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Former Navy Chief Admiral Arun Prakash on Sunday said that there is a need to examine the performance of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Prakash raised his concern after a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mirage-2000-fighter-aircraft-crashes-in-bengaluru-2-pilots-succumbed-to-injuries-194303">Mirage-2000 fighter jet crashed on Friday </a>in Bengaluru killing two IAF pilots.

Speaking exclusively to ANI, Prakash said,&nbsp;"Indian Defence is largely dependent on Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for various equipments, so there is need to examine why HAL is not performing and deficiency needs to be taken care."

Taking to Twitter, Prakash on Saturday said that the military has, for decades, flown “poor quality HAL machines and often played with young lives but no reckoning for HAL management.Time to focus on the leadership and directors of this giant PSU,” he added.

Sources in the Air Force said initial reports suggest that the plane took off and then landed immediately with great force after which the parts of the front portion broke and it crashed into a gate near the runway.

The aircraft was being flown by two test pilots of the Indian Air Force- Squadron Leader Siddhartha Negi and Squadron Leader Samir Abrol. Both pilots were from the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment.

The avionics and electronic warfare capabilities of the planes were upgraded and the two pilots were taking it for an acceptance test when it crashed at the HAL airport.

One of the two pilots managed to eject from the plane, however, he fell on the debris and lost his life.The other pilot was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries.

Former Navy Chief Admiral Arun Prakash on Sunday said that there is a need to examine the performance of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Prakash raised his concern after a Mirage-2000 fighter jet crashed on Friday in Bengaluru killing two IAF pilots.

Former Navy Chief Admiral Arun Prakash on Sunday said that there is a need to examine the performance of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Prakash raised his concern after a Mirage-2000 fighter jet crashed on Friday in Bengaluru killing two IAF pilots. Speaking exclusively to ANI, Prakash said, "Indian Defence is largely dependent on Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for various equipments, so there is need to examine why HAL is not performing and deficiency needs to be taken care." Taking to Twitter, Prakash on Saturday said that the military has, for decades, flown “poor quality HAL machines and often played with young lives but no reckoning for HAL management.Time to focus on the leadership and directors of this giant PSU,” he added. Sources in the Air Force said initial reports suggest that the plane took off and then landed immediately with great force after which the parts of the front portion broke and it crashed into a gate near the runway. The aircraft was being flown by two test pilots of the Indian Air Force- Squadron Leader Siddhartha Negi and Squadron Leader Samir Abrol. Both pilots were from the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment. The avionics and electronic warfare capabilities of the planes were upgraded and the two pilots were taking it for an acceptance test when it crashed at the HAL airport. One of the two pilots managed to eject from the plane, however, he fell on the debris and lost his life.The other pilot was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries.

Need to examine why HAL is not performing: Ex-Navy chief Arun Prakash

Former Assam chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta Sunday warned the Narendra Modi government that a "volatile" situation will arise in the state if the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is passed by the Rajya Sabha.

The two-time chief minister and founder-president of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) said the state is witnessing a mass uprising, similar to the Assam agitation of 1979-85, against the proposed legislation and the situation may turn worse if the NDA government "doesn't respect" people's sentiment.

"Situation in Assam will be very volatile if the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is passed by the Rajya Sabha. The Modi government will be responsible for it," Mahanta, who is now in Delhi to campaign against the bill, told PTI.

The bill provides for Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslims of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

Mahanta, who led the Assam agitation against the illegal immigrants, said the bill violates the provisions of the Assam Accord and basic tenants of the Constitution as it wants to give citizenship to anyone who had come to India till December 31, 2014 on the basis of religion.

"When the Assam Accord was signed (1985), all political parties, including the BJP, had welcomed it. But the BJP-led government wants to ruin it now. The bill also violates the basic tenants of the Constitution as it provides for citizenship on the basis of religion," he said.

Mahanta said the bill also violates the Supreme Court verdict on the famous Keshavanand Bharti case, which made it clear that basic structure of the Constitution is inviolable and hence can't be amended by Parliament.

The bill provides for according Indian citizenship to Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after seven years of residence in India instead of 12 years, which is the norm currently, even if they do not possess any document.

The legislation was passed by the Lok Sabha during the Winter Session on January 8 and has been awaiting Rajya Sabha nod.

There has been strong opposition in Assam and other Northeastern states against the bill.

Political parties, students groups and others have been protesting on the grounds that the bill seeks to grant nationality to non-Muslims who have come up to December 31, 2014, thereby, increasing the deadline from 1971 as per the Assam Accord.

Also, according to the Assam Accord, all illegal immigrants who have come after 1971, irrespective of their religion, have to be deported and this bill violates that.

A delegation of the AGP, including Mahanta, met a number of BJP and opposition leaders in last two days to impress upon them the strong sentiment of the people in Assam against the bill.

The AGP team met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, among others.

The AGP has already quit its alliance with the BJP in Assam protesting against the Modi government's decision to get Parliament's approval for the bill. 
Mahanta alleged that the BJP is completely ignoring the sentiment of the Assamese people.

"It talks about something but does something else," he said.

The senior leader also claimed that there are intelligence reports about the current unrest in the Northeast and the central government is aware about them.

"If the government goes ahead with the bill, situation will be very difficult," he said.

Addressing the joint sitting of Parliament, President Ram Nath Kovind Thursday said the bill will give justice to persecuted minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan through Indian nationality.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also announced that the bill is an "atonement of the wrong that was done during India's Partition. India will safeguard all who had been victims of the Partition".&nbsp;

Former Assam chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta Sunday warned the Narendra Modi government that a "volatile" situation will arise in the state if the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is passed by the Rajya Sabha.

Former Assam chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta Sunday warned the Narendra Modi government that a "volatile" situation will arise in the state if the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is passed by the Rajya Sabha. The two-time chief minister and founder-president of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) said the state is witnessing a mass uprising, similar to the Assam agitation of 1979-85, against the proposed legislation and the situation may turn worse if the NDA government "doesn't respect" people's sentiment. "Situation in Assam will be very volatile if the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is passed by the Rajya Sabha. The Modi government will be responsible for it," Mahanta, who is now in Delhi to campaign against the bill, told PTI. The bill provides for Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslims of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Mahanta, who led the Assam agitation against the illegal immigrants, said the bill violates the provisions of the Assam Accord and basic tenants of the Constitution as it wants to give citizenship to anyone who had come to India till December 31, 2014 on the basis of religion. "When the Assam Accord was signed (1985), all political parties, including the BJP, had welcomed it. But the BJP-led government wants to ruin it now. The bill also violates the basic tenants of the Constitution as it provides for citizenship on the basis of religion," he said. Mahanta said the bill also violates the Supreme Court verdict on the famous Keshavanand Bharti case, which made it clear that basic structure of the Constitution is inviolable and hence can't be amended by Parliament. The bill provides for according Indian citizenship to Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after seven years of residence in India instead of 12 years, which is the norm currently, even if they do not possess any document. The legislation was passed by the Lok Sabha during the Winter Session on January 8 and has been awaiting Rajya Sabha nod. There has been strong opposition in Assam and other Northeastern states against the bill. Political parties, students groups and others have been protesting on the grounds that the bill seeks to grant nationality to non-Muslims who have come up to December 31, 2014, thereby, increasing the deadline from 1971 as per the Assam Accord. Also, according to the Assam Accord, all illegal immigrants who have come after 1971, irrespective of their religion, have to be deported and this bill violates that. A delegation of the AGP, including Mahanta, met a number of BJP and opposition leaders in last two days to impress upon them the strong sentiment of the people in Assam against the bill. The AGP team met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, among others. The AGP has already quit its alliance with the BJP in Assam protesting against the Modi government's decision to get Parliament's approval for the bill. Mahanta alleged that the BJP is completely ignoring the sentiment of the Assamese people. "It talks about something but does something else," he said. The senior leader also claimed that there are intelligence reports about the current unrest in the Northeast and the central government is aware about them. "If the government goes ahead with the bill, situation will be very difficult," he said. Addressing the joint sitting of Parliament, President Ram Nath Kovind Thursday said the bill will give justice to persecuted minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan through Indian nationality. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also announced that the bill is an "atonement of the wrong that was done during India's Partition. India will safeguard all who had been victims of the Partition".

Ex-Assam CM Prafulla Kumar Mahanta warns of 'volatile' situation if Citizenship Bill is passed

Manipuri filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma on Sunday returned the fourth highest civilian award in India, the Padma Shri, to show his protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016.

Citing that the bill was against the interest of the people of north-east, the indigenous people of Manipur, the filmmaker said returning the award was the best way to protest against the bill.

The bill that was passed by the Lok Sabha on January 8 &nbsp;seeks to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 and aims to grant Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who entered India from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan before December 31, 2014.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Filmmaker Aribam Shyam Sharma returns his 2006 Padma Shri award in protest against Citizenship Amendment Bill. <a href="https://t.co/zJ4QQlK9Ze">pic.twitter.com/zJ4QQlK9Ze</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1091997604731248640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The Bill has led to a series of protests in different north-eastern states since its passage.

Manipuri filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma on Sunday returned the fourth highest civilian award in India, the Padma Shri, to show his protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016.

Manipuri filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma on Sunday returned the fourth highest civilian award in India, the Padma Shri, to show his protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016. Citing that the bill was against the interest of the people of north-east, the indigenous people of Manipur, the filmmaker said returning the award was the best way to protest against the bill. The bill that was passed by the Lok Sabha on January 8 seeks to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 and aims to grant Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who entered India from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan before December 31, 2014. Filmmaker Aribam Shyam Sharma returns his 2006 Padma Shri award in protest against Citizenship Amendment Bill. pic.twitter.com/zJ4QQlK9Ze — ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2019 × The Bill has led to a series of protests in different north-eastern states since its passage.

Manipuri filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma returns Padma Shri to protest against Citizenship Amendment Bill

Indian Ambassador to the US Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Sunday confirmed that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) will have access to all students detained in 'Pay-and-stay' visa scam by Monday.

"Weight of the government of India is behind the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/detention-of-indian-students-mea-sends-demarche-to-us-embassy-194574">detained students</a> in the country,'' he said.

"We are obviously concerned and distressed that so many Indian students have been implicated in this issue regarding the University of Farmington in Farmington Hills, Michigan. We have been very quick off the block in trying to ensure that the interests of our students are protected." Shringla reportedly told ANI.

"We have either met or are scheduled to meet shortly a majority of students under detention. We have had our people go to each and every centre across the country to access our citizens and to ensure the students are okay. By Monday we will have access to almost all our students," he added.

Shringla said that the hotlines set up for the students have so far received over 100 calls.

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Indian Ambassador to the US, HV Shringla:We've either met or are scheduled to meet shortly majority of students under detention.We've had our ppl go to each&amp;every centre across country to access our citizens&amp;to ensure students are okay. By Monday,we'll have access to our students <a href="https://t.co/5o98cMdETO">https://t.co/5o98cMdETO</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1091920761424510976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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India issued a demarche to the US Embassy in New Delhi on Saturday&nbsp;over the detention of the students and expressed concern over their well-being.

In a nationwide crackdown on Wednesday, US authorities arrested scores of Indian students, mainly from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, who were illegally staying in the country.

The students had allegedly enrolled in a fraudulent university in order to take advantage of the US government`s pay-to-stay scheme.

Indian Ambassador to the US Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Sunday confirmed that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) will have access to all students detained in 'Pay-and-stay' visa scam by Monday.

Indian Ambassador to the US Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Sunday confirmed that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) will have access to all students detained in 'Pay-and-stay' visa scam by Monday. "Weight of the government of India is behind the detained students in the country,'' he said. "We are obviously concerned and distressed that so many Indian students have been implicated in this issue regarding the University of Farmington in Farmington Hills, Michigan. We have been very quick off the block in trying to ensure that the interests of our students are protected." Shringla reportedly told ANI. "We have either met or are scheduled to meet shortly a majority of students under detention. We have had our people go to each and every centre across the country to access our citizens and to ensure the students are okay. By Monday we will have access to almost all our students," he added. Shringla said that the hotlines set up for the students have so far received over 100 calls. Indian Ambassador to the US, HV Shringla:We've either met or are scheduled to meet shortly majority of students under detention.We've had our ppl go to each&every centre across country to access our citizens&to ensure students are okay. By Monday,we'll have access to our students https://t.co/5o98cMdETO — ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2019 × India issued a demarche to the US Embassy in New Delhi on Saturday over the detention of the students and expressed concern over their well-being. In a nationwide crackdown on Wednesday, US authorities arrested scores of Indian students, mainly from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, who were illegally staying in the country. The students had allegedly enrolled in a fraudulent university in order to take advantage of the US government`s pay-to-stay scheme.

'Pay-and-stay' visa scam: Will have access to all students by Monday, says Indian Ambassador to US

Internet services on mobile devices were snapped here on Sunday as a precautionary measure even as tight security arrangements have been put in place for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

Internet services were snapped in the early hours of Sunday by authorities as part of efforts to ensure that the Prime Minister's visit passes off smoothly, officials said.

They said security personnel have been deployed across the valley in large numbers for maintaining law and order.

Separatists groups have called for a complete shutdown in the valley to protest against Modi's visit.

Several separatist leaders including Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and former MLA Langate Sheikh Abdul Rasheed have been placed under house arrest since Saturday.

Normal life in the valley remained affected due to the strike called by separatists. All shops and business establishments remained closed while public transport was off the roads.

The officials said there were no reports of any untoward incident reported from anywhere in the valley so far.

Internet services on mobile devices were snapped here on Sunday as a precautionary measure even as tight security arrangements have been put in place for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

Internet services on mobile devices were snapped here on Sunday as a precautionary measure even as tight security arrangements have been put in place for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu and Kashmir. Internet services were snapped in the early hours of Sunday by authorities as part of efforts to ensure that the Prime Minister's visit passes off smoothly, officials said. They said security personnel have been deployed across the valley in large numbers for maintaining law and order. Separatists groups have called for a complete shutdown in the valley to protest against Modi's visit. Several separatist leaders including Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and former MLA Langate Sheikh Abdul Rasheed have been placed under house arrest since Saturday. Normal life in the valley remained affected due to the strike called by separatists. All shops and business establishments remained closed while public transport was off the roads. The officials said there were no reports of any untoward incident reported from anywhere in the valley so far.

Internet services snapped in Srinagar ahead of PM Narendra Modi's visit

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said Saturday her party would oppose the citizenship bill and demanded that the Centre withdraw the contentious legislation. Banerjee called Prime Minister Narendra Modi the “grandfather of corruption” and alleged that he was a “demon” gulping everything in the country, starting from judiciary, media and even democracy.

“The Centre will have to withdraw the citizenship bill. There is no question of supporting it. We will oppose it. We will not let him (Modi) succeed,” she said.

The chief minister dared Modi to put her behind the bars. “What will he (Modi) do because I am saying this? Will he get me murdered? Or will he threat me using the agencies? I am ready to be in jail but will not bow my head. I have always held my head high.” Banerjee was reacting to Modi seeking the TMC’s support for the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, at a rally in North 24 Parganas district.

The TMC supremo said she would not let the saffron party initiate violence and drive out the people from the country. “Using the NRC (National Register of Citizens), they (BJP) have driven out nearly 22-lakh Bengalis from Assam. They do not want anybody else other than themselves to stay in the country, they want to drive out everybody. We will not let him (Modi) succeed in driving out anyone.

“We are all citizens of the country. We all have ration cards and have rights as the country’s citizen” she said.

At the rally organised by the Matua community in Thakurnagar, Modi said the citizenship bill would bring “justice and respectability” to those who faced religious persecution. “India got Independence after splitting it into pieces. People thought they can make a living in the country of their choice, but there they (Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Parsis and Christians) faced atrocities and torture because of communal malice,” Modi said.

“It was because of this that we brought the citizenship bill. These people have no place to go other than India. Should they not be given justice and respectability? I ask the TMC to support the bill and facilitate its passage in Parliament,” he added. The Matuas originally hail from erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and began migrating to West Bengal at the beginning of the 1950s, mostly due to religious persecution. Many of them have claimed to have still not got Indian citizenship.

The citizenship bill seeks to provide citizenship after six years of residence in India to non-Muslims who had fled religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014, even if they do not possess any document. The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on January 8 and is pending in the Rajya Sabha. The TMC had staged a walkout from the Lower House, demanding that the bill is sent to a parliamentary panel.

Banerjee hit back at Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh for their blistering criticism of her government in separate rallies during the day and said the two leaders should worry about retaining their own Lok Sabha seats before dreaming of victory in the state. “They (BJP) have no leaders in West Bengal. They are bringing in outsiders (Modi, Singh) who have no idea about the culture, customs of the state and have no connection with the people,” Banerjee said.

“They need not think about West Bengal, which is capable of looking after itself, it does not need anybody from outside. Ask Narendra Modi to look after New Delhi. Will Modi be able to win from Varanasi? Ask Yogi Adityanath to look after his own state (Uttar Pradesh),” she said.

Reacting sharply to Modi’s comment that the TMC government was nearing its end, the chief minister said the Centre had used government agencies to “torment and torture” the country’s people in the past five years. “They (BJP-led government) have actually ruined the future of the youths and destroyed the country’s economy. They have used the agencies in a fascist manner to threaten most of the opposition leaders.

“Actually it (Modi government) has reached its expiry date and he is not ready to accept that. He (Modi) has grown arrogant and does not know the courtesy to talk as the prime minister,” she shot back. Banerjee said the BJP leaders were not “fit for politics” and were “experts” in ‘gau Raksha’ (cow protection) and lynching and initiate violence and riots.

“Leaders like Atalji (Atal Bihari Vajpayee) used to do politics and that’s why we (TMC) have respect for him,” she said. Referring to the Union home minister, Banerjee said Singh, despite being a senior BJP leader, had to follow instructions as his son has been “framed and named” in an FIR.

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said Saturday her party would oppose the citizenship bill and demanded that the Centre withdraw the contentious legislation.

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said Saturday her party would oppose the citizenship bill and demanded that the Centre withdraw the contentious legislation. Banerjee called Prime Minister Narendra Modi the “grandfather of corruption” and alleged that he was a “demon” gulping everything in the country, starting from judiciary, media and even democracy. “The Centre will have to withdraw the citizenship bill. There is no question of supporting it. We will oppose it. We will not let him (Modi) succeed,” she said. The chief minister dared Modi to put her behind the bars. “What will he (Modi) do because I am saying this? Will he get me murdered? Or will he threat me using the agencies? I am ready to be in jail but will not bow my head. I have always held my head high.” Banerjee was reacting to Modi seeking the TMC’s support for the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, at a rally in North 24 Parganas district. The TMC supremo said she would not let the saffron party initiate violence and drive out the people from the country. “Using the NRC (National Register of Citizens), they (BJP) have driven out nearly 22-lakh Bengalis from Assam. They do not want anybody else other than themselves to stay in the country, they want to drive out everybody. We will not let him (Modi) succeed in driving out anyone. “We are all citizens of the country. We all have ration cards and have rights as the country’s citizen” she said. At the rally organised by the Matua community in Thakurnagar, Modi said the citizenship bill would bring “justice and respectability” to those who faced religious persecution. “India got Independence after splitting it into pieces. People thought they can make a living in the country of their choice, but there they (Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Parsis and Christians) faced atrocities and torture because of communal malice,” Modi said. “It was because of this that we brought the citizenship bill. These people have no place to go other than India. Should they not be given justice and respectability? I ask the TMC to support the bill and facilitate its passage in Parliament,” he added. The Matuas originally hail from erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and began migrating to West Bengal at the beginning of the 1950s, mostly due to religious persecution. Many of them have claimed to have still not got Indian citizenship. The citizenship bill seeks to provide citizenship after six years of residence in India to non-Muslims who had fled religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014, even if they do not possess any document. The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on January 8 and is pending in the Rajya Sabha. The TMC had staged a walkout from the Lower House, demanding that the bill is sent to a parliamentary panel. Banerjee hit back at Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh for their blistering criticism of her government in separate rallies during the day and said the two leaders should worry about retaining their own Lok Sabha seats before dreaming of victory in the state. “They (BJP) have no leaders in West Bengal. They are bringing in outsiders (Modi, Singh) who have no idea about the culture, customs of the state and have no connection with the people,” Banerjee said. “They need not think about West Bengal, which is capable of looking after itself, it does not need anybody from outside. Ask Narendra Modi to look after New Delhi. Will Modi be able to win from Varanasi? Ask Yogi Adityanath to look after his own state (Uttar Pradesh),” she said. Reacting sharply to Modi’s comment that the TMC government was nearing its end, the chief minister said the Centre had used government agencies to “torment and torture” the country’s people in the past five years. “They (BJP-led government) have actually ruined the future of the youths and destroyed the country’s economy. They have used the agencies in a fascist manner to threaten most of the opposition leaders. “Actually it (Modi government) has reached its expiry date and he is not ready to accept that. He (Modi) has grown arrogant and does not know the courtesy to talk as the prime minister,” she shot back. Banerjee said the BJP leaders were not “fit for politics” and were “experts” in ‘gau Raksha’ (cow protection) and lynching and initiate violence and riots. “Leaders like Atalji (Atal Bihari Vajpayee) used to do politics and that’s why we (TMC) have respect for him,” she said. Referring to the Union home minister, Banerjee said Singh, despite being a senior BJP leader, had to follow instructions as his son has been “framed and named” in an FIR.

Will oppose citizenship bill, Centre must withdraw it, says West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

In what could spell fresh trouble for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbi-summons-p-chidambaram-to-appear-on-june-6-in-inx-media-case--141621">P Chidambaram</a>, the Law Ministry has told the Centre that the CBI can be granted sanction to prosecute the former Union minister in the INX media case.

A senior government functionary said the law ministry's opinion was sought on whether the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) demand to prosecute Chidambaram was legally sound.&nbsp;

The law ministry has now told the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) that there was "no legal infirmity" in the CBI's request seeking prosecution sanction.

The ministry, he said, gave its opinion based on evidence&nbsp;provided by the premier investigative agency.

The CBI has already been granted approval by the Centre to prosecute Chidambaram in Aircel Maxis case.

The agency had registered an FIR on May 15, 2017 against alleged irregularities in the FIPB clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 when Chidambaram was the Union finance minister.

The veteran Congress leader's son Karti Chidambaram was also arrested in the matter for allegedly receiving funds to the tune of Rs 10 lakh in the case.&nbsp;

In what could spell fresh trouble for P Chidambaram, the Law Ministry has told the Centre that the CBI can be granted sanction to prosecute the former Union minister in the INX media case.

In what could spell fresh trouble for P Chidambaram, the Law Ministry has told the Centre that the CBI can be granted sanction to prosecute the former Union minister in the INX media case. A senior government functionary said the law ministry's opinion was sought on whether the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) demand to prosecute Chidambaram was legally sound. The law ministry has now told the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) that there was "no legal infirmity" in the CBI's request seeking prosecution sanction. The ministry, he said, gave its opinion based on evidence provided by the premier investigative agency. The CBI has already been granted approval by the Centre to prosecute Chidambaram in Aircel Maxis case. The agency had registered an FIR on May 15, 2017 against alleged irregularities in the FIPB clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 when Chidambaram was the Union finance minister. The veteran Congress leader's son Karti Chidambaram was also arrested in the matter for allegedly receiving funds to the tune of Rs 10 lakh in the case.

INX media case: CBI can prosecute Chidambaram, law ministry tells Centre

Pakistan has no intention to interfere in India's internal matters and New Delhi should not make an issue out of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pak-foreign-minister-calls-hurriyat-leader-mirwaiz-umar-farooq-india-calls-it-regressive-step-193753">telephonic conversation with Kashmiri separatist leader </a>Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said.

India Wednesday summoned Pakistan envoy <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-summons-pak-high-commissioner-over-foreign-minister-qureshis-phone-call-to-hurriyat-leader-mirwaiz-umar-farooq-193958">Sohail Mahmood</a> and categorically told him that Qureshi's telephonic conversation was a "brazen attempt" to subvert India's unity and violate its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/6-times-since-2014-timeline-of-summoning-of-pak-high-commissioner-by-modi-government-194002">6 times since 2014: Timeline of </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/6-times-since-2014-timeline-of-summoning-of-pak-high-commissioner-by-modi-government-194002">summoning</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/6-times-since-2014-timeline-of-summoning-of-pak-high-commissioner-by-modi-government-194002"> of Pak high commissioner by Modi government</a>

Mahmood was "cautioned" by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale that persistence of such behaviour will have "implications".

Talking to the media in Multan on Saturday, Qureshi said that Pakistan has no intention to interfere in the internal matters of India, but New Delhi should also stop blaming Islamabad for its problems, Dawn News reported.

The Foreign Minister acknowledged that he spoke with Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz and India should not make it an issue.

"We want to resolve the Kashmir dispute through dialogue but India is making undue hue and cry," Qureshi was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune.

"Issues are emerging in India but Pakistan has no role in that," he said.

Qureshi said that he would highlight Pakistan's view point on Kashmir issue at an event in the House of Common in London this week.

The Foreign Minister said that election in India was an internal matter and Islamabad would try to hold talks with the new government if it wanted to work with Pakistan.

India has made it clear to Pakistan that talks and terrorism cannot go together.

Pakistan's relations with many countries have improved because of successful diplomacy of the incumbent government, he claimed.

He said Saudi crown prince would visit Pakistan this month. "New agreements will be signed during his visit," Qureshi said.

The Pakistan Foreign Office said Tuesday that Qureshi spoke with the Hurriyat leader and discussed with him efforts of Pakistan government to highlight the Kashmir issue.

In New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs asserted that the entire Jammu and Kashmir "has been, is and shall remain the integral part of India and that Pakistan has no locus standi in any matters related to the State of Jammu and Kashmir, has been made clear again to the High Commissioner of Pakistan."&nbsp;

According to the government sources in New Delhi, India was particularly anguished over Pakistan's statement on Tuesday, sharing details of the conversation that centred around the Kashmir issue.

Though Pakistani leaders may have telephoned separatists in Kashmir in the past but perhaps, it was the first time in recent years that Islamabad put out a statement highlighting the talking points which New Delhi felt was a clear case of violation of the red lines, the sources said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's major political parties issued a joint declaration at the end of All Parties Kashmir Conference on Saturday and said that peace in the region was not possible without resolving the Kashmir issue.

The declaration called on the Pakistan government to prepare an effective foreign policy to resolve the long-standing issue of Kashmir.

Pakistan has no intention to interfere in India's internal matters and New Delhi should not make an issue out of the telephonic conversation with Kashmiri separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said.

Pakistan has no intention to interfere in India's internal matters and New Delhi should not make an issue out of the telephonic conversation with Kashmiri separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said. India Wednesday summoned Pakistan envoy Sohail Mahmood and categorically told him that Qureshi's telephonic conversation was a "brazen attempt" to subvert India's unity and violate its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Also read: 6 times since 2014: Timeline of summoning of Pak high commissioner by Modi government Mahmood was "cautioned" by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale that persistence of such behaviour will have "implications". Talking to the media in Multan on Saturday, Qureshi said that Pakistan has no intention to interfere in the internal matters of India, but New Delhi should also stop blaming Islamabad for its problems, Dawn News reported. The Foreign Minister acknowledged that he spoke with Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz and India should not make it an issue. "We want to resolve the Kashmir dispute through dialogue but India is making undue hue and cry," Qureshi was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune. "Issues are emerging in India but Pakistan has no role in that," he said. Qureshi said that he would highlight Pakistan's view point on Kashmir issue at an event in the House of Common in London this week. The Foreign Minister said that election in India was an internal matter and Islamabad would try to hold talks with the new government if it wanted to work with Pakistan. India has made it clear to Pakistan that talks and terrorism cannot go together. Pakistan's relations with many countries have improved because of successful diplomacy of the incumbent government, he claimed. He said Saudi crown prince would visit Pakistan this month. "New agreements will be signed during his visit," Qureshi said. The Pakistan Foreign Office said Tuesday that Qureshi spoke with the Hurriyat leader and discussed with him efforts of Pakistan government to highlight the Kashmir issue. In New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs asserted that the entire Jammu and Kashmir "has been, is and shall remain the integral part of India and that Pakistan has no locus standi in any matters related to the State of Jammu and Kashmir, has been made clear again to the High Commissioner of Pakistan." According to the government sources in New Delhi, India was particularly anguished over Pakistan's statement on Tuesday, sharing details of the conversation that centred around the Kashmir issue. Though Pakistani leaders may have telephoned separatists in Kashmir in the past but perhaps, it was the first time in recent years that Islamabad put out a statement highlighting the talking points which New Delhi felt was a clear case of violation of the red lines, the sources said. Meanwhile, Pakistan's major political parties issued a joint declaration at the end of All Parties Kashmir Conference on Saturday and said that peace in the region was not possible without resolving the Kashmir issue. The declaration called on the Pakistan government to prepare an effective foreign policy to resolve the long-standing issue of Kashmir.

Pakistan has no intention to interfere in India's internal matters: Qureshi after phone call to Mirwaiz

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday told a gathering of Kolis in Gujarat that it was very unfortunate that the community was used as a vote bank in the past.

The gathering at Chotila town in Surendranagar district, 65 km from here, was organised to felicitate community leader Kunvarji Bavaliya who was elected in a by-poll recently, a government press release said.&nbsp;

The prime minister addressed the gathering through a recorded eight-minute video.

"The Koli community is present all over India and is also present in Gujarat and Mumbai in large numbers. The community members have qualities like they are very hard working and have social unity," the release quoted the prime minister as saying.

"It is very unfortunate that the community was just used as a vote bank for so many years," he said.

Modi said they had worked for uplift and development of every community. "The Koli community is still lagging behind in education. Many more such caste gatherings need to be organised to bring awareness and change in society," he said.

Bavaliya told PTI that he had sought time from the prime minister but as his tour of another state was already organised he gave a recorded message.

Kolis are a numerically strong OBC community, residing mainly in the coastal belt of Gujarat, and have traditionally supported the Congress.

However, with Bavaliya quitting the Congress and joining the BJP government in the state, the saffron party is hopeful that the community too will switch the loyalty in the Lok Sabha polls.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was present at the function, asked the community to come together and help build "a new Gujarat and new India".

Bavaliya said he would work for the betterment of the community using his position as minister.

The five-time Congress MLA from Jasdan seat quit the party in July 2018 and was made a cabinet minister in the Rupani government.

He won the by-poll from Jasdan in December on BJP ticket with a margin of over 19,000 votes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday told a gathering of Kolis in Gujarat that it was very unfortunate that the community was used as a vote bank in the past. The gathering at Chotila town in Surendranagar district, 65 km from here, was organised to felicitate community leader Kunvarji Bavaliya who was elected in a by-poll recently, a government press release said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday told a gathering of Kolis in Gujarat that it was very unfortunate that the community was used as a vote bank in the past. The gathering at Chotila town in Surendranagar district, 65 km from here, was organised to felicitate community leader Kunvarji Bavaliya who was elected in a by-poll recently, a government press release said. The prime minister addressed the gathering through a recorded eight-minute video. "The Koli community is present all over India and is also present in Gujarat and Mumbai in large numbers. The community members have qualities like they are very hard working and have social unity," the release quoted the prime minister as saying. "It is very unfortunate that the community was just used as a vote bank for so many years," he said. Modi said they had worked for uplift and development of every community. "The Koli community is still lagging behind in education. Many more such caste gatherings need to be organised to bring awareness and change in society," he said. Bavaliya told PTI that he had sought time from the prime minister but as his tour of another state was already organised he gave a recorded message. Kolis are a numerically strong OBC community, residing mainly in the coastal belt of Gujarat, and have traditionally supported the Congress. However, with Bavaliya quitting the Congress and joining the BJP government in the state, the saffron party is hopeful that the community too will switch the loyalty in the Lok Sabha polls. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was present at the function, asked the community to come together and help build "a new Gujarat and new India". Bavaliya said he would work for the betterment of the community using his position as minister. The five-time Congress MLA from Jasdan seat quit the party in July 2018 and was made a cabinet minister in the Rupani government. He won the by-poll from Jasdan in December on BJP ticket with a margin of over 19,000 votes.

Unfortunate that Koli community was used as vote bank: PM Narendra Modi

BJP president Amit Shah on Saturday said a Ram temple should be built in Ayodhya at the earliest and dared the Congress to spell out its own stand on the issue.

"The Kumbh fair is on and it is only natural that the demand for a Ram temple is being raised," he said at a meeting of the party's booth-level workers in Dehradun, virtually launching the BJP's campaign in Uttarakhand for the Lok Sabha polls.

"The BJP's stand has always been clear on the issue and I want to declare today that the Ram Temple in Ayodhya should be built at the earliest. Will Rahul Gandhi too define his stand on the issue?" Mr Shah said to loud cheers of Jai Shri Ram.

At the Parade Ground meeting, the Bharatiya Janata Party chief also hit out at opposition attempts to forge a 'mahagathbandhan', or a grand alliance, for the parliamentary elections just months away.

He accused the Congress of putting up obstacles to the temple's construction through "its lawyers" in the Supreme Court.

Mr Shah was referring to a plea in 2017 by Kapil Sibal, who was representing the Sunni Waqf Board, to postpone hearings in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute till the Lok Sabha elections are over.

"The Congress should come forward and explain why it had sought deferment of the hearing in the country's oldest title suit," Mr Shah said.

The Supreme Court had turned down the plea.

Mr Shah contrasted this with the recent petition by the BJP government in the Supreme Court, seeking to return the land around the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site to its original owners.

His remarks follow increasing demands on the BJP-led government from Hindutva organisations, and seers who held meetings at the Kumbh Mela recently, to ensure an early construction of the temple.

Mr Shah called the 'mahagathbandhan' a desperate coming together of political forces opposed to each other as they cannot think of taking on Narendra Modi alone.

"The bua-bhatija (aunt and nephew) have come together in Uttar Pradesh. Do you think they will stay together?" he said, referring to the alliance between Bahujan Samaj Party's Mayawati and Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav in the state.

"Who is going to listen to a Chandrababu Naidu at a public meeting in Haldwani or a Deve Gowda in Dehradun? They are leaders of regional parties with a limited appeal," the BJP leader said.

"Their only aim is 'Modi Hatao' (Remove Modi) whereas Narendra Modi wants to remove poverty, corruption and diseases," he said.

He said casteism and dynastic politics had no future in the country and urged people to bring back PM Modi with a clear mandate if they wanted a government capable of delivering on its promises.

He asked them to ensure that the party wins all the five Lok Sabha seats in Uttarakhand, as it did in 2014.

"Uttarakhand is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's priority," he said and referred to the makeover of Kedarnath after the 2013 floods.

He praised the interim Budget presented on Friday, saying it took care of all sections of society, particularly farmers, women, the poor and the marginalised.

Highlighting the Budget provisions for the farmers, he mocked the Congress.

"Do you understand the difference between Rabi and Kharif? Do you know the problems of the farmers? Have you really connected with them ever?" he said, without naming anyone.

Mr Shah credited the PM Modi-led government with implementing the One Rank One Pension scheme for military veterans, saying successive Congress governments had failed to achieve this.

He said the booth-level workers are the party's real strength and they alone can steer it to a thumping victory.

Mr Shah said coming to address their meeting reminded him of his initial days in the party.

"This is possible only in a party like BJP which is governed by democratic principles. A small party worker like me who pasted party posters on poles and pillars rose to become its president and a tea seller's son the country's prime minister," he said.

BJP president Amit Shah on Saturday said a Ram temple should be built in Ayodhya at the earliest and dared the Congress to spell out its own stand on the issue. "The Kumbh fair is on and it is only natural that the demand for a Ram temple is being raised," he said at a meeting of the party's booth-level workers in Dehradun, virtually launching the BJP's campaign in Uttarakhand for the Lok Sabha polls.

BJP president Amit Shah on Saturday said a Ram temple should be built in Ayodhya at the earliest and dared the Congress to spell out its own stand on the issue. "The Kumbh fair is on and it is only natural that the demand for a Ram temple is being raised," he said at a meeting of the party's booth-level workers in Dehradun, virtually launching the BJP's campaign in Uttarakhand for the Lok Sabha polls. "The BJP's stand has always been clear on the issue and I want to declare today that the Ram Temple in Ayodhya should be built at the earliest. Will Rahul Gandhi too define his stand on the issue?" Mr Shah said to loud cheers of Jai Shri Ram. At the Parade Ground meeting, the Bharatiya Janata Party chief also hit out at opposition attempts to forge a 'mahagathbandhan', or a grand alliance, for the parliamentary elections just months away. He accused the Congress of putting up obstacles to the temple's construction through "its lawyers" in the Supreme Court. Mr Shah was referring to a plea in 2017 by Kapil Sibal, who was representing the Sunni Waqf Board, to postpone hearings in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute till the Lok Sabha elections are over. "The Congress should come forward and explain why it had sought deferment of the hearing in the country's oldest title suit," Mr Shah said. The Supreme Court had turned down the plea. Mr Shah contrasted this with the recent petition by the BJP government in the Supreme Court, seeking to return the land around the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site to its original owners. His remarks follow increasing demands on the BJP-led government from Hindutva organisations, and seers who held meetings at the Kumbh Mela recently, to ensure an early construction of the temple. Mr Shah called the 'mahagathbandhan' a desperate coming together of political forces opposed to each other as they cannot think of taking on Narendra Modi alone. "The bua-bhatija (aunt and nephew) have come together in Uttar Pradesh. Do you think they will stay together?" he said, referring to the alliance between Bahujan Samaj Party's Mayawati and Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav in the state. "Who is going to listen to a Chandrababu Naidu at a public meeting in Haldwani or a Deve Gowda in Dehradun? They are leaders of regional parties with a limited appeal," the BJP leader said. "Their only aim is 'Modi Hatao' (Remove Modi) whereas Narendra Modi wants to remove poverty, corruption and diseases," he said. He said casteism and dynastic politics had no future in the country and urged people to bring back PM Modi with a clear mandate if they wanted a government capable of delivering on its promises. He asked them to ensure that the party wins all the five Lok Sabha seats in Uttarakhand, as it did in 2014. "Uttarakhand is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's priority," he said and referred to the makeover of Kedarnath after the 2013 floods. He praised the interim Budget presented on Friday, saying it took care of all sections of society, particularly farmers, women, the poor and the marginalised. Highlighting the Budget provisions for the farmers, he mocked the Congress. "Do you understand the difference between Rabi and Kharif? Do you know the problems of the farmers? Have you really connected with them ever?" he said, without naming anyone. Mr Shah credited the PM Modi-led government with implementing the One Rank One Pension scheme for military veterans, saying successive Congress governments had failed to achieve this. He said the booth-level workers are the party's real strength and they alone can steer it to a thumping victory. Mr Shah said coming to address their meeting reminded him of his initial days in the party. "This is possible only in a party like BJP which is governed by democratic principles. A small party worker like me who pasted party posters on poles and pillars rose to become its president and a tea seller's son the country's prime minister," he said.

Rahul Gandhi should explain his stand on Ayodhya issue: Amit Shah

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-warns-europe-not-to-force-strategic-leap-on-missile-range-194816">Do not thwart our missile development or we 'will be forced to make strategic leap': Iran</a>

The deputy chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards has warned Europe against forcing the Islamic Republic into boosting the range of its missiles by trying to halt their development.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-break-backbone-of-terror-in-jammu-and-kashmir-pm-narendra-modi-194857">Will break backbone of terror in Jammu and Kashmir: PM Narendra Modi</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday in Srinagar that his government would "break the backbone of terror in Jammu and Kashmir".&nbsp;

"We will break the backbone of terror in Jammu and Kashmir and fight it with all our might," Modi said.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/yogi-adityanath-addresses-rally-in-west-bengal-via-audio-link-after-his-chopper-was-denied-permission-194825">Bengal government 'anti-democratic', says Yogi Adityanath after his chopper is refused permission to land</a>

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has cancelled his rally at West Bengal's Raiganj and Balurghat after his chopper was refused permission to land by the Mamata Banerjee-led government.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uk-trade-minister-says-eu-irresponsible-to-refuse-to-reopen-brexit-deal-194815">UK trade minister says EU 'irresponsible' to refuse to reopen Brexit deal</a>

It would be irresponsible for the European Union to refuse to reopen negotiations over Britain's exit deal, British trade minister Liam Fox said in an interview aired on Sunday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/5th-odi-india-beat-new-zealand-by-35-runs-win-series-4-1-194799">5th ODI: India beat New Zealand by 35 runs, win series 4-1</a>

India's bowlers rattled New Zealand's batsmen to win the fifth and final ODI by 35 runs at the Westpac Stadium, Wellington. That also meant they won the ODI series 4-1, having lost the fourth ODI at Hamilton by eight wickets.

Do not thwart our missile development or we 'will be forced to make strategic leap': Iran The deputy chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards has warned Europe against forcing the Islamic Republic into boosting the range of its missiles by trying to halt their development.

Do not thwart our missile development or we 'will be forced to make strategic leap': Iran The deputy chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards has warned Europe against forcing the Islamic Republic into boosting the range of its missiles by trying to halt their development. Will break backbone of terror in Jammu and Kashmir: PM Narendra Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday in Srinagar that his government would "break the backbone of terror in Jammu and Kashmir". "We will break the backbone of terror in Jammu and Kashmir and fight it with all our might," Modi said. Bengal government 'anti-democratic', says Yogi Adityanath after his chopper is refused permission to land Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has cancelled his rally at West Bengal's Raiganj and Balurghat after his chopper was refused permission to land by the Mamata Banerjee-led government. UK trade minister says EU 'irresponsible' to refuse to reopen Brexit deal It would be irresponsible for the European Union to refuse to reopen negotiations over Britain's exit deal, British trade minister Liam Fox said in an interview aired on Sunday. 5th ODI: India beat New Zealand by 35 runs, win series 4-1 India's bowlers rattled New Zealand's batsmen to win the fifth and final ODI by 35 runs at the Westpac Stadium, Wellington. That also meant they won the ODI series 4-1, having lost the fourth ODI at Hamilton by eight wickets.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Prime Minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/after-rahul-gandhi-announces-loan-waiver-for-all-farmers-across-country-pm-modi-attacks-congress-for-gimmick-194848">Narendra Modi</a> said on Sunday in Srinagar that his government would "break the backbone of terror in Jammu and Kashmir".&nbsp;

"We will break the backbone of terror in Jammu and Kashmir and fight it with all our might," Modi said.&nbsp;

"We will tackle every terrorist in a befitting way," he added.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> J&amp;K: Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins his speech at an event in Srinagar, in Kashmiri language. <a href="https://t.co/uxpe8hde5P">pic.twitter.com/uxpe8hde5P</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1092023144553111552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Jammu &amp; Kashmir: Prime Minister Narendra Modi tours Dal lake in Srinagar. <a href="https://t.co/EwEJFfuowV">pic.twitter.com/EwEJFfuowV</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1092036635456225280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Modi's BJP government has already taken a hard line on terrorism — 2018 saw a massive uptick in the number of terrorist and army deaths in Kashmir, and one of the highest number of ceasefire violations along the Line of Control — but experts have said the overtly military approach has not worked.&nbsp;

In recent times, the army has for example had to deal with the problem of civilian populations pelting stones at the armed forces as they take on terrorists.&nbsp;

Modi on Sunday also harked back to the surgical strike saying that with it, "India has shown to the world its new policies (on terrorism)".&nbsp;&nbsp;

Modi was in Jammu and Kashmir to lay the foundation stone for the University of Ladakh. He also inaugurated two All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the Jammu and Srinagar divisions. 
&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday in Srinagar that his government would "break the backbone of terror in Jammu and Kashmir". "We will break the backbone of terror in Jammu and Kashmir and fight it with all our might," Modi said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday in Srinagar that his government would "break the backbone of terror in Jammu and Kashmir". "We will break the backbone of terror in Jammu and Kashmir and fight it with all our might," Modi said. "We will tackle every terrorist in a befitting way," he added. #WATCH J&K: Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins his speech at an event in Srinagar, in Kashmiri language. pic.twitter.com/uxpe8hde5P — ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2019 × #WATCH Jammu & Kashmir: Prime Minister Narendra Modi tours Dal lake in Srinagar. pic.twitter.com/EwEJFfuowV — ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2019 × Modi's BJP government has already taken a hard line on terrorism — 2018 saw a massive uptick in the number of terrorist and army deaths in Kashmir, and one of the highest number of ceasefire violations along the Line of Control — but experts have said the overtly military approach has not worked. In recent times, the army has for example had to deal with the problem of civilian populations pelting stones at the armed forces as they take on terrorists. Modi on Sunday also harked back to the surgical strike saying that with it, "India has shown to the world its new policies (on terrorism)". Modi was in Jammu and Kashmir to lay the foundation stone for the University of Ladakh. He also inaugurated two All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the Jammu and Srinagar divisions.

Will break backbone of terror in Jammu and Kashmir: PM Narendra Modi

The Bellary police has intensified their investigation into the vandalism at the UNESCO world heritage site in Hampi of Karnataka, an official said.

A carved stone pillar at <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/video-shows-miscreants-damaging-world-heritage-site-hampi-in-karnataka-194615">Hampi</a> was allegedly damaged by miscreants and the video of it has gone viral on social media.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Young Indian men vandalize Hampi, the <a href="https://twitter.com/UNESCO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNESCO</a> World Heritage site which is on <a href="https://twitter.com/nytimes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nytimes</a> 52 places to visit in 2019 <a href="https://t.co/FuBjAJpLpj">https://t.co/FuBjAJpLpj</a> 
and post a video celebrating their act. I hope they are caught and made an example of in terms of a long prison sentence h/t <a href="https://twitter.com/WhatsApp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WhatsApp</a> <a href="https://t.co/v5DUM7xhuw">pic.twitter.com/v5DUM7xhuw</a>
— Raju Narisetti (@raju) <a href="https://twitter.com/raju/status/1091718932204060673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The clip, which surfaced Saturday, purportedly showed three men pushing the artistically carved stone pillar to the ground, following which it breaks and the trio rejoice.

Other damaged pillars are also shown lying around, but it was not immediately clear whether the men in the video had damaged it.

A person from Betul in Madhya Pradesh shared the videos on Instagram under an identity 'DigitalAyush'. However, the account was deleted ever since the video went viral.

Arun Rangarajan, the SP of Bellary under which Hampi falls, said, "Three teams have been formed to nab the culprits. We have sufficient leads in this case and they will be arrested soon."

"They were tourists who did it just for excitement. There were no other motives," he said.

Karnataka Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar had on Saturday said stringent action would be taken against those responsible.

Recently, Hampi, the erstwhile capital of the Vijayanagar empire, known for its rich architecture, was listed second on New York Times list of 52 must-go sites in the world.

The Bellary police has intensified their investigation into the vandalism at the UNESCO world heritage site in Hampi of Karnataka, an official said. A carved stone pillar at Hampi was allegedly damaged by miscreants and the video of it has gone viral on social media.

The Bellary police has intensified their investigation into the vandalism at the UNESCO world heritage site in Hampi of Karnataka, an official said. A carved stone pillar at Hampi was allegedly damaged by miscreants and the video of it has gone viral on social media. Young Indian men vandalize Hampi, the @UNESCO World Heritage site which is on @nytimes 52 places to visit in 2019 https://t.co/FuBjAJpLpj and post a video celebrating their act. I hope they are caught and made an example of in terms of a long prison sentence h/t @WhatsApp pic.twitter.com/v5DUM7xhuw — Raju Narisetti (@raju) February 2, 2019 × The clip, which surfaced Saturday, purportedly showed three men pushing the artistically carved stone pillar to the ground, following which it breaks and the trio rejoice. Other damaged pillars are also shown lying around, but it was not immediately clear whether the men in the video had damaged it. A person from Betul in Madhya Pradesh shared the videos on Instagram under an identity 'DigitalAyush'. However, the account was deleted ever since the video went viral. Arun Rangarajan, the SP of Bellary under which Hampi falls, said, "Three teams have been formed to nab the culprits. We have sufficient leads in this case and they will be arrested soon." "They were tourists who did it just for excitement. There were no other motives," he said. Karnataka Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar had on Saturday said stringent action would be taken against those responsible. Recently, Hampi, the erstwhile capital of the Vijayanagar empire, known for its rich architecture, was listed second on New York Times list of 52 must-go sites in the world.

Police intensify probe into vandalism at world heritage site Hampi in Karnataka

A charitable hospital in the national capital is providing treatment to cancer patients using ayurveda and yoga along with dietary and lifestyle changes.

Ahead of World Cancer Day on February 4, the founder of Ayurvedic Cancer Treatment Hospital, located in West Punjabi Bagh area, said the facility raises awareness on combating the disease and many patients help in spreading its name through word of mouth as well.

"Many patients come to us after having lost all hope in allopathic treatment. We use a four-pronged approach -- lifestyle and food habit changes, ayurvedic medicines and yoga," its founder-president Atul Singhal said.

Asked about the efficacy of ayurvedic medicine on cancer, he said, "Our patients are our biggest testimonies. They feel the benefit and tell it to others, or make videos and post those online."

"For medicine, we use 'panchgavyas', mixture of five products of cow, and we use yoga to aid in recovering.

"We change their lifestyle and food habits and ask them to forego some of them for treatment. So, instead of wheat we tell them to eat barley, black pepper instead of red chilli, jaggery instead of sugar, etc," Singhal said.

The 52-year-old said he started the facility after losing his mother to cancer in 2011.

"My mother battled cancer for three years and finally succumbed to it. So, I wanted to do something about it and I have faith in our ancient medicinal system of ayurveda. So, in 2013, we first started Ayurvedic Cancer Treatment and Research Centre which became Ayurvedic Cancer Treatment Hospital in 2015," he said.

Run by a trust, the 20-bed facility has three permanent 'vaidyas' (doctors) and a staff of about 15 people for other ancillary jobs, Singhal said.

"Irrespective of a patient or his other family's economic status, we offer treatment based on just a token sum of Rs 11,000. If a patient is poor, we ask for less amount or none if they are very poor. Our idea is to keep it a charitable cause and not a commercial one," Singhal said.

The founder of the hospital said, the facility is run under a trust which has 21 trustees, including members from well-known trading families.

"We also get funds from philanthropists and some patients, after treatment, or their family members give some endowment which helps in running the hospital," he said.

Singhal said patients come from all parts of the country, especially from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, and even Jammu and Kashmir. He claimed that some patients also come from abroad.

He said the token sum is applicable for 11 days only, and after that Rs 1,000 is charged per day, as the number of beds are limited beds.

"We are planning to expand and make it a 100-bed facility," Singhal said, adding, two union ministers have visited the facility so far.

World Cancer Day, organised by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and celebrated each year on February 4, is an opportunity to rally the international community to end the injustice of preventable suffering from cancer.

This year's theme, 'We can, I can' acknowledges that everyone has the capacity to address the cancer burden, according to WHO.&nbsp;

A charitable hospital in the national capital is providing treatment to cancer patients using ayurveda and yoga along with dietary and lifestyle changes. Ahead of World Cancer Day on February 4, the founder of Ayurvedic Cancer Treatment Hospital, located in West Punjabi Bagh area, said the facility raises awareness on combating the disease and many patients help in spreading its name through word of mouth as well.

A charitable hospital in the national capital is providing treatment to cancer patients using ayurveda and yoga along with dietary and lifestyle changes. Ahead of World Cancer Day on February 4, the founder of Ayurvedic Cancer Treatment Hospital, located in West Punjabi Bagh area, said the facility raises awareness on combating the disease and many patients help in spreading its name through word of mouth as well. "Many patients come to us after having lost all hope in allopathic treatment. We use a four-pronged approach -- lifestyle and food habit changes, ayurvedic medicines and yoga," its founder-president Atul Singhal said. Asked about the efficacy of ayurvedic medicine on cancer, he said, "Our patients are our biggest testimonies. They feel the benefit and tell it to others, or make videos and post those online." "For medicine, we use 'panchgavyas', mixture of five products of cow, and we use yoga to aid in recovering. "We change their lifestyle and food habits and ask them to forego some of them for treatment. So, instead of wheat we tell them to eat barley, black pepper instead of red chilli, jaggery instead of sugar, etc," Singhal said. The 52-year-old said he started the facility after losing his mother to cancer in 2011. "My mother battled cancer for three years and finally succumbed to it. So, I wanted to do something about it and I have faith in our ancient medicinal system of ayurveda. So, in 2013, we first started Ayurvedic Cancer Treatment and Research Centre which became Ayurvedic Cancer Treatment Hospital in 2015," he said. Run by a trust, the 20-bed facility has three permanent 'vaidyas' (doctors) and a staff of about 15 people for other ancillary jobs, Singhal said. "Irrespective of a patient or his other family's economic status, we offer treatment based on just a token sum of Rs 11,000. If a patient is poor, we ask for less amount or none if they are very poor. Our idea is to keep it a charitable cause and not a commercial one," Singhal said. The founder of the hospital said, the facility is run under a trust which has 21 trustees, including members from well-known trading families. "We also get funds from philanthropists and some patients, after treatment, or their family members give some endowment which helps in running the hospital," he said. Singhal said patients come from all parts of the country, especially from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, and even Jammu and Kashmir. He claimed that some patients also come from abroad. He said the token sum is applicable for 11 days only, and after that Rs 1,000 is charged per day, as the number of beds are limited beds. "We are planning to expand and make it a 100-bed facility," Singhal said, adding, two union ministers have visited the facility so far. World Cancer Day, organised by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and celebrated each year on February 4, is an opportunity to rally the international community to end the injustice of preventable suffering from cancer. This year's theme, 'We can, I can' acknowledges that everyone has the capacity to address the cancer burden, according to WHO.

A hospital in Delhi which helps treat cancer with ayurveda, yoga

The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker, a new film on Netflix, is based on a real-life criminal incident. In February 2013, a homeless guy named Kai Lawrence attacked a woman's assailant with a hatchet and smashed his head with it, saving the woman's life. Soon after the incident, Kai was interviewed by a local TV crew, and the interview quickly went viral, turning him into a superstar. Kai was, however, detained for a murder later that year. What is the murder's mystery? What has become of Kai Lawrence? To learn everything about the 2013 incident, the murder later that year and more keep reading.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h2>The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker, the 2013 incident&nbsp;</h2>

Caleb Lawrence McGillvary is Kai Larence's real name. Kai hitched a ride with Jett Simmons McBride in February 2013. Kai jumped out of the car to assist the person after the driver McBride struck a pedestrian by the side of the road during the journey. McBride reportedly got out of the car and attempted to assault the woman who had come over to assist Kai and the pedestrian. Kai then strikes McBridge in the head with a hatchet that he took out of his backpack. However, McBridge suvived Kai's hatchet assault and later went on to stand trial for attempted murder in 2014. Kai also appeared in court as a witness in the McBride case, as per a report.&nbsp;

<h2>Kai Lawrence became overnight sensation after McBride incident&nbsp;</h2>

A follow-up interview of the incident was done by KMPH. Kai quickly rose to fame after the KMPH posted the entire six-and-a-half-minute interview on YouTube. The team of Justin Bieber reached out to him for a song collaboration after learning that a producer for Keeping Up With The Kardashians planned to make a reality programme about him. Check the KMPH interview video here:&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QTNguT1a6q4" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<h2>Kai Lawrence arrested for murder later that year&nbsp;</h2>

Kai Lawrence of the Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker was arrested later that year for the murder of 73-year-old lawyer Joseph Galfy. Galfy was found dead at his home in New Jersey. After some circumstantial evidences related to Kai, he was tracked down at a Philadelphia bus station by police and confessed to the murder of Galfy. Kai claimed that he did it in self-defence as Galfy was sexually assaulting him. However, police said there was no evidence that could prove the crime was committed in self-defence. Before you know about the whereabouts of Kai Lawrence, check out this netflix trailer of&nbsp;the Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E2r4vg3vdkM" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<h2>Where is Kai Lawrence now?&nbsp;</h2>

Kai was detained after his arrest and held behind bars until his 2019 trial. He was given a 57-year jail term after being found guilty of first-degree murder. He filed an appeal in 2021 but was unsuccessful. Kai is still incarcerated at Trenton's New Jersey State Prison.

 
&nbsp;

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The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker, a new film on Netflix, is based on a real-life criminal incident. In February 2013, a homeless guy named Kai Lawrence attacked a woman's assailant with a hatchet and smashed his head with it, saving the woman's life.

The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker, a new film on Netflix, is based on a real-life criminal incident. In February 2013, a homeless guy named Kai Lawrence attacked a woman's assailant with a hatchet and smashed his head with it, saving the woman's life. Soon after the incident, Kai was interviewed by a local TV crew, and the interview quickly went viral, turning him into a superstar. Kai was, however, detained for a murder later that year. What is the murder's mystery? What has become of Kai Lawrence? To learn everything about the 2013 incident, the murder later that year and more keep reading. The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker, the 2013 incident Caleb Lawrence McGillvary is Kai Larence's real name. Kai hitched a ride with Jett Simmons McBride in February 2013. Kai jumped out of the car to assist the person after the driver McBride struck a pedestrian by the side of the road during the journey. McBride reportedly got out of the car and attempted to assault the woman who had come over to assist Kai and the pedestrian. Kai then strikes McBridge in the head with a hatchet that he took out of his backpack. However, McBridge suvived Kai's hatchet assault and later went on to stand trial for attempted murder in 2014. Kai also appeared in court as a witness in the McBride case, as per a report. Kai Lawrence became overnight sensation after McBride incident A follow-up interview of the incident was done by KMPH. Kai quickly rose to fame after the KMPH posted the entire six-and-a-half-minute interview on YouTube. The team of Justin Bieber reached out to him for a song collaboration after learning that a producer for Keeping Up With The Kardashians planned to make a reality programme about him. Check the KMPH interview video here: × Kai Lawrence arrested for murder later that year Kai Lawrence of the Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker was arrested later that year for the murder of 73-year-old lawyer Joseph Galfy. Galfy was found dead at his home in New Jersey. After some circumstantial evidences related to Kai, he was tracked down at a Philadelphia bus station by police and confessed to the murder of Galfy. Kai claimed that he did it in self-defence as Galfy was sexually assaulting him. However, police said there was no evidence that could prove the crime was committed in self-defence. Before you know about the whereabouts of Kai Lawrence, check out this netflix trailer of the Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker. × Where is Kai Lawrence now? Kai was detained after his arrest and held behind bars until his 2019 trial. He was given a 57-year jail term after being found guilty of first-degree murder. He filed an appeal in 2021 but was unsuccessful. Kai is still incarcerated at Trenton's New Jersey State Prison.

Video shows miscreants damaging world heritage site Hampi in Karnataka

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday launched the University of Ladakh, the first-ever varsity in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Jammu region has four universities besides an IIT and an IIMC, while the Kashmir Valley has three universities and a National Institute of Technology (NIT).

After the inauguration, Modi said Lakhah now has first cluster university comprising degree colleges of Leh, Kargil, Nubra, Zanskar, Drass and Khaltsi.

The university will have administrative offices in Leh and Kargil, he said.

On December 15, the Jammu and Kashmir administration had approved the establishment of the first university in the Ladakh region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday launched the University of Ladakh, the first-ever varsity in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. The Jammu region has four universities besides an IIT and an IIMC, while the Kashmir Valley has three universities and a National Institute of Technology (NIT).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday launched the University of Ladakh, the first-ever varsity in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. The Jammu region has four universities besides an IIT and an IIMC, while the Kashmir Valley has three universities and a National Institute of Technology (NIT). After the inauguration, Modi said Lakhah now has first cluster university comprising degree colleges of Leh, Kargil, Nubra, Zanskar, Drass and Khaltsi. The university will have administrative offices in Leh and Kargil, he said. On December 15, the Jammu and Kashmir administration had approved the establishment of the first university in the Ladakh region.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates first-ever university in Ladakh

Union Minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-present-an-interim-budget-clarifies-finance-ministry-193892">Arun Jaitley</a> Sunday said his medical treatment at a US hospital is all over but hinted that he may not return to India in time to reply to the debate on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/it-was-not-an-interim-budget-but-a-full-fledged-budget-chidambaram-194383">Interim Budget in Parliament.&nbsp;</a>

Jaitley, 66, had missed presenting the sixth and final budget of the Narendra Modi government's present term as he had to fly to the US due to ill health.&nbsp;

In his absence, the charge of the finance ministry was given to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, who on February 1 presented the Interim Budget for 2019-20 financial year.&nbsp;

Jaitley had on the Budget day stated that he would be back in India soon. 
&nbsp; 
In an interview to PTI here, he said he was on recovery course and his return to India in time to reply to the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/ndas-interim-budget-on-friday-likely-to-offer-some-hope-and-relief-194176">Budget </a>debate in Parliament will depend on when his doctors allow him to leave.&nbsp;

"It depends on after my treatment here, which is all over. I am on the recovery course. It's when my doctors allow me to go back. As of present, as I understand, Piyush Goyal will be replying (to the Budget debate in Parliament)," he said.&nbsp;

Jaitley had last month flown here for treatment of an unstated illness. Neither he nor the government has commented on the nature of his illness but reports suggest he was suffering from soft tissue cancer and had to be operated upon.&nbsp;

This is his first overseas visit after he underwent renal transplant surgery on May 14, 2018, at AIIMS. That time too, Goyal was given the additional charge of the finance ministry.

Jaitley, who had stopped attending office at the beginning of April, was back in North Block — the seat of the finance ministry — on August 23.&nbsp;

He had in September 2014 undergone a bariatric surgery to treat weight gain that he suffered because of a long-standing diabetic condition.

Union Minister Arun Jaitley Sunday said his medical treatment at a US hospital is all over but hinted that he may not return to India in time to reply to the debate on Interim Budget in Parliament.

Union Minister Arun Jaitley Sunday said his medical treatment at a US hospital is all over but hinted that he may not return to India in time to reply to the debate on Interim Budget in Parliament. Jaitley, 66, had missed presenting the sixth and final budget of the Narendra Modi government's present term as he had to fly to the US due to ill health. In his absence, the charge of the finance ministry was given to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, who on February 1 presented the Interim Budget for 2019-20 financial year. Jaitley had on the Budget day stated that he would be back in India soon. In an interview to PTI here, he said he was on recovery course and his return to India in time to reply to the Budget debate in Parliament will depend on when his doctors allow him to leave. "It depends on after my treatment here, which is all over. I am on the recovery course. It's when my doctors allow me to go back. As of present, as I understand, Piyush Goyal will be replying (to the Budget debate in Parliament)," he said. Jaitley had last month flown here for treatment of an unstated illness. Neither he nor the government has commented on the nature of his illness but reports suggest he was suffering from soft tissue cancer and had to be operated upon. This is his first overseas visit after he underwent renal transplant surgery on May 14, 2018, at AIIMS. That time too, Goyal was given the additional charge of the finance ministry. Jaitley, who had stopped attending office at the beginning of April, was back in North Block — the seat of the finance ministry — on August 23. He had in September 2014 undergone a bariatric surgery to treat weight gain that he suffered because of a long-standing diabetic condition.

Arun Jaitley indicates won't be back in India to reply to Budget debate

New CBI Director <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rishi-kumar-shukla-appointed-new-cbi-chief-officials-194608">Rishi Kumar Shukla </a>is the first officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre to be appointed to the coveted post, officials said Saturday.

Fifty-eight-year-old Rishi Kumar Shukla, a 1983-batch IPS officer who had served as the Madhya Pradesh Police chief for nearly two-and-a-half years, was on Saturday appointed the chief of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), established in its current form in 1963.

The founder-director of the agency, D P Kohli, an IPS of Uttar Pradesh cadre, had served as Inspector General of Police of Madhya Bharat, which later emerged as Madhya Pradesh after being merged with Vidhya Pradesh and Bhopal states.

"Shukla is a no-nonsense officer and a hard taskmaster. He will do his duty with full commitment, integrity and sincerity as has always been maintained by him all through his career," said a senior IPS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, posted in intelligence agency in Delhi, requesting anonymity.

He is known for ensuring quick investigations into cases of rape in the state during his tenure as the police chief, leading to a substantial decrease in such a heinous crime.

A post-graduate in Philosophy and a native of Gwalior, Shukla ensured that charge sheets in criminal cases were filed at the earliest to ensure a timely start of the trial so that delay in delivery of justice could be minimised, they said.

Although he has not served in the CBI, he was in the Intelligence Bureau where he handled several sensitive matters during his two stints -- between 1992 and 1996, and between 2000 and 2005, they said.

After passing out from the National Police Academy, Shukla started his career as the Additional Superintendent of Police in Raipur (now in Chhattisgarh) in 1985.

He also served in Damoh, Shivpuri and Mandsaur districts in different capacities, before taking over as DGP.

He was appointed as Madhya Pradesh's Director General of Police (DGP) in 2016 by the then BJP government but was recently removed from the post and made as the chairman of MP Police Housing Corporation after a tiff with the newly formed Congress government led by chief minister Kamal Nath, according to state government officials.

He underwent training in the USA for crisis management and hostage negotiations, besides another stint of training in London, they said.

Shukla was appointed the CBI Director for a fixed tenure of two years.

Shukla takes charge of the country's premier investigation agency at a time it has been grappled with controversies.

The post of the CBI chief has been lying vacant since January 10 after the unceremonious exit of Alok Kumar Verma, who had been engaged in a bitter fight with Gujarat-cadre IPS officer and former CBI special director Rakesh Asthana over corruption charges. Both Verma and Asthana had accused each other of corruption.

New CBI Director Rishi Kumar Shukla is the first officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre to be appointed to the coveted post, officials said Saturday. Fifty-eight-year-old Rishi Kumar Shukla, a 1983-batch IPS officer who had served as the Madhya Pradesh Police chief for nearly two-and-a-half years, was on Saturday appointed the chief of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), established in its current form in 1963.

New CBI Director Rishi Kumar Shukla is the first officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre to be appointed to the coveted post, officials said Saturday. Fifty-eight-year-old Rishi Kumar Shukla, a 1983-batch IPS officer who had served as the Madhya Pradesh Police chief for nearly two-and-a-half years, was on Saturday appointed the chief of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), established in its current form in 1963. The founder-director of the agency, D P Kohli, an IPS of Uttar Pradesh cadre, had served as Inspector General of Police of Madhya Bharat, which later emerged as Madhya Pradesh after being merged with Vidhya Pradesh and Bhopal states. "Shukla is a no-nonsense officer and a hard taskmaster. He will do his duty with full commitment, integrity and sincerity as has always been maintained by him all through his career," said a senior IPS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, posted in intelligence agency in Delhi, requesting anonymity. He is known for ensuring quick investigations into cases of rape in the state during his tenure as the police chief, leading to a substantial decrease in such a heinous crime. A post-graduate in Philosophy and a native of Gwalior, Shukla ensured that charge sheets in criminal cases were filed at the earliest to ensure a timely start of the trial so that delay in delivery of justice could be minimised, they said. Although he has not served in the CBI, he was in the Intelligence Bureau where he handled several sensitive matters during his two stints -- between 1992 and 1996, and between 2000 and 2005, they said. After passing out from the National Police Academy, Shukla started his career as the Additional Superintendent of Police in Raipur (now in Chhattisgarh) in 1985. He also served in Damoh, Shivpuri and Mandsaur districts in different capacities, before taking over as DGP. He was appointed as Madhya Pradesh's Director General of Police (DGP) in 2016 by the then BJP government but was recently removed from the post and made as the chairman of MP Police Housing Corporation after a tiff with the newly formed Congress government led by chief minister Kamal Nath, according to state government officials. He underwent training in the USA for crisis management and hostage negotiations, besides another stint of training in London, they said. Shukla was appointed the CBI Director for a fixed tenure of two years. Shukla takes charge of the country's premier investigation agency at a time it has been grappled with controversies. The post of the CBI chief has been lying vacant since January 10 after the unceremonious exit of Alok Kumar Verma, who had been engaged in a bitter fight with Gujarat-cadre IPS officer and former CBI special director Rakesh Asthana over corruption charges. Both Verma and Asthana had accused each other of corruption.

Who is Rishi Kumar Shukla, CBI's new chief

Scores of visitors in Goa, which is considered to be the country`s most popular tourist destination, hailed the decision taken by the state assembly recently to ban drinking and cooking in the open on beaches.

Speaking to ANI, Subhash Kapoor, a resident of Mumbai, opined that this ban was much needed to keep the beaches in the state clean."In my view, the law banning drinking, cooking in public should not only be implemented here but all across the country.&nbsp;

This was needed a few years ago too. I feel by this move, beaches and the city will be cleaned," he said.

A couple from London also echoed a similar opinion and said: "We are happy with the new decision taken by the assembly.&nbsp;

People who actually want to consume alcohol can do it personally in their hotel rooms. Earlier, people use to dump their beer cans, bottles on the beach as there were no dustbins around.&nbsp;

I am happy that now the beaches will look clean."However, Amit Tomar, a local, was of the view that this move might affect tourism in the state.&nbsp;

"Instead of banning liquor consumption in public places, the government should have tightened the laws for breaking bottles after drinking on the beach or indulging in violence in an inebriated state," he opined.

On January 31, the Goa Assembly amended the state tourism law and made cooking and drinking alcohol in public places, including beaches and breaking of glass bottles in public, a criminal offence with fines of Rs 2,000.

According to an amendment to the Goa Tourist Places (Protection and Maintenance) Act, 2001, individual offenders will be from now onwards fined Rs. 2,000 for offences and if the offences are committed by more than one person, the group will have to pay Rs. 10,000.

Scores of visitors in Goa, which is considered to be the country`s most popular tourist destination, hailed the decision taken by the state assembly recently to ban drinking and cooking in the open on beaches.

Scores of visitors in Goa, which is considered to be the country`s most popular tourist destination, hailed the decision taken by the state assembly recently to ban drinking and cooking in the open on beaches. Speaking to ANI, Subhash Kapoor, a resident of Mumbai, opined that this ban was much needed to keep the beaches in the state clean."In my view, the law banning drinking, cooking in public should not only be implemented here but all across the country. This was needed a few years ago too. I feel by this move, beaches and the city will be cleaned," he said. A couple from London also echoed a similar opinion and said: "We are happy with the new decision taken by the assembly. People who actually want to consume alcohol can do it personally in their hotel rooms. Earlier, people use to dump their beer cans, bottles on the beach as there were no dustbins around. I am happy that now the beaches will look clean."However, Amit Tomar, a local, was of the view that this move might affect tourism in the state. "Instead of banning liquor consumption in public places, the government should have tightened the laws for breaking bottles after drinking on the beach or indulging in violence in an inebriated state," he opined. On January 31, the Goa Assembly amended the state tourism law and made cooking and drinking alcohol in public places, including beaches and breaking of glass bottles in public, a criminal offence with fines of Rs 2,000. According to an amendment to the Goa Tourist Places (Protection and Maintenance) Act, 2001, individual offenders will be from now onwards fined Rs. 2,000 for offences and if the offences are committed by more than one person, the group will have to pay Rs. 10,000.

Goa: Tourists give thumbs-up to law banning drinking, cooking in public

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/dont-lose-hope-by-results-in-3-states-lok-sabha-polls-very-important-amit-shah-tells-bjp-workers-189833">Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah</a> is scheduled to address 30,000 booth level <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-run-by-a-dynasty-cannot-serve-the-people-amit-shah-193708">workers </a>here on February 9 ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in 2019, said Goa BJP Chief Vinay Tendulkar.

Tendulkar told ANI in a telephonic conversation that around 30,000 workers from 1642 booths will attend Shah`s rally, which will be organised in Panaji on February 9.&nbsp;

Shah will also address 18,000 party workers at a rally in Uttarakhand`s Dehradun on Saturday, said state BJP president Ajay Bhatt."Amit Shah will address the Trishul Sammelan.&nbsp;

His visit will make a huge impact ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

He will motivate the party workers to work hard for the elections and make sure that BJP wins all the seats in the state," Bhatt said.

Last week, Shah did a rally in Himachal Pradesh`s &nbsp;Una and Odisha and hit out at the Congress saying that the party`s only OROP is "only Rahul only Priyanka". (ANI)&nbsp;

Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah is scheduled to address 30,000 booth level workers here on February 9 ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in 2019, said Goa BJP Chief Vinay Tendulkar.

Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah is scheduled to address 30,000 booth level workers here on February 9 ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in 2019, said Goa BJP Chief Vinay Tendulkar. Tendulkar told ANI in a telephonic conversation that around 30,000 workers from 1642 booths will attend Shah`s rally, which will be organised in Panaji on February 9. Shah will also address 18,000 party workers at a rally in Uttarakhand`s Dehradun on Saturday, said state BJP president Ajay Bhatt."Amit Shah will address the Trishul Sammelan. His visit will make a huge impact ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He will motivate the party workers to work hard for the elections and make sure that BJP wins all the seats in the state," Bhatt said. Last week, Shah did a rally in Himachal Pradesh`s Una and Odisha and hit out at the Congress saying that the party`s only OROP is "only Rahul only Priyanka". (ANI)

Amit Shah to address 30,000 booth level workers in Goa on February 9

A day after he moved a Delhi court seeking anticipatory bail in a<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/robert-vadra-moves-delhi-court-seeking-anticipatory-bail-in-money-laundering-case-194472"> money laundering case</a> lodged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Robert Vadra on Saturday said that he was being subjected to ''false prosecution'' which has a colour of political ''witch-hunt''.&nbsp;

News agency ANI reported him as saying he was being targeted and subjected to false prosecution which has a colour of political witch hunt.&nbsp;

He also said that he is a law-abiding citizen.&nbsp;

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Grounds on which Robert Vadra is seeking anticipatory bail in Delhi's Patiala House Court- Vadra says he is being targeted and is being subjected to false prosecution which has a colour of political witch hunt &amp; that he is a law abiding citizen (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/vHaNKURKPc">pic.twitter.com/vHaNKURKPc</a>
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The case relates to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property -- located at 12, Bryanston Square -- worth 1.9 million pounds, which is allegedly owned by Vadra, the brother-in-law of Congress President Rahul Gandhi.&nbsp;

Vadra's anticipatory bail application is likely to be heard by the court on Saturday.

A day after he moved a Delhi court seeking anticipatory bail in a money laundering case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Robert Vadra on Saturday said that he was being subjected to ''false prosecution'' which has a colour of political ''witch-hunt''.

A day after he moved a Delhi court seeking anticipatory bail in a money laundering case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Robert Vadra on Saturday said that he was being subjected to ''false prosecution'' which has a colour of political ''witch-hunt''. News agency ANI reported him as saying he was being targeted and subjected to false prosecution which has a colour of political witch hunt. He also said that he is a law-abiding citizen. Grounds on which Robert Vadra is seeking anticipatory bail in Delhi's Patiala House Court- Vadra says he is being targeted and is being subjected to false prosecution which has a colour of political witch hunt & that he is a law abiding citizen (file pic) pic.twitter.com/vHaNKURKPc — ANI (@ANI) February 2, 2019 × The case relates to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property -- located at 12, Bryanston Square -- worth 1.9 million pounds, which is allegedly owned by Vadra, the brother-in-law of Congress President Rahul Gandhi. Vadra's anticipatory bail application is likely to be heard by the court on Saturday.

Robert Vadra calls his 'false prosecution' a political witch-hunt  

As many as 13 trains coming into Delhi were delayed on Saturday as dense fog blanketed the national capital and its neighbouring regions.

With a cold wave gripping the region, a large number of people were seen taking refuge at night shelters in various parts of the national capital to shield themselves from chilly winds.

The maximum temperature in the national capital is likely to be around 22 degrees Celsius, while the minimum may touch 9 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The thick fog was coupled with poor air quality, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of the national capital at 309 till 8.00 am, which falls in the `very poor` category.

According to data provided by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), major pollutants PM 2.5 was at 131 and PM 10 was at 202, in `very poor` and `moderate` categories, respectively.

&nbsp;In Lodhi Road area, PM 2.5 was at 234 while PM 10 was at 230, both of which fall in the `poor` category.

AQI in the range of 51 to 100 is considered as satisfactory, 101-200 is moderate, 201-300 falls under the category of poor, 300-400 is considered `very poor` and 401-500 falls under the `hazardous` category. (ANI)&nbsp;

As many as 13 trains coming into Delhi were delayed on Saturday as dense fog blanketed the national capital and its neighbouring regions. With a cold wave gripping the region, a large number of people were seen taking refuge at night shelters in various parts of the national capital to shield themselves from chilly winds.

As many as 13 trains coming into Delhi were delayed on Saturday as dense fog blanketed the national capital and its neighbouring regions. With a cold wave gripping the region, a large number of people were seen taking refuge at night shelters in various parts of the national capital to shield themselves from chilly winds. The maximum temperature in the national capital is likely to be around 22 degrees Celsius, while the minimum may touch 9 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The thick fog was coupled with poor air quality, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of the national capital at 309 till 8.00 am, which falls in the `very poor` category. According to data provided by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), major pollutants PM 2.5 was at 131 and PM 10 was at 202, in `very poor` and `moderate` categories, respectively. In Lodhi Road area, PM 2.5 was at 234 while PM 10 was at 230, both of which fall in the `poor` category. AQI in the range of 51 to 100 is considered as satisfactory, 101-200 is moderate, 201-300 falls under the category of poor, 300-400 is considered `very poor` and 401-500 falls under the `hazardous` category. (ANI)

Thick fog engulfs Delhi, 13 trains delayed

Early implementation of a secure communication line between Minister of External Affairs (MEA), India and the US Secretary of State and Minister of Defence, India and Secretary of Defence was the main focus of recent phone conversation between the Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and acting United States Secretary of Defence Patrick M. Shanahan.

Speaking to WION exclusively, Pentagon Spokesman US Army Lt. Col. Dave Eastburn said, "Both sides are reviewing the technical specifications for establishing the two secure communication lines and look forward to early implementation."

"At the inaugural US-India Ministerial 2+2 in New Delhi on September 6, the two sides agreed to establish secure communication between the Minister of External Affairs of India and the US Secretary of State and Minister of Defence of India and the US Secretary of Defense," he added.

During the 2+2 dialogue, India and US signed the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) which will help New Delhi get access to advanced US defence systems and enable it to utilise its existing US-origin platforms. Last year, Washington also granted New Delhi Strategic Trade Authorisation-1 (STA-1) status which will give India access to high-end US technology for defence purposes. India is the third Asian country after Japan and South Korea to get the STA-1 Status.

During PM Modi's US visit in June of 2016, the US recognised India as a "major defence partner" which commits Washington to facilitate technology sharing with India. Under the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), both New Delhi and Washington are also exploring the possibilities of co-development and co-production.

In December of 2018, Nirmala Sitharaman was on a 5-day US visit during which she met with the then US Secretary of Defence James N Mattis and visited the headquarters of the INDO-US Pacific Command (INDO-PACOM) in Honolulu, Hawaii. She also visited Joint Base Pearl Harbour Hickam and boarded a US Guided Missile Destroyer.

US Pacific Command (PACOM), which is the largest US command, was renamed as INDO-PACOM as part of Indo Pacific concept which is being supported by both the countries.&nbsp;

Early implementation of a secure communication line between Minister of External Affairs (MEA), India and the US Secretary of State and Minister of Defence, India and Secretary of Defence was the main focus of recent phone conversation between the Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and acting United States Secretary of Defence Patrick M.

Early implementation of a secure communication line between Minister of External Affairs (MEA), India and the US Secretary of State and Minister of Defence, India and Secretary of Defence was the main focus of recent phone conversation between the Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and acting United States Secretary of Defence Patrick M. Shanahan. Speaking to WION exclusively, Pentagon Spokesman US Army Lt. Col. Dave Eastburn said, "Both sides are reviewing the technical specifications for establishing the two secure communication lines and look forward to early implementation." "At the inaugural US-India Ministerial 2+2 in New Delhi on September 6, the two sides agreed to establish secure communication between the Minister of External Affairs of India and the US Secretary of State and Minister of Defence of India and the US Secretary of Defense," he added. During the 2+2 dialogue, India and US signed the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) which will help New Delhi get access to advanced US defence systems and enable it to utilise its existing US-origin platforms. Last year, Washington also granted New Delhi Strategic Trade Authorisation-1 (STA-1) status which will give India access to high-end US technology for defence purposes. India is the third Asian country after Japan and South Korea to get the STA-1 Status. During PM Modi's US visit in June of 2016, the US recognised India as a "major defence partner" which commits Washington to facilitate technology sharing with India. Under the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), both New Delhi and Washington are also exploring the possibilities of co-development and co-production. In December of 2018, Nirmala Sitharaman was on a 5-day US visit during which she met with the then US Secretary of Defence James N Mattis and visited the headquarters of the INDO-US Pacific Command (INDO-PACOM) in Honolulu, Hawaii. She also visited Joint Base Pearl Harbour Hickam and boarded a US Guided Missile Destroyer. US Pacific Command (PACOM), which is the largest US command, was renamed as INDO-PACOM as part of Indo Pacific concept which is being supported by both the countries.

Looking forward to secure communication line: US on Sitharaman-Shanahan talks

In pictures: India gets its first Chinook helicopter from US's Boeing

Cricketer <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/yes-i-made-enemies-but-i-slept-in-peace-gautam-gambhir-182607">Gautam Gambhir</a> Saturday urged the Ministry of Defence to help a man, claiming to be war veteran, after he spotted him begging in Connaught Place here.

The ace cricketer posted a picture of the man on Twitter and said that he could not get support from the Army due to "technical reasons".

"He's Mr Peethambaran, who served in the Indian Army in 1965 &amp;1971 wars which can be verified by his ID. He claims due to technical reasons he can't get support from d Army," Gambhir tweeted.

"I'd urge @adgpi @DefenceMinIndia @SpokespersonMoD to intervene as he is begging at A block Connaught Place," he said in the tweet.

Responding to the tweet, the defence ministry assured a "quick and complete" response.&nbsp;

"We appreciate the concern raised by you and assure that the response will be quick and complete. @adgpi," the defence spokesperson tweeted.&nbsp;

Cricketer Gautam Gambhir Saturday urged the Ministry of Defence to help a man, claiming to be war veteran, after he spotted him begging in Connaught Place here. The ace cricketer posted a picture of the man on Twitter and said that he could not get support from the Army due to "technical reasons".

Cricketer Gautam Gambhir Saturday urged the Ministry of Defence to help a man, claiming to be war veteran, after he spotted him begging in Connaught Place here. The ace cricketer posted a picture of the man on Twitter and said that he could not get support from the Army due to "technical reasons". "He's Mr Peethambaran, who served in the Indian Army in 1965 &1971 wars which can be verified by his ID. He claims due to technical reasons he can't get support from d Army," Gambhir tweeted. "I'd urge @adgpi @DefenceMinIndia @SpokespersonMoD to intervene as he is begging at A block Connaught Place," he said in the tweet. Responding to the tweet, the defence ministry assured a "quick and complete" response. "We appreciate the concern raised by you and assure that the response will be quick and complete. @adgpi," the defence spokesperson tweeted.

Gautam Gambhir tweets picture of Army veteran begging, defence ministry assures 'quick' action

The Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), which was allegedly involved in a series of terror acts in the country, has been banned by the government for five more years, reported news agency PTI.

According to a Home Ministry notification, if the unlawful activities of SIMI are not curbed and controlled immediately, it will continue its subversive activities, re-organise its activists, who are still absconding, and disrupt the secular fabric of the country by propagating anti-national sentiments and escalating secessionism.

"Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-sections (1) and (3) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, the central government hereby declares the SIMI as an 'unlawful association' and directs that this notification shall, subject to any order that may be made under section 4 of the said Act, have effect for a period of five years," the notification said.

The imposition of the ban on SIMI by the government will have to be confirmed by a tribunal.

The police from Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Kerala have provided details of conviction against top SIMI leaders Safdar Nagori, Abu Faisal, among others. Faisal was instrumental in the 2013 Khandwa jail break incident, according to investigators.

Members of the group have allegedly been involved in bank robberies, killings of policemen, blasts, among other cases, officials said.

The Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), which was allegedly involved in a series of terror acts in the country, has been banned by the government for five more years, reported news agency PTI.

The Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), which was allegedly involved in a series of terror acts in the country, has been banned by the government for five more years, reported news agency PTI. According to a Home Ministry notification, if the unlawful activities of SIMI are not curbed and controlled immediately, it will continue its subversive activities, re-organise its activists, who are still absconding, and disrupt the secular fabric of the country by propagating anti-national sentiments and escalating secessionism. "Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-sections (1) and (3) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, the central government hereby declares the SIMI as an 'unlawful association' and directs that this notification shall, subject to any order that may be made under section 4 of the said Act, have effect for a period of five years," the notification said. The imposition of the ban on SIMI by the government will have to be confirmed by a tribunal. The police from Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Kerala have provided details of conviction against top SIMI leaders Safdar Nagori, Abu Faisal, among others. Faisal was instrumental in the 2013 Khandwa jail break incident, according to investigators. Members of the group have allegedly been involved in bank robberies, killings of policemen, blasts, among other cases, officials said.

Government bans SIMI for 5 more years

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