39 Indians killed in Iraq's Mosul; govt didn't listen to survivor in 2015

As many as 40 Indians were originally abducted by the terrorist organisation ISIS in June 2014 from Mosul in Iraq but one of them escaped by posing as a Muslim from Bangladesh

As many as 40 Indians were originally abducted by the terrorist organisation ISIS in June 2014 from Mosul in Iraq but one of them escaped by posing as a Muslim from Bangladesh, Swaraj said in a suo motu statement in the Rajya Sabha. The remaining 39 Indians were taken to Badoosh and killed.

Search operations led to a mound in Badoosh where locals said some bodies were buried by the ISIS. Deep penetration radars were used to establish that the mound indeed was a mass grave, Swaraj said, adding that the Indian authorities requested their Iraqi counterparts to exhume the bodies.

Swaraj said the mass grave had exactly 39 bodies, with distinctive features like long hair, non-Iraqi shoes, and IDs. The bodies were then sent to Baghdad for All the 39 Indians who were abducted by ISIS in Iraq nearly three years ago were killed, and their bodies had been recovered, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Tuesday. Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh will be flying to Iraq to bring back their mortal remains to India on a special flight.

DNA testing.

DNA testing by Martyrs Foundation has established the identity of 38 Indians while there has been 70 per cent matching of the DNA for the 39th person, she said.

Here are the top 10 developments around the killing of the 39 Indians in Iraq's Mosul by the ISIS:

1) Hopes of families of those killed in Iraq dashed

The news of death of two youths from this district, who were among the 39 missing Indians in Iraq, has shell-shocked their family members in villages Jaitpur and Chhauni Kalan.

Kamaljit Singh of village Chhauni Kalan went to Iraq in 2014 to earn for his family, his younger brother Parwinder Singh Lucky said.

Read More On → 39 Indian killed in Iraq

1st phase of Chabahar port launched: 10 key points explaining its relevance

Would provide opportunities to Indian companies to penetrate and enhance their footprint in the region

The first phase of Chabahar port was inaugurated on Sunday by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.The Chabahar project, located on the Gulf of Oman, only 85km from China's Gwadar port in Pakistan, is important for India as it will allow it to bypass Pakistan in accessing Afghanistan and Central Asia. Business Standard is republishing this 31/10/2017 article which explains the significance of the port.

India sent its maiden cargo of wheat to Afghanistan through the Chabahar port in Iran, bypassing Pakistan on Sunday. The shipment will pave the way for operationalisation of the Chabahar port as an alternate route providing reliable and robust connectivity for central Asia.

Also Read : First phase of Chabahar port inaugurated

Also Read : Iran opens Chabahar port: India, Afghanistan can now trade bypassing Pak

The shipment was flagged off from the Kandla port in Gujarat with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani joining the ceremony through video conferencing.

10 things to know about Chabahar port in Iran:

— In February 2016, the Union Cabinet approved provision of credit of $150 million from EXIM Bank to the Islamic Republic of Iran for Chabahar Port Development

— It will help in expanding maritime commerce in the region and facilitate growing trade and investment with Iran and other countries in the region Read More

Top developments: Swiss couple attacked in Fatehpur Sikri; 5 held

Sushma Swaraj sought a report from the Uttar Pradesh government on the assault

One of the two Swiss tourists attacked and badly injured near Agra five days ago was discharged from Delhi's Apollo Hospital on Thursday even as five people, including three minors, were taken into custody for the crime. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who visited Agra, promised better security for tourists.

Sushma seeks report

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said while Marie Droz had been discharged from the hospital, her male friend Quentin Jeremy Clerc's condition was improving. The Swiss embassy in New Delhi confirmed the October 22 attack and said it was providing them consular services.

The ugly attack took place when the young couple was walking alongside a train track in Fatehpur Sikri near Agra. Clerc was left with a fractured skull and several bruises.

Senior Superintendent of Police Agra, Amit Pathak, said late on Thursday evening that five persons, including three minors, have been taken into custody for the crime.

Also Read : Latest Current Affairs

Sushma Swaraj sought a report from the Uttar Pradesh government on the assault. Minister of State for Tourism KJ Alphons expressed deep concern.

"You would kindly appreciate that such incidents negatively impact our image and are detrimental to our efforts in promoting India as a tourism destination," Alphons told the Chief Minister in a letter.

He said a "fast and speedy response in identifying and ensuring speedy action including conviction of the guilty would be reassuring" and would send a "good message of our efforts to prevent recurrence of such incidents". Read Full Story >>>

Reddys, a Rs 500 cr wedding and the BJP connect: What you need to know

Sources said some 50,000 people, including politicians and celebrities, have been invited for the wedding

Mining baron Gali Janardhana Reddy has returned to Bellary in Karnataka with a bang and is hosting an over Rs 500 crore lavish wedding of his daughter at the Bangalore Palace grounds on Wednesday. The details of the marriage have taken social media by storm at a time when the nation is scrambling for cash after the government's demonetisation announcement.

The Bellary mining baron was arrested in 2011 on charges of illegally mining iron ore and was in prison for over three years. Reddy was also the state tourism minister in BS Yeddyurappa’s government before his arrest. Reddy is said to have minted Rs 5,000 crore through iron ore mining in Bellary. The criminal charges against Reddy relate to the Andhra Pradesh branch of the multi-billion dollar mining empire he runs with family and two brothers, popularly called the Bellary brothers.

Several reports suggested that various BJP leaders attended one of the functions despite a party diktat to not be associated with Reddy who is out on bail. India Today reported that a state BJP leaders attended the wedding functions with the upcoming elections in mind as both Janardshan Reddy Daughter and his confidante BSR Congress MLA Sreeramulu have a strong hold in the Bellary region and several parts of Hyderabad-Karnataka. The wedding is being touted as a 'PR masterstoke' to indicate that Gali Janardhan Reddy is back in the game.

From cards to venue, everything is larger than life at this extravagant wedding. However, Reddy is now embroiled in political storm as an activist has filed a complaint with the directorate general of income tax (investigations) questioning the extravagant nature of the wedding, Hindustan Times reported.

In the complaint, RTI activist T Narasimha Murthy said the arrangements have raised eyebrows as the comman man is standing in long queues to withdraw cash after demonetisation.

Here is everything you need to know about the wedding: Read More

Sushma Swaraj at AIIMS for kidney failure; speculation about a stand-in minister

Swaraj, ever since having taken over at South Block in June 2014, has followed a punishing schedule

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is unwell. On Wednesday, Swaraj tweeted that she is hospitalised because of kidney failure and is undergoing tests for a kidney transplant. This has led to speculation within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) that Prime Minister Narendra Modi might look for her successor.

Swaraj tweeted: "I am in AIIMS because of kidney failure. Presently, I am on dialysis. I am undergoing tests for a Kidney transplant. Lord Krishna will bless. Friends, this is to update you on my health."

The job of an External Affairs Minister involves hectic travelling. Swaraj, ever since having taken over at South Block in June 2014, has followed a punishing schedule. Swaraj, in seven months of 2014, visited 15 countries.

She visited neighbouring countries and ASEAN member countries as part of the PM's vision to strengthen ties with India's neighbours and his 'Act East Policy'.

She visited 15 countries in 2015. Swaraj started keeping unwell in the last few months and could only visit eight countries this year. Currently, Minister of State MJ Akbar has been shouldering much of the burden of overseas visits.

On December 3 and 4, India will be hosting the sixth Heart of Asia Ministerial Conference. It will be held in Amritsar. Swaraj had travelled to Islamabad in December 2015 to attend the previous edition of the conference. The meeting had also led to revival of India-Pakistan comprehensive dialogue. Read More

Indians stranded in Saudi Arabia: All you need to know about the issue

Indians stranded in Saudi Arabia: All you need to know about the issue

Nearly 10,000 Indians stuck in Saudi Arabia are set to be evacuated and provided with food in the meanwhile, Sushma Swaraj, External Affairs Minister, informed the Parliament on Monday.

Minister of State, VK Singh, will be travelling to Saudi Arabia soon to oversee the operation, which involves airlifting people.

The minister was making a statement in the House after other members of Parliament (MPs) raised concerns over the plight of workers there.

Here’s a gist of the entire issue and the Centre’s issue to provide relief to such workers.

What is the issue?

The Saudi government was forced to cut its spending last year on the back of plummeting oil prices As a result, it created pressure on the financials of local construction companies. Such firms employ foreign workers and rely on state contracts. The resultant strain on the firms led to nearly 10,000 workers being laid off, and left them with no money to even eat food. More than 2,500 Indians are said to be living in labour camps with no food for the past 10 days.

Are Indian migrant workers treated well in normal circumstances?

No. Wrongful treatment by the employer is an open secret about these nations. Such workers, sometimes, are detained even after their work documents expire. They are usually paid very less or no salary for months together. The crux of the problem is the ‘kafala’ system. Under the system, migrant workers’ visas are tied to the employers so that they cannot change jobs without the consent of their employers, Human Rights Watch says. (more)