Author: Shivali Varshney, Vidhyarthi Darpan

NATIONAL NEWS

Former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh meets Union Home Minister Amit Shah

Former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh met Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his residence in New Delhi on Wednesday, raising speculation over his future in politics. Singh arrived in the national capital on Tuesday, days after he quit as the chief minister of Punjab. The meeting assumes significance as Singh had not opened his cards but had claimed that he had not quit politics and would fight till the end. The veteran Congress leader had also launched a scathing attack on his bete noire, Navjot Singh Sidhu, who was appointed as the party’s Punjab unit president. Sidhu quit as the Punjab Congress chief on Tuesday. As regards his political future, Singh had said there were several options before him. Captain Amarinder Singh arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday, days after he quit as the chief minister of Punjab. Meanwhile, a day after he resigned as president of the Punjab Congress, Navjot Singh Sidhu on Wednesday hardened his stand, saying he will stick to his principles and continue his fight even if it means losing everything. Sidhu said that during his 17 years of political life, he had been working with a purpose to improve the life of people in Punjab and make a difference. Taking a principled stand on issue-based politics and sticking to it has been the core of his political journey, he added. Raising the Behbal Kalan police firing case of 2015, related to the Bargari sacrilege issue, which has been a political flash point in the State politics, Sidhu said people who had given a clean chit to the Badals and people who had fought for ‘blanket bail’ for the accused were today appointed to key posts such as Advocate-General. The people who were earlier talking about issues… where are they now and where are the resources through which we would have achieved our objective? asked Sidhu. The Congress party’s crisis in Punjab spiralled further on September 28, with Sidhu resigning from his post, Minister Razia Sultana quitting her post in support of him, and some other leaders too coming out in his support. Sidhu announced his resignation hours after portfolios were allocated by Channi. His suggestions on ‘choices of bureaucrats and ministers’ are believed to have been overruled by the party leadership. Also, the appointment of senior advocate A. P. S. Deol as Advocate-General was another reason for Sidhu’s decision, the close aide stated. Deol was counsel for former Director General of Police Sumedh Singh Saini, an accused in the Behbal Kalan police firing case of 2015.

 

Court’s power of contempt can’t be taken away even by legislatures, Supreme Court observes

Observing that the court’s power of contempt can’t be taken away even by a legislative enactment, the Supreme Court on September 29 held the chairperson of an NGO guilty of contempt for not depositing ₹25 lakh for scandalising and browbeating the court. We are of the view that the contemnor is clearly guilty of contempt of court and his action to scandalise the court cannot be countenanced, the top court said. A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and M.M. Sundresh said the chairperson of NGO, Suraz India Trust, Rajiv Daiya has been throwing mud at all and sundry, including the court, administrative staff and the State government. The power to punish for contempt is a constitutional power vested with this court which cannot be taken away even by a legislative enactment, the court said. The top court issued notice to Daiya and directed him to be present on October 7 for hearing of the sentence. With regard to recovery of money, the bench said it can take place as arrears of land revenue. The top court had issued contempt notice to Daiya as to why he should not be proceeded against and sentenced for his endeavour to scandalise the court. Daiya had told the bench that he did not have the resources to pay the costs imposed by the apex court and would approach the President of India with a mercy plea. The apex court was hearing an application filed by Daiya seeking recall of the apex court’s 2017 judgement by which it had imposed costs of ₹25 lakh on it for filing 64 PILs over the years without any success and repeatedly misusing the jurisdiction of the top court.

CBI probe shows violation of court ban on toxic material use in crackers: Supreme Court 

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said a preliminary enquiry by the CBI into the firecracker industry, including in Tamil Nadu, revealed rampant violation of its ban on use of toxic ingredients like Barium and its salts. In an order in March 2020, the court ordered the CBI Joint Director in Chennai to conduct a detailed probe. The CBI was directed to examine the allegations of violation of the court ban in 2018. The CBI had filed a report in a sealed cover in the court. A Bench led by Justice M.R. Shah, referring to the contents of the report, observed that a chemical analysis of the samples of finished and semi-finished firecrackers and raw materials taken from the manufacturers showed Barium content. The court stated that loose quantities of Barium were purchased from the market. Firecracker covers did not show the manufacture or expiry dates. The court discussed why the manufacturers should not be asked to show cause why contempt action should not be taken against them. Everyday there is a celebration, but you should also be mindful of the people living around you… People who have asthma, Justice Shah remarked. The court posted the case for further hearing on October 6. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court prima facie brushed aside the manufacturers’ contention that thousands of employees earned their livelihood in the industry. Justice Shah retorted that we have to balance between employment, unemployment and the right to life and health of citizens. We cannot sacrifice the lives of many for a few. Our prime focus is the right to life of innocent people. The case gained significance with the onset of the wedding season and festivals like Dussehra and Deepawali. Everyday, there is a violation in this regard… in religious processions, political rallies, Justice Shah, accompanied by Justice A.S. Bopanna on the Bench, pointed out.

 

Locked up again, this is real picture of Kashmir: Mehbooba 

Former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday accused the security forces of barring her from visiting a village in south Kashmir’s Tral. Locked up in my house today yet again for attempting to visit the village in Tral allegedly ransacked by army. This is the real picture of Kashmir that visiting dignitaries must be shown instead of GOIs (Government of India) sanitised and guided picnic tours, Mufti said. A PDP spokesman said policemen from the Ram Munshibagh Police Station locked up the main gate of Mufti’s residence and placed a mobile bunker to block it. Mufti had earlier alleged that the Army from Yagwani camp in Tral ransacked homes and ruthlessly thrashed a family on September 27. The daughter owing to her serious injuries was admitted to hospital. Not the first time that civilians from this village have been beaten up by army in this area, Mufti said. The police have not issued any statement on the move to restrict Mufti’s movement.

 

Covid Watch: Numbers and Developments 

The number of reported coronavirus cases from India stood at 3,37,20,974 with the death toll at 4,47,855. Available evidence suggests that children aged 12 and above are at a high risk of contracting COVID-19 infection and must be prioritised for vaccination compared with younger children, said experts at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). They said schools should be reopened in a phased manner (beginning with primary schools) and allowed to function safely with appropriate implementation of multi-layered mitigation measures where children’s participation was essential. An opinion piece titled Reopening of schools during COVID-19 pandemic: a persistent dilemma published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research stated that there was ample evidence to suggest that children aged between one and 17 had similar susceptibility to a mild form of SARS-CoV-2 infection as in adults. However, the risk of severe disease and mortality in children was less. Meanwhile, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) decided on September 29 that schools for all classes, except those currently allowed (Class 9 to 12), will remain shut for the moment and will be allowed to open after conclusion of upcoming festive season. According to sources present in the meeting, the DDMA concluded that the situation related to COVID-19 was good, but the guard cannot be let down. In view of the upcoming festive season, Delhi Police and district administration directed to ensure enforcement of COVID-19 protocol and take care that gatherings taking place during the festive season are strictly in compliance with the laid down standard operating procedures (SOPs).

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Taliban write to DGCA for resumption of flights by Afghan carriers 

The Taliban have written to India’s DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) requesting that Afghan carriers be allowed to resume commercial flights to the country, according to a senior government official. The letter from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan was addressed to DGCA Director General on September 7, 2021. The matter is being reviewed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the official said. Air connectivity between the two countries came to a halt after the Taliban closed the airspace over Afghanistan on August 16.

 

India, Australia sign ‘Terms of Reference’ for navy to navy talks

The Indian Navy and the Australian Navy on Wednesday signed the ‘Terms of Reference’ (ToR) for the conduct of the navy to navy talks under the framework of the ‘Joint Guidance for the India – Australia Navy to Navy Relationship’ document, signed by the two Navy Chiefs in August. This is the first such document signed by the Indian Navy with any country. The document set the navy to navy talks as the principal medium for guiding the bilateral cooperation, the Indian Navy said in a statement. The document would be pivotal in consolidating the shared commitment to promoting peace, security, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, it stated. The ToR detailed the modalities for engagement at various levels between the two navies and streamlined the process, an official source said. More such documents could be signed with countries in future, a second official source said. The document provided flexibility for the implementation of separate agreements based on the specific outcomes of the talks. The broad scope of the guidance was focused on developing mutual understanding, cooperating for regional security, collaborating in mutually beneficial activities and developing interoperability, the statement noted. The highlights of the document included close cooperation in regional and multilateral fora, including Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS), Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and expert working groups subordinate to the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus framework. The document was aligned to the ‘2020 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ agreed by the Prime Ministers and aimed to ensure shared approaches to regional and global security challenges. The inaugural navy to navy talk with Australia was held in 2005. Bilateral defence relations between India and Australia have significantly expanded over the years and they have also concluded a Mutual Logistics Support Agreement. Australia is also part of the Malabar naval exercise, which also includes Japan and the U.S. Australia has deployed a Liaison Officer at the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre for Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) as part of efforts to expand cooperation in maritime domain awareness.

NATIONAL NEWS 

Two locals killed in firing during an eviction drive in Assam’s Darrang district 

Two persons were killed and at least ten others, most of them policemen, were seriously injured on Thursday in firing by the force on protestors demanding rehabilitation of 800 families evicted by the Darrang district administration in Assam and the clash that followed between the two sides, police said. The evicted families had launched a protest at Sipajhar demanding that the eviction be stopped and that they be provided with a comprehensive rehabilitation package. Trouble broke out when a mob of protestors, who were armed with sharp weapons, started pelting stones and attacking policemen and general people present at the spot, Darrang Superintendent of Police Sushanta Biswa Sarma said. The police opened fire in self-defense, killing two persons, both civilians. This led to the two sides coming to blows in which at least ten others were injured, he said. Most of the injured were policemen and the condition of an assistant sub inspector Moniruddin was stated to be critical by doctors treating him. He has been shifted to Gauhati Medical College Hospital, he said. The dead have been identified as Saddam Hussain and Sheikh Forid, Sarma said. The situation was later brought under control and the mob dispersed. The eviction is on in Dholpur I and Dholpur III villages despite the tension in the area after the clash with the police. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said in Guwahati that there will be no stop to the ongoing eviction drive. The police has been entrusted with the responsibility of clearing the land of illegal encroachers and they will continue till the job is done. The eviction will stop when it turns dark and resume again on Friday, he added. The Darrang district administration has cleared 602.04 hectares and evicted 800 families since Monday and demolished four illegally constructed religious structures at Sipajhar, officials said. The chief minister had visited the area on June 7 and inspected the riverine areas allegedly encroached by illegal settlers near Dholpur Shiva Temple and had directed the district administration to clear the area for a community farming.

Tension continues in Chhattisgarh Congress 

As uncertainty over change of guard in Chhattisgarh continues, supporters of Health Minister T.S. Singh Deo complained of intimidation by police following an FIR against Congress secretary Pankaj Singh for allegedly manhandling a paramedic at the Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences. Deo, who has staked claim for the Chief Minister’s post as part of a 2018 arrangement of rotational tenure that he claims was agreed upon between him and Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, has been in Delhi since Monday. He has said it is a personal visit. So far, he has not met former Congress president Rahul Gandhi or any other functionary at the party headquarters, to avoid speculation of renewed efforts by him to lobby for the post. He is leaving for Raipur on Friday. Gandhi is expected to visit the State next week. He is coming on an invitation from Baghel. The tension between the two sides in the State has refused to subside. Deo’s supporters held a demonstration outside the Kotwali police station in Bilaspur on Wednesday to protest against the FIR. Singh himself has described it as an act of revenge. He claimed that he was only intervening because the hospital staff refused to conduct an MRI on a poor patient. The FIR was also filed days after the incident, the supporters claimed. The Bilaspur police booked Singh based on a CCTV footage retrieved from the hospital. Bilaspur MLA Shailesh Pandey said the action was unfortunate and it had been taken only because Singh was a supporter of Deo. This FIR is just the tip of the iceberg, the police have been told to dig up dirt on everyone who is supporting Deo. Discreet investigations are also on against Deo himself, a Congress leader close to Deo said.

Kapil Sibal demands immediate meeting of CWC, says ‘group of 23’ not ‘Jee Huzur 23’ 

With several Congress leaders quitting the party and its Punjab unit in turmoil, senior party leader Kapil Sibal on Wednesday demanded that an immediate meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) be convened and wondered who in the party was taking decisions in the absence of a full-time president. Addressing the media, he said a senior member of the ‘Group of 23’ has written to Congress President Sonia Gandhi for convening the CWC meeting immediately to discuss the party affairs and the exodus. Sibal said the grouping is not a Jee Huzur 23 and will continue to put forth the views and will continue to repeat the demands. He said the Congress needs to be strengthened as a strong opposition to take on the government and once again reiterated the demands of the group for holding elections to the post of Congress president, the CWC, and the central election committee. He expressed anguish over the developments in the party in Punjab and the recent exodus of party leaders, saying all such issues need to be discussed at a party platform.

Clearly define exemptions to govt. agencies from Data Protection Law: Parliamentary panel 

The Joint Parliamentary Committee on Data Protection has found a middle ground on the contentious clause, which in the name of sovereignty, friendly relations with foreign states and security of the state, allows any agency under the Union government exemption from all or any provisions of the law. More than ten MPs in the panel had objected to the clause, saying that it made the entire Act infructuous.  Invoking sovereignty and integrity of India, public order, friendly relations with foreign states and security of the state, the legislation gives powers to the Central government to suspend all or any of the provisions of the Act for government agencies. Sources said that the committee has largely agreed that the clause needs to be appropriately amended. The members demanded that the conditions for making the exemptions should be clearly laid down without leaving scope for interpretation. No other details of how it will be worded to avoid a possible abuse were forthcoming. In a day-long meeting on Wednesday, the committee deliberated on close to 55 clauses and is nearly half-way through the Bill. The report on the Bill is long overdue. The Bill that seeks to provide protection of personal data of individuals was introduced in the Lok Sabha in December 2019 and soon after referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee. It got its fifth extension in the monsoon session of Parliament in July this year and has now been asked to submit the report by the winter session, which is expected to be called in the third week of November.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

China displays new drones, jets.

Country stages its biggest airshow in Zhuhai. China on Tuesday showed off its increasingly sophisticated air power including surveillance drones, with an eye on disputed territories from Taiwan to the South China Sea and its rivalry with the United States. The country’s biggest airshow, in the southern coastal city of Zhuhai, comes as Beijing pushes to meet a 2035 deadline to retool its military for modern warfare. China still lags behind the United States in terms of tech and investment in its war machine, but experts say it is narrowing the gap. On Tuesday, the air force aerobatic team left colourful vapour trails as it manoeuvred in formation, while visitors inspected new jets, drones and attack helicopters on the tarmac. The CH-6, a prototype drone with a wingspan of 20.5 metres, was among the domestic tech unveiled. It is designed for surveillance and can also carry weapons for strike missions, according to open-source intelligence agency Janes. Other debutants included the WZ-7 high-altitude drone for border reconnaissance and maritime patrol as well as the J-16D fighter that has the ability to jam electronic equipment. The Zhuhai airshow, usually held every two years, was postponed from last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is being staged before a largely domestic audience due to travel restrictions.

Pakistan exploring expansion of CPEC to Afghanistan: envoy

Pakistan has discussed Taliban-led Afghanistan joining the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) infrastructure project, the Pakistani Ambassador to the country said on Monday. Regional connectivity is an important element of our discussion with the Afghan leadership and our way forward for our economic interaction with Afghanistan, said Mansoor Ahmad Khan, Pakistan’s envoy to Kabul, in an interview with Reuters. This important project — China Pakistan Economic Corridor provides good opportunities, good potential for providing infrastructure and energy connectivity between Afghanistan and Pakistan [and] also connecting South Asia to the Central Asian region. CPEC is a central part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), under which Beijing has pledged over $60 billion for infrastructure projects in Pakistan, much of it in the form of loans. Mr. Khan said discussions had been held with the Taliban-led administration on this and other ways to develop the country’s economy. There has been deep interest in terms of developing the economic connectivity of Afghanistan with Pakistan through CPEC and with other neighbouring countries, including Iran, China and Central Asian countries. In recent days, representatives from Pakistan, China and Russia have held meetings with the Taliban officials. Mr. Khan said security and economic development were the two main topics under discussion. 

 

NATIONAL NEWS

Bharat bandh sees mass rallies, shutdowns

The Bharat Bandh call given by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha today to protest three contentious farm laws passed by the Government, led to mass rallies, shut down of markets and institutions exactly a year after the President gave his assent. The SKM, a platform of farm unions which joined hands to protest the contentious laws, whose members marched to the borders of Delhi in the tens of thousands 10 months ago to demand that the three laws be repealed. Their call for a Bharat Bandh between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Monday was supported by major political parties including the Congress, the Left, Akali Dal, YSR Congress, Trinamool, Aam Aadmi Party, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Trade unions and transport unions also backed the bandh in some parts of the country, though some declined to shut. In Kerala, the bandh was complete in most parts of the State with a full shutdown of normal life. There was a more lukewarm response in Karnataka, with some protesters detained in Bengaluru. Heavy rain in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh dampened protest activities, but the farmers’ cause was supported by most political parties, including the ruling YSRCP in AP, which suspended the State bus services and declared a school holiday. Farmer bodies staged protests in parts of Tamil Nadu as well. Markets were shut and public transport stayed off the roads in Odisha and Jharkhand. The RJD and the Congress workers blocked roads and rail tracks in parts of Bihar. Rallies were held in parts of Rajasthan, with train services affected in border districts. There was little impact on normal life in Mumbai, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Assam or Arunachal Pradesh. Vehicular movement was disrupted on national and State highways in most parts of Punjab and Haryana, with hardly any public transport, buses or taxis seen on the roads. Shops and commercial establishments were closed in many parts of the two States which make up the largest mass of the protesting unions, though the situation was normal in their joint capital Chandigarh. Train tracks were blocked at more than 20 locations in the northern zone, with the Railways saying at least 25 trains were affected in the morning. There were also reports of train tracks being blocked at some locations in Bihar and West Bengal. In the national capital, there were massive traffic snarls at Gurugram and Ghazipur as Delhi’s borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh saw heavy security due to the farmers protests as the Delhi police instituted intensive checks of vehicles entering the city.

Accessing healthcare, only a click away

With the promise of healthcare only a click away, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission to provide a digital health ID to people which will contain their health records. The pilot project of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission had been announced by the prime minister from the ramparts of the Red Fort on August 15, 2020. Currently, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is being implemented in a pilot phase in six union territories. Based on the foundations laid down in the form of Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and Mobile (JAM) trinity and other digital initiatives of the government, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission will create a seamless online platform through the provision of a wide range of data, information and infrastructure services, duly leveraging open, interoperable, standards-based digital systems while ensuring the security, confidentiality and privacy of health-related personal information, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). It will enable access and exchange of longitudinal health records of citizens with their consent, the PMO said. The key components of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission include a health ID for every citizen that will also work as their health account, to which personal health records can be linked and viewed with the help of a mobile application, a Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR) and Healthcare Facilities Registries (HFR) that will act as a repository of all healthcare providers across both modern and traditional systems of medicine. This will ensure ease of doing business for doctors and hospitals and healthcare service providers. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission Sandbox, created as a part of the mission, will act as a framework for technology and product testing that will help organisations, including private players, intending to be a part of the National Digital Health Ecosystem become a health information provider or a health information user or efficiently link with building blocks of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, the PMO said. This mission will create interoperability within the digital health ecosystem, similar to the role played by the Unified Payments Interface in revolutionising payments, it said.

Former Goa CM likely to join TMC

Amidst speculation that Luizinho Faleiro might join the Trimanool Congress, the former Goa Chief Minister and Congress leader resigned as member of the State Legislative Assembly on Monday, bringing the party’s strength in the 40-member Assembly to four. Minutes before resigning, Faleiro praised West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC head Mamata Banerjee and said the country needs a leader like her to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Faleiro, who represented the Navelim Assembly seat and was recently made the Goa Congress’s campaign committee chief in the wake of the state polls due next year, submitted his resignation to Assembly Speaker Rajesh Patnekar. The Congress had won 17 seats in the 2017 state Assembly elections, but later a number of MLAs resigned from the party. In July 2019, 10 MLAs quit the party and joined the ruling BJP.  Mamata is the one who has given a fight to Narendra Modi and his juggernaut, he said. He further said the Mamata formula has won in West Bengal. She has been able to stand up…she is a street-fighter…, the 70-year-old leader said. We need such fighters who have the same wavelength, ideology, principles and programmes. The country needs a leader like Mamata, he said. I am a Congressman, I would like larger picture of all the Congress parties (which have split from the Congress) to come together and fight the next parliamentary election. I would do everything to achieve this dream. It is definitely my dream, he said. Meanwhile, TMC leader Derek O’Brien told PTI on Saturday in Goa that the party will be contesting the upcoming Assembly polls and they were in touch with several local leaders. The party will be announcing its chief ministerial candidate soon.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Merkel loses; to stay till road ahead clears

The center-left Social Democrats in Germany’s national elections defeated outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel’s center-right Union bloc in a closely fought race. Election officials said that a count of all 299 constituencies showed that the Social Democrats won 25.9% of the vote, ahead of 24.1% for the Union bloc. But Merkel, who was the chancellor for 16 years will stay at the helm till the way forward becomes clear as the results so far indicate nothing about who is going to succeed her or what the next government is going to look like. The environmentalist Greens came third with 14.8% followed by the pro-business Free Democrats with 11.5%. The two parties have already signaled that they are willing to discuss forging a three-way alliance with either of their two bigger rivals to form a government. The far-right Alternative for Germany came fourth with 10.3%, while the Left party took 4.9%. The party, known by its German acronym AfD, failed to get its core issue — migration — onto the campaign agenda this year. Germany’s Left party has scraped into Parliament, despite failing to meet the required 5% threshold. The Left, which is partly rooted in the communist party that ruled East Germany for decades, managed to win three constituencies outright in the September 26 election. Had it failed to win those constituencies it would have been kicked out of the Bundestag, as it is currently projected to receive only 4.8% of the vote. Another party, the South Schleswig Voters’ Association, looks set to win its first seat in Parliament since 1949, German public broadcaster ARD reports. Election officials said that the party is exempt from the 5% rule because it represents a national minority group, the Danes in northern Germany. Voters in the German capital have backed a proposal for the Berlin regional government to take over nearly 2,50,000 apartments worth billions from corporate owners to curb rising rents. A nearly complete count of the September 26 referendum showed 56.4% of voters in favor of the measure, and 39% opposed. Both the Social Democrats and the Greens made gains in the elections, but the Greens had hoped for better results. Projections from public television, based on exit polls and early vote counting, put voters’ support at around 26% for the Social Democrats and about 14% for the Greens. Social Democrats supporters waved the party’s red flags, broke into chants and burst into long party candidate Olaf Scholz walked onto the stage at the party’s headquarters in Berlin. Scholz thanked the crowd, voters and campaigners across the country. saying on September 26 that the party managed to pick up vote in three separate elections — nationally, in Berlin and in the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania State elections. Michael Mueller, the outgoing mayor of Berlin who ran for a seat in the country’s national Parliament, said as he stood in the crowd: I couldn’t be happier tonight.

UK warship makes first Taiwan Strait transit since 2008

Britain sent a warship through the Taiwan Strait on Monday for the first time since 2008, a move that challenges Beijing’s claim to the sensitive waterway and marks a rare voyage by a non-US military vessel. HMS Richmond, a frigate deployed with Britain’s aircraft carrier strike group, sailed through the strait on a trip from Japan to Vietnam, Britain’s defence ministry said. Wherever the Royal Navy operate, they do so in full compliance with international law, the ministry said in a statement. The UK has a range of enduring security interests in the Indo-Pacific and many important bilateral defence relationships, this deployment is a sign of our commitment to regional security, it added. Britain said it was the first time one of its warships had travelled through the narrow waterway separating Taiwan and mainland China since 2008, when HMS Kent made the voyage. US warships regularly conduct freedom of navigation exercises in the strait and trigger angry responses from Beijing, which claims Taiwan and surrounding waters — and almost all of the South China Sea. The US and most other countries view those areas as international waters that should be open to all vessels. China’s initial response to the British warship’s passage was muted on Monday. We hope the relevant countries can do more to build mutual trust between countries and uphold peace and security in the region, foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters. Until recently, Washington was the main global power willing to sail through the Taiwan Strait. But a growing number of US allies have transited the route as Beijing intensifies its military threats towards Taiwan and solidifies its control over the disputed South China Sea. Canadian, French and Australian warships have all made voyages through the Taiwan Strait in recent years, sparking protests from China. A Royal Navy survey ship, HMS Enterprise, transited through the strait in 2019 but it was not a warship. Taiwan’s defence minister Chiu Kuo-cheng confirmed to reporters that a foreign vessel had sailed through the waterway but did not state which country it was from. Taiwan’s 23 million people live under constant threat of invasion by authoritarian China, which has vowed to seize the island one day — by force if necessary. Beijing has stepped up military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan since the election of President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016, who views the island as already independent. Last year, Chinese military jets made a record 380 incursions into Taiwan’s defence zone, and the number of incursions for the first eight months of this year has already exceeded 400.

NATIONAL NEWS

Diversity is the identity of our strong democracy, says Modi at U.N. General Assembly

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that he represents a country which is proud to be known as the mother of democracy and said , democracy can deliver, newswire PTI reported. Modi said: We have had a great tradition of democracy that goes back to thousands of years. I represent a country that is proud to be known as the mother of democracy. On 15th of August this year, India entered into the 75th year of its independence, he said. The Prime Minister said the strength of India’s democracy is in its diversity. It is a country that has dozens of languages, hundreds of dialects, different lifestyles and cuisines. This is the best example of a vibrant democracy, the Prime Minister said. I will soon have spent 20 years serving my countrymen as head of government. First, as the longest serving Chief Minister of Gujarat and then as the Prime Minister for the last seven years, Mr. Modi said, adding that democracy has delivered. Modi said that countries with regressive thinking that are using terrorism as a political tool must understand that it is an equally big threat for them also, in a veiled attack on Pakistan which is often accused by its neighbours of providing safe havens to terrorists. Prime Minister also said that in order to strengthen the rules-based world order, the international community must speak in unison, in an apparent reference to China which is flexing its military muscles in the Indo-Pacific. Noting that the world is facing an increased threat of regressive thinking and extremism,  Modi said countries that are using terrorism as a political tool have to understand that terrorism is an equally big threat to them. It is absolutely essential to ensure that Afghanistan’s territory is not used to spread terrorism and for terrorist activities, he said. We also need to ensure that no country tries to take advantage of the delicate situation in Afghanistan and use it for its own selfish interests. Pakistan’s neighbours, including Afghanistan and India, and the U.S. have long accused Islamabad of providing safe haven and support to militants, a charge denied by it. Modi said that oceans are also a shared heritage. Our oceans are also the lifeline of international trade. We must protect them from the race for expansion. The international community must speak in one voice to strengthen a rule-based world order, he added.

Cyclone Gulab to make landfall on Sunday evening

The Odisha government has sounded a warning for Cyclone Gulab, which is expected to cross the coast between its southern districts and north Andhra Pradesh at 75-85 kmph wind speed on September 26 evening. Though the wind speed predicted for the cyclonic storm may not prove much destructive, the associated heavy rain is likely to cause landslide and flood situation in some of southern districts. Director-General of India Meteorological Department (IMD) Mrutyunjay Mohapatra informed the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) meeting Chaired by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba that the cyclone would mostly likely affect Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Vishakhapatnam districts of in Andhra Pradesh and Ganjam and Gajapati of Odisha. The deep depression over northwest and adjoining west central Bay of Bengal moved nearly westwards with a speed of 7 kmph in last 6 hours, intensified into Cyclonic Storm ‘Gulab’ (pronounced as Gul-Aab) and lay centered over northwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal, about 370 km east-southeast of Gopalpur (Odisha) and 440 km east of Kalingapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), says an IMD Bulletin. The system is likely to move nearly westwards and cross north Andhra Pradesh – south Odisha coasts between Kalingapatnam and Gopalpur around evening of September 26 (Sunday), it said. As many as 42 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force, 24 National Disaster Response Force and about 100 fire service teams have been instructed to move immediately towards southern districts, Mr. Jena said. Back in 2018, Cyclone Titli, which had hit the same region of Odisha, had left many people dead in the subsequent heavy flooding and landslides. This time, seven districts Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Rayagada and Kandhamal have been asked to stay alert. The Odisha government is also keeping a close watch on flood situation in rivers such as Rushikulya, Vansadhara and Nagabaali flowing in southern districts.

Congress to join Bharat Bandh on Monday

The Congress has decided to lend more than its arm to the ongoing farmer’s protest which has been going on for the last one year. The party will  join the September 27 Bharat Bandh called by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha to mark the first anniversary of passing of the three controversial farm laws in Parliament, the party announced on Saturday. Party spokesperson Gourav Vallabh said the Narendra Modi government has systematically assaulted the agriculture sector in past seven years. At the very onset in 2014, the Modi government came up with the Land Acquisition Ordinance to usurp farm lands in the name of strategic sectors but the government had to drop this bill, he said. In 2015,  Vallabh said, the government in an affidavit to the Supreme Court submitted that the markets will get distorted if MSP is decided according to the formula laid down by the Swaminathan Commission. Meanwhile, the government found a way to divert the agri-budget to private insurance companies by bringing in PM Kisan Bima Yojana, Vallabh alleged. It was the Modi government, which for the first time imposed a tax on the major farm implements, tractors, pesticides and seeds, the Congress spokesperson said. As per one study, in the last seven years, per hectare cost of farming has increased by ₹25,000 because of the indirect taxes imposed on agriculture, he added. The Modi government had promised to double farm incomes by February 2022 but today, the farmer’s income has hit an all-time low, he added. Quoting government data, Vallabh said that in 2012-13 on an average each farmer had a debt of ₹47,000. By 2018-19 this has increased to ₹74,000. The Modi government is responsible for all round ruin of the farm sector. And now they are turning a blind eye towards the farmers who have protesting for nine months braving the elements at the Delhi border. 600 farmers have died in this agitation but the government still insists on not talking about the farm laws,  Vallabh added. The Congress supports the demand of the farmers asking for withdrawal of the laws and giving MSP legal backing, he said. I am surprised why Prime Minister Modi is opposed to Chief Minister Modi? During UPA-2 then Gujarat Chief Minister demanded that the MSP should be made part of the law, Vallabh pointed out.

RJD demands caste census

Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav has written to 33 senior political leaders to press the demand for a caste census. Led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar whose party JD(U) has been a ruling ally of BJP, the Opposition party leaders in Bihar, had earlier met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to put forth their demand for caste based census. The demand for caste based census needs to be seen as an essential step in nation building. The caste census once conducted would actually bring to the forefront the pressing concerns that a country like India must attend to with a sense of urgency. This is a historic opportunity before us to push for an agenda that is essential for making this country more just and egalitarian. It would play a pivotal role in ensuring social harmony and social cohesion, Mr. Yadav wrote in letter to the leaders.  Yadav’s letter is addressed to  Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, National Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi, Lok Janshakti Party leader Chirag Paswan, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, Bahujan Samajwadi Party supremo Mayawati, Orissa CM Naveen Patnaik, CPI leader D Raja, CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury, formerJ&K CM Farooq Abdullah, Tamil Nadu CM and DMK leader M.K.Stalin, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam and others. I’m sure you will agree with me that we need to join our hands and push the government of the day to see this absolutely crucial need to set the priorities of the socio-economic development of our country. I am open to suggestions and inputs from you so that we immediately prepare our plan of action in this regard without any further delay, Yadav wrote in the letter conclusively. Earlier on September 24, he had said that he would wait for Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar’s response on Central government’s decision that conducting caste based census would not be feasible in the country.  Yadav’s father and the Rashtriya Janata Dal chief, Lalu Prasad  too had wondered why the BJP/RSS had so much hatred against backward class people. Yadav had also called for boycott of BJP ministers sand party MPs belonging to Other and Extremely Backward Class.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

First in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit begins in Washington

The much-anticipated first in-person meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (or Quad, of India, the United States, Australia and Japan), began on Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is participating in the Quad leaders meeting along with leaders of the US, Japan, and Australia in Washington. US President Joe Biden is hosting all the leaders at the White House. According to sources and official announcements, today’s summit will touch upon a variety of subjects like 5G technology, climate change, critical infrastructure, supply chains and regional security. Earlier today, PM Modi and US President Biden held their first bilateral meeting since the latter assumed office and discussed bilateral relations including trade, COVID-19, climate challenges, and stability in the Indo-Pacific. PM Modi, who met Biden at the White House, said in his opening remarks that the bilateral summit was important and seeds have been sown for an even stronger friendship between India and the US. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said PM Modi and Biden, along with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and their Japanese counterpart Yoshihide Suga will review the Quad Vaccine initiative which was announced in March this year, as part of their ongoing efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. The leaders will review progress made since their first virtual summit on March 12, 2021, and discuss regional issues of shared interest. They will also exchange views on contemporary global issues such as critical and emerging technologies, connectivity and infrastructure, cyber security, maritime security, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, climate change, and education. The Summit on Friday would provide a valuable opportunity for dialogue and interactions among the leaders, anchored in their shared vision of ensuring a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. A US official has said that hosting the Quad fundamentally is a demonstration of the priority of engaging in the Indo-Pacific, including through new multilateral configurations designed to focus on 21st-century challenges. On Thursday, PM Modi met his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison, US Vice President Kamala Harris, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and held meetings with five global CEOs for potential investment in India. Earlier in March, the first-ever Quad virtual summit had stressed a free, open, and rule-based Indo-Pacific region that is anchored by democratic values, and unconstrained by coercion. Prime Minister Modi arrived in Washington on Wednesday for his much-touted US visit. PM Modi is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, and senior officials.

 

PM Modi concludes US visit; brings home 157 artefacts, antiquities

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday left for India after concluding his visit to the US during which the prime minister said he had productive bilateral and multilateral engagements and expressed confidence that the India-US relationship will grow even stronger in the years to come. During his three-day visit, Prime Minister Modi addressed the 76th session of the United Nations Security Council, attended the first in-person Quad summit and held bilateral and multilateral engagements, including with US President Biden, US Vice President Harris and his counterparts from Australia Scott Morrison and from Japan Yoshihide Suga. PM Narendra Modi also brought home 157 artefacts and antiquities, which were handed over to India by the US during his visit, with both he and President Joe Biden expressing commitment to strengthening efforts to combat theft, illicit trade and trafficking of cultural objects. While nearly half of the artefacts (71) are cultural, the other half consists of figurines related to Hinduism (60), Buddhism (16) and Jainism (9), an official statement said on Saturday. Modi conveyed his deep appreciation for the repatriation of antiquities to India by the United States. The list of 157 artefacts includes a diverse set of items ranging from the one-and-a-half metre bas relief panel of Revanta in sandstone of the 10th CE to the 8.5 cm tall, exquisite bronze Nataraja from the 12th CE. This continues the efforts by the Modi government to bring back India’s antiquities and artefacts from across the world, it said. Government sources said that only 13 antiquities were retrieved by India from different countries between 1976 and 2013. However, between 2014, when Modi came to power, and 2021, over 200 antiquities have either returned or are in the process of being returned, they added. Between 2004 and 2014, only one ancient antiquity returned to India, the sources said. The Modi government has brought back more ancient Indian treasures than the four decades before it, they claimed. Referring to the items handed over to India by the US during Modi’s ongoing trip, the official statement said they largely belong to the period of 11th CE to 14th CE as well as historic antiquities such as the copper anthropomorphic object of 2000 BC or the terracotta vase from the 2nd CE. Some 45 antiquities belong to Before Common Era, it said. Their make spreads across metal, stone and terracotta, the statement said. The bronze collection primarily contains ornate figurines of the well-known postures of Lakshmi Narayana, Buddha, Vishnu, Siva Parvathi and the 24 Jain Tirthankaras and the less common Kankalamurti, Brahmi and Nandikesa besides other unnamed deities and divine figures. The statement noted that the motifs include religious sculptures from Hinduism– three-headed Brahma, chariot driving Surya, Vishnu and his consorts, Siva as Dakshinamurti and dancing Ganesha among others, Buddhism– standing Buddha, Boddhisattva Majushri, Tara, and Jainism– Jain Tirthankara, Padmasana Tirthankara, Jaina Choubisi, as well as secular motifs, including amorphous couple in Samabhanga and chowri-bearer female playing the drum among others. There are 56 terracotta pieces and an 18th CE sword with a sheath with an inscription mentioning Guru Hargovind Singh in Persian, it added.

NATIONAL NEWS

Gunmen dressed as lawyers kill gangster inside Delhi Rohini court, 2 attackers dead in police action 

Delhi gangster Jitendra Gogi was shot dead on Friday in broad daylight shootout in Delhi’s Rohini court today. The assailants came dressed as lawyers and shot the gangster along with 3 others, PTI reported. Two assailants in the uniform of advocates fired upon Gogi in court, following which police also opened fire, said Rohini DCP Pranav Tayal. Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana informed that the killers belonged to the ‘Tillu Gang’ and were neutralized by the Delhi Police. He, however, denied the instance being that of a gang war. Jitendra Gogi was arrested earlier back in April under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) by Delhi Police’s Special Cell. There are 19 cases of murder and attempted murder, besides dozens of extortions, dacoities, car jackings and robberies against him. The war between Jitender Alipuria, who goes by the name Gogi, and Sunil Tajpuria alias Tillu is a long-standing one which has resulted in murders of multiple members of both the gangs. The police is still verifying the names of the shooters. 

Gujarat drug seizure case likely to go to NIA 

The Central government may enlist the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for undertaking a comprehensive probe into the country’s largest drug seizure by the Department of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at Mundra Port in Gujarat. The DRI recently seized almost 3,000 kg of heroin that was originally shipped from Afghanistan and its market value is pegged at around ₹21,000 crore. After the seizure, the probe was widened to Andhra Pradesh, as one Vijaywada-based couple had imported the consignment; Tamil Nadu; Gujarat and other places. The seizure is said to be one of the largest seizures in the world. Now, The Hindu has reliably learnt that the Centre is contemplating roping in the NIA to probe the case, as terror forces from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran are involved in the smuggling of banned substances in the country. It will probably go to the NIA, a senior official told The Hindu, adding that only a federal agency could probe the case since it involved multiple States and also stakeholders. Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said it would also join the probe and lodge a case of money-laundering in the matter. Both the DRI and the ED are the Finance Ministry wings, while the NIA functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Gujarat’s Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS), which has been actively busting the drug mafias who try to smuggle in the drugs via the sea route off Gujarat coast, has also begun collecting details of the seizure at the Mundra Port and people involved in its import and arranging its logistics. Meanwhile, when contacted, officials at Adani Group, which operates the Mundra Port, stated that their role was limited to port operations and they were not empowered to inspect or check the cargo that was shipped or arrive at the port terminal. Secondly, the terminal where the cargo landed at the port was also not operated by the Adani Group, which has leased out terminals to other private players. The law empowers the Government of India’s competent authorities such as the Customs and the DRI to open, examine and seize unlawful cargo. No port operator across the country can examine a container. Their role is limited to running the port, the group said in a statement. In the last few years, the Gujarat coast has emerged as the preferred route for drug-smuggling as the ATS and Indian Coast Guard have intercepted Pakistani and Iranian boats loaded with contraband drugs.

Shubham Kumar tops, 761 candidates clear civil services exam, says UPSC 

A total of 761 candidates have cleared the coveted civil services examination 2020, with engineering graduates Shubham Kumar and Jagrati Awasthi bagging the first and second ranks respectively. The Union Public Service Commission on Friday declared the results of the examination, conducted annually to select IAS, IFS and IPS officers, among other civil servants. Kumar, a Bachelor of Technology (civil engineering) graduate from IIT Bombay, has qualified the examination with anthropology as his optional subject. Awasthi is the topper among women candidates, according to a statement issued by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Awasthi qualified the examination with sociology as her optional subject. She completed B.Tech (electrical engineering) from Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal. Ankita Jain has achieved the third rank in the prestigious test. A total of 761 candidates — 545 men and 216 women — have cleared the examination and been recommended for various civil services by the Commission. The civil services examination is conducted by the UPSC in three stages — preliminary, main and interview — to select officers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS), among others. The civil services (preliminary) examination, 2020 was conducted on October 4 last year. As many as 10,40,060 candidates applied for the examination, out of whom 4,82,770 appeared in it, the statement said. A total of 10,564 candidates qualified for appearance in the written (main) examination which was held in January, 2021. Of them, 2,053 candidates qualified for the personality test (interview), it said. The 761 recommended candidates include 25 persons with benchmark disability — seven orthopedically handicapped, four visually challenged, 10 hearing impaired and four multiple disabilities. Of the successful candidates, 263 are of general category, 86 from economic weaker section (EWS), 220 of Other Backward Class (OBC), 122 Scheduled Castes (SC) and 61 belong to Scheduled Tribes category. The UPSC said that the top 25 candidates comprise 13 men and 12 women. The educational qualifications of top 25 successful candidates range from graduation in engineering, humanities, commerce and medical science from premier institutions of the country such as IIT, NIT, BITS, NSUT, DTU, JIPMER, University of Mumbai and Delhi University, the statement said. A total of 150 candidates have been put in the reserve list. The examination was conducted to fill 836 posts of different civil services.

BJP stand on caste census puts JD(U) in tight spot

The Narendra Modi government’s submission in the Supreme Court (SC) on the caste census not being feasible has put key NDA ally Janata Dal (United) in a difficult position. This is the first time that the Narendra Modi government has spoken on their stand on the caste census. We are sad and angry that the government has decided to take a stand in the Supreme Court without consulting the allies, JD(U) Secretary General K C Tyagi said. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, a strident advocate of caste census, has argued that enumeration of the backward castes is key for effective implementation of welfare programmes. He has so far maintained studied silence on government’s affidavit in SC.  The JD(U) has been leading the march, but the baton could easily slip from their hands to the opposition parties. On July 31, the party’s national executive passed a resolution in favour of the caste census and on August 23, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar led a delegation of all floor leaders in Bihar assembly to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Their political opponent in Bihar, the RJD, sources said, will use the government affidavit to corner both the BJP and the JD(U). The government’s stand also gives a window to the Samajwadi Party, who are desperately looking to make inroads into the OBC vote bank ahead of the Uttar Pradesh polls. Senior RJD leader and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj K Jha said the government’s affidavit clearly exposes the government’s reluctance to respect the sentiments of people. This affidavit from the government is based on a false narrative. A narrative that is brazenly denying the people’s right to know the critical reality in terms of the socio-economic data. It is not a political question. People of the country must know in the 75th year of our independence how many of us are genuinely free, Jha said. A more belligerent stand by the JD(U) on the subject could cast a shadow on their ties with the BJP. Tyagi, however, pointed out that BJP leaders themselves have spoken in favour of the caste census, including BJP MP from Badaun, Sanghamitra Maurya, who spoke in support of the backward headcount in Parliament during the Monsoon Session. The Congress also criticised the government’s affidavit, saying that it exposes the Modi-government’s insensitivity towards the backward classes.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Must defend democratic principles and institutions, says Kamal Harris on occasion of first in-person meeting with PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President Kamala Harris had bilateral talks on September 23, 2021. Modi was received at the 150-year-old Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which houses the Vice President’s ceremonial office. The meeting started with comments at the top, with the press in the room. Harris spoke first, and Modi next, with interpreters translating between English and Hindi. During her opening remarks, Harris said it was imperative for India and the U.S. to strengthen democracy within their respective countries, defend democratic principles and institutions. Finally, as democracies around the world are under threat, it is imperative that we defend democratic principles and institutions within our respective countries and around the world and that we maintain what we must do to strengthen democracies at home, Harris said. And it is incumbent on our nations to, of course, protect democracies in the best interest of the people of our countries, she said making a reference to her own family’s experience. I know from personal experience and from my family of the commitment of the Indian people to democracy and to freedom and to the work that may be done and can be done to imagine and then actually achieve our vision for democratic principles and institutions, Harris said. After their meeting, Modi and Harris could be seen talking briefly on the balcony, while the delegates waited inside. A small group of protestors had gathered earlier in front of the White House on Lafayette Square. Some of the protestors, part of a group called ‘Coalition to Stop Genocide in India’,  waived the Indian flag and carried banners with #HumansAgainstHindutva written on it. At the Willard hotel, where Modi was staying, another handful of people – this time supporters – could be seen in the public areas , some of them in formal wear, asking how they could catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister. Media access to the Prime Minister has been a challenge. While The Hindu managed to access the remarks at the start of the Modi-Harris bilateral, it was told it did not have a place and only state run media (and at least one specific private media agency) were given spots from the Indian side. In his remarks, Modi spoke about the warmth of Harris’s message in a phone call earlier this year when India was facing its second pandemic wave. Excellency, some months ago, we had an opportunity to talk to each other on the phone. We had a detailed discussion at that time. And the way you spoke to me so warmly and so naturally, I will always remember that. Thank you so much, Modi said, calling Harris a true friend and acknowledging the help of the U.S. government, its private sector, and the Indian diaspora.

 

Pakistan, China Conduct First Ever Joint Anti-Terrorism Exercise Under SCO

The closing ceremony of the Joint Anti-Terrorist Exercise (JATE) – 2021 was held at National Counter Terrorism Centre, Pabbi, in the northwestern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, the Pakistan Army said in a statement. The first-ever anti-terror exercise conducted in Pakistan under the ambit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) concluded on Monday with the participation of troops from China and Pakistan sharing their experiences to counter evolving threats. The closing ceremony of the Joint Anti-Terrorist Exercise (JATE) – 2021 was held at National Counter Terrorism Centre, Pabbi, in the northwestern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, the Pakistan Army said in a statement. The exercise focused on enhancing cooperation and cohesiveness in combating international terrorism, the statement said. Troops from China and Pakistan participated in the exercise and shared their experiences of capacity building and innovative approaches on emerging technologies being used to counter the evolving threats. The two-week exercise had started on September 21, which was its second phase. In the first stage, the training part of the exercise was conducted in respective SCO member countries from July 26-31. During the two-week-long training, participating troops from China and Pakistan extensively practised various drills as part of the Joint Counter-Terrorism Operations from planning to conduct, the army said. The exercise included cordon and search, compound clearance, close quarter battle, rappelling from a helicopter, explosive handling and medical evacuation. RATS, headquartered in Tashkent, is a permanent organ of the SCO which serves to promote the cooperation of member states against terrorism, separatism and extremism. The SCO is an economic and security bloc in which India and Pakistan were admitted as full members in 2017.

NATIONAL NEWS 

Pegasus case | Supreme Court panel may look into allegations

Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana on Thursday indicated the Supreme Court’s intention to form a committee to examine allegations that the government used Israeli-based Pegasus software to spy on citizens. The revelation came when the Chief Justice informed senior advocate C.U. Singh, who represented one of the petitioners in the Pegasus case, that the court wanted to pass orders in the case this week but could not because some of the members it had shortlisted for the committee were unavailable due to personal reasons. Chief Justice Ramana said the court would now pass orders in the Pegasus case sometime next week. We wanted to pass the order this week, but some of the members we thought of in the committee said they would be not be able to for personal reasons. We will pass the order next week sometime, Chief Justice Ramana addressed Singh. The CJI asked Singh to inform the other lawyers in the case. While reserving the case for interim order on September 13, the court had mentioned it would be pronounced in the next two or three days. The court had decided to go ahead with an interim order after the government expressed reservations about filing a detailed affidavit responding to the allegations. The Centre had said it would be public and compromise national security. The petitioners had asked for an affidavit from the Cabinet Secretary or for the court to form a committee led by a sitting judge to probe the snooping controversy. A Bench of Chief Justice Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli made it clear on September 13 that there would be no more beating around the bush in the issue. The CJI had said the court had given the government a fair opportunity to file a detailed affidavit in order to get a clear idea of its stand in the Pegasus case. We thought the government would file a counter-affidavit now we will pass our interim orders, Chief Justice Ramana had remarked. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for senior journalists N. Ram and Sashi Kumar, had found the government’s refusal to file a detailed affidavit unbelievable.

Large grazing area lost to growing Chinese presence in eastern Ladakh 

Villagers have lost access to a vast grazing area near Gogra in eastern Ladakh owing to growing Chinese presence in the area, Konchok Stanzin, a councillor from Chushul has claimed. Gogra is one of the several friction points in eastern Ladakh where Indian and Chinese troops have been engaged in a stand-off since April-May 2020. The troops have disengaged from the north and south banks of the Pangong Tso and Gogra sector, creating no zones in areas along the undemarcated Line of Actual Control (LAC) that was regularly patrolled by Indian troops pre-April 2020. Stanzin told The Hindu that the Army has stopped the villagers’ access to the Kiu La pass that was till a few years ago frequented by the villagers of Lukung, Phobrang and Yourgo for cattle-grazing. A group of villagers marched to the Kiu La pass a few days ago but they were denied access by the Army. There used to be a bunker on the upper reaches, but it is no longer there. We fear that the Chinese are nibbling away at our territory. This was never a disputed area, Stanzin said. He added that the area does not have a phone or Internet connectivity and the villagers had decided to go there on their own initiative. Since April 2020, Chinese troops have blocked Indian troops from reaching at least 10 patrolling points (PPs) in eastern Ladakh — running from Depsang plains in the north to the Pangong Tso lake in the south. In all, there are more than 65 PPs from the base of the Karakoram to Chumar. Stanzin said that China has constructed permanent structures and roads close to the LAC while the Indian side could only boast of a few roads. There is no mobile connectivity in border areas and despite repeated pleas, the administration has not acted. It is frustrating. They fix the phone lines for a few hours whenever a VIP arrives here. It’s back to square one once they leave, he said. On April 2, the Ministry of Defence in a communication to Stanzin said, Due to the present operational situation in Ladakh, grazers have been asked to restrict their cattle movements.

Kin of those who died by suicide within 30 days of COVID-19 diagnosis can get financial help, MHA tells SC 

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informed the Supreme Court on Thursday that the families of those who died by suicide within 30 days of a COVID-19 positive diagnosis would be eligible for financial help under the Disaster Management Act. The statement came in the backdrop of the guidelines issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), which recommended ₹50,000 each as ex gratia assistance to the families of people who died of the virus. The NDMA has proposed that the States should provide the money from their State Disaster Response Fund. In the previous hearing of the case on September 13, a Bench of Justices M.R. Shah and A.S. Bopanna urged the government to consider ex gratia payment to the families of people who committed suicide, unable to bear the shock of a COVID-19 positive diagnosis. On Thursday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Ministry, stressed that these families were also entitled to avail financial help as granted under the SDRF in accordance with the NDMA guidelines of September 11. That is, they too would be eligible for the ₹50,000 ex gratia payment. If the person committed suicide within 30 days of a positive test, it should be deemed that the person took his own life because of COVID-19, he submitted. During the hearing, the court suggested that the committees proposed to be formed at the district level under the NDMA guidelines to deal with grievances regarding certification of death should be able to directly access hospital medical records to check claims of COVID-19 deaths. This would help resolve cases in which families claim ex gratia assistance but do not have medical records of COVID-19 treatment to show. The court would pass formal orders on the NDMA guidelines on October 4.

Man stabs college student to death near Chennai’s Tambaram railway station 

A 20-year-old college student was murdered in broad daylight by a man near Tambaram railway station in Chennai on September 23. The youth, who knew the victim for a few years, also attempted to kill himself but was stopped by the public. He was later handed over to the police. A senior officer of the Chennai Police said Shwetha, a diploma student at Madras Christian College in Tambaram, was on her way home when the accused Ramachandran, working in a private company in Maraimalai Nagar, wanted to speak to her near the railway quarters located on the east side of the railway station. Though Shweta, a resident of Chromepet, knew him for a few years, she had ended the relationship. They had a verbal spat during which Ramachandran took a small knife kept hidden in his bag and stabbed her. On  hearing her cries, nearby residents rushed to her rescue. In the meantime, the 25-year-old accused also attempted to kill himself, but was stopped by the public. Even before the people could take the victim to a nearby hospital she died, the police officer said. Tambaram Police rushed to the crime scene, and arrested the accused Ramachandran, who is from Nagapattinam. The victim’s body has been sent to Chromepet Government Hospital for post mortem. Senior police officials inspected the crime scene, and are investigating.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

China sends record number of warplanes towards Taiwan. 

China sent a record number of warplanes into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone on Friday and Saturday ahead of a visit to Taipei by French lawmakers. The escalation of Beijing’s intimidation against Taipei comes as China endures growing economic pressures while stepping up domestic regulatory and political crackdowns. According to Taiwan’s defence ministry, 38 military aircraft entered Taiwan’s air defence identification zone on Friday, including 28 J-16 fighters, four SU-30 fighters, four H-6 bombers, an anti-submarine plane and an early warning aircraft. On Saturday, the Chinese Air Force sent 39 aircraft, including 26 J-16 fighters, 10 SU-30 fighters, two anti-aircraft planes and one early-warning aircraft, Taiwan’s defence ministry said. On both days, the numbers markedly exceeded the daily record of 28 planes, which was set in June. Some 16 Chinese military aircraft entered the zone on Sunday, including 12 fighters. Military experts define the incursions as grey zone tactics, operations aimed at eroding Taiwan’s security but stopping short of war. China claims Taiwan as its territory and threatens to invade it if Taipei refuses to submit to its control indefinitely. The Taiwanese government on Saturday denounced the latest incursions. China has been wantonly engaged in military aggression, damaging regional peace, said Su Tseng-chang, the premier. Last week, Beijing described Joseph Wu, the Taiwanese foreign minister as a shrilling fly in an unusual verbal attack that Taipei described as slander and abuse. October is traditionally a politically charged season because both China and Taiwan celebrate their national days this month. On Friday, Beijing marked the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. On October 10, Taiwan celebrates the Republic of China, the state that was overthrown in mainland China by the PRC but continues to exist in Taiwan, where the ROC government fled in 1949. Last year, however, there was no marked increase in air incursions by China’s People’s Liberation Army.

 

Taipei’s bid to join transpacific trade pact could be held hostage by Beijing

Some observers in Taiwan said the PLA’s increased harassment could be an attempt to intimidate Taiwan ahead of planned exchanges with Europe. Next week, a delegation of French lawmakers is due to visit Taipei. Later this month, Taiwan’s chief economic planner is scheduled to lead a 65-strong delegation to several central and eastern European countries. However, military experts noted that the level of PLA air activity near Taiwan had been at a heightened level for weeks. Since Taiwan conducted its regular annual military exercise in early September, PLA air incursions frequently included fighter jets, a pattern rarely seen until now. The PLA has been sending aircraft into Taiwan’s ADIZ on an average of 20 days per month since September 2020, when Taipei made the incursions public for the first time. Often only one or two anti-submarine warfare or early-warning aircraft a day enter the zone for extended periods. Large numbers of fighters and bombers, like this weekend, have in the past appeared when Taiwan has enjoyed international attention or engaged in foreign exchanges. The warplanes do not enter Taiwan’s sovereign airspace, which begins 12 miles off the coast of its territory. But by frequently entering the ADIZ, they force Taiwan’s military to continuously scramble fighter jets, exhausting its resources and gathering intelligence in the process.