SC closes criminal case against Italian marines

Leh-based 14 Corps known as 'Fire and Fury Corps' on Tuesday paid homage to Galwan martyrs on the first anniversary of the violent clashes along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, a spokesperson of the Northern Command said.Twenty Indian Army personnel, including a colonel, were killed in the clash with Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in June last year, the biggest military confrontation in over five decades that significantly escalated the already volatile border standoff in the region."In the face of unprecedented Chinese aggression, 20 Indian soldiers laid down their lives defending our land and inflicted heavy casualties on the PLA," he said.In a solemn ceremony, 14 Corps Chief of Staff (CoS) Major General Akash Kaushik laid a wreath at the war memorial in Leh on the occasion.

- Assam Forest and Environment minister Parimal Suklabaidya has directed officials of the Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park to explore every possible avenue to build environment-friendly infrastructure so that tourists can visit the park.The rich flora and fauna of the Park will attract tourists in hordes but amenities have to be created, including accommodation inside the park premises will bring more tourists, the minister said while reviewing the existing status of the Park with forest officials. He directed the officials to come up with eco-friendly structures for tourists' stay and also discussed plans to set up eco friendly pre-fabricated guest house and said that the matter will be taken up with the Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC).

-Maharashtra Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde has directed all Municipal Corporations in the MMR area to prepare a cluster plan to find a permanent solution to the problem of dangerous buildings in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). A special meeting was held to discuss exactly what can be done to find a permanent solution to this question. The meeting also directed the court to expedite the disposal of dangerous buildings to expedite the rehabilitation of dangerous buildings. All the Municipal Commissioners in the MMR area said that the delay in redevelopment of dangerous buildings was due to disputes between landlords and tenants, stalled redevelopment due to delay in legal process and difficulties in rehabilitation. He also directed all municipal commissioners to suggest exactly what measures can be taken by the government for the redevelopment of buildings which cannot be included in the cluster plan or what changes can be made in the existing measures. He said in every rainy season transit camps should be set up in every municipal boundary for the temporary shelter of the citizens living in such dangerous buildings, for which funds should be provided.

-The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the closure of criminal proceedings in India against two Italian marines, accused of killing two fishermen off the Kerala coast in February 2012. A vacation bench of Justices Indira Banerjee and M R Shah quashed the FIR and proceedings emanating from the case against the two Italian marines.The bench said that as per the international arbitral award accepted by India, the Republic of Italy shall resume further investigation in the case.The top court termed the Rs 10 crore compensation paid by the Republic of Italy over and above the payment already made as reasonable and adequate .It said that out of the Rs 10 crore compensation, Rs 4 crore each shall be deposited in the name of heirs of two deceased Kerala fishermen and two crore shall be given to owner of boat.In February 2012, India had accused the two marines on board the MV Enrica Lexie -- an Italian flagged oil tanker -- of killing two Indian fishermen who were on a fishing vessel in India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

-The release of audio tapes of a purported conversation between ousted AIADMK leader V K Sasikala and certain party members on Tuesday may raise a political storm in Tamil Nadu.She criticised the expulsion of the party members and also said that she would have retained AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam as chief minister had he not stepped down.The latest audio clips emerged on social media a day after the AIADMK, which tasted defeat at the hands of archrival DMK after being in power for a decade, expelled 17 members.The AIADMK on Monday, while warning of disciplinary action against those who interacted with the ousted interim general secretary, expelled 17 members, including party spokesman V Pugazhendhi. Most of those expelled were said to have spoken to her.Also, she said she would meet the party workers once the pandemic recedes. "Till then, take care of yourselves and your families, besides those around. Be safe, wear face masks," she urged.