Muslims being targeted under garb of fighting COVID-19 pandemic: AMUTA
Aligarh (UP): The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Teachers' Association on Friday passed a resolution expressing shock and anguish at the manner in which the country's Muslim community is allegedly being stigmatised under the garb of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
The AMUTA which held a special meeting of its executive committee has forwarded the resolution to President Ram Nath Kovind.
The resolution has urged Kovind to address the concerns of the minority community which is deeply concerned over the manner in which law is being misused to stifle the voices of dissent in the country under the cover of fighting the pandemic.
In a strongly worded statement, AMUTA expressed solidarity with the common citizens mainly daily wage earners compelled to migrate to their native villages and towns from metro cities for no fault of their own.
The resolution states, "It is a matter of shock and anguish for all of us that the COVID-19 pandemic is being used to spread hate against a particular community."
It urged the president to take cognisance of the manner in which "sedition law is being misused" by the police in several states to muzzle dissent.
It further alleged that "false cases" were filed against journalist Siddharth Varadrajan, pediatrician and human rights activist Kafeel Khan and human rights activist Umar Khalid and dozens of other similar activists because they has raised their voice against police excesses and injustices.
It is unfortunate that instead of reprimanding those who are spreading Islamophobia and strengthening divisive attitudes, action is taken by the police against those "who are raising their voices against such pernicious activities".
Secretary AMUTA Najmul Islam told reporters, "We firmly believe that the battle against COVID-19 in our country can only be successful if we are united. Every section of society irrespective of caste region and creed has to join hands in this endeavor."
We are fully committed to the present national endeavour and no amount of poisonous propaganda will deter us from serving the nation at this critical juncture, he added.
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NIA registers case to probe recovery of 79 crude bombs in poll-bound West Bengal
New Delhi (PTI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday registered a case to probe recovery of 79 crude bombs in poll-bound West Bengal, officials said.
The move came following a directive by the Union Home Ministry in this regard, they said.
In pursuance to the home ministry's order, the anti-terror agency on Sunday registered a case, which was originally filed at Uttar Kashi police station, Bhangar division, Kolkata on Saturday, and took up the investigation, an NIA spokesperson said in a late night statement.
"The case pertains to recovery of 79 crude bombs and other incriminating materials by Kolkata police, which were being stored at a spot, thereby endangering human life and property," the spokesperson said.
Earlier in the day, the Election Commission had directed the West Bengal Police to launch a special drive to arrest those involved in illegal manufacturing of crude bombs in the poll-bound state, an official said.
It asserted that all cases related to the making of any such explosive would be probed by the National Investigation Agency, the official said.
The directive came after the police recovered a large number of crude bombs from the house of a person, allegedly a TMC worker, at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district, days ahead of the second and final phase of the assembly polls in the state.
The explosives were recovered during a search at the residence of Rafikul Islam following specific inputs, the official said.
The poll panel also issued a warning to senior police officers across the state over any lapse in maintaining law and order before the April 29 polling.
The first phase of the assembly elections in West Bengal was held on April 23, while the second phase will take place on April 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.
A record 93.19 per cent turnout has been recorded in the first round of polling. Bhangar will vote in the second phase.
