Protests against and in support of anti-CAA continue. Visit by the Foreign delegations to JnK covered some of the space. SC verdict on JnK is also covered prominently.

National

2nd day of JnK visit of Foreign Envoy

Delegation of 15 foreign envoys meets state administration officials in Jammu. The delegation had met political leaders and Senior Army officials in Srinagar.

Vietnam’s Ambassador Pham Sanh Chau, one of 15 foreign envoys: I see normalcy in the daily life of the people, which is a very positive sign. We have interacted with different groups and feeling from those groups is that they are very happy with the current situation.

Many other reactions from other members awaited.

Unprovoked mortar shelling by Pakistan along Line of Control (LoC) in Gulpur Sector, District Poonch, JnK, today, at about 1100 hours.

Two Army porters’ dead and two more injured in mortar shelling.

SC delivered the verdict on a batch of petitions on JnK after the abrogation of Article 370

Last yr Nov 17, SC reserved its decision on abrogation and further restrictions, which pronounced today.

A batch of petitions filed by the various group of people from the deferent fraternity including senior INC leader Gulam Navi Azad, Anuradha Bhasin, Executive Editor of Kashmir Times, among a few other interveners.

A bench of SC A bench of Justice NV Ramana, Justice R Subhash Reddy and Justice BR Gavai: “Kashmir has seen a lot of violence. We will try our best to balance human rights and freedoms with the issue of security.”

Union government had defended the restrictions it imposed on grounds of security.

The main points of the verdict are

– directs Jammu Kashmir Govt to review all restrictive orders within a week

– Indefinite internet ban by the state is not permissible under our Constitution and it is an abuse of power

– SC has made it clear to GoI that govt should publish all the orders passed since Aug 5, 2019. Court has also said that any order on internet comes under judicial scrutiny

This news is covered by maximum international media.

SC issues notice on government’s plea seeking to transfer various petitions challenging CAA, pending before several High Courts to SC. The court said it will hear all petitions related to CAA, along with Centre’s transfer petition, on Jan 22.

SC also issued notice to GoI, on a PIL seeking enforcement of the 2-child norm.

Protest Against and for CAA continues

The protest marches against CAA and NRC occurred in New Delhi, Kolkata, and Hyderabad (supported by a state-based party MAIM). While a march is also conducted in Thiruvananthapuram in support of CAA and NRC.

Various Muslim organizations protest against CAA, NRC and NPR in Chennai’s Nandanam area.

BSF sources revealed that the Government is in the process of replacing old fencing with more effective new anti-cut fencing at borders including Indo-Pak border. Multiple patches have been replaced and now only anti-cut fencing will be installed at the borders.

As per Government sources, under the newly-created Department of Military Affairs headed by CDS General Bipin Rawat, there will be two Joint Secretaries, 13 Deputy Secretaries and 22 Under Secretaries.

JNU Rows…

MHRD has met student’s leader and VC separately yesterday which could not reach any conclusion, as a student was adamant to the expulsion of VC Jagadesh Kumar.

In a media briefing after meeting the HRD officials, VC said: “JNU the administration has

been very flexible and we would like to help every student to achieve their academic goals”.

3 professors have approached the Delhi HC and filed a petition seeking to preserve CCTV footage and other evidence related to Jan 5^th violence at the university campus.

A 16 faculty’s signed letter submitted to HM Amit Shah through JNU Teachers’ Federation wrote to complain about the ‘ineffectiveness of Delhi Police’.

In the late afternoon, Delhi Police in a PC and briefed about their so far findings.

They have identified some 6 people so far as found involved in masked fellows who attacked students. They also have doubt on 4 students unions SFI, AISA, AISA, and DSF and said problem started since Jan 3^rd.

Aishe Ghosh, union leader questioned the finding of Delhi Police, ‘Where is the proof? Cops are trying to change narrative’.

Mysore University gives a critical assessment of on-campus protest with ‘Free Kashmir’ poster.

Bhima Koregaon violence case: The accused Milind Ekbote today refused to depose before a two-member Judicial Commission inquiring into the case. Ekbote was summoned by the Commission to depose as a witness in the Commission’s hearing.

Bhima Koregaon is a village with historical significance in the Pune district of Maharashtra. It became the rallying point for Dalit activists on January 1 this year, when violence broke out here during a commemorative event.

Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) releases the Dec sales data. Dec 2019 vehicle sales fall 13.08%. Passenger vehicle sales down by 1.24% and commercial vehicle sales down by 22.10%

Enforcement Directorate has attached properties of former MD & CEO of ICICI Bank Chanda Kochhar and her family. Total assets worth Rs. 78 crore (book value) have been attached. This includes her flat in Mumbai and some properties of the company of his husband.

International

Ukrainian Plane Crushed or Targeted?

After a statement of Canadian PM Justin Trudeau that “our intel sources informed me that it’s Iranian missile which stricken on Ukrainian

plane, it was not just an accident”. While Australian PM Scott Morrison said it as “not an intentional act.”

However, after the refusal of Iran Govt to hand over the black box may support the claim of Canadian PM.

Later, news flashed in media that Iranian authorities invite Boeing to take part in the investigation.

As 60 Canadian passengers were also on board in-plane, besides Iranian. So, even the crushed was due to missile, not appeared to be intentional. [1]

Background: Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 crashed shortly after taking off from the Iranian capital Tehran on Wednesday, killing all 176 passengers and crew members on board.

Politics

BJP Working President JP Nadda and party leader Dr Harsh Vardhan today held an organizational meeting in Trinagar ahead of Delhi Assembly elections.

Former INC president, Rahul Gandhi targeted yesterday’s Modi’s meeting with industrialist’s regarding budget 2020 and tweeted “Modi’s “most extensive” budget consultation ever, is reserved for crony capitalist friends & super-rich. He has no interest in the views or voices of our farmers, students, youth, women, Govt and PSU employees, small businessmen or middle-class taxpayers.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra arrives at Panchganga Ghat in Varanasi, to meet students of Banaras Hindu University and members of civil society today.

States

Andhra Pradesh

Police at Mandadam and Rayapudi (Amaravati) stops villagers’ foot march from Uddandrayuni Palem to Kanakadurga temple in Vijayawada, as section 144 is imposed at Uddandarayani Palem. Police and women home guards deployed in the area.

Chandigarh

Police use water cannon against Aam Aadmi Party workers who are protesting against high power tariff, outside Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh’s residence. MP Bhagwant Mann is leading the protest.

Jharkhand

Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has received a complaint against Former Jharkhand CM, Raghubar Das, and others for alleged scam in Jharkhand Momentum Summit. The case will be transferred to the competent authority for scrutiny.

JnK

Police arrested 6 accused after busting a theft racket operating in and around Rajouri town and have recovered stolen property worth lakhs of rupees from the accused.

Gen Admin Deptt J&K: Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary to the Government, Planning, Development & Monitoring Department, shall hold the charge of Chief Executive Officer, JnK Economic Reconstruction Agency, in addition to his own duties,

UP

Days after the conclusion of Lok Sabha elections, the UP Govt has transferred 17 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers and 25 IPS officers.

Bareilly A Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court pronounces the death penalty for two convicts in a gang rape and murder case of a minor girl in Jan 2016 in Nawabganj.

As per Govt Sources: Head of Ram Janmbhoomi Nyas, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das’ security has been upgraded from Y+ to Z:

India in International Frame

BBC

Kashmir: India top court orders review of longest internet shutdown

Reuters

Kashmir internet shutdown unconstitutional: top court

Aljazeera

India’s top court orders review of Kashmir internet shutdown

Financial Times

Protest and the pavement library