11:51 Government withdraws security of separatist leaders in J-K:
The government on Sunday announced that the security of separatist leaders in Jammu and Kashmir including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has been withdrawn.
The move comes in the wake of the deadliest attack on security forces in Kashmir that left 40 CRPF personnel dead.
On Friday (February 15), Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the government was planning to review the security of the people working at the behest of Pakistan and its intelligence agency ISI in an apparent reference to separatist leaders.
“There are elements and forces who take money from Pakistan and the ISI. I have asked the officials concerned to review their security,” Singh told reporters at the end of his day-long visit to Kashmir.
The home minister said some elements in Jammu and Kashmir had links with the Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence
and terrorist organisation, but the government would defeat their designs.
“Such people are playing with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the future of the state’s youth. Our war against terror is in a decisive phase and I want to assure the nation that we will win it,” he said.
The home minister, who arrived in the state following the worst terror attack on security forces in the past three decades, also visited the injured jawans undergoing treatment at a hospital.
11:36 Final farewell to a hero: Wreath-laying ceremony of Major Chitresh Singh Bisht from Dehradun, Uttarakhand, who lost his life yesterday while defusing an IED which was planted by terrorists across the LoC in Naushera sector,Rajouri.
The IED was apparently planted by “enemy forces within Indian territory” in Naushera sector and set off when an army officer, along with his men, was patrolling the area, they said.
The blast killed the officer and injured a soldier who was evacuated to hospital, the officials said.
The IED blast came two days after 40 CRPF personnel were killed when a Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist rammed an explosive-laden SUV into a bus carrying them in Pulwama district in south Kashmir.
11:21 Rajinikanth not to contest 2019 Lok Sabha polls:
Actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth on Sunday confirmed that his party will not contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
In a statement, he warned the media not to use his photograph or party symbol for any propaganda.
“My party has no support in the upcoming parliamentary election to any parties. So no one should use my photo or flags in the name of Rajini makkal mandram and Rajini Fan Club should be used to support or campaign for any party,” he said.
“The main problem in Tamil Nadu is the water, in upcoming election who set up a stable, strong regime in the centre to solve water problem of Tamil Nadu and implement it people should believe them and must vote them,” read the statement.
The 68-year-old had announced his entry into politics on December 31, 2017.
Although he is yet to officially float his party, the superstar has converted his fan clubs into the ‘Rajini Makkal Mandram’ – a political outfit that is putting together a framework for the party.
Ever since his entry into politics, Rajinikanth has been meeting people all over Tamil Nadu over various issues, including the kin of those who were killed during the anti-Sterlite protests that took place in Thoothukudi last year.
— ANI
11:06 4 arrested for making objectionable remarks on Pulwama attack:
The Uttar Pradesh Police on Saturday arrested four people for allegedly making objectionable comments in connection with the Pulwama terror attack in which 41 Central Reserve Police Force personnel were killed.
Three of them — a man from Ballia, a person from Mau district and a first-year student of a private college here — were arrested for making the remarks on social media and another from Siddarthanagar for allegedly raising pro-Pakistan slogans at a meeting and then posting it on Facebook.
Police in Ballia registered a case against a man under provisions of the Information Technology (IT) Act and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) after his post supporting the attack on Facebook went viral.
“Ravi Prakash Maurya, who claims to be a SP (Samajwadi Party) supporter on Facebook, has allegedly extended support to the act of the person accused of attacking the CRPF jawans in Pulwama. He expressed pride over the incident and also paid tribute,” acting Superintendent of Police Vijay Pal Singh said.
“Maurya’s post went viral today, and the police immediately acted by registering a case under IT Act and the IPC against him. He has been arrested,” Singh said.
In Lucknow, a first year bachelors of arts student was arrested by police for allegedly making derogatory statements pertaining to the attack.Rajab Khan, a student of city private college, was arrested on Saturday from his house for ‘making derogatory remarks pertaining to the Pulwama incident, and then he also tried to justify them on the social media’, Station House Officer (SHO), Hussainganj, Anil Kumar said.
He said a case has been registered against him under the IT Act and the IPC.
The principal of the college informed that the student has been expelled.
In a tweet, the Mau police said a person has been arrested for allegedly making objectionable remarks on social media in connection with the Pulwama attack.
“Mohammad Osama, a resident under Dakshintola police station (of Mau district) has been arrested for making objectionable remarks vis-a-vis the Pulwama incident. A case has been registered against him under the IT Act and IPC,” the Mau police said in a tweet on Saturday.
The statement was made on the social media on Thursday evening, police said.In Uttar Pradesh’s Siddharthanagar district, one person was arrested for allegedly raising pro-Pakistan slogans and posting the same on Facebook, police said.Sub-inspector at Bansi police station Ajay Singh told PTI,
“On Friday, when a meeting was organised in Bansi area of the district to mourn the death of the CRPF jawans, Mohammad Taufeeq raised Pakistan Zindabad slogans.”
“When people tried to make him understand he should not to do so, he hurled abuses, and later posted the same comment on social media,” he said.
He was arrested on Saturday, and a case has been registered against him under IT Act and IPC, the officer said. — PTI
10:45 Owner of Hotel Arpit Palace arrested in connection with fire:
Rakesh Goel, the owner of Hotel Arpit Palace, was arrested in connection with a massive fire which killed 17 people on its premises, police said on Sunday.
The Crime Branch made the arrest from the IGI Airport on Saturday after the Delhi Police received a tip off that Goel was travelling from Qatar by Indigo flight 6E 1702, they said.
The immigration officials were alerted as a look out circular (LOC) was issued against him.
On his arrival, he was detained and handed over to the Crime Branch. Goel was arrested after brief questioning, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rajesh Deo said. He will be produced in court on Sunday. — PTI
09:38 ‘Unprecedented’ Rs 7cr raised on govt forum to help martyrs’ families:
The ‘Bharat Ke Veer’ contribution platform, that collects public funds for Central Armed Police Forces personnel killed in action, has got ‘unprecedented’ donations of over Rs 7 crore following the Pulwama terror attack, officials said on Saturday.
Officials manning the online portal of the Union Home Ministry have also asked citizens to ‘desist’ from donating money for the slain men in uniform at any other platform except the ‘Bharat Ke Veer’.
“We have received unprecedented donations at the online portal in the last 36 hours and the amount is over Rs 7 crore,” Border Security Force Inspector General (IG) Amit Lodha told PTI.
He said, “Never in the two year history of this benevolent public fund for CAPF martyrs, such a huge contribution has come in such a short time.
“We are grateful to the people of the country for expressing their solidarity with the martyrs.”
The IG, who supervises the activity of the portal, said it was getting as many as ‘20,000 hits per second’ post the Pulwama attack which claimed the lives of 41 Central Reserve Police Force jawans.
The CRPF personnel were killed and five injured in one of the deadliest terror attacks 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.
The home ministry also acknowledged the contributions made by the common people.
In a message, the ministry said, “The Ministry of Home Affairs expresses gratitude for the overwhelming support for Pulwama martyrs on Bharat Ke Veer, our web portal for your donations.”
“The portal is experiencing a heavy surge of visitors due to which it is slowing down. We request patience while we work on technical solutions,” it said.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also cautioned people against falling prey to platforms seeking fake donations.
“It is also reported that some unscrupulous elements are soliciting contributions from people through other accounts.
“It is advised that people desirous of supporting families of martyrs of CAPFs should only contribute through the website bharatkeveer.gov.in,” the home minister tweeted.
The State Bank of India has also created a UPI for the Bharat Ke Veer initiative to help people make their monetary contributions easily, the BSF IG said.
Bharat Ke Veer, the fund-raising initiative, was launched in April 2017 by the Union Home Ministry, under whose command these paramilitary or CAPF’s function.
Till last month, an amount of Rs 45.32 crore was received in the corpus of this fund, a senior official said.
Anyone can contribute to the fund through the BKV mobile app or the website.
All contributions are exempt from income tax as per government rules. — PTI
09:02 Vande Bharat Express begins first commercial run:
The Vande Bharat Express — India’s first semi-high speed train — began its first commercial run on Sunday, a day after it broke down on its way to Delhi from Varanasi.
“Vande Bharat Express left Delhi for Varanasi today morning on its first commercial run. Tickets sold out for the next two weeks already. Get yours today!” tweeted Railway Minister Piyush Goyal.
In a detailed press release issued on Saturday night, railways said during the transportation back from Varanasi it was stopped at Chamraula station of National Capital Region, about 18 kms after crossing Tundla station.
“There was an issue of communication between the last basic unit of 4 coaches and the rest of the train probably due to some external hit. Thereafter, safety features in the train applied brakes. The train was checked for faults and moved to Delhi,” it said.
Train 18, which was recently rechristened Vande Bharat Express, had left Varanasi Junction for Delhi at 10:30 pm on Friday, nearly 45 minutes after reaching the holy city on its inaugural journey.
The first breakdown occurred around 15 km from Tundla junction in Uttar Pradesh early morning.
“It was a case of skidding wheels after the train ran over cattle,” Northern Railway CPRO Deepak Kumar had said in the morning.
According to sources, including several journalists on board the train, it was stuck near Tundla for over an hour.
They said before the train came to a halt, its end coaches started making a rattling sound.
“There was some smell in the last four coaches which had no power. Also some smoke was noticed. Loco pilots decreased the speed for some time. I heard the officials talking about brake malfunction,” a source on the train said.
In a war of words over the train last night, Congress President Rahul Gandhi had tweeted, “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.”
In a quick response, Goyal tweeted — “Such a shame that you choose to attack the hard work and ingenuity of Indian engineers, technicians and labourers. It is THIS mindset which needs a reset. ‘Make In India’ is a success and a part of crores of Indian lives. Your family had 6 decades to think, wasn’t that enough?” — PTI
08:48 CRPF asks Kashmiris ‘in distress’ to use ‘madadgar’ helpline:
In the backdrop of reports of threats issued to Kashmiris based out of Jammu and Kashmir following the Pulwama terror attack, a Srinagar-based Central Reserve Police Force helpline on 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 24×7 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 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 of the country, he said.
“While we have lost our comrades, it is our pledge to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially to those living in the Kashmir Valley, that we are with them always,” he said.
The Centre on Saturday also asked all states to ensure safety and security of the students and people from Jammu and Kashmir living in their areas.
The advisory came hours after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured an all-party meeting of doing the needful for the protection of the Kashmiri students and people who were allegedly threatened after the terrorist attack in Awantipora area of Pulwama district.
An official at the security establishment said there have been some reports of students and other residents of Jammu and Kashmir experiencing threats and intimidation.
“Therefore, the Home Ministry today issued an advisory to all states/UTs to take necessary measures to ensure their safety and security,” the official said.
Some Kashmiri youths studying in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun alleged that they were harassed and have been asked by their landlords to vacate accommodations fearing attacks on their properties in the aftermath of the attack.
The CRPF, that is deployed for security duties in Jammu and Kashmir, had launched the 247 helpline Madadgaar (14411) in June 2017 to help any Valley resident who is in distress. — PTI
Source: Rediff