With July, 2022 comes the beginning of the Jagannath mela in various parts of India, a major Hindu celebration. This time, the yatras and events for the festivity were planned with double the care on two accounts – the two-year Covid-19 gap and the recent violence during Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti processions.

People have been celebrating their festivals with great pomp in 2022 owing to the intermittent lockdowns in the country during the Covid-19 pandemic. With vaccination campaigns functioning simultaneously, Odisha, Gujarat, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh governments have allowed for mass gatherings. However, following the violence that broke out during Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti celebrations earlier this year, security officials are taking extra care to ensure safe and peaceful yatras.

Odisha prepares for flood of devotees

Starting from Lord Jagannath’s homeland, Odisha, 180 police platoons (30 personnel each) and over 1,000 officials have been deployed in and around the city during the festival starting from July 1, as per Director General of Police (DGP) Sunil Bansal. According to News 18, lakhs of devotees are likely to visit the pilgrim town this year.

Anticipating terrorist threat, Bansal also announced anti-sabotage and metal detector checks near the category-A temple. Further, a bomb disposal squad, anti-terrorist squad and special tactical units will also be deployed. As for traffic, the administration has made adequate parking facilities for two-wheelers and four-wheelers. Out on the coast, security patrolling will be observed 12 nautical miles in the sea while the Indian Coast Guard will be on alert, reported News18.

Regarding medical precautions, Health Minister Naba Kishore Das asked those with cold, cough, fever not to come to the festival. Around 10 lakh face masks will be distributed by the Odisha State Medical Corporation Ltd (OSMCL) and rapid antigen tests will be made available for anyone with Covid-19 symptoms.

Heavy security deployment in Ranchi

ETV Bharat reported how three companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF) will be deployed along with Ranchi city police from July 1 to July 10, the duration of the rath mela. Following a meeting with temple administration, police said about 500 personnel will be on-duty for the Rath Yatra from Friday with 100 policemen in the fair for the 10 days.

It is worth noting that the June 10 protests that took the country by storm in decrial of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma’s hate speech turned violent in this region. Police resorted to lathi-charge and tear-gassing with viral videos of innocent youths getting caught in the officers’ rage. For this reason, the JMM-led government is taking extra care to ensure peaceful Rath yatra celebrations.

During the festival, the Miladri Bhawan inside the city temple premises will serve as a control room. As many as eight places will be barricaded as per temple committee request and soldiers posted in these regions. Additionally, there will be many display boards providing numbers of officers in case of emergency. Women battalions will be deployed, said ETV Bharat.

Traffic police personnel will be stationed on roads from the old assembly gate to the temple. Moreover, CCTVs will be installed in the premises, considering more than 1.5 lakh people are expected in Ranchi for this year’s festival.

Gujarat to take out at least seven yatras

Surat alone will hold six rath yatras from Friday, two of which are organised by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), reported Times of India. The religious group’s yatra will follow the traditional route from railway station to Jahangirpura temple. Hundreds of people are expected to participate in this procession. The other yatras will be held in the city suburb Varachha. Police will hold patrolling marches on all these routes. Further, a company of state reserve police (SRP) was called from outside and around 3,500 police personnel from Surat will be on duty.

Surat’s Bardoli region faced confrontations during Ram Navami yatras in April apart from Vadodara, Sabarkantha and Anand districts. The violence at the time had thrown people in a state of disarray with extremist groups entering minority regions. Accordingly, the government appears to have prepared for any awry elements entering the fray this time.

In Ahmedabad, city police announced traffic diversions and laid out the final map for the 18 km yatra, where around four lakh devotees are expected to arrive, said the Indian Express.

The yatra will go from Jamalpur Darwaza to Saraspur and back to Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur. The procession will begin by 7 AM after Union Home Minister Amit Shah conducts an aarti. The devotees will return to the temple by 6 PM.

Over 25,000 state police personnel and other security agencies will be deployed during the yatra while the routes will be shut for a few hours. The traffic police requested commuters to use the alternate route of Raikhad Char Rasta to Victoria Garden to riverfront to flower market to Jamalpur bridge to travel to Geeta Mandir Road. Similarly, commuters travelling towards Paldi are to go from Astodia Char Rasta to Geeta Mandir to Jamalpur bridge to Sardar bridge.

Taking similar caution is the Uttar Pradesh government. In Varanasi, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Dinesh Kumar Puri said traffic diversion will be effective from July 1 to July 4. Vehicles moving towards rath yatra crossing will be diverted on alternative routes from Gurubagh, Baijnattha, mahmoorganj and sigra crossings from 12 PM to 4 AM, said the Times of India.

Related:

Gujarat: Locals blame election politics for Ram Navami violence
Friday protests: More people booked for unlawful assembly
Indians stand united, don’t allow Hate to prevail over Harmony
Distance dissent from hate! Haq Hai appeals to the Muslim community

The post Heavy security deployment for Rath Yatra appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Governments tightened security across railway stations and roads as traffic worsened during youths’ Bharat Bandh on June 20, 2022 against the Agnipath military recruitment scheme. As per reports, at least 877 people were arrested in Bihar and another 475 arrested in Uttar Pradesh for staging violent protests. In case of the latter, 330 people were arrested for serious charges, said News NCR.

UP’s ADG Law and Order Prashant Kumar told media persons that 39 cases were registered by Monday. There was heavy deployment of police and no untoward incident occurred. However, sources told Sabrang India that the Varanasi administration suffered considerable loss during the protests via damages to buses, city transport and similar government property. This loss will now be compensated from arrested protesters in jail. The police will also assess the role of the arrested in the June 17 violence.

Further, sources said that the city police is screening all youths between 18 and 24 years of age to make sure there is peace in the city. Children are asked to show their identity cards before entering the city.

However, the outrage regarding the scheme is already simmering among students. The government remains firm on its stand regarding the short-term military recruitment scheme. On the same day as the Bharat Bandh, the Army issued a notification for the induction of soldiers under the scheme. The online registration for this will begin from July.

This despite protests in Delhi by students wherein the Delhi police dragged and thrashed protesters. Student unions had voiced support for the Bandh in lieu of this behaviour. Protests erupted across states after June 14 when the central government announced the plan to recruit youths between 17.5 and 21 years in the armed forces for a four-year period, followed by compulsory retirement for most without gratuity and pension benefits.

The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) too voiced its solidarity with the protests, who according to the union, have realised the “real meaning” of the scheme.

“There are others, retired military commanders, who know the military establishment inside out, who are flabbergasted at this scatterbrained Scheme. They have warned that on the one hand Agnipath will weaken the military establishment and on the other, endanger Society at large when Agniveers are let loose on the streets, unemployed and without pension!” said General Secretary Amarjeet Kaur.

Further, farmers umbrella body Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) too voiced its support for the protest, describing the scheme as “playing with the future of the country”.

Condemn the brutality by the Delhi Police on the students and youth who took to streets today to protest against the Agnipath Scheme.

Comrade AA Rahim, All India President, DYFI and MP, Rajya Sabha was dragged and thrashed by the police and is still under detention

Rise in rage pic.twitter.com/WqhqV2Qzvz

— Aishe (ঐশী) (@aishe_ghosh) June 19, 2022

Congress leaders too announced a satyagraha at Jantar Mantar in Delhi to express solidarity against the Agnipath scheme. Youth Congress workers were detained after they blocked a train at the Shivaji Bridge railway station near Connaught Place. Further, parts of Delhi where jam-packed with cards although no undue incident occurred.

Overall, at least 527 trains were cancelled across India in preparation for the protest. Already, NDTV reported how the Railways suffered a major loss of property due to arson and rioting by protesters over the last five days.

The Free Press Journal reported how over 20 students were nabbed by the Adhartal police in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh for allegedly planning a protest. According to the police, the youths had formed a WhatsApp group but the police took them into custody and placed them under house arrest for more than 10 hours.

However, according to the youth Abhishek Kumar speaking to the newspaper, they only wanted to submit a memorandum peacefully. In Jharkhand, schools were closed for the day.

Security was similarly tightened at railway stations, bus stands and central government offices of Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh. Youngsters were disallowed from holding protests or bandhs and warned of stern action, said Sakshi news.

However, in Bihar such warnings did not deter students from engaging in vibrant protests condemning the scheme. Authorities suspended mobile internet services in 20 districts, i.e., over half of the state.

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid025KpbaMi5g8NRCG4aVPjjAXu91iU3muEq7de1ShnB6XoAmxrkaCutDPZv6RiRcBXql&id=100064630996023&sfnsn=wiwspwa

Meanwhile, the cancellation of trains had affected the coal supply to thermal plants of Punjab, reported Amar Ujala. There has been a 60 percent reduction in the rakes of coal coming to Punjab, causing a shortage of the fuel. Further, a group of job aspirants in Haryana blocked the Lal Batti Chowk in Fatehabad. Several others staged a protest on roads in Rohtak district.

Related:

Scrap the ‘Agnipath Scheme’, protesters stage violent protests countrywide

The post Centre tightens security against anti-agnipath Bharat Bandh appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Image Courtesy: time8.in

While people in Assam, especially from the affected communities which includes ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities are maintaining calm and a policy of ‘wait and watch’ the government has deployed personnel of the Assam Police and the CAPF (Central Armed Police Force) in all 33 of the state’s districts. Besides, there have been an additional deployment, according to the Sentinel, in the 14 of the ‘sensitive’ districts.

Assam eagerly awaits August 31, 2019.  Speaking to Sabrangindia today, Mustafa Khaddam Hussain, legal adviser to All Assam Minority Students Union (AAMSU) said,”

“On Saturday, after 10 a.m. the publication will happen. (the time has been changed from 9 a.m.). Those excluded need to individually check online using their own ARN numbers, the reason for the exclusions. As far as those included is concerns, there are those who were included last year (2018 list) but against whom some persons have filed objections; they have to check their status at the respective Nagrik Seva Kendras (NSKs). Then there are those who have now been included after the Claims and Objections Process has been completed. They too have to go to the NSKs. So expect one thing: there will be huge crowds at the 2,500 NSKs all over Assam.

“The message we are giving out to everyone is that maintain calm, keep hopes alive till the list is out. Remember people –at great cost and agony –have participated in this process since 2009. After the result, we shall speak. 
 

The post Security beefed up in 14 of Assam’s ‘sensitive’ districts, 2,500 Sewa Kendras appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The government of Jammu and Kashmir has curtailed the Amarnath Yatra, an annual pilgrimage for Hindus, and asked the pilgrims to leave the state immediately after the Army reportedly revealed intelligence inputs confirming the possibility of a terror attack.

The order that has been issued by the Home Department, cites “intelligence inputs of possible terror attacks” as the reason for the notification.
The order said, “Keeping in view the latest intelligence inputs of terror threats, with specific targeting of the Amarnath Yatra, and given the prevailing security situation in the Kashmir Valley, in the interest of the safety and security of the tourists and Amarnath Yatris, it is advised that they may curtail their stay in the Valley immediately and take necessary measures to return as soon as possible.”

The Amarnath Yatra started on July 1 and was expected to end on August 15. It was earlier suspended till August 4 in view of inclement weather forecast in the Valley. Around 3.5 lakh devotees have performed the annual pilgrimage so far. This figure is reportedly 30% more than last year.

Earlier in the day, the Army said it had information that Pakistan was planning to disrupt the annual pilgrimage.

Chinar Corps Commander Lt General KJS Dhillon said, “In the last three-four days, there were confirmed intelligence reports that terrorists backed by Pakistan and its army is trying to disrupt Amarnath Yatra and based on that a thorough search was conducted. We had major successes in these searches.”

Per NDTV, among the Army’s finds were a landmine with Pakistan ordnance factory markings and an M-24 American sniper rifle with a telescopic sight. The Yatra route was being “sanitised for three days”.

The Army and troops held a joint press conference against the backdrop of reports of an increased presence of troops in Kashmir.

“The searches are still going on. The Pakistan Army is desperate to disrupt peace. This will not be allowed to happen. No one can be allowed to disrupt the peace,” said Lt General Dhillon.

Over the past few days, the movement of troops to the state, where central paramilitary personnel are being airdropped in sorties, has fuelled speculation about security threats.

A 100-company or 10,000 personnel of central forces were ordered for the state about a week ago and they were in the process of reaching their posts. The reports of a surge in troop deployment coincided with inputs that the centre is on high alert for August 15 Independence Day celebrations, when terror groups allegedly planning attacks in India are active.
 

The post Home Ministry curtails Amarnath Yatra citing Security threats appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Illicit firearms and small weapons recovered during security operations being destroyed in Nairobi. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya

This was a bold departure from the traditional emphasis on economic aid as the bedrock of development efforts in African countries. To many, and for most African states, her statement sounded like a contradiction in terms because spending on arms can divert funds from vital areas such as food security, health care and education.

Over the past 20 years Africa has been transitioning from a focus on economic integration to one on security. Until the late 1990s the emphasis in many regions was on economic integration. This was clear from the consolidation of a number of regional economic integration communities like the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

But since the turn of the century, there has been a much bigger focus on security and fighting radical Jihadist groups typically affiliated to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. As of May 2015, there were nine UN Peacekeeping missions in Africa. The big shift towards security started in 2002 when the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) was formed. This was followed by a security partnership being agreed between the African Union and the EU. And then there are sub-regional security forces like Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group and the Sahel G5 states’ counter-terrorism force.

As a result of the growing threat from terror groups, a number of countries, with the help of major powers, have boosted their military capabilities. These include Mali, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire to name a few.

Merkel’s statement was made in the context of many African countries experiencing economic growth while, at the same time, battling militant and terrorist groups.

The view seems to be that by helping Africa contain instability, growth rates will be enhanced, and Europe relieved of mass migrations.
 

Increase military capability

Increased securitisation – the emphasis on a militarily strong state at the expense of basic human needs and a strong civil society – started after the 1998 Al-Qaeda attacks on the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. These led to the creation of AFRICOM which included putting active American troops on the continent. Djibouti serves as a forward base for AFRICOM. It also included a commitment from the US to train and advise African countries that request it. Current key beneficiaries of US military assistance are Djibouti, Ethiopia, Uganda Chad, Cameroon, and Mauritania.

In addition, French troops have become more active in Africa. In Mali they are helping the government contain Jihadist organisations in the north of the country.

There are also regional international efforts, such as the security partnership between the European Union the African Union, and the UN Mission established to contain terrorist attacks in the Sahel region. Known as the G5 Sahel force, it includes troop contributions from Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger.

France and the US are also active in the Sahel region providing training and equipment to the militaries of Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali, Naiger and Mauritania, and engaging in joint exercises with the G5 forces.

Merkel’s proposal is aimed at taking these engagements even further. What’s she’s put on the table is a compact with Africa and the G20 which includes weapons transfer as development aid.
 

Implications

Merkel’s suggestion would mean more weapons on a continent that is already awash with small arms and light weapons. It can’t be denied that Africa as a secure continent would benefit Europe. But weapons as development aid sounds like a contradiction. Do weapon transfers in fact contribute to development?

There are studies that show that the acquisition of weapons by developing countries doesn’t contribute to development.

I believe that more weapons on the continent would have the opposite effect. The African continent already has a great deal of weapons which exacerbate civil strife. Evidence points to the fact that weapons transfers are responsible for conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, the Central African Republic and Somalia, among others.

More weapons and an increased military presence for incumbent African regimes could have negative consequences.

Firstly, it could lead to even more violations of the rule of law as incumbent regimes become militarily stronger.

Secondly, it would improve the changes of regimes surviving longer. They would have the wherewithall to violate human rights even more, as well as suppress opposition voices. And finally, weapons could be diverted to rebel groups through political corruption or for personal selfish objectives.

In conclusion the G20 Compact with Africa is very encouraging. But when it comes to the transfer of more weapons, donors and investors should make sure that this is done under strict rules and regulations. Conditions for receiving aid should also be based on strict adherence to the rule of law, and in particular democratic processes.

In the end the biggest emphasis should be on private investments – as set out in the compact – which will generate millions of jobs for the unemployed.
 

Earl Conteh-Morgan, Professor of International Studies, University of South Florida

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

The post The danger of supplementing aid to Africa with weapons appeared first on SabrangIndia.

A bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar made the remarks after senior advocate Shyam Divan sought urgent hearing of the plea citing privacy concern.

“We are not inclined to give immediate hearing as there are limited resources but biometric data collection by private agencies is not a great idea,” the bench also comprising Justices N V Ramana and D Y Chandrachud said.

Divan, who represented one of the petitioners, said that these matters needs urgent hearing as there is individual’s privacy concern as biometric datas are being collected by private agencies.

The apex court had on 15 October, 2015 lifted its earlier restrictions and permitted voluntary use of Aadhaar cards in welfare schemes that also included MGNREGA, all pension schemes and provident fund, besides ambitious flagship programmes like ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna’ of the NDA government.

The social welfare schemes, aimed at reaching the door steps of the “poorest of the poor”, were in addition to LPG and PDS schemes in which the apex court had allowed the voluntary use of Aadhaar cards.

A five-judge constitution bench had put a caveat in its interim order for the Centre and said that Aadhaar card scheme is purely voluntary and not mandatory till the matter is finally decided by this court, this way or the other way.

It had said that that a larger bench was required to be set up for final disposal of the petitions that also include the question as to whether the right to privacy is fundamental right.

A three-judge bench had on 11 August, 2015 referred a batch of petitions, challenging the Aadhaar card scheme, to a larger bench for an authoritative view on the question as to whether the right to privacy is fundamental right or not and had also restricted the use of Aadhaar to PDS and LPG scheme only.

UIDAI, established by UPA-2 in 2009, issues Aadhaar cards to the citizens.

Under the programme, every citizen is to be provided a 12-digit unique identification number for which biometric information is collected.

Courtesy: Janta Ka Reporter

The post Data collection by pvt agencies for Aadhaar not a good idea: Supreme Court appeared first on SabrangIndia.