India and Singapore renew commitment to strengthen multilateral cooperation in countering terrorism

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, May 8 (IANS) Emphasising that confronting terrorism requires concerted action in a sustained and comprehensive manner, India and Singapore have renewed their commitment to strengthen multilateral cooperation in the field of countering terrorism, including in the UN, ASEAN, Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and other multilateral platforms.

As strategic partners, India and Singapore underscored the importance of bilateral cooperation in countering terrorism during the 5th Meeting of India-Singapore Joint Working Group (JWG) on Combating Terrorism and Transnational Crime held in New Delhi on Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated via a joint press statement on Friday.

The meeting was co-chaired by Vinod Bahade, Joint Secretary for Counter Terrorism in the Ministry of External Affairs of India and Ngiam Shih Chun, Deputy Secretary (Policy) in the Ministry of Home Affairs of Singapore.

“The JWG unequivocally and strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism and reaffirmed the principle of zero tolerance towards terrorism. The JWG condemned, in the strongest possible terms, the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025 and the terror incident near Red Fort, New Delhi on November 10, 2025 and stressed that those responsible for terrorism should be held accountable,” read the joint press statement.

“The JWG discussed cooperation in combating terrorists and terror groups listed by the UN Security Council 1267 Sanctions Committee. The JWG also agreed on the need to further strengthen information sharing to enhance timeliness and effectiveness of responses to cross-border threats,” it added.

According to the MEA, at the meeting, the JWG discussed a wide range of traditional and emerging threats and challenges, including terrorist recruitment, cross-border movement of terrorists, radicalisation, abuse of technology for terrorist purposes, and financing of terrorism. They also exchanged views on regional and global terrorism threat assessments, cybercrimes, drug trafficking and the nexus between transnational organised crime and terrorism, and agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in dealing with these challenges.

“They also agreed on further cooperation and collaboration, particularly in the sphere of sharing of information and best practices, law enforcement, and capacity building to counter terrorism and transnational crimes,” the joint press statement mentioned.

While in New Delhi, the Singapore delegation also visited India’s Anti-Scam Centre.

“Emphasising the importance of international cooperation in dealing with transnational scams, both sides looked forward to strengthening cooperation through information exchanges, capacity building and the sharing of best practices. The JWG will hold the next meeting on Combating Terrorism and Transnational Crime in Singapore on a mutually convenient date,” it detailed.

–IANS

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Indore, June 19 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Thursday that he has given a free hand to the police to deal with the Congress councillor Anwar Qadri, asserting that he will be put behind bars very soon.

Qadri has been booked for his alleged involvement in carrying out religious conversion through funding.

Indore police said that they have initiated an extensive search to nab the Congress councillor; however, Qadri has been absconding for the last four days. An FIR has also been registered against him at Banganga police station on June 16.

Responding to the issue, the Chief Minister said that he has instructed Indore police to find Qadri at the earliest.

“I have asked the police to find him as soon as possible. Those who commit a crime will be punished as per the law. I have given a free-hand to the police. They can do whatever they want against such criminals,” said the Chief Minister, without naming Qadri.

According to police, a case against Qadri was registered at the Banganga police station in Indore based on the statement of two persons, Shahil Shaikh and Altaf Ali, who were arrested for allegedly sexually harassing Hindu women and forcing them for religious conversions.

In a purported video, the arrested accused Sheikh and Shah were seen being questioned by an unidentified individual, and claimed that they were paid Rs 2 lakh and Rs 1 lakh, respectively, by Qadri to “marry a Hindu woman.”

The police officer said that while the men were initially booked under rape charges, sections related to criminal conspiracy and provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2021, were subsequently invoked. Qadri was also named as an accused.

The members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), along with the Indore BJP unit, had staged a protest at Banganga police station, demanding Congress leader Anwar Qadri’s arrest.

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‘Shikshit Arunachal 2029’ Mission: CM Khandu lays foundation stone for projects worth Rs 750 cr

Itanagar, May 30 (IANS) Setting up a novel trend, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday virtually laid the foundation stone for various infrastructure development projects across the state worth Rs 750 crore.

After laying the foundation stones, the Chief Minister said that these projects are in line with the state government’s commitment to successfully implement the ‘Shikshit Arunachal 2029’ Mission adopted by the state government.

An official of the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said that these proposed projects are to be implemented under the Education department and to be executed by Rural Works Department (RWD) in the current financial year 2025-26.

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Congratulating the Rural Works Department and Education departments on the huge responsibility, he advised the officers and officials of RWD to maintain quality and the timeline for completion without fail.

In the event, also present were Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Education Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona, Advisor to Education Minister Mutchu Mithi and senior officials from the RWD and Education Departments.

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Bhopal administration demolishes ‘Machhli Family’ mansion amid crackdown on drug mafia

Bhopal, Aug 21 (IANS) In a dramatic culmination of Madhya Pradesh’s relentless crackdown on organised crime, the Bhopal district administration on Thursday razed the final stronghold of the notorious Machhli family, a three-storey mansion built illegally on government land in the Anandpur Kokta area.

The building, which was demolished in the presence of senior government officials and under heavy police deployment, was reportedly constructed in 1990.

The three-storey mansion, sprawling across 15,000 square feet, comprises 30 rooms and is estimated to have a market value of Rs 25–Rs 30 crore.

“The entire construction has been done on government land,” a senior government official confirmed.

Earlier, on July 30, the local administration had sealed the mansion as part of a broader operation targeting illegal assets.

“A total of 250 police personnel and approximately 300 employees from the Bhopal Municipal Corporation and revenue department are present here,” said Tehsildar Anurag Tripathi.

Despite heavy rainfall, the demolition was carried out under tight security, symbolising the end of a criminal empire that once dominated parts of the city.

This action follows a sweeping operation on July 30, when authorities bulldozed over Rs 100 crore worth of illegal properties linked to the Machhli family — including farmhouses, warehouses, factories, madrasas, and residential buildings.

The mansion targeted on Thursday belonged to Shariq Ahmed alias Machhli, Sohail Ahmed, and Shafiq Ahmed, all relatives of the infamous drug peddlers Yasin Ahmed and Shahwar Ahmed.

The Machhli family, long accused of drug trafficking, sexual exploitation, and violent intimidation, had established a stronghold in Ward No. 62 of Bhopal.

Their influence began to unravel after a major breakthrough by the Bhopal Crime Branch, which uncovered a disturbing nexus involving narcotics, illegal weapons, video blackmailing, and physical abuse, according to government officials.

The investigation led to the arrest of Shahwar Machhli and his nephew Yasin in connection with a rape and blackmail case targeting college girls.

Shariq Ahmed, their uncle, was also taken into custody shortly thereafter.

In response to the demolition, Shariq Machhli’s legal team has approached the Madhya Pradesh High Court, claiming that no prior notice was served and asserting that the land in question is not government-owned.

“We have all the documents and have submitted them to the court,” said his lawyer, challenging the administration’s action.

The crackdown is part of a broader campaign led by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, who has vowed to eradicate criminal syndicates operating under the guise of drug mafias and so-called “love jihadis.”

In a recent statement, the Chief Minister declared: “Those who cast evil eyes on women, drug mafia and ‘love jihadis’ will not be spared under any circumstances. Whatever criminal activities are being done through them, strict action is being taken. We will finish off everyone one by one.”

The demolition of the Machhli mansion is more than just a physical act — it is a powerful message from the state government that no criminal, however entrenched, is immune from justice.

As bulldozers tore through the last vestige of the Machhli family’s empire, Bhopal witnessed a turning point in its fight against organised crime, corruption, and exploitation.

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