- INTERNAL SECURITY
BIREN CALLS FOR TARGETED MOVE ON MILITANT CAMPS
- The internal security situation in Manipur is currently highly volatile and complex, characterized by ethnic tensions, militant activities, and political challenges.
- Communities Involved: The primary ethnic groups involved in the conflict are the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.
- Recent Violence: Since September 1, at least nine people from these communities have been killed in drone attacks and gunfights, exacerbating the already tense situation.
- Militant Activities
- Militant Camps: There are militant camps in the hills, which are believed to be the source of much of the violence.
- Drone Attacks: The use of drones in attacks marks a new and alarming development in the conflict, indicating a possible escalation in tactics used by militant groups.
- Broader Implications
- Ethnic Tensions: The violence underscores the deep-rooted ethnic tensions in Manipur, which require long-term solutions beyond immediate security measures.
- Role of Central Government: The involvement of Central security forces and the call for a change in the unified command structure highlight the critical role of the Union government in managing internal security in the state.
- Impact on Civilians: The ongoing violence and security measures have a significant impact on the daily lives of civilians, exacerbating the humanitarian situation.
2. GEOGRAPHY
HOW CHANGES IN THE LEVEL OF ARCTIC SEA ICE CAN CHANGE MONSOON PATTERNS IN INDIA
- Key Findings from Recent Research Less Sea Ice in Central Arctic: Impact: Leads to lower rainfall in western and peninsular India but more rainfall in central and northern India.
- Mechanism: Reduced sea ice in the central Arctic increases heat transfer from the ocean to the atmosphere, triggering cyclonic circulation in the north Atlantic. This enhances Rossby waves, which in turn create high pressure over northwest India and low pressure over the Mediterranean. This strengthens the Asian jet stream over the Caspian Sea, causing the subtropical easterly jet to shift northward. The result is an anomalous high-pressure region over Central Asia, disrupting atmospheric stability over India and altering rainfall patterns.
- Less Sea Ice in Barents-Kara Sea Region
- Impact: Delays the monsoon’s onset and makes it more unpredictable.
- Mechanism: Low sea ice levels in this region trigger air currents that produce high pressure over southwest China. This correlates with a positive Arctic Oscillation, weakening the Circum-Global Teleconnection (CGT). The heat rising from the Barents-Kara Sea creates an anticyclonic circulation over northwest Europe, disturbing the upper atmospheric region over subtropical Asia and India. This instability, coupled with high surface temperatures of the Arabian Sea, promotes high rainfall over northeastern India while reducing rainfall in central and northwest regions
- Climate Change and Its Role
- Acceleration of Arctic Sea Ice Reduction:
- Impact: Climate change accelerates the reduction of Arctic sea ice, exacerbating the variability and unpredictability of the Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall (ISMR).
- Consequences: This can lead to more frequent and severe droughts in some regions while causing excessive rainfall and flooding in others.
3. BILATERAL
BANGLADESH INDIA RELATIONS SHOULD BE BASED ON EQUITY AND FAIRNESS – YUNUS
- Bangladesh’s interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus emphasized the importance of maintaining good relations with India, based on equity and fairness.
- His remarks came during a meeting with students involved in the recent revolution that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
- Yunus stressed mutual respect and equity in bilateral relations ○ He called for the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to enhance regional cooperation.
- His comments reflect a desire for balanced and respectful diplomatic ties, moving away from the narrative that only Hasina’s leadership ensures stability in Bangladesh.
4. ENVIRONMENT
CASE OF CLADE 2 MPOX CONFIRMED NOT PART OF CURRENT WHO EMERGENCY
- Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus. The disease is similar to smallpox but generally less severe.
- Current Situation in India
- As of the latest update, the Union Health Ministry has confirmed a travelrelated case of Mpox caused by the clade 2 strain of the virus.
- This case is isolated and not part of the current public health emergency concerning clade 1 of Mpox, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Symptoms and Transmission
- Symptoms: Rash (systemic or genital), fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion.
- Transmission: Direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids, respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact, or intimate physical contact, including sexual contact
5. DEFENCE
TWO ANTI – SUBMARINE WARFARE VESSELS FOR THE INDIAN NAVY
- Two anti-submarine warfare shallow watercraft vessels of the Indian Navy were launched at the Cochin Shipyard.
- Once commissioned by the Navy, the vessels will be called INS Malpe and INS Mulki — with a displacement of about 900 tonne.
- The ships are designed to fit the indigenously developed sonar for underwater surveillance
- The vessels are the fourth and fifth in a series of eight watercraft.
- Mahe-class of ships will replace the in-service Abhay-class ASW corvettes
- They are designed to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, low intensity maritime operations and mine-laying operations, apart from search and rescue.
- Each vessel has an installed propulsion power of about 12 MW and is equipped with light-weight torpedoes, ASW rockets and mines, close-in weapon system and stabilised remote-control guns
ONE LINER
- First of its kind initiative, Haryana released the Green Manifesto 2024 to focus on ecological issues
- The Union Ministry of Education has organized an international conference titled Spectrum of Literacy in New Delhi
