Curfew relaxed for 6 hours in two phases

Hyderabad Apr 4: The indefinite curfew, clamped in 25 police station limits in Hyderabad since Monday last in the wake of killing of two people in communal violence since March 27, was relaxed for six hours in two phases, providing much needed relief to the people reeling under restrictions for the seventh day today.Relieved over the return of peace to trouble-torn areas, the Hyderabad Police first relaxed curfew for three hours from 0700 hrs in eight Police Stations of Tappachabutra, Asifnagar, Mangalhat, Kulsumpura,Shahinayathgunj, Habeebnagar, Begumbazar and Afzalgunj in West-East-Central zones. Curfew was then relaxed for another three hours from 1000 hrs in 17 Police Station limits in Charminar, Hussainialam, Kamatipura, Bahadhurpura, Kalapathar, Falaknuma, Chatrinaka, Shahalibanda, Moghalpura, Bhavaninagar, Dabeerpura, Mirchowk, Reinbazar, Madannapet, Santhoshnagar, Kanchanbagh and Chandrayangutta, in the communally sensitive South Zone. Thousands of young and old came out of their homes and queued up to buy milk vegetables and groceries. Long queues were also seen in front of medical shops.City Police Commissioner A K Khan told mediapersons that if the present situation continued, they would consider lifting curfew during daytime tomorrow. Police continued heavy deployment of central para-military forces, besides the state forces including the elite OCTOPUS personnel, even as authorities made extensive arrangements for distribution of essential commodities, commoners complained that unscrupulous traders were charging double the market rate to make a quick money. No untoward incident was reported during the curfew relaxation period, Mr Khan said. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah had asked the police to consider relaxation of curfew for a longer spell to reduce the hardships of the general public, while taking stern action against trouble-makers and rumour mongers.                    (photo by RSJ Thomas)
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Shoaib says no 'Nikah' took place with Ayesha

Hyderabad, April 4: Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik Sunday claimed that no 'nikah' or marriage took place with Ayesha Siddiqui and hence there was no need for him to divorce her.In his first comments over his alleged first marriage with Ayesha Siddiqui, Shoaib said he signed the 'nikahnama' thinking that he was marrying the girl whose photographs were sent to him. He quoted chief qazi of Hyderabad as saying that the 'nikah' was not valid as it did not meet the conditions prescribed in Islam. The cricketer released a statement to the press in front of the residence of Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, who he is marrying April 15 here. The Pakistani claimed that Ayesha Siddiqui was the girl who had introduced herself as Maha Apa or elder sister of Ayesha and had taken him around in Hyderabad during his visits. Shoaib said he or his brother-in-law could never meet Ayesha during their visits to Hyderabad. Shoaib, who arrived here has been staying at Sania's house for the last two days, came out to release the statement to the waiting media but declined to answer queries saying his lawyer would answer them. A nervous-looking Shoaib told reporters that the marriage with Sania would take place in Hyderabad on April 15. "I have come here for my wedding with Sania Mirza and we are happy," he said. Shoaib said Sania knew the truth and she had been supportive of him. To a query about Sania's tennis career, he said she would play as long as she wished to play. "She has been representing India and will continue to represent India," he said to another query. Shoaib claimed that Ayesha had starting making phone calls to him in 2001 when he was in Sharjah with the Pakistani team. "Naturally I wanted to meet her. Every time I brought up the topic of meeting, she would send me a bunch of photographs," the statement said. The cricketer claimed that he was made to believe that he was speaking to the girl in the photograph. "The truth is that I have, to this day, not met the girl in the photograph," he said. He said when he came to Hyderabad in 2002 to meet Ayesha, he was told that she had left for Saudi Arabia for some urgent work. "She told me over phone that Rema and Maha Apa would take me around," he claimed. Later, Shoaib was informed that Ayesha was not meeting him as she had put on weight and would come before him only after shedding some weight. He was also told that the photographs sent to him were old ones. The Pakistani said in 2002 Ayesha forced him into marriage over telephone saying people in Hyderabad had started talking about their relationship and this had put her parents in embarrassing position. "We accidentally ran into the truth about who Ayesha was. It was worst moment of my life. No one enjoys being made a fool of and that was exactly how I was made fool of," he said. "It happened in August 2005. My brother-in-law got a photograph of a teacher in Saudi Arabia who was telling people around her that Shoaib is married to me. His nephews were studying in that school. I was aghast when he showed me the photograph of the teacher. The woman in the photograph was the woman I called Maha Apa." "I immediately confronted Maha Apa. I told her I didn't want to speak to her again. I told Ayesha I was going to release photographs she had been mailing me to the media. She apologized and told me that the other girl was married and that I would ruin her life if I release the photographs. I thought about it, who so ever is in the photograph does not even know about all this and it would not be fair to release the pictures."
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Expelled SP leader Jaya Prada celebrates birthday in tirumala

Tirumala, Apr 3: On the occasion at her birthday, expelled Samajwadi party leader Jaya Prada offered prayers at the hill shrine of venkateswara swamy temple here this evening.The yester year glamour heroine-turned politician Jaya Prada who arrived here along with her family members, had darshan of the lord Bajali during the VIP break and after darshan, she was presented sri vari prasadams by the TTD officials.Later briefing mediapersons, she said that Uttar Pradesh people have supported her in all her political endeavours during her political career.Replying to a question, she said that she would contest in the next elections from Andhra Pradesh and remained tight lipped over contesting from the party concerned.
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Shoaib still in Sania's house, marriage may be advanced

Hyderabad, April 4: Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik continued to stay in the residence of Indian tennis star Sania Mirza amid speculation that their marriage was being advanced to avoid any problems due to the raging row over Shoaib's alleged first marriage with a resident of this city.Shoaib, who arrived here Friday night from Dubai, did not come out of Sania's house in Jubilee Hills. With Sania's relatives and friends visiting her till late Saturday night, speculation was already doing the rounds that the marriage, originally scheduled for April 15, had been advanced. Sania's family is reportedly in touch with a qazi to solemnize the marriage. Sources said it would only be a reception which Sania's family would host at a star hotel here on April 15 but the marriage could take place much before that. Some television channels captured the duo dancing Saturday night and Sania's friends confirmed about the festivities being held at home. Unfazed by the threats by Ayesha Siddiqui to launch legal proceedings against him for cheating, Shoaib landed in Hyderabad Friday night and was spotted at Sania's house Saturday. Shoaib reportedly cleared the air over serious allegations levelled by Ayesha and her parents. Sania's family was apparently convinced by his claim that Ayesha cheated him by using the photographs of another girl. While admitting that he signed the 'nikahnama', Shoaib reportedly told Sania and her parents that he did not marry Ayesha. Sania, in her Twitter page, said they knew the "truth" and had confidence in god's justice. With dozens of media persons with cameras and OB vans surrounding her house in Jubilee Hills and obstructing the guests, Sania's family Sunday sought police protection. Some policemen in addition to her private security guards were deployed at the house. Meanwhile, the family of Ayesha Siddiqui said they were going ahead with the legal proceedings against Shoaib to get a formal divorce from him. They want Shoaib to give divorce to her before marrying Sania and have hired a lawyer in Pakistan to file a case against him.
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25th Accountants’ General Conference to begin from 5th April, 2010 in New Delhi

(PIB NEWS) 25th Conference of Accountants General is being held for 5 days from 05 to 09 April 2010. Conference of Accountants General is held almost every two years to discuss contemporary issues in relation fulfilling the role and responsibilities of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and transforming the audit as an effective tool for good governance. The Accountants’ General conferences conclude with specific recommendations for internal and external reforms to enhance the effectiveness of audit. The recommendations upon their approval by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India are implemented to realize the value from the deliberations of all Accountants General. The fundamental objective of this conference is to deliberate on ‘Transformation of Indian Audit & Accounts Department: Consolidation, Expansion and Innovation’. More than 120 Accountants General and Principal Accountants General, responsible for audit of the Union and State Governments and for maintenance of accounts of the State Governments, shall be attending the conference. The theme papers for deliberation in the conference include (i) Adoption of Best Practices in Audit Function; (ii) Institutional Frame Work for Integrated Audit; (iii) Performance Auditing; (iv) Audit and Risk Management; and (iv) Accounting as an enabler for Good Governance and more effective Audit. In addition the new draft ‘Public Audit Bill’ forwarded by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India to the Government will also be discussed during the conference. The conference shall be inaugurated by Smt. Meira Kumar, Speaker of the Lok Sabha on 05 April 2010 at 11.30 AM in the Auditorium of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Pocket 9, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, New Delhi. Shri Gopinath Munde, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament and Shri Vinod Rai, Comptroller and Auditor General of India will also address the inauguration session. A special feature of this conference will be a Stakeholders’ Panel Discussion on 06 April 2010 during 10 AM to 1 PM in the Auditorium of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Pocket 9, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, New Delhi, in which eminent personages from public life, media, business and professions will participate. The theme of the stakeholders’ panel discussion is “Expectations from CAG”. It will afford an opportunity to deliberate on what the stakeholders expect from the CAG and to what extent their expectations are fulfilled. It is for the first time that this type of wide external stakeholder’s panel discussion is organized during the Accountants’ General conference. The stakeholders’ panel discussion shall be attended by eminent personages, which includes Smt Sheila Dixit, Chief Minister of Delhi, Shri Deepak Parekh, Chairman HDFC, Shri Shekhar Gupta, Editor-in-Chief, Indian Express, Shri T.N.Ninan, Chairman and MD, Business Standard and Shri T. Mohandas Pai, Director (HR and E&R), Infosys Technologies Limited. The valedictory function of the conference will be addressed by the Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee on 09 April 2010 at 1 PM in Auditorium of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Pocket 9, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, New Delhi. ======================================================

Stern action to be taken against troublemakers: Andhra Pradesh CM

Hyderabad, Apr 3: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today advised to the Hyderabad City Police Commissioner to consider relaxation of curfew for a longer spell to reduce the hardships of the general public.

At the same time, he warned that stern action would be taken against troublemakers and rumour mongers while normalcy was returning in Hydetabad. The Chief Minister held a review meeting on the latest situation in the old city areas with ministers, DGP and other top officials from camp office soon after his return from Chittoor today.He expressed satisfaction that the situation was fast improving in the old city areas and that there were no untoward incidents in the curfew and non-curfew areas.The Chief Minister thanked all religious leaders and political parties for their whole-hearted cooperation in bringing back normalcy in the old city areas. Mr Rosaiah said Hyderabad was historically known for peace and communal harmony and hence ''it was our paramount duty to keep aloft the 'Brand Hyderabad' name.'' The DGP explained to the Chief Minister that the situation was by and large peaceful in the curfew and non-curfew areas. There were no untoward incidents when the curfew was relaxed in the old city areas today. He was told that milk, vegetables and other essential commodities were supplied through selected outlets in sufficient quantities. The Chief Minister specifically told them not to cause any inconvenience to patients who need emergency medical services. He also advised the City Commissioner of Police to extend the curfew relaxation period taking the situation into consideration to reduce hardships of the people.The Chief Minister once again appealed to the people to remain calm and assured that the government will take all necessary steps to restore peace and communal harmony in the city. The Chief Minister once again appealed to the people not to believe in any rumours and baseless provocative SMSs.Mr Rosaiah further said the Government was closely monitoring the situation and would take appropriate action accordingly. Home Minister Ms Sabita Indra Reddy, Chief Secertary S V Parasad, DGP R R Girish Kumar, IG (Intelligence), Mr M Mahender Reddy, City Police Commissioner, Mr A K Khan, Commissioner, GHMC, Mr Sameer Sharma, and other officials were also present at the occasion. (newkerala.com)
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Shoaib Malik at Sania Mirza's house in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Apr 3 : Despite the controversy surrounding his marriage with tennis star Sania Mirza, Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik is reported to be at Sania's place in Hyderabad.It has been reported Shoaib Malik arrived here from Dubai on Friday and is with Sania''s family since then.It has been reported that the two sports stars will tie the nuptial knot in Dubai on April 15, as Malik''s family fears protests in India on their arrival.The Pakistani media has reported that Malik''s family wants the wedding to take place in Dubai and would not come to India."Around 25 people are expected to attend the marriage in Dubai," adds the Pakistani media.After the marriage, the couple will be based in Dubai, where Shoaib is a resident.The wedding ceremony of both the sports stars will take place in April, while the Walima reception will be hosted by Shoaib on April 16 or 17 in Lahore. Shoaib was earlier engaged to another Hyderabad girl, Ayesha Siddiqui. (newkerala.com)
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PM-enumerated for sensus 2011,

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh being enumerated for Census-2011.by the staff of the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, in New Delhi on April 03, 2010.Wife of the Prime Minister, Smt. Gursharan Kaur and the Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office and Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Prithviraj Chavan are also seen. (Photo by PIB No:CNR-31078) ======================================================

Clarification

(PIB NEWS) A report in the Times of India dated March 12, 2010 has suggested that ever since demitting office in 2007, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India has been a "frequent flyer" and that the Government was "looking to see if it can put a cap on such visits".

It is clarified that the cost of the foreign travels of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India, has been borne usually by his hosts and not the Government of India. There is no proposal before the government to put any kind of restriction on the foreign travels of former Presidents.
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Jaipal Reddy criticises Bal Thackeray for his statement about Sania Mirza

(PIB NEWS) The Union Minister for Urban Development, Mr. S. Jaipal Reddy has criticised Shiv Sena Supremo, Shri Bal Thackeray for his statement about Ms. Sania Mirza’s marriage plan. In a statement Mr. Reddy has said the comment of Mr. Bal Thackeray is highly symptomatic of his notorious tendency to lend a communal colour to every issue. Following is the statement of Mr. Jaipal Reddy:-“It is unfortunate that the leader of Shiv Sena, Mr. Bal Thackeray, has chosen to criticise the decision of Miss. Sania Mirza to marry a Pakistani cricketer on political grounds. We in India have very serious problems with the Government of Pakistan. That does not, however, mean that there cannot be good relations between the people of the two countries. At any rate, the choices in matters relating to marriage are absolutely personal. Nobody can dispute the freedom of Miss Sania Mirza on the issue.The Comment of Mr. Bal Thackeray is highly symptomatic of his notorious tendency to lend a communal colour to every issue. The people of India, in the second decade of twenty first century, are much too mature and sophisticated for such cheap political gimmicks.”
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Curfew relaxation gives relief to people in riot-hit Hyderabad

Hyderabad, April 3: The two-hour relaxation in curfew Saturday provided much-needed relief to the people in riot-hit areas of Hyderabad while the situation remained peaceful in the city.Thousands of men and women came out of their homes in eight police station areas as curfew was relaxed from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. to enable people to buy essential commodities. Huge crowds were seen in the markets to buy vegetables, milk and groceries. Long queues were also there at the medical stores. People once again complained of traders exploiting the situation by jacking up the prices of essentials as the arrangements made by the authorities to supply vegetables proved inadequate. For the first time since curfew was imposed in these areas outside the worst-hit old city Tuesday, police relaxed the restrictions, providing some relief to the people. No untoward incident was reported in two hour relaxation. The curfew in 17 police station areas of old city was relaxed for three hours from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The curfew in the communally sensitive old city was relaxed for two hours Thursday but no relaxation was given Friday as police anticipated trouble during prayers. With Friday prayers passing off peacefully, the police decided to give three-hour relaxation. Though no untoward incident was reported in any of the curfew-bound areas since Tuesday night, police were continuing the curfew as a precautionary measure. Police Commissioner A.K. Khan Saturday said there would be relaxation for longer duration on Sunday. "Lifting of curfew will take some more time," he said. There was mild tension near the historic Charminar area late Friday when Hyderabad MP and Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi staged a protest at Charminar police station against the arrests of "innocent" Muslim youth by police. Owaisi later called off the protest after an assurance by the senior police officers that innocent youth would be released. Owaisi, who was accompanied by parents of some of the arrested youth, alleged that police was breaking into the houses during night time, abusing women and lifting their children. The communal violence, which broke out following a dispute over putting up of religious flags, has so far claimed two lives and left over 150 injured. The police commissioner said probe into various incidents of violence was on and so far 300 people were taken into custody. Police were also on the lookout for two corporators of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Telugu Desam Party for their alleged involvement in riots.
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Curfew continues in riot-hit Hyderabad

Hyderabad for the fourth day Friday. Even though the situation remained peaceful, police were on high alert because of Friday prayers.Police decided not to relax the curfew in all 25 police station areas since they anticipated trouble during Friday prayers. They have requested Muslims to pray in their homes.Police Commissioner A.K.Khan told reporters that curfew, which was relaxed for two hours in 17 police station areas Thursday, would continue without any relaxation Friday.An eminent Islamic scholar has also ruled that Friday prayers were not a must in curfew-bound areas and appealed to Muslims to pray in their homes. Mufti Khaleel Ahmed, head of the Islamic university Jamia Nizamia, said Friday prayers in mosques are a must only when they can be offered without any disturbance and without endangering lives.Home Minister P. Sabita Indra Reddy had earlier hinted that curfew could be relaxed for prayers but after a review meeting with Chief Minister K. Rosaiah and police top brass last night, she ruled out the relaxation. Security has been tightened at all places of worship in Hyderabad and in districts like Adilabad, Mahabubnagar and Nizamabad. The chief minister has directed police to deploy additional forces to ensure peace during Friday prayers.Meanwhile, no untoward incident has been reported from any part of the city since Tuesday night. However, the home minister made it clear that the curfew would continue till normalcy was restored.The communal violence, which broke out following a dispute over putting up of religious flags, has so far claimed two lives and left over 150 injured.Police have increased their probe into various incidents of violence. As many as 200 people have so far been arrested in connection with 67 cases of rioting. The arrests were made for attacks on places of worship, arson and looting and damage to public and private property.(photo by RSJ Thomas)
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Friday prayers pass off peacefully in old city

Hyderabad, Apr 2 : Authorities heaved a sigh of relief as Friday prayers passed off peacefully in the communally-sensitive old city of Hyderabad today amid the indefinite curfew and deployment of ten more companies of para-military forces.Elite Rapid Action Force personnel and mounted police turned the historic Mecca Masjid into a fortress where only a few devout Muslims offered Namaz. They offered prayers in their houses following issuance of fatwa to this effect by clergymen. City Police Commissioner A.K.Khan, who covered several parts of the old city by foot, told mediapersons that ''The situation is fully under control. No untoward incidents were reported so far from anywhere. We will take a decision on relaxing curfew tomorrow if there are no further incidents later today.'' Mr Khan, who interacted with a cross section of people, including religious leaders, said leaders of both the communities had come to an understanding to work jointly for restoration of communal amity.Already 21 companies of central forces have been deployed in 25 police station limits, besides Andhra Pradesh Special Police and elite OCTOPUS in the wake of the killing of two people in communal clashes since Saturday.All roads leading to Mecca Masjid in the old city wore a deserted look as police put up a two-layered barbed wire security fencing.The state government's strategy of working from behind by forming peace committees and persuading clerics to issue fatwa, asking Muslims to offer their zohor (mid-noon prayers) either in their houses or local mosques, paid off. As many as 109 cases were registered in connection with the communal flare-up and over 200 people were picked up for questioning, police said.
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Old Hyderabad under curfew for fourth consecutive day

Hyderabad, Apr 2 : Curfew prevailed parts of riot hit old Hyderabad for a consecutive fourth day on Friday.Police decided against relaxing curfew in all 25 police station areas since anticipating trouble during Friday prayers.The situation, however, remained peaceful with security forces on high alert.State police chief R.R. Girish Kumar, met Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi to ensure peaceful Friday prayers.Hyderabad Police Commissioner A.K. Khan said curfew, was relaxed for two hours in 17 police station areas on Thursday.Meanwhile, eminent Islamic scholar and the head of the Jamia Nizamia Islamic University, Mufti Khaleel Ahmed said Friday prayers in mosques are a must only when they can be offered without disturbance.State Home Minister P. Sabita Indra Reddy had earlier hinted that curfew could be relaxed for prayers but after a review meeting with Chief Minister K. Rosaiah and senior police officials last night, she ruled it out.Communal violence broke out over a dispute involving a religious flag. So far, two have died and 150 have been injured.Two hundred people have been arrested in connection with 67 cases of rioting.
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10 companies brought; heavy security at Mecca Masjid

Hyderabad, Apr 2: Ten additional companies of para-military forces were brought and mounted and police deployed around the historic Mecca Masjid, which was virtually encircled, even as the Hyderabad police braced up for the crucial Friday prayers in the riot-hit old city area of Hyderabad today.With already 21 companies deployed in the 25 police stations in two zones, 17 in south and 8 in west, the Hyderabad police took no chance as it laid a two layer barbed wire security fencing on the desolate roads in various parts, particularly in the vicinity of Charminar.Working behind the scenes, the police and the state government rallied peace committees and talked to the religious leaders, leading to the clerics issuing fatwas, asking Muslims to offer their zohor (mid-noon prayers) either in their house or in the mosques in their localities rather than venture to the Mecca Masjid.Strict vigil was kept on the movement of persons with past rioting record even as police picked up more than 200 people and registered around 70 cases since the communal riot flared up on a flag issue five days back.The government had relaxed the curfew for two hours in two phases yesterday to enable the people to buy their provisions and advised them to store them for two days. However, traders kept the prices of provisions at an unviable rate, normally five times the market price, to make quick money.A few voluntary organisations today distributed packets of rice, oil, pulses and sugar but that was insufficient for the population of two and a half million in the old city area.
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BJP asks CM to order time-bound judicial inquiry into riots

Hyderabad, Apr 2 : ''Unequivocally condemning'' the communal violence in the old city of Hyderabad, the BJP today asked Chief Minister K Rosaiah to order a time-bound judicial inquiry into the riots covering a wider framework including the involvement of Jehadi, ISI elements, conspiracy and political allegations.In a letter to Mr Rosaiah, a copy of which was released to the media here, the BJP state unit demanded that another inquiry into the lapses in handling curfew in the old city be ordered.Protesting against the ''initial failure and subsequent discriminatory attitude of the police'', it said, ''The present spurt of riots at once showcase the failure of the intelligence and counter-intelligence departments at one level, and the failure of entire administration at a larger level.'' The saffron party also demanded that the Rosaiah government announce an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the families of those killed in riots, a government job to an eligible member of the family and a house. It also asked the government to provide compensation of Rs 50,000 to injured and Rs 1 lakh to seriously injured in addition to free treatment.
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BJP sets up team to probe Hyderabad violence

New Delhi, April 2: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari Friday constituted a five-member committee, headed by party MP and spokesman Prakash Javdekar, to probe the communal violence in Hyderabad.BJP Lok Sabha member Prahlad Joshi, spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman, national secretary Dr. Laxman and Rajya Sabha member K.B. Shanappa are the other members. "The committee will visit the riot-hit areas to take stock of the situation there. Later, it will submit a report to the party president," according to a party statement here. Party sources said the actual time to visit the affected places and programme of the committee would be decided by Javdekar. "The committee will leave for Hyderabad in a day or two. They will meet in Hyderabad before visiting the riot-hit areas," a party official said.
The communal violence, which broke out following a dispute over putting up of religious flags, has so far claimed two lives and left over 150 injured.
The riot-hit areas are still under curfew. Police have stepped up their probe into various incidents of violence. As many as 200 people have so far been arrested for 67 cases of rioting. The arrests were made for attacks on places of worship, arson and looting, and damage to public and private property.
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US Consulate General to upgrade facilities

Hyderabad, Apr 2 : US Consul General Cornelis Keur today said the US Consulate General in Hyderabad will upgrade its existing facility to accommodate the increasing demand for consular services from the first week of May 2010.During this period, expected to last six weeks, the Consular Section will temporarily reduce the number of appointments available to both American citizens and visa applicants. In a statement, the Consul General said, ''This period of refurbishment is unavoidable as the existing configuration is inadequate to meet the growing demand for services from both American citizens and visa applicants in Andhra Pradesh.'' ''To avoid inconvenience to our applicants, the Consulate General will increase the number of visa and American Citizen Services (ACS) appointments available during the four weeks prior to the expected facility upgrade. Interview appointments can now be scheduled on Saturdays beginning April 10, 2010,'' he said. The US Consul General urged the applicants to plan ahead and apply far in advance of expected travel dates for visas or American citizen services such as passports, notarials, or Consular Reports of Birth Abroad. Applicants with urgent travel needs during this period of limited consular services can apply for visas at the US Consulate General in Chennai or other US consular sections throughout India,he said.                                   (photo by RSJ Thomas) ==========================================================

Hyderabad: Curfew relaxed for two hours,

Hyderabad, Apr 1 : Curfew was relaxed in areas around the Charminar in old Hyderabad on Thursday for two hours to allow people to buy essential commodities.This is the first time that curfew was relaxed since it was imposed for an indefinite period on Monday evening following communal clashes.Earlier, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah and Leader of Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu appealed to the people to observe discipline following reports of fresh clashes.It has been reported that at least eight persons, including two cops were injured as protestors' pelted stones during a Hanuman Jayanti procession that led to communal clashes in new areas of the city.Meanwhile, the Central Government has deployed over 1800 troops in sensitive areas to maintain law and order.Over 130 persons, suspected to be involved in communal clashes, have been taken into custody so far, police said.The Andhra Pradesh Government on Monday had ordered the deployment of additional security forces in old Hyderabad City where tension prevails, following overnight clashes between the two communities.The Rapid Action Force (RAF) and the state police were earlier deployed in Moosa Bowli, Hussaini Alam, Purana Pul, Begum Bazar, and nearby areas to restore peace following incidents of stone-pelting and assault on religious places, houses, shops and vehicles.The Strife started in the Moosa Bowli area when the majority Hindu community reportedly removed green flags installed by and installed saffron ones during a recent festival. The heated exchanges later snowballed into clashes between both groups.
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Situation peaceful in Hyderabad as curfew relaxed

Hyderabad, April 1 : The situation in riot-hit parts of Hyderabad Thursday remained peaceful while people in curfew-bound areas of the city got some relief with authorities relaxing the curfew for two hours.No untoward incident was reported from any of the areas in the old city, where curfew was relaxed in two phases, police said. Thousands of people, living under curfew for the last three days, came out to buy essential commodities. Long queues were seen outside grocery shops, milk booths and medical stores during the relaxation. Though police had announced that women and men above 50 years will only be allowed to come out to buy essential goods, a large number of youth were also seen shopping in some areas like Bahadurpura as police could not strictly enforce the restrictions. Traders exploited the situation by selling the essential commodities at exorbitant prices. In some areas milk was sold for Rs.100 a litre while vegetables cost Rs.50 per kg. Though the government had made some arrangements to supply milk and vegetables, they proved inadequate. Police had a tough time in controlling the crowds at vegetable markets and milk booths. People complained that, taking advantage of the situation, the traders jacked up prices. Home Minister P. Sabita Indra Reddy told reporters that four traders were arrested for selling essential commodities at very high rates. She said the authorities supplied 28 trucks of vegetables and 45,000 litres of milk in 17 police station areas. Curfew was relaxed from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in nine police station limits and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in eight police station limits. Police Commissioner A.K. Khan said there would be no relaxation in eight police station areas of the new city where curfew was imposed Tuesday night after communal clashes. The riots, which broke out last week over putting up of religious flags, have so far claimed two lives and left over 150 injured. The home minister said a decision on relaxing curfew for Friday prayers would be taken in the evening after a review of the situation. She said 10 more companies of paramilitary forces had reached the city and were being deployed. This is in addition to 21 companies already deployed in the riot-hit areas.
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