Ladakh row: Disengagement begins, status quo to be restored, says Rajnath

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday informed the Rajya Sabha that after sustained talks between India and China, both sides had decided on a disengagement at north and south banks of Pangong Lake. “Our aim is to maintain peace and tranquility at LAC. Last year, what China did, impacted peace at the border. We clarified the importance of disengagement at LAC. We also have adequate and effective counter deployment at the border,” Singh said. He added that India had communicated to China that trying to unilaterally change status quo is not acceptable, reiterating that “not an inch of land” had been ceded. The comments came a day after Indian and Chinese troops along the border in Ladakh initiated the process of disengagement.

Meanwhile, a District and Sessions court is likely to pronounce today its order on a plea against actor Salman Khan for alleged submission of a false affidavit related to his arms licence in the court in 2003.

Election for the posts of Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, which witnessed pitched battle between ruling TRS and BJP in December last, will be held today. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) party bagged 56 divisions, while BJP secured 48 divisions and MIM won in 44 divisions and Congress won in two divisions, in the 150-seat civic body.

The BJP's strength has come down to 47 following the death of one of its members.

Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah visited poll-bound West Bengal today. Elections for West Bengal Assembly will be held in April and May this year.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi will speak in Parliament during the Union budget discussion in Lok Sabha today.

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