17:49 Saudi Arabia has not offered to mediate between India, Pakistan: MEA:
Ministry of External Affairs briefing on the meeting between PM Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman: The two leaders condemned in the strongest terms the recent terrorist attack on Indian forces in Pulwama in Jammu & Kashmir and underlined the importance of comprehensive sanctioning of terrorists and their organisations by the United Nations. The complicity of Pakistan in Pulwama attacks was very much underlined. They agreed on the need for creating necessary conditions for any resumption of talks. The Saudi Crown Prince appreciated the consistent efforts made by PM Modi since May 2014, including his personal initiatives to have friendly relations with Pakistan. Both sides agreed on the need for creation of conditions necessary for resumption of the comprehensive dialogue.
MEA on being asked if Saudi Arabia has offered to mediate between India and Pakistan: At this point in time, no mediation has been offered.
17:33 Pak should be given proof of Pulwama attack: Mehbooba : PDP leader and former Jammu Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said that the proof of Pakistani links to the Pulwama attack should be given to Islamabad as sought by its Prime Minister Imran Khan “to see what they do”.
Hitting out at the government’s move to withdraw the security of separatist leaders, Mehbooba said, “This is a childish act. The government should find a solution to this problem. Withdrawing the security of four people is no big deal and that too which they had not asked for. The government had given them the security and has now itself taken it away,” she added.
The Jammu and Kashmir government withdrew security of separatist leaders, including All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on February 17 in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack. Other leaders whose security has been withdrawn include Shabir Shah, Abdul Ghani Bhat andBilal Lone.
Moreover, the PDP leader also claimed that Pakistan itself has many problems and in such a situation a dialogue between the two countries will be beneficial for both sides. While saying that talks will be good for Pakistan, she emphasised: “It will be good for Pakistan’s prosperity. Pakistan itself has a lot of problems, in such a situation if both the nations reconcile and discuss things it will be beneficial for both sides. I believe that we can have a dialogue even after a war. If we have to save Jammu and Kashmir and its people then dialogue is the only way. War is not a solution to any problem,” the PDP leader added.
17:28 Sena agreed to pact after BJP nod for sharing CM’s post: Kadam: The Shiv Sena forged an alliance with the BJP in Maharashtra after there was an agreement to share the chief minister’s post, senior Sena minister Ramdas Kadam said Wednesday.
The Sena leader said if the BJP did not wish to fulfil its commitment, it was free to break the pre-poll alliance immediately. “The Sena-BJP pact has been agreed on two major conditions. One was scrapping the Nanar refinery project in Konkan area and the other was sharing the chief minister’s post for half-terms each,” Kadam told reporters.
He said despite BJP chief Amit Shah’s commitment, it was unbecoming of senior BJP leaders to make statements that the party getting more seats in the Assembly will decide on the chief minister.
17:09 India is proud of your son: Rahul, Priyanka meet CRPF victims’ families : Congress president Rahul Gandhi and general secretary in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday attended a prayer meeting of CRPF jawan Amit Kumar Kori, who was killed in the recent Pulwama terror attack, and paid tributes to the slain soldier.
Congress general secretary in-charge of western Uttar Pradesh Jyotiraditya Scindia was also present at the prayer meeting held in Shamli district. “Congress President @RahulGandhi and General Secretary In charge UP East Smt. @priyankagandhi attend the prayer meeting of martyr Amit Kumar Kori and share their grief with the family,” the party said in a tweet.
Rahul and Priyanka were seen consoling the members of the bereaved family. Speaking on this occasion, Rahul said, “In these moments of grief, we are with you… His (Kori’s) father told us that he is sad, but at the same time proud (of his son). And I want to say that we are sad, but at the same time we are proud that a family of this country gave love to its son and educated him. The son gave his love, body and heart to the country. We can never forget this thing.”
“My sister said that in a way our father (former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi) had also met the same fate. We understand your pain and agony. We are here to sit only for five minutes with you and to tell all of you that we want to share your grief,” he added.
The Congress president said India is a country of bravehearts and no power in the world can push it backward. “From the bottom of our heart and on behalf of the country, I thank you, your son and the entire family,” Rahul said.
“This is one country. This is a country for everyone (of us) and this is a country of love and brotherhood. This is the message of India,” he added.
Forty CRPF personnel were killed on February 14, when a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber, in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district.
Among the CRPF personnel killed in the attack, 12 hailed from Uttar Pradesh, including two from Shamli. — PTI
Image: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra comforts a relative of slain CRPF jawan Amit Kumar Kori. Pic: @INCIndia.
16:55 NIA re-registers Pulwama attack case:
The National Investigation Agency on Wednesday re-registered a case to probe the February 14 Pulwama terror strike in which 41 Central Reserve Police Force personnel were killed, officials said.
The NIA has already taken samples of the explosives and evidence from the area in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, where a suicide bomber of the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed detonated his explosives laden vehicle next to the bus carrying the CRPF personnel.
An NIA spokesperson said the agency has ‘re-registered the case and a probe team has been formed to investigate the case’.
The agency is tasked with probing terror incidents in the country. — PTI
15:52 Pak prisoner in Jaipur jail allegedly murdered: Update: A Pakistani national lodged in the central jail in Jaipur was allegedly murdered following a quarrel with other prisoners, officials said Wednesday. Senior administrative and police officials have rushed to the jail after learning about the incident. “A Pakistani prisoner has allegedly been murdered in the central jail,” IG (Jail)Rupinder Singh said. More details are awaited. — PTI
Representational image.
15:30 Just in: A Pakistani inmate has been allegedly murdered in Jaipur Central Jail, says IGP Prisons.
15:22 Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case to be heard on Feb 26: The Supreme Court Wednesday decided to hear on February 26 the politically sensitive Ayodhya’s Ram-Janmabhoomi Babri Masjid land dispute matter. It will be heard by a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi.
The bench will hear the appeals against the 2010 Allahabad High Court judgment, delivered in four civil suits, that the 2.77-acre land in Ayodhya be partitioned equally among three parties — the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla. — PTI
15:22 Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case to be heard on Feb 26: The Supreme Court Wednesday decided to hear on February 26 the politically sensitive Ayodhya’s Ram-Janmabhoomi Babri Masjid land dispute matter. It will be heard by a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi.
The bench will hear the appeals against the 2010 Allahabad High Court judgment, delivered in four civil suits, that the 2.77-acre land in Ayodhya be partitioned equally among three parties — the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla. — PTI
15:09 Stone hurled at Vande Bharat Express, third incident in two months: A stone was hurled at the Vande Bharat Express on Wednesday breaking one of its window panes, the third such incident in two months involving India’s fastest train, the railways said. The train was crossing Tundla junction when the incident happened, Northern Railway Spokesperson Deepak Kumar said.
This was the semi-high speed train’s third commercial run after it started operations on February 17. Earlier, during a trial run between Delhi and Agra in December last year, stones were hurled at the train as well. A similar incident occurred earlier that month too.
After the first incident of stone throwing, the Railway Protection Force had started campaigns across the areas where such cases were reported. Investigation into several incidents of the sort in Delhi established that most of the stone-pelters were young children. Since then, the RPF has distributed toys, sweets, colour pencils and other such things to them to stop them from hurling stones at trains. PTI
14:44 ‘Russia supports India in question of terrorism’: Russian Minister Denis Manturov on whether Russia will support India in the UN security council to declare Masood Azhar as a global terrorist: Definitely, we would also like to convey our condolences about the terrorist attack that happened. Russia supports India in question of terrorism.
14:40 We deplore terrorism wherever it takes place: UK envoy: Dominic Asquith, British High Commissioner to India on the Pulwama terror attack: Both UK and India have suffered from terrorist attacks. So, what has happened in India last week in Kashmir is something that we regret. We send our condolences & we deplore terrorism wherever it takes place.
14:32 Court orders Hampi temple vandals to restore pillars: A Karnataka court on Tuesday imposed a fine of Rs 70,000 on four people in Hampi for damaging the ancient pillars of a ruined temple at the world heritage site and ordered the guilty to restore the pillars in the presence of the state police.
On February 2, a video went viral on social media which purportedly showed miscreants damaging pillars in the temple ruins of Hampi.
After the incident, Bellary SP Arun Rangarajan told reporters that four to five people were involved in the incident.
Subsequently, the police arrested them.The development came days after the Time magazine listed the Hampi World Heritage site as the second must-see place in 2019.
Hampi, an ancient village in Karnataka,is dotted with numerous ruined temple complexes from the Vijayanagara empire. It is believed to have been the countrys richest city, which has attracted traders from Persia and Portugal. — ANI
14:10 Saudi prince: Terror is a common concern :
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman witness the exchange of MoUs between the two countries. PM Narendra Modi’s statement: Saudi Arabia is one of India’s most valuable strategic partners. Our relations have grown stronger. I welcome Saudi investment in Indian infrastructure. We welcome Saudi Arabia joining the International Solar Alliance. We also discussed how to further strengthen our defence cooperation. Pulwama mein hua barbar hamla duniya par chhai khatre ki nishani hai, hum is baat par sahmat hain ki atankwaad ko samarthan dene waale deshon pe sambhav dabav banane ki avyashkata hai. We have agreed that there should be no support for nations backing terror.
The Saudi prince in his statement says terror is a common concern. Saudi Arabia and India will share intel on terror, the prince said, but expectedly there was no mention of Pakistan. He said Saudi applauds India’s efforts in tackling terror. “Extremism and terrorism are our common concerns.We would like to tell our friend India that we’ll cooperate on all fronts, be it intelligence sharing. We’ll work with everyone to ensure a brighter future for our upcoming generations,” MBS said.
13:40 In Kerala, a fire breaks out at a warehouse in Ernakulam. Fire tenders present at the spot.
13:21 ‘Why blame all Kashmiris?’: “I have only seen conflict since I was born. I want it to stop. I am longing for peace,” a young Kashmiri woman in Delhi tells Rediff.com’s Archana Masih. Read the story here.
13:20 ‘US does not want India, Pakistan to go to war’: Michael Kugelman is one of the most astute observers of developments in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, and all you need to do is read this interview — and the next part, which we will post on Friday — and amaze at his understanding of the complexities of the region in which we live.
13:14 7 Kashmiri students suspended by pvt university in U’khand for anti-national posts: Seven Kashmiri students have been suspended by Roorkee-based Quantum Global University for their alleged anti-national posts on social media, a university official said. The action was taken on Tuesday after around 450 students gathered on the campus demanding their expulsion for allegedly posting anti-national slogans on Facebook and Instagram, Registrar of the University RK Khare said.
The protesting students threatened to leave the institute if the Kashmiri students were not expelled, he said. “We had to suspend the Kashmiri students to pacify the protesting students and stop them from leaving,” he said. He said the matter is under investigation and stern action will be taken against those found guilty. — PTI
12:25 Indian envoy to Pak meets HM: The High Commissioner of India to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria meets Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Bisaria was called back to India for consultations after the suicide bombing of a CRPF convoy on February 14.
12:20 Congress-DMK to sign poll pact today: A day after the BJP and the AIADMK stitched up an alliance, the All India Congress Committee General Secretary in-charge of Tamil Nadu, Mukul Wasnik will be meeting DMK chief MK Stalin at the party’s headquarters in Chennai today to have talks on the DMK-Congress alliance.
The 9+1 formula suggested by the DMK after the PMK joined the rival AIADMK alliance will be put forth before Congress President Rahul. The formula will most probably be accepted by Rahul Gandhi and a formal pact will be will be signed by Tamil Nadu Congress chief K S Alagiri and DMK President M K Stalin in Chennai on Wednesday. The DMK, which had proposed seven plus one formula and was insisting the Congress accept it, changed its stand and agreed to give 10 seats, including one in Puducherry, on Tuesday morning.
In Maharashtra, seat-sharing talks between the Congress and the NCP are still on in Maharashtra, Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said on Wednesday. Discussions were still continuing over five to six Lok Sabha seats, including Ahmednagar, the senior Congress leader told PTI.
Image: Congress president Rahul Gandhi with DMK president MK Stalin in a file picture.
11:51 Will boycott India-Pak Word Cup clash if govt says: BCCI official: A top official of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday stated that the World Cup match between India and Pakistan will not take place if the Indian government is against it.
The official, however, cautioned that if India did not play against the country in the tournament then Pakistan will get the points without even participating in the match. It was further clarified by the official that the Indian board has not approached the International Cricket Council in the matter.
“The situation with regard to World Cup can only become clear after some time that is a little closer to the World Cup. ICC has nothing to do with it. If the government, at that point of time, feels that we should not play then we should not play. It is obvious that we won’t play but result for that would be that Pakistan will get the points for match and if it is the final match then without playing, Pakistan will win the cup,” the BCCI official told ANI.
Meanwhile, ICC is scheduled to hold a meeting in Dubai from February 27 and there are chances that the matter related to India-Pakistan world cup clash will be discussed on the sidelines. BCCI chief executive officer Rahul Johri and secretary Amitabh Chaudhry are expected to represent the Indian board in the meeting. – PTI
11:21 Anil Ambani guilty of contempt, to be jailed if he fails to pay Rs 453 crore :
In a big setback for Anil Ambani, the Supreme Court today held Reliance Group chairman and its two directors guilty of contempt for willfully not paying Rs 550 crore to Ericsson. Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson had filed three contempt plea in the Supreme Court for not clearing its dues.
A bench of Justices RF Nariman and Vineet Saran, however, asked RCom and Ambani to purge the contempt by paying Rs 453 crore to Ericsson in four weeks in addition to a Rs 118 crore amount lying with the court. Failing this he will have to serve three months of jail term. Additionally, the apex court has imposed a fine of Rs 1 crore on the three RCom entities. This will also have to be deposited within four weeks or the directors will spend a month each in jail.
The court rejected Rcom and Ambani’s unconditional apologies saying they had shown a cavalier attitude to the administration of justice.
11:14 Sarang’s split manoeuvre and a salute to Sitharaman : The five-day Aero India Show begins in Bengaluru in the shadow of the tragic collision of two Surya Kiran jets and the death of one of the three pilots. ‘Sarang’, the helicopter aerobatic team of the IAF, perform during the show ends its performance with a split manoeuvre after saluting Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
10:47 PM to meet Saudi prince today under shadow of Pulwama attack:
Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman has been accorded a ceremonial reception with a guard of honour at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he was received by President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The prince, shook hands with PM Modi and vigorously patted Modi’s hand.
The prince, MBS as he is popularly known, will meet Modi later today, with his business mission under threat of being overshadowed by soaring tensions between India and Pakistan. The crown prince was greeted at the airport last night by Modi, who gave his traditional bear hug for honoured guests.
The prince arrived from a two-day stay in Pakistan amid tensions between the two countries over the Pulwama terror attack carried out by Pakistan-base Jaish-e-Mohammad group.
10:43 PM to meet Saudi prince today under shadow of Pulwama attack: Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman has been accorded a ceremonial reception with a guard of honour at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he was received by President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The prince, shook hands with PM Modi and vigorously patted Modi’s hand.
The prince, MBS as he is popularly known, will meet Modi later today, with his business mission under threat of being overshadowed by soaring tensions between India and Pakistan. The crown prince was greeted at the airport last night by Modi, who gave his traditional bear hug for honoured guests.
The prince arrived from a two-day stay in Pakistan amid tensions between the two countries over the Pulwama terror attack carried out by Pakistan-base Jaish-e-Mohammad group.
10:22 Day 6: Curfew relaxed for three hours in Jammu : Authorities on Wednesday relaxed for three hours curfew in Jammu city where it was imposed following violence in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack.
Curfew was clamped in entire Jammu city on Friday after massive anti-Pakistan protests and sporadic incidents of violence broke out over the terror attack in Pulwama district of south Kashmir which left 40 CRPF personnel dead on February 14.
On Monday, curfew was relaxed for two hours in the jurisdiction of three police station areas of Jammu from 2 pm to 5 pm.”Relaxation has been given in curfew in Jammu city between 8 am to 11 am today,” Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar told ANI. A review of the situation will be carried out later today, he added.
Kumar also said that all educational institutions in Jammu will remain closed today. Authorities have also warned of strict action against those who upload fake, inflammatory posts and pictures on social media. — ANI
10:09 Tipu Sultan’s commander: Lost in history, found in fiction: This is not Tipu Sultan’s story, but of one of his commanders, although the ruler of the kingdom of Mysore is briefly present. “I want to live in anonymity far away from the palace and the harem,” the tired nawab says just before he orders the commander to set off with battle-weary soldiers to defuse, tactfully, a conflict between two religious communities.
10:06 Cong strengthens team Priyanka, Jyotiraditya, appoints 6 AICC secretaries : Congress has appointed six AICC secretaries for Uttar Pradesh with three each being given the responsibility of UP East and UP West.As per orders of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Rana Goswami, Dhiraj Gurjar and Rohit Chaudhary have been appointed as AICC Secretaries for UP West and were attached with General Secretary Jyotiraditya Scindia.
Zubair Khan, Kumar Ashish and Bajirao Khade have been appointed as AICC Secretaries for UP East and attached with General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
With the announcement of these names, Congress has chosen a blend of experienced and low-key faces of the organisation to serve as the secretary for both regions of the politically significant Uttar Pradesh.
Designated in Scindia’s team, Rana Goswami hails from Assam and has worked in Uttar Pradesh before as well. Similarly, Zubair Khan hailing from Rajasthan and a former MLA from state’s Ramgarh constituency has also worked as convener secretary in Bundelkhand region. — PTI
10:00 Sensex jumps over 250 points; metal stocks rally: The BSE benchmark Sensex rallied over 250 points in early trade Wednesday as metal, banking and realty stocks soared amid sustained buying by domestic institutional investors.
Positive cues from other Asian markets too buoyed mood on Dalal Street. The 30-share index was trading 269.24 points, or 0.76 per cent, at 35,621.85. Similarly, the 50-share NSE Nifty rose 74.40 points, or 0.70 per cent, to 10,678.75.
The Sensex had settled 145.83 points lower at 35,352.61 in the previous session, while the Nifty had fallen 36.60 points to 10,604.35. Top gainers in the Sensex pack on Wednesday include ONGC, Vedanta, Yes Bank, Bajaj Finance, Axis Bank, Sun Pharma, L&T, Tata Steel, HDFC, Reliance and Bharti Airtel, rising up to 2.12 per cent.
On the other hand, HCL Tech, Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj Auto and M&M were the losers, falling up to 0.76 per cent. — PTI
09:25 Bernie Sanders already missed his chance, says Trump:
Senator Bernie Sanders, who announced his presidential bid on Tuesday, has already missed his chance to enter the White House, President Donald Trump said even though he wished him well.
“Bernie Sanders is running. Yeah, that’s right. Personally, I think he missed his time,” Trump told reporters at the White House hours after the US Senator from Vermont announced his second presidential bid.
In 2016, he had lost the Democratic presidential primaries to Hillary Clinton.
Trump said he likes Bernie Sanders because of his views on trade.
“I like Bernie because he is one person that, you know, on trade, he sort of would agree on trade. I’m being very tough on trade. He was tough on trade. The problem is he doesn’t know what to do about it. We’re doing something very spectacular on trade,” he said.
Wishing Sanders well, Trump said it will be interesting to see how he does.
“I think what happened to Bernie maybe was not so nice. I think he was taken advantage of. He ran great four years ago, and he was not treated with respect by Clinton. That was too bad. I thought what happened to Bernie Sanders four years ago was quite sad as it pertains to our country. So we’ll see how he does,” he said.
So far, about a dozen Democratic candidates have entered the race to the White House. The next presidential elections are scheduled to be held in November 2020. Indian American Senator from California Kamala Harris is currently in lead among other Democratic presidential aspirants.
Former US Vice President Joe Biden is also likely to enter the race soon. — PTI
09:17 Tremors in Delhi as 4.0 magnitude earthquake hits western UP:
Tremors were felt in Delhi and nearby areas on Wednesday morning after a 4.0-magnitude earthquake was reported in western Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli district and another one in faraway Tajikistan in central Asia.
According to United States Geological Survey, an earthquake of 4.6-magnitude struck Tajikistan at around 7:05 am.
Soon after, an earthquake was reported from Kandhla in Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli, 90 km from Delhi.
09:03 UN Secy Gen calls on India, Pak to exercise maximum restraint:
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called on India and Pakistan to take “immediate steps” to deescalate tension that soared after 40 Indian security personnel were killed in an attack by Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pulwama.
“The Secretary General stresses the importance for both sides to exercise maximum restraint and take immediate steps to de-escalation, and his good offices are always available should both sides ask,” the UN Chief’s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters here Tuesday at the daily press briefing.
Dujarric was asked about a meeting Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the UN has sought with the Secretary General and also about Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi saying the UN must step in to defuse tensions between the two nations.
“…Looking at the situation in general between India and Pakistan, we’re deeply concerned at the increase in tensions between the two countries in the wake of the attack on Indian security personnel on 14 February in Pulwama,” Dujrraic said.
He said Pakistan’s mission at the UN requested for the meeting with the Secretary General.
“We have seen press reports of a letter having been delivered to the UN. As far as we’ve ascertained, none has been received as of this very minute,” he added.
Last week, Guterres had “strongly” condemned the terror attack against security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district, perpetrated by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed, calling for those behind the attack to be brought to justice.
“We strongly condemn today’s attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district and express our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and to the government and people of India,” Dujarric had said at the daily press briefing last Thursday.
Dujarric said, “We of course wish a speedy recovery to those injured and call for those behind the attack to be brought to justice.” — PTI
08:36 Trump describes Pulwama attack as ‘horrible situation’:
United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday described as a “horrible situation” the Pulwama terrorist attack by Jaish-e-Mohammed, in which 40 Indian paramilitary personnel were killed, and said he was getting reports on it and would issue a statement.
The February 14 attack has led to escalation of tension between India and Pakistan and Trump told reporters at the Oval Office of White House that it would be “wonderful” if the two South Asia neighbours get along.
“I have watched. I have got a lot of reports on it. We will have comment (on it) at an appropriate time. It would be wonderful if they (India and Pakistan) get along,” he said in response to a question.
“That (the terrorist attack) was a horrible situation. We are getting reports. We will have a statement to put out,” Trump said.
Following the terrorist attack, his National Security Advisor, John Bolton, has supported India’s right to self-defense.
Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, Bolton, and the White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders in separate statements have asked Pakistan to immediately take action against the JeM and its leaders and end support to terrorist safe haven.
The security personnel were killed when a JeM terrorist rammed an explosive-laden car into a vehicle carrying them. — PTI
08:27 Pulwama attack: Indian Americans to protest outside Chinese, Pak missions in US:
The Indian American community will hold peaceful protests outside the Pakistani and Chinese diplomatic missions in the United States over the Pulwama terrorist attack, alleging China provides tacit support to Pakistan which uses non-State actors against its neighbours.
A candlelight protest will be held outside the Pakistan Consulate in Chicago after which the protesters will march to the Chinese consulate on Thursday, February 21, the organisers have said.
The main objectives of the protest, according to the organisers, are to “expose the barbaric nature” of Pakistani terrorism and to wake up the world against Pakistan- and China-supported terrorism, a media release said.
The next day, the Indian Americans in New York and New Jersey area would hold another peaceful protest outside the Pakistani consulate in Manhattan, New York.
“It is time that the United States and rest of the world speak in unison against Pakistani establishment’s continued support to terrorists in recruiting, training, arming, finance and providing safe haven,” eminent Indian American Dr Bharat Barai said in a statement.
Billions of dollars of US aid to Pakistan have done little to curb the terror outfits in Pakistan, he rued.
Forty Indian paramilitary personnel were killed on February 14 when a JeM terrorist rammed his explosive-laden in car in a vehicle carrying the jawans.
“This is not an act of terrorism but act of war. Pakistan will have to pay a heavy price for this. Time has come to take decisive and ruthless action against the perpetrators of this heinous crime against humanity,” said New York-based Jagdish Sewhani, the president of the American India Public Affairs Committee.
“The Indian community is deeply pained by this mindless barbaric act. We are grieving for our slain soldiers and at the same time we want Pakistan to take strict actions against the terrorists,” said a local Republican leader from Illinois J D Diganvker.
“We want the world community to take note. We all know terrorism has no place in the world today and we want the world to urge Pakistan to respond with stringent actions,” he said, adding the protestors plan to submit memorandums to the Pakistani and Chinese consulates in Chicago.
It is time to declare Pakistan a terrorist State and isolate it completely — both economically and militarily — until it mend its ways, demanded community organiser Nirav Patel. — PTI
00:26 BJP’s way of treating allies has changed: Uddhav:
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said on Tuesday evening that he decided to join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party because of the saffron party’s changed way of dealing with its allies.
Thackeray was speaking to Sena workers at his residence in Mumbai.
On Monday, Shiv Sena and BJP, the sparring ruling allies, announced that they would contest the coming Lok Sabha and Maharashtra assembly elections together.
“I experienced the change in the way they treat people, hence I decided to join hands with the BJP,” Thackeray said.
He also reiterated that the BJP’s proposal that chief minister will be from the party which will send more MLAs to the assembly was not acceptable to the Sena.
“I want to see a Sena chief minister and I will work for it,” he said.
“I have already won in the treaty, now we should win the real battle of election,” Thackeray said. — PTI
Source: Rediff