The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Unwell Anna begins fast in Mumbai
Venue packed to capacity, crowds threaten to spill out z Handful of protesters come out against Hazare
Shiv Kumar/TNS

A man in a Hazare mask holds up a placard on the first day of his fast at MMRDA grounds in Mumbai. Tribune photo: Manas Ranjan Bhui & PTI

Mumbai, December 27
Battling viral fever, cold and a sore throat, Anna Hazare began his three-day fast in pursuit of a strong Lokpal at the MMRDA grounds here.

Hazare, who arrived here late last evening from his village Ralegan Siddhi, camped at the government guesthouse for the night. He began his day today by paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Juhu beach. From there he went in a procession to the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), the venue of his fast.

As the anti-graft crusader left for the MMRDA grounds, around 20 youths blocked the path of his cavalcade, displayed black flags and shouted 'Anna Hazare murdabad'. There were a few anxious moments for security personnel but the police soon dispersed the protesters.

The procession wound its way through the thickly populated areas of Santa Cruz, Tulip Star Hotel, Mithibai College, Swami Vivekananda Road, Vile Parle, Khar and Bandra Highway before turning into the BKC area.

Hazare rode atop a flower-bedecked truck waving to supporters who had line the road throughout the two-and-half hour journey. Accompanying him were prominent Team Anna members Kiran Bedi and Arvind Kejriwal.

The crowds were thin to begin with at the MMRDA grounds, but by afternoon people left their offices in the commercial complex and young people from the scores of advertising, financial institutions and brokerages that dot the area entered the grounds sporting 'I am Anna' caps. By early evening, the grounds were packed to capacity and crowds threatened to spill out on to the streets.

A rally in progress in support of Anna’s crusade, in New Delhi on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Manas Ranjan Bhui & PTI

There was a minor drama at the grounds as Bedi and Kejriwal pleaded with a visibly tired Hazare to call off his hunger strike. "We request him to continue with the dharna instead," Bedi exhorted.

However, the veteran activist refused to relent and began his fast after a speech and slogans like ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Inquilab Zindabad’. "I am not ill at all. I get strength from the support of the people," Hazare said. The 74-year admitted he had fever.

He went on to say that he did not fear death. "I am not afraid to die. I have decided that I will die for the country and I will work for the good of the country as long as I live," Hazare said.

"I've been fighting against corruption for the last 35 years and I own nothing. I only have a plate, a bed and some space inside a temple to sleep. I've not visited my family in 35 years, but now the whole country is my family," Hazare said.

Criticising the government for stalling a strong Lokpal law, Hazare accused it of trying to hoodwink the people. “Soon the people will teach the government a lesson,” Hazare said. “They have not seen what people power is. It is more powerful than Parliament,” he added.

Anna’s supporters were upbeat and cheered him on. “I have come from Delhi to join in the fast. I was at the Ramlila grounds in Delhi in August and now I am here to support Anna. I will join the protest anywhere in the country," said Avdesh Amrit, a small businessman from Noida.

Avdesh was joined by several others from North India, who have booked rooms in small lodges in Mumbai for the next few days. "We will also participate in the jail bharo agitation," he said.

On stage, India Against Corruption invited people to share their experiences about corruption. A wheelchair-bound teenager related how she struggled to get her school certificates and finally ended up paying a bribe.

A number of yuppies participating in the protests said they were fed up of corruption and didn't want their children to grow up in a corrupt country.

Among celebrities, the earliest to join in was actor Anupam Kher who took the stage to hit out at the Congress-led government at the Centre.

HC: Citizens have right to fast

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday dismissed a PIL seeking directions to restrain Anna Hazare's three-day fast and 'jail bharo' stir, observing that the citizens had the right to protest. A similar PIL challenging Hazare's fast filed by social worker Mangleshwar Tripathi will come up before the Bombay High Court on Wednesday.

Soon the people will teach the government a lesson. They have not seen what people power is. It is more powerful than Parliament.
— Anna Hazare

Nationwide protests against ‘weak’ Lokpal

Jammu/Chennai, December 27
As Anna Hazare embarked on his fast in Mumbai and Team Anna held fort in Delhi today, scattered protests by his supporters against a "weak" Lokpal Bill were reported elsewhere in the country.

Supporters of the 74-year-old launched dharnas in Chandigarh, Jammu, Kolkata, Chennai and Bangalore among other cities but reports suggested that the stir received a less than enthusiastic response.

Nearly 50 Team Anna supporters were taken into custody by the Chandigarh Police near the Sector 17 inter-state bus terminus for holding a protest demonstration in the Union Territory without permission. However, a Team Anna member in Chandigarh called the police action as undemocratic.

In Kolkata, a handful of his supporters sat on a dharna in front of Mahajati Sadan. Holding placards, they raised slogans saying, "We support Anna. Anna go ahead, we are with you."

Braving the cold, around 200 activists of 17 social, trade, religious and community organisations under the banner 'Jammu and Kashmir - India Against Corruption’ launched a protest dharna in Jammu outside the Press Club premises.

Expressing solidarity with Hazare, his supporters in Chennai commenced a fast. "While 26 people will fast continuously for three days, over 100 have lent their support. We expect more people to join as some have said they want to join from tomorrow," Banu Gomes, media coordinator of India Against Corruption (IAC) said at the venue, a marriage hall lent by superstar Rajnikant. — PTI

Friendlier B’desh to address security issues in N-E
Vijay Mohan/TNS

Chandigarh, December 27
With bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh improving, there has also been a marked change in the attitude of Bangladesh military officers, who are becoming increasingly amicable towards their Indian counterparts.

The improvement in relations also has ramifications on the regional security environment as well as Indian efforts in combating insurgency in the North-East.

A significant change in Bangladesh is that the role of the Indian armed forces in its liberation is being now openly acknowledged. This was witnessed during the annual Victory Day celebrations on December 16 to mark the birth of the country.

This is the impression of a delegation of Indian war veterans who took part in the 1971 operations. They recently returned from Dhaka after participating in the Victory Day functions on an invitation from Bangladesh.

“Earlier, prominence was given only to the Bangadeshi Mukti Bahini guerilla fighters during such functions. But now, the Bangladeshi establishment openly gives due credit to the Indian armed forces,” said Lt Gen HS Panag (retd), one of the senior-most officer in the delegation. During the 1971 war, he was a company commander with 4 Sikh that was awarded the Battle Honour Siromony and Theatre Honour Jessore for its contribution.

Photo exhibitions organised in Dhaka and elsewhere on the occasion also displayed the famous picture of the then military ruler of East Pakistan, Lt Gen AAK Niazi, signing the instrument of surrender in the presence of the then GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, Lt Gen JS Aurora and other Indian commanders. Several other pictures of Indian commanders and troops had also been put up.

The delegation included 19 war veterans, including one each from the Air Force and the Navy. Among them was Air Vice Marshal BK Bishnoi who had led a devastating air raid on the presidential palace, then known as the Governor’s Residence, in Dhaka.

At the same place - 40 years later - he, along with his companions, was a guest at a reception hosted by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Serving as the commanding officer of the “First Supersonics”, a MiG-21 squadron based in the east, Air Vice Marshal Bishnoi was decorated with the Vir Chakra. He was also able to give his companions a realistic briefing on the layout of the compound, the angle and direction of approach and the assessed damage. The Naval officer, Rear Admiral SK Gupta, had, as a lieutenant commander in 1971, commanded the air wing on INS Vikrant and was decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra for carrying out over a dozen strike missions on high-profile targets.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina too acknowledged the role of the Indian armed forces in 1971. The Bangladeshi President and Prime Minister has specifically called for the delegation and spent time with it.

Apart from visiting several places of historic importance, the delegation also called upon the Bangladeshi service chiefs, the Principal Staff Officer, Armed Forces Division and attended the Victory Day parade and wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial.

General Panag said that unlike in India, all war memorials in Bangladesh were very well maintained and “there is a lesson in it for India to learn”.

Security experts point out that improved Indo-Bangladesh relations would be advantageous to India in combating insurgency in the North-East.

Black money in polls: EC writes to political parties

New Delhi, December 27
In order to curb the use of black money during Assembly polls in five states, the Election Commission has written to all political parties asking them to avoid cash transactions and instruct their cadres not to carry huge cash during elections.

The commission, in this context, has written a letter to all recognised political parties in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur, enlisting the steps it has undertaken to "curb use of money power during elections".

"In order to maintain the purity of elections and in particular to bring transparency in the process of elections, it is advised that political parties avoid transactions in cash and should instruct their office bearers, officials, agents and candidates not to carry huge cash during the ensuing process of elections," the EC wrote in its December 26 letter.

The commission has advised candidates to open separate bank accounts for their election expenses and to make all election expenses through the said bank accounts.

The EC has also issued fresh directions to the chiefs of Income Tax (Investigation) department in all these states to ‘keep vigil over’ financial brokers and hawala agents including keeping track on illegal movement of cash at airports and through other transit locations. — PTI

Samaritan from Haryana ensures free food for all

Mumbai, December 27
As activist Anna Hazare sought to egg on the crowd at the MMRDA ground here to fight for a strong Lokpal Bill, a good samaritan from Haryana kept them going by serving unlimited free food to all.

Swami Param Chaitanya Maharaj from Jan Seva Sansthan supervised the cooking and serving of food to Hazare supporters since 9 am. "We served poha and tea for breakfast, and puri, sabzi, dal and rice for lunch," Chaitanya Maharaj, who has set up 'Anna ki Rasoi' said.

"We have come prepared to feed 50,000 people in these three days. We have teamed up with Mumbai-based Giriraj Seva Samiti and hired local help," he added.

Chaityna Maharaj said 50 India Against Corruption (IAC) volunteers and 60 hired help are working to cook and serve food till midnight.

"My organisation had provided free food to those agitating with Anna at Ramlila Maidan in August and had served over 12,000 people," Chaitanya Maharaj said.

"Here we are expecting to serve many more people as we are the only organisation serving food here. There were five organisations serving free food in Delhi," he said. — IANS

Film stars, NRIs in Kerala BPL list

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 27
Kerala's list of below poverty line (BPL) households includes some film stars and non-resident Indians (NRIs), a minister said today, adding that the "mistake" will be corrected.

"I do not want to name the film stars, but the truth has been found out that they, along with some NRIs, figure in the BPL list. We are soon going to rectify this," state minister for Food and Civil Supplies Shibhu Baby John told reporters here. He added that some 23,000 government employees too were named in the BPL list.

As per the current figures compiled by the Kerala Government, the state has close to 20 lakh BPL households, with another 56 lakh households classified as above poverty line (APL). A BPL card holder (one per family) gets 25 kg of rice monthly at Re 1 per kg, while those in the APL list get the same quantity at Rs 2, besides other benefits. — IANS

26/11: Headley’s estranged wife’s statement may nail Hafeez

New Delhi, December 27
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) will soon send a Letter Rogatory to Morocco for recording a statement of Pakistani-American terrorist David Headley's estranged Moroccan wife to get more evidence against him as well as LeT founder Hafeez Saeed.

The decision to send the judicial document to Morocco was taken sometime back and the probe agency was giving final touches before it approaches the special court for issuance of the request, official sources said today.

The sources said Faiza Outalha, the estranged wife of Headley, could be of help in nailing the lies of Saeed, the Lashker-e-Taiba(LeT) boss who has been attempting to throw a veil to his terror activities under the garb of being associated with humantarian activities of Jamaat-ul-Dawa(JuD).

Outalha had met Saeed and complained about Headley to him and besides that she had also gone to the US Embassy in Islamabad to complain against the American-born terrorist and his role with terror groups like LeT and Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islami, the sources said.

The statement was being recorded as a witness as of now, the sources said.

Outalha had been able to give security agencies an insight into the personal life of Headley which inlcuded connections he had in Mumbai, including with some socialites. She was married to 50-year-old Headley in February 2007 but they were divorced a year later.

Outalha had flown to Mumbai from Karachi and crossed over through Wagah border into India the second time. She had come for the first time in 2007 and stayed with the terror suspect in Taj Mahal Hotel and later in Oberoi-Trident.

Both the luxury hotels were targeted by the terrorists during the Mumbai terror attack in November 2008. She had again come in May 2008 via Wagah and went straight to Manali where she was on a holiday near a Jewish house and later toured some areas of Shimla including nearby Kufri, a popular tourist destination.

While she claimed that she had since been divorced as Headley was allegedly having relations with several women, the investigators also got information from her about his alleged links with some upcoming Bollywood actors, prominent party-hoppers of Mumbai and socialites. — PTI

Cold wave in Bihar ends encephalitis epidemic

Patna, December 27
The cold wave sweeping across Bihar has proved to be a blessing in disguise for the authorities trying to control an epidemic of Japanese encephalitis in Gaya district as no fresh case has been reported in the last ten days, officials on Tuesday said.

The last case of suspected Japanese encephalitis was admitted to the Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College and Hospital (ANMCH) on December 16.

"After that, no fresh case was reported. The disease is fully under control thanks to the cold wave," Dr AK Ravi, the hospital's paediatrics department head, said.

Gaya is reeling under cold wave conditions. The district continued to be the coldest place in Bihar with a minimum temperature of 3.6 degrees Celsius recorded Monday. Last week, Gaya’s temperature hovered around 4 to 5 degrees Celsius.

ANMCH’s superintendent Sitaram Prasad said the hospital has decided to inform the government that the disease was finally under control. — IANS

Odisha puts Posco infra works on hold

Bhubaneswar, December 27
With all works including construction of the coastal road connecting proposed Posco plant site with Paradip port stalled following a clash, the Odisha Government today said it would wait for the ground situation to normalise before resuming project activities.

"We have sought a report from the ground. The government will review the situation before taking any decision on resumption of activities at Posco's proposed plant site," Orissa Chief Secretary BK Patnaik told reporters.

The proposed coastal road that was considered crucial for Posco's mega steel project was stalled after a clash between project opponents and the contractor group on December 14. One person was killed and about two dozen injured sparking statewide uproar. — PTI

Andhra, TN on alert as cyclone ‘Thane’ threatens coast

The cyclonic formation named ‘Thane’ is likely to turn into a severe cyclonic storm and cause extensive damage while crossing the coast between Cuddalore and Nellore by the morning of December 30

Hyderabad, December 27
An alert was sounded along the Andhra coast as a cyclonic storm formation in the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify and hit the coast between north Tamil Nadu and south coastal Andhra on December 30, the weather office said on Tuesday.

The Andhra Pradesh Government put the administration in the coastal districts, especially in the south coastal region, on alert as the cyclonic formation named 'Thane' is likely to turn into a severe cyclonic storm and cause extensive damage while crossing the coast between Cuddalore and Nellore by the morning of December 30.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclonic storm over southeast Bay of Bengal lay centred about 750 km east-southeast of Chennai.

The system is likely to move west-northwestwards, intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Wednesday and cross north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coast between Cuddalore and Nellore by the morning of December 30.

Dozens of fishermen in Guntur district who had ventured into the sea were reported missing as their families have lost contact with them. The officials began frantic efforts to trace the fishermen who had gone into the sea in 32 boats.

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, who reviewed the cyclone situation at a meeting with top officials here, directed the collectors of Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore districts to be on alert and evacuate people wherever necessary. Revenue Minister Raghuveera Reddy told reporters that all steps were being taken to minimise the loss of lives and property due to the cyclone.

According to an IMD bulletin, the cyclonic storm may cause extensive damage to thatched roofs and huts, minor damage to power and communication lines due to uprooting of large trees and also flooding of escape routes.

The weather office has suggested total suspension of fishing operations and evacuation of coastal hutment dwellers. It advised people in affected areas to remain indoors.

Warning signal two has been hoisted at all ports on the Andhra coast and fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea, said officials at the Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre. — IANS

ATS arrests suspected terrorist

Lucknow, December 27
A suspected terrorist, wanted in a number of cases including the murder of a top district official, was arrested by the ATS from the Alambagh area here, the police said today.

Mohammad Rehan of Kanpur was arrested by the Anti-Terrorism Squad team yesterday following a tip-off. He had been absconding since 2001.

Rehan was wanted in a number of cases in Kanpur district, including the murder of ADM city CP Pathak and hurling bombs at PAC trucks in 2001, the police said.

After 2001, Rehan fled to Delhi and later settled in the Alambagh area after changing his name to Raj Ahmad. He had also succeeded in getting a voter ID, bank account and driving licence.

Rehan is currently lodged at Moolganj police station in Kanpur. — PTI

Police fires in air to quell anti-dam protesters in Assam

Chauldhowa, December 27
The police fired in the air and burst teargas shells for the second day here today to evict protesters demonstrating against the construction of a hydro-electric project at Lakhimpur, even as authorities held talks with KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi to resolve the standoff.

The police acted on protesters who blocked NH-52 on the border of Lakhimpur-Dhemaji districts in Assam that links Arunachal Pradesh and pelted stones at security forces.

In a bid to resolve the confrontation between the administration and protesters, Lakhimpur district deputy commissioner Anwaruddin Choudhury held a meeting with Krishak Mukti Sangram Samity (KMSS) general secretary Akhil Gogoi.

For withdrawing the 11-day blockade, Gogoi gave three conditions: the government hold talks with the protesters, the arrested protesters be released and those injured in the lathicharge be given medical care and the protesters be allowed to re-establish their camps damaged yesterday.

The deputy commissioner agreed to the first two conditions but declined to accept the last demand.

Continuing their blockade since December 16, thousands of protesters demonstrating against construction of the 2000 MW Lower Subansiri Hydro-electric Project at Lakhimpur re-assembled here this morning to continue with their indefinite road blockade on the highway.

The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) that is constructing the Lower Subansiri Project has also said it is ready to hold discussions with the protesters for ending the imbroglio. — PTI

Kolkata cops ‘hum’ Kolaveri to rein in errant bikers

Kolkata, December 27
Smitten by the national rage ‘Kolaveri Di’ sung by south Indian film star Dhanush, the Kolkata Traffic Police is literally humming ‘Why this herogiri di?’ these days, urging errant bikers to wear helmets.

In a novel idea to promote safe riding, the Kolkata Police have put up signboards with the slogan ‘Why this herogiri di?’ across streets in the city, asking bike riders to wear helmets and ride safely.

"During the year-end, bikers while enjoying themselves, often do not wear helmets and ride rashly. So we came up with this catchy line to attract the attention of errant riders," police commissioner RK Pachnanda said. "We want them to be happy but at the same time they must follow safety rules," he added.

Signboards show two riders on a bike without helmets. Above them is written ‘Why this herogiri, herogiri, herogiri di?’ and below is an appeal to wear helmets. The hoardings have been put up strategically across important and busy crossings and streets in the city.

Dhanush and song composer Aniruddh had performed the phenomenal hit in Kolkata on Christmas amid thousands of screaming and cheering fans. —IANS

2 held for hoax bomb threat to PM’s flight

Chennai, December 27
Two persons are being questioned by the police here today for allegedly making a hoax bomb threat to the special aircraft of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to Tamil Nadu.

A call was received by the Pallavaram police station on the city outskirts around 1 pm yesterday stating that a bomb had been planted on the aircraft in which the Prime Minister was proceeding to Tiruchirapalli enroute to Karaikudi to attend two functions, the police said.

Though the flight had already landed in Tiruchirapalli airport by the time the call came, searches were still carried out in the flight which proved the call to be a hoax, they said. Tracing the call to a mobile phone, the police detained two persons from the Poonamallee area here, for making the call. — PTI