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Friday,
March 21, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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Parties deplore
attack Evacuation of Indians
‘yet to start’
Terrorist strikes in West
feared
Govt allays fear of oil
shortage |
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Security alert in Chanakyapuri
Top RAW official dies
in mishap 30 killed in
Holi-related violence Top RAW official dies
in mishap Madhuri delivers baby boy
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Parties deplore
attack New Delhi, March 20 The BJP President, Mr M. Venkaiah Naidu, said, “The U S action in Iraq is unfortunate and we feel that it was without justification as it was outside the resolution of the U N Security Council.” He said the party was concerned for the safety of the people of Iraq and “we hope this war comes to an early end.” Asked what the government’s stand should be on the issue, he said, “any decision taken should be guided by national interest and peace in the international arena.” “The Congress party cannot but deplore this decision to go to war against a non-aligned sovereign member of the United Nations”, party spokesman S Jaipal Reddy said in a statement. He said, “The US decision tramples upon the United Nation’s Charter, denigrates the Security Council, flouts international law, does grave injury to the concept of national sovereignty and sets dangerous and unacceptable precedents”. The CPM Politburo said the USA had defied world opinion and failed to get the UN sanction for action against Iraq. The leadership of the USA and Britain would have to bear the full responsibility for the lives lost and devastation caused to Iraq, it said. The CPI central secretariat said it was “a blatant and totally unjustified aggression against a sovereign country. It is a war for getting the rich oil resources of Iraq and is a further step towards America’s hegemonistic designs.” Jama Masjid Shahi Imam Maulana Syed Ahmed Bukhari said Indian Muslims considered the American attack on Iraq, being orchestrated in brazen defiance of the UN Charter and massive international public opinion, as “an attack on Islam and humanity.” Condemning the unilateral action of the USA, the Hind Mazdoor Sangh said the war on Iraq was “in total violation of international law and with utter contempt to world opinion against war.” The HMS said the war is aimed at installing a puppet regime in Iraq so as to have complete control over the country’s rich oil wealth.” “We categorically demand the Indian government to use every means at its disposal to end this war,” Ms Brinda Karat of All India Democratic Women’s Association, who led the protest in front of the United States Information Centre here, said. The Central Trade Union denouncing the US action has called protest marches all over the country on Saturday. |
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Evacuation of Indians
‘yet to start’ New Delhi, March 20 The government clarified that the four aircraft which brought nearly 1,200 persons from Kuwait till this morning were “special flights sent on demand”. While three flights were operated to Mumbai, another operated between Kuwait and Kochi. “There should be no confusion and no panic should be caused among the people that government was implementing its emergency evacuation plan,” Civil Aviation Minister Shahnawaz Hussain said, adding that those brought back home had themselves moved applications to facilitate their return. Two Boeing 747-200s and two A-300s, which were flown to Kuwait city last night, have brought home nearly 1,200 persons. “These were no evacuation flights but extra services being operated as there was a sudden demand from Indians wanting to return home,” he said, adding that normal flights would continue to be operated to the Gulf till the airports and airspace at Dammam, Kuwait and Bahrain were open to traffic. Referring to the plans for bringing back 50,000 Indians from Kuwait in the event of a war, the Minister said both AI and IA were ready to mount evacuation operations and complete it within a week. “But no decision has been taken as yet,” he added. Meanwhile, a report from Mumbai, quoting the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said commercial flights would be re-routed around the conflict zone and additional safety and security procedures taken to keep passengers safe. |
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Terrorist strikes in West
feared New Delhi, March 20 Experts here were of the view that the Muslim fundamentalists would not take the attack on Iraq lying down and would be plotting of strikes against vital installations and public places in the Western countries. They also said that the war on Iraq was not likely to be a “cakewalk” for the US and that it could last for anywhere from four to six weeks. They further pointed out that the “battle for Baghdad” may even continue for a longer time. Experts said that Washington’s expectations that the war would be a “cakewalk” now seemed to be absolutely unrealistic. They added that it would be “very difficult and costly” for its forces to conduct street fights in Iraqi cities, including Baghdad. A former Indian envoy also said that the USA could expect major terrorist attacks on its assets worldwide. Though Osama bin Laden had earlier described Mr Saddam Hussein as an “infidel”, his statements that the USA would launch an attack on the ‘Arab world’ had proved correct and we would have to wait and see how he retaliates as he has already announced, he said. |
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Govt allays fear of oil
shortage New Delhi, March 20 Official government sources here said that state-owned oil companies had stocked supplies of crude and oil products to meet the requirements of up to two months. Petroleum Secretary B.K. Chaturvedi is learnt to have chaired a review meeting within an hour of the launch of US strikes in Baghdad. Sources said a high alert was being maintained and a close watch monitored on the developments in Iraq and pointed out that India sourced a negligible ( less than 5 per cent) import of crude oil from Iraq. “We are closely monitoring the developments of the Iraq front”, the Petroleum Secretary said and added that oil companies were moving spot purchases from West Asia to other regions such as west Africa, Libya and Egypt. It is learnt that public sector oil companies have stocked petrol and diesel to meet the requirements of up to 33 days, while the current kerosene stock is estimated to meet the country’s requirement of up to 29 days. The stock of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) is maintained at the level to meet the demand of up to 53 days . In addition, an inventory of 23 days is being maintained which will give an additional cover of up to 34 days. The inventory of domestic cooking gas is to the extent of 12 days with three days of transit stock. Sources said state-owned oil companies had already entered into advance contracts much beyond the present area of conflict in West Asia. Even Reliance Petroleum Limited, India’s largest private oil company, had reduced its oil imports from Iraq. In 2001-02, India imported a total of 3.8 million tonnes from Iraq, with RPL alone accounting for 2.718 million tonnes. However, during the first half of the current fiscal, RPL had imported 4.29 lakh tonnes from Iraq, while state-owned oil companies had imported to the tune of 2.217 million tonnes. Analysts said a short successful US campaign could actually be beneficial if oil prices declined as geopolitical uncertainties were eliminated. “However, a prolonged war and a possible rise in terrorist activity that is likely to follow could affect the stability of the economy in a variety of ways. The economy must bear the cost of a sharp and sustained increase in oil prices”, an analyst said. |
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Security alert in Chanakyapuri New Delhi, March 20 Security around US, British and Israeli installations in the Capital were beefed up following the attack of US-led forces on Iraq. Additional police personnel have been deployed in and around the US Embassy, American Center, US Information Service, British High Commission, British Library besides residences of their envoys, police sources said. Besides, the fear of terrorist attacks in reprisal of the US and UK action in the Gulf, the police is also concerned over the possibility of holding of demonstrations at these places. |
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Top RAW official dies
in mishap New Delhi, March 20 Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Praveer Ranjan said the officer was getting out of the lift at the CGO complex headquarters of the RAW when it suddenly caved in around 11 am. Senior RAW officials rushed to the ground floor only to find Handa in an unconscious condition. He was rushed to the All-India Institute of Medical Science where doctors declared him
dead. Handa, an Indian Revenue Service Officer, was in the lift with a few others. Just as the others moved out of the lift, the elevator developed a technical snag and crashed, catching Handa unawares.
UNI |
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30 killed in
Holi-related violence Lucknow, March 20 Curfew was clamped in parts of Gorakhpur here yesterday after Hindus and Muslims clashed there yesterday over the issue of taking out a Holi procession, he said. Two persons were killed in the attack, said the police spokesman. At least 17 more persons were injured when members of both communities pelted stones at each other, he said. Communal clashes were also reported from the Muslim-dominated cities of Rampur and Bijnore, where six persons died in clashes. |
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Top RAW official dies in mishap New Delhi, March 20 Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Praveer Ranjan said the officer was getting out of the lift at the CGO complex headquarters of the RAW when it suddenly caved in around 11 am. Senior RAW officials rushed to the ground floor only to find Handa in an unconscious condition. He was rushed to the All-India Institute of Medical Science where doctors declared him dead. Handa, an Indian Revenue Service Officer, was in the lift with a few others. Just as the others moved out of the lift, the elevator developed a technical snag and crashed, catching Handa unawares.
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Madhuri delivers baby boy Mumbai, March 20 “Madhuri is extremely happy,” he further said.
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