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Maharashtra

RTI reply: ‘No commonly delineated’ LAC between India-China

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 As India and China with increasing frequency grunt and growl at each over their territorial rights, an RTI reply has said that there is actually no ‘Line of Actual Control’ between the world’s two most populous nations.

The RTI revelations were in response to a query filed by Pune businessman Prafful Sarda to the Ministry of Home Affairs, which was later transferred to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) seeking details of the LAC.

The reply was an eye-popper: “There is no commonly delineated Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the border areas between India and China.”

The government admitted in its April 2018 reply that from time to time, on account of the difference in the perception of the LAC, “situations have arisen on the ground that could have been avoided if we had a common perception of the LAC”.

The government said that it regularly takes up an transgression along the LAC with China through established mechanisms like border personnel meetings, flag meetings, meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs, and of course the diplomatic channels.

“The Bharatiya Janata Party government has been claiming that it has protected the country from Chinese incursions in Arunachal Pradesh and in Ladakh region. However, since by its own admission, there is no mutually-accepted LAC, then which areas it has actually secured and what is the real ground situation currently,” Sarda urged.

Interestingly, much later, the Army Headquarters had declined to give details on ceasefire violations along the LAC and the June 2017 Doklam (Donglang, as referred by China) skirmishes, on grounds of exemption under the RTI Act 2005, Sec. 8(1)(a).

This Section reads that the government is not obliged to give to citizens any “information, disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State, relation with foreign State or lead to incitement of an offence”.

“As far as the Line of Control (LoC — between India-Pakistan) is concerned, the government has admitted to around 320 ceasefire violations (2004-2013, during the UPA tenure), which shot up to more than 11,625 from 2014 – February 2021. Why can’t it enlighten the people and Parliament similarly on the figures of LAC ceasefire violations on the India-China borders,” demanded Sarda.

The Indo-Chinese border has been a cause of concern in the past over five years with several stand-offs with casualties and alleged fatalities that the world is watching anxiously amid apprehensions of a major flare-up between the two most-populous nuclear-powered nations.

Among the recent border disturbances along the LAC include: Doklam (June 2017), Galwan Valley skirmishes (June 2020) with reports of fatalities, clashes near Sikkim (January 2021), allegations of cross-firing in the air (September 2021), and the Tawang fisticuffs (December 2022) with injuries.

The much-vexed India-China border is around 3,500 kms long on the frontline Union Territories of Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, comprising the undisputed McMahon Line.

Crime

Mumbai Airport Customs Seize Drugs Worth ₹13.83 Crore, 2 Passengers Arrested

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Mumbai: The Mumbai Airport Customs officers in two separate cases have seized over 13 kg of smuggled drugs having illicit market value of approx Rs 13.83 crores. Two passengers have been arrested by the Customs for smuggling contraband.

According to the agency sources, on the basis of profiling, the Customs officers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) Mumbai, intercepted one passenger who had arrived from Bangkok on Monday.

“During the examination of the baggage, the Customs officers recovered 11.83 kg of suspected hydroponic weed (marijuana), with an illicit market value of approximately Rs 11.83 crores. The narcotic substance was cleverly concealed inside the checked-in trolley bag carried by the passenger,” said a Customs officer. The said passenger was then arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

In another case, on the basis of specific intelligence, the Customs officers at CSMIA Mumbai intercepted and arrested one passenger who had arrived from Bangkok on Sunday. During the examination of the baggage, the Customs officers recovered 2 kg of suspected hydroponic weed with an illicit market value of approximately Rs 2 crores. The narcotic substance was cleverly concealed inside the checked-in trolley bag carried by the passeng

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Crime

Thane Crime: Senior Citizen’s Bag With Gold Worth ₹58,000 Stolen In Rickshaw By Woman With Child In Dombivli

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Thane: A 76-year-old woman’s bag containing a gold chain, a gold ring, and cash worth Rs 58,000 was stolen in a rickshaw in Dombivli by a woman travelling with a small child. The incident took place last Friday, after the victim, Vijaya Bhosale, returned from Ganpati celebrations in Konkan and hired a direct rickshaw from Pandit Dindayal Chowk to her home in Thakurwadi, near Dombivli West railway station.

As the rickshaw began its journey, a 40-year-old woman with a child forcibly entered the vehicle, despite Bhosale stating she had hired it for a solo trip. During the ride, the woman attempted to touch the gold chain around Bhosale’s neck.

When questioned, the woman denied any wrongdoing. However, she had placed her bag close to the elderly woman and managed to steal the gold ornaments and Rs 4,500 in cash from Bhosale’s wallet without being noticed.

It was only after reaching home and attempting to use her phone that Bhosale discovered the valuables were missing. She then realised the theft likely occurred during the shared rickshaw ride. A complaint has been registered at Vishnunagar police station, and authorities suspect the woman who forced her way into the rickshaw is responsible, as reported.

Reports suggest that some women have been targeting passengers near Dombivli railway station, using similar tactics. Complicating the investigation, CCTV cameras in the area were not operational at the time of the incident, making it more difficult for police to track down the suspect, described as chubby and accompanied by a child.

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Maharashtra

Historic Muhammadan procession recovered from Mumbai Khilafat House…Islam taught peace and the Prophet of Islam emphasized the importance of service to the people: Minister Chhagan Bhujbal

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Mumbai: On the occasion of Eid Miladunnabi, a procession of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was taken out with great pomp from Khilafat House, and the streets of Mumbai echoed with the slogan of Takbir-Allahu Akbar. The procession was led by Tausif Raza, along with Food and Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal. Earlier, while addressing the Seerat-e-Pak gathering at Khilafat House, the Prophet (peace be upon him) preached brotherhood and Hindu-Muslim unity, saying that Muslims took out the procession of Eid Miladunnabi on September 8 instead of September 5 because Muslims are in minority and they are younger brothers.

Therefore, it is also the duty of the majority to take care of their brothers. Unless Hindus and Muslims unite, this country cannot progress and this is the beauty of this country that Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb is still prevalent here. Describing the teachings of Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (peace be upon him), Maulana Tauseef Raza said that Islam is not just 450 years or 1500 years old, but is very ancient and the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is not 1500 years old. However, it can be said that it has been 1500 years since the migration of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). He further said that His Holiness has a belief, that is why he says, “Do the work that pleases you. It is good. May the name of Reza please you. Millions of blessings be upon you.” Wise, intellectual and politically savvy people of the world say that Islam has been there for 1400 years. The celebration of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) cannot be 1400 years old. This migration of the Prophet (peace be upon him) may be 1500 years old this year. Muslims have not existed for 1500 years. The foundation of Islam was laid when Allah produced the light of Muhammad Mustafa (peace be upon him) from His light. Allah Almighty kept the light of Muhammad with Himself. The birth of Eid Miladunnabi (peace be upon him) was not celebrated by His Holiness, but it is a divine Sunnah. The foundation of Miladunnabi (peace be upon him) is linked to Bareilly Sharif. When the rebellious sect was conspiring to erase Miladunnabi (PBUH), His Majesty presented arguments regarding Miladunnabi (PBUH). Today the 107th procession of Eid Miladunnabi has been taken out from Khilafat House. Muslims are a minority in this country and so the majority should take care of them and treat them with kindness, honesty and generosity. They should also treat Muslims and their festivals well. Only then will this country progress. This will establish brotherhood and communal harmony and love will flourish.

Addressing the gathering, Minister of State for Food and Supplies Chhagan Bhujbal said that Muhammad Mustafa (peace be upon him) taught humanity, peace, security and love, unity and equality. In Islam, the Prophet of Islam gave importance to service to the people and also taught to take care of others. This is why peace is emphasized the most in Islam. After this, Chhagan Bhujbal mentioned the freedom struggle and Khilafat Movement of Maulana Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali and said that Maulana Ali brothers had blown the trumpet of independence from this Khilafat House and Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru were also with them from here. In this gathering, Khilafat House Committee Chairman Sarfaraz Arzoo highlighted the purpose and goal of the Khilafat Committee and Eid Miladunnabi (peace be upon him) procession. Addressing the gathering, former minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik, while highlighting the life of Prophet Muhammad Saheb, said that Prophet Muhammad Saheb taught the world the lesson of peace and security by eliminating discrimination and inequality, hence Islam is a religion of peace and its followers are also peace loving. Political and social leaders and scholars including former MLA Waris Pathan, MLA Amin Patel participated in the gathering, while Maulana Mahmood Sir conducted it.

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