New Delhi, Oct 20 (IANS) Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commanders and their associates smuggled heroin six times through the India-Pakistan border in Attari in the garb of importing rock salt granules from Pakistan and a "substantial amount" was "channelised" to banned terror groups in Kashmir through a network of over ground workers (OGWs) to support and augument terror infrastructure, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) claimed in its chargesheet in connection with a narco-terror funding case. The NIA also claimed that the money proceeds of five consignments were partly sent back to Pakistan through hawala operators. The claims were made in the 14,000-page chargesheet filed by the anti-terror probe agency in a NIA special court at Mohali in Punjab under several sections of Indian Penal Code, Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and Indian Passports Act. An NIA official said that the agency has named slain HM commander Riyaz Ahmed Naikoo, his close aide Hilal Ahmed Shergojri, a resident of Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, Bikram Singh and Maninder Singh, both residents of Amritsar in Punjab, Ranjit Singh and Jaswant Singh, both residents of Gurdaspur in Punjab, Ranjit Singh, Gagandeep Singh, Iqbal Singh, all residents of Amritsar, Zafar Hussain Bhat, a resident of Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir who's presently residing in Pakistan. Hizbul commander Naikoo was killed in an encounter with security forces on May 6 this year in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the NIA, Bhat and Iqbal Singh are still absconding. The official said, "Investigation unearthed the conspiracy hatched by Pakistan-based HM commanders and their associates and terrorist gangs in Punjab to support and augment the terror infrastructure of HM in India by raising money through drug smuggling or drug pedalling." The official said that it was revealed that the accused named in the chargesheet had received at least "six consignments" of heroin through the Attari border in the garb of importing rock salt granules from Pakistan. "Of these, money proceeds of five consignments were partly sent back to Pakistan through hawala operators while a substantial portion was channelised to HM terrorists in Kashmir through a network of over ground workers and other associates," the official said. According to the NIA, the the sixth consignment of around 532 kg of heroin was seized at the Attari border in June last year and a separate case was registered. The Punjab Police had busted a Hizbul Mujahideen terror-funding module in Amritsar on April 25 this year. The NIA had taken over the case on May 8. The official said that during investigation, it emerged that accused Hilal, a truck driver, who had come to Amritsar to collect the amount of Rs 29 lakh, was a member of HM and a close associate of Naikoo. "This led to the busting of a major narco-terror module involved in smuggling and selling of heroin in India and channelising the drug proceeds to Pakistan through hawala and to HM terrorists based in Jammu and Kashmir," the official said. Hilal was arrested by Punjab Police on April 25 this year with over Rs 29 lakh in cash. "During investigation, the NIA carried out searches at 15 locations in Punjab, Haryana and Jammu and Kaashmir," the official said, adding that so far Rs 98.5 lakh, eight vehicles and 3 kg heroin have been seized from the accused and investments worth crores of rupees have been identified. During the searches, incriminating documents related to benami properties and digital gadgets including mobile phones, pen drives and laptops were seized and forensically examined. Many incriminating chats between the accused persons have been recovered from the seized digital devices, the NIA claimed. Ranjit Singh and his accomplice Iqbal Singh alias Shera are the prime accused in a case registered in connection with 532 kg heroin seizure at the Attari border in June last year by the Customs department. The banned substance was found hidden in a consignment of rock salt imported from Pakistan. Ranjit is the key accused in the case that led to the arrest of Halil. --IANS aks/arm

HM commanders channelised drug smuggling money in J&K to support terror activities: NIA

<ul><li>Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, tweeted "Eid Mubarak" wishing for peace and happiness today morning. </li><li>But the situation in Jammu and Kashmir remains tense with limited provisions in play. </li><li>Students in the Kashmir Valley are also planning on protesting the Eid celebrations organised by the central government. </li></ul>The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished Indians a happy Eid al-Adha. However, the valley is clearly staying away from celebrations as the mood remains sombre after the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/jammu-and-kashmir-and-ladakh-will-now-be-two-separate-union-territories/articleshow/70531866.cms">bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir</a> on 5 August. <div type="twitter" handle="narendramodi" handlename="Narendra Modi" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1134082549041393672/QbihPzrL_normal.png" favoritecount="78373" retweetcount="8830" status="My best wishes on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. I hope it furthers the spirit of peace and happiness in our society. Eid Mubarak!" createdat="1565577756000" id="1160743356974030849"></div>

 Kashmiri students have boycotted a lunch invite from the central government to express their protest, according to IANS. And, in spite of Modis promise that normalcy will return to the valley during the festival, food and ration shops are open only in certain areas. The same applies to ATMs as well. Nonetheless, the government is trying to ensure that people have round the clock access to basic amenities, like electricity and water, with staff on standby in case there’s a breakdown. Students protest Nearly 250 students at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) have stated that they will not be attending the festivities organised at the university’s guest house. Other students in the Kashmir Valley have also stated that they will be staying away from any kind of festivities on campus. Jammu and Kashmir governor, Satya Pal Malik, recently sanctioned ₹1 lakh to organise Eid festivities in the valley. But according to the students at AMU, the money is given to buy their consent. "We take this as an opportunity to reject Delhi's authoritarianism and drama played in Parliament on August 5," they said in a statement. Restrictions and Section 144 The Jammu and Kashmir administration had eased the prohibitory orders in Kashmir Valley for the past few days for people to make purchases for Eid. And, while there have been no reports of violence on Sunday, Section 144 has been reinstated in certain areas. Even in Srinagar, restrictions were reinstated on Sunday afternoon. The <a href="https://twitter.com/PIBHomeAffairs/status/1160500494566977536/photo/2">spokesperson</a> for the Ministry of Home Affairs shared that the central government is trying to make sure that there are enough groceries for the people living in the area. Bakeries, poultry and mutton shops will remain open. Health institutions are also operational and 300 special telephones have been installed for people to get in touch with their relatives. Even so, a security alert has been issued ahead of Independence Day on August 15. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/the-phone-and-internet-blackout-in-kashmir-is-so-total-that-locals-reportedly-dont-know-india-rewrote-their-constitution/articleshow/70587309.cms">The phone and internet blackout in Kashmir is so total that locals reportedly don't know India rewrote their constitution</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/fake-news-spread-in-jammu-kashmir-about-article-35a/articleshow/70502051.cms">Fake news is adding to the anxiety around tensions on the India-Pakistan border</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/what-is-article-370-of-the-indian-constitution-all-you-need-to-know/articleshow/69684790.cms">What is Article 370 of the Indian Constitution and why it is in news today - Everything that you should know</a>

Muted Eid celebrations in the Valley amidst partial curfew and August 15 security

<h4 style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> </h4><ul><li>BSNL will give satellite phones to media persons at ₹1 lakh a piece to file stories from the Valley. </li><li>These satellite phones are capable of providing location-based services like tracking facility, GPS location, emergency alert among others. </li><li>The government has already cut off mobile internet services and is planning to snap away call services soon. </li></ul>The situation in Kashmir -- that lies near the India-Pakistan border -- is becoming tense by every hour. Top political leaders, <keyword id="19464" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Omar-Abdullah">Omar Abdullah</keyword> and <keyword id="6375812" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="mehbooba-mufti">Mehbooba Mufti</keyword>,<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/section-144-in-kashmir-latest-news-developments/articleshow/70529285.cms"> are under house arrest.</a> The government has already cut off mobile internet services and is planning to snap away call services soon. However, the complete communications blackout would be a severe handicap for a contingent of on-ground reporters in Kashmir. State-owned telecom service provider BSNL has come to the rescue. BSNL will give satellite phones to media persons at ₹1 lakh a piece to file stories from the Valley. These satellite phones<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/bsnl-launches-satellite-phone-services/article24955514.ece"> are capable of providing location-based </a>services like tracking facility, GPS location, emergency alert among others. The Authorities decided to suspend the mobile internet facility on late Sunday night to avoid any rumors. 
 <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="70502051" title="Fake news is adding to the anxiety around tensions on the India-Pakistan border" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>



 Separately, government officials placed at top positions<a href="https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/jammu-and-kashmir-unrest-panic-ensues-post-advisory-on-terror-threats"> also possess</a> 350 cellphones and 2,000 satellite phones to keep the government posted about the status of the tensed situation in Kashmir, reported The Quint citing sources. The development came in after the government imposed <keyword id="6382007" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Section-144">section 144</keyword> in Kashmir. According to the order, there shall be no movement of public and all educational institutions shall also remain closed. People<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/all-the-restrictions-imposed-on-the-kashmir-valley-starting-monday/articleshow/70529211.cms"> cannot hold any kind of public meetings </a>or rallies during the period of operation of this order. On Friday (August 2) evening, the Indian government asked <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/the-india-pakistan-border-in-kashmir-is-simmering-again-thousands-of-amarnath-pilgrims-have-been-sent-back/articleshow/70500904.cms">thousands of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims</a> to leave Kashmir immediately citing a terror threat. Since then, the state has been in confusion and chaos. Making matters worse is a series of speculation by both <a href="https://twitter.com/SankarshanT/status/1157987037938511872">news outfits as well as on social media </a>that has led to people fearing the worst and hoarding food and necessities. The radio silence from New Delhi, while building up troops in the valley, in the face of rampant speculation has added to the unease, particularly in the Kashmir valley. The Cabinet Committee on Security meeting on Monday (August 5) morning will be watched closely. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/section-144-in-kashmir-latest-news-developments/articleshow/70529285.cms">All that's happened in Kashmir over the last 72 hours – from movement of troops to suspension of internet to political leaders under house arrest</a>

Reporters in Kashmir get a satellite phone for ₹100,000 a piece as all other communication devices are shut down

New Delhi, Nov 20 () The government should purchase crop residue as it procures wheat and paddy at minimum support price (MSP) to address the issue of stubble burning, one of the causes of air pollution, JD(U) MP Ram Nath Thakur suggested in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. 
Raising the issue during the morning session, Thakur also expressed concern over the arrest of farmers in some states for stubble burning. 
The government should buy crop residue in the same way it purchases wheat and rice from farmers at MSP, he said, adding that this will not only help in reducing pollution, but also provide financial relief to farmers.
BJP member Vijay Pal Singh Tomar suggested that stubble can be used in manufacturing of ethanol. 
He also said efforts should be made to ensure 10 to 15 per cent blending of ethanol with petrol, which will help in environment protection and saving foreign exchange. 
The government has mandated mixing of 10 per cent ethanol in petrol, but only about six per cent is being mixed currently. 
Meanwhile, three Congress MPs demanded that the central government buy rice from Chhattisgarh. 
Chhaya Verma, Motilal Vohra and P L Punia mentioned in the House that rice from the state is not being purchased for the central pool as Chhattisgarh is buying at a higher MSP of Rs 2,500 per quintal against the MSP of Rs 1,815 per quintal announced by the Union government. 
The Centre should relax norms and buy the grains at the MSP announced by the state government as part of its goal to double farmers' income, they said. 
The Congress, which is in power in Chhattisgarh, had promised the higher MSP to boost farmers' income, according to them. 
BJP's Shwait Malik said people living within the 5-km area from the India-Pakistan border in Punjab are facing problems in getting employment and education. 
He demanded a special fund to provide infrastructure, education and job opportunities to them. 
In his Zero Hour mention, A K Selvaraj of the AIADMK raised the issue of adulteration and contamination of food products. 
Two TMC members Md Nadimul Haque and Manas Ranjan Bhunia highlighted the plight of people affected by Cyclone Bulbul and demanded that the central government extend help in providing relief to those affected. 
DMK leader Tiruchi Siva suggested that Tamil should be made the official language of the Madras High Court. 
Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu agreed with the suggestion, saying the language in high courts should be that of the state. 
Another Congress member Mohd Ali Khan asked the central government to intervene so that the ongoing strike by employees of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) can be ended. In his mention in the House, Prasanna Acharya of the BJP expressed concern on incidents of acid attack on women. He termed such incidents as the most "heinous gender violence". MJH NKD NKD MJH ANB
ANB

Govt should buy crop residue like it purchases wheat, paddy: JD(U) MP

<ul><li><keyword id="9173824" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Coronavirus-conspiracies">Coronavirus conspiracies</keyword> are being spread by far-right groups across the world – from blaming 5G technology to targeting Muslim and other minority communities.</li><li>Some of the Coronavirus conspiracy theories also say that this pandemic is a population control tool.</li><li>In India, the Tablighi Jamaat incident has been used by far-right groups to target Muslims using hashtags like #CoronaJihad, using the pandemic to suggest that it is a form of terrorism.</li><li>Other Coronavirus conspiracies in India suggest that hot weather, clove and herbs, and alcohol can help people avoid contracting Covid-19.</li></ul>The Coronavirus pandemic has forced the Indian government to announce a nationwide lockdown since March 24, but it’s not just the deadly disease that we need to worry about. There have been many conspiracy theories, blame games and propaganda around Coronavirus across the world, and it’s no different in India. A recent <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-52490430">investigation</a> by the BBC showed that the <keyword id="2681279" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="far-right">far right</keyword> was spreading Covid-19 misinformation on Facebook. Some people are calling the pandemic a population control tool, while others suggest Bill Gates is spreading the virus. 5G has also been blamed as one of the reasons for spreading Coronavirus. This has resulted in several <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/vandals-set-50-cellphone-masts-in-the-uk-on-fire-because-of-a-conspiracy-theory-linking-the-coronavirus-with-5g/articleshow/75158093.cms">5G masts being burnt</a> in the UK. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="75224572" title="A US governor accused Trump of encouraging 'domestic rebellion' after his 'LIBERATE' tweets were hailed by far-right extremists" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> It’s no different in India The far right has been using the Covid-19 pandemic to spread conspiracies around the world and it’s no different in India. The Indian right wing has used the pandemic to attack the Muslim minority in the country after the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/nizamuddins-coronavirus-disaster-is-a-scary-example-of-how-the-infection-can-fly-under-the-radar/articleshow/74907602.cms">Tablighi Jamaat event in Nizamuddin</a> led to a sudden spurt in the number of confirmed cases. The fact is that there were many other communities across the country who were violating social distancing norms whether it was for <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/coronavirus-defying-lockdown-hundreds-attend-temple-event-in-karnataka-2213195">religious congregation</a>, or a wedding, or political activities. However, the far right and many times even India’s Health Ministry officials highlighted the Tablighi Jamaat event so often that it became commonly believed that they were the cause for the pandemic in India. Most recently, the Chief Minister of BJP-ruled Gujarat, said, “A large number of people attended the Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi and came back to Gujarat. By the time we could track them, they had already come in contact with their friends, family and other people around them. This led to the rise in cases in the city.” The far-right runs with it According to a Time <a href="https://time.com/5815264/coronavirus-india-islamophobia-coronajihad/">report</a>, more than 3,00,000 tweets used the hashtag #CoronaJihad between March 8 and April 3, likely fueled by the breakout at the Tablighi Jamaat event. While the hashtag no longer returns results, a search for the term ‘Corona Jihad’ returns the following tweets from some far-right users: <div type="twitter" handle="AB_BJP" handlename="Arvind Lodha🇮🇳" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1250851801026318337/6iG8ADSQ_normal.jpg" favoritecount="189" retweetcount="187" status="See How PieceFools Obeying The Lockdown and Respecting The Police.This happened in Kalewadi Area Of PCMC near Pune… https://t.co/avBKFJliQP" createdat="1588049683000" id="1254997451133661184"></div> <div type="twitter" handle="im_ro121" handlename="Rohit Chetry (ex- secular)🇮🇳" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1249444592195211264/iM3n2hub_normal.jpg" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" status="@Mohamme43449791 @aslam_zeeahan @imVkohli @TikTok_IN Itni dino seh joh tumlog Corona jihad kar rahe ho woh kam nahi… https://t.co/F5Flwnawn9" createdat="1588619566000" id="1257387712602148866"></div> Some users smelt a coronavirus conspiracy even in the violation of ceasefire in the India-Pakistan border. <div type="twitter" handle="swamymohit" handlename="Mohit Agniveer" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/722764917481304064/kVIxp1F7_normal.jpg" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" status="Ye jo attacks ho rahe hain, wo sajish lag rahe hain kuchh corona infected ko ghusane ki jugaad to nahin hai, corona… https://t.co/LLdcg80Qy5" createdat="1588603842000" id="1257321760631877634"></div> While some others think there is a terror angle behind it. <div type="twitter" handle="iashutosh23" handlename="Ashutosh" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1256500408752562177/1_Dhd4Ue_normal.jpg" favoritecount="71" retweetcount="20" status="As Al Qaeda in a letter Urged Indian Muslims To Unite, Gather Arms And Wage Jihad Against India, Hindus need to rem… https://t.co/e7tRj2SDUb" createdat="1588602344000" id="1257315480479559682"></div> The Prime Minister Narendra Modi stepped in with a call against the hate mongering but much damage was done already. <div type="twitter" handle="PMOIndia" handlename="PMO India" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1134090740592627712/0Fp-U5-p_normal.png" favoritecount="80436" retweetcount="15086" status="COVID-19 does not see race, religion, colour, caste, creed, language or borders before striking. Our response and… https://t.co/W85rXGQrA8" createdat="1587296723000" id="1251839308085915649"></div> The attempts to pin the blame on one community for the spread of COVID-19 in India is only one of the many waves of misinformation to flood WhatsApp groups. AIIMS director Dr. Randeep Guleria had to issue a <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/non-veg-food-hot-weather-aiims-director-bursts-biggest-myths-about-coronavirus/articleshow/74634404.cms?from=mdr">clarification</a> to bust these myths. He also said that hot weather, clove and other herbs, and alcohol cannot prevent the spread of Coronavirus. Most recently, IFCN <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/how-to/how-to-use-ifcns-whatsapp-fact-checker-to-fight-coronavirus-misinformation/articleshow/75546862.cms">added</a> a WhatsApp chatbot that can help users fact check news about Coronavirus. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/nearly-a-third-of-americans-believe-in-coronavirus-conspiracy-theories-science-explains-why-people-tend-to-believe-them-more-in-times-of-crisis-/articleshow/75381207.cms">Nearly a third of Americans believe in coronavirus conspiracy theories. Science explains why people tend to believe them more in times of crisis</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/anti-quarantine-protesters-are-being-kicked-off-facebook-and-quickly-finding-refuge-on-a-site-loved-by-conspiracy-theorists/articleshow/75520558.cms">Anti-quarantine protesters are being kicked off Facebook and quickly finding refuge on a site loved by conspiracy theorists</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/a-bizarre-conspiracy-theory-puts-bill-gates-at-the-center-of-the-coronavirus-crisis-x2014-and-major-conservative-pundits-are-circulating-it/slidelist/75240482.cms">A bizarre conspiracy theory puts Bill Gates at the center of the Coronavirus crisis — and major conservative pundits are circulating it</a>

A BBC investigation revealed how the far right is exploiting the Covid-19 pandemic to spread conspiracies – it’s no different in India

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">ReutersIndia's Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the National Cemetery in Seoul</div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>The US State Department issued a <keyword id="6354692" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Travel">travel</keyword> warning for India due to crime and terrorism after a troubling rise of terror attacks and sexual assault.</li><li>The State Department urges "increased caution" for travelers heading to the country, and especially for women.</li><li>The warning comes after India suffered a terror attack that brought it on the brink of war with its nuclear rival, Pakistan. </li><li>But the warning addresses the threat of extremist violence all over the country. Read below for details. </li></ul>The US State Department has responded to a violent escalation in fighting along the border between nuclear rivals India and Pakistan with a <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/india-travel-advisory.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">travel warning</a> that also warns women against a troubling rise in sexual violence.India and Pakistan, bitter rivals for decades, have been fighting inside Kashmir, a disputed border region which each country administers in part. The fighting kicked off after a February 16 terror attack killed 40 Indian security forces.Air battles, shelling, and ground fighting have followed sporadically since that attack, with planes being shot down and Pakistan temporarily closing its airspace. Now, the State Department has called for "increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism," and for US citizens to stay at least 10 kilometers away from the disputed border region, and not to enter Kashmir at all. Read more: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-mocked-pakistan-over-airstrike-but-it-likely-missed-completely-2019-3" data-analytics-position="1">India mocked Pakistan over a surprise airstrike, but now it looks like an embarrassing failure</a>"Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, <keyword id="34991" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="transportation">transportation</keyword> hubs, markets/shopping malls, and government facilities," State warned. State also cautioned about the larger India-Pakistan border, ethnic insurgent groups in the northeastern states of India, and Maoist extremist groups in Central and Eastern India. Across India, the world's largest democracy, State cautioned that "rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India.""Violent crime, such as sexual assault, has occurred at tourist sites and in other locations," the warning continued.Read more: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/history-and-background-of-india-pakistan-tensions-dispute-over-kashmir-2019-3" data-analytics-position="2">India and Pakistan came to blows over Kashmir again, but the 70-year conflict is about much more than a border dispute</a>"If you decide to travel to India... Do not travel alone, particularly if you are a woman," the statement read, linking to a guide for <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go/Women.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">women travelers</a>. Across the border in Pakistan, the State Department urges visitors to reconsider travel to anywhere in the country, but has not revised this recommendation to reflect recent fighting. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/north-korea-kim-jong-un-scariest-dictators-2016-1">Here's how North Korea's Kim Jong Un became one of the world's scariest dictators</a></h3> <div> </div> </div>

State Department warns US citizens traveling to India could fall victim to terrorism or sexual assault

By Shakoor Rather New Delhi, Feb 6 () The recent locust outbreak along the India-Pakistan border may have been driven by the longer-than-usual monsoon rains across the region, and frequent cyclones in the Indian Ocean, scientists say. In India, the outbreak -- the biggest in 26 years -- began late last year in Gujarat and Rajasthan states, and recently Punjab was also affected. In Pakistan, the government declared national emergency last week to eliminate the attacking swarms of desert locusts, which were destroying crops on a large scale in the country's Punjab province. "The current locust outbreak is the biggest in 25 years in Ethiopia and Somalia, 26 years in India, 70 years in Kenya," Keith Cressman, locust forecasting officer at the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) told . "The outbreak started after heavy amounts of rains over east Africa and the Arabian Peninsula," Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune added. According to the FAO, locusts are the oldest migratory pests in the world. These insects differ from ordinary grasshoppers in their ability to change behaviour, and form swarms that can migrate over large distances. The most devastating of all locust species is the Desert Locust (Schistocerca gregaria), according to FAO. The locusts, which are considered to be among the most dangerous pests known to humanity, reproduce fast -- 20-fold within three months, the FAO experts noted. An adult locust can eat quantity equal to its weight daily, and just a single square kilometer of swarm can contain up to 80 million adults, they said. Koll noted the heavy rains which drove the locust outbreak occurred due to intense storm activity sourced from the Arabian Sea during the last two seasons. "Heavy rain triggers growth of vegetation in arid areas where desert locusts can then grow and breed," he said. Koll explained that recently climate change accentuated the phenomenon called the "Indian Ocean Dipole", with warmer than usual waters to its west, and cooler waters to its east. "On top of that, the rising temperatures due to global warming made the Western Indian Ocean particularly warm," he said. Cressman added that the current locust invasion in India by an unprecedented number of swarms originated in southern Iran from their breeding in spring last year. "Summer breeding along both sides of the Indo-Pakistan border was much higher than normal due to the swarm invasion and the monsoon rains lasting one month longer than normal, allowing up to three generations of breeding," Cressman said. The outbreak originated from two cyclones (May and Oct 2018) that allowed three generations of breeding - from June 2018 to March 2019 -- in the Arabian Peninsula, and caused an 8,000-fold increase in locust numbers, he added. According to Cressman, this was followed by further breeding after unusually heavy rains in Iran and Yemen, and finally another cyclone in the Horn of Africa in early December 2019. "Generally enhanced convection (cloud formation and rains) and cyclone activity follows the warm waters as they derive the energy and moisture from the ocean," Koll explained. As a result, he said, regions surrounding the warm western Indian Ocean -- such as East Africa, Arabian Peninsula and Indian subcontinent received a lot of rains during the last two seasons. "Along with that, the cyclone activity over the west Indian Ocean was also exceptional -- we saw the largest number, and the strongest cyclones this year -- releasing more rains. This might have triggered the locust outbreak," he said. India has not witnessed any full-blown locust cycles after 1962, however, they experts said, large-scale upsurges were observed during 1978 and 1993. Globally, Cressman said, the current generation of swarms formed shortly after last season's crops were harvested, but there has been considerable damage to pastures -- a primary livelihood in the Horn of Africa. "It is not only warm temperatures that favour locusts but also rainfall. The latter is not expected to occur is sufficient quantities until the start of the summer monsoon in Rajasthan which is usually in July, therefore, breeding now is not very likely in India," he said. "Climate models do show that the number and intensity of Indian Ocean Dipole events -- like the one we saw in 2019 -- are going to increase further in the future," Koll added. SAR VIS AKJ SARSAR

Prolonged monsoon in Indo-Pak region drove recent locust outbreak: Scientists

<ul><li>India inaugurated the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) to monitor the India-Bangladesh border in the Dhubri region of Assam.</li><li>It uses sensors to monitor the one of the largest riverine borders of India.</li><li>While ambitious, the CIBMS project has its fair share of problems.</li></ul>High-tech solutions, like India’s new ‘smart fence’ along the Assam-Bangladesh border that was <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/61-km-unfenced-riverine-border-with-bdesh-sealed-with-tech-support/articleshow/68275869.cms">inaugurated</a> on Tuesday, aren’t something new. In fact, the same strategy is used along the Israel-Palestine border and the US-Mexico border. 
 
 <div type="ExtQuote" text="&quot;This project will help the BSF (Border Security Force) to detect any cross-border crimes and other illegal activities. It is a unique project taken by the Union government and hope it will implement other international borders also.&quot;" auname="Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister at the inauguration of CIBMS in Dhubri, Assam"></div>




 The 61-km stretch of the India-Bangladesh border in the Dhubri, Assam district in eastern India will now be under the watch of India’s Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) — a project that uses high-tech solutions to guard terrain and riverine borders round the clock. So, it should also be pointed out that CIBMS is more than a ‘smart fence’. A smart fence is essentially a barbed fence with electronic systems to help detect movement. But, the CIBMS isn’t a physical fence at all — it’s only sensors that can detect movement in water, land or air. The issue with Assam’s Dhubri region is that its a riverine — the longest riverine border in the country mostly made up of the Brahmaputra river but also a little bit of the Gadadhar river — so putting up a fence isn’t exactly an option. Currently, they’re only using reconnaissance boats in the area to protect the border. Hence ,the CIBMS solution. Possible speedbumps There are two issues with employing a project like the CIBMS. One, is the <a href="http://tenders.gov.in/viewtenddoc.asp?tid=del816186&amp;wno=1&amp;td=TD">dependency</a> on vendors. Whenever private vendors get involved in a project, transparency is key. But, with the CIBMS project there’s a lack of clarity as to how vendors are supplying the technology. TATA Power SED, on of the vendors, <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/can-cibms-alone-secure-the-indias-borders/articleshow/65722529.cms">states</a> that the technology for the CIBMS falls under the ‘Make in India’ program. And, the second major issue is the <a href="https://www.ciponline.org/images/uploads/1004_TBP.pdf">upskilling</a> of officers to actually run the system efficiently. Border guard forces are only posted to one location temporarily. So even if private firms are coming in to train the personel when the technology is deployed, the training won’t be useful when the existing officers get transferred and new ones come in. There’s also India’s <a href="http://www.indiandefencereview.com/spotlights/challenges-to-securing-indias-borders/">problems</a> with maintaining and operating the existing equipment that’s in place. Their optimum use has been hindered by the lack of infrastructure to support more complicated and energy consuming surveillance systems. There have been questions around the challenges facing power back-up of gensets and three-phase power supply. But, the upside is, the purpose of CIBMS is to eventually replace manual surveillance of international borders by electronic surveillance. This is the third CIBMS project to be inaugurated in India. Two similar projects were launched along the India-Pakistan border. It will take time to seal the entire border, but this project should help the <keyword id="166231" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Border-Security">Border Security</keyword> Force (BSF) deal with cross-border crimes and other illegal activities. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/a-free-swedish-flight-tracking-site-is-revealing-crucial-military-movements-along-the-kashmir-border/articleshow/68197192.cms">A free Swedish flight tracking site is revealing crucial military movements along the Kashmir border</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/isro-launches-satellite-to-keep-an-eye-on-pakistan-china-and-bangladesh/articleshow/67634701.cms">India responds to China-Pakistan satellite launch with its own border surveillance satellites</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/its-official-trump-declares-national-emergency-to-build-his-border-wall/articleshow/68014247.cms">IT'S OFFICIAL: Trump declares national emergency to build his border wall</a>

India is going to use sensors to protect its borders where it can’t put up fences

<ul><li>Several trains came to a halt at the Murshadpur train station in <keyword id="6357713" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Uttar-Pradesh">Uttar Pradesh</keyword> on Friday because the station master was lying unconscious in a drunken stupor.</li><li>According to a disturbing report in the Hindustan Times in April 2017, 15% of the <keyword id="6355455" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-railways">Indian Railways</keyword> train drivers failed the alcohol test at the end of their journey</li><li> In all, 281 train drivers have failed the alcohol tests between 2012 and 2016.</li></ul> Trains delays are so commonplace in India that most remain unphased when they hear about one. And while there are reasons aplenty - most avoidable and some unavoidable - the story about last Friday’s delay was quite something else. A number of trains came to a halt at the Murshadpur train station in Uttar Pradesh because the station master was lying unconscious in a drunken stupor. Around 80 km from Delhi, the Murshadpur station lies on an arterial long-distance train route. It is the station master’s responsibility to give the green signal for the trains to proceed. Needless to say, because of his absence these trains had no choice but to stop and wait for the signal. Unable to reach the missing station master Deep Singh, harried railway officials headed to the station along with a replacement station master only to find him passed out in his office surrounded with empty bottles of alcohol. A senior railway official told the <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/no-signal-drunk-station-master-679855.html">Deccan Herald</a> that “Singh was dead drunk and could barely walk”. Sources also told the paper that Singh was later taken to a local hospital where a medical examination revealed a very high level of alcohol in his blood. Railway officials have now suspended Deep Singh and have ordered an investigation. Now, while most may think that surely this bizarre incident is unprecedented, it is in fact one of many. In April 2016, the <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/51666158.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&amp;utm_medium=text&amp;utm_campaign=cppst">Times of India</a> reported a similar incident where the stationmaster at <keyword id="6355588" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="rajasthan">Rajasthan</keyword>’s Munabao station near the India-Pakistan border was found passed out in his room. In this case, Rajuram Choudhary, the station master, was a repeat offender and had been put on notice thrice earlier for the same reason. And if that were not enough, according to a disturbing report in the <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/drink-driving-major-issue-for-indian-railways-too-fourfold-rise-in-train-drivers-failing-alcohol-test/story-M2USyd8QIJYx9dVlrnp7HK.html">Hindustan Times</a> in April 2017, 15% of the Indian Railways train drivers, also known as loco-pilots, failed the alcohol test at the end of their journey. Which basically means they were ferrying hundreds of passengers in an inebriated state. In all, 281 train drivers have failed the alcohol tests between 2012 and 2016.

Drunk station master leaves passengers stranded, and this is not the first time it’s happened for Indian Railways

<ul><li>The India government might be looking into monitoring international long-distance calls amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. </li><li>While no requests have been issues so far, the Telegraph Act, 1885 holds a provision for the government to monitor calls.</li><li>Government agencies can also ask telecom operators for surveillance equipment and arrangements to monitor several calls simultaneously.</li></ul> It’s possible that the Indian government is going to ask telecom operators to intercept calls between India and Pakistan. The companies are preparing themselves for requests to monitor international long-distance traffic on select routes after the Indian military put the northwestern states near the India-Pakistan border on high-alert. If any requests had been made, the information would be strictly confidential and only the designated nodal officer at each telecom company would know. 
 <div type="ExtQuote" text="“The nodal officer is bound by strict confidentiality requirements. So, unable to confirm if any requests have been received by operators.”" auname="Rajan Mathews, Director General of Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI)"></div>



 But, telecom operators have the equipment to monitor calls and government has ordered internet shutdowns in the past. Ram Narain, the former Deputy Director General in the telecom department told the<a href="https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/telcos-bracing-to-intercept-calls-if-need-be/68194822"> Economic Times</a>, “The government can technically order temporary Internet shutdowns in surcharged situations to pre-empt rumour mongering and the wrong sort of messages spreading in sensitive zones in national security interest, and can even direct telcos to intercept/tap specific calls, based on intelligence inputs.” Can telecom operators or the government legally monitor your calls? The surveillance of any person or group — or even telecom network themselves — can be enabled by enacting the <a href="http://www.ijlt.in/pdffiles/Indian-Telegraph-Act-1885.pdf">Telegraph Act</a>, 1885. 
 <div type="ExtQuote" text="“Any appliance, instrument, material or apparatus used or capable of use for the occurrence of a public emergency or transmission or reception of signs, signals, the interest of public safety are therefore writing, images and sounds or intelligence of pre-requisites for the invocation of any nature by wire, visual or other electromagnetic Section 5(2). In the absence of either, the emissions, radio waves or Hertzian waves, galvanic, Government is disallowed from interc- electric or magnetic means.”" auname="Definition of “telegraph” under Section 3 (1AA) of the Telegraph Act, 1885"></div>



 The definition of “telegraph” in the Telegraph Act brings virtually all communication devices under its umbrella — including smartphones and land lines. But, what actually gives the government the power to monitor calls is in the Section 5(2) of the Act, which states that the government can switch to surveillance “on the occurrence of any public emergency, or in the interest of public safety.” Essentially, the government can intercept calls, if necessary, in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign States, and public order. Additionally, under the Section 5(2), the government can ask telecom operators for surveillance equipment — but there is no obligation for the government to clearly outline the reasons. The definition of ‘surveillance equipment’ is also broad so the government has the power to install any surveillance equipment that matches up to the current state of technology and their requirements. The <a href="https://sflc.in/sites/default/files/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/SFLC-FINAL-SURVEILLANCE-REPORT.pdf">India Surveillance Report</a> asserts that telecom operators are required to make arrangements for the government to monitor several calls simultaneously. Government agencies have specified that the number of calls should be 480. They should all have ‘monitoring equipment’, and at least 30 calls should have tracing capabilities in each of the 10 designated security agencies. The specific ‘security agencies’ are not known to the public. The procedural law for tapping phones is under Rule 419A of the Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951. It also states that a lawful order may be issued only once all other reasonable means for acquiring the information have been ruled out. 
 <div type="image" title="Source_ India surveillance report, SFLC" msid="68197668" hostid="261"></div>



 International policy sentiment towards surveillance isn’t favourable with the implied violation of the ‘right to privacy’ and the ‘right to freedom of expression and opinion.’ The UN General Assembly’s Resolution to ‘Right to Privacy in the Digital Age’ is a call for national laws to be reviewed. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/heres-how-ordinary-kashmiris-reacted-to-war-rumours-ahead-of-indias-air-strikes/articleshow/68162689.cms">Here's how ordinary Kashmiris reacted to war rumours ahead of India's air strike</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/global-markets-are-jittery-as-india-pakistan-tensions-hit-a-near-50-year-high/articleshow/68184234.cms">Global markets are jittery as India-Pakistan tensions hit a near 50-year high</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/markets-sell-off-in-mumbai-and-karachi-as-india-and-pakistan-tensions-escalate/articleshow/68184744.cms">Markets turn nervous watching India and Pakistan ramp up military action</a>

Indian Government may intercept your phone calls as India-Pakistan conflict escalates — but is it legal

<ul><li>Indian CORE will buy Technical <keyword id="6355300" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="security">Security</keyword> Equipment from Russia-based NIKIRET. </li><li>The deal might help put the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (<keyword id="3905283" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="CIBMS">CIBMS</keyword>) project into effect. </li><li>The security system is expected to be used for replacing manual surveillance with electronic surveillance at the Indo-Pak border. </li></ul><keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> and <keyword id="6358826" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Russia">Russia</keyword> have always had strong ties and had begun cooperating with each other on the <keyword id="32723" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Defence">defence</keyword> frontier decades ago. Both the countries have now decided to take this defence cooperation forward by joining hands to promote an integrated security system. The Russia-based NIKIRET (branch of a production company called Start, a subsidiary of Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation) and the Indian CORE Energy Systems Pvt. Ltd. recently signed a cooperation agreement that will let CORE buy Technical Security Equipment (TSE) from NIKIRET and subsequently promote it in India. The contract was officially signed by Vadim Pervuninskikh, the director of NIKIRET and Nagesh Basarkar, the chairman and managing director of CORE Energy Systems Pvt. Ltd. “Integrated security systems are a group of technical protective means intended for organisation of alarm security subsystems, monitoring of access control subsystems, monitoring of CCTV subsystems, performance of warning function,” Pervuninskikh told <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-russia-join-hands-to-promote-integrated-security-system/articleshow/64671087.cms">Economic Times</a>. The two companies are expected to explore the opportunities collectively and figure out a wide range of equipment including access control and security system, data acquisition and processing, mobile security system etc. CORE, after <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-russia-join-hands-to-promote-integrated-security-system/articleshow/64671087.cms">appreciating </a>NIKIRET as “one of the world’s most experienced companies in Technical Security Equipment” said that they are excited to use this contract for exploring opportunities to put into effect the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) project. CIBMS project requires an alliance of gadgets and technologies to replace manual surveillance with electronic surveillance along the <a href="http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2018/jun/21/russian-firm-offers-smart-tech-to-protect-borders-1831272.html">2,900km</a> India-Pakistan border. It needs a sensor driven technology to detect any form of unsanctioned movement in water, on land and in air across the border. CORE in also striving to buy shares in the CIMBS project, the bid for which will begin in October. The need for this project was felt by the government in 2012. However, the real pressure set in right after the Pathankot terrorist attack in 2016. Later that year, the Indian authorities showed their interest in buying the Russian integrated security system, according to the official website of the<a href="http://rusembindia.com/newsletter/7855-india-interested-in-buying-russian-integrated-security-systems"> Embassy of Russian Federation in the Republic of India</a>. If the Technical Security Equipment (TSE) from NIKIRET proves to be serviceable enough, India will be able to implement the CIBMS project effectively. The deal is all the more important because science and technology is precisely what the Indo-Russian strategic partnership stands on. If the partnership succeeds, it can open new opportunities for both the countries and outsourcing equipments to Russia, not only for defence but also the power sector (nuclear, oil and gas), would become commonplace.

India, Russia to strengthen defence cooperation with an integrated security system

In a rather shocking incident, an official of the Indian Air Force was arrested by <keyword id="6358992" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Delhi-Police">Delhi Police</keyword> in Punjab yesterday for working as Pakistan's aide. The officer, identified as Ranjith from Kerala, was found allegedly <keyword id="6392096" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Spying">spying</keyword> for Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI. He was allegedly lured into espionage by a woman who he met through a social networking site. 

	He was posted at the Bathinda Air Force station close to the India-Pakistan border as a ground technician with access to details of aircraft deployment and positions.
 

	The official had been under surveillance for three months and was passing information about airfields to a woman in Jammu. He is 24 years old and has been with the IAF for nearly five years. The woman conduit is now being investigated. 
	 
	(image credits: bccl)

Air Force man allegedly lured into spying for Pakistan's ISI

The <keyword id="44734" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Government">Indian Government</keyword> is going to seal the India-Pakistan border by 2018 and will use all effective means, including technological solutions, to do so. 
 This statement was issued by Home Minister <keyword id="6355121" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rajnath-Singh">Rajnath Singh</keyword> after he reviewed the security situation on border with the ministers and also the authorities of four states that are in the red alert zone. He said India is looking forward to seal the border completely by December 2018 and a monitoring mechanism will be present at the central and state government levels. 
 "This project will be periodically monitored by Home Secretary at the central level, <keyword id="40481" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="BSF">BSF</keyword> from the security forces perspective and Chief Secretaries at the state level,” he further added. 
 
He additionally mooted setting up an border security network for which proposals have been welcomed from all the concerned stakeholders including the states which share border with Pakistan. 
 
"It is a new concept. We will be framing guidelines after getting suggestions from all stake holders," Singh said. 
 
He also said that technological solutions will also be taken into consideration. "Like we have riverine and Sir Creek area in Gujarat, there we will make maximum use of technology for effective sealing of border,” he said. 
 
Certain senior BSF officials were present in the meeting. They reviewed the security arrangements on the border considering the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan after surgical strike by army on terror camps across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. 
(image: Indiatimes)

India is going to seal-off its border with Pakistan by 2018

<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Pakistan+troops">Pakistani troops</a> resorted to <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=ceasefire+violation">ceasefire violation</a> twice overnight and targeted Indian posts and civilian areas by shelling 120 mm mortar bombs along the <keyword id="44759" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Line-of-Control">Line of Control</keyword> in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district. 
 
The <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=indian+army">Indian army</a> also retaliated to the shelling. 
 
"Pakistan troops fired from small arms, mortar bombs of 120 mm and 61 mm range on forward posts along the LoC in Sabzian and Balakote sectors in Poonch district overnight,” a defence spokesman informed. 
 
Pakistani troops fired from automatic weapons in Sabzian sector and Balakote sector till this morning. 
 
The spokesman said that the troops effectively retaliated and informed there was no loss of life or injury to anyone in the firing. 
 
As per reports, there have been 21 ceasefire violations along the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=India-Pakistan+border">India-Pakistan border</a> in Jammu region this month. 
 
On August 11, the Pakistan Army had resorted to unprovoked firing twice across the LoC in Krishna Ghati Sector of Poonch district and Bhimbhergali sector in Rajouri district on August 10 night. 
 
Last month, there were 19 ceasefire violations in which four persons, including three jawans, were killed and 14 others injured. 
 
This month in August, Pakistani troops targeted forward Indian posts along the LoC in Hamirpur-Balakote, Hamirpur, Krishnagati and Sabzian sectors, possibly to facilitate <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=infiltration">infiltration</a> from across the border. 
 
An army jawan was also injured as Pakistani troops opened fire at villages and forward posts in Poonch district along the LoC on August 7.

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