Person jailed for posting message in Facebook
Police accused of pushing him into dark room without dress
►Notice slapped again after coming out on bail
Mangaluru: Bunder (North) station police after filing a suo motto case, jailed a person for posting a message in facebook recently. The social media is abuzz with sharp comments against the act of police that came to light lately.
The arrested Ashraf M. Salethur is now mulling to file complaint with commissioner of police against the 'injustice' meted out to him.
Against a Facebook post that ‘the court permission for the entry of menstruating women to Sabarimala temple was the main reason for flood situation in Kerala’, Ashraf questioned ‘Then what is the reason for flood situation in Tulu Nadu which is the creation of Parashuram?’ While some people had supported his post , some opposed it
It is alleged that, based on this post, the Bunder police booked suo motto case against Ashraf under Section 153, 505(2), tortured arrested him and produced him before the court on August 22.
Later, the court remanded him to judicial custody. After one week, he came out of the jail on bail and again posted a message in facebook alleging police atrocity.
On September 4, the police served a notice to Ashraf saying that "you have commented on the same issue in Facebook even when you are out on bail. So, you should be present before the investigating officer soon after you receive the notice for further enquiry. Otherwise, the police will file a petition before the court to cancel the bail granted for you”, Ashraf said.
Was Undressed, snatched cash and other valuables: Ashraf
“On August 21, CCB police constable Jabbar called me and asked me to come to police station saying that he wanted to speak to me and leave me within five minutes. Since I knew him, I went to the police station where I was asked questions after questions on my Facebook post and later took me to the Port police station in the police vehicle. Again, the inspector and other police officers there asked the same questions. I said that I would react to the current issues and especially anti-Constitutional statements in social media. Then they asked me ‘Will you write on the incident where the copies of the Constitution were burnt in New Delhi?’ I said yes, I will write. They snatched Rs. 450 worth memory card, earphone, watch, leather belt, vehicle records etc. They wrote down my bio-data. It confirmed that they would arrest me. I requested them to allow me to celebrate Bakrid. But they did not listen . After conducting enquiry till 12 midnight, I was undressed and pushed into the dark room where I suffered due to mosquitoes, and other insects. I could not sleep that entire night. Next day, it was Bakrid. Before taking me to the court, they returned my watch, ATM card and RC and asked me to tell before the judge as I was instructed. Without choice, I repeated what the police wanted me to say before the judge. I was in jail from August 22 to 28 and later came out on bail. I have written in the Facebook against this injustice . Once again, the police have served notice to me. I have decided to complain to the Mangaluru Police Commissioner against the police who undressed me and snatched money and other valuables”, Ashraf told Vartha Bharati.
Action against those who reacted to post
Inspector Suresh Kumar said that the posts in Ashraf’s Facebook account had the potential to disturb peace in the society. So, the police have booked suo motto case against him. This is not the first case of that kind. In the past also police have booked people for making unlawful comments in social media and took action against them. The police would also take action against those who reacted to the post, he said. But he did not give details about how many cases were filed.
"Why no action against other people making anti social posts"
“Ashraf is not an illiterate. He is a post graduate. So, it is common to respond to the current issues. The opinion shared in his Facebook account on Kerala natural disaster was not intended to create disturbance. Vested interests have their hands behind port station police filing the suo motto case. That should be revealed. If the police were to file such suo motto cases, then they have to file several such cases everyday here. There are many messages in the social media which can disturb peace in the society. When Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan visited Mangaluru, people insulted communists that we were born to Muslims. Then why didn't police file case against that post ? Minister UT Khader should take this seriously. The Minister should understand that he has become the minister under minorities quota. He should not maintain silence when minorities are targeted. There are many progressive and secularists in Muslim community. By filing fake complaints against them, police themselves are converting them into anti socials. We have considered this issue seriously. We are with Ashraf and we will fight against this injustice”, said DYFI district secretary Santosh Bajal.
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Nepal records 18% turnout till noon in first election since govt-toppling Gen Z protests
Kathmandu (PTI): Nepal which went to polls on Thursday, the first since a violent Gen Z protest that toppled the K P Sharma Oli-led government last year, recorded a turnout of about 18 per cent till noon, according to the Election Commission.
The Election Commission said that around 3.16 million people have exercised their franchise till 12 pm, with the voting process going smoothly.
Voting is ongoing smoothly across the country with minor incidents in a very few places, Election Commissioner Sagun Shumsher Rana was quoted as saying by the Kathmandu Post.
More than 18.9 million eligible Nepalese are exercising their franchise to elect the 275-member House of Representatives from among the 3,406 candidates vying for 165 seats under direct voting, and 3,135 candidates vying for 110 seats through proportionate voting.
The voting started at 7 am and will conclude at 5 pm. The counting will start immediately after the ballot boxes are collected.
Nepal Police confirmed that apart from minor disagreements at a few locations, no serious problems had occurred.
Police spokesperson Abi Narayan Kafle said, “Some jostling is expected during elections, but no major issues have arisen. We are ensuring that the voting process remains peaceful throughout the day.”
"Voting started in all the constituencies, including the southern plains, hilly area and the mountain region at 7 am," Election Commission spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai said.
“The election started in a peaceful environment across the country,” he added.
ALSO READ: Nepal records over 10% turnout till 11 am in first election since govt-toppling Gen Z protests
Addressing a press meet here on the eve of the polls, Acting Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari on Wednesday had said that all preparations for the election had been completed and urged voters to participate actively and enthusiastically in the democratic exercise.
In Kathmandu, the weather was fine, sky was clear and people were enthusiastically queuing up to cast their votes.
Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki cast her vote from Kathmandu-5 constituency at Dhapasi on the outskirts of Kathmandu on Thursday morning.
"I have cast my vote, I am happy that people are casting their votes, participating in the general election," she said.
Nepali Congress president Gagan Thapa cast his vote from Kathmandu-4 constituency in Maitidevi in the morning.
"This election was needed to bring the Constitution back on the right track," he said.
Thapa, the prime ministerial candidate of Nepali Congress, is contesting the election from Dhanusha-4 constituency.
Rastriya Swotantra Party (RSP) president Ravi Lamichhane cast his vote from Chuchepati area on the outskirts of Kathmandu.
Prime ministerial candidate of RSP and former Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah ‘Balen’ cast his vote from Gairegaun, Kathmandu. He is contesting the election from Jhapa-5.
Ousted premier Oli cast his vote from Balkot in Bhaktapur district.
The Gen Z youth, through their two-day intensified protests on September 8 and 9, ousted Prime Minister Oli, chair of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) -- CPN-UML -- who was heading a coalition government with the backing of Nepali Congress that enjoyed nearly two-thirds majority support.
The CPN-UML, led by ousted PM Oli, has emerged as the hardliner force. Though former premier Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'-led NCP claims to have addressed the issues raised by the Gen Z, they have not handed over the party leadership to the younger generation.
Rastriya Swotantra Party (RSP), led by its chair Ravi Lamichhane and senior leader Balendra Shah, and the reformed Nepali Congress, led by Gagan Thapa, are voicing the issues raised by the Gen Z, while CPN-UML and Nepali Communist Party, led by ‘Prachanda’, are known as the traditional forces.
Ujyalo Nepal Party, led by Kulman Ghising, and Shram Shakti Party, led by former Dharan Mayor Harka Sampang, are also emerging forces but enjoy support in limited pockets only.
After Oli's ouster, President Ramchandra Paudel dissolved the House of Representatives on September 12 and appointed Sushila Karki as the caretaker PM.
The major issues raised by Gen Z are anti-corruption, good governance, an end to nepotism, generational change in political leadership, etc.
Starting Wednesday, Nepal has declared a three-day holiday for the polls.
There are a total of 10,967 polling booths and 23,112 polling centres, the Election Commission data showed. As many as 65 political parties are taking part in the election.
