"The leaders exchanged views in context of the forthcoming meeting of the Board of Governors of the IAEA on March 6. Prime Minister welcomed Russia's efforts to address the issue related to Iran's nuclear programme through dialogue," a PMO spokesman said.

The crucial IAEA Board of Governors meeting would be held on Monday. While Iran has welcomed the Russian offer for a joint venture on Russian soil for uranium enrichment, it has made it clear that it would not be intimidated and has been insisting on some enrichment even if it is only on a small scale research level.

Iran and Russia had a series of talks in Moscow earlier this month during which Moscow offered setting up a joint venture on Russian soil and insisted on restoration of status quo by Tehran that existed before last vote by the UN nuclear watchdog's Board of Governors meeting in Vienna.

The conversation between the Prime Minister and the Russian President took place late Saturday night and the two leaders discussed implementation of areas of cooperation identified during their last Summit meeting in Moscow in December 2005 ahead of the forthcoming visit of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov later this month.

The Russian President also briefed the Prime Minister about the G-8 Summit being hosted by Russia in St. Petersburg in July 2006 and Singh conveyed acceptance of President Putin's invitation to participate in a broader dialogue with G-8, the spokesman said.

The discussion between Singh and Putin also covered India-Russia bilateral economic and commercial relations and the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction that the bilateral agreement on Russia's accession to the WTO had been signed recently in accordance with his commitment to him (Putin) during their last meeting, the spokesman said.The two leaders also discussed on-going co-operation in civilian nuclear energy. (PTI)

During his visit, he will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath, Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed and the Leader of the Opposition L K Advani. The Australian Prime Minister and his business delegation will also attend a business summit organised by CII/Assocham/FICCI.

A number of agreements will be signed tomorrow, including an MoU on Customs Cooperation, a Trade and Economic Framework, MoU on Defence Cooperation, an MoU on Cooperation in Biotechnology and a Letter of Intent on the India-Australia Strategic Research Fund. During his visit to India, Mr Howard will also visit Mumbai and Chennai. (UNI)

"The UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government could have applied Article 356 (the president's rule) and Narendra Modi would have had to go. But we didn't want that," Vaghela told reporters here.

"The central government has no such thoughts in this direction. Let this government get exposed and let the election take place in due course of time," he said.

The U.C. Banerjee inquiry committee, appointed by the railway ministry to probe the burning of a bogey of the Sabarmati Express at Godhra railway station on Feb 27, 2002, submitted Friday its final report, saying it was an act of accident.

The tragedy, which claimed 59 lives, had sparked off statewide communal violence, and the state government's investigative agencies had blamed a mob of Muslims from Godhra, about 140 km from here, for setting the coach on fire. At least 1,000 people were killed in the ensuing violence, with human rights bodies accusing the Modi government of being partial to the majority Hindu community. (IANS) 

Prior to the incident, militants struck with a grenade at a crowded bus stand in Pulwama town at around 1215 hrs resulting in injuries to 25 people, including two CRPF jawans, the spokesman said. He said the condition of six injured persons, including the CRPF sub-inspector and constable, was serious.

Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the two attacks. The spokesman said militants shot dead their former associate Muneer Ahmad Khan, a resident of Chuntimoulla, on the suspicion of his being an informer of security forces at Bandipora bus stand in Baramulla district this afternoon.

The latest grenade blasts come barely a day after militants triggered two explosions, one at Katidarwaza- Rainawari in downtown Srinagar and Takiabal on Bijbehara- Sirigufwara road in Anantnag district which left nine people, including three policemen, injured and a police vehicle damaged. (PTI)

New Delhi: Ahead of the Assembly polls in five states, there have been growing strains between the Congress and its supporting Left parties and the Samajwadi Party and the recent visit of US President George W Bush has only added to the problem.

Concern is growing among Congress circles over the way the Left has been hammering the ruling party as also the Government on the Iran issue as also the protests launched by them during the visit of Bush and the talk of formation of a Third Front.Samajwadi Party's protests are being seen in a different light as the Allahabad High Court judgement in the case of defection of 40 BSP MLAs in Uttar Pradesh has brought the Mulayam Singh Yadav Government in a crisis situation.

Besides, there has been virtually no love lost between the SP and Congress for the last two years since Yadav spurned pre-poll offers of being part of the UPA and tie up with the then main opposition party. With the IAEA Board meeting scheduled tomorrow, the Left, upset over the Government earlier siding with US and against Iran, has already warned of serious consequences while the SP has threatened a no trust motion in Parliament.

The Bush visit had come against the backdrop of inflamed passions among a section of minorities on the Iran issue coupled with the Danish cartoon controversy. This is perhaps for the first time that in independent India, foreign policy issues are gaining centrestage.

RJD, the second largest constituent of the UPA, had also protested against the visit in Parliament last week when the Left parties and the SP MPs had raised the issue which had witnessed a strident attack on the US President and Washington's actions in Iraq. Mayawati-led BSP, which is attempting to break the minority votebank of the SP in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the Assembly polls scheduled next year, had also attacked the American President's visit.

TDP, which has broken ties with the BJP after the defeat in the Lok Sabha and Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections, has now become supportive of the cause of the Third Front apparently to win back minorities. In fact, almost all non-Congress and non-BJP parties had virtually made a common cause on the visit.

He told a TV channel the cartridges were recieved in sealed condition and "there is no reason to change the cartridges and also it does not solve any purpose." IO of Jessica Lall murder case, Surinder Sharma, had said Singh had allegedly changed the cartriges at the CFSL at the behest of a UP politician whose son was an accused in the case. Questioning the basis of allegation levelled against him, he said how police will prove that cartridges sent to the lab were not already changed. (PTI)

Prohibitory orders remained in force in the town where the situation was peaceful, Deputy Inspector General of Police Ujwal Mishra told PTI. With the deployment of CRPF and CISF personnel, vigil had been stepped up in south Goa, especially in minority-dominated areas, to prevent any untoward incident, he said. Mishra dismissed rumours of a curfew in the town and said only prohibitory orders were in force. (PTI)

Ranchi: Dismissing any immediate threat to Mulayam Singh Yadav Government in Uttar Pradesh in the wake of the High Court ruling setting aside the split in BSP whose 40 rebel MLAs support him, Rashtriya Lok Dal president Ajit Singh on Sunday, whose party part of the ruling alliance in the State, said he would convene a meeting soon on the issue. "The High Court has referred the issue back to the Assembly Speaker asking him to decide on the disqualification of the 40 BSP rebel MLAs, and it is a big event," Singh told newsmen here on his way back from Ramgarh.

"All our MLAs and senior leaders will attend the meeting to devise an appropriate strategy," the former Union minister, who went to Ramgarh in connection with 'Gaon Jagao, Desh Bacchao' campaign, said.

The three-member Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court, in a 2-1 verdict on February 28, had held that former Speaker Kesri Nath Tripathi's ruling validating the split in BSP in 2003 was given in "undue haste and in violation of the principles of natural justice."

Forty BSP MLAs had deserted the party and formed a new outfit at the time of formation of Yadav Government. The breakaway group later merged with SP and Tripathi recognised the split and the subsequent merger. The Mulayam Government, which on February 28 won a trust vote in the State assembly, depends heavily for its survival on the support of RLD's 15 MLAs. Singh said the Government faced no problem as it enjoyed a majority now.

Asked whether he was still hopeful on his induction in the UPA Government, Singh said the question had no relevance now. "I have been asked this question for the last one and a half years." Asked if the RLD was thinking of any realignment as Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh were just a year away, Singh said everything would be discussed in the party meeting.

He, however, said "in a democracy both the ruling party and opposition should be secular and the third front can fulfill this. It will take time, but things are moving in that direction," Singh said while accusing the BJP of having communal agenda.

Asked who should lead the third front, Singh said there are many parties, but most of them are pre-occupied with local issues. (PTI)

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Government terminated the registration of 200 more striking doctors as their protest continued for the seventh day Sunday, crippling healthcare services. The decision late on Saturday night takes to over 350 the number of doctors terminated from service.

Over 2,500 doctors from 15 government-managed hospitals have stayed away from work since Feb 27 demanding better security while on the job after relatives of a patient beat up a doctor. 
The doctors are also demanding an increase in stipend and improvement in working conditions.

Doctors of select municipal hospitals from several other cities in Maharashtra like Pune, Aurangabad, Sholapur and Nagpur have also joined the strike in solidarity. The confrontation between the authorities and the doctors is not showing any sign of abating. The doctors have vowed to continue with the strike even in the face of termination of registration.

"The highhanded attitude of the government has strengthened our resolve to continue the strike," said a spokesman of the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) that is spearheading the strike.

"The authorities must understand that termination of services of even all doctors of government-run hospitals will not solve the problems we are fighting against," he added.

"Our demands are very valid and that is why we are getting support from not only doctors in other cities but also from outside the state. We are also planning to take legal help against the termination orders."

An official said tough action would be initiated against others for failing to respond to the government’s ultimatum to return to work.

New Delhi: Despite plummeting prices, food festivals and a public awareness campaign, consumers are yet to put poultry preparations back into their menus, dealing a major blow to the industry. After the Government had confirmed the presence of avian flu in the country a fortnight ago, a large number of people stopped eating chicken and eggs despite experts assuring that there was no harm in eating well-cooked poultry products.

"There is still a 40 percent drop in chicken and eggs consumption across the country. The farmers, especially those with small holdings, are very badly hit due to a 50 percent fall in prices," A.P. Sachdev, vice president of Poultry Federation of India, told IANS.

"The poultry industry is losing around Rs.450 million every day with wholesale prices of broiler chicken falling from Rs.35 per kg to Rs.20 and egg price dropping by 50 percent to 80 paise. The overall consumption has slumped by 40 percent in addition to an impact on exports."

The retail prices of chicken and eggs are still down as consumers are wary despite government health officials having announced that well-cooked poultry products nullify any chances of infection transmission. According to World Health Organisation (WHO), people working in poultry farms are more at risk than consumers to the disease that has spread across a dozen countries, killing over 90 people. Of the 173 cases of infection among human beings, not one was due to eating poultry products, industry experts pointed out.

While the Government maintains a vigil to prevent any resurfacing of infection, the poultry industry has launched a massive awareness campaign among the population via public lectures, advertisements and chicken food festivals to woo back consumers. So far campaigns and food festivals have been held in major chicken consuming centers like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Karnal and Bangalore. A ‘Chicken Mela’ is also planned in Delhi’s Walled City area Sunday.

At an education seminar organised at the Science Museum in the capital earlier this week, Shahid Jameel of the International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology had said that avian flu was not caused by eating properly cooked poultry products. About 800 people, including schoolchildren, attended ted to attend the lecture to spread awareness among their elders.

Industry officials are also upset that chicken is still excluded from the food served in the parliament canteen and other major commercial operations like airlines. "It is baffling that while politicians are saying that it is safe to eat well-cooked chicken, it is not on the menu of parliament’s canteen. This is sending wrong signals," industry officials said. (IANS)

"We came to know about the move, but I don't think there will be any change within the next two years", MPCC president OL Nongtdu told The Shillong Times on Sunday.

Mr Nongtdu said he heard about the signature campaign initiated by a section of Congress members and on his own made some efforts to identify the group. "The same group of legislators who had earlier raised voice for a change of leadership after the government downsizing, are again organise themselves", Mr Nongtdu said.

According to the MPCC president, the number of dissident Congress MLAs was less and "they are unlikely to get the support of the majority". Reaffirming that there would not be any change of leadership, Mr Nongtdue said even the senior Congress leader Mr JD Rymbai had no intention to take over the leadership of MDA government.

"In the past, we had offered the leadership to Mr Rymbai when Congress leader Mr PR Kyndiah was the Speaker, but he turned down the offer", Mr Nongtdu said adding that even after the 2003 Assembly elections, when offered, Mr Rymbai showed no interest in becoming the Chief Minister

The MPCC president who acknowledged that there would be definitely a pressure from the dissident group, but he was confident that "their move will not last long". Some senior Congress leaders felt that a reshuffle in the MDA could be a solution to the problem of growing dissidence in the Congress.

SHILLONG: The teachers and students of St Anthony's College, Mass Communication department, have come out together to see that justice is done to the bereaved family of Biplab Das, who was killed by three youths from Golf Link allegedly for "some quick money".

The College also decided to observe March 18 as 'Black Day' to commemorate the death of Biplap Das, who was studying Mass Communication in this institution. College sources said that the College staff and the students of the Mass Media department would meet the authorities on Monday afternoon for a speedy justice and exemplary punishment to the murderers of Biplab.

The department students and the faculty members will also observe Black Badge Day later this month against "vicious" killing of Biplab. They even decided to distribute letters of appeal to various individuals who can play an instrumental role in getting the criminals charge-sheeted and subsequently pressurise concerned authorities to take action against the culprits.

Meanwhile, the college authorities urged the Bar Association president Mr GS Massar to refrain from advocating cases on behalf of criminals involved in the Biplab Das murder case. Following the confession of those involved in the murder of Biplab broadcast over local and regional print and electronic media, the College authorities sought justice hoping that the guilty would not be spared under any pretext. The College authorities said it would not rest until a highest degree of punishment is sentenced.

SHILLONG: Allahabad High Court order disapproving a split of 40 MLAs from the BSP in 2003 has led to speculation over the fate of NCP MLAs of Meghalaya who had joined Congress after the last Assembly elections. Besides Late Cyprian Sangma, Mr ED Marak, Mr Brening A Sangma, Mr Beckstar K Sangma, Mr Samuel M Sangma and Mr Nidhuram Hajong had joined the Congress breaking way from the NCP Legislature Party.

Though the MLAs in UP defected from the BSP before the anti-defection law came into effect, the court ruled the split invalid. The case of NCP legislators here appears similar to that of the BSP. It was on December 11, 2003 that six MLAs left the NCP to join the Congress. Soon after the NCP legislators joined the Congress, Leader of Opposition Admiral K Sangma filed a case against them and it is still pending in the Supreme Court for final hearing.

Talking to The Shillong Times on Sunday, Mr Sangma said: "We're following the case closely and the Supreme Court is likely to list the case for hearing next month". He said the NCP was in an advantageous position in the legal battle and the breakaway group would definitely lose the case in the court of law.

"We will follow up the case and MLAs are likely to be disqualified", Mr Sangma said adding that the NCP, ever since the case was filed, had been seeking the disqualification of the defectors.

Earlier, the NCP had shot letter to the Meghalaya Speaker urging him to disqualify the MLAs, "who were elected on NCP tickets" but defected from the party to show their allegiance to the Congress. "As per the provisions of Para 2 of the Tenth Schedule of Indian Constitution, we demand their disqualification from the House", the NCP said.

"In order to take advantage of the provisions of Para 3 of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, the six members falsely stated that there had been a split at the organisational and legislative level in the NCP", Mr Admiral Sangma stated in his letter, countering the claim of the breakaway group.

"The NCP being a national party, the split has to be at the national level and not at the state level", he argued.

Referring to the Supreme Court ruling in Mayawati vs Markandya Chand case, Mr Sangma said there must be a split in the original party first and then a faction might arise because of the split to save a person from disqualification. A judgment of Gauhati High Court also specifies the same, the NCP said adding that there was no split in the party and some members elected to the Assembly as NCP members voluntarily left the membership of the original party to which they belonged.

SHILLONG: Naya Bazar, a Khasi hamlet known in local language as Hat Tymmai adjacent to the zero line on the Bangladesh border under Raid Nongshken in East Khasi Hills has nothing new to display in the bazar (market).

Contrary to what the name suggests, the village, around 70 km away from the State capital, is reminiscent of the thriving border haat or market of yesteryears; and has nothing to boast of now. Moth eaten wooden structures, which had once housed the market, stand testimony to the bygone glory.

Years ago the village economy flourished through barter system (exchange of goods) between the Khasi villagers and the people from neighbouring Bangladesh. However, the closure of border haats on the pretext of "security" plunged the border villagers in a state of gloom for they depended largely on border trade to eke out their living.

"We want the government to re-open the border haat as this would improve our economy", Sirdar of the area, Mr Phanang Khongsdir told reporters who visited the border village on Saturday.

Mr Khonsdir said ten years ago, Naya Bazar was buzzing with trade related activities. The villagers never could know the reason for which the border haats was closed.

"We don't think infiltration or smuggling from across the border are the reasons for closure of the border haats. We have not witnessed any infiltration or smuggling of drugs from across the border. If any problem of this nature arises, we are sure the local village bodies can tackle it", Mr Khonsdir said.

Meiot Khongsni, Secretary of Raid Nongkshken, said the villagers were very much in favour of re-opening of border haats as all perishable agriculture produce, which cannot be taken as far as to Shillong due to distance, could be sold easily to Bangladesh. "These haats contribute to economic growth of the people", he said.

Take the case of Dearvalley border market under Umniuh Tmar Elaka. Till 1971 the border residents from Bangladesh used to come to the hillside for exchange of goods. But in 1974, the border haat was closed, recalls the Matabor (headman) of the village Umniuh Tamar Elaka, Mr Tirot Mawkon. Another market - Nongjri - under Nongri Elaka was closed only ten years back.

History has it that border markets in Meghalaya were functional from the Mughal period. Even during the eighteenth century (British Period) barter system in Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills was in practice. While oranges, chillies, turmeric, lime, honey, iron, bee's wax, ivory, rubber, betel nuts, betel leaves, spices and potatoes from the hills were exchanged with Bangladesh for commodities like rice, sugar, fish, salt, tobacco, oil, cotton clothes and spices from the plains.

After the Statehood, many memoranda were submitted to the Centre on the need for re-opening of border haats. Nongshken representative KK Dkhar had also taken up the issue both with the Centre and the State government. Two years back, the Centre had asked the State government to send a detailed report on the status of border haats and subsequently the State government asked the Deputy Commissioners of East and West Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, West Garo Hills and South Garo Hills to prepare reports on border haats of their respective areas. The BSF was also not opposed to the idea of opening the border trade. The matter is still pending with the Centre for the final clearance.

The villagers say that the border haats once symbolised the people's life style and served as a meeting place for all to not only exchange merchandise, but also greetings and ideas, besides sharing problems of each other. The border markets if revived would help revitalise the rich tradition and culture of the past, besides ironing out misunderstanding between India and Bangladesh.

SHILLONG: After the MBOSE muddle last year, the State government as well as the MBOSE administration are leaving nothing to chances for smooth holding of HSSLC and SSLC examinations beginning on Tuesday. After many major hiccups over the MBOSE issue, all eyes are fixed on the education board to see as to how efficiently it conducts the examinations without any fresh goof-up.

While KSU alerted the education department to keep vigil during the examinations, the State government renewed its commitment to conduct the examinations without keeping any blemish. "All measures have been taken for smooth conduct of examinations", the State government said.

With this assurance coming from the government, KSU president Samuel Jyrwa expressed his hope that the past mistakes could be rectified and the State government would be able to overcome all hurdles by implementing the recommendations of the Select Committee on MBOSE restructuring.

"With the MBOSE Ordinance coming into effect and some modifications like decentralisation of power with Shillong office and increased man power being effected to the Board, we can hope early recovery from the loss", Mr Jyrwa said.

State Education Secretary SF Khongwir said from the preparation to the holding of the forthcoming examinations, everything possible was done by the Board. "Printing and security of question papers are being taken care of by the Board", Mr Khongwir said, adding that the question papers would be kept at the treasury, banks and police stations so that leakage of question papers do not recur.

Shillong: Despite an ultimatum served by the KSU and Coordination Committee of International Border (CCIB), consisting HNYF, FKJGP and Federal Council of War Mihngi and War Jaintia (FCWMWJ), to stop the border fencing, the State Government is yet to invite the NGOs for discussion.

The KSU and CCIB have issued a deadline of 15 days beginning from March 1 to stop the border fencing and warned that if the demand is not met, the organisations will be compelled to call for agitation programmes in the entire Khasi-Jaintia Hills.

The General Secretary of KSU, Hamlet Dohling on Sunday said that so far the Government is silent on the issue adding that the stand of the organisations has not changed. Mr Dohling reminded that the KSU and CCIB are not opposing the border fencing but the construction of the fencing should be from the Zero Line. But in the areas where there are disputes the fencing should be kept in abeyance till a proper demarcation is made.

According, to Mr Dohling, if the response of the Government is negative, immediately after the expiry of the deadline, the KSU and CCIB will meet again to announce the agitation.

Mr Dohling also said that the KSU and CCIB strongly protest the decision of the Government to have the fencing 150 yards within the Indian Territory from the actual line of border. They claimed this would result in a big loss of land for the people living on the zero-line.

Addressing the function, Principal NERIE, Prof D S Bhattacharjee stated that SSA is not a programme but a mission, an abhiyan which needs a consolidated effort by all educational functionaries in order to make it truly successful in achieving the target of universalisation of elementary education.

According to police sources, the investigation is still going on to find some clues whether the hand grenade that had exploded was purposely planted or dropped by the miscreants while moving in the area.

However, it was suspected that the militants in the area hid the grenade since long time back and it was not purposely planned to attack the people.

The Hospital is catering to the need of the people of Sumer and of adjacent areas but so far no new doctor has been appointed, the sources said. The doctor retired along with the former Chairman P J Bazeley and from that day the service of the hospital also discontinued. Most of the patients who went to the Hospital for treatment were compelled to return empty handed, the sources said, adding the MeSEB authority and the State Government have been requested to appoint a new Medical Officer as early as possible.

Although both India and Pakistan saw demonstrations against the visit of US President George W. Bush, there was a significant difference between those staged in democratic India and the ones in Pakistan, which has a military president. In India, the anti-American protests did take an unfortunate turn in Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, where several people died in police firing and a communal outbreak when riotous mobs indulged in arson and stone pelting and tried to force shopkeepers to down their shutters. But such unruly conduct is a feature of nearly all protests in a democracy that necessitate stern police action.

What is different in Pakistan was the typical act of a suicide bomber ramming a car full of explosives into a vehicle of the US consulate in Karachi, killing a diplomat as well as a number of others and causing widespread devastation. Such terrorist tactics are not a part of street demonstrations that are a familiar sight in all open societies. The reason for the difference is succinctly underlined in a Washington Post editorial that said President Pervez Musharraf has "suppressed secular democratic parties in the country while striking deals with Muslim extremists".

The stifling of democracy in Pakistan has meant that the normal channels of communication and means of protest have been blocked, resulting in terrorists appropriating and manipulating popular grievances. In India, the two groups that expressed their anti-American sentiments were the communists and the Muslims. While the former have a longstanding ideology-based animosity against the US, the Muslim anger is of a more recent origin. The latter's protests were against what is perceived as an American-inspired aggressive Western stance against Iraq, Iran and the Palestinians. An additional reason is the gratuitously provocative cartoons printed first in Denmark and then in other European countries with the seeming objective of telling Muslim immigrants to accept Western norms even if they found them offensive.

But although Indian Muslims are as angry as their co-religionists elsewhere with American and Western policies, they remained mostly within the boundaries of customary protest demonstrations. And even if the lines were crossed in Lucknow because of the inevitable presence of hoodlums and troublemakers among the protesters, the situation was quickly brought under control. The reason for the restraint is the Muslim familiarity with the ways of an open society. They are aware that all forms of protests are available to them - in legislative and public forums, in the media, in street demonstrations, in sit-in programmes and so on. They have also seen other groups airing their grouses in identical ways.

At the same time, they also know that violating the written and unwritten codes of conduct in a democracy can have damaging consequences for their own selves and their professional bodies. In contrast, a suicide bomber who operates outside a country's legal parameters follows only his own norms of nihilism.There are two reasons why an act of terrorism was the first response of the anti-Bush protesters in Pakistan. First, the military rule there over long periods has emasculated the civil and political bodies, which are an integral feature of democracies. The fear of the secret police and of arbitrary detention may have also inculcated habits of violent defiance since all normal outlets of protests are closed.

Secondly, Pakistan has deliberately nurtured what has come to be known as the Kalashnikov culture, with the express purpose of harassing India over Kashmir by establishing training camps for insurgents and surreptitiously helping the Kashmiri rebels. These cynical tactics have made Pakistan vulnerable to extremists because a country cannot harbour militants without paying for the consequences. India too has its rebels who are outside the system. But there are no subterranean linkages between them and the establishment, as in Pakistan where sections of the army and the ubiquitous secret agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), are suspected of maintaining clandestine relations with the jehadis associated with the Kashmir insurgency.

The absence of such connections in India has ensured that there is no home-grown Islamic terrorist network although there is an underground Naxalite (Maoist) organisation. Since the Islamic militants have not been able to establish any presence in India, there is little possibility of the kind of suicide attack that took place in Karachi unless the culprits enter India from Pakistan or Bangladesh.All the terrorist attacks that have taken place in India, whether on parliament or in the Delhi markets, have been the work of outsiders. Despite the occasional outbreaks of communal violence in India, the worst example of which was the Gujarat riots of 2002, there has been little infiltration by the preachers of hatred into the Indian Muslim community because of the latter's continuing faith in the essential fairness of an open multicultural society.

Hence, the relative quietness with which the demonstrations against the US president passed off although thousands of Muslims took to the streets in Delhi, Lucknow, Hyderabad and elsewhere to voice their protest. (Amulya Ganguli is a political analyst. He can be reached at aganguli@mail.com)

In July 1995, while working with a newspaper, I sought permission to visit the campus of the National Security Guard (NSG). Walking through its sprawling 1,620-acre campus in Haryana, I stumbled upon the organisation's distinct communal bias.It was manned exclusively by Hindus. So was the Special Protection Group (SPG), a force formed to protect the prime minister and his family.

Established in 1985, the NSG is a fully armed force used for specialised operations like counter-hijacking and counter-terrorism. Security for Z category VIPs also forms a small part of the duties of this purely deputationist force, with 52 per cent of its personnel especially hand-picked from the army and the rest from the BSF, CRPF, ITBP, CISF and SSB. When I questioned NSG director general A K Tandon about the force's recruitment criteria, he replied that it adhered to strict qualitative requirements. When I asked whether there was any recruit from the minorities, he admitted, "There is nobody".

While there were no written instructions to this effect, there was an implicit understanding to avoid deputing both Sikhs and Muslims. A retired DGP claims the implicit communal bias against minorities extends even to the Delhi Police. Calling it "an unwritten law of discrimination against the minorities" he adds that this is "an ugly truth that national institutions in the country are attempting to hide".

But one is compelled to ask — should premier security organisations be manned exclusively by the majority community in a secular pluralistic country like India?

The bias against minorities in recruitment procedures is a blatant violation of Article 16(2) of the Indian Constitution, relating to public employment which clearly states "No citizen shall on grounds of religion, race, sex, des-cent, place of birth, residence or any of them, be ineligible for or discriminated against in respect of employment or office under the state".

When I consulted constitutional lawyer Rajiv Dhawan at that time, he asserted that "According to the worldwide law on discrimination, even a non-discriminatory rule exercised in a discriminatory manner — a practice which suggests people of only one community are being employed — is against the law".

I wonder whether the character of the NSG is any different today. If there were to be a minority headcount, it might uncover some disturbing facts. (By arrangement with The Times of India)

Sir,

I fully agree with the Chief Executive Member of KHADC Mr HS Shylla, that uranium mining should be allowed to take place in the State. What I feel is that God has given a great opportunity to the Meghalayans to come to the national map. It is we who complain that no heed is being paid to us by the Centre as well as media. Now if we allow uranium mining then the whole scenario will change. In the present day, no one can stay in isolation. These NGOs for their vested interest do all the shouting against mining without taking into consideration the broader interest of the State. The reports of diseases from uranium mining has been negated. Then why this shouting? We must understand that it's only through opening the doors to the outside world that development can take place in the state. The results are in front of us. Due to peace and brotherhood, Shillong has made tremendous development and with the opening of the IIM and NEIGRIMS, there will be no looking back. The people of Meghalaya must wake up and fight for the cause. Kudos to Mr Shylla for his dynamic approach.

Yours etc.
Albert Lyngdoh
Shillong
Via e-mail

Sir,

Banerjee-panel's report on train fire at Godhra is on expected lines as per requirements of political rulers appointing it. Successive political rulers misuse retired judges to speak to their tunes in name of judicial-panels as was also exposed in infamous Petrol-pump scandal in NDA regime when panels headed by retired judges allotted petrol-pumps to favourites of NDA rulers. Even Nanawati-Commission appointed by BJP rulers is talking just reverse of what Justice UC Banerjee has said.

Appointment of retired judges in any panel or Commission by Union or state governments should be only by a high-powered Judicial Commission to prevent bias.

Yours etc,
SC Agrawal
New Delhi

Sir,

Apropos the news item about Mr PT Sawkmie urging the Chief Minister to retain Mr Donald Wahlang as the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills district, it is understandable for Mr. Sawkmie as a representative of the people to make such request like this for the good of the people. Without doubt Mr Wahlang has by his performance shown exemplary skills in managing the East Khasi Hills during his entire tenure as DC. But terms and tenures come to an end and it is only fair for him to move on and do good in other departments as well. Mr. Pankaj Jain is an able administrator. He has served conscientiously in various departments and was Deputy Commissioner in Tura for a good number of years and many who have worked with him will agree that he is one of the best-performing DC that West Garo Hills District has ever had. His approach has always been commendable. So definitely, he will carry on the good work of his predecessor.

Yours etc,
Shirleen A.B. Sawkmie
Via e-mail

School teacher M Naobi, a friend of a killed insurgent named Bikash, was arrested on February 21 after she had attended the funeral of Bikash and was in their custody for nine days during which she was allegedly tortured and molested, the sources said. The decision to suspend the commandos was taken during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh late on Saturday.

Immediately after the suspension orders were issued, all the commando personnel attached to Thoubal District laid down their service weapons and reportedly refused to resume their duties. However, senior police officials managed to calm down the angry personnel. The commandos strongly denied the allegations made by the woman.

In a bid to pacify angry protestors, Ibobi Singh also transferred Priyokumar Singh as the CO of 8th Manipur Rifles. S Ibocha Singh, senior SP Bishnupur district has been posted as the new SP of Thoubal. Present Additional SP of Bishnupur K Jayenta has been asked to take charge of the district SP.

The Thoubal Deputy Commissioner P Vaiphei, who is conducting the magisterial inquiry, announced that the public hearing on the case will begin on March 9. In a notification, Vaiphei invited statements and written submission from interested parties over the molestation charge. The magistrate had also asked Naobi Chanu to submit a statement detailing the charges made by her against police commando personnel.

He further said that Naobi may be subjected to medical examination as a part of the investigation. Though Naobi said she was molested, she could not recall whether she was raped or not as she frequently passed out due to alleged torture.

Meanwhile, Manipur remained calm on Sunday with no report of any violent incident in connection with the Naobi case. However, protestors reportedly burnt one SDO and SDC office in Imphal East district on Saturday night. The protesting NGOs and the Joint Action Committee of Thoubal are expected to announce the next course of agitation on Monday. (NNN)

Guwahati: Amidst intelligence inputs hinting at attacks on top political leaders in the run up to the elections, Chief Election Commissioner B B Tandon would make a personal assessment on the ground situation before finalising election security cover for the State. Tandon along with Elections Commissioners N Gopalaswami and NB Chawla would be arriving here on Monday and review the security scenario.

Sources indicated that the EC wants the tightest ever security arrangement in the State where election has been spread over two phases on April 3 and 10 with high possibility of the Army to share the poll duty along with the police and the paramilitary force.

The Assam Government has identified Tinsukia and neighbouring areas as the most sensitive zone and an apprehensive Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has sought a large reinforcement of security forces to "ensure free, fair and peaceful polling"

Joint Chief Electoral Officer R C Jain told the media that the security assessment for the State is underway and the EC would take the final decision on the deployment of the security forces. The security cover across the State would be decided in terms of the level of sensitivity of the constituencies. 

There are 126 Assembly constituencies in the State.The last Assembly election in 2001 saw ULFA killing BJP candidate in Dibrugarh and though the militant outfit is considered to be treading the path peace talks, security agencies are not sure of a non-violent role by the outfit this time.

The Congress feels that ULFA would not play a major role but might be active in Tinsukia district and its neighbouring areas. Gogoi also feels that if ULFA and Centre conducts at least round of talks directly before the elections, "the atmosphere would be more congenial." (NNN)

Police said, the woman was a victim of continuous torture from her drunkard husband after which she took up the drastic step. The incident took place at 1 pm. A case was registered against the woman and investigation is on.

Guwahati: Sluggishness has apparently crept into the peace process between the Centre and National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) militants who are in ceasefire since June 1 last year. Lack of progress in the peace process with not a single round of negotiation so far being held between the two sides has created an air of uncertainty.

The NDFB is worried over the delay in starting of the actual negotiation by the Government. "We are in touch with some civil society groups taking opinions about the peace process. We have also contacted other communities like Koch-Rajbongshis, Rabha-Hasong in this regard," said B Susrang, chief of the army wing of the NDFB.

"We sincerely hope that the peace talks will be started soon by the Government to find a solution to the problem as the people of Bodoland want a lasting solution," said Bhobora Olongbar, the deputy chief of army wing and also a member of the outfit's 15-member council of negotiators.

"The Government has asked the NDFB to submit its charter of demands before December 31 last. They sought time till January 31 this year, but still failed to submit the same. We need to identify the substantive issues, which will be discussed before going into negotiations," the senior police official added.

The NDFB leader Mr Olongbar said, "All our demands will be based on the what is there in our constitution and manifesto."