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Friday,
December 21, 2001, Chandigarh, India  
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Chhattisgarh BJP splits; 12 MLAs form new party
‘POTO can’t lapse retrospectively’ Plans to tighten House
security Tipnis: maintain operational
preparedness Ultras amassing arms along Nepal border |
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Tehelka.com: NHRC notice to Home
Ministry Laloo sent to jail again INLD may ally with
BSP in UP 1,500 revenue employees to be relieved
Ammonia leak forces people
to flee UP ex-minister held, pleads innocence
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Chhattisgarh BJP splits; 12 MLAs form new party Raipur, December 20 The breakaway MLAs met this morning and decided to form Chhattisgarh Vikas Party and elected Mr Tarun Chatterjee as its leader, Mr Chatterjee said after a meeting with Speaker Rajendra Prasad Shukla. Significantly, when the dissidents met the Speaker, Chief Minister Ajit Jogi was present but Mr Chatterjee said they had still not decided whether to extend support to the Congress government. Mr Chatterjee said they had invited Mr Jogi to the meeting with the Speaker. Mr Chatterjee said the other members of the new outfit were Haridas Baradwaj, Ganguram Baghel, Sakrajit Nayak, Madan Singh Deheria, Paresh Agrawal, Sohanlal, Shyama Dhruba, Premsingh Sidar, Vikram Bhagat, Lokendra Yadav and Rani Ratnamala Devi. The rebel leader, elected from Raipur, told reporters later that they formed the new party as they were feeling humiliated and were treated badly in the BJP. “We were feeling humiliated and even some times treated with suspicion,” Mr Chatterjee said, but added “I do not want to say anything about the BJP.” A heavy police force has been deployed in front of the Speaker’s residence and security has been beefed up following the development. PTI NEW DELHI: In New Delhi, the BJP high command was taken aback by the split in its legislature party in Chhattisgarh. BJP general secretary Pyarelal Khandelwal told reporters here that “it has indeed taken us by surprise and the breakaway group has been lured by office of ministership and money by the Congress. But, the Congress is also likely to split”. Chief Minister Jogi said the breakaway BJP MLAs would be meeting him “very soon and only then I will know what their purpose is”. “I have heard the dissident leaders saying on television that they were not happy with the BJP leadership and its policy and that they had confidence in the leadership of Soniaji”, he said. Replying to a question Mr Jogi said his government had a comfortable majority and did not need a split in the BJP to make it stronger. He said, “This only shows that people are fed up with the BJP at the state level and that is why there has been desertion in the party.” Immediately on receiving the news of the split, BJP President Jana Krishnamurthy convened a meeting of former BJP President Kushabhau Thakre, state unit chief Lakhiram Aggarwal and general secretary Pyarelal Khandelwal to review the situation arising out of this development and decided to rush BJP Vice-President Madan Lal Khurana to Chhattisgarh. Meanwhile, party sources said the leader of the BJP group in Chhattisgarh Assembly, Mr Nand Kumar Sai, has sought from the party central leadership the expulsion of four MLAs — Rani Ratnamala Devi, Madan Singh Dahoria, Shakrajit Nayat and Prem Singh Sidar — for “anti-party activities”.
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‘POTO can’t lapse retrospectively’ New Delhi, December 20 The ordinance, promulgated on October 24, is expected to be re-promulgated within a fortnight as it cannot be replaced by a Bill within the stipulated 60-day period. Aimed at replacing the controversial Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, which has expired, POTO is claimed to be the first
comprehensive legal salvo against terrorism with complete safeguards. Rajya Sabha member and senior counsel R.K. Anand says those picked up under POTO can be tried under POTO. “It is not washed away with retrospective effect. The date of offence is important. I believe, they have picked up five persons from Khari Baoli under POTO. They are likely to re-issue the ordinance.” Mr Anand said the conviction rate in the country under TADA was only 10 per cent. In some places like Assam, however, the conviction rate was not even 1 per cent.’’ Additional Solicitor-General, K.K. Sud said, “Any action taken and any liability incurred till the ordinance lapses holds good in law.” Mr Vivek Sood, criminal lawyer, said, “POTO is in force right now and is valid till December 24. It will not lapse retrospectively. The terrorist attack on Parliament took place within the validity period of POTO. Therefore, the case will be tried under POTO.” |
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Plans to tighten House
security New Delhi, December 20 Talking to newspersons today, Lok Sabha Speaker G.M.C. Balayogi said a parliamentary committee was being set up for ensuring the implementation of the recommendations of the expert committee that was constituted two months back for stepping up the security of Parliament after intelligence agencies had reported about terrorist threats to Parliament House. A new security drill for strengthening the outer ring is also under way for preventing any future entry of terrorists into Parliament, the Speaker said. He said the new security system would come into existence much before the Budget session in February. The committee will have members from the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. It will be headed either by the Deputy Speaker or one of the Chairpersons of various parliamentary committee. The closing of Talkatora Road, which divides the main Parliament House and the Parliament Annexe complex, for public use is also being considered so that not only the two
buildings get integrated but also become more secure. |
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Tipnis: maintain operational
preparedness New Delhi, December 20 Addressing the Station Commanders on the concluding day of the two-day commanders’ conference in the Western Air Command (WAC), the Chief of the Air Staff exhorted them to be prepared to meet all challenges to national security, present as also future. Earlier, Air Marshal V.K. Bhatia, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief WAC, in his presentation to the Chief of the Air Staff highlighted the measures taken to maintain optimum
operational preparedness in the command. |
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Ultras amassing arms along Nepal border Patna, December 20 The Tribune had recently published a story about the open illegal arms sale in Bihar and their possible connection with the terrorist organisations. The Central Government has warned the state security agencies that it has concrete reports of huge arms dumping along the Nepal border. The state government has alerted cops at district level, according to state Home Department sources though the border areas have already been handed over to the Special Services Bureau (SSB) especially deployed a few months ago. The Union Home Ministry caution note to the state reportedly says that Pakistan-supported terrorist organisations like the Harkat-ul-Ansar and the Lashkar-e-Toiba have made the Nepal route their stronghold and their arms are lying their to be sneaked into India. The Home Ministry has also reportedly warned the state government over the strong possibility of terrorists making the 700-odd madrasas and mosques spread along the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bangladesh borders as their safe haven and store of arms. The Union Home Ministry report also reportedly contains reference to mosques that have come up in the border areas in great numbers that happen to be a cause of concern. The same concern was also expressed in the Lok Sabha. The Tribune had published reports of the fast spread of these madrasas and mosques and had also reported as to how the spread of these madrasas and mosques had pushed up the land prices in bordering Bihar. Meanwhile, top security officials of India, Nepal and Bangladesh are meeting on December 22 to take stock of the situation. The Indian borders along Nepal were sealed a few days ago. The additional forces of the SSB have been deployed along the long and porous Indo-Nepal borders. In the meantime, after the announcement of the deployment of the Army along the Indo-Nepal border, there are plans to open an Army station in the north Bihar to meet the contingency demand of the armed forces. At present Bihar has only one Army cantonment in Danapur near Patna. The Tirhut Range DIG, Mr S.K. Bharadwaj, has said a special battalion of territorial army may also be deployed along the Indo-Nepal border for better security. He said senior Army officials had visited the border areas and had discussed the matter with him. |
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Tehelka.com: NHRC notice to Home
Ministry New Delhi, December 20 Taking cognisance of a complaint filed by an NGO, Shakti Vahini, the NHRC in its notices has asked the Home Ministry and and the Delhi Police Commissioner to file their respective replies within six weeks. Shakti Vahini, an NGO, working for the rights of women, had urged the commission to take necessary actions under the relevant provisions of the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, 1956 of the Indian Penal Code. The NGO had filed its complaint with the NHRC on August 21. Though the Shakti Vahini had also complained against Chief Executive Officer of M/s Buffalo Networks Private Ltd Tarun Tejpal and Tehelka reporters, Ahiruddha Bahal and Mathew Samuel for using call girls for the exposure, the NHRC notice was confined to only the
government and the police. |
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Laloo sent to jail again Ranchi, December 20 The designated court of special CBI judge Prabodh Ranjan Dass rejected the RJD supremo’s bail petition and remanded him in judicial custody in RC 68(a) which deals with fraudulent withdrawals to the tune of over Rs 130 crore. Earlier in the day, Mr Yadav surrendered before the court. Delivering its judgement, the court also sought to know how Mr Yadav was released on bail from the camp jail yesterday in RC 47(a) when production warrant was already issued against him in RC 68(a). The RJD chief was again taken back to the Bacon House Camp Jail here. Mr Yadav was granted bail in the RC 47(a) by the Supreme Court on December 13 and his release order was issued by the designated court of Mr Harish Chander Mishra, dealing with fraudulent withdrawals of over Rs 180 crore from the Doranda Treasury here yesterday. The RJD chief was remanded in judicial custody in connection with RC 68(a) in which a charge sheet was filed by the CBI on December 13 charging Mr Yadav with fraudulent withdrawals of Rs 130 crore from the state treasury at Chaibasa. Mr Yadav and former Bihar Chief Minister Dr Jagannath Mishra, along with 73 others, were chargesheeted in the case. The designated court of Mr Justice Dass, taking cognizance of the charge sheet, had issued production warrant against the two former Chief Ministers besides issuing non-bailable warrants and summons against the other accused. The RJD supremo refused to talk to the media saying he was in judicial custody and will prefer to maintain silence. However, sources close to him described the court order as “unfortunate”. “Mr Yadav is being unnecessarily harassed for a crime he never committed,” they said. The sources said soon after Mr Yadav’s release in RC 47(a), yesterday, he met his wife and Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi at the Legislative Assembly guest house. He also met party workers who had called on him last night. Meanwhile, Mr Yadav today urged the Centre to explore options other than war to counter Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. “War is no solution. The Centre must not take a decision which the country might repent later,’’ Mr Yadav said while reacting to statements made by NDA leaders following the December 13 suicide attack on Parliament.
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INLD may ally with
BSP in UP New Delhi, December 20 Party sources said parleys were being conducted between the INLD and the BSP at the highest level and an understanding would be reached by the first week of January when the notification for Uttar Pradesh poll is expected to come out. Mr Chautala’s party is holding election talks with the BSP even as it remains part of the NDA which is contesting the Uttar Pradesh poll with the Rashtriya Lok Dal of Union Agriculture Minister Ajit Singh. Mr Ajit Singh has ruled out the possibility of any seat adjustments with the INLD, saying that the party had marginal presence in western Uttar Pradesh. The INLD’s decision to contest in the region may create fissures in the NDA, with the BJP also opposed to any move that would split the NDA votes. Keen to prove that it is a force to reckon with in western Uttar Pradesh, the INLD is pulling out all stops with a series of rallies in the past two months in the 22 districts of the region. Having “Harit Pradesh” as the main poll plank, senior INLD leaders including Mr Ajay Singh Chautala, have been extensively touring the area to garner support. Mr Om Prakash Chautala has already addressed 11 election rallies in the region so far. The party plans to observe the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh on December 23 as Kisan Divas, with a big rally proposed at Hathras. With the Congress and the Samajwadi Party also making efforts to garner support in western Uttar Pradesh, the area which accounts for about 130 seats in the 405-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly, will witness a fierce battle in the coming poll. Party leaders said the INLD would contest at least 50 seats if an alliance with the BSP was finalised. The party would stake a claim on all seats adjoining Haryana. Party leaders said it would not be the first time that the BSP and the INLD would join hands. They said Mr Chautala had helped in the election of a BSP candidate from Ambala parliamentary constituency. Hoping that their decision to contest in Uttar Pradesh would not harm the party’s relations with the BJP, INLD leaders said Mr Ajit Singh’s party was yet to be included in the NDA. Asserting that the INLD was not inclined to withdraw support to the Vajpayee government, the leaders, however, said that they were supporting the NDA government only from the outside. According to them, the INLD’s decision to contest in Uttar Pradesh is a reflection of the party’s desire to grow and expand. |
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1,500 revenue employees to be relieved Hanumangarh, December 20 The state government has abolished the budget of revenue accounts for 2002-2003 sanctioned for the Irrigation Department. It will not get the budget for paying salaries to the officials, which includes patwaris, deputy collectors and other employees. About a year ago the state government had decided to shift the employees of the revenue collection wing of the Irrigation Department to the Revenue Department. These employees were to be relieved on May 31, 2000, but it could not be done. After that on various occasions relieving dates of these employees were fixed but the matter hung fire. On September 30 these employees were relieved from the Irrigation Department and were asked to report to the Revenue Department, but following the interference of the Local Bodies Department they were called back. Sources said at a meeting of the budget deciding committee of the Finance Department held a few days ago the decision was taken. |
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Ammonia leak forces people to flee Kozhikode, December 20 Two persons were killed in the collision and another was injured, while at least 12 others were taken to hospital following uneasiness, suspectedly due to inhaling ammonia. However, the cool air at the time of the accident and prompt rescue operations averted a big tragedy even as city residents were on tenterhooks fearing a Bhopal-like tragedy. As ammonia started leaking from the fallen tanker after a collision with the truck around 1.30 a.m., people in the area woke up to run for cover in utter panic. Within minutes, firefighters and rescue workers reached the spot. The leakage continued unabated for almost 12 hours. The expert team from the Kochi-based public sector Fertilisers and Chemical Travancore finally managed to plug the cracks and the damaged portion by the afternoon. “More than 15 tonnes might have already spread in the air,’’ an official said.
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UP ex-minister held, pleads innocence
Lucknow, December 20 The STF arrested the former minister when he was returning home after meeting a minister near the SSP’s residence in the state capital during midnight. According to police sources, the sacked minister is being produced before a judicial magistrate here this afternoon after which he would be sent to Basti, from where the son of a businessman was abducted on December 6. Chief Minister Rajnath Singh had dismissed him (Tripathi) from his council of ministers on December 12 on the charge of harbouring the kidnappers along with the abducted boy in a house in Lucknow. The STF for some time, had been on the lookout for Tripathi, who had been trying to evade his arrest. The latter had even filed a writ petition with the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court to prevent his arrest.
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CBI RAIDS HOUSES OF ONGC OFFICIALS ONE MORE DIES OF COLD IN KANPUR 3 KILLED AS TRAIN RAMS INTO MINI-TRUCK  |
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