north east online - north east india news: 12/01/2009

Thursday, December 31, 2009

38 probables named for South Asian Games

New Delhi, Dec 31 (PTI) Hockey India today released the names of 38 probables for a training camp which started in Lucknow from December 29 for the preparations of next month's South Asian Games in Dhaka.

The players will train under coaches Clarence Lobo and Gundeep Kumar till the team departs on January 25 for the January 29 to February 8 event in Bangladesh.

HI also released a list of 22 senior players who have started training in Pune from yesterday under chief coach Jose Brasa for the upcoming tournaments.

Probables for South Asian Games:

Goalkeepers: Harjeet Singh, Mrinal Chaubay, Jaswinder Singh, C Santosh Kumar.

Defenders: V Raghunath, Innocent Kullu, Laxmi Karana, Manjit Kullu, Amit Rohidas, Irfan Ali.

Midfielders: Belsajar Horo, Vikas Pillay, Ajitesh Roy, Senthil Kumar, Birender Lakra (Jr), Amit Prabhakar, Sunil Ekka, Eliazer Lakra, Amardeep Ekka, Virenderjit Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Jasjeet Singh, Roshan Minz.

Rao welcomes Chidambaram's statements on Telangana

Hyderabad, Dec 31 (PTI) Welcoming Union Home Minister Chidambaram's statements on the Telangana issue, TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao today said all stakeholders should now cooperate to facilitate the formation of a separate state.

"... The Centre made a clear statement today. We welcome this. This is a new year gift to the Telangana people," he told reporters here.

Dismissing the charge of "flip-flop" on the part of Centre on Telangana issue, Chidambaram said in Delhi that the January 5 meeting of political parties from Andhra Pradesh is to devise a "mechanism and roadmap" on resolving the problem.

Rao claimed that majority opinion among the eight political parties invited by Centre for the meeting is in favour of a separate Telangana.

"Congress said its stand is clear and that it was mentioned in their manifesto. It also sought the cooperation of other parties.

CRPF pays homage to its martyred soldiers

Srinagar, Dec 31 (ANI): Top brass of the Central Reserve Police Force on Thursday paid homage to four troops killed in an encounter with militants in Jammu and Kashmir.

The four men were shot dead by militants at Sopore region in north Kashmir on Wednesday.

CRPF troopers of 177 battalion were killed and critically injured when militants ambushed a patrol party.

Two CRPF personnel died on the spot while three others sustained bullet injuries.

"Surprise attacks can be made upon us any time. When I say ''us'' I mean security forces in general. Casualties are to be expected but that doesn''t mean that we are disheartened by that or our morale has been lowered in any way," said N C Asthna, Inspector General, CRPF, Kashmir range.

Asthna added that the martyrs returned fire even though they were taken by surprise.

"Of course, we were taken by surprise, they fired nearly 90-100 rounds on us. So the men had little chance. The AK rifle takes only three seconds to empty 30 rounds and if two men are firing this means nearly 120 rounds were delivered in six seconds.

"So there was little which can be done about. Fire was returned that''s why they ran in opposite direction," he added.

Officials say incidents of infiltration by Pakistani militants have risen over the past few months.

According to the official reports, nearly 395 infiltration attempts were reported this year as compared to 342 in 2008. (ANI)

Sensex posts biggest yearly gain since 1991

Mumbai, Dec 31 (ANI): Indian shares provisionally rose 0.77 percent on Thursday to end the year up 81 percent, their biggest annual gain since 1991.

The 30-share Bombay Stock Exchange index provisionally ended up 134.10 points at 17,477.92.

The main index has surged on strong foreign fund inflows.

"It is very good sign that sensex has doubled. It has minimise all loses. Market is likely to reach 18,500 as the inflow of FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) takes place. Market is very strong," said Deven Shah, share expert and senior dealer in Mumbai.

But investors appeared sceptical whether the market would remain buoyant in the long run.

"The only concern for 2010 is that inflation is going up so the government might take steps to increase the interest rate which will have some impact on the market and we will have to see how the government manages the fiscal deficit also which is one factor that will affect the market," said Sidharth K Kuvavala, an investor.

The 50-share NSE index provisionally closed up 0.76 percent at 5,208.75 points. (ANI)

J-K police foils separatist protest

Srinagar, Dec 31 (ANI): The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday foiled a sit-in protest by a separatist group against the human rights violations in Srinagar.

The protest was organised by separatist Jammu Kashmir salvation movement.

Activists along with their chairman Zaffar Akbar Bhat were staging protest at the Lal Chowk by holding placards with messages of stopping human rights violations.

Police swung into action and arrested the chairman and also foiled their attempt to hold protest.

Salvation movement is the part of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq group.

Security forces in the troubled region have been accused of killing civilians in staged gun battles and passing them off as separatist militants to earn rewards and promotions.

Earlier this month, a human rights group in Kashmir said it had discovered some 1,700 unmarked graves linked to the region''s separatist conflict and called on authorities to launch an investigation.

Last year, the same rights group said they had discovered nearly 1,000 unmarked graves in 18 villages in the same area. (ANI)

Chidambaram expresses displeasure over handling of Ruchika case

New Delhi, Dec 31 (ANI): Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday expressed his displeasure over the handling of Ruchika Girhotra molestation case but said he can not pronounce any judgement.

Releasing Home Ministry''s December month report card here, Chidambaram said: "As a Home Minister I can not pronounce any judgement. I am really unhappy in the way the charges were framed, the trial has been conducted, and the way the accused has been punished."

On Wednesday, Ruchika''s father Subhash along with their family counsel Pankaj Bhardwaj met Chidambaram to discuss the case.

"The family of the unfortunate girl Ruchika met me yesterday, they told me that they have filed two FIRs, for harassing and botching of post mortem records. They told me that they are filing another FIR on abetment of suicide," Chidambaram said.

I would certainly look into what the Central Government could do. They told they would send a copy of the FIR. I will react only when I get a copy if he FIR," he added.

In the evening Ruchika''s family filed the third FIR in against former Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) SPS Rathore under Section 306 of the Indian Penal code for abatement for suicide.

Denying the reports of sending an advisory to the Haryana Government, Chidambaram said: I have not sent any advisory to the Haryana Government."

Commenting over delay by the Centre to take action against Rathore, Chidambaram said: " I am sorry the Centre doesn''t come into picture until the officer is convicted."

"He (Rathore) was Haryana cadre officer. He was prosecuted in Haryana. Once the court pronounces judgement convicting the IPS officer then the Centre comes into picture. Till the it was for the Haryana Government to decide on the matter." Chidambaram added. (ANI)

Karunanidhi calls for popularising Tamil language

Chennai, Dec 31 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi today called for popularizing state''s regional Tamil language.

Karunanidhi conducted a special review meeting in Chennai to know about the developments of the world Tamil conference, which is to be conducted in Coimbatore city in June next year.

The meeting was chaired by Karunanidhi and was attended by state ministers, secretaries and other concerned officials of the state to discuss various aspects of the World Tamil Conference.

Karunanidhi later told reporters that after the successful completion of the conference he would also impress upon the federal government to take steps to officially announce the Tamil language as one of the administrative and official languages of the country.

"As a follow-up of the conference, we will continuously stress upon the federal government to officially announce the Tamil language as one of the administrative and official language in the day-today- affairs of the country," said Karunanidhi.

He further added that the Tamil language writers, poets, and senior Tamil laureates from all over the world would take part in the conference and it would be a platform to express their views on development of the regional language.

The Conference will be held in Coimbatore June 23-27, 2010. (ANI)

Tourists throng Himachal Pradesh to usher in the New Year

Shimla/Kullu, Dec 31 (ANI): Tourists from all over the country and foreigners have poured into Himachal Pradesh to celebrate the New Year at the state''s best hill stations.

Shimla and Kullu have always been the preferred holiday destinations for domestic as well as foreign tourists, but the end of the year has seemed to work wonders for these hill stations as the influx of tourists soar year-on-year.

All the three hill stations have arranged for ice games, parties and other treats for their respective guests.

In Shimla, ice-skating, fancy dress, ice hockey, figure skating and fire dance show on ice attracted hundreds of tourists in Shimla.

The organizers believe that this helps the skaters to show their skills and also to entertain the tourists coming here to celebrate New Year from different parts of the country.

"Today itself we have a lot of tourists coming here to see this carnival. This always has been a tourism promotional event. Recently, from last year 2-3 years we have made entries free though earlier we used to charge," said Devesh Banga, secretary of Shimla ice skating club.

Kullu has also organised a number of snow sports to entertain the tourists. While tourists have come in thousands to Kullu to celebrate the New Year, the favored spot for most of them is where they are enjoying snow sports.

The state administration is also well prepared so that the tourists do not face any inconvenience during their stay.

"There has been an increase of about 24 percent in tourist arrivals if we compare it to the corresponding period of the last year.

As regards the preparation and arrangements to be made by the administration and the tourism department, we would like to inform you that we have provided 50 Home Guards from Tourism Division Council of Manali to the police department for traffic management and maintenance of law and order," said Rajeshwar Goyal, sub-divisional magistrate, District Tourism Office, Manali. (ANI)

Yoga can eradicate corruption, says Baba Ramdev

Chennai, Dec 31 (ANI): Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Thursday said that the India''s basic problems of corruption and disease could only be solved through yoga.

He was in Chennai to attend the state level executive meeting of Bharat Swabhiman, a trust unit in Tamil Nadu.

The yoga guru said that he would set up yoga training units in each and every village of India.

Talking to the media, Baba Ramdev said that yoga is our ancient traditional physical exercise method, which each and every citizen should know to lead a healthy and wealthy life.

The yoga guru said that the country''s basic problem is corruption and if that gets eradicated then there will be no more problems in the country.

"The country''s problem is corruption, when this corruption is eradicated then Naxalism will be uprooted. When corruption is eradicated then poverty gets uprooted, illiteracy gets uprooted. When all of this goes away then there will be no problem in the country," said Baba Ramdev.

He stated his mission to start yoga classes in every village of the country by the year 2020.

The yoga guru advised the congregation to fulfill their duty towards the nation and build a healthy, prosperous and culturally refined Bharat (India).

He said that the national character could only be build by building individual character and the best route to that is through yoga. (ANI)

Mukherjee asks banks to give priority on loans to women SHGs

Kolkata, Dec 31 (ANI) : Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday instructed nationalised banks to give loans to women self help groups (SHG) on priority basis for their economic development.

Addressing the West Bengal Mahila Congress workers here, Murkherjee referred to role of the UPA Government for economic upliftment of women in the country.

He stressed the need for proper propaganda on various welfare schemes being implemented by the Centre for child and women development.

Mukherjee admitted that West Bengal is one of the states which is lagging behind to implement the National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme. (ANI)

Chidambaram dismisses reports of Centre''s flip-flop on Telangana

New Delhi, Dec 31 (ANI): Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday dismissed the charge of flip-flop on the part of Centre on Telangana issue.

Interacting with the media after releasing monthly report card of the Home Ministry, Chidambaram said the meeting of political parties from Andhra Pradesh to be held on Tuesday is to devise a mechanism and roadmap on resolving the problem.

Chidambaram hoped if all political parties show good will and accommodation, a solution can be found to the issue.

He said the report in a section of the media on the lifting of the ban on the prepaid connection in the state is incorrect.

"The Centre will revisit the issue of ban on prepaid mobile connection in Jammu and Kashmir if the service providers are able to come out with a fool-proof plan of hundred per cent verification," Chidambaram said.

Commenting on strict visa rules for foreign tourists, Chidambaram said the overwhelming majority of tourists who visit India for a few weeks will face no difficulty whatsoever on the break of 60 days before applying for another tourist visa. (ANI)

Vegetables, pulses push inflation to 19.83 per cent

New Delhi, Dec 31 (ANI) : Country''s food inflation rose to 19.83 per cent for the week ended on December 19, on the back of spurting prices of potato and pulses.

In the second week of December, the food inflation was at 18.65 per cent.

Potato prices more than doubled while pulses became costly by over 41 per cent over the last year. Onion rates rose by 40.75 per cent.

Prices of vegetables rose by 46.7 per cent while fruits became dearer by 10.35 per cent.

The rise in prices was significant on a weekly basis also, with bajra and wheat becoming dearer by 12 per cent and four per cent respectively, while rates of rice increased by two per cent.

At the same time, barley and urad rose by one per cent each. However, prices of fruit and vegetables declined by five per cent on weekly basis.

The food inflation had declined by 1.30 percentage points to 18.65 per cent during the second week of December. (ANI)

World readies for 2010

SYDNEY -An expected 1.5 million New Year's revelers pitched tents and opened picnic baskets in Sydney on Thursday to get one of the world's biggest parties started — bidding farewell to a tough year and welcoming a new decade.
Preparations were under way across the world for pyrotechnics, parties and prayers in the final countdown to 2010, with far eastern points in Oceania and Asia the first to herald the end of the period dubbed "the Naughties."
The mood of celebrations was tempered in some places by the effects of the financial downturn, which bit hard in 2009, sending economies into recession, causing millions to lose their jobs and home foreclosures to rise dramatically in some countries.
There were also reminders of threats and the fight against terrorism that during the decade led to wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and rising militant violence in Pakistan.
The U.S. Embassy in Indonesia warned of a possible terrorist attack on the resort island of Bali on New Year's Eve, citing information from the island's governor. The e-mail warning to U.S. citizens said predominantly Muslim Indonesia's counterterrorism efforts have been partly successful in recent years, but violent extremists continue to pose a deadly threat.
Signs of economic recovery emerged late in 2009, but the year may be one that many people are glad to put behind them.
"I think 2010 will be a good year — you can never tell, but I think so," said Marek Kiera, a Sydney property investor who watched interest rates tumble amid the global financial crisis.
"We have invested so much in something that may go up in value," said Kiera, who went with his wife and three young children to a park in inner Sydney to watch the fireworks show. "Hopefully there will be a boom like in the late '80s, when properties doubled in value."
Organizers said 1.5 million people were expected to line the shore for the annual fireworks extravaganza over Sydney's landmark harbor bridge and opera house — the centerpiece of Australia's celebrations that generates some of the most striking images from a night of revelry across the globe.
Smaller fireworks displays and partying were planned across Australia and the South Pacific, the first region to greet each new day because of its proximity to the International Date Line.
In New Zealand, dance parties, bands and fireworks were planned in the main cities, and live entertainment in many holiday spots, including the southern tourist spot of Queenstown. In the capital, Wellington, celebrations included a display by world unicycle games competitors.
Asia will be partying, too, though probably not as hard as most of Europe and the Americas. The world's most populous nation, 1.3-billion-strong China, uses a different calendar that will mark the new year in February. Islamic nations such as Pakistan and Afghanistan also use a different calendar.
In Beijing, President Hu Jintao was to make an end-of-year speech but no major celebratory events were planned.
Pyrotechnics displays were planned to illuminate Hong Kong's crowded skyline, high-glitz parties were planned in Singapore and thousands were expected to gather at Indonesia's national monument in the capital, Jakarta, for a fireworks show.
Millions of Japanese were to welcome the new year by flocking to shrines to pray for good fortune in 2010.
In Tokyo, the Sensoji temple was draped with banners greeting the new year in preparation for traditional New Year's Day ceremonies when thousands of people pray for good fortune. Shoppers mobbed the city, stocking up on seafood and other items.
In Sydney, crowds defied gray skies and drizzling rain in the middle of summer to line parks and public places along the harbor. High-rise apartments with water views prepared for toney parties.
Sydney revelers were asked to wear something blue, the color chosen to match the fireworks show's theme: Awaken the Spirit.
"Sydney has an amazing spirit — soulful, sexy and sophisticated and we want to celebrate and awaken her spirit for the new year ahead," artistic director Rhoda Roberts said.
In other cities such as Melbourne and Adelaide, revelers sweltered in 100 degree F (38 degree C) heat.
Thousands of police were deployed across Australia to guard against alcohol-fueled misbehavior, with commanders warning that troublemakers should stay home or face jail.
In Turkey, Istanbul Gov. Muammer Guler said authorities were deploying around 2,000 police officers around Taksim Square to prevent pickpockets and the molestation of women that have marred New Year celebrations in the past. Some officers would be under cover, disguised as street vendors or "even in Santa Claus dress," Guler said.
Firecrackers were already exploding across the Netherlands early Thursday on the only day of the year the Dutch are allowed to set off fireworks.
Unlike countries like Australia, the vast majority of fireworks shows in the Netherlands are do-it-yourself affairs where families spill onto the street in front of their homes and light strings of fire crackers and other fireworks.
Many Dutch families also fire up their deep-fat frying pans on New Year's Eve to cook the traditional treat of oliebollen — deep-fried balls of dough laced with raisins and dusted with icing sugar.

CIA workers killed by 'Afghan soldier'

Eight Americans working for the CIA have died in a bomb attack in Afghanistan, the worst against US intelligence officials since 2001.

A bomber wearing an explosive vest entered Forward Operating Base Chapman in Khost Province, near Pakistan.

A Taliban spokesman said one of its members who was working for the Afghan army carried out the attack.

In a separate incident, four Canadian soldiers and a journalist died in a roadside bomb attack in Kandahar.

It was the worst fatal incident affecting Canadians in Afghanistan for more than two years.

Army uniform

A Taliban spokesman said the militant who carried out the attack at the Chapman base on Wednesday evening was working as a soldier in the Afghan army.

Zabiullah Mujahid told the BBC the bomber was wearing uniform when he managed to breach security at the base, detonating his explosives belt in the gym.

Unnamed US officials were quoted as saying that most if not all of the dead Americans were either CIA agents or contractors, although this has not been officially confirmed by either the CIA or the Pentagon.

A further six Americans are reported to be wounded.

Reports say the base is used by provincial reconstruction teams, which consist of soldiers and civilians.

The base has been described as "not regular" - a phrase that implies it was a centre of CIA operations in Khost province, the BBC's Peter Greste in Kabul says.

It is the biggest single reported loss of life for the CIA since the war began in Afghanistan eight years, and the biggest loss for the US since October.

"We mourn the loss of life in this attack, and are withholding further details pending notification of next of kin," US state department spokesman Ian Kelly said.

A spokesman for Isaf, the international Nato force in Afghanistan, said that "no US and no Isaf military personnel were killed or injured" in the incident.

Questions raised

Khost province - which is one of the Taliban's strongholds - has been targeted by militants over the past year.

The number of foreign civilians deployed in Afghanistan has been rising as international efforts there focus increasingly on development and aid.

Civilians work alongside military reconstruction teams at provincial bases around the country.

A "civilian surge" was one of the three core elements of the new US strategy for Afghanistan announced by US President Barack Obama at the beginning of the month.

The fact that an attacker has been able to breach security at such a sensitive facility raises questions about the ability of US forces to protect themselves ahead of the surge, our correspondent adds.

This has been the deadliest year for foreign troops since the 2001 invasion.

Bangladesh NGO head gets UK award

The founder of one of the world's largest non governmental organisations, the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee, has been honoured in the UK.

Fazle Hasan Abed - who holds dual British and Bangladesh citizenship - will be knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 2010 for services in tackling poverty.

He has also been awarded for empowering the poor in Bangladesh and globally.

Mr Abed's name was included in the Queen's New Year's Honours List released on Thursday.

'Multi-dimensional approach'

"I feel very humbled to receive this award," he told the BBC from his office in Dhaka, "which I am delighted to accept on behalf of all Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (Brac) workers across the world.

"I now want to build on this success to continue Brac's fight against poverty not only in Bangladesh but in eight other countries in the world where we are involved including Haiti, Afghanistan Nigeria, Rwanda, Zambia and Kenya."

Mr Abed says that Brac's success was because of a "multi-dimensional approach" to fighting poverty such as improving education, healthcare and financial services.

He Abed is to be made a Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) and is the first person of Bangladeshi origin to be honoured with a knighthood by the British Crown since 1947.

Mr Abed is the second person in his family to be honoured with a knighthood. His grand uncle, Justice Nawab Sir Syed Shamsul Huda, was knighted by the British Crown in 1913.

Full moon''s luster to be lost during Thursday''s lunar eclipse

New Delhi, Dec 31 (ANI): The sky watchers will find lunar radiance rather dim on a full blue moon on Thursday, as the country will on look a partial lunar eclipse.

Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators (SPACE) Director C B Devgun said, "A partial lunar eclipse occurs when only part of the Moon passes through the umbra, or the darkest part of Earth''s shadow."

C B Devgun added, the astronomical event will also be observed in all of Asia and Europe, major parts of Africa and small portion of southwestern Australia.

Devgun further said the whole of India would be able to witness the beginning, middle and the ending of the eclipse.

Nehru Planetarium Director N Rathnasree claimed the eclipse would begin when the Moon enters penumbra at 10:47 PM and end at 02:58:11 AM.

Although the partial phase of the eclipse lasts for an hour, only 7 per cent of the diameter of the Moon is covered by the umbral shadow of the Earth, which is too negligible to be easily visible, she added.

The partial eclipse will begin at 00:22:43 AM on January 1, 2010 and end at 01:22:41 AM.

When a second full moon in a calendar month appears in the night sky, the occurrence is known as a blue moon.

There are 12 full moons most years, but every two or three years there is an extra full moon, which is called a blue moon.

"Such an eclipse of the Moon will be difficult to discern with the naked eye although an astrophotograph of the Moon might just show a hint of darkening over a very tiny region of the Moon," said N Rathnasree. (ANI)

NH 47 in Kerala blocked after 16 injured in accident

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 31 (ANI): The National Highway 47 in Kerala has been blocked following a major road accident that took place at 5am on Thursday morning between a gas tanker and a car leaving sixteen people seriously injured.

According to reports, 11 fire engines are trying hard to extinguish the fire that arose from the gas tanker after the accident.

Of the sixteen injured, four are police constables, who attempted to interfere soon after the accident. A police jeep was also burnt after the gas tanker burst into flames after the accident.

National Highway 47 is a principal highway that connects Trivandrum to the rest of north Kerala and Bangalore. (ANI)

Baitullah Mehsud’s right hand man nabbed by Pak security forces

Lahore, Dec. 31 (ANI): Acting on an intelligence tip-off, security agencies have nabbed the Punjab chief of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Khalilullah, along with a trained suicide bomber.

Khalillulah is said to be the right hand man of the killed Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud.

The arrest was made some 12 days ago when the cantonment division police and intelligence officials raided an outhouse in the Manawan locality.

Khalillulah is said to have masterminded the twin bomb blasts in the crowded Moon market earlier this month, in which over 50 people were killed.

During interrogation, Khalillulah revealed that they were planning to attack the flag-lowering ceremony at the Wagah border.

According to sources, the Punjab Taliban chief had disclosed during the interrogation that he had a team of 600 suicide bombers ready to wreak havoc across Pakistan.

Khalillulah was also on the US list of most-wanted terrorists, The Dawn reports.

According to Capital City Police Officer Pervez Rathor , Khalillulah was involved in all terror acts in Punjab.

“He masterminded the Moon Market suicide bombings and provided logistic support to suicide bombers. Khalil arranged food, accommodation, weapons and vehicles for the bombers for attacks across the province,” Rathor said. (ANI)

Pak Taliban to punish abducted AP journalist for breaching ban after interrogation

Peshawar, Dec.31 (ANI) : Refusing to release the abducted journalist Mohammad Rashid, who is associated with the Associated Press (AP), the North Waziristan Taliban has said that Rashid is being interrogated to ascertain his motives behind coming to Miramshah.

Rashid was kidnapped by the extremists on Sunday while taking pictures of Miramshah bazaar.

It may be noted that the Taliban has banned filming of the area.

A self-proclaimed Taliban spokesman, Ahmadullah Ahmadi said Rashid was detained as he had violated the ban, and is being interrogated.

Ahmadi said the journalist has been kept at a safe and comfortable place and was being looked after properly, and would be released but not without punishing him for violating the ban.

“If we are convinced that he is a genuine journalist, we will definitely release him but after punishing him for violating the ban,” The News quoted Ahmadi, as saying.

The Taliban in North Waziristan are also holding a 55-year-old female Canadian journalist, Khadija Abdul Qahar, who was abducted in November 2008. (ANI)

Malik blames RAW for Baloch insurgency

Islamabad, Dec.31 (ANI): Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik has once again blamed Indian intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), for fanning the ongoing armed insurgency in Balochistan.

Talking to media persons before a cabinet meeting in Gwadar, Malik accused New Delhi of trying to incite anti-Pakistan feelings among the Baloch people.

“The Pakistani government would frustrate all such plans by paying full attention to the problems of Balochistan,” The Daily Times quoted Malik, as saying.

This is not the first time that Pakistan has accused India of harbouring extremist activities on its soil.

Malik, on several occasions, has claimed that Islamabad has critical evidence to prove India’s hand in the Baloch insurgency, and that it would table it at appropriate time.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had also said that Pakistan has evidence regarding New Delhi’s involvement in Baloch insurgency, and that it would raise the issue at an ‘appropriate time and forum’.

“I had discussed the issue with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Sharm-el- Sheikh in Egypt. There is evidence of Indian involvement in Balochistan, however, it is up to the government to decide which forum it will raise the issue on,” Gilani had said couple of days ago.

Responding to a question about the government’s reconciliatory plans, Malik said the government is pledged to provide all those rights to the Baloch people that have been denied to them until now.

“It is the top most priority of the government to give every Baloch his genuine rights,” Malik said.

When asked about the government’s strategy to deal with those leaders who keep harping about an independent Balochistan, Malik said he viewed the Baloch Republican Party chief Brahamdagh Bugti as his “ brother’’.

“We will try to convince all disillusioned forces in Balochistan. Justice will be done with everyone affected in the past. All reservations of the Baloch people will be addressed through democratic means,” Malik said. (ANI)

Inquiry officer likely to question Ruchika’s school principal

Chandigarh, Dec 31 (ANI): Sister S Sebastina former principal of the Sacred Heart School which expelled Ruchika Girhotra in 1990, is likely to be questioned by the Chandigarh Administration.

Ruchika was in class 10 when she was expelled a month after former Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) SPS Rathore had allegedly molested her.

The school administration said non-payment of monthly fees led to her rustication.

The Chandigarh Administration has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the school''s questionable role.

A deputy education officer visited the school recently only to find the doors locked.

Inquiry officer Prerna Puri is expected to meet Sisiter Sebastina this evening.

So far, the school management is silent on Ruchika’s expulsion.

Rathore had allegedly used the expulsion to counter a chargesheet against him. (ANI)

Telangana Row: All 13 Andhra Pradesh ministers withdraw resignations

Hyderabad, Dec 31 (ANI): All the 13 cabinet ministers from Telangana region in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday decided to withdraw their resignations after the Centre''s announcement on holding discussions with all recognised political parties of the state.

State Information Minister Geeta Reddy said the ministers are satisfied with the decision of the Centre to initiate the process of discussions.

On Wednesday, the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram sent a letter of invitation to all eight recognised political parties of the state—Congress, BJP, CPI, CPM, PRP, TDP, TRS and MIM.

"We met APCC President D. Srinivas who asked us to withdraw the resignations. We have decided to withdraw our resignations," said Geeta Reddy.

On December 23, the ministers had resigned after Chidambaram''s announcement to put the Telangana issue on the backburner saying he would initiate wide ranging discussions on the issue.

Earlier on Dec 9, Chidambaram had announced the initiation of the Telangana state formation process.

Geeta Reddy said the ministers had last week submitted a representation to the Congress high command and "we never expected that they will respond so quickly."

She thanked Congress President Sonia Gandhi and other senior leaders including Union Finance Minster Pranab Mukherjee and political secretary to Congress president Ahmed Patel for taking the initiative to solve the issue.

The Centre’s decision came after detailed deliberations in the government and at the highest level in the Congress in the last few days.

All parties were divided and even public representatives belonging to these parties were split on regional lines.

The all-party Joint Action Committee, formed to spearhead the separate Telangana agitation, and the TRS welcomed the announcement and decided to attend the meeting convened by the Centre. (ANI)

Noted Gandhian Thakkar conferred Naga People''s award

Kohima, Dec 31 (ANI): Noted Gandhian and social worker Natwar Thakkar has been conferred with a Lifetime Service award by the villagers of Chuchuyimlang in Nagaland where he started to work in the early fifties as a Sarvodaya worker.

The Chuchuyimlang Senso Mongdang (People''s Union) gave the award to Thakkar, who is the founder of the Nagaland Gandhi Ashram.

Born at Dhami in Maharashtra, Thakkar volunteered to come to Nagaland on a mission of service in 1955 at the age of 23. He thereafter made Nagaland his home.

According to Senso Mongdang President, Supongmatong, the award of Rs 1 lakh was given in recognition of Thakkar’s service to the people of Nagaland and particularly to Chuchuyimlang and surrounding villages for over five decades.

The ceremony was attended by over 3,000 people, which included women and children. Thakkar returned the money to Mongdang and asked to use it for development works. (ANI)

Orissa demands Rs 2257 crore fordrought assistance

Bhubaneswar, Dec 30 (PTI) With 15 of its
districts hit hard by drought, Orissa government
today demanded Rs 2257 crore as Central
assistance for the calamity.
"The state government has submitted a final
memorandum to the central government asking
for Rs 2257 crore to deal with the drought
situation," Revenue and Disaster Management
Minister S N Patro said.
He said a Central team is likely to visit the state's
drought hit areas on January 6.
In its preliminary report, the state had demanded
Rs 843 crore for drought assistance, but it had so
far received Rs 49 crore from the Calamity Relief
Fund (CRF), he said.
As the expenditure on relief measures mounts,
the state government is experiencing a serious
resource crunch.
Central assistance would thus be critical for
meeting the state's needs for drought relief, he
said.

Five-hour PCPA blockade halts trainmovement

Kolkata, Dec 30 (PTI) Train services were
affected in two sections of the South Eastern
Railway in the morning and evening as suspected
Maoists removed connectors of tracks and
squatted on tracks in Midnapore district, SER
sources said.
The Howrah-Kharagpur section was hit due to
removal of connectors near Gidhni station in the
morning, while its Kharagpur-Adra section
suffered due to a blockade between Midnapore
and Godapiasal stations in the evening.
Movement of trains in Kharagpur-Adra section
came to a halt after about 6 pm when members
of the Maoist-backed People's Committee against
Police Atrocities (PCPA) squatted on the tracks for
about five hours reportedly to observe 'martyrs
day', the sources said.
When joint forces engaged in anti-Maoist
operation in the district reached the spot, the
squatters had left after removing a slipper and
piling stones on tracks, sources said.

Law Ministry may ask NCW to move SC inRuchika case

New Delhi, Dec 30 (PTI) The Law Ministry is
contemplating asking the National Commission
for Women to move the Supreme Court seeking
its intervention for stiffer punishment for a former
Haryana top cop who has been sentenced to six
months' imprisonment for molesting a teenaged
girl.
Law Minister M Veerappa Moily said "NCW could
approach the Supreme Court seeking its
intervention for an enhanced punishment for
former Haryana DGP S P S Rathore under the
present case (under section 354 relating to
molestation of the IPC)". Rathore has been
convicted for molesting Ruchika Girhotra in 1993
and she committed suicide three years later.
Sources in Law Ministry said that by seeking the
apex court's intervention through NCW,
government hopes to get directions on how to
go about the case.

Mother Teresa on new US stamp

Washington, Dec 30 (PTI) India's Nobel Peace
prize winner Mother Teresa will be honoured on a
US postage stamp on her birth centenary, the US
Postal Service said today.
The postage stamp honouring Mother Teresa is
scheduled to go on sale on August 26, 2010 on
the occasion of her 100th birthday.
"Mother Teresa, the Catholic nun who devoted
her life to the sick and poor of India, was
honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. A
stamp in her honour will go on sale on her
birthday Aug 26," the postal service said in a
statement.
Every year, the US Postal Service releases a series
of commemorative stamps, honoring people,
places and institutions.
These stamps remain on sale for a limited period
and are widely collected, it said.
The Albanian catholic nun, who devoted her life
to the downtrodden, was honoured with the
Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.

Sony Ericsson launches eco-friendlyphone

Chennai, Dec 30 (PTI) Mobile phone maker
Sony Ericsson today launched an eco-friendly
phone, Elm and said it would make all phone
accessories green compliant by 2011.
The new handset comes with features like
blocking background noise with the help of a
noise shield, clear voice and volume adaptation,
the company said in a statement.
"Keeping in line with the communication
entertainment proposition, the phone offers an
easy-to-use social networking experience
featuring the Widget Manager application, which
allows users access their social networking page"
Sony Ericsson Vice-President-Marketing (Asia-
Pacific) Peter Ang said.
The company claimed that the new phone is
environment friendly and would help in reducing
carbon dioxide emissions.
The phone comes with recycled plastics, free
from chemicals, a low power consumption
charge.

Al-Qaeda would continue to try attack UStargets: Stratfor

Washington, Dec 30 (PTI) Al-Qaeda in Arabian
Peninsula would continue to try attack US targets
with "new designs and innovation" after its failed
attempt to blow up a US plane on Christmas Day,
an American a global intelligence company has
said.
"The incident was most likely a proof-of-concept
attempt, and had it worked, more attacks with
similar devices probably would have followed.
"The attack's failure means the bomb maker will
have to think up a new design and will continue
trying to attack US targets ? assuming he is still
alive after recent attacks on AQAP in Yemen. This
means security efforts must focus on looking for
the bomber, not just on looking for bombs,"
Stratfor said in its latest report.

Senior National badminton championshipfrom Jan 2

Guwahati, Dec 30 (PTI) The 74th Senior
National Badminton Championship will be held
here from January two.
"More than 500 players and officials will
participate in the tournament to be held till
January 10," Himanta Biswa Sarma, senior
minister and President of Assam Badminton
Association which is holding the event, told
reporters in a press conference today.
The tournament will be conducted in three
phases with the qualifying round to be held on
January two and three, the interstate and inter-
zonal rounds on January four and seven and the
senior national badminton tournament from
January six to ten, he said.
The winners of the men's and women's singles
will win a Maruti Suzuki A-star car as the winners
prize apart from pocketing a total prize money of
Rs 6.25 lakh, Sarma said.

51 people test positive for swine fluvirus

New Delhi, Dec 30 (PTI) Altogether 51 new
swine flu cases were reported in the city today
taking the number of those infected by the virus
to 9,311.
"Of the total 51 positive cases, 14 were of
children.
With this, the total number of swine flu cases
reported till date has reached 9,311," Delhi Health
Minister Kiran Walia said.
She also said 5,262 children have been affected
by the virus till now. A total of 68 deaths due to
the virus has been reported till date. "No new
death cases were reported today," she said.
Walia, however, maintained that the situation is
under control and the government is doing its
best in providing treatment to H1N1 patients in
government hospitals.
According to the WHO, India continues to report
maximum number of cases of swine flu in the
south-east Asian region.

Lajong stun Churchill 1-0, reach maidenFederation Cup final

Guwahati, Dec 30 (PTI) Shillong's Lajong
Football Club continued their giantkilling spree as
they shocked I-League champions Churchill
Brothers 1-0 to book their maiden final berth in
the Federation Cup football tournament here
today.
In-form Sheikhohao Tuboi scored the all-
important goal in the 29th minute to give the
Northeastern side their first title round appearance
of any major domestic tournament.
Churchill though squandered a penalty just after
the Lajong goal with their star striker and captain
Odafe Onyeka Okolie missing the target from the
spot in the 35th minute.
Today's win at the packed Nehru Stadium, the
biggest upset of the tournament, proved that
Lajong's earlier win over another top club Dempo
in the group stages was no fluke.

Patil promises better facilities for homeguards

Mumbai, Dec 30 (PTI) Admitting that the Home
Guards and Civil Defence unit has been neglected
so far, Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil today
said the government has initiated steps to
strengthen the force in terms of manpower and
equipment.
Home Guards and Civil Defence force, which is
tasked as an auxiliary to the police, today
celebrated its 63rd anniversary at its headquarters
in south Mumbai.
"In the backdrop of terror attacks in Mumbai and
threats lingering over the state, the existing
43,000 strength needs to be increased in near
future. The force will also be provided additional
equipment so that it can effectively deal with any
adverse situation," Patil said on the occasion.
"Civil Defence men would also be given Rs 150
per day, the amount being paid to Home
guards," he said. Presently, civil defence
volunteers are paid Rs 75 per day.

Another FIR likely in Ruchika molestationcase

New Delhi, Dec 30 (PTI) The family of Ruchika
Girhotra, who committed suicide three years after
her molestation by S P S Rathore, is likely to file
another FIR -- the third in two days -- in
Panchkula soon against the former Haryana DGP
for abetment of suicide.
The FIR will be lodged on the charge of abetment
as the teenager allegedly commited suicide after
continuous harassment by the former senior IPS
officer.
Home Ministry sources said that during their
discussions with Home Minister P Chidambaram,
Ruchika's lawyer Pankaj Bhardwaj, father S C
Girhotra and her friend Aradhana's father Anand
Parkash today were believed to have agreed with
the conclusion that another FIR could be lodged
against Rathore.

Police hunt for husband of Indian womanfound murdered in Sydney home

Westmead (Australia), Dec 30 (ANI): A 29-year-
old Indian woman was found dead this morning
in a Sydney suburban home.
The body was found with a knife wound to her
throat.
Police are now hunting for her 23-year-old
husband, Chamonjot Singh.
Singh was seen leaving the house just before the
police arrived on the crime scene.
Police believe Chamonjot and his dead wife were
recent arrivals in Australia.
Westmead Assistant Police Commissioner Denis
Clifford said : "We assume he''s been in the
country about six or seven months."
The couple had no children and police are unsure
if they have any friends or family here. Police
have yet to confirm how the woman died, but
did say there was a knife wound to the throat.
They also warned the public not to approach
Singh, as he could be dangerous. (ANI)

India is a safe country, reiterates Krishna

New Delhi, Dec 30 (ANI): Reacting to travel alerts
issued by the USA and the UK to their citizens
visiting India, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna
on Wednesday reiterated that India is a safe
country.
Interacting with the media here, Krishna said the
US and UK have recommended that their citizens
defer all non-essential travel to southern Andhra
Pradesh, which is witnessing violence over the
demand of a separate state Telangana.
Krishna also assured foreign visitors that they are
totally safe in the country.
"India is a very safe country; you can find
thousands of foreigners who have been freely
going about wherever they feel like. I would like
to assure the foreign tourists, visitors and others
that they don''t have to worry about it," Krishna
said.
He also said that India wants to maintain cordial
relations with China, even after China agreed to
supply 36 J-10 fighter aircraft to India''s arch-foe
Pakistan.
"Let us not get it into another speculative area. I
have said that and I want to repeat it again in the
dying days of 2009 that India-China border is
peaceful, it is tranquillised and it is India''s desire
to maintain and tranquillity at our border and we
will continue to do it," Krishna noted.
Mentioning Minister of State for External Affairs
Shashi Tharoor''s statement on the visa policy
that he spelt out in the free social networking and
micro-blogging service - Twitter, Krishna said:
"There could be certain perceptions as I have said
in my statement earlier."
"There are different perceptions and I think that
there are methods and procedures where we
could sort out those issues and I am sure that Mr.
Tharoor understands that," he added. (ANI)

Kotla pitch was unfit for ODI: Harbhajan

Jalandhar, Dec 30 (ANI): Indian off-spinner
Harbhajan Singh said on Wednesday that the
International Cricket Council''s (ICC) classification
of Ferozshah Kotla pitch in Delhi as unfit was a
right decision.
Interacting with the media Singh said: "The wicket
was unfit that day. Batsmen were having a tough
time. The bounce was uneven and chances of
grave injuries were strong. The injuries could
also have led to player being unfit to play for next
3-4 months. Considering the way the wicket
behaved and what happened to players, the
decision of ICC, it was a right decision."
Abandoning the fifth and final One-Day
International between Sri Lanka and India on
Sunday, ICC match referee Alan Hurst had
classified the Kotla track as unfit.
He has given the worst possible rating to the
pitch among six categories - very good, good,
above average, below average, poor and unfit.
The ICC sought an explanation from the Board of
Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday over
the unfit nature of the pitch that led to the
abandonment of the fifth and final one-day
international between Sri Lanka and India. (ANI)

BJP protests against rising prices in Kolkata

Kolkata, Dec 30 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a
protest against rising prices of essential commodities here on
Wednesday.
Hundreds of slogan-shouting activists marched through the
streets of Kolkata. The protestors also burnt the effigy of West
Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.
Protest march was led by state BJP unit chief Rahul Sinha.
Sinha demanded resignation of Bhattacharjee blaming him for hike
in electricity charges.
"We have staged this demonstration against rising prices, increase
in per unit charges of electricity, and also to demand the
resignation of chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. We are
staging this protest in 1131 parts of the state," Sinha said.
India''s food price index rose 18.65 percent in the 12 months to
December 12, from 19.95 a week earlier.
Food prices are jumping because of shortages after crops were hit
by the weakest monsoon rains in 37 years and then floods inparts of
the country. (ANI)

Police use tear gas on fans paying homage to dead Kannada star

Bangalore, Dec 30 (ANI): Scores of people, including several policemen, were injured and at least 40 vehicles were damaged after the police resorted to a baton charge and burst tear gas shells to control a mob at the National College Grounds here on Wednesday where the body of Kannada cine star Vishnuvardhan has been kept.

Thousands of fans had come to pay their last respects to departed Kannada cine actor Vishnuvardhan.

Vishnuvardhan, 59, passedaway on Wednesday morning following a cardiac arrest. His wife and one time leading actress Bharati, two adopted daughters, Keerthi and Chandana and son in law Anirudha survive him.

His body was kept in the National College grounds to allow fans to pay their respects.

Seven buses were damaged in the Rajajinagar, Magadi Road, Sunkadakatte and Jayanagar areas of the city.

Fans forced some shops to close down.

Bharati appealed to fans not to resort to violence.

Popularly known as Sahasa Simha (valour lion) in the Kannada film industry, Vishnuvardhan had acted in films in other languages as well including Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu.

Karnataka Chief Minister Yeddyurappa was among the first to visit the actor''s house. He announced a state funeral for departed superstar.

State Tourism Minister G Janardhan Reddy said a film city would be built in memory of Vishnuvardhan on the lines of Ramoji Rao Film City through a public –private –partnership. (ANI)

Mumbai police put in alert mode ahead of New Year bash

Mumbai, Dec 30 (ANI): Mumbai police has been carrying out surprise checks in city hotels following intelligence inputs that some terror suspects from neighbouring countries may have infiltrated to carry out terror activities.

Police sources said that documents of Afghanistan and Pakistan nationals pertaining to their stay in Mumbai have been thoroughly verified.

About 500 hotels and lodges including Five Star hotels were checked recently to ascertain if any foreign national is staying without proper documentation or carrying out any suspicious activities.

Traffic and violators would be minutely monitored on CCTV.

"We are going to deploy CCTV on a large scale so that we can monitor the crowd and monitor any issue which needs immediate attention. Besides this we will be coming quiet heavily on drinking and driving. Large number of squads will be deployed all over the city to ensure that this speeding, drinking and driving and accident that result from that kind of things are prevented," said Himanshu Roy, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), Mumbai.

"We will have women constables in plainclothes to act as decoy and to trap these anti-social elements. We also intend to start taking action against these anti-social elements ," he added. (ANI)

Ruchika's father, lawyer meet Chidambaram

Ruchika Girhotra's father, Subhash, and the family lawyer met Home Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday to discuss the case.

Emerging from the meeting, the lawyer, Pankaj Bhardwaj, said: "We are very satisfied with the meeting...He knew the entire case and I will have to give him some documents...it is an old case." (Watch: Home Minister gave me a patient hearing: Ruchika's father)

Bhardwaj said there were many ways to re-open the case under Section 306, which relates to abetment to suicide. He described the meeting with Chidambaram as an exchange of ideas...to find the best remedy in the situation today.

Ruchika's father said the "minister gave us a patient hearing". The Home Minister had reportedly asked Subhash Girhotra to meet him.

When she was 14, Ruchika was molested by senior police officer SPS Rathore in Haryana. That was in 1990. Ruchika filed a complaint immediately against Rathore. A police inquiry found him guilty, but no action was taken against him. For the next three years, Rathore punished Ruchika by harassing her family. Her brother was framed for theft and put in jail in 1993. Unable to cope with the pressure, Ruchika killed herself a few months later.

Earlier this month, Rathore was sentenced to six months in prison for molesting Ruchika. National outrage followed, with expert and public opinion demanding that he face more serious charges and harsher punishment.

On Tuesday, the Law Minister told NDTV that he is examining whether Rathore can be charged with abetment of suicide of a minor. If he is indeed charged with that, Rathore could face the death sentence.

NDTV impact: Illegal mining halted in Kerala

After a special report by NDTV, illegal mining has been stopped at the Kappad beach of Kerala.

Coastal Management officials have now stopped sand miners from taking away sand on the coast after NDTV exposed how illegal mining took place in the early hours of the morning.

Action will now be taken against those responsible for illegal mining.

NDTV had reported that 600 tonnes of sand was illegally mined every year in Kerala.

NDTV had reported that Kerala is being robbed off its biggest asset every day and shockingly it goes unnoticed. Officials pretend to be unaware of the illegal mining done on the sandy beaches of God's own country.

In a complete violation of the CRZ rule which says mining is not allowed within 500 meters of the coast, many men can be seen digging away heaps of sand in 16 catamarans right at the point where the waves kiss the coast. Overnight, at least 30 trucks of sand is taken away. This has been happening everyday, over the last 6 years. The miners have threatened locals against approaching the officials.

NDTV had filed a complaint at the office of the chairman of Kerala coastal zone management.

Black sand rich in minerals like Illmenite and Thorium is found in many parts of the south west coast. It is fine and clear of stones and clay, so saves miners the cost of cleaning before construction.

An estimated 600 tonnes of sand is mined illegally every year from Kerala's coast and smuggled to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for construction. This could erode the sea to a great extent damaging the coastal system.

The cost of sand from 450 rupees a ton 10 years ago, is today anywhere between Rs 15000 to 20000 a ton. Sand audits show a grim picture and though there are stringent norms for sand mining, the business of illegal mining flourishes thanks to the nexus with some politicians. No one makes a sound, except the waves.

Students push for China goods ban

A potent students’ body in Arunachal Pradesh has decided to counter “domineering” Beijing by banning the entry and sale of all Chinese goods in the frontier northeastern state.

The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) has set January 12 as the deadline for the state government and business houses to boycott China-made goods or face “suitable action”.

The idea is to make Beijing stop claiming Arunachal Pradesh for good and “messing” with natural resources such as rivers that flow into India.

“This deadline is also a message to New Delhi to be sterner in its dealings with Beijing on issues pertaining to the international boundary and unfounded claims on our forefathers’ land,” Takam Tatung, the students’ union leader,

told Hindustan Times on Tuesday.

The union had earlier this month asked the Congress government, headed by Dorjee Khandu, and trade bodies to shun Chinese goods immediately.

“They sought at least a month’s time, and we didn’t want to be inconsiderate,” Tatung said.

The AAPSU also wants New Delhi to go for border fencing along the McMahon Line — the boundary between India and China — just like the boundaries with Pakistan and Bangladesh.

“Incursions by Chinese are as much of a problem as by Bangladeshis and Pakistanis,” Tatung said.

The Arunachal Pradesh government has put the onus on the trade organisations vis-à-vis the students’ union deadline.

“This isn’t something that we should lose sleep over,” said a government spokespersons from state capital Itanagar.

Tripura assembly speaker's brother killed; wife, paramour held

Tripura assembly speaker Ramendra Chandra Debnath's brother's wife and her paramour have been arrested for killing her husband, police said here Tuesday.

"Tripura assembly speaker's brother, Sushil Debnath, 46, was murdered by his wife and her lover, a police constable, on Saturday at Kumarghat in northern Tripura," said police official Sudeshna Bhattacharjee, who is investigating the sensational murder.

The duo were arrested late on Monday night. The Tripura police have also sought help from West Bengal cops as the car used in the murder was registered in that state.

The woman, mother of a four-year-old boy, has confessed, police claimed.

In a similar case, a youth Congress leader Mantu Das was killed, allegedly by his wife and her associates, in the state capital last month.

"Both the offences are relating to extra-marital affairs," a police spokesman said, adding that a young homemaker was also murdered in Agartala last week for similar reasons.

Full body scanners to be installed at all British airports

London, Dec. 29 (ANI): In the wake of the recent Detroit-bound flight bombing bid, the British Government has decided to install full body scanners at all UK airports.

As part of the massive overhaul of airport security, the government planning to spend as much as necessary to buy the X-ray machines, which can see through clothing and even detect items swallowed or concealed inside the body.

British Home Secretary Alan Johnson said that the use of advanced scanners would stop the need for full body searches and end the delays they cause.

"We intend to be at the cutting edge of this technology and to ensure we put it in place as quickly as possible," The Sun quoted Johnson, as saying.

New scanners are also being introduced at Holland's Schiphol airport where Abdulmutallab took his US flight.

The microwave detectors there can see unusual objects on the body or hidden under clothing, but are not as efficient as the full scanners.

US-bound passengers had to go through a second round of security checks at the gate, including full bag searches and a pat- down body search.

At London's Heathrow, flyers were also told to sip from drink bottles they had bought in shops after going through security to prove they were not being used to hide chemicals used in bombs. (ANI)

No discussion with ULFA on sovereignty: Gogoi

There will be no discussion on the sovereignty issue during peace talks with insurgent group ULFA, Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi said on Monday.

"There will be no discussion on the sovereignty issue when the peace talks are held with the ULFA. One thing is clear: there will be no compromise on sovereignty", Gogoi talking to reporters here.

He said "the process for (initiating) the talks has almost started but I don't say that much progress has been made or any breakthrough achieved. Attempts are being made...let's hope for the best", he said.

Meanwhile, ULFA's chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa had a night-long meeting with his top colleagues Raju Baruah, ULFA vice-president Pradip Gogoi,`foreign secretary' Sashadhar Choudhury, `finance secretary' Chitrabon Hazarika and publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary in the central jail here, sources said.

Sharing the same cell for the meeting, all the ULFA leaders were at ease and were seen talking animatedly throughout the night well into Sunday morning, the sources said.

According to Bijan Mahajan, defence counsel of all the six ULFA leaders, "the night-long meeting is a welcome sign as far as the talks are concerned. It is a positive move on the part of the government to have allowed Rajkhowa and Baruah to be sent to jail".

‘No compromise on sovereignty’

There will be no discussion on the sovereignty issue during peace talks with insurgent group ULFA, Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi said on Monday.

“There will be no discussion on the sovereignty issue when the peace talks are held with the ULFA. One thing is clear: there will be no compromise on sovereignty,” Gogoi said.

He said, “the process for (initiating) the talks has almost started but I don’t say that much progress has been made ... Attempts are being made...Let’s hope for the best.”

NIA probe into politician-ultra nexus

Kolkata is fast turning into the hub of hawala trade and arms dealing for myriad militant outfits of the Northeast. The maiden charge sheet filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) reveals this.

Earlier this year, the NIA was given its first case - diversion of developmental funds in Assam's troubled North Cachar Hills district to militant outfits, primarily the Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel). The probe led it to the hawala racket and an international small arms ring operating from the West Bengal capital.

Investigations revealed one Vanlalchchana of Mizoram was the DHD (J)'s major arms supplier, who in return received money from Mohet Hojai, the deposed Chief Executive Member (CEM) of North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC).

Vanlalchhana had visited Singapore and Thailand and met Jewel Garlosa and Niranjan Hojai to procure the arms. Garlosa, arrested from Bangalore earlier this year, is chairman of DHD(J) while Niranjan Hojai is its military head.

Vanlalchchana, one of 14 charge-sheeted by NIA, was a frequent visitor to Kolkata. He disclosed to NIA that he frequented Kolkata to convert Indian currency to dollars.

The man from Mizoram, said the charge-sheet, visited Kathmandu with a friend named Chhungup to hand over the dollars to Niranjan Hojai for procurement of arms. He had thrice converted to dollars more than Rs 1 crore he had received out of funds siphoned off projects meant for NCHAC. Vanlachhana revealed he was getting Re 1 for every dollar he converted on Niranjan Hojai's behalf.

The analysis of Vanlalchchana's call data record (CDR) revealed that a Mizo woman named Malsawmkimi was helping him in converting the money in Kolkata. The CDR also revealed he was in constant touch with another accused named George Lamthang in Kolkata.

Investigation further revealed that a portions of funds allotted to Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department and Social Welfare Department were utilized by the DHD(J). Rs 13.5 crore was siphoned away directly from the bank account of Social Welfare Department in the 2008-2009 fiscal besides a large amount by other means and Rs 3 crore siphoned away from the PHE Department this year.

Funds were then received in Kolkata by accused Sandip Ghosh, Debasish Bhattacharjee and Jayanta Kumar Ghosh and then handed over to Phojendra Hojai, all contractors handling projects in NC Hills. The first three are Kolkata-based.

On three occasions in 2009, Mohet Hojai sent money. Jayanta Ghosh received the money directly or through Sandip Ghosh and Bhatttacharjee before relaying it to Phojendra, whose preferred haunts were Madhumilan Guest House and Hotel Shalimar in Kolkata.

The first Rs 1 crore, in two installments, was brought in cash from Guwahati by two go-betweens named Imdad Ali and Bapi and delivered at Madhumilan Guest House at Bara Bazzar. This happened after the Council was formed in January 2008. "Money was collected from Marwaris whose addresses were given by Mohet Hojai and Imdad Ali. The system of identification with the help of the number of a note at the hands of the recipient was followed," the charge sheet said.

After these deliveries, another consignment of more than Rs 1 crore was delivered at Hotel Shalimar to Phojendra Hojai in January this year. The same system was followed. Money was again sent in February and in March, after Mohet Hojai had succeeded Depolal Hojai as the CEM.

New complaints against Rathore, teen-molester-cop

Ruchika Girhotra's family has formally complained to the police against police officials for protecting SPS Rathore and have asked for two new First Information Reports (FIRs) to be filed against the former Haryana top cop, who molested the 14-year-old in 1990.

The complaints have been filed by Ruchika's family's lawyer on Tuesday. He says now that he has documents to back his claims, he's accusing Rathore of dereliction of duty, and of misleading the investigation against him.

The Centre had said yesterday that complaints should be treated as FIRs. However, Panchkula police has said it will consult legal experts and decide by Tuesday evening on registering the FIRs.
PIL to be filed against Ruchika's school
More and more questions are being raised about why Ruchika was expelled from her school. It's alleged that once again Rathore used his influence to have her removed. This isolated her further and compounded her depression. A PIL will now be moved in the matter.

Ranjan Lakhanpal, Senior Advocate says that they will file a case against everybody involved, including the school.

Ruchika Girhotra studied in Sacred Heart, one of Chandigarh's most prestigious schools. In 1990, she was in Class X when the then Inspector General of Police S P S Rathore molested her. Within weeks after her family filed a complaint, Ruchika was expelled from school.

Her family was told she had paid the fees late. But they were not convinced.

"Rathore used his influence. One day the Principal called me and told that we are removing her from the school. Don't send her to school any more," says Ruchika's father S C Girhotra.

The expulsion isolated Ruchika mentally and contributed to her depression. And most of her classmates knew nothing about it.

"We had heard that she was going abroad and we thought she has gone abroad after the incident, that's why she is not showing up and we had also heard that she had left school, that's it," says Geetanjali Giyatri, Ruchika's classmate and former student at the Sacred Heart School.

The school is keeping mum on why such action was taken against Ruchika, but say off the record that some disciplinary action was taken against her. However, they don't want to elaborate on that.

"We will be seeking action against the school also as to why she was expelled, what were the reasons, and under whose pressure it was done," says Ranjan Lakhanpal, a senior lawyer in Chandigarh.

"I think school should have taken a very responsible role in this case. You see without knowing the facts they were suppressed by the police force. Is that the way schools in our country going to run?" says Kirat Sodhi, a teacher at St Stephen's School, Chandigarh.

Imagine a girl in her mid-teens, molested, expelled from school, harassed and threatened by a supposed law keeper and repeatedly being denied justice. Pushed to the edge, Ruchika committed suicide three years later.
The first FIR sought to be registered accuses Rathore of fabricating documents related to Ruchika's death and the inquest that followed. In 1993, at the age of 17, Ruchika killed herself by drinking poison. Today is her 16th death anniversary.

After Ruchika filed a complaint against Rathore, he allegedly retaliated by harassing her family. Under pressure from him, Ruchika was expelled from school - Sacred Heart in Chandigarh. Her brother, Ashu, was framed in a series of theft cases and was jailed. He was released only after Ruchika died. (Read: Inquiry ordered against school)

The second, accuses Rathore of falsely implicating Ashu Girhotra.

Rathore retired in 2002 as Director-General of the Haryana Police. Earlier this month, he was sentenced to six months in prison. National outrage has followed the sentence and the discovery that Rathore was protected by politicians.

A series of police officers and the CBI, who investigated the case, say it's clear that Rathore used his position as one of Haryana's most senior policemen to persecute the Girhotras.

From 1990, when he committed the crime, to 2000, Rathore enjoyed a free run. A police inquiry had recommended action against him, but four successive chief ministers of Haryana did not allow this to happen.

On Tuesday morning, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has also been filed asking for action against all those who shielded Rathore. It also asks Ruchika's school to explain why it expelled her, a move that depressed and shamed her. (Read: PIL filed against Ruchika's school)

Govt asks Ruchika's school to explain her expulsion
Sixteen years after Ruchika Girhotra committed suicide unable to bear the trauma of being molested and expelled from school, the Chandigarh Home Secretary has ordered an inquiry against Sacred Heart school where Ruchika studied. The school has been asked to explain why she was asked to leave.

The action comes following nation-wide outcry against the grave injustice a traumatised teenager had to undergo. As her classmates have narrated how Ruchika became the object of her peers' gossip after the ex-Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) molested her; the school had asked her to go citing flimsy charge that her fees had not been paid on time. Ruchika incidentally had been attending the school for 10 years.

Quick takes:

* School wasn't coming forth with any reaction
* So Home Secretary ordered enquiry
* Ruchika's friend Aradhana's mother had written to him
* PIL against Rathore asking case to be reopened (Read: PIL to be filed against Ruchika's school)
* School ordered to give their side of the story
* She had become the talk of the school then she was expelled, added to her depression

Ruchika's father Subhash Chandra Girhotra has said how the ex-police official used his power to get Ruchika expelled from her school and against CBSE norms.

"Rathore had illegitimately used his influential position to get Ruchika removed from the school. My daughter took admission in that school in nursery class and studied there for 13 years," SC Girhotra told reporters in Chandigarh on Sunday.

"The school authorities did not give us any substantial reason behind her sudden expulsion from the school. They cited some late fees related issue as a reason behind this, which was totally baseless," he added.

Ruchika was studying in Sacred Heart School in Sector 26. Coincidently, Rathore's daughter was Ruchika's classmate in the same school.

Also lashing out at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Girhotra said: "Rathore was the only reason behind the suicide of my daughter and I do not know why CBI did not include the abetment to suicide charge against him. Now we will again file a case in the higher court and appeal to include this charge against Rathore."

Lawyer Pankaj Bhardwaj, who has fought the Ruchika case free of cost for the last 13 years, said that there were many loopholes in the CBI's inquiry.

The school still doesn't have a counselor.

Register all complaints as FIRs: Govt to states

On the eve of Ruchika Girhotra's death anniversary, and in fact 16 years from the day she drank poison, comes news that the Home Ministry plans to issue a circular to states and union territories asking them to ensure that all complaints are registered as First Information Reports (FIRs).

The Ministry is also considering withdrawing medals from all convicted officers.

According to sources in the Home Ministry, the Medals Committee will meet on January 4 on this matter.

This is a direct fallout of the Ruchika Girhotra molestation case that has the public outraged at how a top cop got away with not just molesting a teenager, but also harassing her to a point that she committed suicide. A depressed Ruchika drank poison on December 28, 1993, and died a day later.

Ruchika's family and friends had a hard time filing a complaint against her influential tormentor and an even harder time fighting for justice. At every step, the teen molester SPS Rathore, then an Inspector General in the Haryana Police, used his influence. While the victim struggled, Rathore grew professionally retiring as a Director General of Police and even getting a Police Medal.

Register all complaints as FIRs: Govt to states

Assam Rifles holds peace rally on 175th year of formation

Agartala, Dec 27, (ANI): Assam Rifles (AR), known for its gun-fight and active role of counter insurgency, has adopted a novel method to gain peace in the northeast parts of the country.

On the occasion of its 175 year of formation, Assam Rifles, the oldest paramilitary force of India, organised a peace rally to spread a message of peace and brotherhood, particularly among the youths.

"We have organised this peace rally to disseminate our message among the new generation, moreover, we also remember the glorious deeds done by our predecessors and take a vow that we shall continue this glorious tradition", said Brigadier S T Upasani, the Commander of 21 sector Assam Rifles.Insurgency has reduced considerably in Tripura and it is due to consolidated effort of the different security forces and as well as the development works which is being carried out by the government," Upasani added,

Tripura's Tribal Welfare Minister Aghore Debbarma flagged off the rally Sunday here.

Participants in the rally appreciated the role of Assam Rifles in upholding peace through counterinsurgency activities.

"The rally is significant and shall have an impact on particularly the youth of the region in understanding the importance of peace which is precondition for development," said Sunil Koloi, one of the participants.

"It is not only Assam Rifle who should organize such kind of rally but even state government and other organization should also join and in fact today if you talk about peace, then I think this kind of rallies will bring awareness and I feel my contributions and participation in this will also encourage and bring awareness to certain group of people," noted Sunil Koloi, a participant in the Peace Rally, Agartala

The rally team other then Assam Rifles also consists of students and other civil organization who had participated to spread the message of peace and roll of AR in maintaining peace. By Pinaki Das (ANI)

IAF on modernization mode

SILCHAR: Air Chief Marshal PV Naik has said the country will soon acquire a number of medium multirole combat aircraft and helicopters to make up
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for the decreasing fleet of fighter aircraft squadrons.

"A rapid modernization of the force is already on and the country is ready to counter any threat from the eastern and western fronts," he told reporters at the IAF-manned Kumbhirgram airport, located 25 km from here, on Wednesday, Naik, who is on a visit to review airpower facilities in the region bordering Bangladesh, Myanmar and China, said India wants to build its own mechanism to protect national assets during both peace and war times.

"We want to make it plain that we're ready, no matter whether there is an immediate threat or not from our immediate neighbour," he added.

Although he did not mention China, the modernization of air force in the eastern and northeastern regions is an attempt to counter Beijing's move to intensify the threat perception.

Naik said IAF plans to induct more than 150 Sukhois and 80 Mi-17-1V medium-lift helicopters for its base in the North-East. He added that the IAF has procured 98 Russian-made Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft since 1996 and is likely to have 230 such planes by 2015.

Besides this, medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) requirement for at least 126 jets is set to be added to its fleet. While the development of fifth generation fighter aircraft and multi-role transport aircraft with Russia is progressing well, the IAF will acquire helicopters, including some for VVIPs, to increase its strategic lift capability, added Naik.

The Air Chief Marshal, who was accompanied by Air Force Wives' Welfare Association president Madhubaala Naik, were received at Kumbhirgram by station commander Gp Captain TS Venkatesh and other senior officials.

The Air Chief Marshal also visited Air Force Station Tezpur on Thursday. He, along with his wife, visited various installations at the base and interacted with air warriors and their families.

School expelled Ruchika under pressure?

Ruchika Girhotra studied in Sacred Heart, one of Chandigarh's most prestigious schools. In 1990, she was in Class X when the then Inspector General of Police S P S Rathore molested her. Within weeks after her family filed a complaint, Ruchika was expelled from school.

Her family was told she had paid the fees late. But they were not convinced.

"Rathore used his influence. One day the Principal called me and told that we are removing her from the school. Don't send her to school any more," says Ruchika's father S C Girhotra.

The expulsion isolated Ruchika mentally and contributed to her depression. And most of her classmates knew nothing about it.

"We had heard that she was going abroad and we thought she has gone abroad after the incident, that's why she is not showing up and we had also heard that she had left school, that's it," says Geetanjali Giyatri, Ruchika's classmate and former student at the Sacred Heart School.

The school is keeping mum on why such action was taken against Ruchika, but say off the record that some disciplinary action was taken against her. However, they don't want to elaborate on that.

"We will be seeking action against the school also as to why she was expelled, what were the reasons, and under whose pressure it was done," says Ranjan Lakhanpal, a senior lawyer in Chandigarh.

"I think school should have taken a very responsible role in this case. You see without knowing the facts they were suppressed by the police force. Is that the way schools in our country going to run?" says Kirat Sodhi, a teacher at St Stephen's School, Chandigarh.

Imagine a girl in her mid-teens, molested, expelled from school, harassed and threatened by a supposed law keeper and repeatedly being denied justice. Pushed to the edge, Ruchika committed suicide three years later.

Manipur militants target non-locals

Militant violence in Manipur continues; armed outfits have now warned transport companies in Guwahati to stop issuing tickets to non-Manipuris.

"We have been instructed not to send any non-Manipuris, who comprise 50 per cent of our passengers," said Nanda Kumar Singh, assistant manager at ZET Travels. "It is hampering our business, but we have decided not to issue tickets to non-locals. Anything can happen to them en route," explained Bijon Singh, in charge of Capital Travels.

Militants shot dead another non-local on Saturday. Madan, as he was locally known, used to supply bakery products to shops in West Imphal's Sagolband area.

Close to thirty non-Manipuris were killed this year alone. The dangerous began in 2007, with the murders of non-local labourers, street vendors and small shop owners. The statistics are:

* 2007: 7 killed, 3 injured
* 2008: 18 killed, 7 injured
* 2009: 28 killed, 6 injured

Killing non-locals is not an isolated feature in Manipur's story of violence. Almost four hundred locals have also died in militant related violence in 2009. Though it is a police state, the militants call the shots. Abduction is almost routine, and ransom threats are part of daily life.

Bridge collapse in western India 'kills 40'

The collapse of a bridge being built in western India is feared to have left some 40 people dead, local police say.

Dozens of labourers working on the bridge are thought to have fallen into the river Chambal when it collapsed late on Thursday.

Rescuers have recovered 12 bodies but there is little hope of finding anyone else alive, a senior officer said.

The accident happened near the town of Kota, some 170 miles (270 km) west of Jaipur in Rajasthan.

Police Inspector General Rajeev Dasot said an inquiry had begun into the circumstances leading to the collapse of the bridge, which is being jointly built by South Korea's Hyundai Engineering and Gammon India.

Mr Dasot said it could take another three days to clear all the debris, AP news agency reported.

The government has ordered an investigation and police have arrested two project managers.

Correspondents say construction site accidents are relatively common in India, where health and safety rules are often overlooked.

President accepts Tiwari''s resignation

New Delhi, Dec 27 (ANI): President Pratibha Devisingh Patil today accepted the resignation of Andhra Pradesh Governor N D Tiwari.
Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Governor Narasimhan has been given the additional charge of Andhra Pradesh.

On Friday, Tiwari became the centre of controversy after a regional channel broadcast some footage allegedly showing him in compromising positions with women.

The major controversy made Congress party to face lot of embarrassment due to his long association with the party.

After the sting operation was telecast, the opposition had demanded that Tiwari be immediately sacked from his post.

The Raj Bhavan termed the clipping as fabricated and a tissue of lies.

However, the channel claimed that it has evidence to back what they have shown.

The Central Government had earlier asked for a report from the Andhra Pradesh Government on the concerned matter.

The Union Home Ministry had asked State Chief Secretary, Ramakant Reddy, to send a detailed report about the allegations made against Tiwari. (ANI)

Ruchika molestation case: Home Ministry to serve show cause notice to Rathore

New Delhi, Dec 27 (ANI): In a move to fast forward its proceedings for stripping former Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) SPS Rathore of his coveted police medal following his role in Ruchika molestation case, the Central Government has decided to place his case before an awards committee.

Union Home Secretary G K Pillai said the concerned issue would be put up before an awards committee, which will meet on January 4, 2010.

Steps would be taken to issue show cause notice to former DGP Rathore, he further added.

The Haryana state government has also planned to open up all the cases against former DGP Rathore for his alleged involvement in the Ruchika molestation case and other related harassment cases.

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said in New Delhi on Saturday, "The cases against former DGP Rathore will be opened up following legal consultations."

Hooda has also asked the senior police officials to provide full security to Ruchika''s family.

The Haryana Police have removed all information related to Rathore from their official website.

Meanwhile, Ruchika''s family has said that it will file a suit in the High Court to claim one crore rupees as monetary compensation for the damage caused by DGP Rathore to the prestige of the family.

Rathore, charged with alleged molestation of teenager Ruchika Girhotra, a promising young tennis star in 1990, was then an Inspector General of Police and the head of Haryana Lawn Tennis Federation.

Teenager Ruchika killed herself three years after the incident by drinking poison.

CBI''s Special Magistrate J S Sidhu sentenced 67-year-old Rathore to six months rigorous imprisonment (RI) during an in-camera proceeding and imposed a fine of Rs 1,000, but Rathore got bail immediately. (ANI)

Tripura governor to take Re 1 salary

Tripura Governor Dnyandeo Yashwantrao Patil has announced he will take Re.1 as his monthly salary instead of Rs 110,000, an official said in Agartala.

"According to the governors' emoluments, allowances and (privilege) act, 1982, the emolument to every governor is Rs 110,000 per month," a Raj Bhavan official told IANS, not wishing to be identified.

He said, "On assumption of the charge of governor of Tripura, Patil has decided to accept payment of Re 1 per month as his emolument."

Patil, 74, took his oath as Tripura's 12th governor on November 27.

The Maharashtra educationist, who has been awarded a Padma Shri and has founded several educational and health institutions in Maharashtra, replaced Dr Kamla Beniwal, the first woman governor of this northeastern state.

During the past one month he has visited many interior and tribal-dominated areas and taken personal initiative in implementation of different developmental projects.

"I shall do my best for the all-round development and welfare of Tripura and its people," the governor said while interacting with the tribal people in north Tripura recently.

"The centre and the state have a common aim to flush out militancy from the northeastern states and promote smooth development of the region," he observed.

Nine rebels 'killed' in Manipur

The Indian army says it has killed nine separatist rebels in three separate encounters in the country's troubled north-eastern state of Manipur.

Army officials said the rebels belonged to two different groups.

Six of those belonged to the Peoples Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Prepak) and three were members of the Kanglei Yana Kan Lup (KYKL).

Manipur is home to nearly a dozen rebel groups - some fighting for the state's independence from India.

Others are fighting for tribal homeland they want carved out of the state.

Officials said the army raided two Prepak hideouts near the remote villages of Singheu and Laiboldung in Manipur's eastern Chandel district .

"After encircling the Prepak hideouts late at night, the army attacked at first light. The rebels were taken by surprised and many were killed," military spokesman RK Palta said.

He said another military platoon launched a similar attack on a Kykl base at Chirikhunao in the state's central district of Thoubal .

The army says that troops have now fanned out around these bases to hunt down other rebels who fled after the encounters, leaving their dead comrades behind.

Mr Palta said that some weapons and large quantity of ammunitions and explosives were recovered from the sites of the encounters.

Counter insurgency operations to continue

Assam government on Friday decided to carry on counter insurgency operations in the state despite some of the groups announcing unilateral ceasefire.

This was decided in Guwahati at a unified command meeting chaired by the state chief secretary Prafulla Sarma and attended by top government, army and intelligence officials.

The meeting welcomed the unilateral ceasefire declared by Karbi Longri National Liberation Front (KLNLF) and recommended to the state government to hold discussions with the outfit, official sources said.

The talks with the KLNLF should be held to bring to an end the violence that has rocked North Cachar hill district of late.

The meeting also decided to tighten security in other parts of the state in view of the increased activities of the insurgent outfits, the sources said.

Eight insurgents held in Tripura

Eight National Liberation Front of Tripura insurgents, including one woman, were apprehended by Assam Rifles in North Tripura district, officials said on Saturday.

During a search operation by Assam Rifles at Hamshapara village in the district on Friday, the security personnel nabbed eight insurgents and recovered one pistol, a carbine, a revolver and live cartridges from their possession, they said.

According to the officials, the apprehended ultras used to exhort money from villagers.

First swine flu death in Assam

A 21-year-old college student on Sunday died of swine flu, the first fatality to the deadly H1N1 virus in Assam, an official said.

A health department spokesperson said the girl student, Shikha Biswas, was declared dead early Sunday by doctors at the Guwahati Medical College Hospital.

"She was at the hospital for the past 13 days after she tested H1N1 positive. Her condition deteriorated suddenly and she died early Sunday," a doctor at the medical college said.

Shikha was a college student in Jagiroad, 56 km east of here.

More than 70 people tested H1N1 positive in Assam during the past four months, although the number of people currently battling with the virus is just five.

"There is no need for panic as health authorities are on full alert and adequate steps were being taken to fight the virus," a health department official said.

Oil blockade hits crude oil, natural gas production in Assam

Crude oil and natural gas production by India's premier oil exploration firm Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has been hit in Assam following a 96-hour oil blockade by an influential students' group that entered its third day on Thursday, officials said.

"There has been an overall impact with crude oil and natural gas production hit. The agitation would also have a long term impact on the production as a number of old oil wells might cease to function and would be hard to revive if work stops suddenly for few days," ONGC spokesperson D.K. Das said.

According to estimates, ONGC is incurring a loss of Rs.200 million daily due to the strike.

"The amount cannot be really quantified, but about Rs.200 million loss daily is being estimated," the official said.

The influential All Assam Students' Union (AASU) launched a 96-hour oil blockade from 6 a.m. on Monday to protest the alleged move by ONGC to sell of its oil fields to private firms.

Student picketers during the past three days vandalized properties and vehicles belonging to the ONGC.

"There have been incidents of vehicles and other assets damaged which we have brought to the notice of the law enforcing agencies," the ONGC official said.

The entire ONGC operations in Assam are in the eastern districts of Sivasagar and Jorhat.

The ONGC last week announced a Rs.24 billion investment plan for upgrading facilities and equipment to boost crude oil production in Assam.

The investment is part of the Rs.44 billion Assam Renewal Project involving comprehensive replacement and expansion of equipment and facilities, drilling of hi-tech wells and revamping of ageing drilling rigs.

Hyderabad-based Sairama Engineering Enterprises, Megha Engineering, in consortium with Russian company Volgo bagged the contract for the Assam Renewal Project.

The AASU and other pressure groups allege the ONGC was planning to sell off its assets by awarding contracts to private firms.

The ONGC denied there was any move to sell-off assets in Assam or privatizing its oil fields.

"Such stories of ONGC planning to sell off assets are totally unfounded," A.K.Hazarika, director (onshore) of the ONGC, said.

The prime objective of the Assam Renewal project is to enhance operational efficiency besides revamping pipelines, modernizing existing equipment and installing facilities to boost production of crude at the company's units at Lakwa, Lakhmani, Rudrasagar, Geleki and Moran in Sibsagar district in Assam.

ONGC also projected Assam's oil production to double in the next couple of years from the current levels of 1.2 million metric tonnes annually from its nearly 40 oil fields in the state.

Assam has over 1.3 billion tonnes of crude oil and 156 billion cubic metres of natural gas reserves of which about an estimated 58 percent is yet to be explored. India produces about 30 million tonnes of crude oil annually, with Assam accounting for about five million tonnes of the total. Apart from ONGC, Oil India Ltd. (OIL) is the other major exploration firm operating in the northeastern state.

ONGC is India's largest company by market capitalisation with oil and gas exploration and production operations throughout India and in Russia, Vietnam and Sudan among other countries.

But frequent strikes and protests in Assam has adversely impacted production of crude oil, besides incurring heavy financial losses for the oil giant.

Manipur outfit chairman caught

This year-end is proving to be the end of the road for the chairmen of militant outfits in the Northeast.

After the United Liberation Front of Asom's Arabinda Rajkhowa earlier this month, the Assam Police has caught the chief of Manipur-based Peoples' United Liberation Front (Azad faction) Raihanuddin. The police zeroed in on the dreaded militant and two others in the Gosala locality here Thursday afternoon.

"We had intelligence inputs about Raihanuddin having taken refuge in the city," said City Senior Superintendent of Police Pradip Saloi.

Raihanuddin, in his early 40s, were intercepted as then entered the area. Two grenades, several ATM cards and incriminating documents were found in a bag he was carrying.

Peoples' United Liberation Front was formed in 1993 following communal clashes in Thoubal district of Manipur. It espoused the cause of Pangals -Manipuri Muslims - but gradually fell into the jihadi mould. The outfit split in 2002 with Raihanuddin leading one of them.

Elsewhere in Assam, three National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) militants were killed in two separate encounters, one at Gossaiguri village in Baska district and the other at Missamari village in Sonitpur district. All the three belonged to the anti-talks faction of NDFB led by Bangladesh-based Ranjan Daimary.

"One militant was killed in retaliatory fire during a joint search operation at Gossaiguri village," said Baska Additional SP Rajen Singh.

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