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Saturday,
October 6, 2001, Chandigarh, India  
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Gear up against chemical arms Controversy over refuelling of planes PM’s letter a ‘dangerous step’ RSS endorses PM’s
letter to Bush
Akalis seek ban on NCERT book
Bandh in Bihar hits life |
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2 traders shot dead, Rs 25 lakh robbed Sarvesh Kaushal faces paddy scam charge SC transfers fodder scam cases to Ranchi BJP’s no to Lok
Morcha demand for poll in UP Cong resumes UP ‘yatras’, Sonia’s
rally on Oct 15 Aviation Minister’s resignation
sought Delhi, Agra visits thrill Dras students Cop killed in
attack by villagers
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Gear up against chemical arms terror: Advani New Delhi, October 5 The Union Home Minister also impressed upon the state governments to formulate legislation to deal effectively with the terrorism and organised crime. “There were lessons for India also in the aftermath of terrorist strikes in the USA. Threats of similar terrorist attacks, including by use of weapons of mass destruction, can no longer be taken lightly,” Mr Advani said addressing the meeting of state chief secretaries and Directors-General of Police on internal security here at Vigyan Bhavan. Emphasising on the need for the central and the state governments to act in very close concert to meet the challenges ahead, Mr Advani said legislation to deal effectively with the terrorism and organised crime was also necessary. “It is also time to accept the concept of ‘federal crime’ and to establish a central law enforcement and investigating agency,” he said. Stressing the need for unity of efforts at this difficult juncture in our fight against terrorism, the Home Minister asserted that Pakistan’s proxy war against India was bound to fail. “At worst, it (Pakistan) can inflict some wounds on us,” he said adding “but even that capacity of our neighbour needs to be neutralised and the earlier it is done the better it would be both for India and the World. Earlier, Union Home Secretary Kamal Pande, informed that a minimum number of coys of central para military forces would be trained and equipped for rapid deployment in case of a major terrorist attack, including a weapon of mass destruction (WMD) assault. Drawing the attention of the state governments, in the context of the existing security scenario, to the need to sensitise the government machinery about the precautions to be taken in issuing documents used for establishing identity viz. birth certificate, ration card, voter identity card, driving license, passport, etc. Addressing a press conference after the day-long meeting, Mr Pande said the meeting discussed at length the networking of various terrorist groups and noted that because of this phenomenon it will not be sufficient for each state government to act in isolation - all the state governments and the Central Government’s agencies will need to work together. The need for sensitising the law and order machinery down to the police station level to maintain close
surveillance over the suspected groups which may be used by various militants/terrorists networks was emphasised, he said adding that with the terrorist groups having linkages with organised crime syndicates, drug traffickers and hawala operators, surveillance/vigilance needs to be kept on these elements as well. “It was emphasised that quick reaction teams should be based in all the airports and a mechanism be adopted for revamping and sensitising security agencies and periodic study of security requirements in the aviation sector,” he said. He informed that the Centre has decided to set up a national disaster management agency with specialized units to handle all types of disasters. These units will be equipped with the specialised equipment for managing all types of disasters and mobile hospitals will be attached to these units. States were also urged to set similar State Disaster Management Agencies as also mechanisms at the district level. |
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Controversy over refuelling of planes Kolkata, October 5 The aircraft, C-130H, normally used by NATO for carrying war equipment and paratroopers, are scheduled to touch down at Kolkata on October 8 midnight for refuelling before taking off for Islamabad. The planes are stated to carrying materials for the Afghan refugees, who have crossed Pakistan border fearing a US attack on Taliban. But the ruling CPM and other Left front partners said they would not allow the refuelling of the Islamabad military aircraft until convinced that they were not carrying any war equipment. Mr Buddhadev Bhattacharee said,” We certainly condemn the terrorists attack in New York and Washington but are equally against a US attack on the innocent people in Afghanistan, and we don’t want India to be a partner in the US attacks against Afghanistan”. All Left parties will take out a protest rally in Kolkata on October 6 in this regard. The state government had received an urgent message from the Home Ministry for taking
elaborate measures to allow the Japanese planes flying from Tokyo to Islamabad to refuel here. |
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PM’s letter a ‘dangerous step’ New Delhi, October 5 The CPM General
Secretary, Mr Harkishen Singh Surjeet, said that the line adopted by the Vajpayee government in this regard was dangerous. He expressed the apprehension that the Prime Minister’s letter to Mr Bush was an appeal for the US intervention and would allow it to intervene in the Kashmir problem. A statement issued here on Thursday after a two-day meeting of the party Politburo reads, “It is one thing to mobilise international support, including American opinion against the violence being sponsored in Jammu and Kashmir but it will be detrimental to India’s interests to seek any, American intervention in the name of fighting terrorism.” While denouncing the brutal attack on the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly complex, the Politburo has said that it a grim reminder of unabated terrorist violence in the state. The party has warned the
Vajpayee government against complacency and realise that political steps are needed to tackle the problem in Jammu and Kashmir. The party also took stock of the situation arising out of the terrorist strikes in the USA on September 11 and its consequences for India and the South Asian region. “The USA has utilised this attack to declare a unilateral war against global terrorism. It has bypassed the United Nations and other international fora to prepare for an attack on Afghanistan,” the statement reads. Commenting on the Vajpayee government’s declaration of unilateral support for America’s war and offer of logistical facilities for their military operation, the party has warned the nation that “unilateral American action will create more tensions and complications in our region.” While reiterating the decision of the Left Parties to campaign against the war moves of the USA, the Politburo has appealed to all democratic sections to demand that the steps to curb terrorism be taken through the United Nations and other legitimate fora. The Politburo has further pointed out that the Vajpayee government is seeking an alibi for its miserable performance on the economic front by citing the worsening international economic environment since the September 11 attacks in the USA. |
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RSS endorses PM’s
letter to Bush New Delhi, October 5 The RSS spokesperson, Mr M. G. Vaidya, told reporters yesterday that the Prime Minister’s letter did not tantamount to India seeking US intervention in resolving the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. “The USA”, he says, “should use its influence over Pakistan to stop terrorism.” Since the US has acknowledged the global dimension to terrorism and shared India’s concerns in this regard, he says it should now deliver on its promise of rooting out terrorism. Notwithstanding the government’s reluctance to take a ‘proactive’ stand against cross-border terrorism, Mr Vaidya reiterated that the RSS favoured “hot pursuit” of the terrorists operating out of PoK and that it was for the government to “decide” the best course of action in this regard “after ascertaining international opinion.” Furthermore, he said destroying terrorist bases in PoK would not mean declaring a war as PoK was an integral part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Condemning the explosion that rocked Srinagar earlier this week, he says the terrorists are doing a disservice to Islam. |
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Akalis seek ban on NCERT book New Delhi, October 5 Though Delhi Education Minister Narendra Nath has stated that the book has been banned in Delhi Government-run schools, the Class XI
medieval history book has been taught for the past 11 years in the DSGMC-run schools in the Capital. The book, the DSGMC President, Mr Avtar Singh Hit, said “distorts historical facts relating to Sikh Gurus and should be immediately banned,” as it was taught throughout the country as part of CBSE syllabus. Mr Hit said, “It is atrocious that the author, Prof Satish Chandra, has cited so-called ‘official explanation’ for the execution of the ninth Sikh Guru, Teg Bahadur, which accused the protector of righteousness of banditry.” He said, “The Guru laid down his life for the protection of human values and rights. Guru Teg Bahadur was executed because he had rejected the demand of Aurangzeb that he should embrace Islam, and not because of any family intrigues or any other reason.” The Shiromani Akali Dal (Tohra faction) Delhi President, Mr Paramjit Singh Sarna, said, “The author has stated that Guru Harkishan’s son stayed in the durbar of Aurangzeb. The fact is that the Guru had breathed his last at the tender age of eight years and thus had no son.” Similarly, Mr Sarna said the author had tried to
mislead about the causes behind Guru Teg Bahadur’s great martyrdom about whom Guru Gobind Singh had written in his autobiography “Bachitra Natak.” This is the primary evidence, which Prof Satish Chandra has deliberately ignored because it did not fit in with his purpose.” Mr Sarna alleged that the author had “tried to misinterpret and under-rate his (Guru Gobind Singh) struggles against the Mughals. This book, therefore, is a direct attack against the Sikh religion.” Calling for a ban on the book, Mr Sarna said the Sikhs in the Capital would observe a black day on October 7 and if the government did not ban the book, protest marches would be taken out on October 14. “We would soon file a case against the author, the NCERT, the CBSE and the Centre,” he added. |
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Bandh in Bihar hits life Patna, October 5 The bandh was called to protest against the spurt in incidents of kidnapping, recent police firing at Muzaffarpur and alleged atrocities on Dalits and women. Several bandh supporters were injured when police lathi-charged a mob blocking trains at Bhagalpur, official sources said. An angry mob locked the west cabin of Sasaram station and disrupted movement of trains for some time. Railway sources said, train services were disrupted at Sasaram, Ara, Warsaliganj, Bhagalpur and Nadaul and other places. The bandh was total in Muzaffarpur where a five-year-old son of a bank employee was kidnapped and killed triggering mass violence leading to police firing and curfew late last month. It also had wide impact in the state capital.
PTI |
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2 traders shot dead, Rs 25 lakh robbed Dehra Dun, October 5 According to the police, Neeraj Goyal had come to the state capital along with his friend Babloo to buy a plot and was carrying Rs 25 lakh with him. One of his friends, Rajiv Kumar of Meerut, took him to Kedarpuram area where the plot was situated. Babloo was not accompanying them. While Neeraj was at the site of the plot, a person who was already present there fired at him. Both Rajiv and the unidentified man fled after snatching Rs 25 lakh from the injured Neeraj. Residents of the area rushed Neeraj to Doon Hospital. He died two hours after an operation to remove the bullet from his body was successfully performed. A case has been registered against the culprits and search is on to nab them. In another incident, a cloth merchant was shot dead in the busy Vanbhulpura area, close to the police station, in Haldwani yesterday. The incident occurred when Nasim Ahmed Shams was coming home after offering Friday prayers at local mosque. On the way, three persons armed with weapons shot at him thrice. |
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Sarvesh Kaushal faces paddy scam charge
Dehra Dun, October 5 Talking to TNS here today, Mr Shanta Kumar, Union Minister for Food, revealed that in another case pertaining to the same scandal, the CBI was probing the matter. He said the CBI had almost completed the probe and was likely to register a case against Mr Kaushal and officials of the FCI. He was in the state capital to hold a meeting with the Chief Minister and regional officials of the FCI. Earlier, Mr Shanta Kumar, the Managing Director of the FCI, Mr J.S. Gill, and other senior officials from the ministry held a meeting with the Chief Minister of Uttaranchal, Mr Nityanand Swami, to review the procurement process and the food distribution system. |
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SC transfers fodder scam cases to Ranchi New Delhi, October 5 In all, the court transferred 36 of the 52 cases lodged against Mr Yadav, former Bihar Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra and others. The court asked the Registrar of the Patna High Court to send to the Ranchi Special Court, all documents along with records pertaining to the examination of witnesses in these cases, so that further proceedings may be continued without wasting time. The SLP was directed against a Patna High Court order refusing to transfer these cases to Ranchi. The CBI had sought transfers of these cases to Ranchi after the state of Jharkhand was carved out from Bihar, on the grounds that since the FIR in these cases had been registered with the police stations falling in the newly-created state, these cases could be tried only by the special court set up at Ranchi. The court declined a prayer by the Solicitor General Mr Harish Salve, appearing for the CBI, that two SLPs filed by Mr Yadav challenging the arrest warrants issued by the Ranchi Special Court should be dismissed in view of its judgement.
DPA |
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BJP’s no to Lok
Morcha demand for poll in UP New Delhi, October 5 Reacting to reports about the demand made by Mulayam Singh Yadav, party spokesman Sunil Shastri told reporters here that “as and when the Election Commission declares the election for Uttar Pradesh we will face it.” As far as the party and the State Government in Uttar Pradesh were concerned we are making all arrangements keeping in mind elections will be held before March 2002, he added. |
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Cong resumes UP ‘yatras’, Sonia’s
rally on Oct 15 New Delhi, October 5 The ‘parivartan yatras’ in Uttar Pradesh, which were suspended would be resumed from October 12 with the party’s rally in Lucknow has now been slated for October 15. Congress president Sonia Gandhi originally was scheduled to address the Lucknow rally on October 4, but she was in Gwalior yesterday along with the top brass of the party to attend the cremation of Madhavrao Scindia. |
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Aviation Minister’s resignation
sought New Delhi, October 5 Congress chief spokesman Jaipal Reddy said the Civil Aviation Minister had created a false scare about a hijacking that did not take place. He should have doubly cross-checked, Mr Reddy said, adding, that “the minister had no business to be immature.” “What was worse, bungling over hijacking episode was followed by a clumsy attempt at cover-up. It was a dangerous mix of bungling and deception,’’ he said. Mr Reddy said the episode has reduced the country to a laughing stock. |
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Delhi, Agra visits thrill Dras students New Delhi, October 5 As they met Lt Gen R.S. Kadyan, Deputy Chief of the Army Staff and Director-General of Rashtriya Rifles, they were sharing their experiences in Delhi and Agra, a trip which was organised under the Army’s Operation Sadbhavana project. Operation Sadbhavana, which is a civic action project, has been underway in the remote regions of Kargil, specially the Muslim-dominated areas, for a long time to counter the Pakistani propaganda, but came into limelight after Lt Gen Arjun Ray took over as the G-o-C of the Leh-based corps. It aims at uplifting the standard of living, provide schooling and vocational training to the people living in Leh and Ladakh. The civic action projects are programmes run by the Army in addition to the counter-insurgency operation so as to help heal the scars of militancy. In the North-East, Operation Samaritan was being run on the same lines. The programme basically comes under the Home Ministry but is run by the Army under guidance from the ministry. The meeting organised by the 2nd Naga regiment at the Army Battle Honours Mess here seemed to be the perfect setting with most of the boys keen on joining the Army. Yousof Jamil, 12, was the lone aspirant to be a pilot. Surprisingly he did not want to fly a military aircraft but a Boeing and hoped to join Indian-Airlines one day. All four girls in the group said they wanted to be doctors. Ms Sakina Nissar, a local teacher in the Army-run school said the school was started at the UKG level in 1995 and now it had classes till standard seven. It was growing every year with 144 pupils on its rolls at present. Speaking about the facilities in the school, Mr Nisar Ahmed, who has also taught in the private schools in Dras, said the Army-run school provided the local children with a higher standard of education, opportunities for games and extra-curricular activities and also computer education, that was missing in the earlier three schools being run by the civil administration. There are six computers in the Army-run school, he added. Major Rajesh Sharma of the 2nd Naga regiment said a group of teachers from a Bangalore-based NGO also helped the Army in running of the school during summer months. Ms Nissar said, apart from the school, the Army had also opened a vocational training centre for girls and after its opening a change that had taken place was in the age at which the girls were getting married. Earlier they used to get married at the age of 12 years, but now they get married between the age of 19 to 21 years. Ms Saheeda Banoo, a trainer at the vocational training centre, said young women were helped to learn computer skills, knitting and carpet weaving. Ms Shafika Banoo said she loved the train journey and felt like home. She said she felt great after applying ‘mehndi’ at Fatehpur Sikri. The train journey and the visit to the Taj were the highlights of the trip, according to Mohammed Arif who studies in Class VI. He hopes to be back again soon. The 27 members of the group came from Mushkoh, Muradbag and Muliyal villages of the Dras sector. |
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Cop killed in
attack by villagers Muzaffarnagar, October 5 According to Mr V.K. Maurya, SSP, here the police party had gone to the village in search of Pramod and Virendra, members of a gang, but faced resistance from villagers. Additional police force was called to nab the culprits but the villagers along with the gangsters attacked the police party and burnt their Jeep. Meanwhile, members of the gang opened fire at the police. Three shots hit the driver, Uday Raj. He died on the spot, while six other policemen were injured in the exchange of fire. |
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Surviving
on barely two square meals a day are the stone crushers in
Kolkata who are suffering from various lung diseases.
(
Tribesmen
in Orissa are once again grappling with Malaria, which has
become a recurring problem over the past few years.
