Armed Bedouin tribesmen head towards Druze dominated Sweida post-violence
Armed Bedouin tribesmen head towards Druze dominated Sweida post-violence
03:23 Min | July 21, 2025, 10:32 AM IST
Dozens of Bedouin tribesmen marched to Al-Mazraa near Sweida on July 20, residents reported calm in city after days of violence. The armed tribesmen drove towards village which is 12 Km away from centre of Sweida. Trucks seen bringing aid for Bedouin tribesmen who are still in surrounding towns. Members of Syria's internal security command seen blocking entry of armed Bedouin tribesmen. Residents reported calm in Sweida after Bedouin tribesmen withdrew; Islamist-led government and U.S. envoy confirm deal to end fighting. The fighting began around a week ago when the clashes erupt between Bedouin and Druze. The Syrian presidency had announced a new ceasefire early on July 19, but it quickly collapsed into renewed fighting.
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Probe agencies can't summon lawyers: AG; CJI says 'ED officers crossing all limits'
Supreme Court (File photo) NEW DELHI: Admitting that ED erred in summoning senior advocates Arvind Datar and Pratap Venugopal for rendering legal opinions to clients in a laundering case, attorney general R Venkataramani Monday told Supreme Court that all probe agencies have been asked not to commit this mistake in future. 'We'll frame guidelines in this regard,' AG told a bench of CJI B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran while it was hearing a suo motu case regarding the summons, which were later withdrawn. 'ED officers are crossing all limits. They must know that under law, communication between a lawyer and his client is a privileged communication,' Gavai said. If a lawyer is involved in crime, law will take its own course: CJI However, if a lawyer is involved in a crime, law will take its own course,' CJI Gavai said. SC would take up petitions filed by various bar associations on July 29 to attempt to lay down comprehensive guidelines in this regard, he added. On the joint pleas of SCBA president Vikas Singh, SC Advocates-on-Record president Vipin Nair, senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Vijay Hansaria, the CJI-led bench said it would frame guidelines for agencies and bar them from summoning advocates for legal opinion or advice rendered to clients facing prosecution. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo While agreeing with AG, solicitor general Tushar Mehta pointed out another malady afflicting some in the legal professions. "It is equally wrong on the part of advocates, who appear for or advise a client, to create a planned narrative in favour of their client and against the probe agency through social media before and after filing of a petition in a court. Lawyers must stick to their duty of presenting the case before the court,' he said. Mehta said, "The communication between a lawyer and his client is no doubt privileged and which must be immune from investigation, But would a lawyer's action in creating a narrative for his client outside the court also enjoy the status of a privileged communication? Would it not amount to an attempt to influence the public and judiciary about a case?' CJI Gavai asked, 'Have you ever found a judgment or order of a court getting swayed or influenced by such narratives spun by lawyers outside the court? We go by facts and submissions in the courtroom and do not even watch or read what the lawyers speak outside the courtroom about the case.' Mehta said the issuance of summons to Datar was brought to the notice of the 'highest executive' and within six hours a circular was issued by the ED barring its officers from issuing summons to any advocate. Singh, Nair and Hansaria said issuance of summons to advocates by probe agencies would have a chilling effect on the independence of the legal profession.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Tribal outcry forces govt to put tiger corridor GO on hold
Hyderabad: In a U-turn, Telangana govt on Monday put govt order (GO) 49 in abeyance following protests from tribals, opposition parties, and even voices within the Congress. The order, issued on May 30, notified 1,492.88 sq km across Asifabad and Kagaznagar forest divisions as the Kumuram Bheem Conservation Reserve, intended to formalize a crucial tiger corridor linking Kawal Tiger Reserve in Telangana and Tadoba Andhari reserve in Maharashtra. Amid growing fears of displacement in nearly 339 tribal villages and a complete bandh in the erstwhile Adilabad district on Monday, the state govt was compelled to retract. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad The decision was made after a delegation led by panchayat raj minister D Anasuya (Seethakka), Adilabad in charge minister Jupally Krishna Rao, forest minister Konda Surekha, and local MLA Vedma Bhojju met chief minister A Revanth Reddy. "The Congress-led people's govt will always stand by the children of the forest. Adivasis and tribals should not have any concerns over GO 49," Konda Surekha told the media in Warangal. Widespread Resistance and Fear of Eviction The GO sparked backlash from tribal rights groups, including Tudum Debba, whose leader, Godam Ganesh, said the corridor will adversely impact tribal livelihoods and lead to mass displacements. "We fear it will affect 339 tribal villages across Asifabad and Kagaznagar," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo A bandh called by Tudum Debba on Monday, shut down businesses, schools, and public transport across four districts. CPI and CPM functionaries also extended support to the agitation, accusing the govt of attempting to alienate tribal land. The protests were further fuelled by a letter — allegedly from CPI (Maoist) — which called on Seethakka to ensure protection for tribals in the affected areas. Seethakka, who has tribal roots and is an ex-Maoist herself, questioned the letter's authenticity, but said she would not allow any decision that harmed forest-dwelling communities. "The moment concerns were raised about GO 49, I spoke directly with relevant officials. I will never allow any policy to harm tribal livelihoods in the name of forest or wildlife conservation," she said. Ecological Significance of the Corridor The now-suspended Kumram Bheem Conservation Reserve was conceived as a vital ecological link for tiger movement and genetic exchange between major reserves. The area connects Kawal with Tadoba, Tipeshwar, Kanhargaon, Chaprala in Maharashtra, and Indravati in Chhattisgarh. Apart from tigers, it supports leopards, wild dogs, sloth bears, wolves, hyenas, and over 240 bird species, including the endangered Malabar pied hornbill and long-billed vulture. According to the GO, the presence of breeding tigers and consistent inter-state dispersal events over the last decade underscore the importance of the region for long-term conservation. The proposed area includes 78 reserved forest blocks across 10 mandals. Conservationists Disappointed at Policy Reversal While tribal communities welcomed the decision, wildlife experts expressed concern over the govt's handling of the matter. "The decision to keep Kumuram Bheem Conservation Reserve in abeyance following tribal protests is unfortunate — not because the concerns of local communities are invalid, but because it reflects a failure of dialogue," Imran Siddiqui, senior field conservationist at the Centre for Wildlife Studies and co-founder of HYTICOS, said. "Conservation should never be imposed, but co-created with the people who have lived in and protected these forests for generations. Rather than abandon protection, we must work harder to build trust and ensure that conservation uplifts both nature and indigenous livelihoods," he said. Efforts by forest officers to allay fears and communicate that no immediate evictions are planned failed to gain traction. The forest department has now been asked to submit a fresh report, and the CM's office has indicated the policy may be revisited after further consultations. A senior forest officer told TOI: "We are hoping the GO will be revived later. We will continue to crack down on encroachments on forest land."
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Tribal outcry forces govt to put GO on tiger corridor in abeyance
Hyderabad: In a U-turn, the Telangana govt on Monday put govt order (GO) 49 in abeyance following protests from tribals, opposition parties, and even voices within the ruling Congress. The order, issued on May 30, notified 1,492.88 sq km across Asifabad and Kagaznagar forest divisions as the Kumuram Bheem Conservation Reserve, intended to formalise a crucial tiger corridor linking Kawal Tiger Reserve in Telangana and Tadoba Andhari reserve in Maharashtra. However, amid growing fears of displacement in nearly 339 tribal villages, and a complete bandh in the erstwhile Adilabad district on Monday, the govt was compelled to retract. The decision was made after a delegation led by panchayat raj minister D Anasuya (Seethakka), Adilabad in charge minister Jupally Krishna Rao, forest minister Konda Surekha, and local MLA Vedma Bhojju met chief minister A Revanth Reddy. "The Congress-led people's govt will always stand by the children of the forest. Adivasis and tribals should not have any concerns over GO 49," forest minister Konda Surekha told the media in Warangal. Widespread Resistance and Fear of EvictionThe GO sparked backlash from tribal rights groups, including Tudum Debba, whose leader Godam Ganesh said the corridor would adversely impact tribal livelihoods and lead to mass displacement. "We fear it will affect 339 tribal villages across Asifabad and Kagaznagar," he said. A bandh, called by Tudum Debba on Monday, shut down businesses, schools, and public transport across four districts. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad CPI and CPM leaders also extended support to the agitation, accusing the govt of attempting to alienate tribal land. The protests were further fuelled by a letter — allegedly from CPI (Maoist) — which called on minister Seethakka to ensure protection for tribals in affected areas. Seethakka, who has tribal roots and was an ex-Maoist herself, dismissed the letter's authenticity but said she would not allow any decision that harmed forest-dwelling communities. "The moment concerns were raised about GO 49, I spoke directly with relevant officials. I will never allow any policy to harm tribal livelihoods in the name of forest or wildlife conservation," she said. Ecological Significance of the Corridor The now-suspended Kumram Bheem Conservation Reserve was conceived as a vital ecological link for tiger movement and genetic exchange between major reserves. The area connects Kawal with Tadoba, Tipeshwar, Kanhargaon, Chaprala in Maharashtra, and Indravati in Chhattisgarh. It supports not only tigers but also leopards, wild dogs, sloth bears, wolves, hyenas, and over 240 bird species, including the endangered Malabar pied hornbill and long-billed vulture. According to the GO, the presence of breeding tigers and consistent inter-state dispersal events over the past decade underscore the importance of the region for long-term conservation. The proposed area includes 78 reserved forest blocks across 10 mandals. Conservationists Disappointed at Policy ReversalWhile tribal communities welcomed the decision, wildlife experts expressed concern over the govt's handling of the matter. "The decision to keep the Kumuram Bheem Conservation Reserve in abeyance following tribal protests is unfortunate — not because the concerns of local communities are invalid, but because it reflects a failure of dialogue," said Imran Siddiqui, senior field conservationist at the Centre for Wildlife Studies and co-founder of HYTICOS. "Conservation should never be imposed, but co-created with the people who have lived in and protected these forests for generations. Rather than abandon protection, we must work harder to build trust and ensure that conservation uplifts both nature and indigenous livelihoods," he said. Efforts by forest officials to allay fears and communicate that no immediate evictions were planned failed to gain traction. The forest department has now been asked to submit a fresh report, and the CM's office has indicated the policy might be revisited after further consultations. A senior forest official told TOI, "We are hoping the GO will be revived later. We will continue to crack down on encroachments of forest land. "
