November 24, 2024 17:49 (IST)
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Centre sends additional 50 companies of CRPF in violence-hit Manipur amid Jiribam unrest, deaths | Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's younger brother Anmol arrested in US: Reports | Supreme Court asks authorities to not drop restrictions imposed to combat Delhi air pollution | Former Delhi minister Kailash Gahlot joins BJP a day after quitting AAP | Manipur's unabated violence kills 1 more in Jiribam, Amit Shah schedules meeting today | Bengal: 17 arrested in clashes between two groups in Murshidabad's Beldanga over Kartik Puja pandal row | Delhi records season's worst AQI, train and flight services hit, schools shifted to online mode | Narendra Modi govt attends to people's voices: Nirmala Sitharaman replies to X user's request | Manipur violence: Civil society gives 24-hour ultimatum to govt after mob attacks N Biren Singh's home | Narendra Modi leaves for three-nation tour, focus remains on G20 Summit in Brazil

Punjab: Turbulence at the Border

Sep 15, 2024, at 01:30 pm

On August 22, 2020, Border Security Force (BSF) personnel shot dead five unidentified armed Pakistani intruders in the Tarn Taran District of Punjab. A BSF spokesperson said that after suspicious activity was noticed near the India-Pakistan International Border (IB) in the region, the troopers “cordoned the area and challenged the intruders to stop and surrender. The Pakistani armed intruders did not pay any heed to the challenge and opened fire on the BSF troops resulting in a gun-battle.” Later, the troopers recovered dead bodies of five slain intruders along with nine packets containing 9.92 kilograms heroin, an AK-47 rifle, four 9mm Beretta pistols, and some ammunition.

From Thailand to France, ISI uses the services of Pakistani crime syndicates

Sep 15, 2024, at 01:30 pm

Tucked away in a small by-lane in Changklan Road in Thailand’s northern city of Chiang Mai is a nondescript restaurant called ‘Al Hussein’ that sells the typical Indian fare of naan bread and curry.

Pandemic: China, Responsibility and Accountability

Sep 15, 2024, at 01:31 pm

Even as normal life continues to be disrupted by the spread of COVID-19, the world is slowly realizing the indelible impact the virus has had on jobs, businesses, children and social life. 

Chhattisgarh: Dantewada: Maoists' 'Homecoming'

Sep 15, 2024, at 01:31 pm

On July 14, 2020, five Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres, identified as Jagdish aka Ratan Kawasi (30), Kamlesh aka Motu Ram Poyami (22), Dinesh aka Mani Ram Alami (24), Balku Kashyap (20) and Shivnath aka Manuram Poyami (25), surrendered before the Security Forces (SFs) in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Pallava disclosed that Jagdish was a ‘squad commander’ and carried a reward of INR 300,000 on his head. He was part of a Maoist team that ambushed SFs at Jhara Ghati in the Narayanpur area of Kanker District on January 16, 2007, killing seven SF personnel. Kamlesh was a ‘local operating squad (LOS) member’ and carried a reward of INR’ 100,000 on his head. Dinesh was the ‘president’ of the ‘Kranti Jantana Sarkar’ and carried a reward of INR 100,000 on his head. Balku and Shivnath were ‘jan militia’ members.

US State Dept reiterates Pakistan’s impenitent pursuit of terror

Sep 15, 2024, at 01:32 pm

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan last week chose what ought to be a hallowed hall in the National Assembly, the lower house of Pakistan’s Parliament, to describe Al Qaeda’s slain leader Osama bin Laden as a “shaheed” or a martyr.

Road to Nowhere

Sep 15, 2024, at 01:32 pm

On June 17, 2020, at least 10 Police personnel were killed when Taliban militants aggressively attacked their checkpoints in the Shurabak District of Kandahar Province.

Assam: Interloper in Karbi Conflict

Sep 15, 2024, at 01:32 pm

On June 11, 2020, a People's Democratic Council of Karbi Longri (PDCK) militant was arrested from Therebasa in Karbi Anglong District. One pistol was retrieved from his possession.

Balochistan: Violent Retaliation

Sep 15, 2024, at 01:32 pm

On May 19, 2020, six Frontier Corps (FC) soldiers were killed when unidentified militants targeted their vehicle using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the Mach District of Balochistan on May 19, 2020. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.

DSA: Weaponizing Media Regulation

Sep 15, 2024, at 01:33 pm

On May 16, 2020, Police arrested two people from the Lamchari village of Matlab Dakkhin upazila (sub District) in Chandpur District in a case filed under the Digital Security Act (DSA). The arrestees – Sumon Biswas and Adhir Chandra Mallik – had been allegedly making derogatory comments about Islam, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Bangladesh Police on Facebook for the preceding few days.

Why Pakistan poses multifarious challenges for those seeking to curb its sponsorship of Terrorism

Sep 15, 2024, at 01:54 pm

The world has, especially in recent years, woken up enough to the threats posed by Pakistan’s sponsorship of terrorism to mount a semblance of a concerted pressure upon the country to mend its ways.

Telangana: Abiding Threat

Sep 15, 2024, at 01:54 pm

On March 21, 2020, a Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) couple, identified as Gandrakoti Mallesham alias Mallaiah alias Kiran (35), and his wife Chintha Srilatha alias Hyma (34); surrendered to the Police at Hanamkonda in Warangal District. Mallesham, a native of Intikanne village under Kesamudram Mandal (administrative sub-division), held the posts of ‘divisional committee member, DCM’ and was also in charge of the ‘central regional bureau (CRB) – communication’. He carried a reward of INR 400,000 on his head, while, Srilatha, a native of Rampur village under Kothaguda Mandal in Mahabubabad District, held the post of the ‘DCM’ of the ‘Dandakaranya Special Zone Committee (DKSZC)’. She carried a reward of INR 100,000 on her head.

Andhra Pradesh: Unfinished Task

Sep 15, 2024, at 01:54 pm

Relying to a question in the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Indian Parliament), the Government on March 18, 2020, asserted that “steadfast implementation of the National Policy and Action Plan-2015 has resulted in consistent decline in LWE [Left Wing Extremism] related violence in the country” including in Andhra Pradesh. However, the fatalities in year 2019 suggest an upward trend.

Madhya Pradesh: Low Burn

Sep 15, 2024, at 01:55 pm

On February 24, 2020, a Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadre was injured in an exchange of fire between Security Forces (SFs) and Maoists during a Forces’ combing operation in the forests of Kosam Dehi under Behla Police Station limits in the Balaghat District of Madhya Pradesh (MP). This is the only Maoist-linked incident reported in the State in 2020, thus far (data till March 8). During the corresponding period in 2019, no Maoist-linked incident was reported.

Chhattisgarh: Lingering Challenges

Sep 15, 2024, at 01:55 pm

On February 28, 2020, Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres killed Muchaki Hidma, accusing him of being a ‘police informer’ in Kolomkonta village under Tengapal Police Station limits in Sukma District. After executing the incident, the Maoists also allegedly assaulted Hidma's wife, as well as some villagers who went to save the woman.

Stalled Justice

Sep 15, 2024, at 02:27 pm

On January 23, 2020, the newly appointed office bearers of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP) took oath of office and secrecy in a programme organised at the Supreme Court in Kathmandu. Soon after, the newly sworn-in office-bearers of both the Commissions held a meeting with the Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal. Minister Dhakal urged the newly appointed members to fulfil their responsibilities in line with the essence of transitional justice and take the ongoing peace process of the country to its logical conclusion. He also assured the newly appointed members of the Government’s full support.

Tripura: Reigniting Ethnic Fires

Sep 15, 2024, at 02:28 pm

On January 16, 2019, the Union Government signed a quadripartite agreement with Tripura, Mizoram, and leaders of the Mizoram Bru Displaced Peoples Forum (MBDPF) to resolve the decades old Bru displacement crisis.After signing the agreement, it was announced that the Bru migrants (over 30,000) who had not returned to Mizoram would be settled in Tripura. The Government also announced a financial package worth INR 6 billion for settling them in Tripura.

Maoists: Explosive Assertions

Sep 15, 2024, at 02:30 pm

On December 8, 2019, two personnel of the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), a specialised unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) proficient in guerrilla tactics and jungle warfare, were injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion triggered by cadres of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) near the Piyakuli Hills of Tamar town in Ranchi District, Jharkhand.

Jharkhand : Latehar: Unexpected Losses

Sep 15, 2024, at 02:30 pm

On November 22, 2019, four Police personnel were killed in an ambush carried out by cadres of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) in an area under Chandwa Police Station limits in the Latehar District of Jharkhand. Two other Police personnel were also injured in the attack. The Maoists reportedly looted weapons from the personnel, among which were a service revolver and three rifles. The incident took place soon after ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) National working president J. P. Nadda addressed an election rally in the town. The five-phase State Assembly elections are scheduled to be held between November 30 - December 20, 2019.

Maoists: Failing Ventures

Sep 15, 2024, at 02:31 pm

In a successful operation conducted by the Security Forces (SFs) against the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist), in Kerala, SFs killed at least four Maoist cadres in two successive encounters in a forested area in Manjakkatty near Agali town under the Attappady Taluk (revenue sub-division) in the Palakkad District of Kerala on October 28-29, 2019. 

Congress party questions Sitharaman's claim on demonetisation not affecting economic growth

Sep 15, 2024, at 02:52 pm

New Delhi, July 3 (UNI) Refuting the claim made by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman that demonetisation was not the reason for the decline of Indian economy, the Congress on Wednesday said that it has negatively affected all levels of growth.

Convicted person escape from police remand in Tripura district

Sep 15, 2024, at 03:00 pm

Ambassa (Tripura), Apr 29 (UNI) An undertrial convict in police remand escaped from Ambassa police station in the subdivision of Ambassa in the northern Tripura district of Dhalai here today.

It is high time China declares Masood Azar a Global Terrorist after Pulwama Debacle

Sep 15, 2024, at 03:38 pm

On 14th February 2019, the convoy of 78 buses, in which around 2500 Central Reserve Police Forces (CRPF) personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar, came under an attack at around 03.15 pm at Ladhu Modi Lethpora, Awantipora, in Pulwama,when 40 CRPF Jawans were martyred in the suicide bomb blast on a CRPF convoy.

Odisha: Declining Threat

Sep 15, 2024, at 03:39 pm

On January 5, 2019, Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres shot dead a guard of a road construction firm at Patiamba village under Phulbani Sadar Police Station limits in Kandhamal District, suspecting him of being a ‘Police informer’. Superintendent of Police (SP), Prateek Singh disclosed that a group of 10 to 12 armed cadres of the CPI-Maoist ‘Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division’, raided the road construction camp where contractor Prasanna Kumar Swain was building the Sudrukumpa-Medikhol Road under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) scheme. The rebels barged into the camp at around 2 am, dragged out watchman Rabindra Mallick and shot him dead. They then set ablaze five vehicles, including a road roller, three tractors, and a mini truck, before fleeing. Before leaving the area, the Maoists also put up two handwritten leaflets near the site. The leaflets mentioned that the attack was in retaliation to the killing of Badal, the ‘divisional committee member, (DCM)’ with a reward of INR 500,000 on his head and four others, in the District on May 13, 2018.

Chabahar Entente

Sep 15, 2024, at 03:46 pm

Mahmoud Saikal, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the United Nations (UN), during a UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting on The Situation in Afghanistan on December 17, 2018, welcomed the United States (US) move to exempt the Chabahar Port (also known as Shahid Beheshti Port) from its sanctions on Iran. Saikal stated that “we appreciate the collaboration and flexibility of our strategic partner, the United States to work with Afghanistan, Iran and India towards exempting the port from its Sanctions".

Sukma: Deep Inroads

Sep 15, 2024, at 03:47 pm

On December 7, 2018, Security Force (SF) personnel killed an ‘area committee member’ (ACM) of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist), identified as Vijender, in an encounter at Muler village in Sukma District. Vijender carried a reward of INR 500,000 on his head.

Stalled Justice

Sep 15, 2024, at 03:47 pm

On November 21, 2018, the Conflict Victims Common Platform (CVCP), an umbrella body of 13 organizations advocating justice for war-era victims, adopted a 23-point Charter of Conflict Victims calling for meaningful participation of the victims themselves in the overall transitional justice process and related mechanisms. The CVCP adopted the charter at the end of the two-day ‘National Conference of Conflict Victims on Transitional Justice’ that concluded in Kathmandu on November 21.

Chhattisgarh: Ballots over Bullets

Sep 15, 2024, at 03:47 pm

At least 76.34 per cent voters cast their vote during the second phase of the two-phase Chhattisgarh State Assembly Elections held on held on November 20, 2018, in 72 Assembly seats spread across 19 Districts. These 19 Districts included Balrampur, Bilaspur, Dhamtari, Durg, Bemetara, Gariabandh, Jashpur, Janjgir-Champa, Kabirdham, Korba, Koriya, Mahasamund, Balod, Baloda Bazar, Mungeli, Raipur, Raigarh, Surajpur and Surguja. During the 2013 Assembly Polls, these 72 Assembly constituencies had seen a voter turnout at 78.5 per cent of registered voters.

Manipur: Festering Rivalries

Sep 15, 2024, at 03:48 pm

On October 7, 2018, a Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) militant was shot dead by suspected National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) militants at Samliangtiang village under the Khoupum Police Station of Noney District.

INDIA: J&K: Political Fiasco

Sep 15, 2024, at 03:48 pm

On October 13, 218, elections for the third of the four-phase Municipal Elections 2018, were held in 96 wards spread across the State of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The average polling percentage in this phase worked out to a sorry 16.4 per cent. Elections for the second phase on October 10, 218, held across 263 wards, recorded an average of 31.3 per cent poling. On October 10, 218, elections for the first phase were held across 321 wards, with 56.6 per cent of voters participating. The State average after the completion of the third phase of polls stands at 41.9 per cent.

AFGHANISTAN: Looming Crises

Sep 15, 2024, at 03:49 pm

On September 15, 2018, thousands of Grand National Coalition of Afghanistan (GNCA) supporters closed the provincial offices of the Independent Election Commission (IEC) in Herat, Balkh and Kandahar Provinces after the Government and the IEC failed to positively respond to their demands. On August 10, 2018, GNCA set a 10-day deadline for a response from Government to meet their demands, including the use of a biometric system for elections, a change in the election system and a transparent poll across the country. GNCA also warned that it would close the IEC offices in Nangarhar, Kunduz, Bamiyan, Panjsher, Faryab and Jawzjan Provinces, if their demands were not met.