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Salvini renews attack on France’s migrant ‘drop off’
Rome, Oct 17 (IANS/AKI) Hardline Interior Minister Matteo Salvini on Wednesday continued his criticism of the alleged drop-off of two African migrants by French police in the northwest border town Claviere, claiming he would be “under investigation by half of Italy’s prosecutors” for doing far less.
“The French government has apologized, claiming the police officers who accompanied these migrants were new to the job and did not know the area,” Salvini told Radio Rai2 public radio.
“If I had done half of all this, I would be under investigation by half of Italy’s prosecutors,” Salvini added.
Prosecutors in Turin said on Wednesday they had opened an European judicial probe into “unknown persons for the transport of foreigners aimed at their illegal entry into Italy” over the incident in Claviere on Friday which was witnessed by several people who noted the police van’s number-plate.
Salvini on Wednesday called the reported drop-off of the two migrants in a wooded area by two French paramilitary gendarme police – whose van then allegedly drove back across the border at high speed – “an unprecedented affront to our country” and “an international disgrace”.
“What happened in Claviere was an unprecedented affront to our country,” Salvini wrote on Facebook. We are facing an international disgrace, and (French President Emmanuel) Macron cannot pretend nothing has happened..
“Dont’ international organisations, from the UN to the Europe Union, find it sickening to dump people in an isolated area without assistance or warning?,” the post added.
Tensions between France and Italy have risen in recent months as Rome has accused Paris of hypocrisy by refusing to take in “a fair share” of more than 700,000 migrants who have reached Italy by boat since 2014.
Italy in March protested to France over a incident in which French border police entered a clinic in the border town of Bardonecchia run by a NGO that cares for migrants trying to cross the Alps, the Foreign Ministry said. Italian prosecutors are also probing that incident.
Also in March, French police sparked outrage by carrying out identity checks at Bardonecchia station, with the Italian Foreign Ministry summoning the French Ambassador to protest.
Last year, journalists from AFP news agency said they saw French police dropping off migrants in front of Bardonecchia train station.
–IANS/AKI
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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.