Taliban hold another public execution

Taliban hold another public Execution

Tuesday, 27 February 2024 | AP | islamabad

The Taliban held a public execution on Monday of a man convicted of murder in northern Afghanistan as thousands watched at a sports stadium, the third such death sentence to be carried out in the past five days. The execution took place in heavy snowfall in the city of Shibirghan, the capital of northern Jawzjan province, where the brother of the murdered man shot the convict five times with a rifle, according to a witness.

Security around the stadium was tight, said the witness, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to talk to the media. It was also the fifth public execution since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021 as US and NATO troops were in the final weeks of their withdrawal from the country after two decades of war. The Taliban, despite initial promises of a more moderate rule, began carrying out severe punishments in public — executions, floggings and stonings — shortly after coming to power. The punishments are similar to those during their previous rule of Afghanistan in the late 1990s.

Taliban government officials were not immediately available for comment.

(Source : PTI & The Pioneer)

TMC running autocratic regime where dissent is crushed: Adhir

TMC running autocratic regime where dissent is crushed: Adhir

Tuesday, 27 February 2024 | PTI | Kolkata

West Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Choudhury on Tuesday accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of running an autocratic regime where any dissenter is being framed in false cases.

Chowdhury alleged that TMC leaders are casting a slur against women who are protesting against the alleged atrocities of TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his followers in Sandeshkhali.

Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district has been witnessing protests for the past few weeks over allegations of land grab and sexual atrocities on women by Sheikh and his supporters.

"An authoritarian regime is prevailing under the rule of TMC where any dissenter is implicated in cases, even journalists are not safe. Reporters are being arrested and editors have cases filed against them. Certain TMC leaders are describing women as actors for speaking out the truth," Chowdhury told reporters.

The leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha was commenting on a video clip which purportedly showed TMC MLA Saokat Molla alleging that the protesting women at Sandeshkhali were outsiders who were acting before the camera at the behest of opposition parties.

PTI could not independently verify the authenticity of the video clip which was in circulation since Monday night.

Chowdhury said, "No word of condemnation can be enough for such utterances against women. Those who are making such utterances should hold the mirror to themselves. The protest by Sandeshkhali women foretells the collapse of TMC in coming days."

The Baharampur MP also condemned the arrest of ISF legislator Nausad Siddique who was earlier stopped from visiting Sandeshkhali.

"Didi (Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee) is scared as Siddique has challenged her nephew Abhishek Banerjee to contest (against Siddique)," Chowdhury said.

(Source : The PTI & The Pioneer)

Kerala BJP’s goof-up: Promo song calls for defeat of “corrupt” Central govt

 

Kerala BJP’s goof-up: Promo song calls for defeat of “corrupt” Central govt

The Kerala BJP blamed its IT cell for a goof-up in the promo song released by the party’s state unit. The song calls upon the people to defeat the “government at the Centre that is known for corruption”.

The promo song by the Kerala BJP released for its month-long statewide ‘Padayatra’ (foot march) led by K Surendran contained the lines “Let’s join our hands to defeat the union government’s rule, which is famous for corruption” putting the party in an embarrassing situation.

The party’s state leadership hastened to put the blame squarely on its IT cell and sought an explanation from cell convener S Jayashankar for the faux pas.

The goof-up came to light on Wednesday when songs were played during a break to BJP’s Kerala Padayatra on reaching Ponnani in the Malappuram district. Since the event was live-streamed, videos of the incident were recorded and shared by several social media users.

The goof-up came to the notice of the state party leadership after it went viral on social media, inviting all kinds of reactions. The saffron party in Kerala is now being mocked on social media.

Following this, the BJP leadership clarified that it was a mistake on the part of its IT cell. Later, the party removed the song from its official social media handles.

“The song was written in 2013 against the Congress-led Union government. During one of the breaks in the rally in Ponnani, this old song came up in the playlist,” BJP sources said.

(Source : The Statesman)

Police seized 900 kg Meow Meow Drug (Mephedrone) seized from 2 spots in Delhi in a major drug haul

Police seized 900 kg Meow  Meow Drug (Mephedrone)  seized from 2 spots in Delhi in a  Major Drug Haul

In a major drug haul, police have seized around 900 kg of Mephedrone, commonly called  “Meow Meow", from two locations in south Delhi, officials said on Wednesday, putting the total value of the seizure at more than Rs 2,000 crore.  The seizure was made following raids by officials of Pune and Delhi police forces on Tuesday in Kotla Mubarakpur and Hauz Khas. This drug seizure by the Pune police is the largest ever in Maharashtra and one of the biggest in the country.

The bust in Delhi was based on information from the Pune Police, which is probing a case registered by it under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, they said.

Meow Meow, scientifically termed as Mephedrone, is a potent synthetic stimulant often associated with party culture due to its euphoric effects. Its consumption poses significant health risks and can lead to addiction and adverse mental health outcomes.

Mephedrone is a synthetic stimulant often associated with the "rave party culture" for its euphoric effects, a senior police officer. Over the last two days raids were conducted in Pune and in the national capital, the officials said and added that a total of 1,100 kg of Mephedrone worth Rs 2,500 crore in the international market was seized from the two cities. 

(Source: The Pioneer)

           

राजकोट टेस्ट में ईङ्गलैंड पर भारत की ऐतिहासिक विजय

 राजकोट टेस्ट  में ईङ्गलैंड पर भारत की ऐतिहासिक विजय

By: P.B.Sharma

ईङ्गलैंड के साथ खेले जा रहे टेस्ट क्रिकेट श्रृंखला के तीसरे मैच में भारत ने ईङ्गलैंड को 434 रनों से हराकर इतिहास रच दिया है। यह रनों से मीली जीत के मामले में भारत की अबतक की सबसे बड़ी जीत है।

आजट खेल के चौथे दिन अपनी विजय के लिए आवश्यक 557 रनों के लक्ष्य का पिछा करते हुए ईङ्गलैंड की पूरी टीम मात्र 122 रन ही बना पायी।

मैच में भारत की इस बड़े विजय में यशस्वी जायसवाल, रविन्द्र जडेजा तथा रोहीत शर्मा की महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका रही। इन तीनों ही बल्लेबाजों ने अपना शतक बनाया। इनमें से जायसवाल ने दोहरा शतक लगाया। 

रविन्द्र जडेजा ने इस मैच में अपना शतक बनाने के साथ ही ईङ्गलैंड की दूसरी इनीङ्ग में महत्वपूर्ण 5 विकेट लेकर भारतीय जीत को सुनिश्चित किया।

Delhi court exempts CM Kejriwal from personal appearance for Saturday in case of evading ED summons

Delhi court exempts CM Kejriwal from personal appearance for Saturday in case of evading ED summons

Saturday, 17 February 2024 | PTI | New Delhi

A Delhi court on Saturday granted exemption to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal from personal appearance for the day in connection with a complaint filed by the ED against him over non-compliance with its summonses in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped excise policy.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Divya Malhotra granted relief to Kejriwal after the AAP leader appeared before the court via videoconferencing and urged for exemption from physical appearance for the day.

Kejriwal told the court that he was unable to appear before it due to the ongoing Budget session of the Delhi Assembly.

Appearing for Kejriwal, senior advocate Ramesh Gupta told the court that the Delhi chief minister will appear before it in person on the next date of hearing.

The court has adjourned the matter to March 16.

In its complaint, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has alleged that the Delhi chief minister intentionally did not want to obey the summonses and kept on giving "lame excuses". If a high-ranking public functionary like him disobeyed the law, it would "set a wrong example for the common man ie the "Aam Aadmi", the agency said.

From the contents of the complaint and the material placed on record, prima facie offence under Section 174 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) is made out and there are sufficient grounds for proceeding against the accused Arvind Kejriwal, the judge had earlier said.

"Accordingly, issue summons to accused Arvind Kejriwal for the offence under Section 174 of the IPC for February 17, 2024," the judge had added.

Section 174 of the IPC relates to non-attendance in obedience to an order from a public servant.

The ED on February 3 filed a fresh complaint case against Kejriwal for non-compliance of its summonses.

The AAP convenor had earlier written to the ED, describing the summonses issued to him as "illegal and politically motivated". He had alleged that the summonses were aimed at preventing him from campaigning in elections.

(Source PTI & The Pioneer)

IT dept freezes Cong's accounts, appellate tribunal de-freezes later

IT dept freezes Congress's accounts, appellate tribunal De-Freezes later

Frida9y, 16 February 2024 | PTI | New Delhi

The Congress on Friday said Income Tax authorities had frozen its main bank accounts, impacting all political activity. However, the accounts were later de-frozen by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal pending a further hearing next week.

Party leader Vivek Tankha, who appeared before the tribunal against the order, said the party was now allowed to operate its bank accounts. The tribunal will hear the matter next Wednesday before a final decision is taken on the matter.

Tankha said he told the tribunal that the Congress would not be able to participate in the "festival of elections" in case its accounts remain frozen.

Earlier in the day, treasurer Ajay Maken said the Income Tax department had frozen the Congress' main bank accounts on "flimsy grounds" and this affected all political activity of the party barely two weeks before general elections are announced.

The accounts, including that of the Indian Youth Congress, were frozen on an Income Tax demand of Rs 210 crore for 2018-19, an election year, Maken said at a press conference.

According to him, the party filed its Income Tax return for the concerned year a few days late and that is why this action. He said the IT authorities' orders freezing the accounts had come on Wednesday.

Maken said four main bank accounts were frozen. Sources later put the number at nine.

The party was unable to use even the funds received under its crowdfunding scheme, Maken said at the press conference and alleged that democracy was in danger in the country.

"For the first time in the country's history, accounts of the principal opposition party have been frozen by the tax authorities on flimsy grounds, barely two weeks before the announcement of general elections," Maken told reporters.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said in a post on X, "Power drunk Modi Government has frozen the accounts of the country's largest Opposition party - the Indian National Congress - just before the Lok Sabha elections."

"This is a deep assault on India's Democracy," he added.

(Source : PTI & The pioneer)

Defence ministry clears procurement of military hardware worth Rs 84560 cr Friday

Defence ministry clears procurement of military hardware worth Rs 84560 cr

Friday, 16 February 2024 | PTI | New Delhi

The defence ministry on Friday cleared procurement of military hardware worth Rs 84,560 crore including multi-mission maritime aircraft to boost overall combat capabilities of the armed forces.

The procurement proposals were cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The proposals cleared by the DAC include new generation anti-tank mines, air defence tactical control radar, heavy weight torpedoes, medium range maritime reconnaissance and multi-mission maritime aircraft, flight refueller aircraft and software defined radios.

The DAC approved procurement of medium range maritime reconnaissance and multi-mission maritime aircraft for strengthening the surveillance and interdiction capabilities of the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard, the defence ministry said.

A proposal to procure air defence tactical control radar was also approved with an aim to strengthen the air defence systems, especially the capabilities to detect slow, small and low-flying targets, it said.

"In order to enhance the operational efficiency and domination in the tactical battle area for engaging targets that are beyond visual line of sight by the mechanised forces, the AoN (approval of necessity) under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category has been accorded for procurement of canister launched anti-armour loiter munition system," the defence ministry said.

It said the DAC accorded AoN for procurement of Flight Refueller Aircraft for enhancing the operational capabilities and reach of the Indian Air Force.

(Source: PTI & The Pioneer)

Rohit Sharma to captain Team India in this year's T20 Cricket World Cup

Rohit Sharma to captain Team  India in this year's T20 Cricket World Cup

India will be playing the T20 World Cup 2024, to be organised in the Caribbean and the USA, under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, said BCCI secretary Jay Shah at an event here on Wednesday.

India have had Hardik Pandya as their full-time skipper in the shortest format but the heartbreaking loss in the final of the 2023 World Cup to Australia have reignited the murmurs of senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit returning for the T20 showpiece in June.

"In 2023 (final) at Ahmedabad, even though we did not win the World Cup after 10 straight wins, we won hearts. I want to promise you that in 2024 (T20 World Cup) in Barbados (venue for the final), under Rohit Sharma's captaincy, ham Bharat ka jhanda gaadenge (we will hoist the Indian flag)," Shah said at the end of his speech.

Shah was present at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Khanderi, which was renamed after veteran cricket administrator Niranjan Shah, as the chief guest.

Shah made a speech in front of a gathering of several dignitaries including former India captains Sunil Gavaskar and Anil Kumble and IPL chairman Arun Dhumal.

The event also featured current chief selector Ajit Agarkar, incumbent head coach Rahul Dravid, Rohit, Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and a few members of the Indian team support staff.

(Source : PTI and The Pioneer)

किसान आन्दोलन : विदेशी आक्रमणकारी फौज के तर्ज पर "भारतीय किसानों को रोकने में जुटी भारत सरकार और दिल्ली पुलिस

किसान आन्दोलन : विदेशी आक्रमणकारी फौज के तर्ज पर "भारतीय किसानों" को रोकने में जुटी भारत सरकार और दिल्ली पुलिस 

    लेखक : पृथ्वी बल्लभ शर्मा 

भारतीय किसानों ने 'न्यूनतम समर्थन मूल्य हेतू कानून' , 'भूमि अधिग्रहण कानून 2013' लागु करने, इत्यादि  अपनी मांगों के समर्थन में तथा केंद्र सरकार द्वारा अपने वादों को पूरा नहीं करने के विरोध में ; प्रदर्शन करने हेतु आज दिल्ली मार्च शुरू किया है | 

परन्तु केंद्र सरकार तथा दिल्ली पुलिस ने, भारतिय किसानों को दिल्ली पहुँचने से रोकने के लिए दिल्ली को पुलिस  छावनी में बदल दिया है | दिल्ली में प्रवेश के सभी संभावित रास्तों तथा अन्य राज्यों से लगे बॉर्डर के पास विभिन्न तरीकों को पुलिस अपना रही है ताकि किसानों का दिल्ली में प्रवेश तथा प्रदर्शन किसी भी परिस्थिति में संभव न हो सके | 

इसके लिए पुलिस बल द्वारा बड़ी मात्रा में सीमेंट के बोल्डरों , मिट्टी से लदे बड़ी बड़ी ट्रॉलियों , कंटीले तारों , भारी  सुरक्षा वाहनों, लोहे के बने ट्रैफिक अवरोधकों ,इत्यादि समस्त सम्भव उपाय तथा हथकंडों को उपयोग में लाया जा रहा है | सरकार तथा पुलिस द्वारा "किसी भी हालत में तथा किसी भी मूल्य पर किसानों को दिल्ली में प्रवेश तथा प्रदर्शन करने से रोकनेे को" अपना एकमात्र तात्कालिक उद्देष्य बना लिया गया है | 

                                                            

इन प्रदर्शनकारी भारतीय किसानों को रोकने के लिए सुरक्षा बल अपने अत्याधुनिक हथियारों , निरिक्षण (Surveillance) तकनीकों , ड्रोनों, इत्यादि के साथ पूरी चुस्ती तथा मुस्तैदी के साथ हर पाल चोकन्ने होकर अपनी जिम्मेदारी निभाने में जुटे हुए हैं |

पुलिस बल द्वारा किसानों को रोकने के लिए किये इन भारी भरकम पथ अवरोधकों का इस्तेमाल उस चित्र तथा घटना कि याद दिलाता है जब " उक्रेन के सैनिकों ने "अपनी राजधानी कीव में रुसी सैनिकों के प्रवेश को रोकने के लिए  इसी तरह से  बड़ी मात्र में सीमेंट के बोल्डरों , मिटटी से लदे बड़ी बड़ी ट्रॉलियों , कंटीले तारों , भारी  सुरक्षा वाहनों, लोहे के बने ट्रैफिक अवरोधकों ,इत्यादि समस्त सम्भव उपाय तथा हथकंडों को उपयोग में लाया था " |

भारतीय किसानों को दिल्ली में प्रवेश करने से रोकने के लिए सरकार तथा सुरक्षा बलों अपनाये जाने वाले भारी भरकम व्यवस्था को देखकर तो यही लगता है कि सरकार तथा सुरक्षा बल  किसानों को " कोई विदेशी आक्रमणकारी फौज " के समान समझती है और लगभग उसी के अनुरूप उपाय भी अपना रही है|

(Sources of Photos : Reutars)

पटना के कुछ ईलाकों मॆं धारा 144 लागू: रेलवे में रिक्त पदों को रिक्त रखने को लेकर बेरोजगारों का बड़ा बवाल

पटना के कुछ ईलाकों मॆं धारा 144 लागू: रेलवे में रिक्त पदों को रिक्त रखने को लेकर बेरोजगारों का बड़ा बवाल

आलेख : पी० बी० शर्मा 

बिहार के राजधानी पटना में दो दिनों से बड़ी संख्या में बेरोजगार छात्रों (रेलवे अभ्यर्थियों) द्वारा धरना प्रदर्शन किया जा रहा है।

मंगलवार को स्थिति बहूत खराब हो गई, जब छात्रों ने रेलवे वैकेन्सी में रिक्त पदों की संख्या बढ़ाने की अपनी मांग को लेकर पटना के भिखना पहाड़ी से कारगील चौक तक धरना प्रदर्शन किया। पूलिस ने इन छात्रों को भगाने के लिए उनपर लाठी चार्ज किया। पूलिस पे छात्रों को दौड़ा दौड़ा कर पिटा।

पूलिस को आशंका है कि ये गतीविधियां और बढ़ सकती हैं।

अतः इसी आशंका के मद्देनजर राज्य के पूलिस प्रशासन ने पटना के कुछ इलाकों में धारा 144 लागू कर दिया है। यह पटना सीटी तथा पटना सदर के ईलाके में लागू रहेगा। यह आदेश अगले 5 फरवरी तक लागु रहेगा।

इस दौरान इन इलाकों में सभी तरह के धरना, प्रदर्शन, रोड जाम करने, भीड़ लगाने, भड़काऊ भाषण देने आदि पर प्रतिबन्ध लगा दिया गया है।

बेरोजगार छात्रों (रेलवे अभ्यर्थियों) का कहना है कि रेलवे ने लोको पायलट के लिये मात्र 5697 पदों के भर्ति हेतू रिक्तियां निकाली हैं जबकि स्वयं रेलवे बोर्ड ने बताया था कि 20 हजार से अधिक पद रिक्त हैं।

पूर्व मध्य रेल के महाप्रबंधक अनिल कुमार खंडेलवाल ने बताया कि कोरोनाकेल के कारण 2018 के बाद से यह पहला अवसर है जब इस प्रकार की वैकेन्सी निकाली गई है। अब 2025 नीयमित रूप से वैकेन्सी निकाली जाएगी।

( आभार : "हिन्दुस्तान" दैनिकपत्र )