Day: May 23, 2023

Authorities in India’s north-eastern Manipur, yesterday, reimposed a curfew and deployed the army again, on roads, as fresh violence erupted in the state, officials said.

Violence broke out in Imphal’s Lambulane area, where abandoned houses were set ablaze by unknown people.

Videos from the area showed thick columns of smoke and flames leaping up into the sky, as firefighters holding water hoses, sprinkled water to contain the blaze.

However, no casualties were reported in the arson.

Officials said, some people forced locals to shut their shops.

Following reports of arson, troopers were deployed in the area. Protesters also lit bonfires of used tyres on the road. Government forces fired teargas, to disperse the mob, reports said.

The army said in a statement that, three suspects were arrested and two weapons recovered.

Following the incident, a curfew which was relaxed earlier was reimposed in the area.

Large-scale violence broke out in the state earlier this month, during a tribal protest demonstration, over the inclusion of the non-tribal Meiteis community for a scheduled tribe status. The call for protest was given by the All Tribal Student Union, Manipur.

Scheduled tribes in India are officially designated as disadvantaged socio-economic groups. They are given reservations in education and jobs, with the aim to improve their lives.

Thousands of people took part in the rally, where violence broke out between tribals and non-tribals.

Schools, houses, churches, vehicles and public properties were set ablaze by protesting mobs.

According to officials, 71 people lost their lives in the violence. More than 230 people were injured, and close to 1,700 houses were burnt down during the violence.

Over 100 columns of army and paramilitary forces were deployed in the state to restore peace.

Meanwhile, the local government has extended a ban on internet services by another five days, as a precautionary measure to restrict the mobilisation of crowds.

Source: Nam News Network (NNN)

Hot and dry weather is likely to prevail in the country during the next twelve hours.

However, dust raising winds and gusty winds with rain-thunderstorm is expected in Islamabad, Punjab, Potohar region, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, upper Sindh, Northeast Central Balochistan, Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.

Temperature of some major cities recorded this morning:

Islamabad and Quetta twenty-four degree centigrade, Lahore and Karachi thirty, Peshawar twenty-eight, Gilgit and Muzaffarabad twenty-one and Murree seventeen degree centigrade.

According to Met Office weather forecast for Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, cloudy with chances of rain-wind/thunderstorm weather is expected in Srinagar, Leh, Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian, Baramulla, while Partly cloudy with chances of dust-thunderstorm and gusty winds with rain in Jammu.

Temperature recorded this morning:

Srinagar sixteen degree centigrade, Jammu twenty-seven, Leh six, Pulwama and Baramulla fifteen, Anantnag and Shopian fourteen degree centigrade.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Nawaf Bin Said Al-Malki, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia called on the Federal Minister for Finance & Revenue Ishaq Dar at the Finance Division today, where the envoy expressed the Kingdom’s desire to strengthen economic and commercial ties with Pakistan.

The minister warmly welcomed the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia and appreciated the long-standing historical, religious, and cultural ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. He stated that both states share outstanding relations on various fronts including economy and trade.

The minister also apprised the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of policies and programs of the government to bring economic prosperity to the country through the upcoming budget. He also thanked the Saudi Ambassador for the Kingdom’s valuable support to Pakistan in economic and financial terms.

The ambassador reciprocated the sentiments about the long-term relationship between both countries and shared that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia desires to further strengthen its economic and commercial ties with Pakistan.

In conclusion, Dar expressed gratitude toward the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its continuous support and cooperation with Pakistan.

Source: Pro Pakistani