Maharashtra ATS arrests software engineer in Pune for ‘terror links’

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Mumbai, Oct 27 (IANS) A software engineer was arrested by Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in Pune on Monday for his alleged links with banned organisations like Pakistan’s Al Qaeda and role in radicalising youth, an official said.

Zubair Hangargekar, who was under the Pune ATS surveillance since last month, was presented in court soon after his arrest. The Special UAPA Court sent him to police custody till November 4.

A police official said that the accused, arrested from the Kondhwa area in Pune city, was booked under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The police told the court that Hangargekar was allegedly involved in anti-national activities and planning terror strikes in Maharashtra and other cities.

The police said during searches at the premises of the software engineer, they recovered incriminating material purportedly meant for the radicalisation of youth.

In a related action, the Pune Police had earlier detained four suspects from the Chennai Express at Pune Railway Station on October 27.

On October 9, the ATS raided multiple locations in Pune and recovered electronic devices, documents and materials hinting at the presence of a wider terror network in the region, said a police official.

The Pune ATS action on Monday comes close to the arrest of Md Adnan Khan, alias Abu Muharib (19), from Delhi’s Sadiq Nagar, and Adnan Khan, alias Abu Mohammad (20), from Bhopal in connection with an Islamic State-related case.

These two arrests signalled that the online radicalisation wing of the IS is extremely active. The Islamic State, which has a stronger online presence when compared to its onerous strengths, has adopted several strategies to radicalise people.

Investigations into the Delhi case have so far revealed that the duo were radicalised online and were reporting to a handler in Syria.

The fact that the duo was being handled from Syria clearly suggests the group’s resurgence in the country.

Although the Islamic State was defeated in Syria, it has made a strong comeback.

The fact that it has already carried out 115 attacks this year, as opposed to the 72 last year, is an indication that the group has emerged stronger.

Intelligence Bureau officials say that the India operations are being run out of Syria.

–IANS

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Booking and check-in services may be temporarily unavailable: Akasa Air

New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) Indian airline Akasa Air on Tuesday informed passengers that its systems are facing technical issues, due to which some of its online services are not working.

In an announcement made on social media platform X, the airline said that booking, check-in, and managing booking services may remain temporarily unavailable.

“Our systems are currently experiencing intermittent issues and some of our online services, including booking, check-in and manage booking services, may be temporarily unavailable,” Akasa Air said in its post.

The airline assured that its teams are working with service providers to fix the problem.

“We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused and want to assure you that our teams are working with our service provider to resolve the same at the earliest,” the statement said.

Akasa Air has advised passengers with immediate travel plans to arrive at the airport early and complete the check-in process at its counters.

“Passengers with immediate travel plans are requested to reach the airport early to check-in at our counters,” they said.

For assistance, the airline has also shared its 24×7 Akasa Care Centre helpline number: +91 9606 112131.

“For any assistance, please contact our 24×7 Akasa Care Centre on +91 9606 112131 and our team will be happy to assist you,” the airline said.

The system issue comes just a day after Akasa Air had alerted passengers about possible delays due to heavy rains in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Pune.

“Due to heavy rainfall in certain parts of Mumbai, Kolkata, and Pune, we anticipate slow-moving traffic and congestion on roads leading to the airport,” said Akasa Air in its post on X.

On Monday, the airline had advised travellers to factor in additional travel time because of traffic congestion on roads leading to airports.

“We realise that this may inconvenience your travel plans and seek your understanding,” Akasa Air had said in its earlier update.

–IANS

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Manipur MLAs’ delegation urges Governor to find amicable solution to ethnic crisis

Imphal, June 8 (IANS) A group of Manipur MLAs on Sunday held a meeting with state Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to discuss the current law and order situation in the state and requested his intervention to help find an amicable solution to the ethnic crisis.

A Raj Bhavan official said that during the discussion, the MLAs apprised the Governor of the current law and order situation in Manipur.

“The legislators urged the Governor to intervene in the situation and help to find an amicable solution. The Governor informed the delegation that all necessary steps are being taken to address the concerns and to restore normalcy,” the official said.

Another official said that 25 MLAs, comprising various political parties, met the Governor and urged him to intervene and restore peace and normalcy at the earliest.

Meanwhile, the Governor also held a security review meeting with the senior administrative and security officials at the Raj Bhavan.

“During the meeting, a comprehensive discussion and review of various matters relating to the current law and order situation in the state were deliberated,” the Raj Bhavan official said.

Among those present in the meeting were the Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, Director General of Police Rajiv Singh, Commissioner, Home, N. Ashok Kumar, the Secretary to the Governor, the Additional Director General of Police, Law & Order, the Inspector General of the Assam Rifles (South), the Inspector General, CRPF and other senior officials.

Fresh incidents of violence were reported in Manipur’s valley region, especially in Imphal East and Imphal West districts, after the security forces arrested radical Meitei outfit Arambai Tenggol’s (AT) member Kanan Singh and four other cadres of the outfit on Saturday.

Since Saturday night, the protesters have set fire to some vehicles, including those belonging to the security forces. Ten people were injured in clashes between security personnel and protestors. A journalist also sustained injury in the melee.

Protesting the arrest of Arambai Tenggol members, a large number of men and women protesters burnt tyres and old furniture in the important roads at Kwakeithel and Uripok in Imphal West district, demanding the immediate release of the detainees.

Protesters also laid siege to some important installations.

In a few places, Arambai Tenggol activists poured petrol over themselves in symbolic protests against the arrest. Local people claimed that several gunshots were heard at Kwakeithel, but they could not confirm who fired the shots or whether anyone was injured. Arambai Tenggol has called a 10-day shutdown in Manipur from Sunday to protest against the arrest of their members by central security agencies.

To control the situation, the state government has banned mobile internet on Saturday midnight and data services for five days and imposed an indefinite curfew in five Imphal valley districts — Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching. A large contingent of Central and state forces led by senior officials has been deployed in the five districts, especially in Imphal East and Imphal West districts, to bring the situation under control.

–IANS

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HC dismisses bail pleas of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam in 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case

New Delhi, Sep 2 (IANS) The High Court on Tuesday dismissed the bail pleas of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and several others accused in the 2020 Delhi riots “larger conspiracy” case.

Pronouncing the decision, a Bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Shalinder Kaur said, “All the appeals are dismissed.” A copy of the detailed judgement is yet to be uploaded on the official website of the Delhi High Court.

In July this year, the Justice Chawla-led Bench reserved its decision after hearing the oral submissions advanced on behalf of the accused individuals and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared on behalf of the Delhi Police.

Opposing the bail pleas, Solicitor General Mehta, the second-highest law officer of the Centre, said that the long incarceration of the accused individuals should not be a ground for their release on bail pending trial since they were involved in a well-orchestrated criminal conspiracy to put the entire country to shame ahead of the visit of US President Donald Trump in 2020.

“If you (referring to accused persons) are doing something against the nation, then you’d better be in jail till you are acquitted or convicted,” he had submitted.

“It is not just a case of bail in regular riot cases, it is a very well thought and well-orchestrated criminal conspiracy which starts in the capital of the country, aiming at a particular day and time,” Mehta added.

The Solicitor General, referring to speeches made by Sharjeel Imam, had said that there was a plan to divide the nation based on a particular religion.

“Their intention was to divide the nation on religious lines. The intention was to cause national embarrassment at the global level,” he asserted.

During his arguments, Mehta referred to several global media posts relating to the Delhi riots and said that the accused were not protesting against a law but were planning something sinister.

He shared an earlier court order denying bail to Umar Khalid, where the entire episode was termed as a “terrorist act”.

“Please do not treat it as a mere riot case. It is a case of premeditated attack on the sovereignty of the nation by doing something in the national capital,” had concluded Mehta.

–IANS

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