India

Massive search operation on to arrest fugitive Sikh radical Amritpal

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Jalandhar Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal on Saturday night told the media that Amritpal Singh was declared a ‘fugitive’.

Updated On – 10:44 AM, Sun – 19 March 23

Massive search operation on to arrest fugitive Sikh radical Amritpal

Chandigarh: Massive search operation continued on the second day on Sunday to arrest Sikh radical Amritpal Singh, head of ‘Waris Punjab De’, who has been declared a ‘fugitive’, a senior police official said.

Jalandhar Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal on Saturday night told the media that Amritpal Singh was declared a ‘fugitive’.

The police search operations are now mainly focused in Jalandhar district from where he managed to give the police a slip when it tried to intercept his vehicle to arrest him.

Amritpal’s father Tarsem Singh told the media the police should have arrested him before he left the house. “We don’t have any information about his whereabouts. They carried out a search at our residence for 3-4 hours but did not find anything illegal.”

He called the police action “unjustified” and said his son was weaning the youth off drugs. “Why the police were not acting against criminals and those involved in drugs,” he asked.

Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Chahal said Amritpal’s six gunmen were nabbed. “A manhunt for Amritpal Singh is on and we are hopeful that he will be arrested soon. A total of 78 people have been arrested so far and further searches and raids are underway,” he added.

“During the state-wide operation, nine weapons, including one .315 bore rifle, seven rifles of 12 bore, one revolver and 373 live cartridges of different caliber have been recovered so far,” the police said in a statement on Twitter on Saturday evening.

“Waris Punjab De elements are involved in four criminal cases relating to spreading disharmony among classes, attempt to murder, attack on police persons and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duties of public servants. FIR stands registered for the attack on Ajnala Police Station,” it added.

A house-to-house search operation in villages in Nakodar in Jalandhar district was carried out throughout the night, said a senior official. Even the central paramilitary forces have been involved in the search operation.

Meanwhile, internet services across the state were suspended as a precautionary step.

Supporters of Amritpal Singh have been sharing videos of police vehicles chasing Singh’s cavalcade.

Anticipating a disturbance of peace, a large contingent of the paramilitary force was deployed outside his native village, Jallupur Khaira, in Amritsar district.

A special team of the police, comprising personnel from seven districts, had followed the separatist leader’s convoy while he was on his way to Jalandhar’s Shahkot tehsil. They had closed on his vehicles two to three times but Amritpal Singh managed to escape.

Section 144 has been imposed in many districts of the state. The police have also increased security in the state. In addition, all vehicles are being checked at the Punjab-Haryana border.

Thirty-year-old Amritpal Singh, a pro-Khalistan fiery propagator and self-styled preacher, has been running ‘separatist’ propaganda through speeches. Three cases, including two of delivering hate speeches, have been pending against him.

On the radar of Central investigating agencies, he has drawn comparisons to Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale owing to his similar looks and donning a navy blue turban, a white chola, and a sword-sized kirpan.

On February 23, an armed mob led by Amritpal Singh clashed with police and laid siege to a police station near Amritsar, demanding the release of one of their colleagues who had been taken into custody in an alleged kidnapping case.

Six policemen were injured in the bloody clash.

Police officials had later clarified that they were unable to control the crowd as they were carrying a physical copy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, also called Bir in Punjabi, as a shield.

India

Rahul attends meeting of Parliament panel on external affairs, denies anti-India remarks

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The members of the ruling party objected to this, but Rahul was supported by the opposition members, sources said.

Updated On – 10:45 AM, Sun – 19 March 23

Rahul attends meeting of Parliament panel on external affairs, denies anti-India remarks

New Delhi:  After returning from London, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attended the meeting of the parliamentary committee on external affairs where, sources said he responded to the BJP MPs without naming him about MPs going abroad and speaking against the country.

The meeting was held on Saturday.

Sources said Rahul Gandhi said that he has not spoken anything which is against the country. The members of the ruling party objected to this, but Rahul was supported by the opposition members, sources said. After which External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar intervened and said the members should speak on the subject.

Rahul has been insisting that he wants to speak in the House and met the Speaker a few days ago. He said four Ministers have raised allegations against him in Parliament House so he has the right to respond.

“It is my right to be allowed to speak on the floor of the House. I requested the speaker today. I went to his chamber and I requested him. I said – look, I would very much like to speak. I told him that people from the BJP have made allegations against me and as a Member of Parliament, it is my right to speak,” he said on Thursday.

The BJP has ceased the opportunity to target Rahul Gandhi, and BJP National President J.P. Nadda has said that Rahul Gandhi has become “a permanent part of this anti-nationalist toolkit”.

Nadda said: “It’s unfortunate that the Congress party is indulging in anti-national activities. After being repeatedly rejected by the nation, Rahul Gandhi has now become a permanent part of this anti-nationalist toolkit.”

India

Multiple ‘Opposition’ fronts may throw up a 1996 scenario in 2024

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Banerjee plans to rope in others like Biju Janata Dal President and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik plus Bharat Rashtra Samithi President and Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and other leaders soon.

Updated On – 11:36 AM, Sun – 19 March 23

Multiple ‘Opposition’ fronts may throw up a 1996 scenario in 2024

Mumbai: With the countdown to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on, all major Opposition parties, including the regional forces, are bracing for a big political battle to oust the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, and a situation akin to 1996 emerging not ruled out.

Machinations are on in a big way for the past couple of years with several local, regional or national level ‘conclaves’ of Opposition parties being held at regular intervals, raising — and then dimming — hopes of the entire pack uniting to lock horns with the BJP and its allies.

The latest in the series is the effort by Trinamool Congress President and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and Samajwadi Party President and ex-Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav, who have agreed to keep “equidistant” from the BJP and the Congress.

Banerjee plans to rope in others like Biju Janata Dal President and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik plus Bharat Rashtra Samithi President and Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and other leaders soon.

Maharashtra’s Opposition front, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) comprising the Congress, the Nationalist Congress Party, and the Shiv Sena-UBT are closely watching the developments, with a few senior leaders wondering whether the new associations are coming up to take on the BJP or hammer the Congress!

Many parties from the other southern states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, the Janata Dal-U of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Rashtriya Janata Dal in Bihar, the Aam Aadmi Party, and other regional forces are also monitoring the unfolding situation, compounding the confused scenario.

The MVA leaders, particularly NCP and Sena-UBT have made it clear on record that “no Opposition unity is possible by excluding Congress”, and junk theories of “Congress being isolated” or “Rahul Gandhi spelling doom” for the Opposition, and so on.

While admitting that there’s no clear wave against the BJP, a Sena-UBT leader claimed that the current mood of the nation is quickly sliding to “anti-BJP”, with the blatant attempts made to “finish off” the opposition or regional parties, the misuse of central agencies and the onslaught on all democratic institutions.

Concurring, a NCP functionary said that the BJP will be made accountable for mishandling of the economy, failure to control inflation and arrest unemployment, frittering resources on showpiece projects or mega-events, et al.

A senior state Congress leader, preferring anonymity, feels the scenario in 2024 would be daunting for the BJP at even more levels.

This time, a total of around 14 per cent new voters will be added, besides 20 per cent minority voters – the latter having an average voting record of barely 38-42 per cent.

“The new voters will come with huge hopes for their future and the current scenario barely inspires confidence in them… Perhaps for the first time since 1989, even the minorities will turn out in huge numbers and return to the Congress fold,” he contended.

A Sena-UBT office-bearer said that the grassroots trend is slowly emerging — “who or which alliance” can help defeat the BJP and they will vote accordingly — in Maharashtra, this sentiment alone could fetch the MVA between 35-38 seats (out of 48 Lok Sabha seats).

The NCP’s recent move to support the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP)-BJP alliance raised not only political eyebrows but questions on the GrandMaster Sharad Pawar’s future strategy, though he remains the most “well-regarded” senior politician.

Sena-UBT and Congress leaders speculate that in case of an adverse ruling in the ongoing Supreme Court challenge to the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the NCP could spring some uncomfortable surprises.

At the national level, the BJP-led NDA would remain strong in its bastions like Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and partly in Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the northeast.

The Congress-led UPA is likely to “exceed expectations”, and attract more parties into its caravan in the coming months, especially from the south and west.

“This time, most regional parties are seriously regrouping due to a fear of the Central investigation agencies being unleashed if the BJP returns … Many are clear that it’s a ‘now-or-never ballgame’ they can’t afford to lose,” said another NCP office-bearer.

As per a MVA leader’s calculations, the Congress may bounce back to the 1996-level getting around 140-plus seats, the BJP may be restricted below 200, and the rest could be shared in big and small chunks by the other Opposition/regional parties.

However, there are also apprehensions that the BJP may resort to some big “political or economic sensationalism” in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls which could help it to attract the fence-sitters or Hindutva doubting-thomases, and up its potential tally significantly for a comeback.

A couple of Congress and Sena-UBT leaders grimly remarked that wherever the Opposition fails to unite, it will “benefit only BJP” and every parliament seat that will witness a triangular or multi-cornered contest can be safely written off beforehand.

India

Iran court issues sentences over terrorist attack in Shiraz

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An Iranian court has handed out death sentences to two men over their involvement in a deadly terrorist attack last October on the Shah Cheragh shrine in the southern city of Shiraz.

Judiciary Chief of Fars Province Kazem Moussavi said on Saturday that the two main culprits of the terrorist attack were convicted of assisting in corruption on earth, armed rebellion and acting against national security.

He said the pair were directly involved in the arming, procurement, logistics and guidance of the main perpetrator of the terrorist attack on the Shah Cheragh.

The Daesh terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack.

On October 26, 2022, an armed terrorist barged inside the revered holy shrine in Shiraz, killing 15 pilgrims, including women and children, and injuring dozens before he was arrested by security forces.

The terrorist was later pronounced dead at a hospital, succumbing to injuries sustained during the attack that sent shockwaves across the country.

A few suspects were immediately nabbed and some two weeks later the Intelligence Ministry announced the arrest of 26 Takfiri terrorists for involvement in the attack. The statement said the men were nationals of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan, and none of them are Iranians.

Moussavi further said that the two men sentenced to death have confessed that that they had been in contact with Daesh ringleaders and helped organize the attack.

The judicial official added that three other defendants in the case were also given prison sentences for five, 15 and 25 years for being members of the Daesh terrorist group and supporting it.

He noted that the verdicts against the five could be appealed before the Supreme Court.

During the latest session of a court in Shiraz on March 15, the third suspect identified as Naeim Hashem Qetali, an Afghan national, confessed to making preparations for supporting the prime attacker in Tehran and pleaded guilty to directly helping the attacker and financially supporting members of the group.

The court has accused him of aiding and abetting “corruption on earth” through financial participation and support for Daesh elements in Iran.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, in a message on October 27, pledged that the perpetrators of the “outrageous” crime will definitely face punishment.

“The grief of these dears and desecration of the shrine of Ahl al Bayt will, however, not be compensated unless through tracking these disastrous acts back to where they originate from and through adopting decisive and wise measures against it,” the Leader said.

India

Video of girl being kidnapped by car occupants surfaces, Delhi Police gets cracking

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In the video two persons could be seen dragging a girl and pushing her into their car. The car had a Haryana number plate and was a private cab, said the police.

Updated On – 11:39 AM, Sun – 19 March 23

Video of girl being kidnapped by car occupants surfaces, Delhi Police gets cracking

New Delhi: A dramatic video of a girl being kidnapped by two – three occupants of a car from Outer Delhi’s Mangolpuri has surfaced on social media.

In the video two persons could be seen dragging a girl and pushing her into their car. The car had a Haryana number plate and was a private cab, said the police.

A passerby recorded it which later surfaced on social media.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Outer District, Harender Kumar Singh said that the video came in their notice on Saturday night and they have taken it very seriously.

He said, “Vehicle and driver have been traced. Vehicle was booked through Uber from Rohini to Vikaspuri by two boys and a girl.

“On the way they had an altercation and scuffle. The video shows the boy forcibly pushing the girl inside the car. It is after the girl wanted to move out after an altercation.

Further investigation is in progress.”

The police had formed many teams to look into the case. The cab owner was identified as a resident of Gurugram and a team was sent there.

“Strict action will be taken against all the accused,” the official said.

India

India vs Australia: India vs Australia, 2023 Live Cricket Score, Live Score Of Today's Match on NDTV Sports

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Follow the India vs Australia, 2023 live cricket score on Sports.NDTV.com. After 26.0 overs, India are 117. Get live score, ball by ball commentary and much more. Keep track of India vs Australia, 2023 today match between India and Australia. Everything related to India and Australia match will be available on Sports.NDTV.com. Stay updated with India vs Australia live score. Do check for India vs Australia scorecard. You can get scorecard updates, match related facts. Get quick live updates with ads, Sports.NDTV.com, which is the perfect destination for live cricket score.

We are back for the chase.

Right then, Australia will undoubtedly be the happier side at the halfway mark and they are on a course to level the series. This is India’s 4th-lowest ODI total in India which sums up the kind of day they have had with the bat but the onus is now on their bowlers to replicate what their counterparts did. Can the Indian bowlers make a match out of this? We shall find out shortly. Back in a bit for the chase.

Sean Abbott is in for a flash interview. He says that there was some help from the wicket. Adds that Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green set the tone with early wickets. Mentions that Starc was clinical in this game. Tells that they were not expecting that much movement, but there was a lot of rain and that is why they saw swing early on as well as a bit of seam. Ends by saying that they should chase this total down, but you don’t know the par score until both teams bat and says that they will try to put pressure on the Indian bowlers and reckons it will be a good contest.

In what has been their Achilles heel, India have once again capitulated to left-arm swing bowling. Having been sent into bat, India were dealt an early blow losing Shubman Gill on the third ball of the game. Virat Kohli joined Rohit Sharma in the middle and the pair was quick to pounce on anything loose. Just when India were going along nicely, they were pegged back as they lost two wickets in quick succession. Moreover, KL Rahul could not carry on from the last game and was dismissed for a low score. Hardik Pandya followed him soon to a spectacular catch from Steven Smith, which made matters worse for the hosts. Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja did get together to resurrect the innings but neither of them was able to convert their start to a big score. Towards the end, Axar Patel struck a few lusty blows as he was running out of partners but the departure of Mohammed Siraj brought an end to India’s troubles with the bat.

Australian bowlers have vindicated their skipper’s decision to bowl first and how. A dominant bowling display led by Mitchell Starc has helped them bowl India out for a paltry total of 117. Like the first ODI, it was Mitchell Starc who set the tone early, accounting for Shubman Gill. After that early scalp, he did lose his radar on a few occasions but bounced back striking twice in two deliveries. He then went on to remove the in-form KL Rahul to put India in more trouble. After being brought on as the first change, Sean Abbott came to the party as well to reduce India to 49-5. Having picked in the side for this game, Nathan Ellis dismissed Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja to break the back of the Indian batting lineup. Sean Abbott then went bang, bang before Mitchell Starc claimed the final wicket to finish with figures of 5 for 53.

25.6 overs (0 Run) OUT! TIMBER! A five-wicket haul for Mitchell Starc! Mohammed Siraj fails to see out the last delivery and India have been bowled out for just 117 runs here. Starc comes over the wicket and serves this on a good length, angling in, but straightens after hitting the deck, Mohammed Siraj tries to keep it out, but plays down the wrong line and the ball goes through to shatter the stumps.

25.5 overs (0 Run) An appeal for LBW, but turned down. Steven Smith takes the reviiew though. Mitchell Starc lands this on a good length and around off, angling in, Mohammed Siraj looks to block it out, but misses and gets hit on the pads. UltraEdge shows no bat involved and Ball Tracking shows that impact is umpire’s call and wickets is missing. The on-field decision remains and Siraj now has one ball to play out.

25.4 overs (1 Run) A low full toss, on leg, Axar Patel clips it towards fine leg for a single now. Mohammed Siraj has two balls to survive.

25.3 overs (0 Run) Back of a length and around off, Axar Patel guides it towards third man, but denies the run.

25.2 overs (6 Runs) SIX! Two in a row! Mitchell Starc bowls this full again and down the leg, Axar Patel moves a bit across and whips it over the fine leg fence for another maximum. IND vs AUS: 2nd ODI: It's a SIX! Axar Patel hits Mitchell Starc. IND 116/9 (25.2 Ov). CRR: 4.58

25.1 overs (6 Runs) SIX! BANG! Axar Patel goes big now! This is pitched up, on middle, and in the slot, Axar Patel stays in his crease and lofts it towards the long on fence where the ball falls directly into the cushions for a biggie. IND vs AUS: 2nd ODI: It's a SIX! Axar Patel hits Mitchell Starc. IND 110/9 (25.1 Ov). CRR: 4.37

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India

Iran, Iraq top security officials stress boosting cooperation

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In his remarks, Iran’s top security official referred to the Tehran-Baghdad joint efforts to finalize a comprehensive security agreement that will guarantee stability and improve the security conditions at the borders of the two countries and said that the strict implementation of this agreement will lead to reduce of terrorist threats and prevent of border insecurity.

The implementation of the agreement will also prepare the ground for developing Iran-Iraq relations in different fields more than before, according to him.

Stating that the Islamic Republic of Iran considers the crisis-causing policies and actions of the United States as the main source of insecurity in the region, Shamkhani stressed that the US’s mischief is continuing and the continuation of this process, which disrupts security and stability in the region, cannot be tolerated.

Considering the assassination of anti-terror commanders to be a clear example of the US’s crisis-causing policies, Iran’s top security official added that pursuing the trial and punishment of the perpetrators of this terrorist crime is one of the main priorities of the security cooperation between Iran and Iraq.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Shamkhani considered the anti-security movements of terrorist elements in northern Iraq as another component of insecurity in the region, calling for strict implementation of the security agreement between the two countries which can prevent the evil actions of these groups completely.

He also hailed the role of Iraq in reaching the recent agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Al-Araji, for his part, said that Baghdad will spare no effort to fully implement the security agreement, adding that his country will not allow any group or country to use Iraqi soil to create insecurity in Iran.

Welcoming the recent agreement between Tehran and Riyadh, the Iraqi security official stressed that the Iraqi government is fully prepared to help the realization of the agreements reached between Tehran and Riyadh as soon as possible, which will benefit both countries and increase stability and security in the region.

He also said that the Iraqi government is committed to the implementation of the law of the parliament regarding the withdrawal of foreign military forces.

Referring to the huge damages that the insecurity has imposed on Iraq and the region during the past years, al-Araji called for developing joint efforts to counter insecurity, as well as boosting Iran-Iraq cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, and industry.

MP/IRN85061612

India

Watch: Millions of dead fish wash up in Australia

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Videos going viral on social media platforms show dead fish floating on the Darling River in the region, marking one of the largest fish death events.

Published Date – 02:38 PM, Sun – 19 March 23

Watch: Millions of dead fish wash up in Australia

Hyderabad: The past Friday morning for some residents in Australia will be one to remember. Millions of dead fish have washed up in southeast Australia’s Menindee town, as per reports.

Videos going viral on social media platforms show dead fish floating on the Darling River in the region, marking one of the largest fish death events. Around 500 people live in the town in far-west New South Wales. The Darling-Baaka river is a part of the Murray Darling Basin, Australia’s largest river system, reported BBC.

The Department of Primary Industries said that it is the result of the ongoing heat wave in the country. In an elaborate Facebook post, they wrote, “This event is ongoing as a heatwave across western NSW continues to put further stress on a system that has experienced extreme conditions from wide-scale flooding.”

They recognise the fish species to be Bony Herring and said they can be, “more susceptible to environmental stresses like low oxygen levels, especially during extreme conditions such as increased temperatures currently being experienced in the area.”

Residents of Menindee town complained of a terrible smell from the dead fish and began small-scale cleaning drives. The local community depends on the river for various needs.

 

https://www.facebook.com/NSWDPIFisheries/posts/520332413609323