South Korea says the North Korea has again fired artillery shells near their sea border
Seoul, Jan 6: North Korea conducted a new round of artillery drills near the disputed sea boundary with South Korea on Saturday, officials in Seoul said, a day after the North's earlier exercises prompted South Korea to respond with its own drills in the same area.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement the North fired more than 60 rounds near the western sea boundary on Saturday afternoon. It said South Korea strongly urges North Korea to halt acts that heighten tensions.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff said South Korea will take corresponding military steps if North Korea continues artillery drills that pose a threat to South Korean nationals. It said South Korea will "overwhelmingly" deal with any provocations by North Korea.
On Friday, North Korea fired about 200 artillery shells near the area, prompting South Korea to conduct its own firing drills in response. South Korea's Defence Ministry said troops on two border islands fired artillery rounds south of the sea boundary. Local media said South Korea fired 400 rounds.
Ahead of the South Korean drills, South Korean authorities asked residents on five major islands near the western sea boundary to evacuate to safe places due to worries that North Korea would fire back. The evacuation order was lifted a few hours later.
Both Koreas have abandoned a 2018 deal they struck during a brief period of rapprochement. The agreement called for a halt in live-fire exercises in front-line buffer zone. But rising animosities over the North's missile tests and its first military spy satellite launch and other issues have left the military agreement in tatters.
The Koreas' poorly marked western sea boundary was the site for bloody naval skirmishes between the Koreas in 1999, 2002 and 2009. The North's alleged torpedoing of a South Korean warship killed 46 South Korean sailors in March 2010, and the North's artillery bombardment of Yeonpyeong Island killed four South Koreans in November 2010.
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Thousands expected on streets to 'Reclaim the Night' as protests continue over RG Kar horror
Kolkata (PTI): Thousands of people were expected to hit the streets of West Bengal on Sunday as various demonstrations, including another 'Reclaim the Night' protest, were scheduled to be held seeking justice for the doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital a month ago.
The body of the post-graduate trainee doctor was found at the state-run hospital in north Kolkata on the morning of August 9.
Noted people from different fields, including musicians, artistes, painters and actors, would join the 'Reclaim the Night' demonstration, which would start at 11 pm "to awaken the ruler", social activist Rimjhim Sinha said.
As part of the demonstration, people would gather at various intersections, crossings and roundabouts. While there will be multiple gatherings from Gol Park to Garia along the SC Mallick Road in south Kolkata, a march has been planned from Sodepur to Shyambazar along the BT Road in the north, one of the organisers said.
Besides Kolkata, similar demonstrations were also planned in Barrackpore, Barasat, Budgebudge, Belgharia, Agarpara, Dumdum and Baguiati, among others.
The 'Reclaim the Night' demonstration was earlier held on August 14 and September 4, seeking justice for the doctor whose death shook the conscience of the state.
In the afternoon, alumni of 44 schools will walk in a protest march from Gariahat to Rasbehari Avenue in south Kolkata.
Many similar demonstrations by different social groups were also planned in various parts of the state during the day.
A civic volunteer of the Kolkata Police was arrested in connection with the doctor's death. The CBI is probing the case at present following an order of the Calcutta High Court.
