Centre for new technology to counter threat
Private security agencies help needed
to contain terror: Patil

NEW DELHI, Feb 17: As India faces increasing terror threat on its soil, the Centre today said cooperation of individuals and private security agencies were required to augment Government’s efforts towards surveillance and protection.

"It is very difficult to provide security to every individual and house. It is necessary that individuals themselves take some steps to protect themselves and cooperate with police machinery," Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said inaugurating an international exhibition on ‘total security, safety and disaster management’.

Acknowledging the role of private security agencies in providing security to many organizations across the country, he said to facilitate their better services, the Government has enacted an law which was very helpful.

"I am told, a big number — about five million —private security personnel are providing security to individuals and organizations," he said.

Patil stressed the need for developing new technology and equipment to enhance the capabilities of security agencies to deal with the threats of terror outfits, which have been trying to use nuclear, biological and chemical devices.

"The race is against terrorism and disaster — man-made or natural — and hence constant research and upgradation technology is the need of the hour to contain and control these disruptive forces," he said.

In his speech, Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta underlined the importance of the para-military forces for facing the challenges and threat posed by terrorist outfits and called for heightening surveillance and vigilance efforts in order to pre-empt criminal activities and disasters.

The three-day international exhibition is displaying for the first time equipment used during NBC attacks and disaster management operations.

Companies dealing with such equipments are displaying gadgets like hydraulic spreaders, cutters, inflatable lighting towers, airlifting bags, portable shelter, driving suits, dosimeters (radiation measuring instrument), multi-gas detectors, NBC suits and protective clothing and gears.

Organised jointly by CISF, Indian Trade Promotion Organisation and International Institute of Security and Safety, the exhibition have participation of at least 95 companies, including those from Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Singapore and Switzerland.

A number of gadgets for access control system, one of the foremost segments of security management, like remote-controlled electro-mechanical locks and a variety of electronic barriers are on display.

The security equipment industry in the country is pegged at 50 crore dollars per annum and is growing by 35 per cent and this exhibition is expected to serve as a common platform for the industry.

The business delegates include those from Commonwealth Games Secretariat, Delhi Metro, Railway Board, National Thermal Power Corporation, SBI and several multi-national companies.

With electronic surveillance attracting a lot of attention, the exhibition is expected to draw companies which deals with CTTV networks, Spy cams and debugging devices as also jammers. (PTI)

10 injured in police-public scuffle at Kathua
Govt frames committee to look into industrial pollution

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 17: Government today framed a high-level committee to look into increasing industrial pollution in Kathua district following massive protest demonstration and blockade of Jammu-Lakhanpur National Highway by people over the issue.

Minister for Power, Babu Singh, on whose assurance the road blockade was lifted by the agitating people, told the EXCELSIOR that a monitoring committee with representatives of Anti-Pollution Movement and officers of the Pollution Control Board (PCB), SICOP and Industries Department as its member has been framed to look into the growing menace of industrial pollution.

Soon after its framing, the Committee headed by Minister for Power decided to issue notices to all the industrial units tomorrow with the directions to install pollution control devices within a period of one month.

The Committee will inspect all the industrial units after regular intervals to ensure strict adherence to the industrial norms. It will also see whether the units were adhering to the policy decision of engaging 70 per cent local unemployed youth, Mr Singh said, adding the Committee has also been entrusted the responsibility of ensuring strict adherence to the labour laws by the industrial units and keep check on the unorganised industries in the district.

"If the industrial units fail to implement the directions strict action would be taken against them particularly snapping of the power supply", he said in response to a question. The Minister said that he will personally look into the issue of installation of common treatment plant for the industrial units.

Earlier, in the day 10 persons including four cops were injured in clash between protesters and police at Hatli Morh where the agitating people blocked the Jammu-Lakhanpur National Highway for about three hours against the increasing pollution level in the town and failure of the Pollution Control Board (PCB) to take action against the errant industrial units.

The blockade of highway despite imposition of Section 144 also exposed the lack of coordination between the police and civil administration with both accusing each other of being ‘slack’ towards their respective duties.

Reports said that large number of people including women and children from about a dozen localities assembled near a Gurdwara in Ward Number 13-14 of the Kathua town and started march towards the National Highway despite being aware of the fact that administration had imposed Section 144 on the Highway.

The agitating people clashed with the police personnel when the latter tried to prevent the former from moving towards the highway. To control the mob, police also resorted to mild lathicharge resulting into injuries to six persons. Four cops were also injured in the retaliatory action by the mob.

In the melee, several people managed to come on the highway and blocked the road. Later, they were joined by more people to stage sit-in leading to traffic chaos and confusion on both sides of the road at Hatli Morh.

Shouting slogans against the Pollution Control Board (PCB), the agitating people said that despite raising the issue a number of times no action was taken to check growing industrial pollution in the town. "Despite being aware of the fact that majority of the industrial units have not installed pollution control gadgets, no action was taken so far", they regretted.

As the road blockade continued for about three hours, Minister for Power Babu Singh reached the spot and tried to pacify the agitating people. It was only after the Minister invited the representatives of Anti-Pollution Movement for the talks with the senior officers of the PCB, SICOP and Industries Department that the people lifted the blockade.

When contacted, Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Sarita Chouhan said that people blocked the highway despite imposition of Section 144 due to the ‘shady’ role of the police. "Even after the instructions by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, who was present at the spot, no action was taken by the police to prevent people from blocking the highway", she added.

She claimed that it was only after the intervention by the district administration that PCB swung into action and started inspection of the industrial units. Ms Chouhan revealed that several units have yet to install pollution control devises.

The Deputy Commissioner disclosed that major pollution is being caused by the cement plants and there was dire need to shift them from the area.

Countering Mr Chouhan, SSP Kathua J P Singh said that no magistrate was deployed to enforce Section 144 in the area and added that police didn’t resort to excessive use of the force because of presence of large number of women and children in the demonstration.

Two infiltrators shot dead on IB

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 17: Security forces gunned down two infiltrators on the international border at Makwal sector along Niki Tawi area in early hours of this morning. It, however, couldn’t be confirmed immediately as to whether the slain intruders were Pakistanis or Bangladeshis.

Official sources, however, said the intruders killed in pre dawn firing were Pakistani infiltrators.

The Border Security Force (BSF) observed movement along the international border in Makwal area near Niki Tawi and became alert. As intruders came close the Border Out Post (BOP) of BSF, they were asked to surrender. However, they started running back towards Pakistan side in a bid to escape.

Security forces opened firing and gunned down both intruders on spot.

Bodies of both of them were recovered this morning from the international border but no important recoveries barring four packets of Pakistan made cigarettes, a match stick and wire cutter were made from their possession.

Infiltrators were not carrying any consignment of arms or explosives or fake currency with them which indicated that they could either be inadvertent crossers or Bangladeshi nationals. Possibility of the intruders being Bangladeshis was more as inadvertent crossings are witnessed only during the day time and not in wee hours of morning, sources said.

Official sources, however, said identity of the infiltrators couldn’t be established as they were not carrying identity card or any other papers with them. Foot prints of six persons were observed at the IB which indicated that four of them might have returned to Pakistan.

Bodies of the intruders have been kept for identification.

The infiltrators could be spies as well, sources said.

Killing of two intruders on the international border in Makwal came close on the heels of recovery of three kg heroin worth Rs 3 crore which was thrown by Pakistani smugglers in Suchetgarh sector few days back. The heroin packets were meant for narcotics smugglers on this side but before they could lay hands on the consignment, it was seized by the BSF and handed over to Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).

The same day, security forces had arrested six Myanmar nationals who were trying to exfiltrate to Pakistan from Suchetgarh sector.

Prior to these two attempts, security forces had taken into custody three sportsmen of Pakistan army who had inadvertently sneaked into Indian side from Suchetgarh sector. They were repatriated to Pakistan army and Rangers the very next day.

Musharraf’s fate hangs in balance
Tense Pak goes to polls today

ISLAMABAD, Feb 17: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf today vowed to go ahead with tomorrow’s key general elections, keenly watched by the world, despite a fresh wave of violence while the Opposition warned the dictator, whose fate hung in balance, of massive street protests if the vote is rigged.

"Any effort to derail the democratic process or the holding of elections will be foiled," Musharraf told state run APP as a violence-marred campaign which was overshadowed by the assassination of Pakistan People’s Party leader Benazir Bhutto, ended on a bloody note with two suicide attacks last night that left 50 dead and 100 injured.

Analysts pointed out that Pakistan’s problems might not end soon as the polls are widely expected to throw up a hung Parliament. Anti-Musharraf parties, who have threatened to impeach the dictator once they are in power, are jointly expected to sweep the election.

A large number of international observers will monitor the polls touted as "mother of all elections" by Musharraf, who grabbed power in a 1999 bloodless military coup.

"Election will be held on 18th. People should stop speculations.... Despite all rumours and insinuations these elections will be free, fair and transparent and peaceful," Musharraf told a team of international observers.

But Opposition parties said the polls, which were earlier fixed for Jan 8 but were put off following Bhutto’s killing, could not be free and fair with Musharraf at the helm.

"People are absolutely on the warpath. If the elections are rigged the situation will go out of my hands. We’ll have no choice but to take to the streets," Asif Ali Zardari, Bhutto’s widower who was made Co-chairman of PPP after her assassination on December 27 last year, said.

"If we’re allowed free and fair elections I’m 100 per cent sure we will get a majority," Zardari said, while warning that Pakistan would face massive violence which could lead to its break-up if the Musharraf Government carries out rigging.

PPP spokesman Farhatullah Babar said that the party had seized blank ballot papers and stamps in parts of Sindh and handed them over to police

Voicing similar fears, Pakistan Muslim League (N) chief Nawaz Sharif, who was deposed by Musharraf, said unrest could erupt in Pakistan if his party and PPP are denied a victory by a vote fraud.

"It is more than clear that a massive rigging plan is in place, it has been implemented....It could lead to a chaotic situation...Some sort of anarchy," he said, adding the two parties were confident of securing "more than a simple majority" jointly if the vote is fair.

Over 81 million people are eligible to vote in Pakistan’s four Provinces and seven restive tribal agencies bordering Afghanistan to choose 272 members of the National Assembly or Lower House of Parliament and 728 members of Provincial Assemblies for a five-year term.

Another 60 seats in the National Assembly are reserved for women and 10 for minorities which will be distributed among parties based on the seats won by them in popular vote.

The Government has deployed 81,000 troops and nearly 400,000 policemen who were on high alert for the polls.

An indefinite curfew was clamped on Parachinar, the main town of Kurram agency where 47 people were killed in the weekend suicide attack on the office of a PPP candidate.

Militants today targeted the vehicles of two senior police officials with roadside bombs in the restive Swat valley of the North West Frontier Province. Both police officials escaped unhurt. Security forces sealed the area and arrested 30 suspected militants.

Soldiers and Paramilitary Pakistan Rangers joined policemen to conduct flag marches at several places, including the central city of Lahore.

Security was also beefed up along the border with Afghanistan, with a large contingent of Khyber rifles and Frontier constabulary deployed in Khyber agency, where Pakistan’s ambassador to Afghanistan had gone missing last week. Emergency flags were hoisted along the frontier to signal the heightened state of alert.

Musharraf faces the possibility of impeachment if the opposition unites to secure a two-thirds majority in the national Assembly and will have to bank on the PML-Q, the party which has backed him since 2002 to do well in the polls to be part of any future coalition.

The latest poll by gallup, however, put the PML-Q in third place with just 15 per cent of the votes, far behind the PPP (35 per cent) and PML-N (25 per cent).

Zardari, whose PPP is widely expected to emerge as the single largest Party, will have to cobble together a coalition to stave off the threat posed to him by the possibility of withdrawal of the National Reconciliation Ordinance, a law passed by Musharraf last year to drop corruption charges against him and his late wife.

Leading political and defence analyst Ikram Sehgal said, "rigged or not, the elections are going to result in a hung Parliament. But the polls will be relatively free and fair even when compared to the situation that prevailed about 30 days ago."

Sehgal attributed his conclusion to several factors, including Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani’s decision to pull officers out of Government departments and Ministries, the deployment of observers and international scrutiny.

"The withdrawal of army officers from civilian departments has symbolic and real value. It will lessen the military’s influence on the civilian bureaucracy," he said.

Zardari has hinted in recent days at taking all political parties along even if the ppp emerges as the single largest group in the polls and observers said this might be part of his efforts to form a "national unity" Government.

"He has the sword of the NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance) hanging over his head and will need to forge a partnership with either the PML-Q or the PML-N to ward off that threat," said Sehgal.

Sharif, whom observers are looking at as a Kingmaker, is ineligible to contest the polls and is banking on a strong performance by his PML-N in the politically crucial province of Punjab to consolidate his influence after being in exile for nearly seven years.

The next Government will also have the formidable challenge of tackling the rapid spread of the Taliban and Al-Qaida in Pakistan’s Northwestern tribal areas bordering Afghanistan. Musharraf has blamed a series of suicide attacks, including the one that killed Bhutto in December, on Pakistani Taliban Commander Baitullah Mehsud.

The suicide attacks curtailed the election campaign, with only a few of the top leaders addressing large public rallies. (PTI)

Kulgam youths plotted to trigger car blast
*Duo being sent to JIC today

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Feb 17: Two Kashmiri youths, arrested by District Special Branch (DSB) of Jammu Police on Friday from Narwal Fruit Mandi on City’s outskirts, were planning to trigger a car blast in the City on the instructions of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit, according to preliminary questioning of the suspects.

Following disclosures of militant links of two youths, police authorities have decided to send them to Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC) tomorrow for their sustained questioning to ascertain more clues, official sources said.

The DSB sleuths as well as other wings of Jammu Police, meanwhile, continued a search for two more associates of the suspects, who too were reportedly camping in Jammu on the directions of Hizbul Mujahideen’s Kulgam based commanders. However, both of them, whose identity has been kept a secret by the police, remained untraced.

Siraj Ahmed Khan son of Wali Mohd Khan, a resident of Guddar, Kulgam and Sajjad Ahmed Naik son of Abdul Aziz Naik R/o Naikpora, Kulgam, were nabbed by the DSB sleuths from Narwal Fruit Mandi on Friday afternoon along with Rs 70,000 worth fake currency.

They were negotiating a deal of purchasing an old Maruti car with a trader when they were nabbed.

During questioning, the duo revealed that they had been deputed here by Hizbul Mujahideen commanders from Kulgam to purchase an old Maruti car (even if it was a stolen vehicle) and keep it with them in a rented house.

Khan and Naik disclosed during their preliminary questioning that the car was to be used by the militants in carrying out a car blast in Jammu. Initially, the militants had planned to trigger car blast on the occasion of Republic Day here. To execute the task, both Kulgam youths were sent here by the militants during first week of January but they failed to get a car. They told the interrogators that they contacted a couple of old car dealers but the latter refused to sold them any vehicle.

This time, the duo had nearly succeeded in purchasing the car but, at the last moment, the DSB sleuths managed to apprehend them.

According to sources, the Hizbul Mujahideen commanders had also asked Khan and Naik to approach a couple of ‘Khalistan Zindabad Force’ (KZF) activists, who were although lying low presently, had strong militant connections in past.

The suspects were also reported to have disclosed that there was a huge flow of fake currency to militant outfits, which was being used for food, shelter, purchase of vehicles and making payments among militants and family members of the ultras, who were killed in the gun battles with security forces.

The militants used to exchange fake currency with some businessmen, who happened to be sympathisers of the militants. They were getting 50 per cent original currency in exchange of fake currency.

Sources said some important clues were expected during interrogation of the suspects in the JIC where they are being sent tomorrow.

Kidney doctor’s brother arrested

NEW DELHI, Feb 17: In a major breakthrough, CBI today arrested Jeevan Raut, the brother of kidney transplant racket kingpin Amit Kumar, from the National capital.

Raut, wanted in connection with the multi-crore rupee racket, was on the run ever since it busted on January 24.

He was arrested from Lodhi Gardens in south Delhi this afternoon, CBI sources said.

CBI had secured an Interpol red-corner notice against 36-year-old Raut on February 1 along with his brother, who was arrested by CBI on February 9, after being deported from Nepal.

The agency had fanned teams in various areas after Kumar had told the investigators that his brother didn’t accompany him to Nepal.(PTI)

Mehbooba hits out at NC

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 17: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti today said the ‘‘pro-people’’ political and developmental initiatives pioneered by her party have entirely transformed the ground scenario in the State forcing the exploitative politicians to run for cover.

Addressing a public meeting at Nagrota this afternoon, Ms Mufti said, ‘‘the politicians who have all along been banking on dubious means for their survival are unnerved by this new political realization and their frustration is now vivid.

‘‘While on the one hand National Conference patron Dr Farooq Abdullah is trying to upstage his son from the State’s political scene, on the other hand he is desperately trying to shift the blame on others for the tragedies that have befallen the State mostly due to NC’s wrongdoing,’’ she alleged.

Referring to the latest accusations of Dr Abdullah against Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and the PDP, Ms Mufti said, ‘‘people are the best judges and they have already dumped and written-off Dr Abdullah as one of the misfortunes that was foisted on the State only to push it into the most tragic era of death and destruction.’’

‘‘Ironically, out of frustration, the NC leaders are now desperately trying to politicize the tragic assassination of Mirwaiz Moulvi Mohammad Farooq for electoral gains,’’ she said.

The PDP president said the worst-ever electoral rigging engineered by the NC in 1987 elections is still haunting its leaders and foreseeing the party’s dwindling political fate.

The NC leaders have now started seeing in PDP the reincarnation of the erstwhile Muslim United Front (MUF), she added. (UNI)

Arms haul near LoC in Kupwara

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Feb 17: A large quantity of ammunition and grenades were recovered today by the Border Security Force near the Line of Control in Kupwara district.

An official spokesman said that a search operation was launched by the troops of BSF 33 Battalion in general area of Trehgam. During the operation, troops recovered warlike stores.

The recovery included two under barrel grenade launcher grenades, a radio set with battery and charger, 86 rounds of AK ammunition, seven AK magazines, 54 rounds of tracers, 20 rounds of Pika ammunition and 11 pistol rounds.

Vital clues in Samjhauta blast

CHANDIGARH, Feb 17:A year after the Samjhauta Express blast that killed 68 people including 42 Pakistanis near Panipat, the perpetrators of ghastly attack are still at large even as investigators claim they have found "vital clues" and hope the culprits will not be able to avoid arrest for long.

"Various agencies including State level and Central ones are at work. This is not all that easy a task and takes time. We have got some clues and leads and hope the perpetrators cannot escape for long," Bharti Arora, member of the Special Investigation Team constituted to probe the blasts, said.

Two powerful explosions had ripped through two coaches of the Lahore-bound Samjhauta Express on the night of February 18 near Deewana railway station, about 15 km from industrial city of Panipat.

Sixty-eight passengers had died in the ensuing fire that engulfed the two bogies of the train and many of them were burnt beyond recognition.

Arora, who is SP of Government Railway Police in Ambala, said various agencies were questioning a lot of people across many States and they had got some "vital leads". "We cannot disclose at this moment what those clues were," said Arora.

"As and when we have something concrete, we will let everybody know," said Arora.

The attack, which was widely condemned, occurred when two bombs exploded in different general compartments just after the train passed Deewana station.

Meanwhile, in Panipat’s Mehrana village graveyard, where 29 Pakistani victims of the blasts were buried, a memorial, which was promised by the Government, is yet to come up.

"The Government had promised to build a memorial at the site, but nothing has been done so far. Where we will get funds to maintain this in good shape," said caretaker of the graveyard Shakoor Ahmed.

Ahmed said the graves have only numbers and despite a year gone by, nobody has given him the names of the victims which could be put besides the graves.

Matloof Ahmed Safi, a Panipat-based Muslim cleric, recounted the dreadful night and how bodies lay charred beyond recognition inside the two rail bogies.

Another Muslim leader Tauseef Ahmed Khan also remembered how people from the villages rushed in to assist the victims.

"Everybody was so shocked after seeing what had happened. Remembering the day still sends a chill down my spine," said Khan, who lives in a village which is close to where the incident occurred. (PTI)

Jammu cop among 4 held with heroin

AMRITSAR, Feb 17: Special Narcotic Cell of Punjab police today seized one kilogram of heroin worth Rs one crore and arrested four persons, including a police constable, in this connection here.

Acting on a tip off, officials of the Narcotic Cell arrested the four persons coming from Jammu in Kathunagal village, sources in the Narcotic Cell said.

They were identified as Sajid Mehmood, serving as constable in the Jammu police, Amit Kumar, Pankaj Kumar and Naval Kumar— all the three are students from Poonch area of Jammu and Kashmir. (PTI)

Fake currency racket busted

AMRITSAR, Feb 17: Amritsar Police has busted a racket of counterfeit currency and arrested five persons after recovering counterfiet Indian currency of Rs 40,000, police said.

Amrik Singh, a resident of Rajasansi along with one Gurbej Singh of Sohian Kalan village has been arrested with fake currency of Rs 20,000.

However, one of his associate Ranjit Singh Bittu of Ramdas village is absconding. One sophisticated printer has also been recovered from their possession yesterday.

He has been indulging in this racket since long. Earlier, he was arrested in May last year with fake currency of Rs 75,000.

In another case, Sadar Police has arrested Inderjit Singh alias Sabi and Mangat Singh of village Heir and Baljit Singh of Kamboj village with fake currency of Rs 20,000.

Inderjit was earlier arrested in a similar case in 2005 and was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment.

The police has registered two cases under sections 489a, b and c of IPC and further investigations were on.

Meanwhile, in Jalandhar, the district police today claimed to have busted a racket of fake placement agency with the arrest of three persons, who alleged duped several innocent youth on the pretext of providing jobs to them.

While giving the details, Rajeshwar Singh Sidhu, Deputy Superintendent of Police said that the three persons identified as Janak Ram a resident of Preet Nagar Ludhiana, Kamaljeet Bobby a resident of model town Ludhiana and Sunil Kumar a resident of the Shimlapuri in Ludhiana, who were running a fake travel agency namely International Placement Company near the local bus stand.

The DSP further said that these three people used to dupe the people by giving advertisement in the newspaper of providing the jobs to unemployed people and then used to charge a fee of Rs 700 from them on pretext of providing them employment in the leading telecom companies.

Since last two months the accused had got the payment from about 110 youth of the city but not a single person amongst them was provided the job by the accused, he said adding that failing to get the job from the accused person some of the youth today complained about them in the local bus stand police station of the city and taking action on the complaint, police raided the complex of the company near the Narinder Cinema and arrested all the accused.

He further said that the police has registered a complaint against the accused under section 420 of Indian Penal Code in the concerned police station.(PTI)

5th winter games declare open at
Gulmarg, 18 teams participating

Gulmarg : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today declared open the 5th National Winter Games-2008 in which about 500 sportspersons, representing 18 teams from different parts of the country, will participate.

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi, besides a number of ministers, senior bureaucrats and a large number of

people, including a good number of foreigners, were present on the occasion.

Earlier, sportspersons from host Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Chandigrah, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, ITBP, BSF, Navy, DMAS Manali, Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering, Army and MSI Ale took part in the march past.

Olympion Gul Mustafa lit the games flame.

The torch, which was flagged off by the IOA president Suresh Kalmadi at New Delhi on February 12 and handed over to veteran Jammu and Kashmir Olympian Gul Mustafa, reached here after travelling through Dehradun, Shimla, Jammu and Srinagar.

The formal competitions will be held from tomorrow morning.

Sky diving, Kashmiri songs and other colourful programmes marked the opening of the games.

Mr Azad and Mr Kalmadi released a white pigeon as a symbol of peace on the occasion.(UNI)