Coffin on wheels

Security forces asked to shun armoured vehicles in Naxal areas

Vishwa Mohan,TNN | Oct 17, 2011, 02.42AM IST

NEW DELHI: With mine protected vehicles (MPVs) becoming virtual death traps, claiming 150 personnel in the last two years, security forces fighting the Naxal menace have been asked to rely more on foot patrols to detect underground mines and use these armoured vehicles sparingly.

Every time security forces upgrade the landmine protection capability of their MPVs, the Maoists move one step ahead using high quantity of explosives in their IEDs to make these mine protected vehicles redundant.

Unfortunately, security forces realize the vulnerability of MPVs only after suffering casualties. Over 150 personnel were killed in the past two years despite moving in mine protected vehicles, forcing CRPF chief K Vijay Kumar to call them "coffin on wheels".

Futility of using such vehicles had come to notice as early as in 2005, the year the Centre approved 120 MPVs for CRPF and state police in Naxal-affected areas. Barely months after procuring the vehicles -- supplied by Ordnance Factory, Medak, Andhra Pradesh -- 27 security personnel lost their lives when Maoists used powerful landmines to blow apart their mine protected vehicles in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh in September 2005.

That was, however, just the beginning. The Ordnance Factory started upgrading its vehicles but it could not prevent several such incidents with major ones reported again in Dantewada in April last year followed by another incident in Bijapur district a month later. In one such incident, the Maoists used 80 kg of explosives, which the MPV just couldn't withstand.

In the backdrop of such incidents, the CRPF director general had last week said the paramilitary force was looking for better ways to counter hidden IEDs as the mine protected vehicles had become "coffin on wheels" in Naxal-hit states.

Addressing a seminar here, Kumar said, "However, these vehicles cannot be completely written off and we are looking for better ways to take up the challenge." He also said the response in such cases has to be smarter and tactful and the force has reduced travelling on such vehicles.

CRPF has asked all its units in Naxal-affected areas to prefer foot patrol and use such vehicles in very rare instances. The force has opted for better training for its personnel, using Army's existing facilities, to detect and defuse 'deep' landmines. It recovered 1,547 IEDs during 2006-11. The Army has, so far, trained over 2,000 personnel of central paramilitary forces and various state police to deal with IEDs.

Besides, four Naxal-affected states -- Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Orissa -- have started recruiting ex-Army personnel for de-mining activities and training their police force in handling landmines................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JS00vMjAxMS8xMC8xNyNBcjAxMDAw&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Maoists-Mamata tussle is on the card ... Centre is ready with ammunition

Centre watches Naxals' response to Mamata deadline

Vishwa Mohan,TNN
Oct 17, 2011, 02.26AM IST

NEW DELHI: With West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee toughening her stand against Maoists, the Centre -- which wanted the state to return nearly 1,000 CRPF personnel for better use elsewhere -- will now not pitch for their 'recall' and would rather wait for her next move after expiry of the seven-day 'deadline' she gave to the Red ultras.

A day after Banerjee warned the ultras at a rally in Jhargram that violence would not be tolerated any more, officials in the home ministry said there was no point asking the state to withdraw central paramilitary forces from the Jungle Mahal area -- the Maoists' stronghold -- at this juncture when there was indication of action against the Naxas if they didn't stop violence.

"Paramilitary personnel, who have literally been sitting idle in absence of any operation against the ultras, may now be used if the state government decides to go against them after the seven-day deadline," an official said.

Referring to killing of two local leaders by suspected Maoists, Banerjee on Saturday made it clear that "killings and negotiations cannot go hand in hand". She also said the state had stopped operations against ultras but they continued with killings.

Though the state has deployed nearly 4,000 paramilitary personnel in the Jungle Mahal area, the forces have remained in various camps as Banerjee did not want them to be used against the Maoists as part of her soft approach towards them.

Under the circumstance, the home ministry had last week written to the West Bengal home department asking it to withdraw Battalion No.167 of CRPF having nearly 1,000 personnel. Since the personnel were idle in the absence of any operation, the Centre wanted them to go to Chhattisgarh where there is a need for more central forces.

"The main purpose of sending the forces to West Bengal was to conduct anti-Naxal operations. Since they were not deployed for the required purpose, we wanted to send them to Chhattisgarh. But now, we will wait for the state's response in the wake of the chief minister's new stand," an official said.................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTEvMTAvMTcjQXIwMTUwMA==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Jammu and Kashmir : Will this new attempt bring peace? .... waiting for the report

J&K report questions Pak stand on plebiscite

Vishwa Mohan\TNN\Oct 15, 2011, 02.50AM IST

NEW DELHI: The report of the interlocutors on Jammu and Kashmir, which talks about a "permanent political settlement" for the troubled state, has explained in detail the 'misinterpretation' of the United Nations resolution made by both Pakistan and the separatists. It has even questioned Islamabad's move to cede certain territory to China.

One chapter of the report is learnt to have explained the UN resolution on J&K. It deals in detail as to how Pakistan and separatists in the state have conveniently ignored one key point of the resolution that refers to withdrawal of Islamabad from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) before even exploring an option of 'plebiscite'.

The chapter says that the UN resolution talked about ceasefire, withdrawal of Pakistan from PoK and plebiscite. It says though Pakistan accepted 'ceasefire' and has been supporting separatists for 'plebiscite', it has not moved a bit on handing over the administration of the area occupied by it to India.

This particular chapter also points out that Pakistan has virtually changed the demographic profile of PoK over the years, but such things have not happened in the Indian side due to existing laws like Article 370 which prohibit people from other Indian states to buy property and settle there.

The report has also taken note of the areas which have been handed over to China by Pakistan. It asked a question whether the neighbouring country had not violated the UN resolution by doing so.

Interestingly, the report, submitted by the interlocutors - Dileep Padgaonkar, Radha Kumar and M M Ansari -- to Union home minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday, has not used even once `popular' words that are being used in the political discourse of Jammu and Kashmir.

Be it 'autonomy' (being used by the National Conference) or 'self-rule' (used by People's Democratic Party) or the separatists' choice of 'azadi' and 'right to self-determination', the single volume report having a number of annexures has preferred to give them a miss without ignoring the 'intent'.

Sources privy to the details said that more powers to the people of three different regions of the state - Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh -- was the key but the report did not use such words and phrases, possibly to shun controversy for a bigger cause of fulfilling the aspirations of the people.

The annexure has, however, mentioned all the documents including the 'autonomy report' of the NC, 'self-rule framework' of the PDP and even various public remarks made by separatists from time to time. The main section of the report is mainly focused on recommendations for the economic well-being of the people of the state, their socio-cultural aspirations and various confidence building measures not only for the Kashmir Valley but also for the people of Jammu and Ladakh.

The report -- divided in various chapters dealing with issues like devolution of powers, economic development, bringing people into the national mainstream, specific issues concerning women and children and others - will soon be shared with all (political) party delegations before being made public.

The panel was formed after last year's stone-pelting crisis in which nearly 120 people died. The team of interlocutors visited all 22 districts of the state and interacted with over 700 delegations in the past one year before coming out with its final document..............http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTEvMTAvMTUjQXIwMjEwMQ==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

ULFA: A twist in the tale .... will it affect the ceasefire?

Chetia backs anti-talks faction

Vishwa Mohan \ TNN

New Delhi: A key jailed Ulfa leader, Anup Chetia, who had expressed his desire to join the ongoing peace process, has sprung a surprise.

Chetia has taken the side of the anti-talks faction — led by the outfit’s elusive commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah — and decided not to withdraw his ‘political asylum’ plea from a Bangladesh court that is mandatory for his deportation.

Chetia’s move is being seen here as a setback to India’s effort to get him deported and make him part of the peace process. He was arrested in Bangladesh in 1997 for forging travel documents.

Though the Ulfa leader had served his jail sentence for the offence long ago, he had been under detention there pending his plea for ‘political asylum’ in a Bangladesh court. His deportation — according to law in the neighbouring country — is not possible unless he withdraws his plea.

Government sources said though efforts were being made at different levels, including involving Bangladeshi authorities, for Chetia’s deportation, the Ulfa leader’s change of mind had, of late, hindered the process. He was supposed to withdraw his plea for ‘political

asylum’ even before the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Dhaka early last month, but he had kept on delaying it to thwart his deportation, they added.

“Pro-talk faction led by Ulfa chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa had even sent missives to him several times for joining the peace process in India. But Chetia is now learnt to be more inclined to Baruah, who has not only been against the talks but also against any kind of cease fire with security forces in Assam,” said an official.

He, however, said efforts were still on to get Chetia back to India, despite these setbacks.......http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JS00vMjAxMS8xMC8xMSNBcjAxMjAy&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Radiological accidents: Mayapuri incident triggered the need to take such measures .. setting up MRDS is an important move of the NDMA

SURVEILLANCE VEHICLES FOR PORTS, AIRPORTS


Chennai among cities to be equipped with mobile radiation detection system

Vishwa Mohan \ TNN

New Delhi:Fifty cities across the country will soon have Mobile Radiation Detection Systems (MRDS) as part of efforts to handle radiological emergencies like the one that hit the Mayapuri area in the capital last year in which one person died.

The Union home ministry recently sanctioned setting up nearly 1,000 MRDS in these 50 cities and asked the states concerned to identify the police stations which are to be equipped with the sophisticated device meant for detecting radiation.

The cities which have been identified for this purpose include Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Lucknow, Jaipur, Thiruvananthapuram, Patna, Ranchi, Bhopal, Agra, Kanpur, Indore, Bhubaneswar and Chandigarh. Some sea-ports, airports and border check posts will also be equipped with radiation surveillance vehicles.

The states have also been asked to identify staff who will handle the equipment. Ten persons per police station are required to be trained in handling the system. Confirming the government’s move, M Shashidhar Reddy, vice-chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), told TOI: “The system can create confidence in the minds of people and also act as a deterrent to anyone who thinks of using radioactive material in acts of terrorism and disruption.”

Highlighting its importance, Reddy said, “Radiation cannot be seen, heard or smelt which makes it difficult for the regular law enforcement agency to detect it. Empowering them with MRDS is, therefore, extremely important.”

The NDMA has been entrusted with the task of coordinating with the states in consultation with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to set up the system and train the required staff.

Under the system, it is proposed to equip police vehicles in the selected police stations in major cities with simple radiation monitoring Go/No-Go type survey instruments. It will help the staff in locating the presence of radioactive material in the surrounding area.

The panel had noted that out of 150 deaths due to radiological and nuclear accidents worldwide, only 33 were because of nuclear accidents at Chernobyl (31) and Tokoimara in Japan (2) while the rest were because of radiological accidents.................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JQ0gvMjAxMS8xMC8wNyNBcjAwMTAz&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Gujarat : Who is scared of whom? Bhatt vs. Pant will go a long way in settling political scores ... People certainly need to know the truth ... hopes hing around judiciary

Give security to Bhatt, Centre tells Guj govt

Vishwa Mohan \TNN, Oct 5, 2011, 12.52AM IST

NEW DELHI: The confrontation between the Centre and Narendra Modi further intensified on Tuesday, with the Union home ministry asking the Gujarat government to provide "adequate" security to suspended IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt and his family members.

While the home ministry asked the state government to strengthen security for the Bhatts based on "local" threat perception, Union home secretary R K Singh said the Centre would carry out its own independent assessment as well.

The Centre's intervention follows a letter Bhatt's wife Shweta wrote to Union home minister P Chidambaram expressing the fear that her IPS husband, locked in a bitter feud with the Gujarat government, faced "danger to his life" from a "vindictive administration".

Acting swiftly on her letter, home secretary Singh on Tuesday convened a meeting and took stock of her complaint. Inputs from the state unit of the Intelligence Bureau were also discussed in the meeting. Singh is learnt to have told the IB to keep the state police in the loop while sharing information.

"The home ministry has written to the Gujarat government to ensure adequate security to Bhatt and his family as per local threat perception. We are also independently carrying out threat assessment at our level," a home ministry spokesperson said.

Bhatt was arrested last Friday in connection with an FIR filed against him by state police constable K D Pant in June for allegedly threatening him and making him sign a false affidavit regarding a meeting purportedly called by chief minister Narendra Modi after the Godhra train incident on February 27, 2002.

Shweta said in her letter, "My husband has been victimised and arrested merely because a few politicians apprehended serious action against them because of the evidence Sanjiv is likely to give in the pending criminal cases."

In his bail application, Bhatt claimed that Pant appeared to be acting following "diktats" from political members of the state government. He had alleged that his arrest was aimed at getting hold of the evidence he had against the chief minister in connection with the 2002 riots, and destroying them.......http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JQS8yMDExLzEwLzA1I0FyMDAxMDE=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Mystery behind the RTI activist Shehla Masood deepens ... Did her complaints turn fatal for her?

CBI to quiz IPS officer for ‘harassing’ slain RTI activist

Vishwa Mohan \TNN \ Oct 5, 2011, 01.30AM IST

NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which has been probing RTI activist Shehla Masood murder case, will question a Madhya Pradesh IPS officer soon and confront him with a compact disc that the deceased had provided to the state police as an evidence of being threatened by him.

Masood, who was shot dead by an unidentified gunman in front of her residence in Bhopal in August, had on January 19 last year wrote to the state police chief, alleging that she was being threatened by IPS officer Pawan Shirvastava.

She wrote: "...I would like to bring to your notice that I fear for my life from Pawan Shrivastava...I fear that he being a powerful officer can implicate me in a false case".

The RTI activist had mentioned about the "evidence" she had provided to the state police, expressing her anguish that nothing had been done against the erring cop whom she called "a criminal minded officer". Shrivastava was allegedly harassing her since 2008.

Sources in the CBI said the officials had taken note of the complaint against Shrivastava and asked the state police about the action taken, if any.

"A day after receiving her letter, the then Bhopal inspector general of police had forwarded it to the department concerned asking for the probe and legal or departmental action. We have also been probing the fate of the IG's note," said an official.

A copy of the letter, written by Masood to the state DGP, was also sent to the Union home minister and Madhya Pradesh chief minister. The letter had an attachment of the formal complaint made by the RTI activist against Shrivastava.

Acting on her letter, the then IGP (Bhopal) had written on January 20 last year, "Please look into this application and a CD, which is in her possession. Legal action or departmental action may be taken as deemed fit as per the contents of the CD and the application".

"Besides Shrivastava, other persons would also be questioned to verify the veracity of the deceased's allegation against him," said an official.

Masood in her letter to the DGP had said: "One and a half year ago, I had filed a complaint against IPS officer Pawan Shrivastava for making threatening calls to me while he was on deputation as director, cultural department...I had provided the evidence, but till now nothing has been done.".......http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JS00vMjAxMS8xMC8wNSNBcjAxMjAz&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom