India News
J&K: Home Ministry approves massive increase in troop deployment
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs is sending in additional 100 companies – approximately 10,000 troops – of central armed police forces (CAPF) to Jammu and Kashmir to “strengthen CI grid as well as for maintaining law and order.”
The decision came after National Security Advisor Ajit Doval returned from a two-day visit to Kashmir valley. The state is still under the President’s rule.
The order, from the Ministry of Home Affairs directed to the J&K Chief Secretary, Home Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP), says the central forces are being inducted “with immediate effect.”
The 100 companies will comprise of 50 companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 10 companies of Border Security Force (BSF), 30 of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and 10 of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
The letter sent by Mukesh Taterway of the Central Home Ministry’s J&K division reads, “In order to strengthen counter insurgency grid as well as for maintaining law and order situation in J&K, deployment of additional 100 companies of CAPFs shall be made.”
J&K DGP Dilbag Singh said they have already requisitioned for these troops for deployment in north Kashmir.
Top police sources explained this move as “a relief to over stretched training cops on duty since panchayat elections last year.”
“There are less troops in north Kashmir and that’s why we need additional forces. 100 companies have been airlifted and that’s what we had asked for,” said Dilbag Singh. A company has around 100 troops each.
Recently, around 40,000 additional central paramilitary forces were brought in for Amarnath Yatra security.
On February 24, around 100 companies of central paramilitary forces were airlifted and deployed in the valley, 10 days after the February 14 IED explosion at Lethpora, Pulwama, that claimed the lives of at least 40 CRPF personnel. The government had said the troops were deployed for the Lok Sabha election held in April and May. It was followed by a ban on Jamaat-e-Islami and a major crackdown on its leaders and supporters in the state.
Dilbag Singh said any other motive attributed to the troop induction is only speculation.
The move was slammed by some activists and politicians of the state. Bureaucrat turned politician Shah Faesal was the first to react to the MHA letter being circulated widely on social media.
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“This MHA communique regarding deployment of additional 100 Coys of CAPF is fueling huge anxiety in Kashmir. No one knows why this sudden mobilization of forces is being done. Rumor is that something sinister is about to happen. Article 35a? It is going to be a long night,” he posted on his Twitter handle.
PDP chief and former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti tweeted that J&K problem couldn’t be solved militarily. “Centre’s decision to deploy additional 10,000 troops to the valley has created fear psychosis amongst people. There is no dearth of security forces in Kashmir. J&K is a political problem which won’t be solved by military means. GOI needs to rethink & overhaul its policy,” she said.
Speculation around the movie is also focused on the removal of Article 35A, which defines state subject laws in the State. Article 35A grants Jammu and Kashmir legislature the right to determine the criteria for permanent residency in the state, it also empowers the Assembly to bestow residents with special rights and privileges for acquiring property in the state and appointment to government jobs among others. All legislation coming under Article 35A are immune to any legal challenge.
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Inspector General (IG), CRPF Kashmir zone, Rakesh Kumar told a news channel that the additional troop deployment was routine exercise to maintain law and order and for counter insurgency operations and there was no need to read between the lines, he said.
Additional 100 CAPF companies were also deployed to the state in February this year after 40 CRPF jawans were killed in a suicide attack in Pulwama and before Indian Air Force carried out air raids against JeM hideout located in Pakistan’s Balakot.
India News
Bengaluru: Police issue traffic advisory ahead of Eid celebrations, check routes, diversions here
The fresh traffic advisory comes after an unprecedented traffic snarl in the city on Tuesday.
Amid Eid celebrations, Bengaluru traffic police issued a fresh traffic advisory on Thursday. The fresh traffic advisory comes after an unprecedented traffic snarl in the city on Tuesday. The advisory listed diversions, restrictions, alternate routes and timings.
The Bengaluru police asserted that the processions are set to be taken on between 3pm and 9pm today and large gatherings are likely to take place. It is reported that the traffic congestion on Tuesday occurred as residents headed out for the long weekend with Eid Milad on Thursday, a state-wide bandh on Friday and Gandhi Jayanti on Monday.
The Bengaluru police noted that in view of Eid-Milad procession in the limits of Ulsoor Gate Traffic Police Station, on 28.09.2023 from 3.00 pm to 9.00 pm, a large number of people are expected to gather at YMCA ground, Nrupathunga road. They added that in order to ascertain free flow of traffic, the following traffic arrangements have been made.
According to the police, few roads that the residents should avoid during the Eid celebrations are Nrupathunga Road, Dr B R Ambedkar Road, Nayanadanahalli Junction, Kimko Junction, Bapuji Nagar, Market Circle. In addition, movement of vehicles has also been restricted in a few roads such as Nagawara junction to Pottery circle road, Nethaji circle towards Pottery circle, Haines road from Lazar road and M.M. road, H.M. road from KEB junction to Hall road.
Meanwhile, parking is restricted on both sides of the following roads: Nagawara Junction to Pottery Circle, Govindapura Junction to Govindapura L&O Police Station, HBR Layout Sidddappa Reddy Junction to Narendra Tent Junction, Nethaji junction to Haines junction, Haines junction to New Bamboo Bazar junction, Haines junction to Haj camp, Lazar road to Wheelers road Thoms Cafe junction.
On September 27, residents of Bengaluru witnessed a massive traffic jam, leaving hundreds of them stuck for hours. Notably, social media platforms were flooded with videos and photos of Bengaluru’s congested road as social media users complained about the tragic situation.
India News
MS Swaminathan dies, he was 98
MS Swaminathan, the father of India’s Green Revolution, passed away at the age of 98 on Thursday.
MS Swaminathan, the father of India’s Green Revolution, passed away at the age of 98 on Thursday.
Swaminathan was a renowned Indian agriculture scientist. In 1988, he established the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), a non-profit trust after receiving the First World Food Prize in 1987.
According to reports, he took his last breath around 11 am today in Chennai.
During the 1960s and 1970s, Swaminathan’s extraordinary work brought a revolution in Indian agriculture, it helped the country to achieve self-sufficiency in food production when we faced the prospect of widespread famine.
He was born in Thanjavur district in Tamil Nadu. He was selected as the first World Food Prize laureate for his groundbreaking work during the 1960s.
The United Nations Environment Programme recognised him as the Father of Economic Ecology.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolence on the death of MS Swaminathan. PM Modi said he is deeply saddened by the demise of MS Swaminathan. At a very critical period in our nation’s history, his groundbreaking work in agriculture transformed the lives of millions and ensured food security for our nation, he added.
PM Modi also said that apart from Swaminathan’s revolutionary contributions to agriculture, he was a powerhouse of innovation and a nurturing mentor to many. His unwavering commitment to research and mentorship has left an indelible mark on countless scientists and innovators, he further added.
The Prime Minister said I will always cherish my conversations with Dr Swaminathan. His passion to see India progress was exemplary. His life and work will inspire generations to come, PM Modi said.
On the demise of MS Swaminathan, Rahul Gandhi also extended his condolence. Gandhi took to X, formerly Twitter and said that Dr. MS Swaminathan’s steadfast commitment to revolutionising India’s agriculture turned us into a food surplus country.
Gandhi further said his legacy as the Father of the Green Revolution will always be remembered.
Punjab news
Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira arrested by Punjab Police in old drugs smuggling case, Congress, SAD condemn arrest
Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira has been arrested by the Punjab Police in an old drugs smuggling case on September 28.
Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira has been arrested by the Punjab Police in an old drugs smuggling case on September 28.
Under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, a case was registered against the Congress leader in drugs smuggling case. Following that the officials from the Jalalabad police station raided Khaira’s Sector 5 bungalow in Chandigarh today morning.
On his arrest, Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Warring slammed the CM Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party government and called it a ploy by the state government to distract people from the main issues.
Warring further said that National Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge asked him on call in the morning to fight for the Khaira and asked other party leaders to do so.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter Warring said the recent arrest of Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira smacks of Political Vendetta, it is an attempt to intimidate the opposition and is a ploy of the Punjab government to distract from core issues. We stand strongly with Sukhpal Khaira and will take this fight to its logical conclusion, he added.
Condemning Congress leader Khaira’s arrest, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) also attacked the AAP-led Punjab government. The SAD took to social media platform X and said the arrest of the Congress leader was a political vendetta.
It further said that political differences aside, the Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar condemns the arrest borne out of the witch hunt and political vendetta against a very respected Bholath MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, a fierce critic of Bhagwant Mann and AAP-led Punjab government, the SAD wrote in the social media post.
Khaira, a member of the legislative assembly from the Bholath constituency in Punjab was arrested today in an old drugs case. He also serves as the chairman of the All India Kisan Congress.
