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76% polling in Assam, 85% in Tripura
BJP manifesto a case of imitation: Cong
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Parties hit out at ‘Hindutva agenda’
Ad war: Rahul’s ‘56-inch chest’ jibe at Modi
EC removes DM, 5 SPs from election duty in West Bengal
BJP vows revision of nuclear doctrine
Advani praises Modi, Joshi says no rift in BJP
Indians 3rd best in getting value hotel stay at home
3 Israeli diplomats booked for assault
Itanagar gets its first passenger train
Centre asks Maoists to withdraw call for LS election boycott
Coalgate: CVC seeks his withdrawal from panel
Gurung: Ready to die for Gorkhaland
BJP MLA’s son opens fire, 5 hurt
3 Israeli diplomats booked for assault
Army test-fires BrahMos
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76% polling in Assam, 85% in Tripura
Guwahati/Agartala, April 7 In Assam, polling was conducted in 8,588 polling stations and remained by and large peaceful barring a few sporadic incidents. These included an incident of clashes between the workers of two rival political parties at Bajiagaon at Samaguri legislative Assembly segment in the Kaliabor parliamentary constituency. A total of 64,41,635 voters were expected to exercise their franchise in the first phase of polling in Assam today. A candidate in Tezpur constituency, Moni Kumar Subba (Independent), could not cast his vote as he is seriously ill and undergoing treatment outside the state. There was large-scale participation by youth and women in the polling today. The fate of 51 candidates in the five Lok Sabha constituencies was sealed in EVMs today. Prominent among them are Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi’s son Gourav Gogoi, veteran Congress leader and former Union minister and six-time MP Bijoy Krishna Handique, Union minister Paban Singh Ghatowar, Union minister Ranee Narah, AICC general secretary Bhupen Kumar Borah, state BJP president Sarbananda Sonowal and sitting Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) MP Joseph
Toppo. In Tezpur, the main battle is among Congress candidate Bhupen Kumar Borah, AGP candidate and sitting MP Joseph Toppo and BJP’s Ram Prasad Sharma while in Kaliabor, it is between Gourav Gogoi of the Congress and Dr Arun Kumar Sharma of the
AGP. In Jorhat constituency, BJP candidate Kamakhya Prasad Tasa is posing a challenge to veteran Congress leader and six-time MP Bijoy Krishna Handique. Union minister and veteran tea tribe community leader Paban Singh Ghatowar (Congress) is facing a tough challenge from BJP’s Rameswar
Teli. In Lakhimpur, the contest is basically between sitting MP and Union minister Ranee Narah (Congress) and BJP’s Sarbananda
Sonowal. At least 40 electronic voting machines malfunctioned in Dibrugarh, Kaliabor, Tezpur and Lakhimpur constituencies, sources said adding that 29 of those were replaced and snags in the others rectified for voting to continue uninterrupted. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, after casting his vote at his hometown Jorhat, exuded confidence that the Congress would sweep the polls in the state by winning more than 10 of the 14 Lok Sabha seats in the state. He claimed that there was no Modi wave in Assam. In Tripura, over 85 per cent voters exercised their franchise today for one of the two Lok Sabha seats -- Tripura West constituency -- in the Left Front-ruled state as polling ended peacefully. Chief Electoral Officer Ashutosh Jindal told reporters that the polls were incident-free and barring a few complaints, EVMs functioned well and, in case of minor problems, they were either changed or repaired. The electoral fate of 13 candidates, including CPM's Shankar Prasad Dutta, secretary of the state unit of CITU; Congress' Arunoday Saha, former Vice-Chancellor of Tripura Central University; Sudhindra Dasgupta, BJP's state unit chief; and chairman of the state unit of the TMC and former minister Ratan Chakraborty; were sealed in
EVMs. Polling for the East Tripura (ST reserve) seat will be held on April 12. There are two LS seats in the state.
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BJP manifesto a case of imitation: Cong
New Delhi, April 7 “Imitation is the best form of flattery. Not only is the BJP manifesto a cut and paste job from ours, it is the same as the Congress manifesto but for the title,” Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Congress’ national spokesperson said dissecting BJP’s document to point out how even the date of its release as mentioned is the same as that of the Congress document - March 26. The Congress also attacked the BJP for “hypocrisy” in repeating the Hindutva agenda (abrogation of Article 370; uniform civil code and Ram temple) which has figured in BJP manifestos since 1999. “They remember Lord Ram on election eve. Even in 1999 after coming to power they junked the Hindutva agenda saying it was BJP’s line and not NDA’s. As if anyone imagines the BJP to form the Government on its own,” said Singhvi. He mocked BJP’s madrassa education promise by raking up its PM nominee Narendra Modi’s past act of denying scholarships to minority students in Gujarat. “Narendra Modi speaking of minority welfare is like Dracula self anointing as a blood bank chief,” said Singhvi. The Congress appeared irked at several imitations of its ideas by the BJP - such as the mention of neo middle class which is essentially Rahul Gandhi’s 80 crore “aam naagrik”. The BJP has vowed to strengthen the hands that build India when Congress’ principal election slogan is “Bharat ke mazboot haath hum sab hain ek saath…”. The BJP has talked of a National Youth Advisory Council when the National Youth Council is already in place. The BJP promises a National Health Insurance Mission when Congress has promised a constitutional right to health. Other repetitions of Congress policies in BJP’s manifesto include -freight and industrial corridors; linking MNREGA to agriculture and the National Multi Skill Mission. Singhvi also mentioned how Modi today even copied Congress president’s remarks on the manifesto when he said: “The manifesto for us is no poll ritual, it’s a holy document”. If that was less, the Congress questioned BJP’s manifesto panel head MM Joshi who claimed to have met several stakeholders before finalising the manifesto. “Rahul Gandhi held open manifesto meetings under camera glares. Can the BJP tell who are the witnesses to their consultations?” asked Singhvi.
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Parties hit out at ‘Hindutva agenda’
New Delhi, April 7 They alleged that the BJP’s manifesto was completely in tune with the agenda of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which has now come out in the open to lead the principal opposition party. “Issues like the Ram Temple, Article 370 and uniform civil code were not on the original agenda when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister. The BJP had then floated the national agenda for governance which did not contain these issues,” they said. The CPI and the CPM slammed the BJP for “reviving” its “hardcore Hindutva” agenda by incorporating divisive issues in the manifesto. Sitaram Yechury of the CPM said the development plank resorted to by BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi was a facade. KC Tyagi of the Janata Dal (United) alleged, “The era of Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the BJP has ended and the party has been taken over by the RSS through its handpicked Modi. Communal issues have been included in the manifesto at the behest of Modi.” The Aam Aadmi Party hit out at the saffron party over its assurance of rebuilding the Ram Temple, accusing it of pursuing communal and divisive policies. Industry welcomes BJP manifesto
New Delhi: Industry has welcomed the BJP manifesto as it has focused on job creation, tax reforms, economy revival and containing inflation. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in a statement said revival of manufacturing along with other sectors has been dealt with in detail in the manifesto. “Besides, investment friendliness, we welcome the openness to FDI linked to creation of assets and employment. Though we feel disappointment on the stand on FDI in multi-brand retail, we hold out hope for a possible review in the future,” said Sidharth Birla, President,
FICCI.
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Back to the wall, the jathedar of Punjab politics fights father of all battles
raj chengappa in mansa
April 7 The setting is as rustic as Punjab can get - the hamlet is just about 6 km from the bustling Bhiki-Sirsa highway in Mansa. Ganddu Khurd appears to have been bypassed by the prosperity of the region. The roads leading to it have more mud than macadam -- its houses are dilapidated or in a dire need for a coat of paint. As Manpreet speaks, buffalos tied to a nearby tree shake their heads impatiently to dislodge flies and frequently urinate unmindful of the gathering. The prolonged winter has just seen withered yellow leaves falling from trees leaving their trunks exposed. Standing in front of a make-shift microphone, which is connected to a loudspeaker on the roof of an Innova parked nearby, Manpreet is quick to cotton onto the analogy for his poll pitch. Pointing to the trees he says, that though the fresh leaves are delayed, he is unwilling to believe that they will not come. He tells them: "The mighty law of nature is that the leaves will come even if a bit late. Similarly, the Zulum Ka Raj (rule by violence) and the Jhoot Raj (reign of falsehood) that the current regime has unleashed has to come to an end and I am contesting to see that it is finished quickly." Manpreet is aware that he is facing an uphill battle by taking on his uncle, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his progeny, Sukhbir. The bitter split in the Badal clan in the 2012 Assembly elections saw Manpreet form a new party, the Punjab Peoples Party, only to lose badly not even winning a single seat including his own. In the political wilderness since then, Manpreet stunned the ruling Badals by allying with the Congress Party for the Lok Sabha elections and contesting the Bathinda seat on its symbol. Now it has become more than a battle of prestige for Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir to not only defeat Manpreet but do so with a humiliating margin. If Manpreet wins, it may signal the beginning of the end of the reign of Parkash Singh Badal. So the stakes are high and both sides are pulling out all the stops to ensure victory. At the Ganddu Khurd meeting, Manpreet explains his breaking away from the ruling Badals clan with a homily: "People are stuck with little titles. If somebody becomes head of a committee that looks after a crematorium, on the spare-tyre cover on his scooter he would write Pradhan and feel privileged. Nobody outside knows that he is just head of the graveyard committee." The villagers smile and nod their heads knowingly. Manpreet then adds: "Who can actually stand up to the might of the Chief Minister? I did - I left the finance minister's job because if I continued with the same system, I would have to always speak only lies to you. For three generations things have not improved for you all - you do not have access to medicine, justice and education. Bathinda is now only a centre for cancer, drugs and unemployment. Your MP lives in Delhi and doesn't reside here - what has she done for five years? We need a change - a better set of leaders - give me that chance." The small gathering breaks out into a generous round of applause and seeking their blessings Manpreet heads towards his Toyota SUV as his team removes the microphone, wraps up the wires and puts it in the pilot car. Manpreet drives his own car and on the dashboard is a list of the villages that he has to visit for the day. From 8 in the morning till around 8 pm, he covers as many as 16 to 20 villages a day. After that, since loudspeakers are not allowed, he drops into the homes of the elders in the villages to have chai with them and discuss the political situation. As Manpreet pilots his car over the bumpy, pot-holed road, avoiding puddles of water, he charges the ruling Badals of not playing fair. He alleges, "I am not just fighting the Badals - it is the Badals plus the Punjab government with every official whether the DC or SSPs backing them. This is a shame as we are degrading our democratic institutions. This is precisely the reason why Punjab has not developed because rule of law is the basic bedrock. Here people are scared and the government machinery is being misused." Since Manpreet was as fiercely against the Congress as he was with the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal, how is that he has now agreed to contest even using its hand symbol? Manpreet's explanation is that the PPP has not been recognised as a party by the Election Commission for the Lok Sabha. Fearing that Sukhbir would be up to his 'dirty tricks' - already another Manpreet Singh Badal figures in the candidates list - and he would not be allotted the kite symbol which the PPP got for the Assembly elections, Manpreet says: "Rather than a bucket, camel or ladder, since we have aligned with the Congress, the hand is the most recognised symbol." The explanation is a little too pat, for it is apparent it is more than just the need to have a recognisable symbol. If by any chance Manpreet wins, he would have to abide by the Congress diktat. His move to ally with the Congress and contest on the hand symbol has already seen him lose many of the PPP leaders. But the state CPI is lending support to him (unprecedented as it is not supporting the Congress nationally) giving Manpreet's campaign a boost. His car now sports the flags of all three parties — the PPP, Congress and the CPI. Since Manpreet even as a minister had shunned his red beacon and drove his car, why didn't he opt for AAP which, in many ways, had a similar ideology? Manpreet says: "They did not want alliance as they said our constitution forbid us to have an alliance with any party. So, if you want to join us, you dissolve your party and just merge with us. I told them I am in love with this name called Punjab and also there is no-one-size-fits all that will work for Punjab as it has different problems." Of the national scene, Manpreet thinks Rahul Gandhi is "well-meaning" and Narendra Modi will be "divisive for India as well as for his own party, the BJP." He adds, "In Punjab there is no Modi wave as far as I can see." As he leaves for the next meeting, he turns philosophic about his chances. "I think victory and defeat are in the hands of God, not in Sukhbir's hands. In Punjabi they say that arrogance and God are mortal enemies. Let him remember that." As he drives to his next village of call, Manpreet's car leaves behind a swirl of dust.
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Ad war: Rahul’s ‘56-inch chest’ jibe at Modi
The party's latest print campaign has none other than Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi at the centre of a message aimed directly at Modi whose
frequent barbs the Congress has of late been returning in equal, if not higher, measure. The new print campaign meant for billboards and public spaces such as metros has Rahul wearing a casual look, holding a cup of tea, with the background reading:
“Naa apnon ko gair banayen…naa dil baantein naa seena phulain…Hamaare sanskar… karo har jaati dharma se pyaar, Sabko lekar saath …Karen desh ki baat…". The spot is part of new messaging lines Congress' campaign strategists have unveiled as election dates draw closer. A clear focus in the messaging is - "attack Modi for his polarising, divisive, authoritarian presence" which Congress manifesto also refers to. 'Since the Congress is presenting itself as the only pan India party which can take on Narendra Modi's highly divisive agenda, we have to consciously expose Modi's shortcomings. Some of the new spots are in that direction," said a senior Congress leader admitting it was a conscious decision to retort subtly to Modi's remarks made at a UP rally that "one needs a 56 inch chest" to transform UP into Gujarat. Though Modi's remark was aimed at Mulayam Singh Yadav, a former wrestler and current chief of Samajwadi Party which heads UP, the statement drew widespread reactions, mostly caustic. Former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh termed the remarks of Modi as indicative of his "chauvinistic pride and shameless arrogance". Yet another print spot the Congress has prepared as elections began today targets Modi for what party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi describes as his "shrillness and tendency to belittle others". This spot reads, "Naa dahadeein, naa chilblain, na jumlon mein mazaak udain…" Over the next few days, some more anti-Modi messages are expected to become visible in Congress' print campaigns so far restricted to billboards. For television, the party is expected to continue
its focus on "positive future agenda". Cong to intensify anti-Modi campaign
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EC removes DM, 5 SPs from election duty in West Bengal
Kolkata, April 7 “The Election Commission removed a DM and five SPs from their poll duties following complaints against them,” state chief electoral officer Sunil Gupta told reporters here. Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath had stated here yesterday that the police and administrative officials had been asked to work impartially and neutrally to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election. “Steps will be taken immediately if any complaint is proved against any official,” he had said. Asked against how many officials in the state the EC was mulling action in view of complaints against them, Sampath said, "You will come to know about it within two or three days." Gupta said that the removed SPs included R K Yadav of Malda, Humayun Kabir of Murshidabad, SMH Mirza of Burdwan, Bharati Ghosh of West Midnapore and Jhargram police district (Dual charge) and Sanjay Bansal, DM, North 24 Paraganas. The EC has asked the state Chief Secretary Sanjay Mitra to execute the order immediately. It also directed that the state government might give posting to the removed officials in non-election related posts with necessary intimation to the Election Commission.
— PTI Will not transfer any official: Mamata
Jamalpur: In a showdown with the Election Commission of India on transfer of a DM and five SPs, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday accused it of playing into the hands of Congress and BJP and said transfers had been ordered without consulting the state government. “I respect the Election Commission. But I will not bow down. I ask, will you only listen to what Congress will say in order to facilitate victory of Congress, BJP?" Banerjee said while addressing a rally here in Burdwan
district.
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BJP vows revision of nuclear doctrine New Delhi, April 7 The manifesto of the party, whose government had conducted nuclear tests in 1998, talks about maintaining the credible minimum deterrent in tune with "changing geostatic realities". Releasing the manifesto along with other senior leaders here, BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi promised to pursue "zero tolerance" approach on internal as well as external security so that no one dares threaten India. "We will follow a two-pronged independent nuclear programme, unencumbered by foreign pressure and influence, for civilian and military purposes, especially as nuclear power is a major contributor to India's energy sector," the manifesto said. It said the "BJP will study in detail India's nuclear doctrine, and revise it and update it, to make it relevant to the challenges of current times. We will maintain a credible minimum deterrent that is in tune with changing geostatic realities." Credible minimum deterrent is the principle of India's 'no-first use' nuclear weapons-use policy in which it wants to maintain an arsenal which can help it in retaliating strongly if attacked by an adversary. The policy has been in force since the 1998 nuclear tests conducted by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. The main Opposition party accused the UPA government of "frittering away" the strategic gains acquired by India in the nuclear programme during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee regime. "There will be such a strong government at the Centre that no country dares to threaten us but should feel like being friendly. We will also not threaten any other country but have cooperation. Such will be the capability of our government," he said. — PTI
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Advani praises Modi, Joshi says no rift in BJP
New Delhi, April 7 The entire galaxy of its top leaders, including LK Advani, Narendra Modi, Murli Manohar Joshi, Rajnath Singh and Sushma Swaraj, were present at the release of the document titled - "Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat". Party veteran Murli Manohar Joshi, who was believed to be upset over being asked to vacate the Varanasi seat for the party's PM candidate, held the centre stage. Joshi is the chairman of the committee, which drafted the manifesto and there were reports that Modi was not too happy with Joshi's work. Joshi said, “There has been no delay in releasing the manifesto. We were waiting for all prominent leaders to be available together on one day and today was the only day available," he said. Meanwhile, Advani said outcome of no other election had been influenced so much by the announcement of a prime ministerial candidate as it had been this time by declaration of Modi's name. Advani was among the leaders who opposed the Gujarat Chief Minister's elevation.
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Indians 3rd best in getting value hotel stay at home
Mumbai, April 7 “At Rs 5,254 a night, Indian travellers stood third in terms of getting the best value hotel room rates domestically in 2013,” stated the latest HPI report by Hotels.com. Travellers from Thailand took the first place at Rs 5,160 a night followed by Malaysians, who took in the second place at Rs 5,198 a night, the report said. The HPI is a regular report on hotel prices in major destinations across the world. Swiss travellers paid the most on hotel rooms at home, averaging Rs 12,400 a night, followed by Norway, which came second at Rs 10,834 and Singapore third at Rs 10,722 a night domestically. When it came to spending on hotel rooms abroad, Indian travellers figured 17 on the list of 32 countries as the most generous with an average payment of Rs 8,751 a night. Travellers from Switzerland once again paid the most when travelling
outside their borders with an average of Rs 10,642 per night. Argentineans came in second at Rs 10,532 a night, also making them the highest paying Latin American nation. Travellers from the US stood third at Rs 10,083 a night. Malaysians were the savviest nation with an average spend of Rs 7,526 a night, while travelling overseas, followed closely by the Taiwanese at Rs 7,621 and the Dutch as the lowest paying Europeans at Rs 7,908. Of the 32 countries analysed, 24 paid more abroad than at home with some having a significant gap between the two sums. The Argentineans spent Rs 4,185 a night more on average when travelling abroad, followed closely by the Thais at Rs 3,575 and the Indians at Rs 3,497.
— PTI Money wise
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3 Israeli diplomats booked for assault
New Delhi, April 7 The incident took place at Terminal 3 of the airport around 1.30 pm yesterday when the three diplomats were headed for Kathmandu in Nepal. The three young diplomats had to wait for their immigration formalities to be completed following rush at the counter. They accused an official, identified as Somveer, of being slow. An altercation broke out during which one of them allegedly slapped the official while the two others roughed him up, the police said. Airport officials informed the police, who arrived at the scene and questioned the three. The three told the police they were Israeli diplomats and were headed to Nepal for a diplomatic mission. The incident was captured on CCTV camera. “A case under Sections 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions) and 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), IPC, has been registered against the three diplomats,” the official said. The police have informed the Israeli Embassy about the incident.
— PTI
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Itanagar gets its first passenger train
Itanagar, April 7 “It is a great day for Arunachal Pradesh,” said CD Sharma, who had bought the first ticket for Naharlagun at the Dekargaon railway station for Rs 35. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had announced the introduction of the train service in his package for the state on January 31, 2008. Chief Minister Nabam Tuki during an election rally here yesterday announced that Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express would be introduced soon to link Arunachal to Delhi.
— PTI
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Centre asks Maoists to withdraw call for LS election boycott
New Delhi, April 7 "If the CPI (Maoist) is serious about initiating peace talks with the government, they should prepare a conducive atmosphere for the same by publicly apologising for killing more than 4,800 civilians, mostly Adivasis, since 2004 and also by withdrawing their poll boycott call for the General Election," a Home Ministry official said. In a recent interview with a web portal, spokesperson for the CPI (Maoist) central committee Abhay said the party was not against peace talks with the government. The CPI (Maoist) laid down few conditions for talks, including that the government should accept the Maoist movement as political. The Home Ministry official said: "If they want to be recognised as a legitimate political party, they may also clarify their position through the media on laying down arms, so that the offer can be considered seriously." This is the first time in almost four years that the outlawed group has announced its intention for talks. The CPI (Maoist)’s other conditions are: Lifting the ban on it and frontal, mass organisations, the "attacks" on leaders and activists should stop, "killers" of Maoist leader Azad be booked and punished. Besides, the government should stop paramilitary and police action against Maoists and all leaders lodged in prisons should be released.
— PTI
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Coalgate: CVC seeks his withdrawal from panel
New Delhi, April 7 The CVC submitted before a bench headed by Justice RM Lodha that he be allowed to withdraw from the cases as he had worked with the Coal Ministry as a joint secretary between 2003 and 2006. The apex court said it would consider the plea made by the CVC when the special bench, which is hearing Coalgate cases, assembles. The court had on March 28 sought assistance of the CVC to examine all cases in the coal blocks allocation scam in which there were divergent views between the investigating officer and the CBI’s head office on filing chargesheets. The court had asked the CVC and two vigilance commissioners to give their suggestions whether the cases could be closed or the CBI could go ahead with the filing of chargesheets in them.
— PTI
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Two CRPF men killed in Bihar IED blast
Patna, April 7 A police official said two CRPF personnel were killed and five CRPF personnel and four Bihar policemen were injured when the IED went off. According to police officials, the Maoists have called for a boycott of the Lok Sabha elections
and had placed the IED to create panic. The injured security men include officer-in-charge of the Dhibra police station Amar Choudhary. They have been admitted to a hospital, the police said. Following the incident, combing operations
have been intensified against the Maoists in Aurangabad and neighbouring districts. The Aurangabad parliamentary constituency along with five Maoist-affected constituencies - Gaya, Sasaram, Jamui, Nawada and Gaya - will go to the polls on April 10, in the first of the six-phase parliamentary elections in Bihar.
— IANS
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Gurung: Ready to die for Gorkhaland
Darjeeling, April 7 “What does the Chief Minister (Mamata Banerjee) think of herself? I have come to form a separate state of Gorkhaland and I am ready to die for it,” Gurung told an election rally at Mirik Foolbari Maidan here. “She is playing with fire,” Gurung said warning that the situation in the hills could take an ugly turn if the chief minister mishandled it. He said, “The police administration must understand too. Gorkhaland is for you and your children’s better future.” The GTA chief executive alleged that the state government was trying to force the GJM to repeat the violent agitation of 1986, but discounted the possibility.
Gurung also criticised GNLF supremo Subash Ghising, who has announced support to the
TMC, of being a person “who sold the esteem of the community for his own benefit.” He alleged that the TMC government was desperately trying to put Ghising in the GTA chief's chair. “I will give away the GTA post if Ghising wants it. But he must prove his mandate in all the 45 constituencies.”
— PTI
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BJP MLA’s son opens fire, 5 hurt
Jabalpur, April 7 "Golu Singh, who has a past criminal record, fired at his rivals following a dispute in which five Congressmen identified as Durjan Patel, Abhay Pratap, Nilesh Singh, Rakesh Patel and Roopsingh Patel suffered injuries," DIG Makrand Deoskar said.
— PTI
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3 Israeli diplomats booked for assault
New Delhi, April 7 The incident took place at Terminal 3 of the airport around 1.30 pm yesterday when the three diplomats were headed for Kathmandu in Nepal. The three young diplomats had to wait for their immigration formalities to be completed following rush at the counter. They accused an official, identified as Somveer, of being slow. An altercation broke out during which one of them allegedly slapped the official while the two others roughed him up, the police said. Airport officials informed the police, who arrived at the scene and questioned the three. The three told the police they were Israeli diplomats and were headed to Nepal for a diplomatic mission. The incident was captured on CCTV camera and the footage has been preserved by the police for assistance in investigation. “A case under Sections 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions) and 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), IPC, has been registered against the three diplomats,” the official said.
— PTI
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Army test-fires BrahMos
Jaisalmer (Rajasthan), April 7 The missile was launched by a mobile autonomous launcher deployed in full configuration with mobile command post at the ranges. “The launch was successful and the missile hit the designated target,” Defence spokesperson Col SD Goswami said. Senior Army officials witnessed the launch and congratulated the operational team for its successful launch. Both the Army and the Navy have already inducted the missile, developed by India in partnership with Russia.
— PTI
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New Delhi, April 7