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Maharashtra Police reiterates rights activists plotted to overthrow government
Mumbai, Aug 31 (IANS) Justifying the arrest of five rights activists, Maharashtra’s Additional Director-General of Police Parambir Singh on Friday said police have clear evidence to show their links with Maoist organisations and a larger conspiracy to overthrow the central government.
Addressing a special media briefing here, ADG Singh (law and order), exhibited certain emails, letters and other communication allegedly changing hands among the activists, whose arrests three days ago from different parts of India triggered nationwide condemnation.
“There was a bigger conspiracy plotted by the Maoist organisations to overthrow the ‘lawfully established Indian government’ using arms procured from countries like China and Russia and the arrested accused played a crucial role in this plan,” Singh said.
On August 28, Pune Police had carried out the arrests of lawyer-activist Sudha Bharadwaj, civil liberties activists Gautam Navlakha, Vernon Gonsalves, Arun Fereira and Telugu poet P. Varavara Rao from different parts of India, as part of investigations into the January 1 Koregaon-Bhima caste riots.
Singh revealed that the five activists were in contact with separatist and extremist groups from Jammu and Kashmir and Manipur, wanted to emulate stone-pelting protests akin to Kashmir in other parts of India including urban areas and conducting meetings abroad with other groups in a bid to organise funds.
Citing that conclusive evidence was collected which establishes their links with Maoists before making the arrests, he mentioned a letter speaking of a “Rajiv Gandhi-type incident” to end the Modi Raj, and need for Rs 8 crore to procure a rocket launcher and 400,000 rounds, among other things.
On August 29, Pune’s Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Shirish Sardeshpande had said that the banned CPI (Maoist) was engaged in raising funds to incite civil unrest against the administration.
“They have shown intolerance to the present political system, and decided to target organisations and their officials and even the highest political functionaries,” Sardesphande said in the first official comments on the August 28 swoop.
The arrests were made on a complaint lodged with Vishramgarh Police in Pune on January 8 on the December 31 Elgar Parishad, organised by the Kabir Kala Manch where allegedly inciting speeches were delivered.
The following day (January 1), Koregaon-Bhima witnessed huge protests and caste riots in which one person was killed, followed by a Maharashtra shutdown on January 3, called by the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh.
Singh said that despite the ‘propaganda’ to discredit the police probe, the investigators have a very strong case and all the arrests were videographed.
–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
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.