20091207
Will Asaram Bapu be arrested for attack on ex-sadhak
Ahmedabad: Will Asaram Bapu be arrested in the case in which a former sadhak was fired at by two assailants on Saturday night?This is the question doing rounds after the case of Raju Chandak being shot at came to light. Chandak was allegedly facing threats from aides of Asaram prior to the incident.
It should be noted that though few sadhaks were arrested and the ashram itself came under cloud after the mysterious death of two boys of the gurukul, Asaram himself was not touched by the Gujarat police. Asaram Bapu has been accused by Chandak of being the brain behind the firing incident that happened in the Sabarmati area.
The FIR lodged by Chandak names Asaram and two others for attempt to murder. As per the rules, police are required to immediately act against a person if he is named in an FIR and faces charges as serious as attempt to murder. DNA sought legal opinions on the matter.
"As per the orders of various high courts and the Supreme Court, the police should immediately take action against any person who is named in a police complaint. In the present case, Chandak has clearly named Asaram and it is reason enough for the police to take action against him," said lawyer Rajesh Modi, of sessions court.
However, another lawyer said that the police should nab the main accused first and then look for the conspirator. "The police should first trace the main accused who fired at Chandak and then take action against Asaram Bapu. It is a general principle of law that police should nab the main accused and if he or she names a conspirator, then the police can take against the conspirator," said PA Jadeja, lawyer of Gujarat high court.
Another city lawyer expressed views similar to Jadeja's. "Until and unless the accused are identified and arrested, the police cannot approach a person who is alleged to have been involved in an offence. This is the case even if the person has been named by the victim. The police should first identify the assailant," said Hashim Qureshi, lawyer of Gujarat high court.
"In the present case, if the police think it is the prima facie case they can arrest Bapu," opined RK Shah, a HC lawyer.
Ranbir, Priyanka didn't hike fee for my movie: Sajid Nadiadwala
Mumbai: Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra are riding high at the box office these days but they offered to keep their fees at the most reasonable for "Anjana Anjani", making Sajid Nadiadwala a happy producer.
"Ranbir and Priyanka were already part of our extended family. When Ranbir's father Chintu-ji (Rishi Kapoor) was working in my dad's production 'Hathyar', I was an assistant. That's when I got to know Chintu-ji and his family," Nadiadwala told the media.
"Priyanka has been family from the time she did 'Mujhse Shaadi Karogi' for my banner. So yes, they've certainly not hiked their price just because they are super-saleable today. In fact, they didn't even discuss money with me."
This is Ranbir and Priyanka's first film together and Nadiadwala says their chemistry was evident in Bangkok. "Both Ranbir and Priyanka have changed their looks for this film. They hardly knew one another before the shooting. So they're getting to know each other as their on-screen romance progresses.
"Ranbir is entertaining on screen. But he carries that sense of fun from the screen to the sets. Priyanka was in her own shell to begin with. But her resolve didn't take long to dissolve," he said.
Nadiadwala's last release "Kambakht Ishq", which starred Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor, got a lukewarm response but it hasn't dissuaded him from shooting "Anjana Anjani" in foreign locales. He heads to the US to shoot the film.
Those who thought Nadiadwala was done with sylvester Stallone, who played a cameo in his "Kambakht Ishq", here's the surprise element - he has an appointment with the Hollywood action star who may make an appearance in "Anjana Anjani" as well.
"We don't work that way in our production house. Our bonds are for keeps," said the producer, whose elder son Subhaan is a big fan of Stallone.
Subhaan kept in touch with his idol long after "Kambakht Ishq" came and went.
"Subhaan is coming with us only to meet Stallone. To call him Stallone's fan would be an understatement. He isn't a fan, he's a fanatic. His day starts with Stallone's signature song 'Eye Of The Tiger' from 'Rocky'. He knows every trivia associated with Stallone,"Nadiadwala said.
"Ranbir and Priyanka were already part of our extended family. When Ranbir's father Chintu-ji (Rishi Kapoor) was working in my dad's production 'Hathyar', I was an assistant. That's when I got to know Chintu-ji and his family," Nadiadwala told the media.
"Priyanka has been family from the time she did 'Mujhse Shaadi Karogi' for my banner. So yes, they've certainly not hiked their price just because they are super-saleable today. In fact, they didn't even discuss money with me."
This is Ranbir and Priyanka's first film together and Nadiadwala says their chemistry was evident in Bangkok. "Both Ranbir and Priyanka have changed their looks for this film. They hardly knew one another before the shooting. So they're getting to know each other as their on-screen romance progresses.
"Ranbir is entertaining on screen. But he carries that sense of fun from the screen to the sets. Priyanka was in her own shell to begin with. But her resolve didn't take long to dissolve," he said.
Nadiadwala's last release "Kambakht Ishq", which starred Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor, got a lukewarm response but it hasn't dissuaded him from shooting "Anjana Anjani" in foreign locales. He heads to the US to shoot the film.
Those who thought Nadiadwala was done with sylvester Stallone, who played a cameo in his "Kambakht Ishq", here's the surprise element - he has an appointment with the Hollywood action star who may make an appearance in "Anjana Anjani" as well.
"We don't work that way in our production house. Our bonds are for keeps," said the producer, whose elder son Subhaan is a big fan of Stallone.
Subhaan kept in touch with his idol long after "Kambakht Ishq" came and went.
"Subhaan is coming with us only to meet Stallone. To call him Stallone's fan would be an understatement. He isn't a fan, he's a fanatic. His day starts with Stallone's signature song 'Eye Of The Tiger' from 'Rocky'. He knows every trivia associated with Stallone,"Nadiadwala said.
The love of Rocket Singh's life is sales: Ranbir
Mumbai: Ranbir Kapoor and on screen romance almost go hand in hand but his much awaited "Rocket Singh: Salesman Of The Year" has no love angle. He says the film's protagonist is completely in love with sales.
"It is not a love story. The character Rocket Singh is in love with sales. It's a very simple movie," Ranbir told the media.
This year Ranbir was seen with Konkona Sen Sharma in hit movie "Wake Up Sid" and later teamed up with Katrina Kaif in romantic comedy "Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani", winning the hearts of audiences.
And now comes "Rocket Singh" in which he plays Harpreet Singh Bedi, who has just graduated with embarrassing marks. But that doesn't stop him from dreaming about an exciting career. Releasing Friday, the film has been made under the Yash Raj Films' banner.
This is the first film in which Ranbir's physical appearance has been changed for a role. He looks a typical Sikh youth complete with a turban and beard. "It was very important to feel the character first, later you automatically start living him," Ranbir said.
He said that director Shimit Amin and screenwriter Jaideep Sahni had held different workshops for the cast and the crew before starting the shoot.
"Shimit wanted to make the character as real as possible so that it doesn't look as if an actor is trying to be a sardar. Shimit and Jaideep held workshops for 30 days, not just with me but the entire cast and crew," the actor said.
But despite being a Punjabi, Ranbir's character speaks fluent Hindi. "He is Mumbai-based fourth generation sardar, so he has no influence of a Punjabi accent in his diction," Ranbir explained.
In real life too, Ranbir is half Sikh as his maternal grandparents were Sikh.
"My maternal grandmother was extremely thrilled that I was playing a Sardar," said Ranbir.
"I am half sikh though I didn't understand the religion like I do after doing this film. I respect the sacrifices they made and the discipline they have in their religion. It's not that easy to keep a beard and tie pagdi (turban) in warm countries. I really respect them because they do it for their religion and not for their comfort," he said.
Asked what Rocket Singh sells, he said: It's an integral part of the film and we want to guard it till the film releases."
Ranbir hopes that "Rocket Singh...", which is his last release of the year, repeats the success stories of his previous releases and ends the year on a happy note.
"Some films work, some don't. 'Wake Up Sid' worked in a capacity it was meant to work. 'Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani' was a big grosser. As an actor I would like every film of mine to do well. It feels great, as the hard work you put in this whole year has been paid off. With 'Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year', I hope it does better than better," said Ranbir.
Asked if this back-to-back success was adding to the pressure on him, he said: "There is no pressure at all. I am an actor, I don't believe in genes or living in what my great grandfather or my parents have achieved. Here I am as an individual and that's how audiences are going to perceive me, not as someone's son or grandson."
"If my films are doing well, I would like to take some credit for it," he added.
The title song of "Chak De! India", Shimit Amin's last film, had become a sports anthem.
"I hope 'Pocket main Rocket' becomes a salesman's anthem," Ranbir said.
"It is not a love story. The character Rocket Singh is in love with sales. It's a very simple movie," Ranbir told the media.
This year Ranbir was seen with Konkona Sen Sharma in hit movie "Wake Up Sid" and later teamed up with Katrina Kaif in romantic comedy "Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani", winning the hearts of audiences.
And now comes "Rocket Singh" in which he plays Harpreet Singh Bedi, who has just graduated with embarrassing marks. But that doesn't stop him from dreaming about an exciting career. Releasing Friday, the film has been made under the Yash Raj Films' banner.
This is the first film in which Ranbir's physical appearance has been changed for a role. He looks a typical Sikh youth complete with a turban and beard. "It was very important to feel the character first, later you automatically start living him," Ranbir said.
He said that director Shimit Amin and screenwriter Jaideep Sahni had held different workshops for the cast and the crew before starting the shoot.
"Shimit wanted to make the character as real as possible so that it doesn't look as if an actor is trying to be a sardar. Shimit and Jaideep held workshops for 30 days, not just with me but the entire cast and crew," the actor said.
But despite being a Punjabi, Ranbir's character speaks fluent Hindi. "He is Mumbai-based fourth generation sardar, so he has no influence of a Punjabi accent in his diction," Ranbir explained.
In real life too, Ranbir is half Sikh as his maternal grandparents were Sikh.
"My maternal grandmother was extremely thrilled that I was playing a Sardar," said Ranbir.
"I am half sikh though I didn't understand the religion like I do after doing this film. I respect the sacrifices they made and the discipline they have in their religion. It's not that easy to keep a beard and tie pagdi (turban) in warm countries. I really respect them because they do it for their religion and not for their comfort," he said.
Asked what Rocket Singh sells, he said: It's an integral part of the film and we want to guard it till the film releases."
Ranbir hopes that "Rocket Singh...", which is his last release of the year, repeats the success stories of his previous releases and ends the year on a happy note.
"Some films work, some don't. 'Wake Up Sid' worked in a capacity it was meant to work. 'Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani' was a big grosser. As an actor I would like every film of mine to do well. It feels great, as the hard work you put in this whole year has been paid off. With 'Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year', I hope it does better than better," said Ranbir.
Asked if this back-to-back success was adding to the pressure on him, he said: "There is no pressure at all. I am an actor, I don't believe in genes or living in what my great grandfather or my parents have achieved. Here I am as an individual and that's how audiences are going to perceive me, not as someone's son or grandson."
"If my films are doing well, I would like to take some credit for it," he added.
The title song of "Chak De! India", Shimit Amin's last film, had become a sports anthem.
"I hope 'Pocket main Rocket' becomes a salesman's anthem," Ranbir said.
Headley cased Mumbai for two years before 26/11 attacks
Chicago: New federal charges filed against suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba operative David Coleman Headley accuse him of conducting extensive surveillance of targets in Mumbai for more than two years before last year's deadly attacks that took the lives of 166 people. Headley, an American citizen of Pakistani origin, already accused of plotting to murder a Danish newspaper cartoonist, on Monday was charged with six counts of conspiracy to bomb public places in India, to murder and maim persons in India and Denmark, to provide material support to foreign terrorist plots and to provide material support to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistani-based militant group.
According to the charges, after learning from members of Lashkar in late 2005 that he would be travelling to India to perform surveillance for Lashkar, Headley changed his name from Daood Gilani on Feb 15, 2006, in Philadelphia, in order to present himself in India as an American who was neither Muslim nor Pakistani.
He later made five extended trips to Mumbai in September 2006, February and September 2007, and April and July 2008, each time taking pictures and making videotapes of various targets, including those attacked in Nov 2008.
Starting from Nov 26, 2008, and continuing through Nov 28, 2008, 10 attackers trained by Lashkar carried out multiple assaults with firearms, grenades and improvised explosive devices against multiple targets in Mumbai, including the Taj Mahal and Oberoi hotels, the Leopold Cafe, the Nariman House and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus train station, each of which Headley allegedly had scouted in advance.
Headley allegedly attended Lashkar training camps in Pakistan that began in February and August 2002 and August and December 2003.
After being tasked in late 2005 with gathering surveillance in Mumbai and changing his name in early 2006, the charges allege that Headley traveled to Chicago in June 2006 and advised a person identified in the charges as Individual A of his assignment.
Headley obtained Individual A's approval to open an office of First World Immigration Services in Mumbai in 2006 as cover for his surveillance activities, the charges allege. Headley allegedly misrepresented his birth name, father's true name and the purpose of his travel in his visa application.
After each trip that Headley took to India between September 2006 and July 2008, he allegedly returned to Pakistan, met with other co-conspirators and provided them with photographs, videos and oral descriptions of various locations.
In March 2008, Headley and his co-conspirators discussed potential landing sites for a team of attackers who would arrive by sea in Mumbai, and he was instructed to take boat trips in and around the Mumbai harbor and take surveillance video, which he did during his visit to India starting in April 2008, the charges allege.
At various times, Headley allegedly conducted surveillance of other locations in Mumbai and elsewhere in India of facilities and locations that were not attacked in November 2008, including the National Defence College in Delhi.
The count against Headley charging conspiracy to bomb public places in India that resulted in deaths carries a maximum statutory penalty of life imprisonment or death.
All of the other counts against Headley carry a maximum of life imprisonment, except providing material support to the Denmark terror plot, which carries a maximum prison term of 15 years.
US prosecutors said they had also unsealed charges against a retired Pakistani military major, Abdur Rehman Hashim Syed, for participating in the conspiracy to attack the Danish newspaper and its employees.
Headley and another Chicago man, Tahawwur Hussain Rana, were initially arrested in the Denmark case, charged with plotting an attack on the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten out of revenge for a dozen cartoons printed in 2005 depicting the prophet Muhammad.
Rana has denied involvement in a terror plot.
Authorities said Headley has been cooperating with investigators since FBI agents arrested him at Chcago's O'Hare airport in October.
According to the charges, after learning from members of Lashkar in late 2005 that he would be travelling to India to perform surveillance for Lashkar, Headley changed his name from Daood Gilani on Feb 15, 2006, in Philadelphia, in order to present himself in India as an American who was neither Muslim nor Pakistani.
He later made five extended trips to Mumbai in September 2006, February and September 2007, and April and July 2008, each time taking pictures and making videotapes of various targets, including those attacked in Nov 2008.
Starting from Nov 26, 2008, and continuing through Nov 28, 2008, 10 attackers trained by Lashkar carried out multiple assaults with firearms, grenades and improvised explosive devices against multiple targets in Mumbai, including the Taj Mahal and Oberoi hotels, the Leopold Cafe, the Nariman House and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus train station, each of which Headley allegedly had scouted in advance.
Headley allegedly attended Lashkar training camps in Pakistan that began in February and August 2002 and August and December 2003.
After being tasked in late 2005 with gathering surveillance in Mumbai and changing his name in early 2006, the charges allege that Headley traveled to Chicago in June 2006 and advised a person identified in the charges as Individual A of his assignment.
Headley obtained Individual A's approval to open an office of First World Immigration Services in Mumbai in 2006 as cover for his surveillance activities, the charges allege. Headley allegedly misrepresented his birth name, father's true name and the purpose of his travel in his visa application.
After each trip that Headley took to India between September 2006 and July 2008, he allegedly returned to Pakistan, met with other co-conspirators and provided them with photographs, videos and oral descriptions of various locations.
In March 2008, Headley and his co-conspirators discussed potential landing sites for a team of attackers who would arrive by sea in Mumbai, and he was instructed to take boat trips in and around the Mumbai harbor and take surveillance video, which he did during his visit to India starting in April 2008, the charges allege.
At various times, Headley allegedly conducted surveillance of other locations in Mumbai and elsewhere in India of facilities and locations that were not attacked in November 2008, including the National Defence College in Delhi.
The count against Headley charging conspiracy to bomb public places in India that resulted in deaths carries a maximum statutory penalty of life imprisonment or death.
All of the other counts against Headley carry a maximum of life imprisonment, except providing material support to the Denmark terror plot, which carries a maximum prison term of 15 years.
US prosecutors said they had also unsealed charges against a retired Pakistani military major, Abdur Rehman Hashim Syed, for participating in the conspiracy to attack the Danish newspaper and its employees.
Headley and another Chicago man, Tahawwur Hussain Rana, were initially arrested in the Denmark case, charged with plotting an attack on the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten out of revenge for a dozen cartoons printed in 2005 depicting the prophet Muhammad.
Rana has denied involvement in a terror plot.
Authorities said Headley has been cooperating with investigators since FBI agents arrested him at Chcago's O'Hare airport in October.
Manmohan Singh is the most capable PM, says Rahul
Lucknow: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is the most capable person to hold the post in the country, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi said today.
"We have the most capable person as the prime minister of the country. Not only the Congress party acknowledges that, the opposition and the rest of the world also accept the fact," he told reporters here during his two-day visit to Uttar Pradesh.
When asked why he did not take up the post, the MP from Amethi said: "The reason that I did not become the prime minister of the country is that there are a host of other senior political leaders in the party who are more capable than me."
"My agenda is to bring young people into politics, into youth organisations such as NSUI and Youth Congress and not focus on who should become the prime minister of the country," he said.
Expressing concern over rising prices of essential commodities in the country, Gandhi said: "I have had discussions with the prime minister and he categorically assured me that steps are being planned and effected to control the menace."
"At the moment, the price of pulses seems to be rising. There is also the problem of hoarding at the state level which again significantly contributes towards price rise," he added.
"We have the most capable person as the prime minister of the country. Not only the Congress party acknowledges that, the opposition and the rest of the world also accept the fact," he told reporters here during his two-day visit to Uttar Pradesh.
When asked why he did not take up the post, the MP from Amethi said: "The reason that I did not become the prime minister of the country is that there are a host of other senior political leaders in the party who are more capable than me."
"My agenda is to bring young people into politics, into youth organisations such as NSUI and Youth Congress and not focus on who should become the prime minister of the country," he said.
Expressing concern over rising prices of essential commodities in the country, Gandhi said: "I have had discussions with the prime minister and he categorically assured me that steps are being planned and effected to control the menace."
"At the moment, the price of pulses seems to be rising. There is also the problem of hoarding at the state level which again significantly contributes towards price rise," he added.
Will Headley get tried in India?
Chicago: The prospects of David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani standing trial in India for his alleged involvement in the planning of the Mumbai terror attacks do not appear promising despite a comprehensive extradition treaty between the two countries.
Considering the gravity of the charges he faces under US laws Headley is expected to remain the focus of an intense investigation for a length of time. The six counts of aiding and abetting the murder of US citizens in India are more than enough to seal Headley's fate in the US if he is found guilty. Federal prosecutors have also charged him with additional six counts of "conspiracy to bomb public places in India, to murder and maim persons in India and Denmark."
Although the 1997 U.S.-India extradition treaty gives New Delhi the ability to call for Headley's extradition, initial reading of the charges suggest that he is expected to be remain in the US for the foreseeable future.
Article 2(1) of the treaty defines an extraditable offence as "one punishable under the laws of both Contracting States by deprivation of liberty for a period of more than one year, or by a more severe penalty. Use of such a ''dual criminality'' clause rather than a list of offences covered by the Treaty obviates the need to renegotiate or supplement the Treaty as additional offences become punishable under the laws of both Contracting States."
Given that a conviction on the basis of the charges, if and when that happens, carries a maximum statutory penalty of life imprisonment or death at least theoretically he is extraditable. Even the fact that he is a US national is no obstacle in the way of his extradition under Article 3 which provides that "extradition shall not be refused on the ground that the person sought is a national of the Requested State." "Neither party, in other words, may invoke nationality as a basis for denying an extradition," it says.
Notwithstanding this clarity, this particular extradition may become untenable in practical terms because the US law enforcement would prefer to keep him within their control for leads to any future investigations.
To give the US investigation specificity, the official press release also named six Americans who were killed in the attacks. They were identified as Ben Zion Chroman, Gavriel Holtzberg, Sandeep Jeswani, Alan Scherr, his daughter Naomi Scherr, and Aryeh Leibish Teitelbaum.
Officials would not comment whether the serious charges are in any way connected with the ongoing visit of a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) team to India and Pakistan. But it is likely that Headley's continued stay in federal custody without bond since his arrest on Oct 3 and also without any scheduled bond hearing has to do with the expansion of the charges where India would have given significant inputs.
While the Indian media had been reporting for sometime without any specific attribution about Headley's alleged involvement in the Mumbai attacks, the US charges are the first official step of naming him directly.
The fact that some of America's top law enforcement officials were quoted in the press release also underlined the importance that is being given to the Headley case. FBI Director Robert S. Muller, III, said, "This case illustrates the importance of continued global cooperation to combat terrorism around the world. The FBI continues to strengthen relationships and to foster collaboration with our international partners to best ensure our collective ability to identify and disrupt international terror networks."
"This case serves as a reminder that the terrorist threat is global in nature and requires constant vigilance at home and abroad," said David Kris, Assistant Attorney General for National Security. "We continue to share leads developed in this investigation with our foreign and domestic law enforcement partners as we work together on this important matter."
Also quoted was Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, who has a national reputation as tough prosecutor. "This investigation remains active and ongoing. The team of prosecutors and agents will continue to seek charges against the other persons responsible for these attacks. I continue to express my deep appreciation to the FBI agents and other members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force for their extremely hard work on this matter," Fitzgerald said.
Considering the gravity of the charges he faces under US laws Headley is expected to remain the focus of an intense investigation for a length of time. The six counts of aiding and abetting the murder of US citizens in India are more than enough to seal Headley's fate in the US if he is found guilty. Federal prosecutors have also charged him with additional six counts of "conspiracy to bomb public places in India, to murder and maim persons in India and Denmark."
Although the 1997 U.S.-India extradition treaty gives New Delhi the ability to call for Headley's extradition, initial reading of the charges suggest that he is expected to be remain in the US for the foreseeable future.
Article 2(1) of the treaty defines an extraditable offence as "one punishable under the laws of both Contracting States by deprivation of liberty for a period of more than one year, or by a more severe penalty. Use of such a ''dual criminality'' clause rather than a list of offences covered by the Treaty obviates the need to renegotiate or supplement the Treaty as additional offences become punishable under the laws of both Contracting States."
Given that a conviction on the basis of the charges, if and when that happens, carries a maximum statutory penalty of life imprisonment or death at least theoretically he is extraditable. Even the fact that he is a US national is no obstacle in the way of his extradition under Article 3 which provides that "extradition shall not be refused on the ground that the person sought is a national of the Requested State." "Neither party, in other words, may invoke nationality as a basis for denying an extradition," it says.
Notwithstanding this clarity, this particular extradition may become untenable in practical terms because the US law enforcement would prefer to keep him within their control for leads to any future investigations.
To give the US investigation specificity, the official press release also named six Americans who were killed in the attacks. They were identified as Ben Zion Chroman, Gavriel Holtzberg, Sandeep Jeswani, Alan Scherr, his daughter Naomi Scherr, and Aryeh Leibish Teitelbaum.
Officials would not comment whether the serious charges are in any way connected with the ongoing visit of a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) team to India and Pakistan. But it is likely that Headley's continued stay in federal custody without bond since his arrest on Oct 3 and also without any scheduled bond hearing has to do with the expansion of the charges where India would have given significant inputs.
While the Indian media had been reporting for sometime without any specific attribution about Headley's alleged involvement in the Mumbai attacks, the US charges are the first official step of naming him directly.
The fact that some of America's top law enforcement officials were quoted in the press release also underlined the importance that is being given to the Headley case. FBI Director Robert S. Muller, III, said, "This case illustrates the importance of continued global cooperation to combat terrorism around the world. The FBI continues to strengthen relationships and to foster collaboration with our international partners to best ensure our collective ability to identify and disrupt international terror networks."
"This case serves as a reminder that the terrorist threat is global in nature and requires constant vigilance at home and abroad," said David Kris, Assistant Attorney General for National Security. "We continue to share leads developed in this investigation with our foreign and domestic law enforcement partners as we work together on this important matter."
Also quoted was Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, who has a national reputation as tough prosecutor. "This investigation remains active and ongoing. The team of prosecutors and agents will continue to seek charges against the other persons responsible for these attacks. I continue to express my deep appreciation to the FBI agents and other members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force for their extremely hard work on this matter," Fitzgerald said.
Gorshkov deal successfully concluded: Indian foreign secretary
Moscow: India and Russia have "successfully" concluded the agreement on the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier, ending a long standoff over the key defence deal, Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said.
The issue, Rao said, came up during the summit level talks between visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday.
"Both the leaders discussed the issue and noted excellent progress on negotiations on price and technical issues which have been brought to a successful conclusion," she told reporters in a late night briefing.
But the foreign secretary gave no details about the price. Sources had earlier said that it was "satisfactory" for both sides.
The delivery of the aircraft carrier, now rechristened INS Vikramaditya, was agreed years ago but has been long delayed due to bargaining over refitting prices.
The haggling of the Soviet-era carrier had come to symbolise the strains in relations between the two Cold War allies.
Russian media quoting Kremlin sources confirmed that Moscow would finally deliver the refurbished aircraft carrier to India.
However, there was no word on when the vessel might be handed over to the Indian Navy.
Manmohan Singh was on a three-day trip to Moscow during which he signed six bilateral pacts, including a deal on the peaceful use of atomic energy that guarantees uninterrupted uranium fuel supplies for Indian reactors and transfer of technology.
The two sides also inked three military pacts.
The issue, Rao said, came up during the summit level talks between visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday.
"Both the leaders discussed the issue and noted excellent progress on negotiations on price and technical issues which have been brought to a successful conclusion," she told reporters in a late night briefing.
But the foreign secretary gave no details about the price. Sources had earlier said that it was "satisfactory" for both sides.
The delivery of the aircraft carrier, now rechristened INS Vikramaditya, was agreed years ago but has been long delayed due to bargaining over refitting prices.
The haggling of the Soviet-era carrier had come to symbolise the strains in relations between the two Cold War allies.
Russian media quoting Kremlin sources confirmed that Moscow would finally deliver the refurbished aircraft carrier to India.
However, there was no word on when the vessel might be handed over to the Indian Navy.
Manmohan Singh was on a three-day trip to Moscow during which he signed six bilateral pacts, including a deal on the peaceful use of atomic energy that guarantees uninterrupted uranium fuel supplies for Indian reactors and transfer of technology.
The two sides also inked three military pacts.
FBI team to visit Pakistan to follow Headley leads
Washington: As prosecutors charged American terror suspect David Coleman Headley with conspiracy in last year's Mumbai terror strike, the US said a Justice Department and FBI team will visit Pakistan to follow up on leads about his activities there.
The US team which briefed Indian investigators on the case in New Delhi on Monday "will travel directly to Islamabad to brief appropriate Pakistani security officials," State Department Spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters on Monday.
"We're also working with Pakistani officials to follow up on leads regarding Headley's activities in Pakistan," he said hours after prosecutors in Chicago charged the son of a Pakistani diplomat and an American mother with carrying out surveillance on targets in India in advance of the 26/11 terror attacks.
Describing Pakistan as "a critical partner in the fight against terrorism," he said: " We are committed to building a long-term partnership with Pakistan - as the President (Barack Obama) has said, a long-term strategic relationship."
Asked if the US will allow the Indian investigating agencies to question Headley and his alleged accomplice Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Pakistan born Chicago businessman who has Canadian citizenship, Kelly said: "I think that' s the kind of detail that I really have to refer you to the Department of Justice on."
Asked if the US was satisfied with the cooperation it was getting from Pakistani authorities in the Headley case, he said: "...We have a very broad and deep relationship with Pakistan on a number of issues, including law enforcement and security issues."
Taking note of the filing of fresh charges against Headley, 49, Kelly said: "Well, obviously, our role is to be the liaison with the governments who are concerned in these judicial issues."
"The US Department of Justice and the FBI sent a briefing team that today (Monday) shared with Indian law enforcement counterparts information disclosed by Headley relating to his alleged roles in the November 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks and his alleged role in plotting an attack in Denmark."
This visit, he said "reflects the President's commitment to Indian Prime Minister (Manmohan) Singh during his recent visit to cooperate closely on the case."
"We have also been cooperating or consulting closely with Pakistani authorities on this case as well, following the practices developed in previous high-profile counter-terrorism investigations," Kelly said.
"After the meetings in New Delhi, this team of the Department of Justice and the FBI will travel directly to Islamabad to brief appropriate Pakistani security officials," he said.
The US team which briefed Indian investigators on the case in New Delhi on Monday "will travel directly to Islamabad to brief appropriate Pakistani security officials," State Department Spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters on Monday.
"We're also working with Pakistani officials to follow up on leads regarding Headley's activities in Pakistan," he said hours after prosecutors in Chicago charged the son of a Pakistani diplomat and an American mother with carrying out surveillance on targets in India in advance of the 26/11 terror attacks.
Describing Pakistan as "a critical partner in the fight against terrorism," he said: " We are committed to building a long-term partnership with Pakistan - as the President (Barack Obama) has said, a long-term strategic relationship."
Asked if the US will allow the Indian investigating agencies to question Headley and his alleged accomplice Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Pakistan born Chicago businessman who has Canadian citizenship, Kelly said: "I think that' s the kind of detail that I really have to refer you to the Department of Justice on."
Asked if the US was satisfied with the cooperation it was getting from Pakistani authorities in the Headley case, he said: "...We have a very broad and deep relationship with Pakistan on a number of issues, including law enforcement and security issues."
Taking note of the filing of fresh charges against Headley, 49, Kelly said: "Well, obviously, our role is to be the liaison with the governments who are concerned in these judicial issues."
"The US Department of Justice and the FBI sent a briefing team that today (Monday) shared with Indian law enforcement counterparts information disclosed by Headley relating to his alleged roles in the November 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks and his alleged role in plotting an attack in Denmark."
This visit, he said "reflects the President's commitment to Indian Prime Minister (Manmohan) Singh during his recent visit to cooperate closely on the case."
"We have also been cooperating or consulting closely with Pakistani authorities on this case as well, following the practices developed in previous high-profile counter-terrorism investigations," Kelly said.
"After the meetings in New Delhi, this team of the Department of Justice and the FBI will travel directly to Islamabad to brief appropriate Pakistani security officials," he said.
Headley case shows importance of global cooperation: US
Washington: US law enforcement officials say the case of American terror suspect David Headley charged with conspiracy in last year's Mumbai terror strike shows the importance of vigilance and global cooperation to combat terrorism.
"This case illustrates the importance of continued global cooperation to combat terrorism around the world," FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III, said on Monday as prosecutors in Chicago filed fresh charges against Headley, the son of a Pakistani diplomat and an American socialite mother.
"The FBI continues to strengthen relationships and to foster collaboration with our international partners to best ensure our collective ability to identify and disrupt international terror networks," Mueller said.
"This case serves as a reminder that the terrorist threat is global in nature and requires constant vigilance at home and abroad," said David Kris, Assistant Attorney General for National Security. "We continue to share leads developed in this investigation with our foreign and domestic law enforcement partners as we work together on this important matter."
"This investigation remains active and ongoing. The team of prosecutors and agents will continue to seek charges against the other persons responsible for these attacks," said Patrick J. Fitzgerald, US Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.
"I continue to express my deep appreciation to the FBI agents and other members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force for their extremely hard work on this matter," said Fitzgerald.
The US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California and the FBI' s offices in Los Angeles and Washington, DC, are also participating in the case.
No date has been set yet for the arraignment of Headley, 49, in US District Court in Chicago.
Headley was charged in a 12-count criminal information with six counts of conspiracy to bomb public places in India, to murder and maim persons in India and Denmark and provide material support to foreign terrorist plots, and to provide material support to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan based terror outfit.
He has also been charged on six counts of aiding and abetting the murder of US citizens in India.
"This case illustrates the importance of continued global cooperation to combat terrorism around the world," FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III, said on Monday as prosecutors in Chicago filed fresh charges against Headley, the son of a Pakistani diplomat and an American socialite mother.
"The FBI continues to strengthen relationships and to foster collaboration with our international partners to best ensure our collective ability to identify and disrupt international terror networks," Mueller said.
"This case serves as a reminder that the terrorist threat is global in nature and requires constant vigilance at home and abroad," said David Kris, Assistant Attorney General for National Security. "We continue to share leads developed in this investigation with our foreign and domestic law enforcement partners as we work together on this important matter."
"This investigation remains active and ongoing. The team of prosecutors and agents will continue to seek charges against the other persons responsible for these attacks," said Patrick J. Fitzgerald, US Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.
"I continue to express my deep appreciation to the FBI agents and other members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force for their extremely hard work on this matter," said Fitzgerald.
The US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California and the FBI' s offices in Los Angeles and Washington, DC, are also participating in the case.
No date has been set yet for the arraignment of Headley, 49, in US District Court in Chicago.
Headley was charged in a 12-count criminal information with six counts of conspiracy to bomb public places in India, to murder and maim persons in India and Denmark and provide material support to foreign terrorist plots, and to provide material support to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan based terror outfit.
He has also been charged on six counts of aiding and abetting the murder of US citizens in India.
20091206
Telangana shut for second day; KCR continues fas
Hyderabad: Normal life remained paralysed in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh on Monday for the second successive day as the 48-hour shutdown called by the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) demanding a separate state of Telangana evoked total response.
Hyderabad and nine other districts of the region continued to be tense as TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao's fast-unto-death entered the ninth day.
For the second day, buses of state-owned Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) remained off the roads while road blockades by the protestors affected vehicular movement on the highways.
All educational institutions, shops, business establishments, cinema theatres and petrol bunks remained closed in Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana, causing severe inconvenience to the public.
Tension prevailed on the campus of Osmania University in Hyderabad on Monday morning as armed policemen and personnel of Rapid Action Force (RAF) were mobilised in huge numbers to prevent students from taking out a rally to the state assembly.
Police entered the Arts College on the campus and the university hostel to evict students, who planned to lay siege to the assembly to demand that it pass a resolution on a separate Telangana state.
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of students and teachers of Osmania University has protested the police action and demanded that the government withdraw all forces from the campus. The JAC leaders have warned the government of serious consequences otherwise.
Suicide by five Telangana sympathizers, sporadic incidents of violence, widespread protests across the region and road blockades marked the shutdown on the first day Sunday.
Meanwhile, KCR, as the TRS chief is popularly known, continued his fast-unto-death at the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) here demanding separate statehood to the Telangana region.
Doctors at NIMS said KCR, who was in judicial custody, was running high temperature and had turned very weak as he has not been taking food for the past nine days.
Chief Minister K. Rosaiah personally went to NIMS Sunday night to persuade KCR to end the fast but the latter made it clear that he would not call off the fast unless a decision was taken on carving out a separate Telangana state.
Rosaiah, who was accompanied by Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) president Ajit Singh and health minister D. Nagender, told KCR that the central government was seized of the Telangana issue but the TRS chief demanded that at least the state assembly pass a resolution.
KCR was arrested on November 29 by the police near Karimnagar town when he was heading to Siddipet town in Medak district for launching a fast unto death. He was taken to Khammam town, where a court sent him to jail for 14 days.
India is facing both internal, external threats: RSS chief
Chandigarh: Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said here on Sunday that India is facing internal threats from various quarters and the outside world is trying to take advantage of the situation. "India is facing a big problem of Maoists and Naxalites. Unfortunately other countries have established strong links with them and now they are posing a big threat for the country's security," said Bhagwat, while addressing RSS workers' convention here.
"India is also facing threat from its neighbouring countries. Everyone knows the intentions of Pakistan, China wants to snatch one whole state just through negotiations and so far Bangladesh has not declared the various terrorist based in their country."
The RSS chief also attacked the developed countries, holding them responsible for current disorder in the world.
"Countries, which teach us lessons of peace and harmony, themselves indulge in bombing and attacking other countries. Just to sell their weapons, they drag other poor countries into war," he said.
He said that differences based on caste, creed and languages have become very deep in the country and some political leaders are using them as a tool to fulfill their political aspirations.
"Socialists and capitalists have not been able to deliver on their promises and even the growth of science and technology is failure in bringing peace of mind to humanity. Its time to take along all sections of society if we want to live a safe and secure life," Bhagwat said.
"India is also facing threat from its neighbouring countries. Everyone knows the intentions of Pakistan, China wants to snatch one whole state just through negotiations and so far Bangladesh has not declared the various terrorist based in their country."
The RSS chief also attacked the developed countries, holding them responsible for current disorder in the world.
"Countries, which teach us lessons of peace and harmony, themselves indulge in bombing and attacking other countries. Just to sell their weapons, they drag other poor countries into war," he said.
He said that differences based on caste, creed and languages have become very deep in the country and some political leaders are using them as a tool to fulfill their political aspirations.
"Socialists and capitalists have not been able to deliver on their promises and even the growth of science and technology is failure in bringing peace of mind to humanity. Its time to take along all sections of society if we want to live a safe and secure life," Bhagwat said.
FBI team in India with Headley information
New Delhi: A Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) team arrived in India today on a two-day visit with information on Pakistan-born suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Rana presently in US custody.
"Investigations are on in the matter. The FBI team is here and we have been assured of all cooperation from the US," External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said on the sidelines of the India-Africa Hydrocarbon Conference here.
India hopes the FBI team will have key information about the two terror suspects, whose roles are being probed in last year's Mumbai terror attack, which left over 170 people dead.
Headley and Rana had travelled to India extensively before the 26/11 attacks.
Indian intelligence agencies believe Headley was a missing link in the Mumbai attacks and had provided photographs, maps and other details to the 10 Lashkar terrorists who sailed into the city through Karachi.
The FBI had Oct 3 arrested Headley, a Pakistani born national but settled in the US, for alleged links with an international terror network. Rana, a Canadian citizen and Headley's accomplice, was arrested Oct 18. Rana was living legally in Chicago, where he operated an immigration centre.
The two, according to the FBI charges, were scheming a terror attack on a Danish newspaper that had published blasphemous cartoons of Prophet Mohammed wearing a bomb as a turban.
According to investigators, they were working on behalf of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terror outfit and were planning new terror attacks in India.
The decision of the FBI to come to India follows intensive discussions between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President Barack Obama in Washington last month.
CIA chief Leon Panetta had disclosed the links of Headley-Rana to elements in Pakistan's ISI when he met National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan in New Delhi in November.
"Investigations are on in the matter. The FBI team is here and we have been assured of all cooperation from the US," External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said on the sidelines of the India-Africa Hydrocarbon Conference here.
India hopes the FBI team will have key information about the two terror suspects, whose roles are being probed in last year's Mumbai terror attack, which left over 170 people dead.
Headley and Rana had travelled to India extensively before the 26/11 attacks.
Indian intelligence agencies believe Headley was a missing link in the Mumbai attacks and had provided photographs, maps and other details to the 10 Lashkar terrorists who sailed into the city through Karachi.
The FBI had Oct 3 arrested Headley, a Pakistani born national but settled in the US, for alleged links with an international terror network. Rana, a Canadian citizen and Headley's accomplice, was arrested Oct 18. Rana was living legally in Chicago, where he operated an immigration centre.
The two, according to the FBI charges, were scheming a terror attack on a Danish newspaper that had published blasphemous cartoons of Prophet Mohammed wearing a bomb as a turban.
According to investigators, they were working on behalf of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terror outfit and were planning new terror attacks in India.
The decision of the FBI to come to India follows intensive discussions between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President Barack Obama in Washington last month.
CIA chief Leon Panetta had disclosed the links of Headley-Rana to elements in Pakistan's ISI when he met National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan in New Delhi in November.
Copenhagen summit starts today
Copenhagen: The two week long Copenhagen summit is supposed to kick off from today. This event is supposed to focus on cutting down on emission of the environmentally harmful greenhouse gases. It is expected that a number of negotiations would be carried out in that regard in this summit event.
It is expected that almost 15,000 delegates would be representing 192 countries at the event that is focusing on climate change, which is being touted to be the biggest of its kind.
As has been said earlier, emission of greenhouse gases would be one of the important issues at the event. However, the focus in this case would be on the developed nations. Financial help that is required in order to assist the developing countries with emission cuts would be focussed on as well at the Copenhagen summit.
The various carbon trading programs that are geared at putting an end to global deforestation activities by 2030 would be yet another key issue of the climate summit. The conference would be attended by more than 100 individuals who are the heads of their respective national governments.
Some of the prominent leaders who would be present at the event are Barack Obama, Wen Jiabao, Gordon Brown, Manmohan Singh and Nicolas Sarkozy.
It is expected that there would be a lot of bargaining going on regarding emissions and the fiscal steps that need to be taken to make climate change effective.
If any agreement regarding emission of greenhouse gases is reached it would be a replacement of the Kyoto Protocol that came into being on 11th December 1997.
It is expected that almost 15,000 delegates would be representing 192 countries at the event that is focusing on climate change, which is being touted to be the biggest of its kind.
As has been said earlier, emission of greenhouse gases would be one of the important issues at the event. However, the focus in this case would be on the developed nations. Financial help that is required in order to assist the developing countries with emission cuts would be focussed on as well at the Copenhagen summit.
The various carbon trading programs that are geared at putting an end to global deforestation activities by 2030 would be yet another key issue of the climate summit. The conference would be attended by more than 100 individuals who are the heads of their respective national governments.
Some of the prominent leaders who would be present at the event are Barack Obama, Wen Jiabao, Gordon Brown, Manmohan Singh and Nicolas Sarkozy.
It is expected that there would be a lot of bargaining going on regarding emissions and the fiscal steps that need to be taken to make climate change effective.
If any agreement regarding emission of greenhouse gases is reached it would be a replacement of the Kyoto Protocol that came into being on 11th December 1997.
Main accused in Kandhamal nun's rape held
Bhubaneswar: The main accused in the gang rape of a nun in Orissa's Kandhamal district during last year's communal clashes has been arrested, police said today.
"We have arrested Gururam Patra from Dharampur area of the district on Sunday evening," investigating officer B.K. Mohanty told media.
Patra had allegedly led the mob that attacked the nun at K. Nuagaon village in the district on Aug 24 last year and raped her.
With Patra's arrest, the total number of people held in the case has gone up to 19.
Mohanty said at least 11 accused in the case are absconding and efforts are on to nab them.
Kandhamal district, about 200 km from here, witnessed widespread communal violence after the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides at his ashram on Aug 23 last year. Police had blamed Maoists for the killings.
At least 38 people were killed in the state and thousands of Christians forced to flee their homes after their houses were attacked by rampaging mobs.
"We have arrested Gururam Patra from Dharampur area of the district on Sunday evening," investigating officer B.K. Mohanty told media.
Patra had allegedly led the mob that attacked the nun at K. Nuagaon village in the district on Aug 24 last year and raped her.
With Patra's arrest, the total number of people held in the case has gone up to 19.
Mohanty said at least 11 accused in the case are absconding and efforts are on to nab them.
Kandhamal district, about 200 km from here, witnessed widespread communal violence after the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides at his ashram on Aug 23 last year. Police had blamed Maoists for the killings.
At least 38 people were killed in the state and thousands of Christians forced to flee their homes after their houses were attacked by rampaging mobs.
India to set up institutions in Africa, offer scholarships to 300 African students
Addis Ababa: India intends to set up educational institutions and communication facilities in Africa and increase the number of scholarships for African students to study in India.
"We intend to establish 19 different institutions in Africa including education and communication facilities," Gurjit Singh, joint secretary in the Indian Ministry of External Affair's east and southern Africa division, told the media here. He was in Addis Ababa for meetings with officials of the African Union.
Singh, who was the Indian ambassador to Ethiopia in his previous posting, said that Indian wanted to assist Africa in the development sector. He felt that capacity building, rural development and healthcare were areas that India could provide help to African nations.
Singh said: "We discussed how to implement the plan of action. We also raised the issues of which countries will host these institutions".
He said that India also plans to increase the number of scholarships for post-graduate and doctoral studies in its institutions to over 300 students from Africa.
Reminiscing about his four-year stint as Indian envoy to Ethiopia, Singh said that during his term, cultural and economic relations between the two countries have improved exponentially. But, now working at the headquarters in New Delhi, his mandate has increased. "I now work to extend that to the entire continent," he remarked.
"We intend to establish 19 different institutions in Africa including education and communication facilities," Gurjit Singh, joint secretary in the Indian Ministry of External Affair's east and southern Africa division, told the media here. He was in Addis Ababa for meetings with officials of the African Union.
Singh, who was the Indian ambassador to Ethiopia in his previous posting, said that Indian wanted to assist Africa in the development sector. He felt that capacity building, rural development and healthcare were areas that India could provide help to African nations.
Singh said: "We discussed how to implement the plan of action. We also raised the issues of which countries will host these institutions".
He said that India also plans to increase the number of scholarships for post-graduate and doctoral studies in its institutions to over 300 students from Africa.
Reminiscing about his four-year stint as Indian envoy to Ethiopia, Singh said that during his term, cultural and economic relations between the two countries have improved exponentially. But, now working at the headquarters in New Delhi, his mandate has increased. "I now work to extend that to the entire continent," he remarked.
Goods train derails in Bihar
Patna: At least 26 bogies of a goods train were derailed in Bihar's Sasaram district today, disrupting rail traffic on the busy Mughalsarai-Howrah route. No injuries were reported, police said.
The accident occurred near Shivsagar railway station and several trains have been diverted, said Dilip Kumar, the chief public relations officer of East Central Railway.
"Normal services are likely to resume by tonight," Kumar said.
He added that railway authorities would carry out a probe to ascertain the cause of the derailment.
The accident occurred near Shivsagar railway station and several trains have been diverted, said Dilip Kumar, the chief public relations officer of East Central Railway.
"Normal services are likely to resume by tonight," Kumar said.
He added that railway authorities would carry out a probe to ascertain the cause of the derailment.
20091205
Chandrasekhar Rao moved to ICU, TRS calls 2-day Telangana bandh from Monday
HYDERABAD: TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao, on a fast for the last six days demanding a separate Telangana state, was today shifted to the ICU of a city hospital after his condition deteriorated, even as the party called a two-day bandh in the region from Monday.
Doctors at the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences as well as KCR's personal physician M V Rao tried to shift him to the ICU after midnight, but he refused to move.
But with the sodium levels in his body dropping significantly, doctors shifted him to the ICU at around 2 pm today. He is being administered saline and other fluids.
Praja Rajyam Party president K Chiranjeevi called on KCR at the NIMS and appealed to him to end his indefinite fast.
"He has, however, rejected my plea and said he would continue his fast till the Telangana statehood issue is resolved," Chiranjeevi later told newspersons.
Chiranjeevi appealed to the state and Central governments to immediately take an appropriate decision on Telangana.
The Politburo of TRS, which had an emergency meeting here today, called a 48-hour bandh across the region from Monday.
The Joint Action Committee of Telangana Students Unions also stepped up its stir seeking a separate state. For the third day in a row, the agitating students laid siege to the residences of Congress ministers, MPs and MLAs in various districts of Andhra Pradesh.
India-Russia ties a factor of peace and stability: PM
New Delhi: Describing India-Russia relations as "a factor of peace and stability" in a changing world, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today left for Moscow on a three-day trip during which the two strategic partners are expected to take "yet another step forward" by signing a framework civil nuclear cooperation agreement. "I am confident that my visit will be yet another step forward in consolidating our cooperation with Russia and in reinforcing the fact that the India-Russia strategic partnership is a factor of peace and stability in the evolving international situation," Manmohan Singh said in a statement as he left for Moscow. "This is a partnership based on the solid foundation of long-standing friendship, deep mutual trust and strong convergence of interests," the prime minister said. Manmohan Singh stressed that "the multifaceted cooperation" between India and Russia has acquired "greater depth and maturity" through joint efforts over the years. "We seek to strengthen these ties further," he said. Outlining his summit agenda with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Manmohan Singh said he will review the status of "bilateral cooperation, including in the key areas of defence, civil nuclear energy, space, science and technology and hydrocarbons". "I will also exchange views with the president on key regional and global issues such as terrorism, recovery of the global economy, energy security, climate change, nuclear disarmament and reform of international institutions," he said. After talks between Manmohan Singh and Medvedev on Monday, the two sides are expected to sign an inter-government framework agreement on expanded civil nuclear cooperation and three defence pacts, including one for ending adhocism in servicing Russian military equipment. Russia actively supported India in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) last year and was one of the earliest backers for India re-joining the global nuclear trade. More than a month ago, India announced two sites for new Russian atomic reactors. Besides civil nuclear cooperation, terrorism and the volatile situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan will figure prominently in the discussions between the two leaders. India may ask Russia to use its influence to persuade Pakistan to jettison its alleged policy of using terrorism as an instrument of state policy against New Delhi. Manmohan Singh will also meet Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin during whose presidency the strategic partnership between India and Russia was forged in 2000. The two will jointly attend the closing ceremony of the Year of India in Russia on Monday evening. Later, Manmohan Singh and Putin will also meet members of the India-Russia CEO's Council in a bid to give a boost to lacklustre trade ties between the two partners. "These events symbolize the mutual desire of both countries to enhance people-to-people contacts, and expand our trade and economic engagement, which is well below our true potential," Manmohan Singh said.
Protests, celebrations mark Babri demolition anniversary
New Delhi: The 17th anniversary of the Babri mosque demolition saw both protests as well as celebratory marches by different groups in the capital today. Staging a protest at the Jantar Mantar near the central business hub of Delhi, members of the All India Babri Masjid Rebuilding Committee (AIBMRC) demanded that the mosque be rebuilt on the disputed site of Ayodhya. They also submitted a memorandum to President Pratibha Patil to put behind bars those named by the Liberhan Commission report. On the other hand, celebrating the anniversary of the demolition, members of the little known Rashtrawadi Sena organised a "Vijay Divas" (victory day) march in east Delhi. Said Bharat Lal Sharma, secretary of the group: "Our party chief Jai Bhagwan Goyal said this was a historic day which should be celebrated with pomp and show. He also added that since this year his name was mentioned in the Liberhan Commission report, it was an even bigger reason to celebrate.". Goyal was one of the 68 people mentioned in the report of the Liberhan Commission, which probed the 1992 Babri mosque demolition, as culpable for "leading the country to the brink of communal discord". The report, which was tabled in parliament on Nov 24, has indicted members of the Sangh Parivar for demolition of the 16th century mosque in Ayodhya. The vandalism and destruction had led to communal riots across the country. Sahmat, a group of artists also held a discussion with journalists and photographers who were witnesses in the demolition along with historians to give their perspective today. A photo exhibition "Hum Sab Ayodhya" was also organised.
Indian encroachment triggered Nepal violence: ethnic leader
Kathmandu: The general strike called today by Nepal's former Maoist guerrillas after six people were killed in clashes between security forces and squatters in the far west of the country was caused by continuing Indian encroachment in Nepal, a Nepali ethnic leader has alleged. Raj Kumar Lekhi is the chief of the Tharu Kalyankarini Sabha, an organisation of ethnic Nepalis who could be the descendants of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. The Tharus, who were among the first settlers of the Terai plains in southern Nepal, were later displaced by waves of migrants from Nepal's hill districts as well as India, displaced from their own land and becoming bonded slaves. Kailali, the remote and disadvantaged district in far-west Nepal where the violence occurred on Friday after security forces began removing squatters, is among the original homeland of the Tharus. While condemning the violence and killings, Lekhi said the Tharus were angered and concerned by the planned encroachment on traditional Tharu land by settlers from the hills and India. Indians crossing the border were obtaining Nepali citizenship illegally in connivance with political parties and passing themselves off as Madhesis - Nepalis of Indian origin - in a bid to grab Tharu land, Lekhi said. The Tharus, who have been at loggerheads with the Madhesis, fear that the government's recent drive to issue citizenship to people living in the plains for several generations, would boost the Madhesi population in the plains and reduce them to a minority. The government's decision to restructure Nepal into a federal republic with autonomous states has become a task fraught with pitfalls in the Terai where besides Madhesis and Tharus, Muslims as well as the Chures, a community living around the Chure Bhawar mountain ranges in the Terai, have been demanding separate states for their communities.
Digitise land records, ease acquisition norms: CII
New Delhi: The proposed Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill, slated to be introduced in parliament this winter, needs to include provisions for easing land acquisition norms and digitising land records, according to an industry lobby report. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in its recommendations, also called for setting up land bank corporations to facilitate speedy acquisition and disbursement of land for industrial use. "Agglomerating land from numerous owners is not a task which the corporate sector can do effectively, especially in the absence of proper land records and with small, scattered land-holdings," CII director general Chandrajit Banerjee said in the report. The bill in its current form says only the state can acquire land for private sector projects. "Any attempt on the part of the government to transfer this task squarely on industry, without improving the system, will badly affect industrial development and overall economic growth in the country," said Banerjee. Another key recommendation is for setting up state land bank coporations. These institutions could acquire fallow, barren and unproductive as well as other and disburse it for industrial projects. This, according to CII, is a "transparent and viable solution" to the problem. The lobby also called for national digitisation of land records. Archaic and unauthentic land records are the biggest road blocks in land acquisition and disbursement of compensation, it said. The digitisation of land records, across all states, would help make land records transparent, tamper-proof and facilitate detailed planning of land use for industrial, agriculture and residential development, the report added. The CII report also called for identification and segregation of the land for various purposes. "The state should fulfil its responsibility for economic development and must play its critical and key role in acquiring land for industrial projects, as industrialisation is essential for job creation and inclusive growth," it said. The government has listed the Land Acquisition Amendment Bill for introduction in the ongoing winter session of parliament.
Canadian province premier on 'green mission' to India
Toronto: Dalton McGuinty, premier of Canada's Ontario province, on Saturday left for India on a week-long trade mission to sell green technology to the energy-starved country. Coming close on the heels of the India-Canada nuclear agreement last week, the trade mission by the premier (equal to a chief minister in India) from Dec 6-11 will take him to New Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad. The visit assumes siginificance as Ontario with Toronto as its capital is the powerhouse of Canada, accounting for more than 40 percent of the nation's economy and much of manufacturing and auto industries. Before leaving for New Delhi, McGuinty told the media that his mission will have "a laser-like focus'' in India. He said, "We are very focused on what we want to do now - if you have got an interest in that, great let us talk. If you don't, then we are moving on to the next person.'' The premier said India's "so many challenges'' offered many opportunities to Canada as "we have so many solutions for them.'' He said India has "some real environmental challenges and we have got over 2,600 environmental technology companies. "Why not put two and two together? Let us go over there and bring them some solutions.'' McGuinty has set a target of creating 50,000 "green jobs'' in his province in the next three years as his government tries to promote green energy technology to check global warming. He is targeting India and China for selling green technology to create these many jobs here. With over $200 billion needed in new investments to raise its renewable energy production capacity to 200 GW by 2030, India offers a huge market for Canadian green companies. Canadian companies are also eyeing India's water and wastewater treatment market which is growing at a rate of 10-12 percent. The trade mission includes 31 people from 27 Ontario companies and universities which have expertise in green technology and infrastructure. Economic development and trade minister Sandra Pupatello, Canada-India Business Council president Rana Sarkar, experts in green energy, sewage and water treatment and energy storage, and representatives from four universities are among those in the mission. After meeting Indian ministers in New Delhi, the premier will visit Mumbai and Hyderabad to meet business leaders. Though it has not been mentioned whether he will visit the Golden Temple, but a trip to Amritsar is likely because of a huge number of Sikh votes here. Traditionally, Canadian Sikhs and other immigrant communities have voted the premier's Liberal Party. This will be the second visit of the premier to India after his first mission in January 2007.
India's high growth offset by rising food inflation
New Delhi: The Indian economy's 7.9 percent growth in the second quarter of this fiscal has taken everyone by surprise, but rising food inflation, which has seen the daily grocery bill shoot up sharply, has dampened some of the euphoria. Those taken unawares by the high growth included economic pundits, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the government itself, which had been bracing for lower growth compared to the first quarter. It augurs well for the rest of the year, as the dip in farm output growth has not been as sharp as had been expected. The full impact of the poor summer monsoon, though, may be felt in the third quarter. The fears that the poor performance in the agricultural sector would impact the rest of the economy have not come true. In fact, manufacturing growth has been robust at 9.2 percent while mining and services have also risen by an equally healthy 9.5 and 9.3 percent, respectively. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee quickly revised his growth estimates for the full year from the earlier 6.5-7 percent, while the RBI is now looking at ways to gradually exit from the fiscal stimulus put in place earlier in the year. It is clear the good news means there may be a quicker withdrawal than earlier anticipated from the stimulus measures. Besides, the RBI is concerned about rising inflation. Though the wholesale price index has risen by only about 1.4 percent, food inflation has reached an alarming level of 17.5 percent. It seems the central banks may take some action soon, now that there is no need to worry about the prospects of affecting growth. Senior RBI officials have already commented that the latest quarterly data is an indication that there is no need for a "permanent stimulus" and it is time to start thinking of a withdrawal. The worries about the agricultural sector, however, have not receded even with the good news of higher growth during the July-September quarter. Farm output during the second quarter was 0.9 percent but is expected to actually decline in the third quarter, as the impact of the poor monsoon during the kharif (summer crop) season will be felt over this period. Soaring prices of vegetables, fruits, cereals and other daily necessities have already begun to reflect the poor agricultural output. There is a strong need for intervention to ensure that the common man does not continue to suffer due to the high cost of basic goods like food. One can only hope the RBI will act sooner rather than later. The outlook, however, is bright, as RBI Deputy Governor Usha Thorat has said the apex bank will reassess its soft policy stance in the wake of the runaway food prices. Even the chairman of the Prime Minister's economic advisory council, C. Rangarajan, has underlined the need to control food inflation through monetary action as it could lead to manufacturing inflation. There are still fears that the impact of agriculture could affect other sectors. But all indicators so far point to continuing healthy growth in the manufacturing sector for the third quarter. Similarly, services may continue their revival especially in the light of reports that IT and consumer goods companies are creating thousands of new jobs in the last few months. The latest data also shows that the stimulus measures put into place in several phases since September 2008 have definitely played a role in reviving the economy. Both previous finance minister P. Chidambaram, who pushed through the first phase of the stimulus, and his successor have to be given credit for a job well done. Similarly, the RBI has had to prove its mettle by managing the Indian economy at a time when the whole world was in the depths of slowdown and recession. Barring inflation, for which measures may soon be taken, it is clear that the RBI and the finance ministry have been able to weather the crisis as it seems that there is now truly a durable turnaround. The next step for policy makers is to rein in food inflation. But it has been an extremely difficult balancing act to ensure that economic growth is not affected while keeping prices under control. The situation was compounded by the failure of the monsoon during the vital kharif sowing season. This underlines once again the country's vulnerability and complete dependence on monsoon. One can only hope that the rabi (winter crop) season provides a bountiful wheat harvest. Usually the rabi crops remain relatively less affected by the fluctuations of rainfall as most of the country's surplus stocks come from the irrigated areas of Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. In any case, it is clear the authorities cannot wait till the fresh harvest comes to the market. Urgent action is needed on the price front. Any delay will ultimately hinder the economic revival in the current fiscal.
20091204
Hurriyat leader Qureshi stable but critical
Srinagar: Senior separatist Hurriyat Conference leader Fazal Haque Qureshi, who was shot outside his house here by unidentified gunmen on Friday, is stable but not out of danger, a relative of his said today. "His operation was conducted last night which continued till 11.30 p.m. and the doctors said he is stable but critical," Tariq Andrabi, a close relative, told media. Qureshi is in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Sher-e-Kashmir Medical Institute Soura (SKIMS) under tight security and no one is allowed to meet him except close relatives, Andrabi said. Doctors had Friday said a bullet has pierced his head. Qureshi, a senior leader of the moderate Hurriyat group headed by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, is said to be one of the most vocal supporters of the dialogue process to solve the Kashmir issue. He was shot and critically wounded outside his Soura house Friday evening when he was leaving for prayers at a mosque. Four men shot him from close range. The attack on him is seen as an attempt to derail the "quiet dialogue" reportedly going on between the union government and the Kashmiri separatist leaders. The moderate Hurriyat group headed by the Mirwaiz called a shutdown today to protest the attack on Qureshi. Traffic and businesses were affected here due to the strike while government offices, banks and educational institutions remained closed on account of a public holiday on the birth anniversary of the regional National Conference (NC) founder, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah. Reacting sharply to the attack on Qureshi, the Mirwaiz had on Friday termed it an act of cowardice and said the moderate Hurriyat would not be demoralised by it. "There are certain elements within Kashmir who do not want a permanent solution to the problem. They want to continue the uncertainty so that their vested interests are protected." "We have vowed to stand by the sacrifices of the martyrs and work for a peaceful solution to the Kashmir problem by talking to both Pakistan and India," Mirwaiz told reporters outside the hospital where Qureshi is being treated.
US has no intention of leaving Afghanistan soon: Gen Jones
Washington: Assuring India that the US has no intention of leaving Afghanistan in a hurry, a top US official has said President Barack Obama's decision to start pulling out in 2011 indicated no disagreement with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's advise to stay the course there. "The president and the prime minister did have discussions about this" during Manmohan Singh's state visit here last week, Obama's National Security Advisor General James Jones told reporters Friday. "The US has no intention of leaving Afghanistan in the near future, certainly not in 2011," he said when asked if the pullout decision indicated a disagreement with Manmohan Singh's assessment that a premature talk of exit would only encourage terrorists. "And we are very confident that by the application of over 100,000 US troops and a significant increase of NATO and non-NATO contributing countries we would be able to achieve the conditions by which the Afghans can take more responsibility for the conduct of their internal affairs," Jones said. That would allow the US to be able to start to bring some of its troops home, "the rate at which it will happen would be conditioned obviously on the situation on the ground," he said. "But when you have a situation like this it simply can't be that this is going to go on for ever." Obama had decided "to focus everybody's attention on a reasonable time frame in which we can see real change Jones said. "And on not there has been no disagreement." On the contrary to "put it positively there has been full agreement on this with Obama's military and civilian advisors as also the international community." "So I'll take it as a positive not a negative," Jones said. "If we would do our job right between now and then this will have a good result."
ULFA chief Arabinda Rajkhowa to be produced in court
Guwahati: Arrested chairman of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) Arabinda Rajkhowa, the deputy commander-in-chief of the outfit Raju Baruah and Rajkhowa's personal security guard Raja Bora would be produced in a local court here on Friday, police said. "We would seek 14 days police remand of the three arrested ULFA members before the Chief Judicial Magistrate's court," a senior Assam police officer said. On Friday, the ULFA chairman led a dramatic surrender before Indian authorities at Dawki in Meghalaya. Among those who surrendered include Rajkhowa, his wife Kaveri and two children, Raju Baruah, his wife and one child, Raja Bora, and the wife of ULFA foreign secretary Sasha Choudhury and their son. The surrendered ULFA leaders and their family members were brought to Guwahati by a helicopter and lodged at the fourth Assam Police Battalion headquarters in the city. The wives and children who surrendered were not arrested and no charges were framed against them, another police officer said. "Family members of Arabinda Rajkhowa and Raju Baruah (deputy commander-in-chief) have approached us for legal help and we are providing them legal assistance," Bijon Mahajan, a senior lawyer in Guwahati, told media. A senior police officer who met the ULFA leaders at the police guest house Friday described the ULFA chairman as a "highly composed and calm" person. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi welcomed the surrender and said the decision by Rajkhowa to come out could pave the way for lasting peace in the state.
France for deeper defence ties with India
New Delhi: French Defence Minister Herve Morin today called for the expansion of defence ties with India at the conclusion of his two-day India visit. "We are looking forward to increase the defence cooperation in land forces. At present, the Mirage (the French-made fighter jet in the Indian air force) upgradation and MMRCA (medium multi role combat aircraft) deal are our main focus," Morin told reporters here. "India and France have long term strategic partnership and we are keen to expand it further," he added. The French defence minister was on two day visit to India and met his Indian counterpart A.K. Antony. According to defence officials here, the issue of delay in the Scorpene Submarine deal was also raised during the discussions. India has been saying that the delay in the submarine project would adversely impact its fleet strength. The first Scorpene submarine is due to be delivered in 2012. Morin was also engaged in discussion with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the Navy Day celebration at the home of Navy chief Admiral Nirmal Verma.
Senior Hurriyat leader critically injured, militant group claims responsibility
Srinagar: Senior separatist Hurriyat Conference leader Fazal Haque Qureshi was shot at and critically wounded outside his house by unidentified gunmen in the Jammu and Kashmir capital today evening, police said. The Al-Nasreen, believed to be an off-shoot of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has claimed responsibility for the attack. Qureshi, a senior leader of the moderate Hurriyat group headed by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, is said to be one of the most vocal supporters of the dialogue process to solve the Kashmir issue. The attack on him is seen as an attempt to derail the "quiet dialogue" reportedly going on between the union government and the Kashmiri separatist leaders. He was shot at and critically wounded outside his Soura house Friday evening when he was leaving for prayers at a mosque. Four men shot at him from close range. The Al-Nasreen called up some local dailies claiming responsibility for the attack. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the attack, saying it was "an attempt to derail the peace process". The chief minister, however, hoped the attack would strengthen the people's resolve in Kashmir to pursue peace more actively. He also said that the security of all moderate Hurriyat leaders was being reviewed. "We are reviewing the security provided to all the moderate separatist leaders. Fazal Haque Qureshi had also been offered security, but he had declined the offer", Omar said. Doctors at the Sher-e-Kashmir Medical Institute Soura (SKIMS) are battling hard to save Qureshi's life who was brought there in a critical condition after the attack. Doctors said a bullet has pierced his head. Meanwhile, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, the chairman of the moderate Hurriyat group, Muhammad Yasin Malik, chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) and some other separatist leaders rushed to the hospital immediately after hearing about the attack. The moderate Hurriyat group has called for a complete shutdown here on Saturday to protest the dastardly attack on a senior leader of the conglomerate. Qureshi shot into prominence in August 2000 when he mediated between a group of Hizbul Mujaheedin guerrillas and the then union home secretary. The four commanders of the Hizbul Mujaheedin, led by the outfit's then operational chief Abdul Majid Dar, had come to hold talks with central government after Dar announced a unilateral ceasefire in July 2000. The moderate group of the Hurriyat has been reportedly in secret talks with the Indian government to find a solution to the Kashmir issue.
Sonia Gandhi to lay foundation of new Congress office
New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi will lay the foundation stone of the party's new office at the capital's Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg on Dec 28 to kick off the functions commemorating 125 years of the party's formation. The party today held the first meeting of the organising committee constituted to celebrate its 125th anniversary at the residence of the Congress chief. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also attended the meeting. Briefing media persons later, Congress general secretary Janardhan Dwivedi said that Sonia Gandhi will declare the programme for the year-long celebrations on Dec 28. He said the celebrations would continue throughout the year and culminate on Dec 28, 2010. The foundation stone of the new office will be laid at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg where the party has been allotted land under a proposal mooted by the Urban Development Ministry. The building is expected to be completed in a year. The function on Dec 28 will be attended by the Congress Working Committee members and party delegates from different parts of the country. State units of the party will also hold functions on that day. Dwivedi indicated that the schedule of the commemorative programmes was still being worked out as the party is also due to hold its organisational polls next year. The 19-member organizing committee is headed by Sonia Gandhi with Defence Minister A.K. Antony as its vice-chairman. The party will complete 125 years of its formation on Dec 28, 2010.
20091203
Dhaka, Delhi strive for more accords during Hasina visit
Dhaka: Bangladeshi and Indian experts began deliberations today to sort out details of a bilateral pact on sharing of Teesta river waters, ahead of summit level talks scheduled in New Delhi on Dec 19. Bangladeshi officials say they are working to remove hurdles on the way for a decision that would require "intervention at the highest level". "We are trying to persuade India for several years to come to an agreement on sharing of the waters of the Teesta river. We have started preparing a draft agreement for handing it over to the Indian side," a senior foreign ministry official said. "But the government is yet to decide whether the draft agreement will be placed at the highest level or at the technical level through the Joint Rivers Commission." The neighbours have a Ganga water pact in place, but share a number of river systems. Officials are working to sort out many issues before Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who enjoys positive vibes with the government in New Delhi, pays a three-day visit. They are weighing the prospects of striking two deals in addition to the three accords the two sides so far have agreed to sign. "One or two more agreements are in the pipeline," Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty told media on Thursday after a meeting with Foreign Secretary Mohamed Mijarul Quayes. He, however, declined to specify the agreements, a news daily said. The home secretaries of the two countries finalised drafts of three agreements at a three-day meeting which ended in New Delhi on Wednesday. The agreements are on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters; combating international terrorism, organised crime and illicit drug trafficking; and transfer of sentenced persons. A Bangladesh foreign ministry official here said that the two countries were examining the possibilities of signing agreements or memorandums of understanding on exchanging electricity and India's investment in developing infrastructures, including railway and road facilities in Bangladesh. Hasina had earlier said that she was in touch with Indian Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee to help improve the rail network of Bangladesh. New Delhi is also pursuing its proposal to designate Ashuganj in Brahmanbaria as a new port of call and to allow India to use Chittagong port. Foreign ministry officials said Hasina was likely to reach New Delhi on Dec 18 after attending the UN conference on climate change in Copenhagen.
Pakistan slowly convinced to act against terrorists: Clinton
Washington: Pakistan has been slowly convinced that it has to take action against terrorists within its own territory, though it still considers India as its number one enemy, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has told lawmakers. "We're dealing with a sovereign country that has a very clear idea of who they think their overall enemy is, namely India, but who has slowly been convinced, because of what's happened inside their own territory, that they have to take action," she told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Thursday. "The US has clearly told Pakistan that there can be no distinction between terrorists," Clinton said. "I think that that will continue to lead to positive steps," she said in response to a question at a hearing on Afghanistan. "We are now making the case to our counterparts in Pakistan, both in the civilian and the military leadership, that the efforts they have made against the TTP (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan), primarily in Swat and now in Waziristan and the Mehsud tribal core, are necessary," Clinton said. "...but far from sufficient efforts to protect themselves; that this syndicate, this network of terrorism, has to be addressed, that whatever the utility of any of these groups might have been in the past, they have morphed into a form that poses a threat to the Pakistani government." Responding to a question from Senator Richard Lugar, top Republican on the Committee, she said: "This is an argument that I think takes time to make. It is certainly an argument each of us, plus others, have carried repeatedly, and will continue to do so. But there is a great gulf of mistrust." The international community also needs to be wary that Al Qaeda is seeking access to nuclear weapons, she said referring to the case of Najibullah Zazi, an Afghan accused of planning to detonate a bomb in New York around the anniversary of the 2001 terror attacks. "There is no doubt in any of our minds that Al Qaeda seeks nuclear material, seeks access to nuclear weapons," Clinton said, noting: "The recent arrests here in our own country trace back to Pakistan and trace back certainly in the case of Zazi, directly to an Al Qaeda-originated training camp and training programme." "But finally and perhaps most chillingly the fact that Pakistan is a nuclear power raises the stakes enormously," she said. "The case for action against Al Qaeda and its allies has always been clear. But the United States' course of action over the last eight years has not. The fog of another war obscured our focus," Clinton said. "And while our attention was focussed elsewhere, the Taliban regained momentum in Afghanistan and the extremist threat grew in Pakistan -- a country, as you know well, with 175 million people, a nuclear arsenal, and more than its share of challenges," she said.
Police seize seven quintals of explosives in Bihar
Patna: Police seized about seven quintals of potassium nitrate used to make explosives from a village in Bihar and arrested five people, officials said today. A police officer said the explosive material was recovered late Thursday night from a village under Chakai block in Jamui district, about 150 km from here. Last month explosive materials, firearms and live cartridges were recovered from Gaya, Patna and Munger districts.
LeT being assisted by Al-Qaida in attacks on India: Robert Gates
Washington: Robert Gates, the US Defence Secretary said that the terrorist group Al-Qaida has been helping Lashkar-e-Taiba, another prominent terrorist outfit, in launching attacks in India. He reiterated that these activities are being pursued by Al-Qaida with the aim of starting a conflict between the South Asian neighbours India and Pakistan. He pointed out that the Al-Qaida is providing them with information regarding possible targets. Gates has said that help is also being provided in connection to various stages of planning these attacks in India. Their basic intention is to add to the amount of destability persisting at various levels in Pakistan through encouraging an Indo-Pak tussle. Incidentally, it may be noted that Lashkar-e-Taiba is the main accused as far as the 26/11 attacks at Mumbai in India are concerned. This carnage, overseen by ten Pakistani terrorists, of whom only Ajmal Kasab is alive and is undergoing trial, had claimed 166 lives in the commercial capital of India including several foreigners last year.
Cabinet okays communal violence bill
New Delhi: Ahead of the parliament debate on the Liberhan Commission report, the union cabinet late on Thursday evening cleared a bill to check communal violence in the country. The cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, approved the revised Communal Violence (Prevention, Control and Rehabilitation of Victims) bill for introduction in parliament, official sources said. The bill had been drafted in 2005. In its Action Taken Report on the Liberhan Commission report, which probed the Dec 6, 1992 Babri Masjid demolition, the government had promised to table the communal violence bill in parliament at the earliest. The bill contains a clause that will allow the central government to declare an area in a state as communally disturbed. However, in order to deploy security forces, the permission of the state concerned would be needed. Special courts would be set up to try cases registered in a communally disturbed area. The bill also provides for the Supreme Court to transfer cases from one court to another and take steps to protect witnesses. The parliament is to debate the Liberhan Commission report next week.
Three Gujarat fishing craft seized by Pakistan
Gandhinagar: Three fishing boats from Gujarat with 16 fishermen aboard were seized by Pakistan's Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) today for allegedly entering their territorial waters, a fishermen's association here said. Manish Lodhari, secretary of the National Fishing Forum (NFF), told IANS that they had received a message about the boats being seized and the arrest of the fishermen. He said with the latest incident, a total of 429 Indian fishing boats had been seized by the PMSA in the last six years, while the number of Indian fishermen in Pakistani jails now stood at 610. Cross-water violations in the seas off India's Gujarat - Pakistan's Sindh - is rampant as fishermen, on both sides, are known to stray - knowingly or unknowingly - into each other's territorial waters chasing fish. However, after the 26/11 Mumbai attack - where a Porbandar-registered fishing vessel 'Kuber' was commandeered by terrorists to sail through Indian waters undetected - Indian security agencies have heightened vigil and warned their own fishing craft not to cross the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). According to official sources, about 1,000 fishermen and 155 fishing crafts registered with fishing ports in Saurashtra have been grounded for crossing the IMBL and their identity cards and boat licences seized. "Heightened vigil has become necessary in view of the terror strikes and an elaborate system has been put in place to ensure that Mumbai type transgressions do not take place through our fishing lanes," said a fisheries department official. The new procedure now entails seized licences and identity cards being sent across to the local police for verification, which are then returned if nothing objectionable is found. Lodhari said the long time taken in the return of licences and identity cards was creating considerable hardships for the fishermen as it hits their earnings. "Many boats and men have been languishing for months and this situation requires to be seriously looked into. Earlier, first time offenders were released with a warning and second time offenders saw a cut in their diesel supplies. Things are much, much more difficult now," he added.
India, US share interests in stability of AfPak: Krishna
New Delhi: Briefing parliament about the recent visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the US, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna today said India and the US shared interests in the stability and development of Afghanistan and wanted Pakistan to take credible steps to destroy safe havens for terrorists. During their talks last week, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President Barack Obama had discussed the interests of India and the US in the stability and development of Afghanistan, Krishna told the Lok Sabha. India's role in the rebuilding and reconstruction of Afghanistan was very much appreciated by the administration and Congress, Krishna said. Providing a gist of the discussions between the two leaders last week, Krishna said the two leaders underscored "the absolute imperative" of bringing the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks to justice and stressed on the credible steps by Pakistan to eliminate safe havens and sanctuaries for terrorists. A pact on counter-terror cooperation was signed during the visit, Krishna said. Highlighting the achievements of Manmohan Singh's four-day trip to the US last week as the first state guest of the Obama administration, Krishna said the visit reaffirmed the relations between India and the US and laid the foundations for further enhancing ties between the two countries. Krishna's remarks came two days day after Obama announced a surge of extra 30,000 US troops in Afghanistan to defeat the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Obama on Tuesday rang up Manmohan Singh and discussed the situation in Afghanistan on the eve of the formal announcement of a surge of troops in the violence-torn country. The situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan figured prominently in discussions between Obama and Manmohan Singh in Washington on Nov 24 and reflected a growing congruence of views between the two countries on tackling terrorist safe havens in these countries. The convergence of approach was reflected in the Nov 24 India-US joint statement.
Government approves 116 staff jobs for CIC
New Delhi: The Central Government has informed Rajya Sabha today that it has approved 116 jobs for the assisting staffs of CIC (Central Information Commission). Prithviraj Chavan, the Minister of State for Personnel and Training has notified Rajya Sabha in writing that the Commission has formed a special committee to calculate the total amount of staffs required. The Government will review the committee report after it is received. For the purpose of constructing a building for the Commission, the government has allotted a land in Delhi. As per Chavan, although it is the duty of the state government to offer the required facilities to CIC, but still the Central Government is aiding in the process by offering some support to the state CICs.
LeT operative Lakhvi's plea against 26/11 indictment rejected
Rawalpindi: Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, who has been named the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, today failed to get a reprieve from the Lahore High Court, which rejected his two petitions challenging his indictment in the carnage. While disposing of the petitions, the Rawalpindi bench of the Lahore High Court directed the Anti-Terrorism Court to consider Lakhvi's objections against his indictment under provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code. The Anti-Terrorism Court had formally charged him along with six other suspects last month with involvement in the 26/11 strikes. Lakhvi's lawyer Sultan Ahmed claimed during the hearing that the prosecution did not have any incriminating evidence against him, Online news agency reported. He also said the statement given to the Indian authorities by Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrorist among ten captured alive in Mumbai, was not admissible in the Anti-Terrorism Court. However, the judges told Ahmed that such issues could be addressed only when the evidence, including Kasab's statement, is presented during the trial in the Anti-Terrorism Court. It was not possible for such matters to be addressed now, they added. Lakhvi's counsel filed the petitions, challenging his indictment on Wednesday. Lakhvi was on Nov 25 indicted along with six other suspects for planning and helping execute the attacks that killed 166 people in India's financial hub. In one petition, Lakhvi claimed there was no evidence and no witnesses against him except Kasab and five policemen involved in a case registered in Pakistan. The policemen, counsel said, had only described Lakhvi as a commander of the LeT and accused him of training people for terrorist activities. Lakhvi pointed out that witnesses had not said anything about his involvement in the Mumbai attacks. He also claimed that Kasab's statement to Indian authorities is not admissible in a case registered in Islamabad. In the second petition, Lakhvi challenged the Anti-Terrorism Court's decision to try Kasab separately under provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code. He claimed these provisions can be applied only when a co-accused cannot appear in court due to illness or other reasons. Lakhvi claimed the prosecution had not stated any reason for Kasab's absence from the Pakistani court. Lakhvi was formally indicted along with Zarar Shah, Hamad Amin Sadiq, Abu al Qama, Shahid Jamil Riaz, Jamil Ahmed and Younas Anjum. The next hearing of the case, in the Anti-Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi's high-security Adiala jail is scheduled for Saturday. Twenty other suspects who are at large are also accused of planning and helping carry out the Mumbai attacks.
Proof of India hand in Balochistan in due time: Pakistan
Islamabad: Pakistan today again said that substantial evidence was available of India's hand in Balochistan and this would be presented at the appropriate time. "India is involved in Balochistan and we have (adequate) proof but will disclose this when the time comes," media quoted Foreign Office spokesperson Abdul Basit as telling a private TV channel. The time-frame will be decided by Pakistan about when, where and how to unveil the evidence, he added. The remarks came on the day India rejected Pakistan's "unfounded" accusation of fomenting insurgency in Balochistan, saying that Islamabad was "fabricating evidence" about this. "Two statements of the Pakistani foreign minister read together make it evident that Pakistan is fabricating evidence (of India's alleged role in Balochistan)," Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said during question hour in the Rajya Sabha. "Not even a shred of evidence has been received so far," he added. On Aug 7, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had said that evidence of India's involvement in Balochistan would be disclosed through diplomatic channels at the right time. On Nov 22, he said evidence of India's involvement was being compiled. According to Krishna, these two statements were a clear indication that Pakistan "has not been able to marshal any evidence of India's involvement in Balochistan". Answering a question, the spokesperson said Pakistan was not receiving good signals from India on resuming the subcontinental peace process. He said Pakistan did not believe in back channels and there was need for sincerity and seriousness for the settlement of all issues. India suspended the composite dialogue process in the wake of the Nov 26-29, 2008 Mumbai mayhem that New Delhi says was masterminded and executed by Pakistani militants. Today, Krishna reiterated New Delhi's firm position about no talks till Pakistan takes action against the 26/11 culprits. "The talks for the time being are suspended. Unless Pakistan moves in a transparent manner to bring to book the perpetrators of the Mumbai, till then, we are not in a position to resume the composite dialogue process. "On the sidelines of international events, we do meet Pakistani representatives but we will stick to the statement of the prime minister (on resuming the dialogue only after Pakistan acts against the Mumbai perpetrators)," Krishna said.
Pakistan arrests 16 Indian fishermen
Karachi: The Maritime Security Agency (MSA) has arrested 16 Indian fishermen and seized three boats for allegedly venturing into Pakistan's territorial waters, Online news aagency quoted a private TV channel as reporting. According to an MSA spokesman, the 16 Indian fishermen were arrested for violating Pakistan's territorial waters. The arrested fishermen have been handed over to the police for the necessary legal action.
Parliament to debate Liberhan report next week
New Delhi: The debate on the Liberhan Commission report in the Lok Sabha has been rescheduled to Dec 7 and 8, while in the Rajya Sabha it will be held on Dec 9 and 10, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said here today. Javadekar told reporters that members were keen to have the debate in both the houses in the same week. He also said that copies of the commission report on the Babri Masjid demolition had been made available in Hindi. The earlier date of discussion in the Lok Sabha had been fixed for Dec 9 and 10. The Samajwadi Party had agreed to the revised schedule, Javadekar said. BJP president Rajnath Singh will initiate the debate on behalf of the party in the Lok Sabha while Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley is expected to be the party's first speaker in the House of Elders. BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj, Ravi Shankar Prasad and Venkaiah Naidu are also expected to speak on the commission report. Several leaders of the BJP, including L.K. Advani, have been indicted by the Liberhan Commission that probed the Dec 6, 1992, Babri Masjid demolition.
20091202
Pakistan fabricating evidence on Balochistan: Krishna
New Delhi: India today accused Pakistan of fabricating evidence about New Delhi's alleged support to insurgents active in Balochistan. "Two statements of the Pakistani foreign minister read together make it evident that Pakistan is fabricating evidence (of India's alleged role in Balochistan)," External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said in the Rajya Sabha. "The prime minister (Manmohan Singh) has said we believe in a stable and prosperous Pakistan living in peace with its neighbours is in India's interests. We fully stand by this," Krishna added. He also reiterated that the composite dialogue process could resume only after Pakistan moved in a transparent manner to bring to book the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Balochistan is a resource-rich province in south west of Pakistan. Several local groups are demanding a greater say in decision making and natural resources, which they allege are not being used for the development of the province. Pakistan has been accusing India of supporting insurgency in Pakistan. India has rejected such allegations several times in the past as well.
Liberhan report, demolition anniversary..but Ayodhya remains silent
Ayodhya: The Liberhan Commission report might be creating ripples in the corridors of power in New Delhi. And preparations for the 17th anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Mosque on Dec 6 might also be in full swing. Yet, back on ground zero, all appears to be quiet. Everything appears to have come to a grinding halt at the workshop in Ayodhya where stones were being cut, carved and chiselled for giving shape to a proposed "grand" Ram temple in place of the make-shift temple that stands on the debris of the mosque. "Way back in 2005, we completed the cutting and carving of all stones required for the ground floor of the proposed two-storey temple; since then we have been waiting for the stones to be formally installed," workshop manager Anubhai Sonpura told media. "Pillars for the first floor were also ready, but the remaining part of the construction of the ceiling and tower was to be carried out at the site of the construction only; and that would not be possible unless way was formally paved for the construction of the proposed temple," added Sharad Sharma, head of the local Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) unit. Every inch of the sprawling workshop spread over an area of some 15,000 sq ft was packed with neatly sculptured pink Dholpur stone. The additional space at the annexe of the workshop some distance away was equally stuffed with stone pillars and motifs. The silence and solitude at the workshops was strange for those who had seen the place bustling with activity amidst the groaning of special stone saws, the resounding noise of the hammer and the chisel incessantly beating at the stone slabs until a few years ago. Incidentally, no cement mortar was proposed to be used in the construction that was to be carried out with pre-fabricated stone slabs and pillar to be wedged with each other. Life goes on as usual on the lanes and bylanes of Ayodhya, where Dec 6 has become like any other day. The traditional observance of the demolition anniversary as "shaurya diwas" (victory day) by the VHP and "black day" by the Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC) was nothing more than a ritual, rarely attended by more than a handful for the past many years. "We do not see any reason for any major event this time on Dec 6; the Liberhan Commission report means nothing to the people of Ayodhya; as long as outsiders are not allowed to incite trouble and provoke people, this town prefers to move at its own pace," Suphal Kumar, owner of a thriving sweetmeat shop in Ayodhya's main thoroughfare, told a visiting media correspondent. For Saraswati Devi, who sells 'puja' articles along the road to the makeshift temple, Dec 6 means poor business, as "the inflow of pilgrims goes down on account of enhanced policing around that time". According to Faizabad Senior Superintendent of Police R.P.S. Rathore, "the makeshift temple draws anything between 500-1,500 pilgrims on any given day, while on special religious festivals like Ram Navami, the figure goes up several fold". Officials records confirm that the shrine has received as much as Rs.36 million (Rs. 3.6 crores) ever since it was set up on the debris of the 16th century mosque on the evening of Dec 6, 1992. Sure enough, that speaks volumes of the attention that it receives from devotees. Rathore too does not deny that Dec 6 is known for low turnout of pilgrims. "Deployment of cops is obviously increased on every Dec 6, but we do not restrict anyone from visiting the temple; however, what can we do if people avoid coming on their own," he said. "Though we have taken all necessary preventive measures to meet any contingency, I see no reason for any enhanced activity this time," he added. The Liberhan panel report, which was tabled in parliament on Nov 24, has indicted members of the Sangh Parivar for demolition of the 16th century mosque in Ayodhya. The vandalism and destruction triggered communal riots across the country.
Israeli defence delegation to visit India next week
New Delhi: An Israeli defence delegation led by chief of defence staff Lt Gen Gabi Ashkenazi will visit India next week to not just boost bilateral military ties but also strengthen the counter-terrorism network between the two countries, officials said. The two-day visit begins on Dec 8. "The delegation will meet chiefs of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force and the national security advisor (NSA)," a senior defence official said requesting anonymity. Though the government has been circumspect about its military ties with Israel, there have been regular interactions at various levels. Israel has emerged as a major exporter of defence equipment to the Indian armed forces in recent years. Indian Army chief General Deepak Kapoor had visited Tel Aviv last month. In September 2008, then Israeli army chief General Avi Mizrahi had visited India and held talks about joint exercises on counter-insurgency and anti-terror operations. He had also made a trip to Jammu and Kashmir. India is Israel's biggest customer for weapons and has a longstanding relationship with Tel Aviv. India has bought military hardware and software from Israel worth about $8 billion since the 1999 Kargil conflict. In 2004, India ordered three Phalcon Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), fitted on Russian-built Ilyushin II-76 aircraft. The first of the AWACS were inducted in the Indian Air Force in May this year. Israel has also sold IAI Malat-built Searcher MkII and IAI Heron unmanned aerial vehicles to the Indian Air Force. The IAI recently upgraded 32 Hind Mi-24 helicopters for the Indian Army. Rafael is a major company vying for a $10 billion contract for the supply of 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft to the Indian Air Force. In 2008, Rafael won the Indian order for low-level quick reaction missile system (LLQRM), which was competing with the mobile SPYDER (Surface-to-air Python and Derby) short-range air defence system. The company is now competing for India's quick reaction missile (QRM) and medium range surface-to-air missile (MRSAM) order with the SPYDER-SR (short-range) and SPYDER-MR (medium-range) missile systems.
Bulk forces to be withdrawn from JK: Chidambaram
New Delhi: In a bid to build confidence among the people, the Indian government has decided to withdraw a bulk number of troops of central forces from Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier the government had taken the initiative to hold peaceful dialogue with the separatist groups. While addressing the members of the Rajya Sabha, the Home Minister P Chidambaram told that such a decision had been taken in order to improve the law and order situation in the troubled state. Chidambaram also sought to discuss the issues with the separatist outfits operating mainly in the North East of the country including ULFA and Naxal groups. He further added that government was ready to sit for dialogue only if they give up violence. When asked about the government's stance on internal security, Chidambaram asserted that the government has always maintained zero tolerance towards terrorism and it would continue to do so. The government will not tolerate any form of violence, be it Hindu extremist violence or any 'jihadi' violence.
ULFA chairman Rajkhowa could get safe passage
Guwahati: In a move aimed at buying peace in restive Assam, the Indian government might consider giving safe passage to Arabinda Rajkhowa, chairman of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), instead of describing him as arrested. "Rajkhowa could be provided safe passage by the Indian government for using his services for furthering peace talks with New Delhi and hence (the government is) not spelling out his details, including whether he has been arrested or he surrendered or is just with Indian authorities on his own," an intelligence official said. Intelligence sources on Wednesday confirmed Rajkhowa's arrest in Bangladesh and that he had been subsequently handed over to Indian authorities along the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura. There are also reports that Rajkhowa has been flown in to New Delhi late on Wednesday, although there was no official confirmation. That the Indian government was already in touch with the ULFA top leadership was evident when union Home Minister P. Chidambaram told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that the ULFA leadership would make a political statement in the next two days. "There is something going on at the highest level and maybe that is the reason why the entire development is kept a secret," Haidar Hussain, editor of mass circulation Assamese daily Asomiya Pratidin, told the media. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is scheduled to make a formal statement about the latest developments at a press conference in Guwahati at 12.30 p.m. today. "The chief minister would brief the media and share whatever information he has," said his press adviser Debo Kumar Bora. The 'arrest' of Rajkhowa, listed as one of India's most wanted separatist leader, is mired in confusion with authorities not making any statement about his whereabouts. But reports of the 'arrest' have already evoked positive reactions. "We hope Arabinda Rajkhowa would now take the lead in pushing the peace process forward. We are with him if he takes the initiative to engage in peace talks with the government," Mrinal Hazarika, leader of the pro-talk ULFA faction, told the media. Hazarika, along with about 150 rebels of the Alpha and Charlie companies of ULFA's 28th battalion, declared a unilateral ceasefire in July last year. The Alpha and Charlie companies were the two most potent striking units of the ULFA. There are also reports that at least five more senior ULFA leaders were captured along with Rajkhowa. Earlier last month, Bangladesh handed over ULFA's self-styled foreign secretary Sasha Choudhury and finance secretary Chitrabon Hazarika to Indian authorities. The duo is now in police custody.
Indians more worried than Chinese, Americans on climate change
Washington: Just before world leaders assemble in Copenhagen to discuss climate change, a new global survey shows sharp differences among people in different countries about global warming. Throwing up an interesting contrast in the world's two fastest growing nations, China and India, the Global Attitudes survey by the respected Pew Research Center shows 67 percent Indians are worried about global warming as against just 30 percent Chinese. The survey, conducted from May 18 to June 16, shows that there is a lot less concern about climate change in the three major polluters US, Russia and China than in other leading nations. Compared to 90 percent in Brazil, 68 percent in France, 67 percent in India, 65 percent in Japan, 61 percent in Spain and 60 percent in Germany, only 44 percent in the US and Russia say they are concerned about climate change. At 30 percent, the Chinese are least concerned about climate change, says the survey. In fact, in India, China and Brazil which have enjoyed strong economic growth in recent years, eight in 10 people favour giving priority to the environment over rapid economic expansion. According to the survey, people in these countries are willing to make sacrifices such as having to pay higher prices to protect the environment. Anxiety about global warming is also less pervasive among Israelis (48 percent), Kenyans (48 percent), Canadians (47 percent) and Indonesians (44 percent). However, large majorities in every country believe that global warming is a serious problem, with majorities in 15 of the 25 countries say it is "very serious." Also, majorities in 23 of 25 countries agree that protecting the environment should be given priority, even at the cost of slower economic growth and job losses.
Indian airspace violated 11 times: Antony
New Delhi: Pakistan and China violated Indian airspace six and three times respectively in the past one year, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said today. In a written reply to a question in parliament, Antony said US aircraft entered the Indian airspace illegally on two occasions. In May, a slow moving aircraft of the Chinese Air Force crossed the international border. On June 21 and 24, two Chinese helicopters entered the Indian airspace. Pakistan's Unmanned Aerial Vehicle crossed the Line of Control (LoC), which divides Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan, five times. Twice US transport and cargo aircraft entered the Indian territory without proper authorisation. "All such cases are taken up with the concerned country through diplomatic channels as per established procedure," Antony added.
20091201
Telangana activists torch Renuka Chowdhry's office
Hyderabad: Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) activists today set ablaze Congress party leader and former union minister Renuka Chowdhry's office in Khammam town, about 200 km from here. The door and windows of the office were damaged when TRS workers torched the office after throwing petrol on it, police said. TRS wants to break away from Andhra Pradesh and form a separate Telangana state. A group of TRS workers fled after setting the office on fire. Acting swiftly, security personnel brought the fire under control. Police recovered a letter written by TRS workers threatening to carry out more such attacks to protest the arrest of their party president K. Chandrasekhara Rao, who is popularly known as KCR. Tension gripped Khammam as KCR continued his 'fast unto death' in a government-run hospital in Khammam demanding a separate Telangana. KCR, who was arrested Sunday and sent to judicial custody for 14 days ahead of his 'fast unto death', launched the hunger strike in Khammam sub-jail. He was shifted to the hospital on Monday. Renuka Chowdhry, a former MP from Khammam, is against the demand for a separate state.
Pakistani questioned for alleged LeT links
Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Police are questioning a Pakistani for his alleged links with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist outfit. Muddasir Hussain Shah, who came from Pakistan, was picked up after his name figured during the interrogation of another Pakistani, Tufail Hussain, police sources said today. Tufail Hussain had brought a satellite telephone with him from across the Line of Control (LoC), which divides Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan. Tufail Hussain also travelled on the bus from Rawlakote in Pakistani Kashmir to Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir three weeks ago. Tufail Hussain was to hand over the satellite phone to Muddasir Shah, who was to deliver it to a LeT commander. India accuses Pakistan of arming and harbouring separatists seeking to break Jammu and Kashmir from India. The separatist violence has claimed thousands of lives.
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