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President Trump lifts limits on military gear for local police

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Washington, Aug 29 (IANS) US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday to roll back limits on the flow of surplus military gear, including high-caliber weapons and grenade launchers, to local police departments.

The directive Trump signed lifts restrictions put place two years ago by former President Barack Obama amid a nationwide outcry over the police use of military equipment during protests, viewed by many as an unnecessary show of force and intimidation, Xinhua reported.

The Obama order prohibited local police department from getting access to grenade launchers, tracked armed vehicles, weaponised aircraft and vehicles, and firearms, and high-caliber ammunition.

Addressing a national convention of the Fraternal Order of Police in Nashville, Tennessee, early Monday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said “those restrictions went too far, we will not put superficial concerns above public safety” .

Their removal will ensure law enforcement officers get the “lifesaving gear” they need to do their job, said Sessions, stressing that it would send a message that they “will not allow criminal activity, violence and lawlessness to become a new normal.”

Trump’s directive restored a military program called 1033. Authorized by Congress in 1990, it allowed transfer of some surplus military equipment to state and local police agencies in order to help fight drugs and then terrorism.

Obama issued an executive order that severely limited the Pentagon program in 2015, following a spate of high-profile deaths of black men at the hands of the police, including the fatal shooting in 2014 of 18-year-old Michael Brown, in Ferguson, Missouri, by a white police officer.

“Militarized gear sometimes gives people a feeling like police are an occupying force as opposed to a part of the community there protect them,” Obama said then in announcing the reduction of the program. “Some equipment made for battlefield is not appropriate for local police department.”

As of late 2016, an agency that oversees the “1033 program” had recalled at least 100 grenade launchers, more 1,600 bayonets and 126 tracked vehicles, which were tunneled through the program in past decades but listed in 2015 as “prohibited equipment” that could no longer be distributed to police.

Trump’s decision to revive program was the latest move by his administration to stake out a controversial hardline stance on law enforcement.

–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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