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Maoist rebels threaten people against voting

          Siliguri: Maoist rebels in West Bengal have put up posters giving open death threats to people who vote in the national elections now underway. Fifteen states including West Bengal and the key heartland states of Uttar Pradesh, will vote for the lower house of parliament on May 10. The Naxalites, fighting for peasants' rights and radical re- distribution of land, have traditionally boycotted elections besides targeting rich landowners and government offices. Area police have been put on high alert and security has been beefed up in busy marketplaces and polling booths. In a recent crackdown police arrested a top commander of a top Maoist outfit in neighbouring Nepal, which is supporting the local rebels. "We have arrested five people so far and have arrested them along with the posters. There is activity of MCC (Moaist Communist Centre) and PWG (People's War Group) combination in some parts of North Bengal," Vageesh Mishra, inspector general of police, North Bengal, said in Siliguri city. Fear-struck locals say, though a regular feature, this year the Maoist threat was more severe. "These Maoists boycott the polls everytime and threaten the people. But this year people are very scared of them," Sandip Tiwari, a resident, said. Over 670 million people are expected to vote as the world's largest democracy chooses its next government in a massive five- phased exercise ending May 10.

Vajpayee promises another green revolution (Go To Top)

          Sawai Madhopur (Rajasthan): Making a strong bid to woo farmers, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has promised to bring another green revolution in the country with his ambitious project to interlink rivers and schemes for the overall development of the village economy if the BJP-led alliance returns to power. Addressing a public meeting here on Sunday he said the NDA government had introduced a number of programmes for the welfare of farmers, women, dalits and other backward sections of society. The country had made great progress over the last five years and now had ample food stocks and foreign exchange reserves. During drought and natural calamities, the Centre did not discriminate against any state in providing relief. "The farmer is happy ... We want to bring another green revolution," Vajpayee said speaking about his plans to give greater priority to schemes for improving health, water, electricity and other infrastructure needs in villages. Pointing out that the country was depending on imports to meet the shortage of oilseeds and pulses, he said the BJP-led government also wanted to give greater push to their cultivation. He regretted that the Congress had not paid adequate attention to the creation of basic infrastructure in villages during its long rule at the Centre. Vajpayee sought another term in office to complete "unfinished tasks". "You have to see what sort of government you want at the Centre. You have already decided what government you want in Rajasthan," Vajpayee added.