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Ms Zia's alliance won just 31 seats in parliament, electoral officials say


Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, defeated in Monday's parliamentary elections, has rejected the results saying the vote was rigged.

"We have confirmed reports of rigging and other irregularities in many polling stations across the country," she told reporters in Dhaka.

Election officials said earlier that Ms Zia's rival Sheikh Hasina's Awami League had won a landslide victory.

The poll was mostly praised by media, monitors and the world community.

On Tuesday, at least one person was killed and more than a dozen were injured in clashes between rival political activists in the northern Pabna area, officials said.

The election follows two years of army-backed rule in the country.

Dramatic reversal

In her first reaction to Monday's voting, Ms Zia said she believed the results did not reflect the people's will.


Sheikh Hasina and her allies have pulled off a stunning victory


"So we reject the election outcome," she said.

"We are collecting details of more irregularities and will give them to the media and appropriate authorities over next few days," she said.

Ms Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party alliance has complained of fraud and forgery at more than 200 polling stations.

Observers say the next two days will be vital as to whether the result is accepted or sparks violence.

Election officials earlier said that the party of Sheikh Hasina, another former prime minister had secured more than 260 seats in parliament, while Ms Zia's BNP won 31.

The Election Commission has not yet declared a final official result.

There was a massive turnout for the election, which was overseen by hundreds of international monitors who largely pronounced the poll fair and credible.

The win for the Awami League is a dramatic reversal in fortunes for the two parties, says the BBC's Mark Dummett in Dhaka. In 2001, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party won the election overwhelmingly.

A
s the whole country is ready to welcome New Year 2009, we should give a look on fiery tongues of our Politicos, who hogged limelight in the passing year of 2008. By giving irreverent remark after the Mumbai attacks several political leaders invited public angers.

BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, AR Antulay, Vilasrao Deshmukh, RR Patil and Shivraj Patil were the prominent five leaders, who hit the headlines for their irresponsible remarks.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi triggered a fresh controversy fresh controversy by saying some women with “lipstick and powder on their face” were indulging in demonstrations and abusing politicians. Naqvi’s this controversial remark proved that he was suffering from verbal diaorrhea.

AR Antulay was the second in this row, when he raised the finger on death of ATS Chief Hemant Karakare in the Mumbai terror attacks, saying that it might be a conspiracy and should be probed. After this people and media described Antulay as attorney of lone surviving militant Ajmal Amir Kasab.

Shivraj Patil, who faced heat for changing sherwanis after Delhi blast, didn’t take any lesson from the past. But after Mumbai attacks, Mr. Patil didn’t get time to change his suits and appeared before the camera with excuses. Shirvaj Patil sacked for failure of intelligence and soft handeling of terror.

After Shivraj Patil, it was another Patil from Maharashtra on the board. RR Patil, who added some more feathers into the controversial remarks after the Mumbai attacks, by saying “Aisa nahee hain, bade shahron mein aise ek adh hadse hote rahte hain,isleye total intelligence failure hua aisa nahe hain”(Its not like that, in big cities one-two incidences can occour, but saying that total intelligence failure is not correct.)” At the end of the day result was the same, the NCP chief Sharad Pawar shown the door to Patil, who was serving as Dy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

Vilasrao Deshmukh, a two-time Chief Minister of Maharashtra, was also grounded for his love for Bollywood during Mumbai attacks. He visited the terror-hit Hotel Taj with his Actor son and Bollywood director Ram Gopal Verma. Deshmukh failed to understand the intensity of people’s anger aftermath of Mumbai terror attacks. Finally he was replaced by Ashok Chavan as new Maharashtra Chief Minister.

D
isturbing photographs made available to this newspapers by police sources indicate that several of the guests at the Taj Mahal Hotel during the siege November 26 were sexually humiliated by the terrorists and then shot dead.

Police sources confirm that even as the terrorists were engaged in a fierce combat with NSG commandos, they were humiliating their hostages before ending their terrifying ordeal.

Foreign guests were their particular target. Eight of the 31 killed at the Taj were foreign nationals.

Photographs taken by a police forensic team after the hotel was sanitised yield a gruesome picture of some of the guests in the nude.

These bodies were found away from the hotel’s swimming pool which makes it clear that they were not those guests who were taken hostage from the poolside.

“Even the Rabbi and his wife at Nariman House were sexually assaulted and their genitalia mutilated,” said a senior officer of the investigating team, not wishing to be quoted.

“We have CCTV footage which reveals how these terrorists forced some of the guests who were holed up in restuarants to strip, but there is not evidence of rape,” he added.

These pictures, most of which we have refrained from printing, are in the records of the police and are now part of the investigation.

Guwahati, Dec 27 : Bird flu has spread to new areas in Assam where culling of poultry has been going on since November 27.

Over five lakh chicken and ducks have been culled in the state.

Sources in the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department said cases of fresh bird flu attack were reported at Manahkuchi of Hajo and Chayani Barduar block in Kamrup (Rural) district, where the disease was first detected.

Other fresh areas to be hit by the virus are Tihu- Barama of Baksa district, Chachaligaon Burachowk village in Nagaon district, Rangamati, Aurpakmoniari Tiniali in Kamrup (Metro) district and Doloigaon Uzanpara in Bongaigaon district, the sources said.Culling operations were initiated in the three-km radius area of the new bird flu-hit notified centres, while it continued in the previously notified areas.

With seven new locations notified, so far 19 epicentres were officially stated to be affected by avian flu in seven districts of Assam.

Nearly 150 villages have been declared bird flu-hit, for which 1,720 rapid response teams were deployed.

Almost two lakh eggs and 14,000 kg of bird feed have been destroyed since the beginning of culling.

Culling, mopping and disinfection operations were completed in nine centres of Kharghuli and Khanapara in Guwahati, Dibrugarh town, Rajabazar, Sarpara, Patgaon, Kathla, Katajhar and Bejerajalah.

Residents of Nalibari village in Chirang district resisted culling operations but veterinary officials were confident of convincing them to allow the anti-bird flu operation.

Compensation worth Rs 1.35 crore had so far been paid to the poultry owners, the sources said.

The affected districts are Kamrup (Metro), Kamrup (Rural), Nalbari, Barpeta, Chirang, Dibrugarh and Bongaigaon.

Cakes, cookies and carols, bring home the fact that Christmas is almost here. Probably, “the most looked forward to” part of Christmas is the mouth-watering goodies. Christmas in India is unique. Along with the usual goodies there is also a dish or two that comes from the region you belong to.

Rose cake and bebinca

Manju David from Jharkand says that while the elaborate pulav and the mutton curry take centre stage, there are other delights like the Rose cake. A rose-shaped mould dipped in a batter made with maida, sugar, semolina and egg being optional, is fried crisp. An easy-to-make rasagulla pudding is the perfect finish to a feast in West Bengal. It’s so easy to make says Amritha. A tin of rosagullas has to be drained well. Add one cup of milk to a can of milkmaid in a pan and heat it on a gentle flame. Take it off the fire and add the drained rosagullas. Decorate it with pistachios, chill and serve.

Singing and dancing around a fire is part of celebrating Christmas in the valleys of the North East. Lengkhawnzai, a feast with rice and a variety of meats is the traditional meal in Mizoram. In Meghalaya it is jadoh, a rice dish with meat and in Manipur it is Kabok and Iromba, a meal that combines rice, meat and vegetables.

Nagaland which celebrates Christmas as its official festival has celebrations on from November to January. The rich and the poor dine at the same table. As there is plenty of passion fruit during this season, cakes and wines are made from the fruit. A favourite during this season is Anishe which is chicken wrapped in dry yam leaves and smoked over a wood fire.

In Mizoram, — Ruautheth is an important community feast where men do the main cooking. Pork and beef are prepared in a huge pot and banana leaves or wooden plates large enough to serve five to ten people are placed on the table. Rice is served on the outer plate while the main dish is in the centre.

Midnight mass, partying, a table groaning with food, plenty of singing and music spells out the Christmas fervour in Goa. Fiona Coelho described the Bebinca, a dessert of Portuguese origin, as a favourite of the season. Sixteen golden layers are made with flour, sugar, egg yolks and ghee, over a moderate flame. Pork vindaloo and prawn blanchet are typically Goan with Portuguese roots.

Jacqueline’s favourite dish for Christmas is the Mangalore chicken curry. Cooked in coconut milk, the chicken curry is enhanced with jeera and khus khus roasted lightly. The garlic, ginger and the green chillies are threaded together and cooked and removed when served.

Spice and all things nice

While Lily V. Kumar from Hyderabad says, “It’s Mughalai Biriyani, I can think of nothing else,” Muktha Bosco says in the Telangana regions, idli and mutton curry are “a must” on Christmas eve.

A simple raisin cake was the centre of attention in a Dharwad Kannada home along with all the other rich food. Appam and a spicy chicken stew were part of the Christmas meal in Kerala.

Athirasam, kai murukku, munthirikothu were “must makes” in the homes in the Madurai and Tirunelveli districts.

Sheila from Kodaikanal said they have a family fund to help the less lucky relatives. Another tradition was that after Midnight mass, when they came home, the doors and windows of the house were opened and it was then they partook of the cake, wine and bananas.

While food is an important aspect, the feeling of goodwill and the need to reach out, are also part of the mood.

Visiting an old age home and singing carols was something that 12-year-old Santosh was looking forward to. He says, “I know my mom has made something yummy. I think it is kalkals.”

J
erusalem, Dec 23 : A book about Chanukah laws and customs was released in the native language of the Bnei Menashe of northeastern India.

Some 1,000 copies in their native languages of Mizo and Kuki already have been distributed throughout the Indian states of Mizoram and Manipur, where the bulk of the Bnei Menashe live.

The Bnei Menashe, who were exiled from Israel some 500 years before the historical events that Chanukah commemorates, were unaware of the holiday until the modern era.

Shavei Israel, a nonprofit organization designed to strengthen ties between Israel and the descendants of Jews around the world, printed and distributed the book.

The Bnei Menashe claim descent from one of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel who were sent into exile by the Assyrian Empire more than 27 centuries ago.

“The Bnei Menashe are anxiously awaiting the passage of a decision by Israel’s Cabinet to allow them all to come to Israel,” said Michael Freund, Shavei Israel’s chairman and founder. “We hope that this book will raise their spirits during the holiday and we pray that their dream to come to Israel will soon be fulfilled.”

JTA

Imphal, Dec 23 : Manipur’s famine hit Churachandpur district has overshadowed the Christmas mood of the Christians here in this Kuki-Chin-Zomi communities dominated district.

Most parts of the district had been hit by the famine like situation after the rodent attacked the standing crops as well as the granaries in the wake of large scale bamboo flowering.

A total of 16,050.13 hectares of cultivated land was damaged and 1,03,558 persons from 14,307 families in 264 villages in the district bordering Myanmar and Mizoram affected as per district administration report quoted by Co-ordinating Mautam Famine Aid.

When bamboo flowers, famine, death and destruction follow.

Rats multiply at a very rapid pace after eating the protein-rich seeds that appear soon after bamboo flowering.

When the seeds are exhausted, armies of rats chomp their way through other food grains, causing a famine.
“As the Christian dominated district of Churachandpur is already on its festive mood, it is pertinent to mention that majority of the people remains haunted by the dreaded Mautam famine they have suffered” Zomi Economic Planning and Development Agency (ZEPADA) said in a release, adding their worries have overshadowed the normal cheerful mood prevailing at this time of the year.

The Public suffering is compounded by the non-distribution of Mautam relief well on time by the government which they are endlessly waiting for.

Bamboo grows wild in 3691.77 sq.km of Manipur’s total geographical area of 22,327 sq km.

Locally known as Mautam, the bamboo flowering is concurrently affecting the contiguous areas of Mizoram as well.

ZEPADA also urged the FCI department on the 11th of this month for direct lifting of all famine related items from Dimapur to Churachandpur at least till the 3rd of December, it said.

Meanwhile, the DC Churachandpur said that all requisite amount of food had been accredited for procuring the rice, claimed the release.

However ZEPEDA questions Why relief material got delayed for so long? - Six months to release the fund and more than one month (and still waiting) to procure and distribute the food-grains, it questions.

J
airampur (Arunachal Pradesh), Dec 23 : Villagers in Arunachal Pradesh have stumbled upon a World War II camp-cum-observation post used by American forces, close to a graveyard where over 1,000 soldiers of the Allied Forces are buried, officials said Tuesday.

A government spokesman said villagers discovered the post, spread over about 500 square metres, near Wintong village in Changlang district, about 600 km east of state capital Itanagar.

“The area was probably used as a monitoring and observation camp by American soldiers who were part of the Allied Forces to monitor air strikes during World War II,” said Arunachal Pradesh assembly speaker Setong Sena.

After locals reported sighting remnants of the war, Sena, accompanied by government officials and paramilitary troopers, visited the site and discovered empty containers and vessels, tins and bottles of medicines and other items of daily use.

“Some locals in the area who worked with the Allied Forces showed us a tree in the area where the Americans installed gadgets for radio networking,” Sena told IANS.

The Arunachal Pradesh government has now ordered the site to be preserved, besides measures for beautification of the area by constructing pavements and a parking zone for tourists.

“We shall also set up a security post near the site so that the area is properly guarded,” the assembly speaker said.

Wintong is adjacent to the historic Stilwell Road. The 1,726-km road was a vital lifeline for movement of troops of the Allied Forces during World War II to free China from Japanese occupation.

It starts at Assam, in the heart of India’s northeast, and cuts through the Pangsau pass in Myanmar to Kunming in southwest China.

Close to Wintong is Jairampur, a village along the Stilwell Road, where a mass burial ground was discovered in 1997 by villagers where soldiers who died in the war were buried.

The burial ground, with about 1,000 graves of allied soldiers believed to be mostly Chinese, Kachin, Indian, British and American, is now a tourist destination with friends and relatives of those who died in World War II making annual pilgrimages.

Hundreds of Allied soldiers died while constructing the Stilwell road - many are also buried along Lekhapani in eastern Assam, about 600 km east of the state’s main city of Guwahati. Lekhapani is close to Jairampur.

The Stilwell Road runs for 61 km in India, 1,033 km in Myanmar and 632 km in China.

The road was built by Chinese labourers, Indian soldiers and American engineers, and named after American General Joseph Stilwell who led the task, which was completed after three years of hard work in 1945.

Tata Boss Ratan Tata launches the world's cheapest production car


Tata Motors, the owner of Jaguar Land Rover, is to inject "tens of millions" of pounds into the British carmaker, according to the Financial Times.

A spokesman for Tata Motors did not deny the report.

A cash injection by the Indian owner would give the UK government more time to decide whether to use public money to bail-out the company.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson had cast doubt on a bail-out, saying the state was a "lender of last resort".

Debasis Ray, head of corporate communications for Tata, did not deny the report but would not say how much money would be injected.

"It is our company and we are running a business," he said.

"Discussions with the government, however, are confidential and cannot be revealed. We have to run the company and are doing so to the best of our abilities."

State aid

The carmaker has asked the government for financial support and its case has been backed by unions which say the industry needs help.

Labour peer Lord Bhattacharyya had suggested ministers were discussing a £667m loan package for Jaguar.

But Lord Mandelson said that Tata group must "look to their own resources."

Jaguar Land Rover has been hit hard by a dramatic slump in sales that has affected carmakers across the world.

In the US, the government has agreed to a $17.4bn (£11.6bn; 12.4bn euros) bail-out package for its auto industry.

In the UK, the Confederation of British Industry has said urgent government loans are needed to preserve 800,000 UK jobs in the carmaking industry. The Unite union says tens of thousands of skilled jobs are "hanging by a thread".

Mr Qasab has been in custody since the first night of the attacks


India says the sole surviving gunman from last month's Mumbai (Bombay) attacks has sought help from Pakistan.

The request came in a letter handed to Pakistani diplomats in Delhi.

Mohammed Ajmal Amir Qasab, who is in Indian custody, admitted in the letter that he and the other attackers were from Pakistan, Indian officials said.

Pakistani officials say they are studying the contents of the letter. Islamabad has so far refused to acknowledge the gunmen were Pakistani.

Relations between the two countries have been severely strained since the attacks, in which more than 170 people were killed.

Earlier, India's Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the international community had not done enough to exert pressure on Pakistan, which denies any involvement in the attacks.

On Monday fighter jets flew low over three major cities in Pakistan amid the heightened tension.

'Legal aid'

India's foreign ministry said the acting high commissioner of Pakistan had been handed the letter from the gunman on Monday evening.


"In his letter addressed to the Pakistan High Commission, Kasab [Qasab] has stated that he and the other terrorists killed in the attack were from Pakistan and has sought a meeting with the Pakistan High Commission," the ministry said.

Reports suggested the letter contained a request for legal help from Pakistan. Indian lawyers have so far refused to represent Mr Qasab in court.

Pakistani officials confirmed receipt of the letter and said they were examining its contents.

The Pakistani government is under intense pressure to act decisively against militants operating on its soil.

Addressing Indian envoys from across the world, Mr Mukherjee accused Islamabad of "denial" and "shifting the blame" for last month's attacks.

"We have so far acted with utmost restraint and are hopeful that international community will use its influence to urge the Pakistani government to take effective action."

But Mr Mukherjee said that although there had been "some effort so far by the international community... this is not enough. Much more needs to be done."

His statement was the latest in a series of strongly worded diplomatic warnings from India.

The BBC's Chris Morris in Delhi says the Indian government is clearly determined to maintain pressure on Islamabad to act.

India has blamed Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) for the attacks, which began on 26 November and lasted three days.

Last week, Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari said claims that the sole surviving attacker had been identified by his own father as coming from Pakistan had not been proven.

The two hotels caught up in the attacks, the Trident-Oberoi and Taj Mahal Palace, reopened for business on Sunday.

Aizawl, Dec 23 : People from the northeast are known for their fashion consciousness and fascination for fashionable dresses and latest trends. This was witnessed here recently during the first ever Lakme Designer Week in the State.

Organised by Entertainment Mizoram and Heritage Handloom and Handicraft industry, the event was jointly supported by State government of Mizoram and private companies.

It provided an opportunity to the young talent to gain an entry into the fashion world. Fashion enthusiasts turned up in large numbers to witness the first ever `Lakme Designer Week‘ that was held in Mizoram’s capital Aizawl.

Ruth L. Hrangchal, member of the Entertainment Mizoram, said: “We feel that we have to expose our talents so that our talent becomes a great industry. Mizo people are very talented. When it comes to fashion industry, we are number one. We are as good as theest of the world. So we want to show the world the talents of the Mizo people so that this creativity becomes an industry for the people of Mizoram.”

It was a major draw for the young at heart. The enthusiastic models set the ramp on fire and displayed an array of ethnic and stylish clothes designed by up-and-coming Mizo designers.

Rebbeca Lallenpui Ralte, one resident designer, said: “My inspiration was like I want to promote the Mizo costumes and Indian costumes. So I’m mixing all that thing.”

The designs were mostly a fusion of western and traditional Mizo designs.

The fashion show has helped to familiarize the world with abundant creativity and talent that is available in the region.

And today models and designers from North East are scaling new heights and making it to the catwalks of Mumbai and Delhi, if not Paris and Milan.

ANI

Imphal, Dec 23 : Manipur’s Famine hit Churachandpur district has overshadowed the Christmas mood of the Christians here in this Kuki-Chin-Zomi communities dominated district.

Most parts of the district had been hit by the famine like situation after the rodent attacked the standing crops as well as the granaries in the wake of large scale bamboo flowering.

A total of 16,050.13 hectares of cultivated land was damaged and 1,03,558 persons from 14,307 families in 264 villages in the district bordering Myanmar and Mizoram affected as per district administration report quoted by Co-ordinating Mautam Famine Aid.

When bamboo flowers, famine, death and destruction follow.

Rats multiply at a very rapid pace after eating the protein-rich seeds that appear soon after bamboo flowering.

When the seeds are exhausted, armies of rats chomp their way through other food grains, causing a famine.

“As the Christian dominated district of Churachandpur is already on its festive mood, it is pertinent to mention that majority of the people remains haunted by the dreaded Mautam famine they have suffered” Zomi Economic Planning and Development Agency (ZEPADA) said in a release, adding their worries have overshadowed the normal cheerful mood prevailing at this time of the year.The Public suffering is compounded by the non-distribution of Mautam relief well on time by the government which they are endlessly waiting for.

Bamboo grows wild in 3691.77 sq.km of Manipur’s total geographical area of 22,327 sq km.

Locally known as Mautam, the bamboo flowering is concurrently affecting the contiguous areas of Mizoram as well.

ZEPADA also urged the FCI department on the 11th of this month for direct lifting of all famine related items from Dimapur to Churachandpur at least till the 3rd of December, it said.

Meanwhile, the DC Churachandpur said that all requisite amount of food had been accredited for procuring the rice, claimed the release.

However ZEPEDA questions Why relief material got delayed for so long? - Six months to release the fund and more than one month (and still waiting) to procure and distribute the food-grains, it questions.

ULFA

The United Liberation Front of Asom, which reportedly run training camps inside Bangladesh, went for engaging the United Nation’s refugee rights body to pursue the case of their jailed leader Anup Chetia.

As New Delhi starts talking tough with Dhaka regarding terror issues, the banned Indian armed group leaders, who are taking shelter in Bangladesh, have foreseen a difficult time ahead. After the Mumbai terror attacks in November, which aroused unprecedented public anger against the terrorists as well as the authority, the new Indian Union Home minister P. Chidambaram echoed the sentiment of the people with the strongest words in the Parliament.

The leaders of the United Liberation Front of Asom, who reportedly run training camps inside Bangladesh, predicted the outcome and hence they went for engaging the United Nation’s refugee rights body to pursue the case of their jailed leader Anup Chetia. Apprehending India’s next course of action to be tougher, the General Secretary of ULFA recently appealed for political asylum in a safe country.

Anup had written to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on December 7 urging for refugee status and political asylum. Besides Anup, who had been behind bars in Dhaka for a decade, his solicitor Muhammad Abdus Sattar also sent a letter to the Representative of UNHCR Bangladesh Office in Dhaka asking for intervention. Both the letters have been included in the December 15 issue of the ULFA’s electronic fortnightly mouthpiece ’Freedom’.

Answering the questions from Parliamentarians in the Lok Sabha on December 16, the Home minister commented, “A message must go that Bangladesh is duty-bound to honour its commitment and assurances.” Asserting that the ministry had information regarding the presence of Indian insurgents in Bangladesh soil, Chidambaram stressed on Dhaka’s prompt actions against Northeastern insurgents, who were operating from the neighbouring country.

Chidambaram also commented that Bangladesh must realise that it would only be hurting itself in the long run if it did not share a good relationship with India and its borders with India were not secure. He also added that the ULFA and other insurgent groups had been working with the Bangladeshi terror outfit Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI) to continue disrupting activities in Assam and other parts of Northeast.

The ULFA leader Anup described, in his letter to António Guterres, head of the Geneva based UNHCR, as being held at Kashimpur Jail in the outskirts of Dhaka. He pleaded that he was ’no longer a convict to be held in a jail’ as, Anup argued that he had completed seven years of imprisonment for entering Bangladesh illegally carrying foreign currencies and a satellite phone.He also repeated declaring the aim of ULFA to restore Sovereignty of Assam (meaning a Swadhin Asom out of India). As this is in direct conflict with the Government of India’s policy of national integrity, Anup argued, he became an enemy of New Delhi. Eventually the organisation was proscribed and Indian Army launched operations against ULFA resulting in deaths of many of its cadres, Anup stated.

Disclosing about his birth at Jerai Gaon in Tinisukia of Assam, Anup, whose real name is Golap Barua, added, “I was arrested in India and was mercilessly tortured and finding my life was in danger I escaped using a ploy with the Indian authorities. Since then I have been trying to avoid capture by the Indian authorities.”

India has seriously been pressurising Bangladesh government from the very beginning of my arrest in this country to hand me over to the Indian authorities, Anup said adding that he had already denounced his Indian nationality. More over there is no extradition treaty between India and Bangladesh, which inspires Dhaka has so far rejected New Delhi request to hand him over.

Apprehending his life ’will not be safe soon after his release from the prison’, Anup urged for his safety and appealed for intervention by the UNHCR Bangladesh Office to grant him ’a refugee status and political asylum’. Anup claimed that the ’long ten years and eight months in Bangladesh prison has taken its toll’ and he was ’craving for a normal existence’.

Meanwhile the letter addressed to Pia Pyrtz Phiri, the Bangladesh Representative of UNHCR, by his advocate Muhammad Abdus Sattar termed Anup as a ’Freedom Fighter’, whose life was under threat as Dhaka might extradite him to India. Apprehending his possible handing over to Indian authorities, Anup applied for political asylum to Bangladesh government. The government in Dhaka summarily rejected his prayer, following which a Bangladeshi human rights organisation filed a writ petition to the Supreme Court (of Bangladesh) against that rejection, the advocate elaborated.

The apex court issued a ’Rule to Bangladesh Government as to why Anup Chetia shouldn’t be given the asylum and the Rule has not yet been disposed of’. The case is pending in the court, said Sattar adding, “Without considering the legal and political status of my client Anup Chetia, I came to know that there is a covert move possibly emanating from the terrible pressure created by the Indian Government, the Bangladesh authority is preparing to hand over Anup Chetia to Indian authorities very soon.”

Mr Sattar concluded his letter saying, “Considering the gravity of the situation I should earnestly solicit your kind, effective and swift intervention so that Anup Chetia is not handed over to Indian authorities and would request you further to take the trouble to arrange his asylum in any possible country to save his life.”

Agartala, Dec 21 : The Tripura government today expressed displeasure over the services of commercial banks operating in the Northeast and demanded immediate improvement of banking system in the region.

Addressing State Level Banker`s Committee (SLBC) meeting here, Tripura Finance Minister Badal Choudhury said despite the initiatives from the Central government, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and other forums for improvement in banking services in the region during past few years satisfactory steps were not taken to improvise the services.

A high-level committee under the chairmanship of RBI Deputy Governor was constituted and asked to submit report on improvement of banking services in the region, including improvement of Credit Deposit Ratio (CDR), financial institutions and micro-credits but most of them remained on paper as a result of which no improvement has taken place, Mr Choudhury underscored.

He demanded to review the previous resolutions of the meeting related to improvement of banking services in the region and finalise the time bound action plan before resolving any more decisions.
Besides, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, Chairman-cum-Managing Director UBI, General Manager RBI and other top officials of other commercial banks and financial institutions also attended the meeting and stressed to expand the banking services in rural areas.

”Despite opposition from the State government, commercial banks in the State had already shifted as many as 14 branches to semi-urban locations” Mr Sarkar said, adding at a time, when RBI liberalised the formalities for opening new rural branches to ensure 100 per cent banking coverage, the banks in Northeast were closing the branches from rural pockets.

He also demanded to open at least one branch for three-four villages in the State, while the bankers assured to look into the issues promissing Rs 200 crore would be invested by the nationalised banks in the State during next year.

Mr Noble said India was experienced in using Interpol services


T
he head of the global police agency Interpol has pledged to assist India in its investigations into last month's attacks in Mumbai.

Ronald Noble told Indian Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram that he was ready to help with DNA, fingerprinting and distribution of information.

The news comes as two luxury hotels targeted in the attacks prepared to partially reopen.

The November attacks left at least 170 dead and many more wounded.

In a statement, Mr Noble said the Indian government and Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) were experienced in using Interpol tools and services to pursue "terrorist fugitives".

"India understands that it cannot be expected to find the answers to this incident without the support of the global law enforcement community, and we will help ensure that this happens," said Mr Noble.

Security has been stepped-up in India following the attacks, which India has blamed on Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

LeT and the Pakistani government have denied any involvement.

'Complete deterrent'

The Oberoi and Taj Mahal Palace hotels were among the locations targeted by the 10 gunmen in November, along with a railway station and a Jewish centre.

Both hotels were due to reopen unaffected sections of their buildings on Sunday, with increased security.

Rattan Keswani, president of Trident Hotels which owns part of the Oberoi, said everyone wanted to be sure there was "a complete deterrent" to any future attacks.

"We need armed presence, and we are adding to it," said Mr Keswani, adding that the hotel would be fitted with surveillance systems, baggage scanners and strict security.

Mr Keswani said there was "a huge amount of sadness in everybody's mind" but that he was proud of his staff for committed "100%" to reopening the hotel.

Goa's beach parties attract thousands of tourists every year


C
hristmas and New Year beach parties in tourist resorts in the Indian state of Goa have been banned because of security concerns, say the authorities.

No specific details have been given but officials said there was "obviously" a security threat.

The decision follows the attacks in Mumbai last month in which more than 170 people were killed.

The ban will be a major blow to Goa, which relies on the thousands of tourists attending the famous parties.

"Taking into consideration all the aspects, we have decided that beach parties would not be allowed from December 23 to January 5," Goa chief minister Digamber Kamat told reporters.

He said traditional ceremonies and parties being held in hotels will be unaffected.

Kishan Kumar, Goa's police inspector general, told Reuters: "Obviously there is a security threat, but we cannot say anything more specific at the moment".

Security has been tightened around India's coast following the attacks in November and several foreign governments have advised their citizens against travel to the country.

Goan business leaders said tourism was a "lifeline" and the decision would seriously affect trade.

I
ndia's government is under pressure to respond following a minister's controversial remarks over the killing of top officers in the Mumbai attacks.

Minority Affairs Minister AR Antulay suggested there could have been more to the deaths than just the militants.

Mumbai's anti-terrorism chief Hemant Karkare, who was among those killed, had been investigating suspected Hindu radical attacks in Maharashtra state.

Mr Antulay refused to confirm or deny he had submitted his resignation.

Mr Antulay's suggestion that the deaths could be linked to the investigation into the alleged Hindu radical attacks led to outrage among opposition politicians.

They said the minister's statement had embarrassed the country and they urged him to resign.

'Irresponsible'

Mr Antulay on Friday said he "stood by the truth".

The Times of India quoted him as saying: "Whether Karkare was a victim of terrorism or terrorism plus something, I do not know."

He added: "Karkare and two other police officers were definitely killed by the Pakistani terrorists. Even a fool knows this. What I asked was who sent Karkare and the two officers there?"

When asked about the reports of his offer to resign, the minister told the Press Trust of India news agency: "I am neither confirming it nor denying it."

Mr Antulay's Congress party has distanced itself from his remarks, saying it did not accept the "inference and innuendo that underline" them.

Federal Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vyalar Ravi has said the government will "examine" Mr Antulay's statement and "respond accordingly" in parliament.

Santosh Gangwar, a leader of the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, has said Mr Antulay's "irresponsible statement has created a problem for the country".

Mr Karkare, the head of Mumbai's Anti-Terrorist Squad, was one of several top officers who lost their lives in the attacks which began on 26 November.

Mr Antulay suggested a link to the investigation into the role of Hindu radicals in two bombings in Maharashtra state which killed at least eight people in September.

An army officer, Prasad Shrikant Purohit, and a female priest have been held in connection with the blasts and are accused of providing logistical support for Hindu militants to make bombs.

Congress supporters celebrate victory

MIZORAM: ELECTIONS Polls muddy the Church-State divide

By Debarshi Dasgupta
Church As EC?

* The Church released a code of conduct for the Dec 2 assembly polls
* It co-manned election booths with representatives of political parties
* MPF even distributed campaign literature instead of party officials
* The Seventh Day Adventists and Baptists have contested the Presbyterian Church’s role
* Critics say the church has no business meddling in elections

Elections in Mizoram this year have defied norms. Quite contrary to the usual threat of violence that defined them, they were subdued and sterilised because of the involvement of the almighty Church in the election process.

While in the past it has always issued statements outlining its demands and positions, this is the first time a church-backed vigilante group—the Mizoram People Forum (MPF)—stepped in to “oversee the conduct of free and fair elections”.

This has won the Church great praise but also generated unease about a religious institution issuing political diktats and enforcing them by its volunteers.


A copy of the MPF guidelines

Alongside the Election Commission’s code of conduct, the Church issued its own code proscribing, among other things, door-to-door campaigns, organisation of community feasts, use of loudspeakers and music bands.

The MPF even put out guidelines describing an “ideal candidate” as somebody upright and free from corruption and alcoholism. In Mizoram, about 60 per cent of the population adheres to the influential Presbyterian Church that backs MPF.

Explaining the need for the Church’s intervention, moderator of the Mizoram Presbyterian Church Synod (MPCS) Rev H. Vanlalauva says, “In the 2003 polls, there were reports of voters being influenced by money power.

There was also fear of violence and rumours that certain candidates would be kidnapped. To avoid such situations, the church felt the need to step in to ensure peace.”The political class, however, is divided over the Church’s intervention. Unlike some who appreciate its role, BJP state president Kahawvel Thanva alleges the Church supported the Congress that won the elections.

“That always happens with us. Those who lose accuse us of siding with the winners,” says Rev Zosangliana Colney, MPCS’s executive secretary.

Church officials say they neither named any candidate or party, nor did they discriminate on the basis of religion. The code too was framed in consultation with all parties including the BJP and the NCP, they add.

Though the code had no legal binding, offenders, MPF secretary Lalbiakmawia Ngente says, were censured “morally and socially”.

This is a point that rankles Henry Zodinliana Pachau, a lecturer at the Mizoram University in Aizawl. “What’s worrying is that they are determining what is good. I wouldn’t want my freedom to be clipped in the name of religion,” he says.

“Moreover, the Church has no business getting involved in elections. That is the responsibility of the state. Who knows, next elections there may even be a Church party?” he adds.

The Church, especially the MPCS, is a pervasive force in Mizoram where about 87 per cent of the population is Christian.

MPCS’s website says that in 2004-05, it raised Rs 33.5 crore from donors. Of this, only Rs 2.5 lakh came from abroad. Explains Ngente,

“The Mizo society is close-knit and had traditionally sought guidance from its rulers. The Church is now taking over that role.”

For all the talk of the Church being a “supra-state actor”, Mizoram’s chief electoral officer Lalmalsawma argues that MPF’s involvement “supplemented” the state’s role.”Yes, the MPF did play a significant and helpful role but it is not a substitute.

In fact, the Election Commission of India even sent us a congratulatory note for the conduct of the most smooth and peaceful elections ever in Mizoram,” he says.

Should this model of allowing religious institutions an active role in elections be replicated elsewhere? Former CEC James Lyngdoh doesn’t think so. “Almost everyone in Mizoram is a Christian and the Church is so influential that it influences everybody. It is a unique situation,” he says.

Guests trapped in a Mumbai hotel seized by gunmen last month have told the BBC they were given instructions by police that may have led to more people dying.

Police told a group hiding in the Taj Mahal Palace hotel that it was safe to leave the building, a survivor said.

But members of the group were shot and killed by militant gunmen as they were making their way out.

The senior policeman in charge of the operation in the hotel has denied the allegations against his officers.

'Suspicious'

A prominent Mumbai gynaecologist, Dr Prashant Mangeshikar, was trapped in the Taj Mahal hotel along with hundreds of other guests as gunmen stormed into the building, firing indiscriminately.

Terrified, he and others barricaded themselves into a room and waited.
Eventually, in the early hours of the morning, police officers made it through to where they were hiding and told people it was safe to leave the hotel because the gunmen were cornered on another floor.

Some went ahead but Dr Mangeshikar held back.

"I was a little suspicious that the police were actually sending these guys down a different route where the terrorists were supposed to be," he said.

"I refused to move away and the people who ran ahead of me, about 20 or 30 of them, all of them died."

A dress designer from the city says her aunt was shot dead and her cousin seriously wounded because they followed police instructions to try to leave.

The designer, Shilpa, described the police conduct as disgraceful.

They had no right, she said, to risk people's lives.

The senior policeman in charge of the operation in the hotel has denied these allegations against his officers.

But they add to growing criticism of the police and how they responded to the attack in which more than 170 people were killed.

Guwahati, Dec 21 : Culling operations in four bird-flu affected districts of Assam continued on Saturday with more than 4.25 lakh birds exterminated so
far.

The H5N1 virus has struck 120 villages in seven districts and the state government disbursed Rs 1,27,85,216 as compensation to the poultry farmers, official sources said.

The state government has decided to set up an expert committee to take appropriate measures to prevent similar outbreak among the avian population in future.

The state Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department along with the district authorities launched cleanliness drive and awareness campaign in the affected districts.

The department was also maintaining a strict vigil in other districts with the authorities directed to alert any unusual death among the avian population.

The state forest department has also directed forest personnel to monitor the migratory birds visiting the state during winter.

The seven districts affected by the avian flu are Barpeta, Chirang, Dibrugarh, Bongaigaon, Kamrup (rural), Kamrup (metro) and Nalbari with culling already completed in the last three districts.

Imphal, Dec 21 : Tripartite talks among Kuki militant groups, Central and Manipur governments have agreed to open four designated camps in Churachandpur district where those participating in peace efforts would be housed, official sources said today.

The talks held yesterday centred on the location of designated camps, alleged violation of ground rules by the militants and financial assistance to them.

The Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF), formed by Kuki militant groups, had earlier signed an agreement with the Central and state governments.

Under the agreement, the government was to suspend operations against the two organisations and hold peace talks with them, the sources said.

Ground rules to be observed by the government and militant outfits had also been framed.

Sources said yesterday’s talks also discussed issue of identity cards to militants of some Kuki outfits and financial assistance to them.

The three groups also discussed the kidnapping of officials for ransom and extortion by militant outfits involved in the peace process, the sources said.

The groups were warned not to violate the mutually accepted ground rules.

Samay Live

Northeast All Ready For Christmas celebration

Shillong, Dec 20 : A paper star spells a lot during Christmas. Symbolizing hope, love, peace and divinity, stars adorn almost every household, offices and market places in the Northeast region in the advent of Christmas.

“People are swarming to roadside and departmental stores which display local-made paper and bamboo Christmas stars of varied designs for sale. A star is a must for the Christmas decorations.

It beautifies home entrances and also the Christmas tree,” said a local vendor.

In fact, the entire northeast is in a festive mood, with people preparing for Christmas and welcoming the New Year as shops bank on the Santa Claus to boost their sales. Christmas is a month-long affair here.

It is said that Christianity, the commonly practised religion in the Northeast, united the region that was separated due to linguistic, ethnic and geographical factors in the past. Christmas celebration is imbibed with family traditions, greetings and gifts here.

The Northeast is also known for versatile choir groups. They perform in national channels in television during Christmas spreading the message of peace and love. In the picturesque hill station of Shillong, capital of the predominantly Christian Meghalaya, choir groups belt out carols in churches and public places. “This is the season of happiness and rejoicing,” said a Baptist church pastor and leader of a choir group.

“The flow of shoppers has increased and we are open till late night. People buy gifts for friends and families,” said the owner of a leading shopping mall in Shillong, the fashion capital of the Northeast. With many shopping arcades coming up in the northeast, shopkeepers also resort to extraordinary marketing tricks to woo customers.

“You buy goods worth Rs 1,000 and Santa Claus is going to give you a gift amounting to about Rs 500. This new offer has become an instant hit and we are unable to cope with the rush,” the manager of a garment outlet said.

Keeping the celebration apart, the catchword in the entire region is peace. This is natural for a region where thousands have succumbed to insurgency. “Everybody is impatiently waiting for the Christmas day.

Let us all join together in praying for a new dawn of peace and hope in the region,” said Rev Dominic Jala, Archbishop of Shillong.
Pre-Christmas festive fever grips Nagaland

Kohima, Dec 20 : Pre-Christmas festive fever has gripped Nagaland with individuals, organizations and government agencies organizing various programmes across the hill state dominated by Christian populace.

The slew of events that dominated the landscape for past week were not only confined to merrymaking, music or dance. The occasion was being used as platform to send a message of peace, compassion, moral armament and meaningful engagement of youth in society.

In a pre-Christmas celebration programme in his official residence, chief minister Neiphiu Rio called upon all to work for peace and unity with the spirit of forget and forgive as the present Naga society is grappled with hatred and violence.

Senior ministers, legislators and government officials took part in the celebration at State Banquet Hall where chief minister joined others singing a carol on the occasion.

As part of Year of Capacity Building, many youth clubs both at Kohima and Dimapur organized sports and musical events heralding a mood of festivity in the trouble-torn state.

Buildings have been decorated with light in the capital town where Christmas Stars twinkle everywhere after dusk. In commemoration of the Year of Capacity Building 2008, a two-day pre-Christmas celebration was organized at Mon by district planning and development board (DPDB) on the theme, Christ the Light, Peace on Earth, reflecting unity and oneness among multi-ethnic society of Mon town.

Noted social worker Niketu Iralu, member of Moral Re-Armament (MRA), now christened as Action for Life, joined the celebration with other members of this social movement.

Agencies

T
he Japanese cabinet has approved another $54bn (£36bn) package of spending, to try to ease the recession.

It is the second extra budget approved by MPs and is designed to help finance tax cuts for homeowners, loans to small businesses and aid laid-off workers.

Last week, the government increased its economic stimulus plan by $255bn (£171bn).

The Bank of Japan cut its benchmark interest rate to 0.1%, on Friday in a bid to kick-start the economy.

The BOJ also announced that it would increase its purchase of Japanese government bonds to 1.4 trillion yen ($15.7bn; £10.5bn) a month, up from 1.2 trillion yen.

The government has forecast zero growth in the year ending March 2010.

Japan, the world's second largest largest economy, is already the most indebted country in the developed world.

Popularity falling

In all, the Japanese government will need to raise about $114bn to fulfil its spending plans.

The finance plans set out by Prime Minister Taro Aso mean Japan will have to do more borrowing.

The BBC's Duncan Bartlett in Tokyo says some politicians within Mr Aso's own party have balked at the sums involved and his personal popularity rating with voters has fallen sharply.

After 2001, Japan enjoyed its longest period of economic growth since World War II until the sub-prime crisis started a year ago.

The global downturn has led to global demand falling significantly, while a rising yen has also hit exporters.

Japan's economy slipped into its first recession in seven years after two quarters of negative growth in a row.

The interior and defence ministries are in charge of Iraq's security.

I
raq's interior minister says it has released 19 officials who were arrested amid rumours that they had been plotting a coup.

Interior Minister Jawad Bolani said they were innocent and there was no evidence that they had conspired to restore the outlawed Baath party.

The ministry had said they belonged to al-Awda, or the Return - widely seen as a front for Saddam Hussein's party.

Charges will also be dropped against four others arrested on Thursday.

The judge investigating the officials issued "an order to release all of them because they are innocent", Mr Bolani told the Associated Press news agency.

Correspondents say the arrest of the 23 officials from the interior and defence ministries came at a delicate time politically in Iraq.

Provincial elections are due to be held in January and political parties are vying for power and influence.

The interior ministry is a key part of stabilising the new Iraq and has in the past been heavily-infiltrated by Shia militias, although it has improved over the past two years.

Political tool

In February, a new law allowing former low-ranking Baath party members to become civil servants again meant that some lower-level officials who had served under Saddam Hussein were allowed back to work in Baghdad's ministries.

The banned al-Awda is known as a clandestine Sunni organisation founded in 2003 to try to restore the Baath party to power, and included former members of the Baath party, Saddam's former elite Republican Guard and members of his security services.

The group has carried out assassinations and attacks over the past five years.

Critics of the government, including politicians loyal to the radical Shia cleric, Moqtada al-Sadr, have in the past accused the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki of using detentions and arrests as a political tool.

Some MPs have asked whether these arrests might be politically-motivated.