Month: April 2010

J-K govt lost credibility in just 15 months: Mufti

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Jammu, April 04: The Opposition PDP today alleged that the Jammu and Kashmir government has lost credibility within 15 months of coming to power due to its autocratic policies.

“It is not the numbers in Legislative Assembly but credibility among the people of the state that matters. Within 15 months after its formation, this regime has lost credibility due to its autocratic policies,” PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed told a public rally at Gharota, 20 kms from here.

He alleged the state government has failed on all fronts.

Lalgarh despairs, opens up to Chidambaram

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Lalgarh (West Bengal), April 04: Residents of this Maoist-stronghold in West Bengal Sunday poured out their tales of poverty to Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram, saying they had little hopes of a better tomorrow.

Chidambaram, who flew into West Midnapore district Sunday morning, beckoned to some curious onlookers, including women, who had gathered near the Lalgarh police station.

With the securitymen throwing a ring around him, Chidambaram spoke to the locals, asking them whether they were getting the benefits of development schemes.

Youth seeking better job ends life

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New Delhi, April 04: A 21-year-old graduate allegedly committed suicide north-east Delhi early this morning apparently due to depressed, police said.

Pankaj was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his house in Bhajan Pura area at around 7 am by his father.

His father rushed him to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.

The youth, who lived with his parents, two brothers and four sisters, was a graduate and was searching for a job even though he was employed at a inverter binding shop.

No suicide note was recovered from his possession.

27 held in Delhi for rioting

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New Delhi, April 04: At least 27 people were arrested for rioting after a clash between two groups in east Delhi, police said Sunday.

According to police, the incident took place late Saturday when some residents of Block 11 in Kalyan Puri pelted stones on people of Block 16. The mob, which the police say was instigated by Sarwan, a known criminal of the area, torched three rickshaw carts and tried to set shops on fire.

Kings XI won because they had nothing to lose: Gayle

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Kolkata, April 04: Kings XI Punjab were not under pressure as they were already out of semifinal contention and that helped them in their run chase in the Indian Premier League match here today, Kolkata Knight Riders opener Chris Gayle said.

“Kings XI had nothing to lose and there was no pressure on them. They played freely. It was very disappointing to lose this game,” Gayle, who hit a 42-ball 88 in KKR’s 200 for three after the home side opted to bat, said.

Couple commits suicide by jumping in front of train

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New Delhi, April 04: A young couple today allegedly committed suicide by jumping in front of the Howrah-bound Rajdhani Express at a railway station here with police suspecting it to be a case of extra marital affair.

The incident took place around 5.15 pm near outer signal of Anand Vihar railway station and the victims have been identified as Vineet (25), a resident of UP’s Dadri, and Gita (22).

Eyewitnesses said they jumped in front of the speeding train which was coming from New Delhi railway station side.

Jammu to have Rs artificial lake by 2012: Minister

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Jammu, April 04: To give a boost to tourism in the city, an artificial lake would be built along the river Tawi by 2012, Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Revenue Raman Bhalla said at a function here today.

“The artificial lake would also be completed by 2012 at a cost of Rs 25 crore,” Bhalla said.

The government has also prepared a comprehensive plan to develop the Bagh-e-Bahu up to Harki Poodi temple on modern lines and Rs 90 lakh has been sanctioned for constructing view points, a pathway and widening of roads, he said.

–Agencies

India happy with progress on access to Headley

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New Delhi, April 04: India is satisfied with the progress of talks with the US over access to Pakistan-American terror suspect David Headley, who is linked to the Mumbai terror attack, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said Sunday.

“We are satisfied with the progress these negotiations have made,” Rao told the media here, referring to the activist of the Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

Mixed-breed tiger cub born at Chhatbir Zoological Park

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Mohali, April 04: In a rare case of cross-breeding, a yellow tigress gave birth to a cub fathered by a white Royal Bengal Tiger at Chhatbir Zoological Park in Mohali district, officials said.

However, the gender of the cub, born on Saturday, was not yet known as the seven-year-old tigress has not yet fully removed the placenta from her baby’s body, which visibly lacks white genes.

The park officials are quite optimistic about its survival.

IOC recognition to kabaddi: Sukhbir ensures efforts

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Sangrur, April 04: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and Chairman of Organising Committee of the inaugural World Cup Kabaddi Punjab-2010, Sukhbir Singh Badal today said he will work to get kabaddi recognised by the International Olympic Committee.

Speaking at the War Heroes Memorial Stadium here on the second day of the 10-day event in which nine national contingents are taking part, he said that organising the Rs 2.2 crore prize money WCKP-2010 was the “first step to get International Olympic Committee’s recognition.”

Malik confirms wedding with Sania on april 15

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Hyderabad, April 04:Even though the clouds of doubts are shrouding over his marriage with tennis star Sania Mirza, Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik on Sunday confirmed his wedding with Indian tennis star on April 15 in Hyderabad.

Speaking to media persons outside Sania Mirza’s residence, the Pakistani cricketer said he was here for his marriage, which would take place on April 15 in the city.

However, Mr Shoaib Malik refused to comment on the marriage controversy and made it clear that his lawyer would look after the matter.

Delhi University lecturer quizzed on Maoist links

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New Delhi, April 04: A joint team of Delhi Police and Andhra Pradesh Police Sunday questioned an assistant lecturer of Delhi University for his alleged links with Maoist leader Kobad Ghandy, presently lodged in the Tihar Jail here.

“He (the lecturer) has been detained for his alleged links with Kobad Ghandy. Both Delhi Police and Andhra Police are jointly questioning him,” a senior police officer said.

This is the first time a teacher of the Delhi University is being questioned for alleged links with the Maoists. The lecturer belongs to the university’s Hindi department.

CURFEW RELAXED FOR NINE HOURS

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Hyderabad, April 04:The Hyderabad City Police Commissioner, Mr A K Khan, on Sunday announced the relaxation of curfew from 8 am to 5 pm from Monday in the curfew-bound areas in the city.

The city police chief made this announcement as there was tremendous improvement in the situation and in order to provide relief to the curfew-hit people.

No question of my returning to BJP : Govindacharya

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Bhopal, April 04: Former BJP ideologue K N Govindacharya today scotched speculation of his returning to the BJP, saying there was no question of any such move.

“There is no question of my joining the BJP again,” he told.

Govindacharya’s quitting as convenor of the Rashtriya Swabhiman Andolan (RSA), the organisation he promoted after resigning from the BJP, and rushing to Delhi had fuelled speculation about his return to BJP.

Govindacharya said he had stepped down as the convenor of the RSA and become its patron. “I am continuing with this work,” he said.

Dowry harassment case against Shoaib malik

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Hyderabad, April 04: The trouble for Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza marriage today deepened further after the Banjara Hills Police registered a case of dowry harassment and Cheating against the Pakistani cricketer.

The Additional Commissioner of Police (Co-ordination) Dwarka Tirumala rao told that the city police this evening registered a cheating case against Shoaib on a complaint filed by the family of the girl who claims to be the Pakistani cricketer’s wife.

Amar vows not to allow Mulayam become UP CM again

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Jaunpur, April 04: Continuing his tirade against his former mentor Mulayam Singh Yadav, ousted Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh today said he would try to ensure the SP supremo never becomes the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister again. He would also strive hard to keep the SP away from power in Uttar Pradesh, Amar Singh told a meeting, organised by the Bhartiya Samaj Party, here.

No ‘nikah’ took place with Ayesha: Shoaib Malik

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Hyderabad, April 04:Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik Sunday claimed that no ‘nikah’ or marriage took place with Ayesha Siddiqui and hence there was no need for him to divorce her before marrying Sania Mirza.

In his first comments over his alleged first marriage with Ayesha Siddiqui, Shoaib said he signed the ‘nikahnama’ thinking that he was marrying the girl whose photographs were sent to him. He quoted the chief qazi of Hyderabad as saying that the ‘nikah’ was not valid as it did not meet the conditions prescribed in Islam.

Sentence for kissing British couple upheld

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Dubai, April 04: A British couple accused of kissing in public will spend a month behind bars as Dubai’s appeals court today upheld their sentence, days after two Indians were sentenced to jail for exchanging steamy text messages here.

The pair identified in British press as 24-old-year marketing executive Ayman Najafi and 25-year-old tourist Charlotte Adams were convicted in January and sentenced to one month in jail followed by deportation, and fined $270 for consuming alcohol, the National newspaper reported.

Fatima Bhutto and ‘Songs of Blood and Sword’

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New Delhi, April 04: Fatima Bhutto finds it “cruel” that Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, after assuming office, wanted to keep a minute’s silence in memory of his slain brother-in-law and her father Murtaza Bhutto.

“It felt cruel” when Zardari expressed such a desire, Fatima, the niece of assassinated Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, said at a function here on Saturday evening in which her new book was released.

India satisfied with progress on access to Headley

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New Delhi, April 04: India is “satisfied” with progress of talks with the United States over access to Pakistani-American Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant David Headley, who is suspected of involvement in Mumbai terror attacks, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said here Sunday.

“We are satisfied with the progress that these negotiations have made,” Rao said at a press briefing.

Now God and sex on Varma’s mind

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Mumbai, April 04: Director-producer Ram Gopal Varma, whose films are mostly inspired by real life incidents, has started writing the script of his next film “God and Sex”, based on Swami Nityananda’s alleged sex scandal, which will take a hard look at the happenings in an ashram.

“My whole idea is to take a hard look at what happens behind the close doors of an ashram. That doesn’t necessarily mean sexual activities. It’s about power politics; it’s about (an) industry running behind (it),” Varma told IANS in an interview.

Somali pirates release second Indian vessel

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Gandhinagar, April 04: Somali pirates Sunday released another Indian cargo vessel hijacked last week, a seafarers’ association said. Of the eight vessels hijacked with nearly 150 Indians onboard, two have now been set free.

According to Adam Bhaya, secretary of the Vahanvatta association, Safina Al Gayatri, which was carrying livestock from Jabuda port on the Somalian coast to Salala in Oman, was hijacked Friday by pirates who came in a speedboat.

After hijacking the vessel, the pirates sought to use it to attack a tanker but did not succeed because of the alertness of the captain.

Chidambaram asks Buddhadeb to check inter-party clashes

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Lalgarh (West Bengal), April 04: Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram Sunday said he had asked Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee to curb inter-party clashes in the state, as otherwise it would indicate a law and order problem.

“It is the duty of the state government to ensure inter-party clashes come to an end. There is a difference of perception. I have conveyed my perception to the chief minister and requested stern measures so that law and order is maintained in West Bengal,” Chidambaram told reporters in this West Midnapore district area.

Baghdad car bombs kill 30, wound 168 – ministry source

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Baghdad, April 04: Three car bombs in the Iraqi capital killed at least 30 people and wounded 168 on Sunday, an Interior Ministry source said.

The bombings took place near the German, Iranian and Egyptian embassies. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

—Agencies

Will marry Sania on April 15: Shoaib

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Hyderabad, April 04: Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik Sunday said his wedding to Indian tennis star Sania Mirza would be held as scheduled on April 15 and declined to comment on his alleged earlier marriage with a city girl, Ayesha Siddiqui.

Shoiab, who is staying at the residence of Sania Mirza in the city, came out to speak to waiting reporters outside the house in the afternoon.

He also said that Sania will continue to play tennis for India after their marriage.