ULFA pro-talks faction to sign MoU of settlement with Centre, Assam government

General Studies III: internal security

Context:
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Assam government are expected to sign a memorandum of settlement with the pro-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).

The pro-talk faction started peace talks in 2011 but the other faction led by Paresh Baruah known as ULFA-I has not joined the peace process.

About ULFA:

The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) is an insurgent group in the northeastern Indian state of Assam.
Formed in 1979, ULFA engaged in an armed struggle against the Indian government, targeting security forces, political leaders, and infrastructure.
The group sought to address issues related to Assam's identity, autonomy, and economic development.
The Indian government designated ULFA as a terrorist organization, citing its involvement in violent activities against the state.
ULFA experienced internal conflicts and factionalism.
While some leaders favoured dialogue and peaceful resolution, others remained committed to armed struggle.

Faction of ULFA:
The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has experienced internal divisions, leading to the emergence of different factions.
Notably the pro-talks faction and the anti-talks or hardline faction, occurred in the early 2010s.
Two notable factions of ULFA are:-

Pro-Talks Faction (Leaders Engaging in Dialogue): Some leaders within ULFA have been inclined towards peaceful negotiations with the Indian government. This faction has participated in talks to find a political solution to the issues raised by ULFA, focusing on autonomy, cultural identity, and development for Assam within the constitutional framework of India.
Anti-Talks or Hardline Faction or Other faction:- Another faction within ULFA has been resistant to engaging in talks with the government and has continued to advocate for armed struggle and secession. This faction, often led by leaders like Paresh Baruah, has remained opposed to compromises and seeks an independent sovereign Assam.

Government stand:-
The Indian government has expressed a willingness to engage in talks to address the issues raised by ULFA and to find a peaceful solution to the insurgency problem in Assam.

Internal security:
Internal security refers to the measures and strategies employed by the government to safeguard its territorial integrity, maintain public order, and protect its citizens from various internal threats and challenges.
These threats can include terrorism, insurgency, communal tensions, left-wing extremism (Naxalism), and other forms of violence that may pose risks to the stability and harmony of the nation.

Associated Concerns:
India faces several challenges to its internal security, including:

Terrorism:- Persistent threats from both external and internal terrorist groups pose a significant challenge. Cross-border terrorism, particularly emanating from Pakistan, remains a concern.
Insurgency:- Certain regions experience insurgent movements seeking autonomy or independence. States like Jammu and Kashmir, the Northeastern states, and parts of central India have witnessed such challenges.
Communal Tensions:- Inter-community and inter-religious tensions can lead to communal violence, impacting internal security. Managing diversity and promoting social harmony is an ongoing task.
Cybersecurity Threats:- The increasing reliance on digital infrastructure makes India susceptible to cyber threats. Attacks on critical infrastructure, data breaches, and cyber espionage are emerging concerns.
Naxalism/Maoism:- Left-wing extremism, particularly in central and eastern states, poses a threat to internal security. These areas witness insurgent activities by groups like the Naxals.
Radicalization:- The rise of radical ideologies leading to the recruitment of individuals into extremist groups poses a threat. Countering radicalization and preventing the spread of extremist ideologies is crucial.
Internal Displacement:- Issues related to displacement due to conflicts, development projects, or natural disasters can create social unrest and impact internal security.

What can be done?
Addressing India's internal security challenges requires a multifaceted approach:
Counter-terrorism Measures: Strengthen intelligence capabilities, improve coordination among intelligence agencies, and enhance counter-terrorism operations to thwart and neutralize terrorist threats.
Insurgency Resolution: Engage in dialogue with affected communities, address socio-economic grievances, and implement inclusive development programs to address the root causes of insurgencies.x
Border Management: Modernize border surveillance and control mechanisms, invest in technology for border security, and strengthen diplomatic efforts to resolve border disputes with neighboring countries.
Naxalism/Maoism Mitigation: Combine security measures with socio-economic development in affected regions. Implement programs to address issues like land reforms, poverty, and unemployment.
Police Reforms: Modernize and professionalize police forces, enhancing their training and infrastructure. Implement reforms to improve accountability and transparency.
Legislative Framework: Continuously review and update legal frameworks to adapt to evolving security challenges. Ensure laws strike a balance between security needs and protecting individual rights.

Related Search:
Interstate Border Disputes
Naxalism/Maoism

Prelims Specific:
About ULFA
Factions of ULFA
Insurgency & Internal security
Associated Concerns
Mitigation

ECI guidelines on Dialogue on Disabilities in Politics

GS Paper 2: Government Policies & Interventions and Welfare Schemes

Context:
Election Commission has issued guidelines to political parties to use disability and gender-sensitive language, and refrain from using derogatory references to persons with disabilities (PwD) in public speeches, campaigns and writings.

Key Guidelines of the EC:-
Prohibition of Derogatory Language: Political entities are urged to avoid derogatory or offensive language concerning disability or Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in any public communications, ensuring accessibility for all.
Avoidance of Ableist Language: Terms like "dumb," "retarded," "blind," "deaf," "lame," etc., are highlighted as inappropriate and should be avoided.
Internal Review and Rectification: Campaign materials must undergo internal review within political parties to rectify offensive language.
Declaration of Sensitive Language Use: Political parties should declare their commitment to using disability and gender-sensitive language on their websites.
Adoption of Rights-Based Terminology: Encouragement to use terminologies outlined in the Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
Legal Consequences: Violations of these guidelines may fall under Section 92 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016.

Status of Persons with Disabilities in India:
Population: 2.21% of the Indian population identifies as having a disability according to the 76th round of the National Sample Survey (NSS).
Highest Incidence: Disabilities are most prevalent in the 10-19 age group, indicating the need for early intervention.

Constitutional Framework:

The Indian Constitution guarantees equality, freedom, justice, and dignity for all individuals through Fundamental Rights.
It inherently advocates for an inclusive society, encompassing persons with disabilities.
Article 41 of the Constitution, listed under the Directive Principles of State Policy, emphasizes the State's responsibility to ensure the right to work, education, and public assistance in situations of unemployment, old age, sickness, and disability. This mandate operates within the boundaries of economic capacity and developmental limitations.

Legislative Framework:
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act), superseding the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, stands as the most extensive legislation for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in India.
Government job reservations for PwDs stand at 4%, while seats reserved for students with disabilities in government or aided higher educational institutions are at 5%.

Government Initiatives:
Various schemes and campaigns like the Accessible India Campaign, DeenDayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme, and National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities have been introduced.

Major Challenges:
Accessibility: Public spaces and buildings lack proper accessibility features, hindering independent mobility.
Healthcare: Limited access to healthcare facilities, especially in rural areas.
Education: Lack of facilities and trained teachers leads to exclusion from quality education.
Employment: Discrimination and inaccessible workplaces contribute to high unemployment rates.
Stigma and Discrimination: Prevailing societal stigma limits opportunities for PwDs.
Legal and Policy Gaps: Inconsistent implementation of laws and policies affects the realization of PwDs' rights.

Way Forward:
Assistive Technology: Develop accessible and affordable technology, partnering with tech giants.
Education and Skill Development: Implement disability sensitivity training for educators and incorporate AI-powered learning tools.
Employment Shift: Create PwD-friendly infrastructure and encourage PwD-led startups.
Inclusivity Programs: Organize workshops and sensitization programs to foster understanding and inclusivity for PwDs in communities.

Related Search:
ECI
Model Code of Conduct

Prelims Specific:
Key Guidelines of the EC
Status of Persons with Disabilities in India
Constitutional/ Legislative Framework
Government Initiatives
Major Challenges

India has become a stock market superpower

GS Paper 3: Indian Economy, inclusive growth and issues arising from it

Context:
Despite geopolitical disturbances and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic over the last couple of years, the Indian stock market has achieved a new feat by crossing the $4 trillion valuation mark recently.

India's current position:
The stock exchanges currently having a higher valuation than the National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India are-

New York Stock Exchange (US)
Nasdaq (US)
Shanghai Stock Exchange (China)
Euronext (Europe)
Japan Stock Exchange (Japan)
Shenzhen Stock Exchange (China)

Hence India has 7th largest stock market exchange with a valuation of over $4 trillion.
The US is currently the leading market across the world, with a total valuation of over $50 trillion.
The US stock exchange showed a growth of 22.6 per cent this year
While the US and India saw a boost in their stock exchanges by over 20 per cent each, the second largest market in the world - China - fell by around 9 per cent in 2023, as the economy of the country struggled to cope with the Covid pandemic.

STOCK MARKET EXCHANGES:
India has two stock market exchanges - Nifty and Sensex.

Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE):- Established in 1875, the BSE is one of the oldest stock exchanges in Asia.
It is located in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
BSE provides a platform for trading in various financial instruments, including equities, derivatives, and mutual funds.

National Stock Exchange (NSE):- Founded in 1992, the NSE is a relatively newer but significant stock exchange in India.
It is also headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra. NSE is known for introducing electronic trading and settlement systems in the Indian stock market.
It facilitates trading in a wide range of financial instruments, similar to BSE.

They operate under the regulatory framework of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)

SEBI:
Establishment: SEBI was established on April 12, 1988, through the SEBI Act, 1992.
Objective: Its primary objective is to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote the development and regulation of the securities market in India.
Regulatory Functions: SEBI regulates stock exchanges, various market intermediaries, and other entities in the securities market.
Powers: SEBI has extensive powers to regulate and inspect the books of accounts of recognized stock exchanges and intermediaries.
Legal Framework: SEBI derives its powers from the SEBI Act, 1992, and it works in close association with the Ministry of Finance.
Market Development: SEBI plays a crucial role in ensuring the fair and transparent functioning of the securities market, fostering investor confidence, and promoting market development.
Issuer Regulations: SEBI formulates regulations for issuers of securities, covering aspects like disclosure requirements, listing criteria, and corporate governance.
Investor Protection: One of SEBI's key roles is to safeguard the interests of investors by ensuring fair practices, providing information, and addressing grievances.

Related Search:
Social Stock Exchange
Primary and Secondary market

Prelims Specific:
India's current position in stock market
Stock market exchanges in India
About SEBI
Social Stock Exchange
Primary and Secondary market

Pegasus infection found on Indian journalists’ phones after Apple alert

GS Paper 3: Cyber Security

Context:
The Washington Post and Amnesty International report claims that Pegasus spyware targeted journalists in India.

Details:-
This includes the founder editor of The Wire and the South Asia editor of the Organised Crime and Corruption Report Project (OCCRP).
The intrusion was detected in October 2023 after Apple warned users, including MPs, of potential ‘state-sponsored attacks’ on their iPhones.
A new forensic investigation by Amnesty International and The Washington Post has shown the use of the Israeli Pegasus spyware to surveil high-profile Indian journalists.

About Report:

The journalists were notified by Apple about being the focus of state-sponsored hacking attempts.
Subsequently, they handed over their phones to Amnesty International’s Security Lab for assessment.
Upon completion of the examination, traces of Pegasus activity were discovered on their devices.
The Security Lab determined that a message enabling a zero-click exploit had been transmitted to these phones via the iMessage app on their iPhones.

Pegasus Spyware:-
Pegasus, created by Israel’s NSO Group, is a potent malware/spyware.
Its design exploits zero-click vulnerabilities to remotely access any smartphone.
Upon infiltration, this spyware gains comprehensive access to all data on the targeted phone.
This includes real-time monitoring of emails, texts, phone calls, and even control over the smartphone's camera and microphone for sound recording purposes.

Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP):-

The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) is a worldwide network of investigative journalists, spanning six continents.
Established in 2006, it focuses its expertise on investigating organized crime and corruption.
Its stories are disseminated through local media outlets and its website, available in both English and Russian.
Recent undertakings by the OCCRP include significant involvement in reporting on the Pegasus spyware and the Panama Papers leak.
Additionally, the organization conducted research and published a report concerning the Adani Group (AG).

Government Initiatives:

Cyber Surakshit Bharat Initiative
National Cyber Security Coordination Centre (NCCC)
Cyber Swachhta Kendra
Computer Emergency Response Team - India (CERT-IN)
Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)

Related Search:
Zero-click exploit
Cyber Crime in India
Ransomware

Prelims Specific:
About Pegasus Spyware
What is OCCRP?
Government Initiatives on Cyber Crime

Disabled staff to get quota

Context:
The Union government issued an order paving the way for Persons with Disabilities to be considered for reservation in promotions up to the lowest rung of Group A posts in the Central government, with effect from June 30, 2016.

Overview:
PwD (Person with Disability) candidates have been fighting for the benefit of reservation in promotions for more than a decade.

Supreme Court’s Judgement:
June 30, 2016, the Supreme Court had initially ruled that PwD candidates must be entitled to reservation in promotions irrespective of whether the positions were filled through reservation or not.
But later it was challenged.
The court finally upheld the right to reservation in promotions in a 2021 order, and the government issued rules for the implementation of it.
The Supreme Court, in a significant decision, confirmed that persons suffering from disabilities are also socially backward and entitled to the same benefits of relaxation as Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe candidates in public employment and education.

Government Reaction:
Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said that consultations had been held with the Department of Legal Affairs following which it was decided to grant notional promotion to PwD candidates with effect from June 30, 2016.

Reservation in promotion:
The Constitution of India allows for reservation in promotions for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). The relevant constitutional provision is found in Article 16(4) and Article 16(4-A).
Article 16(4) states that the State can make provisions for the reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens, which, in the opinion of the State, is not adequately represented in the services under the State.
Article 16(4-A) was inserted by the 77th Amendment Act, of 1995, and it provides for consequential seniority to the SCs and STs promoted by the rule of reservation

Though reservation for PwD in promotion is not directly mentioned in the constitution, SC upheld Reservation for these people.

Reservation for OBC:

Reservations in promotions for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in India are not explicitly mentioned in the main body of the Constitution.
However, Article 16(4) of the Constitution allows the state to make provisions for the reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class, which, in the opinion of the state, is not adequately represented in the services under the state.
In the context of OBCs, many states have implemented reservation policies for them in public employment, including promotions.
The extent and nature of reservation policies for OBCs in promotions may vary across different states and union territories, as it depends on the policies framed by the respective state governments.

Qatari court reduces death sentence for 8 ex-Indian Navy personnel

Context:
A Qatari court commuted the death sentence given to eight former Indian Navy personnel earlier this year and sentenced them to prison for varying durations.

Charges:
Neither Qatar nor India have revealed the specific charges against the men.
All court enquiries have been in private chambers where media and the general public were not allowed.

Reason for a reduction in punishment:-

In October, India said it was "deeply shocked" after the men were sentenced to death. It later filed an appeal against the court's verdict.
Earlier this month, India's ambassador to Qatar met the men in prison.
PM Modi also met his Qatar counterpart on the sidelines of COP 28, Dubai.
It is speculated that there might have been some talks on the issue.
The Indian government has been extremely supportive of the families of these men and the embassy in Qatar has played a vital role in the appeal.

What to be done :(2015 Agreement with Qatar):-
The commutation of the death sentence makes it possible for India to invoke a 2015 agreement with Qatar on the transfer of sentenced persons.
The pact allows citizens of India and Qatar who have been convicted and sentenced for criminal offences to serve their sentences in their home country.
The agreement – signed during a visit to India by the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in March 2015 – does not apply to persons sentenced to death.
The Indian side is in close touch with the legal team and the families of the eight men to “decide on the next steps".

Things to focus on:
This kind of commutation of Death sentence is a very rare occurrence and India has done it, so which shows the Power that India holds in the world community.

Electronic soil

Context:
A newly developed eSoil that stimulated root systems helped barley seedlings grow an average of 50 per cent more in a new study.

About the eSoil:-
In hydroponic setups, eSoil stands out as a low-energy bioelectronic medium fostering plant growth by electrically stimulating its root system and surrounding environment.
Crafted from cellulose and PEDOT, a conductive polymer, this innovative substrate champions environmental sustainability.
Unlike past methods relying on high voltage and non-biodegradable elements, eSoil presents a safe, energy-efficient solution.
It operates on minimal energy, reducing resource usage, and features an organic mixed-ionic electronic conductor as its active component.

Functioning:-
When barley seedling roots received electrical stimulation over 15 days using eSoil, their growth surged by 50%.
This groundbreaking study not only highlights enhanced growth but also paves the way for more sustainable and diverse crop cultivation in hydroponic environments.
Hydroponics, a method of cultivating plants without soil, relies on water, nutrients, and a substrate to support root attachment.
This self-contained system facilitates water recirculation, ensuring precise nutrient delivery to each seedling.
Consequently, minimal water is utilized, and all nutrients are retained within the system—a feat unattainable in traditional farming practices.

Advantage:
This advancement holds immense potential for regions facing limited arable land and challenging environmental circumstances.

Pir Panjal Valley

Context:
Militants changed tack in Jammu and Kashmir and inflicted more casualties on the Army compared to other security wings this year by turning the Pir Panjal Valley, into a new battleground.

About the Pir Panjal Valley:

This mountain range in the northern Indian Himalayas spans from Ramban, extending westward through the southern region of Jammu and Kashmir, reaching the far end of Muzaffarabad District.
With an impressive average elevation surpassing 13,000 feet (4,000 meters), it sharply rises, creating a distinct divide.
This range serves as a boundary, separating the Jammu Hills to the south from the Vale of Kashmir, which leads to the expansive Great Himalayas.
Along its course, it diverges from the Himalayas near the Sutlej riverbank, establishing a partition between the Beas and Ravi rivers on one side and the Chenab on the other.
Noteworthy for its historical significance, the range features six major passes: the Hajipir Pass, Gulabgarh Pass, Ratanpir Pass, Pir Panjal Pass, Banihal Pass, and Bairam Gala Pass.
Additionally, it boasts prominent peaks such as Deo Tibba, standing at 6,001 meters, and Indrasan, reaching an impressive height of 6,221 meters, marking the eastern extremity of this mountainous expanse.

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