The threat of biological weapons has been worrying about the armed forces, as well as political leaders for quite some time. With the global recorded deaths from COVID-19 surpassing one million, the biotechnological revolution has heightened the fear of future weaponized pathogens. The COVID-19 virus or its variant could be the most effective weapon for future biological warfare. The indiscriminate effect of such a weapon and its power to cripple economies and devastate the lives of people may make it attractive to rogue States and non-State actors. This book provides an updated analysis of biological warfare agents, including the COVID-19 virus, biotechnological developments affecting biological agents, and the legal regime responsible for preventing the use of biological weapons.

Martial law is not a body of substantive law, but rather summary powers employed by the military commanders when the ordinary rule of law is suspended. Under the British rule, martial law was proclaimed on many occasions in different territories in India, wherein excessively harsh provisions were used to humiliate Indians. The framers of the Indian Constitution did not make any express provision about martial law under the Constitution. However, an implied reference to the possibility of imposing martial rule in India has indicated in Article 34 wherein it provides that an Act of Indemnity may be passed by the Parliament in respect of acts done under martial law. This book covers the historical perspective of martial law in India and compares it with a few other countries. The possibility of arrest and detention of an offender during martial law, the rights to the habeas corpus in such circumstances, and the power of constitutional courts to issue such a writ has been analyzed. The book examines the powers of the military commander under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and critically evaluates whether it amounts to the de facto proclamation of martial law. The Book also analyses whether the proclamation of martial law is feasible in India in the future. This book is intended for not only those who are involved in promoting, protecting, and enforcing human rights, but also for those engaged in the security of the country. It will of relevance to parliamentarians, government officials, military authorities, judges, lawyers, and members of the civil society who have a stake in the armed forces.

Martial law is not a body of substantive law, but rather summary powers employed by the military commanders when the ordinary rule of law is suspended. Under the British rule, martial law was proclaimed on many occasions in different territories in India, wherein excessively harsh provisions were used to humiliate Indians. The framers of the Indian Constitution did not make any express provision about martial law under the Constitution. However, an implied reference to the possibility of imposing martial rule in India has indicated in Article 34 wherein it provides that an Act of Indemnity may be passed by the Parliament in respect of acts done under martial law. This book covers the historical perspective of martial law in India and compares it with a few other countries. The possibility of arrest and detention of an offender during martial law, the rights to the habeas corpus in such circumstances, and the power of constitutional courts to issue such a writ has been analyzed. The book examines the powers of the military commander under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and critically evaluates whether it amounts to the de facto proclamation of martial law. The Book also analyses whether the proclamation of martial law is feasible in India in the future. This book is intended for not only those who are involved in promoting, protecting, and enforcing human rights, but also for those engaged in the security of the country. It will of relevance to parliamentarians, government officials, military authorities, judges, lawyers, and members of the civil society who have a stake in the armed forces.

The threat of biological weapons has been worrying about the armed forces, as well as political leaders for quite some time. With the global recorded deaths from COVID-19 surpassing one million, the biotechnological revolution has heightened the fear of future weaponized pathogens. The COVID-19 virus or its variant could be the most effective weapon for future biological warfare. The indiscriminate effect of such a weapon and its power to cripple economies and devastate the lives of people may make it attractive to rogue States and non-State actors. This book provides an updated analysis of biological warfare agents, including the COVID-19 virus, biotechnological developments affecting biological agents, and the legal regime responsible for preventing the use of biological weapons.

Food is the basic necessity for human survival and evolution. A region with different food species and their abundant growth and availability demonstrate better consumption pattern of different food items. The purpose of this study has been to identify food varieties and energy consumption ratio among people with low and high income levels among thirty randomly selected Bengali Hindu families of Kolkata, east India. In addition the study also investigated the influence of income on the availability and abundance of different food items and their corresponding amounts. The survey indicated that people from low income groups demonstrated lack of key nutrients in their regular diets with symptoms of deficiency diseases. Income has a direct effect on the consumption rate of foods. Low income and illiteracy were found as the two main factors of difference between the two economic classes. The study further highlights that higher income was associated with better consumption of nutritious food. The current volume will be useful for those involved in research and development in food, food preferences and food habits, nutrition sciences, ethnicity, socio-economic and cultural relations.

This textbook gives an up-to-date and comprehensive analysis of the law of armed conflict or international humanitarian law. The author has traced the history of the laws of war and examined their relations with human rights and refugee laws. The topics covered include protection to the victims of war: prisoners, civilians, women, children, journalists, the natural environment and cultural property. The book contains an updated account of the functioning of the International Criminal Court, and explores the concept of command responsibility, as well as the area of private military and security companies. Besides discussing the law during air and naval warfare, the author has critically examined certain challenges which humanitarian law is facing today from cyber warfare; drones, autonomous lethal weapons and nuclear weapons. This textbook is an invaluable resource for anyone interested or working in the field of international humanitarian law: teachers, students, lawyers, government officials, military and police personnel, researchers and human rights activists.

This textbook gives an up-to-date and comprehensive analysis of the law of armed conflict or international humanitarian law. The author has traced the history of the laws of war and examined their relations with human rights and refugee laws. The topics covered include protection to the victims of war: prisoners, civilians, women, children, journalists, the natural environment and cultural property. The book contains an updated account of the functioning of the International Criminal Court, and explores the concept of command responsibility, as well as the area of private military and security companies. Besides discussing the law during air and naval warfare, the author has critically examined certain challenges which humanitarian law is facing today from cyber warfare; drones, autonomous lethal weapons and nuclear weapons. This textbook is an invaluable resource for anyone interested or working in the field of international humanitarian law: teachers, students, lawyers, government officials, military and police personnel, researchers and human rights activists.