Monthly Archives: August 2018

London: Calls for justice and recognition of the 1971 Bangladesh genocide are intensifying, as highlighted in a recent international event. Organised by ‘Genocide 71,’ an initiative of Mukto Ashor and Bangladesh History Olympiad, the event featured diverse voices emphasising the need for global acknowledgment and education about the atrocities committed by the West Pakistani army and their collaborators.

With eyewitness accounts and advocacy from human rights activists, researchers, and former legislators, the push for international recognition and justice for the victims of the genocide, which resulted in an estimated 3 million deaths, is gaining momentum.

A webinar titled “International Webinar on Bangladesh Genocide, Justice for the victims 53 years and counting!” was organised on Saturday. Muktoi Ashor is a prominent non-governmental organisation from Bangladesh. The webinar was hosted by Priyajit Debsarkar, an independent geopolitical analyst.

The webinar featured a range of speakers, each bringing unique perspectives and expertise. “On March 25th, 1971, 53 years ago, the West Pakistani army, along with local collaborators, perpetrated horrific atrocities in Bangladesh, we pay our tributes and respects to those who fell that day. Their targets were civilians, including students, women, and children. They were eagerly anticipating the restoration of democracy after the General Election of 1970” said Priyajit in his remarks.

Ian Martin, an English human rights activist who witnessed the early days of the conflict in Dhaka, highlighted the importance of remembering these events despite their relative obscurity in the West.

“Enduring memories of my life is standing on the roof of Gulshan on 25th 26th March 1971, hearing the shells, watching the ep rifles and police on targeted assault on Iqbal hall and Dhaka University. Why 1971 has been so less in the public domain in the West, especially from a genocide point of view?” said Martin.

Syed Muntasir Mamun, Chief Innovation Officer, Director General, MoFA Dhaka Bangladesh, emphasised the necessity of preserving eyewitness accounts and tangible evidence to educate future generations about this dark period. “The eyewitness accounts are now available including the tactical and tangible evidence. These have to be made public so the world can have a look. Bangladesh is open to inspection and we are happy to host events and external agencies and experts to carry out their own independent assessment” said Muntasir

Ayreen Khan, a visual artist and researcher, focused on the often-overlooked experiences of women and minority communities during the genocide. Her poignant reminder of the atrocities committed against women, including systematic rape and torture, underscored the urgency of ensuring their stories are heard and acknowledged.

Bob Lancia, a former American legislator, stressed the importance of international recognition through resolutions like the one pending in the U.S. Congress. His advocacy for educational initiatives and memorialization efforts resonated with the broader goal of ensuring that the world does not forget the victims of 1971.

Abu Sayed, (General Secretary BD History Olympiad and Author) speaking on behalf of the organizers, reiterated their commitment to elevating the Bangladesh Genocide to the international forefront. Their efforts include educational workshops, exhibitions, and publications aimed at fostering awareness and recognition worldwide.

The Bangladesh Genocide refers to the systematic and widespread atrocities committed by the Pakistani military and their collaborators in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) in 1971.

Following the declaration of independence by Bengali nationalists on March 26, 1971, the Pakistani military launched “Operation Searchlight,” targeting civilians, intellectuals, political activists, and minority groups. The campaign involved mass killings, rapes, torture, and forced displacement, resulting in an estimated three million deaths and widespread human rights abuses.

This report is auto-generated from a syndicated feed

Bakloh: A six-member delegation from Kazakhstan Special Forces visited the Special Forces Training School in Himachal Pradesh’s Bakloh.

During the visit, the Kazakh delegation not only witnessed the training activities there, but also the infrastructure as well.

Sharing the pictures of the delegation’s visit in Bakloh on X on Saturday, the Indian Army wrote, “Kazakhstan Army Delegation Visits Special Forces Training School. A six-member Army Delegation from #Kazakhstan Special Forces visited Special Forces Training School, #SFTS, #Bakloh.”

“The delegation witnessed training activities, infrastructure & skill demonstrations to foster #jointness and interoperability,” it added.

It is pertinent to note that India and Kazakhstan share warm and friendly ties.

In a telephonic conversation recently with Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his full support for the success of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Astana.

During the conversation, the two leaders reiterated their commitment to continue to work together to advance bilateral strategic partnerships.

The Prime Minister conveyed India’s full support for the success of the upcoming SCO Summit in Astana, and expressed confidence that Kazakhstan’s leadership would greatly contribute to the furtherance of regional cooperation.

“Had a good conversation with President of Kazakhstan H.E. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Thanked him for warm wishes on the success in the elections,” PM Modi wrote in a post on X.

“Reiterated the commitment to advance our Strategic Partnership with Kazakhstan. Conveyed India’s full support for the success of the upcoming SCO Summit,” he added.

The two leaders agreed to remain in touch.

Moving the terror target area is clearly aimed at ‘giving relief’ to Kashmiri population

Jyoti Malhotra

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi is likely to inaugurate the first train run from Reasi in Jammu region to Baramulla in Kashmir later this month, across the world’s highest bridge over the Chenab river — a sight to send the spirits soaring — but the question is, will the PM’s presence reassure the region’s gnawing anxiety triggered by the recent spate of terror attacks south of the Pir Panjal?

Pakistan’s all-powerful military establishment cannot fail to notice that despite PM Modi’s reduced numbers in Parliament, he is travelling the world and being feted by it too.

The last few weeks have reminded one of a blood-soaked metronome: Five soldiers killed in Kathua district on July 8. Eight persons, including six terrorists, killed in Kulgam on July 7. Three terrorists killed in Doda district on June 26. Nine pilgrims killed in Reasi district on June 9, the day PM Modi was being sworn in in Delhi.

Whatever happened to ‘sab changa si?’ As the BJP-ruled Centre prepares to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the revocation of Article 370 from Jammu & Kashmir less than a month from now, the question on subdued lips and depressed tongues is, why have terror attacks moved from the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley to Hindu-majority Jammu?

First, the facts. The terrorists carrying out the attacks are foreign, meaning, they are from Pakistan; no other foreign terrorists — whether Afghans, Chechens, etc — have been found here. Second, they carry sophisticated weapons, such as the US-made M4 carbine assault rifles, more often found in the Afghan theatre rather than in J&K. Third, they are highly trained to carry out the attacks. Fourth, these terrorists have infiltrated into the Jammu region from the forested, international boundary (IB) section — dotted by fast-flowing streams that they use to swim across — and not really across the Line of Control.

Don’t be too surprised that the IB can be infiltrated. In Reasi, Doda, Kathua and Samba, the ground is soft, and in the past, terrorists have sneaked in via tunnels. In more modern times, Pakistani drones have done the job — including a drone attack over Jammu’s airbase in 2021.

Most importantly, the shift in Pakistani strategy — shifting the target area from Kashmir to Jammu — has been clearly done with an eye to “giving relief” to the Kashmiri population. The Valley is so closely monitored that it is difficult for a leaf to fall without the security establishment knowing about the speed, angle and distance of the falling leaf from the ground well in advance. There is not an iota of doubt that large parts of Kashmir are among the most militarised in the world. The cost of speaking up or against the establishment is so high that people would much rather mind their own business.

Not so in the Jammu region. The securitisation of these parts has been far more relaxed, notwithstanding the constant spate of attacks in the Poonch-Rajouri sector — Hindu-majority Jammu was seen to be more nationalist, less problematic. In fact, things were so laid back that in the summer of 2020, soon after the Chinese were discovered trampling all over the Line of Actual Control, a brigade of the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) was moved to eastern Ladakh. The thinning out has cost Jammu dear. Only now has the brigade been replaced with some reservists.

Something else has also been happening here, though that isn’t directly related to the security situation but gives you some idea of the shifting winds — the surprising weakening of the BJP, that too in the wake of the abrogation of Article 370.

It wasn’t supposed to be like this. The abrogation was supposed to further integrate Jammu with the rest of the country. Instead, local residents are now complaining about increasing unemployment, rising inflation, the sale of land to outsiders, a rise in the liquor business as well as the shutting down of the 500,000-strong Durbar move from Srinagar which gave a shot in the arm to local business.

The recent Lok Sabha elections demonstrated some of that unhappiness. Although the BJP handsomely won the seats of Udhampur (Jitendra Singh defeated Choudhary Lal Singh, 51.28 per cent votes against 40.11 per cent) and Jammu (Jugal Kishore Sharma defeated Raman Bhalla, 52.8 per cent votes against 42.4 per cent), their victory margins were much lower — less than 1.5 lakh votes each. Even the ruling party seemed a bit surprised that this was happening.

Perhaps, that is what the Pakistani terrorist was seeking to do — undermine the government’s claims of normalcy, in the run-up to the fifth anniversary of the abrogation, even in Jammu. Some analysts point out that the level of the terror attacks is still more or less controlled, lest it invite greater retaliation, even if the tactics have changed (In Kashmir, the fidayeen attack was intended to cause as much destruction as possible, say in a camp site; but in the Jammu attacks, these have shifted to ambushes on armed patrols as well as civilian vehicles).

Perhaps, there is another reason. Pakistan’s all-powerful military establishment cannot fail to notice that despite PM Modi’s reduced numbers in Parliament, he is travelling the world and being feted by it too. Perhaps, Rawalpindi is hoping that these attacks will shake New Delhi out of its complacency and force it to recognise that the “Pakistani hand” is still integral to finding a solution and even lasting peace.

Still, it is amply clear that Modi responds much more to pressure within. Like from Punjab, which forced the opening of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor in 2019, Kashmir’s opportunity will come when the Assembly elections are held in the next few months. No one will be able to ignore J&K’s elected representatives from the Valley as well as from Jammu — neither Delhi, nor Rawalpindi. There will be a moment at hand. It may not come again soon. Both India and Pakistan should try and prepare for it.

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, July 12

Gurpreet Kaur, sister of Shubhkaran Singh, who died during the farm protest at the Khanauri border on February 21, has been appointed as a constable in the Bathinda police.

After receiving the appointment letter from the Chief Minister, Gurpreet, accompanied by her father, reported at the Bathinda Police Lines to take up her new job. Gurpreet is stationed at the Police Lines to complete her training.

Shubhkaran’s death was initially attributed to police gunfire. However, a committee formed on the high court’s order reported that Shubhkaran’s death was caused by a shotgun.

A protest was slated to be held in front of the DC office in Bathinda on July 12, but before that, the Punjab Government provided Shubhkaran’s family with a financial assistance of Rs 1 crore and a government job for his sister.

Gurpreet, who has completed her Class XII, said: “There cannot be any compensation for the murder of my brother and justice should be provided to him by putting his killers behind the bars.”

Rome, July 14

Two Indian nationals have been arrested for allegedly enslaving 33 farm labourers, all from India, in Italy’s Verona province, according to a media report, weeks after the country was shocked by the tragic death of a Sikh farm worker who bled to death.

Finance police also seized assets worth 4,75,000 euros from the suspects, who own two agricultural sector companies with no employees on the books and are allegedly total tax evaders, ANSA news agency reported on Saturday.

The two alleged gangmasters were arrested on Saturday and are under investigation for crimes, including enslavement and labour exploitation, the Italian news agency said.

The issue of modern forms of slavery in Italy recently came to the fore of media attention following the case of 31-year-old Sikh farm labourer Satnam Singh, who bled to death after being abandoned by his employer after a strawberry wrapping machine severed his arm in Lazio, near Rome, last month.

Singh, who was an Indian national, died due to “copious bleeding”, the ANSA news agency earlier reported.

On June 26, India asked Italy to take prompt action against those responsible for Singh’s death.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said last month that Singh, one of thousands of Indian immigrants who work the fields in the country, was the victim of “inhuman acts”.

“These are inhumane acts that do not belong to the Italian people. I hope that this barbarity will be punished harshly,” she said following a Cabinet meeting.

Gangmastering and the often violent exploitation of migrant farm labourers is a chronic problem in Italy, especially in the south of the country.

Latina hosts thousands of immigrant labourers, many of them Sikhs, working picking fruit and vegetables for the local ‘agro-mafia’, according to Italian media reports.

Workplace accident insurance agency INAIL said recently that fatal accidents in Italy had risen by four to 268 in the first four months of this year.

There were about 100 last year, it said.

Gunfight erupted in Mongbung village on Sunday morning

Imphal, July 14

A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan was killed in a gun attack by suspected militants at Mongbung village in Manipur’s Jiribam district on Sunday morning, police said.

A policeman also suffered injuries he has been admitted to a hospital, they said.The deceased has been identified as Ajay Kumar Jha, 43, a resident of Bihar.

“He suffered bullet injuries in the head and was declared brought-dead in hospital. The injured policeman is undergoing treatment, but he is out of danger,” a police officer said.

In a post on X, Chief Minister N Biren Singh condemned the attack and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

“I strongly condemn the killing of a CRPF personnel in an attack carried out by an armed group, suspected to be Kuki militants, in Jiribam district today.

“His supreme sacrifice in the line of duty shall not go in vain. I further extend my sincere condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased soldier, while praying for the speedy recovery of the ones injured during the attack,” Singh said.

Gunshots were reportedly heard in the village on Saturday night, too, the officer said.

Additional security forces have been deployed at Mongbung from adjacent hill areas following Sunday’s attack, another official said.

A vehicle belonging to security personnel has been damaged in the gun attack, he added.

Manipur has been rocked by ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities since May last year, which has claimed more than 200 lives.

The Philippines is considering a new law on sovereignty to augment deterrence and pushback.

Maj Gen Ashok K Mehta (retd)

Military Commentator

From the window of my hotel room overlooking Manila Bay, I can see Filipino fishing boats in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), which the Chinese consider a part of the South China Sea (SCS) under their 10-Dash Line claim. Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels routinely intrude into the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (PEEZ). A new Chinese law authorising the impounding of encroaching vessels for 60 days without a trial has not been promulgated, though a 2021 law authorises the CCG to open fire at foreign vessels. These measures constitute coercion to prevent the Filipino Coast Guard from replenishing its outpost in Sierra Madre. A US landing ship tank grounded 200 miles from its shores in 1999 to declare sovereignty over the Second Thomas Shoal after the Chinese occupied the Mischief Reef and later seized the Scarborough Shoal in 2012. In 2016, the Philippines won an Arbitration Court award that rejected China’s claim under the 10-Dash Line, but Beijing has scoffed at the ruling. India is fishing in troubled waters with the sale of BrahMos missiles and by offering support to the Philippines.

The Filipino strategy is to underline that the SCS is not China’s alone, like Beijing insisting that the Indian Ocean is not India’s only. It is considering a new law on sovereignty to augment deterrence and pushback. But balancing economic relations with China with territorial sovereignty is vital. The WPS, like the rest of the SCS, is rich in oil, gas, minerals and fish. The June 17 incident — at least eight others have been witnessed since 2022 — involved ramming, water-cannoning and boarding of Filipino vessels by CCG sailors brandishing swords, spears and pick-axes. Eight Filipino sailors were injured, including Jeffrey Facundo, who lost his thumb. Manila newspapers are agog with hair-raising headlines about the incident, with The Manila Times carrying Facundo’s picture minus his thumb on the front page. Since June 18, it has been carrying articles with provocative headlines: ‘Philippines is under attack’; ‘Chinese treachery requires a recalibrated response’; ‘courage in the face of intimidation’; ‘prospects of a Chinese sea invasion’. The killing of one Filipino is a red line to invoke the 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty (MDT) with the US. But confusion prevails over the interpretation of the incident. On June 27, President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr said the Philippines “must do more” than protest, having already lodged 100 protests and an equal number of demarches. “It is not an armed attack, no gunshots were fired,” he said. The Chinese tactics of medieval assaults with lethal instruments are reminiscent of the Galwan clash in eastern Ladakh in June 2020.

While Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin tried to defuse tensions, calling it a misunderstanding and an accident, Defence Secretary Gilbert Teodoro described it as an aggressive use of force. At the East-West Centre International Media Conference in Manila (June 24-28), which I attended, Filipino Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said, “No country can claim the entire SCS,” adding that a bilateral consultative mechanism on the SCS was due in July to evolve confidence-building measures as the code of conduct deliberations were inordinately delayed.

US Ambassador to the Philippines Mary Carlson, speaking after Manalo, said the US had urged China to cease harassing Philippine vessels in its EEZ and resolve disputes by international law, adding, “We see our partners being bullied in their backyards.”

Meanwhile, US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell called the destabilising action in the SCS ‘worrying’. On June 28, NSA Jake Sullivan shared concerns about China’s dangerous and escalatory actions with his Filipino counterpart Eduardo Ano, reaffirming US commitment to Philippine security. India noted on June 27: “We oppose destabilising unilateral action to change the status quo by force or coercion,” the language it uses in commenting on its dispute with China along the LAC. The Americans have increased their presence in the Philippines, with nine military bases having deadly Typhon missile systems.

The Chinese are pursuing the Blue Dragon strategy of pushing their sovereignty over the EEZ of some ASEAN nations (Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam and Indonesia) through intimidation and fear. Except for the Philippines, others have chosen discretion as the better part of valour and relied on trade and economic relations. Chinese spokesperson Mao Ning said: “The US should stop the Philippines’ provocative actions and take practical actions to safeguard peace and stability in the SCS. The Philippines has contravened the agreement and used construction material for the grounded warship.”

A senior editor present at the conference, preferring anonymity, said the Philippines had three options: status quo, escalation to invoke the MDT, and dialogue. He feared dialogue, which I endorsed for maintaining status quo to replenish Sierra Madre, as Beijing insists that it be bilateral while Manila wants it under the ASEAN ambit. Sharing the Galwan experience, I advocated retaliation: the use of equipment short of firearms to inflict injuries. The army was mainly a counter-insurgency force, which had succeeded in reducing the terrorist population in Mindanao and Luzon from 25,000 during Marcos Sr’s era to 1,500 today. He commended India for the sale of three batteries of anti-ship BrahMos missiles worth $375 million in 2022 that are deployed at Luzon and will cover the Scarborough Shoal seized by China.

Four PLA Navy warships, three CCG vessels and 13 other ships that constituted the armada in the June 17 incident left the area the next day. However, on June 24, the world’s largest coastal ship, CCG 5901, appeared in PEEZ; on June 30, the Chinese deployed the aircraft carrier Shandong. The Chinese are unlikely to be deterred, but are the Americans ready to invoke the MDT for a tiny Filipino shoal? Maintaining international pressure is essential to ensuring the Chinese do not control all of the SCS. Still, the Chinese are one up for now.

Since the attack on Monday, 60 people have been detained for questioning, including three individuals suspected of providing food and shelter to the terrorists

ammu, July 11

More Army personnel were deployed in the hills and dense forests of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua-Udhampur-Doda belt as the search for the terrorists behind the ambush on an Army patrol in Kathua district entered its fourth day on Thursday.

Since the attack on Monday, that killed five Army personnel and injured as many, 60 people have been detained for questioning, including three individuals suspected of providing food and shelter to the terrorists, officials said.

One of those detained is a woman who cooked food and handed over it to a person. The quantity of food prepared was sufficient for “10 to 15 people”, they said. Security agencies suspect that the food was intended for the terrorists, the officials added.

In Kathua, senior police and Border Security Force officers from Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab met to discuss the security grid along the International Border (IB), from across which the terrorists are believed to have infiltrated, the officials said.

In the interstate security review meeting, discussions were held on devising a joint strategy for addressing cross-border infiltration along the Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab stretch of the IB and countering terrorist activities in the Jammu region, bordering Punjab, they said.

On the search operation, the officials said troops are moving with caution as there is a threat of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDS).

The search has been expanded into the hilly areas of Kathua, Udhampur, and Doda districts of the Jammu region that has seen a spate in terror incidents since June.

Troops from the Army’s 9 Corps have intensified their presence in the Kathua hills, while the Delta Force of the 16 Corps has moved in more personnel in the twin districts of Udhampur and Doda, focusing on areas like Seoj Dhar, historically a sanctuary for terrorists, particularly foreign militants, in 1990s.

This has been done to cordon the hilly areas so that the terrorists cannot escape, the officials said and added that the ground teams are being supported by surveillance data from unmanned aerial vehicles. Special Forces and sniffer dog units of the Army have been also deployed, they said.

These areas are characterized by dense forests, deep valleys, caves, and rugged terrain, with troops contending with adverse weather conditions such as rain and fog, the officials said.

Security measures have been increased to counter potential IED threats along highways and other sensitive areas, including the sites of the ongoing Amarnath yatra, they said.

Captain Avhilash Rawat and his crew were declared winners by the IMO on Wednesday

London, July 11

Captain Avhilash Rawat and his crew of an oil tanker have been named among the winners of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) 2024 Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea for their “extraordinary courage” shown in a Red Sea rescue mission.

Rawat and his crew were declared winners by the IMO on Wednesday for the “determination and endurance” demonstrated while coordinating firefighting and damage control efforts to combat a fire that broke out after an anti-ship missile reportedly fired by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels struck their vessel ‘Marlin Luanda’ earlier this year.

Captain Brijesh Nambiar and the crew of the Indian Navy ship INS Visakhapatnam have been conferred a Letter of Commendation for their support to the oil tanker when in distress.

“On the evening of 26 January 2024, the Marlin Luanda, carrying 84,147 tonnes of Naphtha, was en route from Suez to Incheon when it was struck by an anti-ship ballistic missile. The explosion ignited a cargo tank, creating a significant fire hazard with flames exceeding 5 metres,” reads the award citation.

“Despite the damage, Captain Avhilash Rawat swiftly organised firefighting efforts, ensuring the crew’s safety and maintaining the ship’s navigability amidst the chaos. With the starboard lifeboat destroyed, the remaining crew mustered at the port lifeboat station, ready for potential evacuation,” it added.

Despite the extreme danger and the constant threat of further attacks, Rawat and his crew fought the fire using fixed foam monitors and portable hoses. The fire continued to spread, particularly affecting an adjacent tank, but the crew managed to contain it using seawater after foam supplies were exhausted, the IMO notes.

After four and a half hours fighting the fire on their own, assistance arrived from the merchant tanker Achilles and later from the French frigate FS Alsace and the United States frigate USS Carney, which provided additional firefighting foam and support, followed soon after by the Indian warship INS Visakhapatnam.

Despite relentless efforts by the Marlin Luanda crew, the fire reignited multiple times. The situation remained critical, and expert consultations suggested abandoning the vessel.

However, Captain Rawat and his crew persisted. The turning point came when professionally trained firefighters from the Indian Navy boarded the ship. They managed to get closer to the fire due to their superior equipment, and their efforts, combined with those of the Marlin Luanda crew, finally succeeded in extinguishing the fire and sealing a significant hull breach.

“Twenty-four hours after the missile strike, the Marlin Luanda sailed to safety under naval escort,” the IMO noted.

Captain Rawat and his crew were nominated for the award by the Marshall Islands and, along with Captain Jorge Fernando Galaviz Fuentes and the crew of the tugboat Pemex Maya, nominated by Mexico, will receive their awards at the annual ceremony to be held at the IMO Headquarters in London on December 2, during the 109th session of the Maritime Security Committee. 

A total of 41 nominations were received from 15 member states and three non-governmental organisations in consultative status with IMO. Nominations were initially reviewed by an Assessment Panel, and their recommendations were considered by a panel of judges, who ultimately selected the recipients of honours.

The recommendations of the Panel of Judges have now been endorsed by the IMO Council, meeting for its 132nd session being held in London this week.