Central News Hub

Month: September 2022

  • Salik raises over Dh3.7 bn from oversubscribed IPO

    Salik raises over Dh3.7 bn from oversubscribed IPO

    The retail offering saw tremendous appetite from the local investors with demand collected in excess of AED34.7 bn implying oversubscription levels of 119x…reports Asian Lite News

    Salik Company, Dubai’s exclusive toll gate operator, announced the successful completion of the bookbuild and public subscription process for its initial public offering (IPO) on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM).

    The Company confirms the previously announced upsized offering size of 1,867,500,000 ordinary shares (“Offer Shares”), equivalent to 24.9% of total issued share capital, along with the offer price of AED2.00 per ordinary share.

    This results in total gross IPO proceeds of over AED3.7 bn ($1.0 bn) to be paid to the Government of Dubai represented by the Department of Finance (the “Selling Shareholder”) after adjusting for any expenses related to the Offering.

    The Offering saw significant interest with total gross demand for the IPO in excess of AED184.2bn ($50.2 bn), implying an oversubscription level of 49 times, for all tranches combined. The Qualified Investor tranche attracted demand across the globe of AED149.5 bn implying an oversubscription level of 43x (excluding cornerstone, oversubscription level stands at 52x).

    The retail offering saw tremendous appetite from the local investors with demand collected in excess of AED34.7 bn implying oversubscription levels of 119x. The overwhelming investor demand for Salik shares underlines the Company’s compelling investment proposition as the exclusive toll operator of Dubai.

    Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of Salik’s Board of Directors, expressed his pleasure with the strong investor interest in the offering and said, “This reflects the trust and confidence from the global investor community in Dubai’s capital markets and the strong position of the company as Dubai’s exclusive toll gate operator, in addition to its effective regulatory framework and robust business model, which will enable the Company to continue to remain at the heart of expansion plans in the road and transport sector, in support of the Emirate’s economic growth.”

    Al Tayer added, “The IPO represents an important milestone in Salik’s journey and provides an opportunity to solidify the company’s success as an exclusive toll gate operator for the road network in Dubai and will contribute to improving the experiences of road users through its pivotal role in managing traffic and the future of mobility in the Emirate.”

    Ibrahim Sultan Al Haddad, Chief Executive Officer of Salik, said, “This listing is a key step in Dubai’s privatisation programme and its broader plans to attract foreign investment. Having kept Dubai moving for 15 years, Salik is at the heart of the city’s economic expansion plans. The IPO builds on the Company’s legacy, and we are pleased to have seen strong demand for Salik shares both from local and international investors.”

    Following completion of the Salik IPO, the Government of Dubai will continue to own 75.1% of Salik’s share capital. UAE Strategic Investment Fund (through Emirates NBD AM SPC), Dubai Holding, Shamal Holding, and the Abu Dhabi Pension Fund (ADPF) (together, the “Cornerstone Investors”), collectively subscribed for 16.2% of the final Offer Size.

    Subject to certain customary exceptions, the Cornerstone Investors’ shares are subject to a 180-day lock-up arrangement, following listing. Furthermore, as part of the offering to professional investors, and in accordance with both the Companies Law and the Dubai Law, five percent of the Offering was reserved for offer to the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA), and five percent of the Offering was reserved for offer to the Pensions and Social Security Fund of Local Military Personnel.

    Salik is expected to commence trading on the DFM on 29th September 2022, under the symbol “SALIK” and ISIN “AEE01110S227”. At listing, the Company will have a market capitalisation of AED15.0 bn (US$ 4.1bn).

    Investors that participated in the offering to certain natural persons, companies, and establishments holding a national investor number with the DFM (the “UAE Retail Offering”) will be notified of their allocation of shares via SMS on 26th September 2022.

    Investors that participated in the offering to certain natural persons, companies, and establishments holding a national investor number with the DFM (the “UAE Retail Offering”) will be notified of their allocation of shares via SMS on 26 September 2022.

    Emirates NBD Capital PSC was appointed as Financial Advisor to Salik while Moelis & Company UK LLP DIFC Branch was appointed as the Independent Financial Advisor to Salik.

    Emirates NBD Capital PSC, Goldman Sachs International, and Merrill Lynch International were appointed as Joint Global Coordinators and Joint Bookrunners.

    Citigroup Global Markets Limited, EFG Hermes UAE Limited (acting jointly with EFG Hermes UAE LLC), and HSBC Bank Middle East Limited were appointed as Joint Bookrunners.

    Emirates NBD Bank PJSC has been appointed as the Lead Receiving Bank. Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank PJSC, Ajman Bank, Commercial Bank of Dubai, Dubai Islamic Bank, Emirates Islamic Bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Mashreq Bank, MBank, and Sharjah Islamic Bank were also appointed as Receiving Banks.

    The Internal Sharia Supervision Committee of Emirates NBD Bank PJSC has issued a Shariah pronouncement confirming that, in its view, the Offering is compliant with Shariah principles. Investors should undertake their own due diligence to ensure that the Offering is Shariah compliant for their own purposes.

    ALSO READ: New envoys sworn-in before UAE President

  • Tribal girls puncture stereotypes

    Tribal girls puncture stereotypes

    Six months ago, Gayatri Kasde of Sawali Kheda was trained as a mechanic under Babubhai, a mechanic in Khalwa town. Now she works from both Babubhai’s garage and her home…writes Mohammad Asif Siddiqui

    Tribal girls in Khalwa block of Khandwa district are breaking the glass ceiling that once tied them down to farm work to earn a pittance.

    Mantu Kasde of Balrampur works on the shock absorber and clutch plates of motorcycles at a garage in Khalwa, after having completed a three-month course in repairing. “I shall open my own garage soon,” she beams with pride.

    Sativardha of Jamdhad has launched a puncture repair service, a beauty parlour and a cutlery shop just outside her home. She completed training for these jobs almost six months ago, after her higher secondary education, to make around Rs 5,000 every month.

    Her seven-member family used to migrate every year in search of work. Thanks to her enterprise, the family makes enough money now to give up the idea of migration altogether. “My father does not need to move out for work anymore.”

    Six months ago, Gayatri Kasde of Sawali Kheda was trained as a mechanic under Babubhai, a mechanic in Khalwa town. Now she works from both Babubhai’s garage and her home.

    Radha Yadav of Bagda repairs motorcycles, besides running a grocery shop. She has managed to save Rs 15,000 over the last six months. Her brother, who was earlier working at a factory in Khandwa, has returned home to help run her business.

    Sakiya Vardhaya belongs to a landless family from Jamdhad, comprising her parents, three sisters and two brothers, which migrated annually for work. She now repairs two-wheelers, assisted by her two sisters. The money she earns not only helps run the family but also takes care of her studies. Sakiya, a BA final year student, commutes daily to her college in Khandwa.

    Most of these girls fall in the 18-24 age group and belong to the Gond and Korku tribes, which do not practise gender discrimination. So far, 50 girls have received training under the aegis of Spandan Samajsewa Samiti, a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

    A unique idea

    Hitherto known for the migration of its residents, Khalwa is witnessing a turnaround with young girls entering male-dominated vocations.

    Recounting how they embarked on such unique journeys, the girls said that they realised there was little to do in Khalwa other than sowing and harvesting crops. At the same time, the block had a whole lot of two-wheeler and mobile phone users. Whenever something needed repair, the villagers had to travel to the nearest urban centres such as Khalwa, Patajan, Roshni and Ashapur. Some of these places were located over 20 km away, and that too with negligible public transport.

    In search of fruitful employment, they approached NGO Spandan, which has been actively involved in stemming migration in Khalwa for many years. Initially, the girls were sent to local mechanics to acquire basic knowledge of repairing. Then came some financial assistance to open small shops adjoining their homes. Further training happened in Khandwa, followed by a five-day workshop in the first week of August to educate them about the finer points of repair.

    Incidentally, the families wholeheartedly supported the girls right from the beginning. As Mantu points out: “When Seema didi of Spandan suggested that I take up garage work, I was enthused. I did not see anything wrong in doing the job.”

    Other girls chime in saying their families never stopped them. “We enjoy doing this work. It is true that many people doubt our skills, but we feel proud to earn our daily bread through hard work.”

    The girls now read brochures and manuals that help them repair motorcycles of any brand available in the market. They are also adept at dealing with all kinds of two-wheeler punctures. As and when the demand arises, they repair mobile phones too. A few others work at beauty parlours, handling foundations and makeup.

    According to Seema Prakash Michael of NGO Spandan, when they were looking at ways to stem migration, some girls suggested measures to generate local employment in Khalwa. They said they felt unsafe when family members went to other cities/towns in search of work.

    “After several rounds of discussions, we hit upon the idea of mobile and two-wheeler repairs. We were initially apprehensive, but the girls exhibited remarkable skills and enthusiasm. In fact, they surpassed all our expectations,” Michael says.

    Opening a tyre to repair a puncture seemed a daunting task to many at the outset, but everything came easy once they mastered the technique. NGO Spandan also provided them with the necessary tools to set up businesses. In the next couple of years, the organisation intends to train 1,000 girls.

    Setting up an all-women service centre in Khalwa is another ambitious plan of the NGO. An organisation with its roots in the Korku community has promised land to this effect. Once it is acquired, the centre will launch operations with a woman mechanic and helper. According to Michael, it will also be developed into a training centre in future.

    Laurels have already come their way with a bike showroom located at the block headquarters of Khalwa recently organising a special camp where the girls could display their talents. Though they subsequently received job offers from the showroom management, the girls declined them. Nevertheless, the showroom owner has decided to offer free training to hone their skills.

    ALSO READ: EAM Jaishankar meets Chinese counterpart

  • EAM Jaishankar meets Chinese counterpart

    EAM Jaishankar meets Chinese counterpart

    The two leaders came face-to-face for a BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting which was hosted by South Africa…reports Asian Lite News

    After attacking China for blocking the designation of Pakistan-based terrorists in the relevant UN sanctions committee, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at a BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) ministerial meeting in New York.

    The two leaders came face-to-face for a BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting which was hosted by South Africa.

    The meeting also witnessed the presence of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. In the BRICS meeting, the ministers exchanged views on major global and regional issues on the United Nations (UN) agenda in the political, security, economic, financial and sustainable development spheres, as well as on intra-BRICS activities.

    The ministers also discussed the possibilities for mutual support for their initiatives at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). They expressed support for the continued cooperation of BRICS members in areas of mutual interest, including through regular exchanges among their Permanent Missions to the UN.

    Since its inception, BRICS, which added South Africa in 2011, has been united in calling for more representation of major emerging economies on the world’s stage — and against what it views as a disproportionate dominance of the Western powers. However there is the longstanding source of internal friction within BRICS remains unresolved while tensions between India and China, which in 2020 spiralled into a violent border clash. Critics say BRICS significance may be eroded when China violated two decades of agreements with India. BRICS went on life support in the Galwan Valley, not in New York.

    ALSO READ: Fight against impunity critical for securing peace, justice: Jaishankar

  • G4 Ministers meet to strategise UNSC reform 

    G4 Ministers meet to strategise UNSC reform 

    Several leaders from around the world have clamoured for reform and expansion of the Council….writes Arul Louis

    External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his G4 counterparts met to discuss and strategise the reform of the UN Security Council (UNSC) which has been getting wide support from leaders at the high-level meeting of the General Assembly.

    Besides Jaishankar, the other participants at Thursday’s meeting were Foreign Ministers Carlos Franca of Brazil, Annalena Baerbock of Germany, and Yoshimasa Hayashi of Japan.

    Known as the G4, the four countries lobby for reform of the Council and mutually support each other for permanent seats to be added through the reforms.

    They received a boost when US President Joe Biden told the Assembly on Wednesday that Washington “is committed to this vital work”, reforming the Council and “increasing the number of both permanent and non-permanent representatives on the Council”.

    “This includes permanent seats for those nations we have long supported,” — India, Japan and Germany, Biden added.

    Several leaders from around the world have clamoured for reform and expansion of the Council.

    For example, Portugal’s Prime Minister Antonio Costa said at the Assembly around the time the G4 was meeting that the Council should be reformed so that the African continent, and at least Brazil and India, have permanent seats.

    Jamaica Prime Minister Andre Holnes said that the “critical organ” should “be more representative of the world of today”.

    Uganda’s Vice President Jessica Alupo said the need for reform is “now more urgent” and pointed out that “Africa with more than one billion citizens, and with over 70 per cent of issues on the agenda of the Council, continues to suffer the historical injustice of having no representation in the Permanent category of the Security Council”.

    ALSO READ: Fight against impunity critical for securing peace, justice: Jaishankar

  • WhatsApp, Zoom to be brought under telecom licence

    WhatsApp, Zoom to be brought under telecom licence

    The last date for seeking comments on the draft legislation is October 20…reports Asian Lite News

    Toughening its stand against video communication and calling apps, the Centre has proposed to bring Meta-owned WhatsApp, Zoom, and Google Duo under the ambit of telecom licence, as written in the draft of the Indian Telecommunication Bill 2022.

    The government has, however, proposed to give exemption to press messages that are intended to be published in India of correspondents accredited to the Central or state governments from being intercepted.

    “For provision of Telecommunication Services and Telecommunication Networks, an entity shall have to obtain a license,” according to the draft.

    The last date for public comment on the draft is October 20.

    In another significant clause, the draft bill, released late Wednesday, proposes to waive off fees and penalty of telecom and internet service providers.

    The exemption for press messages, though, won’t be given in case of any public emergency or in the interest of public safety, sovereignty, integrity or security of India, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, or to prevent incitement to an offence, the draft read.



    The draft bill was put up on social media by IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

    Public comments have been sought on it.

    The last date for seeking comments on the draft legislation is October 20.

    It also proposes refund of fees if an internet or telecom service provider offers to surrender the license.

    The draft bill says that the Centre may “waive off in part or full any fee, including entry fees, license fees, registration fees or any other fees or charges, interest, additional charges or penalty” for any licence holder or registered entity under the telecom rules.

    Meanwhile, Telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) reforms would make it easier for telecom companies to apply for permits from the government.

    He also said these reforms would give impetus to taking the process online. Vaishnaw said the draft Bill aims at bringing down the duration for granting licensing to 28 days.

    The minister also said the proposed legislation would reduce the Right of Way (RoW) approval permission down to 6-7 days. Vaishnaw, also the minister for railways, was speaking at 9th Annual Forum of Public Affairs Forum of India (PAFI).

    He said on railway ministry, “The capex for railways saw a steep jump with Rs 1.93 lakh crore of investment last year initiated by the ministry with an eye to improve the consumer experience and seamless integration with nation-wide logistics.”

    ALSO READ: At UN, Jaishankar red flags China

  • At UN, Jaishankar red flags China

    At UN, Jaishankar red flags China

    Highlighting China’s stranglehold on the Security Council sanctioning Pakistan-based terrorists, Jaishankar denounced the politics giving them impunity…reports Asian Lite News

    Highlighting China’s stranglehold on the Security Council sanctioning Pakistan-based terrorists, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday denounced the politics giving them impunity.

    “Politics should never provide cover to evade accountability. Nor indeed to facilitate impunity,” he said when the Security Council met on impunity for the crimes in Ukraine.

    “Regrettably, we have seen this of late in this very Chamber, when it comes to sanctioning some of the world’s most dreaded terrorists”, he said alluding to China blocking sanctions against Pakistan-based terrorists Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) leader Sajid Mir, involved in the 2008 Mumbai attack, Jaish-e Mohammed (JEM) leader Abdul Rauf Azhar, and Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) leader Abdul Rehman Makki.

    “If egregious attacks committed in broad daylight are left unpunished, this Council must reflect on the signals we are sending on impunity. There must be consistency if we are to ensure credibility”, he said alluding to the Pakistan-based terrorists escaping sanctions with China’s support.

    Jaishankar did not name China, Pakistan or the terrorists.

    Speaking at another forum, Sanjay Verma, Secretary, West in the External Affairs Ministry, called for justice for victims of terrorism.

    At the Ministerial Meeting of Groups of Friends of Victims of Terrorism, Verma asked the international community to uphold the right to justice for the victims of cross-border terrorist attacks including 26/11 Mumbai attacks, by bringing the perpetrators to justice.

    On the topic of Ukraine under direct discussion at the Security Council, Jaishankar said: “Even in conflict situations, there can be no justification for violation of human rights or of international law (and) where any such acts occur, it is imperative that they are investigated in an objective and independent manner.”

    He said that India backed independent investigations into the killings in Bucha, a city in Ukraine where more than 400 bodies were found in April after Russian troops withdrew from there.

    China blocks action against Pak-based terrorist

    Meanwhile, China has again blocked action in UN Sanctions Committee against Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) leader and 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Sajid Mir, drawing strong criticism from India.

    China’s move to stymie the proposal, tabled by the US and co-sponsored by India, in the UN Security Council’s 1267 Committee for subjecting Mir to an assets freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo, comes soon after Chinese President Xi Jinping met Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the recently-concluded 22nd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Uzbekistan.

    Sources said China again provided a big favour to Pakistan, as the Sajid Mir matter was discussed there with both countries’ top officials well aware of the proposal coming up in the upcoming UNGA Sanctioning Committee meet on September 17.

    After his arrest in May this year, Mir was sentenced to 15-and-a-half years in prison along with a fine of Rs 420,000 in June, after which he is currently serving his sentence at the Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore. But sources said that he is somewhere else in safe custody.

    China’s veto in the Mir matter was the third time such an action has been taken by it in recent times.

    ALSO READ: Fight against impunity critical for securing peace, justice: Jaishankar

  • Defence Ministry inks Rs 1,700 cr deal for BrahMos missile

    Defence Ministry inks Rs 1,700 cr deal for BrahMos missile

    The induction of these dual-role capable missiles is supposed to significantly enhance the operational capability of Indian Navy…reports Asian Lite News

    The Defence Ministry on Thursday signed a Rs 1,700 crore deal for acquisition of additional dual-role capable surface to surface BrahMos missiles.

    “Providing further impetus to Aatmanirbharta in defence production, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract today with BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd (BAPL) for acquisition of additional dual-role capable surface to curface BrahMos missiles at an overall approximate cost of Rs 1,700 crore under Buy-Indian Category,” the ministry said in a statement.

    The induction of these dual-role capable missiles is supposed to significantly enhance the operational capability of Indian Navy.

    The BAPL is a joint venture between India and Russia making crucial contribution to augment the new generation surface-to-surface Missiles (SSMs) with enhanced range and dual role capability for land as well as anti-ship attacks.

    This contract is going to give further boost to indigenous production of critical weapon system and ammunition with active participation of indigenous industry, said the ministry.

    Defence Expo in Cape Town

    Indian High Commissioner in South Africa Jaideep Sarkar on Wednesday inaugurated the BrahMos Aerospace corporation pavilion on the inaugural day of the Africa Aerospace and the Defence Expo in Cape Town.

    India-Russia defence Joint Venture BrahMos Aerospace is capable of making hypersonic missiles completed its glorious 25 years since its formation in 1998.

    Coinciding with India’s 75 years of Independence, BrahMos Aerospace has commenced the ‘Silver Jubilee Year’ celebrations, for 2022-2023, to mark the incredible journey of one of India’s most successful, cutting-edge military partnership programmes that have produced the world’s best, fastest and most powerful modern precision strike weapon BrahMos.

    In the field of defence, India has longstanding and wide-ranging cooperation with Russia. India-Russia military-technical cooperation has evolved from a buyer-seller framework to one involving joint research, development and production of advanced defence technologies and systems. BrahMos Missile System as well as the licensed production in India of SU-30 aircraft and T-90 tanks are examples of such flagship cooperation.

    The defence cooperation between India and Russia is historically deep and built on trust. In 2021-22, there was a sustained momentum in India’s traditionally close ties with Russia and other countries in the Eurasian region despite the negative impacts of the pandemic.

    The special role of Russia in India’s foreign policy was highlighted by the successful visit of the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, to India for the 21st India-Russia Annual Summit and the holding of the first India-Russia 2+2 Dialogue of Foreign and Defence Ministers, as well as the 20th meeting of India- Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation in New Delhi on 6 December 2021.

    During the year, there were regular high-level exchanges between India and Russia at the Ministerial and senior official levels, including a number of virtual meetings.

    Russians and Indians, both value and share values like friendship and loyalty, and this is something that unites the people of the two countries and especially the members of their permanent bureaucracies in ways that outside observers rarely ever realize.

    The particularly privileged strategic partnership between the two countries has become stronger and more diversified over a period of time. (IANS/ANI)

    ALSO READ: Jaishankar raises concern over Indian community’s security in UK

  • Modi to attend Abe’s state funeral in Japan

    Modi to attend Abe’s state funeral in Japan

    The Japanese government has scheduled the state funeral for Abe on September 27…reports Asian Lite News

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Japan next week to attend the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

    During his brief visit, Prime Minister will also separately meet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

    “Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will visit Japan on 27 September 2022 to attend the State Funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Mr. Shinzo Abe. Prime Minister will also separately meet Japanese Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Fumio Kishida during the visit,” the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

    The Japanese government has scheduled the state funeral for Abe on September 27. The ceremony will take place at the Nippon Budokan arena in the Kitanomaru National Garden in Tokyo, according to Japan’s Kyodo news agency.

    Japan is one of India’s key allies in the region, with both countries cooperating in the Quad format of comprehensive partnership alongside the United States and Australia. Modi and Abe maintained friendly ties both during and after the latter’s tenure.

    During one of PM Modi’s official visits to Japan in 2018, Abe invited his Indian counterpart to his family home in the Yamanashi prefecture, a move signalling particularly warm ties between the two leaders.

    Earlier in May, Modi met Abe nearly two years after the Japanese PM stepped down, as part of his visit to Japan to take part in the Quad summit.

    Abe was attacked on July 8 in the city of Nara during a campaign speech.

    Police said he was conscious immediately after being shot from behind, but then, during shifting, his condition became critical, with cardiac and pulmonary arrest. Later that day, a local hospital pronounced him dead.

    After the assassination of Abe, PM Modi declared one day of national mourning in India.

    PM Modi also penned a blog titled “My Friend, Abe San”. “In the passing away of Abe, Japan and the world have lost a great visionary. And, I have lost a dear friend,” he had said.

    Abe’s funeral on September 27 will be the second state funeral for a former prime minister since World War 2.

    The first one was held in 1967 for Shigeru Yoshida. Other prime ministers received a joint Cabinet Office and Liberal Democratic Party service. (ANI)

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  • Jaishankar raises concern over Indian community’s security in UK

    Jaishankar raises concern over Indian community’s security in UK

    The cycle of violence was triggered last month after India won the Asia Cup T20 match against Pakistan..reports Asian Lite News

    External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Wednesday met his British counterpart James Cleverly and shared India’s concern about the security and welfare of the Indian community in the UK.

    His remarks came in the wake of recent reports of violence in several UK cities against the Indian community.

    Jaishankar said he held a warm conversation with UK Foreign Secretary and discussed taking forward India-UK Roadmap 2030. The external affairs minister said the conversation also covered global issues including Indo-Pacific, Ukraine and UNSC matters.

    “A warm conversation with UK Foreign Secretary @JamesCleverly. Discussed taking forward Roadmap 2030. Appreciate his commitment to deepening our partnership. Our conversation also covered global issues including Indo-Pacific, Ukraine and UNSC matters,” Jaishankar tweeted.

    “Shared my concern about the security and welfare of the Indian community in the UK. Welcomed his assurances in that regard,” he said in a subsequent tweet.

    The cycle of violence was triggered last month after India won the Asia Cup T20 match against Pakistan. A clash broke out among groups of young men in Leicestershire, according to the police statement. Dozens of people have been arrested so far in the matter.

    Various videos and reports have been circulating on social media about organised gangs seen vandalising and terrorising Hindus in the UK’s Leicester. This incident follows a spate of violence and disorder in the eastern part of Leicester.

    Earlier on Monday, Indian High Commission in the UK condemned the violence perpetrated against the Indian community in Leicester and sought immediate action against those involved in the attacks.

    The High Commission issued a statement saying it has taken up the matter with the UK authorities.

    “We strongly condemn the violence perpetrated against the Indian Community in Leicester and vandalisation of premises and symbols of Hindu religion. We have strongly taken up this matter with the UK authorities and have sought immediate action against those involved in these attacks. We call on the authorities to provide protection to the affected people,” the statement read. (ANI)

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  • Over 100 PFI members arrested in nationwide NIA, ED raids

    Over 100 PFI members arrested in nationwide NIA, ED raids

    Sources further said that the Union Home Ministry was monitoring the entire crackdown which was being carried out with the support of the local police in the various states…reports Asian Lite News

    Over 100 top leaders and functionaries of the Popular Front of India (PFI) were arrested on Thursday morning in a nationwide crackdown against terrorist activities.

    According to sources, the searches were carried out by the National Investigation Agency and Enforcement Directorate at several locations across 13 states including Bihar, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana.

    In what is being termed the “largest ever investigation process till date”, sources in the NIA said that searches were conducted in the residential and official premises of people involved in terror funding, organising training camps and radicalising people to join proscribed organisations.

    The maximum number of arrests were made in Kerala (22) followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka (20 each), Andhra Pradesh (5), Assam (9), Delhi (3), Madhya Pradesh (4), Puducherry (3), Tamil Nadu (10), Uttar Pradesh (8) and Rajasthan (2).

    Sources further said that the Union Home Ministry was monitoring the entire crackdown which was being carried out with the support of the local police in the various states.

    According to the charge-sheet filed by the ED, PFI has formed District Executive Committee in UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and other places to raise funds. Targets are given to individuals to collect cash and transfer the same through Hawala or camouflaged as genuine business transactions.

    The ED during investigation analysed more than 600 domestic contributors and their bank accounts and also looked at accounts of more than 2,600 beneficiaries. The agency has found that many of these accounts were bogus and people on ground were not found during physical verification, the agency stated.

    One of the beneficiaries of this money was Anshad Baseudeen. He was arrested by UP ATS with IED’s, pistol and live cartridges. PFI has transferred Rs. 3.5 lakh from the account of PFI. This shows PFI was involved in terror activities, the ED stated in the charge-sheet.

    The NIA had, earlier this week, carried out searches at over 40 locations in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana linked to PFI, following which four people were detained. Incriminating materials, including digital devices, documents, two daggers, and cash worth over Rs 8 lakh had been seized.

    Meanwhile, PFI members staged protests in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka against the arrests.

    “The raids are taking place at the homes of national, state and local leaders of PFI. The state committee office is also being raided. We strongly protest the fascist regime’s moves to use agencies to silence dissenting voices,” the PFI said in a statement.

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