Newsletter 26 Feb

Top 5 News

1- Trump emplanes for US, after concluding India visit
2- Death Troll Raised to 23 while 189 Injured in North east Delhi Violence Protest
3- Shaheen Bagh matter: Supreme Court fixes the matter for further hearing to Mar 23rd
4- Union I&B Min Prakash Javadekar briefed to media about the Cabinet meeting chaired by PM Modi.
5- Shaheen Bagh matter: Supreme Court fixes the matter for further hearing to Mar 23rd

Tweet of the Day

National

Trump emplanes for US, after concluding India visit

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump received at Rashtrapati Bhawan by President Ram Nath Kovind and his wife Savita Kovind. A dinner banquet has been hosted by the President in the honor of the US President.
- US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump meet Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa, Telangana CM K. Chandrashekar Rao, Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal and Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar, at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
- Music composer AR Rahman and Chef Vikas Khanna were also present at the dinner banquet hosted by the President for the US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
Donald Trump held delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on the last day of his India visit.
- Great relationship with Modi: Trump
- They (people of India) like us more now than they ever liked us, says the US President
- India buying a lot of military hardware from the US
- Spoke with PM Modi today on this. India would like to see peace pact in Afghanistan
- Trump on roadmap to address radical terrorism, “We killed al-Baghdadi a few months ago. Qasem Soleimani is gone. Hamza Bin Laden (Osama’s son) is gone. Nobody has done more than what I have done. But at the same time Russia, Iran, Iraq and Syria should do it too.”
- ‘Spoke to PM about religious freedom’ “India has worked very hard to ensure religious freedom

US President on violence in North East Delhi and CAA: We did talk about religious freedom. The PM said he wants people to have religious freedom. They have worked really hard on it. I heard about

the individual attacks but I did not discuss it. It is up to India.
Sends a very strong message: Trump on Harvey Weinstein’s conviction.
PM will take care of terror, PM Modi is a very religious and calm man. But he is actually a very tough person. I have seen him in action. And terror is foremost on his mind; he will take care of it.
Trump repeats Kashmir mediation offer, Ready to mediate between India and Pakistan on Kashmir.
Discussed Pakistan with PM Modi; I have good equation with Pakistan PM Imran Khan, they are working to control cross-border terrorism: Trump
I didn’t say anything about that (being mediator). Kashmir obviously is a big problem between India and Pakistan, they are going to work out their problem. They have been doing it for a long time.
High tariffs imposed by India “unfair” But we are working on resolving the issue. We will have a trade deal, says US President
We have a massive trade deficit with India. We shouldn’t have a $24 billion deficit. If trade deal doesn’t happen, it will be something else; but it will be satisfactory: Trump
Escaped to comment of CAA by “I want to leave that to India and hopefully they will make the right decision for their people.”

US President Donald Trump touted “tremendous progress” on a trade deal with India as he sought to strengthen ties with a country key to American efforts to blunt China’s influence in Asia.
- Officials have tried to hammer out a modest trade deal opening up India to US agricultural products and medical devices in return for the restoration of preferential export status that Trump stripped from India last year. There was an expectation that a mini-deal would be unveiled before the US President’s visit, but Trump has since said he’s in no hurry to finalize it.
- “I’m optimistic we can reach a deal that will be of great importance to both countries,” Mr Trump said
  - y’day while sharing a stage with PM Modi in New Delhi.
  - The momentum on trade appeared to pave the way for closer strategic relations, as the US looks to court India as a counterweight to China. Mr Trump lauded increased security ties with India and showered praise on PM Modi, who has faced deadly protests – including during the Mr Trump’s visit – over the new CAA.
    - Central to that focus is the $3 billion defense deal the two nations signed on this visit, which will boost India’s naval strength in waters where China is seeking greater leverage. Mr Trump also highlighted the revamped “Quad” — a group involving the US, India, Japan and Australia — that’s taking on greater significance as the perceived threat of a more dominant China continues to grow.
    - “Together the PM and I are revitalizing the quad initiative,” Mr Trump said, noting expanded cooperation between the four nations on maritime and cyber security was vital “to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
    - Donald Trump also touched upon Chinese communications giant Huawei Technologies Co.’s potential involvement in India’s 5G network. In Dec, India decided to allow Huawei to be included in its 5G trials.
    - “We discussed importance of a secure 5G wireless and the need for this emerging technology to be a tool for freedom, progress and prosperity — not to do anything where it could be even conceived as a conduit for suppression and censorship,” he said.
    - The US has tried to persuade other countries not to use Huawei equipment in emerging 5G networks, but the effort has faltered due to a lack of competing technology.
    - “Both the US and India want to see an Asia that isn’t dominated by any one power,” Alyssa Ayres, who served as deputy assistant secretary of state for South Asia during the Obama administration and is now at the Council on Foreign Relations, told Bloomberg TV. “That has been a pillar underlying a lot of the strategic and defense cooperation that’s grown so well over the course of the last recent years.”
      Helicopter Deal
      Last week, India’s cabinet cleared a $2.6 billion purchase from Lockheed Martin Corp. of 24 multi-role MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters to the Indian navy. The US State Department has also approved a potential sale to India of $1.8 billion in arms, including air-defense radars and missiles, rifles and other equipment, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced.
      Still, the clock is ticking for the nations to resolve their differences on trade, said Tanvi Madan, a senior fellow in the Project on International Order and Strategy in the Foreign Policy program, and director of The India Project at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC.
      “If they don’t resolve the trade question the friction will eventually spill over into the security side,” Ms Madan said.

Death Troll Raised to 23 while 189 Injured in North east Delhi Violence Protest

Delhi Police makes an announcement in Seelampur area, “Ek mahine ke liye Section 144 laga di gai hai, yahan koi bhi vyakti nazar na aaye.

Abhi tumhe pyar se bataya jaa raha hai, phir sakhti se bataya jayega. Dukane bandh kardo yahan” [ANI]
A 26-year-old IB officer, Ankit Sharma, has been killed in a mob attack in Delhi’s Chand Bagh. Sharma’s body was found dumped in a drain. The officer was reportedly missing since Tue’s evening.
Amid all such violence, Delhi Commissioner of Police, Amulya Patnaik claimed that normalcy has returned in North East district to a large extent, senior officers are on rounds, extra forces have been given and lot of confidence building measures are being taken. Things being brought back to normal
Delhi Police officials met to “Aman Committee in Usmanpur area of Shahdara”. They added that public are requested not to pay heed to rumors.
Delhi violence: Chand Bagh and Bhajanpura Adjacent colonies at war until RAF rolled in.
- Delhi violence: Only at 5.05 pm, reinforcements arrived in the form of the Rapid Action Force and Delhi Police armed in riot gear, who lobbed teargas shells and pelted stones into Chand Bagh as part of their “area domination exercise”.
- Special CP (Law and Order) Satish Golcha, who led the flag march, was asked why police did not employ equal force while dealing with Bhajanpura residents. He told The Indian Express, “Those people (in Chand Bagh) are the aggressors; I saw it myself yesterday night. The people on the other side (Bhajanpura) are carrying weapons for self-defense. I know they will not attack me when I speak to them, but I can’t say the same when dealing with the other side. But I am not saying that one side is wrong.”
  - The death of 19-year-old Chand Bagh resident Sayid; the alleged burning of a mazhar; and the attack on women protesters, allegedly by Delhi Police, added fuel to the fire. Sayid (19), a driver by profession, reportedly died of a gunshot wound. His wife Sajiya, who married him two months ago, said: “What is wrong if we fight for our rights?” Indian Express
  - When Golcha waved off the armed gangs, women wielding sticks complained to him, “Hum tumhara support karte hai”. “Theek hai,” he told them, and moved on, as they cheered for the police. As the flag march reached Chand Bagh, several RAF personnel rushed to the entrance and fired several teargas shells. The column moved forward and Golcha decided to call off the march. However, just a few metres behind him, Bhajanpura residents set up barricades on the road and pelted stones. The security cordon, rushed to them and told them to back off.
- Breaking away from the main group, several RAF personnel charged into Chand Bagh and fired teargas shells, while residents pelted stones at them. Senior Congress leaders scheduled to march to Rashtrapati Bhavan today, was postpone for tomorrow, to raise the issue of violence. Instead
- they addressed press meet, headed by interim President, Sonia Gandhi-
  - She said that there is a conspiracy behind the violence, country also saw this during Delhi elections. Many BJP leaders made inciting comments creating an atmosphere of fear and hatred.
  - She added that the Centre and the Union Home Minister is responsible for the present situation in Delhi. The Union Home Minister should resign.
  - Delhi Police has remained paralyzed in the last 72 hrs-around 18 lives have been lost so far, including a head constable, and hundreds are in hospital, many with gunshot injuries. Violence continues unabated on the streets of North East Delhi.
  - CM and Delhi Govt is equally responsible for not activating the administration to reach out to the people to maintain peace and harmony. It is the collective failure of both governments that have resulted in a great tragedy in the capital city
- CWC observes silence for those killed in Delhi violence.
- Allegations of Congress immediately counted by BJP Delhi in-charge, and Union Min P Javadekar. He said “They’re asking where was Amit Shah. He took an all-party meeting yesterday where a Cong leader was also present. HM gave directions to Police and also boost the morale of Police. Statements by Congress have adverse an effect on the morale of police.”
  - Meanwhile, Pak PM, also entered in to matter and tweeted “Today in India we are seeing the Nazi-inspired RSS ideology take over a nuclear-armed state of over a billion people. Whenever a racist ideology based on hatred takes over, it leads to bloodshed.” He urged international community to ‘act now’ on deadly violence against Muslims in India.
  - Alumni Association of Jamia Millia Islamia (AAJMI) and Jamia Coordination Committee organized a demonstration outside CM Arvind Kejriwal’s residence. People have gathered here demanding action against Delhi Violence and seeking restoration of peace.
  High Court on Delhi Violence: HC orders filing FIRs against 3 BJP leaders for hate speech
  - Delhi HC asks Special Commissioner of Police to convey its anguish to Police Commissioner, says just register FIRs (on speeches by 3 BJP leaders), Delhi HC tells Spl CP to communicate it to Police Commissioner. The three leaders are Kapil Mishra, MoS Finance Anurag Thakur and BJP MP Parvesh Verma.
  - Court said that the CM and Dy CM should also visit the affected areas for confidence-building among people. This is the time to reach out.
  - Standing counsel apprised the Court that there is an official confirmation on 17 deaths due to violence in North East Delhi.
  - The Court said, we cannot let another 1984 happen in this country; not under the watch of this Court.
    - Court expresses concern over body an IB officer found in north-east Delhi. Court says it is “very unfortunate”. Court also asks the highest functionaries in state and central government to personally meet the victims and their families.
    - Court directs to set up helplines for immediate help for victims, private ambulances to be provided for safe passage of victims. Court also directs set up of shelters for rehabilitation along with basic facilities.
    - Delhi government standing Counsel Rahul Mehra contends in HC there is no reason, not to lodge FIR against 3 BJP leaders. SG says HC should wait for authorities’ reply on lodging FIR against 3 BJP leaders as any decision now may aggravate situation. PTI
    - Justice Muralidhar said “we are surprised at the conduct of the police”. HC also asks SG to advise the police commissioner on the registration of an FIR against the BJP leaders who made hate speeches.
      - Court inquires about the name of the officer who was seen in BJP leader Kapil Mishra’s video clip.
      - Court played Mishra’s video clip in the court in the presence of all lawyers and DCP Deo and SG Tushar Mehta.
    - Zubeda Begum appointed as amicus curiae to coordinate with victim
    Series of event since Yesterday’s Evening
    - HM Amit Shah held a long meeting that lasted for almost 3 hours with Delhi Police & Home Ministry officials.
    - Newly appointed Special Commissioner of Police SN Srivastava also attended the meeting. It was the 3^rd meeting chaired by HM in less than 24 hours.
    - DCP North West, Delhi: Some false information/news item has been circulating regarding damage to a mosque in Ashok Vihar area. It is to clarify that no such incident has taken place in the area of Ashok Vihar. Please do not spread false information.
    - Shoot at sight orders issued around 2000 hrs.
    - At 2000 hrs, IPS SN Shrivastava has been appointed as Special Commissioner (Law and Order) in Delhi Police, with immediate effect.
    - Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital official: 13 deaths have been reported since yesterday.
    - Around 2100 hrs, Police have put barricades and sealed all the roads that lead to Ghaziabad from north east Delhi. Ajay Kumar Pandey, DM says, “Keeping in mind the violence in Delhi we have sealed the borders. There is peace in our district. We have closed all the wine shops in the nearby areas.”
    - Around 1900 hrs, Delhi CP, Amulya Patnaik: Some news agency ran the news that Delhi Police said that it has not got adequate forces from MHA, this information is wrong. MHA is continually supporting us & we have adequate forces. Delhi police denies this completely.
      - Regarding Delhi Violence: Miscreants will not be spared, strict legal action will be taken against them. Sufficient police force, CAPF and senior officials deployed in the North East district. Sec 144 imposed in some areas of the district.
    - Delhi Police PRO MS Randhawa on BJP leader Kapil Mishra’s speech: It’s under investigation, our top priority was to control the situation which we’ve done. We will investigate all FIRs that have been registered and if a main conspirator is found action will be taken.
      - I deny that there is any deficiency of Police force. Sufficient forces have been deployed in the Northeast district. CRPF, RAF and additional resources of Delhi police are also active. 11 FIRs have been registered & few have been detained.
      - Delhi Police Special Commissioner Satish Golcha: The protesters have left the Jaffarabad metro station and the Maujpur Chowk is also clear. Now, 66 Futa road is absolutely clear of all protests.
      - Ajit Doval tasked to bring Delhi situation under control after violence spirals
        Concerned over the deteriorating law and order situation in the national capital, PM Narendra Modi has given to NSA Ajit Doval the mandate to restore normalcy in riot-hit northeast Delhi where at least 23 people have been killed in the communal violence, officials said on Wed.
      - He also reached N DCP office without notices (media) and have taken briefed about situation in today’s evening also (1550 hrs).
      - From there, Doval reached Maujpur area to take stock of the situation there.
      - Various unverified provocative videos clips surfaced on social media, through verified social media handlers.
        Immediately after taking over the assignment, Doval undertook a late night tour of the riot-hit areas on Tuesday accompanied by Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik and newly-appointed Special Commissioner S N Shrivastava and other senior officers, they said.
        Around 0012 hrs, today, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval leaves from office of Deputy Commissioner of Police North-East in Seelampur after reviewing security situation.
      - 5 IPS officers of Delhi Police transferred, today’s afternoon,

Shaheen Bagh matter: Supreme Court fixes the matter for further hearing to Mar 23rd

The apex court said that it will not expand scope of petitions filed in connection with the protests by looking into pleas on violence.
- Protestors listen to interlocutors appointed by the Supreme Court and advocates Sanjay Hegde and Sadhna Ramachandran (unseen) at the Shaheen Bagh area, which has been blocked off to protest against India’s new citizenship law, in New Delhi on Feb 20, 2020 [See Newsletter of the dated Feb 20^th]
The court while hearing pleas seeking removal of anti-CAA protesters from Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh area, today fixed the Shaheen Bagh matter for further hearing to March 23^rd.
It informed that the interlocutors did not succeed in convincing the protestors to move to an alternative site where no public place would be blocked.
The SC also termed unfortunate the current incidents of violence in Delhi’s northeast area but refused to entertain pleas on them.
The two amicus curiae submitted their report in a sealed cover to the apex court. “We will go through the report,” Justice SK Kaul had said and refused to disclose the report submitted by interlocutors.
A public interest litigation (PIL) in the matter, filed by Nand Kishore Garg and Amit Sahni through their lawyer Shashank Deo Sudhi, sought appropriate directions to the Centre and others concerned for removal of protestors from Shaheen Bagh near Kalindi Kunj.

Union I&B Min Prakash Javadekar briefed to media about the Cabinet meeting chaired by PM Modi

PM Modi, HM Amit Shah, and NSA, Ajit Doval are monitoring the situation.
Union Cabinet approves amendment of the Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands Land Revenue and Tenancy Regulation, 1965. This will confer occupancy rights to the Scheduled Tribe population in the Union Territory (UT) of Lakshadweep.
Cabinet has approved issuance of an order for adaptation of Central Acts in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir under Section 96 of the J&K Reorganization Act, 2019 by the Central Govt.
Cabinet approves 3 MoUs for cooperation between India and Myanmar on combating timber trafficking, conservation of tigers & other wildlife; and in the fields of petroleum products and communications.

Terrorists Educated But Kill Due To Difference In Values: Rajnath Singh

Army Chief Gen MM Naravane: We have been getting inputs. There are 15-20 terrorist camps inside Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir where there are around 250-350 terrorists at any time and numbers may fluctuate.

We have been able to foil (Pakistan Army’s) BAT action attempts even before they have been able to launch them.

On the effect of FATF plenary in Paris on Pakistan activities in Kashmir, China has also realized that they cannot back their all-weather friend (Pakistan) all the time.

FATF comes down heavily on them, they may have to do a rethink on their rhetoric and activities. FATF is a factor (in the reduction of terror activities in Kashmir valley).

JnK was, is and forever will remain an integral part of India: Senior Indian diplomat at UNHRC meeting in Geneva.

India calls for decisive action against states who direct, control, fund, and shelter terrorists.
Pakistan is epicentre of global terrorism: Senior Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup tells UNHRC meeting in Geneva.
A nation that has become world’s leading exporter of terror seeks to lecture others on human rights, says Swarup referring to Pakistan (detail is awaited)

Mauritius President Bodh Gaya (Bihar), Feb 25 (ANI): Mauritius President Prithvirajsing Roopun on Tue visited Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya. He was visiting here with his family members.

JnK Police: Two terrorist associates arrested by Pulwama police. They have been identified as Aquib Lone & Naseer Ahmad Hurra. Incriminating materials including explosive substance & ammunition were recovered from their possession. Case registered, investigation underway.

Chinar Corps Commander, Lt General KJS Dhillon: As there is peace and normalcy in the valley, Pakistan is trying to disrupt it and trying to infiltrate more terrorists into the Indian Territory.
To support this infiltration, Pakistan Army is doing ceasefire violations on LoC.
He further told to ANI that these ceasefire violations by Pakistan are being replied to in a befitting manner.
The terrorist launch pads are full as of today, infiltration attempts are being made every day at the LoC which are being foiled by the Indian Army.

International

US Spreading "Extreme Fear" Over Coronavirus, Says Iran

Iran President Hassan Rouhani accused the US on Wed of trying to spread “fear” in Iran
Hassan Rouhani accused the US on Wed of trying to spread “fear” in Iran over a coronavirus outbreak that has killed 15 people in the Islamic republic.
“We shouldn’t let America mount a new virus on top of coronavirus that is called… extreme fear,” Rouhani told a weekly cabinet meeting, a day after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Iran of suppressing information about the outbreak.

States

Chhattisgarh: There was a brief exchange of fire between Naxals and security forces in Bijapur Dist. earlier today. In a separate incident, 1 security personnel suffered minor injuries and 2 security personnel suffered stain/sprain in IED blast in Gangaloor- Kirandul PS border area

Encounter between police and naxals occurred in Kanker’s Koyalibeda area earlier today, arms and other paraphernalia recovered; Naxals managed to escape from the site of the encounter.

One Special Task Force (STF) jawan has sustained bullet injury during an exchange of fire with Naxals in the forest area near Puspal village under Chhote Dongar police station limits in Narayanpur

West Bengal CM, Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata: We are deeply disturbed and concerned about what & why is happening in Delhi. We are watching it. In our country there is no place for violence. We the people of India want peace and we appeal everyone to maintain peace.

Gujrat: Former IPS officer D G Vanzara, who was accused in alleged fake encounters of Ishrat Jahan & Sohrabuddin Sheikh & discharged in both cases, given post-retirement promotion as inspector general of police by #Gujarat govt

Maharashtra: Pune Police, yesterday, arrested former Nationalist Congress Party Member of Legislative Council, Anil Bhosale along with three others in connection with alleged fraud of Rs 71.78 crores in Shivajirao Bhosale Cooperative Bank.2008 Malegaon blasts case: Special NIA court today gave the last extension to all the absent accused. The court said that from now onwards all the accused have to follow the earlier orders of the court of remaining present in the court at least once a week.

Jharkhand: Anti-Corruption Bureau is conducting raids at Ranchi Municipal Corp office, Dhanbad Municipal Corp office, Ranchi Registry office and Doranda police station. ACB is acting after receiving complaints regarding these departments involved in alleged corruption.

Kerala HC bans all forms of agitations by student groups in school, college campuses in the state that disrupt functioning of educational institutions (PTI).

Samajwadi Party (State based party), MP Azam Khan, wife, and son sent to judicial custody by Rampur court in birth certificate forgery case: official

India in International Frame

BBC

Delhi riots: 23 killed as Hindu and Muslim groups clash

Aljazeera

21 dead in Delhi’s worst religious violence in decades

Mosque in Indian capital set ablaze as police accused of helping Hindu mob target Muslims and their properties.

CNN

21 dead, at least 188 injured in New Delhi clashes amid Trump’s visit

Reuters

Modi appeals for calm as riot death toll rises to 20

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed for calm on Wednesday after days of clashes between Hindus and minority Muslims over a controversial citizenship law in some of the worst sectarian violence in the capital in decades.