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Friday,
June 28, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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ISI still controls narcotics money Osama in Pak, believes US intelligence Troops to stay till Oct, says George USA, UK relax travel advisories for India |
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9
inducted into Krishna ministry Charge sheet against Agarwal today Panun Kashmir takes up Pandits’ plight with NHRC UGC
cautions against fake universities Ambani’s condition ‘unchanged’ 10 RECs
to be upgraded as NIT IT official held for taking bribe Time denies apologising
for article
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ISI still controls narcotics money New Delhi, June 27 Intelligence reports here suggested that contrary to General Musharraf’s claim that the ISI was at present cash strapped and could not finance the militant groups, the agency was flush with narcotics money for which there was no accounting. The agency was still covertly carrying on with all its support and financial assistance to the various groups wanting to create trouble in Jammu and Kashmir. The ISI continues to be a power within power and controls more than one-fourth of the narcotic trade or the narcotics passing through Pakistan for destinations abroad. The money generated has no accountability and even if the Pakistani military regime decides to stop its funding there is dearth of money in the organisation. As per conservative estimates approximately 46000 tonnes of narcotics pass through Pakistan every year. In terms of money the narcotics being smuggled through Pakistan generate approximately $ 8 billion annually. Sources disclose that from this the ISI’s share every year is about $3 billion, an amount which is more than enough to fund crossborder terrorism. Pakistan has also been misleading major powers and the international community about the number of civilian casualties and the troop strength in Jammu and Kashmir. While Pakistan has been claiming that over 70,000 innocent civilians have been killed, figures here show that over 12,500 civilians have actually lost their lives ever since the militancy started in Jammu and Kashmir. Similarly, while Pakistan is claiming that over 500,000 troops have been stationed in the state, the sources said the figure being quoted by Islamabad was just about the half of the Indian Army’s combat strength. If half of the combat strength has been stationed in Jammu and Kashmir then naturally the other vulnerable spots were being neglected, which was not the case, the sources pointed out. Pakistan was also leaking out wrong reports that the Indian Army units in Afghanistan had picked up some of the Al-Qaida men from the Kunduz region. This was apparently being done to ensure in the future that if the Al-Qaida men were picked up from Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan could claim that they were those who were held in Kunduz. On the other hand the Al-Qaida workers who have reached the northern parts of the PoK and the region opposite Poonch are said to be those hardened numbers who managed to escape from Afghanistan and had the basic purpose of carrying on with jehad. Intelligence reports suggested that Pakistan was now inducting the foreign mercenaries waiting to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir and also some of the Al-Qaida men into the specially created paramilitary force — Kashmir Light Infantry (KLI). Pakistan was also offering money to Afghan refugees to be part of the KLI. It had raised about four battalions of the KLI and was wanting to increase the number with the induction of the Afghan refugees and the militants. |
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Osama in Pak, believes US intelligence New Delhi, June 27 Equally significant, Pakistan, which has declared its support to the US-led international coalition against global terrorism has in fact replaced Afghanistan as a command-and-control centre for the Al-Qaida. More than 2000 Al-Qaida activists are currently in Pakistan. Senator Bob Graham, head of the US Senate Intelligence Committee, has gone on record in Washington on June 23 that the USA believes that bin Laden is hiding in Pakistan. “Our best intelligence estimate continues to be that he is alive and probably in those tribal areas on the western side of Pakistan,” he told Fox TV. Bin Laden, who carries a $ 25 million cash reward on his head, is believed to have ordered his men to “disperse across the globe” to attack American and British targets. This has been disclosed by three Al-Qaida men, all Saudi nationals, who were arrested last month in Morocco in connection with a plot to attack American and British naval ships in the Straits of Gibraltar. According to well-placed sources here, the USA and its coalition partners are beginning to doubt Pakistan’s reliability in the international war against terrorism. It is because the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) continues to help Al-Qaida and provide shelter for communications, training and logistics in tribal areas. Sources said according to US intelligence, bin Laden and his top advisers have taken refuge in the tribal areas of the NWFP or Baluchistan. These groups had been helped by the middle-rung officers of the ISI, who had been giving training to the different terrorist groups in various camps in Afghanistan during the Taliban regime. These ISI officers have reportedly admitted to American officials that Al-Qaida is still capable of making complicated simultaneous attacks and is likely to launch small-scale operation in a short time. Only a fortnight before the June 14
attack on the US Consulate in Karachi, US Commander Maj-Gen Franklin L. Hagenback had said US intelligence reports indicated that Al-Qaida and Taliban leaders were now hiding in Pakistan and were plotting terrorist attacks, including car and suicide bombings, to disrupt peace in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, in an event of far-reaching importance, a steady movement of the remaining Al-Qaida and Taliban activists has been observed during the last few weeks from Afghanistan towards Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. These “loose canons” from Pakhtika and Pakhtia provinces of Afghanistan have been seen crossing through Nangarhar, Kunar and North-East Badakshan into PoK. |
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Troops to stay till Oct, says George Ahmedabad, June 27 “We cannot withdraw the forces till elections in Jammu and Kashmir are over and after that it depends on the situation,” he told mediapersons here. “Some infiltration from across the border is still there. We have security forces along the borders and they will remain there till October,” he said. Asked about Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf’s recent statements on ending cross-border incursions, Fernandes said “He (Musharraf) is making contradictory statements and it is difficult to rely on him”. Mr Fernandes was here to attend a special national integration camp organised by the NCC in which over 600 cadets are taking part. He complemented the cadets for rendering yeoman service in times of natural disasters.
PTI |
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Army reshuffles field commanders New Delhi, June 27 Lt-Gen Ashok Chaki, a much decorated Gorkha officer, has been named new Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Policy and Staff). Lt-Gen J. B. S. Yadava commanding the 16 Corps, which is looking after the key sector from Poonch to Chamb facing Pakistan in Jammu region, has been appointed Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Training and Personnel). Both officers, however, will take over their new assignments on August 31, a Defence Ministry announcement said. Major-General T.P.S. Brar, on promotion to the rank of Lt-Gen. has been named new Corps Commander of 16 Corps. Maj-Gen P.S. Subramanyam, also on promotion to the rank of Lt -Gen. will take over the command of the Army’s 12 Desert Corps, now deployed at the Rajasthan border. The two officers will take over on August 16. Lt-Gen Hari Prasad, presently commanding the 12 Corps, has been shifted as Director-General Infantry at Army Headquarters here. Maj-Gen P.P.S. Bhandari, on promotion to the rank of Lt-Gen, will take over the prestigious command of 21 Strike Corps, which is also presently deployed in forward areas. Two other Major-Generals, Mohinder Singh and Avtar Singh, promoted to the rank of Lt-Gen have been named new Corps Commanders of 4 Corps and 33 Corps, respectively.
PTI |
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USA, UK relax travel advisories for India New Delhi, June 27 The latest travel announcement for India by the US State Department said a very high level of tension between India and Pakistan “has subsided somewhat”, though it continued to advise Americans to defer travel to India. A press release issued by the British High Commission here said the UK still recommends limited travel. “The risk of conflict remains and we still recommend against all but essential travel.” In case of Pakistan, the British authorities have advised their nationals to leave unless they had a compelling reason to stay back and were confident about the security arrangements. Japan reversed its earlier recommendation that all Japanese nationals should depart and said those expatriates who had left India in the wake of heightened Indo-Pak tensions, could now return. The Japanese travel advisory, however, advised its nationals to defer travel to India saying that those nationals who had remained in that country or were returning from there should be prepared for swift evacuation in case of emergency. |
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9 inducted into Krishna ministry Bangalore, June 27 Lightweight Cabinet Ministers B.B. Chimankatti, A.M. Hindusgeri, T.B. Jayachandra and S.R. Kashappanavar and Minister of State Veerakumar A. Patil faced the axe in the long awaited recasting of ministry which increased its strength to 48, including the Chief Minister. Just two days after the dismissal of a case of bribe against him on technical grounds by the Lok Ayukta, former KPCC President V.S. Koujalagi found a berth in the ministry with a Cabinet rank. Former ministers H.M. Revanna and Ramalinga Reddy are the others who were inducted as Cabinet Ministers, along with the elevation of the Minister for Medical Education, Dr G. Parameshwara, to the Cabinet rank. In the exercise aimed at balancing the ministry to accommodate unrepresented communities and districts, the new ministers of state inducted were former ministers Basavaraj Patil and M.L. Ustad, Vasanth Saliyan, K.N. Gaddi, Rajugowda and K.B. Koliwad. The ministers were administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor V.S. Ramadevi at a ceremony at the Raj Bhavan, held within hours of her return from a trip to the USA. Speaking
to reporters, Mr Krishna said the exercise, involving injecting “young
blood” and giving representation to all districts, was to focus on
better performance and governance. Mr Krishna maintained that the
dropping of ministers was “no reflection” on their contributions
and hinted that they might be utilised for party work or in other
capacities. On the increase in the strength of the ministry, he
said, “it could not be helped”. PTI |
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Charge sheet against Agarwal today New Delhi, June 27 The charge sheet against Mr Agarwal had been pending for a long time as the agency had been awaiting approval of the government for his prosecution. The CBI was now proceeding with the filing of the charge sheet as it got the requisite sanction for prosecution of the 1985 batch Indian Revenue Service official from the Finance Ministry on Monday. The sanction was sought about seven-and-a-half months after the agency registered a case against Agarwal for colluding with Abhishek Verma, son of former Congress MP Veena Verma, to harass Delhi-based jeweller Subhash Barjatiya. Agarwal, according to the CBI case, had allegedly conspired with Verma to forge documents to implicate
Barjatiya. |
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Panun Kashmir takes up Pandits’ plight with NHRC New Delhi, June 27 Blaming the government for failing to find a solution to the problem and neglecting the Pandits, a two-member delegation led by the president of the organisation, Mr Moti Kaul, urged the NHRC to send a team to migrant camps to assess the violation of human rights. The NHRC Chairman, Justice J.S. Verma, was given an account of the hardships being faced by the community for the past 12 years. They pointed out that the government had ignored Kashmiri Pandits and that the NHRC should do something about it. The NHRC was requested to visit the migrant camps, which are a picture of human rights violation. The delegation, while appreciating the NHRC’s efforts with regard to Gujarat, expressed unhappiness that not half of that concern was expressed in respect of Kashmiri Pandits. The delegation also conveyed unhappiness over refusal of the government to grant Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) status to those who have moved out of the valley. The president of the organisation said they tried to impress upon the NHRC Chairman that a number of problems of the displaced people would be solved if the IDP status was granted to the
Pandits.
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UGC
cautions against fake universities New Delhi, June 27 A UGC press note said there were 18 such self-styled universities in record of the commission which were functioning against the UGC rules. “Section 22 of the UGC Act gives the right to confer or grant a ‘degree’ only to a university established or incorporated by a central Act”, Provisional Act or an institution deemed to be a university under Section 3 of the UGC Act, the note said. It said in case of doubts, students could check up from the office of the UGC at Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi. The note said degrees, diplomas, certificates issued by fake institutions were not treated as valid for academic and employment purposes. The statewise “fake” list includes Maithili University, Darbhanga; Commercial University Ltd Delhi; Delhi Vishwa Vidyapeeth, Model Town, Delhi; United Nations University, Delhi; Vocational University, Delhi; St John’s University, Kerala; Raja Arabic University, Nagpur; Kesarwani Vidyapith, Jabalpur; DDB Sanskrit University, Tamil Nadu; Mahila Gram Vidyapith, Allahabad; Varanaseya Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, Varanasi and Varanaseya Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, Jagatpuri, Delhi; Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith, Allahabad; National University of Electro Complex Homoeopathy, Kanpur; Netaji Subash Chandra Bose University, Achaltal, Aligarh; Uttar Pradesh Vishwavidayalaya, Kosi Kalan, Mathura; Maharana Pratap Shiksha Niketan Vishwavidyalaya, Pratapgarh and Bharatiya Shiksha Parishad, Lucknow.
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Gyanendra
offers prayers, animals Guwahati, June 27 |
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Ambani’s condition ‘unchanged’ Mumbai, June 27 Mr Ambani, who is on a life support system after suffering a stroke on Monday night, remains in a critical condition in the intensive care unit of Breach Candy Hospital. Mr Anil Ambani told mediapersons that the family was consulting medical experts, both in India and abroad, as well as doctors associated with his father during the past 24 years. “There are no plans to invite any international doctor or expert, as under the able guidance of Dr Udwadia, Dr Wadia and Dr Sharad Pandey, my father is receiving the best treatment,’’ he said. Anil assured mediapersons that the Reliance would be the first to give any news about the renowned industrialist’s condition. He thanked the citizens of Mumbai and the rest of the country, including mediapersons and investors, for their good wishes and prayers for the speedy recovery of his father. He requested everyone, especially mediapersons, not to make “unnecessary’’ inquiries with doctors and hospital staff about his father’s health. “They (the hospital staff) should be allowed to discharge their duties smoothly,’’ he said.
UNI |
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10 RECs to be upgraded as NIT New Delhi, June 27 In the first phase, 10 RECs located at Allahabad, Bhopal, Calicut, Hamirpur, Jaipur, Kurukshetra, Nagpur, Rourkela, Silchar and Surathkal would be converted into NITs. The remaining seven RECs will be upgraded as soon as state governments agree to proposals for upgradation. Explaining the rationale for restructuring of the RECs and their conversion into NITs, Dr Joshi said, “The newly formed institutes would be governed by a professional board as is being done in the case of IITs. These NITs will also become sort of their friends, philosophers and guides and see how other technical colleges in the state can be upgraded”. Dr Joshi also drew attention to India’s place in terms of scientific and technological manpower in
comparison with other countries.
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IT official held for taking bribe New Delhi, June 27 According to the CBI, the 1991 batch Indian Revenue Service officer, had allegedly demanded illegal gratification of Rs 1 lakh from a complainant to offer favourable comments for not filing appeal by the Income Tax Department with the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Ahmedabad. The complainant, who did not want to pay the bribe, approached the CBI against the official, who was serving as Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax, Central Circle 1(4) in Ahmedabad. The CBI laid a trap and the accused was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh, it said. The accused was produced before the Designated Court and remanded to CBI custody till June 29. |
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Time denies apologising
for article New Delhi, June 27 “It is not true. We stand by our story”, Time magazine sources said when asked to comment on reports that it had sent its apology to the Prime Minister’s Office. The Indian Government had strongly condemned the article, desbribing it as “ill-informed and ill-advised”. The focus of the article was on the health of Mr Vajpayee.
UNI |
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