Category Archives: National

National, Sikkim, Techno/ Science

AI to keep track of vehicles and traffic in Sikkim: New system installed at 16 points in first phase

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 The state transport department made the announcement on Tuesday after running trials of the new system at various places for about a week

Vivek Chhetri, TT, Darjeeling, 15.05.24 : 
A road in Gangtok. Sikkim will introduce an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven traffic management system throughout the state from May 25.

The state transport department made the announcement on Tuesday after running trials of the new system at various places for about a week.

“In this first phase, the system has been installed in 16 points across Sikkim. Depending on the feedback from police, we will install the system at additional places in the second phase,” Raj Yadav, the secretary of the transport department, told The Telegraph.

The system has been set up at four places in Gangtok.

The new system powered by advanced AI algorithms automatically detects the validity of documents like insurance, and fitness pollution and immediately generates e-challans.

“Since the data of all vehicles in the country have been uploaded on NIC (National Informatics Centre), the system on reading the registration number can scan the document details of the vehicle,” said Yadav.

Apart from hauling up document defaulters, the system that encompasses cameras can detect and fine traffic violations such as speeding, jumping signals and improper lane usage among others.

This is the first time that an AI-driven traffic management system has been introduced in the region. Since the start of the trial period, people in Sikkim have been rushing to get their documents, especially pollution certificates, updated.

“There is a huge rush. In fact, we kept our pollution centre in Gangtok open even on Sunday to tackle the rush,” said an employee of the centre.

The new system is also expected to ensure better traffic control in Gangtok, where traffic congestion is the norm, especially during peak tourism seasons.

“For example, if there is no congestion on a particular stretch, the traffic signal would coninue to remain green thus ensuring smooth traffic flow,” said Yadav.

Many traffic signals work on timers which does not necessarily reflect the needs of the road. Traffic signals manned by humans do not have a live update on the overall traffic situation in the area either.

The police said the system would ensure that time was not wasted unlike when physical checking of vehicle documents was done.

“Transparency will also be strengthened,” quipped a driver.

Courtesy & source: The Telegraph
Crime, National, Politics

Supreme Court orders release of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha, declares his arrest ‘invalid’

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 The order was issued by a bench of Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta

PTI, New Delhi, 15.05.24 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday declared as “invalid in the eyes of law” the arrest of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha in a case under the anti-terror law, and directed that he be released from custody.


The apex court observed that a copy of the remand application in the “purported exercise of communication” of grounds of arrest in writing was not provided to Purkayastha or his counsel before the passing of the remand order dated October 4, 2023 which “vitiates” his arrest and subsequent remand.
“As a result, the appellant is entitled to a direction for release from custody by applying the ratio of the judgement rendered by this court in the case of Pankaj Bansal,” a bench of Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta said.


“Accordingly, the arrest of the appellant (Purkayastha) followed by the remand order dated … and so also the impugned order passed by the High Court of Delhi are hereby declared to be invalid in the eyes of law and are quashed and set aside,” it said.

The bench delivered its verdict on Purkayastha’s plea challenging the high court’s October 13 last year order dismissing his plea against arrest and subsequent police remand in the case.

He was arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police on October 3 last year.

While pronouncing the judgement, the apex court said, “Though, we would have been persuaded to direct the release of the appellant without requiring him to furnish bonds of security but since the charge sheet has been filed, we feel it appropriate to direct that the appellant shall be released from custody on furnishing bail bonds to the satisfaction of the trial court.” The bench made it clear that none of the observations made by it shall be treated as a comment on the merits of the case.

After the verdict was pronounced, Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, appearing for the Delhi Police, said since the arrest was declared to be void, it should not preclude the police from exercising the correct powers of arrest.

“We need not observe anything on that,” Justice Gavai said, adding, “Whatever you are permitted in law, you are permitted in law.” The high court had on October 13 last year dismissed the pleas of Purkayastha and NewsClick’s human resources department head Amit Chakravarty against their arrest and subsequent police remand.

Chakravarty had earlier withdrawn from the Supreme Court his petition against his arrest under the anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

A Delhi court had earlier allowed Chakravarty to turn an approver in the case lodged against the news portal under the UAPA over allegations that it received money to spread pro-China propaganda.

According to the FIR, the news portal allegedly received huge amount of funds from China to “disrupt the sovereignty of India” and cause disaffection against the country.

It also alleged that Purkayastha conspired with a group — People’s Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS) — to sabotage the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

On April 30, a Delhi court had taken cognisance of a charge sheet filed against Purkayastha in the case.

The court had in January allowed Chakravarty to turn approver in the case.

The judge had pardoned Chakravarty, who was arrested in the case on October 3, 2023, on his application that claimed he had material information which he was willing to disclose to the Delhi Police, which is investigating the matter.
International, National, Politics

Bank notes showing parts of India as belonging to Nepal are the latest of our problems with Kathmandu, China’s the No. 1 problem

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China’s deadly serious about undermining India’s influence in Nepal, and India needs to come up with a counter strategy hinging on more bilateral trade, investment in infrastructure sectors and building on ‘civilisational ties’

Paran Balakrishnan, TT, 14.05.24 : It was a distinctly unsubtle punch from across the border. Nepal’s new 100-rupee banknotes show parts of India as being Nepalese territory – and it’s gone to unusual lengths to publicise the move. India, uncharacteristically, shrugged off the provocation, with foreign minister S. Jaishankar observing mildly that the Uttarakhand territory marked on the bills is definitely inside India.

The banknote row marks yet one more, albeit minor, skirmish in the battleground between India and Nepal. The strategic buffer state sandwiched between China and India has long resented India as the Big Brother that flexes its muscles too often. Nepal hasn’t forgotten the 2015 blockade at a crucial land crossing with India – New Delhi denied involvement – which came months after two deadly earthquakes when Kathmandu promulgated its new constitution.
But the once minor differences have become exacerbated. That’s partly because Nepal’s other giant neighbour is taking way more interest in the mountainous nation than it used to when Nepal was not only known as landlocked but “India-locked”. Says one former Indian ambassador: “In the old days, the Chinese were mostly worried about Tibetans using Nepal as an escape route to India. Now, they are deadly serious about undermining India’s influence in Nepal.”

There’s an additional factor also at play which has put Nepal in the headlights of big power rivalry. The US has turned its gaze on Nepal, and has become the third player in the 21st-century’s Himalayan Great Game. The Chinese, meanwhile, are liberally splurging money to make headway in Nepal.

Now, also, the Chinese have their dream ruling ticket in Nepal. The incoming prime minister is a pro-China advocate: Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal, best known by his rebel civil war name Prachanda. And his main coalition partner, the Communist Party of Nepal, is headed by former prime minister K. P. Sharma Oli has alway been pro-Beijing. Indeed, in what’s seen as “advantage Beijing,” Nepal’s foreign minister broke with tradition and made his first foreign visit to Beijing rather than New Delhi. “Today, after working with the left forces in Nepal, the Chinese are most satisfied because leftist forces have come together.” says another former diplomat.

At times, the Nepalese moves to annoy India have verged on the farcical – though they’re deadly serious for Hindu believers. Veteran politician Oli, Nepal’s then prime minister, claimed that Ayodhya, where Lord Ram was born, was actually a place called Thori in Nepal. Says Oli firmly: “The place called Thori, near Birgunj is the real Ayodhya, where Lord Ram was born. In India there is a great dispute on Ayodhya. But there’s no dispute in our Ayodhya.”

Oli stirred the pot once again by claiming that yoga originated in Uttarakhand, which he insists was a part of Nepal in ancient times. He also laid claim to Samkhya philosophy, which is said to form the theoretical framework for yoga. “Yoga originated from Uttarakhand and at that time Uttarakhand was not in present-day India.” said Oli, adding for good measure that, “India was not even born as an independent country at that time.” Going one step further, he also claimed that the founder of ayurveda, Charak Rishi, was born in Nepal.

But these are mere pinpricks. There are much bigger battles being fought over Nepal. The biggest battles involve a plan by the US to pour $500 million over the next five years into Nepal for vitally needed infrastructure, under what’s called the Millennium Challenge Corporation. The money will go mainly to boost hydropower generation and build roads. For starters, the US is looking at building a 300-km high voltage power line that will run through almost one-third of the country and have an extension to the Indian border.

Not to be left behind, India’s just signed a deal to buy 10,000MW from Nepal over the next 10 years. For the moment it appears that India has checkmated China – by refusing to buy power from projects built with Chinese money. That’s forced Nepal to hand-over several projects that had originally been given to the Chinese. It’s reckoned that Nepal has the capacity to produce about only 42MW of hydropower from its many fast-flowing Himalayan rivers.

But the Chinese are playing power games of a different kind meddling in Nepal affairs. (It’s believed to have helped engineer the coming to power of the current seven-party coalition and its crucial position in Nepal was visible when the deputy prime minister and foreign minister Narayan Kaji Sreshta made China his first port of call. He spent a full week there and China has managed to persuade Nepal to resume cooperation on Belt & Road projects – a move strongly opposed by India and the US which have warned Kathmandu it could fall prey to a Sri Lanka-style debt trap.

Can Nepal’s fragile democracy bring prosperity to the impoverished country? Nobody’s betting big on it. Nepal’s most recent government is barely 45 days old. (Since the advent of Nepal’s chaotic multi-party democracy in Nepal in 1990, the country has had a string of revolving-door governments).

There’s also still a royalist party and former king Gyanendra’s hoping the political parties mess up so badly, he’s called on to return to the throne. Says a senior Indian diplomat: “Gyanendra is hoping there’ll be this huge nostalgia for the monarchy. It’s more wishful thinking, though certainly pro-monarchy sentiment has grown.”

There’s another new factor in India-Nepal relations. The BJP and RSS have strong links in Nepal, which, while being overwhelmingly Hindu, now is constitutionally a secular republic. The BJP and RSS are eager to promote Nepal as a Hindu Rashtra. Says one former diplomat: “The BJP’s foreign cell and the RSS are supporting a lot of voices in Nepal that want a Hindu state.”

Also, there’s Yogi Adityanath who has always had a deep interest in Nepal though he hasn’t talked much about it after becoming Uttar Pradesh chief minister. His matt in Gorakhpur has always been close to Nepal. Says a diplomat: “His group has a very old connection with the Gurkha kings.”

Can India steer its way through the Nepalese minefield and regain its “special relationship” with Kathmandu? For what it’s worth, we’ve got some friends in Nepal who’ll raise their head above the parapet. On the weekend, Chiranjivi Nepal, an economic advisor to the Nepalese president, quit over the bank notes issue. Nepal, an ex-central bank governor, said it was “inappropriate” to publish notes with the inaccurate map. India and Nepal’s borders are internationally recognised, he pointed out, and clearly different from those shown on the banknote map.

But India has been facing increasing hostility from some Nepalis who object to what they see as New Delhi’s “high-handedness” and meddling. To counter this image, India’s been playing its cards right by keeping a low profile and avoiding interference in Nepal’s internal affairs, trying to lower the pitch in the “Big Brother-Small Brother” relationship, analysts say.

And India faces a stiff challenge from China. “Chinese diplomats are publicly warning Nepal about the ‘dangers’ of close relations with India. They’re openly meddling in Nepal’s internal affairs,” says a former ambassador. While China’s pockets are far deeper than India’s, and it’s been extending its sway in countries that have traditionally been India’s strategic backyard, New Delhi can’t afford to give up. More bilateral trade, investment in important Nepal infrastructure sectors and building on “civilisational ties” are all recipes for India to rebuild ties with Nepal.
Crime, National, Politics, West Bengal

Another sexual misconduct case against Guv: Cops submit report to Nabanna

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MP, 14 May 2024, Kolkata: Kolkata Police has reportedly sent a report to the Nabanna after conducting an enquiry on the allegations of sexual harassment of an Odishi dancer by the West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose. 

Sources said a few months ago a woman who is a professional dancer lodged a complaint against Bose alleging that last year she was sexually harassed by the Bengal Governor in Delhi. 
The woman reportedly claimed that last year she met the Governor who took her to Delhi to perform in a programme. A relative of Bose from Bengaluru had booked a room in a five-star hotel in Delhi for her. 
The complaint alleged that Bose sexually harassed her inside the hotel room. As no case can be registered against the Governor, Kolkata Police has started an enquiry into the matter which was reportedly led by a Deputy Commissioner ranked officer. 
After the enquiry was over, Kolkata Police submitted the report at the Nabanna in a sealed envelope. Kolkata Police presently is also conducting an enquiry based on a complaint of molestation against Bose which was filed by a contractual staff of the Raj Bhavan. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/another-sexual-misconduct-case-against-guv-cops-submit-report-to-nabanna-563777
National, Politics, Regional, West Bengal

Mamata’s offer to cook food for PM Modi stirs controversy

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 She made these remarks during an election rally in Kolkata, amidst the controversy regarding a video of RJD leader, Tejashwi Yadav, consuming fish during Navratri.

PTI, Kolkata, May 14, 2024 :  West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s offer to “cook food” for Prime Minister Narendra Modi elicited mixed responses from different political parties, with the BJP terming it a “political agenda” and the CPI(M) dubbing it as an “understanding” between the TMC and the saffron party.
    
Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his recent allegation that RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav last month had fish during a period when some Hindus abstain from having non-vegetarian food, Banerjee on Monday said she was ready to “cook something for him (Modi)” if he wanted though she was not sure whether he would eat what she cooked.

Banerjee, at an election rally here, had made the remarks while taking a dig at the BJP for allegedly interfering with the food habits of the people and had said she would be happy to cook food for Modi but is not sure “whether the PM will be ready to savour my cooked meal.”

“I have been cooking since my childhood days. People have praised my cooking. But will Modi ji accept my food? Will he trust me? I will cook whatever he loves,” she had said.

The TMC supremo had said, “I love both vegetarian foods like Dhokla and non-veg foods like macher jhol (fish curry). Different communities, and different sects among Hindus have their own unique rituals and eating habits. Who is BJP to impose a diktat on an individual’s dietary habits? It shows the BJP leadership has little idea and concern about the diversity and inclusivity of India and its people.”

Banerjee’s offer to cook for the prime minister, who is a vegetarian, drew sharp reactions from the saffron camp.

“Mamata Banerjee wants to feed Modi ji with fish and rice cooked by her. Good proposal. But before that, why doesn’t she first offer pork chop to her lieutenant Firhad Hakim? It will serve three purposes, secularism will be asserted, it will show charity begins at home and the fritters will also be praised,” former BJP state president and ex-Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy posted on X.

BJP leader Sankudeb Panda claimed Banerjee had deliberately invited Modi knowing well that he is a strict vegetarian.

“This is nothing but her ploy to trap the PM. She knows on the one hand the PM will never eat fish or any non-veg item. If she believes everyone should be allowed to eat what he/she loves to eat, then why is she twisting Modiji’s comments about one’s dietary habits? She is insulting devout Sanatani Hindus” he added.

Reacting to Banerjee’s comments, CPI(M) leader Bikash Bhattacharya said, “Being Dada-Bon (brother and sister), Mamata didi can certainly offer to cook meals for the prime minister, do not know if it is to placate him.”

Bhattacharya was referring to the jibe – “Didibhai-Modibhai” that the Left and the Bengal Congress unit use to refer to the alleged tacit understanding between the BJP and the TMC.

He said such comments in the backdrop of her public posturing against “Modi’s politics and divisive speeches show an apparent contradiction” in what she publicly says and preaches in private.

“Both Mamata Banerjee and Narendra Modi are responsible for bringing the country to such a state. Both are mixing politics with religion,” he added.

The TMC, however, supported the party supremo’s remark and said she spoke about the unique religious, and cultural diversity of India and the theme of “unity in diversity”.

“She spoke rightly and her comment regarding Modi stems from the fact that as Modi has the right to eat what he likes, every other Indian too has the same right,” TMC MP Dola Sen told PTI.

She also criticised the BJP for trying to impose the “Sangh Parivar’s narrative” about their agenda to impose a diktat on diets and other customs on people of this country.
National, Politics

Yet again, PM Modi uses Ram temple issue to attack Cong

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Alleging that the JMM, Congress and INDIA bloc have become the biggest model of corruption, appeasement and dynastic politics, Modi said he has resolved to free India from these vices

PTI, Giridih (Jharkhand), May 14 2024 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday attacked the Congress, accusing it of indulging in “shameful” politics and plotting to send “Ram Lala to tent” again.
Alleging that the JMM, Congress and INDIA bloc have become the biggest model of corruption, appeasement and dynastic politics, Modi said he has resolved to free India from these vices.
Addressing a public meeting at Jharkhand’s Giridih, the prime minister said, “Shameful statements are being issued by Congress leaders over Ram temple. Their leaders are plotting to send Ram Lala to the tent once again, and talk against the Supreme Court judgement.”
The old idol of Ram Lala was kept in a tent-like structure after the Babri Masjid was demolished.
They want to lock the premises again, he claimed and urged people to oust such “corrupt” forces.
Modi said, “Congress forced the nation to Naxalism, whereas BJP contained Naxal violence in the country.”
He also promised that during his third term as the prime minister, he would wipe out “Naxalism and terrorism” from the face of the country.
Modi alleged that the JMM-led ruling alliance in Jharkhand has been patronising infiltrators in the state.
He said his topmost priority would be giving priority to deprived people.
The prime minister also said that the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir is one of the biggest steps in the interest of the nation and he is happy that the people there could celebrate the festival of democracy on Monday after decades.
The Srinagar constituency witnessed voting on Monday in the first Lok Sabha election in the Valley since the scrapping of Article 370.
He said INDIA bloc leaders are “dreaming of digging Modi’s grave”, but he is well protected with “suraksha kavach” of love and affection of people.
“I was not born in a royal family; I was poor. I have lived in poverty and have vowed to free my people from it,” Modi said, adding that this was the reason his government introduced Ayushman Bharat scheme for providing healthcare to the poor and set up AIIMS hospitals in various places including one in Jharkhand’s Deoghar.
He said his government has been providing food grains free to 80 crore people and promised to continue this for the next five years, if voted to power.
Referring to the UPA administration, Modi alleged that during the “Sonia Ben government”, food grains were subjected to rot but not distributed.
Citing instances of recovery of huge cash found at premises linked to Congress leaders in Jharkhand, the prime minister asserted that the JMM-led alliance in the state is neck-deep in corruption.
“JMM and Congress dance to the tune of ‘Shahi Parivar’. I will not allow thieves to sleep peacefully,” he said, adding that no corrupt people would be spared.
Modi also said that Jharkhand was devoid of benefits of its minerals including mica in Koderma, but it was his government that ensured that tribal areas get the mineral funds for development.
“During the Congress-JMM regime people got nothing, no benefits of mica were accrued to people. But Modi has ensured Rs 12,000 crore to Jharkhand under District Mineral Fund,” he said.
He charged the JMM-led alliance in Jharkhand with patronising infiltrators who were grabbing the land of tribal women by marrying them.
“INDIA bloc has openly announced Vote-Jihad against Modi,” he said.
The prime minister said he has resolved to make three crore women “lakhpati didis”.
The Lakhpati Didi scheme of the central government is aimed at training women in self-help groups so that they can earn a sustainable income of at least Rs 1 lakh per annum.
Referring to Jhumri Telaiya, a town in Koderma that shot to fame for the maximum number of requests for songs for then Radio Ceylon and Vividh Bharti, Modi said it is “more beautiful than its name” and apologized for the delay in arriving.
The prime minister’s rally was initially scheduled at 9 am which was postponed to 1.30 pm and finally started around 5 pm.
He said, “I have brought blessings of Bholebaba from Kashi. I filed my nomination and after filing nomination, this is my first public meeting.'”
A strong government keeps the interest of its people while a weak government as those headed by the Congress weakens the nation, Modi claimed.
Modi was campaigning for Union minister Annapurna Devi who is contesting from Koderma Lok Sabha seat, BJP ally AJSU Party’s candidate Chandra Prakash Chaudhary from Giridih Lok Sabha constituency and BJP nominee for Gandey assembly seat Dilip Kumar Verma.
Jailed former Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s wife Kalpana Soren is contesting bypoll to Gandey assembly segment which comes under Koderman Lok Sabha constituency.
The elections to these seats will be held on May 20.
National, Politics

Merger wish deepens Leh-Kargil divide as Ladakh’s Buddhist-Muslim unity comes under fresh strain

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 Sonam Wangchuk said he was disturbed by Kargili’s statement and asked Kargil-based leadership to condemn or distance themselves from remarks

Muzaffar Raina, TT, Srinagar, 12.05.24 : Ladakh’s Buddhist-Muslim unity has come under fresh strain after Kargil leader Sajjad Kargili favoured re-merger of the region with Jammu and Kashmir if separate statehood for the cold desert was not possible.

Kargili wrote on X on Friday that they have been fighting for a four-point agenda, including statehood and Sixth Schedule status, for the last three years but regretted that the Congress has not clarified its position on the statehood for Ladakh in its manifesto but supports the Sixth Schedule status demand.

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“It’s necessary for the government to decide: grant us statehood or contemplate merging #Ladakh with J&K again when reinstating statehood to #JammuAndKashmir. With this UT setup, people across Ladakh are not happy,” he said on X.

The region’s top Buddhist leader, Sonam Wangchuk, who recently led a weeks-long fast for statehood and the Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh, on Saturday said he was disturbed by Kargili’s statement and asked the Kargil-based leadership to condemn or distance themselves from the remarks.

Speaking to a local social media channel, Wangchuk said Kargili should have spoken to the residents of Kargil before making such a contentious demand.

“Since he is a leader of KDA (Kargil Democratic Alliance), I think he should have first asked the people of Kargil whether it was their demand or his personal views. I think he is doing it at somebody’s behest. It is a loaded statement, which would create gaps between Leh and Kargil. I want to send a message to Kargil to avoid such things which will deepen the divide between Leh and Kargil,” Wangchuk said.

He added that other leaders of Kargil should also condemn the remarks or distance themselves from it. “If they don’t condemn it and if it is indeed people’s desire, we respect it with heart,” he said, adding it will not be a good thing for Ladakh though.

He said Kargil and Leh were his two eyes with one language, culture and identity.

“But if you still want to go with Jammu and Kashmir, Leh will be a UT and Kargil will become part of Jammu and Kashmir. If it is really so, we shall raise such a demand but I hope there is no such demand. That is why Kargil residents and leaders should clarify whether it is Sajjad sahab’s or Kargil’s desire or somebody is tutoring him so that there are divisions between Leh and Kargil,” he said.

Kargili shot back saying he was not expressing his opinion but as a representative of the Jamiat ul Ulama Isna Asharia, a major religious group in Ladakh.
National, Politics

PM on ‘One nation, One leader’ mission, wants to ‘finish off’ all leaders: Kejriwal

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PTI, New Delhi, May 11 : A day after his release on interim bail, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Saturday launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging he was on a “one nation, one leader” mission to impose “dictatorship” by putting all opposition leaders behind bars and “politically finishing off” those in the BJP.


Addressing a gathering at the AAP headquarters here, the party supremo said Modi is asking for votes for Union Home Minister Amit Shah, claiming the latter will be his successor after he “retires” on turning 75.

Later in the day, Kejriwal held his first roadshow for Lok Sabha election campaign along with his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann in the South Delhi constituency. He also held his second roadshow in East Delhi’s Krishna Nagar.

Standing through the sunroof of a car in Mehrauli, he asserted the BJP will not form the government on June 4 and said if the INDIA bloc comes to power, the direction and fate of the country will change.

Full statehood will also be provided to Delhi, he promised.

Excitement was palpable at Kejriwal’s first roadshow. AAP supporters and workers danced to ‘dhol’ beats with pahadi music and bhangra performances setting the stage to welcome the chief minister in Mehrauli.

“In the last 20 hours after release from jail, I talked to poll experts and people, and got to know the BJP is not going to form the government,” Kejriwal told AAP workers and supporters at the party headquarters.

Ahead of restarting his election campaign, Kejriwal along with wife Sunita and Mann offered prayers at the Hanuman temple in central Delhi’s Connaught Place.

On Friday, the Supreme Court granted Kejriwal interim bail in a money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam to enable him to campaign in the Lok Sabha elections and asked him to surrender on June 2, a day after the last phase of the seven-phase poll gets over.

“These people (BJP leaders) ask INDIA bloc about their (PM) face. I am asking the BJP who will be their PM. Modi ji is turning 75 on September 17 next year. He had made the rule that people aged 75 would be retired. They retired LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Sumitra Mahajan,” Kejriwal said at the AAP headquarters.

“Modi will retire next year. He is seeking votes for making Amit Shah the prime minister. Will Shah fulfil Modiji’s guarantee?” he asked.

Brushing aside Kejriwal’s remarks, Shah told a press conference in Hyderabad that Modi will continue to lead the country and there is “no confusion in the BJP” on the issue.

Hitting back at the BJP, senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh said Modi should come forward to clarify the BJP’s ’75 years retirement formula’ which they have imposed on their senior party leaders.

Singh said Kejriwal raised the “genuine” issue of ’75 years age rule’, which was made by Modi.

“They (BJP leaders, including Shah) said whatever rule PM Modi has made, it will be implemented on other leaders but not on Modi,” Singh said at the AAP office here.

BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi also took a swipe at Kejriwal, saying his remarks about Shah are an acknowledgement that the BJP is set to retain power for a third straight term.

He also said Kejriwal is speaking of the BJP’s succession plan but could not have trust in any of his AAP colleagues to succeed him when he was jailed on money laundering charges.

In his speech at the party headquarters, Kejriwal claimed if the BJP wins the Lok Sabha elections, all opposition leaders including Mamata Banerjee, Tejashvi Yadav, M K Stalin, Pinarayi Vijayan and Uddhav Thackeray, will be in jail.

“The prime minister has launched a very dangerous mission. This mission is called ‘one nation, one leader’. Modi ji wants to finish off all the leaders in the country. It is being run at two levels- all the opposition leaders will be sent to jail and the BJP leaders will be politically finished,” Kejriwal charged.

“If they win the election, they won’t leave any BJP leader. They finished LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Sumitra Mahajan politically. They finished politics of Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who won the Madhya Pradesh polls for them but they did not appoint him chief minister. They also politically finished Vasundhara Raje, Khattar, Raman Singh,” he charged further.

The next in line is Yogi Adityanath, Kejriwal claimed.

“I can give in writing they will change the UP chief minister if they win the Lok Sabha polls. They will finish politics of Yogi Adityanath and also finish him politically,” he alleged.

“This ‘one nation, one leader’ is a dictatorship and only one dictator will remain in the country,” said the AAP national convener.

There were several occasions in the 4000-year-old history of the country when the dictators emerged and tried to capture the country but people uprooted them, he asserted.

Kejriwal said he will work tirelessly to campaign across the country to “finish dictatorship” in the country.

He alleged the prime minister gave a message to the country with his arrest that – “there will be no case and still I will get you arrested”.

The BJP has been attacking Kejriwal for not stepping down from the chief minister’s post despite being in custody for 50 days.

Talking about why he did not resign, he said, “The chief minister’s post is not important for me. I did not step down as the chief minister because a conspiracy was hatched to force me to resign on a fake case.” Kejriwal also alleged that all “thieves and dacoits” are inducted by the BJP.

“If the prime minister wants to learn about fighting corruption, he should learn from Arvind Kejriwal. We sent the corrupt to jail and even our own ministers,” he added.

He also alleged that the “prime minister has left no stone unturned to crush the AAP by sending its four top leaders to prison”.

“They thought that the party would be finished. But AAP is not just a party, it is a thought, the more they destroy, the more our party will progress,” he asserted.

“No one expected that I would be able to come out in the middle of the elections, but because of your prayers and blessings of Lord Hanuman I am among you all,” he said.

“Prime Minister, learn how to fight corruption from Arvind Kejriwal. Narendra Modi has gathered the country’s biggest thieves, bigwigs and dacoits in his party and says that I am fighting corruption,” he said.

“Kejriwal has fought against corruption. We have not spared even our ministers in corruption cases. They were sent to jail without the opposition and the media knowing about it,” he claimed.

Mann said Kejriwal is now a “top” political leader of the country and added his party will wipe out the BJP and the Congress in Punjab and win all 13 seats there.

At Mehrauli, Kejriwal said he was fighting against dictatorship with all his power.

“I need your support. The country never accepted any dictator and people removed them. I have come to seek your support to fight dictatorship,” he said.

“They are losing seats everywhere, be it Karnataka, Haryana. In Punjab, they will not win anything and even in Delhi, all the seven seats will be won by the INDIA bloc,” he claimed.

While granting Kejriwal interim bail on Friday, the apex court, however, barred him from visiting his office or the Delhi secretariat, and signing official files unless absolutely necessary for obtaining the lieutenant governor’s approval. 
Crime, National, Politics, West Bengal

Raj Bhavan’s woman employee to write to Prez seeking justice

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Agencies, 10 May 2024, Kolkata: A day after Governor C V Ananda Bose screened multiple CCTV footage from Raj Bhavan, in a bid to clear the air over allegations of molestation brought against him by a contractual woman employee of the Governor’s House, the victim on Friday said she will seek President Droupadi Murmu’s intervention into the matter. 

The employee raised her objections to the public screening of unedited footage where her identity was allegedly disclosed since her face wasn’t blurred. Stating that she could not repose much hope on the Kolkata Police whose hands are tied on account of the constitutional immunity the Governor enjoys, the victim said she was going through severe depression and felt that writing to the President was the only recourse to justice. 
“I know that because of Constitutional immunity nothing will happen to a sitting Governor. But what about the offence he committed? I have decided to write to the President seeking her intervention in the matter. I am writing to her to get justice and nothing else,” the alleged victim told a news agency. 
Asked if she planned to seek Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assistance regarding the incident, the woman recounted how the alleged incident occurred on the day the PM was scheduled to stay at Raj Bhavan. 
“While I was in distress and protesting, PM’s security personnel witnessed my anguish. Although I believe they informed Modi, I received no response from him. Writing to him now seems futile,” she remarked. 
The alleged victim, who holds a Masters in Computer Application (MCA), said she was contemplating seeking therapy to overcome the depression she has endured since lodging her complaint against Bose. 
“I’ve been suffering from severe depression and humiliation. Coming from a modest background, I never imagined facing such a situation. It’s been a nightmare for me and my elderly parents. I am considering meeting a psychologist for counselling to cope with this ordeal,” she said. 
Expressing her outrage over the screening of the footage without protecting her identity, the victim said she would also approach the police for redress. 
She considered the act of screening of the May 2 CCTV footage an “insult” and accused the Governor of further violating her privacy and confidentiality while lamenting the “lack of cooperation from the Governor” throughout the investigation process. “How did the Governor screen my footage without my permission? 
He committed a new crime today,” she said.

https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/bdeshi-held-for-travelling-without-valid-documents-563408?infinitescroll=1

Crime, National, Politics, West Bengal

Bengal Guv must explain why he should not resign amid molestation allegations: Mamata

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MP, 11 May 2024 4:24 PM West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday slammed Governor C V Ananda Bose over allegations of molestation against him, and said he must explain why he should not step down. 

Addressing a poll rally here in support of TMC’s Hooghly candidate Rachana Banerjee, the CM also asserted she would not step inside the Raj Bhavan till Bose remains the governor. 
“The governor says ‘didigiri’ (high-handedness) will not be tolerated…But, I say Mr Governor, your ‘dadagiri’ will not work anymore,” the TMC supremo said. 
“Bose must explain why he should not resign after such allegations were levelled against him,” she said. A contractual woman employee of the Raj Bhavan had last week lodged a complaint with the Kolkata Police, alleging that she was molested by Bose in the governor’s house on April 24 and May 2. 
Bose had screened multiple CCTV footage of the Raj Bhavan on May 9, in a bid to clear the air over allegations of molestation brought against him. 
“The governor had released an edited video. I saw the entire footage and its contents are shocking. I have got another video… Your conduct is shameful,” the chief minister said. “I am not going to the Raj Bhavan till he is the governor… I prefer to meet him on the streets,” she asserted. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/big-stories/bengal-guv-must-explain-why-he-should-not-resign-amid-molestation-allegations-mamata-563367?infinitescroll=1
National, Politics

‘4th phase to see lessor No. of Central Forces compared to 3rd’

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SOUMITRA NANDI, MP, 12 May 2024, Kolkata: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to deploy a lesser number of Central Forces in the fourth phase of polls, scheduled on May 13, in comparison to the third phase. Eight Parliamentary constituencies – Berhampore, Ranaghat, Bardhaman- Durgapur, Bolpur, Krishnanagar, Bardhaman Purba, Asansol and Birbhum will go for polls on May 13. 

According to data provided by the Commission, there will be 596 companies of Central Forces during the fourth phase. Out of these, 579 companies are designated for overseeing 15,507 booths, while the remaining 17 companies will be deployed to supervise strong rooms and maintain law and order in various districts. 
During the third phase, the commission had deployed 406 companies of Central Forces. In the fourth phase, 3647 out of 15507 polling stations which accounts for nearly 21 per cent, have been labelled “sensitive”.
“The deployment of Central Forces is designed according to the sensitivity of the booths and the vulnerability of the constituency. So, it is not surprising that Central Forces will be less during the fourth phase. 
However, there will be adequate security arrangements in the fourth phase as well,“ an EC official said. The commission will be deploying 130 companies in Birbhum and an additional 73 companies for the Berhampur constituency in Murshidabad. 
Moreover, 152 companies have been assigned to Burdwan East, followed by 88 companies for the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate. 
There will be 81 companies for Krishnanagar and 54 companies for the Ranaghat Parliamentary constituencies in Nadia. In addition to the presence of Central Forces in all the booths, there will be 68 Quick Response Team (QRT) evenly distributed in all the constituencies.
In Asansol-Durgapur there will be 16 QRT teams followed by 15 in Murshidabad, 13 each in Birbhum and Burdwan Purba, 6 in Krishnanagar and 5 in Ranaghat. The Central Forces will also be supported by a state force of nearly 30,009 personnel. 
 https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/4th-phase-to-see-lessor-no-of-central-forces-compared-to-3rd-563407
Crime, International, National

Bangladeshi held for travelling without valid documents

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Srishti Lakhotia, MP, 12 May 2024, Kolkata: A Bangladeshi national was apprehended from Sealdah-Duronto Express on May 8 after she was unable to produce a passport or a valid Indian visa. 

The Government Railway Police (GRP) at Sealdah registered a case against her under Section 370 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) which deals with trafficking of persons. The woman identified as Runa Begum, aged around 30 years, arrived in India on May 7. 
She claimed to the Railway Protection Force (RPF) Sealdah who apprehended her, that she came to India on directions of a friend named Sonia, whom she met on a social media platform. She further claimed that Sonia had promised her a job in New Delhi. 
She allegedly came to India through different means of transportation and was accompanied from Ranaghat to Sealdah by an unidentified person. She reached Sealdah via local train at around 2:30 pm and boarded the Express train from platform number 11. 
According to the information revealed by her to the RPF personnel, the unidentified person dropped her and left the station. Begum was allegedly in a state of distress when the RPF personnel found her in one of the coaches of Duronto Express. 
On further enquiry about her legal travel documents, Begum was unable to produce a passport on a valid Indian visa. 
According to the information shared by Eastern Railway, during the search of her luggage, a smartphone along with some Bangladeshi currency was found. Begum and the seized items were handed over to GRP for further legal proceedings. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/bdeshi-held-for-travelling-without-valid-documents-563408?infinitescroll=1
Crime, National, Politics

SC sets Kejriwal free for 21 days, barshim from attending office, signing files

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 The apex court asked the Delhi CM to not sign any official file unless absolutely necessary to obtain the LG’s sanction during the 21-day interim bail period. 

PTI, 10 May 2024, New Delhi : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal cannot visit his office or the Delhi Secretariat during the tenure of his interim bail, the Supreme said on Friday as it imposed a slew of restrictions on him as part of the bail conditions.


It asked Kejriwal to not sign any official file unless absolutely necessary to obtain the Lieutenant Governor’s sanction during the 21-day interim bail period.

Imposing a raft of bail conditions on the embattled AAP leader, a bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta said, “He shall not visit the Office of the Chief Minister and the Delhi Secretariat.” “He shall be bound by the statement made on his behalf that he shall not sign official files unless it is required and necessary for obtaining clearance/ approval of the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi,” the top court said.

The bench also directed Kejriwal to furnish bail bonds in the sum of Rs 50,000 with one surety of the like amount to the satisfaction of the jail superintendent.

“He will not make any comment with regard to his role in the present case; and will not interact with any of the witnesses and/or have access to any official files connected with the case,” the top court said.

The apex court, while granting Kejriwal the relief said there was no doubt about the fact that serious accusations have been made against him but he has not been convicted yet.

“He does not have any criminal antecedents. He is not a threat to the society,” the bench said.

In a major relief to Kejriwal, the top court granted him interim bail till June 1 to campaign in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

The apex court said Kejriwal will have to surrender and go back to jail on June 2.

The matter relates to alleged corruption and money laundering in the formulation and execution of the Delhi government’s now scrapped excise policy for 2021-22. 
National, Politics, Religion

A myth stalking Muslims busted: Questions over PM panel data on minority population

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The paper has emerged in the middle of the 2024 general election, during which Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders have tried to stoke insecurity among Hindus by portraying the Congress as a party that leans towards Muslims
A woman shows her inked finger after voting in Bareilly on Tuesday.: PTI picture.

G.S. Mudur, TT, New Delhi, 10.05.24 : 

Credible questions have been raised on conclusions reached by the Prime Minister’s economic advisory panel on the changing degree of India’s minority population over decades.

A non-government organisation that advocates population health and development strategies has called the panel’s interpretation “misleading and baseless” and has advised people not to engage with them.

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The Population Foundation of India said on Thursday that it was “deeply concerned” about how the media had misrepresented the study’s observations on the changes in the shares of India’s majority and minority religious groups over 65 years.

A PTI report on Thursday said a May 2024 paper by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) had noted that the share of the Hindu population had decreased by 7.8 per cent while that of the Muslim population had increased by 43.1 per cent between 1950 and 2015.

The paper, titled “Share of Religious Minorities: A cross-country analysis (1950-2015)”, also said the share of Jains in India’s population had decreased from 0.45 per cent in 1950 to 0.36 per cent in 2015.

“The share of the majority Hindu population decreased by 7.82 per cent between 1950 and 2015 (from 84.68 per cent to 78.06 per cent). The share of the Muslim population in 1950 was 9.84 per cent and increased to 14.09 per cent in 2015 — a 43.15 per cent increase,” the PTI report said, citing the paper prepared by a team led by Shamika Ravi, a member of the EAC-PM.

The paper EAC/PM/WP/29/2024 was not accessible through the EAC PM website on Thursday evening.

The paper has emerged in the middle of the 2024 general election, during which Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders have tried to stoke insecurity among Hindus by portraying the Congress as a party that leans towards Muslims.

The EAC-PM study’s observ­ations “should not be used to incite fear or discrimination against any community”, said the Population Foundation, a 54-year-old non-profit organisation engaged in gender-sensitive population and development activities, including adolescents’ health and women’s empowerment.

The foundation has asserted that fertility rates are closely linked to education and income levels, and not religion. “States with better access to education, healthcare and socioeconomic development such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu exhibit lower total fertility rates across all religious groups,” it said.

“The media’s selective portrayal of data to highlight the increase in the Muslim population is an example of misrepresentation that has ignored broader demographic trends,” the foundation’s executive director, Poonam Muttreja, said.

Citing census data, the foundation said the decadal growth rate for Muslims had decreased from 32.9 per cent between 1981 and 1991 to 24.6 per cent between 2001 and 2011.

“This decline is more pronounced than that of Hindus, whose growth rate fell from 22.7 per cent to 16.8 per cent over the same period,” it said.

The foundation also said the population censuses from 1951 through 2011 had produced data “similar” to that in the EAC-PM paper, implying that the paper had not revealed new data or trends.

The EAC-PM paper focused on the changes in the religious compositions of populations in countries around the world, saying this aspect was “an axis of demographic change that has been under-studied”.

The paper hypothesises that the changes in the proportions of minority populations relative to a country’s total population are a “good proxy” for understanding the status of minorities in that country over time.

“A society which provides a congenial environment for the flourishing of minorities is more likely to witness an increase or stabilisation in their numbers over a period of three generations,” it said.

The Population Foundation has, however, underscored the association between fertility rates and education and income.

For instance, the total fertility rate (TFR) — the average number of children born to a woman over her lifetime — among Muslim women in Kerala (2.25) is lower than the TFR among Hindu women in Bihar (2.88), it said.

The TFR is declining among all religious groups and the steepest decrease in the TFR from 2005-06 to 2019-21 was among Muslims — by 1 percentage point — while it was 0.7 percentage points among Hindus.

Countries such as Bangladesh and Indonesia have achieved lower birth rates compared to India through higher levels of female education, greater employment opportunities, and better access to contraceptive choices, the foundation said.

“The most effective way to manage population growth is through investment in education, economic development, and gender equity,” Muttreja said.

“And women’s education is a critical factor in reducing fertility rates. Interventions should focus on providing education and family planning services, irrespective of religion.” 
Education, Health, National, Regional, West Bengal

Autism centres set up in every district

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Pradip Chatterjee, MP, 9 May 2024, Kolkata: In a unique initiative the state health department has set up a ‘district autism centre’ in all the districts of Bengal to strengthen early screening and diagnosis of autistic children for their better treatment at doorsteps and also to ensure that toddlers get all the benefits that the state government offers. 

An autism centre has come up in the district hospital in the districts where there is no medical college. The new facility has been introduced in the medical college in case of the districts which have a medical college and hospital. Earlier, the autism centre was not available in all the districts. A proper treatment for autistic children was only available in Kolkata and other cities. 
The autistic children from the districts will now be able to avail treatment at their doorsteps at state government hospitals. Earlier the parents had to take their autistic children to various private health establishments where the treatment cost remained hefty. The patients did not get any disability certificates earlier. Instead, they used to get a certificate based on mental retardation. 
Now, the patients will get an autism spectrum disorder certificate as a result they will be eligible to enjoy several facilities which are offered to them both by the Centre and the State government. 
After the ‘district autism centre’ comes up in each district, the people in villages will now be able to avail treatment by trained personnel. Assessment of autistic children, speech therapy, behavioural therapy and special education are being provided at all the ‘district autism centres’ to bring these children back to the mainstream of life. 
The Bengal government provides these children Rs 1000 per month as a pension while the Centre issues UID card that gives facilities to patients in hospitals in other states. Through UID cards autistic children can get train concessions. 
“If a child is unable to walk after he/she attains one year and fails to speak even after attaining 2 years of age, the parents should be alert and bring their children to the autism centre of the districts or to a clinical psychologist. 
Parents and the people around should be aware so that the affected children are brought for treatment when they attain one and half years of age,” said Abhishek Hansa, clinical psychologist, at Balurghat District Hospital. 
The awareness programme not only boosts their knowledge but also helps them cope with it more positively. 
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), commonly called autism, refers to a lifelong condition that affects the ability of the person to communicate and relate with others. Children with autism often have poor language skills, less eye contact and have limited interaction with people around them. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/autism-centres-set-up-in-every-dist-563169
National, Regional, Sikkim

Another milestone in Sivok -Rangpo new rail link project

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EOI, GUWAHATI, MAY 9, 2024 :  In a major
milestone in the form of tunnel No. T-04/P2
(3948 meters long) to the Adit of the Sivok
– Rangpo Rail Project (SRRP), located in
Darjeeling district of West Bengal,
achieved a breakthrough on Wednesday. 


With the tunnel breakthrough, mining
activities have been successfully
accomplished in all the Adit tunnels of this
project. 

The length of the Main Tunnel of T-04
is 3948 meters, along with an Evacuation
Tunnel of length 599 meters situated near
the Hanuman Jhora in Darjeeling district,
according to an N R Railway communique. 

The Main Tunnel traverses through
vulnerable and challenging geological and
seismic conditions of the Younger
Himalayas. 

Like all other tunnels in the
SRRP, to counter vulnerability of the
ground mass, latest and most sophisticated
tunneling technology, i.e., New Austrian
Tunneling Method (NATM) has been used
here.


The Sivok – Rangpo new rail link project
connecting Sivok (West Bengal) and Rangpo
(Sikkim) is about 45 kms long and is
characterized by 14 tunnels, 13 major
bridges, nine minor bridges
and five stations.


The length of the longest
tunnel (T-10) is 5.3 km and
length of longest bridge (Br-
17) is 425 meters. About 38.65
kms of the entire project
alignment is passing through
tunnels. Ninety-three per
cent of the tunneling work
has already been completed.


At present final lining
has been completed in tunnel
T-14 & T-09 and is under
progress in tunnel T-02, T-03,
T-05, T-06, T-07, T-10, T-11 and T-12. Total
13.13 km lining has been completed till date.
Work in all sections is being carried out
round the clock 24×7. This is one of the most
prestigious ongoing national projects in
India and on completion of this project, first
time the state of Sikkim will be connected
via railways.

This rail network on its
completion is aimed to provide alternate and
stable connectivity to the state of Sikkim. At
present all the activities related to
construction of tunnels, bridges and station
yards are going on a war footing for early
completion of the project.

National, Northeast, Politics

Migrants threatening survival of indigenous people of Manipur: Biren Singh

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 Manipur CM says steps being taken to deport illegal immigrants

IANS, 

Imphal, May 9, 2024 :  Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said that immigrants from across the border threatened the survival of indigenous people in the state and the government would not allow it to continue.

Singh in his series of social media posts without naming Myanmar said that till May 7, a total of 5,457 illegal immigrants have been detected and biometric data of 5,173 of them have been collected while the deportation process is underway.

“In this crucial juncture, we have noticed certain homegrown groups, based out of Western countries, criticising the steps taken up against illegal immigration by giving a communal tone and propagating it as violations of religious freedom,” the Chief Minister said.

“Ironically, this lobby is quiet about Western countries’ stance against illegal immigration but raises objections to the actions taken in Manipur, India. This selective outrage raises concerns about the agendas and propaganda pursued by these groups with secessionist tendencies.”

Singh, who also holds the home portfolio, during the past few days has been posting on various social media about aspects of illegal migrants in Manipur from neighbouring Myanmar.

Manipur shares around 400 km of international border with Myanmar. Works for fencing of the 20 km of the mountainous borders are now underway.

The Chief Minister had said that the influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar led to the emergence of 996 new villages in the state in the past 18 years.

“The unnatural growth of 996 new villages since 2006 and illegal immigration from Myanmar is a threat to the indigenous people and national security. The immigrants have set up settlements by encroaching upon forest lands, leading to deforestation and environmental degradation,” a Manipur government report said.

It added that the immigrants have engaged in illicit activities such as poppy cultivation, further exacerbating the socio-economic and ecological challenges faced by the region.

In response to these challenges, the Manipur government has initiated several measures aimed at addressing the issue of illegal immigration and its associated impacts.

The report, accessed by IANS, said the state government following the advice of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been collecting biometric data of the illegal immigrants and geotagging their settlements.

According to the report, the state government has taken various measures to curb the illegal influx from across the border.

The measures include enhancing security along around 400 km India-Myanmar border in Manipur, engagement of indigenous communities, empowering them to safeguard their rights and interests against encroachment and exploitation and urged the Central government to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar.

The FMR allowed citizens residing close to both sides of the border to move 16 km into each other’s territory without a passport or a visa.

The Manipur Chief Minister had said that 877 square km of forest cover in the northeastern state were destroyed in 34 years (1987-2021), primarily for the illegal cultivation of poppy, which has been used to manufacture various drugs.

Singh, who also holds the Home portfolio, said that forest cover in Manipur was 17,475 sq km in 1987 and in 2021, it was destroyed to 16,598 sq km, primarily for the cultivation of poppy.

The eviction of unauthorised encroachers carried out ever since the BJP government led by him came to power in Manipur in 2017 and 291 encroachers were evicted from the Reserve Forest and Protected Forest throughout the state, the Chief Minister had said.

It was never targeted towards any particular community, Singh pointed out.