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Bangla Jihadis' death threat to Indian cricket team

     Dhaka: A little known Islamic group by the name of Harkat-ul-Zihad has threatened to kill the Indian cricketers during India's tour to Bangladesh for the two-Test and three One day International series starting next week. As per reports, India's Deputy High Commissioner to Bangladesh, S Chakraborty said that the Indian High Commission in Dhaka received a fax from an Islamic fundamentalist group threatening to kill the Indian cricketers if they visit Bangladesh. He added that though the Bangladesh government has assured of providing foolproof security to the visiting Indian cricket team, the tour seemed unlikely as the BCCI might contemplate cancelling the trip, keeping in view the threat perception. "The trip appears quite uncertain at the moment because the BCCI would have to decide if they feel safe to come to Bangladesh following this threat," Chakraborty was quoted as saying. While the first Test is scheduled to start from December 9, the second test is slated to begin from December 16 in Chittagong. The one-dayers will be played in Chittagong on December 23 with the remaining two at Dhaka on December 26 and 27.

IB team to visit Dhaka to ensure cricketers's safety (Go To Top)

     New Delhi: Amid reports suggesting that a Bangladesh terrorist outfit has threatened to attack Indian cricketers while on the tour beginning Tuesday, the Union Home Ministry has decided to send an Intelligence Bureau (IB) team to look into the security arrangements made by the hosts. Announcing this in the Capital today, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil told reporters that normally the host country is supposed to make adequate security arrangements for the visitors ahead of any sports event. "We will sent an IB team tomorrow to check out the security arrangements made by the Bangladesh government. If they appear o.k., our team will tour the neighbouring country, and, if otherwise, it won't go." He also appealed to the External Affairs Ministry and the BCCI also to look into the matter, and assure that adequate security arrangements are made for the Indian cricketers. Earlier in the day, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka had received a hand-written letter from terrorist outfit Harkat-ul- Jihad saying that they will kill the Indian cricketers if they visited their country.

Threat delays India's cricket tour to Bangladesh (Go To Top)

     Kolkata: Following threat from a Bangladeshi terrorist outfit, the BCCI today decided not to send the cricket team to the neighbouring country till the Union Government gave its green signal. The Board decided this after receiving a letter from a Government of India. "We have received a letter from the government asking us not to send the team before December 8," BCCI president-elect Ranbir Singh Mahendra is said to have told a section of the media. The Indian cricket team's departure to Bangladesh was earlier scheduled for Tuesday. Meanwhile, BCCI joint secretary Gautam Dasgupta said that the Board had informed its Bangladesh counterpart about the delay in departure. In the evening, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil told reporters that an IB team will leave for Dhaka tomorrow to assess security arrangements made for the Indian cricketers. Bangladeshi terrorist outfit Harkat-ul-Jihad had in a letter to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka issued threats that it would kill Indian cricketers if they visited the country.

Putin winds up his three-day visit to India (Go To Top)

     Bangalore: Russian President Vladimir Putin today wrapped up his three-day visit to India. On his last day, he visited the country's second largest software exporter Infosys Technologies in of Bangalore. Accompanied by his Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov and Infosys chairman N. Narayanmurthy, Putin spent an hour at the sprawling campus. A delegation of 20 industrialists also accompanied the Russian President on the occasion. The Russian President also met some of the young engineers and exchanged views on the technology sector. He called on IT professionals to carry on the best traditions of friendly ties to new heights. "We have got a very good framework to develop the government ties. We don't have problem between our two states. Our two nations are allies and friendly for years to come. The basis of our relations was laid down by the previous generations and we would like the youth to fully understand the importance of developing this relationship. I would like the younger generation to take this to greater heights. We realise the importance of our relations," Putin told the employees. Putin made a brief stopover at the Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL) base in the city where he watched an impressive display of three indigenously built aircraft, the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) and Light Combat Aircraft.

Putin impressed with Indian IT revolution (Go To Top)

     Bangalore: Russian President Vladimir Putin spent almost two days out of his busy schedule of his three day state visit to India, to make a trip to Bangalore, regarded as the IT hub of the country. His visit included a trip to the campus of the IT major, Infosys where he held talks with the Infosys officials to understand the finer aspects of the IT revolution in India and the other happenings taking place in the IT sector in the country. Putin, who was accompanied by as many as 20 captains of the Russian industry and his ministerial colleagues during his trip to Infosys said, that given the traditional friendly ties between New Delhi and Moscow, India and Russia should jointly put in efforts to make headway in this sector. He further added that the younger generation should put in sincere efforts to further the traditional ties between the two countries. "We have got a very good framework to develop the governmental ties. We don't have problem between our two states. Our two nations are allies and friendly for years to come. We are natural allies. The basis of our relations was laid down by the previous generations and we would like the youth to fully understand the importance of developing this relationship. I would like the younger generation to take this to greater heights. We realise the importance of our relations," said Putin. "It has enormous potential. This potential should help both the people and not create any problems, the more powerful countries such as India," he added.

     Infosys Chairman Narayana Murthy and CEO Nandan Nilekani who accompanied the visiting dignitary during his trip said, that not only did President Putin acknowledge Infosys as a role model in the IT sector, he also wanted the IT sector to further the traditional ties between the two countries. Putin's visit carry significance as apart from Putin himself urging India and Russia to jointly develop software and sell it to third countries, the Russian IT minister had also announced the setting up of a joint working group on information technology for closer interaction between the two countries in the IT sector.