Madhuban

The case of Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kerala who has been sentenced to death in Yemen, has brought the issue of Indian prisoners in foreign jails into sharp focus. Though diplomatic efforts are often made to secure their release, inadequate assistance and other challenges result in many Indians languishing in prisons abroad, even for minor offenses. The Case of Nimisha Priya Nimisha Priya had started a business with Talal Abdo Mahdi, a Yemeni citizen. He had allegedly confiscated her passport and refused to return it. In a desperate attempt to retrieve it, Nimisha administered sedatives to him. Unfortunately, the overdose led to his death. With the help of an accomplice, she later disposed of his body in a water tank. In 2017, she was sentenced to death, and her appeal against the sentence was rejected in 2023.   Over 10,000 Indian Prisoners Abroad Currently, over 10,000 Indian citizens are imprisoned in various countries, and 49 of them face the death penalty. These offenses ran...

In an operation conducted by security forces in May in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district, 31 Maoists, including Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavaraju — the general secretary of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) — were killed. In recent years, the Maoist movement has weakened significantly. The killing of their top leader by security forces has dealt a major blow to the organization. Due to intensified operations by security forces and administrative efforts in education and connectivity, the Maoist movement — especially in its stronghold of Chhattisgarh — is visibly losing ground.   Roots in Naxalbari The movement began in 1967 in a small village called Naxalbari in West Bengal, where a group of people revolted against the established system. Leaders like Kanu Sanyal and Charu Mazumdar led this uprising. The movement demanded land rights and social justice for tribal communities, often resorting to violence. From West Bengal, it spread to regions like Chhattisgarh, ...

The recent Israel-Iran conflict raised global concerns about a possible blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which could disrupt maritime traffic. This, in turn, sparked fears about a potential rise in crude oil prices. Just like the Strait of Hormuz, several other locations along global sea routes are equally vital. Any blockade or disruption at these points can significantly impact world trade, highlighting their strategic importance. A few days ago, a fierce conflict broke out between Israel and Iran. The United States also intervened, launching airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. In the face of escalating tensions, it was feared that Iran might use the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic weapon to disrupt oil transport. Such a move would not only escalate the conflict but also affect a vital energy route, causing global repercussions. This again underscores the critical importance of uninterrupted maritime transportation for the global economy. Maritime transport forms the backbone o...