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India accuses UNSC of ‘political considerations’ for failure to tackle terror

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Raising many eyebrows, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday directly accused the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) of ‘political considerations’ which prevents the global body from acting against terror.

“When it comes to proscribing some of these terrorists, the Security Council has regrettably been unable to act in some cases because of political considerations. This undermines our collective credibility and our collective interests,” Jaishankar said here without mincing words.

He was speaking at an informal briefing of the Counter Terrorism Committee of the UNSC in Mumbai — exactly a month ahead of the upcoming 14th anniversary of the 26/11, 2008 Mumbai terror strikes.

Jaishankar said that while one of the (10) terrorists in that attack was captured alive, prosecuted and convicted by the highest court in India, the key conspirators and planners of the 26/11 terror mayhem remain protected and unpunished.

Without naming any country, the EAM said that “our real tribute to the victims will be to rededicate ourselves to combating and eliminating the menace of terrorism… and this by stronger determination and joint action”, as terrorism poses a serious threat to international peace and security and to the entire humanity.

“We must rise above our political differences to address this scourge. The battle against terrorism must be fought on all fronts, all situations and all places. We cannot be found wanting in our efforts. As the UN Secretary-General stated, ‘Terrorism is pure evil one with which we can never compromise’,” said Jaishankar.

He said it is incumbent on all responsible members of the international community to remember the trauma of every terror victim across the world and to persevere in the efforts to bring the perpetrators of terrorism to justice, and boost the multilateral efforts by the UN to address the terror threat holistically and collectively.

Jaishankar said together “we should send out the message that the international community will never give up on holding terrorists accountable and delivering justice… 26/11 will never ever be forgotten”.

On his part, Jaishankar presented a five-point formula to grapple terror by the horns, with the UN’s coordination with other bodies.

These include targeting ‘terror financing’ to hit back at and counter terrorism with the UN joining hands with others like the FATF and Egmont Group, transparent and effective functioning of the UNSC sanctions to ensure they not rendered worthless for ‘political reasons’.

“Objective and evidence-based proposals for listing of terrorist groups, especially those that curb their access to financial resources must be seen through,” he urged.

Jaishankar sought international cooperation and concerted action against terrorists and their sponsors, by dismantling their safe havens, sanctuaries, training grounds, financial and ideological plus political support structures to weed out the terror plague.

He also said terrorism’s well-established nexus with ‘transnational organised crime, illicit drugs and arms trafficking’ must be recognised and multilateral efforts must be made to break them.

The EAM said over the years, the terror groups have diversified their funding portfolios by exploiting the new or emerging but anonymous technologies like ‘virtual currencies’ for raising funds or financing their activities, more of which will be deliberated in Delhi on Saturday.

He remembered the UNSC’s condemnation of the 26/11 terror attacks — “The Members of the Council underline the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers, and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and urged all States to cooperate with the Indian authorities in this regard. All acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation”.

Present at meeting on Friday — held at the Hotel Taj Mahal Palace, one of the sites targeted in the 26/11 terror attacks — were the current UNSC President Michael Moussa Adamo who is also the Foreign Minister of Gabon, UN Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism Vladimir Voronkov, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ruchira Kamboj, Ministers, heads of delegations of the UNSC Member-States and civil society stakeholders from across the world.

Maharashtra

Mumbai: 3 Feared Dead After Ferry Travelling From Gateway Of India To Elephanta Island Capsizes

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Mumbai: In a shocking incident, a ferry which was travelling from Mumbai’s Gateway of India to Elephanta Island started sinking in the Arabian Sea on Wednesday. There are reports that around 30 passengers onboard the ferry when the incident occurred. Rescue operation is being carried and the passengers are being taken out from the sinking boat.

As per reports, the boat named Neelkamal was traveling with 30 to 35 passengers onboard. Currently, a rescue operation is underway by the defense forces. Neelkamal ferry boat was hit by the Pilot vessel at stern which led to the capsize of the boat. The incident occurred near Uran, Kunja.

As per reports, another speed boat which is said to be a patrolling boat collided with the ferry from behind due to which the ferry capsized. The collision led to the boat overturning, with around 50 passengers onboard. Rescue operations were immediately launched in coordination with the Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Police.

A total of 15 boats have been deployed in the area, including 11 Navy boats, 3 Marine Police boats, and 1 Coast Guard boat. Additionally, four helicopters are actively conducting search and rescue (SAR) missions to locate and assist survivors. So far, 66 people have been rescued from the waters. Unfortunately, three casualties have been confirmed, with their bodies recovered. The exact number of missing persons and potential casualties remains uncertain as the rescue efforts continue.

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Maharashtra

Maha Congress: BJP trying to ‘murder’ Indian democratic system through EVMs, ONOE

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Nagpur (Maharashtra), Dec 17: Continuing to take potshots at the government, Maharashtra Congress President Nana F. Patole claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA is attempting to ‘murder’ the Indian democratic system through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), here on Tuesday.

Speaking to the media, Patole said that the EVMs used in the Lok Sabha elections were not utilised for the Maharashtra Assembly elections, for which EVMs were allegedly brought here from Gujarat.

“There is a gross misuse of EVMs. BJP members are sitting on the board of directors of the companies manufacturing EVMs. The EVMs deployed during the Lok Sabha polls were not used for the state Assembly polls and for this, the EVMs were sent from Gujarat,” contended Patole.

He again slammed the Election Commission of India (ECI) for “failing to exercise its constitutional powers” and alleged that all its operations are conducted at the behest of the BJP, “thus revealing their (ECI’s) mindset” – though the government and ECI have rubbished all anti-EVM allegations.

Taking a swipe at the One Nation-One Election, Patole added that the BJP-RSS’ machinations to end the country’s democracy are evident by the ‘One Nation, No Election’ bill brought before Parliament on Tuesday.

Earlier, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) legislators continued their strong protests for the second day against EVMs, the plight of farmers, the custodial death of a Parbhani Dalit man Somnath Vyankat Suryawanshi in judicial custody, and the killing of a Beed Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.

The MVA legislators of Congress-Shiv Sena (UBT)-Nationalist Congress Party (SP) raised slogans and carried placards condemning the MahaYuti government, targeted the police for alleged atrocities in Parbhani and protecting the culprits in the Beed case, plus sought action against the officials concerned in both matters.

Amid the growing clamour from the Opposition, the Speaker said that the Parbhani matter would be taken up for discussion on Wednesday by the Assembly.

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Maharashtra

Rare bonhomie on display between Uddhav Thackeray and Devendra Fadnavis

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Nagpur, Dec 17: After a bitter fight and war of words during the recently held Assembly election, Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Vidahan Bhavan and congratulated him for MahaYuti’s victory.

Thackeray, who was accompanied by his son and former minister Aaditya Thackeray and party legislators, spent a few minutes in the CM’s chamber and gave him a bouquet wishing him his successful tenure. Both exchanged their views in a lighter atmosphere. A rare bonhomie between Thackeray and Fadnavis was on display.

“I wished Fadnavis for taking over as the chief minister and also congratulated him for MahaYuti’s victory in the state Assembly. There is a rich tradition in Maharashtra for a healthy dialogue between the ruling and opposition party leaders. I also wished him under his chief ministership Maharashtra will further progress,” said Thackeray.

Thackeray also met the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar and congratulated for his election as the Speaker.

The Shiv Sena-UBT chief has clarified that there was nothing political about his meeting with the chief minister.

Ahead of the Assembly election, Thackeray had slammed Fadnavis, likening him to an “insignificant dhekun (bed bug)” and stressing on the need “to get rid of it”. In another public meeting, Uddhav called him “tarbuz (watermelon)” that “should be dumped in potholes”.

Fadnavis hit back saying that something had affected Uddhav Thackeray’s health and he should get well soon.

Thackeray had recently targeted Fadnavis saying “Either you will remain, or I will.” However, after taking over the CM’s charge on December 5, Fadnavis downplayed Thackeray’s statement and said, “Both are in politics.”

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