Hong Kong not allowing flights from India; discussions on with Kuwait on bilateral air bubble: Govt
New Delhi: Hong Kong is not allowing flights from India and the Centre is in discussions with the Kuwait government to establish a bilateral air bubble, said the Civil Aviation Ministry on Wednesday.
Earlier this month, India had formed bilateral air bubbles with countries such as the UAE, the US, Germany and France. Under the pact whereby an air bubble is established between two countries, the airlines of both are allowed to operate special international charter flights during certain restrictions.
Scheduled international passenger flights continue to remain suspended in India since March 23 amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"Civil aviation access is a matter of reciprocal bilateral arrangements. As far as flights to & from Hong Kong are concerned, the problem is that HK is not allowing flights from certain places of origin including India. @airindiain has applied for permission with the authorities," the ministry said on Twitter.
Significant progress has been made on aviation access between India and Kuwait, it noted in another tweet.
"Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation and President of Kuwait's Directorate General of Civil Aviation had useful & productive discussions on several issues related with bilateral access between our two countries which will be resolved soon," the ministry said.
Since May 6, international charter flights have been operated by Air India under the Vande Bharat Mission to help stranded people reach their destinations. Private carriers have also operated a certain number of flights under this mission.
The aviation sector has been significantly impacted due to the travel restrictions imposed in India and other countries in view of the coronavirus pandemic. All airlines in India have taken cost-cutting measures such as pay cuts, leave-without-pay and firings of employees in order to conserve cash.
India resumed domestic passenger flights from May 25 after a gap of two months due to the coronavirus pandemic. The airlines have been allowed to operate only a maximum of 45 per cent of their pre-COVID domestic flights.
However, occupancy rate in Indian domestic flights has been around just 50-60 per cent since May 25.
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US State Department report highlights human rights violations in India
Washington DC: In a scathing critique of human rights abuses, the United States State Department has released its annual report titled "India 2023 Human Rights Report." The document, compiled by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, sheds light on a myriad of issues, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and surveillance of civil society activists and journalists.
One of the most concerning issues outlined in the report is the outbreak of ethnic conflict between the Kuki and Meitei communities in Manipur. The conflict has resulted in significant human rights violations, with hundreds dead and tens of thousands displaced from their homes since early May.
The report criticises the Indian government's response, citing minimal credible steps taken to identify and punish officials responsible for human rights violations. Instances of arbitrary or unlawful killings, including extrajudicial killings, are highlighted, such as the case of former Samajwadi MP Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed, who were shot dead in custody in Uttar Pradesh.
Furthermore, the report highlights an alarming incident where constable Chetan Singh fatally shot three Muslim passengers and a Railway Protection Force official on a train from Jaipur to Mumbai. Witnesses claimed Singh selectively targeted his victims based on their names, leading to allegations of a hate crime.
Extrajudicial killings are not isolated incidents, as the report reveals a staggering 813 cases registered between 2016 and 2022, with Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh recording the highest numbers. Additionally, disappearances allegedly involving government authorities and arbitrary arrests are widespread, with police accused of failing to file required arrest reports, resulting in unresolved cases.
The report sheds light on the misuse of special laws to delay judicial reviews of arrests, particularly citing the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, which accounted for over 8,000 arrests between 2015 and 2020. It also documents instances where individuals were detained for custodial interrogation without proper identification or arrest warrants.
Property seizure and forced evictions without due process are also condemned in the report. Numerous cases were reported where individuals were displaced from their residences and had their properties seized or demolished, often under the pretext of municipal regulations.
Of particular concern is the targeting of vocal critics from the Muslim community by state governments, especially after protests or communal violence. Human rights activists report instances where bulldozers were used to destroy homes and livelihoods without adequate legal recourse, raising questions about the abuse of power.
In addition to physical harassment and attacks, journalists critical of the government face intimidation tactics, including raids on their workplaces and homes, seizure of electronic devices, and threats of legal action. The report highlights instances where government officials, at both local and national levels, exert pressure on media outlets, constrain freedom of movement, and disrupt access to communication services, such as mobile telephones and the Internet.
The report concludes by emphasising the Indian government's restrictions on digital media and frequent monitoring of users, undermining freedom of expression and privacy rights.
