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Renowned senior journalist Shujaat Bukhari shot dead in Srinagar

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Renowned senior journalist Shujaat Bukhari shot dead in Srinagar

Renowned senior journalist and editor-in-chief of English daily ‘Rising Kashmir’, Shujaat Bukhari was on Thursday, 14 June shot dead by unknown assailants in Srinagar’s Press Colony around 7:15 pm as he was leaving his Press enclave office for an Iftar party.

He along with two of his Personal Security Officers (PSOs) was immediately rushed to Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital, where the journalist succumbed to his injuries. One security guard died in the hospital, while another is in a critical condition.

“Three motorcycle-borne militants came and fired at Bukhari and his guards. Bukhari and one guard were killed and another security guard critically injured,” said Jammu and Kashmir DGP SP Vaid.

Jammu and Kashmir police said that Bukhari had earlier criticised Pakistan in a social media post and they were scanning his social media accounts too. He had faced death threats earlier as well.

Shujaat Bukhari’s killers caught on CCTV, investigation underway

The police of Jammu and Kashmir last night released two pictures of three bike-borne men who are suspected to have killed Bukhari. The state police have also appealed to the people of Srinagar to identify the suspects behind the killing of Shujaat Bukhari, for the purpose of a police investigation.

The three militants were caught on a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) camera, the police official said. Three men faces covered with black helmet and mask can be seen riding a motorcycle.

“In connection with today’s terror attack at Srinagar, police requests general public to identify the suspects for the purpose of the police investigation,” a statement read.

His early life and work

Fifty-three-year-old Bukhari completed his Masters in Journalism from Ateneo de Manila University, as a fellow of Asian Centre for Journalism, Singapore. Quite a bright one, he received the World Press Institute (WPI) USA fellowship Asian Centre for Journalism Singapore fellowship.  Bukhari has also been a fellow at East West Centre in Hawaii, USA.  He also worked as the state correspondent for national daily ‘The Hindu’ for 15 years. Bukhari was also a fellow at East West Centre at Hawaii, USA. He was also the president of Adbee Markaz Kamraz, the biggest and oldest cultural and literary organization of Valley. Bukhari was also a fellow at East West Centre at Hawaii, USA.  Bukhari had been under police protection since an attack on him in 2000 and had survived three assassination attempts in the past.

Kashmiris, journalists, politicians express shock, grief

Kashmiris, political leaders, journalists and editors across India took to twitter to express their shock:

“Shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden demise of Shujaat Bukhari. The scourge of terror has reared its ugly head on the eve of Eid. I strongly condemn this act of mindless violence and pray for his soul to rest in peace. My deepest condolences to his family,” Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti wrote on Twitter.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said that there wasn’t an iota of doubt that terrorists were behind the killing of noted journalist Shujaat Bukhari. Condemning the attack, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said it was an attempt to silence the saner voices of Kashmir.

He added that he has spoken to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and assured the killers would be punished.

Bukhari’s death was condemned by ministers, opposition leaders, media bodies and even Pakistan.

‘The Editors Guild of India unequivocally condemns the assassination of Rising Kashmir Editor Shujaat Bukhari. This is a grave attack on press freedom and democratic voices. We will be issuing a more detailed statement soon’: Editors in Guild tweeted.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office said it was deeply shocked and saddened with the assassination of Bukhari. “There can be no justification for anyone to commit such brutality, which cannot be condemned enough,” the neighboring country’s foreign office said in a statement.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi described Bukhari as a “Braveheart” who fought fearlessly for justice and peace in Jammu and Kashmir.

J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti said terrorism had hit a new low with Bukhari’s killing and asserted that justice would be done.

Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik strongly condemned the brutal killing of the senior Kashmiri Journalist.

India News

Canada fact checks own media, rejects report claiming PM Modi knew of Nijjar murder plot

The clarification comes after a Canadian newspaper cited an unnamed national security official, claiming the alleged plot to murder Nijjar was orchestrated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

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Canada fact checks own media, rejects report claiming PM Modi knew of Nijjar murder plot

The Canadian government clarified that there is no evidence to connect Prime Minister Narendra Modi or his top officials to any criminal activity in Canada, including the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

The clarification comes after a Canadian newspaper cited an unnamed national security official, claiming the alleged plot to murder Nijjar was orchestrated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The media report further alleged that PM Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval were informed about the plan.

Nonetheless, the same report acknowledged that the Canadian government had no direct evidence to support these claims against PM Modi. Issuing a statement, the Canadian government distanced itself from these allegations, mentioning that there was no substantiating evidence.

The statement underlined that on October 14th, because of a significant and ongoing threat to public safety, the RCMP and officials took the extraordinary step of making public accusations of serious criminal activity in Canada perpetrated by agents of the government of India.

It added that the government of Canada has not stated, nor is it aware of evidence, linking Prime Minister Modi, Minister Jaishankar, or NSA Doval to the serious criminal activity within Canada. It remarked that any suggestion to the contrary is both speculative and inaccurate.

Earlier, India furiously rejected the Canadian daily’s report as ludicrous, terming it detrimental to diplomatic ties that have been frosty since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau first accused India of involvement in Nijjar’s killing last year.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that they do not normally comment on media reports, but such ludicrous statements made to a newspaper purportedly by a Canadian government source should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve. He added that smear campaigns like this only further damage our already strained ties.

Diplomatic ties between India and Canada weakened when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) accused Indian government agents of involvement in criminal activities on Canadian soil, including murder, extortion, and intimidation. As the diplomatic rift intensified, both the countries expelled top envoys in response.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar was gunned down outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023. Earlier in 2024, Canadian authorities arrested and charged four Indian nationals for the murder.

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India News

Parliament winter session: Government lists 15 bills, including Waqf bill

The session will kick off on November 25 and conclude on December 20.

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The government has listed five new ones and one to amend the contentious Waqf law out of 15 bills for the winter session of Parliament. The session will kick off on November 25 and conclude on December 20.

The government has introduced five new bills, including the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, which aims to promote coasting trade and increase the participation of Indian-flagged vessels owned and operated by Indian citizens for both national security and commercial purposes.

Another significant legislation that will be introduced by the government is the Indian Ports Bill, 2024. This bill is designed to implement measures for the conservation of ports, enhance security, and manage pollution, ensuring compliance with India’s international obligations and statutory requirements.

Additionally, the government plans to introduce the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, which aims to meet India’s obligations under maritime treaties and support the development of Indian shipping while ensuring the efficient operation of the Indian mercantile marine in a way that serves national interests.

Pending legislation includes the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which is awaiting consideration and passage after the joint committee of both Houses submits its report to the Lok Sabha. The committee is expected to report by the end of the first week of the winter session.

Currently, there are eight bills, including the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, pending in the Lok Sabha, while two additional bills are in the Rajya Sabha.

Furthermore, the government has also listed the Punjab Courts (Amendment) Bill for introduction, consideration, and passage, which seeks to increase the pecuniary appellate jurisdiction of Delhi district courts from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.

The Merchant Shipping Bill, along with the Coastal Shipping Bill and the Indian Ports Bill, is slated for introduction and eventual passage.

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India News

International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant against Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu over war crimes

The court accused Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant of crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, inhumane acts, and the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare.

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International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant against Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu over war crimes

The International Criminal Court (ICC) today issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The court accused Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant of crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, inhumane acts, and the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare. The leaders allegedly restricted essential supplies such as food, water, and medical aid to civilians in Gaza, resulting in severe humanitarian crises and deaths, including among children.

Last year in October, Israel had launched attacks on Gaza in retaliation for the surprise attack by Hamas. The Israel-Hamas war has led to the death of thousands of civilians, while lakhs have been displaced. The major infrastructures in Gaza, including hospitals and schools, were also destroyed as Israel vowed to wipe out Hamas.

The International Criminal Court stated that it found reasonable grounds to believe the accused intentionally targeted civilians and limited medical supplies, forcing unsafe medical procedures, which caused immense suffering. This ruling was based on the findings from at least October 8, 2023 until at least May 20, 2024.

The court remarked that it has assessed that there are reasonable grounds to believe that PM Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population of Gaza.

Furthermore, it also noted that the lack of food, water, electricity and fuel, and medical supplies created conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population in Gaza, leading to death of civilians, including children due to malnutrition and dehydration.

Additionally, the International Criminal Court dismissed two challenges by Israel against its jurisdiction in the situation in the State of Palestine.

Notably, Israel had contested the ICC’s jurisdiction, claiming it could not be exercised without Israel’s consent. Nonetheless, the Chamber ruled that the Court has jurisdiction based on Palestine’s territorial scope, including Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. It further noted that Israel’s objections were premature, as jurisdictional challenges under the Rome Statute can only be made after an arrest warrant is issued.

Reportedly, Israel had also requested a fresh notification regarding the investigation, started in 2021. Denying the request, the court stated that Israel had earlier declined to request a deferral, making additional notifications unnecessary.

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