New Delhi, October 23
Top Army commanders began their meeting here today to take a comprehensive "relook" at the country's anti-terrorism strategy in the backdrop of new trend of radical Islamic terrorists targeting eminent politicians.

The four-day conference, chaired by Army chief Gen

Deepak Kapoor, who has a first-hand experience combating terrorism, took stock of the security scenario in the region, Army officials said.

The internal review of the Army's operational and combat readiness undertaken today would be followed by a full-fledged combined commanders' conference tomorrow to be chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The combined commanders conclave would be attended by the defence minister, the home minister, the external affairs minister and top brass of the defence services.

Also present at the meeting would be the national security adviser and top officials of intelligence agencies.

The conclave takes place at a time when recent attacks by radical Islamic groups have prompted a subtle strategic rethinking in the region for the first time in two decades. — PTI

New Delhi, October 23
The Supreme Court today took serious objection to the Centre making changes in its policy on maternity allowance to expecting mothers in BPL families by removing the condition that it will be available only up to the birth of two children. It said any move which goes against the national population policy could not be approved.

Since the national population policy strives to achieve the two-child norm, a Bench of Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice S H Kapadia said removing the curb on the two-child norm in the JSY would virtually mean giving licence for “producing” children at the cost of tax payers’ money.

The Government has sought the court’s approval to replace the National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS) with Janani Suraksha Yojna (JSY) under witch Rs 500 is being provided to expectant mothers in BPL families for birth of a child.

While the earlier scheme provided that the financial assistance will be available only up to the birth of first two children, in the amended JSY, the Government proposed to remove this condition, additional solicitor general Mohan Parasaran said.

The Court was hearing a PIL of People’s Union of Civil Liberties (PUCL) seeking proper and full implementation of the scheme by all the states and challenging the curtailment of funds by the Centre to the “low performing” states.

The Court though reserved its final verdict on the twin issues, it questioned the Government as to how many people it would go on financing like this, which ran contrary to the national population policy. “There must be some curbs,” it said.

The Court said it was for implementing the JSY by the states in consonance with the earlier guidelines where it was available up to the birth of two children with proper monitoring by the Centre.

But it disapproved the Centre’s decision, reducing the allocation to a particular state in next financial year, merely for reasons that the funds were under utilised by it in the previous year. Such tendency would lead to the failure of the scheme itself and the effort should rather be for the better monitoring and full utilisation of funds, the SC said.

As per the Government’s latest affidavit the average performance of the states in implementing the maternity assistance scheme was 71 per cent.

As per the available data with the Centre 59.25 lakh expectant mothers in BPL families were eligible for the SJY during the current year while 26.18 lakh were provided the benefit in 2006-07.

New Delhi, October 23
The United Nations’ special envoy Ibrahim Gambari today held separate meetings with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee and sought concrete action which could bring democracy in Myanmar.

Gambari said he was “very encouraged” by the Indian government’s undertaking to do everything possible to influence the Myanmar regime to go faster on the path to democracy. He conveyed a message from the UN secretary-general Ban Ki Moon in context of Myanmar. He said he expected India to continue to encourage the authorities in Yangon to work with the UN to achieve the common objective of peaceful, stable and prosperous Myanmar that embarks on a national reconciliation process.

“I am encouraged by India’s commitment to the good offices of the UN Secretary General in its effort to advise the Myanmar regime to expedite the process of political reform and release detained pro-democracy protesters including Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi,” Gambari told reporters. He said the fact that he was received at the highest level showed that New Delhi was committed to working with the UN. Gambari refused to set any deadline for the process of democratisation in Myanmar and hoped that it would happen sooner rather than later.

New Delhi, October 23
Chinese troops guarding the border made 140 incursions, most of them in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Director- General V. K Joshi revealed here today.

Addressing a press conference here on the eve of ITBP’s 46th Raising Day celebrations, Joshi said the Chinese soldiers guarding the border were better equipped than its own men.

“There were 140 incursions (by Chinese troops) in the past one year, most of them in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir,” Joshi said replying to a question.

He said the Centre had been kept informed about the developments and a proposal for modernisation of the force and supporting infrastructure was already under active consideration of the Centre.

Elaborating on incursions, he said the boundaries were not demarcated and here existed the problem. “What we think is right may be wrong for the Chinese,” he said, adding whenever there was an incursion, the government was informed and the matter was taken up at the diplomatic level.

The ITBP DG also informed that the force was on a major expansion mode, with the Centre sanctioning induction of 20 battalions, two zonal headquarters and six sectoral headquarters.

“The recruitments are being carried out in a phased manner. Already 13 battalions have been established and their personnel were at present undergoing basic training. The units will be ready for operational deployment by next year,” Joshi said.

The fresh induction would help in rotating the force between high altitudes and plains and extend much- needed recuperation time for jawans and induction of better intensive training modules.

New Delhi, October 23
Congress scion Rahul Gandhi will be accompanying his mother and party president Sonia Gandhi on her five-day visit to China beginning October 25 as part of an ongoing exercise to give him an international profile.

The last time Sonia Gandhi visited China in 1988, she had accompanied her husband and then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on what turned out to be a major turning point in Sino-India relations. This time round when she lands in Beijing as head of the ruling coalition, she will have her son on her side.

Earlier this month, Gandhi junior visited the USA with Sonia Gandhi when she was invited to address the United Nations on October 2, which was declared as International Day of Non-Violence.

Although Rahul Gandhi has made several official international trips during the past three years, his visit to the USA and now China, the world's two major superpowers, can hardly be over-emphasised as it clearly signals the larger role for which Rahul is being groomed. This did not go unnoticed by the Chinese establishment either which had formally congratulated Rahul Gandhi on his induction into the party organisation.

Sonia Gandhi's trip may not yield any dramatic results but it does not detract from the significance of her visit. The fact that she was invited personally by President Hu Jintao on his last visit to India indicates the importance the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) attaches to its engagement with India and the Congress.

Not only is it a recognition of India's growing international status but it also reflects China's apprehensions over New Delhi's proximity with the USA and Japan. Besides, it also fits in with the CPC's strategy of building pro-China lobbies in political parties worldwide.

Sonia Gandhi, who is slated to meet the Chinese President and the Chinese Prime Minister, will also be accompanied by senior Congress leader Karan Singh and ministers of state Anand Sharma and Prithviraj Chavan. External affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee, who is attending a trilateral meeting of China, Russia and India in the Northeast Chinese city of Harbin, will also be in Beijing for a day during Gandhi's visit. The Congress President's visit will also lay the groundwork for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's trip to China later this year. Besides Beijing, Sonia Gandhi will also visit Shanghai and Xian.

Although Sonia Gandhi's visit comes at a time when the Indo-US civil nuclear agreement has become a major bone of contention between the ruling UPA and the Left parties, the issue may not figure in her talks with the Chinese leaders. Experts believe it is highly unlikely that the Chinese will raise this matter in their discussions and will instead focus on how the two can improve party-to-party interactions. Even if the N-deal does crop up, Sonia Gandhi is expected to direct all queries to the PM since it falls in the government's domain.

New Delhi, October 23
The Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur today called on President Pratibha Patil and briefed her about the overall situation in the southern state following the imposition of President’s rule on October 9, a day after the resignation of Chief Minister H K Kumaraswamy.

Thakur also met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and union home minister Shivraj Patil and apprised them of the general political environment following the ouster of the Kumaraswamy government when the latter refused to give up the Chief Minister’s post violating his own arrangement with the BJP.

There are indications that President’s rule might continue for a while in Karnataka despite speculation that a government might be constituted again for the remaining term of the assembly which has been put under suspended animation and awaits dissolution. — TNS

Kolkata, October 23
On the fourth day of its inquiry today, the CBI questioned Priyanka, lone daughter of businessman Ashoke Todi, who had fallen in love with young Muslim boy Rizwanur Rahaman, a graphic designer, and married him under the Special Marriage Act.

However, the Todi family did not approve of the marriage.

Priyanka was questioned by the CBI team leader, Arun Kumar, in the presence of six other CBI women officials at a secret place for over two hours in the morning.

After the interrogation, Arun Kumar said Priyanka’s “confessional statements” would help them enormously in the investigation, but he refused to elaborate to media persons. He said they would soon question Ashoke Todi and some senior police officials at Lal Bazar.

The CBI officials in four batches went around the city today visiting several places and meeting the witnesses of the Rizwanur-Priyanka love affair and also Rizwanur’s mysterious death. Arun Kumar himself went to the CID headquarters at the Bhabani Bhavan, Alipore, and met the additional DGP, Bhupender Singh, and exchanged views with him in connection with the investigation.

Rizwanur’s three uncles and two close friends were also summoned at the CBI’s Nizam Palace office and questioned one after another during the day. One of the uncles complained to the CBI officials that Priyanka’s father and other relatives tried to bribe him with enormous money but having failed they threatened him with dire consequences. Afterwards, the policemen at Lal Bazar came into the picture.

Talking to reporters, the CBI team leader said they were receiving all help and cooperation from the CID and the Kolkata Police in the investigation. He said they had re-examined several reports and statements relating to Priyanka’s marriage with Rizwanur and Rizwanur’s subsequent death, but still it was too early to ascertain if Rizwanur died of accident or he committed suicide or he was murdered.

Tamulpur (Assam), October 23
Thirty-three ‘disillusioned and frustrated’ militants, 31 of them from the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), today laid down arms before the GoC 4 Corps of the Indian Army, Lt-Gen B.S. Jaswal and the DGP of Assam Police, R.N. Mathur, at a function held here this afternoon.

There were two women cadres among the 31 ULFA militants who surrendered. Two of the ultras were from tribal militants group and an ULFA ally, Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF).

Terming the surrender of militants a ‘major blow to the ULFA’, the core commander of the Army, Lt-Gen Jaswal said it was a fruit of increased coordination between the Army and the Assam Police in fighting insurgents in Assam.

Calling upon insurgents to join the mainstream and live a meaningful life, Lt-Gen Jaswal said the Army while fighting insurgents was guided by the philosophy: “Fight insurgency not the insurgents, who are our misguided brother and sisters.”

Assam Police chief Mathur, while welcoming the ultras to the mainstream, said disillusionment had gripped a large section of cadres in the ULFA that was now being remote controlled by its leaders from their foreign bases. He said the police had received feelers that many more from the militant group would give up arms soon.

The surrender ceremony was organised by the Red Horn Division of the Army at Tamulpur, about 65 km away from Guwahati. The surrendered ULFA militants were from 709, 109 and 27th battalions of the outfit. The ultras also laid down 6.5 kg of RDX explosives, two AK-56 assault rifles, one AK-47 assault rifle, 10 pistols, five revolvers, one muzzle loaded gun, five grenades, 195 rounds of AK series ammunition, 35 rounds of small arms ammunition, 10 detonators, fuse wires and a wireless radio set.

Prominent among those surrendered included senior ULFA cadres Nagen Rabha, Bhavesh Patgiri, Anil Das, Jaleswar Muchahary, Mohammad Anwaruddin. The two women ULFA cadres were Surati Rabha and Ranima Khakhlari. Most of the ultras were trained in now demolished Bhutan base of the ULFA. The surrendered KLNLF ultras were identified as Kamal Phangshu and Arun Ingti.

The ultras who surrendered today would be provided six-month vocational training in different trades at the Army-run rehabilitation and training centre at Tamulpur. They would also be paid Rs 1.5 lakh each in the form of three-year fixed deposits in bank.

IG of Police Khagen Sharma informed that so far over 5,000 ULFA militants had surrendered in the state since 1991 and that leaves the outfit with about 500 hardcore cadres in its ranks now.

“What is worrying us is that the ULFA is still recruiting poverty-stricken youths from remote parts of the state with the lure of money,” the police official said. 

Mumbai, October 23
Actor Sanjay Dutt who was sent to the Yerawada prison in Pune will begin work on making cane furniture, a task he was assigned to before being released on interim bail two months ago.

Jail officials say the actor will take up the work in a day or two. He, can,however, be reassigned to other tasks if he expresses his desire to do so, a senior official said.

The actor was taken for a routine medical check-up today after which he was sent back to his cell. Sanjay Dutt's lawyers who are studying the TADA court order sentencing him to six years in jail under the Arms Act will file an appeal and apply for bail before the Supreme Court in the next few days.

Meanwhile, the constable who was suspended for shaking hands with the actor upon his release on interim bail two months ago has been reinstated.

The constable, Milind Laxman Dinde, 31, had submitted an apology to his superiors after which it was decided to take him back into service.

New Delhi, October 23
Having been in the BJP’s firing line on the Sethusamudram issue, the Congress is planning to put the main opposition party in the dock by pointing out that the project was sanctioned during the NDA regime.

These and other facts about the controversial Ram Setu project will be detailed in a special booklet which was finalised at an hour-long meeting of the party’s publicity committee, headed by AICC general secretary Digivijay Singh. Rahul Gandhi, who is also a member of this committee, was among those who attended this meeting.

The booklet, which will be brought out before the crucial Gujarat elections, will highlight that the alignment of the canal and the budget for the project were sanctioned by the NDA government. Digivijay Singh said the Congress will especially point out that the Sethusamudram issue figured prominently in the BJP’s election manifesto and the NDA’s common minimum programme.

The booklet, he said, will correct the absolutely wrong perception on this issue created by the BJP.

The Ram Setu controversy was flagged as one of the many issues which the publicity committee plans to focus on, the others being farmers’ issues, price rise and UPA’s achievements. The committee is mandated to publish and distribute materials explaining the party’s position on key political issues. The proposed booklet on Ram Setu, for instance, will be distributed to party workers to enable them to articulate the party’s policy on this controversial issue.

Bangalore, October 23
Chandigarh-based play director Neelam Mansingh’s production house The Company chose to debut its latest offering “The Suit”, a play in English and Punjabi, at the Ranga Shankara theatre festival here last night.

Like its previous productions “Kitchen Katha” and “Nagamandala”, it won all-round praise for the manner in which she handled the theatrical fable written by South African writer Can Themba.

Even in this case, Neelam Mansingh has chosen to explore the man-woman relationship in all its depths without being judgmental. She offers neither explanation for the betrayal by the wife who is discovered in bed with her lover by her husband nor any justification for the subsequent behaviour of the husband. Instead she forces an engagement between the two to bring out a result which is of her own making.

In the original adaptation, the woman dies after being unable to take the mental agony as a result of the entry of the suit left behind by her lover into her personal life. The husband decries that the suit be treated like an honoured guest and ensures it “sits” on the dinner table with them, even goes out for walks and is treated like a guest at a party thrown by the couple.

While all this remains, Mansingh takes the confrontation to a new level by making the husband order his wife to make love to the suit. Starting off tentatively, mortally afraid of what she has been asked to do, the wife transforms into a woman of her own by going on to wear the suit with an endearing quality of a woman who knows what she is doing.

Halfway into this task, the husband cries foul, realising the punishment is not going as per plan and asks her to stop. However, it is too late with the wife proclaiming “it (the suit) is my skin”.

While responses are what Mansingh has concentrated on, the play is also likely to be remembered for its movements which breathe with meaning. Languidly portrayed movements show the metamorphosis of Vajinder Bhardwaj, the husband Bunty, who is shown as an endearing personality full of laughter and very much in love with his wife change into a cold blooded person bent on revenge.

Patna, October 23
Coal India Limited (CIL) today denied allegations of irregularities committed in depositing money collected by it for the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) and the National Defence Fund (NDF) during Kargil War and Gujarat earthquake.

“We are pained to see news items alleging diversion and irregularities of fund by CIL meant for the PMNRF. The allegations are baseless,” CIL chairman P Bhattacharya said.

A total of Rs 40.89 crore was raised by recovery from the wages of CIL workmen for the NDF during Kargil War (Rs 7.25 crore), the Tsunami Relief Fund (Rs 10.3 crore), the Gujarat Earthquake Fund (Rs 10.45 crore) and the Orissa Flood Relief Fund (Rs 12.89 crore) and did not include the amount raised for the Jammu and Kashmir earthquake fund, he said. The amount raised was Rs 40.89 crore and the total amount spent was Rs 41.96 crore, he stated.

The CIL management and workmen’s unions had consistently responded to calls made by the Centre for contribution to provide relief following national disasters.

“In every case, the quantum of recovery has to be made from the workmen and its utilisation is decided in the apex level meeting between the management and the trade unions at CIL followed by the subsidiary companies,” he said.

Considering the role of the trade unions in deciding the utilisation of funds recovered from workers’ wages, the utilisation of fund for payment to other relief funds cannot be treated as ‘illegal diversion’, he said. — PTI