• 22 Jan 2025

Heightened Security in Jammu and Kashmir

Why in News? 

Security agencies have intensified measures in Jammu ahead of Republic Day celebrations.  

• The security wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Police has taken charge of the Maulana Azad Stadium, where Lieutenant Governor will preside over the Republic Day function, with Chief Minister of the state attending as the chief guest. 

 Key Points 

• Vigilance and Checks: 
  • Station House Officers (SHOs) and Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs) have been instructed to conduct area checks and maintain 24/7 vigilance. 
  • Vehicle and pedestrian checks have been intensified across Jammu, especially in border regions. 
  • ‘Nakas’ and Mobile Vehicle Checkpoints (MVCPs) have been established at key intersections and entry/exit points. 
• Security Along Borders: 
  • Security forces, including the Army, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), police, and Village Defence Guards (VDGs), have heightened vigilance along the International Border (IB), Line of Control (LoC), and sensitive areas. 

 Republic Day 

• About: 
  • Republic Day commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of India on 26th January 1950, and the country’s transition to a republic which came into effect on 26th January 1950. 
    • The constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on 26th November 1949 and came into effect on 26^th January 1950. 
  • The Constitution of India repealed the Indian Independence Act 1947 and Government of India Act 1935 when it became effective on 26th January 1950. India ceased to be a dominion of the British Crown and became a sovereign, democratic republic with a constitution. 
• History: 
  • Declaration of Poorna Swaraj: 
    • The Lahore Session of the INC in December 1929 passed the historic "Poorna Swaraj" resolution, calling for total self-rule/sovereignty and complete independence from British rule. 
      • The Declaration of Independence was officially promulgated on 26^th January 1930, and the Congress urged Indians to celebrate "independence" on that day. 
  • Republic Day in Post-Independence India: 
    • From 1930 to 1947, 26^th January was celebrated as "Independence Day" or "Poorna Swaraj Day." 
    • India gained independence on 15^th August 1947, leading to a reevaluation of the significance of Republic Day. 
    • The selection of 26^th January for the promulgation of India's new constitution was ideal due to its existing nationalist significance and alignment with the "Poorna Swaraj" declaration. 

Centre Extends Deadline to Procure Soybean

Why in News? 

The Union Agriculture Ministry has decided to extend the deadline for procuring soybeans from Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Telangana. 

 Key Points 

• Extension of Soybean Procurement Deadline: 
  • Total soybean procurement across all States has reached 13.68 lakh tonnes, compared to the target of 33.60 lakh tonnes. 
  • The Ministry attributed the decrease in procurement to the State governments, stating they are responsible for making procurement arrangements. 
• Review Meeting on Agricultural Issues: 
  • The Agriculture Minister chaired a review meeting with senior officials to discuss key agriculture-related issues. 
  • Topics included farm produce management, marketing of agri-products, import-export dynamics, and weather conditions. 
  • He emphasized holding periodic meetings with State Agriculture Ministers to address agricultural challenges. 

 Soyabean Crop 

• Soyabean is a Kharif crop in India. 
• Soybean (Glycine max) is the world’s most important seed legumes which contributes 25% to the global edible oil, about two third of the world protein concentrate for livestock feeding and is a valuable ingredient in formulated feeds for poultry and fish. 
• It is predominantly grown as a rainfed crop in Vertisols and associated soils with an average crop season rainfall of 900 mm. 
• Major Producing States in India: Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. 

AI in Maha Kumbh 2025

Why in News? 

Authorities are using CCTV cameras equipped with Artificial Intelligence to manage the rush of devotees at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela and predict sudden crowd surges. 

 Key Points 

• Crowd Statistics: 
  • Approximately 50 to 60 lakh people visit the fair daily. 
  • The number of devotees surges on ritual bathing days: 
    • Paush Purnima: 1.6 crore people took a dip. 
    • Makar Sankranti (January 14): 3.5 crore people participated. 
    • Mauni Amavasya (January 29): An estimated 6 to 7 crore people are expected. 
• Surveillance and Monitoring Setup: 
  • Authorities have installed around 2,700 CCTV cameras across Prayagraj for the festival with 1,800 located in the fair area. 
  • Monitoring is conducted through four Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCC) within the fair area. 
• Role of AI in Crowd Management: 
  • Out of 1,800 CCTV cameras, approximately 160 are equipped with AI technology. 
  • AI calculates crowd density per square metre to estimate the number of people in specific areas at specific times. 
  • Authorities use AI data to estimate the number of pilgrims expected on major bathing days and divert crowds to prevent overcrowding. 
• AI in Emergency Response: 
  • AI facilitates evacuation in emergencies, such as the recent fire incident that destroyed 40 huts and 60 tents. 
  • This is the first time AI has been used for crowd management on such a large scale globally. 
  • Challenges and Limitations: 
    • AI models sometimes face gaps due to low network connectivity and technical issues. 
    • Equipping all CCTV cameras with AI remains cost-prohibitive. 

 Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

• About: 
  • AI is the ability of a computer, or a robot controlled by a computer to do tasks that are usually done by humans because they require human intelligence and discernment. 
    • Although there is no AI that can perform the wide variety of tasks an ordinary human can do, some AI can match humans in specific tasks. 
• Characteristics & Components: 
  • The ideal characteristic of artificial intelligence is its ability to rationalize and take actions that have the best chance of achieving a specific goal. A subset of AI is Machine Learning (ML). 
    • Deep Learning (DL) techniques enable this automatic learning through the absorption of huge amounts of unstructured data such as text, images, or video. 

Custodial deaths in Sambhal

Why in News? 

Recently, a man died in police custody in Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh, prompting his family and locals to protest, alleging custodial torture.  

 Key Points 

• About the Incident: 
  • While police suggested a possible heart attack as the cause, the victim's family and locals protested at the outpost, forcing officials to flee to avoid a mob attack. 
  • Later, personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF) restored order by deploying forces in the area. 
• Custodial Torture 
  • About: 
    • Custodial torture is the infliction of physical or mental pain or suffering on a person who is in the custody of the police or other authorities. 
    • It is a grave violation of human rights and dignity and often leads to custodial deaths, which are deaths that occur while a person is in custody. 
  • Types of Custodial Death: 
    • Death in Police Custody: 
      • Death in police custody can result from excessive force, torture, denial of medical care, or other forms of abuse. 
    • Death in Judicial Custody: 
      • Death in judicial custody may occur due to overcrowding, poor hygiene, lack of medical facilities, inmate violence, or suicide. 
    • Death in the Custody of Army or Paramilitary Forces: 
      • Can happen through torture, extrajudicial killings, encounters, or crossfire incidents. 
  • Challenges in Preventing Custodial Torture in India: 
    • Lack of ratification of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT), which India signed in 1997 but has not yet ratified. 
      • This prevents India from being bound by international obligations and standards to prevent and combat custodial torture. 

 International Conventions for Human Rights 

• International Human Rights Law, 1948: 
  • The International Human Rights Law contains a provision which protects people from torture and other enforced disappearances. 
• United Nation Charter, 1945: 
  • The United Nations Charter calls for treating prisoners with dignity. The Charter clearly states that despite being prisoners, their fundamental freedoms and human rights are set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 
• The Nelson Mandela Rules, 2015: 
  • The Nelson Mandela Rules were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 to treat prisoners with inherent dignity and to prohibit torture and other ill-treatment. 

UCC Rules in Uttarakhand

Why in News? 

Recently, the Uttarakhand government approved the rules for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and plans to issue a gazette notification for the legislation by the end of January 2025, paving the way for its implementation. 

 Key Points 

• Key Provisions of UCC: 
  • The UCC, passed by the Uttarakhand Assembly in February 2024, excludes tribal communities from its ambit. 
  • It bans practices such as halala, iddat, and talaq, which are customs under Muslim Personal Law. 
    • It ensures women receive equal rights in matters of property and inheritance. 
  • The Code mandates the registration of marriages and divorces, with non-compliance leading to deprivation of government benefits. 
  • Stringent provisions are in place for unregistered live-in relationships, though children born from such relationships are recognized as legitimate. 
• Implementation Measures: 
  • The government has set up an online portal to register marriages, divorces, inheritance rights, live-in relationships, and terminations of live-in relationships. 
  • Citizens can access their data and application status via mobile phones or at home. 
  • Common Service Centres (CSCs) have been authorized for online registration. 
    • In remote areas without internet access, CSC agents will provide door-to-door registration services. 
  • Aadhaar-based registration and tracking via email and SMS have been introduced for simplicity and convenience. 
  • An online complaint registration mechanism has also been established. 

Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary

Why in News? 

Recently, the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) rejected the Uttarakhand government's proposal to permit soapstone mining on agricultural land at Pokhani, located near the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS). 

 Key Points 

• Wildlife Sanctuary and Endangered Species: 
  • The Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary is home to endangered species like the Himalayan musk deer and Himalayan tahr, both listed on the IUCN Red List. 
• Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) Guidelines: 
  • While the precise boundaries of the sanctuary's eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) have not been defined, the environment ministry’s guidelines state that an area of 10 km around protected zones is considered an ESZ in the absence of defined boundaries. 
• Proposal for Soapstone Mining: 
  • In 2023, the Uttarakhand authorities presented a proposal to permit soapstone mining in Pokhani, located within the ESZ of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. 
• Environmentalists' Reaction: 
  • Environmentalists hailed the rejection as a significant step in protecting the sanctuary and its surrounding areas. 
  • They emphasized that the decision reflected an awareness of the risks posed by mining operations to the region’s ecology and local residents. 
• Concerns Over Unregulated Mining in Uttarakhand: 
  • Growing concerns over unregulated mining activities, particularly in Bageshwar district of Kumaon, have led to a stronger stance against such operations. 
  • Reports from the Uttarakhand Disaster Management Authority revealed severe damage caused by mining, including cracks in 200 houses, roads, and agricultural fields across 11 vulnerable villages. 

 National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)  

• National Board for Wildlife is a statutory Board constituted officially in 2003 under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.  
  • It replaced the Indian Board for Wildlife, established in 1952.  
• The NBWL is chaired by the Prime Minister and is responsible for promotion of conservation and development of wildlife and forests.  
• The board is ‘advisory’ in nature and can only advise the Government on policy making for conservation of wildlife.  
• It serves as an apex body for the review of all wildlife-related matters and for the approval of projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries.  
• The standing committee of NBWL is chaired by the Minister of Environment Forest and Climate Change.  
  • The standing committee approves all the projects falling within protected wildlife areas or within 10 km of them.