Sunday, August 16, 1998
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N A T I O N |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Jaya cancels meeting with
allies |
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15 killed in North-East,
bandhs in many parts
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PM's slip may have led to crisis |
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Jaya cancels meeting with allies NEW DELHI, Aug 15 (PTI, UNI) — AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalitha today kept the guessing game over the issue of withdrawing support to the Vajpayee government but cancelled a meeting with her allies earlier planned for tomorrow after they made it clear that they were not keen on rocking the BJP-led coalition at the Centre. After a meeting of AIADMK party office bearers with Ms Jayalalitha in Chennai, party presidium chairman V.R. Nedunchezhiyan told reporters that the "status quo is being maintained" on the question of reviewing support. "The process of review is still in progress," he added. AIADMK ally and MDMK leader Vaiko, who met Ms Jayalalitha today, told reporters later that there was no threat to the Vajpayee government. "The question does not arise now," he said in reply to a question whether the front would withdraw its support. Meanwhile, Defence Minister George Fernandes, who met Ms Jayalalitha in Chennai for the second time in two days yesterday, told reporters here he saw no threat to the government and that the situation was improving after talks between the two sides had broken down earlier. The support of AIADMK and its allies which together have 27 MPs in the Lok Sabha is crucial for the survival of the Vajpayee government in a delicately-balanced arithmetic. Ms Jayalalitha, who was authorised by her allies to take "an appropriate decision at the appropriate time" a couple of days ago, is said to be having second thoughts on going ahead with her threat to review support following strong pressure from the allies - PMK, MDMK and TRC - not to take any precipitate action at the moment lest the front be blamed for political instability in the country. Her supporters, however, do not rule out any unilateral decision by her to withdraw support to the government unmindful of the consequences. Ms Jayalalitha is now said to be planning to meet her allies early next week to decide on her future course of action. Ms Jayalalitha is said to be unhappy with the remarks of Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, who had reportedly said that the transfer of enforcement director M.K. Bezboruah had sent a wrong message at the time of the AIADMK’s threat to review support and that the government was seen as appeasing Jayalalitha all the time. Her supporters also noted Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s speech at the Red Fort today strongly defending the Cauvery accord. He had also said that he would not compromise on principles or beg someone to remain in power. CHENNAI: Meanwhile the threat of withdrawal of support by the AIADMK-led front to the Vajpayee Government at the centre persisted today with 18 Lok Sabha MPs staying away from the finale of the golden jubilee celebrations of Independence at the Central Hall of Parliament. Ms Jayalalitha held separate meetings with Janata Party President Dr Subramanian Swamy, MDMK General Secretary Vaiko and top AIADMK functionaries at her Poes Garden residence. Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy, who was the first to meet Ms Jayalalitha, told reporters that he did not not give credence to Mr Fernandes expressing satisfaction over his talks with Ms Jayalalitha yesterday. The process of review of support was still on, he added. Asked when a final decision would be taken, Mr Muthiah quipped "at the appropriate time". Dr Swamy, who had earlier set August 15 as a deadline for toppling the Vajpayee government, said there was definitely a "time overrun" in the issue. But he was still working for replacing the Vajpayee government, he added. Pattali Makkal Katchi
leader S Ramadoss, who met Ms Jayalalitha last night,
said: "let us hope for the best", indicating
the worst was not yet over. |
15 killed in NE, bandhs in many parts GUWAHATI, Aug 15 (PTI) — Militants killed 15 persons in Assam and Tripura amidst a call for a seven-hour bandh by the ULFA and "boycott" of Independence Day celebrations today by six underground outfits of the Northeast. In Assam, the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) and Bengali Tiger Force (BTF) gunned down seven members of two families and wounded one, after calling them out of their houses in Milanpur village near Tangla town in Darrang district last night, official sources said. Bodo militants also shot dead a Santhal at Karakotjhora in Kokrajhar district early this morning and killed a pharmacist at Bijni in Bongaigaon district, the sources said. In Tripura, armed NLFT militants stopped a Tripura Road Transport Corporation bus and opened fire killing six passengers and the driver on the spot and injured 15 others, near Manu-Montui road in North District, 180 km from Agartala, the state capital, official sources said. The NLFT and the ATTF had also given a call for a bandh in the state. In two other incidents in Assam last night, there was a minor explosion at the Kamrup civil hospital premises, but there was no casualty or damage. The bandh in Assam hit normal life in parts of the Brahmaputra valley, but failed to evoke any response in the Barak valley and the two hill districts. In Manipur, a powerful bomb exploded at 0030 a.m. at a place close to Manipur rifles parade ground at Imphal where the Independence Day celebrations were held. Different underground groups including the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Prepak) had called for boycott of Independence Day celebrations in the state. In Meghalaya, Independence Day celebrations were affected by a 36-hour bandh called by the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNCL) which began from 6 p.m. yesterday. The bandh was called in protest against the "lukewarm attitude" of the Centre in developing the state and its "hypocrisy" against the people of Hynniewtrep land in east Meghalaya. The Nongstoin Red Army of
West Khasi Hills district had also called a 24-hour bandh
to protest against "lack of development" in the
state. |
Grand finale to celebrations NEW DELHI, Aug 15 — An emotional journey down memory lane with Gandhi, Nehru and Bose coming alive in vintage footage on the screen during a scintillating function at the historic Central Hall of Parliament marked the conclusion of the golden jubilee celebrations of Independence today. Watching the stirring call for freedom by the Father of the Nation and other leaders, were President, K.R. Narayanan, Vice-President, Krishan Kant, Lok Sabha Speaker, G.M.C. Balayogi, Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, his Cabinet colleagues and a galaxy of political leaders including Congress President Sonia Gandhi and diplomats. The special 100-minute programme, telecast live, also featured a stirring rendition of Iqbal’s ‘Sare jahan se achha’ by Anuradha Paudwal and her group as well as ‘Vande Maataram’ by Pandit Jasraj. Unforgettable events of the freedom struggle such as the Quit India Movement, the Dandi March and the Salt Satyagraha came alive on the screen synchronising with the speeches of Gandhi which were played on the audio. Heroic deeds of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army (INA) flashed across the screen as the leader’s booming voice rang loud and clear “the hour has struck and every patriotic Indian must advance towards the field of battle, only when the blood of freedom-loving Indians begins to flow, will India attain her freedom”. The film showed shots of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and others fighting together for the country’s freedom with the call of Mahatma Gandhi for national integration providing the audio background. “After all we have to decide as to what would benefit India and ultimately we have to forget whether we are Muslims or Hindus or Parsis or so. In our political endeavour of governing and steering the country, we are all one, Indians only.” This was from his famous prayer meeting speech at Birla Bhavan just 19 days before his assassination. The shots then moved to post-independence era with the focus on Pandit Nehru, the architect of modern India. As images of industrialisation, green revolution and development of atomic energy came on the screen, Nehru’s description of industries as “temples of modern India” gave an authentic flavour to the events. The audio-visual programme ended in a touching climax with military-attired Bose booming “inquilab zindabad, Azad Hind zindabad” which saw the August gathering at the Central Hall stirring into spontaneous and prolonged round of applause. An emotionally elevated audience then saw a documentary on India’s achievements during the 50 years produced by the Department of Science and Technology. The function ended with the address by the President and its Hindi rendering by the Vice-President. Tight security The entire area resembled a virtual fortress with armed security personnel throwing a security net around the monument where a bullet-proof enclosure was erected for Mr Vajpayee to make his maiden Independence Day address. Sharp shooters, mounted police and commandos of the Special Protection Group were deployed at strategic positions as policemen with binoculars kept a close watch on the crowd gathered on the premises. Even mediapersons were not spared as overcautious security men, who had a tough time due to the heavy downpour leading to water logging at several places in and around the fort, subjected them to several security checks before allowing them into the ‘Press’ enclosure. Several barricades were put up on the roads leading to the Red Fort and only those vehicles having proper parking passes were allowed in. A thorough checking of vehicles followed at the parking lots. Delhi Police Commissioner
V.N. Singh personally supervised the security
arrangements along with other senior police officials. |
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NEW DELHI, Aug 15 (PTI) — Incessant rain dampened today’s celebrations with a thin crowd turning out to hear Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s maiden Independence Day address from the historic Red Fort, cancelling also the aerobatics planned by the Air Force. Drenched schoolchildren, who gathered on the rain-soaked ground since early morning, and security personnel outnumbered the general public at the annual event. Umbrella: Colourful umbrellas had taken the place of sunglasses, caps and hand fans which used to be prominent on warm and bright August 15 mornings in previous years. All VVIPs, including Mr Vajpayee and five former Prime Ministers present at the function took shelter under omnipresent umbrellas. Fly-past: A fly-past, the third ever at the Red Fort since Independence, by three MI-17 helicopters and six Surya Kiran aircraft immediately after Mr Vajpayee unfurled the Tricolour added colour to the otherwise dull morning. The lead MI-17 carried the national flag while the two copters on the sides showered flower petals. Aerobatics planned by elite Surya Kiran aircraft was cancelled due to the rain and lower level cloud formation. However, six aircraft took part in the fly-past. The first fly-past was conducted on August 15, 1947. Faux pas: A Hindi commentator referred to A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, father of the Indian missile programme, as Abdul Kalam Azad before quickly correcting himself to say, “Azad comes automatically with Abdul Kalam”. Kalam, who was seated next to Atomic Energy Commission chairman R. Chidambaram, was seen chatting with his close colleague of the Pokhran nuclear tests. VIPs: Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were all five former Prime Ministers — V.P. Singh, Chandra Shekhar, P.V. Narasimha Rao, H.D. Deve Gowda and I.K. Gujral and Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Chandni Chowk: The bustling Chandni Chowk facing the Red Fort turned khakhi with policemen staging a virtual coup of the commercial place and positioning themselves at all vantage points. Songs: Patriotic
songs rendered in various Indian languages by
schoolchildren put life into the damp morning. |
Atal’s speech disappoints NEW DELHI, Aug 15 (UNI) — People who came to hear the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee making his maiden Independence Day speech at the historic Red Fort today felt that his address to the nation was "subdued’’ and lacked his customary oratory. Most of those who spoke to UNI said the first BJP speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort should have been "bolder’’. Eighty-year-old Shyam Bordiwala felt that Mr Vajpayee’s speech should have been hard-hitting and different as it was the first time a BJP leader was making the address. "I came to hear him speak in his own style, but I am disappointed that he made a general speech.’’ "I think he was either worried or unwell,’’ the octogenarian felt. Similar views were expressed by Ms Vimala Luthra who said the Prime Minister did not touch on several important issues concerning the nation and the BJP such as the successful solution to the Cauvery waters dispute. "He should have exposed certain people who are trying to distract his attention from keeping his promises and should have elaborated upon the nuclear issue, besides talking as to how the historic agreement on the Cauvery waters dispute was arrived at,’’ Ms Luthra said. "I would have been very happy if he would have made a more aggressive speech. But, unfortunately he did not do that may be due to pressure of coalition politics.’’ Many, however, felt that
Mr Vajpayee’s speech was outstanding. "He
touched on almost all important issues within
half-an-hour, be it the nuclear issue, internal politics,
Indo-Pak relations or international pressure.’’ |
PM's slip may have led to crisis NEW DELHI, Aug 15 — The ongoing political crisis could have been compounded. Before going to the Red Fort, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, paid the customary tribute at Rajghat. In full view of television cameras hooked up on the national as well as international network, after paying his floral tribute, as the Prime Minister began "Pradakshina" of the Samadhi his feet slipped on the wet marble floor twice — it was perhaps Mr Vajpayee’s personal sagacity which stopped him from falling down. Though Mr Vajpayee smilingly continued on with the Pradakshina, it was left to nobody’s imagination about the consequences of the Prime Minister having fallen down and broken a limb. The unfurling of the flag at the Red Fort can be carried out by the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister alone. It has to be carried out at the appointed hour. The question arises: Had Mr Vajpayee fallen down today, would it not have been a breach of security ? In functions where the Prime Minister participates, the Special Protection Group (SPG) sanitises the premises and takes over the venue well in advance. Hence, today’s lapse while being primarily of the Urban Affairs Ministry, vicariously has the liability rest on the SPG as well. It had rained incessantly over the night. Rajghat has granite and marble all over the place. Had the venue been mopped prior to the Prime Minister undertaking the Pradakshina, the mishap could have been averted. It is nobody’s case to debunk the sensitive work which the SPG undertakes under the most trying circumstances. However, today’s lapse showed that application of mind and eye for detail is apparently missing. One shudders to think of a scenario in which, given the ongoing political crisis in which rumours have tended to overtake facts, the Prime Minister would have been held up for the flag-hoisting. Mr Vajpayee did the honours at the Red Fort and only afterwards consulted his doctors. According to PTI the Prime Minister suffered a momentary muscle pull in the lower back soon after addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort. The Prime Minister, the
report said, quickly recovered and moved down the lift
with the assistance of the medical team and the SPG. |
Swarna Shatabdi flagged off NEW DELHI, Aug 15 — The Swarna Shatabdi Express, (2029 UP/ 2030 DN) equipped with state-of-the-art communication technology and comfort was flagged off from here this morning by the Railway Minister, Mr Nitish Kumar for the city of Golden Temple, Amritsar. The coaches have been developed and designed at Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, in collaboration with Research Design and Standard Organisation (RDSO) of the Railways in a record time of one year. Speaking on the occasion, the Railway Minister said that the train has been named Swarna Shatabdi to commemorate the golden jubilee of India’s independence. Union Minister for Chemicals, Food and Fertilisers, Mr Surjeet Singh Barnala, said that the train would fulfil the demands of the people of Punjab. Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, the Union Minister of State for Industry, Mr Tarlochan Singh Tur, Amrik Singh Aliwal and Raj Mohinder Singh Majitha, MP, were present on the occasion. The Railway Minister also inaugurated platform number 12 at the New Delhi Railway Station made exclusively for the Swarna Shatabdi Express. The platform has an ATM, a quality lounge and telecom facilities. The Swarna
Shatabdi Express will run on all days except Sunday. It
will leave New Delhi at 6.30 a.m. and reach Amritsar at
11.55 a.m. From Amritsar, it will depart 5.10 p.m. and
arrive at New Delhi at 11.30 p.m. The fare is five per
cent higher than the existing fare of Shatabdi Express
(2029 A/ 2030A) running on the same route. |
Govt seeks time in Kesri case NEW DELHI, Aug 15 (PTI) — The government yesterday sought more time from the Delhi High Court to file counter-affidavits on a revision petition seeking an inquiry into the alleged FERA violations by former Congress President Sitaram Kesri, who allegedly had opened an account with a British bank in 1969. The Union Home Ministry and Enforcement Directorate (ED) were directed by a Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Mahinder Narain and Mr Justice S.K. Mahajan to file the affidavits within two weeks. The Bench while adjourning the hearing till September 4, expressed displeasure over the delay on filing the affidavits despite specific direction given earlier. Petitioner, Madhuresh, a freelance journalist, seeking probe into the allegations, had moved the revision petition following dismissal of his earlier plea by the court. He alleged that Mr Kesri by opening an account with Barclays Bank of Britain without mandatory permission from the Reserve Bank of India had violated the provisions of FERA. The court had earlier issued notices to the Home Ministry and ED and media baron Ashok Jain and his brother Alok Jain in this case. Madhuresh alleged that
ED’s probe into the matter was scuttled due to
influence by respondents. He further alleged that
politicians holding high offices in the United Front
government had tried to save Mr Kesri and other
respondents by “misusing” their position with a
view to saving their government. |
Freedom fighters’ pension up NEW DELHI, Aug 15 — The Delhi Government has decided to enhance the pension for freedom fighters in the national Capital to Rs 2251 per month as part of the golden jubilee celebrations. Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma made this announcement at a public function on the occasion of 51st Independence Day today. Mr Sahib Singh said his government had named several schools, institutions and roads in the Capital after those who had sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the country. Mr Sahib Singh also gave
away the Jeevan Raksha Padak to three children for their
courage. |
Rain hits relief operation LUCKNOW, Aug 15 (PTI) — The Uttar Pradesh Government has stepped up relief and rescue operations in the hill district of Rudraprayag where 69 persons have been killed and several others reported missing in landslides and floods following torrential rain which has been pounding it since Wednesday, official reports said here today. The reports said hundreds of people of the landslide hit 14 villages had been shifted in relief camps in the higher reaches of Ukhimath block. Continued torrential rain had been hampering relief work with rescue teams unable to reach several affected villages, the reports said. Fifteen persons were killed in landslides following torrential rain on Wednesday, 21 on Thursday and 33 on Friday, the reports said. The reports said 40 bodies had been recovered so far. The telecommunication system has collapsed and about 200 workers of the Public Works Department were trying to clear roads and restore traffic. A team of doctors has been despatched to Kalimath and Manivana areas by Commissioner of Garhwal Division B.N. Vohra. Subdivisional Magistrate
of Rudraprayag Lalit Mohan Upreti said food packets were
being sent to areas facing acute food shortage. |
VC for review of IGNOU
courses NEW DELHI, Aug 15 — Fundamental adjustments would be introduced in Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) to facilitate the projection of the multi-dimensional cultural diversity of India in academic programmes, says the IGNOU Vice-Chancellor Dr A.W. Khan. Addressing
employees of the university on the campus at Independence
Day function, Dr Khan said extreme care needed to be
taken in the selection and preparation of academic
programmes of the university in view of its relevance to
social needs. |
| In
brief Largest
coffee mug unveiled New method to
detect filarial parasite 700 birds set free Bihar minister
dead |
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