- Recently, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered a case against a Khalistani Terroristand Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) founder over the Air India threat –
- India banned the SFJ as an “unlawful association” in 2019, citing that it was involved in “anti-national and subversive” activities.
- The NIA invoked provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against SFJ.
- The NIA is a federal agency of the Indian government responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes related to Terrorism, Insurgency, and other national security matters.
- Federal agencies in a country typically have jurisdiction over matters that affect the country as a whole, rather than just individual states or provinces.
- It was established in 2009 following the Mumbai terrorist attacks in 2008, under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act, 2008, operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The National Investigation Agency (Amendment) Act, 2019 was passed in July 2019, amending the NIA Act, 2008.
- Civil aviation security refers to the measures and protocols implemented to safeguard civil aviation against unlawful interference, such as terrorist attacks, hijackings, sabotage, and other threats. These security measures aim to ensure the safety of passengers, crew, aircraft, and airport facilities.
- The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) is the national regulator for civil aviation security in India. The BCAS was initially set up as a Cell in the DGCA in January 1978 on the recommendation of the Pande Committee. The BCAS was reorganized into an independent department under the Ministry of Civil Aviation in 1987.
- The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regulates air transport services to, from, and within India. It also enforces civil air regulations, air safety, and airworthiness standards.
- The Ministry of Civil Aviation has introduced the Aircraft (Security) Rules, 2023 to enhance civil aviation security in line with international conventions.
- Civil War in Myanmar –
- Recently, due to the ongoing Civil War in Myanmar, 1,500 nationals of Myanmar took refuge in Mizoram’s Champhai district following an intense gunfight between the Myanmar Army, and pro-democracy militiasin the country’s western Chin State abutting Mizoram.
- A civil war is a prolonged conflict between organized groups within the same country or nation.
- It involves armed confrontations between factions or groups with distinct social, political, or ideological differences, all vying for control or dominance over the nation’s governance, territory, or resources.
What is Background of the Current Civil War in Myanmar-
- In the November 2020 elections, Aung San Suu Kyi’s party National League for Democracy (NLD) won the election. However, the military junta, known as the Tatmadaw, claimed electoral fraud without substantial evidence and rejected the election results.
- In February, 2021, the military staged a coup, detaining Aung San Suu Kyi and other elected leaders, declaring a state of emergency, and seizing control of the government.
- Fighting has also broken out elsewhere in the country, led by various local resistance forces — in the Rakhine State, Kayin State, Sagaing region bordering Manipur, and Chin State bordering Mizoram.
- Israel Declares Lashkar-e-Taiba as Terror Organisation –
- Ahead of the 15th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Israel declared the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) as a terror outfit, the move is in sync with Israel’s attempts to support a global war on terror.
- The announcement has come in the backdrop of Israel’s continued military operation in Gaza Stripthat was launched immediately after the attack by Hamas on Israeli targets.
- Israel’s move comes at a time when it has asked India to proscribe Hamas as a terrorist outfit.
- Israel usually lists terrorist organizations that operate against it within or around its borders, similar to India’s practice of listing groups recognized globally by the UNSC or the US State Department.
- USA, UK, European Union, Canada, Australia, Japan are among the countries and groupings that have designated Hamas as a terror outfit.