Will defeat Maoists by 2013: Chidambaram

Home Minister P Chidambaram has said India would be able to counter the Maoist insurgency by 2013. “We must meet the challenge to fight against Maoists and terrorism in the next two to three years. We know it’s a big challenge for India, but we will be able to meet the challenge in the next two to three years,” he said. But the country, he added, was facing another challenge — that of preventing criminals from entering Parliament. “We are the largest and most disciplined democracy in the world. We need honest and decent people to come to Parliament,” he said. The home minister also said India would press for access to Lashkar-e Taiba operative David Headley, who has pleaded guilty in the US to charges of being involved in 26/11, and his extradition. The government is examining Headley’s plea bargain with the US authorities in this context.

To demonstrate its keenness to have access to Headley, a Pakistani-origin American, the home ministry is sending a letter to the US, which is currently being vetted. Headley and the US attorney have agreed on a plea bargain and “we are examining the legal implications of the agreement,” Chidambaram said. “We intend to press our request for access to David Headley for questioning him and for recording his testimony.” In the plea bargain, Headley has expressed readiness to be available to foreign officials for questioning through video conferencing, deposition or letter rogatory (official request). The government is also examining the plea agreement in the light of the provisions of the Extradition Treaty between India and the US, Chidambaram said.

Asked about the proposal to send a letter to the US to seek access to Headley, Chidambaram said: “It is a legal document… it is being vetted.” Asked if India would also seek access to Headley’s associate Tahawur Rana, Chidambaram said he had pleaded not guilty and the government would “think what action should be taken and what action can be taken” only after he is chargesheeted. Rana, a Pakistan-born Canadian national, was arrested along with Headley in Chicago last October.

(http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Will-defeat-Maoists-by-2013-Chidambaram/articleshow/5749213.cms  01/04/10, The Times of India)

Naxal crackdown: Satyam Rao’s arrest big break for cops

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing suspected Naxal activities in south Gujarat has achieved a breakthrough with the arrest of Satyam Rao from Andhra Pradesh. He was produced before the court on Wednesday and has been remanded for nine days. Acting on specific information, an SIT team went to Tangutur taluka in Nalgonda district of Andhra Pradesh and picked up Rao (47) from his house. The police team returned to Surat on Tuesday and Rao was produced before the Kathor court today with a plea for 14-day custody. The police said that after the arrest of Nirajan Mohapatra for suspected Naxal links, Rao went underground. He was hiding at his native village in Andhra Pradesh. The police said Rao was given the task to develop the CPI ML Janshakti network in Gujarat. He was staying in the Limbayat area of Surat for quite sometime and was associated with trade union activities. The police said he was the secretary of the Gujarat Shramik Sangathan. SIT Chief A K Singh said: “With Rao’s arrest, we will be able to catch the top CPI ML Janshakti cadres. We are trying to understand their thinking and ideology. We are also trying to dig out CPI Moists in south Gujarat.”

(http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Naxal-crackdown–Satyam-Rao-s-arrest-big-break-for-cops/598572  01/04/10, Indian Express)

Top Maoist Kishenji missing, Govt silent

The mystery over whether CPI (Maoist) leader Koteshwar Rao alias Kishenji is dead or alive shows no signs of getting over any time soon. Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday cleverly parried questions on Kishenji during a press conference in New Delhi. When asked about the whereabouts of Kishenji, Chidambaram only said that the top Maoist seems to have not contacted the media in the last few days. “Well he has not called any of the media persons in last 10 days,” said Chidambaram. There has been no news about Kishenji ever since a gunfight in West Bengal last week. There have been reports that Kishenji was injured during a 12-hour long gunfight with security forces near the forest in West Bengal’s Lalgarh. The 51-year-old Maoist leader is a member of CPI(Maoist) Politburo and Central Military Commission. He is in charge of all the Maoist operations in West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and Chhattisgarh.

(http://ibnlive.in.com/news/top-maoist-kishenji-missing-govt-silent/112450-3.html?from=tn  31/03/10, IBN Live)

Centre to operationalise Special Action Force

The four Special Action Force (SAF) battalions of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), earlier raised and trained to counter anti insurgency activities, would be made operational from Wednesday. The SAF was earlier known as Commando battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA). In his monthly report card, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said: “Four battalions of Special Action Force (earlier known as CoBRA) in the CRPF have been raised and trained. They were operationalised today.” SAF are likely to be deployed in the anti Naxal operations. Earlier the Home Ministry has sanctioned Rs. 82.12 crore to the SAF for acquisition of land and construction of buildings, barracks and hospitals.

Meanwhile, the mystery over the condition of Naxal leader Koteshwar Rao alias Kishenji is still continuing. Commenting on whereabouts of Koteshwar Rao, Chidambaram said the Naxal leader seems to have not contacted media in last few days. “Well he has not called any of the media persons in last 10 days,” Chidambaram said. There has been no news about Rao ever since a gunfight in West Bengal last week. There have been reports that Rao was injured during a 12-hour long encounter with security forces near West Bengal’s Lalgarh. Rao is in charge of all the Maoist operations in West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and Chhattisgarh. In an email to Orissa Chief Minister’s Office, Naxals claimed that they would take revenge for every bullet that hit Rao.

(http://news.oneindia.in/2010/03/31/centreto-operationalise-special-action-force.html  31/03/10, One India News)

5 militants, 4 troopers killed

Five militants and four troopers were killed in the 30-hour fierce encounters in Rajouri district, which ended on Wednesday afternoon with nine casualties. Reports said acting on a tip-off the troopers of Rashtriya Rifles and police had launched a cordon-and-search operation in Planakanthol-Lambibari forests in Kandi and Kalakote areas simultaneously on Tuesday. However, the militants present there had opened indiscriminate fire on the troopers triggering a fierce encounter. In the ensuing gun battle that continued overnight, five militants and three troopers were killed, officials said. The Additional SP Rajouri Muhammad Shabir said the operation was called off today afternoon. “We have killed all the militants and ascertained their identity. The combing operation of the forests has also ended,” the SP said. He identified the slain militants as Abu Qitaal, Chota Osama, Abu Shoib and Abu Abdullah all belonging to Lashkar-e-Toiba militant outfit and residents of Pakistan.

Meanwhile, an unidentified militant and an army trooper were killed in another encounter in Bagla area under the jurisdiction of Dharma’s Police Station. The slain troopers killed in the encounters were identified as Hawaldar Chatter Singh, Naik Sher Khan, Sepoy Raam Prasad and Hawaldar Surjit Singh. Army claimed to have recovered arms and ammunition and electronic navigation equipments from the slain militants. An Army spokesman in a statement said the troopers had launched the operation following inputs of fresh infiltration.
Pertinently two troopers and a Station House Officer (SHO) were injured during the gunfight at Kakakote.

(http://www.greaterkashmir.com/today/full_story.asp?Date=1_4_2010&ItemID=81&cat=1  31/03/10, Greater Kashmir)

Intellectuals urge ULFA to sit for talks

Prominent intellectuals and cultural luminaries of the State have appealed to the government and the proscribed ULFA to honour the expectation of the people and sit for unconditional talks. Writers, veteran journalists and cultural activists including Dr Hiren Gohain, Nirupama Borgohain, Dr Amalendu Guha, Nalinidhar Bhattacharya, Neelmoni Phukan, Neelpawan Baruah, Sudakshina Sarma, Arun Sarma, Radhika Mohan Bhagawati amongst others have stated that both the government and the banned outfit must respect the sentiment of the people and bring lasting peace to the State.

These citizens have welcomed the positive response from both sides and mentioned that the people do not want the peace process to be derailed on any account. “Conducive atmosphere has to be created for the peace talks,” they said. On the other hand, describing the release of two top ULFA leaders as a positive step, these intellectuals called upon the government to release the other top leaders of the outfit on bail and permit them to interact with the common people and different organisations on the issue of peace and development of the State.

(http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=apr0110/city05  31/03/10, Assam Tribune)

Cadres surrender before AR

There are reports that twelve Naga militants have surrendered in Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday, laying down arms before the Assam Rifles authorities. The NSCN-IM has refuted the claim of the Assam Rifles while terming it as ‘staged-managed.’ According to defence sources, six of the Naga militants were from the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim/Nagaland (NSCN) while the other six were from the rival Khaplang faction of the NSCN. The militants deposited six pistols, one carbine, five rifles, five grenades, one IED and four detonators. The surrender took place at Khonsa in Arunachal Pradesh. In 2009, 51 militants had surrendered here before the authorities. Felicitating the militants for joining the national mainstream, Brigadier JS Negi, Commander of the 25 Sector Assam Rifles said the militants’ decision to surrender was an “indicator that operations by security forces coupled with psychological initiatives are bearing dividends”. The Brigadier added that the militants would now be imparted vocational training at Dinjan in Assam.

On the other hand, NSCN-IM’s Ceasefire Monitoring Cell convenor Phumthing Shimrang told Newmai News Network that the reports of NSCN-IM cadres surrendering before the Assam Rifles were ‘stage-managed.’ He claimed that there have been numerous ‘complaints from the people’ that the Assam Rifles have been ‘picking up NSCN-IM cadres’ in Arunachal Pradesh and later producing them as ‘surrendered’ cadres. It may be mentioned that both NSCN (Isak-Muivah) and NSCN (Khaplang) have signed separate ceasefire agreements with the Centre. The NSCN (Isak-Muivah) has had over sixty rounds of talks with the Centre but a solution continues to elude the Nagas.

(http://www.morungexpress.com/frontpage/46330.html  31/03/10, Morung Express)

KYKL(MDF) leader arrested in Shillong brought back, two sympethisers held in follow up operation

A self styled captain of the underground KYKL(MDF) involved in various criminal activities has been arrested from Shillong, Meghalaya by a combined team of Thoubal police commandos and 16 Maratha Light Infantry in coordination with Meghalaya police. The arrested KYKL(MDF) leader has been identified as Maisnam Gopeshwor Singh alias Athouba, 41 son of Dhojo of Phubala Mamang Leikai. According to a police statement the militant leader was apprehended on March 19 from Shillong and he has been brought to Imphal today. Following Gopeshwor`s disclosure, a search was conducted at his own residential house at Phubala in which his younger brother Khagemba was also arrested along with two AK-47 rifles with four magazines and 200 live rounds of ammunitions, the police statement said.

It further said another operation was conducted today at Tungkoi village under Lamlai police station for more recoveries of hidden weapons but ended up with the arrest of one sympathizer of the outfit namely Joyrose Machangnao, 42 wife of Likeson Machangnao of Tungkoi village. The police statement further said Gopeshwor was involved in several criminal activities including ambush on CDO Bishnupur at Loukoipat in the year 2004, ambush on BSF ROP near Lokchao along Nh-39 in 2002 in which one BSF personnel was killed, ambush on BSF ROP at Lokchao on NH-39 in 2003 in which 4/5 BSF personnels were killed and snatched three INSAS Rifles.

Apart from that Gopeshwor was involved in killing of father-son duo from Loktak project at Ningthoukhong bazar in the year 1995, killing of another father-son duo from Ningthoukhong near Ningthoukhong Boys High School in the year 1997 and killing of one KYKL(T) cadre from Kha Jiri at Phubala in the year 1996. The police statement also said that Gopeshwor was also involved in the killing of non-local businessmen Manoj Sethi some years back. Other criminal activities Gopeshwor was involved included an encounter with security forces at Maphou Dam in the year 2004 in which four KYKL cadres were eliminated, snatching of arms from the escorts of DC Bishnupur and snatching of arms from Sugnu PS personnel at Wangoo Lamkhai, the police statement added.

In the meantime, a PULF cadre was arrested by a team of CDO/Imphal East on March 29. The arrested militant has been identified as), Abeda alias Rijiya Begum (30) w/o Md. Allimuddin Khan of Kshetri Bengoon Mayai Leikai. She was arrested from Hatta near Orient Hotel, said a release. In another arrest, one UNLF cadre was apprehended by the Assam Rifles of 26 Sectors under HQ IGAR(s). A statement of the IGAR(S) said the militant was apprehended during a routine check of Tata Sumo at a mobile vehicle check post in the general area of Sita Road Junction on the March, 30. The militant has been identified as Y Aboy Meitei alias Pratap Meitei, 22, son of Sanatomba Meitei of Nongpokingkhol, Imphal East, said the release.

(http://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=headline&newsid=52162&typeid=1  31/03/10, Kangla Online)

Anti-communal riots law soon

Talking tough against “rowdy and hot-headed” elements responsible for the continuing violence in Hyderabad, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday said that a law against communal violence would be put in place by the year-end. Speaking at the conference of states’ minorities commissions, Chidambaram said the country witnesses communal violence at various places on the slightest of pretexts and some of them could be traced to trivial and petty quarrels that resulted in trauma, fear and insecurity in the minority communities and deepening of the divide. “It is, therefore, an urgent need to dispel any misgiving on the part of the minority community and assure them that the government of India is committed to preserve, protect and promote secular values and provide equality of opportunity to all religious minorities,” he said, adding it was his “earnest hope that before the end of the year, we will have a law for the prevention and control of communal violence and rehabilitation of the victims.” Later, at his monthly press briefing, Chidambaram blamed “petty skirmishes” over the hoisting of green and saffron flags for the Hyderabad situation and warned that rowdy and ‘hot headed’ elements would have to pay a heavy price. “Unfortunately, both sides have some undesirable elements. As of this morning, 130 people have been arrested, more will be arrested today… Police have been asked to take strict action – impartially and fearlessly. Both sides have been strictly warned not to disturb peace,” Chidambaram said.

(http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Anti-communal+riots+law+soon&artid=m6ywNKdZPZY=&SectionID=b7ziAYMenjw=&MainSectionID=b7ziAYMenjw=&SEO=P+Chidambaram,+Union+Home+Minister&SectionName=pWehHe7IsSU=  01/04/10, Express Buzz)

Judicial inquiry into communal riots demanded

CPI (M) State secretary B.V. Raghavulu, addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, said that the situation had deteriorated to such an extent that a curfew had to be imposed in the old city. Though the situation was extremely grave, the police and the State government were playing the role of spectator, he alleged. It had come out that the attacks were being made in a planned manner with the “conspirators” sending SMSs to different areas, he said. The CPI (M) leader said no action was taken though there were early indications of trouble during Sriramanavami and Milad-un-nabi. He sought to know what the intelligence wing was doing. Since there was a failure on the part of the police too, only a judicial inquiry would bring out the truth. It was the responsibility of the State government to make public the names of the conspirators. The Government was taking a ‘meditative and spiritual posture’ towards all the problems the people were facing, he alleged.

Mr. Raghavulu made an appeal to the public to participate in large numbers in the picketing and jail bharo programmes of the Left parties and its allies on April 8 to register their protest against the indifference of the State and Central governments towards the issue of continuous rise in the prices of essential commodities. Quoting figures, he said that the Central government came up with a budget to increase prices putting indirect burden to the tune of Rs. 45,000 crore on the people. On the other hand it reduced the subsidy on food and increased burden on the poor. It became evident in the re-surveys conducted by the officials that ration cards were being weeded out to reduce the number of cards. A large portion of the cards that were weeded out were genuine.

(http://beta.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/article337059.ece  31/03/10, The Hindu)