Muslim community observes Bandh in Bhatkal over remarks against Prophet Mohammed
Bhatkal: Following the massive protest organised by Majlis-e-Islah wa Tanzeem on Monday, the Muslim community in Bhatkal observed a complete bandh on Tuesday, expressing their resentment over the blasphemous remarks made by Yati Narsinghanand against Prophet Mohammed.
In response to the call for the bandh, all Muslim-owned shops and businesses in the city remained closed from Tuesday morning and is expected to remain closed till Wednesday morning. The shutdown was a unified show of protest, as the community voiced their demand for immediate action against Narsinghanand.
While the markets in Muslim-dominated areas and main market remained quiet, shops and businesses owned by non-Muslims were seen operating normally. The bandh call, made by the Tanzeem during Monday's protest, aimed to intensify pressure on authorities to act against Narsinghanand, who has a history of making offensive remarks and has been accused of spreading communal hatred.
On Monday, Maulana Abdul Aleem, along with other leaders, had strongly condemned the statements made by Narsinghanand, calling him an "anti-social element" who is against the pluralistic and democratic values of India. He emphasized that Prophet Mohammed was a symbol of peace and harmony and that insulting him disrupts societal peace. Other leaders, like Mohammed Kunhi of Shanti Prakashan and Tanzeem President Inayathullah Shabandri, also demanded strict legal action, warning that the protests would escalate if the government failed to take appropriate steps.
The bandh was observed peacefully across the city, with no reports of incidents or confrontations. The memorandum submitted on Monday, demanding Narsinghanand be charged under stringent laws such as the UAPA, continues to be the focal point of the community’s demands.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
