NORTHERN ARMY CHIEF TERMS DISENGAGEMENT A SUCCESS

Northern Army Commander Lt General Y K Joshi said Wednesday that getting the People’s Liberation Army to withdraw beyond the Indian claim line at Finger 8 on the north bank of Pangong Tso is a “huge success for India”.

Lt General Joshi said the purpose behind occupying the heights along Kailash Range on the southern bank of Pangong Tso had been achieved with the disengagement on the northern bank of the lake.

He said a “misperception is being created” to say that India had lost out by accepting the no-patrolling buffer zone between Fingers 4 and 8.

“The fact is that it is a huge success for us. Firstly, PLA is moving back beyond our claim line that is Finger 8. Secondly, this agreement denies them the advantage of patrolling till Finger 4. In fact, PLA will not be carrying out any activity, military or otherwise in the areas claimed by us. Thirdly, they will be restoring the entire landform within our claim line and dismantling all the structures that were created post April 2020,” he said.

“At one point, PLA was not accepting to vacate this area between Finger 4 and Finger 8, but once the tables were turned on August 29/30, it was forced to negotiate as per our terms,” he said. On these dates last year, Indian Army’s Special Forces occupied the most dominating features of the Rechin La-Rezang La complex on the Kailash Range, which helped it dominate the PLA’s Moldo garrison and areas beyond. In coordinated moves, the Indian Army also occupied the heights dominating PLA positions along Finger 4.

“We were able to place tanks at Rechin La and Rezang La which was unthinkable before. This turned the tables on the PLA and brought them to the negotiating table,” Lt General Joshi said, suggesting that India would not be placed at a disadvantage by vacating those heights.

He said “so far the disengagement has been smooth and satisfactory”. The process was being monitored and verified on a daily basis. Flag meetings are held between the PLA and the Indian Army every morning to coordinate the day’s activities, and review the previous day’s implementation of the disengagement plan.

“For the first time in a faceoff with the PLA at LAC in any sector, the agreement has been put in writing, ratified by higher headquarters and then put into action. Every day, twice we are verifying every action of disengagement and confirming during the Flag Meetings. Hence, it is a very deliberate process that is being adopted, leaving no space for doubts or non-adherence,” he said, adding that the PLA was showing “sincerity of purpose”. The two sides, he said, were following a four-step plan for disengagement.

ENVOYS VISIT J&K AMID CHEERS, PROTESTS

The J&K government showcased “deepening democracy” to visiting 24 foreign diplomats, who arrived on a two-day tour of the Union Territory UT on Wednesday amid a spontaneous shutdown in Srinagar.

Welcomed by women singing traditional Kashmiri songs and showering petals on them, the team of diplomats from different continents, headed by European Union (EU) Ambassador Ugo Astuto, started the tour by attending a “Block Divas” function at a college at Magam in in Budgam.

The diplomats were apprised by District Development Council (DDC) chairman Nazir Ahmad Khan of “the positive measures” taken by the Centre post August 5, 2019, when the Centre ended the special constitutional position of J&K. “J&K has seen many remarkable positive steps after August 2019. The significant step is putting in place a three-tier system by conducting the DDC polls. J&K is witnessing strengthening of democracy,” Mr. Khan said.

Nazir Ahmad Jahra, NC leader and DDC vice-chairperson from Budgam, however, alleged that six elected DDC members of the party were detained on the occasion. “Two were not allowed to move outside their homes. We have been locked up for the last three days,” Mr. Jahra said.

During this visit, the main focus of the envoys, who are coming to J&K for the fourth time in the past 18 months, was to hear from the elected representatives of the urban local bodies, block development councils and DDC heads in Srinagar.

Elected DDC chairpersons associated with the NC, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Peoples Conference (PC) also interacted with the envoys. No invitation was extended to any senior party leaders such as Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti or Sajad Lone.

Meanwhile, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, who addressed a rally in Handwara, said, “Instead of meeting selected groups, the envoys should meet the common people.”

The Hurriyat, headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, urged the visiting 24 foreign diplomats to “push for a dialogue” on the Kashmir issue.

CONGRESS SWEEPS PUNJAB CIVIC POLLS

The ruling Congress on Wednesday swept the urban body polls in Punjab, winning six municipal corporations, emerging as the largest party in the seventh and bagging most of the 109 municipal council and nagar panchayats. The Congress won most of the municipalities by a big margin.

The Congress won in Bathinda, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Abohar, Batala and Pathankot, in the civic polls held against the backdrop of the farmers' agitation.

The opposition was routed also in the simultaneous polls for 109 municipal council and nagar panchayats. Out of the 1,817 wards at that level, the Congress won 1,102. The Shiromani Akali Dal won 252, the Aam Aadmi Party 51, the Bharatiya Janata Party 29 and the Bahujan Samaj Party 5. Independents got 374.

The outcome comes as a boost for the Congress, which has been backing the protest by farmers -- a majority of them from Punjab and Haryana -- against the BJP-led government at the Centre.

Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar said people have rejected the 'negative politics' of parties like the BJP, the SAD and the AAP. He rooted for Chief Minister Amarinder Singh as the CM candidate when assembly elections are held early next year.

The CM tweeted, 'Today's results in MC Elections are the victory of each Punjabi. It is very clear

SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal thanked party workers who he said emerged as the 'only challengers' to the 'corrupt and incompetent Congress'. 'Our workers battled unprecedented repression, money bags & govt machinery & yet emerged as a force to reckon with. Writing on the wall: 2022 elections on - Congress gone,' he tweeted.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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IN FOREIGN POLICY RESET, BIDEN PLAYS TOUGH WITH SAUDI, CHINA

There will be “repercussions” for China for human rights violations, US President Joe Biden warned on Tuesday, outlining a tough but more nuanced continuation of the Trump’s hardline policy towards Beijing. Separately, the White House announced a “recalibration” of Washington’s ties with long-time US ally Saudi Arabia, saying Biden will engage with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz rather than Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a Trump family favourite.

Biden spelled out his China policy at a townhall meeting when asked about the Uighur issue, saying for Beijing to acquire the title of a world leader, that it is trying to get, it would have to gain the confidence of other countries. “As long as they are engaged in activity that is contrary to basic human rights, it is going to be hard for them to do that,” he added.

The Biden administration is building on the Trump era drive to restore US primacy, particularly in the technology field, by freeing supply chains from China’s stranglehold. One important difference in the Biden approach to China is forsaking Trump’s go-it-alone policy in favour of working with allies, particularly partners in Europe. “When we’re in the business of picking fights with our allies instead of working with them, that takes away from our strength in dealing with China,” secretary of state Antony Blinken said in interview with NPR.

HUGE RALLIES IN MYANMAR AS UN WARNS OF VIOLENCE

Demonstrators in Myanmar gathered on Wednesday in their largest numbers so far to protest the military’s seizure of power, even after a UN human rights expert warned of violence. UN rapporteur Tom Andrews said on Tuesday that he was alarmed by reports of soldiers being transported into Yangon. “In the past, such troop movements preceded killings, disappearances, and detentions on a mass scale,” he said. “I am terrified... we could be on the precipice of the military committing even greater crimes.” Wednesday’s turnout in Yangon appeared to be one of the biggest so far. Protests also roiled Mandalay and Naypyitaw.

THE REST

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IN PUDUCHERRY, RAHUL FORGIVES FATHER’S KILLERS, LASHES OUT AT MODI

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi landed in Puducherry on Wednesday amid political turmoil, with his party on the verge of losing majority in the Assembly close to the next Assembly elections. However, he made no mention of it and sought, instead, to build an emotional connect with the locals by opening up on his father’s killers, saying he forgives them.

The overnight recall of Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi has set the stage for an intriguing political slugfest in the Union Territory, with both the ruling Congress-DMK combine and the Opposition BJP-AIADMK alliance level at 14 MLAs each in the 33-member House.

However, Rahul Gandhi, who is on a day-long trip to the UT, steered clear of the fast-changing political developments as he visited Solai Nagar and interacted with the local fishermen community.

Addressing his first public meeting for elections to the Puducherry Assembly likely in April, he alleged, “Today, an Indian person cannot get justice from the judicial system without being terrified of what will be done to him.” While journalists feared for their lives, Bills were passed in Parliament without any discussion and elected leaders like him were not allowed to speak in the Lok Sabha because, “one man thinks he is not the Prime Minister but he is the king of the country,” he said.

Gandhi accused Modi of not allowing the Congress government in the union territory to function for the last nearly five years.

GOVT ISSUES NEW GUIDELINES FOR INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS

The government on Wednesday issued new guidelines for international arrivals amid the spread of mutant variants of coronavirus in many countries.

The new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will come into effect from 23.59 hours on February 22 till further orders.

As part of the new set of guidelines, all international travellers will have to submit self-declaration form on Air Suvidha portal before their scheduled travel.

They will also have to upload a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report with exception of those traveling to India in the exigency of death in the family. The test should have been conducted within 72 hours prior to the journey and each passenger will also have to submit a declaration with respect to the authenticity of the report, as per the guidelines.

All the travellers arriving from/transiting through flights originating in the United Kingdom, Europe or Middle East shall be mandatorily subjected to self-paid confirmatory molecular tests on arrival at the Indian airports concerned (port of entry).

Keeping in mind the testing requirements for passengers from the UK, Brazil and South Africa, who have to take connecting flights, airlines should keep the passengers informed about the need for transit time of a minimum 6-8 hours at the entry airport (in India) while booking the tickets for connecting flights, as per the guidelines. Airlines should identify the international travellers arriving from/transiting through the UK, Brazil and South Africa (during past 14 days) and segregate them in-flight or while disembarking to facilitate the authorities to follow the due protocol in respect of these travellers, it stated.

UNNAO AGAIN

Bodies of two Dalit girls, aged 13 and 16, were found in the family’s field in Unnao district on Wednesday evening, along with a 17-year-old in a serious condition. The elder girls were sisters, with the 13-year-old their cousin.

The police said they suspected it to be a case of poisoning, with no signs of struggle at the site and no injury marks found prima facie on the girls. The brother of the girls claimed they had been found with their hands and feet tied up. While the younger girls were declared dead on arrival at hospital, the 17-year-old continues to be critical.

Speaking to reporters, the brother said, “They had gone to the farm to collect grass. Today, they got late returning, so we went to look for them. We found them tied up, with clothes like their chunni.”

RAMANI LET OFF, COURT JUNKS MJ AKBAR’S DEFAMATION SUIT

Delivering the landmark judgment being hailed as a watershed moment for the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment, a Delhi court maintained that a woman has the right to put forward her grievances before any platform of her choice even after decades.

A woman cannot be punished for raising her voice against such abuse, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Pandey said as he dismissed Akbar's complaint and held that no charges were proved against Ramani.

It feels great to have the truth validated before the court, a beaming Ramani told reporters after the verdict. "It feels amazing, truly does. I feel vindicated on behalf of all the women who have ever spoken out against sexual harassment at the workplace. It was me the victim who had to stand up in the court as an accused," Ramani, who named Akbar in a tweet with reference to an article titled 'To the Harvey Weinsteins of the World' she had written in Vogue India in 2017, added.

The tweet was on October 8, 2018, when the #MeToo movement was gathering pace.

Seven days later, Akbar, a celebrated editor, filed a criminal complaint against her for allegedly defaming him by accusing him of sexual misconduct decades ago when he was a journalist. Two days after that, on October 17, 2018, he resigned as minister of state for External Affairs and denied all the allegations of sexual harassment levelled by several women.

Delivering a 91-page verdict in the keenly followed case, the court said it is shameful that incidents of crime and violence against women are happening in a country where epics such as the Mahabharata and Ramayana were written around the theme of respect for women.

'... the right of reputation cannot be protected at the cost of the right of life and dignity of woman as guaranteed in Constitution under article 21 and right of equality before law and equal protection of law as guaranteed under article 14 of the Constitution,' it said.

The court accepted Ramani's contention that Akbar is not a man of stellar reputation.

AMAZON DOCUMENTS REVEAL ITS STRATEGY TO DODGE INDIA'S REGULATORS: REPORT

It was early 2019, and senior Amazon.com Inc executive Jay Carney was preparing for an important meeting. Carney was scheduled to talk with India's ambassador to the United States in Washington, D.C. In Delhi, the Indian government had just announced FDI regulations that threatened to disrupt Amazon's business in the world's second most populous country.

Before the meeting, Amazon employees prepared a draft note for Carney. The note, reviewed by Reuters, advised Carney what to say - and what not to say.

He should highlight the fact that Amazon had committed more than $5.5 billion in investment in India and how it provided an online platform for 400,000-plus Indian sellers. But he was cautioned not to divulge that some 35 of Amazon's more than 400,000 sellers in India at the time accounted for around two-thirds of its online sales.

This information was indeed politically sensitive. If it got out, it could give fresh ammunition to small Indian retailers who allege that Amazon harms their businesses by flouting federal regulations and favoring a few big sellers. It could have annoyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose political base includes millions of these small retailers. And it would have undercut Amazon's public messaging that it is the friend of small business in India. As the company says in one marketing slogan in India, it is "transforming lives, one click at a time."

The briefing note for Carney is contained in hundreds of internal Amazon documents that are reported for the first time. News of their contents could deepen the risks facing the company as it encounters intensifying government scrutiny in one of its fastest-growing markets. The documents lay bare that for years, Amazon has been giving preferential treatment to a small group of sellers on its India platform, publicly misrepresented its ties with the sellers and used them to circumvent increasingly tough regulatory restrictions here.

AUS OPEN: MEDVEDEV MAGNIFICENT AGAINST RUBLEV; TSITSIPAS STUNS NADAL

Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev dominated for Team Russia en route to the ATP Cup title. But on Wednesday, only one of the longtime friends was able to advance to the Australian Open semi-finals.

Under the hot Melbourne sun, Medvedev battled past Rublev 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 to reach the last four Down Under for the first time. The fourth seed will next play the fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas who became only the second player to recover from two sets down to beat Rafael Nadal at a Grand Slam on Wednesday, as he recorded a 3-6, 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-4, 7-5 win.

The Greek was handed a route back into the match as Nadal committed a series of uncharacteristic errors at the start of the third-set tie-break. Nadal entered the tie-break in top form, having won 24 of his 25 points on serve in the set but he could not close the match.

In women’s singles, World No. 1 and home favorite Ashleigh Barty exited the Australian Open after she was stunned by Karolina Muchova in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. The 24-year-old Czech mounted an amazing comeback to win 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena to reach her first career grand slam semifinal.

And in an all-American showdown, No.22 seed Jennifer Brady charged past good friend Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 to clinch a spot in the semifinals.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Giving opens the way for receiving. - Florence Scovel Shinn

OFF TRACK

Our dear friend and his wife went for Divorce.

Judge: You have 3 kids. How will u divide them?

Our friend discussed the issue with his wife and said:

"Ok, Sir, we will come next year with 1 more."