Morning Brief: Congress’ Ghulam Nabi Azad Accuses Army Of Killing More Civilians Than Terrorists; Trump Backs Down On Family Separation; Vedanta Moves HC Seeking Access To Unit

Good morning, dear reader! Here’s your morning news and views brief for today.

Ghulam Nabi Azad Accuses Army of Killing More Civilians Than Terrorists

In a television interview on Wednesday, senior Congressman and leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad accused the Indian Army of killing more civilians than terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, the Times of India has reported. According to the daily, the Congress leader also said that the BJP's language of "all out operations" in the state indicates that a "massacre" was being planned. He also attacked the government for not holding talks with separatist leaders and Pakistan, saying “even America and North Korea solved their difference through dialogue”.

"They (forces) take action against four terrorists and kill 20 civilians. Their action is more against civilians than terrorists. For instance, they killed 13 civilians in Pulwama and just one terrorist. No civilians were killed during the UPA government," he was quoted as saying. “Saying that it will be an all-out operation, clearly shows that they plan to do a massacre,” he said, according to News18.

Trump Signs Order To End Family Separations At US Border

Backing down on an immigration policy that sparked outrage at home and abroad, US President Donald Trump signed executive orders late on Wednesday to end the separation of children from their parents when families are caught crossing the country’s border with Mexico illegally. In the new set up, the families caught crossing the border illegally will be detained together. However, the "zero tolerance" policy that calls for criminal prosecution of immigrants crossing the border illegally remains in effect. According to the US’ Department of Homeland Security, 2,342 children were separated from their parents since last month. A 2016 court ruling in the US bars the government from keeping children in family detention centres for more than 20 days. The Trump administration is seeking a policy change through the courts to allow for the detention of migrant children for more than 20 days.

Vedanta Moves Madras HC Seeking Access To Tuticorin Sterlite Unit

A day after reports of an acid leak at its Sterlite unit, Vedanta has approached the Madras High Court seeking approval for entry of minimum manpower and restoration of power at the smelter. The acid leak, which was reported to be seepage from the sulphuric acid tank, has been taking place at least for few days. The government has directed various bodies, including the state pollution control board, to control the situation. In its petition, the company has stated that the leakage could be due to “sabotage”. It has sought access for its personnel to maintain and operate its emergency services. Vedanta has also mentioned that it was not possible to inspect the situation as there was no electricity. Earlier, Vedanta’s request to let its personnel enter the plant to fix the problem was rejected by the authorities.

China At Risk Of Losing Title Of World's Number Two Stock Market

China’s equity market is very close to losing a title it has held for almost four years. China’s equity market became world’s second-largest by overtaking Japan’s at the end of 2014. However, it lost $406 billion in a wipeout on Tuesday. Additionally, Chinese stocks have lost more than $1.6 trillion in market cap in the last six months. A drop of the same magnitude will take away its title. The US has the largest equity market, twice as valuable as all the stocks in China and Japan combined. Escalating tensions with the US amid an ongoing trade war sent 1,023 stocks on Chinese exchanges, or more than one in four, down by the daily 10 percent limit on Tuesday. However, as the government stepped up efforts to limit trade tension fallout, declines in Chinese stocks and the yuan came to a halt. The Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.3 per cent on Wednesday, following a loss of 1.2 per cent earlier.

HC Refuses To Grant Relief To Zakir Naik

Easier To Work Under Governor’s Rule: J&K Police Chief

A day after Jammy and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti resigned following the BJP’s pullout from the coalition with the PDP, Director General of Police S P Vaid has said that conducting counter-terror operations will be much “easier” for security agencies under Governor’s rule and anti-terror operations will be intensified. On Wednesday, the state was placed under Governor’s rule for the forth time since 2008 and eighth time since 1977. Security forces are likely to get a free hand to deal with terrorists and counterinsurgency operations in the Valley may spike, sources told the Indian Express. After a meeting with Governor N N Vohra, whose term is set to end in the next few days, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said military operations in the Valley against terrorists would continue as earlier. Under Governor’s rule, the NIA’s terror funding probe against separatists is also likely to be revived.

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SWARAJYA SPECIAL

After Exiting J&K Misadventure, BJP Should Ask Itself: Who Does It Represent?

The Bharatiya Janata Party must define itself as a party for Indic peoples and cultures, because if it claims to represent everybody, it will end up representing nobody—as happened in Jammu and Kashmir. Sabka saath, sabka vikas can be a government slogan, not for a party which claims a Hindu constituency.

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