Pakistan commits 48th ceasefire violation
Five civilians were killed and four injured after Pakistani troops began shelling positions along the Line of Control in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday. A 10-year-old child was among those killed by the shelling, which began at around 12.30 pm on India’s Independence Day, officials said. The Indian Army returned the fire, the officials said. This was the 48th ceasefire violation by Pakistan since last month. Nine people have died and more than three dozen have been injured by the shells.
OROP protesters to intensify agitation
An ex-servicemen’s association on Saturday said that they would intensify their agitation over the delay in the implementation of the One Rank One Pension scheme. Rejecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s in-principle acceptance of the programme, the ex-servicemen said that they would continue to demand that it be started immediately. During his Independence Day speech, Modi said that negotiations over OROP were in their final stage.
Rahul refuses to remark on Modi’s speech
Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday refused to comment on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech. “Today is not a day of politics,” Gandhi said, after the Indian flag was unfurled at the All-India Congress Committee headquarters in New Delhi. Congress President Sonia Gandhi also refused to make any remarks about Modi’s speech.
Naga issue reaching ‘crucial stage’
The issue of Naga sovereignty and integration was reaching a “crucial political stage”, Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) leader Thuingaleng Muivah said on Saturday. Acknowledging that the “first initiative” to seek a political solution to the insurgent crisis had been taken by the Indian government, Muivah said that there could be “no meeting point” between the sides if the Central government did not respect “the rights of the Nagas”. His remarks came weeks after the Indian government and the rebel outfit signed a landmark peace accord to end one of India’s longest-running insurgencies.
Prime Minister begins two-day visit to UAE
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates on Sunday. He will be the first Indian head of state to visit the Arab federation in over 30 years. He is expected to raise the issue of militant groups such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant with the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Prime Minister will also visit the residents of a labour camp that is home to 28,000 Indian workers. On the final day of the visit, Modi will address a gathering of around 50,000 Non-Resident Indians at the Dubai Cricket Stadium. Trade ties between India and the UAE are estimated to be worth around $60 billion a year.
Five civilians were killed and four injured after Pakistani troops began shelling positions along the Line of Control in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday. A 10-year-old child was among those killed by the shelling, which began at around 12.30 pm on India’s Independence Day, officials said. The Indian Army returned the fire, the officials said. This was the 48th ceasefire violation by Pakistan since last month. Nine people have died and more than three dozen have been injured by the shells.
OROP protesters to intensify agitation
An ex-servicemen’s association on Saturday said that they would intensify their agitation over the delay in the implementation of the One Rank One Pension scheme. Rejecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s in-principle acceptance of the programme, the ex-servicemen said that they would continue to demand that it be started immediately. During his Independence Day speech, Modi said that negotiations over OROP were in their final stage.
Rahul refuses to remark on Modi’s speech
Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday refused to comment on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech. “Today is not a day of politics,” Gandhi said, after the Indian flag was unfurled at the All-India Congress Committee headquarters in New Delhi. Congress President Sonia Gandhi also refused to make any remarks about Modi’s speech.
Naga issue reaching ‘crucial stage’
The issue of Naga sovereignty and integration was reaching a “crucial political stage”, Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) leader Thuingaleng Muivah said on Saturday. Acknowledging that the “first initiative” to seek a political solution to the insurgent crisis had been taken by the Indian government, Muivah said that there could be “no meeting point” between the sides if the Central government did not respect “the rights of the Nagas”. His remarks came weeks after the Indian government and the rebel outfit signed a landmark peace accord to end one of India’s longest-running insurgencies.
Prime Minister begins two-day visit to UAE
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates on Sunday. He will be the first Indian head of state to visit the Arab federation in over 30 years. He is expected to raise the issue of militant groups such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant with the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Prime Minister will also visit the residents of a labour camp that is home to 28,000 Indian workers. On the final day of the visit, Modi will address a gathering of around 50,000 Non-Resident Indians at the Dubai Cricket Stadium. Trade ties between India and the UAE are estimated to be worth around $60 billion a year.
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!