Monthly Archives: November 2008
Failed!
Maharastra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil
In 1980, he first elected to the 7th Loksabha(House of the people)
He had won seven successive Lok Sabha elections until 1999.
First inducted in the Indira Gandhi cabinet as Minister of State for Defence (1980-82), he was given independent charge of the Commerce Ministry (1982-83), from where he was shifted to Science and Technology, Atomic Energy, Electronics, Space and Ocean Development (1983-84).
After the assassination of Indira Gandhi,Rajiv Gandhit, he was inducted in the cabinet as a minister of Personnel, Defence production and later held independent charge of Civil Aviation and Tourism.
He has also held a number of important positions in the party ever since Sonia took over the presidency of the party.As speaker of the Lok Sabha, he set his mark as an able parliamentarian.He became Home Minister in 2004 after the Congress led united Progressive Front(UPA) came to power by defeating BJP led National Democratic Alliance(NDA) . Shivraj Patil lost in the 2004 polls from Latur constituency in Maharastra . He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in July 2004.Patil’s name was considered a likely candidate in 2007 parliamentary election However, after the Left parties opposed his candidature.But critics said that he failed miserably as a Home Minister to curb terrorism and his reluctant attitude.
Maharastra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil also resigned from the post taking moral responsibility.
worst terrorist attacks in hotels
A police personal stands guard after shootings at VT Railway station in Mumbai . courtesy:Reuters
Terrorists launched co-ordinated attacks at several crowded locations across India’s financial capital on Wednesday(Nov.26), killing at least 130 people and over 300 people injured..At least seven locations in Mumbai, including a restaurant popular with tourists and a crowded V.T.station were targeted in the rifle and grenade attacks, which began around 10:30 p.m. local time.
Recent attacks that shook the world :
At least 88 people had killed in bomb attacks in the Egyptian resort of Sharm al-Sheikh on 23 July,2005. Some 200 more were injured in the overnight blasts. The first, in the Old Market, was followed by two more in Naama Bay, where a hotel was badly hit.Most of the dead are Egyptians, but foreigners are among the victims too.
At least 41 people have been killed and about 100 injured in suicide bomb attacks in Morocco’s largest city, Casablanca.The attacks on16th May,2003 night targeted a Jewish community centre, a Spanish restaurant and social club, a hotel and the Belgian consulate.Five explosions occurred within 30 minutes of each other. All the blasts were triggered by suicide bombers carrying explosives .The victims were mainly Moroccans.At least six Europeans – two Spaniards, two Italians and two French – were also killed.
Battle for Delhi Masnad
courtesy:Maps Of India
Polling Date:Nov 29 ( Delhi assembly elections)
counting of votes : Dec 8.
The main poll Plank:Development,price rise ,terrorism.
“ For 10 years we have worked for the people of Delhi, we would like to take that work forward,” Delhi’s Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit claimed.
Congress government of Delhi may face a strong anti-incumbency factor in this assembly election after ruling the capital for 10 years.Dikshit came to power on Dec.3,1998.She was the second woman to become Delhi’s Chief Minister.She represents Gole Market constituency.
Total assembly seats: 70, 58 belonging to general category and 12 reserved category.
At present the Congress -47 seats , the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)- 20, Nationalist Congress Party(NCP)-1 and the Janata Dal-Secula(JD-S)-1and independent-1.
Ten years ago(1998), when the Congress came to power in Delhi, one of the major issues was price rise and inflation. This time around, the Congress government would be facing the same set of issues.Besides issues like development, water and electricity, terrorism and security are also expected to be major issues in these polls.
Vijay Kumar Malhotra, the BJP’s chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Delhi elections.
Buddha Speaks
The Chief Minister of Bengal Buddhadeb Bhattacharya.Pix Courtsey:PTI
Controversial qoutes of Buddhadev Bhattacharya,the Chief Minister of Bengal:
“There were attacks from the other side and they were paid back in the same coin” Buddha Babu(as he popularly known)after theCPI(M) attack to recapture Nandigram.
“They (the Opposition)had been attacking our men for months. That’s why the retaliation took place.”
Before the attack on opposition who opposed the forced farm land acquisition for industrial purposes by the foot-soldiers of CPI(M),Buddha told, “Nandigram has turned into a war zone.”
After the attack, Buddha told: “Many are saying this is the peace of the graveyard. For the last 11 months, did a heavenly peace reign?”
“Nandigram is terror-free.”-Buddha announced.
Jammu & Kashmir voting begins today
Polling for the first phase began in 10 assembly constituencies spread over four districts (Bandipora, Poonch, Leh and Kargil)
of Jammu and Kashmir today (November 17)amid tight security.
Chronology of events(Amarnath Row) that lead to the dissolve of State Assembly.
October 2000: Tourism Minister S S Salathia tables a bill in the State Legislature for constitution of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB)
February 2001: State Government constitutes SASB for managing affairs of the Amarnath Yatra.
October, 2004: CEO, SASB sends Project Report to the J&K Forest Department regarding transfer of 3642 kanals of forest land to SASB at Baltal and Chandanwari.
March 2005: Forest Department grants permission vide Government Order No. 148-FST of 2005 Dated: 29-03-2005 for use of forest land by SASB in Compartment Nos. 21 and 62 of Lidder Forest Division.
May 20, 2005: Government Order No. 148-FST withdrawn on the directions of the Chief Minister vide order no. 210-FST of 2005 Dated: 20-05-2005 on the ground that while making land allotment the provisions of Forest Conservation Act were violated.
May 28, 2005: J&K High Court stays operation of Govt. Order No. 210-FST of 2005 Dated: 20-05-2005. The Division Bench of the High Court comprising Justice Nargotra and Justice V K Jhanji makes it clear that duration of the Govt. Order No. 148-FST of 2005 shall be preparatory to commencement of the Yatra and user would remain till end of the Yatra. July 2005: Show-cause notice served to then Principal Secretary Forest Department for having issued the Govt. Order No. 148-FST of 2005 in violation of Forest Conservation Act.
November 2005: Warning issued to the Principal Secretary Forests after the reply furnished by the officer to the show-cause notice was not found satisfactory by the Government.
July 12, 2007: Proposal for diversion of 39.88 hectares of forest land cleared by Forest Advisory Committee headed by the Chief Secretary.
July 17, 2007: SASB proposal submitted to the General Administration Department (GAD) for approval of the Cabinet.
February 2008: Matter placed before the Cabinet, but decision deferred. March 2008: Committee constituted vide Govt. Order No. 108-FST Dated: 13-03-2008 to examine feasibility of diverting forest land vis-à-vis wildlife perspective for various developmental activities including construction of road at Baltal/Ranga-Domail. May 7, 2008: Committee submits report to the Government.
May 20, 2008: Cabinet approves diversion of 39.88 hectares of forest land to SASB.
May 26, 2008: Govt. issues order no. 184-FST of 2008 diverting land to SASB
June 3, 2008: Raj Bhawan spokesman issues a statement making public the transfer of land to SASB. June 17, 2008: Amarnath Yatra commences. Sinha’s Principal Secretary and SASB CEO Arun Kumar reveals at a press conference in Srinagar that land diversion was permanent.
June 18, 2008: Chief Secretary issues warning to Arun Kumar.
Row brings rival Hurriyat factions led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Umar Farooq together.
June 19, 2008: Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig, at a press conference, accuses Congress of blackmailing PDP on land allotment to SASB by threatening to stop work on Mughal Road.
NC Patron Farooq Abdullah at a press conference in Srinagar asks Government to take back forest land from SASB.
Hurriyat factions led by Sayed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq issue a joint declaration in Srinagar.
June 20, 2008: BJP leader L K Advani visits Amarnath cave. Advani briefed by Governor Sinha regarding Yatra arrangements at Raj Bhawan. Mirwaiz talks tough on SASB calls for immediate revocation of land transfer order.
June 21, 2008: PDP Patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed seeks cancellation of land diversion to SASB. Cabinet meet to discuss land row postponed.
June 22, 2008: State President of the BJP Ashok Khajuria threatens economic blockade of Kashmir valley at a Press Conference in Jammu, if land allotment order revoked.
June 23, 2008: Protests against land transfer begin in Kashmir valley. One person killed, 40 hurt in CRP firing on protesters at Nowhatta, Srinagar.
A record number of 53,500 Yatris paid obeisance at the Amarnath cave shrine.
Sayed Ali Shah Geelani gives a wake-up call to Kashmiris over land transfer to SASB.
JKLF Chairman Yasin Malik threatens fast unto death if land diversion order not revoked.
June 24, 2008: BJP launches counter-stir in Jammu, declares economic blockade of Kashmir.
After consulting Congress ministers, Azad says land diversion order won’t be revoked.
BJP cadres led by legislator Jugal Kishore enforce economic blockade by stopping movement of vehicles on Srinagar-Jammu highway near Nagrota.
Union Water Resources Minister Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz at a public meeting at Yaripora (Kulgam) says Congress not taking PDP pullout threat seriously.
June 25, 2008: Governor N N Vohra takes over Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad at a press conference blames PDP ministers Muzaffar Hussain Baig and Qazi Afzal for land transfer.
Two persons killed, 200 injured in valley-wide protests. Seven persons killed in eight days of protests.
Prominent Hindu spiritual preacher, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says 800 kanals of land transferred to SASB aren’t enough to accommodate lakhs of pilgrims, it’s a beginning.
Azad proposes all-party meet on land row, PDP rejects.
June 26, 2008: PDP sets June 30 deadline for pullout from Coalition Government if land diversion order not revoked.
NC President Omar Abdullah at a press conference calls for revocation of land diversion order.
June 27, 2008: Government orders attachment of Governor’s Principal Secretary Arun Kumar. B B Vyas appointed new Principal Secretary to Governor
Shiv Sena leader Sham Lal Langar at a press conference in Jammu threatens to block the national highway as well as supply of essential commodities to Srinagar, if land diversion order revoked.
June 28, 2008: PDP pulls out of the Coalition Govt.
June 29, 2008: SASB surrenders claim over land as the State Govt. agrees to take over Yatra arrangements.
June 30, 2008: Protests erupt in Jammu. BJP, Shiv Sena, VHP and Bajrang Dal activists block Jammu-Lakhanpur National Highway.
Shri Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti (SASS) constituted in Jammu with Leela Karan as its convener
BJP leader L K Advani announces in Bhopal (MP) that Amarnath Land issue would be major national electoral agenda for BJP.July 1, 2008: State cabinet cancels land order but it continues to be under SASB use. Action Committee against Transfer of Land (ACTL) calls off agitation in Kashmir.
Curfew imposed in Jammu following widespread protests over revocation order.
BJP, VHP calls for July 3 Bharat Bandh. “If there is no Amarnath yatra, there would be no Haj also,” VHP General Secretary Praveen Togadia declares in Delhi. VHP also called for boycott of all Kashmiri products and goods all over India. “Kashmiri Handicrafts such as carpets, kurtas, scarf, shawls, Kashmiri saffron (Kesar), Kashmiri Apricots (Akhrot) etc. shouldn’t be purchased by the people,” Togadia said.
Petrol Tankers Association President Anan Sharma announces stoppage of petrol supplies to Kashmir valley.
Pro-Jammu political and social organizations hold joint meeting at Duggar Pradesh Party headquarters in Jammu to discuss the modalities of forming a common platform to strengthen struggle for statehood to Jammu region.
BJP State President Ashok Khajuria announces boycott of Kashmiri politicians at a press conference in Jammu
July 2, 2008: Economic blockade begins. BJP, VHP and Bajrang Dal block Jammu-Lakhanpur highway at various places.
SASS convener Leela Karan at a press conference in Jammu declares Samiti’s support for economic blockade of Kashmir and also calls for a separate Jammu State.
July 3, 2008: Normal life disrupted in several states following Bharat Bandh by BJP and VHP over Amarnath land row.
Gladni Grid station in Jammu, major supplier of power to the region, suffers extensive damage in a fire incident.
July 4, 2008: Supreme Court refuses to intervene in the revocation of land transfer order while hearing a PIL filed by the Panthers Party supreme Prof Bhim Singh.
July 5, 2008: BJP national President Rajnath Singh and senior leader Arun Jaitley arrive in Jammu and extend support to the agitation launched by SASS in protest against the cancellation of land allotted to SASB.
July 6, 2008: SASS asks public representatives from Jammu to resign from the Assembly and Parliament and join the movementJuly 7, 2008: Azad skips floor test, resigns as Chief Minister.
July 8, 2008: Curfew lifted from whole Jammu following improvement in situation.
July 10, 2008: Governor’s rule imposed, assembly dissolved.
July 23, 2008: A protester allegedly commits suicide in Jammu demanding restoration of land to SASB; situation gets out of control in Jammu
August 1, 2008: Governor calls all-party meet in Jammu. Mehbooba Mufti, Farooq Abdullah attacked
August 6, 2008: PM presides over another all-party meet. BJP’s demand for governor’s recall rejected.
August 9, 2008: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil arrives in Jammu with all-party Parliamentary delegation for talks. Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and Saif-ud-Din Soz kept out of the meeting after objection by SASS.
August 10, 2008: Shivraj Patil arrives in Srinagar, meets leaders of political parties while denying audience to fruit growers and other trade organizations spearheading Muzafarabad Chalo program.
August 11, 2008: Kashmir traders, Hurriyat and PDP call for Muzaffarabad march to protest blockade; eight persons including separatist leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz killed.
PDP extends support to Muzafarabad Chalo program of fruit growers.
August 12, 2008: Twenty one persons killed across Kashmir valley and Kishtwar as law enforcing agencies open ire on protesters at several places across Kashmir valley.
August 14, 2008: Protests continue. Another youth shot dead at Safakadal, Srinagar.
August 16, 2008: Lakhs of people swarm Pampore to participate in fourth day mourning of Hurriet leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz.
August 17, 2008: NC Patron Omar Abdullah threatens to give up his Parliament seat if use of force against Kashmiris not stopped.
Aug 24: Indefinite curfew was imposed in Kashmir to stop the Coordination Committee (CC) sponsored march towards Lal Chowk tomorrow. Several separatist leaders were arrested and others placed under house arrest.
One person Ghulam Qadir Hakim was killed and his son Mohammad Yaqub critically injured when CRPF opened fire at Dalgate here. The local people said the incident occurred when the deceased and his son were moving in their area to get some milk and bread.
August 27:An 18 hour battle to save a family of hostages,incuding four children from millitants posing as police personnel have ended with the death of a third and last rebel holding out in the house in Jammu.
August 30: The Shri Amarnath Sangharsa Samati asked the state government to reveal its formula for resolving the land disputes.
August 31:The two month old pro Amarnath agition ended after the government allowed the SASB temporary use of 40 hecatres.
Unrest in Lalgarh
naxal affected states in India.Courtsey:CNN-IBN
Nov.2:Two Union Ministers including Ramvilash Paswan narrowly escape from an explosion.The land mine ggoing off soon afer the convoy of Chief Minister of Bengal Buddhadev Bhattacharya had crossed the spot In Salboni,West Midnapore district.It is believed that Maoists were behind the attack.
Nov.3:Investigations by the police revealed that the lalgarh squad of the CPI(Maoist0 was behind the attack.The same group was also responsible for landmine attacks in the past including one in Lalgarh forest in 2006.
Nov.3:Three of the six people arrested in connection with the Lalgarh blast in West Midnapore District are school going boys.
Nov.4:Seventh person is arrested from lalgarh area.All the accused persons have been charged with waging war against the state,destroying government properties,illegally stocking -using explosives and attempt to murder.
Nov.5:Over all ten police officers were served show cause notices by the Bengal Government for negligence of duty in connection with Salboni landmine blast.
Nov.6:Police arrested two active Maoists and one alleged informer in connection with Nov.2 Salboni blast.Arms and ammunitions including 7.55 mm Bulgaria made pistol have been seized from the due.
Nov.9:A tribal outfit called Bharat Jakat Majhi marwa has set a series of conditions against the arrests of ‘innocent villagers’ to the District administration.Tribals cutoff 25 out of 100 villages in Lalgarh,disconnecting them from the rest of the district.
Nov:10:Tribals forced Police to free six youths and cut off the last road connecting Lalgarh to the rest of the state.
Nov.12:Naxals threatened an armed resistance in Lalgarh where tribals have been protesting against the’ unlawful detention and raids’ by the police after the Nov.2 Salboni blast.
Nov:14:Pulishi Santrash birodhi Jonosadharoner Committee(Committee to protest Police atrocities) a new outfit by the tribal youths told the district administration that the government of Bengal would have to pay a compensation of Rs.2 lakh(about $4,000)to each people injured in police raids.They also demand that raids should be stopped from 5 P.M to 6 A.M.
Nov:16:The C.I.D gave a clean chit to seven person arrested in connection with Nov.2 blast.Now tribals intensified their demand to release of those arrested in the last ten years on the suspicion being Naxals.
First phase of Assembly election begins
Polling is going on in ten Districts: Mahasamund, Dhamtari, Durg, Kabirdham, Rajnandgaon, Kanker (North Bastar), Bastar (Jagdalpur), Narayanpur, South Bastar (Dantewada) and Bijapur.
(Source:Election Commission of India)
Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Dr.Raman Singh Pix courtsey:The Hindu
Life sentence of Tapashi’s killers
Former secretary of CPI(M) Singur zonal committee Suhrid Dutta and party’ foot soldier’ Debu Malik, convicted for murder of teenage girl Tapashi Malik were awarded life sentences by the Chandannagore court on Wednesday. The sentencing came a day after the court convicting the duo in the sensational murder case. The high profile murder case where the half-burnt body of 18-year-old Tapasi, a daughterof a farmer at Singur, who was in the forefront of the agitation of the Krishi Jami Raksha Committee(save farm land movement) floated by the Trinamool Congress after land acquisition for the Tata Motors small car project, was found on December 18, 2006 at Bajemelia.
The Left Front government of West Bengal ordered a CBI probe on 12 Jaunuary 2007
Debu Malik was arrested and taken to Delhi for a polygraph test on 24 June 2007
Suhrid Dutta was arrested on 28 June 2007 on statement given to CBI officials by Debu.
CBI filed chargesheet in connection with Tapashi’s murder case on 15 September
Trial began on 28 January 2008.
A total 65 witnesses were examined during the trial
The accused were found guilty on 11 November.
shanthanubh
