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Team Anna apologises to media

New Delhi: Team Anna and Anna himself has apologised to the mediapersons covering the fast, some of whom were manhandled by Anna supporters.

As the latest round of anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare’s indefinite fast entered into its third day on Tuesday, the Broadcast Editors' Association (BEA) had demanded an apology from Team Anna after the latter’s supporters heckled media persons on Monday evening at Jantar Mantar.

"The Broadcast Editors' Association strongly condemns attack on media by Anna supporters. The BEA believes that this is an interference in the functioning of media. The media is discharging its legitimate duty of covering the agitation in a fair manner. The BEA seeks an immediate apology from Team Anna for the misbehaviour by its supporters," the BEA said in a press release.

 The scuffle took place at around 10 pm last night, after a Team Anna member claimed on stage that the media was not fairly covering the movement.

While Team Anna member Kumar Vishwas condemned the incident saying the scuffle was unwarranted, the BEA has stressed on an immediate apology.

EGoM on drought to decide on relief measures

New Delhi: An Empowered Group of Ministers on drought, headed by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, is scheduled to meet on Tuesday for deciding on relief measures to tackle drought-like situation in some states that has led to fodder and water scarcity.

As of now, monsoon rains are deficient by 21 percent across India, affecting sowing of kharif crops. Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab and West Rajasthan have been the worst-hit regions this year.

On Sunday, Pawar had said the country could face serious situation if rains do not occur in next two months.

Hafiz Saeed wants Pak to talk water with India

Lahore: Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed has called on the Pakistan government to hold "serious talks" with India over the issue of sharing of river water.

He made the remarks while addressing a meeting of JuD activists in the border city of Sialkot, 70 km from Lahore, on Monday.

"Islamabad should hold a serious dialogue with New Delhi on this crucial issue, which will damage the agriculture-based economy of Pakistan," he claimed.

"India is trying to render our country barren by stopping water coming here," he further claimed.

The founder of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba said the world community could never ignore the sacrifices of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

"Sacrifices by thousands of Kashmiris will soon bear fruit," he claimed.

Criticising the Pakistan People's Party-led government for reopening NATO supply routes to Afghanistan, Saeed said the Defa-e-Pakistan Council will continue its protests against the decision.