23-Foot-Long Python Swallows Woman

 A 7-meter-long (23-foot-long) python has swallowed a woman in central Indonesia, a village official said Saturday.



The victim, 54-year-old Wa Tiba, went missing while checking her vegetable garden near her village on Muna island in Southeast Sulawesi province on Thursday evening, according to the village chief, Faris.

On Friday, her family went to look for her in the garden but found only her belongings, including sandals and a flashlight, said Faris, who uses a single name. The family and villagers launched a search for the woman and found the snake with a bloated belly about 50 meters (yards) from where her belongings were found.

 The villagers killed the snake and carried it to the village. When they cut open the snake’s belly they found Tiba’s body still intact with all her clothes,” Faris said. “She was swallowed first from her head.”

Videos posted on some websites showed villagers slicing open the python’s carcass to reveal the woman’s body.

Faris said the victim’s garden, about 1 kilometer (half a mile) from her house, is located in a rocky area with caves and cliffs believed to contain many snakes. Reticulated pythons, which are widespread in Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia, grab onto their prey with dozens of sharp curved teeth and then squeeze it to death before swallowing it whole.

Reports of humans being killed by pythons are extremely rare. In the wild, they are known to eat monkeys, pigs, and other mammals. It was the second python attack on a human in Indonesia since March last year when a 25-year-old man was swallowed whole by a python in West Sulawesi province.

Here is the link for the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEVoYFM9u9c

Battling ‘Love Jihad’ To ‘Protect Women’

“For the first time, Jats and Muslims are fighting each other. This is a great achievement. Jats have begun thinking like Hindus first. If more Hindu castes fight with Muslims, it will be better for us. BJP will benefit.” From the limited coverage of the communal riots in Muzaffarnagar on Indian TV channels, one can conclusively draw an uncanny resemblance with the pictures we saw during Gujarat riots of 2002 and Assam riots of 2012: Muslim men, women and children, wearing distressed and fearful looks, herded together with their baggage either in a shelter home or being driven in an overcrowded lorry or a cart.

The rioting that started in the state, led by the country’s youngest chief minister, Akhilesh Yadav, after the killing of three youths in Kawal village of the Muzaffarnagar district on August 27 reportedly over an incident of eve-teasing has so far led to at least 40 deaths, massive destruction of property and wide scale displacement of poor villagers. Things went out of hand Saturday, 7 Sept. after venomous speeches made by political leaders at a mahapanchayat – organized in defiance of prohibitory orders – urged people to take law and order in their hands. The clashes took place between the two communities after this meeting was over, and incidents of rioting, killings and arson were reported from many parts of the state, especially its rural areas. This was the unconcealed part of the situation over which blame game started between ruling and the opposition parties, but backstage communal forces had made all preparations to turn Muzaffarnagar into a powder keg – for political benefits. In the run up to national elections scheduled early next year, polarisation of voters will certainly help certain political parties: BJP and SP in particular, according to various political analysts. BJP MLA from Sardhana constituency of Meerut district, Thakur Sangeet Singh Som has gone into hiding after police booked him for circulating a fake video, which it said, fueled the communal violence. The two-year-old fake video, originally from Pakistan shows the ruthless beating and killing of two brothers in Sialkot, Punjab. But the video, doctored to show ‘the killing of two Hindu youths by Muslim mob while they were protecting the honor of their sister’, was widely circulated on social media websites like YouTube and Facebook to fuel the riots. Som shared the video on his Facebook page asking people to ‘see what is going on in Muzaffarnagar’, 500 local right wingers distributed it immediately (he has removed it now after a case was filed by the UP police), reported Twocircles.net. A Sangh activist described to The Hindu how clashes between Muslims and Jats, who have co-existed in peace for centuries, benefit the BJP. “For the first time, Jats and Muslims are fighting each other. This is a great achievement. Jats have begun thinking like Hindus first. If more Hindu castes fight with Muslims, it will be better for us. BJP will benefit,” the activist said. “Muslims needed to be taught a lesson, for they thought they ruled U.P. under Mulayam.” For his bosses, the Muslims are even a bigger threat, not just confined to vote-bank politics. A conspiracy, according to Chandra Mohan Sharma, joint general-secretary of the Meerut division of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), is being hatched to ‘expand Muslim population, using Hindu girls as machines’. In a conversation with The Hindu, the VHP leader has said that “Love Jihad’ is a new procedure used by Muslims to “trap” Hindu girls. “First, good-looking Muslim men are identified. They are given neutral names like Sonu and Raju. These boys are then given jeans, t-shirts, mobiles, and bikes and taught to behave. They stand in front of schools and colleges and woo young Hindu girls. The first few times, our girls snub them. But then, they fall for it. This jehad is about pyar se fasana – entrapment through love,” The Hindu reported. “Look at police records. Out of 100 girls who elope, 95 are Hindus who go with Muslim men. It is rare that Hindu boys get Muslim girls. This is proof of a conspiracy to ‘expand Muslim population, using Hindu girls as machines. We need to protect the honour of our daughters, bahu aur beti.” Specifically naming BJP’s Amit Shah, Union Minister for minority affairs Rahman Khan has also blamed the BJP for the communal flare-up. Amit Shah, Narendra Modi’s right-hand man has been elected as the BJP’s poll chief for Uttar Pradesh – the state with highest Muslim population in the country. Shah, an accused in the killings of Sohrabuddin Sheikh, his wife Kauser Bi and a witness Tulsiram Prajapati in staged gunbattles, was the home minister of Gujarat till he had to resign in 2010 after his arrest. Currently out on judicial bail, Shah is being projected as a ‘game-changer’ for the party in Uttar Pradesh by various politicians. His domain and strategy in the run-up to the elections can be construed from his statement to the press as soon as he assumed his new role: “If the UPA can indulge in blatant appeasement of Muslims, why should BJP workers and leaders shy from wooing the majority?”Firstpost quoted Shah as saying. With Shah at the helm in Uttar Pradesh, his juniors in the saffron party have been drawing parallels between Godhra and the violence that happened after the mahapanchayat in Nalandabodhi in Muzaffarnagar. “…And what has happened after that (mahapanchayat) is the reaction on the lines of post-Godhra in Gujarat. Hindus did not sit back,” VHP leader Sudarshan told The Hindu. Added vermillion wearing Bajrang Dal leader Balraj Singh: “Victory will be ours. The Sangh’s work is to unite Hindus, to protect our temples, women, cows, Ganga, our religion.”

Kashmir Family’s Endless Wait For Disappeared Son

Nishwan Rasool:

Life was normal for Mattoo’s till that ill-fated cold, breezy November 3 afternoon in 1993 when ‘a ghost came from dark’ and took away their seven-year-old son, Javed Mattoo. This was the time when India launched a massive anti-insurgency operation against pro-freedom and pro-Pakistan militants – who had returned from across the border after getting trained in firing AK-47’s and other automatic weapons. Almost two decades later, the family’s home in Pulwama, 30 km south of Jammu and Kashmir’s summer capital Srinagar, stands only to tell sordid tales of State oppression, festering wounds and aching reminiscences. Javed, according to his father Ghulam Nabi Mattoo, was having lunch with family when a column of Border Security Forces or BSF soldiers raided the house. “The patrol party was headed by Gurmeet Singh [Inspector] and his other two assistants Sukhu Singh and Tirlook Singh. They took away my Javed,” Mattoo Sr. says. The counter-insurgency forces were given unbridled powers to curb the anti-India militancy that had erupted four years back in 1989 – the immediate motivation being the massive rigging of elections in 1987. Thousands of youths were rounded up by armed forces during search operations and crackdowns. Many among them never returned home. “The BSF party had arrested over a dozen youth in the village during that raid. All of them were released; only my son (Javed) was held up in the (BSF) camp,” Mattoo Sr. says. Javed, a student of 1st standard at Government Public School in Kareem Abad, who should have been sitting in a classroom with his friends, was now lodged at a BSF camp where he could only see strange men brandishing automatic weapons and conversing in an alien language. His crime, however, was never known, and he wasn’t even taken to a juvenile home – although no such homes existed then. Under the Public Safety Act or PSA, armed forces can detain anyone for a maximum two years without any trial. They can detain a person on the basis of suspicion alone. Mattoo’s rushed to the nearest police station after hearing that Javed had been shifted there. “We tried to contact the police officials for his release but they kept on telling us that he would be released day after tomorrow. We were very worried,” he reminisces. Initially, police, according to Mattoo Sr., refused to file a case against the BSF, saying Javed had escaped from the BSF camp. Six months after he was taken away, Javed’s sister died – the family believes she died because of her brother’s mysterious disappearance. According to various human rights organizations, more than 8000 people have disappeared in the custody of armed forces in the Valley. The families of these disappeared people who have been fighting their cases under two breakaway factions of Association of Parents of Disappeared People (APDP) have at least one thing in common: they have been making rounds of various military installations and incarceration centers in the Valley in search of their loved ones. Mattoo Sr. has been no exception. He has been running from pillar to post in search of his son. “Every time we would visit the BSF camp to meet Javed they would ignore us saying that the officer is not present. This continued for months together. We always returned home disappointed and distraught,” he sighs. After managing to get an FIR registered, Mattoo’s went to the BSF camp again, but this time they had to hear a different story: they were told that Javed fled after identifying a militant hideout. Mattoo Sr. can’t believe this version of the story. He asks: “How can a seven-year-old know about a militant hideout?” After eight months of Javed’s disappearance, an old man working as a carpenter at National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Srinagar brought the family news they have been awaiting for months now. The old man informed the family that Javed was kept in a hidden room at the University campus. “The old man told us that he had met Javed in the campus and had a small chat with him. Javed had told him that he was picked up by the BSF forces and wrong information of his escape was conveyed to his family,” says Mattoo. The family contacted the Army officials at the NIT only to learn that they had received ‘wrong information’. “And in a jiffy all our hopes went down the drain,” adds Mattoo Sr. with a husky voice. Like most Kashmiris, Mattoo’s have a question: Why was their innocent son targeted. Why is the State silent? “We have harbored this pain for almost two decades now. We want to know if he (Javed) is alive or dead. We will fight till we live. None of the political or economic packages can heal our wounds,’’ says Mattoo Sr.

Boom in condom sales during Jaipur Literature Festival

It appears that the participants at the world’s largest free literature festival being held in the Indian city of Jaipur are seeking knowledge but with a dash of frolic. The annual Jaipur Literature Festival has come as a bunce for the local chemists as young people are thronging shops for condom since seventh edition of the event began on January 17 this year.

“At close of sale on Sunday, we sold more than 900 condoms in the late evening hours,” says a chemist who runs a shop near the Diggi Palace Hotel which is the main venue of the festival. In three days more than 5000 people have taken part in the festival and the numbers are swelling. “As our shop is on the backside of the road we have few customers during evening hours, but on Sunday young boys in huge numbers descended and asked for male contraceptives,” the shop owner says wishing anonymity. From Nobel laureates to local language writers, Man Booker prize winners to debut novelists, every January ‘the most remarkable, witty, sensitive and brilliant collection of authors’ come together for five days of readings, debates and discussions, the website of the festival says. But, clearly the festival isn’t attracting young Indian people only for 'readings, debates and discussions', but other things as well. “Featuring live music sessions and interactive workshops, the festival provides a space to dare, dream and imagine,” the organizers say. The festival certainly seems to provide space for wild 'dreams'. Another shop located in the vicinity of the venue is catering to similar requests. “Not only boys but a few girls also came to ask for contraceptives,” the shop owner says. He says Jaipur hosts tourists throughout the year and the sale of contraceptives is stead, but during the festival the demand for the condoms is ‘quite high’. An article published on the Mint says about the fashion being followed at the festival: “FLAUNT the latest styles. Quite a few fashion tips for the pseudo intellectuals brought to you by the literary frat. If I could line up all the boots worn at JLF, I am sure the line would stretch to the moon and back.” “It’s more of a fashion show where everyone comes to exhibit their glamorous outfits be it men or women and hang around with each other,” says 22-year-old Aarushi who has come from Indian capital New Delhi to participate in the fest. With the huge influx of participants, hotels near the pink city venue are packed. “Young couples from various parts of India come and ask for cheap rooms,” a hotel manager says. “We have a capacity of booking for more than 200 customers and I thought that would be enough for two days. But I am surprised how everything has been running out!” he adds. JLF, which began in 2006, is now regarded as a cultural catalyst within India and around the world, exposing audiences to a constant flow of ideas, its organizers say. From a mere 100 visitors in 2006 to a massive footfall of around 200,000 in 2013, the 17th century Diggi Palace shot into global fame from being just another heritage property to a literature hub as it served as the constant host of the JLF for the last six years. This eclectic marriage of literature and heritage has benefited both. So much so that the Diggi Palace is now synonymous with the JLF. From planning special, elaborate menus to setting up colourful marquees, the owners start their preparations three months in advance to ensure the five-day literature feast doesn't disappoint. This year the festival runs from Jan 17 to 21 and boasts of 200 authors from eclectic backgrounds, including heavyweights like Nobel Prize winners Amartya Sen and Harold Varmus, Man Booker Prize winners Jhumpa Lahiri, Tash Aw, Alison Macleod and Jim Crace, Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan, Olympic boxing bronze medalist Mary Kom and lyricists Javed Akhtar and Prasoon Joshi.

Porn Video of ammature girl shocks the Kashmir Valley

Nishwan Rasool:



On the eve of Children’s day porn MMS of a minor school girl was circulated to the mobile users in Kashmir.
Angry public plundered the house of the accused, pressuring the police to strike into action and nab the culprits in Budgam. Police have also registered a case of rape under section 376 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC).
The main accused, which was visible in the MMS, has also been busted by the police force.
Police are now eyeing for the other accused and his abettors who have been involved in the backing of the crime.

Later the girl who was clearly visible in the clip was questioned by the investigation officer.
As the summary about the character of the man who was the main accused in the whole drama reached the area, angry people took to streets and protest demanding the arrest of the other accused.
“We pelted stones and ransacked the house of the main accused in the Yachigam village because the man was already involve in some illegal activities’” said a local Tariq Khan.
Police immediately altered into action to control the tense situation. “We have arrested the main accused and registered a case under section 376,”said Uttam Chand, senior superintendent of police, Budgam district.
Uttam Chand further added, “We promise to take a strict action against the accused as we expect the age of girl to be less than 18 years. But we will wait for the final medical reports and her documentary details to verify it.
“According to the information we have collected the girl is 11th class student. Later investigation will verify her age. We are treating her as minor and thus case of rape has been registered”, he further lamented

'Accidental' tryst that unraveled truth

Nishwan Rasool:

Unraveling the truth often makes people attempt the unthinkable. Soon after the civil unrest in the Kashmir valley subsided last year, four young people had a tryst in the virtual world. They were strangers, but were bound by the common desire to tell the truth. Their virtual existence gave way to documenting the death of Sameer Rah- an eight-year-old boy, who was among the people killed during the period of Unrest. The four friends- Rizwan Alam Khan, Burhaan Kinu, Maryam Shamas and Shah Ifat Gazia, used their cellular phones and other portable devices to churn out a documentary detailing Rah’s death. The twenty-minute film titled 'Long ago I died', these days is being much talked about among film lovers in Kashmir. In a free-wheeling conversation with Nishwan Rasool, Maryam Shamas and Rizwan Khan talk about achieving the unthinkable.


NR: Tell me how was ‘Long ago I died' conceptualized?

RZ: During 2010 agitation, our parents had restricted our movements and the only option we had was internet to take out our annoyance and frustration. All of sudden we accidently came into contact with each other through a social networking site Facebook. That was the time when we realized that we shared a common goal and from that very point our journey to show reality and fact began.

NR: What has your initial idea of the Kashmir conflict been? And what's your present understanding of the issue?
MS: Notions have changed. In my childhood I saw Kashmir issue as a long tragic story with a foe I never recognized. It was more about human right violations. But gradually a deeper understanding of the issue has left me with no doubt that Kashmir is a political issue with a wronged past. The knots in history are more than what are visible. And without resolving these knots you can’t heal the wounds or expect justice.

NR: The Kashmiri youth have seen guns at the time when they ought to carry the toys in their hands? Last year’s unrest must have made impact on you as well. Was that the inspiration to make the film?

MS: More than inspired, I would say provoked.

NR: Could you explain?

MS: I mean every communication point was gagged during the period. We were left with nothing. So I guess it was provocation more than inspiration. Provocation to tell truth I must add.

NR: Tell me about the research days of the film?

MS: Actually in seeking the answers we only had more questions. From the graveyard to the place, where he died, Rah’s home, police stations, hospitals. In fact while doing all this we came across so many things small and big, that reminded us of the past- the forgotten massacres. The journey reminded us of our past.

NR: How difficult was it to maintain objectivity while dealing with a sensitive subject like this?

MS: To maintain objectivity is difficult but achievable, and for us it was extremely important. We were extremely careful that we do not fall in to the realms of bias.

Rizwan chips in and says: While dealing with a sensitive issues one has to be very careful, it should not hurt the sentiments of the people. To sum up, one cannot over do things.

NR: Do you think it is the responsibility of Kashmiri youth to raise awareness about the past or current happenings?

RZ: It’s not the responsibility of youth only but also of the elders to create mass awareness about the happenings which have taken place in the past. We are troubled to see that Kashmiri youth have forgotten many incidents which otherwise should have been highlighted in front of the World. There have been massacres like Kunanposhpora incident where the whole women folk of the village were raped by the armed forces. There has been Chattisingpora incident case where 36 Sikhs were massacred, the Gowkadal massacre and many more. How many of us know about these tragedies?

NR: What else can be done apart from visually chronicling Kashmir’s past?

RK: There should be seminars in colleges and universities about the history of Kashmir, where incidents should be discussed and people should be made aware of these facts. We believe that the only way to deal with the untrue world is to make yourself so much free that your very existence becomes an act of rebellion.



Silence is criminal at times. We need to stand up for justice, Shamas concludes.

Delhi blast: ‘Hang us if our children found guilty'

Nishwan Rasool:

The family of the two Kashmiri youth detained in Rajastha's Alwar region in connection with the Delhi blast, on Sunday declared to face execution if their sons were found guilty.



Abdul Gani Magray and his companion, Mian Ahmad, both hailing from Choogam area of Islamabad district of south Kashmir were picked up by police from Alwar on Friday in connection with the bomb blast in Delhi, a day earlier that left 13 people dead and over 70 injured.


“When the blast took place in New Delhi, Gani was home. He left on 8th of September, a day after the blast. This clearly indicates that his involvement in the blast is not impossible,” Magray’s cousin Ghulam Nabi says.



“We’re ready to face hanging, if the fair and free investigations find my cousin involved in the blast,” he adds.

Nabi says his cousin, who works as a stone miner is an illiterate person and had gone out of the Valley for the first time in his life, adding, "He is a hard worker who earns his living by working at a stone quarry."

“He has never indulged in any unlawful activity. Police can confirm it as well. He is a simple man and he fell prey to the deception of some unknown caller who asked him to come and receive the lucky draw he has won,” he added.

Urging the Chief Minister to intervene, the family member said that a fair and transparent probe will prove that the men detained for the bombing are indeed innocents.

Pertinently, the duo was arrested by a police party when they were searching for accommodation at hotel Gulab Devi Inn in Kishangarh Bas area of Alwar.

Meanwhile, police has given clean chit to the duo saying nothing adverse against them is in the police records.



“The track record of both the persons is clean. However, we can’t say if they have been arrested for Delhi blasts or for some other case,” a senior police official said.