The truth might be stranger than fiction but it seems that one can take a pointer or two from peddlers of fiction to gauge the strangeness of truth.
Or so the AP Governor believes. The Governor, Mr E.S.L. Narasimhan, has suggested that our security agencies talk to film directors for inputs on creative ideas terrorists could use for attacking the country.
Addressing security experts during the inaugural ceremony of the two-day “Pan India Security Summit” held at the GMR International airport on Monday, Mr Narasimhan said: “For many here, it might sound silly. But you should actually consider the idea of talking to film directors about possible ideas of attacks and terror plans. They keep ideating to make such movies and portray how terrorists destroy establishments. We can ask them about bizarre ideas terrorists could come up with for attacks and thereby widen our perspective on security threats.”
The former director of SPG, Mr M.R. Reddy, while reacting to the Governor’s idea, said, “There is nothing wrong with the Governor’s suggestion. It is just an idea.”
Another retired IPS officer said on condition of anonymity, “It is impractical and takes away the seriousness from such an important issue.”
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Babu collapses on way to jail
The Telugu Desam chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, and 70-odd party MLAs including women have been remanded to judicial custody till July 26 after they refused to accept bail here on Monday.
Mr Naidu and his comrades, who were arrested for undertaking a trip to the controversial Babli project, are likely to be shifted to Aurangabad. They had been confined in a local ITI centre for the last four days.
This is the first time in history that an Opposition leader and 70 odd MLAs of one state have been detained for four days in another state and sent to jail.
With the police not willing to disclose where the TD leaders were being taken, Mr Naidu and his colleagues held a dharna in protest saying they were being harassed. Mr Naidu, who fasted during the day, collapsed due to weakness after angrily getting down the police van in protest against police failure to disclose jail destination and for carrying them in a rickety van here late night.
“Is this the way you treat a former Chief Minister, MPs and MLAs? Where is the need to take us this night,” he fumed on police.
Meanwhile, the Maharastra Chief Minister, Mr Ashok Chavan, offered to hold a joint meeting with the state on the Babli project, if the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh desired.
He made the offer during a telephonic conversation with Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah on Monday.
Mr Naidu and his comrades, who were arrested for undertaking a trip to the controversial Babli project, are likely to be shifted to Aurangabad. They had been confined in a local ITI centre for the last four days.
This is the first time in history that an Opposition leader and 70 odd MLAs of one state have been detained for four days in another state and sent to jail.
With the police not willing to disclose where the TD leaders were being taken, Mr Naidu and his colleagues held a dharna in protest saying they were being harassed. Mr Naidu, who fasted during the day, collapsed due to weakness after angrily getting down the police van in protest against police failure to disclose jail destination and for carrying them in a rickety van here late night.
“Is this the way you treat a former Chief Minister, MPs and MLAs? Where is the need to take us this night,” he fumed on police.
Meanwhile, the Maharastra Chief Minister, Mr Ashok Chavan, offered to hold a joint meeting with the state on the Babli project, if the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh desired.
He made the offer during a telephonic conversation with Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah on Monday.
63 die in Bengal train smash
An express train rammed into the rear of a stationary train at 90 kmph at Sainthia station in West Bengal early on Monday morning, killing at least 63 people and injuring more than a hundred.
The accident comes soon after the Gyaneswari Express mishap where 148 people lost their lives following sabotage by Maoists.
In Monday’s accident at Sainthia station in Bir-bhum district, the Sealdah-bound Uttar Banga Exp-ress ploughed into the Vananchal Express (Bhagalpur-Ranchi). Two of the three coaches of the Vananchal Express that were hit in the collision were unreserved compartments while the third was the luggage cabin. The impact of the collision sent one compartment of the Vananchal Express flying onto the foot overbridge.
The Union railway minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, who rushed to the spot, expressed “doubt over the reason behind the accident”. “There are certain points that raise suspicion. But we will discuss that later. If anyone is found guilty, he will be severely punished. We do not have any means to compensate for the lives that are lost. But the railways will give compensation of Rs 5 lakhs to the families of the deceased persons. Seriously injured persons will get Rs 1 lakh while Rs 50,000 will be given for the treatment of the other injured persons on behalf of the railways. We will also give a job to one family member of each deceased
person,” Ms Banerjee announced after reaching the spot.
[The railway board chairman, Mr Vivek Sahai, who visited the accident site, told reporters that it was unusual on the part of the drivers not to have applied the emergency brake nor to have made any attempt to stop the train, PTI reports.
The accident comes soon after the Gyaneswari Express mishap where 148 people lost their lives following sabotage by Maoists.
In Monday’s accident at Sainthia station in Bir-bhum district, the Sealdah-bound Uttar Banga Exp-ress ploughed into the Vananchal Express (Bhagalpur-Ranchi). Two of the three coaches of the Vananchal Express that were hit in the collision were unreserved compartments while the third was the luggage cabin. The impact of the collision sent one compartment of the Vananchal Express flying onto the foot overbridge.
The Union railway minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, who rushed to the spot, expressed “doubt over the reason behind the accident”. “There are certain points that raise suspicion. But we will discuss that later. If anyone is found guilty, he will be severely punished. We do not have any means to compensate for the lives that are lost. But the railways will give compensation of Rs 5 lakhs to the families of the deceased persons. Seriously injured persons will get Rs 1 lakh while Rs 50,000 will be given for the treatment of the other injured persons on behalf of the railways. We will also give a job to one family member of each deceased
person,” Ms Banerjee announced after reaching the spot.
[The railway board chairman, Mr Vivek Sahai, who visited the accident site, told reporters that it was unusual on the part of the drivers not to have applied the emergency brake nor to have made any attempt to stop the train, PTI reports.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Suicide blasts kill 48 in Iraq
Twin suicide bombings killed 48 people on Sunday, including dozens from a government-backed, anti-Al Qaeda militia lining up to collect their paycheques near a military base southwest of Baghdad, Iraqi officials said.
The bombings were the deadliest in a series of attacks across Iraq on Sunday that were aimed at the “Sons of Iraq”, Sunni groups also known as “Awakening Councils” that work with government forces to fight Al Qaeda in Iraq.
The attacks highlighted the stiff challenges the country faces as the US scales back its forces in Iraq, leaving their Iraqi counterparts in charge of security. The first attack Sunday morning — the worst against Iraq’s security forces in months — killed at least 48 people and wounded more than 50. It occurred at a checkpoint near a military base where the Awakening Council members had lined up to collect their paycheques in the mostly Sunni district of Radwaniya southwest of Baghdad.
“There were more than 150 people sitting on the ground when the explosion took place. I ran, thinking that I was a dead man,” said Uday Khamis, 24, who was sitting outside the Mahmoudiyah hospital where many of the wounded were taken. His left hand was bandaged and his clothes were stained with blood.
“There were more dead than wounded,” he added. At least a dozen men, dressed in military-style uniforms were seen laying in pools of blood in front of a blast wall. There were conflicting reports as to how many of the dead were Iraqi soldiers and whether any of the civilian accountants handing out money were among them.
A military official at the base said the explosion was the work of one suicide bomber wearing an explosives vest. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media.
Some of the injured complained about what the lack of protection from the Iraqi military for the men lined up to receive their paycheques. Khamis said the men used to be searched but this time they were allowed to line up without any checks being conducted. Another man who was waiting at the hospital with his wounded nephew said this was the fifth day they had gone to the base to try and collect their paychecks.
“Every time they went to receive their salary, they told them to come the next day and they did that for four days and now in the fifth day this explosion took place,” said Hassan Ali. The area was immediately sealed off.
The bombings were the deadliest in a series of attacks across Iraq on Sunday that were aimed at the “Sons of Iraq”, Sunni groups also known as “Awakening Councils” that work with government forces to fight Al Qaeda in Iraq.
The attacks highlighted the stiff challenges the country faces as the US scales back its forces in Iraq, leaving their Iraqi counterparts in charge of security. The first attack Sunday morning — the worst against Iraq’s security forces in months — killed at least 48 people and wounded more than 50. It occurred at a checkpoint near a military base where the Awakening Council members had lined up to collect their paycheques in the mostly Sunni district of Radwaniya southwest of Baghdad.
“There were more than 150 people sitting on the ground when the explosion took place. I ran, thinking that I was a dead man,” said Uday Khamis, 24, who was sitting outside the Mahmoudiyah hospital where many of the wounded were taken. His left hand was bandaged and his clothes were stained with blood.
“There were more dead than wounded,” he added. At least a dozen men, dressed in military-style uniforms were seen laying in pools of blood in front of a blast wall. There were conflicting reports as to how many of the dead were Iraqi soldiers and whether any of the civilian accountants handing out money were among them.
A military official at the base said the explosion was the work of one suicide bomber wearing an explosives vest. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media.
Some of the injured complained about what the lack of protection from the Iraqi military for the men lined up to receive their paycheques. Khamis said the men used to be searched but this time they were allowed to line up without any checks being conducted. Another man who was waiting at the hospital with his wounded nephew said this was the fifth day they had gone to the base to try and collect their paychecks.
“Every time they went to receive their salary, they told them to come the next day and they did that for four days and now in the fifth day this explosion took place,” said Hassan Ali. The area was immediately sealed off.
Qureshi backtracks some more on SMK
After making critical comments on his talks with the external affairs minister, Mr S.M. Krishna, the Pakistan foreign minister, Mr Shah Mahmood Qureshi, on Sunday said he never stated that his Indian counterpart was on the phone with New Delhi during their parleys on Thursday.
“I had never said that the Indian external minister repeatedly went out during meetings to receive instructions from Delhi,” Mr Qureshi told reporters at the foreign office last night after addressing a joint news conference with the visiting British minister, Sayeeda Warsi.
He said that whenever he and Mr Krishna agreed on any issue during their talks on Thursday, a member of the Indian delegation would leave the room to confer with New Delhi and seek instructions.
The Indian delegate, who left the room, would then return and convey a message to Krishna, he said. He however, added that Mr Krishna visited Pakistan with limited powers. To another question, Mr Qureshi said he cannot visit Delhi unless assured of “meaningful” talks.
“I will undertake a visit to India only if I am assured that the neighbouring country (India) has the intention to hold a meaningful and result-oriented dialogue, otherwise I am not really fond of taking a tourist trip,” he said.
“I had never said that the Indian external minister repeatedly went out during meetings to receive instructions from Delhi,” Mr Qureshi told reporters at the foreign office last night after addressing a joint news conference with the visiting British minister, Sayeeda Warsi.
He said that whenever he and Mr Krishna agreed on any issue during their talks on Thursday, a member of the Indian delegation would leave the room to confer with New Delhi and seek instructions.
The Indian delegate, who left the room, would then return and convey a message to Krishna, he said. He however, added that Mr Krishna visited Pakistan with limited powers. To another question, Mr Qureshi said he cannot visit Delhi unless assured of “meaningful” talks.
“I will undertake a visit to India only if I am assured that the neighbouring country (India) has the intention to hold a meaningful and result-oriented dialogue, otherwise I am not really fond of taking a tourist trip,” he said.
50 feared dead, several injured as two trains collide in West Bengal
At least 50 persons are feared death and several others injured when Sealdah-bound Uttarbanga Express from New Coochbehar rammed into the rear of the Bhagalpur-Ranchi Vananchal Express at Sainthia station in Birbhum district early on Monday. 15 bodied have been recovered while a senior official said, on the condition of anonymity, that at least 50 people could have died. Heavy casualty was feared as three coaches, two unreserved and a luggage (SLR) van, of Ranchi-bound Vananchal Express turned into a mangled heap of steel due to the impact.
Sources in Suri hospital said that 15 bodies were brought to the hospital. Some injured were also taken to Sainthia hospital, but the number of dead brought there was not yet known.
Injured passengers were being taken to hospitals in Sainthia, and Suri, the district headquarter town.
The diesel engine of Uttarbanga Express was badly smashed. Eastern Railway sources in Kolkata have confirmed that the driver of the Uttarbanga Express, M.C. Dey, had died but there were no reports about the fate of assistant driver N.K. Mandal. The guard of the Vananchal Express, A. Mukherjee, had also died in the accident.
The severity of the impact could be gauged with the fact that the roof of one of the coaches of the ill-fated train mounted the footover bridge across the platform.
According to sources, the accident occurred at 1.54 am when 3148 down New Coochbehar-Sealdah Uttarbanga Express rammed into 3404 down Bhagalpur-Ranchi Vananchal Express after overshooting the signal. Vananchal was several hours behind the scheduled time of 20.54 pm and was leaving platform no 4 at the time of accident.
The scheduled arrival and departure of Uttarbanga Express at Sainthia was 1.38 am and 1.39 am. It was not clear why the train, which was to halt at the station, arrived on a high speed.
The sources said the up line was clear and no train on that route has yet been cancelled.
Eastern Railway has opened control rooms following the accident. The stations and their phone numbers are Sealdah (033-23503535, 033-23503537), Malda (06436-222061), Bhagalpur (06412-4222433), Jamalpur (063444-3101) Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, Chairman of Railway Board Vivek Sahay, Railway Board Member (Electrical) Sudesh Kumar and Director General of Railway Health Service B.K. Ramteke, Eastern Railway General Manager V.N. Tripathy and other senior officials have left for Sainthia.
Relief trains from Rampurhat, Asansol and Burdwan have left for the accident spot, about 191 km from Kolkata.
Babu to fast for Babli
The Telugu Desam president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, along with party MLAs and MPs who are in custody of the Maharashtra police at the ITI Centre, will observe a day’s hunger strike on Monday in solidarity with the party’s bandh.
The TD had called for a bandh following the arrest of the party chief and other party MPs, MLAs and MLCs by the Maharashtra police to prevent them from going to Babli to protest against the controversial Babli project. The TD has termed the arrest as illegal.
Mr Naidu is also planning to write an open letter to all the people and political parties of Andhra Pradesh seeking their support in the fight against Babli and other illegal projects of the Maharashtra government.
The Maharashtra government is in a dilemma about what to do with the TD leaders who are in custody as Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu and the other legislators have also decided not to apply for bail on Monday.
After spending two days in judicial custody, Mr Naidu and his team would have been set free if they applied for bail before the local magistrate on Monday. If they do not, they will be sent to remand and shifted to jails.
The Maharashtra government now can either set the TD legislators free by dropping all cases or send them to jail, which will only make matters worse and trigger protests in Andhra Pradesh and further worsen the inter-state dispute. The TD strategy is to take the issue to a logical conclusion. They plan to seek permission to visit the Babli project again and also want the Maharashtra government to withdraw the cases on its own with an “apology.”
“We have done no wrong. We were taken into custody by the Maharashtra Police in our territory. They deceived us with a promise to take us to the Babli irrigation project site. The ball is in their court. We will not seek bail come what may,” said Mr Naidu.
The TD had called for a bandh following the arrest of the party chief and other party MPs, MLAs and MLCs by the Maharashtra police to prevent them from going to Babli to protest against the controversial Babli project. The TD has termed the arrest as illegal.
Mr Naidu is also planning to write an open letter to all the people and political parties of Andhra Pradesh seeking their support in the fight against Babli and other illegal projects of the Maharashtra government.
The Maharashtra government is in a dilemma about what to do with the TD leaders who are in custody as Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu and the other legislators have also decided not to apply for bail on Monday.
After spending two days in judicial custody, Mr Naidu and his team would have been set free if they applied for bail before the local magistrate on Monday. If they do not, they will be sent to remand and shifted to jails.
The Maharashtra government now can either set the TD legislators free by dropping all cases or send them to jail, which will only make matters worse and trigger protests in Andhra Pradesh and further worsen the inter-state dispute. The TD strategy is to take the issue to a logical conclusion. They plan to seek permission to visit the Babli project again and also want the Maharashtra government to withdraw the cases on its own with an “apology.”
“We have done no wrong. We were taken into custody by the Maharashtra Police in our territory. They deceived us with a promise to take us to the Babli irrigation project site. The ball is in their court. We will not seek bail come what may,” said Mr Naidu.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Drunk CRPF trooper kills 6 colleagues in Jharkhand
A drunk Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) constable gunned down six of his colleagues, including an assistant commandant, in a security camp in Jharkhand's Saraikela district late on Friday night. He was later shot dead, police said on Saturday.
Constable Harpinder Singh started firing indiscriminately from his automatic rifle around 10.30 pm on Friday and killed six CRPF men, including Assistant Commandant Bishau Singh, in the Kuchai camp in Saraikela, around 160 km from here.
Singh was gunned down around 2 am by the CRPF men, Jharkhand Director General of Police (DGP) Neyaz Ahmad told IANS.
In the firing, one sub-inspector was also injured. He has been admitted to a hospital in Jamshedpur.
According to police, the 196 battalion of the CRPF camp was stationed in the Kuchai block of Seraikela, one of the worst Maoist-hit areas of the state.
What provoked Singh to open fire is not known. A probe has been ordered and a First Information Report (FIR) filed.
Shutdown in Maha town against TD agitation, Naidu may be released
A shutdown was observed on Saturday in Dharmabad town in Maharashtra's Nanded district to protest the agitation led by Telugu Desam Party chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, against construction of the Babli Dam, which Andhra Pradesh fears will affect its water supply, an official said.
Mr Naidu and his supporters, who were arrested Friday, are likely to be released and escorted to the Maharashtra-Karnataka border on Saturday.
Naidu and his 75 supporters, including over three dozen legislators and parliamentarians were arrested after they violated prohibitory orders and entered the state to protest against the Babli Dam work on Godavari river in the district. They said that Maharashtra was grabbing more than its share of water.
They spent the night in the government technical college.
The official described the situation in Dharmabad as "peaceful and under control", with no report of any untoward incident.
The small Babli Dam has been a bone of contention between the two states since five years when its construction began near Babli village on river Godavari.
With a capacity of 2.75 thousand million cubic feet, there was an agitation in 2007 by some Andhra Pradesh politicians against the dam.
Andhra Pradesh believes that the construction of Babli Dam would cut off water supply to the Pochampad Dam in Telangana region of the state, adding to the woes of the farmers and creating serious water problems.
Mr Naidu and his supporters, who were arrested Friday, are likely to be released and escorted to the Maharashtra-Karnataka border on Saturday.
Naidu and his 75 supporters, including over three dozen legislators and parliamentarians were arrested after they violated prohibitory orders and entered the state to protest against the Babli Dam work on Godavari river in the district. They said that Maharashtra was grabbing more than its share of water.
They spent the night in the government technical college.
The official described the situation in Dharmabad as "peaceful and under control", with no report of any untoward incident.
The small Babli Dam has been a bone of contention between the two states since five years when its construction began near Babli village on river Godavari.
With a capacity of 2.75 thousand million cubic feet, there was an agitation in 2007 by some Andhra Pradesh politicians against the dam.
Andhra Pradesh believes that the construction of Babli Dam would cut off water supply to the Pochampad Dam in Telangana region of the state, adding to the woes of the farmers and creating serious water problems.
India-Pakistan talks have not collapsed: Nirupama Rao
Amid the caustic exchanges between India and Pakistan a day after their foreign ministers met, the foreign secretary, Ms Nirupama Rao, on Friday stressed that the India-Pakistan talks had not "collapsed" and the dialogue process between them "must go on".
Rao told a news channel that Pakistan foreign minister, Mr Shah Mahmood Qureshi's critical remarks about the external affairs minister, Mr S.M. Krishna, had come as "a real surprise" for India.
"The comments (by Qureshi) came as a surprise, there was no real reason for the comments," the foreign secretary said.
Mr Qureshi at a press conference in Islamabad took potshots at Mr Krishna and launched a broadside against India's what he called "selective focus on terror". He even said the "Indian foreign minister received foreign policy directions from New Delhi repeatedly during our meeting".
Rao also said that the "dialogue process must go on," adding "Friday's meeting has not ended in collapse", referring to Thursday's marathon talks between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan.
Asked how she maintained that the talks had not collapsed, Ms Rao said that both sides had held talks, but did not make any announcements. "We did talk but did not announce anything."
Asked if there had been expectations from the talks, she said: "There were some expectations, and we have a clear set of doables. Pakistan came to the talks with slightly different expectations. They wanted the entire spectrum discussed. We are not against resumption of dialogue, it has to start in a graduated way."
Ms Rao said India was very clear on "how the process should go forward". "It is for Pakistan to introspect", adding "we need to be dispassionate".
Rao told a news channel that Pakistan foreign minister, Mr Shah Mahmood Qureshi's critical remarks about the external affairs minister, Mr S.M. Krishna, had come as "a real surprise" for India.
"The comments (by Qureshi) came as a surprise, there was no real reason for the comments," the foreign secretary said.
Mr Qureshi at a press conference in Islamabad took potshots at Mr Krishna and launched a broadside against India's what he called "selective focus on terror". He even said the "Indian foreign minister received foreign policy directions from New Delhi repeatedly during our meeting".
Rao also said that the "dialogue process must go on," adding "Friday's meeting has not ended in collapse", referring to Thursday's marathon talks between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan.
Asked how she maintained that the talks had not collapsed, Ms Rao said that both sides had held talks, but did not make any announcements. "We did talk but did not announce anything."
Asked if there had been expectations from the talks, she said: "There were some expectations, and we have a clear set of doables. Pakistan came to the talks with slightly different expectations. They wanted the entire spectrum discussed. We are not against resumption of dialogue, it has to start in a graduated way."
Ms Rao said India was very clear on "how the process should go forward". "It is for Pakistan to introspect", adding "we need to be dispassionate".
Friday, July 16, 2010
Osmania to begin e-classes
The Osmania University will start its first e-classroom in the new Central Facilities building from this academic year. All workshops, seminars, conferences and demonstrations held in this e-classroom will be web cast on the university website live via the cameras that have been installed in the classroom.
For now, only students within the university campus can view the workshops and seminars through intranet, but the university is working on a “learning management system” that will enable students from other colleges also to watch the e-classes.
“The new e-classroom has cameras recording the classes and they will be web cast across the university. Due to inadequate bandwidth, we are not able to offer this to colleges outside the university. But in the next phase, we will ensure that everyone gets access to the videos on computer,” said Prof S.L. Goud, the director, Central Facilities building.
The date and timing of the lectures and workshops will be put up on the university website. The newly constructed Central Facilities building which houses the e-classroom is waiting to be inaugurated by some VIP. Built at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore, it also has sophisticated research equipment worth Rs 7 crore for all the science and social sciences departments.
For now, only students within the university campus can view the workshops and seminars through intranet, but the university is working on a “learning management system” that will enable students from other colleges also to watch the e-classes.
“The new e-classroom has cameras recording the classes and they will be web cast across the university. Due to inadequate bandwidth, we are not able to offer this to colleges outside the university. But in the next phase, we will ensure that everyone gets access to the videos on computer,” said Prof S.L. Goud, the director, Central Facilities building.
The date and timing of the lectures and workshops will be put up on the university website. The newly constructed Central Facilities building which houses the e-classroom is waiting to be inaugurated by some VIP. Built at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore, it also has sophisticated research equipment worth Rs 7 crore for all the science and social sciences departments.
Viqar confesses killing cop in Ahmedabad
Syed Viqaruddin Ahmed alias Viqar, a terror suspect arrested on Wednesday, confessed to have killed a police constable in Ahmedabad when he tried to stop Viqar’s gang from committing a robbery at a bank. He also told the police that following the Gujarat riots in 2002, he planned to take revenge against the Gujarat ministers by eliminating them.
“For this he had purchased a piece of land for Rs 5 lakh at Romalgar Village in Ahmedabad and constructed a house with an intention to carry out the activities of his outfit, the Tahreek Galba-e-Islam,” said a source. Viqar and five of his associates were produced before a magistrate at his residence at Red Hills in Nampally here on Thursday and were remanded to 14 days. Later they were sent to Cherlapally jail. Viqar’s role in the theft in five E-seva centers also became clear during the interrogation. The thefts were meant to fund terror activities.
He stole Rs 14 lakh from the E-seva centres in Chaitanyapuri, Old Malkapet, Santhoshnagar, Chikkadpally and Banjara Hills. Viqar and Suleman alias Amjad were directly involved in these thefts. They were supported by one Omar, who is still absconding. Another person who aided Viqar is also at large.
“For this he had purchased a piece of land for Rs 5 lakh at Romalgar Village in Ahmedabad and constructed a house with an intention to carry out the activities of his outfit, the Tahreek Galba-e-Islam,” said a source. Viqar and five of his associates were produced before a magistrate at his residence at Red Hills in Nampally here on Thursday and were remanded to 14 days. Later they were sent to Cherlapally jail. Viqar’s role in the theft in five E-seva centers also became clear during the interrogation. The thefts were meant to fund terror activities.
He stole Rs 14 lakh from the E-seva centres in Chaitanyapuri, Old Malkapet, Santhoshnagar, Chikkadpally and Banjara Hills. Viqar and Suleman alias Amjad were directly involved in these thefts. They were supported by one Omar, who is still absconding. Another person who aided Viqar is also at large.
TD to go to Babli despite Maha block
The Telugu Desam chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, is going ahead with his Babli yatra on Friday despite the Maharashtra government not giving him permission to visit the site of the controversial dam.
Mr Naidu is journeying to the project site at the border of Adilabad with Maharashtra to protest the neighbouring state’s decision to install gates in violation of the Supreme Court direction. Anticipating trouble, the Maharashtra government has declared high alert across the border and the state police has set up check posts at Karlapata on Nizamabad-Biloli route, Kandakurthy on Renjal-Dharmabad route and near Biderelli on Basar-Dharmabad route.
In 2007, when a Telugu Desam delegation led by Dr Nagam Janardhan Reddy tried to force their way to project site they were caned by the Maharashtra police.
For Mr Naidu, the march is also an attempt to forge unity in the party after the Telangana—Seema Andhra tussle. For the first time in months, Telugu Desam MLAs are joining hands for a cause.
Mr Naidu is journeying to the project site at the border of Adilabad with Maharashtra to protest the neighbouring state’s decision to install gates in violation of the Supreme Court direction. Anticipating trouble, the Maharashtra government has declared high alert across the border and the state police has set up check posts at Karlapata on Nizamabad-Biloli route, Kandakurthy on Renjal-Dharmabad route and near Biderelli on Basar-Dharmabad route.
In 2007, when a Telugu Desam delegation led by Dr Nagam Janardhan Reddy tried to force their way to project site they were caned by the Maharashtra police.
For Mr Naidu, the march is also an attempt to forge unity in the party after the Telangana—Seema Andhra tussle. For the first time in months, Telugu Desam MLAs are joining hands for a cause.
Centre withholds nod to Sompeta plant
The National Environmental Appellate Authority on Thursday quashed the environmental clearance granted to the Nagarjuna Construction Company Ltd by the ministry of environment and forests to set up a thermal power plant at Sompeta village in Srikakulam district.
The decision comes as major relief to the people in Sompeta, where four people lost their lives in police firing while protesting against the power project on Wednesday.
Mr T. Mohan Rao, an advocate from the area, had filed an appeal before the NEAA challenging the action of the Centre in granting environmental clearance to the project.
The Centre had earlier cleared the NCC thermal plant along with three other plants that are to be set up in an area of 10,000 acres to generate 10,000 MW of power.
The NEAA faulted the Centre and said that the environmental clearance accorded by the ministry to the project was based on wrong information and was thus liable to be quashed.
“It is relevant to mention here that the...authority has no doubt that the area is a typical wetland of great ecological significance,” said NEAA, and added that it should not be used to set up a power plant. Meanwhile, the state Assembly saw unruly scenes on Thursday when the Sompeta firing incident was being discussed. The Telugu Desam members beat up marshals, tore up papers, broke microphones and refused to leave the House when suspended.
The decision comes as major relief to the people in Sompeta, where four people lost their lives in police firing while protesting against the power project on Wednesday.
Mr T. Mohan Rao, an advocate from the area, had filed an appeal before the NEAA challenging the action of the Centre in granting environmental clearance to the project.
The Centre had earlier cleared the NCC thermal plant along with three other plants that are to be set up in an area of 10,000 acres to generate 10,000 MW of power.
The NEAA faulted the Centre and said that the environmental clearance accorded by the ministry to the project was based on wrong information and was thus liable to be quashed.
“It is relevant to mention here that the...authority has no doubt that the area is a typical wetland of great ecological significance,” said NEAA, and added that it should not be used to set up a power plant. Meanwhile, the state Assembly saw unruly scenes on Thursday when the Sompeta firing incident was being discussed. The Telugu Desam members beat up marshals, tore up papers, broke microphones and refused to leave the House when suspended.
Talks end in war of words as Pak promises to act on Headley leads
History repeated itself on Thursday, only this time the protagonists were different.
Five months after the Pakistan foreign secretary, Mr Salman Bashir's press conference in New Delhi degenerated into rhetoric, the Pakistan foreign minister, Mr Shah Mahmood Qureshi's joint media interaction with the external affairs minister, Mr S.M. Krishna in Islamabad on Thursday was reduced to a slanging match, aided in part by a restive Pakistani media which raised the issues of India's alleged attempts to destabilise Balochistan and human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.
The proceedings would have drawn to a conclusion after Mr Qureshi took what was to be the last question from the media.
In response to the question about Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed spewing vitriol against India, Mr Qureshi said he agreed that hate speeches must not be allowed to vitiate the atmosphere.
In the same breath, he dismissed the Indian home secretary, Mr G.K. Pillai's remarks accusing Pakistan's intelligence agency, the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), of controlling and coordinating the Mumbai attacks, as "uncalled for".
He had barely rounded off his response by saying that India and Pakistan should "refrain from negative propaganda" when members of the Pakistani media urged him to take more questions.
The minister promptly agreed and then followed a flurry of questions from a section of the Pakistani media about Jammu and Kashmir and Balochistan.
Responding to the questions, Mr Krishna firmly but politely let his audience know that the recent developments in Jammu and Kashmir were an internal matter of India and that there is an elected government in the state led by a legitimate Chief Minister who is empowered to look after the safety and security of people.
He reassured his hosts that there were any number of institutional networks and non-government organisations (NGOs) in the state and at the Centre to maintain law and order.
He explained to them that maintenance of law and order under the Indian Constitution was the exclusive prerogative of the state government and if it felt it was unable to maintan law and order, then it could always turn to New Delhi for support.
He asserted that the state government and the appropriate agencies were empowered to deal with any rights violations and they will be taken up if brought to notice of the human rights commission.
Mr Qureshi, in turn, said he had raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and the recent developments there with Mr Krishna after three Kashmir-based organisations wrote to him asking him to take it up with the Indian delegation.
He maintained that the imposition of curfew, the loss of life, and the deployment of Indian armed forces in the state were of concern to "everyone".
Mr Krishna interjected to assert that infiltration from across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir had increased by 40 per cent between 2008 and 2009.
To which Mr Qureshi responded by saying that infiltration is not the policy of Pakistan or any of its intelligence agencies. He qualified it by saying that there could be some "individuals" who might have crossed over but India was free to deal with them "firmly".
He went on to say that he had suggested to the Indian side that the directors-general of military operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan could meet every week and also hold border flag meetings.
The issue of Balochistan reared its ugly head again, exactly a year after it figured in the joint statement issued after the talks between the Prime Ministers, Dr Manmohan Singh and Mr Yusuf Raza Gilani, at the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm-el-Shaikh.
Respoinding to a question, Mr Qureshi said he had raised the issue of the attempts to destabilise Balochistan in his talks with Mr Krishna. He hastened to add that the Indian side had reassured him that it had no interest in destabilising the Pakistani province.
Mr Krishna intervened again, recalling that Pakistan had not shared even a shred of evidence, with India, in the year gone by.
Overshadowed by the avoidable exchange of words was Mr Qureshi's remarks made in his opening statement that Pakistan would "very seriously" take steps on the leads provided by India about the Mumbai attacks, particuarly in the wake of additional information that had been gleaned from the interrogation of David Coleman Headley.
Mr Qureshi said that the Pakistan government can be expected to take steps to hasten the trial of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and six others who are being tried in a Pakistani court on charges of planning and facilitating the Mumbai attacks.
The court has asked the Pakistan government to respond to Lakhvi's bail plea by Saturday when the matter will come up for hearing again.
He said that Pakistan had agreed to reach an amicable settlement of the Sir Creek issue and it had asked the Indian side to furnish its proposal, conveyed orally, in writing to the Pakistan government.
Of particular interest for India was Mr Qureshi's remark that Pakistan recognised the progress made in previous rounds of bilateral dialogues and that both sides were keen on picking up the threads of the stalled dialogue from where it was left off.
However, Mr Qureshi asserted that it would be difficult to take the dialogue process forward without resolution of outstanding issues which are of "core importance" to Pakistan.
"[We] need to look at the larger picture and all issues have to be dealt in tandem," he said, adding that India should understand Pakistan's point of view just as Pakistan respected India's positions.
He declared that he had accepted an invitation from Mr Krishna to visit India in thenear future, possibly by the end of the year.
In the marathon talks that continued through late afternoon, both sides discussed a range of issues such as economic cooperation, Siachen, people-to-people contacts, cross-LoC trade and travel, and exchange of prisoners and fishermen.
"We have made progress on Kashmir-related CBMs," Mr Qureshi exclaimed, to which Mr Krishna responded by saying that the biggest CBM (confidence building measure) that could be taken by Pakistan would be to go after the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks and bring them to justice, and to unravel the full conspiracy behind it.
"I am going back with the hope there will be further action based on the leads [India provided based on the interrogation of Headley]," Mr Krishna added.
Five months after the Pakistan foreign secretary, Mr Salman Bashir's press conference in New Delhi degenerated into rhetoric, the Pakistan foreign minister, Mr Shah Mahmood Qureshi's joint media interaction with the external affairs minister, Mr S.M. Krishna in Islamabad on Thursday was reduced to a slanging match, aided in part by a restive Pakistani media which raised the issues of India's alleged attempts to destabilise Balochistan and human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.
The proceedings would have drawn to a conclusion after Mr Qureshi took what was to be the last question from the media.
In response to the question about Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed spewing vitriol against India, Mr Qureshi said he agreed that hate speeches must not be allowed to vitiate the atmosphere.
In the same breath, he dismissed the Indian home secretary, Mr G.K. Pillai's remarks accusing Pakistan's intelligence agency, the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), of controlling and coordinating the Mumbai attacks, as "uncalled for".
He had barely rounded off his response by saying that India and Pakistan should "refrain from negative propaganda" when members of the Pakistani media urged him to take more questions.
The minister promptly agreed and then followed a flurry of questions from a section of the Pakistani media about Jammu and Kashmir and Balochistan.
Responding to the questions, Mr Krishna firmly but politely let his audience know that the recent developments in Jammu and Kashmir were an internal matter of India and that there is an elected government in the state led by a legitimate Chief Minister who is empowered to look after the safety and security of people.
He reassured his hosts that there were any number of institutional networks and non-government organisations (NGOs) in the state and at the Centre to maintain law and order.
He explained to them that maintenance of law and order under the Indian Constitution was the exclusive prerogative of the state government and if it felt it was unable to maintan law and order, then it could always turn to New Delhi for support.
He asserted that the state government and the appropriate agencies were empowered to deal with any rights violations and they will be taken up if brought to notice of the human rights commission.
Mr Qureshi, in turn, said he had raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and the recent developments there with Mr Krishna after three Kashmir-based organisations wrote to him asking him to take it up with the Indian delegation.
He maintained that the imposition of curfew, the loss of life, and the deployment of Indian armed forces in the state were of concern to "everyone".
Mr Krishna interjected to assert that infiltration from across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir had increased by 40 per cent between 2008 and 2009.
To which Mr Qureshi responded by saying that infiltration is not the policy of Pakistan or any of its intelligence agencies. He qualified it by saying that there could be some "individuals" who might have crossed over but India was free to deal with them "firmly".
He went on to say that he had suggested to the Indian side that the directors-general of military operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan could meet every week and also hold border flag meetings.
The issue of Balochistan reared its ugly head again, exactly a year after it figured in the joint statement issued after the talks between the Prime Ministers, Dr Manmohan Singh and Mr Yusuf Raza Gilani, at the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm-el-Shaikh.
Respoinding to a question, Mr Qureshi said he had raised the issue of the attempts to destabilise Balochistan in his talks with Mr Krishna. He hastened to add that the Indian side had reassured him that it had no interest in destabilising the Pakistani province.
Mr Krishna intervened again, recalling that Pakistan had not shared even a shred of evidence, with India, in the year gone by.
Overshadowed by the avoidable exchange of words was Mr Qureshi's remarks made in his opening statement that Pakistan would "very seriously" take steps on the leads provided by India about the Mumbai attacks, particuarly in the wake of additional information that had been gleaned from the interrogation of David Coleman Headley.
Mr Qureshi said that the Pakistan government can be expected to take steps to hasten the trial of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and six others who are being tried in a Pakistani court on charges of planning and facilitating the Mumbai attacks.
The court has asked the Pakistan government to respond to Lakhvi's bail plea by Saturday when the matter will come up for hearing again.
He said that Pakistan had agreed to reach an amicable settlement of the Sir Creek issue and it had asked the Indian side to furnish its proposal, conveyed orally, in writing to the Pakistan government.
Of particular interest for India was Mr Qureshi's remark that Pakistan recognised the progress made in previous rounds of bilateral dialogues and that both sides were keen on picking up the threads of the stalled dialogue from where it was left off.
However, Mr Qureshi asserted that it would be difficult to take the dialogue process forward without resolution of outstanding issues which are of "core importance" to Pakistan.
"[We] need to look at the larger picture and all issues have to be dealt in tandem," he said, adding that India should understand Pakistan's point of view just as Pakistan respected India's positions.
He declared that he had accepted an invitation from Mr Krishna to visit India in thenear future, possibly by the end of the year.
In the marathon talks that continued through late afternoon, both sides discussed a range of issues such as economic cooperation, Siachen, people-to-people contacts, cross-LoC trade and travel, and exchange of prisoners and fishermen.
"We have made progress on Kashmir-related CBMs," Mr Qureshi exclaimed, to which Mr Krishna responded by saying that the biggest CBM (confidence building measure) that could be taken by Pakistan would be to go after the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks and bring them to justice, and to unravel the full conspiracy behind it.
"I am going back with the hope there will be further action based on the leads [India provided based on the interrogation of Headley]," Mr Krishna added.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Cop killer Viqar held
In a major breakthrough, the city police on Wednesday arrested Syed Viqaruddin Ahmed alias Viqar, a terror suspect who is wanted for shooting to death a constable and a home guard on the anniversaries of the Mecca Masjid blast.Viqar had also injured several policemen in a series of shooting incidents and is suspected to have links with terrorist groups in Pakistan.
Police recovered three short barrel guns, four pistols, 35 live rounds, one dagger and a couple of motorcycles from his possession and also arrested his accomplices, Syed Amjad alias Suleman, Zakir, Dr Haneef, Riaz and Sayeed.
Counter Intelligence Cell officials traced Viqar after picking up Mohammad Hafeez, a doctor from Kaladhar Nagar in Muhseerabad, on Sunday. During interrogation, he reportedly confessed to have given shelter to Viqar following which the police arrested him. Viqar was staying at Hafeez’s house secretly.
Viqar, a native of Old Malakpet, came under the scanner after police learnt that he agreed to provide logistic support to the proposed terrorist camp organised by the SIMI at Ananthagiri Hills in Vikarabad.
“Following the Mecca Masjid blasts on May 18, 2007 and subsequent killing of five protestors in police firing, Viqar vowed to take vengeance on the police,” said the city police commissioner, Mr A.K. Khan.
For this, he got separated from DJS and set up a self styled outfit, Tahreek Galba-e-Islam (TGI), and shot down one cop each in the last two anniversaries.
Two Counter Intelligence policemen were injured when they tried to arrest Viqar on December 3, 2008, at Santhoshnagar after two persons accompanying him opened fire at them. Head constable Ram Raju was seriously injured.
On the second anniversary of the blast (May 18, 2009), Viqar along with his accomplice Amjad fired at a police picket in Falaknuma, killing a home guard, Mr K. Balaswamy, and injuring a constable, Mr T. Rajendra.
On May 18 this year Viqar opened fire on a police picket deployed at Volga hotel in Shahali Banda. Mr Ramesh, a constable of Andhra Pradesh Special Police (APSP), died while two others injured in the incident.
“They also killed a police constable in Ahmedabad when he tried to stop them from committing robbery at a bank,” said Mr Khan. “We are reconstructing the events to collect strong evidence. We will conduct an identification parade and are also analysing the spent cartridges and the seized ammunition.”
Police recovered three short barrel guns, four pistols, 35 live rounds, one dagger and a couple of motorcycles from his possession and also arrested his accomplices, Syed Amjad alias Suleman, Zakir, Dr Haneef, Riaz and Sayeed.
Counter Intelligence Cell officials traced Viqar after picking up Mohammad Hafeez, a doctor from Kaladhar Nagar in Muhseerabad, on Sunday. During interrogation, he reportedly confessed to have given shelter to Viqar following which the police arrested him. Viqar was staying at Hafeez’s house secretly.
Viqar, a native of Old Malakpet, came under the scanner after police learnt that he agreed to provide logistic support to the proposed terrorist camp organised by the SIMI at Ananthagiri Hills in Vikarabad.
“Following the Mecca Masjid blasts on May 18, 2007 and subsequent killing of five protestors in police firing, Viqar vowed to take vengeance on the police,” said the city police commissioner, Mr A.K. Khan.
For this, he got separated from DJS and set up a self styled outfit, Tahreek Galba-e-Islam (TGI), and shot down one cop each in the last two anniversaries.
Two Counter Intelligence policemen were injured when they tried to arrest Viqar on December 3, 2008, at Santhoshnagar after two persons accompanying him opened fire at them. Head constable Ram Raju was seriously injured.
On the second anniversary of the blast (May 18, 2009), Viqar along with his accomplice Amjad fired at a police picket in Falaknuma, killing a home guard, Mr K. Balaswamy, and injuring a constable, Mr T. Rajendra.
On May 18 this year Viqar opened fire on a police picket deployed at Volga hotel in Shahali Banda. Mr Ramesh, a constable of Andhra Pradesh Special Police (APSP), died while two others injured in the incident.
“They also killed a police constable in Ahmedabad when he tried to stop them from committing robbery at a bank,” said Mr Khan. “We are reconstructing the events to collect strong evidence. We will conduct an identification parade and are also analysing the spent cartridges and the seized ammunition.”
Naidu yatra to Babli on July 16
The Telugu Desam president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, has decided to undertake a bus yatra with party MLAs, MPs and other elected representatives to the Babli irrigation project in Maharashtra bordering Adilabad district.
Mr Naidu’s visit to the project site on July 16 has two purposes: one, to make it a national issue and second, to indirectly campaign for the bypolls in the Telangana region.
The TD has been grilling the state government for its failure to stop illegal construction of the Babli project by Maharashtra and 13 other smaller irrigation schemes across the river Godavari. Maharashtra recently called for tenders for four more irrigation schemes.
On Wednesday, the TD MLA, Mr E. Dayakar Rao, Ms Seethakka and six others sat on dharna in front of the Gandhi statue on the Assembly premises to protest the government’s failure to allow a discussion on the Babli issue.
Also on Wednesday, Mr Naidu sought “cleansing” of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam Board and appointment of persons having faith in the Lord, integrity and honesty as members. He said only honest, pious people should be appointed on the TTD Board.
Mr Naidu’s visit to the project site on July 16 has two purposes: one, to make it a national issue and second, to indirectly campaign for the bypolls in the Telangana region.
The TD has been grilling the state government for its failure to stop illegal construction of the Babli project by Maharashtra and 13 other smaller irrigation schemes across the river Godavari. Maharashtra recently called for tenders for four more irrigation schemes.
On Wednesday, the TD MLA, Mr E. Dayakar Rao, Ms Seethakka and six others sat on dharna in front of the Gandhi statue on the Assembly premises to protest the government’s failure to allow a discussion on the Babli issue.
Also on Wednesday, Mr Naidu sought “cleansing” of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam Board and appointment of persons having faith in the Lord, integrity and honesty as members. He said only honest, pious people should be appointed on the TTD Board.
L&T bags Metro Rail for Rs 12,132cr
Engineering and construction major Larsen and Toubro has bagged the Rs 12,132-crore Hyderabad Metro Rail project by seeking the lowest viability gap fund from the state.
This is double relief for the government since the jinxed project is finally taking off and that too without additional financial burden on the state coffers.
The Centre had agreed to provide a VGF of Rs 2,362 crore for the project and it was felt that the state may have to provide additional VGF of Rs 1,491 crore.
The L&T, however, sought a VGF of Rs 1,458 crore and outwitted the two rivals, the Anil Dirubhai Ambani Group and a consortium of Russian and Chinese companies, in the financial bid which was held on Wednesday.
The Transstroy-OJSC (Russia), CR 18 (China), BEML Consortium sought a VGF of Rs 2,200 crore and ADAG sought Rs 2,991 crore. Further, L&T also agreed to give revenue share to the state from 21st year of operations starting from 0.5 per cent.
The project will be implemented under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer mode and the concession period for L&T is 35 years which can be extended by another 25 years.
VGF is a one-time grant from the Centre and reduces the financial burden of the project to some extent. Unlike in the past where the operator was selected on the basis of the revenue share that will be given to the government, this time the bids were decided on the amount of grant it sought from the state.
The HMRL will give Letter of Appointment to L&T in a month after obtaining the formal approval from the state Cabinet. State officials are hopeful that the company would achieve financial closure by December and launch the project in January 2011.
“As L&T quoted an amount which is less than the VGF to be provided by the Centre, the state need not give it grant,: a senior official pointed out.
The much-talked-about Hyderabad Metro Rail got delayed after the state cancelled the agreement with scam hit Maytas which had promised to give Rs 30,000 crore to the government during the concession period. HMR had to postpone the fresh bids several times and the Telangana movement also cast a shadow on the project.
“We are greatly relieved because the new concessionaire is a strong player and has reputation of completing projects in time,” a state official said.
While six companies or consortia were short-listed, two of them, GMR and GVK, did not submit financial bids and Soma-led consortium sought extension of time to submit the financial bids leaving the field to L&T, ADAG and Transstroy consortium.
This is double relief for the government since the jinxed project is finally taking off and that too without additional financial burden on the state coffers.
The Centre had agreed to provide a VGF of Rs 2,362 crore for the project and it was felt that the state may have to provide additional VGF of Rs 1,491 crore.
The L&T, however, sought a VGF of Rs 1,458 crore and outwitted the two rivals, the Anil Dirubhai Ambani Group and a consortium of Russian and Chinese companies, in the financial bid which was held on Wednesday.
The Transstroy-OJSC (Russia), CR 18 (China), BEML Consortium sought a VGF of Rs 2,200 crore and ADAG sought Rs 2,991 crore. Further, L&T also agreed to give revenue share to the state from 21st year of operations starting from 0.5 per cent.
The project will be implemented under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer mode and the concession period for L&T is 35 years which can be extended by another 25 years.
VGF is a one-time grant from the Centre and reduces the financial burden of the project to some extent. Unlike in the past where the operator was selected on the basis of the revenue share that will be given to the government, this time the bids were decided on the amount of grant it sought from the state.
The HMRL will give Letter of Appointment to L&T in a month after obtaining the formal approval from the state Cabinet. State officials are hopeful that the company would achieve financial closure by December and launch the project in January 2011.
“As L&T quoted an amount which is less than the VGF to be provided by the Centre, the state need not give it grant,: a senior official pointed out.
The much-talked-about Hyderabad Metro Rail got delayed after the state cancelled the agreement with scam hit Maytas which had promised to give Rs 30,000 crore to the government during the concession period. HMR had to postpone the fresh bids several times and the Telangana movement also cast a shadow on the project.
“We are greatly relieved because the new concessionaire is a strong player and has reputation of completing projects in time,” a state official said.
While six companies or consortia were short-listed, two of them, GMR and GVK, did not submit financial bids and Soma-led consortium sought extension of time to submit the financial bids leaving the field to L&T, ADAG and Transstroy consortium.
Unified unit to fight Maoists
The four worst Maoist-affected states — Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal — will set up Unified Command structures headed by the chief secretaries of each state for better coordination among police, paramilitary and intelligence agencies. The state governments will appoint a retired major-general of the Army as a member of the Unified Command to advise the state administration on anti-Maoist operations.
The decision was taken at a meeting convened by the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, with the Chief Ministers of five Maoist-affected states, the Jharkhand Governor and West Bengal health minister on Wednesday. The Union home minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, the finance minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, and the defence minister, Mr A.K. Antony, were also present at the meeting at the PM’s residence. The Maoist-hit states have unanimously asked the Centre for more "air support" in anti-Maoist operations.
Emphasising the need for a “state-specific approach”, Dr Singh cautioned that “inter-personal issues” cannot be allowed to come in the way of strategy to tackle Left-wing extremism. Laying emphasis on inter-state coordination in terms of intelligence-sharing , he said, “We must be, and also appear to be, united and one in our resolve and in execution of our strategies.” He stressed that Central and state forces should work in total coordination, “without any misunderstanding about each other”.
Citing the examples of Jammu and Kashmir and Assam, Mr Chidambaram said each state will have its own Unified Command. However, the states of Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra felt there was no immediate need for such a command.
While the home ministry has assured the deployment of 20-23 helicopters over a period of time by pulling out IAF helicopters from UN duties, it has said helicopters will only be used for logistical support, troop movements and evacuation. “No one made a specific mention of the Army. But the states have asked for air support,” Mr Chidambaram said when asked whether state governments have sought Army help. The state governments have asked the Army to hold special recruitment drives in Maoist areas to induct tribal youth. The demands raised by the state governments will be discussed at the meeting of the National Development Council (NDC) on July 24.
Keeping in view the existing 97,000 vacancies in the police forces, Dr Singh asked the CMs to set up a group under the chief secretary to evaluate the vacancy position, develop an appropriate incentive package for postings in difficult areas and thereafter ensure deployment in a time-bound manner.
“Perhaps we could target filling up one third of the vacancies within the next six months,” he said.
Maintaining that development of tribal areas has fallen behind, Dr Singh underlined that any development of tribal areas must ensure that the locals have a stake in it and are adequately compensated for displacement. “For far too long have our tribal brothers and sisters seen the administration in the form of rapacious forest guards, a brutal policeman, a greedy patwari,” he said.
The Centre has asked the seven Maoist-affected states to induct 16,000 special police officers to assist the security agencies. At present there are 13,500 SPOs in these states. The meeting also cleared the government’s proposal to establish and strengthen 400 police stations in Maoist-affected districts by sanctioning Rs 2 crore per police station on an 80:20 basis over a period of two years. Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal will also appoint an officer of the rank of inspector-general of police as IGP (anti-Maoist operations) for each state to coordinate operations with the CRPF, Mr Chidambaram said. Mr Chidambaram agreed there have been some setbacks in anti-Maoist operations, but maintained that the government will continue its two-pronged strategy of police action and development.
Amidst demands raised by states to include more districts in the Centre’s “focus district” scheme, which has 34 of the worst affected districts, the Centre has decided to set up an empowered group chaired by the member-secretary, Planning Commission, to modify existing guidelines for the implementation of various development schemes. The states sought more satellite phones for the police forces and an increase in the number of counter-intelligence training schools. The meeting also approved the raising of 34 battalions of the India Reserve Battalion (IRB) to combat Maoists. The home minister said redeployment of Central forces has been done in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Orissa and will soon be reviewed in other states.
Mr Chidambaram said the Plan panel was considering a special development plan for the affected districts. "Consultations have been held with the state governments and it is expected that the plan will be placed before the NDC shortly for approval," he said.
Meanwhile, the Centre asked the states to implement the provisions of the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled) Areas Act strictly and vigorously to ensure that rights over minor forest produce are assigned to the gram sabhas and to remove the inter-position of government-controlled departments, corporations and cooperatives.
The decision was taken at a meeting convened by the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, with the Chief Ministers of five Maoist-affected states, the Jharkhand Governor and West Bengal health minister on Wednesday. The Union home minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, the finance minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, and the defence minister, Mr A.K. Antony, were also present at the meeting at the PM’s residence. The Maoist-hit states have unanimously asked the Centre for more "air support" in anti-Maoist operations.
Emphasising the need for a “state-specific approach”, Dr Singh cautioned that “inter-personal issues” cannot be allowed to come in the way of strategy to tackle Left-wing extremism. Laying emphasis on inter-state coordination in terms of intelligence-sharing , he said, “We must be, and also appear to be, united and one in our resolve and in execution of our strategies.” He stressed that Central and state forces should work in total coordination, “without any misunderstanding about each other”.
Citing the examples of Jammu and Kashmir and Assam, Mr Chidambaram said each state will have its own Unified Command. However, the states of Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra felt there was no immediate need for such a command.
While the home ministry has assured the deployment of 20-23 helicopters over a period of time by pulling out IAF helicopters from UN duties, it has said helicopters will only be used for logistical support, troop movements and evacuation. “No one made a specific mention of the Army. But the states have asked for air support,” Mr Chidambaram said when asked whether state governments have sought Army help. The state governments have asked the Army to hold special recruitment drives in Maoist areas to induct tribal youth. The demands raised by the state governments will be discussed at the meeting of the National Development Council (NDC) on July 24.
Keeping in view the existing 97,000 vacancies in the police forces, Dr Singh asked the CMs to set up a group under the chief secretary to evaluate the vacancy position, develop an appropriate incentive package for postings in difficult areas and thereafter ensure deployment in a time-bound manner.
“Perhaps we could target filling up one third of the vacancies within the next six months,” he said.
Maintaining that development of tribal areas has fallen behind, Dr Singh underlined that any development of tribal areas must ensure that the locals have a stake in it and are adequately compensated for displacement. “For far too long have our tribal brothers and sisters seen the administration in the form of rapacious forest guards, a brutal policeman, a greedy patwari,” he said.
The Centre has asked the seven Maoist-affected states to induct 16,000 special police officers to assist the security agencies. At present there are 13,500 SPOs in these states. The meeting also cleared the government’s proposal to establish and strengthen 400 police stations in Maoist-affected districts by sanctioning Rs 2 crore per police station on an 80:20 basis over a period of two years. Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal will also appoint an officer of the rank of inspector-general of police as IGP (anti-Maoist operations) for each state to coordinate operations with the CRPF, Mr Chidambaram said. Mr Chidambaram agreed there have been some setbacks in anti-Maoist operations, but maintained that the government will continue its two-pronged strategy of police action and development.
Amidst demands raised by states to include more districts in the Centre’s “focus district” scheme, which has 34 of the worst affected districts, the Centre has decided to set up an empowered group chaired by the member-secretary, Planning Commission, to modify existing guidelines for the implementation of various development schemes. The states sought more satellite phones for the police forces and an increase in the number of counter-intelligence training schools. The meeting also approved the raising of 34 battalions of the India Reserve Battalion (IRB) to combat Maoists. The home minister said redeployment of Central forces has been done in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Orissa and will soon be reviewed in other states.
Mr Chidambaram said the Plan panel was considering a special development plan for the affected districts. "Consultations have been held with the state governments and it is expected that the plan will be placed before the NDC shortly for approval," he said.
Meanwhile, the Centre asked the states to implement the provisions of the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled) Areas Act strictly and vigorously to ensure that rights over minor forest produce are assigned to the gram sabhas and to remove the inter-position of government-controlled departments, corporations and cooperatives.
Cops fire at Sompeta protestors, four dead
Four persons were killed and six persons sustained injuries when police opened fire on villagers including women and children protesting against a thermal power project being set up by Nagarjuna Construction Company in the wetlands of Sompeta mandal on Wednesday.
About 40 villagers, 30 police personnel and eight mediapersons also sustained injuries in the stone pelting and lathi charge.
“It was a warlike situation with 3,000 police personnel clashing with more than 5,000 people from six villages,” said an eyewitness.
Local residents, including farmers and fishermen, have been opposing the project as it is coming up on 1,890 acre wetland popularly known as `Beela’ lands and is close to the seacoast. They fear the project will wreck the ecology of the area and destroy their livelihood.
Angry protesters barged into the NCC project site, destroyed the furniture and set it on fire. They also gutted 15 two wheelers and a police vehicle. More than 70 people have been taken into custody and more police personnel were deployed to bring the situation under control.
The dead were identified as B. Venugopala Rao, 42, of Isukapalem, G. Krishna Murthy, 50, of Lakkavaram, P. Jagga Rao, 35, of Palasapuram and G. Mohan Rao.
Venugopala Rao and Krishna Murthy died near the project site and Jagga Rao died in the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences in Srikakulam town.
People of the area had been restive for the last several days with the NCC management hiring hundreds of men to fence their lands with barbed wire and also deploying scores of private security guards.
Further, the police and revenue officials irked the populace by distributing pamphlets in Sompeta and surrounding villages warning of action on those who protest during the foundation stone laying ceremony of the 2,640 mw thermal power plant.
Trouble erupted after a group of angry villagers stormed the project site and tried to disrupt the foundation stone laying ceremony on Wednesday. Police baton charged them and then took them into custody.
As soon as the news of their arrest spread in the area, thousands of people including a large number of women and children marched towards the project site. Police personnel used tear gas on the crowd, and then swooped down on them, chasing them to the paddy fields with lathis. With the situation spiralling out of control, cops opened fire.
Undaunted, fishermen, farmers and a large number of women rushed to the project site, pelted stones and set fire to vehicles. Police and private security guards hired by the NCC chased the protesters and beat them up. Along with local people, environmentalists and NGOs had also appealed the State government to abandon the project as it was coming up in ecologically sensitive area.
About 40 villagers, 30 police personnel and eight mediapersons also sustained injuries in the stone pelting and lathi charge.
“It was a warlike situation with 3,000 police personnel clashing with more than 5,000 people from six villages,” said an eyewitness.
Local residents, including farmers and fishermen, have been opposing the project as it is coming up on 1,890 acre wetland popularly known as `Beela’ lands and is close to the seacoast. They fear the project will wreck the ecology of the area and destroy their livelihood.
Angry protesters barged into the NCC project site, destroyed the furniture and set it on fire. They also gutted 15 two wheelers and a police vehicle. More than 70 people have been taken into custody and more police personnel were deployed to bring the situation under control.
The dead were identified as B. Venugopala Rao, 42, of Isukapalem, G. Krishna Murthy, 50, of Lakkavaram, P. Jagga Rao, 35, of Palasapuram and G. Mohan Rao.
Venugopala Rao and Krishna Murthy died near the project site and Jagga Rao died in the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences in Srikakulam town.
People of the area had been restive for the last several days with the NCC management hiring hundreds of men to fence their lands with barbed wire and also deploying scores of private security guards.
Further, the police and revenue officials irked the populace by distributing pamphlets in Sompeta and surrounding villages warning of action on those who protest during the foundation stone laying ceremony of the 2,640 mw thermal power plant.
Trouble erupted after a group of angry villagers stormed the project site and tried to disrupt the foundation stone laying ceremony on Wednesday. Police baton charged them and then took them into custody.
As soon as the news of their arrest spread in the area, thousands of people including a large number of women and children marched towards the project site. Police personnel used tear gas on the crowd, and then swooped down on them, chasing them to the paddy fields with lathis. With the situation spiralling out of control, cops opened fire.
Undaunted, fishermen, farmers and a large number of women rushed to the project site, pelted stones and set fire to vehicles. Police and private security guards hired by the NCC chased the protesters and beat them up. Along with local people, environmentalists and NGOs had also appealed the State government to abandon the project as it was coming up in ecologically sensitive area.
No comment on Headley's revelation regarding 26/11 attack: US
US has refused to make any remarks on the revelations made by Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley to Indian investigators, on ISI's involvement in the Mumbai terror attack.
"I don't see how I can comment from here. Anything I would say would either compromise intelligence information or an ongoing legal investigation," the state department spokesman, Mr P.J. Crowley, told reporters during his daily press briefing.
A four member team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in June had done a week-long interrogation and questioning of Headley who pleaded guilty to conspiring in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 persons.
The NIA team headed by investigator, Mr Loknath Behera, was granted access to Headley, at the request of the Indian Government, when the Federal Bureau of Investigation found that the Pakistani-American LeT operative Headley was involved in planning the Mumbai terror attack.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Jagan factor has CM delay rejig
The Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, is likely to delay the Cabinet reshuffle further with intelligence reports warning that ambitious MLAs denied berths may switch over to the camp of rebel MP Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, posing a threat to the government.
At the same time, Mr Rosaiah is facing incessant pressure from his supporters to induct new faces in the Cabinet soon.
There are at least 20 aspirants both from Assembly and Legislative Council who are looking for ministerial berths, including the former ministers, Mr J.C. Diwakar Reddy and Mr K. Jana Reddy.
What adds to the Chief Minister’s problem is the confusion of the Congress high command on what Jagan has in mind.
The high command is not sure whether the young Kadapa MP will stay on in the party as a dissident or will break off after his Odarpu Yatra.
In this context, many Congress leaders feel that the high command would ask the Chief Minister not to go for a reshuffle for the time being.
Earlier, Mr Rosaiah had said that he would go for a reshuffle after the by-elections in the 12 Assembly segments and had even hinted that he might induct some from the legislative council. The Chief Minister had evaluated the performance of the existing 33 ministers to refurbish the image of the government. He was keen on removing at least four to six ministers.
Mr Rosaiah feels that unless he has his own team of ministers it would be very difficult to run the administration which is facing criticism of being insensitive and non-performing.
He also wanted to bring in more representatives of the scheduled castes and backward communities into the cabinet. All these plans may now have to be put on hold.
At the same time, Mr Rosaiah is facing incessant pressure from his supporters to induct new faces in the Cabinet soon.
There are at least 20 aspirants both from Assembly and Legislative Council who are looking for ministerial berths, including the former ministers, Mr J.C. Diwakar Reddy and Mr K. Jana Reddy.
What adds to the Chief Minister’s problem is the confusion of the Congress high command on what Jagan has in mind.
The high command is not sure whether the young Kadapa MP will stay on in the party as a dissident or will break off after his Odarpu Yatra.
In this context, many Congress leaders feel that the high command would ask the Chief Minister not to go for a reshuffle for the time being.
Earlier, Mr Rosaiah had said that he would go for a reshuffle after the by-elections in the 12 Assembly segments and had even hinted that he might induct some from the legislative council. The Chief Minister had evaluated the performance of the existing 33 ministers to refurbish the image of the government. He was keen on removing at least four to six ministers.
Mr Rosaiah feels that unless he has his own team of ministers it would be very difficult to run the administration which is facing criticism of being insensitive and non-performing.
He also wanted to bring in more representatives of the scheduled castes and backward communities into the cabinet. All these plans may now have to be put on hold.
Facebook to launch ‘panic button’ to report sex offenders
Facebook is all set to launch a child safety ‘panic button’ on its site for users to report sexual abuse.
The button would help users to report abuse to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (Ceop) and Facebook.
Ceop, the government law enforcement agency tasked with tracking down online sex offenders, called for a panic button to be installed on social networking sites last November.
Pressure mounted on Facebook to make the change following the rape and murder of 17-year-old Ashleigh Hall by a 33-year-old convicted sex offender, posing as a teenage boy, who she met on Facebook.
"By adding this application, Facebook users will have direct access to all the services that sit behind our ClickCeop button which should provide reassurance to every parent with teenagers on the site," BBC News quoted Jim Gamble, Ceop''s chief executive, as saying.
The button would help users to report abuse to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (Ceop) and Facebook.
Ceop, the government law enforcement agency tasked with tracking down online sex offenders, called for a panic button to be installed on social networking sites last November.
Pressure mounted on Facebook to make the change following the rape and murder of 17-year-old Ashleigh Hall by a 33-year-old convicted sex offender, posing as a teenage boy, who she met on Facebook.
"By adding this application, Facebook users will have direct access to all the services that sit behind our ClickCeop button which should provide reassurance to every parent with teenagers on the site," BBC News quoted Jim Gamble, Ceop''s chief executive, as saying.
Indians more interested in social networking than marketing
Indians are more interested in social networking sites than stock markets, says a study.
According to a study by SMC Capitals, there are about 3.1 crore active users on social networking sites such as Facebook, Orkut and Twitter across the country, whereas the number of Demat account holders is just 1.7 crore.
In other words, the number of total social networking site users is twice that of the total Demat account holders, SMC Capitals equity head, Mr Jagannadham Thunuguntla, said.
Demat accounts are mandatory for investors to trade in stocks in the country.
"It is incredible, considering the fact that the social networking concept became popular only in the last three years," he said.
Interestingly, a large number of Demat account holders are non-active investors and retail investors with flagging interest in public offers and mutual funds.
"The average Indian is still shying away from investing in the market and their shaking confidence needs to be stabilized," he further said.
The study also points out that two crore new mobile connections are taken by Indians every month. However, the monthly increase in the number of Demat account holders is only two lakh, a hundred times lower.
This trend indicates the low level of penetration of the investing habit in India, Thunuguntla said.
The lukewarm response to Demat accounts "shows that while the story of the India as a consumer has opened up, India's story as an investor is still under wraps," he added.
As much as 60 per cent of the country's population is below 30 years age, and this favourable demographic dynamism is being witnessed in the practice of social networking and new mobile additions, the study said.
However, it should be noted that while opening an account on social networking sites is free of cost, an investor has to pay up to open a Demat account.
According to a study by SMC Capitals, there are about 3.1 crore active users on social networking sites such as Facebook, Orkut and Twitter across the country, whereas the number of Demat account holders is just 1.7 crore.
In other words, the number of total social networking site users is twice that of the total Demat account holders, SMC Capitals equity head, Mr Jagannadham Thunuguntla, said.
Demat accounts are mandatory for investors to trade in stocks in the country.
"It is incredible, considering the fact that the social networking concept became popular only in the last three years," he said.
Interestingly, a large number of Demat account holders are non-active investors and retail investors with flagging interest in public offers and mutual funds.
"The average Indian is still shying away from investing in the market and their shaking confidence needs to be stabilized," he further said.
The study also points out that two crore new mobile connections are taken by Indians every month. However, the monthly increase in the number of Demat account holders is only two lakh, a hundred times lower.
This trend indicates the low level of penetration of the investing habit in India, Thunuguntla said.
The lukewarm response to Demat accounts "shows that while the story of the India as a consumer has opened up, India's story as an investor is still under wraps," he added.
As much as 60 per cent of the country's population is below 30 years age, and this favourable demographic dynamism is being witnessed in the practice of social networking and new mobile additions, the study said.
However, it should be noted that while opening an account on social networking sites is free of cost, an investor has to pay up to open a Demat account.
Dhoni’s record ad deal of Rs 210cr exceeds Sachin’s
With Rs 70 crores a year minimum guarantee promised in a record endorsement deal recently signed for the next three years, Team India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is set to increase the earnings gap between himself and Sachin Tendulkar.
Such deals will also propel Dhoni to becoming the world’s richest cricketer. In signing the new deal, Dhoni beats Sachin’s record in terms of endorsement income as the Little Master’s last deal with sports marketing firm Iconix was worth Rs 180 crores over three years.
Dhoni is reported to have earned Rs 36 crores from endorsements in 2009, which dwarfed his estimated earnings from the game that were Rs 9 crores, according to Forbes magazine. The 4:1 ratio from non-cricket income versus earnings from cricket is par for cricketers in great demand in the world of advertising.
However, he has to earn at least $30 million a year to crack the list of the world’s 20 richest sportperson.
In the world beyond cricket, Dhoni will now be represented by a joint venture between Rhiti Sports Management, run by former first class cricketer Arun Pandey, and Mindscapes ad agency.
The agreement covers all of Dhoni’s endorsements from brands and digital rights, plus his presence in the expanding world of social networking sites. Mindscapes had already been managing Dhoni’s endorsements, but not everything else.
Such deals will also propel Dhoni to becoming the world’s richest cricketer. In signing the new deal, Dhoni beats Sachin’s record in terms of endorsement income as the Little Master’s last deal with sports marketing firm Iconix was worth Rs 180 crores over three years.
Dhoni is reported to have earned Rs 36 crores from endorsements in 2009, which dwarfed his estimated earnings from the game that were Rs 9 crores, according to Forbes magazine. The 4:1 ratio from non-cricket income versus earnings from cricket is par for cricketers in great demand in the world of advertising.
However, he has to earn at least $30 million a year to crack the list of the world’s 20 richest sportperson.
In the world beyond cricket, Dhoni will now be represented by a joint venture between Rhiti Sports Management, run by former first class cricketer Arun Pandey, and Mindscapes ad agency.
The agreement covers all of Dhoni’s endorsements from brands and digital rights, plus his presence in the expanding world of social networking sites. Mindscapes had already been managing Dhoni’s endorsements, but not everything else.
