Top Headlines: Violence erupts in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani after madrasa demolition; shoot-at-sight ordered
February 9, 2024
- Violence erupts in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani after madrasa demolition; shoot-at-sight ordered
- Amrit Kaal, Kartavya Kaal: Centre Issue white paper on economy
- Inside the Centre vs States battle over funds
- India rubbishes Canada’s election interference charge, says ‘quite on the reverse’
- Home ministry recommends immediate suspension of India-Myanmar free movement regime
What Else
- Action against Paytm bank was in customers’ interest: RBI
- Nikki Haley says ‘smart’ India doesn’t trust US: ‘I have talked with Modi…’
- US: Indian student found dead in Indiana; fifth such incident this year, 2nd from university
- Pakistan Election 2024: 5 Pakistan Security Forces Killed In Election Day Attack: Police
- Military hopes election will catalyze strengthening democracy
- Nepal: China assures Dahal six key projects will be expedited
- China warns Philippines against ‘playing with fire’ as Manila boosts military presence near Taiwan
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Violence erupts in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani after madrasa demolition; shoot-at-sight ordered
- Communal tension gripped the Haldwani area of Nainital on Thu evening following the demolition of an illegal madrasa and an underground mosque-like structure.
- Nainital has imposed a curfew and ordered a shoot-on-sight order for rioters.
- A joint team from the Nainital admin and local civic authorities undertook the demolition on Nazool land, leading to a violent backlash from enraged locals.
- Reports indicate that the situation escalated quickly as angry residents began pelting stones at the police and officials, setting up barricades, and torching vehicles.
- Some police officers and admin officials sustained injuries from the stone pelting.
- The district administration has imposed a curfew in the restive Banbhulpura area and all roads leading to it have been barricaded.
- CM Pushkar Singh Dhami convened an emergency meeting to review the situation.
- Dhami said that the admin’s action was in response to a court order, as they embarked on an anti-encroachment drive in the area. (here)
Amrit Kaal, Kartavya Kaal: Centre Issue white paper on economy
- The govt on Thu came up with a white paper on the economy in which it compared the economic improvement from 2014 to 2024 against 2004 and 2014
- Wherein it is claimed that the UPA hurt the economy, and robbed the economy.
- The paper said the NDA govt in 2014 found the economy in bad shape and crisis and the challenge to fix the economy was ‘hydra-headed’ among the fragile five.
- Lack of leadership has been blamed for the state of the Indian economy.
- The NDA govt understood the need for tough decisions for the greater economic good.
- During the UPA, India had double-digit inflation, now the inflation has been brought down to little over 5%, it said.
- The paper said the introduction of the GST regime was a much-needed reform.
- The budgeted capital expenditure has increased over 5-fold from FY14 to FY24 (RE), without any heating-up of the economy, it said.
- The white paper said the NDA govt successfully overcame the challenges left by the previous govt but is not resting on its laurels. (here)
- War of words erupts after Congress releases ‘Black Paper’ to expose Modi Govt’s failures
- Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge today released a ‘black paper’ to counter the Modi govt’s ‘white paper’.
- Kharge said that the ‘black paper’ highlights the failures of the Modi govt about unemployment, inflation, and farmers’ distress.
- After the Modi govt had announced in the Union Interim Budget, presented on Feb 1 that it would come out with a ‘white paper’ to compare the economic performance of NDA vs UPA for 10 years of their tenure (here)
Inside the Centre vs States battle over funds
- Karnataka protested against the Centre on Wed, claiming it was not getting its fair share of taxes, which crimps its ability to do good for the state.
- Kerala and Tamil Nadu have similar protests lined up in Delhi in the coming days, as the fractures in India’s fiscal federalist framework become more marked.
- On Feb 2, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee held a 2-day dharna in Kolkata against the Centre’s alleged denial of funds under key central schemes.
- Protests relate to 5 main issues: the share of states in central taxes; the end of the GST compensation; the Centre’s support for state borrowing programs; the Union govt’s receptiveness to demand for special assistance; and the funding of large infrastructure projects in the states.
- The 1st is guided by the formula set by the finance commission and the 2nd was how the move to GST was structured.
- The 4th and 5th are a function of discretion, and, by extension, politics; and the 3rd is an area where both sides have plausible arguments. (here)
India rubbishes Canada’s election interference charge, says ‘quite on the reverse’
- The Ministry of External Affairs rubbished the allegations of Indian interference in Canadian elections, on Thu saying it is not the GoI’s policy
- MEA spox asserted that instead, Canada has been interfering in India’s internal affairs.
- The outlet GN recently cited a ‘declassified document’ calling India as a concern.
- The note prepared by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service claimed “India engages in FI (foreign interference) activities.”
- Addressing a weekly press briefing, Jaiswal said, “…We strongly reject such baseless allegations of Indian interference in Canadian elections.”
- “It is not the govt of India’s policy to interfere in the democratic process of other countries. In fact, quite on the reverse, it is Canada, who has been interfering in our internal affairs,” the spox said.
- Spox noted that India has consistently raised this issue with Canadian authorities and called upon them to address India’s concerns effectively. (here)
Home ministry recommends immediate suspension of India-Myanmar free movement regime
- The Union Home Ministry has recommended immediate suspension of India’s free movement regime with Myanmar, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thu.
- The announcement came days after Shah said that India will fence its border with Myanmar and end the free movement regime with the country.
- The free movement regime has been in place since the 1970s within 16 km on either side, of the largely unfenced, 1,643-km-long border along Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh.
- They can spend a day across the border without any document, and stay up to 72 hours “with effective and valid permits issued by the designated authorities on either side”.
- Since the MEA is in the process of scrapping the free movement regime, the Home Ministry has recommended its immediate suspension, Shah said.
- The decision to revoke it comes against the backdrop of the ethnic conflict in Manipur.
- The state has been gripped by ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities since early May.
- Over 200 people have been killed since the conflict broke out and nearly 67,000 persons have been forced to flee their homes. (here)
Action against Paytm bank was in customers’ interest: RBI
- Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das said on Thu that all its actions, like restrictions it imposed on Paytm’s associate bank, are in the interest of the public
- Governor said at the post-monetary policy press conference, responding to a series of questions from reporters.
- His remarks were in general and not just specific to Paytm.
- Das also explained how RBI as a regulator, if the need arises, engages with a regulated entity.
- On Jan 31, RBI said that a Comprehensive System Audit report and subsequent compliance validation report revealed persistent non-compliance and continued material supervisory concerns in Paytm Payments Bank Ltd. (here)
Nikki Haley says ‘smart’ India doesn’t trust US: ‘I have talked with Modi…’
- Nikki Haley, an aspiring Republican presidential candidate, claimed that India wants to be a partner with the US, but as of now, it doesn’t trust Americans to lead.
- Haley added that India has played smart in the current global situation and stayed close with Russia.
- In an interview with Fox Business News, the Indian-American US presidential aspirant, 51, said as of now India sees the United States as weak.
- Discover the thrill of cricket like never before, exclusively on HT. Explore now!
- Haley told Fox News that India gave itself a billion-dollar stimulus to become less dependent on China, adding that the US needs to start building up its alliances. (here)
US: Indian student found dead in Indiana; fifth such incident this year, 2nd from university
- In the fifth such incident this year, 23-year-old Indian student Sameer Kamath was found dead in Warren County, Indiana in the United States.
- Kamath was a doctoral candidate in mechanical engineering at Purdue University.
- The forensic autopsy was scheduled for Tue afternoon (local time) in Crawfordsville, the release stated.
- Remarkably, this is the 5th incident of Indian students found dead in the US, this year so far. (here)
[Neighborhood]
Pakistan Election 2024: 5 Pakistan Security Forces Killed In Election Day Attack: Police
- Five security personnel were killed in an attack while patrolling on election day in northwestern Pakistan, a police official said.
- “Four police officers and 1 Frontier Constabulary officer are reported dead and 3 police officers are injured” following the attack in Kulachi in Dera Ismail Khan (here)
- Delay in results sparks controversy
- Faisal Vawda pours cold water on Nawaz Sharif’s hopes
- MQM-P claims to win 18 NA seats in Karachi
- Mobile phone services restored across Pakistan
- Karachi results were delayed even 15 hours after polling
- ‘Mandate being stolen’: Manipulation to lead to chaos, says PTI
- Interested in ‘taking appropriate steps to continue to foster relationship’ with Pakistan: US
- Attempt to manipulate people’s mandate will result in chaos, warns Abbasi (here)
- Pakistan Media reports good showing by PTI-backed candidates, Poll results delays set off speculation: As the counting of votes is underway for the Pakistan general elections held on Thu, PTI-supported candidates have put up a good performance going early trends reported by Pakistan media.
- However, the continued delay in election result announcements has set off speculations of alleged rigging.
- PTI-backed candidate Shoaib Shaheen has secured victory with 11,729 votes in the NA-47 constituency.
- He has secured the lead over PML-N leader Fazl Chaudhry who received 11,504 votes as per unofficial and unconfirmed results. (here)
Military hopes election will catalyze strengthening democracy
- The armed forces of Pakistan have congratulated the nation on the “generally peaceful and violence-free” conduct of the general elections, and expressed the hope it would serve as a “catalyst for further strengthening democracy in Pakistan”.
- “The armed forces remain dedicated to upholding peace and security in the country and stand ready to provide unwavering support in safeguarding the democratic traditions of our state,” it stated.
- The ISPR stated that the armed forces alongside other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) are proud to have played a pivotal role in providing security during the conduct of the sacred electoral process, in aid of civil power, and by the constitution of Pakistan. (here)
Nepal: China assures Dahal six key projects will be expedited
- Amid criticism that Chinese-funded projects have not made the desired progress and both have failed to adhere to past agreements and accords, China has communicated its intent to expedite at least half a dozen projects across multiple sectors.
- During a meeting this week with PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Chinese Envoy Chen Song conveyed that at least 6 projects it previously committed to would be expedited, and groundwork will begin after the conclusion of the Chinese New Year holidays
- There are concerns over some projects undertaken by Chinese contractors under Chinese economic and technical assistance.
- Projects such as the Narayanghat-Butwal road upgrade, Kathmandu Tarai fast track, Kanchanpur-Kamala road expansion, Syafrubesi-Rasuwagadhi road building, 2nd phase of widening of Kathmandu Ring Road, Tokha-Chhahare tunnel construction, widening of the Muglin-Kathmandu road section, and the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung cross-border transmission line have either shown dismal progress or are yet to take off.
- Amid criticism from political and bureaucratic circles over delays in projects, Sun Haiyan, the vice minister of the CPC, during her recent visit to Kathmandu, accused some nations of trying to sabotage China’s relations with Nepal. (here)
China warns Philippines against ‘playing with fire’ as Manila boosts military presence near Taiwan
- China has warned the Philippines against “playing with fire” amid reports that Manila plans to bolster its military deployment on strategically important islands it controls near Taiwan.
- Chinese FM spox on Thu reiterated Beijing’s position that Taiwan was “at the centre of China’s core interests and represents an insurmountable red line and bottom line”.
- Beijing’s stern words stemmed from news that Philippine def min Gilberto Teodoro had ordered an increase in troops and construction on Batanes, the island country’s northernmost province, less than 200km from Taiwan.
- “The Philippine side should have a clear understanding of it, act prudently and refrain from playing with fire on the issue of Taiwan, so as to avoid being exploited by others and leading to their own detriment,” Spox said in Beijing.
- China and the Philippines shared a long history of friendship, he said, adding that good neighbors should treat each other with mutual respect on issues like national sovereignty and territorial integrity and not interfere in other’s internal affairs. (here)