India News
Khurram Parvez arrest: Rights bodies protest Kashmiri activist’s detention, call for immediate release
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday evening arrested prominent Kashmiri rights activist Khurram Parvez from Srinagar in connection with a terror funding case. The agency, however, did not confirm the reason for his arrest but family sources said he was taken for questioning by officials who claimed to be from the NIA.
Parvez was arrested after an hours-long raid at his residence in Srinagar, his wife Samina said. They also seized Parvez’s mobile, laptop, some books, along with her cell phone, Samina said.
The family said the NIA had also raided Khurram’s residence during the intervening night of October 28 and 29 last year in cases where they claimed his involvement in separatist activities.
NIA’s move to arrest Parvez elicited sharp reactions from rights bodies and activists, including the United Nations Special Rapporteur.
The United Nations said it was disturbed by the reports of Khurram’s arrest. Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, tweeted that he is not a terrorist, he’s a Human Rights Defender.
David Kaye, a former UN Special Rapporteur, said Khurram’s arrest under terrorism charges was yet another extraordinary abuse in Kashmir.
The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), a Geneva-based non-profit organization that works with groups across the world to fight for human rights, said it is deeply concerned about the high risk of torture while in custody. In its tweet, the organization called for his immediate release.
What are the charges against Parvez?
Parvez has been booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and other multiple charges. The Indian Penal Code sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 121 (attempt to wage war) and 121A (conspiracy to commit offenses) have been invoked against Parvez.
He was also charged under Section 17 (funding a terrorist act), Section 18 (conspiracy), Section 18B (recruitment for the commission of a terrorist act), Section 30 (membership of a terrorist organization) and Section 40 (offences for raising funds for a terrorist organization) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The arrest has been made under the supervision of G. Siva Vikram, Superintendent of Police (SP) NIA. The witnesses during the arrest include Suhail Ahmad Mir, Patwari Assistant Commissioner Nazool and Patwari Deputy Commissioner Nazool office.
Who is Khurram Parvez?
Parvez, 42, is the program coordinator of the widely respected rights group of the Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), and chairperson of the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD).
Khurram is one of the most well-known rights defenders from the Valley who lost his leg to a militant IED in the early 2000s. He is a recipient of the Reebok Human Rights Award 2006. He is a vocal critic of the government and was arrested for two and a half months in 2016 by the Mehbooba Mufti-led government.
Two days before his arrest, the immigration authorities in the country had refused to let him board a flight to Geneva where he was scheduled to address the United Nations Human Rights Council about India’s human rights record.
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JKCCS has published some of the most damning reports on human rights violations in Kashmir, the latest titled “Kashmir’s Internet Siege” on mass detentions and the justice system amid Internet restrictions following the abrogation of the state’s special status on August 5, 2019.
India News
Cauvery water dispute: Bengaluru bandh evokes partial response as public services function normally
Though cab services, autos and hotels, restaurants were seen operating, drivers and hotel operators asserted not many people were coming out to utilise the services.
The Bengaluru bandh summoned by farmers and Kannada organisations on Tuesday and supported by the BJP and JD(S) in protest against the release of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu evoked partial response as most of the public services were functioning normally. However, very few people ventured out in the streets.
Though cab services, autos and hotels, restaurants were seen operating, drivers and hotel operators asserted not many people were coming out to utilise the services. In Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses and Metro rail services, the usual rush was not seen. In addition, Ola-Uber Drivers Association and Hotel Owners Association have said that their services will be normal today.
On the other hand, Bengaluru Urban district Deputy Commissioner Dayananda K A has declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in the city on Tuesday, in wake of the bandh. Several private companies and firms, including those in the IT sector have asked their employees to work from home. Some shopping malls in the city have decided to remain shut. Many shops and establishments were also seen not functioning as usual in the morning hours.
Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti, which is an umbrella outfit of farmers’ associations and other organisations headed by farmer leader Kuruburu Shanthakumar, has given the call for today’s dawn-to-dusk (6 am to 6 pm) Bengaluru shutdown. Shanthakumar and other leaders of the Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti were arrested by the police at the Mysuru Bank circle, as they were trying to hold a protest march towards Town Hall.
In addition, multiple activists of Kannada organisations were also whisked away by the police at Town Hall, as they gathered there to demonstrate a protest. Farmers’ leaders and Kannada activists slammed the government for allegedly using police force to curtail the protests and bandh. Farmers and pro-Kannada organisations are further expected to stage a protest at the Freedom Park, which is a designated place for such demonstrations.
According to reports, city police have taken adequate security measures to respond to any violence that may happen during the protests. Nearly 100 platoons have been deployed. Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda stated that prohibitory orders under Section 144 are in place across the city from midnight on Monday to midnight on Tuesday in the view of the bandh.
According to existing restrictions and court orders, there is no permission for any bandh or procession in the city, he added. On the other hand, a Karnataka bandh, a state-wide shutdown, was called on September 29 by Kannada Okkuta, an umbrella organisation for Kannada organisations, led by Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj. They are not supporting today’s bandh.
India News
Happy Birthday Manmohan Singh: PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi, Stalin, Kharge greet ex PM Manmohan Singh on his 91st birthday
Rahul Gandhi posted on X former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh Ji’s economic upliftment of the masses, unwavering commitment to nation building and integrity will always remain an inspiration for him. He wished him happiness and good health on his birthday.
PM Narendra Modi, Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge greeted ex PM Manmohan Singh on his 91 st birthday. PM Modi took to X (Formerly twitter) and wrote birthday wishes to former PM Dr Manmohan Singh Ji. He prayed for his good health and long life. Kharge wrote on X (formerly twitter) he extended his best wishes to former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh ji. He is a rare example of grace, dignity and grace in politics. Kharge said the nation is grateful for his tremendous contribution to the nation.
Rahul Gandhi posted on X former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh Ji’s economic upliftment of the masses, unwavering commitment to nation building and integrity will always remain an inspiration for him. He wished him happiness and good health on his birthday.
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra greeted Singh on his birthday. She wished Manmohan Singh Ji a very very Happy Birthday. She said as a leader he showed her the value of humility and patience in politics. She added as a Prime Minister his wisdom, vision, courage and his honesty made the way for the country to move ahead in the 21st century with pride and self assurance. She said she always had deep respect for him.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin greeted Manmohan Singh on his birthday. He wrote on X (formerly twitter) birthday greetings to former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh! As PM his leadership during the global financial crises and his commitment to inclusive policies reshaped India’s future. He said his humble, intellectual and composed approach serves as an example and provides valuable lessons for leadership in every era. His legacy of stability and progress endures. Dr Manmohan Singh was the two time Prime Minister during the 2004 to 2014. He attended the Parliament’s Special Session on a wheel chair.
India News
Manipur violence: Photos showing bodies of two missing students surface online, government says case handed over to CBI
The government also assured the public that swift and decisive action will be taken against all those involved in the kidnapping and killing of the students
In another harrowing incident, photos of the bodies of a man apparently decapitated and a girl who had been missing since July, surfaced online after a ban on mobile internet was lifted in violence-hit northeastern state Manipur over the weekend.
Issuing a statement, Manipur chief minister’s secretariat affirmed that the photos were of Phijam Hemjit (20) and Hijam Linthoinggambi (17), both belonging to the Meitei community from Imphal. The statement added that they had gone missing on July 6 and remained untraced even as security agencies initiated search operations for them and locals took to the street seeking their whereabouts.
According to reports, a photo of the two students showed them sitting on the ground that appears to be a forest with two armed men in the background. Another photo showed them lying on the ground apparently after being gunned down. Reports further state that the head of the man appeared to be missing. The photos were taken on July 8, two days after the two students went missing.
The statement issued by the state government read that it may be noted that this case has already been handed over to the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation), as per the wishes of the people of the state. It mentioned that the police and central security agencies were investigating the case and search operations was carried out to nab those who murdered the two students.
In addition, the government also assured the public that swift and decisive action will be taken against all those involved in the kidnapping and killing of Phijam Hemjit and Hijam Linthoingambi.
The statement underlined that the government was committed to ensuring justice for the murdered students and severe punishment on any perpetrators found responsible for this heinous crime. It further urged the public to exercise restraint and let the authorities handle the ongoing investigation.
