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CPM urges govt to repudiate 123 pact
Bihar Floods
Gay Rights in India
Singur |
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UPA hasn’t done enough for Muslims: Ahamed
‘Observe Sep 16 Hyderabad Liberation Day’
6,000 teachers take to streets against UGC
India, France likely to
sign social security pact
Rodrigues expresses concern over farm indebtedness
‘85 pc area under Bt cotton’
‘Treat SIMI, Bajrang Dal, VHP equally’
Hundreds of storks crushed under banyan tree
2 Bangladeshi nationals held in Roorkee
Geotechnical facility to be set up in Dehra Dun
Digvijay compares Sangh with Nazis
Impeachment of Justice Sen tough task:
Bhardwaj
Delhi Blasts
Fingerprints from
Gaffar Market,
India Gate similar
More attacks on Christians
BJP creating communal
polarisation: Cong
Hijacked vessel had 18 Indians on board
AK-47s withdrawn from Rohtak cops
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CPM urges govt to repudiate 123 pact
New Delhi, September 17 The statement said, “It is now amply clear that the terms of the 123 Agreement are in full conformity with the Hyde Act and violate the crucial commitments made by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Parliament. It said, “The time has come for the Indian government to repudiate the 123 Agreement, which is not in India’s national interest. The government has no other option, as the argument that India has a different interpretation of the 123 Agreement is meaningless. The US as a supplier of nuclear equipment and materials will undertake such supply only under the terms of what it calls a “framework agreement.” The CPM pointed out that, “A different interpretation of the 123 Agreement by India will in no way bind the US as a supplier.” It recalled, “Under this agreement India will not have any uninterrupted fuel supply assurance; India will have to place its civilian reactors under IAEA safeguards in perpetuity without such a fuel supply assurance; India will not have any assurance regarding stock-piling fuel reserve for lifetime of the reactors; Whatever corrective measures India may contemplate vis-à-vis fuel supply disruption, taking the reactors out of the IAEA safeguards will be impermissible; India will not have access to full civilian nuclear technology; The consent to India’s reprocessing of spent fuel is only notional; The US can terminate the 123 Agreement at will and stop all supplies immediately; India will have to align its foreign policy to that of the US, particularly on Iran,” the CPM argued. The PB pointed out that “In a signed covering note to the Presidential Determination (President's Transmittal of Text to Congress) Bush has made it clear that the fuel supply assurance in the 123 Agreement is not legally binding. It states: “In Article 5(6) the agreement records certain political commitments concerning reliable supply of nuclear fuel given to India in March, 2006. The text of the agreement does not, however, transform these political commitments into legally binding commitments because the agreement, like other US agreements of its type, is intended as a framework agreement.” The PB also alleges that under this agreement, “India can never withdraw its civilian nuclear facilities from the IAEA safeguards unilaterally, even the indigenously built reactors, in the event of a disruption of fuel supply or if the 123 Agreement is itself terminated.” And also that the US is under no obligation to help India build up adequate fuel reserves for lifetime operations of the reactors.
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Bihar Floods
New Delhi, September 17 The state highways from Patna to Purnia and Saharsa are dotted with trucks, carrying relief material for the flood affected, dispatched by the state government, voluntary organisations as well as other states. In Purnia, playing host to worst affected Madhepura, as well as Saharsa, Araria and Supaul, a number of relief camps and kitchens have been set up by social, political and religious organisations along with the official camps set up by the state government. For helping people settle down, several organisations, including Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Yogpeeth, Art of Living, Mata Amritanandmayi Math and Nargis Dutt Charitable Trust, are also planning to adopt some of the villages. Several organisations have also donated cash, relief materials and medicines for the flood-hit areas. But what is disturbing is the total lack of planning. Flood relief fund has been set up but there is no one-stop shop, where people and organisations can donate relief material. There is also lot of confusion on the ground because many organisations like the Army, state and Central government officials are at times involved in overlapping tasks and duties. The relief work for the flood-affected areas of north Bihar is expected to be a long-drawn process stretching for months. Adding to the problem are around 50,000 persons, who still prefer to be marooned in some pockets of flood-hit areas. They have refused to move to relief camps as they feel the situation is improving with water receding. Flood victims have refused to move out, fearing safety of their belongings and animals. The state government and the Army has been requesting them to evacuate to relief camps as there are fears that September and October rains in north Bihar could result in more flooding of the zone. As of now, the Army and the paramilitary organisations are playing a lead role in getting the relief material and medical aid to those who have stayed back in villages. And there are large number of people, who would still be there in villages after the Army leaves, who would need to be looked after in terms of food, medical aid and sanitation facilities since the situation is not expected to be any difference in near future. “Quite a few people, as we heard, are saturated of having to consume the same chivda, which, in any case, is not a nourishing and wholesome meal, particularly when consumed as part of the main meal course, regularly. One witnesses numerous relief camps, where adequate quantities of food grains have not yet reached. Why is this situation persisting despite the Centre having announced food grains relief to the tune of 1.25 lakh tones,” social activist Medha Patkar said.
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Gay Rights in India
New Delhi, September 17 The Delhi high court, on the last date of hearing, had asked government of India to reconcile the contradictory affidavits filed by the two ministries, on the petition challenging Section 377 IPC, which criminalises homosexuality. Tomorrow’s hearing will be closely watched, as legal rights of homosexuals in India are adjudicated for the first time. While the health ministry supports the Naz Foundation of India, petitioners in the case, who argued for modification of Section 377 IPC, the home ministry says decriminalisation will open the floodgates for homosexual activity and lower legal defences against child sexual abuse. Viewpoints of the ministries have not still been reconciled, with health minister Anbumani Ramadoss now ready to discuss the matter with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Recently, a high-level meeting of the secretaries of home and health ministries was held to reach a consensus ahead of the court hearing, but minutes of the meeting have not been circulated so far, indicating that the deadlock continues. Sources in the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) today told The Tribune that the ministry of home affairs (MHA) has confused the health ministry’s stand on the issue. “The MHAs think we are arguing for deletion of Section 377 IPC, which is not the case. We are just seeking modification of the Section so that National AIDS Control Programme does not suffer,” they said. NACO (under the health ministry) wants home ministry to alter Section 377 to de-criminalise consensual homosexual acts so that MSMs (men who have sex with men) don’t go underground for the fear of law. Right now, India has an estimated MSM population of 3.45 million; of them 10 per cent are highly vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. They need to be targeted for condom supply lest they infect their male and female partners. “The potential of infection from MSMs is huge. Section 377 IPC in its present form is defeating our fight against AIDS. We are concerned because 86 per cent of the HIV infections in India are due to sexual cause, a majority of these is due to unsafe sex between MSMs, who remain invisible to escape Section 377 IPC. Offences under the act are non bailable,” said NACO sources, hoping the home ministry would file an affidavit that takes into account the issue of health of the most-marginalized sexual minority in India. NACO’s latest sentinel surveillance shows increased HIV positivity among MSMs. The petition for its part argues that sanctions on sexual orientation of gays keeps them from enjoying rights guaranteed by the constitution. It seeks changes in Section 377 IPC, which can continue to criminalise non-consensual sex to prevent child sexual abuse, while decriminalising sex between two consenting people of the same sex.
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Singur
Kolkata, September 17 Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee claimed the September 7 agreement on Singur reached between the state government and her party in the presence of Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi, had been “violated”. “If the state government does not give credence to the commitment made in the agreement in the presence of the constitutional head, then it is a case of violation of the Constitution and it is time that the Centre steps in”, she said. Rejecting Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s offer of return of 70 acre from within the project site at Singur to ‘unwilling’ land losers, she charged the government had ‘cheated’ people by ‘violating the agreement’ and reiterated her demand for return of 400 acre. Countering the CM that the government had never agreed to return of 300 acre of land from within the project site and 100 acre from outside, she said “this is totally untrue and an act of fraud on Singur. This government is visionless and has no idea about industry and agriculture.” Claiming that the government had ‘no moral right to continue in office’ for flouting the Raj Bhawan agreement, she also claimed that the Chief Minister had ‘also closed the door for further talks’' by not waiting for the Governor to return from Delhi before announcing its fresh package of compensation. — PTI
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UPA hasn’t done enough for Muslims: Ahamed
New Delhi, September 17 Ahamed, who earlier this week was nominated president of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), said the government needed to take steps to bring Muslims at par with other social groups. “This is perhaps the most friendly government of the minorities. But it’s not addressing the entire problems of the minorities,” Ahamad, whose IUML is a member of the Congress-led UPA and whose chief support base is in Kerala, told IANS in an interview. Ahamed, 70, said the Justice Rajinder Sachar Committee’s recommendations and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s 15- point programme to ensure equal socio-economic opportunities to Muslims in India were not enough. “We welcome the recommendations as also the prime minister’s ... 15-point programme to guarantee the representation of minorities... I am of the view it is not sufficient,” said the lawyer-turned-politician. The Sachar committee, appointed by the Manmohan Singh government, compiled an exhaustive report on the social, economic and educational status of the nearly 145 million Muslims in India. India is home to the world’s third largest Muslim population after Indonesia and Pakistan. The report revealed the poor development indices of the Muslims and suggested recommendations to better their condition. — IANS
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‘Observe Sep 16 Hyderabad Liberation Day’
New Delhi, September 17 Advani recalled how when entire India was celebrating Independence Day on 15 August, 1947, the people of the Nizam’s princely state were facing repression for demanding the state’s merger with India. Advani recalled that, “It was the bold decision of police action taken by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the then home minster and the Iron Man of India, which compelled the Nizam to surrender and accede to the Indian Union on 17 September, 1948.” “The people of Hyderabad had to struggle for 13 months to attain their freedom after the rest of India had gained independence from British rule.” He said September 17 was celebrated every year as the Hyderabad State Liberation Day in the areas of Karnataka and Maharashtra, which were originally part of the Hyderabad state.
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6,000 teachers take to streets against UGC
New Delhi, September 17 The UGC’s Pay Review Committee (PRC), which was to submit its report on revised pay scales for university/college teachers by September 5 this year, had sought an extension of the deadline, much to the teachers’ displeasure. Headed by Prof G.K. Chadha, former vice-chancellor of JNU and chief executive officer of SAARC University had on Sunday last announced an attractive package for teachers, saying he was committed to making teaching attractive and lucrative. The protestors under the banner of the Federation of Delhi University Teachers Association (FEDCUTA) walked from Ferozeshah Kotla Ground to the UGC office, to register their opposition on PRC’s alleged “acts of misdemeanor” on the issue of revision of pay of central university teachers. A specific objection of the protestors is that while the country is celebrating new pay scales after the Central Pay Commission report, the teachers have been conveniently left behind. “Advancement of the deadline is uncalled for,” said the teachers, who have sought the intervention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to expedite matters. The marchers took offence to the last Sunday’s announcement of Prof Chadha who said the PRC report would weed out anomalies in the existing arrangements concerning university teachers. He promised to raise the retirement age of teachers to 65, universally across India and also said the committee would ensure that the states implement the report earnestly. Protesting teachers however said the announcements serve no purpose until concretised in the shape of a report. “PRC’s announcements are aimed at misinforming teachers about the state of affair of higher education in India. We demand immediate facilities to faculty for academic advancement and research, attractive initial higher pay at entry level for lecturers, and fast and sound career advancement scheme, including professorship/ professor’s grade in colleges, and adequate service and working conditions. All these issues are being addressed by the PRC,” the teachers said. The protesters also met UGC vice-chairman and submitted a memorandum expressing its resentment over the delay in the submission of the PRC report.
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India, France likely to
sign social security pact
New Delhi,September 17 According to official sources, the Union Cabinet would approve the draft of the agreement at its next meeting to be held tomorrow. The sources explained that India was negotiating social security agreements with several European and West Asian countries where a large number of Indian professionals are engaged in high-end jobs. The social security agreement is aimed at ensuring that white-collar workers are not subjected to social security contributions by the host country.
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Rodrigues expresses concern over farm indebtedness
New Delhi, September 17 While Gen S.F. Rodrigues (retired), the governor of Punjab, narrated how the agricultural economy of the state was in shambles and needed immediate attention, Prabha Rau, Governor of Himachal Pradesh, wanted that railway line should be extended till Leh. This was needed as the Chinese railway had reached close to the Indian border. General Rodrigues said agriculture, which was the backbone of our economy, was in a state of acute crisis due to various factors. The problem of indebtedness in the farm sector, the traditional cropping pattern, lack of efficient marketing system and under-employment in rural areas, had become a major threat to our socio-economic structure. There was a need for drastic measures at the national and state government levels to tackle these issues effectively,” he emphasised. The Punjab Governor did some straight talking on the fiscal health of the state saying it was “not very sound as we do not have enough financial resources to implement the state annual plans and for meeting the goals of social development, which was the pre-requisite of a democratic polity.” The General did not miss out on the law and order situation. Saying it was good, except on two occasions - firstly, the difference of opinion between various bodies under the control of the SGPC in a confrontation with religious deras, the prominent one being the dera sacha sauda and secondly, the period associated with elections to various local bodies, including panchayats and municipalities. “There were protests and demonstrations, including attacks on property and people, but the entire situation was handled well and things have now stabilised”, General Rodrigues said regarding the religious confrontations in the state. General Rodrigues, who has been a former Chief of Army Staff said, I have no hesitation in saying “We have not attained the desired level of security and at times local situation has led to a loss of faith and trust by ordinary people in the law enforcement institutions and administrative systems.”
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‘85 pc area under Bt cotton’
Chandigarh, September 17 The figures available from the All-India Crop Biotechnology Association reveal that 27 million packets of Bt cotton were sold across India last year. Last year, Bt cotton contributed an additional Rs 7,039 crore to the Indian economy as it helped farmers enhance their production and thus their incomes. Thus, this has been a major success story for the GM seed manufacturers, as India has the highest cotton acreage and over five million cotton farmers. This was revealed by Sanjiv Anand, director, All-India Crop Biotechnology Association, and K.C. Bansal, coordinator, Indian Council of Agricultural Research Network on Transgenics, here today. “The total cotton production in the country has seen a massive jump from 13.7 million bales in 2002-03 to 23.4 million bales in 2006-07. This has also led to a large-scale export of cotton from the country,” said Bansal. The Bt cotton success story is also being repeated in Punjab and Haryana, which account for a major part of the cotton produce. This year, the two states are expecting a major jump in the yield of the crop because of extensive use of Bt cotton and effective management of mealy bug. While Punjab is anticipating average yield of 750 kg per hectare this season compared with 663 kg achieved last year in the state, Haryana is also hoping to yield 700 kg per hectares against 663 kg per hectare last year. But this success story could fall through if the farmers are not made aware of the annual replacement rate of Bt cotton. “Most often, farmers are seen to be using the same hybrid seed next year, without realising that the yield of second generation hybrid (F2) will go down. It is thus that ICAR has now devised a Bt cotton variety, which will have a replacement rate of five years (the seed of variety can be used for five years). This variety has already been approved by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), and this will be commercially available next year,” said Anand.
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‘Treat SIMI, Bajrang Dal, VHP equally’
Guwahati, September 17 Talking to newsmen here yesterday evening, Paswan, condemning the attacks on Christians in Orissa, Karnataka and other parts of the country, said, “If the SIMI can be banned, why not Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which are also threatening national integrity. Demanding a ban on the RSS, he said, “How could an organisation that was responsible for killing Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, go scot-free? There should be uniform laws to deal with all organisations, working against the country’s integrity and security.” He suggested that a national commission should be constituted immediately and policy should be framed so that activities of all the organisations which are working against the interests of national integration could be properly gauged. “The commission should be empowered to recommend imposition of ban, if required, on such organisations,” he said. “The issue of imposition of ban on the SIMI is already under the consideration of the Supreme Court. There should be equal treatment under the law to the Bajrang Dal, VHP and the RSS,” he said. Drawn to the burning problem of illegal Bangladeshi migrants in Assam and other northeastern states, Paswan said there was no clear-cut policy regarding where to deport the illegal migrants from Bangladesh who had sneaked into Assam after the cut- off date of March 1971 in the absence of an extradition treaty between India and Bangladesh. The LJP leader, therefore, asked all political parties to work for framing a comprehensive policy to deal with deportation of illegal migrants from Assam and other northeastern states instead of continuing to indulge in politics over the issue.
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Hundreds of storks crushed under banyan tree
Guwahati, September 17 Rescue teams of wildlife activists and forest staff recovered over 800 dead birds besides hundreds of seriously injured ones which were rushed to the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) located near Kaziranga National Park. Forest department sources said that the endangered storks had been nesting on the banyan tree for over half a century and their numbers were growing every passing year as Buddhist villagers have never tried to disturb the huge colony of storks atop the ageing banyan tree. These birds used to fly away to faraway places during January -March every year only to return to their nests on the tree, one of the three banyan trees located around the Buddhist temple in the village. The tree uprooted with a big thud on Monday night and as the nesting birds were drowsy during the night, the casualties were heavy. Most of the nests on the uprooted tree had chicks since it was the breeding season for openbill storks and all the chicks died under the wait of the branches of the collapsing tree. About 70 injured storks could be rescued. Most of the birds could not be rescued as the tree collapsed on a marshy area. Banglung Shyam village had one of the largest colonies of the endangered storks in eastern Assam. Other such large colonies are found within Kaziranga National Park and on Majuli river island in the bosom of the mighty Brahmaputra. The Asian openbill storks are found mainly in India, Sri Lanka and a few other South East Asian countries. The bird breeds near wetlands and nests on big, tall trees.
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2 Bangladeshi nationals held in Roorkee
Roorkee, September 17 Acting on a tip-off, the police sleuths conducted a raid at the local bus stand and arrested Abdul Salam and Rafi-ul-Islam, both hailing from Bangladesh. “The preliminary investigation has revealed that both suspects had recently came to India, however, their motive is yet to be determined,” said a police official. Notably, the Roorkee police had arrested 14 Bangladeshi’s from Kaliyar area, a month ago and now with the arrest of two more Bangladeshi nationals, the Uttarakhand police is on its toes investigating all possible aspects in the matter and even the probability of any terrorist activities in the state. So far, 48 Bangladeshis have been arrested since last year from Roorkee.
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Geotechnical facility to be set up in Dehra Dun
Dehra Dun, September 17 Giving details of the project, surveyor general of India, Prithivesh Nag, said the institute would be developed into an autonomous government agency dealing with geotechnical research, information and consultancy. NGF has particular responsibility as a government expert body for safety issues relating to landslides and coastal erosion. He claimed that with the setting up of this facility, it was expected to get consultancy fee worth Rs 100 crore per annum from local as well as foreign clients. Nag said the purpose of the facility was to achieve better techniques, safety and economy by the correct application of geotechnical knowledge in the building process. The know-how of the NGF would be made available for many sectors of the society and comprise land use planning, foundation engineering and techniques of soil reinforcement, slope stability, ground energy, polluted land, reuse of by-products, field and laboratory investigation. The facility, to be set up in a year's time at a cost of Rs 15 crore, would be self-sustaining in the next five years. Maj-Gen (Dr) B. Nagarajan, additional surveyor general of India, has been designated as the project director of the new unit. The facility will be housed in the Poonch House complex, a property belonging to the Survey of India, situated on the Circular road near the Welham Boys School. All major rivers originate from the Himalayas and a large number of hydro-power projects are either planned or constructed in the region. The entire belt is seismically active and natural hazards like earthquakes, landslides, snow avalanches and cloudbursts are common phenomena. The setting up of a world-class geotechnical facility would meet the requirements of various industrial houses, research bodies and academic institutions.
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Digvijay compares Sangh with Nazis
Bhopal, September 17 Speaking at a function organised by a local daily on the topics that should be included in the Congress manifesto for the Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, he compared the Sangh Parivar with the Nazis who also preached hatred for He said that like Hitler, the ‘Sangh Parivar’ also strongly believes in speaking lies again and again so that it is regarded as truth. The former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister said three ideologies exist in the country today. These include, the Sangh Parivar’s fascist ideology, the Communist ideology and Mahatama Gandhi's ideology of non-violence and communal harmony, which is followed by the Congress, he added. — PTI
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Impeachment of Justice Sen tough task:
Bhardwaj
New Delhi, September 17 Supreme Court Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan has, in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, recommended impeachment of Justice Sen for his alleged misconduct in handling Rs 32 crore given to him when he was a court receiver in a case before being elevated as a Judge. The CJI's proposal, forwarded to his ministry by the PMO, was being studied for a thorough investigation and framing of a charge sheet against the tainted Judge. Only then will the government approach the MPs, Bhardwaj told NDTV in ''Unless it is clear on what basis we should go to MPs, it will be premature to say that, yes, it is done,'' he pointed out. So, making out a case of impeachment was a tough task, the minister reiterated. Without referring to the unpleasant developments in the judiciary, including the Rs 7 crore GPF scam allegedly involving several judges, the Prime Minister remarked last week: ''There is no doubt that the personal record and reputation of those who sit in judgement does shape our view of the judicial |
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Delhi Blasts
Mumbai, September 17 At an emotionally-charged interaction with the media, Zubeida said the family had no interaction with Qureshi for the past several years though she did not believe that he could be behind the serial blasts in Mumbai and Ahmedabad. “If my son is found guilty of carrying out the blasts, he should be hanged in front of us,” Zubeida said. Clad in a black burqa, Zubeida was accompanied by her lawyer Mobin Solkar and some political activists. None of her relatives were present as they feared harassment from the police. “We are all from a good family, our children were brought up well. I cannot believe anyone of them could have carried out terrorist attacks,” she said. She, however, admitted that Qureshi, alias Tauqeer, had dropped out of contact with the family for the past eight years. “I have not seen or met him for the past eight years,” Zubeida said. In a written statement prepared with her husband Usman, Zubeida pleaded with Tauqeer to surrender. “It is very painful that the media has already passed a guilty verdict against our son even before he has been tried by a court of law,” they said. According to the two, Qureshi had studied in a convent school before taking up a career in software engineering. He went on to become a Microsoft Certified Software Engineer and took up a job with a franchisee of Wipro. He worked for Datamatix. Qureshi’s family says Tauqeer was married in 1999 and he moved out of his parent’s house in 2001. He was said to be living in the suburb of Mira Road. However, after the bomb blasts in Mumbai trains on July 11, 2006, he lost contact with his wife and three children as well. By then he had quit his job at Datamatix as well and remained incommunicado. “We still don’t know if he is dead or alive,” Zubeida said.
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Fingerprints from Gaffar Market,
India Gate similar
News Delhi, September 17 This implies that one person was behind both the bombs. However, it is still unclear whether the fingerprints are of the bomb maker or the planter. The investigation team believes that new revelations can provide vital clues to the investigating agencies and lead to the suspect being held. The detailed report of the CFSL findings is expected to take another couple of days and more information is expected to be divulged then. Meanwhile, the Police source also claimed that the Delhi Police investigation team has dozens of phone numbers used by Tauqeer, a Mumbai techie, alleged to be the mastermind of the blasts. He revealed the tower location of some of these numbers shows his presence in the Jamia Nagar/Abul Fazal Enclave area of south Delhi just before the blasts. However, this could also mean that someone else used that phone number at that time. The investigation team also kept getting numerous calls through the day today regarding spotting of the suspects in various parts of the capital. “We have got several calls from the people about the locations of the suspect on the basis of sketches we released yesterday,” told a police official about the response to the releasing of sketches adding that they however did not find the men they were looking for. Yesterday Delhi Police released sketches of key suspects in five bombs that killed 22 people at three public places in the capital on Saturday. The police released five sketches - four of two persons, who are suspects in the Barakhamba Road bombing and one sketch of a suspect in the Gaffar Market blast. “We are aware of the background of these people but cannot reveal it.We request the people to be on the look-out for these people and call us on 1091 with any information. The identity of the caller will be kept a secret,” police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat said. "The sketches were drawn with information from witnesses who saw these men either move suspiciously or place suspect-looking bags," Bhagat said.
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New Delhi, September 17 “I believe we have to remove terrorism. This (anti-terror) agency should see to it that people participate in the government effort to put an end to terrorism and provide enough truth to the judiciary to decide on terror-related cases,” Kalam said, replying to queries from reporters if he believed there was a need for a federal agency. “For removing terrorism, the nation has to have a mission. People of the country have to be part of the government (efforts) and they cannot stand aside and be watching. So, I have suggested what is called the national campaign for removal of terrorism,” he said, on the sidelines of a DRDO workshop on scientific and technical manpower recruitments here. The government-appointed second ARC had yesterday suggested the setting up of a federal agency to tackle terrorist cases and enactment of a comprehensive anti-terror law. The suggestion from Congress leader Veerappa Moily-led ARC comes in sharp contrast to the Centre’s stand that the existing laws were quite adequate to deal with terrorism. Meanwhile, calling for an active role for retired scientists in schools and colleges, Kalam today said the experience and expertise of these gems should not be brushed aside. Dr Kalam said the role of scientific institutions would be vital in years to come as the share of manufacturing and services sector in India’s GDP had risen sharply. “To realise ‘India Vision 2020’ contribution of these two sectors must grow up to 94 per cent by 2012 and for this scientific organisations must utilise the services of retired scientists,” he said. Nearly 27 experts, including seven from the US, UK, Germany, Australia and Israel, are participating in the four-day workshop that began at DRDO’s Metcalfe House here. Dr Kalam also released the first issue of RAC’s journal ‘Good Assessment Practices’ and a book “In search of the Right Personnel” authored by Dr Manas K Mandal, director of the Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR). — PTI, UNI
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More attacks on Christians
Bangalore, September 17 Panindra Singh, ASP, Kolar, confirmed that the miscreants had damaged the statue kept outside the St Mary’s church. He said the police had already formed a special squad to nab the culprits and they were likely to be brought to book soon. “The miscreants must have damaged the statue after 4 am today as a police patrol passing through the area at four did not see anything untoward at the site”, Panindra Singh said. He said a peace committee under Muzrai and district in charge minister Krishnaiah Shetty had also been formed to maintain communal harmony in the area. “The situation in the area is normal”, he said. It was learnt that in another incident, a group of miscreants destroyed the Bible, prayer books, statues and icons in the church and poured kerosene over the carpet at St George Church in Ujire in Dakshin Kannada district. The miscreants also reportedly damaged furniture inside a church in Chikamagalur district.
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BJP creating communal polarisation: Cong Tribune News Service While asking the B S Yeddyurappa government to fulfil its Constitutional responsibilities, Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan criticised the BJP for not failing to utter “a word of condemnation” against the recent incidents of communal violence in Karnataka and Orissa. Describing it as a planned strategy of the BJP to cause communal polarisation for electoral gains, Natarajan said the BJP was harbouring a mistaken belief if it thought that causing communal tension would help it to get votes. “We want to warn them that it is anti-national, not in interest of democracy and the people will never forget them,” she said.
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Hijacked vessel had 18 Indians on board
Mumbai, September 17 A few crew members on board the Hong Kong- registered vessel contacted maritime officials based in Singapore on Tuesday, reports said. Apart from the Indians, the crew members included two Filipinos, a Bangladeshi and a Russian. The vessel was carrying a cargo of oil and chemicals. The Gulf of Aden area is notorious for piracy with several ships being hijacked by Somalian gangs in the past despite the presence of international naval patrols. According to the International Maritime Board officials 54 ships have so far been hijacked by Somalian gangs this year. Only last month a ship called Iran Deynat was captured by Somalian pirates. The ship had four Indians on board. In July last, the M V Victoria, on a humanitarian UN mission to Somalia, was hijacked by the pirates. The 21-member crew had 10 Indians on board in the ship owned by a Dubai-based company. All ships hijacked in the past were released after their owners paid ransom to the hijackers, officials here said. The Indian Navy had then proposed carrying out patrols under the UN flag to provide support to vessels moving in the region. According to officials, Somalian gangs control vast areas across the war-torn country and have access to ports, telecommunication equipment and other infrastructure to operate. Hijacked ships are often berthed in ports controlled by the gangs while negotiations for ransom take place. |
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AK-47s withdrawn from Rohtak cops
Tribune News Service Though the local authorities are tightlipped over the matter, sources confirmed that the AK-47 assault rifles had been withdrawn from the local police personnel.
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Kumawat appointed BSF director-general MC may sack mosquito breeding checkers HC pulls up transport corps Mild quake in Maharashtra 10 booked for teenager’s death Trader sentenced to 3-yr RI Mizo body seeks NSCN’s help 
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