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Tuesday,
January 21, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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Temple
issue back on BJP agenda Row over including
PM’s book in Missionary told to leave India |
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New
aircraft to boost firepower: Air chief New Delhi, January 20
Navy chief
to flag off Tarangini
Blast
derails train in Assam Truce with
Bodo tigers extended Sonia meets NSCN (IM) leaders
Reduced
R-Day parade route
India,
Israel sign MoU DMK to
boycott bypoll ‘Bollywood
Tonight’ launched
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Temple issue back on BJP agenda New Delhi, January 20 Briefing newspersons about a meeting of presidents of the state units of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Delhi with party bigwigs, including Deputy Prime Minister
L. K. Advani, BJP President M. Venkaiah Naidu and five general secretaries, party spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the party would enter the electoral fray in the coming Assembly elections later this year with issues of religious conversion, corruption, lack of development and atrocities on Dalits and tribals in Congress-ruled states. Mr Advani said at the meeting that while the common minimum programme of the NDA was for governance at the Centre, the BJP was firm on its ideology and this had been told to the allies’ leaders in the beginning, Mr Naqvi said. Setting the pace for Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Delhi later this year, the Deputy Prime Ministers asked the BJP units in these states to set their houses in order and present a picture of unity. Mindful of dissidence in the BJP in the four states, Mr Advani said, “The party will have to sort out internal problems and present a united picture. The party should also effectively manage the micro-election-booth-level planning.” In reply to a question, Mr Naqvi said the BJP was firm on its ideology and going back on the issues of Ram Temple, removal of Article 370 from the Constitution and enactment of a uniform civil code was never on the cards and these issues were part of cultural nationalism. Mr Naqvi later asserted that issues like the construction of a Ram Temple at Ayodhya, uniform civil code and seeking abrogation of Article 370, according special status to Jammu and Kashmir, were very much on the BJP’s agenda. Presiding over the meeting, Mr Naidu asked the state units of Delhi, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh that a list of failures of the Congress- ruled governments and its Chief Ministers should be prepared by the end of February as the Assembly elections were going to be held in 300 days. “Party units in the states should see to it that the leaders do not make internal matters of the party public and discuss the same, if any, at the internal forum of the party. The party will not tolerate anybody crossing the lakshman rekha,” Mr Naidu said, asking state units to work like a team. The party, he said, had made its position clear to the NDA allies right from the beginning that it had not given up its policies. |
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Row over including PM’s book in reference list Kolkata, January 20 The book was published by the RSS mouthpiece, Organiser, and written jointly by its editor Seshadri Chari and A. Joshi, a former BJP MP, which the UGC wanted to introduce as reference book for the university and college students. All universities in West Bengal, however, turned down the UGC’s direction, which the CPM leadership and the Chief Minister, Mr Buddhadev Bhattacharjee, had endorsed and acknowledged it as a wise decision. Mr Bhattacharjee strongly criticised the UGC for requesting the universities and the colleges for including the book in the reference list, alleging that it was an attempt to brainwash the students on the political philosophy of the RSS and the BJP. The book which is priced at Rs 400 per copy contains detailed political activities and ideologies of Mr Vajpayee from the childhood days with special reference to his close attachment to the late Shyama Prasad Mookherjee and his association with the RSS. The Vice-Chancellors of the universities of Kolkata, Rabindra Bharati and Jadavpore have strongly criticised the UGC for recommending the book. The Kolkata University’s Vice-Chancellor, Dr Ashis Banerjee, said the book could never be considered as a reference book for the students. The Rabindra Bharati’s Vice-Chancellor, Ms Bharati Mukherjee, wondered what the students would learn from Mr Vajpayee’s life and teachings. |
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Temple panel
favours Sanskrit Dehra Dun, January 20 The committee chairperson, Mr N.K. Nautiyal told mediapersons here yesterday that the committee felt that promotion of Sanskrit would help students in understanding the rich cultural traditions of the regions. The committee would also lake steps to initiate studies in Sanskrit language in schools being run by it, he added. |
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Missionary told to leave India Thiruvananthapuram, January 20 Kerala Director-General of Police
K.J. Joseph said here tonight that there were ‘definite visa violations’ on the part of the missionary, on a tourist permit. Therefore, the competent authority had been directed to issue the notice asking the evangelist to leave the country before January 26. So far, nine RSS activists had been arrested in connection with the January 13 attack on Rev Cooper at
Puliyam, near Kilimanoor, in south Kerala. A search was on for five more persons. The direction to deport the evangelist is likely to have far- reaching consequences, especially in the context of the repeated allegation of Sangh Parivar outfits that scores of foreign missionaries visiting Kerala on tourist visa engage in full-time religious preaching. The DGP said no case would be filed against the missionary if he obeyed the direction for leaving the country as stipulated.
UNI |
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New aircraft to boost
firepower: Air chief New Delhi, January 20 Particularly referring to the talks between India and Russia for the joint development and production of a fifth generation fighter aircraft, he said the striking capabilities of the IAF would get a tremendous boost. “Though the cooperation between India and Russia on a fifth generation aircraft is still in its infancy, if it is carried forward it will substantially increase the IAF’s strike power,” Air Chief Marshal Krishnaswamy told newsman during his visit to the NCC Republic Day camp here. On the impact the acquisition of the TU-22 M3I advanced bombers from Russia will have on the capabilities of the IAF the Air Chief avoided a direct reply saying that the deal was still at the ministry level and the IAF will be in a position to assess their strike power only after proper tests had been conducted. “Full capability assessment of the aircraft have to be done before assessing their exact utility for the IAF,” he said. On the role the IAF will play in the newly constituted Strategic Forces Command (SFC), the Air Chief said, “the IAF will have a substantial role to play in the SFC and will jointly work with the other two forces to give an edge to India above its enemies.” Earlier, on his arrival at NCC Republic Day Camp in Delhi
Cantonment the Air Chief received a guard of honour presented by a contingent of smartly-turned out cadets drawn from the Army, the Navy and the Air Force wings. The Air Chief also visited the Motivation Hall, the flag area and living areas of boy and girl cadets and interacted with them. Also among them were 10 officers and 76 cadets from eight friendly countries, including Russia and the UK. |
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Navy chief
to flag off Tarangini New Delhi, January 20 The ship will navigate through the Arabian Sea to the Red Sea and transit through Suez Canal across the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean to New York, an official release said today. While in North America, Tarangini will participate in a series of Tall Ship Events organised by the American Tall Ship Association in the Great Lakes region. Thereafter, Tarangini will navigate through the Panama Canal and the Pacific Ocean islands to Australia. |
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Blast derails train in Assam Guwahati, January 20 The passengers escaped unscathed, a railway spokesperson said. Special Branch DIG J. Chakraborty said suspected UPDS ultras detonated an IED on the tracks between Diphu and Lailalung stations by remote control under the engine of the train in the wee hours. As the train was moving at a very slow speed and the brakes were applied immediately, it did not capsize and roll over but jumped the tracks with only minor damages to the engine, he said. Arrangements were made for the trans-shipment of the stranded passengers as well as of its corresponding train, Delhi-bound Brahmaputra Mail and Dibrugarh-bound Rajdhani Express and other trains that were to have passed the area, she said. Twentyfive buses were pressed into service to trans-ship the passengers to Lumding to bring them to Guwahati on their onward journey by the corresponding Dibrugarh-bound up train. The up train’s passengers were then carried back in buses to Diphu, from where they were taken to Dibrugarh in the 16 unaffected coaches of the derailed Kamrup Express. The coaches were connected to a new engine after being taken backwards to the Diphu station. The Kamrup Express derailed for the second time in 10 days. The explosion left the tracks on the single line broad gauge section damaged and the authorities were busy rescheduling trains. The explosion had created a 2 feet wide and a foot deep crater along the tracks.
PTI |
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Truce with Bodo tigers extended New Delhi, January 20 Thus, the Home Ministry sources said the ban on the BLT under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act would also continue till that date, and the final round of the tripartite talks would be held as early as by next month to resolve the out-standing points. This was decided during the fresh round of tripartite talks between the Centre, the Assam Government and the BLT held here today to resolve the outstanding issues. The meeting, which according to an official press note was conducted in an atmosphere of cordiality and mutual trust, took stock of the progress made towards an amicable resolution of the issues relating to the Bodo-dominated areas of Assam. The participants expressed the hope that a mutually acceptable package would be shortly worked out following consultations at both the central and the state level and the groups concerned residing in the Bodo areas. At a meeting held just over a year ago, it had been decided to form a drafting sub-committee to prepare a set of proposals for consideration by the Central and the Assam Governments through the tripartite negotiating team. Following the initiative by the Centre for
peace talks, the BLT had unilaterally suspended its operation with effect from July 14, 1999 and had said it would completely abjure the path of violence abide by the Constitution of India and the laws of the land if the Centre suspended its operations. The Central Government had accepted these conditions and initiated peace talks with the BLT. The Centre responded to the first step of the BLT for peace dialogue by deferring the imposition of ban under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Ground rules for the suspension of operation between the security forces and the BLT were agreed upon at a meeting held on March 28 and 29 last year. UNI |
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Sonia meets NSCN (IM) leaders New Delhi, January 20 NSCN (IM) leaders T Muivah and Isak Swu met Congress President Sonia Gandhi at her residence this evening for 45 minutes. Former Finance Minister Manmohan Singh was also present during the meeting. Congress general secretary Ambika Soni said the party had told the NSCN (IM) leaders that it wanted a long-lasting solution to the long-drawn conflict but the solution should not lead to any further violence. The discussions assume significance as Nagaland is a Congress-ruled state whose Chief Minister S C Jamir has welcomed Naga peace process but has demanded that the Centre should talk to all factions of the underground movement. The two Naga leaders apprised the Congress chief of their assessment of talks held so far between them and the Centre, Ms Soni said. “They also appreciated the role of Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Ministers Indira and Rajiv Gandhi in resolving the militancy in Nagaland,” she said. Soon after the meeting of the NSCN (I-M) leaders with Mrs Gandhi, an all-party delegation from Manipur, led by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, called on the Congress President to elicit her views on preserving Manipur’s territorial integrity in the backdrop of peace talks between the Centre and the
NSCN (I-M). The delegation had earlier called on former Prime Minister
H.D. Deve Gowda and leader Sitaram Yechury. The NSCN (IM) leaders also met former Prime Minister
P.V. Narasimha Rao today. During his tenure as Prime Minister Mr Rao had met the two Naga leaders in Paris in 1995. Earlier in the day, the talks between the NSCN (IM) and the Centre to discuss contentious issues, including creation of a ‘Greater Nagaland’, were deferred by a day. |
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Kuwait unaware of LeT camps New Delhi, January 20 He breathed fire when he talked of Iraq but ducked tricky issues like Indo-Pakistan relations and North Korean nuclear crisis. Asked whether his government had any information on the LeT camps, Mr Al-Murad replied negatively. “I was really surprised by such reports that the LeT is running camps in Kuwait. We are against any terrorist outfits or terrorism. We are suffering from terrorism for years. I hope we don’t have any such camps. Secondly, whatever is happening, particularly after September 11, we are aware and that has opened our eyes. But I am very happy that you have put it in your newspaper and if you have any information on this please share it with us.” The Kuwaiti Ambassador assured his country’s cooperation if the Government of India were to share any such information with Kuwait. Asked if his country faced any threat from Osama bin Laden or the Al-Qaida, he replied: “I don’t think so.” The Ambassador hastened to add that an American soldier was killed in Kuwait some two months ago and though it was being talked about in some quarters that it was the handiwork of the Al-Qaida, the investigations were still on. “Maybe there is a hidden threat from the Al-Qaida but I don’t know about it. In reality, we don’t have any kind of bases or camps of the Al-Qaida in Kuwait,” he said. Asked whether he had any doubts that Pakistan was aiding cross-border terrorism in India, he replied: “I think there is something like this. But I am sure that the Pakistan government is trying to do its best to stop this. But you have long borders. Is it possible to stop all militants from crossing over? We are against all types of terrorism.” Asked if the final report of UN inspectors on January 27 were to absolve Iraq of all charges and if the USA and the USA were still to go ahead with their plans, would Kuwait support this war. His reply was: “Nobody is for war. We are not for war. But who is responsible for this? Who put the whole region in a catastrophic situation like this? We live by the Security Council resolutions. We were liberated by the Security Council resolutions. We respect the Security Council. We want Resolution 1441 to be respected by all. This resolution not only calls for the destruction of all weapons of mass destruction by Iraq but also return of our prisoners of war and property. We don’t want to go to war.” Asked why Kuwait had given bases to the USA, he said: “Ask Saddam Hussein why we did not have any US bases in Kuwait before he invaded Kuwait in 1990. During the Iran-Iraq war we refused to have any kind of bases. We raised the US flags on our oil tankers to protect them from getting hit. After the liberation of Kuwait, we were obliged to have an agreement, a military agreement, not only with the USA but with all five Security Council members.” Regarding North Korea’s self-acknowledged nuclear arsenal ambitions, he said “North Korea for me is another problem. My problem is this neighbour of mine who invaded my land. North Korea, is not my concern. My concern is Kuwait and Iraq. Please put this question to the Americans.” |
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Pakistan centre of terrorism: Vajpayee Port Blair, January 20 “Pakistan has become a centre for terrorist activities. Although Pakistan is a member of international coalition formed to fight against terrorism, it is Pakistan where terrorists are gathering” he told newspersons at Raj Niwas before emplaning for Delhi after a three-day visit to the island. Mr Vajpayee made these remarks when asked to comment on Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s statement that Pakistan would be the international community’s next target for war against terrorists after the Iraqi crisis. “They (Pakistan) have contacts with terrorists in other parts of the globe and yet there is no action taken against them. We would request our friends in the international arenas to put a stop to the increasing terrorism through Pakistan.” he said. To a question on how state governments viewed the Centre’s disinvestment policies, Mr Vajpayee said there were some differences on how to implement the policy of disinvestment.
PTI |
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Reduced
R-Day parade route New Delhi, January 20 Last year, the government had decided to cut short the distance covered by the parade following the terrorist attack on Parliament House on December 13, 2001. Police officials said the 54th Republic Day parade this year would not cover the Connaught Place leg and certain walled city localities. The parade this year would start from the historic Vijay Chowk through Rajpath as usual and after crossing India Gate, would proceed to Tilak Marg instead of Kasturba Gandhi Marg, which was the route till 2001. After moving on to Tilak Marg, the parade would take the Bahadurshah Zafar Marg, Netaji Subhas Marg to reach the Red Fort grounds where it would culminate. The parade in the process would end about half an hour ahead of schedule. Earlier, during the time of the longer route, the parade after giving the presidential salute at India Gate, would take the Kasturba Gandhi Marg on its onward journey. |
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India, Israel sign MoU New Delhi, January 20 India and Israel have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect. The MoU, signed between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Israel Avionics, the two countries would start marketing the one-seater ALH at the aeroshow. Addressing the media here, Mr Rakesh Srivastva, Joint Secretary, HAL said the certification by the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for the civilian version was likely to fructify soon. Mr Srivastva said countries like Iran, Mauritius and Sri Lanka, had shown interest in buying the military version of the ALH. Mr Tapan Ray, Joint Secretary (Exports) in the Defence Ministry, said the aeroshow would provide an ideal platform for show-casing the capabilities of Indian companies, both in the public and the private sector, in design, development and production of aircraft and ground systems for defence and civil sectors. A total of 68 aircraft — 16 foreign and 52 Indian — would be flying or the displayed. Mr Ray said India had invited 52 delegations from abroad. The delegations from the Asia Pacific Region, the Middle East, the Americas and Europe would form a major feature of the event, to be inaugurated by Defence Minister George Fernandes. |
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DMK to boycott bypoll Chennai, January 20 The DMK leader, Mr M. Karunanidhi’s, explanation is that the decision is in condemnation of the Jayalalithaa government’s “corrupt practices” and misuse of official machinery as evident from previous by-elections. Mr Karunanidhi told reporters that the party’s decision was based on the findings of a high-level committee that had gone into the pros and cons of fielding a candidate for the by-election. “We do not expect a free and fair election in the Jayalalithaa’s jungle rule,” he added. The DMK leader also announced that his party would not support the BJP or any other party that might field a candidate. The DMK and the state unit of the BJP had been at loggerheads for quite some time, and it was no surprise that the DMK decided against endorsing any BJP candidate. While deciding to boycott the poll, the committee of the DMK pointed a finger at the Election Commission, which, it said, was willing to “abet” the ruling party. The committee’s resolution said the party had hardly any time to move the Election Commission or the courts to get justice. |
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‘Bollywood
Tonight’ launched New Delhi, January 20 Hosted by Samar Khan, “Bollywood Tonight” will be telecast from Monday to Friday at 8.30 pm. The first episode on Monday will feature Arjun Rampal. It will include location interviews with stars and directors, star biographies and birthdays, Bollywood fashion trends and trade analyses. Speaking on the launch of the show, Yogesh Radhakrishnan, business head of Zee Cinema, said, “Bollywood Tonight” will be the only daily film-based show to air on television.’’ Zee Cinema claims to have a library of 1200 films. |
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Akash test-fired again Balasore, January 20 |
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In video (
Kuwait today expressed
“surprise” over the presence of LeT camps in that country with
covert support from the ISI. In an exclusive interview with The Tribune,
Kuwait’s Ambassador to India Abdullah Ahmed Al-Murad said Kuwait
valued its relations both with India and Pakistan and was of the view
that they should resolve their difference through bilateral talks.
