1. 2nd time, Indian Navy frees Iranian fishing boat hijacked off Somalia
2. India among 10 countries to participate in meeting convened by Taliban in Kabul
3. ED team camps at Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren’s Delhi house, BJP claims he is ‘absconding’
4. Foreign Secretary Kwatra begins 3-day visit to Bhutan
5. India’s assistance worth $1 million transported to Papua New Guinea on Australian Air Force plane

What Else

• AR seize 90,000 Yaba tablets, also known as the crazy pill, worth Rs 13.5 crore in Manipur
• India: Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang member tied up, set on fire in Haryana
• Indian government extends ban on SIMI for five more years under UAPA
• EC announces biennial elections for 56 Rajya Sabha seats on Feb 27
• Maldives: Opposition to submit impeachment motion against President Muizzu
• China’s research vessel headed to Maldives stopped by Indonesian Coast Guard: Report
•  ‘Coordinated’ terror attacks launched on Balochistan’s Mach town
• Protests in Gilgit-Baltistan bring life to standstill
• No doubt militants in Pak-Iran border areas supported by ‘third countries’, says Iran FM
• Pakistan: More than half of all polling stations deemed ‘sensitive’
• Tourists accuse police of multiple assaults, sexual harassment

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Indian Navy frees Iranian fishing boat hijacked off Somalia

• Indian Navy said on Mon that it had freed an Iranian fishing vessel, which was hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia.
•  This happened after the latest attack against shipping in the Indian Ocean.
• Commander Vivek Madhwal, who is the Indian Navy spox, said: “Pirates had boarded the fishing vessel and the crew taken as hostages.”
• Spox named the vessel as the Iranian-flagged Iman, and further added that its warship had “ensured the successful release of all 17 crew members along with the boat”.
• India had deployed its warship INS Sumitra after receiving a distress message from the fishing vessel.
• At that particular time, INS Sumitra was said to be on anti-piracy patrol off the east coast of Somalia in the Gulf of Aden. (here)

India among 10 countries to participate in meeting convened by Taliban in Kabul

• India was among 10 regional countries that participated in a meeting of diplomatic reps convened by the Taliban set up in Kabul on Mon, reflecting the growing engagement with a regime that isn’t officially recognized by New Delhi.
• The Regional Cooperation Initiative meeting, which was addressed by Taliban acting FM Amir Khan Muttaqi, was also attended by diplomats from Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Turkey and Indonesia.
• Russia was represented by its special representative for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov.
• No official word from India on the meeting, which came days after the Indian embassy in the UAE invited the acting Afghan envoy Badruddin Haqqani to the R-Day.
• Hafiz Zia Ahmad, spox of the Taliban FM, quoted the Indian representative who attended the meeting as saying that New Delhi backs all initiatives focused on the stability of Afghanistan.
• A statement from the Taliban FM said Muttaqi considers relations with countries of the region to be significant and that he emphasized that these nations “should hold regional dialogues to increase and continue the positive interaction with Afghanistan”. (here)

ED team camps at Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren’s Delhi house, BJP claims he is ‘absconding’ 

• An Enforcement Directorate team on Mon visited the Delhi residence of Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren to question him in a money laundering case in an alleged land fraud case and camped there for over 13 hours.
• Sources claimed Soren was “missing” and could not be contacted by the ED but a family member alleged that a “false” narrative was being set to “delegitimize” his position.
• A family member claimed there were repeated communications to ED and compliance with the summons including willingness to record his statement on Jan 31, 2024, at 1 pm at his Ranchi residence.
• Officials of the ED accompanied by Police personnel reached his house around 9 am, while a large number of media persons stood outside.
• Several ED officials were seen leaving the premises at around 10.30 pm but it was not clear if all members of the team had left. (here)

Foreign Secretary Kwatra begins 3-day visit to Bhutan

• Foreign Secy VM Kwatra on Mon traveled to Bhutan on a 3-day trip, in the first high-level visit after the formation of a new govt under PDP leader Tshering Tobgay.
• This comes in the backdrop of China and Bhutan eyeing an expeditious resolution of their festering boundary row that could have implications for India’s security interests
• MEA said that Secretary Kwatra will receive an audience with His Majesty, the King.
• He will also call on the PM, and FM and meet with the foreign secy of Bhutan and other senior officials of the Royal Govt.
• Tobgay assumed charge as the PM of Bhutan on Sun following the PDP’s victory in the elections earlier this month.
• Close to 3 months back, Bhutan’s then-FM Tandi Dorji held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing. (here)
•  

India’s assistance worth $1 million transported to Papua New Guinea on Australian Air Force plane

• Indian assistance worth US$1 million to Papua New Guinea was efficiently transported within the country’s borders on an Australian Air Force plane.
• The assistance, comprising crucial relief supplies, was dispatched to Kimbe from Port Moresby, underscoring the collaborative efforts between India and Australia in responding to humanitarian crises in the country.
• The capital of the West New Britain province of PNG, Kimbe, received much-needed aid following a devastating volcanic eruption of Mt Ulawun.
• The eruption prompted an urgent plea for assistance, to which India swiftly responded with a generous relief package.
• PM James Marape of PNG expressed profound gratitude to PM Modi for India’s rapid and substantial response to the crisis.
• India’s assistance package included tents, sleeping mats, hygiene kits, meals ready to eat, and water storage tanks, catering to the immediate needs of the affected. (here)

AR seize 90,000 Yaba tablets, also known as the crazy pill, worth Rs 13.5 crore in Manipur

• In an intelligence-based operation, the Assam Rifles have seized 90,000 Yaba narcotics tablets, also known as the crazy pill, in the Tamenglong district of Manipur.
• The value of the seizure is about Rs 13.5 crore and it is the largest such seizure in the area, sources in the security establishment said.
• In an IBO security forces tracked down a courier who was transporting the banned drug, which is a blend of methamphetamine (an addictive stimulant) and caffeine.
• Sources said that when challenged, the man dropped the bag of drugs ran into a crowd, and managed to escape.
• However, the bag yielded 90,000 tablets of yaba, which is a popular party drug across the world.
• Industry-scale production of yaba goes on in Myanmar and Manipur is the preferred route for the drug to be smuggled into Southeast Asian countries. (here)

India: Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang member tied up, set on fire in Haryana

• In a shocking development, a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang was set on fire in the north-Indian state of Haryana after being tied up, the police said on Mon
• According to local media reports, the deceased gangster, identified as Rajan, was involved in several gang fights.
• The deceased Rajan’s hands and legs were tied before he was set on fire in Yamunanagar near a riverside.
• Bishnoi gang’s rival Davinder Bambiha claimed responsibility for Rajan’s killing via a social media post and named the person who he claimed carried out the task.
• The police reached the spot after receiving information about the incident and said that the officials had initiated an inquiry into the matter.
• The deceased’s half-burnt body was identified by his relative who stated that he had cut off ties long back with his family members.
• Police said that the reason behind Rajan’s murder is not yet known.
• It is pertinent to note that the Bishnoi gang was behind the killing of famous Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala in May 2022. (here)

Indian government extends ban on SIMI for five more years under UAPA

• The central govt on Mon extended the ban imposed on the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) for another 5 years under UAPA.
• The SIMI has been found involved in fomenting terrorism, disturbing the peace and communal harmony to threaten the sovereignty, security, and integrity of Bharat,”
• SIMI was first declared as an outlawed outfit on Sept 27, 2001.
• After this, the govt kept extending the ban on Sept 26, 2003, Feb 8, 2006, Feb 7, 2008, Feb 5, 2010, Feb 3, 2012, Feb 1, 2014, and Jan 31, 2019.
• The latest move came because SIMI is “continuing to be involved in fomenting terrorism, disturbing the peace and communal harmony in the country which are prejudicial to the sovereignty, security, and integrity of India.”
• Several criminal cases have been filed against SIMI and its members under multiple sections of law including the UAPA. (here)

EC announces biennial elections for 56 Rajya Sabha seats on Feb 27

• The Election Commission of India on Mon said that the biennial Rajya Sabha polls will be held on Feb 27 for 56 seats, as the tenure of incumbents including former PM Manmohan Singh and BJP president J P Nadda will end in April.
• The vacancies also include seats held by 9 Union ministers.
• The nomination process will begin on Feb 8 with the issuance of the notification.
• Feb 15 will be the last date for filing nominations while Feb 20 is the last date to withdraw candidature.
• As per the established practice, voting will take place from 9 am to 4 pm, and counting will be held on the same day from 5 pm onwards.
• While 50 members retire on April 2, six do so on April 3, the EC said. (here)

 [Neighborhood]

Maldives: Opposition to submit impeachment motion against President Muizzu

• The opposition MDP parliamentarians have agreed to submit an impeachment against President Mohamed Muizzu in light of the recent diplomatic tussle with ally nations such as India.
• MDP with another opposition party, The Democrats, has managed to gather enough signatures to initiate the impeachment motion.
• Videos accessed by WION showed the chaos inside the parliament as the ruling disposition attempted to thwart the no-confidence motion.
• One of the MDP leaders, talking to WION said, a key reason why the motion was brought is that the current govt had jeopardized the relations with India.
• Parliament rejects names of 3 members of Muizzu’s Cabinet -AG Ahmed Usham, Minister of Islamic Affairs Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, Housing Minister Ali Haidar
• PPM and President Muizzu’s PNC – do not have a parliamentary majority.
• The parliament’s regulations were revised last year which grants MDP the power to impeach Muizzu without requiring support from minority parties.
• Following the amendment’s parliamentary approval, an impeachment requires 54 votes while the current parliament session consists of 56 MDP members. (here)
• [Any disturbance in the country will affect the IOR, which in turn fueled the ongoing crisis in the Arabian and Red Sea]

China’s research vessel headed to Maldives stopped by Indonesian Coast Guard: Report

• The Indonesian Coast Guard stopped a Male-bound Chinese research vessel as it had turned off its automated information system, Maldives-based Adhadhu reported on Sun
• The Indonesian authority’s move came after the ship, while traveling through the country’s waters, turned off the transponder 3 times between Jan 8 and 12.
• The US Naval Institute said the Chinese govt vessel “XIANG YANG HONG 03” was stopped by the ICG on Jan 11 in the Sunda Strait area,
• The crew on the vessel denied turning off the transponder and claimed that it was broken.
• The AIS transponders are designed to be capable of providing position, identification, and other information about the ship automatically.
• The ICG did not attempt to board the Chinese ship but asked it to leave the country’s EEZ, reported The Asia Times.
• As per international maritime law, all vessels navigating the archipelagic sea lanes in Indonesian waters are required to have working transponders.
• Hidden Reach, a special initiative of CSIS, identified 64 active research and survey vessels. Of the 64 active vessels, over 80% have demonstrated suspect behavior (here)

‘Coordinated’ terror attacks launched on Balochistan’s Mach town

• Security forces thwarted 3 coordinated attacks launched by terrorists using rockets and sophisticated weapons in Mach town on Mon night, some 70km from the provincial capital, officials said.
• At least one [?] policeman was reportedly martyred while a truck driver was injured in the horrific assault.
• While Balochistan’s caretaker Info Minister Jan Achakzai attributed the attack to terrorists affiliated with the Aslam Acho group, responsibility was later claimed by the Majeed Brigade of the proscribed BLA.
• Security forces immediately responded to the attack and took up positions.
• The gun battle between terrorists and security forces continued for several hours.
• According to the police, at least 15 rockets were fired from nearby mountains, which landed and exploded in different areas of Mach town. (here)

Protests in Gilgit-Baltistan bring life to standstill

• Routine life was disrupted as Gilgit-Baltistan remained shut for the third day on Sunday due to protests against an increase in subsidized wheat prices and other grievances.
• A complete shutterdown and wheel-jam strike was observed on the 3^rd consecutive day on Sun across GB.
• Protests were held across the region, and protesters marched to Gilgit from Nagar, Hunza, and Ghizer districts.
• The GB residents have been protesting for the last month against the decision to increase the subsidized wheat price and other grievances in many districts of the region.
• The strike call was given by the Awami Action Committee (ACC), an alliance of various political and religious parties in the region.
• Under plan B of the protest, thousands of residents started marching to Gilgit city from Nagar on foot through the Karakoram Highway on Sun.
• The march participants will arrive in Gilgit Mon to join the main protest rally in Garibagh.
• Similarly, a large number of Ghizer residents, through a rally, arrived in Gilgit on Sun.
• Rallies from the Diamer and Astore districts are also scheduled to march towards Gilgit Mon.
• On Sat hundreds of people on motorbikes took out rallies from Hunza and Ghizer, reached Gilgit, and joined the central protest demonstration at Ittehad Chowk. (here)
• However, there has been a major change in the reasons for protests which have changed from ‘Pro-Freedom’ to ‘Anti-Pakistan’ in a year.
• Protests started with demands to merge with India, followed by by Anti- Sunni angle and now it is unemployment and inflation.

No doubt militants in Pak-Iran border areas supported by ‘third countries’, says Iran FM

• Iranian FM Hossein Amir Abdollahian on Mon said there was “no doubt” that militants located in the border areas of Pak-Iran were “led and supported by 3^rd countries”.
• “….and they never favor any good action in line with the benefits of the Iranian and Pakistani governments and nations,” Abdollahian said.
• Abdollahian who arrived in Pakistan today made the remarks while addressing a joint presser alongside interim Pakistan FM Jalil Abbas Jilani in Islamabad.
• Pak FO- the two had “underscored the importance of robust dialogue and cooperation as the pathway for a positive, … upward trajectory in bilateral relations”.
• This comes days after tensions escalated between the two following a deadly Iranian air strike in Pakistan, leading Islamabad to strike terrorist hideouts inside Iran.
• Moreover, on Sat 9 Pakistani workers were gunned down by unidentified attackers in Sistan-Baluchestan.
• At the outset of his speech, Abdollahian highlighted that both countries “never had territorial differences”. (here)
• Jilani said the mechanism would “meet alternatively in both Iran and Pakistan regularly to oversee the progress that is being made in various areas of cooperation.”
• He further said that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has been invited to Pakistan once the Feb election (in Pak) is over. (here)

Pakistan: More than half of all polling stations deemed ‘sensitive’

• A majority of the polling stations for the upcoming general polls have been declared sensitive or highly sensitive, Dawn reported on Sun.
• Out of the total 90,675 stations across the country, as many as 46,065 (just over 50%) of them have been categorized as sensitive, with 18,437 of them highly sensitive.
• The total number of ‘sensitive’ and ‘most sensitive’ polling stations in Punjab comes to 18,620 (40.42% = 12,580 sensitive + 6,040 most sensitive).
• In Sindh, 6,545 ‘sensitive’ and 6,524 ‘most sensitive’ out of the total 19,006
• In KP, 10,309 are ‘(6,166 ‘sensitive’ + 4,143 ‘highly sensitive’).
• So out of 15,697, just around 1/3 (5,388) are considered normal.
• In Balochistan below 20% are normal.
• The 961 are normal out of the total number of polling stations 5,028’, while the rest are divided into 2,337 ‘sensitive’ and 1,730 ‘most sensitive’ polling stations.
• A senior official of the Election Commission, however, said that these statistics were tentative and might see some changes. (here)

Tourists accuse police of multiple assaults, sexual harassment

• 3 foreign tourists on their way to Lahore have raised serious allegations of assault and sexual harassment against the Punjab police whose jurisdictions they entered on Jan 25.
• A video of an attack by police surfaced on Sat while it transpired on Sun that it was one of many alleged assaults that the cycling tourists from Italy, the UK, and Iran, had been facing since they entered Punjab.
• They have always had a Punjab police escort supposed to ensure their security but it’s the police who allegedly attacked them.
• A female tourist says she was injured in an assault and faces harassment from policemen
• A policeman in Punjab held her hand forcibly for many minutes, said Alex.
• When asked whether there was a language barrier between the policemen and the tourists, Alex said some of the policemen spoke good English. (here)