Arms haul: More weapons seized in Maharashtra
Maharashtra’s Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) on August 13 seized more materials, including weapons, in connection with the recent explosives haul while busting a purported pistol manufacturing factory at Nalasopara in Palghar district, around 60 km from Mumbai. A team from the Karnataka SIT probing the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh has arrived in Mumbai as Vaibhav Raut, the principal accused in the Nalasopara arms haul, has been found to have had contact with some of the accused in the Lankesh murder case.
From Nalasopara, police have seized five country-made pistols, three partially ready country-made pistols, 11 rounds of 9 mm bullets, 30 rounds of 7.65 mm bullets, springs, triggers and several other kinds of materials including pistol spares. “It appeared like a ‘karkhana’ (factory),” officials said. Apart from this, a laptop, hard disk, pen drives, a cell phone, several SIM cards, wi-fi dongles, a motorcycle, a car and several documents have been seized during raids in Pune, the officials said. The ATS arrested Vaibhav Raut (40), Sharad Kalaskar (25) and Sudhanav Ghondalekar (39) last week. They have been booked under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.Last week, when Raut was arrested, the ATS seized eight crude bombs and explosive material sufficient for making another 15.
NO WITHDRAWAL OF RIOT CASES: MUZAFFARNAGAR DM
The Uttar Pradesh government’s move to withdraw the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riot cases has hit a roadblock with the local district administration opposing it on administrative grounds. The government, which had elicited the views of the administration on the riot cases, has been told by Muzaffarnagar District Magistrate Rajiv Sharma that it was not right on administrative grounds. “We have probed all aspects of the cases and have sent a report to the government… We have also given our views on the basis of the police and prosecution reports that withdrawal of cases would not be right from the administrative point of view,” Mr. Sharma reportedly said.
Some senior BJP lawmakers, among others, have been named in several cases related to the 2013 riots in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli. The move to withdraw the cases was set in motion in February last year after a BJP delegation met U.P. Chief Minister Yogi Aditynath.
ASSAM: SC NOTICE TO CENTRE, STATE ON ‘FAKE ENCOUNTER’
The Supreme Court on August 13 issued a notice to the Union of India and the State of Assam in connection with allegations of a fake encounter carried out in Chirang district of Assam by a joint team of the Army, Assam Police, CRPF and SSB on March 30, 2017, a report said on August 14. In his report sent to CRPF headquarters in Delhi, Gujarat-cadre IPS officer Rajnish Rai, then posted in Shillong with CRPF as IG, North East Sector, had alleged that the encounter – near Simlaguri village under Amguri police station – that led to the death of two suspected members of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit), or NDFB(S) faction, was staged. And that the two men were picked up from a house in D-Kalling village and killed in cold blood in Simlaguri.
Calling for a full-fledged investigation, Rai had alleged that weapons were planted on their bodies. The two killed were identified as Lucas Narzary alias N Langfa and David Islary alias Dayud. He said he had witnesses who have identified the bodies as those of the two men who were picked up and that these witnesses are in his safe custody.
Compensation enhanced for ‘encounter’ victims
The Odisha Human Rights Commission has directed the State government to enhance compensation for the next of kin of five villagers killed in firing by security forces in Gumudumaha village of Kandhamal district, a report said on August 11. Six human rights activists had moved the OHRC alleging that five innocent villagers had fallen to indiscriminate firing by security forces and it was a fake encounter. Twelve persons were returning to the village in an autorickshaw after collecting their MGNREGS wages around 8 p.m. on July 8, 2016 when they came under heavy fire.
The petitioners had demanded Rs. 25 lakh each for family members of the deceased and Rs. 10 lakh to each injured and pleaded for stringent action against the security personnel involved in the firing. “Every citizen has a fundamental right to live and personal liberty guaranteed under the Constitution is to be protected. Violation of human rights appears telltale in the facts and circumstances of this case,” OHRC Acting Chairperson Justice B.K. Mishra said.
HC declares itself legal guardian of cows
The Uttarakhand High Court on August 14 invoked the doctrine of ‘parens patriae’ to become the legal guardian of cows and other stray cattle, thereby giving a slew of “mandatory directions” towards cow protection. “The Court by invoking the ‘parens patriae’ doctrine issues mandatory directions…in the welfare of the cows and other stray cattle,” the Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Rajiv Sharma and Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari stated in an order banning slaughter and export “for purpose of slaughter” of “any cow, bull, bullock, heifer or calf”, and selling of beef and beef products across Uttarakhand.
‘Parens patriae’, which translates from Latin into “parent of his or her country” is the power that could be invoked by a state regarded as a sovereign to provide protection to those who are unable to take care of themselves. The court directed all Circle Officers in the state to “to patrol the rural areas once in 24 hours to ensure that no cow is slaughtered”.
Let Mob lynching be categorised as a class of hate crimes
Last month, the Supreme Court came down heavily on the State for its failure to address mob lynching and recommended the formulation of adequate laws to tackle the problem. The government has set up a committee, which is expected to submit a report to the Cabinet soon. It is vital that we identify the most effective framework for addressing these crimes. After all, mob lynching is already criminalised under the existing laws. The Indian Penal Code holds people liable for cooperating in the commission of a criminal act with a shared intention. These provisions cover all acts of mob violence, whatever their motivation or pretext be.
The current crisis of mob violence is not the absence of substantive provisions but their lack of implementation. Available evidence suggests that in almost all documented cases, the police have been found wanting. They consistently fail to lodge FIRs or charge sheets on time. In many cases, allegations of collusion have been made against them. Poor investigation and reluctance of public prosecutors to pursue cases have resulted in bails for alleged culprits. In order to create even an opportunity for effective implementation, the new law against mob violence must strengthen official accountability and facilitate victim empowerment.
AMU-VC RELEASES BOOK ON UNSUNG HEROES OF INDEPENDENCE
Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Vice Chancellor, Professor Tariq Mansoor on August 14 released, ‘Shaheedan-e-Jang-e-Azadi’, a book 300 people who etched their mark on India’s Freedom Struggle, but remained lost to public memory. The book on these unsung heroes of Indian Independence has been authored by Prof Zia Ur Rehman Siddiqui, Department of Urdu, AMU. Prof Rehman in this book gives details on lives and works of freedom fighters, Abdul Ghani, Abdul Shakoor, Ghulam Mohammad and Mohammad Shafi among others. The author has finely researched contributions of many brave children of the Motherland, who played big roles in liberating the country from colonial shackles from the first war of Independence in 1857 to 1947.
Releasing the book, Prof Mansoor informed that ‘Shaheedan-e-Jang-e-Azadi’ has names of unknown freedom fighters, who played big roles, but remained unknown. “I am sure this book will be a great read for historians, researchers and everybody interested in our freedom struggle,” said Prof Mansoor.