Month: June 2013

Clarify ‘conspiracy theories’ on Naxal attack: RSS to Cong

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RSS today asked Congress to clarify ‘conspiracy theories’ that some BJP leaders were behind the Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh last week which left 27 people, including Congress functionaries, dead.

The irresponsible behaviour of some Congressmen has stunned many…people are questioning the role of some state
Congress leaders in May 25 incident. They are also asking about who was present in the rally and who was not, who came first, who came late and who survived and who got caught in the attack,” RSS mouthpiece ‘Organiser’ said in its latest issue.

Egypt court frees police accused in protest icon death

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An Egyptian court today ordered the release of two policemen accused in the 2010 death of Khaled Said, who became a symbol of the fight against police torture, judicial sources said.

In the opening hearing of the retrial of Mahmud Salah Mahmud and Awad Ismail Suleiman, the Alexandria Criminal Court ordered both men freed because their preventative detention had expired.

The two had been sentenced to seven years in prison in October 2011 and an appeal against their sentence was accepted the following year.

The court adjourned today’s hearing to July 6.

Tornadoes kill 12 in US Midwest

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Tornadoes killed at least 12 people in the US Midwest, including two children, officials said, as flooding hampered cleanup efforts in Oklahoma, still recovering from a monster twister that struck last month.

Friday night’s storms battered areas in and around Oklahoma City with high winds, heavy rain and hail.

The Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office announced nine fatalities in the state and said five of the victims have not
been identified.

In Missouri, authorities said three people died from severe flooding in the wake of the storms.

Indian prisoners in UAE, too ashamed to go back home

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Indian prisoners lodged in UAE jails would be grateful if allowed to serve their sentences back home – but not all.

Last month, the UAE ratified an extradition treaty facilitating the transfer of prisoners between the Gulf state
and India.

The treaty will provide convicted citizens of both nations who have been sentenced for their crimes the
opportunity to spend the duration of their sentences in their home countries.

But, those jailed for “immoral” crimes, such as trafficking women and forcing them into prostitution, fear the
shame of going back, The National daily reported.

Fire in Kolkata godowns, eight injured

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Eight persons received burn injuries when a fire broke out in two godowns in North Kolkata’s Cossipore area tonight.

The injured were admitted to state-run R G Kar medical college and hospital.

14 fire tenders were engaged to fight the blaze which was brought under control after midnight.

A disaster management team of Kolkata police joined the firemen in fighting the blaze which swept through two godowns at 10 pm and doused after about two hours.

Naxal attack: BJP demands narco test on Congress MLA

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Opposition Congress and ruling BJP continued to exchange barbs over the Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh, with the BJP today demanding a narco test on Congress MLA Kawasi Lakhma who was reportedly spared by the insurgents while other senior leaders were killed.

“Lakhma can give exact information about the conspiracy involved in the Naxal attack. The legislator has admitted that he had a conversation with Naxals before they released him during the attack”, BJP spokesperson Ajay Chandrakar told reporters today.

Tremors felt in Kolkata

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A low intensity earthquake measuring 3.6 on the Richter scale was felt in Kolkata and its adjoining areas Saturday evening, said the met office here.

The quake, with its epicentre in the South 24 Parganas district, caused slight tremors in the city as also in North 24 Parganas around 7 p.m., according to a spokesman in the Regional Meteorological Centre at Alipore.

There were no reports of any damage to life and property.

—IANS

Maoists kill CRPF officer in Chhattisgarh

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Maoists attacked a CRPF search party in Chhattisgarh close to the Odisha border Saturday evening and killed an assistant commandant, police said. The ambush came exactly a week after the deadly attack on a Congress convoy in the Bastar region.

Dhamtari Superintendent of Police Akbar Ram Korram said Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Assistant Commandant S.K. Das was killed in the attack around 4 p.m. at Ikram Khallari, over 100 km from the district headquarters.

‘Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani’ failed to credit Kashmir: Omar

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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Saturday expressed his displeasure over the attribution of shots in “Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani” to Manali while they were filmed in north Kashmir’s Gulmarg.

“It is irritating when we roll out the red carpet and facilitate the shoot only to have people believe it’s Manali #YJHD,” the chief minister tweeted Saturday.

Abdullah also wanted to know whether producer Karan Johar had given any credit at all to the state for shooting scenes of the movie there.

Russian mayor arrested on murder charges

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The mayor of a Russian city in a North Caucasus republic has been arrested on charges of murdering an investigator, Xinhua reported Saturday, quoting law enforcement authorities.

Said Amirov, mayor of Makhachkala, capital of the Dagestan republic, was accused of organising the murder of a criminal investigator, Russia’s Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin told reporters.

Investigators said that Amirov organised in December 2011 the murder of Arsen Gadzhibekov, acting head of the committee’s local branch in the city.

Manipuri women trained in entrepreneurship skills

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Empowering women and making them self-reliant is a top priority of the Government of Manipur.

Recently, a two-week-long training programme on entrepreneurship skill development was held by the Manipur Industries Development Council in Imphal.

These women are in the process of learning how to process and preserve fruits and vegetables as part of a two-week training programme on entrepreneurship skill development.

The programme was organised at the Netaji Memorial Club in Kongpal Thongkhong by the Manipur Industries Development Council in association with Khagokpam Foods.

Music lovers celebrate Bob Dylan’s birthday in Guwahati

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Music buffs from various walks of life came together at the Guwahati Gymkhana Club to commemorate the birth anniversary of the legendary singer and activist Bob Dylan.

The audience was treated to an array of enthralling performances, both instrumental and vocal, of the music icon’s famous songs.

Other than the professional musicians, the event also had performances by students, police officials, professors and bureaucrats.

People in the Northeast are ardent music lovers and there is a huge fan following of Dylan in the region. (ANI)

Concert held to celebrate 50 years of AIR, Imphal

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The Golden Jubilee celebrations of All India Radio, Imphal, was celebrated recently with a live concert titled “Matam Isei Seishakpa”.

The event was held at the MFDC auditorium here.

Several AIR approved singers of Manipur presented songs at the event, which was attended by a large number of music lovers and All India radio staff.

AIR Imphal was established on August 15, 1963.

As part of the celebrations, all living and former singers of AIR Imphal were honored for their contribution.

Manipur doctors sent on medical mission to Myanmar

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A team of doctors and hospital staff from Shija Hospital and Research Institute is currently on a medical mission to Myanmar.

Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur Gaikhangam recently flagged off the team that included three plastic surgeons at the SHRI premises in Langol.

‘Mission Myanmar’ is an effort by the Smile Train (USA) and Shija Hospitals, Imphal, in collaboration with the Myanmar Government to provide free corrective surgeries for cleft lip and cleft palate patients in Myanmar. (ANI)

Planning Commission allocates Rs.4,151 crore to Meghalaya for fiscal 2013-14

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Following a meeting between Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Meghalaya’s annual plan for 2013-14 has been finalized at Rs 4,151 crores, marking a sharp hike of 17.4 percent.

Ahluwalia appreciated the state government’s efforts to expedite the process of development and praised the state’s performance in financial management and human development index.

Maoists kill a CRPF jawan in Chhattisgarh

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An assistant commandant of the Central Paramilitary Force (CRPF), was killed on Saturday afternoon in a Maoist ambush at Khallari village, about 10 km from Nagri town in the Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh.

According to Chhattisgarh police assistant commandant, S. K. Das of the 211 Battalion, was killed while leading a combing operation in the area. A Maoist platoon of about 30-40 members opened fire at the CRPF jawans.

‘How can politicians manage cricket?’ asks Raashid Alvi

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Senior Congress leader Raashid Alvi on Saturday spoke on the resignation of the Indian Premier League (IPL) Chairman Rajiv Shukla and posed a question asking how can politicians manage cricket?

Alvi said, “I respect his decision. How can politicians manage cricket? It is unfair for the fans, as they want honesty in the game they love.”

Earlier today, Chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL) Rajiv Shukla resigned, following the spot fixing scandal over alleged corruption in the IPL.

Memorials built by Mayawati to be used for weddings

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav Saturday said the parks and memorials built by the Mayawati government would be given to the poor for free for holding weddings and other ceremonies.

“Very soon, the memorials and parks built by the Mayawati government will be opened for the public. The poor would be able to use these places as wedding lawns. We will not levy any charge for it,” the chief minister announced while addressing a rally in Chandauli, 350 km from here.

Runaway murder suspect dies of tuberculosis

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A 34-year-old murder suspect, who had escaped from judicial custody in November last year and was living in hiding, died of tuberculosis at a hospital here.

Bhanupratap Rathor, a resident of Ujjain in Madhaya Pradesh, died here last night while receiving treatment in
government hospital, said Investigation Officer Mahindera Singh.

Rathor was suffering from tuberculoses and was living in a rented accommodation in Sadarbajar area of the city.

Last night people rushed him to the hospital after his condition worsened.

2 get bail in British soldier murder case

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Two men arrested on suspicion of being involved in supplying illegal firearms in connection with the Islamist murder of a British soldier in London last week were released on bail today.

The two unnamed men, aged 46 and 42, were arrested yesterday and have been bailed to return to a south London
police station in late June, pending further enquiries.

Scotland Yard is questioning Michael Adebowale, 22, who was shot at the scene on London terror attack, which resulted in the murder of soldier Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich, south-east London.

Bring in stringent laws to prevent betting in cricket: Kirmani

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Former India wicket-keeper Syed Kirmani today asked for formulation of stringent laws to curb betting in cricket.

There should be stringent laws to prevent betting in cricket,” Kirmani, who was here to attend a function organised
by a company, said while expressing disappointment at the happenings involving the gentleman’s game.

The wicket-keeper batsman, however, did not demand resignation of N Srinivasan and left the decision on the
beleaguered BCCI president following enormous pressure on him to step down, saying it was upto him to decide.

‘UP govt did not provide funds to works started by BSP regime’

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Amid protests over increase in power tarrif, BSP today accused the ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh of not providing fund for the projects initiated by the previous Mayawati regime to increase power generation.

The BSP government had worked to increase generation to about 8000 to 12,000 MW, but today, all of it has come to a
halt as no funds were given to take them forward,” national general secretary of BSP, Satish Chandra Misra, said at
party’s Brahmin sammelan here.

ASI dies of bullet wound

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An assistant sub-inspector today died of a gunshot wound at his house near police lines in Giridih district, a police official said here.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Sambhu Singh, the ASI, Parsuram Sahu, succumbed to the bullet injury
on way to hospital.

He said investigation was on whether the bullet was hit his stomach accidentally or there was any other angle.

———————–PTI

Honour killing: Youth hacked to death by young woman’s kin

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In a suspected case of honour killing, a 28-year-old youth of Issar village was killed after he was allegedly attacked by six assailants on Dharamshala road here, including the kin of a young woman, whose family was fiercely opposed to the couple’s recent marriage, police said today.

Satpal Dhaka (28) was attacked using sharp weapons and killed on the spot last evening, they said.

Dhaka, who belonged to pre-dominant Jat community, had married Shabnam Balmiki (22), a Dalit woman, last year in a
temple at Hisar.

Nepal-India Home Secretary talks discuss security, crime

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Officials of India and Nepal today discussed security issues and cross-border crime during the home-secretary level talks here as New Delhi expects Kathmandu to address its concerns.

During the parleys, the two sides mainly focused on issues relating to cross-border crime, illegal trade, fake
currency, human trafficking, terrorism and drug trafficking,an official attending the meeting said.

India has previously expressed concern over the emergence of new routes for infiltration into the country through the porous Nepal border.