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WB Panchayat polls: BJP candidate accuses TMC goons of manhandling her and blocking her from entering the counting booth, video goes viral

OpIndia Staff
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WB Panchayat polls: BJP candidate accuses TMC goons of manhandling her and blocking her from entering the counting booth, video goes viral

The situation in West Bengal remains tense as the counting of votes for the three-tier panchayat polls, which was marred with unprecedented violence, is underway. Amidst the counting of votes, a video has surfaced online in which a BJP candidate is heard accusing TMC cadres of manhandling her and blocking her from entering the counting booth in Howrah.

The video was shared by West Bengal BJP leader Keya Ghosh earlier today (July 11). The woman who is seen narrating her ordeal in the 1.19 seconds video was identified as Putul Gayen, BJP counting agent of the Charpara Gram Panchayat in Howrah, West Bengal.

She says that the TMC goons tore her clothes, pushed her and blocked her from entering the counting booth. She is also heard saying that a TMC member named Pinky present at the counting booth snatched and tore her identity card as well. He further alleges that when her husband intervened, the TMC goons assaulted him. He suffered a head injury in the attack, she laments.

The victim further bemoans how the State police personnel deployed at the counting booth stood like mere puppets while she was being manhandled and her husband was being assaulted by the TMC goons.

The victim, who visibly looks distressed and shaken up, can see her wearing a pink dress which is torn from around her left shoulder. Another woman standing beside the victim tries to cover her with a towel. However, the angry BJP candidate continues to lambast the ruling dispensation as well as the West Bengal police for their apathy.

She laments how the TMC goons acquired the confidence to unleash unprecedented levels of violence and disruption during the entire panchayat election process in 2023 since the state police are in cahoots with them.

After the incident, BJP workers staged a massive protest outside the counting centre to protest the sheer violence that was directed against the BJP counting agent which the TMC cadres are able to carry out with impunity under the protection of the state police and administration.

West Bengal Panchayat polls marred with violence

Elections and violence have always been synonymous in West Bengal. In the morning hours of the 8th of July 2023, polling for Panchayat elections started in West Bengal amid heavy security from Central Reserve Police Forces (CRPF). The elections witnessed large-scale violence, with several cases of murders, booth capturing, and various other kinds of violence.

While some reports have claimed that the death count has crossed 36, there are reports of countless incidences of violence, arson, armed men threatening the general voters, and miscreants stealing away ballot boxes. 

Repolling to be held at 600 booths after reports of violence and tampering with Ballot boxes

After widespread reports of violence, arson, looting, and tampering with Ballot boxes during Panchayat elections, the State Election Commission on Sunday evening, 9 July, announced to hold re-polling in Purulia, Birbhum, Jalpaiguri, and South 24 Parganas districts of West Bengal.

As per the information received, the Bengal State Election Commission ordered re-polling in those booths where the voting was declared void. The SEC further announced that a fresh poll would be held on the 10th of July from 7 am to 5 pm.

According to the announcement, re-polling was held in 604 booths for the Panchayat elections. 

‘Extension of ED director SK Mishra’s tenure illegal’, says Supreme Court

ANI
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‘Extension of ED director SK Mishra’s tenure illegal’, says Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Tuesday held the extension of the tenure of Enforcement Director Sanjay Kumar Mishra as illegal.

The apex court said that he will continue to serve the post till July 31.

Earlier this May, the SC reserved its order on the various petitions challenging the extension of the tenure of the ED Director.

After hearing submissions by all sides, a bench of Justices BR Gavai, Vikram Nath and Sanjay Karol reserved the order.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Centre, apprised the Court that Mishra is not the Director General of Police but he represents the country internationally and hence parliament has taken a conscious call. Mehta also apprised the court that SK Mishra will retire in November.

Amicus Curiae KV Viswanathan urged the top court to strike down the amendment in the larger interest of democracy expressing fear that it will be misused by future governments.

In the last hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta defended the government’s decision to extend the tenure of the ED Director and said that the money laundering offence has trans-border implications.

He had said that extension was for administrative reasons as it was vital for the country’s evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

The court was hearing petitions challenging the Centre’s decision on November 17, 2022 whereby the government extended the third tenure of ED director SK Mishra.

In an earlier hearing, Amicus Curiae Vishwanathan had raised an objection to the extension of the tenure of the ED director and submitted before the apex court that the Committee failed to consider the availability and suitability of other officers before taking a decision on the extension of tenure of ED director.

Amicus said that the office order dated November 17, 2021 did not satisfy the touchstone of ‘public interest’ and hence it might be set aside.

On the other hand, the Centre in its affidavit had defended its decision to extend the tenure of the ED director. It said that the petition challenging it is motivated and urged the top court to dismiss the plea.

The central government submission came on an affidavit which was filed countering the submission of the petition challenging the extension of the ED director.

Centre had informed the SC that the petition was clearly motivated by an oblique personal interest rather than any public interest litigations.

The Centre had also said that the petition is a misuse of Article 32 of the Constitution, which is clearly being filed in a representative capacity for and on behalf of the president and the office bearers of the Indian National Congress, who are being investigated by ED and are otherwise fully competent to approach respective courts for appropriate statutory relief and remedy under the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Centre had said the petition had been filed for espousing the cause of her political masters when there is nothing barring the concerned persons who are under investigation from approaching the competent court for any appropriate relief.

 (This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Gujarat: Bangladeshi national with links to Al-Qaeda arrested from Surat by ATS and Crime Branch

OpIndia Staff
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Gujarat: Bangladeshi national with links to Al-Qaeda arrested from Surat by ATS and Crime Branch

On Monday, July 11, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and Surat Crime Branch detained another Bangladeshi national as a result of a joint operation in Surat. The arrested accused is believed to have connections to Al-Qaeda.

According to the preliminary inquiry, this suspect is a member of a different Al-Qaeda module than the individuals detained on May 21 in Ahmedabad. The handler of the previously detained person and the recently apprehended suspect, however, is the same. According to reports, the accused is guided by handlers named Shariful Islam and Shayba, who are the district leaders of a terrorist group in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district.

As a result of the most recent arrest, numerous intelligence and security services have been put on alert. They will shortly question the suspect for additional information. Preliminary intelligence, according to a top police officer, indicates that the Al-Qaeda Bangladesh module operates autonomously and is suspected of infiltrating several Indian cities, raising money, and radicalising young people in preparation for potential future strikes.

This arrest is the latest in a string of detentions that have occurred in the past fifty days. The authorities made their first breakthrough by capturing Bangladeshi nationals who were allegedly connected to Al-Qaeda. These people were believed to be involved in funding Rohingya rebel organisations in Myanmar.

The Islamic State of Khorasan Republic module was then busted resulting in the capture of three Jammu and Kashmir residents, including Sumera Malik of Surat and Tariq, another suspect from Gorakhpur.

Further, on June 28, the National Investigation Agency began a probe into the case of four Bangladeshi arrests made by the Gujarat ATS for their alleged links to the banned terror organization Al-Qaeda. The NIA lodged an FIR against them after they found that the arrested Bangladeshi individuals were involved in raising funds and were trying to radicalise Muslim youths to join their organisation.

Apple removes 6 fraudulent loan apps from App Store in India: Read how ‘quick loan’ apps exploit the vulnerable

Anurag
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Apple removes 6 fraudulent loan apps from App Store in India: Read how ‘quick loan’ apps exploit the vulnerable

Apple has reportedly removed six predatory personal loan apps from App Store in India in the first week of July 2023. On 7th July, Techcrunch reported that the action was taken days after users and media questioned the legitimacy of the apps’ services on the App Store.

The six apps that have been removed from the platforms include Pocket Kash, White Kash, Golden Kash, Ok Rupee and others. These apps were offering fast-track lending to consumers in India, mainly to those who fail to secure loans from banks owing to either bad credit scores or insufficient income to show as a guarantee of repayment. These apps secured a place in the top 20 finance apps on the App Store in recent weeks.

Interestingly, on 3rd June, Blazeclan Technologies said in a tweet that Ok Rupee was not their app and cautioned users. They advised not to engage with the app. It appears the claims made by the loan apps are dubious in many cases and they show association with registered companies while having no link in reality.

Notably, consumers to fell into the trap of these apps said they charged outrageous amounts in the name of processing charges. A user reviewed the app on App Store and said, “I borrowed an amount in a helpless situation and […] a day before repayment due date I got some messages with my pic and my contacts in my phone saying that repay your loan otherwise they will inform our contacts that you r not paying loan.” Hundreds of similar reviews were visible on these apps before they were taken down.

Two days before the apps were pulled down, TechCrunch had contacted Apple for comment. In a statement, Apple confirmed the apps were removed, saying they “falsely representing an association with a financial institution” and violated the “Apple Developer Program License Agreement and guidelines”.

Apple said, “The App Store, and our App Review Guidelines, are designed to ensure we provide our users with the safest experience possible. We do not tolerate fraudulent activity on the App Store and have stringent rules against apps and developers who attempt to cheat the system.”

“As our recent analysis showed: the App Store stopped over $2 billion in fraudulent transactions in 2022, rejected nearly 1.7 million app submissions for failing to meet Apple’s standards of quality and safety, and terminated 428,000 developer accounts for potentially fraudulent activity,” they added.

Predatory loan apps on App Store and Google Play

Though Apple has pulled the plug for six apps, hundreds of such apps are still available for App Store and Google Play Store. OpIndia searched the top 100 financial apps on App Store and found multiple apps that were offering loans and had bad reviews. For example, an app called EE-Cash was developed by Whitefort Limited Company. It has a 2-star rating with 45 reviews. The app is in 45th rank on App Store.

Source: Apple App Store

A user named Aksh0919 wrote, “He is a fraud person and fraud company hai blackmailing karne ka kam hai he takes all your contact information and makes your bad pictures with your identity proofs and makes abuses pictures via editing.”

Another user wrote, “I had made all the payment fir bhi bol rha h dubara payment krne ko toh dubara kyu kru (I had made all the payment but he is asking to do the payment again. Why should I?)”.

Another app we found with a low rating was YesCredit. It had a 2.4 rating on the App Store.

Source: Apple App Store

Another app with the name Rupiya Box though had a high rating of 4.7, its reviews tell another story. A user, Nikhil75, wrote, “This is a scam. They will harass your contacts and send them your nude edited pictures even after paying them back. I request App Store to remove them from the listing.”

Source: Apple App Store

Karndeepsingh wrote, “2000 repayment only six day and charges 800 too high poor app don’t install. (sic)”

The vicious trap of loan apps

Most of these apps have Chinese origin. These predatory apps offer loans without collateral and with low credit scores. Most people who are not well-versed in the financial world or cannot secure loans from traditional lending firms take loans from these apps. They provide loans varying from Rs 500 to several thousand. Once a user secures a loan, there are several ways they trap them, and the victim keeps paying while getting deeper into the trap.

In many cases, it has been found that they offer a small amount and deduct almost half of it in the name of processing fees. In February 2023, the Government of India banned over 90 such loan apps that had links to China.

Then, the victim is forced to repay the loan amount within a week. Imagine, a person who is in desperate need of a small amount, say Rs 1,500, gets only Rs 800 and then has to pay Rs 1,500 + interest within 7 days. In many cases, the victims fail to repay. The loan companies then not only threaten and abuse them but also contact their relatives from the phonebook they copied when the app was installed. Furthermore, they start sending morphed nude images to the relatives to put pressure on the victim. In some cases, victims have committed suicide. The government of India is extensively working on getting rid of such apps and the Reserve Bank of India has issued guidelines from time to time on tackling such lending apps.

The best thing a person can do is to avoid such loan apps and try to secure loans from banks or genuine loan apps. Check the reviews beforehand, not only on the app stores but also on social media. Do not trust any app that offers a loan with zero collateral. Do not share your personal information with them or give access to your phone just to secure a loan.

In case you fell into their trap and find it difficult to get out of the mess, uninstall the app immediately and file a police complaint. Inform your family and relatives that you got into trouble and they may get a couple of calls or messages on WhatsApp. Inform the app representative that you have filed a police complaint of harassment and stop taking calls after that. Keep in touch with the police to ensure your case is moving forward.

Foxconn to pursue investment in India without Vedanta, will apply separately for establishing a chip manufacturing unit in India

OpIndia Staff
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Foxconn to pursue investment in India without Vedanta, will apply separately for establishing a chip manufacturing unit in India

A day after breaking the joint venture (JV) deal with metal-to-oil conglomerate Vedanta group, Foxconn announced on Tuesday, 11 July, that it is committed to India and will pursue its Semiconductor manufacturing plan in the country. 

In its official statement, the company stated that building fabs from scratch in a new geography is a challenge, but Foxconn is committed to investing in India. It added that the company sees the country successfully establishing a robust semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. 

According to its latest announcement, the Taiwanese electronic manufacturing giant is now working on a plan to separately apply for establishing a semiconductor manufacturing unit in India. Additionally, the company stated that it is actively looking for optimal partners. 

The company said, “Foxconn is working toward submitting an application related to Modified Programme for Semiconductors and Display Fab Ecosystem. We have been actively reviewing the landscape for optimal partners.” 

The company added, “We welcome a diverse set of stakeholders, both inside India and abroad, who also want to see India get to the next level and can complement Foxconn’s world-class supply chain management and manufacturing efficiency.”

Foxconn and Vedanta mutually parted ways

Earlier, on Monday, the 10th of July, Foxconn stated that it has terminated its USD 19.5 billion joint venture deal with mining baron Anil Agarwal’s Vedanta Ltd. 

Reportedly, the venture faced difficulties in securing a technology partner to manufacture chips that are used in mobile phones, refrigerators, and cars.

On the 11th of July, Foxconn explained its decision to pull out of the JV with Vedanta and claimed that this is not a negative. The company stated that both parties mutually agreed to part ways. The company further highlighted that there was recognition from both sides that the project was not moving fast enough. 

In its statement, Foxconn added that there were other challenging gaps that both sides were not able to smoothly overcome. However, due to the competitive and sensitive issues involved in negotiating large-scale investments, the company refused to share any details. 

The statement added, “We understand there is a lot of interest in Foxconn’s plans and India’s information ecosystem is porous. However, due to competitive and sensitive issues involved in negotiating large-scale investments, Foxconn is unable to disclose more information at this time.” 

The company has categorically said that it has no intention to do anything but continue to strongly support Government’s ‘Make in India’ ambitions and establish a diversity of local partnerships that meet the needs of stakeholders. 

Foxconn also added that it has maintained open lines of communication with the government. 

‘Ram and Ravan were both mad for Sita’s beauty’: Rajasthan Congress minister’s derogatory statement stirs controversy

OpIndia Staff
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‘Ram and Ravan were both mad for Sita’s beauty’: Rajasthan Congress minister’s derogatory statement stirs controversy

As the Rajasthan assembly election approaches, Congress netas have begun to implement their unofficial strategy of demeaning Hindu deities. In one such video reported by the local media, a minister in the Gehlot cabinet can be seen objectifying Mata Sita.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Guard and Civil Defence in Rajasthan, Rajendra Singh Guda in his ludicrous statement against Hindu Gods said that Bhagwan Ram and Ravan were “mad” behind Mata Sita’s beauty, which was inconceivable.

Equating himself to Mata Sita, the Congress minister said, “The way Bhagwan Ram and Ravan went mad behind Mata Sita’s beauty, similarly I must have some quality that Gehlot and Pilot both are running behind me these days.”

Guda’s grand display of vaingloriousness came during his visit to Gudagaurji CHC for the launch of x-ray machines in Jhunjhunu.

“Nowadays people are discussing that from which party Guda will get the ticket this time. I want to tell those people that I get votes based on my work, not based on some party’s symbol,” boasted Guda.

This is not the first time that Guda has courted controversy. In November 2021, the Gehlot minister publicly said that the roads in his village should be like “Hema Malini’s cheeks.” After a pause, he laughed and said that because Hema Malini is old now, the roads in his village should be like “Katrina Kaif’s cheeks.”

The BJP has hit out at Guda calling him the “true anti-Hindu face of Congress” and has demanded that the minister be sacked by the Gehlot government.

Incidents of Congress netas insulting Hindu Gods in the past

In April this year, Congress leader Chataram Deshbandhu reportedly made derogatory remarks against Bhagwan Ram calling him a “cheap wretched man”.

Rajasthan Minister Shakuntala Rawat in February 2023 compared Gehlot to God.

US President Joe Biden accidentally reveals America is low on artillery ammunition, White House issues denial

OpIndia Staff
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US President Joe Biden accidentally reveals America is low on artillery ammunition, White House issues denial

The US President Joe Biden recently sat for an Interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria that was aired on Sunday, the 9th of July. During the Interview, Biden addressed the issue of sending cluster bombs to Ukraine among other things.

On the issue of cluster bombs, Biden defended his administration’s decision to send them to Ukraine. He claimed that it was a “difficult decision” to make. However, while explaining the reason behind it, he unintentionally revealed that the US military has a shortage of 155 mm artillery ammunition rounds. 

Biden said, “This is a war related to munitions. And they’re (Ukraine) running out of that ammunition, and we’re low on it. And so, what I finally did, I took the recommendation of the Defense Department to – not permanently – but to allow for this transition period while we get more 155 weapons, these shells, for the Ukrainians.”

He claimed that this move is a temporary one and hinted that the US is aiding Ukraine despite having a shortage of this ammunition in their artillery.  

However, this open admission of shortage of ammunition in the US military has sparked outrage in the country. Many conservative experts and opinion makers wondered why Biden announced the U.S. shortage in a nationally televised interview especially when the US’ adversaries would be watching it. 

Conservative communicator Steve Guest tweeted, “Joe Biden broadcasting to the world that the US is low on 155mm shells.” 

He added, “Does Biden not care that our adversaries in China are listening?”

Fox News contributor Byron York argued that Biden’s decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine despite the US having a shortage of it, would eventually affect the US readiness to defend itself.

Other social media users also expressed their concern over this open admission of shortage by US President Joe Biden.

Later, the White House tried to clarify Biden’s statement and walked back on his statement. When asked to comment on criticism of Biden’s revelation, a White House official denied any shortage of weapons. 

As per an email sent to Fox News Digital, the official said, “The military has specific requirements for the numbers of weapons systems and ammunition we maintain in our reserves in case of contingencies or military conflict. Everything we send to Ukraine is in excess of that. So, the US is not running out of ammunition ourselves.”

Apart from the revelation of the shortage, the Biden administration is also facing backlash for its decision to send cluster munitions to Kyiv. It is important to note Cluster munitions or cluster bombs are banned by more than 100 countries including key US allies. 

Robert Kennedy Jr., Biden’s rival in the Democratic presidential race, criticised Biden for sending cluster munitions to Ukraine.

Taking to Twitter, he wrote, “Last year, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki called the use of cluster bombs a ‘war crime.’ Now President Biden plans to send them to Ukraine. Stop the ceaseless escalation! It is time for peace.”

In another tweet, he hit out at Biden’s changed stance. He wrote, “Biden was opposed to cluster bombs in 1982 as well when he opposed their sale to Israel. What happened to his conscience?”

The decision of sending Cluster bombs to Ukraine also attracted global condemnation. The United Nations and Human rights groups have sharply criticised the President’s decision. The UN cited the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) to oppose the Biden administration’s decision.

Pakistani men of Jhakrani tribe issue rape and death threats to Hindu women if India fails to send Seema Haider back to Pakistan: Video goes viral

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistani men of Jhakrani tribe issue rape and death threats to Hindu women if India fails to send Seema Haider back to Pakistan: Video goes viral

A group of Pakistani men belonging to the Jhakrani tribe in Balochistan have recently threatened to rape and kill Hindu women in Sindh, Pakistan if India does not send back Seema Haider to Pakistan. The video wherein the Pakistani men are brazenly seen threatening Hindu women was shared on Twitter by user @maheshmvasu on July 11.

“10 July ’23 Jacobabad, Sindh, Pakistan: Dacoit belong to Baloch Jhakrani tribe issued a death threats & threat to rape Hindus in Sindh if India fails to send their daughter-in-law #SeemaHaider Jhakrani back along with her children. Seema d/o Ghulam Raza Rind married Ghulam Haider Jhakrani on 16.02.2014. AWAZ TV JACOBABAD,” the Twitter user wrote while sharing the video.

Seema Haider grabbed headlines after she was arrested on July 4, for illegally entering India. She was later released on bail on July 7. The Pakistani woman had entered India via Nepal around a month ago with her four children to be with her lover, Sachin, in Uttar Pradesh’s Greater Noida. She has reiterated her wish to not go back to Pakistan, saying that she wishes to live and die in India only. 

Notably, Seema Haider’s first husband’s full name is Gulam Haider Jhakrani, and he belongs to this same tribe. Gulam Haider had appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian government to send his wife and children back to Pakistan.

The video shared by Twitter user Mahesh Vasu was originally shared by Awaz Television Network, a local Sindh television channel with headquarters in Karachi, Pakistan on Facebook on July 10. At the beginning of the 0.45 seconds video, the armed Pakistani men, who appear with their faces covered, introduce themselves as belonging to the Jhakrani tribe. They then demand that Seema Haider be returned to Pakistan by the Indian government. Using exceedingly vulgar language, the men threaten that they would hunt down every Hindu woman in Sindh, Pakistan; rape and kill them if the Indian Government refuses to submit to their demand.

Who is Pakistani woman Seema Haider who came to India illegally for her lover in Noida and now wants to stay in India

On Friday, July 7, the Pakistani woman and her Indian lover recently arrested by Noida police, were granted bail. Seema Haider and her partner Sachin Meena have been released from jail. The duo came in contact in 2019 through the PUBG Mobile gaming app and fell in love with each other. 

While Seema was booked for illegally entering India, Sachin has been charged with sheltering an illegal immigrant and her kids. 

Speaking to AajTak, Seema Haider said that she deeply loves Sachin and wants to stay with him in India with her four children. Seema also added that she has embraced Hindu Dharma and will do court marriage with Sachin. She also said that she has no desire to return to Pakistan as she believes she would be killed if she were to go back.

“I don’t want to go back, I will live and die here (in India) only (Main wapis nahin jana chahti, main marungi aur jiyungi toh yahin par). I have no one of my own there in Pakistan,” Seema said.

Sachin Meena has also requested the government to let Seema reside with him, he also said that he got married to Seema Haider in Nepal in March this year.

Meanwhile, Seema Haider’s first husband Gulam Haider has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian government to send his wife and children back to Pakistan. Gulam Haider, who is currently residing in Saudi Arabia, has released a video in which he appealed to the Modi government to ensure a safe return of his wife and children to Pakistan.

Seema Haider met Sachin Meena online while playing PUBG. They shared numbers soon after and started talking to each other. After a few days, they fell in love with each other. Seema told Sachin she was a resident of Sindh province. Later, they decided to live together. Seema got a visa for Nepal and entered India illegally.

The police learned about the woman and her four children when the couple gathered information on how they could get married. Reports suggest that the advocate whom they approached got suspicious and informed the police as she told him that her brother was a Pakistani Army personnel. Sachin told the advocate that he wanted to complete the process quickly, as Seema was forcing him to take her on a Delhi tour. The advocate got suspicious and informed the police.

Revocation of AFSPA, role of China and Myanmar, narco-terrorism and more: Colonel Hunny Bakshi sheds light on the reasons behind the Manipur conflict

OpIndia Staff
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Revocation of AFSPA, role of China and Myanmar, narco-terrorism and more: Colonel Hunny Bakshi sheds light on the reasons behind the Manipur conflict

Amidst the ongoing conflict in Manipur, Colonel (retd.) Hunny Bakshi has revealed how illegal immigration, narco-terrorism and revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSA) contributed to the crisis in the North-eastern State.

During an interview with journalist Arihant of Vaad, the former Commanding officer of the Technical Support Division (TSD) of the Indian Army thanked the Naga groups living in Manipur for not being a party to the violence.

“Nagas and Meiteis have a long history of conflict, but they restrained themselves this time. Else the situation would have been much worse…The conflict between tribal groups is not a new phenomenon in Manipur but has been around for a long time,” the retired Colonel conceded.

While highlighting one instance of such violence, he said that Nagas set a village of Kukis on fire in 1993-1994. Colonel (retd.) Hunny Bakshi emphasised that the lifting of AFSPA within the jurisdiction of 19 police stations by the Union Home Ministry between 2022-2023 has exacerbated the situation.

“Armed Forces Special Powers Act does not imply that the security personnel can shoot anyone. It’s a protection granted to the armed forces. Remember, the army is a rigid institution. Anyone involved in wrongdoing will be punished,” he added.

He stated that the revocation took place following pressure from the vested interests within the civil society. Colonel (retd.) Hunny Bakshi noted that the security forces now do not have ‘legal protection’ to operate in the interests of the nation.

“They cannot fire a bullet without the magistrate’s order. Without AFSPA, the situation in Manipur cannot be improved,” he said. Hunny Bakshi said that local magistrates, who live amidst these armed groups, will not easily sign orders that allow the army to fire and conduct their operations easily.

Colonel Bakshi recounted the time when army personnel had to let go of 12 terrorists after being gheraoed by a mob of women. “The same civil society, which wanted the rollback of AFSPA but crying today about the inaction of the army, must demand the reinstatement of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the State,” he added.

Role of China, Myanmar in the Manipur Conflict

“There are 55-56 separatist, armed pressure groups operating within Manipur. Where did they get their arms and ammunition? Big Brother, China, is sitting on top. Do you think they will let us live in peace?” he stated about the involvement of anti-India forces in the conflict.

He reiterated, “You catch ten people but more than 10 separatists are created. There has been no stoppage in the influx of weapons from China. The country is not going to let us live in peace.”

Colonel (retd.) Hunny Bakshi also talked about the influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar, which the State government wanted to stop in all earnest. He said that illegal weapons in Myanmar, procured indirectly from China, are making it into Manipur.

He pointed out how the BJP government in Manipur had warned about the menace of illegal immigration to the hilly areas of the State.

How locals help armed pressure groups

Colonel Bakshi pointed out how the ethnic groups have their organisations, which work in tandem to alert about the army presence in villages.

“Women start beating on utensils and provide support to armed groups. The planning of the Indian army has been foiled several times in this manner…The situation in Manipur is their own making. AFSA has to be implemented again to control the situation,” he added.

On June 26 this year, the Indian Army informed that women activists in Manipur were interfering with the operation of the security forces and helping armed Meitei insurgents to flee.

The official Twitter handle of the ‘Spear Corps’ (a formation of Indian Army) shared a video wherein a mob of such activists were seen surrounding Indian army personnel. The incident took place in Itham in Manipur, on June 24, 2023.

The said video also exposed how roads were being dug up to delay the movement of the Indian security forces to an Assam Rifles base. The women activists were also seen accompanying the armed rebels in vehicles and even ambulances under the pretext of peaceful protests in the State.

Menace of poppy cultivation, narco-terrorism and the role of Churches

On being asked about poppy cultivation, Colonel (retd.) Bakshi said, “Narcotics is involved where terrorism is present. It’s a commonly used word, ‘narco-terrorism’. Terrorist groups operating in the area collect hafta (taxes) from businessmen and government employees.”

“Easy money is narcotics…These two things (hafta collection and poppy cultivation) are running parallel. These armed groups are now used to the easy money. How will they let it go?” he emphasised.

The retired Colonel rubbished the argument that ‘ST reservation’ for Meiteis led to the conflict. “Reservation is just like a smoke screen. If Meiteis get reservation, then what’s the issue? They are, after all, from that area only. Just that they live in plains, and you (Kukis) live in the hills,” he added.

Lt. Colonel Bakshi refused to categorise the conflict as a ‘Hindu-Christian’ conflict but pointed out that the influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar with weapons is the primary contributing factor. He also touched upon the influence of the Church, for instance, the growing influence of the Church of North America.

Colonel Hunny Bakshi on solving the Manipur crisis

On being asked whether reorganisation of the States would solve the conflict, he said, “How many States will you create? There are tribes within tribes. We are living in a global village at this time…Division of this country along linguistic and ethnic lines was a mistake.”

The former Commanding officer of the TSD said, “The government is dealing with the situation in 3 ways – talks with such groups, ceasefire and suspension of operations.”

“Community leaders must come forward to stop this madness. The army can only act as a referee…Headhunting is not a new phenomenon there,” he added. Colonel (retd.) Bakshi suggested that retired army personnel from the conflict-torn areas must be roped in by the government to mediate the sensitive situation.

He also pointed out that violent clashes between tribes have been a ‘normal thing’, including the brutalities that we are currently witnessing in the North-eastern State of Manipur.

“Even if a single person is killed, human life is lost. This mindless violence must stop. Have Faith in your army. They are governed by democratic laws,” the retired Colonel concluded.

Ghaziabad: Honey trapped employee at Home Ministry arrested for sending confidential documents to Pakistan, ‘earned’ Rs 5000 for every paper sent

OpIndia Staff
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Ghaziabad: Honey trapped employee at Home Ministry arrested for sending confidential documents to Pakistan, ‘earned’ Rs 5000 for every paper sent

On Tuesday, July 11, the Uttar Pradesh Police arrested a Home Ministry employee identified as Naveen Pal for sending significantly confidential documents to Pakistan. It has come to the fore that Naveen was honey-trapped by a woman who is believed to be an ISI agent from Pakistan.

According to the reports, the ISI agent posed herself as Anjali from Kolkata, West Bengal and trapped Naveen Pal to get access to the confidential documents from the Ministry. The ‘woman’ also offered Pal Rs 85,000 in exchange for the documents. The Police have now arrested Naveen and are investigating the bank accounts.

The arrested official is a resident of Crossing Republic Colony, Bheemnagar and has completed his education till 12th. The incident is said to have come to the fore after the authorities learned that Naveen was sending official documents to a woman named Anjali. He was also constantly chatting with her on social media and was receiving money from her via Paytm.

The investigations later revealed that Naveen Pal was honey trapped and so was sending information and documents related to G-20 to the ISI agent. He earned Rs 5000 for every single document he shared with the ‘woman’. The arrested official also sent several maps to the ‘woman’.

The Police are at present tracing the bank transactions and are looking for the person who acquired confidential documents from the Home Ministry via Naveen. The Police also said that the arrested official will be charged with the sections of the National Security Act.

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