Page 60 - Social Issues
All accused of arson in Nagpur in post-Khairlanji protests acquitted
The Nagpur district court on Friday acquitted all persons accused of torching a police post and vehicles here during the protests following the murder of a Dalit family. On September 29, 2006, four members of the Bhotmange family were murdered in Khairlanji village in Bhandara district of Maharashtra, leading to massive protests across the state. On November 6 that year, several persons, taking part in a protest against the Khairlanji incident, torched a police post and vehicles in Indora in north Nagpur. Several of them were later booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code by the Jaripatka police station. The counsel for the accused, Lubesh Meshram and public prosecutor Ravindra Bhoyar told PTI that all were acquitted due to lack of circumstantial evidences and witnesses.
Princes William and Harry back UK mental health text support
Princes William and Harry and their wives, Kate and Meghan, are joining forces to back a text messaging service to help people experiencing mental health problems. Their Royal Foundation will provide a 3 million-pound (USD 3.9 million) grant to back the initiative called Shout. The service is designed to help people with a wide range of problems including suicidal thoughts, relationship issues and bullying. William said Friday the service "is free to use, anonymous, and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week" and that the text conversations are handled by volunteers who have received online training and are monitored by a clinical team. William says 60,000 people have already received help from the service. Both couples have lobbied for better treatment of mental health issues.
Woman delivers baby on moving train in UP
A woman gave birth to a child in the running Indor-Amritsar express train near here on Friday, officials said. According to the Railway Police, Shakira was travelling from Meerut to Saharanpur when she developed labour pain. With the help of co-passengers including a doctor, the women delivered the baby successfully, the officials said. She was later taken to district hospital upon reaching at Muzaffarnagar railway station, they added. The condition of both the mother and the newborn is stable, officials said.
This is why Mozilla Firefox's add-ons broke all at once
Mozilla has issued the patch for a certain certificate issue from its end that disabled all the add-ons. Now, the company is out with a detailed explanation about what the issue actually was and why it took so long.On the official blog, Firefox Chief Technology Officer Eric Rescorla explained that one of the certificates used to sign add-ons expired just after 1AM UTC on May 4. As add-ons are checked every 24 hours with the time of checking being different for each user, the problem affected users at different times.He further details how the team first disabled signing of new add-ons and then immediately push a hotfix which suppressed re-validating the signatures on add-ons. Later, the team generated a new, valid certificate and installed it remotely into Firefox.
CCI dismisses complaint against Oriental Insurance Company
The Competition Commission Friday dismissed complaint against Oriental Insurance Company over alleged abuse of dominant position. The complaint was filed by Anil Rathi, partner of Bahadurgarh-based Laxmi Polymers, who had taken fire insurance policy from Oriental Insurance for the firm. Owing to storage of volatile material and use of high tension wires at the premises, a "Standard Fire and Special Perils Policy" was availed for the firm to cover the risk in case of any adversity, the complainant said. As per the complainant, on the intervening night of 20/21 December 2016, a fire broke out on the premises of the firm and pursuant to the loss occurred on account of fire, an insurance claim was lodged with Oriental Insurance. However, the insurance company rejected the claim on the ground that the firm was in breach of certain conditions mentioned in the policy. Besides, while rejecting the insurance claim, no objection certificate given by the fire department of Bahadurgarh was ...
Congress distances itself from Pitroda's remarks
The Congress on Thursday distanced itself from party leader Sam Pitordas "hua to hua" remarks in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, saying that it was not the party's opinion and all leaders should be careful and sensitive in their remarks.
Mental asylum: SC asks chief secretaries of four states to submit data of cured people
The Supreme Court Friday asked chief secretaries of four states and administrators of two Union Territories to provide in four weeks the data of people who have recovered from mental illness and are fit to go home, but languishing in hospitals. The top court said the data should be provided to the Centre to enable it to prepare a roadmap for setting up rehabilitation homes for such people. A bench of justices D Y Chandrachud and Hemant Gupta has asked the chief secretaries of Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Nagaland and Telangana to furnish all the relevant details to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for formulation of a proper roadmap. It also asked administrators of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu to furnish the details in four weeks to the Centre. Petitioner advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal informed the court that there was non-compliance of its last order and some states have not provided the necessary data to the Centre. The Counsel appearing for the ...
UK watchdog opens inquiry into Tamil Hindu charity
UK's Charity Commission Friday opened a statutory inquiry into the Hindu Community Society over alleged economic irregularities and failure to file its financial accounts. The independent charities watchdog said the Society's stated aim was to benefit the Tamil community in Coventry in central England, particularly by advancing the Hindu religion. "The Commission has serious regulatory concerns regarding the management and governance of the charity. Despite being previously included in a class inquiry in 2017 for failing to file its financial accounts, the charity's trustees have failed for the sixth consecutive year to submit the charity's annual financial information on time," Charity Commission said. "Additional concerns arose around the potential loss of 500,000 pounds of charity funds spent on a leased property, from which the trustees were subsequently evicted. The Commission also has concerns about potential private benefit arising from payments made to trustees for employment .
Myanmar to investigate riots this week at 7 prisons
Myanmar's government says it will investigate riots at seven prisons this week that it believes were coordinated. The government in Sagaing region in northwestern Myanmar says it has restored control over the Shwebo township prison, where it said four prisoners had died and two others were injured, along with two prison staff. The office of President Win Myint said in a statement that there had been riots Wednesday and Thursday at six other prisons. It said prisoners said they were dissatisfied with a recent series of mass pardons. It said investigations would be made "to bring out the truth" because the similarity of statements from the prisons and the transmission of live video to social media from prisoners' illegal cellphones indicated "linkages and incitement.
Alphons writes to Javadekar seeking action against Mumbai professor for plagiarism
Union Minister of State for Tourism, KJ Alphons, on Friday, wrote a letter to Minister for Human Resource Development, Prakash Javadekar, to take appropriate action against Professor Neeraj Hatekar of the Department of Economics of the University of Mumbai for his proven plagiarism.Alphons has requested in the letter that strictest possible action should be taken against the professor and also stated that had the plagiarism been found in any other country the concerned person would be dismissed from service and criminal action would have been taken against him.The letter has also been sent to Chancellor, University of Mumbai, the Governor of Maharashtra, the Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development and Chairman, University Grants Commission.An inquiry committee was set up by the University of Mumbai to investigate into the accusation that Hatekar had plagiarised. The committee headed by Dr RK Chauhan, Vice-Chancellor, Lingaya's University, ...
Curfew clamped in Assam's Hailakandi after communal clashes
The Army has been called in to maintain peace after indefinite curfew was clamped in Assam's Hailakandi town on Friday following a communal clash that left 15 people injured, a senior district official said. Of those injured, the condition of three are stated to be critical, officials said, adding more than 15 vehicles were damaged and 12 shops vandalised in different parts of the town. Hailakandi Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli has sought the Army's help after clashes broke out between members of two communities, when some people protested against prayers being held on a road in front of a mosque, the official said. The curfew has been extended to the entire district from 6 pm. It was clamped from 1 pm in Hailakandi town till further orders, as some groups were trying to "indulge in violence and there is apprehension of grave risk and danger to human life and properties...," Jalli said. Trouble started when a group of people decided to hold the Friday noon prayers on the road, ...
NCM asks Pitroda to apologise over 'hua toh hua' remarks on 1984 anti-Sikh riots
The National Commission for Minorities on Friday sent a notice to Congress leader Sam Pitroda over his "so what" remarks on 1984 anti-Sikh riots and asked him to tender an unconditional apology towards the Sikh community for the comments. Based on a complaint by BJP leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga, commission member Atif Rasheed issued the notice to Pitroda asking him to explain his remarks. The statement has hurt the religious feelings and sentiments of the Sikh community and will also act as a rift between two communities, the letter sent to Pitroda read. "As NCM is constituted as a statutory body by an Act of Parliament and is empowered to look into specific complaints regarding deprivation of rights and safeguards of minorities, it has taken the complaint very seriously as Sikhs are one of the notified minority communities in India and the incident of 1984 massacre is a blot in the history of mankind," the letter stated. The NCM asked Pitroda to explain his views on the statement .
2 Chinese nationals arrested at Islamabad airport
Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested two Chinese nationals at the Islamabad airport on Friday as part of its ongoing investigation into alleged fake marriages and human trafficking operations by Chinese gangs.
Delhi BJP leader files police complaint against Pitroda accusing him of hurting sentiments of Sikhs
Delhi BJP spokesperson Tajinder Singh Bagga on Friday lodged a police complaint seeking registration of a case against Congress leader Sam Pitroda for allegedly hurting sentiments of Sikh community with his remarks on 1984 riots. Pitroda, a close aide of Rahul Gandhi and Overseas Congress' head, had on Thursday reportedly said "hua to hua" (so what, it happened) about the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Bagga said he has also filed a complaint against the Congress leaders with National Commission for Minorities seeking action for his comment. "I have filed a complaint at Parliament Street police station and also lodged protest over Pitroda's comment at the National Commission for Minorities, seeking action against him for hurting sentiments of Sikhs who were victims in 1984 riots," he said. As his remark on anti-Sikh riots kicked up a storm, Pitroda on Friday accused the BJP of "distorting the truth" and said things of the past are not relevant in this election. "I have noticed how BJP is ...
China sends "task force" to Pakistan to deal with fake marriage, human trafficking racket
A spate of arrests of Chinese nationals allegedly involved in fake marriages with Pakistani women and reports of human trafficking and organ trade have forced China to send a "task force" to Islamabad to quickly deal with the issues that could "undermine" the bilateral all-weather ties. Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Friday arrested three more Chinese nationals suspected of involvement in fake marriages and human trafficking from the Islamabad airport, Dawn newspaper reported. The FIA's immigration cell also took into custody three local women who were accompanying the Chinese men. The three couples were intercepted as they were about to leave for China, it said. On Thursday, the FIA announced that it had taken 11 Chinese nationals into custody for a probe into a transnational gang allegedly involved in prostitution and illegal organ trade. In Islamabad, the Chinese embassy said it has noted media reports and that the Pakistan has taken measures in accordance with ...
Modi slams Congress for seeking scrapping of sedition law
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday slammed the Congress for demanding scrapping of the sedition law and revoking of special powers for soldiers fighting insurgencies.
Man commits suicide in Delhi hotel
A 42-year old man committed suicide after checking into a hotel here on Friday, police said.
Curfew clamped in Assam's Hailakandi town, 15 injured
An indefinite curfew was clamped in Assam's Hailakandi town on Friday following a communal clash which left 15 people injured, a senior district official said. The curfew was imposed at 1 pm and would remain in force till further orders, Hailakandi Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli said. A group of people had decided to hold the Friday noon prayers on a road in front of a mosque, located at Kali Bari point of the town, in protest against the seats of some motorcycles being damaged by people belonging to another community, the official said. A clash broke out between members of two communities after some people protested against the prayers being held on the road, injuring 15 persons. Police opened fire in the air to disperse the protesters, the DC said. "A tense situation arose that necessitated immediate action and speedy action for the maintenance of public peace," Jalli said. Though the situation was brought under control, tension continues to prevail in the town, the official ...
Woman attempts suicide at metro station, survives
A 50-year-old woman tried to commit suicide at the Seelampur metro station here on Friday but escaped as she fell between two tracks, police said.
Trans Chinese youngsters attempt surgery on themselves
Young transgender people in China are risking their lives and health by attempting surgery on themselves and taking unsafe hormones, Amnesty International said in a report on Friday.
