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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

Thane: At Least 2 Killed, Six Injured After Massive Blast At Factory In Shahad

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Thane: At least 2 workers were killed and six others were seriously injured in an explosion at Century Rayon factory at Shahad in Thane district on Saturday afternoon. The injured have been rushed to local hospitals.

The police administration and fire brigade personnel have reached the spot and an investigation to ascertain the cause of the blast is underway. 

According to Thane Municipal Corporation officials, the blast took place while filling a gas container.

“A tanker of nitrogen gas was brought to the company which was supposed to be filled with CS2 (Carbon disulfide), and the blast took place during the checking of the tanker,” the police said.

Injured in critical condition

Officials said that those injured in the incident have been rushed to different hospitals and admitted there. “Condition of some of them was said to be critical, and they had to be shifted to ICU,” they added.

Locals in the vicinity reported that the explosion was so fierce that four to five houses in the surrounding areas were shaken. 

Interestingly, a barricade has been installed at the company’s gate and the media has been prevented from entering. 

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Maharashtra

Navi Mumbai: PMC Sees 148 Dengue Cases In One And A Half Months Amid Recent Spike

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Navi Mumbai: There is a continuous increase in the number of dengue and malaria patients in the Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) area and according to the information received by the health department in the last one and a half months, 148 dengue and 79 malaria patients have been found.

Details On Cases Detected

In August, the highest number of dengue cases was 126 and malaria cases were 42. Similarly, in September, 22 cases of dengue and 37 cases of malaria were found in 18 days. Sources in the health department informed that these patients are mostly found in the suburbs of Kharghar and Kalamboli.

In a survey conducted by the Municipal Health Department, New Panvel is finding the highest number of dengue patients. After New Panvel, dengue and malaria cases have increased in the suburbs of Kharghar, Kamothe, Kalamboli.

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Maharashtra

Ganeshotsav 2023: Home Minister Amit Shah Likely To Visit Mumbai On Saturday To Seek Lalbaugcha Raja Ganpati’s Blessings

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Mumbai: Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to visit the Lalbaugcha Raja Ganesh pandal on Saturday. Shah is also likely to visit the home of city BJP chief Ashish Shelar at Bandra for Ganesh Aarti tomorrow. He will also visit the homes of CM Eknath Shinde and Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis for seeking Ganesha’s darshan. Special police bandobast has been ordered throughout the city.

According to reports, at 3:30 PM on Saturday, Amit Shah will embark on his visit by paying his respects at the revered Lalbaugcha Raja Ganesh pandal. Amit Shah will be there for approximately 25 minutes. Given the significance of the event and its high-profile guest, the Central Security Agency and the Mumbai Police have jointly coordinated a robust security arrangement to ensure a safe environment.

This isn’t the first time that Amit Shah and his family will seek blessings at the feet of the Lalbaugcha Raja. The tradition continues this year, emphasizing the deep-rooted reverence for Lord Ganpati. After taking blessings at the Lalbaugcha Raja, Amit Shah’s tour includes a visit to the homes of BJP leaders for further darshan of Ganpati Bappa.

Detailed Schedule for the Day

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