What's the NEWS

• The Supreme Court of India extended the time given to the mediation panel to come up with an amicable solution in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case till August 15, 2019.
• The decision was taken by a five-judge constitution bench comprising CJI Ranjan Gogoi, Justices S A Bobde, Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and Abdul Nazeer.
• It came after the three-member mediation panel submitted its interim report on the issue, in a sealed cover on May 9.

• The time extension was granted following a request by the Chairman of the mediation panel, Retired SC judge, Justice F M Khalifullah.
• Besides Justice F M Khalifullah, the other two members of the panel include spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Sankar and senior advocate Sriram Panchu.
• The top court had formed the three-member panel to find a solution to the long-standing dispute, which is acceptable by all parties.
• The panel was constituted after the court observed the lack of consensus between the parties in the matter.
• The mediation proceedings were held confidentially and the court had banned the media from reporting it.
• The proceedings were directed to be held in Faizabad, newly renamed as Ayodhya, where the disputed site is located.
• The status report of the hearings was to be submitted to the court within the time of four weeks.

• The Supreme Court had on March 8, 2019 decided to refer the Ayodhya-Babri Masjid title dispute case for mediation.
• The apex court formed a panel of mediators to resolve the issue and asked them to conduct in-camera proceedings and complete the mediation within a period of eight weeks.
• The court also directed that the mediation proceedings should be conducted with the utmost confidentiality for ensuring its success.
• While the Muslim petitioners welcomed the apex court's decision on mediation, Hindu bodies except for the Nirmohi Akhara and the Uttar Pradesh government opposed the suggestion.
• Why the decision of mediation was taken
• The decision for mediation was taken while the apex court was hearing appeals against the verdict of Allahabad High Court, delivered on September 30, 2010.
• The high court verdict had then ordered a three-way division of the disputed Babri Masjid- Ayodhya land between the Nirmohi Akhara sect, the Sunni Central Wakf Board, Uttar Pradesh and Ramlalla.

Know! about the recent updates

• The Assam government released the final draft of NRC on July 30, 2018. The list incorporates names of 2.89 crore people out of 3.29 crore applicants.
• The names of over 40 lakh people have been left out. Resultantly, the process of consideration of claims for inclusion or exclusion of names from the NRC began before the final document get finalised.

Recent statement by SC regarding NRC

• The Supreme Court ruled that the court will not extend the deadline for finalisation of the Assam National Register of Citizens (NRC). Hence, the final Assam NRC should be readied by July 31, 2019.
• The final draft of NRC was released on July 30, 2018. The list incorporates names of 2.89 crore people out of 3.29 crore applicants. The names of over 40 lakh people have been left out.

Know! the earlier ruling of the Supreme Court

• The Supreme Court on December 12, 2018 extended the deadline for the submission of claims and objections by individuals excluded from the first draft of the Assam National Register of Citizens (NRC) to December 31, 2018. Earlier, the last date for submission was December 15.
• A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Rohinton Nariman directed that the copies of the draft NRC shall be made available for inspection to District Magistrate, Deputy Commissioner, Sub-Divisional Offices (Civil), Circle Offices and Gram Panchayats to facilitate filing of objections against wrongful inclusions.

Know! all about National Register of Citizens of Assam

• The National Register of Citizens (NRC) is a list containing names of Indian citizens of Assam.
• Assam, which saw migratiion of people from Bangladesh since the early 20th century, is the only state having an NRC, first prepared in 1951.

First Draft of NRC

• The first draft of the NRC for Assam was published on December 31, 2017 and it incorporated the names of 1.9 crore people out of the total 3.29 crore applicants.
• The top court had earlier said that the claims of those citizens, whose names do not figure in the draft NRC for Assam published on December 31, 2017 would be examined and would be mentioned in the subsequent list, if found genuine.

Final Draft of NRC

• The Assam government on July 30, 2018 released the second and final draft of the state's National Register of Citizens (NRC).
• As per the Draft, the total number of persons included in the list is 2,89,83,677 leaving a total of 40,70,707 as ineligible for inclusion. Of these 40,70,707 names, 37,59,630 names were rejected and remaining 2,48,077 names were kept on hold.
  
  

Defence
India joins US, Japan, and Philippines for naval drills in South China Sea
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about the group sail military exercise)

What's the NEWS

• Indian Navy Ships (INS) Kolkata and Shakti carried out Group Sail with naval ships of Japan, Philippines and the United States of America in the South China Sea from May 03 to May 09, 2019.
• This week long military exercise had a participation of six combatants from the four participating countries - India, USA, Japan and Philippines.

Know! more about the Six Combatants in "Group Sail"

• The Group Sail was aimed to deepen the existing partnership and foster mutual understanding among participating navies.
• The ships undertook various exercises enroute which included formation manoeuvering, underway replenishment runs, cross-deck flying and exchange of Sea Riders.
• The Group Sail exercise with naval ships of Japan, Philippines and United States showcased India's commitment towards operating with like-minded nations to ensure safe maritime environment through enhanced interoperability.
• Both the ships had participated in the International Fleet Review as part of the 70th Anniversary Celebration of PLA (Navy).
• During the ships' stay in Busan, the IN Ships took part in the Opening Ceremony of Maritime Security Field Training Exercise under the aegis of ADMM-PLUS.

Know! about ADMM-PLUS MS FTX

• The phase I of the exercises held from 01 May to 03 May 2019 off South Korea with Navies of Brunei, China, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and the USA.
• Group Sail progressed from 03 May to 09 May 2019. The Phase II of ADMM-PLUS MS FTX is scheduled from 09 May to 12 May 2019 in the South China Sea.
• On completion of Phase II, all participating ships including IN Ships Kolkata and Shakti are scheduled to attend the closing ceremony of ADMM-PLUS MS and participate in the International Maritime Defence Expo 2019 in Singapore.

State Specific
Chhattisgarh deploys anti Naxal women's commando unit
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about the women's commando unit )
What's the NEWS

• Chhattisgarh Police have deployed anti Naxal women commandos for the first time in the country.
• This team is inducted in District Reserve Guard (DRG) which is frontline of anti-Naxal force. Before joining anti naxal squad, these women commandos were part of the security forces' "short action teams" that eliminated three Naxal commanders in the past one month.

Know! about 'Danteshwari Ladake'

• The specially-raised squad, is known as 'Danteshwari Ladake', or fighters of Goddess Danteshwari, was inducted in the state's Naxal-hit Dantewada district, around 400km from here.

Know! more about this newly raised squad

• Recently built women commando team have been given three-month advanced in-house training in jungle warfare tactics.
• They are given trainings for motorcycle patrolling in the dense forests, map reading, understanding Naxal profiles and counter ambush strategy.
• All of them are local residents, including surrendered Naxals.
• All are well acquainted with the forested terrain and the local language. All these are key elements in the fight against Naxals.

Prelims Practise Questions
Consider the following statements
1. The mediation panel consists of the chairman of the mediation panel, Retired SC judge, Justice F M Khalifullaj
2. The other members of the panel include spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Sankar and senior advocate Sriram Panchu.
3. The Supreme court had formed the five-member panel to find a solution to the long-standing dispute, which is acceptable by all parties.
Find the correct statement from the option given below
a. 1 and 2
b. 1 and 3
c. 2 and 3
d. All

Consider the following statements
1. The specially-raised squad of women is known as 'Danteshwari Ladake', or fighters of Goddess Danteshwari, which was inducted recently in the state's Naxal-hit Dantewada district of Odisha .
2. Of the 30 recruits, 10 are surrendered women Naxals, while 10 others are assistant constables who were part of the erstwhile Salwa Judum (anti-Naxal militia) movement
Find the correct statement from the options given below
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both
d. None

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