A court in Bangladesh on Thursday sentenced 16 people to death for the murder of Nusrat Jahan Rafi after she protested against sexual abuse by the principal of a madrasa.

18-year-old Nusrat, residing in the small town of Feni, was set on fire on April 6 two weeks after she registered a complaint against sexual abuse by the principal, reported BD News 24.

The principal, Siraj-Ud-Doula, who reportedly orchestrated the attack is among those sentenced.

Feni Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Mamunur Rashid handed down the verdict.

On April 6, Nusrat was tricked into coming on top of the roof of the madrasa where the perpetrators set her on fire after she refused to withdraw the case. 
 
She was taken to a hospital later,&nbsp;however, she succumbed to her injuries on April 10.

Nusrat's brother Mahmudul Hasan Noman filed a case on April 8 against eight people.

The incident shocked the entire country and led to a series of protests against the oppression of woman and girls.

A court in Bangladesh on Thursday sentenced 16 people to death for the murder of Nusrat Jahan Rafi after she protested against sexual abuse by the principal of a madrasa.

A court in Bangladesh on Thursday sentenced 16 people to death for the murder of Nusrat Jahan Rafi after she protested against sexual abuse by the principal of a madrasa. 18-year-old Nusrat, residing in the small town of Feni, was set on fire on April 6 two weeks after she registered a complaint against sexual abuse by the principal, reported BD News 24. The principal, Siraj-Ud-Doula, who reportedly orchestrated the attack is among those sentenced. Feni Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Mamunur Rashid handed down the verdict. On April 6, Nusrat was tricked into coming on top of the roof of the madrasa where the perpetrators set her on fire after she refused to withdraw the case. She was taken to a hospital later, however, she succumbed to her injuries on April 10. Nusrat's brother Mahmudul Hasan Noman filed a case on April 8 against eight people. The incident shocked the entire country and led to a series of protests against the oppression of woman and girls.

Bangladesh court sentences 16 people to death in Nusrat Jahan Rafi's murder case

Two of the prime accused in Kamlesh Tiwari murder case believed that killing of the Hindu Samaj Party leader was "justified as per Sharia", a Gujarat police official said on Wednesday.

The accused Ashfaq Hussain Jakir Hussain Shaikh (34) and Moinuddin Khurshid Pathan (27) were arrested by Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) from the Gujarat-Rajasthan border on Tuesday.&nbsp;

"Upon interrogation, we came to know that they contacted many maulvis. One of the maulvis was Mohsin. They were told and were convinced that the murder is justified as per the Sharia law," said BH Chavda, Deputy SP, Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).

An Ahmedabad court on Wednesday granted 72 hours transit remand for Ashfaq and Moinuddin who are being taken to Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;

Kamlesh Tiwari was shot in the naka area of Lucknow on October 18 and succumbed to his injuries at a hospital during treatment.

A total of five persons have been arrested so far. Other accused -- Rashid Pathan, Faizan Sheikh, and Maulana Mohsin Sheikh - were on Tuesday sent to police custody for four days in connection with the case.&nbsp;

Two of the prime accused in Kamlesh Tiwari murder case believed that killing of the Hindu Samaj Party leader was "justified as per Sharia", a Gujarat police official said on Wednesday.

Two of the prime accused in Kamlesh Tiwari murder case believed that killing of the Hindu Samaj Party leader was "justified as per Sharia", a Gujarat police official said on Wednesday. The accused Ashfaq Hussain Jakir Hussain Shaikh (34) and Moinuddin Khurshid Pathan (27) were arrested by Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) from the Gujarat-Rajasthan border on Tuesday. "Upon interrogation, we came to know that they contacted many maulvis. One of the maulvis was Mohsin. They were told and were convinced that the murder is justified as per the Sharia law," said BH Chavda, Deputy SP, Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). An Ahmedabad court on Wednesday granted 72 hours transit remand for Ashfaq and Moinuddin who are being taken to Uttar Pradesh. Kamlesh Tiwari was shot in the naka area of Lucknow on October 18 and succumbed to his injuries at a hospital during treatment. A total of five persons have been arrested so far. Other accused -- Rashid Pathan, Faizan Sheikh, and Maulana Mohsin Sheikh - were on Tuesday sent to police custody for four days in connection with the case.

Two accused in Kamlesh Tiwari murder case believed their action justified: Gujarat Police

Hong Kong released a murder suspect in a case that indirectly sparked mass protests in opposition to an unpopular extradition bill.

Hong Kong releases murder suspect Chan Tong-kai

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing Kamlesh Tiwari murder case, on Tuesday said that the fourth accused Sayyed Asim Ali arrested from Nagpur was brought to Lucknow and was also interrogated here.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, the Uttar Pradesh Police had produced Ali in the murder case in a Nagpur court and obtained his transit remand, Maharashtra ATS had said.

In a press note, the SIT said that plenty of evidence related to the case have been collected and the statements of the accused have been recorded.

The SIT said that the evidence will be sent to the laboratory for examination. As of now, at least 200 people have been questioned in connection with the case, the SIT further said.&nbsp;

The SIT said that different teams are working to nab the two absconding suspects.

Yesterday, the Uttar Pradesh police also released the photographs of the two suspects Ashfaq and Moinuddin.

On Saturday, Maulana Mohsin Sheikh (24), Khurshid Ahmed Pathan (23) and Faizan (21) -- three accused -- were arrested from Surat by a joint team of the Gujarat Police and the Uttar Pradesh Police for allegedly murdering Tiwari.&nbsp;

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing Kamlesh Tiwari murder case, on Tuesday said that the fourth accused Sayyed Asim Ali arrested from Nagpur was brought to Lucknow and was also interrogated here.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing Kamlesh Tiwari murder case, on Tuesday said that the fourth accused Sayyed Asim Ali arrested from Nagpur was brought to Lucknow and was also interrogated here. On Tuesday, the Uttar Pradesh Police had produced Ali in the murder case in a Nagpur court and obtained his transit remand, Maharashtra ATS had said. In a press note, the SIT said that plenty of evidence related to the case have been collected and the statements of the accused have been recorded. The SIT said that the evidence will be sent to the laboratory for examination. As of now, at least 200 people have been questioned in connection with the case, the SIT further said. The SIT said that different teams are working to nab the two absconding suspects. Yesterday, the Uttar Pradesh police also released the photographs of the two suspects Ashfaq and Moinuddin. On Saturday, Maulana Mohsin Sheikh (24), Khurshid Ahmed Pathan (23) and Faizan (21) -- three accused -- were arrested from Surat by a joint team of the Gujarat Police and the Uttar Pradesh Police for allegedly murdering Tiwari.

Kamlesh Tiwari murder case: Accused arrested from Nagpur brought to Lucknow, says SIT

A murder case that led to mass street protests in Hong Kong should be handled independently by Taiwan, where the suspect allegedly committed the crime, authorities in the Chinese-ruled city said.

Chan Tong-kai, a Hong Kong citizen, was accused of murdering his girlfriend in Taiwan last year before fleeing back to the financial hub. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam held up Chan's case as an example of why an extradition bill, that would have allowed suspects to be sent from Hong Kong to greater China - including the mainland, Taiwan and Macau - was needed.

Hong Kong has been reeling from five months of unrest originally triggered by the extradition bill but which has now evolved into a pro-democracy movement. The government has announced it will withdraw the bill, but the protests have not stopped.

Chan has offered to voluntarily surrender himself to Taiwan on release from prison in the former British colony where he has been serving a 29-month sentence for money laundering, the chief executive's office said.

Taiwan has said Chan's offer to give himself up was not sufficient and formal talks were needed with Hong Kong authorities.

Taiwan authorities argue that his extradition without a legal assistance framework would damage the self-ruled island's sovereignty and put Taiwan under the "one China" framework.

Taiwan's Premier Su Tseng-chang said on Tuesday the government had requested legal assistance and warned Hong Kong not to "politically manipulate" the case.

Beijing considers Taiwan to be a wayward province of "one China", ineligible for state-to-state relations and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control.

Hong Kong has said the case can be handled without any further discussions as all relevant evidence was in Taiwan, giving it absolute jurisdiction over the case.

"The surrender does not present any obstacle in terms of legal principles and procedures...The case can totally be handled independently," the Hong Kong government said in a statement late on Monday.

Chan was arrested by police in Hong Kong in March 2018 and local authorities were only able to find evidence against him for money laundering.

A murder case that led to mass street protests in Hong Kong should be handled independently by Taiwan, where the suspect allegedly committed the crime, authorities in the Chinese-ruled city said.

A murder case that led to mass street protests in Hong Kong should be handled independently by Taiwan, where the suspect allegedly committed the crime, authorities in the Chinese-ruled city said. Chan Tong-kai, a Hong Kong citizen, was accused of murdering his girlfriend in Taiwan last year before fleeing back to the financial hub. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam held up Chan's case as an example of why an extradition bill, that would have allowed suspects to be sent from Hong Kong to greater China - including the mainland, Taiwan and Macau - was needed. Hong Kong has been reeling from five months of unrest originally triggered by the extradition bill but which has now evolved into a pro-democracy movement. The government has announced it will withdraw the bill, but the protests have not stopped. Chan has offered to voluntarily surrender himself to Taiwan on release from prison in the former British colony where he has been serving a 29-month sentence for money laundering, the chief executive's office said. Taiwan has said Chan's offer to give himself up was not sufficient and formal talks were needed with Hong Kong authorities. Taiwan authorities argue that his extradition without a legal assistance framework would damage the self-ruled island's sovereignty and put Taiwan under the "one China" framework. Taiwan's Premier Su Tseng-chang said on Tuesday the government had requested legal assistance and warned Hong Kong not to "politically manipulate" the case. Beijing considers Taiwan to be a wayward province of "one China", ineligible for state-to-state relations and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control. Hong Kong has said the case can be handled without any further discussions as all relevant evidence was in Taiwan, giving it absolute jurisdiction over the case. "The surrender does not present any obstacle in terms of legal principles and procedures...The case can totally be handled independently," the Hong Kong government said in a statement late on Monday. Chan was arrested by police in Hong Kong in March 2018 and local authorities were only able to find evidence against him for money laundering.

Hong Kong, Taiwan authorities tussle as fate of murder suspect in limbo

The Uttar Pradesh Police on Monday produced an accused in Kamlesh Tiwari murder case in a court in Nagpur and obtained his transit remand, said Maharashtra ATS.

In a statement, Maharashtra ATS said, "A confidential information was received by ATS, Nagpur Unit regarding the involvement of one suspect Sayyed Asim Ali, aged 29 years, resident of Plot No. 17, near Om Aatta Chakki, Mane Layout, Zingabai Takli, Nagpur, in the murder case of Kamlesh Tiwari in Uttar Pradesh."&nbsp;

A case under Sections 302, 120 (B) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered on October 18 at a police station in Lucknow in this regard, the statement said.

Maharashtra ATS further said, "Based on the information received, an operation was conducted and Sayyed Asim Ali was interrogated. It was revealed that Ali was in constant touch with other accused in this case. It is also revealed that he has played a very important role in the Kamlesh Tiwari murder case."&nbsp;

"The information was shared with Uttar Pradesh Police. The accused was arrested by Maharashtra ATS. Uttar Pradesh Police produced the accused before the 5th Court, JMFC, Nagpur on October 21 and obtained his transit remand from the court," the Maharashtra ATS added in the statement.

On October 18, Kamlesh Tiwari was shot dead at Naka area of Lucknow, the police had said. He was immediately taken to a hospital where he succumbed to injuries during the treatment.&nbsp;

The Uttar Pradesh Police on Monday produced an accused in Kamlesh Tiwari murder case in a court in Nagpur and obtained his transit remand, said Maharashtra ATS. In a statement, Maharashtra ATS said, "A confidential information was received by ATS, Nagpur Unit regarding the involvement of one suspect Sayyed Asim Ali, aged 29 years, resident of Plot No.

The Uttar Pradesh Police on Monday produced an accused in Kamlesh Tiwari murder case in a court in Nagpur and obtained his transit remand, said Maharashtra ATS. In a statement, Maharashtra ATS said, "A confidential information was received by ATS, Nagpur Unit regarding the involvement of one suspect Sayyed Asim Ali, aged 29 years, resident of Plot No. 17, near Om Aatta Chakki, Mane Layout, Zingabai Takli, Nagpur, in the murder case of Kamlesh Tiwari in Uttar Pradesh." A case under Sections 302, 120 (B) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered on October 18 at a police station in Lucknow in this regard, the statement said. Maharashtra ATS further said, "Based on the information received, an operation was conducted and Sayyed Asim Ali was interrogated. It was revealed that Ali was in constant touch with other accused in this case. It is also revealed that he has played a very important role in the Kamlesh Tiwari murder case." "The information was shared with Uttar Pradesh Police. The accused was arrested by Maharashtra ATS. Uttar Pradesh Police produced the accused before the 5th Court, JMFC, Nagpur on October 21 and obtained his transit remand from the court," the Maharashtra ATS added in the statement. On October 18, Kamlesh Tiwari was shot dead at Naka area of Lucknow, the police had said. He was immediately taken to a hospital where he succumbed to injuries during the treatment.

UP Police get transit remand of one accused from Nagpur court in Kamlesh Tiwari murder case

Lucknow police have recovered a blood-stained knife from the hotel room where the two suspects allegedly involved in the assassination of Hindu Samaj Party leader Kamlesh Tiwari purportedly stayed.

Earlier in the day, police claimed to have recovered a saffron-coloured garment and a blood-stained towel from the room.

The recoveries were made after police received inputs about the duo, Sheikh Ashfaq Hussain and Pathan Moinuddin Ahmed, staying at Hotel Khalsa. The room has been sealed and police have already claimed to have recovered the pistol used in the crime.

"The two suspects had registered as -- Sheikh Ashfaq Hussain and Pathan Moinuddin Ahmed. They came here on October 17 at 11:08 pm. At 10:38 am on October 18, they went out, returned at 1:21 pm and finally left the hotel at 1:37 pm. A saffron-coloured garment and a towel with bloodstains were found in the room," Lucknow Police said in a statement.

On October 18, Kamlesh Tiwari was shot dead at Naka area of Lucknow, the police had said.

The Hindu outfit leader was immediately taken to a hospital where he succumbed to injuries during the treatment.

Arvind Chaurasia, the manager of Hotel Khalsa, where the two suspects stayed, said he had informed police about the suspects after their footage was played on TV.

The hotel manager while talking to ANI said, "On the morning of October 18, they got out of here and asked about the `Mazar` of Hazrat Abbas. Both of them were in saffron clothes and had sweet boxes in their hands. Then enquired about Imambara. They went out and returned at 1.21 PM."

The Hotel Manager said the duo two left the hotel soon after.

"When the two did not return we attempted to contact them on the number they registered but found that it was switched off. Their footage was being played on news channels. When we saw their ID, it was of Surat. Their room was opened and we saw their belongings and informed police," he said.

Asked if some bloodstains appeared on their clothes when the two suspects returned to the hotel on October 18, the Hotel Manager replied in negative. He also said that the two suspects claimed they were here to meet some people.

UP DGP OP Singh had on October 19 said that three persons were being held by a joint team of Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat Police in connection with the murder.

The accused, who were arrested in Gujarat, were identified as Maulana Mohsin Sheikh (24), Khurshid Ahmed Pathan (23) and Faizan (21).

Meanwhile, another person was detained by Maharashtra ATS at Nagpur on Saturday.

Tiwari was shot dead at his residence in Lucknow by some unidentified persons on Friday afternoon. The family of the victim had said that he had received a death threat in 2016.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Lucknow police have recovered a blood-stained knife from the hotel room where the two suspects allegedly involved in the assassination of Hindu Samaj Party leader Kamlesh Tiwari purportedly stayed.

Lucknow police have recovered a blood-stained knife from the hotel room where the two suspects allegedly involved in the assassination of Hindu Samaj Party leader Kamlesh Tiwari purportedly stayed. Earlier in the day, police claimed to have recovered a saffron-coloured garment and a blood-stained towel from the room. The recoveries were made after police received inputs about the duo, Sheikh Ashfaq Hussain and Pathan Moinuddin Ahmed, staying at Hotel Khalsa. The room has been sealed and police have already claimed to have recovered the pistol used in the crime. "The two suspects had registered as -- Sheikh Ashfaq Hussain and Pathan Moinuddin Ahmed. They came here on October 17 at 11:08 pm. At 10:38 am on October 18, they went out, returned at 1:21 pm and finally left the hotel at 1:37 pm. A saffron-coloured garment and a towel with bloodstains were found in the room," Lucknow Police said in a statement. On October 18, Kamlesh Tiwari was shot dead at Naka area of Lucknow, the police had said. The Hindu outfit leader was immediately taken to a hospital where he succumbed to injuries during the treatment. Arvind Chaurasia, the manager of Hotel Khalsa, where the two suspects stayed, said he had informed police about the suspects after their footage was played on TV. The hotel manager while talking to ANI said, "On the morning of October 18, they got out of here and asked about the `Mazar` of Hazrat Abbas. Both of them were in saffron clothes and had sweet boxes in their hands. Then enquired about Imambara. They went out and returned at 1.21 PM." The Hotel Manager said the duo two left the hotel soon after. "When the two did not return we attempted to contact them on the number they registered but found that it was switched off. Their footage was being played on news channels. When we saw their ID, it was of Surat. Their room was opened and we saw their belongings and informed police," he said. Asked if some bloodstains appeared on their clothes when the two suspects returned to the hotel on October 18, the Hotel Manager replied in negative. He also said that the two suspects claimed they were here to meet some people. UP DGP OP Singh had on October 19 said that three persons were being held by a joint team of Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat Police in connection with the murder. The accused, who were arrested in Gujarat, were identified as Maulana Mohsin Sheikh (24), Khurshid Ahmed Pathan (23) and Faizan (21). Meanwhile, another person was detained by Maharashtra ATS at Nagpur on Saturday. Tiwari was shot dead at his residence in Lucknow by some unidentified persons on Friday afternoon. The family of the victim had said that he had received a death threat in 2016.

Kamlesh Tiwari murder: Blood stained knife recovered from hotel room where two suspects stayed in Lucknow

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will meet the family of slain Hindu Samaj Party leader Kamlesh Tiwari on Sunday.

Tiwari was shot dead at his residence in Lucknow by some unidentified persons on Friday afternoon.&nbsp;

The family of the victim had said that he had received a death threat in 2016.

Adityanath on Saturday said that killers of Kamlesh Tiwari will be brought to book."Whosoever will create an atmosphere of fear will be dealt with severely. Any such incident will not be tolerated. Anyone found involved in Kamlesh Tiwari will not be spared," Adityanath told ANI.

Tiwari was the former leader of Hindu Mahasabha and had founded the Hindu Samaj Party.

After being attacked, the leader was rushed to a hospital where he succumbed to injuries. The assailants managed to flee the spot. A revolver was also recovered from the site of the crime.

The Uttar Pradesh government will provide security to the family and a licensed weapon to the eldest son for self-defence.&nbsp;

Mukesh Meshram, Lucknow divisional commissioner after meeting the family of deceased in Sitapur also assured a job for the eldest son and appropriate financial help to the family.

On the other hand, Three people have been held by a joint team of Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat Police in connection with the murder of Tiwari from Surat.

According to the police, the accused -- identified as Maulana Mohsin Sheikh (24), Khurshid Ahmed Pathan (23) and Faizan (21) -- killed Tiwari for his objectionable comments during a 2015 speech.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will meet the family of slain Hindu Samaj Party leader Kamlesh Tiwari on Sunday. Tiwari was shot dead at his residence in Lucknow by some unidentified persons on Friday afternoon.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will meet the family of slain Hindu Samaj Party leader Kamlesh Tiwari on Sunday. Tiwari was shot dead at his residence in Lucknow by some unidentified persons on Friday afternoon. The family of the victim had said that he had received a death threat in 2016. Adityanath on Saturday said that killers of Kamlesh Tiwari will be brought to book."Whosoever will create an atmosphere of fear will be dealt with severely. Any such incident will not be tolerated. Anyone found involved in Kamlesh Tiwari will not be spared," Adityanath told ANI. Tiwari was the former leader of Hindu Mahasabha and had founded the Hindu Samaj Party. After being attacked, the leader was rushed to a hospital where he succumbed to injuries. The assailants managed to flee the spot. A revolver was also recovered from the site of the crime. The Uttar Pradesh government will provide security to the family and a licensed weapon to the eldest son for self-defence. Mukesh Meshram, Lucknow divisional commissioner after meeting the family of deceased in Sitapur also assured a job for the eldest son and appropriate financial help to the family. On the other hand, Three people have been held by a joint team of Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat Police in connection with the murder of Tiwari from Surat. According to the police, the accused -- identified as Maulana Mohsin Sheikh (24), Khurshid Ahmed Pathan (23) and Faizan (21) -- killed Tiwari for his objectionable comments during a 2015 speech.

Uttar Pradesh CM to meet Kamlesh Tiwari's kin

Kiran, wife of Hindu Samaj Party chief Kamlesh Tiwari, who was shot dead on Friday, has threatened to self immolate herself demanding justice for her husband.

Crying inconsolably after the body of Kamlesh Tiwari arrived at his native place in Muhmadabad, his wife demanded justice for her deceased husband and told reporters, "I will commit self-immolation right at this place along with my children".

She said that Kamlesh Tiwari used to get threat calls every day but the administration did not act upon it.

Another family member demanded that the government should provide a government job for two sons of Kamlesh.

"We demand security for the family. CM Yogi should come to meet us otherwise we will not cremate the body," he said.

Tiwari was shot dead at Naka area of Lucknow on Friday. He was the former leader of Hindu Mahasabha and had founded the Hindu Samaj Party.

After being attacked, Tiwari was immediately taken to a hospital where he succumbed to injuries. The assailants managed to flee from the spot. A revolver was also recovered from the site of the crime.

"Some people were threatening to kill Kamlesh. That`s why we were demanding security for Kamlesh and family for the last two years. But government and administration did not listen to us," another relative told ANI.

The police have registered the FIR based on the complaint filed by Tiwari`s wife. She has said in her complaint that these two had threatened to kill her husband in 2016, police said.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to investigate Tiwari`s murder.SK Bhagat (Inspector General Lucknow), Dinesh Puri (Superintendent of Police Crime Lucknow) and PK Mishra (Deputy Superintendent of Police Special Task Force) are part of the SIT that has been constituted to probe the murder.

Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police OP Singh had said that accused knew Tiwari as they spent around 30 minutes with him on the pretext of gifting him sweets. DGP Singh had said that the shooting of Tiwari was "purely a criminal activity conducted by two people".

According to an eye-witness, the attackers barged into Tiwari`s office and opened fire on him. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has sought a report from Principal Secretary (Home) and Director General of Police (DGP) in the case.&nbsp;

Kiran, wife of Hindu Samaj Party chief Kamlesh Tiwari, who was shot dead on Friday, has threatened to self immolate herself demanding justice for her husband. Crying inconsolably after the body of Kamlesh Tiwari arrived at his native place in Muhmadabad, his wife demanded justice for her deceased husband and told reporters, "I will commit self-immolation right at this place along with my children".

Kiran, wife of Hindu Samaj Party chief Kamlesh Tiwari, who was shot dead on Friday, has threatened to self immolate herself demanding justice for her husband. Crying inconsolably after the body of Kamlesh Tiwari arrived at his native place in Muhmadabad, his wife demanded justice for her deceased husband and told reporters, "I will commit self-immolation right at this place along with my children". She said that Kamlesh Tiwari used to get threat calls every day but the administration did not act upon it. Another family member demanded that the government should provide a government job for two sons of Kamlesh. "We demand security for the family. CM Yogi should come to meet us otherwise we will not cremate the body," he said. Tiwari was shot dead at Naka area of Lucknow on Friday. He was the former leader of Hindu Mahasabha and had founded the Hindu Samaj Party. After being attacked, Tiwari was immediately taken to a hospital where he succumbed to injuries. The assailants managed to flee from the spot. A revolver was also recovered from the site of the crime. "Some people were threatening to kill Kamlesh. That`s why we were demanding security for Kamlesh and family for the last two years. But government and administration did not listen to us," another relative told ANI. The police have registered the FIR based on the complaint filed by Tiwari`s wife. She has said in her complaint that these two had threatened to kill her husband in 2016, police said. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to investigate Tiwari`s murder.SK Bhagat (Inspector General Lucknow), Dinesh Puri (Superintendent of Police Crime Lucknow) and PK Mishra (Deputy Superintendent of Police Special Task Force) are part of the SIT that has been constituted to probe the murder. Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police OP Singh had said that accused knew Tiwari as they spent around 30 minutes with him on the pretext of gifting him sweets. DGP Singh had said that the shooting of Tiwari was "purely a criminal activity conducted by two people". According to an eye-witness, the attackers barged into Tiwari`s office and opened fire on him. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has sought a report from Principal Secretary (Home) and Director General of Police (DGP) in the case.

UP: Kamlesh Tiwari's wife threatens self-immolation, family demands security

Six people were killed late Friday when unknown assailants attacked a post held by armed pro-government groups in strife-torn northeastern Mali, the groups said in a statement.

Four more people were missing after the attack in Aguelhok, an alliance of pro-government forces calling itself Platform of the June 2014 Movements said.

The security situation in Mali has been deteriorating steadily with separatists, Salafists and jihadists mounting deadly insurrections since 2012.

No military or political solution appears in sight for Mali, despite the deployment of French, African and U.N. troops in the country.

Northern Mali came under the control of Al-Qaeda linked jihadists after Mali's army failed to quash a Tuareg rebellion in 2012.

The following year, a French-led military campaign was launched against the jihadists, pushing them back.

But the jihadist regrouped and widened their trademark hit-and-run raids and road mine attacks to central and southern Mali and from there into Burkina Faso and Niger where they often fan existing inter-communal strife which has left hundreds dead.

Six people were killed late Friday when unknown assailants attacked a post held by armed pro-government groups in strife-torn northeastern Mali, the groups said in a statement.

Six people were killed late Friday when unknown assailants attacked a post held by armed pro-government groups in strife-torn northeastern Mali, the groups said in a statement. Four more people were missing after the attack in Aguelhok, an alliance of pro-government forces calling itself Platform of the June 2014 Movements said. The security situation in Mali has been deteriorating steadily with separatists, Salafists and jihadists mounting deadly insurrections since 2012. No military or political solution appears in sight for Mali, despite the deployment of French, African and U.N. troops in the country. Northern Mali came under the control of Al-Qaeda linked jihadists after Mali's army failed to quash a Tuareg rebellion in 2012. The following year, a French-led military campaign was launched against the jihadists, pushing them back. But the jihadist regrouped and widened their trademark hit-and-run raids and road mine attacks to central and southern Mali and from there into Burkina Faso and Niger where they often fan existing inter-communal strife which has left hundreds dead.

Six killed in Mali attack on pro-government forces

A white policeman who shot dead a black Texas woman as she played video games at home with her young nephew has been charged with murder, police said Monday.

Aaron Dean gunned down 28-year-old Atatiana Jefferson from outside her Fort Worth property in the early hours of Saturday as she approached a window to investigate noises outside.

The incident, less than two weeks after a white policewoman was jailed for killing a black man in his apartment in nearby Dallas, has sparked a wave of anger in the US, where so-called blue-on-black violence fueled the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement.

"We are all heartbroken today. Atatiana was a beautiful, smart, amazing young woman by all accounts, who was unjustly taken from her family," Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price told a news conference.

She said an independent panel of experts would review the incident, adding: "As a mother, a grandmother, a sister, an aunt, I can't imagine anything worse and I'm so sorry."

Police said he had been charged with murder and was being held in custody.

Fort Worth interim police chief Ed Kraus made Dean's name public, and promised "a thorough and transparent and speedy investigation."

"My intent was to meet with him today to terminate his employment with the Fort Worth Police Department. However, the officer tendered his resignation this morning before we met," Kraus said.

Jefferson's brother Darius Carr demanded tough, immediate action earlier Monday.&nbsp;

"This man murdered someone," Carr told reporters.&nbsp;

'Take it to the streets'

The shooting came after a neighbour called police to report that Jefferson's front and side doors were lying ajar.

Police body-cam footage showed two officers with flashlights walking quietly around the property before spotting someone standing inside near a window.

Family attorney Lee Merritt said the victim had heard sounds in the backyard and had walked toward the window to investigate when she was shot.

Her eight-year-old nephew had been playing a video game with Jefferson, a pharmaceutical worker, when she was gunned down.

"Perceiving a threat, the officer drew his duty weapon and fired one shot striking the person," the Fort Worth force said, releasing a blurry image of a gun found in the home that the mayor later described as "irrelevant."&nbsp;

Dean, who had been with the department since 2017, did not identify himself as a police officer before opening fire, police said. &nbsp;

In the body-cam footage, he is heard saying in rapid speech that is difficult to understand: "Put your hands up, show me your hands."&nbsp;

The words are followed immediately by the sound of gunfire.

"There was no reason for her to be murdered. None," said a GoFundMe page organized to help the family with funeral expenses. "We must have justice."

Several hundred mourners took part in a vigil Sunday in Fort Worth to honour Jefferson, local media reported. Some shed tears, while others cried out in anger.

Local pastor Michael Bell was quoted as urging people in Fort Worth to "take it to the streets."

"We're not hugging them and giving them a Bible," he said.&nbsp;

The local Star-Telegram newspaper said Fort Worth police had shot at least seven people -- six of them fatally -- since June 1, although the department has not released figures for that period.&nbsp;

Merritt described the city police as "basically one of the deadliest police departments in the United States."&nbsp;

A white policeman who shot dead a black Texas woman as she played video games at home with her young nephew has been charged with murder, police said Monday. Aaron Dean gunned down 28-year-old Atatiana Jefferson from outside her Fort Worth property in the early hours of Saturday as she approached a window to investigate noises outside.

A white policeman who shot dead a black Texas woman as she played video games at home with her young nephew has been charged with murder, police said Monday. Aaron Dean gunned down 28-year-old Atatiana Jefferson from outside her Fort Worth property in the early hours of Saturday as she approached a window to investigate noises outside. The incident, less than two weeks after a white policewoman was jailed for killing a black man in his apartment in nearby Dallas, has sparked a wave of anger in the US, where so-called blue-on-black violence fueled the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. "We are all heartbroken today. Atatiana was a beautiful, smart, amazing young woman by all accounts, who was unjustly taken from her family," Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price told a news conference. She said an independent panel of experts would review the incident, adding: "As a mother, a grandmother, a sister, an aunt, I can't imagine anything worse and I'm so sorry." Police said he had been charged with murder and was being held in custody. Fort Worth interim police chief Ed Kraus made Dean's name public, and promised "a thorough and transparent and speedy investigation." "My intent was to meet with him today to terminate his employment with the Fort Worth Police Department. However, the officer tendered his resignation this morning before we met," Kraus said. Jefferson's brother Darius Carr demanded tough, immediate action earlier Monday. "This man murdered someone," Carr told reporters. 'Take it to the streets' The shooting came after a neighbour called police to report that Jefferson's front and side doors were lying ajar. Police body-cam footage showed two officers with flashlights walking quietly around the property before spotting someone standing inside near a window. Family attorney Lee Merritt said the victim had heard sounds in the backyard and had walked toward the window to investigate when she was shot. Her eight-year-old nephew had been playing a video game with Jefferson, a pharmaceutical worker, when she was gunned down. "Perceiving a threat, the officer drew his duty weapon and fired one shot striking the person," the Fort Worth force said, releasing a blurry image of a gun found in the home that the mayor later described as "irrelevant." Dean, who had been with the department since 2017, did not identify himself as a police officer before opening fire, police said. In the body-cam footage, he is heard saying in rapid speech that is difficult to understand: "Put your hands up, show me your hands." The words are followed immediately by the sound of gunfire. "There was no reason for her to be murdered. None," said a GoFundMe page organized to help the family with funeral expenses. "We must have justice." Several hundred mourners took part in a vigil Sunday in Fort Worth to honour Jefferson, local media reported. Some shed tears, while others cried out in anger. Local pastor Michael Bell was quoted as urging people in Fort Worth to "take it to the streets." "We're not hugging them and giving them a Bible," he said. The local Star-Telegram newspaper said Fort Worth police had shot at least seven people -- six of them fatally -- since June 1, although the department has not released figures for that period. Merritt described the city police as "basically one of the deadliest police departments in the United States."

Texas police officer charged with murder for shooting black woman

The BJP has come down heavily on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after an RSS worker, along with his pregnant wife and son was allegedly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/democracy-is-being-murdered-in-west-bengal-devendra-fadnavis-on-clash-during-amit-shah-rally-218855">brutally murdered</a> in Murshidabad district in the state.

The<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/another-bjp-worker-killed-in-bengal-body-found-hanging-from-electric-pole-141747"> gruesome murder</a> of the Swayamsevak and his family is being seen as another low in politics of West Bengal by BJP leaders.

Many leaders of the party have taken to social media to express their anger and anguish over the incident. On Tuesday, Bondhu Gopal Pal, a primary school teacher, his pregnant wife and a six-year-old son were found in a pool of blood at their residence in Murshidabad`s Jiyaganj area.

A senior RSS leader while speaking to ANI said that Pal had recently associated with the RSS.&nbsp;

"Though, he did not hold any post but he was a swayamsevak and recently associated with us," said a senior RSS functionary.

While the police are yet to arrest anyone in the case, the BJP leaders expressed dismay over the state of law and order situation especially when it comes to those associated with the RSS and BJP.

BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said that West Bengal is going through anarchy and the chief minister`s frustration is evident by the rate at which political violence is taking place.

"After Mamata Banerjee`s defeat in Lok Sabha elections, she is frustrated. In the past five days, four workers have been killed. This spell of violence is not stopping. She wants to regain power by riding on terror that she is spreading in the state," said Vijayvargiya while adding that in democracy one can`t respond to violence through violence.

Taking to Twitter, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said that the murder has shaken his conscience and that liberals have not uttered a single word on the murder.

"A RSS worker Sh Bandhu Prakash Pal,his eight months pregnant wife and his child were brutally slaughtered in West Bengal`s Murshidabad. Not a word by the liberals. Not a letter by 59 liberals to Mamata. Nauseating Selectivism!" he tweeted.

Union Minister Babul Supriya also lambasted Mamata Banerjee and tweeted, "Didi Maa, do people mean anything to you, Mamata Banerjee? Did we want this Bengal? On one hand, we pray to goddess Durga and goddess Kali and on the other hand a mother and her child are brutally killed."&nbsp;

The BJP has come down heavily on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after an RSS worker, along with his pregnant wife and son was allegedly brutally murdered in Murshidabad district in the state.

The BJP has come down heavily on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after an RSS worker, along with his pregnant wife and son was allegedly brutally murdered in Murshidabad district in the state. The gruesome murder of the Swayamsevak and his family is being seen as another low in politics of West Bengal by BJP leaders. Many leaders of the party have taken to social media to express their anger and anguish over the incident. On Tuesday, Bondhu Gopal Pal, a primary school teacher, his pregnant wife and a six-year-old son were found in a pool of blood at their residence in Murshidabad`s Jiyaganj area. A senior RSS leader while speaking to ANI said that Pal had recently associated with the RSS. "Though, he did not hold any post but he was a swayamsevak and recently associated with us," said a senior RSS functionary. While the police are yet to arrest anyone in the case, the BJP leaders expressed dismay over the state of law and order situation especially when it comes to those associated with the RSS and BJP. BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said that West Bengal is going through anarchy and the chief minister`s frustration is evident by the rate at which political violence is taking place. "After Mamata Banerjee`s defeat in Lok Sabha elections, she is frustrated. In the past five days, four workers have been killed. This spell of violence is not stopping. She wants to regain power by riding on terror that she is spreading in the state," said Vijayvargiya while adding that in democracy one can`t respond to violence through violence. Taking to Twitter, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said that the murder has shaken his conscience and that liberals have not uttered a single word on the murder. "A RSS worker Sh Bandhu Prakash Pal,his eight months pregnant wife and his child were brutally slaughtered in West Bengal`s Murshidabad. Not a word by the liberals. Not a letter by 59 liberals to Mamata. Nauseating Selectivism!" he tweeted. Union Minister Babul Supriya also lambasted Mamata Banerjee and tweeted, "Didi Maa, do people mean anything to you, Mamata Banerjee? Did we want this Bengal? On one hand, we pray to goddess Durga and goddess Kali and on the other hand a mother and her child are brutally killed."

BJP slams Mamata Banerjee over murder of RSS worker, his family in West Bengal's Murshidabad

Sikh Deputy killed in 'Ruthless and Cold-Blooded' murder.

Sikh police officer died in Texas

Grief, fear, and anger have enveloped the town of Chunian in Pakistan's eastern, Punjab province after the bodies of three missing children were found in a district which has seen numerous cases of child abuse and abductions in recent years.

Police said on Monday that they had made twenty arrests as they investigated the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/2322-child-abuse-cases-reported-across-pakistan-in-the-first-six-months-report-162731">suspected murders and sexual assault of the boys</a>. The body of Muhammad Faizan had been found the previous week, a day after he went missing.

Faizan, 8, had failed to return home with his brother when the two went to nearby shops to buy snacks. His body and the remains of two more boys were later found on a deserted section of an industrial estate.

"The animal brutalized my child. I cannot bear this. I want justice," Faizan's mother, Amtal Salam said.

Local media reported three other children from the area have been missing since the middle of the year and another child had disappeared late last week after the bodies were found.

Videos of hundreds of local children being sexually assaulted were found circulating in 2015, which a senior child protection official at the time called the largest child abuse scandal in Pakistan's history.

Last year, the body of a 7-year-old girl was found in a garbage dumpster, which police said was the twelfth incident of a girl being abducted, raped and killed in the district in a year, and sparked violent protests. A man was convicted of committing the murder and was executed.

Hundreds more protested last week, blocking off streets and damaging shops.

Families in the area are fearful of the welfare and safety of their <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/for-the-first-time-in-pakistans-history-court-convicts-man-over-child-pornography--133299">children</a>.

"Now the children are afraid to go to the mosques, they are afraid to go to school. Announcements have been made that parents should escort their children to school," said Shehnaz Bibi, a housewife from a neighbouring village.

Police are continuing to investigate the suspected murders and disappearances and are also looking into the possibility of a serial killer.

Grief, fear, and anger have enveloped the town of Chunian in Pakistan's eastern, Punjab province after the bodies of three missing children were found in a district which has seen numerous cases of child abuse and abductions in recent years.

Grief, fear, and anger have enveloped the town of Chunian in Pakistan's eastern, Punjab province after the bodies of three missing children were found in a district which has seen numerous cases of child abuse and abductions in recent years. Police said on Monday that they had made twenty arrests as they investigated the suspected murders and sexual assault of the boys. The body of Muhammad Faizan had been found the previous week, a day after he went missing. Faizan, 8, had failed to return home with his brother when the two went to nearby shops to buy snacks. His body and the remains of two more boys were later found on a deserted section of an industrial estate. "The animal brutalized my child. I cannot bear this. I want justice," Faizan's mother, Amtal Salam said. Local media reported three other children from the area have been missing since the middle of the year and another child had disappeared late last week after the bodies were found. Videos of hundreds of local children being sexually assaulted were found circulating in 2015, which a senior child protection official at the time called the largest child abuse scandal in Pakistan's history. Last year, the body of a 7-year-old girl was found in a garbage dumpster, which police said was the twelfth incident of a girl being abducted, raped and killed in the district in a year, and sparked violent protests. A man was convicted of committing the murder and was executed. Hundreds more protested last week, blocking off streets and damaging shops. Families in the area are fearful of the welfare and safety of their children. "Now the children are afraid to go to the mosques, they are afraid to go to school. Announcements have been made that parents should escort their children to school," said Shehnaz Bibi, a housewife from a neighbouring village. Police are continuing to investigate the suspected murders and disappearances and are also looking into the possibility of a serial killer.

Pakistani town grapples with child abuse and abduction

Members of Hindu community on Wednesday staged a protest at Teen Talwar in Karachi against the murder of a Sindhi Hindu girl, Namrita Chandani.

Slogans like 'Zalimon Jawab Do-Khoon Ka Hisab Do', 'We Want Justice', 'Namrita ke qatilon ko - saja do, saja do' were raised by people from minority Hindu community against the murder of Namrita.

<iframe data-google-container-id="4" data-load-complete="true" frameborder="0" height="1" id="google_ads_iframe_/6516239/outofpage_1x1_desktop_0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" name="google_ads_iframe_/6516239/outofpage_1x1_desktop_0" scrolling="no" srcdoc="" title="3rd party ad content" width="1"></iframe>The protesters also lighted candles expressing solidarity with the family of Namrita and demanded justice for the girl.

In yet another case highlighting the deplorable conditions of minorities in Pakistan, Chandni was found murdered in her hostel room.

Chandani, who belonged to Ghotki town where a Hindu temple was ransacked recently, was found lying on a charpoy on Tuesday with a piece of cloth tied to her neck while her room was locked from inside.

The police and authorities have tried to downplay the incident by saying that she committed suicide.

However, her family has asserted that she was murdered.

Her brother, Vishal, who is a medical consultant, said that the preliminary checkup showed that she was murdered.

"It was not a suicide, suicide marks are different, I found cable marks around her neck. There are marks on her hand too. The marks are of cable but her friend had said that she found her with dupatta around her neck," said Vishal Sundar.

When asked whether she was facing some problems, he said, "No there was nothing like that, I myself had talked with her two days back. She was a brilliant student".

He demanded that the case must be investigated fairly and citizens should support his family.

This comes a day after people vandalized properties including a temple in Ghotki after a school principal from the minority Hindu community was booked on charges of alleged blasphemy.

The mystery around the murder of Namrita has raised suspicions with people questioning whether it was a case of forced conversion.

In recent times, several cases of forced conversion have come to the fore, highlighting religious persecution in Pakistan.

Every year, around 1,000 young Sindhi Hindu girls between the age of 12 and 28 are abducted, forcibly married and converted to Islam, US-based Sindhi Foundation has said.

According to Pakistan's own human rights commission, from January 2004 to May 2018, there were 7,430 cases of such abductions of Sindhi girls in Pakistan.

The actual number is estimated to be much higher as most of the cases go unreported.

The recent incident of abduction, forcible marriage and religious conversion of a Sikh girl of Nankana Sahib is a telling example of what minorities go through in Pakistan.

Jagjit Kaur daughter of the Granthi of Nanakana Sahib Gurdwara, the birthplace of Shri Guru Nanak Dev, in Pakistan, was allegedly abducted and forcibly converted to Islam after her marriage to a Muslim man.

The matter had raised a furore in India, with several political leaders across parties asking for action to be taken against the perpetrators.

The incidents have come at a time when Pakistan has been ranting up its diabolic rhetoric of the so-called mistreatment of minorities in India, particularly Muslims.

Pakistan has been condemned internationally for cracking down on the minorities living in their country.

Islamabad has also reportedly been discriminating against its religious minorities which is manifested in various forms of targeted violence, mass murders, extrajudicial killings, abduction, rapes, forced conversion to Islam, etc, making the Pakistani Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Ahmadiyyas and Shias one of the most persecuted minorities in the region.

Pakistan's record of using unfair means of treatment against the minority communities was exposed once again after a former legislator of Prime Minister Imran Khan's party sought political asylum in India.

Baldev Kumar, a former MLA of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI party) from Barikot in Khyber Pakhtun Khwa (KPK) assembly and his family had come to India earlier this month to seek political asylum.

Members of Hindu community on Wednesday staged a protest at Teen Talwar in Karachi against the murder of a Sindhi Hindu girl, Namrita Chandani. Slogans like 'Zalimon Jawab Do-Khoon Ka Hisab Do', 'We Want Justice', 'Namrita ke qatilon ko - saja do, saja do' were raised by people from minority Hindu community against the murder of Namrita.

Members of Hindu community on Wednesday staged a protest at Teen Talwar in Karachi against the murder of a Sindhi Hindu girl, Namrita Chandani. Slogans like 'Zalimon Jawab Do-Khoon Ka Hisab Do', 'We Want Justice', 'Namrita ke qatilon ko - saja do, saja do' were raised by people from minority Hindu community against the murder of Namrita. The protesters also lighted candles expressing solidarity with the family of Namrita and demanded justice for the girl. In yet another case highlighting the deplorable conditions of minorities in Pakistan, Chandni was found murdered in her hostel room. Chandani, who belonged to Ghotki town where a Hindu temple was ransacked recently, was found lying on a charpoy on Tuesday with a piece of cloth tied to her neck while her room was locked from inside. The police and authorities have tried to downplay the incident by saying that she committed suicide. However, her family has asserted that she was murdered. Her brother, Vishal, who is a medical consultant, said that the preliminary checkup showed that she was murdered. "It was not a suicide, suicide marks are different, I found cable marks around her neck. There are marks on her hand too. The marks are of cable but her friend had said that she found her with dupatta around her neck," said Vishal Sundar. When asked whether she was facing some problems, he said, "No there was nothing like that, I myself had talked with her two days back. She was a brilliant student". He demanded that the case must be investigated fairly and citizens should support his family. This comes a day after people vandalized properties including a temple in Ghotki after a school principal from the minority Hindu community was booked on charges of alleged blasphemy. The mystery around the murder of Namrita has raised suspicions with people questioning whether it was a case of forced conversion. In recent times, several cases of forced conversion have come to the fore, highlighting religious persecution in Pakistan. Every year, around 1,000 young Sindhi Hindu girls between the age of 12 and 28 are abducted, forcibly married and converted to Islam, US-based Sindhi Foundation has said. According to Pakistan's own human rights commission, from January 2004 to May 2018, there were 7,430 cases of such abductions of Sindhi girls in Pakistan. The actual number is estimated to be much higher as most of the cases go unreported. The recent incident of abduction, forcible marriage and religious conversion of a Sikh girl of Nankana Sahib is a telling example of what minorities go through in Pakistan. Jagjit Kaur daughter of the Granthi of Nanakana Sahib Gurdwara, the birthplace of Shri Guru Nanak Dev, in Pakistan, was allegedly abducted and forcibly converted to Islam after her marriage to a Muslim man. The matter had raised a furore in India, with several political leaders across parties asking for action to be taken against the perpetrators. The incidents have come at a time when Pakistan has been ranting up its diabolic rhetoric of the so-called mistreatment of minorities in India, particularly Muslims. Pakistan has been condemned internationally for cracking down on the minorities living in their country. Islamabad has also reportedly been discriminating against its religious minorities which is manifested in various forms of targeted violence, mass murders, extrajudicial killings, abduction, rapes, forced conversion to Islam, etc, making the Pakistani Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Ahmadiyyas and Shias one of the most persecuted minorities in the region. Pakistan's record of using unfair means of treatment against the minority communities was exposed once again after a former legislator of Prime Minister Imran Khan's party sought political asylum in India. Baldev Kumar, a former MLA of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI party) from Barikot in Khyber Pakhtun Khwa (KPK) assembly and his family had come to India earlier this month to seek political asylum.

Pakistan: Hindu community protest in Karachi against Namrita's murder

In yet another case highlighting the deplorable conditions of minorities in Pakistan, a Hindu girl from Sindh was found murdered in her hostel room.

First-year medical student, Namrita Chandani, who belonged to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/violent-mob-vandalises-temple-in-pakistans-sindh-province-249934">Ghotki town where a Hindu temple was ransacked </a>recently, was found lying on a charpoy on Tuesday with a piece of cloth tied to her neck while her room was locked from inside.

The police and authorities have tried to downplay the incident by saying that she committed suicide. However, her family has asserted that she was murdered.

Namrita`s brother, Vishal, who is a medical consultant, said that the preliminary checkup showed that she was murdered.

"It was not a suicide, suicide marks are different, I found cable marks around her neck. There are marks on her hand too. The marks are of cable but her friend had said that she found her with dupatta around her neck," said Vishal Sundar.&nbsp;

When asked whether she was facing some problems, he said, "No there was nothing like that, I myself had talked with her two days back. She was a brilliant student," he added.

He demanded that the case must be investigated fairly and citizens should support his family.

This comes a day after people vandalized properties including a temple in Ghotki after a school principal from the minority Hindu community was booked on charges of alleged blasphemy.

The mystery around the murder of Namrita has raised suspicions with people questioning whether it was a case of forced conversion.

In recent times, several cases of forced conversion have come to the fore, highlighting religious persecution in Pakistan.

Every year, around 1,000 young Sindhi Hindu girls between the age of 12 and 28 are abducted, forcibly married and converted to Islam, US-based Sindhi Foundation has said.

According to Pakistan`s own human rights commission, from January 2004 to May 2018, there were 7,430 cases of such abductions of Sindhi girls in Pakistan. The actual number is estimated to be much higher as most of the cases go unreported.

The recent incident of abduction, forcible marriage and religious conversion of a Sikh girl of Nankana Sahib is a telling example of what minorities go through in Pakistan.&nbsp;

Jagjit Kaur daughter of the Granthi of Nanakana Sahib Gurdwara, the birthplace of Shri Guru Nanak Dev, in Pakistan, was allegedly abducted and forcibly converted to Islam after her marriage to a Muslim man.

The matter had raised a furore in India, with several political leaders across parties asking for action to be taken against the perpetrators.

The incidents have come at a time when Pakistan has been ranting up its diabolic rhetoric of the so-called mistreatment of minorities in India, particularly Muslims.

Pakistan has been condemned internationally for cracking down on the minorities living in their country. Islamabad has also reportedly been discriminating against its religious minorities which is manifested in various forms of targeted violence, mass murders, extrajudicial killings, abduction, rapes, forced conversion to Islam, etc., making the Pakistani Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Ahmadiyyas and Shias one of the most persecuted minorities in the region.

Pakistan`s record of using unfair means of treatment against the minority communities was exposed once again after a former legislator of Prime Minister Imran Khan`s party sought political asylum in India.

Baldev Kumar, a former MLA of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI party) from Barikot in Khyber Pakhtun Khwa (KPK) assembly and his family had come to India earlier this month to seek political asylum.&nbsp;

In yet another case highlighting the deplorable conditions of minorities in Pakistan, a Hindu girl from Sindh was found murdered in her hostel room. First-year medical student, Namrita Chandani, who belonged to Ghotki town where a Hindu temple was ransacked recently, was found lying on a charpoy on Tuesday with a piece of cloth tied to her neck while her room was locked from inside.

In yet another case highlighting the deplorable conditions of minorities in Pakistan, a Hindu girl from Sindh was found murdered in her hostel room. First-year medical student, Namrita Chandani, who belonged to Ghotki town where a Hindu temple was ransacked recently, was found lying on a charpoy on Tuesday with a piece of cloth tied to her neck while her room was locked from inside. The police and authorities have tried to downplay the incident by saying that she committed suicide. However, her family has asserted that she was murdered. Namrita`s brother, Vishal, who is a medical consultant, said that the preliminary checkup showed that she was murdered. "It was not a suicide, suicide marks are different, I found cable marks around her neck. There are marks on her hand too. The marks are of cable but her friend had said that she found her with dupatta around her neck," said Vishal Sundar. When asked whether she was facing some problems, he said, "No there was nothing like that, I myself had talked with her two days back. She was a brilliant student," he added. He demanded that the case must be investigated fairly and citizens should support his family. This comes a day after people vandalized properties including a temple in Ghotki after a school principal from the minority Hindu community was booked on charges of alleged blasphemy. The mystery around the murder of Namrita has raised suspicions with people questioning whether it was a case of forced conversion. In recent times, several cases of forced conversion have come to the fore, highlighting religious persecution in Pakistan. Every year, around 1,000 young Sindhi Hindu girls between the age of 12 and 28 are abducted, forcibly married and converted to Islam, US-based Sindhi Foundation has said. According to Pakistan`s own human rights commission, from January 2004 to May 2018, there were 7,430 cases of such abductions of Sindhi girls in Pakistan. The actual number is estimated to be much higher as most of the cases go unreported. The recent incident of abduction, forcible marriage and religious conversion of a Sikh girl of Nankana Sahib is a telling example of what minorities go through in Pakistan. Jagjit Kaur daughter of the Granthi of Nanakana Sahib Gurdwara, the birthplace of Shri Guru Nanak Dev, in Pakistan, was allegedly abducted and forcibly converted to Islam after her marriage to a Muslim man. The matter had raised a furore in India, with several political leaders across parties asking for action to be taken against the perpetrators. The incidents have come at a time when Pakistan has been ranting up its diabolic rhetoric of the so-called mistreatment of minorities in India, particularly Muslims. Pakistan has been condemned internationally for cracking down on the minorities living in their country. Islamabad has also reportedly been discriminating against its religious minorities which is manifested in various forms of targeted violence, mass murders, extrajudicial killings, abduction, rapes, forced conversion to Islam, etc., making the Pakistani Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Ahmadiyyas and Shias one of the most persecuted minorities in the region. Pakistan`s record of using unfair means of treatment against the minority communities was exposed once again after a former legislator of Prime Minister Imran Khan`s party sought political asylum in India. Baldev Kumar, a former MLA of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI party) from Barikot in Khyber Pakhtun Khwa (KPK) assembly and his family had come to India earlier this month to seek political asylum.

Hindu girl found murdered in Pakistan

Two more Rohingya men were shot dead by officers Friday in a southern Bangladesh border town, police said, amid a clampdown on the refugees after the killing of a ruling party official.

Police said the pair were accused of the murder of Omar Faruk, a youth wing official of the Awami League party, who was shot in the head by suspected <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-bans-two-aid-agencies-from-rohingya-refugee-camps-247755">Rohingya</a> criminals late last month.

Nearly a million Rohingya live in squalid camps in southeast Bangladesh, 740,000 of whom fled a 2017 military offensive against the Muslim minority in Myanmar.

Masud Hossain, head of police in the border district of Cox's Bazar, told AFP the two men were grievously injured during a gunfight with police near Teknaf town early Friday morning and were later declared dead in hospital.

"They are Rohingya miscreants. They were involved in robbery, abduction and drug smuggling," he said, adding they were "accused in the case" of Faruk's murder on August 22.

With the latest deaths, six Rohingya men allegedly involved in Faruk's killing have been shot dead in alleged gunfights with police, according to a count by AFP based on the statements of Cox's Bazar police.

Hossain, however, put the toll at five.

At least 36 refugees have now been killed by Bangladeshi security forces since August 2017, when Myanmar's military launched a crackdown in western Rakhine state, sparking the mass exodus.

Rights groups have previously accused Bangladesh police of extrajudicial killings of Rohingya, mainly suspects in drug smuggling, saying some of the gunfights appeared to be staged.

The latest deaths follow a second failed attempt to begin the repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar.

Bangladesh Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-pm-blames-myanmar-for-rohingya-repatriation-failure-249197">Sheikh Hasina</a> has blamed Myanmar for the failure, saying Naypyidaw did not do enough to win the community's trust.

But her government has also started to crack down on activity in the Rohingya camps .

Dhaka has imposed a virtual internet <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-halts-new-sim-card-sale-in-rohingya-camps-248751">blackout</a> by cutting access to 3G and 4G mobile<a> internet networks.</a>

Two more Rohingya men were shot dead by officers Friday in a southern Bangladesh border town, police said, amid a clampdown on the refugees after the killing of a ruling party official.

Two more Rohingya men were shot dead by officers Friday in a southern Bangladesh border town, police said, amid a clampdown on the refugees after the killing of a ruling party official. Police said the pair were accused of the murder of Omar Faruk, a youth wing official of the Awami League party, who was shot in the head by suspected Rohingya criminals late last month. Nearly a million Rohingya live in squalid camps in southeast Bangladesh, 740,000 of whom fled a 2017 military offensive against the Muslim minority in Myanmar. Masud Hossain, head of police in the border district of Cox's Bazar, told AFP the two men were grievously injured during a gunfight with police near Teknaf town early Friday morning and were later declared dead in hospital. "They are Rohingya miscreants. They were involved in robbery, abduction and drug smuggling," he said, adding they were "accused in the case" of Faruk's murder on August 22. With the latest deaths, six Rohingya men allegedly involved in Faruk's killing have been shot dead in alleged gunfights with police, according to a count by AFP based on the statements of Cox's Bazar police. Hossain, however, put the toll at five. At least 36 refugees have now been killed by Bangladeshi security forces since August 2017, when Myanmar's military launched a crackdown in western Rakhine state, sparking the mass exodus. Rights groups have previously accused Bangladesh police of extrajudicial killings of Rohingya, mainly suspects in drug smuggling, saying some of the gunfights appeared to be staged. The latest deaths follow a second failed attempt to begin the repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has blamed Myanmar for the failure, saying Naypyidaw did not do enough to win the community's trust. But her government has also started to crack down on activity in the Rohingya camps . Dhaka has imposed a virtual internet blackout by cutting access to 3G and 4G mobile internet networks.

Two more Rohingya shot dead over Bangladesh politician's murder

The brother of champion US gymnast Simone Biles has been arrested and charged in connection with a New Year's Eve shooting that left three people dead.

Tevin Biles-Thomas, 24, was charged Thursday with murder, voluntary manslaughter, felonious assault and perjury, according to a statement from police in Cleveland, Ohio, where the shooting happened.

Biles-Thomas was arrested in Georgia, said Cuyahoga County prosecutor Michael O'Malley.

Shortly before midnight on December 31 of last year, a group of young men tried to enter an apartment where a party was being held. Guns were fired and three people were killed while two others were wounded, according to press reports.

Biles' brother is on active duty with the US Army, reports said. He is the only person charged in the shooting.

Simone Biles, 22, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, spent the first years of her life with foster families as her mother struggled with substance abuse. She was eventually adopted along with her younger sister by their maternal grandfather.

In January 2018, she disclosed that she was among the victims of Larry Nassar, the former doctor of the women's Olympic gymnastics team who was convicted of sexually abusing hundreds of girls and women over the course of 20 years.

Biles did not comment directly on her brother's case but tweeted, "eating my feelings don't talk to me."

The brother of champion US gymnast Simone Biles has been arrested and charged in connection with a New Year's Eve shooting that left three people dead. Tevin Biles-Thomas, 24, was charged Thursday with murder, voluntary manslaughter, felonious assault and perjury, according to a statement from police in Cleveland, Ohio, where the shooting happened.

The brother of champion US gymnast Simone Biles has been arrested and charged in connection with a New Year's Eve shooting that left three people dead. Tevin Biles-Thomas, 24, was charged Thursday with murder, voluntary manslaughter, felonious assault and perjury, according to a statement from police in Cleveland, Ohio, where the shooting happened. Biles-Thomas was arrested in Georgia, said Cuyahoga County prosecutor Michael O'Malley. Shortly before midnight on December 31 of last year, a group of young men tried to enter an apartment where a party was being held. Guns were fired and three people were killed while two others were wounded, according to press reports. Biles' brother is on active duty with the US Army, reports said. He is the only person charged in the shooting. Simone Biles, 22, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, spent the first years of her life with foster families as her mother struggled with substance abuse. She was eventually adopted along with her younger sister by their maternal grandfather. In January 2018, she disclosed that she was among the victims of Larry Nassar, the former doctor of the women's Olympic gymnastics team who was convicted of sexually abusing hundreds of girls and women over the course of 20 years. Biles did not comment directly on her brother's case but tweeted, "eating my feelings don't talk to me."

Brother of Simone Biles charged with triple murder

The brother of the suicide bomber who blew himself up in a deadly 2017 attack in the northern city of Manchester appeared in a London court on Thursday after his extradition from Libya.

Hashem Abedi, 22, who returned to the UK on Wednesday, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court charged with the murder of the 22 people who died in the explosion, attempted murder and conspiracy to cause an explosion.

His lawyer said he would be denying the charges.

Wearing glasses and a grey tracksuit, Abedi stood to confirm his name, date of birth. He also confirmed that he currently had no fixed address. When asked for his nationality, he replied "British."

His older brother Salman Abedi blew himself up at the end of a show by US singer Ariana Grande at the Manchester Arena two years ago.

Zafar Ali, representing Abedi, said his client denied all the charges and had not opposed his extradition back to the UK because he wanted to clear his name.

Abedi will next appear via video-link at Oxford Crown Court on July 22 for a bail hearing. A pre-trial hearing will take place at the Old Bailey court in London on July 30.

The brother of the suicide bomber who blew himself up in a deadly 2017 attack in the northern city of Manchester appeared in a London court on Thursday after his extradition from Libya.

The brother of the suicide bomber who blew himself up in a deadly 2017 attack in the northern city of Manchester appeared in a London court on Thursday after his extradition from Libya. Hashem Abedi, 22, who returned to the UK on Wednesday, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court charged with the murder of the 22 people who died in the explosion, attempted murder and conspiracy to cause an explosion. His lawyer said he would be denying the charges. Wearing glasses and a grey tracksuit, Abedi stood to confirm his name, date of birth. He also confirmed that he currently had no fixed address. When asked for his nationality, he replied "British." His older brother Salman Abedi blew himself up at the end of a show by US singer Ariana Grande at the Manchester Arena two years ago. Zafar Ali, representing Abedi, said his client denied all the charges and had not opposed his extradition back to the UK because he wanted to clear his name. Abedi will next appear via video-link at Oxford Crown Court on July 22 for a bail hearing. A pre-trial hearing will take place at the Old Bailey court in London on July 30.

Manchester bomber's brother appears in UK court charged with murder

Wesley Mathews, the Indian-American foster father of three-year-old Sherin Mathews, was sentenced to life by a judge in Dallas on Wednesday for the tragic death of the Indian toddler in 2017, in a case that attracted international attention.

Mathews, 39, pleaded guilty Monday to a lesser charge of injury to a child in Sherin's death. He was originally charged with capital murder by authorities in the US state of Texas.

Mathews stared ahead and did not look at jurors as the judge sentenced him to life in prison, US media reports said.

The 12-member jury deliberated Wednesday afternoon for about three hours before coming to a unanimous decision to give Mathews a sentence of life in the death of his adopted daughter, Sherin. He will be eligible for parole after 30 years' imprisonment.

Prosecutors argued that Mathews, hailing from Kerala, killed Sherin in October 2017. She was adopted by Mathews and his wife Sini Mathews from an orphanage in Bihar in 2016.

Mathews claimed she accidentally choked to death on milk.&nbsp;

Prosecutor Sherre Thomas argued that Mathews' testimony was just another lie. She said testimony and medical records show that it was "medically impossible for a child who is 3 years old to stand up and choke to death" as Mathews claimed.

"It means he's still a liar. It means he killed that little girl. And when he killed her, he panicked," Thomas argued, WFAA TV reported.

She said Mathews also took the time to clean up himself and turned off the location tracker on his phone to try to hide what he had done.&nbsp;

Mathews did not tell investigators where his daughter's body was. When her body was found, it was so badly decomposed that the medical examiner could not determine an exact cause of death.

"There's nothing left of her, her teeth had fallen out," Thomas said. "He covered his crime. He got away with that."

While prosecutors asked the jury to hand down a life sentence, defence attorney Rafael De La Garza argued that Mathews was a good father who panicked when his daughter choked and did not call for help.&nbsp;

He argued that prosecutors could not prove that Mathews killed his child and said he was only guilty of not calling 911, the emergency helpline.

During closing arguments, De La Garza walked over to Mathews and placed his hands on his shoulders.

"This is something he will live with for the rest of his life," the attorney told jurors.

After the verdict was read, De La Garza called the sentence "cruel and unusual punishment," WFAA TV reported.

Mathews initially told police that Sherin went missing on October 7, 2017, after he put her outside their home at 3am in Richardson, Texas because she would not drink her milk. Her badly decomposed body was found 15 days later in a culvert near the family's home.&nbsp;

His story evolved during the course of the investigation.

He initially claimed that as punishment for not drinking her milk he sent Sherin outside at 3 am to stand by a tree outside the backyard of their home.

When he checked in on her 15 minutes later, Mathews said Sherin was missing.

He later admitted she died when he "physically assisted" her in drinking the milk and got chocked.

On the witness stand during the sentencing trial, Mathews said he panicked after his daughter's accidental death. He said he wrapped her body in a blue trash bag and dumped her in a culvert so she would be near the home.&nbsp;

Thomas argued that Sherin suffered abuse the entire time she lived in the US.

Medical records show that she had five broken bones that were at various stages of healing.&nbsp;

Police charged Sherin's foster mother Sini, a registered nurse, with child abandonment in November 2017, after her husband told officials the couple left the toddler alone the night of her death while they went to dinner with their biological daughter.

Sini's case was dismissed in March this year after prosecutors said they could not prove it beyond a reasonable doubt.

Sini sat in the courtroom during closing arguments on Wednesday.

After the judge read the sentence, she quickly left the courtroom without giving a comment to waiting reporters. She and Wesley Mathews were both arrested after Sherin's body was found. The couple later lost custody of their biological daughter.

Sherin's death attracted the attention of the Indian government and the then External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj took keen interest in the case and also instructed the Indian mission in Houston to make sure that the Indian toddler received justice. India further tightened the adoption process after Sherin's tragic death.

Wesley Mathews, the Indian-American foster father of three-year-old Sherin Mathews, was sentenced to life by a judge in Dallas on Wednesday for the tragic death of the Indian toddler in 2017, in a case that attracted international attention.

Wesley Mathews, the Indian-American foster father of three-year-old Sherin Mathews, was sentenced to life by a judge in Dallas on Wednesday for the tragic death of the Indian toddler in 2017, in a case that attracted international attention. Mathews, 39, pleaded guilty Monday to a lesser charge of injury to a child in Sherin's death. He was originally charged with capital murder by authorities in the US state of Texas. Mathews stared ahead and did not look at jurors as the judge sentenced him to life in prison, US media reports said. The 12-member jury deliberated Wednesday afternoon for about three hours before coming to a unanimous decision to give Mathews a sentence of life in the death of his adopted daughter, Sherin. He will be eligible for parole after 30 years' imprisonment. Prosecutors argued that Mathews, hailing from Kerala, killed Sherin in October 2017. She was adopted by Mathews and his wife Sini Mathews from an orphanage in Bihar in 2016. Mathews claimed she accidentally choked to death on milk. Prosecutor Sherre Thomas argued that Mathews' testimony was just another lie. She said testimony and medical records show that it was "medically impossible for a child who is 3 years old to stand up and choke to death" as Mathews claimed. "It means he's still a liar. It means he killed that little girl. And when he killed her, he panicked," Thomas argued, WFAA TV reported. She said Mathews also took the time to clean up himself and turned off the location tracker on his phone to try to hide what he had done. Mathews did not tell investigators where his daughter's body was. When her body was found, it was so badly decomposed that the medical examiner could not determine an exact cause of death. "There's nothing left of her, her teeth had fallen out," Thomas said. "He covered his crime. He got away with that." While prosecutors asked the jury to hand down a life sentence, defence attorney Rafael De La Garza argued that Mathews was a good father who panicked when his daughter choked and did not call for help. He argued that prosecutors could not prove that Mathews killed his child and said he was only guilty of not calling 911, the emergency helpline. During closing arguments, De La Garza walked over to Mathews and placed his hands on his shoulders. "This is something he will live with for the rest of his life," the attorney told jurors. After the verdict was read, De La Garza called the sentence "cruel and unusual punishment," WFAA TV reported. Mathews initially told police that Sherin went missing on October 7, 2017, after he put her outside their home at 3am in Richardson, Texas because she would not drink her milk. Her badly decomposed body was found 15 days later in a culvert near the family's home. His story evolved during the course of the investigation. He initially claimed that as punishment for not drinking her milk he sent Sherin outside at 3 am to stand by a tree outside the backyard of their home. When he checked in on her 15 minutes later, Mathews said Sherin was missing. He later admitted she died when he "physically assisted" her in drinking the milk and got chocked. On the witness stand during the sentencing trial, Mathews said he panicked after his daughter's accidental death. He said he wrapped her body in a blue trash bag and dumped her in a culvert so she would be near the home. Thomas argued that Sherin suffered abuse the entire time she lived in the US. Medical records show that she had five broken bones that were at various stages of healing. Police charged Sherin's foster mother Sini, a registered nurse, with child abandonment in November 2017, after her husband told officials the couple left the toddler alone the night of her death while they went to dinner with their biological daughter. Sini's case was dismissed in March this year after prosecutors said they could not prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. Sini sat in the courtroom during closing arguments on Wednesday. After the judge read the sentence, she quickly left the courtroom without giving a comment to waiting reporters. She and Wesley Mathews were both arrested after Sherin's body was found. The couple later lost custody of their biological daughter. Sherin's death attracted the attention of the Indian government and the then External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj took keen interest in the case and also instructed the Indian mission in Houston to make sure that the Indian toddler received justice. India further tightened the adoption process after Sherin's tragic death.

Indian-American foster father sentenced to life for three-year-old Sherin Mathews' death

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has warned against "exploiting" the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jamal-khashoggis-killing-a-murder-that-shook-2018-186106">murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi </a>for political gains, in what appeared to be a veiled attack on Turkey.

Turkey's ties with Saudi Arabia have come under strain since the brutal murder last October of Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, which tarnished the international reputation of the crown prince.

Turkish officials were the first to report the murder and have continued to press Saudi Arabia for information on the whereabouts of his dismembered body, which has yet to be found.

"The death of Jamal Khashoggi is a very painful crime," Prince Mohammed told pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat in an interview published Sunday.

"Any party exploiting the case politically should stop doing so, and present evidence to the (Saudi) court, which will contribute in achieving justice," he added, without directly naming Turkey.

The prince, however, added that he wants strong relations with "all Islamic countries including Turkey".

The CIA has reportedly said the murder was likely ordered by Prince Mohammed, the de facto ruler and heir to the Arab world's most powerful throne.

Saudi authorities strongly deny the allegation.

Saudi prosecutors have absolved the prince and said around two dozen people implicated in the murder are in custody, with death penalties sought against five men.

Khashoggi, a US resident, had written critically of Prince Mohammed and was killed in what Riyadh described as a rogue operation.

Prince Mohammed said the kingdom was committed to "full justice and accountability" in the case, as he faces international pressure to punish the culprits.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has warned against "exploiting" the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi for political gains, in what appeared to be a veiled attack on Turkey.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has warned against "exploiting" the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi for political gains, in what appeared to be a veiled attack on Turkey. Turkey's ties with Saudi Arabia have come under strain since the brutal murder last October of Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, which tarnished the international reputation of the crown prince. Turkish officials were the first to report the murder and have continued to press Saudi Arabia for information on the whereabouts of his dismembered body, which has yet to be found. "The death of Jamal Khashoggi is a very painful crime," Prince Mohammed told pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat in an interview published Sunday. "Any party exploiting the case politically should stop doing so, and present evidence to the (Saudi) court, which will contribute in achieving justice," he added, without directly naming Turkey. The prince, however, added that he wants strong relations with "all Islamic countries including Turkey". The CIA has reportedly said the murder was likely ordered by Prince Mohammed, the de facto ruler and heir to the Arab world's most powerful throne. Saudi authorities strongly deny the allegation. Saudi prosecutors have absolved the prince and said around two dozen people implicated in the murder are in custody, with death penalties sought against five men. Khashoggi, a US resident, had written critically of Prince Mohammed and was killed in what Riyadh described as a rogue operation. Prince Mohammed said the kingdom was committed to "full justice and accountability" in the case, as he faces international pressure to punish the culprits.

Saudi crown prince warns against 'exploiting' Khashoggi murder

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/us-two-students-open-fire-at-colorado-school-wounding-eight-schoolmates-216856&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjQiqKWzJ_iAhVJ6Y8KHQiXAEkQFjAEegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1nF578hVGyYPSnLaKF3ZVg">Two teenagers accused of fatally shooting a classmate and wounding eight others</a> at a Denver-area high school last week were <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/photos/killing-one-classmate-wounding-eight-two-students-opened-fire-at-stem-school-216944&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjQiqKWzJ_iAhVJ6Y8KHQiXAEkQFjAHegQIABAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2O4CDxvT7SzQC_63fE5tVS">charged with murder and attempted murder</a> on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Devon Erickson, 18, and Alec McKinney, 16, are accused of opening fire on fellow students in two classrooms at the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) charter school in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, on May 7.

McKinney, who identifies as male, was listed on the court docket as Maya Elizabeth McKinney.&nbsp;

Douglas County District Judge Theresa Slade has put the charges along with the entire case file under seal, banning the public from seeing it.

Both teenagers were each facing a range of charges including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, arson and theft.&nbsp;

McKinney was charged as an adult, prosecutors said.&nbsp;

Both Erickson and McKinney were being held without bond.&nbsp;

Denver’s ABC affiliate television station has reported that the two pistols used in the attack were stolen from the home of Erickson, whose parents had purchased the guns legally.

The Douglas County Sheriff`s Office declined to comment.&nbsp;

MEMORIAL SERVICE

Kendrick Castillo, 18, was shot dead three days before graduation when he and two other students charged the shooters in an effort to disarm them, authorities said.&nbsp;

Castillo, a robotics enthusiast and aspiring engineer, was remembered as a compassionate, bright young man during a memorial service on Wednesday at a church in Highlands Ranch.&nbsp;

"If I had to describe him a certain way, the first it would be love, the love for anybody that he met," his father John Castillo said during the service.

"We all really, really love Kendrick, but to carry on his life's message, we need to be more like him", his father said.&nbsp;

The attack occurred less than a month after the 20th anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre in nearby Littleton, in which two students shot 13 people to death before committing suicide.

Five months ago, a school district official urged the STEM school’s director to investigate allegations of student bullying and violence by a parent who feared they could lead to the next “Columbine.”

The director said an investigation found no evidence to support the allegations.

The STEM school had no sworn police officer at the 1,850-student campus after a dispute with the sheriff’s office over the previous school resource officer’s role ended that relationship last year, the school said last week.

Instead, a private security company was hired to patrol the campus that included students from kindergarten through high school.

An armed security guard responded to last week’s shooting.

ABC News, citing an unnamed law enforcement official, reported last week that the security guard may have mistakenly fired on sheriff’s deputies called to the scene and wounded a student in the chaos.

The Douglas County District Attorney's office said on Wednesday it had turned over the investigation into the security guard's actions to a special prosecutor from neighbouring El Paso County.&nbsp;

A spokeswoman for El Paso County District Attorney Dan May confirmed that they are investigating the incident involving the security guard.

Two teenagers accused of fatally shooting a classmate and wounding eight others at a Denver-area high school last week were charged with murder and attempted murder on Wednesday.

Two teenagers accused of fatally shooting a classmate and wounding eight others at a Denver-area high school last week were charged with murder and attempted murder on Wednesday. Devon Erickson, 18, and Alec McKinney, 16, are accused of opening fire on fellow students in two classrooms at the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) charter school in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, on May 7. McKinney, who identifies as male, was listed on the court docket as Maya Elizabeth McKinney. Douglas County District Judge Theresa Slade has put the charges along with the entire case file under seal, banning the public from seeing it. Both teenagers were each facing a range of charges including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, arson and theft. McKinney was charged as an adult, prosecutors said. Both Erickson and McKinney were being held without bond. Denver’s ABC affiliate television station has reported that the two pistols used in the attack were stolen from the home of Erickson, whose parents had purchased the guns legally. The Douglas County Sheriff`s Office declined to comment. MEMORIAL SERVICE Kendrick Castillo, 18, was shot dead three days before graduation when he and two other students charged the shooters in an effort to disarm them, authorities said. Castillo, a robotics enthusiast and aspiring engineer, was remembered as a compassionate, bright young man during a memorial service on Wednesday at a church in Highlands Ranch. "If I had to describe him a certain way, the first it would be love, the love for anybody that he met," his father John Castillo said during the service. "We all really, really love Kendrick, but to carry on his life's message, we need to be more like him", his father said. The attack occurred less than a month after the 20th anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre in nearby Littleton, in which two students shot 13 people to death before committing suicide. Five months ago, a school district official urged the STEM school’s director to investigate allegations of student bullying and violence by a parent who feared they could lead to the next “Columbine.” The director said an investigation found no evidence to support the allegations. The STEM school had no sworn police officer at the 1,850-student campus after a dispute with the sheriff’s office over the previous school resource officer’s role ended that relationship last year, the school said last week. Instead, a private security company was hired to patrol the campus that included students from kindergarten through high school. An armed security guard responded to last week’s shooting. ABC News, citing an unnamed law enforcement official, reported last week that the security guard may have mistakenly fired on sheriff’s deputies called to the scene and wounded a student in the chaos. The Douglas County District Attorney's office said on Wednesday it had turned over the investigation into the security guard's actions to a special prosecutor from neighbouring El Paso County. A spokeswoman for El Paso County District Attorney Dan May confirmed that they are investigating the incident involving the security guard.

Teen suspects in Colorado school shooting formally charged; case sealed

An Indian national, wanted in his home country on charges including attempted murder, extortion, theft and possession of illegal firearms, was removed from the US and turned over to Indian authorities, an official statement said Tuesday.

Ubaidullah Abdulrashid Radiowala, 46, also known as Obed Radiowala, is a key accused in the 2014 cases of alleged conspiracy to kill Bollywood director Mahesh Bhatt and firing on film-maker Karim Morani.&nbsp;

An Interpol Red Corner notice was also issued on the request of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2015 after a Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court issued a fresh non-bailable warrant against Radiowala.&nbsp;

"He was wanted in India on charges of attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, extortion, forgery, cheating, theft, abetment, use and possession of illegal firearms, and transmission of information by using the internet to form an organised crime syndicate," the US Immigration and&nbsp; 
Customs Enforcement (ICE) said in a press release.

Radiowala was arrested by the Newark's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in September 2017 from Iselin, New Jersey for illegally staying in the US.

He was later ordered removed to India by an immigration judge, the release said.&nbsp;

Radiowala was held in detention by the ERO Newark, until his removal and handing over to Indian authorities on Monday, following the dismissal of his appeal by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), the release said.

"This individual's long list of criminal charges in his home country, including attempted murder, show that he was a danger to the community here in the US," ERO Newark field office director John Tsoukaris said.

A total of 256,085 aliens have been removed or returned in fiscal year 2018 by the ICE, the release said.&nbsp;

The proportion of FY18 removals resulting from ICE arrests increased by nearly 17 per cent over the previous fiscal year, and the number of ICE interior removals in FY18 increased by nearly 14,000 from FY17, it said.

The ICE is focused on removing public safety threats, such as convicted criminal aliens and gang members, as well as individuals who have violated our nation's immigration laws, including those who illegally re-entered the country after being removed and immigration fugitives ordered removed by federal immigration judges.

An Indian national, wanted in his home country on charges including attempted murder, extortion, theft and possession of illegal firearms, was removed from the US and turned over to Indian authorities, an official statement said Tuesday.

An Indian national, wanted in his home country on charges including attempted murder, extortion, theft and possession of illegal firearms, was removed from the US and turned over to Indian authorities, an official statement said Tuesday. Ubaidullah Abdulrashid Radiowala, 46, also known as Obed Radiowala, is a key accused in the 2014 cases of alleged conspiracy to kill Bollywood director Mahesh Bhatt and firing on film-maker Karim Morani. An Interpol Red Corner notice was also issued on the request of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2015 after a Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court issued a fresh non-bailable warrant against Radiowala. "He was wanted in India on charges of attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, extortion, forgery, cheating, theft, abetment, use and possession of illegal firearms, and transmission of information by using the internet to form an organised crime syndicate," the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said in a press release. Radiowala was arrested by the Newark's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in September 2017 from Iselin, New Jersey for illegally staying in the US. He was later ordered removed to India by an immigration judge, the release said. Radiowala was held in detention by the ERO Newark, until his removal and handing over to Indian authorities on Monday, following the dismissal of his appeal by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), the release said. "This individual's long list of criminal charges in his home country, including attempted murder, show that he was a danger to the community here in the US," ERO Newark field office director John Tsoukaris said. A total of 256,085 aliens have been removed or returned in fiscal year 2018 by the ICE, the release said. The proportion of FY18 removals resulting from ICE arrests increased by nearly 17 per cent over the previous fiscal year, and the number of ICE interior removals in FY18 increased by nearly 14,000 from FY17, it said. The ICE is focused on removing public safety threats, such as convicted criminal aliens and gang members, as well as individuals who have violated our nation's immigration laws, including those who illegally re-entered the country after being removed and immigration fugitives ordered removed by federal immigration judges.

US deports Indian wanted in home country for attempted murder, extortion

The battered body of 16-year-old servant Uzma Bibi was found dumped in a canal and her wealthy employer charged with murder, the latest case highlighting the dangers domestic workers -- especially children -- face in Pakistan.

Police said Uzma died after blows to the head with a kitchen utensil. She had been working for the family in Lahore for eight months when she was killed in January this year.

Her employer and two other women remain in custody as a police investigation into the murder and allegations of mistreatment drags on.&nbsp;

"I will not give up, I prefer death, I will not let them go, I want to see them pay for what they did," Uzma's distraught father, Muhammad Riaz, told AFP.

The teenager earned just 4,000 rupees ($28) per month.

In Pakistan, 8.5 million domestic workers -- including many children -- labour for wealthier families according to the International Labour Organization (ILO).

"Parents often see their children as a way to lift their families out of poverty," explained Arooma Shahzad, general secretary of the Domestic Workers' Union, the country's first -- and still its only -- such organisation.

But domestic workers often face exploitation, violence, and sexual abuse. Pakistan’s patriarchal culture, with its rigid social class structure, often prevents them from having a voice.

Children are particularly vulnerable, and Uzma's case is the latest in a growing number of incidents involving minors.

In 2016 a Pakistani judge and his wife were imprisoned for torturing their 10-year-old maid, while in 2017 a famous TV presenter was charged for forcefully detaining her teenage maid.&nbsp;

"Minors who become domestic workers often find themselves in a very vulnerable position, the target of abuse and exploitation by their employers," warned Shahzad.&nbsp;

Theoretically, it is illegal to employ anyone under the age of 15 in Pakistan, but it remains a common practice.&nbsp;

Saba, 15, had to leave school to work as a maid in Lahore.&nbsp;

"I do not really have a choice, I have to work in two homes every day (to help) my family," she said.

Her younger sister is expected to follow in her footsteps soon.

'Lack of humanity'

Details of Uzma's murder were sensationally revealed during a popular TV show, during which presenter Mukarram Kaleem made a passionate plea for justice.

The tragic story gave rise to a torrent of outrage on social media with many using the #JusticeforUzma hashtag, and a broader debate on the rights of domestic workers in Pakistan, including children.

For Shahzad, such incidents denote a lack of "humanity".&nbsp;

"We do not even consider our servants as human beings," she lamented.&nbsp;

In December 2018, the increasing number of cases of ill-treatment led the parliament of Punjab province to set regulations for the employment of domestic workers, which theoretically grants them rights such as sick leave and holidays.&nbsp;

Lawyer Sheraz Zaka admitted it was only a "first step", but hopes it will pave the way for more controls and a "better balance" of power.

The law is still in its infancy and does not cover the other provinces of Pakistan. Because servants are often illiterate, many are unaware of such changes to their rights, or unable to insist employers adopt the new rules.&nbsp;

For Kaleem, it is urgent for Pakistan to re-examine how it treats domestic workers.&nbsp;

He said: "People are starting to realise and talk about it. There is more awareness among people that it is not the way to treat servants, and that they have to change their ways."

The battered body of 16-year-old servant Uzma Bibi was found dumped in a canal and her wealthy employer charged with murder, the latest case highlighting the dangers domestic workers -- especially children -- face in Pakistan.

The battered body of 16-year-old servant Uzma Bibi was found dumped in a canal and her wealthy employer charged with murder, the latest case highlighting the dangers domestic workers -- especially children -- face in Pakistan. Police said Uzma died after blows to the head with a kitchen utensil. She had been working for the family in Lahore for eight months when she was killed in January this year. Her employer and two other women remain in custody as a police investigation into the murder and allegations of mistreatment drags on. "I will not give up, I prefer death, I will not let them go, I want to see them pay for what they did," Uzma's distraught father, Muhammad Riaz, told AFP. The teenager earned just 4,000 rupees ($28) per month. In Pakistan, 8.5 million domestic workers -- including many children -- labour for wealthier families according to the International Labour Organization (ILO). "Parents often see their children as a way to lift their families out of poverty," explained Arooma Shahzad, general secretary of the Domestic Workers' Union, the country's first -- and still its only -- such organisation. But domestic workers often face exploitation, violence, and sexual abuse. Pakistan’s patriarchal culture, with its rigid social class structure, often prevents them from having a voice. Children are particularly vulnerable, and Uzma's case is the latest in a growing number of incidents involving minors. In 2016 a Pakistani judge and his wife were imprisoned for torturing their 10-year-old maid, while in 2017 a famous TV presenter was charged for forcefully detaining her teenage maid. "Minors who become domestic workers often find themselves in a very vulnerable position, the target of abuse and exploitation by their employers," warned Shahzad. Theoretically, it is illegal to employ anyone under the age of 15 in Pakistan, but it remains a common practice. Saba, 15, had to leave school to work as a maid in Lahore. "I do not really have a choice, I have to work in two homes every day (to help) my family," she said. Her younger sister is expected to follow in her footsteps soon. 'Lack of humanity' Details of Uzma's murder were sensationally revealed during a popular TV show, during which presenter Mukarram Kaleem made a passionate plea for justice. The tragic story gave rise to a torrent of outrage on social media with many using the #JusticeforUzma hashtag, and a broader debate on the rights of domestic workers in Pakistan, including children. For Shahzad, such incidents denote a lack of "humanity". "We do not even consider our servants as human beings," she lamented. In December 2018, the increasing number of cases of ill-treatment led the parliament of Punjab province to set regulations for the employment of domestic workers, which theoretically grants them rights such as sick leave and holidays. Lawyer Sheraz Zaka admitted it was only a "first step", but hopes it will pave the way for more controls and a "better balance" of power. The law is still in its infancy and does not cover the other provinces of Pakistan. Because servants are often illiterate, many are unaware of such changes to their rights, or unable to insist employers adopt the new rules. For Kaleem, it is urgent for Pakistan to re-examine how it treats domestic workers. He said: "People are starting to realise and talk about it. There is more awareness among people that it is not the way to treat servants, and that they have to change their ways."

Murder of child maid forces Pakistan to soul search

Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) leader TTV Dinakaran`s lawyer Raja Sendurapandian on Tuesday appeared before the Justice Arumugasamy Commission which is probing into the death of AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa.

"We had appeared before the commission for inquiry today. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/tn-cabinet-meet-did-not-discuss-treatment-abroad-for-j-jayalalithaa-191883">The Apollo hospital's </a>lawyer has filed an adjournment petition stating that they are moving the Madras High Court against the dismissal order for constituting the medical board. So, it has been challenged and is going to be listed before this week by the High Court. Based on the petition Justice Arumugasamy has adjourned the proceedings to February 11," Sendurapandian told ANI.

"I requested today that the medical witnesses have nothing to do with the political witnesses... But the Judge has insisted that only after the Apollo petition is over, I can bring the political witness," he added.

In September 2017, Justice A Arumughaswamy was appointed to head the probe into the death of the former Chief Minister.

Popularly known as 'Amma', Jayalalithaa was taken to Chennai's Apollo hospital on September 22, 2016, and treated in the hospital for 75 days before she breathed her last on December 5.

Following her death, allegations of foul play began to do the rounds and state Forest Minister Dindigul Sreenivasan even claimed that all cabinet ministers had lied to the people about her hospitalisation and death.

In December last year, the Apollo Hospital demanded constitution of a medical board comprising doctors and medical professionals to examine the medical records of Jayalalithaa.

In an affidavit filed to the Justice Arumughaswamy Commission, the hospital raised the demand citing that errors crept in due to the inability of a typist to comprehend and type correct medical terms. Apollo Hospital further said that words like 'intubation'&nbsp;were recorded as `incubation` and other fatal errors.

Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) leader TTV Dinakaran`s lawyer Raja Sendurapandian on Tuesday appeared before the Justice Arumugasamy Commission which is probing into the death of AIADMK supremo J.

Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) leader TTV Dinakaran`s lawyer Raja Sendurapandian on Tuesday appeared before the Justice Arumugasamy Commission which is probing into the death of AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa. "We had appeared before the commission for inquiry today. The Apollo hospital's lawyer has filed an adjournment petition stating that they are moving the Madras High Court against the dismissal order for constituting the medical board. So, it has been challenged and is going to be listed before this week by the High Court. Based on the petition Justice Arumugasamy has adjourned the proceedings to February 11," Sendurapandian told ANI. "I requested today that the medical witnesses have nothing to do with the political witnesses... But the Judge has insisted that only after the Apollo petition is over, I can bring the political witness," he added. In September 2017, Justice A Arumughaswamy was appointed to head the probe into the death of the former Chief Minister. Popularly known as 'Amma', Jayalalithaa was taken to Chennai's Apollo hospital on September 22, 2016, and treated in the hospital for 75 days before she breathed her last on December 5. Following her death, allegations of foul play began to do the rounds and state Forest Minister Dindigul Sreenivasan even claimed that all cabinet ministers had lied to the people about her hospitalisation and death. In December last year, the Apollo Hospital demanded constitution of a medical board comprising doctors and medical professionals to examine the medical records of Jayalalithaa. In an affidavit filed to the Justice Arumughaswamy Commission, the hospital raised the demand citing that errors crept in due to the inability of a typist to comprehend and type correct medical terms. Apollo Hospital further said that words like 'intubation' were recorded as `incubation` and other fatal errors.

Jayalalithaa death: Dinakaran's lawyer appears before Arumugasamy Commission

Lawyers defending the suspected conspirators behind the murder of a prominent Muslim lawyer in Myanmar on February 1&nbsp;proclaimed their clients' innocence, or asked the court for lesser charges, as the landmark case drew to a close.

Ko Ni, a close adviser to Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi, was shot dead at Yangon International Airport just over two years ago. The gunman, Kyi Lin, was apprehended at the scene after being tackled by taxi drivers moments after the shooting. Kyi Lin is also accused of shooting dead one of his pursuers, driver Nay Win.

He has admitted to killing Ko Ni, but says he acted under duress. Two out of three former military officers accused by police of organizing Ko Ni's assassination have pleaded not guilty. The third has evaded capture.

Police have said the three ex-officers acted in isolation. A Reuters report in December uncovered close and enduring links between the security establishment and one of the former military officers on trial, Captain Zeyar Phyo, accused of bankrolling the plot. Zeyar Phyo's lawyer has rejected allegations that her client remained connected to the military.

The brazen murder of 63-year-old Ko Ni, who worked to reform the military-drafted constitution that entrenches its political power, sent shockwaves through the ruling National League for Democracy party and the Muslim community. The judge said the verdict would be announced on Feb. 15.

Lawyers defending the suspected conspirators behind the murder of a prominent Muslim lawyer in Myanmar on February 1 proclaimed their clients' innocence, or asked the court for lesser charges, as the landmark case drew to a close.

Lawyers defending the suspected conspirators behind the murder of a prominent Muslim lawyer in Myanmar on February 1 proclaimed their clients' innocence, or asked the court for lesser charges, as the landmark case drew to a close. Ko Ni, a close adviser to Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi, was shot dead at Yangon International Airport just over two years ago. The gunman, Kyi Lin, was apprehended at the scene after being tackled by taxi drivers moments after the shooting. Kyi Lin is also accused of shooting dead one of his pursuers, driver Nay Win. He has admitted to killing Ko Ni, but says he acted under duress. Two out of three former military officers accused by police of organizing Ko Ni's assassination have pleaded not guilty. The third has evaded capture. Police have said the three ex-officers acted in isolation. A Reuters report in December uncovered close and enduring links between the security establishment and one of the former military officers on trial, Captain Zeyar Phyo, accused of bankrolling the plot. Zeyar Phyo's lawyer has rejected allegations that her client remained connected to the military. The brazen murder of 63-year-old Ko Ni, who worked to reform the military-drafted constitution that entrenches its political power, sent shockwaves through the ruling National League for Democracy party and the Muslim community. The judge said the verdict would be announced on Feb. 15.

In Myanmar, final arguments made in Muslim lawyer's murder case

A 25-year-old woman in Jammu and Kashmir was shot dead at point-blank range by terrorists, who made a video of the incident and circulated it on social media, police said Friday.

Jammu and Kashmir police have identified the girl as Ishrat Muneer, daughter of Muneer Ahmad Dar, a resident of Dangerpora village in Pulwama district.&nbsp;

The woman was shot from a point-blank range by the terrorists even as she begged for mercy. The murder video is being circulated on social media and has gone viral.

Police said that the body of the woman was recovered from Dragad area of Zainapora in Shopian district in the morning following searches.&nbsp;

"Terrorists while perpetrating this gruesome act, made a video recording of the incident and circulated it on social media", police said in a press release.&nbsp;

Terrorists have also released a 10-second video of her brutal killing which has gone viral on social media.&nbsp;

Local sources told WION that the girl was the maternal cousin of terrorist Zeenat-ul-Islam, who was killed in a gunfight with security forces last month in Kulgam district.&nbsp;

Following the killing, police have registered a case and launched an investigation in the matter.&nbsp;

Police sources have told WION that "police investigation is focused on some credible leads and it is expected soon the culprits shall be brought before the law."

A 25-year-old woman in Jammu and Kashmir was shot dead at point-blank range by terrorists, who made a video of the incident and circulated it on social media, police said Friday.

A 25-year-old woman in Jammu and Kashmir was shot dead at point-blank range by terrorists, who made a video of the incident and circulated it on social media, police said Friday. Jammu and Kashmir police have identified the girl as Ishrat Muneer, daughter of Muneer Ahmad Dar, a resident of Dangerpora village in Pulwama district. The woman was shot from a point-blank range by the terrorists even as she begged for mercy. The murder video is being circulated on social media and has gone viral. Police said that the body of the woman was recovered from Dragad area of Zainapora in Shopian district in the morning following searches. "Terrorists while perpetrating this gruesome act, made a video recording of the incident and circulated it on social media", police said in a press release. Terrorists have also released a 10-second video of her brutal killing which has gone viral on social media. Local sources told WION that the girl was the maternal cousin of terrorist Zeenat-ul-Islam, who was killed in a gunfight with security forces last month in Kulgam district. Following the killing, police have registered a case and launched an investigation in the matter. Police sources have told WION that "police investigation is focused on some credible leads and it is expected soon the culprits shall be brought before the law."

Terrorists brutally kill woman in J&K's Shopian, murder video goes viral

<a href="http://13.232.42.114/south-asia/pak-authorities-sack-chief-of-punjabs-anti-terror-deptt-in-fake-encounter-case-192154">Pakistani authorities </a>have removed the commander of the counter-terrorism police in the province of Punjab and will charge five police with murder over a shooting last week in which an innocent family was killed.

The incident on Saturday saw counter-terrorism officials open fire on a car they said was being used by an Islamic State leader in the province, Zeeshan Javed. He was killed along with three passengers - grocery store owner Mohammad Khalil, his wife and their 12-year-old daughter.

However, the official account of the incident was disputed by witnesses, including Khalil's three other children, who survived the attack and discredited by video footage widely circulated on social media.

The latest in a long series of episodes of alleged police brutality sparked protests in Lahore and drew condemnation from politicians including Prime Minister Imran Khan, who promised a clean up of the Punjab police.

Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat said the provincial government had removed the head of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and three other officials who will all face disciplinary action.

"Initial report of the Joint Investigation Team for the Sahiwal encounter reveals that the CTD officials were responsible for killing Khalil and his family, who were innocent," Basharat said.

The five officers who shot at the car in Sahiwal town will be charged with murder and tried in an anti-terrorism court, he told reporters

Pakistani authorities have removed the commander of the counter-terrorism police in the province of Punjab and will charge five police with murder over a shooting last week in which an innocent family was killed.

Pakistani authorities have removed the commander of the counter-terrorism police in the province of Punjab and will charge five police with murder over a shooting last week in which an innocent family was killed. The incident on Saturday saw counter-terrorism officials open fire on a car they said was being used by an Islamic State leader in the province, Zeeshan Javed. He was killed along with three passengers - grocery store owner Mohammad Khalil, his wife and their 12-year-old daughter. However, the official account of the incident was disputed by witnesses, including Khalil's three other children, who survived the attack and discredited by video footage widely circulated on social media. The latest in a long series of episodes of alleged police brutality sparked protests in Lahore and drew condemnation from politicians including Prime Minister Imran Khan, who promised a clean up of the Punjab police. Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat said the provincial government had removed the head of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and three other officials who will all face disciplinary action. "Initial report of the Joint Investigation Team for the Sahiwal encounter reveals that the CTD officials were responsible for killing Khalil and his family, who were innocent," Basharat said. The five officers who shot at the car in Sahiwal town will be charged with murder and tried in an anti-terrorism court, he told reporters

Pakistani police to face murder charges over killing of family

Several thousand people marched through major Australia cities on Sunday calling for safety for women after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/horrific-attack-israeli-student-murdered-in-australia-while-on-phone-with-sister-190997">an Israeli exchange student was murdered</a> in Melbourne.

The marches, part of the Women's March rallies held around the world in support of women's rights, gathered some 3,000 people in Sydney, who in their chants demanded safe streets for women in Australian cities.

Aiia Maasarwe, 21, was killed when walking home after a night out with friends in Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city, earlier this week. A 20-year-old man was charged with her murder.

Maasarwe's death recharged outrage over violence against women after 22-year-old Eurydice Dixon was killed in Melbourne while walking home after performing at a comedy show in June.

Thousands of people gathered at vigils for Maasarwe on Friday and continued to lay flowers at the site of her death. A special tram carrying only flowers late on Friday followed the route of Maasarwe's final journey.

In Sydney on Sunday marchers held signs paying tribute to Maasarwe and other victims of violence. Television news showed women carrying signs: "For Aiia and for those who suffer silently" and "I wanna walk through the park in the dark".

"I don't want my daughter to grow up in a world where she's unsafe or she can't pursue the opportunities she wants and I march for my son because I don't want him to grow up in a world where toxic masculinity is acceptable," said Samantha Nolan-Smith, one of several hundred protesters in the Australian capital Canberra, reported Australian Broadcasting Corp.

In reaction to Maasarwe's death, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his government would announce another "action plan" to stem violence against women ahead of an election expected by May, on top of A$350 million ($252 million) that has already been committed.

Aiia Maasarwe, 21, was killed when walking home after a night out with friends in Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city, earlier this week.

Several thousand people marched through major Australia cities on Sunday calling for safety for women after an Israeli exchange student was murdered in Melbourne. The marches, part of the Women's March rallies held around the world in support of women's rights, gathered some 3,000 people in Sydney, who in their chants demanded safe streets for women in Australian cities. Aiia Maasarwe, 21, was killed when walking home after a night out with friends in Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city, earlier this week. A 20-year-old man was charged with her murder. Maasarwe's death recharged outrage over violence against women after 22-year-old Eurydice Dixon was killed in Melbourne while walking home after performing at a comedy show in June. Thousands of people gathered at vigils for Maasarwe on Friday and continued to lay flowers at the site of her death. A special tram carrying only flowers late on Friday followed the route of Maasarwe's final journey. In Sydney on Sunday marchers held signs paying tribute to Maasarwe and other victims of violence. Television news showed women carrying signs: "For Aiia and for those who suffer silently" and "I wanna walk through the park in the dark". "I don't want my daughter to grow up in a world where she's unsafe or she can't pursue the opportunities she wants and I march for my son because I don't want him to grow up in a world where toxic masculinity is acceptable," said Samantha Nolan-Smith, one of several hundred protesters in the Australian capital Canberra, reported Australian Broadcasting Corp. In reaction to Maasarwe's death, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his government would announce another "action plan" to stem violence against women ahead of an election expected by May, on top of A$350 million ($252 million) that has already been committed.

Australian rallies demand safe streets for women after Israeli student murder

Actress Debolina Bhattacharya has been detained and interrogated by Mumbai Police over the mysterious murder of a diamantaire, Rajeshwar Udani. A politician has also been arrested in relation to the case.&nbsp; 
 
Bhattacharya who is best known for playing Gopi Bahu in 'Saath Nibahana Saathiya', was grilled for several hours in Ghatkopar three days after the missing Udani`s body was recovered in the forests of adjoining Raigad district.

The officials, though, have remained tight-lipped over her role in the case but hinted that some more women from the entertainment industry may be summoned for questioning.

Udani, 57, had been reported missing by his family from his office from November 28. The police had registered a missing case and launched a search for him. His mobile was tracked in Rabale, Navi Mumbai before it lost signal.

After nearly a week, on December 4, since he remained untraced and the family suspected something amiss, the police registered a kidnapping case.

His driver told the police that Udani asked him to be dropped near the Pant Nagar market where another vehicle came and he got into it.

His highly decomposed body, without any apparent injuries, was found late on December 5 and bereft of any identity paper. He was identified by his son from the clothes and shoes he was wearing.

Investigators suspect Udani`s kidnappers may have killed him at some other location before dumping the body in the Panvel forests.

Police investigations and call data records have revealed that Udani was a regular at some bars and in touch with several women, including those from the glamour and entertainment industry, through Sachin Pawar, a former aide to a Maharashtra Minister, Prakash Mehta. Pawar was said to be closely acquainted with Udani. He was earlier with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Police have questioned two dozen persons and are on the lookout for the vehicle which picked up the victim on the night he went missing.

Actress Debolina Bhattacharya has been detained and interrogated by Mumbai Police over the mysterious murder of a diamantaire, Rajeshwar Udani. A politician has also been arrested in relation to the case.

Actress Debolina Bhattacharya has been detained and interrogated by Mumbai Police over the mysterious murder of a diamantaire, Rajeshwar Udani. A politician has also been arrested in relation to the case. Bhattacharya who is best known for playing Gopi Bahu in 'Saath Nibahana Saathiya', was grilled for several hours in Ghatkopar three days after the missing Udani`s body was recovered in the forests of adjoining Raigad district. The officials, though, have remained tight-lipped over her role in the case but hinted that some more women from the entertainment industry may be summoned for questioning. Udani, 57, had been reported missing by his family from his office from November 28. The police had registered a missing case and launched a search for him. His mobile was tracked in Rabale, Navi Mumbai before it lost signal. After nearly a week, on December 4, since he remained untraced and the family suspected something amiss, the police registered a kidnapping case. His driver told the police that Udani asked him to be dropped near the Pant Nagar market where another vehicle came and he got into it. His highly decomposed body, without any apparent injuries, was found late on December 5 and bereft of any identity paper. He was identified by his son from the clothes and shoes he was wearing. Investigators suspect Udani`s kidnappers may have killed him at some other location before dumping the body in the Panvel forests. Police investigations and call data records have revealed that Udani was a regular at some bars and in touch with several women, including those from the glamour and entertainment industry, through Sachin Pawar, a former aide to a Maharashtra Minister, Prakash Mehta. Pawar was said to be closely acquainted with Udani. He was earlier with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Police have questioned two dozen persons and are on the lookout for the vehicle which picked up the victim on the night he went missing.

TV actress Debolina Bhattacharya detained by Mumbai police over murder of diamond merchant

Sri Lanka's highest-ranking military officer was remanded by a court Wednesday after weeks evading arrest for allegedly protecting the chief suspect in the murder of 11 people during the civil war.

The Colombo Fort magistrate ordered that Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, the country's military chief, be held in custody for a week pending investigations into the abduction and murder of the young men between 2008 and 2009.

The magistrate denied bail for Wijegunaratne after it emerged he tried to abduct a key witness over the weekend and sought to have an investigator removed from the case.

"I am denying bail because in your position you are able to influence witnesses and disrupt the investigations," Magistrate Ranga Dassanayake told a packed courthouse.

Wijegunaratne, who appeared in full military regalia, has denied any connection to the murders.

Wijegunaratne's bodyguards earlier shoved journalists trying to photograph the chief of defence staff as he entered the courtroom.

Earlier in the day, Wijegunaratne surrendered after weeks of ignoring a court summons.

Investigators told the court that Wijegunaratne protected the main accused in the high-profile murders, naval intelligence officer Chandana Prasad Hettiarachchi.

He was arrested in August over the killings in the closing stages of Sri Lanka's bloody separatist war that ended in May 2009.

Three warrants for Wijegunaratne's arrest were issued earlier this month but he ignored them, even travelling to Mexico while investigators were seeking a statement from him.

Police believe the 11 victims were killed while in the illegal custody of the navy. Their bodies were never found.

Military figures were accused of abductions and extrajudicial killings during the 37-year war against the Tamil Tiger separatist movement.

Several intelligence officers are facing prosecution over the murder of journalists critical of Mahinda Rajapakse, the former president whose tenure was marred by allegations of war crimes and grave rights abuses.

His recent controversial appointment as prime minister by Sri Lanka's president has plunged the country into crisis, with parliament twice voting against the war-era strongman ruler taking over the government.

Rajapakse, who has refused to step aside as Sri Lanka drifts in a power vacuum, and several members of his family are being investigated for fraud and murder during his 10-year presidency.

But those inquiries were thrown into doubt after his surprise return to the helm of government in an alliance with President Maithripala Sirisena.

Rajapakse lead Sri Lanka as government troops defeated the Tamil insurgency in May 2009, ending years of bitter and brutal fighting.

The final days of the offensive were marked by major abuses, according to rights groups. A UN panel has said 40,000 civilians may have been killed in the final stages of the war.

Sri Lanka's highest-ranking military officer was remanded by a court Wednesday after weeks evading arrest for allegedly protecting the chief suspect in the murder of 11 people during the civil war.

Sri Lanka's highest-ranking military officer was remanded by a court Wednesday after weeks evading arrest for allegedly protecting the chief suspect in the murder of 11 people during the civil war. The Colombo Fort magistrate ordered that Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, the country's military chief, be held in custody for a week pending investigations into the abduction and murder of the young men between 2008 and 2009. The magistrate denied bail for Wijegunaratne after it emerged he tried to abduct a key witness over the weekend and sought to have an investigator removed from the case. "I am denying bail because in your position you are able to influence witnesses and disrupt the investigations," Magistrate Ranga Dassanayake told a packed courthouse. Wijegunaratne, who appeared in full military regalia, has denied any connection to the murders. Wijegunaratne's bodyguards earlier shoved journalists trying to photograph the chief of defence staff as he entered the courtroom. Earlier in the day, Wijegunaratne surrendered after weeks of ignoring a court summons. Investigators told the court that Wijegunaratne protected the main accused in the high-profile murders, naval intelligence officer Chandana Prasad Hettiarachchi. He was arrested in August over the killings in the closing stages of Sri Lanka's bloody separatist war that ended in May 2009. Three warrants for Wijegunaratne's arrest were issued earlier this month but he ignored them, even travelling to Mexico while investigators were seeking a statement from him. Police believe the 11 victims were killed while in the illegal custody of the navy. Their bodies were never found. Military figures were accused of abductions and extrajudicial killings during the 37-year war against the Tamil Tiger separatist movement. Several intelligence officers are facing prosecution over the murder of journalists critical of Mahinda Rajapakse, the former president whose tenure was marred by allegations of war crimes and grave rights abuses. His recent controversial appointment as prime minister by Sri Lanka's president has plunged the country into crisis, with parliament twice voting against the war-era strongman ruler taking over the government. Rajapakse, who has refused to step aside as Sri Lanka drifts in a power vacuum, and several members of his family are being investigated for fraud and murder during his 10-year presidency. But those inquiries were thrown into doubt after his surprise return to the helm of government in an alliance with President Maithripala Sirisena. Rajapakse lead Sri Lanka as government troops defeated the Tamil insurgency in May 2009, ending years of bitter and brutal fighting. The final days of the offensive were marked by major abuses, according to rights groups. A UN panel has said 40,000 civilians may have been killed in the final stages of the war.

Sri Lanka top military official Wijegunaratne detained over mass murder cover-up

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