At the same time, Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal, who recently made a nine-day trip to the US, said Monday that he had found US Congressmen positive about the nuclear deal and hoped the pact would eventually get Congressional approval.

US President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice were committed to the deal, Sibal told reporters. In response to a question, spokesman Sarna said: "The US had shared with India some weeks ago a preliminary draft agreement on India-US civil nuclear cooperation under Article 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act.

"Among the elements suggested by the US side is a reference to cooperation being discontinued were India to detonate s nuclear device.

"In preliminary discussions on these elements, India has already conveyed to the US that such a provision has no place in the proposed bilateral agreement," Sarna said.

"India's position on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) is well known and continues to remain valid," he said.

New Delhi has refused to sign the CTBT as it believes it is discriminatory and tends to divide the world into nuclear weapon states and non-nuclear weapon states. Instead, it advocates universal nuclear disarmament. India last conducted nuclear tests in may 1998, when it exploded five devices at the Pokhran range in Rajasthan. (IANS)

In an apparent reference to the leak of classified information related to defence deals from the Indian Navy's "war room" last year, Mr Mukherjee pointed to "gross violation of norms of secrecy and confidentiality" and urged the commanders to minimise contacts between serving personnel and retired officers working for armaments firms.

"A standard integrity pact has been formulated that will now form a part of the RFP (request for proposals) in all...procurement cases," he said. "Our endeavour should be to carefully scrutinise the credentials of ex-servicemen working with foreign and Indian commercial firms and they should be discouraged from attending social functions organised by the services," he said. (Agencies)

A Bench of the court headed by Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal heard a petition by the Narmada Bachao Andolan seeking a stay on raising the height of the Sardar Sarovar Project from about 110 metres to 122 metres in two sessions but refused to intervene with the project work. (PTI)

India's "concerns" and views were conveyed to Gyanendra when its Ambassador to Nepal Shiv Shanker Mukherjee met the monarch in Kathmandu. (PTI)

Rae Bareli (UP): Even after she shed her Italian citizenship, Congress president Sonia Gandhi continues to own a house in that country. However, she has no home of her own in India. This revelation was made by Mrs Gandhi in the declaration of assets made before the Rae Bareli returning officer while filing her nomination papers Monday for the May 8 by-polls in the constituency.

The value of what is described as her "ancestral house" in Italy was shown as just Rs 13 lakh. The Italy-born Gandhi married Rajiv Gandhi in 1968 to become a member of the Nehru-Gandhi family that has dominated Indian politics. Mrs Gandhi owns no car and the money she holds in cash is a meagre Rs 20,000. The total worth of Gandhi's jewellery is Rs 21.66 lakh.

The break-up as mentioned in the declaration shows she owns 2518.450 grams of jewellery, whose total worth is Rs 10.49 lakh. Her silverware amounts to 88 kg, with a value of Rs 11.17 lakh. The UPA Chairperson owns no motor vehicle, the declaration said, but she has lent Rs 5,04,394 to her daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

The Congress President has Rs 85,338 in her savings account in UCO Bank and Rs 20 lakh in fixed deposit in the same bank. She owns Rs 12 lakh in RBI bonds and Rs 52,800 in UTI, besides holding ten shares of Maruti Technical Services Pvt Ltd, whose worth was not quoted in the declaration.

Mrs Gandhi also declared she owned three plots of agricultural land in Deri Mandi village on the outskirts of New Delhi, but their value was not disclosed. On the other hand, the value of a 12-bigha plot of agricultural land owned by Gandhi at Sultanpur village in New Delhi was shown as a paltry Rs.210,000. (Agencies)

New Delhi: Holding that construction of the Narmada dam could go ahead, the Supreme Court on Monday threatened to stop the work on raising its height if the basin states did not not carry out effective rehabilitation of the displaced people.

A Bench of the court headed by Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal heard a petition by the Narmada Bachao Andolan seeking a stay on raising the height of the Sardar Sarovar Project from about 110 metres to 122 metres in two sessions but refused to intervene with the project work.

Following the Court's observations, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi called off his 51-hour fast in Ahmedabad while NBA leader Medha Patkar ended her 20-day fast here. Modi said the Court order allowed both construction of the dam and favoured rehabilitation of the displaced people.

However, Patkar was sceptical of the rehabilitation of the oustees in three months time set by the Supreme Court and announced her decision to take the struggle to the river basin. During the hearing in the morning, the apex court said it was essential to strike a balance when such a vast project was being executed and a large number of people were affected.

"What is necessary is that the issue should not be discussed in an emotive and charged atmosphere but in a congenial atmosp-here......such a type of dispute is a threat to public security," the Bench observed.

It noted that the project would go on and the oustees would be rehabilitated in letter and spirit of the apex court jdugement passed in 2000. "You cannot satisfy all but rehabilitation has to be reasonable and it requires a statesman-like approach," the Court said.

In the evening after arguments by parties and the NBA's contention that the rehabilitation programme left much to be desired, the court said "it is made clear to the state governments (involved in the SSP) that if the relief and rehabilitation of the unfortunate oustees is not granted in the true letter and spirit (of the 2000 judgement), the court will have no option but to stop increase of the height". (PTI)

New Delhi: As the Supreme Court made its stand clear on the Sardar Sarovar project issue, Congress and BJP on Monday traded charges while Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi seeks to the turn the row into an opportunity.

BJP used the occasion to attack Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz accusing him of making "irresponsible" comments and statements on the sensitive issue instead of exercising restraint.

Congress, on the other hand, targeted Modi for playing "petty politics" with an eye on Gujarat Assembly elections by resorting to hunger strike despite categorical statement from the Centre that work on the project would not stop. "It is all histrionics, drama and the political activities are with an eye on the forthcoming Gujarat elections. It is petty politics", Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters when asked to react to the protest action by the senior BJP leader.

BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad accused Soz of keeping a "closed mind" while leading a three-member ministerial team to the site of relief and rehabilitation work while another spokesman Prakash Javadekar welcomed the apex court's go-ahead to the construction of the dam.

Congress sources admitted certain statements by Soz were cleverly exploited by Modi seeking to garner political advantage. Javadekar said construction of the project is going to help the economy of all four basin states and relief, rehabilitation and construction must co-exist. Anti-dam activist and noted writer Arundhati Roy accused the government of providing lip service on rehabilitation of the project oustees. (PTI)

The polling for 45 of the total of 294 seats in the State Assembly was peaceful and covered West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura districts, official sources here said. Deputy Election Commissioner R Balakrishnan told reporters in New Delhi that 70 percent of the electorate cast exercised their franchise and the polling was peaceful.

The fate of five ministers - Surya Kanta Mishra, Nandagopal Bhattacharya, Bilasibala Sahis, Nandagopal Bhattacharjee and Susanta Ghosh, was sealed in EVMs in this phase in which 227 candidates are in fray. There were stray incidents of poll boycott in five booths in Purulia's Arsa, Raghunathpur and Joypur constituencies due to the Maoists' poll boycott call, sources in Kolkata said.

Massive deployment of para-military forces and the State police were made in all the 45 Assembly constituencies in the first phase while two helicopters kept watch from the sky. There were long queues of voters in front of a number of polling booths. Cloudy weather also prompted voters to come out in droves to cast their votes. A Midnapore report said that defying the poll boycott call by Maoists, an average 80 per cent of voters exercised their right in the strongholds of the ultras in Belpahari and Lalgarh where women voters outnumbered men.

The State's ruling Left Front has fielded 43 candidates in the three districts with CPI-M alone putting up 35 nominees. Trinamool Congress has put up 39 candidates leaving four to its electoral ally BJP. The Congress, which is fighting the poll in alliance with Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and Party for Democratic Socialism, has fielded 36 nominees giving six seats to JMM and two to PDS. (PTI)

Militants opened fire on Nayak and his bodyguards soon after the leader left his residence for the main bazaar of the town to attend a private function, the sources said.

While Nayak's personal security officer Nazir Ahmad was killed on the spot, he was hit by a bullet on the left side of lower jaw, the sources said. Two other guards were also injured in the firing. Nayak was immediately rushed to the hospital where the attending doctors said his condition was critical.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Front militant outfit claimed responsibility for the attack on Nayak and his bodyguards.

"Cadre of Islamic Front carried out the attack on the National Conference leader. We pledge to continue such attacks in future as well targeting the security forces and political leaders," a person, claiming to be spokesman of the outfit, told media organisations over telephone. (PTI)

Chennai: In a significant departure from his known stand against a coalition government in Tamil Nadu, DMK president M Karunanidhi on Monday said he was not worried over it and termed removal of the AIADMK Government as his only objective.

Releasing a book titled `Arajaga Aatchiyai Agatruvome' (Let us remove the autocractic regime), authored by A Gopanna, a Congress leader here, he said "People are frequently asking if DMK will form a Government on its own or form a coalition government. My only objective is to remove the AIADMK government at any cost to save Tamils. The purpose of my life will be fulfilled if I succeed in removing Jayalalithaa from power".

I have campaigned in many parts of Tamil Nadu. I am optimistic that the Democratic Progressive Alliance will achieve its goal. All the alliance leaders who have toured the state share this optimism", the DMK leader said.

Ridiculing MDMK chief Vaiko for criticising DMK's promise to distribute 55 acres of wasteland to the landless, Karunanidhi said there are certain leaders who do not know what their manifesto has promised, in an obvious reference to MDMK's manifesto which has pledged two acres of wasteland to 86.65 lakh agricultural workers. (PTI)

Mr Padmarajan, a native of Mettur in Salem district, has fought against various political stalwarts, including former Prime Ministers P V Narasimha Rao and A B Vajpayee in the Lok Sabha elections, amd against former Kerala Chief Minister AK Antony and the late Congress leader GK Moopanar. (UNI)

Jaipur: Noted scientist M S Swaminathan on Monday said there was an urgent need to build water-harvesting structures to ensure availablity of water for drinking and agriculture purposes in states like Rajasthan.

"For sustainable agriculture and better productivity, availability of water should be ensured as its scarcity was the major bottleneck for cultivation," he said to a task force of state agriculture and animal husbandry working group here.

Rainfall in the country is quite scattered and it requires proper water storage through harvesting structures, he said.

Detailing the national policy on farmers to achieve 4 per cent agriculture growth, Swaminathan said the policy will deal with agriculture production targets, loan and subsidy, availability of fertilizers', bio-diversity, cropping pattern and improvement of land.

He also suggested inclusion of agriculture and veterinary related jobs under Rozgar Guarantee Scheme in 27 states covering 200 districts. Development of Agro-metereology and agriculture bio-security was also stressed by him.

Farmers would be observing "Krishi Naveenikaran Year" from June 1 to May 31, 2007 with an aim to achieve agriculture development rate of 4 per cent in the country, he said. (PTI)

Ahamed, who is here on a two-day visit, delivered a message from President A P J Abdul Kalam to the Emir that included an invitation to visit India which was accepted, the Kuwaiti news agency said.

Earlier, Ahamed met Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Energy Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. (PTI)

A Bench of Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal and Justice C K Thakker directed that Maurya's petition be tagged along with the main petition filed by BSP breakway group MLAs, which is pending before a Bench headed by Justice K G Balakrishnan.

Earlier, on March 24, a Bench headed by Justice K G Balakrishnan had stayed the High Court order and referred the matter to a larger Bench, saying that the breakaway MLAs would be recognised as a separate group in the Assembly till the matter was decided as the MLAs had to be given a standing in the House.

Maurya has sought an interim order restraining the breakway MLAs from functioning as ministers in the Mulayam Singh Yadav Government. (PTI)

New Delhi: Protesting victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy here called off a week-long indefinite hunger strike on Monday after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh agreed to four of their six demands.

'We met the Prime Minister for 20 minutes and he agreed to four of our demands,' said Nityanand Jayaraman, a social activist leading the agitation.

The victims of a 1984 gas leak at Bhopal's Union Carbide plant had marched 800 km from Bhopal to Delhi as a sign of protest and started their stir on March 29 at the Jantar Mantar. They embarked on an indefinite hunger strike on April 11.

Jayaraman said the central government Monday agreed to include a safe drinking water facility and the setting up of a national commission to provide healthcare, medical research, social support and economic rehabilitation to the survivors.

'Though there is no time frame to set up the commission, we expect it to happen soon or else the victims will restart the agitation,' he added.

The Government also agreed to a scientific assessment of the depth and speed of toxic contamination in and around the Union Carbide factory and make Dow chemicals pay to clean up the toxic contamination.

Singh has also agreed to build a memorial for the victims of the disaster and declare December 3 as a national day of mourning for the victims of the industrial disaster.

'It is very disappointing for us that the prime minister refused to blacklist Dow Chemicals in India or to take extra legal action against the company,' said Shehzadi, a victim who was part of the group that met Manmohan Singh. (ians)

New Delhi: Whether it is proposed reservation in IIMs and IITs or the verdict in Jessica Lall case, the worldwide web is fast emerging as a powerful medium for the netizens to raise and discuss social issues. From online signature campaign to posting protest messages on blogs and message boards, the list is endless.

Petitions are being floated demanding justice in the Jessica Lall and Priyadarshani Mattoo murder cases. Many blogs on these issues have also been started. The latest to hog the limelight is the reservation issue - a number of online signature campaigns are being issued.

"Internet has become an effective means of gathering public support," says Jodhbir, who has filed a petition directed to the President against the reservation issue through the Internet.

"With these online petitions, mostly directed to the President or the Prime Minister, people get a common platform to voice their opinion," he says.

"Though these petitions do not have any legal implications, they are an effective way of getting the country together on crucial issues, " says Abhishek Bhawsar,a software professional who has filed one of the five petitions on the reservation issue.

About the effectiveness of these petitions and blogs, Sarsij Nayanam, a petitioner against the reservation issue says, "the Satyendra Dubey murder case was shut due to lack of evidence. But net users started an online petition and collected more than 1 lakh signatures. The case was reopened. So Internet is certainly an effective medium."

Vast reach of the net has emerged as its main advantage in creating public opinion on social issues.

"Five online petitions on the reservation issue have collected a total of 1,04,594 signatures within one week," says Adityaraj Kaul, a student who had filed an online petition demanding justice in the Priyadarshani murder case.

"In our petitions we had Indians signing from as far as US and Germany. It would not have been possible without the net," says Jodhbir.

"All the people behind the petitions and blogs are coming together under one umbrella. Internet has made this possible," says Prabhakar Lakhera, who is collecting signatures on the net against the reservation issue.

Internet is proving to be effective because it can reach the people much faster than the conventional means of mobilising the people.

"Internet has made 'mobilizing' public opinion much faster. A flurry of e-mails and you would have your voice heard in no time," says Aditya.

Though online petitions have mushroomed, doubts have been raised about their genuineness.

"They hardly make a difference. Moreover if one person puts a thousand signatures, is there any mechanism to check?" asks Ashim Bhattacharya, a Delhi University student.

But those associated with these petitions beg to differ.

"There are provisions to check the genuineness of the signatures. With every signature you must give your e-mail identity," says Lakhera.

"One person, by mistake signed twice and wrote me back with an apology. People are taking these petitions seriously," says Abhishek.

Apart from online petitions, many blogs have also been started through which net users are airing their opinions.

"Blogging has not really taken off in India, but still they are a popular forum for expressing concern about social issues," says Aditya.

A search of 'quota reservation' returns more than 700 blogs within seconds. Though this phenomenon of raising issues through internet is new in India, it is a regular practice in the developed countries. Petitiononline.com, a website, carries over 33 lakh signatures on approximately 1000 different petitions from all over the world. (PTI)

With the promulgation of Section 144 of CrPC, the police patrol would be intensified in the city so as to thwart any attempt on part of the KSU activists to disturb normal life. The East Khasi Hills police super, Mr AR Mawthoh, said that the men in uniform would make sure that there was no law and order problem and situation remained within control. Chief Secretary SK Tiwari earlier assured that the office goers should not be worried about the picketing as the State government made necessary arrangements for their easy movement. 

The KSU, which is spearheading the agitation said the Union would keep its volunteers at various points to prevent the government servants from attending their offices.

"This does not mean that we are forcing people not to attend their offices, but we call upon the masses to support the Union in order to prevent the present government from being dictatorial in its attitude and also make them listen to the voice of the people", KSU chief Samuel Jyrwa said on Monday.

Besides other educational institutions, the KSU also exempted NEHU from the ambit of this picketing programme. "Both the teaching and non-teaching staff of the University can attend their normal duties, as the KSU president assured that the volunteers would not obstruct NEHU buses, in view of the examination", NEHU PRO Mr KS Nongkynrih said.

Meanwhile, Mr Jyrwa said that the Union was always against reappointment of any person in the government sector after his or her superannuation. Mr Jyrwa was reacting to the remarks of the Jaintia Hills NGOs, which wanted the KSU to be uniform in its approach and to fight for cancellation of appointment of all those retired government officials who are still in service on contract basis.

Acknowledging the gravity of the situation vis-à-vis the demand of the Jaintia Hills NGOs, the KSU president said that the demand of these NGOs was "deeper and on a wider scale".

"The appointment of retired persons in government sector compounds the unemployment problem of the State as this restricts recruitment of unemployed youth, besides reducing job opportunities", Mr Jyrwa said.

The arrested person is identified as Tess Dkhar of Thieddieng. Police on April 11 arrested three persons in this connection. It may be mentioned that Kharchandi, an Assistant Manager in SBI's Dhankheti branch was shot dead at Thieddieng on February 27.

"The KSU has failed in the crucial test and it is like a drowning man clinging to a straw," Mr Shylla said here on Monday. He also charged the students' body of "making up" stories regarding death and diseases caused by uranium mining at Jadugoda.

"Since the project relates to the socio-economic development of the entire West Khasi Hills and the State as a whole, I would once again request the KSU to spare its valuable time for a joint visit to Jaduguda or even Trombay to verify the factual position of the matter," Mr Shylla said.

SHILLONG: The MPCC president Mr OL Nongtdu claimed that small states like Mizoram, Nagaland, Goa and Pondicheri have endorsed the views of Meghalaya regarding the proportional increase in the size of the Ministry. Mr Nongtdu who returned from Delhi on Monday said that the small states have expressed the need of having more Ministers in the Cabinet for smooth running of their respective government.

"We are told that the legislators from small states already spoken to the BJP central leaders regarding the expansion of Cabinet urging the party's support in getting the Amendment Bill passed.

Mr Nongtdu said all the Congress ruled states in the Northeast and other small states have been putting pressure on AICC president Mrs Sonia Gandhi on the need of having considerable number of Ministers in the Cabinet.

The MPCC president who met Mrs Gandhi during his Delhi trip also said that the latter was in favour of larger Ministries for small states.

"The Congress president told us that it might not be difficult to take up the matter with other political parties including the BJP", Mr Nongtdu said.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister DD Lapang has to wait for few more days to meet Mrs Gandhi for latter being engaged in electioneering in Rae Bareli. "Mr Lapang will have to wait for some more days before he meets the Congress president", the MPCC president said.

SHILLONG: The NGOs fighting against former Chief Secretary Mr PJ Bazeley's appointment as the MeSEB Chairman found a formidable ally in three major MeSEB employees' associations, which on Monday joined in the "No Bazeley" chorus saying that it would have "negative impact" on them.

The Association of Power Engineers (APE), Meghalaya Graduate Engineers' Association (MGEA) and MeSEB Employees' Association (MEA) came out openly against Mr Bazeley's appointment after the Co-Chairman of State Resource Mobilisation Mr PT Sawkmie urged them to make their stand clear on the issue.

The members of these Associations are opposed to any sort of extension of service of a retired employee (executive) "as it will have a negative impact on the functioning of the Board".

The Association of Power Engineers zonal secretary Mr Arju Dkhar said his Association would abide by the resolution adopted in its general body meeting on March 19 last year to oppose extension of service and appointment of any retired officer on contract basis. "Extension of service and appointment of retired officers on contract basis will be harmful for the Board", he said.

Mr Dkhar even claimed that the MeSEB Employees' Association was also of the same view and would oppose any move to extend the service or reappointment of any retired officer on a contract basis.

Even the MeSEB Graduate Engineers' Association had adopted a similar resolution on March 13 to protest against all forms of extension of service, which it felt would encourage the government servants to make themselves indispensable at the cost of team spirit.

"It is the team work alone that can bring positive growth for any organisation including the MeSEB and not by mere extension of service of the retired officers", said the MGEA president Mr WS Kynjing.

"Extension of service also promotes favouritism and glorifies sycophancy; all of which are detrimental to the promotion of professionalism", Mr Kynjing said.

The MGEA has for the time being adopted a "wait and watch policy" on the decision of the government to reappoint Mr Bazeley.

However, some MeSEB employees issued a veiled threat to the government and also to Mr Bazeley, saying that if the former failed to revoke the decision of the Cabinet and went ahead with the reappointment of Mr Bazeley, the employees would make public all the anomalies, which afflicted the Board during the tenure of Mr Bazeley as the Chairman. Sources even said many employees might resign, if Mr Bazeley was brought back.

Shillong: The Langrin Youth Welfare Association (LYWA) has charged KHADC Chief Executive Member H S Shylla of indulging in "falsehood" by claiming that uranium mining has no ill-effect on human health.

"We are not surprised with the falsehood of Mr Shylla and his claim regarding uranium mining. He is trying to explain the issue more than an experienced nuclear scientist. His visit to Jaduguda and Trombay is nothing but an attempt to fool the innocent people for his own benefit on the pretext of development" LYWA president B S Lyngdoh said in a statement issued here.

The Association also rejected the claim of Mr Shylla that majority of local villagers at Mawthabah and Domiasiat were in favour of uranium mining. It also said that the State Government should not entertain the proposal by the KHADC on the issue as it was "like signing a death warrant". It also reiterated its stand to oppose the uranium project.

Further, the organisation lashed out at the Syiem of Langrin Mr Goodnight Syiem for toeing the line of the KHADC CEM on the issue. It also charged the Syiem of betraying the people of the Hima for his own interest.

Meanwhile, spokesman of the Federation of Khasi States (FKS) John F Kharshiing said that all constituents of the present MDA Government including Congress, UDP, MDP, HSPDP and KHNAM should not be misled by the "childish statement" of the KHADC CEM on uranium mining.

"Mr Shylla and his team have not met the 28 NGOs who are fighting against uranium mining in Jaduguda nor read the report of the Bihar Legislative Assembly which clearly says that uranium mining in the area has severely affected public health" Mr Kharshiing said.

On the claim by Mr Shylla that uranium mining at Mawthabah, West Khasi Hills would contribute to economic development of the region, Mr Kharshiing said that the people should not be misled by such claim while he also charged the Chief Minister, ministers and public representatives of failing to work for development of rural areas.

"How can we trust the statement made by a person who can change his political affiliations within a fortnight" Mr Kharshiing said adding that the threat by Mr Shylla against those opposed to uranium mining was a violation of the freedom of expression.

Shillong: The Pynthorumkhrah Hindu Dharma Samaj has strongly condemned the bomb blasts inside the Jama Masjid in Old Delhi on Friday last. In a statement issued here on Monday, the organisation while denouncing the blasts said the UPA Government at the Centre should have learned from the Vanarasi blasts and should have been more proactive in their approach to safeguard the life and property of the citizens and the nation. It also stated that this kind of cowardly acts by anti-social elements was meant to breed communal feelings and to create panic in the society.

Fifteen States, 170 districts, 40 per cent of terrain, 717 killed in 2005. Statistics of areas where strategically the Government’s writ no longer runs. ‘Liberated zones’ created by Naxalites. Frightening? One can say that again! What with a total collapse of the administrative, police and justice machinery in the States, the Naxals are closer to home than one can think. Realms which are shining’ (sic) examples of a State within a State. Raising a moot point: Is this our India that we are talking about?

Yes, a resounding yes. None less than Prime Minister Manmohan Singh candidly agrees. Calling the Naxalites problem as the "single biggest internal security challenge ever faced by our country," he reeled out the aforementioned blood-curling figures at a day-long meeting of Chief Ministers of Naxal-affected States, last week. Swearing by the time-tested strategy of "walking on two legs", he made a strong pitch for effective police response alongwith all-round basic socio-economic development to curb this growing menace. His message could not be more blunt: Treat this as "high priority."

Great pep talk. Been there and heard it all before. Questionably, merely mouthing platitudes about the urgency of being pro-active will no longer do. What is needed is for the Centre to think beyond the headlines and do some honest soul searching in the best Gandhian tradition? Translating words into action? Of a well thought-out vision and long-term planning? Is it competent of defusing this powder keg?

More worrisome is the fact that the "Red Brigade’s" terrorist corridor not only runs through the entire length of the country from Nepal’s Maoists to Sri Lanka’s LTTE, but also encompasses ULFA, Pakistan’s ISI and the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). Already, Nepal’s Maoists have shifted base to Bihar, UP, Assam and other north-eastern States. What is more, the Maoists of Nepal and the CPI (Maoist) group have started networking to create a "Compact Revolutionary Zone" from Nepal running through the 15 Naxal-hit States. According to the Institute for Conflict Management, of the 40 Naxalites groups active in India, the CPI (Maoists) constitutes the most formidable security challenge.

That apart, the Red brigade has capitalized on internal schisms that divide India’s highly inequitable social order through catchy slogans and beguiling rhetoric. To combat the Naxal menace, the Government would have to fight this threat simultaneously on many fronts with an integrated all-India approach. It may even have to launch a series of major offensives to drive home the message to the Naxalites, both at the macro and micro levels.

One way for it is to expose the lacunae in the Naxal’s ideological framework and simultaneously launch a political offensive with a humanistic vision. Two, tackle the distortions in the social system on a war footing, take measures to alleviate poverty, ensure speedy development and enforce law and order strictly. Three, take up land reforms with a fresh revolutionary zeal.

Look at the dichotomy. With a majority of India’s population engaged in agricultural pursuits, one would imagine the tillers would be rich. But it is the opposite. The peasants are not only poor but are at the mercy of the rich landlords. Providing the Naxals the perfect opening to wean the agricultural labourers with the promise of getting them their rightful dues in terms of not only wages but also give them confiscated surplus land from the landlords and distribute it among the landless labourers. Thereby laying the seeds of running a parallel government in remote areas, conduct people's court, extort money from "landlords" and distribute the booty among the poor.

Simplistically, the Naxal USP is that they have sold the poor the pipe dream of implementing land reforms by breaking up large feudal landholdings and dividing the surplus land among the poor a la Robin Hood. Something which successive governments at the Centre and in the States have lacked the political courage to do. Today, the downtrodden are saying no to oppression and exploitation.

By raising the banner of revolt against the traditional exploitation by the upper caste landlords, who till now were brutal in their dealings, the Naxals relied on their own and formed private armies to get the poor their dues. Even if it means taking on the might of the State. Of late, they get the poor peasants to harvest the crop and distribute it among themselves, under their protective eyes.

There is urgent need for the badly-affected States to undertake joint operations and set up joint unified commands for continuous monitoring of the arms profile of various Naxal groups, as the Prime Minister highlighted during his meeting with the concerned CMs. Alongwith this, the identification of sources and networks, coordinated intelligence gathering, and a well-equipped police force are needed, if this grave security threat is to be contained and neutralized.

Specially against the backdrop of the growing professionalism in Naxal ranks, which is now characterised by growing militarization, superior army style organization, better trained cadres and coordination. Add to this the increasing sophistication of their arsenal and New Delhi is sitting on explosive dynamite. From AK rifles, landmines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), machine guns et al, the Naxals have them all. Groups like the CPI (Maoists) also have dedicated underground arms production units. There are over 1,500 illegal arms manufacturing units in Bihar alone.

Not only that. The police force as a whole needs to be increased and increased fast. Look at one absurdity. The national average of the police-public ratio is about 1.3 policemen per 10,000 citizens. Yet in Bihar, a Naxal-prone State, the ratio of policemen to the public per 10,000 is a meagre 0.9 i.e hardly one policeman for 10,000 people. With the result that times out of number, the police and civil administration are missing in the Naxal areas. Thus there is need to strengthen the local police on all fronts --- and ensure that it is better trained and equipped, with improved weapons and greater mobility. Competent officers should be posted in the affected districts and given a stable tenure of at least 2 to 3 years to make a difference.

Simultaneously, each State should set up a dedicated anti-Naxal force under capable officers on the pattern of the ‘Greyhounds’ of Andhra Pradesh. Wherein the DGPs of the Naxal-affected States should share information. Backed by a liberal surrender and rehabilitation policy. Measures to safeguard pro-active policemen against Naxalite harassment should for be enforced. The police should avail of air-surveillance of Naxal areas through helicopters.

In the ultimate analysis, the Naxalites will continue to breed internal unrest and upset peace till such time as the Centre does not address the inequalities of economics. Studies show that the poorest of our people are concentrated in the Naxalite belt from Bihar’s borders with Nepal to Rayalseema in Andhra. Unless their grievances are addressed speedily and meaningfully, their resentment and anger would continue to fuel the Naxalites and push them more and more towards the CPI (Maoists).

Thus, the time has come for the Centre to translate Manmohan Singh’s words into action to cry a halt to the spreading Naxalism. The Naxalites cannot be allowed to be a law unto themselves and challenge the legitimacy of an elected Government. In a democracy, there is no place for guns or bombs. But, at the same time, the basic needs of the people cannot be ignored. Poor and insensitive governance is certain to lead to anarchy. As the Dalai Lama has rightly pointed out: "Peace can only last where human rights are respected, where the people are fed, and where individuals and nations are free." A long and hard struggle lies ahead. Are New Delhi and the concerned State capitals ready to face the challenge? -----INFA

One need not be an astrologer to predict a set of shifts and turns in the trajectory of some of the country’s powerful political parties in 2006. The process will mark a few break-ups and realignments which may even spill into the next year. The outcome of the five assembly elections, now in progress, is bound to give a push to the ongoing political process. Though an emboldened Left will be more assertive in dealing with a bruised Prime Minister, their further moves will largely depend on the latter’s responses as well a series of developments – within the BJP, among its allies like the JD (U) and the new moves for the unification provincial parties.

Taken separately, each of such developments seems inconsequential. This is because they won’t pose any immediate threat to the survival of the UPA government or lead to a split in the main opposition party. Therefore, few have bothered to look at the deep political churnings that have been taking place for the past six months which together can endanger the health of both the main ruling party and main opposition at the centre. Every political disengagement, political pundits say, had ended up in new engagements.

This had happened every time the opposition groups were able to form an alternative at the Centre. The collapse of Morarji Desai’s Janata government culminated in the birth of Vajpayee’s BJP (of ‘Gandhian socialism’) with a wider appeal. From V.P. Singh’s National Front were born an aggressively communal BJP and string of powerful provincial parties – Chautala’s INLD, Lalu’s RJD, Mulayam’s SP – with their unchallenged presence. The Congress strategists, however, do not perceive any such development now.

True, the BJP is getting into the Jana Sangh’s communal cocoon. L.K. Advani’s isolation is complete with the parivar activists boycotting his unwelcome yatra. In many places they had put up ‘Advani-Jinnah bhai-bhai’ posters. Along the way, he had to cancel many halts due to the VHP boycott and obstructions. To humiliate him further, the VHP worked hard to bring crowds for their friend Rajnath Singh’s yatra. The RSS had first denied permission to Advani but the latter rushed to Nagpur, waited on the bosses and pleaded with them not to let him down. In return, he has during his yatra faithfully echoed the RSS slogans.

Also, there need not be any doubt about the RSS determination to shape the BJP into a tightly controlled Jana Sangh. After re-inducting Sanjay Joshi as the political ‘commissar’, the RSS has plans to induct more pracharaks over and above the existing 40. To further tighten its control, it is proposed to divide the BJP into zones and put a senior pracharak in charge of it. The party will hold training camps for its leaders in June-August to give them the much-neglected ideological orientation. The next move is to cleanse the party of the Advani-era operators and smarties.

All other seemingly parallel developments in the post-Advani national politics are offshoots of the total Hindutuisation of the BJP. Contrary to the media depiction, the ouster of George Fernandes from the JD(U) is not a case of routine factionalism. His close association with the BJP has come in to direct clash with the post-Advani JD(U)’s power calculations. In its recent tussles with Advani, Fernandes had even tried to negotiate with the RSS bosses. Nitish Kumar believes it is time for the JD(U) to effect a more liberal and fully secular image makeover.

With this in mind, Nitish Kumar even refused to welcome the Advani yatra despite the latter’s personal requests. In Parliament, the JD(U) has been keeping off the BJP on issues like minority reservation, Muslim ‘appeasement’ and punishment of those involved in cash-for-query scandal. The latest is the issue of reservation in higher education. The new JD(U) chief’s views on Hindutva, OBC reservation and privatization are fairly known. Thus technically, the new JD(U) is a fit case for admission into the ‘Third Front’.

This gives added import to the ‘national alternative’ talk by provincial outfits like the SP, TDP and AGP. True, they are primarily aimed at the Congress. But it is a direct outcome of the BJP’s total communalization. Its sponsors claim the support of Jayalalithaa, National Conference and Om Prakash Chautala and see no problem in weaning away Navin Patnaik. Those like Chandrababu Naidu might not have joined hands with Mulayam Singh Yadav had the BJP remained under the old Advani-Vajpayee regime.

So far, the Left has been rather skeptical of the third front talks. In the first place, the present Lok Sabha has no space for such a non-BJP, non-Congress front. Secondly, after the brief United Front experience, the Left firmly believes that coming together of a few provincial parties will be as bad as a UPA arrangement. Hence the Left has made it clear that before forging any such alliance, there should be a preparatory period of joint action based on agreed programmes and policies. Incidentally, sponsors of the ‘national alternative’ have already hinted to the Left that they have no problem with following the kind of ‘guided reform’ now being experimented in West Bengal and a genuinely independent foreign policy.

The BJP’s virtual withdrawal from coalition politics and the return of ‘untouchability’ in full fury are set to transform the political scenario. Sharad Yadav already talks of a merger of the JD(U) with its offshoots like JD(S). Nitish Kumar needs some political patronage at the national level as well. His government’s dependence on the Bihar BJP for survival and the presence of the RJD are in the way of his joining Naidu’s ‘national alternative.’

The opposition disarray with the splendid isolation of the BJP will provide some temporary relief to Congress. While Left may be encouraged to put up a stiffer fight with Manmohan Singh on reform and US policy, he can take comfort from the fact that no alternative is possible in the present Lok Sabha.

But it is now becoming clearer that in case the PM fails to keep the Left on his right side, whether on the sale of airports to foreign firms or FDI in retail, it will give a fillip to the consolidation of a National Front-United Front-type third alternative in the next Lok Sabha. (IPA)

Sir,

Apropos the letter "Whose line is it, anyway?" (ST, April 14) by Michael Syiem, I am both pained and amused by the fact that the author in question, who is supposedly a proponent of 'ignited minds', has jumped the gun by not going through the text of my speech presented in the recently-concluded Assembly Session. In the speech I emphasised on the need of fixing a cut-off year as the basis for identifying and categorizing the citizens of Meghalaya. I have always held that "a tribal without his land is as good as dead", which I reiterated in the course of my speech. The reference to the Land Transfer Act was in response to the submission by Mr Manas Chaudhuri, MLA suggesting that permanent non-tribals should be allowed to transfer land already in their possession amongst themselves. I pointed out that the absence of a cut-off year had posed a problem because there was no way to identify permanent non-tribals and only a cut off year would make it possible. There is no way of land being prevented from alienation to non-tribals if interested non-tribals from all over the Country begin to acquire land under the garbs of "Transfer of land amongst permanent non-tribals". This was also emphasised at a meeting I had convened to discuss the Land Transfer Act with leading NGOs including Mait Shaphrang Movement (MSM) which, for reason best known to Mr Syiem, chose to stay away from. My track record of 15 years in public life has been without blemish as I have been consistent in my approach and have not for a moment exploited my position by grabbing public land and therefore the question of my behaving like a land agent for non-tribals does not arise at all. If the author wants further elaboration on the matter, I would request him to approach the Assembly Library for a copy of my speech. He should also make sure that he is present in the House when important issues are being debated rather than disdainfully dismissing all elected members as intellectual morons.

Yours etc,
Paul Lyngdoh, MLA,
president, KHNAM
Shillong-2

Sir,

The ongoing tug of war between the Government, KHADC and NGOs over Uranium mining at Domiasiat is indeed a matter of concern. Without siding either ends, let the people be enlightened on the impact of uranium mining:

(A)Displacement of the Villagers: Any development interventions either in the construction of dams or mining operations in the like of the proposed uranium mining at Domiasiat results in huge displacement of the villagers peopling the village. The Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) has acquired 10 square kilometres of land in the Uranium deposit areas of Domiasiat in Hima Langrin of the West Khasi Hills. About 30,000 people are likely to be displaced and the UCIL is promising to provide 85 per cent of the jobs to residents of the area. Guarantying them jobs would not solve their problems of being displaced from their native place. Even though there may be some sort of security through the promise of assured, most of them would be absorbed as labourers or mine-workers. With poor level in the quality of human resource in terms of poor education, skill or expertise one would not have expected to be offered a better job.

(B)Health Hazard on the Mine Workers: The mineworkers are to bear the brunt from the exposure to the radon gas. In this case let me site an example, the Sahtugot'ine, the community of Deline, N.W.T. has a population of 800 people (the Dene of Great Bear Lake. The majority of the male segments are engaged as mine workers. Their families and children have been exposed to radiation for over 60 years. They were not warned about the hazardous nature of these ores and tailings, and took no precaution with respect to working with this toxic substance, their drinking water or their traditional foods. Deline is practically a village of widows, most of the men who worked as labourers died due to some form of cancer.

The widows were left to raise their families with no breadwinner. This cultural, economic, spiritual, emotional impact on the community is a threat to the survival of the one and only tribe on Great Bear Lake.

(C)Environmental Impact: All Uranium mining's is not free from having any serious environmental impacts. Mining and milling produce radioactive tailings and also waste from the processing of Uranium concentrate will ultimately be dumped or stockpiled somewhere. Lack of proper management of these tailing materials would contaminate the surface runoff and the ground water thus affecting the entire ecosystem of the area.

Examples of the health and environmental impact of the mining activity include an episode of livestock poisoning (molybdenosis), as well as chromosomal aberration, and reduced DNA repair in residents located in the direct vicinity of the mining operations.

Yours etc,
Greg Lang,
Via e-mail.

Even with RAP in place, 248 foreign tourists visited the State from 2005 till date, the minister added. Mr Ropuia, however, admitted that the State lacked necessary infrastructure to provide accomodation to the foreign tourists as State tourist lodges were in bad condition.

''We are planning to establish several star hotels under a centrally sponsored scheme. As a first step, we have allocated Rs 5 crore project for renovation of the Chaltiang Tourist Lodge,'' he said.

The Tourism Minister also informed that the State had earned about Rs 1.32 lakh from Reiek Pesk, a Mizo village constructed to attract tourists. (UNI)

The Dada Saheb Phalke Award Winner complained of uneasiness while he was on the stage at a Bihu function at Noonmati area in the city on Sunday night. He was admitted to Guwahati Neurological Research Institute (GNRC) at around 2 am on Monday.

Dr Numal Chandra Bora of the GNRC informed that the 80-year-old singer had suffered a 'mild cerebral attack and detected to be having 'slight' heart problem. However, his condition was stated to be stable. "He is responding to treatment well. He will be under constant observation for next 72 hours during which a series of tests will be undertaken on him. He is now in IV fluid," the doctor said.

A large number of fans thronged the hospital to inquire about the health of the colossal artiste from the State. The Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi also called on the artiste in the hospital on Monday. Dr Hazarika happens to be the most decorated artiste from Asom who has carved a niche for himself in the national scenario. The multi-faceted singer, composer, music director is also widely acclaimed in Hindi filmworld.

Imphal: Bowing to pressure, the Okram Ibobi Singh Government on Monday agreed to develop and reconstruct the IT Road ending the seventeen-day long economic blockade imposed on the two national highways leading to Manipur by Kuki Students' Organisation, Sardar Hills and Zeliangrong Students' Union, Tamei Area.

"Satisfied with the agreement, we have decided to call off the indefinite economic blockade from this afternoon," the student leaders said after emerging from the talk.

As per the agreement, sufficient fund would be provided for the development of IT Road and the work along the IT Road will start immediately and will be completed in the time bound manner.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and Works Minister Th Debendra led the Government side while the students' side was represented by KSO-Sardar Hills president Henkholal Doungel, IT Road Development Secretary Shekokai Kipgen, KSO leader Apao Haokip, ZSUM leader N Pantizei and IT Road Development Committee Chairman and the spokesman of the two agitating students' bodies, Wilubou Newmai.

About eight student leaders participated in Monday's two hour long negotiation at the Chief Minister's office. The break through in the talk came after the round-the-clock efforts rendered by Deputy Commissioner of Tamenglong Thaithuilung Pamei and Deputy Commissioner of Senapati Dr Prem Singh, who have been persuading the agitating student leaders for two days and paved ways for negotiation.

The Kuki and Zeliangrong student leaders informed that there have been various nitty-gritties which have been agreed upon during the meeting. The indefinite economic blockade was imposed on the midnight of March 31. In the little more than a fortnight long agitation, numerous trucks carrying goods had been damaged by blockade volunteers. A numbers of good carrying trucks were later escorted to Imphal under heavy security. (NNN)

Imphal: The Justice SP Rajkhowa Judicial Inquiry Commission will visit Parbung of Churachandpur district on Tuesday to meet the alleged victims of mass rape and atrocities by militants and also record their statements. A source on Monday said a team of the Commission will leave Imphal for Parbung in Tipaimukh sub-division and will stay there till April 25. The Commission will hold its sittings there before returning to Imphal.

The O Ibobi Singh Government ordered the judicial inquiry after allegations were made by several tribal organisations from the district that militants of the UNLF and the KCP committed mass rape in January this year at Lungthulien. The tribal bodies also accused the outfits of severely assaulting villagers.

The UNLF and its ally, KCP, however, denied the allegations that their cadres committed mass rape. The UNLF, however, admitted that the cadres beat up some villagers for collaborating with the "enemy."

The Rajkhowa Commission has been working from its Imphal office. However, the Commission decided to visit Parbung after the organisations demanded that the Commission shifts it office to Parbung, where the police registered cases of alleged rape of 15 women. (NNN)

NEW DELHI: The week-long North-East Expo 2006 was inaugurated here on Monday by Union Minister for Small Scale Industries and Agro and Rural Industries Mahabir Prasad. The Expo organised at the NSIC Exhibition Complex, Okhla Industrial Estate, will show-case various items prepared by the artisans and weavers of the north eastern States. In all, 60 participants are taking part in the show.

Inaugurating the Expo, Mr Prasad said that small scale industries especially those from remote NE were facing stiff challenges in today's world market. He appreciated the excellent efforts by NSIC in marketing the products of the region. The main purpose of organising this type of exhibition was to expose the products of NE region to a larger market, the Minister added. Prasad also gave away mementos to some of the participants for their excellent contribution in respective fields.

Chairman-cum-Managing Director, NSIC H P Kumar said in his speech that exhibitions and trade fairs were important for marketing, business development and small industries promotion while addingthat NSIC has been working as a facilitator to promote the small industries.