‘Kashmir still a challenge due to Pak’s destabilising activities’
Lakhimpur Kheri (UP): Kashmir is still a challenge due to destabilising activities by Pakistan, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday. He was talking to mediapersons after inaugurating the administrative building, residential block and officers’ mess at the SSB sector headquarters. “Kashmir is still a challenge due to destabilising activities by neighbouring Pakistan. However, the Army, the CRPF, the J&K police and intelligence bureau men are acting in better coordination,” he said. Speaking about Naxal incidents, the home minister said they had dropped by 50 per cent during the last four years. Extremist violence in northeastern areas saw a decline of 80 per cent, Singh said. Lauding improvements made on the internal security front, he said, “No major terrorist incident had taken place in India during the last four-and-a-half years (of the Narendra Modi government).” Singh said the country’s economy today was counted as the world’s fastest growing. “By 2030, the Indian economy would rank among top three economies of the world,” he said. “The Modi government has launched the world’s largest universal health care scheme Ayushmaan Bharat which has benefitted 7.5 lakh people so far,” Singh said. (PTI)
India, Myanmar begin army exercise for UN peacekeeping
Chandigarh: The second India-Myanmar bilateral Army exercise ‘IMBEX 2018-19’ commenced at Chandimandir military station on Monday, a Defence Ministry spokesman said. “The aim of this joint training event is to train the Myanmar delegation for participation in UN peacekeeping operations. The exercise includes participation of 15 officers from Myanmar Army and 15 officers from Indian Army who shall jointly train for over a period of six days,” the spokesman said. “The Indian Army has a rich experience of serving in UN peacekeeping operations, being the foremost troop contributing country in the UN. “During the exercise, focus will be on training the Myanmar Army on tactics, procedures, expertise and methodology required by the contingent of the member nations for serving in UN peacekeeping operations. This is the second military training exercise on UN peacekeeping between the two countries being conducted on Indian soil. (IANS)
Members committed to fair & transparent polls in India: IAMAI
New Delhi: Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) Monday said its members, which include social media platforms like Facebook, are committed towards “fair and transparent” elections in the country. Last week, a panel had submitted its report to the Election Commission (EC) that had recommended formalising the line of communication between the EC and social media companies, so that content prima facie seen as violative can be flagged and brought down. “We would also like to thank ECI … for adopting a consultative approach in development of the Report. The membership of IAMAI recognises that this is an important issue and acknowledges that no online platform should be abused to undermine the integrity and sanctity of democratic processes,” the IAMAI said in a statement. The association has close to 300 members and stated that that online platforms are committed to responding to such abuse in accordance with law – when notified by the EC – if it is found to be in violation of Section 126 of the Representation of People Act, 1951. “IAMAI being the voice for majority of intermediaries in India would like to reaffirm its commitment to working with the EC to ensure free and fair elections in the country,” the statement said adding that the industry body will engage closely with the EC to build voter awareness and enhance civic engagement. (PTI)
Court issues notice on Sajjan Kumar’s plea
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the CBI on former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar’s appeal challenging the Delhi High Court verdict sentencing him to life imprisonment following his conviction in one of the 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases. A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Ashok Bhushan and Sanjay Krishan Kaul sought a response from the Central Bureau of Investigation on Kumar’s plea seeking suspension of the sentence while challenging his conviction. The High Court had sentenced Sajjan Kumar to life imprisonment setting aside his acquittal along with five others saying the “criminals” escaped prosecution and punishment for over two decades. (IANS)
SC refuses to quash FIR against activist Anand Teltumbde
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to quash the Pune police’s FIR against civil rights activist Anand Teltumbde in connection with the Elgar Parishad-Koregaon Bhima violence and for his alleged Maoist links. The apex court also refused to interfere with the ongoing investigation in the case. However, a bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and justices Ashok Bhushan and S K Kaul extended the interim protection from arrest granted to Teltumbde by the Bombay High Court by four weeks. The apex court said Teltumbde could seek regular bail from the competent trial court in the meantime. The Elgar Parishad event at Shaniwarwada in Pune was held on December 31, 2017. Several activists had allegedly made inflammatory speeches and provocative statements at the event, leading to to the violence. Several activists were named in an FIR lodged on January 8, 2018. Eight more activists, including Teltumbde, were named in another FIR filed in October, 2018. Police say that the Elgar Parishad event was funded and supported by Maoists. (PTI)
Devotees refuse to take dip in polluted Gomti river
Lucknow: Scores of devotees from across the country refused to perform sacred ablutions in Gomti river on the occasion of Makar Sankranti on Monday due to the presence of toxins in the water. The holy water of the river plays a major role in performing Hindu rituals. After offering prayers to the deities, people take a dip in the holy water to absolve themselves of sins. Gomti, which is also popularly known as the lifeline of Lucknow city, is becoming polluted as people residing in the region have piled up filth from Kudiya Ghat to Tulsi Ghat through which the river flows. Moreover, there is no fresh water flow into the river due to the presence of plastic waste in the holy water. (ANI)