Togadia questioned by SIT probing Gujarat riots

Pravin Togadia, the general secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), was questioned for three hours Monday by a Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat.Togadia arrived at the SIT office accompanied by sadhus and supporters in tow.When asked about the questions posed to him by the SIT, Togadia said: “I was asked whether I had come to Ahmedabad during the communal riots. I told then where would I go, to Pakistan?”According to Togadia, the SIT also asked him who all he met during his visit to Ahmedabad during the riots.“I met crores of hindus, I met sadhus. If I don’t meet them, will I meet Imam Bukhari (Jama Masjid cleric)?” Togadia said.Togadia also slammed the apex court appointed panel.“There is no enquiry ordered on 57 ‘Rambhakts’ (Ram devotees) burnt to death in the Sabarmati Express train carnage, while we are being harassed. For the SIT, this case file is the Bible, Gita and the Koran. We have only god with us and nobody else. But I will definitely give a fitting answer to all this,” he added.
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India an indispensable ally: US ambassador

Fighting terrorism was “a challenge” for both the US and its “indispensable ally” India, US Ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer said Tuesday, adding that the 26/11 Mumbai carnage reminded him of the 9/11 terror attack in New York.“India is one of the most important allies of the US, and an indispensable one for the US. I want to reinforce our commitment to the US-India strategic co-operation, which is an important pillar of our indispensable partnership,” said Roemer.Roemer said that as part of this co-operation, the US will help India by giving it access to David Headley, the Pakistani-American Lashkar-e-Taiba operative who has admitted his role in planning the 2008 Mumbai attacks.The ambassador said he was reminded of the 9/11 terror attacks that targeted the twin towers of World Trade Centre in New York.“Back then, we never got any direct access to the mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed. We want to ensure India gets access of Headley,” Roemer said.In his third visit to Mumbai, Roemer recalled how he had visited Mumbai for the first time only seven months after the terror strikes with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton mid-2009.“It was my first act as Ambassador-designate in India. At that time, we chose to stay in the historic Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Hotel. It was a deliberate choice to remind the terrorists that despite the carnage they caused, they did not succeed in their efforts to lower our spirits,” Roemer said.The ambassador paid homage at the 26/11 Police Memorial at Police Gymkhana in south Mumbai and interacted with the policemen present there.“This visit is to underscore the respect we pay to the martyrs of the 26/11 terror attacks,” Roemer said.The US ambassador stressed that “Pakistan needs to do more to deal with the terrorism originating from its soil”.He also assured that the arms and ammunition provided to Pakistan would be used only for internal purposes.“We will make sure that these arms are used to counter internal terrorism and conflict. We will ensure that these are not used as a means to attack any other nation,” he said.
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Heat wave conditons prevail in Andhra Pradesh,

Hyderabad, May 11 : Heat wave conditions prevailed over the districts of Adilabad, Hyderabad, Khammam and Nizamabad of Telangana as the maximum temperatures rose at several places in the state.The maximum temperatures rose at one or two places over Telangana and changed little over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema, according to Weather Office today. The maximum temperatures were significantly above normal at one or two places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and over the remaining districts of Telangana. The highest maximum temperature of 45 degrees Celsius was recorded at Adilabad, Khammam, Nizamabad and Rentachintala.However, isolated rainfall occurred over Rayalaseema and the weather was mainly dry over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.The weather office predicted that isolated rainfall or thundershowers might occur over Rayalaseema. Heat wave conditions would continue to prevail over Telangana during next two days, the report added.
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Two major blazes in Hyderabad cause panic

Hyderabad, May 11 : Two major fires broke out in two areas of Hyderabad Tuesday, causing panic among residents.One person sustained burn injuries in the huge fire that broke out at a petrol pump while the other fire in a storehouse of a company caused massive loss of property. An oil tanker burst into flames at a petrol pump in Alwal area near the city outskirts in the evening. A few other vehicles were also gutted as huge flames engulfed the entire pump and even threatened the nearby houses. Police and fire fighting personnel evacuated the residents while shops and other business establishments in the vicinity downed shutters as a precautionary measure. An employee of the pump was injured while other employees and customers ran for safety. Police said the incident took place when fuel from the tanker was being pumped into the bunk. Some sparks from the tanker's engine is suspected to have caused the fire, in which about 10,000 litres of fuel was burnt. Four fire engines brought the fire under control. Police have booked a case against the petrol bunk owner for negligence which is believed to have led to the accident. Earlier, a huge fire broke out in a storehouse of tents owned by a company in Khaja Nagar neighbourhood of Banjara Hills. Huge flames were threatening to engulf the nearby houses, creating a panic in the densely populated area. However, the fire services personnel brought the blaze under control. An electrical short-circuit is believed to have caused the fire. The loss of property in the fire is estimated to be over Rs.50 lakh.
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