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Thursday,
August 14, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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Joint exercises with three foreign navies on
anvil 22 bodies found
from wreckage
Major terrrorist strike may rock Indo-Pak
peace boat |
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Govt takes tough stand on Pak
prisoners SC rejects Coca-Cola plea against CSE
report North India in Parliament Cong calls cow slaughter ban a
gimmick Ban on setting up petrol stations lifted
Penalty imposed on 68 officers
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Joint exercises with three foreign navies on
anvil Mumbai, August 13 Also on the cards in the coming months is the Indian Navy’s elite Marine Commandos holding a joint exercise with their American counterparts, the US Navy’s SEALS. The exercise, according to sources, is aimed at testing their skills in unconventional and clandestine warfare. The Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral J.S. Bedi said that a five-day exercise with the French Navy was scheduled to begin on August 25. Code-named Exercise Varuna-III, it would be held off the Goa coast. The French are bringing in an anti-submarine warfare frigate, a tanker ship and an Atlantique maritime patrol
aircraft. The Indian Navy, on the other hand, will deploy a German-designed Shishumar class hunter-killer submarine and two frigates. “It will primarily be an anti-submarine warfare exercise,” Admiral Bedi remarked. The joint exercise with the US Navy, codenamed Malabar-III, is scheduled to be held in September-October. Admiral Bedi said that the force levels for this exercise were still to be finalised by the Indian and US governments and a planning conference in this regard was scheduled to be held in New Delhi later this month. It is understood that this would be the largest ever joint naval exercise between the two countries, and would cover all dimensions of naval warfare - surface, sub-surface and air. An exercise with the Royal Navy is slated for November. Admiral Bedi said the Indian Navy, had in the recent past, conducted joint exercises with the US, British, Russian, Oman, Singapore and French navies. He said these exercises were aimed at reaching out to navies of other countries. Besides, Indian naval ships were also involved in visiting foreign ports and undertaking operational commitments on requests from friendly foreign countries. INS Talwar, a state-of-the-art stealth frigate acquired from Russia which arrived home yesterday after leaving St Petersburg on June 23, called upon ports at Kronshstadt, Portsmouth, Toulon, Piraeus, Port Said and Djibouti after traversing the English Channel, the Mediterranean Sea, Suez Canal and Red Sea. Similarly, its sister ship, INS Trishul, is now in the Atlantic, calling upon different ports and will reach Mumbai after rounding the Cape of Horn in South Africa. Admiral Bedi said that the navy’s training ship, INS Tarangini, which was presently in the Great Lakes on the US-Canadian border, stood first in two out of three races it participated. The Indian Navy also recently deployed two warships, INS Ranvir and INS Suvarna to Mauritius on the request of the government to undertake off-shore defence commitments during an international summit. |
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22 bodies found
from wreckage Mumbai, August
13 The toll in the helicopter tragedy has now reached 25, an ONGC spokesperson said here. The bodies were taken out from the wreckage of the helicopter and brought on to the offshore multi-support vessel at around 3.15 am today. The rear door of the chopper had to be broken to retrieve the bodies the spokesperson said. A pall of gloom descended on the ONGC’s Juhu helibase here when 14 bodies were brought there from the offshore vessel. The bodies would be handed over to the relatives after post-mortem, she added. The bodies have been identified as those of
S.B. Kodag, A. Mathaih, A.K. Das, A. Mhatre, D.J. Johny, R.P. Biswas,
S.K. Dey, J. Varokey, P.M. Nathani, B.V. Savant, T.S. Alphonso, B.
Sahay, Biju (contract employee) and that of co-pilot of Mesco Aviation. Meanwhile, Deputy-Director General of Civil Aviation
V.K. Chandana, who has been appointed inspector of accident, has left for the site to inspect the wreckage. Thirteen of the 22 bodies were later brought to the
J.J. Hospital premises in central Mumbai for post-mortem.. Six bodies have been handed over to the respective families after post-mortem, the sources said. Two persons, one each from ONGC and
Mesco, are still missing, whose names are R K Murthy and Capt P K Mittal, the co-pilot of the ill-fated helicopter, ONGC sources added. NEW DELHI: India’s largest oil producer oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) said on Wednesday that the agitation by its workers over the helicopter crash had not affected crude oil production and operations were normal. “All activities are going on. Operations are normal and we are producing crude oil without any disruption. In fact, the oil production is on the rise today,” ONGC Executive Director and Mumbai High Asset Manager Kharak Singh said from Mumbai. A court in Bombay on Tuesday barred employees of the state-run company from going on strike. Petroleum Secretary
B.K. Chaturvedi said a contingency plan involving running of operations on skeleton staff and asking British oil and gas major BG Group operated Panna-Mukta and Tapti fields to produce additional quantities, is in place. ONGC Director (Offshore)
V.K. Sharma said employees had reported on work and there might be stray incidents of workers going slow but by and large operations were unaffected. Reports from the ONGC Headquarters in Dehra Dun said despite the strike threat by the employees union, work here remained largely unaffected. —
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Major terrrorist strike may rock Indo-Pak New Delhi, August 13 Sources in the government say that there is no need for New Delhi to respond to each and every peace overture which invariably was more of posturing and rhetoric than substantive. One of the main reasons why the Vajpayee government is treading carefully with Pakistan and not responding warmly to Pakistan’s oft-repeated demand of initiating Foreign Secretary-level talks is that it has credible reports forewarning about Pakistan-aided militant outfits preparing for a major terrorist strike in the near future, and perhaps, targeting a symbol of India, like Parliament, Red Fort, PM Office, PM residence or Rashtrapati Bhavan. Mandarins in North and South Blocks are taking very seriously classified reports which suggest that there has been no letup whatsoever in Pakistani attempts to stoke the fire of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir. The broad contours of these reports are as follows:
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Infiltration in the first half of this year has continued at significant levels and is practically of the same order as in the previous year. *
Guides continue to do an intensive recce of infiltration routes. The Pakistan Army as well as Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) have given approval to various outfits to launch their groups at a faster pace. *
There is an effort by Pakistan to increase deniability by reducing activity in some terrorist camps, dispersing some cadres and removing signs. There are also reports of some camps having reopened and launching places becoming functional once again. *
The volume and viciousness of communication from across the Line of Control continues and efforts are being made from the Pakistani side to make such communication more secure. *
After Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s initiative, an effort has been made by some terrorist groups to carry out more visible attacks. Out of the 10 suicide attacks this year, eight have taken place after the PM’s peace initiative of April 18. *
Lashkar-e-Toiba’s publication, Ghazva, in its July 25-31 issue, has claimed responsibility for the attack at the army camp in Akhnoor on July 22. The Vajpayee government feels that General Musharraf’s yesterday’s proposal of a mutual ceasefire by Indian and Pakistani forces on the LoC was “a gimmick” and “an old wine in an old bottle”. As recently as in June this year, President Musharraf had told the visiting US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage that if there were any camps in Pakistan today, they would be gone tomorrow. The government here feels that there is a contradiction between this and General Musharraf’s promises last year (January 12 and May 27 speeches) to put an end to all such activities. |
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Terrorist threats against PM, says Delhi police New Delhi, August 13 He said that due to the heightened threat perception to the leaders and vital installations, adequate security measures were in place to minimise the threats. Deployment near the Parliament house, the Prime Minister’s Office
(PMO) and residence and buildings of historic and national importance had been increased and checking of vehicles entering capital intensified. In all, about 16,000 to 17,000 security personnel would be involved in anti-sabotage, anti-explosive checks and anti-terrorist measures in and around Red Fort. Surveillance had been mounted on certain areas, which could be used as hideouts by terrorists, he said, adding that commandoes would be stationed on about 150 multi-storey houses near Red Fort who would maintain a close watch on the movement of traffic using binoculars. |
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Govt takes tough stand on Pak
prisoners New Delhi, August 13 Stating that Pakistan had refused to recognise 14 prisoners, barring two, as its citizens, Additional Solicitor-General
(ASG) Altaf Ahmed told a Bench comprising Ms Justice Ruma Pal and Mr Justice
P.V. Reddi that they could only be sent back if Pakistan agreed to release an equal number of Indian citizens lodged in its jails. “I have no embarrassment in accepting that the Indian Government is bargaining for the independence of its citizens,” Mr Ahmed told the Bench, which sought details from the Centre within a week about the steps being taken for the “expulsion” of these prisoners. The court had taken cognizance of letters written to it by some prisoners from jails, alleging that they were being detained “illegally” by the Indian Government after having served the sentence. Disagreeing with Mr Ahmed’s contention, the court said the right of a person, even if he was an alien, could not be made a subject of bargain between two hostile countries. “Under which law you have detained them? You have not detained them for valid reasons once they have completed their sentence and cannot be used as a lever to secure the release of Indian prisoners,” the court observed. Strongly opposing their one-sided repatriation, Mr Ahmed said they should not be released till a “mutually accepted mode of exchange was agreed between India and Pakistan.” He said Islamabad was not ready to accept them back because their “case records here were so bad that they would embarrass the Pakistan Government in the eyes of international community.” Senior advocate K. Prasaran, appointed as a counsel by the court to assist it in adjudicating the matter, said even if Pakistan was not willing to accept them, they could not be forced to cross the border between firing of bullets by the security forces from either sides. |
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SC rejects Coca-Cola plea against CSE
report New Delhi, August 13 A three-judge Bench comprising Mr Justice S.Rajendra
Babu, Mr Justice A.R. Lakshman and Mr Justice G.P. Mathur refused to take cognisance of the petition despite Coca-Cola’s counsel Kapil Sibal making a persistent plea for issuing notice to the respondents. Declaring the petition “dismissed as withdrawn” after it refused to entertain it, the court said if the company was aggrieved of some government agency stopping to buy its products, it could take up the matter with them directly and make them aware of its position. The company had sought a direction to the Centre for testing of the samples of its products by experts in an independent and well-equipped laboratory. Questioning the company’s right to file the petition under Article 32 of the Constitution, under which public interest matters are entertained by the apex court, the Bench did not agree with Mr Sibal’s contention that it also related to consumers’ interests. No such matter was involved but only the “business interests are involved,” the court observed. The Bench also took exception to the company for rushing to the apex court when its rival Pepsi had chosen to move the Delhi High Court challenging the CSE report. Mr Sibal said schools and government agencies in West Bengal, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan had initiated action against Coca-Cola for banning the sale of its products on the basis of the CSE report, the veracity of which was still “doubtful”. The court said it was not inclined to entertain the petition and if the company was feeling aggrieved it was free to move to any other forum. Mr Sibal also pointed out that several courts, including some high courts in different states, had issued process against Coca-Cola, making it difficult for the company to manage the multiple litigations, and therefore, it would be appropriate if the matter was heard by the apex court. But the Bench said if the company could run its business in different states why should it face difficulty in defending itself in different courts. |
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US Embassy to rescue of Pepsi, Coke New Delhi, August 13 In a Press release issued here on Wednesday, the US embassy here has stated that it has been carefully following the public discussion over the alleged quality issues for some Coca Cola and Pepsi products being sold in India and is in close contact with both companies. “Coca Cola and Pepsi are highly reputable and responsible firms with worldwide operations.
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Cong calls cow slaughter ban a
gimmick New Delhi, August 13 Party chief spokesman S. Jaipal Reddy said it was “misleading’’ to say that the CVC did not investigate or comment on defence purchases. On the proposal of jobs for the poor among upper castes and the nationwide ban on cow slaughter, Mr Reddy said these were “political gimmicks aimed at elections’’ but the Congress did favour the two ideas in principle. Mr Reddy claimed that at least two items relating to the Kargil war purchases were probed by the CVC. The spokesman said defence officials did not tell the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that the CVC report did not exist but they simply said it could not be made available. Mr Reddy said the impasse on the PAC issue continued as no solution could be found. Asked about the Nationalist Congress Party and Samajwadi Party differing over the “boycott’’ of Defence Minister George Fernandes, Mr Reddy said the Opposition would take up the matter with the two ‘‘Opposition friends’’ and sort out the matter. On the proposal for a nationwide ban on cow slaughter, Mr Reddy said the Congress also favoured a ban on cow slaughter and many states had imposed such a ban. He, however, said the matter was a state issue and it would be inadvisable to bring forward an anti-cow slaughter Bill in Parliament, Mr Reddy said. “We are sceptical about the legislative competence of Parliament and would also not like the federal structure to be tampered with,’’ he said. On the issue of reservation for poor among upper castes, Mr Reddy said the Supreme Court struck down his party’s government proposal in 1991 for 15 per cent job reservation for the poor among the upper castes. |
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North India in Parliament New Delhi, August 13 In a written reply, Minister of State of Home Affairs Swami Chinmayanand said 20 persons lost their lives, 499 houses were damaged and 300 head of cattle perished due to heavy rains/landslides in the districts of Almora, Pithoragarh, Nainital, Tehri, Pouri, Hardwar, Dehra Dun and Rudraprayag in Uttaranchal. It was not possible to check natural hazards, the minister said in his reply. However, the impact of these hazards could be reduced by taking appropriate preparedness and mitigating measures. The Ministry of Home Affairs has taken various initiatives for strengthening the disaster management mechanism in the country, the House was informed. The initiatives include capacity building in emergency response; drawing up mitigation projects for earthquakes, cyclones and other disasters; and a project for the strengthening of fire services; making disaster response training an integral part of training of the central Paramilitary forces etc, the Minister told the House. Minister of State of Home Affairs I. D. Swami told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply today that as informed by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, a sizeable number of youths had given up the path of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir and settled down to lead a peaceful life. From 1991 to July, 2003, a total of 3,405 militants had surrendered before the security forces and J&K police after shunning the path of violence. This figure included 85 militants who had surrendered between January and July, 2003, the Minister told the House. In reply to another question, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took suo motu cognisance of the September 1, 2000 and May 14, 2003 newspaper reports about the disappearances of persons in the Kashmir valley. Notices were issued, to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir and the Association of Parent of Disappeared Persons (APDP) through the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir. The commission noticed certain variations in figures earlier furnished by the APDP and the recent statements on the issue and hence further information had been called for. The commission had not finalised its findings, the Minister told the House.
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Ban on setting up petrol stations lifted
New Delhi, August 13 The ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has done away with the dealer selection boards (DSBs) that selected dealers previously, and instead has authorised oil PSUs — the IOC, the IBP, BPCL and the HPCL — to appoint their own dealers, official sources said. “Broad rules for the selection of dealers have been laid out,” they said. The government had put a ban on setting up petrol pumps and LPG agencies in the aftermath of the controversy over alleged nepotism in dealer selection. Unlike private firms like Reliance Industries, Essar Oil and Shell India which are compelled to set up 11.6 per cent of the outlets in the remote and low service areas, the state-run oil marketing companies (OMC) have to reserve 50 per cent of their dealership for weaker sections. While 25 per cent of the new petrol stations and gas agencies to be set up would be reserved for SC and STs, 10 per cent slots would be kept for other backward classes (OBCs). Paramilitary and defence personnel will get 4 per cent each of the new petrol stations and gas agencies to be set up. Two per cent dealerships have been reserved for physically handicapped and another 3 per cent for freedom fighters, they said. —
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RJD MP Shahabuddin surrenders Siwan (Bihar), August 13 The Lok Sabha member from Siwan, who was on the run ever since Director-General of Police D. P. Ojha issued express orders for his arrest on July 30 in the kidnapping and suspected murder of CPM activist Munna Chaudhury, gave himself up before Chief Judicial Magistrate Sushil Kumar Sinha who sent him in judicial remand. The surrender followed the rejection of Shahabuddin’s anticipatory bail application on August 7. —
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Penalty imposed on 68 officers New Delhi, August 13 The officers on whom penalty was imposed include 36 from public sector banks, 10 from the Railways, six from the Department of Telecom, five from the DDA, two each from the CPWD and the GNCTD, the Central Board of Excise and Customs, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and one officer each from the ESIC, the NCCFI and the LIC.
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