Left-wing extremism gravest threat to national security: PM

Zeenews Bureau

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday applauded the country’s police forces for effectively combating the menace of terrorism in the past one year, but cautioned that left-wing terrorism continues to remain the biggest threat to national security.

“We have achieved success in tackling terrorism in the past one year. Many terrorist modules have been busted during the period. There have been no terrorist attacks since November last year. However, I have consistently held that left-wing extremism is perhaps the gravest internal security threat we face. We have not achieved as much success as we would have liked in containing it. It is a matter of concern that despite our efforts, the level of violence in the affected states continues to rise," Manmohan Singh said while addressing the three-day conference of top police officers here.

Expressing concern over the volatile situation in the Northeast, Manmohan Singh said, "The situation in the northeastern parts of our country is far from comfortable. In two of the states -- Manipur and Assam -- current levels of violence give us cause for concern."


"In addition, extortion and intimidation have become a menace across most of the states in the region. It should be possible, I believe, to bring about a substantial improvement in the situation if there can be better security management," he said.

While briefing the Directors General of Police (DGPs) and Inspectors General of Police (IGPs) on key policing and internal security issues, Prime Minister Singh also spoke on cross-border infiltration along the international borders with Nepal and Bangladesh, infiltration through coastal areas and the need for developing better strategies and improving the surveillance and vigilance mechanism to check these activities.

The Prime Minister also complimented the police force for their role in conducting free and fair polls in various states. However, he said that there was an urgent need to address diverse national security related issues, as also the various operational, infrastructural and welfare-related problems faced by police in the country.

The Prime Minister also stressed on maintaining a good relationship, especially with the minorities, saying, "Special efforts must be made to make a relationship of trust between our police forces and minorities".

He also asked the top police brass to identify the causes why terrorist organisations were succeeding in distracting youth towards militancy.

“A large number of youth are indoctrinated into terrorist activities. We must not fail on this aspect, “he said.

Among other issues, the Prime Minister also endorsed Home Minister P Chidambaram’s earlier assertions that it was time to chalk out strategies to check circulation of fake currency notes, strengthening of intelligence apparatus, strengthening the National Police Mission, identifying corporate frauds and security arrangements for major events.

The Prime Minister also asked the top police brass to ensure better facilities to bottom level police personnel, filling the existing backlog in vacancies, and formulating and sharing of professional practices and processes in tackling challenges relating to crime control and law and order management.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Monday inaugurated the conference of DGPs and IGPs at Vigyan Bhavan and shared his experience gathered during the just concluded visit to the US where he extensively interacted with top security experts of that country.

Chidambaram expressed deep concern over terrorism emanating from across the border, saying it continues to remain a persistent threat to India’s security.

Chidambaram said groups like Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad continue to plan terror strikes in India. He added that local support to Pakistan-based terror groups has not ended.

The minister also announced plans to set up a National Counter Terrorism Centre, assuring the government’s response to terror will be swift and effective.

The conference offers opportunities for generation and exchange of ideas on capacity building for the police in respect of manpower, training, logistics and advanced technology.


The PM has done well to warn the nation of the threat of Left Wing extremism. But this should not make us lower our guard against the equally dangerous Islamist extremism. It is best that the danger be identified together as Islamist-Communist terrorism and dealt with as a combined threat.

http://www.zeenews.com/news563618.html

Stampede in Pakistan kills 18 women, injures nine

14/09/2009

Islamabad: At least 18 women were killed and nine injured Monday in a stampede in Pakistan's southwestern port city of Karachi during a charity food hand-out, officials said.

The incident occurred in Karachi's Ghori Garden area, where many women had gathered to collect free flour and rice given away by a local businessman in respect of the holy month of Ramzan.

"We so far have 18 women dead and nine injured in the stampede," said Abdullah Sheikh, a senior police officer. He said most of the deaths were caused by suffocation following the stampede.

The dead and injured were brought to a crowded local hospital, where staff struggled to maintain peace and order as a large number of angry relatives also came to the hospital looking for their loved ones.

Various rich businessmen give alms during Ramzan, providing free foodstuff or cooked food for the needy in the evening for breaking their fast.

Deaths have occurred in the past at distribution points due to inadequate arrangements.

A 45-year-old man died Sunday in the eastern city of Lahore while trying to get subsidized flour.

Sheikh said the level of negligence in Karachi stampede should be investigated.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilnai ordered an immediate enquiry into the incident, while President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his "shock and grief," saying authorities should have taken measures to ensure the food distribution was safe.

Police detained the businessman, Chaudhry Iftikhar, who was distributing the free rations, for questioning.

Source: Indo-Asian News Service


K.Venugopal


#1


14 September 2009 16:35:32

A similar stampede happened in Lucknow in India many years ago when a BJP leader was distributing free sarees during an election rally.

http://news.in.msn.com/international/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3224417&ucid=200798

China slams Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal

Updated on Saturday, September 12, 2009, 08:47 IST
New Delhi: China has sought to provoke India once again by raising severe objection to the visit of Dalai Lama to Arunachal Pradesh, parts of which it claims as its own. The Dalai Lama plans to visit soon the northeastern state, an aide said on Friday, in a trip that could again rile Beijing after it denounced his visit to Taiwan this month.
Chhime Chhoekyapa, the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader's aide, told news agencies that the Dalai Lama would be in Arunachal Pradesh in the second week of November. "He is going there for teaching. This has nothing to do with politics, there is nothing political about it," Chhoekyapa said. The intended visit has already sparked consternation in China, which claims about 90,000 sq km of Arunachal Pradesh along their border as part of its territory, and could become another irritant in ties already dogged by a border dispute. "China expresses strong concern about this information. The visit further reveals the Dalai clique's anti-China and separatist essence," Jiang Yu, the spokeswoman for China's foreign ministry, said in a statement faxed to Reuters. "China's stance on the so-called 'Arunachal Pradesh' is consistent. We firmly oppose Dalai visiting the so-called 'Arunachal Pradesh'," Jiang said. The Dalai Lama's travel plan was announced a week after the completion of his visit to Taiwan, a self-ruled island claimed by Beijing. China denounced the trip. A visit to Arunachal Pradesh could now draw further attention to China's treatment of Tibetan activists and the Dalai Lama's calls for cultural and religious freedoms and autonomy. China considers the Dalai Lama a "splittist" who seeks to separate nearly a quarter of the land mass of the People's Republic of China. The Dalai Lama, who fled Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule, denies the charge and says he seeks greater rights for Tibetans. India and China fought a short war in 1962 and, despite burgeoning trade in recent years, mistrust remains. This year, the two countries have faced off at multi-lateral forums, including Chinese objections to a $60 million Asian Development Bank loan for a project in Arunachal Pradesh. There have been incursions by Chinese soldiers patrolling the 3,500-km (2,200-mile) border, in air and on land. Bureau Report


If India does not put its foot down and tell China not to interfere in India’s affairs, China will start playing the big bully. China may be more powerful than India, but India is not a pushover either. If necessary, India must move its nuclear warheads towards China. However, India must be very clear that its enemy is not the Chinese people, but the Communist regime there, which India must seek to overthrow and set up a democratic and secular government by rallying the Buddhist forces in China.

http://www.zeenews.com/news562750.html

Nothing wrong with Gujarat affidavit: Chidambaram

NDTV Correspondent, Friday September 11, 2009, Washington

Home Minister P Chidambaram has said there is nothing wrong with the Gujarat affidavit. Speaking out for the first time on the controversy, he said the Gujarat government cannot try to use the home ministry affidavit to defend itself against charges of carrying out a fake encounter.The minister said the affidavit was only meant to be an intelligence input, not conclusive proof of guilt, much less a reason for killing anyone in cold blood. "What is wrong with the affidavit? To the best of my knowledge the affidavit says that intelligence inputs were shared with the Gujarat government. That affidavit must be read in context. You cannot read into it what it does not say. I think it is self-evident that intelligence inputs are not evidence, much less conclusive proof. They are just inputs. They are hared with governments on a regular basis. That is not evidence or conclusive proof. It gives leads to investigations further enquiry. If a state government acts as though intelligence inputs are evidence or conclusive proof, I am sorry for that government. "Certainly no one suggested that based on an intelligence input you should kill someone. I think too much is being attributed to that affidavit if it is meant to defend the government of Gujarat against the excesses that may have been committed by its police I am sorry for the government of Gujarat and the manner in which it runs its police administration."Earlier, the Congress said that the party might want the home ministry to have a re-look at the affidavit."We would certainly want the government to take a look and the government is fully entitled to a magisterial enquiry in the high court of Gujarat and the Supreme Court to explain, elaborate and interpret the affidavit given earlier," Congress Spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi told NDTV.


Will Mr. Chidambaram explain why a home-Ministry official was suspended over the issue of the affidavit? If the Home Ministry issues an affidavit that certain people are members of a terrorist organization, does it not prove that the Gujarat police had terrorists in their hands? Killing even certified terrorists without giving them a chance to go through the due process of law is no doubt an infringement of law. However, unless the police version that it was an encounter where the terrorists were on the verge of carrying out an operation is a fairy tale, the terrorists deserve no sympathy.

http://www.ndtv.com/news/india/nothing_wrong_with_gujarat_affidavit_chidambaram.php?page=1#postcommentarea

China plans to dominate India?

Nitin Gokhale, Thursday September 10, 2009, New Delhi

Chinese helicopters, troops and rock markings were recently found on the Indian territory bordering China. So, just what is China up to?Though India describes them as minor incursions, but it's worried about the design and the grand plan of the Chinese behind these.The aggressive patrolling, assertive transgressions and vituperative articles in state media aimed against India, is all part of the larger design to keep India off balance.And China is doing that currently through a large military exercise named Stride 2009. The military exercise involves 50,000 troops, tanks and aircraft.Beijing's intention is to practice moving divisions to the Indian border quickly, across thousands of kilometres from this far corner of China.A Chinese general bluntly says, "The unprecedented exercise is to improve long-range projection."In the last coupe of decades the character of the Chinese leadership has changed. After China's emergence as an economic superpower it's aiming to be a military superpower.So gone is the maxim "Hide your capability, bide your time" and adopting an openly aggressive stand is the new mantra.Three years ago, Chinese military laid down its goals and made them public:
By 2010: Target and coerce regional powers like Taiwan, Vietnam and India

By 2020: Be ready to take on Russia, Japan and Europe

By 2050: Match US capabilities
And it seems to be working towards its target. Taiwan, with it's Beijing-friendly government, is no longer a threat; Vietnam is focusing on its economic development and wants to avoid a confrontation; but India is still seen as competition because of its economic clout and soft power. And this brings us back to the border transgressions. New Delhi believes China isn't really that bothered about its simmering border disputes, but it's important to remember that China has settled the boundary issue with nine of its neighbours, except India.

India should align with Buddhist forces in China and overthrow the Communist regime to establish a secular democratic government in China to end all talk of either nation trying to dominate the other. This tendency to dominate is inherent in the ideologies of Communism, Islam and the Church.

http://www.ndtv.com/news/india/china_plans_to_dominate_india.php

Expelled for having a beard? Ridiculous, says court

NDTV Correspondent, Friday September 11, 2009, New Delhi

The Supreme Court has directed a convent school in Madhya Pradesh to take back a student, Mohammed Salim, who had been expelled for having a beard.In an interim order on Friday, the apex court issued a notice to the Nirmala Convent Higher Secondary School in Vidisha and asked Mohammad Salim to resume his studies at the school.Reprimanding the school in strong words, the court said: "the student was not allowed in school just because he has a beard? Tomorrow Sikh students won't be allowed to study. Tomorrow you will say no fair complexion student should be allowed. You will say students with earrings will not be allowed. Prima facie, it's ridiculous."The case sparked a controversy earlier this year when the Supreme Court dismissed Salim's petition and Justice Markandeya Katju said the court would not allow talibanisation in the country.The judge later apologised and withdrew the dismissal order.On Friday, it was taken up by a two-judge bench headed by justice B N Agarwal .Salim is the son of a vegetable vendor. He had been studying at the government-aided Nirmala Convent Higher Secondary School in Madhya Pradesh's Sironj town since class I. But in July 2008, Salim was rusticated by the school principal, Sister Teresa Martin, for refusing to shave his beard.Salim's contention was that Sikh boys were allowed to keep long hair and beards and so he could not be discriminated against.He first complained to the district authorities. When they rejected his appeal, plea, Salim moved the high court pleading that forcing him to shave his beard was against his fundamental religious right under Article 25 of the Constitution which guarantees all citizens the right to freely profess, practice and propagate their religion. The Gwalior bench of the Jabalpur High Court dismissed his plea too saying that the school had a right to have its les.Salim then appealed to the Supreme Court.

No one should object to anyone sporting a beard or growing hair long. These are all personal preferences, never mind if some individuals consider it their religious duty. However, exceptions have to be made in factories where long hair may get entangled in the machinery. In such cases, either the hair should be covered or they should be duly shaved or cropped. This is also applicable in operating theatres and in sports. Probably the criterion of “hair getting entangled” ought to be a deciding factor as to the question of a mandatory shave.

http://www.ndtv.com/news/india/banned_over_a_beard_ridiculous_says_apex_court.php?page=1#postcommentarea

NSS boycotts function at Panmana ashram

Mata Amritanandamayi addressing the devotees at Panmana Ashram on the occasion of Sri Chattambi Swami Jayanthi celebrations on Wednesday.
Express News Service
First Published : 10 Sep 2009 04:44:42 AM IST
Last Updated :

KOLLAM: The NSS boycotted the Chattambi Swami Jayanthi celebrations held at the Panmana Ashram on Wednesday.
What provoked the NSS leadership to boycott the celebrations at the Ashram was the undue importance given to the programmes of Mata Amritanandamayi on the Jayanthi Day by the Ashram authorities.Mata Amritanandamayi was invited to the Ashram for the first time.
It was announced that NSS general secretary P K Narayana Panicker would inaugurate the 156th Sri Chattambi Swami Jayanthi celebrations at the Panmana Ashram. However, he did not turn up for the inaugural function. At the same time Panicker inaugurated the Jayanthi celebrations organised by the Karunagappally taluk NSS Union at Karunagappally.
NSS Union president N V Ayyappan Pillai, who was the chairman of the celebrations committee constituted by the Panmana Ashram, also did not attend the functions at the Ashram. He presided over the function organised by the NSS Union at Karunagappally. This is the second time in four years that the Karunagappally NSS Union is organising a separate function on the Jayanthi Day.
Panicker made a scathing attack on the Ashram authorities in his inaugural address of the Jayanthi celebrations organised by the Karunagappally NSS Union.
He said that the NSS would not allow to install anybody above Chattambi Swamikal. The Ashram authorities utilised the Jayanthi celebrations to honour someone else instead of organising the functions with much devotion to Chattambi Swamikal. In the pretext of the darshans of Chattambi Swamikal, the Ashram authorities tried to highlight some others, he said.
The NSS general secretary made it clear that his organisation was not against inviting anybody, but insisted that such invitations should not belittle the spiritual importance of the Jayanthi celebrations. He also alleged that NSS taluk union president, who was also the chairman of the Jayanthi celebrations committee of the Ashram, had not been consulted about the programmes.
According to sources, the NSS leadership was also not happy in giving prominence to the BJP-Sangh Parivar organisations in the affairs of the Ashram. Karnataka Home Minister V S Acharya and BJP state president P K Krishnadas had been invited by the Ashram authorities to the function.
Water Resources Minister N K Premachandran, who was supposed to preside over the function, was also conspicuous by his absence. Karnataka Home Minister V S Acharya, who is to be the chief guest, also did not turn up.
Swami Ritambarananda of Sivagiri Matt inaugurated the Jayanthi celebrations. BJP state president P.K.Kishnadas and others addressed the meeting.
The day’s proceedings started with Swami Prakashananda of Sivagiri Matt lighting the lamp.
In the evening, Mata Amritanandamayi visited the Ashram. She delivered the benedictory address and gave darshan to the devotees after participating in the bhajan.


I think the present leadership of NSS, who would like Nairs to believe that they are not Hindus, are also trying to appease Christian and 'secular' forces after Chatambi Swamigal's masterpiece Christu Matha Chetanam was recently translated into English brilliantly and is gaining a wide readership. The NSS leadership needs to re-read Swamigal’s magnum opus and discover that Swamigal was a proud Hindu and realize that NSS would do well to follow the footsteps of Swamigal.

http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=NSS+boycotts+function+at+Panmana+ashram&artid=eWHLh9TE0tM%3d&SectionID=lMx%2fb5mt1kU%3d&MainSectionID=lMx%2fb5mt1kU%3d&SEO=&SectionName=tm2kh5uDhixGlQvAG42A%2f07OVZOOEmts