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THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS
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N A T I O N

Anna sticks with IAC banner, VK Singh not on new panel
New Delhi, November 10
Anna Hazare, with Medha Patkar (L) and Kiran Bedi (R), addresses a press conference in New Delhi on Saturday Anna Hazare and his anti-corruption movement will continue under the original banner, India Against Corruption (IAC).


Anna Hazare, with Medha Patkar (L) and Kiran Bedi (R), addresses a press conference in New Delhi on Saturday. Tribune photo: Mukesh Aggarwal

Cricket ties no dampener on 26/11 probe: Home Secy
New Delhi, November 10
Union Home Minister Sushikumar Shinde and Home Secretary RK Singh (L) in New Delhi on Saturday Even as the resumption of the Indo-Pak cricket ties has been announced and relations between the two countries seem to be improving, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will continue to put pressure on Pakistan.
Union Home Minister Sushikumar Shinde and Home Secretary RK Singh (L) in New Delhi on Saturday. PTI

Karzai tells India Inc not to shy away from Afghanistan
Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai with Union minister Anand Sharma and industrialist Adi Godrej in Mumbai on Saturday Mumbai, November 10
Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai today told India Inc not to be "shy" when it comes to investing in his mineral-rich country.
Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai with Union minister Anand Sharma and industrialist Adi Godrej in Mumbai on Saturday. PTI


An artist gives finishing touches to an idol of Goddess Kali ahead of Divali in Allahabad on Saturday
An artist gives finishing touches to an idol of Goddess Kali ahead of Divali in Allahabad on Saturday — AFP

EARLIER STORIES



Complex laws, long delays frustrating, says President
New Delhi, November 10
President Pranab Mukherjee today acknowledged there “is high degree of public frustration over the complexity of the laws, long delays” and high expenses involved in fighting cases in courts and called for promoting alternative dispute mechanisms like mediation and conciliation.
raging inferno
A man tries to save his scooter from fire that destroyed more than 50 fire-cracker shops in Vadodara on Saturday
A man tries to save his scooter from fire that destroyed more than 50 fire-cracker shops in Vadodara on Saturday. PTI

MLA’s son booked for gangrape
Muzaffarnagar, November 10
A 17-year-old girl was allegedly abducted and gangraped by three persons, including a BSP MLA's son, police said today. The FIR, based on the complaint of the victim, was registered at a police station here yesterday against Naeem, son of BSP MLA Maulana Jameel Ahmad; Nauman, brother-in-law of the MLA and a third unidentified person.

UP may withdraw cases against Varun Gandhi
Lucknow, November 10
The state government is considering withdrawal of criminal cases lodged against BJP Pilibhit MP Varun Gandhi by the Mayawati government for reportedly making inflammatory speeches during the campaigning for the 2009 Lok Sabha election.

Members of Virangana, special woman force of the Assam Police, during introduction of the force in GuwahatiSpecial women police force formed
Guwahati, November 10
The Assam Police has formed a special women police force — “Virangana” (brave woman) — to protect the fair sex from atrocities and abuse on the streets of Guwahati.


Members of Virangana, special woman force of the Assam Police, during introduction of the force in Guwahati. PTI

Bal Thackeray critically ill
Mumbai, November 10
Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray who has been ailing for some time is critically ill, say party sources. Party leaders said doctors, including some specialists, have been called in to attend to him.

 





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Anna sticks with IAC banner, VK Singh not on new panel
Ananya Panda
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 10
Anna Hazare and his anti-corruption movement will continue under the original banner, India Against Corruption (IAC), which saw a split under activist-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal two months ago.

After a five-hour meeting by a 13-member committee today, Anna rubbished talks that the anti-corruption movement was fading away following the team’s split.

Anna also unveiled his new team with a promise of expanding the panel within a month in which former Army chief VK Singh may be a special invitee.

The new faces in the 15-member core committee include agriculture expert Vishambhar Chaudhary, former IAS officer Avinash Dharmadhikari, Punjab former DGP Shashikant and activist Akshay Kumar. The list, however, does not include the name of former Army Chief Gen VK Singh.

A house (B-18) in Sarvodaya Enclave will be their branch office for coordinating the movement in the Capital, while Ralegaon Siddhi will be the headquarters.

“There will be a national campaign against corruption and I will tour the country starting from Bihar on January 30. In the next 18 months, we will make people aware about their rights. The government has to relent and bring Jan Lokpal or it has to go in 2014 (Lok Sabha elections),” said Anna, reasserting his objection to Congress-led Centre’s version of the Bill.

“The work will begin all over again and we have been receiving a lot of suggestions for participation from across the country. We have around 1,000 volunteers across the country whose training will start after Divali. Their names have come up and in the next one month, 40 more people will be included. There will be 50 volunteers in each state to carry on the activity,” he said while briefing reporters at Maharashtra Sadan.

“The government never gave us an SIT and the CBI still functions under the government. No government has given autonomy to the law enforcement agencies. Situation has not changed and so the movement is back,” said former IPS officer Kiran Bedi, who was accompanied by social activist Medha Patkar and theatre artiste Gopal Rai.

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Cricket ties no dampener on 26/11 probe: Home Secy
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 10
Even as the resumption of the Indo-Pak cricket ties has been announced and relations between the two countries seem to be improving, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will continue to put pressure on Pakistan to expedite all pending issues, including the cases relating to handing punishment to those involved in the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

A day after Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray chided Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde for restoring cricket ties with Pakistan, Union Home Secretary RK Singh today made it clear that the decision to engage with Pakistan has been taken by the Ministry of External Affairs.

“The MHA still holds the opinion that the ring leaders of the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks have not been tried by Pakistan and that remains our stand”, RK Singh said while sitting along with Shinde at the ministry’s monthly press conference. The Home Ministry was mandated to provide security for the visiting team and it will be provided ‘full protection’.

Bal Thackeray had yesterday scoffed at Shinde for promising ‘best possible’ security to the Pakistani team, saying he (Shinde) should be bestowed the title of ‘Nishan-e-Pakistan’.

The Home Secretary cited further evidence of the MHA stance saying there has been ‘progress’ with regard to the 26/11 probe. The Indian High Commission in Pakistan has informed that the Pakistan government has moved an application in a Rawalpindi court to expedite the ongoing case against 26/11 accused by conducting a day-to-day hearing.

On implementation of liberalised visa regime, Shinde said, “The government hopes to implement the liberalised visa agreement with Pakistan soon and provide visas to the Pakistani cricket fans.”

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Karzai tells India Inc not to shy away from Afghanistan

Mumbai, November 10
Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai today told India Inc not to be "shy" when it comes to investing in his mineral-rich country and pointed out to them of the gains reaped by the Chinese who invested early in the war-ravaged country.

"Indian businesses need not be shy when thinking of Afghanistan. Chinese businesses were there long before you came - five or six years ago. And they have now taken two or three major contracts," he said, addressing the captains of industry here.

Karzai said his administration would do all things possible and accord special treatment to Indian investors.

"We would like to give you a better platform. We would like to welcome you on a red carpet and others on a grey carpet. But you need to arrive on the red carpet. If you don't arrive on the red carpet, it will get dusty. Therefore, do hurry up in coming and take advantage of the opportunities in Afghanistan," Karzai told industry leaders.

He, however, reminded them that there was strong competition in his country.

“Competition is strong. You now have competition from the West arriving in Afghanistan," said Karzai, who has been the head of government since 2001 following the US intervention and the ouster of the Taliban.

Karzai, on a four-day visit to the country, arrived here yesterday. On the second leg of his visit, he will be in New Delhi where he is expected to ink four pacts in the field of mining, youth affairs, small development projects and fertiliser.

The meeting was organised under the aegis of CII, Ficci and Assocham and the participants included Adi Godrej of CII, Ficci's RV Kanoria, Yes Bank managing director Rana Kapur among others.

China has been among the first to invest in Afghanistan and experts appreciate it as a good move given its geo-political importance as a bridge between South and Central Asia. — PTI

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Complex laws, long delays frustrating, says President
R Sedhuraman
Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, November 10
President Pranab Mukherjee today acknowledged there “is high degree of public frustration over the complexity of the laws, long delays” and high expenses involved in fighting cases in courts and called for promoting alternative dispute mechanisms like mediation and conciliation.

“It is important to recognise that despite the robust, independent and impartial judiciary system we have in our country, the unfortunate reality is that legal disputes can be both protracted and expensive,” the President said while inaugurating a seminar on mediation.

Further, many social conflicts were also turning into legal disputes accentuating the problem, Pranab said. Organised by the Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee of the Supreme Court, the day-long conference was addressed Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and SC judges SS Nijjar, Swatanter Kumar and Madan B Lokur.

Pointing out all the problems involved in fighting cases in courts, the President said, “Promotion and popularisation of alternative methods of dispute settlement is the need of the hour. Alternative dispute resolution mechanism not only facilitates speedier justice but is also a process wherein the parties involved have control over the eventual outcome. This results in quick implementation of the decisions taken and eliminates continued litigation in the form of further appeals.”

Quoting an eminent jurist, Pranab said, “An ounce of mediation was worth a pound of arbitration and a tonne of litigation.”

CJI Kabir recalled various instances where mediation had worked wonders.

Extolling the virtues of mediation, Khurshid said ensuring cordial relations in trade and other fields with other countries was nothing but use of mediation.

Justice Nijjar said mediation was the best way to avoid protracted litigation and the misery as well as to reduce the mounting arrears of cases in courts. In the US, about 90 per cent of disputes were resolved through mediation, he said.

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MLA’s son booked for gangrape

Muzaffarnagar, November 10
A 17-year-old girl was allegedly abducted and gangraped by three persons, including a BSP MLA's son, police said today. The FIR, based on the complaint of the victim, was registered at a police station here yesterday against Naeem, son of BSP MLA Maulana Jameel Ahmad; Nauman, brother-in-law of the MLA and a third unidentified person.

According to the FIR, the minor was abducted by the trio from Basaira village and taken to a nearby jungle where she was gangraped by them. The accused had threatened to kill her if she revealed of the incident to anyone, police said.

Ahmed has denied the charges against his son and brother-in-law. — PTI

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UP may withdraw cases against Varun Gandhi
Tribune News Service

Lucknow, November 10
The state government is considering withdrawal of criminal cases lodged against BJP Pilibhit MP Varun Gandhi by the Mayawati government for reportedly making inflammatory speeches during the campaigning for the 2009 Lok Sabha election.

The move comes following Varun’s request to the Akhilesh Yadav government in September to withdraw the cases lodged against him. The cases include charges of creating enmity between people on religious grounds, committing malicious acts to cause outrage by insulting religion and attempt to murder.

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Special women police force formed
Bijay Sankar Bora
Tribune News Service

Guwahati, November 10
The Assam Police has formed a special women police force — “Virangana” (brave woman) — to protect the fair sex from atrocities and abuse on the streets of Guwahati.

The 100-strong force has been formed in the wake of growing incidence of crime against women in the city.

The city was in the national focus for all the wrong reasons earlier this year when a young woman was molested in the street under the glare of video cameras.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi launched the special police force, which will be first deployed in Guwahati and gradually moved to other urban centres of the state after fresh recruitment.

Gogoi hoped the trained women personnel would help curb incidence of eve-teasing in the city.

“We have trained 100 women constables in martial arts, arms drill and silent drill to make them tough. They have been drafted from various battalions of the state police and have undergone special training in Tamil Nadu,” said Assam Police DGP JN Choudhury.

During the launch ceremony, “Viranganas” exhibited their skills and strong-arm tactics.

The force has been provided with a different uniform and a sword. “They are trained to restrain any kind of assault on/towards women. We hope this force will be a landmark in the effort to maintain law and order in the city,” said a senior official.

The name

“Virangana”, lifted from the pages of history of Assam as well India, has been used for brave women such as Kanaklata, martyr of Freedom movement; Mula Gabhoru, Ahom princess; Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi and many others who fought for the greater interest of the society

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Bal Thackeray critically ill
Tribune News Service

Mumbai, November 10
Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray who has been ailing for some time is critically ill, say party sources. Party leaders said doctors, including some specialists, have been called in to attend to him.

But it is unclear if he will be shifted to a hospital later tonight.

Several political figures have been calling on Thackeray in the past few days.

Former President Pratibha Patil called on the ailing leader earlier today.

He has been holding meetings with his estranged nephew Raj Thackeray amidst talk that he was working for a rapprochement between his son Uddhav and the MNS leader.

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BRIEFLY

Flight delayed, 100 stuck
Chennai:
Over 100 Kuala Lumpur-bound passengers were stranded at the airport here for about four hours due to a delay in the arrival of the Air Asia flight from that country, airport sources said on Saturday. — PTI

Tribal woman kills self
Sagar (MP):
A tribal woman allegedly set herself on fire following harassment by upper caste youths at Semra Leharia village. The woman took the extreme step on Friday at her house and died at a district hospital. — PTI

Cockroach trick
Thiruvananthapuram:
A teenaged boy landed in trouble after he put fried cockroaches in ‘biryani’ at a hotel here in a bid to extract money from the owner, cashing in on the government crackdown on unhygienic eateries. The police said the student came to a small hotel and ordered ‘biryani’ during the busy lunch hours on Friday. — PTI

Rape case
Bangalore:
French Consulate official Pascal Mazurier, facing charges of raping his four-year-old daughter, on Saturday sought a copy of the report on DNA tests of blood and semen samples collected from him. "Pascal has petitioned the Cubbon Park police seeking report on DNA tests of blood and semen samples collected from him," the police said here. — PTI

Ammonium nitrate seized
Tirunelveli (TN):
Over 650 kg of ammonium nitrate, an explosive chemical, has been seized from an abandoned car at Nanguneri in the district, the police said. A total of 13 bags, each weighing 50 kg were seized from the car, whose occupants abandoned it after the vehicle met with an accident. — PTI

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and Shah Rukh Khan at the inauguration of the 18th Kolkata Film Festival on SaturdayKolkata film fest opens
Kolkata:
Actor Amitabh Bachchan inaugurated the 18th International Film Festival at Netaji Indoor Stadium here on Saturday. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal brand ambassador Shah Rukh Khan and actor Mithun Chakraborty were among a galaxy of stars from Bollywood, Tollywood and Hollywood present at the ceremony. — TNS


West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and Shah Rukh Khan at the inauguration of the 18th Kolkata Film Festival on Saturday. — pti

Kejriwal’s mosquito jibe
New Delhi:
Locking horns with Union Minister Salman Khurshid over his reported remarks, Arvind Kejriwal today said he is a “dengue mosquito” whose sting can put both Congress and BJP in trouble. — PTI

 

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