National

KOLKATA, OCT 17: TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh, aligned with the party’s Mamata Banerjee faction, questioned the huge deployment of security to quell anti-SIR protests in Delhi, asking why as many personnel were not deployed in Manipur that has been afflicted by ethnic violence for more than three years. Responding to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s accusation that the opposition was seeking a regime change along the lines of Bangladesh and using the energy of youth to spread “anarchy”, Ghosh hit back, saying the deployment of security at strength against young protesters reflected the government’s inability to answer their questions. “We do not support anarchy. But when the new generation raises questions on an issue, it is your responsibility to convince them,” the Mamata-TMC spokesperson said. “You have so much police and paramilitary forces at your disposal. Why deploy them against the youth? You should have sent this many police and paramilitary to Manipur. If you had sent them to Manipur at the right time, the problem there would have been solved,” he said. Manipur’s ethnic conflict between the valley-based Meitei and hill-based Kuki communities, which erupted in May 2023, has claimed at least 306 lives while several remain missing. Around 50 people have been killed in clashes between Kukis and Nagas in the state since February this year. Ghosh’s remarks came amid protests by opposition parties and youth groups in the national capital demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) had called for a ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march in central Delhi on Friday. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and student leader Neha Bora were among those detained by police ahead of the demonstration on Friday, while protesters gathered at Connaught Place and other locations amid heightened security. The protesters have accused the Election Commission of arbitrary deletion of voters’ names during the revision exercise, while the BJP has accused opposition parties of politicising the issue and attempting to create unrest. (Source: PTI)  

NEW DELHI, OCT 15: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday congratulated Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Assam Police for a sustained crackdown on narcotics networks, which has resulted in 945 arrests, 547 cases and narcotics seizures worth over Rs 182 crore. In a message posted on ‘X’, Shah said,”A decisive blow to drug networks! Congratulations to Assam CM Shri @himantabiswa Ji and Assam Police for this sustained crackdown, which has resulted in 945 arrests, 547 cases and narcotics seizures worth over Rs 182 crore, alongside action against 703 hotspots and attachment of properties worth nearly Rs 31 crore under process.” He said under the Nasha Mukt Bharat vision of PM Modi, the Vision Document on Narcotics Control 2026-29 reaffirms government’s resolve to dismantle drug networks, strike at their financial foundations and safeguard youth. “The fight against drugs will continue with unwavering resolve,” he said. (Source: PTI)  

NEW DELHI, OCT 10: Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Saturday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during which they discussed various issues concerning the northeastern state. “Chief Minister of Manipur, Shri @YKhemchandSingh met Prime Minister @narendramodi,” the prime minister’s office said in a post on ‘X’. The chief minister said it was a privilege to meet the prime minister. “I deeply appreciate his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the development of Manipur. Guided by his leadership, our government remains steadfast in its resolve to advance lasting peace, stability, and inclusive prosperity for the people of Manipur,” Singh said in a post on X. The chief minister also said that Modi’s leadership continues to inspire the BJP government in Manipur for building a peaceful, prosperous and a ‘Viksit’ Manipur as part of the ‘Viksit Bharat’. (Source: PTI)  

GANGTOK, OCT 10: Three youth leaders of the Sikkim Democratic Front were among those detained in the national capital on Saturday during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the opposition party said. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) had called for a demonstration to demand Kumar’s resignation, accusing him of masterminding voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll and other irregularities related to Form 6, used for voter registration. At least 3,000 people were detained. According to the Sikkim Democratic Front, its youth leaders who have been detained were Ezak Muringla Subba, Rewas Limboo, and Karma Tashi Bhutia. SDF spokesperson Yojna Khaling Rai said the party had joined the protest in solidarity with growing public demands for transparency, accountability and safeguards to protect the credibility of elections. She said concerns over alleged misuse of electronic voting machines, claims of “vote theft” and difficulties faced by citizens during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls had fuelled public discontent with the poll panel. Rai also raised concerns over the 2019 Sikkim Assembly elections, alleging that developments involving the disqualification of a convicted person from contesting elections and the subsequent reduction of the disqualification period had raised questions about the integrity of the electoral process. “Any perception that the poll panel is acting in favour of the ruling party undermines public confidence in democratic institutions and the electoral process,” the SDF statement said. The party reiterated that free and fair elections were fundamental to democracy and urged the poll panel to address public concerns and uphold its constitutional responsibility to remain impartial. (Source: PTI)    

NEW DELHI, OCT 7: Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi on Wednesday called for utmost sensitivity in dealing with women facing domestic violence, emphasising the need for everyone to teach their sons the values of respect and equality towards women from childhood. Addressing a national conference of protection officers on strengthening protection and justice in cases of domestic violence, she said these cultural and behavioural changes in society are also necessary, along with strict laws to end the rising crimes against women. Protection officers are officials appointed by state governments under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA), 2005 and act as the frontline support for women in distress. The National Commission for Women (NCW) organised the conference. Devi said the event holds huge significance for women, especially given the NCW’s concern for their safety, and protection officers from across the country have gathered here today. She said the event was organised on a special day, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has completed 25 years in public office. Prime Minister Modi has always been committed to moving the country forward with a vision of women’s development, and he is constantly working day after day to bring happiness to women’s lives and to ensure that they play an important role in making India a developed nation by 2047, she said. The minister said many laws exist, but implementing them on the ground requires removing practical difficulties and problems that may arise. “Our shared goal is very clear — every home should be safe, every system should be sensitive, and every victim should receive speedy justice,” the minister said. Referring to a book, “From Voice to Protection”, released at the conference, she said it sends a clear message that when a woman raises her voice against injustice, the entire system comes forward to protect and support her. “The true significance of any law is proven when this information about rights easily reaches those in need,” she said. The minister said women’s role in the country’s development journey is no longer limited to participation; they are now charioteers of development, leading the way on the path of progress. She also listed various policy reforms and new laws enacted by the Modi government to facilitate access to justice and to ensure that the entire system is fully sensitive to citizens. She told the protection officers that their role in this legal process is like a strong, sensitive bridge. “In such a situation, your role becomes crucial. When a victimised woman comes to you and shares her story, it will certainly not be just a formal complaint. It brings with it increased hope for justice. Self-respect and confidence in a secure future also emerge,” she said. “And your first response is crucial in this entire process. Risk assessments should be timely. Safety planning should be effective. The Domestic Incident Report should be prepared in a timely and impartial manner,” the minister said. “Most importantly, the case should be continuously followed to ensure that there is no scope for violence against the woman again. All these steps lay a strong foundation of security and trust in a woman’s life,” she said. “At the field level, all of you work under extremely challenging circumstances. Your patience, empathy, and sense of duty bring justice to every citizen,” she told the protection officers. “We should also instil in our sons, from childhood, the values of respect, sensitivity, and equality towards women. Along with strict laws, this cultural and behavioural change, starting from our homes and families, is also essential to permanently end the rising crimes against women in society,” Devi said. (Source: PTI)