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Everything will be fine: PM about Pak border situation
New
Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said "everything will be fine soon" on Pakistan border amid the government's assertion that India is giving a "massive" reply to the "totally unprovoked" shelling by Pakistan and will continue to do so unless the other side stops.
Top government sources said talks can happen if Pakistan is sincere and made it clear that India will not accept any third party intervention, including by the UN which has been approached by Pakistan.
"Everything will be fine soon," Modi said on being asked about ceasefire violations by Pakistan. He was attending the 'At Home' organised by IAF Chief Arup Raha on the occasion of Air Force Day.
Modi did not speak further but top government sources said India will not give in to "coercive diplomacy" by Pakistan and will respond strongly to Pakistani shelling.
Contending that India is giving a "massive" response to the Pakistani action which was "totally unprovoked," the sources cited media reports in Pakistan to say that 35 people have been killed in the last two days on that side -- 20 yesterday and 15 the previous day.
The sources noted that there was no independent confirmation of this casualty.
"Pakistan should stop... We are only protecting our sovereignty," the sources said, adding "we did not escalate the situation and we are not going to scale down." When pointed out that it could then be a prolonged affair, the sources said India is ready for long haul unless Pakistan stops.
India feels that Pakistan resorted to this action to "raise the temperature" and bring Kashmir issue into focus after receiving setbacks repeatedly.
Pakistan had tried to raise the issue at the UN, which did not succeed and now it might by trying to escalate the situation to draw the world attention, the sources said. -PTI
Pak troops kill 2 women in border shelling
JAMMU: Two women of a family were on Wednesday killed and 15 others injured in heavy mortar shelling and firing by Pakistani troops along the international border in Jammu and Kashmir, taking the death toll to eight in the continued ceasefire violations by Pakistan for over a week.
Pakistani Rangers targeted 50 border out posts (BoPs) and 35 hamlets overnight along the 192-km boundary. The escalation has triggered an exodus, with 16,000 people moving to safer areas from border villages.
Over 70 people have been injured in the ceasefire violations by Pakistan, including 15 today.
Pakistani Rangers target Chillary village along IB in Samba district around 0730 hours today. In the mortar shelling, Shukuntla Devi and her daughter-in-law Poli Devi were killed while their husbands along with two children of Poli were injured, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Samba, Anil Mangotra told
PTI.
All the inhabitants of village with a population 1,700 have fled from border hamlet to safety.
Along the Line of Control (LoC), the firing stopped last night in Mendhar & Poonch sectors after Indian forces gave a befitting reply, defence officials said.
Among the 15 injured today, three were BSF jawans. All of them have been shifted to Government Medical College (GMC) hospital, the SSP said.
Jorda Farm border hamlet was hit by shelling at 0900 hrs, police officials said. Six persons were injured when they were returning after night stay in shelter camp in R S Pura. They were shifted to GMC hospital for treatment, they said.
Earlier, a BSF spokesman today said that "Pakistani Rangers again resorted to unprovoked mortar shelling and heavy firing on BSF posts all along IB since 2000 hours last night." As many as 50 BSF BoPs were affected by the fire from Pakistan side, he said, adding areas along IB in Arnia, R S Pura, Kanachak and Pargwal sub-sectors in Jammu and Samba districts were targeted.
Eight people have been killed and 71 others including BSF jawans injured in Pakistani shelling and firing along LoC and IB in Jammu and Poonch districts in over two dozen ceasefire violations since October 1 this year.
On Monday, Pakistani troops violated ceasefire by resorting to heavy firing and shelling in Arnia belt along IB in Jammu in which 5 people were killed and 34 injured.
On October 3, Pakistani troops violated ceasefire in Gulamarg sector of Kashmir Valley and in Poonch and Jammu sectors in which a girl was killed and six persons were injured. Giving further details, the BSF spokesman said almost all the BSF posts in Samba, Hiranagar belt of Kathua district were targeted by Pak Rangers. The firing in some areas of Arnia was still going on this morning.
"BSF troops at all the places gave a strong and befitting reply to fire from Pak," he said.
There has been heavy firing and mortar shelling over 25 to 27 border hamlets in forward areas of Jammu district since last night, District Magistrate Jammu Ajeet Kumar Sahu told
PTI.
Over 15,000 people have migrated from border hamlets along IB in Jammu to safer places due to the firing and shelling, the DM said, adding that relief camps have been set up for them.
In Samba and Kathua districts, over 10 to 15 border villages have been targeted by Pakistani Rangers, officials said.
Over 1,500 to 2,000 people have also migrated from forward villages along IB in Samba and Kathua districts.
Along LoC, the firing and shelling by Pakistani troops in Balnoie, Mankote, Mendhar, Bhimbher Gali, Balakote and Poonch forward areas ended last night, Army officials said.
A Junion Commissioned Officer (JCO) Subash Singh was among three army men injured in Sabjian belt of Poonch sector.–PTI
Omar orders safety of people in areas hit by shelling
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday directed the administration to take all requisite measures for ensuring safety of life of the people in areas hit by shelling from across the border.
"Food, temporary shelter, transportation, medical facilities and supply of drinking water should be made available at the camps established for border people who have migrated for heavy shelling from their areas," Omar directed the Divisional Administration of Jammu region.
Omar on Wednesday conducted a meeting via video conferencing with the Divisional Commissioner, Inspector General and Deputy Commissioner Jammu.
The Chief Minister received brief about the arrangements made to safeguard the lives of border people under the shelling from across the border.
Omar was informed that 24 temporary camps have been established in Jammu, Samba and Kathua Districts at safer places for the families hit by the shelling and over 7,000 people are residing in these camps.
It was stated that free food, medicine, blankets and other requirements are being provided to the inmates of these camps.
The Chief Minister directed identification of more places of shelter so they are utilised in the hour of need.
Private banquet halls and other accommodation should be identified for providing shelter to the affected, he said.
The Chief Minister directed the Divisional Commissioner to sensitise all the concerned
Deputy Commissioners in this regard and ensure that people migrating from the shelling-hit areas do not face any difficulty on account of food, shelter, medicine, drinking water and other such requirements.
Surplus ambulances from other districts should be put in operation for the shelling affected people, he said.
He asked the Divisional Commissioner to take Health Department on board in this regard.
Omar also directed for making arrangements for establishing temporary camps for cattle.
Sheep and Animal Husbandry Department should be associated in this regard to arrange fodder and medical treatment for the cattle, he said.
The Chief Minister has directed for immediate release of compensation to the affected families for loss of precious human lives as also for the loss of cattle.
"Money is no problem in this respect, you only ensure release of compensation and safeguarding the lives of people," he asserted saying that the funds required in this regard will be released urgently.
The Chief Minister has already announced three months free ration for the affected families.
Omar received brief on the current firing situation in Samba, Kathua, Jammu, Poonch and other areas.
He was informed about the deaths and those injured in the firing and shelling across the border.
Two women of a family were today killed and 15 others injured in heavy mortar shelling and firing by Pakistani troops along the international border in Jammu and
Kashmir.-PTI
Tharoor issue: Cong in Kerala to seek action
from high command
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Expressing resentment at party MP Shashi Tharoor praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress' Kerala unit
on Wednesday decided to submit a report to the party high command seeking suitable action in the matter.
KPCC president V M Sudheeran said praises lavished on Modi repeatedly by Tharoor had hurt Congress and UDF workers who worked sincerely and tirelessly for his victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency for a second time.
After interactions with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and other senior leaders, he said KPCC would submit a report to the high command on the issue reflecting the sentiments of the party's Kerala unit.
"Tharoor has praised Modi on several occasions. This has hurt the sentiments of the Congress and UDF workers who have put up hard work for Tharoor's victory in the Lok Sabha polls," Sudheeran told reporters.
"Kerala is a state that has rejected the BJP completely.
This is mainly due to the democratic and secular outlook of the people. They also want Congress to be strengthened further. Tharoor has wounded their sentiments," Sudheeran added.
Tharoor, who drew flak from the KPCC by responding positively to Modi's invitation to him for the "Swachh Bharat" clean India campaign, has maintained that his response would not mean that he even remotely endorsed the BJP's "core Hindutva" agenda and that he continued to be a "proud Congressman".
"It is completely ridiculous. I reject it completely," Tharoor had said when asked about talks in some sections within his party and outside that he was trying to get close to the BJP.
The Congress' official daily in Kerala "Veekshnam", carried a stinging editorial yesterday, raising questions about his loyalty to the organisation. -PTI
Chautala plays Devi Lal card to woo voters
CHANDIGARH: INLD president Om Parkash Chautala on Wednesday continued with his hectic poll campaign in the
state, wooing the voters in late Devi Lal's name and appealing them to bring the main opposition party to power to usher a "positive change" in the state.
The 79-year-old former Chief Minister, who is out on bail on health grounds, reminded the people about Devi Lal, who had "sacrificed" prime minister's post for V P Singh in 1989.
"I can sacrifice my health and my life for the people of Haryana as our ideologue late Chaudhary Devi Lal did it throughout his life," he said.
Addressing a poll rally at Kaithal, the stronghold of Haryana Minister Randeep Singh Surjewala, Chautala said, "We (INLD) are not power hungry. We do not want to grab power. Our mission is to fulfil the dreams and vision of Devi Lal. We are also seeking votes for the performance of our government when we were in power."
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi stepping up attack on the Chautalas' during his election campaign in Haryana, he said, "we want that Modi should campaign on all 90 seats in the State. When the results are out, the BJP will know where it stands."
Chautala hit out at the "corrupt Congress government" in Haryana, asking the voters to show them the door.
"I will not allow corrupt people to take control of the state and let the people suffer from Congress and BJP, which are hungry to grab power," he said.
Exuding confidence of INLD putting up a good show in the October 15 assembly polls, Chautala said, "INLD is sweeping the polls. Nervousness is palpable among other parties as they are sensing we are inching closer to gaining power. Haryana has 21 districts and everywhere we are ahead." He asked the voters to overwhelmingly vote for his party in the polls.
"Giving us power is in your hands, but to make you enjoy the fruits of power is our promise," he told the voters.
The Indian National Lok Dal chief, who suffers from heart and other ailments, is currently on bail on health grounds after his sentencing last year in the teachers' recruitment scam.
INLD, which has been out of power for the past 10 years, is fighting on 88 seats, while two seats are being fought by its ally Shiromani Akali Dal. -PTI
Modi promises to transform 'scam Haryana to skill
Haryana'
MAHENDERGARH (HARYANA)
Promising to transform "scam Haryana to skill Haryana", Prime
Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asked the people of the state to
elect a BJP government with clear majority, saying he wants to
strengthen the state's ties with Delhi to transform its fortunes.
"I know that you are sad that Haryana is know as a state of scams.
There are scams and then scams within scams. Our opponents are all
involved in scams. Do you want a scam Haryana? I want to create a skill
Haryana. You have to decided if you want a scam Haryana or a skill
Haryana," he said addressing a rally here on Wednesday.
Asking people to elect a BJP government that could lead the state on the
path of speedy development, Modi lamented that in the last 25 years
Haryana has not developed due to dynastic politics and questioned if the
past elections or governments were run democratically.
"If dynastic politics continues, would your fortunes change? If
Haryana has to live with dignity, we need it to be freed from dynastic
politics. For the last 25 years, four-five families have controlled
Haryana and the common man's life has become difficult.
"You have to decide whether you want a Haryana free from
corruption. Do you want to see Haryana freed from bahubalis (musclemen)
and the corrupt? Then you will have to choose a new path. The only way
left now is to elect a BJP government with full majority," Modi
said.
Stressing on the importance of Centre-State ties and 'Team India where
the PM stood as a team with CMs, the Prime Minister said till now the
Centre and the state stood next to each other but were not close enough
and he wanted the two to stand with each other to create a force to
reckon with.
"Till now, 1 plus 1 was two as the state stood next to the Centre.
I want to change this mathematics so that 1 plus 1 becomes 11. I want to
create that strength. This will help India become 11 times powerful and
it would not take any time to change the fortunes of the country. -PTI
Many complaints on Flipkart discount
sale: Nirmala
New Delhi:
After receiving "many complaints" from traders on Flipkart's massive discount sale, government today said it will look into the concerns and take a call on whether more clarity is required on e-commerce retail business.
Flipkart's 'Big Billion Day' sale on Monday, that offered steep discounts on various products, has raised concerns among small and big traders that such campaigns would badly affect players in the traditional retail market.
"We have received many inputs. Lot of concerns have been expressed. We will look into it," Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told reporters here.
When asked whether the government is considering any particular policy for e-commerce retailing, she said the matter would be looked into.
"Now there are many complaints. We will study the matter... Whether there is a need for a separate policy or some kind of clarification is needed, we will make it clear soon," Sitharaman, who is also the Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs, said.
In recent times, many e-commerce portals have been coming out with steep discount sales.
Flipkart has said that its 'Big Bilion Day' sale saw 1.5 million people shopping at its portal. It also claimed that products worth over Rs 600 crore were sold in just 10 hours under the scheme.
Earlier this week, traders body CAIT had demanded the Commerce and Industry Ministry take steps to monitor and regulate online businesses.
The Confederation of All India Traders has also sought a probe into the business model and trade practices of e-commerce companies to find out how they are offering huge discounts during the ongoing festive season.
To a query related to Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) announcement, Sitharaman said that it will come "soon".
"The new policy would be different from the previous ones. It will focus on lot many things," she said.
FTP deals with matters related to exports and imports.-PTI
Bilawal now targets Modi
Islamabad: Days after he vowed that Pakistan will take back entire Kashmir, the country's 'Gen Next' politician Bilawal Bhutto Zardari today attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying Pakistan can retaliate "unlike his victims from Gujarat".
Accusing India of adopting "Israel model" against Pakistan, the 26-year-old scion of the Bhutto family said on Twitter, "Another attack on LOC. seems India adopting Israel model vs Pakistan. Modi must realize we can retaliate unlike his victims from Gujarat." He said this amid escalating tension between the two countries after ceasefire violations and heavy mortar shelling along the Line of Control that has claimed at least 12 lives on both sides.
Bilawal's comments came days after he had said that his Pakistan People's Party (PPP) would get back entire Kashmir from India.
"I will take back Kashmir, all of it, and I will not leave behind a single inch of it because, like the other provinces, it belongs to Pakistan," he had said, addressing the party workers in Multan region in Punjab on September 19.
Bilawal, who has announced plans to contest next general elections in 2018, heads the secular Pakistan People's Party which officially wants good ties with India.
His mother, former slain premier Benazir Bhutto, was twice elected as prime minister while his maternal grandfather Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who founded the PPP in 1967, also served as prime minister in 1970s.- PTI
Cyclonic storm heads to Andhra, Odisha coast
BHUBANESWAR: A cyclonic storm will cross north Andhra Pradesh and adjoining Odisha coast by Sunday noon, authorities said on Wednesday.
"The Deep Depression over north Andaman Sea and neighbourhood ... intensified into a cyclonic storm 'Hudud' and lay centred at 0830 hours today over North Andaman Sea and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal," said an India Meteorological Department bulletin.
"It is now crossing Andaman and Nicobar Islands close to Long Island. Thereafter, the system would continue to move west-northwestwards, intensified further into a severe cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours, subsequently into a very severe cyclonic storm and cross north Andhra Pradesh and adjoining Odisha coast between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur by October 12 noon," the bulletin said.
It advised fishermen not to venture into the sea and asked those who have ventured into deep sea to return immediately. –IANS
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