Kishanji killed: Maoist-hit states on alert to preempt retaliatory strikes
Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Nov 25, 2011, 01.33AM IST
NEW DELHI: Killing of naxal leader M Koteshwar Rao alias Kishanji on Thursday can be touted as a major success for security forces. He was not only third in the CPI (Maoist) hierarchy and the main 'operational' commander, but he was also eliminated right inside his 'den' that was considered virtually 'impregnable'.
The success will give a new 'high' to security forces, which have on the lookout for him for long. Only two naxal leaders - M Laxmana Rao alias Ganapathi and Prashant Bose - were senior to him in the CPI (Maoist) politburo, the ultras' top decision-making body.
Kishanji's killing is a third major success for anti-naxal security forces over the past two years. They had first caught Kobad Ghandy in Delhi in September, 2009, and 10 months later killed Cherukuri Rajkumar alias Azad in July, 2010. Both Ghandy and Azad were politburo members.
Immediately after getting information of his death, who was carrying a Rs 19-lakh police 'reward' on his head, the Centre on Thursday evening asked all Maoist-affected states to remain on alert apprehending 'retaliation' from Red Ultras. Security forces in neighbouring Jharkhand have specifically been asked to be on their toes.
The key Maoist 'operational' commander, who had given security forces slip on several occasions in the past, including once last year despite being injured, was not an 'easy' target. He was always surrounded by four layers of armed-cadre, comprising nearly 500 to 1,000 naxalites deep inside jungle.
The otherwise 'vocal' Maoist leader, who used to contact media and issue warnings to security forces every now and then, had escaped during a gun-battle in West Bengal in March last year and remained silent for a few months, giving rise to speculation that he was killed in the encounter. However, he surfaced soon after and was engaged in strengthening the armed cadre base in Bengal and certain north-eastern states, including Assam.
In the backdrop of speculation about Kishanji's death on earlier occasions, Union home secretary R K Singh on Thursday treaded cautiously. "Most likely it is Kishanji. The officers on the spot said that it is Kishenji and most likely... 99% it is Kishanji," Singh said, adding the home ministry has sent the latest photographs of the Maoist leader for comparison and final confirmation.
"We have said that we have to be certain before we declare (officially). We have sent the latest photographs of Kishenji for comparison," he said, stating that killing of Kishanji was a "huge set back for the naxals as he was number three in the hierarchy of the CPI(Maoists)".
Singh said West Bengal and Central forces were following the Maoist leader for quite some time after getting information about him and Thursday's encounter was the result of that effort. The joint operations against the Maoists would continue in West Bengal and other Naxal-affected states, he added.
With killing of these top ultras, including Kishanji and Azad, and arrest of others like Ghandy, Pramod Mishra, Akhilesh Yadav and Mishir Besra, the strength of the original CPI (Maoist) politburo has now been reduced from 14 to six in the past five years.
The existing politburo, headed by Ganapathi, was formed in 2004 when two main naxal outfits - People's War Group (PWG) and Maoist Coordination Centre (MCC) - merged to set up an umbrella body CPI (Maoist). Kishanji was one of the key architects of the merger.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Supply to Maoists ..... Terrorists ..... and local goons ...... is not possible without a deep-rooted nexus
15kg of RDX seized in 8 months
Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Nov 24, 2011, 06.03AM IST
NEW DELHI: Seizure of five kilograms of RDX at Ambala in Haryana in October had caught 'eye-balls' as the consignment was meant for terror attacks in Delhi, but it was only one-third of the total recovery of such a high intensity explosive made by security agencies in the country in nearly past eight months.
Government on Wednesday said that the security agencies had recovered 15kg of RDX from various parts of the country during the period, and the possibility of its use by terrorists could not be ruled out.
Besides, security agencies have also recovered 10,500kg of Ammonium Nitrate, 7, 533 gelatine sticks, 2.5 kilograms of gun powder, 563kg of nitrate mixture, 6250 metres of detonating fuse, 20250 metres of safety fuse and 23,540 of detonators. All these materials are used for making IEDs.
There have been number of instances where terrorists used ammonium nitrate to make bombs like serial blasts carried out by Indian Mujahideen in, Lucknow, Faizabad, Varanasi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Delhi during 2007-08. Naxalites too used ammonium nitrate and Gelatine sticks for landmines as potent as even to tear apart Mine Protected Vehicles in Red Zone.
The data of these recoveries, made during 2011-12 (till date), was shared by the minister of state for home affairs Mullappally Ramachandran in his written reply to a Parliament question in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
He said: "While, in specific cases, conclusive chain of evidence linking the explosives used by naxalites and terrorists to explosives pilfered from various establishments of the country has not been established, the possibility thereof cannot be ruled out".
Investigation of many terrorist cases had revealed in the past that the RDX was specifically used by terror outfits and explosive was procured from across borders. Since RDX is only produced by state agencies, the security and intelligence agencies have never ruled out role of Pakistani spy agency ISI in smuggling the explosives to India through groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and some Khalistani outfits.
Ammonium Nitrate, Gelatine sticks, detonators and other items were, however, been locally procured both by terrorists and naxalites. Roles of various mining companies\contractors and local distributors\dealers had been probed for such pilferage in the past.
Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Nov 24, 2011, 06.03AM IST
NEW DELHI: Seizure of five kilograms of RDX at Ambala in Haryana in October had caught 'eye-balls' as the consignment was meant for terror attacks in Delhi, but it was only one-third of the total recovery of such a high intensity explosive made by security agencies in the country in nearly past eight months.
Government on Wednesday said that the security agencies had recovered 15kg of RDX from various parts of the country during the period, and the possibility of its use by terrorists could not be ruled out.
Besides, security agencies have also recovered 10,500kg of Ammonium Nitrate, 7, 533 gelatine sticks, 2.5 kilograms of gun powder, 563kg of nitrate mixture, 6250 metres of detonating fuse, 20250 metres of safety fuse and 23,540 of detonators. All these materials are used for making IEDs.
There have been number of instances where terrorists used ammonium nitrate to make bombs like serial blasts carried out by Indian Mujahideen in, Lucknow, Faizabad, Varanasi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Delhi during 2007-08. Naxalites too used ammonium nitrate and Gelatine sticks for landmines as potent as even to tear apart Mine Protected Vehicles in Red Zone.
The data of these recoveries, made during 2011-12 (till date), was shared by the minister of state for home affairs Mullappally Ramachandran in his written reply to a Parliament question in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
He said: "While, in specific cases, conclusive chain of evidence linking the explosives used by naxalites and terrorists to explosives pilfered from various establishments of the country has not been established, the possibility thereof cannot be ruled out".
Investigation of many terrorist cases had revealed in the past that the RDX was specifically used by terror outfits and explosive was procured from across borders. Since RDX is only produced by state agencies, the security and intelligence agencies have never ruled out role of Pakistani spy agency ISI in smuggling the explosives to India through groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and some Khalistani outfits.
Ammonium Nitrate, Gelatine sticks, detonators and other items were, however, been locally procured both by terrorists and naxalites. Roles of various mining companies\contractors and local distributors\dealers had been probed for such pilferage in the past.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Indo-Bangladesh ...... wish this 'friendship' lasts beyond Hasina
Indo-Bangla extradition treaty soon
Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Nov 22, 2011, 03.03AM IST
NEW DELHI: India and Bangladesh on Monday agreed to finalize the much-awaited extradition treaty "at an early date". India also promised to leave "no stone unturned" to track down, apprehend and hand over killers of the father of the nation of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and sought "additional information" from Dhaka.
Draft of the extradition treaty was exchanged during the home secretary-level talks which ended on Monday with both the sides reiterating their commitment to further strengthen security cooperation and reaffirming "not to allow the territory of either country to be used for any activity inimical to each other's interest".
"The draft (extradition treaty) has been shared and we are going through it. We are scrutinizing it," home secretary R K Singh said at a joint press meet with his Bangladeshi counterpart Monzur Hossain. Asked about Dhaka's position on the issue, Hossain said, "The pact will be signed at the earliest. That is our position with utmost sincerity."
The treaty, which has been under consideration for long, will pave the way for handing over each other's fugitives including ULFA general secretary Anup Chetia. It will also act as a deterrent for criminals/insurgents in India and Bangladesh to cross over after committing crimes. During the talks that began on Saturday, Bangladesh sought India's assistance to track the killers, including Riasaldar Mosleuddin, of Mujibur Rahman.
Hossain said, "We expect that India will do the needful. We are hopeful when more information is available their law enforcement agencies will be able to hand over the culprits. We appreciate India's efforts.".........http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JS00vMjAxMS8xMS8yMiNBcjAwNjAy&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Nov 22, 2011, 03.03AM IST
NEW DELHI: India and Bangladesh on Monday agreed to finalize the much-awaited extradition treaty "at an early date". India also promised to leave "no stone unturned" to track down, apprehend and hand over killers of the father of the nation of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and sought "additional information" from Dhaka.
Draft of the extradition treaty was exchanged during the home secretary-level talks which ended on Monday with both the sides reiterating their commitment to further strengthen security cooperation and reaffirming "not to allow the territory of either country to be used for any activity inimical to each other's interest".
"The draft (extradition treaty) has been shared and we are going through it. We are scrutinizing it," home secretary R K Singh said at a joint press meet with his Bangladeshi counterpart Monzur Hossain. Asked about Dhaka's position on the issue, Hossain said, "The pact will be signed at the earliest. That is our position with utmost sincerity."
The treaty, which has been under consideration for long, will pave the way for handing over each other's fugitives including ULFA general secretary Anup Chetia. It will also act as a deterrent for criminals/insurgents in India and Bangladesh to cross over after committing crimes. During the talks that began on Saturday, Bangladesh sought India's assistance to track the killers, including Riasaldar Mosleuddin, of Mujibur Rahman.
Hossain said, "We expect that India will do the needful. We are hopeful when more information is available their law enforcement agencies will be able to hand over the culprits. We appreciate India's efforts.".........http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JS00vMjAxMS8xMS8yMiNBcjAwNjAy&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Nagas......Centre will not displease three states to please one insurgent outfit
No move to grant 'supra state body' status to Nagas: Government
Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Nov 20, 2011, 02.21AM IST
NEW DELHI: The Centre on Saturday informed Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh that there was no move to grant a 'supra state body' status to Nagas settled across the north-east and the negotiators, who have been talking to the NSCN (I-M), had never promised the outfit any such arrangement that may have severe inter-state ramifications.
The 'clarification' comes in response to the objection from all the three states that sought the Union home ministry's views over certain reports on the purported 'move'.
The reports have mentioned that the Centre was considering keeping the Naga-inhabited areas of Nagaland, Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh under a 'supra state body' to enable the Nagas to preserve their culture, identity and customary laws under an umbrella entity, and it would be finalized before Christmas (December 25).
Referring to the 'clarification' made to the states over such reports, sources in the home ministry said the government had nothing to do with the 'move', which was a NSCN (I-M) proposal. The Centre had never agreed to any such proposal, and the outfit badgered the negotiators with it during both 'formal' and 'informal' discussions, they added.
'Greater Nagaland' has been a long-pending demand of NSCN (I-M), who under their leaders Isak Swu and T Muivah have been demanding control over all Naga-inhabited areas in neighbouring Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, ever since they joined talks with the government after signing a 'ceasefire' agreement in 1997.
Sources here said it appeared that people having some vested interests might have involved in some 'misinformation' campaign to test the ground, taking a cue from the NSCN (IM) 'internal' papers - comprising its own proposals and demands - at a time when the Centre was opposed to the demand of 'Greater Nagaland' or any kind of 'pan-Naga supra state body' at the cost of neighbouring states.
They said as part of any peace deal with Nagas, the government would, at best, provide maximum autonomy to Nagaland under existing provisions of the Constitution that may lead to giving them additional financial and legislative powers.............http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JS00vMjAxMS8xMS8yMCNBcjAwODAx&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Nov 20, 2011, 02.21AM IST
NEW DELHI: The Centre on Saturday informed Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh that there was no move to grant a 'supra state body' status to Nagas settled across the north-east and the negotiators, who have been talking to the NSCN (I-M), had never promised the outfit any such arrangement that may have severe inter-state ramifications.
The 'clarification' comes in response to the objection from all the three states that sought the Union home ministry's views over certain reports on the purported 'move'.
The reports have mentioned that the Centre was considering keeping the Naga-inhabited areas of Nagaland, Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh under a 'supra state body' to enable the Nagas to preserve their culture, identity and customary laws under an umbrella entity, and it would be finalized before Christmas (December 25).
Referring to the 'clarification' made to the states over such reports, sources in the home ministry said the government had nothing to do with the 'move', which was a NSCN (I-M) proposal. The Centre had never agreed to any such proposal, and the outfit badgered the negotiators with it during both 'formal' and 'informal' discussions, they added.
'Greater Nagaland' has been a long-pending demand of NSCN (I-M), who under their leaders Isak Swu and T Muivah have been demanding control over all Naga-inhabited areas in neighbouring Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, ever since they joined talks with the government after signing a 'ceasefire' agreement in 1997.
Sources here said it appeared that people having some vested interests might have involved in some 'misinformation' campaign to test the ground, taking a cue from the NSCN (IM) 'internal' papers - comprising its own proposals and demands - at a time when the Centre was opposed to the demand of 'Greater Nagaland' or any kind of 'pan-Naga supra state body' at the cost of neighbouring states.
They said as part of any peace deal with Nagas, the government would, at best, provide maximum autonomy to Nagaland under existing provisions of the Constitution that may lead to giving them additional financial and legislative powers.............http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JS00vMjAxMS8xMS8yMCNBcjAwODAx&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
Friday, November 18, 2011
Red Terror .... Border Road Organisation (BRO)-type force for states
Govt to put 7,000 more jawan in Naxal areas
Vishwa Mohan,TNN | Nov 18, 2011, 03.38AM IST
NEW DELHI: As Maoist threat has put on hold several development works in Naxal-infested areas across the country, the Centre has sanctioned seven Battalions - over 7,000 personnel - of 'specialized' force, who will execute basic infrastructure projects, including construction of roads, under their protection in the Red Zone. States will soon start the process of raising the 'force'.
The new force - called Specialized India Reserve Battalions (SIRBs) - will have two components\units. While one unit will have engineers and technical staff, another will consist of security personnel.
Out of seven SIRBs, two have been sanctioned for Chhattisgarh - the worst Maoist-hit state - while, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and Maharashtra will raise one Battalion each over the next three months. The states will try to recruit as many locals\tribals as possible for raising the new force, mainly in security wing.
"Fund has also been released for this purpose for these five states. Home ministry will sanction three more Battalions of specialized force for the states in due course," said a senior official, adding the Cabinet Committee on Security had in July approved the proposal to raise 10 SIRBs.
The need for such a force was felt for long as the Maoists had been frustrating government's attempt to create basic infrastructure in Red Zone by repeatedly targeting development works and economic installations.
The new specialized force would be different from existing 37 IRBs (37,000 personnel) in Naxal-affected states. Unlike IRBs that only comprise security personnel, the SIRBs will have engineers and technicians in one unit of the Battalions. They will be responsible for laying basic infrastructure projects with the help of security being provided by the other unit.
The security unit of the new force will accompany its technical\engineering staff, wherever they will be engaged in development works. The newly-raised Battalions will also provide security to local contractors for executing their works.
Home ministry statistics shows that the Maoists had attacked 1,241 'economic targets' - including 465 roads - between 2007 and 2011, damaging railway property, telephone exchanges\towers, electricity transmission lines, power plants, roads and mines across nine states.
Besides, the ultras of the banned CPI (Maoist) had also targeted 188 railway property, including stations, crossings and tracks; equal number of school buildings; 187 telephone exchanges\towers; 69 panchayat bhawans; 45 electricity transmission lines; 30 mines; nine power plants and 60 other 'economic targets' like solar plates, cement plant and other manufacturing\industrial production units over the past four years.....http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JS00vMjAxMS8xMS8xOCNBcjAwODAy&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
Vishwa Mohan,TNN | Nov 18, 2011, 03.38AM IST
NEW DELHI: As Maoist threat has put on hold several development works in Naxal-infested areas across the country, the Centre has sanctioned seven Battalions - over 7,000 personnel - of 'specialized' force, who will execute basic infrastructure projects, including construction of roads, under their protection in the Red Zone. States will soon start the process of raising the 'force'.
The new force - called Specialized India Reserve Battalions (SIRBs) - will have two components\units. While one unit will have engineers and technical staff, another will consist of security personnel.
Out of seven SIRBs, two have been sanctioned for Chhattisgarh - the worst Maoist-hit state - while, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and Maharashtra will raise one Battalion each over the next three months. The states will try to recruit as many locals\tribals as possible for raising the new force, mainly in security wing.
"Fund has also been released for this purpose for these five states. Home ministry will sanction three more Battalions of specialized force for the states in due course," said a senior official, adding the Cabinet Committee on Security had in July approved the proposal to raise 10 SIRBs.
The need for such a force was felt for long as the Maoists had been frustrating government's attempt to create basic infrastructure in Red Zone by repeatedly targeting development works and economic installations.
The new specialized force would be different from existing 37 IRBs (37,000 personnel) in Naxal-affected states. Unlike IRBs that only comprise security personnel, the SIRBs will have engineers and technicians in one unit of the Battalions. They will be responsible for laying basic infrastructure projects with the help of security being provided by the other unit.
The security unit of the new force will accompany its technical\engineering staff, wherever they will be engaged in development works. The newly-raised Battalions will also provide security to local contractors for executing their works.
Home ministry statistics shows that the Maoists had attacked 1,241 'economic targets' - including 465 roads - between 2007 and 2011, damaging railway property, telephone exchanges\towers, electricity transmission lines, power plants, roads and mines across nine states.
Besides, the ultras of the banned CPI (Maoist) had also targeted 188 railway property, including stations, crossings and tracks; equal number of school buildings; 187 telephone exchanges\towers; 69 panchayat bhawans; 45 electricity transmission lines; 30 mines; nine power plants and 60 other 'economic targets' like solar plates, cement plant and other manufacturing\industrial production units over the past four years.....http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JS00vMjAxMS8xMS8xOCNBcjAwODAy&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Maoists menace ... Chhattisgarh holds back pro-active approach on security front ... treads cautiously after facing huge police\paramilitary casualty last year
Chhattisgarh lags behind in curbing Maoist menace
Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Nov 17, 2011, 02.13AM IST
NEW DELHI: The Centre's ongoing review of governance issues in Maoist-infested areas has noticed major 'drift' in Chhattisgarh's security efforts, making the state lag behind all other naxal-affected states in containing Red menace despite its relatively better performance on 'development' front.
The Union home ministry has found that Chhattisgarh lacked policing and attendant security measures, including judicious use of central paramilitary forces, on the ground this year as compared to 2010, leaving the state vulnerable to Maoist attack.
"Even the ultras' attack in Dantewada on Wednesday that saw two CISF personnel killed and others injured was the result of the slackness shown by the state. Instead of keeping the area under its command after dominating it last year, the police left it wide open and moved far off to safer places giving an opportunity to Maoists to strike," said a senior official.
Officials pointed out that the poor coordination on the ground and lack of vision in police leadership were hampering anti-naxal operations in almost all Maoist-affected districts in the state.
The current approach of state police is attributed, in certain quarters, to the huge casualty that the security forces suffered last year due to their pro-active measures. Chhattisgarh had reported killing of 172 security personnel, including over 70 CRPF personnel in a single incident, in 2010. No other state had seen such a huge casualty of security personnel in recent past.
"It seems the state does not want to risk lives of security personnel during anti-naxal operation. As a result, the operations are going on at a snail's pace despite the presence of over 25,000 central paramilitary personnel in the state," said an official.
Eleven out of the 16 districts in Chhattisgarh are hit by Red ultras, while five of them affected severely. Over 120 people, including 52 security personnel, were killed by Maoists in the state this year till Wednesday. Other naxal-affected states have not seen such high casualty.
Maoist violence occurred in Chhattisgarh, despite the state taking up the highest number of basic development projects under the government's ambitious Integrated Action Plan (IAP), underscoring Red menace cannot be tackled by development activities alone.
"Result shows that unless states take effective security measures, Maoists cannot be defeated," said the official.
State-wise reports on works taken up under the IAP shows that Chhattisgarh has taken up maximum development works (14,199 ) under the scheme, followed by Orissa (13,517), Jharkhand (11,158), Bihar (9,343), Madhya Pradesh (4,597), Maharashtra (4,360), Uttar Pradesh (1, 548), West Bengal (1, 155) and Andhra Pradesh (1, 084) this year till Wednesday.
Last November, the Centre had cleared the IAP, with an aim of giving a fillip to development schemes in 60 most naxal-affected districts across nine states. It is being implemented in 15 districts in Odisha, Jharkhand (14), Chhattisgarh (10), Madhya Pradesh (8), Bihar (7), two each in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh and one each in West Bengal and UP.
Vishwa Mohan |TNN | Nov 17, 2011, 02.13AM IST
NEW DELHI: The Centre's ongoing review of governance issues in Maoist-infested areas has noticed major 'drift' in Chhattisgarh's security efforts, making the state lag behind all other naxal-affected states in containing Red menace despite its relatively better performance on 'development' front.
The Union home ministry has found that Chhattisgarh lacked policing and attendant security measures, including judicious use of central paramilitary forces, on the ground this year as compared to 2010, leaving the state vulnerable to Maoist attack.
"Even the ultras' attack in Dantewada on Wednesday that saw two CISF personnel killed and others injured was the result of the slackness shown by the state. Instead of keeping the area under its command after dominating it last year, the police left it wide open and moved far off to safer places giving an opportunity to Maoists to strike," said a senior official.
Officials pointed out that the poor coordination on the ground and lack of vision in police leadership were hampering anti-naxal operations in almost all Maoist-affected districts in the state.
The current approach of state police is attributed, in certain quarters, to the huge casualty that the security forces suffered last year due to their pro-active measures. Chhattisgarh had reported killing of 172 security personnel, including over 70 CRPF personnel in a single incident, in 2010. No other state had seen such a huge casualty of security personnel in recent past.
"It seems the state does not want to risk lives of security personnel during anti-naxal operation. As a result, the operations are going on at a snail's pace despite the presence of over 25,000 central paramilitary personnel in the state," said an official.
Eleven out of the 16 districts in Chhattisgarh are hit by Red ultras, while five of them affected severely. Over 120 people, including 52 security personnel, were killed by Maoists in the state this year till Wednesday. Other naxal-affected states have not seen such high casualty.
Maoist violence occurred in Chhattisgarh, despite the state taking up the highest number of basic development projects under the government's ambitious Integrated Action Plan (IAP), underscoring Red menace cannot be tackled by development activities alone.
"Result shows that unless states take effective security measures, Maoists cannot be defeated," said the official.
State-wise reports on works taken up under the IAP shows that Chhattisgarh has taken up maximum development works (14,199 ) under the scheme, followed by Orissa (13,517), Jharkhand (11,158), Bihar (9,343), Madhya Pradesh (4,597), Maharashtra (4,360), Uttar Pradesh (1, 548), West Bengal (1, 155) and Andhra Pradesh (1, 084) this year till Wednesday.
Last November, the Centre had cleared the IAP, with an aim of giving a fillip to development schemes in 60 most naxal-affected districts across nine states. It is being implemented in 15 districts in Odisha, Jharkhand (14), Chhattisgarh (10), Madhya Pradesh (8), Bihar (7), two each in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh and one each in West Bengal and UP.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Indo-Pak home secretary-level talk: ... Will both the countries move forward?
Pak judicial panel’s visit will set tone for talks
Home Ministry Already Asked To Prepare For The Two-Day Dialogue To Be Held In Islamabad
Vishwa Mohan | TNN
New Delhi: Even as Pakistan has done nothing ‘concrete’ to bring perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks to justice, its latest move to send a judicial commission to India in connection with the probe and its outcome will set the ‘tone’ for the proposed home secretary-level talks between the two countries in December.
Home ministry officials have already been asked to prepare for the two-day dialogue which is to be held in Islamabad in the third week of December.
“Exact date of the home secretary-level talks will be finalised after the visit of the Pakistani judicial commission which is to be here sometime later this month. India will send proposed dates to Pakistan this week. It will be done after setting up a court or appointing a judge here to receive the Pakistani panel,” a senior government official said.
A multi-member judicial commission will visit Mumbai and record statements of chief investigating officer of the 26/11 case, additional chief metropolitan magistrate — who recorded confessional statement of the Lashkar terrorist Ajmal Kasab — and two doctors who conducted post-mortem of nine Pakistani terrorists who were killed during the Mumbai terror attack in November 2008.
The home ministry had written to Maharashtra government last week about checking/ensuring availability of the magistrate R V Sawant Waghule, chief investigating officer Ramesh Mahale and the doctors so that India could propose dates to Pakistan. Final decision on dates of the panel’s visit will, however, be taken by the Pakistani side.
“Had Pakistan shown some urgency on sending its judicial commission, the home secretary-level talks would have been held much earlier as part of the decision to make such dialogue a bi-annual affair,” said the official.
The decision to hold the talks bi-annually was taken during the last home/interior secretary-level talks in March when both countries agreed to it in order “to remain engaged on outstanding issues”.
Indian officials are, meanwhile, exploring the option of sending an Indian commission to Pakistan as Islamabad had in March agreed for this “based upon the principle of comity and reciprocity” with respect to the Mumbai terror attack probe.
Though Pakistan had promised on March 29 that it would convey to India about sending its commission within four to six weeks (by May 15), the matter did not move at Islamabad’s end for long. Pakistan informed India about the panel’s visit only early this month — nearly six months after its earlier ‘written’ promise.
Other promises of Islamabad like dismantling terror infrastructure and curbing infiltration, made during numerous bilateral meetings between the two countries, have, however, not seen any progress despite New Delhi’s repeated reminders.
In the backdrop of these developments, officials in the home ministry will have no option but to reiterate almost the same points during the talks in December.
On the positive side, officials expect that both countries may take some final decisions on visa issues including multiple-entry and multi-city visas to businessmen and old citizens......................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JSC8yMDExLzExLzE0I0FyMDEyMDA=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
Home Ministry Already Asked To Prepare For The Two-Day Dialogue To Be Held In Islamabad
Vishwa Mohan | TNN
New Delhi: Even as Pakistan has done nothing ‘concrete’ to bring perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks to justice, its latest move to send a judicial commission to India in connection with the probe and its outcome will set the ‘tone’ for the proposed home secretary-level talks between the two countries in December.
Home ministry officials have already been asked to prepare for the two-day dialogue which is to be held in Islamabad in the third week of December.
“Exact date of the home secretary-level talks will be finalised after the visit of the Pakistani judicial commission which is to be here sometime later this month. India will send proposed dates to Pakistan this week. It will be done after setting up a court or appointing a judge here to receive the Pakistani panel,” a senior government official said.
A multi-member judicial commission will visit Mumbai and record statements of chief investigating officer of the 26/11 case, additional chief metropolitan magistrate — who recorded confessional statement of the Lashkar terrorist Ajmal Kasab — and two doctors who conducted post-mortem of nine Pakistani terrorists who were killed during the Mumbai terror attack in November 2008.
The home ministry had written to Maharashtra government last week about checking/ensuring availability of the magistrate R V Sawant Waghule, chief investigating officer Ramesh Mahale and the doctors so that India could propose dates to Pakistan. Final decision on dates of the panel’s visit will, however, be taken by the Pakistani side.
“Had Pakistan shown some urgency on sending its judicial commission, the home secretary-level talks would have been held much earlier as part of the decision to make such dialogue a bi-annual affair,” said the official.
The decision to hold the talks bi-annually was taken during the last home/interior secretary-level talks in March when both countries agreed to it in order “to remain engaged on outstanding issues”.
Indian officials are, meanwhile, exploring the option of sending an Indian commission to Pakistan as Islamabad had in March agreed for this “based upon the principle of comity and reciprocity” with respect to the Mumbai terror attack probe.
Though Pakistan had promised on March 29 that it would convey to India about sending its commission within four to six weeks (by May 15), the matter did not move at Islamabad’s end for long. Pakistan informed India about the panel’s visit only early this month — nearly six months after its earlier ‘written’ promise.
Other promises of Islamabad like dismantling terror infrastructure and curbing infiltration, made during numerous bilateral meetings between the two countries, have, however, not seen any progress despite New Delhi’s repeated reminders.
In the backdrop of these developments, officials in the home ministry will have no option but to reiterate almost the same points during the talks in December.
On the positive side, officials expect that both countries may take some final decisions on visa issues including multiple-entry and multi-city visas to businessmen and old citizens......................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JSC8yMDExLzExLzE0I0FyMDEyMDA=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
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