North Korea nuclear test breach on UNSC resolutions: NATO

North Korea said it conducted a powerful hydrogen bomb test on Wednesday, a defiant and surprising move that, if confirmed, would be a huge jump in Pyongyang’s quest to improve its still-limited nuclear arsenal.

South Korea’s spy agency and outside nuclear experts cast strong doubt, however, saying the estimated explosive yield from North Korea’s fourth nuclear explosion was much smaller than what even a failed H-bomb detonation would produce.

Latest developments:

6.06 p.m. IST: Italy says Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni will be calling his Japanese counterpart to discuss “the necessary reactions of the international community” to what Rome calls North Korea’s “provocation” if it is confirmed that a nuclear test was carried out.

Japan currently holds the rotating helm of the Group of 7 industrialised nations. Italy is a G7 member.

Italy’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that a nuclear test by North Korea would “represent a grave violation of international law and of the pertinent U.N. Security Council resolutions and a serious threat to international and regional peace and security.”

The statement added that Mr. Gentiloni, “in condemning such a violation, calls on North Korea to honour its international obligations”.

5.56 p.m. IST: NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says the nuclear weapons test announced by North Korea is a “clear breach” of U.N. Security Council resolutions and “undermines regional and international security.”

Mr. Stoltenberg said in a statement on Wednesday, “I condemn the continued development by North Korea of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs and its inflammatory and threatening rhetoric.”

North Korea said on Wednesday that it has conducted a hydrogen bomb test a move that would put the country a step closer toward improving its still-limited nuclear arsenal.

4.05 p.m. IST: Russia’s Foreign Ministry says it hasn’t been confirmed that North Korea has carried out an actual nuclear test.

In a statement, the Ministry calls on “all interested sides to preserve maximum restraint and to not take actions that could rouse the uncontrolled growth of tensions in Northeast Asia.”

3.56 p.m. IST: The EU foreign policy chief says that North Korea’s nuclear test, if confirmed, would represent “a grave violation of the DPRK’s international obligations not to produce or test nuclear weapons.”

Federica Mogherini said in a statement that these obligations are determined by U.N. Security Council resolutions. The North’s action would represent “a threat to the peace and security of the entire Northeast Asia region”.

She called on North Korea to re-engage in a credible and meaningful dialogue with the international community, in particular in the framework of the six-nation talks, “and to cease this illegal and dangerous behaviour”.

She says she will consult with South Korean and Japanese foreign ministers and work with the U.N. Security Council meeting in an emergency session later Wednesday.

3.21 p.m. IST: The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency says if confirmed, North Korea’s hydrogen bomb test would be in in clear violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions and “is deeply regrettable”.

IAEA Director-General Yukiya Amano issued a statement which urged North Korea to implement fully all relevant resolutions of the U.N. Security Council and the IAEA.

Mr. Amano said that IAEA remains ready to contribute to the peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue by resuming its nuclear verification activities in the North once a political agreement is reached among countries concerned.

3.02 p.m. IST: Britain’s Foreign Secretary says that if a nuclear bomb has been detonated by North Korea, it would be a grave breach of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Philip Hammond condemned North Korea’s announcement of the nuclear test, and said it underlined the “very real threat that North Korea represents to regional and international security.”

2.50 p.m. IST: A South Korean lawmaker says the country’s spy agency told him in a private briefing that Pyongyang may not have conducted a hydrogen bomb test given the relatively small size of the seismic wave reported.

Lawmaker Lee Cheol Woo says the National Intelligence Service told him that an estimated explosive yield of six kilotons and a quake with a magnitude of 4.8 were detected Wednesday.

According to him, that’s smaller than the estimated explosive yield of 7.9 kilotonnes and a quake with a magnitude of 4.9 that were reported after the 2013 nuclear test, and only a fraction of a typical successful hydrogen bomb test’s explosive yield of hundreds of kilotonnes.

Mr. Lee says the agency told him that even a failed hydrogen bomb detonation typically yields tens of kilotonnes. Mr. Lee sits on the parliament’s intelligence committee.

1.51 p.m. IST: China, Australia and France have strongly condemned North Korea’s announcement of a nuclear test.

China, the North’s closest ally, says the reported test was carried out in defiance of the international community and urged North Korea to refrain from acts that might worsen tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says in a statement Wednesday that the action “confirms North Korea’s status as a rogue state and a continuing threat to international peace and security.”

French President Francois Hollande said in a statement that “France condemns this unacceptable violation of Security Council resolutions and calls for a strong reaction from the international community.”

1.06 p.m. IST: South Korea’s President Park Geun-hye has convened an emergency national security council meeting and is vowing a tough response to the North’s bomb test.

Ms. Park said at the start of the meeting that the government “must get North Korea to face corresponding measures based on closed cooperation with the international community.”

She says: “It’s not only grave provocation of our national security, but also an act that threatens our lives and future. It’s also a direct challenge to world peace and stability.”

Ms. Park also ordered the military to bolster its combined defense posture with the U.S. military, saying South Korea will sternly deal with any additional provocation by North Korea.

She called for a swift, accurate analysis on the North’s claim to have conducted a hydrogen bomb test.

12.31 p.m. IST: In Pyongyang, North Koreans reacted enthusiastically to the news that the country has carried out its fourth nuclear test since 2006.

Kim Sok Chol, a 32-year-old man who watched the TV announcement on a big screen at the train station square, told The Associated Press that he does not know much about what a hydrogen bomb is, but added that “since we have it, the U.S. will not attack us. I think the first successful H-bomb test is a great national event.”

Ri Sol Yong, a 22-year-old university student, said the test “gives us more national pride.”

She said, “Thanks to the fact that our country is a nuclear weapons state, I can study at the university without any worries. If we didn’t have powerful nuclear weapons, we would already have been turned into the slaves of the U.S.”

11.02 a.m. IST: The White House says it can’t confirm a North Korean nuclear test, but said it would condemn such a test as a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

National Security Council spokesman Ned Price says the U.S. is “aware of seismic activity on the Korean Peninsula in the vicinity of a known North Korean nuclear test site and have seen Pyongyang’s claims of a nuclear test.”

Breach of treaty

Lassina Zerbo, the head of the U.N. Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization which monitors worldwide for nuclear testing, says if confirmed, the test by North Korea would be a breach of the treaty and a grave threat to international peace and security.

Mr. Zerbo says in a statement that the universally accepted norm against nuclear testing has been respected by 183 countries since 1996.

'An artifical quake'

South Korean officials said they detected an ‘artificial earthquake’ near North Korea’s main nuclear testing site. The U.S Geological Survey measured the magnitude of the seismic activity at 5.1 on its website.

An official from the Korea Metrological Administration, South Korea’s weather agency, said it believed the earthquake was caused artificially, without elaborating, and originated 49 kilometres or 30 miles north of Kilju, the north-eastern area where North Korea’s main nuclear test site is located.

North Korea conducted underground tests to set off nuclear devices in 2006, 2009 and 2013, for which it has been subject to U.N. Security Council sanctions banning trade and financing activities that aid its weapons programme.

The test would further North Korea’s international isolation by prompting a push for new, tougher sanctions at the United Nations and worsening Pyongyang’s already bad ties with Washington and its neighbours.

'Will continue to strengthen nuclear programme'

In a statement after conducting its fourth nuclear test, North Korea's state news agency said it will not give up its nuclear programme as long as the United States maintained what it called "its stance of aggression".

North Korea also said it will act as a responsible nuclear state and vowed not to use its nuclear weapons unless its sovereignty was infringed. It also said it will not transfer its nuclear capabilities to other parties.

Japan calls it as 'significant threat'

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday condemned a Hydrogen bomb test conducted by North Korea, saying the test was a “significant threat”.

Japan held its National Security Council meeting immediately after a 5.1-magnitude quake was detected around 10.30 a.m. (local time) in the northeastern part of North Korea, Xinhua reported.

France condemns H-bomb testing

France condemned North Korea's reported test of a hydrogen bomb, calling for a "strong reaction from the international community", President Francois Hollande's office said in a statement. The statement called the reported test "an unacceptable violation of (U.N.) Security Council resolutions".

Last December, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un claimed his country had developed a hydrogen bomb, a step up from the less powerful atomic bomb.

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Deploying NSG instead of Army was a mistake: experts

Army and security circles are bewildered and angry over the way the government kept the Army from the Pathankot terror hunt, especially in the early phase, when Army troops were available in thousands close by. Instead of pressing Army units into immediate action, precious time was lost in sending a few dozen NSG commandos from New Delhi.

“None of us can believe what they did. We have two infantry divisions and two armored brigades in the vicinity. We have at least three corps headquarters in a couple of hours’ drive, and the Northern Army headquarters too. All of those troops are seasoned in carrying out counter-terror operations,” said a serving Brigadier posted close to Pathankot. “Instead, they wasted time to send a few dozen NSG commandos to the base?”

Lieutenant-General Prakash Katoch, a veteran para-commando and leading authority on special forces operations in India, said: “NSG is required for a specific target, it cannot tackle an area target.” He said that in a place such as the Pathankot airbase, the perimeter had to be secured first and combing operations to hunt down terrorists should have been initiated. “The Army is the best for that,” he said.

MULTIPLE LAPSES

The terrorist attack on the Pathankot airbase was a result of a series of systemic security failures at various levels.

1 Despite a huge concentration of Army units in and around Pthankot, why were they not tasked with securing the airbase?

2 Despite statements by SP Salwinder Singh and his cook that they were intercepted by terrorists, why did the Punjab police not act?

3 Why was the Army not deployed for combing operations?

4 Why were Garud personnel and Defence Security Corps, who are not trained for anti-terror operations, the primary responders?

5 With so many security agencies involved, who was in charge of the operation against the terrorists?

“There is no harm in sending the NSG, but then you should have a clear command and control. You cannot shove in the BSF, NSG, Army, etc, just like that. Was there a command and control there?” Gen. Katoch said.

General V.P. Malik, former Army chief, told The Hindu: “I don’t know if the NSG was the right one. They came from Delhi. It should be given to a local agency which knows the place.”

Former IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Fali H.Major said: “Garuds were raised for a different mandate for special Air Force tasks and not anti-terror operations. The DSC personnel are basically re-employed people.”

A serving Army officer said that the Army with its 10 Special Forces units, and at least the one based in Udhampur, would have been in Pathankot in a couple of hours. “We practise all the time for such operations,” he said. “Instead, you send NSG commandos in the night. Who told them that they could defend the 24 sqkm of the base with 160 commandos?”

A senior serving officer said if the government had followed the management principle of “functional foremanship” which advocates the right man for the right job, it would have saved precious lives and ensured quick elimination of terrorists.

“It was not the job of the NSG or the Garuds. It is the job of the infantry,” he told The Hindu. The local Army unit conducts a recce of the entire airbase every six months, but they were not allowed to get in when the situation came, he said.

Lt.Gen. Vinod Bhatia, former Director-General of Military Operations, told The Hindu: “The operation was not handled the way it should have been. The fact is, it has gone on for too long. If the Army was called in, they could have a better cordon as they have more strength. There was no unity of command. There has to be a single commander given the wherewithal and authority.”

“The complete infantry of the Indian Army has been fighting counter insurgency for decades,” another officer noted, adding, “This could have been handled much better with fewer casualties.” “How many times has the government airlifted the NSG for operations in the Valley? The infantry has been fighting for a long time and has been doing a good job,” he said.

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Chennai Open: Wawrinka sails into the last eight

Stan Wawrinka confessed to an emptiness of the soul after winning Roland Garros last year.

Initially he sought comfort in the familiar, the mundane. But largely he struggled to wrap his head around the new normal. For the two-time major winner — more, incidentally, than what Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal managed between them those two years, 2014 and ‘15 — the grind of the tour took its time getting sorted.

But Wawrinka found a way as the year wore on. Wednesday’s performance here at the SDAT Stadium certainly raised no questions about his commitment to the professional game or his knowledge of the mechanics of victory. The World No.4 was emphatic in his calm, organised dismissal of 18-year-old Andrey Rublev, 6-3, 6-2 in just under an hour.

The contest provided a fascinating contrast of two methods of generating power. Rublev’s had a touch of the crash-and-burn about it, a snappy, fast-twitch stroke that exploded into contact with the ball; Wawrinka set up a low, solid base and shifted his weight through the ball, the legs driving a relaxed arm through the stroke.

But though Rublev matched Wawrinka’s pace off the ground on several occasions, the Swiss’s was the more repeatable technique. Wawrinka also had better movement, a more wholesome all-court game with several degrees of defence, and years of experience to call on; not for nothing is the 30-year-old ranked among the world’s elite.

The most Rublev could hope to do was infrequently confound Wawrinka. He caught the eye with a few outrageous strokes, a two-handed return-winner off a serve timed at very nearly 200 kmph, the pick of them.

But the trouble with attempting the spectacular too often is the percentages catch up; and it can be particularly chastening when the guy on the other side sees what you do and nonchalantly raises it. Wawrinka did just that to secure the second break in the second set. His anticipation took him within reach of a smash he had no right getting to, and then his feel allowed him to float back a low ball that Rublev couldn’t volley.

In truth, the match was over long before this moment. Wawrinka’s place in the last-eight was never really under threat. He will play Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, his nominated doubles partner this tournament. The pair pulled out of the doubles because Garcia-Lopez didn’t want to risk a strained calf. The decision paid off for the Spaniard, who defeated Croatian qualifier Ante Pavic 7-6(5), 6-1 on an outside court.

Also advancing to the quarterfinals was Borna Coric, a 6-2, 7-5 winner over Austin Krajicek. The American, a distant cousin of Richard, the 1996 Wimbledon champion, appeared to have little more than the lefty angle to hurt Coric with — although Krajicek played a solid second set, the result was never in doubt.

The only alarm for Coric came in the second set’s 11th game when he appeared to twist his ankle. He showed no ill-effects, however, and later said: “I’m okay, hopefully tomorrow [Thursday] morning, I’ll be okay too.”

The results: Second round: 8-Borna Coric (Cro) bt Austin Krajicek (USA) 6-2, 7-5; 1-Stan Wawrinka (Sui) bt Andrey Rublev (Rus) 6-3, 6-2; 5-Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (Esp) bt Ante Pavic (Cro) 7-6(5), 6-1; 4-Roberto Bautista Agut (Esp) bt John Millman (Aus) 6-4, 6-1.

Doubles: First round: N. Sriram Balaji (Ind) & Ramkumar Ramanathan (Ind) bt 4-Marcus Daniell (Nzl) & Artem Sitak (Nzl) 2-6, 7-6(5), [10-5]; 3-Oliver Marach (Aut) & Fabrice Martin (Fra) bt Aljaz Bedene (GBr) & Treat Huey (Phi) 4-6, 6-4, [10-5]; Austin Krajicek (USA) & Benoit Paire (Fra) bt Sergey Betov (Blr) & Mikhail Elgin (Rus) 6-7(2), 6-4, 15-13; Somdev Devvarman (Ind) & Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan (Ind) bt Nicholas Monroe (USA) & Hans Podlipnik-Castillo (Chi) 4-6, 6-3, [10-5].

On Tuesday (all first round): Luca Vanni (Ita) bt Jan-Lennard Struff (Ger) 6-4, 7-6(5); 6-Gilles Muller (Lux) bt Karen Khachanov (Rus) 6-7(3), 7-6(4), 6-2; Aljaz Bedene (GBr) bt 7-Vasek Pospisil (Can) 7-5, 7-6(6); Thomas Fabbiano (Ita) bt Jozef Kovalik (Svk) 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Doubles: 2-Marcel Granollers (Esp) & Leander Paes (Ind) bt Taro Daniel (Jpn) & John Millman (Aus) 6-2, 6-3; Mariusz Fyrstenberg (Pol) & Santiago Gonzalez (Mex) bt Aliaksandr Bury (Blr) & Borna Coric (Cro) 6-4, 6-3.

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Gayle set to be banned from playing future BBL tournaments

Big-hitting West Indies batsman Chris Gayle is set to be banned from future Big Bash League tournaments as fallout of his controversial TV interview with Channel 10 journalist Mel McLaughlin.

Gayle did escape an immediate suspension after jokingly asking out Mel for a drink date in a mid-match interview, but the destructive batsman was fined $10,000 by his side Melbourne Renegades and now Cricket Australia is set to ban him from BBL, according to a report in Herald Sun.

It also reported that Gayle’s immediate playing future remains uncertain, with the Melbourne Renegades considering cutting its ties with the 36-year-old.

Though the star batsman did apologise after his “joke” flirt, which was branded “disrespectful” and “inappropriate” by authorities, it is learnt that CA is not willing to invite him back next year.

Controversy started when on air, Gayle said he was happy to be interviewed by Mel “just to see your eyes for the first time” during his sides’ win over the Hobart Hurricanes on Monday.

“Nice, so hopefully we can win this game and we can have a drink after,” he said.

“Don’t blush baby,” the Jamaican added, prompting McLaughlin to shake her head and reply, “I’m not blushing.”

“Sorry,” he added, breaking into a big laugh.

CA and Big Bash League officials did not see a funny side and condemned Gayle then and there.

“I heard Chris’s comments and they’re disrespectful and simply inappropriate,” BBL boss Anthony Everard said in a statement.

“There’s just no place in the BBL or — for that matter, cricket anywhere — for that sort of behaviour.”

Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland offered support for McLaughlin saying yesterday that no one should have to face such comments, which were “completely out of line” and “inappropriate for the workplace”.

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Rohit’s T20 batting an example for kids: More

Kiran More watched Saurabh Wakaskar (Baroda batsman representing Railways) slaughter the Delhi attack in Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 action at the Alembic ground. Unmukt Chand, standing behind the sticks for Delhi in that game, walked up to the ex-India gloveman next day, got an embrace from the senior and serious advice. “Play normal shots in T20. Runs will come when the ball clears the boundary, how the batsman did it is not mentioned,” said the Baroda stalwart to the former India U-19 captain and Delhi opener.

Unmukt was dismissed early in three consecutive Group C matches so far, denying expert eyes like More the chance to analyse the youngster’s form. Two matches were at Alembic ground, a paradise for batting as Delhi chased 210 target set by Railways with ease. The Delhi opener/keeper got a close look at Wakaskar’s strokeplay, slamming 11 sixes and seven boundaries in 118 from 55 balls. The Railways left-hander connected almost every delivery, leaving another youngster waiting for snicks with little to do, but watch the ball sail into the skies.

More launched into a crash course in wicket-keeping at Baroda. “The ball does not do much at Alembic, when a good batsmen is at the crease, wicket-keepers have little to do. Motibaug and Reliance wickets will test your abilities. Batsmen get beaten due to pace and bounce,” he said. The Delhi opener/keeper kept up the banter. “I kept wickets in Delhi also and they tested me.” Milind Kumar and Nitish Rana are emerging the run-getters for Delhi, patient and precise in their shot-making, starring in three wins out of three group matches so far.

Former chairman of national senior selectors, More founded a cricket academy in Baroda, grooming U-12, U-14, U-16 and U-19 age group players. For kids at his academy wanting to become successful in T20, More tries to make them aware of cricket basics. “Rohit Sharma is a good example for those wanting to learn the Twenty20 game. He scores with normal cricketing shots, you will see him play the cover drive and square cut. Youngsters should understand that knowing the basics is critical, improvising becomes easier later. Youngsters watching cricket on television should realise it.”

He added: “Rohit scored a T20 century with cricketing shots, besides runs in ODIs and four-dayers. Scoring runs is about the ball clearing the ropes. How you do it does not reflect on the scoresheet, whether those runs came from the reverse sweep does not get mentioned.” Does he feel kids should be kept away from T20? “It is a different world altogether. Kids want to add new techniques to their game, you cannot stop them thinking. Nothing wrong in learning. A junior player wanting to bowl spin should be able to turn the ball on any surface, then worry about coming over the wicket or round the wicket.”

The Kiran More Sports Foundation (KMSF) competes in tournaments conducted by the BCA. India ODI probable and Mumbai Indians all-rounder Hardik Pandya emerged from there and is among the key players for Baroda in Mushtaq Ali T-20. Others from KMSF to make a mark in first-class or national cricket are Hardik Parmar (former Baroda Ranji and Western Railway new ball bowler), medium-pacers Rishi Arothe and Atit Sheth who played India U-19 and last season made first-class debuts.

Mumbai Indians all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, is the biggest name to emerge. “We work with juniors till they reach a level, then BCA takes over and exceptionally talented get the breakthroughs. BCA has a good system in place, excellent playing facilities like wickets and outfields.” India ODI probable for a tour to Australia, Hardik was escorted by the kid’s father as a five-year-old to the former India wicket-keeper. The youngster proved to be a fast learner, taking the IPL route to fame and repaying his coach’s faith with match-winning feats.

Baroda cricket basics appear to be in place, going by success in Ranji Trophy and Mushtaq Ali Trophy (Ranji winners five times, tow-time T20 champions). “BCA does not comprise when it comes to cricket development. From fitness to injuries, from lively wickets to coaching, we try to create best facilities for the players. Talent needs opportunities, players will emerge.”

More’s current focus is on developing young keepers. Behind the sticks for India (110 catches/20 stumpings in 49 Tests, 63/27 in 94 ODIs), his words carry the weight of achievement.

He finds a similarity between coaching wicket-keepers and fast bowlers. “I have worked on wicket-keepers at camps held by BCA and Mumbai Cricket Association. At a young age wicket-keepers trained properly can avoid injuries later. Finger and facial injuries are common. It is like developing fast bowlers, right steps at the start will reduce the chances of bodies breaking down later.” Baroda has a cricket identity of its own, quality of facilities unmatched. T20 group matches, organised by BCCI, are held at three venues, Ranji semi-final tie will follow (Baroda chosen as a neutral venue for knockouts).

Gujarat has multiple teams within the state (Baroda, Saurashtra and Gujarat are three separate sides in first-class cricket). Gujarat is currently the number one state side in domestic limited-overs, had won Mushtaq Ali T20 once. Saurashtra produces talents of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravindra Jadeja’s calibre. BCCI’s 205 Best All-Rounder award in Domestic Limited-Overs, named after the legendary Lala Amarnath, went to Deepak Hooda, born in Haryana and cricket education in Baroda.

Kiran More feels cricket needs more teams, more players. “The game is played by limited number of countries. Cricket should be taken to new places for growth as a sport. England has a system of counties. Our focus and energy should be devoted to promoting the game in new centres. Just like Baroda, Saurashtra, Gujarat creates more opportunities for players, cricket should be taken into the interiors. Talents is there, waiting to be spotted.”

Fact file

Baroda won Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 in 2011 and 2013, made nine final Ranji Trophy appearances (1943 winner, 1946, 1947 winner, 1949, 1950 winner, 1958 winner, 2001 winner, 2002 and 2011)

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BHU sacks Magsaysay awardee Sandeep Pandey

Social activist and Magsaysay awardee Sandeep Pandey has been sacked by the Banaras Hindu University on charges of being a “Naxalite”, engaging in “anti-national” activities and screening a banned documentary on the campus.

Mr. Pandey has taught at the prestigious central varsity for the past two-and-a-half years. He was a Visiting Faculty in the Department of Chemical Engineering of the IIT-BHU and his contract was to end in July.

Though the termination order does not state any reason, Mr. Pandey says it was preceded by a discussion with the top administration. He alleges that the decision to remove him was forced upon IIT-BHU Director Rajeev Sangal by Vice-Chancellor G.C. Tripathi and Dean of Faculty Affairs, IIT-BHU, Dhananjay Pandey, who he claimed were “associated with the RSS.”

“All these charges are baseless,” Mr. Pandey told The Hindu. “If I am guilty of anti-national activities, why don’t you lodge an FIR and send me to jail?” he asked. “I wish to clarify that I’m not a naxalite. The ideology that I would consider myself closest to is Gandhian.”

Mr. Pandey had earlier led an agitation on the campus demanding that 40 employees whose contracts were terminated be made permanent.

“Is it illegal to support people who have lost their jobs? All I did was fight against human rights violation,” he said. The employees were reinstated after Mr. Pandey’s protest.

Mr. Pandey said the banned BBC documentary on Nirbhaya was to be screened in the development studies class, but the VC had intervened to stop it. “A discussion on the issue of violence against women was conducted after screening another documentary,” he said.

BHU spokesperson Rajesh Singh said Mr. Pandey’s contract was terminated taking into view “several representations received by the administration.”

“He was involved in anti-administration activities and spoiled the academic atmosphere of the university,” Mr. Singh said.

Mr. Pandey, however, found it odd that the institution “did not authenticate the veracity” of the complaint, which was based on a solitary news report in a local daily.

Sources said Mr. Pandey could have been removed due to ideological differences. “BHU is an educational institute, not a political field where one comes to further the ideology of a party. He is known to advocate Communist ideology,” said a senior administrator on condition of anonymity.

Mr. Sangal did not respond to phone calls or messages.

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J&K Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed dead

Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed passed away of multiple organ failure in New Delhi on Thursday morning after nearly a week long hospitalization. He was 79. "He died due to multi-organ failure at 9:10 this morning despite our best attempts to resuscitate him," said an AIIMS official.

Under-treatment at the hospital since December 24, 2015 Mr. Sayeed, was detected with sepsis, decreased blood counts and pneumonia and his condition took a turn for the worse on Wednesday. He has been on ventilator support since early this week. Earlier, doctors had maintained that though he was on essential medication and supportive therapy the leader was hemodynamically stable but required respiratory support.

Mr Sayeed, a two time chief minister of the state had started his second tenure on March 1st, 2015 in alliance with the BJP, after having led the state government between 2002-05 previously. He was the founder of the Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party (JKPDP) that he founded in 1999 to persuade "the Indian government into an unconditional dialogue with the Kashmiri people."

In a long career in politics, Mr Sayeed was a Congressman till 1987, and had been minister for tourism in the Rajiv Gandhi government in 1986, after which he joined former Prime Minister V P Singh's National Front government as India's home minister. His short stint there (1989-90) was marred by the kidnapping by Kashmiri militants, of his daughter Rubaiyya Sayeed.

Mr Sayeed's other daughter Mehbooba Mufti is considered his political heir, and through his illness there has been talk of her succeeding to the chief minister's chair in Jammu and Kashmir.

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