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Bangladesh emergency
may be a consensus move
Charges framed in Bhagalpur riots case
People set own houses afire in Gohana: CBI
Centre to review Assam security situation
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Nithari accused brought back from Gandhinagar
UP poll: CPM for tactical understanding with SP
CBI Director apologises to Jharkhand HC
EC allots airtime to parties for campaigning
Mayor's poll: Harjinder dashes Cong hopes
SAFMA sets up Press Commission for India
CPM asks govt to cut petro prices
Law Minister welcomes verdicts
Maths goes practical
India yet to wake up to mercury hazards
Panic in Mumbai after
‘serial killing’
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Bangladesh emergency
may be a consensus move
New Delhi, January 11 In that situation, it would indicate a consensus decision by all political parties in Bangladesh wherein the Awami League, too, was on board. The sense of the Government of India is that the decision to impose emergency could be a ploy to overcome the constitutional impasse. The emergency would mean that the January 22 general elections in Bangladesh are deferred indefinitely and the next date of poll would be announced later. Under the constitution of that country, the caretaker government was required to hold elections by January 24. Now this problem can be taken care of. That was the only explanation why India tonight refrained from going ballistic on the imposition of emergency in Bangladesh. The Ministry of External Affairs came up with a prompt but innocuous response on the situation in Bangladesh as follows: “We have just heard about the developments in Bangladesh and are closely studying the evolving situation. It remains our hope that the people of Bangladesh will be allowed to exercise their democratic right to choose their own government in a free and fair manner.” India would welcome the emergency in Bangladesh only if the Awami League is on board with the decision, violence is averted because of this decision and fresh dates for elections are announced at the earliest wherein all parties participate. The Awami League announced its intention to boycott the elections and to withdraw its candidates on January 3. The caretaker government was undeterred by the move and had stated on January 9 that elections would be held on January 22 as per schedule. The Indian position is in sync with the one articulated by British Foreign Minister Margaret Beckett. The USA, too, is expected to be on similar frequency.
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Charges framed in Bhagalpur riots case
Patna, January 11 Soon after assuming power, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had promised to reopen some old cases in Bhagalpur riots and subsequently constituted a commission a year back. The Police accordingly had reopened 27 old cases for fresh probe, which were strongly opposed by the RJD and the Congress on charges of "witch-hunting". Official sources said that charges were framed against a prime accused in one case, Kameshwar Yadav, in the Bhagalpur Additional District and Sessions Court on the basis of a chargesheet submitted after re-investigating the case. Yadav was charged with killing a Muslim
shop owner with the help of his associates during the riots. The police had earlier closed the case against him, citing lack of evidence. It was learnt that the police have also filed chargesheets in 14 other cases. On his part, Nitish had already demanded that the UPA at Centre should consider compensation and rehabilitation packages for the Bhagalpur riot victims on the lines of the victims of the Sikh carnage in 1984. Besides reopening old cases pertaining to Bhagalpur riots, Nitish also initiated a slew of measures to presumably make a dent into the minority vote-bank of his political rival, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad. Nitish raised the issue of reservation for dalit Muslims on the lines of Hindu SCs and STs. He also regularised the salaries in madrasas, besides increasing the state’s allotment for Haj pilgrims. The pro-minority stand by Nitish forced the alliance partner of JD (U) in Bihar, the BJP, to go soft on its anti-Muslim bashing in the state. All the efforts by Nitish apparently paid dividends at the outcome of the minority-dominated Manihari Assembly by-elections last year when the JD (U) had wrested the seat from the Congress. Lalu Prasad’s open support to the Congress also failed to convince the 70,000 odd minority voters there to tilt the balance in favour of UPA.
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People set own houses afire in Gohana: CBI
New Delhi, January 11 In its charge sheet against 14 persons belonging to the Jat community, who had allegedly incited the crowd against the Balmiki community, the CBI said the extensive burning was observed in 19 houses out of the 28 that were inspected at the crime scene. Out of these, nine houses were inspected thoroughly and it appeared that in these houses the "simulated
arsoning" was carried out, which might have been "to get compensation". "There was no breakage of gate, lock, doors in these houses. The useless material like clothes, papers were found burnt in the houses in the centre of one room and materials were scattered here and there knowingly," the 18-page charge sheet said. It said other rooms in these houses having costly items were found intact. Fire was observed in the interior position of these houses. "Propagation of fire from one house to other was not observed. No evidence, regarding propagation of fire was seen at the scene of crime," it said. The PVC of the electrical wires was found burnt from outside and sparking due to electric short circuiting was not observed, it said. — PTI
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Centre to review Assam security situation
New Delhi, January 11 Home Ministry sources said the meeting would discuss, among other things, issues like deployment of available forces, measures taken for protection of residents of the state and steps taken to augment the strength of security forces. Since the National Games is scheduled to be held in Guwahati next month, the meeting would also discuss the security arrangements for the week-long sports event. Home Secretary V K Duggal will chair the meeting. Assam Chief Secretary and the Director-General of Police will be among those who will attend the meeting at North Block. The Railway Board Chairman, DGMO, Directors-General of the RPF, the CRPF, the BSF and the CISF, a representative of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Secretary-General of the Indian Olympic Association would also attend the meeting.
— UNI
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Nithari accused brought back from Gandhinagar
Noida/Delhi, January 11 The CBI team also met the 13-member special investigation team (SIT) of the Uttar Pradesh Government to gather relevant information on the case, said official sources. Meanwhile, the accused duo of Moninder Singh Pandher and Surendra Koli were brought here in the wee hours today. “A flight brought them here at 2 am after which they were taken to an undisclosed destination in rural Noida,” sources said. “Although their remand is till tomorrow, they might be handed over today itself,” sources added. Earlier, the CBI team took in its possession the 19 FIRs filed in connection with the killing of children in Sector 31 Nithari village over a period of two years. The CBI had requested for the FIRs that were sent to them last evening. In Delhi, CBI officials said only some of the FIRs had been filed, while the rest were still in the process. “It takes time. Once it is done, the process would be swift. However, teams have been formed to go right into the case.” During investigations, the CBI would take into account all aspects of the case and a close supervision would be maintained because of its sensitive nature, said an official. “Forensic teams would soon visit the place and carry out the required investigations and the thrust would be on expeditious working out of the case. We would also take the accused in our custody from the Noida police to interrogate them and derive inferences from what they say,” the official added. “Nevertheless, teams have already reached Nithari and begun their work. After the narco-analysis test, accused Moninder and Surendra, were subjected to further tests throughout the day at the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Gandhinagar before their arrival here,” sources added. This followed a Noida court ruling yesterday, extending the police remand of the duo by two days, after the police moved an application stating that doctors at the Directorate of Forensic Science (DFS) here had asked for more time to complete various forensic tests on the accused.
— UNI |
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UP poll: CPM for tactical understanding with SP
New Delhi, January 11 The Communists, especially the CPM, had been supporting the SP for quite sometime now, even though other Left parties had decided to put up candidates against the ruling party in Lucknow. With the contest in Uttar Pradesh largely between the SP and the BSP, the CPM has adopted a tactical line it will follow in the state at its meeting in Kolkata and the party’s political report clearly gives out the strategy to be adopted. It says the CPM will contest a limited number of seats where it has a presence and will appeal to other secular parties to extend support to its candidates. On the seats where the CPM is not contesting it “will extend support to the candidates of other secular parties, including the SP, which can defeat the BJP.” The report said the record of the Mulayam Singh government has created discontent among different sections of the people. The law and order situation, privatisation drive and taking away of farmers lands without adequate compensation, etc. has caused alienation among different sections of the people. In such a situation they will not have an electoral alliance with the SP. But at the same time the party will not join any combination that will be targeting the SP. The CPI, however, has decided to fight the Vidhan Sabha elections with the Jan Morcha alliance. Differences among the Left parties seem to be widening by the day as the Singur and Nandigram incidents have shown. There have been differences in political understanding and other conflicts of opinion with the CPI in various states. In Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and even in states like Kerala and West Bengal there have been divergent views and clashing opinions. In Andhra Pradesh the CPI has been with the Congress in the local body elections and byelections. In Punjab, though they have agreed to a joint platform with the CPM, they are also associating with Mangat Ram Pasla’s splinter group.
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CBI Director apologises to Jharkhand HC
Ranchi, January 11 As per the court directive,
Shanker, along with the Solicitor General of India, G.E. Vahanvati, personally appeared before the Bench headed by Chief Justice
M.K. Vinayagam. Swearing an affidavit before the Bench, Shanker said he was “tendering an unconditional apology” on behalf of himself and also on behalf of the department of which he was the head, making it clear that there was absolutely no intention whatsoever on their part of violating an order of the court. The court on November 17 served the show cause on Shanker after the transfer of CBI Superintendent of Police R.C. Choudhury, probing the multi-crore fodder scam, and his subsequent offer for a voluntary retirement on November 3, citing personal
grounds. Choudhury’s transfer was later withdrawn after the High Court’s intervention. “It was due to the acute vacancies of Superintendents of Police, especially in Delhi, that I had explored the possibility of getting suitable officers posted or
transfered,” the affidavit further stated. — PTI
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EC allots airtime to parties for campaigning
New Delhi, January 11 Congress, which is in power in all the three states, would get 160 minutes each on television and radio in Manipur, 175 minutes each in Punjab and 185 minutes each in Uttarakhand, the EC said. The NCP would get 100 minutes in Manipur, Akali Dal would get 165 minutes in Punjab, and BJP would get 185 minutes in Uttarakhand. An additional 45 minutes would be given to each national party and recognised state party on the television and radio network in the three states. Based on the performance of the parties in the last Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, the EC would allot extra airtime to the parties. The period of broadcast and telecast would be between the last date of filing the nominations and would end two days before the date of poll in these states, it added.
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Mayor's poll: Harjinder dashes Cong hopes
Chandigarh, January 11 The victory of the Akali candidate, coming ahead of the crucial Punjab polls, which are expected to be hotly contested, may not have a direct impact on the ensuing elections but is a major morale booster for the combined opposition, the Akali-BJP and the local party, the Chandigarh Vikas Manch. “We have laid the foundation for the Akalis’ win in Punjab,” stated an elated Harjinder Kaur after being voted the Mayor here today. It’s bad omen for the Congress, which was upbeat after its victory. It has a lesson to learn that infighting and dissidence eventually harm the party. At least three Congress councillors are expected to have voted against the party’s nominee, Anu
Chatrath, who lost by a margin of one vote, with her opponent, mustering support of 17 councillors. The fact that cross- voting has taken place in the Congress camp both for the post of Mayor and Deputy Mayor, who also lost by a margin of one vote, is evident from the decisive victory of the Congress for the post of Senior Deputy Mayor, . He won by a clear margin of seven votes with 20 votes polled in his favour.
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SAFMA sets up Press Commission for India
New Delhi, January 11 Headed by N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu, the commission includes 25 other eminent media personalities and will be part of the apex organisation comprising media representatives in South Asia. The commission will identify laws and regulations in different countries that circumvent the right to freedom of opinion, look into the performance and role of both state and private media on matters like promotion of mutual trust and understanding, the SAFMA said in a release here. The commission will identify violations of professional code of ethics about honest, objective and unbiased reporting and comment, and also keep a watch on measures by the state and other players to punish media economically or through other means. It will also monitor cases of atrocities on journalsist in discharging their duties. Welcoming the SAFMA decision to set up national and regional press commissions with a wide mandate and clear terms of reference, Ram said they will “take comprehensive and objective look at the situation in our countries of freedom of press and the restrictions, both reasonable and unreasonable on this freedom.” He said the commission would also objectively look at performance of the press, its editors, working journalists, proprietors, business managers and other players.
— PTI
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CPM asks govt to cut petro prices
New Delhi, January 11 The party’s politbureau asked the government to “immediately reduce the price of petroleum products to the pre-June, 2006, levels as the first step. Subsequently, the government should make a further proportionate reduction in the prices commensurate with the fall in the international prices.” Petroleum Secretary M S Srinivasan had earlier indicated that the government could consider reduction in petroleum prices if it fell below the $50 per barrel mark. The CPM reiterated its demand to restructure the taxes and duties on petroleum products to ensure that the volatility of international crude prices did not burden the consumer. “The urgency to bring down the prices and restructure the tax-duty regime is dictated by the rising rates of inflation affecting the prices of all essential commodities,”
it said. In November, the petrol and diesel prices were cut by Rs 2 and Re 1 a litre, respectively, when the basket of crude that Indian refiners buy was at $56.8 per barrel. The Indian basket has since fallen to just under $53 per barrel, the lowest this fiscal. State-run oil companies are currently incurring a loss of Rs 0.22 per litre on petrol and Rs 1.42 a litre on diesel. Kerosene is being sold at a loss of Rs 13-14 per litre and domestic LPG at a loss of Rs 50 per cylinder. Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum and IBP together are losing about Rs 100 crore a day on fuel sales. In the first half of 2006-07, the under-realisation on sale of petrol, diesel, LPG and kerosene was Rs 33,200 crore. Meanwhile, an oil ministry official said the ministry was seeking a shift to specific duties on fuel from the current mix of
ad-valorem and specific duties. The current excise duty on petrol is 8.16 per cent of ex-factory price plus Rs 13.26 a litre, while for diesel it is 8.16 per cent plus Rs 3.32 a litre. The ministry has suggested a specific duty of Rs 15.92 for petrol and Rs 6.08 per litre for diesel in the forthcoming budget.
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Law Minister welcomes verdicts
New Delhi, January 11 Reacting to the two landmark judgements pronounced by different Constitution Benches, Law Minister H.R. Bharadwaj said in both verdicts the court’s power of judicial review had been upheld, which was a provision of the Constitution. Such an interpretation of the law by the Supreme Court would not have any “adverse” impact on the Executive and would not affect its functioning in any manner, he said. He was of the opinion that one should not jump the gun on the apex court judgements on such vital issues. He said the same people who were earlier accusing the judiciary of interfering in the executive and the legislative spheres were hailing the yesterday’s judgement upholding Parliament’s power to regulate its own procedure even if it meant expelling of MPs. Stating that under the Constitution, this right was only granted to the apex court, the Law Minister said, “If something happens against the basic feature of the Constitution or the fundamental rights, the Supreme Court can strike it (enacted law) down. I think today’s judgement means this.”
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Maths goes practical
New Delhi, January 11 “For the first time, we are making changes in the question papers of mathematics and science for class X. The mathematics question paper will comprise 80 marks for theory and 20 marks for internal assessment, while science paper will have 60 marks for theory and 40 for practicals,” Controller of Examination M.C. Sharma said. Earlier, the science question paper used to have 75 marks for theory and 25 for practicals, while there was no practical component in the mathematics paper. The CBSE had earlier introduced an internal assessment component in social sciences. In the mathematics paper, internal assessment, which will account for a total of 20 marks, will cover evaluation of activities, project work and continuous evaluation. Similarly in science, the practical evaluation will have two components, hands-on school-based year-end practical examination and practical skill-based multiple choice-type year-end written examination, each comprising 20 marks.
— PTI
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India yet to wake up to mercury hazards
New Delhi, January 11 According to Toxic Link director Ravi Agarwal, the European Union has announced phasing out the toxic metal by 2011. “The USA has mercury management programme in place. But India, the second largest consumer after China in the world, was doing nothing to contain the hazardous substance,” he said. India imports roughly 200 tonnes of mercury every year from the international market, scoured from mines or recycled. It is widely used in homes and hospitals in form of thermometers, blood pressure machines, florescent bulbs and in industries for making soda ash and caustic soda. “Breakage of these instruments is a common occurrence in hospitals. The toxic substance spills outs and evaporates, causing mental and physical retardation, damaging kidneys and even causing infirmity. Indiscriminate use and inapt handling of mercury is not only affecting hospitals but also homes,” he said. Agarwal adds that worldwide digital thermometers and blood pressure machines were replacing ones with mercury. Similarly, alternatives to mercury are being increasingly used by the industry but no substitute had yet been found to florescent bulbs. “Urgent steps were needed to regulate imports of mercury, lest India became a hub of international trade in the poisonous substance. In India, mercury is sold through open general license. Moreover, there is no proper system for waste disposal even when 1 gm of the substance is enough to pollute a water body measuring 20 acres,” he added.
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Panic in Mumbai after
‘serial killing’
Mumbai, January 11 The unidentified man was the fourth victim to be killed in a similar manner in the past few weeks. The victim was found with his head smashed by a big stone and his frontal torso slashed with a sharp object, according to police. All the earlier victims were also similarly found nearly railway stations. The killing was apparently carried out in the wee hours when the city’s local trains halt for a few hours every day. The police is on the lookout for a tall man between 25 and 30 years of age. The killings are suspected to be the handiwork of a mentally challenged man.
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Life term for scribe’s killer Arms factory unearthed Spurned lover beheads girl
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