"More than 150,000 birds have been culled in Maharashtra and 73,000 in Gujarat," Upma Chawdhry, joint secretary (animal husbandry) in the agriculture ministry, told a news briefing here.

The culling operations were conducted in a three-kilometre radius of Maharashtra's Navapur village, 300 km from state capital Mumbai, where India's first case of avian flu was confirmed Saturday.The authorities had previously planned to vaccinate all birds in a radius of another seven kilometres but have now decided to cull these as well.

"The suggestion came from the farmers themselves as they felt vaccination would lead to a tedious process of waiting to see if it was effective. We will now be culling another 100,000 chickens," Chawdhry said. The dead birds were being disposed of by being buried.

"Simultaneously, the farms are being cleared of feed, manure, droppings and other poultry material," Chawdhry said.

Poultry farmers whose birds had been put down will begin receiving compensation from Wednesday."We will pay Rs.40 a broiler chicken and Rs.10 a chick. This will be shared on a 50:50 basis by the central and state governments. The money has already been put at the disposal of the state governments," said Secretary (Animal Husbandry) P.M.A. Hakeem.

However, it will be another three months before farmers can resume operations "and we will have to see how we can help them during this period", Commissioner (Animal Husbandry) S.K. Bandhopadhyaya said.In the midst of all this, different arms of the government continued to send out differing signals on the threat from the H5N1 strain of avian influenza.

The Agriculture Ministry sent an advisory to state-owned Air India and Indian Airlines, as well as to Indian Railways, that it was perfectly safe to eat chicken as long as it was thoroughly cooked at 70 degrees Celsius. (Agencies)

"There has been pilferage of money. Prima facie there is a case of misappropriation of funds and fraud," BCCI Vice President and Marketing Committee member Lalit Modi told reporters.

"The money involved is to the tune of Rs 20 crore. PILCOM (1996 World Cup Committee) is just one account, there are other accounts as well," Modi alleged after an emergent Working Committee meeting of BCCI here.

"PILCOM was being operated by its erstwhile secretary Mr. Dalmiya. That has been shut down and the money transferred to CAB (Cricket Association of Bengal of which Dalmiya is the president)... So the members have asked the President to seek an explanation," he said.

"The members have authorised the President to take a decision in this regard. Dalmiya has sought seven days to reply to the charges."

Dalmiya, however, termed the allegations "absolutely baseless" and said he was ready to furnish all details. "They are making absolutely baseless allegations in the media and if they have any query they should ask me. I am ready to provide all details, but why this public accusation?" Dalmiya said.

Although Modi was vocal in making the charges, BCCI's top brass chose to take a guarded stance at the official press conference later in the day. BCCI Treasurer N Srinivasan stopped short of labelling direct charges on Dalmiya although he did admit that there had been "some impropriety" in the way the funds were handled.

"According to the information submitted so far by (the previous regime) and going through accounts after April 2005, some members thought that several financial transactions that were entered into were not proper," Sinivasan said.

"Based on the reports made to the Working Committee, the President was authorised to decide on the appropriate action to be taken against Dalmiya." He refused to answer a question on the amount of money involved, saying "there was impropriety, I cannot define the quantum of money involved."

Dalmiya, who controlled BCCI for more than a decade, had lost a bitterly fought election in November last year when his presidential nominee Ranbir Singh Mahendra lost to Sharad Pawar. (PTI)

The highlight of Chirac's visit, described by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as "another milestone in the development of bilateral relations," was the declaration on civil nuclear energy, seen as a prelude to a larger pact on civil nuclear cooperation that will help India access international technology and fuel denied to it for over three decades.

But the success of such bilateral nuclear cooperation between India and France - the only country that supported India after its nuclear tests in 1998 and is a key member of the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) - would depend on the successful conclusion of a nuclear agreement between India and the US that would alter rules of global nuclear commerce in favor of New Delhi.

The controversy surrounding India-born steel magnate Laxmi Mittal's bid on European steel major Arcelor also figured in the discussions between Manmohan Singh and Chirac, who arrived here Sunday, and highlighted the importance of business relations between the countries that have resolved to double trade to close to $10 billion in five years. (IANS)

New Delhi: Left parties, key outside supporters of the UPA Government, on Tuesday kept up the attack on it in Parliament as Opposition BJP spoke of difficult days ahead for the Congress-led coalition due to "growing dissensions".

The case was first tried in a fast-track court in Vadodara which had aquitted all the accused in July 2003. After one of the eye-witnesses, Zahira Shaikh, told the National Human Rights Commission about how she and some other witnesses were forced to retract their statements in Vadodara court, NHRC petitioned the Supreme Court, which directed a retrial outside Gujarat.

But the retrial in Mumbai took another turn as Zahira made about-turn again, saying her statement to NHRC was given under duress, allegedly from social activist Teesta Setalvad. In one of the worst massacres of post-Godhra riots in Gujarat in March 2002, 14 people were burnt alive when a mob torched the Best bakery in Vadodara, owned by a Muslim family. (PTI)

New Delhi: Centre on Tuesday constituted a high-level committee to look into the source of bird flu outbreak and suggest a strategy for reclaiming avian flu free status for India. The decision to set up the committee was taken during a review meeting, chaired by the Cabinet Secretary B K Chaturvedi.

New Delhi: Cutting across generations and spanning two dozen languages, the Sahitya Akademi awards for 2005's outstanding regional literary works were presented to 24 eminent writers at a solemn function here on Tuesday. Reflecting the diverse culture of the country, the recipients include literati from far-eastern Arunachal Pradesh to southern state Kerala and from national language Hindi to newly-included Bodo and Santhali. Of the 24 awards given, nine went to poetry, while eight for short stories, five novels and one memoir and essay each.

The minister had offered to weigh the assassin in gold. The case was filed in the court of the additional chief judicial magistrate Narendra singh by local advocate Ajay Veer Singh, who alleged that local police had refused to take note of the minister's "unlawful" utterances.

According to the prosecution, Manu Sharma shot dead Lal April 29, 1999 as she refused to serve him a drink in a bar functioning without a licence where she was filling in as a bartender. The bar, Tamarind Court, situated near the Qutb Minar and run by socialite Bina Ramani, has since shut down.

Of the 12 accused in the case, one was discharged and two have been absconding. The nine accused who were acquitted are Manu Sharma, his uncle Shyam Sunder Sharma, Amardeep Singh Gill, Yograj Singh, Harvinder Chopra, Vikas Gill, Raja Chopra, Alok Khanna and Vikas Yadav, the son of former Uttar Pradesh MP D P Yadav.

Vikas Yadav is also accused of murdering a business executive, Nitish Katara, because he objected to his involvement with his sister Bharati. Vikas Yadav, Alok Khanna and Amardeep Singh Gill were chargesheeted for destruction of evidence and conspiracy. Shyam Sunder Sharma was charged with harbouring an offender and destroying evidence, and Yograj Singh, Amardeep Singh Gill, Harvinder Chopra and Raja Chopra were also charged with harbouring an offender.

The accused were acquitted on four grounds: First, the prosecution failed to recover the weapon of offence, which was used to fire at the ramp model Jessica Lal. The court said the prosecution also failed to prove that the two cartridges, the empties of which were recovered from the spot, were fired from one weapon. The forensic report said the two cartridges were fired from two different weapons.

Third, the three eyewitnesses in the case, including model Shayan Munshi, refused to support the prosecution line and turned hostile in the courtroom. Four, the prosecution failed to make a complete chain of circumstances of the case, the court said. (IANS)

Terming it as an "ill-advised" move which "would cause colossal damage to the integrity, camaraderie, morale and professionalism of the forces in the long run," the PIL urged the apex Court to direct the Government not to make public the data collected so far in this regard.

Kadyan, who served in the Army for 44 years, said the "divisive" move could cause long-term damage to the Defence forces. Justice Rajinder Sachar Committee, appointed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, to enquire into the backwardness of the Muslims, had sought to know the number of Muslims serving in the Indian defence forces. (PTI)

Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh Government has moved the Supreme Court seeking death sentence for a student who murdered his classmate for reportedly spurning his advances. A lower court in Vijayawada had sentenced Manohar to death in August last year but the Andhra Pradesh High Court commuted it to life imprisonment in order to give him a chance to reform.

In an appeal filed in the apex court on Monday the State Government pleaded that 24-year-old Manohar should be sentenced to death as he had a criminal background, court sources said Tuesday. According to official sources, a division bench comprising Justice B.N. Srikrishna and Justice Tarun Chatterjee admitted the appeal for hearing.

Manohar, son of a bank official and a student of Sarada College in Vijayawada, had stabbed to death classmate R. Srilakshmi in a classroom on June 21, 2004, after she spurned his advances. Srilakshmi was waiting in the classroom when Manohar approached her, pulled out a butcher’s knife he had hidden under his T-shirt and stabbed her in the head and neck while other students watched in horror.

Manohar walked out of the college after committing the crime. He was arrested in Chennai a week later.

While sentencing Manohar to death, the Mahila Sessions Court at Vijayawada had observed that the case fell in the "rarest of rare" category.

The high court, however, disagreed with this and opined that that he should be given an opportunity to reform as he is only 24-years-old and has a long life before him. (IANS)

On Monday evening, Rev Basaiawmoit had a meeting Chief Minister DD Lapang and State Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh to discuss the issue. The Government emissary claimed that the meeting was fruitful and the Central intelligence agencies also appreciated his move.

Rev Basaiawmoit said the outcome of the meeting and the Central agencies positive reaction to the same were made known to the leaders of the outfit. "Today (Tuesday) evening, I conveyed the HNLC leadership the outcome of my meeting with the Chief Minister and the State Home Minister", the Church leader said.

Rev Basaiawmoit said that on Tuesday morning he had received a telephone call from Delhi and the Central officials expressed their happiness over the outcome of his meeting with Mr Lapang and Mr Lyngdoh. "Now the ball has started rolling and I am confident that very soon a tripartite agreement between the HNLC, the Centre and the State government will be signed, especially when Delhi seems to be very much positive", he said.

Rev Basaiawmoit met the Chief Minister and the State Home Minister to inform them about the willingness of the HNLC for involvement of the State government in the peace process. The Church leader also handed over to Mr Lapang and Mr Lyngdoh an HNLC letter that was sent to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on January 16.

SHILLONG: Acting on a tip off, the Jaintia Police on Tuesday morning captured three HNLC cadres from a camp of coal miners at Jaliaphet. However, two of them escape during a skirmish with other members of the outfit, who challenged police with fire.

Jaintia Hills Police Super H Nongpluh said police arrested three HNLC cadres namely Arwat Kharumnuid alias Jo Swer of 4th Mile, Robert Jiteng alias Bah Bah and Khlainbor Pakyntein alias Heprit, both from Mawlai Motsyiar during a raid in a coal miners camp.

Police was soon challenged by some militants for the rescue of their comrades. "In the process, one Charlie Rymbai, who was in the camp that time, got injured by the HNLC", Mr Nongpluh said. "It is very unfortunate that Charlie Rymbai was injured. Most labourers in the camp would have the feeling that it was the police who have shot at Charlie", the police super said.

But, the police were flayed for the incident. The elder sister of Charlie, Mrs Still Rymbai, squarely blamed  police for deliberately firing at her brother.

She said her brother was the driver of a Shaktiman truck and was working in one of the coalmines at Jaliaphet. "The vehicle he was driving broke down in the jungle and hence he had gone to stay in one of the camps of the coalmine workers", Mrs Rymbai said.

"As he was sitting in the camp, suddenly four or five policemen came and beat him up without even saying a word. They even shot at him", she alleged.

She even claimed that Charlie even gave a written statement to the doctors of Jowai Civil Hospital saying that he had been beaten up and shot by the police. "It is surprising that the policemen, who beat him up, brought him to the hospital and also informed the family members about the incident", Mrs Rymbai said. Injured Charlie is receiving treatment at Woodland Hospital in Shillong.

Police said Bernard was a close friend of Das and the main accused in the case was one Bonnie Lyngdoh Phawa, who has been working in an embroidery shop in Umsohsun. Bonnie is absconding. Police said Das was killed and buried on the same day of his abduction. "But it is really a mystery that the abductors dared to contact the parents of Das and demand money even after killing their son", police exclaimed.

Earlier, the abductors called up the residence of Das on Sunday and demanded Rs 80 lakh for the release of their son. Even a brief negotiation took place between them and the amount was reduced to Rs 50 lakh. Das was studying Mass Communication at St Anthony's College and was a gentle boy liked by his friends and teachers. It is unfortunate that his close friend Bernard, who is a St Anthony's College drop out, was behind the murder.

The faculty members of the Mass Communication Department condemned the act saying that a young life was shortened only by the barbaric act of miscreants. They demanded that the people involved in this murder should strongly be dealt with.

SHILLONG : Top bureaucrat Mr P J Bazeley is likely get an extension as the Chief Secretary even as Chief Minister D D Lapang is learnt to have thrown his weight behind the proposal.Mr Bazeley is due to retire on February 28, sources said adding that two senior most officials - Additional Chief Secretary S K Tiwari and Principal Secretary W M S Pariat are next in the line to succeed him as per the promotion policy of the State Government.

Recently, Mr Lapang had lavished praise on Mr Bazeley saying that the present Chief Secretary had done enough for the State as also for the Meghalaya State Electricity Board (MeSEB). There are clear indications that Mr Bazeley is likely to be given extension as Chairman of the electricity board even after his retirement.

The Supreme Court wanted that the State government to reply within four weeks on the initiatives taken by it for the separation. The meeting was hence convened for a discussion between the Deputy Chief Minister, Advocate General Anil Sharma and Additional Advocate General WHD Syngkon.

The meeting, however, remained  inconclusive, said Mr Syngkon. He said as the meeting could not come to any conclusion, another meeting would be held between the Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court and the Meghalaya Chief Minister, Mr DD Lapang.

Earlier in 2003 March, the State government was asked to separate the judiciary from the executive as per the direction of Shillong bench of Gauhati High court. The State government, in turn, appealed to the Supreme Court asking for more time. As the Deputy Commissioners are having judicial powers at present in the State, with the implementation of the Supreme Court's order for separation, the powers of the Deputy Commissioners would be curtailed.

Legal experts feel that as the Deputy Commissioners are acting as District Magistrates for the disposal of cases, many cases have been pending in various courts. Inherited from the colonial period, the Deputy Commissioners of Meghalaya have judicial powers. The separation of judicial powers from the Deputy Commissioners is one way of speeding up the pending cases.

UNI adds from Kohima: Meanwhile, Nagaland unit of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has congratulated Mr Sangma for his election from Tura Parliamentary seat for the ninth consecutive term.

NCP(Kohima) President Y Sulanthung H Lotha and General Secretary Povotso Lohe said Sangma's electoral success clearly indicates political consciousness and maturity of the Garos in Meghalaya.

UDP-8

NCP-7

Independents: 6

MDP-4

KHNAM-2

BJP-2

HSPDP-2

SHILLONG: With the NCP's win in the Tura by-poll, political activities in the State are likely to unfold in the coming days. Though there is no immediate threat to the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government, the Opposition NCP, Independent MLAs and the BJP with the help of some non-Congress legislators may try to cobble up a coalition to dislodge the Congress from power even before the 2008 Assembly elections.

The MDA government - comprising of the Congress, UDP, MDP, KHNAM and the HSPDP - has 45 members strength in the House of 60. The Congress alone has 29 members. If an understanding is reached between non-Congress political parties, their number will go up to 31, with UDP having eight legislators, NCP seven, four from MDP, KHNAM, BJP and HSPDP with two members each, besides six Independent MLAs.

Another possibility is a Congress-NCP alliance. For this, the Chief Minister has to drop any of the coalition partners in the present MDA. This may not materialise as the Congress had maintained that the party did not want to betray the coalition partners as per its commitment made during the formation of the government.

The NCP leader, Mr Purno Sangma recently indicated that both the Central and the State leaders could only decide on having any tie-up between the Congress and the NCP in Meghalaya. Political observers feel that with the Tura by-poll outcome going against the Congress, infighting in the party is bound to rise. They say division between Garo Hills and Khasi-Jaintia Hills Congress would further deepen. There is already a section of Congress MLAs who desire a change of leadership.

Meanwhile, five Congress MLAs - Mr ED Marak, Mr Brening Sangma, Mr Beckstar Sangma, Mr Samuel Sangma and Mr Nithuram Hajong - who had after 2003 elections, quit NCP to join Congress, are disillusioned over the NCP victory. When contacted, Mr Marak admitted that the Congress lost badly in Garo Hills. "We are analysing the election results", he said. Mr Marak, however, ruled out any possibility of his return to the NCP.

In the present political scenario, the Opposition NCP and the BJP are determined to raise many issues in the next Assembly session. "The Congress is wiped out from Garo Hills and this trend indicates that even in the next Assembly elections (2008), the Congress will be wiped out from entire Meghalaya", the BJP leader, Mr AL Hek said. He said even before the 2008 elections, there are chances of formation of a new government. "We are ready for a government minus Congress", Mr Hek added.

Meanwhile, the meeting of CEMs of all three autonomous district councils will be held after the end of the budget session. The meeting scheduled for Monday is deferred after both the CEMs of JHADC and GHADC informed of their inability to attend the same due to preoccupation.

In a letter to Deputy Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy here on Tuesday, Mr Sawkmie said the decision of Finance department to allot an amount Rs 75 lakh for road projects was not at all helping the MLA of any constituency with regard to road schemes under the PWD.

"As of today, every constituency of the State requires approachable roads to be constructed in order to connect with nooks and corners of the State and uplift the living condition of the people" Mr Sawkmie said. He also urged the State Government to ensure equal allocation of funds in various PWD Divisions taking into consideration the size of the area.

While stating that sanctioning of PWD scheme for each MLA at five kilometre per constituency in the current financial year of 2005-2006 was needed to meet the growing requirement of road communication in the State, Mr Sawkmie also requested for sanction of more money for rural road connectivity and to accord utmost priority for road sector.

Shillong: The Indian Air Force organised a magnificent air show and display at Polo Ground here on Tuesday. The display, which was organised for the first time in the city, aimed at projecting the image of the Indian Air Force amongst the people of the State and also to create awareness among the youth on the career opportunities in the IAF.

The air show comprise a Helicopter AN-32, carrying the national Tri-colour over the city sky, followed by a dazzling display of formation aerobatics by the world famous Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team of the IAF and sky jumping by the eight-member sky divers of the Air Devils team from MI-B Helicopter. However, due to cloudy weather, other displays could not be carried out on the occasion.

Prior to the show, a drill display by the Air Warriors Drill Team commanded by LAC W L Rymbai and a twenty-member team of the Air Force band entertained the audience. For the youth, a publicity stall was opened near the venue for inquiry about career prospects in the IAF.

Chief Minister D D Lapang, his Cabinet colleagues, AOC-in-C Eastern Command, Director General Assam Rifles, other military and civil dignitaries, a large number of people thronged the venue to witness the display.

The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has entered into an agreement with Universal Service Obligation Fund in 2004 for providing VPTs in all the eligible villages in the country. However, this facility does not include villages having less than 100 populations living in thick forest areas. This was stated by the Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology, Dr. Shakeel Ahmed in a written reply to a Parliament Question in the Rajya Sabha on Monday.

All concerned coal dealers, exporters, traders have been notified to obtain weighment of their product-laden-trucks or lorries at the weighbridge, and thereafter, produce their weighment slip to the Superintendent of Taxes, Byrnihat checkgate for every consignment thereof.

Shillong: For the first time in the State and the region, corneal transplantation was done by eye specialists from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Bansara Eye Care Centre, Laitumkhrah as part of the ongoing free surgical drive organised by the Meghalaya Blindness Control Society (MBCS).

According to Dr Jennifer V Basaiawmoit of Bansara Eye Care Centre, the corneal transplantation known as keratoplasty was done on Mr Asuk Nongbri from Mawjrong, East Khasi Hills while on Tuesday similar tranplantation was carried out on one K Lama from Laitumkhrah.

The surgery was conducted by Prof Anita Panda from the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. Dr Panda who is a renowned corneal surgeon of national and international repute was in the city along with her team of eye surgeons from the institute to assist in the current project. More and more people had enlisted themselves for the transplantation and it was expected that surgery would be carried out on a day to day basis.

The programme which started since February 20 would continue till February 28. Cataract, squint and glaucoma surgeries were going on in full swing in both Khasi-Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills region. MBCS officials claimed that the total number of surgeries expected to be conducted during this second phase of free surgical drive is over 300. They also said that during the first phase of the surgical drive, 253 persons received back their sight through this effort.

Shillong: After witnessing various talent hunt contests on satellite television channels, the Shillong Idol talent hunt contest, which is in the line of American Idol, Indian Idol and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, would soon hit local TV channels in the city and rural areas as well.

Addressing a press conference here at the Shillong Press Club on Tuesday, chairman of the Rhythm group, Mr Ravi Rao said that 'Shillong Idol' is indeed an inspiration from the various talent hunt contest worldwide. Mr Rao said that the main objective of organising the contest is to create a platform for talented youth of the city and also to do something good for the society.

Mr Rao informed that for the contest they have already shortlisted the number of participants during an audition held recently at Pine Wood Hotel. He said that for now, there are 48 participants who will contest in the orchestra round, which will held at State Central Library on April 9, adding that the participants will go on competing in different rounds, ranging from the Piano round to the Gala round.

In the concert round, performers will be from among the participants who perform their best at the contest while two will be selected as finalists at the end of the contest, Rao said. He informed that the contest will conclude in November next where newly crowned 'Shillong Idol' will cut an album, "Naya Daur", to be released countrywide.

Judges for the contest are Shilpi Sen and D Goswami, both music teachers. Professionals from Guwahati would be also roped in later, Mr Rao. With the current budget for the contest being at Rs 85 lakh, Rhythm is seeking sponsorship from other agencies of which till date, only the AIDS Control Society has agreed for sponsoring.

(Continuing from Tuesday's edition) Thailand 1. Agricultural and commercial activities-

(i) Rice- The third largest producer in SEA and world's largest exporter of rice. (ii) Maize- It is the third largest producer of maize (iii) Rubber- It was at one time the largest producer of rubber.

(iv) Cotton- It produces cotton (v) Sugarcane- It the largest producer in the SEA and fourth largest producer in the world. (vi) Jute- It produces and exports jute.

2 Forest product- Wood-

(i) The country is largely a forest area. Different types of woods are produced and exported.

3. Fisheries- Fishes- It is the second largest producer of different types of fishes.

4. Mineral and power resources-

(i) Tin- It is the third largest producer in SEA and is an exporter. (ii) Iron ore- It is also a producer of iron. (iii) Coal- There are small coal fields in this country.

5. Manufacturing industries-

(i) Cotton Textile Industry- It is the second largest area of SEA for Cotton Textile industry. (ii) Paper industry- There are paper industries in this country also. (iii) Sugar industry- It is an important producer of sugar.

Laos 1. Agricultural and commercial activities-

(i) Rice -It produces rice. (ii) Maize- It is the second most important crop of Laos. (iii) Coffee- It is a producer of coffee (iv) Cotton- Cotton is also produced in this country. (v)Sugarcane- It produces sugarcane.

2. Forest products- Wood-(i) The area is largely covered by forests. Different types of forest products are produced and exported.

3. Minerals and power resources-(i) Tin- It is important for Tin .

Vietnam 1. Agricultural and commercial activities-

(i) Rice- It is the second largest producer of rice in SEA. It exports rice also. (ii) Maize- It also produces maize. (iii) Tea- It produces tea. (iv) Coffee-lt produces coffee.

(v) Sugarcane- It also produces sugar cane. (vi) Cotton- It is the largest producer of cotton.

(vii) Jute- It also produces jute. (viii) Splces- It produces and exports spices.

2. Fisheries- (1) Fishes- Large quantity of fishes are available here.

3.. Mineral s and power sources- (i) Iron ore- It is a producer of modern quantities of iron ore. (ii) Coal- It is an important producer of coal. 4. Manufacturing industries-

(i) Cotton Textile industry- It is a developed country in Cotton Textile Industries. (ii) Cement- It is a good producer of cement. (iii) There are large number of paper industries in this country.

Cambodia :1.Agricultural and commercial activities-

(i) Rice- The producer and exporter of rice. (ii) Rubber- It produces rubber. (iii) Sugarcane- It also produces sugarcane. (iv) Jute- It is produced here. (vii) Spices- It produces and exports spices.

Malaysia 1.Agricultural and commercial activities- (i) Rice- It is a producer of rice. (ii) Maize- It also produces maize. (iii) Rubber- It was the pioneer and largest rubber producer and exporter of rubber in the world. But presently it is in the third position (iv) Tea- It produces tea (v) Coffee- It is also a producer of coffee. (vi) Cocoa- It is the largest producer and it exports Cocoa. (vii) Palm oil and Palm kernel- It is the world's largest producer of the these two items.

2. Forest products -

(1) Wood- Different kinds of timbers are produced in its forest area. 2. Fisheries- (1) Fishes- It produces fishes in abundance. 3. Mineral and power resources- (i) Tin- It is region's and world's largest producer of Tin. Tin ingots are exported from here. (ii) Bauxite is an ore of Aluminum. It is the main producer of Bauxite. (iii) Iron ore- It is an important producer of iron ore. (iv) It is an important producer of petroleum in SEA.

4. Manufacturing industries- (i) Cement is produced in Malaysia in abundance. (ii) Sugar industry- Malaysia is an important producer of sugar.

Indonesia :1.Agricultural and commercial activities- (i) Rice- It is the largest producer of rice in SEA and the third producer in the world. Because of large and dense population, it has to import rice. (ii) Maize- It is also the largest producer of maize (iii) It is the second largest producer and exporter of rubber in the world. (iv) Tea- It is the major producer of tea in SEA (v) Coffee- It is the fourth largest producer of coffee in the world. (vi) Sugarcane- It is the second largest producer in SEA. Sugar is exported from Indonesia. (vii) Jute- Jute is also produced in this country. (viii) Copra- Indonesia produces 70% of world's copra (ix) Oil Palm- It produces oil palm. (x) Spices- It produces and exports spices.

2. Forest products- (1) Wood- A large numbers of timbers are produced. 3.Fisheries- (1) Fishes- It is the largest producer of different types of fishes in SEA. 4. Mineral and power resources- (i) Tin-It is second largest Tin producer of SEA and third largest producer in the world. Tin is smelted and exported. (ii) Bauxite- Bauxite is an ore of Aluminum. This country is the main producer of Bauxite. (iii) Iron ore- It is the largest producer of iron ore in SEA. (iv) Petroleum- Indonesia is the most power resource centre of SEA. It produces petroleum in abundance.

(v) Coal- Indonesia has numbers of lignite coal- fields.

5. Manufacturing industries-

(i) Cotton Textile industry- It is the largest producer of Cotton Textile industry in SEA. (ii) Cement-Cement industry is an important industry of this country. (iii) Paper industry- Indonesia is the largest producer of paper in SEA. (iv) Sugar- Indonesia is the largest producer of Sugar.

We have projected a detailed picture on the trade potentialities of NEI, Bangladesh and SEA. The projections are illustrative, but are not in any way exhaustive. The development of trade activities amongst the countries is, therefore, possible. A proper co-operation and co-ordination is to be maintained and this will yield a productive turnout.

Cultural activities :When the people of each country associate themselves in trade activities with right earnest, there will be automatic exchange of culture and development of cultural activities.

Road communications :The communication system from Nagaland border of NEI to Myanmar of SEA was quite unsound The Indo-ASEAN car rally venture made way of development of motor communication system Further improvement will definitely be there, when there is free flow of trade activities.

Rail communication between India and Myanmar

A news item, published in the Sentinel, a local English daily on December 24th is reproduced below:

'The feasibility study being conducted on India-Myanmar rail link is expected to be completed by January and subsequent construction will be undertaken after consideration of the report by RITES Ltd., which is undertaking the project. The Minister of State for External Affairs, E Ahmed told the Rajya Sabha in reply to a question that three routes had been identified for examination under the Trans-Asian Railways (TAR) Network.

The proposed Northern Corridor would link the Russian Federation Kazakisthan, Mongolia, China and the Russian Peninsula, while the proposed Southern Corridor will link India with Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Turkey and Iran. A third proposed corridor will link China, Laos, PDR, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam The details of the proposed network including the time-frame are still to be considered "

Evolution of such types time generation schemes and Implementation thereof, will make the way of speedy globalization in trade, commerce and cultural scenario. (Concluded)

Mohd Rafi's soulful voice, music by maestros, a rather salubrious train journey — and me alone with a Walkman: What could be a better way to enjoy music? I let the spell take over me. My reverie, induced by the lyrics of Sahir Ludhianvi, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Neeraj, Shakeel Badayuni and Rajinder Krishen, was interrupted by a pull at the earphones. He was a baby-faced toddler. He wasn't more than two. Hands outstretched, his command was unmistakable: "Hand it over".

Oh no, not again, I muttered under my breath, reminded of my 12-year-old daughter forever turning off songs played by me. I shooed him away and closed my eyes. Next time the pull had turned to a tug. The earphones came tumbling out. "What's your problem, son?" An as-if-you-don't-know look on his face, he growled, "Give me that".

"Your Mummy is calling you", I attempted diplomacy, wishing the mom was really around. He lunged forward to grab the cords of my Walkman. Diplomacy having failed, I considered compromise.

"Here", I said, handing him one of the earphones. "Stick it in your ear like this", I signalled to the little devil.

He did so immaculately. I jammed the Play button on the Walkman, grimacing at the prospect of stereo turning to mono, of listening pleasure being reduced to half.

Lo and behold, everything fell quiet as Rafi's voice filtered into my right eardrum and his left one. The calm was disturbed only by his 'Nahi aa laha hai' (it's not coming) during the pauses between songs, his tiny palm fluttering like a butterfly's wing. He sat for half hour, traversing with me the musical paths paved by Roshan, Ravi and Madan Mohan decades ago. What he understood, he knows best. The click of the auto-stop button stirred him into action again.He pulled off his share of the Walkman and slid off the seat. The butterfly wing fluttered again, this time in a goodbye.

I managed the most beatific smile I could, and waved back. Wasn't it Rafi who had sung 'Bachche mein hai bhagwan'? (By arranegement with The Times of India)

Sir,

The killing of innocent people in Tinsukia on February 10 is inhuman. The involvement of various organisations and communities in the protest indicates the genuine anguish of all the people in the area against the law enforcers. But, it would have been more effective if instead of calling bandhs, there could have been mass protest rally and dharna in front of the competent authority. It is reported that because of this two days Assam bandh the state lost cores of money in terms of trade and commerce. It created serious havoc in the daily life of the common citizens leading to a serious 'tension' because of the vandalism of some of the AASU member in the Guwahati City.

Any organisation (whether it is AASU or ULFA) has democratic rights to protest the barbarous killing. But, simultaneously, we should not forget that while we are standing against 'injustice', we should not beat common citizens in road, put fire into passenger vehicles or destroy the public and private property. I think, in this angle, the responsible leaders of AASU should put an adequate attention. The relevance of AASU would be more significant and meaningful if they would adopt right approach for protest and behave more maturely.

Yours etc,
Keshav C. Das
Guwahati
Via e-mail

Sir,

Through the victory of NCP candidate Purno A Sangma in the recently held by-election to Tura constituency, the people of Garo Hills have taught a lesson to the overconfident Congress candidate Dr Mukul Sangma that they are neither blind nor deaf. How can the people of Garo Hills forget the twin incidents of 30th September 2005 at Tura and Williamnagar? The amnesic Dr Mukul Sangma, Chief Minister DD Lapang and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and all other Congress leaders should fine-tune their short-sighted vision. Just look at the audacity of Dr Mukul Sangma running Parliamentary election when he cannot even perform his duties as an MLA. How can one forget his ignorance and attitude after the firing incidents? (He tried put the blame on the innocent people). Interestingly he tried hard to gain people's confidence by pointing out Mr PA Sangma's achievements like Baljek Airport, Tura TV Station, Stadiums etc as his accomplishments. Well, Dr Mukul, What have you done so far to the people of Garo Hills as the Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister other than killing people? What achievement can you show to the people? Nothing as ever. So never underestimate the power and sentiments of the people of Garo Hills.

Yours etc,
Sunila R. Marak, Jenash Areng & others,
Tura,
Via e-mail

Talking to newsmen here, Mr Gogoi said, "the AGP is into the habit of demanding withdrawal of the Army when they are out of power to appease the banned ULFA for political mileage. But the same party banks on the Army to neutralise ULFA while it is in the power. That is why the party was branded betrayer by the militant group in the past."

The AGP, in a memorandum submitted to the President of India, demanded sending the Army back to the barrack in Assam in order to expedite the on-going peace process aimed at bringing the ULFA to negotiation. The AGP submitted the memorandum in the wake of death of Ajit Mahanta in Army's custody that sparked massive protests in Kakopathar where nine protestors were killed in police firing on February 10 last.

Mr Gogoi launched a counter attack charging the Opposition AGP and the BJP of instigating protestors at Kakopathar. He alleged that the AGP and the BJP were instigating the people to gather on the National Highway 52 at Kakopathar "and that is what is holding them back from demanding a probe into the incident of police firing."

He flayed the AGP and the BJP for trying to whip up passion in the State over Kakopathar killings that is to be probed by a retired High Court Judge, to gain 'narrow' political mileage ahead of Assembly polls. "The Opposition is shedding crocodile's tear to hoodwink people," he said.

Meanwhile, Assam Government ordered transfer of the State police DIG (Eastern Range) B J Mahanta in view of raging statewide protests against police assault on a local journalist at Kakopathar on 17 February, the day Mr Gogoi visited the place. "It doesn't mean that the DIG was directly involved in the police assault on the journalist. However, this will send a message to the police force," Mr Gogoi said.

The journalists based in Guwahati on Tuesday undertook a procession against the police assault on journalist Rabin Dhekial Phukon at Kakopathar while numerous organisations all over the State raised the voice of protest against the harassment of journalist by the police.

The Commission found progress in execution of NBWs in the States of West Bengal, Assam and Tamil Nadu particularly tardy. The Commission desired that the police in all four States and Union Territory of Pondicherry must speed up drives for unearthing illegal arms, ammunitions and explosives.

The Commission, in these meetings, discussed subjects ranging from final publication of Electoral Rolls, issue of Electors Photo Identity Cards, execution of Non-Bailable Warrants (NBWs), unearthing of illegal arms, ammunitions and explosives, law and order and security scenario in these states/Union Territory transfer of officials as per the standing instructions of the Election Commission and other requirements for forthcoming elections. The Commission impressed upon the Chief Secretaries and Director Generals of Police to expedite the execution of NBWs, a statement from the Commisison said.

The Commission asked the Chief Secretaries and Director Generals of Police to ensure that Model Code of Conduct is enforced at the time of elections in letter and spirit. Formal annoncemnt for the polls are likely this week. The states were also asked to keep a close watch on the conduct of officials engaged in election duty in order to ensure their total neutrality and impartiality. They were also told that no civil or police officer against whom any chargesheet has been filed in a court of law or departmental action has been initiated for election related misconduct.

The Commission asked all Chief Electoral Officers to look into various complaints received from political parties, public and other stakeholders expeditiously. Different political parties including the main Opposition Asom Gana Parishad have met the Commission and gave their opinion on the polls.

Agartala: Policy makers, Defence and internal security experts have underlined the need for overall socio-political development in the north eastern region to tackle the vexed militancy problem. Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, who inaugurated the five-day Joint Civil Military Training Workshop on National Security at SIPARD here on Monday, observed that lack of development was the root cause of militancy in the region.

"The entire region has been lagging behind in terms of infrastructure building despite the fact that there is no dearth of wealth both human and natural", he said, adding that development works often suffer set back due to insurgency.

The menace should be stopped immediately by adopting healing strategy, he said, adding that massive development would be the main tool to tackle the insurgency in the region. "The lack of infrastructure has been contributing to the frustration among the local youth," he said adding that under develop and lack of job opportunity pushing the youth to take the path of violence.

"Policy makers, defence and internal security should look into the aspects of plight of socio-economic condition while formulating a strategy for national security.

DGP, GM Srivastava delivered speech on Civil Military interface in the light of militancy in the region. JP Sinha Director NSCS delivered speech on illegal migration into the region while HS Bawa, Defence Specialist NSCS spoke on Higher Defence Management in the seminar.

While delivering his keynote, Sinha mentioned state's strategic location to the South East Asian nations, which could change the face of the socio-economic condition of the people of the entire NE region. 

When asked about the security lapses in the zoo, the PCCF said there were no such lapses and the guilty would be punished after the investigation was over. The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), condemning the incident, demanded an inquiry into the matter.

APCC working president Takam Sanjoy and a few other party workers met Chief Minister Gegong Apang yesterday urging him to take immediate action.Alleging mismanagement within the zoo, the Congress leader urged the Chief Minister to take cognisance of such mismanagement. The tigers had been poisoned on Sunday, Mr Lal said. (UNI)