4-hour relaxation in curfew announced in Leh; forces deployed in strength
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Leh (PTI): Authorities announced that the week-long curfew in Leh town will be relaxed for four hours from 10 am on Tuesday and directed shopkeepers to open their establishments, officials said.
The restrictions were relaxed for two hours from 4 pm on Monday, shortly after completion of the last rites of four people -- including a retired Army personnel -- who lost their lives in the widespread clashes between protesters and law enforcement agencies on September 24.
A police official said a decision to further extend the relaxation in curfew-bound areas will be taken depending on the emerging situation as the day advances.
Additional District Magistrate in Leh, Ghulam Mohammed, ordered opening of all groceries, essential services, hardware and vegetable shops during the relaxation period.
"Barring the violence last Wednesday, there was no untoward incident reported from anywhere. Police and paramilitary forces are deployed in strength in the sensitive areas and are maintaining strict vigil to maintain law and order," the official said.
Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta has been chairing high-level security review meetings almost on a daily basis. On Monday, he appealed to the people to maintain peace, calling it "the cornerstone of development".
"I urge all sections of society to maintain unity and harmony and not fall prey to the designs of anti-social and anti-national elements. The administration stands firmly with the people and will ensure their safety, dignity and progress," Gupta had said.
He also hailed the people for showing remarkable restraint and commitment in challenging circumstances and promised to address their every legitimate issue through dialogue and democratic means.
The lieutenant governor also issued clear directions for enhanced intelligence gathering, regular community engagement, and swift redressing of public grievances to strengthen trust between the administration and the citizens.
The officials said mobile internet services continued to be suspended in Leh town, and prohibitory orders banning assembly of five or more persons are still in force in other major parts of the Union Territory, including Kargil.
A curfew was imposed in Leh town on the evening of September 24 following violent protests during a shutdown called by a constituent of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), to advance talks with the Centre on the demands for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh.
More than 60 people, including two councilors, were taken into custody following the incident. This included climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was detained under the National Security Act on September 26 and subsequently lodged at Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan.
Meanwhile, the Ladakh BJP called for a thorough investigation into the incident to ensure "accountability and justice".
"At the same time, we demand the immediate release of all innocent persons charged with minor offences," the BJP said in a statement, expressing condolences to the families of the deceased.
"Ladakh is known for its beauty and the resilience of its people. We urge everyone in Ladakh to uphold peace and harmony. It is crucial that we do not take law and order into our hands or fall prey to misinformation. Let us work together to ensure that peace prevails," the party said.
It appealed to everyone to come together, fostering unity and harmony. "We request the cooperation of all citizens in maintaining peace and supporting efforts towards healing and reconciliation," it said.
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UP Cong holds statewide protest seeking probe into FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand
Lucknow (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh Congress on Wednesday staged a statewide protest demanding a fair and transparent inquiry into the FIR lodged against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and those who filed the complaint against him.
In a statement issued here, the party said memorandums addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi were submitted through district magistrates in all districts of the state.
Uttar Pradesh Congress spokesperson Manish Hindvi told PTI that the memorandums were handed over through the district administration in all 75 districts.
In the memorandum, the party alleged that Saraswati and his disciples were "unnecessarily harassed and humiliated" by police on the occasion of Amavasya and were prevented from taking a ritual bath (at the Magh Mela). It further alleged that some disciples were manhandled and taken to a police station.
The memorandum also claimed that an FIR was later registered against Saraswati, his disciple Swami Mukundanand Brahmachari and several unidentified persons in a sexual harassment case. It termed the case a "conspiracy" aimed at tarnishing the seer's reputation.
Citing Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, the memorandum stated that these provisions guarantee religious freedom and the right of religious denominations to manage their own affairs.
It described the position of shankaracharya held by Saraswati as "one of the highest spiritual posts in Sanatan tradition" and alleged that the entire episode appeared to have been "orchestrated in a planned manner".
"We request that the background of the persons who got the FIR registered be investigated in a transparent manner by a retired high court judge and strict action be taken against them," the memorandum said.
It also sought a "fair and transparent probe" into the allegations levelled against Saraswati so that the truth could be established.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai had told reporters in Varanasi after meeting Saraswati that the party stood firmly with him.
The Congress said it would continue to press for an impartial inquiry into the entire episode.
On February 21, an FIR was lodged in Prayagraj against Saraswati and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari on charges of sexually abusing two persons, including a minor, over the past year at a gurukul and religious congregations, including the recently concluded Magh Mela.
Days after he was booked, Saraswati had said on Monday that he would not oppose his arrest and asserted that the "fabricated story" would be exposed sooner or later.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Saraswati alleged that criminals rule in Uttar Pradesh, level allegations and influence investigations, as he denied having any contact with the two persons for whose alleged sexual abuse he has been booked.
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