NEW DELHI, Jan 23: Chinese activities and influence in India’s extended neighbourhood have grown increasingly with the sole purpose of keeping New Delhi constrained and occupied in facing the resultant challenges, according to papers submitted at a key security meet here. The papers presented by Indian Police Service officers at the just concluded conference of DGPs and IGPs submit that by providing huge amounts of money in the name of loans for developmental works in Southeast and South Asia, China wants to reduce India’s influence in the Indian Ocean region and force resolution of bilateral issues on Beijing’s terms.
The three-day annual conference was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and about 350 top police officers of the country.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), infrastructure related investments in India’s neighbouring countries through easy loans, hot borders and Line of Actual Control (LAC) are some of the tools Beijing has been using effectively, the papers say.
The last two-and-a-half-decades have seen Chinese economic and military growth at a massive scale and Chinese activities and influence in India’s extended neighbourhood have grown proportionately, they find.
“All this is being done with the aim to keep India constrained and occupied in facing the resultant challenges, force resolution of bilateral issues on its own terms, modulate India’s growth story, leaving it (China) free to achieve its aim of becoming not only Asia’s pre-eminent power, but a global superpower,” according to the papers.
The papers on the subject “Chinese influence in the neighbourhood and implications for India” were written by some top IPS officers of the country.
China has become far more attentive to its South Asian periphery, moving beyond commercial and development engagements to more far-reaching political and security ones, according to one of the papers.
China is investing huge amounts of money in the neighbouring countries of India mainly Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka in the name of infrastructure development and other financial assistance, it said.
Without exception, India’s neighbouring countries have described China as a crucial development partner, either as a funder or in providing technological and logistical support. Additionally, it is the biggest trading partner in goods for Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and the second-largest for Nepal and the Maldives, it said.
“However, the economic element is increasingly intertwined with political, government, and people-to-people aspects of these relationships,” it said.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created opportunities for China to work directly with these countries in new ways such as the provision of medical equipment, biomedical expertise, and capital for coronavirus-related needs, it said.
These developments demonstrate that China’s presence in Southeast and South Asia is no longer predominantly economic but involves a greater, multidimensional effort to enhance its posture and further its long-term strategic interests in the region, the paper said.
“China is highly ambitious about achieving its regional power status in the Indian Ocean region. To do so Beijing wants to contain India which is the only threat before China in this region,” according to an analyst.
China Wants To Reduce India’s Influence In Indian Ocean Region, Say Papers Submitted At DGPs’ Meet
Congress Chief Kharge Accuses Modi Govt Of Betraying People Of Ladakh
NEW DELHI, Jan 23: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday accused the Modi Government of betraying the people of Ladakh by not agreeing to their demand for grant of statehood to the Union territory and protecting the eco-sensitive region.
He alleged that by not agreeing to their demand for statehood and safeguards for the tribal people under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, the Government is endangering India’s national security in a strategic border region.
“Narendra Modi ji, people of Ladakh are unitedly demanding statehood for the Union Territory, and safeguards for the tribal people of the region under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution,” Kharge said on Twitter.
“But your Government has deceitfully betrayed them, despite making tall promises,” he alleged.
In a video shared on YouTube, Sonam Wangchuk, a social reformist from Ladakh whose life story inspired Bollywood film “3 Idiots”, urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure safety and protection of Ladakh as studies suggest extinction of 2/3rd of the glaciers in the Union Territory.
“This is an urgent appeal from Sonam Wangchuk in Ladakh (in the Indian Himalayas) to the people of India and the world to help protect the environmentally sensitive region of Ladakh,” Wanchuk said in his video, while appealing to the prime minister to intervene and safeguard the fragile ecosystem under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Congress president Kharge alleged that the Modi Government’s “greed to benefit select crony friends” who want to exploit the eco-sensitive Himalayan glaciers of Ladakh is well-known.
“In denying constitutional protection, you are also endangering India’s National Security, in a strategic border region. Listen to Ladakh,” he tweeted. (Agencies)
Shah Mohammed Tantry welcomes LG’s assurance for sparing poor people in anti-encroachment drive
POONCH, JANUARY 23, 2023: Apni Party District President, and Ex-MLA, Shah Mohammed Tantry has welcomed the statement of Lt Governor Manoj Sinha that no poor will be displaced during the anti-encroachment drive in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a joining programme in which people from Julhas and Slotri Panchayats participated; Shah Mohammed Tantry
“We thank Lt Governor for assurancing that common masses will not be harassed / displaced in the anti-encroachment drive.”
He was referring to the crackdown of the authorities on the innocent people and snatching land from the people who have no other source of earning or shelter.
“The people are uprooted from the land which they cultivated and constructed their houses. The drive seems selective and the authorities must desist from driving people out of the state land as it would widely make the people landless and homeless,” he said and expressed faith in the LG’s assurance that no innocent / poor / marginalized people will be harassed or displaced from the state land.
He said that the issue should be handled on humanitarian ground and the authorities should regularize the illegal colonies on stateland without displacing the people from their existing houses, or agricultural land.
He was addressing the Apni Party leaders in the meeting which was organised under the chairmanship of senior leader, Apni Party Capt Balraj Tatta (Shuriya Chakra) chairmanship while welcoming the new entrants into the Party.
Prominent among those who were present on the occasion include Party District General Secretary, Surjn Singh, District President Minority Gurdev Singh, Raja Mumtaz, Zone President Trade Cell, Mashoq Khan, Manzoor Seth, Yousaf Foji, Haji Razak, Ghulam Rasool, Ghulam Mustafa and they also spoke on the occasion.
He welcomed the new entrants into the party folds and hoped that their joining would strengthen the party.
Prominent among those who joined Apni Party include Haji Mushtaq, Haji Sadeeq Ayub, Lansnaik Shafi Khadum, Latif Rashid, Choudhary Reyaz, Ch Qamar and others.
He also said that “The people of J&K are lucky that they have a hardworking people’s leader and great human being Syed Mohammed Altaf Bukhari, who has delivered and shown his capacity as Finance, Education, and PWD Minister.”
Meanwhile, he appealed to the people to extend their support to Altaf Bukhari sahab.
He also demanded that the Govt should hold assembly elections in J&K and restore statehood to J&K. Besides, he also condemned the firing incident on Ex-MLA Choudhary Akram’s residence and appealed to the Govt for full proof security.
Court ‘Closes’ JKLF Chief’s Right To Cross-Examine Witness After He Insists On Physical Questioning
JAMMU, Jan 23: A special court in Jammu on Monday “closed” banned JKLF chief Yasin Malik’s right to cross-examine a prime witness in a 1990 case related to the killing of four IAF personnel after he refused to do so through video conference, a lawyer said.
Malik, who is in Delhi’s Tihar Jail after being convicted in a terror funding case and has been demanding that he be allowed to cross-examine witnesses physically in the Jammu court, was present in court virtually.
He was asked whether he would like to examine V K Sharma, a prime witness in the case. Malik refused and reiterated his stand that he would like to physically question Sharma in court, said Monika Kohli, senior additional advocate general and CBI counsel.
“However, the accused did not do that following which the court closed his right to cross-examine,” Kohli told reporters. Sharma had identified Malik before the examiner-in-chief of the court as well as the CBI as one of the terrorists involved in the January 25, 1990 killing of four IAF personnel on the outskirts of Srinagar.
Kohli informed the court that the Union Home ministry had passed an order barring Malik from moving out of Tihar jail for one year from December 22, 2022 because of pending NIA cases against him.
Malik has been charge sheeted in the case along with six others. The charges were framed against the accused in 2020, 20 years after CBI filed the charge sheet before a designated TADA court in Jammu.
According to the CBI, the IAF personnel were fired upon by terrorists. Forty, including a woman, received serious injuries and four were killed on the spot. (Agencies)
Won’t allow an inch of J&K land to be provided to outsiders: Altaf Bukhari
‘Orders about providing land to outsiders for industrial purposes can be changed by next regime; Kuka Parrey was better than other politicians’
Srinagar, Jan 23: Former minister and president Apni Party, Syed Altaf Bukhari on Monday said that they won’t allow an inch of Jammu & Kashmir’s land to be provided to outsiders.
Addressing a news conference, Bukhari, as per the KNO said the drive to retrieve state and Kahcharai land from the land grabbers must exclude poor people.
“Those who have grabbed a huge chunk of land can be dealt with strictly, but those who belong to the downtrodden section of the society must be excluded from the drive,” he said.
Bukhari, however, said that the land being retrieved will not be given to people from outside.
He further said that only five per cent land of J&K can be provided for industrial purposes to outsiders, but this law can be changed by the next government in Jammu and Kashmir.
Responding to the query, he said that he believes that Kuka Parrey father of Imtiyaz Parrey, who recently joined the Apni Party, was better than other politicians.
“Whatever Kuka Parrey did, he did at the face value and other politicians did the same behind the curtains, so Kuka Parrey was better than those politicians,” he said.
About Bharat Jodo Yatra, Bukhari said that he has not been invited to the Yatra.
Inter School debate on National Education Policy-2020 held at RM Public School
G.S Sports Club in collaboration with RM Public School organised debate on NEP-2020
Jammu, 21 January: An Inter School debate was organised by G.S Sports Club at RM Public School Chowadi, Jammu in which participants from three different schools held constructive deliberations on National Education Policy 2020. Rakesh Vaid Professor Department of Electronics from Jammu University was the expert speaker and Chief Guest of the event. Sonu Pargal (JKAS) Deputy Secretary Planning Department in JK Government was the guest of the honour whereas Kanuj Gupta Managing Director KK Group was the Special Guest during the event. Meanwhile Rameshwar Mehngi Chairman RM Public School, Rakshan Mengi Director RM Public School, Atul Sudan President GS Sports Club, Harvinder Kour Vice Principal RMPS, Aditya Sharma (Educationist) witnessed the impressive debate. The event started with the lighting of a lamp followed by Saraswati Vandana. The participants of different schools enlightened the audience with their deliberations on Nation Education Policy-2020.
Er. Atul Sudan President G.S Sports Club acknowledged the importance of such debates and said that such deliberations help to increase the focus on strengthening teacher training, reforming the existing exam system and restructuring the regulatory framework of education.
Sonu Pargal (JKAS) Guest of honour while speaking on the occasion highlighted about the broad contours of the NEP and spoke in length about the implementation, impact and aims of the policy. He added that NEP aims to increase the focus on strengthening teacher training, reforming the existing exam system, early childhood care and restructuring the regulatory framework of education.
Prof. Rakesh Vaid Chief Guest and Expert Speaker while addressing the students said that the NEP-2020 is directed towards initiating major reforms in schools and higher education levels focusing on the principle that education is fundamental for achieving full human potential, developing an equitable and just society and promoting national development. One of the main objectives of the National Education Policy is to transform India into an equitable and vibrant knowledge society. It envisions an India-centric education system that contributes directly to transforming India into a Knowledge super-power, he said.
Rameshwar Mehngi in his address congratulated the G.S Sports Club for the successful event. He encouraged the students of different schools to participate in such events which nourish their confidence and will provide them exposure. At last he thanked the distinguished guests present in the event who enlightened the students with their words.
The event was judged by Prof. Rakesh Vaid Chief Guest, Sonu Pargal (JKAS) Guest of Honour and Atul Sudan President G.S Sports Club. Sarthak from RM Public School was judged 1st for his performance followed by Rinesh Bhat of RM Public School on 2nd Position and Arya of Jammu Sanskriti achieved 3rd position whereas Divyanshi Choudhary, Nistha Mahajan and Palak also expressed their views on NEP-2020. All the participants were awarded with Prizes and Certificates. Aditi and Avleen from RMPS conducted the proceedings of the event successfully. Balvinder Choudhary, Arti Gupta, Kamaldeep Kour were the faculty members of RMPS who efficiently organised the said event.
Nations Development Association appointed Madhu Dollu as Secretary
JAMMU, JAN 21 2022 : – Nations Development Association (NDA) Non Government Organizations (NGO) appointed Madhu Dollu as Secretary. As per an official communique Nations Development Association (NDA), Chief Functionary Sushil Singh Charak has approved name of Madhu Dollu as Secretary, who is also an active social activist. Madhu Dollu who hails from border area, belongs to a reputed family. She is Post Graduate from University of Jammu. She started his journalist career as a youth leader from Higher Secondary days. Madhu Dollu, who is also a Managing Director Educational Institutions.
While congratulating Madhu Dollu on being appointed as a Secretary Nations Development Association (NDA), Non Government Organizations.Sushil Singh Charak Founder cum Chief Functionary Nations Development Association NDA hoped that Madhu Dollu will convey ideology of Nations Development Association (NDA) to masses, which is a non-political, social and youth organization, with an aim to uplift youth of Society. She also hoped that Madhu Dollu would leave no stone unturned for further strengthening the youth of society. Nations Development Association (NDA) Chief Functionary Sushil Singh Charak also applauded Madhu Dollu efforts as a corona warrior and wished him success for the new assignment.
NDPI Chief condemns twin blasts at Narwal Jammu
National Democratic Party Indian (NDPI) chief Rajesh Gupta has expressed shock over the blast by terrorists at Narwal Jammu. “I express my sympathy to all those injured in the blast and pray for their early recovery,” he said and stressed on maintaining communal harmony at all costs. Gupta said that the administration should make every effort to identify the miscreants who committed this heinous crime and bring them to book.
The NDPI leader while condemning the attack, said it seems that some individual or organization wants to
disturb peace in Jammu. He said that this kind of incident in the heart of city is a matter of great concern when the security agencies are on high alert. NDPI president said that this blast raises question mark over the alertness of security apparatus and indicates that the anti-national elements have shown their strength to strike in the busiest area which is highly guarded.
He said that the lapses should be looked into and it shows the total failure of Centre and State Government to deal with such situation.
Govt Blocks YouTube Videos, Tweets Sharing BBC Documentary On PM Modi
NEW DELHI, Jan 21: Multiple YouTube videos sharing the first episode of the BBC documentary “India: The Modi Question” have been blocked as per the directions issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, sources said on Saturday.
Along with YouTube videos, the Centre has also directed Twitter to block over 50 tweets containing links to the concerned YouTube videos.
Both YouTube and Twitter complied with the government after directions were reportedly issued by Secretary, Information and Broadcasting on Friday using the emergency powers under the IT Rules, 2021.
UK’s National broadcaster British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) aired a two-part series attacking PM Modi’s tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister during the Gujarat riots of 2002. The documentary sparked outrage and was removed from select platforms.
On Thursday, India denounced the controversial BBC documentary series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and described it as a “propaganda piece” that is designed to push a discredited narrative.
“We think this is a propaganda piece designed to push a particular discredited narrative. The bias and the lack of objectivity and frankly continuing colonial mindset are blatantly visible,” said External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi during a weekly media briefing.
Even though the documentary was not made available in India by BBC in India, some YouTube channels appear to have uploaded it to promote an anti-India agenda.
Sources said that YouTube has also been instructed to block the video if it is again uploaded on its platform. They added Twitter has also been directed to identify and block the tweets containing the link to the video on other platforms.
This decision was made after top government officials from across several ministries examined the documentary and found it to be an attempt to cast aspersions on the authority and credibility of the Supreme Court of India and sow divisions among various Indian communities.
The sources added that the documentary was accordingly found to be undermining sovereignty and integrity of India, and having the potential to adversely impact India’s friendly relations with foreign States. (Agencies)
J-K LG Sinha condemns twin blasts in Jammu, calls for urgent steps to bring culprits to justice
Jammu, Jan 21 : Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday strongly condemned the twin blasts here and called for urgent steps to identify and take action against those responsible.
Seven persons were injured when two blasts rocked busy Transport Nagar Narwal.
“Such dastardly acts highlight the desperation and cowardice of those responsible for the attacks. Take immediate and firm action. No efforts should be spared to bring the perpetrators to justice,” the Lt Governor told the security officials.
An official spokesman said senior police officials briefed Sinha about the blasts and on the state of investigation.
The Lt Governor called for urgent steps to identify and take action against those responsible.
He offered heartfelt sympathies to those injured in the incident and also announced a relief of Rs 50,000 each to them, the spokesman said.
Sinha said the administration would ensure the best possible treatment to the injured and extend every help required by their families. PTI