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Kabul Seige
Certain areas need AFSPA: Army Chief
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Narendra Modi
Sand mining
Undertrial hangs himself in Lucknow jail; probe ordered
Dara Encounter
Come for talks, Gogoi urges ULFA hawks
Don’t marry any CPM worker, TMC leader tells cadre
Vijay Bahuguna
Beef fest turns Osmania varsity into battlefield
HC takes note of AP top cops’ spat
Andhra women farmers want Bt cotton banned
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Antony urges Army to be vigilant
Ashok Tuteja/TNS
New Delhi, April
16 Addressing the biannual army commanders’ conference here, Defence Minister A K Antony asked the top brass of the Indian Army to be vigilant and take steps keeping in view the terror attacks in Afghanistan. He, however, made it clear that India was committed to providing support and assistance to Afghanistan so that it evolved into a stable country, strengthened by pluralism and free from external interference. External Affairs Minister SM Krishna conveyed his profound concern over the violence in the trouble-torn nation to President Hamid Karzai and the people of Afghanistan. “Indian believes that the people of Afghanistan will have to settle issues among themselves in a civilised manner without resorting to mindless violence,’’ he said. Krishna said it was India’s earnest desire that normalcy would be restored in Afghanistan so that the country could move ahead and develop itself. Meanwhile, Antony, in his address, also referred to the sharp increase in its defence spending by China. “We will continue to bolster our infrastructure and strengthen our capabilities along the border areas. However, our efforts are focused on safeguarding our security interests and not dictated by what other nations are doing,” he added. On the modernisation of armed forces, the minister said the government’s endeavour was to provide the desired impetus to arming the forces in a systematic manner. “There is clearly an urgent need to achieve self-reliance in the field of critical defence equipment.’’
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Certain areas need AFSPA: Army Chief
New Delhi, April 16 "Everyone knows what our view is on this subject. It is based on functional requirement and how the Army is supposed to be in a particular area," he told reporters here when asked to comment on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). "It would be better if you ask the Home Ministry on this issue," Singh said when asked whether laws like AFSPA were required in the backdrop of Taliban attacks in Afghanistan and their likely impact in
India. He said the Defence Minister had asked the armed forces to monitor the happenings in the neighbourhood as its fallout could be felt in the country someday or other. — PTI
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Non-Cong CMs chalk out strategy against NCTC
New Delhi, April
16 Jayalalithaa led the charge against the NCTC at today’s chief ministers’ conference on internal security, presided over by the PM. Patnaik and Modi followed suit, assembling later at the Tamil Nadu House, ostensibly to discuss their strategy for May
5. Those opposing NCTC also include Trinamool Congress leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. At the meeting, Jayalalithaa focused on the Centre-state relations. She quickly turned the Tamil Nadu House into a hub of anti-UPA government
activity. She accused the Centre of "constant attempts to reduce states to the level of glorified municipal corporation heavily dependent on the Centre for funds," adding that the Centre was “encroaching upon the powers of the states through the National Counter Terrorism Centres (NCTC) in contravention of the constitutional provisions which place police in the state
list.” Modi underplayed the NCTC issue commending the Centre for agreeing to postponing the issue to May 5, adding “In view of the fact that the NCTC will now be discussed separately, I presume that the item stands removed from today’s agenda and I reserve my
comments.” Modi attacked the Centre for being too soft on terrorism saying, “It puzzles me as to what a helpless situation we are put into. Even we are unable to bring the perpetrators of terror to justice. I urge the Union Government to pay attention to such issues as it impacts our internal
security.” The Gujarat CM also criticised the Centre for the recent controversy with the Army Chief saying, "It is unfortunate that the present Union Government has failed to instill faith about our defence preparedness in the common man," he said.
He said the internal security of the country cannot be viewed in isolation as it is intertwined with the external security scenario.
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SC sets 10-daydeadline for MoEF
R Sedhuraman Legal Correspondent
New Delhi, April 16 A Bench comprising Justices KS Radhakrishnan and CK Prasad passed an order after Attorney General GE Vahanvati, appearing for the project, said the construction had been hit due to a Rajasthan High Court order banning sand mining on the river-bed. The HC had cited February 27, 2012 SC verdict stipulating that mining could be allowed in river basins only with MoEF clearance. The AG said river sand was necessary for ensuring quality of the metro constructions. The Bench clarified it had banned only illegal mining. Appearing for the MoEF, Additional Solicitor General Mohan Jain said the ministry was ready to consider the plea for the metro project. Upon this, the Bench granted liberty to the project management to seek permission for sand mining in areas measuring less than five hectares. In the February verdict, the SC had expressed “deep concern” over Haryana’s move to allow quarrying in the river beds of Yamuna, Tangri, Markanda and Ghaggar and in the Krishnavati and Dohan river basins through auction. “Rivers mentioned in the auction notices are on the foothills of the fragile Shivalik hills. Shivalik hills are the source of rivers like Ghaggar, Tangri and Markanda,” a Bench comprising Justices Radhakrishnan and Prasad had noted.
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Undertrial hangs himself in Lucknow jail; probe ordered
Lucknow, April
16 After coming to know about the suicide, the discovery of the suicide, DIG jail S Kulshreshtha and other senior officers rushed to the jail and the body was brought down in their presence. There was no visible injury mark on the body. No suicide note has been found from the
spot. DIG Kulshreshtha said Ram Das had been depressed due to his chronic respiratory problem caused by a fungal infection, which may have forced him to take his life. “Exact cause of death will be ascertained after post-mortem report is available”, said the
DIG. Originally a resident of Farukhabad, he had been living with his wife and two sons in Sarojini nagar area of Lucknow. He had been arrested eight months ago after clashing with a neighbour. The most high-profile death inside the Lucknow jail took place in June last year when the body of Deputy CMO Dr YS Sachan was found in the jail bathroom. He had been arrested as an accused in the financial irregularities in the multi-crore NRHM
scam. The newly built district jail has around 2,800 prisoners. Between June 2010 and December 2011 around 23 prisoners have died behind bars.
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Jaitley meets Rathore in jail, accuses Cong of misusing CBI
Jaipur, April 16 The Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, who accompanied by several BJP MLAs met Rathore at Jaipur Central Jail here, said the party stands by Rathore whose arrest had no strong ground and slammed the CBI chargesheet. "As a student of law, I read papers of Rathore's case but did not find the facts substantial. A fictional story can be written better than the charge sheet filed by CBI in this case," he said while addressing party workers at BJP state headquarters here after meeting Rathore. "If a citizen has to lose liberty on the basis of wrong facts, it is shameful. We can say that there is no rule of law in the country if the CBI can file such a charge sheet," he said, adding that the party would continue its protests against the arrest. "The law will take its course if our worker has committed something wrong, but if he is arrested only because he is from the BJP, the entire party is with him," Jaitley said. Jaitely said that the CBI is a "tool for the Congress for carrying out its political agenda. But we will fight." He said that the SP and the BSP support the UPA government because their heads fear action against them in corruption cases lodged against them with the CBI. "In fact, the CBI functions to save the UPA government," Jaitely said, alleging that the party leaders in Gujarat were also being harassed by investigation agencies. — PTI
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Come for talks, Gogoi urges ULFA hawks
Guwahati, April 16 He said on the occasion of Rongali Bihu, the people of Assam were aspiring for an atmosphere of peace, overall development and prosperity. “Those militants who are still holding to their guns should respect the wishes of the people and come over for dialogue by giving up arms,” Gogoi said. Notwithstanding the efforts of the government, the anti-talks faction of the ULFA led by fugitive ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh Barua, has remained
elusive. The ULFA faction is trying hard to regroup after setting up a fresh base in Myanmar in coordination with other insurgent groups like the NSCN-K. Though one faction of the ULFA comprising all the senior leaders and led by its chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa has entered into a truce and has been holding dialogue with the Centre, the government well understands that a permanent solution to the problem will not be possible sans Paresh Barua’s participation in the dialogue process. Paresh Barua has stuck to the pre-condition of discussion of the ‘demand for sovereignty of Assam’ for holding talks with the
Centre.
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Don’t marry any CPM worker, TMC leader tells cadre
Kolkata, April 16 Mallick, Food and Supplies Minister, came out with this plea as a way out for Trinamool Congress workers to keep distance from cadres of the ruling party’s arch rival CPM to put up an all-out fight against the
Marxists. “Don’t mingle with CPM workers. Don’t talk to them. Don’t establish any marriage relation with CPM cadre,” he told a party meeting at Habra in North 24-Parganas last night. Mallick said, “We cannot fight the CPM all out if we keep any relation with
them.” Urging the party workers to maintain distance from the CPM cadre and local leaders, he said, “Don’t gossip with them even at tea stalls.” Trinamool Congress workers should continue to do so till panchayat elections and beyond, he said. — PTI
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Feud continues to divide U’khand Cong
Dehradun, April 16 Vijaya Bahuguna, Congress MP from Tehri Garhwal Lok Sabha seat who was appointed by the party high command as Chief Minister last month after a fragile victory in the state Assembly polls has to enter the state Assembly within six months. Since the Congress has only one seat more than the opposition BJP in the state Assembly, efforts were made by the Congress managers to persuade an opposition BJP legislator to vacate his seat in favour of the Chief
Minister. However, Harish Rawat, who has been unhappy for not being offered the post of the Chief Minister, has thrown a spanner in the works. In a statement, he said the decision to engineer a “defection” amongst opposition BJP would be morally wrong and could trigger unrest in the state with the Opposition hitting the
streets. Most of the Congress leaders view his statement as an attempt to add to the problems of the already beleaguered Chief Minister Bahuguna. Harish Rawat had raised a banner of revolt against the decision of the party high command to choose Bahuguna as Chief Minister. He, along with his supporter legislators, sat on a dharna at his New Delhi residence against the decision of the party high command for a fortnight. To placate Harish Rawat, his supporters were adjusted in the Bahuguna Cabinet.
One of his loyalists Mahendra Singh Mahra, who recently lost Assembly polls, was given a Rajya Sabha seat while another of his supporters, Govind Singh Kunjwal, was made the Assembly Speaker. But it did not bury their differences and the fresh salvo by Harish Rawat has annoyed Bahuguna
supporters. Satpal Maharaj, Pauri Garhwal, Congress MP who had earlier criticised Harish Rawat for allegedly blackmailing the party high command, in a statement here today said that if any of the Opposition legislators offers his or her seat for the Chief Minister Bahuguna, it would be
welcome. He reminded Rawat that the tradition of getting an Opposition legislator to vacate a seat for the Chief Minister was started by the Opposition BJP when Lt Gen TPS Rawat (retd), a Congress legislator, resigned from the party and vacated his Assembly segment for the then Chief Minister Maj Gen BC Khanduri (retd) in
2007. Meanwhile, Dhirendra Pratap, Uttarakhand Congress spokesperson, also accused Harish Rawat of teaching ethics to party leaders when he himself indulged in
rebellion. The party leaders are also divided on the issue of having a new Uttarakhand Congress Chief. Yashpal Arya, the present Uttarakhand Congress President, has been inducted in the Bahuguna cabinet and Harish Rawat has started pressurising the party high command to appoint Pardeep Tamta, Congress MP from Almora or Mayukh Singh Mahar, Congress legislator from Pithoragarh, as state Congress chief.
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Beef fest turns Osmania varsity into battlefield
Hyderabad, April
16 A student was stabbed and several vehicles were set afire in the violence triggered by beef festival, which was projected as an assertion of Dalit identity and food culture.
Supported by a section of the faculty and Dalit intellectuals, the festival was organised by Dalit and left-wing student groups, demanding that beef be served in the university hostels. Over 500 students and some professors attended the festival where beef delicacies were prepared and
served. However, the trouble broke out when a group of students opposing the festival clashed with the organisers and tried to disrupt the event. The rival groups fought pitched battles in the campus which continued till late in the night. A student was stabbed by miscreants leading to tension on the
campus. The police had a tough time in controlling the clashes. They lobbed teargas shells and baton-charged the students to bring the situation under control. At one stage, the situation appeared to be slipping out of control when a section of students belonging to the ABVP tried to stop the beef festival and clashed with the organisers. At least five persons were injured in the violence while two vehicles were set ablaze by the angry students. The campus remained tense today with some student organizations calling for a bandh. The ABVP activists, who are opposed to serving beef in the hostels on the ground that it would hurt the religious sentiments, took out a rally and staged a demonstration before the office of the Vice-Chancellor V Satyanarayana. The Vice-Chancellor assured that there would be no change in the hostel menu. At present, chicken, mutton and eggs form the non-vegetarian menu at the university hostels. For Dalit activists, food has become the new mode of assertion of their identity. “Beef is part of our food culture. But, a section of the upper caste students have been ridiculing and insulting our culture. We want to end this hegemony,” said B Sudarshan, a Dalit research scholar and organiser of the
festival. Justifying the beef festival, noted Dalit writer and academician Kancha Ilaiah said that it was a fight against “food fascism” being imposed by the upper castes for generations. “The Dalit students are justified in demanding that their food culture be respected.
In democracy, the rights of individuals have to be protected,” he said. On their part, the ABVP representatives argued that some elements were playing caste politics in the name of food culture and vitiating the campus atmosphere.
However, Sudarshan alleged that the entire drama of opposing the beef festival was orchestrated by the local BJP legislator G Kishan Reddy. “He sent about about 200 to 300 rowdy elements from the city to attack us even as the beef festival was going on peacefully.”
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HC takes note of AP top cops’ spat
Hyderabad, April 16 The two senior IPS officers have been at loggerheads, hurling mutual charges. In an unprecedented move, the court ordered a probe into the assets of the DGP and also into allegations of misappropriation of funds against Umesh Kumar who is presently the chairman of Godavari Valley Development
Authority. The court directed the state government to appoint an officer, who is senior to both of them, to conduct an inquiry into their allegations and submit a report within four months. The development is seen as a major embarrassment to the police
force. While Umesh Kumar had accused the DGP of amassing illegal wealth and concealing the property transactions of his wife, Dinesh Reddy charged his colleague with misappropriation of funds during his stint with “Grey Hounds”, an elite anti-Maoist outfit of the state police. A forgery case is also pending against Umesh in the high
court. There is speculation in political circles that the government might ask both officers to go on leave pending completion of the probe. Justice Ramesh Ranganathan of the high court directed state Chief Secretary Pankaj Dwivedi to appoint a high-level officer of an IAS or IPS rank within two weeks to conduct the probe against the warring cops, both belonging to 1977 batch.
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Andhra women farmers want Bt cotton banned
Hyderabad, April 15 The anti-GMO campaign is being spearheaded in the state by Deccan Development Society (DDS), an NGO working in area of environment and women empowerment. Women farmers across Medak district in Telangana region held the demonstration and submitted a memorandum to the district collector, demanding a ban on Bt cotton
crop. The protesters argued that the Bt cotton was not only environmentally unsafe but was also wreaking havoc on the farm economies. The farmers, who were lured by Bt seed manufacturers and dealers with dreams of great returns, could not get even 50 per cent of the promised
yields. The women farmers, who predominantly cultivate native varieties of millets, demanded a total ban on Bt cotton in the district and filing of criminal cases against Bt seed dealers. The agitators burnt an effigy of “GMO demon” as mark of protest. “Since the introduction of Bt cotton, the food crop cultivation has been declining in Medak. This district has been famous for growing millets and these crops have traditionally protected the food and nutritional security of the population, the memo
said. According to studies conducted in the district by DDS, the yields from Bt cotton is around 500-800 kgs per acre under dry land conditions and 1000-1200 kgs per acre under irrigated conditions. As per current market rates, the net income of the dry land Bt Cotton farmers is a mere Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 per
acre. “This has come as a rude shock to cotton farmers who were dreaming of great gains. Apart from this, the dry land farmers have learnt from Bt cotton farmers in Warangal that cattle which grazed on Bt cotton refuse have died of toxicity,” the memo said.
On a warpath l
The women farmers across Medak district in Telangana region held demonstration and later submitted a memorandum to the district collector, demanding a ban on Bt cotton
crop l
The protesters argued that the Bt cotton was environmentally
unsafe l
Farmers lured by Bt seed manufacturers and dealers with dreams of great returns, could not get even 50 per cent of the promised yields, they said
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India today strongly condemned the coordinated terrorist strikes by the Taliban in Afghanistan and said the security situation in the Af-Pak region continued to be a cause of concern to New
Delhi.
A “food war” broke out in the volatile Osmania University campus here when Dalit student groups organised “Beef Festival” as part of a campaign to demand inclusion of beef in the hostel
mess.
