28 Dec 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

E. Editorials

Category: SECURITY

1. Counter-insurgency in J&K

Syllabus: Role of state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security

Mains: Counter-insurgency in J&K

Context:​ The conflict-prone region of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) demands precise and just counterinsurgency operations to manage not only terrorism but also maintain public trust. Recent incidents in the Pir Panjal Valley, specifically Poonch and Rajouri districts, have raised concerns, including the death of civilians and alleged torture by security forces.

Issues in Counterinsurgency Tactics

• Civilian Targeting:
  • Death of three civilians and injuries to five others following an Army convoy ambush on December 21.
  • Alleged torture by security forces on civilians in response to militant attacks.
• Unpopularity and Discontent:
  • Actions increasing the unpopularity of the unelected regime in a Union Territory without provincial elections for over half a decade.
  • Breeding discontent among residents in a region that was relatively peaceful compared to the Kashmir Valley.
• Provocation for Militants:
  • Militants’ aim to provoke forces into committing rights violations against civilians.
  • Utilizing grievances among civilians to increase their support base.
• Legitimacy of Force:
  • Alleged indiscriminate use of violence targeting civilians without just cause questions the legitimacy of state actions.
  • Potential erosion of public trust due to perceived unjust use of force.

Significance of Just Counterinsurgency

• Avoiding Militant Manipulation:
  • Unjust actions play into the hands of militants and their handlers across the border.
  • Risks increasing support for militancy among the local population.
• Maintaining Legitimacy:
  • Legitimacy of state actions depends on the justness of force.
  • Indiscriminate violence jeopardizes the perceived legitimacy of counterinsurgency efforts.

Solutions and Accountability

• Swift Justice:
  • J&K police registering a murder case against unidentified persons.
  • Army taking three senior officers off their posts and promising an inquiry.
  • Emphasize the need for swift and firm justice to address the civilian casualties and alleged torture.
• Reassessing Security-Centric Approach:
  • Acknowledge the limitations of a no-holds-barred security-centric approach.
  • Reevaluate strategies to balance security measures with respect for human rights.

Nut Graf: Addressing the issues in counterinsurgency tactics in Jammu and Kashmir is imperative to prevent further escalation of violence and public discontent.

F. Prelims Facts

4. Huntington’s disease

Context: Understanding the molecular progression of Huntington’s disease is crucial for identifying mechanisms that could potentially halt its devastating impact. A recent study, published in Scientific Reports by researchers from the University of Szeged, Hungary, has made significant strides in this direction, employing an unexpected ally the fruit fly.

Huntington’s Disease: A Devastating Path

• Clinical Presentation:
  • Initial symptoms include forgetfulness, loss of balance, and clumsiness.
  • Progression leads to mood swings, reasoning difficulties, jerky movements, and challenges in speech, swallowing, and walking.
  • The disease is fatal, with a genetic predisposition that puts the patient’s offspring at risk.
• Genetic Underpinning:
  • The mutated HTT gene encodes an abnormal huntingtin (Htt) protein, crucial for normal nerve cell functioning.
  • Expansion of a DNA stretch in the HTT gene leads to an abnormal number of glutamine repeats, exacerbating the severity of Huntington’s disease.
  • Fruit Flies as Molecular Investigators
• Experimental Design:
  • Researchers genetically engineered fruit flies to express the mutated human HTT gene, focusing on the polyglutamine tract.
  • The Gal4/UAS system from baker’s yeast enabled precise targeting of the expression of the mutant Htt protein in the fruit fly’s neurons.
• Disease Modeling:
  • Fruit flies expressing Htt proteins with 120 glutamine repeats exhibited neurodegeneration, impaired motor activity, and reduced viability.
  • A control group with Htt proteins containing 25 glutamine repeats showed minimal effects.

Key Findings and Yod1 Gene Intervention

• Yod1 Gene Impact:
  • Overexpression of the Yod1 gene mitigated disease-like effects in fruit flies, including neurodegeneration and motor impairments.
  • Yod1 gene overexpression correlated with increased expression of genes involved in specific cellular processes.
• Potential Therapeutic Avenue:
  • Identifying Yod1 as a suppressor of Huntington’s-like pathogenesis in fruit flies suggests a potential avenue for therapeutic intervention.
  • The study emphasizes the need for further exploration to ascertain the applicability of these findings to humans.

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a non-statutory body.
2. It is responsible for enforcing the Competition Act, 2002.
3. The Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969 (MRTP Act) was repealed and replaced by the Competition Act, 2002, on the recommendations of the Raghavan committee.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a statutory body of the Government of India responsible for enforcing the Competition Act, 2002. It was duly constituted in March 2009. The Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969 (MRTP Act) was repealed and replaced by the Competition Act, 2002, on the recommendations of the Raghavan committee. Read more about the Competition Commission of India in the link.

Q2. Consider the following statements:

1. The Offshore Areas Mineral (Development & Regulation) Act, 2002 is administered by the Ministry of Mines.
2. The Act provides for the development and regulation of mineral resources in the territorial waters, continental shelf, exclusive economic zone and other maritime zones of India.
3. As per international law, a country can harvest any resource found in its EEZ.

How many of the above statements is/are incorrect?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation: All the statements are correct. 

Q3. The historic archaeological site ‘Vaishali’, is situated in:

1. Uttar Pradesh
2. Bihar
3. Nepal
4. Odisha

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation: Vaishali, situated in Vaishali district in Bihar, is believed to be the world’s first republic and is currently an archaeological site in India. Vaishali derives its name from King Vaishalik, whose heroic deeds find a reference in the Ramayana. Various references to Vaishali can be traced in texts of both Jainism and Buddhism. Based on the information of these texts, Vaishali was established in the 6th century BCE as a republic, i.e., before the birth of Gautam Buddha, thereby making it the world’s first republic. Vaishali is also strongly connected with Lord Mahavira of Jainism, who was born on the outskirts of Vaishali around 2550 years ago. The Buddha also delivered his last sermon at Vaishali and announced his Parinirvana here. After his death, Vaishali also held the second Buddhist Council. It contains one of the best-preserved of the Pillars of Ashoka, topped by a single Asiatic lion. Vaishali is also famous as the land of Ambapali (Amrapali), who was a great courtesan and appears in Buddhist literature and many folktales. She is also credited with developing the city and making it prosperous. As per the records, she later became a disciple of Lord Buddha.

Q4. Which of the following has the power to notify unlawful and terrorist 
organisations under UAPA, 1967?

1. Intelligence Bureau
2. Ministry of Defence
3. Ministry of Home Affairs
4. Cabinet Secretariat

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation: The Ministry of Home Affairs has the power to notify unlawful and terrorist organisations under UAPA, 1967.

Q5. With reference to Scheduled Areas in India, consider the following 
statements:

1. Within a State, the notification of an area as a Scheduled Area takes place through an Order of the President.
2. The largest administrative unit forming the Scheduled Area is the District and the lowest is the cluster of villages in the Block.
3. The Chief Ministers of the concerned States are required to submit annual reports to the Union Home Ministry on the administration of Scheduled Areas in the States.

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation:

• The Scheduled Tribes live in contiguous areas, unlike other communities. It is, therefore, much simpler to have an area approach for development activities as well as regulatory provisions to protect their interests.
• To protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes about land and other social issues, various provisions have been enshrined in the Fifth Schedule and the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
• The Fifth Schedule under Article 244(1) of the Constitution defines “Scheduled Areas” as such areas as the President may by order declare to be Scheduled Areas after consultation with the Governor of that State.
• The Sixth Schedule under Article 244 (2) of the Constitution relates to those areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram which are declared as “tribal areas” and provides for District or Regional Autonomous Councils for such areas. These councils have wide-ranging legislative, judicial and executive powers.
• The Governor of each State having Scheduled Areas therein shall annually, or whenever so required by the President, make a report to the President regarding the administration of the Scheduled Areas in that State.
• The largest administrative unit forming the Scheduled Area is the District and the lowest is the cluster of villages in the Block.