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Scroll.in
3 days ago
- Scroll.in
Nagpur woman who crossed Line of Control from Kargil booked for espionage
A woman from Maharashtra's Nagpur city who crossed the Line of Control from Kargil earlier this month has been booked on allegations of espionage, The Indian Express quoted the police as saying on Saturday. Sunita Jamgade (43), who was reported missing on May 14, had crossed the Line of Control from the Hundermaan village in Ladakh last month. She had left her teenage son behind at a hotel. The woman had crossed the Line of Control amid heightened tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, which left 26 persons dead. Jamgade had been untraceable for nine days, till the Pakistani Rangers handed her over to Indian authorities on May 23. She was taken back to Nagpur on May 28 and presented before a special court, which sent her to police custody till June 2. The provisions invoked against her include those related to violating the Official Secrets Act, The Times of India reported. Deputy Commissioner of Police Zone V Niketan Kadam claimed that the woman crossed the Line of Control as she wanted to meet a man named Zulfikar, whom she had been in contact with on social media, The Indian Express reported. 'During the investigation, we found several chats on her phone,' the official told the newspaper. 'While there were conversations with multiple individuals, Zulfikar stood out.' Nevertheless, Kadam said that no evidence had yet emerged that Jamgade had shared sensitive information with anyone. However, the deputy commissioner of police said that her phone was found in a formatted state, and that a suspicious app had been installed on it, The Times of India reported. Forensic teams are attempting to extract any deleted data from the phone.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Time of India
Woman Who Crossed LoC To Meet Her ‘Love' Facing Spying Charges
Nagpur: A 43-year-old woman from Nagpur, Sunita, finds herself at the centre of a high-stakes investigation after being charged with espionage under Official Secrets Act (OSA) late Sunday. Handed over to Border Security Force (BSF) by Pakistani authorities at Attari on Saturday, Sunita's case raised suspicions of spying amid escalating tensions along the Line of Control (LoC). The Amritsar rural police registered a 'zero FIR' under OSA against her, and she was handed over to Nagpur's Kapil Nagar police on Monday night for further investigation. The former nurse will be brought back to the city in the next 48 hours. Sunita's mysterious journey began on May 14, when she abandoned her 15-year-old son in Hundermaan, a frontier hamlet in Kargil, and crossed the LoC into Pakistan-occupied territory. Initial findings suggest she traversed a treacherous mountainous stretch to meet two Pakistani contacts — Zulfikar and a "pastor" — with whom she communicated extensively via social media. Security agencies, now in possession of her cellphone, are scrutinising her chats, which reportedly reveal exchanges of private details, hinting at a relationship that may extend beyond personal affection. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Click Here To Read More - micro segmentation software Expertinspector Click Here Undo The case baffled authorities because Pakistani agencies detained Sunita for nine days before handing her over to BSP at Attari, 700km from where she crossed the LoC at Kargil. A senior Punjab police official stated, "Her crossing over to PoK during heightened tensions raises serious concerns. We cannot rule out the possibility of her acting as a spy and sharing sensitive information with Pakistani agencies. The case is under detailed investigation. " The timing and circumstances of her detention fuelled speculation about her motives. This is not Sunita's first attempt to breach the border. Earlier in March 2025, she was apprehended at Attari, while trying to cross into Pakistan but was sent back due to concerns about her mental health. This time, however, her actions led to slapping of serious charges under the anti-espionage law. Amritsar rural police, led by senior superintendent Maninder Singh, initiated the legal process, with the case set to be transferred to Nagpur police for further probe. Nagpur zonal DCP Niketan Kadam confirmed that a team from Kapil Nagar police station will bring Sunita back to the city for a thorough probe into her background and motives. "We will investigate all aspects, including her communications and intentions," Kadam said. The case exposed potential security vulnerabilities, given Sunita's ability to cross the LoC undetected. Sunita's interactions with Pakistani contacts raised questions about whether her actions were driven by love or if she was unwittingly drawn into a larger espionage plot. Sunita's case underscores the complexities of cross-border interactions in a digital age, where personal relationships can intersect with national security concerns. Earlier, Kargil police had registered a missing case. A similar missing case was registered at Nagpur's Kapil Nagar police station too. Kapil Nagar police will investigate the fresh offence against Sunita. Kargil Child Welfare Committee chairperson Niyaz Ali stated they have received permission from their govt to escort Sunita's son back to Nagpur.
New Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
MBPP must buck up, residents' association says amid new performance system
GEORGE TOWN: The Tanjung Bungah Residents' Association (TBRA) has called on the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) to urgently improve its performance, citing a long list of alleged failures affecting public trust and city management. This follows a warning from Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming that local councils performing poorly under the newly-introduced "traffic light" evaluation system could face penalties, including funding cuts. TBRA chairman Zulfikar Abdul Aziz claimed the council has fallen short in several key areas and rated MBPP "four out of 10" for its effectiveness. "We are not happy with MBPP's performance. The council has failed to implement a gazetted local plan since 2008, despite detailed proposals by civil groups like Penang Forum. "This lack of direction has real consequences, like the court case loss over the Sungai Ara Sunway project where public interest was clearly not prioritised," he told the New Straits Times. TBRA is one of the most vocal residents' association in the state. Zulfikar also criticised the council for allegedly neglecting public transport infrastructure, including poor pedestrian walkways and impractical bus stop designs, which discouraged the use of buses. "There is minimal participation from ratepayers in planning. Every state constituency should have at least one townhall a year to ensure residents have a say. The council must start listening," he claimed. Zulfikar also raised concerns about how councillors were allegedly appointed, urging MBPP to introduce mock elections to improve transparency and public representation. Other ongoing issues claimed include: * poor management of food and market complexes; * the incomplete rollout of the Penang Smart Parking project, with many car parks still unequipped with the promised technology; * repeated assessment tax hikes without clear improvement in services; * weak recycling efforts in residential areas; and, * renovations of public spaces done without consulting affected neighbourhoods. "The council collects a large amount of revenue each year, but the outcomes do not match. "It is not just about spending, it is about effective spending. That starts with a competent team of councillors and a commitment to engage the public regularly," Zulfikar claimed. He warned the city council to buck up, or risk serious consequences. Under the traffic light evaluation system, any local authority rated "red light" would have their allocation withdrawn; for "yellow", the allocation would be reduced; but if rated "green", the allocation would be increased. For local authorities who received a red light, the president and secretary would be called in for counselling and required to attend a performance enhancement course. The NST has reached out to MBPP Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran on how it intends to achieve the desired results under the newly introduced traffic light evaluation system and still awaiting response.
The Sun
25-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
‘Child sex abuse leaves scars that do not fade'
PETALING JAYA: Child abuse and neglect remain deeply troubling issues in Malaysia, casting a long shadow over the lives of countless children. In 2024 alone, one state recorded over 1,500 reported cases – a grim indicator of a crisis that shows no signs of slowing. In the face of such harrowing figures, theSun spoke to two experts who have studied the matter extensively. Both agreed that the psychological scars left by child sexual abuse run so deep that for many survivors, full recovery remains heartbreakingly out of reach. Trauma from sexual abuse runs far deeper than physical harm and can severely disrupt a child's mental and emotional wellbeing, said Universiti Teknologi Malaysia senior psychology officer Dr Zulfikar Ahmad. 'I've handled cases where the trauma is so entrenched, recovery feels almost out of reach. We're talking about nightmares, flashbacks – long-term scars that just won't fade,' he said. Zulfikar stressed that rebuilding trust is essential – and sidelining victims only sets back recovery. To aid healing, he urged caregivers to create a safe, non-judgemental space and to involve children in decisions about their own lives, rather than making assumptions for them. He criticised well-meaning decisions made without consulting the victim – like pulling a child out of school. 'Even with the best intentions, it strips away their support systems. It makes them feel even more vulnerable.' On prevention, Zulfikar called for early sex education to help children recognise inappropriate behaviour. In 2022, he was part of a team that developed Mekar, a child and adolescent sexual crime prevention module with the police in Johor. The programme teaches schoolchildren to identify signs of sexual abuse and understand risks like grooming and sexually transmitted diseases. He said children as young as three should learn about safe touch and body autonomy in age-appropriate ways, with the content growing more comprehensive as they mature. Universiti Teknologi Mara social policy expert Prof Yarina Ahmad echoed Zulfikar's sentiments. She also raised alarm over incest cases involving victims as young as six. 'Abusers often target very young children. In some of the most heartbreaking cases, even mothers knew but felt helpless.' Not all incest cases registered with the Social Welfare Department are reported to police. Yarina and other researchers found that many survivors never come forward. The public is urged to report suspected abuse to the 24-hour Talian Kasih helpline operated by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry at 15999 or via WhatsApp at 019-261 5999.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Time of India
Woman missing near LOC was in touch with 2 Pak nationals
Nagpur: Sunita, a 43-year-old woman from Nagpur, who went missing near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kargil, Ladakh, was reportedly in touch with two Pakistani persons. Apart from the pastor, whom she wanted to meet in Pakistan, Sunita was also continuously communicating with one Zulfikar. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In city, the Kapil Nagar police registered a missing complaint for Sunita on Saturday. Earlier, the Kargil police had filed a missing person complaint about her. A Nagpur police team will soon visit Hundermaan, where Sunita was last spotted in Kargil district of Ladakh, informed senior inspector Satish Ade of Kapil Nagar police station. Kargil senior superintendent of police Shree Ram confirmed a missing person complaint was filed there, but noted no official Army confirmation of her crossing the LoC has been received as yet. "Punjab police findings in an earlier case have revealed that she was in touch with two Pakistani numbers," the SSP said. Sunita's son, a Class VIII student, was rescued by Kargil police and is under the care of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). The boy will be placed in a Nagpur govt shelter home upon return, awaiting reunion with his mother, said Nagpur's CWC chairperson Chhaya Gurav, who is in contact with her Kargil counterpart Niyaz Ali. "The child is categorised as one who would need care and protection, as the family had some dispute with his mother. He will be counselled and will stay with us till his mother returns," said Gurav. Speaking to TOI, Kargil CWC chairperson Ali said they expect to receive permission from the department of tribal and social development on Monday to escort the boy to Nagpur and hand him over to Nagpur CWC. Kargil police and the Army are probing the roles of Zulfikar and the pastor in allegedly luring Sunita across the LoC, which is complicated by her likely possession of her cellphone. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Sunita's disappearance has triggered investigations by Indian security agencies to ascertain the identities and motives of the individuals she was in touch with. Sunita, last seen in Hundermaan village on May 14 with her 14-year-old son, is suspected to have crossed into Pakistan, with sources suggesting she may be in the custody of Gilgit police. This was Sunita's third attempt to cross into Pakistan, having been intercepted twice by the Border Security Force at Attari earlier this year. She was arrested by Punjab police in March after her second attempt.
