5 stories you must read today, October 2: From MP couple abandoning newborn to keep govt job to strike against 13-hour workday in Greece and more

A government school teacher couple has been arrested by the Madhya Pradesh Police for abandoning their three-day-old son due to the fear of losing their jobs for having four children. Bablu and Rajkumari Dandoliya, from Chhindwara district of MP, were arrested after the infant was discovered alive by some villagers after being abandoned in a nearby forest. The couple who already had three children, had not registered the birth of their third child and hid the fourth pregnancy, fearing job loss. According to the rules, Madhya Pradesh government employees cannot have more than two children. Read more

Wintrack Inc., a Tamil Nadu-based importer of personal wellness products, including massagers, has announced that the company has ceased operations in India from October 1. Prawin Ganeshan, the founder of Wintrack, alleged corruption and harassment by Chennai Customs as the reason for quitting India. According to him, Chennai Customs officials were making it impossible to run the business after allegedly exposing their bribery practices. He alleged that the Customs raised an issue over the non-declaration of USB chargers, which have always been sold with the massagers. Chennai Customs rejected the allegations and said they were “serious and false.” Read more

Thousands of workers in the public and private sectors in Greece observed a general strike on Wednesday to protest against the proposed changes in the labour laws introducing a 13-hour work day. Greece already has some of the longest hours in Europe and workers say the new proposal disregards their rights and also dampen any hopes for work-life balance. The 13-hour work day proposal is expected to be passed and made into law this month. Read more

The Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday suspended internet services in Bareilly district for 48 hours as tensions continued over the ‘I Love Muhammad’ poster. The suspension, covering mobile internet, broadband, and SMS, will remain in effect from 3 pm on October 2 till 3 pm on October 4 to prevent rumour-mongering and communal unrest during Dussehra celebrations. The police have so far arrested 82 people in connection with the violence, including nine associates of Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) chief Maulana Tauqeer Khan, who were held for their role in the violent protests on September 26. Read more

Two people were stabbed to death outside a synagogue in Manchester, London, on Wednesday. According to the Greater Manchester Police, the incident happened outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall. The attacker, who has not been identified yet, stabbed one person and rammed a car into others outside the synagogue. According to the police, the suspect has been shot dead and two more people who were injured are undergoing treatment for their injuries. Read more