State PCS

• 25 May 2024

Seven Maoists Killed in Bijapur

Why in News?

Recently, seven Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces on the inter-district border of Narayanpur and Bijapur districts in Chhattisgarh.

Key Points

• The encounter took place in the jurisdiction of Barsur police station in Dantewada just 10 kilometers inside Abujhmad forest area.
• The force of around 1,000 personnel consisted of Bastar Fighters and District Reserve Guards (DRG) with teams of Special Task Force (STF).

Naxalism in India

• The term Naxalism derives its name from the village Naxalbari of West Bengal.
• It originated as rebellion against local landlords who bashed a peasant over a land dispute. The rebellion was initiated in 1967, with an objective of rightful redistribution of the land to working peasants under the leadership of Kanu Sanyal and Jagan Santhal.
• Started in West Bengal, the movement has spread across Eastern India; in less developed areas of states such as Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
• It is considered that Naxals support Maoist political sentiments and ideology.
  • Maoism is a form of communism developed by Mao Tse Tung. It is a doctrine to capture State power through a combination of armed insurgency, mass mobilization and strategic alliances.

Gurugram in Top 50 List of Startup Cities

Why in News?

Recently, PitchBook unveiled its global Venture Capital ecosystem rankings for 2024, showcasing the top 50 startup cities worldwide and providing insights into the development of these ecosystems.

Key Points

• Three Indian cities have featured among the top 50 startup cities globally, with Mumbai at 32nd place, Bengaluru at 34^th, and Gurugram at 48^th.
• The global startup ecosystem has seen a significant increase in innovation and growth in recent years.
  • As a result, global investors are exploring opportunities in new countries, with startups securing substantial funding and valuations reaching multi-billion-dollar levels, and cities worldwide are actively competing to establish themselves as prominent hubs for startups.
• PitchBook is the leading resource for comprehensive data, research and insights spanning the global capital markets.
• It is a financial data and software company with offices in London, New York, San Francisco and Seattle.

Fire at Union Carbide Factory

Why in News?

Recently, a massive fire broke out at the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal. The factory is where methyl isocyanate gas leaked in 1984, killing thousands of people and disabling millions.

Key Points

• The fire was brought under control after about an hour. Its cause is yet to be ascertained.
• The locals expressed their fear about the potential effects of toxic smoke on their bodies.
• The factory was shut down after the 1984 gas tragedy.

Bhopal gas tragedy

• About:
  • The Bhopal gas tragedy was one of the worst industrial accidents in history that occurred on the night of 2-3 December 1984 at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant in Bhopal, MP.
  • It exposed people and animals to the highly toxic gas methyl isocyanate (MIC), causing immediate and long-term health effects and deaths.
• Causes of Gas Leak:
  • The exact cause of the gas leak is still disputed between corporate negligence or employee sabotage. However, some of the factors that contributed to the disaster are:
    • The UCIL plant was storing large quantities of MIC, a highly reactive and volatile chemical, in poorly maintained tanks.
    • The plant was operating with reduced staff and safety standards due to financial losses and market competition.
    • The plant was located in a densely populated area with no proper emergency plans or warning systems for the nearby residents.
    • On the night of the disaster, a large amount of water entered one of the MIC storage tanks (E610), either due to a faulty valve or a deliberate act of sabotage by a disgruntled worker.
      • This triggered an exothermic reaction that increased the temperature and pressure inside the tank, causing it to rupture and release a large cloud of MIC gas into the atmosphere.

Heatstroke Kills Hundreds of Bats in Madhya Pradesh

Why in News?

According to the sources, Heatstroke has killed hundreds of bats in Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points

• According to the deputy director (veterinary), approximately 250 bats died due to the heatstroke.
• He explained that bats are nocturnal creatures and typically seek refuge in their designated trees early in the morning.

Bats

• India is home to 135 bat species. Bats are nocturnal animals.
• Bats normally feed on fruits, helping in pollination by seed dispersal but also cause agricultural losses and hence are regarded as vermin.
• The population of bats has declined worldwide due to poaching, meat consumption, use in traditional medicines, climate change, environmental pollution, and biological invasions.

PMC Issues Notice for Spreading Pollution

Why in News?

The Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) has issued notices to nine departments including Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA), Public Works Department (PWD), North Central Railway (NCR), Jal Nigam for affecting the air quality in Smart City Prayagraj.

Key Points

• The notice includes the writ number from the Department of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change and advises implementing measures such as using green curtains to cover construction sites, regularly spraying water with sprinkler machines, employing mechanized road sweeping, and using mist guns to minimize dust.
• An official from the PMC stated that the rise in air pollution in the city is a result of ongoing construction activities. To address public concerns, notices have been sent to the relevant departments.
  • Failure to comply with the instructions may lead to further enforcement actions in accordance with the regulations.