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Terror funding case: NIA recovers Kashmir’s protest calendar authorized by Hurriyat hardliner SAS Geelani

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Terror funding case

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Document recovered from Geelani’s son-in-law Altaf Ahmad Shah  reportedly outlines roadmap for fanning radicalism with the help of local clerics and separatist cadres to keep Kashmir on the boil

The arrest of seven Hurriyat-affiliated separatist leaders by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) last Monday has led to the recovery of what the agency believes is concrete evidence of the involvement of Pakistan in fomenting violence and unrest in Jammu and Kashmir – a ‘protest calendar’, allegedly signed and authorised by hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

The detailed protest calendar, recovered by the NIA from Geelani’s son-in-law Altaf Ahmad Shah alias Funtoosh who was arrested on July 24 along with six others as part of the agency’s probe into an alleged terror-funding case, points to the role of Kashmiri separatists in organising events in coordination with handlers in Pakistan that have kept the Valley on the boil since the Armed Forces gunned down Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in July last year.

The document, according to a report in the Times of India, was signed and issued by Geelani and it lists when protests and other activities related to civil unrest were to be carried out in the Valley in the days following Wani’s death.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1501506743519{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;background-color: #b5b5b5 !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}”]

The terror-funding case

Terror funding caseThe National Investigation Agency had, on July 24, arrested seven separatist leaders including hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s son-in-law, Altaf Shah. The seven are suspected of having funded terror activity and unrest in the Valley after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8 last year.

Those arrested include Naeem Khan, Meraz Kalwal, Saheed Ul Islam, Ayaz Akbar, T Saifullah (all from Srinagar) and Bitta Karate (arrested from New Delhi), besides Altaf Shah. Islam is a close aide of moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Akbar is the spokesperson for the Geelani-led Hurriyat faction.

Naeem Khan had been suspended from his membership of the Hurriyat Conference in May by Geelani after a sting operation surfaced in which Khan purportedly confessed to receiving funds from Pakistan with the purpose of triggering unrest in the Kashmir Valley. The NIA had then registered a preliminary probe against Khan, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat leader Gazi Javed Baba and few others based on the sting operation done by a leading private news channel.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Here is a brief look at some of the notings in the ‘protest calendar’:

August 4, 2016: Plan to stage protest against Army and security forces

August 6, 2016: Call to gather at local crossings and stage protest

August 8, 2016: Orders to block all roads leading to Srinagar, ensuring security officers are unable to reach office to report on duty, calling everyone on mobiles to enlist support

August 9, 2016: Appeal to women to take out a procession from Asar to Magrib, raising Islamic slogans en route. Masjids to play songs for freedom

August 10, 2016: Letters to be given to all security officers in Jammu and Kashmir asking them to go back

August 11, 2016: Warning to India-supporting politicians and Panchayat members to resign, notice to be stuck outside their doors

August 12, 2016: Masjids to give sermons for Freedom of Kashmir, posters on the topic to be posted outside masjid entrances

August 13, 2016: Black flag protest

August 14, 2016: Celebrations of Pakistan Day

August 15, 2016: Observe black day in Kashmir

Meanwhile, the NIA also conducted raids, on Sunday, at the residence and office premises of Jammu-based lawyer Devinder Singh Behl and questioned him about his alleged role as a “courier” for routing funds to separatist leaders in Kashmir from their Pakistan-based handlers. Behl is chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Social Peace Forum (JKSPF) and also a member of Hurriyat’s legal cell. NIA spokesperson, Inspector General Alok Mittal was quoted by TOI as saying that Behl was “a close associate of a top Hurriyat leader and he regularly attends funerals of militants”.

NIA sources said that during the raids at Behl’s premises the agency recovered four mobile phones, a tablet and other electronic devices and documents related to the ongoing terror funding probe.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1501506766592{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;background-color: #c9c9c9 !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}”]

NIA closing in on Geelani’s family

After serving summons to SAS Geelani’s younger son Zahoor, asking him to appear before it for questioning in the terror funding case, the NIA, on Sunday, also issued a similar notice to the Hardline Hurriyat leader’s elder son Naeem. Naeem, a medical practitioner and touted as Geelani’s heir in Hurriyat politics, has been asked to appear before the agency, on Wednesday, at the NIA headquarters in New Delhi. However, Naeem complained of severe chest pain on Sunday evening and was rushed to a private hospital in Srinagar where he is currently admitted in the Intensive Care Unit.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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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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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Yogi Adityanath accords tax-free status to Sabarmati Report film in Uttar Pradesh

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have also praised this film.

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday accorded a tax-free status to ‘The Sabarmati Report’ film, based on the train burning incident at Godhra in Gujarat in 2002, in the state.

The announcement was made after Chief Minister Adityanath attended the screening of Vikrant Massey and Raashii Khanna-starrer ‘The Sabarmati Report’ in Lucknow with the film’s cast.  

Speaking to reporters, actor Vikrant Massey thanked the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister for making ‘The Sabarmati Report’ film tax-free in the state. “I want to thank Yogi Adityanath ji. This is an important film and I appeal to everyone to go and watch this film,” he said.

Chief Minister Adityanath along with many of his cabinet colleagues watched the film ‘The Sabarmati Report’ under a special screening at a cinema hall in the capital, said a spokesperson of the state government.

Several people associated with the film unit were also present on the occasion. Later the chief minister announced to make this film tax-free in UP.

The BJP-ruled states have been praising the makers of The Sabarmati Report, claiming the team has tried to bring out this truth in front of the people of the country through the film.

The saffron party is appealing to people to watch this film and try to get closer to the truth of Godhra.

Uttar Pradesh becomes the sixth BJP-ruled state after Haryana, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat to declare lead actors Vikrant Massey and Raashii Khanna’s film tax-free.

Adityanath said along with identifying the faces of those who are conspiring against the country for political gains, there is also a need to expose them. The film team has discharged its responsibilities to expose the truth, he said, adding an attempt has been made to bring the real truth in front of the country in a big way through the film.

The Sabarmati Report is said to be based on the incident of setting fire to a train full of ‘karsevaks’ in Godhra on February 27, 2002, killing 90 devotees. After this incident, communal riots broke out in Gujarat. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have also praised this film.

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