Hunt for Pahalgam terrorists, a fight for surrogacy, and Kolkata fire kills 14
May 1, 2025
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Deeptiman Tiwary, a security and terror journalist at The Indian Express, discusses the ongoing challenges faced by security forces after the Pahalgam terror attack, including the efforts to locate highly trained militants in South Kashmir. Omkar Gokhale, a legal affairs journalist, highlights a woman's fight for surrogacy, navigating contemporary Indian laws that impact divorced women's rights. The conversation also touches on a tragic hotel fire in Kolkata that claimed 14 lives, prompting an investigation into its causes.
The ongoing search for the Pahalgam terrorists is hindered by challenging terrain, significantly impacting security operations and tourism in Kashmir.
A legal case concerning surrogacy rights for divorced women highlights the need for reform in India's outdated surrogacy laws to ensure equitable access.
Deep dives
Challenges in Counter-Terrorism Operations
Security forces are engaged in an ongoing effort to apprehend the terrorists responsible for the Pehalgam attack, which resulted in the deaths of 25 tourists. The dense jungles of South Kashmir present significant challenges for operations, including limited visibility that can drop below 100 meters, making it difficult to locate and engage with the assailants. Authorities have imposed strict security measures in the region, closing nearly 50 tourist spots to prevent further attacks and maintain safety, yet the terrain remains an obstacle as the assailants exploit their advantage in the unfamiliar landscape. The urgency of the situation is compounded by fears that the terrorists might attempt to cross into Jammu division, prompting heightened security and vigilance along the borders.
Legal Implications of Surrogacy Regulation
A legal case is raising significant questions regarding women's access to surrogacy in India, particularly focusing on a divorced woman who, due to medical complications, is unable to conceive. Her request for surrogacy was denied by medical authorities based on the Surrogacy Regulation Act, which stipulates that a woman cannot have a surviving child, regardless of custody status, to qualify for surrogacy. This legal framework fails to consider her complex situation, sparking broader discussions regarding the rights of single and divorced women to pursue motherhood through surrogacy. The case has drawn attention to potential reforms needed in surrogacy laws to better align with contemporary societal norms and women's reproductive rights.
Tragic Fire Incident at Kolkata Hotel
A devastating fire at the Rituraj Hotel in Kolkata claimed 14 lives and injured several guests, revealing critical shortcomings in building safety and emergency response protocols. Most victims succumbed to suffocation, with chaotic scenes as guests attempted to escape the flames, including one individual who tragically fell while trying to flee. The fire spread rapidly across the hotel, leading to a substantial emergency response but complicated by the narrow lanes and densely populated area. This incident has prompted the formation of a special investigation team to determine the cause of the fire and assess the building's compliance with safety regulations, highlighting the ongoing challenges of managing fire safety in urban areas.
Impact of Security Measures on Tourism
The implications of stringent security measures following the Pehalgam attack have severely affected tourism in Kashmir, leading to widespread cancellations and empty hotels. Despite reassurances from authorities and locals encouraging tourists to visit, the fear stemming from the attack has driven up to 80% cancellations in the aftermath, significantly impacting the local economy. The government's previous push to increase tourist footfall has now come under scrutiny due to the assumption that attacks on tourists would not happen, a misconception that led to reduced security presence in critical areas. As regions remain on high alert with further closures of tourist spots, the future of tourism in Kashmir hangs in the balance amid ongoing security concerns.
First, The Indian Express' Deeptiman Tiwary discusses the challenges being faced by the security forces after the Pahalgam terror attack and what we’ve learned so far about the attackers.
Second, we talk to The Indian Express' Omkar Gokhale about a legal case of a woman's plea for surrogacy which puts the contemporary surrogacy laws in India on the radar. (17:00)
In the end, we talk about a fire break out in Kolkata's hotel which claimed 14 lives and the probe that is underway. (26:45)
Hosted by Ichha Sharma Produced and written by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha Sharma Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar
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