The Central government on Wednesday banned 118 more Chinese apps, including the very popular PUBG Mobile Lite and PUBG Mobile Nordic Map: Livik, citing their engagement in activities prejudicial to the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country.
The Central government on Wednesday banned 118 more Chinese apps, including the very popular PUBG Mobile Lite and PUBG Mobile Nordic Map: Livik, citing their engagement in activities prejudicial to the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country. This is the second such ban on Chinese apps after video-sharing app TikTok and 48 others were prohibited following the tension along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China since May this year. Wednesday’s list includes VPN for TikTok which was used to bypass earlier restrictions.
A press release from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said the Centre had invoked its powers under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act along with provisions of the Information Technology Rules 2009 to proscribe the 118 Chinese apps.
The IT Ministry said it had received numerous complaints regarding the apps’ misuse by stealing and surreptitiously transmitting user data in an unauthorised manner to servers outside India. The apps that have been banned are both mobile and non-mobile. It must be noted that PUBG has 33 million users in India and is very popular among the young.
The IT Ministry press release said,
“The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Ministry of Home Affairs has also sent an exhaustive recommendation for blocking these malicious apps.. Likewise, there have been similar bipartisan concerns, flagged by various public representatives, both outside and inside the Parliament of India. There has been a strong chorus in the public space to take strict action against apps that harm India’s sovereignty as well as the privacy of our citizens.”
In June, the Centre had banned 59 mobile applications, including TikTok, UC Browser and WeChat, citing the same concerns. Wednesday’s decision comes at a time when China has allegedly attempted a further transgression near the southern bank of Pangong Tso, which was thwarted by the Indian Army. India and China have been engaged in a standoff since April-May over the transgressions by the People’s Liberation Army in multiple areas including the Galwan Valley.
Here’s the full list of apps banned today:
The Central government on Wednesday banned 118 more Chinese apps, including the very popular PUBG Mobile Lite and PUBG Mobile Nordic Map: Livik, citing their engagement in activities prejudicial to the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country. This is the second such ban on Chinese apps after video-sharing app TikTok and 48 others were prohibited following the tension along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China since May this year.
A press release from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said the Centre had invoked its powers under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act along with provisions of the Information Technology Rules 2009 to proscribe the 118 Chinese apps.
The IT Ministry said it had received numerous complaints regarding the apps’ misuse by stealing and surreptitiously transmitting user data in an unauthorised manner to servers outside India. The apps that have been banned are both mobile and non-mobile. It must be noted that PUBG has 33 million users in India and is very popular among the young.
The IT Ministry press release said,
“The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Ministry of Home Affairs has also sent an exhaustive recommendation for blocking these malicious apps.. Likewise, there have been similar bipartisan concerns, flagged by various public representatives, both outside and inside the Parliament of India. There has been a strong chorus in the public space to take strict action against apps that harm India’s sovereignty as well as the privacy of our citizens.”
In June, the Centre had banned 59 mobile applications, including TikTok, UC Browser and WeChat, citing the same concerns. Wednesday’s decision comes at a time when China has allegedly attempted a further transgression near the southern bank of Pangong Tso, which was thwarted by the Indian Army. India and China have been engaged in a standoff since April-May over the transgressions by the People’s Liberation Army in multiple areas including the Galwan Valley.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday emphasised the urgent need for peace in the state, which has faced ethnic violence since May of last year, and called on two communities to reach a mutual understanding.
Speaking at the Good Governance Day event held at the state BJP headquarters, Singh expressed confidence that the BJP could restore stability to the northeastern state, highlighting the party’s commitment to coexisting harmoniously.
“What is happening in Manipur today has multiple causes. Those who seek to divide the state are now questioning the government’s actions… they are driven by a desire for power,” Singh remarked.
He mentioned several initiatives, such as ‘Meeyamgi Numit’ (People’s Day), designed to foster closer relationships between officials and the public. “We do not oppose any specific community. The BJP’s position is clear: we advocate for the idea of living together and have initiated efforts to strengthen ties between the police and the community,” he stated.
Singh added that the state government is diligently addressing the needs of internally displaced persons by establishing committees throughout the administrative framework. He claimed that the administration is responding quickly to the displaced people’s needs in areas such as education and agriculture.
“We have not made any mistakes. Our goal is to ensure the well-being of future generations. It is essential for both communities to remain calm. Rather than dwelling on the past, we should concentrate on the upcoming NRC process, capturing biometrics, and using 1961 as the foundation year for the Inner Line Permit,” Singh said.
He also highlighted the government’s commitment to acting within a democratic and constitutional framework, noting that achieving these goals will take time. “What we require now is immediate peace and a resolution of misunderstandings between the two communities,” he concluded.
The ongoing violence has resulted in the deaths of over 250 individuals and left thousands homeless due to clashes between the Meitei community and Kuki-Zo groups since last May.
“Only the BJP can save Manipur. BJP leaders possess strong values of nationalism and social justice, practicing reality-based politics in the nation’s interest. If I am not nominated for a ticket by the BJP, I will remain loyal to the party,” Mr. Singh added.
He also highlighted several unity-focused projects initiated by the BJP government, mentioning that a Unity Mall featuring stalls from all ethnic groups in the state will be constructed with an investment exceeding ₹140 crores.
Film producer Allu Aravind, also father of Pushpa 2 actor Allu Arjun, on Wednesday announced financial support totalling Rs 2 crores for the eight-year-old boy injured in the December 4 Sandhya Theatre stampede.
The unfortunate incident, which occurred during Allu Arjun’s visit to the theatre for a Pushpa 2 premiere, claimed the life of the boy’s 35-year-old mother. Allu Arjun is now facing charges in the case, and was questioned by police on Tuesday regarding his involvement.
Reportedly, the veteran producer along with Dil Raju and others, visited the private hospital where the boy injured in the stampede is being treated. After consulting with the doctors, Allu Aravind expressed relief upon learning that the boy is recovering and is now able to breathe independently.
Speaking to the media, Allu Aravind said that the boy, Sri Teja, is recovering, and is not on a ventilator. He added that to support the family, they should support him with Rs2 crore: Rs 1 crore by Allu Arjun, Rs 50 lakh by Mythri Movie Makers, and Rs 50 lakh by director Sukumar. He further mentioned that they will give this money through Telangana Film Development Corporation Chairman Dil Raju.
When questioned if he had visited the boy’s family, Aravind explained that he cannot interact with the family due to the legal problems. With the police permission, once, 10 days back, he visited him. He was then recovering, he continued.
Meanwhile, producer and Telangana Film Development Corporation (FDC) chairman Dil Raju also addressed the media, stating that there is a meeting planned tomorrow with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, and they have taken an appointment. He added that they have invited most of the prominent members of the industry.
Earlier on Tuesday, the father of the eight-year-old boy injured in the December 4 stampede during the screening of Pushpa 2 said that the boy has shown improvement and is now off oxygen and ventilator support. He added that while the boy’s condition has improved, full recovery will take time, according to doctors.
He further shared that he received a Rs 10 lakh cheque from Pushpa star Allu Arjun, along with additional assistance from the film’s production team and Telangana Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy.
Speaking about his willingness to withdraw the complaint, he clarified that he received support from Allu Arjun’s team the day after the incident and emphasized that there was no pressure on him to drop the case.
A man on Wednesday set himself afire near the Parliament in Delhi. He was immediately rushed to the RML hospital after he sustained severe injuries. The police have started an investigation into the matter.
The area where the man attempted to set himself on fire has been cordoned off. A forensic team is also present at the spot to investigate which substance he doused on himself before setting himself on fire.
Delhi Police stated that the man has been identified as Jitendra from Uttar Pradesh’s Bagpat. They said the reason behind the suicide attempt seems to be related to personal enmity in Bagpat. The exact reason will be unearthed only after the investigation.
“Today one person probably Jitendra of Uttar Pradesh’s Bagpat set himself on fire in roundabout rail Bhavan. The local police and railway police along with some civil persons immediately extinguished the fire and the person was sent to hospital. The issue as we can decipher is probably related and personal enmity in Bagpat. Further investigation is on,” Delhi Police said.
“The local police, railway police, and some civilians quickly managed to extinguish the flames, and the man was sent to the hospital. Preliminary findings suggest the incident may be linked to personal enmity in Bagpat. Further investigations are ongoing,” the police statement said.
In another similar incident, a man from Rohini set himself on fire outside the Transport Bhawan near the Parliament in April, 2023. The man was reportedly raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and in support of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
He had lost his job during the lockdown imposed during the pandemic. He doused himself with an inflammable liquid as he shouted slogans and set himself afire. He was rescued immediately by police personnel in the area and taken to a nearby hospital. The man had sustained 50 per cent burns in the incident, according to reports.
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