Top Headlines: Election 2024: PM Modi in Kashmir: PM to participate in ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit J&K’

  1. Election 2024: PM Modi in Kashmir: PM to participate in ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit J&K’
  2. Election 2024: Priyanka Gandhi’s Poll Debut From Raebareli, Amethi Redux For Rahul Gandhi
  3. Indian Navy commissions INS Jatayu base to strengthen operational reach in Lakshadweep
  4. Bengal Cops hand over Sandeshkhali strongman to CBI after Court Reprimand
  5. “India is working on major corridors both to its east and west…”: Jaishankar

What Else

  • ED files prosecution complaint against 299 accused, 76 Chinese-controlled entities in a money laundering case
  • Indian man drafted into joining Russian army killed in war with Ukraine
  • India, US call for perpetrators of 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot terrorist attacks to be brought to justice
  • Pakistan: Army’s top brass refutes poll interference allegations, blames “vested interests” for creating instability
  • Pakistan: PTI alleges ‘180-degree turns’ in Form-45s
  • Pakistan: No ‘forced’ deportations of Afghans, Pakistan tells UNSC
  • Pakistan SC issues historic mea culpa on Zulfikar Bhutto’s trial

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Election 2024: PM Modi in Kashmir: PM to participate in ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit J&K’

  • PM Modi is scheduled to visit J&K’s Srinagar on Thu to take part in the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit J&K’s initiative.
  • During this visit, he will inaugurate and dedicate the ‘Holistic Agriculture Development Program’, valued at ₹5k crore, to enhance the UT’s agricultural economy.
  • Thu’s visit will mark PM Modi’s first trip to J&K since the abrogation of Article 370.
  • In the realm of tourism, PM Modi is slated to inaugurate multiple projects totaling over Rs. 1400 crore under the Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes.
  • He will distribute appointment letters to approximately 1000 new govt recruits in J&K.
  • PM Modi will introduce the nation’s 1st-ever initiative, ‘Dekho Apna Desh People’s Choice 2024’, to gauge the pulse of the nation on tourism.
  • A total of 43 projects aimed at developing pilgrimage and tourist sites across the nation are set to be launched, encompassing significant religious destinations.
  • Moreover, PM Modi will kickstart the ‘Chalo India Global Diaspora Campaign’, seeking to motivate the Indian diaspora to become ambassadors for ‘Incredible India’. (here)

Election 2024: Priyanka Gandhi’s Poll Debut From Raebareli, Amethi Redux For Rahul Gandhi

  • Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will likely make her electoral debut from the party’s UP stronghold of Raebareli – a seat won 3 by ex-PM Indira Gandhi. 
  • Rahul Gandhi, meanwhile, may return to the Congress’ other UP stronghold – Amethi – which he lost in a shock defeat to the BJP’s Smriti Irani in 2019.
  • Gandhi will also fight from his current seat of Wayanad in Kerala; victory here allowed him to retain his Lok Sabha status after the last election. (here)
  • Rahul Gandhi likely to announce 10-point poll promise for youth, unemployed in MP rally: Seeking to woo the country’s youth ahead of the LS elections, Congress leader is likely to announce a 10-point poll promise in a rally in Madhya Pradesh on Wed. (here)
  • INDIA Bloc Attempts Coup in Bihar, Offers 8-Seat to BJP Ally: Sources- As the seat-sharing tussle within the NDA over Bihar continues, the INDIA alliance has offered 8 Lok Sabha seats in the state and 2 in Uttar Pradesh to LJP.
  • The proposal may prove to be tempting to Mr Paswan, who is reportedly being offered only 6 Lok Sabha constituencies in Bihar by the NDA and even those come with a caveat – the seats will have to be split with his uncle and RLJP (Paras) (here)
  • PM Modi attacks RJD in Bihar, says migration for jobs from state increased during “jungle raj“: PM on Wed launched a scathing attack on the RJD in Bihar, saying that when “jungle raj” came to the state, migration increased and future of lakhs of students of the state was put at stake.
  • Addressing a rally here as part of BJP’s preparations for the Lok Sabha polls, PM Modi said it is essential for Bihar to be developed for “viksit Bharat” and the NDA govt in the state has given speed to development works.
  • Earlier, PM Modi unveiled multiple development projects worth around Rs 12,800 crore in Bettiah. (here)
  • Naveen Patnaik’s BJD set to join hands with BJP after 15 years for LS and state elections: In Odisha, leaders of BJP and Naveen Patnaik’s BJD have given subtle indications of a potential alliance between the ruling BJD and the opposition BJP, although no official announcement has been made.
  • Leaders from both parties have suggested the possibility of a mutual understanding ahead of the upcoming elections, which are anticipated to occur concurrently. (here)
  • BJP opens ‘permanently closed’ doors to Chandrababu Naidu, invites TDP to join NDA
  • After parting ways with the NDA in 2018, the Telugu Desam Party is all set to join the alliance if the developments in New Delhi are any indication.
  • Further, the TDP is likely to have an alliance with the BJP in the elections. (here)

Indian Navy commissions INS Jatayu base to strengthen operational reach in Lakshadweep

  • The Indian Navy on Wed commissioned its 2nd naval base, INS Jatayu at Minicoy Island in Lakshadweep to strengthen its foothold in the region, the Navy said in an statement.
  • The INS Jatayu was commissioned in the presence of Adm. R Hari Kumar, the Chief of Naval Staff, Administrator of Lakshadweep, Shri Praful K Patel, V Adm V Srinivas.
  • The INS Jatayu will be functioning under the operational control of the Naval Officer in Charge (Lakshadweep), Southern Naval Command.
  • After the unveiling of the commissioning plaque, the Naval Ensign was hoisted to the tune of the National Anthem.
  • On completion of the ceremony, the Maritime Operations Center at Minicoy was inaugurated and the Chief of the Naval Staff interacted with the officers.
  • INS Jatayu will play a significant role in the Indian Navy’s operational surveillance while embracing the vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
  • Another step towards Navy’s efforts to incrementally augment security infrastructure at the strategically important islands.” (here)

Bengal Cops hand over Sandeshkhali strongman to CBI after Court Reprimand

  • TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan – the key accused in the Sandeshkhali extortion, land grab, and sexual assault cases – was transferred to the custody of the CBI Wed evening.
  • On Tue the Calcutta HC had ordered the state to hand over Shahjahan, and all case materials, to the Central Bureau of Investigation, before 4.30 pm.
  • However, the state govt rushed to SC to prevent handing over Shahjahan, and the case.
  • But SC refused to stay on HC’s verdict and therefore they had to hand over the same.
  • The HC underlined the seriousness of the state disregarding an order and said, “SC has not ordered a stay. So Shahjahan must be handed over to the CBI by 4.15 pm...” (here)
  • Women in WB are outraged and the storm that started in Sandeshkhali will not remain restricted to the island but reach every corner of the state, PM Modi said on Wed.
  • Shortly after the PM’s address, the TMC’s MP Derek O’Brien said the PM has no right to lecture on women’s security as a BJP leader is accused of sexually harassing wrestlers. (here)

“India is working on major corridors both to its east and west…”: Jaishankar

  • EAM S Jaishankar emphasized that India is working on major corridors both to its east and west, and once completed, these corridors will connect the Atlantic to the Pacific through Asia.
  • Speaking at the Raisina Roundtable organized by the ORF in Tokyo on Thu, Jaishankar highlighted the major corridors on which India is currently working.
  • Jaishankar further said that India and Japan have converging views on the need for collaborative connectivity.
  • In his address, Jaishankar also stressed the need to strengthen our defense capabilities.
  • Shedding light on the ongoing tensions in the Red Sea, he said, “We can see that at the Red Sea, we have just had the first casualties there in shipping. It is also necessary to strengthen our defense capabilities for the benefit of the larger region…”
  • On Wed, 3 crew members were killed in a Houthi missile strike on a cargo ship off southern Yemen according to US officials. (here)
  • Jaishankar, S Korean counterpart hold talks on expanding bilateral ties in Seoul: Jaishankar and his S Korean counterpart Cho Tae-yul chaired the 10th India-S Korea Joint Commission Meeting in Seoul on Wed.
  • The two leaders held talks on expanding bilateral ties, and cooperation in defense, science and technology, business, and trade sectors.
  • During the meeting, Jaishankar and Cho Tae-yul held discussions on developments in the Indo-Pacific and the convergences of India and S Korea to challenges in the region.
  • Terming trade as a metric of the judgment of ties between two nations, Jaishankar stressed that the bilateral trade has touched roughly $25 billion. (here)
  • Jaishankar, after completing his 2-day visit to S Korea, reached Tokyo on Wed evening.

ED files prosecution complaint against 299 accused, 76 Chinese-controlled entities in a money laundering case

  • The Enforcement Directorate has filed a prosecution complaint against 299 accused persons and entities (76 Chinese-controlled) and 2 other entities controlled by other foreign nationals in an ongoing money laundering case.
  • The case is linked to the duping of naïve investors who were promised astronomical returns on investment for which an app-based token “HPZ Token” was used.
  • Out of the total entities, 76 are Chinese-controlled entities (of which 10 directors are of Chinese origin) and 2 other entities are controlled by other foreign nationals.
  • The court took cognizance of the offense of money laundering in the prosecution complaint on Tue after finding that a prima-facie case has been made under PMLA,
  • Total seizure and attachment stand at Rs 455.37 crore in the case so far. (here)

Indian man drafted into joining Russian army killed in war with Ukraine

  • An Indian national who was drafted into the Russian army on the pretext of a job has been killed in Russia’s war against Ukraine, the Indian embassy in Russia said on Wed.
  • The deceased has been identified as Mohammed Asfan, who lost his life in the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine.
  • The MEA said that they are in touch with the family and Russian authorities and are making efforts to send his mortal remains to India.
  • Earlier, the MEA urged citizens to stay away from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine after reports emerged that Indians have signed up for support jobs with the Russian army.
  • It said that the Indian Embassy has taken the matter to the Russian authorities for their early discharge.
  • Sufiyan, from Hyderabad, is one of the many who were allegedly duped by some agents and drafted into fighting for Russia in the ongoing conflict against Ukraine (here)

India, US call for perpetrators of 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot terrorist attacks to be brought to justice

  • In a statement after the Counterterrorism Joint Working Group and 6th Designations Dialogue, India and the US have called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot terrorist attacks to be brought to justice.
  • The two countries, as they held the dialogue, also called for concerted action against all terrorist groups, including those proscribed by the UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee– al-Qaida, ISIS/Daesh, LeT, and JeM, the MEA said in an official release.
  • Notably, the 20th meeting of the US-India CTJWG and 6th DD took place on Mar 5 in Washington Ambassador Elizabeth Richard, Coordinator for CT at the Department of State, and Ambassador K.D. Dewal, Jt Secy CT at the MEA, led their delegations.
  • US, and India reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation in the Quad CT Working Gr and other multilateral fora and processes such as the UN, the Global CT Forum, and FATF for advancing shared security interests within the region while supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient. (here)

 [Neighborhood]

Pakistan: Army’s top brass refutes poll interference allegations, blames “vested interests” for creating instability

  • The Army’s chief has refuted the allegations regarding armed forces interference in the election after many political parties raised concerns over the Feb 8 poll results.
  • Instead, it has accused some “vested interests” of scapegoating others for their “own failing” and trying to create instability in the country.
  • But, the polls as well as the subsequent results drew strong criticism both domestically as well as internationally for the allegations of “lack of level playing field”.
  • Many political parties, especially PTI accused the security forces of interference in the polls through internet shutdown and “rigging”.
  • This came during the 263rd Corps Commanders’ Conference chaired by Army Chief Gen Asim Munir (here)

Pakistan: PTI alleges ‘180-degree turns’ in Form-45s

  • The PTI leadership alleged on Wed that the Form-45s published by the Election Commission on its website were heavily tampered, with the results being changed in favor of PTI’s rivals and voter turnout crossing 100% at several polling stations.
  • Addressing a presser, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan said that after the elections, one tried to forget the past and move forward, but if the elections were rigged on such a large scale, it became next to impossible to move forward.
  • Flanked by PTI senior leaders Gohar said the party would show vote rigging evidence of the constituencies, where PTI-backed candidates were defeated with overnight changes in the results, by comparing Form-45 of the ECP with the original one available with all candidates.
  • He said the poll fraud evidence had become clearer after the commission published Form-45s on its website. (here)

Pakistan: No ‘forced’ deportations of Afghans, Pakistan tells UNSC

  • Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Munir Akram clarified to the UNSC on Wed that there were no forced deportations of Afghans from Pakistan.
  • Addressing a special UNSC on Afghanistan, Akram emphasized that characterizing the protection environment for Afghans in Pakistan as unfavorable is inaccurate and offensive.
  • He stated that after Pakistan announced its plan to enforce laws on illegal aliens, 5Lac undocumented Afghans voluntarily returned to Afghanistan.
  • He noted that 98% of these returns were voluntary, with the remaining 2pc involving individuals engaged in terrorism, drug smuggling, or other crimes.
  • Akram expressed displeasure with a UN report claiming an unfavorable protection environment in Pakistan, highlighting the country’s 4-decade-long sheltering of almost five million Afghan refugees. (here)

Pakistan SC issues historic mea culpa on Zulfikar Bhutto’s trial

  • After a delay of over 44 years, the SC finally corrected a historic wrong by accepting that the murder trial of former PM Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was unfair and lacked due process, both at the trial stage and in endorsement of the verdict by the appellate court.
  • The verdict cannot be undone as it has attained finality, but acknowledging past mistakes can help move forward, 9-judge bench observes
  • Detailed reasons will identify major constitutional lapses
  • The CJP pronounced the top court’s opinion on the long-pending presidential reference to answer whether it could revisit the 1979 judgment that sent former PM Bhutto to the gallows, a verdict that PPP and jurists regard as a historic wrong. (here)

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