Gold worth Rs.1 crore robbed from Andhra Bank

Hyderabad, May 12: In a major bank heist, robbers broke into an Andhra Bank branch in Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh and took away gold ornaments worth over Rs.one crore.Police said the robbers entered the bank at Guduru, about 75 km from Warangal town, Tuesday night through the back entrance, broke open the lockers and looted the valuables. The robbery came to light when the bank staff came Wednesday morning. Bank officials told police that the gold was kept in the bank by depositors who availed gold loans worth Rs.65 lakh. The robbers did not open another locker which had Rs.10 lakh cash. The bank did not have an alarm system or CCTV cameras, which made the robbers' job easy. ================================================

Sri Krishna Committee wants to know people's pulse on T-issue

Hyderabad, May 12 : Justice B N Sri Krishna, Chairman of the committee appointed by the Centre on the Telangana issue, said the committee's main purpose was to know the people's pulse on Telangana.Addressing a press conference along with the members, Justice Sri Krishna said the committee had heard the views of various political parties, groups, individuals and NGOs and trade sector during the three-day stay in the city which concluded here today.He said the committee had received number of representations from various groups and all were meaningful and excellent inputs.Asked how the committee consider the number of groups in each political party, the Chairmain said ''there is no need for committee to educate the political parties. Committee don't bother about the number of groups in each political party. The main purpose of the committee is to hear the views of the groups and take representations from them, whether it is ''pro-Telangana or anti-Telangana''.The committee would again come to the city on a three-day visit from May 17 and hear the views from various individuals and groups, including students' JAC and others.
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Hyderabad records 45 degrees, highest in 20 years

Hyderabad, May 12 : Hyderabad is in the grip of an intense heat wave, with temperature Wednesday shooting up to 45 degrees, a record in 20 years.

According to the Hyderabad met office, the mercury soared to 45 degrees a day after crossing 44.5 degrees, which was the highest in 11 years. For the third consecutive day, the Andhra Pradesh capital experienced scorching heat, rendering the streets virtually deserted. The city Monday recorded 44 degrees, the highest temperature of the current season. Most people remained indoors to escape the heat while those on the roads covered their heads with scarves and caps. The continuing two-hour electricity shutdown in the city further added to the woes. "The weather has become unbearable. I never felt such heat in Hyderabad," said Ramakrishna Reddy, a young software engineer. The met office has attributed the heat wave conditions in Hyderabad and other parts of the state, especially Telangana, to the northwest winds. According to S.V. Rao of the Hyderabad Meteorological Centre, the hot weather conditions were mainly due to the dry winds generated in Rajasthan and blowing through Maharashtra. Ramagundam and Paloncha in Khammam district became a furnace Wednesday with temperature touching 49 degrees, the highest this season. Ramagundam in the past had recorded 50 degrees. Several other towns in Telangana region recorded temperatures of over 45 degrees. It was 45.6 in Adilabad and Nizamabad, and over 44 in Karimnagar, Warangal and other districts. The temperature is five to six degrees above normal in most parts of Telangana and two to three degrees above normal in Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra. The worst may not be over for Hyderabd as the weather office has forecast that the severe heat wave would continue for the next four to five days.
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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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Congress, MIM, TDP win MLC elections

Hyderabad, May 10 : Congress candidate M S Prabhakar Rao, and candidates of All India Majlis Ittehadul-E-Mulsimeen (AIMIM) S Aminul Hasan Jaffri and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) M Narender Reddy, were elected to the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council from the Loal authorities constituencies of Hyderabad and adjoining Ranga Reddy districts respectively.In a triangular contest for the two seats in Hyderabad district, Congress candidate Prabhakar Rao polled 69 votes, MIM candidate Jaffri secured 59 votes, while TDP candidate Y Mallesam got only one vote. Two votes were rejected out of the total of 127 votes polled.In a straight contest in Ranga Reddy district, Telugu Desam Party candidate M Narender Reddy won the seat by 342 votes against his rival and Congress candidate Kasani Gyaneswar, who got 294 votes. Eight votes were rejected out of total 644 in the elections, which were held on May seven.
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Congress, MIM, TDP win seat each in legislative council

Hyderabad, May 10 : Andhra Pradesh's ruling Congress, its ally Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) and the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Monday won a seat each in the 90-member legislative council.

Congress and MIM candidates were elected in the state capital while TDP bagged the lone seat in neighbouring Ranga Reddy district. The result of the council polls for three seats were announced within couple of hours after the counting began Monday morning. The elections to three seats from Local Authorities Constituencies (LACs) were held on Friday. Congress' M.S. Prabhakar and MIM's Syed Aminul Hasan Jafri were elected in Hyderabad while Narendra Reddy of the TDP emerged victorious in Ranga Reddy district. The result in Hyderabad was a foregone conclusion given the majority Congress and MIM enjoyed in the local body and the poll boycott by the TDP. However, the result in Ranga Reddy came as a jolt to the Congress party as it had gone all out to woo voters, comprising members of zilla parishad and mandal parishad territorial committee members, corporators and councillors. TDP's Narendra Reddy was elected with a margin of 48 votes. TDP bagged 342 votes while Congress polled 294 votes. Eight votes were declared invalid. Out of 653 voters in Ranga Reddy, 644 had cast their votes. In Hyderabad, Congress polled 69 seats and MIM 55. Two votes were declared invalid. Out of the total 157 voters, 126 had exercised their franchise. In a last minute-decision, the TDP had boycotted the polls in Hyderabad making it almost an unopposed election of the Congress and MIM candidates. The TDP's was voicing its protest against election officials not allowing its corporator Raja Singh to cast his vote through postal ballot. Raja Singh, an accused in the recent communal riots in the city, is lodged in Chanchalguda jail. Soon after his victory, MIM candidate and senior journalist Jafri told reporters that he would do his best to solve the problems faced by the people of Hyderabad and its twin city Secunderabad.
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Alert sounded in Andhra coastal region

Hyderabad, May 9: The Andhra Pradesh government Sunday sounded an alert in the entire coastal region following a massive earthquake in Indonesia.People in areas along the coast were asked to vacate while fishermen were warned against venturing into the sea. The sea appeared rough in some areas with high waves and water coming in up to 100 metres in a few places. Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, who is on a visit to Guntur district, asked the collectors of all nine districts to alert the people. Chief Secretary S.V. Prasad informed the chief minister that there was no threat of a tsunami in the Bay of Bengal. After a review of the situation, the chief minister advised collectors to keep people alert without creating a scare. Officials said two to three metre-high tidal waves were likely along the shore. The sea appeared rough in the coastal regions of Visakhapatnam, West Godavari, Krishna, Nellore and Prakasam districts. In the port city of Visakhapatnam, civil and police authorities closed down the shops near the coast and advised tourists to stay away. Fishermen, who were already in the sea, have been asked to return home while others on the coast warned against venturing in, officials said. Control rooms have been opened in the offices of district collectors to monitor the situation. In Sriharikota in Nellore district, which houses the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) space research centre, Coast Guards were alerted. At least 13 mandals or blocks in Nellore district have been put on alert. At Narsapuram and Perupalem in West Godavari district, sea water was seen pouring in over 100 meter area, creating a tsunami scare among people. The situation was similar in some places in Prakasam district. Andhra Pradesh has a nearly 1,000 km-long coastline. The tsunami which struck the region in 2004 following a massive earthquake in Indonesia and other countries had claimed 100 lives and rendered hundreds homeless
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Telugu actor Navdeep arrested for drunken driving

Hyderabad, May 9: In true filmi style, young Telugu film actor P. Navdeep was early Sunday arrested for drunken and rash driving after a hot chase, police said.In a reversal of roles, the hero turned villain when he tried to give the slip to the police after spotting a police team checking vehicles for drunken driving in the posh Banjara Hills area in the early hours of the morning. The incident took place near the Indo-American Cancer Hospital when the actor, who was coming out from a club along with his friend, saw policemen checking vehicles and tried to speed away by driving on the wrong side. The policemen chased the vehicle and tracked it down some distance away. They arrested the actor and made him sit in an auto-rickshaw. As some cameramen tried to capture the scene, the actor behaved rudely with the police and the auto-driver, asking them to move fast. Navdeep had covered his face with the cap of a policeman. Navdeep was taken to the Banjara Hills police station where a case was filed against him for drunken and rash driving. A medical test was conducted on the actor at Gandhi Hospital and he would be produced before a magistrate. Talking to reporters Sunday morning, the actor admitted that he was drunk but claimed that the level of alcohol was within the permissible limits. "Driving on the wrong side is a small thing but it became a big issue due to the presence of the deputy commissioner of police," he said. Deputy Commissioner of Police Stephen Ravindra was leading the police team that was checking the vehicles.
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Purandeswari to launch project to supply eggs to anganwadis

Visakhapatnam, May 8 : Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development Daggubati Purandeswari will today inaugurate a project under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) to distribute eggs to anganwadi centres in North coastal Andhra districts.

Visakhapatnam Layer Farmers Welfare Association(VLFW) has come forward to implement this scheme of providing the nutritious food to children and poor people who are members of anganwadi centres, National Egg Co-ordination Committee (NECC) Zonal Chairman K Vaharala Raju said in a press conference here yesterday.The Centre has decided to provide eight eggs per month to children between the age group of six months to six years and pregnant and lactating women, and Severely malnourished children.Mr Raju said the state government has given the opportunity to district level farmers' body to supply eggs to 3,394 anganwadi centres in the state, thereby generating employment for the people directly or indirectly in the scheme. He appealed to the state government to add boiled eggs to the menu in the Mid-day meal Scheme for school going children as it is a complete nutritious food which helps in their growth. Neighbouring states Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have successfully implemented this Scheme in the Mid-Day meals and getting excellent results, he added.
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Reliance gas row: AP's stand vindicated says CM

Hyderabad May 8 : Welcoming the Supreme Court verdict on the natural gas dispute between the Ambani brothers, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today urged the Centre to allocate a bigger share to the state while allocating gas from the Krishna-Godavari basin.He told reporters here that Andhra Pradesh's stand had been vindicated with the apex court ruling that the Union Government was the owner of natural gas till it reached consumers and the government was competent to fix the price of natural gas.The State had been asserting that it was the Centre which should have a say in allocation of natural gas and fixing of the price of natural gas, he said, adding no explorer could be allowed to take away gas indiscriminately. He expressed confidence that the Centre, while regulating supply and distribution of gas, would give more share to the State.
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Australian delegation assures CM of students safety

Hyderabad, May 7: Australian Trade Minister Simon Crean today assured Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah of the safety and security of Indian students, particularly those from the State.Mr Crean and his team had a meeting with the Chief Minister at Secretariat, an official release here tonight said. The Chief Minister, while discussing trade relations with the Australian Minister, expressed concern about the attack on Indian students in Australia. ''We do understand the anxiety of your government and the anguish of the parents of Indian students here. We underscore the safety of the Indian students. We will take all steps needed in this regard.Students exchange is also important,'' the Australian minister said.The Minister said police presence where the Indian students stay and study would be increased and the Australian Government would see that such incidents did not take place. The delegation also visited the ICRISAT, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Infotech and had meetings with CII in Hyderabad.The Australian Minister said Memorandum of Understanding between Australia and Andhra Pradesh could be signed in the areas of Agriculture, Water Management, Manufacturing and Service Industry, Educational Sector, Coal-based projects and IT among othes. Mr Crean opined Hyderabad was a dynamic city and had a 'wonderful modern' airport at Shamshabad and also Andhra Pradesh was a fast expanding State. The Chief Minister said Andhra Pradesh could take advantage of learning from Australian technologies like massive recycling of water, tapping of solar energy, coal plants. The delegation also included Mr Peter Varghese, Australian High Commissioner, Mr Deborah Stokes, First Asst Secretary, Mr Clinton Porteous, Senior Media Adviser and Ms Gitanjanli Nandan, First Secretary.
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Railways’ Tatkal Reservation Scheme

(PIB NEWS) Tatkal Scheme was initially introduced in December 1997 on a few trains by attaching additional coach and the same was defined in computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) as separate train by suffixing word “T” to the train number. The Tatkal Scheme was comprehensively reviewed in 2004 and revised Tatkal Scheme was introduced extending the same to Sleeper, Air-Conditioned Chair Car, AC-3 tier, AC-2 tier classes in all Mail/Express trains including Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Jan Shatabdi Express trains by earmarking the following accommodation as Tatkal :AC-2 tier -4 berths per coach,AC-3 tier-6 berths per coach, AC Chair Car-6 seats per coach, Sleeper Class - 10 per cent of the accommodation or one coach whichever is less. The Tatkal coaches running in the trains were, however, included in the train service composition. Since the revised Tatkal Scheme was extended to all Mail/Express trains including Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Jan Shatabdi Express trains and in various classes, the availability of general accommodation got reduced to that extent. However, the Tatkal quota so earmarked was also available for the general passenger with the only difference of comparatively reduced Advance Reservation Period. Based on the demand pattern, the berths/seats under Tatkal Scheme were increased in phases on certain trains during the period from 2004-05 to 2008-09 resulting in increased percentage. Simultaneously, general reservation quota also increased during this period on account of introduction of new trains, increasing the frequency and augmenting the load of existing trains etc., which required investment in production of additional coaches. This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways, Shri E. Ahamed in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
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Political parties welcome death sentence to Kasab

Political leaders cutting across party lines Thursday welcomed the death penalty given to terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab for the 26/11 attack and said the Pakistani gunmen must be hanged as soon as possible.Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan welcomed the verdict and said: “I am thankful to the court for taking such a fast decision and that too in a transparent way. Thanks to (Special Prosecutor) Ujjwal Nikam, (police officer) Rakesh Maria, Deven Bharti and the entire team of Mumbai Police.”“Kasab must be hanged as soon as possible,” Chavan added.Deputy Chief Minister Chagan Bhujbal said Kasab’s “heinous crime warranted stricter punishment than capital punishment”.“But he has got what he deserved,” added Bhujbal.“The way Indian law and judicial system conducted this case was simply outstanding. The decision will be welcomed by all Indians and is a warning to India’s enemies,” said Bhujbal.
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Hang Kasab, Afzal Guru together: Togadia

Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab as well as Afzal Guru, a Kashmiri sentenced to death for the 2001 terrorist attack on the Indian parliament, should both be hanged, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Pravin Togadia said Thursday.Welcoming the death sentence given to Kasab by a court in Mumbai, Togadia said: “This is a welcome first step towards bringing Bharat’s culprits to proper justice.”He added: “So also, Afzal Guru has been playing with Indian democracy for long now. Mercy to such people is an insult to Indian democracy. Therefore both Kasab and Afzal Guru must be hanged together and immediately.”Afzal Guru has sought clemency after his death sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court.Togadia also urged the Indian government to cut off diplomatic relations with Pakistan for its involvement in terrorist activities in India.
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Hang Kasab as soon as possible – is the popular sentiment

Now that Ajmal Amir Kasab has been awarded the death penalty he should be hanged soon, was the unanimous sentiment of people everywhere, especially in Mumbai where the 26/11 carnage took place, after the death sentence to the Pakistani terrorist was given Thursday.

In Mumbai, there were celebrations on the streets as people burst firecrackers and distributed sweets to express their joy on Kasab getting the death sentence, while in the national capital most people said the terrorist should be hanged without any delay.As soon as the judgement was given by the Special Court in Mumbai, people began distributing sweets, burst firecrackers and shouted in joy. Kasab, the lone gunman captured alive during the Mumbai terror attack, along with nine other terrorists held the country’s commercial capital to siege in November 2008, killing 166 people and injuring 244.Celebrations were also held outside Special Public Prosecutor Ujjawal’s Nikam hotel in the CST where firecrackers were burst along with the beating of drums. People gathered outside his hotel with garlands and bouquets to felicitate him for his feat.At the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, where Kasab and his associate Abu Ismail massacred over 50 people, many commuters lit a lamp in front of a memorial to the victims.“We are glad Kasab has been awarded the death sentence. It comes as a tribute to all those who lost their lives in the terror attacks at the CST,” said Anil Parmar, a daily commuter.Party workers of the Shiv Sena also burst firecrackers at various places to welcome the death penalty.Members of the National Institute of Jihad Against Atrocities and Terrorism (NIJAAT) distributed sweets to passers by near the Maratha Mandir in Mumbai Central, south Mumbai. “We are glad he has been sentenced to death,” said NIJAAT convenor Haji Hyder Azam.In Mumbai and in New Delhi most people sought immediate execution of the death sentence, with some even saying he should be shot by a firing squad in public.In the western suburbs of Mumbai, people celebrated by distributing sweets to passers by. “This is our way to welcome Kasab’s death sentence. We just hope his execution also takes place soon,” said Ameya S. from suburban Goregaon.Fauzan Umar, 23, a resident of Darya Ganj in the old quarters of Delhi, said that Kasab should have been hanged 17 months ago. “Why have we waited for so long,” said the student who is pursuing software engineering.Speaking in the same vein, Umar added the judgement showed that “justice has been done to those people who had died in the Mumbai massacre. This shows our judicial system is still effective and credible.”Simmy Hasija, 21, demanded that both Kasab and Afzal Guru, sentenced to death in the December 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament, be hanged together as “both are cold blooded murderers”.“He (Kasab) should be hanged immediately. No punishment can ever suffice his actions. Even after killing so many people he used to shamelessly smile in the court. Moreover, crores of taxpayers money has been spent on his security. It’s high time that we should put an end to this nonsense,” Hasija said.Kriti Mehra, a HR trainee with a private company, said she hoped that Kasab’s appeals in various courts should not become a way to give him more time to live.“He may appeal in a higher court which will again take many more years. People of India will be satisfied the day he is hanged,” he added.

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Family of Indian student killed in US car crash shocked

Hyderabad, May 7: A pall of gloom has descended on the residence of Praneetha Devi Kasani, an MS student who was killed in a car accident in West Virginia in the US.The family of the 22-year-old student is in a state of shock after learning that she died while driving back home to Ohio from West Virginia. Five others accompanying her were also injured in the crash that occurred Thursday morning. Puneeth Reddy Amarella, who was driving, reportedly lost control of his car and crashed it into another vehicle. Praneetha's father Ramarao Kasani, who works as a circle inspector of police in Falaknuma traffic police station here, was inconsolable. He could not believe that his daughter, who had gone to the US only six months ago, was no more. Dozens of relatives and family friends reached his house in Karman Ghat neighbourhood to console Praneetha's parents and her sister. Family members said Praneetha had gone to the US in December last year after completing her B.Tech here. She had enrolled for MS Electrical Engineering at Wright State University, Ohio. Family members of Praneetha said they hoped that the body would be flown home by next Tuesday.
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AP govt withhelds retirement benefits of corrupt official

Hyderabad, May 7 : The Andhra Pradesh government has withheld pension and gratuity in full of a Mandal Education Officer in Athmakur in Nalgonda district and dismissed from service a Mandal Revenue Inspector following conviction in graft cases.The Mandal Education officer, Mohamed Shamshad Ali, was sentenced to one year rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1,500 and in default six months simple imprisonment each by the Additional Special Judge for SPE and ACB cases here. The officer was trapped by the officials of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on April 18, 2002 when he demanded and accepted a bribe of Rs 3,000 from the complainant, for doing an official favour in signing on the Group Insurance Claim file of the father of the complainant who retired as Primary School Head Master from Chada. In another case, A Kasiram, Additional Mandal Revenue Inspector, formerly of Hayatnagar Mandal, Ranga Reddy District was dismissed from service following his conviction in ACB trap case, a release said here.
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Mass marriage for poor Sikh youths

Hyderabad, May 7 : The Prabhandak Committee of Gurudwara Saheb Barambala will perform 'Samuhik Vivaha' (Mass marriages), free of cost for economically poor Sikh youths on May 8 and 9.''Sagai'' for brides and bridegrooms will be performed on May 8, at 1100 hrs and 1900 hrs, followed by ''Lawan Phere'' (solemnising of marriage) at 1130 hrs on May 9, at Gurudwara Saheb Barambala, Sikh Chawniat, Maharaja Ranjeet Singh Nagar, Kishanbagh here, a Prabhandak Committee release said here today.Committee President S Harbans Singh said only Gurmukh and Amrit Dhari Sikhs would be allowed for marriages.
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BJP wants separation of NPR from census

Hyderabad, May 7 : Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and MP M.Venkaiah Naidu today urged the Centre to seperate of the ongoing census survey from the process of collecting information for compiling National Population Register to 'prevent infiltrators from across the border getting into NPR and claim citizenship later.' Addressing a press conference here, he said 'there is every scope for individuals from other countries entering the NPR by declaring themselves as Indian national.' 'The provision for self-declaration is very dangerous,' he said.It was unfortunate that the Centre had put the onus on a complainant to prove that a particular person is not an Indian national, he said and feared that indigenous people would become minority in their own country if this was allowed.He contended that infiltrators from across the border in a systematic manner first get their names enrolled in ration cards and voters list in the country before getting citizenship.The then Home Minister Inderjit Gupta had told Parliament that there were one crore infilitrators living in the country, he said, adding their number would have now increased several folds.
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Ensure speedy execution of Kasab, Venkaiah urges Centre

Hyderabad, May 7 : Criticising the Centre for the 'prolonged' delay in execution of death sentence awarded to Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, Senior BJP leader and MP M Venkaiah Naidu today urged the Centre to ensure speedy execution of Pakistani gunman Ajmal Kasab sentenced to death by a special court in Mumbai.Expressing happiness over the judiciary awarding punishment to Kasab quickly and in a transparent manner yesterday, he told a press conference here that ''Kasab deserves no mercy. Political leadership should not come in the way of hanging Kasab.'' In the case of Afzal Guru, more than six years has lapsed, he noted.President Pratibha Patel was bound by advice of the Union Cabinet and it should expedite execution of the death sentence, he said, adding that it was unfortunate that religious colour was being given even to terrorist strikes.
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Biennial Election to the Council of States from the State of Andhra Pradesh

(PIB NEWS) The term of office of 6 (six) members of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) elected from the State of Andhra Pradesh, is due to expire on their retirement as detailed below :-Name of Member,Date of retirement,and Party affiliation ,

1)Shri Girish Sangi, 21.06.2010 INC
2)Shri Jesudasu Seelam, 21.06.2010- INC
3)Shri Jairam Ramesh, 21.06.2010- INC
4)Shri Penumalli Madhu, 21.06.2010 -CPI(M)
5)Dr. N.Janardhana Reddy, 21.06.2010- INC
6)Shri V.Hanumanta Rao, 21.06.2010 -INC
2. The Commission has decided to hold the biennial election to the Council of States from the State of Andhra Pradesh in accordance with the following programme:-.
Issue of Notifications 28th May, 2010 (Friday) Last date of making nominations 04th June. 2010 (Friday) Scrutiny of nominations 05th June, 2010 (Saturday) Last date for withdrawal of candidatures 07th June, 2010 (Monday) Date of poll 14th June, 2010 (Monday) Hours of poll 9.00 A.M. to 4.00 P.M Counting of Votes14th June, 2010 (Monday) at 5.00 PM Date before which election shall be completed.17th June, 2010 (Thursday)
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Smt. Ambika Soni Condles Death of TV Reporter Ajay Tiwari

(PIB NEWS) The Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Smt. Ambika Soni has condoled the tragic demise of Shri Ajay Tiwari who died while covering a major fire in the capital yesterday.In her message Smt. Soni said that in Shri Tiwari’s death Indian journalism has lost promising talent. Shri Tiwari died in the line of his duty maintaining the highest tradition of television journalism, the Minister added.
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Political pressure will not work on me, says Srikrishna

Hyderabad, May 6 : Justice B.N. Srikrishna, who heads a five-member panel formed by the central government to look into the demand for a Telangana state, Thursday said political pressure will not work on him.The former Supreme Court judge, who was here along with other members the panel for consultations with various socio-cultural groups, said this when a reporter asked him if he was under any political pressure. "In all my life nobody including my parents, let alone politicians, dared to pressure me," Srikrishna said. His remarks assume significance in the context of the civil war threat by the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and comments by some political leaders that the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government would force the committee to give a report of its liking. TRS has warned that there would be civil war if a Telangana state was not carved out after the Srikrishna committee submits its report. The retired judge said the panel would hear the views of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) and Muslim League May 10, 11 and 12. The committee, which has heard the views of TRS, two Left parties and Praja Rajyam Party will hold consultations with the ruling Congress party May 17 and 18. He said Congress leaders from both Andhra and Telangana regions would appear before the committee to submit their arguments. The committee Thursday heard the views of socio-cultural organisations from both Andhra and Telangana regions. On the first day of their two-day visit, the committee heard the arguments by Andhra Intellectuals Forum against state's bifurcation. It also met representatives of Telangana Jagruti and Telangana Writers Association demanding a separate state.
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Child born with heart outside body dies

Hyderabad, May 6 : A child born with his heart outside his body in Andhra Pradesh's Kadapa district died at a hospital here Thursday, less than 24 hours after birth.The baby boy whose heart was atop his chest died a few hours after he was shifted to Care Hospital here for corrective surgery. Doctors said the child born with Ectopia Cordis, a condition where the heart develops outside the body. A team of doctors was preparing for the corrective surgery when he succumbed to his rare condition. The doctors said the child was brought in a critical condition from Kadapa district, about 400 km from here. He was born Wednesday and was examined at Proddatur Government Hospital before being shifted to Hyderabad. According to doctors one in 200,000 children are born with Ectopia Cordis due to genetic disorders but the diagnosis during pregnancy can help in treatment.
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Statement by US President on World Press Freedom Day

(Deccan Samachar Service) US President Barak Obama addressed several crucial issues in his World Press Freedom Day address, including the sobering number of journalists who were murdered in the past year and the unacceptable levels of impunity these crimes are confronted with.President Obama mentioned several countries where press freedom takes a especially brutal beating year in and year out, such as China, Ethiopia, Iran and Venezuela. But he also mentioned a country that this blog follows closely and that all too often gets an international pass for its blatant abuses and harassment of journalists.That country is Tunisia, and we welcome the president's bringing attention to several regimes notorious for their alarming proclivity to jailing journalists, including President Ben Ali's.Here is the full text of the statement:World Press Freedom Day is observed every year on May 3 to remind us of the critical importance of this core freedom. It is a day in which we celebrate the invaluable role played by the media in challenging abuses of power, identifying corruption, and informing all citizens about the important issues that shape our world. It is also a day for us to sound the alarm about restrictions on the media as well as the threats, violence or imprisonment of many of its members and their families because of their work.Last year was a bad one for the freedom of the press worldwide. While people gained greater access than ever before to information through the Internet, cell phones and other forms of connective technologies, governments like China, Ethiopia, Iran, and Venezuela curtailed freedom of expression by limiting full access to and use of these technologies.Moreover, more media workers were killed for their work last year than any year in recent history. The high toll was driven in large part by the election-related killings of more than 30 journalists in the Philippine province of Maguindanao, the deadliest single event for the press in history, along with murders of journalists in Russia, Somalia, Mexico and Honduras. In this year, like in other years, nearly three out of four of the journalists killed were local news-gatherers who were murdered in their own nations.Chauncey Bailey was one such local journalist. A tireless reporter who covered his own city of Oakland, California, Bailey was widely respected for his many exposés of abuse and corruption. He was gunned down 3 years ago, near his office, while taking a homeless man to breakfast. A trial of the alleged perpetrator is scheduled to begin this summer. Such accountability is critical to deterring further attacks. I note with concern that the murderers of journalists succeed in avoiding responsibility for their crimes in nearly nine out of ten cases, and urge fellow governments to address this problem.Even more journalists and bloggers find themselves imprisoned in nations around the world. Iran, following its crackdown on dissent after the last elections, now has more journalists behind bars than any other nation. Governments in Belarus, Burma, China, Cuba, Eritrea, North Korea, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, and Venezuela imprisoned journalists who wrote articles critical of government leaders and their policies.But for every media worker who has been targeted there are countless more who continue to inform their communities despite the risks of reprisal. On World Press Freedom Day, we honor those who carry out these vital tasks despite the many challenges and threats they face as well as the principle that a free and independent press is central to a vibrant and well-functioning democracy.  (Interesting Times)================================================

Sainik School in Andhra Pradesh

(PIB NEWS) The Government of Andhra Pradesh has requested for opening of a new Sainik School in the State. A proposal for establishment of the new Sainik School in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh has received from the State Government in November 2007. The sites identified by the State Government for the purpose were inspected and not found suitable. The State Government was requested in July 2008 to identify fresh sites which meet the requirements but has not yet offered any fresh sites for the purpose. This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in written reply to Shri M.V. Mysura Reddy in Rajya Sabha today.
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Park and Ride Bus Service for Central Secretariat Complex

(PIB NEWS) Union Minister for Urban Development, Shri Jaipal Reddy today flagged off a free “Park and Ride” bus service for Central Government office complex to ease out parking problem and reduce inconvenience to visiting public and officials. On the occasion, Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Sheila Dixit and MoS Urban Development, Shri Saugata Roy were also present.Inaugurating the service Shri Reddy said it would help visitors to Government offices who find it difficult to get parking+ slot in the compounds of Government buildings besides providing comfortable transport to the Government officials to visit other offices for meeting and other official work. The service has been started by the Ministry of Urban Development in collaboration with Govt. of NCT and CPWD. Now the visitor to the Government offices can park their cars in the parking lot of C-Haxagon and take a bus ride to any of the Government building located on either side of Rajpath. Similarly employees commuting through metro can take the ride from metro station to their offices. Government officers can visit other ministries without taking their official or personal car through the low floor AC bus under the service. The service will start from C-Haxagon (India Gate) and will run to and fro various Central Government offices located on either side of Rajpath. It will have two routes P-1 and P-2 in clockwise and anti-clockwise direction respectively. Route 1 will start from Haxagon and will pass through Jamnagar House, Vigyan Bhawan, Nirman Bhawan, Vayu Bhawan, Rail Bhawan, Red Cross, Transport Bhawan, North Block to Haxagon. Route 2 from Haxagon to Andhra Bhawan, IGNCA, Shastri Bhawan, Krishi Bhawan, Udyog Bhawan, ‘G’ Block, Sena Bhawan, South Block to Haxagon.
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Andhra Pradesh seeks sister state ties with Washington

Hyderabad, May 5 : Andhra Pradesh is keen to have a sister state relationship with the state of Washington in the US in view of several perceptible similarities between the two states. Chief Minister K. Rosaiah Wednesday said his government wished to seek a sister state relationship with the state of Washington. He was speaking to a business delegation from Andhra Pradesh which is leaving for the US Wednesday night. Rosaiah hoped that it will be a win-win situation for Andhra Pradesh and Washington when the sister-state relations become a reality. The delegation led by the deputy speaker of the state assembly will showcase Andhra Pradesh in all its diversities along with its industrial incentives. There is a conducive atmosphere in the state for investment in various spheres. The investors could take advantage of the new industrial policy which offers the best incentives in the country, the chief minister said. The delegation will explore common areas of interest between the two states in various fields like trade, commerce, industry, education and culture. In a message to people of Washington, Rosaiah invited them to experience the investor and tourist friendly ambience of Andhra Pradesh. He pointed out that multinational giants like Microsoft, Dell, IBM, Deloitte, HSBC, Wells Fargo, Amazon and Google already have state-of-art facilities in Hyderabad and Facebook recently announced plans to set up its first Asian operations here.
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Gayatri Projects Limited bags Rupees 2,200 crore road project

Hyderabad, May 05 : Gayatri Projects Limited (GPL), the Hyderabad-based leading Infrastructure Company has secured a road project worth Rupees 2,200 crore that involves four laning of Hyderabad-Karimnagar-Ramagundam road under public-private partnership on BOT basis.The project has been awarded by Andhra Pradesh Road Development Corporation (APSRTC) and the construction would be completed in 30 months.The project would be executed on a design, construct, finance, operate and maintenance (toll) basis with a concession period of 25 years, including the construction period.The concessioning authority would provide an equity support of Rs 454 crore.Managing Director, Gayatri Projects Limited Mr. Sandeep Reddy, in a statement said, The order from APSRTC validates the company's core competency in the road construction sector. Gayatri Projects Limited would share its responsibility in developing the state's infrastructure.
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World telecom conference to adopt action plan

Hyderabad, May 5 : A world telecommunication development conference here later this month will assess the growth of information and communication technologies (ICT) and adopt an action plan for the next four years to bring in benefits to all communities of the world.Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to inaugurate the event being organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations agency. "A key objective is to promote international cooperation, regional initiatives and partnerships that can sustain and strengthen telecommunication infrastructure and institutions in developing countries," said a statement by the Geneva-based ITU. Beginning May 24, the event will continue till June 4. It will be attended by heads of state and government, ministers, heads of international organisations, development banks, regulatory agencies and private companies. The event would focus on issues like broadband connectivity, digital broadcasting, open source software, cyber security, E-accessibility for people with disabilities, e-applications in health care, human capacity building and emergency communications.
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Govt taking measures for women empowerment : CM

Hyderabad, May 5 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today said the state government has initiated several measures for women empowerment and child protection.Launching the AP State Society for Protection and Empowerment of Women and Children and Integrated Child Protection scheme of the Women Development and Child Welfere department here, he said the Centre and the State government had taken effective measures for the empowerment of women and child protection. Voicing concern over incidents of women harassment and child abuse, he said the departments concerned should strictly enforce the law to punish the guilty.Expressing displeasure over the prevalence of gender discrimination, he urged the parents to treat both male and female child in an equal manner.Stating that trafficking of human beings for sexual exploitation was a heinous crime, he said the state government was committed to prevent it and take steps for the welfare and rehabilitation of the victims.
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Max temperatures soar, despite rains in AP

Hyderabad, May 5 : The maximum temperatures rose at a few places over Telangana and at one or two places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh (CAP) and Rayalaseema, despite isolated rains in several parts of CAP and Telanganna.According to Weather office here today, the maximum temperatures were above normal at a few places over CAP and normal over Telangana and Rayalaseema.Rain occurred at a few places over Rayalaseema, while isolated rain occurred over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.Rajampet recorded five cm rainfall, followed by Kollapur four cm, Pakala, Palamaner, Puttur, Venkatagiri Kota two each and Tirupathi, Alur, Yemmiganur, Chintalapudi, Kuppam, Peddapuram, Prathipadu and Udayagiri one each.The highest maximum temperature of 43 degrees Celsius was recorded at Rentachintala.The weather office predicted that isolated rain or thundershowers might occur over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and Telangana.
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ISNA Commends Efforts of Law Enforcement, Condemns Attempted Bombing at Times Square, and Lauds Alert Citizens

(Deccan Samachar Service)May,5. The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) joins the Muslim American community and the rest of our fellow citizens in expressing its appreciation of the outstanding work done by the various law enforcement agencies in investigating and apprehending the alleged perpetrator(s) of the botched attack on New York and its residents.At the same time, ISNA condemns in the strongest terms the planned attack on innocent city-dwellers of every race and creed. The attack, described by the alleged sponsors as a sort of "pay-back" or "revenge", is "inexcusable and without any justification in Islam or authentic Muslim tradition", said Dr. Ingrid Mattson, president of ISNA. "Even the murder of a single innocent person is abhorrent and in direct contradiction to the clear and unequivocal teachings of our faith (Quran Chapter 5,Verse 32), let alone the mass murder of unsuspecting innocent bystanders in a crowded square", she added. ISNA is thankful to the vigilance of alert and loyal residents of New York city including Senegalese Muslim Aliou Niasse, who first noticed and pointed out the suspicious smoke coming from the vehicle, Lance Orton, who called the police, and Officers Wayne Rhatigan and Pam Duffy for acting swiftly and courageously to contain the damage and prevent the loss of life and limb of fellow Americans.ISNA asks Muslim Americans to stay true to their faith in rejecting any ideas or actions that tolerate or attempt to justify the use of terrorism for any purpose or by any group. ISNA also calls on them to stand with their fellow Americans in securing the homeland against any terrorist acts. =========================================================

India likely to give Kasab judgment copy to Pakistan

India is likely to provide Pakistan a copy of the judgment of the Mumbai special court that held Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. According to home ministry sources, the judgment will help the Pakistan government take action against Jamaat-ud-dawa chief Hafiz Saeed and Laskhar-e-Taiba commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, the masterminds of the Mumbai attack that left 166 people dead and 244 injured.While Lakhvi is in Pakistani custody, Saeed is still free.A special court in Mumbai Monday pronounced Kasab, the lone terrorist caught alive during the Nov 26-29 carnage, guilty while acquitting two Indian co-accused — Fahim Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed. The quantum of punishment is likely to be announced Thursday.The court also found the involvement of 20 other Pakistanis, including Lakhvi, Saeed and Abu Hamza, in the 26/11 terror attack.India has given several dossiers to Pakistan, urging strong action against Hafiz Saeed. Pakistan has, however, claimed that the evidence provided was not strong enough to stand scrutiny in court.
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Andhra Pradesh Govt rejects CPI request on Bhargava Report

Hyderabad, May 4 : The Deputy Secretary and Public-Information Officer, Government of Andhra Pradesh, rejected the petition filed by the State Unit of Communist Party of India (CPI) Secretary K Narayana urging for the copy of 41-year-old report of Bhargava Commission, constituted by the State Government pertaining to the income and expenditure on Telangana Region.The Deputy Secretary, in a reply dated April 30 addressed to Mr Narayana,said report of the Bhargava Commission, which was constituted in 1969 by the State Government, had been examined and they were unable to provide the information in terms of orders issued by the Centre as the information sought was to 41-years old and no records had been traced out at government level.When the government rejected his plea, Mr Narayana today addressed a letter to the Chairman of the Srikrishna Commission, Mr Justice Sri Krishna, urging him to direct the Andhra Pradesh Government to submit the Bhargava Commission Report before the Commission and also give a copy to him in the interest of the justice.In the letter, Mr Narayana said Bhargava Commission report was an important document to strenghthen the reports and arguments of the party on the Telangana issue.''Since the State Government had rejected the party's plea, ''We request you to procure the report,'' CPI Secretary added in the letter.
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ACB raids residence of Ranga Reddy Joint Collector

Hyderabad, May 4 : Sleuths of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) today raided the residence of Joint Collector of Ranga Reddy District of Andhra Pradesh. According to ACB Joint Director Sampath Kumar, properties worth Rs four crore, including bank balance and cash of Rs 15 lakh were recovered during the raid from the residence Jewells recovered at Joint Collector M. Jagan Mohan's house in Hyderabad on Tuesday. Photo: Special Arrangement of Joint Collector Dr M.Jagan Mohan(IAS) here.The Joint Collector owned six residential flats, an equal number of house plots, one-and-half kg gold jewellery and LIC premiums worth Rs 15 lakh.Raids were still continuing in his residences and the relatives of the Joint Collector.Further details were awaited.        (photo by "the hindu")

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Police nab Lashkar militant in Hyderabad,

Hyderabad, May 4 : Andhra Pradesh Police arrested a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) operative here on Tuesday.The militant has been identified as Mohammad Zia Ul Haq alias Abu Abdullah.Addressing the media persons A K Khan, Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad, said that the militant was planning to commit a major incident in the twin cities (Hyderabad and Secunderabad). "He was trying to commit a big action in Hyderabad. After an alert, and also after working out the information today he has been picked up along with the explosives and the fire arm that he had," said Khan.He further said that this militant was involved in the blast that took place at Odeon Theatre in the city during 2006.Reportedly, Zia Ul Haq was studying in Saudi Arabia where he was roped in by the LeT operatives.Two Chinese grenades, one Chinese 7.4 pistol with 6 rounds and one LG cell phone was recovered from his possession.
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Lahkar-e-Taiba operative jailed for 14 days,

Hyderabad, May 4: A city court Tuesday sent an alleged operative of Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) to judicial custody for two weeks a day after he was arrested.Mohammed Zia-ul-Haq, who was arrested by the Hyderabad police Monday, was presented before the VIIIth additional metropolitan magistrate Tuesday evening. The accused, who allegedly underwent arms training in Pakistan, was shifted to Cherlapally Jail on the city outskirts after the magistrate remanded him in judicial custody. Police claimed that 34-year-old Zia was planning attacks "to inflict maximum damage". Police Commissioner A.K. Khan, however, said he had no specific targets. Zia, a native of Adilabad district in Andhra Pradesh and residing here for the last several years, was arrested on the Andhra Pradesh-Karnataka border. His arrest came amid reported warnings by central intelligence agencies about possible terror attacks in the city. Two grenades of Chinese make, one 7.4 mm pistol with six rounds and a cell phone were recovered from him. According to the police commissioner, Zia was also involved in the grenade attack in Odeon Cinema theatre in Hyderabad in 2006. Two people were injured in the attack. Police claimed that he was trying to revive his contacts with LeT handlers. He was tasked to cause explosions in Hyderabad by using the remaining material - two grenades and a pistol.
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Top Andhra official held for corruption

Hyderabad, May 4: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Andhra Pradesh Tuesday arrested a top official in Hyderabad for possessing assets disproportionate to his income.Sleuths of the ACB searched the office and residences of Ranga Reddy district Joint Collector M. Jaganmohan and recovered assets worth over a staggering Rs.20 crore. Jaganmohan, promoted from the state service to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), was arrested after series of raids on his office and residences in Hyderabad and other parts of Andhra Pradesh. ACB officials said he would be presented before a magistrate. During the raids, which began early Tuesday morning at his residence in the posh Banjara Hills, ACB officials recovered 1.5 kg gold, Rs.15 lakh in cash, documents relating to payment of Rs.10 lakh as premium of insurance policies. ACB Joint Director Sampat Kumar told reporters that Jaganmohan owns two independent houses, four flats and land at six places in and around Hyderabad. ACB officials said they were yet to open three bank lockers of the joint collector and verify his bank accounts. They said the ACB registered a case against the joint collector for having assets disproportionate to his known source of income. The raids were conducted by the ACB on a complaint that the joint collector is involved in corruption. Jaganmohan, a state cadre official who was promoted to IAS rank, is one of the top officials to be arrested for graft in recent months. In February this year, Andhra Pradesh assembly special secretary K. Gopalakrishna was arrested by the ACB for corruption and assets worth Rs.15 crore were seized from him. In 2008, the ACB arrested fisheries department executive engineer V. Suryanarayana and recovered assets worth Rs.30 crore from him.
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Kasab – how a poor Pakistani became India’s terror nightmare

From the bylanes of a village in Pakistan to a heavily guarded prison cell in Mumbai as India’s most wanted terrorist, Ajmal Amir Kasab had indeed come a long way in his 23 years. The lone Pakistani terrorist to be caught alive after the 26/11 terror attack was Monday held guilty, closing one more chapter in his troubled life.Kasab, who became the face of the 2008 Mumbai mayhem that left 166 people dead with shots of his casually striding into the Chhattrapati Shivaji Terminus with a gun and a backback captured on CCTV that has remain imprinted in public memory, was indoctrinated into the Lashkar-e-Taiba after he left home following a fight with his parents.It was Nov 26, 2008. The heavily armed Kasab, who was Monday held guilty on 83 of 86 charges by a special court, with nine other terrorists had sneaked into India’s buzzing financial and entertainment capital from Pakistan to unleash 60 hours terror that shook India. He was the only one to be arrested while the rest of his group were gunned down by security personnel.Born to poverty in Faridkot village in Okara district in Pakistan’s Punjab province in 1987, he left school because his parents couldn’t afford it.When he was barely in his teens, he shifted to Lahore and began to live with his elder brother.A fight with his parents in 2005 changed his life and a determined Kasab vowed never to return.He began working as a labourer and then took to petty crime to earn quick money. It was during these days that Kasab was indoctrinated into the LeT and underwent the terror group’s basic training, the Daura-e-Aam.He did well in the basic course and was selected for advanced combat training – the Daura-e-Khaas.Kasab was then selected with nine others to undergo special training where they would learn about commando warfare and navigation.They carefully studied the layout of Mumbai before embarking on a journey that would end in a terror strike, leading to a new low in the relations between the two nuclear armed nations.
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Muslim groups demand fresh probe into"Mecca Masjid blast"

Hyderabad, May 3: Muslim groups in Hyderabad have demanded a fresh probe into the 2007 bomb blast at Mecca Masjid in view of the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) revelation that the 2007 blasts at the historic mosque and the Ajmer shrine were linked.The CBI and Rajasthan's Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) believe that the  blast at the Hyderabad mosque and the Khwaja Moinuddin Chisthi dargah in Ajmer are the handiwork of same group. The CBI, which is probing the Mecca Masjid blast, reportedly got some leads after the Rajasthan ATS arrested Devender Gupta and Chandrasekhar Patidar of the Hindu group Abhinav Bharat in connection with the Oct 11, 2007 blast at the Ajmer dargah that killed three and injured 30 people. The Mecca Masjid blast May 18 the same year had claimed claimed nine lives. Five people had died in subsequent police firing on protestors near the mosque. Muslim groups are now demanding that the CBI reopen the mosque blast case and probe the involvement of Hindu activists, including Col P.S. Purohit and Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, who also belong to Abhinav Bharat and are accused in a 2008 bombing in Malegaon in Maharashtra that killed six people. The Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM), the key Muslim political party here, has called for a "thorough probe" to unravel the truth. MIM leaders alleged investigating authorities were going soft on the real culprits and hence no progress could be made for three years. They pointed out that no sincere efforts were made to probe the involvement of Hindu terrorist groups and interrogate Sadhavi, Purohit and other accused in the Malegaon blast. Tameer-e-Millat, a Muslim socio-religious organization, has urged the government to reopen the case. It regretted that five minutes after the blast the police, without even initial probe, blamed the Harkatul Jihad-e-Islami (HuJI) and other organisations belonging to some Muslim countries. "It appears some police officials did not want the investigations into the involvement of Hindu outfits," the group said in a statement. Home Minister P. Chidambaram had said during his visit to Hyderabad last year that the Mecca Masjid blast case had turned "cold" as the two primary suspects were dead. Police claimed that Shahid Bilal, a key suspect in the case, was killed in a shootout in Pakistan a few weeks after the mosque blast. Shahid, a native of the city, was allegedly working for the HuJI. Another suspect was also presumed dead. Immediately after the blast in the 17th century mosque, the police blamed Bilal, who was also considered the mastermind behind the terror attacks in other parts of south India during last few years. The Tameer-e-Millat also alleged that police concocted a story that the blasts in Lumbini Pak and Gokul Chat were carried out to avenge the blast at Mecca Masjid. The near simultaneous blasts at Lumbini Park and a popular eatery Gokul Chat in Hyderabad Aug 25, 2007 had killed 43 people. "It is surprising that the alleged accused in the twin blasts were arrested but the culprits in Mecca Masjid blast are still at large," it said. Muslim groups have also demanded action against police officials who blamed Muslim youths for the Mecca Masjid blast, arrested and tortured them. They pointed out that the police also conducted narco analysis test on some innocent Muslim youths and demanded their immediate release.
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Temp soar at many places in coastal Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad, May 3 : The temperatures rose at many places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, at a few places over Rayalaseema and one or two places over Telangana.According to Met office here maximum temperature was above normal at one or two places over coastal AP and normal over Telangana and Rayalaseema.Isolated rain occurred over Telangana and Rayalaseema. Weather has been dry over the coastal Andhra Pradesh.Rainfall recorded in cm: Rayadurg 3, Hakimpet, Kadiri, Pulivendala and Vikarabad 2 each and Dummagudem, Kalyandurg and Tandur one each.The highest maximum temperature of 43 degrees Celsius was recorded at Rentachintala. The weather office said isolated rain or thundershowers would occur over Telangana, Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra Pradesh.
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Confer Nat status for Polavam, Pranhita-Chevella projects:TDP

Hyderabad, May 3: Telugu Desam Party President N Chandrababu Naidu today urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to confer 'National Project' status to Pranahita-Chevella and Polavaram projects.In a letter to Prime Minister, copy of which was made available to the press here, Mr Naidu urged him to help the people of the state in fulfilling the long pending demands for conferring National Project status to the two projects.'I wish to impress upon you the need to confer the status of ''National project'' to Indira Sagar Irrigation Projct (Polavaram Project) and the B R Ambedkar Pranahita-Chevella Sujala Ssravanthi (Pranahita-Chevella project) of Andhra Pradesh as a special case.' Both these projects were very crucial and unless the Union Government supports by treating them as National projects, it would be very difficult for the state government to complete these two projects in the near future, he said.The Polavaram project, which has been pending for long, caters to the needs of people in number of districts providing irrigation to nearly 7 lakh acres in the state and power generation. Similarly, Prajanihta-Chevella project was aimed at providing irrigation to 16.40 lakh acres in seven drought-prone districts of the state apart from drinking water supply to capital city.'In the name of 'Jalayanam', the state government has so far spent Rs 51,000 crore during the last five years without expansion of irrigation facilities which was pointed by the Planning Commission also. It is estimated that another Rs two lakh crore are needed to complete all these projects,''Mr Naidu pointed out.Under these circumastances, the state government could not complete these priority projects on its own, he added.
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3 killed, 2 injured in road accident,

Hyderabad, May 3: Three people were killed and two injured when the car in which they were travelling was hit by a lorry at Gunagalla-Nagarjuna Sagar road at Yacharam in Ranga Reddy district today.According to police, five persons were travelling in a car to Brahmanapalli in Mahaboobnagar district to attend a marriage function when the lorry coming from the opposite direction dashed against the car killing two persons on the spot. Another person succumed to injuries while being shifted to hospital.The other two injured were admitted to local hospital, police added.
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Judgement Day for 26/11 terrorist

Almost one-and-a-half years after 10 Pakistani terrorists struck in the heart of India’s financial and entertainment capital, the country is waiting anxiously for the verdict Monday on Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone gunman captured alive in the bloody 60-hour siege whose live TV coverage had much of the world in thrall.Mumbai Special Judge M.L.Tahilyani  will deliver his judgement  in the case that has seen as many as 653 witnesses being examined, a 675-page written submission being filed and several ups and downs – even as Kasab stayed in a high security cell.On Monday, Kasab will be pronounced guilty or otherwise. Then the quantum of sentence will be argued before the court and the actual punishment will be awarded. The maximum punishment Kasab can get is death penalty.The case may or may not go into the higher courts depending on the judgement.The audacious attack Nov 26, 2008, targeted sites like the World Heritage building of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel, Hotel Oberoi-Trident, the Cama Hospital and the Chabad House, a Jewish prayer centre, and the favourite haunt of foreigners, Leopold Café.
The assault and the massacre that followed stunned the world and left 166 people dead and 244 injured.Kasab’s trial, which started April 15, 2009, was completed March 31 this year, after nearly seven months of hearing, excluding breaks and vacations. The prosecution case was led by Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam.The witnesses included many survivors of the terror attacks, eyewitnesses, family members of the victims, police officials, several foreign nationals, Indian security officials and officials from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).The high-profile trial revolved around Kasab and two Indian co-accused, Fahim Ansari and Sabahuddin Ahmed.Kasab has been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including waging war against the nation. Besides, he faces charges under the Explosives Act, the Arms Act, the Passport Act, the Prevention of Damage to Public Properties Act, the Customs Act, the Explosive Substances Act, the Bombay Police Act, the Foreigners Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.The two Indian co-accused have been charged with conspiracy in the terror attacks – preparing maps of the targeted locations and handing these to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives.The trio was lodged in Arthur Road Central Jail premises in south Mumbai where an air-conditioned Special Court was also set up for the trial, as part of security measures.Kasab was lodged in a solitary ‘anda’ (oval) cell which was reinforced with layers of cement and steel capable of thwarting any major attacks or bomb blast.Several roads outside the jail were made out of bounds for the general public or limited access was granted to vehicles after a thorough security check even before the trial as Kasab and his cohorts were lodged there.A small section of the ongoing Mumbai metro railway project was also held up as it was close to the jail premises.Kasab had come to Mumbai via the Arabian Sea route with nine other associates, all of whom were killed during the 60-hour operation by combined security forces. Their bodies were preserved in the morgue of Sir J.J. Hospital, barely a couple of kilometres away from Arthur Road Central Jail.The Maharashtra government quietly disposed of the bodies in January this year. So far details of how and where the bodies were disposed of continue to elude the media.Kasab seemed to enjoy the trial. At various times, he was seen laughing and giggling in court. He also complained of bad food, illness and attempts to poison him.He made demands for things like perfumes, soaps, newspapers, permission to offer ‘namaz’ and new clothes – many of them rejected by the Special Court. All this prompted Nikam to call Kasab “an actor par excellence” several times.The accused showed all his moods – sombre at times, jovial and cheerful often, crying at times, shocked and awed when shown some of the evidence or by the accounts of witnesses.In July last year, Kasab grabbed headlines by ‘confessing’ to his crimes in the 26/11 attacks.“Hang me, please,” Kasab pleaded two days after he made a dramatic confession and gave a chilling blow-by-blow account of his part in the attacks.“I have committed the crimes on this earth and the people of the world should punish me. I don’t want god’s punishment. But, if somebody feels that I have confessed to escape the death penalty, the court can definitely hang me,” Kasab pleaded.Later, he demanded a trial in an international court of justice, saying he had no faith in the Indian courts, while co-accused Ansari demanded video-recording of the entire trial.The special judge promptly dismissed the pleas on grounds that they were “mischievous” and intended to “delay the proceedings”.Besides Nikam, the defence lawyers, including Kasab’s lawyer K.P. Pawar, Ansari’s lawyer R.B. Mokashi and Ahmed’s lawyer Ejaz Naqvi, were involved when the final arguments were completed.While one lawyer – S.G. Abbas Kazmi – was removed, another representing Fahim, lawyer Shahid Azmi, was killed during the trial in early February. ======================================================

City police on tenterhooks following terror threat

Hyderabad, May 1 : The city police continued their relentless anti-sabotage checks and anti-terror vigil in the wake of central intelligence inputs that extremists were hatching a plot to target commercially-thriving cities in the country, including Hyderabad.The Intelligence Bureau alerts followed the bomb blasts in Bangalore and Pune recently.The City Security Wing Police conducted a mock drill to test the preparedness in shopping malls to tackle any terrorist strike.The security also issued notices to those shopping malls which were found wanting in security systems, police sources said.Public address systems have been installed in vantage positions in shopping complexes, busy market places and places of worship.People have been alerted to take precautionary steps and inform the police about any bomb-like objects and persons moving under suspicious circustances. The City Security Wing Police frisked passersby, particulary those aged between 18 and 35 years in arterial roads. The City Police had directed private shopping malls to frisk all visitors before allowing them inside.
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Minister announces 25,000 new pensions schemes

Kakinada, May 1: Andhra Pradesh Social Welfare minister Pilli Subhash Chandra Bose today announced 25,000 new pensions schemes for the east Godavari district by this June.Addressing the series of gram sabhas as a part of the Praja Patham in Manjeru, Seela, Cheduvada, Kajuluru and Ontithada villages of Kajuluru mandal, he said, the list of the beneficiaries of the new pensions schemes would be finalised by this month end. In order to solve the drinking water problem in Kajuluru permanently, he said, the government had sanctioned a second overhead service reservoir at a cost of Rs 25 lakhs and work would commence soon. He said government had released adequate funds to the collectors to solve drinking water problem in all the villages.
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Rosaiah ask school education depts to work with coordination

Hyderabad, May 1 : Chief Minister K Rosaiah has asked the School Education Department, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and other departments concerned to work in close coordination to access and utilise maximum funds from SSA.''I am really concerned about this. When such huge funds are available for the state from the SSA, why cant we access it? Why are we failing to get the funds? Why there are no proper coordination among the departments? I want this to be solved immediately. I want all the departments concerned to work in tandem and get the maximum funds available under SSA for our schools'', the Chief Minister yesterday said.Rosaiah held a review meeting on the school education with ministers and officials and directed that all the text books should be available on the day of re-opening of the schools. Dr Rosaiah was informed that text book were getting ready and 75 per cent of them were printed. He congratulated the Board of Intermediate Education for the smooth conduct of the Inter Examinations and timely publication of the results. The Chief Minister was also concerned about the large number of school drop-outs in the state in spite of spending such huge funds and having highest number of schools and teachers. He said efforts should be made for rationalisation of schools and teachers throughout the State.The Chief Minister also discussed the mid-day meals scheme in the schools and wanted to tone up the scheme from this academic year. He said he wanted quality food to be served to the students. Rosaiah also discussed the Right To Education Act. He wanted maximum infrastructure to be created in all government schools availing funds also from RIDF, Nabard and SSA.
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ABHIPRAAY- Press Conference at Press Club,

(PRESS RELEASE)ABHIPRAAY is 12 years old NGO involved in Nation Building and opinion making and also strives for the all round empowerment of our society and the Nation. The Abhipraay has highlighted various socially relevant burning issues.In this connection “ABIPRAAY “ took up cudgels against “BEGGING” issue about 11 years back because it isolates human dignity. We filed petition before High Court of A.P., vide Writ Petition No.4356 of 2000. A professional beggory is a hazard to Society and the sight of pestering beggars is embarrassing to city as tourists both domestic and international visit our State. Begging must be eradicated from the Society from the point of view of dignity of individual and reputation of the city and State. A socio economic survey of beggars had been conducted by P.G.College of Social Work during 1993-1994 and revealed that, there are as many as 3,16,199 beggars in the state of A.P. The Hon’ble High court gave verdict in favour of Abipraay in its writ petition and ordered to take necessary steps for rehabilitation of beggars by the State Govt. It also ordered that the Govt. should establish and maintain morework Houses or special Homes where they find fit or may certify such institution or special House runs by other than Govt. A separate accommodation for Male and female should be provided . The Hon’ble High court also expressed thatState being a Welfare State, statutory obligation is cast upon the Govt. toimplement the provisions of the Act. The Act provides for two fold duties to be discharged by the State. First : To end the means of begging and for that purpose it can take recourse to even prosecuting the persons indulging in the acts of begging.Second: Rehabilitate the persons indulging in the acts of begging.The state must provide sustenance to physically inform , old, sick and abandoned persons who are forced to begging. At the same time the state should prosecute and eliminate professional beggory. The racket of beggoryinto which children both male and female are forced , must be stopped. Our continuous efforts and persuasion with Social Welfare Department, High court, intelligentsia, media and people brought their act into reality after about 11 years of struggle. In this connection, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has notified the prevention of Begging Rules, 2010,to implement the prevention of Begging Act. According to the rules begging, at public places such as streets, traffic junctions, bus station, railway stations including public transport like buses, railway etc, an offence and any authorized person can arrest without warrant. As per rules, if the beggar is an able bodied adult and staying with his family, the anti-beggar regulations will be enforced strictly and severely. The rules provides medical check-up by the doctor not below the rank of an assistant civil surgeon for determination of age, sex, physical fitness of the beggar. If the beggar is found guilty of the offence under Act and physically capable of doing ordinary manual labour, the court would order his detention in a work house for a specified period not exceeding three years. After completion of the term, the person has to given undertaking in writing that he would not commit such an offence under the Act. The Govt. directly or with help of recognized NGOs, would provide elementary education and training in arts and crafts, agriculture and poultry. The Govt. will also provide fixed quantity of coconut oil, soap, toothbrush and powder along with two sets of cloths and bedding. The district administration and local advisory committee will be responsible for the implementation of Begging Act. We “ABHIPRAAY” appreciate the Govt of A.P., to take this progressive state but our aim is not achieved unless all genuine beggars are rehabilitated and professional racket of beggary is eliminated.We expect the co-operation of people and media in this marathon task, Mr Mihir Shah General Secretary,Mr Suresh Pandit. Co-Ordinator,& Bhaskar Polumi,Advocate. also seen in the picture,(photo by RSJ Thomas)
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Rosaiah participated in 'yagam' to overcome problems

Hyderabad, May 1 : To overcome a series of crises he has been facing, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah Saturday participated in a special 'yagam' here.Accompanied by his family members, the veteran Congress took part in the 'maha rudra yagam' at Sainathpuram in Malkajgiri area. Rosaiah's relatives and well wishers had organised the week-long 'yagam' to pray for the removal of hurdles in his governance. About 150 priests participated in the event. Amid the chanting of vedic hymns, Rosaiah and his family participated in the rituals. Saturday was the last of the 'yagam'. Ever since he took over as chief minister following the death of Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy Sep 2 last year, Rosaiah has faced a series of crises. It started with a campaign by the loyalists of the late leader who wanted to see his son Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy as the chief minister. This was followed by unprecedented floods in the Krishna river. And just as the 78-year-old leader was trying to have a grip over his administration, the Telangana movement posed the biggest challenge to the government. For three months, protests for and against statehood to Telangana region engulfed the state. As the central government bailed out the state government by setting up the Srikrishna committee, Rosaiah, who also holds the finance portfolio, faced a new problem arising out of financial crunch. Falling revenues hit hard the welfare and development schemes. Rosaiah's attempts to convince the Congress leadership to allow him to reshuffle the cabinet has also failed. He continues with a team formed by his predecessor.
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