Home Minister Shivraj Patil told the Lok Sabha that the government wanted to make police forces more technologically efficient and desired to set up a police university with adequate research facilities. Replying to a day-long debate on Demands for Grants for the Home Ministry, Patil said communal violence was on the decline in the country but caste violence had gone up.

"Because of the recent judgements, there have been suggestions to improve the criminal justice system and our attention has been attracted", he told the House apparently referring to Jessica Lal case in which witnesses turned hostile leading to acquittal of all the nine accused.

Patil said the CrPC had already been amended twice and the government was going to approach Parliament for amendment for the third time. Referring to Evidence laws, Patil said it was a "very complicated" issue and the government would like to be guided by jurists and thinking masses. On the IPC, the Home Minister said there have been suggestions for amending it and "we are looking" into these.

He said portions of the IPC were relevant but there were difficulties with regard to social and economic offences.

"There is a need for looking at IPC," including offences like rape, he said adding government was ready to look at other existing penal laws.

With regard to recording of evidences of witnesses, Patil said "we depend on oral evidence. We should depend on circumstantial and technological evidence to be nearer to truth and justice."

In this context, he said the government would be providing funds to forensic labs. "Whatever can be done by the Home Ministry and the Law Ministry to improve the criminal justice system will be done," he said observing that as the matter concerned the judicial system, the government would have to get the views of the judiciary.

Patil noted that the government had already introduced a bill in Parliament providing for right to the victim to get compensation alongwith punishment to the offender. "The compensation will be paid from government coffers," the Home Minister said adding finances for the fund will ultimately come from the society.

In the backdrop of recent terror activities in the country, including the Varanasi blasts, the government Monday night said it had decided to strengthen the intelligence system and would discuss with Chief Ministers the ways to deal with the problem.

"The most useful way to contain terrorism is useful intelligence... We have decided to strengthen intelligence agencies at all levels," Home Minister Shivraj Patil told the Lok Sabha.

The Centre will discuss with Chief Ministers ways to deal with the problems of terrorism, naxalism and insurgency, he said. (pti)

The appeal was filed by Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramaniam and standing counsel Mukta Gupta more than three weeks after Additional Sessions Judge S L Bhayana had acquitted all the accused including Manu Sharma, son of Haryana Minister Vinod Sharma and Vikas Yadav, son of a U P politician, in the murder of the Delhi model in a posh restaurant seven years ago.

In the 44-page appeal, the trial court had committed a "grave error" by rejecting "highly relevant and material evidence," adduced by the prosecution in the case. The appeal stated that it was never the contention of the prosecution that Jessica suffered two bullet injuries. On the contrary, it claimed that while one bullet hit the victim, another hit the ceiling of the restaurant.Forensic examination of the bullets recovered from the restaurant and the body of Jessica revealed that they were fired from a .22 bore pistol.

It was pointed out in the appeal that the Manu, the prime acccused, who allegedly shot the victim, was in possession of a licensed .22mm bore pistol but the trial court did not insist on the poduction of the weapon by the accused as it would have offered a vital link in establishing the guilt of the accused.

Bhayana did not take into consideration the recommendations of the forensic experts that the weapon used in the offence should be examined for a "definite opinion" but the same judge thought it prudent to consider the reports of the experts that the two cartridges purpotedly recovered from the spot were fired from two differnt weapons, in rejecting the prosecuton's contention and acquitting the accused, the appeal noted.

The appeal regretted that even though the prosecution furnished records of the telephonic calls exchanged between Manu Sharma and the other accused after the murder, the trial court chose to ignore the same on the ground that there were no evidence of the actual conversation to link the accused to the offence.The trial court failed to take into consideration the uniformity in the statements of the two prosecution eye witnesses Deepak Bhojwani and Bina Ramani on the dress worn by Manu Sharma at the time of the shootout.

Ironically, it was pointed out that the trial court believed the version of one Shyan Munshi that Manu Sharma was not the same person seen at the shoot out site, but refused to consider the statements of Bina Ramani on the presence of the accused.

The appeal noted that Bhayana refused to believe Ramani's statements on the ground that it was "impossible to identify a person two-and-half years," but chose to take into consideration the version of Munshi which was also recorded two years after the incident.

The trial court also failed to take into consideration the fact that the farm house of Manu Sharma was raided four times and the co-accused Vikas Yadav had applied for anticipatory bail in an Imphal court which clearly indicated that the accused were absconding after the commission of the alleged offence, it was pointed out in the appeal.

Even though the prosecution produced copies of the FIR to prove that the black Safari vehicle allegedly used in the offence was seized from Noida, Bhayana chose to rely upon the defence plea that the vehicle was actually recovered at Karnal to implicate the accused. (PTI)

The MoU on hydrocarbon - signed by ONGC Videsh Ltd. (OVL) and the Mauritius Oceanography Institute in President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s presence - is aimed at defining OVL’s arrangement and scope of participation in Mauritius’ exclusive economic zone for exploration, development, exploitation and production of petroleum resources.

The president leaves for home Monday night after three days in Mauritius - and three days in Myanmar before that - having interacted with CEOs, students and addressing National Assembly members, ministers and leaders from various walks of life on "Evolution of Enlightened Societies". (IANS)

As the phone rang, Chatterjee asked whose phone it was and directed the owner to hand it over to the marshals. Although the marshals were walking up and down, no MP was seen handing over a phone to them.

Although there is no rule barring MPs from bringing their mobile phones inside, Chatterjee had requested them to switch them off. The jammers inside the parliament complex make them inactive automatically. But MPs are quite often seen fiddling with their phones inside the house, more so the young MPs who remain busy playing games on their most modern equipment. 'I never switch off my phone. But it rings only when jammers do not work,' said an MP. (IANS)

The warrant was issued as Patil failed to appear for the trial in the case in which Salman Khan is accused of killing one person and injuring four by ramming his car into a bakery in suburban Bandra on September 28, 2002. Even after the warrant was issued, Patil did not appear on four occasions and was reported missing. Crime Branch sleuths arrested him from Mahabaleshwar and brought him to Mumbai. He was produced in the regular court which is hearing the Salman case. (PTI)

The issue came up during Zero Hour as CPI (M) member Suresh Kurup alleged that the Sangh Parivar outfits had unleashed a "systematic hate campaign" against the Mission which was carrying out philanthropic work and running schools in the state.

Kurup alleged that the BJP Government in Rajasthan had failed to take appropriate action to check Sangh Parivar groups. Provoked by the charges, BJP members, including their Deputy Leader V K Malhotra and Srichand Kripalani, hit back and accused the Mission of denigrating Hindu Gods in a book published by it.

Despite warnings by Speaker Somnath Chatterjee against waiving the book and appeals to the two sides to maintain calm, the furore continued forcing him to adjourn the House. The Left members also sought a statement on the issue from Home Minister Shivraj Patil who was present in the House. (PTI)

The policemen of Chintagufa Police Station were kidnapped yesterday while they were on way to Dornapal. As a pre-condition to their release, the ultras had demanded withdrawal of anti-naxal operations in Bastar region and a halt to Salwa Judum peace campaign in Dantewada district. (PTI)

CPI(M), which is hoping to wrest power from Congress, gave a clean chit to beleagured Pinaray Vijayan who is facing CBI probe in the SNC Lavlin case but hinted that he may not be contesting elections, brightening the prospects of Leader of the Opposition V S Achuthanandan.

Raising "strong objection" to the Congress-led UDF Government's decision to handover the case to CBI hours before the election schedule was announced, Party General Secretary Prakash Karat said the decision taken on the eve of the elections was a "patently political" move to implicate the Polit Bureau member in a case.

"The Government had instituted a vigilance probe into the issue and then overruling the report of the Vigilance Commissioner, it decided to hand over the case to CBI. It seems its own vigilance probe did not serve its purpose," he told reporters. He said the UDF Government's attempt to cover its "five years of misrule" with the case would not bear fruit and the party would "take up the issue with the public" in the coming Assembly elections.

Despite the belligerence, the party, however, could not specify who would be its chief ministerial candidate in the southern stronghold and merely said a decision would be taken by the state leadership, where a tug of war is on between rival Vijayan and Achuthanandan factions.

"They will decide it. How can we issue a fatwa from here," Karat said when asked about the Chief Ministerial candidate. (PTI)

Ahmedabad: Opposing an application filed by an NGO before the Godhra inquiry Commission seeking to probe the role and conduct of the Chief Minister and his Cabinet ministers during the 2002 commual riots, the Gujarat Government on Monday said "the Comission cannot be pinned down in the manner suggested by the applicant".

The application filed by advocate Mukul Sinha of the NGO Jan Sangarsh Manch sought to probe the role of the Chief Minister, his Cabinet Minsiters, police officers during the post-Godhra communal riots, which was a term of reference added for the Commission on July 20, 2004.

Terming the application as "untenable in view of provisions of section 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act", the State Government said that "it was the prerogative of the Commission to inquire into the terms and reference and perform duties accordingly and it is not permissible for applicant to pray, add, amend, alter or even classify the terms and references."

In its reply the State Goverment said that, "while reserving its right to make submissions on the terms of references at appropriate time, it is submitted that functioning of the Commission cannot be pinned down in the manner suggested in the application."

The Gujarat Government also said "it was the prerogative of the Commission to function as it thinks fit and proper in the context of terms and references. Therefore, requests for classification and categorization of persons as per classification and for inviting fresh evidence cannot be entertained." (PTI)

New Delhi: Under attack from secular parties, the Sangh Parivar and BJP on Monday closed ranks and rallied behind L K Advani on his proposed controversial 'National Integration Yatra' from April six announced in the wake of the Varanasi bomb blasts.

Refuting reports and speculation of differences within the Parivar on the Yatra, RSS Chief K S Sudarshan, in a strongly-worded statement from the Sangh Headquarters in Nagpur, said there was "no question of RSS opposing" the twin yatras being undertaken by Advani and Party President Rajnath Singh "with the objective of making people aware about the unbridled Muslim appeasement and the threat it posed to national unity and integrity."

He recalled that the recent RSS General Council meeting in Nagpur had passed resolutions on the dangers posed by minority appeasement to national unity and integrity and said "any effort to create public awareness in this regard will have our support."

Advani had announced the twin yatras in the wake of the Varanasi blasts on March 7 trigerring speculation that it was a unilateral decision which did not enjoy the support of either the party leaders or the Saffron fraternity. VHP leaders Ashok Singhal and Acharya Giriraj Kishore had publicly expressed their reservations on the Yatra.

Meanwhile, in Delhi, in the first public statement in Advani's defence, BJP Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha Vijay Kumar Malhotra asserted that the party was "united" on the Yatra and alleged that the "so-called secularists" have become "jittery and unnerved" by the proposed programme. (PTI)

Bangalore/Ahmedabad: In this dog-eat-dog world of competition for jobs, Indian Institute of Management (IIM) students are in a class of their own. They don't hunt for work - the jobs just come to them. Graduates clinching job offers with astronomical figures as salary has become sort of a custom in IIM campuses and this year too is no exception.

An IIM, Bangalore student landed himself a job with Barclays Capital in London at an annual package of 1,93,000 USD (about Rs 86.36 lakh). Gaurav Agarwal, an IIT-K (Kanpur) alumnus, graduating from IIM-B this year, received an offer to join as "associate" with Barclays Capital in London at USD 1,93,000, IIMB Placement Committee sources said.

Two of his peers in IIM, Ahmedabad have also secured offers for posts of "associate" from Barclays, Singapore, which comes with a package of 1,85,000 USD each. "The highest domestic offer of Rs 34 lakh per annum was given to a student by RPG Enterprises," IIM-A director Bakul Dholakia said on Monday.

Another student from the B-school's Bangalore campus has accepted a Rs 30 lakh per annum job for an India-based assignment. Agarwal, 29, described the offer as an "amazing opportunity" and attributed it to "the economy, probably because the banks are focusing more on the emerging markets and are looking towards India to recruit at lateral positions".

The IIM-B pass-out, who has had a two-year stint in the US after his MS in electrical engineering from University of California, will look into Barclays global financial risk management, operating from London. Venkateshan Shankaran, who has also done his masters from US, has bagged the highest offer from an MNC for a position based in India.

Overall, a total of 21 companies took part in the placement process in IIM-B on March 10, including the who's who of global investment banking -- Goldman Sachs, Hong Kong-based BNP Paribas, Barclays Capital, Merrill Lynch, Lehman Brothers, Deutsche Bank, ABN Amro, UBS, J P Morgan and HSBC, the sources said.

Describing this year's placements as "very satisfying," Dholakia said, "the average international salary bagged by the current batch is USD 92,500 (Rs 41 lakhs) registering an increase of 16 percent compared to last year." "The average domestic salary, which stood at 9.72 lakh also saw a growth of 23 percent (entry-level)," he added. (UNI)

The Select Committee had a series of meetings before finalizing on its proposals for modifications in the proposed Bill. The Select Committee has already prepared the report in its last sitting earlier this year. "After the panel presents its report in the Assembly, the members can study the report to arrive at a consensus decision", Mr Rymbai said.

According to Mr Rymbai, if there is a consensus among the members of the House, the Assembly can accept and adopt the same. "But if there is diverse opinions, the report has to come back to the Select Committee again for further modification", he said.

Meanwhile, the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting of the Assembly held on Monday fixed March 24 as the day for Budget presentation in stead of March 20 as earlier had been fixed. The session will conclude on March 28. As only vote on account will be passed in this session, the full Budget will be taken up and passed in the June session.

SHILLONG: The police on Monday urged the district Session Court to extend the judicial custody of three accused, who were arrested in connection with the abduction and killing of Customs superintendent JC Das.

Duleep Mushahari, Ananta Munda and Jota Bora were arrested for the brutal killing of Das, whose body was recovered from the Indo-Bangla border after a few days of his abduction.

"We need more information about their (the accused) other activities for which we urged for extension of their remand", police sources said. It is expected that the police might be granted further interrogation of the accused.

SHILLONG: One 17-year old girl identified as Miss Eunaris Warjri of Mawkriah village has been missing since February 2. According to the relatives, the girl left house telling her sibling that she was going out for consulting a doctor, as she was not feeling well. She went missing since then.

SHILLONG: One Dwood Lyngkhoi (18) of Mawkhli Mairang died after a line bus ran over him at Myriaw in West Khasi Hills on Monday at 3.30 pm. Sources said the accident occurred when the boy jumped from the bus when his bag fell off his shoulder. As he was trying to grab at it, he slipped and came under the wheel. Sources said that the deceased was standing on the footboard. He died before he could be brought to Shillong Civil Hospital.

SHILLONG: Toeing the line of Meghalaya Transport Corporation in having the Voluntary Retirement Scheme introduced, the Meghalaya Mineral Development Corporation Ltd (MMDC) is contemplating a similar move to get rid of old horns.

Speaking to The Shillong Times, Minister in-charge of Mining, Mrs Deborah Marak said the State government was positively looking into the options of having VRS introduced. Interestingly, even the employees of the MMDC wanted the retirement scheme to be implemented.

Mrs Marak said before making any commitment in this regard, the State government would like to review and discuss the matter officially with the Managing Director (MD) of the MMDC on the present position of the Corporation. The Corporation has only 18 staff.

Earlier, the MMDC employees had urged Chief Minister DD Lapang to introduce VRS and arrange for placement of MMDC staff in any government department.

SHILLONG: Amidst move to have their position in the MDA coalition exchanged, the two concerned leaders - Assembly Speaker MM Danggo and Senior Minister JD Rymbai - on Monday said it was up to the high command and the party leaders here to decide on the move.

"As a representative from West Khasi Hills, I had only desired that a legislator from this district should be in the ministry", Mr Danggo told reporters.

Stating that he was not after power, Mr Danggo indicated that the high command or the party leaders here could decide on whether he or some other legislator should be inducted in the Ministry. Echoing similar views, Mr Rymbai said, "If the high command wants me to take over as the Speaker, I have to abide by that".

However, he preferred more discussions and consultations on the merits and demerits of swamping posts before arriving at a final decision. On rumours about him having a desire to take the rein of State's leadership from Mr Lapang, Mr Rymbai reiterated that he had refused to take over the leadership despite "the appeal of some friends in the party".

"I have turned down the offer in the past and I have not changed my mind as yet. Lapang is a senior leader and we are from the same district. Hence, I decided not to accept the post of the leader even if there are requests from various quarters", Mr Rymbai asserted.

The senior Congress leader asserted that the present situation did not warrant any change of leadership.

SHILLONG: War of words between GSU and KHNAM president Paul Lyngdoh continued on Monday with the former insisting that Mr Lyngdoh should come to Garo Hills for a public debate on reservation policy.

Reacting to the statement of Mr Lyngdoh that he was not consulted before the date was fixed for the debate, as he was a party to the debate, the GSU information and public relations secretary Joshua Sangma on Monday said that there was also no official communication to the GSU from Mr Lyngdoh on the vexed issue.

The issue came up for a discussion after Mr Lyngdoh said that the guidelines as defined in the State Reservation Policy were strongly adhered to in recruitment process. He even expressed his willingness to have a debate on the issue. "We came to know from newspaper reports that he was interested for a debate, but there was no official communication", Mr Sangma said.

"The GSU is very serious on having a debate on the issue, but only wanted that Mr Lyngdoh should come to Garo Hills as the Garos were the most affected due to the violation of reservation policy", Mr Sangma said, adding that the Union was even ready to give a formal invitation to Mr Lyngdoh in this regard.

"As a legislator of Meghalaya, he should see the welfare of all sections of people. But it appears that Mr Lyngdoh has only two agenda - MBOSE and Reservation policy - and not the issues related to development" the GSU leader alleged.

TURA: Justice (Retd) DN Chowdhury Commission of Enquiry probing the September 30 police firing at Tura, in which four civilians were killed, has decided to give time for the public petitioners and the government respondents till April 4 for submission of evidence after its second sitting here on Monday morning.

The decision to have the third sitting on April 4 automatically extends the span of the enquiry commission, which was to wrap up the probe by March 31. In view of the plea by the government counsel seeking more time and taking into account the financial year ending on March 31, the decision to extend the time of the Commission was taken.

The commission had its first sitting on February 28 during which written statements backed by affidavits were submitted by eyewitnesses and the State government to the commission, which framed regulations for conduct of court. Monday's sitting made little progress because soon after the sitting began the 

counsel representing the State government, Sultan Singh, Hari Pillai and T Diengdoh, pleaded that they be given more time to gather material and sought modification of the orders with regard to recording of evidence. As per the first sitting, the Commission had initially ordered the recording of evidence from the State government counsel first.

The government counsel had pleaded their case before Guwahati High Court, Shillong Bench and sought a modification of the orders of the Commission. The counsel appealed that recording of evidence should be first from the petitioners (read public) side. They cited the Supreme Court judgement in the case of Kiran Bedi and received a favourable judgement from High Court, which was placed before Justice Chowdhury during Monday's sitting.

In the second sitting, the counsel representing the public advocates - Livingstone Momin and David Sangma - sought Justice Chowdhury's visit to Chandmari playground, the place of incident, to get a first hand idea of the case.

On the other hand, the government counsel raised the issue of representation of the public by the Joint Action Committee leader Rakkan M Sangma. They also questioned the authenticity of the Compact Disc (CD), which recorded the September 30 event and denied having seen the video when asked by Justice Chowdhury. The public counsel was asked to submit a copy of the CD for the government representatives, which was duly acknowledged.

SHILLONG: Deputy Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy, who is the chairman of the select committee on Meghalaya Transfer of Land (regulation) Act 1971, on Monday said that the tribal interest will be protected at all costs while amending the Act. The select committee entrusted by the state Assembly will discuss the amendment to the Act on Tuesday.

According to Dr Roy, the main issues to be discussed will be on the transfer of land by way of Will and the presence of large number of tribes from other Northeast states who avail the facilities under the present Act without any reciprocal arrangements in other Northeast states. The question of industries getting more land will also need to be restricted, he said, adding that land cannot be alienated under any situation.

On the transfer of land by Will, Dr Roy said that under this clause the land should be transferred only to the close relatives or immediate members of the family to prevent alienation of land and its illegal transfer. "We would like to have a consensus on this and our concern is to protect our land and people from alienation", Dr Roy asserted.

It may be recalled that the Bill to amend the Act was opposed by Independent MLA Manas Chaudhuri on the plea that it was ultra vires to Constitution. The Select Committee is expected to examine the legality of such an amendment.

SHILLONG: The tangled uranium mining project in West Khasi Hills appeared to be finally heading for resolution. With the land owners accepting hefty compensation for ther construction of aproach road leading to the mining site, the last hurdle was cleared recently. Only difference is that mining will be at new location-Phodkylleng-Pyndengso-hiong- and not Domiasiat where the landowners could not make up their minds so far.

With the Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL) releasing the compensation to the landowners for construction of the road, the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) is prepared to begin with the construction works any time from now.

A total amount of Rs 25 lakhs was paid to ten parties as compensation by UCIL through KHADC for construction of this 14.5 km road from Wahkaji to Mawthabah. However, compensation for another party belonging to Lyngdoh Langrin clan would be paid very soon, Council sources said on Monday.

Official sources said since the compensation was paid for the construction of the above road, the works for the same would begin very soon. "After the completion of road construction, the first phase the proposed uranium project at Phodkylleng-Pyndeng-sohiong will start", sources added.

Unlike other mining areas of West Khasi Hills, the proposal for uranium mining at Phodkylleng-Pyndeng-sohiong was gracefully received by the local people, which ultimately saw the UCIL inching close to this project.

Despite strong opposition and sustained campaign against this project by some local NGOs including the KSU and Langrin Youth Welfare Association (LYWA), majority of the people from the area agreed to allow the UCIL to begin mining at Phodkylleng-Pyndengsohiong.

Moreover, the sources said, the construction of the above road was both for the purpose of having the project get kick-start, besides giving a fillip to various development projects planned for this "most undeveloped part of West Khasi Hills".

In view of the opposition by one land-owner to construction of any road passing through Domiasiat, the KHADC sources said, would result in isolation of the area both in terms of development and economic benefits. "In fact, of 12 families at Domiasiat, 11 families agreed to allow mining in the area, while one family rejected the proposal owing to the pressure of NGOs which are indulging in anti-uranium crusade", sources said.

It is interesting to note that in the process, Rs 1050-crore mining project was shifted from Domiasiat to Phodky-lleng-Pyndengsohiong.

SHILLONG: Taking a cue from the disqualification of Rajya Sabha Member Mrs Jaya Bachchan recently, the Hynniewtrep People Social Organisation (HPSO) chairman Mr Kyrshan War has sought the intervention of the Chief Election Commissioner of India (CEC) Mr BB Tandon in debarring the MLAs of Meghalaya from holding the posts of MDC.

In a letter to the CEC, the HPSO chairman urged the EC to put a stop to "this disgraceful practice in the interest of healthy democratic system and the people living within it."

Highlighting the current trend of legislators holding dual posts - both in the State Assembly and the District Council - the HPSO said these people "draw and enjoy remunerations, perks of offices from both the institutions".

Mr War alleged that dual and simultaneous representation as an MLA and an MDC is strategically important for "their (politicians) own survival" as it ensures elimination of potential rivals. "It stifles healthy democratic growth and development because of the perverted belief that there is nothing in the Constitution of India that prohibits such a practice", the HPSO leader said.

Challenging the contention, he said even as there was no mention of debarring members from simultaneous membership of the State Legislature Assembly and the District Council, Art 101 of the Indian Constitution should be applied in Meghalaya.

Article 101(1) of the Indian Constitution forbids simultaneous membership of both Houses of Parliament and Article 101(2) forbids simultaneous membership as an MP and an MLA.

"In Meghalaya, members of political parties cutting across party lines have flagrantly violated this constitutional intention by deliberately becoming simultaneous members of both legislature and District Council. Application of Article 101 in Meghalaya is therefore more in the spirit than in specific instances of contravention", he said. 

Moreover, he pointed out that simultaneous membership contravened the provisions of Article 102(1) of the Constitution and "such persons are liable to disqualification either as MLA or MDC".

"The Article 120(1) is specific and clear on the issue of disqualification if a person holds and enjoys the office of profit being the member of either House of Parliament. The word Parliament in this context will cover even members of state legislatures and autonomous district councils created under the Sixth Schedule", Mr War argued.

Article 102 does not permit holding dual membership and this should also apply to Meghalaya and its politicians, the HPSO leader said.

In the event of any stern action ordered by the EC, legislators who might lose their berths are Mr MN Mukhim (MDP), Mr HDR Lyngdoh (Congress), Mr Bires B Nongseij (UDP), Mr Boldness L Nongum (Congress), Mr Lambor Malangiang (KHNAM), Ms Irin Lyngdoh (Congress), Mr KK Dkhar (Congress), Mr DP Iangjuh (MDP), Mr Prestone Tynsong (Congress).

Presided over by the DC and Chairman of the Committee, Mr F Kharlongdoh, the meeting discussed at length about precautionary measures against Avian Flu, coordination between the Veterinary and Health Department to control and prevent an outbreak and conducting of awareness programmes by the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department to sensitise the people on bird flu.

During the inspection, Mr Muktieh lauded the efforts of the different departments and all those involved in implementation of the various schemes. It may be mentioned that the ongoing construction work include improvement of Umkon-Mawlong road, construction of internal road, footpaths, football ground, water supply and extension of electricity supply.

First it was about the rehabilitated-terrorist Sukhjinder Singh Sukhi. Now it is the utterances of some Khalistan protagonists about the supposedly simmering Khalistan movement in Punjab. The two controversies that have lately hit the state have brought to the fore a number of questions including the role of media in raising dead but sensitive issues and the relevance of Khalistan ideologues in the post-terrorism Punjab.

While the Sukhi controversy originated from an English Daily's report on the alleged illegalities committed in rehabilitating militants who had helped the police in its anti-terrorism operations 15 years ago, the Khalistan controversy has been kicked up by Zee News's telecasting of a programme "Desh Droh". The programme showed interviews with separatist-militant ideologues including Dr. Jagjit Singh Chohan, Kanwar Singh Dhami, Simranjit Singh Mann and Daljit Singh Bittoo.

Dealing with Sukhi controversy in this column a fortnight back, it was pointed out that like all wars, the war against terrorism, particularly when the issues of sovereignty and country's unity and integrity are involved, cannot always be fought by strictly adhering to legalistic niceties. Security forces have to adopt operational strategies to suit the ground realities though they must take care that innocent people do not become their victims. But unlike the Sukhi issue which concerned 15-year-old happenings, the Zee News programme has its relevance and implications for the present-day peaceful Punjab. Before we go into the questions arising from the controversial programme, there is need to have a look at the programme's contents.

According to those who watched "Desh Droh", a mix of audio-visual effects, telecast at prime time on March 6, the programme claimed that the movement for Khalistan was still simmering in Punjab. It showed interviews of the Khalistan ideologues, the most vocal and objectionable being that of Dr. Chohan. Reiterating his demand for Khalistan, he claimed that Khalistan would become a reality in 2007 and would become an achievable target once Kashmir became a separate nation. The telecast raises the role of media in projecting sensitive issues.

In our otherwise decaying system plagued by money and muscle power, corrupt politicians and eroded credibility of constitutional institutions, it is the media and judiciary that have acted as the watchdogs of the peoples' rights and interests although they have also developed some infirmities. The media has also always fought attempts to curb freedom of the Press and expression. Call it cutthroat competition, commercial interests or manipulations by vested interests, the media, particularly electronic, has been fast becoming a victim of these infirmities. Zee News telecast is an example. It is not without reason that, concerned over such inadequacies, representative bodies of the media are also increasingly stressing the need of self-introspection and adoption of self-regulatory measures by the media.

Watchers of the programme say that in the interviews with the Khalistan protagonists, leading questions were asked to have their views about the current status of militancy and the possibility of its revival. The framers of the questions forgot that terrorism was decisively finished in Punjab over a decade ago. The issue is neither live nor topical nor relevant to the ground realities of Punjab. Besides, the state's experience in dealing with terrorism is not only a guarantee about its capability of dealing with the menace if ever it is revived, its lessons are also being advantageously applied in dealing with terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Another infirmity of the Zee programme was that except perhaps Simranjit Singh Mann whose Akali Dal (Amritsar) has some pockets of influence in Punjab, none of the others interviewed has any relevance in the present-day public life of Punjab. In fact, Dr. Chohan is considered a rootless agent provocateur well-versed in the art of getting undeserved publicity through his provocative verbosity. He can be described a replica of late Dr. Kali Charan Sharma, chief of the 1950's Maha Punjab Front movement in Ludhiana whose provocative utterances had created communal tension and disharmony in the then composite Punjab. Now, Dr. Chohan can also find a contemporary in Dr. Praveen Togadia of VHP!

What prompted Zee News to present the controversial programme is difficult to comprehend. A number of theories are being advanced. Both Akali President Parkash Singh Badal and Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh have accused each other for being behind the 'conspiracy' to revive Khalistani agenda with an eye on the forthcoming Assembly elections. Some describe the Zee telecast as an attempt to improve the channel's popular rating by kicking up controversies. Another view is that the Sukhi and Khalistan controversies are the outcome of the police rivalry as a section in the police is trying to sabotage the possible extension of the deputation of Punjab DGP S.S. Virk. Official circles also suspect that lobbies wanting to stall investments coming to Punjab and also hamper or delay the opening of free trade between India and Pakistan by creating fear-psychosis were behind the telecast.

In view of serious implications of the issue, Punjab Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution saying that the "hard-earned peace of the state would not be allowed to be disturbed by the nefarious designs of forces which are inimical to peace, progress and prosperity of the state at any cost." The government has also formed an inquiry committee to find out the motive behind the telecast, its timing and who all were involved in airing and producing the controversial programme.

Whatever the final outcome of the inquiry, the utterances of Khalistan ideologues need to be seen in the context of the Varanasi bomb blasts and the Pakistani-based militant leaders' threats to step up their activities in India. Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom. (IPA Service)

I knew Bangalore long before it flattened the earth, the US job market and Mr Deve Gowda. In fact, I went to live there shortly after the last-mentioned gentleman left and moved to Race Course Road, New Delhi. Being the dark horse PM, he kept his blinkers on. More lately, he's opened his eyes and his mouth; the first to see how impressively the city has asserted itself globally, and the second to send it back to the boondocks. I had watched Bangalore metamorphose from sleepy pensioner to sexy IT Girl. The first silicon implant had already happened but we certainly stopped Bangalore from going bust by overdoing it. Each time I returned, I was gobsmacked by the speed of the change and the corresponding slowdown of traffic as more people jumped into more cars to buy more brands at more malls.

Last week, I finally visited the shrine of where it all began — to the sanctum sanctorum housing the Narayana Murthy. Companies these days win as many prizes for their pergolas as for their performance, but this is a unique mix of power tower, academia and sybaritic resort. I go around in awe and a golf cart. It's a no-car zone, and 'colleagues' pedal to their blocks on the sleek bicycles provided for general use. Or they walk shaded by one of the colourful, branded, resort-like umbrellas stacked in stands outside each centre. For after-hours exercise, they can choose the golf course, the snooker tables, the swimming pool or the banks of apparatus in the two glassed-in gyms. Other choices are dance, yoga and meditation classes.

The past is relative, and amidst these steel-and reflective glass facades, the 'heritage block' is not your old-world Bangalore bungalow with monkey grills, but an open brick and concrete structure. The Mentor still occasionally drops into its modest cafe for lunch; it's heavy only on nostalgia. The 16,000 staffers however take their choice of bonda, burger or Korean bulgogi, sushi, spaghetti or Szechwan in one of the four food courts in the hyperbolic parabola designed like the Sydney Harbour Opera House; 4,000 quadratic equations had to be crunched to get the structure right. I get the distinct aroma of pav bhaji; my escort, Kaavya, from the new breed of Tam Wham, crinkles her eyes into a wry smile, and says, "Oh no, that's Lotus Eaters, our health food outlet." Several techies are swinging their own plastic tiffin carriers.

There are also formal lunch rooms "named after inspirational figures", starting with JRD Tata.

'Amartya Sen' has been booked, so we go to 'Vishweswaraya'. The oregano-flavoured pea soup promises gourmet from their celebrated 3-star Michelin chef, but it is followed by the gobi-aloo genre. I shouldn't complain. If I'd come to interview Deve Gowda, I'd have had to swallow ragi balls instead. (By arrangement with Times Of India)

Sir,

While in other continents there are racial conflicts, that have eaten the five-year plans of the nations, India stands proudly in showing the world that racism though in existence, is still a land of diverse culture and heritage. The process of India coming together started 400 years ago. Inter-kinder conflicts & tribal wars were recorded in history, but really what brought together the races of vast India, is the British, a common enemy, a conqueror. The Quit India Movement started by M.K. Gandhi, brought different races, faiths and religions together. The Constitution adopted in 1950, gave each race & community - Freedom, like the freedom to administer, to warship, to form associations, to demand & form new states, freedom of speech & expression, etc. India is more or less the size of Europe with 31 states and 8 Union Territories with only one Prime Minister and one President. The power of declaring war is with the President of India but also the advice of the Council of Ministers. The very word 'Federal' in the Constitution of India guarantees Freedom to all races & tribes. A European or Russian will be baffled to see that so many races co-exist with each other in spite of being poor. The beauty of it all is the 'Unity in diversity' that is rare in the whole world. Federalism has united India. "Over- centralisation of power" will break India.

Yours etc.
K.M. Khonglah
Shillong

Sir,

I went to Khyndailad, Police Bazar to see off a relative, very early in the morning on March 4, 2006. At around 5.30 AM, a police City Patrol car (Maruti Gypsy) was coming out from the parking lot. All of a sudden, a taxi came in front of it from the wrong direction, nearly resulting in an accident. In case of an accident, it would have been the taxi that would have been damaged to a larger extent and not the jeep.

Nevertheless, being enraged, the policemen sitting in the Patrol Jeep got down; two or three of them forcibly dragged the taxi driver out of his taxi, then beat him severely and dragged him on the ground for several metres. They then arrested him and took him away along with his vehicle. One can only guess what happened with the taxi driver afterwards. I tried to, note down the Registration Number of the Patrol Jeep but, surprisingly, the Jeep did not have any Number written either in the front or the back of it. The words, "Applied For" were also not written on the vehicle.

It is true that the taxi driver was guilty of violation of traffic rule in coming from the wrong direction, but by doing this he had not committed any crime and he did not deserve such humiliating treatment by the police nor the police had the right to do that. Secondly, if the taxi driver was guilty of violation of traffic rule, the police were no less guilty in using their Patrol Jeep without Registration Number. I believe that barring the vehicles of the Governor's establishment, no vehicle is exempted from displaying its Registration Number.

If the DGP is honest and sincere enough and is concerned about the image of the state police, he will look into the matter and take appropriate actions against these high-handed policemen promptly, and also see that his department's vehicles do not run without Registration Numbers.

Yours etc.,
C.K. Lawrence
Shillong-1

Guwahati: The BJP Assam unit has decided not to get cowed down by the threat from the banned United Liberation Front (ULFA) in the run up to the forthcoming Assembly polls. "We know there is a threat. The militants killed three of our leaders including a State party general secretary Jayanta Dutta during 2001 Assembly polls. But we are not going to be cowed down by the threat," said Indramoni Bora, MP, the president of Assam unit of the party.

Though the threat is there the party is not going to demand additional security for poll candidates. "It is the responsibility of the State administration and the Election Commission (EC) to provide adequate security to poll candidates as per the demand of the situation. Why should we demand for more security? Let the Government and the EC study the situation and decide on security cover," the BJP leader said.

The banned ULFA in an e-mailed statement to the media last week issued a veiled threat to the saffron party holding the previous BJP-led NDA government at the Centre responsible for engineering the December, 2003 Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) operation to demolish Ulfa base in the Himalayan kingdom. The militant group stated that there would be violence and another spell of 'secret killings' in Assam if the BJP-AGP came to power in the State after the polls.

The BJP leader on Monday refuted that there was any dissidence in the party over selection of party candidates for the forthcoming polls. "There may be discontentment given that so many were trying for party nomination. But there is no dissidence as no one has lodged any formal complaint with the party leadership," he said.

He, however, agreed that there public outbursts of party workers against the leadership at different places in protest against the selection of candidates and hoped that it would die down within a few days.

The BJP is going to contest 110 seats out of the total 126 and has so far released names of 65 candidates for the first phase polls on 3 April. The second lost of the candidates is expected to be approved by the central party leadership by 18 March next. The BJP though it has failed to strike alliance with any party in the state it hopes to hold the key to the seat of power after the polls.

Although district officials could not be contacted, president of the Nagaland University Teachers' Association (NUTA) Ms Rosemary Dzuvichu, who is also vice-president of the Federation of Central University Teachers Association (FEDCUTA) told newspersons that the students got angry after hearing that the officials of the University Grants Commission had neglected their university and supported the vice-chancellor of Nagaland University Prof G D Sharma, who had submitted his resignation on February 28 last.

The officials said following the pressure of NUTA, a fact finding UGC team visited NU last year, who had submitted a report in support of the vice-chancellor. ''Certainly it was a money game of Prof Sharma,''they alleged. (NNN)

While Havildar Momon was found shot dead near his bed, Paominthang and Mona Vaiphei were found dead near the Havildar. Two SLRs were also lying near them. The injured had been rushed to the hospital where they were stated to be out of danger. (UNI)

Imphal: Decks are cleared for a judicial inquiry into the allegations by Hmar villagers that 21 tribal girls were raped by militants of United National Liberation Front (UNLF) at Tipaimukh area of Churachandpur district earlier this year.

The Ibobi Singh Cabinet on Monday morning decided to institute a judicial inquiry into the allegations following an uproar in the ongoing budget session of the State Assembly and also a protest rally in Churachandpur district headquarters on March 8.

A joint women's organisation of Churachandpur district, comprising four women groups belonging to different tribal groups organised the rally. It charged that UNLF militants raped 21 women in Tipaimukh and Parbung areas in January this year. In the Assembly last week Ibobi Singh assured the House that an inquiry would be ordered into the charges.

Announcing the Cabinet decision in the House on Monday Ibobi Singh said the inquiry would be headed by a retired high court judge, who is from outside the State. He said that the cabinet decided to institute a judicial inquiry instead of a CBI probe, believing that the central agency will not accept the State Government request.

In his statement, the Chief Minister told the House that Tipaimukh, Thanlon and Parbung areas of the district were dominated by militant groups for more than one decade. Due to lack of security man power the government could not provide security forces at the areas. However, the army has now been deployed at some of the areas now.

He said relation between HPC (D) and two other militants groups operating at the areas was good earlier. But hostility developed between HPC (D) and UNLF-KCP combined since November lat year. The other two militant groups killed two members of HPC (D) on January 6.

It may be mentioned that the UNLF and KCP denied the allegations and said if the charges could be proved any guilty member will be punished. Ibobi Singh also announced that a judicial inquiry would be ordered into the allegations by Maibam Naobi Devi of Thoubal district that she was molested by commando personnel. Ibobi said the move followed after the people expressed doubts about the magisterial inquiry ordered earlier this month.

The magisterial inquiry by Thoubal DC P Vaiphei could not proceed further after no one submitted any statement in connection with the case. Ibobi Singh admitted that Naobi herself did not submit any statement or appear before the commission.

Naobi was arrested from the house of Kh. Vikash, a PLA cadre killed in an encounter with the police in Thoubal on February 20. Police arrested her from the militant's house. Naobi, said to be a friend of the deceased PLA member came to his house to attend the funeral.

On her release from custody on March 2 by the court without any condition Naobi charged that commandos molested and tortured her. Ibobi Singh said necessary action would be taken after the inquiry commissions submit their repotrs to the Government. (NNN)

According to reports, Deputy Kilonser, MIP of the NSCN(IM), Kraibo Chawang has said, "We are very sorry when nine bodies of Naga IRB jawans killed in a landmine explosion in Chhattisgarh arrived in Nagaland. If the bodies continue to arrive this way, I am afraid the DAN Government will be made responsible and answerable to the Naga people."

Stating that while Nagas were fighting for their political right at this juncture, Chawang said there was need for proper definition of struggle and conflict in any part of India or the world before the service of the Nagas were used, reports said. He also reminded that Nagas have lost enough lives while defending their political rights and the outfit "do not want to shed more lives for others". (NNN)

Aizawl: Unchecked Myanmarese infiltration will certainly become a big problem sooner or later. As per the present system, Myanmarese looking for jobs in Mizoram obtain 'entry permit' from any Zokhawthar police outpost in Champhai district, Thingsai police station in Lunglei district, Lungbun outpost and Phura outpost in Saiha district.

As many as 4071 Myanmarese nationals were given entry passes between March 2004 and June 2005 whereas 193 temporary stay permits were issued during the same period, said Home minister Tawnlui, answering queries raised by MPC MLA Sailothanga Sailo in the Assembly Budget session on Monday.

It is very likely that these Myanmarese fortune hunters are overusing the entry permit which is valid for only one month. Besides, there are alternative entries in Champhai and Saiha districts other than the manned entry points. A police officer posted in one of the check points had said that many Myanmarese foreigners used these alternative entries to avoid the trouble of obtaining permits, not to mention hundreds of those coming from Manipur side where check points for foreigners are totally absent.

However, so far as the Government's knowledge is concerned there is no single Myanmarese staying in Mizoram without permit. "The Government is not officially aware of any Myanmarese staying here without permit," Tawnlui told the House on Monday. He added that issuance of entry permit has been suspended till March 2006 in view of law and order situation.

Myanmarese immigrants are engaged in odd jobs ranging from house maid to handloom industries to local-wine factories to bus conductors to taxi drivers and so on. More than 90 percent of house maids in Aizawl are Myanmarese girls while the handloom industries are also being dominated by these oriental girls.

All members of the Opposition walked out of the Assembly while dicussion for the Lushai Hills District (Village Council) (Amendment) Bill 2006 after opposition leader Lalthanhawla made known his aversion to the bill.

H. Vanlalauva, the Local Administration Department Minister had introduced the Bill in the House after question hour. This Bill was discussed at length by both Opposition and Treasury members who were against and for the Bill respectively.

The Bill, which sought to cut down the size of village council members from the nmbers 3,5,7,9 and 11 to 3,4,5, and 6 according to the size of villages, needed to be formally adopted as an Act by the Legislative Assembly as an ordinance had been promulgated to affect the change just before the village council elections on February 24 this year.

The Opposition's grounds for opposing the Bill was varied, ranging from a need to amendment the whole Village Council Act to dictatorial enforcement of the ordinance.

In a "calling attention notice" made by ZNP legislator Lalduhoma on Monday after question hour in the House, the Mizoram State Legislative Assembly was informed of alleged discrimination towards Mizo bamboo suppliers by the Hindustan Paper Corporation located in Panchgram in Assam's Cachar district.

According to Lalduhoma, HPC had floated a tender in December last year where the earnest money was kept beyond the reach of Mizo bamboo suppliers and the quantity of bamboos beyond the capacity of local suppliers. (NNN)

Lt Gen Shah welcoming the nine youths to the mainstream said Manipur was one of the worst affected insurgency states and ''we should try to end the problem through peaceful means''. He said rehabilitation programmes were also introduced for the cadres who surrender. They would be imparted with vocational training and given Rs 2,000 each for three years and Rs 1.5 lakhs will be kept as fixed deposit for them.

Meanwhile, an encounter took place between Assam Rifles and suspected militants at Kumbi in Bishenpur district.(UNI)

Chongkham (Arunachal): Royal Thai Ambassador to India Chirasak Thanesnant on Monday stressed the need of developing infrastructure, including roads, railways and airports, for promotion and growth of Arunachal Pradesh as a tourist destination for the Thai people.

Addressing a seminar on eco-tourism on the sidelines of three-day mega tourism event-- Buddha Mahotsava beginning on Monday, Mr Thanesnant said that Arunachal could take a cue from Thailand to promote its eco-tourism potential.

Thailand initially promoted tourism along with its natural resources, he said, while highlighting various components for promoting sustainable eco-tourism. Mr Thanesnant said the people need to be educated to help preserve and conserve natural resources and wildlife for the benefit of future generations.

''Strike a golden mean between development and modernisation, while keeping your originality intact and maintaining the prevailing tranquility, the simple and peaceful way of living, which would attract tourists from far and wide'', he said.

Suggesting involvement of efficient tour operators, guides, hoteliers and Governments officials, he said the tourists should be handled efficiently to make their stay in the state memorable so that they can recommend this place to their friends.

Impressed by the socio-cultural similarities between the Thais of Thailand and Tai-Khamptis inhabiting Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh, Mr Thanesnant on Monday proposed academic and cultural exchange programmes between India and his country.

This would enhance bilateral cooperation covering tourism, trade and science, he said. Mr Thanesnant said both the communities are devout followers of Theravada sect of Buddhisim helping them to come closer because of their similar language, festivals, dresses, lifestyle etc.

As the younger generation is being swept away by modernity, the exchange programmes would strengthen the endeavours of both the countries in cementing the age-old relation further, he added. (UNI)