Japan's Kyoto has announced that it will ban tourists from its Geisha district. This comes after growing tourist menace who harass Geisha and photograph them without consent. Miami beach has also declared that it is "breaking up" with spring breakers due to growing violence.

Gravitas: Japan's geisha district to ban tourists, Miami Beach breaks up with spring breakers

A four-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a police officer in Dausa district in the poll-bound state of Rajasthan. The girl, who was sexually assaulted, is reportedly undergoing medical treatment in a government hospital.&nbsp;

The accused sub-inspector (SI) Bhupendra Singh was on election duty when he is said to have lured the girl into his room on Friday (Nov 10) afternoon.&nbsp;Singh, who then raped the minor girl, has been arrested for the alleged horrific crime.&nbsp;

There is a huge outrage among the villagers who are shaken by the disturbing incident. Amid the rage, many gathered outside the police station and physically confronted the accused sub-inspector. They beat him before handing him over to the authorities.

The massive protest was staged at the Rahuwas police station. Rahuwas is a village in Lalsot tehsil in Dausa. It belongs to the Jaipur division.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sita-without-ram-this-ancient-temple-in-india-celebrates-mother-of-luv-and-kush-657544">Sita without Ram: This ancient temple in India celebrates mother of Luv and Kush</a>

Assistant Superintendent of Police Bajrang Singh reportedly said, "A case has been registered in Rahuwas police station against an SI identified as Bhupendra based on the complaint by a family living nearby. They have accused him of rape. A medical examination is being done of the minor girl. Necessary action will be taken."&nbsp;

Local residents are expressing their collective outrage and demanding justice for the victim. The authorities are also facing mounting pressure to ensure a thorough investigation and appropriate legal measures against the accused officer.

<h2>Political&nbsp;reactions&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>

The political war of words has also been unleashed following the grave incident. BJP MP Kirodi Lal Meena visited the protest site and said, "There is a huge anger among the people over the incident of rape."&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-bjp-ruled-uttarakhand-all-set-to-implement-ucc-polygamy-to-be-abolished-657535">India: BJP-ruled Uttarakhand all set to implement UCC, polygamy to be abolished</a>

"I have reached the spot to get justice for the innocent child." He also announced a compensation of 5 million rupees (approx $60k) for the girl's family.

"I have come here to help the girl. The sub-inspector has been arrested. For me, elections come afterwards, and my first priority will be giving the family justice. It is a shameful incident," Meena added.

Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indias-diwali-economy-explained-657494">India's Diwali economy explained</a>

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Rajasthan DGP Umesh Mishra said, "Instructions have been given for strict action to be taken in the case. An order has been given to dismiss the accused police sub-inspector."

Meanwhile, Rajasthan BJP leader Diya Kumari accused the ruling Congress dispensation led by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for its inaction. She said, "This is a shameful incident. Such incidents have been continuously happening in Rajasthan for the last five years. The Gehlot government is silent on this and hasn't ensured justice."&nbsp;

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh told ANI, "Madhya Pradesh is number one in cases of atrocities on women, atrocities on Dalits. The proceedings against criminals take place in Rajasthan. Action is taken against those who are criminals as soon as possible."

(With inputs from agencies)

A four-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a police officer in Dausa district in the poll-bound state of Rajasthan. The girl, who was sexually assaulted, is reportedly undergoing medical treatment in a government hospital.

A four-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a police officer in Dausa district in the poll-bound state of Rajasthan. The girl, who was sexually assaulted, is reportedly undergoing medical treatment in a government hospital. The accused sub-inspector (SI) Bhupendra Singh was on election duty when he is said to have lured the girl into his room on Friday (Nov 10) afternoon. Singh, who then raped the minor girl, has been arrested for the alleged horrific crime. There is a huge outrage among the villagers who are shaken by the disturbing incident. Amid the rage, many gathered outside the police station and physically confronted the accused sub-inspector. They beat him before handing him over to the authorities. The massive protest was staged at the Rahuwas police station. Rahuwas is a village in Lalsot tehsil in Dausa. It belongs to the Jaipur division. Also Read | Sita without Ram: This ancient temple in India celebrates mother of Luv and Kush Assistant Superintendent of Police Bajrang Singh reportedly said, "A case has been registered in Rahuwas police station against an SI identified as Bhupendra based on the complaint by a family living nearby. They have accused him of rape. A medical examination is being done of the minor girl. Necessary action will be taken." Local residents are expressing their collective outrage and demanding justice for the victim. The authorities are also facing mounting pressure to ensure a thorough investigation and appropriate legal measures against the accused officer. Political reactions The political war of words has also been unleashed following the grave incident. BJP MP Kirodi Lal Meena visited the protest site and said, "There is a huge anger among the people over the incident of rape." Also Read | India: BJP-ruled Uttarakhand all set to implement UCC, polygamy to be abolished "I have reached the spot to get justice for the innocent child." He also announced a compensation of 5 million rupees (approx $60k) for the girl's family. "I have come here to help the girl. The sub-inspector has been arrested. For me, elections come afterwards, and my first priority will be giving the family justice. It is a shameful incident," Meena added. Watch | India's Diwali economy explained × Rajasthan DGP Umesh Mishra said, "Instructions have been given for strict action to be taken in the case. An order has been given to dismiss the accused police sub-inspector." Meanwhile, Rajasthan BJP leader Diya Kumari accused the ruling Congress dispensation led by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for its inaction. She said, "This is a shameful incident. Such incidents have been continuously happening in Rajasthan for the last five years. The Gehlot government is silent on this and hasn't ensured justice." Congress leader Jairam Ramesh told ANI, "Madhya Pradesh is number one in cases of atrocities on women, atrocities on Dalits. The proceedings against criminals take place in Rajasthan. Action is taken against those who are criminals as soon as possible." (With inputs from agencies)

India: 4-year-old girl raped by police official in Rajasthan's Dausa, villagers protest, demand justice

In a huge surprise win, a Japanese woman, who has been living in Belgium, has been selected as a mayor of a district in Tokyo after the elections. The 47-year-old woman, who is known as Satoko Kishimoto, became popular with the help of her online campaign. For a decade, Kishimoto has been living in Leuven city of Belgium along with her husband and children. She has been working as a project coordinator for the not-for-profit Transnational Institute in Amsterdam. Kishimoto has now become the mayor of Suginami city. This city encompasses 500,000 people and is more than 5,800 miles away from her present home. Kishimoto won by just 200 votes. &nbsp;

In recent weeks, Kishimoto has travelled to Japan for campaigning in person. Olivier Hoedeman, husband of Kishimoto, said that the result of the election has come as a “huge surprise”. &nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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“During the Covid crisis, when everything happened online, Satoko participated a lot in online public debates in Japan from Leuven. Satoko is very interested in politics and through her work for the Transnational Institute in Amsterdam, she knows a lot about it too. She became very popular with the progressive movement in Japan and was asked to run for mayor in Suginami,” Hoedeman told Flemish radio. &nbsp;

“Satoko lived the first 25 years of her life in Japan. After that, she moved to the Netherlands and then to Leuven, where we have lived together for more than 10 years and now have two children. The election result came as a huge surprise. Satoko defeated the conservative mayor in office. Apparently, her political message appealed to many citizens. Satoko wants less privatisation and more citizen participation,” Hoedeman added. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Hoedeman said, “Our youngest son is still in secondary school and still has a few years to go. So, moving to Japan is not going to be so easy. We still have to think about it.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

In a huge surprise win, a Japanese woman, who has been living in Belgium, has been selected as a mayor of a district in Tokyo after the elections. The 47-year-old woman, who is known as Satoko Kishimoto, became popular with the help of her online campaign.

In a huge surprise win, a Japanese woman, who has been living in Belgium, has been selected as a mayor of a district in Tokyo after the elections. The 47-year-old woman, who is known as Satoko Kishimoto, became popular with the help of her online campaign. For a decade, Kishimoto has been living in Leuven city of Belgium along with her husband and children. She has been working as a project coordinator for the not-for-profit Transnational Institute in Amsterdam. Kishimoto has now become the mayor of Suginami city. This city encompasses 500,000 people and is more than 5,800 miles away from her present home. Kishimoto won by just 200 votes. In recent weeks, Kishimoto has travelled to Japan for campaigning in person. Olivier Hoedeman, husband of Kishimoto, said that the result of the election has come as a “huge surprise”. WATCH WION LIVE HERE “During the Covid crisis, when everything happened online, Satoko participated a lot in online public debates in Japan from Leuven. Satoko is very interested in politics and through her work for the Transnational Institute in Amsterdam, she knows a lot about it too. She became very popular with the progressive movement in Japan and was asked to run for mayor in Suginami,” Hoedeman told Flemish radio. “Satoko lived the first 25 years of her life in Japan. After that, she moved to the Netherlands and then to Leuven, where we have lived together for more than 10 years and now have two children. The election result came as a huge surprise. Satoko defeated the conservative mayor in office. Apparently, her political message appealed to many citizens. Satoko wants less privatisation and more citizen participation,” Hoedeman added. Hoedeman said, “Our youngest son is still in secondary school and still has a few years to go. So, moving to Japan is not going to be so easy. We still have to think about it.” (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Surprise win: Japanese woman living in Belgium becomes mayor of district in Tokyo

A striped feline leaps from a rock under the shade of a tree on a late October morning.&nbsp;

As its front paws touch the ground, the whiskered creature looks up, eyes darting left. A wildlife camera clicks and captures the scene.

It's a cat — and the location isn't a remote rainforest, but the capital of the United States.

The photo is part of the DC Cat Count, a first of its kind, three-year effort by animal welfare advocates, conservationists and scientists to enumerate every Felis catus in Washington.

The team behind the study says it provides an accurate estimate of the size of the city's indoor, outdoor and shelter population.

It found there are about 200,000 cats in the District of Columbia, with about half of them living indoors only, said Tyler Flockhart, a conservation biologist and science lead on the DC Cat Count.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-warns-climate-poses-emerging-threat-to-financial-system-422957">US warns climate poses ‘emerging threat’ to financial system</a>

The other half is a group that includes owned cats with limited or unlimited access outdoors, stray cats, and roughly 3,000 to 4,000 feral cats who avoid interactions with humans, Flockhart said.

"I don't think that you can find another wild mammal — another wild carnivore — that occurs at that density anywhere in the world," he said, of cats and urban environments.&nbsp;

"I think that this is really sort of an interesting idea that we can have so many cats in such a small location."

Consensus for a cat census&nbsp;

The study brought together groups that are often at odds over the impact that outdoor cats have on wildlife and landscape.

While conservationists worry that outdoor cats can decimate bird populations, animal advocates seek to ensure the welfare and safety of cats seeking to survive outside.

"What was really groundbreaking with the DC Cat Count was these organizations coming together," said Stephanie Shain, the chief operating officer of the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA), which took part in the study.

They were driven by a common purpose "to really focus not on who is right or who has been right, but really focus on getting it right — &nbsp;finding out the information, analyzing the data," she added.&nbsp;

Shain said HRA recommends that cat owners keep their feline friends indoors only in order to keep them safe and avoid damaging wildlife.

"I was pleased to see how many people actually follow that advice," she said.

To count all the cats who call the seat of American power home, researchers surveyed more than 2,600 residents, analyzed animal shelter records, walked along specific routes in search of cats and set up wildlife cameras in more than 1,500 spots.

"This is probably the most thorough analysis of cats of any city in the world," Flockhart said.

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He and other researchers continue to analyse the data collected since 2018 and the research has already led to several peer-reviewed scientific papers.

The DC Cat Count team also made an extensive toolkit available online with protocols and guidelines for organisations wishing to carry out their own cat census. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Besides cats, the camera traps also snapped pictures of numerous animals including squirrels, raccoons, foxes, deer — and even a bobcat.

"There's a huge diversity of wildlife in our cities," Flockhart said.

"We tend to think of it as humans-only, and it could be anything but the case. There are all types of wildlife, from rodents all the way up to large predators."

A striped feline leaps from a rock under the shade of a tree on a late October morning. As its front paws touch the ground, the whiskered creature looks up, eyes darting left.

A striped feline leaps from a rock under the shade of a tree on a late October morning. As its front paws touch the ground, the whiskered creature looks up, eyes darting left. A wildlife camera clicks and captures the scene. It's a cat — and the location isn't a remote rainforest, but the capital of the United States. The photo is part of the DC Cat Count, a first of its kind, three-year effort by animal welfare advocates, conservationists and scientists to enumerate every Felis catus in Washington. The team behind the study says it provides an accurate estimate of the size of the city's indoor, outdoor and shelter population. It found there are about 200,000 cats in the District of Columbia, with about half of them living indoors only, said Tyler Flockhart, a conservation biologist and science lead on the DC Cat Count. Also Read | US warns climate poses ‘emerging threat’ to financial system The other half is a group that includes owned cats with limited or unlimited access outdoors, stray cats, and roughly 3,000 to 4,000 feral cats who avoid interactions with humans, Flockhart said. "I don't think that you can find another wild mammal — another wild carnivore — that occurs at that density anywhere in the world," he said, of cats and urban environments. "I think that this is really sort of an interesting idea that we can have so many cats in such a small location." Consensus for a cat census The study brought together groups that are often at odds over the impact that outdoor cats have on wildlife and landscape. While conservationists worry that outdoor cats can decimate bird populations, animal advocates seek to ensure the welfare and safety of cats seeking to survive outside. "What was really groundbreaking with the DC Cat Count was these organizations coming together," said Stephanie Shain, the chief operating officer of the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA), which took part in the study. They were driven by a common purpose "to really focus not on who is right or who has been right, but really focus on getting it right — finding out the information, analyzing the data," she added. Shain said HRA recommends that cat owners keep their feline friends indoors only in order to keep them safe and avoid damaging wildlife. "I was pleased to see how many people actually follow that advice," she said. To count all the cats who call the seat of American power home, researchers surveyed more than 2,600 residents, analyzed animal shelter records, walked along specific routes in search of cats and set up wildlife cameras in more than 1,500 spots. "This is probably the most thorough analysis of cats of any city in the world," Flockhart said. Also Read | Coronavirus: NIH admits to US funding of gain-of-function research in Wuhan lab He and other researchers continue to analyse the data collected since 2018 and the research has already led to several peer-reviewed scientific papers. The DC Cat Count team also made an extensive toolkit available online with protocols and guidelines for organisations wishing to carry out their own cat census. Besides cats, the camera traps also snapped pictures of numerous animals including squirrels, raccoons, foxes, deer — and even a bobcat. "There's a huge diversity of wildlife in our cities," Flockhart said. "We tend to think of it as humans-only, and it could be anything but the case. There are all types of wildlife, from rodents all the way up to large predators."

Washington, District of Cats: US capital first city to count its felines

At least one person died while dozens are missing as floods triggered by monsoon rain wreak havoc in the Sindhupalchowk district of central Nepal, officials confirmed.

The floods in Indrawati and Melamchi rivers are the result of an increase in water level after Tuesday's incessant rain.

"We suspect the flood originated from the main source of Melamchi and Indrawati River. The flood swept through corridors starting from Helambu. We are working on confirming and access the damage caused by the flood since last evening, as of now we only have confirmed reports of one dead and reports of dozens still missing or out of contact," Arun Pokhrel, Chief District Officer of Sindhupalchowk told ANI over the phone.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-says-will-study-bidens-infrastructure-plan-that-rivals-chinas-belt-and-road-initiative-391231">Also Read |&nbsp;India says will study Biden's infrastructure plan that rivals China's Belt and Road Initiative</a>

Various local administration officials on early Wednesday morning confirmed damages and reports of people missing.

"In my village council only, there are reports of about 6 people missing since yesterday evening. Water level which started rising from late yesterday evening swept through Kiul and Gyalthum as well as swept houses that were built on the edge of Melamchi River," Nima Gyaljen Sherpa, Village Council Chief of Helambu Village Council told ANI over the phone.

Also Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Nepal signs 'non-disclosure' agreement for Chinese vaccines

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"Along with, the flood is also reported to have swept bridges and other infrastructures of electricity and communications. We still are not able to access the damage caused by it," Sherpa added.

Sindhupalchowk is one of the epicenters of the 2015 earthquake and has been battered by flood and other calamities on yearly basis.

At least one person died while dozens are missing as floods triggered by monsoon rain wreak havoc in the Sindhupalchowk district of central Nepal, officials confirmed.

At least one person died while dozens are missing as floods triggered by monsoon rain wreak havoc in the Sindhupalchowk district of central Nepal, officials confirmed. The floods in Indrawati and Melamchi rivers are the result of an increase in water level after Tuesday's incessant rain. "We suspect the flood originated from the main source of Melamchi and Indrawati River. The flood swept through corridors starting from Helambu. We are working on confirming and access the damage caused by the flood since last evening, as of now we only have confirmed reports of one dead and reports of dozens still missing or out of contact," Arun Pokhrel, Chief District Officer of Sindhupalchowk told ANI over the phone. Also Read | India says will study Biden's infrastructure plan that rivals China's Belt and Road Initiative Various local administration officials on early Wednesday morning confirmed damages and reports of people missing. "In my village council only, there are reports of about 6 people missing since yesterday evening. Water level which started rising from late yesterday evening swept through Kiul and Gyalthum as well as swept houses that were built on the edge of Melamchi River," Nima Gyaljen Sherpa, Village Council Chief of Helambu Village Council told ANI over the phone. Also Watch | Gravitas: Nepal signs 'non-disclosure' agreement for Chinese vaccines "Along with, the flood is also reported to have swept bridges and other infrastructures of electricity and communications. We still are not able to access the damage caused by it," Sherpa added. Sindhupalchowk is one of the epicenters of the 2015 earthquake and has been battered by flood and other calamities on yearly basis.

One dead, dozens missing as floods hit Sindhupalchowk district of central Nepal

Four terrorists have been killed by security forces in Lam village of Tral in J&K's Pulwama district on Tuesday evening.&nbsp;

Public places have been closed in the area as a precautionary measure.&nbsp;

The security forces have now cordoned off the area.

Earlier, Terrorists fled the spot after they were involved in a gun battle with the security forces.

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One more terrorist killed taking the total to 4 . Well done boys.
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Tral — considered a terrorist hotbed — is the native town of Hizbul Mujahideen's Burhan Wani, who was killed in 2016, and Zakir Musa, an active militant commander.&nbsp;

The district is also considered to be the stronghold of terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Muhammad.

Gunbattle broke out between militants and security forces when the ultras opened fire.

Four terrorists have been killed by security forces in Lam village of Tral in J&K's Pulwama district on Tuesday evening. Public places have been closed in the area as a precautionary measure. The security forces have now cordoned off the area. Earlier, Terrorists fled the spot after they were involved in a gun battle with the security forces. One more terrorist killed taking the total to 4 . Well done boys. — Shesh Paul Vaid (@spvaid) April 24, 2018 × Tral — considered a terrorist hotbed — is the native town of Hizbul Mujahideen's Burhan Wani, who was killed in 2016, and Zakir Musa, an active militant commander. The district is also considered to be the stronghold of terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Muhammad.

Four terrorists killed in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district

In yet another incident of ceasefire violation, Pakistani troops on Wednesday resorted to unprovoked mortar shelling along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district.

A Defence Ministry official said the Pakistan army started shelling and firing at Indian positions in Khari Karmara area of the LoC in Poonch district.

"Pakistan firing started at 8.30 pm yesterday (Tuesday) and continued for nearly half an hour. Our troops retaliated effectively and strongly", the official said.

There have been more than 300 incidents of ceasefire violations along the border between India and Pakistan during in last one year so far, resulting in the death of many people, including soldiers and injuries to many others.

A Defence Ministry official said the Pakistan army started shelling and firing at Indian positions in Khari Karmara area of the LoC in Poonch district.

In yet another incident of ceasefire violation, Pakistani troops on Wednesday resorted to unprovoked mortar shelling along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district. A Defence Ministry official said the Pakistan army started shelling and firing at Indian positions in Khari Karmara area of the LoC in Poonch district. "Pakistan firing started at 8.30 pm yesterday (Tuesday) and continued for nearly half an hour. Our troops retaliated effectively and strongly", the official said. There have been more than 300 incidents of ceasefire violations along the border between India and Pakistan during in last one year so far, resulting in the death of many people, including soldiers and injuries to many others.

Pakistan violates ceasefire along LoC in Poonch district of J&K

When Moroccan-born former boxer Mohamed Idrissi orders a young man out of his gym for smoking, the respect is tangible.

The youngster stubs out his cigarette and leaves, head bowed. Inside the gym, the muted thud of leather gloves striking punchbags resumes. &nbsp;

Idrissi&#39;s influence goes beyond his job as a coach at the Brussels Boxing Academy, near the Molenbeek district of the Belgian capital where Islamist militants, several of them of Moroccan origin, planned last year&#39;s deadly Paris attacks.

He also has an informal role mentoring youths facing what Reuters interviews with local officials, social workers and residents of Molenbeek suggest is a growing feeling of alienation and increasingly tense relations with police.

Building trust in communities such as Molenbeek is seen by police as vital for gathering intelligence and countering the threat of Islamic State, and respected local figures like Idrissi have a part to play.

&quot;Boxing is a philosophy which I tell them to apply in life,&quot; Idrissi said of his young boxers at the gym in a primary school in central Brussels, across an industrial-era canal from the halal shops, tea parlours and mosques of Molenbeek.

&quot;I tell them: &#39;You have to fight to be Belgian&#39;,&quot; said the 34-year-old, who deserted from the Moroccan military police a decade ago while taking part in a boxing competition.

Since the Nov. 13 bloodshed in Paris, security has been tightened in Molenbeek, a district described by its own mayor as a &quot;breeding ground&quot; for violence, and many Muslims say they feel stigmatised.

Idrissi is angered by frequent police checks of people with Moroccan roots which he sees as racial profiling although police deny this. But he bites his tongue in the presence of young men to avoid repeating &quot;the kind of comments we warn parents can feed into their radicalisation.&quot;

Some parents, he says, have turned to him to talk their sons out of plans to join Islamist militants in Syria. Police also visited the gym this year as part of a programme to improve their image with youngsters.

At least five men who trained there have travelled to Syria. One, Ayoub Bazarouj, was detained in December on suspicion of having links to the Paris attacks, in which 130 people were killed. He was released in January without charge.

Another, Ahmed Dahmani, was arrested in Turkey last year on suspicion of scouting out sites for the militant strikes. Police released a photograph of Dahmani at the gym, holding his fists up as if ready to throw a punch at the camera. Belgium asked for his extradition from Turkey earlier this year.

Idrissi declined comment when asked about his interaction with police over some of his young charges going to Syria.

&nbsp;

&quot;LATENT ISLAMOPHOBIA&quot;

A failure to stop the militant cell behind the Paris attacks from carrying out more bombings -- 32 people were killed in bombings on the Brussels metro and at the city&#39;s international airport on March 22 -- has highlighted the police lack of knowledge of Molenbeek and their few ties with its residents.

The police are also hard pressed to overcome the fear of IS that discourages possible informants. One resident, Hawa Keita, has received death threats since informing on the network that enticed her son to Syria and says: &quot;We live in fear.&quot;

Having eyes on the ground is vital for plugging the intelligence gaps, many officers say.

&quot;It&#39;s not enough to bug phones: you need to know what you are listening for,&quot; Andre Jacob, a former head of Belgium&#39;s State Security agency, the Surete de l&#39;Etat.

As in similar communities across Europe, Belgian police are struggling to build bridges with young Muslims at the same time as they hunt for militants. They have carried out dozens of raids and arrests in Belgium in recent months.

The Interfederal Centre for Equal Opportunities (UNIA), an advocacy group which also works with police on rights issues, says the number of calls to its hot lines complaining about alleged abuse by police has jumped since the Paris attacks.

Its director, Patrick Charlier, witnessed what he called latent Islamophobia in workshops his organisation conducted with police before the Paris attacks. Such sentiment, he suggests, is now out in the open.

&quot;We all of a sudden had a number of cases (of complaints against police),&quot; Charlier said, but declined to give figures, saying it was too soon to assess.

Residents in Molenbeek are angered by some of the comments made about the Muslim population in Belgium, including the interior minister&#39;s suggestion that many Muslims danced in celebration after the Brussels bombings.

&quot;Being rejected, relegated to trash schools, it&#39;s not surprising it ends in bombs,&quot; said 48-year-old Milodi Rahma. &quot;We are doubly victimised: victims of IS and of Islamophobia.&quot;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&quot;US AND THEM&quot;

Belgium has announced a 39-million-euro ($44 million) plan to improve police coordination in Brussels, including boosting staff in Molenbeek for the first time in two decades. The district now has an eight-person unit, whose task is to prevent radicalistion.

But tight budgets means police can end up wearing two hats.

&quot;One day they&#39;re taking part in a big violent raid and the next they&#39;re supposed to go out and chat,&quot; said Vincent Gilles, who heads the Belgian police union. &quot;A community policeman needs to be seen ... as a partner, not an enemy.&quot;

The suspicion cuts both ways in Molenbeek, where the IS cell spent months planning the Paris carnage and where one suspect, Salah Abdeslam, hid with what many officers believe was the blessing of the community.

&quot;You can&#39;t tell me no one knew where he was,&quot; said Kris Vanstraeten, a police inspector in the area.

When police did find him, some youths hurled glass bottles and insults at them.

Molenbeek mayor Fran?oise Schepmans, who made her comment about the district of 95,000 being a nest of violence two days after the Paris attacks, says the police have a difficult role and relations are as good as they can be.

&quot;It&#39;s there to handle security, not to babysit,&quot; she said.

But she says too few police know the areas where they operate. Of 50 federal officers sent to work in Molenbeek after the March bombings, none was even from the capital.

&quot;Sometimes we have young policemen who arrive and say &#39;Uh-oh, where am I?&#39;,&quot; said local police spokesman Johan Berckmans.

Acknowledging that breaking down barriers was difficult, he said: &quot;It&#39;s always a question of &#39;us and them&#39;.&quot;

The failure to stop the Paris attacks highlighted police's lack of knowledge of Molenbeek, a Belgian district where Islamist militants planned attacks, and their alienation from its residents.

When Moroccan-born former boxer Mohamed Idrissi orders a young man out of his gym for smoking, the respect is tangible. The youngster stubs out his cigarette and leaves, head bowed. Inside the gym, the muted thud of leather gloves striking punchbags resumes. Idrissi's influence goes beyond his job as a coach at the Brussels Boxing Academy, near the Molenbeek district of the Belgian capital where Islamist militants, several of them of Moroccan origin, planned last year's deadly Paris attacks. He also has an informal role mentoring youths facing what Reuters interviews with local officials, social workers and residents of Molenbeek suggest is a growing feeling of alienation and increasingly tense relations with police. Building trust in communities such as Molenbeek is seen by police as vital for gathering intelligence and countering the threat of Islamic State, and respected local figures like Idrissi have a part to play. "Boxing is a philosophy which I tell them to apply in life," Idrissi said of his young boxers at the gym in a primary school in central Brussels, across an industrial-era canal from the halal shops, tea parlours and mosques of Molenbeek. "I tell them: 'You have to fight to be Belgian'," said the 34-year-old, who deserted from the Moroccan military police a decade ago while taking part in a boxing competition. Since the Nov. 13 bloodshed in Paris, security has been tightened in Molenbeek, a district described by its own mayor as a "breeding ground" for violence, and many Muslims say they feel stigmatised. Idrissi is angered by frequent police checks of people with Moroccan roots which he sees as racial profiling although police deny this. But he bites his tongue in the presence of young men to avoid repeating "the kind of comments we warn parents can feed into their radicalisation." Some parents, he says, have turned to him to talk their sons out of plans to join Islamist militants in Syria. Police also visited the gym this year as part of a programme to improve their image with youngsters. At least five men who trained there have travelled to Syria. One, Ayoub Bazarouj, was detained in December on suspicion of having links to the Paris attacks, in which 130 people were killed. He was released in January without charge. Another, Ahmed Dahmani, was arrested in Turkey last year on suspicion of scouting out sites for the militant strikes. Police released a photograph of Dahmani at the gym, holding his fists up as if ready to throw a punch at the camera. Belgium asked for his extradition from Turkey earlier this year. Idrissi declined comment when asked about his interaction with police over some of his young charges going to Syria. "LATENT ISLAMOPHOBIA" A failure to stop the militant cell behind the Paris attacks from carrying out more bombings -- 32 people were killed in bombings on the Brussels metro and at the city's international airport on March 22 -- has highlighted the police lack of knowledge of Molenbeek and their few ties with its residents. The police are also hard pressed to overcome the fear of IS that discourages possible informants. One resident, Hawa Keita, has received death threats since informing on the network that enticed her son to Syria and says: "We live in fear." Having eyes on the ground is vital for plugging the intelligence gaps, many officers say. "It's not enough to bug phones: you need to know what you are listening for," Andre Jacob, a former head of Belgium's State Security agency, the Surete de l'Etat. As in similar communities across Europe, Belgian police are struggling to build bridges with young Muslims at the same time as they hunt for militants. They have carried out dozens of raids and arrests in Belgium in recent months. The Interfederal Centre for Equal Opportunities (UNIA), an advocacy group which also works with police on rights issues, says the number of calls to its hot lines complaining about alleged abuse by police has jumped since the Paris attacks. Its director, Patrick Charlier, witnessed what he called latent Islamophobia in workshops his organisation conducted with police before the Paris attacks. Such sentiment, he suggests, is now out in the open. "We all of a sudden had a number of cases (of complaints against police)," Charlier said, but declined to give figures, saying it was too soon to assess. Residents in Molenbeek are angered by some of the comments made about the Muslim population in Belgium, including the interior minister's suggestion that many Muslims danced in celebration after the Brussels bombings. "Being rejected, relegated to trash schools, it's not surprising it ends in bombs," said 48-year-old Milodi Rahma. "We are doubly victimised: victims of IS and of Islamophobia." "US AND THEM" Belgium has announced a 39-million-euro ($44 million) plan to improve police coordination in Brussels, including boosting staff in Molenbeek for the first time in two decades. The district now has an eight-person unit, whose task is to prevent radicalistion. But tight budgets means police can end up wearing two hats. "One day they're taking part in a big violent raid and the next they're supposed to go out and chat," said Vincent Gilles, who heads the Belgian police union. "A community policeman needs to be seen ... as a partner, not an enemy." The suspicion cuts both ways in Molenbeek, where the IS cell spent months planning the Paris carnage and where one suspect, Salah Abdeslam, hid with what many officers believe was the blessing of the community. "You can't tell me no one knew where he was," said Kris Vanstraeten, a police inspector in the area. When police did find him, some youths hurled glass bottles and insults at them. Molenbeek mayor Fran?oise Schepmans, who made her comment about the district of 95,000 being a nest of violence two days after the Paris attacks, says the police have a difficult role and relations are as good as they can be. "It's there to handle security, not to babysit," she said. But she says too few police know the areas where they operate. Of 50 federal officers sent to work in Molenbeek after the March bombings, none was even from the capital. "Sometimes we have young policemen who arrive and say 'Uh-oh, where am I?'," said local police spokesman Johan Berckmans. Acknowledging that breaking down barriers was difficult, he said: "It's always a question of 'us and them'."

Alienation grows in Brussels district that bred Paris attackers

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