1. Violence reported at multiple places during Ramnavami Procession in , Guj, WB Maha
2. PM meets Oscar winners ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ producer Monga, director Gonsalves
3. J-K: Search operations launched near India-Pakistan border after Kathua blast
4. 3 more arrested for ‘Khalistani’ violence in Australia; Total 5 held since January
5. SCO Meet: NSA Doval raises concern over terror financing, calls it “serious threat” to international peace

What Else

6. Russia’s Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolay Patrushev calls on PM Modi
7. After US, Germany chimes in with statement on Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification
8. Indian Army signs over Rs 6000-crore deal for Akash air defence missile systems with BDL
9. Pak boat ‘Al Soheli’ intercepted last year carried drugs, arms to fund terrorist gangs in north India: NIA
10. US condemns Myanmar Junta’s decision to abolish 40 parties, including Suu Kyi’s
11. Pakistan’s Election Commission announces date for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa polls
12. China warns Taiwan President against meeting US House Speaker during visit to America

Violence reported at multiple places during Ramnavami Procession in , Guj, WB Maha

• WB police conduct flag march in Howrah after violence during Ram Navami procession
• During the procession, the rioters vandalized public and private properties and set vehicles on fire.
• Police personnel are on the spot, and the reason behind the violence is yet to be ascertained.
• However, responding to the incident, CM Mamata Banerjee alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party hires goons from outside the State to orchestrate communal riots. (here)
• 14 detained for stone pelting during Ram Navami procession in Vadodara: Gujarat Police detained 14 people in connection with stone pelting during the Ram Navami procession in Vadodara.
• This is after stones were hurled at a Shobha Yatra taken out on the occasion of Ram Navami in Vadodara’s Fatehpura area.
• While no one was injured in the Fatehpura incident, some persons including women were injured in the stone pelting by a mob in Kumbharwada, police said. (here)
• Thirteen people have lost their lives in the tragic incident: More than 35 people died when they fell into the stepwell of a Temple in Indore city after the well’s cover collapsed on Thu, resulting in a serious accident.

PM meets Oscar winners ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ producer Monga, director Gonsalves

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thu met Oscar-winning documentary ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ producer Guneet Monga and director Kartiki Gonsalves.
• Helmed by debutant Kartiki Gonsalves, the 41-minute short documentary movie explores the tentative yet precious bond between Raghu, an orphaned baby elephant, and his caretakers – a mahout couple named Bomman and Bellie – who devote their lives to protect him from poachers and raise him. (here)
• PM makes surprise visit to New Parliament Building, interacts with workers: PM Modi on Thu went for a surprise visit to the New Parliament Building, sources said.
• They said he spent more than an hour and inspected various works.
• He observed facilities coming up at both Houses of Parliament and also interacted with the construction workers.
• In July last year, the Prime Minister unveiled the National Emblem cast on the roof of the New Parliament Building. He also interacted with workers. (here)

J-K: Search operations launched near India-Pakistan border after Kathua blast

• A search operation has been launched after a powerful blast occurred in Hiranagar near the India-Pakistan border in Kathua, J&K, triggering fear among the locals.
• Police authority said that an explosion-like sound was heard near BPP Sanyal located along the International Border (IB) in Hiranagar in the late evening on Wed.
• The official further said during the preliminary search it has observed that no movement of any article or human being has been found. (here)

3 more arrested for ‘Khalistani’ violence in Australia; Total 5 held since January

• 3 men have been arrested in connection with violent brawls that broke out between pro-Khalistani supporters and Indian demonstrators in late January in Melbourne.
• The arrests were made by the Melbourne East Neighbourhood Policing Team “in relation to an alleged affray” at the Federation Square on Jan 29, Victoria Police said.
• With the latest arrests, police have so far rounded up 5 suspects in connection with the incident.
• Police said that the investigation remains ongoing and they are making inquiries to identify and apprehend any further alleged offenders from the day. (here)

SCO Meet: NSA Doval raises concern over terror financing, calls it “serious threat” to international peace

• National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Wed said that terrorism in all of its forms and its financing are amongst the most serious threats to international peace and security.
• He made the remarks at the 18^th meeting of the Secretaries of Security Council of SCO member states, underlining that any act of terrorism, regardless of its motivation, is unjustifiable.
• Doval, in his remarks also called upon the member states to have mutual respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states.
• Regarding connectivity, he said that it remains a key priority for India.
• Doval also underlined that India’s foreign policy is based on these very principles and reflects “our commitment in every possible manner”.
• He also highlighted the issue of Chabahar port during the meeting. (here)
• China and Pakistan participated in a virtual format.

Russia’s Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolay Patrushev calls on PM Modi

• Russia’s Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolay Patrushev calls on PM Modi.
• The Russian embassy says, ‘issues of the Russian-Indian bilateral cooperation of mutual interest were discussed
• Patrushev on Wed met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in New Delhi and the two outlined ways for further cooperation between Russia and India in the field of security.
• Patrushev emphasized specific measures to jointly fight transnational organized crime, terrorism, and the revival of neo-Nazism.
• Sergey Cheryomin, Minister of the Moscow City Govt on Wed said cooperation prospects between the Russian payment system Mir and Indian payment system RuPay are bright and would also help boost tourism.
• The minister also stressed that banks in both countries should promote more trade in Rupee and Ruble. (here)
• He expressed his expectation regarding the trade between India and Russia and said that it is expected to reach USD 50 billion or more.
• He also urged India-Russia banks should be more active in establishing a relationship with each other stating, “we’ve to promote trades in rupees and rubbles as it creates a more stable platform for our companies.” (here)
• The ‘Russia-India Business Forum: Strategic Partnership for Development and Growth’, targeted the IT sector – and plans to push bilateral trade to $ 50 billion this year.
• The RBI had last year put in place an additional arrangement for invoicing, payment, and settlement of exports/imports in Indian currency.
• This mechanism will help in internationalizing the Indian currency in the long run.
• A currency can be termed “international” if it is widely accepted worldwide as a medium of exchange. (here)

After US, Germany chimes in with statement on Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification

• Under sharp attack from the BJP, the Congress on Thu sought to distance itself from remarks of party leader Digvijaya Singh over the German FM’s remarks
• German FM’s on the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from LS, saying that the party firmly believes that India’s democratic processes themselves have to deal with the “threats posed to democracy”.
• Union ministers N Sitharaman, Kiren Rijiju, and Anurag Thakur strongly reacted to Digvijaya Singh’s remarks.
• Digvijaya Singh, MP, and former MP CM on Thu thanked Germany for “taking note” of Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from Parliament as Lok Sabha MP.
• During a press briefing that was aired on German state-owned international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW), the spokesperson stated, “We have taken note of the verdict of the first instance against the Indian opposition politician Rahul Gandhi as well as the suspension of his parliamentary mandate. (here)
• Before Germany, the US also made such a statement during a press briefing.

Indian Army signs over Rs 6000-crore deal for Akash air defence missile systems with BDL

• In a major boost for the Make in India in Defence, BDL has signed a deal for supplying 2 regiments of upgraded versions of the Akash air defense missile systems to the Army.
• The deal for the 3^rd and 4^th regiments of the missile system has been signed with BDL and would cost over Rs 6000 crore.
• The clearance of these 2 missile regiments can be considered to be a victory for the Make in India initiative as these were earlier planned to be imported from abroad.
• The upgraded Akash missile systems have been enabled to be effective on high-altitude frontiers such as the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in the north.
• In comparison to the existing Akash System, the upgraded version is equipped with an indigenous active Radio Frequency seeker for improved accuracy.
• The missile can be deployed at heights up to 4,500 m and can take down targets at a distance of around 25 to 30 km. (here)

Pak boat ‘Al Soheli’ intercepted last year carried drugs, arms to fund terrorist gangs in north India: NIA

• Balochistan-based Poshani sea shore was used to send a foreign boat “AL Soheli”, which was intercepted last year, for delivering a consignment of arms and drugs in India to fund terrorists of Punjab and north India, states NIA’s FIR.
• The FIR lodged earlier this month against 10 arrested accused belonging to Balochistan, mentioned that 6 foreign-made pistols with 6 magazines and 120 live cartridges along with 40 kg Heroin were seized with the interception of the boat on Dec 28.
• As per the FIR, the consignment of weapons and drugs was sent by a foreign-based drug mafia run by Haji Salim Baloch Wala, a resident of Balochistan for delivery to Harun in the sea of Gujarat.
• The central govt received information regarding the registration of FIR in the case on Dec 28 last year at the Anti-Terrorist Squad police station of Gujarat Police.
• Having regard to the gravity and the grave security ramifications, the Home Ministry Counter Terrorism and Counter Radicalisation division ordered the NIA (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

US condemns Myanmar Junta’s decision to abolish 40 parties, including Suu Kyi’s

• The US strongly condemned Myanmar’s military Junta’s decision to dissolve 40 Political parties, including the National League for Democracy.
• Taking to Twitter, US State Secretary Antony Blinken said, “We strongly condemn the Burma military regime’s decision to dissolve 40 political parties, including the National League for Democracy”.
• This comes after military-controlled election body said ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s party would be dissolved for failing to re-register under a new electoral law.
• The National League for Democracy (NLD) party was among 40 political parties that were unable to meet the ruling military’s registration deadline for an election,
• On Wed, the US Department of State department also “strongly” condemned the Myanmar military’s decision to abolish 40 political parties.
• Addressing a press briefing on Wed, deptt said that the elections will not be considered “free or fair” without the participation of all the stakeholders. (here)

Pakistan’s Election Commission announces date for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa polls

• The Election Commission of Pakistan on Wed announced that the elections in KP will be held on Oct 8, the same date as Punjab’s polls.
• ECP said that the election schedule will be issued in due course of time
• Earlier, the KP Governor had proposed May 28 as the date for the elections.
• Citing security concerns, he later called on the election commission to hold elections on Oct 8.
• The development will not be welcomed by PTI as it has already opposed ECP’s decision to delay the Punjab elections.
• Limelight Media Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi had given the date of Apr 30 after Supreme Court’s order.
• However, the ECP on Mar 22 announced a delay in upcoming elections citing security concerns as the major reason behind the change of plan. (here)

China warns Taiwan President against meeting US House Speaker during visit to America

• As Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Wed embarked on a 10-day visit to Central America, which will include transit in the US, China has warned the President against meeting US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
• Chinese Foreign Ministry said that the US side keeps conniving to support the separatist forces of Taiwan and asked Washington to stop committing “dangerous acts that underline the political foundation of the two countries’ relations.”
• As she departed on a diplomatic mission to Central America, Tsai Ing-wen said that Taiwan has every right to “connect with the world,” CNN reported.
• Ahead of Tsai’s departure, China hit out against the trip pledging on Wed to “resolutely fight back” if the Taiwanese President met US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
• “It is not the Chinese side that overreacts, but the US side that keeps conniving to support the separatist forces of Taiwan,” Chinese Foreign Ministry. (here)