Air force ready to combat naxals if government decides: IAF chief

Indian Air Force (IAF) today said they were prepared to face any challenges to the country’s internal security but the decision to use air power against the naxals should be taken by the Centre. ”It is the Central government which is to decide on what to do against the naxals,” Air Chief Marshal P V Naik said here.Talking to reporters, Mr Naik said using air power to tackle the naxals must follow a clear strategy to minimise collateral damage though the government had not asked them so far to launch an operation against the naxalites.

He, however, made it clear that his personal view was that the armed forces were not required to fight the Maoists. He said ”If air power will be used to strike against the naxals then we have to pinpoint our attack, as if a 250 kg bomb is dropped at a spot, its impact will be in a radius of at least 800 metres and that may affect many people who may not be naxals. ”Even if the situation arises where the use of Air Force becomes necessary, then a clear strategy should be planned for minimum collateral damage
as after all the operation is against our own people,” he further said.

He denieed that the IAF had provided the Chhattisgarh government with any inputs just before the Dantewada massacre.Mr Naik said IAF had done a survey in the naxalite area three years ago. ”We had deployed UAVs in the tribal state a couple of years ago and provided inputs at that time which are of no use today,” he further added.

(http://www.mynews.in/News/Air_force_ready_to_combat_naxals_if_government_decides_IAF_chief_N45553.html 12/04/10, My News)

Naxal threat: a moment of truth

Maoists, like a classic guerrilla force, while remaining submerged in the forested hinterland, have been quietly building up their strength over decades to bring a class revolution in India, without attracting much notice. India on its part has traditionally chosen to downplay the existential threat; choosing to keep it on the backburner of national conscience. The sporadic news of their operations occasionally make ripples barely noticeable at national and global levels; a police post attacked here, a mine explosion there , a train attacked in a far off place etc. However, away from the glare of media projection, which remains traditionally obsessed with propaganda sound bytes as “jihadi terrorism”, “cross border terrorism” and “LeT modules”, the largest single terrorist threat to India has been festering and suddenly it is mainstream. It has taken wiping out of a CRPF contingent engaged in Operation Green Hunt, in the heartland of Naxal insurgency to drive home to the Indian nation the coming of age of this strain of terror that is totally made in India.

The Naxal ambush in the Mukrana forests in the Dantewala district of Chhattisgarh was sprung on April 6, 2010 when the Indian anti-Naxal operation, Green Hunt, was in full swing. It happened to be the worst ever attack by the guerrillas which annihilated a company of CRPF troops by inflicting 80 casualties. At least 82 weapons including two mortars and sophisticated SLRs and Insas rifles, too, were taken away by the insurgents. For decades the Maoist insurgency has operated on the fringes of Indian public awareness but this high toll ambush sounded the movement’s arrival on the centre stage. This was no low intensity stuff that could be shrugged off but shook the Indian state to the core – for it demonstrated the real scale of the threat that has taken hold of the Indian hinterland.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed shock over the incident calling for a review meeting of the National Security Council attended by the service and intelligence chiefs. This seemed rational since the Indian strategy for defeating Maoists at operational and tactical levels is being called into question and Operation Green Hunt has visibly failed to create effects on the ground. Obviously, the largest deployment of troops outside of the Indian Held Kashmir has failed to prevail and the moment of truth for India is at hand where not the jihadi terrorism but Naxalites have emerged as the nation’s biggest security threat.

(http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Opinions/Columns/13-Apr-2010/Naxal-threat-a-moment-of-truth 13/04/10, The Nation)

Separatist shutdown cripples life in Srinagar

Life in Srinagar ground to a halt on Tuesday in response to a shutdown called by the hardline faction of Jammu and Kashmir’s Hurriyat Conference against the conviction of six Kashmiris in New Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar bombing case. Public transport was off the roads and shops, educational institutions, banks and other business establishments were closed as the shutdown called by hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani came into effect.

The shutdown was called to protest the conviction of six Kashmiris, including Farida Dar, chairperson of the separatist mass movement party, by a Delhi court in the 1996 Lajpat Nagar case.
Thirteen people were killed in the blast that took place on the evening of May 2, 1996 in the area’s busy Central Market in south Delhi. Apprehending breach of peace by separatists, authorities mounted vigil in the Old City areas where heavy deployment of police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has been made. “We have reports that some anti-social elements might try to create a law and order situation in the Old City areas. That is why we have taken preventive measures.”
“There are no restrictions in place anywhere in the city though in sensitive areas we are closely monitoring the situation. Section 144 of the penal code (prohibiting the gathering of more than five people) is in force. Nobody will be allowed to violate it,” said Javaid Riyaz, the senior superintendent of police (Srinagar).

The shutdown comes on a day striking government employees had said schools across the state would resume and teachers would render voluntary services from 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 pm. However, schools in Srinagar, the summer capital, continued to be closed because no public transport was available.

(http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Separatist-shutdown-cripples-life-in-Srinagar/articleshow/5794036.cms 13/04/10, The Times of India)

‘Militants key holders of peace’ Kashmir MLA

Describing the militants as the key holders of peace in Kashmir MLA Langate Er. S A Rasheed stressed on the government of India to initiate a meaningful dialogue with them.
“Experiences have shown that talks between separatists and the main stream politicians have not brought the desired results and would not be yielding any results in future if the militant leadership is not involved.”

Rasheed further said not the military but political measures will solve the Kashmir issue. He was addressing a mammoth public rally in Handwara organized in his honour by locals for his strenuous fight for passing the ban on inter-district recruitment bill in the assembly. While appreciating Omar Abdullah for passing inter -district recruitment bill in assembly Rasheed said, “it is our achievement that we got the bill passed, but our struggle against eight percent reservations in non-Schedule Cast districts will continue.” He thanked people for their backing him in forcing the government to pass the bill., Rasheed suggested that if NC and PDP are really serious about resolving Kashmir issue as per Kashmiris’ aspirations; let them join hands rather than playing petty politics. He said that they must understand and realize that Kashmiris has suffered lot and raising slogans of autonomy & self rule will not work. “These political parties are befooling people with attractive slogans, but when it comes to practical things for the oppressed people, they fail to deliver,” Rasheed said., Referring to the separatist leaders statements regarding Centtral University and employees’ strike, he said, “It is a welcome sign that separatists too are now talking about issues concerning a common man.”

However, Rasheed criticized Mirwaiz Omar Farooq’s statement regarding inter-district recruitment, he said, “It seems Mirwaiz doesn’t know the nuances of this grave issue. Issuing statements while living in ivory towers is easy, but feeling the problems of the common man is what people like Mirwaiz have no knowledge of,” he maintained. Lashing at the government’s callous approach in issuance of passports to militants’ relatives, he said it is a ruthless attitude of the government. Rasheed particularly referred to denial of passport to Shaheed Maqbool Bhat’s nephew Aijaz Bhat, who had to go abroad for studies. Rasheed said those who claim to be political heirs of Shaheed Bhat, enjoy tours world over, while as Bhat’s close relatives are denied basic civil liberties. Paying tributes to Peoples Conference founder Shaheed Abdul Gani Lone, Rasheed said he was leader of the masses and had he been alive, with his statesmanship, vision and courage would have changed the very nature of Kashmir issue. Earlier, thousands of people received Rasheed at Watergam, and took him to Chinar Park Handwara in a massive rally. In the traditional Kashmiri reception all the way from Watergam to Handwara, women sang wanvun, showered sweets and flowers, while as a caravan of decorated horses escorted Rasheed.

(http://www.kashmirwatch.com/showheadlines.php?subaction=showfull&id=1271099889&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&var0news=value0news 12/04/10, Kashmir Watch)

‘Gujarat remained free of communal violence after Godhra’

Gujarat has remained free of communal violence since Godhra riots in 2002 despite attempts from certain quarters to bring disrepute to the leadership of Narendra Modi, BJP MP and party’s vice president Purushottam Rupala said here today “After the Godhra incident not even once the curfew was clamped in the state…there was no communal violence,” Rupala told reporters here. “Efforts were made to tarnish the image of vibrant Gujarat, but the facts and figures proved otherwise,” he alleged.

Hailing the development done during the Modi regime, he claimed that Gujarat was the only state in the country where all 18,000 villages have been provided an un-interrupted three-phase power supply.
The BJP leader was part of a 15-member delegation from Gujarat, which was visiting Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Himachal Pardesh to extend invitation to people to participate in the upcoming Golden jubilee celebrations of the state.He said the purpose of the festivities was to join people with the development of Gujarat.

(http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_gujarat-remained-free-of-communal-violence-after-godhra_1370177 11/04/10, DNA India)

Curfew completely lifted in Hyderabad’s riot-hit areas

Hyderabad police Saturday completely lifted curfew in the old city and other areas rocked by communal violence late last month.P olice Commissioner A.K. Khan announced that night curfew was being lifted with immediate effect in all 25 police station areas as the situation had returned to normal.
However, prohibitory orders banning assembly of five or more people would remain in force in all 25 police station areas, he added. Police had Friday extended the curfew relaxation period from 12 hours to 17 hours after the prayers passed off peacefully.Though the day curfew was lifted last Monday, police were continuing night curfew as a precautionary measure.

Curfew was imposed in the old city March 29 and in eight other police station areas in other parts of city the next day following communal clashes that claimed three lives and injured over 150 others. The riots broke out March 27 following a dispute between two groups over religious flags. The police commissioner said 181 cases were booked in connection with the violence and 250 people arrested. He hoped that the process of arresting the remaining accused would be completed soon.

(http://india-forums.com/news/article.asp?id=240679 10/04/10, Indo Asian News Service)

Dalits to get free medical treatment

Poor Scheduled Caste people suffering critical ailments who cannot get specialized treatment in the government general hospital would be given medical assistance for treatment in corporate hospitals in other states, welfare minister M Kandsamy said today.

Stating this during his reply to views of members of political parties in the Assembly, he said the government would bear the entire treatment cost of such patients, provided the maximum amount did not exceed Rs three lakh.

The Puducherry Cooperative Urban Bank had been authorized to take up general insurance business also. A survey would be launched to collect details of the total number of domestic help, to include them as members in the Building and Construction Workers Welfare Board here. Workers now getting Rs 80 per day under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGA) would be paid Rs 20 more on lines of the wage system adopted by the Centre, he said.

(http://www.financialexpress.com/news/-Dalits-to-get-free-medical-treatment-/605644/ 13/04/10, The Financial Express)

Khap panchayat meet on sub-caste marriage

Caste leaders in Haryana are holding a Maha Khap Panchayat in Kurukshetra on Tuesday to discuss their stand on marriages in the same gotra or sub-caste.This comes after a Karnal court recently gave the death sentence to five people, convicted of the honour killing of a couple — Manoj and Babli. A Khap leader was given a life term in that case. Tuesday’s meeting is aimed at protecting their marriage traditions.

In an earlier meeting, Khap leaders had decided to oppose politicians who they claim are trying to break their age-old tradition of marriages. They also demanded that the Hindu marriage Act be amended to prevent marriages in the same Gotra. The Panchayat members will also be raising funds for the seven recently convicted men.

(http://ibnlive.in.com/news/khap-panchayat-meet-on-subcaste-marriage/113226-3.html?from=tn 13/04/10, IBN live)

India and Pakistan leaders meet at nuclear summit

The prime ministers of rivals India and Pakistan have met at a nuclear security summit in Washington. Pakistan PM Yousuf Raza Gilani spoke to his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh at a reception hosted by the US President Barack Obama, reports said. A Pakistani embassy spokesman said it was “not a formal meeting”. It comes a day after Mr Singh told Mr Obama that Pakistan’s government lacked the will to punish those responsible for the Mumbai attacks.

The November 2008 attacks left 174 people dead, including nine gunmen, and soured ties between India and Pakistan. Late last year, Pakistan charged seven people in connection with the attacks. They include the suspected mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, who is allegedly the leader of the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba. Mr Singh and Mr Gilani spoke to each other at a reception hosted by Mr Obama, Pakistani embassy spokesman Nadeem Kiani said. “Both leaders were present at the same place and so they shook hands and talked,” he said. A spokesman for India’s foreign ministry, Vishnu Prakash, told The Hindu newspaper that the two leaders “exchanged pleasantries”.

India put peace talks on hold after the attacks, blaming them on Pakistan-based militants. Pakistan admitted they had been partly planned on its soil. India has also suggested what it calls “state elements” were involved. Both Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Taiba have denied any involvement. In February, the two sides held their first formal talks since the 2008 attacks and agreed to “remain in touch”. Leaders from 40 states are attending the meeting in Washington which is expected to focus on how to secure nuclear material.

(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8616873.stm 13/04/10, BBC News)