Supreme Court issues notice to Maharashtra Govt

The Supreme Court issued a notice to Maharashtra Government, acting on a PIL, which alleged that North Indians were no longer safe in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra. The PIL also accused the state government of not doing anything to the rights of non-Marathi people. The court asked the Maharashtra government to ensure safety and security of non-Marathi people.

Maharastra is nolonger safe for north- indians. Now its time to unite non-Marathi people for better counter attack on Marathi Banmanoos.

 

CBI probe needed!

The BJP on Thursday demanded a CBI inquiry into the killing of Bihar youth Rahul Raj in a shootout with Mumbai Police, saying there were indications of “foul play” in the incident.

“The post-mortem report and the comments of the medical experts clearly indicate that there was foul play in the killing of the youth. Our party demands a CBI inquiry into the incident so that the truth is known,” party spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy told reporters here.

Asked if the party would follow suit of ally JD(U) which has asked its MPs to resign over the issue, Rudy said, “resignation can never be a solution.”

“It is time for all of us to keep aside our political priorities to ensure peace in society and security of North Indians in Maharashtra,” he said.

“We differ on the approach with our ally JD(U) on resignation. The JD(U) has taken this decision without any consultation,” he added.

Raj, a resident of Patna, was killed in a shootout with the police after he held a bus with 12 passengers hostage in Mumbai suburb Kurla on October 27. The killing sparked a furore with several parties demanding a judicial probe into the incident.

The autopsy of the youth was performed at the J J Hospital and was recorded on video before the body was sent to Patna for cremation. A doctor involved in the autopsy has said one of the bullets may have been fired from a close range.

Maharashtra Chief Secretary Johny Joseph is conducting an independent probe into the incident while the Mumbai Police Crime Branch is also carrying out an internal inquiry.

The Supreme Court will hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a judicial inquiry in the alleged encounter of Bihar youth Rahul Raj by Mumbai Police.

The PIL filled in the apex court also seeks a judicial probe into the alleged lynching of a UP labourer Dharam Rai, while he was travelling on a train in Badlapur in Maharashtra.

Earlier today, the autopsy conducted by a four-member panel of forensic experts at J J Hospital in Mumbai on Thursday confirmed that Rahul Raj was shot from very close range.

The panel of doctors which conducted the post mortem on Raj revealed that there were five bullet entry wounds on his body, all in the chest and head region. However, there were only four exit wounds as one bullet was recovered from the body.

The experts also confirmed that at least 12-13 rounds of bullets were fired by the Mumbai Police team in a bid to end the BEST bus hijack drama.

The autopsy report has not been made official and the panel of doctors will shortly submit it to the government.

The findings of the post-mortem could complicate things for the Maharashtra government and Mumbai Police, which is already under scanner for allegedly killing the 23-year-old youth from Bihar.

The finding is also expected to give credence to the allegations levelled by the Bihar government and Rahul Raj’s parents that Mumbai Police could have easily captured him, and there was no need to kill him.

The Additional Commissioner of Police Mumbai Sadanand Date had earlier supported the stand taken by the cops and warned that anybody trying to take law in his hands would also meet the same result.

Rahul Raj was killed by Mumbai Police when he tried to take a BEST bus hostage on gun point in order to send a strong message to MNS Chief Raj Thackeray for his party’s treatment to the North Indians.

The incident draw sharp reactions Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, who alleged that it was wrong to shoot down Raj could and he could have been caught alive.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also spoke to the Maharashtra CM, Vilas Rao Deshmukh, and asked him to insure the safety of all sections so that incidents like this are not repeated in the future.

My son was shot in fake encounter: Rahul’s father

Reacting to the autopsy report of Rahul Raj, his father today reiterated that the report vindicated his claim that his son was killed in a fake encounter.

“I have been saying from day one that my son was captured and then shot from point blank range. The forensic report of the J J hospital, Mumbai, has vindicated my stand. The Centre should now dismiss the Maharashtra government,” Singh, told reporters.

Questioning the Centre that how many more Biharis do it wants to be killed in Maharashtra before taking a firm action he said, “the policemen involved in the encounter had worn bullet-proof jackets and could have easily overpowered my son, who I don’t know from where procured the gun.”

Singh thanked the hospital authorities for making public an “impartial and unbiased forensic report despite being under tremendous pressure.”

“If the Centre does not take action against the perpetrators of the crime and the Maharashtra government, lakhs of Rahul Raj are prepared to make supreme sacrifice to secure justice,” he asserted.

 

We are not Indians

In the wake of the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s hate campaign against north Indians and non-Marathis, the Supreme Court on Thursday struck a patriotic note by saying that “all of us are Indians” and there is no difference between people coming from various regions.

“What’s the difference between north Indians and Indians? All of us are Indians,” a bench of Justices B N Aggrawal and G S Singhvi quipped, while posting for Monday a PIL seeking judicial inquiry into the killing of a Bihari youth, Rahul Raj, in a police encounter and the murder of another north Indian in Mumbai last month.

On Tuesday the apex court had observed that if there was a “political will” such hate campaign would not occur in the country. It had also cited Article 355 to drive home the point that the Union government had adequate powers to give necessary directions to the State to prevent such incidents.

The bench of Justices Aggrawal and Singhvi said it would hear the matter along with another related PIL which had earlier sought appropriate directions to the government to ensure that the country’s unity was not threatened by vested interests fomenting regional chauvinism.

Incidentally, the apex court had directed the petitioners in both cases to suitably amend their petition and come before it when the matter is taken up for further hearing.

During the brief arguments on Thursday, the petitioner, Sanjeev Kumar Singh, submitted that he was compelled to approach the Supreme Court as the authorities in Maharashtra had failed to respond to his request for providing adequate protection to north Indians in the state.

“When I made representation to all senior officials including the Mumbai police commissioner, I was threatened that I would meet the same fate if I do not get out of the place,” Singh told the bench after being asked as to why he did not approach the authorities concerned with his plea.

Singh asserted that he had every right to approach the apex court as a number of his relatives staying in Maharashtra were under constant fear due to the ongoing hate campaign.

The apex court queried Singh as to whether he was aware that Article 355 of the Constitution to which the latter replied in the affirmative and read out the portion in the court on the advice of the bench.

According to Article 355, ‘It shall be the duty of the Union to protect every state against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the government of every state is carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.’

Rahul Raj, 23-year-old resident of Patna was killed in a shootout in a BEST bus on October 27 and a day later Dharam Dev Rai (25), a resident of Faizabad in UP, was beaten to death on a local train in Mumbai.

On Tuesday, the apex court had observed that the issue was political in nature and “political will” was required to curb it.

“Can it be done through an order of this court? It is a political question, not a court issue. If there is a political will it can be tackled,” a bench of Justices B N Aggrawal and G S Singhvi observed.

 

RJD MPs resigned

Several Rashtriya Janata Dal Members of Parliament, Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council submitted their resignations to party supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav on Tuesday to protest the campaign against north Indians initiated by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and the Shiv Sena in Mumbai.

On the auspicious day of Chhath Puja, the RJD MPs and MLAs submitting their resignation letters to RJD supremo and Union Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav. Around 140 MLAs and 35 MPs submitted their resignation letters, protesting against the attack on North Indians by MNS and Raj Thackeray in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra.

रेल मंत्री लालू यादव ने अपील की है कि यदि राज ठाकरे के ख़िलाफ़ 15 नवंबर तक कठोर कार्रवाई नहीं हुई तो बिहार के सभी सांसदों और विधायकों को इस्तीफ़ा दे देना चाहिए.

पटना में छठ से पहले पत्रकारों से बातचीत में लालू प्रसाद यादव ने बिहार के सभी राजनीतिक दलों से अपील की कि राज ठाकरे और शिव सेना के ख़िलाफ़ कारगर कार्रवाई के लिए राज्य के सभी सांसदों और विधायकों को मिलकर एक साथ आगे आना चाहिए.

लालू यादव ने कहा कि राज्य के सभी राजनीतिक दलों को चाहे वो सत्ता में हो या बाहर, इस मुद्दे पर 15 नवंबर से पहले एक राय हो जाना चाहिए.

उन्होंने कहा, “यह वोट की राजनीति के लिए नहीं है. बिहार के लोगों के हित में सभी दल आगे आएं. सुशील मोदी, पासवान, बसपा, हमारी पार्टी और अन्य दलों को भी एकसाथ इस मुद्दे पर आगे आना चाहिए.”

आंदोलन की चेतावनी

लालू प्रसाद का कहना था कि बिहार के रहनेवाले राहुल राज के एनकाउंटर के बाद जिस तरह से सभी राजनीतिक पार्टियों ने एकता का परिचय दिया था, उसी तरह से आगे की लड़ाई लड़ने की आवश्यकता भी है.

उन्होंने राहुल राज और अन्य उत्तर भारतीयों के मारे जाने की न्यायिक जाँच और राज ठाकरे की गिरफ़्तारी की माँग की.

लालू यादव ने बिहार के मुख्यमंत्री नीतीश कुमार पर भी निशाना साधा और कहा कि उनकी पार्टी और उनकी सहयोगी भारतीय जनता पार्टी शिव सेना से मिली हुई है.

ग़ौरतलब है कि लालू प्रसाद ने सभी पार्टियों के इस्तीफ़े की बात ऐसे समय पर की है जब बिहार की सत्ताधारी जनता दल-यू ने पिछले दिनों कहा था कि यदि राज ठाकरे पर कार्रवाई नहीं की गई तो उनके पाँच सांसद इस्तीफ़ा दे देंगे.

मुख्यमंत्री नीतीश कुमार ने माँग की थी कि राज ठाकरे पर मकोका लगाया जाए, महाराष्ट्र सरकार को बर्ख़ास्त किया जाए और राहुल राज के एनकाउंटर की न्यायिक जाँच कराई जाए.

 

Bihari MP, MLA going to resign

The politicians from Bihar seem to be a divided lot yet again. Just a few days after they showed unity in slamming Raj Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Lalu, Nitish and Paswan indulged in blame game on Sunday.

When the all-party delegation from Bihar under the leadership of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar met PM Dr. Manmohan Singh a few days ago, the vowed to fight for the right of Biharis in Maharashtra. However, Nitish Kumar and changed the course and tried to take mileage alone by announcing that his party MPs (Lok Sabha) will resign en mass if Raj Thackeray is not brought to book by November 6. It is no secret that JD(U) is in the opposition at the Centre and elections are due just after 3 months.

RJD supremo and Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav took strong exception to Nitish Kumar’s unilateral decision and dared JD(U) to ask its MPs (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha), MLAs and MLCs if the party is really serious about the dignity and respect of Bihari people. Lalu offered to submit the resignation of all his party MPs, MLAs and MLCs by November 15, if Nitish, Paswan and other leaders from Bihar come to an unanimous decision.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has slammed both RJD and JD(U) over this resignation drama. “The statement by Lalu Prasad Yadav is nothing but another spell of rhetoric,” said BJP spokesman Rajiv Pratap Rudy, who also hails from Bihar. He also criticised the JD(U) for taking such a decision in a huff without consulting the NDA partners. “The BJP feels that the north Indians in Maharashtra should be spared of the politicians and politics,” said Rudy.

 

Maharashtra government sent a preliminary report

The Maharashtra government has sent a preliminary report to the Home Ministry confirming that the man hailing from Uttar Pradesh was beaten to death on the train.

Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil has said his government is taking all possible steps to check the violence and will take stern action against the offenders.

Maharashtra government has announced a compensation of Rs two lakh for the family of Dharamdev Rai, a UP labourer beaten to death on Mumbai local train.

Twelve people have been detained for questioning in connection with the labourer’s killing. Railway police have begun probe into the case. They have said that some of the assailants were speaking in Marathi. Maharashtra DGP has sent a report to the Centre on the case.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has asked the Centre for a probe into the killing of Rai.

The post mortem report of the UP youth, who was beaten to death on Mumbai local train, shows he died of injuries to the liver.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil has spoken to Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Deputy Chief Minister on migrant’s death.

“We are taking all possible steps to check the violence. Violence on train falls under Railway police and stern action is being taken against the offenders. It is very difficult to check stray incidents of violence. We are in touch with Centre on Maharashtra violence,” said Vilasrao Deshmukh, Chief Minister, Maharashtra.

“We’ve registered a case of murder and are conducting an investigation. We take full responsibility of the safety of UP, Bihar migrants in Mumbai, ” said RR Patil, Deputy Chief Minister, Maharashtra told NDTV.

Earlier, Rai, a young man from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh died after he was severely beaten on a suburban train in Badlapur in Maharashtra. He was on his way home to Gorakhpur for Diwali.

Three of his friends who were travelling with him were also beaten. They rushed Dharamdev to a hospital where he was declared dead.

“If the government here wants, please help us move out of Maharashtra today itself. We don’t want to live here. How will you then earn a living? I will do something at home. Nobody dies of hunger in UP. I have passed Intermediate, couldn’t get a job there, so came here for a private job. I earn Rs 5,000 a month and if I don’t get a new job, I will do farming,” said Brahmadev Rai, brother of Dharmadev Rai.

One of the victim’s friends has claimed they were attacked by a group of Marathi speaking youth who abused them for taking up jobs in Mumbai.

“We were four of us. We took the train from Khopoli. Some people boarded the train on the way and started asking us questions, then they started abusing and beating us. They said why do you come to Mumbai for jobs? We kept saying we are going home for Diwali and we apologised but they paid little heed to it. My friend fell unconscious. As the train slowed down they jumped off. Police asked us to get off at Badlapur and we were brought to Dubey Hospital. But my friend was declared brought dead,” said Shivkumar Verma, one of the victims who was beaten up.

On its part, the BJP has blamed the Congress for propping up Raj Thackeray whose campaign against north Indians have led to the lynching.

 

Fears grip Raj Thackeray

MNS Chief Raj Thackeray held a press conference to speak out his mind on the controversies surrounding his party and North Indians in Maharashtra. Raj Thackeray alleged that nobody raised the issue when Biharis were killed in Assam. But some politicians from Bihar “with vested interest” are targeting him, when Biharis were attacked in Mumbai and Maharashtra.

Raj made it clear that he won’t tolerate migrants not knowing Marathi, but decided against politicising “Chhath Puja” or any other festivals. “MNS won’t stop Chhath (Chhat) Puja. There is no question of violence on Chhath (Chhat) Puja”, said Raj Thackeray. People can celebrate all festivals including Chhath Puja without any fear, said Raj. Raj asked why no probe was ordered when Biharis were killed in Assam.

“Bihar politicians have ganged up on this issue and they are targeting me. Ironically, Maharashtra politicians are united on this issue, which is creating confusion in the state. Nobody wants violence, but it is being imposed. I won’t issue any statement, which may lead to violence”, said Raj Thackeray.

Under attack for his campaign against north Indians, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Friday softened his stand on Chhat puja, saying that he was not opposed to the festival being celebrated in Maharashtra but warned against it being used as a show of political strength.

“I have never opposed Chhat Puja but only spoke against political ‘tamasha’ (stunt) associated with it. People from Bihar who live here can perform the religious rituals according to the customs. My party has never opposed it,” he told media persons in Mumbai.

The MNS chief, whose detention under National Security Act has been demanded by some Union ministers in the wake of attacks on north Indians in Maharashtra, warned that he would not tolerate disregard of the Marathi speaking people in the state.

The Chhat festival will be celebrated on November 4.

Thackeray also asked his supporters to exercise restraint and accused the media of distorting his views and spreading falsehood.

Justifying the killing of a youth who had hijacked a bus in Mumbai, he said the police action was ‘proper’ as no one knew from which state the youth came from.

“What if he had shot some commuters, then you people would have taken the police to task,” he said.

Thackeray also downplayed the killing of a youth in a suburban train during a brawl with a group of youngsters.

“Even the Railway police are saying that there has been no involvement of any political party,” he said.

Besides, he recalled that in an incident sometime back, four Marathi youths where thrown out on tracks by a group of people from other states. “But no one said a word about the incident,” he said.

Thackeray criticised the Maharashtra government and Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh for withdrawing his security and termed the move as ‘political vendetta’.

“I had not asked for security in the first place. But, now it has been withdrawn which is clearly political vendetta. The government keeps changing and even I will have a chance tomorrow,” he said.

“There is a state-level committee, which decides on security according to threat perception and not on the number of cases against the person. After the Babri mosque demolition in 1992, security of political leaders against whom cases had been registered was also increased,” he said.

Thackeray also ridiculed demands to book him under the NSA.

“When Lalu (Prasad) was the chief minister of Bihar, there were 1,200 murders. But, there was no demand to book him under NSA. When Biharis were killed in Assam, there was no uproar,” he said.

“A Goan minister opposed starting of Goa-Bihar railway by saying that the state did not want more beggars. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit also spoke against people of Bihar and UP. But, only when Raj Thackeray speaks, there is a nationwide uproar and Prime Minister has to intervene.”

Lashing out at Deshmukh, Thackeray said he had no expectations from him.

“What can you expect from people whose political survival is at the mercy of Delhi,” he asked.

The MNS chief also said that he would not allow anybody to harm ‘Marathi identity’.

“Political rivals who do not see eye-to-eye on several issues come together. But, it is also very unfortunate that 48 MPs from Maharashtra are mute spectators,” he said, referring to the delegation of Bihar politicians meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

 

Maharastrian Killed another UP walla

The killing of UP migrant Dharamdev Rai by a group of Marathi youth in a local train in Mumbai, has taken a political turn, with UP Chief Minister Mayawati seeking the Prime Minister’s intervention on this matter. Mayawati announced a compensation of Rs. 2 lakh for the family of Dharamdev Rai, who hailed from Gorakhpur district in Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, UPA allies Lalu Prasad Yadav and Ram Vilas Paswan have demanded stern against MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Maharashtra government. Without naming any state, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav threatened to suspend train movement in states where rail passengers and properties are repeatedly attacked. The Railway Minister announced a compensation of Rs. 3 lakh for Dharamdev Rai’s family.

Both Lalu and Paswan slammed the Maharashtra government over the growing attacks against North Indians. Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh, whose party is supporting the UPA government at the Centre, has decided to take on the Maharashtra government and chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.

 

18 killed in Bharatpur

At least 18 people including 10 children were killed and over 20 injured when a firecracker explosion took place in an illegal firecracker factory in Deeg town in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur district. According to sources, the blast caused a major fire in the area and a few nearby houses were gutted by it. The injured are being treated in a local hospital. The police are investigating the matter. Further details are awaited.

The market meltdown continues… While the Dow Jones (down 551 points) and Nasdaq (down 81 points) crashed by a huge margin tonight, the Indian market opened on a disastrous note this morning. The BSE Sensex crashed by over 450 points to go below 10,000 mark. The Sensex was trading at 9,721 points when reports last came in. The Nifty too witnessed a sharp decline in it stocks and went below 3,000 mark for the first time since July 2006. All Asian markets opened in deep red, while markets in Brazil, Chile, Russia and Europe too witnessed a slump. The crude oil prices fell further to reach $67 per barrel. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown acknowledged for the first time that the global economic downturn may push the UK towards recession.

After the pay shock from the Union Government, the Army Officers got another jolt, as the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence has recommended the abolition of batmen or orderlies for them, terming the system as a “shameful practice”. The committee urged the defence ministry to abolish the orderly or sahayak system with immediate effect. It was a practice, which existed since the colonial era. The committee said that jawans are recruited for serving the nation and not to serve the family members of officers in household work. The Parliamentary Committee termed this as demeaning and humiliating. The report of the Parliamentary Committee was tabled in the Parliament on Tuesday. The committee believed that orderlies or sahayaks were misused by many officers and were forced to do lowly work such as taking kids to schools, washing clothes and taking the dogs to walk.

MNS Chief Raj Thackeray was granted bail in Kalyan case by the Kalyan court. Raj had to pay a personal bond of Rs. 15,000 to get the bail. Raj Thackeray also granted an interim bail in Dombivali rioting case and other cases till October 24. After the Kalyan court granted bail to Raj Thackeray, MNS activists erupted into joy and celebrations across Maharashtra. Raj Thackeray will remain a free man till October 24.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has denounced the divisive politics played by MNS chief Raj Thackeray and announced that Congress will take on Raj Thackeray and politicians like him if needed. He also sent a veiled threat to Raj Thackeray and MNS workers in Mumbai, who have held the city to ransom over the last few days or months. Rahul Gandhi was addressing a press conference in Dehradun. He also stressed on the need for organizations reforms for Congress and advocated the active participation of youth in Congress politics. “I am not Congress’ Yuvraj. I don’t like such terms being used”, said Rahul replying to the questions of media persons.

The Maharashtra Cabinet approved an ordinance, which will ensure that hooligans destroying public property would be forced to compensate for the loss. The ordinance comes in the wake of ongoing violence by MNS chief Raj Thackeray and his supporters across Maharashtra. According to Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra (who is also in charge of Home Ministry) RR Patil, the ordinance will have provisions under which destruction of public property will be subject a to a hefty fine up to Rs. 25,000 and jail up to five years. The ordinance has been approved by the State Cabinet and will be sent to the Governor for ratification.

Thousands of students in Bihar came to the streets to protest against MNS chief Raj Thackeray and his tirade against the North Indians. Train and road traffic have come to an halt in several places. Several trains including the Aurangabad-Mumbai Express were stopped by angry students. Violent protests have been reported from Barh, Sasaram and Patna. According to latest reports, a group of students set Durg Express on fire in Barh. At least three AC coaches of Durg Express were affected by the fire. The security personnel have been rushed to the spot. All passengers are reportedly safe. The police had to open fire in the air to disperse the violent students in Sasaram. At least four students were injured in the incident.

Maharashtra News! Mumbai News! At least three people were killed and scores of injured in the violent clashes in Dombivali area last night. The MNS workers went on a rampage in the late night and burnt shops around the Manpada police station in Dombivali, where Raj Thackeray was stationed. The MNS activists also indulged in stone pelting and damaged over 200 vehicles. They set many houses and a hotel on fire. Clashes occurred between the locals and MNS activists, resulting in the death of three people. Raj Thackery’s wife Sharmila Thackeray, who became active after his husband’s arrest, went on a dharna or sit-in after she was denied a meeting with Raj Thackeray. Meanwhile, the Mumbai police filed an application in Vikhroli court for the cancellation of Raj Thackeray’s bail, which was granted to him on February 12, 2008. The police have charged him for rioting in Dombivali. Separate cases have been registered against Raj Thackeray in Jalgaon, Bhusawal, Solapur, Thane and Chalisgaon. Raj Thackeray’s lawyers have also filed an application in Jamshedpur court to quash the case registered against him there. Raj Thackeray will be produced in the Kalyan court after 2 PM. The Mumbai Police has decided to impose curfew in Kalyan from 11 AM to prevent any untoward incidents.

October 22, 2008 – India made history in space science today by joining the elite club of countries that have sent space missions to moon. India’s dream moon mission, Chandrayaan I was lifted off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota today at 6.22 AM (IST). This is the first time India has sent an unmanned mission to moon. Chandrayaan I was launched on schedule without any glitch. Scientists confirmed that launch of Chandrayaan I was completely successful and it is heading in a right direction. Not only over a billion people in the country, but also millions across the world witnessed India’s entry into the elite club today. Chandrayaan 1 will take 11 days to reach the moon and it will spend around two years there. People of India rejoiced at the live telecast of India’s first-ever moon mission ‘Chandrayaan I’. Everyone was looking for Chandrayaan live. Scientists at ISRO jumped off their seat after the successful launch of Chandrayaan I. Chandrayaan 1 was put into orbit within 18 minutes of its launch. Chandrayaan launch became a big milestone in Indian history. The 1,380 kg (1.38 tonne) spacecraft, Chandrayaan 1 was put into orbit by India’s home-grown rocket PSLV-C11. It was PSLV’s 13 success in a row, as it already had launched 12 spacecrafts before the Chandrayaan launch. The Chandrayaan I is shaped like a cuboid or rectangular prism. Chandrayaan I carries 11 payloads – five from India and others from foreign countries. India became the third Asian country after Japan and China and sixth nation in the world to send a unmanned lunar mission to moon. ISRO (Indian Speace Research Organization) has already planned the Chandrayaan 2 mission in 2011. Besides India, the USA, Russia, the European Space Agency, Japan and China have already sent missions to moon. According to ISRO sources, India is planning a manned space mission in 2014 and a manner moon mission in 2020. Interestingly, China has planned a manned moon mission for 2024. The Chandrayaan -1 mission was built at a budget of $86 million (Rs. 386 cr). President Dr. Pratibha Patil, PM Dr. Manmohan Singh and many other top leaders have congratulated the scientists at ISRO and countrymen on the successful launch of Chandrayaan I. There is no doubt that ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) made the country proud.

At least 14 people were feared dead and 30 injured in a powerful bomb blast in Imphal, capital of Manipur. The bomb went off around 7.20 PM in the Ragallong village on the outskirts of Imphal. The injured have been rushed to Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal. The police personnel have cordoned off the area and stepped up combing operation. The blast took place close to a Manipur Police commando complex.

 

Raj Thackeray has been sent to judicial custody

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Terrorist group MNS Chief Raj Thackeray has been sent to judicial custody till November 4. Raj Thackeray’s bail plea was rejected by the Bandra Court. Although Raj got the bail in the Chetna College violence in Kherwadi after producing a bail bond of Rs. 15,000, he was denied the same in the Kalyan violence case. Raj was taken into custody by the Kalyan police. Since the Mumbai Police did not demand Raj’s custody, he was sent to judicial custody by the court. Raj Thackeray was charged with provoking violence under Section 153. He was also charged for “creating mischief”, “intent to cause riots” and “causing damage to property”. The court’s decision came as a major setback for Raj Thackeray and his supporters who expected Raj to be released on bail. Security has been beefed up in and around Mumbai, as the police anticipate more trouble after the rejection of Raj Thackeray’s bail plea.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray [Images], who was arrested early Tuesday morning, has been sent to two-week judicial custody by a court in suburban Bandra in Mumbai where he was produced around 2.50 pm. Two truckloads of Rapid Action Force personnel were stationed outside the court for security. Even before Raj Thackeray was produced in the Bandra court in Mumbai, over 2,000 slogan-raising supporters had gathered there, and the police resorted to a lathi-charge to bring the situation under control around Tuesday noon. MNS supporters resorted to stone-pelting at police vehicles outside the Bandra court. The supporters also stoned a police van carrying detained MNS activists. Reports from across Mumbai spoke of voluntary bandh at many places, and many schools shut down for the day anticipating trouble. Local trains reported a slight delay, while there was no disruption in road traffic on the main arteries. Violence erupted in several parts of Mumbai and Maharashtra following the arrest of MNS chief Raj Thackeray in the early hours of Tuesday from the Circuit House in Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra. Angry activists of the MNS came out on the streets after the arrest of Raj Thackeray and attacked several taxis and autorickshaws at Mumbai Central, Parel, Borivali and other parts of the city. Incidents of arson were also reported from the Mulund check naka in the eastern suburbs. A mob of party workers have also blocked the Mumbai-Goa highway. The police said security has been beefed up across Mumbai to meet any eventuality in the wake of the arrest of Raj Thackeray. The State Reserve Police has also been deployed near Raj Thackeray’s residence in Dadar. Raj Thackeray was arrested under several Indian Penal Code sections, including assault, obstructing government officials from discharging their duty and giving provocating speeches. Raj Thackeray was arrested for Sunday’s brutal attack on north Indian railway exam candidates by MNS workers. A case was registered in this connection against Raj Thackeray and his supporters at the north-west Mumbai police station of Kherwadi, after MNS workers attacked 13 railway board examination centres in suburban Mumbai to protest against “inadequate representation” to locals. The arrest of the MNS chief comes against the backdrop of mounting pressure on the Maharashtra government to rein in Raj Thackeray and his activists. Earlier, a combative Raj Thackeray had justified Sunday’s attack on north Indians and warned the state that it will have to “regret” the consequences in the event of his arrest. “Arrest me and be ready to bear the consequences…. You will have to regret,” Raj Thackeray, who was attending a ceremony at Bahadursheikh Naka in Chiplun in the state on Monday, said. “If Raj is arrested, entire Maharashtra will be set on fire,” he threatened. Meanwhile, incidents of violence were reported across Mumbai allegedly by the MNS activists. Taxis parked at Tardeo in south Mumbai were damaged by some unknown miscreants who fled on motorcycles, the police said. Two separate incidents were reported in the north-west suburb of Borivali where miscreants attempted to burn trucks, they added. There were also reports of some unidentified men throwing stones at the suburban resident of Congress spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam. Meanwhile, schools in suburban Mumbai have been closed as a preventive measure following the arrest of MNS chief. Bsides, security has been beefed up in Mumbai to thwart any untoward incident, the police said. Reacting sharply to his leader’s arrest, MNS spokesperson Shirish Parkar said, “There was no substance in the allegations against Raj Thackeray. The state government was acting at the behest of the Centre.” Parkar described the arrest of Raj Thackeray as “vengeance” and political “conspiracy” by the Maharashtra government.

Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today demanded “stringent action” against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray , saying that arrest is not enough to deter him from spreading his campaign against north Indians. “Raj Thackeray is repeatedly organising attacks on North Indians. So by just arresting him is not enough and more stringent action should be taken against him,” Prasad told reporters one the sidelines of a railway seminar. Terming Thackeray as the leader of antisocial elements, Prasad said he is spreading “hatred and divisive campaign” against north Indians which is not good for a secular democracy. “Even Dalits were not spared and attacked by his men,” he added. Clubbing MNS with the Bajrang Dal, the Rashtriya Janata Dal chief reiterated his demand for banning both the organisations. “Like the Bajrang Dal, Thackeray’s party is also spearheading a hatred campaign and both should be banned,” he said. Prasad announced that those students who could not appear in the railway examination due to the disruption created by the MNS, would be allowed to appear again. A date for re-examination would be announced soon, said Prasad. Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan and Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh felt that Thackeray could be out on bail soon and non-Maharashtrians could be targeted again. Congress MP Priya Dutt said by arresting only Thackeray, attacks on north Indians could not be stopped. Paswan, Union minister for steel, chemicals and fertilisers, said, “Thackeray will be out on bail soon and again indulge in violent activities. The Centre should take steps like use of Article 355 or something similar to control the situation in Maharashtra.. The prevailing situation in the state was “dangerous” and the administration has “failed” to do anything, he said. SP general secretary Amar Singh described Thackeray’s arrest as a “reactionary” step by the Maharashtra government. “Raj Thackeray’s arrest by Mumbai police was a reactionary step and by afternoon he would be released, and no action will be taken against him,” he said. Accusing state Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil of playing the “divide and rule” game, Singh said they will never benefit from it. “The state government is playing the divide and rule game even as Raj Thackeray and his goons have been on a rampage. He will be released from custody by afternoon and his men will again start attacking north Indians,” Singh said. He said Maharashtra is an integral part of the country and Maharashtrians are loved by everybody but now everybody hates Maharashtrians, just like people from other parts of the country. “Even President Pratibha Patil is from Maharashtra, and still this (attack on north Indians) is happening in the state,” he said. Congress MP Dutt, while reacting to the news of the MNS chief’s arrest, felt that despite this step, attacks on non-Maharastrians will not stop. “This is ongoing…such attacks will not stop. Today, north Indians are being targeted, tomorrow people from other regions could be attacked. Such types of incidents should not be allowed to take place, and leaders cutting across party lines have condemned such incidents.”