1. Election 2024: Can’t fix elections in India, not even for a municipality, says PM on Oppn’s Charges
2. ‘Disturbing Actions Allowed’: India summons canadian diplomat over ‘Khalistan’ slogans at Canada Event
3. In Major Op, Assam Rifles recover heavy weapons in Nagaland
4. Manipur: Unnatural growth of 996 new villages in state due to illegal immigration, says CM
5. AstraZeneca makes big U-Turn, admits Covishield can cause Rare Side Effect

What Else

• Uttarakhand suspends licences of 14 Patanjali products; criminal complaint filed against Ramdev, Balkrishna
• BSF recovers Chinese drone, 510gm heroin in Ferozepur
• An assassination plot on American soil reveals a darker side of Modi’s India, claimed WaPo
• India’s RBI punishes five co-operative banks for rule violations, imposes fine
• Centre allows 99.5k Tons of Onion exports to 6 Neighbouring Nations
• IMF Executive Board okays $1.1bn loan tranche for Pakistan
• Four ‘terrorists’ involved in Bisham suicide attack on Chinese engineers arrested
• US Forms Team To Help Countries Defend Against China’s Economic ‘Coercion’ – Bloomberg
• MPs targeted by Chinese hackers question why Canada didn’t tell them

—————-

Election 2024: Can’t fix elections in India, not even for a municipality, says PM on Oppn’s Charges

• PM Modi rubbished the “match-fixing” allegations of opposition parties during polls, asking why the Congress — which was in power before 2014 — failed to return to the Centre if it had the might of the central agencies backing it.
• The PM added: “You cannot fix the election of such a big country, even for a municipality you can’t fix elections. Try it. Is it possible?.” (here)
• Reservation is ‘atonement for our ancestors’ sins’: PM Modi-The responsibility of dispensing social justice to oppressed and backward sections is “atonement for the sins our ancestors may have committed”, PM Modi said Mon
• This came as a retort to the opposition’s allegation that BJP aims to do away with a reservation over the long term. (here)
• Upset Congress Workers’ “Told You So” After Indore Candidate Joins BJP: The abrupt exit of the Congress’s Indore candidate Akshay Kanti Bam for the Lok Sabha elections has left the party wondering why he took that step.
• Bam withdrew his nomination papers and joined the BJP on Mon. (here)
• Now, word on the Congress street is that party workers are upset the leadership did not consider their request not to field somebody “unreliable” as Mr Bam.
• NDA govt gave better benefits to farmers: Ajit Pawar: A total of ₹70,000 crore loan of farmers was waived off during this period, but the reality is that Maharashtra got benefit of only ₹10,000 crore, he said. (here)
• SC halts probe by CBI into Bengal recruitment scam: Supreme Court stays CBI actions in West Bengal teacher recruitment scam, questions irregularities.
• High Court order terminated 23,000 appointments due to fraud. (here)
• BSP replaces its candidate from Amethi: Nanhe Singh Chauhan from the Nonia community replaces Ravi Prakash Maurya, who was announced as BSP candidate from the seat on Sun (here)

‘Disturbing Actions Allowed’: India summons canadian diplomat over ‘Khalistan’ slogans at Canada Event

• India summoned the Canadian Dy HC on Mon to convey its strong protest over separatist slogans that were raised in an event in Toronto addressed by PM Trudeau.
• On Sun, pro-Khalistan chants filled the air during a Khalsa parade where Trudeau addressed the attendees on the occasion of Khalsa Day.
• Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre and Jagmeet Singh (NDP) also attended the rally.
• As Trudeau delivered his speech during the Toronto event, pro-Khalistani chants were heard throughout.
• Khalistani separatists and Ottawa policies which do not restrict them from spreading Hinduphobia and anti-India hatred have led to the deterioration of India-Canada ties.
• Khalistani separatists have been tied to incidents of vandalism at Hindu temples as well as attacks on members of the Indian diaspora.
• India-Canada ties soured after Trudeau last Sept said that Ottawa was “actively pursuing credible allegations” that Indian agents were potentially linked to killing of Najjar.
• Canada has been asking India to cooperate in its investigation of Nijjar’s killing.
• Strongly rejecting the accusations, New Delhi asked Ottawa to furnish proof (here)

In Major Op, Assam Rifles recover heavy weapons in Nagaland

• Assam Rifles on Mon recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition close to the Indo-Myanmar border in the Mon district of Nagaland. 
• Following inputs regarding the weapons near the border area, the AR troops launched the search operation and recovered a huge quantity of arms and ammunition
• These comprise 11 Mortar tubes (82 mm), 04 tubes (106 mm), 10 Pistols, 198 Hand Held Radio Sets, and one Satellite Phone.
• During the search operation, the Assam Rifles also seized one Kenbo bike, one Bolero vehicle, and other war-like stores.
• The recovered items and arrested individuals have been handed over to the state Police. (here)
• ‘No mercy’ for police personnel in illegal activities: Nagaland DGP: Nagaland’s Director General of Police, issued a stark warning on Mon declaring that there would be “no mercy” for any police personnel involving in unlawful activities within the state.
• Addressing the media regarding concerns over multiple extortions by Naga Political Groups on business establishments, DGP emphasised that the law applies equally to everyone, reiterating that a crime is a crime. (here)
• Extortion by Naga political groups to be dealt under National Security Act: Amid widespread protests against the rampant “illegal taxation” by Naga Political Groups in Nagaland, the state govt has declared a stringent enforcement of the Ceasefire Ground Rules and the apprehension of extortionists under NSA
• Deputy Chief Minister and minister of Home and Border Affairs, Yanthungo Patton announced this decision during a presser in Kohima. (here)
• Mizoram: Joint operation leads to seizure of Meth tablets worth Rs 6.66 crore: In a coordinated effort, Assam Rifles in collaboration with the Special Narcotics Police Station, CID (Crime), successfully intercepted and seized a significant quantity of methamphetamine tablets in Mualpuikawn, Salem Veng K-Section, Aizawl. (here)

Manipur: Unnatural growth of 996 new villages in state due to illegal immigration, says CM

• Manipur CM N Biren Singh issued a warning on Apr 29, highlighting the alarming proliferation of 996 new villages attributed to illegal immigration.
• In a post on X, Singh highlighted the severe threat posed by this phenomenon to both indigenous communities and national security.
• Singh’s post addressed a pressing issue that has been plaguing Manipur, and indeed the nation at large, for years.
• Since 2006, there has been a surge in the establishment of new villages across Manipur, largely fueled by an influx of illegal immigrants from neighboring Myanmar.
• This influx has not only altered the demographic landscape but has also resulted in the rampant destruction of forest cover, primarily to make way for settlements and illicit activities such as poppy plantations.
• Also, the encroachment by these illegal immigrants on resources, job openings, land, and the rights of indigenous populations has exacerbated tensions within the region.
• In response to this, the state govt has initiated measures to address the issue head-on.
• Singh’s appeal extended beyond Manipur, urging all citizens to rally behind the govt in its efforts to safeguard the nation from the threats posed by illegal immigration. (here)

AstraZeneca makes big U-Turn, admits Covishield can cause Rare Side Effect

• British pharma giant AstraZeneca has admitted that its Covid vaccine can cause a rare side effect, The Telegraph (UK) has reported.
• Covishield can cause, in rare cases, a condition that leads to blood clots and low platelet count, the vaccine-maker has said in court documents.
• Covishield, developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University during the pandemic, was produced by the Serum Institute of India and widely administered in the country.
• AstraZeneca is facing a class action lawsuit in the UK over claims that its vaccine caused deaths and severe injuries in several cases.
• Victims in as many as 51 cases in the UK High Court are seeking damages up to 100 million pounds.
• AstraZeneca has contested the claims, but admitted in one of the court documents in Feb that Covishield can “in very rare cases, cause TTS”, the report said.
• This also contradicts the company’s 2023 stand, in which it had told the lawyers of Jamie Scott that “we do not accept that TTS is caused by the vaccine at a generic level”.
• AstraZeneca has, however, denied the lawyers’ claims that the vaccine is “defective” and its efficacy “vastly overstated”. (here)

Uttarakhand suspends licences of 14 Patanjali products; criminal complaint filed against Ramdev, Balkrishna

• A criminal complaint has also been filed against Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna and Patanjali for violating the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act.
• The products whose licences have been suspended are Swasari Gold, Swasari Vati, Bronchom, Swasari Pravahi, Swasari Avaleh, Mukta Vati Extra Power, Lipidom, Bp Grit, Madhugrit, Madhunashini Vati Extra Power, Livamrit Advance, Livogrit, Eyegrit Gold and Patanjali Drishti Eye Drop.
• The action comes amidst a hearing in the SC against Ramdev and Patanjali’s managing director Balkrishna on disobeying court orders that forbade Patanjali Ayurved from running misleading advertisements on health cures.
• The apex court is hearing a 2022 plea by the Indian Medical Association alleging a smear campaign against the Covid vaccination drive and modern systems of medicine.
• Last month, the court had asked Ramdev, his aide Acharya Balakrishnan and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd to issue a public apology for not following its orders on misleading ads.
• “Why would you say any other system is not good?” it asked Ramdev, who expressed his “unqualified and unconditional apology” for his conduct. (here)

BSF recovers Chinese drone, 510gm heroin in Ferozepur

• The Border Security Force recovered a China-made DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone carrying a packet of suspected heroin from the border area of Ferozepur district on Mon
• At 8 am on Mon, BSF troops observed a small drone along with a packet (gross weight 510 gm) in a field in the border area of Ferozepur district, according to the release.
• “An illuminating ball was also found attached to the packet,” it said.
• The recovery took place in a field adjacent to Gandu Kilcha village in Ferozepur.
• On Sun, the BSF and Punjab Police recovered a drone near Rajoke village in Tarn Taran district. (here)

An assassination plot on American soil reveals a darker side of Modi’s India, claimed WaPo

• The WH went to extraordinary lengths last year to welcome PM Modi in a state visit meant to bolster ties with an ascendant power and potential partner against China.
• But even as the Indian leader was basking in U.S. adulation on Jun 22, an officer in India’s intel service was relaying final instructions to a hired hit team to kill one of “Modi’s most vocal critics in the United States”.
• The assassination is a “priority now,” wrote Vikram Yadav, an officer in India’s spy agency, the RAW, according to current and former U.S. and Indian security officials.
• Yadav forwarded details about the target, Sikh activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, including his New York address, according to the officials and a U.S. indictment.
• As soon as the would-be assassins could confirm that Pannun, a U.S. citizen, was home, “it will be a go ahead from us.”
• Yadav’s identity and affiliation, which have not previously been reported, provide the most explicit evidence to date that the assassination plan — ultimately thwarted by U.S. authorities — was directed from within the Indian spy service.
• Higher-ranking RAW officials have also been implicated, according to current and former Western security officials, as part of a sprawling investigation by the CIA, FBI and other agencies that has mapped potential links to Modi’s inner circle.
• [The “Modi’s most vocal critics”: Sikh extremists have in recent months erected billboards advocating the killing of Indian diplomats (identified with photos), threatened attacks on the Indian Parliament and New Delhi Airport, staged a parade float on which the 1984 assassination of then–Indian PM Indira Gandhi was reenacted, and mounted attacks on Indian diplomatic missions in Canada and California.]
• In Australia, 2 RAW officers were expelled in 2020 after authorities broke up what Mike Burgess, head of the Australian intel service, described as a “nest of spies.” (here)
• Ministry of Extrnal Affairs reacted on the post, “The report in question makes unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations on a serious matter.”
• “There is an ongoing investigation of the High Level Committee set up by the Govt of India to look into the security concerns shared by the US govt on networks of organised criminals, terrorists and others.”
• “Speculative and irresponsible comments on it are not helpful.”

India’s RBI punishes five co-operative banks for rule violations, imposes fine

• India’s central bank, RBI on Mon imposed a monetary penalty on 5 co-operative banks for multiple violations.
• The RBI said all 5 banks were found in non-compliance of the directions issued by the NABARD on ‘Frauds – Guidelines for Classification, Reporting and Monitoring’.
• The five banks that have been penalised are as follows: The Central Co-operative Bank, The Vaish Co-operative Adarsh Bank, Indira Mahila Sahakari Bank, The Chitradurga District Co-operative Central Bank, and Samarth Sahakari Bank.
• The RBI in a press release said a penalty of $1200 was imposed on VCAB, whereas the CCB was fined $2400.
• The RBI has asked IMSB to pay $900 as a fine whereas both the CDCCB and SSB have been fined worth $600. (here)

Centre allows 99.5k Tons of Onion exports to 6 Neighbouring Nations

• The Centre on Sat said it has allowed exports of 99,500 tonnes of onions, mainly sourced from Maharashtra to 6 neighboring countries despite the ban on shipments.
• The Centre has also allowed exports of 2,000 tonnes of white onion, especially, for export markets in the Middle East and some European countries.
• On Dec 8, 2023, the govt banned export of onions.
• The 6 neighboring countries –B’desh, UAE, Bhutan, Bahrain, Mauritius and Sri Lanka
• The NCEL, an agency for the export of onion to these countries, sourced the domestic onions to be exported through e-platform at L1 prices.
• NCEL has supplied to the agency or agencies nominated by the government of the destination country at the negotiated rate on a 100% advance payment basis. (here)

 [Neighborhood]

IMF Executive Board okays $1.1bn loan tranche for Pakistan

• The IMF Executive Board has approved a $1.1 billion loan for Pakistan as the last tranche under the $3 billion Stand-by Arrangement (SBA), Geo News on Mon.
• “The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the second and final review of Pakistan’s economic reform program supported by the IMF’s Stand-By Arrangement,” the IMF said in an official statement
• “The Board’s decision allows for an immediate disbursement of around $1.1 bn, bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to about $3 bn.”
• They further stated that Pakistan is likely to receive the loan payment this week.
• The funding will be the third and last tranche of a $3 billion SBA with the IMF, which it secured last summer to avert a sovereign default and which runs out this month.
• The final tranche was approved after the IMF Executive Board meeting in Washington today that discussed Pakistan’s request for the release of funds.
• Today’s development came a day after PM Shehbaz Sharif’s meeting with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva in Riyadh.
• If secured, it would be Pakistan’s 24th IMF bailout.
• The $350 bn economy faces a chronic balance of payments crisis, with nearly $24 bn to repay in debt and interest over the next fiscal year, 3-time more than its FX reserves
• Min of expects the economy to grow by 2.6% in the fiscal year ending in Jun, while average inflation is projected at 24%, down from 29.2% the previous fiscal year. (here)

Four ‘terrorists’ involved in Bisham suicide attack on Chinese engineers arrested

• The CTD Peshawar has made an important progress in ongoing probe into a fierce suicide attack on Chinese engineers in Bisham city of KP’s Shangla last month
• 4 terrorists have been arrested for their involvement in the deadly explosion targeting a car carrying 5 Chinese citizens
• The arrested terrorists were associated with the banned TTP and other terrorists of their same network were also identified, the CTD spox said.
• Earlier in the month, the CTD had “arrested” more than 10 terrorists and facilitators while it emerged that outlawed TTP-affiliated outfits were believed to be involved in the March 26 deadly attack.
• Around 991 Chinese engineers were working on both projects, while the local staff has been told to stay at home till further instructions, an official confirmed
• The (sources) – the terrorist commander, responsible for bringing the suicide bomber to Pakistan from Afghanistan, was also arrested as well as 4 other facilitators. (here)

US Forms Team To Help Countries Defend Against China’s Economic ‘Coercion’ – Bloomberg

• In 2021, Washington intervened when Beijing attempted to penalize Lithuania for establishing a liaison office with Taiwan, leading to the formation of a team within the U.S. State Dept to assist nations facing economic coercion from China.
• When South Korea decided to host a U.S. anti-ballistic missile system, the flow of tourists from China ceased.
• Likewise, when Australia accused Beijing of meddling in its internal affairs and sought answers regarding the origins of COVID-19, China retaliated by halting imports such as coal, wine, and beef.
• As per the report, since then, numerous nations across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe have sought guidance on dealing with or mitigating economic pressure from China.
• According to Jose Manuel Romualdez, the Philippines‘ ambassador to the U.S., his country is receiving advice from the State Department on exploring new export markets and supporting its agriculture sector in case of a Beijing boycott. (here)

MPs targeted by Chinese hackers question why Canada didn’t tell them

• Members of Parliament are questioning why Canadian security officials did not inform them that they had been the target of Beijing-linked hackers, after learning from the FBI that the international parliamentary alliance they are a part of was in the crosshairs of the Chinese cyberattack in 2021.
• On Mon, Conservative MP Garnett Genuis kicked off the House of Commons sitting by raising a question of privilege, sounding alarm over what he considered an “unacceptable” failure on the part of the Canadian govt to inform parliamentarians that a foreign government had targeted them.
• Genuis said that last week, as first reported by the Globe and Mail, he and fellow Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China Canadian co-chair Liberal MP John McKay were informed “about a cyberattack launched against us, and 16 other MPs, in 2021.”
• IPAC is an international cross-party group of legislators “working towards reform on how democratic countries approach China.”
• It comprises politicians from a range of political parties, and has become, as Genuis put it, “a unique target” of the Chinese Communist Party. (here)