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HC refuses to hear case against son of
Amarinder
Nepal turmoil: high alert in
Uttaranchal
Andaman, Nicobar unfit for cultivation, say
experts
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Internal bickering in Haryana worries
Cong
Mayawati for CBI inquiry into MLA’s
murder
4 candidates evading arrest, held
Patil for unified command in North-East
Drop Rajiv’s name from relief scheme:
BJP
TMC activists, police clash; 20
hurt
Army man held for smuggling
liquor
Muslim women set up law
board
CBI raids yield Rs 1cr, 194
booked
Manjit Singh to head Punjabi Sahit
Sammelan
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HC refuses to hear case against son of
Amarinder
New Delhi, February 2 A Bench of Chief Justice B C Patel and Mr Justice S.K. Kaul declined to hear the petition, raising the question of jurisdiction and asked their counsel K.K. Sud why it had not been filed in the court of appropriate jurisdiction, which was the Punjab and Haryana High Court. After a brief hearing, during which the Bench also sought to know as how the petition was a public interest litigation (PIL), Sud withdrew it when the Court refused to grant him time to seek instruction from his clients. While declaring the petition “dismissed as withdrawn”, the Bench gave liberty to the Akali Dal MPs to move the Punjab and Haryana High Court. After the hearing, their counsel said that the petition would be filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court very soon. They had sought inquiry by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) into the alleged transation of $ one lakh by Raninder Singh via a Singapore-based and a Mauritius firm to his Dutch friend Leonard A Freek for investment in a project named Punjab Internet Company in August 2003. While the Akali leaders had raised various questions about the inquiry by Justice Nehra commission in the matter, the panel had submitted its report to the state government on December 17 last, which was likely to be placed before the Assembly during the
coming Budget session. Punjab Government’s Additional Advocate-General Atul Nanda said the petition was “politically motivated” as every material placed before the Nehra Commission, “clearly indicated” that no MoU was ever signed by the state government for establishing the Punjab Internet project. |
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Nepal turmoil: high alert in
Uttaranchal
Dehra Dun, February 2 Security forces along the Nepal border are being reinforced immediately. "We are watchful of the situation on the border and looking to keep the security taut especially in the sensitive areas", said DGP Kanchan Choudhary Bhattacharya. Whatever reinforcements the forces have asked for are being given to them right away and additional troops of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC ) and th e Sashastra Seva Bal (SSB), which mans the border, are being deputed in the region, she said. Top officials of the state including Chief Secretary R.S. Tolia, DGP Kanchan Choudhary Bhattacharya and State Home Secretary S.K. Das discussed the security concerns in the border areas in two rounds of meetings. Intelligence has been alerted on the directions conveyed by the Centre, the officials said. The biggest worry for the border state is crossing over of Maoists in the wake of stepped up advances by the Royal Nepalese Army. The state, which shares a border of 275 km with Nepal, lends itself vulnerable to such possibilities. Uttaranchal has seen stray incidents of the Maoist insurgency threatening to spill across the border in the past few months. Especially concentrated in the border districts of Pithoragarh, Champawat and Udham Singh Nagar, the threat of the Maoist insurgency precipitated through the Maoist training camps and incidents of posters put up by the Maoist rebels. In December, a Maoist area commander Khemraj Bhatt who had crossed over was nabbed be the SSB in Champawat. Four months back the Maoists blew up the Sitapul bridge between India and Nepal connecting Dharchula and Changru. The Maoist guerillas warned the Indian Government of dire consequences if it offered the help it promised to the sacked Prime Minister of Nepal Sher Singh Deuba on his visit to India in September through posters put up in the border districts. The police busted a Maoist hideout and recovered arms cache in the forests of Chorgalia, Udham Singh Nagar district four months back. A businessman's three-year-old daughter was injured in a Maoist firing in Pithoragarh district in August last year. |
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Andaman, Nicobar unfit for cultivation, say
experts
New Delhi, February 2 The four-member team, which returned from Port Blair last week, has recommended a gradual shift from paddy cultivation to aquaculture to suit the altered environment besides reintroducing mangroves along the sea-front to serve as natural speed-breakers against the tidal waves. The team comprising Dr Ranbir Chhabra, Dr G.P. Bhargava, Dr Yaduvanshi and Dr B.K. Bandopadhyaya (who works in the institute’s regional station in Canning Town, West Bengal) has observed that 11 thousand hectares of land has been affected in South Andamans alone. “An estimated three lakh persons in 68 villages, which is about 64 per cent of the total population, is affected in South Andamans. Nearly a third of the farming community is affected by the destruction wrought by the tsunamis,” Dr Ranbir Chhabra told the Tribune this morning. The tidal waves struck when the rice crop was fully ripe and ready for harvesting. “The damage to paddy is almost 100 per cent ... all the mango crop has been affected ... there is extensive damage to arecanut and coconut plantations,” he said about the extent of damage. In their interim report the scientists observed that rice crop had turned red in colour because of deposition of iron on the surface of vegetation. In other areas, land had sunk a metre or more below the sea level. Such land, Dr Chhabra pointed out “is likely to be part of the sea on a permanent basis”. “The Andaman Island has been tilted due to the earthquake in such a way that North Andamans has risen while South Andamans has sunk with reference to its earlier position,” the report read. Car Nicobar and Hut Bay were the worst affected islands, it added. The report suggested certain immediate solutions like repair of broken dykes, scraping of surface soil up to 5 cm so that land could be reclaimed for growing crops and leaching of salts with rainwater (the process will take a year and more). The long-term measures included reintroduction of mangroves to act as vegetative barriers for dissipating the energy of the waves. It was recommended that land up to 500 metres from the sea shore be reserved for mangroves. The report also touched upon the adverse effects of indiscriminate urbanisation. “It seems,” said Dr J.S. Samra, Deputy Director-General (NRM) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research said, “coastal zone regulation guidelines were not adhered to”. |
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Internal bickering in Haryana worries
Cong
New Delhi, February 2 Reports received by the AICC indicate that despite the public show of unity in the run-up to tomorrow’s Assembly poll, the factional warfare among the Haryana Congress satraps has actually intensified. Senior AICC leaders said though the Congress is expected to win the elections, this infighting is bound to reduce the margin of victory. State leaders like Bhajan Lal, Bhupinder Singh
Hooda, Rao Inderjeet Singh, Birendra Singh and Selja, who can never see eye to eye, are learnt to have worked overtime to defeat the candidates being supported by their rivals. Congress insiders explained that since all these leaders are contenders for the Chief Minister’s post, they want to make sure their rivals cannot claim advantage on the basis of support among the
MLAs. It was stated that this internal sabotage had been reported from at least a dozen-odd constituencies. For instance, the Congress candidate in
Bhiwani, Shiv Shankar Bharadwaj, faced an uphill task as former HVP leader Bansi Lal, who wanted a ticket for his own candidate, worked tirelessly to ensure his defeat. Although long-time rivals, Bansi Lal and Bhajan Lal joined forces in Charkhi Dadri to sabotage the official candidate’s campaign as both the senior leaders failed to get a ticket for their respective supporters. Mr Bansi Lal, it is learnt, instead fielded an Independent candidate Satpal
Sangwan. Similar reports have come in from Rewari and Jatusahna where Lok Sabha MP Rao Inderjeet and Mr Ajay Yadav, former CLP leader, were busy campaigning against each other.
O.P. Jindal, contesting from Hisar, faced more problems from Mr Bhajan Lal than other political
parties. In
Nuh, party candidate Aftab Ahmed is having a rough time as Faridabad MP Avtar Singh Bhadana ensured that party cadres did not campaign actively for him. This rivalry was evident at the public rally addressed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Ambala where Mr. Bhajan Lal was heckled by Ms Selja’s supporters. Mr
Bhadana, it is learnt, has fallen foul of the Congress leadership which was clear when he was not allowed on the dias when party President Sonia Gandhi addressed a rally in
Nuh. In fact, the Congress leadership has also taken umbrage to public statements by leaders like Mr Bhajan Lal claiming to be the next Chief Minister.
Cong seeks more forces for Haryana
New Delhi, February 2 Congress spokesperson Jayanti Natrajan told mediapersons that the party had written to the Chief Election Commissioner in this regard and drawn his attention to the possibility of a large-scale booth-capturing. She said besides asking for the deployment of additional forces in every constituency, the Congress had identified 22 sensitive constituencies where it wants additional observers to be deputed. Given the long three-week gap between the polling and counting days, the Congress has also asked the Election Commission to ensure that the EVMs are kept in safe custody as it fears these could be tampered with during this period. The constituencies identified as sensitive are Shahabad, Thanesar, Pehowa, Kaithal, Hasangarh, Killoiu, Rohet, Gulha, Meham, Kallnore, Beri, Jajjhar, Salaawar, Badli, Rai, Rohtak, Narwana, Julana, Sohna, Gurgaon, Narnaul and
Rori. |
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Mayawati for CBI inquiry into MLA’s
murder
Lucknow, February 2 Addressing a public meeting at the Lucknow Collectorate compound on the first day of the statewide BSP offensive to dismiss the government, Mayawati reiterated her charge of the murder being part of a political conspiracy. “The murder was committed at the behest of the political mafia and SP leader Atiq Ahmad in connivance of the government machinery,” she alleged. Dismissing media speculation of the BSP getting closer to the Congress, Mayawati said in the event of Assembly election, the BSP had the support to contest on its own. According to the party chief, the next stage of the agitation would be announced on February 8. She also announced the candidature of Raju Pal’s widow, Puja Pal, from her husband’s constituency. Another dramatic announcement was former BJP Member of Parliament from Gonda, Ketaki Devi, joining the BSP. She is the wife of sitting BJP MP from Balrampur, Brijbhushan Sharan Singh. Significantly, this comes days after former BJP MLA from Gonda, Lalla Bhaiyya, announced his crossing over to the BSP. Later, senior party members went to meet Governor T.V. Rajeswar and submit a copy of the memo demanding imposition of the President’s rule and a CBI inquiry into the BSP MLA’s murder. |
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4 candidates evading arrest, held
Patna, February 2 Official sources said here that Mr Yadav, accused of mass murder at Samho village in Begusarai district on January 25, 1999, was arrested under Hathidah police station. A report from Begusarai said the RJD leader was produced before a local court, which forwarded him to jail in the district headquarters. Meanwhile, a report from Sasaram said LJP candidate from this Assembly Constituency Salmat Ansari was arrested and produced before Judicial Magistrate Binod Kumar Mishra in a case of violation of prohibitory orders during an agitation six years ago. Earlier, he was arrested in a different case on January 18, but was later granted bail. RANCHI:
Two candidates, including a BJP nominee, were arrested in connection with pending non-bailable arrest warrant, at the time of filing of nomination papers on Wednesday. BJP’s Ashok Mandal from Nirsha constituency was arrested at Dhanbad. The non-bailable warrant was issued in connection with a case with the Jharkhand movement. An Independent candidate and former MLA Akluram Mahato was arrested at the time of filing of nomination at Bokaro. He had been absconding since 1980, official sources said.
— UNI |
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Patil for unified command in North-East
Guwahati, February 2 “But we will like to see the other North Eastern states go for the unified command for better counter-insurgency operations,”
Mr Patil said. “Although the law and order situation is a subject of the state, the Centre will like to extend greater cooperation for the unified command by which the Army,
para-military forces and the state police forces are brought under a unified command for effective security arrangements,” he said. Mr Patil earlier announced that money would not be a constraint for the modernisation of the police
force. His announcement came at a time when Assam had been crippled by a series of highly sophisticated bomb explosions in the urban areas. He also informed that the Centre would give top priority to disaster management, internal security as well as economic development activities besides police
modernisation. — UNI |
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Drop Rajiv’s name from relief scheme:
BJP
New Delhi, February 2 “It is evident from the name of the scheme that it is a crude attempt by the Congress to make political capital out of a colossal tragedy,” the BJP in a statement said here. “Moreover, the Congress-led Central Government is trying to bypass state governments in implementing the rehabilitation package,” the BJP alleged. “The Congress seems less interested in reaching benefit to the tsunami-affected people and more interested in gaining partisan political benefit for itself,” it charged demanding immediate withdrawal of Rajiv Gandhi’s name from the scheme. “Our second objection to the scheme is rooted in the brazen manner in which the UPA government, guided again by partisan political considerations, has tried to bypass state governments in implementing the rehabilitation package for tsunami affected areas,” it said. “This subsidy-cum-loan package for the benefit of the tsunami-affected fishermen is sought to be routed through nationalised and commercial banks, with no role for the governments of the state affected by the tragedy.” “It shows the scant respect that the Congress has for smooth Centre-State relations, which it gravely damaged whenever it was in power at the Centre,” the BJP said demanding that the rehabilitation package be implemented on a par with all existing centrally sponsored schemes with the responsibility of their implementation with the state governments concerned . |
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TMC activists, police clash; 20
hurt
Kolkata, February 2 During the clash, the Indo-Bangladesh service bus, “Sauwarda”and the local SDPO’s jeep was burnt by the irate TMC supporters. At least 20 persons, including the SDPO and some TMC workers were injured in the clash. Five police personnel and six TMC supporters were brought to Kolkata and admitted to the SSKM hospital. According to the TMC, the condition of their supporters was stated to be critical. Thirty TMC workers and supporters were arrested. Tension prevailed in the entire area till evening. A large contingent of policemen led by senior officials rushed to the border town. The authorities also enforced Section 144 Cr PC. |
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Army man held for smuggling
liquor
Dehra Dun, February 2 The car, which was being used for smuggling the liquor, has also been seized. A havaldar in the Army, Rajpal Singh, who was posted at the Indian Military Academy, here, has been sent to judicial remand, the officials said. The department has officially intimated the Army about the incident. They however, are yet to hear from the Army in this regard, the officials said. This is for the first time that an Army employee has been nabbed smuggling liquor in the state, they said. Acting on a tip off late at night, yesterday the team of Excise officials led by Excise Inspector City T.K. Pant closed in on the vehicle near the Nanda Ki Chowki area and nabbed the constable, the officials added. Rajpal Singh had bought the liquor from Paonta Sahib. During interrogation, Rajpal Singh revealed that he had been smuggling liquor from Paonta Sahib where it was cheaper than in Uttaranchal. Rajpal Singh said he brought the liquor to Dehra Dun and sold it here to bars and liquor shops. Operating as a part of a wide network, he also revealed the names of others involved in the trade. Investigations were on. A case has been registered under the Excise Act, the officials added. |
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Muslim women set up law
board
Lucknow, February 2 Claiming wide support amongst grassroot activists working with Muslim women across the country, Shaista said she had approached the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board, for more representation and gender balance. Following their negative attitude towards their issues, women were forced to form a separate board, added Shaista. Charging men dominating the affairs of the various personal law boards for the bulk of the problems being faced by the Muslim women, she said when women do not get justice from the Shariat courts they had to knock at the doors of family courts. Quoting a recent case of incest by a Muslim father, she said despite her appeal to the AIMPLB it did not take a stand on the matter. It was through a public agitation that a social boycott of the alleged culprit was done. Similarly, the Gudiya case was also the travesty of justice from the women’s point of view, asserted Shaista. She said the new board would fight against the division of Islam into different sects, Sunni, Shia, Barelvis, Deobandis etc. For this, women’s board would launch an offensive against the patriarchal designs of the existing boards and enlighten women of the “real
spirit of Islam”, she pointed out. The board claims to have Zakiya Jafari, wife of Ahsan Jafari, Congress Member of Parliament killed in the post-Godhra riots, as its senior advisor. The 35-member board will meet in early March to chalk out its future plan of action. |
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CBI raids yield Rs 1cr, 194
booked
New Delhi, February 2 During the nationwide raids, cash to the tune of Rs 1.11 crore was recovered and movable and immovable properties of Rs 10.5 crore detected, CBI Director U S Misra told newspersons here. At least 126 of those against whom cases were registered are public servants, including top officials of the Income Tax Department, MCD and the DDA. Raids were also conducted against former Director-General of Meteorological Department S K Srivastava. The figure was likely to go up exponentially as the raids were continuing, he added. |
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Manjit Singh to head Punjabi Sahit
Sammelan
New Delhi, February 2 Leading Punjabi cultural activist Mohan Singh Berry was unanimously chosen the body’s general secretary, Mr Harbhajan Singh Sehgal has been appointed senior vice-president, poetess Pritam Sandhu as vice-president, Journalist Jaspal Singh Sidhu as press secretary, Mr Jagjit Singh Noor as secretary, Mr Bhagwant Khera as joint secretary and Mr Sohan Lal
Parwana. |
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