Category: News

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam CM Trying His Best Not To Allow Yatra In Guwahati: Jairam

By LokMarg

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh claimed that Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is putting all efforts to prevent the party’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra program in Guwahati on January 23.

“On January 23, as per our schedule, we will be staying at Guwahati. We are trying our best to carry on with our Yatra as planned. Assam Chief Minister is trying his best not to allow our event in Guwahati. Several obstacles are being posed in front of us…We have written two letters to the Chief Minister,” Jairam Ramesh said speaking at a press conference at Assam’s Lakhimpur on Saturday along with Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhupen Kumar Borah.

On the party’s efforts to clear the way ahead of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’s scheduled plan at Guwahati on Tuesday, Ramesh said, “Our Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia has gone to Guwahati for ongoing talks with the police and the Chief Minister’s office about our program on January 23…Rahul Gandhi will interact with youths, about unemployment and the education system in Guwahati and will address a press conference.”

Sharing the schedule of Rahul Gandhi’s foot march on Saturday, “Today Rahul Gandhi will reach Itanagar at around 3 pm where a walk has been organized and a public meeting will be held.”

Jairam Ramesh said that a public rally has been scheduled on January 22 in the afternoon at Assam’s Kaliyabor in which Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi will address the public.

“A public rally will be organized in Kaliyabor in which Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi will address the public. We will be in Assam till January 25. On the afternoon of January 25, we will reach north Bengal and take a night halt at Alipurduar. On January 26 and 27, the Yatra will take a break…On January 26 and 27, Rahul Gandhi will be in Delhi,” the senior Congress leader said.

“On January 28, we will continue with our Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in north Bengal where Rahul Gandhi will also be participating,” he added.

Speaking about the ideological framework of the Yatra, Jairam Ramesh said that it is based on the Preamble of our Constitution.

“The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is based on the Preamble of our Constitution. We want to give social, economic and political justice to people. For Rahul Gandhi, justice stands for justice for women, for youth, for farmers, labourers and equal distribution of resources. All these are connected by the environment,” Jairam Ramesh said.

On environmental injustice, Ramesh said, “For the last 10 years, our environment has been suffering from the brunt of injustice. Our forest protection law was weakened…environmental laws are weakened, and people are dying of pollution, not just in Delhi but throughout the country.”

Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the senior Congress leader said, “Prime Minister goes abroad and lectures on environment, but what about our country, our environmental laws, our agencies which are supposed to protect our environment?”

Earlier in the day, the Congress General Secretary shared that Congress MP Rahul Gandhi will be visiting Bordowa Satra in Assam’s Nagaon district, the birthplace of Sri Sankardev on Pran Pratishtha day, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said on Saturday.

“January 22 is the ninth day of Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. At 7 am, Rahul Gandhi will be going to Bordowa Satra in Nagaon district, which is the birthplace of Sri Sri Sankardev and pay his tributes to him,” Jairam Ramesh told ANI on Saturday at Assam’s Lakhimpur. (ANI)

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Ayodhya

Ayodhya: NDRF Sets Up Camp Near Ram Temple Ahead Of ‘Pran Pratishtha’

By LokMarg

With just 48 hours to the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony at the Ram Temple on January 22, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has set up a camp near the shrine in Ayodhya to respond to contingencies, if any.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will perform the rituals around the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ of Shri Ram Lalla at the temple on January 22.

Speaking to ANI on Saturday, Manoj Kumar Sharma, the deputy inspector general of police, NDRF, shared details of the deployment of the rescue personnel in the temple town ahead of the big day.

“Three NDRF teams have been deployed here ahead of the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony on January 22. The deployment has been done in coordination with the local administration and police. One of our teams has been deployed at the ghats. We are ready to deal with all sorts of contingencies,” Sharma told ANI on Saturday.

Ahead of the grand ceremony, elaborate security deployments and arrangements have also been made across the city.

“We are making necessary preparations with regard to security in coordination with the agencies concerned. The visitors have already started arriving for the ‘Pran Pratishtha’. We are ensuring close surveillance through drone cameras and human intelligence. All security loopholes are being identified and addressed on priority. We are confident that the mega event on January 22 will pass off without a hitch,” Praveen Kumar, IG, Ayodhya, said.

Kumar added that all necessary arrangements have been made for the guests.

The Ayodhya Police, earlier on Saturday, cautioned people in the city against the rise of cyber crimes as the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ day nears.

According to the police, amid the hoopla and rising public anticipation around the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony, cybercriminals are defrauding unsuspecting people by sending fake QR codes for ‘donations’ in the name of Ram Temple in exchange for free prasad (food offered to the deity), VIP and entry passes to the temple on January 22.

The fraudsters have even created a fake website in the name of Ram Mandir, Ayodhya, according to the police.

The police have advised citizens not to reply to any request or WhatsApp message sent by any unknown person without verification or donate money to anyone without verification.

The booking for ‘aarti’ passes to the Ram Janmobhoomi temple started in December ahead of the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony on January 22. Aartis are performed three times a day (6:30 am, 12 pm, 7:30 pm) for Lord Ram Lalla for which passes are generated for the devotees.

A team of priests, led by Lakshami Kant Dixit, will officiate the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ rituals on Monday.

Earlier, the idol of Shri Ram Lalla, carved by Mysuru sculptor Arun Yogiraj, was placed inside the sanctum santorum of the temple. (ANI)

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Subash Ghai Ram Mandir

Ram Mandir Shouldn’t Be Associated With Politics: Ghai

By LokMarg

Director Subash Ghai, who has been invited to the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, said that he would be honoured to witness it.

Recently, his television show, ‘Jaanaki’ clocked 100 episodes leading to a grand celebration at Whistling Woods International.

While celebrating this milestone of completing 100 episodes Subash also talked about being invited to the Pran Pratishtha ceremony.

He said, “Shri Ram Mandir is an important cultural symbol that represents India. It is the identity of Bharat. People shouldn’t associate the same with politics as the Shri Ram Mandir represents the faith of millions of devotees worldwide. The grand opening ceremony has filled the chest of 140 million Indians with pride. I am honoured to witness Pran Prathishtha, a historic day in Bharatiya Civilization”

Ghai celebrated this milestone with the cast and crew as the show hit 100 episodes.

This daily drama is a steadfast celebration of today’s women’s unyielding spirit, igniting a movement to challenge conventions and empower women to decide for themselves and fight misogyny.

The show reflects the experiences of countless Indian women, highlighting their struggles, triumphs, and battles.

Meanwhile, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) media-in-charge Sharad Sharma shared glimpses of the Ram Lalla idol, which was placed inside the sanctum-sanctoram of the temple on Thursday.

The idol of Lord Ram was placed inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple in Ayodhya on Thursday. Covered with a veil, the first photo of the idol was revealed during the placement ceremony in the sanctum sanctorum on Thursday.

The idol of ‘Ram Lalla’ is carved by Arun Yogiraj, a famed sculptor from Karnataka. The idol is 51 inches tall and weighs 1.5 tonnes. The idol portrays Lord Ram as a five-year-old child standing on a lotus also crafted from the same stone. The Pran Pratishta ceremony will be held in Ayodhya on January 22.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will perform rituals to mark the ‘Pran Pratishtha’; a team of priests led by Lakshmikant Dixit will lead the main rituals. Several celebrities and noted personalities have also been invited to the ceremony. (ANI)

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India Miss World pageant

India To Host Miss World Pageant After 28 Yrs

By LokMarg

India is set to host the 71st Miss World pageant after a gap of 28 years, according to the organisers of the event, which will be streamed and telecast worldwide.

The official page of Miss World took to X and wrote, “Chairman of Miss World, Julia Morley CBE stated, “Excitement fills the air as we proudly announce India as the host country for Miss World. A celebration of beauty, diversity, and empowerment awaits. Get ready for a spectacular journey! #MissWorldIndia #BeautyWithAPurpose.”

The last time the pageant was held in 1996 in Bengaluru.

Reita Faria Powell became the first Indian woman to win the Miss World crown in the year 1966.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan brought home the Miss World crown in 1994 while Diana Hayden was crowned the title in 1997. Yukta Mookhey became India’s fourth Miss World in 1999 and Priyanka Chopra Jonas won the Miss World title in the year 2000. Manushi Chhillar was crowned Miss World crown in 2017.

Karolina Bielawska of Poland was the last winner and will crown the next Miss World at the end of the event.

Between February 18 and March 9, this year venues for the event include the magnificent G-20 site, the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, and the dazzling Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.

On February 20 ‘The Opening Ceremony’ and ‘India Welcomes the World Gala’, will be hosted by the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) at Hotel Ashok in New Delhi and the 71st Miss World global finale is scheduled to be held on March 9 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.

Chairman and CEO of the Miss World Organization, Julia Evelyn Morley CBE in a statement said, “Returning to India, a country that I adore, and bringing 120 National champions to experience the beauty of this nation is a tremendous honour. Miss World is not just one event it’s a month-long festival to celebrate female achievement. We will be bringing the world to India and showcasing India to the world.”

The Miss World event was founded in 1951 and states that it goes beyond traditional beauty contests and embraces a new paradigm centred on the ability and intelligence to effect positive change via humanitarian service.

Munish Gupta, Advisor to the Miss World Organization in India said, “Miss World will showcase the rich tapestry of India’s culture, traditions, heritage, arts and crafts, textiles, cuisine, tourism and much more to a massive global audience.”

This year, each contestant will have their own media channel on the vast MissWorld.com platform to showcase why they should advance to the Top 20 finals.

Major competitions of the event include World Top Designer Award & Miss World Top Model – Mumbai, Miss World Sports Challenge – New Delhi, Miss World Talent Final- Mumbai, Multi-Media Challenge- Mumbai, Head To Head Challenge Final- The Summit Room, Bharat Mandapam – New Delhi on 23rd February, Continental Beauty With A Purpose Challenge- Plenary Hall, Bharat Mandapam – New Delhi on 21st February, Miss World Red Carpet Special, Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.

Endemol Shine India is producing the 71st Miss World Final. Rishi Negi, Group COO- Banijay Asia and Endemol Shine India in a statement said, “Securing the television production mandate for the 71st Miss World finale is a testament to our leadership and excellence in event production.

The 71st Miss World Final is scheduled to be telecast live from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm on March 9 from Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai (ANI)

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Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)

RBI Governor: Digital Currency Will Make Cross Border Payments More Efficient

By LokMarg

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das feels that digital currency or Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) will make cross-border payments more efficient and fast, in addition to being cost-effective.

The digital currency was launched in India on a pilot basis, both in the wholesale and retail categories, in November-December 2022.

“The greatest advantage of CBDC will be cross-border payments internationally. International cross-border payments will become far more efficient, faster, and very very cost-effective. As and when other countries adopt this digital currency, international payment systems will gain in efficiency, speed, and cost. And ultimately, it’s a new technology which is developing and I think it’s going to be the future of money,” said Das

The Governor of India’s central bank was addressing a session at the ongoing World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

The RBI Governor said that the countrywide launch will depend on the success, the learnings, and the fine-tuning of the pilot version.

“So that is the distance we have to cover,” Das said. “But we have no target date…We are not in any undue hurry or rush to implement it full scale because after it is a currency, its safety, integrity, and efficiency have to be ensured.”

In the retail segment, there are at present about 4 million users and 0.4 million merchants who have been onboarded.

He also apprised the Davos forum that the UPI payment mechanism and the CBDC have been made interoperable.

“The QR code which is used for the E-rupee is the same QR code that is used in UPI. In other words, CBDC and the UPI payment systems have been made interoperable,” he said.

“The advantage of CBDC vis-a-vis the UPI is that it’s not one versus the other. UPI is a payment system, and CBDC is a currency. CBDC can operate in completely dark zones (meaning where the internet is not available). Offline payments will become much easier because I can directly from my CBDC wallet to your wallet. In UPI also, we are trying to facilitate that by introducing certain new products,” he said.

The eRs-R is in the form of a digital token that represents legal tender.

It is being issued in the same denominations that paper currency and coins are currently issued. It is being distributed through financial intermediaries — banks. The eRs-R offers features of physical cash like trust, safety and settlement finality.

As in the case of cash, it will not earn any interest and can be converted to other forms of money, like deposits with banks. (ANI)

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Indian Air Force (IAF) Kirti Rohil

Hope National Event Motivates Girls To Join Forces: IAF Lt Kirti

By LokMarg

Indian Air Force (IAF) Flight Lieutenant Kirti Rohil, who will be a part of the IAF marching contingent this year for the Republic Day Parade, said that its an honour and privilege for her to be part of the national event.

She also hoped that it will inspire and motivate young girls to join the defence forces and be part of a bigger change in society.

As per the Indian Air Force, women Agniveer Vayu soldiers will participate in the Indian Air Force contingent for the Republic Day parade this year.

Speaking to ANI on the upcoming Republic Day Parade event, Flight Lieutenant Kirti Rohil said, “We have been practicing for the Air Force Day Parade for two months now. Everybody came from different places and units. We all come from different branches and we all will march together for the Republic Day parade on the Kartavya path as one contingent.”

“It is a wonderful experience and we hope that it inspires and motivates the women of the country, the younger girls, to join the defence forces and be part of a bigger change in society,” Lt Rohil said.

Flying Officer Asima Sheikh, from Pune, Maharashtra, also spoke on this year’s Republic Day theme and said, “I was commissioned in the fighter stream of the flying branch of the Indian Air Force in June, 2022. I feel very honoured and privileged to be a part of the Republic Day tableau.”

“The theme for the Republic Day Indian Air Force tableau this year is ‘Saksham, Sashakt, Atmanirbhar’ which translates to potent, powerful and self-reliant,” she said.

“The tableau is divided into three parts: the front portion, the middle portion and the rear portion. The theme for the rear portion is ‘potent’, which is visible in the C-130 aircraft, which signifies Operation Cauvery, which was carried out in 2023, where the C-130 aircraft were used to rescue more than 3,800 Indian nationals from Sudan during the Sudan conflict,” she added.

“The centre portion signifies ‘sashakt’ or powerful. There are two fighter aircraft, Tejas and Su-30, that are shown over the Indian Ocean region and that shows the capability of the IAF not only on land but in the sea as well,” added the officer.

Flight Lieutenant Ananya Sharma, from Delhi, also shared how her father, an IAF officer, inspired her to continue the family legacy.

“My father was a pilot of the MIG-21 aircraft. It was a dream come true for me when I got commissioned into the IAF. We are all looking forward to the Republic Day parade,” she said.

Fighter Controller Pragati, who has been associated with the Air Force for 7 years now, said, “It takes a lot of teamwork working in the kartavya path; each and every person has to have the same hand swing and the same marching style.”

In a first, 48 Agniveer Vayu women to participate in Republic Day Parade. Two all-women contingents of the Defence Forces are scheduled to march at the parade this year.

The IAF marching contingent will be led by Squadron Leader Rashmi Thakur, with Squadron Leader Sumita Yadav, Squadron Leader Pratiti Alhuwalia and Flight Lieutenant Kirti Rohil as supernumerary officers.

In addition, 15 women pilots of the IAF will also operate various air assets of the IAF during the aerial flypast.

Defence officials said, “One contingent, including 144 personnel, would have all women soldiers, including 60 from the Army and the remaining from the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.”

The contingent would include female Agniveer soldiers who would be from the Navy and Air Force. Another all-women contingent would be from the Directorate General of the Armed Forces Medical Services, which will include nurses of the military nursing services and they would be led by women doctors at the parade.

French President Emmanuel Macron will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26. Notably, this is the sixth time a French leader will be the chief guest at Republic Day celebrations here in the national capital.

Promotion of Nari Shakti or strengthening women’s power in the defence forces, has been one of the key focus areas of the Narendra Modi-led government at the centre.

All three forces have opened up multiple avenues for women soldiers and officers in the defence forces. While the Indian Air Force has allowed women as fighter pilots, the Navy has given the command of its warship for the first time to a lady officer.

The Indian Army has also allowed the entry of women officers and soldiers into almost all of its arms and services. The Force is also looking at the possibility of allowing women in other arms and branches too. (ANI)

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campus Bengaluru

Bengaluru Gets A Boeing Campus

By LokMarg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated a new state-of-the-art Boeing India Engineering and Technology Center (BIETC) campus in Bengaluru.

Built with an investment of Rs 1,600 crores, the 43-acre campus is Boeing’s largest such investment outside the US.

Boeing’s new campus in India will become a cornerstone for partnership with the vibrant startup, private and government ecosystem in India, and will help develop next-generation products and services for the global aerospace and defence industry.

Prime Minister today also launched the Boeing Sukanya Program that aims to support the entry of more girl children from across India into the country’s growing aviation sector. The program will provide opportunities for girls and women from across India to learn critical skills in the science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) fields and train for jobs in the aviation sector.

For young girls, the program will create STEM Labs at 150 planned locations to help spark interest in STEM careers. The program will also provide scholarships to women who are training to be pilots.

Addressing the gathering, PM Modi asserted that India aims to reduce its offshore dependence on aircraft leasing and financing and the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) in Gujarat’s GIFT City will help in realizing it.

We are working to simplify aircraft leasing. We endeavour to reduce India’s offshore dependence on aircraft leasing and financing. So, we have set up IFSCA. The benefit of this will be reaped by the entire country,” said PM Modi, after inaugurating the new state-of-the-art Boeing India Engineering and Technology Center (BIETC) campus in Bengaluru.

India today is the third largest domestic civil aviation market, with volume more than doubling in the past decade, PM Modi said.

“UDAN scheme has helped a lot. In the coming years, the domestic air traffic will further rise. Looking at such a huge demand, our airlines have placed a massive order for aircraft. India will give new energy to the global aviation market.”

To further India’s aviation market, the central government is encouraging states to reduce taxes on aviation fuel, he said.

“India will one day develop ‘aircraft of the future’ from this particular centre,” he said, congratulating Boeing management.

“Bengaluru is the city which connects aspirations with innovations and achievements. It’s the city that connects India’s tech potential to global demands. This new Global Technology Centre of Boeing will strengthen the identity of Bengaluru.” This campus is a stamp of approval for Indian talents, he added.

“This facility will help Indian youth to learn new skills in the aviation sector. Our endeavour is to raise women’s participation in all sectors,” he noted.

Talking about women’s participation in the aviation sector, 15 per cent of Indian pilots are women, which is thrice the global average.

“Be it fighter pilots or civil aviation pilots, Indian women are leading today. I can say with pride that 15 per cent of our total pilots are women. To put this into context, this is thrice the global average,” he asserted.

PM Modi also apprised the gathering that the number of operational airports in India rose from around 70 to now 150 since year 2014.

“We have not only new airports but also improved our efficiency manifold,” PM Modi added. (ANI)

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Akhilesh Yadav

Akhilesh Announces SP’s Alliance With Jayant Chaudhary-Led RLD

By LokMarg

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Friday announced the Samajwadi Party’s (SP) alliance with Jayant Chaudhary’s Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The SP supremo tweeted on Friday, “Congratulations to everyone on the Rashtriya Lok Dal-SP alliance. Let us all unite for victory!” Akhilesh Yadav posted on X on Friday.

According to the party sources, RLD will fight in alliance on 7 to 8 seats on most of the seats in Western UP.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Congress held a seat-sharing meeting with Samajwadi Party leaders in Delhi.

Congress leader Salman Khurshid said, “…We’ve shared details of each seat with each other…I hope that the alliance happens before the (Bharat Jodo Nyay) Yatra reaches Uttar Pradesh.”

The Congress is holding seat-sharing talks with all its alliance partners before launching the campaign for the Lok Sabha polls.

INDIA or ‘Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance’ is a group of opposition parties, including the Congress. The parties have come together to take on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which is led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and prevent it from winning a third straight term at the Centre in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections draw near, India’s political landscape is undergoing a significant reshuffling. The emerging INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) consortium is gearing up to challenge the NDA, setting the stage for an electoral showdown.

Earlier in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA won 353 seats, the UPA stood at 91, and Others won 98. The voting was staggered in seven phases between April 11 and May 19, in which around 67 per cent of the nearly 900 million eligible people exercised their franchise to elect 542 members of the Lok Sabha. (ANI)

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Compliance Of Flag Code

Ahead Of R-Day, MHA Directs States, UTs To Ensure Strict Compliance Of Flag Code

By LokMarg

Ahead of R-Day, MHA directs states, UTs to ensure strict compliance of flag code

Ahead of the Republic Day, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a circular directing all states and Union territories to ensure that flags made of paper are not discarded or thrown on the ground during significant national, cultural, and sports events.

The circular emphasized the importance of preserving the ‘dignity of paper flags’ used by the public during these occasions.

The MHA directive underlines that the Indian National Flag symbolizes the hopes and aspirations of the nation’s people and deserves to be treated with the utmost respect.

“There is universal affectifill and respect for, and loyalty to, the National flag. Yet, a perceptible lack of awareness is often noticed amongst people as well as organizations/agencies of the government, in regard to laws, practices and conventions that apply to the display of the National Flag,” the MHA said in its circular on Thursday.

The circular addressed a noticeable lack of awareness among individuals and organizations regarding laws, practices, and conventions related to the display of the National Flag.

The circular emphasizes that these paper flags should not be discarded or thrown on the ground after the event. Instead, individuals are urged to dispose of them privately, ensuring the continued dignity of the flag.

“As per clause (x) of Paragraph 2.2 of Part-II of the Flag Code of India, the National Flag made of paper may be waved by the public on occasions of important national, cultural and sports events,” it stated.

“You are requested to ensure that on the occasions of important national, cultural and sports events, Flags used by the public, made of paper are not discarded or thrown on the ground after the event. Such Flags are to be disposed of, in private, consistent with the dignity of the Hag,” it further stated.

The MHA has further requested states and Union territories to conduct mass awareness programs to educate the public on the proper handling of the National Flag made of paper.

“You are also requested to undertake a mass awareness programme in this regard and also to give it wide publicity through advertisements in the electronic and print media,” the circular mentioned. (ANI)

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Yasin Malik

Killing Of IAF Personnel In 1990: Eyewitnesses Identify Yasin Malik As Shooter

By LokMarg

Senior Public Prosecutor for the CBI, Monika Kohli, on Friday said eyewitnesses have identified Yasin Malik, chief of the banned outfit Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), as the shooter in the killing of four Indian Air Force personnel in 1990.

“In the special TADA court, a hearing took place on January 18 regarding the killing of the IAF personnel. The CBI had summoned two witnesses. The witnesses narrated how the incident took place. The witnesses identified Yasin Malik and told the court that he was the one to have opened fire (at the IAF personnel),” Kohli told ANI.

“The witness also informed the court that Malik was also injured in the firing and received four bullet injuries,” she added.

She added that the next date of hearing in the matter has been scheduled for February 15 and 16.

On January 25, 1990, four IAF employees, including Squadron Leader Ravi Khanna, were killed by JKLF militants.

Malik, who is serving life imprisonment in Tihar Jail in a terror funding case, was charge-sheeted by the Central Bureau of Investigation before the TADA court in Jammu on August 31, 1990, in connection with the case.

Yasin Malik was sentenced to life imprisonment twice.

Nirmal Khanna, the wife of Squadron Leader Khanna, has been fighting for justice for her late husband.

In March 2020, a TADA court observed that there are “sufficient grounds for drawing presumption that the accused Yasin Malik” and others “prima facie have committed” the offence of killing Indian Air Force (IAF) officer Squadron Leader Ravi Khanna and three others. (ANI)

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