Connect with us
Monday,16-June-2025
Breaking News

Maharashtra

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

Published

on

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

Heavy rains in Mumbai city affect urban system

Published

on

Mumbai: Heavy rains have been continuing in Mumbai city since midnight, due to which traffic in Mumbai has also been affected and local trains, which are called lifelines, are also running late. Central Railway trains are running late by 15 to 20 minutes, while services on the Western Line have also been affected due to the impact of rain. Due to the rain in Mumbai since last night, citizens are facing a lot of trouble due to traffic jams on the roads. Due to traffic and water accumulation in low-lying areas, the routes of BEST buses have also been changed. Due to rain, a bus of the back depot got stuck in a pothole on the road when it was raining. The wheel of the bus got stuck in the pothole on Jaikar Marg, after which the route of the bus was changed. The Meteorological Department has predicted heavy to very heavy rains in Mumbai city and suburbs for the next 48 hours, so the government has ordered the BMC to remain on alert mode.

Air services were also affected due to rain. Flights were also affected due to bad weather, while there have been complaints of traffic jams due to potholes on the roads in Mumbai city during the rain. The sea has also been flooded due to the rain and high waves have risen in the sea. 95 mm of rain was recorded in the city, 58 mm in the northern suburbs and 75 mm in the western suburbs. Due to the flood situation in Mumbai city, normal civil order was definitely affected, but normal life was going on. A flood alert has been issued in the sea and there will be floods tomorrow as well, so citizens have been appealed not to go to the beach. Along with this, divers have also been deployed on the beach. There have been complaints of water accumulation in low-lying areas due to rain in Andheri metro area.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Mumbai Rains: Heavy Rainfall Hit Transport; Local Trains, Flights Face Delay, Waterlogging Leads To Traffic Jams

Published

on

Mumbai: Heavy rains affected Mumbai and coastal regions of Maharashtra on Sunday because of the monsoon’s activation. Mumbai’s local train services experienced delays, and certain flights at the airport encountered brief disruptions because of harsh weather conditions.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted ongoing intense rainfall for Mumbai, its surrounding areas, and adjacent districts. A red alert has been declared for Mumbai, while Raigad received a red alert due to forecasts of heavy rainfall anticipated in the next two hours.

Travel advisories indicated that all flight operations could be impacted, encouraging passengers to verify their flight status. Rain and thunderstorms had been continuous since the previous night, although their intensity diminished in South Mumbai by the afternoon. Water accumulation was observed in various low-lying areas, affecting traffic movement on primary roads such as LBS Road in Kurla and Vakola Bridge.

Rainfall totals indicated significant accumulation: 161 mm in Wadala, 150 mm in Prabhadevi, 147 mm in Matunga, with numerous other regions recording between 100 mm and 150 mm.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation cautioned about rising sea levels, with waves possibly hitting 4.21 meters. Authorities stressed the importance of reaching out to the control room helpline for help in emergencies. With changing conditions, residents are urged to stay vigilant regarding flooding and traffic issues throughout the city.

The NMMC’s Disaster Management Cell reported five trees down due to 44.48 mm of rain in 24 hours. Belapur (52.04 mm) and Nerul (49.27 mm) were the most affected. Morbe Dam’s water level is 73.69 meters. An orange alert is issued for Thane and Raigad with heavy rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds expected. Residents are advised to ensure safety and contact emergency numbers.

IndiGo Airlines has issued a travel advisory due to a “temporary disruption” in flight schedules over Mumbai caused by heavy rainfall. Passengers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys as delays and slower traffic are anticipated.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy rain in Mumbai and surrounding areas later in the day. From June 18 to 21, isolated heavy rains are expected in Kokan, Goa, and parts of Maharashtra, with light to moderate rainfall in Gujarat on June 16 and 17. A red alert has also led to a holiday for educational institutions in several Kerala districts today.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Senior inspector Chavan suspended for illegal activity in Andheri bar

Published

on

Mumbai: Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti has given an important message after the raid on a dance bar in Andheri. Local senior police inspector Rajiv Chavan, who was involved in the raid, has been suspended from duty. Police sources said that the raid was conducted jointly by officials of the Property Cell and Crime Branch Unit 2. A senior police inspector of MIDC police station was suspended for negligence in duty after the Crime Branch found 40 bargirls allegedly dancing and indulging in inappropriate activities at a bar in Andheri on Sunday morning.

Senior Inspector Rajiv Chavan of MIDC police station has been suspended by Additional Commissioner of Police, West Zone, Paramjit Singh Dahiya after the Crime Branch conducted a massive raid on the Night Lovers Orchestra Bar in Marol, Andheri. Sources said that the raid was conducted jointly by officials of the Property Cell and Crime Branch Unit 2. More than 40 bar girls were found in the bar, which is a clear violation of the rules allowing such orchestra bars to operate. Dahiya confirmed that based on the action of the crime branch, a crime was registered against the bar operator at the MIDC police station and the MIDC police station in-charge was suspended as the bar was operating under his jurisdiction. A departmental inquiry has been initiated against Chavan.

Another police officer said that finding 40 girls in a bar during the raid is no small matter and it shows that the bar owner was not afraid of the law enforcers and was running his illegal business fearlessly. The officer further said that such strict action will also send a strong message to the heads of other police stations to remain vigilant and keep a close watch on such illegal activities in the institutions under their respective jurisdiction.

Continue Reading

Trending