 |
50
suspects involved in US attack identified Agencies/BL Kak WASHINGTON\NEW DELHI, Sept 13: President George W Bush today put Pakistan on notice that he would give it a chance to live upto its commitment to fight terrorism. Addressing a press conference at the White House, Bush said he appreciated the statement of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf pledging his "unstinted cooperation" to fight against terrorism. "I appreciate the support extended by the Pakistan Government to track down those responsible. We will give the Pakistan Government a chance to prove themselves." Bush evaded a direct reply on Saudi fugitive Osama bin Laden, widely suspected to be behind Tuesday’s attacks, saying "I will not share intelligence reports or what I plan to do. "We have just seen the first war of the 21st century," he said and vowed to "lead the world to victory" over terrorism. Meanwhle, US mounted pressure on Pakistan to compel its ally Taliban in Afghanistan to hand over Saudi fugitive Osama bin Laden, widely suspected to be behind the attacks that left thousands killed. With Laden emerging as the prime suspect, Washington stepped up pressure on Pakistan with its Ambassador Wendy Chamberlin meeting President Pervez Musharraf within hours of Secretary of State Colin Powell declaring US was "looking for and expecting their (Islamabad) fullest cooperation and their help" in tracking down the perpetrators. Pakistan ambassador to Washington Maleeha Lodhi was also summoned by the Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage to discuss the development as US secured the support of NATO and other allies for any action against the suspects. Musharraf discussed the emerging situation with key aides last night following which an official statement was issued in Islamabad in which he assured President George Bush of his "unstinted cooperation" in the fight against terrorism. "We regard terrorism as an evil that threatens the world community," he said in the statement adding "all countries must join hands in this common cause." Taliban Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmad Muttawakel was quoted by AFP as saying that reports linking Laden to the terrorist attacks lack "credibility." The Pakistan backed Taliban regime last night pleaded with the US not to attack Afghanistan and its leaders. Meanwhile, Supremo of the dreaded Taliban of Afghanistan, Mullah Omar, does not want the ‘terror merchant’, Osama bin Laden, to fall in the hands of the Americans. Being Mullah Omar’s son-in-law, Osama has been shifted to an unknown destination. This follows the receipt of messages by the think-tank of Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban about the US plan to subject Taliban-held region where Osama bin Laden is holed up to air strikes or cruise missile attacks from American warships. The Bush Administration, according to diplomatic sources, is convinced that the unprecedented terrorist attacks in New York and Washington on Tuesday were, indeed, masterminded by Osama bin Laden’s outfit, known as Al Qaida. These sources have reiterated that the United States, Israel, the UK and India are on the hit-list of Al Qaida. In view of the widespread reports that the US military establishment is under tremendous internal pressure to hunt for those who masterminded the attacks on New York and Washington, the anticipated US retaliation may not necessarily be confined to Afghanistan alone as the suspects could also be residing in the distant corners of Iraq. Whatever the US line of action, there is no doubt that the well-protected-indeed, the privileged son-in-law(Osama bin Laden) of Mullah Omar-will not be allowed to be extradited. If there was any doubt about it, it was set at rest by the Taliban’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Mullah Abdul Salem Zaeef, who ruled out the possibility of the extradition of the Saudi fugitive without "conclusive evidence" of his involvement in terrorist activities. It has been the Taliban’s consistent stand in the face of the demand for the extradition of Osama bin Laden for his alleged involvement in the bombings that killed 224 people at the US Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania and last year’s bomb attack on the USS Cole at a harbour in Yemen, which killed 17 sailors. Despite the ruling Taliban’s quick denial that Osama has had a hand in the biggest terrorist strike against the world’s sole super power, his name finds mention in every discussion on the subject. Most analysts have their needle of suspicion moving towards Osama, whose personal financial status is said to be worth over 500 million dollars. Osama is known for his amazing network world-wide. Osama bin Laden is also known for having a committed band of men prepared to die after even a feeble nod from their ‘peer’. And people have learned from the media interviews and occasional reports that Osama has remained in touch with the groups in other parts of the world whose activities border on terrorism. The US military establishment is understood to have selected Turkey and Saudi Arabia for taking resource to air strikes. According to observers, Pakistan will also be pressurized to meet possible US military demands, especially on account of its well-publicised proximity to Osama in the past. These observers have, significantly, begun to give currency to reports that America will not hesitate to use Pakistani territory for setting up a temporary military base. Meanwhile, the US today identified 50 people suspected to have been involved in the terrorist attacks here and in Washington and launched a parallel diplomatic effort to rope in Pakistan in the search for Osama bin Laden, widely suspected to be behind the strikes that could have killed around 20,000 people. FBI officials quoted by CNN said about 50 people have been identified as having participated or assisted in planning Tuesday’s attacks as the international manhunt for the suspects gained momentum. Authorities said 27 suspected terrorists, hailing from the Middle East, had received various kinds of pilot training including in the US. As US secured support from its NATO allies and other nations in its action plan to zero in on the perpetrators, new American Ambassador to Pakistan Wendy Chamberlin met President Pervez Musharraf in Islamabad seeking his support. Washington is believed to have sought Pakistan’s help in prevailing over Taliban militia to extradite Laden or provide ground support for any possible action to track him. Pakistan has considerable influence over the Taliban regime in Afghanistan where Laden has taken refuge. Chamberlin’s meeting with Musharraf came after Secretary of State Colin Powell spoke to the Pakistani President and his Deputy Richard Armitage summoned Islamabad’s envoy Maleeha Lodhi last night in Washington. "We had a meeting of minds. The President pledged his cooperation. The President made a very strong statement that he was with US. "Let me say that it was very positive and very strong and he repeated several times that he was with us," Chamberlin told reporters.ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ€ |
|
Six gunbattles in
north Kashmir Excelsior Special Correspondent SRINAGAR, Sept 13: While as security forces eliminated at least 18 militants in Kashmir valley since last evening and eight gunbattles took place in north Kashmir alone, militants gunned down a civilian and yet another died in an incident of crossfiring. Official sources told EXCELSIOR that troops of 18-Madras intercepted a group of militants near Eagle Post in Karnah (Tangdar) sector, in Kupwara district. Heavy exchange of gunfire took place between the two sides and six militants got killed. All of them remained unidentified till late tonight. The operation was still in progress and no dead bodies or weapons had been recovered till reports last came in. On a specific information, troops of 1/9 GR and SOG Kupwara swooped on a group of Lashkar-e-Toiba militants at Kunan Poshpora, in Kupwara district. A fierce encounter took place in which four Pakistani cadres of the organisation got killed. They were identified as Abu Rafeh, Abu Nasir Hazarwi, Abu Talaha alias Saif alias Zulfiqar and Mohammad Ishaq alias Abu Usama alias Salfi alias Ashfaq. Four AK-56 rifles, four hand grenades, one UBGL and 15 UBGL grenades were recovered from the site of encounter. Sources said that troops of 8-Grenadiers eliminated an unidentified militant near Shirin Tari picket, in close vicinity of LoC, in Machhil sector of Kupwara district. Seventeen hand grenades are claimed to have been recovered from the possession of the militant killed. Yet another unidentified militant was gunned down by troops of 3/5 GR in Nowshera area of Gurez sector, in Baramulla district. Late this evening, troops of Rashtriya Rifles 6th Bn and SOG Kupwara laid siege to Punzwa village of Kupwara district. According to the tip-off, a thick group of militants was present in the village. Gunbattle ensued between the two sides. However, no casualties had been reported till late tonight. Troops of Rashtriya Rifles 24 Bn raided a militant outfit at Chak Pazipora in Kupwara this evening. An exchange of fire began immediately which was going on when reports last came in. Troops of 1/4 GR and SOG Kupwara swooped on another militant concentration in Meelyal Bahak, in Keran sector of Kupwara district this evening. Troops zeroed in on a thick group of militant in the Bahak and set on fire the bushes girdling the hideout. Officials said that casualties were certain in the operation but no details were available even at midnight. Sources said that troops of 1/4 GR and SOG Kupwara intercepted and engaged a group of Lashkar-e-Toiba militants in an encounter at Raj Ram ki Ladi, near Rashanpora village, in Kupwara district. Five Pakistani cadres of the outfit got killed. Two of them were identified as Mohammad Tahir S/o Mohammad Sarwar and Mohammad Sajjad Abbas S/o Azhar Abbas of Rawalpindi. Three remained unidentified. Five AK-56 rifles, two wireless sets, 13 hand grenades, 103 rifle grenades, 23 Kg of RDX, 11 rockets, two UBGLs, three disposable rockets and 28 detonators were recovered from the spot. Reports from south Kashmir said that, on a tip off, troops of RR 36 Bn and 17-Punjab raided a militant hideout during last night at Gutligund village, in Dooru area of Anantnag. During the operation, four residential houses gutted and one unidentified militant got killed. He is believed to be a member of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. Anantnag protest Informed sources in south Kashmir added that a driver of a private minibus, namely Sabzar Ahmed Mir S/o Ghulam Rasool Mir R/o Gund-e-Jaffar, Kulgam, got killed when militants ambushed the vehicle at Qazigund. Troops of RR 9th Bn had lifted the minibus from Vesu bus stand and ordered the driver to take them for a search operation. Even as four soldiers sustained injuries, all the militants managed to escape unharmed. A large number of people in Anantnag participated in the funeral of the driver and put up a demonstration in protest against the lifting of passenger buses and drivers by security forces on gun point. A number of civilians and troopers had already died when militants blew up a passenger bus at Hapatnar, in Anantnag district, in August, which had also been forcibly lifted by the security forces. Sources said that militants also ambushed a BSF patrol at Khudwani in Anantnag district. Two soldiers sustained injuries. Troops retaliated but all the militants managed to escape without suffering any damage. Reports from Baramulla said that unidentified gunmen appeared at Dangarpora, in Sopore, and shot dead a blacksmith, Ghulam Rasool Ahangar, today. |
|
Saints go berserk, clash
with cops Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Sept 13: Militants opened firing on a gathering of Sadhus, who were performing a bhandara on the occasion of 17 days of two Pujaris, beheaded by the militants on August 27 night, in Dundak area of Surankot tehsil in Poonch district. Three Sadhus and a civilian were injured in the firing. After the militants firing was over, a group of agitated Sadhus went on rampage and clashed with police officials. They subjected cops to heavy stone pelting and tried to attack a police picket in Dundak. Situation was controlled with the help of security officials. Meanwhile, a total of 12 militants, involved in firing on Sadhus, were trapped by army and police in a forest area in the vicinity of Dundak late this evening. Fierce exchange of gun-fighting was going on between the two sides till late this evening when reports last came in. However, casualties on militants side couldn’t be ascertained immediately. Official sources said about 300 Sadhus from different parts of Jammu region had descended on Dundak since yesterday afternoon to organise a bhandara in connection with 17th day of Pandit Narotam Dass, pujari of historic Kali Mata temple at Dundak and Baba Devi Dass, pujari of Laxmi Narayan temple, Sunderbani, who were beheaded by the militants inside Dundak temple on the intervening night of August 27 and 28. Today afternoon when the Sadhus were performing bhandara and other rituals of deceased pujaris’ 17th day, the militants opened firing on them from atop a hill, looking straight to Dundak temple, creating panic among scores of religious persons. A passenger bus, which was on way from Surankot to Poonch, was also caught in the militants’ firing. Police and security personnel, who had been deployed in strength to protect Sadhus, retaliated and repulsed the attack after about 20 minutes exchange of firing. Three Sadhus and a civilian, travelling in the bus, were injured in the firing. Initially, the militants managed to escape without any casualty. Of three injured Sadhus, one was identified as Mahant Ram Saran. Injured bus passenger was named as Mohd Rafiq, a resident of Dundak. He was returning to his house from Surankot in the bus. Other passengers on board the bus had a narrow escape in the firing. Seeing their three colleagues lying injured with gun shots, the Sadhus went berserk and attacked police officials and jawans. They shouted slogans against police for their failure to protect the lives of religious persons. Injured Sadhus and civilian were admitted to district hospital of Poonch in serious condition. It may be recalled that the militants had also resorted to indiscriminate firing on funeral ceremony of Pandit Narotam Dass in Dundak but failed to cause any casualty or injury. After completion of bhandara, army jawans fanned out in Dundak forests this evening to hunt the fleeing militants, involved in firing on Sadhus. Latest reports indicated that a big group of 12 militants, majority of whom were foreign mercenaries, were trapped by army and police in Dundak forests this evening. An encounter between army and militants was going on till late tonight but there was no report of any casualty on either side. Details of the gun-fighting were awaited. Meanwhile, a civilian was kidnapped and killed by the militants at Dhara Morh in Surankot area last night. Victim has been identified as Wazir Mohd son of Mithu, a resident of Dhara. Reports said that Wazir Mohd was kidnapped from his house by three militants late last night and taken to Suran river near Ratiana Pasian village, where he was shot dead. His bullet-riddled body was recovered by police this morning and handed over to his family after post-mortem. Reason behind the killing couldn’t be ascertained. |
|
Two HuM militants
held with explosives NEW DELHI, Sept 13: Frustating yet another attempt of ISI-backed militants to carry out blasts in the National Capital, Delhi Police arrested two Pakistani nationals, owning allegiance to Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM), alongwith explosives in South district, official sources said here today. Sleuths of Intelligence Bureau and Delhi Police’s special cell had been working on some intercepts that Pakistan’s ISI was planning to carry out blasts in the Capital and other major cities of the country, official sources said. The joint operation bore fruit when a police team arrested two persons identified as Sayeed Mohammad alias Hamza alias Tallah, a resident of Lahore, and Maksood Ahmad alias Abdul Rahman, a resident of Karachi, from a parking lot near Grandlay Cinema in South Delhi last night. Police also recovered two kilograms of RDX, one hand grenade and a cell phone from the duo. Sayeed had come to deliver this consignment to Ahmad, who had arrived in the Capital a week earlier after entering the country through Kupwara border in north Kashmir. The sources said that Pakistan’s ISI had switched over to dreaded outfits like HuM after smaller outfits like Jammu and Kashmir Islamic Front (JKIF) failed to make any dent in the security ring around the Capital. Delhi Police’s special cell headed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Ashok Chand and sleuths of Intelligence Bureau had arrested several JKIF activists from the Capital, who had been responsible for planting of explosives near high security Prime Minister’s Office, North Block, Army headquarters and caused a minor blast at the BSF headquarters here. Police raided the house of Ahmad at Taimur Nagar in Okhla immediately after the arrest and claimed to have recovered another six kilograms of explosive from there. During preliminary interrogation, the sources claimed Ahmad had confessed that he had entered India with a task to carry out blasts in the National Capital. Ahmad had been provided the hideout at Okhla by a person identified as Asad, who is since absconding, the sources said and claimed that cases against Asad were already pending in various police stations of the Capital. Al-Faran, which kidnapped foreign tourists from the tourist resort of Pahalgam in Kashmir in 1995, is also alleged to be a shadow group of HuM. The fate of the tourists which included an American continues to be unknown. (PTI) |
|
‘Tantriks’ dupe 3 families of cash, gold By Mohinder Verma JAMMU, Sept 13: Belief on Tantra and Mantra in the civilised society for remedies of their loving one’s diseases cost three families of Talab Tillo Bohri locality of 90 tolas of gold and Rs 52,000 in cash. Three Tantriks after completely trapping the families escaped with 90 tolas of gold worth Rs 3.70 lakh and Rs 52,000 in cash. The persons were actually snake charmers and masqueraded themselves as Tantriks claiming to have powers to treat patients of all diseases. The family of Moti Lal Pandita of H.No 12, Hazuribagh Bohri has lost 25 tolas of gold and Rs 20,000 cash, Shiban Lal Raina of Huzuribagh, Bohri was deprived of 15 tolas of gold and Rs 12,000 cash and Chuni Lal Bhagat of Netar Kothian, Barnai, lost 50 tolas of gold and Rs 20,000 cash. The Tantriks came in the Talab Tillo, Bohri locality 10 to 12 days back for reportedly catching cobra snakes and started befooling the people by saying that they have an agreement with a reputed company which is making anti-snake medicines. They were also claming to have divine powers to treat patients with any disease which attracted these three families with one member each suffering from different diseases. Tantriks asked these families that they will not receive more than Rs 101 for treating the patients and if families desire they can give anything which would be acceptable to them. After completely trapping the innocent families, Tantriks gave them a list of items required to treat the patients and asked all the families not to inform either relatives or any friends about them as this was against the wishes of divine power they were in possession of. Besides other items, the list also included 20 tolas of gold, Rs 20,000 with Rs 500 note denomination. The Tantriks set 11 days to fully treat the patients by ‘Pooja’. Such was the modus operandi that during the course of Pooja the respective families were asked to close all the doors and windows as according to Tantriks the open door could create hindrances in the ‘Pooja’. On first day, the Tantriks showed whole process of treating the patients and asked the respective families to do the same in all 10 days as on final day treatment and Pooja will be performed by them. The procedure of treatment was that every family has to put all gold and other items in a piece of white cloth before putting in bucket of water which will be used for the bathing of the patients after Pooja. All the three families continued this process for few days and yesterday Tantriks went to the house of each family and asked the family members to bow their heads before the plate of Pooja. As the family members bowed their heads, the Tantriks exchanged the items wrapped in cloth with other wrapped items and left the respective homes with the promise that they will come back. On opening of the wrapped packet, the family members found stones and other items inplace of gold and other costly items they had collected for the Pooja by Tantriks. A case under Section 420 RPC has been registered at Domana Police Station in this regard and hunt was on to nab the Tantriks but no arrest was made till reports last came in, According to duped families, one of the Tantrik has defect in his one eye while another was having long hair. |
|
NC leader held for bid to
kill Munsiff Excelsior Correspondent RAMBAN, Sept 13: Police arrested a National Conference leader Imtiyaz Khandey and charged him under Section 307 RPC for an alleged attempt on the life of Munsiff Banihal Malik Shabir Ahmed during a demonstration in Banihal town this afternoon. About 35 demonstrators, mostly students, were injured when troops opened heavy firing in air to disperse the protesters, who had blocked Jammu-Srinagar national highway. Reports said about 500 youths and students of different schools gathered in Banihal town this morning and marched towards the national highway to protest against a reported Government decision to sanction degree college for Ramban instead of Banihal. Agitated students from Banihal claimed that an announcement to this effect was made by Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah in the meeting of District Development Board of Doda on Tuesday. Students stoned shops and forced their closure. Led by National Conference block president Imtiyaz Khandey, the students continued their march on the highway despite repeated warnings by police. While one of the group sat on the highway disrupting vehicular movement, the other group tried to forcibly close down the Government offices. The NC leader and students attacked the court complex in Banihal housing Munsiff court. They pelted stones on the court damaging wind screens and doors of Munsiff office and Advocates’ chambers. In the meantime, army convoys appeared on the highway from both sides. Army jawans mistook the students’ protest as an anti-security forces rally and opened firing in air. About 200 to 250 shots were fired in air by army jawans, creating panic in the town. Students fled in panic. In the melee, police and para-military personnel also opened lathicharge on the students to disperse them and save them from firing. About 35 students were injured in cane-charge. Ten of the injured were taken to sub district hospital of Ramban for first-aid. National Conference leader Imtiyaz Khandey was arrested by Banihal police and booked under Section 307 RPC (attempt to murder), 336, 147, 148 and 149. Police sources said a case against Khandey was registered under Section 307 for allegedly making an attempt on the life of Munsiff Banihal Malik Shabir Ahmed while trying to force closure of the courts. As the students dispersed following army firing and police lathicharge, normalcy was restored in Banihal town. Shopkeepers resumed their business. Traffic was restored on the highway after closure of about two hours. Students claimed that they had been agitating for quite a long time for setting up of a degree college in Banihal. However, they claimed that the Chief Minister in his address to District Development Board meeting in Doda on Tuesday sanctioned degree college at Ramban. They were demanding that Government should revise its decision and open the college at Banihal. |
|
Uncertainty over PM’s visit to New York NEW DELHI, Sept 13: Uncertainty still shrouded Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s visit to New York for the UN General Assembly session next week as UN Secretary General Kofi Annan spoke to External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh for consultations whether to go ahead with the UN General Assembly session in the wake of the terrorist strikes in US. Annan called up Singh, who on Tuesday had been unable to contact the UN Chief following evacuation of the UN building after air-borne terrorists smashed twin towers of the World Trade Centre in New York. "We await a definitive assessment on the advisability of going ahead... What steps to take," an External Affairs Ministry spokesperson told reporters on being asked whether the Prime Minister will go to New York. In all probability, a decision on this will be taken after UN announces its course of action in the next few days. Vajpayee was slated to leave for Cyprus on September 20 on his way to New York where he was to address the UNGA on Sept 25 and also have his second meeting, after the Agra summit, with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf. The spokesperson said India’s Consul General S Tripathi was in constant touch with New York authorities as also Indian community organisations to seek their assistance regarding welfare of Indian nationals and in tracing out the missing persons. The Consul General has advised Indian nationals in New York to take adequate security precautions for the next few days. She said the consulate was also in touch with the New York Police Department which has promised to send additional patrol to areas having establishments of the Indian community. On Musharraf’s statement that Pakistan was willing to extend all possible assistance to the US to track down those responsible for the terrorist strikes, the spokesperson said she would not like to comment on it. (PTI) |
|
Cop, SPO injured Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 13: Continuing their attacks on army and police vehicles, the militants detonated an IED under a Special Task Force (STF) matador in Pati Mahal area of Kishtwar tehsil in Doda district last night critically wounding two jawans. A TATA 407 matador of STF Kishtwar was on way to a security picket ahead of Pati Mahal from Kishtwar at 2030 hours last night when the militants detonated an IED under it. Militants, however, couldn’t hit the target accurately as IED went off when the vehicle had crossed the spot. A portion of the matador was damaged in the explosion causing serious injuries to a constable and a Special Police Officer (SPO), posted with STF Kishtwar. Four other constables, travelling in police matador, survived with minor bruises. Police and STF parties rushed to the scene. An operation was launched for the militants involved in IED explosion but they couldn’t be traced. Injured cops identified as Chaman Lal, constable and Romesh Kumar, SPO (No. 1500) were admitted to sub district hospital in Kishtwar. Their condition was initially stated to be serious but now they were responding to treatment. SPO Romesh Kumar was driving the matador, which was hit by the IED. Meanwhile, security forces today destroyed a hideout of Hizbul Mujahideen militants in a forest of Banihal tehsil in Doda district. From the hideout, security forces recovered six rifle grenades, one hand grenade, 11 blankets, 15 kg rice, other food items and utensils. Hideout was being used by a group of three to four militants for night stay. No militant was present in the hideout when it was raided by security jawans, the sources said, adding an operation was launched in vicinity of the hideout but no arrest could be made. |
|
|
ISLAMABAD, Sept 13: Western diplomatic missions in Pakistan have geared up to thin out their presence to the bare minimum in the event of the US launching military strikes against Afghanistan-based Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden, suspected to be behind Tuesday’s attacks in New York and Washington. As Washington has vowed to retaliate against the terrorists and those who harbour them, highly placed sources today said that a number of US and EU diplomats were in touch with the embassies of the neighbouring countries to get visas ready to quickly evacuate their staff to avoid any reprisals. The US embassy here is reported to have moved the families of its staff into its well guarded and highly barricaded compounds as a precautionay measure. The American, Australian and German envoys have also returned to their embassies in Pakistan along with the relatives of eight foreign aid workers on trial in Kabul for allegedly preaching Christianity. According to reports, US may use Pakistani soil to launch full-fledged retaliatory strike similar to the cruise missile attacks on Bin Laden’s alleged terrorist camps in Afghanistan in 1998 for masterminding twin bombings of US embassies in East Africa that killed 224 people. Following the tense situation arising out of terrorist attacks on US cities, New Zealand cricket team has withdrawn from a month-long tour to Pakistan at the last minute. The decision to pullout of the tour came after the New Zealand team had already left its country and reached Singapore en route to Pakistan. Media reports said Pakistan has placed all regular and paramilitary troops along its border with Afghanistan on high alert as a precaution against possible US strikes against Taliban or Bin Laden-controlled military installations. US ambassador to Pakistan Wendy Chamberlin today met President Pervez Musharraf to seek cooperation for any action Washington may consider necessary against terrorists. (PTI) |
|
|
DADRI (UP), Sept 13: Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan and Sharad Yadav, who fell out with each other following a split in JD-U, today shared a common platform and pledged to work together signalling a new alignment of forces belonging to the erstwhile Janata Parivar. Also to join hands with them was UP Minister Ashok Yadav, who has been critical of the Rajnath Singh Governmennt’s move to carve out a seperate job quota for the most backward castes. Paswan said his Lok Jana Shakti party and JD-U headed by Sharad Yadav needed to come together to fight for the uplift of the Dalits and the poorer sections of the society. The two leaders were recently shifted from high profile Communications and Civil Aviation Ministries in the Vajpayee Government to comparatively less important Coal and Mines and Labour ministries respectively. "Our aim is the same, working for the poor", said Paswan paying homage to a local leader. "As during the Mandal years, we two need to work together for the uplift of the socially oppressed classes as our fight is for social causes and is also an ideological one", he added. The two leaders said they had always been together and would continue to be with each other in the future. Ashok Yadav said the presence of Ram Vilas Paswan and Sharad Yadav at the same dais spoke volumes about the political future of their ties. "The message is for Dalit Ekta, and the political messsage should be clear to everyone", he said. Talking about the coming Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, Sharad Yadav lamented the presence of criminals in the electoral arena and said during the Panchayat elections the going price for tickets was around Rs 15 to 20 lakhs. "Whenever some criminal wants to enter politics, his automatic choice of constituency is in Uttar Pradesh, this shows the extent of degeneration in UP politics", he said. (PTI) |
|
|
NEW YORK, Sept 13: More than 250 Indians are among those feared killed, injured and missing following the terrorists attacks on the World Trade Center, where a large number of Indians go for work. Indian Consul General Shashi Tripathi said so far they have reports of 37 injured Indians being treated in various hospitals. But some community leaders put the figure of injured at between sixty and one hundred. The consulate frequently sends out its representatives to various hospitals to check the lists of injured to locate Indians. Preliminary estimates by the Indian mission put the figure of more suspected killed, injured or missing at between 200 and 250. Meanwhile, police has arrested one person for an attack on Gurdwara Richmod during which rubber bullets were fired. The arrest was made when the group came for the second attack. As anger against Arabs mounted in the United States with reports linking Osama bin Laden to the terror attacks and television images showing Palestinian celebrations after the attacks, Tripathi advised Indians to be more careful during the next few days. The fear is that anyone looking like an Arab might become a target of ire by some groups. Tripathi said Indian women could wear Bindi to distinguish and men could carry some identification which could be used in times of need. But several Islamic organization advised Muslims, especially women who wear Burqa or headgear, to stay at home for a few days. (PTI) |
|
|
WASHINGTON, Sept 13: US Secretary of State Colin Powell said today exiled Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden is a main suspect in this week’s terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Powell told a news conference that recent US diplomatic overtures to Pakistan were aimed at securing Islamabad’s cooperation in deal with Bin Laden who lives in Afghanistan. Powell said he would be talking later today with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf about a series of measures Islamabad could take to cooperate in dealing with "candidates" the United States thinks were involved in the attacks. "Yes," Powell replied when asked whether Bin Laden was the "candidate" discussed with the Pakistanis. (AFP) |
|
|
Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 13: Sleuths of Excise department seized a truck smuggling Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) from Punjab to Kashmir at Lakhanpur Toll Post last night. Reports said at around 11.30 PM, a truck bearing No. PB05-9699 loaded with eggs reported at Toll Post Lakhanpur for the payment of Toll tax. After the payment of the tax, the truck was put to physical check and during this process, about 450 ml. of IMFL of different brands and valuing over lakhs of rupees was found beneath the egg boxes. The consignment was being smuggled from Punjab to Srinagar. The Excise team led by ETO, O N Raina and supported by K S Arora and Nizamuddin seized the consignment alongwith the vehicle. The checking was effected by Excise Inspectors Vinay Samotra and Ilyas Khan, assisted by SI Rajinder Bhagat. The Deputy Commissioner Excise, Lakhanpur, Mr S K Koul has appreciated the job done by the Excise team and congratulated the staff for the achievement. |
|
|
NEW DELHI, Sept 13: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee this evening briefed leader of the opposition Sonia Gandhi on the situation arising out of terrorist attacks in United States and India’s perception on it. During the 45-minute meeting between Vajpayee and the Congress president, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh, National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra and leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha Manmohan Singh were also present. Official sources said the meeting was held at the instance of the Congress party, which wanted the Government to take opposition into confidence on the country’s security scenario in the light of the terrorist incidents in America. The sources said Prime Minister was likely to brief other opposition parties in the next few days. (PTI) |
|
|
|
|
| home | state | national | business| editorial | advertisement | sports | |