Sign a Petition

To: Prime Minister of India

3 (three) urgent steps that needs to be taken to send a signal to the perpetrators and as well as the victims that this time round Indian political leadership will take visible action and “Walk the Talk”.

Very Simply – We want “Assertive Action” in response to the recent terror incidents(mini-war) in Mumbai.

1)Destroy Internal Terror Support Network
Internal Elements/known suspects/peripherally suspected/passive helpers, residing in any part of India, supporting terror activities should be dealt with very severely.

2)Cripple the Source
26 Nov should be treated as India’s 9/11
a) All known training camps outside the country should be attacked and destroyed.
b) All known terror suspects hiding out openly in neighboring countries should be flushed out by mounting unprecedented global pressure on their governments.

3)Police force of all states to be better equipped, trained and the most advanced surveillance systems to be deployed nationwide on a scale that will by itself act as a deterrent.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

Click Here to sign Petition

 

Thai airport protests called off

Thai anti-government protesters have agreed to end their occupation of Bangkok’s airports, allowing thousands of stranded tourists to leave.

Passenger flights from the main international airport could resume as soon as 4 December, say correspondents.

Protests had shut down Thailand’s two main airports for more than a week.

The deal follows a court ruling that forced Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to step down over election fraud and disbanded his governing party.

The occupation had closed Suvarnabhumi international airport and the smaller domestic Don Mueang airport, stranding tens of thousands of foreign tourists and forcing them to scramble for alternative ways home.

Thailand’s important tourism industry was crippled and exports of everything from electronics to fresh food were either stopped or had to be switched to ships or transported to Malaysia to be flown out.

The leaders of the anti-government People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) said all their protests would end from 1000 (0300 GMT) on 3 December.

There are conflicting reports as to when passenger flights from the two airports will resume, but they may begin as soon as 4 December, says the BBC’s Quentin Sommerville at Suvarnabhumi airport.

The date signifies the importance in the crisis of Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose birthday is celebrated on 5 December, our correspondent says.

Although now elderly and frail, the king is greatly revered by Thais and continues to be a powerful figurehead.

New coalition

The PAD declared victory after the constitutional court’s ruling forced the prime minister to step down.

“The People’s Alliance for Democracy has agreed to cease protesting after a long-running 192-day campaign,” said Sondhi Limthongkul, one of the group’s leaders.

The nine-judge constitutional court found the People Power Party (PPP), the Machima Thipatai party and the Chart Thai party guilty of vote-buying in the last general election, in 2007.

The parties have been ordered to disband and their leaders have been barred from politics for five years.

Most of the PPP’s MPs will retain their seats however, and they have said they will regroup and form a new coalition.

They said they would seek a parliamentary vote for a new prime minister on 8 December.

The court’s ruling came after months of PAD-led protests that have crippled the political process in Thailand.

They had vowed to continue their protests until the entire government stepped down.

They accused Mr Somchai’s administration of being corrupt and hostile to the much-revered monarchy, and too close to ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The protests had forced a political crisis, revealing deep splits between the PAD – a loose alliance of royalists, businessmen and the urban middle class – and government supporters, who draw their strength from the rural north and north-east of Thailand.

ESCALATING CONFLICT

• September 2006: Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra ousted in military coup
• February 2008: Samak Sundaravej sworn in as prime minister
• August 2008: PAD protesters occupy government buildings, demanding the government step down
• September 2008: Mr Samak dismissed for violating conflict of interest law. Somchai Wongsawat, Thaksin’s brother-in-law, becomes prime minister
• October 2008: Thaksin given a two-year jail sentence for corruption in his absence
• 26 November 2008: Anti-government protesters take control of Bangkok’s main airport
• 2 December 2008: Thai court rules that PM Somchai should be banned from politics, and his party should be dissolved

 

Thailand crisis

Thousands of anti-government protesters in Thailand have seized the Bangkok Airport this morning. All flights have been cancelled and the work at the Airport has come to a complete halt. A series of blasts have been reported from Bangkok Airport. However, no casualties have been reported. Several protesters are reportedly injured.

Over 3,000 foreign tourists were left stranded because of the protest. The blockade in the city added to their woes, as they have nothing to eat or drink. There is a complete shutdown in and around Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. The protesters have seized the Airport Control Tower. India’s Jet Airways and Air India have cancelled all flights to Bangkok.

The Thailand government has been unable to control the violence. The protesters of People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) are all out to oust Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.

 

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.

 

Ganga to be declared as a National River

The UPA government has decided to declare Ganga as a national river to preserve its uniformity and sacredness. A high powered Ganga River Basin Authority will be set up to protect Ganga from pollution and soil degradation. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will head the Authority. Chief Ministers of the states through which Ganga flows, will be the members.

The above decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. Other persons who attended the meeting were Ministers of Water Resources, Environment and Forests and Urban Development.

 

India block North Korean flight to Iran

November 04, 2008 13:47 IST
India refused fly-over rights to a North Korean plane carrying cargo to Iran in August, after the United States ordered New Delhi to do so, reports the Wall Street Journal.

The aircraft, an Ilyushin 62 owned by Air Koryo, the North Korean state airline, made a stopover in Myanmar on August 7 and sought air traffic controllers’ permission to fly over India en route to Iran, the newspaper has reported.

Initially the air traffic control in Kolkata gave the plane the go-ahead, but around noon on August 7, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in New Delhi messaged Kolkata cancelling the permission, reports WSJ.

The newspaper in fact had a supervisor at the Kolkata air traffic control, one Mr Guin, review the flight records of Air Koryo’s Flight 621 for August 7 and confirm the incident. Guin told WSJ that the denial of permission was passed on to air traffic control officials in Yangon, who sent back the flight.

While neither the US administration nor the Prime Minister’s Office responded to the report, or described the cargo on the plane, officials in the know told the WSJ that the action was part of the Bush administration’s Proliferation Security Initiative.

Action under this initiative points to one of the three possibilities: the cargo contained nuclear material, long-range missiles, or other lethal cargo, the officials said. A 2006 UN Security Council resolution prevents North Korea from sale and purchase of long-range missiles. In 2007 also, the US prevented a Syrian plane from landing in Pyongyang, convinced that it was part of the missile trade.

The US had for long held Pyongyang guilty of supplying missile technology to nations like Iran, Syria and Libya. But in October, convinced that engaging North Korea was essential to containing its nuclear programme, the US reached a deal with Kim Jong Il’s government that eventually shuts down its N-programme.

But what the deal doesn’t focus on is Pyongyang’s robust missile programme.

 

Raj

Maharashtra’s Deshmukh government is facing tremendous pressure to act against Maharashtra Navnirman chief Raj Thackeray and clear the air on killing of a Bihar boy in firing by police.

The Union Cabinet discussed the killings of north Indians in Maharashtra on Thursday night after ally Ram Vilas Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party insisted on a discussion.

The Cabinet told Home Minister Shivraj Patil to convey to Maharashtra Chief Minister that there was near unanimity in the Cabinet over the two demands.

It also made it clear that MNS leader Raj Thackeray should be arrested under National Security Act.

The Law Minister backed the demand for a judicial probe into the death of Rahul Raj — the boy who attempted hijacking a bus at gun point.

He also said that Rahul Raj’s killing has turned into a police versus public matter.

And as the UPA allies asked for action, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh informed the Cabinet that he had written a strong worded letter to Maharashtra CM.

During the meeting, the Home Minister said he had sent three advisory to Maharashtra government but the UPA allies were not convinced.

However, ministers from Maharashtra like Sharad Pawar, Praful Patel and Antulay skipped the meet.

 

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.

 

tough action against MNS chief Raj Thackeray

The Union Cabinet meeting yesterday witnessed some heated discussions over Maharahstra Navnirman Sena and its chief Raj Thackeray. Many ministers demanded tough action against MNS chief Raj Thackeray for vitiating the peaceful atmosphere in the state and even asked the Centre to arrest him under NSA (National Security Act). They also demanded a judicial probe into the killing of two youths from Bihar and UP in Maharashtra.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh expressed deep concerns over the situation in Maharashtra and revealed that he had already written a strong-worded letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh to take tough action against Raj Thackeray.

The UPA seemed to be divided on Maharashtra, as senior ministers from the state Sharad Pawar, Praful Patel and AK Antulay skipped the meeting. The UPA allies were not convinced at Home Minister Shivraj Patil’s statement that Centre has already sent three advisories to the Maharashtra government.

 

Death tolls 60

he death toll in the serial blasts that rocked Guwahati and upper Assam in the morning, reached 50 with more injured succumbing to the injuries in the hospitals. People, who browsed for ‘NE News’ or ‘Assam News’ in the morning, got a rude shocker, as terrorists carried out 11 blasts in Guwahati, Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar and Barpeta. In Guwahati, Dispur Road, Pan Bazar, Fancy Bazar and Ganeshguri Flyover have been targeted.

The impact of the serial blasts was so high that people and vehicles both charred beyond recognition. The dead bodies were seen lying here and there. Over 200 people were injured in the blasts. They are being treated in various hospital. Forensic experts believed that IDE and RDX of high intensity were used to trigger the blasts. The blasts were carried out in a planned manner and Assam government failed to prevent the blasts even though it was repeatedly warned by the Centre.

Although ULFA’s involvement in the serial blasts in Assam is suspected, the intelligence sources believe that Bangladesh-based HuJI could be behind the blasts. The recent communal clashes between local Assamese and Bangladeshis are being attributed to the serial blasts in Assam. Some Islamic terrorist organizations may have carried out the blasts to seek revenge. However, nothing can be said at the moment, as the investigation is still going on. The recent Assam blasts shook the nation, which just celebrated Diwali two days ago.

As expected, Union Home Ministry, Prime Minister and many other leaders have condemned the serial bomb blasts in Assam. Union MoS for Home Shakeel Ahmed tried to take a swipe on BJP and other Sangh Parivar groups even though he was asked about Assam bomb blasts. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi looked lost to find words, while the AGP demanded the immediate resignation of the government.

The BJP, which has been gunning for the head of the UPA government on the issue of terrorism, is on a defensive after the Mumbai ATS proved the Saffron angle to Malegaon blasts. The blame game, which began a few months ago, is not on its peak and no political party is trying to address the real issue. They are just worried about their vote banks. In such a situation, it won’t be surprising, if we witness more terror attacks in the country over the next few months.