Audio Overview of South Asia Issues, Monday, 18 February 2019

APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Bhargav Reddy discusses Main Issues in South Asia.

 

Main Issues in South Asia

Firstly in BANGLADESH

  • Gas supply will be suspended in several areas of Dhaka on Tuesday this week to facilitate the construction of metro rail. Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited said the suspension will affect most parts of the city on Tuesday for 12hours.
  • More than 2.5 million households and 11,000 commercial users are dependent on Titas gas supply. Taking advantage of the gas crisis, some unscrupulous traders and restaurateurs have increased the price of food and bottled LPG gas.
  • Clients are advised to be prepared for the disruption in gas supply. Protests are likely to be held around the offices of the gas company.

PAKISTAN

  • Islamabad local administration has declared a public holiday today to avoid inconvenience to the public during the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to the city. Emergency services will remain open.
  • Massive security arrangements have been made and many areas of Islamabad have been closed for traffic. The metro bus service will be suspended between the Blue Area and the Secretariat. The National Assembly has rescheduled today’s sessions to Wednesday.
  • Clients are advised to be aware of the travel disruptions caused by the closure of major roads in Islamabad and Rawalpindi during the high-profile visit.

NEPAL

  • Yesterday government doctors have threatened to stop all health services and resign en-masse. The doctors have threatened to go on strike to pressurize the Ministry of Health and Population to implement the agreement for better working environment signed with the Government Doctors Association of Nepal on January 14.
  • The agreement between the government and Government Doctors Association of Nepal stated that the Ministry of Health and Population will ensure that doctors and officer level health workers will be appointed by the Public Service Commission with a standardized pay scale.
  • Clients are advised to be aware of the disruptions at the hospitals and expect bigger crowds in government hospitals and private clinics.

INDIA

  • Two Youth Congress workers were killed by unidentified assailants in the northern district of Kasargod in Kerala yesterday.
  • The Congress party leaders accused at the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) for the murders. However, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has categorically denied any involvement of the party in the murders. Clashes between the supporters of political parties have been frequently reported in smaller towns and villages in Kerala.
  • Clients are advised to avoid all political events in Kerala before the general elections in April this year. Election-related violence is likely to increase due to extreme political rivalries among the political parties in the state. Employ extreme caution while traveling to smaller towns and rural areas in Kerala.

 

Main Issues in East Asia Pacific

Firstly in INDONESIA

  • An explosion was reported near the Sultan Hotel in Central Jakarta yesterday. The hotel is the venue for an upcoming presidential debate. No casualties were reported in the explosion.
  • Authorities are unclear on the motives behind the explosion and an investigation is ongoing. Terror attacks on the political events before the elections are a major concern for the law enforcement agencies. More than 200,000 troops have been deployed across major cities for security during the campaign period before the elections.
  • Clients are advised to avoid political events in Jakarta and other major cities before the elections in April this year.

The Philippines

  • Yesterday a suspected gangster involved in drug trafficking was killed in the Sitio Upper Centro village near the Cebu City in southern Philippines. Two men on motorbikes fired at the gangster’s car killing him instantly.
  • Authorities suspect the shooting was an inter-gang conflict. Clashes between criminal gangs pose a threat to civilians and businesses in the proximity.
  • Clients are advised to be aware of drug trafficking gangs active in the Philippines. Avoid traveling to impoverished areas of major cities and smaller towns where the gangs are reportedly more active.

VIETNAM

  • More than 300kg of methamphetamine pills were seized yesterday in Ha Tinh province in central Vietnam. A Laotian suspect was arrested during the operation while another suspect managed to escape.
  • According to Vietnamese law, suspects caught with more than 600g of heroin can be sentenced to death.
  • Clients are advised to be aware of the heightened security checks in the provinces bordering Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia.

 

 

 

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