By TwoCircles.net Team,

New Delhi: Past week, TwoCircles.net acheived new feat, when its FaceBook page reached over 10000 fans and YouTube channel now has over two million hits.

At the time of filing this story, the FaceBook page had already reached 10235 fans, with 287 new ‘fans’ added in last one week itself. 6547 people ‘engaged’ with the FB page in the past week itself. That shows that most of the people who follow TCN, make it a point to regularly check on the site.

On YouTube, 66186 views were recorded in last one month itself.

In an increasing commercialized media, TCN has often been the voice of sanity, and tried cover news from marginalized sections of India. The main focus is of course on Indian Muslims, but from time to time, we have tried covering and reporting whole range of issues affecting Indians, Muslims and international issues.

TCN is a non-profit organization. Expressing his satisfaction, founding Editor of TCN Kashif-ul-Huda said, “It is a big achievement for a small non-profit media that works without any institutional or governmental support.”

The need for a community news portal focusing on Indian Muslims was particularly felt in the wake of the 9/11 when Islamophobia had gripped the entire world. In 2006 TCN finally took shape. The mainstream media often does not devote the time and space needed to show the complete picture. Usually, Muslims tend to hit the headlines in negative contexts—terrorism, fatwa, backwardness.

Although our victimization stories get circulated a lot more than ‘positive stories’, so people remember seeing them more often. Although crippled with resources, we try doing features and engage our readers in positive debate as often as we get opportunities, from education to performances of Muslim MPs. Not only forcing the mainstream media and the government relating to Muslim issues, but TCN also has led to larger scrutiny of Muslim leaderships and organisations, by pulling up Muslim leadership for not doing enough. Highlighting corruptions in Wakf boards across country is a case in point.

Our agenda has been to get the Indian Muslim stories and viewpoints out there because mainstream media is filtering Muslim stories and views. Its small achievements like these which are most satisfying, for the entire TCN family, most of whom work with the share aspiration to get the voices of the community heard.

TCN Special Reports

By IANS,

New Delhi : The Muslim Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) Sunday wrote to Press Council of India head Markandey Katju that "a particular lobby for gaining political mileage" has been wrongly terming buffalo meat as beef which has hurt production and appealed that he should issue proper guidelines to the media on reporting about it.

The Aligarh-based MCCI, in an open letter, said, the "socio-political situation in the country is fast changing and going in the direction of communal divide particularly after emergence of Narendra Modi on political scenario".

It said that Aligarh and adjoining area is a major centre of meat production and export, but since the last few weeks, "a particular lobby for gaining political mileage has not only defamed meat produced at Aligarh but also has succeeded in stopping its production which has resulted in the economic losses to a particular community engaged in the trade".

Pointing out that "there is difference between beef and buffalo meat and all sections of Indian citizenry respect the religious sentiments associated with beef", it said in Aligarh, buffalo slaughter is done in a legal way but "in the name of beef the trade of meat has been stopped".

It said the media should "desist using world 'beef' without confirmation as their use may escalate communal divide and sends wrong signals".

It requested the PCI head to issue proper guidelines to media "for confirmation about the variety of meat before declare any meat as beef. Your intervention will save an ugly situation and will strengthen the journalistic ethics", the statement said.

By TCN News,

Kokrajhar, Assam: Assam Relief Work, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind organised an opening ceremony of the Housing Project, at Baigon Bari, Near Dotoma under Kokrajhar Sub-division, Kokrajhar District in BTAD riot-affected area of Assam on 29th August 2013. Jamaat constructed 112 houses for the riot-affected people of Bodo and Muslim communities.

Chief Guest of the programme, Mr. Nusrat Ali, Secretary General Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, formally inaugurated the 112 houses and handed over the keys to affected families of this area in the presence of Relief In-Charge and Secretary JIH Mohammad Shafi Madni and local dignitaries.

Earlier in the morning plantation was done under the leadership of Asgar Ali of Gaon Bora Baigon Bari. Qirat and Ghazal competition was also organised among the students of Maktabs. Public programme started at 10 a.m. under the convenorship of Mufti Abdul Latif Qasmi. Maulana Mukarram, Maulana Moinul Hoq, Maulana Zabir Hussain, Maulana Rafiqullah, Maulana Rufyan, and Mufti Anwar Hussain Saidee delivered speeches in this programme.

In the last session the programme started with Ameer-e-Halqa in the chair. In this session Sofiur Rahman Akond read out the report of Relief and Rehabilitation work done in Kokrajhar Sub-Division. Besides Mr. Nusrat Ali and Mohammad Shafi Madni, those who delivered speeches on this occasion include Md. Shams Ahmed, Field In-charge Assam Relief Work, and Moinul Hoq, Vice-President AAMSU. Presidential speech was given by Abdul Hamid, President JIH Assam Zone. The programme came to an end with the Duwa of Anwar Hussain Saidee at 5 pm. More than 5000 people attended the programme.

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,

Hyderabad: Basheeruddin Babu Khan well known, politician, businessman, philanthropist, educationist and minority rights activist, passed away after a prolonged illness at his residence on Sunday morning 11: A.M.

Mr. Babukhan was elected as MLA twice, in 1985 and 1994; he held cabinet portfolios of Higher Education, Major Industries, Tourism & Minorities Welfare during 1989 and 1994-1998.

Basheeruddin Babu Khan

Mr. Basheeruddin Babu Khan gained huge respect among Muslim community when he resigned as Minister protesting Telugu Desam Party support to BJP Government at Centre in 1998.

It was on May 30, 1998, when Mr. Basheeruddin Babu Khan resigned from the cabinet of than chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Mr. Khan made this important symbolic protest within 24 hours after the Telugu Desam Party bailed out the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government at the Centre during the vote of confidence in the Lok Sabha.

His bold issued statement against his own party is still remembered by many where he openly communicated the protest of Andhra Pradesh Muslims stating that the minorities and secular forces felt shocked and betrayed with the TDP extending its open support to the communal BJP.

In his historic statement Baheeruddin Babu Khan said that he has resigned on the call of his conscience and to uphold the principles of secularism and to honor the sentiments of Muslim community. Man of principle Mr. Khan stood by his decision and termed it irrevocable.

Even after resignation from his portfolio Mr. Babu Khan did continue with TDP as party’s Bodhan MLA, but his stern party leadership took revenge on him by denying ticket in the next elections.

A press statement by his family stated, “He had always been working for the upliftment of minorities and other weaker sections of the society for the general public good, throughout his life. His contributions for the rights of minorities have been widely recognized both nationally and internationally. Recently Muslim Educational and Cultural Organization (MESCO) and National Commission for Minorities Educational Institutions Govt. of India bestowed on him life time achievement award, which is an award for great significance for his work in the field of Muslim education for past three decades.”

Mr. Khan was one of the highly intellectual leaders who had a clear vision for the development of Muslim community. His family stated, “His sad demise is a major loss to the community, his services for the community is unforgettable.”

Basheeruddin Babu Khan’s younger brother Ghayasuddin Babu Khan is the chairman of Hyderabad Zakat and Charitable Trust a well known philanthropist group. Mr. Khan is survived by his wife, one son and two daughters.

His Namaz-e-Janaza was offered at Royal Mosque, Bagh-e-Aam, Nampally followed by Asar prayer on Sunday. He has been buried at Graveyard Road No.12, Banjara Hills.

By IANS,

Lucknow : The opposition will demand answers from the Akhilesh Yadav government to a host of issues, including the Muzaffarnagar riots, when the monsoon session of the Uttar Pradesh state assembly begins Monday, said leaders of several parties.

With issues including the arrest of a Samajwadi Party legislator in Goa with prostitutes in a hotel, the grim power scenario, illegal mining, suspension of IAS official Durga Shakti Nagpal and communal riots in Muzaffarnagar, the opposition is breathing fire and the government has been pushed on the defensive.

Insiders in the ruling party admit that the scenario was "grim and indefensible" for the 18-month-old government, hit by poor law and order.

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader Dalbeer Singh said the party will seek answers on the complete failure of the government in allowing the communal situation in the western parts of the state to spin out of control.

"What was the government doing? Where were its intelligence agencies? Was discontent brewing among locals?" asked leader of opposition in the state assembly Swamy Prasad Maurya.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader said his party would repeat its demand for imposition of president's rule in the state.

"We have been saying this all through. Our leader Mayawati had predicted long back that the people of the state would regret voting for the Samajwadi Party. Sadly in the process, precious lives are being lost and the state is being defamed," Maurya told IANS.

Pradeep Mathur, leader of the Congress legislature party, said his party was in no mood to spare the Samajwadi Party.

"How can we be silent on the bloodbath and mayhem this government has allowed to take place in Muzaffarnagar. The riots are unpardonable and someone will have to own up to the responsibility," he said.

The Congress has also dropped hints of the tough stand the party would take during the assembly session.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also said the state government will be forced to explain its failure.

Angry at BJP leaders being "implicated" in the Muzaffarnagar riots that left 48 people dead, the party will ask the state government on what basis were they being singled out, said Radha Mohan Das, the party chief whip in the assembly.

Usually combative on the floor of the House, the Samajwadi Party crisis managers have realised that this time they have limited options to mute the opposition.

"The party has discussed the near-certain possibility of an all-out attack by the opposition during the monsoon session. We will try to have a healthy debate on the issues they raise," said a senior Samajwadi Party leader.

Samajwadi Party leaders also fear for the anger of state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Azam Khan, who has criticised the government over mishandling the Muzaffarnagar riots.

Azam Khan, who has often salvaged the situation for the government in the past, did not attend the party's all-important "business advisory committee" meeting Sunday.

State Public Works Department Minister Shivpal Yadav, however, played down Khan's absence and said the minister would be present in the assembly Monday.

By IANS,

Lucknow : The BJP Monday criticised a Uttar Pradesh minister for alleging that their party was behind the communal riots in Muzaffarnagar that left 48 people dead.

State Public Works Department (PWD) minister Shivpal Singh Yadav made the statement at a press conference Sunday evening.

State Bharatiya Janata Party spokesman Vijay Bahadur Pathak accused the minister, who is also the younger brother of Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, of trying to indict the BJP without any basis or proof.

"This is being done yet again with an eye on minority votes," Pathak told IANS Monday.

"The state government has already appointed a judicial commission to probe the riots. Why is then Yadav giving such statements?" Pathak asked.

The BJP leader said that if Shivpal Yadav knew so much about the role of the BJP, he should come out with facts and evidence rather than hurl unsubstantiated charges.

"Unfortunately, the SP leaders are yet to realise that the tragic riots of Muzaffarnagar that killed so many people and displaced thousands was largely a mess created by them," Pathak said.

The BJP has accused the state government of administrative failure.

As many as 48 people were killed in the riots in the western town of Muzaffarnagar that began Sep 7. More than 43,000 people have been displaced and are currently taking shelter in 38 relief camps.

Four BJP legislators, including Kairana legislator and leader of the BJP legislature party in the state assembly Hukum Singh, have been booked under various charges.

The Samajwadi Party leadership has accused the BJP of stoking communal passions in the area. BJP has denied any role in the riots.

By IANS,

Mumbai : Veteran actor Dilip Kumar continues to remain in Lilavati hospital's ICU here. But his condition is stable, a aide of his wife, actress Saira Banu, said.

The 90-year-old was hospitalized Sunday evening after he complained of feeling uncomfortable.

"He is in ICU, but doctors have said that he is fine and his condition is stable. So, nothing to worry. Saira Banuji is with him from last night in the hospital," Saira Bano's manager Murshid Khan told IANS.

While there were reports that Dilip Kumar had a mild heart attack Sunday night, Khan said: "No nothing as such. He was just feeling uneasy."

By IANS,

Muzaffarnagar : The "guilty should be punished", Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Monday during a visit to violence-hit Muzaffarnagar district in Uttar Pradesh, along with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and party vice president Rahul Gandhi.

"It was a very tragic incident and those guilty should be punished," Manmohan Singh told reporters here.

The leaders met people affected in violence and ensured all help to the state government to restore normalcy in the district.

Manmohan Singh said: "Our priority will be that people displaced (in clashes) feel secure and arrangements be made for their safety till they not return home."

As many as 48 people were killed in the riots that ravaged the western town of Muzaffarnagar for three days. More than 43,000 people have been displaced when violence broke out Sep 7 and are currently taking shelter in 38 relief camps.

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,

Lucknow: On the 117th day of Rihai Manch dharna on Sunday outside Uttar Pradesh Assembly, flambeau were lit by protesters demanding release of innocent Muslim youths languishing in jail for years on ‘fabricated terror charges.’

Since May 20 Rihai Manch (Forum for the Release of Innocent Muslims imprisoned in the name of Terrorism) is on indefinite dharna outside UP Assembly demanding arrest of police officers involved in Khalid Mujahid's murder, issuing the RD Nimesh commission report and action report, and the immediate release of innocent Muslim youth imprisoned in the name of terrorism.

Chairman of the Rihai Manch, Advocate Mohamamd Shoaib siad that these mashaal (flambeau) are in solidarity with the those who have been denied justice in collusion of the political class with the Intelligence Agency and police officers.

Mohammad Suleman of the Indian National League commended the Rihai Manch for fighting for the causes of the underprivileged Muslim youths who do not have even basic resource to pay the legal expenses.

Khalid had died under mysterious circumstances on his way back from Faizabad near Ram Sanehi Ghat on May 18. He was declared brought dead by the doctors at district hospital in Barabanki. Later, on the complain of his uncle Zahir Alam Falahi, a case was registered against 42 police officers including former DGP Vikram Singh, ADG Brijlal and others who were on duty during the time of Khalid's arrest.

Khalid along with Tariq Qasmi was arrested by Special Task Force (STF) on 20 December 2007 from Barabanki. Huge explosives were also shown as recovered from his possession. STF claimed that he was involved in the serial blasts which occurred in Gorakhpur, Faizabad and Lucknow. Later, Nimesh Commission was constituted headed by Justice R D Nimesh who in its report raised fingers over STF's claim about the place of arres.

Khalid’s family and civil society groups are demanding CBI probe into Khalid’s custodial death and has compared his case with the fake encounter of Ishrat Jahan by the Gujarat Police. They have also questioned the role of the IB.

Rihai Manch is leading a sustained demonstration against the UP government for last three months now demanding actions on its poll promise of releasing innocent youths languishing in jails in fabricated terror charges.

Several rights groups and and politicians, including Prakash Karat, Subhasini Ali, and leaders of Welfare Party of India have also expressed their solidarity with the Manch demonstration and on different days made token participations.

By IANS,

Lucknow : With normalcy returning to the violence-ravaged Muzaffarnagar town in Uttar Pradesh, the district administration Monday lifted curfew completely, officials said.

A home department official told IANS that following a ground report suggesting calm and no untoward incidents, the state government gave a go ahead to lift the curfew, which was clamped after violence erupted Sep 7.

Night patrolling by armed columns and presence of police force at sensitive points would however continue, officials said.

"The security level has been scaled down but we will be on vigil and the intelligence set up in the city and rural areas has been shored up to prevent any resurfacing of violence," said a police official.

No decision however has been taken to withdraw the army from the district. A decision to do so, officials said would be taken later at the highest level of the government.

Schools and educational institutions would also open from Tuesday but as a matter of abundant caution, time limits have been set on opening of markets and liquor vends and they have been asked to down shutters by 7 p.m.

At least 48 people were killed and over 43,000 displaced in the communal riots that continued for over four days. The displaced have taken refuge in the 38 relief camps set up by the state government, and many have refused to go back home.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav visited the affected areas Sunday, while Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi made a visit Monday.

By IANS,

New Delhi : Muslim leaders Monday complained to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about incidents of communal violence in different parts of the country, and urged him to bring in an anti-communal violence bill soon, official sources said Monday.

Sources said the prime minister gave the leaders a sympathetic hearing and assured them that all would be done to ensure the security of different communities.

The prime minister told the leaders of the community that the anti-communal violence bill would be discussed at a meeting of the National Integration Council Sep 23.

As many as 15 Muslim leaders representing different organisations, including Mahmood Madani, general secretary of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, and Samajwadi Party leader Kamal Farooqui, met the prime minister at his official residence here.

Stating that communalism was linked to terrorism and required legal measures of control, Farooqui said the anti-communal violence bill was needed to ensure society's safety.

"Accountability of officers in such cases should be fixed," he said.

By IANS,

New Delhi : The Uttar Pradesh government Monday told the Supreme Court that allout relief measures have been undertaken in the communal violence-affected areas in western parts of the state as the central government said the clashes left 44 dead, 97 injured and thousands stranded in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli districts.

"...extensive, comprehensive and effective relief and rehabilitation measures have been undertaken in the violence affected areas by the state government, under the overall supervision of the state Chief Secretary," the Uttar Pradesh government said in its compliance affidavit to a bench of Chief Justice P. Sathasivam and Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.

The central government also said that there were 26,909 people stranded in Muzaffarnagar and 14,920 in Shamli district. It said that 2,462 people have been arrested.

Both the central and the Uttar Pradesh governments filed their compliance affidavits in response to the apex court's Sep 12 order directing them "to take immediate steps and take charge of all persons, who are stranded without food and water, and set up relief camps providing all required assistance".

The court also directed the central and state governments "to ensure that all stranded are taken to places of safety and are given minimum amenities of food and water and to make adequate arrangements for their stay, till rehabilitation and restoration takes place in their respective places", including medical treatment of wounded and the needy.

The commissioner, Saharanpur Division, has been designated the nodal officer for providing relief and rehabilitation, the compliance report said, adding that the next of kin of the dead have been disbursed ex-gratia relief of Rs.10 lakh and those with injuries given Rs.50,000.

The state government also gave the lists of the dead and the injured to the apex court.

The Uttar Pradesh government told the court that it has issued directions to the district magistrates of all districts in Saharanpur and Meerut divisions, to evaluate the damage to movable and immovable property, including houses and places of worship, and also to work out an estimate for reconstruction of these.

The compliance report by the state government said that "since the outbreak of communal violence in the affected areas, the state government has issued several government orders providing necessary guidelines and facilitation, in order that district officials may provide speedy and effective relief measures, as also monetary assistance to those affected, while fostering communal harmony among the people".

The court directed the matter be listed for further hearing Sep 19.

By IANS,

Panaji : Escorted by NIA officials, key Indian Mujahideen terror suspect Yasin Bhatkal Monday showed investigators around the places and areas in Goa which he had surveyed as potential terror targets and those used as safe houses.

Top police sources told IANS Monday that the Bhatkal visit had been kept top secret and among the places which the NIA officials were taken to by Bhatkal were the German bakery in Anjuna and Chapora, both coastal areas in north Goa, popular for its presence of foreign tourists.

"Bhatkal landed on Sunday with NIA officials who are probing the German Bakery blasts in Pune. The NIA officials were taken to Anjuna, Chapora and other coastal areas in the north," a senior police official said requesting anonymity.

The official further said that only two police officials of superintendent of police and deputy superintendent of police rank were involved in escorting Bhatkal during the visit.

"He is being interrogated about which places he had chosen as potential places for terror strikes and other safe houses he had used during his recce in Goa as well as other states in India," the officer said.

Bhatkal, a key Indian Mujahideen terrorist is one of the most wanted criminals in India responsible for over 140 deaths in terror-strikes and was one of the architects of the 2010 German bakery blasts in Pune.

He was arrested recently on the India-Nepal border.

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,

Lucknow: Facing flak from all quarters over the failure of the administration to quell the Muzaffarnagar riots, Akhilesh Yadav government presented the RD Nimesh Commission Report on Monday in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly.

The Nimesh commission report is related to the arresting of terror suspect Khalid Mujahid and Tariq Qasmi in 2007. Justice R D Nimesh had submitted its report to the state government on 31 August 2012. Both Khalid and Tariq were accused in serial blasts which occurred in 2007.

Khalid Mujahid and Tariq Qasmi were arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) on 20 December 2007 from Barabanki. Huge explosives were also shown as recovered from his possession. STF claimed that he was involved in the serial blasts which occurred in Gorakhpur, Faizabad and Lucknow. Later, Nimesh Commission was constituted headed by Justice R D Nimesh who in its report raised fingers over STF's claim about the place of arrest.

Pressure was mounting on the state government with social organisations led by Rihai Manch (Forum for the Release of Innocent Muslims imprisoned in the name of Terrorism) continuing indefinite dharna demanding arrest of police officers involved in Khalid Mujahid's murder, issuing the RD Nimesh commission report, and the immediate release of innocent Muslim youth imprisoned in the name of terrorism.

Khalid had died under mysterious circumstances on his way back from Faizabad near Ram Sanehi Ghat last Saturday. He was declared brought dead by the doctors at district hospital in Barabanki. Later, on the complain of his uncle Zahir Alam Falahi, a case was registered against 42 police officers including former DGP Vikram Singh, ADG Brijlal and others who were on duty during the time of Khalid's arrest.

The state cabinet meeting chaired by CM Akhilesh Yadav accepted the Nimesh Commission report on June 4.

Although the report was not officially released, the leaked report was available online. Chairman of the Rihai Manch Mohamamd Shoaib had said that it had already released the Nimesh Commission report on 18 March, earlier this year and so mere report is not sufficient and they expect from the government to also tell the public what actions they have taken on the report.

After tabling of the report in the Assembly, Advocate Shoaib reiterated the demand for action taken report and accused the government of fooling the people by simply tabling the report, without any real action. He added that the government is shielding the erring Intelligence and police personnel by not acting.

Rihai Manch is leading a sustained demonstration against the UP government for almost four months now demanding actions on its poll promise of releasing innocent youths languishing in jails in fabricated terror charges. Several rights groups and and politicians, including Prakash Karat, Subhasini Ali and Welfare Party leaders have also expressed their solidarity with the Manch demonstration and on different days made token participation. On the 117th day of Rihai Manch dharna outside Uttar Pradesh Assembly, flambeau were lit by protesters demanding release of innocent Muslim youths languishing in jail for years on ‘fabricated terror charges.’

The Nimesh Commission Report has recommended that officials and staffs be identified involved in the ‘wrongful arrests’ and actions taken against them.

By TCN News,

New Delhi: Fifteen Muslims representing prominent Muslim NGOs met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh this evening and loudly expressed their anger with the central government in not strongly tackling the errant UP Government in respect of the Muzaffarnagar situation.

They said in no uncertain terms that both the UP Government and the central government have miserably failed in preempting and dealing with the anti-Muslim violence in Muzaffarnagar that's a result of saffron designs at pre-election polarization. In the meeting initiated by Milli Gazette editor Zafrul Islam Khan, Jamiatul Ulema Hind's Mahmood Madani said that in the electoral fight between NDA and UPA, Muslims are the loaf.

Muslim delegation to PM over Muzaffarnagar riot (Courtesy: Milli Gazette).

Zakat Foundation of India's president Syed Zafar Mahmood emphasized that the current UP situation is squarely covered by Articles 355, 356 and 365 of the Constitution and the central government must take charge and should also provide military protection to the victim families in re-occupying their houses and places of worship.

He added that despite Sachar Committee's and Mishra Commission's recommendations to ensure adequate Muslim presence in the Police, the central home ministry limited in 2011 the recruitment of 1400 additional IPS officers only to the captains & majors in the armed forces where Muslims are less than one percent.

Thus, the Muslim percentage in the police bureaucracy will go further down. The Central government also does not even talk about the vital Sachar recommendation regarding removing the anomaly of reserving Muslim dominated constituencies for SCs even though there is negligible SC presence there. Niaz Farooqi piloted the passing of Communal Violence Bill.

Zafrul Islam Khan steered the delegation's memorandum that asked for the following:

a. Proper relief of ration and other necessary needs of life to those living in Muzaffarnagar camps as well as with relatives.
b. Urgent documentation and preparation of lists with all details of names, losses and people responsible for the carnage as per the victims.
c. Filing of FIRs at the earliest so that the legal process could start to punish the guilty.
d. Compensation of all losses suffered by the victims in terms of life, loss of cattle, houses looted and burnt and crops destroyed/looted etc.
e. Construction/repair of burnt/demolished/damaged houses, mosques, madrasahs etc.
f. Construction of houses at other locations for those who do not wish to return to their villages (we found that no one is willing at least now to return to his/her village).

The Prime Minister expressed his deep sympathy with the Muslims, talked of the upcoming national integration council meeting and promised to do the central govt's best effort to resolve the Muzaffarnagar situation and not letting the communal fire flare up anywhere else. The Amir of Jamaat-e Islami Hind Jalaluddin Umri and Dr Tasleem Rahmani of Welfare Party supported the presentations made at the meeting. Other delegates included Kamal Faruqi, Abdul Wahab Khilji, Ataur Rahman Qasmi, Navaid Hamid, Abdul Khaliq, Mohammad Ahmad.

By Abdul Gani, TwoCircles.net,

Guwahati: Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA) has expressed serious concern at the helpless working condition of most of the media persons, precisely the private television journalists, based in the state. The Assam based scribe body argues that nearly 80% working journalists of the state have to work with pitiable salaries, unlimited working hours without even a break in need and without any insurance facilities.

The JFA pointed out that the working journalists, engaged with the satellite news channels of Assam, have to perform their duties in a vulnerable atmosphere with lower wages, more than 8 hours working period in a day, without appropriate leave days & off-days and with no facility of life & health insurance coverage.

Whenever the demand for higher financial packages for the privately-owned television channel employees, including the working journalists is put forward, the owners argue that they are running a losing business. One important aspect, the owners always raise here, that they have to pay a huge amount of money to the cable operators across Assam & northeast India for facilitating the distribution of their channels. According to them, the satellite news channel managements have to pay nearly Indian rupees 2 crores (around 3,00,000 USD) to the cable operators every year for their service.

“But the question that arises here that the cable operators of the region also slam a monthly charge of rupees 200 to 300 per family subscriber against the facility. So the cable operators are collecting money from both the parties namely the Guwahati based private news channel managements and millions of subscriber families of the region,” a press release issued by JFA president Rupam Barua and its secretary Nava Thakuria said.

JFA argues that if the cable operators collect money every month from the viewers, they should pay a portion of the amount to the channel owners, as like as the newspaper agents pay to the proprietors. However, for any reason, if that is not workable, the cable operators should reduce the monthly charge for the cable subscriber families. The cable operators may initiate for increasing the number of subscriber families to the rural areas of the region too with an aim to enhance their business.

In regards to the Direct To Home (from the satellite) arrangements across the country, the channel owners make an allegation that they have to pay over Rs 2 crore for the entry into the space.

Moreover, the DTH arrangers always select a particular channel with the purpose of profit only, irrespective of their commitment to the community and the nation.

“Hence we raise the demand for a specially designed DTH in India, where every channel, recognized by the Indian Union government, should be available. Leaving aside the free-to-air channels, the payment for all the paid-for channels can be made available from the subscribers across the country,” added the JFA statement.

It also pointed out that the Information & Broadcasting ministry may also think of developing the DD Direct (managed by the government-owned India’s largest public service broadcaster Prasar Bharati), such that it can distribute all registered channels of the country and selected foreign television channels on demand with monthly charges wherever applicable.

The JFA strongly argues that the newly defined system should help the subscribers to get the ‘freedom to select a channel’ of their choice with or without regular payments. Moreover the money from the viewers should directly go to the channel owners such that they can be more dependents on the viewers for survival and certainly not on the advertisers all the time. Such an ideal situation would also help promoting a healthy and responsible news channel with all commitments to its valued audiences.

The scribe body has finally asked for a minimum salary of rupees 15,000 for the Assam based television media persons, engaged with seven satellite news channels of Assam, with a daily working period of 8 hours or less, and a dignified leave arrangement. It also stated that all the employees working in newspaper or news channels should get the facilities of PF, ESI according to the labour act and also a health & life insurance coverage without discrimination.

By IANS,

New Delhi : BJP leaders from Uttar Pradesh Tuesday met to discuss the situation in the state in the aftermath of the communal riots in Muzaffarnagar district.

"I have called leaders from Uttar Pradesh to discuss the situation in the state and strategy for the coming polls," party President Rajnath Singh told reporters here.

Describing the clashes in Muzaffarnagar as "very unfortunate", he said the Samajwadi Party government in the state was responsible for the situation there.

He said: "If the Congress-led government at the centre would have intervened on time this (the riots) could have been avoided".

Riots broke out in Muzaffarnagar Sep 7 and lasted for three days.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and party Vice President Rahul Gandhi visited the affected areas Monday.

By IANS,

Lucknow : The BJP Tuesday asked the union and the Uttar Pradesh governments to stop "issuing hollow statements" on the Muzaffarnagar riots and instead work to nail the guilty.

The state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the Congress and the Samajwadi Party governments of paying lip service to the violence in Muzaffaranagar that left 48 dead.

Both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav Monday said the guilty would be booked, but what stopped them from doing so, state BJP spokesman Vijay Bahadur Pathak told IANS.

"Both these governments have intelligence set-ups with them and police. So instead of issuing hollow statements, they should act," the spokesman said.

The spokesman questioned the divergent views emerging in the Samajwadi Party on the Muzaffarnagar clashes.

"SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav said that the violent incidents in Muzaffarnagar were caste conflicts. However, Minority Affairs Minister Azam Khan said these were the worst communal riots in India after the 2002 Gujarat riots," Pathak said.

He questioned what he called "efforts by the SP government to cover up its administrative and intelligence failure" and said such efforts will only increase the pain of the people displaced in the riots.

He said the Samajwadi Party and the Congress "should ensure that the guilty behind the riots are booked", he said.

Earlier, state BJP president Laxmikant Bajpai dared the government to arrest party legislators booked by the district administration for their alleged role in the Muzaffarnagar riots.

"Two of our MLAs accused falsely by the police are attending the monsoon session of the assembly. I dare the government to arrest them," Bajpai said, accusing the state government of falsely implicating the legislators.

By IANS,

Hyderabad : Andhra Pradesh government will challenge the high court order which set aside the compensation paid to Muslim youth wrongly arrested in 2007 Mecca Masjid bomb blasts case.

The government will file a review petition in the high court and if necessary, will approach the Supreme Court, Senior Congress leader and former state minister Mohammed Ali Shabbir told IANS.

Shabbir, a member of legislative council, spoke to Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, chief secretary, advocate general and other top officials after the high court Monday set aside a government order for compensation to the youth.

On a public interest litigation, a division bench of the high court headed by Chief Justice Kalyan Jyothi Sengupta struck down the government order and directed it to recover the money already paid. It ruled that mere acquittal or discharge from a criminal case can't be basis for payment of such compensation.

The state government in January last year had paid Rs.3 lakh each to 20 people and Rs.20,000 each to 50 people. This was the first time in the country that the government paid compensation to people wrongly arrested and tortured on charges of terrorism.

All of them were picked up by police after May 18, 2007 blast at the historic Mecca Masjid, which claimed nine lives.

A fact-finding panel of the state minority commission found that police kept the youth in illegal confinement and tortured them.

All the youth were later acquitted by the court and subsequent investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) revealed that right-wing Hindu groups were involved in the blast.

Acting on the recommendation of the National Minorities Commission, the state government decided to pay the compensation to Muslim youth. Many of the youth were handed over the cheques by Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammad Ahamadullah at a function held Jan 6 last year.

"The government has not done anything illegal. It tried to heal the wounds of the youngsters. In fact, compensation should be paid in all such cases across the country irrespective of the religion the victims come from," said Shabbir.

He did not agree that the government failed to strongly defend its move. "This is nothing new in a democracy. The court verdict doesn't mean the government has failed. It still has the options of moving a review petition or approaching the Supreme Court," he said.

By IANS,

Agra : A minor communal flare-up erupted Monday evening here in the Taj city but was effectively contained, police said Tuesday.

The scuffle broke out in Taj Ganj area between two groups of youngsters on a trivial issue. It soon escalated into stone-pelting from both sides.

At least three people, including a priest, were injured. Some people were arrested after the incident.

Senior Superintendent of Police Shalabh Mathur and district officials visited the area after the incident.

Additional forces were rushed to the site to ensure peace in the sensitive area around the world heritage monument that daily attracts thousands of visitors.

"Everything is normal here... no tension. Last evening, there was a minor dispute which unfortunately spread, but police action saved the situation," Taj Ganj resident Prashant Baghael told IANS Tuesday.