Home   Contact Us                                                                Dateline New Delhi, Thursday, January 23, 2003

          LUCKNOW: Unidentified gunmen shot dead eight tourists at the famous Kalinjer Fort in Banda district, a State home department spokesman said here on Thursday. The killers opened indiscriminate firing on the tourists who had gone to see the fort. They came in a vehicle and escaped in the same vehicle after committing the crime. While six persons died on the spot, two later succumbed to their injuries in a hospital. Another injured tourist is said to be in a critical condition. The slayings, according to the spokesman, appeared to be the handiwork of a local dacoit gang.

Pak Retaliates, Expels 3 Indian Diplomats, Official

          NEW DELHI: Islamabad on Thursday showed the door to three Indian diplomats and an official of its High Commission in a tit-for-tat response to the expulsion of four of its mission staffers by New Delhi. India has termed it as an act of retaliation.

          Foreign Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told a press conference that "I understand their number is four. My comment is that these four officials of the Indian High Commission have been asked to be withdrawn from Pakistan on entirely baseless and false charges. This is a clear act of retaliation to the well-considered decision taken by the Government of India yesterday."

          The decision, which is likely to heighten tension between the nuclear-armed rivals, came a day after India expelled two diplomats and two officials of the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi on charges of violating diplomatic norms. A Pakistan Foreign Ministry statement ordered the four Indian officials to leave within 48 hours and said they had been declared "persona non grata" for involvement in activities incompatible with their status (a diplomatic code for spying). It said India's acting High Commissioner was called to the Foreign Ministry and informed of the decision.

           Sarna said the Indian officials have been asked to leave in 48 hours and their families in seven days. "I understand there is a Consul, Second Secretary, an attache and a staff member," he elaborated. The expelled officials were counsellor Vipin Handa, second Secretary RP Singh, Second Secretary Vakil Ramdas and staff member PH Sundaram. The existing strength of the Indian High Commission staff was not immediately known.

           But diplomatic representation of the two countries was halved last year after India recalled its envoy to Islamabad in response to an attack on Parliament in December 2001 by gunmen who New Delhi said were Pakistani militants. The recent expulsions followed a trading of charges on Monday over harassment of each other's senior diplomats by intelligence agencies and a call by both nations to abide by global and bilateral diplomatic norms. India's acting High Commissioner in Islamabad complained of harassment by Pakistani agents since last weekend. Pakistan denied the charge and said Pakistani diplomats had been harassed in New Delhi.

Iraq's Conditions Unacceptable: UN Inspectors (Go To Top)

          NEW YORK: The UN inspectors in Iraq have criticised the Saddam Hussain regime for putting "unacceptable" conditions on the use of American U-2 spy planes, not revealing enough data and blocking private interviews with scientists. Chief Weapons Inspector Hans Blix, who would present the first major report on Iraqi cooperation with inspectors, had said earlier this week that Iraqis were "prompt" in opening practically all sites but he was still awaiting information from them to fill the gaps in their over 12,000-page declaration on the status of weapons of mass destruction.

           On his return from two-day high level discussions with Iraqi officials in Baghdad, Blix on Wednesday night expressed dissatisfaction on the data provided regarding anthrax, VX nerve gas and Scud missiles. While Iraq contends that it had destroyed all of them, Blix maintained that the inspectors didn't find any evidence or documents to confirm the claim. The inspectors' report is expected to be crucial since the US maintains that Iraq is not fully cooperating with the inspectors as required by the UN Security Council resolution, and hence military action might be necessary to disarm Saddam Hussein.

           Replying to a question on the controversy on U-2 plane, Blix said they (Iraq) was neither denying nor rejecting it, but putting conditions that were "unacceptable".

Advani Urges Qatar to Ensure Safety of Indians If US Goes to War (Go To Top)

         DOHA: India has called upon Qatar to ensure the safety of its nationals if the Iraq crisis escalated. "Seeing the present situation on the neighbouring borders, if some crisis arises and people are affected, then we hope that Qatar Government would provide security to Indians living here. They have assured us of this," Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani, who is on a two-day visit to the Muslim nation, told reporters here on Wednesday.

           His statements came in the wake of heightened tension in the Arab world following reports that a war between Iraq and the United States was imminent. This situation arose after the UN chief weapons inspector Hans Blix expressed serious doubts about Iraq's weapons programme, saying "it had many questions to answer in this regard."

Naga Talks End Without a Breakthrough (Go To Top)

          NEW DELHI: The dialogue between Naga leaders and the Centre ended on Thursday with the two sides signing a crucial agreement to improve ties and promote talks. The NSCN (IM) had been asking for greater administrative and financial powers for Nagaland and a compromise solution has been reached on the issue.

           The two sides have agreed to restart dialogue over the definition and scope of Article 371 (A) of the Constitution. The State already enjoys special status under this Article. Muivah, general secretary of NSCN (IM) said, " We feel that the talks were successful. We have not touched all the issues, but we have already started. And this time we will be going back and come back again."

           Talks were held between NSCN (IM) chairman Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah and a Central team comprising Padmanabhaiah, KP Singh and Secretary (Border Management) in the Union Home Ministry, RC Jain.

Tighter Security in J-K for Republic Day (Go To Top)

          SRINAGAR: Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday stepped up cordon and search operations and intensified security ahead of the Republic Day celebrations for fear of attacks by Muslim rebels. In the past, Islamic guerrillas have staged several assaults on Republic Day (January 26) and Independence Day on (August 15).

           Last year, Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad militants blasted the Bandipora TV tower on January 26. RS Bhullar, Deputy Inspector General of the Border Security Force, said security agencies were geared up to meet the challenge. "The militants will try to use long range weapons. We know the characteristics and range of these weapons and we have made arrangements accordingly. Apart from the three-tier security arrangements, troops are being deployed at those pockets where the militants cannot use those weapons," he informed.

Military Show at R-Day Full Dress Rehearsal(Go To Top)

          NEW DELHI: India's military prowess and cultural integrity was on display on Thursday at a full dress rehearsal of the Republic Day parade here on Thursday. A model of India's ballistic missile Agni, with a strike range of 2,500 km, was domonstrated, apart from the other air defence missiles, tanks and helicopters. Tableaux from various States showing facets of their cultural heritage featured in the parade. The cross-section of the Army taking part consisted of mounted columns, marching contingents and armoured and artillery service.

           The parade also included children's pageant, national bravery award winning children on elephants and motorcycle ride by Army daredevils. Later in the day, President APJ Abdul Kalam inaugurated a colourful festival of folk dances from across the country ahead of the Republic Day celebrations. The annual six-day festival celebrates country's rich cultural heritage through folk dance performances from various States. The dancers depicted various folk lores through their rhythemic movements that include Gendi, Gangaur, Bhangra and Kalbelia, among others. The festival is being held simultaneously at various venues in the Indian Capital.

Sayeed's 'Come Back Home' Appeal to Kashmir Pandits(Go To Top)

          BANGALORE: The Jammu and Kashmir chief minister has called upon Kashmiri Hindus to return to the strife-torn Valley. Addressing a gathering of business leaders in Bangalore on Thursday, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said his Government would make all efforts to facilitate an early return of the native Hindus.

           "Our first priority is this - that we have to bring them (Kashmiri Hindus) back. If we are not united, then there cannot be any normalcy in the State. I believe that they should come back. We have tried to make sure the safe return of people of two pilgrimage places: one is Kheerbhawani and other is Marthind. We are taking them back. I have to say that if you are talking of normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir, then without taking them back it cannot happen. If we are unable to bring back our own people, what kind of normalcy are we talking of," he said.

           More than 300,000 minority Hindus called Pandits fled the Valley soon after rebellion erupted in 1989. A majority of them continue to live in refugee camps in the State's winter Capital, Jammu. Sayeed, who is touring various Indian States along with Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma with a plea for investments, said the State needed immediate economic help. More than 13 years of cross-border terrorism has ruined the economy of the once flourishing province. Tourism, the mainstay of the State's economy, is in doldrums. Sayeed, who is hoping for a handsome economic package from the Centre, said the volatile situation in the state was slowly turning for the better and his government had taken confidence- building measures to restore peace in the region.

           Since coming to power in October, the PPP-Congress coalition Government has promised to heal wounds of the people suffering from militancy.

Party Rebels Seek Rajasthan CM Gehlot's Ouster (Go To Top)

          JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has said he will abide by the party high command's decision to curb dissidence against him within the party. It may be recalled that the Congress had lost the three recent by-elections in the State. The BJP won them all. Gehlot was on Thursday quoted as saying that there was nothing uncommon insofar as a section of the party was raising voice against him.

           "Every one in the party has got a right to express views before the party high command. It is normal in politics and no one should be scared of such activities," he said, adding that "I will abide by whatever decision the high command takes". His comments assume significance in the wake of reports that some senior leaders had approached party president Sonia Gandhi to seek his removal.

           However, party sources said the State leaders, including former chief ministers Shiv Charan Mahtur and Hira Lal Devpura, and Ternawal Kishore Sharma, were against the idea of removing PCC chief Girija Vyas. They said Gehlot was "responsible" for the party's defeat in the by-elections. Defending his performance, Gehlot said "we successfully met the challenging task of providing relief to the people reeling under drought for the last four years despite little Central assistance. We have also made remarkable progress in the arena of infrastructure development, education and social upliftment programmes".

BJP-Congress Poll War in Himachal Hots Up (Go To Top)

          DHARAMSALA: Political parties have intensified campaign for the February 6 elections in Himachal Pradesh. Leaders of the State's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress addressed separate public rallies here on Wednesday. While the BJP sought renewed mandate from the people based on its past performance, the Congress said there was an all-round governmental failure.

           Addressing a BJP rally, chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal listed his Government's achievements and promised a better performance if his party was re-elected to office. "We have increased the pension for the old, handicapped and widows from 100 to 200 rupees. The wages of Home Guard security personnel has been increased from rupees 52 to 75 rupees. The Public Works Department budget has been increased from Rs 900 million to Rs 3.45 billion. Education budget has been increased from Rs 3.65 billion to 9.6 billion," Dhumal said.

           The BJP launched a "faith rally" last month to publicise its Government's achievements. At another rally on the same day, Congress leaders led by former chief minister Virabhadra Singh said that development stagnated during the BJP's five-year rule. "Ever since the present Government took over, howsoever hard Dhumal may try to mislead people, howsoever hard he may try to please people, the fact is the condition of the State remained the same as Congress left it five years ago." Singh affirmed. The rally was also addressed by State Congress party chief Vidya Stokes and central party leader Anand Sharma.

           Elections in Himachal Pradesh and three north-eastern States will be a testing ground for the BJP whose federal coalition faces national elections in 2004.