The possibility of any kind of conflict cannot be ruled out in today's uncertain environment, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday as he listed the development of border infrastructure as part of efforts to boost India's preparedness to confront any security challenge. After unveiling 27 roads and bridges projects implemented by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), he said India would not have been able to respond strongly to the adversary in the northern sector if there was no infrastructure in the region. The 24 roads inaugurated at a virtual ceremony included one built at an altitude of more than 19,000 feet on the Umling-La pass in southern Ladakh, Singh said, adding it has now become the world's highest motorable road, reports The Economic Times.  "The situation we faced in the northern sector recently, and the manner in which we were able to respond strongly to the adversary, would not have been possible without appropriate infrastructure development," Singh said in a reference to the eastern Ladakh row. "In today's uncertain environment, the possibility of any kind of conflict cannot be ruled out. Such situations motivate us even more for the development of these areas. It is a matter of pride that we have the BRO for cooperation in the development of these areas," Singh added. Read: BrahMos deterrent, India never been an aggressor: Rajnath "In today's uncertain environment, the possibility of any kind of conflict cannot be ruled out. Such situations motivate us even more for the development of these areas. It is a matter of pride that we have the BRO for cooperation in the development of these areas," Singh added. "After Independence, our policies were such that the internal areas of the country developed, but the border areas remained relatively deprived of development. This situation continued for a long time," he said. "As we used to move away from Delhi, the graph of development also kept falling down in the same proportion. Earlier it was said that people from border areas may be far from Delhi, but they are not far from our heart. But as the transport sector witnessed major expansion, it became an old saying," Singh said. The defence minister said the roads in border areas are not only for strategic needs but they also ensure equal participation of remote areas in the development of the nation. "In this way, these bridges, roads and tunnels play an important role in our security, and in empowering the entire nation," he said. The defence ministers said that there was a need to strengthen India's surveillance system the way the country is strengthening its border infrastructure. Read: India, France agree to work closely in areas of regional, global interest In this context, he cited problems like infiltration, skirmishes, illegal trade and smuggling in the border areas. "In view of all this, the government has sometime back started the CIBMS, that is Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System," he said. Referring to the construction of the road in southern Ladakh, Singh said the BRO achieved the "historic feat" despite facing numerous challenges including that of extreme altitude and sub-zero temperature. "It is a matter of pride not only for BRO but also for the nation," he said.

Barely 20 days after India's top human rights body recommended a central probe into post-poll violence in the eastern state of West Bengal, the federal government on Tuesday expressed its willingness to take over the investigation. "A federal agency like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is ready to probe the allegations of post-poll violence in West Bengal," India's additional solicitor general YJ Dastoor told the High Court in state capital Kolkata. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) last month made the recommendation for a federal probe in its report to a five-judge High Court bench. It was asked to investigate the allegations of post-poll violence by the same court only. In its report, the Commission clearly accused the Bengal government of turning a blind eye to "grievous offences like murder and rape" allegedly perpetrated by members of Mamata's ruling Trinamool Congress on supporters of the state's opposition BJP. Read: India's human rights body favours federal probe into Bengal post-poll violence "To compound the problem, violence and intimidation has continued. There is palpable fear among victims against police and goons of the ruling party. Many displaced persons haven't yet been able to return to their homes. There have been several sexual offences," it said. Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had, however, slammed the NHRC for "leaking the report" at the behest of India's ruling BJP. "The BJP is now using impartial agencies to settle political scores and malign our state," she told the media last month. It may be mentioned here that the High Court, on July 2, came down heavily on the Bengal government for the post-poll violence in the state that claimed a number of lives. "The state is in denial mode. The administration has been caught on the wrong foot," it had said. UNB had earlier reported about as many as 16 deaths in post-poll violence in Bengal, which prompted the Indian Home Ministry to seek a report from the state administration. In fact, on May 6, a day after she was sworn in as the chief minister of Bengal for the third time, Mamata announced a compensation of Rs two lakh each for the families of 16 people killed in post-poll violence in the state. Read: High Court raps Bengal govt again for post-poll violence "At least 16 people -- mostly from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool -- died in post-poll violence. We will pay a compensation of Rs two lakh to their family members," she had said. Appealing for calm, Mamata had also asked her supporters not to indulge in any violence. "Bengal is a peace-loving place. During the elections, there has been some heat and dust and calm. The BJP did a lot of torture. But I appeal to all for calm." Bucking anti-incumbency, Mamata scripted history on May 2 by single-handedly pulling off an astounding victory in the assembly election, staving off a massive challenge from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling BJP but also decimated the Left Front. Bengal had witnessed the most high-profile contest in India's recently held state elections. While Mamata harped on being Bengal’s daughter, the BJP asked people to vote for "change and socio-economic development" after 50 years of Communist and Trinamool rule.

Dhaka, Sept 29 (UNB) – The Indian government on Sunday banned the export of onions with immediate effect till further orders for what it says improving domestic availability.