Page 1601 - Politics
People at Assam's Kalabari bid teary farewell to CRPF head constable killed in Pulwama
The mortal remains of CRPF Head Constable Maneswar Basumatari, killed in the Pulwama terror attack, was consigned to the flames in his native village in Assam's Baksa district with full state honours on Saturday. The tricolour draped wooden coffin bearing Basumatari's mortal remains was placed on the funeral pyre set up by the CRPF under a national flag in front of his house in Kalabari village. The last rites of the head constable was performed as per Bodo ethnic community customs with full state honours in the presence of ministers Pramila Rani Brahma and Chandra Mohan Patowary. Basumatari is survived by wife, daughter and son. The head constable was among the 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel killed in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday when a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district. Basumatari's college going daughter Didmaswari told reporters, "I will join my father's CRPF if the government .
Venezuela's Guaido calls for nationwide protests to allow US aid to enter
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido on Saturday called for nationwide protests next week to support volunteers planning to travel to the border with Colombia to bring in US humanitarian aid, the latest flashpoint in the country's political crisis. "Not only will this be happening at the border where the volunteer movement will be, but in cities up and down the country where there will be demonstrations on February 23 for the aid to come in," Guaido told thousands of supporters at a public gathering. The announcement came as tons of US food aid was piling up along the border. It has been denounced by President Nicolas Maduro, who has asked the military to reinforce the frontier, denouncing the food as a "booby trap" and a cover, he said, for a planned US military invasion. Guaido told his rally that some 600,000 people had registered to help with the efforts to bring aid in, and he repeated his call for on the military to stand aside. Humanitarian aid has become a key issue in the
Pulwama attack: CRPF says it is 'madadgaar' to any Kashmiri in distress
In the backdrop of reports of threats issued to Kashmiris based out of Jammu and Kashmir following the Pulwama terror attack, a Srinagar-based CRPF helpline Saturday asked them to approach it in case they face any harassment. The 'Madadgaar' helpline posted a tweet in this context stating that Kashmiri students and general public who are presently out of the state can contact it over the Twitter handle '@CRPFmadadgaar'. They can call on 24x7 toll free number 14411 or send an SMS at mobile no: 7082814411 "for speedy assistance in case they face any difficulties or harassment". A senior official said the force will undertake immediate steps in case the helpline receives a distress call by a Kashmir-based person and will alert and depute the officials from its nearest located base to address the issue. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is the country's largest paramilitary force with over three lakh personnel in its ranks and it has its formations and battalions in maximum states ..
Modi's return to power will be 'death knell' of all constitutional institutions: Yechury
The return of Narendra Modi to power will be the "death knell" of all the constitutional institutions in India, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said on Saturday. He was speaking here at the inauguration of the northern region 'Kerala Samrakshana Yatra' which will be led by CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran and will highlight the "failures" of the central government. "Return of Narendra Modi to power will be the death knell of all the constitutional institutions in India. As of now, an attack has been launched against them. It will result in creating a wide gap between the rich and the poor in the society," Yechury said. Speaking about the Pulwama attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, he said it should not be communalised for political gains. "The Kashmir attack should be seen as a terrorist attack. The attack should not be communalised considering the religion of the terrorist and used for political gains. The country should stand together against terrorism," the .
Hours after demanding UP CM visit family, slain CRPF jawan's wife agrees to perform last rites
The wife of slain CRPF jawan Vijay Maurya who had refused to cremate her husband's body till Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited their house in Deoria, late on Saturday night relented and agreed to perform the last rites. Maurya was one of the 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans killed in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Thursday when a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus. Vijay Laxmi agreed to cremate her husband's body and it has been completed, District Magistrate, Deoria, Amit Kishore, told PTI. "The demand for a park and road be constructed in the memory of her husband will be done. Bollywood singer Kailash Kher who was to perform at Deoria Mahotsav will give Rs 10 lakh to the family of the martyr. Kher, however, cancelled his concert at Deoria Mahotsav on Saturday and may perform on Sunday," he said. Earlier in the day, speaking at the inaugural function at the Raj Bhavan here, ...
Pulwama attack should not be forgotten, forgiven: Vicky Kaushal
Vicky Kaushal, who played the role of an Army officer in "Uri: The Surgical Strike", on Saturday said the terror attack on a CRPF convoy in south Kashmir's Pulwama district should not be forgotten and forgiven. Vicky, who was talking at Cine and TV Artistes' Association (CINTAA) and 48 Hour Project's first edition of 'Act Fest 2019', said, it is necessary to give an answer to the Pulwama attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. When asked if he thinks a surgical strike should be carried out, he said, "I feel I am a less knowledgeable person... It is easy to say do this, do that and this should happen or that should happen, there are repercussions also that happen." "I think our government will be thinking of the best move, they would be discussing these things and we should leave it to them. This should not be forgotten and should not be forgiven," he added. The actor said he is thankful to everyone for their love and support for his film but at the moment he is saddened by the
Karnataka's slain CRPF trooper laid to rest with full honours
The last rites of a CRPF trooper from Karnataka, killed in the Pulwama attack, were held on Saturday at his native village in Mandya district with full honours as thousands bid tearful adieu.
Kenya recalls envoy from Somalia over maritime border spat
Kenya on Saturday recalled its ambassador from Somalia for "urgent consultations" over a maritime border dispute that involves lucrative offshore oil and gas deposits. "The summons is a consequence of a most regretful and egregious decision by the Government of Somalia to auction off oil and gas blocks in Kenya's maritime territorial area that borders Somalia," a statement said.
Police and protesters clash outside Albanian parliament
Thousands of opposition supporters clashed with police outside the Albanian parliament on Saturday during an anti-government protest demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. The socialist prime minister, in power since 2013, has been accused of corruption by his critics. Police fired tear gas and water cannons at protesters, some of whom tried to enter the parliamentary building in the capital Tirana by forcing their way through the main entrance. Five police officers and around ten demonstrators and journalists required hospital treatment, mostly for breathing problems after the clashes, the health ministry said. Protesters repeatedly tried to break through police lines. Several windows were broken as some demonstrators threw smoke grenades and stones towards the parliament building. "The situation is out of control," said Lulzim Basha, an organiser of the protest and leader of the main opposition centre-right Democratic Party. He blamed the police for having let the ...
Last-minute Nigeria election delay disappoints voters
Nigeria's election commission on Saturday rejected claims of political interference after its last-minute postponement of presidential elections, as voters caught unawares hit out at the announcement. The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) announced a one-week delay just hours before polls to elect the head of Africa's most populous nation were due to open at 0700 GMT. It blamed logistical difficulties, including problems in the distribution of ballot papers and results sheets, as well as sabotage, after three fires at its offices in two weeks. But the two main political parties claimed the delay was part of a conspiracy to rig the results. President Muhammadu Buhari, 76, and his main challenger Atiku Abubakar, 72, returned to Abuja from their home towns in the northern states of Katsina and Adamawa. In the capital, INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu, rejected assertions of a political conspiracy. "Our decision was entirely taken by the commission," he told a news conference. "It has ..
Terrorism must be countered at global and regional levels: Bangladesh Minister
Bangladesh Information Minister Hasan Mahmud on Saturday condemned the terror attack on a paramilitary convoy in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 49 troopers and said terrorism has to be countered globally and regionally.
J-K Governor reviews law and order situation, appeals for peace, fraternity
Governor Satya Pal Malik on Saturday held a high-level meeting at the Raj Bhawan where he reviewed the law and order situation in the state in the aftermath of Pulwama terror attack.In the meeting, the Governor directed the police to take strict action against those indulging in any type of violence, arson or rumour-mongering irrespective of their political and religious affiliations.Malik also directed Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, to hold another Peace Committee Meeting and appealed to all parties to maintain peace and harmony in the state.As many as 40 CRPF personnel were killed in Pulwama's Awantipora village on February 14 in a terror attack orchestrated by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a Pakistan based terror outfit.The convoy of 78 buses, in which around 2,500 CRPF personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar, came under attack at around 3.15 pm at Ladhu Modi Lethpora.Governor Malik asked all political parties and senior leaders to appeal to the people to maintain peace and ...
Don't share unverified info on social media: Noida police to public
An offensive comment related to the Pulwama terror attack emerged on social media Saturday in the name of a Jammu and Kashmir student in Greater Noida, with police Saturday clarifying it was done using a fake profile. Police also urged people to not believe rumours or share unverified information after a purported video surfaced on WhatsApp which claimed the arrest of a terrorist present in the district. "The controversial comment was made in the name of the student pursuing MBA from a private college in Gautam Buddh Nagar. During investigation it was found that the comment was made using a fake profile of the student by some mischievous elements," a police spokesperson said. The official said that a complaint has been made with police in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir on behalf of the student in connection with the matter. Another purported video circulated on WhatsApp claiming that security was put on "high alert" and Section 144 of the CrPC was imposed in the district after .
Two slain CRPF troopers laid to rest in TN with full honours
Amid teary eyes and emotional scenes, the two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) bravehearts from Tamil Nadu, killed in the Pulwama terror attack, were on Saturday laid to rest their native places with full government honours.
AAP, BJP trade charges over voter list, calls continue
Earlier this week, a 29-year-old professional received a call from someone claiming to be from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), telling him that his name has been deleted from the voters' list and that the party will help him get re-enrolled. Soon after the call, he checked online and found his name intact in the voters' list.
Rahul cites Train 18 experiencing trouble, attacks PM's Make in India programme
Congress president Rahul Gandhi cited Train 18 experiencing trouble on Saturday to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Make in India programme, claiming that most people feel it has failed. A day after being flagged off by Prime Minister Modi, India's first semi-high speed train, Vande Bharat Express or Train 18, ran into some trouble early this morning while returning to Delhi from Varanasi. "Modi ji, I think Make in India needs a serious rethink. Most people feel it has failed. I assure you we in the Congress are thinking very deeply about how it will be done," Gandhi tweeted, tagging a report which claimed train 18 'breaks down' 200 km outside Delhi. After experiencing problems, the train reached Delhi around 1 pm on Saturday and is scheduled to begin its first commercial run on Sunday with all tickets already sold out. While officials said the problem was caused by "skidding wheels", those on board the train claimed it was a case of malfunctioning of brakes. Train 18 was ...
India should pressurise Imran Khan to handover Masood Azhar: Manish Tewari
Senior Congress leader Manish Tewari Saturday said India should put pressure on Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to handover Masood Azhar, the founder of terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The Pakistan-based terror outfit has claimed responsibility for Thursday's terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. "If we put sufficient pressure on Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, and if Imran Khan is really serious about his intent to make peace, which he tried to demonstrate in the Kartarpur corridor outreach initiative, then the next logical step would to be to handover Maulana Masood Azhar to India," Tewari said. The former Union minister was in Mumbai to launch his book "The Fables of Fractured Times", a compilation of his articles written for various newspapers and other media platforms during 2017-18. "You (Union government) need to put Imran Khan in the dock. You need to put Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Khan's party) in the dock. This .
Congress Working Committee to meet in Ahmedabad on Feb 28
A meeting of the Congress Working Committee, the party's highest decision making body, will take place in Ahmedabad on February 28.
Pulwama attack an assault on India's sovereignty: BJP
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) here on Saturday described the Pulwama terrorist attack on a CRPF convoy in Jammu and Kashmir as an attack on the country's sovereignty and said Pakistan will never succeed in its nefarious design.
Delhi Congress holds candle light vigil for slain CRPF troopers
The Delhi Congress here on Saturday organised candle light marches in all the 280 blocks of the national capital to pay homage to the 49 CRPF troopers killed in the Pulwama terror strike and urged the Centre to give a befitting reply to those behind the attack.