The airman had fainted when the guard of honour was being presented to visiting Seychelles President Danny Faure at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Seychelles President Danny Antoine Rollen Faure inspects a joint military forces guard of honour during his ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday. (AP)

Grilling India on violations in J&K, but ignoring Pakistan’s role smacks of ‘propaganda’

Lt Gen D S Hooda (retd)THE Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, on June 14, published the Report on the Situation of Human Rights in Kashmir for the period of June 2016 to April 2018. While the report covers both sides of the Line of Control, its main focus is on the incidents of alleged excesses committed by the Indian security forces following the killing of Burhan Wani in July 2016. The report was swiftly and categorically rejected by India. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called it “fallacious, tendentious and motivated” and “a selective compilation of largely unverified information. It is overtly prejudiced and seeks to build a false narrative”. The MEA also said the “report violates India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The entire state of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India…The incorrect description of Indian territory in the report is mischievous, misleading and unacceptable. There are no entities such as ‘Azad Jammu and Kashmir’ and ‘Gilgit-Baltistan’”. There have been a number of accounts dealing with human rights in Jammu and Kashmir, but the first reaction on reading the report is a sense of disbelief that a respected international organisation like the United Nations would bring out what could more accurately be described as a “propaganda manual”. Perhaps after being denied “unconditional access to Kashmir”, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is showing his ire by a compilation that is completely prejudiced, and, in many ways, impinges on the sovereignty of the Indian state. The report claims to base its methodology using the “reasonable grounds” standard of proof based on a “reliable body of information”, but it selectively uses data to build a completely biased picture, questioning Indian lawmakers, judiciary and security forces. Its main source of information is the Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society, whose data of persons killed in the 2016 protests appears to take precedence over the figures announced by the Chief Minister in the Legislative Assembly.In completely ignoring the role of Pakistan in exporting terror into Kashmir, and describing the Hizbul Mujahideen (which has been designated as a terrorist group by India, the European Union and the United States) as an armed group, the bias and motivations are clearly visible. There is a lengthy section on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1990, which has given the “security forces virtual immunity against prosecution for any human rights violation”. The report also claims that Section 4 of AFSPA that allows any person operating under the law to use lethal force “contravenes several international standards on the use of force and related principles of proportionality and necessity”. It completely ignores the dos and don’ts which form an integral part of AFSPA and which state that minimum force will be used, and that a clear need will be established for opening fire. This is just one example of how the report has used facts selectively.The report also comes down heavily on the military courts and the Armed Forces Tribunal, accusing them of “impeding access to justice”. While there is a lively debate in India on AFSPA and military courts, these are sovereign functions of Indian lawmakers. By questioning these functions, the UN High Commissioner is clearly overstepping his authority.When the report commences the discussion on the events from 2016 to 2018, it clearly demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of the situation that existed, particularly following the killing of Burhan Wani. The security forces are accused of using excessive force while no mention is made of the violent mobs that attacked police stations, army convoys and patrols. Figures are extensively quoted for civilian casualties, but there is no mention of the more than 3,300 security personnel who were injured in the very first month of the protests. The report has bold headings on “Torture”, “Enforced disappearances” and “Sexual violence”. While stating that there have “long been persistent claims of torture by security forces in Kashmir”, the report has listed three cases of “torture” in the 2016-18 period — one of whom is Farooq Ahmad Dar, who was tied to a jeep. There is one incident of “enforced disappearance” and no reported case of sexual violence. These are again examples of an attempt to embellish and sensationalise the report.It is illuminating to compare the tone and tenor of this report with the Afghanistan Annual Report on Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict: 2017, published in February 2018 by the same Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nation Assistance in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Between January 1 and December 31, UNAMA documented 10,453 civilian casualties in which there were 3,438 deaths. Of these deaths, 745 were attributed to pro-government forces, with aerial operations alone causing 295 deaths. Despite these casualty figures, the report says, “UNAMA observed that the number of airstrikes conducted by international military forces and Afghan air forces has increased significantly compared to 2016, while the number of civilian casualties has increased by 7 per cent. While emphasizing that no civilian casualties are acceptable, the reduced harm ratio suggests improvements in targeting and civilian protection procedures.” There is no strident criticism.The timing of the release of the report is also intriguing. It was released during the period of the Ramzan ceasefire, at a time when the government was making its most sincere effort to create a period of calm in Kashmir. Such a malicious piece of work can only serve to vitiate the environment in Jammu and Kashmir, and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights could not have been unaware of this. If this was done with a deliberate intent, the matter is extremely serious.Today, Kashmir is mourning the killing of Shujaat Bukhari, one of its most respected journalists. Terror attacks have intensified and the ceasefire is unlikely to be extended. In this highly volatile environment, this clearly motivated and prejudiced piece of work deserves to be thoroughly condemned. The writer is a former GOC, Northern Command

AH-64E Apache is a multi-role combat helicopter and is used by the US army and a number of international defence forces

Washington, June 13

The Trump administration has approved a deal to sell six AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to India for $930 million as well as Hellfire and Stinger missiles to bolster the country’s ability to defend its homeland and deter “regional threats”, the Pentagon said on Wednesday.The Pentagon’s notification to the Congress comes ahead of the first 2+2 dialogue between India and the US next month in Washington DC involving External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and their American counterparts Mike Pompeo and James Mattis.Pentagon’s Defence Security Cooperation Agency notified the Congress about the State Department’s decision. The sale is expected to pass through if no lawmaker opposes the notification.The contract also includes fire control radars, Hellfire Longbow missiles, Stinger Block I-92H missiles, night vision sensors and inertial navigation systems.In 2016, India was awarded the status of a US major defence partner. — PTI

A new study by the Andrews University has demonstrated that a programme aimed at helping people modify their lifestyle and diets, can be as effective against high blood pressure, as medication.

High blood pressure and hypertension are serious ailments affecting large swathes of the urban population nowadays, thanks to the increasingly sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diets. Repeated studies have demonstrated how exercise and other lifestyle changes can help mitigate the disease. Now, another study by the Andrews University has demonstrated that a programme aimed at helping people modify their lifestyle and diets, can be as effective against high blood pressure, as medication. The study, that was presented at the American Society for Nutrition annual meeting, Nutrition 2018 in Boston, showed that some 117 participants saw a drop in their blood pressure by 19 points, after they adopted a new lifestyle for just 14 days.

The programme was designed by Weimer Institute Newstart Lifestyle, and the study result showed that the programme achieved for the participants, what using three half-dose standard medications for blood pressure could do for them. The results also showed that a majority of the participants either able to reduce their dosage of blood pressure medicines or eliminate it completely. Research team leader M. Alfredo Mejia, associate professor at Andrews University was quoted as saying, in a press release, “By adapting selected lifestyle health principles, half of the people in our study achieved normal blood pressure within two weeks while avoiding the side effects and costs associated with blood pressure medications.”

He added by saying,”The Newstart Lifestyle program works quickly, is inexpensive and uses a palatable diet that allows for moderate amounts of salt and healthy fats from nuts, olives, avocado and certain vegetable oils.” The programme that the participants were asked to follow included following a vegan diet, taking daily walks, drinking adequate water and getting enough sleep, as well as participating in spiritual activities. The diet especially included fresh produce like fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts and seeds, non-dairy milks like almond and soy milk, as well as avocados. The participants were only given whole-grain breads. At the end of the programme, half the participants showed systolic blood pressure below the recommended 120 mmHg.

Here are some more diet tips that may help you regulate high blood pressure:

1. Cut back on caffeine: Consuming too much caffeine may lead to a sudden rise in blood pressure. Therefore, for blood pressure patients, it may be advisable to cut back on caffeine consumption.

2. Consume oatmeal: Oats are chock-full of healthy dietary fibre, which may help maintain an optimal blood pressure.

3. Avoid salty foods: Foods rich in trans-fats and excessive sodium or salt are the obvious culprits causing high blood pressure. Therefore, people who have high blood pressure must avoid salty foods.

4. Eat foods rich in magnesium: Spinach, cashews, dark chocolate and other magnesium-rich foods may help you regulate blood pressure.

5. Eat foods rich in potassium: Foods rich in potassium like bananas, kidney beans, flax seeds, etc., may help people with hypertension in controlling blood pressure.

(With ANI inputs)

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 30

Lt Gen Ranbir Singh has been appointed the new Northern Army Commander. He replaces Lt Gen Devraj Anbu, who has been shifted as Vice-Chief of the Indian Army.Lt Gen Singh, 58, who belongs to Jalandhar, was the Director General Military Operations (DGMO) when India carried out the surgical strikes across the Line of Control (LoC), destroying terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on September 29, 2016. He has also had stints as Colonel and Brigadier in the military operations directorate that oversees and coordinates all operations and troop movements.Lt Gen Singh, along with Lt Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane, who now heads the Army Training Command at Shimla, are likely to be the front-runners for the Army Chief’s post when General Bipin Rawat ends his tenure in December 2019. Lt Gen Naravane is senior to Lt Gen Singh.Lt Gen Anbu from the Sikh Light Infantry moves to Delhi. The Vice-Chief is the head of all policy and planning of the 1.3 million-strong Army. The current Vice-Chief, Lt Gen Sarath Chand, retires on Thursday.Commissioned in December 1980 into the 9 Battalion of the Dogra Regiment that draws its troops from Himachal Pradesh and parts of Jammu region, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh commanded the same unit. Presently posted at Army Headquarters as the Deputy Chief of Army Staff, he had earlier commanded the Mathura-based 1 Strike Corps, a strike formation.One of his most significant appointments was the General Officer Commanding of the 33 Armoured Division based at Hisar in 2012. According to his course mates, he is probably the first infantry officer after the late General K Sundarji to command an armoured formation.An alumnus of the Sainik School, Kapurthala, and the National Defence Academy, Kharakvasla, he also attended the Royal College of Defence Studies in the UK for a year-long course and served with UN missions in Angola and Rwanda.As Commander of the 181 Mountain Brigade in the North-East, he was decorated with the Yudh Seva Medal in 2010. The other awards include the Sena Medal and a bar to the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2015 and 2018.These two new appointments are the first in the series of changes in the top structure of the Army this year. Three Army Commanders — Lt Gen DR Soni, Southern Army Commander; Lt Gen BS Negi, Central Army Commander; and Lt General Satish Dua, who heads tri-service organisation — retire this year.

The army had organised the Iftar party at a village in south Kashmir’s Shopian. The event was part of the affirmative measures following the recent ceasefire

Police say army has been asked not to hold Iftar parties in areas where there could be trouble

SRINAGAR:  An Iftar party held by the army at a village in Jammu and Kashmir as a goodwill measure ended with clash and gunfire yesterday. Four girls — all between 15 and 17 years old, sustained bullet injuries, the police said. They have been shifted to a hospital and their condition is stable.

The army had organised the Iftar party at DK Pora village in south Kashmir’s Shopian district. The event was part of the affirmative measures following the recent ceasefire announcement by the central government, meant to restore peace and goodwill in the valley.

The locals, however, refused to accept the biryani offered by the army. It led to chaos and clashes. Police said miscreants started throwing stones at the soldiers and the army opened fire, injuring four people.

“It’s unfortunate. It was a good gesture by the army, but it was not properly planned. I think the Iftar party could have been held inside the camp itself,” said SP Vaid, Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police.

In large parts of Kashmir, relations between the security forces and locals are at an all-time low for the last few years. The security forces have often complained of people trying to foil counter-terror operations. There have been numerous incidents when mobs surrounded security forces — even when an encounter was going on.

The Iftar party was part of the affirmative measures following the recent ceasefire announcement by the central government

Since the clashes in 2016 following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen operative Burhan Wani, over 200 civilians have been killed in security forces firing after clashes and thousands have been injured. The use of pellet guns has left over 1,500 people with eye injuries, according hospital records.

There have also been numerous attacks on police, paramilitary and army camps in Jammu and Kashmir over the last two years.

Because of the volatile situation and civilian casualties, it has become a challenge for the government to reach out to the locals amid the intermittent violence.

During his visit to Jammu and Kashmir last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had reached out to the people of Kashmir by saying that the Kashmir issue can be solved only by embracing Kashmiris.

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“The Kashmir problem cannot be resolved through bullets or abuses. It can be resolved only by embracing every Kashmiri,” PM Modi had said.

Police sources say they have now asked the army not to organise Iftarparties in areas where they believe the locals could turn hostile.