Gen Subramani takes charge as India’s new Chief of Defence Staff
New Delhi, May 31:Gen NS Raja Subramani, widely known as an expert on Pakistan and China, on Sunday took charge as India’s new Chief of Defence Staff with a primary mandate to implement the ambitious military theaterisation plan and bolster tri-services synergy. He succeeded Gen Anil Chauhan, who signed off after completing his tenure as the country’s senior-most military commander on Saturday. Also, Admiral Krishna Swaminathan on Sunday assumed charge as India’s new chief of the Naval Staff amid a fast evolving regional maritime security scenario. He succeeds Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, who retired from service. (PTI)
Join political parties to escape crackdown: ISI to OGW
Srinagar, May 31: In a move aimed at evading security crackdown and investigation into terror incidents, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has asked its established network of Over Ground Workers (OGWs) in Jammu and Kashmir to infiltrate mainstream national political parties, officials said on Sunday. The ISI is also trying to recalibrate its strategy by making desperate attempts to revive dormant, locally-founded terror outfits from the early 1990s to give an “indigenous colour” to terrorist violence and mask the direct involvement by Pakistan, which is facing constant monitoring by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) – the global watchdog on money laundering and terror financing. According to officials of the central security agencies, recent interrogation of OGWs arrested by Srinagar police showed that some of them were part of national political parties. By embedding terror sympathisers, who provide critical logistical support, recruitment and funding to terror outfits, in legitimate political structures, the ISI hopes to shield its assets from the ongoing operations by security forces. (PTI)
Row in TN over saffron attire for Thiruvalluvar
Chennai, May 31: Political parties, including ruling TVK and opposition DMK, criticised the Lok Bhavan depicting Tamil poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar in saffron attire, contrary to the officially recognised image in which he is shown in a white cloth. The criticisms began after the Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar paid tributes to a portrait of Thiruvalluvar depicted in saffron robes at Lok Bhavan during the celebration of ‘Vaikasi Anusham’ on May 30. Reacting strongly, Tamil Nadu Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Arunraaj, condemned the presentation of the poet in saffron, stating that any attempt to confine the global philosopher within a narrow identity amounts to belittling his universal vision. DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin too launched a scathing, two-pronged offensive, targeting both the saffron iconography at Lok Bhavan and the alleged “inaction” of the new TVK government. (PTI)
