PTI

New Delhi, January 10

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has granted sanction to prosecute former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union vice president Shehla Rashid Shora for her tweets on the Indian Army, officials said on Tuesday.

According to officials at the L-G office, the sanction is related to a 2019 FIR against her, under Section 153-A of the IPC, registered at Special Cell police station in New Delhi, on the basis of a complaint by one Alakh Alok Srivastava.

The former JNUSU leader is accused of promoting enmity between different groups and indulging in acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony through her tweets, they said.

The proposal for the prosecution sanction was moved by Delhi Police and supported by the Home Department of the Delhi government, the L-G office said.

The tweets by Shora, dated August 18, 2019, had accused the Army of entering houses and “torturing” locals in Kashmir.

The allegations were rejected by the Army as baseless. 

Tribune News Service

Vijay Mohan

Chandigarh, January 10

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing an intelligent electro-optical imaging system that can be mounted on aerial platforms for long range surveillance and reconnaissance.

The system will be retrofitted on aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles to facilitate auto-acquisition and auto-tracking of multiple targets by day and night in varied climatic and environmental conditions, DRDO sources said.

It will include several payloads and sensors such as a thermal imager, high-definition TV camera, infra-red cameras, laser range finder and laser target designator along with video target tracking, geo-positioning and geo-navigation capabilities.

According to DRDO officials, the ruggedised, gimbal-shaped system is expected to weigh approximately 50kg along with its payloads and measure around 16 inches in diameter and 20 inches in height.

It can be mounted on the nose or underbelly, depending upon the type of platform being a helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft. Inputs from the sensor will be integrated into the IAF’s surveillance and communication networks and relayed to command centres in real-time for decision-making.

DRDO’s Instruments Research and Development Establishment (IRDE) at Dehradun is the nodal agency for the project, which will be undertaken in collaboration with the private industry as a fillip to self-reliance. The work is expected to commence this year.

Mandated with research in advanced electro-optics, lasers systems, photonics, imagers and gun-sights, IRDE has also recently taken up projects to develop different electro-optical systems for detecting drones and for coastal and harbour surveillance.

Electro-optical imaging sensors are employed on land-based, air-based and sea-based platforms to detect, identify and track human and machine movements and designate potential targets.

With the advent of newer technologies and growing use of artificial intelligence, the capability of such sensors is increasing exponentially and their operations are becoming increasingly automated, requiring lesser human interface.

Srinagar, January 7

As militancy is spreading to relatively peaceful areas of Jammu province, the Ministry of Home Affairs banned the People’s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF) and The Resistance Front (TRF), which have been involved in major terror activities after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.

Home Ministry said that PAFF is a proxy outfit of Maulana Masood Azhar-led Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) while the TRF is the proxy outfit of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), which emerged in 2019 and targeted civilians.

“PAFF was involved in terror acts and is regularly issuing threats to Indian security forces, political leaders, civilians working in Jammu-Kashmir from other states and is involved, along with other organisations, in conspiring pro-actively physically and in social media to undertake violent terrorist acts and Jammu-Kashmir and other major cities in India,” the MHA notification said.

The TRF on Saturday warned of terror attacks on people whose names it has released on the “hit list” two days after it was declared as a banned organization by the Home Ministry.

The MHA said that TRF is recruiting youth through the online medium for the furtherance of terrorist activities, recruitment of terrorists, infiltration of terrorists and smuggling of weapons and narcotics from Pakistan into Jammu and Kashmir.

The MHA also designated Pakistan-based TRF commander Sheikh Sajjad Gul as a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act 1967.

The government also designated Mohammed Amin alias Abu Khubaib, who belongs to Jammu and Kashmir but currently lives in Pakistan, as an individual terrorist.

Khubaib is acting as the launching commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba and is playing a vital role to revive and accelerate terrorist activities of LeT in the Jammu region, the MHA said.

He has been involved in coordinating terrorist attacks, supply of arms or weapons and explosives, and terror financing in Jammu and Kashmir from across the border.

Also, Arbaz Ahmad Mir, a Lashkar-e-Tobia operative who is currently based in Pakistan, has been designated as an “individual terrorist”. The MHA said Mir was the main accused in the targeted killing of Rajni Bala, a school teacher in Kulgam in May last year.

Both TRF and PAFF have been involved in multiple attacks including the killing of Kashmiri Pandits and migrant labourers while threatening journalists after the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35-A on August 5, 2019.

After the abrogation of Article 370, militant activities and smuggling of weapons through drones have increased in Jammu province.

Six civilians including two children were killed by the militants earlier this week in a targeted attack in the Rajouri district. 

LEST WE FORGET: GUTS AND GLORY ON FOREIGN SOILS – VII

Badlu Singh’s Valour

(Maj Gen Harvijay Singh, SM)

Victoria Cross winner Risaldar Badlu Singh’s statue was unveiled in his village Dhakla in Jhajjar District of Haryana 01 Sep 2019. Badlu Singh belonged to 14^th Murray’s JAT LANCERS, was attached with 29^th LANCERS (DECCAN HORSE) during World War I. 

During World War I, the Arabs joined the British against the Ottomans.

29^th LANCERS landed in Egypt on 10 April 1918 and moved to Tell El Kebir, Kantara and finally to Belah on 27 April 1918 to join the 14^th Cavalry Brigade of the 5^th Cavalry Division. The regiment was involved in frequent encounters with the Turkish forces in July and Aug 1918. The regiment moved to Deiran (Palestine) and fought in the Battle of Megiddo.

On 23 Sep 1918 on the west bank of the River Jordan, Palestine, when his squadron was charging a strong enemy position, Risaldar Badlu Singh realised that heavy casualties were being inflicted from a small hill occupied by machine-guns and 200 infantry. Without any hesitation he collected six other ranks and with entire disregard of danger he charged and captured the position. He was mortally wounded on the very top of the hill when capturing one of the machine-guns single handed. Shaken by the charge, all the machine guns and infantry had surrendered to him before he died

His valour and initiative were of the highest order.

Risaldar Badlu Singh is commemorated at the HELIOPOLIS (PORT TEWFIK) MEMORIAL which commemorates 3,726 Indians who served during World War I in Egypt and Palestine.

Panels bearing the names, erected in the entrance pavilions to Heliopolis War Cemetery, were unveiled by the Indian Ambassador to Egypt in Oct 1980. The original memorial at Port Tewfik was damaged during the Israeli-Egyptian Six day War of 1967. It is maintained by the Common Wealth War Graves Commission. 

The Indian Armed Forces stand tall among their global peers because of their rich battle-hardened heritage, high motivation and tough training.

………………Contd, because these stories must be told

THE EXPRESS INDIA NEWS

Photo for representation. File photo
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 9

The Supreme Court on Monday granted time till March 15 to the Centre to clear the One Rank-One Pension (OROP) dues of all eligible pensioners of the defence forces.

A Bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud asked the Centre to ensure that all arrears were paid expeditiously to the pensioners without any further delay. AG R Venkataramani said the Comptroller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) had already tabulated pensions of 25 lakh pensioners and it had been sent to the Ministry of Defence for final approval.

“I will personally look into it…By March 15, the money will start flowing into the accounts of 25 lakh pensioners of the armed forces,” Venkataramani assured the Bench.

OROP E- BOOKLET BY GOVT

LATEST ON SPARSH

CHANGE OF NAME OF SPOUNSE IN PPO

PUNJAB DIARY 2023

The Supreme Court on Monday granted time till March 15 to the Centre for payment of arrears of One Rank-One Pension (OROP) to all eligible pensioners of the armed forces.  A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha asked the Centre to ensure that all arrears are paid expeditiously to the pensioners of the armed forces and that there is no further delay.  The top court granted liberty to ex-servicemen association to file an application, if they feel aggrieved by any action of the Centre on payment of arrears of the OROP.  Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, said the tabulation process has been completed by the Comptroller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) and now the tables have been sent to the Ministry of Defence for final approval.  “By March 15, the money will start flowing into the accounts of 25 lakh pensioners of armed forces”, Venkataramani said.  Last month, the government has moved the top court seeking extension of time till March 15, 2023 for payment of arrears of OROP scheme to all eligible pensioners of the armed forces.   This is the second extension given by the top court to the Union government to pay the arrears after it had first moved the top court in June, last year and sought three months to compute and make payments in accordance with the March 16, 2022 verdict of the top court.  The top court’s 2022 verdict came on the plea filed by the Indian Ex-servicemen Movement (IESM) through advocate Balaji Srinivasan against the Centre’s formula. It had said in terms of the communication dated November 7, 2015, the benefit of OROP was to be effected from July 1, 2014 and the communication states that “in future, the pension would be re-fixed every five years”. — PT

Extension of 3 months and disbursement in 4 instalment granted by HSC.

AG R Venkatramani: i am personally keeping a watch and this will be rolled out shortly. there are 25 lakh pensioners. The tabulation has come to ministry for final vetting and its with Defence ministry finance accounts

Sr Adv Huzefa Ahmadi: 4 lakh pensioners have died waiting for pension and this is the same reason which was cited last time also. Now in Jan they say it will be disbursed in 4 monthly installments.

Ahmadi: now this will be used to even deny the equalisation. at least this has to be paid in one installment CJI: Please see it is done by March 15, 2023

CJI: AG says tabulation for nearly 25 lakh defence pensioners has been completed by controller of defence accounts Allahabad. Now it is pending with defence ministry and the time now stands extended till March 15, 2023

Ahmadi: now they may disburse in 4 installments..

CJI: There is an issue with outflow. something is needed for modernisation etc. let them complete the exercise by March 15, 2023 and if any issue then come back to us. we are here

CJI: Please see there is no delay in payment and installments since payment was due in 2019

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Government MA for extension of time for payment of arrears for equalisation of OROP due to veterans since 1.07.2019 was heard in the court of CJI at 1230h onn9 Jan 2023.
Bench consisted of Honorable Judge Dr DY Chandrachud CJI
and Justice PS Narasimha.
Attorney General Mr R Venkataramni appeared from Govt.
IESM was represented by
Sr Lawyer Mr Hujefa Ahmadi
Mr Balji Srinivasan
M/s Garima

AG confirmed in SC that OROP tables have been prepared by CGDA and are being checked for correctness and Govt should be given extension of three months for payment till 15 Mar 2023.

OROP lawyer Mr Hujefa Ahmadi strongly opposed extension for payment. He argued that Govt was supposed to pay by 15 June 22 as ordered by HSC vide the order dated 16 Mar 2022. Govt did not pay and asked for extension of three months till 15 Sept 2022. However HSC gave extension till 16 Dec 2022. A total of nine months extension has already been granted. Any further extension should not be granted and it will injustice to valiant ESM. He strongly put across that veterans’ OROP payment arrears have already been delayed from 2019 by three years and hence further extension should not be given.

He further stressed that in last three years about 4 lakh ESM and veernaris have died waiting for their legal arrears.

AG insisted that Govt has completed all action for payment and payment will be made in March 2023. He confirmed that Govt has already issued executive order on 4 Jan 2023.

Mr Hujefa Ahmadi strongly insisted that this undue delay in payment is not fair with ESM who have served the Nation. He further stated that if Govt is still not ready for payment and needs extension for executing HSC orders then veterans should be paid interest for the delayed period.

The bench patiently heard the arguments and agreed to give extension of time to Govt for payment of arrears by 15 March.

Mr Ahmadi again strongly opposed Government plan of payment of arrears in four half yearly instalments. He argued that third and fourth instalments, with this plan, would go in 2024, and in 2024 next equalisation would fall due thereby causing more problems of payment and calculation. He strongly requested the Honorable court that full arrears be paid to veterans in one instalment.

SC asked AG to look into this issue make payment to veterans in one instalment if possible.

HSC also gave freedom to IESM to file another MA if not satisfied with Govt action.

IESM has noticed that Govt vide the letter dated 4.01.2023 have denied OROP to veterans who have taken PMR from or after 1.07.2014. This contrary to the instructions given in letter dated 07.11.2015, wherein veterans opting for PMR on or after 07.11.2015 were denied OROP benefits. IESM and our lawyers have not taken up this issue today because then the arguments would have been hijacked from main issue of OROP.

PTI

Ferozepur (Punjab), January 9

An Army officer allegedly shot dead his wife and later committed suicide here, police said on Monday. 

The officer and his wife were found dead at their official residence Sunday night, they said.

The deceased officer has been identified as Lt Col Nishant and his wife Dimple, Station House Officer, Ferozepur Cantt, Inspector Naveen Kumar said.

He said the couple was going through a marital discord which took an ugly turn Sunday night around 9 pm.  .

According to sources, the officer left behind a suicide note confessing to harming his partner who was found dead in an adjoining room.

They said the couple was undergoing regular counselling sessions.

The Army authorities and the police have started investigation into the incident..

Meanwhile, bodies have been sent to the civil hospital for post-mortem.

ARMY OFFICERS KILLS WIFE

The car of an Army Major was allegedly set ablaze by a group of men after he objected to playing of loud music at a hotel in Vishal Khand area of Gomtinagar on Monday, police said.

Five people have been arrested in the case, they said, adding that efforts are on to trace the sixth accused.    

Additional DCP (East) Ali Abbas said a case was registered against two staff members of the hotel and four other men at Gomtinagar police station.

According to police, Hotel Milano Cafe is located near the residence of Major Abhijit Singh. On Sunday late night, the DJ was being played in a loud manner. On this, the Army officer asked the hotel staff to stop the music, but they refused and an argument ensued between both the sides.

Later, the music was stopped following police intervention.

In a complaint submitted to police, Singh said he returned to his house after the DJ was stopped, and went off to sleep. At around 3.30 am on Monday, he saw fire in the portico of his house, and subsequently saw his car burning. By the time he could extinguish the fire, the car was completely burnt.   

DCP Abbas said the complainant had come home on leave.