No talks with Pakistan unless they stop terror: Rajnath
New Delhi: No dialogue is possible unless “Pakistan stops terrorism and violence”, said Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Monday. He denied media reports that he will be meeting his Pakistani counterpart on the sidelines of the sixth meeting of SAARC in Kathmandu. “News reports published today (Monday) that Rajnath Singh will meet his Pakistani counterpart on the sidelines of SAARC conference are incorrect and fabricated,” a statement from the ministry said. Rajnath Singh will visit Nepal Sep 18-19 to take part in the sixth meeting of SAARC of home ministers. “The home minister is of the firm opinion that terror and talks cannot go together. Unless Pakistan stops terrorism and violence, no dialogue is possible,” the statement added. Media reports had said that Rajnath Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Nisar Ali Khan will meet on the sidelines of the meeting. (IANS)
Work on cleaning of holy water sites in Rameswaram launched
Rameswaram (TN): Work on cleaning and desilting of holy Ramar Theertham (tank) here was launched here on Monday as part of the programme to make the pilgrim town a ‘green island’. The Ramar Theertham is one of the 44 important holy water sites located outside the Sri Ramanathaswamy temple here. Pilgrims thronging the temple from across the country take a dip in all the holy water sites, including 22 inside the shrine, each of which have special significance as per legend. Eminent scientist Shivathanu Pillai, one of the pillars of Brahmos missile project, joined Ramanathapuram District Collector Nandhakumar and Vivekananda Kendra in launching the clean up work, supported by Rotary Club and taken up with participation of volunteers from educational institutes also. Executive Officer of Ramanathaswamy Temple C Selvaraj said all the 44 theerthams would be removed of encroachments, cleaned and desilted in a phased manner and fenced. Pillai said satellite pictures of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) could be used to have a better look of the sites of the theerthams. (PTI)
School teacher gang-raped in UP
Mainpuri: A primary school teacher was on Monday allegedly gang-raped by three persons and her valuables looted while she was on her way to school in Nagla Madhu, police said. The victim, a teacher at a primary school in Nagla Madhu under Bhongaon police circle, was walking towards her school when three persons intercepted her and tried to snatch her gold chain and Rs 5,000 cash, Superintendent of Police Srikant Singh said. As the woman offered resistance, she was dragged into the roadside bushes and raped by the accused who later fled with the valuables, the SP said. One of the culprits was caught and handed over to police by the passersby who rushed on hearing her alarm, though two others managed to escape, he said. An FIR was lodged in this connection and police parties have been rushed to nab the other two culprits, Singh said, adding the woman has been sent for medical examination. (PTI)
Move to appoint ex-CJI as Governor sparks debate
Thiruvananthapuram: The Centre’s reported move to appoint former Chief Justice of India Justice P Sathasivam as Kerala Governor has sparked a debate in political and legal circles on the propriety of giving gubernatorial assignment to a person who retired from the highest judicial office in the country. While Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the Centre had so far not sought his views on the proposal, KPCC president V M Sudheeran said the issue involved questions of “propriety” but it was for legal and constitutional experts to give answers to them. “It has been a convention to consult the Chief Minister concerned before appointing the Governor..This practice has been followed during the appointment of previous governors during my tenure as chief minister. (In this case) So far, I have not been consulted. I expect that convention would be followed this time as well,” Chandy told reporters in Kozhikode. Sudheeran said though there had been instances of retired judges being made Governors, the appointment of a former CJI could raise questions of propriety. (PTI)
At least 45 people rescued after building staircase collapse
Kolkata: At least 45 people were rescued after a staircase of a four-storeyed building collapsed at Bowbazar area here on Monday. “When the staircase of the building collapsed around 45 people were trapped inside the building. All of them have been rescued,” police said, adding that there were no reports of any casualty in the incident. Fire Brigade officers said four fire tenders had rushed to the area along with a team of officials of the state Disaster Management Department and Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) to rescue the persons trapped. The trapped residents of the building were rescued with the help of ladders, they said. (PTI)