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CHENNAI, Oct 9: In a verdict that may affect the political fortunes of the AIADMK-led opposition in Tamil Nadu, a special judge today sentenced former Chief Minister Jayalalitha to three years’ Rigorous Imprisonment in one of the TANSI land deal cases and two years in another case. Delivering his verdict in a packed courtroom, Judge P Anbazhagan also sentenced Jayalalitha’s associate Sasikala, former State Rural Industries Minister Mohammed Asif and three officials to three years in prison each and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 each. In the second case, Asif alone was acquitted but the rest were asked to go to jail for two years and pay a fine of Rs 5,000 each. Soon after the judge pronounced the verdict, he suspended the operation of the sentences till November 7 to enable all of them to go on appeal. The sentence effectively bars Jayalalitha from contesting the Assembly polls next year as Sec 8(3) of the Representation of the People Act disqualifies a person from electoralest for six years if the prison term is two years or more. A visibly upset Jayalalitha drove away without talking to mediapersons, while AIADMK advocates and supporters in the court premises shouted slogans against Chief Minister M Karunanidhi alleging "political vendetta". Police threw a tight security cordon in the area, with even the swift action force being deployed, and all shops in the normally busy Burma Bazaar were closed, as AIADMK men had gone on the rampage on February 2, this year when Jayalalitha was convicted in the "Pleasant Stay" hotel case. Police said security had been tightened all over the State to avoid any untoward incident, as the earlier conviction had led to violent protests. A university bus was torched at Dharmapuri charring to death three girl students. Considered the strongest among all the corruption charges against the AIADMK general secretary, the TANSI cases involve purchase of land and buildings belonging to two units of the Tamil Nadu Small Industries Corporation (TANSI) by ‘Jaya Publications’ and ‘Sasi Enterprises’, both firms in which Jayalalitha and Sasikala were partners. ‘Jaya Publications’ purchased property belonging to TANSI Foundry Ltd., for Rs 1.82 crore against the guideline value of about Rs 4.43 crore, while ‘Sasi Enterprises’ bought land and building from TANSI enamelled wires at an estimated loss of Rs 66.11 lakh. Together, the transactions caused about Rs 4.16 crore loss to TANSI, the Crime Branch CID, which prosecuted the case, had alleged. The three officials convicted were T R Srinivasan, an IAS officer who was TANSI’s Chairman and Managing Director at the time of the sale in 1992, S Nagarajan, Special Deputy Collector (Stamps), and R Karpoorasundara Pandian, then Additional Secretary to the Chief Minister. The crux of the prosecution case was that Jayalalitha, as Chief Minister, had decided at a review meeting on TANSI’s performance, to sell some TANSI’s units and immediately proceeded to participate in the bidding process through her partnership firms in a poorly advertised sale. The transactions involved undervaluation of the sale and consequent evasion of stamp duty and also reduced registration charges. Srinivasan, who executed the sale deed on behalf of tansi, was alleged to have conspired with Jayalalitha and Sasikala to ensure that their firms purchased the property at reduced prices. Asif, as Minister for Industries, and Karpoorasundara Pandian were accused of participating in the conspiracy by getting officials to expedite the sale and even threatening those who questioned its bonafides. Nagarajan, entrused with evaluating the sale and fixing the stamp duty, allowed the undervalued registrations to go on without payment of adequate stamp duty, the CD-CID argued. The TANSI case has been in the limelight for years, ever since Janata Party president Dr Subramanian Swamy obtained the sanction of then Governor, late M Channa Reddy, in April 1995 to prosecute her for buying state-owned land. However, the Supreme Court stayed the proceedings while referring to the constitution bench the question whether the Governor was the sanctioning authority for a serving Chief Minister and whether he should take the aid and advice of the Cabinet while according the sanction. Soon after the DMK assumed power in May 1996, a court referred Swamy’s private complaint to the CD-CID for investigation. The agency registered an fir and filed a chargesheet in November 1996. However, the proceedings were adjourned on more than 100 occasions mainly based on innumerable interloculatory petitions filed on behalf of the accused. The TANSI foundry land bought by Jaya Publications measured 56 grounds or 3.0786 acres in the Guindy Industrial Estate in Chennai and was valued Rs 7.91 lakh per ground, but was bought at Rs three lakh. The stamp duty, which ought to have been Rs 57.58 lakh, was fixed at only Rs 24.36 lakh and registration charges were not paid. The other property was smaller in size and was bought below the guideline value, with consequent reduction in stamp duty and evasion of registration charges. (PTI) |
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Yogendra Narain is new
Defence Secy NEW DELHI, Oct 9 : In a major bureaucratic reshuffle today, Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Yogendra Narain was appointed as Defence Secretary and K Sibal as Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs. Narain replaces T R Prasad, who has joined as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Cabinet Secretariat as a prelude to his taking over as Cabinet Secretary, according to an official announcement here. Sibal, a 1966 batch IFS officer, will take over from K V Rajan who is due for superannuation on March 31 next year. S C Tripathi, a 1968 batch IAS officer, has been appointed Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Mines. Eleven other IAS officers of the rank of Additonal Secretaries have been reshuffled in the new appointments approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. Dr S K Pachauri, an Andhra Padre IAS officer, has been upgraded to the rank of Additional Secretary but would continue in his present post of Secretary, Liberhan Ayodhya Commission of inquiry. Also promoted is Reva Nayyar, who would continue as member Secretary while P K Hota has been made Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser in the Commerce Ministry. A K Saxena, a Rajasthan cadre officer, has been named as a new Additional Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs. Mohd Shafi Pandit, A J& K cadre officer, has been made Director General Supply and Disposal and Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce. P S S Thomas, on promotion to the rank of Additional Secretary, has been named Adviser, Planning Commission. Secretary to the Vice President, A N Tiwari, has been upgraded to the rank of Additional Secretary in his present post. S K Purkayastha has been appointed as new Additional Secretary in the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation replacing Mrs Sathi Nair. Ajay Prasad, a Himachal cadre IAS officer, has been named as Additional Secretary in the Defence Ministry. L V Saptharishi has been made Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce. Mrs Chitra Chopra has been appointed Additional Secretary in the Department of Culture in place of Arun Kshetrapal who has proceeded on long leave, the official announcement said. (PTI) |
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GoM deliberates on Kargil panel recommendations NEW DELHI, Oct 9: The Group of Ministers (GoM), set up to study the recommendations of the Kargil Review Committee, today held its first meeting to discuss the reports of the four task forces set up by it on different aspects concerning national security. The meeting was chaired by Home Minister L K Advani and included Defence Minister George Fernandes and External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh. The task forces, which dealt with internal security, border management, intelligence apparatus and defence management, submitted their reports to Advani on October one. Official sources said the GoM would have threadbare discussion and try to finalise their recommendations as expeditiously as possible. The tentative deadline for submission of the recommendations was November 15, they added. The task force on intelligence set-up presented its crucial 224-page report after studying the functioning of all intelligence agencies in the country. It had chapters dealing with the role of intelligence in the changing security environment, besides functioning of agencies like Intelligence Bureau, Armed Forces Intelligence Wings, Research and Analyses Wing and the Director General of Security. It also dealt with counter-intelligence, economic intelligence, psychological warfare and coordination between different agencies. The task forces on internal security and defence management have made a series of recommendations on restructuring of the national security system. The task force on internal security has dealt with the responsibility of the Centre and the States to manage internal security and constitutional provisions relating to their respective responsibilities. It has also dealt with the constitutional position regarding deployment of armed forces, current internal security scenario, drug trafficking, narco-terrorism, functioning of State police forces, paramilitary forces and the role of the Union Home Ministry in national security management. The task force on defence management has dealt with higher defence management, procurement organisation and procedures, research and development, defence production and policy research, the sources added. (PTI) |
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Employee caught red-handed
while taking bribe Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 9: The court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Kashmir has framed charges against Mr Mohammed Shafi Bandey, the then Manager Marketing Society Boniyar, Mian Muzaffar, the then Assistant Executive Engineer, Rural Engineering Wing, Baramulla, Farooq Ahmed Sheikh, Junior Engineer, REW block Boniyar beside three private persons namely Amanullah Khan, Ghulam Nabi Sofi and Abdul Rashid Lone in case FIR No 7/96 Police Station Vigilance Organisation Kashmir for offences punishable under Section 5(2) Prevention of Corruption Act 2006 read with section 120-B RPC. According to a handout issued by the Vigilance Organisation, the instant case was registered by the Vigilance Organisation on receipt of reports that the above named officials in conspiracy with some persons had misappropriated public funds in the construction of a building. It was alleged that sub-standard material had been used in the construction of work. In the course of investigation it was disclosed that the District Development Commissioner, Baramulla had sanctioned an amount of Rs 2,32,000 for the construction of godowns at Kunzar and Boniyar under Cooperative Sector. It came to light that Mr Mohammed Shafi Bandey, Manager Marketing Society, Boniyar in league with other accused persons had, in violation of codal rules and regulations, effected purchase of building material. He had failed to invite tenders and had not even bothered to maintain the accounts, which he was duty bound as per the resolution of the construction committee. It was detected that fake bills/vouchers had been prepared with tampering made subsequently to misappropriate funds. The investigation had established that Mian Muzaffar, AEE and Farooq Ahmed, JE had issued test check certificates although the work had not been executed as per the specification. The engineering officials had even allowed use of substandard material in the construction work. These facts were corroborated by the opinion which was obtained from the forensic expert. The other members of the construction committee had also failed to verify the accounts etc which ultimately put the State exchequer to loss. On receipt of the sanction from the Government to the launching of prosecution against the accused persons, the Vigilance Organisation had presented the challan before the court of Special Judge, Anti Corruption Kashmir who prima-facia found the involvement of the accused persons in the case and accordingly charge sheeted them. Meanwhile the State Vigilance Organisation has presented challan in one more case FIR No 83/99 Police State Vigilance Kashmir against Mr Lali Thomas, of tehsil office Sopore under Section 5 (2) Prevention of Corruption Act, 2006 read with section 161 RPC. The accused had demanded Rs 1500 as bribe from the complainant for processing the case for issuance of income certificate which was required by the complainant. A trap party of the Vigilance Organisation had apprehended the accused red handed in the act of demand and acceptance of the bribe in presence of the independent witness. |
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One killed, 2 seriously
injured Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 9: Frustrated Pakistani troops last night opened heavy firing on a marriage party at forward village of Kot Kuba, located near Zero Line on the International Border of Arnia sector, killing one person on the spot and critically wounding two others. Two vehicles including a mini-bus and a Maruti Van, which became the target of Pakistan army, were extensively damaged in the firing, which took place at 2130 hours last night. Official sources said a marriage party (barat) had gone to village Kaku De Kothe in Arnia sector from Paloura last night. While a bus carrying ‘baratis’ returned after taking dinner through Sei village of Treva, a mini-bus and a Maruti Van lost their route in the border area and reached Kot Kuba. Though both these vehicles were moving well inside the Indian territory along the Zero Line, the Pakistan army resorted to heavy volume of firing on the innocent members of marriage party killing one of them on the spot and causing injuries to two others. The Border Security Force (BSF) returned the Pakistani firing resulting into an exchange of firing, which continued for about 20 minutes. A police party from Arnia police station and RS Pura sub division led by Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Pritam Singh Jamwal rushed to the scene of firing immediately after getting a report and rushed the two injured to Medical College hospital. Raj Singh son of Kartar Singh, a resident of village Raipur in RS Pura, who was driving the mini-bus No. 5847 JK02G had died on the spot. He was announced dead in the hospital by doctors and his body was handed over to his family after post-mortem. Two persons injured in the firing have been identified as Nek Ram son of Dayal Chand of Paloura, a conductor of the mini-bus and Munshi Singh son of Kanshi Ram of Paloura, who was driving Maruti Van No. 2843 JKU. They have been admitted in the Medical College hospital. Initially their condition was stated to be critical but they were responding to treatment after being operated upon. About 10 persons, who were travelling in the mini-bus and Maruti Van had a narrow escape in the Pakistani firing. They later reached their homes safely. Deputy Commissioner Jammu R K Goel has sanctioned an ex-gratia of Rs one lakh in favour of the kins of deceased Raj Singh. India side has taken serious exception to unprovoked and indiscriminate firing by Pakistan army on the innocent marriage party members. This was for the first time that a ‘barat’ was targeted by enemy troops though they had been firing on civilian locations on the International Border frequently. Meanwhile, Pakistan army also continued firing on security pickets and civilian areas at several other places on the border overnight. Over a dozen security pickets came under enemy attack at Hiranagar, Samba, Ramgarh, Suchetgarh, RS Pura and Akhnoor. BSF retaliated firing at all the places. However, there was no report of any casualty on either side. |
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Bus blown up with IED Excelsior Correspondent RAMBAN, Oct 9: Three jawans of Border Security Force (BSF) were killed and four others were injured, two of them seriously, when militants blasted a security vehicle with the help of a remote-controlled Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at Devfool, about 14 kms from here surrounding Khooni nullah on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway this morning. Four shops, located on the highway near the scene of explosion, caught fire with the impact of powerful explosion and suffered extensive damage. Fire was later controlled by the fire fighting personnel. Official sources here said a BSF vehicle No. 00538 ADP on way from Pantha Chowk in Srinagar to BSF headquarters in Jammu was blown up when an IED explosion took place under it on the road at 1100 hours at Devfool on the highway. According to eye-witnesses, the BSF bus flew several feet high in the air as the blast occurred under it. The security vehicle was extensively damaged. A private TATA Sumo vehicle, which was following the BSF bus, also got its wind screens smashed after being hit by splinters of the explosive device. Army, BSF and police personnel including SP Ramban, Saji Mohan, SP Traffic National Highway Haji Sultan and DySP Banihal RK Chalotra rushed to the site of explosion and immediately cordoned off the entire area. Traffic on both sides of the highway was suspended. Seven BSF personnel were shifted to sub district hospital at Ramban where three of them were declared dead on their arrival. Four other injured were admitted for treatment. The dead have been identified as Havildar Thoru Ram of 29 battalion, Chitranjan Kumar, constable of 47 battalion and Murugan, constable and 49 battalion. All of them had died on the spot. Four injured include Balwinder Singh, a safai karamchari posted in 61 battalion, Bhagat Singh, constable, Hari Parsad, constable, both of 47 battalion and Mahavir Singh of 123 battalion. Security forces carried out massive searches on the highway but couldn’t make any arrest though police rounded up some suspects for questioning. Preliminary investigations revealed that an IED had been activated by the militants with the help of a remote-control device. About a couple of hours before the blast, a Mine Detecting Vehicle (MDV) of security forces had cleared the road. It, according to sources, appeared that IED was planted by the militants on the highway after passing of MDV vehicle and exploded with a remote-control. About four shops, located near the blast site, caught fire which indicated the intensity of explosion. Two fire tenders were rushed to the spot which controlled the flames after half an hour long operation. Traffic was restored on the highway after security forces thoroughly searched the highway. Bodies of three deceased BSF jawans are being brought to Jammu for sending them to their native towns with full military honours. It may be recalled that on August 13 morning, on the eve of Independence Day, militants had blasted three BSF vehicles at Kud in two explosions killing five BSF jawans and wounding 40 others. After Kud explosions, all security vehicles had been moving on the highway taking adequate precautions. Sources suspected the hand of some local youths in planting and exploding the IED under a BSF vehicle. Of late, the Hizbul Mujahideen militants have succeeded in winning over some local youths in Banihal and adjoining areas to trigger explosions. |
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Bofors pay-offs case NEW DELHI, Oct 9: In an important turn to the Rs 64 crore Bofors pay-offs scandal, Europe-based three Hinduja brothers — Srichand, Gopichand and Prakashchand — were today chargesheeted by CBI which accused them of receiving 81 million Swedish Kroners from the Swedish gun manufacturer. London-based Hinduja Group Chairman Srichand, his younger brother and group president Gopichand and Geneva-based Prakashchand were named as accused in the 11-page supplementary chargesheet filed at 1415 hours before Special Judge Ajit Bharihoke, who fixed November 20 for passing "appropriate" orders on the chargesheet. Today’s chargesheet comes a year after the first one was filed before the same judge in the 13-year old case naming Italian businessman Ottavio Quattorcchi, former Bofors agent Win Chadha, former Defence Secretary S K Bhatnagar, former Bofors chief Martin Ardbo and the Bofors company. Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s name had also figured in the first chargesheet as "accused not sent for trial." The CBI, which went ahead with the supplementary chargesheet only days after Hindujas had publicly stated that the money paid to them by the Bofors company had nothing to do with the Rs 1437 crore gun deal signed in 1986, said it might seek their extradition. "CBI might seek their extradition at an appropriate time with the permission of the court," CBI’s special public prosecutor N Natrajan said about the three brothers, two of whom are British nationals. The three Hinduja brothers were chargesheeted under Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating) of Indian Penal Code and under Sections 5(2) and 5(1)(D) of Prevention of Corruption Act. The chargesheet filed by the CBI today is supported by the statements of eight witnesses. CBI alleged that Hindujas received a sum of 81 million Swedish Kroners (about 2.4 million dollars) after Indian Government paid 21 per cent of the total contract amount to A B Bofors in May 1986. The agency said that Hindujas had deposited the amount in three Swiss banks - Swiss Bank Corporation, Credit Swisse Bank and Hanover Manufacturer’s Trust. CBI had alleged that Bofors paid kickbacks to various persons including Hindujas, Quattrocchi and Chadha for securing the contract for supply of 400 Bofors 155 mm Howitzer guns to India in 1986. The agency alleged that this was in breach of the conditions put by the Indian Government that there would be no middlemen or payment of commissions in the deal. Hindujas on September 28 had said in London that they had given statements under oath to the Swiss investigating judge that the funds received by them from Bofors company had no relation to the gun deal with India, in support of their contention of non-involvement in the case. On November 20, the judge is likely to take cognisance of the supplementary chargesheet and might issue summons to the Hinduja brothers. Thereafter, if the three appear before the court, it would hear arguments on the charges and then the court, depending on the evidence, would frame charges and the process of trial would begin. However, the court is yet to hear arguments on charges against the accused mentioned in the first chargesheet filed in October last year. (PTI) |
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Another militant killed in Poonch; toll three Excelsior Correspondent POONCH, Oct 9: Another militant was today shot dead by troops of 8 JAK Li of Poonch Brigade at village Jandrola near the Line of Control (LoC) in Mandi sector taking death toll in the encounter since last evening to three. Defence sources said army jawans of Poonch Brigade continued a search operation at Jandrola where one militant and an army jawan were killed last night during an hour long exchange of firing. Three to four militants had managed to escape during the gun-battle. Sources said troops, who were looking for the ultras, spotted two of them moving towards a forest area in Jandrola this afternoon and asked them to surrender. They didn’t heed to the request and instead opened heavy firing on army jawans, who retaliated. In the exchange of firing, which continued for 40 minutes, army jawans succeeded in eliminating one militant while his associate fled deep into the forest area. He was being chased by troops but till last reports came in he remained untraced. One Ak-47 rifle with magazines, ammunition and a radio set were recovered from the possession of slain militant, whose identity couldn’t be carried out immediately. He, however, was suspected to be a Pakistani and an activist of Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit. There was no casualty on army side in the encounter, the sources said. With this killing, death toll in Jandrola encounter since yesterday has risen to three. One militant, also an activist of LeT outfit and an army jawan were killed in the operation yesterday. According to sources, two to three militants of the same group, who had crossed over to Indian territory from the Line of Control (LoC) three days back, were still at large. A hunt continued to eliminate them. |
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3 militants killed in Banihal, Doda Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Oct 9: Rashtriya Rifles this evening gunned down two Pakistani militants at Wattalnarh village near Chareel area in Banihal tehsil of Doda district. Another militant was killed at Seelban Dhar. According to official sources, troops of 31 Rashtriya Rifles launched a search operation at Wattalnarh after developing an information about the presence of militants. An encounter that followed resulted into the killing of two militants. Slain militants were identified as Abu Asif alias Ashraf Jehadi and Syed Jaman Ahmangoo, both Pakistanis and activists of Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit. From their possession, troops recovered two AK-47 rifles with four magazines and 10 HE hand grenades. Troops didn’t suffer any casualty during the operation, which lasted more than two hours. Slain militants had let loose a reign of terror in Banihal tehsil and were instrumental in a series of subversive activities including IED blasts. Another militant was killed in an encounter with troops of 8 Rashtriya Rifles at Seelban Dhar under the jurisdiction of Doda police station last night. He has been identified as Sakhi Mohd son of Abdullah Dar, a resident of Khanwan Dhar. One pistol with one magazine and 10 rounds, one hand grenade and one torch was recovered from the possession of Sakhi Mohd, who was affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen outfit. Yet another encounter took place between STF Gandoh and army with militants at Banbrankal in Gandoh tehsil last evening in which a jawan Azad Hussain was injured. The militants managed to escape towards a forest area. The injured jawan has been hospitalised. Police recovered one grenade, 30 rounds of AK-47, one sniper magazine with 11 rounds and one wireless set cover from the encounter site. |
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MUMBAI, Oct 9: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who arrived here today from Delhi, was admitted to Breach Candy hospital in South Mumbai where he will undergo left knee joint replacement surgery tomorrow. Vajpayee drove straight to the hospital after alighting from a special Indian Air Force aircraft that touched the Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport around 4 p.m. World renowned surgeon Dr Chittaranjan Ranawat, who will operate upon Vajpayee, arrived here early today from New York. The convoy of the Prime Minister, which had 13 cars and two ambulances, entered the compound of the hospital amidst unprecedented security with the police cordoning off the area. The gates of the buildings in the area were closed an hour prior to Vajpayee’s arrival. The Prime Minister was taken inside the hospital from the rear side facing the Arabian sea. Sniffer dogs —Don and Rockey— had completed their job just before Vajpayee’s motrorcade reached the spot. Vajpayee was accompanied by Maharashtra Governor Dr P C Alexander, Principal Secretary Brijesh Mishra, Information Technology Minister Pramod Mahajan and Ranjan Bhattacharya, his son-in-law. Vajpayee will be kept on the seventh floor of the 50 year old hospital around which SPG personnel took position since yesterday. (PTI) |
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Advocates strike work, block road Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Oct 9: Advocates of the district today staged a dharna at Court road opposite Girls Higher Secondary School after striking work in the district court and blocked traffic for two hours in protest against the registration of a case against one of their colleague Sat Pal Sharma. Advocates were shouting slogans in favour of their demands. Describing Sharma as innocent, they criticised the police for registering a fake case against him. SSP Kathua Manohar Singh later visited the spot and held talks with Advocates’ representatives. He assured them that he will look into their demand. Following SSP’s assurance, the lawyers lifted their dharna. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 9: Katra police have arrested a youth hailing from Goa, who was impersonating as an Inspector of Intelligence Bureau (IB) and recovered some incriminating documents from his possession. Police sources said a Katra police party nabbed Smith Johnson son of Phillip, a resident of Goa when he was moving in the town under mysterious circumstances. A set of documents containing telephone numbers and addresses of some important persons were recovered from him. Smith Johnson posed himself as an IB Inspector and had also managed a fake identity card. A case against him has been registered at Katra police station for further investigations. |
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Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Oct 9: Militants set ablaze a house of a civilian Fazal Hussain at Budh Khanari village under the jurisdiction of Darhal police station. Family members of Fazal managed to come out of the house and survived. The house was gutted and all household goods were lost in the fire. Police have registered a case. Militants described Fazal Hussain as a security forces informer but the charge was vehemently denied by Fazal and his neighbours. Few days back, the militants had torched four houses of surrendered militants, presently working as Special Police Officers (SPOs). |
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