1. Election 2024: Srinagar polling records voter turnout, PM Modi Says ‘Art 370 abrogation enabled aspirations of People’
2. “PoJK was, is and always will be part of India”: EAM amid ongoing protests in Muzaffarabad; Pakistan Rangers open fire on PoK protesters, 4 civilians killed
3. J&K news: Indian Army spots suspected Pakistani drone near LoC
4. India, Iran sign pact for long-term operation of terminal at Chabahar; US warns of sanctions
5. US Ambassador Eric Garcetti: ‘Wanted India to buy Russian oil to stabilize prices’

What Else

• India gives Maldives $50mn in budgetary support as IMF warns island nation of ‘debt distress’
• Chinese suspected to be spy arrested, quizzing on Pakistan, US stress cooperation in tackling terror outfits including TTP, Daesh
• Pakistan: Adiala jail authorities ‘impose’ three-day ban on prisoners’ meetings
• JI leader calls for protest rally in Lahore to express solidarity with farmers
• Baloch community organizes protest in UK condemning Army’s atrocities in Balochistan
• Nepal: Janata Samajbadi Party joins government

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Election 2024: Srinagar polling records voter turnout, PM Modi Says ‘Art 370 abrogation enabled aspirations of People’

• Srinagar polling center on Mon registered a record 36.58% voter turnout by 8 pm, marking a historic high for which Lt Guv Manoj Sinha congratulated the people and all stakeholders in the parliamentary constituency.
• “Voters of Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Pulwama, and Shopian showed up in record numbers to cast their votes in a show of faith and enthusiasm in the election process,” the poll body said in a press note.
• This was the 1^st general election in the valley after the abrogation of Article 370 and the enaction of the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019.
• There are 24 candidates in the fray as compared to 12 in the 2019 general election (here)
• PM Modi to file nomination from Varanasi today (Tue): PM Modi will file his nomination from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat today in Uttar Pradesh.
• Before filing the papers, the PM will offer prayers at Dashwamedh Ghat and will take a dip in the River Ganga before boarding the cruise ship.
• PM Modi is the sitting MP and candidate from Varanasi.
• Voting in Varanasi will be held on Jun 1 in the seventh and last phase of the polls.
• Ahead of filing the nomination, PM Modi held an extravagant roadshow in Varanasi on a 5-km-stretch on Mon evening. (here)
• Swati Maliwal tells cops Kejriwal asked close aide Bibhav to assault her; NCW vows action: The National Commission for Women on Mon said it will be sending an inquiry team to look into the alleged assault on Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal and also send a formal letter to the Delhi Police to send an action taken report in the matter.
• Maliwal, former chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women, went to the Civil Lines PS and alleged that a close aide of Arvind Kejriwal assaulted her in his directions at his official residence.
• Police have not yet received a formal complaint.
• She alleged that Bibhav Kumar from Kejriwal’s staff attacked her. (here)
• BJP’s Madhavi Latha sparks row after her video asking burqa-clad women to show faces for ID check goes viral: A case was filed against BJP candidate from Hyderabad seat, Madhavi Latha on Mon after her video asking burqa-clad Muslim women to reveal their faces at a polling booth to match identities with the voter ID cards went viral
• The case against Latha was lodged under sections 171C, 186, 505(1)(c) of IPC and Section 132 of the Representation of the People Act at the Malakpet PS. (here)
• BJP picks Yuva Morcha vice president for public debate against Rahul Gandhi: BJP’s youth wing President Tejasvi Surya on Mon accepted an invitation for a public debate with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and nominated BJYM’s VP Abhinav Prakash.
• Notably, the invitation for a public debate was extended by former SC judge Madan B Lokur, former High Court Chief Justice AP Shah, and senior journalist N Ram to PM Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
• Surya proposed Prakash’s name stating that he was a young and educated leader from the Pasi scheduled caste community, who make up about 30% of the population in Rae Baraeli, where Gandhi is contesting the elections. (here)

“PoJK was, is and always will be part of India”: EAM amid ongoing protests in Muzaffarabad

• Amid the protest against Islamabad in Pakistan-occupied J&K, EAM S Jaishankar on Mon reiterated India’s stand on merging the “illegally occupied” PoJK and said during a media interaction at a seminar that “one day we will end the illegal occupation of the PoK and the PoK will join with India.”
• “And we definitely have this intention that one day we will end the illegal occupation” (here)
• Pakistan Rangers open fire on PoK protesters, 4 civilians killed: PRs, a paramilitary force under the Army, opened fire in Muzaffarabad killing at least 4 civilians protesting against inflation and exploitation, in what could escalate the already tense situation
• This came on a day when Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif ordered an “immediate release” of Pakistani Rs 23 billion for PoK after an emergency meeting in Islamabad
• The Pakistani Rangers, who were initially reported to have been withdrawn, opened indiscriminate fire as protesters from across the region marched to the capital.
• The latest tensions mark the culmination of the non-cooperation movement, which started in the region a year ago to protest against rising flour prices and electricity bills.
• The protest movement, largely nonviolent so far, took an ugly turn Fri when local police and federal forces that Islamabad sanctioned to be deployed in the region to protect Chinese personnel and CPEC projects cracked down on the protesters. (here)
• PoJK (AJK- Pakistan call) situation comes to national spotlight: The president and PM intervened on Sun to attempt to de-escalate the situation in AJK arising from an ongoing protest against the “regional” govt’s alleged failure to implement an agreement promising economic relief to the people. (here)
• The AJK witnessed violent clashes between the police and activists of a rights movement, which resulted in at least 1 police official dead and dozens injured on Sat.
• A complete strike has also been observed in the region since Fri, bringing life to a halt.
• Given the gravity of the situation, President Asif Ali Zardari on Sun urged all backers to exercise restraint and resolve the issues through dialogue and mutual consultation.
• The Pakistan PM also spoke to AJK PM Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq and directed all PML-N office bearers in the region to engage with the leaders of the JAAC that is pushing for the implementation of its 10-point charter of demands.
• (sources)- the PM, Shehbaz Sharif is going to convene a high-level meeting today (Mon) to discuss the ongoing protest in the region.
• Various stakeholders including the AJK PM, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam, and ministers for food and energy will attend the meeting.
• The premier will also hold a meeting with the PML-N’s AJK chapter. (here)
• PM Shehbaz approves immediate provision of Rs23bn to AJK: PM on Mon approved the immediate provision of Rs23 billion to AJK after the region witnessed clashes and protests in the past few days. (here)
• JAAC has traders at the forefront in most parts of the state and has been seeking the provision of electricity as per hydropower generation cost in AJK, subsidized wheat flour, and an end to the privileges of the elite class.
• On May 9 and 10, around 70 activists were arrested by police in a bid to prevent a long march — announced by the JAAC to press the govt to comply with an agreement reached between the two in Feb this year — triggering serious clashes in Dadyal and a “shutter-down strike” call. (here)
• UK chapter of UKPNP organizes protest in solidarity with ongoing PoJK protest: The British chapter of the UKPNP organised a protest outside the Pakistani consulate situated in Bradford, England, on Mon.
• Several party leaders and people belonging to the Kashmiri diaspora during the protest expressed their support for the ongoing struggle of the people of PoJK and PoGB (here)

J&K news: Indian Army spots suspected Pakistani drone near LoC

• Indian Army personnel engaged a suspected Pakistani drone that infiltrated the airspace near the LoC in J&K’s Rajouri district.
• The incident, which occurred late Sat night, involved the drone hovering briefly over Indian territory before it retreated to Pakistan.
• Despite a thorough search of the area in the Keri sector, the troops did not find any suspicious items on the ground.
• Officials have expressed concerns regarding the potential misuse of drones by anti-national elements to smuggle weapons and narcotics into India.
• However, the security forces said they are well-prepared to counter such threats.
• In a related event, another flying object with blinking lights was observed near the Allahpir area of Poonch district during the night between Sat/ Sun.
• Joint efforts by the police and security forces to scour the area yielded no results (here)

India, Iran sign pact for long-term operation of terminal at Chabahar

• India and Iran on Mon signed a long-term contract for the operation of the Shahid Beheshti Port terminal at Chabahar in Iran.
• The contract was signed by India Ports Global Ltd and Ports and Maritime Organisation of Iran in the presence of Ports, Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, according to a series of posts on X by the Indian Embassy in Iran.
• This is the first time India will take over the management of an overseas port.
• Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal said, “With the signature of this contract, we have laid the foundations of India’s long-term involvement at Chabahar.”
• Sonowal added that the signing of this contract will have a multiplier effect on the viability and visibility of Chabahar Port.
• According to him, Chabahar is not only the closest Iranian port to India but it is also an excellent port from a nautical point of view.
• Sonowal also held a meeting with his Iranian counterpart.
• Located in Sistan-Balochistan province on the energy-rich Iran’s southern coast, the Chabahar port is being developed by India and Iran to boost connectivity and trade ties.
• The Ministry of External Affairs had allocated Rs 100 crore for Chabahar Port for 2024-25, underlining India’s focus on connectivity projects with Iran. (here)
• US warns of sanctions after India-Iran Chabahar Port deal: ‘Aware of reports…’: Hours after the deal, the US reiterated that “anyone considering business deals with Iran needs to be aware of the potential risk of sanctions.”
• This comes days after the US announced new sanctions on Iran targeting its unmanned aerial vehicle production after it attacks Israel.
• “We’re aware of these reports that Iran and India have signed a deal concerning the Chabahar port. I will let the government of India speak to its own foreign policy goals vis-a-vis the Chabahar port as well as its own bilateral relationship with Iran,” US state dept spox said while responding to a question. (here)
• In 2018, the US State Department said, that sanction waivers are given to India for the development of Chabahar Port.

US Ambassador Eric Garcetti: ‘Wanted India to buy Russian oil to stabilize prices’

• US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti has said that the US had encouraged India to purchase Russian oil to stabilize global commodity prices.
• Speaking at an event hosted by the CFR last week, Garcetti stated, “‘They brought Russian Oil because we wanted somebody to buy Russian oil at a price cap.”
• The comments show a U-turn in US policy towards Russian energy imports by India.
• In the aftermath of the 2022 Russia-Ukraine conflict, the US publicly urged countries, including India, to reduce their dependence on Russian energy sources.
• The then US dy NSA Daleep Singh had visited Delhi in early 2022 during which he warned of “consequences” if India continued to increase its imports of Russian energy.
• He made the remarks at a select press briefing. (here)

India gives Maldives $50mn in budgetary support as IMF warns island nation of ‘debt distress’

• The Maldivian govt, on Mon, said India has extended “budgetary support” to the island nation with a rollover of a $50 million Treasury Bill.
• This comes as the IMF warned Male against the looming “debt distress” as it looks to borrow more from China.
• Maldivian FM Moosa Zameer took to X and thanked his Indian counterpart Dr S Jaishankar and the GoI for “extending vital budgetary support to Maldives
• The foreign ministry stated that the decision to roll over the Treasury Bill came after a request by Zameer during his official bilateral visit to India, earlier this year.
• IMF’s warning to Maldives: The IMF, on Mon, warned Maldives that it remained at a “high risk of external and overall debt distress” without “significant policy changes”.
• The IMF has also urged Maldives to urgently raise revenue, cut spending, and reduce external borrowing to avoid a major economic crisis. (here)

Chinese suspected to be spy arrested, quizzing on

• Chinese national, arrested under the Siddharthnagar outpost along the Indo-Nepal border for illegally entering UP, is suspected of being engaged in espionage.
• The police arrested You Fenghao (46) on May 10 for unlawfully entering the state.
• A forensic examination of his mobile phone has revealed potential involvement in spying activities.
• A senior officer disclosed that data retrieved from the accused’s mobile phone indicated his affiliation with the Chinese army.
• It also revealed photographs of Indian army contingents and evidence of his visits to countries considered to be enemies of India. (here)

[Neighborhood]

Pakistan, US stress cooperation in tackling terror outfits including TTP, Daesh

• Pakistan and the US have underscored the importance of bilateral cooperation in addressing the most pressing challenges to regional and global security, including the TTP and Daesh.
• According to a statement issued by the FO on Mon, the Additional Foreign Secy for the UN and OIC, and US Department of State Coordinator for CT, co-chaired the Pakistan-US Counterterrorism Dialogue on May 10 in Washington.
• Discussions centered on the counterterrorism landscape in the region, with a focus on areas of mutual interest.
• It said Pakistan and the US recognized that a partnership to counter the ISIS-Khorasan — also known as Daesh — the TTP, and other terrorist organizations will advance security in the region.
• The report mentioned that the country witnessed at least 432 violence-linked fatalities and 370 injuries among civilians, security personnel, and outlaws resulting from as many as 245 incidents of terror attacks and counterterror operations.
• Among the 432 fatalities, 281 included that of civilians and security personnel. (here)

Pakistan: Adiala jail authorities ‘impose’ three-day ban on prisoners’ meetings

• Authorities at Adiala Jail in Pakistan’s Rawalpindi have announced a 3-day prohibition on prisoners’ meetings citing security concerns, ARY News reported citing sources.
• This comes after jail authorities carried out a thorough search of the premises.
• The ban will remain in effect until midnight on May 15.
• The move follows an order from the Inspector General of Prisons to increase security protocols in and around the facility.
• The jail officials have also been instructed to conduct emergency drills to effectively manage potential crises, as per ARY News
• The move is aimed at avoiding any potential security breaches and maintaining law and order in the jail.
• Earlier, the Punjab home dept had on Mar 12 imposed a ban on visits to prisoners in Adiala Jail, citing security concerns. (here)

JI leader calls for protest rally in Lahore to express solidarity with farmers

• Jamaat-i-Islami Emir Hafiz Rehman on Sun called for a protest rally in Lahore on May 16 to express solidarity with farmers who are already holding protests against the govt for not procuring a fresh crop of wheat in Pakistan.
• While addressing a press conference, the JI chief warned Punjab’s provincial govt to refrain from blocking the route of the Jamaat rally and asserted that otherwise, the govt would be responsible for any untoward incident at Mall Road in Lahore
• Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said that at first, the govt had promised the growers that their crops would be procured.
• However, the govt later did not fulfill its promise.
• He also condemned the Pakistani caretaker govt’s decision to import wheat despite expectations of a bumper crop in Pakistan.
• Asked about Pakistan’s former caretaker PM Anwaarul Haq Kakar regarding the unveiling of facts about Form 47, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said that Kakar must be taken into protective custody and must be questioned about his statement (here).

Baloch community organizes protest in UK condemning Army’s atrocities in Balochistan

• Several members of the Baloch Republican Party on Sun organized a protest at Trafalgar Square in London to condemn the Pakistan army’s atrocities in Balochistan including enforced disappearances and fake encounters.
• Holding placards and banners of disappeared people, protesters called on the international community to take action and end the human rights violations.
• “The participants of the protest call on the international community, including the govt of the UK, to take action and end the longstanding human rights violations perpetrated by the Pakistan army in Balochistan,” it added. (here)

Nepal: Janata Samajbadi Party joins government

• The newly formed Janata Samajbadi Party joined the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led govt on Mon.
• President Ramchandra Paudel administered the oath of office to Pradip Yadav, the party’s deputy general secretary, as Minister for Health and Population.
• Likewise, PM Dahal administered the oath of office of secrecy to State Minister for Health and Population Hasina Khan, the President’s Office said in a statement.
• Earlier on Mon, the party recommended their names to the PM for appointment.
• The party also recommended Ranju Jha for the appointment as a minister.
• However, her appointment is uncertain as no ministerial portfolio is vacant now.
• Nawal Kishor Shah Sudi from the same party is currently the minister for Forest and Environment.
• A group of leaders led by Ashok Rai split the Upendra Yadav-led party last week to form the Janata Samajbadi Party.
• As the new party joins the Dahal-led Cabinet, the Yadav’s party has pulled out of the govt and also withdrawn its support. (here)