<p>The official spokesperson of Bharatiya Janata Party, Sambit Patra on Sunday tweeted a picture of alleged Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) poster featuring a picture of Kim Jong-un in Kerala.</p>

<p>Sambit Patra also wrote, &quot;Hope the left is not planning to launch missiles at the RSS, BJP offices as their next gruesome agenda.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kim Jong-un finds place in CPM&rsquo;s posters in Kerala!!<br />
No wonder they have converted Kerala into Killing fields for their opponents!<br />
Hope the left is not planning to launch ?? missiles at the RSS,BJP offices as their next gruesome agenda! <a href="https://t.co/6LHf1dVtAy">pic.twitter.com/6LHf1dVtAy</a></p>
&mdash; Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/sambitswaraj/status/942236295517978625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>According to media reports, the poster is an invite to all CPI-M cadres to attend the party meet in Nedumkandam.</p>

<p>Media quoted CPI-M&#39;s district secretary as saying that the poster must be a mistake made by the party&#39;s local group.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The poster is being removed.</p>

<p>Patra&#39;s tweet was referring to the killing of BJP and RSS members in the state.</p>

<p>In October, an RSS activist, Nenmini Anand was hacked to death by an unknown person.</p>

<p>BJP President Amit Shah also reacted to the incident alleging that CPI-M workers were behind the attack.</p>

<p>The CPI-M has also accused the RSS of causing a communal tension in the state.</p>

<p>According to a report released by CPI-M in October, from 2000 to 2017, 85 CPI-M workers and 65 RSS workers were killed.</p>

<p>Kim Jong Un has also said in the past that he would nuke the United States with missiles.</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


The official spokesperson of Bharatiya Janata Party, Sambit Patra on Sunday tweeted a picture of alleged Communist Party of India-Marxist poster featuring a picture of Kim Jong-un in Kerala

The official spokesperson of Bharatiya Janata Party, Sambit Patra on Sunday tweeted a picture of alleged Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) poster featuring a picture of Kim Jong-un in Kerala. Sambit Patra also wrote, "Hope the left is not planning to launch missiles at the RSS, BJP offices as their next gruesome agenda." Kim Jong-un finds place in CPM’s posters in Kerala!! No wonder they have converted Kerala into Killing fields for their opponents! Hope the left is not planning to launch ?? missiles at the RSS,BJP offices as their next gruesome agenda! pic.twitter.com/6LHf1dVtAy — Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) December 17, 2017 × According to media reports, the poster is an invite to all CPI-M cadres to attend the party meet in Nedumkandam. Media quoted CPI-M's district secretary as saying that the poster must be a mistake made by the party's local group. The poster is being removed. Patra's tweet was referring to the killing of BJP and RSS members in the state. In October, an RSS activist, Nenmini Anand was hacked to death by an unknown person. BJP President Amit Shah also reacted to the incident alleging that CPI-M workers were behind the attack. The CPI-M has also accused the RSS of causing a communal tension in the state. According to a report released by CPI-M in October, from 2000 to 2017, 85 CPI-M workers and 65 RSS workers were killed. Kim Jong Un has also said in the past that he would nuke the United States with missiles.

Kim Jong Un on CPI-M poster in Kerala

<p>Social media took to trolling again when a video featuring hijab-clad girls dancing in public at Malappuram, Kerala went viral on Monday. The video features three girls, who are believed to be students at a local dental college, dancing to the popular number, &#39;Jimikki Kammal&#39;. Reportedly, their act was a part of AIDS Day celebrations observed in the area, conducted by the district health department. The video has raked much controversy in a span of less than 24 hours with many trolling the girls for disrespecting Islam by their act.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Three girls dance in a flash mob in Kerala&#39;s Malappuram (4.12.17) <a href="https://t.co/niyNtIGXn5">pic.twitter.com/niyNtIGXn5</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937566343041228800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>So far, the video has hundreds of shares and uncountable reactions. The same was posted on Facebook as well and was deleted later on.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While the &#39;dancing act&#39; has been condemned by many of social media, calling it as an inappropriate and &quot;shameless&quot; act, many others reason how dancing, or making a performance has very little to do with religion or one&#39;s devotion to the same -- here&#39;s taking a look at the conundrum that continues to simmer on Twitter.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">They were not dancing for cheap popularity. The dance was a part of the AIDS awareness campaign of the Malappuram District Health Administration. I don&#39;t why you found it cheap when it was for a good cause.</p>
&mdash; keshav kumar (@keshavk08371405) <a href="https://twitter.com/keshavk08371405/status/937574777329475584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">People should become religious when it comes to girls. Religion is same for all.<br />
One should do some introspection before abusing these girls.</p>
&mdash; Shakeel_Hamid (@ShakeelSpeaks) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShakeelSpeaks/status/937568260349988864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">More and more girls should come forward and celebrate the openness which India as a country bestows as a right to its citizens. India.Kerala should become the best example for liberated, yet decent women working for the best interests of the society promoting openness.</p>
&mdash; Renju (@renjusd) <a href="https://twitter.com/renjusd/status/937710947073847296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


The three girls, believed to be students of a Malappuram dental college, danced to the popular number 'Jimikki Kammal'

Social media took to trolling again when a video featuring hijab-clad girls dancing in public at Malappuram, Kerala went viral on Monday. The video features three girls, who are believed to be students at a local dental college, dancing to the popular number, 'Jimikki Kammal'. Reportedly, their act was a part of AIDS Day celebrations observed in the area, conducted by the district health department. The video has raked much controversy in a span of less than 24 hours with many trolling the girls for disrespecting Islam by their act. #WATCH: Three girls dance in a flash mob in Kerala's Malappuram (4.12.17) pic.twitter.com/niyNtIGXn5 — ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2017 × So far, the video has hundreds of shares and uncountable reactions. The same was posted on Facebook as well and was deleted later on. While the 'dancing act' has been condemned by many of social media, calling it as an inappropriate and "shameless" act, many others reason how dancing, or making a performance has very little to do with religion or one's devotion to the same -- here's taking a look at the conundrum that continues to simmer on Twitter. They were not dancing for cheap popularity. The dance was a part of the AIDS awareness campaign of the Malappuram District Health Administration. I don't why you found it cheap when it was for a good cause. — keshav kumar (@keshavk08371405) December 4, 2017 × People should become religious when it comes to girls. Religion is same for all. One should do some introspection before abusing these girls. — Shakeel_Hamid (@ShakeelSpeaks) December 4, 2017 × More and more girls should come forward and celebrate the openness which India as a country bestows as a right to its citizens. India.Kerala should become the best example for liberated, yet decent women working for the best interests of the society promoting openness. — Renju (@renjusd) December 4, 2017 ×

Kerala: 3 hijab-clad girls dance to popular number, Twitter reacts

<p>Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Sunday that, so far, 357 fishermen who had been stranded at sea due to Cyclone Ockhi&nbsp;had been rescued.</p>

<p>Sitharaman had reached Kanyakumari on Sunday to take stock of the situation.</p>

<p>Ockhi has ravaged the coasts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and the Lakshadweep Islands.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It had also been expected to hit the coast of Gujarat.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ockhicyclone-may-now-hit-gujarat-coast-25758">Also read: Cyclone Ockhi may now hit Gujarat coast</a></p>

<p>&quot;Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force are still engaged in rescue operations to save the lives of fishermen affected by Cyclone Ockhi,&quot; ANI reported Sitharaman as saying.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Information has also been passed to an international safety network and foreign ships to help rescue our fishermen. Meanwhile, 68 boats have reached Maharashtra coast out of which two boats were from Tamil Nadu and others from Kerala,&quot; she added.</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/30-died-due-to-cyclone-ockhi-report-25771">30 die&nbsp;due to Cyclone Ockhi </a></p>

<p>Sitharaman added that the search area was being widened since a number of coastal villages were reporting that fishermen who had ventured out to sea as much as 15 days ago had not yet returned.</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-ockhi-likely-to-weaken-indian-meteorological-department-25709">Cyclone Ockhi likely to weaken, says Indian Meteorological Department</a></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Nirmala SItharaman had reached Kanyakumari on Sunday to take stock of the situation

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Sunday that, so far, 357 fishermen who had been stranded at sea due to Cyclone Ockhi had been rescued. Sitharaman had reached Kanyakumari on Sunday to take stock of the situation. Ockhi has ravaged the coasts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and the Lakshadweep Islands. It had also been expected to hit the coast of Gujarat. Also read: Cyclone Ockhi may now hit Gujarat coast "Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force are still engaged in rescue operations to save the lives of fishermen affected by Cyclone Ockhi," ANI reported Sitharaman as saying. "Information has also been passed to an international safety network and foreign ships to help rescue our fishermen. Meanwhile, 68 boats have reached Maharashtra coast out of which two boats were from Tamil Nadu and others from Kerala," she added. Also read: 30 die due to Cyclone Ockhi Sitharaman added that the search area was being widened since a number of coastal villages were reporting that fishermen who had ventured out to sea as much as 15 days ago had not yet returned. Also read: Cyclone Ockhi likely to weaken, says Indian Meteorological Department

Cyclone Ockhi: 357 fishermen rescued so far, says defence minister

<p>The cyclone Ockhi&nbsp;is likely to lose its intensity gradually from Sunday, said the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).</p>

<p>&quot;The very severe cyclonic storm &#39;Ockhi&#39; over Lakshadweep area and adjoining Southeast Arabian Sea further moved northwestwards with a speed of 15 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 2330 hrs IST of December 2, 2017 over the southeast Arabian Sea near Latitude 11.1&ordm; N and Longitude 69.7&ordm; E, about 330 km west of Amini Divi. The system is very likely to weaken gradually from today the December 3, 2017, morning,&quot; said IMD.</p>

<p>Moderate rain is also expected at a few places in Tamil Nadu &amp; Pondicherry during next 24 hours. Fishermen are asked not to venture into deep sea of north Tamil Nadu &amp; South Andhra coast till December 25th: S Balachandran, India Meteorological Department</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Moderate rain is expected at a few places in Tamil Nadu &amp; Pondicherry during next 24 hours. Fishermen are asked not to venture into deep sea of north Tamil Nadu &amp; South Andhra coast till December 25th: S Balachandran, MET department <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/n06CR1giuC">pic.twitter.com/n06CR1giuC</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937222597896372224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The storm has so far claimed 18 lives&nbsp;and has affected&nbsp;Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Lakshwadeep and neighbouring Sri Lanka.</p>

<p>Kerala and Tamil Nadu have declared compensation to the families of those who died in the storm.</p>

<p>Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had also decided to ask the Centre to declare the Ockhi cyclone as a &#39;national calamity&#39;.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kerala govt has decided to ask the Union government to declare <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OckhiCyclone?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OckhiCyclone</a> a national calamity. The Chief Secretary has been entrusted to prepare the memorandum in this regard: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan <a href="https://t.co/pyCrT3dkva">pic.twitter.com/pyCrT3dkva</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937006103254130688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>On Saturday, several stranded fishermen were rescued during the massive search operations carried out by INS ships.</p>

<p>Along with air effort, six warships and two coast guard ships were deployed for the rescue operation, confirmed Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sitharaman further added that, 97 are yet to be rescued, 71 from Tamil Nadu have been rescued till now. The Coast Guard is at it, with all its strength to rescue the rest. Hoping for good news soon.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Claims of thousand fishermen stranded is false. Correct figures- 97 are yet to be rescued, 71 from TN have been rescued till now. The Coast Guard is at it, with all its strength to rescue the rest. Hoping for good news soon: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/936977995469791232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The cyclone, which originated from Kanyakumari, made its way to Lakshadweep islands on Saturday morning causing massive destruction and claiming 14 lives.</p>

<p>It has intensified into &quot;severe cyclonic storm&quot;&nbsp;with wind reaching up to the speed of 60 to 70 km.</p>

<p>The deadly storm had also killed seven people in neighbouring Sri Lanka and affected the lives of nearly 20,000 people.</p>


The storm has so far claimed 18 lives and has affected?Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Lakshwadeep and neighbouring Sri Lanka.

The cyclone Ockhi is likely to lose its intensity gradually from Sunday, said the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). "The very severe cyclonic storm 'Ockhi' over Lakshadweep area and adjoining Southeast Arabian Sea further moved northwestwards with a speed of 15 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 2330 hrs IST of December 2, 2017 over the southeast Arabian Sea near Latitude 11.1º N and Longitude 69.7º E, about 330 km west of Amini Divi. The system is very likely to weaken gradually from today the December 3, 2017, morning," said IMD. Moderate rain is also expected at a few places in Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry during next 24 hours. Fishermen are asked not to venture into deep sea of north Tamil Nadu & South Andhra coast till December 25th: S Balachandran, India Meteorological Department Moderate rain is expected at a few places in Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry during next 24 hours. Fishermen are asked not to venture into deep sea of north Tamil Nadu & South Andhra coast till December 25th: S Balachandran, MET department #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/n06CR1giuC — ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017 × The storm has so far claimed 18 lives and has affected Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Lakshwadeep and neighbouring Sri Lanka. Kerala and Tamil Nadu have declared compensation to the families of those who died in the storm. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had also decided to ask the Centre to declare the Ockhi cyclone as a 'national calamity'. Kerala govt has decided to ask the Union government to declare #OckhiCyclone a national calamity. The Chief Secretary has been entrusted to prepare the memorandum in this regard: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan pic.twitter.com/pyCrT3dkva — ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2017 × On Saturday, several stranded fishermen were rescued during the massive search operations carried out by INS ships. Along with air effort, six warships and two coast guard ships were deployed for the rescue operation, confirmed Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Sitharaman further added that, 97 are yet to be rescued, 71 from Tamil Nadu have been rescued till now. The Coast Guard is at it, with all its strength to rescue the rest. Hoping for good news soon. Claims of thousand fishermen stranded is false. Correct figures- 97 are yet to be rescued, 71 from TN have been rescued till now. The Coast Guard is at it, with all its strength to rescue the rest. Hoping for good news soon: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman #CycloneOckhi — ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2017 × The cyclone, which originated from Kanyakumari, made its way to Lakshadweep islands on Saturday morning causing massive destruction and claiming 14 lives. It has intensified into "severe cyclonic storm" with wind reaching up to the speed of 60 to 70 km. The deadly storm had also killed seven people in neighbouring Sri Lanka and affected the lives of nearly 20,000 people.

Cyclone Ockhi likely to weaken: Indian Meteorological Department

<p>According to a report released by the State Revenue Control Room, about 690 people have been rescued so far from the Ockhi&nbsp;cyclone in Tamil Nadu while 197 from Kerala.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The total number of people that died due to the natural disaster was reported to be 19 in Tamil Nadu while 11 in Kerala.</p>

<p>Further, the report indicated 96 missing and 63 hospitalised&nbsp;in Tamil Nadu.</p>

<p>About 74 houses were completely damaged while 1122 were partially damaged due to the Ockhi&nbsp;cyclone that hit the Indian states- Tamil Nadu and Kerala on November 30.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A total of 690 people have been rescued so far. Total number of deaths 19, 96 missing, 63 hospitalised, 74 houses fully damaged, 1122 housed partially damaged.: State state Revenue control room <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TamilNadu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TamilNadu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937314492358078464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kerala: Rescue operation underway in Trivandrum. A total of 197 people have been rescued and 11 deaths have been reported so far in the city. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/7XAN1QGsc4">pic.twitter.com/7XAN1QGsc4</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937320273346420736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Torrential rain pounded the southern districts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala after a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal transformed into &#39;Cyclone Ockhi&#39; on November 30.</p>

<p>Subsequently, the cyclone became a severe cyclonic storm on the next day, moving to the Arabian Sea.</p>


The total number of people that died due to the natural disaster was reported to be 19 in Tamil Nadu while 11 in Kerala

According to a report released by the State Revenue Control Room, about 690 people have been rescued so far from the Ockhi cyclone in Tamil Nadu while 197 from Kerala. The total number of people that died due to the natural disaster was reported to be 19 in Tamil Nadu while 11 in Kerala. Further, the report indicated 96 missing and 63 hospitalised in Tamil Nadu. About 74 houses were completely damaged while 1122 were partially damaged due to the Ockhi cyclone that hit the Indian states- Tamil Nadu and Kerala on November 30. A total of 690 people have been rescued so far. Total number of deaths 19, 96 missing, 63 hospitalised, 74 houses fully damaged, 1122 housed partially damaged.: State state Revenue control room #TamilNadu #CycloneOckhi — ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017 × Kerala: Rescue operation underway in Trivandrum. A total of 197 people have been rescued and 11 deaths have been reported so far in the city. #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/7XAN1QGsc4 — ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017 × Torrential rain pounded the southern districts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala after a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal transformed into 'Cyclone Ockhi' on November 30. Subsequently, the cyclone became a severe cyclonic storm on the next day, moving to the Arabian Sea.

30 died due to Cyclone Ockhi : Report

<p>As Heavy rains continue&nbsp;to batter in Kerala, several <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-ockhi-navy-deployed-for-rescue-operations-25555">naval ships were deployed</a> on for the rescue operations on Friday.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Tamil Nadu: Heavy rain lashed Tirunelveli. Traffic halted on the Karupanthurai - Melapalyam link road as the low-lying bridge was submerged in Thamirabarani river (01.12.2017) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/OiLSbWNErZ">pic.twitter.com/OiLSbWNErZ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/936783696882831361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>According to latest media reports around 200 fishermen have been rescued.</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-at-least-16-dead-several-missing-as-cyclone-ockhi-nears-lakshadweep-sri-lanka-25598">Cyclone Ockhi nears Lakshadweep, at least 16 dead in India, Sri Lanka</a></p>

<p>No official statement has been made about how many people are&nbsp;still missing&nbsp;in the sea.</p>

<p>The Tamil Nadu government has said it will soon seek central funds for the damage caused by Cyclone Ockhi in the southern parts of the state, with Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli districts being the worst hit.</p>

<p>This was conveyed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Chief Minister K Palaniswami during a telephone conversation between the two leaders last night, a state government release said.</p>

<p>The&nbsp;India Meteorological Department and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) said that the cyclone may further intensify in the next 24 hours.</p>

<p>Six warships and two&nbsp;coast guard ships were deployed along with additional air effort.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rescue effort by a helicopter of the Southern Naval Command over the seas off Kerala <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/the_hindu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@the_hindu</a> <a href="https://t.co/J3H1ZsQhYy">pic.twitter.com/J3H1ZsQhYy</a></p>
&mdash; S Anandan (@Anandans76) <a href="https://twitter.com/Anandans76/status/936658129705566209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Cyclone Ockhi that has created massive destruction in Tamil Nadu and Kerala is and has&nbsp; also affected Lakshwadeep Islands.</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-ockhi-batters-lakshwadeep-coast-killing-14-many-missing-25662">Cyclone Ockhi batters Lakshwadeep coast killing 14, many missing</a></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Early morning visuals from Lakshadweep; destruction caused by strong winds &amp; high tides. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/kO26bbSjlK">pic.twitter.com/kO26bbSjlK</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/936830628393136128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The deadly storm has killed seven people in neighbouring Sri Lanka and affected the lives of nearly 20,000 people.</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/possible-track-of-cyclone-ockhi-25605">Possible track of Cyclone Ockhi</a></p>


Total 6 warships & 2 coast guard ships were deployed along with additional air effort

As Heavy rains continue to batter in Kerala, several naval ships were deployed on for the rescue operations on Friday. Tamil Nadu: Heavy rain lashed Tirunelveli. Traffic halted on the Karupanthurai - Melapalyam link road as the low-lying bridge was submerged in Thamirabarani river (01.12.2017) #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/OiLSbWNErZ — ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2017 × According to latest media reports around 200 fishermen have been rescued. Also read: Cyclone Ockhi nears Lakshadweep, at least 16 dead in India, Sri Lanka No official statement has been made about how many people are still missing in the sea. The Tamil Nadu government has said it will soon seek central funds for the damage caused by Cyclone Ockhi in the southern parts of the state, with Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli districts being the worst hit. This was conveyed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Chief Minister K Palaniswami during a telephone conversation between the two leaders last night, a state government release said. The India Meteorological Department and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) said that the cyclone may further intensify in the next 24 hours. Six warships and two coast guard ships were deployed along with additional air effort. Rescue effort by a helicopter of the Southern Naval Command over the seas off Kerala #CycloneOckhi @the_hindu pic.twitter.com/J3H1ZsQhYy — S Anandan (@Anandans76) December 1, 2017 × Cyclone Ockhi that has created massive destruction in Tamil Nadu and Kerala is and has also affected Lakshwadeep Islands. Also read: Cyclone Ockhi batters Lakshwadeep coast killing 14, many missing Early morning visuals from Lakshadweep; destruction caused by strong winds & high tides. #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/kO26bbSjlK — ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2017 × The deadly storm has killed seven people in neighbouring Sri Lanka and affected the lives of nearly 20,000 people. Also read: Possible track of Cyclone Ockhi

Cyclone Ockhi will further intensify in next 24 hours: India Meteorological Department

<p>The death toll in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-ockhi-batters-lakshwadeep-coast-killing-14-many-missing-25662">Ochki cyclone</a>&nbsp;has gone up to 18 after three bodies were found by the coast guard in Thiruvananthapuram coast. Two deaths were reported from Kannur and Cochin.</p>

<p>Tamil Nadu Government had requested the Centre to send Indian Navy and Coast Guard to conduct a search for the missing fishermen from Kanyakumari.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to news agency ANI 68 fishing boats have reached the shore. Out of which 66 are from Kerala and two from Tamil Nadu with total 952 fishermen on board.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In all 68 fishing boats have reached, out of which 66 are from Kerala&amp; 2 from Tamil Nadu with total 952 fisherman on board.All are safe.<br />
Maharashtra will completely look after everyone till weather permits them to go back, tweets Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/936977824375644160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Reports say that 97 fishermen are yet to be rescued from the sea and that the state Coast Guard officers are on the rescue operations.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Claims of thousand fishermen stranded is false. Correct figures- 97 are yet to be rescued, 71 from TN have been rescued till now. The Coast Guard is at it, with all its strength to rescue the rest. Hoping for good news soon: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/936977995469791232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The cyclone, which originated from Kanyakumari is making its way towards Lakshadweep islands and has intensified into &#39;severe cyclonic storm&#39; with wind reaching up to the speed of 60 to 70 km.</p>

<p>&quot;The cyclone wrecked havoc on South Kerala with severe damage to coastal areas and has endangered lives of fishermen operating at sea,&quot; the Coast Guard informed in a press release.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Cyclone circulation lies over SW bay of Tamil Nadu,also well marked low pressure area ovr south Andaman sea&amp;neighbourhood is persisting.Low pressure expected to intensify ovr nxt 36 hrs&amp; expected to move in 3-4 days in NW direction,situation monitored: Director, Chennai Met Dept. <a href="https://t.co/7gh2OvltLq">pic.twitter.com/7gh2OvltLq</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/936964894917779456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-ockhi-will-further-intensify-in-next-24-hours-india-meteorological-department-25653">Cyclone Ockhi will further intensify in next 24 hours: India Meteorological Department</a></p>

<p>Earlier, locals blocked the National Highway in Trivandrum&#39;s Thumba seeking better relief measures and rescue of fishermen missing from the area.&nbsp;</p>


Reports further confirm that only 97 fishermen are yet to be rescued from the sea and that the Coast Guard is?at the scene

The death toll in Ochki cyclone has gone up to 18 after three bodies were found by the coast guard in Thiruvananthapuram coast. Two deaths were reported from Kannur and Cochin. Tamil Nadu Government had requested the Centre to send Indian Navy and Coast Guard to conduct a search for the missing fishermen from Kanyakumari. According to news agency ANI 68 fishing boats have reached the shore. Out of which 66 are from Kerala and two from Tamil Nadu with total 952 fishermen on board. In all 68 fishing boats have reached, out of which 66 are from Kerala& 2 from Tamil Nadu with total 952 fisherman on board.All are safe. Maharashtra will completely look after everyone till weather permits them to go back, tweets Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis — ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2017 × Reports say that 97 fishermen are yet to be rescued from the sea and that the state Coast Guard officers are on the rescue operations. Claims of thousand fishermen stranded is false. Correct figures- 97 are yet to be rescued, 71 from TN have been rescued till now. The Coast Guard is at it, with all its strength to rescue the rest. Hoping for good news soon: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman #CycloneOckhi — ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2017 × The cyclone, which originated from Kanyakumari is making its way towards Lakshadweep islands and has intensified into 'severe cyclonic storm' with wind reaching up to the speed of 60 to 70 km. "The cyclone wrecked havoc on South Kerala with severe damage to coastal areas and has endangered lives of fishermen operating at sea," the Coast Guard informed in a press release. Cyclone circulation lies over SW bay of Tamil Nadu,also well marked low pressure area ovr south Andaman sea&neighbourhood is persisting.Low pressure expected to intensify ovr nxt 36 hrs& expected to move in 3-4 days in NW direction,situation monitored: Director, Chennai Met Dept. pic.twitter.com/7gh2OvltLq — ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2017 × Also read: Cyclone Ockhi will further intensify in next 24 hours: India Meteorological Department Earlier, locals blocked the National Highway in Trivandrum's Thumba seeking better relief measures and rescue of fishermen missing from the area.

Cyclone Ockhi: Toll rises to 18 with 5 more deaths in Kerala

<p>Some locals blocked the National Highway in Trivandrum&#39;s Thumba seeking relief measures even as c<a href="http://www.wionews.com/preview/article/25662" target="_blank">yclone Ockhi</a> barrelled into the Lakshwadeep islands on Saturday.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The highway was blocked for almost five hours as locals demanded better relief measures and rescue of six fishermen missing from the area.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kerala?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kerala</a> Locals have blocked National Highway for last five hours in Trivandrum&#39;s Thumba, demand better relief measures &amp; rescue of 6 fishermen missing from the area <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/rcTY0gyDty">pic.twitter.com/rcTY0gyDty</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/936925247894274050?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier, three rescued fishermen had been brought to the Trivandrum Air Force Station and were admitted to hospital for treatment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The cyclone has left 14 dead. Several fishermen missing, who ventured into the sea before the cyclone struck, are still missing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Authorities including the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Coast Guard and Navy have rescued about 223 fishermen and evacuated thousands of people from cyclone-hit areas, officials said, as they continued their operations on Saturday.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


3 rescued fishermen brought to Trivandrum Air Force Station and were admitted to hospital for treatment

Some locals blocked the National Highway in Trivandrum's Thumba seeking relief measures even as cyclone Ockhi barrelled into the Lakshwadeep islands on Saturday. The highway was blocked for almost five hours as locals demanded better relief measures and rescue of six fishermen missing from the area. #Kerala Locals have blocked National Highway for last five hours in Trivandrum's Thumba, demand better relief measures & rescue of 6 fishermen missing from the area #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/rcTY0gyDty — ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2017 × Earlier, three rescued fishermen had been brought to the Trivandrum Air Force Station and were admitted to hospital for treatment. The cyclone has left 14 dead. Several fishermen missing, who ventured into the sea before the cyclone struck, are still missing. Authorities including the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Coast Guard and Navy have rescued about 223 fishermen and evacuated thousands of people from cyclone-hit areas, officials said, as they continued their operations on Saturday.

Cyclone Ockhi: NH blocked for 5 hours in Thiruvananthapuram demanding relief measures

<p>As many as 14 people were killed - 10 in Tamil Nadu and four in Kerala - as torrential rain pounded the southern districts of both the States after a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal transformed into &#39;Cyclone Ockhi&#39; on Thursday and became a severe cyclonic storm on Friday, moving to the Arabian Sea.</p>

<p>Even though the sea continued to be rough, rescue operations are going on in full swing. The Navy is putting in &quot;maximum effort&quot; to rescue fishermen from the sea which is very rough under the influence of Cyclone Ockhi.</p>

<p>Tamil Nadu government today said over 1,200 persons affected by Ockhi cyclone in Kanniyakumari and Tirunelveli districts have been lodged in relief camps, as Chief Minister K Palaniswami took stock of the situation.</p>

<p>At a review meeting here, the Chief Minister asked officials to expedite all works undertaken in the affected areas, even as scores of personnel have been deployed to address various issues, including restoring the power network.</p>

<p>Following the torrential downpour, many water bodies in the aforesaid districts were brimming and therefore the Chief Minister has asked all flood-prevention measures be in place. These included monitoring lakes and shutters of water bodies.</p>

<p>Speaking to reporters at Coimbatore, the Chief Minister said senior IAS officials and Ministers have been deputed to Kanniyakumari to oversee rescue and rehabilitation efforts.</p>

<p>He also denied any laxity in the rescue works.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, in Lakshadweep, orders have been issued to evacuate people from low-lying areas.</p>


Even though the sea continued to be rough, rescue operations are going on in full swing

As many as 14 people were killed - 10 in Tamil Nadu and four in Kerala - as torrential rain pounded the southern districts of both the States after a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal transformed into 'Cyclone Ockhi' on Thursday and became a severe cyclonic storm on Friday, moving to the Arabian Sea. Even though the sea continued to be rough, rescue operations are going on in full swing. The Navy is putting in "maximum effort" to rescue fishermen from the sea which is very rough under the influence of Cyclone Ockhi. Tamil Nadu government today said over 1,200 persons affected by Ockhi cyclone in Kanniyakumari and Tirunelveli districts have been lodged in relief camps, as Chief Minister K Palaniswami took stock of the situation. At a review meeting here, the Chief Minister asked officials to expedite all works undertaken in the affected areas, even as scores of personnel have been deployed to address various issues, including restoring the power network. Following the torrential downpour, many water bodies in the aforesaid districts were brimming and therefore the Chief Minister has asked all flood-prevention measures be in place. These included monitoring lakes and shutters of water bodies. Speaking to reporters at Coimbatore, the Chief Minister said senior IAS officials and Ministers have been deputed to Kanniyakumari to oversee rescue and rehabilitation efforts. He also denied any laxity in the rescue works. Meanwhile, in Lakshadweep, orders have been issued to evacuate people from low-lying areas.

Cyclone Ockhi: 14 killed in Tamil Nadu, Kerala as heavy downpour continues

<p>Torrential rains pounded southern districts of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Kerala crippling life and claiming eight lives -- four each in the two states -- as a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal intensified into cyclonic storm &#39;Ockhi&#39; on Thursday.</p>

<p>Both the state governments put the official machinery on high alert as the cyclone, lying 60 kms south of Kanyakumari, was forecast to dump more rains in south Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the next 24 hours.</p>

<p>The storm was expected to move toward the Lakshadweep archipelago and hit the islands on December 2.</p>

<p>A bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department said gale wind speed reaching 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph was very likely along and off South Kerala during next 48 hours and along and off south Tamil Nadu during next 24 hours.</p>

<p>Fishermen in coastal regions in southern parts of the two states were advised not to venture into sea for the next 24 hours, it said.</p>

<p>Madhavan Rajeevan, Secretary in the Earth Sciences ministry, said in New Delhi that Lakshadweep in the southern part of the Arabian Sea will start experiencing heavy rainfall and strong winds from tomorrow. &quot;It will hit the islands on December 2,&quot; Rajeevan said.</p>

<p>Tamil Nadu government deployed state and national disaster response force teams in Kanyakumari district, which bore the brunt of the rain fury.</p>

<p>It asked officials to shelter people living in low lying areas in the southern districts in multi-purpose evacuation centres.</p>

<p>Chief Minister K Palaniswami, who reviewed the situation, said in Chennai state Ministers and senior IAS officials have been assigned to affected districts to monitor relief work.</p>

<p>Also, electricity personnel with necessary equipment have been rushed to restore power distribution that was affected due to trees falling over electric poles, Palaniswami said.</p>

<p>Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management R B Udhaya Kumar, deputed to Kanyakumari to take up relief work on a war footing, said people in the affected areas have been shifted to safer places.</p>

<p>He said nearly 3,000 electric poles have been uprooted in the district, affecting power supply.</p>

<p>Besides Kanyakumari, Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts were among those battered by the rains.</p>

<p>Educational institutions remained closed in southern districts such as Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Viruthunagar and Thanjavur.</p>

<p>Three men and a woman were killed when trees fell on them in different areas in Kanyakumari district, officials said.</p>

<p>In Kerala, the state government put the official machinery on a high alert and ordered the evacuation of people living within 100 metres from the coast and also sought help from the Navy, Coast Guard and the Air Force to assist people in distress.</p>

<p>Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held discussions through video conferencing with the Collectors of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alapuzha, Pathnamthitta, Idukki and Ernakulam districts and gave them necessary directions to take steps by coordinating various government agencies.</p>

<p>The state reported four rain-related deaths, including an elderly couple who were electrocuted when they came into contact with a snapped live wire in front of their house at Kattakada near Thiruvananthapuram.</p>

<p>The rains accompanied by gusty winds left a trail of destruction in Kanyakumari district, in the southernmost tip of the country, uprooting more than 500 trees, State Disaster Management Agency said.</p>

<p>&quot;Do not come out of homes in Kanyakumari, Tuticorin, and Tirunelveli stay safe indoors and take precautions do not panic,&quot; it said in a tweet.</p>

<p>Southern Railway said it has partially cancelled some trains in Tirunelveli-Kanyakumari-Thiruvananthapuram sector.</p>

<p>Due to bad weather, a scheduled two-day programme of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, which was to begin tomorrow in Kerala, has been cancelled, party sources said. Thiruvananthapuram and its coastal stretch were witnessing heavy rains accompanied by strong winds since this morning. In several places, electric posts got uprooted.</p>

<p>Vizhinjam coastal police said they received information that at least 57 fishermen, who had put out to sea from Thumba to Pozhiyur since yesterday, were yet to return.</p>

<p>Twentynine traditional boats which had set out from Poonthura were also out in the sea, police said. &nbsp;</p>

<p>A Kochi report said Navy deployed four ships and two aircraft to assist in the search and rescue of fishermen onboard six boats and a marine Engineering vessel reported to be missing in the sea near Vizhinjam.</p>

<p>The Southern Naval Command was also gearing up for any humanitarian assistance and disaster relief that may be required in view of the cyclone in the southern parts of Kerala, a Defence release said.&nbsp;</p>


The storm was expected to move toward the Lakshadweep archipelago and hit the islands on December 2

Torrential rains pounded southern districts of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Kerala crippling life and claiming eight lives -- four each in the two states -- as a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal intensified into cyclonic storm 'Ockhi' on Thursday. Both the state governments put the official machinery on high alert as the cyclone, lying 60 kms south of Kanyakumari, was forecast to dump more rains in south Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the next 24 hours. The storm was expected to move toward the Lakshadweep archipelago and hit the islands on December 2. A bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department said gale wind speed reaching 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph was very likely along and off South Kerala during next 48 hours and along and off south Tamil Nadu during next 24 hours. Fishermen in coastal regions in southern parts of the two states were advised not to venture into sea for the next 24 hours, it said. Madhavan Rajeevan, Secretary in the Earth Sciences ministry, said in New Delhi that Lakshadweep in the southern part of the Arabian Sea will start experiencing heavy rainfall and strong winds from tomorrow. "It will hit the islands on December 2," Rajeevan said. Tamil Nadu government deployed state and national disaster response force teams in Kanyakumari district, which bore the brunt of the rain fury. It asked officials to shelter people living in low lying areas in the southern districts in multi-purpose evacuation centres. Chief Minister K Palaniswami, who reviewed the situation, said in Chennai state Ministers and senior IAS officials have been assigned to affected districts to monitor relief work. Also, electricity personnel with necessary equipment have been rushed to restore power distribution that was affected due to trees falling over electric poles, Palaniswami said. Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management R B Udhaya Kumar, deputed to Kanyakumari to take up relief work on a war footing, said people in the affected areas have been shifted to safer places. He said nearly 3,000 electric poles have been uprooted in the district, affecting power supply. Besides Kanyakumari, Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts were among those battered by the rains. Educational institutions remained closed in southern districts such as Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Viruthunagar and Thanjavur. Three men and a woman were killed when trees fell on them in different areas in Kanyakumari district, officials said. In Kerala, the state government put the official machinery on a high alert and ordered the evacuation of people living within 100 metres from the coast and also sought help from the Navy, Coast Guard and the Air Force to assist people in distress. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held discussions through video conferencing with the Collectors of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alapuzha, Pathnamthitta, Idukki and Ernakulam districts and gave them necessary directions to take steps by coordinating various government agencies. The state reported four rain-related deaths, including an elderly couple who were electrocuted when they came into contact with a snapped live wire in front of their house at Kattakada near Thiruvananthapuram. The rains accompanied by gusty winds left a trail of destruction in Kanyakumari district, in the southernmost tip of the country, uprooting more than 500 trees, State Disaster Management Agency said. "Do not come out of homes in Kanyakumari, Tuticorin, and Tirunelveli stay safe indoors and take precautions do not panic," it said in a tweet. Southern Railway said it has partially cancelled some trains in Tirunelveli-Kanyakumari-Thiruvananthapuram sector. Due to bad weather, a scheduled two-day programme of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, which was to begin tomorrow in Kerala, has been cancelled, party sources said. Thiruvananthapuram and its coastal stretch were witnessing heavy rains accompanied by strong winds since this morning. In several places, electric posts got uprooted. Vizhinjam coastal police said they received information that at least 57 fishermen, who had put out to sea from Thumba to Pozhiyur since yesterday, were yet to return. Twentynine traditional boats which had set out from Poonthura were also out in the sea, police said. A Kochi report said Navy deployed four ships and two aircraft to assist in the search and rescue of fishermen onboard six boats and a marine Engineering vessel reported to be missing in the sea near Vizhinjam. The Southern Naval Command was also gearing up for any humanitarian assistance and disaster relief that may be required in view of the cyclone in the southern parts of Kerala, a Defence release said.

Cyclone Ockhi: Rain pounds Tamil Nadu, Kerala, 8 dead

<p>A depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal will bring heavy rains to south Tamil Nadu, the regional weather office said on Thursday (November 29).</p>

<p>The system lay centered at around 500 km south-south east of Kanniyakumari, the Regional Meteorological Centre said in a release here.</p>

<p>It was likely to move northwestwards in the next two days and under its influence, heavy to very heavy rains were likely in one or two places in South Tamil Nadu such as Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga and Viruthunagar, it said.</p>

<p>Heavy rains were also likely in parts of Nagapattinam, Thanjavur and Tiruvarur, it added.</p>

<p>Further, squally winds reaching 45-55 kmph was very likely along and off South Tamil Nadu during the next 48 hours, and the sea would be rough, it said.</p>

<p>&quot;Fishermen are advised not to venture&quot; into the sea for their vocation, it added.</p>

<p>According to RMC weather data at 1730 hrs of today, Pamban in Ramanathapuram district recorded 2.9 cm of rainfall, followed by Karaikal at 2.6 cm.</p>


Heavy to very heavy rains were likely in one or two places in South Tamil Nadu such as Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga and Viruthunagar

A depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal will bring heavy rains to south Tamil Nadu, the regional weather office said on Thursday (November 29). The system lay centered at around 500 km south-south east of Kanniyakumari, the Regional Meteorological Centre said in a release here. It was likely to move northwestwards in the next two days and under its influence, heavy to very heavy rains were likely in one or two places in South Tamil Nadu such as Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga and Viruthunagar, it said. Heavy rains were also likely in parts of Nagapattinam, Thanjavur and Tiruvarur, it added. Further, squally winds reaching 45-55 kmph was very likely along and off South Tamil Nadu during the next 48 hours, and the sea would be rough, it said. "Fishermen are advised not to venture" into the sea for their vocation, it added. According to RMC weather data at 1730 hrs of today, Pamban in Ramanathapuram district recorded 2.9 cm of rainfall, followed by Karaikal at 2.6 cm.

Tamil Nadu to get heavy rain from Bay of Bengal depression

<p>The Supreme Court has adjourned the Kerala &quot;love jihad&quot; case.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Monday, the case was conducted in the presence of Chief Justice of India Deepak Misra.</p>

<p>During the hearing today, Hadiya told the Supreme Court that she wants her freedom.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She added&nbsp;that she wanted to continue with her studies but not on &quot;state expense&quot;. She said she will study further only when her husband can take care of her.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">&#39;Do you want to continue your studies on state&#39;s expense?&#39; asks CJI. Hadiya replied &#39;I want to but not on state&#39;s expense when my husband can take care of me&#39;</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/935110527218458624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Supreme Court has directed that Hadiya be&nbsp;taken to college for her studies and that the college should provide her hostel facilities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The National Investigating Agency had submitted a 100- page probe report to the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kerala-love-jihad-hadiya-to-present-her-side-of-story-before-supreme-court-bench-today-25218" target="_blank">Supreme Court in the &quot;love jihad&quot; </a>case.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kapil Sibal appearing on behalf of Hadiya&#39;s husband Shafi Jahan told the Supreme Court that the court should &quot;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/love-jihad-case-woman-says-she-wants-to-be-with-husband-25120" target="_blank">listen to Hadiya and not the NIA</a>&quot;.&nbsp;He said that Hadiya is entitled to make decisions of her life.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He further&nbsp;said, &quot;instead of asking Hadiya on what she wants, we are talking about the venom filled in news channels.&quot;</p>

<p>The counsel for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hadiyas-statements-cannot-be-taken-at-face-value-fathers-lawyer-25176" target="_blank">Hadiya&#39;s father</a> in Supreme Court, on the other hand, said that first the&nbsp;matter submitted&nbsp;by&nbsp;NIA should be looked into first.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He added&nbsp;that&nbsp;there is an &quot;operational&nbsp;apparatus&nbsp;existing for&nbsp;conversion&quot;.</p>

<p>Hadiya, originally a Hindu, converted to Islam and married a Muslim man Shafin Jahan.</p>

<p>The NIA, which is probing the case has alleged that Hadiya was &quot;indoctrinated&quot;&nbsp;and she may be incapable of &quot;giving free consent to her marriage.&quot;</p>

<p>The NIA had said there was a &quot;well-oiled machinery working in Kerala that has indoctrinated and radicalised her.&quot;</p>

<p>A Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud had asked Hadiya&#39;s father&#39;s advocate to ensure she is produced before them to ascertain whether she had married of her own free will.</p>

<p>Earlier the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/not-all-love-marriages-are-love-jihads-observes-kerala-high-court-22629" target="_blank">Kerala High&nbsp;C</a>ourt had struck down Hadiya and Shafin&#39;s marriage, calling it a &quot;sham&quot;.</p>

<p>The husband later approached the Supreme Court.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Supreme Court has postponed the next hearing for&nbsp;the third week of January.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The counsel for Hadiya's father in Supreme Court, on the other hand, said that first the?matter submitted?by?NIA should be looked upon and Hadiya should be?talked?regarding that.?He also said that?there is an 'operational?apparatus?existing for?conversion'

The Supreme Court has adjourned the Kerala "love jihad" case. On Monday, the case was conducted in the presence of Chief Justice of India Deepak Misra. During the hearing today, Hadiya told the Supreme Court that she wants her freedom. She added that she wanted to continue with her studies but not on "state expense". She said she will study further only when her husband can take care of her. 'Do you want to continue your studies on state's expense?' asks CJI. Hadiya replied 'I want to but not on state's expense when my husband can take care of me' — ANI (@ANI) November 27, 2017 × The Supreme Court has directed that Hadiya be taken to college for her studies and that the college should provide her hostel facilities. The National Investigating Agency had submitted a 100- page probe report to the Supreme Court in the "love jihad" case. Kapil Sibal appearing on behalf of Hadiya's husband Shafi Jahan told the Supreme Court that the court should "listen to Hadiya and not the NIA". He said that Hadiya is entitled to make decisions of her life. He further said, "instead of asking Hadiya on what she wants, we are talking about the venom filled in news channels." The counsel for Hadiya's father in Supreme Court, on the other hand, said that first the matter submitted by NIA should be looked into first. He added that there is an "operational apparatus existing for conversion". Hadiya, originally a Hindu, converted to Islam and married a Muslim man Shafin Jahan. The NIA, which is probing the case has alleged that Hadiya was "indoctrinated" and she may be incapable of "giving free consent to her marriage." The NIA had said there was a "well-oiled machinery working in Kerala that has indoctrinated and radicalised her." A Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud had asked Hadiya's father's advocate to ensure she is produced before them to ascertain whether she had married of her own free will. Earlier the Kerala High Court had struck down Hadiya and Shafin's marriage, calling it a "sham". The husband later approached the Supreme Court. Supreme Court has postponed the next hearing for the third week of January.

Kerala 'love jihad': I want freedom, Hadiya tells Supreme Court

<p>Kerala woman Hadiya, who will depose before the Supreme Court on November 27 in an alleged case of &quot;love jihad&quot;, said on Saturday that nobody forced her to convert to Islam and that she wanted to be with her husband.<br />
<br />
&quot;I am a Muslim. I want to go with my husband. Nobody forced me to convert,&quot; shouted Hadiya as she was whisked away by her parents and security personnel to board a flight to Delhi amid tight security.</p>

<p>Hadiya and her parents are likely to stay at the Kerala House in New Delhi, sources told PTI. (Also Read -<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/love-jihad-sheffin-claims-attempts-made-to-reconvert-hadiya-to-hinduism-25108"> &#39;Love jihad&#39;: Sheffin claims attempts made to reconvert Hadiya to Hinduism</a>)</p>

<p>Hadiya, originally a Hindu, converted to Islam and married a Muslim man Shafin Jahan.</p>

<p>The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is probing the case has alleged that Hadiya was indoctrinated and she may be incapable of giving free consent to her marriage.</p>

<p>Represented by Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh, the NIA had said there was a well-oiled machinery working in Kerala that was indoctrinating and radicalising society in the state.</p>

<p>As many as 89 cases of similar nature have been reported from the southern state, the ASG had said.</p>

<p>It was alleged that Hadiya was recruited by the Islamic State&#39;s mission in Syria and Shafin Jahan was only a stooge.</p>

<p>Advocate Shyam Divan, representing Hadiya&#39;s father KM Ashokan, claimed that Shafin Jahan was radicalised and several organisations like the Popular Front of India were involved in the radicalisation of society.</p>

<p>Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, counsel for Shafin Jahan, had opposed the NIA&#39;s submission and that of the woman&#39;s father.</p>

<p>A Supreme Court bench, comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, had asked Hadiya&#39;s father&#39;s advocate to ensure she is produced before them to ascertain whether she had married of her own free will.</p>

<p>On October 7, the Kerala government told the Supreme Court that its police conducted a &quot;thorough investigation&quot; into Hadiya&#39;s conversion and subsequent marriage to Shafin Jahan and did not find material warranting the transfer of probe to the NIA.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Shafin Jahan had on September 20 approached the Supreme Court seeking recall of its August 16 order, directing the NIA to investigate the controversial case of Hadiya&#39;s alleged conversion and marriage.</p>

<p>He had moved the Supreme Court after the Kerala high court annulled his marriage, saying it was an insult to the independence of women in the country.</p>


'I am a Muslim. I want to go with my husband. Nobody forced me to convert,' shouted Hadiya as she was being taken inside the airport

Kerala woman Hadiya, who will depose before the Supreme Court on November 27 in an alleged case of "love jihad", said on Saturday that nobody forced her to convert to Islam and that she wanted to be with her husband. "I am a Muslim. I want to go with my husband. Nobody forced me to convert," shouted Hadiya as she was whisked away by her parents and security personnel to board a flight to Delhi amid tight security. Hadiya and her parents are likely to stay at the Kerala House in New Delhi, sources told PTI. (Also Read - 'Love jihad': Sheffin claims attempts made to reconvert Hadiya to Hinduism) Hadiya, originally a Hindu, converted to Islam and married a Muslim man Shafin Jahan. The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is probing the case has alleged that Hadiya was indoctrinated and she may be incapable of giving free consent to her marriage. Represented by Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh, the NIA had said there was a well-oiled machinery working in Kerala that was indoctrinating and radicalising society in the state. As many as 89 cases of similar nature have been reported from the southern state, the ASG had said. It was alleged that Hadiya was recruited by the Islamic State's mission in Syria and Shafin Jahan was only a stooge. Advocate Shyam Divan, representing Hadiya's father KM Ashokan, claimed that Shafin Jahan was radicalised and several organisations like the Popular Front of India were involved in the radicalisation of society. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, counsel for Shafin Jahan, had opposed the NIA's submission and that of the woman's father. A Supreme Court bench, comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, had asked Hadiya's father's advocate to ensure she is produced before them to ascertain whether she had married of her own free will. On October 7, the Kerala government told the Supreme Court that its police conducted a "thorough investigation" into Hadiya's conversion and subsequent marriage to Shafin Jahan and did not find material warranting the transfer of probe to the NIA. Shafin Jahan had on September 20 approached the Supreme Court seeking recall of its August 16 order, directing the NIA to investigate the controversial case of Hadiya's alleged conversion and marriage. He had moved the Supreme Court after the Kerala high court annulled his marriage, saying it was an insult to the independence of women in the country.

'Love jihad': Nobody forced me to convert, says Hadiya

<p>Malayalam film S&nbsp;Durga&#39;s&nbsp;film director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan wrote a letter to IFFI director Sunit Tandon to &quot;schedule a screening date for his film&quot; amid complaints by lead actor&nbsp;Kannan Nayar that festival authorities are &quot;avoiding&quot; him.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a fresh series of complaints, Sasidharan writes that requests to screen his film at the film festival are not being taken seriously and that the authorities are &quot;yet to respond&quot;&nbsp;to him.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The film &quot;S&nbsp;Durga&quot;&nbsp;was earlier pulled out from the&nbsp;Panorama section of the 48th edition of the ongoing International Film Festival of India (IFFI) along with Marathi film &quot;Nude&quot;.</p>

<p>Sasidharan had then filed a writ petition in the Kerala High Court against the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-ib-ministry-explains-why-it-decided-to-drop-s-durga-and-nude-from-iffi-this-year-24219" target="_blank">Information and Broadcasting Ministry&#39;s decision to exclude his film from the festival</a>.</p>

<p>The<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/iffi-2017-kerala-high-court-orders-screening-of-s-durga-at-the-festival-24745" target="_blank"> court recently ruled</a> in his favour and ordered the ministry to screen the film at the nine-day-long festival, which runs till November 28.</p>

<p>Even after a positive ruling, Sasidharan claims that IFFI has not taken any action in screening the film and thus he wrote a letter to the director&nbsp;of the film himself.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The letter, along with the court order, was handed over to Sunit Tandon by lead actor Nayar.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nayar told PTI,&nbsp;&quot;We didn&#39;t get any information from the I&amp;B ministry. I had approached Sunit Tandon but he is not responding and has been avoiding me. He said he is not the right person to talk about the issue. I feel they (IFFI and the ministry) are wasting time. I am here as a delegate and they are treating me really badly.&quot;</p>

<p>In the letter, Sasidharan wrote, &quot;I am the director of the film &#39;S Durga&#39;. I am writing to you to inform that my representative, Mr Kannan Nayar shall be handing over (copy of the same is attached herewith) the order dated 21/11/17 passed by the honourable High Court of Kerala in W P (C) 36600/2017 whereby your office was directed to exhibit my film &#39;S Durga&#39; in the IFFI presently held at Goa.</p>

<p>&quot;Kindly schedule a date for the screening for my film &#39;S Durga&#39;. Please let me know the date urgently so that I and my entire team can be present along with the censored version of the said film,&quot; Sasidharan wrote in the letter.</p>

<p>Sexy Durga follows the struggle of a modern couple who face a series of problems.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The Kerala High Court had recently ordered the I&B ministry to screen the film at the nine-day-long festival

Malayalam film S Durga's film director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan wrote a letter to IFFI director Sunit Tandon to "schedule a screening date for his film" amid complaints by lead actor Kannan Nayar that festival authorities are "avoiding" him. In a fresh series of complaints, Sasidharan writes that requests to screen his film at the film festival are not being taken seriously and that the authorities are "yet to respond" to him. The film "S Durga" was earlier pulled out from the Panorama section of the 48th edition of the ongoing International Film Festival of India (IFFI) along with Marathi film "Nude". Sasidharan had then filed a writ petition in the Kerala High Court against the Information and Broadcasting Ministry's decision to exclude his film from the festival. The court recently ruled in his favour and ordered the ministry to screen the film at the nine-day-long festival, which runs till November 28. Even after a positive ruling, Sasidharan claims that IFFI has not taken any action in screening the film and thus he wrote a letter to the director of the film himself. The letter, along with the court order, was handed over to Sunit Tandon by lead actor Nayar. Nayar told PTI, "We didn't get any information from the I&B ministry. I had approached Sunit Tandon but he is not responding and has been avoiding me. He said he is not the right person to talk about the issue. I feel they (IFFI and the ministry) are wasting time. I am here as a delegate and they are treating me really badly." In the letter, Sasidharan wrote, "I am the director of the film 'S Durga'. I am writing to you to inform that my representative, Mr Kannan Nayar shall be handing over (copy of the same is attached herewith) the order dated 21/11/17 passed by the honourable High Court of Kerala in W P (C) 36600/2017 whereby your office was directed to exhibit my film 'S Durga' in the IFFI presently held at Goa. "Kindly schedule a date for the screening for my film 'S Durga'. Please let me know the date urgently so that I and my entire team can be present along with the censored version of the said film," Sasidharan wrote in the letter. Sexy Durga follows the struggle of a modern couple who face a series of problems.

S Durga director writes a letter, complains IFFI 'not screening film', 'avoiding' him

<p>The police have arrested three people in connection with the murder of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rss-worker-hacked-to-death-in-guruvayur-24045" target="_blank">RSS worker</a>, Anandan in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-rss-worker-murder-bjp-protests-in-kerala-24085" target="_blank">Kerala</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Anandan was an accused in a case relating to the murder of Fazil.</p>

<p>Among the three arrests, one includes a brother of Fazil.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The three arrests have been identified as Faiz, Karthik and Jitesh, a police officer said.</p>

<p>Anandan, 23-year-old RSS worker was murdered on Sunday.</p>

<p>BJP has blamed the CPI(M) for his alleged killing.</p>

<p>The CPI(M) on the other hand has denied playing any role in the killing of the RSS worker.</p>

<p>The victim was attacked when he was riding a motorcycle.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As many as 120 BJP workers have been killed in the state since 2001, BJP claims</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Anandan was an accused in a case relating to the murder of Fazil. Among the three arrests, one includes a brother of Fazil

The police have arrested three people in connection with the murder of RSS worker, Anandan in Kerala. Anandan was an accused in a case relating to the murder of Fazil. Among the three arrests, one includes a brother of Fazil. The three arrests have been identified as Faiz, Karthik and Jitesh, a police officer said. Anandan, 23-year-old RSS worker was murdered on Sunday. BJP has blamed the CPI(M) for his alleged killing. The CPI(M) on the other hand has denied playing any role in the killing of the RSS worker. The victim was attacked when he was riding a motorcycle. As many as 120 BJP workers have been killed in the state since 2001, BJP claims

Three arrested in murder of RSS worker in Kerala

<p>The BJP had called for a hartal in Kerala a day after the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rss-worker-hacked-to-death-in-guruvayur-24045" target="_blank">murder of an RSS worker</a>, Anandan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Several shops and business establishments were closed in Guruvayur and Manaloor towns in Thrissur district.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Roads were also seen empty.</p>

<p>Anandan, 23-year-old RSS worker was murdered on Sunday.</p>

<p>BJP has blamed the CPI(M) for his alleged killing.</p>

<p>The CPI(M) on the other hand has denied playing any role in the killing of the RSS worker.</p>

<p>The victim was attacked when he was riding a motorcycle.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He was an accused of the murder of a CPI(M) worker.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As many as 120 BJP workers have been killed in the state since 2001, BJP claims.</p>


Several shops and business establishments were closed in Guruvayur and Manaloor towns in Thrissur district

The BJP had called for a hartal in Kerala a day after the murder of an RSS worker, Anandan. Several shops and business establishments were closed in Guruvayur and Manaloor towns in Thrissur district. Roads were also seen empty. Anandan, 23-year-old RSS worker was murdered on Sunday. BJP has blamed the CPI(M) for his alleged killing. The CPI(M) on the other hand has denied playing any role in the killing of the RSS worker. The victim was attacked when he was riding a motorcycle. He was an accused of the murder of a CPI(M) worker. As many as 120 BJP workers have been killed in the state since 2001, BJP claims.

After RSS worker's murder, BJP protests in Kerala

<p>About 100 Keralites are suspected to have joined the Islamic State over the years, police said here today.</p>

<p>The Kerala Police has collected evidence in this regard, including over 300 voice clips and messages from WhatsApp, telegram messaging applications and other social media platforms, sources here told PTI.</p>

<p>The latest proof was an audio clip from a woman, wherein she can be heard informing her kin here about the death of her husband, who had joined ISIS.</p>

<p>The woman can be heard saying her husband Shajil was killed recently in the &#39;jihadi war&#39;. According to the audio clip, she and her two children are still in Syria, the sources said.</p>

<p>The woman can be heard telling her kin that many Keralite women, who have lost their husbands, and their children are in Syria, they said.</p>

<p>The voice clip was received by Shajil&#39;s brother.</p>

<p>Police have another audio clip from one Qayoom, whose photos in the ISIS uniform are available on the Internet, the source said.</p>

<p>Three men with suspected links with ISIS were arrested in the district on October 25.</p>

<p>The trio, who had left Kerala years ago, were suspected to have visited Syria and reportedly received training from the terror outfit, police said.</p>

<p>Police had also seized photocopies of tickets and visa, proving that they visited Syria, the source added.</p>

<p>The arrested were identified as Mithilaj, Abdul Razzak and Rashid, all of whom belonged to the district.</p>

<p>The National Investigation Agency is probing cases of disappearance of at least 21 people who had left Kerala under mysterious circumstances over a period of time and are suspected to have joined ISIS.</p>

<p>Among them, 17 are from Kasaragod and four from Palakkad. They include four women and three children</p>


The Kerala Police revealed that over 100 people from the state had joined ISIS over the years.

About 100 Keralites are suspected to have joined the Islamic State over the years, police said here today. The Kerala Police has collected evidence in this regard, including over 300 voice clips and messages from WhatsApp, telegram messaging applications and other social media platforms, sources here told PTI. The latest proof was an audio clip from a woman, wherein she can be heard informing her kin here about the death of her husband, who had joined ISIS. The woman can be heard saying her husband Shajil was killed recently in the 'jihadi war'. According to the audio clip, she and her two children are still in Syria, the sources said. The woman can be heard telling her kin that many Keralite women, who have lost their husbands, and their children are in Syria, they said. The voice clip was received by Shajil's brother. Police have another audio clip from one Qayoom, whose photos in the ISIS uniform are available on the Internet, the source said. Three men with suspected links with ISIS were arrested in the district on October 25. The trio, who had left Kerala years ago, were suspected to have visited Syria and reportedly received training from the terror outfit, police said. Police had also seized photocopies of tickets and visa, proving that they visited Syria, the source added. The arrested were identified as Mithilaj, Abdul Razzak and Rashid, all of whom belonged to the district. The National Investigation Agency is probing cases of disappearance of at least 21 people who had left Kerala under mysterious circumstances over a period of time and are suspected to have joined ISIS. Among them, 17 are from Kasaragod and four from Palakkad. They include four women and three children

About 100 Keralites suspected to have joined Islamic State: Kerala Police

<p>The Kerala Women&#39;s Commission has directed the Kottayam SP (Superintendent of Police) to inquire into and submit a report on Hadiya&#39;s condition.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kerala Love-Jihad case: State Women&#39;s Commission has directed Kottayam SP to inquire &amp; submit report about present conditions of Hadiya.</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/924091589286281217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Hadiya had said in a video released recently by Rahul Easwar that she was certain she would be killed soon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;You have to get me out. I will be killed anytime...&quot; she had said in the video.</p>

<p>She had alleged in the video that her father was beating her.&nbsp;</p>

<p>??????<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kerala-love-jihad-case-hadiya-says-father-beats-her-up-she-fears-for-life-22986" target="_blank">Also </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kerala-love-jihad-case-hadiya-says-father-beats-her-up-she-fears-for-life-22986" target="_blank">read:</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kerala-love-jihad-case-hadiya-says-father-beats-her-up-she-fears-for-life-22986" target="_blank"> &nbsp;Kerala &#39;Love Jihad&#39; case: &#39;I will be killed anytime... I am sure,&#39; says Hadiya in new video&nbsp;</a></p>

<p>Hadiya had converted to Islam and married a Muslim man, Shafin Jahan.</p>

<p>The Kerala High Court had annulled their marriage in May on a petition by her father, and had placed Hadiya in the custody of her parents.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hadiya had then approached the Supreme Court, which ordered the NIA (National Investigation Agency) to probe whether their&nbsp;marriage had been an example of &quot;Love Jihad&quot;.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p>Hadiya had been known as Akhila before converting to Islam and marrying Shafin.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Hadiya had said in a video released recently that she was being beaten by her father, and that she was certain she would be 'killed soon'

The Kerala Women's Commission has directed the Kottayam SP (Superintendent of Police) to inquire into and submit a report on Hadiya's condition. Kerala Love-Jihad case: State Women's Commission has directed Kottayam SP to inquire & submit report about present conditions of Hadiya. — ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2017 × Hadiya had said in a video released recently by Rahul Easwar that she was certain she would be killed soon. "You have to get me out. I will be killed anytime..." she had said in the video. She had alleged in the video that her father was beating her. ??????Also read: Kerala 'Love Jihad' case: 'I will be killed anytime... I am sure,' says Hadiya in new video Hadiya had converted to Islam and married a Muslim man, Shafin Jahan. The Kerala High Court had annulled their marriage in May on a petition by her father, and had placed Hadiya in the custody of her parents. Hadiya had then approached the Supreme Court, which ordered the NIA (National Investigation Agency) to probe whether their marriage had been an example of "Love Jihad". Hadiya had been known as Akhila before converting to Islam and marrying Shafin.

Kerala 'Love Jihad' case: State women's commission asks for report on Hadiya

<p>Two more persons suspected of having links to<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kerala-youth-who-joined-islamic-state-reportedly-killed-in-afghanistan-18448" target="_blank"> the terror group Islamic State were arrested today,</a> police said.</p>

<p>With today&#39;s arrest, the number of persons apprehended in this connection so far rose to five.</p>

<p>Thalassery natives Hamza aka Taliban Hamza and Manaf were picked up this morning, Kannur district Deputy Superintendent of Police PP Sadananandan said.</p>

<p>&quot;Hamza, who has strong connections with the terror outfit&#39;s high command, was behind the recruitment of youths from the state for IS...He had worked in&nbsp;Gulf countries for more than 20 years,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>About six months ago, Manaf was prevented by authorities at Mangalore airport from leaving the country, the official said.</p>

<p>All the five suspects were put under surveillance for the last months, he said.</p>

<p>The accused have been charged under sections 38 and 39 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.</p>

<p>They will be produced before the Thalassery Sessions court later in the day, he added.</p>

<p>Three men hailing from Chakkarakkal and Valappattinam in the district were arrested yesterday, police said.</p>

<p>The National Investigation Agency has been probing cases of disappearance of at least 21 people who had left Kerala under mysterious circumstances over a period of time and are suspected to have joined the ISIS.</p>

<p>Among them, 17 were from Kasaragod and four from Palakkad. They include four women and three children.&nbsp;</p>


Thalassery residents Hamza aka Taliban Hamza and Manaf, police said, were arrested this morning

Two more persons suspected of having links to the terror group Islamic State were arrested today, police said. With today's arrest, the number of persons apprehended in this connection so far rose to five. Thalassery natives Hamza aka Taliban Hamza and Manaf were picked up this morning, Kannur district Deputy Superintendent of Police PP Sadananandan said. "Hamza, who has strong connections with the terror outfit's high command, was behind the recruitment of youths from the state for IS...He had worked in Gulf countries for more than 20 years," he said. About six months ago, Manaf was prevented by authorities at Mangalore airport from leaving the country, the official said. All the five suspects were put under surveillance for the last months, he said. The accused have been charged under sections 38 and 39 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. They will be produced before the Thalassery Sessions court later in the day, he added. Three men hailing from Chakkarakkal and Valappattinam in the district were arrested yesterday, police said. The National Investigation Agency has been probing cases of disappearance of at least 21 people who had left Kerala under mysterious circumstances over a period of time and are suspected to have joined the ISIS. Among them, 17 were from Kasaragod and four from Palakkad. They include four women and three children.

Kerala: Two more with suspected links to Islamic State arrested, total now 5

<p>The foster father of a missing 3- year-old Indian girl was today arrested and charged with first-degree felony injury to a child after he changed his story about the circumstances surrounding her mysterious disappearance over two weeks ago.</p>

<p>Wesley Mathews, 37, was arrested after the Indian- American changed his story about his adoptive daughter Sherin Mathew&#39;s disappearance from outside their home in suburban Dallas in Texas state.</p>

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<p>Mathews had previously claimed that Sherin went missing after he sent her outside their home at around 3 am on October 7 as punishment for not drinking her milk.</p>

<p>Yesterday, the Richardson Police announced that they discovered the remains of a small child in a tunnel beneath a road, expressing apprehension that it was &quot;most likely&quot; that of Sherin. They, however, did not confirm the identity.</p>

<p>&quot;He voluntarily arrived at the Richardson Police Station with his attorney and asked to speak with detectives. He provided an alternate statement of events from those which he had given previously, regarding the disappearance of Sherin,&quot; Richardson Police Department Spokesman Sergeant Kevin Perlich said.</p>

<p>The particulars of his statements that might have led to the charge have not yet been explained by authorities.</p>

<p>Mathews, who hails from Kerala, was booked into the Richardson City Jail on a USD one million bond.</p>

<p>The father was previously arrested and charged with felony endangerment to a child and was placed on electronic ankle monitoring. He surrendered his passport as a condition of making bond on October 9. He was later released.</p>

<p>First-degree felony injury to a child is punishable by up to life imprisonment or from five to 99 years in prison, US media reported.</p>

<p>Sherin, who has developmental issues and limited verbal communication skills, was last seen outside her family&#39;s backyard in Richardson city on October 7.</p>

<p>Mathews and his wife Sini reportedly adopted Sherin two years ago from an orphanage in Bihar.</p>

<p>The body of a small child was discovered in a culvert beneath a road with the help of search dogs. Police have not released any details about how the child died. The body was found about one km from the house of Mathews.</p>

<p>&quot;We are still awaiting a positive identification from the Dallas County Medical Examiners office for the child&#39;s body found yesterday, believed to be Sherin Mathews,&quot; Perlich said.</p>

<p>Child Protective Services took custody of the Indian-American couple&#39;s other biological daughter shortly after Mathews was arrested.</p>

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<p>Wesley Mathews, who hails from Kerala, was booked into the Richardson City Jail on a USD one million bond. (Others)</p>
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<p>Sini Mathews, the girl&#39;s mother does not face any charges. She was in the house at the time, but was reportedly asleep and unaware of what her husband was doing, police had said earlier.</p>

<p>Earlier in the day Mathews and his wife, Sini, attended a court hearing to determine whether they could regain custody of their 4-year-old biological daughter who was placed in protective custody after Sherin went missing.</p>

<p>But the judge at a Dallas County court decided that the older sibling of Sherin will remain in foster care for at least three more weeks.</p>

<p>The judge postponed custody hearing until November 13 to allow Mathews to hire a civil attorney.</p>

<p>The girl will remain in foster care until that hearing or until a judge orders a change in custody, said Marissa Gonzales, a spokeswoman for Child Protective Services.</p>

<p>&quot;We do have the names of some relatives who have expressed interest in taking care of her,&quot; Gonzales said.</p>

<p>&quot;We can begin looking into those relatives, but it is entirely up to the judge where she is placed,&quot; she said.</p>

<p>On Monday evening, people gathered near the culvert where police found the body of a small child.</p>

<p>Many people expressed shock at the father&#39;s second arrest.</p>

<p>&quot;Justice should be done for this little child,&quot; said Indian-American Anthony Sabu. &quot;This little child has gone through the worst things in her life. She was abandoned when she was born and this family adopted her, and this is not what we expected,&quot; Sabu was quoted as saying by NBC News.</p>

<p>Sherin&#39;s case also caught the attention of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.</p>

<p>&quot;We are deeply concerned about the missing child. Indian Embassy in US is actively involved and they keep me informed,&quot; Swaraj tweeted on October 19.</p>

<p>&quot;We are closely monitoring the Sherin Mathews case. We have established contact with the community and authorities,&quot; India&#39;s Consul General in Houston, Anupam Ray had tweeted.&nbsp;</p>


Wesley Mathews had previously claimed Sherin had gone missing after he sent her outside at around 3 am on October 7 as punishment for not drinking her milk

The foster father of a missing 3- year-old Indian girl was today arrested and charged with first-degree felony injury to a child after he changed his story about the circumstances surrounding her mysterious disappearance over two weeks ago. Wesley Mathews, 37, was arrested after the Indian- American changed his story about his adoptive daughter Sherin Mathew's disappearance from outside their home in suburban Dallas in Texas state. Mathews has been charged with first-degree felony injury to a child × Mathews had previously claimed that Sherin went missing after he sent her outside their home at around 3 am on October 7 as punishment for not drinking her milk. Yesterday, the Richardson Police announced that they discovered the remains of a small child in a tunnel beneath a road, expressing apprehension that it was "most likely" that of Sherin. They, however, did not confirm the identity. "He voluntarily arrived at the Richardson Police Station with his attorney and asked to speak with detectives. He provided an alternate statement of events from those which he had given previously, regarding the disappearance of Sherin," Richardson Police Department Spokesman Sergeant Kevin Perlich said. The particulars of his statements that might have led to the charge have not yet been explained by authorities. Mathews, who hails from Kerala, was booked into the Richardson City Jail on a USD one million bond. The father was previously arrested and charged with felony endangerment to a child and was placed on electronic ankle monitoring. He surrendered his passport as a condition of making bond on October 9. He was later released. First-degree felony injury to a child is punishable by up to life imprisonment or from five to 99 years in prison, US media reported. Sherin, who has developmental issues and limited verbal communication skills, was last seen outside her family's backyard in Richardson city on October 7. Mathews and his wife Sini reportedly adopted Sherin two years ago from an orphanage in Bihar. The body of a small child was discovered in a culvert beneath a road with the help of search dogs. Police have not released any details about how the child died. The body was found about one km from the house of Mathews. "We are still awaiting a positive identification from the Dallas County Medical Examiners office for the child's body found yesterday, believed to be Sherin Mathews," Perlich said. Child Protective Services took custody of the Indian-American couple's other biological daughter shortly after Mathews was arrested. Wesley Mathews, who hails from Kerala, was booked into the Richardson City Jail on a USD one million bond. (Others) × Sini Mathews, the girl's mother does not face any charges. She was in the house at the time, but was reportedly asleep and unaware of what her husband was doing, police had said earlier. Earlier in the day Mathews and his wife, Sini, attended a court hearing to determine whether they could regain custody of their 4-year-old biological daughter who was placed in protective custody after Sherin went missing. But the judge at a Dallas County court decided that the older sibling of Sherin will remain in foster care for at least three more weeks. The judge postponed custody hearing until November 13 to allow Mathews to hire a civil attorney. The girl will remain in foster care until that hearing or until a judge orders a change in custody, said Marissa Gonzales, a spokeswoman for Child Protective Services. "We do have the names of some relatives who have expressed interest in taking care of her," Gonzales said. "We can begin looking into those relatives, but it is entirely up to the judge where she is placed," she said. On Monday evening, people gathered near the culvert where police found the body of a small child. Many people expressed shock at the father's second arrest. "Justice should be done for this little child," said Indian-American Anthony Sabu. "This little child has gone through the worst things in her life. She was abandoned when she was born and this family adopted her, and this is not what we expected," Sabu was quoted as saying by NBC News. Sherin's case also caught the attention of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. "We are deeply concerned about the missing child. Indian Embassy in US is actively involved and they keep me informed," Swaraj tweeted on October 19. "We are closely monitoring the Sherin Mathews case. We have established contact with the community and authorities," India's Consul General in Houston, Anupam Ray had tweeted.

Missing Indian girl in US: Foster father arrested after he changes story

<p>Spurred by the spate of recent electoral victories, the Bharatiya Janata Party has become audaciously ambitious. It has begun to not just enter enemy territory with new-found confidence and aggression but also march into enemy strongholds within that forbidden territory.</p>

<p>On October 3, party president Amit Shah launched the Jan Raksha Yatra (March for People&rsquo;s Protection) in the Marxist bastion of Kerala &mdash; and from Kannur district which has been the centre of political violence. If the BJP&rsquo;s opponents thought this was another symbolic show to remind the people of the party&rsquo;s presence in this southern state, and no more, they were soon disabused of the notion when Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath arrived on wednesday to participate in the high-profile event.</p>

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<h5>Amit Shah claimed that more than 84 BJP-RSS workers had been killed in Kannur alone since 2001 by Left-supported individuals and organisations.</h5>
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<p>The message is clear. The BJP will play every card to enhance its footprint in Kerala. If the politics of polarisation needs to be resorted to, so be it. But polarisation does not happen in a vacuum; a context is necessary. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) rule has created a fertile ground for deep disaffection among large sections of the populace in the state and the BJP (along with the RSS which has had a strong presence for years) is set to exploit the situation.</p>

<p>Amit Shah claimed that more than 84 BJP-RSS workers had been killed in Kannur alone since 2001 by Left-supported individuals and organisations. One can quibble over the figure or the counter-claim that right-wing activists too have participated in political violence. But there cannot be a denial of the ground reality that the major victims have been the Rightists.</p>

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<p>The BJP believes that by ratcheting up public sentiment against such killings and other forms of violence, it can eventually create a conducive electoral environment in its favour. That is to be seen; for now, State Assembly elections are far away. But the Lok Sabha poll will be held in less than two years and the party hopes to harvest some advantage from its counter-aggression. To that end, the Jan Raksha Yatra is, arguably, the BJP&rsquo;s most determined effort so far in Kerala.</p>

<p>The Marxists have been dismissive of their opponent&rsquo;s drive, and they have been especially critical of the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister&rsquo;s presence, advising him to mend governance in his home state before condemning the Left rule in Kerala. But there is no doubt that the Left is worried.</p>

<p>Unlike the BJP which is ruling most parts of the country either on its own or with the help of allies, the Left Front, and especially the CPI (M), is facing an existential crisis. It has been driven out from its one-time stronghold, West Bengal, by Mamata Banerjee&rsquo;s Trinamool Congress. This was bad enough, but worse has followed. For all practical purposes, it&rsquo;s not even the main opposition there; the BJP has occupied that spot. Given that it has been marginalised in a state which it once ruled for three uninterrupted decades, the CPI (M)&rsquo;s salvation lies in Kerala where, in any case, it cannot presume invincibility since the Congress has been breathing down its neck. But the Congress is a friendly opposition when compared to the BJP.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP&rsquo;s game plan is simple enough. Exploit the anger among the people over political violence against its people and the larger Sangh family, attribute such violence to the Marxists&rsquo; ideology of intolerance, link the incidents to minority appeasement politics of the Left, and arouse passions in the name of majority-victimhood. The more it can do this the more it would push the Left into the anti-majority-community trap. Yogi Adityanath is a perfect candidate to further this strategy in the deep south. He is charismatic and a crowd-puller. It helps that he is also considered a &lsquo;Hindu mascot&rsquo;.</p>

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<h5>If the BJP manages to enhance its presence in Kerala, it will be as much due to its perseverance as it will be on account of the Marxists&rsquo; obstinacy to change with the times.&nbsp;</h5>
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<p>There is something to be said in favour of striking when the iron is hot. Not only is the CPI (M) battling for political relevance, but it has also been facing embarrassment from within. A gentleman named Ritabrata Banerjee has been doing his bit in this regard. Once the blue-eyed boy of the Marxists and a Rajya Sabha MP, the highly visible Banerjee was expelled from the CPI (M) last month for &ldquo;grave anti-party activities&rdquo;. He claimed to have fallen foul with the senior leadership after he began to speak out in party forums against the &lsquo;Kannur cabal&rsquo; comprising among others, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and senior leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.</p>

<p>In interviews to television channels, Banerjee gleefully tore into the Marxists, saying that he had been targeted by the party leaders for, among other things, saying &ldquo;Bharat Mata ki Jai&rdquo;. He added that certain party leaders whose wish prevailed had problems with his lifestyle &mdash; including the apple watch he wore and the foreign trips he undertook!</p>

<p>There is of course little need to make a martyr out of him or take all that he has said as unadulterated truth. Nonetheless, he seems to have underlined the basic problems the Marxists are confronted with, and are increasingly failing to effectively address: That the CPI (M) has lost its connection with the aspirations and demands of the new voter who not just abhors retributive politics but also frowns at dated ideological positions and defers with the party on issues of &lsquo;nationalism&rsquo;. If the BJP manages to enhance its presence in Kerala, it will be as much due to its perseverance as it will be on account of the Marxists&rsquo; obstinacy to change with the times.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There are two primary reasons for the BJP&rsquo;s focus on Kerala. The first is simply that it&rsquo;s a hard nut to crack &mdash; and Amit Shah enjoys nothing better than meeting such challenges head-on &mdash; even if it entails the use of techniques in the book and outside of it. In southern India, the party has a fighting chance in Karnataka where the Assembly election is due next year. It rules in alliance in Andhra Pradesh, and is contemplating various combinations to unlock Tamil Nadu. But whereas it&rsquo;s at the mercy of regional allies, both current and potential, to be relevant elsewhere in the south, in Kerala it hopes to be a dominant player, even if it stitches deals with regional outfits.</p>

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<h5>BJP may yet have a long road to traverse in Kerala.</h5>
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<p>The second reason stems from its own electoral performance in the past few years. In the 2016 Assembly election, the BJP-led NDA received over 14 per cent of the votes; it won one seat; and finished second in six others. Compare these to the five per cent vote-share in 2001, under five per cent in 2006, six per cent in 2011 &mdash; and a little less than 11 per cent in the 2014 Lok Sabha poll, and the cause for the BJP&rsquo;s optimism becomes obvious. A CSDS-Lokniti survey done for a leading national daily soon after the last Assembly poll informed that the BJP had cut into the support base of both the Left and the Congress. Interestingly, the party also managed to win over a small segment of the Christian votes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While these should cheer, and have cheered, the Rightist party and its supporters, the BJP may yet have a long road to traverse in Kerala. The moot question is: Will the party resort to dangerous social divisions to succeed electorally or moderate its stance and bank on inclusivity?</p>


Amit Shah comes up with a master plan to enhance BJP's dominance in Kerala

Spurred by the spate of recent electoral victories, the Bharatiya Janata Party has become audaciously ambitious. It has begun to not just enter enemy territory with new-found confidence and aggression but also march into enemy strongholds within that forbidden territory. On October 3, party president Amit Shah launched the Jan Raksha Yatra (March for People’s Protection) in the Marxist bastion of Kerala — and from Kannur district which has been the centre of political violence. If the BJP’s opponents thought this was another symbolic show to remind the people of the party’s presence in this southern state, and no more, they were soon disabused of the notion when Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath arrived on wednesday to participate in the high-profile event. Amit Shah claimed that more than 84 BJP-RSS workers had been killed in Kannur alone since 2001 by Left-supported individuals and organisations. × The message is clear. The BJP will play every card to enhance its footprint in Kerala. If the politics of polarisation needs to be resorted to, so be it. But polarisation does not happen in a vacuum; a context is necessary. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) rule has created a fertile ground for deep disaffection among large sections of the populace in the state and the BJP (along with the RSS which has had a strong presence for years) is set to exploit the situation. Amit Shah claimed that more than 84 BJP-RSS workers had been killed in Kannur alone since 2001 by Left-supported individuals and organisations. One can quibble over the figure or the counter-claim that right-wing activists too have participated in political violence. But there cannot be a denial of the ground reality that the major victims have been the Rightists. The Jan Raksha Yatra is arguably the BJP’s most determined effort so far in Kerala. × The BJP believes that by ratcheting up public sentiment against such killings and other forms of violence, it can eventually create a conducive electoral environment in its favour. That is to be seen; for now, State Assembly elections are far away. But the Lok Sabha poll will be held in less than two years and the party hopes to harvest some advantage from its counter-aggression. To that end, the Jan Raksha Yatra is, arguably, the BJP’s most determined effort so far in Kerala. The Marxists have been dismissive of their opponent’s drive, and they have been especially critical of the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister’s presence, advising him to mend governance in his home state before condemning the Left rule in Kerala. But there is no doubt that the Left is worried. Unlike the BJP which is ruling most parts of the country either on its own or with the help of allies, the Left Front, and especially the CPI (M), is facing an existential crisis. It has been driven out from its one-time stronghold, West Bengal, by Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress. This was bad enough, but worse has followed. For all practical purposes, it’s not even the main opposition there; the BJP has occupied that spot. Given that it has been marginalised in a state which it once ruled for three uninterrupted decades, the CPI (M)’s salvation lies in Kerala where, in any case, it cannot presume invincibility since the Congress has been breathing down its neck. But the Congress is a friendly opposition when compared to the BJP. The BJP’s game plan is simple enough. Exploit the anger among the people over political violence against its people and the larger Sangh family, attribute such violence to the Marxists’ ideology of intolerance, link the incidents to minority appeasement politics of the Left, and arouse passions in the name of majority-victimhood. The more it can do this the more it would push the Left into the anti-majority-community trap. Yogi Adityanath is a perfect candidate to further this strategy in the deep south. He is charismatic and a crowd-puller. It helps that he is also considered a ‘Hindu mascot’. If the BJP manages to enhance its presence in Kerala, it will be as much due to its perseverance as it will be on account of the Marxists’ obstinacy to change with the times. × There is something to be said in favour of striking when the iron is hot. Not only is the CPI (M) battling for political relevance, but it has also been facing embarrassment from within. A gentleman named Ritabrata Banerjee has been doing his bit in this regard. Once the blue-eyed boy of the Marxists and a Rajya Sabha MP, the highly visible Banerjee was expelled from the CPI (M) last month for “grave anti-party activities”. He claimed to have fallen foul with the senior leadership after he began to speak out in party forums against the ‘Kannur cabal’ comprising among others, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and senior leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. In interviews to television channels, Banerjee gleefully tore into the Marxists, saying that he had been targeted by the party leaders for, among other things, saying “Bharat Mata ki Jai”. He added that certain party leaders whose wish prevailed had problems with his lifestyle — including the apple watch he wore and the foreign trips he undertook! There is of course little need to make a martyr out of him or take all that he has said as unadulterated truth. Nonetheless, he seems to have underlined the basic problems the Marxists are confronted with, and are increasingly failing to effectively address: That the CPI (M) has lost its connection with the aspirations and demands of the new voter who not just abhors retributive politics but also frowns at dated ideological positions and defers with the party on issues of ‘nationalism’. If the BJP manages to enhance its presence in Kerala, it will be as much due to its perseverance as it will be on account of the Marxists’ obstinacy to change with the times. There are two primary reasons for the BJP’s focus on Kerala. The first is simply that it’s a hard nut to crack — and Amit Shah enjoys nothing better than meeting such challenges head-on — even if it entails the use of techniques in the book and outside of it. In southern India, the party has a fighting chance in Karnataka where the Assembly election is due next year. It rules in alliance in Andhra Pradesh, and is contemplating various combinations to unlock Tamil Nadu. But whereas it’s at the mercy of regional allies, both current and potential, to be relevant elsewhere in the south, in Kerala it hopes to be a dominant player, even if it stitches deals with regional outfits. BJP may yet have a long road to traverse in Kerala. × The second reason stems from its own electoral performance in the past few years. In the 2016 Assembly election, the BJP-led NDA received over 14 per cent of the votes; it won one seat; and finished second in six others. Compare these to the five per cent vote-share in 2001, under five per cent in 2006, six per cent in 2011 — and a little less than 11 per cent in the 2014 Lok Sabha poll, and the cause for the BJP’s optimism becomes obvious. A CSDS-Lokniti survey done for a leading national daily soon after the last Assembly poll informed that the BJP had cut into the support base of both the Left and the Congress. Interestingly, the party also managed to win over a small segment of the Christian votes. While these should cheer, and have cheered, the Rightist party and its supporters, the BJP may yet have a long road to traverse in Kerala. The moot question is: Will the party resort to dangerous social divisions to succeed electorally or moderate its stance and bank on inclusivity?

BJP ambitious to gain majority in CPIM's Kerala

<p>An aggressive campaign by BJP in Kerala against the killing of its workers is not an exercise in isolation. It is a campaign for 2019 which BJP is taking through states in which it had no historic presence. In every state, slogans have differed but the aim has been the same and that being expansion of the organisational structure of the party. The political aggression is high but it isn&rsquo;t new as the exercise started immediately after Lok Sabha elections in 2014.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
BJP after its massive win in general elections started to disrupt existing political equations in the states. Instead of having an alliance with a local party in Haryana, BJP chose to go alone and formed the government. This story was repeated in states, such as Assam, Jammu and Kashmir and West Bengal. In states like Assam, BJP tasted success and in West Bengal, it was able to expand it voters base but electorally it got trounced.</p>

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<h5>How BJP expects to gain where more than 50 percent of the population is Christian and Muslim.</h5>
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<p>In both situations, BJP did get away by gaining something. Similarly, BJP wants to push the final frontier in Kerala as it did in JK and Assam, the two states where it was thought impossible for BJP to gain a foothold. BJP broke regional leaders and tapped into anxieties which cut across caste in the states. The exception being Kashmir valley where BJP despite its best effort could not open an account but instead swept Jammu.</p>

<p>The question then arises is how BJP expects to gain where more than 50 percent of the population is Christian and Muslim. BJP has been able to evolve a working relationship with the church in Goa but it still has a substantial Hindu population to bank upon. Kerala is a laboratory and a test case for BJP. In Kerala, not only BJP will have to reset and alignment between Congress and CPM, but will have to push the communist party to the margin. In this case, it is directly competing with CPM for the affections of the Ezheva community.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The killings are not new. Kannur has been known as the killing field of Kerala. The activism for it at the national level is new. BJP has decided to lend national heft for regional gains. This has happened because BJP feels that Hindutva blended with OBC and Dalit politics will yield electoral results in the state.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
It can also be explained in the context of &lsquo;Sanskritisation&rsquo; which OBCs have undergone throughout India and have come to represent the core Hindutva politics in the North and the West. Most of these communities in 1960, 70s and 80s consolidated under socialist parties under the banner of &lsquo;Kisan&rsquo; politics, directly pitching itself against the Congress Party.</p>

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<h5>Even if campaigns in West Bengal or Kerala don&rsquo;t yield electoral numbers, BJP, at least, gets to dominate the political discourse and expand the party.</h5>
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<p>&nbsp;<br />
By end of the 1990s, the consolidated socialist front, however,&nbsp;fragmented into caste-based parties throughout India. BJP today dominates this political landscape. This development coupled with the fragmentation of Dalit votes has benefitted BJP immensely. Even in Kerala, under the rubric of Hindutva, BJP is actively pursuing backward and Dalit sections despite the antagonistic relationship it shared with these communities both at the social level and cultural level.</p>

<p>It is for this reason, Yogi Adityanath was the first person from north India to grace the yatra started by BJP President Amit Shah.</p>

<p>Similar, disruptions will continue in other states as well. BJP has already occupied the Opposition&rsquo;s space in Orissa. In Telangana, it doesn&rsquo;t want to move fast lest TRS allies with the Opposition. It is for this reason that despite political upheaval in Tamil Nadu, BJP is trying its best to stabilise the government.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The North Indian states are already saturated. BJP intends to come to power by using the states which rejected them during 2014. It is for this very reason states like West Bengal, Orissa, Assam, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala have become very important. BJP knows that in 2019 the road to Delhi will need to be paved in from South and East India and not North.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
For the Opposition, the job has become tougher. BJP has the movers advantage. They never expected BJP to continue into the election mode even after the Lok Sabha elections. BJP is making every election count. It tasted royal defeats in Bihar and Delhi. It realises that it takes very little to diffuse political momentum in a country like India. So even if campaigns in West Bengal or Kerala don&rsquo;t yield electoral numbers, BJP, at least, gets to dominate the political discourse and expand the party.</p>

<p>This is what BJP intends to do in Kerala. It is making every state election count to become the dominant party in the country, replacing Congress as the biggest and largest party with completely different ideological underpinning.</p>


BJP intends to come back to power in 2019 by using the states, such as Kerala which rejected them during 2014.

An aggressive campaign by BJP in Kerala against the killing of its workers is not an exercise in isolation. It is a campaign for 2019 which BJP is taking through states in which it had no historic presence. In every state, slogans have differed but the aim has been the same and that being expansion of the organisational structure of the party. The political aggression is high but it isn’t new as the exercise started immediately after Lok Sabha elections in 2014. BJP after its massive win in general elections started to disrupt existing political equations in the states. Instead of having an alliance with a local party in Haryana, BJP chose to go alone and formed the government. This story was repeated in states, such as Assam, Jammu and Kashmir and West Bengal. In states like Assam, BJP tasted success and in West Bengal, it was able to expand it voters base but electorally it got trounced. How BJP expects to gain where more than 50 percent of the population is Christian and Muslim. × In both situations, BJP did get away by gaining something. Similarly, BJP wants to push the final frontier in Kerala as it did in JK and Assam, the two states where it was thought impossible for BJP to gain a foothold. BJP broke regional leaders and tapped into anxieties which cut across caste in the states. The exception being Kashmir valley where BJP despite its best effort could not open an account but instead swept Jammu. The question then arises is how BJP expects to gain where more than 50 percent of the population is Christian and Muslim. BJP has been able to evolve a working relationship with the church in Goa but it still has a substantial Hindu population to bank upon. Kerala is a laboratory and a test case for BJP. In Kerala, not only BJP will have to reset and alignment between Congress and CPM, but will have to push the communist party to the margin. In this case, it is directly competing with CPM for the affections of the Ezheva community. The killings are not new. Kannur has been known as the killing field of Kerala. The activism for it at the national level is new. BJP has decided to lend national heft for regional gains. This has happened because BJP feels that Hindutva blended with OBC and Dalit politics will yield electoral results in the state. It can also be explained in the context of ‘Sanskritisation’ which OBCs have undergone throughout India and have come to represent the core Hindutva politics in the North and the West. Most of these communities in 1960, 70s and 80s consolidated under socialist parties under the banner of ‘Kisan’ politics, directly pitching itself against the Congress Party. Even if campaigns in West Bengal or Kerala don’t yield electoral numbers, BJP, at least, gets to dominate the political discourse and expand the party. × By end of the 1990s, the consolidated socialist front, however, fragmented into caste-based parties throughout India. BJP today dominates this political landscape. This development coupled with the fragmentation of Dalit votes has benefitted BJP immensely. Even in Kerala, under the rubric of Hindutva, BJP is actively pursuing backward and Dalit sections despite the antagonistic relationship it shared with these communities both at the social level and cultural level. It is for this reason, Yogi Adityanath was the first person from north India to grace the yatra started by BJP President Amit Shah. Similar, disruptions will continue in other states as well. BJP has already occupied the Opposition’s space in Orissa. In Telangana, it doesn’t want to move fast lest TRS allies with the Opposition. It is for this reason that despite political upheaval in Tamil Nadu, BJP is trying its best to stabilise the government. The North Indian states are already saturated. BJP intends to come to power by using the states which rejected them during 2014. It is for this very reason states like West Bengal, Orissa, Assam, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala have become very important. BJP knows that in 2019 the road to Delhi will need to be paved in from South and East India and not North. For the Opposition, the job has become tougher. BJP has the movers advantage. They never expected BJP to continue into the election mode even after the Lok Sabha elections. BJP is making every election count. It tasted royal defeats in Bihar and Delhi. It realises that it takes very little to diffuse political momentum in a country like India. So even if campaigns in West Bengal or Kerala don’t yield electoral numbers, BJP, at least, gets to dominate the political discourse and expand the party. This is what BJP intends to do in Kerala. It is making every state election count to become the dominant party in the country, replacing Congress as the biggest and largest party with completely different ideological underpinning.

Kerala violence is the pretext; 2019 election is BJP's  goal

<p>&quot;The entire cycle of violence has been generated by the RSS,&quot; CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury said on Wednesday in response to BJP President Amit Shah&#39;s Jan Raksha Yatra through Kerala.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;It is a case of the pot calling the kettle black,&quot; Yechury added.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The entire cycle of violence has been generated by the RSS: Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) <a href="https://t.co/kN22wiZWC7">pic.twitter.com/kN22wiZWC7</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/915537220362149888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It is a case of the pot calling the kettle black: CPM&#39;s Sitaram Yechury on BJP&#39;s Jan Raksha Yatra <a href="https://t.co/WACHQqTC6O">pic.twitter.com/WACHQqTC6O</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/915538210171772928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Jan Raksha Yatra is a 15-day march through Kerala.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The yatra began on Tuesday at Payyanur -- chief minister Pinari Vijayan&#39;s hometown -- and will travel through Kerala before&nbsp;ending in Thiruvananthapuram on October 17.</p>

<p>The theme of the march is &quot;All have to live! Against Jihadi-Red Terror&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The march is meant to protest against the ruling CPM&#39;s alleged use of violence against BJP workers in the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The CPM and the BJP have waged a long battle in Kerala, with both sides losing a number of party workers to violence.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The yatra was on Wednesday joined by Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-uttar-pradesh-cm-adityanath-joins-amit-shah-in-kerala-yatra-20982" target="_blank">WATCH: CM Adityanath hits out at Kerala govt over &#39;political killings&#39; during Amit Shah&#39;s yatra</a></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


BJP President Amit Shah's 15-day Jan Raksha Yatra is meant to protest against the ruling CPM's alleged use of violence against BJP workers in the state

"The entire cycle of violence has been generated by the RSS," CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury said on Wednesday in response to BJP President Amit Shah's Jan Raksha Yatra through Kerala. "It is a case of the pot calling the kettle black," Yechury added. The entire cycle of violence has been generated by the RSS: Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) pic.twitter.com/kN22wiZWC7 — ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2017 × It is a case of the pot calling the kettle black: CPM's Sitaram Yechury on BJP's Jan Raksha Yatra pic.twitter.com/WACHQqTC6O — ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2017 × The Jan Raksha Yatra is a 15-day march through Kerala. The yatra began on Tuesday at Payyanur -- chief minister Pinari Vijayan's hometown -- and will travel through Kerala before ending in Thiruvananthapuram on October 17. The theme of the march is "All have to live! Against Jihadi-Red Terror". The march is meant to protest against the ruling CPM's alleged use of violence against BJP workers in the state. The CPM and the BJP have waged a long battle in Kerala, with both sides losing a number of party workers to violence. The yatra was on Wednesday joined by Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath. WATCH: CM Adityanath hits out at Kerala govt over 'political killings' during Amit Shah's yatra

Kerala: As Amit Shah marches, Yechury blames 'entire cycle of violence' on RSS

<p>The four-day Onasadya offerings, an elaborate vegetarian feast, began at Lord Ayyappa temple on Sunday as part of the Onam celebrations.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The temple witnessed massive rush as several hundreds of devotees from all across South India gathered to pay their respects in the heavy rain.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sabarimala?src=hash">#sabarimala</a> Swamiye Sharan Ayyappa ?? <a href="https://t.co/9Z6qlmT30I">pic.twitter.com/9Z6qlmT30I</a></p>
&mdash; MegaFan C/O Kakinada (@Perthist_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Perthist_/status/904346943677018112">September 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The traditional ceremony began with the lighting of the lamp by thantri, the head priest Maheshwararu Mohanaru accompanied by melsanthi or chief-priest, Unnikrishnan Namboodiri at 11 am.</p>

<p>After the ceremony, the priests started offering Onasadya dishes, including sweets, on a banana leaf kept in front of a ceremonial lamp.</p>

<p>The feast continued till 2.30 pm. Offerings will continue till the festivities come to a&nbsp;conclusion on Wednesday. Ceremonial prayers known as Kalabhabhishekam, sahasrakalasam and laksharchana will be performed during the Onam festival days.</p>


The temple witnessed massive rush as several hundreds of devotees from all across South India gathered to pay their respects in the heavy rain.

The four-day Onasadya offerings, an elaborate vegetarian feast, began at Lord Ayyappa temple on Sunday as part of the Onam celebrations. The temple witnessed massive rush as several hundreds of devotees from all across South India gathered to pay their respects in the heavy rain. #sabarimala Swamiye Sharan Ayyappa ?? pic.twitter.com/9Z6qlmT30I — MegaFan C/O Kakinada (@Perthist_) September 3, 2017 × The traditional ceremony began with the lighting of the lamp by thantri, the head priest Maheshwararu Mohanaru accompanied by melsanthi or chief-priest, Unnikrishnan Namboodiri at 11 am. After the ceremony, the priests started offering Onasadya dishes, including sweets, on a banana leaf kept in front of a ceremonial lamp. The feast continued till 2.30 pm. Offerings will continue till the festivities come to a conclusion on Wednesday. Ceremonial prayers known as Kalabhabhishekam, sahasrakalasam and laksharchana will be performed during the Onam festival days.

Onam in Kerala: Heavy rush at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple

<p>Sunny Leone landed in Kochi on Thursday and her obviously many fans there went berserk:&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SunnyLeone?src=hash">#SunnyLeone</a> fans ??<br />
<br />
When <a href="https://twitter.com/SunnyLeone">@SunnyLeone</a> was on the stage for inaguration function of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FONE4?src=hash">#FONE4</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/kochi">@Kochi</a> <a href="https://t.co/MwE9QtivAd">pic.twitter.com/MwE9QtivAd</a></p>
&mdash; snehasallapam.com (@snehasallapam) <a href="https://twitter.com/snehasallapam/status/898106667098808320">August 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;My car in literally a sea of love in Kerala,&quot; Sunny wrote on Twitter.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">My car in literally a sea of love in Kochi Kerala!! Thanks <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fone4?src=hash">#fone4</a> <a href="https://t.co/lLHTo8GyrC">pic.twitter.com/lLHTo8GyrC</a></p>
&mdash; Sunny Leone (@SunnyLeone) <a href="https://twitter.com/SunnyLeone/status/898110975722872833">August 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;No words... Was so overwhelmed by the love &amp; support. Never will forget Gods own Country Kerala! Thank you,&quot; she added.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">No words...Can&#39;t thank the people of Kochi.Was so overwhelmed by the love&amp;support.Never will forget Gods own Country Kerala!Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fone4?src=hash">#fone4</a> <a href="https://t.co/UTAnjlYvc5">pic.twitter.com/UTAnjlYvc5</a></p>
&mdash; Sunny Leone (@SunnyLeone) <a href="https://twitter.com/SunnyLeone/status/898088217370664961">August 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">So awesome!! Thank you Kerla!! <a href="https://t.co/J93ON76oly">https://t.co/J93ON76oly</a></p>
&mdash; Sunny Leone (@SunnyLeone) <a href="https://twitter.com/SunnyLeone/status/898107420408504320">August 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>While Sunny&#39;s comments were very straight-faced, the twitterati saw the funnier side of it all:&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sunny Leone has gone to Kerala &amp; basically become Khaleesi. <a href="https://t.co/AMbASIyc9d">pic.twitter.com/AMbASIyc9d</a></p>
&mdash; Sahil Rizwan (@SahilRiz) <a href="https://twitter.com/SahilRiz/status/898099100960251904">August 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">So <a href="https://twitter.com/SunnyLeone">@SunnyLeone</a> came to Kochi.<br />
Men in Kerala came too. <a href="https://t.co/170ZfJoGcD">pic.twitter.com/170ZfJoGcD</a></p>
&mdash; Hakuna Matata (@TheFraudMallu) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheFraudMallu/status/898145932696363009">August 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>But still, the size of the crowds astounded just about everybody and before you knew it, people were asking you to retweet if you wanted Sunny as the next prime minister:&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">RT if you want Sunny Leone as next PM.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SunnyLeone?src=hash">#SunnyLeone</a> <a href="https://t.co/twovHn7DGi">pic.twitter.com/twovHn7DGi</a></p>
&mdash; Keerthi?? (@realkeerthi) <a href="https://twitter.com/realkeerthi/status/898158268870152192">August 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


'No words... Was so overwhelmed by the love & support. Never will forget Gods own Country Kerala! Thank you,' Sunny tweeted

Sunny Leone landed in Kochi on Thursday and her obviously many fans there went berserk: #SunnyLeone fans ?? When @SunnyLeone was on the stage for inaguration function of #FONE4 @Kochi pic.twitter.com/MwE9QtivAd — snehasallapam.com (@snehasallapam) August 17, 2017 × "My car in literally a sea of love in Kerala," Sunny wrote on Twitter. My car in literally a sea of love in Kochi Kerala!! Thanks #fone4 pic.twitter.com/lLHTo8GyrC — Sunny Leone (@SunnyLeone) August 17, 2017 × "No words... Was so overwhelmed by the love & support. Never will forget Gods own Country Kerala! Thank you," she added. No words...Can't thank the people of Kochi.Was so overwhelmed by the love&support.Never will forget Gods own Country Kerala!Thank you #fone4 pic.twitter.com/UTAnjlYvc5 — Sunny Leone (@SunnyLeone) August 17, 2017 × So awesome!! Thank you Kerla!! https://t.co/J93ON76oly — Sunny Leone (@SunnyLeone) August 17, 2017 × While Sunny's comments were very straight-faced, the twitterati saw the funnier side of it all: Sunny Leone has gone to Kerala & basically become Khaleesi. pic.twitter.com/AMbASIyc9d — Sahil Rizwan (@SahilRiz) August 17, 2017 × So @SunnyLeone came to Kochi. Men in Kerala came too. pic.twitter.com/170ZfJoGcD — Hakuna Matata (@TheFraudMallu) August 17, 2017 × But still, the size of the crowds astounded just about everybody and before you knew it, people were asking you to retweet if you wanted Sunny as the next prime minister: RT if you want Sunny Leone as next PM.#SunnyLeone pic.twitter.com/twovHn7DGi — Keerthi?? (@realkeerthi) August 17, 2017 ×

Sunny Leone goes to Kochi, which goes berserk

<p>A 23-year-old man from Kerala, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kerala-breeding-ground-for-radicalised-youth-11200">who had left home to join the Islamic State last year</a>, has been killed, according to a message sent out to his family.&nbsp;</p>

<p>ANI identifies the youth as Marwan Ismail from&nbsp;Trikaripur.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/exclusive-islamic-state-of-mind-in-gods-own-country-11199">Also read: Islamic State of mind in God&#39;s own country</a></p>

<p>The one-line message that his family received said&nbsp;Marwan was &quot;martyred&quot; in a drone attack, ANI reported.</p>

<p>His family said he had left home to join the IS in 2016 as part of a group with 21 members.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He was suspected to be living in the&nbsp;Nangarhar province.&nbsp;</p>


23-year-old Marwan Ismail's family received a message saying that he was 'martyred' in a drone attack

A 23-year-old man from Kerala, who had left home to join the Islamic State last year, has been killed, according to a message sent out to his family. ANI identifies the youth as Marwan Ismail from Trikaripur. Also read: Islamic State of mind in God's own country The one-line message that his family received said Marwan was "martyred" in a drone attack, ANI reported. His family said he had left home to join the IS in 2016 as part of a group with 21 members. He was suspected to be living in the Nangarhar province.

Another Kerala youth who joined IS killed in Afghanistan

<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off Kerala&#39;s first metro in Kochi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="und"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KochiMetro?src=hash">#KochiMetro</a> <a href="https://t.co/yo1zYhzL4y">pic.twitter.com/yo1zYhzL4y</a></p>
&mdash; CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMOKerala/status/875963242283020292">June 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 13-km long stretch spans across Aluva and Palarivattom areas of the port city and will start operating from June 19.</p>

<p>PM Modi, took a brief ride in the metro prior to the official launch with dignitaries including Governor P Sathasivam, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and India&#39;s &quot;Metro Man&quot; E Sreedharan.</p>

<p>Modi, who cut the ribbon at the Palarivattom station, shook hands with Vijayan and Sreedharan before proceeding to board the metro train.</p>

<p>During the journey, the PM waved at the crowd as Sreedharan and Kochi Metro Rail Ltd Managing Director Elias George interacted with him.</p>

<p>He later tweeted that the metro had &quot;several significant features, which make it a state-of-the-art project that will enhance Kochi&rsquo;s economic growth.&quot;</p>

<p>Hailed as India&#39;s first integrated multi-mode transport system, the inaugural ceremony was held at Kochi&#39;s Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium.</p>

<p>In his address, PM Modi stressed the need to bring about a &quot;paradigm shift&quot; in urban planning by adopting a people-centric approach and integrating land use and transport.</p>

<p>The prime minister, who began his speech in Malayalam, said he was happy to be part of the inauguration of the project. He said Kochi was selected as a Smart City in January 2016.<br />
<br />
&quot;I hope it will do even better in the days to come,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Kochi, the queen of the Arabian Sea, was once an important spice trading centre. Today it is known as the commercial capital of Kerala, the prime minister said.<br />
Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) is a 50-50 joint venture of the Centre and the state government.</p>

<p>The Centre has so far released over Rs 2,000 crore for the project. The coaches reflected &#39;Make in India&#39; vision. They have been built by Alstom near Chennai and have an Indian component of around 70 per cent, he said.</p>

<p>The Kochi Metro Rail System has collaborated with Kudumbashree, the women empowerment self-help group initiated by the state government. It has also appointed as many as 23 transgenders for customer service operations and as ground staff.</p>

<p>Apart from a fleet of low-floor buses and autos plying as metro feeders,&nbsp;&nbsp;a&nbsp;water metro will soon join the Kochi Metro giving the city a multi-dimension mobility network, especially for people living in the backwaters.</p>

<p>The rooftops of all metro stations have been set up with solar panels in order to generate power.</p>

<p>A special provision for wheelchairs, special coaches for people with disabilities, multiple USB ports for charging mobile phones, and cushioned seats for the disabled and pregnant women are some key features of the metro.</p>

<p>The minimum fare has been capped at Rs&nbsp;10, while an end-to-end ride, from Aluva and Palarivattom or vice-versa costs Rs 40.<br />
<br />
Considered the fasted completed metro project in the country, the estimated cost of completion&nbsp;of the Kochi Metro is Rs 5,181.79 crore.</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


The 13-km long stretch spans across Aluva and Palarivattom areas of the port city

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off Kerala's first metro in Kochi. #KochiMetro pic.twitter.com/yo1zYhzL4y — CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) June 17, 2017 × The 13-km long stretch spans across Aluva and Palarivattom areas of the port city and will start operating from June 19. PM Modi, took a brief ride in the metro prior to the official launch with dignitaries including Governor P Sathasivam, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and India's "Metro Man" E Sreedharan. Modi, who cut the ribbon at the Palarivattom station, shook hands with Vijayan and Sreedharan before proceeding to board the metro train. During the journey, the PM waved at the crowd as Sreedharan and Kochi Metro Rail Ltd Managing Director Elias George interacted with him. He later tweeted that the metro had "several significant features, which make it a state-of-the-art project that will enhance Kochi’s economic growth." Hailed as India's first integrated multi-mode transport system, the inaugural ceremony was held at Kochi's Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium. In his address, PM Modi stressed the need to bring about a "paradigm shift" in urban planning by adopting a people-centric approach and integrating land use and transport. The prime minister, who began his speech in Malayalam, said he was happy to be part of the inauguration of the project. He said Kochi was selected as a Smart City in January 2016. "I hope it will do even better in the days to come," he said. Kochi, the queen of the Arabian Sea, was once an important spice trading centre. Today it is known as the commercial capital of Kerala, the prime minister said. Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) is a 50-50 joint venture of the Centre and the state government. The Centre has so far released over Rs 2,000 crore for the project. The coaches reflected 'Make in India' vision. They have been built by Alstom near Chennai and have an Indian component of around 70 per cent, he said. The Kochi Metro Rail System has collaborated with Kudumbashree, the women empowerment self-help group initiated by the state government. It has also appointed as many as 23 transgenders for customer service operations and as ground staff. Apart from a fleet of low-floor buses and autos plying as metro feeders, a water metro will soon join the Kochi Metro giving the city a multi-dimension mobility network, especially for people living in the backwaters. The rooftops of all metro stations have been set up with solar panels in order to generate power. A special provision for wheelchairs, special coaches for people with disabilities, multiple USB ports for charging mobile phones, and cushioned seats for the disabled and pregnant women are some key features of the metro. The minimum fare has been capped at Rs 10, while an end-to-end ride, from Aluva and Palarivattom or vice-versa costs Rs 40. Considered the fasted completed metro project in the country, the estimated cost of completion of the Kochi Metro is Rs 5,181.79 crore.

PM Modi inaugurates Kerala's first metro service in Kochi

<p>There are fresh reports of tension in&nbsp;Kerala where Jishnu Prannoy, a deceased engineering student&rsquo;s mother was arrested earlier today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jishnu Prannoy was a student of Nehru College of Engineering in Thrissur, Kerala. He was found hanging after being allegedly&nbsp;tortured by college authorities in January. Most accused in the case have not been arrested.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The family of the deceased believe that physical and mental harassment by the college authorities had led to Jishnu&#39;s&nbsp;suicide, his parents have demanded the&nbsp;arrest of all those who were involved, including Nehru College chairman Krishna Das. The parents have continued to protest, demanding the arrest of those responsible for their son&#39;s&nbsp;death. Mahija, mother of the deceased was forcibly removed and arrested today in front the state police headquarters after she continued her protest on the road and resisted police intervention.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the police, the protesters continued even after a warning was issued by the security personnel. Police had earlier warned the protesters to stage any form of protest at least hundred&nbsp;metres away but they paid no heed and assembled at the headquarters at 10:15am(local time).&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is expected that all arrested would be taken to Nandavanam police camp where they will be let off on bail.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Both parties, Congress and BJP have now called for a strike in Thiruvananthapuram following police action on the parents of Jishnu Prannoy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(WION)</p>


Jishnu Prannoy had committed suicide earlier this year after being allegedly tortured by college authorities

There are fresh reports of tension in Kerala where Jishnu Prannoy, a deceased engineering student’s mother was arrested earlier today. Jishnu Prannoy was a student of Nehru College of Engineering in Thrissur, Kerala. He was found hanging after being allegedly tortured by college authorities in January. Most accused in the case have not been arrested. The family of the deceased believe that physical and mental harassment by the college authorities had led to Jishnu's suicide, his parents have demanded the arrest of all those who were involved, including Nehru College chairman Krishna Das. The parents have continued to protest, demanding the arrest of those responsible for their son's death. Mahija, mother of the deceased was forcibly removed and arrested today in front the state police headquarters after she continued her protest on the road and resisted police intervention. According to the police, the protesters continued even after a warning was issued by the security personnel. Police had earlier warned the protesters to stage any form of protest at least hundred metres away but they paid no heed and assembled at the headquarters at 10:15am(local time). It is expected that all arrested would be taken to Nandavanam police camp where they will be let off on bail. Both parties, Congress and BJP have now called for a strike in Thiruvananthapuram following police action on the parents of Jishnu Prannoy. (WION)

Jishnu Prannoy suicide: After mother's arrest, Congress, BJP call for strike in Kerela

<p>In a video that has now gone viral a pastor from Kerala said women who &ldquo;arouse&rdquo; men by wearing jeans should be &ldquo;drowned with rocks tied to their bodies&rdquo;, DNA reported on Tuesday.</p>

<p>The video from Shalom TV&nbsp;was uploaded on February 25, DNA reported. The unnamed priest went on to say that the church or the Bible doesn&#39;t permit women to dress like men.</p>

<p>IndiaToday translated a part of his sermon as &quot;When I go for prayer meetings in some churches, especially during the Holy Mass, I feel like leaving because of some women who I see in front of me. I feel it&rsquo;s better to kick them out of the church premises. They will wear jeans, trousers, shirt or T-shirts, and will have a mobile phone in their hands. They wouldn&rsquo;t even tie their hair. They do this to get attention. I don&rsquo;t know why these &lsquo;things&rsquo; come to the church.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Here&rsquo;s my question to women: Did the Catholic Church give you permission to wear what men wear? Okay, let&rsquo;s keep the Church away. Did the Holy Bible give you permission?&quot;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Let me tell you what the Bible says. &lsquo;Men should not wear women&rsquo;s clothes, women should not wear men&rsquo;s clothes. If you do, you disregard God&rsquo;. Will you get mercy if you go against God and then act in the church as if you&rsquo;re more devoted than your mother?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Bible verses say, &lsquo;Those who provoke you into sin should be drowned in the depths of the sea, with a rock tied to their bodies&rsquo;. If you [women] arouse men, you&rsquo;re the sinner.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The channel is about to touch 20,000 subscribers on YouTube, DNA reported.</p>

<p>According to DNA, Kerala has recorded&nbsp;&nbsp;2,568 rapes in 2016 and&nbsp;several colleges in the state, and in neighbouring Tamil Nadu,&nbsp;have introduced rules that regulate women&rsquo;s clothing and jeans are the favourite target.</p>

<p>The priest had more advice on what women should wear:&nbsp;&ldquo;The best suited attire for women is churidaar, but these days, when Satan enters them, women throw away the &lsquo;dupatta&rsquo;. They walk around without shawls.&rdquo;</p>

<p>He also accuded&nbsp;women of tempting their brothers and fathers, and absolved rapists of &ldquo;such&rdquo; girls saying they were &ldquo;provoked&rdquo;.</p>

<p>(WION)</p>


The unnamed priest went on to say that the Church or the Bible doesn't give women the permission to dress like men

In a video that has now gone viral a pastor from Kerala said women who “arouse” men by wearing jeans should be “drowned with rocks tied to their bodies”, DNA reported on Tuesday. The video from Shalom TV was uploaded on February 25, DNA reported. The unnamed priest went on to say that the church or the Bible doesn't permit women to dress like men. IndiaToday translated a part of his sermon as "When I go for prayer meetings in some churches, especially during the Holy Mass, I feel like leaving because of some women who I see in front of me. I feel it’s better to kick them out of the church premises. They will wear jeans, trousers, shirt or T-shirts, and will have a mobile phone in their hands. They wouldn’t even tie their hair. They do this to get attention. I don’t know why these ‘things’ come to the church.” “Here’s my question to women: Did the Catholic Church give you permission to wear what men wear? Okay, let’s keep the Church away. Did the Holy Bible give you permission?" “Let me tell you what the Bible says. ‘Men should not wear women’s clothes, women should not wear men’s clothes. If you do, you disregard God’. Will you get mercy if you go against God and then act in the church as if you’re more devoted than your mother?” “Bible verses say, ‘Those who provoke you into sin should be drowned in the depths of the sea, with a rock tied to their bodies’. If you [women] arouse men, you’re the sinner.” The channel is about to touch 20,000 subscribers on YouTube, DNA reported. According to DNA, Kerala has recorded 2,568 rapes in 2016 and several colleges in the state, and in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, have introduced rules that regulate women’s clothing and jeans are the favourite target. The priest had more advice on what women should wear: “The best suited attire for women is churidaar, but these days, when Satan enters them, women throw away the ‘dupatta’. They walk around without shawls.” He also accuded women of tempting their brothers and fathers, and absolved rapists of “such” girls saying they were “provoked”. (WION)

India: Video of priest denouncing women who wear jeans to church goes viral

<p>The prime accused in the Malayalam actress abduction and rape&nbsp;case &#39;Pulsar&#39; Suni has been arrested by police in Ernakulam, Kerala, police said today.</p>

<p>The actress was allegedly raped&nbsp;and abducted&nbsp;by a gang of men last week on Friday night in her own car.</p>

<p>The accused men got into the actress&#39; car near Athani in Angamaly and assaulted her till the car reached Palarivattom in Ernakulam.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The men allegedly took photos and videos of her to blackmail her.&nbsp;According to the police, the actress was held in the car for an hour, after which, she was dropped near her residence at around 10:30 pm on Friday night.</p>

<p>One of the accused Sunil Kumar was apprehended by police and sent to jail. Kumar is now waiting&nbsp;for his bail plea to be taken up by the Kerala High Court on March 3.</p>

<p>The incident was roundly condemned by the film fraternity. Several actresses from the industry had taken to social media to express their horror and shock over&nbsp;the incident.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>(WION)</p>


The actress was allegedly raped?and abducted by a gang of men last week on Friday night in her own car

The prime accused in the Malayalam actress abduction and rape case 'Pulsar' Suni has been arrested by police in Ernakulam, Kerala, police said today. The actress was allegedly raped and abducted by a gang of men last week on Friday night in her own car. The accused men got into the actress' car near Athani in Angamaly and assaulted her till the car reached Palarivattom in Ernakulam. The men allegedly took photos and videos of her to blackmail her. According to the police, the actress was held in the car for an hour, after which, she was dropped near her residence at around 10:30 pm on Friday night. One of the accused Sunil Kumar was apprehended by police and sent to jail. Kumar is now waiting for his bail plea to be taken up by the Kerala High Court on March 3. The incident was roundly condemned by the film fraternity. Several actresses from the industry had taken to social media to express their horror and shock over the incident. (WION)

Indian actress rape case: Prime accused arrested

<p>A popular Malayalam actress was abducted and molested by a gang of men late Friday night near Ernakulam town in Kerala, the Malayala Manorama reported.</p>

<p>The report said the men got into the actress&#39; car near Athani in Angamaly.</p>

<p>According to the report, she was assaulted till the car reached Palarivattom in Ernakulam. The men allegedly took photos and videos of her.</p>

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<h5>The actress was released after the men allegedly assaulted her, and took photos and videos of her</h5>
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<p>The actress was then released.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The actress&#39; former driver Martin was allegedly one of the attackers.</p>

<p>The Malayala Manorama reported that after the actress was released, she went to the home of a director -- seeking his help -- in Kakkanad.</p>

<p>She later spoke to the police and gave them a statement.</p>

<p>A case has been registered, with local goon Sunil Kumar listed as the main accused.</p>

<p>The actress&#39; former driver has been arrested.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(This report first appeared in DNA)</p>


The actress' former driver Martin was allegedly one of the attackers

A popular Malayalam actress was abducted and molested by a gang of men late Friday night near Ernakulam town in Kerala, the Malayala Manorama reported. The report said the men got into the actress' car near Athani in Angamaly. According to the report, she was assaulted till the car reached Palarivattom in Ernakulam. The men allegedly took photos and videos of her. The actress was released after the men allegedly assaulted her, and took photos and videos of her × The actress was then released. The actress' former driver Martin was allegedly one of the attackers. The Malayala Manorama reported that after the actress was released, she went to the home of a director -- seeking his help -- in Kakkanad. She later spoke to the police and gave them a statement. A case has been registered, with local goon Sunil Kumar listed as the main accused. The actress' former driver has been arrested. (This report first appeared in DNA)

Malayalam actress abducted & molested: Report

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