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Youths deployed for security, removed later
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Muslims to take out peace march against terrorism
Panel on Amritsar airport to submit report soon
Fiscal package ready; announcement soon
Repoll in 130 stations today
Fuel Price
Jayalalithaa for further cut in fuel prices
3 ULFA ultras shot dead
Babri Masjid Demolition
Landmine victims on rise in India: Report
Chennai airport cancels 7 flights
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Intolerance rising in society: PM
Kolkata, December 6 He was received by Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi and Chief Minister Buddhadeb
Bhattacharjee. Singh left soon by helicopter for Santiniketan to attend the convocation at Visva Bharati, of which he is the Acharya (chancellor). He will return to the city tonight and will visit Malda tomorrow before returning to Delhi. Addressing the convocation which was held under tightened security cover of commandos and the para-military forces in view of the alert in the city, the Prime Minister announced the Centre’s decision of sanctioning a special allotment of Rs 95.57 crore to the university for development works, of which, Rs 9.65 crore was earmarked for modernising and upgrading Visva Bharati’s security arrangements. After the theft of Tagore’s Nobel Prize and other valuables from the university’s museum and in the wake of growing extremists and criminal activities in the Bolpur areas, there was a demand for upgrading the security arrangement at Visva
Bharati. The Prime Minister advised the students to follow the Tagore’s ideals which would build them as a true nationalists and perfect citizens. He said he would be happy to see Visva Bharati at the pinnacle of its old glory and this alone would be a true tribute to Rabindranath, whom he considered to be the nation’s greatest teacher. Observing that society was witnessing an unacceptable rise in intolerance, the Prime Minister today said none could deny the fundamental right of others to follow their religion, culture and views. "Today we are witnessing an unacceptable rise in intolerance. Our society seems more divided, more angry and tragically more violent," Singh said at the annual convocation of the Visva Bharati as its Chancellor here. Stating that it was the fundamental right of all to follow their religion, practise their culture and hold on to their views, he said, “It is nobody's right to deny anyone's or to dictate faith and opinion of others.” “The essence of democratic polity is that we can disagree, but still work together,” he said. Describing Tagore as a “teacher of teachers”, Singh said Gurudev's legacy was a university and curriculum that broadened the mind, built character and gave its students a holistic perspective on life. “Too much of our higher education fails to understand this and puts emphasis on mainly preparing young men and women for the job market.” Pointing out that there were many shortcomings even in this endeavour, he said, “As a nation and government, we are committed to expanding access to higher education, ultimately to give each and every young person the opportunity to complete the full cycle of learning from school to university.” “But we know that we have a long way to go that we have much work to do in raising standards and improving curriculum,” the Prime Minister said. Stating that to be in Santiniketan was like going on a pilgrimage, Singh recalled that he started his professional life as a teacher. "I have great affinity for institutions of learning. “Here, in Santiniketan, I have no hesitation that teaching has been, in a vital sense, the most satisfying experience of my life.” He reminded the Visva Bharati students that individual success, however desirable and coveted, was not enough by itself. “I would like them to keep in mind those who have not, for no fault of their own, had the good fortune to enjoy the same facilities and education as themselves,” he added.
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Youths deployed for security, removed later
The local police deployed a group of 20 to 22 youths aged between 18 and 22 to keep vigil in the area from tree tops with the District Intelligence Bureau providing them with security passes. The boys were hired to keep vigil for two days and were promised Rs 100 per day since Friday for their services, the police said. Birbhum Superintendent of Police L N Meena said although the move was thought of because of the large number of trees in the area, the boys were asked to abandon their perch by afternoon after senior police officials objected to the move. A senior police officer said "seeking the service of the boys was not part of our strategy." Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is the Chancellor of Visva Bharati University, founded by the visionary poet Rabindranath Tagore, visited Santiniketan today to deliver the convocation address. Personnel from the SPG, Special Security Wing (SSW), State Armed Police and police officers in plainclothes kept vigil at the Amrakunja, the venue of the convocation. Sniffer dogs were also used and the bomb squad has been sanitising the venue since yesterday.
— PTI
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Muslims to take out peace march against terrorism
New Delhi, December 6 At a conference organised at the India International Centre here Saturday, members of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, the Mili Council and the All-India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat came down heavily on terrorism. "There should be no confusion that Islam does not permit killing of innocents. We share the pain of those who were killed in the Mumbai terror attacks. I have asked the people to celebrate Eid with simplicity," said Mufti M. Mukaram Ahmad, a top cleric. The peace marches will be taken out Sunday afternoon in Ahemdabad, Bangalore, Bhopal, Chennai, Delhi, Faizabad, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Patna, Lucknow and Mumbai, the clerics said. There will no speeches, slogans or shouting during the marches. Speaking at the conference, veteran journalist M.J. Akbar, said: "Such acts (terrorism)are against the spirit of Islam and attack on secularism and democracy of India." The clerics asked the government to introduce religious education in the school curriculum in the country so that children are not mislead on the name of religion. "There is a need to introduce education about religion in school curriculum so that children can know about the teachings of different religions at an early stage," said Qari Usman, senior cleric of Darul Uloom Deoband. — IANS
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Panel on Amritsar airport to submit report soon
New Delhi, December 6 During two hours of discussion held on various issues relating to the Amritsar airport, officials apprised the committee about the airport construction status, cargo facilities, flights details, non-availability of electronic data interface leading to delay in getting duty drawback facility, non-adjudication of tribunal to settle the cases regarding custom matters and bonded cargo facilities. AAI officials also brought to the notice of the committee the 360 acres land, being occupied by the IAF since 1965, which, they said, was hindering the future growth of the airport. Another suggestion was to lower the sales tax on ATF levied by the Punjab government, rationalisation of which would bring down the total operational expenditure of airline operators. The committee directed the officials to provide details on all relevant issues within the next few days. With a view to obtain views of industrialists, agriculturists and citizens of Amritsar, Gill has also directed the Amritsar deputy commissioner to hold a meeting with all concerned on Saturday and send suggestions within a day. The committee will also decided to visit Amritsar and send a specific report for action to the civil aviation ministry soon.
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Fiscal package ready; announcement soon
New Delhi, December 6 The attempt to stimulate the economy is part of the series of measures the government plans to unveil to put the economy on track, now facing difficulties as a result of the global financial and economic turmoil. “The package is ready,” the source said. It will address the problems relating to sectors such as exports, infrastructure, auto, housing and pharmaceuticals. The Apex Committee, headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, has had a close look at these sectors. The government yesterday brought down the prices of petrol and diesel and today the RBI announced reduction in the Repo Rate and reverse repo rate by 100 bps each. The reason for the postponment of the package is that the Prime Minister is in Santiniketan, West Bengal, to address the convocation of this esteemed university. Manmohan Singh is also the chancellor of the university. The Prime Minister, who is also holding the charge of the finance ministry, is expected to return to the capital only tomorrow.
— UNI
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Repoll in 130 stations today
Jaipur, December 6 The repoll was ordered in the wake of reports of booth capturing, allegations of people that they were not allowed to franchise their right by supporters of several candidates, bogus voting and technical faults in electronic voting machines. Polling stations in Torabhim, Mundawar, Karauli, Sawai Madhopur, Mandalgarh, Pushkar, Deegh-Kumher, Bari, Dholpur, Bandikui, Mahuwa, Kotputli, Kolayat, Civil Lines, Gangapur, Kota (South), Sanchore, Bilara, Fatehpur Baran Attru Khandela, Nokha, Dausa and Khanpur would go to repolls between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The elections were held in 200 constituencies of the state on December 4 and counting would be held on December 8.
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Fuel Price
New Delhi, December 6 Reacting to the announcement, the CPM Politburo issued a statement here today stating that, “The belated price cut in petrol and diesel announced by the UPA government yesterday is highly inadequate considering that the international price of crude oil has come down to almost $ 40 per barrel.” The CPM has demanded that in order “to give some urgent relief to the people, the price of petrol should have been brought down by at least Rs 10 and diesel by Rs 5 per
litre, which could have given some urgent relief to the people of the country.” The CPM has also demanded that the government should immediately announce further reduction in the prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas.
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Jayalalithaa for further cut in fuel prices
Chennai, December 6 Describing the Centre’s announcement of reduction in the prices of petrol and diesel as “fraud”, she said in a statement that the crude price in the international market had come down from $147 US dollars to $43. The reduction of prices by Rs 5 on petrol and Rs 3 on diesel was only a “fraud”. The Centre hiked the prices of petroleum products on June 4, citing the high international crude price, she said. “But the prices have come down now,” she said and demanded a rollback.
— PTI
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3 ULFA ultras shot dead
Guwahati, December 6 In a separate operation earlier in the day, a joint team of 318 Field Regiment of the Army and the police shot dead one more ULFA militant and apprehended another at Bimalapur near Charaipung reserve forest along Assam-Arunachal Pradesh boundary. The killed ULFA militant was identified as Amarjyoti Patmout. Security forces recovered one AK-56 assault rifle, one 9 mm pistol from the militants. The ULFA militants, of late, have become very active in inter-state boundary areas of Sivasagar district where they have served extortion notices to many tea estates located along the inter-state boundary. Security forces suspected that the ULFA was out to carry out a series strikes in the area to soften up its targets of the extortion drive and mounted vigil in the area. The administration have asked all the tea estates located in the area to inform the police promptly in the event of extortion demands from the banned ULFA and warned against trying to buy peace with the militants.
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Muslim bodies demand referral of case to SC
New Delhi, December 6 “Whatever the decision (the Supreme Court takes) will be acceptable to the Muslim community as the community has full faith in the Constitution and the Judiciary,” the All India Babri Masjid Re-Building Committee (AIBMRC) and All India Muslim Unity Front (AIMUF) said in a joint memorandum to Patil. AIBMRC president Mohammed Younus Siddique demanded immediate arrest of Opposition leader L K Advani and BJP's senior leader Murli Manohar Joshi along with Bharitya Jan Shakti leader Uma Bharti and several others of the saffron party in connection with the demolition of Babri Masjid. “No party or individual is above the law of the land. Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti and other culprits of the demolition of Babri Masjid should be arrested,” Siddique said in the representation submitted to the President on the sixteenth anniversary of the masjid's demolition. — PTI
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Landmine victims on rise in India: Report
New Delhi, December 6 At least 170 new casualties of victim-activated explosive devices have been identified where 41 people were killed and 129 injured, according to the Landmine Monitor Report 2008 published by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. Out of the total victims, 89 were civilians while 81 were military personnel. This casualty rate is much higher than reported in Landmine Monitor 2007, which identified 107 casualties. "Last year, landmine and IED casualties dropped worldwide. But in India, casualties of civilians and military personnel have increased. This is an irony," said Binalakshmi Nepram, secretary-general of the Control Arms Foundation of India.
— PTI
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Chennai airport cancels 7 flights
Chennai, December 6
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Santiniketan (WB), December 6