Kasab – how a poor Pakistani became India’s terror nightmare

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

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

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

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

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

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

City police on tenterhooks following terror threat

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

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

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

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

Hyderabad, May 1 : To overcome a series of crises he has been facing, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah Saturday participated in a special 'yagam' here.Accompanied by his family members, the veteran Congress took part in the 'maha rudra yagam' at Sainathpuram in Malkajgiri area. Rosaiah's relatives and well wishers had organised the week-long 'yagam' to pray for the removal of hurdles in his governance. About 150 priests participated in the event. Amid the chanting of vedic hymns, Rosaiah and his family participated in the rituals. Saturday was the last of the 'yagam'. Ever since he took over as chief minister following the death of Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy Sep 2 last year, Rosaiah has faced a series of crises. It started with a campaign by the loyalists of the late leader who wanted to see his son Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy as the chief minister. This was followed by unprecedented floods in the Krishna river. And just as the 78-year-old leader was trying to have a grip over his administration, the Telangana movement posed the biggest challenge to the government. For three months, protests for and against statehood to Telangana region engulfed the state. As the central government bailed out the state government by setting up the Srikrishna committee, Rosaiah, who also holds the finance portfolio, faced a new problem arising out of financial crunch. Falling revenues hit hard the welfare and development schemes. Rosaiah's attempts to convince the Congress leadership to allow him to reshuffle the cabinet has also failed. He continues with a team formed by his predecessor.
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Muaythai Championship -2010 -Inangaration Function,at LB Stadium Hyderabad

Andhra Pradesh State Junior and Sub Junior Muaythai Championship will be held from April 30 to may 2nd at Boxing hall of Lal Bahadur Stadium in Hyderabad. Addressing the Inangaration Function,Hon'ble chief guest Mr.Abid Rasool Khan.Secretary(APCC) Mr.M.H Abid,President of  Muaythai India(PMI)Mr.P.Mallareddy, Joint Sec(APOA)Mr. Mohammed Salahuddin Jaweed,president Andhra Pradesh Muaythai Association, Mr.Mohd.Murtuza .Editor CNI,Technical Members of Muay Thai, Mr. Zaheeruddin and Mr mohammed Nazeer Ahmed also be seen.*       (PHOTO BY RSJ THOMAS)=======================================================

Position of India in Gold Market ,

(PIB NEWS) According to the World Gold Council, India ranked 13th in the world in terms of official gold holding in March 2008 and 2009. However, with the purchase of 200 metric tonnes of gold by the Reserve Bank of India from the International Monetary Fund under the IMF’s limited gold sales program, India’s rank increased to 10th position in March 2010, with official gold holding of 557.7 metric tonnes. The purchase was part of the Reserve Bank’s foreign exchange reserves management operations.This information was given by the Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in written reply to a question raised in Lok Sabha today.
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Supreme Court Judges Appointed,

In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (2) of article 124 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint (1) Shri Justice Hemant Laxman Gokhale, Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, (2) Smt. Justice Gyan Sudha Misra, Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court, and (3) Shri Justice Anil Ramesh Dave, Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court in that order of seniority, to be the Judges of the Supreme Court of India with effect from the dates they assume charge of their offices. =======================================================

Meeting Held With Mps From Naxal-Affected Districts Chidambaram Calls for Better Utilization of Funds

(PIB NEWS) The Union Home Minister, Shri P.Chidambaram has called for better utilization of funds, provided by the Centre for development of the districts, worst affected by Left Wing Extremism(LWE). He was chairing here today a meeting held with the Members of Parliament, representing 34 such districts and West Medinipur district of West Bengal. The purpose of the meeting was to assess the present trends and review the steps needed for integrated development of these districts. Citing statistics, the Home Minister said that as on 25th April, 2010, utilization of the funds released for these districts under major development schemes varied from scheme to scheme. The utilization was 46.23 per cent under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, 62.83 per cent under the National Rural Health Mission,72.92 per cent under the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana, 85.81 per cent under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, 80.35 per cent under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 86.37 percent under Drinking Water Supply, 86.70 per cent under Integated Child Development Services , 71.52 per cent under Indira Awas Yojana, 5.86 per cent for Ashram Schools and 66.01 per cent under the Forest Rights Act. The Minister said that there was a need to improve the financial and physical performance of major developmental schemes in the worst-affect districts. Taking part in the discussions, MPs welcomed the Home Minister’s initiative to call the first ever meeting of Members of Parliament representing the Districts, worst affected by LWE. Members said that MPs and MLAs from these districts must have a role to play in monitoring implementation of the major developmental schemes. Suggestions which came up at the meeting included setting up of a major Vocational Centre in each block, relaxation of norms for setting up schools and building roads, etc. in the worst-affected districts, imparting knowledge of local dialects to security force personnel working in the LWE- affected areas, involving local tribals in implementation of various developmental schemes and providing employment to local tribals in security forces, etc. Some members pointed out that Naxal leaders have amassed huge wealth through extortion. In his concluding remarks, the Union Home Minister said that a plan would be worked out on the basis of concrete suggestions, received from the MPs and would be presented to the Chief Ministers. The discussion remained inconclusive and another meeting would be held in the second half of next month to enable more Members to participate. Those present at today’s meeting included the Ministers of State for Home S/Shri Mullappally Ramachandran and Ajay Maken and senior officers from the concerned Ministries/ Departments of the Central Government. The Districts worst affected by Left Wing Extremism include Khammam in Andhra Pradesh, Jehanabad, Aurangabad, Jamui, Arwal, Gaya and Rohtas in Bihar, Dantewada, Bastar, Bijapur, Narayanpur, Kanker, Rajnandgaon and Sarguja from Chhattisgarh, Gadchiroli and Gondia from Maharashtra, East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, Lohardaga, Gumla, Chatra, Hazaribagh, Ramgarh, Bokaro, Garhwa, Lathehar and Palamau from Jharkhand, Balaghat from Madhya Pradesh , Gajapati, Rayagada, Devogarh, Malkangiri and Sambalpur from Orissa, Sonebhadra from Uttar Pradesh and West Medinipur from West Bengal.
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Sarosh Homi Kapadia to be India’s new chief justice

Supreme Court Justice Sarosh Homi Kapadia has been appointed the new chief justice of India. Kapadia will assume charge May 12.Kapadia takes over from Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, India’s first Dalit chief justice.A press release from the ministry of law and justice stated: “In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (2) of Article 124 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Justice Sarosh Homi Kapadia, judge of the Supreme Court, to be the Chief Justice of India with effect from May 12, 2010.”
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Armed policemen maintain tight vigil in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, April 30: Gun-totting policemen kept a tight vigil in Hyderabad for the third consecutive day Friday in view of warnings by intelligence agencies of possible terror attacks. Police also cracked the whip on some shopping malls for poor security measures.Police continued large-scale searches in the city amid warning of possible terror attacks. Armed security personnel maintained a tight vigil at busy traffic intersections and around major shopping malls, hotels and public places. Dozens of policemen were searching vehicles and frisking people near the City Centre, a shopping mall which also houses popular family restaurant McDonalds, in the upmarket Banjara Hills. Security has been further tightened around popular food joints, hotels, bus and railway stations, places of worship and key installations. Police also sealed three shopping malls and an entertainment centre after security agencies detected major loopholes in their security systems. Despite instructions by police to beef up security, they failed to take adequate steps. The malls were sealed after security personnel managed to enter them with dummy bombs while checking the establishments' security system. The private security personnel deployed at these malls and metal detectors failed to detect the "explosives". The malls, however, reopened after a couple of hours following an assurance by the managements to take corrective measures. Police are on high alert in the city in view of reported warnings by central intelligence agencies of possible terror strikes. Police Commissioner A.K. Khan said they were not taking any chances as the city is heading for third anniversary of the bomb blast at historic Mecca Masjid. Nine persons were killed in the blast during Friday prayers on May 18, 2007. Five protestors diedin the subsequent police firing on a mob near the mosque. Two near simultaneous blasts at Lumbini Park near the state secretariat and at Gokul Chat, a popular eatery, had killed 43 people on Aug 25 the same year.        (photo by R S J.Thomas)
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Hyderabad police crack 'Nigerian fraud', one arrested

Hyderabad, April 30: Cyber crime sleuths here Friday claimed to have cracked a case of 'Nigerian fraud' with the arrest of one person in Maharashtra for duping a resident of Hyderabad.Alok Raj Saxena, a resident of Hussaini Alam in the Old City of Hyderabad, was duped to the tune of Rs.10.7 lakh by internet fraudsters on the pretext of providing a job in the Emirates Airlines in Britain. Rahul Koshte was arrested in Badlapur in Thane district of Maharashtra two days ago and remanded to judicial custody. Three others, including two residents of Mumbai and a Nigerian, are absconding. 'Nigerian fraud' is referred to the online fraud wherein internet fraudsters lure people through promises of jobs and claims of winning lotteries. Crime Investigation Department (CID) officials said the amount which the complainant sent was traced to three ICICI bank accounts of Mumbai. One of the accounts was in the name of Dyaneswar Bhimrao Thupe. He was lured with a promise of commission by Rahus Koshti, who had taken 25 cheques and an ICICI ATM card from Thupe and made transactions on his behalf. Two other accused, Sanjeev Bose and Om Chand Choudhary, had contacts with Nigerian fraudsters, and they used Thupe's current account to receive the money. The police had detected a similar fraud early this year and arrested a travel agent from Delhi, Mukesh Munjal, for duping a priest to the tune of Rs.43.26 lakh. The money sent by Anthony Sneharaj, a priest from Vijayawada, was deposited into Mukesh's bank account. Mukesh was working for his Nigerian bosses for commission. The priest was lured by Ben Jean James, who claimed herself to be a Catholic widow suffering from cancer. Ben Jean James said her husband left USD 2.8 million, which she intended to donate for the service of orphans and the less privileged. Priest, who took interest in running the orphanage, was asked to send money to claim the entire amount. (newkerala.com)
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Hunt to nab medico for attemting to molest girl student

Hyderabad, Apr 30 : The Cyberabad police are on the look out to nab a fourth-year MBBS student of a medical college at Elkapally on the city outskirts who allegedly tried to sexually molest a junior girl student of the same college recently.According to police, a case under section 376 (rape) read with 511 (attempt) of IPC has been registered by the Moinabad police against the accused D Satish, who has been suspended from the college following a complaint from the parents of the girl student.The accused had been harassing the third year student and pestering her to speak with him. Worried over his threats, she spoke to Satish a couple of times but stopped interacting with him as he continued to intimidate her, police said.He followed her and went inside the room meant for girls on April 24 and when she was alone, Satish allegedly tried to 'sexually molest' her but fled after the she raised an alarm.The parents of the girl approached the college Principal, who suspended Satish after an inquiry, police added.
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Corporation tax collection achieves target in AP

Visakhapatnam, Apr 30: The Visakhapatnam region has achieved a Corporation Tax collection targets of Rupees 1,285 crore during the 2009-10 financial year.Addressing a press conference here yesterday, the Regional Income Tax Chief Commissioner K V Chowdary said, the five districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari and West Godavari districts in the region collected Rs 920 crore of Corporation Tax, Rs 704.80 crore of Income Tax and Rs 12.1 crore of other taxes with total of Rs 1636.90 crore, showing an overall growth of 0.2 per cent compared to previous financial year's (2008-09) collection of Rs 1634.60 crore.The target was to collect Rs 1,285 crore Corporation Tax, Rs 614 crore Income Tax and Rs 2.54 crore other taxex, with total of Rs 1,901.54 crore during the financial year 2009-10.He said the Corporation Tax collections are under the shortfall mainly on account of one large tax payer paying an amount of Rs 430 crore only during this year as against Rs 750 crore in the preceeding year. However, excluding the contributions by the said large tax payer, the region collected an amount of Rs 488 crore under the head CT against the corresponding payment by others of Rs 312.70 crore in the last year showing a healthy growth rate of 56.06 Per Cent. The growth of Income Tax collections is 24.14 per cent. ======================================================