Sanjha Morcha

What’s New

Click the heading to open detailed news

Current Events :

web counter

Print Media Defence Related News

CAA protests halt DelhiUNPRECEDENTED CLAMPDOWN Internet blocked,

CAA protests halt DelhiUNPRECEDENTED CLAMPDOWN Internet blocked, 20 Metro stations shut, Section 144 imposed in heart of DelhiPROTESTERS DETAINED Demonstrators taken in buses, dropped at stadiums, enclosures on the Capital’s outskirts

HT Correspondents

letters@hindustantimes.com

New Delhi : Police enforced an unprecedented crackdown in large parts of the Capital on Thursday — ordering a prohibition on assembly, switching off mobile connectivity, shutting down Metro stations, and detaining people who defied the ban on demonstrations — to quell protests against a new citizenship law that has roiled India.

The restrictions led to people going without mobile phone services for four hours in the city, a first, being forced to disembark three Metro stations before their destination and walking to offices in central Delhi, and stuck for nine hours in the worst traffic snarl in Gurugram since 2016.

Thousands of people still swamped the streets on a grey misty morning and demanded the government roll back the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, or CAA, which opens an easy route to naturalisation for “persecuted minorities” from three Muslim-majority countries.

Within an hour of people gathering at 9am, columns of police personnel started bundling protesters into buses outside Red Fort and Mandi House, transporting scenes of crowd control measures familiar in the country’s restive frontier states to the heart of India’s Capital. Television visuals showed protesters being dragged into buses and dropped off in the outer fringes of the city.

Section 144, which prevents the assembly of four or more people, was clamped from Red Fort in north Delhi to Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg in the south; Seelampur in north-east Delhi to Mayur Vihar in the east; and the New Delhi area.

Many officers admitted that this was the first time in at least three decades — going back to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots — that prohibitory orders were issued for such a large area in Delhi.

At least 20 metro stations spanning the length and breadth of Delhi — from Vishwavidyalaya in the north to Central Secretariat in central Delhi and Munirka in the south — were shut down between 9am and 7pm. Even the arterial Rajiv Chowk station, which handles around 300,000 passengers daily, was closed for four hours.

Police also ordered four major service providers — Airtel, Vodaphone-Idea, Reliance Jio and MTNL — to switch off internet, messaging and voice call services in parts of north, central, north-east and south-east Delhi at 9am. This is the first time that the measure – currently enforced across some parts in five states, especially in Assam – was implemented in the city. Services were restored after 1pm.

According to an annual study of Freedom House, a US-based non-profit research organisation, India is the country with the worst record of government-mandated internet shutdowns in the world — including a four-month-long suspension of services in Kashmir since August.

Police barricaded the Delhi-Gurugram highway early on Thursday morning, triggering a major traffic jam that cost many commuters up to nine hours on the road and forced airlines to cancel 19 flights because both passengers and flight crew were stuck on the road.

Another 250 flights were affected. The ensuing jam was the worst since the so-called Guru Jam that lasted 20 hours in 2016 and forced authorities to implement major traffic and infrastructure changes.

Police said the restrictions were needed to prevent violence seen at two previous demonstrations in Seelampur and Jamia Nagar.

On Sunday, a mob torched buses in south Delhi and police using tear gas on protesters gathered near Jamia Millia Islamia. At least 21 people were injured and 20 vehicles damaged when a protest of around 2,000 people turned violent in Seelampur on Tuesday.

Delhi Police spokesperson, MS Randhawa, said the telecommunication services were temporarily suspended to prevent fake messages. “We had inputs that some outsiders were spreading rumours to mobilise crowd. We are monitoring social media posts and will take action against rumour mongers,” he added.

But protesters, many of whom walked back or hitched rides to Jantar Mantar from outer Delhi, contended that the orders were aimed at muzzling dissent. “It is shameful how the government wants to suppress any form of dissent. They want to turn the Capital into Kashmir,” said JNU Students’ Union president Aishe Ghosh.


Cadets who joined NDA and IMA this year felicitated

HT Correspondent

chandigarh@hindustantimes.com

Mohali : : As many as 25 former cadets of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (AFPI), Mohali, who joined the National Defence Academy(NDA) and Indian Military Academy (IMA) this year were felicitated with ’Achiever Awards’ on Wednesday in a ceremony held at the Institute.

Air Marshal GP Singh, (Retd) was the chief guest on the occasion.

Special prizes were given to the cadets who excelled in various fields including academics and sports. The academics trophy was won by BCA Manraj Singh; the best officer like qualities trophy was won by CSM Bimalroop Singh and the sports trophy was won by Cadet Kushal Sharma.

The best all-round cadet of the seventh course was BCC Harshit Bakshi.

PT badges were awarded to the cadets of the eighth and ninth courses who are currently undergoing training at the Institute.

Air Marshal GP Singh advised the cadets to continue their hard work and bring further laurels to their alma mater. AFPI director Major General BS Grewal congratulated the cadets on their performance.

Admission process for the Tenth AFPI course commencing in April 2020 is currently in progress. AFPI aspirants may apply by 3 Jan for the entrance exam which is to be held on Jan 19, 2020.

AFPI has been established by the state government in 2011. Its first batch completed training in 2013. The institute has sent 134 cadets to NDA and other service academies till date.

This year, the institute has sent 25 cadets to NDA/other academies and 23 cadets of AFPI have earned their commission in the Armed Forces.

The total number of commissioned officers from the first three batches is now 58.

As many as 37 cadets of the eighth course currently training at AFPI have already cleared the UPSC entrance exam for NDA and will be going for services selection board interviews soon.


25 selected NDA, IMA cadets feted

25 selected NDA, IMA cadets feted

leap of joy: NDA cadets in high spirits at their alma mater, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute, Mohali, on Wednesday. Tribune photo

Chandigarh, December 18

In a ceremony held at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute, Mohali, 25 of its alumni, who joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Military Academy (IMA) this year, were honoured and presented “Achiever Awards” today.

Air Marshal GP Singh (retd), who was the chief guest, appreciated the enthusiasm displayed by cadets and expressed happiness at the outstanding results attained by the institute. He advised the cadets to continue to work hard.

Congratulating the cadets and their parents, Maj Gen BS Grewal (retd), Director, AFPI, expressed hope that the cadets currently under training at the institute would take inspiration from the performance of their seniors and strive to emulate their results. He also spoke about the new venture being undertaken by the AFPI for training students in selected schools under a scheme called Cadet Training Wings, where trainers from the AFPI would visit such schools and train students to join the Armed Forces. He said the Punjab Government was planning to open another AFPI at Hoshiarpur in the near future.

Special prizes were given to cadets who excelled in various fields. The academics trophy was won by Manraj Singh; the best officer-like qualities trophy was won by Bimalroop Singh and the sports trophy was bagged by Kushal Sharma. The best all round cadet of the seventh course was Harshit Bakshi.

The AFPI has been set up by the Punjab Government to train selected boys for a commission in the Armed Forces through the NDA. The institute commenced training in 2011 and its first batch completed its training in 2013. From June 2013 to date, the institute has been successful in sending 134 cadets to the NDA and other service academies. — TNS

 


Hats off to women behind our heroes in uniform

Sonika Sethi

My mother always wanted me to marry an army officer. I don’t know why but I certainly know why I couldn’t comply.

I was a small town girl, low on confidence and an introvert. I could never imagine myself being married to a man belonging to the armed forces. Moving from one city to another especially to metros was my Achilles’ heel. I don’t know if there is a phobia dedicated to my condition of the fear of big cities.

Studying in one of the popular convents of town, we had a considerable influx of army officers’ children and many of the officers’ wives took up teaching assignments in our school. The way these women and children acclimatised themselves to the changed environs and places, left me awestruck. The awe invariably played a hindrance in my striking a close friendship with them. However, the observer in me, beyond doubt, studied them as subjects of interest.

Soon I realised that life was not all rosy for the families of the men in uniform, especially their wives. Moving from one place to another at a regular interval is tough. Looking at the brighter side, they would enthusiastically say it made them adaptable and pan-Indian. When one of my classmates from the army background would inform me that her father has been posted to a non-family station and they are staying back, my heart would go out to the lady who was supposed to take care of her family single-handedly. I admired these ladies for their grit.

As a person who likes to stick to one’s roots, at times I reflected if these women felt any emotional discomfort leaving a particular station or a set of friends. It also came to my knowledge that sometimes they get postings at places which can hardly boast of comfortable surroundings or social life. The credit goes to these women for making the best of the worst situations.

Apart from a high level of emotional stability, these ladies are supposed to possess a number of skills that include being a pillar of strength to not only their own families but also to the families of hundreds of men of the units. They have to work for the development and empowerment of the wives of the jawans.

Socially, they are considered to be good managers and hostesses. In school, I observed the army officers’ wives could be easily distinguished from the rest of the teachers with the way they carried themselves with grace and poise and even in their social manners. Everything about them bespoke of confidence and élan.

A woman donning so many hats and playing myriad roles cannot be an ordinary woman. It takes a lot of strength, courage and valour to be the wife of a man who serves the nation by being in the forces. The men can be out there on the frontiers protecting the nation only because they are convinced that their families are in safe hands of such gutsy women. It is from them that they draw the power to make overwhelming sacrifices for the country. Bravo to these women behind our heroes in uniform!

sonrok15@gmail.com

The writer is an Ambala-based college teacher


Gen Rawat: Situation along LoC can escalate any time Ties with Pak strained, Army has to be ready for escalatory matrix

 

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 18

In February this year, after the terror attack near Pulwama and the subsequent airstrikes on Balakot, matters between nuclear armed neighbours India and Pakistan were tense. How was it tackled what were the tensions? Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, whose three-year tenure ends on December 31, told a group of mediapersons, “Situation along the LoC (Line of Control) can escalate any time. The Indian Army has to be always prepared for an escalatory matrix.”

In race to be first chief of defence staff?

  • Army Chief General Bipin Rawat’s remarks came in the backdrop of spurt in ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the LoC since the abrogation of Article 370 in August
  • Gen Rawat played a key role in pursuing a policy of hot pursuit in dealing with cross-border terrorism in the Valley after he took over as Army Chief on December 31, 2016
  • He is due to retire on Dec 31 but it is likely that he will be appointed as India’s first Chief of Defence Staff. PTI

Gen Rawat did not specify what could have been the retort of the Army had there be another Pulwama-style terror attack or had the Pakistan Air Force jets attacked the ammunition dump on February 27 during the air duel post-Balakot. Pakistani missiles were dropped close to the ammunition dump.

Gen Rawat, when he had taken over as Chief of the 1.3 million-strong Army at the end of 2016, had laid down three targets: Restore the image of the Army; remain prepared for operations and address the rumblings within the force.

During his tenure, the Army has moved the concept of integrated battle groups (IBGs) which would start off with the area around Pathankot and Jammu. Another IBG will be in 33 Corps area in Sikkim and possibly the Mountain Strike Corps will also get an IBG. The IBG’s rollout will be completed over the next five years and will actually reduce troops.

In these three years, the Army also mulled using technology to keep an eye on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. The first attempt is expected in Sikkim which is a settled border. The Army’s proposal is to use technology instead of troops on each peak for surveillance. This can bring down cost of logistics. The engagement with China is well established now and discussions are done even at formation level along the LAC that is not demarcated on ground.

The restructuring of the Army started by Gen Rawat is yet to be completed as a Cabinet decision is awaited on creation and rejig of some senior posts.

The Army aims to have Major Generals head each of the IBG — the biggest change in the Army since the declared “Cold Start” doctrine.

Matters with Pakistan remain tense. Border action teams of the Pakistani army are active attempting to strike at Indian Army posts along the 749-km LoC.

clip

clip

clip

 


Situation along LoC can escalate anytime, India needs to be prepared: Army Chief Bipin Rawat

Rawat’s remarks today came in the backdrop of increasing ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370.

Army not yet ready for women in combat roles: General Bipin Rawat

The situation along the Line of Control (LoC) can escalate any time,” Army chief Bipin Rawat said. (PTI File photo)

The situation along the Line of Control can escalate any time, Army Chief Bipin Rawat said Wednesday, adding the Army is ready for any “escalatory matrix”.

Rawat’s remarks came in the backdrop of increasing ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370. Jammu and Kashmir was conferred with special status which was revoked on August 5.

“The situation along the Line of Control can escalate any time. The Indian Army is always ready for escalatory matrix,” the Army Chief was quoted as saying by PTI.

General Rawat played a key role in pursuing a policy of hot pursuit in dealing with cross border terrorism in the Valley after he took over as Army Chief on December 31, 2016.

He is slated to retire on December 31 and Lieutenant General Manoj Mukund Naravane will succeed him. However, it is likely that General Rawat will be appointed as India’s first Chief of Defence Staff.

According to assessment by the security forces, though the situation in the Valley has been brought under control to a large extent, a cautious approach is still required so that the atmosphere is not allowed to be vitiated.

Sources said the situation in Kashmir is being closely monitored and each and every step is being taken based on realistic assessment.

Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy had told the Lok Sabha in November that “950 incidents of ceasefire violation had been reported along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir between August and October 2019.”

The sources said Pakistan’s Border Action Teams (BAT) are attempting to target Indian security personnel on a regular basis along the LoC.

The BAT generally comprises special forces personnel of the Pakistani Army and terrorists. There have been incidents of BAT mutilating bodies of Indian security force personnel.

Pakistan is carrying out BAT operations at an interval of 3-4 days, the sources said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had said that the recent amendment in the Citizenship law in India may lead to conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations.


Situation along the LoC could escalate any time: Rawat

General Bipin Rawat

HT Correspondent

letters@hindustantimes.com

NEW DELHI : Army chief Genaral Bipin Rawat on Wednesday said the situation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir could escalate any moment and the country must be prepared.

His remarks have come against the backdrop of a spike in ceasefire violations by the Pakistan army along the LoC since the Centre’s move revoking the special status of J&K on August 5.

A soldier was killed in north Kashmir’s Gurez sector and another one Rajouri district in firing across the LoC on December 16.

“The situation along the LoC can escalate any time. We have to be prepared for escalatory matrix,” news agency PTI quoted Rawat as saying. Rawat will finish his three-year term as army chief on December 31.

HT reported on October 14 that the army has deployed more troops along the LoC to deal with an unusual spike in infiltration attempts by Pakistan-backed terrorists looking to stir trouble in the region since the government’s move to remove the special status of the state and bifurcate it into two Union Territories.

Infiltration attempts, accompanied by ceasefire violations by the Pakistan Army, are taking place frequently along the LoC since August 5, a senior officer said on condition of anonymity. The number of border violations by Pakistan has risen dramatically this year.


Citizenship (Amendment) Act: Some facts vs Mythbusters

GoI has reached out to those opposed to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) with a series of tweets, statements and declarations at political rallies.

EDIT---1

GoI has reached out to those opposed to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) with a series of tweets, statements and declarations at political rallies. It has also had discussions with Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma, the capital of whose state, Shillong – along with parts of Assam, Tripura and West Bengal — has been rocked by angry protests.

It must be asserted here that the protesters must be scrupulously peaceful, and mindful of protecting public property and public servants. ..

6ae163_79879_3_mr

Sikh brothers offering ‘chai’ to CAA protesters to show their ‘solidarity’ is breaking the internet

Sikh brothers offering 'chai' to CAA protesters to show their ‘solidarity’ is breaking the internet

Tribune Web Desk
Chandigarh, December 18

Hundreds gathered at Delhi’s India Gate to protest against the attack of the Delhi Police on the students of Jamia Millia Islamia University. Amidst the gathering, a 15-second-clip surfaced in which, a few Sikh brothers can be seen distributing several cups of tea to the people.

The Sikh brothers have earned a lot of praise on social media for their initiative. The youngsters present at the protest took to Twitter and urged more people to come forward and extend their support.

Phone Waale Baba Ji@iJasOberoi
 

A Sikh travelled all the way from Punjab to Delhi to support the protesting students. He explains beautifully as to why he’s doing it and what all is wrong with the passed bill.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1206670542411051013

Embedded video

Hanief Manzoor Dar@haniefdar
 In the cold nights of Delhi, Sikhs of @Khalsa_Aid are providing hot tea, chai langar to students and citizens protesting at the India Gate. pic.twitter.com/BeNHSPeTxt
 See Hanief Manzoor Dar’s other Tweets
  The Sikhs appear to be the members of an international humanitarian relief organisation, Khalsa Aid.

Mirror@mirrorforyou3

Wherever you find a sikh brother, hug them and thank them. Have been through so much and yet retain so much love and humility. I make it a point to visit gurudwaras and pay respects whenever I’m in the vicinity of one.
The “secular” majority can learn instead of ifs and buts. https://twitter.com/sonofadish/status/1206591388348870657 

disha@sonofadish

 

Kiran@KiranRaza01
 And yeah love & respect to Hindus/Sikhs who are thinking beyond religion and fighting for their Muslims brothers/sisters.
You got my respect!
 See Kiran’s other Tweets
  The clip of the same also surfaced on Facebook, and was shared by @Shahin Shah, who said: “This is my India. Earlier, skullcap wearing uncles distributed biriyani packets. Around 10.00 PM, turban wearing uncles offered tea to the protesters. For the sake of humanity and to show solidarity. Keep in mind, the fascist government is trying to break this bond apart. They want to kill this spirit. We, the people of India are resisting. We won’t allow this. We are still human beings unlike those venom-spitting people who are trying to divide and rule.”

The judiciary-military tangle in Pakistan

The judiciary-military tangle in PakistanIts different power centres are asserting themselves. There is uncertainty ahead

The death sentence given to former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in a treason case is unprecedented in Pakistan, where the army has ruled for almost half of the country’s history and continues to play an outsized role. The verdict by a special court, handed down in a case against Mr Musharraf for imposing emergency in 2007, has clearly embarrassed and angered the military. While opposing the sentence, the military said Mr Musharraf can never be a traitor.

Mr Musharraf had once famously remarked that Pakistan’s Constitution was just a piece of paper to be thrown in the dustbin. This cavalier attitude had characterised his years as both army chief and then Pakistan’s ruler, from the decision to send troops to occupy strategic heights in the Kargil sector, which led to a conflict with India, or his move to take on the judiciary in 2007, which ultimately led to his downfall.

Pakistan’s judiciary has had a complicated and complex relationship with both the military and the civilian government, sometimes adopting an unnecessary role as a power arbitrator. The death sentence will have far-reaching ramifications, and could trigger uncertainty, as Pakistan’s different power centres seek to assert themselves. It remains to be seen whether the verdict will send out a message that the generals can no longer interfere in politics and grab power, or whether the military, which in recent years, has begun shaping electoral outcomes to suit its needs instead of assuming power directly, will ensure it remains the dominant force. But it, nonetheless, represents a significant moment in the country’s complex polity.


Proposed closure of OTA, Gaya: Nitish shoots off angry missive to Rajnath

Proposed closure of OTA, Gaya: Nitish shoots off angry missive to Rajnath

Patna, December 18

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday shot off a letter to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh registering a strong protest against the Centres decision to shut down the Officers Training Academy situated in Gaya.

In the letter, Kumar said he came across the news of proposed closure of the OTA, Gaya, in some newspapers and digital media.

The Chief Minister, whose JD (U) is an alliance partner of the BJP, termed the development as “shocking and very disturbing”.

The OTA, Gaya, which was set up in 2011, “not only provided employment opportunities in the region but also contributed towards economy and sense of security in the area”, he added.

“It would be very inappropriate to close the Officers Training Academy at Gaya. This wrong decision by Ministry of Defence is against the states interest and it would be a gross injustice to the people of Bihar”, Kumar added. PTI