Newsletter 20 Feb

Top 5 News

1- Six Months After JnK Reorganization, EC Announces Nominee To Delimitation Commission
2- India becomes 5th largest economy, overtakes UK, France: Report
3- President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurates development projects in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu
4- India’s annual coal power output falls for first time in a decade-Reuters
5- Jaishankar meets EU leaders; holds talks on economic, social issues

Tweet of the Day

National

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Arunachal Pradesh to attend the 34th Statehood Day

Mr Shah will launch the Arunachal Pradesh Industrial and Investment Policy, 2020 and inaugurate the Joram Koloriang Road being constructed by the Border Roads Organization (BRO).
He laid the foundation stone of the new headquarters of the Arunachal Pradesh police.
Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, will also attend the Statehood Day function.
When Modi took the decision of abrogating Article 370, rumors were spread in North East that Article 371 will also be removed. But on statehood day of Arunachal and Mizoram, I want to assure you that nobody can remove Article 371 and nor it is anybody’s intention.
Shah further added “Before 2014, North East was connected to India only geographically and through administration, but with Narendra Modi as PM, NE is now connected with our heart and soul.
- Arunachal Pradesh became a full-fledged state on Feb 20, 1987. Till 1972, it was known as the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA). It gained the Union Territory status on January 20, 1972 and was renamed as Arunachal Pradesh.
- China objects to Shah’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh, claims it violated Beijing’s “territorial sovereignty and sabotaged political mutual trust”.
MEA, on above objection, “It’s an integral part of India. Indian leaders routinely travel to the state as they do to any other states of India. Objecting to visit of an Indian leader to any state in India doesn’t stand to reason” (ANI)

Ahead of Trump Visit….

USCIRF expressed concerned on CAA in A New Factsheet

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) on Feb 19, released the following new factsheet on India’s CAA.
- “The CAA law provides a fast track to Indian citizenship for non-Muslim migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Quickly after the CAA’s passage, large scale protests broke out across India with the government instituting a violent crackdown against the protestors.
- In conjunction with a proposed nation-wide National Register of Citizens, there are fears that this law is part of an effort to create a religious test for Indian citizenship and could lead to the widespread disenfranchisement of Indian Muslims.
- This factsheet provides an overview of the CAA and explains why it represents a significant downward turn in religious freedom in India.”
This came ahead of President Trump visit to India.
- USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze and report on threats to religious freedom abroad.
- USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief.
- Earlier too, on Dec 9, last year, it expressed serious concerned over CAB.
- As the USCIRF says and does is essentially an extension of US foreign policy. It will ignore what it sees unfit for the geopolitical interests of the country.
- It is same organization which urged US for the denial of visa to present PM Modi, in 2008.
- Democratic presidential aspirant, billionaire and philanthropist, Bloomberg said that nobody is doing anything about India’s carbon emissions.
  - India poses a bigger problem than China when it comes to fighting climate change, particularly on reducing carbon emissions, Democratic presidential aspirant and former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg has said.
    - in the world, and how far would he go to force Beijing to reduce those emissions and tackle the climate crisis.
    - Raveesh Kumar, Spokesperson, MEA India, this will be US President Trump’s first visit to India. It will be his 5^th meeting with PM Modi in 8 months, says
    - “There is strong cooperation between India and the US on counter-terrorism. We hope this cooperation will strengthen. There will be talks on regional issues.
    He also added The ‘Namaste Trump’ event is being organized by the Donald Trump Nagrik Abhinandan Samiti. The Samiti is taking all decisions on whom to invite.

MEA: congratulated Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on his reelection and stated “India supports the democratic aspirations of Afghanistan and remains committed to continue to work with the new Govt in strengthening our bilateral strategic partnership in fighting the scourge of externally sponsored terrorism & for an enduring and inclusive national peace”.

Ghani reciprocated “As a friend, neighbor and the world’s largest democracy, thank you India for fully supporting Afghanistan’s democratic process”

CAA row…
Over 350 protesters including women detained outside UP Bhawan, demonstration foiled

The Jamia Coordination Committee (JCC), which comprises students from various political groups active on the campus, had called for a “gherao” of the UP Bhawan, where prohibitory orders were clamped under section 144 of CrPC.
The JCC later said in a statement that the gherao did not take place because of the police crackdown and a memorandum prepared by JCC could not be submitted. It condemned the “ridiculous action” of the police.
Police said the agitators had no permission to hold a protest at the site.
- They said the protesters did not follow police directions after which 357 including 75 female were detained and taken to Mandir Marg and Connaught Place police stations. They were subsequently released.
- Leader of the protesters, Badre Alam, who is a student of Jamia Millia Islamia, was informed by the police on Thursday to take proper police permission and hold protest at a designated place such as Jantar Mantar. “But he didn’t pay any heed to the advice of police,” a senior police officer said.

“It is clear that the current government is only holding itself back from unleashing its rage on the protestors in Delhi because of the international visibility that Delhi has. We ask progressive forces to exert more pressure on the Union and UP Govt to make them stop the atrocities that are being carried out in areas which are less visible to international media,” the JCC statement said.

Army Chief Gen MM Naravane: We have been getting inputs. There are 15-20 terrorist camps inside Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir where there are around 250-350 terrorists at any time and numbers may fluctuate.

We have been able to foil (Pakistan Army’s) BAT action attempts even before they have been able to launch them.

On the effect of FATF plenary in Paris on Pakistan activities in Kashmir, China has also realized that they cannot back their all-weather friend (Pakistan) all the time.

FATF comes down heavily on them, they may have to do a rethink on their rhetoric and activities. FATF is a factor (in the reduction of terror activities in Kashmir valley).

Terrorists Educated But Kill Due To Difference In Values: Rajnath Singh

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh in the Convocation Program, NIT Kurukshetra “Terrorists are not uneducated, they are graduates and technical degree holders. They too are young and have zeal to do something in life. But due to differences in values they kill people”.

SC dismisses PIL which sought 'minority' status to Hindus in eight states

The petition was filed by BJP Delhi leader Ashwani Upadhyay seeking benefits in education and government jobs in these states.
The court, however, told the petitioner to approach an appropriate forum to seek the desired changes. While the court has not set any specific date for the petitioner, he has been asked to raise the matter with appropriate authorities.

Lakshadweep (2.5%), Mizoram (2.75 %), Nagaland (8.75%), Meghalaya (11.53%), J&K (28.44 %), Arunachal P (29%), Manipur (31.39%) & Punjab (38.40%).

Delhi: interlocutors backed inconclusive on 2nd day

Sanjay Hegde and Sadhana Ramachandran, mediators appointed by Supreme Court reach Shaheen Bagh. They went here for talks with the protesters for the 2^nd day.

Interlocutors said to protestors that it’s an opportunity, given by SC to get some concrete conclusion.

[For detail see yesterday’s Newsletter]

Pune-based Serum Institute of India says it expects to be ready with vaccine against novel coronavirus (COVID-19) by early 2022-PTI

Former PM and seasoned economist, Manmohan Singh: We’ve a government today which does not acknowledge that there is such a word called “slowdown”. If you can’t recognize the problems you face, you are not likely to find credible answers to take corrective action.

Talking about Ahluwalia’s book, Singh said just like achieving $5 trillion economies by 2024 was “wishful thinking”, one could also not believe on the government’s claim of doubling farmers’ income.

Kulgam Police, Jammu and Kashmir, An associate of LeT terrorists arrested, 12 rounds of AK, 3 mobile sets & a vehicle recovered. Accused was

involved in transportation & was also providing shelter to terrorists of banned terror outfit LeT. FIR registered at PS Qaimoh.

A Border Security Force (BSF) Assistant Commandant, BB Yadav allegedly committed suicide at BSF’s Karole Krishna border outpost, in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district, earlier today. His body has been sent to Sub District hospital, Hiranagar for postmortem.

Joint CP Crime, Mumbai Police: Four five-star hotels in Mumbai have received a bomb threat over e-mail. The sender of the email claims to be from Lashkar-e-Taiba; police investigating the e-mail

After Rakesh Maria's 'Hindu terror' claim, BJP MLA seeks fresh probe into 26/11 attack

In a letter to CM Uddhav Thackeray, (BJP) MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar, said then Congress-NCP government had set up a probe committee headed by former bureaucrat Ram Pradhan, and that its report was not tabled in the state legislature.
“Ram Pradhan later said in an interview that (then Union Home minister) P Chidambaram had told him not to reveal the local connection (of the terror attack). I urge you to reinvestigate the case and take action against those who speak Pakistan’s line,” Bhatkhalkar stated.
U Nikam, Special Public Prosecutor in 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case, “We had presented 10 IDs before court, they were fake. It’s true that the IDs carried Hindu names. Kasab had given statement in Mumbai court which proved that the 10 accused had 10 fake IDs…We proved it
- On 19.02.08 Kasab gave statement in Mumbai court which proved that the 10 accused had 10 fake IDs. He had stated that Kafa, who gave those military training, had told them they’ll be given 10 fake IDs. He had stated that they were to use them to mislead Police. We proved this.

This came after chaos erupted after memoir “Let me Tell It Now”, of Rakesh Maria, who had headed the probe in the terror attack case, had also said that the LeT had planned to project terrorist Ajmal Kasab, who was captured alive and later hanged after a legal trial, as a “Hindu terrorist”.

Indian Army sources: Indian Army to get a new building ‘Thal Sena Bhawan’ in Delhi Cantt. Its existing offices in South Block and Sena Bhawan to continue as it is.

Indian Army sources: The ‘bhoomi-pujan’ (ground-breaking) ceremony of the building is planned to be done on 21^st Feb by the Defense Minister.

Health Ministry: In a meeting of Secretary (Health) Preeti Sudan with Chinese Ambassador, she had requested that students who had returned from China were representing that their respective universities were asking them to join back or they would lose their admission status.

This request has been responded to favorably, said by ministry. Chinese Embassy has written that China’s State Council has decided to postpone new semester of Universities for which Secretary had represented. Students will be notified by their respective Universities accordingly.

Container slides off truck killing 19 in India freak accident

At least 19 people have been killed in a freak accident in Tirpur, Tamil Nadu, after a container slipped off a truck and rammed into a passenger bus, around 3:30 am local time.

Police are investigating the incident, but officials say the container came off its hinges after one of the wheels of the truck had a puncture.

There were about 48 people in the bus, and several are in a critical condition.

International

Pakistan:

As per radio Pak, at her weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Aisha Farooqui hoped the offer of mediation expressed by the US President will be taken forward through some concrete practical steps.
- The spokesperson said Pakistan welcomes the letter written by the US Senators to the US Secretary of State drawing attention to the plight of people of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
- She said voices are growing around the world calling upon India to provide fundamental freedoms to the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir, lift the draconian laws and ensure the just resolution of the outstanding dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions.
Islamabad: Family members of the Pakistani students, who are stuck in Wuhan (China), protest demanding evacuation of students from the coronavirus affected city.
Pak PM Imran Khan, in his telephonic conversation, with Chinese President, Xi Jinping, praised the relentless efforts undertaken by China for containing and controlling Coronavirus and underscored that the people and the Government of Pakistan stood firmly behind China in its decisive efforts to fight and eliminate the virus.
A delegation led by Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani called on King of Bahrain Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa in Bahrain.

Sanjrani also raised the situation in Indian occupied Kashmir and said that

Indian atrocities and lockdown have entered 7^th month and the Indian government is involved in brutal violation of human rights in occupied valley.
He also appreciated Bahrain’s support in the OIC and Human Rights Council in Geneva on Kashmir issue.
The King of Bahrain lauded Pakistan’s efforts for promoting regional peace, stability and development.

President Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) KITAOKA Shinichi called on Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad on Thursday.-Radio Pak
- He apprised the Foreign Minister about ongoing cooperation of the Agency with Pakistan in diverse fields including education, health and human and social development.
- They agreed to further enhance this cooperation in trade and economic development.
- Appreciating JICA for its support to Pakistan in education and human development, the Foreign Minister said the Islamabad wants to extend it to other sectors including technology.
MNA Mohsin Dawar on Wed condemned alleged police brutality and arrest of students who have been protesting at Gomal University in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan District, against the varsity administration.(Dawn)
In a tweet, Dawar termed police violence against peaceful protesters at the university and arrest of activists belonging to student organizations as “very condemnable” and a “shameful act”.
He further called for the immediate release of those who have been arrested.
PPP’s media cell also tweeted that the party’s chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has backed the protest and stance of Gomal University students.

US condemns China's expulsion of 3 WSJ journalists

The United States on Thurs condemned China’s expulsion of three Wall Street Journal’s (WSJ) foreign correspondents over an opinion piece published in the newspaper, saying “mature, responsible countries, understand that a free press reports facts and expresses opinions.”

“Mature, responsible countries understand that free press reports facts and expresses opinions.

The correct response is to present counter-arguments, not restrict speech,” US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, said in a statement Wed.

Political

AIMIM leader Waris Pathan, in public rally, “They tell us that we’ve kept our women in the front, only the lionesses have come out and you’re already sweating. You can understand what would happen if all of us come together. 15 cr hain magar 100 ke upar bhaari hain, ye yaad rakh lena.”

DMK President MK Stalin, ally of INC in TN, said to media that “We expected that the government will take decision on our demand for resolution against CAA”.

However, we were not satisfied with the stance of government so we walked out of the Assembly. This government is subservient to BJP.

States

Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Chennai has seized 12.693 kgs of smuggled gold from 18 passengers from Malaysia, Colombo, Dubai, at Chennai International airport.

‘Kashmir remains incomplete without you’ – Srinagar mayor’s message to Kashmiri Pandits on Herath

Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu acknowledged Kashmiri Pandits’ “undoubting struggle” on the occasion of Herath festival
Unofficial sources suggest that around seven lakh Kashmiri Pandits had to flee Kashmir Valley in 1989-90
Junaid Azim Mattu assured the Kashmiri Pandits that they “stand shoulder to shoulder with them”

Assuring the Kashmiri Pandits that they “stand shoulder to shoulder with them”, Mattu, striking an emotional tone, mentioned that Kashmir remained incomplete without the community, which was forced to flee by Islamist terrorists in late 1989 and early 1990.ToI

UP police have registered a case of gang rape against a BJP lawmaker, Ravindra Nath Tripathi and six others on Wed, including his sons and nephew, following a complaint from a widow who said she couldn’t take their blackmail any longer.

“I was working in Mumbai at that time. The nephew of the MLA promised to marry me and invited me to Bhadohi, where he confined me in a hotel room and raped me. Then, the MLA, his two sons and the others gang-raped me,” she said.

A trader has been arrested in Greater Noida (UP) for allegedly sharing Facebook post deemed “offensive” against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath: Officials.

Kerala: Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau is conducting a raid in Trivandrum at the residence of ex-health minister, Congress leader, VS Sivakumar in connection with disproportionate assets cases. The Bureau had registered a case against 3 others and him, on Feb 18.