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V K Singh comments: BEA condemns, Cong demands his dismissal

April 8, 2015

New Delhi, Apr 8: Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh has landed himself in another controversy over his remarks dubbing newsmen as "presstitutes", evoking strong reaction today from a media association and the Opposition which demanded that he be "dismissed".vk singh

Singh, who is currently in Djibouti to oversee evacuation of Indians from Yemen, had yesterday compared the rescue operation from the war-torn country with his visit to the Pakistani mission recently, saying the evacuation was "less exciting". However, he later made snide remarks against a TV channel for playing up his comparison remarks.

"Friends what do you you expect from presstitutes," he said in a tweet late last night adding that last time the TV anchor thought there was 'O' in place of 'E'.

His remarks elicited sharp reactions from political parties as well as a media body.Congress' spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said this is an "extreme situation" which "shows the utter intolerance, the incapacity to hear dissent and criticism of oneself".

According to former Union minister Manish Tewari, what Singh has said was "completely reprehensible" and needs to be condemned in strongest possible terms. "It's an assault on the freedom of the press," he said, demanding his dismissal as minister.

Condemning the remarks, Broadcast Editors Association (BEA) said it was "lowering" the image of the government as Singh has been making comments, which are beyond the "normal behavioural decency".

General Secretary of BEA N K Singh said that he was surprised that a Union minister could use such words for a democratic institution of the country.

"Can there be a person in the Union Cabinet, who can use such words for an institution? BEA not only condemns it but also expects that the Prime Minister puts a check on such ministers. This is not only damaging democracy but also hurting his own image," he said.

"V K Singh is known for such things. We have seen in last three-four years how he makes comments, which are below normal behavioural decency. It is lowering the government's image. Using such words for media does not denote a healthy mindset," the BEA General Secretary said.

NCP general secretary Tariq Anwar dubbed Singh's remarks as "cheap" and said coming from a minister it deserves all the more condemnation.

JD(U) general secretary K C Tyagi said the statement by Singh is "shameful and shocking" and hoped he does not repeat such "derogatory" remarks in future.

This is the second time in less than fortnight that Singh has courted controversies for his remarks.

A major row had erupted when Singh had attended Pakistan's National Day on March 23 at the High Commission here when several separatist leaders from Kashmir too were present.

However, after attending the reception, the former Army Chief made some mysterious tweets about "disgust" and "duty" which were widely interpreted as his displeasure over being asked to represent the government at the Pakistan reception.

The next day, he called a press conference that he was fully committed to BJP, government and the Prime Minister and that his tweets were directed only towards those section of the media that have questioned the intent of his government and also the stance on countering Pakistan sponsored terror.

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Agencies
July 30,2020

New Delhi, Jul 30: Preparing for a long haul in the Eastern Ladakh sector in extreme winters, the Indian Army has an edge over the Chinese as it has deployed 35,000 troops there who have already done tenures in high altitude and cold conditions.

The Indian troops deployed there are mentally prepared for tackling the weather and terrain.
In contrast, the Chinese troops deployed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) are not used to these conditions as they have been brought from mainland China and are not accustomed to high altitude extreme cold weather conditions.

"We are preparing to provide extreme cold weather portable cabins for around 35,000 troops that have been deployed in the Eastern Ladakh sector," government sources said.

"Our soldiers deployed there have already done a tenure or two in Siachen, Eastern Ladakh or Northeast and they are physically and mentally prepared for a longer deployment there," they said.

The Chinese soldiers deployed on the Indian front include mainly conscripts who join the PLA for a period of 2-3 years and then return to their normal lives, sources said.

Indian and Chinese troops are engaged in a standoff situation all along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh from sub-sector north with both sides having deployed around 40,000 troops against each other over there.

The two sides have disengaged at three friction points including Patrolling Point 14, PP-15 and PP-17 and PP-17A.

At PP-17 and 17A, the Chinese have now maintained a small element of close to 50 troops and the remaining elements have gone back into their permanent locations.

The sources said the Army is also not much bothered about the Chinese build-up along the LAC as it has got more than two additional divisions from outside Ladakh sector.

India Army has more troops than what the Chinese have brought there, they said.

For the winter deployment, the Army already has a sizeable stock of clothes and habitat for troops as the Indian army deploys troops at the world's highest battlefield Siachen glacier and is prepared.

For additional requirements, the force is in the process of placing orders for additional tents and shelters from indigenous as well as foreign vendors.

The time for summer stocking is on and we are going to get the additional cabins and tents by that time, the sources.

Months of June, July, and August are considered to be the best time for stocking winter rations and ammunition. The snowfall is expected to start soon in the Eastern Ladakh area where the temperature is already low.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has given financial powers of Rs 500 crore per procurement to the defence forces to address any type of shortages of weapons, ammunition, and habitat.

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News Network
July 17,2020

Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 17: A gunman posted at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Consulate in Thiruvananthapuram allegedly attempted suicide on Friday, the police said.

"A gunman who was working at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Consulate in Thiruvananthapuram allegedly attempted to commit suicide today. He is currently admitted to a hospital. 

The police were searching for him after his relatives had filed a missing complaint on Thursday night. A case has been registered and a probe is underway," said Police.

The person is identified as Jayagosh. He is attached to the police Armed Reserve (AR) camp and was reported missing since last night. Later, his relatives had filed a missing complaint with the police.

Jayagosh was later found lying in a pool of blood near his house in Akkulam and was taken to the hospital.

A police investigation is underway and more details are awaited.

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Agencies
February 29,2020

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 29: With Saudi Arabia indefinitely suspending visas for visit to Islam's holiest site for the Umrah pilgrimage in the wake of coronavirus outbreak, more than 10,000 people in the state who are awaiting their turn this year for the annual Hajj pilgrimage are a worried lot.

"This year more than 10,000 people in Kerala have been cleared by the Hajj committee," said C Muhammed Faizy, chairman, Kerala State Hajj Committee.

"There is no cause of worry. We hope that during the time of the pilgrimage, the travel restriction by Saudi Arabia will be lifted," he said.

Umrah is a pilgrimage to the holy site that can be undertaken at any time of the year, while the annual Hajj pilgrimage has specific months according to the lunar calendar.

"The move by the Saudi Arabian Government to impose travel restriction was due to the outbreak of coronavirus. It is a preventive step to contain it. In such large gatherings, if one person is affected, it will spread to others. So we fully understand the concerns of the Saudi Government," Muhammed Faizy added.

He said that the Hajj Committee only processes the requests of annual Hajj visit pilgrims and not Umrah.

"This year we expect the Hajj pilgrimage season to be from June to August after Ramzan. But it may vary according to the Ramzan date. We are yet to get any official correspondence from the Saudi Government regarding travel restrictions," he added.

The Saudi Arabian Government suspended visas for tourists from countries affected by the coronavirus, with many having to cancel their Umrah pilgrimage at the last minute.

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