Gurgaon shopping mall evacuated following bomb hoax
by Pankaj Yadav

    Gurgaon: The Metropolitan Mall situated on the Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road opposite the DT cinema here was evacuated on Sunday evening following a bomb hoax inside it. Rakesh Kumar Arya, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Gurgaon, said that the police received an information through some sources that a bomb was planted in one of the bigger malls here, following which the police asked the security of the Metropolitan Mall to get the complex evacuated. Arya, however, refused to disclose the sources or the medium through which the information was received. As soon as the news was reported, bomb disposal squad, sniffer dogs, and a team of National Security Guards (NSG) commandos along with about 100 policemen were rushed to the place. Police sources said that with two days to go for Valentine's Day and Gurgaon being the hub of celebration in this area, the shopping mall was jam-packed with around 2000 people including families and couples which might have been the reason behind the bomb hoax by some notorious persons.

   Meanwhile, heavy police forces have been deployed here and the police are taking utmost precaution to prevent any untoward incident ahead of the Valentine's Day and are also likely to search in some other nearby shopping complexes. The incident also brought the traffic to a halt at the MG Road, causing chaos at and around the shopping mall. The area also houses residential colonies. According to security sources at the mall, about 350 security guards keep vigil in and around it 24 hours. Interestingly, the Vice President of security in the mall, Brigadier (retired) Baljit Singh arrived at the site three hours after the news was first reported. The Metropolitan Mall houses around 200 business establishments, including several food joints, ready-made garment showrooms, and electronic gadget shops among others.

Protests against Prophet's cartoon continue (Go To Top)
by Girish Kumar Dubey/Ajay Kumar

     Varanasi/Patna: Angry protests continued their agitation on Sunday across the country against Prophet Mohammad's caricature. Muslims protesters in Varanasi and Patna took to streets demanding apologies. Agitated Muslims wearing black dress in Varanasi shouted slogans against the western countries, saying the caricatures have hurt the sentiments of the community. "Printing of photograph, that too a caricature of our Prophet Mohammad is blasphemous. It has hurt the sentiments of our community and we protest against it," said Abdul Batin Numani, head cleric of the city. "In Islam, it is prohibited to publish Prophet Mohammad's cartoon. We Muslims cannot tolerate a cartoon of Prophet Mohammad being published in any newspaper," added Kaif, a protestor in Patna. Protests have flared up across the Muslim world against the caricature since the cartoons were published in a Danish newspaper, which were reprinted by several European newspapers.

    At least 11 people have been killed this year in protests over the cartoons, one of which showed Prophet Mohammad wearing a bomb-shaped turban. The Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad, which has carried out several suicide bombings in Israel, threatened more violence and a leading Saudi Muslim cleric called for mercy in punishing anyone mocking the Prophet. The cartoons were first published in a Danish newspaper Jyllands- Posten in September. Other European newspapers, saying press freedom was more important than religious taboos, began reprinting them. The Danish newspaper editor who commissioned the cartoons was sent on holiday after suggesting he would print Iranian cartoons on the Holocaust. The Danish government has expressed regret over the publication of the cartoons, but has refused to apologise saying that it is a matter for the newspaper. Despite protests and boycotts across the Muslim world, the cartoons have now appeared in papers in Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Spain, Switzerland, Hungary, New Zealand, Norway and Poland.

Nepalese rally in Delhi for democracy (Go To Top)

      New Delhi: Thousands of expatriate Nepalese rallied in New Delhi on Sunday vowing to fight till the end for restoration of democracy in Nepal, where the royalist government, they said, was trying to crush the people's voice. The protest by the India-wing of the Nepalese People's Rights Protection Committee, comes a day after Nepal's royalist government hit back on global condemnation of local elections it held this week, saying the polls were a victory against a Maoist revolt that has disrupted democracy in the country. But critics said a boycott by key political parties and sabotage threats from rebels brought a low turnout in the country's first elections since 1999, signalling a rejection of King Gyanendra's absolute power. Laxman Pant, who led the agitation, said the countdown had begun for the ouster of Gyanendra. "Let us face it, no despot has ever called it quits very easily in the history of mankind. They heap atrocities on the people, drag their feet on issues and crush those who rise against him. You must have seen a similar course of events in Philippines and in Germany. History has been replete with such instances and is repeating itself in Nepal. But that makes no difference to our aim, the king will have to quit sooner or later," Pant told reporters. The United States and India led international criticism of Wednesday's polls. Washington branded them a "hollow attempt" by the monarch to legitimise his rule since sacking the government a year ago. Only 20 percent of registered voters cast ballots on Wednesday compared with 60 percent in the last such election, a turnout, the protestors said, was a blow to the king's attempts to show he was moving towards restoring democracy. Nepal was pushed further into turmoil in February last year when King Gyanendra ousted the government, charging it of failing to crush the communist guerrillas. His move drew global condemnation, triggered a vocal pro- democracy campaign and resulted in a loose alliance between the main political parties and Maoist rebels against the king.

PM greetings on Guru Ravidas Jayanti (Go To Top)

     New Delhi: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has greeted the nation on the occasion of Guru Ravidas Jayanti today. In his message, the Prime Minister said that the teachings of Guru Ravidas on humanism, equality and justice have great relevance even in today's world. The teachings would continue to guide mankind towards securing a just and an equitable society in which all individuals can achieve their potential regardless of differences of caste, creed or gender, Singh said. On the occasion of Guru Ravidas Jayanti processions bearing his portrait are taken out through main bazaars and streets and at some places feasts are also held. Ravidas was a great saint, and symbolizes social unity and equality. In Varanasi special celebrations are held to mark Ravidas Jayanti. Guru Ravidas was born in 15 century AD in a class that was depressed during that period. He was born on Ravivar (Sunday) in a village near Varanasi, and was therefore, named Ravidas. He was a contemporary of another great saint Kabir. Ravidas was not highly educated but possessed great insight and divine powers. He performed many miracles during his lifetime. He spent most of his time in meditation on the banks of the Ganges, in bhajan, kirtan and satsang. The rest of the time he engaged himself in his parental profession of making shoes. He composed many beautiful hymns in praise of the Almighty. Ravidas through his teachings tried to bring about a social change and reformation during the period of religious intolerance. Ravidas did his best to educate the masses setting his own example. He believed in unity and equality of life and in the tenet of work is worship.

Iran threatens to quit NPT over N-programme (Go To Top)

    Tehran: Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said that his country could leave the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if the West forced it to limit its nuclear programme. He said that that his country was carrying on its nuclear programme within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the NPT. "The Islamic Republic of Iran has continued its nuclear drive within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the NPT, but if we see that you want to deprive us of our right using these regulations, know that the people will revise their policy in this regard," The News quoted him as saying in a strongly worded speech to huge crowds marking the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution. "Until now, the Islamic republic's policy was to use nuclear technology for peaceful ends," the President said a week after Iran was reported to the UN Security Council amid fears it is seeking nuclear weapons. "The Iranian people will never renounce their nuclear rights," Ahmadinejad said amid slogans "We will not give in!" Raising the threat that Iran could follow the course of North Korea by abandoning the NPT, he said: "Your threats will not get you anywhere. Don't push us to the limit. Don't make us change our policy."

Back to Headlines                  Go To Top