Scenes in Kashmir reminiscent of early ’90s
Securitymen abruptly and unexpectedly set up makeshift checkpoints and conduct random searches
Security across Jammu and Kashmir has been stepped up exceptionally with local cops and members of Central armed police forces conducting surprise cordon-andsearch and frisking operations in cities and towns particularly summer capital Srinagar at intervals. The Army is also launching sensitisation and area domination operations in select Valley areas quietly.
The scenes witnessed particularly in some crowded areas of the Valley’s main town including at and around historic Lal Chowk over the past few days are reminiscent of the early 1990s when the Kashmiri separatist campaign was at its peak. The adequately equipped uniformed men, abruptly and unexpectedly, arrive in an area, choose a location, set up makeshift checkpoints and roadblocks and conduct random searches which include frisking of pedestrians after making them wait in lines. They also stop vehicles and then subject passengers to body search and check their belongings thoroughly.
The authorities said that such random operations have been necessitated by the recent spurt in militant attacks and in view of the reports that the separatists are planning more violence in coming weeks.
Last week, two policemen were targeted by a pheran-clad shooter with an AK assault rifle concealed under the traditional Kashmiri outfit in Srinagar’s Barzulla area resulting in their instant death. Against the backdrop of this incident and the demand of banning pheran raised by some Jammu-based Bharatiya Janata Party leaders and likeminded outfits, the security forces deployed along the streets and other public places in the Valley have in several instances forced people to take off the outfit. There have also been reports of visitors being allowed to enter certain government offices and other sensitive premises only after removal of pheran by them. This has evoked sharp criticism by political activities and netizens. Counter-militancy strategists and policing experts also disagree with such actions and call for tactical changes towards dealing with the emerging situation by the security forces effectively. Former Director General of Police, Shesh Paul Vaid, said, “In 1990s also several incidents took place wherein militants used weapons hidden beneath their pheran to target security forces yet the garment was not banned. I don’t think banning a particular dress is a solution.”
He added, “Pheran and Kangri (traditional firepot) are part and parcel of the Kashmiri culture and lifestyle rather centuries’ old wisdom to beat the biting cold in winters. As said, banning pheran is not the way out. The solution is, be alert, stop the person you suspect, subject him to frisking and if you find him hiding an illegal weapon beneath his garment take action as per law. That is what we would do during the heyday of militancy to minimise such gory acts”.
Beijing, Feb. 24: China on Wednesday said a report quoting Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena that the controversial deal to take over the Hambantota port on a 99-year lease has a provision for its extension for the same number of years “runs counter to the facts”. Gunawardena has revealed that the previous Maithripala Sirisena government had awarded the Hambantota port to China not only for a 99-year lease but also provided a provision for extension for another 99-years.
There is a provision for a further 99-year extension of the lease, he was quoted by the Sri Lankan newspaper Ceylon Today on February 20 as saying.
As we are implementing our policies giving much attention to all countries, the previous government made a mistake on the Hambantota port deal when they cancelled the lease and gave it on a longer period of 99 years plus another 99 years once the first term ends, Gunawardena said.
New Delhi, Feb. 24: ReNew Power has agreed to merge with blankcheque company RMG Acquisition Corporation II, giving India's biggest renewable power producer an enterprise value of $8 billion and a listing on the Nasdaq.
The biggest deal in the fast-growing clean energy sector is expected to close in the second quarter, a company statement said on Wednesday.
The deal will be financed with cash proceeds of $1.2 billion, including $855 million in investments from serial blank-check dealmaker Chamath Palihapitiya, funds managed by BlackRock and Sylebra Capital.
A blank-cheque company is a developmental stage firm that does not have established business plan.
"The transaction would further bolster ReNew's leading position in solar and wind energy generation for the Indian market, by funding mediumterm growth opportunities, as well as paying down debt," it said.
This is the first major overseas listing of an Indian company via the Spac (special purpose acquisition company) route, which is a big hit currently on Wall Street.
A Spac is a shell or blank-cheque company and its sole aim is to raise capital via an initial public offering to acquire a private business at a later date and then take it public without going through the traditional route of IPOs.
In transaction, RMG Acquisition Corporation II is the blank-cheque company. It raised $345 million in its December 2020 IPO. Founded in 2011, ReNew Power counts Goldman Sachs and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) among its prominent investors. It owns and operates 5 GW of solar and wind energy projects.
The merger comes at a time when India is targeting 450 GW renewable energy capacity by 2030.
"The Indian renewable energy sector has grown rapidly over the last decade," said Sumant Sinha, founder chairman and CEO of ReNew. "During this time, ReNew has been a driving force in making sure that the sources of this growth are sustainable, and also economically competitive."
"Over the next decade, ReNew plans to maintain its track record of market share growth. Over time, we will expand our capabilities even further, with utility-scale battery storage, and customerfocused intelligent energy
this solutions," he said.
RMG II CEO Bob Mancini said the firm was looking to partner with a company driving change on a global scale, with a proven track record, and best-in-class management. "We found that company in ReNew," he said.
The pro forma consolidated and fully diluted market capitalization of the combined company would be $4.4 billion.
"Proceeds (from the deal) will be used to support ReNew's growth strategy, including the buildout of its contracted, utility-scale renewable power generation capacity, as well as to reduce debt," the statement said.
ReNew's management, and its current group of stockholders, including Goldman Sachs, CPPIB, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, and Jera Co, among others, who together own 100 per cent of ReNew today, will be rolling a majority of their equity into the new company, and are expected to represent 70 per cent of the effective company ownership.
The amazing golf career of Tiger Woods, from twoyear-old prodigy to his epic comeback 2019 Masters victory, was in jeopardy Tuesday after injuries suffered in a serious solo car crash.
The 45-year-old American, among the world’s most famous athletes for the past quartercentury, underwent surgery for multiple leg injuries following the early morning wreck near Los Angeles.
It could mean the end of a groundbreaking career that has seen Woods win 15 major titles, three shy of the all-time record set by Jack Nicklaus, and 82 US PGA crowns, level with Sam Snead for the all-time mark.
Woods has faced plenty of prior troubles off the course, including multiple back and knee surgeries,
the 2009 revelation of multiple affairs that led to an emotional public apology and divorce from wife Elin Nordegren plus a 2017 reckless driving incident.
Woods was recovering from 2017 back surgery when he was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, his mug shot drawing worldwide attention. He said he had not realised how prescription drugs he was taking might interact and later pleaded guilty to reckless driving.