In view of recent incidents of communal flare-ups due to provocative sloganeering, the home department of the Bihar government has issued a ban on such things during religious processions and Shobha Yatras. During the recently concluded Durga Puja in Chhapra, there was communal tension over provocative sloganeering leading to internet shutdown.
The new order says that using high-decibel loudspeakers would be strictly prohibited. In addition to this, provocative sloganeering and songs have also been on the ban list. Arms like bamboo sticks, javelins, swords and firearms will also be banned from brandishing during the religious procession. The home department has written letters in this regard to all DMs and SPs and has asked to ensure that the orders are followed.Special Secretary in the home department K Suhita Anupam has written that due to the use of high-volume loudspeakers, provocative sloganeering and the exhibition of traditional arms have caused communal disharmony and tension in the society.
Sajid’s death in Bikaner Jail Raises Many Questions
The PUCL has condemned the Government of Rajasthan, Home Department, and the State jail authorities at all levels, for having not protected the life and liberty of and not giving a safe space to 22-year-old Sajid, who was lodged in Bikaner Jail, U/S 308 of IPC (attempt at culpable homicide). Sajid was killed by a 40-45-year-old Sec. 302 convicted prisoner, Budhram, who is said to be a patient of depression and who had been put into a restricted access, special ward with 17 other prisoners, which included Sajid. Budhram picked up a stone slab covering a water drain in the barrack and smashed the head of Sajid in the early hours on Wednesday.
This murder in Bikaner Jail would have sent shockwaves to all the prisons in the State, with 25,000 population of prisoners feeling extremely unsafe, for such a murder poses a serious threat to the system of safety and security put into place by the Bikaner Jail authorities and state Jail authorities. Immediate counselling would be needed for the prisoners who were in that Barrack and in the rest of the Jail.
Saifuddin Laskar’s death reignites battle for political power
Bengal is again witnessing the politics of violence. Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district Joynagar’s Trinamool leader Saifuddin Laskar may be shot dead by assassins. Investigators were predicting this at the beginning of the investigation, Shabana Javed tells Radiance, citing police source.
Laskar, the local area president of the ruling TMC, was on his way to a local mosque to pray at around 5 a.m. in the morning when he was attacked. While the victim’s wife is the local Gram Panchayat Pradhan, Laskar himself was a Panchayat member of Bamangachhi. The murder triggered violence in the area and a mob lynched a man, identified as Sahabuddin Laskar, who they suspected of having committed the crime before setting fire to 20-25 houses belonging to CPI(M) workers and supporters.
In this chain of murders, the police arrested the alleged shooter, identified as Shahrul Sheikh. Shahrul Sheikh was sent to 10 days of police custody by the Baruipur sub-divisional court.
Situation in Purulia Remains Tense
ISF MLA Naushad Siddiqui was not allowed to go to Purulia; he was stopped on the way, Shabana Javed reports from Aghorpur, Purulia.Siddiqui faced hurdles on his way to the event in Purulia. He was going to attend the program here. He had to face police hurdles before reaching Aghorpur. Incidentally, the situation here has been tense for the last few days. A situation of conflict has arisen between the local residents and the police administration regarding the construction of an industrial estate here. Several women have reportedly already been arrested.