South Asia Terrorism Portal
Jharkhand: False Claims Deepak Kumar Nayak Research Associate, Institute for Conflict Management
Union Home Minister (UHM), Amit Shah, while campaigning for the Assembly Elections 2019 in Jharkhand on November 28, 2019, asserted that Naxalism [Left Wing Extremism, LWE] had been "buried 20-foot under the ground."
Further, in a meeting of the LWE-affected States in New Delhi on August 26, 2019, the then Jharkhand Chief Minister, Raghubar Das, had asserted that, as a result of efforts of the State Police and ‘people friendly policies’ of the Government, there had been a 60 per cent decrease in incidents of Naxal-related violence in Jharkhand in 2019, as compared to 2015. Das also disclosed that, while the number of civilians killed had gone down to a third of the figure for 2015, the number of Maoists [Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist)] killed had doubled, as had the number of surrenders. The quantum of arms and ammunition recovered from LWE groups had risen by 33 per cent.
Contrary to these claims, according to partial data collated by the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), at least 64 persons, including 20 civilians, 13 Security Force (SF) personnel, and 31 Naxalites [Left Wing Extremists (LWEs)], were killed in 36 LWE-linked incidents in Jharkhand in 2019, while there were 53 such fatalities (17 civilians, 10 SF personnel, and 26 LWEs), in 30 such incidents, in 2018, demonstrating a surge of 20.75 per cent in fatalities, and an increase of 20 per cent in the number of such incidents. 2015 recorded 57 fatalities (15 civilians, five SF personnel and 37 LWEs) in 33 incidents.
The overall fatalities in 2018 were the second lowest (53) to be recorded in the State since March 6, 2000, when SATP started compiling data. The lowest figure was recorded in 2000, at 36.
The surge in civilian fatalities, a key index of the security scenario of an area/region, is likewise worrisome. Civilian fatalities through 2019 stood at 20, an increase of 17.64 per cent compared to such fatalities through 2018, at 17. There were 15 civilian fatalities in 2015, the lowest in this category, though 2000 recorded a lower figure (13), for the period after March 6, when SATP started compiling the data relating to LWE violence.
Moreover, the SF category has also registered a spike in fatalities, with 13 personnel killed in 2019 as against 10 in 2018, and just five in 2015. A low of four SF fatalities was recorded in 2017, and just three after March 6 in 2000.
Though the number of LWEs killed increased by 19.23 per cent from 26 in 2018 to 31 in 2019, there was a dip in the kill ratio achieved by SFs, which dropped to 1:2.38 in 2019, from 1:2.6 in 2018. The overall kill ratio since March 6, 2000, favours the SFs, at 1:1.36, and the most favourable ratio was recorded in 2015, at 1:7.4.
Disturbingly, other parameters of violence in the State were also indicative of significant surge in 2019. According to partial data compiled by SATP, the number of major incidents (each involving three or more fatalities) in the State increased from four (one initiated by Naxalites, three by SF personnel) in 2018, to nine (four initiated by Naxalites, one by SF personnel and four unspecified) in 2019. Further, the number of explosions carried out by the rebels increased from two in 2018 to 14 in 2019. Incidents of arson also increased from 14 in 2018 to 16 in 2019. The number of exchanges of fire between the SFs and LWEs increased from nine in 2018 to 11 in 2019.
Worryingly, even as violence spiked, SFs managed to arrest just 69 LWEs in 43 incidents of arrest in 2019, as compared to 157 LWEs in 70 such incidents in 2018, a decline of 56.05 per cent. Likewise, there was also a decline in the number of surrenders from 23 LWEs in 2018 to 11 LWEs in 2019, a drop of 52.17 per cent.
Broadly, however, LWE related incidents at large diminished from 165 in 2018 to 132 in 2019, in Jharkhand, conforming to the declining trend (781 incidents in 2018 to 672 in 2019) recorded across the country.
On October 26, 2019, State Director General of Police (DGP), Kamal Nayan Choubey, disclosed;
Significantly, 19 Districts [Bokaro, Chatra, Dhanbad, Dumka, East Singhbhum, Garhwa, Giridih, Gumla, Hazaribagh, Khunti, Koderma, Latehar, Lohardaga, Palamu, Ramgarh, Ranchi, Simdega, Saraikela-Kharsawan, West Singhbhum] of Jharkhand were among the 90 Districts in 11 States listed as LWE-affected by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) on February 5, 2019. Of these 19 Districts, 13 were earlier categorized as ‘worst LWE-affected Districts,’ in the list of 30 Most Affected LWE Districts from seven States across India, released by the UMHA on August 1, 2018.
Legislative Assembly Elections 2019, announced on November 1, 2019, were held from November 30, 2019, to December 20, 2019, [November 30, 2019 (Phase 1); December 7, 2019 (Phase 2); December 12, 2019 (Phase 3); December 16, 2019 (Phase 4); and December 20, 2019 (Phase 5)] to elect the 81 members of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly. The results were declared on December 23, 2019. During this period, (November 1, 2019 – December 23, 2019) the State recorded at least one major incident on November 22, 2019, in which four SF personnel were killed and another two sustained injuries; three incidents of explosion were carried out by the rebels; and one incident of arson was also reported. During the corresponding period in 2018, (November 1– December 23), five incidents of arson were registered, while no fatalities or explosions were recorded.
On December 29, 2019, CPI-Maoist cadres blew up a community centre in Selda village in Khunti District of Jharkhand, hours before the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren’s oath-taking ceremony as the new Chief Minister of the State. Since December 29, 2019, two incidents of explosion had already been recorded from Khunti District. At least four incidents of arson have also been reported in the State, from Latehar, Palamu and Hazaribagh (data till January 5, 2020).
According to a November 22, 2019, report, at least, 137 companies of the Jharkhand Armed Police Forces were deployed, in addition to 166 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), for the Jharkhand Assembly elections.
Meanwhile, in addition to several measures adopted in the past to strengthen the security apparatus in the State, the existing police-population ratio (policemen per hundred thousand population), of 174.96 increased to 177.82, but remained significantly lower than the sanctioned strength of 232.99, though it was much higher than the national average of 150.80, according to the latest Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) data, as on January 1, 2018.
Regrettably, Jharkhand continues to suffer other significant deficits in the strength and quality of the State Police Force, which constitutes the first line of defense against any kind of internal threat. According to BPR&D data, there was a vacancy of 18,931 personnel, (23.67 per cent of the sanctioned strength of 79,950), in the State. Of a total of 527 Police Stations in the State, 218 (41.36 per cent of the total) had no telephones and 27 Police Stations (5.12 per cent of the total) had no vehicles. Moreover, of a sanctioned strength of 149 apex Indian Police Service (IPS) Officers in the State, 36 posts (24.16 per cent) remained vacant, considerably weakening executive direction of the Force.
While LWEs have been driven to the wall in most of their erstwhile areas of dominance, a surge has been engineered in Jharkhand in the absence of a coherent and sustained effort on part of the Government, and adequate measures to address the gross deficiencies in the enforcement apparatus across the State. A new dispensation, under the leadership of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, is now in charge. It can only be hoped that the State Government will abandon the falsehoods of its predecessor, focus on the realities of the ground and exert sustained pressure on the rebels, combined with aggressive developmental initiatives, to neutralize the residual capacities of the LWEs in Jharkhand.
Arunachal Pradesh: Troubling Trends M.A. Athul Research Associate, Institute for Conflict Management
On December 13, 2019, student of two educational institutions – Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) and the North Eastern Regional Institute of Science & Technology (NERIST) – protesting against the newly enacted Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019, marched towards Raj Bhavan (the Governor’s residence) in State Capital Itanagar in Papum Pare District, Arunachal Pradesh. The representatives of the protesters submitted a letter to the Governor, Brigadier (Retd.) B. D. Mishra, demanding immediate withdrawal of CAA.
On December 10, 2019, a general shut down enforced by the North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) and supported by the All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU), was witnessed across the State. Government offices, educational institutes and business establishments remained shut, although no violence was reported. NESO is an umbrella organisation of eight students’ organisations of the Northeast region. These include the All Assam Students Union (AASU) of Assam; AAPSU of Arunachal Pradesh; Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) of Mizoram; Khasi Students Union (KSU) and Garo Students Union (GSU), both of Meghalaya; Twipra Student's Federation (TSF) of Tripura; Naga Students' Federation (NSF) of Nagaland; and All Manipur Students Union (AMSU) of Manipur.
On November 19, 2019, AAPSU had protested against the then Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in Itanagar.
Earlier, on October 3, 2019, protests against CAB were recorded across Arunachal Pradesh. The protests were organised by the North East Forum of Indigenous People (NEFIP), which came into being in April 2019.
CAB 2019 was passed by the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Indian Parliament) on December 9, 2019, and subsequently by the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Indian Parliament) on December 11, 2019. It became an Act, CAA, after President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent on December 12.
Arunachal Pradesh has an Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in existence (regulating the movement of all outsiders, including Indian citizens from other States, in Arunachal Pradesh) and is consequently out of the ambit of CAA, and it is, consequently, not surprising that protests have not been as intense and violent as in other parts of the Northeast, particularly Assam. The State is, however, against the introduction of the CAA in principal. ILP applies to Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland and Manipur, under Section 2 of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873.
Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh recorded the highest number of insurgency related fatalities for any State in the Northeast region in 2019. 17 persons were killed in the State in 2019 (11 civilians, three Security Force (SF) personnel, and three militants), followed by Manipur (nine fatalities), Nagaland (three fatalities), Assam (three fatalities), Meghalaya (one fatality). This is the highest figure for fatalities in the State since 2011, when the toll stood at 41 (all militants).
Civilian fatalities, an important indicator of the prevailing security situation in any specific region, were the highest ever, at 11, in 2019.
The previous high of six fatalities in this category was recorded way back in 2007. No civilian fatality was registered between 2008 and 2013. 2014 recorded three fatalities, which went down to two in 2015. Again, no fatalities were recorded in 2016 and 2017, while 2018 saw a single insurgency-linked fatality. The sudden jump in 2019 is a matter of grave concern.
Incidentally, the State had not witnessed any major insurgent attack (involving three or more fatalities) targeting civilians prior to 2019 [SATP started compiling data on insurgency in Arunachal Pradesh from March 6, 2000], but recorded a single incident that was responsible for nine of the 11 civilian fatalities in 2019. On May 21, 2019, 11 people, including Member of State Legislative Assembly (MLA), Tirong Aboh, his son Longgem Aboh, and two of his Personal Security Officers (PSOs), were killed in an ambush by suspected militants of the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) at 12th mile on the Khonsa-Deomali road in Tirap District, since he was a vocal opponent of NSCN-IM.
The number of SF fatalities increased from two in 2018 to three in 2019. No fatality in this category was recorded in 2017. On the other hand, the number of insurgents killed came down from 11 in 2018 to three in 2019.
In 2019, insurgency related fatalities were reported from three of Arunachal Pradesh’s 25 Districts – Tirap (12 fatalities), Changlang (three fatalities) and Longding (one fatality). The location of one fatality remains unspecified. In 2018 fatalities were reported from four Districts – Tirap (six fatalities), Longding (five fatalities), Changlang (two fatalities), and Namsai (one fatality). Tirap Changlang and Longding Districts, which border Myanmar, have been the worst affected in the State. Between March 6, 2000, and December 31, 2019, these three Districts accounted for 160 fatalities (23 civilians, 25 SF personnel and 112 militants) out of the 217 (24 civilians, 34 SF personnel and 159 militants) reported across the State. Of these, Tirap accounted for 101 fatalities (15 civilians, 16 SF personnel, and 70 militants), followed by Changlang, 45 (eight civilians, eight SF personnel and 30 militants), and Longding, 14 (one civilian, one SF trooper and 12 militants).
Moreover, according to available Arunachal Pradesh Police records, between January and June 2019 the State recorded 59 incidents of abduction for ransom. In the corresponding period in 2018, there were 70 such incidents in the State. There were a total of 126 incidents of abduction for ransom incidents in the State through 2018. No such incident has been reported since July 1, 2019, as per SATP data.
The number of overall insurgency-related incidents in 2019 was 55, almost the same as 2018, at 56. Changlang accounted for the maximum number of incidents, 31, in 2019, followed by Tirap, 10; Longding, four; Papum Pare and Lohit, two each; and East Siang and Kurung Kumey, one each. The location of four incidents was unspecified. The number of overall insurgency-related incidents has been increasing since 2016, when it more than doubled to 44 from 20 such incidents recorded in 2015. It increased further to 55 in 2017.
It is significant, here, that Arunachal Pradesh doesn’t have any currently active indigenous insurgent groups and most of the violence in the State is inflicted by groups from neighbouring Nagaland and Assam, particularly factions of NSCN and the United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I). For instance, all 17 killings reported in 2019 were linked to NSCN-IM. In 2019, 72 insurgents were arrested in 37 incidents. Of these, 18 belonged to the NSCN-R, followed by Arunachal Pradesh Deprived People’s Front (APDPF), an insurgent group formed in Arunachal Pradesh in 2014, 10; ULFA-I, nine; NSCN-K, six; NSCN-IM, five; four each from Coordination Committee (CorCom), Manipur based group, and the Eastern Naga National Government (ENNG), a Naga insurgent group formed on January 14, 2016 in Arunachal Pradesh; two each from Manipur groups People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) and Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL); one each from Manipur’s Kangliepak Communist Party (KCP) and Assam’s National Democratic Front of Bodoland-NDFB-Saoraigwra (NDFB-S), one NSCN-U. Group affiliation of nine insurgents were not ascertained.
Given the continued insurgent activity in Tirap Changlang and Longding, the Government of India (GoI) on October 1, 2019, extended the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the three Districts as well as in four Police Station areas bordering Assam, for six months. The affected Police Stations include Namsai and Mahadevpur in Namsai District, Roing in Lower Dibang Valley District, and Sunpura in Lohit District.
However, in a positive development in April 2019, GoI had lifted AFSPA from four Police Station areas – Balemu and Bhalukpong in West Kameng District, Seijosa in East Kameng District and Balijan in Papum Pare District. According to an unnamed Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) official, AFSPA was withdrawn from the four Police Station areas due to improvements in the law and order situation in those areas.
Meanwhile, apart from the ongoing anti-CAA protests, which have limited impact in Arunachal Pradesh unlike some of the other States in the region, the outcome of the lingering Naga peace talks may have wider impact in the state. On October 29, 2019, AAPSU had stated that the proposed agreement to resolve the Naga problem should not affect Arunachal and its people in any way. AAPSU also opposed any attempt to change territorial jurisdictions.
Inter-tribal tensions are also visible in Arunachal Pradesh. On November 5, 2019, AAPSU set a deadline for the State Government to identify the offspring of non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (non-APST) men who, according to AAPSU, have been availing benefits meant for Scheduled Tribe communities. Also, between October 12 and 15, 2019, unidentified assailants torched 14 houses belonging to the Adi community in a new settlement in the Mabira area of Namsai District. It was alleged that assailants from the Thai-Khamti community, who allege that the Adi community had encroached on their land, were involved in the incidents of arson. Later, on October 25, 2019, protesters clashed with Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel at Jengthu Bridge in Namsai District. Prohibitory orders were issued in the District after the incident. Earlier, between February 22 and 24, 2019, at least three people were killed and 150 vehicles burnt in three days of protest after the Joint High-Power Committee (JHPC) submitted a recommendation to the State Government for Permanent Resident Certificates (PRC) to be provided to six non-APSTs.
According to Arunachal Pradesh Police data, between January 1, 2019, and June 30, 2019 (July to December data is not available), there were 65 incidents of rioting in the State. By comparison, throughout 2018, only 18 incidents of rioting were recorded. In 2017, between January and November, there just 13 such incidents.
The State’s law and order challenges are worsened as a result of the lack of capacities in its Police Force. Despite the boastful statement by Arunachal Pradesh Home Minster on June 6, 2019, when he declared that the Government would not tolerate violence in any form, recent events demonstrate that the Police Force has been ineffective in countering and containing incidents of mob violence. Police capacities are unlikely to record a turnaround in the immediate future, as there is little appetite for investment in Police modernisation, with allocations, dipping from 47.9 million in 2017-18 to 39.2 million in 2019-20.
With insurgency related fatalities across the Northeast region falling to 33 in 2019 from 73 in 2018, and from a peak of 1,165 in 2003, insurgency in the region is on its last legs. As this threat recedes, popular resentment and local frictions are articulated in different forms, most noticeably as ‘law and order’ problems. Police modernisation and augmentation of Police capacities and capabilities is an urgent imperative. The pattern of calling in Central Forces, including CAPFs and the Army, to contain law and order issues, needs to be ended. The problems faced by Arunachal Pradesh assume a particularly critical importance due to the geo-strategic location of the state – bordering three countries (Bhutan China and Myanmar). The glacial pace of reforms in India can only mean that tensions will continue to fester over coming years.
Weekly Fatalities: Major Conflicts in South Asia December 30, 2019 - January 5, 2020
Civilians
Security Force Personnel
Terrorists/Insurgents
Total
INDIA
Assam
INDIA (Left-Wing Extremism)
Chhattisgarh
Odisha
INDIA (Total)
Afghanistan won't be used against any nation, states Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani:Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani issued a statement, on January 3, 2020, saying that Afghanistan's soil will not be used against any nations as per a Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) signed between Washington and Kabul in 2014. His statement comes after the assassination of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani. The Khaama Press, January 4, 2020.
Taliban clarifies on the report of ceasefire in Afghanistan terms it 'false and baseless': On December 30, 2019, the Taliban announced that it does not intend to stop fighting in Afghanistan, rejecting as "false and baseless" reports the insurgent group is ready to declare a temporary cease-fire in a bid to seal a peace deal with the United States, reports Voice of America. Taliban 'spokesman' Zabihullah Mujahid noted in a statement that internal consultations at the leadership level are currently underway to consider a U.S. request for the insurgent group to reduce violence. "The reality of the situation is that the Islamic Emirate (the Taliban) has no intention of declaring a cease-fire," Mujahid said. Mujahid refuted the earlier reports of ceasefire and termed the entire episode as "malicious enemy" propaganda media reports. Voa News , December 31, 2019.
BANGLADESH
HuJI-B planned to form 'robber wing' in country's southern and northern regions, say CTTC officials: Officials of the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) said that Harkat-ul-Jihad-al Islami Bangladesh (HuJI-B) planned to form a 'robber wing' in the country's southern and northern regions. As per the plan, the banned militant outfit leaders managed to communicate with 20 people, who were involved in petty crimes like snatching and theft. These people were asked to use chloroform on their victims, said officials of the CTTC. The leaders wanted 30 per cent cut for the 'welfare' of the wing. The wing was supposed to take care of all legal issues of the members if they got arrested. It was also supposed to pay for arrested or on-the-run gang member's family expenses. The CTTC unit learnt the latest strategy of HuJI-B after interrogating robbers who were arrested in the capital Dhaka city on December 26. The Daily Star, January 2, 2020.
Focusing on counter-narratives, de-radicalisation and awareness programmes to curb militancy, says ADIG Mohamad Moniruzzaman: Additional Deputy Inspector General (ADIG) Mohamad Moniruzzaman said focusing on counter-narratives, de-radicalisation and awareness programmes to curb the militancy. He stated, "Alongside regular activities, we are now embracing a soft approach, trying to change the mindset of the radicalized faction and taking up programs which raise motivation and awareness. Also, we are working on long-term capacity building and institutional skills development. We are using 'community engagement' and 'civil society' to deradicalize and eradicate radical elements among the population as part of our long-term strategy. We believe this will help root out the remnants of any militancy." Dhaka Tribune, December 30, 2019.
Naxal incidents fall by 40 per cent in Bastar division of Chhattisgarh, says Bastar IGP, P. Sundarraj: The Inspector General of Police (IGP), P. Sundarraj of Bastar division of Chhattisgarh said that the division had witnessed a decline of Naxal [Left Wing Extremism, LWE]-related incidents by 40 per cent in 2019. The IGP further said that there was a decline in loss of security personnel lives in different incidents by 55 per cent and loss of civilian lives in the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) attacks by 45 per cent in the previous year. The IGP attributed the decline to the success of the 'Faith-Development-Security' policy. He said Chhattisgarh Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) have been working in coordination for effective control. He also said that seven security camps have been established at Chhindnar, Chikpal and Potali of Dantewada District, Khodgaon in Narayanpur District, Pusnar and Bodli of Bijapur District and Sureli in Kanker District. The IGP also added that along with the anti-Naxal operation, the Security Forces (SFs) have been providing security to the construction of roads and bridges. The Pioneer , January 3, 2020.
CAA imposition provoking a section of youths to take up arms, claims ULFA-PTF leader Anup Chetia: United Liberation Front of Asom-Pro Talks Faction (ULFA-PTF) leader Anup Chetia, on January 1 stated that Centre's imposition of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was provoking a section of youths of Assam to take up arms. Chetia's apprehension came in the wake of a recent media reports that amid the nationwide protests against the CAA, Bordumsa Police arrested six youths who were secretly preparing to join ULFA-I. Joining the anti-CAA agitation of the Nagarik Samaj in Kamrup Metropolitan District, he stated that However, the Centre's conspiracy against the indigenous people will not work," he added. "We have not instigated or provoked anyone to commit violence and crime in Assam since 2010. He also stated that I appeal to them (youths) to refrain from any thought of taking up arms. We must stay united and resist any move of the Centre democratically if there is anything against the interests of the people of Assam." The Telegraph , January 2, 2020.
IPFT to conduct sit-I agitation demanding statehood in Tripura: Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) announced that it would conduct a sit-in indefinite protest demanding separate Tipraland and scrapping of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) in Khumulwng in West Tripura District. IPFT party general secretary and Tripura forest minister Mevar Kumar Jamatia said that despite meeting Union home minister Amit Shah on various occasions over the demand to keep Tripura out of CAA, nothing concrete has come out till date. He stated that "We have been fighting for a separate Tipraland so that the rights of the indigenous people can be secured, but so far no positive response has been made by the Centre. The Centre has passed the CAA without exempting Tripura from the Act even after making a request to the Centre during the meeting held in New Delhi,". He also said that the life of the indigenous people has been affected by the continuous influx in Tripura and any further increase of population in the state would be dangerous for the culture and tradition of the indigenous people who have already become a minority. East Mojo, January 2, 2020.
GNLA attempting to recruit new cadres, states intelligence inputs: On January 1, 2020, according to intelligence inputs received by Border Security Force (BSF), Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) is allegedly trying to recruit new cadres. According to BSF Deputy Inspector General (DIG) UK Nayal, United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) 'chief of staff' Drishti Rajkhowa is in Bangladesh and sometimes move over to India. Earlier there were also unconfirmed reports that splinter factions of GNLA were attempting to regain strength by associating with ULFA-I. The Shillong Times, January 14, 2020.
CRPF arrested 93 insurgents in 2019 in North Eastern Sector, says report: Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) arrested 93 insurgents and linkmen in 2019 in its Area of Responsibility (AOR), in North Eastern Sector. Altogether 769 ammunition, 12 magazines, three grenades, 600 detonators, 1200 detonators and 120 metres of safety fuse were recovered from the AOR. Northeast Sector AOR, with 15 battalions include Guwahati range, Khatkhanti range and Silchar Rang. The Shillong Times, January 14, 2020.
There is no requirement for debate on CAA as Manipur has been kept out of the purview of the Act, states Manipur's CM, Nongthombam Biren Singh: Manipur Chief Minister (CM) Nongthombam Biren Singh on December 30, at Bishnupur District said that there is no requirement for further debate or discussion on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as Manipur has been kept out of the purview of the Act. He clarified that Article 14 is for the Indian citizens. As such, there is no question of the Article being violated by the Citizenship Act as the legislation is for the persecuted minorities in other countries and not India. Earlier on December 28, in Thoubal District the CM had stated that he is ready for any debate on whether Citizenship Act violates the Article 14 of the Indian Constitution. Imphal Free Press, December 31, 2019.
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat named India's first CDS: Army Chief, General Bipin Rawat has been named as the first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of India. General Rawat will be assuming his post as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) following his end of tenure as Army General on December 31, 2019. On December 24, the Government of India had approved the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) as the principal military adviser to the government without exercising any military command over the tri-services. And on December 28, the retirement age for CDS has been upgraded to 65 years, which will be three years more than the retirement age of the three service chiefs. With the post, General Rawat will head the newly created Department of Military Affairs in the Ministry of Defence and function as its Secretary. The CDS will also responsible to bring in reforms in the functioning of three services aimed at augmenting combat capabilities of the Armed Forces.. The Indian Express, December 30, 2019.
MALDIVES
Prosecutor General's Office rejects the cases sent by Presidential Commission on Disappearances and Deaths asks for further investigation: On December 31, 2019, the Prosecutor General's Office (PG) rejected the cases forwarded by the Presidential Commission on Disappearances and Deaths (DDcom), citing inadequate investigations. Three cases against those charged in relation to the murders of social media blogger Yameen Rasheed, former Member of Parliament (MP) and religious scholar, Dr Afrasheem Ali and the disappeared journalist Ahmed Rilwan were submitted to the PG Office on December 3, 2019. The Edition , January 1, 2020.
Constitution should be changed to protect the country, says President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa::President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa opening the Fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament on January 3, said constitution should be changed to protect the country. Presenting the policy manifesto, the President said the country's independence would not be compromised and in order to safeguard the security, sovereignty, stability and integrity of the country, it is essential that changes be made to the existing Constitution Colombo Page , January 4, 2020.
Government receives Cabinet approval to withdraw Counter Terrorism Bill::Government on January 2, 2020, received the Cabinet approval to withdraw the Counter Terrorism Bill, which was drafted by the previous Government to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The controversial Bill is being considered by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on International Relations in Parliament. However, considering the views expressed by various parties regarding certain provisions contained in the Bill, Minister of Foreign Relations Dinesh Gunawardena has proposed the withdrawal of the Bill. Colombo Page , January 3, 2020.
The South Asia Intelligence Review (SAIR) is a weekly service that brings you regular data, assessments and news briefs on terrorism, insurgencies and sub-conventional warfare, on counter-terrorism responses and policies, as well as on related economic, political, and social issues, in the South Asian region.
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