Govt
committed to nuclear disarmament:PM PATNA, Nov 8 :Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpaye today flayed the "discrimination" shown by the United States in easing sanctions against India vis-a-vis Pakistan saying it was not good for the region. A day after Washington announced "selective" approach of its intention to permit lending by multilateral financial institutions to Pakistan while denying the same to India, Vajpayee told reporters here "the discrimination is not good for the region. "We are against such discrimination of lifting sanctions against Pakistan on the ground that its economy has been shattered. Should we also, therefore, allow our economy to shatter?" he asked. The Prime Minister parried a question whether the US decision was detrimental to peace in South Asia saying "I have said what I had to say." Earlier, addressing the closing ceremony of "Boudhha Mahatsova" festival at Bodhgaya, partial lifting of sanctions imposed on India by the United States reflected fast changing global appreciation of New Delhi’s security needs which prompted Pokhran nuclear tests in May this year. On arrival here on his first visit to Bihar as Prime Minister, Vajpayee maintained that mafia raj prevailed in the state but was non-committal on whether the Union Cabinet would again recommend President’s rule. Vajpayee said that India had to go nuclear due to growing threat to its security and hoped that the world community will share its security concerns. Our commitment to nuclear disarmament is undiluted. Even after conducting the first nuclear test at Pokhran in 1974, India advocated elimination of weapons of mass destruction, but its views were not heard. Perhaps the voice of the weak is never heard, he said. Once again India has strongly taken up the issue of nuclear disarmament and this time it is from a position of strength. He strongly criticised the five nuclear powers for sermonising others on nuclear disarmament and said, those sitting on huge arsenals should stop preaching others. The innate strength of Indian economy enabled it to withstand crippling economic sanctions imposed by some developed countries. There were concerted attempts to isolate India.... They (developed countries) sought to make us global untouchables and our scientists were barred entry into those countries and our Parliamentarians were unwelcome. But now the international community has understood our viewpoint and things are changing, he said. Reiterating that the country stood for "weapons for self defence and not for attacking others," Mr Vajpayee questioned why other nuclear countries continued to "preach" India what they did not practice. He said their efforts to isolate India from the comity of nations were in vain and they are now reconsidering their stand on economic sanctions. He said the country was capable of solving all its problems on its own with the active cooperation of the opposition. Allaying criticism that the opposition was being treated as the BJP’s enemy, the Prime Minister said the political rivals could not be the enemies of the ruling party but partners of progress "we are trying to ensure governance with general consensus, he said. The Prime Minister said his Government would not back away from tackling such problems as the price rise, floods and other calamities. At the same time, he appealed to all parties not to politicise these issues and warned the traders against creating artificial scarcity. Asked whether the Union Cabinet would again recommend President’s rule in Bihar, the Prime Minister replied "we are keeping a close watch on the situation in the State. On rise in prices of essential commodities, Vajpayee said we are irrevocably committed to arrest the skyrocketing prices for which effective steps are being taken. On the BJP’s prospects in the coming Assembly polls to four States, Vajpayee said that his party’s poll prospects in the three States of Delhi, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh were ‘bright.’ Asked if the centre would provide any special assistance to Bihar to improve its law and order, Vajpayee said, "law and order is a state subject, but the centre will certainly provide assistance if the State Government approaches it."(AGENCIES) |
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Militant
arrested in Bhaderwah Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 8: A woman and a contractor’s kidnapped son were killed in two separate incidents in Doda district last night while the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) arrested a top militant from village Khatana Dhoki in Bhaderwah area. A police spokesman said a group of unidentified militants entered into the house of one Rehman Mir at village Batolia in Thathri area of Doda district last mid-night. Militants tried to kidnap Rehman Mir and other male members of the family from their house. However, due to stiff resistance given by the family members, the militants opened firing killing a woman Amina Begum wife of Rehman Ali on the spot. They escaped from the house after the killings. The spokesman said a police party from Thathri police station and security forces rushed to the village and launched search operations in the village to trace the militants. However, no arrest has been made so far. Body of the deceased woman was shifted to the local hospital for post-mortem. Body has been handed over to the family after completion of legal formalities. Police have registered a case in the killing for investigations. Another group of militants attacked the house of a contractor Jalal Din village Kunthal in Thathri area last night and kidnapped his son Ghulam Mohammad at gun point. They took Ghulam Mohammad to an isolated area near his house and shot him dead. Militants threw dead body of the victim in the area and fled away before the arrival of police and security forces on the spot. Body was recovered by the local police and shifted to hospital where the victim was declared brought dead. Body was handed over to his family today. Reports said tension gripped the area following the killing. Police and security forces have been rushed to the spot to carry out search for the militants responsible for the killing. Meanwhile, the spokesman said, jawans of 2 Rashtriya Rifles arrested a militant Farooq Ahmed son of Abdullah Lone from village Khatana Dhokki in Bhaderwah area of the same district. Five grenade launchers, two grenades, three HE grenades, four magazines of AK rifles, 23 detonators, 33 meters safety fuse and 112 AK rounds were recovered from the hideout of the arrested militant. After preliminary questioning, the Rashtriya Rifles jawans handed over the arrested militant to local police for further interrogation. The arrested militant was allegedly involved in a series of militant activities in Bhaderwah tehsil and was wanted to police and security forces for past quite sometime. The spokesman said identity of two militants killed in a joint operation by the RR and STF jawans at Chushul in Banihal tehsil has been established as Arshad alias Imran Rahi son of Ghulam Nabi Bhat, a resident of Gund Thathar and Ajaiz Ahmed Sheikh son of Ahad Sheikh of Charre, Banihal. Imran Rahi was Hizbul Mujahi- deen’s Commander for Banihal tehsil and was one of the few most wanted militants, operating in Banihal for the last over one year. Army rushed to Kalakote Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Nov 8: Militants slaughtered a Master at his house in village Channi Daraj in Darhal area while troops today recovered five Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) from a field in Palangar on Thanna Mandi road. According to official sources, militants attacked the house of Master Nazir Hussain at Channi Daraj last mid-night and beat-up the house inmates with rifle butts. They gave severe thrashing to Master and then slaughtered him in the presence of his wailing family members. Militants fled towards upper reaches after ensuring the death of the Master. A police party from Darhal police station reached the village after getting a report and shifted the body to hospital. Police launched searches in the area but couldn’t make any arrest. Darhal police have registered a case in the killing. Police and security forces have been deployed in the area to continue search for the militants. Killing generated tension in the area. The victim was buried this evening amidst tension. People of the village resented the killing of the teacher. Meanwhile, Army personnel today recovered five IED bombs and 33 detonators from a field in Palangar area on Thanna Mandi road. The recovery was made during a search operation launched by the Army personnel in Palangar area. The IED bombs weighed five kgs and were quite powerful, the sources said, adding troops have rounded up two suspects in connection with the seizure. The suspects were being questioned to reach to the militants responsible for dumping the explosives. There were reports that a number of militants had been active in Palangar and adjoining villages falling on Thanna Mandi road. These militants were responsible for triggering IED blasts on the road in which some Defence and civilian vehicles were blown up but without any casualty. Search operations continued in the area to arrest the militants. Army has taken the help of local people to reach to the militants, the sources said. Meanwhile, Army has been rushed to forest areas of Kalakote where two militants were killed in an encounter with the BSF yesterday. Over 10 militants had managed to escape in the encounter. Sources said troops have been asked to carry out operation to eliminate the absconding militants, who reportedly include some foreign mercenaries. They said the militants had move deep into the forest areas. As a result, Army help has been sought to trace and eliminate the militants, who were in possession of sophisticated weaponry and explosives. Army and police were also looking for a third pilotless aircraft which hadn’t been recovered so far despite search operations. Intelligence reports and disclosures made by an arrested militant revealed that there were three pilotless aircrafts in Kalakote. However, during police raids only two air devices were seized while third remained untraced. Killing of Mujibur
Rahman From Pradip Kumar Chakraborty DHAKA, Nov 8: In a historic judgement, a Dhaka court today sentenced 15 former Army officers to death by a firing squad for assassinating Bangladesh’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with most of his family in the August 15, 1975 coup. In a 171-page judgement, District and Sessions Judge Kazi Golam Rasul acquitted four others — three former Army officials and former Information Minister in the post-independence Sheikh Mujib Government Taheruddin Thakur, the only civilian accused in the murder case — for lack of evidence. The court delivered the judgement in the presence of five accused while others, still at large, were tried in absentia in a trial lasting nearly two years in a packed court room under unprecedented security measures. The 15 have been found guilty of being directly involved in the death of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family and have been sentenced to death by the firing squad, the judge Rasul said adding they deserve no mercy. They have not only shot and killed the then President Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family but have shown arrogance after the killings. They should be executed publicly, Rasul said. The 15 who were sentenced to death are Col (Retd) Syed Farooqur Rahman, Lt Col (Retd) Sulatan Shariyar Rashid Khan, Lt Col (Retd) Muhiuddin Khan, Col (Retd) Khandaker Abdur Rashid, Lt Col (Retd) Aziz Pasha, Maj (Retd) Shariful Haq Dalim, Maj (Retd) Bazlul Huda, Maj (Retd) Noor Chowdhury, Maj (Retd) Mohiuddin, Maj (Retd) Rashed Chowhury, Maj (Retd) Ahmed Sharful Hasan, Capt (Retd) Majed, Lt (Retd) Nazmul Ansar, Risalder (Retd) Osleuddin and Capt (Retd) Kismm. Describing the August 15, 1975 killing of Mujib as brutal and harmful act not only for the State but also for the society, the judge said if death sentence could not be carried out through firing squad, it should be done in the conventional way. The judge said those who have been awarded death penalty can move the higher court against his judgement. Most of those accused went into hiding soon after Sheikh Hasina led her Awami League back to power in 1996 general elections. The five of the defendants who were present in the court looked composed and were seen hearing with rapt attention as judge Rasul read out his judgement. After the court verdict, the accused were taken away to the nearby maximum security Dhaka central jail. Two of the accused — Farooqur Rahman and Sultan Shariyar Rashid refused to comment on the verdict. As the news of the court verdict spread, hundreds of supporters of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League took to the streets in Dhaka denouncing the killers of Mujban shouting solgans Jay Bangabandhu (victory to Banga- bandhu) and Jai Bangla (victory to Bengal). In all 32 people, including Mujib, his wife and three sons were killed on August 15, 1975. However, Mujib’s daughters Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana survived as they were abroad at the time of the coup. No tangible results
expected NEW DELHI, Nov 8: After a two-day interval, India and Pakistan will return to the negotiating table here tomorrow to discuss the remaining four outstanding issues but no tangible results are expected on any of the subjects. The Sir Creek issue will be taken up tomorrow, followed by economic and commercial cooperation (November 10), terrorism and drug trafficking (November 12) and promotion of friendly exchanges in various fields (November 13). The two sides had discussed the Tulbul Navigation Project on November 5 and the crucial Siachen issue the next day without achieving any success but deciding to continue the talks. The talks in New Delhi on six subjects were preceded by the Foreign Secretary level dialogue in Islamabad from October 15 to 18 on Jammu and Kashmir and peace and security, including Confidence Building Measures (CBMs). The talks between the Foreign Secretaries also did not make much headway and they are scheduled to meet again in New Delhi in February next year. India’s surveyor General Lt. Gen. A K Ahuja will lead the host delegation at the talks on Sir Creek while the Pakistani side will be headed by Mr Jameel Akhtar, Additional Secretary in Defence Ministry. The two delegations will include officials from various ministries concerned. Ways and means to strengthen economic and commercial cooperation between the two countries will be discussed on November 10. The two sides at these talks will be led by Commerce Secretary P P Prabhu on the Indian side and his Pakistani counterpart Mian Iqbal Farid. However,the main focus will be on the talks to be held on November 12 when New Delhi is expected to convey to Islamabad its concern over Pakistan sponsored terrorism in various parts of this country during the discussion on terrorism and drug trafficking. Home Secretary B P Singh will lead the Indian delegation while the Pakistani side will be headed by his counterpart Hafizullah Ishad. The issue of promotion of friendly exchanges in various fields will be discussed on November 13 between Culture Secretary R V V Ayyer and his Pakistani counterpart Syed Roshan Jameel. (UNI) . BSF jawan killed, another
injured in Handwara encounter Excelsior Special Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 8: While as one Pakistani militant got killed, another laid down arms and the third one escaped in the security forces’ overnight operation at Bandipora, Border Security Force (BSF) lost one soldier but killed at least four foreign militants in a major operation at Magam, Handwara, in north Kashmir this evening. Yet another militant got killed in an encounter with security forces at Churat, Qazigund, in south Kashmir during last night. Meanwhile, Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police claimed to have apprehended 5 top-wanted militants in the capital city here. Highly-placed BSF sources told EXCELSIOR that in a fierce encounter at Magam, Handwara, in Kupwara district the paramilitary troops eliminated five militants, four of whom were believed to be Pakistani nationals. Sources said that the personnel of 172 battalion BSF intercepted a heavily-armed group of militants on the basis of a specific information and engaged them in a tough gunbattle at Magam. The operation, which continued for three hours, left at least 5 militants killed. BSF too suffered damage as one of its soldiers got killed and another sustained injuries. J&K Police sources confirmed the death of 4 militants who were all believed to be Pakistani nationals. Sources said that facts were being gathered regarding the identity of a Kashmiri, reportedly killed in the encounter. Sources said that the dead body of the BSF jawan killed was being brought to the capital city while as the injured personnel had been rushed to a hospital for medical treatment. A large quantity of arms and ammunition, including 4 AK-56 rifles and a rocket-launcher, has been recovered from the site of operation. Even as a hand-out issued from the J&K Police Headquarters this evening claimed that "3 militants including 2 foreign mercenaries" had been killed in the security forces’ overnight operation at Jamia Qadeem, Bandipora, highly-placed Army, BSF and JKP sources confirmed to EXCELSIOR that only one Pakistani militant had got killed while as another had surrendered and the third one had managed to escape from the cordoned area. An Army spokesman as well as IGP Kashmir PS Gill insised that only one militant had got killed in the Bandipora operation. Sources said that police hand-out as well as some newspaper reports putting the number of militants killed as three were "not correct". Sources said that in the joint operation of BSF, Army and SOG Baramulla at Bandipora town, one Assistant Commandant of BSF got injured, one Pakistani militant got killed, another laid down arms and yet another escaped while as four residential houses were destroyed in exchange of fire. Search for dead bodies and arms under the debris of the destroyed structures ended at 1730 hours today. Three companies of BSF 11 Bn, troops of 14 Bn Rashtriya Rifles of Sector-5 RR and SOG Baramulla participated in the operation. An Army spokesman said that at around midnight, one Pakistani militant namely Abdullah Sani resident of Gujrat, Pakistan, got killed in his abortive attempts to escape. Another militant namely Mohammad Asim alias Ali Hyder of Multan laid down arms at 10.00 a.m. today. Two AK-56 rifles, 2 pistols, one wireless set and 4 grenades were claimed to have been recovered from the devastated site of operation. Official sources at Anantnag told EXCELSIOR that late last night, an encounter took place between security forces and militants at Churat, Qazigund. A Pak-trained militant of Hizbul Mujahideen namely Mohammad Ashraf Paddar son of Abdul Majeed Paddar, resident of Beerigam, Qazigund, got killed. His militant associates managed to escape, leaving behind 2 AK magazines and 70 rounds of ammunition. Men from SOG Anantnag, Police Station Qazigund and Sector-2 RR participated in the late night operation. Meanwhile, the dead body fished out from river Jhelum at Budshah Bridge, on Saturday, was identified that of Nirmal Singh son of Janak Singh, resident of Hutmurra, Mattan. Cause of his death was still being ascertained. Meanwhile, SOG Srinagar claimed to have apprehended 5 top-wanted militants of Al-Jihad and Hizbullah outfits from the capital city here. A JKP spokesman said that SOG Srinagar with the back-up support of BSF 63 Bn, conducted a series of raids and apprehended 5 militants. They were identified as Mohammad Sadiq Dar "financial chief and administrator of Al-Jihad", resident of Khayam Chowk, Mohammad Saleem Zargar alias Riyaz of Khayam Colony, Fayaz Ahmed Mir alias Saleem of Dyarwani Batmaloo, Mushtaq Hanied Khan alias Chhotu of Baran Pather, Batmaloo and Shabir Ahmed Dar of Dyarwani. A small quantity of arms and ammunition was recovered from them. The arrest of 5 militants in the capital city by SOG Srinagar has come a day after the self-styled "Ameer-e-Aala" of Harkat-ul-Ansaar was claimed apprehended from Khanyar area. Sources said that the detained Harkat chief had disclosed the identities of senior militant functionaries who were being nabbed soon. Militant strike in Bemina
colony Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 8: Sensational disclosures with regard to the functioning of armed forces and J&K Police have surfaced after the militants’ strike at the residence of a senior Police intelligence official at Bemina colony the other day. Well-placed official sources today disclosed to EXCELSIOR that both J&K Police as well as the security forces had been "fully aware" of the continued presence of militants but nobody took any action untill a poor JKAP constable lost his life. According to these sources, the specific information regarding the presence of "a group of foreign militants" at a deserted house of a displaced Kashmiri Pandit at Tawheed Abad had first flown to an Army camp in Bemina rural area. Having learnt that the "group of foreign militants" had been camping at Bemina colony for the last five days, troops caught a former militant, arranged for him a scooter and asked him to see how many foreigners were present in Bemina colony. The ex-militant came down to Bemina colony where his contacts and acquaintances told him that a 10-member group of "Taliban" had been camping in the colony for the last several days. The house was also got identified. As the ex-militant returned to the formation and with the details, the officer incharge asked his troops "go and sleep". It is presumed that an official restriction barring regular Army troops -- other than those of Sub Area Command -- from conducting operations in the walled city, made the "fully aware" formation sit silent. Sources said that as soon as the sentry posted at the SSP SB’s house spotted the group of militants "returning to their hideout", he thought that they were about to attack the SSP’s house. The militants had avoided such a strike for several days as they looked keen to protect their hideout. The guard challenged the militants and notwithstanding their silence opened fire which triggered off an encounter. In the brief exchange of fire, the JKAP constable Mohammad Ishaq got killed while as his associate Aurang Zeb sustained injuries. One of the militants got injured but still all of them managed to escape with the advantage of no police or troops patrolling in the area. Authorities are certain that it was an "accidential encounter" rather than a targeted attack on the house of a police officer. Significantly, the two constables had just been shifted from JKAP 9th battalion to JKAP 7th battalion and they had no knowledge of the "routine presence" of militants in that area. While as two Pakistani militants have got killed in an encounter with SOG Srinagar, militants have re-organised their cadres and launched several grenade attacks in Bemina colony during the last five weeks. Much more than anything else, the senior police authorities are baffled as to how the foreigners had established a hideout in close vicinity of a top Police intelligence official. 3 arrested, alcoholic drugs haul in Kathua Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Nov 8: Police today arrested three smugglers of alcoholic drugs and recovered a large quantity of drugs and a revolver from their possession. Four kgs charas was also recovered by the police. Police sources said a police naka party deployed at Lakhanpur-Basohli Morh on Jammu-Pathankot National Highway intercepted a Maruti Van No. WB74OB 7996 and signalled it to stop. However, the Van operator ignored the signal and accelerated the speed. Police party chased the Van and seized it at a distance of about half a kilometer. Three smugglers were arrested from the Van who have been identified as Vivek Singh, Ravinder Singh son of Sat Pal and Rajesh Kumar son of Bal Krishan, residents of Bakshi Nagar, Jammu. Over 170 bottles of alcoholic drugs, which were being smuggled from Punjab to Jammu, have been seized by the police. A revolver and live cartridges were also recovered from the possession of smugglers, who have been lodged in Kathua police station. A case has been registered against them. A police constable identified as Baljeet Singh was instrumental in apprehending the smugglers and effecting recovery of alcoholic drugs alongwith his team. Police have appreciated his role. Three local suppliers of alcoholic drugs have also been arrested by the police. They have been identified as Jeet Kumar, Sanjeeev Kumar and Joginder Kumar all residents of Kathua . A dozen bottles of alcoholic drugs were also seized from their possession. A drug-peddler Sunil Kumar alias Nakda, a resident of Krishna Colony, Kathua was also arrested by the police in a raid conducted this morning. Four kgs charas was also recovered from his possession, which he had kept for sale among local youths. The raiding team was led by DySP Headquarters Mr J B Singh. Seven absconders were also arrested by the police during searches conducted overnight. . Hiranagar migrants meet CM; talks to continue Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 8: A five member delegation of Border Action Committee (BAC), Hiranagar met Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah at his residence this evening and apprised him of their problems which forced them to migrate from the border areas and take refuge at Tehsil Headquarters. Dialogue between the two sides remained inconclusive and will be resumed tomorrow afternoon in the Civil Secretariat, which re-opens tomorrow. An official spokesman said the talks were held in co-ordial atmosphere and were fruitful. A solution to the ongoing crisis in Hiranagar, created due to heavy Pakistan firing in the border villages, was expected to emerge in tomorrow’s meeting, he added. He said the Chief Minister listened to the demands, problems and suggestions made by the representatives of migrant families patiently. Both the sides decided to resume their discussions tomorrow afternoon. The migrants were demanding that families of forward villages be allotted land in safer areas for rehabilitation, compensation for the losses caused to their crops and other relief. Over 500 families have been putting up at Tehsil Headquarters and other places after deserting their houses from Londi, Khwara, Sade Chak, Regal and adjoining villages in Hiranagar sector. Meanwhile, there was no word from the Border Action Committee whether it will go ahead with its tomorrow’s Secretariat Challo march. A call for the march had been given by the Committee earlier to highlight their demands and protest against the Government failure to concede them. However, reports said, in
view of the "fruitful dialogue" and another
rounds of talks scheduled for tomorrow afternoon with the
Chief Minister, the Action Committee might give up the
idea of march. LONDON, Nov 8 : Pakistan has sought formal extradition of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) strongman Altaf Hussain from Britain charging him with 50 killings and 150 kidnappings and waging a terror campaign through telephone from his headquaters in London. The Sunday Times quoting Pakistani Government officials said if the extradition proceedings failed, it would press for trial of Altaf in a British court under the recently passed British Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who after recent shake-up in the Army in the wake of sudden resignation of Army Chief General Jahangir Karamat has become powerful politician in Pakistan after Zulfiquar Ali Bhutto, was acting against his old political ally MQM under increasing pressure from military and intelligence Chiefs, it said. The paper said Pakistani officials were in the process of handing over formal charges to British Home Office which may include a claimed MQM hit list containing names of Pakistan’s most prominent philanthropist, Hakim said brutally gunned down in Karachi recently and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. However, the paper said Sharif’s move to seek deportation of Altaf would face a lengthy legal process as Pakistan and Britain do not have an extradition treaty. (PTI) Sonia trying to destabilise BJP Govt: Modi RAIPUR, Nov 8 : Congress president Sonia Gandhi was trying to overthrow the BJP-led coalition Government by hook or by crook to capture power, BJP general secretary Narendra Modi today alleged. She is also trying to tarnish the image of India and its achievement at the international level by speaking against the Pokhran nuclear blasts conducted by the Vajpayee Government, Modi said at a "meet the press" programme organised by the Raipur Press Club. Modi said the spiralling prices of essential commodities were initiated by the previous Governments including those of Congress. Replying to a query, he
said there was no deal between edible oil traders and the
Gujarat Government over price rise. (PTI) Indo-Pak meet on Commerce tomorrow NEW DELHI, Nov 8: According Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India, sale of power and bilateral cooperation in railways and communications are likely to figure prominently in the Commerce Secretary level talks between India and Pakistan slated to begin here on November 10. While the Indian delegation will be led by Commerce Secretary P P Prabhu, the Pakistan delegation will be headed by his counterpart Mian Iqbal Farid, an official release said today. The talks between the two countries on ‘economic and commercial cooperation’ is part of the integrated dialogue between India and Pakistan based on the agreed agenda signed in June last year, the release said. Both the countries are also likely to identify new areas for economic cooperation. India’s trade with Pakistan has grown rapidly over the past five years from Rs 337.61 crore in 1993-94 to Rs 676.82 crore in 1997-1998. While Indian exports to Pakistan have increased more than 160 per cent to Rs 537.14 crore in 1997-98 from Rs 200.96 crore in 1993-94, Pakistan’s exports to India were more or less static at Rs 139.68 crore in 1997-98 as compared to Rs 136.65 crore in 1993-94. However, Pakistan’s
exports to India have shown significant increase during
API-August this year at Rs 365.54 crore as compared to Rs
30.30 crore during the same period last year, the release
said. (PTI) PATNA, Nov 8: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today said that he still maintained the view that complete mafia raj prevails in Bihar. Main Apne Pahle Ke Is Vaktavya Ki Bihar Mein Mafia Raj Hai Par Kayam Hoon (I still adhere to my earlier view that complete mafia raj prevails in Bihar), Vajpayee told reporters at Patna Airport on his arrival from New Delhi. Asked if the Centre was going to send back the proposal to President K R Narayanan for invoking Article 356 in the State, he said the Centre had already taken the initiative for imposing President’s Rule but the latter had returned the recommendation to the Union Cabinet for reconsideration. On the Bihar situation the Prime Minister said, Bihar Ki Sthiti Par Karibi Nigrani Rakhi Ja Rahi Hai (we are keeping a close watch on Bihar situation). About the spiralling prices of essential commodities, he was confident the price rise would be controlled soon. The Centre is irrevocably committed to control the skyrocketing prices for which effective steps are being taken. He was earlier received at the airport by Bihar Governor Sunder Singh Bhandari, Chief Minister Rabri Devi and seveal members of the Cabinet. Vajpayee later flew to Bodh Gaya where he would attend the closing ceremony of the fortnight-long ‘Bauddha Mahotsava’ which began at Rajgir on October 24. (PTI)
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