QAhmedabad: Gujarat Border Villages on Alert; HC Gets 2 New Judges
A round-up of top stories from Gujarat.
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1. India Pakistan Face Off: Gujarat Border Villages Asked to Remain Alert
District authorities in coastal Devbhoomi Dwarka and Kutch continued their drive to sensitise local residents on the security scenario on Thursday, 28 February. Sub-divisional magistrate of Bhuj RJ Jadeja chaired a meeting of sarpanches and other elected leaders and community leaders of border villages in Banni area of Kutch district. Officers of various government departments were also present at the meeting.
“The SDM told us to remain alert and report any suspicious movement to police. We were also told that in case the situation escalates, we may be required to help security forces. We promised our full support to security forces and the government,” said a person who was part of the meeting held in Bhuj, the district headquarters of Kutch.
Shashikant Trivedi, Inspector General of Coastal Security and Coastal Intelligence, also held meetings with officers of Kutch (east) and Kutch (west) police as well as fishermen in Jakhau in Abdasa taluka of Kutch.
(Source: The Indian Express)
2. Stay Alert, Refrain From Spreading Rumours on Social Media: Gujarat Police
In an official order released on Thursday, the Gujarat police cancelled the leaves of its staff across the state. The security officials have also been asked to stay on extremely high alert. Also, the authorities of Ahmedabad and Surat have issued advisories, urging civilians to remain alert.
The advisory urged citizens "not to become a victim of any deliberate propaganda from across the border or from vested interests to divide the people in the name of community or religion".
It added that people should take extra care while using social media. Senior officers of the police and security agencies, including Indian Coast Guard and Border Security Force, on Thursday, conducted a thorough scanning of luggage at almost every checkpoint of the city. Meanwhile, the Indian Army is also covering the borders of the state. The Ports and the airports also saw a highly stepped-up security deployment.
(Source: DNA Ahmedabad)
3. Labourer Gets 20 Yrs for Rape; Crime Had Sparked off Anti-Migrant Violence
A fast-track court in Himmatnagar on Thursday, 28 February, awarded 20 years of rigorous imprisonment to a migrant labourer for raping a 14-month-old girl in Gujarat's Sabarkantha district in September last year.
The incident had led to violence against migrant labourers in some parts of Gujarat, leading to an exodus.
While special public prosecutor Rashmikant Pandya demanded death penalty for 19-year-old Ravindra Sah, a native of Bihar, Sabarkantha sessions court judge K B Gujarati awarded him 20 years in prison considering his young age.
Pandya said he will seek the state government's approval to file an appeal in the high court for enhancement of the punishment.
(Source: PTI)
4. Ex-MLA Amit Chaudhary Too Testifies Against Congress in Gujarat High Court
Congress turncoat and former MLA Amit Chaudhary on Thursday, 28 February, deposed before the Gujarat High Court for the trial in the election petition filed by BJP leader Balvantsinh Rajput against the Rajya Sabha poll victory of veteran Congress leader Ahmed Patel.
In his deposition, he stated that during the meeting held in the Congress office on 25 July 2017, Patel had told him that he had a long future, which he would not like to spoil.
He also stated that he was lured to vote in favour of Patel in the Rajya Sabha election and was promised an assembly ticket, if he does so.
Chaudhary, in his affidavit submitted to the court, stated that there was discontent among several Congress leaders when Ahmed Patel was selected for the Rajya Sabha poll.
(Source: DNA Ahmedabad)
5. PMJAY Cards Distributed at PM Modi’s Live-Streamed Event
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to BJP workers in 15,000 venues across the country over preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections was on Thursday, 28 February, relayed live at an event organised by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) to distribute Ayushman Bharat cards to beneficiaries in Vasna. This was among 451 venues in 16 Gujarat constituencies selected for the mega Bharatiya Janata Party “Mera booth sabse majboot” campaign.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PMJAY) health cards were distributed to 300 beneficiaries at the event, where a medical camp was also held. Ahmedabad West MP Kirit Solanki and Ellisbridge MLA Rakesh Shah were among leaders present.
Several Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries have been identified through the Central Government’s School Health Programme, which was also conducted in the Ahmedabad’s madrasas. This was in addition to listing beneficiaries on the basis of the socio-economic and caste census of 2011.
(Source: The Indian Express)
6. Two Judges Appointed in Gujarat High Court
In a minor relief to the Gujarat High Court administration which is grappling with an acute shortage of judges, the Ministry of Law and Justice, on Thursday, 28 February, elevated advocates Bhargav Karia and Sangeeta Vishen as judges of the Gujarat High Court.
Interestingly, their names were recommended by the Supreme Court collegium headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on 5 December, along with the names of judicial officer Vishnukumar Patel and advocate Megha Jani. The collegium had also directed the Centre to expeditiously process the recommendations.
However, except for Patel, who was elevated as a high court judge in January, the Centre took over two-and-a-half months to process the names of Karia and Vishen. Surprisingly, in the meantime, advocate Megha Jani withdrew her consent for being elevated as a judge.
(Source: DNA Ahmedabad)
7.PM Modi Created International Pressure to Force Pak to Release IAF Officer: CM Rupani
Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said on Thursday, 28 February that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “created international pressure”, which forced Pakistan to announce the release of Indian Air Force wing commander Abhinandan Varthaman within 48 hours of capturing him.
Rupani was at a fundraiser, featuring Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, for the families of jawans killed on 14 February in Pulwama of Jammu and Kashmir. The event, “Ek Shaam Bharat ke shahido ke naam – Bharat ke veer jawan”, was held at Vanita Vishram college ground.
“Na Mumkin ne Mumkin Karnar Modi (Modi does the impossible,” said Rupani. “After so many years, Bharat Mata in a real sense has become Durga Mata.” Stating that no terrorist would now dare to target India, Rupani claimed that Modi’s action had changed the world’s perspective towards the country.
(Source: The Indian Express)
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