Newsletter 22 August

Headlines of the Week

On Sino-Indian Front: meeting concluded without any result, but New Delhi will continue Dialogue, while deployment increasing from both side.
Infiltration across the LoC continues, this time through Trantaran Side also
In JnK: Farooq Abdullah Meets NC Leaders, Plans All-Party Meeting to Discuss J&K Situation
Pakistan FM visited Beijing seeking some Lone and Solidarity on IOJK issue.
New Delhi is trying to Intensify India-Bangladesh Relation
Facebook was in limelight: Claiming its abscessed with establishment
NIA has arrested some 6 persons on Charge of their links with ISIS

On Sino-Indian Front: meeting concluded without any result, but New Delhi will continue Dialogue, while deployment increasing from both side

Major Developments:

China backs Pakistan on Kashmir, opposes unilateral action by India, said resolve dispute peacefully.
Indian state oil companies ban usage of Chinese tankers on Fri.
“Tender for manufacturing of 44 nos of semi high-speed train sets (Vande Bharat) has been cancelled. Fresh tender will be floated within a week as per Revised Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) order,” the Railways said on Friday without citing any reason. However, according to reports, the decision was taken months after a Chinese joint venture company had emerged as the only foreign bidder for the global tender floated in July.
18^th meeting of India-China Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) was held earlier hrs on Thur, ended without any conclusive result.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has been told that visas for Chinese businessmen, academics, industry experts, and advocacy groups will need prior security clearance, said senior officials who asked not to be identified, citing rules for speaking to the media. The measures are similar to those that have long been employed with Pakistan, India’s neighbor and arch-rival, they said.
Despite a number of meetings at both military and diplomatic level, the Xi Jinping regime is adamant on its positions and posture on Line of Actual Control (LAC) with all dialogues showing hardly any progress.
With the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) drawing up optical fiber cables (OFC) to the transgressions spots at Pangong Tso and Gogra-Hot Springs, the Indian Army has decided to remain at dominant positions on the ridge-lines of the Kugrang River till the time China does not restore status quo ante on the LAC.
Top political leadership along with the military leaders are scheduled to discuss the strategy to deal with the ongoing situation in Eastern Ladakh sector where the Chinese had transgressed into multiple locations-ANI.
Two Chinese J-20 stealth fighter jets were spotted at Hotan airbase in the Uighur autonomous region of Xinjiang. With the ongoing disengagement talks between India and China, the provocative move is seen as a show of military strength by China.
“The LCA Tejas was deployed by the Indian Air Force on the western front close to the LoC to take care of any possible action by the adversary there,” Govt sources to ANI.
China has deployed balloon-borne radars across the Indian frontier in Tibet, posing a new surveillance threat to New Delhi, exclusive satellite imagery accessed. Balloon-borne radars are tethered platforms, and an innovation of a centuries-old technology. Also known as Tethered Aerostat Radar System or TARS, these platforms have radars and other meteorological instruments placed on balloons to raise the line of sight of the radars to gain additional range advantages.
Military watchers across the internet were provided with a rare sight after photos circulated this week that appear to show a Chinese submarine using an underground base on Hainan Island on the South China Sea.
Pakistan is going to deploy Balloon Radar all over LoC. Such Radars is already been used by China posted in Tibet to spy on India, as per reports said in Jan last yr.
Satellite images reveal China is building surface-to-air missile site at Mansarovar Lake New roads have been built and suspected red tents put up at the site, which stands near the India-Nepal-China tri-junction in the Himalayas.

With the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) drawing up optical fiber cables to the transgressions spots at Pangong Tso and Gogra-Hot Springs, the Indian Army has decided to stay put at dominant positions on the ridge-lines of the Kugrang River till such time China does not restore status quo ante on the LAC.

Even though PLA’s air activity over Ladakh and occupied Aksai Chin has become negligible, the Chinese army is present in strength across the 1,597-km LAC in Ladakh and showing no signs of any de-escalation.

National security planners are quite clear that the May transgressions by PLA in the Ladakh sector had the approval of Chinese Central Military Commission (CMC), headed by General Secretary Xi Jinping, as it involved both the Tibetan as well as Xinjiang Military district with troops being inducted from outside the Western Theatre Command.

Background

Deciding to put an end to Chinese unchecked expansionism, the Indian Army draws parallel to the 1984 Operation Meghdoot to claim Saltoro Ridge and Siachen Glacier.

By occupying key vantage points in eastern Ladakh in an operation backed by tens of thousands of troops in the rear, China has entered a dangerous new phase in its territorial expansionism. It has brazenly seized areas that were under India’s military control or patrolling jurisdiction.

In fact, China intruded into areas located beyond any claim line it has ever published, including its 1956, 1959 and 1960 claim lines in Ladakh. Demonstrating ever-expanding claims, its forces intruded into the Hot Springs-Gogra-Kongka La region and the Depsang Y-Junction and also up to the Galwan River’s mouth and Pangong Lake’s Finger 4.

Modi is considering inviting Australia to participate in the annual Malabar naval exercise with Japanese, American, and Indian forces later this year. Australia withdrew from the exercise in 2008 when it involved only the US and India. Although Japan’s participation was regularized in 2015, India had hesitated to bring Australia back into the fold, for fear of provoking China. Not anymore. With Australia again involved in Malabar, the Quad grouping will have a formal, practical platform for naval drills.

Japan, for its part, recently added Australia, India, and the UK as defense intelligence sharing partners by tweaking its 2014 state secrets law, which previously included exchanges only with the US. This will strengthen Japanese security cooperation under 2016 legislation that redefined Japan’s US-imposed pacifist post-war constitution in such a way that Japan may now come to the aid of allies under attack.

Thus, the Indo-Pacific’s democracies are forging closer strategic bonds in response to China’s increasing aggression. The next logical step would be for these countries to play a more concerted, coordinated role in advancing broader regional security. The problem is that American, Australian, Indian, and Japanese security interests are not entirely congruent.

For India and Japan, the security threat China poses is much more acute and immediate, as shown by China’s aggression against India and its increasingly frequent incursions into Japanese waters. Moreover, India is the only Quad member that maintains a land-based defense posture, and it faces the very real prospect of a serious conflict with China on its Himalayan border.

As lately. Since late April, the People’s Liberation Army has occupied several areas in the northern Indian region of Ladakh, turning up the heat on a long-simmering border conflict. This has left Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with little choice but to change course.

Infiltration across the LoC continues, this time through Tran Taran Side too

Farooq Abdullah Meets NC Leaders, Plans All-Party Meeting to Discuss J&K Situation

After meeting a group of party leaders for the first time since August 5 last year when the Centre diluted Article 370, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday described “Gupkar Declaration” as the core issue for the Union Territory’s regional political parties.

The Gupkar Declaration (The representative of the following political parties held an all-party meeting at the Gupkar Residence of Dr Farooq Abdullah, president, JKNC [Jammu and Kashmir National Conference], to deliberate upon the prevailing political situation triggered by massive deployment of security forces, the advisories issued, the abandonment of Amarnath Yatra midway, and forced removal of tourists from the Valley) was a unanimous resolution passed by all mainstream political parties, with the exception of the BJP, at the residence of Abdullah on August 4 last year, the day before the Centre revoked J&K special status.

The parties had resolved they would stand “united and defend identity, autonomy and the special status of the JK against all attacks and onslaughts whatsoever” while describing “any modification, abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A unconstitutional, and process of delimitation or trifurcation of the state an aggression against the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.”

Abdullah had on Aug 15 called an all-party meeting to discuss the situation in Kashmir. But the administration did not allow the meeting to take place.

Subramanian Swamy, a top BJP leader commented on his statements “Mr. Abdullah you many good qualities and a good friend but the charge against you is you released rogues in jail and watched while Kashmiri Pandits were brutalized, raped, forcibly converted and 5 lakhs driven out of the State. Do prayaschit and work for their return.”

Militants killed 3 Cops (on Mon) while 6 militants, including top LeT commanders, Naseer-u-din Lone and Sajjad alias Haider are killed, 2 are believed to be trapped and 2 arrested this week.

On Mon, IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said, that both CRPF personnel and the JnK Special Police Officer, who were critically injured in the Baramulla terrorist attack have been killed in action. Militants from LeT attacked a Joint Security Naka Party of JnK Police and CRPF at Baramulla’s Kreeri area in North Kashmir and managed to escape. He further added “Top LeT commander Sajjad alias Haider killed in Baramulla encounter. It is a big achievement for police and security forces”. One more militant is killed in a swift and planed search operation which is underway.
When terrorists fired indiscriminately on their convoy in Nowgam area bypass on the outskirts of Srinagar, police said. This happened despite of Intel input tight security deployment.
“We have such inputs every year before Aug 15^th and Jan 26^th. We had inputs that they will try (to attack) in some area. The boys were alert and prepared, but they (the militants) came from the rear side and fired on them,” IGP Vijay Kumar said.
Operation Trenarian (Dogi Pahad), Baramulla (JnK) was launched on Aug 11 based on inputs about presence of weapon/ ammunition cache. Recoveries including 3 pistols with magazine and ammunition, 73 AK rounds, 2 detonators, 15 grenades and Pak’s currency made on Aug 13: Chinar Corps
Top LeT commander among two terrorists killed in Handwara encounter. Lone was involved in the killing of 3 CRPF jawans at Sopore on Apr 18, 2020, and 3 CRPF jawans at Handwara on May 4, 2020, IGP said. One of the two terrorists, who was killed in an encounter in Handwara on Wed, has been identified as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Naseer-u-din Lone, said Vijay Kumar IGP, Kashmir. Two unidentified Militant were killed in an encounter with the security forces in the Ganipora Kralgund area of Handwara on Wed.
In Shopian, 1 unidentified Militant was killed in an encounter that broke out between security forces and Militant. 1 Terrorist Killed, 2 Trapped in Encounter in Baramulla District: Police said on Sat.
Police on Fri claimed to have arrested 2 militant associates, affiliated with Jaish-e-Muhammad and recovered explosive material from their possession in Awantipora, along with 42 RR and 180 Bn CRPF have arrested 02 militant associates linked to proscribed outfit JeM,” said spokesman.

BSF troops have recovered 1 AK 47 & 2 pistols, during search operation in Tarn Taran, Punjab. Search operation still underway. Alert troops of 103 battalion of BSF noticed suspicious movement of intruders violating International Border along Tarn Taran, Punjab. Upon being challenged to stop, intruders fired upon BSF troops who retaliated in self-defense. Resultantly, 5 intruders were shot. Search ops on: BSF

Probe sought into last month’s IIOJK fake encounter-Pak Radio

Centre of Indian Trade Unions (unit of Communist Party of India-Maoist)] has sought probe into last month’s killing of three Kashmiri youth in a fake encounter in Shopian district of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

In a petition moved before the Indian Human Rights Commission, Gen Secy of the Trade Union Om Prakash asked the commission to initiate criminal as well as departmental action against those involved in the fake encounter.

The petition also demanded the Commission to direct authorities to pay compensation to the families of killed youths.

Who Said What

While, most important news in media was justice for Sushant Singh Rajput

The two sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on the existing situation in border areas: MEA India

‘Ready to work with India to enhance mutual trust’: China reacted on Mon to PM’s I-Day speech in which he said “he said the country’s territorial integrity was supreme.”

China reiterated that “Kashmir is a dispute left over from history between India and Pakistan, and opposed any unilateral actions that complicate the situation.”

Actions of nations during Covid-19 determines how world perceives them: Min EA

“While we can see the Chinese intent to turn transgressions into intrusions in both the friction spots, the Indian Army has been directed to foil this PLA design even if it means sitting on the forward positions for time to come,” a Sr military commander.

“Whether China wants the $80 billion bilateral trade with India which is hugely tilted in favour of Beijing to steadily come down is a call that Xi Jinping’s military ambition has to take. The ball is in the Chinese court,” summed up another Indian diplomat.

As long as the costs of expansionism remain manageable, Chinese President Xi Jinping will stay the course, seeking to exploit electoral politics and polarization in major democracies. The Indo-Pacific’s major democratic powers must not let that happen, which means ensuring that the costs for China do not remain manageable for long- Brahma Chellaney

India still provides minimal information officially on China’s aggression, while “official sources” are sending out contradictory messages. As examples, see the HT, TOI and PTI reports on latest talks.- Brahma Chellaney

“The government didn’t allow it. But we will soon have that meeting on Gupkar Declaration. That is our core issue. We are not running away from it,” Abdullah told media persons after the meeting. “We are not going to remain silent on the issues.”

“Streets are empty because we told our people, don’t get killed. They had decided to kill over 10,000 people“: Abdullah, on abrogation of Article 370 last year

“If you go with India, this is what is going to happen“: Abdullah, on abrogation of Article 370 last year

“We feel that Article 370, Article 35A and statehood should return immediately without any delay“: Abdullah,

“I think they think they can divide us. Whether we are in prison or out of prison, we are all one“: Abdullah

Dr Subramanian Swamy, a top BJP leader commented on his statements “Mr. Abdullah you many good qualities and a good friend but the charge against you is you released rogues in jail and watched while Kashmiri Pandits were brutalized, raped, forcibly converted and 5 lakhs driven out of the State. Do prayaschit and work for their return.”

Pakistan FM visited Beijing seeking some Lone and Solidarity on IOJK issue.

Centre warns of alleged plot by Pakistan to attack right wing leaders

States told to sensitize prominent leaders of the threat, scale up security at airports The Centre has warned of an alleged terror plot by “Pakistan establishments” to murder select leaders of right wing organizations, including the BJP and the RSS, and called for adequate measures to protect them.

Main Line-One project to create thousands of jobs & boost industrialization: Pak PM

Pak Prime Minister Imran Khan says the Main Line-One project will not only modernize and strengthen Pakistan Railways, but also create thousands of jobs for skilled people and boost industrialization in the country.

He said that ML-1 project will be the key project of China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The Khan said the ML-1 project will provide better travel and freight facilities to the people of the country and will open up a new chapter of socio-economic development.

He said ML-1 will significantly reduce cost of doing business, which will facilitate the business community. He said welfare of the people and development of the country is his government’s top priority, while setting up priorities for development projects.

Pakistan to Purchase Balloon Radars to Spy on India

As per media report, Pakistan is going to deploy Balloon Radar all over LoC. Such Radars is already been used by China posted in Tibet to spy on India, as per reports said in Jan last yr.

China has at least six identified aerostat deployment locations. Two of them are locations used for trials before deployment (Jingmen and Alxa), while another two are located in Tibet opposite India.

China also providing steel bullets, and high altitude dress for terrorist’s infiltration during coming winter and Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV).

FM SM Qureshi landed two days visit to China (20-21 Aug)

He will be leading Flag of Pakistan delegation to Second Round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue. Both sides will, inter alia, discuss cooperation on Covid-19, bilateral ties, regional international issues of mutual interest.

Billed as highly relevant and very important by both the countries ahead of the meeting held in the southern Chinese island resort of Hainan, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi discussed a host of bilateral, regional and international issues.

A joint statement issued at the end of the meeting said that both sides underlined that a peaceful, stable, cooperative and prosperous South Asia was in common interest of all parties. Parties need to settle disputes and issues in the region through dialogue on the basis of equality and mutual respect.

The Pakistani side briefed the Chinese side on the situation in Jammu & Kashmir, including its concerns, position and current urgent issues, it said.

Ahead of the meeting between Wang and Qureshi, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Zhao Lijian told the media here on Thursday that this time the strategic dialogue is highly relevant and the two sides will take the opportunity to discuss anti-epidemic cooperation, bilateral ties and the regional and international issues of mutual interest.

On Afghanistan, the joint statement said both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation on the Afghan issue and appreciated the efforts made by Afghan government and the Taliban to initiate the Intra-Afghan Negotiations.

China appreciated Pakistan’s positive contribution to the Afghan peace process and efforts for promoting peace and stability in the region and beyond, it said.

On the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) both sides have underscored that it has entered the new phase of high-quality development, and has played and will continue to play an important role in supporting Pakistan to overcome the impact of COVID-19 and achieve greater development ,.

The two sides will continue to firmly advance the construction of the CPEC, ensure in-time completion of those projects under construction, focus on economic and social development, job creation and improvement of people’s livelihood, and further strengthen cooperation in Specialized Economic Zones, industrial relocation, science and technology, medical and health, human resources training, poverty alleviation, and agriculture etc, it said.

Pakistan issued a list of 80 Terrorist, residing in their land, Ahead of FATF’s Meeting in Oct

First time Pakistan officially accepted that Terrorist and Underworld Down Daud Ibrahim residence is in Karachi.

The son of a police constable who goes from hooligan in Dongri to smuggler to murderer to organizer of a trans-continental crime syndicate featured on India’s and Interpol’s Wanted list and fugitive residing at an undisclosed location in Pakistan with more than a dozen aliases and several fake passports!

New Delhi is trying to Intensify India-Bangladesh Relation

As Dhaka holds talks with Beijing, Foreign Secy meets Hasina

Sources described their meeting as “excellent”.

Why it is important?

On A two-day visit to Bangladesh at a time that Dhaka is in talks with Beijing for an almost USD 1 billion loan regarding the Teesta river, Foreign Secy HV Shringla on Tue met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and discussed “security-related issues of mutual interest”.
A Joint Consultative Commission might meet soon to oversee the relationship, especially projects.
Both sides emphasized the importance of enhancing connectivity, taking steps for revival of the economy post-Covid, cooperating on measures to fight the pandemic including therapeutics and vaccine, as well as discussed joint commemoration of Mujib Barsho (to mark the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman).
Dhaka raised the Rohingya issue and the possibility of their safe repatriation to Myanmar.
India and Bangladesh have not been able to sign the Teesta water-sharing agreement for the past 9 years, with West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee refusing to sign off on it.
Last week, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Water Resources said it was trying to secure a loan from China to manage the river.
The project summary seeking a $983.27 million loan for a “Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project”, points out that floods in the river cause serious erosion of land and destruction of property every year, while in the dry winter months, the country battles a water crisis, as per a report in Bangladesh’s leading daily Daily Star.
Teesta is one of the 54 rivers shared by India and Bangladesh. It originates in India, with around 113 km of its 315-km length in Bangladesh.
Ties with Bangladesh have been strained since the Modi government passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and announced plans for a nationwide National Register of Citizens.
Bangladesh had cancelled ministerial visits after the law was passed in December last year. In early March, Shringla had visited Dhaka to assuage Bangladesh’s concerns.

Bangladesh FM dismisses reports of a rift with India

Recently, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen dismissed reports of his country’s alleged rift with India. He was reacting to Indian High Ambassador Riva Ganguly Das being unable to meet Bangladeshi premier Sheikh Hasina. Maintaining that Bangladesh was everyone’s friend, he highlighted the historically close relationship with India. According to him, Hasina had not met many foreign ambassadors who had gone back to their respective countries.

In fact, he revealed that the Bangladesh PM was not meeting anyone due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is chairing Cabinet meetings via video conference. Rejecting any impact of Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s phone call to Hasina, Dr. Abdul Momen said that this was not going to affect the bilateral relationship with India. Additionally, he also refuted the charge that his country’s position vis-à-vis India had changed because of the relationship with China. Observing that a solution pertaining to the LAC clash should be worked out through negotiations, he reiterated that Bangladesh never meddles into any other country’s internal affairs.

Two major Assam students’ groups join hands to take anti-CAA movement forward

All Assam Students’ Union and Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad get together for insulating the indigenous people from existential threats.

Facebook was in limelight: Claiming its abscessed with establishment

Facebook’s Hate-Speech Rules Collide With Politics

Company executive in vital market opposed move to ban controversial politician; some employees allege favoritism to ruling party-News published in WSJ-immediately picked up by opposition party, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

FIR against Facebook policy head Ankhi Das for ‘hurting religious sentiments, inciting communal animosity’

An FIR was filed against Ankhi Das, (+2) FB’s Director, Public Policy, India, South, and Central Asia, by a Raipur-based journalist, Awesh Tiwari lodged a complaint.
Tiwari had lodged the case after he was named in a complaint by Das to Delhi Police, alleging that she had been receiving threats to her life.
As per ‘The Quint’, the FIR has alleged that Das had “pressured her employees to not take down several hate speech posts prior to the Lok Sabha elections.” This was done “to make political gains in the Indian market.”
Congress repeatedly raised issue of bias with many Facebook executives. Would suggest to set up a high-level inquiry into Facebook India leadership team and submit report to Facebook Inc. within a reasonable period of time: KC Venugopal, AICC Gen Secy to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

In the past, Sonia Gandhi had said this is ‘aar-par ki ladaai’ & Rahul Gandhi said ‘Public will beat PM Modi with sticks’; Is this not hate speech? : Min RS Prasad commented on Congress’ letter to FB CEO Mark Zuckerberg regarding hate speech.

In Facebook posts and public appearances, Indian politician T. Raja Singh has said Rohingya Muslim immigrants should be shot, called Muslims traitors and threatened to raze mosques.

Facebook Inc. employees charged with policing the platform were watching. By March of this year, they concluded Mr. Singh not only had violated the company’s hate-speech rules but qualified as dangerous, a designation that takes into account a person’s off-platform activities, according to current and former Facebook employees familiar with the matter.

Given India’s history of communal violence and recent religious tensions, they argued, his rhetoric could lead to real-world violence, and he should be permanently banned from the company’s platforms world-wide, according to the current and former employees, a punishment that in the U.S. has been doled out to radio host Alex Jones, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and numerous white supremacist organizations.

Yet Mr. Singh, a member of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party, is still active on Facebook and Instagram, where he has hundreds of thousands of followers. The company’s top public-policy executive in the country, Ankhi Das, opposed applying the hate-speech rules to Mr. Singh and at least three other Hindu nationalist individuals and groups flagged internally for promoting or participating in violence, said the current and former employees.

NIA has arrested some 4 persons on Charge of their links with ISIS’s ISKP Module

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested an ophthalmologist in Bengaluru for allegedly being in touch with Islamic State operatives, reports said on Tuesday.

Abdur Rahman, 28, working at MS Ramaiah Medical College, is also accused of developing a medical application to help injured Islamic State cadres in conflict zones and a weaponry-related application to help further the terror group’s activities in the country.

Delhi: The ISIS operative arrested today by Delhi Police Special Cell after an exchange of fire at Dhaula Kuan, has been brought to Special Cell Office in Lodhi Colony on Sat.

Arrested man is a high-level ISIS operative in early thirties. 30 bore pistol, 4 live cartridges recovered from his possession. He is claiming multiple identities & addresses; will be booked under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act & Explosives Act, among others: Delhi Police

ISIS operative Abu Yusuf Khan who was arrested in New Delhi by Delhi Police Special Cell after a brief gunfight. 30 bore pistol, 4 live cartridges recovered from his possession. Claims to have multiple identities and addresses. Major lone wolf attack averted in national capital.

It is reported that Rahman has been booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). He was taken into custody on Monday in connection with the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) case being probed by the agency.

The NIA has found that Rahman allegedly toured Syria, and visited an Islamic State medical camp in early 2014. Reports added that he stayed with Islamic State operatives for 10 days before returning to India.

After Rahman’s arrest, the NIA carried out searches at three of his premises and seized digital devices, mobile phone, laptop containing incriminating material, NIA spokesperson Sonia Narang was quoted as saying by PTI.

The college where Rahman was studying “was taken aback by questions regarding one of their faculty members,” News18 reported.

“He was admitted to the college in 2017 under the government quota, through the Karnataka Examinations Authority (conducted by the state government). The college is not aware of his activities outside the campus,” the college said in a statement.

The ISKP case was initially registered by the Delhi Police Special Cell in March, 2020, after the arrest of a Kashmiri couple — Jahanzaib Sami Wani and his wife Hina Bashir Beigh — from the Okhla Vihar, Jamia Nagar area in the National Capital.

The couple had affiliations with the ISKP — which is an affiliate group of Islamic State — and were allegedly involved in subversive and anti-national activities.

PTI reported that they were also in touch with a member of the Abu Dhabi module of the Islamic State, Abdullah Basith, who was arrested in a separate NIA case and lodged in Tihar jail.

“During interrogation, arrested accused Rahman confessed that he was conspiring with accused Sami and other Syria-based Islamic State operatives on secure messaging platforms to further Islamic State activities. He was in the process of developing a medical application for helping the injured Islamic State cadres in the conflict zones and a weaponry-related application for the benefit of Islamic State fighters,” Narang added.

Besides Rahman and the Kashmir couple, the agency had also arrested two Pune residents, Sadiya Anwar Sheikh and Nabeel Siddick Khatri, for allegedly being part of the conspiracy to further the activities of Islamic State /ISKP in India and to carry out subversive activities in the garb of anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests.

RBI Board approves transfer of Rs 57,128 crore as surplus to Govt. for the accounting year 2019-20, the central bank said in a statement

The decision was taken at the 584th meeting of the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India chaired by Governor Shaktikanta Das.

The Board reviewed the current economic situation, continued global as well as domestic challenges, and monetary, regulatory and other measures taken by the RBI to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Board also approved the transfer of Rs 57,128 crore as surplus to the Central Government for the accounting year 2019-20, while deciding to maintain the Contingency Risk Buffer at 5.5%,” the RBI said.

Further, the Central Board discussed the proposal of setting up an Innovation Hub.