Page 2738 - Politics
J-K municipal polls: 14.8% voter turnout recorded till 2 pm
Voter turnout in the third phase of the municipal elections in Jammu and Kashmir was recorded at 14.8 per cent till 2 pm on Saturday.As the voting is underway in the state, Samba district comprising of 56 wards witnessed the highest voter turnout of 73.9 per cent.Terrorists infested Baramulla district in North Kashmir also saw a high turnout of 72.7 per cent. Anantnag and Srinagar district recorded low voter turnout of 2.7 per cent and 1.5 per cent respectively.It is believed that the voter turnout plummeted in Anantnag and Srinagar district because of the boycott call given by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the National Conference (NC).Voting began at 6 am and will end at 4 pm in Jammu's Samba, Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, Pulwama and Bandipora districts. A total of 427 candidates are in the fray for 207 wards.The elections for the fourth and final phase will be held on October 16. As many as 260 candidates will be contesting for 132 wards.The counting will take place on ...
In London, Gen Bajwa discusses India's role in Pak-Afghan tensions
Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa met UK's Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Gareth Baley in London."Tensed relations" between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the establishment of peace in Afghanistan and India's role in the talks were discussed between the two during General Bajwa's official three-day visit to the United Kingdom, according to The Nation.Being strong trade partners, India, time and again, voiced unequivocal support to the Government of Afghanistan's efforts to emerge as a peaceful nation by eradicating terrorism in the country.During Afghanistan President Dr. Mohammed Ashraf Ghani's visit to India in September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had reiterated India's support to an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled peace and reconciliation process that would enable the nation to continue as a united, peaceful, inclusive and democratic country and emerge as economically vibrant.Pakistan and Afghanistan relations, on the .
12 killed in Afghan election rally blast
At least 12 people were killed after a blast ripped through an election campaign rally in Afghanistan's Takhar province on Saturday, officials said.
Nepal's Opposition warns govt against curbing press freedom through new criminal code
Nepal's main Opposition Nepali Congress has warned the Communist government not to curtail press freedom through a new criminal code that makes publishing confidential information, recording audio or taking pictures without permission a jailable offence. Former premier and Nepali Congress (NC) president Sher Bahadur Deuba said that the "press freedom should not be curtailed on any pretext" and called on the Nepalese journalists to be ready to face any kind of challenge. Speaking at a programme organised by the Nepal Press Union in Chitawan district on Friday, he said that the NC would not accept any kind of government interference to press freedom. He was referring to the government's new Criminal Code and Criminal Procedures Code which came into effect in August, amid fears that the new privacy provisions outlined in the codes would hamper free press in the country. The government expects to reform the country's legal system by replacing age-old 'Muluki Ain' through the new ...
Chhattisgarh Congress Working President joins BJP
In a major setback for the Congress in poll-bound Chhattisgarh, the state party's Working President and a key tribal leader Ramdayal Uike joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday.
At least 12 killed in bomb attack on Afghan election rally: officials
A motorcyle bomb targeting supporters of a female election candidate in northeastern Afghanistan killed at least 12 people, officials said Saturday, in the latest violence to strike a political gathering. Another 32 people were wounded in the explosion in Takhar province where parliamentary candidate Nazifa Yousefibek had been campaigning, provincial governor spokesman Mohammad Jawad Hejri told AFP.
National Panthers Party threatens agitation to press for dissolution of J-K Assembly
The Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (NPP) on Saturday threatened to launch an agitation to press for dissolution of the Assembly which was kept under suspended animation after the fall of PDP-BJP government in the state in June. Criticising the decision of keeping the Assembly in suspended animation for the last 116 days, NPP chairman and former minister Harsh Dev Singh claimed that never before had any assembly been kept in a similar situation for such a long time where none of the parties had the requisite strength. "We will hold state-wide protests besides demonstrations outside Parliament shortly if the Assembly is not dissolved forthwith," he told reporters here. Claiming that keeping the Assembly in suspended animation for such a long period "unconstitutional", Singh sought intervention of President Ram Nath Kovind to "safeguard the constitution and rule of law" by ordering early dissolution of the same in conformity with the legal stipulations, prevalent practices and
Security enhanced in Pakistan ahead of by-polls on Sunday
The Pakistan Army Saturday took control of the security of polling stations ahead of Sunday's by-polls for 11 national and 24 provincial seats. Final preparations were underway to conduct elections in nine National Assembly constituencies in Punjab and one each in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and 24 provincial assembly seats, including 11 in Punjab, nine in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and two each in Sindh and Balochistan. Most of these seats were vacated by the candidates who won from more than one seat in the general elections held on July 25. Prime Minister Imran Khan won five seats and vacated four which are also up for grabs. For the first time, overseas Pakistanis will participate in the election process through a special online portal designed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Thousands of soldiers will stand guard to provide security at 7,489 polling booths to ensure a smooth and peaceful electoral process. The ECP, while making security arrangement, designated as many as .
US pastor Brunson freed by Turkish court reaches Germany
US pastor Andrew Brunson, who was released by the Turkish authorities, landed in Germany on Saturday.He has been taken to US' Ramstein Air Base, where he will undergo a medical checkup. Following the checkup, he will head to the USA, reported Fox News.On October 12, a Turkish court ordered his release and dropped an espionage charge against him. The pastor, who ran Ressurection Church in Turkey, was arrested by the Turkish government two years ago for allegedly helping terrorist groups in carrying out the 2016 coup attempt.However, the pastor denied the charge. The US government also extended its support to Brunson and stated that he had been wrongly charged.According to Fox News, while announcing Brunson's release, US President Donald Trump on Friday told a rally in Ohio, "We bring a lot of people back".
I-T dept recovered Rs. 35 lakh from Delhi minister's residence: Sources
The Income Tax (IT) department recovered Rs 35 lakh and a dossier of Benami properties during the raids it carried out recently at 16 locations belonging to Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot, sources told ANI on Saturday.The IT sleuths had carried out raids at the Aam Aadmi Party leader's properties in Delhi and Gurugram on Wednesday."Friendship with Nirav Modi, Mallya and raid on us?," Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal questioned in a tweet, indicating that the raids at the Delhi minister's properties were out of political vendetta.Sources in the IT department maintained they raided the minister's properties for allegedly evading tax.The investigators conducted raids at Gahlot's residence, his two companies-Brisk Infrastructure and Developers Ltd and Corporate International Financial Services Ltd, among others.
Bangladesh Army protests untrue comments against its chief
The Bangladesh Army on Saturday sharply reacted to the comment made by a pro-opposition rights activist questioning the military chief's integrity, and called it a deliberate attempt to belittle the force's top position and bring down the morale of its personnel. Dr Jafarulah Chowdhury,75, during a talk show of Somoy TV on October 9 stated that a huge quantum of military weapons and ammunitions "went missing, were stolen or sold out" from the army's arsenal in north-eastern Chattogram area when the incumbent army chief General Aziz Ahmed was the commander. Chowdhury, who is also a doctor and the founder of non-government Ganashasthya Kendra hospital and medical college, said that the incident exposed Aziz to a court martial. Chowdhury is currently spearheading a media campaign accusing the incumbent government of misrule and politicising the administration ahead of the elections slated for December this year. The army called Chowdhury's comment completely untrue, misleading and ...
Mass rally against Sabarimala verdict; Trupti Desai to visit soon
Thousands of Lord Ayyappa devotees Saturday took to the streets in Kochi against the implementation of the Supreme Court verdict allowing women of all age groups into Sabarimala temple, even as activist Trupti Desai announced plans to visit the hill shrine soon. The Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, which decided to implement the ruling, held a meeting here to evaluate the preparations carried out for pilgrims arriving at the temple which will open for monthly poojas on October 17 evening. Though the government has not reacted to Desai's planned trip to teh temple yet, it has evoked sharp reactions from Ayyappa devotees and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which is campaigning against the entry of women into the hill shrine. Padalam royal family member, Sasikumar Varma criticised Desai and urged the social activist to refrain from making any "provocative' move. He also asked the Left government to take steps to prevent any law and order ...
Militant arrested at Indo-Myanmar border town
A militant belonging to a proscribed outfit was arrested Saturday by police from the Indo-Myanmar border town of Moreh, located 110 km east of state capital Imphal, police said. The 25-year-old W Kishankumar was apprehended at around 8.30 am during an operation conducted at the International Gate No 2, under the supervision of S Ibomcha, SP Tengnoupal told PTI. The arrested militant belonged to the Meeyamgi Fingang Lanmi faction of the banned Manipur-based outfit Kangleipak Communist Party, the SP said. No weapons were recovered from the militant and further investigation is on, he said.
Rahul Gandhi to interact with HAL employees today
Congress President Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to interact with nearly 100 working and retired employees of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Saturday.Informing about his meeting at the state-owned aerospace and defence manufacturer, Rahul tweeted on Saturday that the interaction will be held from 3:00 pm onwards outside the HAL headquarters in Bengaluru."HAL is India's strategic asset. The future of India's aerospace industry has been destroyed by snatching #Rafale from HAL & gifting it to Anil Ambani. Come defend the dignity of India's defenders. I am in Bengaluru to stand with HAL's employees. Join me outside HAL HQ, at 3 PM," the tweet read.The meeting comes at a time when the Congress party-led opposition is mounting attack on the government over the India-France Rafale deal and the selection of Reliance Defence Limited, instead of HAL, as an offset partner for France's Dassault Aviation.Gandhi, time and again, has accused the Narendra Modi-led NDA government of ousting ..
Congress's Ramdayal Uike joins BJP in Chhattisgarh
In a major shock to the Congress, party Chhattisgarh Working President and former MLA from Pali-Tanakhar Ramdayal Uike joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday.
US warns against any effort to undermine Maldivian people's will
The US will consider undertaking "appropriate measures" against anyone who undermines a peaceful transfer of power in the Maldives, a top State Department official has said, expressing concern over the "troubling actions" taken by outgoing president Abdullah Yameen. Pro-China incumbent Yameen was trounced by opposition leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the parliamentary elections held in the Maldives last month. Solih is widely regarded as a pro-India leader. Yameen's party has filed a legal petition challenging his landslide election defeat despite major international pressure for him to step down. The important statement by America comes days after Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Alice Wells met President-elect Solih. "The US is concerned by troubling actions by outgoing President Yameen that threaten to undermine the will of the Maldivian people, and will consider appropriate measures against anyone who undermines a peaceful transfer of power .
Israeli fire kills 6 Palestinians at Gaza protest
Palestinian health officials say Israeli forces have shot dead six Palestinians, four of them in a single incident, in one of the deadliest days in months of mass protests along the security fence separating Gaza and Israel. Gaza's Health Ministry said Friday that four were killed in one location, where the Israeli military said it opened fire on a crowed of Palestinians who breached the fence and approached an army post. No Israeli troops were harmed, the army added. Two other Palestinians were killed in other protest locations, the ministry said, adding that at least 140 Palestinians were wounded by live bullets. Since March, Hamas has orchestrated near-weekly protests along the fence. The Israeli military said 14,000 Palestinians thronged the border fence areas Friday.
J-K municipal polls: Former NC leader Junaid Mattu casts vote
Former National Conference (NC) leader Junaid Mattu who resigned from the party over its decision to boycott the ongoing local body polls in the state, on Saturday, cast his vote.Speaking to ANI, after casting his vote, Mattu said that there was no question of boycotting the election and every conscientious voter should vote and elect a local representative."This is my home ward and I have come to vote for the people today. It is the duty of every conscientious voter to vote in the local body elections. I hope people vote and choose a local representative leadership," he said.Refuting reports of joining Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after parting ways with the NC, Mattu said that he is contesting as an independent candidate and not as a proxy of anyone."I am contesting as an Independent candidate and not as a proxy of anyone. The politics of this state, perhaps, might see some change. I am not joining the BJP. All of you are aware of my convictions, but, I think it is high time for ...
Terrorist gunned down in J-K's Pulwama
A terrorist has been gunned down by the security forces during an encounter in Babgund area of Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district in the wee hours of Saturday.The security forces also recovered arms and ammunition from his possession. The identity of the terrorist is yet to be ascertained.This comes at a time when voting for the third phase of the urban local body elections is underway in the state.Earlier on October 5, terrorists had killed two National Conference (NC) workers while threatening the people of the state against participating in the local elections.
Polling underway for third phase of municipal polls in J-K
Polling began Saturday for the third and penultimate phase of municipal elections in Jammu and Kashmir to seal the fate of 365 candidates in the fray across the state. Polling began at 6 am amid stringent security arrangements, officials said. They said the voting will take place at 300 polling stations across the state and would end at 4 pm. Out of the 300 polling stations, 241 stations - 222 in the Kashmir Division and 19 in Jammu Division have been categorised hypersensitive, they said. The officials said 365 candidates are in the fray for 96 wards of eight urban local bodies for the third phase comprising a total electorate of 1,93,990 electors. The officials said massive security arrangements have been put in place for the smooth conduct of the polls. They said additional poll staff has been deployed at polling stations with large number of electors. The officials said the overall poll percentage in the first two phases of the municipal polls has been 47.2 per cent. Municipal ...