‘No need to hand over Dharmasthala case to NIA’: Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara
Mysuru: Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara has ruled out the demand to hand over the Dharmasthala case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), stating that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is conducting the probe in a proper manner.
Speaking to reporters in the city on Monday, he said, “The SIT is carrying out its investigation sincerely and efficiently. It is not right for the BJP to make political statements before the SIT report is submitted. There is no need for the NIA in this matter.”
On the question of conducting a narco test, he clarified, “It is not for me to decide whether such a test should be conducted or not. I have only instructed the SIT to complete the report at the earliest. Once the report is out, the truth will be known.”
Reacting to the statements regarding the Dharmasthala rally, the Minister said, “People are going there to have darshan of Lord Manjunatha. Let them go, is it possible to stop them? But no one should try to politicise this matter.”
Responding to the controversy raised by the BJP over inviting International Booker prize winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara festivities, Dr. Parameshwara said, “This is not the first time, earlier Nisar Ahmed too inaugurated the festival. Dasara is a state festival, not a religious function. Whether Banu Mushtaq has personal faith in Goddess Chamundeshwari or not, this remains the Nada Habba. Everyone should come together to celebrate it.”
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Pak, Afghan forces trade fire along Chaman border: Report
Islamabad (PTI): A heavy exchange of fire between Pakistani and Afghan forces was reported from the key Chaman border, according to a media report on Saturday.
Injuries were reported from the district hospital, but no fatalities occurred, the Dawn newspaper reported.
Officials from both sides accused each other of instigating the flare-up late on Friday night across the border in the Balochistan province.
While Pakistani officials said that Afghan forces had fired mortar shells on the Badani area, Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid claimed it was Pakistan that launched an attack on Spin Boldak, alleging that their forces were responding.
Pakistan's official sources told Dawn that Pakistani forces retaliated against the Afghan aggression and returned fire.
There were also reports of fighting on the Chaman-Kandahar highway, but these could not be immediately verified.
A senior official in Quetta confirmed on condition of anonymity that the exchange of fire started around 10 pm and continued until late at night.
The medical superintendent of Chaman district hospital said that three injured, including a woman, were brought to the medical facility.
There was neither any official word from the Inter-Services Public Relations -- Pakistan Army's media wing -- nor from the Foreign Office.
The Chaman border crossing, also known as Friendship Gate, connects Balochistan province to Afghanistan’s Kandahar.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deteriorated amidst regular allegations by Pakistan regarding the failure of the Afghan regime to deny safe havens to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan terrorists.
The two countries had agreed on a ceasefire following tensions last month, but the Foreign Office said last month that technically there was no truce as it was contingent on the Afghan Taliban stopping terrorist attacks in Pakistan, which they had failed to do.
