Togadia denied permission to hold meetings in Guwahati
Guwahati, July 17: The Assam Police has asked former VHP leader and Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP) chief Pravin Togadia not to go ahead with his organisation's meetings in Guwahati scheduled from Tuesday.
Guwahati Commissioner of Police Hiren Nath issued an order to this effect on Tuesday.
Nath said the order was necessary as it is believed that Togadia's "inflammatory" speeches can hurt the sentiments of religious minority community and create a deep sense of insecurity among them, which can disturb peace.
Prohibitory orders have already been imposed in and around Guwahati.
"Pravinbhai Togadia, AHP president, is very likely to make inflammatory speeches if allowed to address the event to be held on 17th, 18th and 19th July 2018 at ITA Machkhowa or at other places of Guwahati ... or allowed to address a press conference on 19th July 2018 at Guwahati Press Club, thereby disturbing the public peace and order in Guwahati and other areas of the commissionerate in a serious manner," the order said.
Togadia was scheduled to visit the state from Tuesday till Friday and address a rally at Pragjyoti ITA Centre at Machkhowa in Guwahati on Thursday and a press conference at Guwahati Press Club on July 19.
The Police Commissioner further said that the prevailing situation in Assam arising out of the proposed final draft publication of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is not conducive to allow Togadia to address a rally or a press conference in Guwahati and other areas of the city.
The order will remain in force in the territorial areas of Guwahati Police Commissionerate for two months starting Tuesday.
A majority of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal members in Assam resigned and joined the AHP after Togadia quit the organization about two months back.
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Malegaon blast trial: Court issues bailable warrant against Pragya Thakur
Mumbai, Nov 5: A special NIA court here on Tuesday issued a bailable warrant against BJP leader Pragya Singh Thakur, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, for failing to attend the proceedings.
Final arguments were going on and the presence of the accused is necessary, special judge A K Lahoti noted as he issued a bailable warrant of Rs 10,000 against Thakur.
The warrant is `returnable' by November 13 which means Thakur will have to appear before the court by then and get it cancelled.
The BJP leader's lawyer cited her health problems while requesting the special court for National Investigation Agency cases to grant her reasonable time to remain present.
But the court noted that Thakur, the accused number 1, had not attended the proceedings since June 4.
Her past applications for exemption on the grounds of illness and hospitalization were considered from time to time, the special judge said.
"Today, the application was filed, along with a xerox copy of the medical certificate, showing she is undergoing ayurvedic treatment, but the original certificate is not annexed," the court said while rejecting her plea.
Six people were killed and over 100 injured when an explosive device strapped to a motorcycle went off near a mosque in Malegaon, a town in north Maharashtra about 200 km from Mumbai, on September 29, 2008.
Thakur, Lt Col Prasad Purohit and five others are on trial for alleged involvement in the blast conspiracy under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The case was initially probed by the Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS), Maharashtra, before being transferred to the National Investigation Agency in 2011.
