L A T E S T      N E W S

Anna flays team for moving HC seeking venue concessions

RALEGAN-SIDDHI (Maharashtra): Veteran social crusader Anna Hazare on Friday termed as "improper" the decision by his activists to move the Bombay High Court seeking concessions for a venue to carry out his proposed agitation in Mumbai from December 27.

“The decision by my activists was not correct. They are inexperienced and have committed a mistake. But now they have learnt a lesson,” Hazare told mediapersons.

His reactions came soon after the Bombay High Court disposed of a petition by his team members challenging the high commercial rates—around Rs.19,00,000, including deposit—demanded by the MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority) for renting out the ground.

He said in the wake of the court decision, the MMRDA Ground in suburban Bandra-Kurla Complex was more or less fixed.

“I am told that the MMRDA will give us some concessions and we are also getting donors to cover that cost. So, I have given the green signal for the venue,” Hazare said.

Team Anna members had filed a writ petition in the Bombay High Court on Thursday demanding the MMRDA ground free of cost since the proposed agitation was in public interest. —IANS

Dense fog engulfs IGI airport; 75 flights delayed 

New Delhi: Dense fog enveloped the IGI Airport this morning, leading to diversion of four flights and delaying 75 others. Two Jet Airway flights from Doha and Abu Dhabi were diverted.

Registration on for 'jail bharo andolan' 

Team Anna has begun registration for Anna Hazare's jail bharo andolan to protest against government's Lokpal Bill, tweeted Kiran Bedi. "Register for jail bharo. National registration process is Sms <jail><city/zilla> to 575758 or call 07303150500 or 
"http://www.jailchalo.com">www.jailchalo.com," posted Team Anna member Bedi on Twitter. "B a Freedom fighter agnst corruption Register for Jail bharo. Sms <jail><city/zilla> to 575758 or call 07303150500," she further tweeted.

EC likely to announce poll dates for 5 states 

New Delhi: The Election Commission is likely to announce the schedule for Assembly Elections to be held next year in five states including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Punjab and Goa on Friday. As per reports, Uttar Pradesh is likely to have a 5-phase election, possibly in February. The other four states are likely to have a single phase poll.The announcement in this regard will be made by Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi, after which a model code of conduct will come into force in five states.

2 BKI terrorists arrested in Delhi 

New Delhi: Two suspected terrorists of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) outfit were arrested from the national capital and Punjab. It is being said that three politicians and one religious leader in Delhi were on the hit list of the arrested terrorists. The terrorists have been identified as Sarvpreet and Jaswinder. The security officials will produce the duo in court later today.