AsiaNet-Pakistan

Jaipur, A Muslim textile trader was assaulted and humiliated by Hindutva communal forces on a train in Rajasthan, a state governed by the BJP in India. The trader was stripped semi-naked and had his beard forcibly shaved during the incident.

According to Kashmir Media Service, 27-year-old Nadeem Malik, a textile trader based in Mumbai’s Malad area, was attacked while traveling from Mumbai to Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh. The assailants shaved his head and beard, and stripped him to his undergarments. The assault took place between the Bharatpur and Kota stations in Rajasthan. Malik’s ordeal came to light after his family shared a video of the incident on WhatsApp and filed a police complaint.

Malik was later found by his family members in New Delhi. This incident is part of a disturbing pattern of attacks targeting Muslims in India. In a similar event in January 2023, Mohammad Asim Hussain, an aluminum trader, was attacked in a moving train in Uttar Pradesh. He was stripped, beaten with belts, and forced to chant Hindu nationalist slogans. In another incident in July of the previous year, a Railway Protection Force constable killed his senior officer and three Muslim passengers on the Jaipur-Mumbai Central Superfast Express.

Srinagar, Indian forces, in coordination with Kashmir Police, arrested eight more Kashmiri youth under the Public Safety Act (PSA) in Baramulla district on Monday, subsequently relocating them to Central Jail Kot Bilwal Jammu and District Jail Udhampur.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the arrests are part of an intensified crackdown on Kashmiri youth, especially in the lead-up to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The youth, identified by authorities, include Waqar Ahmad Bhat, Danish Hussain Gojree, Taseen Ahmad Hurra, Mohd Abdullah Bhat, Mohd Ashraf Wani, Suhail Ahmad Sheikh, Touseef Ahmad Akhoon, and Abdul Majeed Shah. These individuals were allegedly involved in activities that disturbed public order, engaged in criminal activities, and participated in subversive actions.

The spokesman for the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) Police noted that despite multiple FIRs registered against them for their alleged involvement in various offenses, these detainees continued their activities, which led to their detention under the stringent PSA.

Srinagar, The body of Fayaz Ahmad Khan, who had been missing since April 8, was recovered from the Jhelum River near the Shalteng area of Srinagar on Monday.

According to Kashmir Media Service, officials reported that locals discovered Khan’s body near Mujgund in Shalteng and promptly informed the police. The officials further stated that the body has been transported to the hospital where it will undergo medico-legal formalities before being returned to his family.

The police have acknowledged the recovery and are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding Khan’s disappearance and death.

Karachi, Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar has outlined a series of rigorous security and law enforcement strategies to clamp down on crime and improve public safety across the province, with special focus on border areas and regions notorious for illegal activities.

According to Sindh Police, the minister emphasized the urgent need for smart CCTV installations along all border areas of Sindh, particularly at critical tri-junction points, to enhance surveillance and security measures. During a comprehensive review meeting with top police officials including IG Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon, and other regional DIGs and SSPs, the minister directed a point-to-point discussion on the current law and order situation in Kashmore/Kandhkot and Shikarpur, resulting in further directives based on the insights gathered.

The meeting also addressed issues such as human trafficking, the sale of cheap vehicles, and kidnapping for ransom, stressing the importance of a coordinated approach to protect citizens from various criminal schemes including honey traps. The Home Minister announced the deployment of additional police forces, with 1000 personnel each designated for Kashmore/Kandhkot and Shikarpur to bolster local law enforcement capabilities.

Furthermore, Lanjar instructed that continuous patrolling and snap-checking should be conducted on roads and highways near rough areas, and emphasized the need for regular briefings to ensure police officers are fully aware of their duties and the critical nature of their roles.

In an effort to combat the cultivation and trafficking of illegal crops, a committee consisting of district commissioners and senior police officers has been established to oversee the eradication of such activities. The minister directed that these illegal crops be seized and transferred to government warehouses, underscoring the necessity of strict legal actions against those involved in their cultivation and distribution.

The initiatives extend beyond law enforcement, with the Home Minister also engaging with the business community and representatives of the civil society, including a delegation from the Hindu community, to discuss their concerns and ensure their input is considered in enhancing regional security.

Islamabad, The Federal Minister for Industries and Production, Rana Tanveer Hussain, presided over a critical review meeting focusing on the availability and demand of fertilizers in preparation for the upcoming Kharif planting season.

According to Ministry of Industries and Production, the meeting assessed the projected demand and supply dynamics for Urea and DAP fertilizers, which are crucial for Kharif crops. The demand for Urea is expected to rise by 3.6% over the previous year. Minister Hussain emphasized the importance of ensuring these vital agricultural inputs are readily accessible to farmers to support agricultural productivity.

The meeting involved key officials including the Federal Secretary of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Capt (R) Muhammad Asif, and Waseem Ajmal Chaudhry, Federal Secretary of the Ministry of Industries and Production. They discussed strategies to maintain steady fertilizer production, including securing a reliable gas supply for fertilizer plants, as the government prioritizes agricultural development and the prosperity of farmers. The initiative reflects a broader commitment to bolstering Pakistan’s agricultural sector as a pillar of national economic development.