Amid talks between India-China to ease border tensions, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Thursday said despite New Delhi’s effort to “diffuse the tense situation” along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Beijing is “hell-bent on altering the status quo” at the border.
“In spite of all our endeavours to diffuse the tense situation along LOAC which even resulted in 20 precious lives of our army, China is hell-bent upon altering the status quo,” Chowdhury tweeted.
Congress MP Adhir Rajan Chowdhury | Photo Credit: ET
The Congress leader said that China is “fervently encroaching” India’s land at the cost of the country’s security and territorial integrity.
“China is furtively and fervently encroaching our land in a steady manner much to the peril of Indian security and territorial integrity, it is a catch-22 situation for us, but we can not afford ourselves to be cowed down by the red army,” he added.
He further said that India must tackle Chinese aggression using all necessary means.
We can not afford ourselves to be cowed down by the red army: Tweets Adhir Chowdhury
China is furtively and fervently encroaching our land in a steady manner much to the peril of Indian security and territorial integrity, it is a catch-22 situation for us, but we can not afford ourselves to be cowed down by the red army (2/3)
Govt wants to resolve the issue diplomatically. No objection, but situation is worsening. China is trying to scare us but we're not the ones to get scared. We should speak the language they understand. Our arsenals aren't meant for hatching eggs: Adhir R Chowdhury, Congress (2/3)
I demand that the PM address the nation before Parliament session begins & tell us the current situation. The nation is standing with PM, with our brave soldiers…China is infiltrating from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh, it's a matter of concern: Adhir R Chowdhury, Congress (3/3) pic.twitter.com/EpGmfyjKFr
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called on India and China to engage in dialogue to sort out their border issues as he described the escalation in eastern Ladakh as “a very serious and worrying situation” which the UK is closely monitoring.
The first official statement of Johnson came during his weekly Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) in the House of Commons here on Wednesday.
Responding to Conservative Party MP Flick Drummond on the implications for British interests of a dispute between a “Commonwealth member and the world’s largest democracy on the one side, and a state that challenges our notion of democracy on the other,” he described the escalation in eastern Ladakh as “a very serious and worrying situation”, which the UK is “monitoring closely”.
“Perhaps the best thing I can say… is that we are encouraging both parties to engage in dialogue on the issues on the border and sort it out between them,” the Prime Minister said.
Thursday as oil companies raised prices for the 19th day, taking the cumulative rate to ₹10.63 a litre.
Petrol price, after a day’s hiatus, was hiked by 16 paise and the increase in less than three weeks now totals ₹8.66 per litre.
Petrol price in Delhi was hiked to ₹79.92 per litre from ₹79.76, while diesel rates were increased to ₹ 80.02 a litre from R₹79.88, according to a price notification of state oil marketing companies.
Rates differ from state to state depending on the incidence of value-added tax (VAT).
However, diesel is costlier than petrol only in the national capital where the state government had raised local sales tax or VAT on the fuel sharply last month. It costs less than petrol in other cities.
The 19th daily increase in rates since oil companies on June 7 restarted revising prices in line with costs after ending an 82-day hiatus in rate revision, has taken diesel prices to fresh highs.
In 19 straight days, diesel price has gone up by ₹10.63 per litre. Petrol price has been hiked on 18 occasions since June 7 and now totals to ₹8.66 a litre.
New Delhi: Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay will go completely online next semester and not call students for face to face lectures in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, its director said on Thursday.
The decision, the first by any IIT, followed deliberations that went on till late night Wednesday.
IIT Bombay | File Photo | Photo Credit: NDTV
“After a long deliberation in the Senate, we have decided that the next semester will be run purely in the online mode so that there is no compromise on the safety and well being of the students. The COVID pandemic has made us rethink the way we impart education to our students, IIT-Bombay director Subhasis Chaudhuri said in a statement to the media.
“To ensure that our students begin the academic year without further delay, we are planning on extensive online classes details of which will be informed to all students in due course of time,” he added.
Other IITs are also likely to follow suit. However, no final decision has been taken yet.
New Delhi: China has brought back the tent-like structure that Indian troops had destroyed on June 15 near Patrol Point 14 in the Galwan Valley, escalating tensions that were expected to cool down after Monday’s corps commander-level talks. ET has reliably gathered that Indian troops have physically verified the reappearance of a tent and this has been spotted in fresh satellite imagery as well.
Both sides had vacated the site after the deadly clash in which 20 Indian soldiers led by Col Santosh Babu were killed. The Chinese tent was removed during the skirmish, following which the two sides agreed on talks through senior military and diplomatic channels. The construction of a new tent even as talks make slow progress is bound to have a debilitating impact on efforts to disengage the troops, added sources.
Satellite image of Galwan Valley, which lies between China’s Tibet and Ladakh.
Sources confirmed that satellite images show significant construction activity by the Chinese side at Patrol Point-14, including new defences and a hardened shelter for troops. Further, those familiar with the details told ET that at least 15 pockets of PLA troop concentration have been identified on the border between Pangong Tso and Daulat Beg Oldie. These include additional troops that were moved along the LAC following the clash at Galwan. India has countered this by stepping up deployments on its side.
Heavy Chinese Deployment Along LAC Chinese troop deployments along the LAC have apparently crossed 10,000. “Offensive Chinese deployments are seen at many locations, some of them reinforced with tanks and artillery. They are also supported by additional troops posted further back,” a source aware of the situation told ET.
At Galwan Valley, where 20 soldiers died on the Indian side and China too lost an unspecified number of personnel including a commanding officer, the situation remains tense as fresh satellite images show that PLA has been constructing defences. Since the clash, China has accelerated road works and seems to be creating infrastructure to house troops at Patrol Point 14, an area that earlier was only patrolled.
“It will be right to assume that the troops are at the highest level of alert possible in all sectors. This is also the time for routine Op Alert exercises for both sides. Therefore, there are a large number of exercising troops available to both the armies,” sources said.
Besides Galwan and Pangong Tso, two other areas of concern are the Depsang plains near DBO and the Gogra Post.
At Depsang, Chinese armoured formations have amassed along the LAC, while a 2-km deep incursion has taken place near Gogra, where PLA troops are deployed.
The fear in Depsang is that the Chinese might move to their claim line, which currently varies between 15 km and 20 km on the Indian side of the LAC. As seen at Galwan and Pangong Tso, PLA has moved up to its claim lines and has been demanding that Indian troops fall back.
Budgam: Budgam police and army’s 2RR arrested five associates from Narbal area during a search operation on Thursday morning.
Police officials told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that the militant associates have been identified as, Imran Rashid resident of Kurhama Budgam, Ifshan Ahmad Ganie resident of check kawoosa, Owais Ahmad resident of Kawoosa khalisa, Mohsin Qadir resident Kurhama Budgam and Aabid Rather Resident of Archanderhama Magam.
Police said that the group was involved in providing logistic support and shelter to active militants of LeT. They have been active in the area for last few months.
Incriminating material has been recovered from their possession and case FIR no 101/2020 under relevant sections of UAPA has been registered in police station Magam and further investigation taken up—(KNO)
“Kashmir region is one of the places I am most curious about and want to travel to and determine a few places for the documentary project.”
Esra Bilgiç, who plays the fearless Halima Sultan in the super hit Turkish series, Diriliş: Ertuğrul, says that she would love to visit Kashmir and feature the country in her documentary project.
In an interview with Hello Magazine Pakistan, Esra, who is currently studying Law, shared that she has written a documentary project about “how nature responds to us in all circumstances.”
“The destroyed agricultural areas, forests ruined by urbanization and the habitats of animals which could return to their former fertile states in such a short time. No matter how much damage we do to nature, it hugs us every time we go to it,” said Esra.
She continued: “I intend to reach villages and mountainous areas that have difficulties, due to financial deficiencies and access to natural resources. I want to help the local people, to listen and photograph their problems, and to make everyone aware. In the quarantine period with the team in Turkey, we have identified a few places. I want to complete all our preparations — and after a few photography classes— get to work.”
The actor then expressed her desire to visit Pakistan for her project.
“I hope that my first visit to Pakistan will take place as part of this documentary project,” she said. “I want to photograph the geographical topography, the vegetation and the exotic sites. I love the mountainous areas of the Babusar Kaghan Valley; the views overlooking the Valley of Leepa in Kashmir; the camp plan in Concordia and the amazing Deosai plateau.”
Esra added: “In fact, the Kashmir region is one of the places I am most curious about and want to travel to and determine a few places for the documentary project.”
Meanwhile, talking about the success of the series, Esra said she cannot thank the audience enough for their love and that the success has motivated her to excel more.
“To know that the character to whom I gave life as an actor, embraced like this, is the biggest reward I could get. Literally it is like a prize,” exclaimed the actor.
On why Ertuğrul resonated so well with the audience, Esra said: “The fact that a movie series or music finds a response in people living in other cultures proves that emotions are universal. The main theme of the Ertuğrul was not to remain silent in the face of injustice, to stand by the oppressed and to fight for justice.”
“I believe that the people’s love for Ertuğrul has led them to embrace our similarities, especially in the ways we express emotion.
Anantnag: Jammu Kashmir Police came under sharp criticism for not registering an FIR against Arnob Goswami owned Republic Bharat TV for running a fake news about the ransacking of the house of a slain Pandit Sarpanch in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Republic TV which is known for its anti Muslim rants ran a ticker that the house of a deceased Pandit Sarpanch Ajay Pandita Bharti has been ransacked. Pandita was shot dead by militants some days ago in Larkipora area of the district.
SSP Anantnag Mr Sandeep took to Twitter and asked Republic TV to stop spreading fake news. SSP said his house is safe and attached the photographs of the house along with the tweet.
Police sources told News Agency KNT that shortly after the fabricated news report was run by Republic TV, SSP Anantnag Mr Sandeep sought details from concerned SHO, who not only sent the photographs of the house of deceased Pandita to SSP but also confirmed that Republic has run a fake news.
Netizens reacted sharply to the tweet of SSP Mr Sandeep. Majority of them demanded lodgement of an FIR against the Republic TV and the Reporter, even some questioned the conviction of police, saying it is quick to act against local Reporters only.
“Let us assume this fake news would have been run by any local Reporter…..We know about the repercussions,” wrote a netizen.
Police have lodged various cases against the local organizations and Reporters for running alleged fake news reports but at the same it never bothered to act against non Kashmiri media outlets.
A couple of years ago a Kashmiri Pandit known for his communal remarks posted a fake news claiming that Muslims have set a temple in Anantnag on fire. No action was initiated against him.
On the other hand police registered an FIR against a news agency for reporting facts about a protest in Srinagar. The news agency had reported that CRPF fired a rubber bullet that was hit on the foot of a lady. Police refuted this fact and registered an FIR, even though the doctor treating the girl had admitted that she had received a rubber bullet in her foot. (KNT)
Leh: No fresh COVID-19 case was reported in Ladakh on Wednesday and as many as 126 people, who were being treated for the disease, were discharged from hospitals after recovery, health department officials said.
While 119 recoveries were reported from Kargil district, seven were from Leh district. With these, the total number of people cured of the disease has increased to 274 in the union territory, they said.
Ladakh has recorded a total of 932 COVID-19 positive cases till now, including a death, the officials said.
The number of active cases in the union territory stands at 657, they said, adding that the condition of all patients is stable.
There are 503 active cases in Kargil and 154 in Leh, the officials said.
Meanwhile, Kargil District Magistrate Baseer ul Haq Choudhary directed head of departments and district officers not to go out of station or allow their staff to do so without obtaining prior permission from the competent authority in view of the prevailing situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The officers/officials must remain present at their station during this crucial situation,” read a circular issued by Choudhary, who is also chief executive officer of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil.
Non-compliance of the instructions would be viewed seriously and action shall be initiated against defaulters as per rules, the circular stated.
Maj Gen (Dr) G G Dwivedi, who commanded a Jat battalion in this sector in 1992, and was subsequently the defence attaché to China in 1997, said that he is not surprised by the recent Chinese belligerence.
The peaks around the Galwan valley last saw bloodshed in 1962, when Chinese soldiers opened fire on a company of 5 Jat on October 22, killing 36 soldiers and capturing company commander Major S S Hasabnis. It marked the start of the 1962 war.
Maj Gen (Dr) G G Dwivedi, who commanded a Jat battalion in this sector in 1992, and was subsequently the defence attaché to China in 1997, told The Indian Express over the phone that he is not surprised by the recent Chinese belligerence.
“It is part of China’s ‘nibble and negotiate policy’. Their grand aim is to ensure that India does not build infrastructure along the LAC, change the status of Ladakh, cosy up to the US and join the anti-China chorus caused by Covid-19. It is their way of attaining a political goal with military might, while gaining more territory in the process.’’
Dwivedi recounted the time he commanded 16 Jat in Pangong Tso and Hot Springs area in 1992. There was no tension between the two countries at that point. “We used to patrol up till Hot Springs and so did they. The Ladakh Scouts controlled the Galwan valley and did not encounter any problems either. We would learn of Chinese patrols from the red Hong Mei cigarette packets they left behind and graffiti on the rocks that read ‘Chung ko (This is China)’.” Dwivedi said the Indian troops would retaliate by scribbling ‘This is India’ on the rocks.
Things have changed, and Beijing is worried about India’s recent actions of reorganising Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and improving infrastructure in the region, Dwivedi said. “It has high stakes in PoK as the $60-billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) traverses through it, and it is also the site of the proposed $9 billion Diamer Bhasha Dam, a joint project of China and Pakistan.’’
He said that China’s current aggressive behaviour also coincides with pressure on President Xi Jinping, who is the chairperson of the Central Military Commission, due to opposition around the globe due to Covid-19 and the economic slowdown at home.
The PLA’s aim, said Dwivedi, is to dominate Durbuk-DBO road, strengthen its position in the Fingers area, halt the construction of link roads in Galwan-Pangong Tso and negotiate de-escalation on its terms.
“They have quietly and steadily built a lot of infrastructure along the LAC, and now they want to dominate the hilltops. Any military man will tell you that this matters because if you don’t occupy the hilltops, you are like a sitting partridge.’’
On the way forward, Dwivedi said India must be firm on restoration of status quo as on April 30. “We must be firm on that, they should go back. We started to disengage but the Chinese did not, they want to consolidate their gains and make us accept the new LAC alignment.”
Negotiations depend on how strong you are on the ground. “Right now, the Chinese have an edge, we must neutralise it. We must either push them back or occupy some other place that affects them.”
Military action, said Dwivedi, should be accompanied by political, diplomatic and economic action. “We must isolate China in the geo-political arena and ensure a consensus in our favour. Last but not the least, let us present a united front as a nation and win the propaganda war as well.”
IIT Bombay | File Photo | Photo Credit: NDTV
