Dharmasthala case: Religious heads meet Union Minister Amit Shah in Delhi, demand NIA probe
Mangaluru (PTI): Pontiffs of various Maths from Karnataka under the banner ‘Sanatan Sant Niyoga’ called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and demanded an investigation into the Dharmasthala case by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
According to Rajashekarananda Swamiji, the delegation on Wednesday discussed the ongoing Dharmasthala controversy, wherein a man identified as C N Chinnaiah has claimed that he has buried hundreds of bodies, including those of women with signs of sexual assault.
Speaking to PTI, the Swami, after returning from Delhi on Thursday, said Shah has assured the delegation that all developments were being closely monitored and that a decision would follow a Cabinet meeting.
"We apprised the Union Home Minister of Dharmasthala, and are delighted with his assurance. Our delegation tried to impress upon him about a larger ploy by some well-connected vested interests inside India and outside to bring bad name to the Hindu temples of faith and religion with an intention of instilling insecurity and fear among the devotees," the pontiff said.
"We demanded an NIA investigation into the controversy," he added.
Shah also indicated plans for new legislation aimed at curbing misinformation and hate speech against religious institutions, urging the leaders to assist in public sensitisation efforts, the religious leader said.
According to Swamiji, Shah said the Enforcement Directorate is probing claims of foreign funding to YouTubers spreading misinformation.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has conducted questioning of such content creators, which is a good beginning, the pontiff said.
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Maoist carrying bounty of Rs 15 lakh among four killed in gunfight with security forces in J’khand
Hazaribag (PTI): Four Maoists, including one carrying a reward of Rs 15 lakh on his head, were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Jharkhand's Hazaribag district on Friday, police officials said.
The encounter took place in the Khapia forest area within the Keredari police station limits, following a tip-off.
"Four Maoists were killed in a gunfight with joint forces in 'Operation KotiNeer'. The Maoists killed have been identified as regional committee member Sahdeo Maho, carrying a reward of Rs 15 lakh, Ranjit Ganjhu, Zonal committee member, carrying a reward of Rs 10 lakh," IG, CRPF, Saket Kumar Singh told mediapersons.
The remaining two are Area Commander Budhan Karmali, carrying a reward of Rs one lakh and sub-zonal committee member Natasha, a woman who hailed from Gadchiroli in Maharashtra.
SDPO of Barkagaon, Pawan Kumar, said that no security personnel were injured in the operation.
The Maoists killed were wanted in about 80 cases.
With the encounter, only 57 Maoists are left in the state, the IG said.
A number of arms were also recovered during the operation including two AK 47 and one INSAS rifles.
The development comes close on the heels of a fierce exchange of fire between a Maoist squad headed by Misir Besra, who carries a bounty of Rs 1 crore, and police personnel on April 15 in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum. Four security personnel were injured in the encounter.
The Centre has already informed the state governments that there are no Naxal violence-affected districts in the country, more than five decades since Left Wing Extremism (LWE) originated in India.
The declaration followed a high-level security review held earlier this month by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the mandated 'National Policy and Action Plan to Address Left Wing Extremism' formulated in 2015.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed Parliament on March 30 that India was free from Maoists.
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