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At
least two people were killed and about 100
injured when low intensity serial blasts
rocked Agartala, the capital of Tripura
on October 1 at about 7pm in the evening.
The first bomb went off at the popular Maharajganj
Bazar (Gol Bazar) at about 7 p.m., followed
by three near-simultaneous blasts, one at
the G.B. Market, one at the Radhanagar public
bus stand and the last in Krishnanagar locality.
According to eyewitnesses, two youths on
a motorbike left a container in a box at
the Radhanagar bus stand. Smoke started
coming out of it and soon there was a huge
explosion. The modus operandi of the Tripura
blasts is similar to the most recent three
low-intensity blasts in Mehrauli ( New Delhi),
(Modasa) Gujarat and Malegaon (Maharashtra).
Courtesy:
www.india-server.com, October 03, 2008
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Taliban
Leader Baitullah Mehsud Dead
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According
to CNN report Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud
is dead from kidney failure. He is the same
person on whom the Pakistan government has
put allegation that he had killed former
Pak PM Benazir Bhutto on December 27, 2007.
The confirmation of his death has come from
local TV channels Geo Television and others.
However, initial reports from Taliban side
were revealing that Mehsud was ill and was
expected to die within a day. Mehsud who
was of around 34 year age had a sever kidney
problem. An Islamabad-based source who has
links with and within the Mehsud tribe in
South Waziristan informed that Mehsud died
at about 1 a.m. Wednesday. Mehsud's death
is expected to create a bitter power-struggle
in Waziristan region where he had a great
influence. People who are still living in
tribes and have tribe loyalties may go stray
in absence of second commander. Also, the
death may cause split within the tribe of
the Mehsud. Pak authorities may be happy
but death of one Taliban leader is not a
solution for Islamic fundamentalism.
Courtesy:
www.india-server.com, October 01, 2008
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Nepal
Minister takes Maoist help to capture land
of rivals, angers Dy PM
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Nepal's
Deputy Prime Minister Bamdev Gautam, who
is officiating as PM while Prachanda is
in India, today warned of legal action against
Land Reforms Minister Matrika Yadav who
is leading an armed group to recapture land
belonging to rival party supporters in Siraha
district in the south. Gautam asked the
Maoist leadership to restrain Yadav who
is being helped by armed Maoists who were
supposed to be confined in designated cantonments
under UN supervision. With the Home portfolio
also under him, Gautam issued a veiled threat
that he would ask the administration to
take necessary action against those involved
in such a campaign. In short, he implied
that Yadav could even be arrested if he
did not behave. But any such move may have
serious political consequences. The Communist
Party of Nepal-Maoists (CPN-M) and the Madheshi
Janadhikar Forum (MJF) have been clashing
in Siraha for the past nine days with the
latter demanding that the land that the
Maoists had illegally confiscated during
the years of insurgency must be restored
to the original holders. Two days after
land was restored to the rightful owners,
Yadav led a group of Maoists and "recaptured
the land", said Home ministry sources said.
Yadav, in the meantime, warned: "We will
not tolerate Bamdev using force against
the people." The Communist Party of Nepal-Unified
Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) and the MJF have
agreed to lodge a complaint with Prime Minister
Prachanda when he returns from India and
seek Yadav's ouster from the cabinet.
Courtesy:
www.yahoo.com, September 17, 2008
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Cabinet
approves Rs 500 crore special scheme for
Naxal-hit states
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The
Union Cabinet today approved a Rs.500 crore
special scheme which will be launched by
the government during the 11th Plan in the
Naxal-affected states. The Centrally sponsored
scheme was approved today at a meeting of
the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
(CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh, an official spokesperson said. For
the current financial year, Rs.100 crore
has been earmarked for the scheme. The objective
of the new scheme is to adequately provide
for crucial infrastructure requirement that
are critical to policing and security needs
in the field but are not adequately provided
for in any existing scheme, she said. Over
70 districts in the country are affected
by Left wing extremism, which has been described
by the Prime Minister as a "virus" and the
biggest internal security threat. In continuing
Naxal violence in around a dozen states,
over 400 people, including over 150 securitymen,
have been killed so far this year. The Government
recently approved formation of a 10,000-strong
special anti-Naxal force 'COBRA' -- Combat
Battalion for Resolute Action -- to tackle
the menace. In another decision, the Union
Cabinet approved creation of 48 new posts
of Special Directors General, Additional
Directors General and Inspectors General
in various central police organisations
keeping in view functional necessity. These
posts will strengthen the supervisory structure
of these organisations for better command
and control.
Courtesy:
www.yahoo.com, September 11, 2008
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US
national Haywood returns to India
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US
national Kenneth Haywood, to whose Internet
connection a 'threatening' e-mail sent prior
to the Ahmedabad serial blasts was traced,
returned to the city in the wee hours on
Thursday. He returned with his family from
Arizona in the US to Mumbai around 1 am,
sources said. Haywood left the country on
August 17 despite a 'lookout' notice being
issued against him at airports across the
country by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism
Squad (ATS). The US national, who had undergone
polygraph and brain mapping tests during
investigation, was cleared of "doubt" by
the ATS officials. However, the officials
had said they wanted to investigate Haywood's
allegations that an ATS official had demanded
a bribe from him to clear him in the case.
Courtesy:
www.sify.com, September 11, 2008
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Jharkand
villagers up in arms against Naxals
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Daily
wage labourers and artisans, who barely
survive to make their ends meet with their
meager earnings in the naxal-affected areas,
are today an agitated lot. They complain
of being exploited by Naxals here. There
are annoyed since the Maoists who don't
even hesitate to extract money from them
as private 'tax'. These local people are
now irritated over the attitude of these
hoodlums and are up in arms. "If they will
keep on deducting our money, how we are
going to sustain. It's a high time they
realised our worth. All these years we were
supporting Naxals but we got nothing in
return. These people don't want us to be
united because in that condition they won't
be able to suppress us. We need to get together
to fight against all these odds," said Praddep
Ganjhua, head of the Labour union. Almost
three decades ago when Naxalism started
in India, it stated that its objective was
to establish an egalitarian society. The
driving force behind naxalism was ideas
of Mao Zedong and Karl Marx theories. For
long, these Naxalites continued to wage
a struggle against the system--citing reasons
like for the rights of Dalits and underprivileged
people.
But
now things have changed, as Naxals are not
bothered about the poor and needy. In fact
they are extracting money from the poor
to fill their own pockets. Besides the local
villagers want their daily-wage be increased.
"We are not getting proper wages we want
minimum wage to be fixed to Rs. 90, but
we are only getting Rs. 60. Our women and
children are getting even lesser than us.
We need help, otherwise, only alternative
that's going to be left over was to take
up arms. So many of our kins have joined
hands with Naxals but now even Naxals have
turned selfish," said Rama Prajapati, one
labourer. Daily wage labourers and artisans
are today so fed up with the Naxalites that
they have joined hands to take on the hoodlums.
Recently, a meeting was organised in which
they discussed their problems and how Naxal
forces were taking undue advantage. Among
other issues was how to benefit from government
schemes and policies. "We are getting almost
nothing in the name of wages. We cannot
even have a square meal with this kind of
wages. We want our minimum wage to be fixed
at rupees 90 so that we can at least meet
our basic requirements," said Mala, one
of the labourers. Palamu is the den of Naxalites
in India; actually this was the place from
where roots of Naxalism germinated almost
three decades back. This place till date
is known for its feudal structure and atrocities
on bonded labour.
Courtesy:
www.yahoo.com, September 10, 2008
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Manipuris
protest against militancy in the State
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In
spite of the Manipur Government signing
suspension of operation orders with different
militant groups in the state, underground
groups continue to harass common people.
Besides, there are reports of an assassination
bid on the life of State Chief Minister
Ibobi Singh. The latest victims are the
staff and officials of the agricultural
department in the state. The abduction of
one of the officers has spread panic and
led to protests against militant groups.
M. Norendro Singh, the abducted assistant
agriculture official is the only earning
member in his family and the threat to his
life is a threat to six other members of
his family. Fear and a sense of anxiety
is visible in the family of the abducted
official of the agriculture department.
They wonder why militants target the common
people and take them captive when they talk
about being concerned about the people.
"He is the one who runs the family, looks
after the children's education and takes
care of all the problems in the family.
It would be very difficult for us if he
is not there as we will not have the strength
to live on," said M.Rita Devi, wife of Norendro
Singh. L. Pashot Devi, a local resident,
while emphasizing that the people want peace
in the society said, "There is no peace
in the society. We don't know if our kidnapped
sons will return to us. These things have
happened not only in my family but with
many others also. Many people have faced
such troubles and difficulties earlier also.
It is my request that such problems should
be immediately solved so that the civilians
can live in peace." R.K. Nayasana Devi,
Director of the state's agriculture department
said, "This will effect us, not directly
but indirectly to the farmers and in the
way to production of the food grains, purchase
of essential commodities for our livelihood.
So, in some four to five years, I am sure
that these conditions would lead to famine
in Manipur." If people are the at the receiving
end of militants, so is the state's authority
that is proved by an assassination bid on
the life of the state Chief Minister Ibobi
Singh recently. According to police reports
a bomb fired by suspected militants exploded
outside his official residential complex.
The attack is supposed to be a desperate
reaction from some of the militant outfits,
which are feeling the heat of heightened
action against them by the state police.
In reaction to the kidnapping, people and
officials of the agricultural department
held a sit in protest. With Manipur trying
to increase the land available for agriculture
and ensure food supply to all the parts
of the state, the kidnapping of the staff
by the militant groups has sent a wave of
panic among the workers. They have been
wondering as to how they can work freely
and discharge their duties in such an atmosphere.
Courtesy:
www.yahoo.com, September 07, 2008
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Pak
using US funds for preparing for war against
India: Obama
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Accusing
Pakistan of misusing the massive American
aid to fight the war on terror, Democratic
nominee for the US Presidential election
Barack Obama, in a sensational comment,
has said Islamabad was using these funds
for "preparing for a war against India".
Senator Obama vowed to hold Islamabad accountable
for the massive military aid it has received
from Washington if he is elected to the
White House. He said his administration
will increase pressure on the Pakistan to
come to terms with terrorist safe havens
along its northern border with Afghanistan.
"What we can do is stay focused on Afghanistan
and put more pressure on the Pakistanis,"
Senator Obama said in an interview with
Fox News. He noted that the US was providing
Pakistan military aid "without having enough
strings attached". "So they're (Pakistan)
using the military aid...Pakistan...They're
preparing for a war against India," Senator
Obama said. Maintaining that he will follow
the al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden to the
"gates of hell", the Democratic nominee
said that this could be accomplished without
resorting to sending ground troops to Pakistan.
However, he said his future administration
is not going to pullout from the war on
terror and allow the fundamentalists to
take over Pakistan. "What we say is, look,
we're going to provide them with additional
military support, targeted at terrorists,
and we're going to help build their democracy....
We've wasted $10 billion with Musharraf
without holding them accountable for knocking
out those safe havens," Senator Obama said.
He stressed that "nobody talked about some
full-blown invasion of Pakistan", but "we've
got to put more pressure on Pakistan to
do what they need to do".
Courteys:
www.samachar.com, September 06, 2008
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Attraction
to ULFA on the wane
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The
United Liberation Front of Asom or ULFA
is in trouble. After the declaration of
a unilateral ceasefire by its 28th battalion,
39 cadres of its 709 battalion recently
surrendered before the Red Horn Division
of the Indian Army in Assam's Kamrup District
delivering a major blow to the militant
outfit. The surrender reflects not only
the disenchantment among the lower rung
cadres with the central committee, but also
disillusionment with ULFA ideology. Deelip
Kumar Rai, a surrendered ULFA cadre said,
"The policy of the ULFA leaders as well
as their demands won't be acceptable to
the government. The government has asked
them to leave their demand for sovereignty
and come to the negotiation table, but they
are not coming." Mohamad Islam, another
surrendered ULFA cadre found it difficult
to work with the ULFA. He said, "It has
become very difficult. Now we don't have
much strength left to work with the ULFA.
The pressure of people has developed everywhere.
Now we are getting opportunity to lead our
life. That's why I decided to surrender."
Noni Gopal Mohanta, an ULFA expert, believes
that there is a growing sense of disillusionment
among the cadres. "There is a disillusionment
among the cadres, who have realised that
the dreams that were woven before them is
no longer possible. In such circumstances,
the surrendering of the cadres is inevitable,"
Mohanta says. While discussing the recruitment
of children into the ULFA, Mohanta said,
"The issue of recruitment of teenagers by
ULFA or other militant groups can't be seen
in isolation.irstly, in a state like Assam
the dropout rate in the secondary school
and at the college level is very high. And
secondly, the economic condition of these
students, who are not going to the school,
is pathetic. Such situation provides ready
made cadres, who can be easily convinced
to join the ULFA by giving few rupees or
some kind of material benefit to the youths."
ULFA was established in 1979, and even after
a period of nearly 30 years it has not been
able to convert its cadres to its cause.
The recent declaration of unilateral ceasefire
proves this. Facing a major shortage of
cadres, the ULFA has started recruiting
Bangladeshis and children below the age
of 17. The ULFA claims that it represents
the interests of the Assamese people. However,
it has been preying on the people and has
become their predator. And, since the time
of its inception, it has been directly targeting
local residents. The question arising in
most people's mind is whether the ULFA's
days are numbered? By Peter Alex Todd.
Courtesy:
www.yahoo.com, September 05, 2008
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Angami
Nagas call for boycott against those indulging
in factional killings
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Coming
out strongly against factional killings,
the Angami Naga have called upon to boycott
and expel any member who is found indulging
in violence or supporting or sheltering
Naga militant factions. The decision taken
during the conference of Gaon Bora (GB)
or of the elders of Naga tribes here recently
was unanimously accepted by all. It was
a landmark decision that came to be widely
reported all across Nagaland. The meeting
of the Angami elders was similar to their
earlier conferences, but its outcome was
unusual, something for which everybody in
the state had been praying for decades.
"Peace should envelop not just in Kohima,
but the whole of Nagaland. We GBs and DBs
are working flat out for the cause of peace
till today. Ministers should also work assisted
by the GBs and DBs. So our GBs should bring
peace and stop bloodshed at all costs,"
said Visakuolie, Head, GB, Kohima. The decision
is supported by the people in the state
who consider violence a major hindrance
in the path of progress and establishment
of permanent peace in Nagaland."We the Gaon
Boras are working for peace in our state.
We are not involved with any faction. Since
bloodshed is continuing in our state, our
federation is doing its best for peace to
prevail," said Dolhoupra, DB, member, Dimapur.
Over the years, many lives have been lost
in factional killings. Now, these are taking
place between different factions of the
National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN)
in an effort to maintain their hold on the
commercial markets of Dimapur and in other
parts of the state. The factions who claim
to represent different Naga groups are indulging
in mindless violence not for any cause or
ideology but to get their hands on money
collected illegally from businessmen and
government servants in the state."Now in
Nagaland, killing and bloodshed needs to
be condemned. For peace to prevail, leaders,
GBs, Village Councils should cooperate and
through this, bloodshed can stop," said
Neitho Miasalhou, President, Angami GBs
Association, Nagaland. The conference of
GBs reflects the views and aspiration of
not one particular tribe, but of all sections
of the Naga society, which is looking for
permanent peace and normalcy in the state.
By Vibou Ganguly
Courtesy:
www.newstrackindia.com, September 05, 2008
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ULFA
leadership working against Assam, believe
Assamese
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Mindless
killings, violence and continuous disruption
of normal life by the ULFA have taken the
shape of an open criticism of the outfit
by the people of Assam. They are quite vocal
about the role being played by the ULFA
and its top leaders like Paresh Baruah in
blocking the development of the state. They
also raised doubts about the motives of
the militant group in continuing with their
ideology of violence. Manshi Sharma, a professor,
Guwahati University, said, "As they couldn't
settle down in Assam, so they have settled
down in Bangladesh. They are living in the
lap of the luxury and have forgotten what
life they have given to the Assam and how
the people of Assam are still living now.
So, sitting there, they are dictating certain
terms and conditions, which doesn't apply
in the present situation for the Assamese
people." "Bangladeshi has come in without
any fear of getting detected. They are being
utilized by the ULFA sitting there, to find
out what is going in Assam and give them
the feedback," added Sharma. "It's very
difficult to understand Baruah. I don't
know whether he is really concerned for
the people of Assam or not. No doubt they
are doing something, sitting in Bangladesh,
as newspaper reports say. But things have
changed, Assam has changed, technology has
come and what we know is that they should
respect the sentiments of the people," said
Ranjan Baruah, an Assamese.
But
the acts of ULFA in no way suggest that
they are willing to respect the wishes and
voices of the people. Mindless killings
in recent times demonstrate how the militant
outfit disregards the feelings of the people.
It is perhaps because of this indifferent
towards the people of Assam by the ULFA's
central committee that many cadres of the
outfit joined the mainstream of the society
realizing the futility of pursuing violence
against their own people of Assam. "I don't
appreciate the killings. I feel we end up
killing our own people who are like our
own kith and kin. So, there can be no benefit
from such cruel murder. ULFA has deteriorated
and is corrupt. It has become cruel. That
is why people don't support the ULFA any
more," said Brajan Kalita, a former ULFA
cadre. Many top cadres of the 28th battalion
of the ULFA left the outfit recently and
joined the mainstream of society to pursue
peace and prosperity. "The ULFA was established
for the peace and development of the people
of the State. If they are killing the people,
it is not good and it is injustice. The
outfit cannot survive and even if the government
does this it will also face the problem,"
said Nagen Rabha, a surrendered cadre of
ULFA. No doubt people's mood is for development
and progress which has remained sluggish
because of almost three decades of violence.
With economy opening up and the Look East
Policy promising greater opportunities for
the people of the State, all sections of
the Assamese society want to be part of
the developmental process. They see ULFA
and other militant groups as a major threat
in the state's march to progress and prosperity.
By Peter Alex Todd (ANI)
Courtesy:
www.newstrackindia.com, September 01, 2008
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Literate
people: a new class of terrorists
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The
recently busted ten accused of banned SIMI-members
(Students Islamic Movement of India) in
their alleged involvement in Ahmedabad blasts
has once again a question as what lays the
literate people to resort to heinous terror
strike. Some of the arrested SIMI members
are highly qualified. One of the ten suspects,
Usman Agarbatiwala, who is in the custody
of the Gujarat crime branch for their alleged
role in the Ahmedabad serial blasts, holds
a diploma in Human Rights from the MS University
in Vadodara. The alleged mastermind behind
the blasts, Mufti Abdul Bashar Kasmi alias
Shaukeer is an editor, tutor and preacher.
Is there any fault in our education system?
Do they get different education which preaches
them violence? It is certainly not. No education
imparts terror. Many people receive the
same education, but very few get involved
with such type of unlawful activities. They
must be feeble-minded people who come under
easy influence to insurgents. Education
makes people capable of wise thinking and
helps them in making differentiation-what
is right and what is wrong. If these so
educated people become puppet at the hand
of handful of terror elements, what would
be of those illiterate ones, whose minds
are so plain to be imprinted anything easily.
For
few years, many highly qualified people
are found involved in terrorist activities.
It seems when many students choose engineering,
medical, civil services as career, some
prefer to pursue career in terrorism. Many
of them belong to wealthy class and are
well qualified. So the age-old notion that
economic deprivation and the inadequate
education are the only cause of these people's
involvement in terrorists activities do
not hold much ground now. However, these
can be a mere speculation, but the recent
years' findings involving qualified, young
student in spreading terrorism leads us
to think in this way. Ahmedabad blasts (2008)
- alleged mastermind is a teacher, Jaipur
blasts (2008) - alleged hands of a medical
student, Bangalore blasts (2005) - mastermind
is an engineer and alike unearthed after
investigations that highly qualified persons
have been involved in terror strikes. Why?
It is still difficult to answer. Is the
Indian government knowingly or unknowingly
nurturing hate among the minority community?
Are the policies of government unwittingly
developing a thought in them that they belong
to second-class? It is absolutely not. India
is a country of multi lingua, multi religio-culture
and people here from the ancient periods
have been involved in adopting every new
culture and religion. If Ram is our God,
Rahim too. Shahrukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Irfan
Khan, Dr. Kalam are our national heroes.
They rule our heart; they are not bound
by any religion. Despite that, one percent
throws light on such discrimination, when
people like Shabana Azmi, a well-known face
and renowned actor says, being a Muslim,
she had to face difficulty in purchasing
a house in Mumbai. For a while if we believe
there is truth in it, no religion allows
anyone merciless killing of innocent people.
Resorting to violent means of terror strikes
can not justify such discrimination at any
cost. On the other hand, if any such type
of discrimination exists in our enduring
society, government should need to take
the issue at the earliest. Terrorism is
not an issue of our country only. It has
spread its tentacles across the globe. It
needs to be uprooted with collective hands-
not bound by boundary. Stringent laws must
be made to deal with such people who don't
understand any language other than gun.
Courtesy:
www.newstrackindia.com, August 18, 2008
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Ulfa
militants learn a lesson of their lifetime
as Indian nationalists in villages of Assam
chase them away from creating disruption
on Independence Day
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The
three ULFA militants were ready to bring
down the Tricolour Indian flag on Independence
Day. Teachers, guardians and villagers of
Bandarchara in Assam's Kokrajhar district
prevented Ulfa militants from bringing down
the Tricolour and hoisting a black one at
Bandarchara Lower Primary School. The militants
got a lesson of their lifetime as the common
people from the Indian village chased them
out. Indian Army was informed and the three
terrorists were caught red handed. A Bulgaria-made
9mm pistol and two magazines were recovered
from the militant, Hitesh Roy, who was handed
over to police.
Courtesy:
www.indiadaily.com, August 17, 2008
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Central
scheme for terror victims
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Victims
of terrorist and communal violence would
be entitled to financial assistance of Rs
3 lakh under a special Central Scheme for
Assistance to Victims of Terrorist and Communal
Violence, official sources said. The Centre
has formulated detailed guidelines for implementing
the scheme and the guidelines have been
sent to the States, sources added. The scheme
cleared by the Union Cabinet in March, envisages
helping the families in the event of death
or permanent incapacitation of the victim,
who was the breadwinner of the family. The
principal amount is proposed to be put in
a fixed deposit account in a nationalized
bank with a minimum lock-in period of three
years. The interest on the sum would be
credited directly by the bank to the beneficiary's
saving account on a quarterly basis. A district
level committee, under the chairmanship
of District Collector would identify beneficiaries
and verify their eligibility for assistance
under the scheme. The committee will also
include the Superintendent of Police, District
Medical Officer, District Social Welfare
Officer, District Child and Women Development
Officer. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
would examine the case for grant of assistance
under the scheme. Assam had witnessed a
high casualty rate in the country in the
last three years with civilian death toll
touching 623 since 2005. According to Institute
for Conflict Management with 439 insurgency-related
fatalities in 500 incidents of violence,
Assam remained the most violent theatre
of conflict in North-east last year. The
dramatic escalation of insurgent violence
in 2007, however, has dashed all such expectations,
once more raising the spectre of anarchy
in the State, it said.
Courtesy:
www.assamtribune.com, July 25, 2008
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Inter-Services
Intelligence (ISI) and Bomb Attack 0n Indian
embassy in Kabul
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As
many as 58 people, including four Indians,
were killed in the suicide bomber attack
on the embassy on Monday."We not only suspect
but we have a fair amount of intelligence
(on Pakistan's involvement). We have no
doubt that the ISI is behind this," Narayanan,
National Security Advisor, told TV channels.
Afghanistan also has blamed a "foreign intelligence
agency" for the bombing of the embassy-a
veiled accusation against the ISI. Pakistan
as usual has firmly rejected the allegations
with its Foreign Minister saying he was
''baffled'' to hear people alleging that
it was responsible for violence in Afghanistan.
The people of India deserve to know the
facts rather than being carried away by
people who make statements and India should
get tough with Pakistan. Until the time
Pakistan controls the movements of Arms
and terrorists across international borders,
India should not have any relationship with
that rogue nation. How can one have a relationship
when they send armed people to attack our
diplomatic missions and or our soldiers
and civilians. If they do have cozy relationship
with a nation that says something and does
other thing, one must not doubt the Pak
involvement. If ISI is the culprit as it
is suspected, get the evidence and submit
to Pakistan to do something and if nothing
happens, snap the ties. It is to be understood
ISI has never been a part of the peace process.
I think we need to make a distinction between
the the civilian government in Pakistan
and ISI ( a sort of quasi-military wing).
ISI was created during the hey days of Zia
and probably received funding meant for
Mujahids fighting USSR in Afghanistan and
later ISI innovatively found other resources
as well in corporate style along with the
Army. After post 9-11, when Musharraf joined
the west in fighting global terrorism, he
continued for a while the activities of
ISI and its involvement with Al quida and
Taliban. West soon found out his duplicity
in double crossing Bush on terrorism. Soon
Musharraf's hands were tied and ISI started
crossing him as well and continued its coordination
with the Taliban and Al Quaida. It should
be known even Musharraf realized his limitations
in controlling the monster. Now the civilian
government of Pakistan is more concerned
in ousting Musharraf than controlling Army
and ISI. This sort of laxity on behalf of
the government of Pakistan gave impetous
to ISI's nefarious designs and in the implementation
of its plans. One should know from Liaqat
Ali to Zardari, Pakistan continues to believe
it is the Islamic spokesperson of the Muslims
of SouthAsia and that includes India, Bangladesh,
Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. India's affinity
to the leaders of Afghanistan in Karzai's
government is not to the liking of Pakistan
and ISI. It may be true Zardari government
may not be involved directly but one cannot
be sure of its role and we can not blame
his government or give it a clean chit.
Pakistan still suffers from the jitters
of partition and all its actions point out
to that even when India has more Muslims
than Pakistan. If India is such a terrible
country and if Muslims cannot live with
Non-Muslims as Jinnah, claimed, then their
sheer numbers contradict the very concept
of the resons enunciated in the creation
of Pakistan. India's pursuit of friendship
with Karzai's government is not to the taste
of ISI in particular. They want India not
to have close relationship with Afghanistan
and it is not to their liking and strategy.
Now India should seriously think whether
to go ahead with the peace process while
ISI continues to export weapons, men and
bomb our embassies or if ISI is not involved
as claimed by the government of Pakistan
and if India cannot substantiate the claim
of ISI involvement , they should at least
shut up for the timebeing until they get
some and then should get into action.
Courtesy:
http://newshopper.sulekha.com, July 12,
2008
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Nine
Kashmiri Pandit families return to J&K after
20-yr exile
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Srinagar:
In a major boost to the government's efforts
to bring Kashmiri Pandits back to the Valley,
nine displaced families returned - after
two-decade-long exile - to their ancestral
homes at Verinag in south Kashmir's Anantnag
district on Saturday. This comes days after
PM Manmohan Singh announced a package for
Pandits willing to return home. The package
offers Rs 7.5 lakh each to Pandits who return
to the Valley. However, the families insist
they have returned voluntarily. "We had
made up our mind before the PM's announcement.
We decided to come back because of the improvement
in the security scenario," Omkar Nath said.
Kanta Devi, who also returned on Saturday,
said she couldn't control her tears when
she reached home and met her neighbours.
"I broke down when I saw my house after
18 long years. The reception we got from
our neighbours was also overwhelming," she
said. Another returnee Ratan Lal Koul, too,
was overwhelmed. "I can't believe that I
am home. I can't tell how we spent all these
years away from our motherland, but now
I have come forever," he said.
Courtesy:
www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com, May 05,
2008
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Manipur
will arm its civilians to fight militants
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The
Manipur government has decided to provide
arms and ammunition to the people of the
state to defend themselves from militants.
Official sources said in Imphal on Saturday
that the state cabinet, presided over by
Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, discussed
the issue on Friday night at a meeting,
which lasted for over three hours. In the
first phase, the people of Heirok and Chajing
would be provided security by opening special
posts, to be commanded by Special Police
Officers. The people of Heirok in Thoubal
district had been demanding arms, following
the killing of three people by militants
on March 24. The state government has been
considering the possibility of providing
arms and ammunition to the people since
the past few days. About 300 youths at Heirok
and 200 youths at Chajing, commanded by
police forces, will be recruited to provide
security to the people. Each youth would
be provided with Rs 3,000. The modalities
would be worked out by a police team, headed
by a DIG, and the entire process was expected
to start by next month, officials said.
The recruitment would be done under the
guidance of the deputy commissioners of
the concerned districts. The Manipur Police
Housing Corporation will construct barracks
for the recruits and all of them would be
provided with .303 rifles and motorcycles.
The volunteers, however, would not be allowed
to venture out of the specified villages.
Meanwhile, two officials from the Union
Home Ministry were presently in the state
capital to take stock of the prevailing
law and order situation.
Courtesy:
www.rediff.com, May 03, 2008
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Bangladesh
deports Indian insurgent
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Bangladesh,
for the first time ever, has deported an
Indian insurgent leader, who operated from
its soil. Bangladesh Rifles yesterday handed
over Sujit Debbarma a leader of banned rebel
group --National Liberation Front of Tripura
(NLFT) -- to the Indian Border Security
Force in India's Northeastern state of Tripura,
state police spokesperson told reporters
Thursday, news agency Indo Asian News Service
reported. Debbarma joined NLFT in 2000 and
went to Bangladesh for arms training, the
spokesperson said. Tripura shares 856-km-long
border with Bangladesh. NLFT and All Tripura
Tiger Force are the two main rebel groups
of Tripura. Leadership of both ATTF and
NLFT are based in Bangladesh and operate
from there. India has been seeking their
extradition for long. Certain other insurgent
Groups from Indias Northeast also operate
from Bangladesh. India has been seeking
extradition of the leaders of these groups
based there as well. These include banned
United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA),
aiming to create a "sovereign Assam" carved
out of India's Northeast. India had handed
over to Bangladesh the list of camps on
their soil run by rebel groups from the
country's Northeast, several times in the
past. New Delhi had also stated that Bangladeshi
territory is being used by the insurgents
of Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami (HuJI). The
group is responsible for several terror
attacks across India over the past few years.
Courtesy:
www.khabrein.info, April 22, 2008
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India,
Bangladesh to exchange notes on terror
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With
Bangladeshi footprints being detected in
a number of jihadi attacks on Indian soil
in the past couple of years, India will
raise the issue of the existing terror infrastructure
and militant hideouts in the neighbouring
country when representatives of the border
guarding forces of both the countries meet
here during their five-day talks, scheduled
to begin on Tuesday. Though India had raised
the issue on earlier occasions as well,
the move - when the BSF chief A K Mitra
will bring it to the notice of his Bangladesh
Rifles counterpart major general Shakil
Ahmed during the talks - assumes significance
in view of New Delhi's growing concerns
over the role of HuJI in two blasts in Hyderabad
in 2007 and a shoot-out at the IISc, Bangalore,
in 2005. The investigating agencies have
suspected the role of this Bangladesh-based
terror outfit which provided ground support
to its Pakistani mentors before the incidents.
The main suspects - Abdul Saheed Bilal and
Abu Hamza - in these incidents were not
only found to be trained in Bangla-desh
but also got shelter there before finally
moving out to Pakistan. "HuJI by virtue
of its local support was the main force
behind these attacks which were carried
out at the behest of the Pakistan-based
terror group LeT," said a senior home ministry
official. Besides, India will also provide
Bangladesh an updated list of fugitives
-including ULFA's Paresh Baruah and Anup
Chetia - and north-east terrorist camps
during the talks which will conclude on
April 12. The previous list, given to Bangladesh,
carried the names of 161 insurgents and
details of 195 terrorist camps.
Courtesy:
www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com, April 08,
2008
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Bhutan
will not hesitate to act against NE rebels
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Bhutan's
new government will not hesitate to carry
out a 2003-like operation against Indian
insurgents if they sneak into its territory,
the Bhutanese party which swept to power
in the country's first general election
said Wednesday. The Druk Phuensum Tshogpa
(DPT), which will form the first elected
government in Bhutan, said there won't be
much changes to the erstwhile kingdom's
foreign policy with its two giant neighbours
India and China with whom it had "excellent"
relations. "Both India and China are important
neighbours and we will continue to maintain
excellent relations with them," party spokesman
Palden Tshering said.
Courtesy:
www.hindu.com, March 27, 2008
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Spy
proves to be their golden eye
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South
Bastar division's Jagargunda-Baswaguda area
committee of the CPI (Maoist), which has
a strength of one company (about 100 armed
Naxalites), had been holding the plenary
between Kachala and Paliguda in Bijapur
district, Chhattisgarh, for about a week.
But the South Bastar division, led by Arjun,
a Maoist leader belonging to Andhra Pradesh,
had no idea whatsoever that police from
across the border were busy tracking down
its every movement for almost four months.
When the elite Greyhounds personnel swooped
on the plenary in a pre-dawn raid, the Maoists
had little time to resist. Of the 30-odd
Naxalites, who were camping there, 17 died
and the rest managed to flee. It was an
operation executed to perfection. What went
into its planning? According to highly placed
sources, office of the Officer on Special
Duty at Kothagudem managed to gain the confidence
of an informant, who is from across the
border, about four months ago. With the
help of local police, the OSD office kept
in touch with the informant, who fed it
with some information or the other. However,
several 'alerts' from him were ignored as
the Naxalites were always either too deep
in Chhattisgarh forests or inhospitable
terrain like hills. Then came the vital
lead about 10 days ago when the informant
"smelled something peculiar." Militants
were picking up ration from village sandies
and some others were clearing bushes at
the base of a hillock abutting the forest.
There was also some sort of "high-alert"
in Maoist-affected villages. Three, four
days later came fool-proof information.
The plenary was going to be held exactly
between Kacharla and Paliguda. From here
started the operational part. First, the
Greyhounds personnel had to penetrate 40
kilometres into Chhattisgarh from Charla.
The Andhra Pradesh Police sounded their
Chhattisgarh counterparts and took them
into confidence. A joint operation was planned
and forces moved into the forests a couple
of days ago. The area being a stronghold
of Maoists, the police teams had to move
cautiously as any leak could jeopardise
the entire operation, the sources told this
website's newspaper. It appears the Maoists
were a bit casual for they did not anticipate
an onslaught of this severity from the Chhattisgarh
Police. The least they could have expected
is the arrival of Greyhounds personnel who
have mastered the art of jungle warfare.
Their AK 47s, SLRs and country-made weapons
could not match the fire power of well-trained
police personnel. In no time, the Maoists
suffered | |
