Newsletter 27 Feb

Top 5 News

1- Death Troll Raised to 35 in Riot in NE Delhi
2- International Reactions over Riot in NE Delhi
3- Myanmar President U Win Myint meets PM Modi
4- Coronavirus: India sends special flight to Wuhan
5- Bangladeshi student asked to leave India after she posted anti-CAA protest photos

Tweet of the Day

National

37 dead in Delhi Violence; 130 arrests so far-NDTV

Around 1604 hrs, Delhi Police officers came on road in Northeast Delh: “I have come here to assure people that we are with them and for their welfare”.

People here have responded positively and assured that they’ll work together through Aman Committees to bring back the feeling of brotherhood: SN Shrivastava, Spl CP, Law & Order

According to Delhi Police, all the 106 arrested people are locals and that more arrests will be made on the basis of CCTV footage recovered. Police also said that they have got visuals of outsiders and they are being identified.
- Additional Commissioner of Police Central MS Randhawa holds a meeting with Aman Committee of old Delhi; Delhi Minister and local MLA Imran Hussain also present.
The situation in the riot-hit northeast Delhi “is under control”, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said after he held a meeting with senior officials of the Delhi Police and visited some areas.
- Since NSA Doval has taken responsibility, no further causalities have been reported. While everyone agree as it was conspiracy, but blaming each other for it.
Including two official personals, IB staff Ankit Sharma and Ratan Lal, head police constable 33 more dead in in riot in last 72 hrs, while 5 are critical in hospitals. Some more than 200 peoples are injured during incidents.
- Locals and parents of Ankit Sharma blamed AAP parshad Tahir Husain’s role in killing of Ankit Sharma, along with 4 others.
- AAP councilor, Tahir Hussain on Thurs denied that he was involved in the riots or in the killing of an Intelligence Bureau (IB) staffer.
- A Class 8^th student who went to take exam missing since Mon.
- Shops shut, eerie calm prevails in riot-hit areas of northeast Delhi, across the neighborhoods in Jaffarabad, Maujpur, Chandbagh, Gokulpuri and surrounding areas, even today.
- Paramilitary personnel provide security cover for last journey of man killed in Delhi clashes
- Amid an eerie calm in northeast Delhi’s Shiv Vihar, where communal violence broke out four days ago, 26-year-old Rahul Solanki’s body was taken to a crematorium by his distraught kin and armed paramilitary personnel.

• The Delhi Police has been accused of not doing enough to contain the violence by the Supreme Court and Delhi high court.
• Meanwhile, Delhi HC judge Justice S Muralidhar, who on Wed grilled the center, the state government and the Delhi Police over the violence in the national capital, has been transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The notification on the transfer was issued around 11 pm on Wed night, about two weeks after it was recommended by the Supreme Court collegium on Feb 12.
HC Judge Who Pulled up Delhi Police over Riots Shunted Out by Modi Govt: Formal transfer order comes on the same day the judge locks horns with the Centre over the Delhi riots. -The Wire

Delhi Police spokesperson, M. S. Randhawa on Wed said that situation in the violence hit area in the National Capital is under control and sufficient forces have been deployed in the affected areas and no untoward incident took place.
- Police has registered 18 FIRs so far and 106 people have been arrested in connection with the violence.
- He said, miscreants involved in the violence will be identified and more FIRs will be lodged against the culprits.
- He said, Delhi Police has issued two helpline numbers 22829334 and 22829335 wherein people can contact for any assistance or can share any information with the police.
- A press conference is addressed by Delhi, CM Arvind Kejriwal after held a high-level meeting over the Violence.
- Kejriwal, Under Delhi Govt’s ‘Farishte’ scheme of free-of-cost medical treatment at any private hospital, those affected in this violence can get medical treatment. Compensation of Rs 10 lakhs each to families of those who have died.
- - Dy CM Manish Sisodia, Minister Kailash Gahlot and other officers also attended the meeting. In the meeting, it was decided to provide relief material to these areas.

Chief Justice, Delhi High Court’ on

Delhi High Court makes Centre a party in the North East Delhi violence case.
Delhi violence case: Delhi High Court asks Centre to file a response in the case and lists the matter for Apr 13.
Centre, Police Ask Court For More Time To File Cases Over Hate Speech Videos; Number Of Deaths Rises To 35.
Previously, Delhi Lt. Governor Anil Baijal has appointed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, Addl Solicitor General MK Acharya, advocates Amit Mahajan and Rajat Nair to represent Delhi Police in the matters related to law and order situation in the areas of North East, Shahdara and East districts of Delhi.
- Delhi Police tells High Court that in a conscious decision, they’ve decided not to file an FIR for hate speech against anyone at this stage as it won’t help in restoring peace and normalcy in Delhi.
- Delhi Police says they have filed 48 FIRs in the North East Delhi violence case.
An impleadment application by advocate Sanjjiiv K Kumaar, ‘Lawyers’ Voice’ files in Delhi HC seeks registration of FIR, under various sections of IPC, 124A, 295A 153, 153A, 504, 505, 506, against Sonia Gandhi, Priynaka Gandhi Vadra, Varish Pathan, Harsh Mander, Swara Bhaskar, RJ Sayema and Amanatullah Khan for causing Delhi Riots. Says this was sinister plan of “Delhi Siege” by this “militant urban Naxal group”.
A delegation from the Indian National Congress led by interim president Sonia Gandhi and former PM Dr. MM Singh called on President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan today.
Mrs Gandhi after submitting a memorandum to President, said to media that we call upon you (President) to ensure that life, liberty, and property of citizens are preserved.
We also reiterate that you should immediately call for the removal of the HM for his inability to contain violence.

International Reactions over Riot in NE Delhi

In a report submitted by the South Asia director, Human Rights Watch, Meenakshi Ganguly, expressed concerned by reports in India of police inaction during attacks against Muslims, and excessive use of force against peaceful protesters, says UN high commissioner for human rights. Based on the “wire news” she tweeted today the report.

“In India more broadly, the CAA adopted last Dec is of great concern. Indians in huge numbers, and from all communities, have expressed – in a mostly peaceful manner – their opposition to the Act, and support for the country’s long tradition of secularism. I am concerned by reports of police inaction in the face of attacks against Muslims by other groups, as well as previous reports of excessive use of force by police against peaceful protesters. This has now widened into broader inter-communal attacks, with 34 people killed since Sun 23 Feb. I appeal to all political leaders to prevent violence.”

‘Factually incorrect, misleading’: India on US panel statement on Delhi violence

Raveesh Kumar, Ministry of External Affairs responded on the comments made by United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), sections of media and a few individuals on recent incidents of violence in Delhi. These are factually inaccurate and misleading, and appear to be aimed at politicizing the issue.

MEA added, what led to this, why this happened will, of course, be a matter of investigation. What is important to note here is that law enforcement agencies are working on the ground. They are working to bring the situation back to normal.

MEA on Organization of Islamic Cooperation’ statement on Delhi Violence: OIC statement is factually inaccurate, selective and misleading. There is an effort on ground to restore normalcy and create confidence. We urge these bodies not to issue irresponsible statements.

Law enforcement agencies are working to prevent violence & ensure restoration of normalcy. Senior Govt representatives have been involved in process. PM has publically appealed for peace brotherhood. We would urge that irresponsible comments are not made at this time.
Expressing “grave concern” over it, the USCIRF had said on Wednesday that the Indian government should provide protection to people regardless of their faith amid reports of attack on Muslims.

And the Comments were-

“We urge the Indian government to make serious efforts to protect Muslims and others targeted by mob violence,” USCIRF Chair Tony Perkins said in a statement.

At least 30 people have been killed and over 250 injured in the violence over Citizenship Amendment Act or CAA in Northeast Delhi.
“The ongoing violence we are witnessing in Delhi and the reported attacks against Muslims, their homes and shops, and their houses of worship are greatly disturbing. One of the essential duties of any responsible government is to provide protection and physical security for its citizens, regardless of faith,” Perkins said in the statement.

USCIRF Commissioner Anurima Bhargava too had said the “brutal and unchecked violence” across Delhi cannot continue.

“The Indian government must take swift action to ensure the safety of its citizens,” she had said, adding that reports are mounting that the “Delhi Police have not intervened in violent attacks against Muslims, and the government is failing in its duty to protect its citizens”.
In its 2019 report, the USCIRF had classified India as a “Tier 2” country for engaging in or tolerating religious freedom violations that meet at least one of the elements of the “systematic, ongoing, egregious standard for designations as a country of particular concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act.

US presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders and a number of other leading American lawmakers have also expressed concern over the clashes in several parts of Delhi in which 34 people have been killed.

Delhi clashes: UN chief ”very saddened” by casualties in Delhi violence

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is “very saddened” by the casualties in the communal clashes in northeast Delhi over the amended citizenship law and calls for maximum restraint for violence to be avoided, his spokesperson said.
- Communal violence over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in northeast Delhi killed at least 34 people and left over 200 injured till Thursday as police struggled to check the rioters who ran amok on streets, burning and looting shops, pelting stones and thrashing people.

Few day back he has praised Pakistan for peace effort by PM, Imran khan, while he visited Islamabad, last week.

Myanmar President U Win Myint meets PM Modi

Myanmar President met PM Modi at the Hyderabad House here on Thurs and discussed a wide range of bilateral issues.
MEA, on if Rohingya issue was discussed by Myanmar President U Win Myint and PM Modi during the former’s visit to India.
The visiting dignitary, earlier today, had called on External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and received a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He also laid a wreath at Rajghat, the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi.
As reported yesterday, the Union Cabinet had approved 4 MoUs for cooperation between India and Myanmar on
- Combating timber trafficking,
- conservation of tigers
- other wildlife and in the field of petroleum products and
- communications

In the evening, the Myanmar President is scheduled to meet President Ram Nath Kovind at

the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Myint is accompanied by his wife, Daw Cho Cho, during the tour.
President Myint is also slated to visit Bodh Gaya. In the Buddhist holy city, the visiting dignitaries are expected to offer prayers at the Mahabodhi Temple.
On Sat evening, they are scheduled to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra. President Myint had arrived in India on Wed.

MEA: So there was a lot of discussion on how India could support the socio-economic development of that region of Myanmar.

Coronavirus: India sends special flight to Wuhan

A special flight of Indian Air Force comprising of crew, medical team and support staff arrived today at Air Force Station, Palam, New Delhi from Wuhan, China.
On its return from Wuhan, the IAF flight has brought back 76 Indians and 36 nationals from 7 countries – Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maldives, China, South Africa, USA and Madagascar.
The C-17 Globe master III airlifted approximately 15 tons of medical supplies as a goodwill gesture from the GoI.
Meanwhile, ITBP Quarantine facility is ready to receive Indian and friendly nations’ citizens from Wuhan, China.
Thermal screening at Airport Isolation bay by ITBP team of Doctors.
Immigration process will take 1 hour approx at the airport. All will be taken to ITBP facility, Chhawla, New Delhi by ITBP Buses afterwards.
Passengers will be kept at ITBP facility for requisite quarantine period under observation of ITBP doctors.
Indian nationals on board Diamond Princess cruise ship off Japan coast have been brought back in a special flight.
- Min of External Affairs, S Jaishankar informed that Air India flight today landed in Delhi from Tokyo, carrying 119 Indians and 5 nationals from Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa and Peru who were quarantined onboard the Diamond Princess due to coronavirus.
- All the evacuees will undergo a 14 day quarantine at the quarantine facility set up by the Indian Army in Manesar, Haryana.
Out of the total 138 Indian nationals originally on-board the Diamond Princess, 16 Indian crew members have tested positive for Virus and are receiving necessary medical care and treatment at onshore medical facilities in Japan.

Kolkata: Bangladeshi student asked to leave India after she posted anti-CAA protest photos

The student at Visva-Bharati University was told that she had ‘engaged in anti-government activities’.
A Bangladeshi student at West Bengal’s Visva-Bharati University has been asked to leave India for taking part in “anti-government activities” after she posted pictures of anti-Citizenship Act protests on her campus, reported The Telegraph on Thurs.
- The student, Afsara Anika Meem, a first-year student at the university, was trolled on social media after she posted the photos.
- One of her friends claimed that around 250 social media posts described her as an “anti-national” even though she did not participate in the demonstrations.
- Her posts attracted attention from pro-government trolls who demanded that she be sent back.
In Dec, a German exchange student at Indian Institute of Technology, Madras was sent back to his country for participating in protests against the CAA.

Jakob Lindenthal was an exchange student at IIT-Madras’ Department of Physics. An official at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office said Lindenthal had violated visa rules by attending the protest, and the institution was bound to report the matter to authorities.

Government to offer higher award for land acquired for road projects.

Thousands of farmers set to launch indefinite strike in Rajasthan’s Jalore district on Friday to demand revision of compensation for land acquired to build two highways.

Background

On Jan 24^th, Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari had announced recently that Govt is mulling higher payment to farmers & is also contemplating equity for them.
Farmers who parted with their land for highway projects are to get enhanced compensation under the new land acquisition law in case they are yet to be compensated under the old legislation.
The move will lead to rolling out projects worth crores of rupees embroiled in about 2,000 cases, a top official said.
Gadkari had announced recently that government is mulling higher payment to farmers and is also contemplating equity for them.
“The Ministry has directed NHAI, NHIDCL and others to enhance compensation to farmers as per provisions of Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, (RFCTLARR Act) 2013 in cases were award was fixed as per old law but compensation has not been paid to land owners,” an official told PTI.
He said the decision will also be applicable to farmers whose awards were fixed prior to Jan 1^st, 2015 but physical possession of land so acquired has not been taken. The ministry has already sought legal opinion from Additional SG of India Pinky Anand.

Chandrababu Naidu taken into preventive detention

TDP president and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N. Chandrababu Naidu was taken into custody under preventive detention at Visakhapatnam Airport, here on Thursday. He was served notice under Section 151 of Cr. PC.

From the road outside the airport, he was taken inside the terminal to the VIP lounge and it is learnt that will be sent back later to Vijayawada or Hyderabad.

There was high tension since early in the morning, as supporters of TDP and YSR Congress assembled in large numbers outside the airport.

Rameswaram: A surveillance helicopter of Indian Navy which was flying near Arichal Munai area of Dhanushkodi spotted a boat belonging to Sri Lanka, at Indian waters today morning. The boat&the crew handed over to Tamil Nadu Coastal security group. Investigation on

States

Chhattisgarh: Income Tax Department is today conducting raids at 25 premises, including that of IAS Anil Tuteja, IAS Vivek Dhand, Raipur Mayor Azaz Dhebar, his brother Anwar Dhebar and liquor baron Pappu Bhatiya.

India in International Frame

BBC

Delhi riots: Anger as judge critical of violence removed

The transfer of a judge critical of the violence in Delhi has raised concerns in India, as politicians come under fire for perceived inaction.

Aljazeera

‘We lost a brother’: Hindu, Muslim families in Delhi share grief

Interfaith solidarity on display as people mourn the loss of their kin as death toll in Delhi violence rises to 34.

Modi criticized

Modi, criticized for not acting promptly, broke his silence and called for calm on Wednesday. He had hosted US President Donald Trump in the capital on Monday – the day of the worst violence.

CNN

Several dead after violent clashes in India

Reuters

India’s GDP seen growing at 4.7% year-on-year in December quarter, with virus impact to come

Below is the list of 29 deceased released by Delhi Police. It will be updated when more information is available- The Print

GTB Hospital

Maujpur: Vir Bhan, (50); Md Mubarak Hussain, (28); Pravesh, (48);

Loni: Shan Mohammed, (35)

Kardampuri: Md Furqan, (30)

Babu Nagar: Rahul Solanki, (26)

Mustafabad: Mudassar, (30); Asfak Hussain, (22); Shahid, (25);

New Mustafabad: Zakir, (24)