Top Stories on 30 March in a capsule
Bihar Communal violence spreads to 10 districts, Police on high alert
Communal violence was reported in at least 8 districts of Bihar after members of two communities clashed following rumors of a deity’s idol being vandalized by unknown persons in Nawada area. The incident comes a day after clashes were reported in Bhagalpur district following Ram Navami celebrations. So far 10 districts — Bhagalpur, Siwan, Aurangabad, Gaya, Munger, Kaimur, Samastipur, Nalanda, Jamui, Sheikhpura — have been hit by communal violence in the state. Two BJP leaders in Samastipur district were taken into custody in connection with the incidents after which hundreds of BJP supporters held a protest against the police action terming it as ‘one-sided’. Speaking about these arrests, BJP state spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan said that if any worker or leader has done anything wrong, he’ll be given the same punishment as an ordinary man. At least 57 persons have been detained from different parts of the state in connection with the communal clashes in Samastipur, Munger, and Nalanda. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, however, has kept mum over the issue even as his party Janta Dal United (JDU) general secretary on Friday said that ‘Nitishji never compromises on the law and order in the state. And for this, we are willing to pay any price’.
Five killed, 60 arrested in West Bengal Communal violence
At least five people were killed and several people were injured leading to the arrest of at least 60 people in the ongoing communal violence in the state of West Bengal that erupted four days ago several media reports. Internet services were temporarily suspended and prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC were clamped in the area. While two people were killed in Asansol town on Thursday, three others were killed in West Burdwan on Friday. The situation turned ugly after the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the state and its political rival the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organised several processions to celebrate Ram Navami. Rampant use of bombs and other traditional weapons were also reported so was stone pelting and arson. The Ministry of Home Affairs which sought a report over the violence from the Mamta Banerjee government, the investigating agencies revealed that the coal mafias, their mercenaries, and arms peddlers were responsible for fuelling the latest tension in the region. On Friday, Union minister Babul Supriyo too was booked by police for his public threat to ‘skin’ people if they spoke against the leader. An Imam of a mosque in Asansol has however appealed for peace and restraint after his 16-year-old son was killed in the violence.
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Change Ambedkar's Name Across India: Governer Naik
Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik on Friday said that ‘Ramji’ was the name of Ambedkar’s father and as per practice in Maharashtra, a person's father’s name is used as the middle name by his son and hence it should be changed across the nation. Naik who was speaking at an event in Indira Gandhi Kala Kendra in Delhi, also said that it was not right to politicise the issue. His remarks came a day after the state government issued an order on using ‘Ramji’ as Ambedkar’s middle name in all references to him in official correspondence and records. He said that the spelling of Ambedkar in English will remain unchanged, but in Hindi, it will be spelled as ‘Aambedkar’. Ambedkar’s statues should be put with his correct name in all official departments in the state, Naik added.
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Missing student from DU stabbed to death by man he met on dating app
A 21-year old student of the Delhi University who was reported missing since 22nd March was found dead on Thursday. According to several media reports, the police investigations have found that the victim, Ayush was a regular user of various dating apps and met strangers frequently and it could be one such meeting that ultimately led to his murder. The accused, a 25-year-old was arrested based on inputs from technical surveillance and CCTV footage collected from various locations has confessed to the killing. He further revealed that the duo had a fight post which the crime took place. The report further revealed that Ayush’s father had received a ransom call demanding 50 lakh rupees. The culprit, however, did not turn up to get the money. The victim's body was later found in a drain.
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Navjot Singh Sidhu’s bank accounts frozen for non-payment of taxes
The Income Tax department late on Thursday evening seized two bank accounts of Punjab Tourism Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu for failing to present bills of expenditure shown in his tax returns filed for the year 2014-15. The former cricketer reportedly has dues over Rs 52 lakh against him. Sidhu showed huge expenses; Rs 38 lakh in travel, Rs 28 lakh on clothes, Rs 47 lakh on staff salary, and Rs 18 lakh on fuel, according to media reports. However, he was unable to present supporting bills as demanded by the Income-Tax department. IT department had reportedly issued three notices to Sidhu before taking action against him. However, Sidhu has expressed that he has filed his returns for the past ten years and has never defaulted on the same.
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