‘Hacking Muslim FB account, posting pro-Pak slogan and protest by BJP were pre-planned’

News Network
March 6, 2019

Belagavi, Mar 6: Posting pro-Pakistan slogans Facebook wall of a Muslim man after hacking his account and subsequent protests by BJP and right-wing outfits in Ramdurg town were pre-planned according to former Ramdurg MLA Ashok Pattan.

On Sunday night, police arrested Nagaraj Mali for hacking the Facebook account of Pattan’s supporter Mohammad Shafi Benne and posting pro-Pakistan slogans on Friday. Before the arrest, BJP staged a massive protest in Ramdurg on Saturday and MP Suresh Angadi at SP’s office on Sunday demanding Shafi’s arrest.

Addressing media persons here on Tuesday, senior Congressman Pattan alleged that it was a conspiracy to defame him. How did over 500 workers gather within a few minutes of the Facebook post and shout slogans against him and Shafi, he asked.

Pattan alleged that BJP MLA Mahadevappa Yadawad and his workers had caused a communal disturbance in Ramdurg on Saturday and urged police to take action against them. He said he and Benne would file separate complaints against the MLA and other workers who called them anti-nationals. “My father and mother were freedom fighters. I don’t need to take lessons of patriotism from BJP leaders,” he said.

Ashok Pattan said following his initiative, a 78-foot statue of Lord Shiva on the outskirts of Ramdurg town was inaugurated last year. It’s the second tallest in Karnataka after the one at Murudeshwar and the place is gradually growing as a tourist spot. Last year, over 1 lakh people visited the spot and this had irked his opponents.

Pattan said the statue is Shafi’s brainchild and he manages the arrangements at the spot during Shivaratri. “My opponents targeted Shafi and me to ruin Shivaratri celebrations,” he said.

Former Belagavi MLA Firoz Sait said it was an old trick of the BJP to raise communal issues during elections. Police should look into the motive for such actions. District Congress (rural) president Vinay Navalagatti and city block president Raju Sait were also present at the press meet.

Also Read: Nagaraj arrested for hacking his Muslim friend’s FB account, posting pro-Pak messages

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News Network
October 7,2024

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New Delhi: Seeking to strengthen bilateral ties, India and the Maldives on Monday inked a currency swap agreement to the tune of $400 million, a move that would help the archipelago nation overcome foreign exchange reserve issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu also launched Rupay card in the Maldives, inaugurated the new runway at the Hanimadhoo International airport and agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations that had hit a rocky patch last year.

Muizzu, who is on a four-day state visit, held talks with Prime Minister Modi at the Hyderabad House here.

After the talks, India also handed over 700 social housing units to the Maldives built under the EXIM Bank’s buyer’s credit facilities.

"Today, we have inaugurated the redeveloped Hanimaadhoo Airport. Now, the Greater Male Connectivity Project will also be expedited. We will also support the development of a new commercial port in Thilafushi," Modi told reporters here with Muizzu by his side.

Modi said India and Maldives have decided to initiate discussion on the Free Trade Agreement to further strengthen economic ties.

The prime minister described Maldives as a "close friend" which had an important position in India's neighbourhood policy and SAGAR vision.

"India has always fulfilled the responsibilities of a neighbour. Today, we have taken up the vision of a comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership to give our mutual cooperation a strategic direction," Modi said.

Earlier, Muizzu was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan by President Droupadi Murmu. Prime Minister Modi was also present on the occasion.

Muizzu was given a tri-services guard of honour before he drove down the Rajghat to offer his respects at the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain since Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office in November.

Muizzu won the presidential election last year on the 'India out' campaign and asked New Delhi to withdraw its military personnel posted in the archipelago nation by May this year.

The bilateral ties also hit a rocky patch when Maldivian ministers were critical of Modi. However, Muizzu has since toned down his anti-India stance and even sacked ministers who were critical of the Indian prime minister.

As the Maldives was grappling with a serious economic downturn, India has decided to extend vital budgetary support to the Maldives government with the rollover of a $50 million Treasury Bill for another year.

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