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PM went ahead with Dhaka visit despite disturbing reports
Cong-SP ties hit new low
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SC notice to Assam Government, HC
Nepal leader seeks India’s support against King
Dalit humiliated in public
Segregate sick prisoners: NHRC
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PM went ahead with Dhaka visit despite
New Delhi, November 11 Key sources in the Indian strategic establishment said the Prime Minister was well aware of Bangladesh increasingly getting caught in the jehadi cobweb and stress that what Bangladesh could spew hereafter would not only be for India. “In South Asia, Nepal and Sri Lanka cannot escape. Contiguous Myanmar should wake up, since Rohingya and Arakanese Muslims are being trained in the jihadi madrassas in the hills and jungles of Chittagong. Bangladesh may be poised to open the Asian Highway for Islamic terrorism under the Begum Khaleda Zia Government,” sources said. Those countries outside South Asia, including the West, South East Asia and even Japan, should not think soft diplomacy with Bangladesh will ensure their insulation. The USA and Britain, for years, lived under illusion that the Al Qaeda was too far away to affect them. The “9/11” and “7/7” incidents destroyed that myth. Bangladesh’s network of Islamic terrorism is real and partisan diplomacy and selective anti-terrorism warfare will only let loose this Frankestein, a key official commented. More ominous, and a real threat on the ground are the Indian insurgent groups (IIGs) being nurtured in Bangladesh by its intelligence agencies and Pakistan’s ISI, who collaborate with each other. The other is the rearing of Islamic jehadi groups who not only target India, but western interests located in India. This is a much larger strategy than what Pakistan did in Kashmir. The Bangladesh operation is targeted at a large area in the India’s, both through IIGs and jehadis, to create an unstable situation in the greater India heartland. The major IIGs which enjoy Bangladesh’s patronage include the ULFA, the Naga group, the NSCN(I/M), the Bodo outfits, like the NDFB, a number of Tripuri insurgent groups. Arabindo Rajkhowa, Chairman of the ULFA, has his current headquarter in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs). Senior leader Paresh Barua lives in Dhaka, and so does their main arms procurer, Anthony Shimray. They all hold Bangladesh passports in different names. |
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Non-military options needed for solutions: PM
New Delhi, November 11 In his 40th anniversary address to the members of the Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) here, the Prime Minister said to address the security challenges, options should not be limited to mere application of force. He pointed out that hence: “Policy analysts must adopt inter-disciplinary approaches and policy planners should develop sophisticated, multi-pronged responses”. Further he added that such responses should actually be aimed at improving the country’s security in all dimensions; economic, social, political and even in terms of energy security. He was of the view that such an approach was even more important as military and police forces were grappling with new and unconventional challenges. The Prime Minister drew linkages to the ills in the neighbourhood and insurgency and armed conflict in some border states of the country. He said many threats to internal security were derived a sense of alienation among people, a sentiment which was then exploited by external forces “inimical to our nation”. Making a direct reference to spectre of international terrorism, Dr Singh said it was imperative to contend with both trans-border, regional and global ramifications of terrorism and the country had to come with multinational strategies for these. |
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Cong-SP ties hit new low
New Delhi, November 11 Taking up the Supreme Court verdict against UP Minister Raja Bhaiya, the Congress today tore into the Mulayam Singh Yadav Government even suggesting that the countdown for the government’s departure has begun. However, the Congress stopped short of seeking its dismissal or formally withdrawing support to it. Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi today described the apex court verdict as a “stinging indictment” of the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh and warned that if criminal elements continued to have a field day in the state, the countdown for the departure of the government would begin. “We have to raise our voice with that of the people of Uttar Pradesh to bring down the Mulayam Singh Yadav government...that is because lawlessness and criminalisation have reached levels of anarchy,” he remarked. Continuing in the same vein, he said described the UP Government as one “for criminals, by criminals and of criminals”, stating it legitimises and institutionalises illegalities, corruption and even terror.” Coming a day after Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s public attack against the UP Government in Rae Bareli, this is yet another episode in the ongoing prolonged and bitter battle between the two parties. Although the Congress and the Samajwadi Party are ostensibly supporting each other’s governments, relations between the two are far from cordial. Neither side misses an opportunity to hit out at each other but lately the frequency of these attacks has increased and the tone become progressively belligerent. The Congress has never really trusted Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav and is wary of his threats of reviving the Third Front. However, the Congress tolerates his government only because it does not want to be accused of betraying a secular party and also because of the special relationship between the Samajwadi Party and the CPM. In fact, the two parties have planned a joint public rally in Lucknow against the UPA Government’s pro-America foreign policy tilt. While the two parties keep sniping at each other, the Congress always stops short of formally withdrawing its support to the UP Government. As is always the case, the spokesperson avoided giving a direct reply to this question at this daily press briefing. “The answer is to generate public awareness to speak about it and create an awareness which leads to the people to reject such a sarkar,” Mr Singhvi replied. The Congress, Mr Singhvi explained, does not have the numbers to remove the Mulayam Government but that, he said, does not mean that the Congress will lend blind support to the government, adding that it will not stop them from criticising it when it comes to lack of governance. |
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Sonia accuses NDA of neglecting Bihar
Chhapra, November 11 Addressing a joint rally with Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo Laloo Prasad Yadav, Ms Gandhi asked voters to exercise their franchise as it was their duty and exhorted them to vote for Secular Democratic Front of which the Congress and the RJD are part. Referring to Employment Guarrantee Scheme, she said the UPA government implemented it in 200 most backward districts of the country and stressed that a majority of these districts were in non-Congress ruled states. Referring to the
NDA, Ms Gandhi said it discarded not only Bihar but even Congress-ruled states like Rajasthan and
Orissa. “We need a government which works for the security of every section. We believe in what we say and we perform accordingly. There is no difference between our saying and doing. We will work according to our common programme as we are doing at the
Centre. We have already implemented the Right of Information Act and once culprits are nailed as per the Act then they will be punished,” Ms Gandhi said. Referring to the last assembly election she remarked: “Hum bhi bhatak gaye the or aap bhi bhatak gaye aur ab hamko ek majboot sarkar banani
hogi.” She asked the voters to install a government in Bihar which delivers and which works for the poor by implementing the Common Minimum Programme. Earlier, addressing the rally, Railway Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav said the SDF would not allow communal forces to capture power in Bihar. |
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We will develop Bihar: Sonia
Patna, November 11 Ms Gandhi crossed the Kosi region addressing four rallies in Araria, Madhubani, Saran and Chapra; to give final touches to the desparate bid by the RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav to restore his lost ground in “Mithilanchal” before the crucial third phase of polling on November 13. An interesting feature of today`s rallies of Ms Gandhi was that in places like Madhibani and Chapra she walked about a kilometre waiving to the public to imitate in the style of her mother-in-law, late Ms Ms Indira Gandhi. Ms Gandhi explained to the gathering about the national rural employment gurantee act, right to information act and the domoestic violence act brought about by the UPA in its 18 months rule in Delhi. On his part Mr Lalu Prasad promised “Sadak, Bijli and Pani” (road, power and water) if voted to power. Both Ms Gandhi and Mr Lalu Prasad were silent about the grim performance of Bihar during the 15 years of RJD rule and blamed the NDA at the Centre for the step motherly treatment metted out to the state. Ms Gandhi, however, praised Mr Lalu Prasad as there was not a single incident of communal violence during the his rule, in the state, and subsequently cautioned people against the communal agenda of the BJP. Sources in the Congress disclsoed that before leaving, Ms Gandhi advised both the state congress president Sadanand Singh and Mr Lalu to focus on the 'UPA model' of development and to dwell on the advantages if like minded parties ruled both Centre and the state. |
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SC notice to Assam Government, HC
New Delhi, November 11 Taking cognizance of a letter sent by an advocate giving vivid details of the ordeal of Machal Lalung from Mikir Chuburi village in Morigaon district, remanded to judicial custody in 1951 as a 23-year-old young man and then forgotten by all — be it the prosecution, the police and the judiciary. He was booked for committing an offence under Section 326 of IPC, which deals with voluntarily causing grievous injuries with weapons or any other means, advocate F I Choudhury from Assam informed the apex court, which directed the Chief Secretary of Assam and the High Court Registrar General to file affidavits on actual facts of the matter within two weeks. Since the lawyer’s letter was solely based on a newspaper report appearing in a national daily on October 14 detailing the agony of Lalung, who was of an unsound mind even when arrested 54 years ago, a Bench of Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal, Mr Justice C K Thakker and Mr Justice R V Raveendran directed that the affidavit should clearly state how the man was “confined in jail for all these years and why his case was not put up for hearing before the court.” He, however, was released from the custody earlier this year after the intervention of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the letter said. Fixing the next hearing of the matter after three weeks, the court said “the Chief Secretary and the Registrar General will look into the matter and place on record detailed affidavits on actual position.” As per the communication received by the court, which took suo motu note of it, Lalung had remained in Tejpur’s Gopinath Bordoli mental hospital for most part of his 54 years judicial custody and “his case never came up for hearing before the court even for once during this period.” “His tears have dried up and all dreams died many years ago. His silent eyes have many grievances and questions to ask. But who will compensate for his lost years,” Choudhury said, adding that “as a young lawyer, I believe, in complicated issues like this, the judiciary can only award the man compensatory peace and give back his forgotten smile before he dies.” “I am sure that the suo motu action of the apex court in this case will undoubtedly rescue many a Lalungs languishing in various prisons and mental hospitals due to delay in the judicial process,” he said. He said Lalung’s case not only had revealed the worst form of human rights violation, but also raised a serious question mark over the “functioning of the state machinery, criminal justice delivery system and the role of the police in handling the cases,” the advocate said, offering his free legal service in the matter. |
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Nepal leader seeks India’s support against King
New Delhi, November 11 Mr Nepal, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist-Leninist) told TNS that he has pleaded with the Indian leadership for “an unwavering stand and full-fledged support to the democratic movement in Nepal.” He told Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other Cabinet ministers not to be misled by King Gyandendra’s promise of parliamentary elections in 2007 and municipal elections on February 6 next year. “We have told Dr Singh that these are the King’s tricks to give legitimacy to his illegitimate and unconstitutional regime”. Mr Nepal also called on the octogenarian President of the Nepali Congress, Mr G.P. Koirala here on Friday morning. Mr Koirala is here for a routine medical check up. Confirming his meeting with Mr Koirala, he said, “I’ve been away from Kathmandu for three weeks and I wanted to apprise myself of the situation there. I’m returning to Kathmandu tomorrow. It makes sense to meet Mr Koirala as he is heading the Nepali Congress that is a significant partner in our seven-member alliance.” |
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Dalit humiliated in public
Jaipur, November 11 This has created a stir among social activists who protested against the alleged inaction and apathetic attitude of police here in the state capital. The victim, Babu Lal Jatav, is a bonded labourer working at a quarry owned by Kalua Gurjar who had advanced him a loan of Rs 10,000 at exorbitant rate of interest and forced him to work for him till repayment. Since Babu Lal was fed up with the “cruel” behaviour of his employer, he had shifted to another mine in the neighbourhood. Consequently, Kalua Gurjar and his family members allegedly not only criminally assaulted him one day but also meted out cruel treatment to him by putting halter in his nose. A legal suit against the four accused in the case is currently pending in a local court. |
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Segregate sick prisoners: NHRC
New Delhi, November 11 According to the commission, the measure is necessary to prevent the outbreak of communicable diseases in the jail. |
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