Kolkata, October 18
Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, who had picked the city police chief Prasun Mukherjee as his nominee in the last Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) election against Jagmohan Dalmiya, transferred Mukherjee last night from Lalbazar and appointed him the additional director general of police (telecom). This followed the Calcutta High Court’s remarks on the mishandling of the Rizwanur-Priyanka marriage case by the police. The HC also ordered a CBI probe into Rizwaur’s mysterious death.

Gautam Mohan Chakraborty who was holding the post of the ADGP (telecom) was appointed the new police chief and he took over the charge last night.

Two other senior IPS officers, Gyanbant Singh (DCHQ) and Ajoy Kumar (DCDD), were also given less important postings outside Lalbazar as punishment for their alleged involvement in the mysterious death of Rizwanur.

Rizwanur had got married to Priyanka Todi, daughter of Ashoke Todi, who is a businessman and a member of CAB. They got married on August 18 under the Special Marriage Act. The Todi family did not approve of this inter-religion marriage. Ashoke Todi, who had campaigned in favour of Mukherjee in the CAB election, managed to get police help from Lalbazar to bring Priyanka back home.

Mukherjee admitted he had asked the two DCs to help Todi in solving his family problems. Two junior police officers, Sukanti Chakraborty (AC) and Krishnendu Das (SI) were also engaged who allegedly tortured Rizwanur and Priyanka after they failed to persuade the two to get separated.

Rizwanur had received death threats and was found dead at the Dum Dum railway station on September 21. APDR spokesman, Sujata Bhadra, had said Rizwanur had told her about the threats.

A CBI probe was demanded into his death. Instead, the CM ordered a CID inquiry and then a judicial probe.

But after a gap of 26 days the CM finally acted, following the high court’s order of the CBI probe into the death, by summarily transferring the police chief, two senior IPS officers and two other policemen from their respective posts.

New Delhi, October 18
Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana have placed their viewpoints before the Central Water Commission (CWC) on the controversial Hansi-Butana feeder channel being built by Haryana after the Supreme Court had asked them to do so and had sought the commission’s report on the issue. The representatives of the three states assisted by their lawyers held a meeting with the CWC last week.

Asked whether the CWC had asked the parties to appear before it again, the lawyers said though no formal date had been indicated, further meetings could not be ruled out.

Earlier, while continuing its order restraining Haryana from puncturing the Bhakra Main Line (BML) canal, being opposed by both Punjab and Rajasthan, the apex court had directed the three states to try to resolve the issue with mutual negotiations with the help of the CWC.

Since Punjab and Rajasthan had filed suits against Haryana, challenging the construction of the Hansi-Butana canal, the apex court had sought a report from the CWC to ascertain the actual position.

Punjab and Rajasthan had submitted that Haryana had gone ahead with the project even when CWC had not given its approval.

Haryana claimed that it had got clearance from different central agencies, including the CWC and ministries of agriculture and environment and forest. As per Haryana’s affidavit in the apex court, the total length of the Hansi-Butana feeder channel will be 110 km for which 1,304 acres of land worth Rs 111 crore has been acquired from farmers and 84 per cent earthwork was complete.

Besides, 75 per cent work on bridges, canal crossings, drainage crossings and inlets had been completed with an estimated cost of Rs 354 crore, of which Rs 275 crore has already been spent, which meant that the project had reached a point of “no return”.

On Punjab’s charge that the 20-km portion of the feeder channel’s walls facing Punjab would result in floods in 32 of its villages during monsoon, Haryana claimed that “adequate” number of siphons, duly approved by the CWC, and 44 “inlets” had been built along the entire length of the channel to take care of the flood water.

The CWC would also look into the claim of Rajasthan that after the commissioning of the channel, its share of 0.90 cusecs of water from BML will be reduced to 0.72 cusecs, creating a major irrigation and drinking water problem in the water-thirsty state.

Chennai, October 18
Following allegations by AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa that her life was being endangered at the behest of Tamil Nadu local administration minister M.K. Stalin, a privilege motion was moved in the Assembly against her today. Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker R. Avudaiappan said there was prima facie evidence and referred it to the committee of privileges.

Raising the issue, Stalin said Jayalalithaa during her yesterday’s press conference had accused him of conspiring to kill her before the next Assembly elections.

Such reports were published in almost all the newspapers today and it had become a habit with Jayalalithaa to make such charges without a shred of evidence. He added that if she had evidence she should come forward to prove it.

Stalin said, ”I am ready to face Jayalalithaa's allegations in court,” and also sought the Speaker's permission to move a breach of privilege motion also against Jaya TV and a couple of local newspapers.

New Delhi, October 18
The day-long annual technical-level talks between India and Pakistan on conventional CBMs (confidence building measures) concluded this evening with both sides making some progress, but no formal agreements could be inked.

The two sides had candid discussions and agreed to disagree on a couple of issues. Pakistan asked for parity between the two countries’ armed forces, a suggestion that India cut down the size of its forces to win Pakistan’s trust and confidence.

India’s response was an immediate “no”. The Indian side, led by T.C.A Raghavan, joint secretary in the ministry of external affairs’ PAI Division, explained to the Pakistani side that Indian armed forces were not Pakistan-specific. India is a much bigger country and has a long border and therefore it was keeping its armed forces at a size which was not only appropriate but necessary too for national security.

The Indian side proposed more interaction between the armed forces of the two countries. The suggestion, however, received a lukewarm response from the Pakistani side. Islamabad is not too keen on military-to-military ties between the two countries that have fought three wars in past six decades and people-to-people contacts are the maximum that Islamabad is currently willing for.

India raised another issue with Pakistan: the Pakistani boycott of World Military Games currently on in Hyderabad. India said the boycott was unfortunate and Pakistan should have taken part in the games. The Pakistani side, led by Aizaz Ahmad Choudhary, director general (South Asia), ministry of foreign affairs, promised to “look into it” in future.

A major success of today’s meeting was that both the sides reviewed the ceasefire along the International Border (IB), Line of Control (LoC) and Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) and reiterated their commitment to continue it. The ceasefire has been in place for almost four years.

However, a point of divergence erupted in this context in the form of issue of LoC-crossers. The Pakistani side brought to India’s notice some minor incidents of alleged violation of the ceasefire. New Delhi denied that these incidents meant violation of the ceasefire on part of India and said the incidents happened only in retaliation to attempts of infiltration from across the LoC.

On the issues of non-establishment of military posts along the International Border and the LoC, the Indians suggested that the ground rules for the same should be updated as these rules were framed between 1947 and mid-fifties. The Pakistani side agreed to look into this.

On issues like prevention of incidents at sea to ensure safety of navigation by naval vessels and aircraft belonging to the two sides, having an institutionalised mechanism of quarterly flag-meetings between field commanders, and non-establishment of military posts, the two sides were “one meeting less” from inking the agreement.

On the last of these, non-establishment of military posts, the difference between Indian and Pakistani positions is that India wants this agreement to cover the IB, the LoC and the AGPL. The Pakistan side, on the other hand, wants only the LoC to be covered as different ground rules are already in place.

Today’s talks were part of the fourth round of the composite dialogue process.

Guwahati, October 18
She is not yet three years old, obviously not ready to join a nursery school, but has already cut her first music CD, that too with HMV.

The wonder child, as she has been described by no less a person than cultural icon Bhupen Hazarika of Assam and Anandji of Mumbai, Asthajitananda has become the youngest singer ever to have been signed by HMV.

The first solo audio-video CD, ‘Tumar Ganor Kulat’ (In the lap of your songs), produced and marketed by the HMV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa India Ltd, has hit the market with a bang after it is released by Anandji at a function here.

The album contains eight evergreen numbers of Dadasaheb Phalke award winner musician Bhupen Hazarika.

“It was in Nagaon in central Assam, she sang a very famous Assamese song -- ‘Asomire Chutalate’ --that was originally sung by Mohammad Rafi,” said the girl’s father Maramti Bardoloi, a businessman.

After discovering the musical talent in their daughter, Asthajitananda’a parents took her to a Guwahati-based music teacher Nanda Banerjee who is now training her. It was because of advice given by Mr Banerjee; the parents of the girl approached HMV with two of her recorded numbers. The experts in HMV, after gauging the talent of the child prodigy, decided to produce her first album of songs.

New Delhi, October 18
If a person is sentenced to jail along with imposition of fine, the failure to pay the amount will render the convict liable to undergo further imprisonment in default, the Supreme Court has held.

Such punishment for default can be imposed by a court irrespective of the fact whether a particular Act empowers imposition of fine or not, a bench of Justices C K Thakker and Altamas Kabir ruled.

The bench said the power to impose fine in addition to the sentence of imprisonment is vested with the courts under IPC Sections 63 to 70, Section 30 of the CrPC, besides the General Clauses Act.

However, the apex court said it was a general principle of law as reflected under Sections 63 to 70 of the IPC, that an amount of fine should not be harsh or excessive and it has to be imposed taking into consideration the statutory provision and the pecuniary condition of the offender.

The apex court passed the ruling while partly allowing an appeal filed by Shanti Lal who was sentenced by a sessions court in Madhya Pradesh to 10 years RI under the NDPS (Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances) Act and a fine of Rs 1 lakh, and a further three years of imprisonment in default.

The Madhya Pradesh high court confirmed the conviction and the punishment imposed on him which incidentally was the minimum punishment prescribed under Sections 8 and 18 of the NDPS Act. — PTI 

Tezpur, October 18
The Army will stop operations against militant outfit ULFA in Assam if it comes to the negotiating table without any preconditions, Chief of Army Staff General Deepak Kapoor said here today.

“If the ULFA comes for talks without any terms and conditions then the army is willing to go back to the barracks”, General Kapoor told reporters at the Army’s four corps headquarters here today.

The army chief said Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI was active in the region. He said the ISI may be involved in the recent bomb blasts in Guwahati and other places of Assam.

“Under the direction of Muslim fundamentalists the ISI is becoming active in Assam which is a cause for concern”, Kapoor said.

The army chief said if the Bodoland Liberation Tigers and the National Liberation Front of Bodoland (NDFB) could come to the negotiating table “then why not the ULFA”.

On the ongoing problem with China along the border with Arunachal Pradesh, General Kapoor said two rounds of talks between the Indian and Chinese forces were held so far.

“The talks have been cordial and we expect to solve the border problem very soon”, he said. The army chief is scheduled to visit the Chinese border areas in Bumla sector of Arunachal Pradesh tomorrow. — PTI

Lucknow, October 18
A day after expanding her five-month-old government, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati today allotted portfolios to the new ministers and four others who were elevated to Cabinet rank.

Cabinet minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi has been given the portfolios of institutional finance, stamp and court fee while Kamla Kant Gautam will look after finance. Chandrika Dev Ram Yadav has been allotted minor industries and Ashok Kumar has been given responsibility of land development and water resources.

Of the four state ministers given Cabinet ranks, Badhashah Singh has been allotted labour, Anant Kumar Mishra medical and health, Rangnath Mishra secondary education and Abdul Mannan science and technology.

The two state ministers with independent charge — Bhagwati Prasad Sagar and Jaiveer Singh have been given employment and flood control departments, respectively. After the Cabinet expansion the strength of Mayawati cabinet rose to 54, including her.

As per law there can be 60 ministers in Uttar Pradesh. — PTI

Cuddalore, October 18
The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), an ally of the UPA government at the Centre, today called for a nationwide struggle to reverse the “injustice” caused to the other backward classes (OBCs) by denying them opportunities in higher education and employment.

“I will soon hold talks in this regard with the leaders of other states in Delhi,” PMK founder-leader Dr S. Ramadoss told mediapersons at his residence at Thailapuram.

Seeking a report on how many people and from which category were employed in central government service, he lamented that even 15 years after the Mandal Commission recommendations providing for 27 per cent reservation to OBCs, their numbers were dismally low due to lack of opportunities in higher education.

He said though OBCs, SCs and STs constituted 90 per cent of the population only 29.3 per cent of those employed in central government service were from these categories.

Dr Ramadoss demanded that a law be passed regarding acquisition of land, incorporating adequate compensation for the land owner, employment for the family members and their rehabilitation.

He found fault with the government for convening a brief monsoon session when important issues like price rise of essential commodities and cement, uniform education, land acquisition for industries, entry of MNCs into retail trade and elections to cooperative bodies had to be discussed.

On AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa's remarks that top DMK leaders posed a threat to her life, he said it was all in her imagination.

Dr Ramadoss suggested import of cement throughout the year and its sale through fair price shops to check the activities of the cement cartels. — UNI

New Delhi, October 18
The Left parties have congratulated the Communist Party of China (CPC), which is holding its 17th National Congress to choose a new leadership, for that country’s economic growth and stressed that stronger ties with India would bring peace and stability to the region.

The CPM and the CPI, in separate messages, have commended the Chinese government for “impressive economic advances” and the “tremendous achievements in various fields.”

The CPM central committee took note of economic advances following the 1978 historic central committee plenary session when China launched its reforms ushering in socialist modernisation of that country. “The tremendous economic strides made by China during these three decades, unaffected by the worldwide capitalist recession, are receiving worldwide attention,” the CPM observed.

At the same time the CPM expressed confidence that the relations between the peoples of China and India will continue to improve and this in turn would contribute to peace and stability in the region. “The continuing close fraternal relations between the CPM and the CPC, we are confident, will be further strengthened in the future contributing to this process. The Marxists had no doubt that the CPC which is expected to prepare an economic and social blueprint for the next five years for the country will facilitate further growth and consolidation of socialism in China.

The CPM said the CPC Congress was taking place in a very complex international situation when “imperialism, led by the US, is utilising the post September 11, 2001 situation in launching fresh offensives to establish its hegemony worldwide.

Simultaneously, imperialism is seeking to emerge from the global economic recession by intensifying the economic exploitation of the developing countries and shifting the burdens of the crisis on to them,” the CPM added.

CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan has sent a greeting to the CPC stressing that China has yielded big results in the progress of socialist modernisation and has attained the major goals set forth by the last Congress.

New Delhi, October 18
In yet another setback to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the Election Commission has ordered that K.R. Kaushik be appointed as the new police chief of the state.

Barely three days back, the EC had ordered the transfer of the director general of police P.C. Pande and seven other senior officials ahead of the Assembly elections in December. Undeterred by the anti-incumbency factor, Modi is eyeing a third term as Chief Minister should the BJP win at the hustings.

The Modi government is believed to have questioned the jurisdiction of the EC in ordering such transfers of officials but the EC has rejected the complaint and directed that the appointment of Kaushik should be implemented soon.

While ordering the transfer of eight police officials, the EC had directed that none of them would be posted to any election related post or work.

Pande, who has been sent packing as the DGP of Gujarat, was Ahmedabad police commissioner during the 2002 post-Godhra riots in the state and had come under a cloud over the communal violence.

New Delhi, October 18
With Prime Minister Manmohan Singh indicating that he had not given up hopes on the nuclear deal, US Ambassador to India David Mulford today met foreign secretary Shivshankar Menon here to discuss the fate of the agreement.

Mulford is understood to have conveyed the US displeasure over uncertainty that has come to surround the crucial initiative between the two countries.

At his third meeting in four days with leaders and officials here, the US envoy is believed to have sought to know what the government is planning to do to push the deal that is being vigorously opposed by the ruling coalition’s Left allies.

The meeting came a day after Singh said the “process of evolving a meaningful consensus” on the deal is still on, indicating that he had still not lost hope on it. The comment came less than a week after Singh said that failure of the deal would not be “the end of life” and that his was “not a one-issue government”. — PTI

New Delhi, October 18
The CPM has questioned Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s recent statement that the Doha WTO parleys on agriculture should proceed with the removal of trade barriers, saying any compromise or “about turn” on the issue of concessions by the developed world would be “disastrous” for millions of Indian farmers.

Referring to an external affairs ministry statement in Abuja on talks between Singh and US President George Bush, the left party said Singh had been quoted as saying “it was our duty to the global community ... to ensure that the Doha round too takes us forward on the path of removing barriers to trade”.

“It is indeed strange" that this came on the eve of the second IBSA Summit when all three countries, India, Brazil and South Africa, were members of the NAMA-II (Non-Agricultural Market Access) group that had “rejected” the Doha text, CPM Politburo member Sitaram Yechury said in an editorial in the party organ ‘People's Democracy’. He said India was also critical of the agriculture text “as it does not concretise the specific measures it needs to protect its agriculture and leaves open the degree of market access the developed countries will offer.

It is difficult to understand this sudden about turn in India’s stand on the NAMA and the agriculture text as there has been no corresponding change in either the texts or the position of the developed countries,” Yechury said. — PTI

New Delhi, October 18
The Ministry of External Affairs today dismissed media analysis and comments on external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee’s Russia visit as “exaggerated and without foundation.”

Responding to questions on news reports regarding the Minister’s Moscow visit, MEA’s official spokesperson today stated that the news stories were completely unwarranted.

The statement reads, “The external affairs minister’s visit to Moscow on 11-12 October was to co-chair the India-Russian Inter Governmental Commission to promote economic, technological and cultural cooperation. He had detailed discussions with his Russian counterpart, deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov. In particular, an agreement was reached on operationalising the report of the Joint Study Group to enhance India-Russian economic cooperation.

“On occasion, other meetings are held during such visits in both India and Russia. However, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained to us that this was not possible this time. This does not in any way affect the friendly ties between the two countries” the statement further added.