African Union-Somalian troops jointly thwart Al-Shabaab attack on Somalian military bases
Addis Ababa/Mogadishu, July 26 (UNI) African Union (AU) troops backed by Somali security forces thwarted an attack on military bases by the extremist Al-Shabaab group in Sabiid-Anole town, located southwest of the capital Mogadishu.
The AU Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) said Al-Shabab fighters had launched a coordinated attack on military bases manned by AU troops and Somali National Armed Forces in the early hours of the day yesterday.
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United News of India
2 hours ago
- United News of India
Himachal HC strikes down Encroachment Regularisation Law; Thousands face eviction
Shimla, Aug 5(UNI) In a landmark decision with far-reaching implications, the Himachal Pradesh High Court today struck down Section 163-A of the Himachal Pradesh Land Revenue Act, 1954, a provision that enabled the regularisation of encroachments on government land. The judgment, delivered by a division bench comprising Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and Justice Bipin Chander Negi, ruled the provision unconstitutional and directed the State to remove all encroachments that were to be regularised under the now-nullified section. The verdict came in response to a writ petition filed 23 years ago: Poonam Gupta vs State of Himachal Pradesh. It challenged the constitutional validity of Section 163-A. The provision, introduced in 2002 during the first tenure of Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, allowed the State Government to frame rules for the regularisation of encroachments on government land, ostensibly to benefit small and marginal farmers. However, the court observed that this legislative maneuver attempted to "legalise illegality" and was inherently violative of Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before law. 'Equality cannot be claimed in illegality,' the court stated, adding that 'the impugned provision is in fact legislation for a class of dishonest persons.' The court emphasized that deliberate and voluntary encroachments amount to criminal trespass under Section 441 of the Indian Penal Code and held that such infractions cannot be regularised. It cited earlier Supreme Court judgments which make a distinction between involuntary encroachments due to dire circumstances and deliberate, designed land grabs. The court cited government records to show that over 1.23 lakh hectares of land had been encroached upon and that 1.67 lakh applications had been received under the now-struck down regularisation scheme. This, the court noted, encouraged large-scale land grabbing, dishonesty, and complete disregard for environmental and legal safeguards. Referencing the doctrine of public trust and the constitutional duty of both citizens and the State to protect natural resources, the bench remarked:'Failure to remove encroachments and protect government land is a failure in governance. It promotes dishonesty and undermines the rule of law.' Importantly, the court underscored that public resources, including forests, rivers, mountains, and lands belong to the people and must be safeguarded not just for the present, but for future generations. It invoked principles such as sustainable development and intergenerational equity, stating that orchards and private use of forest lands defeat the very purpose of ecological conservation. The judgment also dismantled the argument that Section 163-A was meant to uplift the poor and downtrodden. It noted that there are already three distinct schemes, including the HP Grant of Land to Landless Persons, designed to benefit the truly landless. The court was critical of the misuse of public sympathy to justify unauthorised land occupation and decried the misuse of 'public interest' to favour select individuals who violated the law. Moreover, the court observed glaring contradictions in the State's rationale. While the legislature attempted to enforce stricter rules against encroachments under Section 163, it simultaneously introduced Section 163-A to regularise the same. 'It is demonstratively and excessively contradictory and mutually destructive,' the judgment read. In a related context, the court highlighted its previous directions to the government, issued in PILs 17 of 2014 and 9 of 2015, to enforce strict measures against encroachments and hold revenue, forest, and public works officials accountable for inaction. Those directions are to remain in force, and all officials failing to report or act on encroachments will face disciplinary, civil, and even criminal proceedings. During the proceedings, the court was informed that the State had abandoned its 2017 proposal to bring new rules for regularisation and had no current policy to revive the struck-down law. This came after multiple stay orders in related cases were issued based on the pending draft rules. Notably, the verdict also delves into the legal critique of adverse possession, calling it an archaic and irrational doctrine. The bench said it was illogical to reward a trespasser merely for occupying land illegally for 12 years. It called upon the legislature to reconsider such laws which, in effect, legitimize dishonesty. The ruling is expected to ignite a political and legal storm in the State. With tens of thousands of applicants having admitted to encroachments by way of affidavits over the past two decades, lured by the possibility of regularization, the judgment puts them at risk of immediate eviction and penalties. The High Court, however, was clear that this is a price that must be paid to restore the rule of law and environmental balance. 'The court cannot remain a silent spectator while public land is grabbed in connivance with officials,' it said. 'This would amount to destroying democratic institutions and endorsing anarchy.' In conclusion, the court ordered the State and all competent authorities to carry out eviction proceedings as per existing laws and the timeline prescribed by the Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue), and ensure fencing, removal of illegal structures, and restoration of forest cover wherever necessary. UNI ML AAB
United News of India
2 hours ago
- United News of India
US supplied arms to Pak worth 2 Bn Dollars between 1954–1971: Indian Army Post
New Delhi, Aug 5 (UNI) The United States supplied arms and ammunition worth 2 billion Dollars to Pakistan between 1954 and 1971, according to a social media post by the Eastern Command of the Indian Army. The Eastern Command, tagged a 1971 newspaper clipping of '05 Aug 1971' headlined 'US Arms Worth $ 2 Billion Shipped to Pakistan Since 1954.' The post given exactly 54 years ago, said "This Day That Year" Build Up of War - 05 Aug 1971 #KnowFacts.' According to the post shared under the tag #KnowFacts, on Aug 4, 1971, the then Minister for Defence Production VC Shukla had informed the Rajya Sabha, "Our estimate" of the value of US arms shipments to Pakistan since they entered into arms pact in 1954 was $2 billion". He noted that both the United States and China had supplied military equipment to Pakistan at highly concessional rates, even describing them as 'throw-away prices' while the French sold them against hard cash "with no concessions". He further said that while there was no precise information on the arms supplied to Pakistan after March 26 (when it cracked down on Bangladesh) available, Shukla, however, said "China had supplied "large quantities" of Non-lethal items". UNI RBE RB 1445
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First Post
3 hours ago
- First Post
A year after Hasina's exit, stability remains a distant dream for Bangladesh
A country that was once exemplified by development and progress is now sliding into political turmoil and economic volatility—underscoring the importance of strong central leadership, despite its flaws read more Bangladesh, given the history of coups and regime changes, witnessed another dramatic turn of events on August 5, 2024, when its Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, was made to resign and flee the country as a sequel to massive nationwide student protests. Her government's decision to reserve 30 per cent jobs for the children of 'freedom fighters' triggered the protests, as it would have taken the reservation quota to 56 per cent, thus further adding to the high rate of unemployment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This marked an end to Sheikh Hasina's 15 years of uninterrupted rule wherein she wielded immense political control, although her authoritarian tendencies and electoral manipulation drew deep dissent. Incidentally, Bangladesh witnessed significant economic progress during her tenure and was hailed as the rising tiger of South Asia. Immediately after Sheikh Hasina fled to India, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker Uz Zaman declared the army takeover. Soon he announced the formation of an interim government to be headed by Mohammad Yunus, a Nobel Laureate who was based in Paris and known as a critic of Sheikh Hasina. The majority of the members of the Yunus government are those who had played a key role in the student protests. The primary task of the interim government is to facilitate the process of electing the new government. However, Yunus is engaged in taking major policy decisions, including the electoral reforms and foreign policy reset. Bangladesh politics over the last five decades have been dominated by two main political parties – Awami League (AL), led by Sheikh Hasina, and Bangladesh National Party (BNP), led by Khalida Zia. The sudden political vacuum due to Hasina's departure led to the internal turbulence. Khalida, who was under house arrest and long marginalised by the BNP, has attempted to stage a comeback. Currently, both political parties lack coherence due to internal fissures and power struggles. With the political environment highly fractured, there is marked erosion of democratic institutions in Bangladesh. The judiciary seemingly is politicised and ineffective, as is also the election commission. A large number of office bearers, civil servants, media personnel and academics from the minority community or those who were seen to be AL sympathisers were forced to resign after being humiliated and thrashed. The 'Digital Security Act' continues to be used by the new entities to clamp down on the critics. The temples and minority-owned businesses have been frequently attacked by the radical elements and local mobs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Islamist elements and extremist groups like the Jamaat-Ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh and Hefazat-e-Islam, against whom Sheikh Hasina had taken a firm stand, sensing opportunity, are now reasserting themselves. Incidentally, its cadres were part of a paramilitary force (Razakars) who supported the Pakistan Army's nine-month genocide and loot in 1971. In view of the recent violent incidents in Rajshahi, Sylhet and parts of Chittagong, there is growing apprehension amongst the public about the return of Islamist terror that plagued Bangladesh in the mid-2000s. While there have been protests and demonstrations during the past year, the Yunus government has not faced major challenges, as the main political parties are in disarray. Recently, the newly formed National Consolidated Party (NCP) workers led a march to Gopalganj with the intent to desecrate the tomb of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which was resisted by the locals. This was resisted by the army and police along with the elements of NCP and Jamiat functionaries, resulting in the arrests of over 4,000 people with many missing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The military had adopted a neutral stance during the protests against Sheikh Hasina but now is playing an increasing role in the nation's governance. The security apparatus evidently is either compromised or paralysed. The police and law maintenance agencies are facing internal corruption and lack of coordination. Law and order has broken down in several districts, with armed groups and political militias seizing control of local governance structures. Bangladesh's steady economic boom during the last couple of years was largely driven by the 'ready-made garment' sector, remittances and a growing middle class. Due to the internal political crisis and global economic slowdown, Bangladesh's economy is showing signs of crumbling, marked by inflation, currency depreciation (the taka depreciated by 15 per cent against the dollar this year) and declining investor confidence. Power shortages and hikes in fuel prices have led to protests in urban areas. The IMF has raised concerns about Bangladesh's rising debt levels. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With Dhaka's political leaning towards Beijing, the Dragon is rapidly expanding its economic and strategic tentacles in Bangladesh. Infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the sale of defence equipment and joint exercises between the two militaries are indications of growing proximity between Bangladesh and China. Bangladesh is gradually walking into the 'debt diplomacy trap', vindicating the IMF's concern, as brought out earlier. Yunus has taken pains to mend relations with Pakistan. A military delegation from Pakistan had visited Bangladesh a few months back. Direct trade between the two countries has also commenced, with the process of normalisation being facilitated by China. Recently, a meeting of foreign ministers of China, Pakistan and Bangladesh was held in Kunming (China). It is evident that a new Beijing-Dhaka-Islamabad trilateral is emerging, and Turkey's growing engagement in the region could well make it a quad. The India-Bangladesh ties today are in limbo due to the rise in anti-India rhetoric and pro-Pakistani narratives, tacitly supported by the current dispensation in Dhaka. There is apprehension in India about the cross-border spillover of the violence in Bangladesh, especially to its northeastern states. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In a recent instance, an Islamic group in Dhaka, 'Saltanat-e-Bangla (SeB)', known to be backed by a Turkish NGO, 'Turkish Youth Federation', put out a map of so-called 'Greater Bangladesh' that included parts of India. The map in question was displayed in Dhaka University, although the Bangladesh government has denied any evidence of SeB operating in the country. The strained relations with Bangladesh undermine India's 'Act East Policy'. Security of the 4,096 km-long porous India-Bangladesh border is a major challenge for Delhi, especially the large-scale surge in illegal migration into India's northeastern states, impacting the demographic profile and thus giving rise to local tensions and identity politics. The situation is further compounded with the smuggling of narcotics, arms and human trafficking. Bangladesh harbours nearly a million Rohingya refugees, and there is consistent effort to push them into India. In Bangladesh's stability and prosperity, India has high stakes, being a close neighbour and once a strategic partner. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A year after Sheikh Hasina's exit, Bangladesh is in a state of flux, grappling with internal disorder and uncertainty. A country which was once exemplified by development and progress is now sliding into political turmoil and economic volatility. This underscores the importance of strong central leadership, despite its flaws. The Yunus government has announced holding elections in April 2026. With AL banned and radical forces gaining ground, it is to be seen whether Bangladesh will transition into a more inclusive democracy or revert to an authoritarian military rule. The current state of uncertainty and turbulence in Bangladesh is cause for serious concern, as it stands on the edge, with the road to stability rather arduous. It is imperative that the nation's political class adopt a bipartisan approach to rebuild institutions, restore democratic norms and address the root cause of the socio-economic discontent to obviate the likelihood of prolonged chaos and even the risk of fragmentation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The author is a war veteran, former Assistant Chief, served as Defence Attaché in China and North Korea; currently Professor of Strategic-IR & Management Studies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
