Ideological conflict with Maoists creating problems: Army chief
New Delhi, July 3: Asserting that Maoists were trying to take people back in time, the Indian Army chief, General Bipin Rawat said on Tuesday that the ideological conflict was creating problems vis-a-vis the Maoists in the country.
"Maoists have their own ideology. They don't believe in democracy. They are anti-development. They feel the government is taking away what was rightfully theirs," the General said while interacting with students from Chhattisgarh.
The students, on a tour to Delhi, had asked him about the Maoists in their state.
"The Maoists want to take the people back in time. India, as a country, cannot leave them behind while everyone is going ahead," Rawat said.
The Chief of Army Staff said that people could be allowed certain tribal rights "but we cannot allow them to have a primitive lifestyle".
On a query on the demands of leftists guerrillas, Rawat said: "The Maoists don't have very many demands. They only want (to continue with) their tribal way of life. Tribals don't own land, but have certain rights over it."
"They live in resources-rich areas, where the government goes to extract natural riches. In return, the government wants to provide them good education, health and other facilities. But they don't even allow the government to run schools there. They burn down school the government sets up. They need to send their kids to school," Rawat said.
"There is a conflict of ideology which is creating the problem," he said.
Asked how the Maoists manage to get weapons, the Army chief said: "Enough people are willing to sell you weapons if you have the money. So, either the Maoists buy from them or make their own guns. They can also make bombs. Anyone can learn to make bombs from videos available on the Internet."
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Riyan Parag likely to be fined 25 percent of match fees for vaping inside dressing room
New Delhi (PTI): Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag is set to be fined 25 per cent of his match fee for bringing the game into "disrepute" after being caught vaping on camera during the IPL game against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur.
Parag's actions during the Royals' chase on Tuesday night drew condemnation on social media.
PTI has learned that on field umpires Tanmay Srivastava and Nitin Menon had not reported the matter to match referee Amit Sharma right after the game. They only did that after seeing visual proof and Sharma found Parag guilty for a code of conduct breach as per the IPL guidelines.
The Level 1 offences carries 25 per cent deduction from match fees and one demerit point.
"He is set to be fined a portion of his match fees and a demerit point for a Level 1 offence," said an IPL source.
The Indian government had banned e-cigarettes back in 2019, prohibiting their production, sale and distribution. As per the law, the offender faces imprisonment up to one year and/or a Rs one lakh fine for a first time offence.
"Article 2.21 of IPL Code of Conduct is intended to cover all types of conduct that bring the game into disrepute and which is not specifically and adequately covered by the specific offences set out elsewhere in this Code of Conduct, including Article 2.20," the IPL Code of Conduct states.
"By way of example, Article 2.21 may (depending upon the seriousness and context of the breach) prohibit, without limitation, the following: (a) public acts of misconduct; (b) unruly public behaviour; and (c) inappropriate comments which are detrimental to the interests of the game.
"When assessing the seriousness of the offence, the context of the particular situation, and whether it was deliberate, reckless, negligent, avoidable and/or accidental, shall be considered.
"Further, the person lodging the Report shall determine where on the range of severity the conduct lays (with the range of severity starting at conduct of a minor nature (and hence a Level 1 Offence) up to conduct of an extremely serious nature (and hence a Level 4 Offence)."
Since it is a Level 1 offence there was no need for a hearing.
Parag, who has not had the best of times with the bat this IPL, was seen inhaling an e-cigarette, also known as vaping, in the dressing room during the live broadcast of their game against Punjab Kings. Royals won the game to end Kings' unbeaten run in the tournament.
This is not the first controversy to hit the Royals this season. Earlier this month, team manager Romi Bhinder was fined Rs one lakh for breaching PMOA protocol after being found using his phone in the dugout.
IPL and BCCI officials involved in the conduct of the IPL termed it as a careless act in the age of social media and prying TV cameras.
Royals next host Delhi Capitals at home on Friday night.
