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| Sunday, November 26, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Move to go hi-tech on border GoM discusses report on security Oppn seeks recall of Governor Sharad ready to quit JD (U) post |
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Manipur crisis deepens Shikha degree scam exposes mafiosi Claim for IT dues’ recovery from
Memons rejected New therapy in heart operation AP police to seek
Interpol help Amitabh denies charge Call for Delhi
bandh tomorrow Uttaranchal House first session in Jan India Gate to vanish
for 60 secs 12 falcons seized at airport
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Move to go hi-tech on border NEW DELHI, Nov 25 — India is scouting worldwide for upgrading its electronic surveillance capabilities on its disputed borders with Pakistan and China, according to a report by www.defenceindia.com. Quoting top defence sources, www.defenceindia.com said most of this equipment will be deployed with 14 and 15 Corps, the two Army strike formations that control and area running across India’s Himalayan borders with Pakistan and Chinese-held Aksai Chin. The website launched today is the first comprehensive portal on India defence and security which aims to reflect the needs and aspirations of the armed forces. It is the first of the defence websites, designed somewhat on the line of that being operated by the Jane’s defence weekly. In its debut edition, the website’s lead story reveals India’s plans to go hi-tech on its volatile borders. “India has a bitterly fought line of control running for over 4000 km along its borders with Pakistan and China. Five wars have already been fought on this line in the past five decades. “A large chunk of this disputed boundary is unmanned, a factor which was exploited by Pakistani troops in the Jammu and Kashmir sector last summer. “There are similar gaps in defences along Chinese-occupied territory in Aksai Chin and north-eastern borders. “Post-Kargil thinking in the Indian establishment is that neither can any territory be left unoccupied nor can they be effectively manned by human beings. The best alternative is to complement human involvement with electronic capabilities. At present, these unmanned territories are kept under surveillance by long patrols, forward observation posts, winter surveillance posts and occasional aerial survey. “The need for electronic surveillance equipment is therefore considered urgent for an effective and deterrent border patrol management.” The news report said India’s shopping list includes additional number of both short range and medium range unmanned aerial vehicles, integrated communication centres, electronic counter measure jammers, hand held direction finders, electronic counter, counter measure flycatcher radars, remotely operated vehicles, heliborne low power jammers, long range reconnaissance and observation system and battlefield surveillance radars. The total cost of contracts will cross Rs 2000 crore. Other unique features of the website include research, star views and technology news. Research deals with a variety of studies, both commissioned and otherwise, on issues of national and international importance, fact sheets on matters of current interest and copies of official documents from across the world. The debut issue of the site reveals China’s plans to become a missile might. It shows how Russia is helping China build its missile arsenal. This is the first of the China updates — a periodic feature which will bring out facts and events happening behind the bamboo curtain. Star views is a free wheeling section which will highlight various views and opinions on the armed forces, defence strategy and security perceptions. It will contain articles by some of the well-known names in the defence circles, former military officers, bureaucrats specialising in defence and security besides exclusive interviews of the top brass. GoM discusses report on security NEW DELHI, Nov 25 — The task force report on internal security was discussed today by a Group of Ministers set up by the government to study the recommendations of the Kargil Review Committee. The Union Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, after a three hour long meeting, told newspersons that “we have considered the report of the task force on internal security.” The GoM would continue with its meetings to discuss the report. The three chiefs of the armed forces had interacted with the GoM, Mr Advani said and declined to give any details on what transpired in the discussions. The Home Minister said the GoM had already considered reports of the task forces on the revamping of intelligence machinery and border management. The task force report on defence management would be taken up by it later. The task forces, which dealt with internal security, border management, intelligence apparatus and defence management, submitted their reports to Mr Advani last month. The task force on intelligence set-up presented its crucial 224-page report after studying the functioning of all intelligence agencies in the country, official sources said. It had chapters dealing with the role of intelligence agencies in the changing security environment, besides functioning of agencies like intelligence bureau, armed forces intelligence wings, Research and Analyses Wing and the Director-General of security, they said It also dealt with counter-intelligence, economic intelligence, psychological warfare and coordination between different agencies, they added. Besides Mr Advani, the meeting was attended by the Defence Minister Mr George Fernandes, the External Affairs Minister Mr Jaswant Singh, the Finance Minister Mr Yashwant Sinha, the Jammu and Kashmir Governor Mr G C Saxena and Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Mr Brajesh
Mishra.  |
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Oppn seeks recall of Governor RANCHI, Nov 25 (UNI) — The Opposition in Jharkhand today jointly urged President K.R. Narayanan to recall Governor Prabhat Kumar. A message in this regard was faxed to the President by a combined Opposition, leader of the Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly Stephen Marandi said. Mr Marandi said the Opposition had decided not to “tolerate” Mr Kumar, who had been chargesheeted in the Babri mosque demolition case. If required, they would take to the streets waging a concerted agitation on the issue, he added. Meanwhile, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha today launched protests against the
appointment of a chargesheeted person as the Governor. The party held a two-hour dharna near the busy Albert Ekka roundabout here demanding immediate ouster of Mr Kumar. Talking to UNI here, Mr Marandi who is also the leader of the JMM Legislature Party leader said his party would not sit idle till Mr Prabhat Kumar was removed. “His appointment on a
constitutional post is an affront to the constitution, as he was chargesheeted in the Babri mosque demolition case as the Principal Secretary to the Uttar Pradesh Government”, said the JMM leader. He said the JMM would observe a black day in the entire Jharkhand region and demonstrate in all 18 district headquarters for the replacement of the Jharkhand Governor on December 6, the day when the Babri mosque was demolished. The dharna staged today by the morcha near the Albert Ekka roundabout was led by party supremo Shibu Soren and attended by all 12 legislators of the party. |
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Sharad ready to quit JD (U) post NEW DELHI, Nov 25 — Not ruling out a patch-up with a sulking Ram Vilas Paswan, Janata Dal (United) president Sharad Yadav today indicated the issue of disciplinary action against Mr Paswan would be discussed at tomorrow’s national executive meeting of the party. Seemingly reluctant to precipitate matters by announcing action against Mr Paswan, the JD (U) president said he was willing to step down from the post of party president. “But all this has to be done in a proper manner and not by raising demands for my removal,” Mr Yadav said. “The doors for patch up are always open. There are going to be organisational elections. I am ready to make any compromise. I also wish that somebody else should take the burden of the party president’s post”, Mr Yadav said. Mr Yadav’s statement assumes significance ahead of the party’s national executive meeting tomorrow to discuss “indiscipline” by Mr Paswan who has threatened to launch his own outfit next week. The national executive meeting will also finalise a schedule for organisational elections and a comprehensive plan to strengthen the party at the national level. Asked if the national executive would suggest disciplinary action against Mr Paswan, the minister said, “It all depends upon the national executive committee. “ I never expelled anybody from the party. People left the party on their own”, he said, adding that he was silent even on the request made by party presidents from more than 10 states to expel Mr Paswan for his “antiparty” activities. Mr Yadav also refused to divulge details of the talks Lok Shakti leader Ramakrishna Hegde had with him on the patch up bid between the two senior party leaders. He denied Mr Paswan’s charge that there were no regular national executive meetings. After the JD (U), the Samata Party and the Lok Shakti decided to merge, there have been regular meetings of the steering committee,’’ he said, adding, “we have the records of the meeting held in the past.” He said the steering committee of the three merged parties continued to meet to chalk out their strategies on different issues including assembly elections in several states. Tomorrow’s national executive committee meeting is also likely to deliberate a strategy for the assembly elections early next year. Asked if the JD(U) was in favour of joining the third front initiated by certain leaders, Mr Yadav said the party was an alliance partner of the NDA and even contested election with it. “There is no question of forming or joining any other front,” he added. Manipur crisis deepens IMPHAL, Nov 25 (PTI) — The 11-day-old stand-off between Manipur Chief Minister W. Nipamacha Singh and Speaker S. Dhananjay Singh remained unsolved as the Opposition today decided to appeal against the court order staying the disqualification of a minister while state Governor Ved Prakash Marwah rushed to Delhi to apprise central leaders about the present stalemate. Sources in Opposition camp said a team of lawyers had left for Guwahati to challenge the judgement staying the Speaker’s order disqualifying Horticulture Minister T. Kigpen from the membership of the House under the anti-defection law. Mr Justice A.K. Patnaik of the Guwahati High Court on November 23 had stayed the disqualification order and said Kipgen would continue to function as an MLA and would be able to participate and vote in the House. The 10-month-old Nipamacha government faced a serious crisis when the Speaker criticised him for his alleged failure “on all fronts” on November 15 and subsequently dismissed Mr
Kigpen. |
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Shikha degree scam exposes mafiosi PATNA, Nov 25 — Consoling the widowed mother of a 10-year-old boy, a senior professor of one of Bihar’s prestigious universities said, “Don’t worry, kuchh nahin to lecturer to banega hi (at worst, he will land up as a lecturer)”. This reflects the sorry state of affair of education in the state, the world famous seat of ancient learning. This true story finds credence in the shape of the infamous Shikha Gupta degree scam and the fake B.Ed. cases that have shaken the conscience of the nation as a former judge of the Patna High Court faces arrest and conviction. Three Vice-Chancellors, a senior IPS officer and some big names in the academic field are also likely to face the music. The main accused is the wife of the former SP of Gaya, Mr Anurag Gupta. He has recently been removed from the Prime Minister’s security at New Delhi. More heads are likely to roll as the CID, probing the case, zeroes down to final assessment and the MA and Ph.D degrees of Shikha Gupta stand cancelled. In the meantime, the vigilance probe into the fake degree scam, in the wake of the fake B.Ed. degree racket busted recently, has identified thousands of illegal appointments done in Bihar on the basis of fake certificates. Thousands of teachers are likely to be disgraced from their august jobs. The academic life in the state is set to see a grand demoralisation, never ever seen in the history of any country. Shikha Gupta is accused of getting first class in MA (history) in 1996, without appearing in seven of the eight papers and later getting herself appointed as lecturer in the Faculty of Law. The former judge and then vice-chancellor of Magadh University, Suresh Chandra Mukherji, is accused of going out of his way to ensure a “fraudulent and illegal” appointment for Shikha. The district and sessions judge of Gaya, Mr Gopal Mahto, rejected the bail petition of the former judge. The special judge has also rejected his bail plea. He is facing criminal charges under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 474, 109, 116, 119, 120(B) and 201 of the IPC and Section 13(11) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Criminal charges have also been instituted against two of his predecessors. The persons, who allegedly wrote the MA exams for Shikha, have also been identified and have absconded. Another former vice-chancellor and some teaching faculty member may face proceedings in the case as the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is reportedly zeroing in on them for their alleged hand in the “unbelievably remarkable” performance of Shikha in the National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted for the selection of lecturers. The CID probe may land many such ‘Shikhas’ in trouble, as the NET was full of irregularities. The NET result of Shikha is about to be declared cancelled and null. |
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Claim for IT dues’ recovery from
Memons rejected MUMBAI, Nov 25 (PTI) — In a significant development, a designated TADA court yesterday turned down the Income Tax Department’s plea to recover dues of more than Rs 100 crore from properties belonging to absconding accused Tiger Memon and members of his family, who are facing the charge of engineering the 1993 serial blasts in the city. The movable and immovable properties attached by the court belong to Tiger and his absconding brother Ayub, besides other members of the family, namely Abdul Razak, Hanifa, Yakub, Yusuf, Suleman, Issa, Raheen and Rubina. The movable properties are cash and jewellery, while the immovable properties include flats, shops and garages. An application filed by the IT Department was rejected by the designated judge P.D. Kode who felt that it was not the appropriate stage for the recovery of dues from the accused. The judge opined that the IT Department was free to move court after the final verdict was delivered. |
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New therapy in heart operation CHENNAI, Nov 25 (UNI) — Apollo Hospital here has performed a ‘revolutionary’ radiation therapy for keeping a blood vessel open after angioplasty and stenting. The treatment called ‘brachytherapy’, was cleared by the food and drug administration of the USA only two months ago. The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), the regulatory authority in India to permit radiation therapy, has authorised Dr Mathew Samuel, renowned interventional cardiologist, to perform the procedure, which involves applying minute single dose of beta radiation to the renarrowed site of the vessel for about three minutes. Dr Samuel and his team of cardiologists told reporters here today that two patients were administered beta radiation yesterday and both were doing fine. |
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AP police to seek
Interpol help MACHILIPATNAM, Nov 25 (UNI) — The Andhra Pradesh police will seek the assistance of Interpol after decoding the floppies seized from activists of the fundamentalist Deendar Anjuman sect containing vital clues to its links with Pakistan in the wake of the serial bomb blasts at places of worship in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Goa. The Eluru range Deputy IGP, Mr P. Chandrasekhara Reddy, said the decoding of the computer floppies was under way. |
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Amitabh denies charge MUMBAI, Nov 25 (PTI) — Megastar Amitabh Bachchan today categorically denied accusations made by the Kashi Vidwat Parishad and the Ved Praryan Kendram, a spiritual organisation of Varanasi, that he had recited Gayatri mantra in “Mohabbatein” with his shoes on. “I am a deeply religious person and cannot even dream of any kind of disrespect to religious sentiments”, Amitabh said in a statement here. “I give this statement in all humility and respect in order to clarify any wrong impressions that may have entered the minds of the authorities concerned”, Bachchan said. |
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Call for Delhi
bandh tomorrow NEW DELHI, Nov 25 — Industry owners and workers, protesting against the closure of around 1.21 lakh industrial units in non-conforming areas of the Capital, have called for a Delhi bandh on Monday and Tuesday against the Union Urban Development Ministry’s refusal to amend the Delhi Master Plan 2001 to convert certain residential areas into industrial zones. The agitated industrial workers and owners have threatened to demonstrate outside the Supreme Court on November 28, as the apex court hears contempt case against the Delhi Chief Secretary and the MCD Commissioner. The court has asked them to appear in person for their failure to comply with the court order passed in 1996. Uttaranchal House first session in Jan DEHRA DUN,
Nov 25 (UNI) — The Uttaranchal Vidhan Sabha’s first session will be held in the beginning of January while the pro tem Speaker will be administered the oath of office on November 28. This was decided at the first Cabinet meeting of the new government held last evening at the Vidhan Sabha’s Cabinet hall. It was also decided that on November 29 the pro tem Chairman would administer the oath to the mlas. The Speaker will be elected on November 30. |
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India Gate to vanish
for 60 secs NEW DELHI, Nov 25 (UNI) —Internationally renowned magician Samraj will begin a “Bharat yatra” for charitable work and communal harmony in January by staging a unique item — making India Gate vanish for 60 seconds. Samraj said he would perform the illusion in the evening in the presence of thousands of people. Samraj has toured many countries with his famous “Miracula” which was also telecast by Doordarshan and other TV networks. The “jail break”, an illusion staged at Poojappura Central Jail in Kerala ‘imprisoning’ the notorious Veerappan, has won him appreciation from various quarters. Samraj told UNI he along with his 25-member troupe would visit all 28 states and present their special magic shows. |
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12 falcons seized at airport CALCUTTA, Nov 25 (UNI) — Security personnel at the Calcutta airport this afternoon seized 12 falcons from an Afgan national bound for Dubai. Airport sources said the birds were hidden inside a small compartment of a big cane suitcase. The top of the suitcase was covered with clothes. The man has been arrested. Security personnel became suspicious after the X-ray machine revealed compartments containing some “weird objects’’. |
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