Monday, November 17, 2008
Explosive: ATS Volte Face on RDX
Putting the functioning of anti-terror operations under the scanner and in the public domain, a red-faced Maharashtra ATS on Monday retracted an alleged submission in the court that Lt Col Srikant Prasad Purohit had misappropriated 60 kg of RDX from the Army for use in the train blasts.
ATS counsel Ajay Misar, who had earlier told a Nashik court that RDX was used in the Samjhauta Express blast, attempted to undo the damage on Sunday, by accusing the media of misinterpreting his statement in court.
Misar said that he had only informed the court that the police were still investigating whether 60 kg RDX, allegedly handed by the Army to Purohit to be deposited in its artillery unit in J&K, was used in some of the blasts carried out across the country, including the September 29 Malegaon explosion.
Forensic experts had earlier ruled out the use of RDX in the Samjhauta bombing. It said that the material used in the blast was a highly flammable cocktail of fuel oils, potassium chlorate and sulphur.
According to a Haryana FSL report based on investigations conducted on the two unexploded suitcase bombs recovered from the amity train, the “firebombs” were assembled using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and explosives bottles preserved with high quality sealants, which apart from covering the foul smell also helped explosives detonate with greater intensity.
The Haryana police had released sketches of two suspects and subsequently a suspect identified as Salman was picked up from Rajasthan. The police also identified a Pakistani national who allegedly threw one of the suitcase bombs off the running train. In March, the police arrested two people from Indore who had allegedly sold the suitcases used in the bombing.
The Army too has ruled out the possibility of Purohit ‘dipping into’ its RDX reserves. The Indian Army, sources told the agencies, is not known to use or store RDX. The explosives used by the Army are TNT and plastic explosives (PEK). Also, explosives seized by the Army in J&K are either destroyed on the spot or handed over to the police.
Explosive seizures, if any, are handled by the infantry and not intelligence personnel. Earlier, Misar had told Chief Judicial Magistrate H K Gantra of Nashik court that a person named Bhagwan had received 60 kg RDX from Malegaon blast accused Lt Col Purohit.
According to an ATS witness Purohit held 60 kg RDX in his possession while he was posted in Deolali, Nashik, which he did not hand over, to the Army’s artillery department in J&K, as directed.
On Monday, ATS also came under scrutiny for allegedly torturing accused Sadhvi Pragya Singh in custody, with her lawyers filing an affidavit in court alleging that she was assaulted by a man called Kanvikar.
With huge political support for the accused in the Malegaon case failing to cut ice with the Maharashtra ATS, the plight of the less fortunate, arrested on suspicion of terrorism, is only imaginable.
(With Internet Inputs)
ATS counsel Ajay Misar, who had earlier told a Nashik court that RDX was used in the Samjhauta Express blast, attempted to undo the damage on Sunday, by accusing the media of misinterpreting his statement in court.
Misar said that he had only informed the court that the police were still investigating whether 60 kg RDX, allegedly handed by the Army to Purohit to be deposited in its artillery unit in J&K, was used in some of the blasts carried out across the country, including the September 29 Malegaon explosion.
Forensic experts had earlier ruled out the use of RDX in the Samjhauta bombing. It said that the material used in the blast was a highly flammable cocktail of fuel oils, potassium chlorate and sulphur.
According to a Haryana FSL report based on investigations conducted on the two unexploded suitcase bombs recovered from the amity train, the “firebombs” were assembled using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and explosives bottles preserved with high quality sealants, which apart from covering the foul smell also helped explosives detonate with greater intensity.
The Haryana police had released sketches of two suspects and subsequently a suspect identified as Salman was picked up from Rajasthan. The police also identified a Pakistani national who allegedly threw one of the suitcase bombs off the running train. In March, the police arrested two people from Indore who had allegedly sold the suitcases used in the bombing.
The Army too has ruled out the possibility of Purohit ‘dipping into’ its RDX reserves. The Indian Army, sources told the agencies, is not known to use or store RDX. The explosives used by the Army are TNT and plastic explosives (PEK). Also, explosives seized by the Army in J&K are either destroyed on the spot or handed over to the police.
Explosive seizures, if any, are handled by the infantry and not intelligence personnel. Earlier, Misar had told Chief Judicial Magistrate H K Gantra of Nashik court that a person named Bhagwan had received 60 kg RDX from Malegaon blast accused Lt Col Purohit.
According to an ATS witness Purohit held 60 kg RDX in his possession while he was posted in Deolali, Nashik, which he did not hand over, to the Army’s artillery department in J&K, as directed.
On Monday, ATS also came under scrutiny for allegedly torturing accused Sadhvi Pragya Singh in custody, with her lawyers filing an affidavit in court alleging that she was assaulted by a man called Kanvikar.
With huge political support for the accused in the Malegaon case failing to cut ice with the Maharashtra ATS, the plight of the less fortunate, arrested on suspicion of terrorism, is only imaginable.
(With Internet Inputs)
Israel to Free 250 Palestinians in December
Caretaker Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Monday that 250 Palestinian prisoners would be freed in a goodwill gesture, as Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas urged Israel to maintain the Gaza truce. The two met in Jerusalem for the first time in two months.
The meeting came amid rising tensions in and around the besieged Gaza Strip where Israeli forces and Palestinian militants have continued to engage in retaliatory almost everyday since November 4.
"Abbas had asked him to free Palestinian prisoners and Olmert told him of the decision to release 250 at the beginning of December," said Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat after the meeting.
In a similar move in August, Israel freed 198 Palestinian prisoners. Over 11,000 Palestinian prisoners sill languish n Israeli jails.
A senior Israeli official said that no prisoner with affinity to radical Palestinian movements, such as Hamas, would be freed.
Hamas seized power in the Gaza Strip in June 2007, since then secularists like Abbas have been limited to West Bank.
He added that during talks held at Olmert's official residence in Jerusalem, Abbas stressed "the need to maintain the truce in Gaza because it eases the suffering of the Palestinian people."
Abbas also urged Palestinian militants to maintain the fragile truce that went into effect in and around Gaza on June 19. "In other words, stop the futile rocket firings that don't help the Palestinian cause in any way," Abbas said.
Abbas also met British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, who said it was "vital" to maintain the ceasefire. "The discussions you have had today (with Olmert) seem to me to be a very important contribution to that," Miliband is reported to have told the Palestinian leader.
Escalating violence has resulted in Israel tightening its blockade over the Gaza strip, cutting supplies to the aid-dependent region, though it lifted the embargo to allow the entry of humanitarian supplies on Monday for the first time in almost two weeks.
A report on AFP, attributing the information to a well placed Israeli official said, Olmert told Abbas that Hamas is to blame for violations of the truce in and around the Gaza Strip, and warned that in case of further escalation in violence Isael will be left with no option but to respond.
On Monday, several rockets fired from Gaza hit southern Israel without causing any casualties.
Both sides accuse the other of ceasefire violations, since November 4, several rockets and mortar rounds have been fired into Israel from the strip and retaliatory action from Israel resulted in the deaths of at least 15 Gaza militants.
Israel responds to attacks by tightening the blockade over the region, it imposed after the 2007 Hamas takeover, but said it allowed 33 truckloads of humanitarian supplies into the coastal strip on Monday.
A UN spokesman said that many more deliveries are needed in the impoverished and overpopulated Palestinian territory.
The UN Works and Relief Agency distributes food to 750,000 Gazans -- half the population.
Escalating violence as well as the political and geographical division of the Palestinian territories between Hamas-ruled Gaza and the West Bank under Abbas have complicated the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.
The meeting came amid rising tensions in and around the besieged Gaza Strip where Israeli forces and Palestinian militants have continued to engage in retaliatory almost everyday since November 4.
"Abbas had asked him to free Palestinian prisoners and Olmert told him of the decision to release 250 at the beginning of December," said Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat after the meeting.
In a similar move in August, Israel freed 198 Palestinian prisoners. Over 11,000 Palestinian prisoners sill languish n Israeli jails.
A senior Israeli official said that no prisoner with affinity to radical Palestinian movements, such as Hamas, would be freed.
Hamas seized power in the Gaza Strip in June 2007, since then secularists like Abbas have been limited to West Bank.
He added that during talks held at Olmert's official residence in Jerusalem, Abbas stressed "the need to maintain the truce in Gaza because it eases the suffering of the Palestinian people."
Abbas also urged Palestinian militants to maintain the fragile truce that went into effect in and around Gaza on June 19. "In other words, stop the futile rocket firings that don't help the Palestinian cause in any way," Abbas said.
Abbas also met British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, who said it was "vital" to maintain the ceasefire. "The discussions you have had today (with Olmert) seem to me to be a very important contribution to that," Miliband is reported to have told the Palestinian leader.
Escalating violence has resulted in Israel tightening its blockade over the Gaza strip, cutting supplies to the aid-dependent region, though it lifted the embargo to allow the entry of humanitarian supplies on Monday for the first time in almost two weeks.
A report on AFP, attributing the information to a well placed Israeli official said, Olmert told Abbas that Hamas is to blame for violations of the truce in and around the Gaza Strip, and warned that in case of further escalation in violence Isael will be left with no option but to respond.
On Monday, several rockets fired from Gaza hit southern Israel without causing any casualties.
Both sides accuse the other of ceasefire violations, since November 4, several rockets and mortar rounds have been fired into Israel from the strip and retaliatory action from Israel resulted in the deaths of at least 15 Gaza militants.
Israel responds to attacks by tightening the blockade over the region, it imposed after the 2007 Hamas takeover, but said it allowed 33 truckloads of humanitarian supplies into the coastal strip on Monday.
A UN spokesman said that many more deliveries are needed in the impoverished and overpopulated Palestinian territory.
The UN Works and Relief Agency distributes food to 750,000 Gazans -- half the population.
Escalating violence as well as the political and geographical division of the Palestinian territories between Hamas-ruled Gaza and the West Bank under Abbas have complicated the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.
Battle for Kashmir: 64 pc Turnout in Phase One
Inclement weather and secessionist calls notwithstanding, voters in Jammu and Kashmir came out in large numbers to exercise favour for peace and solidarity. According to mdia reports nearly 64 per cent polling was recorded, in the first phase of the seven phase Assembly elections in the state.
Repeated secessionist threats resulted in Curfew like deployment in the 10 constituencies spread over four districts of Bandipora, Poonch, Leh and Kargil.
The voting was peaceful except for stray incidents of violence and protests.
Polling in the border state has been staggered over seven phases lasting up to December 24.
According to an official spokesperson, 64 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the first phase.
He added that highest polling was recorded in the Gurez constituency in the once of Bandipora district-- 74 per cent-- followed by Mendhar and Poonch (73), Surankote (68), Nobra (66) Leh, Kargil and Zanskar (all 60), Bandipora(57) and Sonawari (46).
Earlier in the day, Chief Electoral Officer B R Sharma told reporters in Srinagar that around 55 per cent polling was registered in the 10 constituencies but the figure was tentative and was revised after the final data came in.
A total shutdown in Srinagar, Bandipora and other towns marked the occasion, as an unprecedented security cover descended on the Kashmir Valley to prevent anti-election rallies.
At least seven people including a woman were injured when security personnel fired teargas shells and used mild force to disperse crowds protesting against the elections in Bandipora district.
The secessionists had called for 'Jehan election waha challo' (march to where elections are). But the march to Bandipora, 65 km north of the summer capital Srinagar, was foiled by security forces.
Jammu and Kashmir went to polls on Monday in the first phase of the seven-phase assembly elections in the state.
Expressing optimism over the high voter turnout, National Conference president Omar Abdullah said it was a positive indication for a better future and a stable state, he was on the campaign trail in the Jammu region.
Abdullah termed the turnout an “eye opener” and added, that the unprecedented participation in the polls “proves the people of the state want the Kashmir issue be resolved. They want to assert their right, elect their representatives who can address their day to day grievances.”
Five Arrested for Conduct Violation
Five government employees on election duty were arrested from the Mendhar assembly constituency for violating the model electoral code of conduct.
The election staff, including the presiding officer of a polling station, were arrested after they stayed overnight at the residence of a candidate contesting the assembly polls.
The officials were posted at the Gursai polling station under Mendhar constituency and stayed at the house of Rafiq Hussain Khan, a People's Democratic Party (PDP) candidate fro the area.
The act violates section 141 of the code of conduct applicable to officials on election duty.
Militants Kill Soldier, Two Missing
Meanwhile, suspected militants killed a soldier and two other Army personnel are reported missing after in the Poonch district, officials said.
The Army is in the midst of a five-day-old operation to nab a group of militants reported to be holed up in Beri forests in Mendhar area, some 250 km from Jammu.
A soldier of the Assam Rifles was killed and two other troopers went missing in action on Monday, Army sources said.
Security forces have launched a search operation to seize the militants, officials said.
Unsubstantiated media reports appearing over the internet say four militants were gunned down by security forces in an exchange of fire in the Lachipora area, near the Line of Control, some 40 km from Baramulla in north Kashmir.
Repeated secessionist threats resulted in Curfew like deployment in the 10 constituencies spread over four districts of Bandipora, Poonch, Leh and Kargil.
The voting was peaceful except for stray incidents of violence and protests.
Polling in the border state has been staggered over seven phases lasting up to December 24.
According to an official spokesperson, 64 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the first phase.
He added that highest polling was recorded in the Gurez constituency in the once of Bandipora district-- 74 per cent-- followed by Mendhar and Poonch (73), Surankote (68), Nobra (66) Leh, Kargil and Zanskar (all 60), Bandipora(57) and Sonawari (46).
Earlier in the day, Chief Electoral Officer B R Sharma told reporters in Srinagar that around 55 per cent polling was registered in the 10 constituencies but the figure was tentative and was revised after the final data came in.
A total shutdown in Srinagar, Bandipora and other towns marked the occasion, as an unprecedented security cover descended on the Kashmir Valley to prevent anti-election rallies.
At least seven people including a woman were injured when security personnel fired teargas shells and used mild force to disperse crowds protesting against the elections in Bandipora district.
The secessionists had called for 'Jehan election waha challo' (march to where elections are). But the march to Bandipora, 65 km north of the summer capital Srinagar, was foiled by security forces.
Jammu and Kashmir went to polls on Monday in the first phase of the seven-phase assembly elections in the state.
Expressing optimism over the high voter turnout, National Conference president Omar Abdullah said it was a positive indication for a better future and a stable state, he was on the campaign trail in the Jammu region.
Abdullah termed the turnout an “eye opener” and added, that the unprecedented participation in the polls “proves the people of the state want the Kashmir issue be resolved. They want to assert their right, elect their representatives who can address their day to day grievances.”
Five Arrested for Conduct Violation
Five government employees on election duty were arrested from the Mendhar assembly constituency for violating the model electoral code of conduct.
The election staff, including the presiding officer of a polling station, were arrested after they stayed overnight at the residence of a candidate contesting the assembly polls.
The officials were posted at the Gursai polling station under Mendhar constituency and stayed at the house of Rafiq Hussain Khan, a People's Democratic Party (PDP) candidate fro the area.
The act violates section 141 of the code of conduct applicable to officials on election duty.
Militants Kill Soldier, Two Missing
Meanwhile, suspected militants killed a soldier and two other Army personnel are reported missing after in the Poonch district, officials said.
The Army is in the midst of a five-day-old operation to nab a group of militants reported to be holed up in Beri forests in Mendhar area, some 250 km from Jammu.
A soldier of the Assam Rifles was killed and two other troopers went missing in action on Monday, Army sources said.
Security forces have launched a search operation to seize the militants, officials said.
Unsubstantiated media reports appearing over the internet say four militants were gunned down by security forces in an exchange of fire in the Lachipora area, near the Line of Control, some 40 km from Baramulla in north Kashmir.
Yuvraj Spells Doom for England
Déjà vu: Man of he match Yuvraj Singh overcame a severe back injury to clobber the England attack for his second successive century and then took four wickets to lead India to a 54-run victory Monday in the second ODI at the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association ground in Indore.
Yuvraj scored 118 from 122 deliveries to help lift India to 292 for nine in 50 overs despite a top-order slump.
He then claimed 4-28 with his left-arm spin to bundle England out for 238 in 47 overs, giving India a 2-0 lead in the seven-match series.
England's batsmen faltered against part-time spinners Yuvraj and Virender Sehwag (3-28) who made the ball bite off a helpful track.
The tourist’s middle order collapsed when it lost four wickets for eight runs, after setting up what looked like an evenly poised game.
Yuvraj scalped four of the five top-order batsmen, sending back Andrew Flintoff (43) and skipper Kevin Pietersen (33) in his 10th over to thwart chances of a comeback.
India on Friday won the first ODI by 158 runs in Rajkot, Yuvraj's unbeaten 138 from 78 deliveries spurred India to an imposing 387-5 - its highest total on home soil and the best score against England.
Continuing from where he left off in Rajkot, Yuvraj struck two sixes and 15 fours at Indore to post his 10th ODI hundred in 219 matches.
He shared an innings-reviving partnership of 124 runs with Gautam Gambhir (70) to rescue India from a poor start.
Batting first after skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss, India's top order was rocked by pace bowler Stuart Broad's three-wicket burst.
Broad (4-55) removed opener Sehwag (1), Suresh Raina (4) and Rohit Sharma (3) in quick succession to reduce the hosts to 29-3 before Yuvraj and opener Gambhir rebuilt the innings.
The next match is Thursday at Kanpur.
Yuvraj scored 118 from 122 deliveries to help lift India to 292 for nine in 50 overs despite a top-order slump.
He then claimed 4-28 with his left-arm spin to bundle England out for 238 in 47 overs, giving India a 2-0 lead in the seven-match series.
England's batsmen faltered against part-time spinners Yuvraj and Virender Sehwag (3-28) who made the ball bite off a helpful track.
The tourist’s middle order collapsed when it lost four wickets for eight runs, after setting up what looked like an evenly poised game.
Yuvraj scalped four of the five top-order batsmen, sending back Andrew Flintoff (43) and skipper Kevin Pietersen (33) in his 10th over to thwart chances of a comeback.
India on Friday won the first ODI by 158 runs in Rajkot, Yuvraj's unbeaten 138 from 78 deliveries spurred India to an imposing 387-5 - its highest total on home soil and the best score against England.
Continuing from where he left off in Rajkot, Yuvraj struck two sixes and 15 fours at Indore to post his 10th ODI hundred in 219 matches.
He shared an innings-reviving partnership of 124 runs with Gautam Gambhir (70) to rescue India from a poor start.
Batting first after skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss, India's top order was rocked by pace bowler Stuart Broad's three-wicket burst.
Broad (4-55) removed opener Sehwag (1), Suresh Raina (4) and Rohit Sharma (3) in quick succession to reduce the hosts to 29-3 before Yuvraj and opener Gambhir rebuilt the innings.
The next match is Thursday at Kanpur.
SC Questions Center on Unfilled Seats
In what may spell trouble for the government, the Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre to explain whether it was complying with an earlier directive by filling up vacant OBC seats in Central Educational Institutions with students belonging to the general category.
A five-member Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan also asked the Centre to clarify on the allegation that the unfilled seats of OBCs were being filled up with retrospective effect by enhancing the income ceiling limit from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 4.5 lakh.
The bench which included Justices Arijit Pasayat, R V Raveendran, Altamas Kabir and Dalveer Bhandari directed the Centre to clarify the position on the twin issue by filing an affidavit.
The direction was passed on a writ petition filed by a student Vishwarath Reddy alleging that the Centre was filling up the vacant OBC seats with candidates from this category by relaxing the norms and enhancing the income ceiling from Rs 2.5 to Rs 4.5 lakh, thus, denying the general category candidates the benefit extended by the apex court earlier.
On October 14, the Constitution Bench had firmly told the Centre that the unfilled OBC seats in terms of the 27 per cent reservation extended to the community in central educational institutions, should be filled up with the general category candidates.
The apex court had said that all vacant OBC seats would revert to the general category pool and had also asked the Centre to fill these up by October-end.
(Agency Inputs)
A five-member Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan also asked the Centre to clarify on the allegation that the unfilled seats of OBCs were being filled up with retrospective effect by enhancing the income ceiling limit from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 4.5 lakh.
The bench which included Justices Arijit Pasayat, R V Raveendran, Altamas Kabir and Dalveer Bhandari directed the Centre to clarify the position on the twin issue by filing an affidavit.
The direction was passed on a writ petition filed by a student Vishwarath Reddy alleging that the Centre was filling up the vacant OBC seats with candidates from this category by relaxing the norms and enhancing the income ceiling from Rs 2.5 to Rs 4.5 lakh, thus, denying the general category candidates the benefit extended by the apex court earlier.
On October 14, the Constitution Bench had firmly told the Centre that the unfilled OBC seats in terms of the 27 per cent reservation extended to the community in central educational institutions, should be filled up with the general category candidates.
The apex court had said that all vacant OBC seats would revert to the general category pool and had also asked the Centre to fill these up by October-end.
(Agency Inputs)
Miss Meerut Arrested for Murdering Parents
Deprived of property, former ‘Miss Meerut’ Priyanka Choudhury was arrested on Monday and charged with murdering her parents last week after a dispute over family property. Her friend Anju, an accomplice in the bizarre double murder, has also been picked up by the cops.
Speaking to the media, Additional Superintendent of Police in Meerut, Rakesh Jolly, said the injuries on 70-year-old retired engineer Premveer and his wife Santosh, 65, indicate that the couple was repeatedly stabbed and then strangled.
Subsequent investigations zeroed in on Priyanka (29) after her brother Gaurav complained that all documents related to the property and other assets had gone missing since the deaths.
Priyanka was employed at an MNC in Meerut and lived separately in another part of the city.
Priyanka has apparently confessed to the crime. She told police that her parents’ decision to leave everything to her brother had enraged her. Jolly said Priyanka murdered her parents on November 11 after they refused to give her money. Gaurav was away in Bangalore at the time of the crime.
A raid at her apartment resulted in the recovery of nearly Rs 50,000 in cash, jewellery, bank passbooks, cheques and fixed-deposit certificates and other bonds worth Rs 7 lakh. All documents had her brother as beneficiary.
Anju, a close friend of Priyanka, was present when the elderly couple was murdered in their house in Meerut’s Prem Prayag area.
Both Priyanka and Anju are alumni of a polytechnic institute in South Delhi.
Priyanka was crowned ‘Miss Meerut’ three years ago, she first courted controversy after a soured relationship with Anju’s cousin Ajendra sometime ago.
She brought charges of rape against Ajendra and his uncle last year. In the FIR lodged by her mother, Priyanka had charged the duo of detaining and raping her in the Amroha area of Jyoti Ba Phule Nagar. The two had been arrested for the alleged rape.
Priyanka was employed at an MNC in Meerut, the police said.
Speaking to the media, Additional Superintendent of Police in Meerut, Rakesh Jolly, said the injuries on 70-year-old retired engineer Premveer and his wife Santosh, 65, indicate that the couple was repeatedly stabbed and then strangled.
Subsequent investigations zeroed in on Priyanka (29) after her brother Gaurav complained that all documents related to the property and other assets had gone missing since the deaths.
Priyanka was employed at an MNC in Meerut and lived separately in another part of the city.
Priyanka has apparently confessed to the crime. She told police that her parents’ decision to leave everything to her brother had enraged her. Jolly said Priyanka murdered her parents on November 11 after they refused to give her money. Gaurav was away in Bangalore at the time of the crime.
A raid at her apartment resulted in the recovery of nearly Rs 50,000 in cash, jewellery, bank passbooks, cheques and fixed-deposit certificates and other bonds worth Rs 7 lakh. All documents had her brother as beneficiary.
Anju, a close friend of Priyanka, was present when the elderly couple was murdered in their house in Meerut’s Prem Prayag area.
Both Priyanka and Anju are alumni of a polytechnic institute in South Delhi.
Priyanka was crowned ‘Miss Meerut’ three years ago, she first courted controversy after a soured relationship with Anju’s cousin Ajendra sometime ago.
She brought charges of rape against Ajendra and his uncle last year. In the FIR lodged by her mother, Priyanka had charged the duo of detaining and raping her in the Amroha area of Jyoti Ba Phule Nagar. The two had been arrested for the alleged rape.
Priyanka was employed at an MNC in Meerut, the police said.
Ministerial Team to Visit Kandhamal Today
A three member ministerial team, headed by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, reached Orissa on a two day visit to assess the situation in the state that witnessed violence against Christians recently. Sending alarm bells ringing for the Orissa government, the group is scheduled to visit riot-affected Kandhamal on Tuesday.
Social Justice Minister Meira Kumar and Tribal Affairs Minister PR Kyndiah are other members of the central team, which is scheduled to submit a report to the government on its return.
The team, according to the sources, will visit Raikia, one of the worst affected blocks in the Kandhamal district, where communal violence erupted in the aftermath of the assassination of senior VHP leader and anti-conversion proponent Swami Laxmananda Saraswati and four of his disciples, at his Jalespeta ashram on August 23.
The team will also visit Jalespeta ashram and interact with inmates. Elaborate arrangements have been put in place for the visit. Officials peg the death toll in the two month violence at 37, unofficial sources, however, put the death toll at 45.
The violence affected 402 villages under all 12 blocks of the district and damaged as many as 3,906 houses and 22 public institutions, according to a preliminary report prepared by the district administration.
The report also pointed out that 147 religious places including churches and prayer houses were damaged in the violence.
The state government has asked the district administration to complete the survey of the affected religious places including churches and prayer houses by November 25,
The state government has already announced a financial assistance package to rebuild the religious places.
The rehabilitation of Churches, however, is opposed by the VHP. The Hindu outfit has threatened to go to the court alleging it constituted a violation of norms.
The ministerial team will also assess living conditions at relief camps.
The visit takes place in the backdrop of discussions in the Cabinet meeting last month over the situation in the state. A number of Congress' UPA allies had demanded dismissal of the Orissa government besides a ban on Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad.
The Orissa government has repeatedly showed disregard for Home Ministry and PMO advisories, the latest being the grant of permission to a right-wing outfit to organise a Shradhanjali Sabha in memory of slain VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati, despite a Home Ministry warning that said the Sabha could further vitiate the ‘tense’ situation n th state.
Social Justice Minister Meira Kumar and Tribal Affairs Minister PR Kyndiah are other members of the central team, which is scheduled to submit a report to the government on its return.
The team, according to the sources, will visit Raikia, one of the worst affected blocks in the Kandhamal district, where communal violence erupted in the aftermath of the assassination of senior VHP leader and anti-conversion proponent Swami Laxmananda Saraswati and four of his disciples, at his Jalespeta ashram on August 23.
The team will also visit Jalespeta ashram and interact with inmates. Elaborate arrangements have been put in place for the visit. Officials peg the death toll in the two month violence at 37, unofficial sources, however, put the death toll at 45.
The violence affected 402 villages under all 12 blocks of the district and damaged as many as 3,906 houses and 22 public institutions, according to a preliminary report prepared by the district administration.
The report also pointed out that 147 religious places including churches and prayer houses were damaged in the violence.
The state government has asked the district administration to complete the survey of the affected religious places including churches and prayer houses by November 25,
The state government has already announced a financial assistance package to rebuild the religious places.
The rehabilitation of Churches, however, is opposed by the VHP. The Hindu outfit has threatened to go to the court alleging it constituted a violation of norms.
The ministerial team will also assess living conditions at relief camps.
The visit takes place in the backdrop of discussions in the Cabinet meeting last month over the situation in the state. A number of Congress' UPA allies had demanded dismissal of the Orissa government besides a ban on Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad.
The Orissa government has repeatedly showed disregard for Home Ministry and PMO advisories, the latest being the grant of permission to a right-wing outfit to organise a Shradhanjali Sabha in memory of slain VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati, despite a Home Ministry warning that said the Sabha could further vitiate the ‘tense’ situation n th state.
Car Bomb Kills Israeli Mafiosi
A remote detonated car bomb killed Yaakov Alperon, one of Israel's most prominent crime bosses in Tel Aviv. He headed one of the country's most powerful crime families, a report in Israel's Haaretz newspaper quotes a key police official terming the assassination as an “extremely serious event”.
Police say Alperon was killed instantly when an explosive device was apparently detonated by remote control on a street in Tel Aviv.
In recent years, Israeli cities have witnessed mafia-wars for control over the country’s burgeoning crime business.
"An extremely serious event took place today, and its consequences are completely clear to us," Tel Aviv police commander Ilan Franco said, in an understandable hint at reprisal attacks, which may se Alperons hunt for and gun down those responsible for the bombing.
"It is likely that this happened because of an internal conflict within the Tel Aviv crime world ... If there are consequences to this attack we will have to deal with them," Franco added.
According to Haaretz, Alperon's assassination dominated the news, pushing Palestinian rocket attacks from Gaza and a summit between the Israeli and Palestinian leaders off the airwaves.
In May last year, Alperon's older brother, Nissim, survived the ninth assassination attempt on him.
Over the years, the Alperons have encountered numerous police interrogations and have passed through multiple courtrooms.
Police say Alperon was killed instantly when an explosive device was apparently detonated by remote control on a street in Tel Aviv.
In recent years, Israeli cities have witnessed mafia-wars for control over the country’s burgeoning crime business.
"An extremely serious event took place today, and its consequences are completely clear to us," Tel Aviv police commander Ilan Franco said, in an understandable hint at reprisal attacks, which may se Alperons hunt for and gun down those responsible for the bombing.
"It is likely that this happened because of an internal conflict within the Tel Aviv crime world ... If there are consequences to this attack we will have to deal with them," Franco added.
According to Haaretz, Alperon's assassination dominated the news, pushing Palestinian rocket attacks from Gaza and a summit between the Israeli and Palestinian leaders off the airwaves.
In May last year, Alperon's older brother, Nissim, survived the ninth assassination attempt on him.
Over the years, the Alperons have encountered numerous police interrogations and have passed through multiple courtrooms.
MiG-23 Crashes in WB, Pilots Safe
Less than a week after a MiG-21 trainer aircraft crashed in Sibsagar district of Assam, a MiG-23 trainer went down near the Hashimara airbase in West Bengal on Monday. Fortunately, the two pilots managed to eject safely, an enquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause behind the crash.
Wing Commander Sisodia, was on a training sortie with Flight Lieutenant Kartik in the MiG-23 when the mishap occurred at 1236 hours, some10 minutes after they took off from the Hashimara airstrip.
Initial reports said no injuries or damage to civil property was reported, however, the debris, of the fighter jet, were later reported to have hit a kutcha house, setting it on fire.
Witnesses say debris of the aircraft were scattered over a radius of 2 km in Nararthali area of Alipurduar district.
An enquiry was ordered into the mishap to ascertain the reason behind the crash, initial reports suggest "engine trouble" led to the accident.
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) recently, berated the IAF pilot training system, which vastly depends on obsolete trainer aircraft and simulators, outdated training methodologies and plans.
The crash takes aircraft accidents, in the force this year, to eight.
It comes at a time when the first batch of rookie IAF pilots are being trained on the newly-inducted Hawk AJTs (advanced jet trainers) to learn the intricacies of combat fighter jet flying.
Transitional training on the AJTs will help young pilots make the switch from flying sub-sonic aircraft like HPT-32 and Kiran trainers to handling supersonic aircraft like the MiG-21.
Wing Commander Sisodia, was on a training sortie with Flight Lieutenant Kartik in the MiG-23 when the mishap occurred at 1236 hours, some10 minutes after they took off from the Hashimara airstrip.
Initial reports said no injuries or damage to civil property was reported, however, the debris, of the fighter jet, were later reported to have hit a kutcha house, setting it on fire.
Witnesses say debris of the aircraft were scattered over a radius of 2 km in Nararthali area of Alipurduar district.
An enquiry was ordered into the mishap to ascertain the reason behind the crash, initial reports suggest "engine trouble" led to the accident.
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) recently, berated the IAF pilot training system, which vastly depends on obsolete trainer aircraft and simulators, outdated training methodologies and plans.
The crash takes aircraft accidents, in the force this year, to eight.
It comes at a time when the first batch of rookie IAF pilots are being trained on the newly-inducted Hawk AJTs (advanced jet trainers) to learn the intricacies of combat fighter jet flying.
Transitional training on the AJTs will help young pilots make the switch from flying sub-sonic aircraft like HPT-32 and Kiran trainers to handling supersonic aircraft like the MiG-21.
Chiru Road Show Leaves Trail of Death
Star Power: Two people were killed and another injured seriously during Praja Rajyam leader Chiranjeevi’s Praja Ankita Yatra in Dharmavaram area of Anantpur, Andhra Pradesh, on Monday. The deaths happened as crazed surges to catch a glimpse of the thespian resulted in a stampede.
Two people, perched atop a tree fell down at the NTR Circle in Dharmavaram while watching Chiranjeevi’s road show. Adinarayana (26) slipped and fell on the ground and Ramana (30) fell on him. While the former died on the way to hospital, Ramana is undergoing treatment at a local hospital.
In the second incident, Tajuddin (36) was trampled to death by the crowd when he was running after Chiranjeevi’s vehicle.
The actor-turned politician remained unaware of the deaths till they reached Bathalapalli when he was informed of the incidents by partymen.
The Praja Rajyam president directed party leaders NV Prasad and Prabhakara Chowdary to rush to Dharmavaram and console the bereaved families. The party later announced an ex gratia of Rs. one lakh each to the families of the deceased.
Two people, perched atop a tree fell down at the NTR Circle in Dharmavaram while watching Chiranjeevi’s road show. Adinarayana (26) slipped and fell on the ground and Ramana (30) fell on him. While the former died on the way to hospital, Ramana is undergoing treatment at a local hospital.
In the second incident, Tajuddin (36) was trampled to death by the crowd when he was running after Chiranjeevi’s vehicle.
The actor-turned politician remained unaware of the deaths till they reached Bathalapalli when he was informed of the incidents by partymen.
The Praja Rajyam president directed party leaders NV Prasad and Prabhakara Chowdary to rush to Dharmavaram and console the bereaved families. The party later announced an ex gratia of Rs. one lakh each to the families of the deceased.
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