Excelsior... Nation

Begum prays for peace

FATEHPUR SIKRI (UP), July 15: As Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf held crucial talks with....more

Panthers Party
submits memorandum
to Musharraf

AGRA, July 15: Panthers Party president Bhim Singh today said his party had submitted a......more

Police to take over
Dargah as Musharraf
arrives in Ajmer

JAIPUR, July 15: Police will take over the dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and surrounding....more

Arrest was part of plot to
eliminate me: Karunanidhi

CHENNAI, July 15: In a new twist to his arrest episode, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK ......more

Plea for fully autonomous
tripartite committee

MADURAI, July 15: The two-day state level conference of the Indian National.....more

Massive agitation against
truce extension in Manipur

IMPHAL, July 15: Massive sit-in protests, auto-rickshaw rally and relay hunger strike....more

Army spots kidnapped
policemen

KATHMANDU, July 15: Two days after the Army was pressed into service to rescue....more

Farooq’s ‘third
party intervention’
at lunch

AGRA, July 15: In his typically witty way, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.......more

Begum prays for peace

FATEHPUR SIKRI (UP), July 15: As Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf held crucial talks with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in Agra today, his wife Begum Sehba prayed for the success of the summit at the tomb of famous Sufi Saint Salim Chishti at Fatehpur Sikri, the 15th century city symbolising Indian secularism, 40 km from the Taj city.

"Aaj Ka Din Khush-Haal Ho Hum Sab Ke Liye (let today be a day of peace and well-being for all)," Begum Sehba said after she offered a "Chaadar" and tied a thread at the Dargah where it is believed that all wishes come true.

Asked if she would come back to the Dargah again, she said "let us hope something positive comes out, then Insha Allah (god willing)."

The Begum, who flew in here in an MI-8 helicopter from Agra where the summit talks are being held, was received at the Badshahi Darwaz by Peerzada Ayazuddin Chisti, the 16th descendant of Salim Chisti, and dwas led to the Dargah where she spent around 15 minutes and offered "Fateha" (a special prayer).

She was then led to the Buland Darwaza, the tallest gate of the city with nine gates.

The Begum, who spent around half-an-hour at Fatehpur Sikri, could not visit the rest of the city which Akbar had built in red sandstone minarets.

"She has not even seen five per cent of the nine-km city," said guide Mohammad K K who will also show the Taj later in the day to her and the President.

Ayaazuddin Chisti said he prayed for the success of today’s talks at the Dargah which is a masterpiece of marble "Jaali" work.

The guide explained to the Begum that Fatherpur Sikri was a classic example of Hindu and Islamic architecture being mixed "beautifully".

Mohammad, who has recently excavated some structures nearby, said he had discovered that Akbar had also built a chapel for the Christian community there.

The small stretch from the helipad to the Badshahi Darwaza of Fatehpur Sikri, where entry was restricted for the general public while the Begum was there, was lined with curious villagers.

Mohammad said his excavations had also disclosed that the single-vaulted chamber at the Diwan-e-Khas was used by Akbar to perform Surya Sahastrabdi, the Hindu worship of the sun, and the Agni Puja.

The magnificent architecture in city has been inspired by mosques, temples and churches and has carvings denoting even Jain, Parsi, Buddhist and Jewish cultures. (PTI)

Police to take over Dargah as Musharraf arrives in Ajmer

JAIPUR, July 15: Police will take over the dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and surrounding areas, including Muslim Bazar, at 1000 hrs tomorrow as part of the massive security measures for Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s one-day visit to Ajmer, a top police official said here.

The Dargah will virtually be evacuated and general entry of ‘Zareens’ (pilgrims) be banned right from early morning, Inspector General of Police (Intelligence) K Lal, who is camping in Ajmer, told PTI over phone.

The entire area around Ghugra Helipad, circuit house and Dargah has been barricaded and extra police force would take position tomorrow morning, he said.

A few hours before Musharraf’s arrival in Ajmer, the Dargah Bazar outside Nijam Gate would also remain closed as a precautionary measure, general traffic on all routes would be stopped and pedestrians would be allowed only after security check up, the IG said.

About 2000 policemen and hundreds of commandos will take position to provide fool-proof security to the dignitaries, he added.

Similarly tight security has been provided at the Sanganer Airport, 15 kms from here, where Musharraf and his wife, alongwith a 19-member team, will arrive here tomorrow at 1505 hrs, Chief of Protocol Officer and Secretary of General Administration Vinod Jutshi said.

Only official media will be allowed at the airport where the Pakistani President will make a 15-minute stop-over in the VVIP lounge before proceeding to Ajmer by a chopper, Jutshi said.

Rajasthan Governor Justice Anshuman Singh, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Jaipur Mayor Nirmala Verma and senior IAS and IPS officers would receive the dignitaries at the Sanganer Airport, the Protocol Officer said.

The VVIPs would be given a warm reception at the Dargah in Mughal tradition, to the accompaniment of ‘Nagadas’ and drums.

After being presented a Saptnama (welcome speech) which will be treated as read, Musharraf will offer roses and Chadar at the Mazar (tomb) amidst recital of of Quranic verses, according to the sources.

Musharraf, who will spend 40 minutes at the Dargah, will also pay a visit to the circuit house where he will enjoy a panoramic view of Anasagar lake during his 20-minute stay.

Meanwhile, more than 50 social, trade and voluntary organisations would observe a two-hour bandh in Jaipur tomorrow when Musharraf will arrive here on way to Ajmer.

Shopkeepers would hoist black flags on top of their shops to show their resentment against the General, who they say was the "main mastermind behind the Kargil war", a spokesman said.

The businessmen would also hold a rally-cum-demonstration at the Shaheed Smarak to protest against the Pakistani President’s visit.

The state administration has made elaborate night stay arrangements for Musharraf at the Governor’s house in case the weather turns inclement. As per schedule, Musharraf would leave here for Islamabad after returning from Ajmer at 1840 hrs. (PTI)

Arrest was part of plot to eliminate me: Karunanidhi

CHENNAI, July 15: In a new twist to his arrest episode, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M Karunanidhi today alleged that his arrest here during the wee hours of June 30 was part of a plot to eliminate him.

Addressing a press conference here, he said "I heard of a plan to do away with me by causing the vehicle in which I was to travel to Vellore jail to collide with another vehicle enroute".

Stating that he had been kept in the jailor’s room till 3.00 pm that day, he said the discussions he heard, while waiting there, centered around taking him to Vellore Prison. "Though my blood pressure was on the higher side, I could hear instructions coming from higher ups to pressurise the doctors to say I was fit to travel", Karnuanidhi alleged.

Asked if the DMK had given the centre any deadline for taking action against the Jayalalithaa Government for the alleged violation of human rights during his arrest and the handling of two Union Ministers Murasoli Maran and T R Baalu, he said "if nothing substantial comes out DMK will have to reconsider its position", he said and hastily added this should not be construed as a warning to the Union Government.

The former Chief Minister welcomed a resolution adopted at PMK’s general council meeting at Tindivanam yesterday demanding the Centre to take action against those police officials for alleged ‘uncivilised’ behaviour while arresting him. (PTI)

Plea for fully autonomous tripartite committee

MADURAI, July 15: The two-day state level conference of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) which concluded here today requested the Government to form a fully autonomous tripartite committee to administer the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)

The ESI scheme which was very much beneficial to the employees who fell sick or met with accidents during the initial period had been affected by irregularties and employees had lost faith in the organisation, it said. There were complaints that they were not getting medical and other benefits from the ESI. Various district level committee formed to monitor the implementation of ESI scheme also did not function properly, and officials did not take serious steps to rectify the defects and improve the scheme, it said.

The conference requested the Government to remove the pay ceiling for bonus as, it said, the managements violated the ceilings. The Government could bring a new bonus act by which each would be able to get a bonus according to his pay, it said.

The delegates at the conference requested the Government to improve upon the concessions being given under the PF scheme. The Government should not levy any interest on the PF loan, and should not reduce the interest rate for the PF amount, it said.

Charging that the calculation of consumer price index for revising the dearness allowance was not being done properly by the present BJP Government, it said the CPI was being done on the basis of wholesale price. The Government should remove the anomalies in the calculation and come forward to fill the price index impartially.

The Gratuity Act should be amended in such a way that the worker was paid 45 days’ wage for every year of service put in by him after the intial five years of service.

The Conference condemned modernisation of industries which replaced men with machines leading to unemployment problem.The country should have a policy which should provide employment for all the people, it said. The Government should also ban import of goods that were manufactured in India and encourage local small and medium industries, it said.

It requested the Tamil Nadu Government to form a tripartite committee to prevent cotton mill and plantation industries falling further sick, and suggest ways to improve their performance and make them profitable.

The Government should recognise sugar industry as a permanent industry instead of seasonal industry and regularise the services of all the employees, the conference said. The Tamil Nadu Government should declare transport corporation employees as Government employees and provide them da-merged-pension, it said.

Describing the privatisation of big public sector undertakings which provided the essential services and products as a suicidal move, it said even if the private enterprises suffered loss they would pass on the loss to the public sector banks which extended credit to them, and finally Government only incurred loss. The Government should take effective steps to protect the public sector units, it said. (PTI)

Massive agitation against truce extension in Manipur

IMPHAL, July 15: Massive sit-in protests, auto-rickshaw rally and relay hunger strike were reported from across Manipur today against the Centre-NSCN (I-M) ceasefire extension in the state amid tight security deployment, official sources said.

More than 1000 auto-rickshaws drove in a rally from Thangmeiband Thau ground to all important roads here demanding immediate withdrawal of ceasefire.

Rickshaw pullers in thousands would also take out a rally across Imphal Valley tomorrow against the ceasefire, reports said adding that campaign against the ceasefire by the six-body united committee Manipur was underway in rural areas.

Official sources said thousands of people joined sit-in protests at Kongba, Laishram Leikai, Keithelashangbi, Singjamei, Sawombung, Keisamthong Top Leirak, Kwakeithel and several other places in the Valley.

Meanwhile, Janata Party Manipur unit president L Lboyaima Singh today demanded immediate withdrawal of ceasefire before the situation in the state worsened.

In a statement here, Singh recalled the 16-point agreement between the Centre and Naga people’s convention in July 1960, which was often quoted by some Naga organisations, at the time of formation of Nagaland state.

He said according to Clause 13 of that agreement, the contiguous Naga inhabited areas would be integrated into Nagaland if the people so desired.

But it was pointed out to the NPC on behalf of the Centre that Articles 3 and 4 of the Constitution provided for increasing the area of any state, but it was not possible for the Government to make any commitment in this regard at this stage, Singh claimed.

The Janata Party leader said in the nine-point agreement signed between Naga National Council and Governor of Assam in June 1947, the two sides agreed to modify administrative divisions to bring back all forests transferred to Sibsagar and Nowgong districts to the Naga hills district.

And bring under one unified administrative unit, as far as possible, all Nagas, he said adding that these Nagas were those settling in Sibsagar and Nowgong areas.

This had nothing to do with those settling in Manipur, Singh said pointing out the history of Manipur must not be overlooked. (PTI)

Army spots kidnapped policemen

KATHMANDU, July 15: Two days after the Army was pressed into service to rescue 70 policemen kidnapped by Maoist rebels, a senior Government official said troops had spotted the insurgents but could take any immediate action as the kidnapped were being used as human shields.

The official said the Army had encircled the maoists who were hiding in the Nuwagaun Forest, two hours walking distance from the Holeri Policepost, and were preparing to rescue the hostages.

However, they refused to divulge further details of the Army mobilisation.

The 70 policemen had been missing since July 12 after the underground Communist Maoist rebels, fighting to topple the country’s constitutional monarchy, attacked a police post, killing one policeman and wounding another.

"The security forces have been mobilised to free the policemen and confiscate weapons from the kidnappers," the Home Ministry said in a statement.

Also, in their first strike at the troops since the Maoists launched their self-called ‘peoples war’ in 1996, the insurgents had on Friday attacked an Army helicopter, injuring three personnel, including a captain.

However, the oppostion Communist Party, United Marxist and Leninist (CPN,UML) and its breakaway faction, Marxist and Leninist (CPN,ML), in separate statements, urged the Government to excercise restraint.

They said the Maoists should release the abducted policemen and the Government should call back the army from the area.

Over 1,700 people have so far been killed in Maoists violence.

The rebels had stepped up their campaign after the massacre of almost the entire royal family on June one. Last week, more than 50 people, including 41 policemen and nine rebels, were killed in an upsurge of violence across Nepal. (UNI)