Mecca Masjid blast third anniversary passes off

Hyderabad, May 18 : The thirdanniversary of the bomb blast at historic Mecca Masjid here passed off peacefully amid tight security.No untoward incident was reported from any part of the city, police said. The afternoon and evening prayers at the 17th century mosque passed off peacefully as police made elaborate security arrangements. A tight vigil was maintained across the old city after unidentified gunmen killed a policeman last Friday. The motorcycle borne suspected terrorists shot dead the police constable at Shahali Banda, about a km from Mecca Masjid. One policeman was gunned down in a similar fashion by unidentified persons on this day last year. Police suspect involvement of suspected terrorists, who have allegedly vowed revenge for the police firing after the blast three years ago. Nine people were killed in the blast during Friday prayers at the mosque May 18, 2007. Five more persons were killed in the subsequent police firing on protestors outside the mosque. Police are yet to achieve a breakthrough in the blast case. Initially the Bangladesh-based Harkatul Jihad-e-Islami (Huji) was blamed for the attack and some suspects were also picked up. Though the investigations were handed over to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the case has not been cracked even after three year. The government said the case has turned 'cold' as the two primary suspects were killed in an alleged shootout in Pakistan. The case, however, took a new turn early this month with the CBI questioning the members of some Hindu extremist outfits allegedly involved in Ajmer Dargah blast for their role in Mecca Masjid case. Various organisations have demanded fresh probe into the case in view of the revelations. The Bhaskar Rao Commission formed by the Andhra Pradesh government to probe police firing has also not submitted its report even after three years.

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Andhra calls in rescue teams as cyclone threat grows

Hyderabad, May 18: The administration in Andhra Pradesh's coastal region Tuesday went on high alert and National Disaster Response Force was called in for rescue operations as the cyclonic storm Laila intensified and is likely to cross the coast between Visakhapatnam and Ongole early Thursday.Second warning signals have been hoisted at all Andhra ports as the depression over the Bay of Bengal turned into a cyclonic storm and lay centred 550 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam. It is likely to cross the coast between Ongole and Visakhapatnam by early hours of May 20. "Under the influence of this system, north coastal Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh are likely to experience widespread rainfall with scattered heavy to very heavy falls (25 cms or more) and isolated extremely heavy falls during next 48 hours," said a bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Strong gales with speed reaching 65-75 km an hour are likely to commence along and off Andhra Pradesh coast Tuesday night. It may increase to 115-125 kmph at the time of landfall early Wednesday mroning. Since the sea condition will also be rough, the fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea. The state government has called in the National Disaster Response Force from Tamil Nadu and Bhubaneshwar for rescue operations. The force from Bhubaneshwar will be stationed at Visakhapatnam to look after the rescue operations in the districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and East Godavari, said a statement from the Chief Minister's Office. The personnel from Arakonam, Tamil Nadu, will be stationed at Vijayawada to look after the rescue operations in the districts of West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore. The official machinery in all the nine coastal districts has been asked to be on high alert. Leave of employees has been cancelled till May 25. Those on leave have been asked to report back immediately. Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Dharmana Prasada Rao told reporters here that the leave of employees, especially in departments like disaster management, revenue, police, fire services, electricity, roads and buildings and Panchayat Raj, has been cancelled. Chief Minister K.Rosaiah directed the district collectors to take all preventive measures to minimise the loss of life and property. He asked them to be ready for evacuating to safer places the people likely to be affected. A sub-committee of top officials will be formed immediately for round-the-clock monitoring of the situation. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has also issued cyclonic storm advisory, asking the state government to keep a close watch and take appropriate precautionary measures. Following the advisory, control rooms have been opened at the state secretariat and at all district headquarters. The chief minister asked the officials to be ready with alternative steps for effective communication in case there is damage to communication network.
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CM alerts official machinery on 'Laila'

Hydeabad, May 18: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today alerted the entire official machinery view in of the deep depression over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas moving westwards and intensifying into a cyclonic storm ''Laila''.The Chief Minister reviewed the latest situation with Ministers and officials here and asked the Collectors of the Coastal Districts to advise the fishermen not to venture into sea during this period.The government would take further measures at the Cabinet meeting tomorrow, he said and asked the officials to monitor the situation round-the-clock. He directed them to be very alert during the days and take all precautionary measures to prevent loss to life and property of the people.
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Minister stresses media's role in development of society

Hyderabad, May 18: Andhra Pradesh Minister for Information and Public Relations J Geetha Reddy today said the media should play a key role in the development of the society and work as a link between the government and the people.Releasing the handbook on the activities and programmes being taken up by the Andhra Pradesh Press Academy (APPA) here, she said journalists should contribute their might through their writings to create awareness among the people, particularly people in rural areas, about the developmental and welfare schemes of the government.There was no point in taking up welfare schemes if it did not reach the targetted people. Media should play a key role in this regard by educating the people about the schemes, she added. APPA Chairman T. Surender said the Academy would launch several activities for the benefit of journalists and media in the state. He said the academy proposed to help media to create a self-regulatory mechanism to follow ethics and improve the quality of media. Apart from the existing activities of the academy, it was decided to develop an online knowledge centre by making the existing website more meaningful. The academy decided to supply regular useful material to all the mediapersons, particularly journalists in rural and remote areas, he said.
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Andhra on high alert as cyclonic storm intensifies

Hyderabad, May 18: The administration in Andhra Pradesh's coastal region Tuesday went on high alert as the cyclonic storm Laila intensified and is likely to cross the coast near Machilipatnam.Second warning signals have been hoisted at all Andhra ports as the depression over Bay of Bengal turned into a cyclonic storm and lay centred at 690 km southeast of Visakhapatnam. It is likely to cross the coast near the port city of Machilipatnam in Krishna district, about 450 km from here, in about 72 hours. Since the coastal region will experience the impact of the storm from Tuesday night, authorities have sounded a high alert. According to the Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre, strong gales with speeds reaching 65 to 75 km per hour are likely to commence along and off the Andhra coast from Tuesday. The wind speed may further increase as the system moves closer to the coast. Since the sea condition will also be rough, the fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy rain in coastal Andhra from May 19. The impact of the cyclonic storm may continue till May 25. "The system is likely to intensify further and move in a west-northwesterly direction for some more time and then move in a northwesterly to northerly direction during the next 72 hours towards the Andhra Pradesh coast close to Machilipatnam," an IMD bulletin said. The official machinery in all the nine coastal districts has been asked to be on high alert. Leave of employees have been cancelled till May 25. Those on leave have been asked to report back immediately. Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation D. Prasada Rao told reporters here that the leave of employees especially in departments like disaster management, revenue, police, fire services, electricity, roads and buildings and Panchayat Raj have been cancelled. Chief Minister K. Rosaiah directed the district collectors to take all preventive measures to minimize the loss of life and property. Since there is still sufficient time before the cyclone crosses the coast, the collectors were told to take measures to save life and property, he said. The strong winds could topple walls and electricity and communication towers.
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ACB unerathed Rupees 90 lakhs alleged disproportionate assests in AP

Visakhapatnam, May 18: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) unearthed alleged Disproportionate assets worth over Rs 90 lakh allegedly belonging to a Traffic Police Inspector in the Port city.Simultaneous searches were conducted yesterday by the ACB officials at the residences of Rajasekhar, a Police Inspector with traffic branch, at Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry and Amalapuram.The searches yielded assets worth over Rs 90 lakh, an ACB release said yesterday.Which included six house plots, two houses, a flat, household articles worth Rs 2 Lakh and Rs 39,000 in cash, it said, adding further investigation was still going on.
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Andhra coast faces cyclone threat, alert sounded

Hyderabad, May 17: Andhra Pradesh faces a cyclone threat as a low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify and hit the coast, weather officials said Monday.Authorities in coastal Andhra have sounded an alert and fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea. The weather office has forecast widespread rains over coastal Andhra with strong winds of 45 to 55 km per hour. According to the bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a depression formed over the Bay of Bengal lay centered about 1,000 km southeast of Visakhapatnam. The system is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm and move initially in a northwesterly direction towards the state's coast. Under the influence of this system, coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh are likely to experience widespread rainfall from May 19. Heavy to very heavy rains are likely at some places. Following the warning by weather office, authorities in all nine coastal districts sounded an alert along the coast. Senior officials here reviewed the situation with district collectors and directed them to be prepared for any eventuality. The forecast of heavy rains and cyclone has come at a time when the severe heat wave conditions continue across the state. The heat wave claimed 20 lives Monday, taking the total deaths to 65 since Friday.
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Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad meets with the Health Secretary of USA in Geneva

(PIB NEWS) May.17,Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, the Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, had a meeting with the Health Secretary of USA - Mrs. Kathleen Sebelius at Geneva. Both the Ministers appreciated that India andUS are strategic partners in several areas including health. Shri Azad thanked the US department of Agriculture for organizing food safety training every year at the Michigan State University for the personnel of Food Safety Standard Authority of India. He also recalled that the US food and Drug Administration has opened their office in Delhi which facilitates exchange of Information. Both the Ministers discussed the latest position of Memorandum of Understanding regarding setting up of the Global Disease Detection Regional Centre (GDD) at New Delhi. ================================================

Six civilians, two Maoists killed in Chhattisgarh violence

Maoist guerrillas Sunday slit the throatsof six civilians, including a village head,in Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon district,while two rebels were killed in a gunfight with the police in Dantewada district, officials said.The bodies of the six people were found dumped in a forested area of Manpur locality in Uchapur village in Rajnandgaon, about 175 km from here, by villagers in the morning, Chhattisgarh Director General of Police Vishwa Ranjan said.The victims included a village sarpanch (head), Bhilsai Mandwai (36), who was abducted early this week along with five others by armed Maoists on charges of spying for the police. All the bodies were found with their throats slit.The latest terrorist act of the Maoists targeting civilians has created panic among the residents of Rajnandgaon that borders Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district. Police and paramilitary forces deployed in the district for anti-Maoist operations were yet to reach the site in a thickly forested pocket between Uchapur-Taregaon locality as they suspect that guerrillas might be waiting with a booby trap to ambush security personnel.“We are being cautious while trying to reach the site, which is close to the border with Maharashtra. Maoists had lured a police convoy to a booby trap in the same area July last year in which 29 policemen, including district superintendent of police B.K. Choubey, were killed,” a senior police official here said.In a separate incident, police killed two guerrillas in a gunfight in Dantewada’s Kirandul area, said District Superintendent of Police Amresh Mishra.Police recovered two 12-bore guns, a few tiffin bombs and posters against public sector National Minerals Development Corporation (NMDC) Ltd, which has massive iron ore mining facilities at Bailadila hills of Kirandul and Bacheli areas.Chhattisgarh has witnessed a spurt in Maoist violence in recent months with the rebels carrying out the biggest ever attack April 6 in Dantewada district when guerrillas massacred 76 security personnel. This was followed by another attack May 8 in Bijapur district in which eight Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers were killed when their vehicle was blown up by the rebels. =================================================

Serial killer found murdered in Andhra

Hyderabad, May 16: A convicted serial killer was found murdered in Andhra Pradesh's Krishna district only a few days after he escaped from jail, police said Sunday.The body of Tatiparthi Rama Rao, convicted for seven murders, was found near Agiripalli police station Saturday night. The body was identified by Rama Rao's sister Nagamani Sunday. Police suspect that the local people might have hacked Rama Rao to death. They were questioning a villager Chalapati Rao, who had caught and handed over Rama Rao to police five years ago. After he escaped from a jail last month, Rama Rao had reportedly been threatening Chalapati. The criminal, a native of Krishna district, escaped from a jail in Srikakulam district April 9 and since then police had been on the lookout for him. The 35-year-old criminal, involved in killing of seven people at Rudrakshapalli village in Khammam district in 2005, had earlier escaped from jail thrice. Rama Rao, a life convict also involved in several cases of rape, loot and theft, had escaped from Nuzvid jail in Krishna district in 2007 along with co-accused Gunja Yesobu. He was re-arrested by police in Srikakulam district Oct 4 last year. Last month, he again escaped from Pedapadu sub-jail in Srikakulam district by scaling the 21-foot high wall. Police said Rama Rao was a terror in villages bordering Khammam and Krishna districts. He along with a few associates had killed seven people, including a woman, after chasing them in Rudrakshapalli village in 2005 to take revenge for the murder of his brother.
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Three killed in Hyderabad chemical factory fire

Hyderabad, May 16: At least three people were killed and five injured Sunday in a massive fire at a chemical factory on the outskirts of Hyderabad, officials said.The fire broke out in Durga Enterprises, a factory in Jedimetla industrial area, following a blast in one of the chemical reactors. Police and witnesses said 16 workers were in the plant when the accident took place. Three workers were burnt to death and the condition of three of the injured was critical. Eight people managed to escape the mishap. Fire-fighting personnel with seven fire engines fought for two hours to control the fire. A series of blasts in reactors and the presence of chemicals like sodium sulphate and potassium sulphate made their task difficult. Officials from the industries department, after a visit to the site, said the chemical factory had no licence. A police officer told reporters that two officials of the company were taken into custody. The owner of the company is not in town, the official said.
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Andhra Pradesh Governor visits Simhachalam Temple

Visakhapatnam, May 16: Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimhan with his family members today visited Simhachalam Temple and performed special pujas to the presiding deity Lord Varaha Lakshmi Nrusimha Swamy.On the occasion of annual Chandanotsavam, lakhs of devotees from across the state and the neighbouring states of Orissa and Chhattisgrah thronged the temple and had 'darshan' of the deity.TTD and Endowments Officials presented silk clothes to the deity on behalf of state government on the occasion of Chandanotsavam.Hereditary Trustee of the temple and former Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju offered first puja in the temple.
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YSR Memorial Trust asks submission of 'Logo' design:KVP

Hyderabad, May 15: Chairman of the Dr Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy Memorial Trust and Rajya Sabha Member KVP Ramachandra Rao today called for entries from artists, graphic designers and advertisement agencies to design a 'Logo' for the trust.In a statement, Mr Rao said the trust would conduct several social services as per the aspirations of former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in whose name the trust was formed.The entries should reflect YSR's aims and aspirations on welfare of the people and developmental activities undertaken by him during his tenure.He said a sum of Rs one lakh would be given for the selected design.The last date for the entries is May 31.
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Andhra Pradesh Governor, CM, oppn leaders condole Shekhawat's demise

Hyderabad, May 15 : Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimham Chief Minister K Rosaiah and opposition leaders, including Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President N Chandrababu Naidu, BJP state-unit President G Kishen Reddy and President as Lok Satta Party today condoled the death of former vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.In a message, the Governor said ''I am shocked and grieved at the passing away of former Vice-President, which was visionary and a vibrant public spirited leader''.''Mr Shekhawat had the rare distinction as Chief Minister of Rajasthan state for three times and his 6 decade-political career in the service of nation will be long remembered'', he said.The Chief Minister, in his message, said in the passing away of Shekhawat, the nation has lost a veteran leader, parliamentarian and senior politician.TDP President Chandrababu Naidu, while expressing his grief over the death of former Vice-President, said Shekhawat was a highly respected politician in the country.State BJP President Kishen Reddy expressed shock about the death of Shekhawat.Lok Satta Party also expressed profound grief over the death of Mr Shekawat who was a self-made leader.
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Vice President,&Prime Minister Condoles the Death of Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat

(PIB NEWS) The Vice President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari has deeply condoled the sad demise of the former Vice President of India Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. In his condolence message, he has said that Shri Shekhawat had a glorious record of service to the country and the people in his many years in public life. He earned the respect and admiration of the people for his dedication, sense of public service and innate simplicity. His services to the country shall always be remembered,

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has condoled the demise of former Vice President of India, Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.In a message to his wife Smt. Suraj Kanwar Shekhawat, Dr. Singh recalled Shri Shekhawat’s contributions to the country. Following is the text of the message from the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh: “It is with a great sadness that I learnt of the passing away of your husband, Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. Shekhawatji was one of the tallest leaders that Rajasthan has produced. His life epitomized hard work and commitment to the public cause. His early years were difficult. Poverty forced him to quit school after which he found a job as a police constable. Indeed, it is a tribute to his leadership qualities that he overcame the disadvantages of his early life to carve out a sterling career in public service. Shekhawatji's persona was one of rare charisma. Together with a few others, he defined a whole era in the Bharatiya Janata Party. His many qualities of head and heart included a liberal outlook and generosity of spirit. As a social worker and a public figure, he always stood up for his principles. It was an exceptional courage of conviction which led him to condemn the 1982 Deorala incident of Sati at a time when few in his party and State were willing to speak out against it. Shekhawatji excelled in all positions he held. His three tenures as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan will be remembered for his sympathy and sensitivity to the problems of the poor and the disadvantaged and his administrative acumen. As the Vice-President of our country he worked to uphold our Constitution and our secular ethos. The void that Shekhawatji has left behind will be very difficult to fill. On this said occasion, I join the people of India in conveying my heartfelt condolences to the members of his family, friends and innumerable others who looked up to him”.
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Cash reward for information on Hyderabad attack gunmen

Hyderabad, May 15: Hyderabad police Saturday announced a Rs.5 lakh reward for information about the assailants who shot dead a police constable in the old city Friday."Any person(s) who provides information that leads to detection and apprehension of the accused will be rewarded with Rs.5 lakh by police immediately. The details of those who give information will be treated as top secret and will never be shared with anyone," a statement released by Police Commissioner A.K.Khan Saturday night said. Earlier Saturday, police said Viqar Ahmed, a suspected terror operative, has been identified as one of the attackers. Police suspect that two to three assailants committed the crime. Evidence available at the crime scene indicates that an organization Tehreek Ghalba-e-Islam has claimed responsibility for the attack, the police chief said. The same organization claimed responsibility for killing a Home Guard official May 18 last year. "These assailants could be living in your localities under pseudonyms, moving suspiciously, taking shelter in hotels/lodges or any place of public gathering," the police commissioner said. (photo by R S J Thomas) 
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Suspected terror operative identified in Hyderabad shooting

Hyderabad, May 15: Viqar Ahmed, a suspected terror operative, has been identified as one of the attackers in Friday's shootout here in which one policeman was killed, police said Saturday.Viqar was identified as the assailant after investigators recorded statements of witnesses and analysed a CD left behind by the attackers. Considered tech-savvy, Viqar typed a letter contained in the CD. Tehreek Ghalba-e-Islam, an outfit allegedly floated by Viqar, owned responsibility for the attack saying it was carried out to take revenge for the police firing after blast at the Mecca Masjid May 18,2007.A constable was shot dead by two gunmen in Shahali Banda area of the old city Friday even as the police were on high alert ahead of the third anniversary of the bomb blast at the historic mosque. Wearing a mask, Viqar was riding pillion on a motorcycle. His associate was driving the two-wheeler wearing a helmet. Some suspects were also picked up since Friday night in the old city by the special teams formed to track down the culprits. Police Commissioner A.K.Khan said a red alert has been sounded across the city in view of the blast anniversary. He advised policemen to remain vigilant. Viqar, said to be a former member of banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), was also blamed for gunning down a policeman in a similar attack May 18 last year. The last rites of slain constable U. Ramesh were conducted in his native Chittoor district with full state honours. Senior police (photo officials paid tributes to the policeman whose wife is also a police official. (photo by RSJ Thomas) 
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SIT entrusted to probe killing of APSP constable case

Hyderabad, May 15: The city police today entrusted the case of sensational killing of Andhra Pradesh Special Police (APSP) constable yesterday by suspected ISI agents to the Special Investigation Team (SIT).Confirming the handing over of the case, top police officials of the SIT here said the entire department was on the look out for the culprits as the police had started investigation into the incident.Police said some eyewitnesses had identified the photographs of Viqar Ahmed alias Vikaruddin, an ISI operative, who was most wanted by the police in several cases.One APSP constable was killed and two were injured when some suspected ISI agents fired at them at a hotel near Hussaini Alam in the busy old city area here yesterday.The victim U Rmesh (32) belonged to 11th Battalion of Andhra Pradesh Special Police (APSP) at Madanapalli in Chittoor district.The three unidentified scooter-borne suspected ISI agents fired at the constables who were on duty there.The injured constables were admitted to Osmania General Hospital.Available inputs suggested the most wanted terrorist Vikar Ahmed alias Vikarrudin and some other suspects were behind the incident.
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Policeman killed in Hyderabad shootout

Hyderabad, May 14: Two assailants on motorcycle opened fire at a police picket here, killing a police constable and injuring two others on Friday.

The two attackers came on a motorcycle and opened fire on the picket in Shahali Banda, about a kilometre from the Charminar and Mecca Masjid, in the Old City area. The assailants fled after the attack.Ahead of the third anniversary of the blast at the Mecca Masjid, which is on May 18, the policemen were deployed as part of the security arrangements. Andhra Pradesh Special Police Constable Ramesh died while being taken to the Osmania Hospital while two other policemen were being treated for their injuries. Hyderabad Police chief A.K. Khan said that Viqar Ahmed alias Viqaruddin alias Ali Khan is the main suspect behind the attack. Police have put up barricades at several points in the city and started checking vehicles and frisking people. On the second anniversary of the blast in 2009, a policeman was killed and another injured in a similar attack at Falaknuma area of the old city.
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CBI submits report on Andhra CM Rajashekhar Reddy's copter crash

New Delhi, May 14: More than eight months after the fatal copter crash that killed Y S Rajashekar Reddy, and four others, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today submitted its report on the likely causes of the death of the then Andhra Chief Minister.The report was submitted to the Government of Andhra Pradesh and District Magistrate Kurnool today, said the CBI here adding that the crash which took place on September 2 last year at around 0923 hrs also killed the CM's Principal Secretary P Subramanyam, his Chief Security Officer A S C Wesley, along with pilot Group Captain S K Bhatia and co-pilot Captain M S Reddy.''The CM was on his way to attend an official function 'Rachabanda' (Village corner) in Chittoor District.'' The State-owned Bell-430 VT APG helicopter left the Begumpet Airport at 0838 hrs but disappeared from the Air Traffic Control (ATC) screen at Shamshabad at 0923 hrs, after travelling about 94.1 nautical miles from Hyderabad's Begumpet Airport. The wreckage of the helicopter, along with the bodies of all the five deceased, was later recovered from a hillock 'Chirumanu Chiruthagundam Thippa' in Nallamalla Reserve Forest in Kurnool District (AP).A case in this regard was registered at Atmakur Police Station under section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Code on September 3, 2009, and a Preliminary Enquiry registered at CBI, Hyderabad, on September 11 following a request by the state government. The ''detailed and exhaustive enquiry'' carries accounts of several witnesses, and the assistance of experts from the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bangalore, Institute of Aerospace Medicine(IAM), Bangalore, Central Forensic Laboratories, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Chandigarh, Rotary Wing Society of India, Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, National Remote Sensing Center, Hyderabad, Zen Technologies Ltd, Hyderabad among others.
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Andhra Pradesh capital in grip of intense heat wave

Hyderabad,May 14: The 400-odd year-old state capital of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad, which was once well known for its favourable weather conditions suitable for the people, is now in the intense grip of heat wave conditions with the mercury touching 45 degrees Celsius, surpassing earlier highest record of 43.3 degrees Celsius reported three-decade ago.For the fourth consecutive day today the state capital experienced scorching heat, rendering the streets virtually deserted.Most people remained indoors to escape the heat while those on the roads covered their heads with scarves and caps. The weather office has attributed the heat wave conditions in Hyderabad and other parts of the state, especially Telangana, to the northwest winds and maintained that the hot weather conditions were mainly due to the dry winds generated in Rajasthan and blowing through Maharashtra. Further the weather office has predicted that the severe heat wave would continue for the next four to five days. However, unconfirmed reports further claimed that 25 people last their lives due to severe sun-stroke for the last 48-hours in the state. But there was no official confirmation on sun-stroke deaths in the state.
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Cop shot dead in Hyderabad, terror attack suspected

Hyderabad, May 14: A policeman was killed and two others were injured when two people on a motorcycle opened fire at a police picket in Hyderabad Friday. The police suspect involvement of a terror operative Vikar Ahmed in the incident.  Eyewitnesses said two people on a motor cycle opened fire on the picket in Shahali Banda, about a kilometre from the historic Charminar and Mecca Masjid, in the Old City area. The policemen were deployed as part of the security arrangements ahead of the third anniversary of the blast at the Mecca Masjid (May 18). The assailants fled after the attack. Constable Ramesh, of the Andhra Pradesh Special Police (APSP), died while being taken to Osmania Hospital while two other policemen were being treated for their injuries. Police chief A.K. Khan told reporters that involvement of Vikar Ahmed alias Viqaruddin alias Ali Khan is suspected. Police have put up barricades at several points in the city and started checking vehicles and frisking people. The incident sent shock waves as it came despite the continuing search operations by police for over a fortnight amid intelligence warnings of possible terror attacks and close on the heels of the arrest of a terror suspect. On May 3, an alleged terror suspect of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), Mohammed Zia-ul-Haq, 34, was held for planning to cause explosions in the city. Last year, on the second anniversary of the blast, a policeman was killed and another injured in a similar attack when assailants opened fire on police at Falaknuma area of the old city. The police commissioner said the incident appeared to be linked to the anniversary of bomb blast at the Mecca Masjid. "Yes. We do see similarities with last year's incident," he said. Ahmed was also blamed for attack on policemen in Santoshnagar area in 2008. Two policemen were injured when Ahmed and two others accompanying him opened fire as police were trying to arrest them. "We can't say for sure that he is behind today's incident, but we suspect his involvement and also of other suspects who are at large," Khan said. Police had been on the lookout for Vikar after the Mecca Masjid blast. A resident of Old Malakpet area in the city, he was also associated with a city-based rightwing group Darsgah Jihad-O-Sahadath (DJS) Police suspect that Vikar, who had gone to Gulf a few years ago for job, got training in the terror camps abroad. He reportedly visited Oman, Qatar and Bangladesh and developed links with some terror groups. On May, 18, 2007, a bomb blast during Friday prayers in the 17th century mosque killed nine people. Five people died in the subsequent police firing on protestors outside the mosque. (photo by R S J Thomas)
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Cop shot dead in Hyderabad, high alert in city

Hyderabad,May 14:A policeman was killed and two others were injured when two people on a motorcycle opened fire on a police picket in the old city of Hyderabad Friday. A high alert has been sounded across the city.The incident took place this evening near Volga Hotel in Shahali Banda area, about a km from the historic Charminar and Mecca Masjid. Eye witnesses said two people on a motor cycle opened fire on a police picket deployed as part of the security arrangements ahead of the third anniversary of the blast at the historic Mecca Masjid (May 18). The assailants fled after attacking the policemen. Constable Ramesh, of the Andhra Pradesh Special Police (APSP), died while being shifted to Osmania Hospital while two other policemen were being treated for their injuries. Police have put up barricades at several points in the city and started checking vehicles and frisking people. The incident sent shock waves as it came despite the continuing search operations by police for over a fortnight amid intelligence warnings of possible terror attacks and close on the heels of the arrest of a terror suspect. Last year, on the second anniversary of the blast, a policeman was killed and another injured in a similar attack when assailants opened fire on police at Falaknuma area of the old city. Police believed Viqaruddin, an alleged terror operative, was involved. Two policemen were injured Dec 3, 2008 in the attempt to arrest Viqaruddin, when one of the two people accompanying him opened fire at the policemen. The trio managed to escape. The bomb blast during Friday prayers in the 17th century mosque May 18, 2007 killed nine people. Five people died in the subsequent police firing on protestors outside the mosque. Police May 3 arrested an alleged terror suspect belonging to the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). Police said 34-year-old Mohammed Zia-ul-Haq was planning to cause explosions in busy areas of the city.
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Heat wave claims 26 lives in Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad, May 14 : The severe heat wave in Andhra Pradesh Friday claimed 26 lives, taking the toll to 44 in two days, officials said.Almost the entire state is in the grip of a heat wave with the temperatures hovering five to six degrees Celsius above the normal for this time of the year. Hyderabad and most parts of Telangana region were almost like a furnace. As many as 26 deaths due to the heat wave were reported Friday from 14 of the 23 districts in the state. The scorching heat Thursday claimed 18 lives. Ramagundam in Khammam district Friday recorded 49 degrees Celsius the highest this season. Adilabad district also recorded 47 degrees. In Hyderabad, the mercury soared to 44 degrees Celsius. The Met Office has warned that the temperature in most parts of the state would remain between 45 to 47 degrees Celsius till the monsoon sets in. The sweltering heat has severely affected normal life in some districts. The streets wore a deserted look as people preferred to remain indoors. In Hyderabad, Chief Minister K.Rosaiah reviewed the situation with top officials of health and disaster management departments. He expressed anguish at the reported sun stroke cases.He directed the departments to take all precautions and steps needed to save people from the scorching heat. Rosaiah asked officials to create awareness among the people to prevent heat strokes by adopting various preventive measures. He also directed district collectors to ensure supply of safe and pure drinking water in all the villages.
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APPA to take more activities journos' benefit: Chairman

Hyderabad, May 14 : Andhra Pradesh Press Academy (APPA) Chairman Tirumalagiri Surender today said the Academy would gear up with several activities for the benefit of the journalists and the media in the state.Speaking during an interactive session with the Editors and Senior Journalists in the print media to seek their suggestions on the implementation of the various activities taken up by the Academy, Mr Surender, who was recently appointed as Chairman of the Academy, said the Academy proposed to help the media to create a self-regulatory mechanism to follow ethics and improve the quality of media.Apart from the existing activities of the Academy, it was decided to develop an online knowledge centre by making the existing website more meaningful.It was also decided to appoint Media Committee to coordinate with the media management and professional organisations and create data bank on full particulars of all the journalists working throughout the state, he said.
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BJP demands white paper on financial position in AP

Vijayawada May 14 : Expressing concern over the deteriorating financial position of Andhra Pradesh, Central Committee Member and senior BJP Leader Indrasena Reddy today demanded the State Government to release a white paper on the state's financial position. Addressing a press conference here, he claimed that the state's financial position was so poor that it was unable to implement welfare schemes. ''The declined financial position has forced the government to either dilute the welfare schemes or do away with them. The government is planning to scrap the fee reimbursement schemes and withdraw Rs 25 subsidy being given on domestic gas cylinders,'' he alleged.He alleged that while the farmers were not getting remunerative price for their produce, the prices of essential commodities were spiralling day by day.''All the things reflect the corrupt policies and misgovernance of the Congress-led state government,'' he said.Expressing dissatisfaction over the way in which the Sri Krishna Committee, which was constituted by the Centre to know the views of various political parties and organizations to carve out separate Telangana state, he said ''Sri Krishna Committee is visiting the state like a holiday trip.'' ''The Committee is asking various senior leaders irrelevant questions. I do now know how it will be helpful for the formation of separate T-state,'' he added.
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Gujarat NRE to invest Rs.1,000 crore for plant in Andhra

Kolkata, May 13 : Metallurgy coke producer Gujarat NRE Coke plans to invest Rs.800-1,000 crore for a plant in Andhra Pradesh, a top company official said Thursday."We are waiting for the land. We plan to build a one-million-tonne coke plant over there with 60 megawatt (MW) power capacity," Arun Kumar Jagatramka, managing director, told reporters here. The project work is expected to begin by December 2010 and end in 2013, he said. With commissioning of the new coke plant, the production capacity of the company would touch 2.25 million tonnes. About coking coal prices, he said prices would touch USD 240-250 per tonne during the second quarter (July-September) from USD 200 per tonne now. About low-ash metallurgical (LAM) coke, he said high demand would push up the price which is around USD 500-550 a tonne now. The company produced 900,000 tonnes of LAM coke last fiscal and is expecting to produce 1.1 million tonnes this year. Jagatramka expected the turnover of the company to touch Rs.2,000 crore in the current fiscal (2010-11) from around Rs.1,500 crore in 2009-10. Asked how much the Australian operations of the company will be hampered as the government there plans to introduce a 40 percent Resource Super Profits Tax on big mining companies that have benefited from burgeoning Chinese and Indian demand for minerals and energy, he said: "It is a draft proposal. It will take another 6-9 months for the blueprint to be ready." "Our company will not be affected as such as we would get deductions for capital investments," he added.
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MCI chief should be punished severely:ISOT

Hyderabad, May 13: The members of the Indian Society of Organ Transplantation(ISOT) today demanded that the Centre take stringent action against the President of Medical Council of India (MCI) and Indian Medical Association(IMA) Dr Ketan Desai who was arrested by the CBI on corruption charges.Addressing a press conference, President of ISOT Prof A Gopal Kishan said the ISOT in its meeting resolved to strongly condemn the alleged corrupt practices of Desai who had brought disrepute to the medical profession as well as the country.He urged the Centre to pursue all criminal cases booked against Dr Desai and leave no loophole.The meeting also resolved to ask Desai to voluntarily quit from all posts including MCI, President elect of World Medical Association, Membership of Royal College of Surgeons as well as teaching, he added.He urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to initiate strong measures to cleanse corruption and also to enact suitable law to restrict the tenure of President and Vice-President of MCI to one term of two to three years.He said the meeting also decided to request the Union Government to scrap the present MCI and bring in a suitable ordinance incorporating every measure to prevent such misconduct in future.He alleged that Desai had amassed money mainly by granting permissions and later recognition to newly-established medical colleges throughout the country without adhering to stipulated norms regarding infrastructure and faculty. He used the money power to maximum extent to retain the presidentship for 14 years.To retain the top position in MCI he flouted the rules and even threatened those who resisted, he claimed.
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Andhra Pradesh reeling under scorching heat, temperatures rise

Hyderabad, May 13 : Andhra Pradesh is reeling under scorching Sun with heat wave conditions prevailing various places and maximum temperatures increasing at all over the state.According to weather office here today, heat wave conditions prevailed over Telangana, isolated parts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema.The maximum temperatures rose at one or two places over Telangana and Rayalaseema and changed little over Coastal Andhra Pradesh. They were significantly above normal over remaining parts of Rayalaseema and at one or two places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh.The highest maximum temperature of 47 degrees Celsius was recorded at Rentachintala.The weather office predicted that heat wave conditions might continue to prevail over Telangana and in the districts of Cuddapah, Chittoor of Rayalaseema and isolated parts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh during next two days.However, isolated rain occurred over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema.Isolated rain or thundershowers would occur over Rayalaseema and Telangana and might occur over Coastal Andhra Pradesh.
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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)================================================