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Van mows down 10 on Toronto sidewalk, driver arrested (Second Lead)

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By Gurmukh Singh
Toronto, April 24 (IANS) Ten persons have been killed and 15 injured after a man ploughed a rental van through pedestrians on a city sidewalk here. The driver was arrested after a tense standoff with police.

The incident occurred around 1.30 p.m. on Monday when the van driver mounted the sidewalk of city’s famous Yonge Street and ploughed over people enjoying the first sunny day of spring.

He sped over a two-kilometre stretch till his van hit a bus shelter. The entire stretch presented a ghastly scene as bodies, debris and items of clothing lay scattered on it.

The van driver has been identified as 25-year-old Alek Minassian from the city outskirts’ Richmond Hill. Toronto Police chief Mark Saunders though said he was not ruling out anything at the stage. He said the killer was not known to the city police.

“There’s nothing on our files. There’s nothing that we have on him right now. It (the accident) looks intentional and as a result 10 people are now not with us,” said Saunders. Police said that the incident appeared deliberate but no motive was clear.

During the chase, when a lone police officer pointing a gun at the driver asked him to surrender, the suspect told him that he had a gun.

As the police officer shouted: “Get down, get down or you will be shot,” the suspect said: “Kill me.” However, he soon surrendered. He was due in court.

This is the worst incident of mass killing in the city’s history. In a press conference later, Canadian Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale ruled out any terror links. The incident does “not appear to be connected to any national security concerns”, he said.

Canadian broadcaster CBC cited government officials as saying Minassian was not associated with any known terror groups.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident a “senseless attack and a horrific tragedy”. Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Trudeau praised the police officers involved, who he said “faced danger without a moment of hesitation”.

Minassian had previously attended a school for students with special needs in north Toronto, former classmates said.

Jagmeet Singh of the New Democratic Party, the Leader of Opposition, said: “Tragic news coming out of Toronto – my thoughts are with all those affected by the horrific events…”

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker mourned the victims, saying: “I send my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims, as well as to Prime Minister Trudeau and to all Canadians.”

The incident took place about 29 km from the city centre, where Foreign Ministers from the G7 countries were meeting to discuss world issues.

After Europe and the US, this is the first such incident in Canada.

Canada survived a major terror attack in 2006 when 18 people linked to Al Qaeda were arrested for plotting to kill the Prime Minister, blow up parliament and take MPs hostage.

(Gurmukh Singh can be contacted at [email protected])

–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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