R. Ashok urges NIA to investigate attacks on religious festivals
Bengaluru: Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R. Ashok, has urged the state government to hand over cases of attacks targeting religious festivals to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). He expressed concerns that state police are incapable of addressing the issue, citing the involvement of a large network of religious fundamentalist organizations with potential inter-state and international connections.
In a post on 'X,' Ashok highlighted the communal violence that took place during the Ganesha idol immersion in Nagamangala, where eyewitnesses claimed that miscreants shouted pro-Pakistan slogans. He also referred to other incidents in Davangere's Gandhinagar and Ahmed Nagar, suggesting that such events were orchestrated to target Hindu festivals.
Ashok further noted that similar provocations occurred during the inauguration of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir and insisted that these cases be transferred to the NIA for a thorough investigation.
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India describes attack on Fujairah 'unacceptable'
New Delhi (PTI): India on Tuesday described the wounding of three Indians in an attack on the United Arab Emirates' port city of Fujairah as "unacceptable" and pressed for an immediate cessation of hostilities targeting innocent civilians.
New Delhi's reaction came a day after the Indians were injured after a drone attack caused a fire at a major oil industry zone in Fujairah. The UAE had accused Iran of carrying out the strike.
"The attack on Fujairah that resulted in injury to three Indian nationals is unacceptable," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
"We call for immediate cessation of these hostilities and the targeting of civilian infrastructure and innocent civilians," the spokesperson said.
Jaiswal said India continued to stand for dialogue and diplomacy to deal with the situation so that peace and stability could be restored across West Asia.
"We also call for free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz in keeping with international law. India stands ready to support all efforts for a peaceful resolution of issues," he said.
The attack on Fujairah city came as the ceasefire between the US and Iran came under strain in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and gas pass, remains a major sticking point in the talks. Shipping through the narrow Gulf waterway has been severely disrupted by the conflict, triggering a sharp increase in oil prices and energy shortages in several countries.
The UAE's defence ministry on Monday said its air defence systems engaged 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones launched from Iran.
The ministry affirmed that it "remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront anything that aims to undermine the security of the country."
