1. Election 2024: Delhi Police Files FIR After Swati Maliwal Submits Formal Complaint in Assault Case
2. Centre recommends increase in reservation quota for OBCs in public employment in Punjab, West Bengal
3. 2 terrorists killed in encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir
4. IAF expected to get first LCA Mark1A fighter by July
5. NIA says NSCN-IM sent Myanmar groups to ‘destabilise’ Manipur, outfit counters with ‘proxy war’ claim

What Else

• Zero conviction in 431 bomb attack cases in Kerala since 2016, says official data
• Nepal Bans MDH And Everest Spices Amid Reports of Contamination, Begins Testing For Harmful Chemicals
• Spain denies port of call to vessel carrying shipment of ‘arms to Israel from India’
• UN-linked body defers NHRC-India accreditation for second year in a row
• Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping agree to expand Russia-China military coordination
• Coastguards can detain trespassers without trial, says Beijing as activists converge on Scarborough Shoal in the SCS
• Top ASEAN officials meet Myanmar junta chief for ‘cooperation’ talks
• Nepal PM to take test of strength for fourth time amid Oppn protest in parliament
• Pak: IHC seeks report on alleged abduction of Kashmiri journalist by security agencies
• Chinese urged to set up labor-intensive industry in Pakistan

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Election 2024: Delhi Police Files FIR After Swati Maliwal Submits Formal Complaint in Assault Case

• The Delhi Police on Thu registered an FIR in connection with a formal complaint submitted by Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on her allegations of misbehavior and assault against a close aide of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.
• The police have registered a case under relevant sections of the IPC.
• The AAP Rajya Sabha MP’s statement was recorded by a two-member team of the Delhi Police at her residence in central Delhi.
• According to the police, Maliwal told them about the incident that took place at the CM’s residence on May 13.
• (Sources)- she submitted 2.5 pages, elaborating on the sequence of events.
• She has named Bibhav Kumar, a personal staffer of Kejriwal, as the accused, they added.
• The DP was at her house for more than 4 hours in connection with the assault. (here)
• “If any atrocity happens to any woman we stand with her” says Priyanka Gandhi on alleged assault on Maliwal: Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Thu weighed in on the alleged assault on Maliwal saying that her party stood with women against any atrocity. (here)
• PM takes dig at Akhilesh Yadav; ‘ask Mamata why she calls people of UP outsiders’: PM Modi, during a rally in Uttar Pradesh on Thu, took a swipe at SP’s leader Akhilesh Yadav, saying he should question Mamata Banerjee as to why she calls the people hailing from UP as outsiders in West Bengal.
• “We all are Indians. We are the children of ‘Bharat Mata’. Then why TMC  abuse people from Uttar Pradesh who go there? ‘Are Babua, zara apni bua ko puch to lo [please ask your aunt]’,” he added. (here)
• Andhra Post-Poll Violence: EC Directs MHA to Retain 25 Companies of Central Forces Post-Counting: The Election Commission on Thu directed the Union home ministry to retain 25 companies of central forces in Andhra Pradesh even after counting of votes on Jun 4 following post-poll violence in the state as it conveyed its displeasure to the state chief secretary and the police chief over the incidents.
• In a statement, the EC said “without mincing any words”, it directs the chief secretary and the director general of police to ensure that such violence is not repeated and all SPs to be tasked with taking pre-emptive measures to avoid such a situation. (here)

Centre recommends increase in reservation quota for OBCs in public employment in Punjab, West Bengal

• The National Commission for Backward Classes, an govt body, has recommended an increase in the reservation quota for OBCs in public sector employment in Punjab and WB, the PTI reported on Thursday (May 16).
• At present, Punjab allocates 25% of public employment positions to Scheduled Castes and 12% to OBCs.
• In WB, the reservation quota for SCs is 22%, for Scheduled Tribes is 6%, and for OBCs is 17%, concerning services and posts under the control of the state in establishments.
• In an advisory, the NCBC proposed enhancing the OBC quota by an additional 13%, bringing the total OBC reservation in public employment to 25%.
• This adjustment would adhere to the Supreme Court’s ceiling of up to 50% reservation for socially and educationally backward classes. (here)

2 terrorists killed in encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir

• Two terrorists were killed after the Indian Army foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in J&K’s Kupwara on Thu.
• The bodies were seen lying on the other side of the fence in the Tangdhar sector.
• Meanwhile, a search operation is underway in the area to locate more terrorists.
• On receiving specific intelligence input, a joint search operation was launched by the Indian Army, J&K Police in the general area of Amrohi, Tangdhar
• During the search, two pistols, ammunition, and other war-like stores were recovered
• In a similar incident last month, 1 terrorist was killed after the Army foiled an infiltration attempt along the LoC in Uri, Baramulla district (here)

IAF expected to get first LCA Mark1A fighter by July

• The first LCA Mark 1A fighter aircraft is expected to be delivered to the Indian Air Force by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited by July this year.
• The aircraft was earlier expected to be delivered to the IAF in the Feb-Mar timeframe but a short delay happened due to technical reasons.
• The HAL carried out the 1^st flight of the fighter last month and several other integration trials would be completed in the next few weeks before it is delivered to the IAF
• The indigenous fighter aircraft induction into the force will be a major step in realizing self-reliance in the military sector and the PM may also be invited on the occasion
• The LCA Mark 1A project was conceptualized after PM Modi took charge.
• An order worth Rs 48k crore for 83 planes has already been placed and another one expected to be worth Rs 65k cr is going to be placed for 97 by the end of FY (here)

NIA says NSCN-IM sent Myanmar groups to ‘destabilise’ Manipur, outfit counters with ‘proxy war’ claim

• A new transnational twist in Manipur’s Kuki-Meitei ethnic conflict has surfaced after the Hindu reported on an NIA chargesheet that accused a “China-Myanmar module” of the NSCN (I-M) of stirring up trouble in the state.
• While NIA has claimed that the NSCN (I-M) helped cadres from banned Meiteis infiltrate, the extremist group has hit back, alleging that Indian security forces are supporting Kuki insurgents in Myanmar to target Meitei rebels seeking shelter there.
• The chargesheet, filed in Mar, alleges that an NSCN (I-M) module facilitated the infiltration of Meitei rebels “to exploit the current ethnic conflict in Manipur — with a larger goal to destabilize the State and wage a war against the Govt of India”.
• However, in a statement released Thu, the NSCN (I-M) not only called the NIA’s charges “misleading” and “vicious”, it also leveled some allegations regarding the role of Indian forces in the ongoing conflict in Myanmar.
• The Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, or NSCN (I-M), is an overground militant group that is in ceasefire mode with the govt of India. (here)

Zero conviction in 431 bomb attack cases in Kerala since 2016, says official data

• In a shocking development, it has come to light that not even a single conviction has taken place in the 431 cases of bomb attacks registered in Kerala between 2016 and ‘22.
• As per official records, the police closed 205 cases citing lack of progress in the investigation and 2 others for absence of evidence.
• Charge-sheets have been filed in a mere 162 cases so far and the trial is progressing in court. In short, not even a single accused has been sentenced.
• The data, which covers the period from June 2016 – when the first Pinarayi Vijayan Govt came to power – to Aug 2022, indicates that the police did not pursue the in most cases as the accused belonged to the ruling party.
• Often, top officers exerted pressure on the inquiry teams to sabotage the cases. (here)

Nepal Bans MDH And Everest Spices Amid Reports of Contamination, Begins Testing For Harmful Chemicals

• Nepal has become the latest country to ban spices from the brands MDH and Everest after reports of the presence of ethylene oxide in them.
• A report suggests that Nepal’s Department of Food Tech and Quality Control has started testing the 2 Indian spice brands and has banned their import, consumption, and sale.
• This comes days after HK and Singapore had also banned spices from these 2 brands. (here)
• UK Tightens Scrutiny Of Indian Spice Imports Amid Contamination Claims: Britain’s food watchdog has applied extra control measures on all spice imports from India, it said on Wed, becoming the 1^st to ramp up scrutiny of all Indian spices after contamination allegations against 2 brands sparked concerns among global food regulators
• In the most stringent crackdown so far impacting all Indian spices, the UK’s FSA said that in light of the concerns it has “applied extra control measures for pesticide residues in spices from India which includes ethylene oxide”.
• The agency did not elaborate on the exact steps it is taking. (here)

Spain denies port of call to vessel carrying shipment of ‘arms to Israel from India’

• Spain has refused port of call to a Danish-flagged merchant vessel carrying “27 tonnes of explosive from India to Israel” saying the ME “requires peace and not more weapons”.
• “This is the first time we have done this because it is the first time we have detected a ship carrying a shipment of arms to Israel that wants to call at a Spanish port,” FM José Manuel Albares Bueno told reporters in Brussels.
• He said that the ship in question was Marianne Danica which had requested permission to call at Cartagena on 21 May.
• Permissions to call are requested by vessels traveling long distances for replenishments.
• Incidentally, Chennai is one of the main port cities through which India imports and exports explosive-related stuff.
• Spain has been very critical of Israel’s offensive in Gaza and is rallying other European countries to recognize a Palestinian state.
• Spain halted arms sales to Israel after it launched a military onslaught against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
• Sources in the defense and security establishment refused to get into details but said that there is no violation of international rules and regulations governing the transfer of such goods anywhere. (here)

UN-linked body defers NHRC-India accreditation for second year in a row

• The Geneva-based, UN-linked Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions deferred the accreditation of the National Human Rights Commission-India for the 2^nd year in a row.
• The decision, which could now affect India’s ability to vote at the HRC and some UNGA bodies, was taken during the meeting of the Sub Committee on Accreditation on May 1, which included reps from New Zealand, S Africa, Honduras, and Greece.
• While the committee’s latest report is still awaited
• Its previous report cited several reasons for the deferral, including the lack of transparency in appointing members to the NHRC, the appointment of police officers, and the lack of gender and minority representation on the member panel. (here)

 [Neighborhood]

Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping agree to expand Russia-China military coordination

• China and Russia on Thu pledged to step up their military ties, despite Western pressure on Beijing to rein in Moscow from advancing in Ukraine.
• In a joint presser, Chinese President Xi Jinping said he and visiting Russian leader Vladimir Putin had agreed that “a political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis is the correct direction”.
• Xi also said China would like to “play a constructive role” in restoring peace in the European continent, as the Chinese govt had stated when Russia invaded Ukraine
• The meeting between Xi and Putin came soon after the Chinese president returned from his first EU visit in five years last week.
• During the visit, Xi was urged by French President Emmanuel Macron and EC President Ursula von der Leyen to use his influence on Russia to end the war in Ukraine
• In a joint statement, the two said they would “further deepen mutual military trust and cooperation” by expanding the scales of joint military exercises (here)
• In a joint statement, 7k words long in Russian, the two pledged a “new era” of partnership between the 2 most powerful rivals of the U.S., which they cast as an aggressive Cold War hegemon that was sowing chaos across the world.
• They proclaimed opposition to the US on a host of security issues and a shared view on everything from Taiwan and Ukraine to N Korea and cooperation on new peaceful nuclear technologies and finance.
• There was little detail on what actual deals they agreed on, though the meat of the meeting was expected to be hashed out informally over tea. (here)

Coastguards can detain trespassers without trial, says Beijing as activists converge on Scarborough Shoal in the SCS

• Beijing has fleshed out the Chinese coastguard’s powers to detain foreigners suspected of illegally crossing borders, rolling out regulations on Wed that stipulate suspects can be held for up to 60 days without trial, amid rising tensions in the South China Sea.
• The existing laws give coastguards the power to detain, this is the 1^st time a specific regulation has clarified the CG force’s law enforcement procedure for detentions
• Other laws and regulations have been issued for the CG to give the force more legal basis since it was transferred from maritime authorities to the paramilitary police
• The release of the latest regulatory document, effective from June 15, coincided with a civilian mission from the Philippines that kicked off on Wed to assert Manila’s claims near the contested Scarborough Shoal, also known as Panatag Shoal. (here)

Top ASEAN officials meet Myanmar junta chief for ‘cooperation’ talks

• Myanmar’s military chief has held talks with top ASEAN officials on the junta’s participation in the SE Asian regional bloc, from which it has been isolated since the 2021 coup, state media reported on May 16.
• The 10-member ASEAN has led so far fruitless diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict unleashed by the military’s putsch, which has displaced 2.7 million people
• Myanmar is still a member of ASEAN, but the generals have been excluded
• Army chief Min Aung Hlaing met ASEAN special envoy Alounkeo Kittikhoun and secy-gen Kao Kim Hourn on May 15 in the capital Naypyitaw
• They “exchanged views on the issues of Myanmar’s cooperation in ASEAN
• They also “discussed the best cooperation of Myanmar in ASEAN, the conditions of Myanmar’s participation in ASEAN meetings” and the plan to hold fresh elections.
• The crisis has divided ASEAN – long derided by critics as a toothless talking shop. (here)

Nepal PM to take test of strength for fourth time amid Oppn protest in parliament

• Nepalese PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda will seek his 4^th vote of confidence on Mon amid ongoing disruption and chaos in parliament, officials said.
• The latest vote of confidence comes after the withdrawal of support by the Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal and within 18 months of Dahal taking office.
• The decision comes at a time when the opposition Nepali Congress has been holding protests within the parliament, demanding the formation of a parliamentary inquiry committee to probe cooperative fraud allegedly involving Home Min Rabi Lamichhane.
• Earlier, on Thu, a scuffle broke out between lawmakers in the Oppn and the ruling alliance in the Lower House of the parliament on the alleged fraud.
• The situation turned tense after Speaker Ghimire invited Deputy PM and Home Minister Lamichhane to the rostrum and address the meeting amid protests. (here)

Pak: IHC seeks report on alleged abduction of Kashmiri journalist by security agencies

• The Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani has summoned a report from the defense secretary on the alleged role of state intelligence agencies in the abduction of Kashmiri poet and journalist Ahmed Farhad Shah.
• Shah was allegedly abducted from his home on Wed.
• The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan had called on the authorities for his immediate release.
• A petition was filed by his wife on the same day, requesting that he be found and produced before the court and to identify, investigate, and prosecute those responsible.
• Justice Kayani had conducted the first hearing on the matter a day ago and ordered the Senior Superintendent of Police to retrieve Shah at any cost, warning that he would otherwise summon the defense secretary. (here)

Chinese urged to set up labor-intensive industry in Pakistan

• Dy PM and FM Ishaq Dar said on Thu the govt under its economic reforms agenda offers attractive incentives for investment and asked the Chinese entrepreneurs to take advantage of the friendly policies and set up labor-intensive industries in Pakistan.
• “The labor cost is very competitive and much less as compared to the current labor cost in China,” he said while speaking at the Pakistan-China Business Roundtable Conference organized by the Pakistan Embassy in Beijing.
• Dar said the govt has expedited the construction of special economic zones and offered attractive incentives for the establishment of different industrial units.
• The Chinese businessmen could enjoy preferential market access to major economies such as the EU, the Gulf, China itself and other countries, that have FTA with Pakistan.
• He said there are competitive and lucrative incentives, especially in special economic zones, export processing zones, Gwadar free zones, and special technology zones. (here)
• The deputy PM and the Chinese minister expressed profound appreciation for Pakistan-China financial and banking cooperation, calling it a manifestation of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries. (here)