Daily wrap: Kerala CEO confirms bogus voting; SL gets new acting police chief
Kerala CEO confirms bogus voting, CPM in a fix
In an embarrassment to the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala, the chief electoral officer, Teeka Ram Meena, on Monday, said bogus voting took place at a polling booth in Kannur district, Onmanorama reported on Monday (April 29). Three women were found doing it, the CEO was quoted as saying. “This happened at the polling booth at Pillathara in Kasaragod Lok Sabha constituency (in Kannur district). After detailed examination of the visuals, it has been found that three women voted twice. We have asked the returning officer to register cases against the three under various IPC sections,” Meena told the media.
Centre seeks more time to file reply on Rafale review pleas in SC
The Union government on Monday (April 29) sought time from the Supreme Court to file its response to the Rafale review petitions. Making the plea before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, senior advocate R Balasubramanium, representing the government, sought the permission of the court to circulate a letter for additional time to file a reply. He sought a deferment of hearing scheduled for April 30.The court allowed the government to circulate the letter but did not say anything on the issue of adjournment of scheduled hearing on April 30.
How rescued bonded labourers help those still trapped break shackles
The Rescued Bonded Labourers Associations (RBLA) in Tamil Nadu has shown the significance of such groups in combating deep seated malaise of bonded labour in the state. One such association in Kancheepuram has been instrumental in busting a recent racket, where about 24 bonded labourers including 12 children were rescued from a wood cutting unit in Sriperumbadur in the district on April 27. Earlier, in March, the association in Vellore rescued two Irula families from a brick kiln in Vellore.
An ode to child of a lesser God who chases dreams with torn shoes
On April 22, Tamil Nadu held its head high, when Gomathi Marimuthu, a daughter of the soil, won the gold in the 800 meters sprint at Asian Athletics Championships. Social media was filled with warm wishes for her. Many updated their profiles with her photo, lauding her hard work and the training given by her coach. As the week progressed, one got to know about the heart wrenching story of Gomathi and her struggles to reach the international arena. Belonging to a poor family, in 2016 she lost her father and her coach, who had been her support system. Amid penury and a lack of sponsors, she also had to battle an injury that forced her to take a break of two years and rethink her decision to pursue a career in sports.
Stringent laws to eliminate jihadism is Lanka’s top priority: PM Wickremesinghe
Introducing a tough new legislation to eliminate jihadism and extremism from Sri Lanka is the government’s top priority, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said in the aftermath of country’s worst terror attacks on Easter Sunday. The deadly attacks could have been prevented if the new Counter Terrorism Bill, which provides for territorial jurisdiction, was passed in Parliament without delay, he said on April 29 after joining the Sunday Mass in Colombo and the mass at the Saint Anthony’s church in Kochchikade, a week after the deadly suicide bombing killed over 250 people. “No anti-terrorism law in Sri Lanka provides for territorial jurisdiction under which a cadre belonging to an international terrorist organisation could be arrested in Sri Lanka if they are found. Not even the penal code provides that provision,” the Prime Minister was quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror.
Sri Lanka president appoints new acting police chief
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Monday (April 29) appointed CD Wickremaratne, Senior Deputy Inspector General, as acting police chief. The appointment came in the backdrop of suspending police chief Pujith Jayasundara after the defiant Inspector General refused to quit taking responsibility for the intelligence failure that led to the massive Easter Sunday bombings. The police chief can only be removed through a parliamentary procedure and Sirisena’s action is the first step towards that, officials added.
Why Karnataka bypolls could change fate of JD(S)-Cong government
After a wrap up of the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka on April 23, political parties have now shifted their focus towards the two Assembly bypolls which are crucial for the stability of the state government. The elections to Chincholi and Kundgol Assembly seats are slated for May 19. At Chincholi, BJP’s Avinash Jadhav is pitted against Subhash Rathod of the Congress-JD(S) combine, while Kundgol will witness a battle between BJP’s Chikkanagouda Patil and Congress-JD(S)’s Kusumavathi Shivalli.
Rahul files reply in SC on contempt notice over ‘chowkidar’ remark
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday (April 29) filed his reply in the Supreme Court on a notice issued to him after a contempt case by BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi for his remarks on the Rafale verdict. The counsel appearing for Gandhi mentioned the matter before a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and said they be allowed to file a reply on the contempt notice.
Hima Das to run in World Relays despite injury
Top quarter-miler Hima Das has been named in India’s women 4x400m relay team for the World Relays which begin in Yokohama, Japan on May 11, despite pulling out of the recent Asian Athletics Championships in Doha due to lower back pain. Hima dropped out midway through her 400m heats on April 21 at the Asian Championships due to lower back spasm and she was later ruled out of the women’s 4x400m relay and mixed 4x400m relay races. It is learnt that the coaches and officials of Athletics Federation of India feel that Hima can recover by the time of the World Relays which is an important event as far as qualification for World Championships (September-October in Doha) and next year’s Olympics is concerned.
