Former enclave people to cast vote in the Indian election



Senior Correspondent, Kolkata, Barta24.com
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Dhaka,(Barta24.com):  Former enclave people will participate in the Indian national election for the first time beginning from April 11. The enclave problem of Bangladesh and India was a burning issue in South Asian political arena. But the decade old problem which was supposed to be solved after the signing of Land Boundary Agreement between Bangladesh Prime Minister  Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1974. But unfortunately it did not happen.

After remaining as an irritant between the two neighboring countries for decades the curtain of uncertainty was pulled off in the midnight of July 31 of 2015.  At that time only 922 state less people crossed into Bangladesh.  Though there was a possibility of influx of more people but the efficient administrative setup of Bangladesh led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resisted that attempt. The rest people of the enclaves stayed back in India where there was option to do so. 

However there are few more unsolved bilateral problems between the two countries which will also be solved as expressed by Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Economic Adviser Dr. Mashiur Rahman.

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 Addressing a seminar in Kolkata recently Dr. Mashiur Rahman said that Pakistan –India have been sharing the common river water on which the whole irrigation system of hostile Pakistan was build up. But there was no such pact between India and Bangladesh. As a result we are not getting the share of Teesta water causing serious problem for our irrigation, navigation and also destroying  the flora and fauna. India is a great country which is also the largest democratic country of the world. India will definitely realize the life and death question of her friendly neighbor Bangladesh. Mashiur hoped the problem of Teesta and other common rivers will be solved like the enclave.   

However, polling in Koch bihar will be held on April 11 when the newly entrant former enclave people numbering 922 and previous 15000 will cast their vote for the first time. How the newly inducted Indian citizens are doing was asked to Prof. Debobrata Chaki(Senior fellow of Ministry of culture, Govt. of India) said that if at least one member of their family could be employed then their problems would have been solved much earlier. Prof. Chaki has been working with the enclave issue for a long time. However they are getting other facilities, Prof. Chaki said. 

Prof. Chaki said that the enclave people had all the legal documents they acquired during the reign of former Moharaja of Kochbihar. But none heard to them. At the time of transfer these people did not get the compensation of their land left by them now under Government control. Besides other problems they are connected with the mainstream people. They are getting similar treatment like the original Indian citizens from the government.     

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In recent election rallies both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Momota Banarjee assured many bigs for the former enclave people but time will say what they get after May 23. 

This time a total of 15000 former enclave people including the newly entrant 922 entered on July 31 of 2015 will exercise their right of franchise.  The national poll has created much enthusiasm among them with the expectation that good days are coming ahead.

   

Russia is using banned chemical weapons in Ukraine: US



International Desk, Barta24.com, Dhaka
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Dhaka: US accuses Russia of using 'Chloropicrin', a banned chemical used in World War I, in Ukraine.

On Thursday (May 2), the British media BBC reported that US State Department officials said that the attack on Ukraine with this weapon is not an "isolated" incident. Russia often uses it.

However, the Kremlin rejected the allegations, saying the US allegations were baseless. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow that Russia maintains its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).

According to the CWC, the use of ‘chloropicrin’ in any war is strictly prohibited. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the use of this chemical in oil can cause inflammation of the lungs, eyes and skin of people. It can also cause vomiting, nausea and diarrhea.

According to the US, Russia has used chloropicrin to force Ukrainian troops to retreat from fortified positions.

US President Joe Biden had earlier warned Russia about the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine. He warned in March 2022, weeks after the attack on Ukraine, that if Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized the use of chemical weapons, he would pay a "heavy price".

However, Moscow has been repeatedly accused of using chemical weapons in Ukraine. Mallory Stewart, US Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control has accused Russia of using riot control chemicals. Ukrainian soldiers have also reported being subjected to chemical attacks in recent months.

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Turkey stopped trade with Israel over the Gaza issue



International Desk, Barta24.com, Dhaka
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Turkey has stopped all trade with the illegal occupier Israel due to the Gaza war.

The British media BBC reported on Thursday (May 2) about the Turkish Ministry of Commerce.

The trade embargo will remain in effect until Israel allows uninterrupted and adequate humanitarian aid to Gaza, the Turkish trade ministry said.

According to the BBC, the trade between Israel and Turkey is about 7 billion US dollars in 2023.

Israel's foreign minister accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of treating him like a dictator in announcing the trade freeze.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz wrote on social media that Erdogan is violating international trade agreements by ignoring the interests of the Turkish people and businessmen.

Israel's foreign minister has instructed government agencies to import goods from other countries and produce goods locally as an alternative to Turkey's trade freeze.

He wrote, I have directed the IMF Director General to immediately start working with the concerned parties to find trade options with Turkey. I also asked him for local production and import of products from other countries. Israel will emerge as a powerful and formidable economy. They lose we win.

In 1949, Turkey was the first Muslim-majority country to recognize Israel. But relations between the two countries have deteriorated in recent times.

In 2010, Turkey cut diplomatic ties with Israel after ten pro-Palestinian Turkish activists were killed in clashes with Israeli commandos.

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Americans have right to protest, not violence: Biden



International Desk, Barta24.com, Dhaka
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US President Joe Biden has said that Americans have the right to protest, but not the right to spread violence.

The US president made this comment at a press conference at the White House on Thursday (May 02) amid growing political pressure on anti-Israel protests and clashes at universities in the United States over the Gaza issue.

Biden said that everyone has the right to protest, but no one has the right to cause chaos.

Recently, pro-Palestinians have been protesting in various universities in the United States. A few university protests were dispersed by the police. Hundreds of students have been arrested. Many are criticizing the initiative of the Biden administration to deal with the situation. He was available for comment through a spokesperson until Thursday.

Biden, who is hoping to be re-elected next November, made very cautious comments. While rejecting anti-Semitism in his comments, he supported the right of young people to protest. He has taken such a stand to avoid political damage in the long run.

Both sides have valid points, Biden said. Peaceful dissent is important in a democracy. But violence will not be tolerated.

Biden said that everyone has the right to protest, but no one has the right to cause chaos.

He said, destruction of property is not a peaceful protest. It is against the law. Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing class cancellations – none of these are peaceful protests.

The US president said the US is not an authoritarian state that will silence critics. But discipline must be maintained.

Anti-Israel protests began two weeks ago at Columbia University. Later it spread to other universities in America. At least 30 universities currently have anti-Israel protests.

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Netanyahu in fear of ICC arrest



International Desk, Barta24.com
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Israel's attack on Gaza did not stop. The death procession is increasing every day under the orders of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israeli army is not paying attention to the ongoing movement around the world. On the other hand, Tel Aviv is listening to the calls of pro-Palestinian world leaders.

Killing, torture and destruction are being carried out indiscriminately in violation of international law. The blockaded area is being gradually completed, including women and children. On the other hand, the world is not able to do anything about such activities in Israel.

But now it is known that the International Criminal Court (ICC) may issue an arrest warrant against the Prime Minister of Israel.

This is what the country's local media reported on Saturday (April 27). According to The New Arab, citing unnamed sources, Maariv newspaper reported that Netanyahu is under stress and panic over the threat of an ICC arrest warrant.

Not only Netanyahu, but also some of his prominent officials may receive this arrest notice, according to reports in the Israeli media.

According to Israeli media reports, the names of the country's Defense Minister Yoav Galant and Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi will be included in the list. Senior government officials held an emergency meeting in Tel Aviv this week to discuss that possibility.

In the meantime, Netanyahu has spoken on the phone with international friends, especially US President Joe Biden, to prevent the arrest warrant. It is not clear when an arrest warrant may be issued, and it is not standard for courts to disclose such information.

But fears of an arrest warrant against Netanyahu were first aired on Thursday by British-pro-Israel commentator Douglas Murray in an opinion piece in the US tabloid New York Post.

A warrant could be issued within days, Murray wrote. Netanyahu will not immediately face trial. But it would be a major blow to the prime minister on the world stage and put pressure on Israel's allies and ICC members to act.

Earlier in an interview on Friday, Netanyahu wrote, "Israel's natural and self-defense rights are undermined, and this country will not accept any such efforts by the ICC under my leadership." Threats to seize military officers of the Middle East's only democracy and the world's only Jewish state are outrageous. We will never bow down to it.'

Senior Israeli officials are said to be concerned about what such a warrant would mean for military operations against Hamas in Gaza.

Israel's Channel 13 broadcaster quoted officials as saying they believed the tribunal would target policy makers rather than junior soldiers.

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