Maharashtra Police reiterates rights activists plotted to overthrow government
Mumbai, Aug 31 : Justifying the arrest of five rights activists, Maharashtra's Additional Director-General of Police Parambir Singh on Friday said police have clear evidence to show their links with Maoist organisations and a larger conspiracy to overthrow the central government.
Addressing a special media briefing here, ADG Singh (law and order), exhibited certain emails, letters and other communication allegedly changing hands among the activists, whose arrests three days ago from different parts of India triggered nationwide condemnation.
"There was a bigger conspiracy plotted by the Maoist organisations to overthrow the 'lawfully established Indian government' using arms procured from countries like China and Russia and the arrested accused played a crucial role in this plan," Singh said.
On August 28, Pune Police had carried out the arrests of lawyer-activist Sudha Bharadwaj, civil liberties activists Gautam Navlakha, Vernon Gonsalves, Arun Fereira and Telugu poet P. Varavara Rao from different parts of India, as part of investigations into the January 1 Koregaon-Bhima caste riots.
Singh revealed that the five activists were in contact with separatist and extremist groups from Jammu and Kashmir and Manipur, wanted to emulate stone-pelting protests akin to Kashmir in other parts of India including urban areas and conducting meetings abroad with other groups in a bid to organise funds.
Citing that conclusive evidence was collected which establishes their links with Maoists before making the arrests, he mentioned a letter speaking of a "Rajiv Gandhi-type incident" to end the Modi Raj, and need for Rs 8 crore to procure a rocket launcher and 400,000 rounds, among other things.
On August 29, Pune's Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Shirish Sardeshpande had said that the banned CPI (Maoist) was engaged in raising funds to incite civil unrest against the administration.
"They have shown intolerance to the present political system, and decided to target organisations and their officials and even the highest political functionaries," Sardesphande said in the first official comments on the August 28 swoop.
The arrests were made on a complaint lodged with Vishramgarh Police in Pune on January 8 on the December 31 Elgar Parishad, organised by the Kabir Kala Manch where allegedly inciting speeches were delivered.
The following day (January 1), Koregaon-Bhima witnessed huge protests and caste riots in which one person was killed, followed by a Maharashtra shutdown on January 3, called by the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh.
Singh said that despite the 'propaganda' to discredit the police probe, the investigators have a very strong case and all the arrests were videographed.
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Gold declines Rs 1,700 to Rs 1.35 lakh/10g; snaps 4-day record rally
New Delhi (PTI): Snapping the four-day record rally, gold prices declined by Rs 1,700 to Rs 1,35,900 per 10 grams in the national capital on Tuesday as investors booked profits amid weak global cues, according to the All India Sarafa Association.
The precious metal of 99.9 per cent purity had surged by Rs 4,000 to touch an all-time high of Rs 1,37,600 per 10 grams on Monday. The metal rose by Rs 6,000 over the previous four days, trading at record highs.
"Gold prices witnessed profit booking and remained volatile, with the yellow metal slipping towards the USD 4,275 level in global markets and staying under pressure," Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst - Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities, said.
Echoing sentiments, Dilip Parmar, Research Analyst, HDFC Securities, said, "Domestic gold prices also softened, curtailing a four-day advance. These losses were, however, notably mitigated by the persistent weakness in the Indian Rupee which quoted at a record low level".
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In the local bullion markets, silver prices also depreciated by Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,98,500 per kilogram (inclusive of all taxes). The white metal had ended flat at Rs 1,99,500 per kg, also its all-time high level, as per the association.
Parmar added that physical jewellery demand is expected to be subdued commensurate with the onset of the inauspicious period, investment demand is forecast to remain robust, a tendency driven by prevailing risk-averse market sentiments.
In the international markets, spot gold snapped a five-day winning streak, declining by USD 27.80, or 0.65 per cent, to USD 4,277.42 per ounce.
"Gold prices experienced a modest decline, easing following five consecutive sessions of appreciation, as market participants strategically positioned themselves ahead of a critical suite of US economic data releases this week," Dilip Parmar said.
These incoming reports are poised to offer significant clarity regarding the Federal Reserve's predilection for implementing further interest-rate cuts, a key macroeconomic catalyst for the non-yielding asset, he added.
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Spot silver also dropped by USD 1.07, or 1.67 per cent, to USD 63.02 per ounce in the overseas markets.
Bullion prices are trading lower as caution prevails ahead of US nonfarm payroll (NFP) data to be released later in the day, which will show NFP figures of both October and November, Praveen Singh, Research Analyst, Mirae Asset ShareKhan, said.
