. Also Read: Two tourists killed in Himachal! Nandini

Two tourists killed in Himachal! June 09, 2016 14:44

Two tourists from Punjab's Jalandhar town were killed in Himachal Pradesh's Narkanda town, when a tree fell on their tent in a resort. A third person was injured, police said. All three tourists were staying in a Nature Camp run by the Himachal Pradesh Forest Development Corp Ltd. Rajesh Kumar, 36, and Ashok Sidhu, 45, died on the spot while Gagan Kumar, 32, was admitted to the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital in Shimla. According to a police official, the tourists were sleeping when a tree got dislodged due to rain fall. All three belonged to Jalandhar. The camping site is located at an altitude of 8,500 feet and some 65 km from here. Also Read: FIR against Sonia Gandhi for non payment of dues Nandini