Obama effect: ID proof for R-Day parade ticket

January 23, 2015

Obama effect

New Delhi,Jan 23: The presence of US President Barack Obama as the chief guest during the Republic Day parade and the heightened security plan requires a section of ticket seekers for the mega event to deposit an identity proof at the ticket counter – a condition introduced for the first time.

While officials claimed that the stipulation of depositing a government document to prove identity applies to a small section of ticket seekers, people who queued up outside a ticket counter near India Gate said the rule was being applied to all. Defence ministry officials confirmed that a new pre-condition has been introduced this year for general public who wish to buy a Rs 300 ticket for a seat close to the saluting podium.

“Those buying the Rs 50 and Rs 10 tickets need not give an ID proof,” said a ministry official.

The new condition for ticket sale was introduced for additional security as the Rs 300 ticket holders usually sit very close to the VIP enclosures, he added.

A ticket seeker, who did not wish to be named, said: “I bought a Rs 50 ticket but the official at the kiosks insisted on taking my ID proof.”

Imran, a ticket seeker, said the new condition came as a surprise. “I had to go all the way back to my home and get the documents,” he said. Some ticket seekers also complained about the erratic working hours of the kiosks selling the tickets. “Earlier this week, I came and stood in the queue at 7 am but I could get the ticket only around noon as the counter opened late,” said a government employee, who had come to pick up another ticket for a family member.On some days, the counter did not open. On some days, it opened at 2 pm and the tickets were over within an hour, said another government employee who works in an office near India Gate.

“The clerk brings very few tickets for sale at the counter near Jamnagar House,” he said.

Another ticket seeker complained the VIP ticket seekers were being given more than one ticket despite a restriction.

“Some influential people came with 10-12 ID proofs and took away many tickets in one go while we kept waiting for our turn in the queue,” said Alok Pathak, a ticket seeker.

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News Network
February 26,2020

Feb 26: In a midnight hearing, the Delhi High Court directed police to ensure safe passage to government hospitals and emergency treatment for those injured in the communal violence erupted in northeast Delhi over the amended citizenship law.

The court held a special hearing, which started at 12:30 am, at the residence of Justice S Muralidhar after receiving a call from an advocate explaining the dire circumstances under which the victims were unable to be removed from a small hospital to the GTB Hospital.

A bench of Justices S Muralidhar and Anup J Bhambhani directed the Delhi Police to ensure safe passage of the injured victims by deploying all resources at its command and on the strength of this order as well as to make sure they receive immediate emergency treatment if not at the Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital then at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital (LNJP) or Maulana Azad or any other hospital.

The bench also called for a status report of compliance, including information about the injured victims and the treatment offered to them, and the matter will be heard during the day at 2:15 pm.

It said the order be communicated to the medical superintendents of the GTB and the LNJP Hospitals.

The urgent hearing was conducted after advocate Suroor Mander called the judge and sought urgent orders for safe passage of ambulances for the injured.

The Delhi Police and the government were represented through additional standing counsel Sanjoy Ghose.

During the hearing, the bench spoke over phone to doctor Anwar of the Al-hind Hospital in New Mustafabad who told the court that there were two bodies and 22 injured persons there and he had been trying to seek police assistance since 4 pm on Tuesday without success.

The court then directed the senior officials to reach to the hospital forthwith, following which they started the process of evacuating the injured to the nearest hospitals.

It also said this order be brought to the knowledge of the Delhi Police Commissioner.

Communal violence over the amended citizenship law in northeast Delhi claimed at least 18 lives till Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the violence escalated in northeast Delhi as police struggled to check the rioters who ran amok on streets, burning and looting shops, pelting stones and thrashing people.

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News Network
May 9,2020

Thrissur, May 9: Five people were arrested for allegedly conducting congregational prayers at a mosque here in violationofthe COVID-19 lockdown norms.

A case was registered against five people for conducting evening prayers on Friday, police said.

We received information that prayers were being conducted in the mosque, they said adding they were held at Eriyad Masjidul Bilal mosque here.

On Friday, four people, including the president of a local temple trust, were arrested for allegedly conducting a religious recitation in a temple here in violation of lockdown restrictions.

Though lockdown conditions have been eased in accordance with the Centre's guidelines, public gatherings, including functions, weddings, political events and religious gatherings were not allowed.

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News Network
July 16,2020

New Delhi, Jul 16: The Rajasthan High Court will hear Thursday afternoon a petition filed on behalf of the Sachin Pilot camp, challenging a move to disqualify dissident MLAs from the state assembly.

The plea against the disqualification notices sent from the Speaker’s office to Pilot and 18 other Congress MLAs will be heard by Justice Satish Chandra Sharma.

The 19 MLAs were sent notices Tuesday by the Speaker after the Congress complained that the MLAs had defied a party whip to attend two Congress Legislature Party meetings. 

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