"Myanmar Nationals Who Entered India Illegally Deported Today": Manipur Chief Minister

The Manipur government on Friday began deporting Myanmar nationals who had fled a recent surge in fighting between the ruling junta and pro-democracy insurgents in the border region, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

"First batch of Myanmar nationals who entered India illegally deported today," Mr Singh said, without providing specific numbers.

"Although India is not signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, it has given shelter and aid to those fleeing the crisis in Myanmar on humanitarian grounds with a systematic approach," Mr Singh said.

Thousands of civilians have fled the fighting in Myanmar, crossing into ethnic violence-hit Manipur and neighbouring Mizoram.

Mr Singh posted a video showing the Myanmar nationals, mostly women and children, being sent away from the airport in the state capital Imphal.

First batch of Myanmar nationals who entered India illegally deported today.

Although India is not signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, it has given shelter & aid to those fleeing the crisis in Myanmar on humanitarian grounds with a systematic approach. pic.twitter.com/zgte8RfmGl

— N.Biren Singh (Modi Ka Parivar) (@NBirenSingh) March 8, 2024

The deportation comes a month after the Centre called for an immediate end to a free movement border agreement with Myanmar that allowed residents living in border zones to venture a short distance into their neighbouring nation's territory without a visa.

India is also erecting a 1,643-km-long fence along the porous border with Myanmar through remote jungles and snow-capped peaks towards Arunachal Pradesh.

The Kuki-Zo tribes in Manipur and Mizoram share ethnic and familial ties with the Chin people in Myanmar. Many of those who have fled to India from Myanmar share ethnic ties with the Kuki-Zo tribes.

Over 200 people have been killed since last May in clashes between the hill-majority Kuki-Zo tribes and the valley-majority Meiteis over serious disagreements on sharing land, resources, political representation, and affirmative action policies.

Parts of Myanmar near the border with India have seen frequent clashes since the Arakan Army insurgents attacked junta forces in November, ending a ceasefire that had largely held since a 2021 military coup.

Hundreds of soldiers were among those who had fled Myanmar and crossed over to India to escape the fighting.

from NDTV News Search Records Found 1000 https://ift.tt/miDfyVs
via IFTTT

AAP vs BJP Over Order To Demolish Pak Hindu Refugee Camps In Delhi

After the Aam Aadmi Party's allegation that the Central Government is trying to bulldoze the houses of Pakistani Hindu refugees in the National Capital, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva on Thursday said that it is regrettable to see AAP leaders including Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj indulging in "dirty politics".

"In an order, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had ordered long ago removal of encroachments on the river bank south of Gurdwara Majnu ka Tila but with a humanitarian approach, the concerned wing of DDA delayed it. When removal became inevitable the DDA issued a notice of removal but in the notice, it offered Pakistan refugees temporary alternate accommodation," he said.

"The local BJP unit of Chandni Chowk has been offering support to these Pakistan refugees in their hour of need. In the Covid phase, BJP workers organised regular food, clothes medicines etc., for these Hindu refugees from Pakistan even the the local Aam Aadmi Party MLA went missing," Virendra Sachdeva added.

The BJP Delhi president also asserted that as soon as refugee leaders apprised BJP leaders about the eviction notice late last night we immediately took up the matter with the Lt. Governor and stalled the eviction scheduled for today.

"It's regrettable that despite being in Delhi Government, the AAP leaders have never in last nine years visited the Hindu Refugees from Pakistan and even today choose to do press conferences instead of offering them proper accommodation. Lt. Governor has assured us that the Hindu Refugees will not be evicted without being allowed alternative accommodation," he said.

Aam Aadmi Party, today, in a post said ever since the new LG came, the houses of lakhs of people in Delhi have been demolished by the agencies of the Central Government (BJP).

"Hindu refugees who came from Pakistan 13 years ago were living with their small children near Majnu Ka Tila. Now the central government agency DDA has given them a notice that their houses will be demolished by DDA's bulldozers on 7-8th," the AAP alleged.

from NDTV News Search Records Found 1000 https://ift.tt/0I94qED
via IFTTT

Tamannaah, Ankita Lokhande Lead Celeb Roll Call At An Award Show

It was a star-studded night on Thursday as stars across film and television fraternity assembled under one roof to attend an award show in Mumbai. From Bigg Boss 17 former contestant Ankita Lokhande, Lust Stories 2 actress Tamannaah to Kartik Aaryan, it was a full house at the award show. Ankita Lokhande went full desi in a gorgeous orange saree. Her plus one at the event was her mom Vandana Lokhande. Tamannaah, who recently completed 16 years in the film industry, showed up at the event in a stunning white saree.

Take some pictures from the night:

Other celebs marking their presence at the event were Kartik Aaryan, Veteran actresses Padmini Kolhapure, Bhagyashree, Saiyami Kher, Sonali Kulkarni and others. Kartik Aaryan, who is gearing up for his upcoming film Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 turned up at the event in a black kurta. Padmini Kolhapuri, Bhagyashree, Saiyami Kher, Sonali Kulkarni were spotted in their festive best.

Take a look at some pictures of the night:

On the work front, Ankita Lokhande is on a roll. She will next be seen in Randeep Hooda's Swatantrya Veer Savarkar as Yamunabai. Yamunabai was Vinayak Damodar Savarkar's wife. When asked about the difference between Jhalkaribai (Manikarnika) and Yamunabai, Ankita Lokhande told Pinkvilla, "It's not right to compare the characters as both are completely different. Jhalkaribai fought battles being on the front foot, while Yamunabai was on the back foot. Her battle was different than Jhalkarbai. But yes, both the characters are very powerful in their own ways." FYI, Ankita Lokhande made her debut in films with Manikarnika. Ankita as Jhalkarbai played the role of a commander in Rani Laxmibai's army.

source https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/tamannaah-ankita-lokhande-lead-celeb-roll-call-at-an-award-show-5196048#publisher=newsstand

INLD Leader's Murder Probe Handed Over To CBI: Haryana Minister

Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij on Wednesday said the case of INLD leader Nafe Singh Rathee's killing has been transferred to the CBI by the state government.

"In the INLD leader's murder case, our police have been taking action and two accused were arrested," he said.

The Haryana home minister said that last month he had assured the state Assembly that the murder case would be handed over to the central probe agency. "And we have transferred the case to the CBI," he said.

Nafe Singh Rathee and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) worker Jai Kishan were killed after multiple rounds were fired on their vehicle in Bahadurgarh in the state's Jhajjar district on February 25.

Two men were arrested from Goa in a joint operation by the Haryana Police's Special Task Force, the district police and the Delhi Police's Special Cell in connection with the killing. According to the police, a handler based abroad was giving the duo directions.

Meanwhile, Anil Vij, who is also the state's health minister, was also asked about five people recently falling sick after having a mouth freshener which allegedly had dry ice mixed in it, he said the officials concerned have been directed to investigate the matter thoroughly.

Samples have been collected and the case will be thoroughly investigated. Action will be taken after the report is received, Anil Vij added.

from NDTV News Search Records Found 1000 https://ift.tt/I7lR4P6
via IFTTT

Anurag Kashyap Reviews Aamir Khan-Kiran Rao's Laapataa Ladies: "I Cried Like A Baby"

Kiran Rao's Laapataa Ladies found its latest fan in filmmaker Anurag Kashyap. The Gangs Of Wasseypur director on Wednesday wrote an elaborate post, praising Kiran Rao for creating a "sincere, funny, beautiful film" such as Laapataa Ladies. Heaping praises on the entire cast and cast, Anurag Kashyap wrote, "What a sincere, funny , beautiful film @raodyness has made . She says so much with so much subtlety but more than that , watching such a soulful film , an incredible love story , beautiful storytelling with truth bombs dropping with such humour every ten minutes . I cried like a baby. I took my driver Narayan ji with me who is from Bihar and he was like “gaanv ki yaad aa gayi” . The truth in the eyes of the actors who I have never seen before , all fresh faces with a lifetime performance from @ravikishann , the production design , the cinematography and then the writing by @snehadesaiofficial and team . Reminded me of the honesty, sensitivity and empathy of people in the india I grew up that now seems gone . And it is as funny and emotional as it is sincere . I can only just go on gushing about it."

He continued, "Kudos to the filmmaker, the team . Saw it in a packed house and luckily we book the best seats in the house in advance . It was pure bliss . The boy who plays Deepak and the Phool and then Pushpa raani and Daadi and Dubey ji , everyone just got to my gut. Don't miss this film , it's unforgettable . The music . Aah .. made my day , after watching two back to back brilliant Malayalam films (Manjummel boys and Bramayugam) and feeling why are we not doing it in Hindi cinema and then saw that Kiran actually has gone and done it , like @vidushak did with AIR . It has been a great beginning of 2024 for cinema in india for me . Thank you . Unmissable . Absolutely a Nirmal film set in Nirmal Pradesh."

Take a look at his full post below:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap10)

Ahead of Laapataa Ladies' release, the makers hosted a special screening of the film. Filmmaker Karan Johar was one of the attendees. After watching the film, KJo wrote a long appreciation note on his Instagram handle. He expressed, "I can say with complete assurance that at the end of 2024 when we look back at the year this gem of a gorgeous film will be hailed as one of the best films of the year. Kiran Rao directs this soulful and stirring satire with the ease of a bonafide veteran."

Karan Johar continued, "Addressing potent issues with humour, oodles of charm and superlative performances Laapataa Ladies made me smile, laugh, tear up and then applaud the mastery of the filmmaker and writers of the film!!! Drop everything you're doing this weekend and watch this ovation-worthy film! Congratulations to the entire ensemble of actors... the solid technicians... The brilliant writing team and Kiran Rao for giving us a gift of a film! And props to Aamir Khan Productions for always raising the cinematic bar with excellence."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Karan Johar (@karanjohar)

Meanwhile, Laapataa Ladies continues to experience ebbs and flows at the domestic box office. On day 5, the film directed by Kiran Rao earned ₹ 0.55 crore, according to a report published by Sacnilk. In total, the movie, which narrates the story of two young brides who get swapped during a train journey, has collected ₹ 4.95 crore, as per the report. The film, inching closer to the ₹5 crore mark, features Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, and Sparsh Shrivastava in lead roles. Additionally, Chhaya Kadam, Durgesh Kumar, Satendra Soni, and Hemant Soni also play significant roles in Laapataa Ladies. The movie has been jointly backed by Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao, and Jyoti Deshpande.

source https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/anurag-kashyap-reviews-aamir-khan-kiran-raos-laapataa-ladies-i-cried-like-a-baby-5189857#publisher=newsstand

Russia Jails Journalist For 7 Years Over Articles On War Crimes In Ukraine

A reporter for an independent Russian news outlet was sentenced to seven years in prison on Wednesday for articles he wrote about alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine, his publication said.

Roman Ivanov, who works for the online RusNews, was convicted of publishing "fake news" about the Russian army under wartime censorship laws passed shortly after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago.

Russia has used those laws to crack down on journalists and activists who report information that counters Kremlin narratives of what Moscow calls its special military operation in Ukraine.

The charges against Ivanov stem from articles he wrote about a massacre in Bucha, Ukraine, a U.N. war crimes report and Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.

The articles were published on the social media accounts of "Chestnoye Korolyovskoye", a news channel run by Ivanov where he blogged about local issues in Korolyov, the small city outside Moscow where he lives.

A prosecutor at the Korolyov city court had requested an eight-year sentence, RusNews said.

Ivanov used his closing speech in court on Tuesday to speak out forcefully again about what he called the "crime" of Russia's war in Ukraine, a human rights group said.

"Our country has simply turned into an avalanche of grief and misfortune," Ivanov was quoted as saying, adding that he had decided to post about the events in Bucha so that Russians could see that war "brings nothing but fear, pain, grief, destruction, loss".

"We must understand that everything that happened (in Ukraine) is our fault," Ivanov said.

The text of his speech was published on the website of Memorial, one of Russia's most celebrated human rights organisations, whose director, Oleg Orlov, was sentenced last month to two and a half years in prison for "discrediting the Russian armed forces".

Ivanov is the second RusNews journalist to be jailed for "fake news" after colleague Maria Ponomarenko was sentenced last month to six years for accusing Moscow of bombing a theatre in Mariupol, Ukraine, in the first months of the invasion.

Another RusNews journalist is on trial on charges of public calls for "extremism" in encouraging street protests on Telegram over three years ago, the outlet said.

from NDTV News Search Records Found 1000 https://ift.tt/bojJhze
via IFTTT

Arvind Kejriwal's "Opposition" Jibe As Lt Governor Points Out Civic Issues

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday thanked Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena for pointing out key issues in Sangam Vihar, a locality in South Delhi, and also said the work that the latter was doing should have been done by the opposition.

"LG Sahib, I am thankful to you that you pointed out our shortcomings. Earlier, you had also highlighted the shortcomings of Kirari and Buradi. I am now ordering the Chief Secretary to remove all these shortcomings in all these areas within seven days," Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said in a post on 'X'.

He underlined that the work LG was doing should have been done by the BJP who is in Opposition in Delhi.

"The work you are doing should have been done by the opposition. It is the job of the opposition to point out the shortcomings of the ruling party. Unfortunately, today all the seven MPs of the opposition, i.e., the BJP, are busy retiring from politics and the eight MLAs are fast asleep. This is the reason why power in Delhi has been away from the BJP for the last 26 years. Therefore, you are forced to play the role of opposition despite holding the constitutional post of LG," he said.

The Chief Minister also said that strict action should be taken against the concerned people.

"The shortcomings you have pointed out--strictest action should be taken against the officers who had to do this work and did not do it. 'Services' and 'vigilance' come under your jurisdiction. If it were under me, I would not only immediately suspend such careless officers but would also take such action against them that no other officer would dare to commit such a careless act. I hope that you will immediately suspend the most senior officers of these departments and give them exemplary punishment. 2 crore Delhiites will wait for your action," said the Chief Minister.

Earlier today, LG VK Saxena visited Sangam Vihar and highlighted the civic misery that people of the area were experiencing including the bad condition of roads, sewers, open garbage disposal, etc.

He further said that despite being in power for two terms, over 20 lakh people living in the are forced to live a miserable life as they are deprived of basic public facilities.

"Went to Sangam Vihar yesterday at the request of residents. Despite 9 years of claims, more than 20 lakh people living in the area are forced to live a hellish life, deprived of basic public facilities. There are no roads, no sewers, no garbage disposal," he said in a post on 'X'.

On X, LG VK Saxena also shared some pictures of civic issues in the area.

"Randomly hanging electrical wires are dangerous and a rickshaw overturned in front of me on a rough road and a woman was injured. The country cannot imagine that overflowing drains, heaps of garbage and streets filled with stinking sewer water will happen in the capital of India," the LG added.

LG VK Saxena further said that the concerned departments and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) are under the Delhi government, ruled by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

"All the concerned departments--I&FC, Water Board, Urban Development, DSIIDC are completely under the Delhi Government and MCD is also under you. I saw a similar situation in Kirari and Burari also," he said.

LG VK Saxena further requested Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to bestow attention on the issues concerning the people of Delhi.

"Honorable Chief Minister Shri @ArvindKejriwal ji is requested to pay attention to the problems of Delhi and the general public of Delhi. I am attaching some pictures for your information," he said.

from NDTV News Search Records Found 1000 https://ift.tt/gZJYTX0
via IFTTT