Till a few years ago, juvenile crime was rare in India. Regretfully, it is now fairly common. The factors behind the phenomenon are incomplete family care and the absence of values that promote family bonding. The obsessive concern is to pursue a life of pleasure. The concept of a joint family exists no more; society needs to revive it. The meaning of pleasure should be redefined. The integration of the family is essential and children should be brought up accordingly.

A strict code of social conduct is imperative. Television programmes ought to be selected judiciously. Only instructive and scientific shows should be allowed to run. Poverty has always bred resentment, a primary factor behind crimes. But over the years, a fast-changing and developing society has introduced other versions of insecurity. Across the socio-economic and educational groups, children are affected if parents do not spend quality time with them. To that can be added an increasingly competitive world. In lower middle class families, for instance, where both parents are working, children grow up in a vacuum. In middle class families, parents have a range of expectations from the child, including high grades in school. This often makes the school environment a threat to the child. When children fail to cope with the stress, depression may lead to substance abuse, and then crime. In high-income families, almost every amenity is provided to the child either from parental anxiety to maintain their own status in society or to satisfy the ego of the child.

According to home ministry figures, in 2010 alone, around 54,487 high school graduates were found to be involved in crime in Bengal. By 2014, this number crossed 65,000. And a significant percentage of such criminals come from Kolkata. Teen violence is a common phenomenon in India today. The very definition includes fights, gang-violence, self-mutilation, aggressive sexual activity, explosive temper and tantrums, threats or attempts to hurt others and suicide. Youngsters who indulge in violence are often involved in other kinds of criminal behaviour. They may use drugs, carry weapons, drive recklessly and have unsafe sex.

When we read about incidents in newspapers like the one in Krishnagar , we feel surprised. But we wouldn’t if we paid adequate attention to the violence that we witness daily in schools indulged in by teachers or friends of a child, in public transport, or even in the safest abode for a child ~ his home.

When a child refuses to be disciplined, the usual parental response is to shout at him, punish him, or beat him. The power struggle between a child and his parents is replicated in school between the child and his teacher.  Bullying is also part of a school-going child’s life, but we hardly ever recognise it as violent behaviour. For some, the effects of bullying can last a lifetime, with an almost permanent effect on the psyche. Youngsters often find it difficult to cope with the pressure thrust upon them by their so-called well-wishers to continuously perform, achieve and excel in as many disciplines as possible. Anger triggers anger. If teenagers are spoken to angrily, or shouted at, they are likely to respond in the same way. Parents must not shout or resort to physical punishment too often in trying to discipline children.

The symptoms of aggression and violence among children are intense anger; frequent loss of temper or blow-ups; extreme irritability and impulsiveness; susceptibility to frustration; damage or destruction of property; lying or stealing; faring badly in school, skipping school altogether; smoking, drinking or drug use; early sexual activity; frequent arguments; consistent hostility towards authority; and inability to concentrate on studies or a sudden dip in performance.

Today, the child finds refuge in the virtual world where there is an overdose of information.  Constant exposure to aggression ~ verbal and physical ~ on television news, videos and games do have an effect on the mind. It either makes the child prone to violence or creates an urge to experiment with it.
Adults must ensure that children do not go astray. At home and in educational institutions, they need to monitor the behaviour of children and behave like role models for youngsters. Early detection and counselling for those with criminal tendencies is important so that they do not end up as offenders, and don’t influence others to do the same. This is possible only when parents are cognisant of what is wrong in the child’s behaviour and alert to correct him/her. Teachers and parents need to be alert to these symptoms. Usually, a child is referred to a psychologist only when his parents/ teachers identify a significant abnormality in his behavioural pattern.

Adolescents must learn to control anger.. One must learn to express one’s feelings to a trusted friend or confidant. Disappointment, anger or displeasure must be expressed without losing one’s temper or resorting to violence. Even while facing criticism, a young boy or girl must try to find out whether any part of the critical comment is justified. If the answer is yes, he must try to change himself for the better. It is always a good idea to discuss one’s problems with someone else by looking at alternative solutions and compromises. There should be no inhibition or fear in seeking professional help.

In India, the concept of delinquent behaviour is confined to the violation of the ordinary penal laws. State laws prohibit two types of behaviour among juveniles: the first includes behaviour which is criminal for adults, as for example, murder, rape, fraud, burglary, robbery, etc., and the second includes “status offences” like running away from home or truancy, etc.

Juvenile justice is generally regarded as a mark of fairness and an alternative system of dealing with children through laws. Here the emphasis is protective, restorative and re-integrative with care and rehabilitation. Thus, the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000, aims at evolving effective mechanisms and creating the necessary environment for care, protection, development and rehabilitation of juveniles in conflict with law.

Juvenile crime and the problems related to it have been faced in all societies. In the developing world, however, the problems are still more acute. The process of development has brought in its wake a socio-cultural upheaval affecting the age-old traditional mores. Scientific advances and concomitant industrialisation and urbanisation have ushered in a new era, which is characterised by changes in the social milieu and the attendant problems. The influx from rural to urban areas has resulted in social disorganisation and maladjustment. Juveniles are adversely affected by the changing conditions. The traditional social control system that served as a preventive check against any anti-social activity is gradually withering away. Consequently, the problem of juvenile deviance and antisocial propensities is rearing its ugly head ~ a situation that needs to be checked.

The writer is with the Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management (EIILM), Kolkata

From the apex judiciary in Kabul to the provincial legislature in Lahore, the militants have in the span of a week targeted the pivotal organs of putative democracy in a volatile swathe of South Asia. And the change in labels scarcely conceals the calculated malevolence. Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a relatively little known outfit that is linked to the Pakistan Taliban, has claimed responsibility for Monday’s blast that ripped through a rally in the vicinity of the Punjab assembly, killing 16 and wounding at least 83 people. It is a measure of the severity of the carnage that General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the army chief and no less, has stepped in to instruct the local military commanders ~ Lahore is the headquarters of a corps ~ to assist the civilian authorities in rescue operations and arrest those responsible. Neither the military nor the police have thus far been able to track down the culprits. Much as Gen Bajwa is said to be in favour of civil-military cooperation, the intervention by the highest level of the military has somewhat overshadowed the efforts of the Punjab government, helmed by Shahbaz Sharif, the brother of the Prime Minister. Both the Nawaz Sharif administration and the Rawalpindi GHQ must be acutely aware of the Intelligence failure despite alerts advanced on 7 February in the immediate aftermath of the outrage near the Afghan Supreme Court. Both the National Counter-Terrorism Authority (NACTA) and the Pak Rangers had warned of a possible terrorist attack in Lahore. It has materialised, after all. Indeed, NACTA had even directed that all vital installations, including important buildings, hospitals, and schools be kept under “strict vigilance”. It is hard not to wonder whether the outrage signifies a civilian failure to respond suitably to the red signal that was flagged by the military. Palpably enough, GHQ is not convinced with the Punjab law minister’s assurance that maximum preparations had been made after the threat alert was received.

The lesson cannot but be unnerving to the authorities. The Pakistan Taliban and its affiliates are far from subdued despite the offensive carried out by the army during the previous Chief’s tenure, the purported negotiations with the moderate factions of the insurgents, and the rough-and-ready justice meted out by the military courts… as often as not even without a fair trial. Of course for the past few months, Pakistan, unlike Afghanistan was relatively free of mortal fundamentalism.

On Monday, Lahore has emitted the signal that for every militant killed ~ or hanged ~ two are born. The capital of Pakistan’s dominant province of Punjab is now under emergency. “Terrorism isn’t a novelty for us. Our story has been one of constant struggle against its grasp and a fight for the soul of Pakistan,” was Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s rhetorical response to an ugly truth.

From the apex judiciary in Kabul to the provincial legislature in Lahore, the militants have in the span of a week targeted the pivotal organs of putative democracy in a volatile swathe of South Asia. And the change in labels scarcely conceals the calculated malevolence. Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a relatively little known outfit that is linked to the Pakistan Taliban, has claimed responsibility for Monday’s blast that ripped through a rally in the vicinity of the Punjab assembly, killing 16 and wounding at least 83 people. It is a measure of the severity of the carnage that General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the army chief and no less, has stepped in to instruct the local military commanders ~ Lahore is the headquarters of a corps ~ to assist the civilian authorities in rescue operations and arrest those responsible. Neither the military nor the police have thus far been able to track down the culprits. Much as Gen Bajwa is said to be in favour of civil-military cooperation, the intervention by the highest level of the military has somewhat overshadowed the efforts of the Punjab government, helmed by Shahbaz Sharif, the brother of the Prime Minister. Both the Nawaz Sharif administration and the Rawalpindi GHQ must be acutely aware of the Intelligence failure despite alerts advanced on 7 February in the immediate aftermath of the outrage near the Afghan Supreme Court. Both the National Counter-Terrorism Authority (NACTA) and the Pak Rangers had warned of a possible terrorist attack in Lahore. It has materialised, after all. Indeed, NACTA had even directed that all vital installations, including important buildings, hospitals, and schools be kept under “strict vigilance”. It is hard not to wonder whether the outrage signifies a civilian failure to respond suitably to the red signal that was flagged by the military. Palpably enough, GHQ is not convinced with the Punjab law minister’s assurance that maximum preparations had been made after the threat alert was received.

The lesson cannot but be unnerving to the authorities. The Pakistan Taliban and its affiliates are far from subdued despite the offensive carried out by the army during the previous Chief’s tenure, the purported negotiations with the moderate factions of the insurgents, and the rough-and-ready justice meted out by the military courts… as often as not even without a fair trial. Of course for the past few months, Pakistan, unlike Afghanistan was relatively free of mortal fundamentalism.

On Monday, Lahore has emitted the signal that for every militant killed ~ or hanged ~ two are born. The capital of Pakistan’s dominant province of Punjab is now under emergency. “Terrorism isn’t a novelty for us. Our story has been one of constant struggle against its grasp and a fight for the soul of Pakistan,” was Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s rhetorical response to an ugly truth.

The specifics will be adjudicated upon subsequently, what has long-term implications is the Supreme Court’s accepting a “case” that involves its ruling on a decision of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Perhaps not entirely unprecedented, yet certainly unexpected and it brings into judicial focus the simmering stand-off between the government-controlled House of the People, and the Rajya Sabha where the NDA does not command a majority. The tipping point being the Speaker’s holding that the Aadhaar legislation was a “Money Bill” and therefore the Rajya Sabha had little role to play. The issue, which has had the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha livid for quite some time since it suspects the government of using the Money Bill route to push through its pet legislation, provoked considerable fire in the apex court on Tuesday. And in what might be perceived as a snub to the government, the Chief Justice of India insisted that the court could interfere with a decision of the Speaker if the rules of Parliament were violated, which runs counter to the general belief that there can be no challenging the decision of the presiding officer. “If the Speaker says blue is green then we will ask the Speaker to say it is blue. We can’t let it go as green,” Mr Justice JS Khehar made it clear to the Attorney-General. Responding to the law officer’s highlighting the virtues of the Aadhaar regime, the CJI observed, “Your object may be good, but whether it is a Money Bill or not is the question”. And he added that some of the issues raised in Jairam Ramesh’s petition were of “vital importance”.

The “dispute” has to be perceived in the wider context of the government and the Opposition in a virtually permanent stand-off. With the former believing its majority in the Lok Sabha does not require it to seek a consensus on most issues, and the Opposition using the reverse situation in the Rajya Sabha to raise speed-bumps aplenty. Successive ministers for parliamentary affairs have cared little to try and garner the cooperation of the Opposition. That has put the Speaker in a rather awkward position, and under obvious pressure from the government she has created an impression of appearing partisan ~ which is manifest in the daily “clashes” in the House. In the Rajya Sabha, Opposition members have consistently queried the frequent use of the Money Bill mechanism, and even questioned the relevance of the Council if it is to be by-passed frequently. The “action” in the apex court could serve as a corrective, but the only lasting solution will be cooperation across the floor: something probably elusive given the confrontationist, pique-propelled politics of the day.

A Madras High Court judge's order asking a couple who wanted to adopt a child to donate Rs.one lakh to a government school has made the Centre sit up and take note.

It is now mulling approaching the Chief Justice of India to request him to sensitise the judges on the adoption laws so that they do not give directions which are beyond their ambit.

In his order, Justice K Kalyansundaram has given petitioners two weeks to deposit the money in a particular branch of a public sector bank.

"That the petitioners herein shall donate a sum of Rs.1,00,000 to the School Management Committee, Govt Girls Higher Secondary School, Acharapakkam PO, State Bank of India, Acharapakkam-603301 within a period of two weeks from this date i.e. on or before 16-02-2017.

"That subject to the condition as mentioned above the petitioners are hereby appointed as adoptive parents of the minor child," reads the order.

Sister Philo Mary from Holy Apostles Convent, an adoption agency where the minor was placed, said they will be seeking a relook into the order dated February 3, 2017.

The apex body for adoption- Central Adoption Resource Authority- is also writing to the Registrar of Madras High Court requesting that the judge review the order.

Following this, the Ministry of Women and Child Development is planning to write to the Chief Justice of India underlining the need to sensitise judges in matters of adoption.

"Courts are going beyond the scope of JJ Act and have imposed several conditions which are not in the best interest of the children and adoptive parents," according to the draft of the letter.

After pressure from lawmakers, First Lady Melania Trump announced on Wednesday the White House will reopen to the public in early March, nearly seven weeks after her husband Donald became president.

White House tours are highly popular with visitors to Washington, a perk arranged by members of Congress for their constituents and foreign embassies for their nationals.

Some members of Congress had begun complaining about the long delay in restarting tours that had been suspended since Trump's inauguration January 20.

Melania Trump said the public tours will resume March 7 of the 224-year-old White House.

"I am excited to reopen the White House to the hundreds of thousands of visitors who come each year. The White House is a remarkable and historic site and we are excited to share its beauty and history," she said in a brief statement.

The first lady, who plans to continue living at the Trump Tower in New York until their 10-year-old son Baron finishes the school year, stressed her dedication to the White House.

"I am committed to the restoration and preservation of our nation's most recognizable landmark," she said.

The unusually long White House closure had irked a number of lawmakers, whose constituents were unhappy about the lack of public access.

On Sunday, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley rang the Twitter alarm.

"Whoever monitors twitter at WH for businessman president Trump 'when is WH going to be opened for public tours?' Mrs G wants to know," Grassley tweeted.

A group of two dozen lawmakers circulated a letter to the White House on Monday, asking the same question.

"This time-honored tradition of allowing visitors into the White House was started by Thomas Jefferson in 1805," the letter said, according to The Washington Post.

"Previous administrations have been quick to reopen the White House doors to the public, even doing so the day after the Inauguration."

Actor Sidharth Malhotra can be seen proposing to Priyanka Chopra with a diamond ring at an open terrace restaurant in a video unveiled by the actress on social media on Valentine's Day on Tuesday.

Priyanka posted the short video, promoting designer Nirav Modi's jewellery collection, on her Facebook and Instagram accounts, 

"To all the future husbands, here are some proposal goals. Introducing 'Say yes forever' by Nirav Modi Jewels with Sidharth Malhotra," she said in the caption.

The ad shows Sidharth waiting for Priyanka to turn up to the restaurant while he prepares to make a romantic proposal. When Priyanka enters she expresses her disappointment in people for taking her for granted and tells Sidharth that now she won't say yes to people but instead go with the word 'no' for the month.

Meanwhile Sidharth silently gestures to the people who were waiting for the moment behind them, to cut it out while Priyanka is expressing her anger.

In that moment when Priyanka realises that he is hiding something in his pocket, it slowly dawns on her that he was about to propose.

The video ends with Sidharth proposing and Priyanka slipping in a diamond ring, hugging the actor's character.

The duo has featured together in an ad for the first time.

The industrial cluster around Tata Motors' Nano plant witnessed a major clash on Tuesday when a rally of farmers protesting against allocation of water to industries from a Narmada dam canal was dispersed by police using force.

Police cane-charged the farmers and burst some 40 teargas shells to disperse the rally as well as roughed up some media persons covering the event following pelting of stones by a section of participants in the rally. At least seven men in uniform sustained injuries in the stone pelting.

The incident occurred near Sanand on the outskirts of Ahmedabad when some 5,000 farmers from 38 villages in Viramgam, Bavla and Sanand talukas, under the banner of Khedut Adhikar Manch, took out the procession and headed state capital Gandhinagar to present a memorandum to Chief Minister Vijay Rupani demanding water for irrigation.

They pointed out that while the industrial cluster around Sanand, including Tata Motors' Nano plant and units of other automobile giants, had been allowed to draw water from the Narmada canal, no irrigation facility had been provided to the agricultural fields close to the Narmada canal that takes water to the Saurashtra region.

Police claimed that farmers were denied permission for the rally and were first politely informed. "But when they did not budge, we had to use force to disperse them," Ahmedabad Rural District Superintendent of Police R.V. Asari said.

According to him, seven policemen, including him, sustained injuries in stone pelting by the farmers. 

"Police had denied them permission and so when the rally reached Sanand, we tried to convince their leaders not to go ahead. Even as talks were on, some persons started pelting stones. Several of my men, including me, were injured and we had to resort to mild lathicharge and fire teargas shells to disperse the mob," Asari said.

Some media persons covering the event were beaten up by cops and camera chips and other photography equipment of two local television news channels were snatched by the police. About 50 farmers were also arrested on charges of attacking government officials on duty.

The lathicharge on unarmed farmers and media persons was widely condemned by the Congress and other political parties. 

State Congress President Bharatsinh Solanki said the issue would be taken up in the assembly beginning its budget session from February 20. 

"The BJP is not accustomed to face any opposition. Instead of giving justice to the farmers, they ordered lathicharge on them. I condemn the action," Leader of the Opposition in state assembly Shankersinh Vaghela said.

"It is unfortunate that the farmers were beaten up for raising a legitimate demand. Such atrocities prove that this government is anti-farmer. It is their known method of remaining in power by terrorising people and suppressing every voice of dissent," Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) convenor Hardik Patel asserted.

Other Backward Classes Manch Convenor Alpesh Thakore said the OBCs would not allow the BJP leaders to move freely in Ahmedabad district if they continue with their high-handed attitude instead of meeting legitimate demand of the farmers.

The Manch, with the support of PAAS, has given a call for "Sanand Bandh" on Wednesday to protest against the police action on farmers.

Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani will fly in French Rafale fighter of Dassault Aviation on Wednesday at the Aero India 2017 expo airshow at the Yelahanka IAF base here, said the company on Tuesday.

"Ambani will do a sortie in Rafale jet on Wednesday afternoon. He will be in flying overalls, with G suit, flying boots and helmet with oxygen mask for the hour-long flight," said Reliance Group in a statement here.

A G-suit is an anti-gravity garment worn by fighter pilots to endure high levels of acceleration force (gravity). The suit inflates and prevents blood from pooling in feet and causing loss of body consciousness.

Ambani, 57, also known as the Marathon Man for his long distance running abilities, will undergo a pre-flight briefing on the emergency systems, how to operate the Heads-Up display and the ejected/egress procedures.

The sortie profile comprises takeoff acceleration from 200-500 knots in full afterburner to 5,000 feet and, thereafter, climbing to 16,000 feet to give Ambani a first-hand feel of the aircraft's advanced digital fly-by-wire (FBW) flight control system.

"The Rafale FBW is safe and easy to control and a highly agile aircraft. The aircraft is designed to take on any role (air, ground, reconnaissance and strike), but still have the flexibility to rapidly switch roles effectively once a sortie is under way if operational requirements change," the statement said.

Once within the allocated flying sector, there will be assisted manoeuvres at 20,000 feet comprising medium to steep turns, climb with engaged reheat at about 9G before getting into deep-dive and level-out at around 15000 ft for a rejoin and landing back at the air base.

"Anil Ambani, a regular marathoner, with a strict fitness regime, will add another first to his many more with this sortie," the statement said.

The Mumbai-based Reliance Group has set up a joint venture (Reliance Defence Ltd) with Dassault Aviation of France, to meet the 50 per cent offset obligations, that are a part of the 36 Rafales the Indian Air Force (IAF) has ordered for inducting into its frontline fleet at a value of euro 7.87 billion (Rs 55,689 crore/$8.34 billion).

The twin-engine medium multirole combat aircraft twin-engine Rafale, which in French means 'burst of fire' is equipped with a range of weapons, including the latest missiles, which will give the IAF an edge over arch rival Pakistan.

India and France signed the multi-billion euro deal in New Delhi on September 23, 2016 after the IAF opted for it over the Eurofighter's Typhoon that were shortlisted to replace the ageing Russian-made MiG-21 fighters of the sixties and seventies.

The canard delta wing metal bird will be a strategic force in the IAF as it has the Beyond Visual Range Meteor air-to-air missile with over 150km range. 

Four army men, including a Major, and an equal number of militants were on Tuesday killed while 8 other security personnel and a civilian were injured in two separate encounters in Kashmir, officials said.

In an encounter in Kralgund area of north Kashmir's Kupwara district this evening, security forces gunned down three militants hiding in a residential house, a police official said.

Major S Dahiya was injured in the encounter and later succumbed to his injuries, the official said.

Earlier, an encounter took place in Parray Mohalla of Hajin area of Bandipora district this morning.

The gunbattle erupted after security forces cordoned off the area following information about presence of militants there, the police official said.

As the security forces were closing in, they came under fire from the hiding militants, the official said, adding 10 security personnel, including an officer, were injured in this.

Of them, three personnel succumbed to their injuries later, the official said.

One militant, whose identity has not been ascertained yet, was also killed in the operation, he added.

The two encounters took place two days after four militants and two soldiers were killed in a gunbattle in south Kashmir's Kulgam district. Two civilians were also killed in that encounter.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday said the war against terror will be taken to its logical conclusion with greater determination.

The Prime Minister was speaking at a high-level meeting here, held for reviewing law and order situation in the country after a suicide blast in Lahore claimed 16 lives, including senior police officials.

Among others, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif attended the meeting.

The Pakistan Army and other law enforcement agencies have made exemplary sacrifices in the war on terror, he said, adding that such terror activities cannot shake their determination.

Befitting response will be given to the terrorists, the PM said, adding, "it is our national duty to weed out terrorism".

On Monday, at least 16 people, including senior police officers, were killed and 73 other injured in a strong explosion near the Punjab Assembly building in Lahore.

The bomb blast occurred at Chairing Cross, Mall Road, Lahore, killing Deputy Inspector General Traffic Capt (retd) Ahmad Mobin, Senior Superintendent of Police Mahmood Gondal and Deputy Superintendent of Police Pervez Butt.

The incident occurred as hundreds of chemists were protesting nearby against a new regulatory law, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said.

Love might not need money but demonetisation apparently has robbed it of celebration this Valentine's Day. Even as their love remain unabated, lovebirds in Pink City found lesser venues this year to celebrate the day. Lesser cash flow has made market lose interest in the festival. 

"Valentine's Day is no longer a profitable affair, thus there are not as many special events in the city this year," says Piyush Sharma of Nomad Travellers.

The apparels market is not jubilant either, "demonetisation has spoiled the season for us, other than gifts people used to spend lavishly to look good around the entire week. However not much enthusiasm has been noticed this time," apparel trader Sonu Gupta expresses his anguish over cash crunch situation. 

Hotel industry too did not appear much keen to encash the day. Those looking for a romantic dinner were saved of paying premium charges as most hotels were seen floating discount offers. 

"This year we have limited our offers to online marketing, this how we are also saved from attracting unwanted attention," tells a hotel marketing manager. 

The florists are, however, the happy lot even if people found it difficult to dig in pockets for a lavish valentine evening, they definitely had themselves expressed with flowers. "People of all age have bought flowers today, the single rose that usually cost five to ten rupees is selling for Rs 20 today" says florist Ramesh Saini.

Valentine's Day this year thus abstain from the city high streets and got celebrated silently. The right wing organisation also missed their shot for momentary fame. Except for stray incidents in Ajmer and Kota, no major protest were reported across Rajasthan. 

The festival loses its usual luster as fewer events get organised to attract love struck couples.

The Haryana Cabinet on Tuesday failed to take any decision on various demands put by the representatives of Jat
community for calling off the on-going agitation.
 In a bid to find a solution for the on-going agitation by the Jat community, a sudden meet of the Cabinet was held on Tuesday at Faridabad to decide issues concerning the on-going Jat agitation.

The demands put up by the representatives of the Jat community before a high-level committee set up by the Manohar Lal Khattar government include permanent jobs for the kin of those killed during the last year's violent agitation. Besdies this, they have also demanded withdrawal of cases against community members for the violence and arson during the agitation in February 2016.
As today's Cabinet meeting was called specially to consider the above demands, it was expected that important decisions could be taken in it. But the Cabinet, chaired by chief minister Khattar, failed to arrive at any unanimous decision in the matter.
Sources revealed that few of the ministers, belonging to the non-Jat communities, strongly opposed the proposal for withdrawal of cases registered against the members of Jat community during the violent protest last year in which 30 persons were killed.
Sources said a few of colleagues in the Cabinet asserted that withdrawing cases would adversely affect the image of the state government and it should not work under pressure.
Meanwhile, a senior official said that the five-member high level committee today forwarded all the demands of the agitators before the Cabinet. The issues have been forwarded to the Cabinet and the second meeting between the Committee and the Jat leaders would soon be fixed to discuss the matter further, he added.
The ongoing agitation in 20 districts of the state under the umbrella of Akhil Bharatiya Jat Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti (ABJASS) headed by Yashpal Malik today entered 17th day peacefully.

However, Malik saidannounced that the agitation would continue until the government fulfills their demands.
The state government on February 7 constituted a committee headed by the Chief Secretary to consider demands and resolve problems of those agitating for reservation in the state.The Jat agitation in February last year left nearly 30 people dead while more than 200 injured.
During the violence erupted last year, government and private properties were damaged and set on fire. 

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said that an agreement has been entered with National Insurance Company on December 31, 2016 to cover all the registered traders under Group Accidental Insurance Scheme, 2016.

He said this while presiding over the Traders Welfare Board meeting held here on Tuesday.

The agreement was entered for implementation with Divisional Manager National Insurance Company, Shimla.

He said that on the demands of the traders, the State Government had imposed entry tax on the purchase of online goods and purchases, adding that the entertainment Tax for Rope-ways and Cinema Halls had also been reduced from 25% and 20 percent respectively, to 10 percent.

Chief Minister said that the government was always considerate to the demands of the traders from time to time and had introduced the ‘deemed assessment system’ for the traders as per its assurance.

He said that on demand of the traders, the provision for submitting quarterly returns, under the Entry Tax Act had been made on the analogy of value added tax, for those having business of less than five crore. 

Besides, facility has been provided to the traders to submit Provisional Registration Certificates within three working days under the VAT rule, he said, adding that the government has facilitated the traders by providing them to fill the combined return of Value Added Tax (VAT), Central Sales Tax (CST) and entry Tax.

Besides, the government has necessitated online e-payment of VAT and CST so that the traders do not unnecessarily keep visiting the banks much, he said.

The Congress on Tuesday accused Union Minister HN Ananth Kumar and former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa of "corruption by misusing power to collect money" and demanded action against the two leaders.

"The country never saw such a glaring incident where a senior member of the cabinet admitted to collection of money and sharing booty at the highest level. The onus lies on taking action and sacking both Ananth Kumar and Yeddyurappa at the doorsteps of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah," Congress leader Randeep Surjewala told a press conference here.

Surjewala released a video clip of a purported conversation between Ananth Kumar and Yeddyurappa — both senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders — regarding collection and payment of money by them and a diary seized by the Enforcement Directorate containing sensitive information against certain Congress leaders.

"The incident has exposed corruption of the BJP leaders. The video of the shameful and sinful conversation dated February 12 between these leaders took place during a Bengaluru meeting of the BJP. It reveals blatant misuse of political power and public office," Surjewala told the media here.

When asked, Surjewala denied possibility of the conversation between Ananth Kumar and Yeddyurappa being about political funding.

Surjewala said that no one — from Amit Shah to Ananth Kumar — has either denied the video or given defence even after 24 hours it surfaced.

"Based on the contents of the video, let the people of India see, judge and decide. They not only indulge in corruption but also make others indulge. To top of it, they brazenly speak about it publicly and get caught on video," Surjewala said.

"The 125 crore Indians want to know where that money came from and how it was used. Both leaders agreed (in video) that they accepted the money. Is it not corruption? PM Modi talks about fighting black money. Is it not a case fit for invoking the Prevention of Corruption Act?"

Surjewala said the central government was misusing the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Income Tax Department against political rivals in anticipation of defeat in the assembly elections in the five states.

Pointing to the purported comment in the video 'lighting a small spark to spread a wild fire', Surjewala wondered: "If the BJP leadership is hatching a conspiracy to usurp power by any means and continue it up till the election?"

Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich will have to be wary of complacency when they host Arsenal on Wednesday night at the Allianz Arena in the Champions League, knowing the Gunners can spring an odd surprise.

Still, there is no denying Bayern are in the ascendancy in this tie with a stellar line-up such as theirs, but then again no match was ever won on paper.
 

Bayern Munich

The Bavarians are unbeaten in their last 14 games, winning 13 and drawing one, proving that Carlo Ancelotti’s methods seem to be bearing fruit after a difficult start.

In Europe, however, they haven't been spectacular. In fact, their reward for finishing second in the group stage behind Atletico Madrid is a round-of-16 clash with the North London side.

Strange it would seem for a side which boasts the world’s best goalkeeper in Manuel Neuer and a defence which has the likes of defensive rock Mats Hummels, the evergreen Philip Lahm and the phenomenal David Alaba.

Perhaps the chief reason they have struggled in the continental games is the fact that Thomas Mueller is undergoing the worst run of his career. He seems to have lost that Midas touch and needs to prove that he’s still got it on the biggest stage of them all.

Bayern have another danger man in Robert Lewandowski, the sinewy Pole who just loves scoring and is in good touch of late, so there are plenty of players the Gunners need to be wary of.

In the injury department, Jerome Boateng’s loss is keenly felt in defence but with Inigo Martinez stepping in, Bayern should be okay.

Arsenal

Arsenal will not need reminding of what happens when they play Bayern, as the Bavarians have always progressed at the Gunners expense in recent seasons.

In the Premier League Arsenal are where they almost always are, safely ensconced in the top four and not contending for the title. Their manager will return to the touchline for this tie as he has been serving a touchline ban in domestic completions but it will take more than his presence to force a result in Munich.

Too often this season, Mesut Ozil has fallen silent when he shouldn't have, not befitting a player who is considered among the world’s best midfielders. And too often, Arsenal have lumped it  all on Alexis Sanchez, as the Chilean is expected to work wonders on his own in what is a team game. Against pedestrian opposition, he does rise to the occasion, but against Bayern on Wednesday will require able support from all ends.

The Gunners are bereft of Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey in midfield and while their teammates are able players, the likes of Granit Xhaka and Fracis Coquelin don’t infuse confidence.

Super Stat: The last time Bayern played Arsenal at home was in the 2015-16 season and the Bavarians thumped the Gunners 5-1!

Vice President Hamid Ansari on Tuesday said the State is responding in insurgency-affected areas by greater militarisation and both the State and society were insecure as a result.

"In the disturbed and insurgency-infested areas, people feel insecure both from the insurgents and the state. The state's response has been to seek more security forces and greater militarisation of the environment," Hamid Ansari said while delivery a lecture on 'Some Thoughts on the Domestic Dimensions of Security'.

He was delivering the fifth K. Subrahmanyam Memorial Lecture, organised by the Global India Foundation, here.

"The focus of internal security is, and should be, the society. Issues of individual liberty and society's security often appear at odds with each other. The key to dealing with internal security is to keep the focus on both the people and society, and on the rule of law that, regrettably, 'has been undermined by the rule of politics'," he said.

"These negative trends in internal security, therefore, require to be reversed through well directed actions in the political, socio-economic and security fields," Ansari added.

Speaking earlier on K. Subrahmanyam, one of the stalwarts of strategic thinking in India, Ansari said: "KS, as he was universally known, was a passionate advocate of national interest in the classic sense, and helped shape institutional pursuit of it through his writings and his work of many years as Director of the IDSA (Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses) and later as the Chairman of the Kargil Review Committee and in the National Security Advisory Board."

K. Subrahmanyam, a former civil servant, was born on January 19, 1929 at Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu and died on February 2, 2011.

Talking on the existential reality of modern India, Vice President said, "The operative principle for this is 'national-civic' rather than 'national-ethnic' though a segment of opinion today would want to modulate or amend it and espouse instead an Indian version of 'cultural nationalism' premised on 'religious majoritarianism'."

Ansari said that after seven decades of independence, "India is still facing unrest and conflicts and 201 districts, almost 40 per cent of our country, is battling with one form of violence or other".

"As a result, many in the public are losing faith in the system, in the ability of the law enforcement agencies to maintain order and enforce the rule of law, and in the ability of the judicial system to provide justice," Ansari added.

Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar, son of K. Subrahmanyam, in a brief address recalled his father and his contribution to national security studies.