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Blocking porn sites will cause greater harm: Govt
SC rejects plea on naval accidents
Raja: 2G decisions taken in concurrence with PM
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PM could’ve sacked me: Ex-coal min
Modi has insulted my father, says Priyanka
EC’s fresh directive to check rigging
SC: EC can probe ‘paid news’ cases
Centre agrees to amend Lokpal selection rules
Dimapur killings: Manipur HC relief for Lt General Suhag
SC rejects Centre’s objection, allows UGC inspection
After Kedarnath, Badrinath shrine reopens
Modi storms Amethi, attacks ‘family’ politics
Read history again, Sonia asks BJP PM nominee
Why no strong Lokayukta in Gujarat, asks Rahul
Pioneering research in fistula treatment
Lawyers ‘charge’ Rs 3.3 cr from foreign couple for child’s custody
Assam killings: 4 hurt in police firing
After Modi barbs, Congress
may revisit Varanasi strategy ASI team
in Kabul to verify Buddha’s bowl SC orders status quo on INS Vikrant
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Blocking porn sites will cause greater harm: Govt
New Delhi, May 5 Appearing before a Bench headed by Justice BS Chauhan, Additional Solicitor General KV Vishwanathan submitted that blocking all such websites would cause greater harm. "Everything would be blocked and even good literature would be blocked and it would cause more greater harm," he said. He submitted that software had to be installed in every computer for blocking such websites and a direction had to be passed for all computer manufacturers to install software. The court was hearing a petition filed by Indore-based advocate Kamlesh Vaswani who pleaded that although watching obscene videos was not an offence, pornographic sites should be banned as they were one of the major causes behind crime against women. The petition filed through advocate Vijay Panjwani says the absence of Internet laws encourages people to watch porn videos and over 20 crore porn videos or clippings are freely available in the market, which have been directly downloaded from the Internet or copied from video CDs. The petition states: "The sexual content that kids are accessing today is far more graphic, violent, brutal, deviant and destructive and has put entire society in danger and also poses threat to public order in India. "Most offences committed against women/girls/children are fuelled by pornography. The worrying issue is that the severity and gravity of such images is increasing. It is a matter of serious concern that prepubescent children are being raped," the petition added. The apex court had on November 18 issued notice to the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) seeking its response as to how to block websites with pornographic content in the country, particularly those featuring child pornography. — PTI
Submission before SC
* The Additional Solicitor General told the SC that if all porn-related material is blocked on the Internet, even good literature will be blocked and will cause ‘greater harm’ *
He submitted that software had to be installed in every computer for blocking such websites and a direction had to be passed for all computer manufacturers to install the software.
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SC rejects plea on naval accidents
New Delhi, May 5 “We are satisfied that no intervention is necessary” as the government was already processing the report of the statutory inquiry ordered into the submarine accident, a Bench headed by Chief Justice RM Lodha said. Further, the government was “more worried” about such incidents than the petitioner or the judiciary was as national security was involved. It was not that the Centre would take corrective measures only at the instance of the court, the Bench explained. On April 28, the court issued notice to the Centre on the PIL after the petitioners contended that no compensation had so far been announced in connection with the February 26 accident in which two Navy personnel were killed.
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Raja: 2G decisions taken in concurrence with PM
New Delhi, May 5 Special CBI Judge OP Saini started the recording of the statement of the accused by saying that it was a "direct conversation" between the accused and the judge. "Now the statement of accused will be recorded. It is a direct conversation between the accused and the judge...you (accused) may chose to reply or not reply," the judge said. The stage for the recording of evidence of Raja and 16 other accused, including DMK MP Kanimozhi, was set earlier when the court had supplied a draft questionnaire containing 1,718 questions running into 824 pages to the accused. Meanwhile, the special court which was also scheduled to record the statements of promoters of Essar Group and Loop Telecom, who are facing trial in a case arising out of the probe into the 2G spectrum scam, deferred their deposition before it to May 19. "I think there will be no time for you today. The matter is adjourned for recording of statement of accused to May 19," the judge said. Essar Group promoters Ravi Ruia and Anshuman Ruia, Loop Telecom promoters Kiran Khaitan, her husband IP Khaitan and Essar Group Director (Strategy and Planning) Vikash Saraf are facing trial in the case along with three firms - Loop Telecom Ltd, Loop Mobile India Ltd and Essar Tele Holding Ltd. All of them have denied the charges levelled by CBI in the case, arising out of the probe into the 2G spectrum scam. In the case involving Raja and 16 others, the court had on November 27 last year concluded recording of prosecution evidence after deposition of CBI's Superintendent of Police Vivek Priyadarshi, the chief investigating officer, got over. — PTI
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PM could’ve sacked me: Ex-coal min
New Delhi, May 5 Rao said a final decision on any Coal Ministry-related work was taken by Cabinet ministers Shibu Soren and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who held the portfolios at different times. Rao and Soren have also been accused by former Coal Secretary PC Parakh in his recent book on 'coalgate' for scuttling reforms in the coal ministry. The former Rajya Sabha member said there were certain "practical problems" in introducing new things in the ministry. — PTI
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Modi has insulted my father, says Priyanka
New Delhi, May 5 In a statement here, she said, “Inhone Amethi ki dharti pe mere shaheed pitaa ka apmaan kiya hai, Amethi ki janta is harkat ko kahbi maaf nahi karegi. Inki neech rajniti ka jawaab mere booth ke karyakartaa denge... Amethi ke ek ek booth se jawaab aayega... (They have insulted my martyred father on the soil of Amethi. People of Amethi will never forgive them for this act. Workers in Amethi will reply to their low-level politics. There will be reply from each of the booths). Earlier during an election rally in support of BJP candidate Smriti Irani, Modi accused Congress of practicing politics of "arrogance" and said Rajiv Gandhi, when he was Congress General Secretary, had once publicly "abused" and "humiliated" the then Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister T Anjaiah at airport. Anjaiah was chief minister between 1980 and 1982. — PTI
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EC’s fresh directive to check rigging
New Delhi, May 5 The poll panel also said telephone numbers of important officials should be displayed prominently at the polling stations so that they can be contacted easily by polling agents in case of a complaint. The directive was issued to the Chief Electoral Officers of Bihar, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Uttarakhand where elections will be held in the last two phases on May 7 and 12. The directive states that all polling stations will have to maintain a 'polling agent/relieving agent movement sheet' in which every polling agent will be required to sign indicating the time at which he came to the polling station and left it. "The observer, sector magistrate, senior officers who visit the polling station during the course of poll shall also ensure that the aforesaid sheet is being properly maintained," it said. Any complaint received from the polling agents at any level shall be inquired immediately, it said. "The ROs or observers shall also scrutinise the documents related to such polling stations carefully and record their views specifically," according to it. The latest directive of the EC comes against the backdrop of allegations of rigging in various parts of the country and complaints that state poll authorities failed to take action. Various political parties have approached the Commission against ruling parties in states alleging largescale rigging. — PTI
The order
* State poll authorities to probe complaints made by polling agents of candidates *
Telephone numbers of important officials be displayed prominently at the polling stations *
Record of movement of polling/relieving agent be maintained at all polling stations.
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SC: EC can probe ‘paid news’ cases
New Delhi, May 5 A bench dismissed the plea of former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan challenging the EC’s jurisdiction to enquire into such issues. It directed the EC to enquire into the complaint against Chavan within 45 days. The apex court passed the order on an appeal filed by Chavan challenging the Delhi High Court verdict which had refused to grant any relief to Chavan on the issue of paid news. The court in 2011, had stayed a probe by EC into the Chavan's spendings during the 2009 state assembly polls. — PTI
No relief for Chavan An SC Bench dismissed the plea of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan challenging the EC’s jurisdiction to enquire into paid news. It directed the commission to enquire into the complaint against Chavan within 45 days.
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Centre agrees to amend Lokpal selection rules
New Delhi, May 5 A Bench headed by Chief Justice RM Lodha recorded the assurance given by Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran that the selection process “shall not commence on the existing rules”. The Bench was hearing a PIL by NGO Common Cause, challenging the rules under which the Lokpal Search Committee could recommend candidates only from the list of persons provided by the central government. This restriction directly ran counter to the very object of having an independent Lokpal, petitioner’s advocate Prashant Bhushan had pleaded. The apex court pointed out that the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act was passed in December 2013 but the ombudsman had not yet become a reality. It was not good for the country to delay such initiatives, it observed. At the same time, it asked the government to ensure that the selection and appointment of the Lokpal Chairman and other members were done in a transparent and fair manner. Bhushan pleaded that the list of persons shortlisted by the search committee should be put in public domain. Acknowledging the need for a fair procedure, the post posted the next hearing for July 4. Earlier, the government had assured the court that it was not taking any hasty decision for filling up the vacancies in the search committee. The vacancies had arisen in the wake of the refusal by former Supreme Court judge KT Thomas to head it and by eminent jurist Fali S Nariman to be part of the eight-member committee. They had refused to be part of the committee, expressing the opinion that the selection process would result in overlooking the most competent, independent and courageous persons. The PIL has also pleaded that the rules for the selection were notified on January 17, 2014 without complying with a mandatory provision (Section 61) of the Lokpal Act 2014 for placing them in Parliament 30 days in advance.
Appointment must be transparent: SC
* An NGO had challenged the rules under which the Lokpal Search Committee could recommend candidates only from the list of persons provided by the Central Government *
The SC asked the government to ensure that the selection and appointment of the Lokpal Chairman and other members were done in a transparent manner *
The government assured the court that it was not taking any hasty decision for filling the vacancies in the search committee.
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Dimapur killings: Manipur HC relief for Lt General Suhag
New Delhi, May 5 The Election Commission of India is yet to respond to the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) reference on appointing a new Army Chief. Though the election commission is slated to meet any time on the matter, the commission is in a bind after the MoD’s reference. The EC on March 27 issued instructions: “The model code of conduct is not applicable to any matter pertaining to Defence forces, be it recruitments, promotions for Defence forces, all service matters pertaining to them...”. While there was no need to refer the matter to the EC, a section within the MoD believes saying it was taken reaffirmation of the previous order. In Imphal, a writ petition filed against the Lt General Suhag was today withdrawn. Acting Chief Justice of the High Court LK Mohapatra gave the liberty to the petitioner to pursue the case and file another writ petition at the place of occurrence at Dimapur in Nagaland. Phijam Manikumar, whose brother was allegedly killed in an encounter, in Dimapur, Nagaland, in March 2010, had filed the case. The petitioner pleaded three Manipuri youths were allegedly abducted and killed by Army personnel in Dimapur on March 10, 2010. An agency report cited Justice Mohapatra as having said that since the incident occurred at Dimapur in Nagaland the petitioner could file the case there. Sources in the MoD said Lt General Suhag was posted in Delhi at the time of the Dimapur incident, but the petitioner has surprisingly chosen to blame him for the killings that occurred under the area of the Dimapur-based 3 Corps. Former Army Chief General VK Singh was posted as Eastern Army Commander (3 Corps is under it) when the incident occurred.
Petition dismissed
* The petitioner had moved the Manipur HC in a case pertaining to the alleged abduction and killing of three Manipuri youths by Army personnel in Dimapur in 2010 *
The judge rejected the plea saying since the incident occurred at Dimapur in Nagaland, the petitioner could file a case there *
Sources in the MoD said Lt General Suhag was posted in Delhi at the time of the incident.
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SC rejects Centre’s objection, allows UGC inspection
New Delhi, May 5 Arguing before a Bench comprising Justices KS Radhakrishnan and Vikramajit Sen, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) said the government understood the “game plan” behind UGC’s plea for a re-inspection and expressed the apprehension that the move would delay the process of assessing these institutions’ educational standard by another year or two. Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, who appeared for the UGC, denied that the commission had any sinister design and clarified that a fresh inspection was being sought as the UGC Act mandated the commission to go for physical verification every five years or even before that. The last inspection was done in 2009-10 and it was time for embarking on the exercise again. Allaying the apprehension of possible delays, he assured the court that the UGC would meet the July 31 deadline and would not seek further extension.
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After Kedarnath, Badrinath shrine reopens
Dehradun, May 5 Amid recitals of Vedic hymns and blowing of conch shells, nearly 2,000 devotees congregated for the grand opening ceremony of the shrine, which is situated in Chamoli district. Eishwaranand, the ‘Rawal’ (head priest), opened the doors at Brahm Muhurat (4.05 am) and performed rituals, following which devotees offered prayers to Lord Badri-Vishal. As part of the rituals, the Lord, who has come back to his abode after spending the winter in Joshimath, was offered a ‘bhog’ comprising rice, sugar candy, raw peanuts, basil leaves, etc. Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temples Committee President Ganesh Godiyal said: “Around 7,000 pilgrims across the nation, have offered prayers at the holy shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath so far. Necessary arrangements have been made to ensure the hassle-free pilgrimage.” All four shrines are closed every year for nearly six months during the winter as these remain snowbound. The shrines are reopened during April and May. The Badrinath and Kedarnath pilgrimage was suspended for two hours today after moderate showers were reported at Lambagad, Joshimath and Guptkashi. Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre Executive Director Piyoosh Rautela said efforts were on to clear roads to ensure smooth flow of traffic along the Char Dham. He added that the sky would remain cloudy in Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. The Kedarnath national highway (NH-109) is blocked at Munkatiya, 4 km ahead of Sonprayag whereas the Rishikesh-Gangotri national highway (NH-108), the Rishikesh- Yamunotri national-highway (NH-94) and the Rishikesh-Badrinath national-highway (NH-58) are open for vehicular traffic. The two other shrines - Gangotri and Yamunotri - were already reopened on May 2.
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Modi storms Amethi, attacks ‘family’ politics
Amethi, May 5 Campaigning for actor-turned-politician and BJP candidate Smriti Irani, he rejected Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s charge that he practised “politics of anger”. "I have not come here for revenge. I have come here for bringing about a change in this constituency which has been neglected by the Gandhi family despite representing it for 40 years. You just invoke family relations with the people here but do nothing for its development,” Modi said. Concluding his speech minutes before the campaign ended in the constituency which will witness polling on May 7, he said he has not come here to “trouble Rahul Gandhi. He is already a troubled soul.” Describing Smriti as his “younger sister” and his “representative”, he said, “time has come to snap the relationship between the family and the constituency. People here have been cheated.” Attacking Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, he said, “You have committed sins. For 40 years, you have cheated three generations whose lives have been destroyed and their dreams shattered... I have come here to turn your dreams as mine, to convert your pain into mine.” Modi said Sonia and Rahul never thought a "son of a poor mother" and "tea-vendor" would challenge them. "Is it a crime to be born in a poor family. Is it a crime to sell tea. They made me a criminal. But I can assure you that good days will come," he said. Trying to strike an emotional chord, Modi said his "pride" lies in the hands of the people of Amethi. "My honour is in your hand...pride of a servant, a son of a poor mother...a tea vendors pride," he said. The campaigning by Modi in Rahul’s constituency was significant as no top leader usually undertakes electioneering in the constituency of top rivals. — PTI
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Read history again, Sonia asks BJP PM nominee
Muzaffarpur (Bihar), May 5 “Narendra Modi aaj kaal lecture dete phir rahe hain ki ek wo hi dudh ke dhule hai (Narendra Modi is lecturing nowdays as if he is the cleanest them all),” Sonia Gandhi said, addressing an election meeting here. Making a scathing attack on Modi for his allegations that Congress did nothing for the country, she advised him to read history again to know the "truth." "In its 67 years of rule since Independence, the Congress made many sacrifices to uphold integrity of the country and initiated many steps to take it on path of progress," she said. — PTI
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Why no strong Lokayukta in Gujarat, asks Rahul
Allahabad, May 5 “Modi tries to ensnare you with his claims of being an efficient chowkidar (watchman). You need to remember that many times it is the watchman himself who commits burglary. The risk becomes even higher when you have just one watchman with no one else to keep a watch on him," the Congress vice-president told an election rally here. Rahul said the Congress was not against providing benefits to industrialists since they needed to be made partners in the endeavour for development and their skills are valuable for employment generation. “But what Modi, the self-proclaimed watchman of Gujarat, has been doing is providing benefits to one favoured industrial group at the cost of farmers,” Rahul said in a blistering attack on Modi. "Just look at his priorities. He spends not more than Rs 8000 crore on health and education. On the other hand, he acquired 45,000 acres of land belonging to farmers, makes it available at the rate of Re one per square metre to his favourite industrial house which goes on to make a profit of over Rs 26,000 crore by selling away the land at an exorbitant rate. “I challenge Modi to appoint RTI Commissioner and Lokayukta in the state he has been lording over for more than a decade. The watchman of Gujarat will then find himself behind the bars." he added. Refuting Modi’s allegations that the Congress-led UPA had failed to check terrorism, Rahul said, “in the last five years of UPA rule, the country has lost 800 lives in terror attacks. Compare that with the six years of BJP-led NDA government when 22,000 people were killed in such incidents.” — PTI
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Pioneering research in fistula treatment
Chandigarh, May 5 Colorectal surgeon Dr Pankaj Garg has been invited by the society to deliver a lecture and hold demonstration on the procedure devised by him at Fort Lauderdale (Miami), Florida, on May 21. Around 7,000 renowned surgeons from all over the world would participate in the event. The procedure has been named after him as Garg PERFACT procedure. Anal fistula is a severe condition that begins due to constipation and can lead to cancer. Garg is a visiting surgeon at Fortis Hospital, Mohali. He also runs a clinic in Panchkula. He has treated 104 patients from across the world, including four PGI doctors, in the past one year. His research on the procedure is due for publication in the ASCRS journal.
The disease
* Anal fistula is a complex disease that results in abnormal or multiple tract formations near the anus *
These formations may lead to pus discharge intermittently or on daily basis *
In old cases, these tracts can spread deeper, making the situation far more complicated *
Leaving the disease untreated for a few years may lead to development of
cancer.
The new procedure developed by Dr Pankaj Garg
GARG PERFACT procedure does not involve any incision, so there is no or minimal pain. Under this procedure, one or a few small cavities are made through which regular cleaning is done. The procedure is safe and has much higher cure rate than any other method known so far.
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Lawyers ‘charge’ Rs 3.3 cr from foreign couple for child’s custody
Chandigarh, May 5 The case under the Guardians and Wards Act, pending in Himachal Pradesh, is still in its initial stages. But the couple claim they have already sold off their house in the US to pay the fee. The amount "paid" includes approximately Rs 35 lakh on expenses and secondary lawyers. Out of the total, Rs 2.5 crore was "paid" via traceable international bank transfers. Confirming the receipt of the complaint, Bar Council chairman Rakesh Gupta said they were calling for comments. “Another complaint furnished to the Himachal Bar Council too has been referred to us,” he added. As the Bar Council is examining the 168-page complaint by American citizen Karma Lama and his Italian wife Paola Pivi against advocates Ranjit and Anil Malhotra, The Tribune looks at the plea, which circuitously raises ethical aspects of attorney fees. The couple say a check on lawyers' fee in India is none of their concern and have nothing against high fees charged by professionals. They are complaining only because the two advocates took them for a “ride”. The Malhotras have denied the charges. They insist they were “engaged professionally and retained as counsel on per appearance agreed and settled charges”. The client approved in writing hourly rates of professional consultation, case conferences, discussion and case preparation for guardianship proceedings. All expenses were payable separately. The complaint carries a “verification” by Paola Pivi, along with 19 annexure. But the allegations by the couple can solely be taken as an expression of their individual belief. The news report is based on their complaint and the newspaper does not subscribe to their views.
The background
When Karma Lama and Paola decided to file a case for custody and guardianship, little did they realise they would end up allegedly paying Rs 300 for every minute of advice. The two say: “In nine-and-a-half months of litigation, we were charged a total of $5,31,000, approximately Rs 3.3 crore, by the Malhotras. The fee was calculated at $300 per hour -- equivalent to more than Rs 18,000 per hour.” The couple add that out of the total, they paid more than Rs 17 lakh for six secondary lawyers, and paid another Rs 18 lakh for expenses. The two said they came to Dharamsala in October 2011 for a “historical research project” on Tibetan culture. In August next year, they met the President of the Tibetan Children Village in Dharamsala and they became “prospective adoptive parents” of a child whose custody was given to them. “We relocated to Dharamsala permanently to be with the child until the time of adoption. But later in January 2013, a dispute arose regarding the custody and guardianship of the child,” they claim. It is then they came in contact with the Malhotras through a “renowned lawyer in America”.
Lawyers’ take
The Malhotras were formally engaged on January 15, 2013, and formally discharged as counsel on December 3, 2013, by appointing a new counsel. They made 10 appearances before the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, New Delhi, 15 before Dharamsala District Court, six before Himachal Pradesh High Court, and five before Shimla District Court with assistance of associate counsels. They also made representations extensively at central government ministries, Himachal Pradesh Government, Italian Embassy and US Embassy. “On request and engagement of clients, extensive representations were made regularly”. A proper log of hourly working was maintained and communicated regularly in writing, for which hourly rate was paid, as per agreed and settled charges from time to time. No payment was ever disputed, questioned or left unpaid. The approximate professional time billed from January to October 2013 was about 1,500 hours. The client “demanded full time on a daily basis, including working till 9 to 10 pm at night, inclusive of weekends, for 10 months. The client is extremely vindictive of the Tibetan Government; focus and agenda of client is vehemently against the Tibetan Government under the garb of the present litigation. Motives of client are highly suspect…” “The client is conducting malicious and viscous blackmail campaign against counsel for extraneous considerations. They never defaulted in any appearance… By virtue of professional representation, successful orders were granted by the courts and NCPCR at all stages”. Ever since their litigation commenced, they stayed in posh hotels in Mumbai, Chandigarh, Delhi and Shimla. They -- side by side -- rented apartments in Manimajra and Gurgaon. “Their opulent stay in expensive five-star hotels, more-than-luxurious lifestyle throughout the entire period of their stay, including throughout-the-year deployment of personal expensive taxis, completely demolishes their argument that they had to sell their house to sustain their litigation”.
The complaint
The couple alleged that the Malhotras even counted “hours spent talking on the phone, hours spent talking among themselves, hours spent reading the case material and related material, and hours spent doing office work”. Paola said she ended up working “hundred of hours” in their office to reduce the chargeable hours. “On various occasions, I worked at their office late and they waited for me to finish. They billed me for the time they waited as well”. The couple added that the artwork of Paola who is an “internationally recognised artist” was also sold at reduced rates “to accumulate as much income as possible and as quickly as possible”. The two added that information on legal fees, trial rules, timings and laws was conveyed in a selective or modified way to keep them “in a state extreme of fear of losing the child”. They also allege the Malhotras claimed that they generally charged $800 per hour and were doing them a great favour by charging only $300. “The Malhotras told us they were among the few lawyers in India who had the intellectual capacity to handle Guardian and Wards Act applications and any other good lawyer in Delhi would have charged us 10 times more… The Malhotras told us that justice and good lawyers in India were available only to the very wealthy.”
The couple claim the Malhotras introduced them to two “very reputable lawyers” for initiating proceedings before the Supreme Court for the transfer of the matter from Himachal Pradesh to Chandigarh. “Anil Malhotra insisted that he would pay the lawyers on our behalf... After the first hearing, the junior lawyer’s fee was about Rs 78,000, but Anil Malhotra demanded Rs 1.85 lakh; the senior lawyer’s fee was Rs 2.8 lakh, but Anil Malhotra demanded Rs 4.7 lakh”. Unaware of these surcharges, the couple claim they asked the junior lawyer if they could settle the bill directly. This simple request provoked the Malhotras to abruptly drop the case through email dated November 1, 2013. Alleging that the fee of the Supreme Court lawyers was “inflated”, the couple added: “Upon subsequent conversations with both the junior and the senior Supreme Court lawyers, we found out that Anil Malhotra was cheating on those fees”. Afterwards, the Malhotra denied no-objection certificate by citing irrelevant excuses, the couple maintained.
Rebuttal
Talking to The Tribune, Paola said that she and her husband, on the contrary, have been supporting the cause of the Tibetans; and have even been organising free concerts for “Free Tibet” even in Alaska. The amount spent by them in staying in the hotels was miniscule compared to the money paid to the Malhotras. In any case, their stay was more guided by safety concerns than luxury factor. They took time to move the Bar Council as it took them some time to overcome the initial shock and gather necessary material to file an exhaustive complaint.
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Assam killings: 4 hurt in police firing
Nagaon/Guwahati, May 5 Official sources said the police fired on the mob at Doboka area when supporters of Muslim Students Union, which had called the bandh, attacked and threw stones at them when asked to withdraw the road blocks. The wounded were rushed to hospital, the sources said. In another incident at Sonaribil, bandh supporters attacked and damaged the vehicles of Koliabari sub-divisional police officer and circle officer. The sources said the bandh was partial in the minority dominated areas and the situation was tense in the district. The bandh was called to protest the killing of 34 people belonging to a minority community by anti-talk NDFB(S) in Baksa and Kokrajhar districts in BTAD since Thursday last forcing thousands to flee their homes. Curfew, which was imposed since Friday was relaxed during the day in the two districts and neighbouring Chirang as no fresh violence was reported in those areas. The prohibitory order was relaxed for eight hours from 10 am at Baksa, for six hours at Kokrajhar and for seven hours from 10 am at Chirang, respectively. Flag march by the army continued to instill confidence in the people and security forces patrolled the affected areas to prevent fresh violence, the sources said. IGP LR Bishnoi claimed a major attack was averted with the killing of two NDFB-S militants in an encounter with the police at Baksal village in Udalguri district, which too falls under Bodoland Territorial Areas Districts, where they had gone to unleash violence. — PTI
Govt for judicial probe: Gogoi
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday said his government would institute a judicial enquiry by a retired judge to probe into the outbreak of violence in the Bodoland territorial Area Districts (BTAD) areas. He further dismissed media reports that the state government would provide firearms to the violence-hit people and said security cover in vulnerable areas would be increased. - PTI
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After Modi barbs, Congress
may revisit Varanasi strategy New Delhi, May 5 Congress insiders did not rule out a decision by top party leaders (read the Gandhis) to campaign in Varanasi. A change in strategy has been mandated by Modi’s latest attack on Rahul and Sonia, where he raised the pitch against the Gandhis in an unusually aggressive manner, asking the voters to “unseat the sitting MP Rahul Gandhi and give a servant (read Modi) a chance”. Congress old-timers have challenged Modi’s assertions that former Congress president Sitaram Kesri had been thrown out of the party headquarters or that former PM Narasimha Rao’s body was insulted as it was not allowed to be laid inside the AICC headquarters in New Delhi. “The speech was very Modi-like. He built a castle of lies as he always does,” a senior Congress leader told The Tribune. Narasimha Rao’s body could not be laid inside the AICC headquarters because it was in the Army’s custody, he added. Old-timers also said that Sitaram Kesri was never thrown out of the party office. Instead, he had “voluntarily left a meeting of party seniors which was going on at that time”. Congress leaders admitted this was the first time a major political rival had campaigned in a segment held by a top leader of the ruling party. Asked whether anyone among the Gandhis-Sonia, Rahul or Priyanka - could consider campaigning in Varanasi, a senior party functionary said, “As of now, there is no programme of anyone of them canvassing there, but programmes can change.” On record, Congress’ official spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said there was no practice of reciprocity in politics. “Party leaders plan their campaigns depending on their all-India strategy. Battle plans are decided after considering various factors,” he said. However, he did not rule out the possibility of any of the Gandhis campaigning in Varanasi in favour of Congress candidate Ajay Rai. BJP a losing team: Cong New Delhi: Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi on Monday slammed Modi for daring the Election Commission to register another FIR against him. He said, “The BJP and its leaders were like a losing team now attacking the referee and the umpire.”
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ASI team in Kabul to verify Buddha’s bowl New Delhi, May 5 The two officials, PK Mishra, Director, Heritage Byelaws, Kolkata, and GS Khwaja, Director, In-Charge, Epigraphy Branch, Nagur (Arabic and Persian) are inspecting the bowl. They have already left for Afghanistan, ASI sources said. “The officials would primarily study Arabic inscriptions over the bowl. Besides, they would study about the year, which the bowl belongs to,” a senior official with ASI said. — PTI
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New Delhi, May 5
Priyanka Gandhi today hit out at BJP’s PM candidate Narendra Modi, saying he has insulted her “martyred” father Rajiv Gandhi during his speech in Amethi and accused him of indulging in "low-level" politics.
A day after the Kedarnath shrine was reopened for devotees, the sacred portals of the Badrinath shrine were reopened today for pilgrimage after six months of winter break.
Amid recitals of Vedic hymns and blowing of conch shells, nearly 2,000 devotees congregated for the grand opening ceremony of the shrine, which is situated in Chamoli district.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today charged BJP prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi with having balked at appointing a RTI Commissioner and Lokayukta in Gujarat for fear of being booked for alleged irregularities in providing benefits to his favourite industrial group.
A Chandigarh-based doctor has pioneered a procedure for treatment of anal fistula that has been now recognised by the American Society of
Colo-Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS).
