Terror in Kashmir a big problem: MEPs
- The delegation of Members of European Parliament (MEPs), on a visit to Srinagar on Wednesday, said “terrorism is a severe problem in Kashmir” and named Pakis- tan as its source. They felt India’s decision to revoke provisions of Article 370 that gave special status to Jammu & Kashmir was an internal issue. “It should not be used [against India],” they said.
- The MEPs described the killing of six non-locals by suspected militants in Kulgam, south Kashmir, as “in- human”. “Terrorism is not finished yet in Kashmir. Terrorism in Kashmir is not only the problem of India. I think it’s our problem, as well as of the international community. We support India in fighting for a solution to the problem,” three of the delegation told a select group of journalists in Srinagar’s Old Airfield.
Delhi’s pollution spikes to ‘severe’ category
- The AQI on Wednesday was 419 at 4 p.m., which is the average of the past 24 hours, up from 400 on Tuesday and 368 on Monday, ac- cording to the Central Pollution Control Board.
- “The DPCC [Delhi Pollution Control Committee] has deployed 16 night patrolling teams to impose environ- mental compensation on agencies, units for construction and demolition waste, garbage burning, and dumping,” an official statement said. SAFAR also advised people to avoid all outdoor physical activities, give morning walks a miss, and keep all windows closed. “Stop any activity if you experience unusual coughing, chest discomfort, wheezing, or fatigue and consult a doctor,” its advisory said.
‘Include Law Ministry while hearing plea on uniform age of marriage.
- A Bench of Chief Justice D.N. Patel and justice C. Hari Shankar was informed b WCD Ministry that as the petition refers to various marriage laws, the Law Ministry’s comments are also required.
- The High court was hearing a petition by BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, who is a lawyer. The petition claimed that the difference in minimum age of marriage for men and women was based on patriarchal stereotypes and has no scientific backing. The plea has contended that limit of 18 years for a woman to get married amounts to “blatant discrimination.”
NPCIL acknowledges malware attack at Kudankulam plant
- The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) on Wednesday confirmed that a malware had indeed infected its system at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP), a day after KKNPP officials had categorically asserted that the systems at the plant could not be accessed by anyone outside the network as they were all isolated.
- “Identification of mal- ware in NPCIL system is correct,” A.K. Nema, Associate Director and Appellate Authority, NPCIL, said in a statement. “The matter was conveyed by CERTIn [Indian Computer Emergency Response Team] when it was noticed by them on September 4, 2019. The matter was immediately investigated by DAE specialists,” he added.