BJP Will Witness “Bumper” Victory In Madhya Pradesh: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

November 4, 2020

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Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan says Madhya Pradesh saw massive voting. (File)

Bhopal:

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that there has been massive voting in the by-polls in the state and the BJP will also post a “bumper” victory.

“People turned up in large numbers to cast votes overcoming the fear of COVID-19 . This is the strength of our democracy. There has been a bumper (massive) voting, BJP’s victory will also be bumper,” Mr Chouhan.

“I thank all the voters. They voted for the BJP with enthusiasm,” he added.

Madhya Pradesh recorded 57.09 per cent polling till 5 pm for assembly bye-elections on 28 seats on Tuesday.

The highest voter turnout in the state was witnessed on Agar seat (80.46 per cent) while the lowest is in Sumaoli (41.79 per cent), as per the data provided by the Election Commission.

The by-poll for seats in 10 states is being held along with assembly polls in Bihar. The results will be declared on November 10.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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India Condemns Terror Attack At Kabul University

November 4, 2020

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At least 25 were killed on Monday by gunmen at the Kabul university. (File)

New Delhi:

India on Tuesday strongly condemned the dastardly terrorist attack at Kabul University, saying the “inhuman act” is a stark reminder that terrorism must be eliminated for durable peace in Afghanistan and the region.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India stands in solidarity with those who have lost their sons and daughters in the heinous act.

At least 25 people were killed on Monday by a group of gunmen who entered the Kabul university and engaged in an hours-long gunbattle with security forces.

“India strongly condemns the dastardly terrorist attack at Kabul University. India stands in solidarity with those who have lost their sons and daughters in this heinous act,” it said.

“Education is one of the most important gains of the last 19 years in Afghanistan and must be preserved,” the MEA said.

It said India salutes the aspirations of Afghan youth in their quest for knowledge, education and peace.

“This inhuman act is a stark reminder that terrorism, in all its forms, must be eliminated for durable peace in Afghanistan and the region,” the MEA said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla

November 4, 2020

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Harsh Vardhan Shringla says Indo-Pacific is all about looking at what are your options. (File)

London:

The COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit are both “game changers” that have forced countries to think very carefully about geopolitical aspirations and how they define the course of future economic and political energies, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said in London on Tuesday.

Addressing the Policy Exchange think tank on the topic of “India’s Vision of the Indo-Pacific”, the senior official also expressed the hope that the UK would follow France, the Netherlands and Germany in finalising its Indo-Pacific strategy in keeping with a definitive shift in the global economic trajectory from the Atlantic to the Indo-Pacific.

“Both are gamechangers… Brexit has meant both Europe and the United Kingdom have to look at redefining their relationships with their principle partners all over again. We see this as a unique opportunity to redefine and reset our ties with the UK,” said Mr Shringla, addressing questions with Lord Jo Johnson at the end of his speech.

“The Indo-Pacific is all about looking at what are your options… We would like the UK to come in as a major investor and innovation partner; a range of activities in the digital and cyber age which may not have been even possible to conceive earlier,” he said.

Highlighting that India has not just mainstreamed the expression “Indo-Pacific” but also encouraged countries to perceive and define the region to its full extent – as the vast maritime space stretching from the western coast of North America to the eastern shores of Africa.

“For us, and for many others, the shift in the economic trajectory from the Atlantic to the Indo-Pacific has been hugely consequential. The rise of China and the imperative for a global rebalancing have added to the mix. A rules-based international order is achievable only with a rules-based Indo-Pacific,” the Foreign Secretary said.

In November 2017, India, Japan, the US and Australia gave shape to the long-pending proposal of setting up the “Quad” to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence.

Mr Shringla described the Indo-Pacific as the 21st century’s “indisputable” locus of political and security concerns and competition, of growth and development, and of technology incubation and innovation.

“That is why a country like Germany, physically distant but an economic stakeholder in the Indo-Pacific, has released a strategy for the region. After France and the Netherlands, it is the third European country to do so… The UK, we hope and expect, will be next on the list, and too will finalise its Indo-Pacific strategy soon,” he said.

Without naming any country specifically, he stressed on the need to secure end-to-end supply chains in the region, with no “disproportionate dependence” on a single country.

“An Indo-Pacific guided by norms and governed by rules, with freedom of navigation, open connectivity, and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states, is an article of faith for India,” he said.

Mr Shringla arrived in London for the final leg of his European tour preceded by visits to France and Germany. In London, he has talks scheduled with officials at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) as well as a series of engagements.

“Reached London for a 33-hour, 9-engagement visit, entailing talks with the British Foreign Office leadership and meetings with ministers, key officials, MPs, business, media and the strategic community. In post-coronavirus world, the India-UK vaccine partnership will come up,” he said in a statement on Twitter.

“From climate change to greater mobility for Indian talent, from shared approaches to terrorism to bringing white-collar criminals to justice, India and the UK have much to work on. Will share India’s outlook on tech and development, digital frontiers and the Indo-Pacific Region,” he said.

The Indian High Commission in London said the Foreign Secretary’s visit to the UK, “despite the limitations posed by COVID-19”, shows India’s commitment to international engagement and diplomatic outreach.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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No Trucks Allowed To Enter Mizoram From Assam Amid Border Issue

November 4, 2020

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Tension has been prevailing along the Assam-Mizoram border since October 17. (File)

Aizawl:

No truck entered Mizoram from Assam on Tuesday because of the blockade on National Highway-306 linking the two states, the police said.

Vairengte police station officer in-charge Lalchawimawia said that no truck and other vehicles entered from Assam on Tuesday because of the blockade in the neighbouring state following the border dispute between the two states.

He said that there were no fresh incidents on the Mizoram-Assam border after a resident of Assam died in a hospital in Vairengte.

He said that the body of Intazul Ali Laskar, 45, who died in a hospital in Vairengte on Monday was handed over to his relatives on Tuesday morning.

The man was arrested with 420 mg of heroin in Vairengte by personnel of state Excise and Narcotics department. While Mizoram officials claimed that Laskar was a drug peddler, his relatives alleged that he was kidnapped and murdered.

Meanwhile, Mizoram food, civil supplies and consumer affairs director Lalhriatzuali Ralte said that 8 Mizoram trucks carrying oil and LPG have started journey from Manipur via Churachandpur on the National Higway-102B or Guite road after lifting the consignment on Tuesday.

The truckers are likely to arrive in Aizawl on Wednesday evening, she said.

She said that a welcome reception will be organised on their arrival in the state on Wednesday.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Central Vista Project To Save Money, Ensure Better Coordination: Centre To Top Court

November 4, 2020

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The structure of existing parliament building is not earthquake proof, the officer told court (File)

New Delhi:

The Centre on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that the Central Vista project, covering three-km stretch from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate in Lutyens’ Delhi, would “save money” which is paid as rent for housing Central government ministries in the national capital.

It submitted that the decision to have a new parliament building has not been taken in a haste and no law or norms have been violated in any manner for the project.

The Centre said new parliament building is needed as numerous occupants have indicated the inadequacies in the existing one.

Opposing the petitions which have raised questions over several aspects including the environmental clearance (EC) granted to the project, solicitor general Tushar Mehta told a bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar that having all the ministries at one place would increase the efficiency and ensure better coordination between them.

The law officer submitted before the bench, also comprising Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and Sanjiv Khanna, that the structure of existing parliament building is not earthquake proof and the new parliament building would supplement the existing one.

“Even after 73 year of independence, the nation does not have a central secretariat. Various ministries have hired premises on rent. Thousands of crores in rent is paid for housing central government ministries. This project saves money,” the solicitor general said.

The revamp, which was announced in September last year, envisages a new triangular parliament building, with seating capacity for 900 to 1,200 MPs, that is expected to be constructed by August, 2022, when the country will celebrate its 75th Independence Day.

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“No Chance Of Sharing Platform With Bimal Gurung”: Gorkha Group Chief

November 4, 2020

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Bimal Gurung resurfaced in Kolkata on October 21 and pledged support to the TMC

Kolkata:

GJM faction chief Binoy Tamang on Tuesday expressed satisfaction over the outcome of his meeting West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, but maintained that any association with “fugitive” Gorkha leader Bimal Gurung was improbable.

Asserting that “Bimal Gurung is a closed chapter” in Darjeeling, Tamang, who an ally of the TMC since 2017, said he, along with his colleague and Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) chairman Anit Thapa, discussed “several issues” related to the development of the Hills.

“We have not discussed any issues related to Bimal Gurung. He is a fugitive and law will take its course. We talked about matters related to the infrastructure development in the Hills. It was a fruitful meeting,” he said while addressing a press conference.

Ms Banerjee, along with Chief Secretary Alapan Bandopadhyay and state ministers Aroop Biswas and Firhad Hakim, held an hour-long closed-door meeting with Tamang and Thapa. The state government is yet to come out with a statement on the meeting.

Mr Tamang, who has been opposed to the proposal of Mr Gurung’s return to the Hills, said the people of the Darjeeling don’t want him back.

“We are not sharing any administrative and political platform with Gurung. He has been charged with so many cases, almost 140 cases, including some under the UAPA. How can we have any association with him?” he said.

Mr Gurung, who had been in hiding for three years, resurfaced in Kolkata on October 21 and pledged support to the TMC, after having quit the NDA, triggering discontent among the Tamang faction which had always backed the Mamata Banerjee party in the past.

Rallies were taken out in the Hills by the Tamang faction opposing Mr Gurung’s entry since October 22, prompting the fugitive leader’s loyalists to organise counter-rallies welcoming him. Currently, Mr Gurung is putting up in Kolkata along with his trusted aides.

Criticising the development as “dirty politics”, the state unit of the BJP said the ruling TMC was trying to disturb peace in the Hills.

“This is nothing but dirty politics to disturb peace. We condemn such politics… Just to win a few seats, the ruling TMC is pushing the Hills towards instability.” BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said.

The TMC, however, refuted the charge as baseless and said it was the BJP which had tried to create unrest in Darjeeling.

“The BJP had tried to foment trouble the Hills. We brought back peace,” TMC MP Sougata Roy said.

The picturesque Darjeeling had repeatedly witnessed violent agitation over demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland, the latest being in June 2017, when the Hills saw a 104-day-long strike over the issue.

The strike also led to a split in the GJM, with Binay Tamang, once a deputy to the outfit’s supremo Gurung, taking over the reins of the party and expelling the boss.

Although the GJM faction led by Gurung had continued to align with the BJP, the other camp, headed by Tamang, joined hands with the ruling TMC in the state.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Top Court Commutes Man’s Death Sentence For Rape-Murder To Life Term

November 4, 2020

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New Delhi:

The Supreme Court has commuted to life term the death sentence awarded to a man convicted for raping and murdering a two-and-a-half-year old girl in 2013 in Maharashtra.

The top court, which said sexual assault on the minor girl was “very severe” and the conduct of the convict could be termed as “perverse and barbaric”, observed that he did not consciously cause any injury with the intent to extinguish the victim’s life.

“We therefore, find that though the appellant (convict) is guilty of the offence punishable under section 302 (murder) IPC, since there was no requisite intent as would bring the case under any of the first three clauses of section 300 IPC, the offence in the present case does not deserve death penalty,” a bench headed by Justice U U Lalit said in its 139-page verdict.

The bench, while affirming the view taken by the trial court and the high court in convicting the accused who was a maternal uncle of the victim, commuted the sentence to life imprisonment for the offence of murder and 25 years rigorous imprisonment for the offence of rape.

The bench, also comprising Justices Indu Malhotra and Krishna Murari, delivered the judgement on an appeal filed by the convict against the October 2015 verdict of Bombay High Court which had confirmed the death sentence awarded to him by a trial court.

The bench noted in its judgement that about 67 cases were dealt with by the top court in last 40 years where the offences were of rape and murder and age of the victims were 16 years or below.

It said that out of these 67 cases, the top court had affirmed award of death sentence to accused in 15 cases.

It said in three out of these 15 cases, death penalty was commuted to life term by the top court in review petitions.

It noted that out of remaining 12 cases, death sentence was confirmed in two cases and review pleas were rejected.

The bench said as on date, death sentence was confirmed in 12 out of 67 cases where the principal offences allegedly committed were of rape and murder and victims were aged about 16 years or below.

It further said that out of these 67 cases, in at least 51 cases the victims were aged below 12 years.

The top court said in 12 out of those 51 cases, death sentence was initially awarded.

An FIR was lodged in the case by the victim’s father in February 2013 and it was found that there were bite marks on the victim’s body.

The accused, who was 21-year-old at the time of incident, had claimed that he was being falsely implicated in the case.

“The circumstances proved on record are not only conclusive in nature but completely support the case of the prosecution and are consistent with only one hypothesis and that is the guilt of the appellant (convict). They form a chain, so complete, consistent and clear, that no room for doubt or ground arises pointing towards innocence of the appellant,” the bench said.

“The circumstances are clear, consistent and conclusive in nature and are of unimpeachable character in establishing the guilt of the appellant. The evidence on record also depicts an exceptional case where two and half years old girl was subjected to sexual assault. The assault was accompanied by bites on the body of the victim,” the bench said.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Over 1.5 Lakh Fake Twitter Accounts Used To Defame Maharashtra Government: Mumbai Police

November 3, 2020

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Mumbai Police’s Cyber Cell will investigate the matter further, police said. (Representational)

Mumbai:

Twitter accounts operated from foreign countries, some of them run by “bots”, were used to spread slanderous posts against the Maharashtra government and Mumbai police after actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death as per a cyber experts’ report, the city police claimed on Tuesday.

Many of the Twitter accounts which spread false or defamatory messages about Mr Rajput’s suicide and its probe were found to be run by “bots” (software programs designed to tweet and retweet content), the experts’ report said.

These accounts were being run from outside India, from places such as China, Panama, Hong Kong, Nepal, it said.

Some accounts which were being operated from within India were using proxy servers to hide the user’s identity, the report said.

The number of such suspicious accounts was approximately over 1.5 lakh, and number of bots involved in this operation was over 1,000, the police said.

Immediately after Mr Rajput’s death in June, many new Twitter accounts surfaced and started sending out posts with “negative sentiments” against the Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai Police and even started maligning the Mumbai police commissioner (Param Bir Singh), the report said.

Different hashtags were used for this, and some fake accounts of known personalities like Bollywood actors were used to “execute the defamation over social media platform”, the report said.

At least 19 Hashtags and mentions such as JusticeforSSR, ParamBirScam, ParamBirSinghResign, SanjayRaut, Officeof UT, AUThackeray, BabyPenguin were investigated by the team of cyber and forensic experts.

The report confirmed the suspicion that bots were being used to spread defamatory messages, the police said in a release.

Now many of these accounts have been deleted, or negative posts are being removed to evade investigators’ scanner, they said.

Mumbai Police’s Cyber Cell will investigate the matter further, they added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Odisha Bans Sale, Use Of Firecrackers Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

November 3, 2020

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The period of the ban is from November 10 to 30, according to a government order. (File)

Bhubaneswar:

The Odisha government on Tuesday banned the sale and use of firecrackers across the state during the festive season to check air pollution which can aggravate health conditions of COVID-19 patients.

The period of the ban is from November 10 to 30, according to a government order.

The people of the state burst firecrackers on the occasion of Deepavali and Kartik Purnima, which fell on November 14 and 30 respectively this year.

Chief Secretary AK Tripathy issued a direction to prohibit sale and use of firecrackers in all parts of the state from November 10 to 30.

“Any person found violating this order shall be punished under the provision of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and other relevant laws,” the order said.

“Considering the potentially harmful consequences of burning of crackers amidst COVID-l9 pandemic situation and approaching winter, Government of Odisha, therefore, prohibits the sale and use of fire crackers from 10th to 30th of November,2020 in public interest,” the chief secretary said.

Deepavali is the festival of lights and it may be celebrated in the traditional way by lighting of earthen lamps, candles and other traditional lighting materials.

Stating that the spread of COVID-19 pandemic has been controlled in Odisha to a significant extent, the order said that the people at large supported the government in controlling the situation.

Though the number of active cases has shown a dip in the state, the danger is still very much present, Mr Tripathy said adding that COVID-19 resurfaced in some parts of the country and in the world forcing them to re-impose lockdowns and other extreme measures to contain the situation and further spread of the disease.

Mr Tripathy also pointed out that the international experience shows that the coming winter season may see further spread of the pandemic. It is generally observed that elderly people, children, persons with comorbidities and others develop respiratory problems during winter, he said.

This apart, the air pollution, higher concentration of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) in the air aggravates the respiratory problems.

“It is a well-known fact that burning of the fire crackers releases copious amounts of harmful chemicals like nitrous oxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, which have severe impact on the respiratory health of vulnerable groups,” he said.

Such pollutants can further aggravate health conditions of COVID-19 positive persons besides persons staying in home isolation, he said.

The chief secretary also issued an instruction to the local administrations and police to take measures for the implementation of the order.

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Delhi Women’s Panel Unites Bihar Woman With Her Lover In Delhi

November 3, 2020

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The DCW contacted Bihar Police and woman was traced from Bihar.

New Delhi:

The Delhi Commission for Women has come to the rescue of a woman from Bihar who was reunited with her lover in the national capital amid fears of safety of the couple, officials said on Tuesday.

According to the Commission, a man had sent a complaint to the women rights body and stated that he was in a relationship with one Sushila (name changed). He said they were living together at Indirapuram in Uttar Pradesh.

Sushila’s parents got to know about the relationship and took her back to Bihar. Her lover was also beaten up by them, it said.

The complainant was contacted by the Commission and asked about the whereabouts of Sushila. He said that he had a word with her sometime back and since then, her mobile phone was switched off, the DCW said in a statement.

Sushila told the complainant that she was kept somewhere near Bhagwati Sthan Mandir, but did not know the exact location.

The DCW contacted the Bihar Police and the woman was finally traced from Pandaul in Bihar. The police informed the Commission that the woman’s life was in danger and she needed to be shifted to a safer place, it said.

Later, the woman was brought to the national capital. The couple was reunited in Delhi. A court ordered the Delhi Police to provide security to the couple, the statement said.

“The girl was reunited with the man of her choice. Their lives were in constant danger from her parents as well as some religious organisations. We were able to rescue her with the help of Bihar Police and also arranged for her security. We went beyond our jurisdiction to help her and shall continue to serve humanity selflessly,” DCW chief Swati Maliwal said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Odisha Bans Sale, Use Of Firecrackers Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

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