Glasgow Gurdwara flays move to block Indian envoy
London, Oct 1: The Glasgow Guru Granth Sahib Gurdwara has ‘strongly condemned’ the incident where Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, was stopped this week from attending a programme by pro-Khalistan extremists. In a statement issued on Saturday, the Gurdwara said that it “strongly condemns such disorderly behaviour to disrupt the peaceful proceedings of a Sikh place of worship”. “The Gurdwara is open to people from all communities and backgrounds, and we welcome everyone openly as per our principles of faith,” it said. In a viral video of the incident, which occurred at Albert Drive on Friday, a few pro-Khalistan activists approached Doraiswami’s car and asked him to leave. The two-day personal visit facilitated by a member of Scottish Parliament, reportedly involved a series of meetings and discussions with local political leaders, diaspora representatives, business chiefs and university groups. “Certain unknown individuals from outside the Glasgow area attempted to disrupt this visit, following which the visiting party decided to leave the premises. After the departure of the visitors, these unruly individuals continued to disturb the Gurdwara congregation,” the statement read. (IANS)
Opp candidate wins Maldive prez runoff
Male, Oct 1: Opposition candidate Mohamed Muiz won the Maldives presidential runoff on Saturday, securing more than 53 per cent of the vote, local media reported. The election has turned into a virtual referendum on which regional power – India or China – will have the biggest influence in the Indian Ocean archipelago nation. Mihaaru News reported that incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had received 46 per cent of the vote and that Muiz had won by more than 18,000 votes. Official results were expected on Sunday. “With today’s result we have got the opportunity to build the country’s future. The strength to ensure the freedom of Maldives,” Muiz said in a statement after his victory. “It’s time we put our differences aside and come together. We need to be a peaceful society.” Muiz also requested that Solih transfer former president Abdulla Yameen to house arrest from prison. It was a surprise win for Muiz, who entered the fray as an underdog. Muiz promised that if he won the presidency, he would remove Indian troops from the Maldives and balance the country’s India-biased trade relations, (AP)
Floods kill nine
in Vietnam
Hanoi, Oct 1: Floods in Vietnam’s northern and central regions from September 26 to September 28 killed nine people, left one person missing and injured 10 others, the country’s National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control has said. The floods caused by heavy rain also damaged houses, roads, aquaculture ponds, and rice and other crops, as well as killed fowls and cattle, Xinhua news agency reported. Natural disasters, mainly floods and landslides, left 98 people dead or missing, and injured 103 others in Vietnam in the first nine months of this year. (IANS)