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India, Japan set to boost military ties
Demand for Gorkhaland
Didi’s Mamata:
Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee greets a child during her visit to Darjeeling on Monday. — PTI |
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Karunanidhi bows to 1,000-yr-old tradition
Red blockade: A Naxal banner on a rail track in Jhargram, West Bengal. — PTI
Ensure peace in South Asia: Natwar
Nithari
Killings
Kashmir interlocutors to be named on Sept 30
1 petitioner favours talks, another backtracks
No to Sena for Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park
Pune blast accused’s kin, friends under lens
TDP leader found dead
BJP meet to decide Bihar candidates
Sacked media head leaves behind mess Verdict in BPO staffer murder case:
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India, Japan set to boost military ties
New Delhi, September 27 The four-day talks come at time when China is exerting pressure on Japan and the two countries are locked in a bitter dispute over the control of un-inhabited islands in the South East China Sea. India, early this month, upped its military relations with South Korea, another China’s neighbour. South Korea and China see each other with suspicion largely due to China’s “friendship” with North Korea - a major irritant for the South Korea. Apart from the Army-level talks that will plan joint exercises and military exchanges between India and Japan, the IAF Chief Air Chief Marshall P V Naik will embark on a four-day visit to Tokyo tomorrow. "Naik will be on a goodwill visit to Tokyo….. while a Japanese Army team will be in Delhi to chalk out programmes aimed at furthering army-to-army contact," Defence Ministry officials confirmed here today. Naik's visit comes three years after then Air Force chief S P Tyagi had gone to Tokyo on a visit. Naik, in his capacity as the Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee, will be meeting with his Japanese defence forces' Chief of Staff General Kenichiro Hokazono when they would debate regional security issues. He would also be taking a tour of military installations of Japan and a couple of their training institutes during the visit. Gen Hokazono is expected to pay a return visit to Delhi next year for the same purpose. Meanwhile, the visiting Japanese Army team will be led by its Director (Policy and Programme) Major General Koichiro Bansho and three other officers. “They will draw up a calendar of joint events,” a senior official said. India has such an arrangement with eight other countries like the US, the UK, Israel, France, Australia, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Singapore. Notably, Bangladesh is on either side of the Asian divide. The country had military relations with China also. Singapore is more on the Indian side. In the four-day discussion, India and Japan are expected to share their ‘mutual security concerns’ and issues and review the bilateral army-to-army relations. The mutual security concerns are aimed at China, said a source while adding that it is natural. Defence Minister A K Antony had visited Japan in November 2009. During that visit, Antony and his Japanese counterpart Toshimi Kitazawa had reviewed the on-going defence related interactions and explored ways to enhance such exchanges for mutual benefit. Among the issues discussed then were conducting joint exercises between the two armed forces and exchange of students in their respective defence training institutions and the possibilities of co-ordination of their respective Navy's efforts in anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and other maritime security challenges.
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Mamata to request PM to visit Darjeeling
Subhrangshu Gupta/TNS
Darjeeling, September 27 “I understand you have suffered a lot and have been neglected over the years for lack of development. What you require is a special package which I would like to request the Prime Minister to announce for you,” Banerjee said addressing people at the Darjeeling station. “On my return to Delhi, I will submit a report to the PM urging for a special package for the hill people here which you need most. After the Commonwealth Games, I will talk to him about you,” she said. She announced several railways projects, which would not only develop the backward hill areas but also provide jobs to the local unemployed youth. She said a branch office of the Railways Recruitment Board would be set up at Darjeeling for facilitating the job opportunities to Nepali boys and girls. Mamata’s other promises included a multi-functioning railway station at Darjeeling town, printing press at Kurseong, a nursing training centre, preference to the local Neplai boys and girls in the appointment in the railway projection force (RPF), a computerised ticket booking centre , new trains from Darjeeling to Siliguri and a broad gauze train services from Sukhna to Kurseong. Starting her speech in Nepali to wide applause, she said such special packages were also needed for the people of Telengana, Bundelkhand and ‘junglemahal’ to dispel poverty and underdevelopment.
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Karunanidhi bows to 1,000-yr-old tradition
Chennai, September 27 Karunanidhi avoided the main entrance, known as Keralanthagan gate, through which former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi entered in 1984. Instead, the DMK leader, reached the dais inside the temple premises through a side entrance to witness the cultural programme held as part of the millennium celebrations. Interestingly, he did not wear his traditional yellow shawl and chose to attire himself in a silk shirt and dhoti. Those expressing fears about Karunanidhi's visit had said the statue of King Rajaraja, who constructed the temple in AD 1010, was not kept inside the temple as it was believed his statue inside the temple would ruin the CM’s health and reduce his life span. They point out it was former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who decided to install Rajaraja's statue inside the temple in 1984. Soon after her visit to the temple, she was assassinated and former Chief Minister MGR accompanying her, suffered paralysis, they had argued. The valedictory function of the millennium celebrations was arranged last night in a separate venue, where Karunanidhi hailed emperor Rajaraja as a good administrator and lauded the democratic practice of choosing village leaders in a democratic way during his reign. Totally avoiding king Rajaraja's capture and rule of north and eastern parts of Sri Lanka, which is considered as one of his greatest achievement, Karunanidhi focused on the growth of literature, arts and commerce under his rule. The DMK leader did not forget to mention the early Chola king Karikalan considered to be the greatest Tamil king by the Dravidian movement while glorifying Rajaraja as an emperor, who ruled entire South India, besides Orissa, Maldives, Lakshadweep and other islands situated near the South Indian peninsula. Karunanidhi mentioned the king's patronage of Brahmins and added that the emperor was tolerant to all faiths.The Chief Minister also avoided praising the construction of the temple, which has been declared as a World Heritage site by the UNESCO. The temple, about 300-meter high, was built with huge blocks of stone without using adhesives like cement or mud. Rajaraja, who ruled from 985 AD to 1025 AD, built the temple in 1010 AD.
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Maoists find TRS support
Hyderabad, September 27 “After all, the agenda of Maoists is to remove social and economic inequalities, improve the conditions of the poor and distribute the land to the poor. We support the efforts towards this end,” the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief said. Once the basic needs of the people were fulfilled, the youth would not take to arms to achieve their goals, he said. Known for his acerbic tongue, Rao has often landed in trouble because of his penchant for using choicest epithets against political rivals. As if supporting Naxal agenda was not enough, the TRS president came up with another unusual observation that the strength of Maoists was growing in Andhra Pradesh because it remained an integrated state. “The naxalite activity will end once the state is bifurcated and Telangana is formed,” he said while addressing a party meeting here. Rao’s remarks ran contrary to the popular perception that Maoists would gain strength and spread their tentacles if AP is divided. In fact, the backward Telangana was once considered their stronghold and a majority of the top Maoist leaders hail from this region. Those opposed to the division of the state argue that Maoists would make a violent comeback, spread their base and dictate the political course if separate Telangana state is formed. No wonder that Maoists have thrown their weight behind the statehood agitation. The TRS leader lashed out at opponents of Telangana for spreading a false impression that naxalites were a hindrance to investments in the state.
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Ensure peace in South Asia: Natwar
Chandigarh, September 27 This was stated by former External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh here today. He added that the relationship between the two countries were accident-prone and this utmost care had to be taken to ensure that there was peace in South Asia. He advocated US pressure on Pakistan to ensure that it does not interfere in Indian affairs. Pointing out that Musharraf after an initial hard line in Agra had come to propose the solution of Kashmir bilaterally between both countries, further suggesting an agenda for better relations on the lines acceptable to India. He, however, said the civilian government in Pakistan was in no position to take up the issues with the same authority as were done by the former Pakistani President. He said the situation in Kashmir required immediate de-escalation. Welcoming the Centre's decision to send an all-party delegation to Kashmir, he said the situation should be monitored on a day-to-day basis and the “prime concern of the Centre must be to bring peace and tranquillity in Kashmir by providing a healing touch to the people in Kashmir”. He said India had internationalised the Kashmir situation by taking the Kashmir issue to the UN Council in 1947 accepting the chapter six of the UN Charter that deals with disputes, rather than chapter seven that deals with aggression. He further asked the centre to prevail upon the US to discourage Pakistan from sponsoring terrorism as well as expressing concern over China's "growing interest" in Kashmir and other areas of India.
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Surinder Koli convicted in murder case
Ghaziabad, September 27 The court of special CBI Judge AK Singh found Koli guilty under sections 302, 364, 201, 511 and 376 of IPC. During the 122 days of trial, the court examined 46 witnesses before giving the verdict today, Sharma said. Nine-year-old Rachan Lal was found missing in April 2006 after she left home saying she was going to meet her grandparents. After Rachna went untraceable, her parents lodged a police complaint. Her parents later identified Rachna's clothes and other belongings from the D-5 residence of Pandher when a search was carried out. Pandher was not an accused in this case as the investigating agency had not found any evidence against him. With the decision in this case of Nithari killings, 13 others remain to be decided. Both Pandher and his domestic aide Surinder Koli have been accused of killing young children and women and a total of 19 cases have been lodged against them. — PTI
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Kashmir interlocutors to be named on Sept 30
New Delhi, September 27 Moreover, 67 persons detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA) 1978 will be released in the next few days as the confidence building measure in the state. However, some 80 hard-core terrorists will not be released as they face grave charges that cannot be dropped through an executive order. The interlocutors will have an office in Delhi for easy access to people. This is done to avoid any pressure group that might threaten people in the Valley from meeting the government nominees. The interlocutors, after their appointment, will immediately initiate the process of dialogue with all sections of society. Separate appointments will be made for talking to people in the Jammu region and Ladakh region. As part of the initiative, the state government will hold a meeting of the Unified Command on September 30 to review the deployment of security forces in the Valley, with particular reference to de-scaling the number of bunkers, check-points etc.
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1 petitioner favours talks, another backtracks
New Delhi, September 27 Arriving here on the eve of the judgment day in the Supreme Court, the representatives of Nirmohee Akhara, which has been seeking the right to offer prayers at the disputed site, told The Tribune that they would plead to the apex court to consider mediated talks in the matter, which has tremendous law and order implications for Ayodhya as well as the country. On the other hand, Haji Mehboob, a Muslim petitioner who had spoken in the support of dialogue earlier, remained non-committal today when asked about his stand on talks. “Let’s wait for the judgment… I can’t say,” he said from Faizabad today after the Sunni Central Waqf Board sought pronouncement of the verdict by October 1, ruling out mediation. The Nirhomee Akhara’s affidavit in the Supreme Court, however, seeks allowing the application for mediation (as filed by Ramesh Chandra Tripathi) and attempt out-of-court settlement in a time-bound manner. “Our first preference is mediated settlement, preferably overseen by the Supreme Court. If that does not materialise, the stay on pronouncement of the verdict by Allahabad High Court should be vacated and verdict delivered in three months,” Ranjeet Lal Verma, advocate for Akhara said. The Akhara will also seek extension for Justice Dharam Veer Sharma, one of the three judges on the Special Bench of Allahabad High Court, which is to pronounce its orders in the decades old case.
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No to Sena for Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park
Mumbai, September 27 Thackeray’s grandson Aditya was to kick off his Yuva Sena this year at the same venue where the parent party was born more than four decades ago. The Mumbai police officially communicated its decision to deny permission to hold the rally at Shivaji Park under a Bombay High Court order issued earlier this month. Acting on a public interest litigation, the court had declared Shivaji Park a silent zone with public rallies allowed only on January 26 (Republic Day), May 1 (Maharashtra Day) and death anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar (December 6). “We have refused permission to the Shiv Sena to hold its Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park,” Assistant Commissioner of Police Madhukar Sankhe told reporters today. The party’s leaders had applied for police permission to hold its rally here as per the normal procedure. The Shiv Sena has, however, reacted angrily to the rejection of its request. “We will appeal before the Bombay High Court for permission to hold the rally here,” senior Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi told reporters here. According to Joshi, the rally is a regular feature at Shivaji Park, which was nearly 45-year-old.
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Pune blast accused’s kin, friends under lens
Mumbai, September 27 Police suspect that some of them may have allowed the attackers to use their bank accounts to route funds from abroad. Bilal’s father and brother have been questioned by the Anti-Terrorism Squad. Their bank accounts and passbooks were also scrutinised, the police said. Some close associates, including childhood friends of the two, are also being questioned. However no arrests have been made so far. The police say relatives and friends of the two men who have travelled abroad are being also questioned. Bilal’s brother Samir is being questioned at length by the sleuths. Baig, the alleged mastermind behind the Pune blast, is suspected to have set up several modules of the Lashkar-e-Toiba in parts of Maharashtra and may have used the intelligence apparatus of the terror organisation to move funds to the group members, add cops.
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TDP leader found dead
Hyderabad, September 27 Pandu, hails from Krishna and had contested the Assembly elections unsuccessfully on three occasions. The police however, ruled out any political conspiracy in the murder and said real estate transactions could be the possible cause. Pandu had came to Hyderabad two days ago on some personal work. Pandu was the right hand man of former Minister Daveneni Rajasekhar when he was in the TDP. Though he subsequently crossed over to the Congress, Pandu continued in the TDP. Pandu was one of the accused in the murder of Congress MLA Vangaveti Mohan Ranga in 1988. But subsequently he was acquitted.
— PTI
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BJP meet to decide Bihar candidates
New Delhi, September 27 Though the BJP CEC had to decide on less than a score of seats, which the party was contesting in this phase, it held back any announcement failing a final consensus on the choice of candidates. The BJP, a coalition partner of the ruling JD-U, is contesting only 103 of the 243 seats in Bihar, leaving the rest to its senior partner, the JD-U.
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Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee today said she would request Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to visit Darjeeling and would submit a report to him seeking a special package for the hills...
Chennai, September 27
Suspense continues over the fate of 60-yr-old Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute even though one of the main petitioners on the Hindu side today made his intentions of mediation in the matter clear.
Arriving here on the eve of the judgment day in the Supreme Court, the representatives of Nirmohee
Akhara, which has been seeking the right to offer prayers at the disputed site, told The Tribune that they would plead to the apex court to consider mediated talks in the matter, which has tremendous law and order implications for Ayodhya as well as the country.
