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Tibetan protesters storm Chinese Embassy
Pelosi-Dalai meeting annoys China
Dalai Lama arrives in Delhi
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CIC asks NPCIL to explain delay
New Delhi, March 21 The Central Information Commission has directed central public information officers of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. and the Department of Atomic Energy to explain why they should not be penalised for delay in giving information sought under the Right to Information Act.
6 rebels killed in Assam
Kidnapped engineer freed by militants
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Tibetan protesters storm Chinese Embassy
New Delhi, March 21 The protesters, most of them students, scaled the walls of the embassy complex in the high-security Chanakyapuri area, waving the Tibetan flag and draped in banners carrying anti-China messages such as “Boycott Beijing Olympics”. While the Tibetan Youth Congress said around 20 protesters, including some women, had entered the embassy premises, the police said around five of them had managed to scale the walls. The police said they arrested 33 Tibetans. It also said the Tibetans had not entered the embassy premises and only managed to reach the lawns of the Cultural Centre, which is separated from the main embassy building by a wall. The Tibetans had earlier alighted from a bus some distance away from the embassy and walked to Gate No. 7 of the complex on the Panchsheel Marg. Replying to enquiries by the police posted there, they said they were tourists, and then all of a sudden, they rushed toward the embassy compound. Even as the police tried to stop them, a group managed to scale the walls. Inside the embassy complex, the protesters shouted slogans against the Chinese government before the police swung into action and took them into custody. A police official said the protesters clashed with the police and there were injuries on both sides. “We wanted to show to the Chinese that what they are doing in Lhasa is wrong and they cannot get away with that,” said Gelek, a Tibetan activist. Additional forces were rushed to the spot in view of the protest, which took place shortly before Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama arrived in the Capital. The security around the embassy was tightened, and a senior police official said three security cordons had been placed around the complex. The road, which the protesters took to arrive at the complex, had also been closed. The official said the police had asked the embassy to enhance the height of the wall separating the main embassy building from the
cultural centre. “The Tibetan movement has been peaceful so far. But recent reports from China... there are reports that a hundred people have been killed and thousands imprisoned after Monday’s crackdown,” said Dorjee, president of the Tibetan Youth Congress. Around 60 Tibetans were arrested on March 17 when they unsuccessfully attempted to barge into the Chinese Embassy.
— PTI
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Pelosi-Dalai meeting annoys China
New Delhi, March 21 The Chinese Embassy here organised the screening of a documentary for media in its bid to prove that the Dalai Lama had “masterminded” the violence in
Lhasa. Notwithstanding denials by the Dalai Lama, Chinese Ambassador to India Zhang Yan insisted that “deeds” of the Tibetan leader showed that he was behind the unrest in Lhasa and that India and others should “see through his intentions”. He told reporters that China appreciated the position adopted by India so far and hoped New Delhi would continue to have “correct” stand with regard to developments in Tibet. On Pelosi’s meeting with the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, Yan said no “country, organisation or person” should “take any irresponsible step or say irresponsible words” on happenings in Tibet. “We oppose any country, any organisation, any person to interfere in China’s internal affairs,” Yan said. “On this issue, we have stated clearly that Tibet is China’s internal affair. We don’t allow anybody to meddle in China’s internal affairs. Any attempt to cause trouble to China is doomed to fail,” the Chinese envoy said. Meanwhile, India found nothing wrong in Pelosi expressing her views on Tibet over which China clearly voiced its unhappiness. “They (USA) have expressed their views. They are not putting pressure,” external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee told CNN-IBN when referred to Pelosi’s strong comments on Tibet after her meeting with the Dalai Lama. On Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s reported contention that the Dalai Lama was a believer in non-violence, Yan said the Tibetan leader used the “so-called non-violent (approach) to cheat the international community and win so-called support of people who blindly follow him.” “People say nice words but these should be supported by deeds... I hope Indian friends see through nature of his intention and not be misled and make correct statements based on facts and deeds, not words,” he said. The Chinese envoy said incidents in Lhasa had “shown nature of his (Dalai Lama’s) intention whether he is really non-violent.” He said he was keeping the Indian government informed on all developments and situation in Lhasa and other areas. “We have very good communication. I think your (Indian) government is very well informed, that is why your government can take correct and also proper position in keeping with its maintenance of diplomacy (with China) on the Tibet issue,” he said. Yan said the Indian government had taken “some appreciable measures to deal with the situation” and it was mentioned by Chinese premier Wen Jiabao at his press conference. To a question, the Chinese Ambassador asked why violent demonstrations took place in Tibet even after the Dalai Lama saying he wanted “peaceful dialogue” with China. “He (Dalai Lama) says he is head of Tibetans in exile, then why can’t he stop it (violence),” Zhang said, adding that “he can say nice words but there is his tacit support and encouragement.” Along with the envoy’s interaction with the media, the embassy screened a documentary to help “Indian friends” to have the “real understanding” of the recent events in Tibet. The contents of the documentary included mobs indulging in stone-pelting, arson and looting, which the embassy said was engineered by the 'Dalai clique'. The Chinese envoy said reporting on the developments of Tibet had been “biased” because of the western media, which had its “own understanding and interest”.
— PTI
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Dalai Lama arrives in Delhi
New Delhi, March 21 The Dalai Lama flew in from Dharamsala this evening to take part in the meditation workshop being organised by the Foundation for Universal Responsibility. Hollywood star Richard Gere and actress Uma Thurman’s father Bob Thurman are expected to take part in the programme. The Dalai Lama, who arrived here as Tibetans stepped up their protest and barged into the Chinese Embassy complex, will be in the capital for 10 days to take part in the meditation workshop to be held at Hotel
Ashoka. An exhibition is also being organised, which will be opened tomorrow. Traditional handicraft and garments of Tibet will be on display at the exhibition. The Dalai Lama was welcomed at the hotel by around 150 people, most of them his followers who wore T-shirts with the message ‘Pray for Tibet’. The organisers said the programme was chalked out three months back and hence could not be seen in correlation
with the ongoing protests by Tibetans against the Chinese government. They, however, did not
rule out the possibility of the Dalai Lama meeting Indian leaders during his stay in
Delhi. — PTI
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CIC asks NPCIL to explain delay
New Delhi, March 21 It was on September 12, 2006 that Ahmedabad-based Manoj Pai wrote to the CPIO in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) seeking the PM’s opinion on hazards from radioactive meteorites with specific reference to the meteorite that fell in Gujarat on July 31 the same year. Pai also wanted to know the precautions taken by the PMO and the name of the institutes in the country that can detect such radioactive objects and carry out research done on the subject. Curiously, Pai got a reply from the PMO a day before his application was submitted. The letter sent by Kamal Dayani, director and CPIO, PMO, informed him that his application had been sent to the secretary, Department of Science and Technology. The CPIO in the Department of Science and Technology forwarded it to the CPIO in the Department of Atomic Energy on October 25, 2006. When Pai did not receive any response, he moved his first appeal before the Appellate Authority, DAE to the Appellate Authority, NPCIL on January 17. When he did not get any response from any of the agencies to which his application was forwarded, Pai moved his second appeal before CIC. In this appeal, he said the CPIO, PMO be advised to consider his appeal under the ‘Life and liberty’ clause if a dangerous and fatal disease as cancer is caused by meteorites. The appeal was scheduled for hearing by videoconferencing on March 10. The CPIO in the Prime Minister’s Office was told that his presence was not required during the hearing, as he had compiled with the requirements of the Act. Chief information commissioner Wajahat Habibullah directed both the CPIOs to appear personally before the commission on March 27 through videoconferencing and show cause as to why a penalty from the date the information was due (October 12, 2006) to the date when it was actually supplied, not be imposed on either one or both of them under the provisions of the RTI Act. The CIC decision notice dated March 10, however, gave the CPIOs the option of submitting their written submissions on or before March 20. In doing so, the commission treated the application as a complaint petition Under Section 18 (1) (c) of the RTI Act to ensure that the CPIOs provide the information to the applicant within 10 working days from the date of receipt of its decision as spelt out in the definition of right to information.
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Prez, PM greet people on Holi
New Delhi, March 21 “On the joyous occasion of Holi, the festival of colours, I convey my greetings to the world. The Holi brings joy and happiness, which imbibes the spirit of friendship among people of all faiths,” Patil said in her message. The President said everyone should ensure that the less advantaged in the society do not remain untouched by the spirit of celebration. The Prime Minister said the festival of Holi symbolizes different shades of life and inspires all to rejoice in the glory of nature in all its varied colours. “May the festival bring gaiety, happiness, health and prosperity to all,” Singh said.
— PTI
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Guwahati, March 21 While two militants were shot dead in encounters with the security men, four others got killed in intra gang rivalry. Four Kuki militants were killed by rival Dimasa militants at Samkhoar village in North Cachar hills as they were involved in fierce fighting since morning over disputed territory. The fighting also left six others wounded seriously. A ULFA cadre died near Gauripur in lower Assam. A pistol, three live ammunition, one mobile and a diary were recovered from him. Elsewhere, a Dimasa militant was killed near Harangajao, North Cachar hills last night. A US made carbine and five rounds of ammunition were recovered from him. — UNI
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Kidnapped engineer freed by militants
Imphal, March 21 The militants of the People’s United Liberation Front (PULF), who had threatened to kill P. Lalji Singh unless the ransom was paid, set him free at Langthabal area in Imphal West district last night. The 51-year-old assistant engineer of the minor irrigation department was abducted on his way to work about five days ago. It was not immediately known whether any money was paid to the militants for Singh’s release. — PTI
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