Peter Heehs ....... a test case for Indian government in liberals vs. conservatives debate

India extends visa of US historian Heehs

http://t.co/pSBwS8vx

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Apr 14, 2012, 12.21AM IST

NEW DELHI: Government on Friday extended the visa of controversial US historian Peter Heehs for one year, ignoring calls to deny him continued residence after some groups objected to his portrayal of Sri Aurobindo.

Heehs has been informed about the extension that will allow him to stay in India till April 15, 2013. Several prominent authors, intellectuals and academics had protested the move to deny him an extension on his visa.

The case reached the desk of Union home minister P Chidambaram last month, when Heehs' request was rejected by the local Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Puducherry in the wake of a number of complaints against him.

The decision was seen as discriminatory and uncalled for as Heehs has spent over four decades in India as part of a team that archived works of Sri Aurobindo and authored several books on the spiritual leader. It is learnt that since the author has already booked his ticket for traveling out pending his visa extension application, he would probably leave for sometime and then return.

"There is no restriction on him nor on his stay till his visa expires on April 15, 2013. Heehs is even eligible to apply for his visa extension again next year," said an official. The government would hope that the attention around Heehs would have subsided by the time he returns to India.

Heehs, whose visa was to expire on April 15, had applied for extension of his travel document before the Puducherry FRRO. The matter was subsequently referred to the home ministry's foreigners division which takes final view on such matters.

Besides, a number of petitions - both in favour and against his visa extension - had also been sent to Chidambaram, who took the view in favour of the US author in consultation with officers concerned and the existing law. "There was nothing against the author which could deny him visa extension as per the existing law in India", said the official.

The author's ninth book - The Lives Of Sri Aurobindo - led to some controversy over his treatment of Sri Aurobindo's relationship with his spiritual collaborator, Mirra Richard (known as The Mother). Some groups objected to Heehs' works and had started demanding cancellation of his visa.

The matter reached the boiling point when the author had applied for his visa extension at FRRO Puducherry last month. A number of others including prominent historians Romilla Thapar and Ramachandra Guha had, however, written in favour of Heehs and requested government not to get influenced by "factional disagreements".......................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDEyLzA0LzE0I0FyMDExMDE=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Indo-Pak home secretary-level talks in Islamabad ...... visa liberalisation and Hafiz Saeed (26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind) will be on table

India, Pakistan take step forward to normalize ties

http://t.co/T49CCnXZ

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Apr 10, 2012, 01.09AM IST

NEW DELHI: India-Pakistan home secretary-level talks may take place in Islamabad late next month, amid indications that the engagement may have acquired a bigger dimension than it seemed to have and will be crucial for progress in normalization of ties.

Although both sides are likely to focus on a new visa agreement, making it easier for businessmen to get one-year multiple-entry non-reporting visas, the meeting will also display Pakistan's readiness to punish perpetrators of 26/11 attack on Mumbai -- India's pre-condition for restoration of normalcy.

The linkage between whether Islamabad is ready to take concrete and verifiable measures against the attackers of Mumbai, including Lashkar chief Hafiz Saeed, was publicly stressed by India during Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari's Sunday visit, rebutting any estimate that it was ready to move beyond Mumbai attack.

In fact, the occasion saw India publicly shedding any ambiguity about what Prime Minister Manmohan Singh meant when he said in Seoul last month that solid progress needed to be achieved before he availed of Pakistan's standing invitation.

It is significant that the public display of firmness came after Congress chief Sonia Gandhi suddenly decided to opt out the lunch Prime Minister Singh had hosted for Zardari. No official explanation was given for the unusual absence of a leader who has routinely met all important visiting dignitaries, but it was unlikely to be because of indisposition. For, only the day before Sonia had a full working day, and had met colleagues from UP, Punjab and elsewhere.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi refused to react to speculation, saying, "I am surprised that how all of you are speculating on something as innocuous as this. You are forgetting firstly that from the Congress party Shri Rahul Gandhi was there. And we do not know the reasons - there could be 101 reasons, maybe she was unwell, I don't see any reason or right to anybody to start speculating like this. I think it is best left at that".

The absence is viewed significant because Congress chief never appeared to share the enthusiasm of the PMO to promote ties with Pakistan despite latter's reluctance to take strong counter-terror measures. Congress's reservations were the main reason why government had to virtually dump its bold diplomatic initiative at Sharm-el-Sheikh in 2009 when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh agreed to Pakistan's insistence to discuss alleged Indian role in Balochistan.

India, which intends to strongly pitch for action against the 26\11 mastermind and LeT founder Hafiz Saeed during the talks, has sought fresh dates from Pakistan after May 22. New Delhi has conveyed to Islamabad that it is not possible to go by earlier proposed dates in April due Parliament session that ends on May 22. 

"We have asked for fresh dates after the Parliament session," Union home secretary R K Singh said here on Monday - a day after Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh agreed that both the countries should discuss host of issues, including Hafiz Saeed and liberal visa regime, in detail during the proposed home secretary\interior minister-level talks.

Though these issues came up for discussion when both Singh and Zardari met here on Sunday, both leaders decided that they would be discussed in detail during the home secretary-level talks. Singh hosted a lunch for Zardari on Sunday when he was here on a "private visit".

Sources said that though the India had shared with Pakistan a detailed dossier on Hafiz Saeed long ago, the home secretary would carry with him more details on the LeT founder. It will include the National Investigation Agency's chargesheets in the 26\11 case comprising additional information on the terror mastermind.

On liberal visa front, both the countries will try to arrive at an agreement allowing businessmen from both sides to be given multiple-entry one-year, non reporting (to local police\FRRO) visas. "There will be a provision to give one-year multiple-entry visa to those businessmen whose credentials are certified by trade chambers on the both sides. However, such visas will not be multi-city visas as per the existing proposal that will be discussed during the talks," said an official.

Both PM Singh and President Zardari had on Sunday agreed to finalize the new visa agreement at the earliest. Pakistan had earlier suggested the April 16 (or sometime during later part of this month) as the possible date for the talks. But, the date clashes with Conference of chief ministers on internal security which is being called by the home ministry.

"The budget session of Parliament will also resume after the break on April 24. Besides, there are other meetings lined up including one of chief ministers on issues concerning the anti-terror body - National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC)," said an officer.

Earlier, India had proposed the home secretary-level talks in late December, but Islamabad could not give its consent due to its domestic political situation at that time..........http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTIvMDQvMTAjQXIwMDkwMQ==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

J&K ...... peaceful summer will strengthen the case for AFSPA withdrawal from certain areas

AFSPA withdrawal: P Chidambaram to review Jammu and Kashmir's security

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Apr 8, 2012, 06.04AM IST 

NEW DELHI: Union home minister P Chidambaram will visit Jammu and Kashmir on April 10 to discuss preparedness of the state police and paramilitary forces ahead of the 'crucial' summer that is being looked upon as a 'test' period for the Omar Abdullah government if it wants withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from certain peaceful districts.

Issues concerning AFSPA, reducing footprints of paramilitary personnel from urban areas, removal of more CRPF bunkers from Srinagar and clearing more private buildings from occupation of security forces will be discussed among other security-related matters during the review meeting, to be chaired by Chidambaram, in Jammu.

Such meeting to analyze preparedness of security forces ahead of summer assumes significance as the April-September period is always considered quite vulnerable due to increase in cross-border infiltration. Melting of ice opens infiltration routes, making it possible for terror groups to push their cadres into the Valley. 

Sources here said that the focus during the meeting would also be on consolidating the gain that the security forces made, through counter-terror operations and prevention of infiltration from across the border, last year. Only continuation of peace would pave the way for de-notification of the Disturbed Areas (DA) Act from certain districts after summer, resulting in automatic withdrawal of AFSPA, they added.

The fate of controversial law will be discussed amid indication that the government would 'de-notify' the DA Act from districts like Jammu, Srinagar, Samba, Kathua and Budgam if these areas pass the summer peacefully. "If all goes well, the controversial law will be withdrawn from these five districts in later part of the year," said an official.

In 2011, J&K had witnessed lowest number of casualties in terror violence ever since the inception of militancy in the state almost two decades ago. Sixty-four persons, including 33 security personnel, were killed in terror incidents last year as compared to 116 (2010), 150 (2009) and 166 (2008). Last year, the Kashmir Valley was also comparatively free of major law and order\civil disturbances of the kind seen in 2010's summer of discontent, when a number of youth were killed by security forces during a series of stone-pelting incidents.

The peaceful summer last year had prompted CM Omar Abdullah to pitch for withdrawal of the AFSPA amid a widespread support in favour of the long-standing demand by J&K's civilian population. Though Omar had found support for his move in the Union home ministry, the defence ministry had opposed it taking view of the Army's stand, who emphasized on certain protection to its personnel under the tough law to fight terrorism.

The Army also argued that only one peaceful summer cannot be taken as a yardstick of normalcy. Under the AFSPA, security personnel engaged in counter-terror operations can even fire upon or use other kinds of force - even if it causes death - against a suspected terrorist in the notified disturbed area. It also empowers the forces to search and arrest suspected terrorist without a warrant..................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTIvMDQvMDgjQXIwMTAwMw==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Maoists ..... heading for swap deal with government which fails to negotiate with Red Ultras from the position of strength

Central agencies uneasy with Odisha’s offer to free prisoners

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Apr 7, 2012, 04.44AM IST

NEW DELHI: Central security agencies are worried over the Odisha government's offer to free 27 prisoners, including eight Maoists, to get an abducted MLA and an Italian national released as they feel it might end up giving a fillip to the Naxals' activities not only in the state but also in surrounding areas.

Central paramilitary forces engaged in anti-Maoist operations have noticed that whenever a state government succumbed to the Naxals' pressure and released prisoners or dropped charges against rebels, the episode was used by the ultras to get more recruits - be it in West Bengal in 2009 or in Odisha in 2011.

It is no secret that West Bengal virtually become a major hunting ground of the Maoists for almost two years after they successfully got 22 of their women cadres released in swap deal by the then state government in 2009. Rebels had in exchange released abducted police officer Atindranath Dutta but the episode emboldened them to launch more violence. The violent cycle in the state was broken only in November last year when security forces eliminated top Naxal leader and CPI (Maoist) politburo member Koteshwar Rao alias Kishenji following an intelligence-based operation.

Odisha witnessed the same trend ever since 12 Maoists were allowed to get bail to secure the release of then Malkangiri district collector R Veenel Krishan in 2011. The state government had agreed to fulfill most of the 14 demands of the rebels including withdrawal of cases against top CPI (Maoist) leaders Ganti Prasadam, Padma and Eswari to facilitate their release from jails.

"The episode only turned the Naxal situation from bad to worse with the state becoming a safer hideout for rebels operating in neighbouring Jharkhand and West Bengal," said an officer.

Though the Maoist group which abducted Italian Paolo Bosusco in Odisha on March 14 has so far not accepted the state government's 'offer' and rather hardened its stand on Friday, officials in security agencies monitoring the situation believe that chief minister Naveen Patnaik's soft peddling with the ultras will only worsen the situation.

Without expressing their concerns 'openly', officials here said the Maoists were taking full advantage of the fact that the state succumbed to pressure and it was very easy to get someone released from jail in Odisha through kidnapping.

The home ministry is not involved in the negotiations between the Maoists and the Odisha government as the latter has not sought any help but it is in regular touch with the state officials. Paramilitary forces deployed in Odisha for anti-Naxal operations have, on their part, constantly been providing inputs to state police.

Ministry officials feel that the inability of the Odisha government to take a tough stand against the Naxals in the past has encouraged the rebels to keep abducting prominent people to free their cadres or sympathizers from jails.

Adequate central paramilitary personnel have been stationed in Odisha for long. But the state government has hardly launched any full scale operations against the Maoists leading to the free run of the rebels in many parts of the state...................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JS00vMjAxMi8wNC8wNyNBcjAxNDAw&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Red terror ...... bigger than any other threat in India

Red violence kills twice more than in J&K, Northeast

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Apr 6, 2012, 09.27AM IST

NEW DELHI: Maoist violence continues to dominate internal security concerns in India, with more than double the deaths than those reported from Jammu & Kashmir and northeastern states collectively during 2008-2011.

In what could be a reminder of how potent the Maoists have become in the past four years, the home ministry's latest annual report released on Wednesday revealed that 3,240 persons including civilians and security forces were killed in Red violence compared to 1,034 in northeastern states and 496 in J&K during the same period.

The report, which came a day before the culmination of the Odisha abduction episode which saw the state government succumbing to the pressure of Red rebels to save hostages, also said that even the number of violent incidents carried out by Maoists (7,817) was more than the number of terror/insurgent attacks reported in northeastern states (4,258) and J&K (2,035) together during 2008-11.

Almost all Red-infested states witnessed casualties among civilians and security forces during the period with Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand reporting a high number of killings. Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal and Maharashtra are other states which have reported casualties in double digit figures consistently since 2008.

Though 2011 had reported lesser number of incidents and casualties as compared to 2010 and 2009 in Maoist violence, the number still remained high compared to incidents reported in northeast and J&K last year. Most incidents in Red-hit states were carried out by the CPI (Maoist) which is the largest left-wing extremist group in the country.

"The CPI (Maoist) continues to remain the most dominant and violent outfit among the various left wing extremist groups, accounting for more than 90% of total LWE incidents and 95% of resultant killings," the annual report for the year 2011-12 said .

Interestingly, J&K, which was a hotbed of terrorism for almost 15 years, showed a dramatic decline in not only the number of incidents but also in casualties among security forces and civilians. The home ministry figures showed that the state witnessed a declining trend, with 166 casualties in 2008 followed by 150 in 2009; 116 in 2010 and 64 last year.

The report claimed that terrorism in the hinterland and communal situation remained by and large under control, except for the serial bomb blasts in Mumbai in July 2011 and bomb blast in Delhi HC in September 2011...................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JS00vMjAxMi8wNC8wNiNBcjAxMTAx&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

NCTC ..... Govt. can't afford to annoy its allies before the Prez election

Centre gives in to Mamata's demand, to hold separate NCTC meet on May 5

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Apr 4, 2012, 02.02AM IST

NEW DELHI: Giving into the pressure of its key ally Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, the Centre has convened a separate meeting on May 5 to exclusively discuss issues concerning the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) that has been held up due to stiff opposition from several states.

The Union home ministry will draft standard operating procedures (SOPs) on the NCTC and share it with CMs ahead of the meeting, clarifying the proposed functioning of the anti-terror body through the mechanism of Standing Council, which will have adequate representation from all states.

Earlier, the Centre was supposed to discuss the NCTC in the 'internal security' meeting of CMs as one of the agenda points on April 16. The move was, however, opposed by Banerjee, who last week wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanding a stand-alone meeting to discuss the proposed anti-terror body.

She had pointed out that the focus of the NCTC, a sensitive issue, would be lost if it were to be discussed along with other internal security matters, and demanded a separate meeting so that all states could air their views properly.

Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa and Gujarat CM Narendra Modi too wrote to the PM, demanding exclusive meeting of CMs to discuss the anti-terror body.

"Following the requests of three chief ministers, the Prime Minister has asked me to convey to the chief ministers that a separate meeting on NCTC can be held on May 5. I have written to all chief minister and I hope that they will all confirm their participation," home minister P Chidambaram said on Tuesday.

He said the April 16 meeting of the CMs will discuss issues referred on the agenda that was already circulated, while the May 5 meeting will primarily discuss the NCTC.

The NCTC was notified by the Centre on February 3 but could it not be operationalized from March 1, as scheduled, due to stiff resistance from more than a dozen non-Congress CMs who expressed that the powers (of arrest, search and seizures) - given to the anti-terror body - would infringe upon states' rights.

Addressing a press conference, Chidambaram said he was confident that given the kind of situation in which many countries in the world, including India, faces, the CMs would respond positively.

"There must be an institutional mechanism, institutional personnel, that is the genesis of the NCTC. The idea was accepted by the Jaswant Singh Committee, by the Second Administrative Committee. I think once we sit down, discuss these matters, I am confident that there will be a very good outcome," he said.

Stating that there would not be any serious differences between the Central and some state governments on NCTC, the home minister said if one reads the executive order (for establishment of NCTC) carefully, one will find that it simply reflects the legal position as was found in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and its last paragraph facilitates setting up of a Standing Council.

Chidambaram said in the Standing Council, the Central government will have four members - the director and three joint directors, while the states will have 28 members, and each state will have one member.

"So in a 32-member Standing Council, states will have 28 members. It is the Standing Council which will oversee the NCTC. I think there are some differences on emphasis or how to nuance a particular idea or how to re-phrase a particular paragraph. I think these can be worked out," he added..................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTIvMDQvMDQjQXIwMTMwMg==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

IPS officers are up in arms against the limited competitive examination ...... Govt., however, doesn't appear to give in to the pressure .... MHA is firm to back its decision in Courts

UPSC fell in line with MHA on special hiring drive for IPS officers

Vishwa Mohan & Nandita Sengupta |TNN | Apr 4, 2012, 01.45AM IST

NEW DELHI: The UPSC, which is conducting a limited competitive examination (LCE) to recruit IPS officers from among the pool of state police, paramilitary and Armed forces, had once strongly objected to this special recruitment test, stating that the proposal has the potential to open a "Pandora's Box".

The Commission had cited various reasons ranging from issues of quality of service and seniority of existing IPS cadres to depletion of middle-raking officers in states and paramilitary forces while opposing the move. It had, in fact, recommended increasing the intake of IPS officers in the annual civil services examination (CSE) instead of starting a new test.

Though the UPSC had to later fall in line due to the home ministry's insistence to go ahead with the LCE to fill existing vacancies in the IPS, its original contention against the concept of such examination has now given fodder to various police officers' associations for opposing the move to conduct the test that is slated to be held on May 20.

Such associations in as many as 22 states are up in arms. While Kerala IPS Association has moved court against the government's move to hold the exam, a similar body in Rajasthan has formed a panel to protect the legitimate interests of officers through giving representations to the CM and other functionaries.

"Most of them including Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Odisha and West Bengal will write to their respective CM to raise the issue - as reflected in UPSC's original opposition to such plan - during the forthcoming Conference of CMs over internal security issues on April 16," said an officer, who is actively mobilizing support of fellow IPS officers against the move to hold LCE.

An internal official note - accessed by a voluntary organization Zakat Foundation of India (ZFI) which too has taken the matter to court over "narrow eligibility criteria that violates rights of minorities" - shows the UPSC's reluctance to hold the exam. The Commission had on March 15, 2010, sent the note to the home ministry, saying, "The LCE by its very nature cannot match the CSE either in terms of the base for selection or in terms of process of selection. There appears to be no reason why the additional requirements for IPS cannot be made through the same examination [CSE]."

The Commission had also pointed out that the LCE, by allowing younger state police service (SPS) officers an additional opportunity, could upset the "morale of senior SPS officers rendered ineligible to take the examination because of age restrictions (35 years)".

Besides, it noted that there is an acute shortage of young officers in the central paramilitary forces and the different state police services, pointing that the attrition of officers through the LCE would aggravate the crunch. "The preparation required for appearing at the LCE may also divert the attention of serving CPMF officers from their regular duties", the Commission had said.

The UPSC had also stated that the proposal to give weightage to years of previous experience in assigning seniority to direct recruit officer through the LCE is perceived to have potential for affecting the morale of IPS officers recruited through the CSE by "additionally unsettling seniority and career progression".

All these points, raised by the Commission in 2010, have been highlighted in various petitions before courts against the LCE, which is a special recruitment drive to induct additional officers to fill vacancies in the IPS. It will be used to recruit officers over and above the intake via the regular civil services exam route........http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JSC8yMDEyLzA0LzA0I0FyMDEyMDA=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

VIP Security .... no one mind giving the VIPs required protection, if the threat is real ..... But, government is not expected to waste taxpayers' money on 'status symbol' of politicians or bureaucrats. After all, common citizens have equal right to protection

3 cops to protect each VIP, just 1 cop for 761 citizens

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Apr 2, 2012, 01.04AM IST

NEW DELHI: The country which faces police vacancy to the tune of over 5 lakh personnel deploys three cops to protect its one VIP as against availability of merely one cop for 761 lesser mortals.

Recently released data on police organizations in the country revealed how different states and Union Territories tend to deploy more and more cops for VIP security than the sanctioned strength of police personnel for this purpose.

Though the Union home ministry had in the past three years pruned the central list of VIP protectees including ministers and bureaucrats by constantly reviewing the 'real' threat perception, states do not seem to respond accordingly despite facing huge shortage of police personnel.

Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) of the home ministry had last week come out with eye-opening data, showing that the 25 states and UTs had in the year 2010 deployed 50,059 police personnel for protecting 16,788 VIPs including ministers, MPs, MLAs, bureaucrats and judges. Interestingly, the deployment of police personnel for these VIPs during the year was 21,761 more than what was actually sanctioned for their security.

The data, released by Union home minister P Chidambaram on Friday, also shows that Punjab - which reports vacancy of over 11,000 police personnel - had topped the list with sparing maximum 5,410 cops to secure VIPs followed by Delhi (5,100 cops) and Andhra Pradesh (3,958 cops) despite facing shortage.

Home ministry statistics show that while Delhi faces police vacancy of 1,186, Andhra Pradesh reports a huge vacancy of 40,596 personnel in the state. Many states have launched special drive to fill these vacancies but the number has not yet reached to the desired level.

The year 2010 was, however, not an exception in terms of sparing cops for VIP security. The situation was worse in 2009 when 47,355 police personnel were deployed to protect 17,451 VIPs across the country. Though the states and UTs had sanctioned 23,637 personnel for VIP security during the year, the number doubled over the period of time.

Besides a central list of VIPs having over 300-odd protectees, each state and UT has its own list making these numbers run into thousands.

The BPR&D figures and other related data of the home ministry also present a unique contrast in terms of police strength, vacancy and states' penchant for sparing more and more cops for VIP security duties for ever increasing list of protectees.

Figures show that Bihar which has the worst police-population ration (total police personnel per lakh of population) had the maximum of 3,030 VIPs who were given protection in the state followed by 1,685 in Punjab and 1,640 in West Bengal - the state which has the second worst police population ration.

The BPR&D report highlighted that the manpower for protected persons' protection duty was drawn from available resources generally without corresponding increase in sanctioned strength for the purpose. "The increase in the protected persons' protection deployment has strained the already limited manpower resources of state police.

"Therefore, there is a need for periodic review of the deployment of police for protected persons' protection against need based assessment coupled with proportionate increase in the sanctioned and professionally trained manpower commensurate to the bona fide protected persons' protection requirements," it said.

Highlights

* Three cops for a VIP compared to one cop for 761 ordinary citizens

* In 2010, 16,788 VIPs were guarded by 50,059 police personnel, which is 21,761 more than the sanctioned deployment for their security

* Punjab deployed maximum police personnel (5,410) for VIP security, followed by Delhi (5,001) and Andhra Pradesh (3,958)

* Strength of police personnel per lakh population is 131.39

* Sanctioned strength of police personnel per lakh population is 173.51

Copy - .....http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDEyLzA0LzAyI0FyMDAzMDA=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Police Data - ....http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDEyLzA0LzAyI0FyMDEzMDM=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) ..... claims and counter-claims ...... what is the truth?

Hizbul chief's claims diversionary tactics: Home ministry

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Apr 2, 2012, 02.45AM IST

NEW DELHI: Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) chief Syed Salahudin's claim of withdrawing his cadres from the Kashmir Valley has no takers in security agencies that term such statement as the terror outfit's diversionary tactics. In fact, government has recently informed Parliament that HM continues to be much active in the Valley.

"Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) accounts for nearly 35%-40% of all terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir and is the most active outfit in the Valley next to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in terms of strength and capability to carry out terror strikes," home ministry told Rajya Sabha barely 10 days before Salahudin's remarks.

In contrast to what the Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK)-based fugitive has now claimed, the ministry in response to a specific Parliament Question on terror outfit had on March 21 said: "The HM cadres with the help of its overground workers resort to attacks on security forces by way of firing, grenade attacks and IED".

Government's response that was based on ground report has clearly rubbished what the HM's chief has claimed in an interview to TOI on April 1. Stating that the terror outfit had withdrawn its cadres to border areas after massive protests that rocked the Valley between 2008 and 10, Salahudin said: "...knowing India would crush the unarmed civilians if they saw even two armed militants among the demonstrators" - in what is also believed here as his attempt to strike a right chord with his sympathizers in the Valley.

Rejecting his claim as "diversionary tactics" of the terror outfit, home ministry officials said that there was definite report that the HM cadres were very much "alive and kicking" in the Valley, looking for opportunity to strike big if security personnel lower their guards.

An official said: "The HM cadres may be down (due to pressure from security forces) but not out. A number of them had been eliminated last year, forcing the outfit to just change its strategy without actually leaving the area".

Referring to the terror outfit's presence, the home ministry in its written response to Parliament had also said that coordinated operations by security forces against militant groups operating in J&K including HM were being launched regularly on the basis of inputs received.

"In the year 2011, total 100 militants including 17 HM terrorists were killed in various actions by security forces and 169 militants including 59 of HM were arrested," the ministry added...............http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTIvMDQvMDIjQXIwMTUwMg==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Landmines in Red Zone .... a constant threat

Thousands of mines slow down anti-Red operations

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Mar 28, 2012, 02.39AM IST

NEW DELHI: Thousands of undetected landmines in the Maoist belt are proving to be a major stumbling block for security forces as they step up operations against the extremists, pushing them on the back foot in many places.

Detecting these mines is difficult, say officials, as the underground bombs are laid quite deep, much beyond the detection capacity of the equipment being used by security forces.

"Since no equipment in the world market can detect landmines deeper than three feet, the presence of a large number of deep landmines - which could well run into thousands - has become a real threat", said a senior security official who is linked to anti-naxal operations.

He said the Maoists had virtually mastered the art of keeping themselves ahead of whatever new gadgets the forces procure, be it mine protected vehicles or landmine detecting equipment.

The substantial presence of iron in the soil of most Maoist-affected states including Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh also lessens the effectiveness of landmine detection equipment. Since these equipment generally detect bombs by monitoring metal content, the detectors let out a lot of false alarms due to the iron in the soil.

Union home ministry figures show nearly 90% of the casualties (41 out of 46) among security personnel this year were from landmines blasts like the one reported from Gadchiroli in Maharashtra on Tuesday. Security personnel have, of late, eliminated a number of naxals in ambush situations, forcing the rebels to use landmines against forces.

Officials here said that though the issue of not adhering to the standard operating procedure (SOP) while on an operation or road-opening duties has been a matter of concern, it is not always possible to move on foot leaving vehicles behind.

"Security personnel also love their lives. They in most cases would not like to take a dangerous course unless it is urgently needed for an operation or for quick road-opening jobs", said an official.

Even in Tuesday's incident, 40 security personnel were travelling in a bus from Pushtola to Gatta in Gandchiroli in Maharashtra. As per SOP, they were supposed to move on foot taking non-metallic side lanes. It seems, official said, they were over-confident of their decision to use vehicle thinking that the area had been cleared of landmines.

Shortly after the blast, CRPF chief K Vijay Kumar, who was on official tour of the area, called up Union home secretary R K Singh and briefed him about the incident. "Two helicopters were pressed into service for taking the troops to hospitals", an official said, adding a CRPF reinforcement team besides men from the Maharashtra's anti-naxal force was rushed to the attack site.....................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JSC8yMDEyLzAzLzI4I0FyMDExMDE=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Why GUJCOC? ..... Can't the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act work?

President stonewalls Gujarat's anti-terror law again

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Mar 28, 2012, 01.47AM IST

NEW DELHI: Gujarat's attempt to have anti-terror law of its own has once more hit Centre's road-block as the President Pratibha Patil has withheld her assent to the controversial Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organised Crime (GUJCOC) Bill that was sent to her for 'mandatory' approval by the state governor over two years ago.

President has returned the eight-year-old Bill to Gujarat as the state government had not made amendments in certain clauses of the proposed legislation as suggested by the Union Cabinet in 2009.

The provisions of the Bill, which attracted the Centre's strong objection, include Clause 16 which allows admissibility of confessional statements of accused before a police officer during trial and Clause 20 that provides that no accused of an offence punishable under the proposed legislation will be released on bail if the prosecutor opposes it.

"The President (Pratibha Patil) has withheld her assent from the Bill on January 22 as the state government had not made any amendments in clauses 16 and 20 in the said Bill as per the directives contained in Presidential message to the earlier Bill.

"The same has been conveyed to the secretary to the governor, Gujarat on February 2," minister of state for home affairs Mullappally Ramachandran told the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

It is the second time when President did not give her assent to the Bill which had vigorously been pitched by the state chief minister Narendra Modi. It was returned for the first time to the state in June, 2009 - giving Modi a fodder to criticize the UPA government for being 'soft' on terror.

The GUJCOC Bill, 2003 was passed by the Gujarat Assembly in 2004 and subsequently sent to the Centre for Presidential assent. But, it was returned on June 25, 2009 with the President's message to the state legislature for reconsidering it. However, the Bill was resubmitted by the state without any amendment in November, 2009.

The proposed legislation was earlier rejected by the Centre on the ground that it was not in line with the existing anti-terror law -- Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, 1967. The home ministry had argued that both the provisions (clauses 16 and 20) were there in earlier anti-terror law POTA which was repealed by the UPA government in 2004.

The state government had, however, argued that if the state Assembly includes President's suggestion, the GUJCOC Bill would become just another Indian Penal Code which is not good for the state which shares its land and sea borders with Pakistan.

The home ministry, on the other hand, countered it, saying the UAPA which was amended in 2008 was strong enough to deal with terrorism.

Though the President's assent to the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) - similar to GUJCOC - was given on April 24, 1999 presumably in accordance with the then policy of the NDA government, the UPA had changed the policy. The government had subsequently conveyed to Parliament that all subsequent state Acts should be in line with the UAPA as approved by Parliament................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDEyLzAzLzI4I0FyMDE2MDA=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

IPRs : The practice may bring some transparency and check corruption

454 babus in dock over assets

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Mar 27, 2012, 02.56AM IST

NEW DELHI: Cracking the whip on officers, who have failed to declare their immovable property, the Centre has recommended "appropriate action" against 454 Class 'A' officers, including eight joint secretaries and 44 directors, that may not only delay their promotion but also invite adverse remarks in their annual performance appraisal reports.

Out of these 454 Central Secretariat Service Officers, the highest number of defaulters are from the department of agriculture and cooperation (58) followed by the home ministry (40), health and family welfare (36), environment (32), defence (28), culture (14), coal (11) and bio-technology (7).

"These Class 'A' officers to face departmental action which includes denial of mandatory vigilance clearance for their next promotion and empanelment for senior level posts in central government", a ministry of personnel official said while referring to an 'office memorandum' (OM) issued for action last week.

These officers, including under secretaries, deputy secretaries, directors and joint secretaries, were supposed to declare their Immovable Property Return (IPR) for 2011 to their departments concerned by January 31. Later, the details were required to be furnished to the department of personnel and training (DoPT) by February 28.

Asking administrative ministries and departments to obtain IPRs of defaulting officers and send it to the DoPT, the OM said: "It is also requested that appropriate action be taken in case of officers who failed to submit the IPRs on stipulated time besides ensuring that appropriate entry regarding late submission\non-submission of 'Returns' is made in the relevant Annual Performance Appraisal Report (APAR) of the officers concerned".

The DoPT has attached the list of the defaulters with its OM, and sent it to all departments of the Central government for action on March 21.

Officers from Central Bureau of Investigation (one), Central Vigilance Commission (three), Cabinet Secretariat (two), Central Information Commission, ministry of civil aviation and finance ministry among others also appear in the list of 454 defaulters.

Majority of the officers in the list are under secretaries. Among the joint secretaries, two each are from agriculture and home ministries, while one each are from environment and forest and health and family welfare departments.

Besides the Central Secretariat Service Officers, bureaucrats of 'All India Services', including Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS), are also required to declare their IPRs. "Similar action will also be recommended for the defaulters among them soon. A required list is being prepared for the same," said an officer.........http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTIvMDMvMjcjQXIwMTAwMA==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Online FIRs : a great move having potential to get cops work

Online filing of FIRs will be possible by 2013: Chidambaram

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Mar 22, 2012, 02.22AM IST

NEW DELHI: Come next year, filing of First Information Reports (FIRs) at police stations will no longer be a cumbersome exercise. Efforts are on implement online registration of FIRs across the country, beginning 2013.

Union home minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday spoke about the possibility, banking on the implementation of his ministry's flagship project - the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) - that aims to link over 14,000 police stations across the country.

"The CCTNS is a project that is under implementation. It would be completely implemented by the end of this year or early next year, and then, online registration of FIRs will be possible," said Chidambaram in the Rajya Sabha.

Responding to a question of the Trinamool Congress member D Bandyopadhyay whether FIRs can automatically get registered at 'thana' level, the home minister said: "That is the goal. When the CCTNS is fully implemented, all FIRs can be registered online".

At present, Delhi Police has a system of "uploading and viewing" FIRs registered in the national Capital within 24 hours of registration - except those declared sensitive by additional commissioner of police or DCP of the district concerned. This system has been in force in Delhi since February 1.

Responding to other questions on police reforms relating to directions issued by the Supreme Court in 2006, Chidambaram said the Centre was against selection of Director General of Police of a state by Union Pubic Service Commission (UPSC) as has been directed by the apex court.

The selection, he said, should be left to the states from among three-four senior officers. The Centre and state are on the same page on this issue, he added.

He said that the Centre was also against giving a two-year fixed tenure to a DGP irrespective of retirement age as cadre management would become very difficult. States too have expressed difficulty in following the direction, he added.

The home minister also informed the Upper House that the Supreme Court in September, 2006, had directed constitution of a State Security Commission, separating investigating police from law and order police, setting up of Police Establishment Board at state level to decide transfers, postings and promotions of officers, and having Police Complaints Authorities at state and district levels to go into complaints against police officers.

Later, the home ministry had filed an application for modifications in the judgment on certain aspects like direction stipulating a minimum two-year tenure for DGP, Chidambaram said hoping the apex court will strike a balance.

"As far as states are concerned, I doubt, if there is a consensus in this House or the other House for implementation of police reforms," he added..................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTIvMDMvMjIjQXIwMTkwMA==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Maoists : arms smugglers need clients ..... naxalites, terrorists and northeast insurgents go to same place and meet same people to procure arms. Nothing strange, if they all dine together and promise help

Maoists tie up with northeast rebel outfits to get Chinese arms

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Mar 22, 2012, 02.36AM IST

NEW DELHI: Maoists have not only tied up with north-eastern insurgent groups to get smuggled Chinese arms through their network, but also acquired a toehold in the region that can help them access to weapons for their cadres in hinterland.

Union home minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday said, "In recent months, we have noticed minimal presence of Maoists in the north-east".

Though the minister said that no case of Maoists indulging in smuggling of arms from across the border has come to notice so far, he pointed out that if the Red Ultras take root in the region, they would soon smuggle arms from Myanmar or Bangladesh.

Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Chidambaram said insurgent outfits operating in the north-east have been procuring arms through smugglers based in China's Yunnan province, Myanmar and south-east Asian countries. "Most of the weapons (seized from insurgents) carry Chinese mark," the home minister said, adding there are reportedly arms 'bazaars' on Myanmar-China border.

His remarks came in the backdrop of huge seizures of Chinese-made arms and communication gadgets by security forces in various states. Security agencies have found that Maoists had also got support of tribals working in tea gardens in Assam, thanks to their close fraternal ties with sympathizers living in Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha.

The BSF, deployed for anti-Naxal operations, had last December seized a cache of 'state-of-the-art' Chinese communication gadgets in Koraput, Odisha, setting off alarm bells within the security establishment as officials got worried about sophisticated equipment and weapons finding their way into the Red Zone.

The subsequent probe had confirmed Maoists' links with north-eastern insurgent groups, mainly the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of Manipur that is active in procuring arms and ammunitions from Chinese smugglers.

Responding to members' related queries in Upper House, the home minister said that the government had raised its concerns with China, Myanmar and Bangladesh through diplomatic channels on the smuggling of arms from their soil. "Cooperation from Bangladesh is splendid", he said, adding there has been significant improvement in response from Myanmar after a new government took over.

Effective domination of the Indo-Bangla and Indo-Myanmar borders by the security forces and regular patrolling along the border areas are being carried out. "The erection of fencing and installation of flood lights along Indo-Bangladesh border has helped in controlling the smuggling of arms including other cross-border illegal activities," he added.

Noting that Indo-Myanmar border is more complex, he said regular patrolling and establishment of mobile vehicle check posts along India-Myanmar border have been put in place to check smuggling of arms.

"In order to prevent smuggling across the Indo-Myanmar border, a memorandum of understanding was signed between India and Myanmar in January, 1994, for maintenance of peace and tranquility in border areas," he said.

Bilateral talks are held regularly at various fora between India and Myanmar and India and Bangladesh to discuss security related issues, including action to check smuggling of arms and effective guarding of international borders, he added........http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTIvMDMvMjIjQXIwMTUwMw==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

NGOs : no one mind the money flow ..... but, at what cost? Keeping eye on intended use appears to be tough

Follow @VishwaMohan



Govt acted against over 160 NGOs in last three years

Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Mar 21, 2012, 02.15AM IST

NEW DELHI: Diversion of foreign contribution by NGOs is not limited to the 12 organizations whose cases were referred for probe recently. The muck, in fact, runs much deeper with official figures showing that the government has taken action against at least 160 voluntary bodies, including referring 24 cases to CBI and seven to different state police for investigation in the past three years.

Besides, 70 NGOs have been prohibited from receiving foreign contribution and accounts of 30 others were frozen during 2007-10. Certain irregularities had been noticed in the case of another 35 NGOs who have been placed in 'prior permission' category for receiving foreign funds.

Official figures, shared by the home ministry, show that over 21,500 organizations had received more than Rs 31,000 crore from countries like US, UK, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and others during the period.

Sharing information on action taken against the NGOs for violating guidelines, minister of state for home Mullappally Ramachandran said in his written reply to a Parliament question in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, "The government monitors the receipt and utilization of foreign contributions by any person in the country through the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 and FCR Rules, 2011."

Though the minister did not disclose where the funds were diverted and for what purpose, he had last week said that preliminary reports had suggested alleged misuse of foreign funds for opposing the setting up of a nuclear plant in Tamil Nadu.

He had said that Rs 9,914.19 crore of foreign contribution was received by 21,365 NGOs in 2007-08, Rs 10,987.05 crore by 22,544 NGOs in 2008-09 and Rs 10,340.25 crore by 21,674 NGOs in 2009-10 even as a demand was raised by members in Parliament that the Centre should put in place a strong surveillance network to monitor inflow of foreign funds to such organizations and create a database in the interest of national security.

MPs had raised the issue last week, referring to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's recent remark in an interview blaming US-based NGOs for whipping up anti-nuclear plant demonstrations in Tamil Nadu. The home ministry in February had referred two cases each to CBI and state police for probing the diversion of fund by four organizations, besides inquiring into accounts of 12 NGOs.

Among the countries, US continues to be the biggest donor for Indian NGOs with Germany, UK, Italy and Netherlands occupying top slots. The funds come for various works relating to rural development, welfare of children, environmental programmes, AIDS awareness and construction and maintenance of schools and colleges.

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.

Foreign funds contributed by different countries is also being used for setting up religious schools, education of priests/preachers, religious functions and publication/distribution of religious literature among other activities.....................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JSC8yMDEyLzAzLzIxI0FyMDEyMDA=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Maoists ..... abduct two Italians .... the episode shows differences within Red rebels' rank

'Maoists irked by Italians taking objectionable pictures of tribals'

Sandeep Mishra & Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Mar 19, 2012, 04.39AM IST 

BHUBANESWAR/NEW DELHI: In the first instance of Maoists targeting foreigners, two Italian tourists were abducted in the forests bordering Orissa's Kandhamal-Ganjam districts. The kidnapping came to light late on Saturday night after the Maoists released two men abducted along with the Italians, Bosusco Paolo and Claudio Colangelo.

The Maoists claim the four were kidnapped on March 14. This came to light only after the release of Sontosh Moharana and Kartik Parida with audio tapes of the Maoist leader, Sabyasachi Panda, along with a list of their demands, the main one being immediate cessation of anti-Maoist operations.

The Centre asked its forces to stop anti-Maoist operations on Sunday, in consultation with the state government which has initiated back-channel efforts to get the tourists released. Indian officials also informed Italian embassy about the incident which comes at a time when ties between the two countries have come under stress over the killing of two Indian fishermen by Italian marines off the Kerala coast over a month ago.

Foreign minister S M Krishna spoke to Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik and the Italian consul general in Kolkata, Joel Melchiori, met government officials here.

Moharana is a cook and Parida a helper. The two were accompanying the Italians during their foray into the tribal territory. The Maoists have alleged the Italians were taking "objectionable pictures" of tribal women.

"Around 30 Maoists took us hostage on March 14 morning when we were preparing food near a stream in Gazalbadi forests," Moharana told journalists in Puri, adding, "They blindfolded us and made us walk for about five km. The Maoists did not cause any harm to us and treated us well."

Kandhamal SP Jayanarayan Pankaj told TOI, "We have information that the foreigners are safe. We hope the Maoists would release them soon."

In the audio tapes circulated to TV channels, the Maoist leader Panda, who is secretary, Orissa State Organising Committee, said the foreigners were kidnapped while taking "objectionable photographs of tribals" in remote areas despite a government ban.

The cops doubted these claims, saying they had gathered information that Paolo was into trekking, but not photography. "Moreover, Kandhamal does not have semi-nude tribals, whose photography can raise objections," a cop added.

Sources said the state government had roped in Dandapani Mohanty, convener of the Jana Adhikar Manch, and others to mediate with the rebels. Mohanty, one of three interlocutors who negotiated Krishna's release, appealed to the Maoists to extend the deadline to allow the government time to stop the operations, and said he was willing to mediate if both sides approached him. Official sources said the government was waiting for Maoists to suggest interlocutors.

Naveen condemned the kidnapping and appealed for the release of the foreigners on humanitarian grounds. "The Orissa government is open to any kind of negotiation with the kidnappers under the law," he said. "I reiterate my appeal to the Left-wing extremists not to take any drastic step. I also condemn this heinous crime. No one will condone such act in a civil society," he added.

Police sources said the Italians, Moharana and Parida reached Daringbadi on March 12 and ventured into the forest. Their driver, Debendra Mohapatra, dropped the guests and returned. Paolo has been staying in Puri for the last 19 years and is associated with a private tour agency, Odisha Adventure Trekking. He speaks decent Oriya, police sources added. "Paolo has been frequently taking foreigners on trekking trips to Kandhamal and other areas," said a cop.

The CRPF personnel have been asked not to go for combing operations in the tribal-dominated Kandhamal-Ganjam region where the two Italians -- Bosusco Paolo and Claudio Colangelo -- were abducted, officials here said the forces would not leave the area.

Officials here believe that the abduction was done at Panda's behest. He has lost ground among cadres in the state due to his virtual shunning by ultras from the powerful Andhra Pradesh group.

"The abduction could be an attempt to regain his position and try to bargain for release of his wife Subhasree Das alias Mili Panda along with others from jail," said a senior official said.