Monday, January 25, 2010

Tiger killed, eaten by villagers in Arunachal Pradesh

A full grown Royal Bengal Tiger was hunted down by villagers of Numuk in Arunachal Pradesh's
West Siang district.

Villagers gathered around the tiger after the kill. The meat was then consumed by the people but even more disturbing is the information of a possible wild life trade racket flourishing in that area.

The skin of the tiger was allegedly sold to a certain businessman from Assam for 1.5 lakh rupees.

In the last one year this is the third incident of tiger hunting in the area but the first time that there was photographic evidence.

Telangana leaders head to Delhi to campaign

Ruling Congress MPs, state legislators and ministers from the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh on Monday decided to go to Delhi to lobby with the party high command for a "favourable" decision on the separate statehood issue.

The leaders will leave Hyderabad on Tuesday for discussions with the high command ahead of the January 28 deadline set by the Joint Action Committee on Telangana which has demanded that the Centre announce the formation of the new state by that date.

"We discussed the issue at length. We are all united. We have resolved that we are ready for any sacrifice," senior Congress MLA R Damodara Reddy told reporters.

CWC member and MP K Kesava Rao will lead the delegation, which would appeal to the high command to act fast on formation of Telangana.

Tribals in Assam participate in barter fair

Jonbeel (Assam), Jan 25 (ANI): With the country reeling under steep price rise of essential commodities
, the tribals of Assam have recently reverted to their traditional customary practice of exchanging goods at Jon-Beel Mela (fair) in Joonbeel.

The world's oldest system of trade has been kept alive by the tribals in the region where people exchange goods as against the modern practice of purchasing them by paying money.


"The main characteristic of the fare is to exchange goods that are not produced locally.," said Jurshing Bordoloi, organizing secretary of the fair.

In the fair, a packet of garlic powder or a kilogram of rice would cost 10 pieces of dry fish.

"We come here every year. People from the hills come down at this time with their local produce like garlic, ginger, yarn, rice and many more and exchange with things from the plains for their needs. We are proud to be a part of this unique system that is still thriving in this materialist age." said Dharmeshwar Deuri, a resident.

The fair is a symbol of tradition, an amalgamation of people from hills and plains, and tribals and non-tribals. Over the years it has gained popularity and people from far off places come here to participate in the system. (ANI)

BSNL launches 3G services in Tamil Nadu

Chennai, Jan 25: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has initiated its 3G-service launch in Tamil Nadu by equipping popular tourist destinations Coonoor, Coimbatore and Ooty in the first phase.

The public sector telecom service provider launched 3G-service in Tamil Nadu Circle on Saturday, Jan 23.


Announcing this on Sunday, Jan 24, BSNL said that the services would gradually be extended to 38 cities across the state in the coming three months.

3G enables people to simultaneously use speech and advanced data services. The service is also backed with the technology to offer higher quality in voice call as well as a wide range of data services.

BSNL enjoys more than 7.5 lakh 3G subscribers.

Security tightened for Republic Day celebrations

New Delhi, Jan 25 (ANI): Security has been tightened in New Delhi and surrounding areas for Republic day celebrations as intelligence agencies have warned of possible terror attacks.

Over 15,000 security personnel will be deployed for the event.

CCTV cameras will be placed on the parade route as part of the tight vigil.

Mobile teams, anti-aircraft guns and sharpshooters of the National Security Guards (NSG) will also be deployed at various places.

Patrolling in crowded market areas has been intensified and passengers are being thoroughly checked at Metro trains, railway stations and bus terminals.

Security at the India Gandhi International Airport has also strengthened.

Meanwhile, In Jammu and Kashmir''s Poonch district, security personnel are keeping a strict vigil, checking all vehicles as well as frisking people to prevent any untoward incident.

"Keeping in view the Republic Day, we have made necessary security arrangements in rural as well in urban areas particularly Poonch town and other places. We have laid ambush in several places for evenings and for security in day we have set-up barricades with the help of paramilitary forces," said Javed Iqbal, Deputy Superintendent Operations, Police, Poonch.

In Assam, security arrangement has been tightened in and around Guwahati such as the Central Parade Ground where the official function including parade will be held.

"Since the Guwahati parade is the centre venue of state function, we have made elaborate security arrangements for Guwahati parade ground," said G P Singh, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Central Western Range, Assam Police.

Personnel of Border Security Force (BSF) guarding the India-Bangladesh border have stepped up their vigil while the state police authorities of West Bengal have also taken all deterrent measures to avoid any untoward incident.

"We are taking all possible measures to keep the security intact. In fact, Darjeeling district is having border with Nepal and Bhutan. So SSB as well as BSF at the Bangladesh border have been briefed and they are also alert and as far as inside town is concerned we are also keeping strong vigil over the area," said Debendra Prasad Singh, Superintendent of Police, Darjeeling. (ANI)

Harbhajan Singh reprimanded for breaching ICC Code of Conduct

Mirpur (Bangladesh), Jan. 25 (ANI): Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has been officially reprimanded for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the first day’s play in the second Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur on Sunday.

Harbhajan pleaded guilty to contravening Level 1 offence (Section 2.1.2) of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings”.

The incident took place when Harbhajan kicked and damaged an advertising board after a misfield while guarding the boundary.

As Harbhajan accepted the decision without contest, there was no need for a hearing.

Commenting on his decision, Andy Pycroft of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees, said: “While giving my verdict, I took into account that Harbhajan admitted his mistake and apologised for his actions.

“I also accepted Harbhajan’s explanation that he had kicked the advertising board in frustration. Professional cricketers try to give their best effort when they are on the field and whenever they don’t live up to the standards they have set for themselves, they feel disappointed. However, venting their frustrations in this manner is unacceptable.

“I would now expect him to maintain a certain level of self-control in future and avoid the repeat of the incident as he sets an example for millions of youngsters who follow him around the world.”

All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee. The charge was brought by Billy Bowden and Marais Erasmus of the Emirates Elite panel of ICC Umpires, third umpire Sharfuddoula and fourth umpire Enamul Haque. (ANI)

Miscreants attack Mysore church

Mysore, Jan 25 (ANI): In continuance of its trend on attacking sacred places belonging to minority community in Karnataka, yet another church was attacked near Mysore in the wee hours on Monday.

Unknown miscreants attacked the Holy Family Church in Inakal area in the Vijaynagar Police Station limits.

The attack left the statue of Mary damaged although the cash box was intact.

The police are investigating at the spot but haven''t made any arrests as yet.

This is the second attack on the same church in last one year. (ANI)