‘Pak is brutal, We want freedom from them’

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August 16, 2015

Many Balochastanis’ on social media alleges that Pakistan forcefully occupied the Baloch land on May 27 1948.

Balochistan people are seeking media help through social networking site twitter in support of their freedom struggle. Hundreds of Balochistanis’ posted comments online to fight for their freedom and expose the atrocities committed against them by Pakistan. Most of the Right wing tweepals are in support of them. Pakistan has proven to be a bad neighbour to its adjoining countries. Pakistan’s largest province — which borders Iran and Afghanistan — is riven by sectarian strife and Islamist violence. Its roughly seven million inhabitants have long complained they do not receive a fair share of its gas and mineral wealth.

Waleed Lalbaloch, a Political and Social Activist spoke to AV and said, “You should highlight Balochistan issues. It’s your duty; you people should raise the voice for humanity. Our brothers and sisters are being killed in Balochistan. Worst operations are going on in different places of #OccupiedBalochistan, we want media coverage please help us in our freedom struggle.”

Faiz Baluch- BSO-Azad Activist says, “Pakistan forcefully occupied Balochistan on 27 March 1948. Freedom loving Baloch activists burned their Pakistani passports. I wish more power to Baloch freedom activists.”

Balochi nationalists support the claim that the ruler of the Khan of Kalat, Mir Ahmad Yar Khan, was compelled by Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the first governor-general of Pakistan, to sign the document of succession. The Government of Pakistan decided to take complete control of the administration of the Khanate of Kalat on April 15, 1948. Balochistan is the largest province and one of the four provinces of Pakistan.

Talaar Baloch @TalaarBaloch says, “Pakistani can’t be ours when our brothers are dying, sisters are being tortured but they continue abusing us. Abducting and killing, burning and looting of Paki army #AwaranOperation can’t stop ppl’s of Awaran 2 struggle of freedom.”

BLF Online ‏@BLF_Online

“Jhaoo, 13th August. BLF Sarmachars attacked check post of main #FC camp in Waja Baagh Jhaoo, several killed and injured.”

Balochi demands include greater autonomy, increased royalties from natural resources and provincial revenue, and in some cases full independence. There have been many claims of human rights abuses. Baloch separatists allege that the central government of Pakistan is systematically suppressing development in Balochistan in order to keep the Balochs weak.

Many Balochastani on social media alleges that Pakistan forcefully occupied the Baloch land on May 27 1948. Pakistan Army is treating Balochistan as a colony not as an equal partner. Pakistan’s civilian government with the support of Pakistan Army are stealing rich Balochistan’s resources at gun point. Yet, civilians and Pakistan Army intentionally denies in front of UN and international community. Humanitarian organizations don’t help the victims.”

“It is the UN and international community’s moral responsibility to ask the state of Pakistan to stop violating the international law and the save humanity in conflict war zone. Torture, arrest and killing in custody by Pakistan security forces is a daily norm. Don’t leave the Baloch people to be slaughtered like millions of Muslims and Bengalis were by the same Islamic Republican Army of Pakistan. Pakistani politicians believe that India to some extent is aiding Baloch fighters resist legitimate authority of the Islamabad government.”

Pakistan is violating international laws of war Occupied Balochistan. More than 20,000 Baloch including Women & children have been abducted by Pakistani forces and security agencies. In the period 2003 to 2012, it is estimated that 8000 people were abducted by Pakistani security forces in Balochistan.

Cry of #OccupiedBalochistan should be heard by all

By

Vaidehi Taman

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August 16, 2015

Pakistani military have conducted military operations in several regions of district Awaran in Balochistan state of Pakistan. The forces backed by gunship helicopters have started the operation on first day of Eid-ul-Fitr (i.e. on 18 July 2015) which, some Baloch social media activists claim, have resulted in killing of at least 150 plus people. Balochistan local media sources reported that Pakistani forces’ gunship helicopters have been indiscriminately bombing civilian populations where the targets were innocent Baloch women and children. Nowadays, Balochistan netizens are seeking social media help to support their mission for Independence of their state from Pakistan. They are raising their voices for global support.

Balochi nationalists claim that their ruler Mir Ahmad Yar Khan, was compelled by founder of Pakistan Mohammad Ali Jinnah to sign the document of succession. Critics dispute such claims as unrealistic and contrary to popular support for Jinnah, as the Khan of Kalat ruled even after Jinnah’s death with the support of the government. However, the Khan was not an absolute monarch; he was required to act under the provisions of the Rawaj (Kalat’s constitution). The incorporation of the Khanate resulted in a few anti-Pakistani rallies and meetings in certain areas of the Khanate. To subdue anti-Pakistani sentiment, the Army of Pakistan was placed on alert. The Government of Pakistan decided to take complete control of the administration of the Khanate of Kalat on April 15, 1948.

The Balochistan conflict is an ongoing conflict between Baloch nationalists and the government of Pakistan and Iran in the Balochistan region of South-West Asia, which includes Balochistan Province in southwestern Pakistan, Sistan and Balochistan Province in southeastern Iran, and the Balochistan region of southern Afghanistan. Many revolutionary groups fought for the existence of a “Greater Balochistan” — a single independent state ruled under tribal jirgas (a tribal system of government) and comprising the historical Balochistan region, found within Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. In 2005, there was another struggle to achieve these aims, in 2006, Nawab Akbar Bugti was killed during a military operation, the man they blamed for the violence. Although, Bugti had been proclaimed an offender by former president Pervez Musharraf as he has become a hero for separatists. However, he was accused of devouring federal funds for the development of the province, as well as gas royalties, and was also accused of operating unauthorized jails and dungeons in his territory.

Balochi demands include greater autonomy, increased royalties from natural resources and provincial revenue, and in some cases full independence. There have been many claims of human rights abuses. The belligerent groups operate in the Pakistani and Iranian parts of the region, and in southern Afghanistan. In the 2010s, attacks against the Shia community by sectarian groups—though not always directly related to the political struggle—have been on the rise, contributing to tensions in Balochistan. Although, it has vast natural resources, Balochistan is one of Pakistan’s poorest regions.

The Balochistan Liberation Army, identified as a terrorist organization by Pakistan and Britain, is the most widely-known Baloch separatist group. Since 2000, it has conducted numerous deadly attacks on Pakistani troops, police, and civilians. Other separatist groups include Lashkar-e-Balochistan and the Baloch Liberation United Front (BLUF). In 2005, a rebellion by Baloch against the Islamic Republic of Iran began. The fight over the IRI Baloch region bordering Pakistan, has “not gained” as much ground as the conflict in Pakistan.

Many people have been killed as a result of intense bombing and shelling on villages but due to lack of access and military embargo on media to the affected areas the exact number of casualties could not be confirmed immediately. However, some social media activists have claimed that as many as hundred (100) people were killed in Awaran operation in the past 27 days. Karima Baloch the Vice chairperson of Baloch Student Organisations-Azad claimed in a tweet, “Awaran is destroyed. More than 100 bodies are lying on the ground for wild animals to feed on. Four villages flattened. While in another tweet she claimed that ‘a Baloch mother along with her daughter’ has also been abducted in Awaran operations. Awaran is still in under siege of Pakistani forces. Pakistan is violating international laws of war Occupied Balochistan. More than 20,000 Balochis including women and children were abducted by Pakistani forces and secret agencies.

Leaders of Balochistan’s largest student organization Baloch Students Organization Azad(BSO Azad) Chairman Zahid Baloch is also abducted by Pakistani secret agencies from Quetta on 18 March 2014,and Ex Vice Chairman Zakir Majeed Baloch is also missing since six years, Pakistani secrete agencies abducted Zakir Majeed on 8 June 2009 from Mastung, are still missing. Leader of Balochistan’s Mass party Baloch National Movement (BNM) Dr. Deen Mohd Baloch is also alleged to be abducted by Pakistani secret agencies from Ornach #OccupiedBalochistan since 2009. He is still in the custody of ISI and Pakistani Forces. There are many Balochi intellects also missing including political activists, writers, film makers, poets etc.

In the period 2003 – 2012, it is estimated that 8000 people were abducted by Pakistani security forces in Balochistan. In 2008 alone, an estimated 1102 Baloch people disappeared. An increasing number of bodies “with burn marks, broken limbs, nails pulled out, and sometimes with holes drilled in their heads” are being found on roadsides as the result of a “kill and dump” campaign conducted by Pakistani security forces, particularly Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Frontier Corps (FC) — which, until the 9/11/01 World Trade Center attacks, had sided with the Afghan Taliban and Al-Qaeda against the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan. The Pakistan Rangers are also alleged to have committed a vast number of human rights violations in the region. However, so far no one has been held responsible for the crimes committed in the region. It is high time that they need global attention to get freedom from the atrocities committed by Pakistan.

Inputs from various sources

Radhe Maa accused of murdering her guru

By

Afternoon Voice

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August 16, 2015

More trouble for Radhe Maa? Self-styled godwoman Radhe Maa is yet again in news. This time a Kangra priest named Meyant Shyam Sundar Das has made some stunning allegations against the godwoman. Kangra Priest has accused Radhe Maa of murdering her guru. Sukhvinder Kaur aka Radhe Maa became the disciple of Mahant Ram Deen Das at mere age of 23. He was the one who gave her the title ‘Radhe Maa’.

Now she has been accused of murdering her own guru by the Kangra priest. The priest went on to disclose about her financial irregularities and grabing land. He has questioned the godwoman title of the woman bestowed upon her. He has also revealed that she indulges in obscene activities. One of the reports mention that Radhe Maa also consumes alcohol and meat! Seems there is more troubles in store for the Pure and Pious Maa!

Confident of defending Rs. 640-cr suit by govt: Nestle

By

Afternoon Voice

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August 16, 2015

After getting a reprieve from the Bombay High Court on Maggi ban, Nestle India has said it is confident of defending the Rs. 640-crore class action suit filed by the government against it before NCDRC.

“… We are confident of defending ourselves when called upon to do so,” a company spokesperson said in an e-mailed response.

He said the company was disappointed with the “unprecedented step of filing of a complaint before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) against Nestle India”.

When asked if Nestle India plans a counter suit against the government, the spokesperson said: “We will study the issue when we receive the formal details.”

He said based on media reports, the complaint by the government “makes similar allegations which were made to ban the product on June 5, 2015. These issues were awaiting judgement by the Hon’ble Bombay High Court.”

Last week, the Bombay High Court had lifted the ban slapped by food regulators on nine variants of Maggi noodles in India in June while asking Nestle to go in for fresh tests.

On the other hand, the Consumer Affairs Ministry filed a class action suit against Nestle India seeking about Rs. 640 crore in damages for alleged unfair trade practices, false labelling and misleading advertisements.

It was for the first time that the ministry dragged a company to the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) using a provision in the nearly three-decade-old Consumer Protection Act.

Reiterating that Nestle India remains committed to working with FSSAI, FDA Maharashtra and other stakeholders, he said: “We hope that this issue will be resolved soon.”

On the company’s preparedness to bring back Maggi in the market, he said: “The process of bringing Maggi noodles back on the shelves is lengthy and complex. It requires alignment with several stakeholders, including our suppliers, distributors and retailers, among others, as well as our continuous engagement with the authorities.”

He further said that the Maggi noodles business, which is an important part of Nestle India “is currently at a standstill”.

“It is Nestle India’s endeavour to get Maggi noodles back on the shelves as soon as possible for the benefit of our consumers,” the spokesperson said.

In June, central food safety regulator FSSAI had banned Maggi noodles, saying it was “unsafe and hazardous” for consumption and the company also withdrew the product from the market.

BJP launches campaign against Congress on monsoon session washout

By

Afternoon Voice

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August 16, 2015

The Mumbai BJP on Sunday launched a month-long campaign where party workers will visit residents door-to-door to explain how the Sonia Gandhi-led Congress obstructed country’s development through the complete wash out of Parliament’s recently concluded monsoon session. City BJP unit president Ashish Shelar launched the campaign by taking out a rally outside the Dadar station in Mumbai.

Addressing party workers at Dadar, Shelar said the Congress led by Sonia and Rahul Gandhi have stalled Parliamentary proceedings for entire full session and ignored the developmental aspect of the nation and this is what needs to be explained to the people.

“This is a matter of grave concern that Congress leaders chose to stall proceedings over discussion on a criminal (referring to former IPL chief Lalit Modi) by overlooking all other important issues that were extremely important to discuss,” he said. He said it would have been rather fruitful had Congress stalled the proceedings over demand to have debate on farmers, poverty, problems of tribals but instead chose to talk about a criminal that led to waste of crores of rupees.

“To explain people how the opposition was disrupting country’s development, group of workers will visit homes door-to-door in the city and expose the misdeeds of Congress,” Shelar said. The leader also accused the Gandhi family of trying to ‘save their party’.

ST bus scrap to serve as classrooms in tribal areas

By

Afternoon Voice

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August 16, 2015

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will donate the scrap of its buses to be used as classrooms at schools in tribal areas.

Not an ounce of scrap of ST buses will be wasted. The MSRTC will fulfil its social responsibility towards the society and transform the ST Bus Corporation into a responsible social centre, Transport Minister Diwakar Raote said.

The corporation till now used to sell its scrap that added to the coffers of the Corporation. Now, Raote has decided to donate or sell the scrap at cheap rates to tribals as a part of social responsibility.

“When a bus has no use left and is converted into scrap, we will give it in remote areas to be used as classroom for tribal students,” Raote said.

“The tyres will be removed from the bus, some facilities will be provided inside the bus to make it suitable to conduct a classroom and it will be given a look which does not make it look like scrap,” he said.

The minister said at least two such buses will be provided for each school in tribal areas.

The tyres of such buses can also be used to build walls of dams (nullah bandh), in place of cement walls, he said.

“The tyres will be used in place of the cement wall of a dam by putting one tyre over the other and the gap will be filled by mud. Later, the whole wall be covered by plastic so that water does not leak from the wall,” the minister said.

He said Minister of State for Finance Deepak Kesarkar was inspired by one such dam wall built by Dr. Vikas Amte in Varora of Chandrapur district.

“Kesarkar has himself got constructed such type of a bandh on a nullah. This scheme will be promoted across the Konkan region by providing number of tyres from MSRTC. This kind of bandh will be cheaper than cement walls,” Raote said.

“The corporation is already delivering its social responsibility by allowing concessions in fare to freedom fighters, senior citizens, physically disabled, journalists and legislators,” he said elaborating on the initiatives taken by his department.

The transport department is changing its face and becoming more commuter-friendly Raote said, adding that ST buses are the only reliable mode of transport that reach even the remote areas of the state and offer services 24X7.

Cop held for threatening Rajasthan DGP over Kasab, Yakub

By

Afternoon Voice

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August 16, 2015

A Bihar Police constable was today arrested for allegedly sending threatening SMS to Rajasthan Director General of Police (DGP) and top police officers of other states with bomb blasts to take revenge for hanging Ajmal Kasab and Yakub Memon.

Patna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vikas Vaibhav said the arrested constable identified as Shah Ujair is a resident of Sigori village in Paliganj block of Patna district and was posted in adjoining Jehanabad district.

“He had sent an SMS to Rajasthan DGP on the eve of Independence Day threatening blast and bloodbath in pink city Jaipur, sending security forces into a tizzy. We received information about the message originating from Bihar and took action to identify the sender,” Vaibhav said.

The SSP said the number was traced to Ujair and the SIM card seller also identified him as the person to whom it was sold.

An FIR has been lodged in this connection and police officers are interrogating the constable about his motive.

Inquiries revealed he had sent similar messages to Mumbai Police Commissioner, Punjab DGP among others.

Investigators said Ujair is mentally stable as he was already working in the police force, but he could be either extremely radicalised or sent messages to implicate one of his brothers-in-law with whom he had some animosity.

Ujair had tried to implicate his brother-in-law earlier also by threatening an MLA in the state with dire consequences, the investigation revealed.

Air India to operate 230 Haj flights to Jeddah

By

Afternoon Voice

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August 16, 2015

Air India plans to operate 230 special Haj flights to Jeddah from seven cities — Delhi, Srinagar, Mumbai, Kochi, Hyderabad, Panaji and Nagpur.

These flights will be operated in two phases, starting on Sunday, and would fly a total of 38,000 Haj pilgrims directly to Jeddah, Air India said in a release.

A total of 115 special flights from these cities will be operated and will continue till September 17.

In the return phase, another 115 flights would be operated to ferry back the pilgrims and such flights will continue in operations till October 28, the airline said.

Congress protests Mumbai metro’s proposed fare hike

By

Afternoon Voice

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August 16, 2015

Congress workers protested outside all metro railway stations here against the proposed fare hike and demanded an immediate audit of the project.

The protest, led by Congress MLA and former Cabinet minister Naseem Khan, will continue till Tuesday.

The party workers are also running a signature campaign which would be submitted to the representatives Central and state government and the Governor, Khan said.

The Supreme Court had recently allowed the operator of Mumbai’s metro railway to implement the recommendation of the Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) for a fare band of Rs. 10-110.

Addressing a gathering outside Asalfa station of Metro service route, Khan said, “If fares are hiked to such steep level then Metro will be out of reach of common man, specially the college students. During our government, Metro had to fix the fares between Rs. 9 and Rs. 13 and as soon as we were out of power, the fares went up astronomically to Rs 40.”

“Now Metro has been allowed to hike its fare upto Rs. 110, which is steepest all over the world. This is a daylight loot and fraud with the people of Mumbai…,” he said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has already announced a special audit of Reliance Infra-led Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd (MMOPL) by the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) to examine the actual expenditure and operating cost, among others, as the government had reservations over the fare hike and escalated cost of the project.

Seeking to know if it is the public transport system when common man cannot afford it, Khan said the state government along with the Centre should ask RInfra not to hike the fares.

“We have started series of protests to wake up both the governments,” he said.

The Metro trains have a reported daily ridership of 2.77 lakh people. The 11.4-km Versova-Ghatkopar line, the maiden metro service in the city, has been running for over a year now.

On the Mumbai Metro controversy, Anil Ambani-led Reliance Infrastructure’s (RInfra) Chief Executive Officer M S Mehta had recently said, “We have approached the Maharashtra government to consider our proposal for arriving at some solution to ensure that the commuters are not affected by the tariff hike as proposed by the Fare Fixation Committee of Rs. 10 to Rs. 110 for the 11 km metro corridor.”

“We have prepared a composite proposal and submitted to the government mentioning what steps can be taken to ensure our capital cost is recovered and how productive it becomes for the government and there is no burden on commuters,” he said.

MEA conveys strict message to Abdul Basit, says Pakistan Army shouldn’t undermine peace on LoC

By

Afternoon Voice

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August 16, 2015

The Ministry of External Affairs on Sunday summoned Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit to lodge protest over continuous ceasefire violations at International Border.

MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, “MEA secretary East Anil Wadhwa had lodged a protest and conveyed our anger at the unprovoked firing by Pak troops since August 08. Particularly with regard to incidents of yesterday and in Poonch that saw systematic targeting of our civilian population.”

“On several occasions issue of ceasefire violations has been raised at DGMO level. Assurances were also received from Pakistan military authorities that firing will stop and their troops would be instructed accordingly. But, the firing have continued up until today,” said Swaroop.

“Anil Wadhwa has conveyed that the Pakistan government needed to take steps to ensure that its military does not undermine peace and tranquility along international boundary and the LOC.”

Also addressing the media, Basit passed the blame on India, stating, “We are concerned about ceasefire violations. In the months of July and August there have been close to 70 ceasefire violations from this side of the LoC and the working boundary. We are obviously concerned about it.”

“Our side would like to have a more effective mechanism in place as to determine who indulges in these unprovoked firing,” Basit said.

With a 10-year old boy succumbing to his injuries overnight, the toll in Pakistan shelling in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district rose to five on Sunday.

“10-year-old boy identified as Moin Khan succumbed to injuries late Saturday. With this, the toll in shelling over civilians in Balakote sector of the Poonch district has risen to five,” a senior police official said.

“Four injured are still being treated in Government Medical College Hospital here. Doctors have described the condition of two as critical.”

A shell fired towards civilians by Pakistan Army on Saturday hit a car in Balakote sector, killing three people.

Many civilians gathered at the site where the car was hit, when they were hit by a second shell fired from Pakistan, injuring more than 20 of them.