Chennai blasts probe: CCTV image provides first clue

May 3, 2014

chennai

Chennai, May 3: In a find that could help crack the mystery behind the May Day twin blasts in a train at the Chennai Central railway station, the State police on Friday released the CCTV footage of a man running on the platform soon after the train’s arrival.

The Crime-Branch CID, investigating the blasts on board the Bangalore-Guwahati Express that killed a woman passenger and injured 14, disclosed here that the explosives planted in the train were similar to those used to trigger multiple blasts in Patna hours before the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, was to address an ‘Hunkar rally’ on October 28, 2013.

The police’s announcement came after experts from the National Security Guards (NSG) inspected the scene and the materials seized from the damaged coaches.

Inspector-General of Police Mahesh Kumar Agarwal said remnants of clock pieces, batteries, metal pellets and a metallic pipe suggested that a timer device was used as the trigger. Releasing the footage, he said the “person’s movements were unusual and required verification.”

Crime Branch officials also confirmed that the train was running 90 minutes late and had it been on time, the bombs would have gone off after the train entered Andhra Pradesh. Mr. Modi addressed election rallies at five places in the neighbouring State on May 1, including Nellore, close to the Tamil Nadu border.

Any information on the man in the footage could be passed on to the CB-CID on (044) 2250 2500/10 or (0)77086 54202, he said. The man apparently got off the S-3 coach and ran away after the train arrived; we have not seen him getting into the train again,” Mr. Agarwal said.

He said the investigation so far had not indicated any link between the blasts and Zakir Hussain, a Sri Lankan national arrested by the State police three days ago.

Senior officials of the CB-CID rushed to Bangalore following a tip-off.

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News Network
January 13,2020

New Delhi, Jan 13: The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) has alleged that the varsity administration has blocked the registration of 300 students on the basis of 'fake Proctor inquiries'.

The union had on Saturday asked students of the university to pay their academic tuition fee but not the hiked hostel fee.

"Today the Vice Chancellor first blocked the fee payment portal and then blocked the payment of tuition fees. It is clear that the VC was lying through the teeth when he said students want to register but are not being allowed to by protesters," JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh said.

She said the VC has also blocked the registration of 300 students based on fake proctor enquiries which are not even completed.

"The truth is that it is the administration which does not want students to register and is blocking their registration," she said.

JNUSU vice president Saket Moon said that in the meetings held in HRD ministry, it was decided that the administration would take a lenient view on the students' protest and not take action against them.

He said many students, who opened the portal for registration found they had been academically suspended and could not register.

He said the JNUSU had softened its stand by saying that they would register by paying the old fees but that has been kept on hold.

On Sunday, the administration extended the date for the winter semester registration till January 15.

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Agencies
April 13,2020

With the beginning of Ramzan just about 10 days away, Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali, the chairperson of the Islamic Centre of India and the Imam of Aishbagh Eidgah has issued an advisory to people on how to observe Ramzan during the lockdown.

In his appeal, the Sunni cleric, who is a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), has urged people that the holy month of Ramzan is likely to begin from April 25. The lockdown may also be extended beyond April 14.

"In this case, it is advised that people observe roza (fast) and do iftar (meal to break the fast) in the evenings at their homes. There should be no congregational prayers in the mosque but only at homes. Only those who stay or are staying at a mosque should pray there and that too while maintaining adequate social distance," said Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali in a video message.

The cleric, in the 12-point advisory, has asked people to fast as is mandatory in Islam and to pray for the end of the pandemic, during the month of worship.

The advisory says that those who used to arrange for iftar of poor and needy persons at the mosque, should continue to do so this year as well but the food should be distributed to the needy.

"Those who conducted Iftar parties in Ramzan should give the money kept for it in charity. Not more than five people should be present at any time at a mosque," the cleric added.

Earlier for April 8 and April 9, both Shia and Sunni clerics had appealed to the people to stay indoors and pray on the occasion of Shab-e-Baraat, respectively. To ensure full compliance of the lockdown, the gates of several graveyards in the city were locked up by the caretakers since traditionally Muslims visit graves of their ancestors on Shab-e-Baraat--the night of Allah's forgiveness, to pray for their ancestors.

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Agencies
August 3,2020

New Delhi, Aug 3: President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday extended warm greetings and good wishes to the countrymen on the occasion of Rakshabandhan.

The President in his message said, "Greetings on Raksha Bandhan! Rakhi is the sacred thread of love and trust that connects sisters with brothers in a special bond. On this day, let us reiterate our commitment to secure the honour and dignity of women."

"Many wishes to all the countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Rakshabandhan," Prime Minister Modi tweeted in Hindi.

Rakshabandhan, which is being celebrated today, is a celebration of the unique bond between brothers and sisters. Tying of the Rakhi by sisters, symbolises love, affection and mutual trust between brothers and sisters. 

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