NEET Protests, Assam Floods, Kashmir Attack: July 23 Edition Digest

NEET Protests and Police Actions Under Scrutiny

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Centre and the Delhi Police to respond to allegations of excessive force used against students and other protesters during a march to Parliament on July 20. The protest was called by the Cockroach Janta Party over alleged irregularities in the NEET exam. The court observed that the charges could not be dismissed as 'isolated incidents' and ordered the preservation of all CCTV footage and videography.

Senior advocates appearing for the petitioners described the police action as brutal. They alleged that personnel used lathis fitted with nails, electric batons, and pellet guns. One advocate claimed that women were molested and that tear gas was used against children. Another argued that no warning was given before force was used. The Supreme Court's 2012 guidelines on police conduct during protests have not yet been turned into standing orders, the court was told.

The Additional Solicitor-General defended the police, saying the demonstration turned violent with stone-throwing and injuries to officers. He argued that prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita had been issued. The matter will be heard again on September 11.

Meanwhile, the Centre reached out to activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on hunger strike over the NEET paper leak. Union Ministers met him in hospital. Wangchuk said he would end the strike if the government assured no punitive action against protesting students. He also sought a parliamentary discussion on the resignation of the Education Minister. The protests reflect a deep crisis of trust in the examination system, with repeated paper leaks undermining its credibility.

Assam Floods: Worst in 60 Years

Assam is battling its most severe floods in six decades. The disaster has affected over 6.5 lakh people across 939 villages and claimed 41 lives in less than a month. Ten more deaths were reported in the last 24 hours. Crops on nearly 25,000 hectares have been damaged.

The worst-hit districts are Sivasagar, Charaideo, and Jorhat, which rarely see such flooding. A cloudburst in Nagaland's Mon district on July 19 triggered massive water flow and landslides, killing at least nine there. The Assam government admitted that authorities were caught off guard. The India Meteorological Department has predicted more heavy rain in the coming days.

This disaster highlights the vulnerability of the region to extreme weather events linked to climate change. It also puts pressure on relief and rehabilitation efforts. The floods are a reminder of the need for better disaster preparedness and long-term mitigation measures.

Policeman Killed in Kashmir; Massive Detentions

A head constable of the India Reserve Police was shot dead by terrorists in Anantnag, south Kashmir, on Wednesday. The attack took place in a busy market. The policeman died from multiple bullet wounds. The police launched a major search operation and detained around 1,200 suspects across the valley, with the highest number in Srinagar. Unofficial estimates put the figure at 2,500.

The attack ended a period of relative calm in Kashmir. Security has been tightened along the Amarnath Yatra route, although the pilgrimage remains suspended due to bad weather. The police warned against sharing footage of the attack, saying it could hamper the investigation. The Lieutenant-Governor and Chief Minister condemned the incident.

This attack underscores the persistent threat of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. The large-scale detentions raise questions about civil liberties and the effectiveness of security strategies. The Amarnath Yatra is a vital economic activity for the region, and the suspension affects thousands of pilgrims and local businesses.

To test your understanding of these events and their significance, try the practice questions on Question Better.