Newsletter 28 Feb

Top 5 News

1- Situation is Under Control, but Normalcy yet revive in NE Delhi
2- As Situation comes under control, Political Parties started Chaos
3- Develop ‘better understanding’ before jumping to conclusions: India to UN rights body
4- Union Minister Amit Shah On A 2-Day Visit To Odisha
5- NIA court rejects bail of Kerala youth in UAPA case

Tweet of the Day

National

Situation is still Tensed but Under Control in NE Delhi Delhi Violence Row…..Death toll reached 42

It is already the capital’s biggest toll in a post-Partition Hindu-Muslim communal riot

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal:

There are 4 subdivisions there. Normally there would have been 4 SDMs, but now we’ve appointed 18 SDMs there. They’re going among the public and talking to them. We’re distributing food on a large scale.

We’ve made arrangements for accommodation at our 9 Rain Baseras, & local community centers for people whose houses are completely burnt down or those who can’t go back to their home. If needed, we’ll also arrange temporary tents for people.

Police have arrested 514 people for deadly Hindu-Muslim violence that broke out in the capital, the government said.
Delhi Lt-Governor Anil Baijal visited violence-affected parts of North East district, today.
IPS officer SN Shrivastava appointed Delhi Police Commissioner, replaces Amulya Patnaik, who was on extension for a month, retiring today. SN Shrivastava posted with Delhi Police as Special CP is given additional charge of the post of Commissioner of Police, Delhi with effect from 1^st
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted under Delhi Police Crime Branch and all the FIRs have been transferred to the SIT.
The Delhi Police has transferred the northeast Delhi riots probe to the crime branch, and the cases will be probed by two Special Investigation Teams (SITs), officials said on Thurs.
- The SITs will be headed by deputy commissioners of police (DCP) Joy Tirkey and Rajesh Deo. Delhi Lt Guv, Anil Baijal held a review meeting today regarding the law & order situation in East, NE Delhi. It was attended by Addl Chief Secy. (Home), Govt of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD), Special Commissioners of Police (Law and Order) along with other offices.
- A team of Delhi Forensic Science Laboratory collects evidence from municipal councilor Tahir Hussain’s factory in Chang Bagh area. Yesterday, Aam Aadmi Party suspended him from its primary membership.
- SN Shrivastava, on Hussain: “We are trying to bring every culprit to justice and we are working on it”.
- Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA): No major incident has been reported in the last 36 hours in any affected Police Station of District North-East. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 will be relaxed for a total of 10 hours today in view of the improvement in the ground situation
- MHA: So far, 100 FIRs, pertaining to clashes, loss of lives/property, etc. have already been registered & further FIRs would be registered in due course. Police has detained/arrested 514 suspects for questioning so far. Further arrests would be effected in course of investigation.
  - DCP (Southeast): We had received info through social media that a large group of people will come to Shaheen Bagh from Madanpur Khadar on Mar 1.
  - We took it seriously, in light of the current situation. We came to know that locals will join in carry out a peaceful protest.
  - Nearly 3 dozen CRPF personnel have donated blood at GTB Hospital to supplement its bank in view of injured in Delhi communal clashes being admitted to facility: Officials
  - We called a meeting of Aman Committee at different locations today, then all the stakeholders were called here at the DCP office. Everyone agreed that they will stay peaceful and the protest will be postponed indefinitely.
- Chairperson of the National Commission for Women Rekha Sharma, along with 2 members, visits the Jaffrabad area to meet the women here. She says, “There is a little bit of tension here but on the whole the atmosphere is peaceful. I’ll come again tomorrow “.
How a fight at a chicken corner in Karawal Nagar on Sunday likely triggered Delhi riots-ToI
The question remains as to what triggered the deadliest clashes in Delhi in decades?
- As propagated by various news agencies, including external News agencies, and social media verified handlers, various reports have suggested that riots erupted after two groups – one protesting against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the other favoring it – clashed.
- However, news agency IANS has reported that much before the stone-pelting by pro- and anti-CAA groups, a mystery fight had occurred at a small restaurant in a market of Karawal Nagar area.
- A mystery fight had occurred at a small restaurant in a market of Karawal Nagar area on Sunday evening
- It is not clear what exactly led to the fight at the Sanjar Chicken Corner at around 8:30 pm in Karawal Nagar area on Sun.
- The news agency has mentioned a Karawal Nagar resident as saying that following the fight at the eatery, the owner’s family had pelted stones on the people around there till 11 pm.
- Another resident told the news agency that when he tried to find out why stone-pelting was taking place, he came to know that the owner of the Sanjar Chicken Corner had “thrown boiling oil on the people after some heated debate”.
- He also had no idea as regards what was the argument about. Albeit the Delhi Police managed to maintain the peace that night, things changed for worse by Monday afternoon.
  - This is to be noted that BJP leader Kapil Mishra had on Sunday given the Delhi Police a three-day ultimatum to stop an anti-CAA protest that started in Jaffrabad on Saturday night. Afterwards, pro-CAA protesters began assembling in Maujpur.
  - As the crowd of anti-CAA protesters swelled at Jaffrabad, the number of pro-CAA protesters in Maujpur too intensified. And a stretch of road separated both the groups, ie the ones at Maujpur and Jaffrabad, and notably, Karawal Nagar is also a closeby locality.
  - It was a matter of time when the slogan-shouting changed into stone-pelting, inflaming public sentiments. What followed was the mayhem in the northeast part of the national capital. Shops, including showrooms and a petrol pump, were gutted, houses were vandalised, and vehicles were damaged. Delhi violence has caused at least 39 deaths so far, including a head constable and an Intelligence Bureau staffer.
  - Reports suggest that the rioters were armed with guns, knives, swords, rods and pipes, stones, sticks, and petrol bombs (Molotov cocktails).
  [complete story]
  However, few more questions are still to be answered, which may come after investigation, like who provide gun? Who organized the mob? Who were main fabricators? Timing violence is also very important.

As Situation comes under control, Political Parties started Chaos

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi deputes 5-member team to visit riot-affected areas in northeast Delhi and submit detailed report to her. Comprises, Mukul Wasnik, Tariq Anwar, Sushmita Dev, Shaktisinh Gohil and Kumari Selja to visit violence-hit areas.

Congress leader Kapil Sibal: PM Modi woke up after 69 hours and appealed for peace and calm in Delhi. He should have done it earlier. But Home Minister Amit Shah made no such appeal. The Home Minister should have visited affected areas.

Sonia Gandhi, please don’t preach us ‘rajdharma’; your record is full of twists and turns: BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad

Congress can stoop to any level for vote bank politics, but it should act responsibly for maintaining peace and harmony in country.

BJP does not approve of these statements: Ravi Shankar Prasad on controversial remarks by party leaders Kapil Mishra, Parvesh Verma.

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Parkash Singh Badal it is very unfortunate. There are three highlights of Constitution – secularism, socialism and democracy. But there is no socialism, secularism and democracy exists only on two levels – Parliamentary and state elections.

Develop 'better understanding' before jumping to conclusions: India to UN rights body

Right of Reply by India under Agenda Item 2 at 43^rd Session of the UN, Human Rights Council: International community can’t be misled by Pakistani hysterical reactions at all international fora to malign India. World knows about dismal human rights records of Pak and a tight control can’t hide it.

Right of Reply by India:

1^st, end illegal and forcible occupation and reverse demographic changes in PoK.

2^nd, stop terror funding and dismantle terrorist camps operating in Pak and territories under its control.

3^rd, stop public advocacy and support for terrorists by Pak leadership at highest level.

4^th, take structural reforms to develop a semblance of democracy in Pakistan.

5^th, end harassment and execution of minorities through misuse of blasphemy law.

6^th, end forced conversions and marriages of women and girls from Hindu, Sikh and Christian religions.

7^th, stop killing and targeting political dissidents and legitimate criticism in Sindh, Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

8^th, prevent enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings of journalists and human rights activists by its security agencies.

9^th, stop religious persecution against Shias, Ahmadiyas, Ismailia and Hazaras.

10^th, stop recruitment of children for terror activities including suicide bombing in other countries.

Yesterday,

India on Thurs “encouraged” the UN’s human rights body to develop a “better understanding and appreciation” of the freedoms and rights that are guaranteed and protected in a vibrant democracy like India before coming to any conclusions on issues like the amended citizenship law and the Kashmir issue.
India’s strong statement came after UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Thurs, voiced “great concern” over India’s amended citizenship law and reports of “police inaction” in the face of communal attacks in Delhi, urging political leaders to prevent violence.
Updating the ongoing 43^rd Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on human rights developments around the world, Bachelet also spoke about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
- An Indian representative, who read out India’s National Statement, said the country’s engagement with the global discourse on human rights has always favored an inclusive and constructive approach based on dialogue, consultation and cooperation.
- “However, at the same time, violence has no place in the democratic ethos of India. We have taken all measures and restored peace and normalcy in the affected areas in Delhi,” the statement said.
- It also noted that India is committed to reduce statelessness and has recently enacted legislative measures to address historical grievances of a group of persecuted persons to ensure that they enjoy full rights as citizens of India and are not pushed into statelessness.
- Earlier, Bachelet said the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) adopted last year by India’s Parliament was 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,” she said.
- “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 … I appeal to all political leaders to prevent violence,” said the former Chilean president.
- The communal violence over the amended citizenship law in northeast Delhi has claimed 38 lives and left over 200 people injured.
- Frenzied mobs have torched houses, shops, vehicles, a petrol pump and pelted stones at police personnel.
- On the issue of Kashmir, the statement informed the Council that the situation in JnK was fast returning to normalcy despite serious provocations and attempts made by one country to derail this process through its active support to terrorist groups and related entities.
- “Security forces have exercised maximum restraint and not a single live bullet has been fired and no civilian life has been lost in police action.
- India’s democratic institutions are robust enough to respond to these external challenges while protecting and respecting the human rights of all,” the statement said.
- Hitting out at Pakistan, the statement said, “Our advice to our neighbor would be to desist from such actions and devote more attention to the wellbeing of its own citizen’s in particular persecuted religious minorities, which are suffering due to rampant misgovernance in this failed state.”
- The statement also pointed out that India recently celebrated 70 years of the adoption of its Constitution, one of the longest such written documents, which has stood the test of time.
- “It provides for extensive collective and individual fundamental rights and freedoms to the people of India.

Union Minister Amit Shah On A 2-Day Visit To Odisha Bhubaneswar:

Shah, in a public rally: Why is opposition lying about Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)? I here again repeat that citizenship of any Muslim or minority will not be taken away through CAA, because it is an Act to give citizenship not to take it away.

(Orissa) Union Minister Amit Shah is on a two day visit to Odisha. He arrived at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar today.

Shah is slated to chair the Eastern Zonal Council Meeting, comprising the States of Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand in Bhubaneswar today.

The CMs Nitish Kumar, Mamata Banerjee, and Hemant Soren were also participate in the meeting.

Discussions will be held on a number of topics such as, power transmission, cattle smuggling across country borders, coals mines, rail projects, investigation of heinous offences, petroleum projects, sharing pattern of revenues, telecom and banking infrastructure, etc.

West Bengal: Sessions Court of Calcutta has convicted 2 accused persons under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) in a money laundering case relating to terror financing.

Sessions Court of Calcutta has convicted Sajid, a Bangladesh national and a member of Jamaat-Ul- Mujahideen (Bangladesh) operating in India and Md. Burhan SK, an Indian national, in a money laundering case relating to terror financing.

NIA court rejects bail of Kerala youth in UAPA case

Kochi NIA court has rejected the bail application of student Thaha Fasal, who is the remand accused in the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) case. Student Alan Shuhaib, remanded in the UAPA case, did not submit bail application.

However, student Alan Shuhaib, who was remanded in the UAPA case, did not submit a bail application before the court.

Shuhaib and Fasal, Thalasseri-based students, were arrested under the UAPA Act in Kozhikode in Nov last year. Earlier on Feb 6, Kerala CM, Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah, urging him to transfer the case of the two students, who were arrested for alleged links with Maoists, from the NIA to state police.
Allan and Thaha, students of law and journalism respectively of Kannur University, were taken into custody by the police from Pantheerankavu in Kozhikode on Nov 1 last year for alleged links with the Naxals.
The duo was charged under Sections 20 (punishment for being a member of terrorist gang or organization), 38 (offence relating to membership of a terrorist organization) and 39 (offence relating to support given to a terrorist organization) of the UAPA.

IAF Vice Chief Air Marshal HS Arora on Pakistan’s nuclear threat to India: Pakistan can keep talking about nuclear retaliation and its capability. We also possess a similar capability.

As far as their terror factories are concerned, they are no longer safe anywhere across the border. We have the will, capability and the political support to go across and strike them at their roots.

J&K DGP Dilbagh Singh: Number of militants has come down significantly. We are making an effort to strengthen peacebuilding measures. People have undergone difficulties due to militancy in the last 30 years, innocent people have lost their lives. All of this has come down now.

If you compare the first month of 2019 to the first month of 2020 then you will find that terrorists related crimes have come down by 60%. We want to maintain this trend.

The Delhi HC today issued notice to Dy CM Manish Sisodia on a petition challenging his election alleging that he has concealed facts in his election affidavit. The petition was filed by BJP leader Ravinder Singh Negi

BJP candidate from Patparganj constituency, Ravinder Singh Negi, has moved an election petition in the Delhi High Court, challenging the election of Delhi’s Deputy CM Manish Sisodia from Patparganj constituency.
The Petition has been filed under sections 33A, 80, 81, 84, 98, 100 and 101 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The Petitioner wants Sisodia’s election to be declared void on the grounds of ‘corrupt practices’.
He also seeks to be declared a returned candidate, as he came second in the election race for Patparganj constituency.

International

Mahatma Gandhi's spirit needed more than ever: UN chief Guterres on Delhi violence

Guterres has expressed sadness over the casualties following the protests in Delhi, and called for maximum restraint and for violence to be avoided, the UN chief’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters on Thursday.

Dawn approaches SHC against withholding of advertisements by federal Govt

The Pakistan Herald Publications (Pvt) Limited on Thursday filed a petition in the Sindh High Court (SHC) challenging the withholding of advertisements by the federal government from daily Dawn newspaper.

According to the petition, the federal government suddenly stopped placing advertisements in Dawn since January 2020 and no reason was communicated to the publication for the same even though “such advertisements were being placed in Dawn for decades”.

Coronavirus: The ‘propaganda push’ in China

As China battles coronavirus, medics treating people on the front line are being hailed as heroes.
For the first country dealing with this new, potentially fatal, disease, it was always going to be tough.
Chinese doctors and nurses have been putting their lives as risk. And the BBC’s Stephen McDonell says they’re now also key to the government’s “propaganda push”.

States

Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar on MLA Balraj Kundu’s announcement to withdraw support: We will speak to him. We are open to order a probe if there is credible primary evidence to believe his allegations. But if there is no evidence, there is no point in ordering any inquiry.

Independent Haryana MLA Balraj Kundu in Chandigarh: I had extended my support to an honest govt and CM ML Khattar. Now, I have realized that their display of honesty is a farce. I will hand over a letter to the Assembly Speaker to withdraw my support tomorrow.

Kerala HC today said it can’t give more time to implement its ruling in Kothamangalam church dispute and asked state govt to clear stand on Monday. It had ordered Ernakulam DM to take over the church and hand it over to Orthodox faction. Court was hearing plea of the govt for more time.

Jharkhand High Court grants interim relief to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in connection with a defamation case against him over his alleged statement “saare Modi chor hai” during Lok Sabha election campaign. Court has put a stay on coercive action against him till the next order. The High Court has also issued a notice to the petitioner, advocate Pradeep Modi.

Nawab Malik, Maharashtra Minister: High Court had given its nod to give 5% reservation to Muslims in government educational institutions. Last govt did not take any action on it. So we have announced that we will implement the HC’s order in the form of law as soon as possible.

However, in evening, Maharashtra minister Eknath Shinde said to PTI, that no decision taken yet on Muslim quota in state:

India in International Frame

BBC

Delhi riots: ‘Hero cop’ who braved a mob to save lives

Aljazeera

New Delhi hit by worst violence in decades: What you need to know

Four days of unrest in the Indian capital has left dozens of people dead and hundreds wounded.

The unrest was triggered after weeks-long peaceful sit-ins in New Delhi against the new citizenship law, which opponents say discriminates against Muslims, were attacked by Hindu-nationalist mobs.

Parts of the capital descended into violence on Sunday, after a politician of the ruling BJP leader warned Muslims against continuing with sit-ins or risk facing the BJP supporters’ wrath.

Over the next four days, northeast Delhi’s Karawal Nagar, Seelampur, Maujpur, Bhajanpura, Vijay Park, Jafrabad, Chandbagh, Mustafabad and Yamuna Vihar witnessed pitched battles between Hindus and Muslims.

Reuters

Police arrest over 500 for Delhi sectarian violence

NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Police have arrested 514 people for deadly Hindu-Muslim violence that broke out in the capital, the government said, as it faced mounting international criticism for failing to protect minority Muslims.

The Associated Press

Muslims in a northeastern neighborhood of India’s capital return for weekly prayers at fire-bombed mosques, two days after a 72-hour clash between Hindus and Muslims that left at least 40 dead and hundreds injured.