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Afshain Afzal
NEW YORK, 29 February 2020, TON: The American stocks sank around the globe again Friday, 28 February due to the spread of coronavirus outbreak, sending US markets to their worst weekly finish since 2008 financial crisis.
The damage remained: The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 3,583 points, or 12.4%. Microsoft and Apple, the two most valuable companies in the S&P 500, lost a combined $300 billion. In a sign of the severity of the concern about the possible economic blow, the price of oil sank 16%. Crude oil prices sank 4.9% over worries that global travel and shipping will be severely crimped and hurt demand for energy.
The Federal Reserve released a statement saying it stood ready to help the economy if needed. Investors increasingly expect the Fed to cut rates at its next policy meeting in mid-March. The US is facing worst recession and unless Fed do not shoulder the economy, the economic situation in the US is facing greatest challenge of the times.
DECCA, 27 February 2020, TON: Bangladesh is going to celebrate the 100th birthday of the father of the nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from 17th March this year till 17th March next year. Not only the people of Bangladesh but many foreign nations would celebrate the day abroad. This will be the international projection of the significance of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman towards Bangali nation. The day will be celebrated in order to let the world know who is Sheikh Mujib? why He is? and how He is? The countdown of ‘Mujib Year’ started on the 10thJanuary 2020 as the commemoration of returning back of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib to the new born Bangladesh in 1972. The countdown will be end on 17th March when Bangladesh and the world will celebrate the day. 294 programs have been chalked out with regard to ‘Mujib Year’ celebration. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has forbidden the excessive expense and illegal projection without approval of the authority in our country on this day.
Bangladesh has already received a long list of global guests who will attend a series of programs during the ‘Mujib Year’ celebrations. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, Indian National Congress Party’s President Sonia Gandhi, Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s Secretary General Dr. Yousef A Al-Othaimeen, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyam, former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, and former UNESCO Director- General Irina Bokova are some of the global leaders who will attend the programs. Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed intense interest in the ‘Mujib Year’ celebration and wished a complete success to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In Pakistan too, which remained as the Western Part and Bangladesh as Eastern part, there will be celebrations throughout the country. The Bangladesh High Commission located at Sector F-6/3, Islamabad will organize special programme while special features will be published in Pakistani media.
RIYADH, 27 February 2020, TON: Saudi Arabia has restricted travel to Holy Kaabah over fears about a viral epidemic. The move came as there were reports of over 245 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in the neighbouring countries. In an official statement announcing the decision, Saudi Foreign Ministry said “We ask God Almighty to spare all humanity from all harm.”
The extraordinary decision by Saudi Arabia stops movement of foreigners from reaching holy city of Mecca and Medina. Otherwise those already in Mecca and suburbs have not been stopped from offering prayers five times a day and other rituals. The decision also affected travel to Prophet Muhammad’s mosque in Medina.
In the neighbouring Iran, reportedly death toll from the virus has reached 22 dead and 142 confirmed cases. In Kuwait so far 43 cases have been reported while Bahrain confirmed 33 cases, all linked to travelers who recently came from Iran. In Iraq government has ordered schools and universities closed for 10 days. The government also ordered the closures of cinemas, cafes, clubs and other social gathering.
JAMMU, 26 February 2020, TON: In a recent statement, Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Dilbag Singh said, “there are 240 to 250 active listed militants in the Jammu and Kashmir valley". Few days back, New Delhi has announced that Panchayat elections in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, scheduled to be held in March 2020, have been postponed for indefinite period. It is pertinent to mention here that India abrogated the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 on 5 August and bifurcated it into two Union territories. The election for a local government was first litmus test after occupied Jammu and Kashmir State was bifurcated into two union territories, however, Indian intelligence agencies have furnished reports that it would be a great blunder and may lead to irreparable loss to India’s Jammu and Kashmir Policy.
Meanwhile, Speaking at the 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council which is being held in Geneva, Switzerland from 24 February 20 March, Vikas Swarup, Secretary Indian Ministry of External Affairs, described Pakistan as the epicenter of global terrorism. He called for decisive action against states who direct, control, fund and shelter terrorists. Interestingly, Indian Chief of Army Staff General Naravane visited Indian formations deployed in the Northern Command and witnessed the damage caused by the Pakistani Armed Forces at the Indian positions. There were allegations by some civilians that Pakistan violated Indian airspace at Ranbir Singh Pura (RS Pura) sector however, same could not be confirmed.
There are speculations that India might be planning an attack inside Pakistani territories but same is not supported by ground realities. However, there are reports that Indian Military and the Air Force are planning a misadventure during March this year. There are planners who have supported move of elements of 50 Independent Para Brigade from Chushul to Jammu as well as that of Independent Mountain Brigades. One wonders it would be a great folly on part of India to perceive that a common friend of both the countries would interfere to isolate Pakistan in case of an aerial attack. The fact cannot be denied. In case a misadventure by India is repeated, Islamabad would adopt an entirely different strategy to deal with the situation.
NEW DELHI, 25 February 2020, TON: Seventeen people were killed, 42 injured and three missing in clashes between anti and Pro Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) groups. President rump has been holding meetings with Indian leaders, diplomats and businessmen in the same city where worse clashes witnessed.
AHMEDABAD, 24 February 2020, TON: President Donald Trump arrived here on Monday on 36 hours visit to India. President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, accompanied by a 12-member official delegation on board US Airforce aircraft took off from Joint Base Andrews and reached New Delhi today evening on 24 February. This is President Trump’s second visit; earlier he visited India in 2014 as a real estate businessman for investment purposes.President Trump arrival at Ahmedabad witnessed a rally like environment attracting a very large crowd.
Few hours ahead of President Trump’s arrival, the Indian Lieutenant Governor of New Delhi tweeted that he has instructed Delhi Police and the Delhi Commissioner of Police to ensure law and order is maintained. However, clashes erupted between pro and anti-Citizen Amendment Act (CAA). A Police Head Constable was killed while Deputy Commissioner (DCP) was injured after few individuals masked restored to violence. As the clashes broke out between pro-CAA and anti-CAA protestors in Bhajanpura, Maujpur and Jaffrabad localities of New Delhi; the pro-CAA torched vehicles while chanting slogans “Jai Shri Ram“ and anti-CAA pelted stones on the opponents over the controversial legislation. The pro-CAA protested carried out firing on Police and several protester killing Police Head Constable and injuring dozens others. The authorities have imposed Section 144 of CrPC at twelve different localities in North-east district of New Delhi. Meanwhile, Mobile internet was suspended at all the twelve locations and weak signals were received at other locations.
Formal talks will be held at on Tuesday, followed by a state banquet in the evening. Reputedly, the main agenda would be US-Iran standoff following the killing of Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani, who was killed as result of input provided by Indian Radio Interception Company deployed off Baghdad. During the visit beside a Memorandum of Understanding on intelligence sharing about Iran, major defence agreement, trade and energy as well as real state agreement would be announced. President Trump is scheduled to visit cyber excellence center on Tuesday.
SRINAGAR, 22 February 2020, TON: As men with big brief cases carrying sophiscaed-equipment arrived here on 22 February 2020. A self-engineered Indian military operation was conduced by Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Jammu and Kashmir Police on night 21 / 22 February 2020. These American and Israelis personnel were at New Delhi with regard to coordination of security aspects for the visit of US President Donald Trump. As expected and planned whole India media as well as foreign channels were found telecasting breaking news and alertrs about Kashmiri militants belonging to Lashkar-e-Tayyiaba LeT) killed in the operation. It was NDTV, Firstpost, The Tribune, India Today, Outlook India, National herald India, Financial Express, News 18, Business Standard, Indian Express, DD News, Times of India, News 24, Times Now, DNA India, India TV News and many others which were continuously beating the drums.
The Indian media was found running alrerts and extensive media coverage to the encounter which media claimed to have taken place at night in the Sangam area of Bijbehara in south Kashmir during a cordon and search operation. The channels revealed that two Lashkar-e-Taibyyiba (LeT) terrorists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on 22 February 2020. The media also disclosed that Indian security forces recovered weapons, including an AK-47 rifle, a pistol and ammunition from the site of the encounter. Meanwhile, India Army also carried out propaganda that Pakistani Army resorted to unprovoked firing from across the Line of Control (LoC) in the Qasba, Shahpur and Kirni sectors of Poonch district of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir. However, it was admitted that frining was carried out by both sides.
The Orient News had reported on 20 February 2020 about the leaked fake-military operation discussed during Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane visit to Headquarters 16 Corps in Nagrota in which “General Naravane directed the troops to show bravery and courage during live operation during the US President’s visit to the area to impress upon the nature of terrorism faced by Indian security forces and Indian operations to eliminated terrorists”.
Interestingly, a day earlier, Corps Commander 15 Corps Lieutenant General Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon, top commander of Indian occupation forces in Jammu and Kashmir issued a statement here on Friday, confessing the reign of terror in occupied Jammu and Kashmir said, “Before 5 August 2019, funeral gatherings of killed terrorists (Mujahideen) used to be high and sometimes had more than 10,000 people, however, there has been a sharp decline in such tendencies as there were instances now where terrorists (Mujahideen) were buried and funeral was attended by just by a dozen of close relatives". General Dhillon claimed, “There is remarkable decrease in the number of local youths joining various terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir was a result of Operation 'Maa' launched by the Indian Army, which also targeted the leaderships of outfits in a people friendly manner."
There is no doubt that the root cause of the tense situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the genocide of Kashmiris at the hands of Indian occupying military forces is non implementation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution on the fate of disputed State of Jammu and Kashmir. Unless, the UN intervenes and allow the Kashmiris their right of self-determination through plebiscite to either to join India or Pakistan, peace cannot be restored. One wonders how long the VETO powers, UNO, human rights organizations would ignore the issue and allow Indian occypying forces to continue genocide of the Kashmiris.
The word ‘freedom’ to Bangali nation means nothing but the commemoration of the rhythm of Joy Bangla. As spell of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and presently her Mujibur Rehman’s daughter,they are able to achieve, secure and preserve Bangla freedom. No one can deny Sheikh Mujibur Rehman’s ‘patriotism’ and it was, indeed, the only ornament with which he had decorated his entire life. Whenever Bangladesh and Bangalis will gain real freedom and freedom in life only then the dream of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman will come true. To materialize this dream, the elder daughter of Bangabandhiu Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been transforming and decorating Bangladesh and its people in a new form. She is moving ahead with unmatchable bravery like her father.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the fortune-creator of Bangali nation. In pursuit to loving his country and people of the country, he faced life-long imprisonment. People of this country fought against every restriction and sacrificed themselves to win freedom. In the path to freedom, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, thought that the creation of Pakistan would be the only way to gain liberty. But he had to surrender before British imperialism and diplomacy. The map of ‘Pakistan’ and ‘Hindustan’ which were created by Lord Clive, breaking of ethical brotherhood, the unveiling of religious politics are the revenges of English towards the entire India. But the Bangalis could not realize the diplomacy and fought for the partition and independence of Pakistan. Unfortunately Pakistan appeared as the newly created prison for them. Ruling authorities were busy in occupying power in the name of governance. How many Bangalis died in the process was not headache of the government rather their headache was that how the remaining surviving population could be crushed.
At this juncture, Mujibur Rehman noticed that leaders and individuals who struggled for the freedom and attainment of Pakistan were changing to gain power, however, Mujibur Rehman never changed. He was imprisoned without any crime and was compelled to stay far away from loving family was his close friend. But he never gave up. During that period of political crisis he was successful in building up a powerful opposition party ‘Awami League’ but had to suffer in the conspiracy of ‘Jukto Front’. However, despite all odds, Bandabandhu was strongly determined to attain liberty. He inspired Bangalis and managed to turn the 26 March’s genocide into War of Liberation. At last, Bangladesh achieved freedom. It was great sorrow that Sheikh Mujibur Rehman had to surrender in front of death in the blackest day of Bangalis' history. He was killed but his dreams never died. Now his daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working to make those dreams into a reality and is successful in her mission.
At least 19 attempts were made to kill her but all failed and she survived by the grace of Almighty Allah. All these attempts on her life made her stronger and unbeatable. She has been awarded ‘Deshrotno’ for her service to country and people of Bangladesh. As she has also contributed a lot for environment protection and the earth, she was awarded as ‘Champion of The Earth-2015’.She is considered ‘Mother of Humanity’ worldwide as she did not sacrifice her conscience in order to secure national interest. Today the majority of Bangladeshis are bounded into the chain of ‘information technology’. This new form of geopolitics has emerged in which Great powers are leading the whole world not by war or trade but by social media. It is neo-Imperialism. Whenever Bangali nation would win real freedom from the political chain and would be able to learn how to utilize any new innovations perfectly, on that day the dream of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman will come into reality and Bangali nation win real freedom.
KATHUA, 20 February 2020, TON: Indian Border Security Force (BSF) Assistant Commandant, BB Yadav committed suicide today. His body has been sent to sub-district hospital, Hiranagar, for postmortem. However, there are reported of brawl between the BSF officer and the Infantary personnel posted at the outpost.
BB Yadav was posted at BSF’s Karole Krishna border outpost in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district but he was summoned at the headquarters some days back on the TON’s report dated 15 February 2020 that BSF and piquets of Indian infantry battalions targeted residential areas of nearby villages across the Line of Control (LoC) where three women injured.
Suicide has become a normal affair in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir state due to tense security situation and rebukes from local Kashmir population as well as superior officers on grounds of lenient action against Kashmiris.
JAMMU, 20 February 2020, TON: In less than one month on 19 February 2020, India Army Chief General MM Naravane visited Headquarters 16 Corps in Nagrota. On the occasion Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General YK Joshi and other senior officers were present. General Naravane was given detail presentation of the prevailing situation and was also briefed about scheduled visit of US President Donald Trump.
If we recall, it was 23rd January 2020, General Manoj Mukund Naravane visited Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir to review situation on Line of Control (LoC) and witness operational preparedness of Indian army.
This time too General officer was also briefed about anti-militancy operations in the Jammu and Kashmir, ceasefire violations by Pakistan Army troops along the LoC in different sectors including border districts. General Naravane directed the troops to show bravery and courage during live operation during the US President’s visit to the area to impress upon the nature of terrorism faced by Indian security forces and Indian operations to eliminated terrorists.
