|
|
|
|
|
Over 12,000 killed in Naxal violence in 20 years
Shinde vows revenge for Sukma Maoist attack
Short of policemen, Chhattisgarh looks at Army to combat Maoists
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
 MATTERS MILITARY2 IAF units come out with flying ‘Colours’ Two IAF units, 112 Helicopter Unit and No. 4 Base Repair Depot, were presented the Standards and the Colours, respectively, by President Pranab Mukherjee, at a special function organised in Lucknow this week. Raised on August 1, 1963, 112 Helicopter Unit is a premier training establishment and has been consistently training pilots, flight engineers and flight gunners, while 4 BRD was raised on December 1, 1965, and has since been involved in repairing and overhauling turbo-jet aero engines.
Warmer Arctic region, westerlies behind bad weather: IMD
Fund crunch no hurdle in repair of Himachal MLAs’ flats India to become 3rd largest aviation market by 2020 Six held for molesting Mumbai girl
Tejpal’s kin showing CCTV footage to everybody:
Prosecution
Fresh charge-sheet filed against Tunda
Passenger’s husband sore over Centre’s non-response
Sahara chief challenges his
detention; hearing today
Close shave for AI plane
Arms seizure: Judicial remand for 6 UP residents
26/11: Pak court adjourns case till March 19
|
|
Over 12,000 killed in Naxal violence in 20 years
New Delhi, March 12 About 468 people were killed by Naxals in 1993, 376 in 1994, 396 in 1995, 541 in 1996, 583 in 1997, 489 in 1998, 595 in 1999, 548 in 2000, 564 in 2001, 481 in 2002 and 515 in 2003 in these nine states, it said. As many as 565 people lost their lives due to Naxal violence in 2004, 659 in 2005, 678 in 2006, 691 in 2007, 717 in 2008, 908 in 2009 and a huge 1,005 during 2010, the Home Ministry said. Besides, 608 people (466 civilians and 142 security force personnel), were killed in the nine states by Naxals in 2011, 415 (301 civilians and 114 security force personnel) in 2012 and 381 (267 civilians and 114 security force personnel) between January and December 15, last year, it said. Maoists had yesterday ambushed a security patrol killing 16 persons, including 11 CRPF personnel, in Naxal-hit Sukma district of Chhattisgarh. The attack was carried out barely 5 km from the area where top Congress leaders of Chhattisgarh were killed in a Maoist attack in May last year. Mahendra Karma, who started anti-Naxal movement Salwa Judum, Nand Kumar Patel, Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee chief and his son Dinesh were among 25 others who were killed in the attack carried out by Naxals on May 25, 2013 in Darbha Valley of the state. Veteran Congress leader Vidya Charan Shukla, who was also injured in the attack, later succumbed to his injuries in a Gurgaon hospital. As many as 75 CRPF personnel and a Chhattisgarh Police official were killed in a Naxal attack in Dantewada district on April 6, 2010. A total of 90 battalions (90,000 men) of central security force personnel and one Indian Reserve Naga Battalion (1,000 personnel) have been deployed for anti-Naxal operations in the nine Naxal-hit states, the reply said. States such as Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal have constituted a unified command to carry out anti-Naxal operations.
— PTI Fighting red terror
|
||
|
Shinde vows revenge for Sukma Maoist attack
Raipur, March 12 Asked how it will be done, Shinde said like in the past, the Central and state forces will jointly conduct anti-Naxal operations and hunt down the Maoists involved in the ambush. “We will fight against this Maoist movement. As of now, I cannot comment about anyone’s failure,” he added.
The Opposition Congress has demanded the resignation of Raman Singh. It called for a Chhattisgarh bandh on March 14 to protest the second Naxal ambush in Sukma district's Jiram valley (in a year), Pradesh Congress Committee spokesman Sushil Kumar Shukla said here today. Emergency services and academic examinations would be excluded from the bandh. “The entire country is forced to live under the shadow of Naxal terror. The ultras are daily killing security personnel and common people in a barbaric manner, State Congress president Bhupesh Baghel said. The state government has become a mute spectator to such incidents. After every attack, the Chief Minister Raman Singh condemns it as a formality, he alleged. — Agencies
|
||
|
Short of policemen, Chhattisgarh looks at Army to combat Maoists
New Delhi, March 12 Communication between the Army and Chhattisgarh police shows that the Army has agreed to give the option of joining the Chhattisgarh police to its retiring officers. On the 15th of each month, the Military Secretary (MS) branch has been asked to inform the superannuating officers about the offer of the Chhattisgarh police. The MS branch advises the officers on preparing their bio-data. The bio-data’s are to be routed through the Director General Military Training (DGMT), who will forward the completed list to the Chhattisgarh police. The state police have sent in a format for making applications. The Army is now evolving a policy at this as its various wings have varied strengths. For example, a Signal intelligence man will be top-notch in decoding radio messages and interceptions, however, in fighting skills he cannot match the man who has been in the Infantry and seen close quarter battles in counter insurgency areas. So, the Chhattisgarh police will be advised on optimum utilisation of men. The state police had made the request in January. The offer is open not just to officers but to other ranks also. Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh police want the Army to train their men at the police training academies. Some 1,000 of new recruits for the Chhattisgarh Armed Force will be ready for training but there are not enough slots in its own existing academies. The request
|
||
|
2 IAF units come out with flying ‘Colours’
Raised on August 1, 1963, 112 Helicopter Unit is a premier training establishment and has been consistently training pilots, flight engineers and flight gunners, while 4 BRD was raised on December 1, 1965, and has since been involved in repairing and overhauling turbo-jet aero engines. The Commanding Officer of 112 Helicopter Unit, Wing Commander Manish Sharma, received the Standards while the Commanding Officer of 4 BRD, Gp Capt S Shrinivas, received the Colours. A host of civilian dignitaries as well as top Air Force officers were present on the occasion. Fourth Gorkha Rifles observes Regimental Day
One of India’s older Gorkha regiments, the Fourth Gorkha Rifles (4GR), observed its Regimental Day on March 11. It jointly commemorates the action of 4GR’s 1st Battalion in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in France as part of the Sirhind Brigade of the Indian Expeditionary Force, and the 2nd Battalion’s entry into Baghdad during the World War I. Raisedon August 6, 1857 at Pithoragarh as part of the British Indian Army, 4 GR comprises five infantry battalions and a Rashtriya Rifles battalion, and has earned 35 Battle and Theatre Honours, besides other awards and citations, for its actions in various wars around the world. It shares its Regimental Centre with the First Gorkha Rifles at Sabathu in the foothills of the Himalayas near Shimla. Various events like a memorial service, barakhana, inter-company sports competitions are held by battalions at their individual locations. A regimental luncheon for serving and retired 4 GR officers is scheduled to be held at New Delhi on March 15, where the Colonel of the Regiment, Lt Gen CA Krishnan, is also expected to be present.
Veterans approach CEO over voting rights
With elections round the corner and the issue of soldiers’ right to vote being debated upon in the highest court of the land, ex-servicemen are also taking up the matter with the election authorities. In a representation submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, Chandigarh-based All India Veterans Core Group has asked him to call a meeting of the commanders of military stations and intimate them the right of soldiers to be registered at the place of their posting where they are subjected to all local laws and taxes. While giving out the legal position and the background to the issue of soldiers’ right, the representation claims that the Supreme Court has earlier ruled that options like postal ballot cannot take away right to be registered at their place of posting. Veterans also contend that not registering armed forces personnel at their place of posting amounts to rigging of elections and tyranny.
Without the flag
On a normal working day two distinct military ensigns can generally be seen fluttering from the facade of South Block adjoining the Rashtrapati Bhawan. One is the Army flag and the other is the Navy flag, signifying the presence of the respective service Chief. But protocol demands that either flag is unfurled only when the Chief of the service is in station. Since Admiral DK Joshi resigned on February 26, the Naval flag has been missing. Almost two weeks into the resignation, the file to appoint a successor is still shuffling between the Ministry of Defence and Prime Minister’s Office. Vice-Chief of the Navy, Vice-Admiral Robin Dhowan is the “interim Chief.” (Vijay Mohan and
Ajay Banerjee)
|
||
|
Warmer Arctic region, westerlies behind bad weather: IMD
New Delhi, March 12
Q: What is wrong with
the weather? The weather is unusual, that is for sure. While the northwest may get spells of snowfall, rain and hailstorms during this time of the year, in Central India and Maharashtra the probability of rain is very low. In the week between February 27 and March 5, Karnataka experienced 14 mm rain as against a normal of 0.5 mm rain. Likewise, Marathwada got 24 mm as against a normal of one mm and Vidarbha 32 mm as against a normal of 2.5 mm. During this week, Punjab received 7.2 mm as against a normal of 6.1 mm and Chandigarh, Delhi and Haryana 8.3 mm as against a normal of 4.2 mm. Q: What is the reason? There are two main reasons. One is that the Arctic region is warmer than usual. This has resulted in increase in the frequency and intensity of the westerlies (winds blowing from the high pressure area in the horse latitudes towards the poles) circling in upper northern latitudes. The westerlies, which normally affect the northwest, are now being able to reach the central and southern parts of the country. Since their frequency has increased, the northwest is experiencing spells of bad weather — western disturbances — one after the other. Since they are more intense in nature they are pushing cold and moist air into the southern latitudes of India. Besides, the intrusion of westerlies is coinciding with anti-cyclones sitting over the Bay of Bengal, creating a confluence Q: How long do you expect this weather to continue? The present spell is over as far as central India is concerned but the rain and snow in northern parts is likely to continue. Q: Is global warming
and climate change the reasons behind the current situation? Any one event cannot be reason for this conclusion. But climate change is a cause of concern which has also been reflected by the IPCC AR 5 report. (IPPC’s AR5 shows an estimated warming of 0.85°C (1.5 degrees Fahrenheit) since 1880 with the fastest rate of warming in the Arctic. The AR4 estimated the average warming across the globe over the past century (1906-2005) was 0.74°C. Q: Is the extended winter in India linked to the extreme weather conditions in the US and Europe for instance? Yes, it is all linked. Arctic warming and distorted polar vortex are understood to be the reasons for freezing temperatures over Europe and the US.
|
||
|
Fund crunch no hurdle in repair of Himachal MLAs’ flats This information was sought under the Right to Information Act by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) activist Dr Amit Sharma. The PWD spent Rs 45.55 lakh on renovation or repairs of the newly built MLA flats at the Vidhan Sabha and MLA flats at Metropol in this period. The AAP activist had also sought information on the legislators’ water and electricity bills. But the public information officer has, so far, not furnished this information despite the passage of two months. Citing the RTI information, the AAP activist has accused both the BJP and Congress legislators of squandering public money on renovation being done by the PWD on their whims and fancies. “It proves beyond doubt that BJP and Congress legislators are more concerned about renovating their flats rather than in public service,” he said. Each legislator also gets Rs 2,000 rebate on his electricity bill each month while they get free water facility round the clock, claimed the AAP. Vidhan Sabha Speaker Brij Bihari Butail rubbished the AAP’s charge saying that the PWD must have done up some flats in the old Metropol building. When new MLAs come, they expect that broken toilets and furniture be repaired or replaced and weathered paint be redone. “We cannot allow old buildings to crumble on MLAs living there,” he said. But BJP chief whip in the Vidhan Sabha and Shimla legislator Suresh Bhardwaj contested the AAP’s charge. He said, “I am not aware of the exact figures. I am hearing about overspending on renovation for the first time as the renovation — for the first time — was done by Congress-favoured contractors. They must have renovated MLAs flats where chief parliamentary secretaries (CPCs) live and some flats that were in bad shape.” But Butail rubbished the BJP charge that the government had overspent on renovation in its present tenure. “If you compare what the BJP spent on it during their tenure, our expenditure is no big amount as prices have gone up.”
|
||
|
India to become 3rd largest aviation market by 2020 Hyderabad, March 12 Speaking after inaugurating the five-day India Aviation 2014 at Begumpet airport here, Ajit Singh said, “Commercial fleet size is also expected to grow from 400 aircraft today to 1,000. At the same time, the government has envisaged an investment of $12.1 billion in the airport sector during 12th Plan period, of which $12.1 billion will come from the private sector.” This investment would help in modernisation of the existing airports and development of low-cost airports. The minister pointed out that the biggest game-changer in Indian aviation industry was the decision to allow 49 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by foreign airlines. "Two new scheduled airlines AIR Asia and TATA SIA are in the process of starting operations soon," he said, adding that the recently announced "Regional and remote area Air Connectivity Policy" and the decision to build 50 low cost airports in the country would give further boost to the industry. Secretary of Civil Aviation Ministry Ashok Lavasa told the media that a committee constituted to appoint a Project Director and Vice-Chancellor for the National Aviation Academy, coming up at Fursat Gunj in Uttar Pradesh, will soon complete its task. Referring to civil aviation authority Bill, the official said, "Though the Union Cabinet has cleared the revised Bill, incorporating the changes recommended by the standing committee on transport, tourism and culture, the new government will have to take a call on it as it could not be considered due to the paucity of time." In this decade, the overall traffic is expected to grow at 10.1 per cent and domestic traffic is expected to grow at 11.4 per cent and international at 9.5 per cent. In addition, six airports would be developed under the public-private partnership model, he said. Addressing another press conference, the Chairman and Managing Director of Air India Rohit Nandan ruled out grounding of the Boeing-built Dreamliner aircraft. However, Air India is reviewing the performance of the Dreamliner fleet to ascertain whether they are consuming fuel faster than expected.
|
||
|
Six held for molesting Mumbai girl
Mumbai, March 12 Those arrested today were Habib (19) and two minors, the police said. Fayyaz Ahmed Khan, Saroj Khan and Naushad Khan, all in their twenties, were arrested yesterday and booked them under Section 354 (molestation) of the IPC. On Monday, the girl was allegedly groped and almost stripped by a group of some young men near Hindustan Naka in Kandivali in broad daylight. Shockingly, when the girl, trying to escape the molesters, entered a restaurant, the people there drove her out before she was finally rescued by a police constable on patrolling duty and some passers-by. The victim and her female friend had hired an auto-rickshaw from Bandra but realised they did not have enough cash to pay the fare when they reached Hindustan Naka. The victim's friend, whose relative stays nearby, went to their house to borrow some cash while the victim waited in the auto-rickshaw, the police said. When her friend failed to return, she requested the rickshaw driver to allow her go out and check on her. But the driver insisted on paying the fare right then, they said. The girl handed over her mobile phone as security, but the driver started arguing with her. Some young men who were playing cricket nearby started teasing the girl, the police said. When the girl tried to move away, the men chased her, caught her and tried to strip her, the police said.
— PTI
|
||
|
Tejpal’s kin showing CCTV footage to everybody:
Prosecution
Panaji, March 12 "The CCTV footage is made available to
Tejpal. The same footage is being displayed to everybody in Delhi by the family members," lawyer Saresh
Lotlikar, representing the state Crime Branch, told the Goa Bench of Bombay High Court here. Lotlikar was arguing against the bail petition filed by
Tejpal, who is currently lodged in Sada sub jail. The court has kept the matter for order on March 14. Advocate Amit Desai, representing
Tejpal, said the CCTV footage procured outside the lift clearly indicates that there cannot be a case against the accused. He rubbished the arguments that the victim was "way-laid, abused and taken advantage" by his
client. Lotlikar said if Tejpal was given bail, he would influence the witnesses and halt the process of trial. "Applicant
(Tejpal) cannot be expected to be disciplined, if he is released on bail," the lawyer said. The prosecution said details of the calls made from the cellphone which was allegedly found in possession of Tejpal in the jail were also being ascertained. The calls were found to be made to persons in Gurgaon and Delhi. "The victim is already feeling
traumatised. She has disclosed that messages are being circulated vilifying her character," Lotlikar said strongly opposing the bail plea. The crime was a premeditated one because "it was repeated twice over," he said. There may not be conclusive evidence against
Tejpal, but the evidence is strong, he added. The prosecution sought to defeat the arguments that case against Tejpal was a political vendetta as the "entire charge sheet is based on the evidence collected through fair
investigations." — PTI
|
||
|
Fresh charge-sheet filed against Tunda
New Delhi, March 12 Special Cell of Delhi Police filed its charge sheet before Additional Sessions Judge Bharat Parashar against 72-year-old Tunda saying it would further "clarify" the prosecution's case regarding charges slapped under stringent Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA). The special cell said the other five co-accused who faced trial in the case earlier were acquitted by a trial court in December 1999 for the alleged offences under TADA Act on "tactical grounds". It also said the trial court, in its judgement passed in December 1999 against Abdul Haq, Aftab, Abdul Wahid, Afaq and Afran Ahmad had convicted them under section 5 of Explosive Substances Act and under section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC. "It clearly shows that accused persons who faced the trial were acquitted on tactical grounds from charges under section 3/4 TADA Act. No lapse in the investigation was observed in this manner. "At the time of according of acquittal, designated court kept the case of accused Abdul Karim alias Tunda out of preview of appreciation of the evidence brought against those five accused who faced the trial," the charge sheet said. "So, this interpretation is still open for this court for appreciation against Abdul Karim alias Tunda who is now charge sheeted through this supplementary charge sheet in this matter," it said. — PTI
|
||
|
Passenger’s husband sore over Centre’s non-response
Chandrika Sharma's husband Narendra, whose family is undergoing untold suffering and anxiety, said "No Indian Government official has contacted us so far to inform us about the status of passengers or about the mishap". Speaking to reporters, an emotional Narendra said, "No Indian authority called us. Don't know what the government is doing. Why is India not deploying experts?" He charged the Malaysian Government with "hiding information" and added that "lack of information is painful". "It is inconceivable that a plane could vanish in thin air," he said, adding they were waiting without end between hope and hopelessness. "It is ironical that a country such as India, which aims to play a global role, has no word on the incident, no offer of assistance for search and rescue was made till yesterday." Narendran said.
— PTI |
||
|
Sahara chief challenges his
detention; hearing today
A Bench comprising Justices KS Radhakrishnan and JS Khehar agreed to hear the plea tomorrow after Roy’s senior counsel Ram Jethmalani sought the recall of the March 4 order sending his client to judicial custody for an indefinite period. Seeking urgent hearing of the petition, Jethmalani contended that detaining Roy was against the guidelines issued by a seven-judge Bench of the Supreme Court in the AR Antulay case and as such the court was bound to “rectify its mistake” by ordering his client’s release forthwith. The senior advocate also pleaded for sending the matter to a larger Bench in line with the practice being following in the apex court.
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
Terming it as an act of cowardice, Raman Singh said around 200 Naxals had carried out the attack in which 11 CRPF men, four policemen and a civilian driving the vehicle were killed. Tuesday’s attack comes less than a month before Chhattisgarh goes to the polls. The state government has ordered a high-level departmental inquiry into the attack.
Two IAF units, 112 Helicopter Unit and No. 4 Base Repair Depot, were presented the Standards and the Colours, respectively, by President Pranab Mukherjee, at a special function organised in Lucknow this week.
Shimla, March 12
Chennai, March 12
New Delhi, March 12