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Hijacking: New policy to shoot down aircraft

     New Delhi: Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today said that the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved a bold and tough anti-hijacking policy to deal with the new breed of hijackers, most of whom are terrorists. The new policy, which has been evolved after the experiences of various countries post 9/11 including the Kandahar hijacking of Indian Airlines in 1999, enables the Government to shoot down aircraft including commercial ones, if they threaten national security or head for a strategic target. Mukherjee told ANI," During 9/11 we saw aircraft used as missiles. Earlier, the Government followed the policy of engaging the hijackers into negotiations and try for safe release of passengers. But, now we can't allow them to threaten our national security." Sources also told that CCS will be the first authority to decide on the crisis but in case of urgency, the Prime Minister, Home Minister or Defence Minister will take the appropriate decision. The new guidlines rule out any negotiations with the plane hijackers on their demands and give the security agencies the power to shoot down a commercial aircraft if it is turned into a 'missile' heading for a strategic location. The new rules would also permit fighter aircrafts of Indian Air Force to, immediately, intercept the 'rogue' plane following the hijacking and prevent it from getting out of country's airspace. The ground forces will also be entitled not to let the plane take off if it lands. Earlier, the security forces were not empowered to forcibly stop the hijacked plane from overpassing the country's territorial limits. Highly placed sources told ANI that two days ago, intelligence agencies had received inputs that there was possibility of a plane hijack to negotiate the release of Mohammad Afzal in Dec 13, 2001 Parliament attack case. The Independence Day security threat also made the CCS to take a bold decision regarding the policy. The Cabinet has also adopted a policy doctrine which dictates that any attempt of hijacking should be treated as an act of aggression against the country. On Dec. 24, 1999, terrorists had hijacked Indian Airlines plane IC -814 from Kathmandu to New Delhi and took it to Kandahar in Afghanistan. With no option before it, the Government of India acceded to the demands of hijackers and set free hardcore militants Maulana Masood Azhar and Omar Sheikh.

Delhi a fortress on Independence Day eve (Go To Top)

     New Delhi: National Capital Delhi has been turned into a fortress on the eve of the Independence Day celebrations. Heavy security arrangements are in place to thwart any untoward incident. Surface to air security cover has been provided at all strategic locations in the city. Keeping the terror perception in view, the walled city has been put under thick security blanket with security agencies taking over the area and conducting intensive checks. Delhi Traffic Police have made elaborate traffic arrangements to facilitate movement of pedestrians and invitees to reach Red Fort for the Independence Day celebrations and to ensure safe and smooth movement of general traffic in the city. At least six roads would be closed to general traffic around Red Fort from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. on August 15.

     The roads are Netaji Subhash Marg (from Delhi Gate to Chhatta Rail), Lothian Road (from General Post Office, Delhi, to Chhatta Rail), Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Marg (from H.C. Sen Marg to Yamuna Bazar Chowk), Chandni Chowk (from Fountain to Red Fort Chowk), New Daryaganj Road (from Ring Road to Netaji Subhash Marg) and Link Road (from Esplanade Road to Netaji Subhash Marg).

    Police advised that those wanting to go from South to North Delhi in the morning hours should avoid Ring Road and take Aurobindo Marg, Safdarjung Road, Mother Teresa Road and Rani Jhansi Road to reach their destinations. Tilak Marg, Mathura Road, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg and Ring Road should be avoided. Commercial and passenger vehicles will not be allowed to move between Wazirabad T-point and Nizamuddin T-point on Ring Road from 4 a.m. to 11 a.m. No buses would ply between Kashmere Gate Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) and Sarai Kale Khan ISBT between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m. They may use the Grand Trunk Road and National Highway No. 24. Local buses have been asked to avoid plying between Hanuman Setu and Bhairon Road T-point from 5 a.m. to 8-30 a.m. The invitees having "triangular" parking labels can take a turn on New Daryaganj Road from Ring Road-Shanti Van crossing to reach the Red Fort. Those with "square" labels -- Nos. 4, 4A and 5 -- should reach Delhi Gate and then take Subhash Marg to reach the destinations. "Mainly the roads from Delhi gate to Chhatta rail, the Subhash Marg, will be closed for all sorts of traffic. Only labeled vehicles will be allowed. The roads opening to Subhash Marg like New Daryaganj road from Ring road, Chandni Chowk from Phuwara Chowk, Esplanade road, will have restriction on traffic movement. Ring road behind the Lal Quila which will be used by invitees and VIPs. We will enforce restrictions on it from 14th August evening. The Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) will be prohibited from entering Delhi. Borders will be given special look by Delhi police," said Qamar Ahmed. Joint Commissioner of Traffic Police.

     People reaching Red Fort on buses will have to get down at various points well ahead of the venue and then proceed on foot. They would be able to take the same return route and catch the buses from where they were dropped. After 10 a.m., however, buses would be available at railway station, Red Fort and Jama Masjid. There are no restrictions on vehicles reaching Jaya Prakash Narayan and other hospitals in the area. Those coming from South Delhi and intending to catch trains from Old Delhi railway stations can take Mother Teresa Road, Rani Jhansi Marg, Pull Dufferin and Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Marg. The police have also asked visitors not to bring cameras, binoculars, handbags, mobile phones and other such articles to the venue for safety reasons.

RSS leader HV Seshadri dead  (Go To Top)

     Bangalore: Veteran Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader H V Seshadri this evening succumbed to multiple organ failure due to septicaemia at the RSS Karnataka State Headquarters, Keshava Krupa, here. Seventy-nine-year old Seshadri was in serious condition for last few days and was on ventilator. Septicaemia is an infection which spreads to all organs of the body. The leader breathed for 45 minutes following the withdrawal of the life support system. Sheshadri had been an important member of the think tank of the Sangh Parivar outfit and was the Akhila Bharat Pracharak Pramukh. He had also served the RSS as its General Secretary.

Naga apex body welcomes extension of ceasefire  (Go To Top)
by Neeraj Kumar

     Kohima: The apex body of the Naga society, Naga Ho Ho has welcomed the extension of the cease-fire between the central security forces and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland or the NSCN (IM). The representatives of the Naga civil society have stressed the need for peace in Nagaland at a press conference in New Delhi. The Naga Hoho leaders wrapped up their recent weeklong visit to New Delhi by holding a press conference to inform the media about their interaction with the Central Government. The group was in Delhi to brief the central leadership about the situation in Manipur. They also discussed the Naga peace talks and how to take it forward despite hitting a rough patch over some sensitive issues. However they reiterated their desire for peace in Nagaland. "The ceasefire is very important. For all our life we have been in conflict, and violence is the only thing we experienced. So peace is very important to us than others who have been living in normal situations. For us who have been living in abnormal situation peace is very important. We want peace based on justice," said Neingulo Krome, the General Secretary of the Naga Hoho, Apex Body of Nagas. It is with this expectation of peace that the people of Nagaland welcomed the NSCN (IM) leaders, Isac Chisu Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah when they visited Nagaland few months ago. Five decades of separatist violence has deprived the Naga people of a normal life. The new generation wants to live in an atmosphere where they have freedom to live a life free from violence.

     "It is for the first time we are seeing the opportunity. Naga people have not had normal life for the past fifty years. Three generations have seen conflict. They were not able to think creatively. With peace we hope that our generation can lead a normal life. The children can grow up like normal children in other places, who watch cartoon movies or spend normal life. That is why we have so much faith in the peace process, though there have been some setbacks," said Gam, a Naga. But despite the slight setback in the peace process the Centre is focused on resolving the five-decade-old problem. This can be gauged from the fact that the Home Minister is taking personal interest in the peace process. Even the Naga people and their representatives are looking forward to a permanent peace and they have reaffirmed their commitment for political solution to this vexed issue. "When you talk about the peace, it cannot be possible without political solution. Actually when there is political solution, we can expect peace with justice," said Yaromsho Ngaling, a Research Scholar from the Jawaharlal University, New Delhi. So far twelve rounds of talks have been held between the Central Government and the NSCN (IM). The main contentious issue to be resolved is the issue of Greater Nagaland.

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