BENGALURU  FRIDAY  NOVEMBER 25, 2022  `9.00  PAGES 34  LATE CITY EDITION IMRAN-BAITER ASIM MUNIR APPOINTED PAK ARMY CHIEF LT. GEN. SYED ASIM MUNIR WILL TAKE CHARGE BY THE END OF THIS MONTH Lt Gen Munir is a former top spy, having served as chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence and the Military Intelligence | P9,12 UNLIKELY TO BREACH CEASEFIRE WITH INDIA However, his stint as the spy chief at the ISI was the shortest ever as he was replaced by Lt Gen Faiz Hamid within eight months on the insistence of then-prime minister Imran Khan in 2019. Munir will take up the most powerful position in the coup-prone country following Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa’s retirement on November 29 after two consecutive three-year terms ■ ■ Pakistan President Arif Alvi, who was earlier associated with Imran’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, flew to Lahore to meet the former cricketer to hold consultation on the appointment According to experts, Munir is unlikely to breach the ceasefire pact with India as his focus will be sorting out domestic issues Pulwama MUNIR WAS THE I.S.I. CHIEF WHEN THE 2019 TERROR ATTACK TOOK PLACE CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOGGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI Families meet State govt finally hands over M’luru blast case to NIA ex-Navy officers in Qatar custody BA L A C H AU H A N @ Bengaluru Embassy seeking further consular access sular issues or grievances of Indian nationals in Qatar. FAMILIES of some of the eight It has been close to three former naval officers detained months since the eight former in Qatar since August-end have naval officers were taken into been able to meet them, though custody by the State Security there is no word yet on their re- Bureau (Ministry of Interior, lease. There are also reports Qatar). There is hope but no suggesting that relatives of the clarity on when these officers others in custody have been will be repatriated to India. asked to fly to Doha from India Vice President Jagdee p to meet them. Dhankar’s visit to Doha on the On Thursday, famiinvitation of the Qatar Appeal by lies of the eight former government to attend family officers got to interact the inaugural ceremowith Indian envoy Ex-commander ny of FIFA 2022 had Deepak Mittal at a Purnendu Tiwari raised hopes of the re‘Meet the Ambassador lease of these eight exis among the Open House’ session of ficers. Though eight officers organised by the IndiDhankar did have a held captive in an Embassy in Doha. Qatar. His sister private audience with While some of them the Amir of Qatar, Dr Meetu met him in person, Sheikh Tamim bin HaBhargava has others got to speak to appealed to the mad Al Thani, there is him online. PM to bring back no clarity on whether “Only family memhe raised it with him. her brother bers were permitted to The meeting wasn’t ask questions and on a one-on- structured, according to the one basis. The details of course Ministry of External Affairs. have been kept under wraps. India’s embassy is regularly Indian Ambassador to Qatar raising the matter with the QaDr Deepak Mittal spoke with tari authorities and seeking them. Queries by those other further consular access. It has than the family members were also flagged the issue of fuginot addressed,’’ sources said. tive Islamist Zakir Naik with The Indian Embassy in Doha Qatar but the country clarified had issued a circular earlier that it had not issued an invite saying they would be ready to to him, MEA spokesperson listen/redress any urgent con- Arindam Bagchi said. Y E S H I S E L I @ New Delhi Modern edu & dress code in madrasas N A R E N D R A S E T H I @ Dehradun THE Uttarakhand Waqf Board on Thursday announced the introduction of NCERT syllabus and modern school uniform instead of the traditional kurtapyjama, in madrasas run by it from next academic year. Clerics, however, criticised the radical shift in the dress code, calling it an attack on the madrasa education culture. “NCERT syllabus and dress code will be implemented in madrasas under the Waqf Board in Uttarakhand from the next academic session,” Waqf Board chairman Shadab Shams told this newspaper. “Initially, seven out of the 103 madrasas managed by the Uttarakhand Waqf Board will be run as modern schools. Children of other religions, too, can join them,” he said. In the first phase, two madrasas each in Dehradun, Udham Singh Nagar and Haridwar and one in Nainital district have been selected for the revamp. The new system will be extended to other madrasas by and by . “It is certain that the culture of lungi, tehmat or kurta-pyjama in madrasas will not work in future,” he added. THE state government has handed over the November 19 Mangaluru blast case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) after the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, were invoked. TNIE, on November 23 had first reported that the Mangaluru blast case in which the prime accused Mohd Shariq, who was carrying the pressure cooker IED in an autorickshaw was injured along with the auto driver Purushottam Poojary following a blast, will be handed over to the NIA after the UAPA was invoked. As per procedure, the state gover nment on Thursday wrote to the Home Ministry stating that based on the investigation in the case (119/2022) including the examination of materials recovered and evidence collected so far by the police, Sections 16, 38 and 39 of the UAPA on punishment for THE Supreme Court collegium on Thursday appeared to have held back its proposal to transfer Gujarat High Court judge Nikhil S Kariel to the Patna High Court following concerns last week over ad hoc shifting in the higher judiciary . Justice Kariel was among three judges — the other two were from the Telangana and Madras high courts — who were proposed to be transferred. The transfer of the other two judges — Justice T Raja DELHI’s iconic Jama Masjid on Thursday issued an order prohibiting the entry of unaccompanied girls into the mosque complex but withdrew it later following public outrage and the intervention of Delhi Lieutenant-Governor V K Saxena. “Jama Masjid mein ladki ya ladkiyon ka akele daakhla mana hai (solitary entry of girl or girls is not permitted in Jama Masjid),” read the order, pasted on the entrance gates of the 17th century Mughal-era committing a terrorist act, being a member of a terrorist organisation and intention to E X P R E SS N E WS S E R V I C E these will be debated in the Supreme Court,” the CM said. A day after Bommai and MaCHIEF Minister Basavaraj Bom- harashtra Deputy CM Devenmai on Thursday said all issues dra Fadnavis sparred over the related to the border row with boundary dispute between both Maharashtra, including Mahar- states, Shinde said the dispute ashtra Chief Minister’s remarks should be resolved through dison resolving it amicably through cussions. Shinde said the Matalks, will be discussed at the all- harashtra government held a party leaders’ meeting meeting with regard to next week. the boundary issue reBommai said they cently. “T he issue have taken note of Mashould be resolved harashtra CM Eknath through talks and that Shinde holding meethas been the Maharings to discuss the borashtra government’s der row and his restand,’’ he said. marks about talks and On Wednesday, Fadall these developments navis had tweeted, “Not will be discussed dureven a single village They (Maharing the meeting that he from Maharashtra will ashtra) have has convened next go to Karnataka. The filed a case in week. “They have filed Maharashtra governthe Supreme the case in the Sument will fight in the Court and we are preme Court and we Supreme Court to claim fully prepared to are fully prepared to Belagavi, Karwar, Nipresent our present our argupani and other Marathi arguments. ments. We have strong areas on the border.’’ Basavaraj Bommai, grounds,” he said. In response, Bommai Chief Minister Bommai said a decireacted on Twitter, statsion to fight the case in ing that Fadnavis isSupreme Court was taken at an sued provocative statements all-party meeting and in the with on the boundary dispute. Border Development Authority Fadnavis’ dreams will never and now the government is come true. Karnataka state is only focussed on presenting its committed to protecting its arguments before the SC. land, water and borders.’’ The CM said the border disShinde recalled the meeting pute is over after the States Re- that the governors of Karnataorganization Act was enacted, ka and Maharashtra held rebut the Maharashtra govern- cently in which the issue of ment is raking it up. “The reso- boundary dispute also was dislution of Gram Panchayat (in cussed and said even the Centhe border area) and other re- tre too had shown a satisfactory lated issues are with us. All response to the issue. @ Bengaluru/Belagavi HIGH FIVE TODAY’S MATCHES Wales vs Iran 3.30pm Qatar vs Senegal 6.30pm N’lands vs Ecuador 9.30pm England vs USA 12.30am (Sat) Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo became the first man to score in five World Cups when he converted a penalty against Ghana in Doha on Thursday. Portugal won 3-2 | AP Name of judge HC from HC to V M Velumani Battu Devanand D Ramesh Lalitha Kanneganti Dr D Nagarjun T Raja A Abhishek Reddy Madras AP AP Telangana Telangana Madras Telangana Calcutta Madras Allahabad Karnataka Madras Rajasthan Patna from Madras HC to Rajasthan HC and Justice A Abhishek Reddy from Telangana HC to Patna HC — was formalised at the collegium meeting. In all, proposals to transfer seven Jama Masjid bans entry of girls, revokes fiat after flak A S H I S H S R I VA STAVA @ New Delhi A little-known outfit, Islamic Resistance Council (IRC), has reportedly claimed responsibility for the Mangaluru blast that injured two persons, including the prime suspect Mohammed Shariq P 4 mosque that attracts thousands of devotees as well as tourists. The decree drew the ire of gender activists who termed it regressive. Later, Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari withdrew the order after Delhi L-G Saxena requested him. “We have removed the notice boards. But people visiting the mosque have to maintain its sanctity,” Bukhari said. The mosque committee, however, sought to justify the order saying it was issued to prevent “improper” and “vulgar” acts done by youngsters in the mosque complex. high court judges were recommended (see table). When news broke on November 17 on the proposed transfer of the three judges citing administrative reasons, Bar associations in Gujarat and Telangana were voceferous in their protests immediately. The Tamil Nadu Bar association lodged its protest a day later. The Gujarat High Court Advocates Association called it a death knell to the independence of the judiciary and announced indefinite abstention from work. EXPRESS READ Campaign against untouchability to be launched in December Bengaluru: With an aim to create awareness against untouchability, the state government is all set to launch ‘Vinaya Samarasya’ campaign in the second week of December, said Minister for Social Welfare Kota Srinivas Poojary. He said the campaign will be launched at the Gram Panchayat level across the state | P4 Outgoing Mysuru VC appoints himself visiting prof Mysuru: Prof Hemantha Kumar, VC, University of Mysore, who demitted office after his 4-year term expired on November 14, had issued a recommendation order appointing himself as a visiting professor post-retirement. State govt tells ailing cadet’s mother to return salary P R A M O D K U M A R VA I DYA @ Hubballi AN ailing NDA cadet’s mother, who works as a headmistress in a government high school, has been asked by the state government to remit the salary she availed when she was on leave to care of her son. Kishan Kulkarni, the only son of Bharati Joshi, was training at National Defence Academy (NDA), Pune in July 2020, when he fell sick. Initially, Bharati was not allowed to ac- company him as the Covid-19 was at its peak. Eventually, when she was allowed to meet Kishan in December 2020, she took leave till April 2022. Alhough the headmistress aproved her leave by following the rules and also apprised her higher-ups in the Education Department, questions are now being raised over the leave sanctioned as well as the salary drawn by her during that period. As per a letter sent by the office of the Accountant Gen- further the activity of a terrorist organisation, have been invoked. “And since, this (UA(P) A) was a scheduled offence, which falls under Section 6 of the NIA Act the matter has been submitted to the MHA for necessary and further action,” informed sources told TNIE. The Mangaluru blast case was registered under Explosive Substances Act and Sections 419, 465, 471, 120(B) and 307 of the Indian Penal Code for punishment for cheating by person- All-party meeting next week on K’taka-Maha border row: Bommai Guj judge not on collegium transfer list S H R U T I K A K K A R @ New Delhi Little-known outfit claims responsibility eral, she took 40 days of commuted leave and 90 days of earned leave between December 12, 2020 and April 13, 2021. However, 360 days availed by her as Child Care Leave from April 13, 2021 to April 7, 2022 has come under scanner as the AG’s office has questioned the authority under which such leave was sanctioned and also sought details on recovery and remittance of the excess amount drawn between January 1, 2021 and April 7, 2022. P5 This is heartless indeed. Hope we can do something for the family. . Kishan Kulkarni General (retd) VP Malik, former Army chief ation, forgery fraudulently and , dishonestly using a forged document or electronic record as genuine and attempt to murder along with sections of the UA(P)A by the Kankanady Town police station. The NIA was roped into the investigation from day one of the investigation because of the nature of the blast. Meanwhile, Shariq continues to be in the ICU and is still not in a condition to give any statement to the police. NAMMA METRO Whitefield to KR Puram stretch to open by mid-March S L A L I T H A @ Bengaluru THE much-awaited Metro line between Whitefield and Baiyappanahalli (Reach-1 extension) is set for launch in two phases, with the 13-km stretch between Whitefield and KR Puram to be operational by mid-March 2023. The need to erect steel girders (bridge) above the railway crossing before Baiyappanahalli depot, has ensured that this small 2.5-km segment will not be ready for launch any time soon. Testing and commissioning of the completed portion between Whitefield and Garudacharpalya is on at present. Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) Managing Director Anjum Parwez told TNIE, “We will be extending testing and commissioning works between Whitefield and Garudarcharpalya by two more stations till KR Puram. BMRCL will be in a position to operate trains from Whitefield to KR Puram by mid-March next year. We are looking at inviting the commissioner of Metro Rail Safety for inspection by February .” This 13-km stretch will have 12 Metro stations: Whitefield, Channasandra, Kadugodi, Pattandur Agrahara, Sadarmangala, Nallurhalli, Kundalahalli, Sitharama Palya, Hoodi Junction, Garudacharp a l y a , S a r a sw a t i N a g a r P2 and KR Puram.