1. Meat Sellers On Indefinite Strike in Uttar Pradesh
Meat sellers across Uttar Pradesh sat on an indefinite strike on Monday in order to protest against the recent crackdown on illegal slaughterhouses in the state. Fulfilling a key electoral promise, Yogi Adityanath government has ordered a closure of all illegal slaughterhouses and has also directed strict enforcement of the ban on cow smuggling. Fish seller has also extended their support to the protest as the livelihood of lakhs of people in the state have been adversely hit. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath, defending his move, said that people who have license need not worry about the drive.
2. Hizbul Mujahideen Commander Killed In Jammu & Kashmir Shootout
Two Hizbul Mujahideen militants, including a wanted commander, were killed in an encounter in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday. The militants were traveling in a vehicle and were stopped at a checkpoint set up by security forces in Padgampora. However, instead of giving themselves up, they started firing at the security personnel, triggering a gunfight in which both were killed. The two slain militants were identified as Rayees Kachroo and Farooq Hurra. The latter was on top of the Indian security forces’ wanted list of militants.
3. Pakistan Detains Over 100 Indian Fishermen
A day after the Indian Coast Guards seized a fishing boat and detained nine Pakistani nationals, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) seized 18 boats and detained over 100 Indian fishermen off the Jakhau coast in Gujarat, alleging a violation of the country’s maritime boundary. The Indian fishermen were taken to the Dockyard police station and will be produced before a judicial magistrate today. This is the second such detention by PMSA this month. Earlier, 19 boats and 115 fishermen were also detained by Pakistani Agency.
4. No Plans To Introduce New Denomination Notes: RBI
Reserve Bank Of India Officials on Sunday confirmed that the central bank has no plans to introduce new denomination notes and their primary focus is on encouraging cashless transactions. Earlier rumors had suggested that RBI may introduce Rs 5000 and Rs 10,000 currency notes but Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal told the Parliament on Friday that no such initiative has been planned by the Government.
5. Indian-Americans Raise $100,000 To Help US National Ian Grillot
The Indian-American community in Houston has honored the 24-year-old American, named Ian Grillot, at the 14th annual gala of India House Houston. The US National took a bullet for an Indian during the Kansas bar shooting and the community has further raised $100,000 to help him buy a new house in his hometown Kansas. Jiten Agarwal, chairman of the annual gala, said, “It is not every day that one meets a genuine hero, a person who risks his life for another, and takes a bullet for a complete stranger. Ian Grillot is a man who reminds us of the promise of America and its greatness”.
6. Market Opens in Red, Rupee Climbs Against US Dollar.
BSE’s Benchmark Sensex fell by 96.80 points as investors triggered selling after recent gains amid weak Asian cues. The 30-share barometer traded at 29,324.60 during the early trade on Monday. NSE’s Nifty also lost the sacred 9100-mark and fell by 33.15 points to 9,074.85. Indian Rupee, on the other hand, strengthened by 28 paise against the US Dollar due to increased selling of the American currency by banks and exporters. The Green Currency was valued at Rs 65.13 during Monday’s early trade.