New Delhi, January 25

Indian and Chinese troops were engaged in a “minor face-off” at Naku La area in North Sikkim on January 20 and it was resolved by local commanders as per established protocols, the Indian Army said on Monday.

The incident in Sikkim came amid the prolonged military standoff between the two sides in eastern Ladakh that erupted on May 5.

“It is clarified that there was a minor face-off at Naku La area of North Sikkim on January 20 and the same was resolved by local commanders as per established protocols. Media is requested to refrain from overplaying or exaggerating reports which are factually incorrect,” the Army said in a brief statement.

People familiar with the developments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in North Sikkim said the Chinese troops attempted to transgress into the Indian side of the frontier but were stopped by the Indian military personnel.

They also said a brawl had broken out between the troops of the two armies.

Naku La was the same site where the Indian and Chinese troops had engaged in a fierce clash on May 9 last year following a violent face-off between the two sides in Pangong lake area that triggered the military standoff in eastern Ladakh.

The Indian and Chinese armies on Sunday held another round of Corps Commander-level talks with an aim to move forward on disengagement of troops from all the friction points in eastern Ladakh.

Following the Ladakh standoff, the Indian Army has significantly bolstered its strength at all its bases along the nearly 3,500 KM-long LAC, the de-facto border between the two nuclear-powered Asian giants.

India has all along been maintaining that the onus is on China to carry forward the process of disengagement and de-escalation at the friction points in the icy heights of eastern Ladakh.

Close to 100,000 Indian and Chinese troops are deployed in eastern Ladakh as both sides have been holding on to their ground and showing readiness for a long-haul, amid continuing diplomatic and military talks to find an amicable solution.

Reflecting India’s firm approach in handling the situation, Army chief Gen MM Naravane had said nearly two weeks ago that Indian troops will hold their ground as long as it takes to achieve the “national goals and objectives” even as he hoped for an amicable resolution of the border standoff through talks. PTI

Photo Source: ANI

Farmers to march to Parliament on February 1, Budget Day

New Delhi, January 25, 2021 (ANI): Farmers protesting against the Centre’s three farm laws on Monday announced that will undertake a foot march towards the Parliament building from various locations on Budget Day, on February 1.

“On February 1, we will march on foot towards Parliament in Delhi from different locations.” Krantikari Kisan Union chief Darshan Pal said here today while addressing a press conference at the Singhu border Farmers from all across the country are marching towards Delhi to participate the scheduled tractor rally on January 26, Republic Day to protest against the Central Government’s three new farm laws.

Farmers have been protesting on the different borders of the national capital since November 26 against the three newly enacted farm laws – Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. (ANI)

Farmer leaders holds Press Conference at Singhu Border a day before Tractor Rally

New Delhi, January 25, 2021: The farmer leaders are holding a press conference ahead of the Republic Day in which the farmers have planned Tractor Rally. Punjab singer writer is also present at the press conference

Kisan Morcha Instructions for Farmers’ Republic Day Parade

Singhu Border ( Delhi ) , January 24, 2021:  Sanyukt Kisan Morcha leading team has issued instructions, directions and help line numbers for Farmers’ Republic Day Parade to be held on January 26, 2021 in Delhi.

The full text of the statement is as under:

Friends, we are about to make history. Never before in history have the people of this Republic been part of a parade of this nature on the Republic Day. Through this parade we have to tell the country and the world about our plight. We have to bring forth the truth about the three Anti-Farmer Laws. We’ve to take care that this historical parade is not stained at any cost. Our victory lies in the parade being taken out in a very peaceful manner; without any unwanted events taking place. Remeber, that our aim is not to conquer Delhi, but to win over the hearts of the people of this county.

Keeping this in mind, Sanyukt Kisaan Morcha has come up with some unanimously agreed instructions for the parade. Please share it with as many people as possible and in case of any confusion, reach out to the leaders of your respective organisations or call on the helpline number 7428384230.

*Preparations before the parade*
1. Trolleys will not be allowed in the parade. Only Tractors and other vehicles will be allowed. Trolleys with special tableaux may be exempted. Please arrange for the safety of the trolley from the behind.
2. Pack 24 hours of ration and water with you. Make sure you have proper arrangements for protection from cold. It might be required if you are stuck in a traffic jam.
3. Sanyukt Kisan Morcha appeals that every tractor or cart should be fitted with the flag of the farmers’ organizations as well as the national flag. There will be no flag of any political party.
4. Do not carry any weapon with you, not even sticks or  Do not use banners with any provocative or negative slogans.
5. If you wish to inform of your participate in the parade, give a missed call on 8448385556.

*Instructions to be followed during the Parade:*

1. The parade will be led by with the cars with Farmer leaders. NO car/tractor shall overtake that car. Please follow the directions of our volunteers dressed in green jackets.
2. The route for the parade has been pre-decided and marked. Police and traffic volunteers will guide you. Any car/tractor found deviating from the route will be acted against.
3. SKM has decided that if any car/tractor halts/occupies an area without any reason, that car/tractor will be removed by volunteers. All the cars/tractor in the parade will return to the starting point after completing the parade.
4. A maximum of 5 people including the driver can ride on one tractor. No one will ride on the bonnet, bumper or roof of tractors.
5. All tractors must proceed in a line and there will be no overtaking throughout the Parade. Please don’t overtake the vehicles of farmer leaders leading the parade.
6. Please don’t play music in the tractor. This will ensure that all announcements are heard by everyone in the parade without any hindrance.
7. Use of any drugs before or during the parade is prohibited. Any one found in possession/consuming drugs will be reported to the traffic volunteer.
8. Please remember that our intent is to gracefully carry out the Parade and win hearts of our fellow citizens. The policemen are also part of us, we must not indulge in any quarrels. Representatives of all news channels must be respected.
9. Please do not pollute the surroundings by throwing garbage on roads. You are kindly advised to carry a bag for disposal of waste.

*Guidelines for Emergency*
Kisan Ekta Morcha has made provisions for emergency of every kind, so do not panic if there is any problem, just follow these instructions:
1. Ignore any rumors. If you want to check something or verify something, then have a look on the Facebook Page of Kisan Ekta Morcha to verify the truth.
2. Ambulances will be in the vicinity in the parade. Arrangements have been made with hospitals. If there is a medical emergency, call the helpline number or tell the nearest volunteer.

3. In case of any issue with the tractor or the car, place it on the side and contact Volunteer or call the helpline.
4. Helpline number of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha will be open for 24 hours for this parade. If you have any question or want to inform something, please call immediately.
5. If there is any unfortunate incident, then you can report it to the police control room at number 112.

*Helpline number* 7428384230

162 farmers sacrificed their lives during Kisan morcha: Punjab Cultural Council

Council urges Centre to extend ex-gratia benefits to all 162 martyr farmers in fight against draconian agri laws

Harshabab Sidhu

Chandigarh, January 24, 2021: Punjab Cultural Council today announced the figures of farmers’ deaths, occurred since the agitation against the three farm laws has started. The council revealed that a total of 162 farmers lost their lives during the 122 days of the Kisan morcha.

Speaking during the press conference at Hotel Sunbeam, Sector 22, Chandigarh, Harjit Singh Grewal, president of Punjab Cultural Council, Dr. Tejinderpal Singh Nalwa, lawyer of the Supreme Court, and Kanwar Harbir Singh Dhindsa, joint secretary of Punjab Cultural Council, informed that the data collected through various media sources shows that out of 162 deaths, nine deaths have been reported from Haryana, three from Uttar Pradesh and one from Madhya Pradesh while the rest are from Punjab only.

Harjit Singh Grewal said that the agitation started by the farmers has gone through two phases as the protest initially remained for 60 days within the state only and after that on November 25, the farmers moved to Delhi borders.

“During the first phase, 13 deaths and one suicide were reported from Punjab, in which, Pritam Singh of Akanwali village in Mansa was the first farmer who lost his life amid the protest. During the Kisan morcha at Delhi borders, 149 deaths and nine suicides have been reported till Saturday night. Kahan Singh of Dhaner village in Barnala was the first farmer, who sacrificed his life at the Delhi border,” said Grewal.

Divulging the district-wise details of deaths in Punjab, Grewal informed that the maximum number of deaths were from Sangrur district – 22. 14 farmers lost their lives in the districts of Mansa and Patiala, nine in Barnala, eight in Bathinda and Ludhiana, seven in Fatehgarh Sahib and Fazilka, six in Amritsar and Muktsar, five in Moga, Hoshiarpur, Ferozepur, and Nawanshahr, three in Mohali, Ropar, Gurdaspur and Jalandhar, and two in Tarn Taran, he said.

Grewal also announced the religion-wise data of the martyr farmers and informed that 138 Sikhs, 21 Hindus, and three Muslims are included in this figure of 162 deaths.

Grewal also said that so far, only 70-80 deaths were shown by the media channels following which the Punjab Cultural Council took the responsibility of collecting the actual figures.

Taking jibes on the central government, Grewal said the stubborn Indian government is responsible for all the deaths of farmers. He added, “The central government is trying to impose the laws forcefully on the farmers despite their oppose from the very first day. Farmers have been fighting for their rights in a disciplined manner and the whole world is appreciating them. They are the ‘anndatas’, not businessmen. The government is looking to push the businessmen into farming. The situation will become even worse if the government does not repeal the laws.”

Dr. Tejinderpal Singh Nalwa announced that a legal team has been formed by the Punjab Cultural Council, which will fight free for all the farmers in the country, who have been charged by the police in various criminal cases during the protest.

“Farmers are fighting for the common people and our legal, as well as moral support, will be there for them. “We thank Captain Amarinder Singh government for providing the families of martyr farmers ex gratia grant of Rs 5 lakh and a job in each family. We also demand the same kind of help from the governments of Haryana and other states,” said Nalwa.

Nalwa also said the Punjab Cultural Council has written a letter to Narendra Singh Tomar for demanding ex gratia grant of Rs 25 lakh to each family of the farmers, who lost their lives amid the protest. The demand for the repeal of three laws has also been made in the letter, said Nalwa.

List of farmers who sacrificed thier lives in Kisan Morcha: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TLFc3AGIMwJcc3uy1Nw1XW4sj8KnCdix/view?usp=sharing

New Delhi: From the Navy booking 14 hotels in Delhi’s Karol Bagh to the Army creating a bio bubble in the heart of the cantonment in the national capital, armed forces are taking every step to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic as they prepare for the Republic Day parade.

An additional task cut out for those involved in the planning of the parade was to ensure that the Bangladeshi contingent taking part in it remained safe amid Covid.

“It was a herculean task as the contingents and bands came from across the country. But we have managed to ensure that everyone is safe,” Chief of Staff, Delhi Area, Major General Alok Kacker said, replying to a query by ThePrint on how tough the Covid challenge was.

He was briefing reporters on the preparations for the Republic Day parade on 26 January.

In November, when the Army contingent and bands started arriving in the capital, a total of 260 tested positive, out of about 3,000 who had landed.

“The Delhi area was the first to set up quarantine facilities. We ensured that all soldiers were tested and those who were positive were treated,” Kacker said.

He also mentioned that the Army had created a bio bubble at the parade ground in the Delhi Cantonment to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

‘Here to have a better friendship’

The Navy, meanwhile, booked 14 hotels in Karol Bagh to house sailors, who have come from across the country.

Navy sources said one of the hotels was turned into a central kitchen, which served meals to everyone in other hotels.

“Dedicated buses are there for them to be picked up and dropped back from training. Nobody steps out because of the Corona pandemic,” a source said, explaining the steps taken to counter the pandemic.

“We are here to have a better friendship,” said Colonel Mohtashim Hyder Chowdhury, who led the delegation.

The Modi government had last month kicked off the celebrations to mark the golden jubilee of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.

On 16 December — the day when Bangladesh got liberated in 1971 — Modi lit the ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashaal’ from the eternal flame of the National War Memorial in New Delhi, marking the beginning of the golden jubilee celebrations.

lso read: No kids under 15, no standing spectators, shorter parade — Covid forces a ‘different’ R-Day