India slams Pakistan for raising Kashmir issue at UN, calls it world’s biggest destabilising force

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October 5, 2021

Strongly hitting out at Pakistan for again raking up the Kashmir issue at the UN, India has said a constructive contribution cannot be expected from a country that has an established practice of hosting terrorists and is the “epicenter” of global terrorism, and the biggest destabilizing force in the world.

Counsellor in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, A Amarnath, said on Monday that India does not need advice from a nation with a proven track record of illicit export of nuclear material and technology.

“Pakistan’s desperate attempts to peddle falsehoods and habit of abusing the sanctity of multilateral forums deserves our collective contempt,” he said.

“Pakistan has made several futile and unsubstantiated allegations against India, including about the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. These do not merit a response, as they pertain to matters internal to India,” Amarnath said.

India exercised its Right to Reply after Pakistan’s envoy to the UN Munir Akram raked up the issue of Jammu and Kashmir during the meeting of the General Assembly’s First Committee that deals with disarmament and international security issues.

Amarnath reiterated that the entire union territory of Jammu and Kashmir was, is, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India.

“This includes the areas that are under the illegal occupation of Pakistan. We call upon Pakistan to immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation,” he said in the Right of Reply.

“Given its established State practice of hosting, aiding, and actively supporting terrorists, how could one expect any constructive contribution from Pakistan to the First Committee, that deals with important matters of international peace and security,” Amarnath said.

With the Pakistani envoy also referring to India’s defense arsenal, New Delhi hit back saying that as a “responsible State, India strictly abides by its obligations under international treaties and needs no advice from a country, which has a proven track record of illicit export of nuclear material and technology.” “India’s security concerns are not confined to a region and, therefore, India has always approached these issues in a global context,” he said.

He said that in contrast to India’s constructive approach on disarmament matters, Pakistan has only been “disruptive”.

Amarnath said it is 25 years now that the world is paying the price of Pakistan’s obstructionist tactics in the CD (Conference on Disarmament) that have not allowed the conference to adopt a Programme of Work.

Pakistan has the dubious distinction of having single-handedly blocked the negotiations on Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT), including in 2009, when the Conference on Disarmament adopted a consensus Programme of Work, he said.

“Having joined the consensus on the Programme of Work, Pakistan revealed its true character by soon taking a complete U-turn and blocking any work by the CD,” Amarnath said.

Pakistan, as the “epicenter” of global terrorism, is the biggest destabilizing force in the world and has repeatedly indulged in cross-border terrorism, Amarnath said.

“They have no regard for UN principles. While Pakistan’s Permanent Representative speaks about peace and security here, his Prime Minister glorifies global terrorists like Osama bin Ladin as ‘martyrs’. What more could be a better proof of the utter duplicity that this country is infamous for?” he asked.

Amarnath asserted that the General Assembly’s First Committee is “not the forum” to address bilateral or regional issues as it has a vast agenda dealing with global issues relating to disarmament and international security.

“We wish to reiterate that regional security issues have no place in the First Committee’s considerations,” he said.

He said the Committee should not only categorically reject Pakistan’s “nefarious and vicious designs” but collectively condemn Pakistan for its repeated efforts to politicize its work and hijack its mandate.

Amarnath said in the Right of Reply that India expects nothing new from Pakistan that harbors a “deep sense of insecurity and orchestrated hatred” for India and “our secular credentials and the values that my country stands for.

“However, despite its hopeless efforts, the world can see through its deceit and double-speak. It is time to hold Pakistan to account and not let them abuse UN platforms for spreading disinformation, hate, and incite violence,” he said.

Amarnath said Pakistan’s baseless accusations against India are “indeed rich, coming from a nation that is encouraging sectarian violence against Muslims and suppresses the rights of minorities.” “Going by its past practice and compulsive obsession with India, Pakistan may exercise its Right of Reply and continue its malicious false propaganda against my country. But I shall refrain from responding to it, out of respect for the work of the First Committee,” he said.

Lakhimpur Kheri Tragedy – Politicians across India stood in solidarity with farmers

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Afternoon Voice

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October 4, 2021

The Lakhimpur killing happened at Tikonia-Banbirpur road when the farmers were protesting against the visit of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya in Banbirpur village. A local police official said that the farmers got enraged after two SUVs reportedly belonging to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers hit them and injured many farmers. Massive chaos and arson broke out soon after and police rushed to the spot.

The government has promised to pay a compensation of Rs 45 lakh to the families of those who died. The injured will receive a compensation of Rs 10 lakh.

Meanwhile, political leaders across parties have condemned the incident in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri in which eight people, including four farmers protesting against the Centre’s three farm laws, were killed.

The weeklong farmer protests in Lakhimpur began over a comment by Union Minister Ajay Mishra Teni on September 25 and took a violent turn on Sunday, ending with the death of eight persons, including three BJP workers and a driver who were allegedly lynched.

Rakesh Tikait, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson in a video message on Twitter claimed that the violence broke out after the farmers, who were on their way back home following protests against the farm laws, were attacked with a vehicle. He further alleged that fire was opened at them.

Union minister of state for home Ajay Kumar Mishra Teni told news agency ANI that the car lost balance after and ended up killing two people after “miscreants from the agitating farmers” began pelting stones at the vehicle.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said that the incident in Lakhimpur Kheri is “unfortunate” and that actions will be taken against whoever is responsible for the same.
“Violence or provocation of violence is no solution to any problem,” former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh said.
Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi condemned the incident and shared his condolences with the “bereaved families in this hour of grief.”
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted that the “sacrifice” of those involved in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident “will not go in vain”.
Samajwadi Party (SP) president and former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav termed the incident as “inhuman and cruel.”
Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel also took to Twitter as well to raise his voice against the “brutal treatment meted out to farmers,” saying that the incident is “unforgivable.” “I am a farmer. I understand the pain of the farmers. I will go to Lakhimpur tomorrow morning to stand by them in these difficult circumstances,” he tweeted.
Samajwadi Party (SP) president and former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav termed the incident as “inhuman and cruel.” “UP will not bear the oppression of arrogant BJP people anymore,” his tweet in Hindi read.

A murder case has been filed against Union minister Ajay Mishra’s son, Ashish Mishra, who, the farmers alleged, was driving the vehicle and mowed down the protesters, which triggered the violence in Uttar Pradesh. The protesters were trying to stop the visit of the union minister and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya.

Ajay Mishra, the junior home minister, has denied that his son was present on the spot. “There were miscreants who attacked workers with sticks and swords,” he said, alleging that the farmers died when the car turned over.

Farm laws have been stayed, what are you protesting against: Supreme Court to farmers’ body

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Afternoon Voice

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October 4, 2021

The three new farm laws have already stayed, the Supreme Court said on Monday and asked a farmers’ body what is it protesting against when these legislations are not in place.

A bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar and C T Ravikumar said where is the question of going on protest once a party has already approached the court challenging the validity of the laws.

When Attorney General K K Venugopal referred to the Lakhimpur Kheri incident in which eight people were killed on Sunday, the bench said nobody takes responsibility when such incidents happen.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench that once the matter is before the highest Constitutional court, nobody can be on the streets on the same issue. The top court was hearing a plea filed by a farmers’ body protesting against the three new farm laws and seeking directions to authorities to allow it to stage ‘satyagrah’ at Jantar Mantar here.

‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’, the farmers and agriculturists body, and its president have also sought directions to the concerned authorities to provide space to at least 200 farmers or protestors of the body at the Jantar Mantar for organizing peaceful and non-violent ‘Satyagrah’.

The bench, which posted the matter for hearing on October 21, transferred to itself the plea, which was filed by the farmers’ body before the Rajasthan High Court challenging the validity of the three farm laws. Several farmer organizations are protesting against the passage of three laws — The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 and Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020.

Initially, the protests started from Punjab in November last year and later spread mainly to Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

Why the selective attack on Aryan Khan? Party drugs are embedded in Mumbai’s youth culture

By

Vaidehi Taman

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October 3, 2021

After Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, there were constant attacks on Bollywood, at some point media got tired and dwindled a bit. But today they got a new reason to condemn Khans. Sharukh Khan’s son Ayan Khan is detained in the drug case. He was part of some event, named Cray’Ark, which was organized by FashionTV India with Namascray onboard the Cordelia, an Indian cruise liner.

It was a three-day cruise journey. The cruise was supposed to depart at 2 pm from Mumbai and return at 10 am on October 4 after sailing in the Arabian Sea.

Based on unambiguous information, the officials of NCB, Mumbai, conducted a raid on the Cordelia cruise that was bound from Mumbai to Goa on October 2.

During the operation, all suspects, as per the information, were searched and various drugs like MDMA/ecstasy, cocaine, MD (mephedrone), and charas were recovered. A total of 8 persons, including 2 females, have been apprehended and their role is being investigated in relation to the said recovery. NCB has registered crime no. Cr 94/21 in this matter. Further investigations are underway. Meanwhile, some NCB officials clicked pictures with detained Aryans and posted them on social media, and that is how the attack on the Khan family and Bollywood took a new episode.

So far there is no arrest, just detention. The formalities for serving these arrest memos have been initiated. NCB officials have sent all eight individuals, who have been detained for questioning, for their medical examinations. The reports are awaited. The formalities, including recording of statements of all individuals and medical examinations, might take some hours to conclude.

If you followed the press coverage in the days following the police raid, you could conclude that the event was a pure extraction of all the evil of Bollywood and their children that could possibly live on drugs and they should be banned permanently. Viewers were free to imagine their favourite Bollywood evil involving cocaine, MDMA, and parties. There is half-truth and half-baked stories. Uncontrolled coverage based on assumptions and imaginations. In subsequent days, “police sources” made all sorts of insinuations — mainly about the star kid — while speaking to the press.

The NCB had launched a probe into the alleged drug use in Bollywood after the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput in June on the basis of WhatsApp chats involving drugs. The central agency had earlier arrested Rajput’s friend, actress Rhea Chakraborty, her brother Showik, some employees of the late Bollywood actor, and a few others under sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Rhea Chakraborty and some other accused are currently out on bail. But social media attacks have not stopped here.

We must know, Drugs are not new to the city. If one has to really control this maniac then there is no point in being selective. Lack of parental control, easy availability of drugs, the new culture of being cool and chilling out — whatever that might cause, throwaway income and cut-throat competition at the work, unstable relations, life challenges, divided families, and over individuality have contributed to “dope parties”, held mostly on the city’s outskirts at temporarily isolated venues, open fields, seashores or vacant buildings or boats.

The raid on a rave party is not new; there are hundreds of raids and again hundreds of such events too. The Rave party culture of Mumbai is in the heart of Mumbai’s young minds. Each one of them is in search of solace. Such “rave bashes” are gaining popularity, particularly among teenagers and young adults who are hard on drugs. The peddlers are hand in gloves with cops; the tippers are also the peddlers, one against another. These Youngers undergo a lot of humiliation, rejection, and dishonour.

Most youngsters who are a part of such gangs say that it’s their way to “distress”. Once you enter the rave chain, such parties are passed on through word-of-mouth or SMSs’, an advertising professional who regularly attends rave parties.

Many people get their spouses or partners along and are in it for the music and the high. These parties are points of getting paid, earning perks, and extra income for some cops.

The rich people pay handsome amounts to cops, similarly, in Aryan khan’s case he is just detained but so far there is no arrest. No guilt is proven, he was not high on drugs, and he was not detained alone. What we need is balance in reporting. No drug peddlers arrested, there is hardly any news about the event managers and cruise owners. Just a star kid and 24/7 coverage on him, what are we trying to prove? Why there is selective outrage? Why media is not equally vocal on all such raids and seizures?

Netizens question the intent of NCB official’s selfie with Aryan Khan

By

Afternoon Voice

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October 3, 2021

Soon after the detention of the eight people named Munmun Dhamecha, Nupur Sarika, Ismeet Singh, Mohak Jaswal, Vikrant Chhoker, Gomit Chopra, Aryan Khan, Arbaaz Merchant. The NCB officials selectively clicked a selfie with Aryan Khan alone and consciously leaked it to media.

Netizens gave mixed reactions to the selfie but most of them questioned the intent of the officer. Overnight Wankhede grabbed a lot of limelight and news space. The officer’s name was trending on Twitter for the whole day. Social media users were not amused by the selfie but many of them expressed their disappointment.

Jalja Sitaram, a former cop said, “Drug peddlers should be handled with an iron hand. But in this case, no drug dealers or suppliers are nabbed but some celebrity kids were thrown in front of the media. Aryan Khan’s name went viral just because he is Sharukh Khan’s son and was one of the eight people being questioned by the Narcotics Control Bureau. Meanwhile, the investigating officer clicking the picture with celebrity kid and making it viral is shameful.”

The event, named Cray’Ark, was organised by FashionTV India with Namascray onboard the Cordelia, an Indian cruise liner. Interestingly, a document called the Crayark Bible that was circulated by the event managers of the cruise had “no drugs or illegal substances” as part of the party. Then from where and how the drugs got in the cruise is a big question.”

Actor Suniel Shetty told Afternoon Voice, “There are hundreds of raids across the city and many are taken for investigations. But Bollywood is the media’s prime target. Let us assume that Aryan has consumed something, or this child has done that. The investigation is ongoing. We should give some right to privacy to that young boy. Media should give the child an opportunity, let the real reports come out, till then, he’s a child, taking care of him is our accountability.”

Naiyar Imam Siddiqui, a professor said, “Members of the NCB Mumbai branch entered the cruise as passengers. It means they had confirmed information regarding drugs and rave parties on the cruise which was going from Mumbai to Goa. Reportedly NCB has seized some banned drugs from the cruise and questioned eight persons who are detained and their medical test will be done. Among the eight persons who are detained, one of them is Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan who is a famous figure and at the time of Sushant Singh Rajput’s suicide case Bollywood and nepotism with drugs were much discussed so when the media get this “breaking news” they are talking more about Aryan, SRK and drugs links since then, without these names they can’t get TRP rating which they are dreaming and they are not talking about the other seven names because those names won’t help the greedy media for hyped TRP nexus.”

Nitin Rane (name changed) who works as a Coffee House Manager with Regal Caribbean Cruise said, “For such kind of parties, usually the whole cruise is booked, it is a millionaire’s deal. It happens in every part of the world. Drug pedallers and druggists are present on the cruise. We have witnessed such throw parties.”

He further said, “In our country it is illegal and crime whereas in some other countries it is legally permissible. The arrangement is mutually done under the supervision of the organizers and the cruise management.”

Tejas Shah said, “It is not TRP, news or publicity, it is money. Normal gradual’s parents (if available) won’t spend crores to save their brats… while here money in the backdoor channel will be flowing. Till now no case is filed against junior Khan some negotiations must be in proceedings. Cops are happy clicking pictures and posing with Aryan.”

Anand Veeral said, “I have visited the Leopold Cafe in Mumbai only once and as I came out and lurked around outside for some time waiting for my friend, I was approached by at least 3 drug peddlers offering anything from marijuana to LSD, and this in the centre of a bustling public place. How can peddlers work with such impunity without the collusion of police?”

In a statement, NCB said drugs like ecstasy, cocaine, mephedrone and charas were recovered from the cruise and a case had been registered. A team of the NCB has been sent to nab the drug peddler who supplied drugs to the cruise ship party. The name of a drug peddler came to light during the interrogation of those who were detained. The NCB is also looking for a person named Gopal Anand. Gopal Anand had a major role in organising the party on the ship.

Twitter user @Lost_human19 tweets “NCB officials taking selfie with SRK’s son. Ho chuka fair investigation fir to”

NCB officials taking selfie with SRK’s son.
Ho chuka fair investigation fir to.. ?‍♂️?‍♂️#AryanKhan #ShahRukhKhan pic.twitter.com/XPYQGcBlJe

— Lost in Paradise ?? (@Lost_human19) October 3, 2021

Another tweeter user @theprayagtiwari tweets the picture and says Scenes from the NCB office.

Scenes from NCB office.#AryanKhan pic.twitter.com/RNrl3wsU7h

— Prayag (@theprayagtiwari) October 3, 2021

“@SRKsFARHA_: Ye Narcotics officer ke to bhagya khul gaye jaise.. Look at the glow on his face after a selfie whith #AryanKhan”

Ye Narcotics officer ke to bhagya khul gaye jaise.. Look at the glow on his face after a selfie whith #AryanKhan ?? pic.twitter.com/hPYqK55NZx

— Farha (@SRKsFARHA_) October 3, 2021

The Director-General (DG) of NCB said, “Detailed information on the incident would be sent to the Shipping Corporation of India and the shipping ministry. He said the NCB had received information about the rave party about 15 days ago.”

“We had received very confidential information 15 days ago about the drugs party on the ship after which we carried out this operation. We have got evidence against those who have been detained. People who organised this party on the ship will have to face an inquiry, they cannot escape the investigation,” the DG NCB further added.

World No 2 Aryna Sabalenka pulls out of Indian Wells after testing COVID positive

By

Web Team

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October 3, 2021

World number two Aryna Sabalenka will not play at the Indian Wells tournament after testing positive for COVID-19, the 23-year-old said on Saturday. Sabalenka was due to be the top seed in the women’s draw at the Indian Wells after world No 1 Ash Barty pulled out from the Californian tournament.

“Unfortunately, I’ve tested positive at Indian Wells and won’t be able to compete,” Sabalenka wrote on Instagram. “I’ve started my isolation and I’ll be staying here until I’m cleared by the doctors and health officials. So far, I’m looking ok but really sad to not be able to play this year,” she added.

Notably, men’s world No 1 Novak Djokovic, 2018 champion Naomi Osaka and 23-times grand slam champion Serena Williams are also not competing at the competition which will run on October 4-17. Due to COVID-19, the 2021 Indian Wells Open is scheduled to take place as an 11-day event across weeks 40 and 41.

Mamata Banerjee takes massive lead in Bhabanipur, TMC ahead in two Murshidabad seats

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Web Team

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October 3, 2021

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was leading by 31,645 votes in the Bhabanipur bypoll after the tenth round of counting on Sunday afternoon, as per the Election Commission.

The TMC was also leading in Murshidabad’s Samserganj and Jangipur where votes were counted for assembly elections.

Banerjee, the TMC candidate in the Bhabanipur seat in south Kolkata, secured 42,122 votes, as per official data after the tenth round of counting.

Her nearest rival, BJP’s Priyanka Tibrewal, secured 10,477 votes, while Srijib Biswas of the CPI(M) secured 1,234 votes.

Total 21 rounds of counting will be held in Bhabanipur.

In Samserganj, TMC candidate Amirul Islam was leading by 3,768 votes after the fifth round of counting. He secured 19,751 votes, while his nearest rival, Zaidur Rahaman of the Congress, received 15,983 votes.

Jangipur’s TMC candidate Jakir Hossain was leading by 15,643 votes after the second round of counting. Hossain secured 25,572 votes, and his nearest rival, BJP’s Sujit Das, got 9,929 votes.

Voting in the seats was held on September 30.

As the reports of Banerjee’s massive lead came in, TMC supporters hit streets across the state to celebrate with green “abir”.

On the other side, the BJP and the CPI(M)’s state offices wore a deserted look.

Tibrewal on Saturday night wrote to the Acting Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court Rajesh Bindal, urging him to give orders to the police to take preventive steps to avoid incidents of violence after the results are declared.

Drug racket: NCB detains 10 persons after busting drug party aboard a cruise ship

By

Web Team

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October 3, 2021

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has detained around 10 persons after raiding a passenger cruise ship anchored and busting a party onboard where drugs were being used, an official said on Sunday.

A few of the detainees are linked to a celebrity or a high-profile person, he said. Based on a tip-off that a party was scheduled on the ship, an NCB team, led by its zonal director Sameer Wankhede, had raided the Goa-bound cruise ship on Saturday evening and recovered drugs from some of the passengers, the official said.

“The agency has detained 8 to 10 persons. They were brought to the NCB office in south Mumbai and questioned till early morning,” he said.

Talking to reporters at the entrance of the NCB office, Wankhede said, “We have intercepted some persons and their investigation is on. It will be premature to say anything as of now.” When asked about the names of the detained persons linked to a celebrity, he refused to comment.

Aim of Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 to make cities garbage-free, says PM Modi

By

Afternoon Voice

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October 1, 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the aim of Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 is to make the cities garbage-free. Speaking at the launch of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) 2.0 and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0, PM Modi said,” In 2014, the countrymen took a pledge to make India open defecation free – ODF. The countrymen fulfilled this pledge with the construction of more than 10 crore toilets. Now, the goal of ‘Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0’ is to make Garbage-Free City, a city completely free of garbage.”

PM Modi said that the journey of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and AMRUT Mission so far is going to make every countryman proud. He further said that the country’s target in the next phase of Mission AMRUT is ‘Increasing sewage and septic management, making our cities water safe cities’ and ensuring that no sewage drains anywhere in our rivers.”

“The achievements under the SBM prove how dedicated every citizen is towards his or her responsibility. Our cleaning staff are real heroes of this initiative. What the country has achieved through Swachh Bharat Mission assures us that how sensitive every Indian is for his duties, how alert he is,” PM Modi added. The Prime Minister said that with this second phase, the country also aims at sewage and safety management, making cities water-secure and ensuring that dirty nullahs don’t merge into rivers.

He further said that the second phase of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 and AMRUT 2.0 is also an important step in fulfilling the dreams of BR Ambedkar. “It’s our privilege that today’s program has been organised at BR Ambedkar Center. He believed that urban development was pivotal to equality. Babasaheb’s great emphasis was on changing this situation, on removing this inequality. The next phase of Swachh Bharat Mission and Mission Amrit is also an important step towards fulfilling the dreams of Babasaheb,” he said.

Narendra Modi further said that Babasaheb believed in urban development as a great means of removing inequality. “Many people from villages come to cities in the aspiration of a better life. We know that they get employment but their standard of living remains in a difficult situation even in villages,” said PM.

Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0 have been designed to realise the aspiration to make all our cities ‘Garbage Free’ and ‘Water Secure’. These flagship missions signify a step forward in our march towards effectively addressing the challenges of rapidly urbanizing India and will also help contribute towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

Who helped Param Bir Singh to flee from India?

By

Afternoon Voice

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September 30, 2021

The police sources told Afternoon Voice under the condition of anonymity, that the former Mumbai CP Param Bir Singh is hiding under political patronage. Maharashtra police are competent and must be even aware of Singh’s whereabouts but it’s the political plot that he has been shown absconding or missing.

Time and again the summons were issued to him in August by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), but Param Bir Singh has gone untraceable. According to NIA sources, Singh was summoned again sometime in August, but he did not respond. The officers also visited his residence in Chandigarh and Rohtak in Haryana but could not find him.

Both the NIA and the state government suspect that he has fled the country fearing an arrest in various cases. But the question here is, with whose help he could leave India? The agency is not ruling out the possibility that Singh may have fled.

The NIA officer said, “The summons has been issued to him and there is no response. We are still investigating the case but we are not in a position to rule out anything. We have the link of his possible involvement based on the details received from Apple and some other details are awaited. As far as his location is concerned, we are not sure, but there is a possibility that he has left the country.”

NIA had summoned Singh in connection with the Antilia explosives scare and the Mansukh Hiran murder cases. Waze had been directly reporting to Singh at the time when the cases took place. The NIA’s charge sheet, filed recently, has details of circumstantial evidence and statements of witnesses that point to Singh and his possible involvement in the conspiracies. Singh’s statement as a witness was first recorded by the NIA in April to get clarity related to sacked cop Sachin Vaze.

The agency got more suspicious about his involvement in the third week of August after an intelligence officer, who was associated with Singh since 2006, gave the details of his FaceTime ID—Kurkure Balaji. In a response to the agency, the smartphone giant Apple had confirmed that an ID with the same username was used to communicate with the killers of Hiran.