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South Asia
Statement:2020
Read more...
Date
Incidents
January - 1 
Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) announced that it would conduct a sit-in indefinite protest demanding separate Tipraland and scrapping of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) in Khumulwng in West Tripura District, reports East Mojo on January 2. IPFT party general secretary and Tripura
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Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) announced that it would conduct a sit-in indefinite protest demanding separate Tipraland and scrapping of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) in Khumulwng in West Tripura District, reports East Mojo on January 2. IPFT party general secretary and Tripura forest minister Mevar Kumar Jamatia said that despite meeting Union home minister Amit Shah on various occasions over the demand to keep Tripura out of CAA, nothing concrete has come out till date. He stated that “We have been fighting for a separate Tipraland so that the rights of the indigenous people can be secured, but so far no positive response has been made by the Centre. The Centre has passed the CAA without exempting Tripura from the Act even after making a request to the Centre during the meeting held in New Delhi,”. He also said that the life of the indigenous people has been affected by the continuous influx in Tripura and any further increase of population in the state would be dangerous for the culture and tradition of the indigenous people who have already become a minority.
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January - 1 
United Liberation Front of Asom-Pro Talks Faction (ULFA-PTF) leader Anup Chetia on January 1 stated that Centre’s imposition of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was provoking a section of youths of Assam to take up arms, reports The Telegraph. Chetia’s apprehension came in the wake of a recent me
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United Liberation Front of Asom-Pro Talks Faction (ULFA-PTF) leader Anup Chetia on January 1 stated that Centre’s imposition of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was provoking a section of youths of Assam to take up arms, reports The Telegraph. Chetia’s apprehension came in the wake of a recent media reports that amid the nationwide protests against the CAA, Bordumsa police arrested six youths who were secretly preparing to join ULFA-I. Joining the anti-CAA agitation of the Nagarik Samaj in Kamrup Metropolitan District, he stated that However, the Centre’s conspiracy against the indigenous people will not work,” he added. “We have not instigated or provoked anyone to commit violence and crime in Assam since 2010. He also stated that I appeal to them (youths) to refrain from any thought of taking up arms. We must stay united and resist any move of the Centre democratically if there is anything against the interests of the people of Assam.”
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January - 1 
Officials of the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) said that Harkat-ul-Jihad-al Islami Bangladesh (HuJI-B) planned to form a ‘robber wing’ in the country’s southern and northern regions, reports The Daily Star on January 2. As per the plan, the banned militant outfit leaders managed t
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Officials of the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) said that Harkat-ul-Jihad-al Islami Bangladesh (HuJI-B) planned to form a ‘robber wing’ in the country’s southern and northern regions, reports The Daily Star on January 2. As per the plan, the banned militant outfit leaders managed to communicate with 20 people, who were involved in petty crimes like snatching and theft. These people were asked to use chloroform on their victims, said officials of the CTTC. The leaders wanted 30 percent cut for the ‘welfare’ of the wing. The wing was supposed to take care of all legal issues of the members if they got arrested. It was also supposed to pay for arrested or on-the-run gang member’s family expenses. The CTTC unit learnt the latest strategy of HuJI-B after interrogating robbers who were arrested in the capital Dhaka city on December 26.
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January - 2 
Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) leaders in a press meet on January 2, alleged that they will issue a petition against CAA in Supreme Court, reports East Mojo. AJYCP has also listed out a series of protests in the coming days.
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Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) leaders in a press meet on January 2, alleged that they will issue a petition against CAA in Supreme Court, reports East Mojo. AJYCP has also listed out a series of protests in the coming days.
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January - 2 
On January 2, unidentified assailants fired up on a vehicle at Habial in Golaghat District, reports The Telegraph. The assailants fired upon the house of Rupa and Pranjal Rajkhowa, who had organised anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests. A vehicle was also damaged in the incident. Reacting t
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On January 2, unidentified assailants fired up on a vehicle at Habial in Golaghat District, reports The Telegraph. The assailants fired upon the house of Rupa and Pranjal Rajkhowa, who had organised anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests. A vehicle was also damaged in the incident. Reacting to the incident, All Assam Students Union (AASU), Assistant General Secretary, Monowar Hussein stated that “This is not the first time that anti-CAA movement leaders have been targeted. On December 12, bullets were fired at AASU member Nitu Saikia’s house at Melamora in Golaghat District. A case was registered at Kamargaon Police station but the police have failed to make any headway till date.”
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January - 2 
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), P. Sunderraj of Bastar division of Chhattisgarh said that the division had witnessed a decline of Naxal [Left Wing Extremism, LWE]-related incidents by 40 per cent in 2019, reports Pioneer on January 3. The IGP further said that there was a decline in loss of s
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The Inspector General of Police (IGP), P. Sunderraj of Bastar division of Chhattisgarh said that the division had witnessed a decline of Naxal [Left Wing Extremism, LWE]-related incidents by 40 per cent in 2019, reports Pioneer on January 3. The IGP further said that there was a decline in loss of security personnel lives in different incidents by 55 per cent and loss of civilian lives in the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) attacks by 45 per cent in the previous year. The IGP attributed the decline to the success of the ‘Faith-Development-Security’ policy. He said Chhattisgarh Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) have been working in coordination for effective control. He also said that seven security camps have been established at Chindnaar, Chikpal and Potali of Dantewada District, Khodgaon in Narayanpur District, Pusnar and Bodli of Bijapur District and Sureli in Kanker District. The IGP also added that along with the anti-Naxal operation, the Security Forces (SFs) have been providing security to the construction of roads and bridges.
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January - 3 
AASU which had suspended its night agitation in the wake of violence, resumed night agitational activities against CAA from January 3, reports Assam Tribune. AASU had called off the night-time protest for one week on December 13. Subsequently, all protest activities of the students’ union remained s
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AASU which had suspended its night agitation in the wake of violence, resumed night agitational activities against CAA from January 3, reports Assam Tribune. AASU had called off the night-time protest for one week on December 13. Subsequently, all protest activities of the students’ union remained suspended after 1700 hrs. AASU Chief Advisor Samujjal Bhattacharyya stated that “The AASU is determined that the movement remains disciplined and democratic. Our today’s procession was wound up within 2000 hrs. Also, we would ensure that the academic activities of the students are not hampered and both the agitation and studies go hand in hand,”
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January - 3 
Assam along with other states have established the role of Popular Front of India (PFI), an alleged radical group, in the violence that erupted during anti-CAA protests, reports Assam Tribune on January 4. Assam Government has sent a detailed report on PFI’s role in the violence in Guwahati on Decem
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Assam along with other states have established the role of Popular Front of India (PFI), an alleged radical group, in the violence that erupted during anti-CAA protests, reports Assam Tribune on January 4. Assam Government has sent a detailed report on PFI’s role in the violence in Guwahati on December 11. A Home Ministry official stated that Assam Police and Police forces of several other States have established PFI’s role in the recent violence. At least two PFI activists were arrested in Assam in connection with the violence. National Investigation Agency (NIA) had also submitted reports on the group to the home ministry, claiming it was involved in terrorist activities, including running terror camps and making bombs.
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January - 3 
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement on January 3, saying members of the minority Sikh community in Pakistan have been subjected to acts of violence at the holy city of Nankana Sahib. The statement said, "India strongly condemns these wanton acts of destruction and desecration o
Read more...
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement on January 3, saying members of the minority Sikh community in Pakistan have been subjected to acts of violence at the holy city of Nankana Sahib. The statement said, "India strongly condemns these wanton acts of destruction and desecration of the holy place, we call upon the Government of Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure safety, security, and welfare of the members of the Sikh community." The statement further said, "Strong action must be taken against the miscreants who indulged in desecration of the holy Gurdwara and attacked members of the minority Sikh community". The MEA’s statement comes following the reports of vandalism and stone pelting at the Gurdwara Nankana Sahib Gurdwara Nankana Sahib on January 3, by a group of locals, led by the family of a man who had allegedly abducted the daughter of an official of the Gurdwara.
Read less...
January - 3 
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement on January 3, saying members of the minority Sikh community in Pakistan have been subjected to acts of violence at the holy city of Nankana Sahib. The statement said, "India strongly condemns these wanton acts of destruction and desecration o
Read more...
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement on January 3, saying members of the minority Sikh community in Pakistan have been subjected to acts of violence at the holy city of Nankana Sahib. The statement said, "India strongly condemns these wanton acts of destruction and desecration of the holy place, we call upon the Government of Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure safety, security, and welfare of the members of the Sikh community." The statement further said, "Strong action must be taken against the miscreants who indulged in desecration of the holy Gurdwara and attacked members of the minority Sikh community". The MEA’s statement comes following the reports of vandalism and stone pelting at the Gurdwara Nankana Sahib Gurdwara Nankana Sahib on January 3, by a group of locals, led by the family of a man who had allegedly abducted the daughter of an official of the Gurdwara.
Read less...
January - 3 
Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) Chief Monirul Islam on January 3 said that fines, prison sentences and death penalty are not enough to curb militancy since it is yielded in one’s mind, reports Dhaka Tribune. Monirul said “We need to target the psyche of the militants and the youth c
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Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) Chief Monirul Islam on January 3 said that fines, prison sentences and death penalty are not enough to curb militancy since it is yielded in one’s mind, reports Dhaka Tribune. Monirul said “We need to target the psyche of the militants and the youth can play an important role in that regard. Families, educational institutions, civil society, cultural personalities, and Islamic clerics are responsible for clarifying and providing the correct explanations. Only then can we instill a culture of harmony, tolerance in future generations.”
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January - 3 
President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa opening the Fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament on January 3, said constitution should be changed to protect the country, reports Colombo Page. Presenting the policy manifesto, the President said the country's independence would not be compromised and in order to sa
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President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa opening the Fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament on January 3, said constitution should be changed to protect the country, reports Colombo Page. Presenting the policy manifesto, the President said the country's independence would not be compromised and in order to safeguard the security, sovereignty, stability and integrity of the country, it is essential that changes be made to the existing Constitution.
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January - 3 
Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani issued a statement on January 3 saying that Afghanistan’s soil will not be used against any nations as per a Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) signed between Washington and Kabul in 2014, reports Khaama News. His statement comes after the assassination of Ira
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Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani issued a statement on January 3 saying that Afghanistan’s soil will not be used against any nations as per a Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) signed between Washington and Kabul in 2014, reports Khaama News. His statement comes after the assassination of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani.
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January - 4 
A high alert has been sounded along the India-Nepal border in Maharajganj, Kushinagar and Siddharth Nagar Districts of Uttar Pradesh following the infiltration of two wanted terrorists, Abdul Samad and Iliyas, reports Indian Express on January 5. In a press meet, Inspector General-IG (Basti range) A
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A high alert has been sounded along the India-Nepal border in Maharajganj, Kushinagar and Siddharth Nagar Districts of Uttar Pradesh following the infiltration of two wanted terrorists, Abdul Samad and Iliyas, reports Indian Express on January 5. In a press meet, Inspector General-IG (Basti range) Ashutosh Kumar, has stated that alert was sounded following intelligence input of two wanted terrorists entering Uttar Pradesh through India-Nepal border. Though the exact affiliation of the terrorist group is not clear, but the suspected terrorists earlier spotted in Siliguri of West Bengal is believed to be associated with Islamic State (IS).
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January - 4 
On January 4, two persons identified as Krishnamurit Kawander and Rajesh Tulsidas Joshi were arrested along with narcotics worth INR 120 million near Malad railway station in Mumbai Suburban of Maharashtra, reports Financial Express. A total six kilograms of heroin was seized from the duo. Anti-Narc
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On January 4, two persons identified as Krishnamurit Kawander and Rajesh Tulsidas Joshi were arrested along with narcotics worth INR 120 million near Malad railway station in Mumbai Suburban of Maharashtra, reports Financial Express. A total six kilograms of heroin was seized from the duo. Anti-Narcotics Cell’s Deputy Commissioner of Police (DGP), Shivdeep Lande stated the arrest of duo has been “significant as the cartel controlled around 80 per cent of Mumbai’s heroin supply, which comes from Rajasthan”.
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January - 5 
Holding of local-Government polls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) seems impossible in the next couple of months as so far, the Government has not taken the required steps for the purpose, reports Dawn on January 6. They further said that the Government so far did not frame delimitation rules for holding
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Holding of local-Government polls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) seems impossible in the next couple of months as so far, the Government has not taken the required steps for the purpose, reports Dawn on January 6. They further said that the Government so far did not frame delimitation rules for holding the polls. The Government could not hold elections within the stipulated 120 days since the expiry of the last elected local bodies on August 28, 2019. Official sources said that there was no possibility of holding polls in the near future. However, Provincial Information Minister, Shaukat Yousafzai told Dawn that the Government desired to start electoral process in March, 2020. He said that till that time all legal formalities would be fulfilled.
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January - 5 
An unnamed source within the Taliban says the leadership of the group has initially agreed that they do not want to be taken advantage of by recent US-Iran escalation, reports Tolo News on January 6. According to the source, there is acknowledgement that the killing of the Iranian elite force comman
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An unnamed source within the Taliban says the leadership of the group has initially agreed that they do not want to be taken advantage of by recent US-Iran escalation, reports Tolo News on January 6. According to the source, there is acknowledgement that the killing of the Iranian elite force commander General Qassem Soleimani will certainly have an impact on the peace talks between the US and the Taliban, but the group does not want to be hated by the people of Afghanistan for fighting on someone else’s behalf. Sources close to the Taliban said that Iran has an influence on the Taliban faction of Mullah Akhtar Mansour, which is mostly stationed in the western and southern parts of Afghanistan.
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January - 6 
The cadres of Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) attacked a construction company site, beat up its workers set and ablaze vehicles near Baksauti village under Govindpur Police Station limits in Nawada District of Bihar on January 6, reports Devdiscourse. As per the report, around 30 to 40
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The cadres of Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) attacked a construction company site, beat up its workers set and ablaze vehicles near Baksauti village under Govindpur Police Station limits in Nawada District of Bihar on January 6, reports Devdiscourse. As per the report, around 30 to 40 armed cadres of CPI-Maoist stormed a construction site, thrashed 17 workers and set a JCB machine and a pickup van on fire. The Station House Officer (SHO), Nagendra Prasad said the Maoists took all the workers towards a river, on which a bridge is being constructed, tied them with ropes and beat them up. Before leaving the spot, the Maoists also took away mobile phones and money from the workers. The Maoists fired two rounds in the air before moving towards a nearby hillock.
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January - 6 
The Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) on January 6 started an indefinite sit-in at Khumulwng in West Tripura District against the Citizenship Amendment Act(CAA), creation of a separate Twipraland and implementation of National Register of Citizens, reports The Telegraph. The IPFT said it wi
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The Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) on January 6 started an indefinite sit-in at Khumulwng in West Tripura District against the Citizenship Amendment Act(CAA), creation of a separate Twipraland and implementation of National Register of Citizens, reports The Telegraph. The IPFT said it will continue the demonstration at Dukmali Bazar at Khumulwng, Headquarters of Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council, till the Centre takes a positive step on these issues. IPFT president and state Revenue Minister N.C. Debbarma stated that “Several reports, some by the Centre, confirmed the presence of illegal immigrants in Tripura. In 1996, the then home minister Indrajit Gupta had said in Parliament that more than 8 lakh illegal immigrants are present in Tripura. Settling more illegal immigrants will be detrimental to interests of the indigenous people”.
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January - 6 
The Security Forces (SFs) have recovered pamphlets of Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) in Samnapur and Baghatola areas in Balaghat District of Madhya Pradesh, reports The Times of India on January 7. As per the report, two kinds of pamphlets were found in the said areas – one was against
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The Security Forces (SFs) have recovered pamphlets of Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) in Samnapur and Baghatola areas in Balaghat District of Madhya Pradesh, reports The Times of India on January 7. As per the report, two kinds of pamphlets were found in the said areas – one was against Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC), the other was protesting against the displacement of tribals. While the Police are checking the authenticity of the leaflets, the Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Tiwari said, “Some papers were found. They are being verified.” He further said, “Joint teams from Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh are working in tandem in search operations. Inter-State issues will not crop up, and combing operations have been intensified in all affected areas of the District.”
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January - 6 
In a bid to restart the long-stalled transitional justice process, at a meeting on January 6, Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali said that Government will hold consultations with conflict victims and other stakeholders in all seven Provinces from January 13, reports Republica. According to Government
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In a bid to restart the long-stalled transitional justice process, at a meeting on January 6, Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali said that Government will hold consultations with conflict victims and other stakeholders in all seven Provinces from January 13, reports Republica. According to Government officials, consultations will be held in two sessions – one session exclusively for conflict victims and another round of consultations together with all the stakeholders. The consultations will primarily focus on how to address the concerns raised by conflict victims and other stakeholders while drafting the laws and on ways to resolve the insurgency era-cases.
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January - 6 
Presenting a memorandum to Minister of Foreign Affairs Pradeep Gyawali, the Conflict Victims’ Common Platform (CVCP) on January 6 demanded that the transitional justice act be amended on the basis of the Supreme Court’s verdict of January 2, 2013, which states any amendment or new act should be draf
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Presenting a memorandum to Minister of Foreign Affairs Pradeep Gyawali, the Conflict Victims’ Common Platform (CVCP) on January 6 demanded that the transitional justice act be amended on the basis of the Supreme Court’s verdict of January 2, 2013, which states any amendment or new act should be drafted by a drafting task force including victims, experts and human rights activists. The CVCP said the process of appointment of members to two transitional justice commissions should start only after the amendment of the act. The commissions — Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP) — have remained vacant since the office-bearers retired in mid-April. A recommendation committee led by former chief justice Om Prakash Mishra has published a list of 61 candidates aspiring for TRC and CIEDP posts. However, former CVCP Chairperson Suman Adhikari said “None of the 61 candidates are competent enough to lead the commissions as no competent person wants to lead such toothless commissions. We suggested amendment to the act in line with SC verdicts to empower the commissions and search for competent office-bearers.”
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January - 6 
An official said the Government has decided to review the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) Act enacted by Parliament during the former regime, reports Daily Mirror on January 7. The Act was brought in as part of the previous government’s commitment to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) i
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An official said the Government has decided to review the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) Act enacted by Parliament during the former regime, reports Daily Mirror on January 7. The Act was brought in as part of the previous government’s commitment to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in terms of resolution 30/1. It provided for the establishment of the Office of Missing Persons as part of that government’s reconciliation process. Resolution 30/1 envisaged the setting up of such a mechanism to trace the fate of persons who went missing, particularly during war time, to maintain a database of them. The rulers of the incumbent Government - who were in the opposition at that time - were then opposed to the Act saying it would be a step in the direction of pressing war crime charges against the military.
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January - 6 
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on January 6 said some provisions in the 13th Amendment to the Constitution were impractical and that alternative solutions should be sought instead, reports Daily Mirror. The President expressed these views when a group of European Union (EU) Ambassadors called on him a
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President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on January 6 said some provisions in the 13th Amendment to the Constitution were impractical and that alternative solutions should be sought instead, reports Daily Mirror. The President expressed these views when a group of European Union (EU) Ambassadors called on him at the Presidential Secretariat. Referring to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, President Rajapaksa said “Instead, politicians should seek alternative solutions. For an example, if the provincial councils were given police powers, the police will become politicised. What is more practical is appointing people from the districts belonging to the Provincial Councils to the police ranks up to the level of OIC. It will help solve issues caused by language and cultural differences.”
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January - 7 
National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) stated that political settlement with Government of India cannot cover nagas in Myanmar, reports Economic Times on January 8. NSCN-IM stated that “Integration of the divided Naga ancestral domains is the inherent right of the Nagas, and th
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National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) stated that political settlement with Government of India cannot cover nagas in Myanmar, reports Economic Times on January 8. NSCN-IM stated that “Integration of the divided Naga ancestral domains is the inherent right of the Nagas, and that the Government of India has officially recognized the legitimate right of the Nagas to integration of all Naga areas. By integration, it means – geo-political integration based on sovereign right of the Nagas, not that of the Indian or Burmese constitution.” NSCN-IM also added that “Indeed, we are for a territorial integration under one political roof. We don’t see any meaningful solution without integration. However, political settlement with the Government of India cannot cover Nagas in Burmese occupied areas. That will be the second phase to be settled with the Burmese Government. NSCN-IM further stated that Pan Naga Hoho will be a common platform for the Nagas to inculcate and foster the spirit of oneness and unity of all Nagas, adds Economic Times. NSCN IM said that Naga Regional Territorial Councils (NRTC) to be created on the basis of Framework Agreement in Naga Areas in the so-called Manipur state, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam are transitional. The present Nagaland state and the NRTC governments will be equipped with sovereign powers as envisioned in the Framework Agreement
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January - 7 
Kunar’s Governor, Abdul Sattar Mirzakwal, said that around 1,200 militants, including foreigners, are active locally, reports Tolo News on December 8. “According to our intelligence, there are up to 1,200 fighters, including fighters from Central Asian countries, Arabs, Punjabis and even Bangladeshi
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Kunar’s Governor, Abdul Sattar Mirzakwal, said that around 1,200 militants, including foreigners, are active locally, reports Tolo News on December 8. “According to our intelligence, there are up to 1,200 fighters, including fighters from Central Asian countries, Arabs, Punjabis and even Bangladeshi citizens and two to three Iranian families,” said Mirzakwal.
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January - 8 
The Home Minister of Chhattisgarh, Tamradhwaj Sahu, has claimed that since the Congress party came to power in the State, there has been a steady decline in the CPI-Maoist activities, reports The Pioneer on January 9. The Minister said, “Since the formation of Congress government in the State, there
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The Home Minister of Chhattisgarh, Tamradhwaj Sahu, has claimed that since the Congress party came to power in the State, there has been a steady decline in the CPI-Maoist activities, reports The Pioneer on January 9. The Minister said, “Since the formation of Congress government in the State, there has been sharp decline in Naxal[Left Wing Extremism, LWE] movement. Naxal activities have dipped around by 40 to 60 per cent. Maximum numbers of Naxals have been killed, there have been no fake encounters and no tribal has been killed (in Police encounters)”.The home minister also said that the Naxals[Left Wing Extremists, LWEs]have killed civilians, branding them as ‘Police informers’, but claimed that there has been a decline of 60 to 62 per cent in such incidents too.“So, Maoist movements have slowed down significantly in Chhattisgarh, and government has been able to control it,” the Home Minister further remarked.
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January - 8 
Bhagiram Chaudhari, Chairperson of the Conflict Victims’ Common Platform (CVCP), said that cobnflict victims have lost all hope that the incumbent Government and the political parties will ensure that the transitional justice process is victim-friendly, reports Kathmandu Post on January 9. In an int
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Bhagiram Chaudhari, Chairperson of the Conflict Victims’ Common Platform (CVCP), said that cobnflict victims have lost all hope that the incumbent Government and the political parties will ensure that the transitional justice process is victim-friendly, reports Kathmandu Post on January 9. In an interaction with Law Minister Pradeep Gyawali on January 5 and 6, victims’ representatives had asked that thorough discussions be held with victims across the country before taking the legal amendment process forward. The Law Ministry, however, has scheduled interactions in all provincial headquarters for a single day, on January 13, with inputs from all the concerned parties, including victims, human rights activists, civil society members and local leaders. “It is clear the consultation is nothing but a formality to show the world that the government talked to concerned parties before the amendment,” said Bhagiram Chaudhari. Chaudhari further expressed concern that the transitional justice process was becoming increasingly opaque.
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January - 9 
After the death of Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) leader Ravula Srinivas aka Ramanna, who had a bounty of INR 14 million on his head, Hidma, who had been heading Maoist attacks in Sukma District, has now been made state in-charge of the CPI-Maoist organisation’s militia actions, report
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After the death of Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) leader Ravula Srinivas aka Ramanna, who had a bounty of INR 14 million on his head, Hidma, who had been heading Maoist attacks in Sukma District, has now been made state in-charge of the CPI-Maoist organisation’s militia actions, reports The Print on January 10. Hidma’s elevation is seen as an attempt by the Maoists to fill the void resulting from the death of Ramanna in the second week of December. Senior police officers deployed in anti-Naxal operations said there has also been a churn in the CPI-Maoist ‘Central Committee, CC’ on whether to elevate Hidma, or other cadre leaders such as Ganesh Uike and Sujata, as chief of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC). The DKSZC was headed by Ramanna. It also works as a Maoist think tank for Chhattisgarh, and Gadchiroli in adjoining Maharashtra where Maoists have a presence. “So far there is no confirmation, neither do we have any recovery to substantiate if Hidma has been given any new task as DKSZC head but security forces are prepared for any eventuality irrespective of which Naxal leader has been given what tasks,” Sukma Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Shalabh Sinha said. “Hidma is a known hard militia taskmaster and had been heading their Battalion 1 in Sukma for more than two and a half years now,” Sinha added.
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January - 9 
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) Tribunal upheld the Centre’s ban on pro-Khalistan group — Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), ensuring that the group is declared as an unlawful association on January 9, reports The Tribune. This comes as a big relief for security agencies in Punjab, where the g
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The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) Tribunal upheld the Centre’s ban on pro-Khalistan group — Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), ensuring that the group is declared as an unlawful association on January 9, reports The Tribune. This comes as a big relief for security agencies in Punjab, where the group has been trying to revive a separatist movement in the State. The Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta said the ban on the SFJ was good news for the State, where it had been fishing for young and gullible youth, and radicalising them. The DGP said, “With the SFJ being declared as an unlawful association, people will not fall prey to their objective of radicalising youth and unleashing violence in the state." A notification by the Centre, declaring the SFJ as an unlawful association, was issued yesterday. Earlier, the Centre had announced its decision to declare the group as unlawful on July 10, 2019 and banned it for five years. It had then referred the matter to the UAPA Tribunal. The Tribunal, headed by Delhi High Court Chief Justice D.N. Patel, had examined all evidence produced by the Punjab Government as well as the National Investigation Agency (NIA), regarding the subversive activities of the SFJ. The tribunal held that it was clear from the evidence that activities of the group were “unlawful, disruptive and threaten the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of India”. It further held that the evidence proved that the SFJ was “working in collusion with anti-India entities and forces”. The tribunal took into account all “terror” incidents and unearthing of modules in Punjab since 2017; the SFJ’s social media campaign; besides letters written by the SFJ authorities to various diplomats, seeking support for their campaign.
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January - 9 
On January 9, Presidential Commission on Deaths and Disappearances (DDCom) disclosed that it will soon be resubmitting the prosecution of murder cases of Dr Afrasheem Ali, journalist Ahmed Rilwan, and blogger Yameen Rasheed, reports Edition.
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On January 9, Presidential Commission on Deaths and Disappearances (DDCom) disclosed that it will soon be resubmitting the prosecution of murder cases of Dr Afrasheem Ali, journalist Ahmed Rilwan, and blogger Yameen Rasheed, reports Edition.
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January - 10 
Conflict victims have urged the Government to suspend the process initiated to appoint commissioners for key Transitional Justice (TJ) bodies at least until the new law is promulgated, reports My Republica on January 11. On January 10, Primary victim groups--Conflict Victims' Common Platform (CVCP)
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Conflict victims have urged the Government to suspend the process initiated to appoint commissioners for key Transitional Justice (TJ) bodies at least until the new law is promulgated, reports My Republica on January 11. On January 10, Primary victim groups--Conflict Victims' Common Platform (CVCP) and National Network of Disabled Conflict Victims –(NNDCV) threatened to stay away from the TJ process. Both the groups warned of boycotting the TJ process if their demands were ignored, while conflict victims have announced to reject their participation in national consultations scheduled for January 13, 2020. “Since the consultation scheduled for January 13 is just for the sake of consultation and not meaningful as demanded by the victims, it’s not acceptable to us,” reads the statement issued by CVCP. After spending 10 months without doing anything substantive to complete the given assignment, a committee formed to suggest commissioners for the two commissions - Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP) - has reportedly finalized the probable candidates. The recommendation process is now said to be delayed until the consultations are organized.
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January - 10 
The New York-based global rights organization, Human Rights Watch (HRW) on January 10 called on the Sri Lankan Government to repeal the draconian Counterterrorism Law, reports Colombo Page. The Sri Lankan Government should abide by its commitments to replace the abusive Prevention of Terrorism Act (
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The New York-based global rights organization, Human Rights Watch (HRW) on January 10 called on the Sri Lankan Government to repeal the draconian Counterterrorism Law, reports Colombo Page. The Sri Lankan Government should abide by its commitments to replace the abusive Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) with legislation that respects its international human rights obligations, the HRW said. The cabinet of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa announced on January 4 that it would withdraw a proposed replacement law, reneging on pledges to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the European Union.
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January - 11 
50 National Democratic Front of Bodoland-Saoraigwra (NDFB-S) militants came back to India from Myanmar on January 11 as part of the ongoing talks with the Government of India, reports News 18. According to NDFB-S top leader “All the 50 members of the NDFB-S left Myanmar early on Saturday [January 11
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50 National Democratic Front of Bodoland-Saoraigwra (NDFB-S) militants came back to India from Myanmar on January 11 as part of the ongoing talks with the Government of India, reports News 18. According to NDFB-S top leader “All the 50 members of the NDFB-S left Myanmar early on Saturday [January 11]. The Indian Army escorted the leaders and cadres from the International border to an undisclosed Army base.” He also added that “The outfit’s chief, B Saoraigwra, and his family members along with his security personnel crossed the international border at Tamu (in Manipur), while NDFB-S’ (self-styled) general secretary B Ferrenga, council members and other cadres entered India through the Longwa international border (Mon District in Nagaland)”. Additionally, a senior intelligence official stated that “All this is being directly monitored by Ministry of Home Affairs. We have not been informed officially yet. The top leadership of the group will be taken to Delhi as part of peace talks.”
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January - 11 
Meghalaya Chief Minister (CM) Conrad Sangma on January 11 rubbished reports that if the Inner Line Permit (ILP) was implemented in the State, the Sixth Schedule would be done away with, reports Nagaland Post. He stated, “That is not true at all. There was a simple observation that certain officials
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Meghalaya Chief Minister (CM) Conrad Sangma on January 11 rubbished reports that if the Inner Line Permit (ILP) was implemented in the State, the Sixth Schedule would be done away with, reports Nagaland Post. He stated, “That is not true at all. There was a simple observation that certain officials and certain political leaders had in Delhi saying that since we have exemption under Sixth Schedule, why would we need exemption under ILP from the CAA”. He also added, “There is no question of Sixth Schedule being removed as it is a protection and privilege given to the people of the state. We are very firm as a government that there is no comprise with the Sixth Schedule.” Meghalaya, which was formed as an autonomous state April 2, 1970 and as a full-fledged state on January 21, 1972, after being carved out of Assam, is covered by Sixth Schedule provisions of the constitution.
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January - 11 
Chairman of Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Pushpa Kamal Dahal on January 11 urged cadres of Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist-Chand) to join the ruling NCP without any delay, reports Republica. Dahal made the remarks while welcoming Mohan Karki to his party. Karki, a ke
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Chairman of Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Pushpa Kamal Dahal on January 11 urged cadres of Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist-Chand) to join the ruling NCP without any delay, reports Republica. Dahal made the remarks while welcoming Mohan Karki to his party. Karki, a key leader of the underground CPN-Maoist-Chand had recently quit his party. "I urge members of Chand-led party members not to delay to join our party. The communist parties should join hands together to successfully achieve socialism in the country," Dahal said.
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January - 11 
Senior Police officials said faced with massive Police crackdown that has left the party’s organizational structure in shambles in recent months, the outlawed CPN-Maoist-Chand has devised a new strategy to ‘accumulate strength’, while making its presence felt through explosions time and again, repor
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Senior Police officials said faced with massive Police crackdown that has left the party’s organizational structure in shambles in recent months, the outlawed CPN-Maoist-Chand has devised a new strategy to ‘accumulate strength’, while making its presence felt through explosions time and again, reports Republica on January 12. Senior Police officials have concluded that the Chand-led outlawed Maoist group has devised this new strategy as nearly 1,300 party senior leaders including 260 central level leaders have been arrested so far after the government banned their activities in early March 2019.
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January - 12 
Activities in ‘suspected homes’ have been picked up of Army's surveillance and also human intelligence, reports India Today on January 13. The Indian Army has suspected that some civilian homes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) are being used as terror launch pads. Additional deployment of Special
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Activities in ‘suspected homes’ have been picked up of Army's surveillance and also human intelligence, reports India Today on January 13. The Indian Army has suspected that some civilian homes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) are being used as terror launch pads. Additional deployment of Special Service Group(SSG) commandos of Pakistan has been made around civilian homes in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) to assist shallow raids backed by heavy calibre escalation. The Indian Army has been monitoring activities and movements in these ‘suspected houses’ that have increased recently. As the higher reaches of J&K are covered under snow the focus has shifted to the south of Peerpanjal range. Areas like Nowshera, Sunderbani, Krishna Ghati, Bhimber Gali and Poonch have remained tense with frequent shelling and skirmishes."There are many civilian houses being used as launch pad. We are aware of these and have identified them. These are used by Pakistan to assist infiltrations. Villages in PoK hugging the LoC (Line of Control) are used by Pakistan as defence works," Lt Gen Harsha Gupta, General Officer commanding the Nagrota based 16 Corp of the Indian Army said.
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January - 12 
On January 12, the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) in a rally, announced the formation of a jirga (tribal council) to convince Pashtun leaders to join the PTM to strengthen its cause and jointly fight for Pashtun's rights, held a public gathering at Mundan Park in Bannu town (Bannu District) of Khyb
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On January 12, the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) in a rally, announced the formation of a jirga (tribal council) to convince Pashtun leaders to join the PTM to strengthen its cause and jointly fight for Pashtun's rights, held a public gathering at Mundan Park in Bannu town (Bannu District) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province in Pakistan, reports Dawn. PTM is a rights-based alliance that, besides calling for the de-mining of the former tribal areas and greater freedom of movement in the latter, has insisted on an end to the practices of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and unlawful detentions, and for their practitioners to be held to account within a truth and reconciliation framework.
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January - 12 
Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on National Security Division and Strategic Policy Planning Moeed Yousuf on January 12 said Pakistan is going to have a coherent national security policy with an inclusive economic diplomacy by the end of this year, ensuring security in all respects for every Pakis
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Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on National Security Division and Strategic Policy Planning Moeed Yousuf on January 12 said Pakistan is going to have a coherent national security policy with an inclusive economic diplomacy by the end of this year, ensuring security in all respects for every Pakistani, reports Dawn. The new policy, he added, would not deal with national security only, but all aspects of the country with multiple level inputs. It would not produce results overnight, he said.
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January - 12 
Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Ahmed Zahir, has stated that there will be no room for blasphemers in the Maldives, reports RajjeeMV on January 13. Zahir further disclosed that such incidents will be closely monitored and investigated. This comes at a time of public outrage following a video of a M
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Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Ahmed Zahir, has stated that there will be no room for blasphemers in the Maldives, reports RajjeeMV on January 13. Zahir further disclosed that such incidents will be closely monitored and investigated. This comes at a time of public outrage following a video of a Maldivian citizen advocating for the right to leave Islam and defending apostates began circulating on social media during the past week. Dr. Ahmed Zahir further stated that such incidents will be closely monitored by the relevant section of the ministry and that blasphemers who attempt to create hatred and disrupt society's peace will be swiftly identified.
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January - 13 
Following repeated incursion by Bangladeshi nationals, the Centre has approved construction of 17 ‘smart fences’ along the Indo-Bangla border in the Meghalaya sector, reports Northeast Today on January 14. Border Security Force (BSF) officials said the fences are “anti-climb and cut” – which means t
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Following repeated incursion by Bangladeshi nationals, the Centre has approved construction of 17 ‘smart fences’ along the Indo-Bangla border in the Meghalaya sector, reports Northeast Today on January 14. Border Security Force (BSF) officials said the fences are “anti-climb and cut” – which means that intruders would find these fences extremely difficult to breach. These fences would be built in 17 patches along the Indo-Bangla border in Meghalaya in areas which are not fenced. However, since these fences are proposed to be built within 150 yards of the international border, Bangladesh has raised objections.A large number of these fences is likely to come up in the Jaintia Hills sector which has remained unfenced and is vulnerable to infiltration by Bangladeshi criminals. In this month, there were three attacks by Bangladeshi miscreants in which eight people including a BSF jawan were injured.
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January - 13 
High powered committee on implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord on January 13 announced that its final report will be ready in a fortnight, reports The Telegraph. The Union home ministry had constituted the high- powered committee in July last year to suggest how to implement Clause 6.Bipla
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High powered committee on implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord on January 13 announced that its final report will be ready in a fortnight, reports The Telegraph. The Union home ministry had constituted the high- powered committee in July last year to suggest how to implement Clause 6.Biplab Kumar Sarma, the Chairman of the Committee stated that “In preparing such a report, some points seem to be minor but are necessary. We did not seek an extension to submit the report. We hope it will be ready within 15 days”. Clause 6 of the Assam Accord promises constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards to protect, preserve and promote the culture, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the “Assamese” people. He also ruled out taking the year 1971 as a cut-off date for identification of Assamese people as has been demanded by some organisations and political parties like the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF). He stated that “The year 1971 is for identification of foreigners only.”
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January - 13 
Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga on January 13 said that a quadripartite agreement among the Centre, his government, Tripura and an apex body of the internally displaced Brus would be signed on January 16 to end imbroglio of Bru repatriation, reports East Mojo. The Minister stated that Union Minis
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Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga on January 13 said that a quadripartite agreement among the Centre, his government, Tripura and an apex body of the internally displaced Brus would be signed on January 16 to end imbroglio of Bru repatriation, reports East Mojo. The Minister stated that Union Ministry of Home Affairs informed his government that the agreement, one inked by the stakeholders, would allow the internally displaced Brus to settle in Tripura permanently. Between November 2009 and November 2019, the Centre made at least nine attempts to repatriate Brus. Of the 4,477 families identified as bona fide residents for repatriation during the last round, only 289 families had returned during the last round of the exercise. The Bru community, also called Reangs, is scattered across Assam, Mizoram and Tripura.
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January - 13 
The Director General of Police (DGP)of Chhattisgarh, D.M. Awasthi, in a review meeting held at the headquarters of Narayanpur and Dantewada Districts of Chhattisgarh in India on January 13, directed the Security Forces (SFs) to ensure full protection of villagers during Police operations in Naxal [L
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The Director General of Police (DGP)of Chhattisgarh, D.M. Awasthi, in a review meeting held at the headquarters of Narayanpur and Dantewada Districts of Chhattisgarh in India on January 13, directed the Security Forces (SFs) to ensure full protection of villagers during Police operations in Naxal [Left Wing Extremism, LWE]-affected areas, reports UNI. The DGP emphasized on the steps to strengthen Police security system in Naxal-affected areas. He said that the search operations should be carried out continuously while taking appropriate action against Naxalites [Left Wing Extremists, LWEs] and verifying information received about them. Common citizens and villagers should not be disturbed under any circumstances and they should not face any kind of trouble due to Police’s search operation.
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January - 13 
Conflict victims decried Government’s consultations held on January 13 as a sham, reports Kathmandu Post. As victims and human rights defenders had feared, the consultations held simultaneously in all seven provincial headquarters — Biratnagar, Janakpur, Hetauda, Pokhara, Butwal, Surkhet and Dhangad
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Conflict victims decried Government’s consultations held on January 13 as a sham, reports Kathmandu Post. As victims and human rights defenders had feared, the consultations held simultaneously in all seven provincial headquarters — Biratnagar, Janakpur, Hetauda, Pokhara, Butwal, Surkhet and Dhangadi were more formality than genuine efforts to listen to their grievances and concerns. The consultations were held in two sessions—three hours with victims and another three hours with human rights defenders, civil society members, security forces and the media. Conflict victims and human rights defenders described the entire process as a farce. “Some of our friends couldn’t even put forth their concerns due to time constraints. Rather than listening to our voices, the discussion was aimed at showing that the government has taken our feedback to amend the Act,” Badri KC, a conflict victim from Baglung who was present at the consultation in Pokhara, told. “The discussion was just a formality. I am not at all hopeful about our concerns being incorporated in the Act,” Shree Kumari Budha, whose father was killed by the Maoists in Thawang, Rolpa and who was present at the consultation in Butwal, told. Former Conflict Victims Common Platform (CVCP) chairperson Suman Adhikari said “The victims were only given three hours. This means, the government is holding the consultations in a ritualistic manner.”
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January - 13 
Defence Secretary Major General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne while addressing the officers and other ranks during his maiden visit to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Headquarters on January 13 said Tamil diaspora is trying their best to revive the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) by lobbying against
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Defence Secretary Major General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne while addressing the officers and other ranks during his maiden visit to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Headquarters on January 13 said Tamil diaspora is trying their best to revive the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) by lobbying against the Government with the support of the international community, reports Daily Mirror. He said “The Tamil diaspora is trying to achieve what the LTTE couldn't through the arms struggle. But all those attempts were proved to have been futile.”
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January - 13 
On January 13, Afghanistan’s acting Minister of Defense, Asadullah Khalid, spoke of willingness for peace talks with the Taliban but said he will not accept a compromise under the peace talks, reports Tolo News. Khalid, while addressing thousands of soldiers at the graduation ceremony for the Afghan
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On January 13, Afghanistan’s acting Minister of Defense, Asadullah Khalid, spoke of willingness for peace talks with the Taliban but said he will not accept a compromise under the peace talks, reports Tolo News. Khalid, while addressing thousands of soldiers at the graduation ceremony for the Afghan National Army's Commando Corps, said that human rights should be preserved and that commandos should work to prevent civilian causalities in the battlefield. “We are committed to peace talks, but we as Afghanistan`s armed forces will not allow any deal to sacrifice our two-decade achievements,” added Khalid.
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January - 13 
On January 13, Sediq Sediqqi, a spokesman for the Afghan Presidential Palace, said that the Taliban “must” accept a ceasefire ahead of any peace talks, adding that “without a ceasefire, there would be no peace talks”, reports Tolo News. “Without a ceasefire, we will not reach a long-lasting peace, a
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On January 13, Sediq Sediqqi, a spokesman for the Afghan Presidential Palace, said that the Taliban “must” accept a ceasefire ahead of any peace talks, adding that “without a ceasefire, there would be no peace talks”, reports Tolo News. “Without a ceasefire, we will not reach a long-lasting peace, a peace with dignity. And a reduction of violence is not practical,” said Sediqqi.
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January - 13 
Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) chief Hagrama Mohilary stated that a peace accord containing all factions of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and the Centre would be inked in near future, reports East Mojo. Some members of NDFB-S, led by its chairman B Saoraigwra, are all set to m
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Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) chief Hagrama Mohilary stated that a peace accord containing all factions of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and the Centre would be inked in near future, reports East Mojo. Some members of NDFB-S, led by its chairman B Saoraigwra, are all set to meet the Government of India representatives to start peace parleys shortly as the insurgent group members are already in New Delhi to talk peace. If peace parleys with the NDFB-S start this time, then the United Liberation Front of Assam-Independent (ULFA-I) will be the only remaining insurgent outfit active in the state.
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January - 14 
Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) administration on January 14 allowed mobile Internet in parts of Jammu region and broadband in hotels, travel establishments and hospitals but only on white-listed websites, reports Daily Excelsior. In a three-page order, the Home Department said additional 400 internet kiosk
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Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) administration on January 14 allowed mobile Internet in parts of Jammu region and broadband in hotels, travel establishments and hospitals but only on white-listed websites, reports Daily Excelsior. In a three-page order, the Home Department said additional 400 internet kiosks will be established in Kashmir division. Internet service providers will offer broadband facility (with Mac binding) to all institutions dealing with essential services, hospitals, banks as also Government offices, official said.
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January - 14 
The Border Security Force (BSF) launched a massive search operation following the sighting of drones at Tendiwala village near Shameke sector of International Border (IB) in Ferozepur District of Punjab on January 14, reports The Tribune. As per the report, drones were sighted twice around 8.48 pm a
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The Border Security Force (BSF) launched a massive search operation following the sighting of drones at Tendiwala village near Shameke sector of International Border (IB) in Ferozepur District of Punjab on January 14, reports The Tribune. As per the report, drones were sighted twice around 8.48 pm and later around 11 pm in the said location. The BSF jawans belonging to the 136 Battalion opened fire at the flying objects to bring them down. Later, a joint search operation by the BSF and the Punjab Police was carried out, however, nothing substantial was found. The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of the District, Vivek Sheel Soni said that the Police had received information regarding the sighting of drone-like objects following which the search was conducted to rule out any misadventure from across the border. “We have asked the villagers to report if they found something suspicious,” he said. Further, the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of BSF, Sandeep Chanan said, though some flying objects were seen, it could not be ascertained whether they were drones or something else. He confirmed that the troops fired some rounds towards the objects and the search operation was still on.
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January - 14 
The National Investigating Agency (NIA) conducted searches in connection with the alleged terror funding of Naga insurgent group, National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM), at five separate locations at Dimapur in Nagaland and Imphal in Manipur on January 14, reports East Mojo. Th
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The National Investigating Agency (NIA) conducted searches in connection with the alleged terror funding of Naga insurgent group, National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM), at five separate locations at Dimapur in Nagaland and Imphal in Manipur on January 14, reports East Mojo. The NIA official said that searches conducted at the premises of close associates and relatives of Alemla Jamir have led to recovery of cash of INR 8.26 million, documents of different properties worth INR 30 million, incriminating diaries, photographs, digital devices including 15 smartphones, one hard disk, one pen drive, one memory card and four laptops. "Certain insurgency and extortion related literature as well as other incriminating documents have also been recovered during the searches," NIA officials said. "Searches have also revealed that unaccounted money is being used in cash for purchase of properties," the official said, adding, "On January 10, the NIA special court, New Delhi had extended judicial custody of accused Alemla Jamir for one month." Alemla is alleged to be working for NSCN-IM and was detained at Domestic Airport T-1, New Delhi, with cash worth INR 7.2 million by the Income Tax officials on December 17 last year and was arrested by the special cell on the same day.
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January - 14 
Underworld don and erstwhile member of the D-Company, Ejaz Lakdawala revealed to the Mumbai Police that Dawood Ibrahim has been using Kathmandu in Nepal as his base for operating Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) with the help of Pakistan embassy, reports Outlook India on January 15. He stated that
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Underworld don and erstwhile member of the D-Company, Ejaz Lakdawala revealed to the Mumbai Police that Dawood Ibrahim has been using Kathmandu in Nepal as his base for operating Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) with the help of Pakistan embassy, reports Outlook India on January 15. He stated that India's most-wanted fugitive Dawood Ibrahim has been pushing FICN through the porous border into India. Lakdawala revealed the two addresses of Dawood Ibrahim in Karachi along with addresses of Dawood's brother Anees Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel.
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January - 14 
Half of the Lahore city (Lahore District) of Punjab Province in Pakistan is no more under surveillance of the Punjab Safe City Authority (PSCA) mainly due to financial issues following a ‘tug of war’ between the police and bureaucracy to get control of the PKR billion mega project, reports Dawn. Of
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Half of the Lahore city (Lahore District) of Punjab Province in Pakistan is no more under surveillance of the Punjab Safe City Authority (PSCA) mainly due to financial issues following a ‘tug of war’ between the police and bureaucracy to get control of the PKR billion mega project, reports Dawn. Official sources say almost 50 per cent (4,000) CCTV cameras are offline at a time when Lahore prepares to host some games of the Pakistan Super League and possibly the Bangladesh cricket team matches. An unnamed senior official said almost half of the city’s leading roads, sensitive installations and government buildings were now out of the range/coverage of the PSCA cameras. “It is a matter of serious concern that the PSCA cameras are not functioning even at prime locations like Faisal Chowk, Regal Chowk, Ali Hajvery shrine and surroundings of the Lahore High Court where terror attacks had been carried out in the past, “the official said.
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January - 14 
Underworld don and erstwhile member of the D-Company, Ejaz Lakdawala revealed to the Mumbai Police that Dawood Ibrahim has been using Kathmandu in Nepal as his base for operating Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) with the help of Pakistan embassy, reports Outlook India on January 15. He stated that
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Underworld don and erstwhile member of the D-Company, Ejaz Lakdawala revealed to the Mumbai Police that Dawood Ibrahim has been using Kathmandu in Nepal as his base for operating Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) with the help of Pakistan embassy, reports Outlook India on January 15. He stated that India's most-wanted fugitive Dawood Ibrahim has been pushing FICN through the porous border into India. Lakdawala revealed the two addresses of Dawood Ibrahim in Karachi along with addresses of Dawood's brother Anees Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel.
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January - 14 
Underworld don and erstwhile member of the D-Company, Ejaz Lakdawala revealed to the Mumbai Police that Dawood Ibrahim has been using Kathmandu in Nepal as his base for operating Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) with the help of Pakistan embassy, reports Outlook India on January 15. He stated that
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Underworld don and erstwhile member of the D-Company, Ejaz Lakdawala revealed to the Mumbai Police that Dawood Ibrahim has been using Kathmandu in Nepal as his base for operating Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) with the help of Pakistan embassy, reports Outlook India on January 15. He stated that India's most-wanted fugitive Dawood Ibrahim has been pushing FICN through the porous border into India. Lakdawala revealed the two addresses of Dawood Ibrahim in Karachi along with addresses of Dawood's brother Anees Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel.
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January - 14 
Human Rights Watch (HRW) in its World Report 2020 released on January 14 said respect for fundamental human rights in Sri Lanka is in serious jeopardy following Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s election as President in November 2019, reports Colombo Page. “There is every reason to fear that any progress Sri Lan
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Human Rights Watch (HRW) in its World Report 2020 released on January 14 said respect for fundamental human rights in Sri Lanka is in serious jeopardy following Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s election as President in November 2019, reports Colombo Page. “There is every reason to fear that any progress Sri Lanka has made in recent years in restoring basic rights and rebuilding democratic institutions will be overturned with a vengeance. The new president seems intent not only to wipe away the Rajapaksas’ past abuses but clear the path for future ones. Concerned governments should make it clear that international crimes cannot simply be brushed under the carpet,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at HRW.
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January - 14 
On January 14, Hizb-e-Islami (HeI) leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar said that United States (US) has asked the Taliban to cut its ties with Iran and to agree to the presence of some US forces in Afghanistan after a potential peace agreement between the two sides, reports Tolo News. Hekmatyar said the US b
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On January 14, Hizb-e-Islami (HeI) leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar said that United States (US) has asked the Taliban to cut its ties with Iran and to agree to the presence of some US forces in Afghanistan after a potential peace agreement between the two sides, reports Tolo News. Hekmatyar said the US brought these two issues as preconditions for signing a peace agreement with the Taliban, and said the preconditions seem to be the main obstruction in the way of both sides signing the peace deal.
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January - 15 
Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong state on January 15 that the offer made by banned militant outfit — Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) for holding peace talks will need to be discussed with the Central Government, reports Northeast Today. He stated that “This is not onl
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Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong state on January 15 that the offer made by banned militant outfit — Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) for holding peace talks will need to be discussed with the Central Government, reports Northeast Today. He stated that “This is not only the state government’s subject. We also need to sit down with the centre so that tripartite talk can take place at the earliest,”. HNLC, in a statement, had recently offered to hold political dialogue with the centre and the state government but maintained that they will not surrender first.
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January - 15 
Terror outfits are using encrypted mobile communications and Voice on Internet Protocol (VoIP) to plan infiltrations into India and reactivate their cadre in Jammu and Kashmir, the Jammu and Kashmir Government said on January 15, reports Daily Excelsior. This is a well-established fact, Government s
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Terror outfits are using encrypted mobile communications and Voice on Internet Protocol (VoIP) to plan infiltrations into India and reactivate their cadre in Jammu and Kashmir, the Jammu and Kashmir Government said on January 15, reports Daily Excelsior. This is a well-established fact, Government spokesman Rohit Kansal said. “Sustained efforts are being made by terrorists to infiltrate from across the border, reactivate their cadre and scale up anti-national activities not only in the Kashmir division but also in some areas of the Jammu division by using Voice on Internet Protocol and encrypted mobile communications, and through various social media applications to coordinate and plan terrorist activities,” he said.
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January - 15 
The security agencies, including the state police, were trying to find out more about the financial network of the terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir from the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) militants arrested recently, reports India Today. "The militants were extracting money from the locals which was being u
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The security agencies, including the state police, were trying to find out more about the financial network of the terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir from the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) militants arrested recently, reports India Today. "The militants were extracting money from the locals which was being used for anti-national activities. The arrested senior cop [Deputy Superintendent of Police Davinder Singh] was given Rs 12 lakh [INR .12 million] for escorting the terrorists from the Valley to Chandigarh. From where this money came is the thing to be investigated," an unnamed source said. "We are looking into the nexus minutely. As far as the investigation of this case is concerned first it will be focused on the present case only but other aspects can also be investigated if any link is established at any stage. We had launched five operations on the basis of the inputs given by Naveed Babu but no arrests have been made thereafter. We have destroyed a couple of hideouts but did not find any terrorist," Director General of Police (DGP) Jammu and Kashmir Dilbag Singh said on January 15. As reported earlier, two HM militants along with DSP Singh and an over ground worker of HM were arrested on January 11 from Kulgam.
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January - 15 
The State Police of Punjab has banned the use of Remote Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) i.e. drones, in areas adjoining the India-Pakistan border across the State on January 15, reports The Tribune. The radius of 25 kilometers near the border has been declared “no d
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The State Police of Punjab has banned the use of Remote Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) i.e. drones, in areas adjoining the India-Pakistan border across the State on January 15, reports The Tribune. The radius of 25 kilometers near the border has been declared “no drone zone” and notice boards have been installed outside all Police Stations in these areas. The Police have warned that if anyone is caught violating the order, strict legal action will be taken. The police have made it clear that no one is allowed to use drone even for shooting films and if anyone wants to shoot any occasion, prior permission has to be procured. The Station House Officer (SHO) of Gharinda, Amandeep Singh said, “The use of drones in border areas is totally banned. No one is allowed to use drones even for amusement. If wedding photographers want to shoot a ceremony, they have to seek permission. We have increased surveillance in the border villages and appealed to the public to cooperate and inform the police about the sighting of any drone activity.”
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January - 15 
Human Rights Watch (HRW) in its World Report 2020 said on January 15 that the Government of Nepal is rolling out a series of laws to undermine the freedom of expression, while denying justice to victims of conflict-era abuses, reports The Himalayan Times. According to the report, the KP Sharma Oli-l
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Human Rights Watch (HRW) in its World Report 2020 said on January 15 that the Government of Nepal is rolling out a series of laws to undermine the freedom of expression, while denying justice to victims of conflict-era abuses, reports The Himalayan Times. According to the report, the KP Sharma Oli-led Government proposed amendments to the law related to transitional justice, but they did not meet international standards that could ensure trial for those most responsible for the worst crimes committed during the conflict. “Instead, the current government, like its predecessors, continued to resist amending the transitional justice legislation to abide by the landmark 2015 Supreme Court ruling, which struck down key components of the current law, such as provisions that would allow amnesty even for perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity,” it warned.
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January - 15 
Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Co-chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who led the 10-year long Maoist insurgency from 1996 to 2006, on January 15 said the allegation that he was responsible for 17,000 conflict-era killings was false, but added that he was ready to take responsibility of 5,000 deaths, reports
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Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Co-chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who led the 10-year long Maoist insurgency from 1996 to 2006, on January 15 said the allegation that he was responsible for 17,000 conflict-era killings was false, but added that he was ready to take responsibility of 5,000 deaths, reports The Himalayan Times. “Please check the statistics. The then state killed 12,000 people. If you hold me responsible for the killing of 5,000 persons, I am ready to accept it,” said Dahal at a programme held at Tundikhel on the occasion of Maghi festival. Dahal also reiterated that he would take full responsibility of the ‘people’s war’. “I take full responsibility of all good and bad work of the war. I will never run away,” he said. “But please do not hold me responsible for anything that I have not done.”
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January - 16 
More than 30,000 displaced Bru tribals from Mizoram will permanently settle in Tripura and a tripartite agreement was signed in this effect on January 16, reports The Telegraph. The agreement was signed by representatives of Bru and the central and Mizoram governments in presence of Union home minis
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More than 30,000 displaced Bru tribals from Mizoram will permanently settle in Tripura and a tripartite agreement was signed in this effect on January 16, reports The Telegraph. The agreement was signed by representatives of Bru and the central and Mizoram governments in presence of Union home minister Amit Shah. An agreement signed in July 2018 for repatriation of the Bru tribals to Mizoram did not materialise as majority of the community members refused to go back to Mizoram. Union Minister Amit Shah stated that “With the efforts of Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb, Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, NEDA convenor and leaders of Tripura’s political parties and royal scion Pradyot Manikya Deb Barman, the issue has finally come to a logical end,” He also added that “A 40x30 ft plot to build house, Rs 4 lakh as fixed deposit, financial aid of Rs 5,000 per month along with free rations supply for the next two years to all the Bru families. To build the house, an amount of Rs 1.5 lakh will also be provided to every family,”
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January - 17 
A drone-like object was spotted flying for about 15 minutes over the Puswada camp of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on the Dornapal-Jagargunda axis in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh on January 17, reports The Week. The Superintendent of Police (SP), Shalabh Sinha said, “We launched our UAV
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A drone-like object was spotted flying for about 15 minutes over the Puswada camp of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on the Dornapal-Jagargunda axis in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh on January 17, reports The Week. The Superintendent of Police (SP), Shalabh Sinha said, “We launched our UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle or drone) to track its movement. However, the light of the suspected drone went off and it disappeared". It was yet to be ascertained if Maoists were operating these drones, the SP added. Similar incident of drone flying over Security Forces’ (SFs) camps in Kistaram and Pallodi area of the District was witnessed in October, 2019.
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January - 17 
On January 17, Police arrested six Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) members, identified as Irfan, Syed Akbar, Syed Siddiqui, Akbar Basha, Sanaulla and Sadiq Amin, all residents of KG Halli in Bengaluru city for causing injury to a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker in a pro-Citizenship
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On January 17, Police arrested six Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) members, identified as Irfan, Syed Akbar, Syed Siddiqui, Akbar Basha, Sanaulla and Sadiq Amin, all residents of KG Halli in Bengaluru city for causing injury to a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker in a pro-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) rally on December 22, 2019, reports Firstpost. According to the Bengaluru Police Commissioner the SDPI members wanted to create a panic situation so that people would flee, thereby making it easier for them to eliminate their targets. "We have named them as the Bengaluru terror module of chapter-1. All of them are in our custody. They wanted to kill the main speakers of the event (pro-Citizenship Amendment Act rally)," Bengaluru Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao said.
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January - 17 
The Wayanad Press Club, on January 17, received a pamphlet from the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) criticising the Government for what it termed a nominal hike in wages of plantation workers, reports The Hindu. “Many commissions had been appointed by the State Government to study issue
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The Wayanad Press Club, on January 17, received a pamphlet from the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) criticising the Government for what it termed a nominal hike in wages of plantation workers, reports The Hindu. “Many commissions had been appointed by the State Government to study issues of plantation workers. But no decision had been taken in favour of the working class. Whereas it had taken many decisions in favour of estate owners,” Ajitha, spokesperson of the Nadukani Dalam (armed squad) of the CPI-Maoist, said in the letter. While the Government had exempted agriculture income tax and land tax for the corporates, it only made a nominal increase of INR 52 in wages for the workers in the sector, she said. Such a decision was only to protect the vested interests of the capitalist class. The life of workers in the sector was in crisis now as prices of essential commodities had increased manifold since 2015, she said. The Government was cheating the working class. The pamphlet demanded land, house, and minimum wages of INR 800 a day for the workers.
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January - 17 
Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on January 17 has sentenced 86 members of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), including TLP chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi's brother Ameer Hussain Rizvi and nephew Mohammad Ali, to 55-year prison terms each for taking part in violent rallies in 2018 over the acquit
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Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on January 17 has sentenced 86 members of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), including TLP chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi's brother Ameer Hussain Rizvi and nephew Mohammad Ali, to 55-year prison terms each for taking part in violent rallies in 2018 over the acquittal of a Christian woman in a blasphemy case, reports Daily Times. The trial had lasted for over a year. Additionally, the court ordered the convicts to collectively submit Rs 12,925,000 and directed authorities to seize their moveable and immoveable assets. The court was hearing a case registered in the Pindighep Police Station against TLP workers who held violent protests and clashed with the Police over the arrest of party chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi in 2018. Pir Ejaz Ashrafi, a senior leader of TLP, said the sentences will be appealed. “Justice has not been done,” Ashrafi said. “We will challenge the verdicts,” he added.
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January - 17 
The ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) and the main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) leaders in a meeting on January 17, agreed to move ahead with the amendment of the Transitional Justice (TJ) Act, in line with the inputs gathered during consultations with stakeholders on January 7, in all seven pro
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The ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) and the main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) leaders in a meeting on January 17, agreed to move ahead with the amendment of the Transitional Justice (TJ) Act, in line with the inputs gathered during consultations with stakeholders on January 7, in all seven provinces, reports The Himalayan Times.“The meeting agreed that both the ruling and opposition parties are on the same page when it comes to taking the transitional justice to its logical conclusion,” said Subas Chandra Nembang, NCP co-chairperson. “Based on the inputs gathered in the consultations, the amendment bill will be tabled in the ongoing Bill Session of the House.”Victims of the decade-long Maoist conflict that ran from 1996 to 2006 have long been demanding that the act be amended in line with the Supreme Court verdicts and Nepal’s international obligations, by incorporating their concerns.
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January - 17 
For the first time, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa during a meeting with United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator Hanaa Singer at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on January 17 admitted that thousands of people missing since the end of the brutal civil war between the Government and the Liberat
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For the first time, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa during a meeting with United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator Hanaa Singer at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on January 17 admitted that thousands of people missing since the end of the brutal civil war between the Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels over a decade ago are "dead", reports Times of India. He told that after the necessary investigations are completed steps would be taken to issue death certificates to these missing persons. According to the Government figures, over 20,000 people are missing due to various conflicts including the three-decade separatist war with LTTE in the north and east which claimed at least 100,000 lives.
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January - 17 
Chairman of Tajikistan’s State Committee for National Security Saimumin Yatimov during his meeting with Afghan counterpart Zia Saraj referred to the danger of destabilization for the region due to the presence of subversive forces, reports bhaktarnews.com. "The sides have expressed their concern reg
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Chairman of Tajikistan’s State Committee for National Security Saimumin Yatimov during his meeting with Afghan counterpart Zia Saraj referred to the danger of destabilization for the region due to the presence of subversive forces, reports bhaktarnews.com. "The sides have expressed their concern regarding the fact that Afghanistan has turned into a battlefield due to the interference of certain international subversive forces. This factor creates risks for neighboring states," the message informs. "In light of the current situation, they have highlighted the direct threat of international terrorist groups, namely Al-Qaeda, the Islamic State, the Islamic Renaissance Party, the Ansorulloh, the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, the Turkistan Islamic Movement and others."
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January - 18 
On January 18, RN Ravi Interlocutor while citing National Investigation Agency (NIA) report expressed concern over the involvement of some senior leaders of NSCN-IM in ‘criminal activities’ like carjacking, drug trafficking and gun running, reports Nagaland Post.
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On January 18, RN Ravi Interlocutor while citing National Investigation Agency (NIA) report expressed concern over the involvement of some senior leaders of NSCN-IM in ‘criminal activities’ like carjacking, drug trafficking and gun running, reports Nagaland Post.
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January - 18 
The Palamu Police arrested three persons and seized an 8GB memory card, containing key information about Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) from Palamu District of Jharkhand on January 18, reports The Telegraph. As per the sources, the three arrested persons have been identified as Akhiles
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The Palamu Police arrested three persons and seized an 8GB memory card, containing key information about Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) from Palamu District of Jharkhand on January 18, reports The Telegraph. As per the sources, the three arrested persons have been identified as Akhilesh Yadav and Ajay Yadav, both brothers and residents of Aurangabad District of Bihar; and Mithilesh Yadav, resident of Lesliganj block in Palamu District. The trio was supposed to deliver the memory card to Maoists either in Saranda in Jharkhand or Chhakarbandha in Bihar. Police said the chip was handed over to Akhilesh by Ajay who got it from Mithilesh. Akhilesh is the younger brother of top Maoist Vinayji, the ‘secretary’ of Bihar Jharkhand ‘special area committee’ of CPI-Maoist. “The memory chip that was supposed to reach the Maoist top brass contains sensitive information about their sinister designs,” the Superintendent of Police (SP), Ashwani Kumar Sinha said, adding that the arrested trio had revealed that Maoists on the border of Bihar and Jharkhand were desperate to rear their heads again.
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January - 18 
Thousands of people mainly student protested against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on January 18, reports Nagaland Post. President, Dimapur District Gaon Bura Association (DDGBA), KhehoviChophi, stated that when only few Nagas were able to stand on their own feet, how could the state agree to outs
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Thousands of people mainly student protested against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on January 18, reports Nagaland Post. President, Dimapur District Gaon Bura Association (DDGBA), KhehoviChophi, stated that when only few Nagas were able to stand on their own feet, how could the state agree to outsiders coming “to our land, for them to snatch away our earnings?”. He further affirmed that as guardian of custom and tradition, DDGBA will never support or allow CAA/NRC.
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January - 18 
Conflict victims, who had been demanding wider consultations and transparency in the appointment process, on January 18 said they will not accept the new leadership handpicked by the parties, reports Kathmandu Post. Bhagiram Chaudhari, chairman of the Conflict Victims Common Platform (CVCP) said “Th
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Conflict victims, who had been demanding wider consultations and transparency in the appointment process, on January 18 said they will not accept the new leadership handpicked by the parties, reports Kathmandu Post. Bhagiram Chaudhari, chairman of the Conflict Victims Common Platform (CVCP) said “The recommendation committee acted at the behest of the parties; its independence has come into question. We are not going to accept this leadership.” Similarly, “How can those appointed at the party leaders’ order investigate the cases against them?” Gopal Shah, chairman of the Conflict Victims National Network (CVNN), asked.
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January - 19 
The Conflict Victims Common Platform (CVCP), on January 19, issued a press release strongly objecting to the nomination of office bearers in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP), reports The Himalayan Times. The rec
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The Conflict Victims Common Platform (CVCP), on January 19, issued a press release strongly objecting to the nomination of office bearers in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP), reports The Himalayan Times. The recommendation committee formed under former chief justice Om Prakash Mishra to nominate office bearers of the two Transitional Justice (TJ) mechanisms had recommended the office bearers on January 18. The CVCP said the recommendation committee endorsed the names recommended by the political parties that were indifferent to the pain and suffering of conflict victims. Stating that their lack of imitative to amend the TRC Act, was one of the major causes behind the failure of the two transitional justice bodies, CVCP said, and the recommendation committee ignored the concerns of the conflict victims. The CVCP further said it recommended party’s loyalists in the two TJ bodies without reviewing causes of their failure, and the rights of the victims could not be ensured by the two TJ bodies as they would be unable to investigate the cases of human rights violations in impartial and independent manner. According to CVCP recommendation of the ‘loyalist and inefficient persons’ in the TRC and the CIEDP was made with the intention of to prolong the TJ process. “We will not support the TRC and the CIEDP unless they are formed after consulting us and amending the TRC Act,” CVCP said in the release. The CVCP urged national and international stakeholders to exert pressure on the Government to address concerns of the conflict victims.
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January - 20 
Tripura unit of Amra Bangali, a Bengali political party, January 20 threatened a massive agitation if the government doesn’t fulfil its demands, including Bangalistan, a separate state for Bengalis, and exemption of the state from Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), reports The Telegraph. The party Tr
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Tripura unit of Amra Bangali, a Bengali political party, January 20 threatened a massive agitation if the government doesn’t fulfil its demands, including Bangalistan, a separate state for Bengalis, and exemption of the state from Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), reports The Telegraph. The party Tripura secretary stated that “During the period of insurgency in Tripura, and before that during Partition, a large number of Bengalis were affected. Many were rendered homeless. On December 10 last year, during a protest against CAA in Kanchanpur sub-division of North Tripura District, displaced Brus had attacked Bengalis after which some of them shifted to relief camps out of fear. Many people lost their properties but the government didn’t take any action against the culprits. To protect the interest of Bengalis, we need a land exclusively for Bengalis, Bangalistan. Bengalis are an integral part of this land and should not leave it at any cost. We shall not let any Bengali be excluded from this land.”
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January - 20 
Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh on January 20 endorsed the views of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat on setting up de-radicalisation camps in Kashmir Valley in J&K in India, reports The Print. The DGP said it would be a “good sign”, and that move
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Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh on January 20 endorsed the views of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat on setting up de-radicalisation camps in Kashmir Valley in J&K in India, reports The Print. The DGP said it would be a “good sign”, and that moves to de-radicalise youth should be welcomed. “For some time, Pakistan and its agencies (have been) trying to spread radicalisation in this area. Some of our youth have got affected. If any such facility comes up in Kashmir, it would be a good sign,” Singh said at a press conference in Srinagar, on being asked about the CDS’ views. CDS General Rawat on January 16 spoke about setting up of de-radicalisation camps in Kashmir. “In Kashmir, we saw radicalisation happening. Today, we are seeing radicalisation happening even among young people. Girls and boys as young as 10 and 12 are now being radicalised. These people can still be isolated from radicalisation in a gradual way,” Rawat said. “But there are people who have been completely radicalised. These people need to be taken out separately. Possibly taken into some de-radicalisation camps. We have got de-radicalisations camps running in our country. Let me tell you that even Pakistan is doing the same,” he had said.
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January - 20 
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) on January 20 arrested a madrassa (seminary)-educated ‘software Developer’, Ghulam Mustafa (28), a native of Jharkhand in India, from Bhubaneshwar in Odisha in India to bust an e-ticket racket with suspected links to terror financing, reports Times of India. The ra
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The Railway Protection Force (RPF) on January 20 arrested a madrassa (seminary)-educated ‘software Developer’, Ghulam Mustafa (28), a native of Jharkhand in India, from Bhubaneshwar in Odisha in India to bust an e-ticket racket with suspected links to terror financing, reports Times of India. The racket is suspected to have links to Pakistan, Bangladesh and Dubai. "Dimensions of money laundering and terror financing are suspected," RPF Director General Arun Kumar said on January 21. The RPF chief named one Hamid Ashraf as the mastermind of the racket which is suspected to generate revenue of INR 10-15 crore per month. Ashraf, who is also a ‘software developer’, was involved in the bombing of a school in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda District in 2019 and is now suspected to have fled to Dubai, Kumar said. "Shamsher Ahmed, the founder of Bright Future School in Gonda district, informed us that a bomb had exploded near the boundary of the institution at 3 am on July 21," Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mahendra Kumar had said. The blast left a hole in the wall. No injuries were reported.
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January - 21 
Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) on January 21 met NSCN-IM’s Thuingaleng Muivahto discuss issues pertaining to peaceful co-existence between different communities of the state, reports Indian Express. COCOMI is a conglomerate of several civil bodies of Manipur who has been spearh
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Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) on January 21 met NSCN-IM’s Thuingaleng Muivahto discuss issues pertaining to peaceful co-existence between different communities of the state, reports Indian Express. COCOMI is a conglomerate of several civil bodies of Manipur who has been spearheading the agitation opposing any possible outcome of the Indo-Naga peace talks which could affect Manipur’s Integrity.Sunil Karam, convener of COCOMI said as many as 14 members of COCOMI and four representatives of Tangkhul Naga Foothill Organisation (TNFO) met Th Muivah at camp Hebron in Dimapur District of Nagaland. Reacting to news report on possible formation of an autonomous council in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur, the COCOMI convener reiterated its stance on Manipur territorial steadfast. “There can be no changes in administrative set up or alternative arrangement or division based on ethnic lines”.
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January - 21 
Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a Manipur civil group met with National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) on January 21, reports The Sangai Express. COCOMI called on Muivah not to pursue any separate administrative unit for any particular ethnic community base
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Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a Manipur civil group met with National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) on January 21, reports The Sangai Express. COCOMI called on Muivah not to pursue any separate administrative unit for any particular ethnic community based on ethnicity. COCOMI convener Sunil Karam said that 14 representatives of COCOMI held a meeting with the NSCN-IM leader on the agenda of peaceful co-existence together with four representatives of the Tangkhul Naga Foothills Organisation. Commenting on media reports that two territorial councils would be set up for Nagas in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, Sunil Karam maintained that there is no alteration to the people’s and COCOMI’s resolve to oppose any attempt to create separate administrative unit based on ethnicity. The COCMI convener also added that during a meeting with COCOMI representatives, the Central Government expressed its intention to set up a territorial council in the State but the COCOMI representatives categorically stated that the Government of India should not ever commit such a political blunder.
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January - 21 
Keeping in view the misuse of drones in smuggling narcotics and arms from across the International Border (IB), the Punjab Police have put a ban on flying Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) or Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) i.e. drone within a distance of 25 Kilometers of the India-Pakistan bor
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Keeping in view the misuse of drones in smuggling narcotics and arms from across the International Border (IB), the Punjab Police have put a ban on flying Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) or Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) i.e. drone within a distance of 25 Kilometers of the India-Pakistan border, reports The Tribune on January 22. These directions were issued to conform to the directions of the Ministry of Civil Aviation under a policy named ‘Drone Regulations 1.0’ that classify UAS or RPAS or drone, and delineate how these can be flown and set restrictions under which they can be operated. The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Vikram Jeet Duggal said a special vigil would be undertaken to ensure that the directions regarding drones are followed. Ownership of a drone without a valid permit would invite action under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The SSP further said, as per these rules, a special permit according to the potency of the drone has to be obtained from the Director General of Civil Aviation. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued a public notice providing a “one-time” opportunity for voluntary disclosure for all drones and drone operators till January 31.
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January - 21 
Taliban’s spokesman Suhain Shaheen told Arab News in a phone conversation on January 21 that Taliban representatives are holding talks with United States (US) negotiators in Qatar to create a “safe atmosphere” for the signing of a peace agreement, reports Tolo News. “There had been no discussion on
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Taliban’s spokesman Suhain Shaheen told Arab News in a phone conversation on January 21 that Taliban representatives are holding talks with United States (US) negotiators in Qatar to create a “safe atmosphere” for the signing of a peace agreement, reports Tolo News. “There had been no discussion on cease-fire since the beginning, but the US proposed reduction in violence and our stance is to provide a safe atmosphere during the days of the agreement,” Shaheed said as quoted by Arab News. Shaheed, according to Arab News, said that a comprehensive and complete cease-fire would be declared after the peace agreement is signed with the US. We will also provide a safe passage to the US and other foreign forces following the deal,” he said.
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January - 22 
More than 600 cadres belonging to different rebel outfits of Assam will surrender on January 23 (today), reports News 18. According to Director General of Police Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta “A total of 644 rebel leaders and cadres would lay down their arms before the chief minister in Guwahati on Thursday.
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More than 600 cadres belonging to different rebel outfits of Assam will surrender on January 23 (today), reports News 18. According to Director General of Police Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta “A total of 644 rebel leaders and cadres would lay down their arms before the chief minister in Guwahati on Thursday. All of them have returned from various places along with a huge amount of arms and ammunition and they will officially surrender the same on Thursday.” He also added that “It was a comprehensive effort of the Special Branch of Assam Police, led by Inspector General Hiren Chandra Nath, to bring them back to the mainstream. The cadres have with them over 170 sophisticated arms, including AK-47, AK-56 and AK-57 rifles, Heckler & Koch series rifles and Beretta series pistols, bombs, a huge number of grenades,”. Few members of the Rabha National Liberation Army (RNLA), National Liberation Front of Bengali (NLFB) and Adivasi Liberation Force (ALF) will also lay down their arms.
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January - 23 
An individual who has been missing from Jerai Gaon in Dibrugarh District of Assam is suspected to have joined United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I), reports East Mojo. The individual was identified as TapubanGohain. The development comes on the backdrop of police confirmation of Gyand
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An individual who has been missing from Jerai Gaon in Dibrugarh District of Assam is suspected to have joined United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I), reports East Mojo. The individual was identified as TapubanGohain. The development comes on the backdrop of police confirmation of GyandeepBorpatroGohain, hailing from Chabua in the same District who disappeared on January 4 this year, having joined ULFA-I. Dibrugarh additional superintendent police Padmanabh Baruah said, "The officer-in-charge of ChabuaPolice station learnt from his sources that a youth has gone missing from Jeraigoan under Chabua police station. It was corroborated from Gohain's family members who told the police that he has been missing since January 17." He also added that "We are suspecting that he may have joined ULFA-I and the police are trying to track him”. TapubanGohain is the second youth from Dibrugarh and eighth individual from upper Assam suspected to have joined ULFA-I after the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests in Assam.
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January - 23 
Border Security Force (BSF) on January 23 stated that there was a substantial increase in the outflow of illegal Bangladeshi migrants to their home country over the past month, reports Assam Tribune. BSF Inspector General (South Bengal Frontier) YB Khurania state that “There has been substantial inc
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Border Security Force (BSF) on January 23 stated that there was a substantial increase in the outflow of illegal Bangladeshi migrants to their home country over the past month, reports Assam Tribune. BSF Inspector General (South Bengal Frontier) YB Khurania state that “There has been substantial increase in outflow of illegal Bangladeshi migrants to the bordering country in last one month. In January alone, we apprehended 268 illegal Bangladeshi migrants, most of who were trying to sneak into the neighbouring country,” In 2019, the BSF had apprehended 2,194 Bangladeshis, most of them caught while trying to illegally sneak into India. But since December last year, things have changed, the official said.
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January - 23 
Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani said on January 23 that Pakistan continues to give sanctuary to an insurgent group that helps the Taliban in its war against Kabul and the United States, directly contradicting an earlier statement by Prime Minister Imran Khan, reports Daily Times.On January 22, Pr
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Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani said on January 23 that Pakistan continues to give sanctuary to an insurgent group that helps the Taliban in its war against Kabul and the United States, directly contradicting an earlier statement by Prime Minister Imran Khan, reports Daily Times.On January 22, Prime Minister Imran Khan had told reporters at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that the Haqqani network, which the United States has designated as a terrorist group, has no activities or bases in Pakistan.“And you believed him?” Ghani, also at Davos, asked on January 23. “One can also say that the earth does not revolve around the sun.” “This is a denial that is not helpful. We need to engage in a constructive engagement where the special relation between the Taliban and Pakistan ends. It is good for both countries and it is good for the region and the world,” he said.
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January - 23 
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at a gala luncheon hosted on the occasion of the winter exercise of Bangladesh Army on January 23 reiterated her determination to advance the country further by freeing it from terrorism, militancy and corruption, reports Dhaka Tribune. She said "We want to take the coun
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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at a gala luncheon hosted on the occasion of the winter exercise of Bangladesh Army on January 23 reiterated her determination to advance the country further by freeing it from terrorism, militancy and corruption, reports Dhaka Tribune. She said "We want to take the country forward more and free it from the hands of terrorism, militancy and graft. We are working towards to achieve this goal."
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January - 23 
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said necessary investigations would be conducted before a death certificate would be issued for thousands of people missing from the country’s three-decade long war, reports Colombo Page on January 24. Issuing a statement to clarify the certain International media report
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President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said necessary investigations would be conducted before a death certificate would be issued for thousands of people missing from the country’s three-decade long war, reports Colombo Page on January 24. Issuing a statement to clarify the certain International media reports which had said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had stated that 20,000 listed as missing are dead, the President’s Media Division said in all these reports however, the crucial detail that necessary investigations would be conducted before a death certificate would be issued had been wittingly or unwittingly omitted. “Most unfortunately, these news items are carrying a misquotation to the effect that President Rajapaksa as having “acknowledged” that over 20,000 disappeared are dead. For the record, he did not make any such acknowledgement and nor did he make a reference to a number as missing or dead,” the statement further emphasized.
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January - 23 
United National Party (UNP) Member of Parliament (MP) Palitha Range Bandara while addressing a news briefing held at Sirikotha on January 23 said that UNP will not support the proposed abolition of the 19th Amendment, reports Daily News. He said “This is a prelude to making autocratic leaders. The U
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United National Party (UNP) Member of Parliament (MP) Palitha Range Bandara while addressing a news briefing held at Sirikotha on January 23 said that UNP will not support the proposed abolition of the 19th Amendment, reports Daily News. He said “This is a prelude to making autocratic leaders. The UNP will not assist any measures taken by the Government to terminate the 19th Amendment. The people wanted to abolish the Executive Presidency when we came to power in 2015. The 19th Amendment to the Constitution reduced the powers of the Executive Presidency by 90%. It also restored the independence of the Elections Commission, Public Service and the Police. Therefore, we do not find any need to repeal it.”
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January - 24 
National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 24 stated that they have filed a charge sheet against five alleged Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) operatives in the Barpeta JMB module case, reports Northeast Now on January 25. Chargesheet was filed against Hafizur Rahman, Yakub Ali, Sariful Isl
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National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 24 stated that they have filed a charge sheet against five alleged Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) operatives in the Barpeta JMB module case, reports Northeast Now on January 25. Chargesheet was filed against Hafizur Rahman, Yakub Ali, Sariful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman and Mohammad Hafiz Safikul Islam under the Arms Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The agency took over the probe in December 2019 on the basis of a case registered at Barpeta Police Station in Assam.
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January - 24 
Over 11,000 Bru voters from six relief camps in Tripura will be deleted from Mizoram’s voter list, reports East Mojo on January 25. The decision was necessitated by the signing of a quadripartite agreement that gave the Bru people the right to permanently settle in Tripura. Mizoram Chief Electoral O
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Over 11,000 Bru voters from six relief camps in Tripura will be deleted from Mizoram’s voter list, reports East Mojo on January 25. The decision was necessitated by the signing of a quadripartite agreement that gave the Bru people the right to permanently settle in Tripura. Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ashish Kundra stated that “The process of deletion is likely to be undertaken during the next round of roll revision after the Bru relief camps in Tripura are closed down. According to election officials, there were a total of 12,081 Bru voters in six relief camps in Tripura in the last Lok Sabha (lower house of Indian Parliament) poll held in April last year. During the last phase of repatriation conducted between October and November last year, 1,168 Bru people, comprising 715 adults and 453 children, belonging to 289 families, have returned to Mizoram.
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January - 24 
The Hindu adds that COCOMI convener Sunil Karam said stated that “We agreed unanimously to work together for peaceful co-existence among different communities of Manipur and to shape a future for the Northeast without letting a third party, the Government of India, interfere”. This is believed to be
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The Hindu adds that COCOMI convener Sunil Karam said stated that “We agreed unanimously to work together for peaceful co-existence among different communities of Manipur and to shape a future for the Northeast without letting a third party, the Government of India, interfere”. This is believed to be a significant development in a State with a history of cold conflict between the Meitei community dominating the Imphal Valley and the Nagas inhabiting the hills around. A majority of the members of the NSCN (IM) are from the hills of Manipur. The COCOMI, which is a conglomerate of several civil society organisations, stands opposed to any changes in Manipur’s existing administrative setups.
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January - 24 
The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) on January 24 publishing the final report on Sri Lanka’s November 16, 2019, Presidential Election said the biased election coverage by private and state media tainted the otherwise well managed election process by the Election Commission (EC),
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The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) on January 24 publishing the final report on Sri Lanka’s November 16, 2019, Presidential Election said the biased election coverage by private and state media tainted the otherwise well managed election process by the Election Commission (EC), reports Colombo Page. Chief Observer of the EU EOM to Sri Lanka, Ms. Marisa Matias presenting the report, said “An electoral process well managed by the Election Commission and a peaceful campaign on the ground contrasted with divisive rhetoric, hate speech and disinformation in traditional and social media. The absence of a law on campaign finance and the biased election coverage by private and state media contributed to an uneven playing field and limited the opportunity for most candidates to convey their message.”
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January - 25 
Pakistan is trying to revive terrorism in Chenab valley, Director General of Police (DGP), Dilbag Singh said on January 25, stressing upon his men to make strenuous efforts to make the region militancy-free once again, reports Daily Excelsior.“This (Chenab valley) region was once a hot-bed of terror
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Pakistan is trying to revive terrorism in Chenab valley, Director General of Police (DGP), Dilbag Singh said on January 25, stressing upon his men to make strenuous efforts to make the region militancy-free once again, reports Daily Excelsior.“This (Chenab valley) region was once a hot-bed of terrorism before it was completely cleared some time back but over time due to the continuous efforts by Pakistan agencies, some nine terrorists became active in the twin districts of Kishtwar and Doda,” Singh told reporters during his visit to Doda district on the eve of Republic Day.He said Pakistan is trying to revive terrorism in Chenab valley but the joint efforts of Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), the terrorist networks have been smashed and Over Ground Workers (OGW’s) and their support systems have also been busted.
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January - 25 
The issue of separate Bodoland State and Union Territory (UT) status is unlikely to be part of the package proposed to be signed with National Democratic Front of Bodoland-Saoraigwra (NDFB-S), reports Assam Tribune on January 25. The delegation of the surrendered militants is scheduled to arrive in
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The issue of separate Bodoland State and Union Territory (UT) status is unlikely to be part of the package proposed to be signed with National Democratic Front of Bodoland-Saoraigwra (NDFB-S), reports Assam Tribune on January 25. The delegation of the surrendered militants is scheduled to arrive in Delhi on January 25 (today). Meanwhile, a senior unidentified Bodo leader who is part of peace process stated that that it has been made clear to the surrendered NDFB-S leaders that the demand for separate State and UT status will not be part of the Bodoland package. All the demands has to be made within the purview of constitution. Government is willing to discuss demands like political rights of the Bodo people, safeguard of their language and culture and related matters.
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January - 25 
Four international human rights organisations - International Commission of Jurists, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and TRIAL International - on January 25 warned that conflict victims could seek justice in foreign courts, reports Kathmandu Post. They said that recent decisions by the Nep
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Four international human rights organisations - International Commission of Jurists, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and TRIAL International - on January 25 warned that conflict victims could seek justice in foreign courts, reports Kathmandu Post. They said that recent decisions by the Nepali Government and political parties to appoint officials to the transtional justice commissions without proper consultations and to nominate a murder accused as House Speaker undermined the transitional justice process.
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January - 26 
Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu, in his address to Republic Day Parade at Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu District on January 26, said that militancy related incidents have come down in the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) valley but called upon Security Force (SF) personnel to stay alert and keep vig
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Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu, in his address to Republic Day Parade at Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu District on January 26, said that militancy related incidents have come down in the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) valley but called upon Security Force (SF) personnel to stay alert and keep vigil on all such elements who want to spread violence in the Union Territory, reports Daily Excelsior. Murmu said militancy was down in the Valley and lauded role of security forces in keeping it under check and maintaining peace and normalcy.“Militancy is going down. Still, there was a need for security forces to keep strict vigil and always remain alert for maintenance of normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said and expressed confidence that the Union Territory would see the complete peace.
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January - 26 
National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) on January 26 stated that there were “innumerable violation of Ceasefire Ground Rules (CFGR)” by the Government of India, reports Morung Express. NSCN-IM stated that “its security forces and its intelligence agencies particularly the Natio
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National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) on January 26 stated that there were “innumerable violation of Ceasefire Ground Rules (CFGR)” by the Government of India, reports Morung Express. NSCN-IM stated that “its security forces and its intelligence agencies particularly the National Investigation Agency (NIA)”. A press release by NSCN-IM stated that NIA has been “acting with impunity and intensified its activities particularly after the ultimatum served by the GoI interlocutor in July, 2019 and the deliberate rejection of the Framework Agreement principle wherein the sovereign rights of the Naga people to use its national flag and constitution has been officially acknowledged.” It said that the NIA has “taken recourse to India’s Law and Order against the NSCN who is having political dialogue with the GoI.” NSCN-IM also added that “We doubt the sincerity of the GoI in concluding an acceptable and honourable political solution considering its carrot and stick policy. It is only when the GoI starts respecting its commitment, not otherwise, can the political dialogue move forward in the spirit of mutual trust and understanding.”
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January - 26 
The Chhattisgarh Governor Anusuiya Uikey, on January 26, said that the Naxal [Left Wing Extremism, LWE] violence has declined in the State due to vigilant Police Force and several initiatives in justice delivery, reports The Hindu. Addressing the Republic Day Police Parade in Raipur District, the Go
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The Chhattisgarh Governor Anusuiya Uikey, on January 26, said that the Naxal [Left Wing Extremism, LWE] violence has declined in the State due to vigilant Police Force and several initiatives in justice delivery, reports The Hindu. Addressing the Republic Day Police Parade in Raipur District, the Governor made the statement. She hailed the State Government’s three-pronged strategy of “trust, development and security” to improve the law and order situation in the State. The Governor said, “Vigilant Police Force and justice delivery initiatives have resulted in the reduction of Naxal violence and other offences. The Naxal rehabilitation action plan of the State has been made more attractive. With its three-tier strategy of trust, development and security, the State government has improved the law and order situation in the State. Several steps like giving weekly offs and response allowance to Police Forces have boosted their morale”. The Governor further added that “there has been a tremendous expansion of road infrastructure in the State. In one year, construction of 28 major bridges was completed while 119 are in progress”.
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January - 26 
Unconvinced by the Government’s approach to the transitional justice process, conflict victims have threatened to invite the international community including the United Nations to intervene in the ‘botched’ justice process, reports Republica on January 27. Bhagiram Chaudhary, the president of the C
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Unconvinced by the Government’s approach to the transitional justice process, conflict victims have threatened to invite the international community including the United Nations to intervene in the ‘botched’ justice process, reports Republica on January 27. Bhagiram Chaudhary, the president of the Conflict Victims’ Common Platform (CVCP), an umbrella organization of conflict victims, said “By ignoring our plea to revise the TJ law before appointing commissioners in the two commissions, the government has repeated the same old mistake. So, we will continue our protest against the botched TJ process. We will ask the United Nations and other countries that are committed to human rights to intervene in the TJ process if the government continues to undermine our voices.”
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January - 27 
Assam Tribune adds that those with heinous criminal charges will not be given any reprieve. State minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in reply to a question said that those who are not facing heinous criminal charges will be assisted by the government to join police and paramilitary forces.
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Assam Tribune adds that those with heinous criminal charges will not be given any reprieve. State minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in reply to a question said that those who are not facing heinous criminal charges will be assisted by the government to join police and paramilitary forces.
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January - 27 
Brajen Mahanta, adviser of the Abodo Surakshya Samiti on January 27 stated that the non-Bodo people of Bodoland under the aegis of the Samiti will carry out a long march demanding socioeconomic and other protection for them in the BTR.
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Brajen Mahanta, adviser of the Abodo Surakshya Samiti on January 27 stated that the non-Bodo people of Bodoland under the aegis of the Samiti will carry out a long march demanding socioeconomic and other protection for them in the BTR.
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January - 27 
Kokrajhar Member of Parliament (MP) Naba Kumar Sarania on January 27 said the government has repeated the same mistake made during the signing of the BTC Accord in 2003, reports Assam Tribune. He stated that “We are not against the peace process but unfortunately, the interests of the other ethnic t
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Kokrajhar Member of Parliament (MP) Naba Kumar Sarania on January 27 said the government has repeated the same mistake made during the signing of the BTC Accord in 2003, reports Assam Tribune. He stated that “We are not against the peace process but unfortunately, the interests of the other ethnic tribes in the area have been ignored once again in the agreement,”He stated that “With the new agreement, new villages are going to be included in the BTR. The matter of inclusion of new villages will be finalised by a commission. So, we demand inclusion of representatives from the non-Bodo section too in such a commission. Otherwise, the interests of the non-Bodo ethnic people will no longer be protected,”
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January - 27 
Members of Praktan KLO Samannay Mancha, a group of surrendered KLO cadres, sought talks with the government on the ST issue of their community otherwise they will be forced to return to their old path, reports Assam Tribune on January 28. The Mancha’s president Khagen Chandra Ray stated that “The th
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Members of Praktan KLO Samannay Mancha, a group of surrendered KLO cadres, sought talks with the government on the ST issue of their community otherwise they will be forced to return to their old path, reports Assam Tribune on January 28. The Mancha’s president Khagen Chandra Ray stated that “The then DGP Late Khagen Sarma had convinced and called us for talks with the government. Later, he had forced us to lay down arms in 2013 and till the date no talks between the government and us has been arranged”. The surrendered 300 cadres were compelled to put up their fresh demand before the GoI to initiate talks with them on the ST issue following the steps taken by the government to settle the Bodo issue. Khagen also added that around 100 cadres of the outfit in Myanmar are also ready to join the peace talks if the government invites them
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January - 27 
On January 27, Central Committee of the Karbi Students Association (KSA) has opposed Government of India ‘s (GoI) decision to expediate the process of granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) Hills status to Bodos living in Karbi Angling and other hill areas of Assam, reports The Shillong Times. KSA President
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On January 27, Central Committee of the Karbi Students Association (KSA) has opposed Government of India ‘s (GoI) decision to expediate the process of granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) Hills status to Bodos living in Karbi Angling and other hill areas of Assam, reports The Shillong Times. KSA President Samson Teron stated that while the association hoped the third Bodo peace accord would address the grievance of Bodos, it would oppose the contentious issue under Clause 8 of the accord inked with Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) in 2003. The clause 8 of 2003 accord had granted ST status to Bodos living in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao Districts.
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January - 27 
Outlook reports on January 28 that Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated “I have been told that if the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) faction (UFLA-Independent) shows interest in peace talks, it would be reciprocated by the Centre”. Report also added that before the accord is sig
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Outlook reports on January 28 that Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated “I have been told that if the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) faction (UFLA-Independent) shows interest in peace talks, it would be reciprocated by the Centre”. Report also added that before the accord is signed, the Centre is also likely to finalise the definition of “Assamese”, people who can be considered eligible for constitutional safeguards under the 1985 Assam Accord. A panel looking into the issue is expected to submit its report to the Centre by mid-February. ULFA factions, led by the Arabinda Rajkhowa and Anup Chetia are engaged in peace talks with New Delhi since 2010. Rajkhowa and Chetia are optimistic to sign a peace agreement with New Delhi soon. However, Assam Tribune adds that Assam Finance Minister when asked whether the State or the Centre has received any feeler from ULFA-I vis-à-vis their willingness to join the peace process, Sarma, however, said that there was no such development. He stated that “If permanent peace has to be achieved in the region in an inclusive manner, it has to include the remaining militant groups in Assam and Manipur who are yet to join the mainstream,”. Additionally, the state Finance Minister stated on January 28 that Bodo Peace Accord has fulfilled the aspirations of Bodos and non-Bodos living in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) and reaffirmed the territorial integrity of Assam, reports The Telegraph. He claimed that” For the first time, non-Bodos have the option to move out of the council while Bodo villages outside the council can be included,”. The BTC would be given maximum autonomy under the framework of the Constitution with the Centre and state government ready to transfer power to it.
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January - 27 
On January 27, National Security Advisor (NSA) Hamdullah Mohib, said that the Taliban are seeking to take over some areas in the Northern provinces and the Afghan National Security Forces will not allow the militants to control more areas in the north, reports Tolo News.
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On January 27, National Security Advisor (NSA) Hamdullah Mohib, said that the Taliban are seeking to take over some areas in the Northern provinces and the Afghan National Security Forces will not allow the militants to control more areas in the north, reports Tolo News.
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January - 27 
Police detained 17 people for interrogation from Dibrugarh and Charaideo districts of Upper Assam in connection with five bomb blasts, reports The Telegraph on January 28. Ten persons were detained by Dibrugarh police and another seven were detained by Charaideo police. A Senior Police official stat
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Police detained 17 people for interrogation from Dibrugarh and Charaideo districts of Upper Assam in connection with five bomb blasts, reports The Telegraph on January 28. Ten persons were detained by Dibrugarh police and another seven were detained by Charaideo police. A Senior Police official stated that “Seventeen persons have so far been detained and are being interrogated in connection with the incidents. We are trying to find out their connection with United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) since the outfit has claimed responsibility for the blasts. All were low intensity blasts,” According to Police two blasts in Dibrugarh town and the one at Duliajan were carried out with timer-fitted improvised explosive devices (IED). The blast at Sonari was caused by a grenade as locals witnessed two motorbike-borne youths lobbing it and speeding away.Dibrugarh superintendent of police Sreejith Tiraviam said, “Overground workers of Ulfa (I) were involved in the blasts. We have picked up 10 persons from Dibrugarh district. Eight were from Dibrugarh and two were from Duliajan. Our interrogation is on.”
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January - 27 
Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that primary objectives of the treaty were to augment the area and powers of the BTC and streamline its functioning, to address issues relating to Bodos residing outside BTAD, to promote and protect social, cultural, linguistic and ethnic identities of Bodos, to
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that primary objectives of the treaty were to augment the area and powers of the BTC and streamline its functioning, to address issues relating to Bodos residing outside BTAD, to promote and protect social, cultural, linguistic and ethnic identities of Bodos, to provide legislative safeguards for land rights of tribals, to ensure accelerated development of tribal areas and to rehabilitate members of NDFB factions.Shah announced a special development package of Rs 1,500 crore for the next three years for areas under the BTC. The agreement said, “The Assam government may earmark a sum of Rs 250 crore per annum for a period of three years for the development of the area under BTC. The Centre may contribute an additional amount of Rs 250 crore per annum for the same period.” Assam Chief Minister stated that the new pact would be implemented while keeping the territorial integrity of Assam intact, thereby allaying the fears of those opposed to the further bifurcation of the state. “All the clauses in the agreement would be executed with the support of all stakeholders and no community living in Assam should be worried about the pact. A least 1,550 NDFB cadres will surrender on January 30 with 130 weapons.
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January - 27 
Chairperson of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Pushpa Kamal Dahal speaking during an oath-taking ceremony of the party's sister organization Federation of Indigenous Nationalities Nepal in the capital Kathmandu on January 27 said that the constitution amendment is essential in achieving the g
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Chairperson of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Pushpa Kamal Dahal speaking during an oath-taking ceremony of the party's sister organization Federation of Indigenous Nationalities Nepal in the capital Kathmandu on January 27 said that the constitution amendment is essential in achieving the goal of ethnic liberation, reports Republica. Dahal said "Suppressed class, marginalized groups and communities are still not completely liberated; therefore their concerns will be addressed through constitution amendment after having a broader national political consensus. Although we have got a victory in the battle against feudalism and capitalism, there is still a long way to go for winning the fight against equality. And, for which the national unity is essential. NCP is all committed to ensuring the rights of people by eliminating all forms of prevailing disparities in the country. Unity with diversity can't be maintained in the country until and unless rights are equally provided.”
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January - 28 
Biswa Sarma on January 28 appealed to Manipur militant groups as well as ULFA-I to join peace process, reports The Telegraph. The offer came a day after the signing of Bodo Accord. He stated that “This is the first time that this government is making a public appeal to ULFA-I for dialogue. If they a
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Biswa Sarma on January 28 appealed to Manipur militant groups as well as ULFA-I to join peace process, reports The Telegraph. The offer came a day after the signing of Bodo Accord. He stated that “This is the first time that this government is making a public appeal to ULFA-I for dialogue. If they are willing for negotiations, the Centre will reciprocate with equal respect to bring permanent peace in Assam and the region.” He also added that “Almost all the militant outfits in the northeastern states, barring some in Assam and Manipur, are holding peace talks. Hereby, I would like to request Baruah and ULFA-I to consider engaging in a productive dialogue. Reacting to the peace talks invitation, ULFA ‘general secretary’ Anup Chetia, who joined the peace talks in 2016 stated that “The peace talks with us has almost reached the final stage. We will be very happy if the Centre manages to bring Paresh Barua to the peace table but his absence should not hinder the ongoing process. Since our discussion has come so far, it should not be delayed waiting for Paresh Barua.”
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January - 28 
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on January 28, stated that Pakistan must take “demonstrable steps” against terror groups responsible for launching various attacks on India from its soil, reports Daily Excelsior. Addressing a conference in New Delhi, Singh also targeted Pakistan over the South Asian
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on January 28, stated that Pakistan must take “demonstrable steps” against terror groups responsible for launching various attacks on India from its soil, reports Daily Excelsior. Addressing a conference in New Delhi, Singh also targeted Pakistan over the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) impasse, saying the full potential of the bloc has not been realised due to the “behaviour and policies of a single country”. He said it is essential that terrorists and their ideological and financial networks are cut off and do not receive state support.“We have made it clear that talks and terror cannot go together and that Pakistan must take demonstrable steps against terror groups responsible for launching various attacks on India from its soil,” he added.
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January - 28 
Nagaland Post reports that a Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) official stated that “Talks with ULFA are in final stages and an agreement is likely to be signed soon. Most issues have been resolved with ULFA, including granting constitutional safeguard to the state's indigenous people. This was
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Nagaland Post reports that a Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) official stated that “Talks with ULFA are in final stages and an agreement is likely to be signed soon. Most issues have been resolved with ULFA, including granting constitutional safeguard to the state's indigenous people. This was one of the main clauses of the Assam Accord”.
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January - 28 
National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 28, filed a charge sheet against four National Socialist Council of Nagaland-IsakMuivah (NSCN-IM) militants for May 21, 2019 killing in Tirap District of Tirong Aboh, reports Assam Tribune. The charge sheet was filed against Luckin Mashangva, Jai Kishan
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National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 28, filed a charge sheet against four National Socialist Council of Nagaland-IsakMuivah (NSCN-IM) militants for May 21, 2019 killing in Tirap District of Tirong Aboh, reports Assam Tribune. The charge sheet was filed against Luckin Mashangva, Jai Kishan Sharma, Yangte Josaham and Napong Jenpi. NIA in a statement stated, “Investigation has established that members of the terrorist group of NSCN(IM) conspired to commit the terrorist act of killing of Tirong Aboh, MLA Khonsa and 10 others. Investigation further established that the terrorist act was a result of larger conspiracy due to opposition by MLA Khonsa of anti-development and extortion activities of NSCN(IM) in Tirap district”. NIA’s statement also said that investigation has revealed that the members of the NSCN-IM faction led by self-styled ‘major general’ Absolom, who is an absconding accused in the instant case, along with Mashangva, Josaham and Jenpi, formed a group which was financed by Sharma to execute this act.
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January - 28 
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has changed its tactics and bettered its security drills after the Pulwama terror attack (February 14, 2019), CRPF Director General (DG) A P Maheshwari said on January 28, reports Daily Excelsior. Maheshwari stated, “We are a fighting force. We have bettered o
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The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has changed its tactics and bettered its security drills after the Pulwama terror attack (February 14, 2019), CRPF Director General (DG) A P Maheshwari said on January 28, reports Daily Excelsior. Maheshwari stated, “We are a fighting force. We have bettered our security drills, we have bettered our capability for training, we have bettered in terms of equipment, tactics, mobility and navigation.” He said Security Forces (SFs) like the CRPF, Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP), National Investigation Agency (NIA), Enforcement Directorate (ED) and others are working in an “integrated” manner in the Kashmir valley to hit at the financial, infrastructure and other roots of terrorist elements. “After the experience of this (Pulwama attack) incident, we have changed our tactics and have changed our capabilities in terms of equipment, training and strategy and consciousness… We have bettered and we will keep doing that,” Maheshwari added. The CRPF has deployed close to 70,000 personnel in Kashmir valley for counter-terrorist and law and order duties.
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January - 28 
United Liberation Front of Assam-Independent (ULFA-I) ‘chief’ Paresh Baruah on January 28, stated that the outfit would only join talks if sovereignty was the main agenda, reports Hindustan Times. In a telephonic interview, he said the outfit would join talks only if there are no formalities, talks
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United Liberation Front of Assam-Independent (ULFA-I) ‘chief’ Paresh Baruah on January 28, stated that the outfit would only join talks if sovereignty was the main agenda, reports Hindustan Times. In a telephonic interview, he said the outfit would join talks only if there are no formalities, talks are held in an atmosphere of trust and sovereignty was the ‘one-point agenda’ on the table. He stated, “We are demanding sovereignty and that is the one-point agenda for us. It should be on the negotiating table. There is no need to go to Delhi for discussions, we would want the talks to be held in Assam”. Outlook adds that Paresh Baruah stated that if the Indian Government conveys even in a one-line communication that they are ready for talks on all issues, including the core issue of sovereignty of Assam, we have no hesitation to sit for talks. We will send a delegation”.
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January - 28 
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on January 28, stated that Pakistan must take “demonstrable steps” against terror groups responsible for launching various attacks on India from its soil, reports Daily Excelsior. Addressing a conference in New Delhi, Singh also targeted Pakistan over the South Asian
Read more...
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on January 28, stated that Pakistan must take “demonstrable steps” against terror groups responsible for launching various attacks on India from its soil, reports Daily Excelsior. Addressing a conference in New Delhi, Singh also targeted Pakistan over the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) impasse, saying the full potential of the bloc has not been realised due to the “behaviour and policies of a single country”. He said it is essential that terrorists and their ideological and financial networks are cut off and do not receive state support.“We have made it clear that talks and terror cannot go together and that Pakistan must take demonstrable steps against terror groups responsible for launching various attacks on India from its soil,” he added.
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January - 29 
Amidst fear and speculations looming large among non-Bodo communities residing in BTC, NDFB leader Ranjan Daimary assured that it was a tripartite agreement signed with the government and concerns of BTC residents will be taken into consideration, reports East Mojo on January 30. He stated “There is
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Amidst fear and speculations looming large among non-Bodo communities residing in BTC, NDFB leader Ranjan Daimary assured that it was a tripartite agreement signed with the government and concerns of BTC residents will be taken into consideration, reports East Mojo on January 30. He stated “There is nothing like Bodo or non-Bodo and it will not harm the non-Bodos in the BTC region, only a few selected leaders are spreading this agenda,”
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January - 29 
The Maoists had released a tape alleging Police hand in the incident where a Maoist cadre was lynched by villagers in Malkangiri District of Odisha on January 25, reports The Times of India on January 30. As per the report, a Maoist, identifying himself as Ganesh, ‘secretary’ of the Andhra-Odisha Bo
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The Maoists had released a tape alleging Police hand in the incident where a Maoist cadre was lynched by villagers in Malkangiri District of Odisha on January 25, reports The Times of India on January 30. As per the report, a Maoist, identifying himself as Ganesh, ‘secretary’ of the Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC), sent an audiotape to a few mediapersons in MalkangiriDistrict, in which he alleged that Police and administration are instigating villagers to turn against the Maoists.In the audio recorded in Telugu, the Maoist leader said, “Police agents present in the crowd had attacked our party members. We are always with the villagers and will keep fighting for them.” The Superintended of Police (SP),Rishikesh Khilari, said, “Police are in no way related to the incident. It was the Maoists who first attacked the villagers and they retaliated. It was a natural outburst from villagers against unreasonable demands of the Maoists.”
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January - 29 
The Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has changed its nomenclature from “Sikh Referendum 2020” to “Punjab Referendum 2020”, reports The Tribune on January 30. As per the report, the SFJ circulated posters on social media, extending the programme to all communities and invited members of other religions, besid
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The Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has changed its nomenclature from “Sikh Referendum 2020” to “Punjab Referendum 2020”, reports The Tribune on January 30. As per the report, the SFJ circulated posters on social media, extending the programme to all communities and invited members of other religions, besides Dalits to join the movement. The Punjab Police and Intelligence Officials said that the SFJ had abandoned the ‘Sikh Referendum’ movement and shifted its stance after it got no response from the Sikh community over its separatist agenda. The SFJ had announced the referendum movement in 2018, and even after a publicity drive for over two years, there was no response to the movement, the Officials added.
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January - 30 
Assam Government has been analysing United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) ‘chief’ Paresh Baruah’s statement in which he stated that they would join talks only if they are held in an atmosphere of trust and sovereignty is the “one-point agenda” on the table, reports The Telegraph on Ja
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Assam Government has been analysing United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) ‘chief’ Paresh Baruah’s statement in which he stated that they would join talks only if they are held in an atmosphere of trust and sovereignty is the “one-point agenda” on the table, reports The Telegraph on January 31. Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated on January 30 that “We have already invited him to join the peace process. But this is not easy as he is demanding talks based on sovereignty and it will be a complex process. We have received the media reports and the statements he made and currently the state government is analysing them. His statement had some ‘positive’ hints and we are going to share the details when the Prime Minister and Home Minister visit Assam.” Meanwhile, Union home joint secretary (Northeast), Satyendra Garg stated on January 30 when asked about ULFA-I stated that “We only talk to those who agree to abide by the Constitution. However, we must be optimistic. Who had thought that the Bodo militancy issue would be addressed so quickly? There are many positive developments that happened in the last six months and more are in the pipeline.”He also added that “For a fruitful solution, we also want ULFA-I to come onboard. We are working on it and the entire peace process will be over in a few months.”
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January - 30 
Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Chief Hagrama Mohilary on January 30 sought withdrawal of all cases against members of NDFB factions who laid down their arms, reports The Telegraph on January 31. BTC Chief, who was earlier ‘chief’ of Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) before joining the mainstream in 2
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Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Chief Hagrama Mohilary on January 30 sought withdrawal of all cases against members of NDFB factions who laid down their arms, reports The Telegraph on January 31. BTC Chief, who was earlier ‘chief’ of Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) before joining the mainstream in 2003 stated that “It’s important that the government considers the cases registered against these cadres who have decided to join the mainstream. I also want to assure that the authority will take necessary steps but it may take time. Even my cases were withdrawn two years after I became the BTC chief.” Moreover, All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) President Pramod Boro, a signatory of the accord, said: “From today, these men will try to live dignified and normal lives. Therefore, I would like to request the state government to consider the criminal cases registered against them.”
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January - 30 
East Mojo adds that the Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that talks with pro talk faction of ULFA (ULFA-PTF) is on a positive direction. He stated that “We have also requested ULFA leader Paresh Baruah, who is leading the anti-talk faction, to join in the peace process.”Pointing to de
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East Mojo adds that the Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that talks with pro talk faction of ULFA (ULFA-PTF) is on a positive direction. He stated that “We have also requested ULFA leader Paresh Baruah, who is leading the anti-talk faction, to join in the peace process.”Pointing to demands that are being put on by the proscribed outfit, the minister added that “We have offered ULFA-I leader Paresh Baruah to join the peace process, but it is not easy as they have stick to their demand of sovereignty.”
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January - 30 
On January 30, 1615 National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) militants of four factions surrendered in Guwahati in Kamrup Metropolitan District of Assam, reports East Mojo. The surrendered militants include including 836 cadres from factions of NDFP (Progressive), 579 cadres of NDFB-Ranjan Daima
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On January 30, 1615 National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) militants of four factions surrendered in Guwahati in Kamrup Metropolitan District of Assam, reports East Mojo. The surrendered militants include including 836 cadres from factions of NDFP (Progressive), 579 cadres of NDFB-Ranjan Daimary faction (NDFB-RD) and 200 members NDFB-S. A total of 178 arms, 4,803 live ammunition, 14 grenades and one 2-inch mortal were surrendered by the NDFB rebel groups. Assam Tribune further adds that Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal stated that “Today’s development, I am sure, will inspire others to join the mainstream and it proves that the NDFB militants want peace in the State,” Sonowal said, adding, “those who have joined the mainstream today are a potent human resource which can be utilised to make Assam a powerful entity in Southeast Asia. We need to work as Team Assam to achieve our goals.”
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January - 30 
Amnesty International in its annual human rights report on January 30 said that freedom of expression is under attack and transitional justice stalled in Nepal, reports Kathmandu Post. The rights group has pointed out that the Government made arbitrary arrests of journalists for criticising the Gove
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Amnesty International in its annual human rights report on January 30 said that freedom of expression is under attack and transitional justice stalled in Nepal, reports Kathmandu Post. The rights group has pointed out that the Government made arbitrary arrests of journalists for criticising the Government and individuals online. It has also criticised the attempts of incumbent KP Sharma Oli administration for introducing different laws that are targeted at curtailing the right to freedom of expression. The apathy of the Government towards providing justice to the thousands of victims of decade-long Maoist insurgency and the cases of extra-judicial killings also has found the place in the report.
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January - 31 
The Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (COMSO) will resume its agitation demanding implementation of Inner-Line Permit (ILP) system by holding a sit-in for five days next week, reports The Telegraph on February 1. COMSO chairman Robertjune Kharjahrin said that a decision was taken to or
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The Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (COMSO) will resume its agitation demanding implementation of Inner-Line Permit (ILP) system by holding a sit-in for five days next week, reports The Telegraph on February 1. COMSO chairman Robertjune Kharjahrin said that a decision was taken to organise the sit-in from February 4 as the Centre had not responded to the resolution passed by the Meghalaya Assembly on December 19 last year, demanding implementation of ILP.
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January - 31 
On January 31, the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K)’s Yung Aung faction ‘chairman’, Yung Aung on outfits ‘40th raising day’, has firmly stated that sovereignty is their birth right and it is non-negotiable, reports Sangai Express. The outfit then called upon every Naga to
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On January 31, the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K)’s Yung Aung faction ‘chairman’, Yung Aung on outfits ‘40th raising day’, has firmly stated that sovereignty is their birth right and it is non-negotiable, reports Sangai Express. The outfit then called upon every Naga to uphold the spirit of oneness and brotherhood and work for a true transformation within the Naga society. “On my part, I am willing to resolve our past differences and reconcile under his holy banner ‘Nagaland for Christ’ and based on the fundamental principle of the Naga sovereignty”, Yung Aung said.
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February - 1 February - 2
On February 2, the United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) took responsibility for the exchange of fire with Army's 9 Rajputana Rifles at Wara Natun Gaon in Tinsukia District along Assam-Arunachal border, reports East Mojo. ULFA-I further claimed that four Army troopers have sustained s
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On February 2, the United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) took responsibility for the exchange of fire with Army's 9 Rajputana Rifles at Wara Natun Gaon in Tinsukia District along Assam-Arunachal border, reports East Mojo. ULFA-I further claimed that four Army troopers have sustained serious injuries during the exchange of fire on February 1. A source in the Army, however, said, "There has been no casualties or injuries, whatsoever, in the armed forces, rather one militant sustained bullet injuries." On the other hand, Security forces claimed that the cadres involved in the incident belonged to National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K), and not ULFA-I.
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February - 2 
On February 2, Meghalaya Chief Minister and National People’s Party (NPP) president Conrad Sangma, during his visit to Nagaland, maintained that outcome of the Naga peace process was of utmost importance and in the interest of entire North East, reports Nagaland Post. “We are all for talks. We have
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On February 2, Meghalaya Chief Minister and National People’s Party (NPP) president Conrad Sangma, during his visit to Nagaland, maintained that outcome of the Naga peace process was of utmost importance and in the interest of entire North East, reports Nagaland Post. “We are all for talks. We have also resolved to support the ongoing talks as their successful conclusion will herald in peace not only in Nagaland but also impact the entire socio-economic situation in the Northeast,” Conrad said. On the prospect of Inner Line Permit (ILP) system affecting trade and tourism in Meghalaya, Conrad said, “We need to strike a balance between protecting our people and maintaining economic activities. Therefore, mechanisms and use of technology will be needed ensure that economic activities like tourism and trade are not affected. A mechanism should be created in such a manner where we don’t discourage investments, yet these mechanisms should be so used in such a manner that our people are protected.” On Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Sangma said the stance of NPP had been clear from day one. He emphasized that while the Centre might have its own reasons to give citizenship to those who had been living in India post the Partition, the NPP was firm on its demand for provisions to protect the Northeast and its indigenous people.
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February - 2 
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has stated that three offices of the Popular Front of India (PFI) are based at Shaheen Bagh in Delhi in India, the site of anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests, reports Outlook India. According to ED, PFI has been funding the anti-CAA protests as revealed th
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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has stated that three offices of the Popular Front of India (PFI) are based at Shaheen Bagh in Delhi in India, the site of anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests, reports Outlook India. According to ED, PFI has been funding the anti-CAA protests as revealed through its bank accounts. Other than three offices in Shaheen Bagh, different affiliates of PFI have offices in Delhi. While Campus Front of India has its office in Shaheen Bagh, Rehab Foundation India (RFI) has its offices in Jungpura and Jamia Nagar in South Delhi. PFI's another affiliate Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI)’s office is based in Hazrat Nizamuddin area and National Confederation of India (NCI)’s office is in Jungpura area. According to sources, ‘ED is keeping a close tab on the 27 bank accounts of PFI, nine bank accounts of RFI, 37 individuals and entities in 17 different banks. PFI was formed in 2006 in Kerala as a successor to the National Democratic Front (NDF).
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February - 3 
15 social organisations and political parties jointly held an anti-CAA protest rally at Rongbong Timung Memorial School, Chutianala playground, 5th mile on Diphu-Manja road in Karbi Anglong District on February 3, reports East Mojo. ‘Convenor’ of Khilonjia Oikyo Mancha, Anup Chetia said, "In 6th sch
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15 social organisations and political parties jointly held an anti-CAA protest rally at Rongbong Timung Memorial School, Chutianala playground, 5th mile on Diphu-Manja road in Karbi Anglong District on February 3, reports East Mojo. ‘Convenor’ of Khilonjia Oikyo Mancha, Anup Chetia said, "In 6th schedule area the CAA will not be affected. But till now the state government could not chase out the more than 20,000 Bengalis that have inhabited Uttar Borbil area in Karbi Anglong." Taking the example of Tripura, Chutia said, “In Tripura the Bengalis have become majority, while the indigenous Tipra people are becoming minority. In Assam we have to fight against the Bengalis on one side and Muslims on the other. Whether it is Bengalis or Muslims if detected foreigners should be deported.” The participating organisations were All Assam Gorkha Students Union (AAGSU), All Party Hills Leaders Conference–J(APHLC-J), Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC), All Tiwa Students Union (ATSU), Dimasa Students Union (DSU), Garo Students Union (GSU), Garo Cultural Society (GCU), Kuki National Assembly (KNA), and Karbi Nimso Chingthur Asong (KNCA) amongst others.
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February - 3 
Local residents and Border Security Force (BSF) personnel spotted a drone-like object in areas between border outposts of Gatti Yaru and Chack Khiva along the India-Pakistan border in Jalalabad subdivision of Fazilka District on February 3, reports The Tribune. The Jalalabad Deputy Superintendent of
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Local residents and Border Security Force (BSF) personnel spotted a drone-like object in areas between border outposts of Gatti Yaru and Chack Khiva along the India-Pakistan border in Jalalabad subdivision of Fazilka District on February 3, reports The Tribune. The Jalalabad Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Jaspal Singh Dillon said a search operation was launched to rule out dropping of drugs or arms in the area, however, nothing was found.
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February - 3 
On February 3, Assam’s Chief Minister (CM) Sarbananda Sonowal appealed to United Liberation Front of Assam-Independent (ULFA-I) to come forward for peace parleys, reports The Shillong Times. CM Sonowal said, “We welcome the peace talks. We welcome Paresh Baruah as well, and appeal to him to come for
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On February 3, Assam’s Chief Minister (CM) Sarbananda Sonowal appealed to United Liberation Front of Assam-Independent (ULFA-I) to come forward for peace parleys, reports The Shillong Times. CM Sonowal said, “We welcome the peace talks. We welcome Paresh Baruah as well, and appeal to him to come forward for peace talks. Let’s create together an ambiance of peace in the State.” Sonowal further said, “The ULFA has a big responsibility towards the State and its people. I appeal to the ULFA to take part in the peace process. The government is ready to take forward the peace initiative with dignity.”
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February - 3 
On February 3, Awanish K Awasthi, Additional Chief Secretary of the Uttar Pradesh (UP) Home Department, stated that 108 PFI members have been arrested in the last four days for allegedly inciting violence during anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protest violence in UP, reports India Today. Awasth
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On February 3, Awanish K Awasthi, Additional Chief Secretary of the Uttar Pradesh (UP) Home Department, stated that 108 PFI members have been arrested in the last four days for allegedly inciting violence during anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protest violence in UP, reports India Today. Awasthi stated that other than 108 arrestees, 25 PFI members have been arrested earlier for the similar charges. He further mentioned that the State government is investigating the financial transactions of PFI in coordination with the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Earlier, in December 2019, the UP Police had sought a ban on the PFI after its complicity was suspected in the statewide violent protests against the amended citizenship law.
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February - 3 
Upendra Yadav, the Chairman of Samajwadi Party (SP), on February 3, said that his party had quit the K P Sharma Oli-led Government after it did not take an initiative to amend the Constitution, reports The Himalayan Times. Yadav held that Constitution amendment was the need of the hour and the Gover
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Upendra Yadav, the Chairman of Samajwadi Party (SP), on February 3, said that his party had quit the K P Sharma Oli-led Government after it did not take an initiative to amend the Constitution, reports The Himalayan Times. Yadav held that Constitution amendment was the need of the hour and the Government should start its work of amending the statute to fulfil the demands of Madhesi people. Yadav stressed the need to change the election system as the country had not witnessed economic and social transformation. He also alleged that the Government was trying to impose totalitarianism as it was formulating laws and rules violating the letter and spirit of the statute.
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February - 4 
The United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) may revive the People’s Consultative Group (PCG) to hold initial parleys if the Government of India agrees to hold talks on the issue of sovereignty, reports The Assam Tribune on February 5. Former PCG member Hiranya Saikia told the newspaper
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The United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) may revive the People’s Consultative Group (PCG) to hold initial parleys if the Government of India agrees to hold talks on the issue of sovereignty, reports The Assam Tribune on February 5. Former PCG member Hiranya Saikia told the newspaper that the ULFA-I ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh Baruah spoke to him over phone a few days back. “Baruah is not against the idea of talks with the Government of India. But he is of the view that talks should be held on the issue of sovereignty of Assam,” he added. PCG was a citizen's group in Assam constituted by the undivided ULFA in 2005 to initiate the talk process and act as a mediator between the Government of India and the outfit.
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February - 4 
E Pao also reports that Modi has stated that despite apprehensions, the signing of Bodo Accord was historic as the vision of "Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas" and commitment towards a holistic development of the North-East is fulfilling with the ending of a five-decade old Bodo crisis. Accordingly, over 161
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E Pao also reports that Modi has stated that despite apprehensions, the signing of Bodo Accord was historic as the vision of "Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas" and commitment towards a holistic development of the North-East is fulfilling with the ending of a five-decade old Bodo crisis. Accordingly, over 1615 cadres of different factions of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) have surrendered their arms and joined the mainstream within two days of the signing of the agreement. A special package of Rs 1500 Crore is earmarked for the development of the region. PM Modi also said that the Bru-Reang Agreement signed by the Government of India and Governments of Mizoram, Tripura, will provide relief and succour to over 35,000 Bru-Reang refugees. The surrendering of 85 cadres of National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) in Tripura has been an achievement of GoI towards the continued commitment and vision for the overall development and peace of the North East. PM Modi is expected to participate in the celebration of signing the Bodo Agreement in Kokrajhar on February 7.
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February - 4 
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi in a meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Parliamentary Board in the Parliament House, on February 4, has reportedly informed the BJP’s Members of Parliament (MPs) that a positive outcome of talks between Government of India (GoI) and United Liberation Front
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Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi in a meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Parliamentary Board in the Parliament House, on February 4, has reportedly informed the BJP’s Members of Parliament (MPs) that a positive outcome of talks between Government of India (GoI) and United Liberation Front of Assam-Independent (ULFA-I) is expected soon, reports The Assam Tribune. Though, the ULFA-I ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh Baruah has been denying that his faction is keen on talks with the GoI, yet sources confirmed that talks are in process.
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February - 4 
Sri Lanka’s Government declined to sing the national anthem in Tamil, the country’s second national language, during the island’s Independence Day celebrations on February 4, a departure from the previous Government which sang the anthem in the country’s two primary languages to promote ethnic harmo
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Sri Lanka’s Government declined to sing the national anthem in Tamil, the country’s second national language, during the island’s Independence Day celebrations on February 4, a departure from the previous Government which sang the anthem in the country’s two primary languages to promote ethnic harmony in the aftermath of a decades-long civil war, reports Washington Post. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said in his speech, “I have the vision that I must serve as the leader of the country looking after all citizens rather than serve as a political leader concerned only about a particular community. As the President today, I represent the entire Sri Lankan nation irrespective of ethnicity, religion, party affiliation or other differences.” Tamil politicians had requested Rajapaksa to continue the practice of singing the Tamil translation of the national anthem recognized by the constitution in order to give the Tamil community a sense of belonging to the country after decades of estrangement with the state.
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February - 4 
On February 4, All Assam Student’s Union (AASU) Sivasagar District unit held a massive protest rally against CAA, organised in Sivasagar Boarding Field in Sivasagar District, reports The Assam Tribune. In the rally, AASU president Dipankar Nath clarified that the present movement is not against any
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On February 4, All Assam Student’s Union (AASU) Sivasagar District unit held a massive protest rally against CAA, organised in Sivasagar Boarding Field in Sivasagar District, reports The Assam Tribune. In the rally, AASU president Dipankar Nath clarified that the present movement is not against any particular Indian community but against illegal Bangladeshis.
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February - 5 
Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Ambassador Rabab Fatima while speaking as a panelist at a side-event in the UN Headquarters in New York on February 5 said that Bangladesh maintains ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards terrorism and violent extremism, reports The Daily St
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Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Ambassador Rabab Fatima while speaking as a panelist at a side-event in the UN Headquarters in New York on February 5 said that Bangladesh maintains ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards terrorism and violent extremism, reports The Daily Star. She stated, “While adopting a ‘whole-of-society’ approach in our efforts, we have also included de-radicalization and counter-terrorism issues in school curriculum.”
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February - 5 
On February 5, United States (US) President Donald Trump said that the US is working to finally end "America's longest war" in Afghanistan and “bring our troops back home”, reports Tolo News. “In Afghanistan, the determination and valor of our warfighters has allowed us to make tremendous progress a
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On February 5, United States (US) President Donald Trump said that the US is working to finally end "America's longest war" in Afghanistan and “bring our troops back home”, reports Tolo News. “In Afghanistan, the determination and valor of our warfighters has allowed us to make tremendous progress and peace talks are now underway,” Trump said. “I am not looking to kill hundreds of thousands of people in Afghanistan, many of them totally innocent. It is also not our function to serve other nations as law enforcement agencies,” he added.
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February - 5 
The Governor of Uruzgan, Assadullah Saeed, says that at least “80 percent” of legal cases in the southern province are assessed and decided by the Taliban, due to an absence of judiciaries and courts in most Districts of the Uruzgan province, reports Tolo News on February 6. “At least 80 percent of
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The Governor of Uruzgan, Assadullah Saeed, says that at least “80 percent” of legal cases in the southern province are assessed and decided by the Taliban, due to an absence of judiciaries and courts in most Districts of the Uruzgan province, reports Tolo News on February 6. “At least 80 percent of our problems are decided by the Taliban because we (the local government) are not present there,” the Governor said, referring to legal cases. “We continue our efforts to send the police chief and other officials to the districts if we can. It is certain that there are problems.” He also said that the residents are referring their cases to the Taliban. Information by multiple local officials reveal that judiciaries do not operate in most districts of Uruzgan, which has five districts –instead, their employees are operating from the center of Uruzgan or from Kabul. Khas Uruzgan, Choora, Shaheed Hassas, Gizab and Dehraood are the five districts of Uruzgan. The city of Tarinkot is its center.
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February - 6 
The Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) sent a letter to Wayanad Press Club in Kerala ‘expressing regret’ over vandalising a resort in the District on January 15, 2020, reports The Hindu on February 7. The letter, written by the ‘spokesperson’ of the ‘Western Ghats Special Zone Committee’ (
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The Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) sent a letter to Wayanad Press Club in Kerala ‘expressing regret’ over vandalising a resort in the District on January 15, 2020, reports The Hindu on February 7. The letter, written by the ‘spokesperson’ of the ‘Western Ghats Special Zone Committee’ (WGSZC) of the CPI-Maoist named Jogi, said the attack on the resort was the result of a misunderstanding and ‘expressed regret’ to the resort owners for the loss incurred. The letter further said that the attack was devised as per a report submitted to the ‘area committee’ by a member of the organisation, prepared after a village visit. The letter also urged the government to adopt actions against ‘exploitation of workers’ in the plantation sector, to fix the minimum wage at INR 800 a day, provide land and house to all landless people, and to rehabilitate the victims of landslips during the last monsoon. It also demanded the public to intensify their protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).
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February - 6 
On February 6, the Afghanistan’s acting Minister of Interior, Massoud Andarabi said that the Taliban is the "key provider" of drugs in Afghanistan and is an "umbrella of international terrorism" in the country, reports Tolo News. According to Andarabi, “The Taliban are the umbrella of the developmen
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On February 6, the Afghanistan’s acting Minister of Interior, Massoud Andarabi said that the Taliban is the "key provider" of drugs in Afghanistan and is an "umbrella of international terrorism" in the country, reports Tolo News. According to Andarabi, “The Taliban are the umbrella of the development, the emergence, the activity and the presence of international terrorism in Afghanistan, like Al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations ”.
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February - 7 
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on February 7, made clarion call to the militants in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), North East and Naxal [Left Wing Extremism, LWE]-infested States to shun the path of violence, return to the national mainstream and celebrate new life, reports Daily Excelsior. PM, Modi ad
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Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on February 7, made clarion call to the militants in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), North East and Naxal [Left Wing Extremism, LWE]-infested States to shun the path of violence, return to the national mainstream and celebrate new life, reports Daily Excelsior. PM, Modi addressed to a massive rally at Kokrajhar in Assam to pitch for peace and call upon the militants operating in J&K, North East and Naxals to give up the gun culture. As many as 644 militants had surrendered en-masse in Assam on January 23 this year. “Those still with bombs, guns and bullets in Jammu and Kashmir, other parts of North-East and Naxalites…Come back…Join the national mainstream and enjoy a new life,” the Prime Minister said in what can be seen as significant call to the militants in J&K and some other States of the country to shun the path of violence.
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February - 7 
The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Government on February 7, extended till February 15 the restrictions imposed on social media on 2G mobile network across the Union Territory (UT) of J&K, reports Daily Excelsior. While restoring 2G mobile internet services in J&K, the State Home Department had stated that
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The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Government on February 7, extended till February 15 the restrictions imposed on social media on 2G mobile network across the Union Territory (UT) of J&K, reports Daily Excelsior. While restoring 2G mobile internet services in J&K, the State Home Department had stated that only white-listed sites will be accessed through the mobile internet while social media networking sites were barred. Today’s order issued by Principal Secretary Home, Shaleen Kabra, stated that previous restrictions were reviewed after a week and overall security situation was taken into account while extending restrictions for another week till February 15, unless modified earlier.
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February - 7 
A former Taliban ‘commander’, Sayed Akbar Agha said that more demands in the talks could put the talks and the reduction in violence proposal in jeopardy, Tolo News reports on February 8. “There is a stalemate at this point. The excuse which was made by the Americans pushed the Taliban to suspect th
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A former Taliban ‘commander’, Sayed Akbar Agha said that more demands in the talks could put the talks and the reduction in violence proposal in jeopardy, Tolo News reports on February 8. “There is a stalemate at this point. The excuse which was made by the Americans pushed the Taliban to suspect that there might be another condition after this condition. Therefore, it is possible that the Taliban will not agree on the extension of a reduction in violence proposal,” stated Sayed Akbar Agha.
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February - 8 
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) said, on February 8, that they have arrested four youths in the capital’s Mohammadpur in raids since February 7, in connection with an attack on journalist Mostafizur Rahman Sumon during Dhaka city elections on February 1, reports New Age. The RAB officials said they
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The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) said, on February 8, that they have arrested four youths in the capital’s Mohammadpur in raids since February 7, in connection with an attack on journalist Mostafizur Rahman Sumon during Dhaka city elections on February 1, reports New Age. The RAB officials said they handed over arrested Jahirul Islam Apu (26), Rasel Hawlader (35), Masud (18), and Alauddin (21), to Mohammadpur Police Station for legal procedure. So far, five suspected attackers have been arrested. Earlier on Wednesday, Police claimed the arrest of another man identified as Ismail Hossain from Raye Bazar area.
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February - 8 
On February 8, two United States (US) service members were killed and six others were injured in Sherzad District of Nangarhar Province, reports Tolo News. US forces spokesman, Colonel Sonny Leggett said that wounded service members were receiving medical treatment at a US facility. The US spokesper
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On February 8, two United States (US) service members were killed and six others were injured in Sherzad District of Nangarhar Province, reports Tolo News. US forces spokesman, Colonel Sonny Leggett said that wounded service members were receiving medical treatment at a US facility. The US spokesperson’s statement read: “Upon completing a key-leader engagement at the district center, current reports indicate an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on the combined U.S. and Afghan force with a machine gun.” Colonel Leggett further said: “We are still collecting information and the cause or motive behind the attack is unknown at this time. The incident is under investigation.” Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Ministry of Defense confirmed the incident and said in a statement that an individual opened fire on Afghan National Army members and US force personnel, killing one member of the Afghan Army and wounding three others besides killing two US servicemen and injuring six others.
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February - 9 
Assam State Government will carry out a survey to identify Indigenous Muslim population of the state so that they can be segregated from illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, reports The Sentinel on February 10. “Assam has about 1.3 crore Muslims population, of which around 90 lakh are of Bangladeshi orig
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Assam State Government will carry out a survey to identify Indigenous Muslim population of the state so that they can be segregated from illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, reports The Sentinel on February 10. “Assam has about 1.3 crore Muslims population, of which around 90 lakh are of Bangladeshi origin. The remaining 40 lakh are from different tribes and they need to be identified,” Assam Minority Development Board Chairman Muminul Aowal said.
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February - 9 
Governor Brig (retd) Dr B D Mishra on February 9, suggested “remedial” measures to control insurgency in a democratic set-up, reports The Sentinel. Addressing the closing ceremony of the three-day annual conference of Superintendents of Police (SPs) and Commandants of Arunachal Pradesh Police Battal
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Governor Brig (retd) Dr B D Mishra on February 9, suggested “remedial” measures to control insurgency in a democratic set-up, reports The Sentinel. Addressing the closing ceremony of the three-day annual conference of Superintendents of Police (SPs) and Commandants of Arunachal Pradesh Police Battalion (APPBn) and Indian Reserve Battalion (IRBn) at Police Headquarters in Itanagar, the Governor suggested measures such as good developmental policies and programmes, work opportunities and job creation such as ‘start-up’ policy, entrepreneurship development schemes, ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’-oriented political leadership, good intelligence, good policing, effective local administration, quick and fair justice, transparency and honesty in governance, good roads and communication network, proper education and counter-insurgency operation to curb insurgency in the region.
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February - 10 
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on February 10, told a special NIA court that Pakistan-based terrorist outfit, Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) ‘chief’ has been instrumental in running cross-border narco-terrorism in India, reports The Times of India. The NIA revealed this in the Court while
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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on February 10, told a special NIA court that Pakistan-based terrorist outfit, Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) ‘chief’ has been instrumental in running cross-border narco-terrorism in India, reports The Times of India. The NIA revealed this in the Court while seeking Police custody of three accused — Nirmal Singh, Satpal Singh and Hiralal, arrested in connection with the Amritsar heroine recovery case of 2019. Presenting its case for Police remand, the NIA told the Court that during the investigation, role of Harmeet Singh alias PHD, Pakistan-based chief of KLF, a proscribed terrorist organisation, has emerged in running a cross-border narco-terror network through drug smugglers, militant elements and hawala operatives based in Punjab and the other States of India. Harmeet Singh had been killed in Pakistan on January 27, 2020, the agency said.
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February - 10 
The Afghan government reiterated the call for the Taliban to engage in a "realistic" peace process. “The Taliban should denounce war and violence and endorse a real peace process,” said Durani Waziri, Deputy Spokesman for President Ashraf Ghani.
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The Afghan government reiterated the call for the Taliban to engage in a "realistic" peace process. “The Taliban should denounce war and violence and endorse a real peace process,” said Durani Waziri, Deputy Spokesman for President Ashraf Ghani.
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February - 11 
Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Director General of Police (DGP), Dilbag Singh, on February 11, said that Pakistan-sponsored agencies are using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to send a chain of messages, reports The Times of India. "There are agencies which are Pakistan sponsored that are resorting to the
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Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Director General of Police (DGP), Dilbag Singh, on February 11, said that Pakistan-sponsored agencies are using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to send a chain of messages, reports The Times of India. "There are agencies which are Pakistan sponsored that are resorting to the use of VPN (Virtual Private Networks) and send a chain of VPN messages across, but directly no agency can be named as of now," DGP Singh told reporters in Jammu District, when asked if Pakistan were trying to start cyber warfare in J&K. "I think service providers have to do a little more research and development work to see that they are able to be sure that the unwarranted sites are not accessed by people and also the unwarranted use of VPN is put to an end," DGP Singh added.
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February - 11 
On February 11, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai replying to a query in Lok Sabha (Lower House of Indian Parliament) stated that almost 21,348 infiltrators were deported and 9,145 arrested by Indian authorities along the border with Bangladesh in the past five years since 2015, repor
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On February 11, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai replying to a query in Lok Sabha (Lower House of Indian Parliament) stated that almost 21,348 infiltrators were deported and 9,145 arrested by Indian authorities along the border with Bangladesh in the past five years since 2015, reports The Times of India. According to official data, around 5,930 infiltrators were arrested on Indo-Bangladesh border by Border Security Force (BSF) in 2015; 5,147 in 2016; 4,706 in 2017; 3,390 in 2018 and 2,175 in 2019. Clarifying about the data of deportation, Rai stated that 426 infiltrators were deported along the same border in 2015; 2,075 in 2016; 1,175 in 2017; 1,118 in 2018 and 1,351 in 2019. To tackle infiltration, Central Government is said to have adopted a multi-pronged approach including round-the-clock surveillance and patrolling on the borders and establishment of observation post; construction of border fencing & floodlighting; introduction of modern and hi-tech surveillance equipment; upgradation of intelligence setup and enhanced coordination with the state governments and concerned intelligence agencies.
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February - 11 
The Minister of State (MoS) for Home, G. Kishan Reddy, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Indian Parliament) on February 11, informed that the number of Naxal [Left Wing Extremism, LWE] violence including incidents of killings of civilians and Security Forces (SFs) has shown a decli
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The Minister of State (MoS) for Home, G. Kishan Reddy, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Indian Parliament) on February 11, informed that the number of Naxal [Left Wing Extremism, LWE] violence including incidents of killings of civilians and Security Forces (SFs) has shown a declining trend in the last three-year period beginning 2017, reports The Times of India. As per the provided data, the number of Maoist incidents of violence declined from 908 (2017) to 833 (2018) and were recorded at 670 (2019). Similarly, the number of civilians killed in the various LWE violence-affected States also came down from 188 (2017) to 173 (2018) and followed by 150 (2019). Likewise, a similar trend was observed in the number of SFs killed which came down from 75 (2017) to 67 (2018) and further reduced to 52 (2019). However, the number of Maoists killed and arrested during the same time period did not show a consistent picture. In 2017, while 136 Naxals were killed in various States, it grew to 225 in 2018 but came down to 145 during the last year. Similarly, the figures for Naxals arrested were 1,888 in 2017 which went up to 1,933 in 2018 and then went down to 1,276 in 2019. The MoS also said, "To combat the LWE menace in a holistic manner, the Government of India has formulated a national policy and action plan in 2015, which envisages a multi-pronged approach comprising security, development and ensuring rights and entitlements of local communities etc."
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February - 11 
The Special Representative of the President and the State Minister for Peace, Abdul Salam Rahimy, met Karen Decker, the Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States (US) Embassy in Kabul and Dante Paradiso, Counselor for Peace and Reconciliation at U.S. Embassy discussed recent developments in the
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The Special Representative of the President and the State Minister for Peace, Abdul Salam Rahimy, met Karen Decker, the Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States (US) Embassy in Kabul and Dante Paradiso, Counselor for Peace and Reconciliation at U.S. Embassy discussed recent developments in the peace process and issues related to the Qatar negotiations on February 11, reports bhaktarnews.com on February 13. According to the statement after the meeting, the State Minister for Peace, informed that the issue of Taliban prisoners is within the authority of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Government is taking necessary and effective measures in this regard.
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February - 11 
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, leader of the Hizb-e-Islami (HeI), on February 11, in Kabul said that he believes, “Every peace agreement should keep the people’s rights and the national sovereignty of the country,” reports Tolo News. Hekmatyar further claimed that a peace agreement between the US and the Tali
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Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, leader of the Hizb-e-Islami (HeI), on February 11, in Kabul said that he believes, “Every peace agreement should keep the people’s rights and the national sovereignty of the country,” reports Tolo News. Hekmatyar further claimed that a peace agreement between the US and the Taliban will be signed soon. “I feel the agreement will be finalized soon. The recent statement by the US president about the incident in Khogyani District of Nangarhar in which he said that he (Trump) wants this to be the last American to be killed in Afghanistan, indicates that he (Trump) is serious about withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan,” Hekmatyar added.
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February - 11 
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on February 11, said that NATO supports US peace efforts, reports Tolo News. "We fully support the efforts led by the United States to end the conflict and to achieve a peaceful solution; our allies are consulting close
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The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on February 11, said that NATO supports US peace efforts, reports Tolo News. "We fully support the efforts led by the United States to end the conflict and to achieve a peaceful solution; our allies are consulting closely on the way forward,” said Stoltenberg. "The Taliban must understand they cannot win on the battlefield. They must commit to a reduction in violence and show that they are committed to a peaceful future in Afghanistan," Stoltenberg added.
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February - 11 
United States (US) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on February 11, in separate phone conversations with President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive (CE) Abdullah Abdullah, informed both leaders of "progress" in the US-Taliban talks, reports Tolo News. President Ghani tweeted about his conversation, “T
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United States (US) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on February 11, in separate phone conversations with President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive (CE) Abdullah Abdullah, informed both leaders of "progress" in the US-Taliban talks, reports Tolo News. President Ghani tweeted about his conversation, “Today, I was pleased to receive a call from US Secretary Mike Pompeo, informing me of the notable progress made in the ongoing peace talks with the Taliban. The Secretary informed me about the Taliban’s proposal with regards to bringing a significant and enduring reduction in violence”. In the same thread Ghani also tweeted, “This is a welcoming development and I am pleased that our principal position on peace thus far has begun to yield fruitful results. Our primary objective is to end the senseless bloodshed." According to a statement from CE Abdullah's office, the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a phone call talked with Abdullah Abdullah and thanked the CE for his continued cooperation and support for peace efforts and spoke about progress in peace talks between the US and the Taliban.
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February - 12 
On February 12, all the four factions of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), decided to unify as one platform during a special session of the outfit at Bijni in Chirang District of Assam, reports East Mojo. “We have decided to unify keeping the greater interest of the organisation as w
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On February 12, all the four factions of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), decided to unify as one platform during a special session of the outfit at Bijni in Chirang District of Assam, reports East Mojo. “We have decided to unify keeping the greater interest of the organisation as well the Bodo people in mind. We want proper implementation of the Bodo accord in the coming days. We shall go with unity and tranquility to meet proper implementation of every clauses of the Bodo accord,” Pro-Talks Faction of NDFB (NDFB-PTF) ‘president ‘Gobinda Basumatary.
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February - 12 
Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) urged the State Government to implement the Registration of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) at the earliest without, adding that the implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) would be meaningless and a futile decree, reports Nagaland Post on February 13.
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Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) urged the State Government to implement the Registration of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) at the earliest without, adding that the implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) would be meaningless and a futile decree, reports Nagaland Post on February 13.
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February - 13 
On February 13, Union Home Minister (HM) Amit Shah has stated that zero tolerance policy has been adopted by India in controlling the narcotics menace in a two-day conference on 'Combating Drug Trafficking' for Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)
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On February 13, Union Home Minister (HM) Amit Shah has stated that zero tolerance policy has been adopted by India in controlling the narcotics menace in a two-day conference on 'Combating Drug Trafficking' for Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) partner nations, reports The Times of India. HM further stated that India’s narcotics control measures will be refurbished in order to eradicate the menace completely through which terrorism and other transnational crimes are being funded. Amit Shah seeked the cooperation of all the seven countries of BIMSTEC i.e. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.to combat the narcotics menace. According to an official statement, Asian countries are increasingly being affected by drug trafficking and BIMSTEC, being the key link between South Asian and South East Asian Nations, is one of the most effective platforms to tackle this global threat.
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February - 13 
The Asom Songrami Mancha (ASM), A newly-formed political party in Assam, has petitioned the United Nation’s High Commission for Human Rights (UNHCR) for evaluating the compliance of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA) to the international human right instruments and its validity under the Un
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The Asom Songrami Mancha (ASM), A newly-formed political party in Assam, has petitioned the United Nation’s High Commission for Human Rights (UNHCR) for evaluating the compliance of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA) to the international human right instruments and its validity under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, reports The Hindu on February 14. ASM had on February 5 sent formal letters separately to the High Commissioner of the Geneva-based UN High Commission for Human Rights (UNHCR), its Chief of Mission in India and the Chairperson of the Indigenous Peoples and Development Branch of the UN’s Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (SPFII). ASM president Diganta Konwar, its working president Adip Kumar Phukan and three others said their petition was in view of the “grave danger” from the recently promulgated the CAA “to the identity and existence of the indigenous people” of Northeast India, specifically Assam.
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February - 13 
The Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on February 13 revealed that the State will continue to remain a ‘disturbed area’ under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) till the Naga political issue is resolved, reports East Mojo.
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The Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on February 13 revealed that the State will continue to remain a ‘disturbed area’ under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) till the Naga political issue is resolved, reports East Mojo.
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February - 13 
The Justice (retd) Biplab Kumar Sharma committee on Clause 6 of the Assam Accord has completed its report and are now waiting to submit it to Union Home Ministry informed its chairman Biplab Kumar Sharma, reports The Sentinel on February 14. “We completed our report on February 10,” he told the news
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The Justice (retd) Biplab Kumar Sharma committee on Clause 6 of the Assam Accord has completed its report and are now waiting to submit it to Union Home Ministry informed its chairman Biplab Kumar Sharma, reports The Sentinel on February 14. “We completed our report on February 10,” he told the newspaper, adding that he has officially communicated to the Union Home Ministry in this regard through a letter.
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February - 13 
Kshenuka Senewiratne, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations (UN) in New York while making a statement at the UN Security Council Open Debate on ‘Peacebuilding and sustaining peace: Transitional justice in conflict and post-conflict situations’ on February 13 said Sri Lanka is c
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Kshenuka Senewiratne, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations (UN) in New York while making a statement at the UN Security Council Open Debate on ‘Peacebuilding and sustaining peace: Transitional justice in conflict and post-conflict situations’ on February 13 said Sri Lanka is committed to chart own path for sustainable reconciliation, reports Colombo Page. “Sri Lanka is committed, to find innovative and pragmatic solutions driven by the domestic context to protect the country’s national interest guided by the provisions of the Constitution, and the will of the citizens expressed through democratic means. As a sovereign State, Sri Lanka will continue to establish its own priorities towards this end. In our experience, while certain lessons can be learnt from others, it is imperative to chart our own path to reconciliation in order for it to be sustainable,” the envoy said.
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February - 13 
United States Secretary of Defence Mark Esper on February 13 said that the United States (US) and the Taliban have secured a seven-day reduction in violence in Afghanistan, reports Al Jazeera. "We've said all along that the best, if not the only, solution in Afghanistan is a political agreement. Pro
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United States Secretary of Defence Mark Esper on February 13 said that the United States (US) and the Taliban have secured a seven-day reduction in violence in Afghanistan, reports Al Jazeera. "We've said all along that the best, if not the only, solution in Afghanistan is a political agreement. Progress has been made on that front and we'll have more to report on that soon, I hope," Esper told reporters in Brussels. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump had said that a peace agreement was "very close".
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February - 14 
Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) on February 14 threatened to disrupt the National Games since the Meghalaya Police are making adverse comments against the outfit, reports The Shillong Times. the ‘general secretary’ cum ‘publicity secretary’ of HNLC, Sainkupar Nongtraw, said, The HNLC
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Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) on February 14 threatened to disrupt the National Games since the Meghalaya Police are making adverse comments against the outfit, reports The Shillong Times. the ‘general secretary’ cum ‘publicity secretary’ of HNLC, Sainkupar Nongtraw, said, The HNLC also said the police should stop provoking the outfit by making negative statements, or else “we would be compelled to disrupt the upcoming national games event”.
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February - 14 
Iqbal Mirchi’s two sons, Asif and Junaid Memon, are continuing to run their father’s smuggling and drug network based out of Dubai and UK, states Enforcement Directorate (ED), reported by The Times of India. In the last two months, the ED’s investigating officers have questioned at least five "couri
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Iqbal Mirchi’s two sons, Asif and Junaid Memon, are continuing to run their father’s smuggling and drug network based out of Dubai and UK, states Enforcement Directorate (ED), reported by The Times of India. In the last two months, the ED’s investigating officers have questioned at least five "couriers and witnesses" in Mumbai. These witnesses have revealed several other names who were active partners of Iqbal Mirchi, besides the latter's close links with Dawood Ibrahim and Tiger Memon, the two-prime accused in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts. During the investigations, it was found that Mirchi used his Eden Rice Mill in London to smuggle cocaine, gold and opium. The drug smuggling network and extortion racket of the drug lord was largely funding dozens of properties acquired in the UK which are now being managed by his wife Hazra and two sons. The ED had recently filed a detailed 100-page charge sheet in the Iqbal Mirchi money laundering case after which the agency had also attached properties of over Rs 500 crore belonging to the accused, including the two floors in the Ceejay House in Mumbai allegedly owned by family members of former civil aviation minister Praful Patel. The two floors were in the name of Mirchi's wife Hazra Memon. ED officials have also questioned Mukhtar Patka, brother-in-law of Mirchi, to unearth details of other accused still active in the Mirchi gang and helping to his drugs trade.
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February - 14 
Terror-related violence in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has come down by 60 per cent in less than one and a half months in the beginning of 2020, in comparison to the same period last year, Director General of Police (DGP), Dilbagh Singh, informed Union Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Ji
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Terror-related violence in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has come down by 60 per cent in less than one and a half months in the beginning of 2020, in comparison to the same period last year, Director General of Police (DGP), Dilbagh Singh, informed Union Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Jitendra Singh at North Block in New Delhi on February 14, reports Daily Excelsior. During the meeting, DGP Singh also briefed the Minister about the current security scenario in the Union Territory (UT).
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February - 14 
The Eastern Army General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan on February 14 said that insurgency is on a decline in the North East and expressed the hope that the situation would further improve in the future, reports The Assam Tribune. Overall, militancy-related i
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The Eastern Army General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan on February 14 said that insurgency is on a decline in the North East and expressed the hope that the situation would further improve in the future, reports The Assam Tribune. Overall, militancy-related incidents have declined by about 12 per cent and the arc of violence in the entire North East has shrunk primarily to an area which is the trijunction between Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and north Nagaland, the officer said. Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan further said that 40 per cent of last year’s violence occurred in this area at the trijunction.
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February - 14 
The United States (US) on February 14 banned the entry to Sri Lanka's Army chief over what it said “credible” evidence of human rights violations in the 2009 finale to the civil war in Sri Lanka, reports Daily Mirror. The Department of State said that it has designated Lieutenant General Shavendra S
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The United States (US) on February 14 banned the entry to Sri Lanka's Army chief over what it said “credible” evidence of human rights violations in the 2009 finale to the civil war in Sri Lanka, reports Daily Mirror. The Department of State said that it has designated Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, current Commander of the Sri Lanka Army and Acting Chief of Defence Staff, "as required under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, due to credible information of his involvement, through command responsibility, in gross violations of human rights, namely extrajudicial killings, by the 58th Division of the Sri Lanka Army during the final phase of Sri Lanka’s Civil War in 2009".
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February - 15 
The Independent Election Commission (IEC) official have said that the commission had started the audit of disputed votes and will announce the final results of the September 2019 presidential elections within the next two days, reports Tolo News on February 16. “The decisions of the Independent Elec
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The Independent Election Commission (IEC) official have said that the commission had started the audit of disputed votes and will announce the final results of the September 2019 presidential elections within the next two days, reports Tolo News on February 16. “The decisions of the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission reached us in the past few days and we have worked on it and finally, today, we officially started implementing them, both in the center and in provinces of Afghanistan,” IEC Chairperson Hawa Alam Nuristani added.
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February - 16 
The Government, on February 16, extended the 2G mobile data service and fixed line internet connectivity wherever provided across the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) till February 24, reports Daily Excelsior. An official order issued by the Home Department said, the Internet Service
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The Government, on February 16, extended the 2G mobile data service and fixed line internet connectivity wherever provided across the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) till February 24, reports Daily Excelsior. An official order issued by the Home Department said, the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have been given directions to ensure access to 1,485 white-listed sites only and not to any social media applications allowing peer-to-peer communication and Virtual Private Network (VPN) applications. “The directions shall be effective from February 16 and remain in force till February 24, unless modified earlier,” the order issued by Principal Secretary, Home Department, Shaleen Kabra said.
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February - 16 
Human Rights Watch (HRW) in a new report on February 16, said that Sri Lankan Security Forces and intelligence agencies have intensified surveillance and threats against families of victims of enforced disappearance and activists supporting them since Gotabaya Rajapaksa became President in November
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Human Rights Watch (HRW) in a new report on February 16, said that Sri Lankan Security Forces and intelligence agencies have intensified surveillance and threats against families of victims of enforced disappearance and activists supporting them since Gotabaya Rajapaksa became President in November 2019, reports Colombo Page. Activists working in six locations in the northern and eastern parts of the country on behalf of relatives of the forcibly disappeared have told Human Rights Watch that there has been a significant increase in government surveillance and intimidation. A member of the advocacy group Mothers of the Disappeared whose son was forcibly disappeared in 2009 has told Human Rights Watch that since the presidential election she has been repeatedly visited by members of the police Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
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February - 16 
President Ashraf Ghani on February 16, after meeting German Foreign Minister Heiko Josef Maas in Munich, said that the only goal of the Afghan Government is to end the war and violence in order to ensure a lasting peace in the country, reports Tolo News. President Ashraf Ghani pointed to a politica
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President Ashraf Ghani on February 16, after meeting German Foreign Minister Heiko Josef Maas in Munich, said that the only goal of the Afghan Government is to end the war and violence in order to ensure a lasting peace in the country, reports Tolo News. President Ashraf Ghani pointed to a political consensus forming around the peace process and stated, “we are ready to end the years of war in Afghanistan and we are fully committed. Ghani further said. “Fortunately, the current political and social capacity has reached the level that we can make difficult decisions in this process”.
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February - 17 
Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan insisted on February 17, that his country is no longer a terrorist safe haven, and said his administration fully supports the Afghan peace process, reports Times of India. PM's comments come as the United States (US) and the Taliban appear on the brink of a deal that w
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Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan insisted on February 17, that his country is no longer a terrorist safe haven, and said his administration fully supports the Afghan peace process, reports Times of India. PM's comments come as the United States (US) and the Taliban appear on the brink of a deal that would see US forces begin to pull out of Afghanistan. In return, the Taliban would enter talks with the Afghan Government, stick to various security guarantees and work toward an eventual, comprehensive ceasefire. "I can tell you that there are no safe havens here," Khan said at a conference in the capital Islamabad. "Whatever the situation might have been in the past, right now, I can tell you... there is one thing we want: peace in Afghanistan." Khan's comments came after Sarwar Danish, Afghanistan's second vice president, accused Pakistan of allowing the Taliban to recruit new fighters from Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan. Khan was addressing a conference marking 40 years of hosting Afghan refugees in his country.
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February - 17 
The Taliban strongly reacted to re-election of Ashraf Ghani as the President of Afghanistan, calling the election process as ‘fake and unlawful’, reports Khaama News Agency on February 18. Taliban, in a statement, said “Holding elections and announcing oneself a president under occupation shall neve
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The Taliban strongly reacted to re-election of Ashraf Ghani as the President of Afghanistan, calling the election process as ‘fake and unlawful’, reports Khaama News Agency on February 18. Taliban, in a statement, said “Holding elections and announcing oneself a president under occupation shall never remedy the problems of our Muslim Afghan nation just as it has failed to do so over the past nineteen years.” Calling the re-election of Ghani as ‘unlawful’ and having no legal basis, the group further added that the announcement declaring Ghani as President ‘is also in conflict with the contents of the ongoing peace process while keeping in mind the current sensitive circumstances of the Afghan issue.’
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February - 18 
As part of final efforts to resolve the Maoist insurgency-era disappearance cases, the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP) is launching an additional probe into 2,000 cases including those related to the infamous Bhairavnath Battalion, reports Republica on February 19
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As part of final efforts to resolve the Maoist insurgency-era disappearance cases, the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP) is launching an additional probe into 2,000 cases including those related to the infamous Bhairavnath Battalion, reports Republica on February 19. “Five separate committees headed by commissioners are now studying the 2,000 cases while separate probes will reach out to the families of the disappeared in the remaining 506 cases which were filed from 11 different districts. They are heading to Rolpa and Khara in Rukum soon. The commission will revisit files prepared after the detailed investigations process and expedite further investigations,” said Nirajan Ghimire, an investigation officer at the commission adding that the commissioners have already started on this work.
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February - 18 
The attempt of the CIEDP to engage with the conflict victims has faced a setback as they are not ready to cooperate with the transitional justice commissions until an amendment to Enforced Disappeared Enquiry and Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act, 2014, reports Kathmandu Post on February 19. “
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The attempt of the CIEDP to engage with the conflict victims has faced a setback as they are not ready to cooperate with the transitional justice commissions until an amendment to Enforced Disappeared Enquiry and Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act, 2014, reports Kathmandu Post on February 19. “We have started a non-cooperation movement against the commissions until the proper laws are in place,” said Gopal Shah, chairperson of the Conflict Victims National Network (CVNN).
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February - 18 
The Maldivian Government has suspended an event featuring Canadian Jamaican Islamic scholar Dr. Bilal Philips, after concerns over his views, reports Raajje on February 19. Maldives Youth Minister Ahmed Mahloof said, “For your information, Sheikh Dr. Bilal Philips’ event has been halted due to quest
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The Maldivian Government has suspended an event featuring Canadian Jamaican Islamic scholar Dr. Bilal Philips, after concerns over his views, reports Raajje on February 19. Maldives Youth Minister Ahmed Mahloof said, “For your information, Sheikh Dr. Bilal Philips’ event has been halted due to questions and concerns raised, to seek the counsel of some institutions”. Minister Ahmed Mahloof further revealed that the Dr. Bilal Philips had accepted an invitation to visit Maldives and promote “tolerance, peace and harmony to the youth” on February 18 morning.
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February - 19 
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa speaking at the inauguration of the national program to renovate 100,000 kilometres of rural and alternative roads at Galaha, Kandy District on February 19 vowed not to let terrorism or religious extremism to rise again, reports Colombo Page. He said the country will nev
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President Gotabaya Rajapaksa speaking at the inauguration of the national program to renovate 100,000 kilometres of rural and alternative roads at Galaha, Kandy District on February 19 vowed not to let terrorism or religious extremism to rise again, reports Colombo Page. He said the country will never be affected by separatism, terrorism and religious extremism which brought havoc to the country. To achieve this goal a team of qualified officials including Secretary Defense have been assigned to the Intelligence network. They are allowed to exercise their powers without any fear or intimidation, the President emphasised.
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February - 19 
Sri Lankan Government, on February 19, said that it would seek the support of other countries to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Resolution on Sri Lanka, which was co-sponsored by the previous Sirisena-Wickremesinghe administration, reports The Island. While absolving f
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Sri Lankan Government, on February 19, said that it would seek the support of other countries to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Resolution on Sri Lanka, which was co-sponsored by the previous Sirisena-Wickremesinghe administration, reports The Island. While absolving former President and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) leader Maithripala Sirisena of any blame, Media and Higher Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena told the weekly Cabinet Press Briefing at the Information Department, that the responsibility for Sri Lanka co-sponsoring the March 2019 UNHRC Resolution 40/L.1 entitled, “Promoting Reconciliation, Accountability and Human Rights of Sri Lanka", had to be borne solely by the UNP (United National Party), which was a leading member of the then national Government.
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February - 19 
The Government of Sri Lanka, on February 19, confirmed that it has decided to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolutions 30/1 and 40/1 co-sponsored by the National Unity Government (NUG) in 2015 and 2019 respectively, reports Colombo Page. Prime Minister (PM) Mahinda R
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The Government of Sri Lanka, on February 19, confirmed that it has decided to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolutions 30/1 and 40/1 co-sponsored by the National Unity Government (NUG) in 2015 and 2019 respectively, reports Colombo Page. Prime Minister (PM) Mahinda Rajapaksa issuing a statement on the entry ban imposed by the United States (US) on the Commander of Sri Lanka Army Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva and his family said the consensus UNHRC resolutions sponsored by the previous Yahapalana Government allowed the Sri Lankan war heroes to be labeled as violators of human rights. “Even though we are now in the 21st Century, even members of his family who have not been accused of any wrongdoing, have been subjected to a collective punishment reminiscent of the practice in medieval Europe,” the PM said. The PM said the Army Commander has been charged as a violator of human rights by other countries because of the historic betrayal committed by the Yahapalana Government formed by the United National Party (UNP), the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) in co-sponsoring UN Human Rights Council Resolution 30/1 in 2015.
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February - 19 
Iran has given anti-aircraft missiles to Taliban group amid soaring tensions between the Islamic Republic and United States after the killing of a top Iranian General Qassim Soleimani on January 3, 2020, reports Khama News Agency on February 20. The acting Police Chief of Uruzgan Province, Sardar Mo
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Iran has given anti-aircraft missiles to Taliban group amid soaring tensions between the Islamic Republic and United States after the killing of a top Iranian General Qassim Soleimani on January 3, 2020, reports Khama News Agency on February 20. The acting Police Chief of Uruzgan Province, Sardar Mohammad Haya told Radio Free Afghanistan, “Iran has given the Taliban anti-aircraft missiles so that they can better target our aircrafts.” Reports regarding the delivery of anti-aircraft missiles to Taliban by Iran emerge as numerous Afghan and American planes faced crashes, hard-landings and emergency landings in the restive parts of the country. The report however maintains that there is no definitive proof in this regard.
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February - 19 
Leader of Hizb-e-Islami (HeI) party, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, on February 19, rejected announcement by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) declaring incumbent Ashraf Ghani the country’s next President, reports Tolo News. Being one of the Presidential candidates in the election himself, Gulbuddin H
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Leader of Hizb-e-Islami (HeI) party, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, on February 19, rejected announcement by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) declaring incumbent Ashraf Ghani the country’s next President, reports Tolo News. Being one of the Presidential candidates in the election himself, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar said, “We suggested that you (President Ghani) cooperate with us to resolve the crisis, but you (Ghani) chose the path of crisis”. IEC on February 18, had declared Ashraf Ghani as the winner of the Presidential election held on September 28, 2019.
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February - 20 
Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane, on February 20, said that terror incidents have seen a downturn and the Army is maintaining pressure on terror groups in the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) where the troops have foiled number of Border Action Team (BAT) action attempts even
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Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane, on February 20, said that terror incidents have seen a downturn and the Army is maintaining pressure on terror groups in the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) where the troops have foiled number of Border Action Team (BAT) action attempts even before they had been able to launch them, reports Daily Excelsior. Asserting that there are 15-20 terrorist camps inside Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), General Naravane who had concluded his two-day visit to Nagrota Corps Headquarters on February 20, said that there are around 250-300 terrorists at any time in the training camps and numbers may fluctuate. He said. “We have been getting inputs. We have been able to foil (Pakistan army’s) BAT action attempts even before they had been able to launch them.” The BAT comprised Pakistan army regulars as well as battle hardened militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfits.
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February - 20 
Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah in a letter on February 20, asked the European Union (EU)'s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, for clarification about the EU’s "congratulation of President Ashraf Ghani", reports Tol
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Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah in a letter on February 20, asked the European Union (EU)'s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, for clarification about the EU’s "congratulation of President Ashraf Ghani", reports Tolo News. Abdullah, tweeting about the letter, said: “I requested clarification. Reminding our international friends: Systemic fraud and serious electoral irregularities at the behest of a rival team produced results that are illegal and unacceptable to most Afghans.”
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February - 20 
On February 20, the Council of Presidential Candidates, during a press conference, called for the final results of the Presidential election declared by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) to be disregarded, reports Tolo News. “How big a betrayal the commission has made.... as you saw yesterda
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On February 20, the Council of Presidential Candidates, during a press conference, called for the final results of the Presidential election declared by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) to be disregarded, reports Tolo News. “How big a betrayal the commission has made.... as you saw yesterday, they (IEC) handed-over the credential certificate (to Ghani),” said Ahmad Wali Massoud, a Presidential candidate. IEC on February 18, had declared Ashraf Ghani as the winner of the Presidential election held on September 28, 2019.
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February - 21 
Director General of Punjab Police (DGP), Dinkar Gupta, on February 21, stated that the Kartarpur Corridor is a potential threat to India’s security, reports Indian Express. Gupta said that the visa-free passage cleared for Sikh pilgrims “offers a potential that you send somebody to Kartarpur in the
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Director General of Punjab Police (DGP), Dinkar Gupta, on February 21, stated that the Kartarpur Corridor is a potential threat to India’s security, reports Indian Express. Gupta said that the visa-free passage cleared for Sikh pilgrims “offers a potential that you send somebody to Kartarpur in the morning as an ordinary chap and by evening he comes back as trained terrorist actually. You are there for six hours, you can be taken to a firing range, you can be taught to make an IED (Improvised Explosive Device)”. DGP’s views echoed similar sentiments expressed by Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who in the past had maintained that while he was extremely happy, as a Sikh, at the opening of the Corridor, the threat it posed to India could not be ignored.
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February - 21 
On February 21, Union Home Minister (UHM) Amit Shah held talk with Sheikh Imran Abdulla, Home Minister of Maldives, on mutual cooperation in the fields of counter-terrorism and counter-radicalisation in New Delhi, reports The Hindu. A statement issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) sta
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On February 21, Union Home Minister (UHM) Amit Shah held talk with Sheikh Imran Abdulla, Home Minister of Maldives, on mutual cooperation in the fields of counter-terrorism and counter-radicalisation in New Delhi, reports The Hindu. A statement issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) stated, “Welcoming the strengthening of India-Maldives Partnership, the Ministers welcomed the expansion of bilateral cooperation between India and Maldives in diverse fields, including policing and law enforcement, counter-terrorism, counter-radicalisation, organised crime, drug trafficking and capacity building.”
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February - 21 
The Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) has decided, on February 21, to intensify its agitation over the demand of enforcing Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya, reports The Assam Tribune. In a meeting, CoMSO chairman, Robertjune Kharjahrin, stated that the Centre’s stand on imp
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The Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) has decided, on February 21, to intensify its agitation over the demand of enforcing Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya, reports The Assam Tribune. In a meeting, CoMSO chairman, Robertjune Kharjahrin, stated that the Centre’s stand on implementation of ILP has been disappointing as there was no categorical assurance by Union Home Minister (UHM) Amit Shah. On February 20, a delegation of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) Government led by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had met UHM to discuss about the implementation of ILP in the State.
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February - 21 
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on February 21, decided to keep Pakistan in the Grey List for four more months for its insufficient ability to curb money laundering and terror financing, said a statement issued by the Finance Division after a review meeting in Paris, reports Pakistan Today. “
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The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on February 21, decided to keep Pakistan in the Grey List for four more months for its insufficient ability to curb money laundering and terror financing, said a statement issued by the Finance Division after a review meeting in Paris, reports Pakistan Today. “FATF members agreed to maintain Pakistan’s status on FATF’s Compliance Document, normally referred [to] as the Grey List,” the FATF press release said and “strongly urged” Pakistan to “swiftly complete” its full action plan by June 2020. “Otherwise, should significant and sustainable progress especially in prosecuting and penalising TF (terror financing) not be made by the next Plenary, the FATF will take action,” it added. It said such action could include calling on its members to order their financial institutions to give particularly rigorous attention to business relations and transactions with Pakistani clients.
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February - 21 
A Special Task Force has been appointed on the instructions of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to monitor the progress and to ensure the speedy execution of investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks (April 21, 2019), reports Daily Mirror on February 22. The Task Force is overseen by the Defence Sec
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A Special Task Force has been appointed on the instructions of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to monitor the progress and to ensure the speedy execution of investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks (April 21, 2019), reports Daily Mirror on February 22. The Task Force is overseen by the Defence Secretary, Major General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne and the members of the Task Force are, Chief National Intelligence (Chairman), Director-State Intelligence Service, Director General-Military Intelligence, Deputy Inspector General-Criminal Investigation Department, Director-Counter Terrorism and Investigation Division and Director Legal-Sri Lanka Police. A senior official said that the Task Force is to meet on a weekly basis to discuss and monitor the progress of the ongoing investigation to include scrutinization of information/evidence, collection of new information/evidence and requirement for arrests and detention of suspects.
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February - 21 
The United Nations released its latest report, UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), on civilian casualties in Afghanistan, documents up to 10,400 civilian deaths and injuries during the year 2019, reports The Khaama Press on February 22. The UNAMA in a statement said “The new report documents 3,403 c
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The United Nations released its latest report, UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), on civilian casualties in Afghanistan, documents up to 10,400 civilian deaths and injuries during the year 2019, reports The Khaama Press on February 22. The UNAMA in a statement said “The new report documents 3,403 civilians killed and 6,989 injured, with the majority of the civilian casualties inflicted by anti-government elements.” UNAMA further added “It is the sixth year in a row that the number of civilian casualties has exceeded 10,000.” “The figures outlined in the new report – released jointly by UNAMA and the UN Human Rights Office – represent a five per cent decrease over the previous year, mainly due to a decrease in civilian casualties caused by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – Khorasan Province (ISIL-KP),” the report stated. It also added “Civilian casualties caused by the other parties increased, particularly by the Taliban (21 per cent increase) and the international military forces (18 per cent increase), mainly due to an increase in improvised explosive device attacks and airstrikes.”
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