Yogi Adityanath busy renaming cities, ignoring his state: Shiv Sena

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December 6, 2018

The Shiv Sena on Thursday hit out at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over violence in Bulandshahr, saying he is busy renaming cities but has failed to address the basic issues in his state.

Soldiers and policemen do not have any religion. Similarly, those in power should only focus on fulfilling their responsibilities, the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’.

Raising the Ram temple issue once again, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party asked when the shrine would be constructed.

A police inspector and a 20-year-old man were killed on Monday, when a mob of some 400 people fought pitched battles with police in Siyana area of Bulandshahr district, apparently after right-wing activists were angered by the discovery of cow carcasses strewn in a nearby jungle.

Taking a dim view of the violence, the Sena said, “Riots are taking place during Yogi’s rule. A policeman lost his life in the violence over cow meat. Soldiers and police officials do not have any religion. Similarly, those in power should only follow their responsibilities.” The party also lashed out at Adityanath over his remarks that if the BJP comes to power in Telangana, it would work towards respecting people’s sentiments by renaming Hyderabad as Bhagyanagar.

The Uttar Pradesh chief minister made the remarks on Wednesday.

The Shiv Sena said while Adityanath sought to rename Hyderabad, he had “failed to address the basic issues in his state”.

“The question before him (Adityanath) relates to history, while he is giving answers related to geography. The question is not when Hyderabad will become Bhagyanagar but when will the Ram temple be constructed,” the Sena publication said.

The party also attacked Adityanath over his recent remarks at a rally in poll-bound Telangana that Owaisi would have to “run away” from Hyderabad, just like the Nizam, if the BJP came to power in the state.

“If the BJP is inclined towards wiping out legacies of Nizams and Babar (Mughal king), when will Aurangabad and Osmanabad in Maharashtra be renamed as Sambhaji Nagar and Dharashiv, respectively?” it asked.

It also took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his cabinet colleagues, saying they have “shut shop” and are busy campaigning for elections and making tall promises.

Norms flouted in tigress’ killing, says NTCA panel’s report

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Web Team

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December 6, 2018

The final report of the National Tiger Conservation Authority’s (NTCA) fact-finding committee has raised questions over the way ‘man-eater’ tigress Avni was killed in Maharashtra last month.

The committee said there was no operational coordination among veterinary professionals and the team which killed the tigress on November 2 in Yavatmal and that the dart for tranquillizing the feline was fired unauthorisedly.

It also said the veterinary drugs were handled by an unauthorised person during the operation, in which sharp-shooter Asghar Ali Khan had shot the tigress.

The state government has been under fire over the death of the tigress, officially known as T1, who was believed to have turned a man-eater and killed 13 people in the last two years in Yavatmal.

The killing of the tigress also led to an outrage among animal lovers and wildlife organisations.

The two-member committee, comprising retired additional principal conservator of forests O P Kaler and NGO Wildlife Trust of India’s deputy director Jose Louies, was constituted on November 8 to probe the tigress’ killing.

The report was submitted by the committee to member secretary, NTCA, on November 28.

The committee in its report stated that the forest department took creditable efforts for tracking, camera trapping and DNA analysis to identify the suspected animal and placed trap cages to capture T1 alive.

“However, there was no operational coordination among veterinary professionals and the team which killed T-1,” it said.

Also, forester Mukhbir Sheikh was authorised only to identify the tigress or her cubs.

The dart fired by Sheikh was used approximately 56 hours after being prepared by a veterinarian expert, who had advised Sheikh to use the dart in his presence and within 24 hours, the report said.

“Neither Mukhbir Sheikh or Asghar Ali Khan cared for the expert’s advice,” the report said, adding that the dart was fired at T1 without adequate preparedness and the NTCA’s standard operating procedure was not followed.

It said the dart was fired from approximately 12.8 m distance when T1 was on its natural path crossing a road, probably moving towards a nullah (drain).

The tigress continued movement after darting on its natural path while snarling and growling at the team probably because of disturbance due to the dart, moving vehicle and light.

“Within three to five seconds, Asghar Ali Khan took one of the guns and shot at T1 from the moving vehicle in sitting position. T1 was stunned by the impact and died on the spot,” the report said.

The report said evidence collated from the site, videos were taken soon after the incident and recreation of events strongly support these observations.

“In view of the facts emerging out from the provisional postmortem report, the firing in self-defence is doubtful,” it said.

The report findings further state that the weapon used by Asghar Ali Khan to fire at T1 was licensed in the name of his father Shafat Ali Khan, who was not present with the team that shot the tigress.

Asghar Ali Khan has not produced any authorisation from his father to use the gun in his absence, and he used the “unauthorised weapon” to eliminate T1, the report said.

Besides, the delegation of powers vested under Section 11(1) (a) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 by the Chief Wildlife Warden to CCF (T) and authorisation of person by CCF (T), Yavatmal to capture or eliminate tiger (Schedule I species) is violation of Section 5 (2) of the said Act.

The ballistic report, forensic report and other lab reports along with final postmortem report are necessary evidence to further corroborate the findings of the report, it added.

It was my dream to work for youth: Pankaj Tripathi on being named Bihar State Icon

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Afternoon Voice

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December 6, 2018

Pankaj Tripathi says his dream of working towards the interest of the youth of Bihar will soon be realised now that the actor has been appointed the State Icon by the government.

The actor, who has garnered acclaim and popularity through stellar performances in “Newton”, Stree” and most recent web series “Mirzapur”, has been named the face of his home state by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

“In a democracy, voting is a huge and most important right of a common man. Whatever changes a common man wants to bring in the country he can bring it through the process of voting.

“Today’s youth have a very wrong notion considering the voting day as a holiday in the calendar. They should not think that way and should come forward in huge numbers to vote, increase the voting percentage,” Tripathi said in a statement.

The actor, who hails from Bihar’s Gopalganj, said he will try his best to abide by the responsibility bestowed upon him.

“I come from a very common family background in a small village and getting an opportunity from home state to represent the state for an important and sensitive work is an honour for me and my family.

“I’ll try to work with sincerity and abide with the responsibility conferred upon me by the Election Commission of India. It was my dream and wish to work in the interest of youth and in public domain which is soon going to be realised.”

Tripathi also has Bihar Samman to his credit.

‘Mirzapur’ second season to arrive next year, confirms Ali Fazal

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Afternoon Voice

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December 6, 2018

Ali Fazal on Thursday confirmed the second season of his gangster drama, “Mirzapur”.

The actor, who plays gun-toting gangster Guddu Pandit in the Amazon Prime Video series, revealed that the follow-up to the show is expected to arrive in early 2019.

“About season 2, hopefully early next year. We are hoping to bring you back to the world of ‘Mirzapur’. So early next year we would but before season 2 I have some film commitments to finish both here and abroad and yeah, then after that we will begin,” Fazal said in a statement.

The nine-episode series, produced under the banner Excel Entertainment, also stars Pankaj Tripathi, Vikrant Massey, Diveyndu Sharma, Rasika Dugal, Shriya Pilgaonkar and Shweta Tripathi in key roles.

“Mirzapur” season one started streaming from November 16.

Sandra Oh, Andy Samberg to host 2019 Golden Globes

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Web Team

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December 6, 2018

Sandra Oh, Andy Samberg, Golden Globes, 2019 Golden Globes — Photo by Phil McCarten/Invision/AP/REX/Shutterstock

Actors Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg have been confirmed to host the 76th Golden Globes Awards.

The ceremony, to be held on January 6, will officially kick off the award season in Hollywood.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) announced the hosts on Wednesday.

“We’re excited to welcome Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg as co-hosts of Hollywood’s Party of the Year. Both Golden Globe Award recipients have continually showcased their talents in film and television, and we can’t wait to see what their undeniable chemistry will bring to the Golden Globes stage,” said HFPA President Meher Tatna in a press release.

Oh currently stars in the critically-acclaimed drama “Killing Eve”, which she also co-executive produces. The actor has won a Globe in Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series category for her performance as Dr Christina Yang in “Grey’s Anatomy”.

Samberg is a two-time Best Actor in a Television Series Musical or Comedy Golden Globe winner for playing NYPD detective Jake Peralta.

Last year, TV presenter Seth Meyers hosted the ceremony.

Winners will be voted by the association in 25 categories – 14 in film and 11 in television.

Produced by dick Clark productions in association with the HFPA, the Golden Globes will air live on NBC.

Deaths due to potholes ‘unacceptable’, probably more than those killed on border: SC

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Web Team

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December 6, 2018

The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed concern over 14,926 people being killed in road accidents due to potholes in last five years and termed it “unacceptable”. A bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur said a large number of deaths caused due to potholes across the country was “probably more than those killed on the border or by the terrorists”.

The bench, also comprising justices Deepak Gupta and Hemant Gupta said the number of deaths from 2013 to 2017 in accidents due to potholes indicated that the authorities concerned were not maintaining the roads.

The bench sought a response from the Centre on a report filed by the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety, headed by former apex court judge K S Radhakrishnan, on the number of deaths due to potholes in India. The top court had on July 20 expressed its concern over the deaths and observed that the number fatalities due to such accidents was more than those in terror attacks.

Terming the situation as frightening, the top court had asked the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety to look into the matter.

The bench had also said that people who have lost their lives as a result of accidents due to potholes should be entitled to compensation.

It was a matter of common knowledge that a large number of people have died in such accidents and authorities, who were supposed to maintain the roads, were not doing their duty properly, the bench had said.

Referring to media reports, the top court had said, “So many people are dying in the country due to accidents caused by potholes on roads. Reports say that more people have died due to the accident caused by potholes than the deaths in terrorist attacks”.

It had asked the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety to look into this “very serious issue” and file a report within two weeks.

The apex court had also said that the committee should give recommendations as the issue was a part of road safety.

The matter had cropped up before the bench when it was hearing an issue related to road safety across the country.

West Bengal govt denies permission to Amit Shah’s rath yatra

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Web Team

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December 6, 2018

The West Bengal government has denied permission to BJP president Amit Shah’s proposed ‘rath yatra’ from Cooch Behar on grounds that it might cause communal tension, the state’s advocate general informed the Calcutta High Court on Thursday.

Kishore Dutta told the court that the Cooch Behar superintendent of police refused permission for the BJP president’s rath yatra from Friday.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah is scheduled to kickstart the party’s ‘Save Democracy Rally’, comprising three ‘rath yatras’, in the state.

The state government submitted that it might cause communal tension in the district.

Dutta said the district has a history of communal issues and that there was information that some communal provocators and rowdy elements had become active there.

The SP’s refusal letter also noted that several top BJP leaders would come to Cooch Behar, as also people from other states, stating that these may affect the communally sensitive district.

Stating that refusal of permission was an administrative decision in view of the ground situation, the AG said that details of apprehension cannot be spelt out in open court due to its sensitive nature and he can submit these to the court in a sealed cover if directed.

The BJP, which moved the court seeking direction to the state government for giving permission for its three rallies, told the bench of Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty that it will hold peaceful yatras.

Asked by the judge as to who will take responsibility if anything untoward happens, BJP counsel Anindya Mitra submitted that the party will hold a peaceful rally, but that it was the duty of the state government to maintain law and order.

Asked by the judge whether he was agreeable to deferment, the BJP counsel answered in the negative and said that it started preparations for long and had approached the administration for permission in October.

He submitted that “it is only now that they have refused permission after sitting on the applications for long.”

The BJP campaign is scheduled to begin from Cooch Behar district in the north on December 7, from Kakdwip in the South 24 Parganas district on December 9, and from the Tarapith temple in Birbhum district on December 14.

Letters to the Editor: December 06, 2018

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Web Team

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December 6, 2018

Equality should prevail

In the Vedic times, women were given lots of respect and honour in the society. They were equally given opportunities like men to develop socially, intellectually, and morally. They were completely free to choose their own path in life and select their own life partner. They were given complete education before marriage, as well as military training for their own safety. But today, women are not even allowed to enter certain temples and mosques to pray. They are molested, raped and treated like sex objects so that men may satisfy their lusts. Isn’t it sad? When God created Eve in the Garden of Eden, He treated her with dignity. He did not create Eve so that Adam may satisfy his lust and men should realise this.

– Jubel D’Cruz

Vajpayee’s govt bungalow to be surrendered

It is welcomed that foster daughter of Atal Bihari Vajpayee is not only going to surrender government-bungalow allotted to a former Prime minister, but even not willing to have entitled security-cover just as status-symbol. Otherwise there have been instances when goods of family members of former entitles of government-bungalows had to be thrown out because of their not being vacated after deaths of entitled ones including even a former President of India.

It is time to undo a wrong-doing done by restoring the original government-bungalow number 8 Krishna Menon Marg in New Delhi rather than 6-A done because of superstitions of late Atal Bihari Vajpayee bypassing all rules and norms.

– Madhu Agrawal

Horrible defeat for Mumbai

Mumbai Ranji Trophy side was made ordinary by the clinical approach of Gujarat as the latter achieved a 9 wicket victory over the 41 time Ranji Champion. The grassy wicket at Wankhede was not for the likings of the home side as the wickets fell repeatedly to pace bowling. The famed batting line-up of Mumbai did not click in a crucial game and the Kulkarni led side remain at 13th place in a cluster of 18 teams so far. Mumbai side did not have a reputed spin bowler in its ranks and the pace bowling attack failed to contain Gujarat batsmen in the second innings. The promising left-arm seamer R. Dias went wicketless in the second venture. Except for a good show by Shubam Dubey, there is nothing to write home about the listless show in their own backyard.

– Anandambal Subbu

Wishing Nick-Priyanka marital bliss!

Desi girl Priyanka Chopra finally finds her soul mate in the form of firangi singer US citizen Nick Joans & congratulations to the made for each other couple for an new innings of togetherness. Famous singer Nick will now have to dance to the tune of dance sensation Priyanka & hope they make a beautiful music out of their life. Good to learn that Indian actresses believe in the institution of marriage in today’s world of live in relationships.

Nick may be a decade younger than Priyanka when it comes to age but successful marriages are made in heaven & maturity has got nothing to do with years on earth. Nick-Priyanka make a happy couple & wishing them happiness as well as joy in a partnership that promises to go the distance!

– S. N. Kabra

Siddhu’s ‘Pakistani’ hug

The Punjab state minister Navjot Singh Siddhu should now hug again to the Pakistani army chief general Bajwa and advise him to stop all his anti-India activities like violating the cease-fire treaty as well as provoking unwarranted cross-border terrorism immediately. He should also advise the Pakistani PM Imran Khan not to try for the ‘freedom’ of Kashmir anymore, but general Bajwa and Imran Khan ought to concentrate on all-round development and growth of Pakistan and its youth. Both these gentlemen must learn lots of lessons from India’s visionary PM Narendra Modi and work hard and sincerely for Pakistan’s development and growth. Harmonious and peaceful co-existence with India will boost up Pakistan’s economic growth, which is zero at present. ISI’s misguidance won’t help Pakistan and crores of its people in any way whatsoever.

– Hansraj Bhat

CBI vs CBI: Extraordinary situations need extraordinary remedies, CVC tells SC

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Web Team

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December 6, 2018

Extraordinary situations need extraordinary remedies, the Central Vigilance Commission told the Supreme Court on Thursday during the hearing of CBI Director Alok Verma’s plea against the Centre’s decision to divest him of powers and send him on leave.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CVC, referred to apex court judgements and laws governing the CBI and said the Commission’s superintendence (over the CBI) encompasses “surprise, extraordinary situations”.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said Attorney General K K Venugopal told the court that circumstances culminating in the situation had started in July.

“Essence of the government action must be in the interest of the institution,” the bench said.

The top court said it was not that the fight between the CBI Director and Special Director Rakesh Asthana emerged overnight, forcing the government to divest the director of powers without consulting the Selection Committee.

It further said the government has to be “fair” and asked what the difficulty was in consulting the Selection Committee before divesting the CBI director of his power.

“The essence of every government action should be to adopt the best course,” the top court said.

The chief justice also asked the CVC what prompted it to take such an action since it was not something that happened overnight.

Mehta told the court that the top officers of the CBI, “instead of investigating cases, were investigating cases against each other”.

He said the jurisdiction is vested in the CVC to inquire or else it would have been guilty of dereliction of duty. If it did not act, it would be answerable to the President of India and the Supreme Court, he added.

He said the reference for inquiry against the CBI director had been sent by the government.

“CVC started probe but Verma did not give documents for months”, Mehta said.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Asthana, told the apex court that he was a whistle-blower in the case, but was painted by the government with the same brush.

The government must take CVC inquiry against Verma to a logical end, he said.

Senior advocate Fali S Nariman, appearing for the CBI Director, said that the Centre’s order took away all his powers.

He said that Section 16 of the General Clauses Act deals with as to who can remove officer like the CBI Director and doesn’t deal with divesting of powers of the officer.

“The officer should have powers of Director. Tenure of two years does not mean that Director can have a visiting card with title, but without powers,” submitted Nariman, in reference to AG’s argument that Verma continues to be the agency Director.

The court then asked Nariman whether it can appoint someone, to which Nariman said, “yes”.

The court was hearing the pleas of Verma, who is challenging the Centre’s decision against him, and the NGO Common Cause, seeking a court-monitored SIT probe into allegations of corruption against various CBI officials, including Asthana.

Yasir Shah fastest to 200 Test wickets, breaks 82-year record

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Web Team

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December 6, 2018

Pakistan’s leg-spinner Yasir Shah on Thursday became the fastest cricketer to take 200 Test wickets, breaking an 82-year-old record on the fourth day of the third Test against New Zealand.

The 32-year-old trapped nightwatchman Will Somerville leg before for four — his second wicket of the New Zealand second innings — to reach the milestone in his 33rd Test, beating Australian leg-spinner Clarrie Grimmett’s record of 36 Tests achieved against South Africa in Johannesburg in 1936.

Yasir, whose 14 wickets helped Pakistan level the series 1-1 in Dubai, now has 27 wickets in the three Tests against New Zealand.

His 14 for 184 were the second best match figures in a Test for Pakistan, behind the former captain and current prime minister of Pakistan Imran Khan, who bagged 14 for 116 against Sri Lanka in Lahore in 1982.

New Zealand, resuming at 26 for 2 on Thursday, fell to 37 for 3 after Yasir removed Somerville and were still needing 37 runs to make Pakistan bat again.

Yasir began the Abu Dhabi Test with 195 wickets in 32 Tests and on the opening day grabbed three early wickets but BJ Watling resisted with 77 not out, leaving him having to complete his landmark in the second innings.

Since taking seven wickets on debut against Australia in 2014, Yasir has been a key figure in Pakistan’s Test team.

He took 12 wickets in that 2-0 series win over Australia in the United Arab Emirates in 2014 and followed that with 15 against New Zealand in a 1-1 draw the same year.

That was followed by 24 wickets against Sri Lanka in 2015 and 10 in a match to beat England at Lord’s a year later. He took 21 and 25 wickets respectively in series wins over the West Indies.

Yasir was also the fastest Pakistani to 50 wickets (nine Tests), reached 100 wickets in 17 Tests — second only to Englishman George Lohmann who took 16 matches during a Test in Johannesburg in 1896.