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Chinks in intel network make Mumbai vulnerable
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Gujarat forms panel to probe snooping case
with
general election 2014 only a few months away...
80% vote in Mizoram
NOTA: SC rejects PIL for repoll
Poll reforms: Take it forward before LS election, SC to govt
SAD alleges registration of bogus votes in Delhi
Crorepatis slug it out in Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh
Narcotics bureau tightens noose around pharma cos
Govt can’t hinder probe, CBI tells SC
pak
veterans recall indo-pak wars
Lack of contact hampering peace process, says Pak Gen
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New Delhi, November 25 On the positive side, the chain of 46 coastal radars has been set up and is functioning. Four new joint operation centres have come up. They function 24x7 to coordinate resources under various ministries. Islands territories like the Lakshadweep and also a few more sensitive spots now have full-fledged coast guard stations. New UAVs have been added while 95 fast interceptor crafts have been inducted besides patrol vessels. At the last coastal security meeting on November 12, Defence Minister AK Antony was informed about the latest scenario. “As compared to the past, we have improved a lot. But we need to do more. Maritime security is more and more challenging”, Antony told reporters on the sidelines of a Defence Ministry function here on the eve of the fifth anniversary of the 2008 attacks. More than 160 persons were killed and several hundred were left injured when 10 terrorists attacked India through the sea route. Nine terrorists were killed in encounter with the NSG and the local police forces. The issue of coastal security was also discussed at a meeting headed by the Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth on September 8 and at the Prime Minister-headed National Security Council meeting on November 1. As per the latest position, only four coastal states --- Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Puducherry and the union territory of Daman and Diu have set up their own maritime boards that would coordinate with the Navy which was given the overall charge of coastal security in February 2009. Fishing boats smaller than 20 metres still don’t carry Automated Identification System (AIS) transponders. These transponders relay coded electronic signals and can be identified by shore-based controllers and also Indian warships. The Bharat Electricals Limited and the ISRO are developing a low-cost transponder but the issue of funding these - whether the states or the Centre - awaits a decision. Bigger boats carry the transponders and 87 shore-based receivers have been installed to detect signals. Under the overall coastal security plan, all fishermen were to have biometric card containing all information about the person. All security agencies, including the shore-based marine police stations, were to have ‘hand held car readers’. Nothing has happened on this account so far.
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Chinks in intel network make Mumbai vulnerable
Mumbai, November 25 While the anti-terror squad and other agencies are promising to strengthen the intelligence network, the administration's failure to prevent the blasts has come in for a strong criticism from Opposition parties in the state. The Shiv Sena and the BJP are demanding that the Maharashtra Government must table the entire report of the Ram Pradhan committee, which was set up to look into the functioning of the police machinery after the terror attacks, in the Assembly. While the government is yet to table the report in the Assembly, it had filed the action taken report (ATR). "We have implemented most of the important recommendations," Home Minister RR Patil told reporters here today. The state government, however, appears to be non-committal on tabling the report despite several promises made by Chief Minister Prithiviraj Chavan in the past. On the other hand, the Maharashtra Police insist that they have beefed up the intelligence gathering machinery and have managed to crack several terror modules in the past several years. The state government has, however, not moved on several recommendations made by the Ram Pradhan committee like setting up a state intelligence bureau and a network of informers to process inputs gathered from Central intelligence agencies.
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Coastal police stations hit land acquisition hurdle
Mumbai, November 25 A proposal to set up coastal police stations along Maharashtra’s coastline following the 26/11 terror attacks is stuck in red tape as the Maharashtra Government is finding it difficult to acquire land for the facilities. Following an assessment by the Union Home Ministry, which warned that state’s porous coastline continued to pose a danger from seaborne terrorists, the state government revived an old proposal to set up seven coastal police stations on the Mumbai-Thane coast earlier this year. But the government has been unable to acquire land at Thane, Mumbai and Ratnagiri due to opposition from local residents, sources say. As of now, the coastal police are making do with skeleton facilities offered by small police stations existing in these places. In Mumbai, the process at Gorai and Arnala is stuck as land acquisition is being undertaken as part of a larger exercise to convert rural villages into tourism zones. Local fishing communities and environmental groups are in the forefront of protests and the matter is stuck in the courts, say sources. The severe cash crunch faced by the state government is also adding to the troubles. The state government does not have enough funds to purchase new speed boats and even fuel for those the police already have. “Most boats are non-functional as the government does not have funds to buy spares,” says a senior police officer. Mumbai's coastal police are known to use their boats for just 20-30 minutes a day in order to conserve fuel.
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Anti-terror squad fights shortage of equipment
Mumbai, November 25 The 350-member squad set up to respond speedily to terror attacks in urban settings has been struggling for basic infrastructure ever since it came into existence in 2009. The government managed to acquire land for Force One only about a year ago and construction of its integrated hub is yet to be completed. "The buildings are still undergoing completion, but accommodation and training facilities for the commandos have not been compromised," says a Home Department official. As of now an advanced firing range has been put into operation and personnel of Force One are undergoing regular drills. However, a shortage of equipment remains a major bugbear. Sources said there are not enough bullet-proof jackets and night-vision equipment for all the personnel. The Central Government had sanctioned the purchase of modern assault rifles for the force last year. The Maharashtra Government is confident that Force One will be able to take on terrorists at short notice.
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Actors of substance take centrestage
Instead of celeb stars, actors of substance like Mohan Agashe, who, by the way, is also the co-producer of the film Astu, made their presence felt. However, to those who cared, there was enough food for thought to chew, mull over and participate as well. At an informal discussion on contemporary Greek cinema, the sound might have been drowned by the buzzing of the air-conditioner yet provided enough insight into the challenges the filmmakers face in a country battling with an economic crisis. Predictably, the economic upheaval is the subject of many films there but “diversity against adversity” is the real face of contemporary cinema. Not surprising, the seven films that are a part of the IFFI, Goa, reflect different aspects of life. If “Joy”, part of the competitive section, is about the universal joy of motherhood, “Wild Duck” deals with ethical issues and even touches upon mobile phone health concerns. “The Tree and the Swing” directed by Maria Douza is about migration. Interestingly, they also revealed the great tradition of Greek theatre has no bearing on contemporary cinema and Maria stated that Aristotle is a little bit forgotten in movies that are being made today. The filmmakers, particularly producer of “Joy”, Elias Giannakaki talked about the need for the government to support cinema for she argued that except for Hollywood and Bollywood, no cinema can survive without government patronage. Yet, working against all odds, driven by passion, filmmakers continue to make films and more films are being made today than say a decade ago. Challenges, of course, know no boundaries and independent filmmakers face an uphill task closer home too. Directors and producers of the Indian Panorama, too, shared their experiences. Seven-time national award winning director P Sheshadhri, whose film Bharat Stores is the only Kannada entry here at the IFFI, made a demand for the films selected in the Indian Panorama section to be shown on Doordarshan and also should be a part of the NFDC’s Film Bazaar, an event that takes place simultaneously at a different venue.
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Gujarat forms panel to probe snooping case
Ahmedabad, November 25 Retired Gujarat High Court Judge Sugnyaben K Bhatt and KC Kapoor, retired Additional Chief Secretary of the state, will be part of the inquiry panel that has been asked to submit its report within three months. "We have formed a commission to inquire into the allegations of security provided to the young woman," state Finance Minister Nitin Patel said. Modi has come under sharp attack from the Congress that had asked the BJP to rethink his nomination and demanded a CBI inquiry. Modi's detractors, including suspended IAS officer Pradeep Sharma, had tried to corner the CM alleging the phone of the woman was being tapped illegally at his behest and the announcement today was seen as a damage-control exercise. — PTI
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with
general election 2014 only a few months away...  MP records highest turnout
Bhopal, November 25 MP Minister of State for Women and Child Development Ranjana Baghel was booked under Sections 353/34 IPC for allegedly bribing of voters in Dhar district. Madhya Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Jaideep Govind told reporters in Bhopal that there was firing in the air at some places in Lahar constituency in Bhind district but said there was no possibility of a re-poll. He said one man, identified as Bhurasingh Kansana, nephew of sitting Congress MLA and candidate for Sumavali constituency in Morena district, was killed when a BSF jawan opened fire to stop him from fleeing with an EVM at Nayakpura polling station. "Polling was brisk and peaceful but for some stray incidents of violence - four in Bhind and three in Morena district and one person each was injured in the two districts. As many as 30 persons were arrested for inciting violence in the two districts," Deputy Election Commissioner Sudhir Tripathi said in Delhi. The previous high turn-out in MP was 69.58 per cent in the 2008 Assembly elections. Govind said polling in three Maoist-affected constituencies in Balaghat district was held was held under tight security and choppers were also used, he said, adding an average 70 per cent polling was witnessed here. The CEO said polling had been boycotted in some polling stations in 10 districts by people who were angry with lack of construction of roads in their areas. An EVM was broken by a crowd in Chowrai but was replaced and voting resumed after a gap. — PTI
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80% vote in Mizoram
Aizawl, November 25 He said the percentage of turnout could rise after data is received from remote areas. The polling percentage was over 80 per cent in three seats adjoining Manipur - Chalfilh, Tuivawl and Serlui, where there were allegations of insurgents intimidating voters, Lalengmawia said. Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla cast his vote with his wife Lal Riliani at Zarkawt-II Polling Station at Babutlang area in Zarkawt locality. — PTI
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NOTA: SC rejects PIL for repoll
New Delhi, November 25 A Bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam said it was for Parliament to amend the law in the light of the recent SC judgment on the issue. It was too early for the SC to pass any such order as the voters’ response to the option should be analysed first, it said. In its September 27 judgment, the apex court had asked the Election Commission to introduce the NOTA button primarily to enable the voter to reject the candidates if he found none of them “worthy of his vote,” thereby forcing political parties to field only those “who are known for their integrity” and ensuring “proper governance of the country.” When political parties realised “that a large number of people are expressing their disapproval with the candidates being put up by them, gradually there will be a systemic change and the political parties will be forced to accept the will of the people and field candidates who are known for their integrity,” a three-member Bench headed by CJI Sathasivam had held in a 51-page verdict. “For a democracy to survive, it is essential that the best available men should be chosen as people’s representatives for proper governance of the country,” the SC had explained.
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Poll reforms: Take it forward before LS election, SC to govt
New Delhi, November 25 A Bench comprising Justices RM Lodha and Shiva Kirti Singh also asked Additional Solicitor General Paras Kuhad, who appeared for the government, to file an affidavit specifying the terms of the reference made to the Law Commission last year on the issue. The Bench made the remark while hearing a PIL that has sought de-criminalisation of politics. The petitioner contended that the government was dilly-dallying the issue despite the fact that the Law Commission had already gone into the issue and made its recommendations in 1999, while the Election Commission had also given its views in 2004. On the basis of the recommendations of the EC and the Law Commission, the government had sought to enact a law in Parliament and referred the matter to a Standing Committee which also gave its views on the relevant Bill. However, instead of taking a stand on the committee’s recommendations, it had now referred the matter back to the Law Commission, the petitioner said. At this, the Bench wanted to know the aspects on which the government was on the same page with the committee and the recommendations with which it differed. The Additional Solicitor General said the government had held nine rounds of consultations across the country as part of its efforts to bring about a comprehensive set of electoral reforms. The issue was pending with the Law Commission for more than a year. The Bench said, if necessary, it would appeal to the Law Commission to expedite its recommendations. Nevertheless, the SC acknowledged the need for taking a decision on a ‘broad consensus’ among all the stakeholders, instead of leaving everything to the court. “We cannot forget the ground realities,” it remarked.
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Modi plays Sikh card at rally
Sriganganagar, November 25 While he targeted the Congress for the ills plaguing the country in his inimitable style and rhetoric amidst applause from the audience, a major part of the speech was devoted to the sacrifices made by the Sikh warriors to uproot tyranny of the rulers of those times. The fact that the community holds the winning cards in many seats in Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh districts and that the content of the thrust of the speech was aimed at this aspect mainly was not lost on anyone. In his 32-minute speech, Modi encapsulated devoted more time to recall the traumatic events endured by the Sikhs, especially warriors who were residents of these areas and had extracted their revenge at the cost of their lives. Nevertheless, he also attacked the Congress for all the ills plaguing the nation and said the tall claims of removing poverty in 100 days of the UPA coming to power had proved to be a mirage. IHe also raked the spectrum issue and the coal scam and remarked that the Congress had not only sold the airwaves for personal gains but had not left even coal alone that is not even stolen by thieves. Modi reiterated that the BJP would not only win here but also form a government at the Centre so that everyone could be assured of a better future and that no one slept on an empty stomach anywhere. Certain candidates were not impressed with the oratory and what Modi had to offer today. They had been expecting the fiery speaker who set the agenda at any rally and had the audience eating out of their hands. That they were disappointed was evident from their glum faces.
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SAD alleges registration of bogus votes in Delhi
New Delhi, November 25 In a written complaint filed by the SAD secretary and spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema, the SAD alleged that 266 bogus votes had been registered in Khayala village which is the native place of official candidate of the Congress Dhanwanti Chandila. Cheema alleged that in two small plots bearing house numbers WZ 101 and WZ 102, 93 and 142 bogus votes have been registered, respectively, and 42 votes have been registered in the same houses in the supplementary voter list issued by the returning officer. He informed the EC that it was surprising to see that in the same houses five years ago a similar complaint of registration of bogus votes was got registered by the SAD on November 25, 2008. Meanwhile, former MLA Daya Nanand Chandila said four or five families live in one plot. They all have votes. If there is registration of bogus voting, the authorities concerned should make an inquiry and delete those names.
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Crorepatis slug it out in Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh
Sri Ganganagar, November 25 Barring the Pillibangha seat in Hanumangarh, all other seats are witnessing a battle between the millionaire candidates (candidates in the Pillibangha seat are surely lakhpatis). Based on the disclosure about their financial position in affidavits before the Election Commission, Vimla Devi, wife of the Guar king, BD Aggarwal, leads the group of crorepatis with over Rs 2,700 crore of cash, jewellery and assets in her kitty. She is Contesting from Sangriya seat under the banner of the Zamindara Party or the National Unionist Party headed by her husband. She is way ahead of other candidates not just in her constituency, but from the collective movable and immovable property of almost all the 400 candidates of the BJP and the Congress put together in all the 200 seats in the state. She is facing charges of cheating and forgery amounting to loss of money to the public exchequer in the CBI court, Jodhpur. Most of the property owned by BD Aggarwal is in her name. She faces Krishan Kadwa of the BJP, whose property assets are worth about Rs 8 crore. Vimla’s daughther Kamini Jindal is the second richest candidate in the state. She is contesting from Sri Ganganagar and her husband Gagandeep Singla is an IPS officer posted as the ACP in Jaipur. She has assets worth nearly Rs 200 cr. Her BMW car worth about Rs 50 lakh is cynosure of many eyes. From Karanpur seat, Congress candidate Gurmeet Singh Kooner has over Rs 17 crore worth property. He is a farmer like his rival Surinder Singh TT, who used to be with the Indian Railways earlier. TT has property worth Rs 1.70 crore. Interestingly, Kooner doesn’t own a vehicle despite having such wealth. TT claims to own two jeeps. From Hanumangarh, two doctors have locked horns representing the main BJP and the Congress. BJP’s Dr Ram Avtar owns property worth over Rs 4 crore while Chowdhry Vinod Kumar of the Congress has assets worth over Rs 5 crore. At Bhadra seat, Jaydeep Dhuddi of the Congress has movable and immovable assets worth about Rs 1.3 crore against BJP’s Sanjeev Beniwal, who boasts of wealth of over Rs 4 crore. The Sadul Shahar seat, known for majority of Sikh voters, is witnessing battle between a lawyer Jagdish Chander and a farmer Gurjant Singh Brar. Jagdish owns a gas agency, farms and other property adding to over Rs 1 crore. Brar too has over Rs 1 crore property, including a Mouser worth Rs 1.5
lakh.
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Narcotics bureau tightens noose around pharma cos
Chandigarh, November 25 The zonal division of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has started registering all companies that get these chemicals and asked them to submit quarterly returns of the controlled substances bought, processed and leftover stocks. This comes after the police made two major drug hauls and busted two drug rackets, with origins in this region, recently. Besides the seizure of psychotropic substances from alleged drug lord Jagdish Singh Bhola, another case of “controlled delivery” of almost 300 kg of pseudoephedrine from Kurukshetra to Melbourne (Australia) has prompted the investigating agencies to look into the role of these pharmaceutical companies. Sources told The Tribune that the NCB had received information regarding
the consignment of pseudoephedrine to be delivered in Australia by a drug ring run by a Canada-based trader. The NCB sought the cooperation of the Australian Federal Police to unravel the delivery process. On September 23, the two agencies allowed the delivery of the drug (by a rice exporter from Kurukshetra, who hid the drug in his basmati consignment) in Melbourne. Once the drug consignment reached its destination, the agencies conducted simultaneous raids and arrested the sender and consignee. The NCB further learnt about the involvement of some Vietnamese and Chinese agents in the drug supply chain. This investigation led the NCB to certain pharmaceutical companies in Baddi allegedly supplying pseudoephedrine to those involved in making synthetic drugs. While this aspect into the drug mafia was being investigated, the Patiala police arrested Bhola, leading the Punjab Police to three Baddi-based companies.
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Govt can’t hinder probe, CBI tells SC
New Delhi, November 25 “Even if the CBI is an attached office with the DoPT, nowhere is it provided in the relevant rules that DoPT shall control the day to day affairs of the CBI thereby adversely affecting the efficacy and independence of investigations and prosecution being carried out by the CBI,” the agency said. Questioning the government’s wisdom in refusing to treat the CBI Director on a par with the Union Secretary, the CBI said its functional efficacy and autonomy in investigation “are intrinsically interlined.” There were instances where lack of adequate powers had resulted in the investigation suffering inordinate and avoidable delays.
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pak
veterans recall indo-pak wars Vijay Mohan & Akash Ghai Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, November 25 “There were a lot of casualties and bodies lying around on the battlefield. I recall that though his tank was on fire, he never left the tank and its gun was moving till the very end,” Brig Nasir said. “We were barely 100 metres apart. A shell from his tank wizzed past my leg and hit the engine of my tank, setting it on fire,” he added. He was in the city along with several senior retired Pakistani military officers to attend a peace seminar organised under the aegis of the India Pakistan Soldiers’ Initiative for Peace. Brig Nasir was then a major, commanding a squadron from Pakistan’s 13 Lancers, equipped with US-made Patton tanks. The squadron, along with other elements of Pakistani forces, launched a counter attack on the night of December 16, 1971. The attack was blunted by Arun Kheterpal’s troop from 17 Poona Horse. Two more Pakistani counter attacks were foiled. According to his citation, 2/Lt Khetarpal started attacking the impending enemy strong points by literally charging them, overrunning the defence works with his tanks and capturing the enemy infantry and weapon crew at pistol point. He continued to attack relentlessly until enemy opposition was overcome. Soon, the enemy reformed with a squadron of armour for a second attack. A fierce tank fight ensued in which 10 enemy tanks were hit and destroyed. Though Arun was severely wounded, he fought on and destroyed another enemy tank. At this stage, his tank received a second hit, killing him.
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A bond made in unusual circumstances
Chandigarh, November 25 During the 1965 Indo-Pak war, a Pakistani air force pilot who was arrested by a Punjab Police constable after being shot down over Adampur near Jalandhar, turned out to be the son of a Pakistani citizen who had warmly hosted the cop the year before when he had been part of the Indian Asian Games delegation that had gone to Lahore. Narrating the instance, a former Pakistani air force pilot, Air Vice Marshal Hamid Abbas Khawaja said that during the war Pakistan’s B-57 bombers were tasked to bomb the Adampur airfield. Due to a technical malfunction, an aircraft flown by Sqn Ldr Altaf Sheikh could not drop the underslung bombs. He decided to make a second pass to drop the bombs, but was hit by anti-aircraft fire requiring him and his navigator to eject. The next morning, a “hefty” policeman found them and put them under arrest, but could not take them to the police station as he was on a motor cycle and could not accommodate three of them. When Sheikh said he was from Lahore, the cop replied that he too had been there last year and fondly recalled the warm treatment and scrumptious food offered by Rahman Baba there. It transpired that the cop’s host was the father of the pilot arrested by him. “If that is the case, then you are like a brother to me, the cop had told Sheikh,” AVM Khawaja said. The aircrew was taken prisoner-of-war and later returned to Pakistan.
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Lack of contact hampering peace process, says Pak Gen
Chandigarh, November 25 Pointing out that violations could be escalation resulting from a stray accidental shot, he did not rule out instances of deliberate violations. “There are groups, both in India and Pakistan, that are bent towards extremism,” he said. He said that people on either side are not being allowed to make their own judgments as there was virtually no contact between them and a total lack of trust. “If more channels of communication are open be up, things would not be so bad,” he said. “Bold steps have to be taken by leaders on both sdes, though at times such initiatives are not reciprocated,” he said. He was here, along with several senior retired Pakistan military officers to attend a peace seminar organised under the aegis of India Pakistan Soldiers’ Initiative for Peace (IPSI), an organisation of retired military officers on both sides engaged in voluntary activities to promote bilateral ties. Stating that sentiments of the people on both sides have always been good, he said that bilateral trade, tourism and sports events should be enhanced, which would strengthen bilateral relations and help offset any incidents that setback the peace process.
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AAP files defamation case against web portal Cong ‘most communal party'’ Diskhit cautions voters |
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Chandigarh, November 25
Chandigarh, November 25
Richest candidate in Rajasthan
