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Guard killed in Naxal attack in Chattisgarh

     Bastar: In a naxal attack in Dantewada area in Bastar, one constable was killed and another seriously injured. The attack came before the arrival of the Chattisgarh Governor for a festival of spring organised by tribals. The naxals attacked the two constables who were deployed at the helipad where the Governor was supposed to land. Raj Narayan Singh, one of the two constables was killed on the spot as the naxals attacked him with a pointed weapon, and the second constable was critically injured. He was admitted to the local hospital later where the doctors declared him to be out of danger. "There were two constables deployed here for the arrival of the Governor. The second constable is injured and he told us that 3 to 4 people came from behind and attacked both the constables. They slit the throat of one constable and attacked the other. They ran towards the jungle. We are suspecting the hand of naxals in this case but investigations are on", said Bhavana Paje, Deputy S P, Dantewada. "He has been attacked with a sharp weapon, some katar or a bigger knife. It could be a pointed rod also", said Dr. Kashyap. The naxals dressed up as tribals and attacked the constables, so that nobody could recognise them.

Chinese premier to visit Pakistan in April (Go To Top)

     Beijing: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will pay visit to Pakistan and three other South Asian countries early next month, it was announced in Beijing. Wen will visit India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka from April 5 to 12, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said at a ministry briefing. Wen will also attend the fourth meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) to be held in Islamabad on April 6, he said. This is the first visit to the four countries by Wen, reports The News.

One more stakes claim to Taj Mahal (Go To Top)

     Agra: Who owns India's Taj Mahal? That's seems to be the knawing question over the past fortnight, with not one, but two Islamic outfits now staking a claim to one of the world's eight wonders. The two litigants are the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Waqf Board and the Anjuman-e-Mohammadia, both of which are demanding control and management of the 17th century white marble monument that was built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Both organizations are demanding that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) hand over the Taj Mahal to it. The ASI presently manages its upkeep. The Anjuman-e-Mohammadia claims that before Independence, the management of the Taj was in its hands, and therefore, they had a rightful claim to it. "In 1906, at the time of the British rule in India a society with the name Anjuman-e-Mohammadia was formed. The management of all the monuments in Agra, including the Taj Mahal was taken by Anjuman-e-Mohammadia," said Hazi Jamiluddin Kureshi, secretary of Anjuman-e-Mohammadia. On the other hand, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is trying to generate all possible documents to contradict the Anjuman-e-Mohammadia's claim. "We are taking out the documents. We have taken out documents since 1920 and all of them have Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) or Government of India mentioned in them.We are making a report and will answer to them accordingly," said Dr D. Dayalan, Superintending Archaeologist, ASI Agra.

     Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Waqf Board, which owns all Muslim graveyards, had submitted a petition in the Allahabad High Court that the Taj Mahal being a mausoleum was its property. The sanctum sanctorum of the Taj Mahal, built by Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan between 1632 and 1654 for his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, houses their graves. "As the Taj Mahal is a mausoleum, and it's not just one but two mausoleums. As per the religion of Islam every mausoleum is a Waqf (Islamic charity). Though the Taj Mahal has become famous as the seventh wonder of the world, but since it's a tomb, it's a part of the Waqf. Even the mosque adjacent to the Taj Mahal, is a part of the Waqf. We believe that the monument is a Waqf and only has to be registered now," said Hafiz Mohammed Usman, Chairman of the Sunni Waqf Board. He said it would be incumbent on the ASI, which has ignored notices in the past, to reply. The board is demanding a share of the entrance fee revenue and a say in how the rest of the money is used. The Taj Mahal, designated by the United Nations as a world heritage monument, is located in the northern city of Agra, about 210 kilometers east of New Delhi. Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit the Taj Mahal every year.

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