Central government not providing adequate forces: Mayawati

Sep,21, Ahead of the judgment in the Ayodhya case due Sep 24, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Monday criticised the central government for its “apathy” in providing the state the security forces needed in case of any trouble after the verdict.While reviewing the law and order situation in the state here, she told the high level meeting held at her official residencehow she had been repeatedly seeking assistance of the central government ever since the high court declared its decision to deliver the much awaited verdict some two months back.
“Since then the state government was making special efforts to maintain law and order besides taking all possible measures to ensure that the communal forces would not be able to disturb the law and order. We also made it a point to keep the centre duly posted of the prevailing situation in the state,” she said.Mayawati lamented the fact that as against the state’s demand and requirement of 642 companies (one company comprising about 80 men) of para-military forces, the central government had agreed to eventually provide just 52 companies, which she described as “grossly inadequate.”“While the initial demand on Aug 6 was made for 458 companies, the demand for an additional 143 companies was made on Sep 1 last to specifically protect the disputed site at Ayodhya. Besides, 29 companies were sought to ensure fool-proof security high court premises, both in Lucknow and in Allahabad, followed by yet another letter dated Sep 6 for 12 companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF),” she said.According to an official spokesman, the chief minister stressed the need to take a tough stand against mischief-mongers. Directing officials to remain on a round-the-clock alert, she also made it a point to highlight the need for keeping a tab on rumour-mongering, which was “equally dangerous”.Mayawati also reviewed the security of important religious, social and historical places, that were already on a high alert.She also appealed to the people of the state to maintain peace and cautioned them to watch out for mischievous elements.
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Mumbai attack: Hearing on confirmation of Kasab’s death sentence from Oct 18

Sep,21, The Bombay High Court Monday fixed Oct 18 for starting daily hearings to confirm the death sentence awarded to Mumbai attack convict and Pakistani terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab.A division bench of Justice Ranjana Desai and Justice Ranjit More also declined to entertain Kasab’s application seeking physical presence and ruled that he would remain present through video-conferencing, his lawyer Farhana Shah said.“As per the court’s directions, I met Kasab and discussed the issue. He wanted to remain personally present in the high court during the hearing,” Shah said.The prosecution, led by Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, expressed apprehensions about brining Kasab to the Bombay High Court on a daily basis from the Arthur Road Central Jail and said it may pose a threat to him.Shah said in view of these developments, Kasab was unlikely to be brought to the court and would appear before it through video-conferencing as he did Monday.She said she planned to file her appeal against the death sentence by Sep 27.On May 6, Kasab was awarded the death sentence by Special Judge M.L. Tahaliyani after finding him guilty of 86 different offences.Kasab’s two co-accused – Fahim Ansari and Sabahuddin Ahmed – charged with conspiracy in the terror attack, were acquitted on the grounds that the prosecution evidence against them was doubtful.Kasab is lodged in the Arthur Road Central Jail, where the trial was conducted.
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NDA won’t win in Bihar: Lalu Prasad

SEP,21, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad asserted Monday that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will fail to lead the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to power in Bihar.“It is certain that the JD-U-BJP (Janata Dal-United and Bharatiya Janata Party) government of Nitish Kumar will not win the (October-November) assembly elections,” Lalu Prasad told a press conference here.The former railway minister launched a scathing attack on Nitish Kumar, alleging that rampant corruption had caused agony in the last five years.He also alleged growing differences between the JD-U and BJP.Lalu Prasad said his RJD and Ram Vilas Paswan’s Lok Janshaktri Party had decided to contest from 168 and 75 seats respectively.
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Cannot trust BJP, VHP, RSS on Ayodhya: Digvijay

Sep,21, Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh Monday said he cannot trust the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad on the Ayodhya dispute as “they could do anything”.He said the Congress made a mistake in 1992 by believing the affidavits filed by Sangh parivar organisations. The Babri mosque was demolished Dec 6, 1992 by Hindu mobs who had gathered at the spot.“I cannot trust BJP, RSS, VHP. In 1992, we made a mistake by believing their affidavit,” said Singh, who is Congress general secretary in charge of Uttar Pradesh.The Congress leader said he had information that Sangh parivar organisations were making some plans. The Lucknow bench of Allahbad High Court is expected to give its verdict in the title suits relating to the Ayodhya dispute on Sep 24.He said the party has asked its MPs and legislators in Uttar Pradesh to remain in their constituencies on Sep 24 and work for communal harmony.Singh alleged that posters had been put up by Hindu fundamentalist organisations in Bhopal and Indore to recruit people.He said he had told Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan during a telephonic conversation that the state government should control “overzealous” workers in the current scenario.
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Chiranjeevi's fans in Telangana vow to protect his interests

Hyderabad, Sep 21 : With the films of actor-turned-politician K. Chiranjeevi and his family members facing a boycott from Telangana activists, his die-hard fans in the region Tuesday formed a group to protect his interests.The fans of the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) president met in Hyderabad and formed a "Chiru Force" to counter pro-Telangana groups who have been disrupting the screening of films of Chiranjeevi, his son Ramcharan Teja and brother Pavan Kalyan for their opposition to the demand for a separate state of Telangana. The presidents of Chiranjeevi Fans' Association from all 10 districts of Telangana made it clear that they would not tolerate any disruption of the screening of his films. The members of the "Chiru Force" said since Chiranjeevi entered politics on their demand and had been raising the issues of people, it was their responsibility to protect him and his family members. They also pointed out that people of Telangana were the biggest beneficiaries of the Chiranjeevi Blood Bank. The group said it was ready even for a confrontation on the issue. Osmania University students' joint action committee (JAC) was quick to hit back. The JAC leaders said they would disrupt the screening of Chiranjeevi's movies at any cost. They warned that the "Chiru Force" would be responsible for the consequences. The superstar is facing the ire of Telangana groups since early this year for taking a U-turn on Telangana statehood issue. Both legislators of his party in Telangana quit the party in protest. Chiranjeevi has not visited Telangana since then. The Telangana statehood supporters have decided to stop him from visiting the region. The superstar, however, recently said he would soon undertake a visit to Telangana.
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Hyderabad tightens security for Ganesh immersions

Hyderabad,Sep 21: Over 30,000 policemen were deployed and the military asked to stand by as massive security arrangements have been made for Ganesh idols immersion processions here Wednesday.A thick security blanket has thrown around the route of the mammoth procession, which passes through the communally-sensitive old city before culminating at Hussain Sagar Lake in the heart of the city. Unprecedented security has been made in view of the communal riots that broke out in the city in March this year and the verdict of Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court in Babri Masjid title suit scheduled for Sep 24. According to Hyderabad Police Commissioner A.K.Khan, military will be on stand-by to meet any contingency. "If necessary, the services of anti-terror force Octopus and armed forces will be utilised," he told reporters. Four companies of paramilitary Rapid Action Force (RAF) will be deployed in addition to the police forces. While the entire 10,000- strong city police force will be deployed, another 15,000 to 20,000 constables from other parts of the state will also be drafted for security. Over 40 officers of the rank of superintendent of police and above will be on duty. Over one million people are expected to attend the annual procession, which starts from Balapur in old city. Nearly 13,000 big idols from Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Cyberabad and surrounding districts will be immersed in the Hussain Sagar. Authorities have installed 50 heavy cranes for immersion of the idols. Hundreds of idols were immersed during last two days. Police have already imposed restrictions under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code banning assembly of four or more people barring those in the Ganesh processions. The orders will be in force till Sep 28. Thirty bomb disposal squads will search vulnerable places along the 20-km long procession route. An equal number of anti-sabotage teams will use 30 sniffer dogs to identify suspicious objects. Massive security will be in place at the historic Mecca Masjid and Charminar in the old city. In the past, communal clashes broke out during the procession in the sensitive areas in the old city. The procession, organised by Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samiti since early 1980s, brings the city to a grinding halt. The main procession route and roads taken by nearly two dozen tributary processions will be closed for traffic.Like in the past, the state government has declared a general holiday in the state capital and the neighbouring Ranga Reddy district fo Anantchaturdashi that marks the close of the 10-day Ganesh festival.
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Murder accused stabbed to death in Andhra court

Hyderabad, Sep 21 : A man accused in a murder case was stabbed to death in a court premises in Andhra Pradesh Tuesday.Kondaiah, who was brought by police to the court for the murder case hearing, was stabbed and killed in full public view in the court complex in Miryalguda town of Nalgonda district, about 150 km from here. Police said the attacker fled after killing the youth. The incident sent panic among litigants and lawyers at the court. According to Kondaiah's relatives, the attacker, Khaja, picked up an argument with him and stabbed him to death as others watched in horror. The motive is still not clear. Police suspect the attack was carried out to settle old scores, and have now launched an investigation. Kondaiah allegedly had extramarital relations with a woman and her relative Khaja stabbed him to take revenge. Kondaiah, hailing from Nagarjunasagar, was allegedly involved in a murder and was brought by police to the court for hearing.
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NFAI organises 'cine course' for journalists from Oct 11

Hyderabad, Sep 21 : With a view to provide systematic inputs on Indian cinema to the working Journalists, National Film Archive of India (NFAI), Pune, is organising a 'cine correspondents' courses' in association with the Film and Television Institute of India.The curriculum includes theoretical study of the art and history of cinema, development of cinema as a medium of art and communication.The course is scheduled from October 11 to 22. The course fee would be Rs 5000 per participant. Working journalists with minimum experience of three years in news organisations in the age group of 25 to 50 years can participate, a release issued here yesterday by the NFAI said.
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