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Prelim Bits 05-08-2019

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August 06, 2019

Section 144 & Curfew

  • Recently Jammu and Kashmir government imposed restrictions in Srinagar under Section 144 (Unlawful assembly) of CrPC.
  • It is issued in urgent cases of security threat or riot.
  • When there are apprehensions of breach of public peace and order by some people, it is put into effect.
  • It will be issued by the District Magistrate of the area.
  • It bars the assembly of 5 or more people in that particular imposed area.
  • It also bans holding any kind of public meeting or rally until the order is withdrawn.
  • The section also empowers the authorities to block internet access.
  • It also bans all civilians from carrying of weapons including lathis, sharp-edged weapons or firearms in public places. (Exception for police or paramilitary or security forces).
  • It can remain in force for not more than 2 months.
  • However, if the state government considers it necessary for preventing danger, it can extend for not more than 6 months from the date of issuance of the initial order.
  • It can be withdrawn at any point of time.
  • If someone violates Section 144, the person can be booked for “engaging in rioting”.
  • The maximum punishment for such act is three years.
  • Difference between prohibitory orders under ‘Section 144’ and ‘curfew’, are
  • Curfew orders are issued in more severe situations where people are instructed to stay indoors for a specific period.
  • Establishments such as markets, schools, colleges, etc. are ordered to remain shut.
  • Only essential services are allowed to run on prior notice. There is a complete restriction on traffic as well.
  • The orders of curfew can be for a specific group or for the general public.

Area 51

  • It is the secret U.S. Air Force military installation located at Groom Lake in southern Nevada.
  • It is officially known as the ‘Nevada Test and Training Range’, Area 51 is part of it.
  • According to CIA official documents, the area has been used to develop and test supersonic aircraft and stealth fighter jets.
  • The installation has been the focus of numerous conspiracies involving extraterrestrial life (aliens).
  • It is believed that, it is the location where the US government stores and hides alien bodies and UFOs.
  • It was in 2013 that the CIA published declassified documents admitting that the Area 51 is a secret military site.
  • A Facebook event titled “Storm Area 51, They Can’t Stop All of us” was planned by around 2 million people plan  to storm into Area 51.

QRSAM

  • Recently ‘Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air (QRSAM) Missile’ was successfully test-fired.
  • The state-of-the-art missile has been developed and tested by the ‘Defence Research and Development Organisation’ (DRDO).
  • It uses solid-fuel propellant and has a range of 25-30 km, with the capability of engaging multiple targets.
  • It is equipped with indigenously developed phased array radar, Inertial Navigation System, Data Link and RF seeker.
  • It is also equipped with electronic countermeasures against jamming by aircraft radars.
  • The entire mission was captured by various Electro Optical Tracking Systems, Radar Systems and Telemetry Systems.
  • It is an all-weather missile that will help the Indian Navy in Inertial Navigation System.

Restricted Use of Pesticides for Basmati

  • Punjab has over 40% of the total Basmati export of India.
  • There is a huge demand of Punjab Basmati across the globe.
  • So to meet the demand, farmers use the pesticide on the recommendation of pesticide dealers.
  • It is  against the instructions of the agricultural experts and are not recommended by Agriculture Department.
  • In the past, Punjab Basmati has faced rejection due to detection of residue of such pesticides which are not permissible in Europe, US and other countries.
  • So, the Punjab government restricted 9 pesticides, which are,
  • Acephate, Carbendazim, Thiamethoxam, Triazofos, Tricyclazole, Buprofezin, Carbofuron, Propiconazole and Thiophanate Methyl.
  • The use of these restricted pesticides makes the input cost go up Rs 2000 to Rs 4000 per season, with pesticide companies making a huge profit.
  • Basmati is grown during a period (in July) when naturally there is no pest attack on the crop during the initial stage.
  • But farmers in Punjab are known to use pesticides as a preventive measure which is not recommended.

 

Source: PIB, The Indian Express

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