Govt approves 22 new companies under PLI scheme for textiles; Rs 2,339 crore investment, over 36,000 jobs expected

Alappuzha, March 24 (IANS) Congress General Secretary, Organisation, and Alappuzha MP K. C. Venugopal on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, alleging a covert political understanding between the CPI-M and the BJP ahead of the Assembly elections, and describing him as a “compromised Chief Minister”.

Kerala goes to the polls on April 9 to elect 140 new legislators.

Addressing the media, Venugopal claimed that a close examination of candidate lists put out by the CPI-M and the BJP reveals a “clear undercurrent” of mutual accommodation.

According to him, both parties have strategically fielded candidates in a manner that could benefit each other in select constituencies.

“This is not new. We had flagged this earlier as well. In several seats, the CPI-M has left openings for the BJP, while the BJP has reciprocated in constituencies favourable to the Left,” he said, terming it a “deal driven by selfish political interests at the cost of their own cadres”.

He further alleged that Vijayan’s stance towards the Centre reflects political vulnerability.

“He is unable to speak up before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is functioning under the fear of central agencies like the ED. That is why he avoids confrontation with the Centre on key issues,” Venugopal claimed, adding that the CPI-M’s leadership has resorted to “unethical adjustments” after sensing electoral setbacks.

The Congress leader also took exception to Vijayan’s recent controversial remarks at a public meeting, saying they indicated a “loss of balance” as defeat looms.

“The question raised at the convention was a routine one from a party worker. As political leaders, we face questions all the time. We don’t ask people to go home and seek answers,” he said, in a veiled reference to the Chief Minister’s response during a recent interaction.

Venugopal criticised the CPI-M leadership for attempting to justify the use of derogatory language in political discourse, including remarks directed at senior former CPI-M leader G. Sudhakaran, who is contesting the Ambalapuzha constituency with the support of the Congress-led UDF.

“No one, including the Chief Minister, is above standards of public conduct. As the head of the government, he is expected to set an example,” he said.

Projecting confidence in the UDF’s prospects, Venugopal said Alappuzha district would witness a “significant shift” in electoral outcomes.

“The results will clearly reflect the mood on the ground. The UDF is poised to win more seats than expected,” he asserted, signalling a strong challenge to the ruling Left in its traditional strongholds.

–IANS

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Mangaluru, July 30 (IANS) In a major development related to the probe into the mass graves at a famous Hindu pilgrimage centre in Karnataka’s Mangaluru district, advocate Manjunath. N on Wednesday claimed that sources revealed that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) officials have recovered a torn red blouse and PAN card of a female person at the first burial site.

Manjunath N. represents Sujata Bhat, whose daughter, Ananya Bhat, a medical student, went missing in the Dharmasthala region under suspicious circumstances.

However, no official statement has been made by the SIT yet.

The SIT sleuths have continued digging at the burial sites numbers 2, 3, and 4 on Wednesday.

The SIT Chief and Director General of Police, Pronab Mohanty, was to visit the Mangaluru district on Wednesday to monitor the excavation and investigation into the mass burial case.

He is likely to issue a statement regarding the progress in the case.

Importantly, Manjunath’s statement said that the PAN card found at site number one bears the name of Lakshmi.

The development has assumed significance as news of nothing being found in the first burial site excavation was doing the rounds.

Manjunath, who is supporting the whistleblower in the case, issued a press statement to commend the SIT’s professional and thorough approach at burial site number one.

“We have taken note of sources confirming the recovery of a torn red blouse, a PAN card, and an ATM card at a depth of nearly 2.5 feet at site No.1 yesterday. Immediately after this development, the SIT’s subsequent actions deserve commendation,” the statement said.

“The decision of the SIT to continue the arduous and physically demanding task of excavating the site down to a depth of 10 feet showcases professional commitment. This act reflects a determination to conduct an exhaustive search and ensure that no piece of evidence, however small, is overlooked,” it said.

“The recovery of identifiable items like a PAN card and an ATM card (one of which bore a male name and the other, a female name Lakshmi) provides an avenue for further enquiry, and we trust the SIT will pursue these vital leads with the utmost urgency,” Manjunath said in the statement.

“The seriousness and rigour demonstrated by the SIT have given us renewed hope. We continue to place our full faith in their work as they proceed to the remaining sites,” he added.

The SIT probing the mass grave allegations at a prominent Hindu pilgrimage centre in Mangaluru district is excavating three burial sites on Wednesday.

Considering the sensitivity of the matter, the authorities have decided to expedite the process and have formed three teams to oversee the excavation.

These three burial sites are among the total of 13 burial sites identified by the whistleblower in the case.

On Tuesday, the SIT sleuths excavated the first burial location near the Nethravathi bathing point.

Authorities dug the site to a depth of eight feet and a width of 15 feet. However, sources confirmed that no skeletons or skulls were recovered from the spot.

The site was subsequently refilled.

The complainant claims he had dug trenches about 3 to 3.5 feet deep to bury the bodies, and alleged that the bodies of the women he buried showed clear signs of sexual assault.

They were found without clothes or undergarments and bore injuries suggesting violent acts.

The revelations have shocked the state.

A retired Supreme Court judge and activists demanded that the SIT probe be monitored by the Supreme Court or the High Court to uncover the truth of the alleged Dharmasthala murders of many women and others.

–IANS

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New Delhi, March 27 (IANS) India on Friday extended support to Bangladesh’s pursuit of justice over the genocide carried out by Pakistan during ‘Operation Searchlight’ in March 1971.

Addressing a weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted that the campaign included systematic and targetted killing of millions of Bangladeshis alongside widespread sexual violence against women by Pakistani forces.

He pointed out that the brutality triggered a massive displacement, forcing millions of Bangladeshis to seek refuge in India.

“We are all aware of the terrible atrocities that were committed by Pakistan during Operation Searchlight in 1971. The genocide involved the systematic and targetted killing of millions of Bangladeshi people, innocent people, and mass sexual violence against women. It also forced millions of Bangladeshi people out of their country. They came to India as refugees. These atrocities, needless to say, shook the conscience of the world at large. Pakistan, however, remains in denial to this very day of its crimes. We support Bangladesh in its desire for justice,” said Jaiswal.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman described the events of March 25, 1971, as a “pre-planned massacre” and one of the most brutal chapters in the nation’s history, as the country on Wednesday observed Genocide Day in remembrance of those killed during the crackdown by Pakistani forces.

“March 25, 1971, is observed as Genocide Day. On the occasion of Genocide Day, I pay my deepest respect to all the martyrs. In the history of freedom-loving Bangladesh, March 25, 1971, remains one of the most disgraceful and brutal days,” read a statement issued by the Bangladesh PM on Genocide Day.

He stated that the Pakistani occupation forces had launched one of the most “heinous” genocides in history against the unarmed Bangladeshis on that night under ‘Operation Searchlight’.

Calling the 1971 crackdown a pre-planned massacre, Tarique added that Pakistani forces indiscriminately opened fire on teachers, intellectuals and innocent civilians at multiple places, including Dhaka University, Pilkhana and Rajarbagh Police Lines, resulting in numerous deaths.

Meanwhile, emphasising the significance of the bilateral relationship, Jaiswal further said on Friday that engagement continues from both sides, with India seeking not only to maintain its multi dimensional ties with Bangladesh but also to further strengthen and advance them.

He noted that during the swearing-in ceremony of the new Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a congratulatory letter through Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, outlining India’s vision for the future of bilateral relations.

“A new government has been formed in Bangladesh. Our Speaker, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, was sent to attend the swearing-in ceremony of this government. Our Prime Minister sent a congratulatory letter through him, and also sent a letter outlining our vision for how we want to take this relationship forward. Discussions are ongoing on both sides. We want to not only maintain our diverse relationships with Bangladesh, but also strengthen and expand them further,” said Jaiswal.

–IANS

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