David Coleman Headley ...... one more chapter in this 'double agent' saga ......

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India to share NIA's chargesheet with Pak

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Dec 26, 2011, 05.29AM IST

NEW DELHI: India will share NIA's chargesheet, filed against American terrorist David Coleman Headley and eight others, including Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed and two serving Pakistani Army officers, with Pakistan during home secretary-level talks between the two countries in Islamabad in January.

Though the NIA has in its chargesheet mainly replicated the FBI's findings, the sharing of legal document comprising corroborating details - gathered in India - may help New Delhi in putting some more pressure on Islamabad for delivering on its 'promise' to bring perpetrators of the 26\11 Mumbai terror attacks to justice.

"The details will be shared when Indian home secretary R K Singh visits Islamabad for talks later next month. Other details of the exchanges will be finalized once the Pakistani judicial commission, which is to visit here early January, completes its task here," said an official.

The Commission will visit Mumbai to take the statements of additional chief metropolitan magistrate R V Sawant Waghule and investigating officer Ramesh Mahale, who have recorded the confessional statement of Lashkar terrorist Ajmal Kasab, to pursue the 26\11 case in Pakistan. It will also interview two doctors, who carried out the post-mortem of the terrorists killed during the attack.

The 60-page NIA's chargesheet (filed on Saturday), however, did not restrict to details of 26\11 attack. It highlighted roles of Saeed, LeT commander Zakir-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, al-Qaeda operative Ilyas Kashmiri and two serving Pakistani Army officers - Major Iqbal and Major Sameer Ali - in "larger conspiracy to organize spectacular terrorist attacks on places of iconic importance in India".

The chargesheet also gave details of how Headley during his post-26\11 visits to India in March, 2009, went for reconnaissance trips for synchronized terror strikes on Jewish houses located in five places - New Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Pune and Pushkar - at the behest of Kashmiri.

Although the agency had questioned a number of local contacts of Headley, including film producer Mahesh Bhatt's son Rahul, during the probe, it gave all of them a `clean chit'. The chargesheet said: "He (Headley) befriended several individuals who had no knowledge of his activities".

It also documented the communication between Headley and his accomplice Tahawwur Hussain Rana through an email account - "movie.money@yahoo.com" - enlisting property details and debts.

Details of Headley's stay in two hotels - De Holiday Inn and Anand - in Delhi's Paharganj area and other hotels in places like Pune, Goa, Mumbai, Pushkar are given in the chargesheet, backed by records of his visit and travel documents.

The chargesheet said: "He also collected critical information and videos of places including but not limited to Chabad houses in India, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mantralaya and Air India building in Mumbai, National Defence College in Delhi and so on"...........http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTEvMTIvMjYjQXIwMTEwMA==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Over to dance of democracy ..... Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur

Stage set for UP, other assembly polls in February

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Dec 24, 2011, 02.14AM IST

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Friday agreed to provide adequate number of Central security forces to help the Election Commission (EC) in its plan to complete elections in UP in February, boosting the prospect of an early announcement of dates - which could come on Saturday itself - for the politically crucial contest.

Union home secretary R K Singh told the EC that the government can find the required number of paramilitary troops for deployment in UP polls even if it is clubbed with the elections in Uttarakhand and Punjab.

Sources said MHA is looking at deploying over 70, 000 troops on poll duty in the three states. "The ministry is fully prepared to provide required number of paramilitary personnel during February- April next year," said an official, who attended the meeting with Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi and his two colleagues, H S Brahma and VS Sampath.

The assurance of enough boots on the ground takes care of a major logistical concern for the EC, which is looking at February-end for holding elections in India's most populous state. Ensuring deployment of paramilitary forces has been a major factor with the EC in working out the dates.

With the Centre agreeing on Friday to provide forces for all assembly polls in February, the EC is expected to announce the timetable anytime now. Indications are that while EC will go for five- to seven-phase polls in UP, it may decide on a single-phase exercise in Punjab, Goa, Manipur and Uttarakhand.

Sources have, however, not ruled out clubbing polls in Uttarakhand and Punjab with one of the phases in UP. The poll commission is keen on clubbing UP with other poll-bound states despite Mayawati's manoeuvre to delay the exercise by bringing forward school exams to March 1.

She does not favour February polls because that will deprive her of the opportunity to use her absolute majority in the biggest assembly to boost BSP's strength in the RS. The biennial elections to the Upper House is scheduled to be held in April.

However, if she reckoned that moving the dates of school exams would deter the Commission from finishing the exercise in February, EC has proven her wrong.

Arranging for troops will not be an easy task for the ministry because of the internal security challenges. The deadly blend of insurgencies in J&K and elsewhere coupled with the unrelenting Maoist challenge, means the paramilitary troops remain stretched.

The dip in the terrorist threat during winter when snow shuts down passes through which terrorists are pushed, does offer a window.

UP assembly polls are crucial for Congress. Rahul Gandhi is pulling out all stops, and the party's success and the outcome there will certainly be painted as a referendum of sorts on his pull with the electorate..............http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTEvMTIvMjQjQXIwMDEwMg==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

David Coleman Headley ..... finally in Indian chargesheet with ISI operatives ... the trial will throw more light on this nefarious design of Pakistani state actors

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26/11 Mumbai terror attacks: In a first, NIA set to chargesheet ISI officers

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Dec 22, 2011, 04.32AM IST

NEW DELHI: Government on Wednesday gave its sanction to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to chargesheet nine persons including American terrorist David Coleman Headley, Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed, al-Qaida operative Ilyas Kashmiri and two serving Pakistani army officers, who are posted with the country's spy agency ISI, for plotting terror strikes in India including the 26/11 Mumbai attack.

The sanction will now pave the way for NIA - which had registered the case against these accused in November 2009 - to file chargesheet against them in any day from now. It will happen just when New Delhi is getting ready for next round of home secretary-level talks between the two countries - sometime next month - in Islamabad.

Though the government has never minced words in saying that ISI had supported and continued to support various terrorist outfits to spread violence in India, it is for the first time that an Indian probe agency will name serving ISI officers - Major Iqbal and Major Samir Ali - in a chargesheet.

Name of a retired Pakistani army major, Abdul Rehman Hashim, will also be there in the chargesheet along with six others. It was Hashim who had set up the ISI's 'Karachi Project' and trained a number of Indian youths for carrying out attacks in India. The project is meant to bleed India using locals through LeT's network.

"The sanction of prosecution against the nine was accorded after a legal opinion. They will be named in the chargesheet for criminal conspiracy and waging war against the country under the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act," said a government source.

Others who will be chargesheeted include 26/11 attacks mastermind and Lashkar commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, another LeT's top operative Sajid Majid and Headley's accomplice and Pakistani-Canadian Tahawwur Hussain Rana.

The chargesheet will also be the first Indian 'legal' document mentioning about the 'Karachi Project' and how it is being ran by network of Indian Mujahideen (IM) terrorists who are LeT's fronts in India. The 'Project' was set up for giving an impression of 'home-grown' terror in India.

While Headley and Rana - arrested by the FBI in Chicago in October 2009 - have been in US jail ever since they were caught there, Lakhvi - arrested by Pakistani authorities in connection with the 26/11 terror attack -- has been in Pakistani jail. The others, however, remain scot free in Pakistan, despite India's repeated request to Islamabad.

Though the FBI had indicted both Headley and Rana for their roles in the 26/11 terror attacks, the Chicago Court had acquitted Rana in this case but found him guilty in Denmark terror attack plot.

The Court had found Headley guilty in Mumbai terror attack, but he - suspected to be a 'double agent' who had worked for US agencies before turning rogue and switching side to LeT - had entered into plea bargain with American authorities to escape harsh sentence and extradition to India.

The NIA's chargesheet will give details of Headley's activities in India during his multiple-visit to the country. The agency alleged that he had visited India "several times before 26/11 and once after" the Mumbai terror strikes, which left 166 people dead in November 2008...........................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JSC8yMDExLzEyLzIyI0FyMDA5MDI=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Terror Funding Template (TFT) ..... idea is to reach at source of the terror funding

NIA prepares template to glean information on terror funding

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Dec 21, 2011, 01.51AM IST

NEW DELHI: National Investigation Agency (NIA) - an elite Central agency that was set up after 26\11 to probe terror-related cases - has prepared a 'Terror Funding Template' (TFT), which will help its officials and investigators of states' anti-terror agencies to extract information on terror funding.

This Template, describing core sources and methods for terror funding, has been circulated to all states and Union Territories for getting relevant information from terrorists and terror suspects during their interrogation and probe.

"The Terror Funding Template is prepared by the NIA in consultation with Central intelligence agency. This template is quite comprehensive that can be helpful in leading investigators to the source of funding for terrorist activities," said a home ministry official.

He said that the TFT can be used as vital 'interrogation and probe tools' to not only extract information from terrorists, but also keep eye on various other activities that directly or indirectly contribute to funding terrorist organizations in India and elsewhere.

Besides usual source of terror funding through hawala, narcotics trade and printing\circulation of fake Indian currency notes, the Template has taken into account `misuse' of 'zakat' - giving alms to poor and needy as prescribed by the Quran - to fund terror activities.

"Though it is primarily based on the tools used by Western anti-terror probe agencies, the Indian Template has factored in local issues like reports suggesting\alleging diversion of fund from various 'madarsas' along border areas to different terror outfits," said an official.

The NIA has recently registered two cases of terror funding, from which the agency got a lot of information about the method and source of such 'funds'.

The first case was registered on October 25 on the basis of information that the Jammu and Kashmir-based terror outfit, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), is being regularly and systematically funded from across the border for the purpose of terrorist activities in India.

The second similar case was registered on November 14 that relates to terror funding for both HM and Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)................................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JSC8yMDExLzEyLzIxI0FyMDE0MDE=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Bharat Ratna ..... appreciates this 'change' ... it may be reflected in the year 2012 award list

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Sachin Tendulkar, Dhyan Chand can now be given Bharat Ratna

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Dec 16, 2011, 04.53AM IST

NEW DELHI: In a significant move clearing decks for Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar, legendary hockey player Dhyan Chand and others to get Bharat Ratna, the government has made a necessary change in eligibility criteria for a person getting the India's highest civilian honour.

The Bharat Ratna will now be awarded in recognition of exceptional service/performance of the highest order "in any field of human endeavour" - covering almost all the fields that had earlier remained out of the purview of this civilian award.

Earlier, it was restricted to areas like "Art, Literature, Science and Public Service", making it difficult for government to consider names of those, who contributed immensely to other fields, including sports.

"The change is made through notification by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on recommendation of the home and sports ministries," said a senior official.

Supporting sports ministry's demand to include 'sports' as a category for the award of Bharat Ratna, the home ministry had written to the PMO in July, asking it to take the call as the decision would help outstanding sportspersons to be considered for the highest civilian award.

As the clamour for awarding Bharat Ratna to Tendulkar and Dhyan Chand gets louder, sports minister Ajay Maken had earlier written to home minister P Chidambaram seeking inclusion of 'sports' as a category for the award of Bharat Ratna. Maken, however, did not plead for any specific sportsperson or sports.

Before the change which is made now, the Bharat Ratna was considered only for those, who excelled for "exceptional service towards advancement of Art, Literature and Science, and in recognition of public service of the highest order". The recommendations for the Bharat Ratna - that was instituted in 1954 - are made by Prime Minister himself to President.

Though names of persons as per the eligibility criteria can be recommended by different state\Union Territories governments, organizations and individuals to PMO for consideration, no "formal recommendation" for this is necessary. It is also not mandatory that Bharat Ratna is awarded every year. The number of awards is, however, restricted to a maximum of three in a year.

So far, 41 people have been conferred with Bharat Ratna. The first three Indians, who received the prestigious award, were Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari and Sarvapali Radhakrishnan in 1954. There is no written provision that Bharat Ratna should be awarded to Indian citizens only.

The award has been conferred to a naturalized Indian citizen Mother Teresa (1980) and to two non-Indians - Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Nelson Mandela (1990). Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was the last recipient of the award in 2009.

Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajendra Prasad, Lata Mangeshkar, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Amartya Sen, Jayprakash Narayan, Pandit Ravi Shankar, M S Subbulakshmi, J R D Tata, A P J Abdul Kalam, Rajiv Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Morarji Desai and Bhimrao Ambedkar are among the other recipients of Bharat Ratna.........................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDExLzEyLzE2I0FyMDE3MDA=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Left cries 'deal' over this bonhomie ..... Will more such 'deal' get the country important legislations?

With BJP's help, govt passes LIC Bill in RS

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Dec 15, 2011, 02.33AM IST

NEW DELHI: With main Opposition BJP turning out to be a 'saviour' for ruling UPA, Parliament on Wednesday approved a Bill for increasing paid-up capital to Rs 100 crore of the state-owned Life Insurance Corporation of India after the government faced some tense moments in the Rajya Sabha, where Left parties backed by BSP pressed for division of votes over an 'amendment'.

Though the Upper House negated the 'amendment'- moved by the CPM members Moinul Hassan and Tapan Kumar Sen - after voting, it was possible only when BJP, the second largest party in the Rajya Sabha, abstained.

Only 28 members, including BSP MPs, voted in favour of the Left-backed 'amendment', while 58 rejected it in the House with an effective strength of 241.

BJP member Prakash Javdekar too had moved 'amendments', but he later did not press for it when MoS for finance Namo Narain Meena clarified the scope of the Bill and said that the government would continue to provide sovereign guarantee to the policies sold by LIC.

The Bill had seen Left-backed division of vote in the Lok Sabha as well on Monday. But, the Lower House too had passed it when the 'amendment' - moved by CPM's Bansagopal Chaudhury - was negated with 17 'ayes' and 107 'nos'. Left members had staged a walk-out after voting in Lok Sabha.

Unlike in the Lok Sabha, Left members in the Rajya Sabha did not walk out after the voting and remained seated for discussion on another legislation - the Architects (Amendment) Bill, 2010 - that was moved for consideration and passing by HRD minister Kapil Sibal.

The LIC (Amendment) Bill seeks to bring LIC at par with private insurance companies by increasing the paid-up capital of the state insurer from the present level of Rs 5 crore to Rs 100 crore. The new legislation provides for sharing of 90% of LIC surplus with the policyholders from the existing 95%.

Almost the entire Opposition, including BJP, Left and BSP, raised question over this provision while taking part in the discussion before passing of the Bill. Javdekar contended that reducing the surplus would impact LIC's competitiveness. The BJP member also questioned LIC's decision to invest in realty firms such as Unitech, D B Realty and Omaxe, which have caused a loss to the tune of Rs 4,000 crore to the corporation.

Responding to members' concern, Meena later said the measure was to align the LIC with 21 private players in the sector. The reserved funds would be used for business expansion and corporate responsibility of LIC, besides having solvency margin for it, he added.

On Javdekar's question over LIC's investment, the minister said, "Some investments are under investigation".

Times View

The passage of this bill is a welcome departure from the logjam in Parliament. We only hope that such instances of bipartisanship were more common and cussedness by ruling or opposition parties in our legislatures more rare. There is a lot our legislators, whether in Parliament or in the states, could learn in this respect from the traditions of legislative bodies in the US. While bitter rivalry between parties is as much a reality of US politics as in India or indeed any healthy democracy, what the American experience shows is that this not need automatically translate into the politics of obstruction. When important legislation is blocked, after all, the country loses much more than any party does.........................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JQkcvMjAxMS8xMi8xNSNBcjAwOTAw&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Maoists ..... looking for different 'theatre' of activities

Maoists eyeing commercial hubs in Western India to spread Red terror

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Dec 14, 2011, 04.00AM IST

NEW DELHI: After facing some reverses in their strongholds, the CPI (Maoist) has formed a 'Golden Corridor Committee' to build its base in hitherto untouched industrial areas of Gujarat and Maharashtra, stretching from Pune to Ahmedabad, including commercial hubs like Mumbai, Nashik, Surat and Vadodara.

Besides, the Red Ultras have planned to expand their movement to Nagpur, Wardha, Bhandara and Yavatmal districts of Maharashtra in addition to their existing bases in Gadchiroli, Gondia and Chandrapur in the state.

Maoists' game-plan to foray into these unexplored areas was disclosed by the Union home ministry in response to a question in Parliament on Tuesday. The ministry informed the Lok Sabha that Maharashtra alone had witnessed 221 deaths in naxal incidents from 2008 till November, 2011. The state has reported more deaths (51) this year as compared to 2010 when it had witnessed 45 killings in Red violence.

Security agencies had first got to know about the Maoists' plan to set up another theatre of their activities through the 'Golden Corridor Committee' after arresting a number of Ultras in Maharashtra in the past six months, including the first batch of 10 Maoists - all belong to West Bengal - in Pune in May. All the Ultras were working as casual labourers in different industrial units.

"Their questioning and subsequent arrests of many more Maoists gave us lot of details about the Ultras' plan to set up their bases in the industrial areas of Gujarat and Maharashtra," said an official.

Though the CPI (Maoist) had planned to set up the 'Golden Corridor Committee' in February, 2008, it took shape recently when Urban Unit of the Red Ultras started recruiting cadres in different cities of both the states - primarily from among those who are working in various industrial units.

Western India has become one of the eight strategic areas for Maoist activities. Establishing organizational bases in north-eastern India is yet another 'new' strategic area, where they have forged relations with insurgent groups to meet their military requirements.

In response to another question in the Lok Sabha, the ministry said that the CPI (Maoist) had developed "close fraternal ties with north-eastern insurgent groups like the Revolutionary People's Front (RPF) and People's Liberation Army (PLA) of Manipur. Both the outfits have agreed upon mutual cooperation in the areas of training, funding and supply of arms and ammunitions".

Referring to Maoists' north-east agenda, the ministry said: "The Upper Assam Leading Committee (UALC) of the CPI (Maoist) is presently operating in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh and has been involved in incidents of looting of weapons and extortion from local villagers".

Stating that the UALC has also engaged in recruitment and training of cadres for the outfit in Assam and these cadres have been utilized in extensive propaganda against mega dam in Assam, the ministry said: "In this backdrop, Assam-Arunachal border has emerged as another theatre of Maoist activity. The outfit is also establishing separate channels in the north-east, particularly in Nagaland, for procurement of ammunition."..........................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDExLzEyLzE0I0FyMDE2MDA=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Lokpal Panel .... It prefers to ignore institution's autonomy ... excessive political interference undermines CBI's credibility

House panel ignores SC rulings on CBI lapses

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Dec 11, 2011, 03.09AM IST

NEW DELHI: Parliament's standing committee, examining the Lokpal bill, has ignored several observations made by the Supreme Court against the functioning of the CBI. Two key apex court judgments were highlighted by noted lawyer and Rajya Sabha MP Ram Jethmalani in his dissent note to the panel, while arguing for the investigating agency to be given autonomy.

Jethmalani made a strong case for CBI being rescued from the "infamy" of kowtowing to political directives by pointing out instances - ranging from the Bofors case to the targeting of an honest official at the behest of powerful Goa politicians - to underline how the agency is at the mercy of its political bosses.

The first SC judgment, referred to by the Rajya Sabha MP, had come in 1996 in the case of killing of Goa PWD minister Churchill Alemao's elder brother Alvarnaz, who was allegedly involved in major smuggling racket. Alvarnaz was killed in a scuffle with Custom officer Costao Fernandez when he was trying to flee. Fernandez had also sustained severe injuries while discharging his duty.

Though the Custom department held the Alemao's brother guilty of smuggling huge amount of contraband in Goa, the CBI had, instead, during its probe charged Fernandez under Section 302 (murder), while taking lenient view of the offence of the politically connected brothers. The charge was, however, quashed by the SC in 1996. The apex court had noted that how the CBI defaulted in its probe because the deceased (the smuggler) was "no ordinary mortal" (brother of erstwhile Goa CM).

The second apex court judgment, highlighted by Jethmalani, had come in the Mukta Panna oil-field case. The SC in 2000 had passed severe strictures on the CBI for omission of an important file that contained recommendations of an officer of the agency for registering an FIR against a big firm and conducting raids at its premises.

Pitching for CBI's independence, the Rajya Sabha MP has referred to these two judgments in his dissent note and said: "My experience convinces me that the CBI has got to be rescued from this infamy and the nation saved from the grave consequences of its misdeeds. The present system of supervision has become hopelessly inadequate and much more effective one has to be imposed upon it".

Referring to the Bofors case, Jethmalani pointed out that the Malaysian Court had refused India's request for extradition of Quattrocchi because "the CBI did not carry out the simple request of the Judge to supply him with a summary of implicating evidence" against the Italian businessman. This episode had, however, happened when NDA was in power at the Centre.

He wished that the appointment of the CBI director and officers of equivalent status should be totally insulated from government's interference or influence. His argument clearly drew home a point that had the agency chief been independent from government's control, such a biased action would not have happened in the first place like the cases he referred to.

He said that CBI continued to be used by the government of the day for their own ``political purposes''. In his dissent note, Jethmalani said, ``The report proposes that the CBI be the main anti-corruption agency and that it be left to the administrative control of the Lokpal in the same manner in which the CVC currently has that supervisory jurisdiction. This would be totally unsatisfactory and would leave the CBI under the control of the government through its power of postings, transfer, promotions and disciplinary control. Using these powers the governments of the day have been misusing the CBI for their own political purposes despite the supervisory jurisdiction of the CVC.''.......http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JQ0gvMjAxMS8xMi8xMSNBcjAxMTAw&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Poor CBI ....Govt. doesn't seem to lose its control over such an important tool

Lokpal draft: Selection of CBI chief a sticking point

Himanshi Dhawan & Vishwa Mohan | TNN | Dec. 10, 2011

New Delhi:The standing committee on Lokpal appears to have skipped the crucial issue of reducing government’s say in appointing the CBI chief, something which has been exploited by regimes of the day to put a loyalist at the top of the country’s premier investigating agency who can act as per the wishes of political masters.

Several strong representations were made to Parliament’s standing committee on how to make the appointment of CBI director a nonpartisan exercise, but the final report has fought shy of addressing the flaw in the country’s anti-corruption regime. Not surprisingly, the 286-page report tabled in both Houses of Parliament on Friday is marked by strong reservations from BJP, BJD, SP, Ram Vilas Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party and Rajya Sabha member Ram Jethmalani.

Building upon the notes of dissent by seven of its members who were on the standing committee, BJP leader Arun Jaitley on Friday attacked the report for not seeking to loosen government’s control over who gets to head CBI. “The appointment of CBI director should be made by a statutory collegium which should include the prime minister and the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha,” Jaitley said.

The Lokpal bill is silent on changing the current scheme where the appointment of CBI chief is the privilege of the ruling dispensation; something which is seen as a power perk and has been used to reward pliant officials who have reciprocated by toeing the government line in sensitive cases.

CBI has trimmed its investigations to suit the regimes in a whole range of cases stretching from Bofors and fodder scam to disproportionate assets case against UP heavyweights Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati.

The practice, which has stripped CBI of the credibility and respect that it once enjoyed and ought to have in order to function effectively, has disappointed even agency officials who feel let down. Sources in the agency were of the view that selection of its head by a process which is objective, transparent and professional will be the best way to restore functional autonomy to government’s chief anti-corruption arm.

Deposing before the standing committee, the current CBI chief said the collegium may include the PM, the leader of opposition and the head of constitutional bodies, including but not necessarily Lokpal. With the Abhishek Singhvi-led panel steering clear of the issue, one of its prominent members Ram Jethmalani has submitted a scathing note of dissent.

“The report proposes that the CBI be the main anti-corruption agency and that it be left to the administrative control of the Lokpal in the same manner in which the CVC currently has that supervisory jurisdiction. This would be totally unsatisfactory and would leave the CBI under the control of the government through its power of postings, transfer, promotions and disciplinary control. Using these powers, the governments of the day have been misusing CBI for their own political purposes despite the supervisory jurisdiction of the CVC,” the eminent lawyer said.

He further said, “I am not exaggerating but I believe that I have tremendous experience of the criminal side of justice system and the way CBI has become a shameless instrument of the evil political design of the ruling government. My experience convinces me that CBI has got to be rescued from this infamy and the nation saved from the grave consequence of its misdeeds. The present system of supervision has become hopelessly inadequate and a much more effective one has to be imposed upon it.’’

The view was supported by BJP members on the panel. In their notes of dissent, they stressed that CBI as an institution had been “seriously compromised’’ because it was under the influence of the government.

Endorsing the view of the CBI chief, they argued that the agency could only be made independent if the appointment of its chief was done not through the government but a collegium including PM, leader of opposition and chairperson of the Lokpal. The party also suggested that the department of personnel should only be an administrative interface of the central government........................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDExLzEyLzEwI0FyMDE3MDI=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Poor CBI ...... the agency can't even express 'openly' over this high-handedness

CBI disappointed by Lokpal panel's proposals

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Dec 9, 2011, 02.47AM IST

NEW DELHI: Proposals of Parliament's standing committee examining the Lokpal bill do not diminish the scope for political interference in the CBI's functioning as the agency head's appointment remains under government control while the ombudsman's role in vetting corruption cases may actually reduce CBI's functional autonomy.

The recommendation of the standing committee to seek the approval of the Lokpal for chargesheets and closure or final reports severely undercuts CBI's autonomy, sources said, explaining that the "worldwide" best practice was for agencies not being liable to be monitored by any entity during their investigations.

The proposal that barring entrapment cases, all cases will be scrutinized by the Lokpal by holding a preliminary inquiry is contested by agency officers who point out that compulsory PEs will give the game away as far as persons under investigation are concerned.

The agency does not always file a PE as it looks to maintain secrecy while gathering information and such a procedure is usually adopted when the agency is itself not totally sure that a case can be made out. More importantly, the agency argues that its powers of investigation and professional judgment must not be subject to any outside scrutiny.

On the appointment process of the CBI chief which is currently in the government's hands, the agency's view is that while setting up the Lokpal, CBI's legal authority and operational effectiveness must be protected and not diluted. "One step can be a selection committee comprising prime minister, leader of opposition and any other constitutional authority," sources said.

The selection committee may choose the CBI director from a panel of serving officers on the basis of "seniority, integrity and experience in investigation and anti-corruption work". The agency clearly feels that this process, prescribed by the Supreme Court in the Vineet Narain case, can be incorporated in the bill under consideration.

Reform of the selection process was part of the presentation CBI made to the standing committee on personnel, law and justice. "If such a selection committee appoints CBI director with consensus, it gives a great deal of autonomy to the agency which has an unfortunate record of changing its stance as per wishes of political masters of the day," a senior official said.

Although existing rules give a fixed tenure of two years to the CBI director, officials believe a slightly longer time in office will act as "a strong safeguard against interference and foster more accountability".

CBI officials said they were craving greater autonomy given instances like the disproportionate assets cases of Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav, Taj Corridor and DA cases of BSP chief Mayawati, role of government in de-freezing the bank account of Italian businessman and Bofors case accused Ottavio Quattrocchi and the DA case of RJD leader Lalu Prasad.

More routinely, the CBI has found that its prosecutors, who are law ministry appointees, are open to "political directions" and turn down the agency's case for filing cases or appealing adverse verdicts. CBI faces a further hurdle in seeking sanction for prosecution from administrative ministries in cases dealing with joint secretary and above officers.

The standing committee has taken the view that it does not agree with the suggestion that the central government has absolute discretion in appointing the CBI director.

Former CBI director Joginder Singh said the recommendations are like "putting dust in the eyes of people" as the agency cannot fight corruption unless government brings other legislations like effective witness protection law and allows the agency to recruit more personnel.

Retaining the existing status of the agency, the standing committee recommends overall supervisory jurisdiction of the Lokpal over the CBI. It recommends that the complaint should be allowed to be made either by any complainant or initiated suo motu by the Lokpal without disturbing the CBI's existing powers over investigation.

"Since, presently, the CBI also has full powers of suo motu initiation of investigation, a power which is frequently exercised, it is felt that the same power of suo motu proceedings should also be preserved for both the CBI and the Lokpal, subject, however, to overall supervisory jurisdiction of the Lokpal over the CBI, including simultaneous intimation and continued disclosure of progress of any inquiry or investigation by the CBI to the Lokpal," it said...................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTEvMTIvMDkjQXIwMTcwMA==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Integrated Action Plan ..... districts will certainly be benefitted if money goes in right hand ..... constant watch and local awareness may help

Counter-Maoist scheme extended to 18 more districts

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Dec 9, 2011, 03.28AM IST

NEW DELHI: Government has approved the proposal to extend its ambitious Integrated Action Plan (IAP) scheme - meant for carrying out development works in Maoist-affected districts through local administration - to 18 more districts with Andhra Pradesh getting one-third of it as "peace dividend".

The scheme, approved by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday, will now be implemented in 78 districts across nine Maoist-affected states from the next fiscal (2012-13).

The 60 selected districts, where the scheme is being implemented, are: Odisha (15), Jharkhand (14), Chhattisgarh (10), Madhya Pradesh (8), Bihar (7), two each from Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra and one each from Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

The latest approval will extend it to six districts (Vishakhapatnam, East Godavari, Warangal, Karimnagar, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram) in Andhra Pradesh; three districts each of Jharkhand (Ranchi rural, Giridih and Khunti) and Odisha (three including Ganjam and Nayagarh); two each in West Bengal (Bankura and Purulia); Bihar (Munger and Kaimur) and Uttar Pradesh (Mirjapur and Chandauli).

An official said: "Andhra Pradesh which dealt with the Maoist menace quite effectively and reported least violence in the past couple of years gets six districts as a kind of peace dividend. After clearing these districts from Red Ultras through effective security measures, it is now time to concentrate on developing rural areas of these districts".

The IAP is being implemented with 100% block grant of Rs 25 crore and Rs 30 crore per district during 2010-11 and 2011-12, respectively. The allocated funds are placed at the disposal of a district-level committee - comprising collector, SP and district forest officer - that identifies and implements the 'basic' development and infrastructure projects.

Backed by 'progress' report of the scheme, the home ministry had been pitching for extending the IAP to more districts for the last couple of months. The affected states too had been demanding it as the scheme had shown quite a good result in the past nine months.

As many as over 67,072 basic infrastructure projects across these districts have been taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 2,740 crore over the past 11 months. The scheme was launched by the Centre in December last year. Various development projects like construction of roads, bridges, school building, drinking water facilities to rural population, sanitation and electricity works are being carried out under the IAP.

Red fronts .... wondering, what is the reason behind this home ministry's claim .... Is it true?

Names of Maoist fronts in Delhi unveiled

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Dec 8, 2011, 03.36AM IST

NEW DELHI: Existence of various front organizations of Maoists in the national Capital had never been a secret, but the government on Wednesday disclosed their names for the first time, including even the Committee for the Release of Political Prisoners (CRPP) that is led by Delhi University Prof S A R Geelani, who was acquitted in the Parliament House terror attack case.

Besides, the Union home ministry identified 23 'active' naxal outfits - other than CPI (Maoist) - that have been operating in different states.

The ministry, in response to a Parliament question, listed CRPP, Revolutionary Democratic Front (RDF), People's Democratic Front of India (PDFI) and Democratic Students Union (DSU) as some of the front organizations of the CPI (Maoist) that are active in Delhi.

MoS for home affairs Jitendra Singh, in his written response, also said: "The CPI (Maoist) operates in Delhi through the Delhi City Committee of tIhe outfit. Besides the CPI (Maoist), several other left wing extremist groups - including CPML-New Democracy as well as CPML-Liberation - are active in Delhi".

Although Singh admitted that no inputs are available to indicate that 'Sleeper Cells' of naxalites are functional in Delhi, he said activities of the Delhi City Committee and these front organizations of CPI (Maoist) were being closely monitored.

The ministry also informed the Rajya Sabha that the CPI (Maoist) has developed "close fraternal ties with certain north-east insurgent groups like the RPF\PLA as part of their 'Strategic United Front' (SUF) against the Indian state.

"They are constantly making efforts to incorporate more insurgent groups in the SUF. Government has alerted the states concerned of the north-east in this regard. It is also monitoring the situation closely", said Singh.

In response to a different question, the ministry informed the Upper House some form of left wing extremist activity took place in 182 districts this year. "This also includes over-ground activities of Maoist front organizations", it said.

Major share of naxal violence - that witnessed killing of 415 civilians and 127 security personnel this year so far - went to the CPI (Maoist), the biggest and most violent Red Terror group in the country, operating in 11 states. But, there are 23 other naxal outfits that have been functioning in one or more states for past many years.

These outfits are: Revolutionary Communist Centre (Bihar and Jharkhand); Jharkhand Prastuti Committee; Sashastra People's Morcha; CPI-Marxist-Leninist-Maoist (Bihar); Revolutionary Communist Party (Karnataka); CPML-Liberation (Bihar, Jharkhand, Delhi, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh); Communist Party Re-Organisation Centre of India/Marxist-Leninist in Punjab; CPML-Naxalbari in Kerala and Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Marxist-Leninist Party in Tamil Nadu among other groups.......http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTEvMTIvMDgjQXIwMDkwMQ==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

NGOs ..... wish they spend such fund judiciously

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US continues to be the biggest donor for Indian NGOs

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Dec 7, 2011, 01.14AM IST

The US continues to be the biggest donor for Indian NGOs, contributing a little less than one-third of the total Rs 10,337 crore received by various NGOs.
NEW DELHI: The US continues to be the biggest donor for Indian NGOs, contributing a little less than one-third of the total Rs 10,337 crore received by various non-profit voluntary organizations in 2009-10.

The latest statistics for the year 2009-10, disclosed by the home ministry in Parliament last week, showed that Germany took second spot, replacing UK which has traditionally been just behind the US in the list of donors in the past several years.

The ministry's data showed that the US donated over Rs 3,105 crore to NGOs during the period compared to Rs 1,046 crore by Germany, Rs 1,038 crore by UK, Rs 583 crore by Italy and Rs 509 crore by Netherlands.

Analysis of previous home ministry reports shows that these countries have been the top five donors to NGOs for the past several years, consistently giving over 50% of the total foreign contribution.

During 2009-10, the highest Rs 944 crore out of the total Rs 10,337 crore of foreign contribution went to organizations working in the field of rural development followed by Rs 742 crore for welfare of children and Rs 630 crore for construction and maintenance of schools and colleges. The year 2008-09 had shown a similar trend. Contribution for AIDS awareness also figured prominently in the past five years.

Indian NGOs collectively received foreign contribution to the tune of over Rs 49,968 crore during five years from 2005-06 to 2009-10. A total of 21,508 organizations received such funds for various activities in 2009-10 compared to 21,542 organizations in 2008-09.

"The report of the year 2010-11 is not yet compiled. All non-profit voluntary organizations, which are registered with the home ministry for receiving foreign funds, have been asked to submit their annual return for receipt of such contribution by December 31," an official said.

The home ministry's data shows that foreign contributions to voluntary organizations have come not just from rich and developed countries alone. Countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Zambia, Congo and others have also donated funds to different organizations.

Although the contribution made by under-developed or developing countries has been quite low compared to the biggies, most of these countries have been providing funds to Indian NGOs consistently for different activities. During 2009-10, India's neighbours like Nepal contributed Rs 12 crore, China Rs 2.8 crore, Afghanistan Rs 1.9 crore, Pakistan Rs 1.2 crore and Bangladesh Rs 86 lakh.

Besides rural development, child welfare, environmental programmes and AIDS awareness, foreign funds are also being used for setting up religious schools, education of priests/preachers, religious functions and publication/distribution of religious literature among other activities.

Disclosing the details in Parliament, the ministry said, "The annual return submitted by the associations is scrutinized to ensure that recipients of foreign contribution utilize the same in accordance with the stated objectives for which the foreign contribution is received and the money is not diverted to undesirable activities."......................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDExLzEyLzA3I0FyMDE1MDE=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Red Terror ...... Maoists don't want schools in Red Zones ..... backwardness keeps them going ... Isn't it?

Maoists target tribal areas to further propaganda

Vishwa Mohan,TNN | Dec 4, 2011, 02.18AM IST 

NEW DELHI: Maoists, who allege discrimination against tribal areas when it comes to development, have destroyed as many as 258 school buildings in the past six years in the Red Zone, with Chhattisgarh alone reporting more than half of the total destruction.

Sharing the state-wise statistics of Maoists' targets of school buildings, the government has told Parliament that the ultras' acts has even drawn the attention of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) that had last year compiled an elaborate report on such incidents.

The world body, in its report 'Education under Attack', has noted that the Maoists had not only destroyed schools but also recruited children in their ranks and trained them to use arms and explosives in their strongholds.

Home ministry statistics shows that the Red ultras had destroyed 131 school buildings in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand (63), Bihar (46), Odisha (13), Maharashtra (4) and Andhra Pradesh (1) from 2006 to 2011.

Stating that these attacks are a part of Maoist tactics to keep the local people illiterate and backward and out of reach of the development process, the home ministry said: "The Maoists highlight this situation as a propaganda tool to incite gullible population against the institution of the state in an attempt to implement their ideology of capture of state power through the barrel of guns."

School buildings are, however, not the only targets of the ultras' big design to keep their areas of influence out of development process. The Maoists had during the same period also destroyed over 1,100 economic targets, including telephone towers, electricity transmission lines, power plants and mining and railway infrastructure.

Security measures, taken in the past couple of years, have prevented such attacks during 2010-11, but it continues to be a matter of big concern for governments of all Maoist-hit states. As many as 71 school buildings were destroyed by the ultras in 2009 as compared to 39 last year. They have destroyed 21 such premises till November 15.

Presence of security personnel in school buildings was once considered as one of the reasons of their being targets of Maoists. But, the statistics shows that the ultras had destroyed even those premises that had never been occupied by security personnel.

Civil Services Examination ..... change in tune with Indian aspirations in 21st century is urgently needed. We need administrators who are sensitive and wise

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Changes likely in UPSC main exam from 2013

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Dec 3, 2011, 05.32AM IST

NEW DELHI: After successfully introducing changes in the civil services (preliminary) examination this year, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is looking at bringing some changes in its 'main' examination with likely effect from 2013.

UPSC has constituted a panel which is expected to come out with its report early next year. The civil services examination (CSE) that is meant for selecting candidates for elite central services like IAS, IFS, IPS, IRS and others has three stages comprising 'preliminary', 'main' and personality test (interview).

UPSC chairman D P Agrawal said: "Consistent with the need for selecting right kind of person from huge pool consisting of multiple languages, culture and communities, the commission has now constituted a high power panel to suggest possible changes in the pattern of CS (main) examination".

Though the chairman did not elaborate, he made it clear that the endeavour of the commission is to ensure that all the candidates are judged "on the basis of in-depth knowledge and understanding rather than information gathered at the last moment".

UPSC, which changed the 'preliminary' exam pattern this year by infusing elements of 'aptitude' test, had brought a minor change in the 'main' test pattern last in 1993 when it introduced an additional paper of 'essay' of 200 marks. The 'essay' paper, meant for testing aspirants' knowledge of a chosen topic and presentation skill, carries substantial weight in the entire written examination of 2,000 marks.

However, it is felt that the new paper introduced 18 years ago has not served the desired purpose of bringing candidates opting for high scoring science subjects at par with those opting for humanities and languages as their optional papers in the main exam.

Besides, officials feel, the existing pattern is tilted towards short-listing those candidates, who are good at their 'subjects' instead of having knowledge of general studies, comprising modern Indian history\culture and socio-economic and political system. It also does not test the candidates' administrative and managerial potential.

Officials said that the committee, which has been working on bringing certain changes, will take into account the recommendations of the second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) on changes in the civil services examination.

The ARC, in its recommendation in 2008, had suggested that UPSC should only keep two compulsory papers (general studies) and an essay paper for the 'main' examination. It also suggested that there should not be any optional subject.

Now, aspirants have to appear in two optional subjects (two papers each), besides one paper of essay and two papers of general studies. Hence, candidates having good knowledge of their optional subjects (four papers having 1,200 marks) get through the main examination easily, even if they score less marks in two papers of general studies (600 marks) and one paper of essay (200 marks), an official explained.

"Getting high scores in science\engineering\medicines papers is easier than getting good marks in humanities and language papers. No wonder, the existing system tests aspirants unfairly," said an official.........http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTEvMTIvMDMjQXIwMTAwMw==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

ISI's Karachi Project ...... NIA to expose 'state' actors

26/11 Mumbai terror attacks: 'Karachi Project' to figure in NIA’s charges

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Dec 2, 2011, 03.59AM IST

NEW DELHI: Pakistani spy agency ISI's 'Karachi Project', which is meant to bleed India using locals through Lashkar-e-Taiba's network, had never been a secret to Indian agencies, but the Islamabad's nefarious design of 'proxy war' will soon find its place in the NIA's chargesheet against American-Pakistani terrorist David Coleman Headley and his accomplices, including Pakistani serving and retired Army officials, in the 26/11 case.

The chargesheet, which is to be filed within a month, will be the first Indian 'legal' document mentioning about the 'Project' and how it is being ran by network of Indian Mujahideen (IM) terrorists, who are LeT's fronts in India. The 'Project' was set up for giving an impression of 'homegrown' terror in India.

Without elaborating the details, Union home secretary R K Singh on Thursday said the NIA would file the chargesheet against Headley soon.

Other officials, however, later explained that the agency was in an advanced stage of filing the chargesheet incorporating all the evidence against Headley, who had made multiple visits to India before and after the 26/11 attacks, and others and this would give an account in detail of the 'Karachi Project' that bared its fangs during a number of terror attacks in India involving IM cadres.

"We have collected enough evidence about the 'Project', existence of which was also corroborated by Headley during his interrogation by NIA officials in Chicago in June last year," said an official.

Headley told his interrogators that retired Major of Pakistani Army Abdur Rehman had masterminded the 'Project', which was being funded by ISI. Rehman had trained a number of Indian youth for carrying out attacks in India.

Indian agencies have enough evidence that show that recruitment of cadres for Indian Mujahideen (IM), which had carried out a number of terror attacks, was part of this 'Project' that enlisted LeT's network in India to set up various terror modules. A number of cadres of banned SIMI had joined the IM and went to Pakistan for training.

Though Indian police had arrested a number of IM cadres, including the six who were arrested by Delhi Police in end-November, and eliminated few others, their leaders - Amir Raza Khan and Bhatkal brothers (Riyaz and Iqbal) - are suspected to be holed up in various cities of Pakistan under protection of the ISI.

India had last year given a detailed dossier of IM cadres to Pakistan. Besides Amir Raza Khan and the Bhatkal brothers, the dossier contained names of Rasool Khan alias Party, Mohammed Abdul Aziz alias Gidda, Syed Zabiuddin Ansari, Fayyaz Kagzi alias Arsalan, Mohammed Rahil Shaikh, Mufti Sufiyan, Shaikh Ezaz alias Shergil, Shahnawaz Alam and Shaikh Masood alias Azhar.

Officials said that the chargesheet against Headley, Tahawwur Hussain Rana, Lashkar commander Sajid Mir and Pakistani Army officials (Major Iqbal, Sameer Ali and Abdur Rehman) would give in detail the roles being played by some of them in training IM cadres and sending them back to India for terrorist activities........http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDExLzEyLzAyI0FyMDE1MDA=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

P Chidambaram's talks offer ....... abjure violence and come for dialogue

Centre extends olive branch to Maoists, N-E rebels

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Dec 1, 2011, 02.35AM IST

NEW DELHI: Six days after elimination of dreaded Maoist leader Koteshwar Rao alias Kishanji by security forces in a gun battle in West Bengal, the Centre on Wednesday offered talks with Maoists and north-east insurgents with a condition that they should abjure violence.

Sending strong message to Maoists and insurgents while making the offer for a dialogue, home minister P Chidambaram said: "The State will not bend before anyone who uses violence as an instrument to achieve political demands".

Appealing to ultras and insurgents to come for talks, he said, "Suspend violence and come for talks and when you come for talks, you will be treated with dignity and honour," adding, "We can resolve your political demands through talks".

His statement came in the backdrop of killing of 398 people by Red Ultras in different states so far this year. He mentioned that the Maoists have killed 30 people, including security personnel, in November alone, with a maximum 11 casualties being reported from Jharkhand.

Though the home minister made the statement while replying to questions on the Wednesday's bomb blast in Imphal and about talks with different insurgents groups in the north-east, he made it clear that it applied to Maoists also.

Chidambaram said: "I have made this statement several times before and I make it again today as I complete three years (as home minister). Even Maoists should suspend violence. We are not asking for more at this stage. Just say there will be no violence and my offer stands".

Repeating the offer made by him at a number of occasions in the past, he said: "After consulting chief ministers of the states concerned, within 72 hours we will get back to them (ultras\insurgents) to fix the dates and venue for starting talks. But they must suspend violence".

Rejecting allegations of fake encounter of Kishanji, Chidambaram said there was "no doubt" that Maoist leader was killed in a gun battle. He said: "A senior politburo member of the CPI (Maoist) was killed in an encounter with security forces that commenced on November 23 and concluded on November 24. Preliminary reports indicate that he was killed in the gun battle.... We have no doubts about the encounter. He was killed in an encounter".

In accordance with the NHRC guidelines, the state government has ordered an inquiry by CID into the death of the Maoist leader, Chidambaram said.

On the blast in Imphal, Chidambaram said: "The information is IED was handed over to a person and before he could place it, it went off. He was severely injured (who succumbed to his injuries later). Four others have received minor injuries. The police have been able to speak to the person who is believed to have carried the IED and they have taken statement".

He said we have anticipated that there will be trouble in Manipur and therefore very stringent measures have been taken. "Manipur is on high alert. In the run up to the Prime Minister's visit (December 3), it remains on high alert," he said......................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JS00vMjAxMS8xMi8wMSNBcjAwNzAx&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom