Kolkata, Nov.30 (ANI): Mumbai batsman Wasim Jaffer struck a brilliant and undefeated fifth Test hundred as India moved into an ominous position against Pakistan at the end of the first day's play of the second Test at the Eden Gardens here.

Jaffer unveiled a range of the most breathtaking strokes around the ground as India finished at 352 for three at the close of play. Jaffer was batting on 192, and was given solid support by former skipper Rahul Dravid, who scored 50 in a 134-run stand for the second wicket before apparently being wrongly judged out by West Indian umpire Billy Doctrove.

There then followed a sublime, if at times brutal partnership of 175 runs between Jaffer and Sachin Tendulkar, of which the latter scored 82 before being bowled by leg spinner Danish Kaneria.

Jaffer, compact in defense and offense as always, swiftly left his mark on the Eden Gardens pitch, leaving no one in doubt about his class as an opener.

A straight drive down the ground in the morning session would have been the shot of the day, had he not bettered it four times in one over of left arm fast bowler Sohail Tanvir later. His bony elbows came out for off-side punches and cuts and solid wrists for leg-side clips as India sped away.

After lunch, Pakistan appeared to have cut off the stream of boundaries for a brief while, but Jaffer's touch was not to be denied. When he hit one boundary, he generally followed it with at least one more in the same over.

He hit Tanvir for a brace to move to 99; and two overs later, he brought up his hundred with a drive through cover and then celebrated by clipping two more boundaries through midwicket. A few overs later, Tanvir was clipped, driven and cut for three more in a row, as India raced past 200.

Meanwhile Dravid, surely India's greatest (quasi) opener alongside Sunil Gavaskar, given how early he always comes in, went about his work with typically little fuss. After a couple of early scares, he settled with a redirection through third man and a clip through midwicket.

When Danish Kaneria arrived, he came with gifts for Dravid. With a cover drive to bring up India's fifty and a lovely, wristy late cut in Kaneria's first two overs, Dravid quickly announced that he was wearing the trousers in this relationship. After lunch, he also stalled, preparing seemingly for the big score that has eluded him lately. He would've done it had Billy Doctrove not intervened. Dravid had just reached fifty when he drove at Kaneria; there seemed no edge as Kamran Akmal took the ball somewhere in his midriff. Replays couldn't decide which was worse, Doctrove's decision or Akmal's take.

At the close of play, hometown boy Saurav Ganguly was giving company to Jaffer with an unbeaten 17.

Of the Pakistan bowlers, pace spearhead Shoaib Akhtar bowled only nine overs in the day and went wicketless. The burden of bowling at the Indians was shouldered by Sohail Tanvir, who returned figures of 1 for 118 of 24 overs, Mohammad Sami with none for 56 of 18.3 overs and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, who finished with two wickets for 126 runs of 30 overs.

Given the condition of the pitch, India could pile on the runs on day two as well and put Pakistan under pressure towards the end of play on Saturday. India leads the three-match series 1-0, and would like to wrap a series victory in Kolkata itself. (ANI)
--MP

Kolkata, Nov 30 (ANI): The second Test match between India and Pakistan began at the Eden Gardens stadium here today amid heavy security arrangements in the wake of e-mail threatening to attack the visiting team.

Kolkata Police Commissioner Gautam Mohan Chakraborty said that over 6000 uniformed and policemen in plain clothes have been deployed at and around the stadium.

"There is a three-layer security, starting all the way from channalisers down inside the grounds. So, every spectator is being screened thrice. Everyone is being photographed, but we are doing it in a very disciplined manner, so that nobody is inconvenienced," Chakraborty said.

A local television channel received an e-mail on November 24 threatening blasts in different parts of the country, including Kolkata.

On November 26, the Kolkata Police Commissioner received another e-mail after which an emergency meeting of the top police officials was called to ensure foolproof security for the players.

Meanwhile, despite the threats, cricket enthusiasts thronged the stadium to cheer their teams.

"This time the security is very tight. There are a lot of metal detectors as well. People here are not afraid of the threat. We have come to enjoy the match," said Pranoy Mukherjee, a fan.

Shekhar, another cricket fan, said he was confident of Indian Team's victory.

"I will cheer especially for Sourav (Sourav Ganguly), our pride of Bengal. We won last time and we are sure of winning here too," he said.

Earlier this morning, India won the toss and elected to bat. Though the hosts did not have a good start as they lost the wicket of opener Dinesh Karthik in early overs, Wasim Jaffer and former skipper Rahul Dravid consolidated the innings. 

Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik with an ankle injury is missing the match and vice-captain Younis Khan is leading the side.

The visitors received a boost when fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad
Sami were cleared for the match after passing fitness tests.

Indian Team won the opening Test in New Delhi by six wickets. The final match of the series will be played in Bangalore next week. (ANI)
--MP

Kolkata, Nov 30 (ANI): Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen on Friday said that she has decided to withdraw the controversial lines from her autobiographical novel 'Dwikhandita' in the wake of the protests from a section of people in India. 

'Dwikhandita' (Split in Two), authored by Nasreen in 2002, recalls the incidents in Bangladesh in the 1980s when the military took over the power.  

According to some reports, Nasreen, who is presently staying at an undisclosed location, claimed that she had written the book in support of the people who defended secular values. 

"I had no intention to hurt anybody's sentiment," she was quoted, as saying. 

Nasreen has reportedly already asked the publisher of the book 'People's Book Society' not to circulate its copies and come out with the next edition without the controversial lines. 

Nasreen's latest decision comes days after External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in a suo motto statement in Lok Sabha that the former could continue to get shelter in India, but was expected to refrain from any activity that may hurt the sentiments of the people. 

Nasreen was forced to move out of Kolkata following violent protests by people belonging to the minority community led by All India Minority Forum, who were demanding cancellation of her visa. 

She arrived in Delhi on Friday evening after being sent to Jaipur from Kolkata. 

Nasreen's visa to stay in India is valid till February 17, 2008, and she has been living in exile for more than ten years. 

Since the 1990s, she has faced numerous threats from Islamic groups for her writings. Recently, activists of Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) attacked her at a book release function in Hyderabad. (ANI) -AJ

 

Kolkata, Nov 28 (ANI): Security arrangements have been beefed up in the City of Joy Kolkata in the wake of an email threatening the players of Pakistani cricket team ahead of the second Test match against India to be played at the Eden Gardens from November 30.

An emergency meeting of the top police brass of West Bengal was convened to ensure flawless security arrangements for the players during their stay here.

Three circles of security arrangements have been made for the cricketers, with the West Bengal Police, Kolkata Police and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) commandos being pressed into service.

Top police officials of both Kolkata Police and West Bengal were present at the airport and at the Taj Bengal hotel, where both teams are staying.

Meanwhile, the people here are eagerly awaiting the match despite a terror threat looming large over it. They are expecting a close encounter between the archrivals, as the hosts are 1 up in the three-match series.

"The security in Kolkata is always tight and several matches are played here. The e-mail threat does not matter. A huge crowd will be present to witness the match and everybody knows that the Kolkata crowd is famous. Threats will not make a difference," said Susmato Samaddar, a cricket fan.

"Last time when India and Pakistan played here, the atmosphere was great. But we have mixed memories as the match had to be stopped in the mid way, the spectators were pushed out and there was lots of rioting inside. This time also the atmosphere is electric. We people are ready to cheer the best team it doesn't matter whether it is India or Pakistan," said Avijit Chakraborty, another cricket enthusiast.

The Indian team is upbeat and thirsting for another win after its convincing six-wicket victory in the first match at Delhi's Ferozshah Kotla stadium.

India romped to a six-wicket win over Pakistan on Monday morning, taking 1-0 lead in the three-match series. (ANI)
--MP

Durgapur (West Bengal), Nov 28 (ANI): Police baton charged workers of the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) who demanded better service conditions in Durgapur on Wednesday.

Durgapur is an industrial metropolis in West Bengal, located about 160 km from Kolkata.

Police had to resort to force after some workers prevented their colleagues from going to work.

"We got complain from DVC ( Damodar Valley Corporation) that there were some protestors in front of their office. But there wasn't any road block. The protest was regarding some complains of the local union," said Sankha Biswas, police officer in charge, Durgapur.

The agitators want their wages increased and permanent jobs.

The workers are reported to be linked to the Bharatiya  Mazdoor Morcha Union (BMMU). (ANI)
--MP

Kolkata, Nov 27 (ANI): Indian and Pakistani cricket teams reached here today amidst tight security following an email threat targeting the visiting team.

"We have taken the email threat into consideration. Every time a match is played we maintain tight security and this time too we will provide best of security to the players," Deputy Commissioner of Police, Kolkata (South), Javed Shamim said.

The second test of three match series will be played from November 30 to December 4 at the Eden Gardens.

On Saturday, a television news channel, India TV, had received an email that threatened Pakistani team to leave India, and demanded their withdrawal from the ongoing Test series against the hosts.

The e-mail sent from a Yahoo id also gave details of the 'impending' blasts in different cities including, New Delhi, Kolkata and Islamabad.

The Police Commissioner in Kolkata also received another email threat on Monday after which an emergency meeting of the top brass police officials was called to arrange for flawless security arrangements for the players.

Three tiers of security arrangements, comprising forces from West Bengal Police, Kolkata Police and CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) Commandos, will be in place for the cricketers.

India romped to a six-wicket win over Pakistan in the first test at Ferozshah Kotla ground in New Delhi on Monday, taking the lead in the three-match series. (ANI)
--MP

Kolkata, Nov 27 (ANI): The Calcutta High Court today issued a criminal contempt notice to Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) state Secretary Biman Bose for his remarks that the judiciary was taking biased stand on the Nandigram issue.

The High Court also issued notices to Shyamal Chakrabarty and Binoy Konar and asked all of them to submit their replies by January 31 explaining public statements in which they had condemned the court's role.

On November 17, Bose has said the court ruling that March 14 police firing in Nandigram was "unconstitutional," and a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into it was intervention of judiciary into the work of legislature.

"What is the need then for the executive or legislature, why spend so much on elections if the court will decide everything?," Bose had questioned 

Bose has also urged the West Bengal Government to appeal to the Supreme Court against the High Court's order to ensure the rights of the State.

"I ask the State Government to appeal to the Supreme Court against the judgment to ensure the rights of the State, which were being encroached upon sometimes by the Centre and in the present context, by the judiciary," Bose said.

The High Court, on November 16, had dismissed all petitions filed by the Buddhadeb Bhattacharya Government in connection with the Nandigram violence on March 14.

The High Court, however, asked the State Government to give compensation of five hundred thousand rupees to the families of those who were killed, two hundred thousand rupees to women who were raped or molested, and one hundred thousand rupees to those who were injured.

The West Bengal Government had planned to set up a Special Economic Zone
(SEZ) for chemical industries in Nandigram, but had to abort the project as villagers refused to give their farmland for the project.

The row saw violent clashes between residents opposed to the project and the communist supporters as well as police.

At least six villagers were killed and dozens injured in Nandigram last week in clashes between rival groups led by Communists and a frontal organisation backed by Trinamool Congress party. (ANI)
--MP

New Delhi/ Haora (WB), Nov 27 (ANI): Working in pitiable conditions, labourers at one of the West Bengal's many manufacturing units, make manhole covers and other utilities for New York and other cities in the West.

According to a report, these barefoot, shirtless, whip-thin men, and seemingly impervious to the heat generated from the burning metal, rely on their strength and bare hands, rather than the machinery.

The foundry, Shakti Industries in Haora, produces manhole covers for Con Edison and New York City's Department of Environmental Protection, as well as for departments in New Orleans and Syracuse.

The photographers, who often work with The New York Times, were moved during a recent visit to Haora on seeing the condition of workers at the place where New York's manhole covers are born.

Safety precautions are barely in evidence; just a few pairs of eye goggles were seen in use, the International Herald Tribune reports.

Photographers took back photographs and showed them to officials at Con Edison - which buys a quarter of its manhole covers, roughly 2,750 a year, from India.

On seeing the photographs, Con Edison officials were surprised.

"We were disturbed by the photos," Michael S. Clendenin, director of media relations with Con Edison was quoted, as saying.

"We take worker safety very seriously," Clendenin said.

Now, the utility said, it is rewriting international contracts to include safety requirements.

Contracts will now require overseas manufacturers to "take appropriate actions to provide a safe and healthy workplace," and to follow local and federal guidelines in India, Clendenin said.

At Shakti, a few women were also working. The temperature outside the factory yard was more than 100 degrees on a September visit.

Several feet from where the metal was being poured, the area felt like an oven, and the workers were slick with sweat.

Often, sparks flew from pots of the molten metal onto the clothes of the workers.

Once the metal solidified and cooled, workers removed the manhole cover casting from the mould and then, in the last step in the production process, ground and polished the rough edges.

Finally, the men stacked the covers and bolted them together for shipping.

"We can't maintain the luxury of Europe and the United States, with all the boots and all that," Shakti Industries director Sunil Modi was quoted, as saying.

He said, however, that the foundry never had accidents.

At the Shakti Industries foundry, "there are no accidents, never ever," Modi said. "By God's will, it's all fine."

He was concerned about the attention, afraid that contracts would be pulled and jobs lost, the report said.

New York City's Department of Environmental Protection, another buyer of sewer manhole covers from India, said that state law requires the city to buy the lowest-priced products available that fit its specifications.

Mark Daly, director of communications for the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, said the law forbids the city from excluding companies based on where a product is manufactured.

Con Edison said it did not plan to cancel any of its contracts with Shakti after seeing the photographs.

Manhole covers manufactured in India can be anywhere from 20 to 60 percent cheaper than those made in the United States, said Alfred Spada, the spokesman for the American Foundry Society.

Workers at foundries in India are paid the equivalent of a few dollars a day, while foundry workers in the United States earn about 25 dollars an hour.

India's 1948 Factory Safety Act addresses cleanliness, ventilation, waste treatment, overtime pay and fresh drinking water, but the only protective gear it specifies is safety goggles.

Modi said that his factory followed basic safety regulations and that workers should not be barefoot. "It must have been a very hot day" when the photos were taken, he said.

Some labour activists in India say that injuries are far higher than figures show. "Many accidents are not being reported," said H. Mahadevan, the deputy general secretary for the All-India Trade Union Congress.

Safety, overall, is "not taken as a serious concern by employers or trade unions," Mahadevan added. (ANI)
--MP

New Delhi, Nov 2 (ANI): The Union Government today approved in principle a 8,000-crore-rupee package for flood control programmes that includes pending schemes in North Bihar and West Bengal, and prevention of erosion in basins of rivers Ganga and Bhagirathi.

The Union Cabinet gave its approval in principle to the project for taking up river management, flood control, anti-erosion works, drainage development, flood proofing, flood prone area development programme, restoration of damaged flood management works, in the entire country, Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said.

The National Common Minimum Programme (NCMP) mentions that pending flood control and, drainage schemes in North Bihar and West Bengal, including prevention of erosion in Ganga-Padma and Bhagirathi, would be completed expeditiously.

The NCMP also states that the Central Government would fully support flood control works in inter-state and international Rivers, the government release said.

An Empowered Committee of Secretaries headed by the Finance Secretary was constituted to select projects under the scheme in the Ganga Basin, Brahmputra and Barak basins and other areas on the basis of Detailed Project Report.

The Scheme will be implemented through State Government and monitored by Ganga Flood Board and Central Water Commission. Their progress will be evaluated through remote sensing techniques and through independent agency. (ANI)
--MP

Kolkata, Nov 2 (ANI): Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Prakash Karat today said it is not necessary to hold a voting resolution in Parliament on the much-touted Indo-US bilateral civil nuclear deal.

"We would like a discussion on the US nuclear deal in the Parliament. We are not insisting on a discussion of a voting resolution; it can be a non-voting resolution," Karat told reporters.

On October 31, almost three months after the crisis began for the UPA Government over the contentious nuclear deal triggered by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's warning to the Left, Karat lauded Singh's 'unquestioned integrity' and made it clear that the Left Front wants the UPA Government to complete its full term.

Karat had said that in spite of a 'basic difference' with the Prime Minister on the nuclear agreement, the Left "recognises that he (Singh) has strong convictions on the soundness and utility of the agreement."

"Our differing view on the agreement does not mean that we do not have respect for the Prime Minister. His integrity is unquestioned," Karat added.

Earlier last week, U S Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and US Ambassador to India, David Mulford met BJP President Rajnath Singh and leader of opposition Lal Krishna Advani to discuss the issues pertaining to the nuke deal.

The civilian nuclear cooperation deal aims to lift a three-decade ban on sales of US nuclear fuel and reactors to India, imposed after the latter conducted a nuclear test in 1974, while staying out of non-proliferation agreements.

The deal has brought the Manmohan Singh led UPA government to the brink of collapse as Left parties that provide outside support to the coalition government threatened to withdraw its support if the pact is pursued.

The communists have rejected the deal, saying it hurts India's sovereignty and imposes US hegemony.

The deal faces an informal US deadline related to securing approval of America's Congress well before presidential polls next year.

U.S. Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns, Washington's main negotiator for the pact, had said that India did not have an unlimited amount of time.

The Bush Administration wants the agreement to go to Congress for its backing by the end of the year, he said in New York.

That deadline would be virtually impossible to meet if India does not move now to secure approvals from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

Last month, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee had said that the talks with the Left parties on the Indo-US deal would continue beyond the November 16 meeting.

"We are working to reconcile a position... We are trying to get a solution. Let us see what is the outcome of the meeting on November 16," Mukherjee, who is the convenor of the special UPA-Left committee, said, adding that it would not be the last meeting with the Left on the issue.

Expressing the hope of sorting out the differences with the Left parties, Mukherjee asserted that divergence views would be narrowed down, and rejected the viewpoint that the nuclear deal was dead.

The special committee of the UPA and the Left, formed to resolve disagreements between the two sides over the nuclear deal, held deliberations for the fifth time on the issue on October 22.

They decided to continue the talks even as the 'unofficial' deadline for India to initiate formal negotiations with the IAEA for country-specific agreements ends in October.  

There has been a general opinion that the bilateral agreement could be difficult to operationalise since Left parties are trying to woo the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) to launch a joint opposition to the deal.

Three more steps are required to operationalise the deal that include, safeguard agreement with the IAEA, amendment in the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group's charter and the passing of the 123-agreement by the US Congress. (ANI)
--MP

New Delhi, Nov 25 (ANI): Coming down heavily on the West Bengal and the UPA governments, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today demanded that a political refugee status should be given to controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen who been has moving from one place to another for a safe haven.

"She is entitled to all rights which have been given to the Tibetan refugees," the BJP said in a statement issued here today.

The party further said that Taslima was a victim of religious persecution in Bangladesh, adding that to eject a refugee under pressures from religious groups is to submit to Islamic fundamentalists.

"The harassment of Taslima by the West Bengal Government has thrown up an important question as to how a victim of persecution is treated by a civilised state in which the victim seeks a refuge as an asylum," the party statement said.

"A victim of political persecution is being persecuted further since fellow travelling with fundamentalism wins vote banks. The irony of this issue is the customary silence of the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Central Government," it added.

Commenting on the developments of Nandigram, the party said that it has shown to the whole country the real, ugly and fascist face of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M).

"The CPI-M is hostile to any form of dissent and criticism. To use the political cadres as an instrument of repression on dissidents is unprecedented," the party said.

On Thursday Taslima had to leave her home in Kolkata and boarded a flight to Jaipur in a burqa, after her presence in the West Bengal capital sparked violent protests in the city.

However, the Rajasthan Government also cited security reasons and sent her to the national capital within hours after she had reached Jaipur.

The Centre has assured full protection to her.

Nasreen's visa to stay in India is valid till February 17, 2008, and she has been living in exile for more than ten years.

Since the 1990s, Nasreen has faced numerous threats from Islamic groups for her writings. Recently, activists of Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) at a book release function in Hyderabad attacked her.

The European Parliament awarded her the Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought in 1994. (ANI) (ANI)
--MP

Jaipur/New Delhi, Nov 25 (ANI): The recent incidents surrounding exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen have evoked mixed responses here with few coming out in support of her, while others expressing their unhappiness over the controversial author's 'attack' against Islam.

Nasreen is presently in the national capital after she was moved out of Kolkata and sent to Jaipur, and her plight has led to some social activists questioning the role of the West Bengal and Rajasthan governments.

"Is there no space left for her that Taslima Nasreen has being kicked off to Delhi? Our protest is against the West Bengal government, Rajasthan government and other orthodox groups who have held the country to ransom," says Kavita Srivastava, a social activist.

"It is unbearable that a writer of Taslima's stature had her right of expression and the right to live safely hampered with and we are here to protest that," she adds.

On Saturday hundreds of social activists in Jaipur took to streets and formed a human chain in support of the author's cause, who has been served a 'death warrant' by Muslim clerics for attacking Islam in her book 'Lajja'.

Political leaders like, Farooq Abdullah, who has also served as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir argues that Nasreen should 'respect' each religion.

"Attacking religion in any form is objectionable as far as India is concerned. If she wants to attack, she can go somewhere else but not in India. We are a country, which has got multiple religions, and in those multiple religions you have to respect each religion. If you don't respect them you are going to be in trouble," Abdullah said.

Meanwhile, the controversial author spoke to a private news channel and said that she was emotionally touched by the responses that she has been getting from the people in India.

''I miss my home, I miss my Kolkata. I don't want to leave India for any other country,'' NDTV quoted her, as saying.

On Thursday she had to leave her home in Kolkata and boarded a flight to Jaipur in a burqa, after her presence in the West Bengal capital sparked violent protests in the city.

However, the Rajasthan government also cited security reasons and sent her to the national capital within hours after she had reached Jaipur.

The Centre has assured full protection to her.

Nasreen's visa to stay in India is valid till February 17, 2008, and she has been living in exile for more than ten years.

Since the 1990s, Nasreen has faced numerous threats from Islamic groups for her writings. Recently, she was attacked by activists of Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) at a book release function in Hyderabad.

The European Parliament awarded her the Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought in 1994. (ANI)
--MP

New Delhi, Nov 24 (ANI): Former Parliamentarian B L Sharma Prem Singh Sher has offered to adopt controversial Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen as his own daughter.

Nasreen, who reached Delhi on Friday night by road after an overnight stay in Jaipur, was moved out of Kolkata after Wednesday's violent protest by All India Minority Forum (AIMF).

Prem Singh Sher said that he would like to adopt her as his third daughter provided she agrees to it and the legal formalities are completed.

Criticising the move by the West Bengal government to send her to Jaipur, he said that he would protect the author as per the Hindu traditions.

The Centre on Friday assured full protection to the controversial writer, who has been living in exile for more than ten years now after her novel, Lajja, was termed anti-Islamic by religious leaders in her home country.

Since the 1990s, Nasreen has faced numerous threats from Islamic groups for her writings. Recently, she was attacked by activists of Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) at a book release function in Hyderabad. (ANI)
--MP

Darjeeling, Nov 24 (ANI): The situation is peaceful in the Darjeeling Hills after a leader of an ethnic group fighting for a separate homeland was attacked by a rival faction.

There is no report of any untoward incidents since last night.

The Army was called out on Friday evening following the violent incidents. Prohibitory orders have been imposed in the town and the Rapid Action Force has conducted a flag march.

"Army has been called out and they staged flag march in the city to restore confidence among the tourists. We have imposed prohibitory orders and it will continue," said R.J.S. Nalwa, Inspector General of Police, North Bengal.

A four-day shutdown is on in the town over rival claims for a separate homeland for 'Gorkhas'.

Rival factions called for a shutdown in pockets of their influence. While one faction is in favour of the inclusion of the hills in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, the second is not.

The powerful Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) wants the Darjeeling Hills to be included in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, while the Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha (GJMM), a breakaway faction of the GNLF, led by Bimal Gurung, opposes the demand.

K.B. Gurung, a former councillor of GNLF, was critically wounded allegedly by GJMM activists and shifted to a hospital in Siliguri.

"After they (Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha) attacked a member of our group, police came. Darjeeling will remain closed until police arrests the culprit," said Bimal Gurung, President of the GNLF Darjeeling district committee.

GNLF launched the agitation for a separate state in 1980 but dropped the demand for Sixth Schedule after New Delhi agreed to confer partial autonomy in 1988 for the Nepalese-speaking people.

An agreement was signed by the Central Government, the State Government of
West Bengal and the GNLF paving way for the setting up of the Autonomous Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (ADGHC) in 1988.

The State Government in West Bengal has been resisting demands for a separate state to Gorkhas. (ANI)
- AY

Kolkata, Nov 23 (ANI): Kolkata remained peaceful today as the army and the police jointly patrolled localities that were hit by violence on Wednesday.

The army, which was deployed on Wednesday following violent clashes has been kept on stand by.

According to official sources, the State Government will take a final decision on how long the army will be deployed and whether it is to be withdrawn in phases.

According to sources, four columns of the army, comprising 360 personnel, conducted a flag march in Moulali, Mullickbazar, Ripon Street, Park Circus, Topsia, Beniapukur and adjacent areas throughout Thursday night.

Some schools, closed on Thursday in the affected areas, were slated to reopen and small shops, located in the interior of the violence-hit areas, also began normal business this morning.

Curfew was relaxed on Thursday which was imposed following violent protests by the All India Minority Forum (AIMF) over the violence in Nandigram and a demand for the cancellation of Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen's visa.

It was for the first time since the 1992 riots that the Army was called in to restore order in the city.

Violent clashes between Communist supporters, police and locals opposed to the project have been taking place since January.

At least six villagers were killed and dozens injured in Nandigram last week in clashes between rival groups led by Communists and a frontal organisation backed by Trinamool Congress party. (ANI)

- AY

Darjeeling, Nov 23 (ANI): A four-day shutdown has begun in the Darjeeling Hills over rival claims for a separate homeland for 'Gorkhas'.

Schools, shops and offices remained closed while public transport was crippled. However, emergency and essential services were exempt.

Rival factions called for a shutdown in pockets of their influence. While one faction is in favour of the inclusion of the hills in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, the second is not.

The powerful Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) wants the Darjeeling Hills to be included in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, while the Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha (GJMM), a breakaway faction of the GNLF, led by Bimal Gurung, opposes the demand.

"We have declared a shutdown and are protesting peacefully. This strike has been successful. The locals are supporting us," said Lalit Thapa, a GJMM leader.

GNLF launched the agitation for a separate state in 1980 but dropped the demand for Sixth Schedule after New Delhi agreed to confer partial autonomy in 1988 for the Nepalese-speaking people.

An agreement was signed by the Central Government, the State Government of
West Bengal and the GNLF paving way for the setting up of the Autonomous Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (ADGHC) in 1988.

The State Government in West Bengal has been resisting demands for a separate state to Gorkhas. (ANI)

- AY

Kolkata, Nov 23 (ANI): People from all walks of life took out a silent peace march here on Thursday, as the city limped back to normalcy after Wednesday's clashes over Nandigram and Taslima Nasreen.

A number of social activists, writers and intellectuals, with cloth tied across their mouths, walked down the streets appealing for peace.

"We are going to march till Dharamtala with a cloth tied across our mouth expressing regret over what happened on Wednesday. We are surely not on the path of non-violence. This is the first time the army has been deployed. Even if the army was called out, it was against the people, not for them," said social
activist, Medha Patkar.

Iman-ul Haque, a writer and social worker added, "We want peace in Kolkata. This violence, unruliness and rowdiness is not acceptable to us."

Shops reopened, children returned to school and a curfew was lifted in the city on Thursday after the army patrolled the streets to quell riots.

A curfew was imposed in various parts of Kolkata following violent protests by the All India Minority Forum over the violence in Nandigram and a demand for the cancellation of Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen's visa.

The West Bengal Government was on Wednesday forced to deploy army soldiers in various parts of Kolkata after demonstrators under the banner of All India Minority Forum (AIMF) blocked roads and clashed with police.

It was for the first time since the 1992 riots that the Army was called in to restore order in the city.

Describing the turn of events as "unfortunate", Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said the violence had "tarnished" the name of the city.

The Communist Government in West Bengal had planned to set up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for chemical industries in Nandigram, 150 km southwest of Kolkata, but had to abort the project after villagers refused to give up their lands.

Violent clashes between Communist supporters, police and locals opposed to the project have been taking place since January.

At least six villagers were killed and dozens injured in Nandigram last week in clashes between rival groups led by Communists and a frontal organisation backed by Trinamool Congress party. (ANI)
- AY

New Delhi, Nov 23 (ANI): The Centre on Friday assured full protection to controversial Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen who was sent to the national capital after Rajasthan government declined to allow her stay in Jaipur.

In a brief statement released by the Union Home Ministry, it stated, "She (Taslima Nasreen) has a valid Indian visa till February 17, 2008. She should be given appropriate security wherever she is."

"If necessary, Home Ministry will speak to concerned State governments to ensure this. We are keeping a watch on the situation," it added.

Nasreen, who reached Delhi by road after an overnight stay in Jaipur, was moved out of Kolkata after Wednesday's violent protest by All India Minority Forum (AIMF).

The Army was called in and curfew was imposed in various parts of Kolkata following violent protests.

Meanwhile, a top official of the West Bengal Government said that he has no information about Taslima and that she is an independent person to move wherever she likes in India.
 
Nasreen has been living in exile for more than ten years now after her novel, Lajja, was termed anti-Islamic by religious leaders in her home country.

Since the 1990s, Nasreen has faced numerous threats from Islamic groups for her writings. Recently, she was attacked by activists of Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) at a book release function in Hyderabad. (ANI)
--MP

Jaipur, Nov 22 (ANI): Controversial Bangladesh author Taslima Nasreen was sent to Jaipur from Kolkata on Thursday, a day after violent protests in West Bengal capital led to the army being called in there.

CPI (M) leader Biman Bose on Wednesday had suggested that Nasreen should be sent either to Jaipur or Gujarat in the wake of protests against her stay in Kolkata.

Her transit to Jaipur has been felicitated by Home Ministry, according to sources.

Curfew was imposed in various parts of Kolkata on Wednesday following violent protests by the All India Minority Forum over the violence in Nandigram and a demand for the cancellation of Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen's visa. (ANI)
--MP

New Delhi, Nov 22 (ANI): The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday launched a hard-hitting criticism against CPI (M) for being unable to handle the situation in Nandigram, and demanded imposition of Centre's rule in the State, alleging that it has no faith in the West Bengal government 's sincerity in implementing directions of the Union Home Ministry.

BJP leader Sushma Swaraj, who had recently visited violence-hit Nandigram, led the BJP's attack in the Rajya Sabha when the House met to discuss over the recent incidents of violence over the land acquisition for a SEZ plant in West Bengal.

Swaraj said that the House should unanimously pass a resolution condemning the recent incidents of violence in Nandigram and the violent takeover of the village by CPI (M) cadres. She also asked how the Centre and the State Government would be able to tackle the growing influence of Maoists in the region, since intelligence reports suggest that naxals played an active role there.

However, the situation turned worse with CPI (M) leaders protesting Swaraj's contention, and the BJP members retaliating back that with shouts of 'shame, shame.' (ANI)
--MP

Kolkata, Nov 22 (ANI): Curfew, which was imposed in Kolkata following violent protests on Wednesday, was relaxed this morning in five police station areas as the situation returned to normal.

"The city is fast returning to normalcy. Schools and colleges are opening. People have also resumed their normal life," Police Commissioner, Gautam Mohan Chakrabarty said.

Curfew was imposed in various parts of Kolkata from 10.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m. on Wednesday following violent protests by the All India Minority Forum over the violence in Nandigram and a demand for the cancellation of Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen's visa.

No further clashes were reported during the night.

Flag marches, however, will continue this morning in places that saw violence on Wednesday. 

"The Army and the police are jointly patrolling the affected areas of the city," Chakrabarty added.

The Army will also review the situation after which, the government might take a decision on army deployment.

The West Bengal Government was on Wednesday forced to deploy army soldiers in various parts of Kolkata after demonstrators under the banner of All India Minority Forum (AIMF) blocked roads and clashed with police.

It was for the first time since the 1992 riots that the Army was called in to restore order in the city.

Describing the turn of events as "unfortunate", Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said the violence had "tarnished" the name of the city.

Reacting to the prevailing situation in Nandigram, senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Karan Singh termed the issue as a national tragedy.

He said the situation in Nandigram is "still far from normal," and called upon both the West Bengal and the Central governments to work towards providing adequate compensation to the victims.

On the other hand, BJP MP Yashwant Sinha said that the true face of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has been revealed through the  Nandigram crisis.

The issue also rocked the Winter Session of Parliament, which began a debate on it on Wednesday.

Leader of Opposition, LK Advani, compared the violence in West Bengal's Nandigram area to the violence that was seen in Tiananmen Square in Beijing in 1989. 

The Communist Government in West Bengal had planned to set up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for chemical industries in Nandigram, 150 km southwest of Kolkata, but had to abort the project after villagers refused to give up their lands.

Violent clashes between Communist supporters, police and locals opposed to the project have been taking place since January.

At least six villagers were killed and dozens injured in Nandigram last week in clashes between rival groups led by Communists and a frontal organisation backed by Trinamool Congress party. (ANI)
- AY

Kolkata, Nov 21 (ANI): Night curfew was imposed in various parts of Kolkata today after demonstrators protesting against violence in Nandigram and demanding the cancellation of visa of Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen, clashed with police.

The situation in Kolkata was still tense but stated to be under control.

The Union Home Ministry is in constant touch with the Chief Secretary and other senior officers of the West Bengal Government.

Reacting to the prevailing situation in Nandigram, senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Karan Singh termed the issue as a national tragedy.

He said the situation in Nandigram is "still far from normal," and called upon both the West Bengal and the Central governments to work towards providing adequate compensation to the victims.

On the other hand, BJP MP Yashwant Sinha said that the true face of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has been revealed in Nandigram crisis.

"There is no difference between autocratic rule of Hitler, Stalin and (West Bengal Chief Minister) Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee," Sinha said.

The West Bengal Government was today forced to deploy army troops in various parts of Kolkata after demonstrators under the banner of All India Minority Forum (AIMF) blocked roads and clashed with police.

The government sought six columns of army, including four columns on the standby.

The army staged flag marches in sensitive areas in Central Kolkata.

The State Government also deployed personnel of the elite Rapid Action Force (RAF) to quell the disturbance that has brought normal life in Kolkata to a standstill.

The mob damaged 30 public buses and set over 10 private cars on fire.

Initially, as police intervened to persuade the protestors to lift their blockade, the mob turned unruly and started pelting stones at the police.

The police had to baton charge the protestors. Teargas was also used to keep the protestors at bay.

In clashes on Ripon Street in Central Kolkata, several protestors and policemen were injured.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (south) Javed Shamim was injured when the police tried to lift the blockade on the arterial AJC Bose Road.

Hundreds of demonstrators threw stones and empty glass bottles and traffic was badly affected in Central Kolkata.

"The traffic has been blocked. For one hour I have been stranded. Starting from Khidampur to Central Kolkata there is a traffic jam," said Sikander, one of the harried commuters.

The blockades have been cleared, but the situation is still volatile in Kolkata.

The Communist Government in West Bengal had planned to set up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for chemical industries in Nandigram, 150 km southwest of Kolkata, but had to abort the project after villagers refused to give up their lands.

Violent clashes between Communist supporters, police and locals opposed to the project have been taking place since January.

At least six villagers were killed and dozens injured in Nandigram last week in clashes between rival groups led by Communists and a frontal organisation backed by Trinamool Congress party.

The issue has also rocked the Winter Session of Parliament, which began a debate on it today. Senior BJP leader L K Advani began the debate from the Opposition side, and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is currently attending the ASEAN Summit in Singapore, is expected to reply on Thursday morning. (ANI)
--MP

New Delhi, Nov 21 (ANI): Leader of Opposition, LK Advani, today compared the violence in West Bengal's Nandigram area to the violence that was seen in Tiananmen Square in Beijing in 1989, as the debate on Nandigram began in Lok Sabha. 

Opening the debate on the Nandigram issue, Advani asked the Central Government to ensure that the order of the Calcutta High Court regarding rehabilitation and compensation of Nandigram victims is executed. 

"The Governor (Gopal Krishna Gandhi) should be called to Delhi to explain the situation," he said, adding that it was the responsibility of Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and the Governor to ensure peace in the region.  

He even said that if required, Article 355 or Article 356, should be imposed in the State.He informed the Lower House about his meeting with West Bengal Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi during his Nandigram visit. "Parliament, government, nation have the right to know what happened in Nandigram and why," he added. 

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is currently attending the ASEAN Summit in Singapore, is expected to make his statement on Thursday morning. 

Earlier today, the BJP raised objection to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's absence from Parliament during Question Hour. 

Senior BJP leader V K Malhotra raised the issue when questions pertaining to ministries handled by the Prime Minister were being discussed.  

"Parliament is in session for barely 14 days and the Prime Minister is away for seven days," Malhotra said in the Lok Sabha.
The Prime Minster is also scheduled to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kampala in Uganda. 

The Nandigram issue is being discussed under Rule 193 that does not allow voting after discussion.The Centre decided to discuss Nandigram in hope of ending the deadlock in Parliament. The decision to discuss the issue came after a series of negotiations between the Left and the Opposition. 

The BJP and the CPI (M) leaders confirmed that the agreed text of the motion would refer to the proposal to set up a Special Economic Zone in Nandigram and the "consequent violence" witnessed thereof.  

Meanwhile, the West Bengal Government today called out the Army in various parts of Kolkata after demonstrators protesting against violence in Nandigram and demanding the cancellation of visa of Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen, clashed with police. 

The State Government also deployed personnel of the elite Rapid Action Force (RAF) to quell the disturbance that has brought normal life in Kolkata to a standstill.  

The Communist Government in West Bengal had planned to set up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for chemical industries in Nandigram, 150 km southwest of Kolkata, but had to abort the project after villagers refused to give up their lands.  

Violent clashes between Communist supporters, police and locals opposed to the project have been taking place since January. 

At least six villagers were killed and dozens injured in Nandigram last week in clashes between rival groups led by Communists and a frontal organisation backed by Trinamool Congress party. (ANI) -AJ

Mangaldihi, (West Bengal), Nov 21 (ANI): Two persons were injured in a village in West Bengal's Birbhum District  while chasing away a herd of elephants, that went on rampage in paddy fields.

Mangaldihi villagers said these types of incidents are common in the area.

Tuskers are forced by their dwindling natural habitat to emerge from time to time in search of food, and therefore, come into conflict with the village population.

"I saw an elephant around 6.30, it was drinking water in the pond, I informed others about it, and then, we also informed the police," said Sadhan Late, a villager.

The forest department has appealed to villagers not to provoke or harm the beasts as it is taking measures to move the elephants back into the jungle.

"Our team, comprising of district officials is coming and we are trying to move the elephants back into the forest," said Sirajur Haq, a forest official.

India has been struggling to tackle with the problem of shrinking wildlife and encroaching human habitats.

Home to 50,000 elephants a century ago, just 26,400 elephants were found roaming national parks and forests in 2002. Worse, the first comprehensive elephant census published in 2005 showed a steep drop in numbers to just 21,300 elephants.

A recent survey by the Federal Environment Ministry reported a steady depletion of forestland in 11 major wildlife reserves since 1997.

According to the survey, only 20 percent of India's landmass is forested and just 120,000 square kilometres (46,340 square miles) -- less than four percent of the country -- of that is suitable for elephants.(ANI)
--MP

Kolkata, Nov 21 (ANI): The West Bengal Government today called out the Army in various parts of Kolkata after demonstrators protesting against violence in Nandigram and demanding the cancellation of visa of Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen, clashed with police.

The State Government also deployed personnel of the elite Rapid Action Force (RAF) to quell the disturbance that has brought normal life in Kolkata to a standstill.

The protestors under the banner of All India Minority Forum (AIMF) reportedly set up road blockades to protest the turmoil in Nandigram. They burnt two vehicles, including a police vehicle.

Initially, police had to baton charge the protestors belonging to the All India Minority Forum (AIMF). Teargas was also used to keep the protestors at bay.

In clashes on Ripon Street in Central Kolkata, several protestors and policemen were injured.

Kolkata's Deputy Commissioner of Police, Javed Shamim, was also reportedly injured in the clashes. Hundreds of demonstrators threw stones and empty glass bottles and traffic was badly affected in Central and Eastern Kolkata.

The Communist Government in West Bengal had planned to set up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for chemical industries in Nandigram, 150 km southwest of Kolkata, but had to abort the project after villagers refused to give up their lands.

Violent clashes between Communist supporters, police and locals opposed to the project have been taking place since January.

At least six villagers were killed and dozens injured in Nandigram last week in clashes between rival groups led by Communists and a frontal organisation backed by Trinamool Congress party.

The issue has also rocked the Winter Session of Parliament, which is debating it today. Senior BJP leader L K Advani began the debate from the Opposition side, and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is currently attending the ASEAN Summit in Singapore, is expected to reply on Thursday morning. (ANI)
--MP

New Delhi, Nov 20 (ANI): Social activist Medha Patkar today slammed the West Bengal Government for its apathy over the prevailing situation in Nandigram.

Addressing a press conference here, Patkar, who is supporting the cause of farmers, called the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) policy as unconstitutional.

Terming the prevailing situation in Nandigram as a war by the state against its own people, she said, "(Forcible occupation of territory) is war, what else? And that is what is being tried out in Nandigram. And, till date, there is no peace. It may be 'Shamshan' (graveyard) like) peace, not the real 'shanti' (peace)."

The Communist government in West Bengal had planned to set up a SEZ for chemical industries in Nandigram, 150 km southwest of Kolkata, but had to abort the project as villagers refused to give up their farmlands.

The row saw violent clashes between communist supporters, police and locals opposed to the project since January.

At least six villagers were killed and dozens injured in Nandigram last week in clashes between rival groups led by Communists and a frontal organisation backed by Trinamool Congress party.

The issue also rocked Parliament on Monday, and was adjourned as many opposition leaders held the government responsible for the row. (ANI)
--MP

Kolkata, Nov 20 (ANI): A major fire broke out in a three-storied building in Kolkata's Elgin Road in the early hours of Tuesday, gutting three buildings inside an industrial estate in Kshidirpur area.

However, no casualties were reported. 

Preliminary investigations revealed that a short circuit caused the fire in a warehouse, which quickly spread to the neighbouring buildings.

"The fire started around 11:30-11:45 and it spread to the neighbouring buildings from a warehouse storing manufactured refrigerators. It spread rapidly from here and became uncontrollable," said, Babloo Karim, an eyewitness.

"The fire broke out in three factories and the ceilings collapsed as a result of which, it took time for us to extinguish the fire," said A.K. Mukherjee, Divisional Fire Officer, West Bengal Fire Service, Biyala Division, adding that no casualty was reported.

It took more than two hours for 20 fire engines to douse the fire. (ANI)
--MP

New Delhi, Nov 21 (ANI): Lok Sabha will take up the issue of Nandigram for discussion today, but not as a law and order problem.

The Nandigram issue will be discussed under Rule 193 that does not allows a voting after discussion.

The issue will be taken up after the Question Hour and the Leader of Opposition, L K Advani, will initiate the debate.

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil will reply to the discussion. The decision to discuss the issue came after a series of negotiations between the Left and the Opposition.

Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and other Left parties, the Janata Dal (United), the Biju Janata Dal and others met several times to arrive at an agreement to debate the issue in the House.

Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee had been saying that he would like to accommodate the BJP's demands for a discussion on the issue although, strictly speaking, it was a State subject.

However, he insisted on a text of the motion that was "admissible" under the rules.

The BJP and the CPI (M) leaders confirmed that the agreed text of the motion would refer to the proposal to set up a special economic zone in Nandigram and the "consequent violence" witnessed.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister P R Dasmunsi on Tuesday said, "The stalemate created over discussion on Nandigram has been resolved nicely and with great harmony. The BJP is not moving an adjournment motion and there will be a short-duration discussion on the issue."

Dasmunsi, however, confirmed it would be 'Nandigram-specific' and not an omnibus topic dealing with extremist violence in different states. (ANI)

- AY

New Delhi, Nov 20 (ANI): The winter session of the Parliament has
failed  to  take  off  as the recent  incidents  of  violence  in
Nandigram  rocked the Parliament for a second consecutive day  on
Tuesday.

Rajya  Sabha was adjourned for the day after  opposition  members
led by the BJP insisted on a debate on Nandigram issue.

The Left Front, wary of having a debate on this issue, has stated
that the incident in a state issue that requires no debate in the
Parliament.

As  the  proceedings commenced for the day,  National  Democratic
Alliance  (NDA) members raised slogans and trooped into the  Well
of the House.

They  demanded  an immediate debate on the  issue  by  suspending
Question Hour.

Chairman  Hamid  Ansari  pleaded with them to go  back  to  their
seats,  but without paying much attention, members forced him  to
adjourn the House till noon.

Similar  kind of scenes was also witnessed in the Lok Sabha  when
proceedings resumed today.

Lok  Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee first adjourned  the  house
till noon, but with the situation remains same, it was  adjourned
till 2.00.

Chatterjee also expressed readiness for a discussion but under  a
proper rule.

As  soon the House met for the day, NDA members  shouted  slogans
and demanded the suspension of Question Hour.

They  rushed into the Well demanding an immediate debate  on  the
matter.

Terming the attitude of NDA members as 'displeasing',  Chatterjee
said a discussion can be allowed only if a motion in this  regard
is moved in a "proper form".

He  said  that political parties' leaders had met on  Monday  and
decided to hold debate in a proper manner.

Commenting  on this, Parliamentary Affairs Minister P R  Dasmunsi
said,  "The  government  had no objection  to  a  short  duration
discussion  within the framework of proper rules and  consent  of
the Chair." (ANI)


- AY

New Delhi, Nov.20 (ANI): The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative
(CHRI) has expressed shock over the recent violence in nandigram,
West Bengal.

In  a  statement issued to the media, the CHRI said:  "Events  in
Nandigram,  West  Bengal,  have shocked  the  conscience  of  the
nation.   The   State   Government  seems   to   have   abdicated
responsibility  and  admits having outsourced law  and  order  to
varying party cadres and armed gangs, infiltrated by criminal and
other extremist elements, from time to time."

"The  objectivity  and  impartiality required in  law  and  order
matters  is  glaring  in its absence.  Furthermore,  the  primary
institution  to  protect the basic rights of  life,  liberty  and
property-  the  police - has failed abysmally  in  its  essential
duty,  pointing  to  deep-rooted malaise plaguing  it,  the  CHRI
statement added. 

"The  CHRI joins with others in civil society in protesting  this
cycle  of  events and the attendant violence, rape,  assault  and
eviction  of innocent villagers from their homes. It  calls  upon
all  concerned to cooperate fully with the para military  Central
Reserve  Ppolice  Force  and other law  enforcement  agencies  in
restoring  peace  and  normalcy and  rehabilitating  the  hapless
victims without conditionalities of any kind."

"The Governor has expressed his deep concern with Nandigram being
turned  into  a "war zone" and being "recaptured"  and  the  High
Court  has  ordered  a  full CBI inquiry  within  a  month.  CHRI
endorses  these  statements  and  calls  upon  all  concerned  to
cooperate  fully with the inquiry and take prompt action  on  its
findings  so that all those guilty of taking the law  into  their
own  hand or dereliction of duty are held duly accountable,"  the
CHRI concluded. (ANI)

- AY

Kolkata, Nov 20 (ANI): Traffic was disrupted in Kolkata on Monday
as Trinamool Congress supporters marched towards the city  square
in protest against the violence in Nandigram.

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee blamed the armed  cadres
of  the  Communist Party of India (Marxist)  for  unleashing  the
violence.

"We   have  certain  political  integrity,  that's  why  we   are
countering the CPM's misrule. Everyday atrocities have been going
on.  This government has committed so many crimes that one  fails
to  understand, how the CPM has managed all this. CPM cadres  are
in   the  police.  CPM  members  are  infiltrating   daily   into
Nandigram," Mamta said.

Over 100 local journalists also took part in the protest.

Union  Minister  of State for Home Affairs,  Sriprakash  Jaiswal,
however, ruled out Central Government intervention in Nandigram.

"We  send  paramilitary  forces  at  the  request  of  the  State
Government.
Paramilitary forces move on the order of district administration.
We cannot interfere in that matter. That's the responsibility  of
the  State Government and district administration," Jaiswal  said
on the sidelines of a function in Kolkata.

On Monday, the Supreme Court dismissed a petition that called for
Central intervention in Nandigram. The petition was based on  the
report of Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi.

An apex court bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan said
that it could not pass such a direction.

It further added that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
was looking into the matter. The NHRC has issued a notice to  the
West Bengal Government and directed it to submit a factual report
on the conditions prevailing in Nandigram within 10 days.

The  Union  Ministry of Home Affairs has also been asked  by  the
Commission  to take all necessary steps to restore peace  in  the
area, and has been asked to submit an action taken report  within
two weeks.

Nandigram  has been the scene of recurring clashes since  January
resulting  in deaths, including 14 in police firing and  violence
on  March  14 when villagers resisted the police  from  entering.
(ANI)
- AY

On board Air India One, Nov. 20 (ANI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asked the West Bengal Government to take necessary steps to restore confidence in the people of trouble-torn Nandigram through the effective deployment of security forces.

"I sincerely hope that the State Government is able to take necessary steps to restore confidence in the people through the effective deployment of security forces," Singh said in a brief prepared statement while en route to Singapore to attend the ASEAN summit.

"Events in Nandigram are most unfortunate, I condole the loss of lives and destruction of property," he said.

"It is the duty of the State Government that all sections regardless of their political affiliations get protection of the law enforcement agencies. I understand the spontaneous outpouring of grief and anguish over the issue as expressed by the artists and intellectuals in Kolkata," Singh said, adding "I hope the State Government heard of this".

He said that Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil has also been asked to remain in touch with the West Bengal Chief Minister Buddadeb Bhattarcharya.

The Prime Minister refused to comment on whether the Nandigram issue would be taken up for discussion in the Winter Session Parliament, saying "I would not like to comment while I am out of the country". He said presiding officers of both Houses are engaged in the exercise of whether there should be a debate or not.

The Winter Session of Parliament has failed to take off so far with the Nandigram issue creating a stalemate in both Houses for a second consecutive day on Tuesday.

The BJP has been insisting on a debate in Parliament and said that the Nandigram issue is not exclusively a State issue since it relates to the acquisition of land for Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which is a central subject.

Nandigram has been the scene of recurring clashes over land acquisition for setting up of SEZ since January resulting in deaths, including 14 in police firing and violence on March 14 when villagers prevented the police from entering.

The State Government had planned to set up a SEZ for chemical industries in Nandigram, but had to abort the project as villagers refused to give up their farmland for the project. The row saw violent clashes between residents opposed to the project and the communist supporters as well as police.

At least six villagers were killed and dozens injured in Nandigram, earlier this month, in clashes between rival groups led by Communists and a frontal organisation backed by Trinamool Congress party. (ANI) -AJ

Ranchi/Kolkata, Nov 19 (ANI): Forty-eight-hour long shutdown call by the Maoists against the violent take over of Nandigram by CPI (M) cadres has affected the rail and road traffic in the three states of West Bengal, Jharkhand and Bihar with passengers in Ranchi facing the maximum brunt.

People were held up at railway platforms and received no information about the arrivals of the trains.

The road transport at the highways was also badly affected. Bus drivers refused to bring their buses on roads due to threats from Maoists.

"We are facing a lot of problems, they (Maoists) threaten us and scare us. Few days ago they had called for shutdown, and now after ten days there is a shutdown again. We are scared, anything can happen," said Amrinder Singh, bus driver.

However, a senior state police official says they have provided enough security in the state to ensure the safety of the people.

"Security has been tightened up at the spots where such kind of untoward incidents are expected , and it will not affect the normal life as the police department will make necessary arrangements to ensure the security of the people," said R. K Mullick, Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Jharkhand.

Meanwhile, Maoists blew up a rail track in Sainthia-Andal section of Eastern Railways near Suri in West Bengal.

According to railway sources, the three metres of the railway track between Panchsura and Bhimgarh in Birbhum District was found to have been blown up by the railway staff when they went to the spot for routine inspection before the first train of the day began plying.

The repairing work is underway and train movements on the route were suspended.

All police stations across Bihar were put on maximum alert. Security has been beefed up at all sensitive areas, including railway stations and bus depots in view of the shutdown

Zonal Inspectors General of Police, Deputy Inspectors General of Police and Superintendents of Police were asked to maintain extra vigil on the activities of the Maoists.

The raids were conducted by the Special Auxiliary Police and Central Para Military Force in the Maoists dominated areas.

Additional forces were deployed to avoid any kind of untoward incident. (ANI)
--MP

Kolkata, Nov 19 (ANI): A rail track in Sainthia-Andal section of Eastern Railways near Suri in West Bengal was blown up by Maoists on Monday, the first day of the two-day long shutdown by the banned group in states of Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand against the recent violent takeover of Nandigram by CPI (M) cadres.

According to railway sources, the three metres of the railway track between Panchsura and Bhimgarh in Birbhum District was found to have been blown up by the railway staff when they went to the spot for routine inspection before the first train of the day began plying.

The repairing work is underway and train movement on the route were suspended.

All police stations across Bihar were put on maximum alert. Security has been beefed up at all sensitive areas, including railway stations and bus depots in view of the shutdown

Zonal Inspectors General of Police, Deputy Inspectors General of Police and Superintendents of Police were asked to maintain extra vigil on the activities of the Maoists.

The raids were conducted by the Special Auxiliary Police and Central Para Military Force in the Maoists dominated areas.

Additional forces were deployed to avoid any kind of untoward incident.

In West Bengal, Maoist-affected Purulia, Midnapore and Bankura districts were brought under a security net.

In Jharkhand, tight security arrangements were made at all sensitive areas to check any violent incidents.

Instructions were issued to all top police officials to take preventive measures during the shutdown. (ANI)
--MP

Labels: Top-Stories

New Delhi, Nov 19 (ANI): The Supreme Court today dismissed a petition seeking direction to the Centre to take action against the West Bengal Government for the Nandigram violence.

The petition was based on the report of Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan said that it cannot pass any such direction.

It further added that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was looking into the matter. The NHRC issued a notice to the West Bengal Government and directed it to submit a factual report on the conditions prevailing in Nandigram within 10 days.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has also been asked by the Commission to take all necessary steps to restore peace in the area, and has been asked to submit an action taken report within two weeks.

Earlier, Gopalkrishna said that manner in which the 'recapture' of Nandigram villages is being attempted is totally unlawful and unacceptable.

"I find it equally unacceptable that while Nandigram has been ingressed with ease by armed people, on the one hand, political and non-political persons trying to reach it have been violently obstructed," he added.

Nandigram has been the scene of recurring clashes since January resulting in deaths, including 14 in police firing and violence on March 14 when villagers resisted the police from entering. (ANI)
--MP

Darjeeling, Nov.18 (ANI): Darjeeling is known world over for its special varieties of tea. With the Western people becoming increasing health conscious, the tea producers here are increasingly diversifying into non-traditional segments.

The latest fascination is organic tea that is hugely popular among western consumers.

Many tea producers in Darjeeling are now producing and marketing the organic variety of tea. Though the concept is not new to the region, tea experts claim that people are returning to the organic and healthy varieties of tea as is the case with other food items these days.

Organic variety of tea is cultivated using natural products for manure and pest control.

"The benefits of this tea are that if you consume this tea, chemicals do not go into your body. We use only all natural things i.e. as a fertilizer we use cow dung that is decomposed and as a spray we use all natural things which remain in the tea and if you take the tea, it is beneficial to your health," said S. Subba, Manager, Sincell Tea Estate.

Chemical fertilizers have been replaced by cow dung as manure while crushed Neem leaves are used for pest control. Even the tea bushes are interspersed with Neem trees to naturally increase the pest control effect.

"Tea has an image of being a very healthy product, but the downside is how many pesticides are being used by the plantations to get this high variety. People are reassured when they see the organic samples," said Vaterie Peyre, a buyer of the organic tea from Switzerland.

The organic tea has already won the attention of international clients despite being comparatively expensive than the normal varieties of tea.

Besides China, Sri Lanka and Kenya are the other major exporters in the global organic tea market.

Exporters hope that very soon the organic tea will be popular in the country of its origin also as people realise its benefits.

Organic Green Darjeeling tea is a rich produce of the Seeyok farms on the India-Nepal border.

Certified as organic by the internationally recognized institutions such as IMO of Switzerland, the tealeaves of these farms impart a unique enriching flavour that is widely sought after around the world.

This tea is cultivated using nature's solutions for pest control and environmental protection. Tea is planted and harvested according to lunar cycles to extract the healthiest crop with the most stimulating flavour (ANI)
--MP

Bangalore, Nov 19 (ANI): Just hours before the B.S.Yeddyurappa led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government's floor test in the Karnataka Assembly, its coalition partner, the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD-S) has issued a whip to vote against the BJP Government during the trust vote.

The decision was taken during the JD-S legislature party meeting this morning. 

JD-S chief supremo H D Deve Gowda directed all legislators to vote against Yeddyurappa.

The BJP needs at least 113 votes to form a government. If the JD (S) votes against Yeddyurappa, he will fall short of majority by 34 votes. If all legislators vote in favour of Yeddyurappa, then he will have the support of 129 legislators in the House.

According to sources, the decision was opposed by many legislators. However, the BJP is still confident about proving its majority.

The JD-S had authorised both Deve Gowda and his son Kumaraswamy to take a final decision in this regard.

The move was reportedly taken after talks between Yeddyurappa and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy over the 12-point MoU collapsed on Sunday.

The JD (S) demands include the post of Deputy Chief Minister to the JD (S) nominee, and portfolios of ministries in consultation with Kumaraswamy.

Further, the JD (S) has demanded portfolios of Mines and Geology and Urban Development, which have been rejected by Yeddyurappa.

He has also rejected JD (S) demand for non-induction of former minister and BJP leader B Sriramulu, who had filed a criminal complaint in August against Kumarswamy, into the Ministry.

Eighteen Ministers belonging to the coalition partner JD (S), including the deputy Chief Minister, are likely to take oath after the government wins a vote of confidence.

Yeddyurappa was sworn-in as Chief Minister of Karnataka on November 12, becoming the first BJP leader to head a government in south India.

Karnataka was placed under President's rule on October 9 and the state legislature was suspended after BJP and JD (S), which headed the coalition government, locked horns over power swap for the Chief Minister's post for the next 20 months.

The JD (S) made an about turn on transfer of power agreement, but a fortnight later patched up with the BJP, which staked claim to form the government on October 27.

The Union Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs took the decision to revoke President's rule in the state earlier this month. (ANI)
- AY

Labels: Politics

Patna/Kolkata/Ranchi, Nov 19 (ANI): The banned CPI (Maoist) is observing a 48-hour shutdown in Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand today to protest against the violence in Nandigram.

All police stations across Bihar have been put on maximum alert in view of the shutdown call.

Security has been beefed up at all sensitive areas, including railway stations and bus depots in view of shutdown

Zonal Inspectors General of Police, Deputy Inspectors General of Police and Superintendents of Police has been asked to maintain extra vigil on the activities of the Maoists.

The raids have already conducted by the Special auxiliary police and central Para military force in the Maoists dominated areas.

Additional forces have been deployed to avoid any kind of untoward incident.

In West Bengal, Maoist-affected Purulia, Midnapore and Bankura districts have been brought under a security net.

In Jharkhand, tight security arrangements have been made at all sensitive areas to check any violent incidents.

Instructions have been issued to all top police officials to take preventive measures during the shutdown. (ANI)

- AY

New Delhi, Nov 19 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will today move an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha on the continuing violence in Nandigram.

Senior party leader Murli Manohar Joshi has already moved a motion in Rajya Sabha for a debate on Nandigram.

"It is highly surprising that Congress is silent on Nandigram. Just because CPI-M is backing UPA government at the Centre, it is improper to forgive its cadre as Nandigram was made a war zone," Joshi said.

The motion seeks suspension of the Question Hour today to allow discussion on the Nandigram issue.

Earlier, BJP leader V K Malhotra said that Nandigram has witnessed severe crime against women and children and the Lok Sabha has a mandate to discuss issues like this, which amounts to a civil war.

The party cited the discussion of the 2002 Gujarat riots in the Parliament as an example of a 'State issue' being debated in the Parliament.

"Why can't Nandigram be discussed when Gujarat has been discussed several times," Malhotra said. 

With the Left Front has shown reluctance for a Parliamentary debate on the issue by citing it to be a "State issue", the party is in no mood to spare the Left on the situation prevailing there, which has led to civil society coming out to protests against the State Government in huge numbers.

Gurudas Das Gupta said that Nandigram could be discussed in the West Bengal Assembly but not in Parliament.

The BJP said that the Nandigram issue is not exclusively a State issue since it relates to the acquisition of land for Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which is a central subject. (ANI)
- AY

Labels: Politics

Agartala, Nov 18 (ANI): One person was killed and another seriously injured when the Border Security Force (BSF) opened fire to disperse angry mob during a skirmish on pushback of five Bangladeshi nationals.

The incident took place last evening in the Tilla Bazar border out post (BOP), under Kailasahar police station of North Tripura district.

Police said Ramshu Mian (32) died on the spot, while Alkas Mian (36) with serious bullet injury was admitted to Kailasahar hospital.

According to police, the BSF and Kailasahar police jointly arrested five Muslim Bangladeshi national who were working in a brick kiln from Howar Bazar area on November 15.

On the following day, all five were produced in the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Kailasahar, who ordered imprisonment till rising of the court next and their pushback to Bangladesh. Then police handed over the five Bangladeshi to the Tilla Bazar BOP for push back.

The news spread like wildfire and the agitated mob, which went on increasing ultimately started pelting stone at the BSF.

BSF then finding no other means to disperse the angry mob opened fire, which led to the death of one at the spot, and another was hit by bullet on his back.

Senior police officials, including Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Northern Range B K Ray and Superintendent of Police (SP), North District Uttam Mazumder and District Magistrate (DM), Santanu Das had visited the spot with enforcement to bring the situation under control.

Residents of Tilla Bazar has called a 24-hour shutdown to protest against the incident. (ANI)
- AY