New Delhi, November 29
Almost two years after publicly admitting that India faced a major threat from the sea route, the ruling UPA combine today got down to draw out a new “pro-active” method to protect the country’s 8,000 km-long coast line. Several nuclear, Naval, and oil installations dot the coast besides shipping docks that are the hub of commercial trading.

Though the DGPs of all the 12 states and the UT that dot the coast will be invited to give suggestions at a meeting that is to be convened by the ministry of home affairs, all this seems rather late in the day as the various intelligence gathering agencies have been fearing that the sea route will be used by the Pakistan-based militants after India stepped up vigil along the Indo-Pak land route.

Security agencies have been saying it publicly that how big a threat it was from the sea by pointing out that more than 1,000 far-flung islands can be used by jihadi elements. Also the fact that most key nuclear and oil installations like refineries are located very close to the coastline-not to mention the Naval installations.

It is not that the ruling UPA combine has not been informed about this. In the past, at a DGPs’ conference, it was pointed out that India faced a great threat from boats and trawlers that may be ferrying terrorists and terror hardware like arms, ammunition and explosives. Sources said that even this scenario that ‘marine jihadis’, disguised as fishermen, could take off from the Karachi port in Pakistan and pass the Rann of Kutch before hitting the Gujarat or Maharashtra coast, has been discussed in the past. All this was discussed some two years ago at a conference in November 2006, said a senior official.

In his address at the annual DGP meet in November 2006, a good two years ago, home minister Shivraj Patil had conceded that “our coastal areas are coming under increased threat from terrorist groups, which have decided to use the sea route to infiltrate into India. They also plan to induct arms and ammunition through the sea routes.” He went on to acknowledge that “we understand they (terrorists) have been collecting information regarding location of various refineries on or near the Indian coastline.”

Special secretary, Internal Security, ML Kumavat, told reporters today that one of the one suggestions was that the fishing boats be registered with the police.

Separately the PM today met the three chiefs of defence services and the chiefs of intelligence agencies to discuss the unprecedented attacks and ways to prevent such recurrences. The PM wanted to review the security situation in view of the attacks for which the terrorists had apparently come via the sea.

Mumbai, November 29
Undeterred by the mayhem that lasted for 59 hours in this metropolis, its citizens have once again proved their true ‘Mumbaikar’ spirit.

People from different walks of life stood by each other at the moment when a few terrorists were determined to shatter and siege the financial capital of the world’s largest democracy.

When the defence and security forces were doing their duty in combating the terrorists, who besieged the heritage building of the Taj Mahal Palace, along with five-star Trident hotel and the residential Nariman House on the night of November 26, the citizens were busy doing their bit as Mumbaikars.

“We are here to do our little bit as Mumbaikars. We are trying to provide food and other essentials to those who have been rescued by our brave soldiers from the captive of the militants,” said Dashmesh Darbar, a volunteer from Central Mumbai.

Many others like Dashmesh, irrespective of caste, religion and state gathered near the terror struck sites to provide food, water and other items of neccessity. Several NGOs and charitable trusts tried to ease the discomfort of the security forces and equally tenacious media to carry out the combing operation and keep the nation updated.

“We are Mumbaikars and we will not let anyone divide us in the name of religion or state. At this hour of crisis it is our duty to save the nation from such perpetrators of terrorist attacks,” said another.

Their contributions in the form of food, water and refreshments were a welcome sight for the tired souls who kept vigil on each and every development since the past three days in the besieged zones, where not a single shop was open following curfew. Some were trying to ease the tense foreigners, who were rescued from the hotels, but have lost something or other, be it their loved ones or passports.

Even as the faces of terror went on to dent the spirit of the people even more badly since the last train blasts in 2006, the people emerged more confident and brave.

In time of adversity, the cosmopolitan fibre of the city keeps itself united and awake to fight against those who try to shatter the spirit of the city, which never sleeps. — UNI

Mumbai, November 29
They marched in fearlessly to brave bullets and explosives in a terror-struck building and in the end played no mean role in securing the premises.

The two sniffer dogs of the National Security Guards (NSG) went about their task with diligence for about 15 hours during the encounter in the Nariman House along with their masters, the commandos, and are no strangers to life threatening situations.

It was just another day at work for the NSG Labradors who are routinely trained to sniff out unidentified objects and explosives. And they did so in good measure.

But the Labradors found the frenzied ‘welcome’ and the impromptu applause from scores of lensmen and TV cameramen a little too hot to handle when they emerged from the building accompanied by their trainers.

The dogs also showed signs of discomfort from continuing popping of flash bulbs and were reluctant in moving forward. They made sure to stay close to their trainers.

NSG commandos also received a rousing welcome from the locals when they came out from Nariman House after killing two terrorists.

The happy crowd greeted them with cheers, claps, pats on shoulders and patriotic slogans and tears welled in the eyes of several of them.

Shouts of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai, Vande Mataram’ reverberated in the narrow lanes of the area after the commandos emerged out after a gruelling 15-hour-long final assault on the terrorists. — PTI

Jaipur, November 29
Mumbai became witness to worst- and biggest-ever terrorist attack on the Indian soil, whose impact is being felt across the states. Rajasthan lost three young lives during the terror strike while a trader suffered bullet injuries. A Muslim youth of Bheelwara, working as a trainee cook with the Taj Hotel, was killed by terrorists.

Another youth of Bharatpur posted as head clerk with the Chattarpati Shivaji Terminus (CST) in Mumbai was also hit by bullets sprayed by terrorists in the station.

Uma of Ajmer was having dinner in Taj when bullets hit her. Her parents belonging to Aryanagar in Ajmer flew to Mumbai today to bring her body back.

Zaheen, lone child of his Bheelwara-based parents, was killed at point blank range by the terrorists at 2:30 am who held him hostage with some other employees in a room for some hours.

His room mate Mayur broke the tragic news to Zaheen’s father Mati-ud-din this morning. He works in DRDA while Zaheen’s wife was a teacher. The family and friends had a torrid time ever since the terrorist attack news was aired. Zaheen was in touch with them till 11:30 pm, afterwards there was no news from him.

Sushil Kumar from Vaer village in Bharatpur fell victim to bullets at CST. His body was flown here this afternoon. Sushil was a member of a number of social organisations of the district.

Bullets hit another state resident Jayparkash of Nagaur district of the state, at the CST, after piercing through his briefcase. He suffered injuries on his thighs and was under treatment.

Udaipur’s Purnima and her husband Nirmal, belonging to effluent class of the city had a horrifying experience when they were held hostage for hours. They were rescued by commandos.

New Delhi, November 29
An estimated 60 per cent of the electorate today exercised their franchise in the Delhi Assembly elections, polling for which came to a close at 1700 hrs.

Delhi Election officials, however, said the figure could go up as at the end of the polling deadline at 1700 hrs, there were large queues of people at various polling booths across the city. The officials said the people who were in queue on or before 1700 hrs would be allowed to cast their vote.

However, those who arrived at the polling booths after 1700 hrs would not be allowed to cast their votes, election officials said.

Barring stray incidents of clashes between workers of some political parties and between media and polling personnel, the polling for 69 of the 70 seats of the Delhi Legislative Assembly was carried out in a smooth and peaceful manner.

The polling, which began on a slow note, picked up pace as the day progressed, with serpentine queues seen outside the polling booths after 1400 hrs.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's New Delhi constituency recorded a massive 60 per cent turnout till 1630 hrs while assembly segments of Greater Kailash (from where BJP's chief ministerial candidate Vijay Kumar Malhotra is contesting), Sangam Vihar and Ambedkar Nagar recorded over 40 per cent till 1630 hrs. A turnout of 53 per cent was recorded in the last assembly polls in 2003. — UNI

Chandigarh, November 29
Overstaying in a government house now can land a government official in jail! Punjab has made it a non-bailable offence for government officers in the state to retain their official houses after their transfer or retirement.

Amending the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for Punjab, the government has declared unauthorised occupation of government premises will be treated “criminal trespass” and included in Section 441, IPC.

Amending the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), the government has further made this trespass a non-bailable offence. The offence remains bailable except for government servants who continue to occupy government houses. Such officers might have to spend time in jail for the offence.

The Punjab Vidhan Sabha had cleared a Bill to this affect in its last session and the government now notified both these amendments.

Probably the first person to benefit from the amendments will be Director-General of Police N.P.S. Aulakh who is awaiting possession of the official residence earmarked for him in Sector 5 here.

Sources said an IAS officer of Haryana who retired last year is still occupying the house which was to be given to the Punjab DGP.

These amendments to the IPC and CrPC are a result of directions issued by the Supreme Court which had directed all state governments “to consider the desirability of taking steps to amend Section 441, IPC, to include the unauthorised occupation of a government house by a government servant.”

The apex court had pointed out that Uttar Pradesh and Orissa had already amended the IPC to this effect. The Supreme Court further stated that the states should consider amending the first schedule of the CrPC to make criminal trespass non-bailable in so far as it relates to the continuance of government servants in government premises.

The court had also asked the various states to send a status report on the extent of such “unauthorised occupancy” and how many officers had been penalised in this regard. Following these directions, the Chandigarh Administration gathered lakhs from Punjab and Haryana officers who were illegally occupying the houses provided by the UT to Punjab and Haryana pool.

Sources in Haryana said a similar amendment had not been made in the state.

The Punjab government allows a government servant to hold on to his official residence for two months after he has been shifted out. The officer continues to pay the same rent. However, the officer can continue to stay on payment of double the rent for another four months after which he has to vacate house.

However, many officials continue to occupy the house during which they are charged market rent for the house as penalty. A former deputy commissioner of SAS Nagar had not vacated the house even after having been transferred more than six months ago. A case of penalising the officer and asking him to vacate the house has been sent to Punjab chief secretary Ramesh Inder Singh.