Loharia murder case: HC refuses interim bail to Suresh Bijlani

MUMBAI: The Bombay high court has refused to grant an interim bail to Navi Mumbai builder arrested in connection with the murder of rival builder Sunil Loharia.

Vacation Judge R D Dhanuka, hearing Suresh Bijlani's plea yesterday, was of the view that interim bail of the applicant be heard along with his regular bail application on November 13.

Bijlani had sought interim bail on the ground that his father, Chellaram, was to undergo an operation for mouth cancer on November 9 and he needed to arrange funds for the same. The cost of the operation was around Rs 15 lakh, he told the court.

Bijlani pleaded that his wife had collected Rs five lakh for the operation and he had to arrange for the remaining amount. Hence, he needed to be released on interim bail so that his father can undergo the operation as advised by the doctors.

Additional public prosecutor A J Dedhia pleaded that the crime branch had made inquiries in this regard from the Hiranandani Fortis hospital where Bijlani's father was to undergo the operation. The police were told that the patient is yet to be admitted to the hospital.

Since the regular bail petition of Bijlani was to be heard by the court on November 13, the court said it would be proper if the interim bail plea of the applicant was heard on the same day.

Therefore, Justice Dhanuka said, Bijlani's application was being clubbed with the main bail petition and placed for hearing on November 13.

In the regular bail application, Bijlani has pleaded that he was innocent and that he was being "framed" by police.

Loharia was shot dead outside his Navi Mumbai office on February 16.

Police have arrested nine persons, including the two alleged shooters Venkatesh Shettiar and Wajid Qureshi, former 'encounter specialist' Emmanuel Amolik and Navi Mumbai builder Suresh Bijlani, in connection with Loharia's murder.

Three accused are absconding.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Karnataka high court sets aside 'chicken' observations made for Intelligence Bureau

CHENNAI: Well, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) is not a 'chicken' as decried by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) bench in Bangalore.

Frowning upon the uncharitable remarks and caustic observations made by the CAT against the IB in March this year, a division bench of the Karnataka high court has set aside the observations.

Passing orders on an appeal filed by the Union home secretary and the joint director of IB on October 25, a division bench comprising Justice Mohan M Santanagoudar and Justice KN Phaneendra concurred with the submissions of additional solicitor-general of India P Wilson and said: "We find that CAT, apart from passing the order on merits, made certain observations which should not have been made ... All other observations/directions made by the CAT during the course of the impugned order stand set aside."

On March 13, a CAT bench comprising judicial member KB Suresh and administrative member Naresh Gupta likened IB to an Augean Stables requiring a systematic clean-up. It said that IB was like a chicken. "A bird? — yes. Can it fly? — No" The remarks grabbed headlines because it came at a time when the Supreme Court called the CBI a 'caged bird'.

The matter relates to an application filed by a 1998 batch IPS officer of Odisha cadre, NB Bharathi, who was with the IB on deputation. After she was sought to be repatriated to her parent cadre due to her apparent "maladjustment or lack of adjustment" to the IB's work culture, she approached CAT.

While allowing the woman officer's plea, CAT said that the IB, which is in the middle of its centenary celebrations, had been following a pattern for 100 years which is "ludicrous to the extreme and is opposed democratic polity". "Suffice it to say that the Aagean Stables have to be thoroughly and systematically cleaned," the order written by Suresh on behalf of the bench, said.

Stung by the remarks, the Centre filed an appeal in the Karnataka high court.

Additional solicitor-general of India P Wilson submitted that the comments were unwarranted and that CAT had strayed far beyond its jurisdiction as well as the scope of the application before it.

In its present order, however, the division bench did not go into the merits of the case, as the woman officer's deputation with the IB is set to end in January 2014. "Since the period of deputation provided to her expires on January 14, 2014 and as the said date is fast approaching, we do not propose to decide the matter on merit ... We dispose of the writ petition with an observation that Bharathi shall continue in Bangalore up to January 14, 2014 till the expiry of her period of deputation. Her posting subsequently depends upon further orders to be passed by the Union home ministry on her application for induction into 'hard core' of the IB," the order read.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cyclone Phailin: PM announces interim relief of Rs 1000 crore

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today announced an interim assistance of Rs 1,000 crore each for Andhra Pradesh and Odisha for relief and rehabilitation in the wake of destruction caused by cyclone Phailin.

The total quantum of assistance to the two states will be finalised after consideration of the on-the-spot assessment report of the Inter-Ministerial Central Team, an official statement said.

In addition, Singh has sanctioned an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the seriously injured persons from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.

Earlier today, a delegation led by Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy had called on the Prime Minister and presented a memorandum regarding the losses suffered owing to the impact of cyclone Phailin and the subsequent heavy rains and floods in the state.

On October 12, Phailin, a very severe cyclonic storm, said to be the second strongest after the disastrous super-cyclone of 1999, struck the Odisha coast, bringing in its wake torrential rains and wind speeds of over 200 kmph in the state and in the neighbouring north coastal Andhra Pradesh.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bill Gates lauds India's accomplishment in eradicating polio

NEW YORK: Microsoft chairman Bill Gates has described India's accomplishment in eradicating polio as the "most impressive global health success" he has ever seen.

In an essay titled 'What I Learned in the Fight Against Polio', the billionaire philanthropist lauds the extensive work undertaken in India by the "army" of more than two million vaccinators, who covered the length and breadth of the country in the effort to ensure every child is vaccinated against the disease.

"Indeed, India's accomplishment in eradicating polio is the most impressive global health success I've ever seen," Gates said in the essay adapted from his contribution to 'Re-imagining India: Unlocking the Potential of Asia's Next Superpower' edited by McKinsey and published online in the Wall Street Journal.

"India's success offers a script for winning some of the world's most difficult battles in every area of human welfare," he added.

Gates attributed India's success in eradicating polio to the "crucial extra step" of enlisting support of the full sweep of Indian society, including health workers, ordinary citizens and some of the poorest people in the most impoverished regions of the country.

"I didn't know nearly as much about India as I do now. I saw India's obvious talent and energy, but I missed its hidden strength, the rich, the powerful and the poor working together toward a common goal," he added.

India has been polio-free for more than two years now but Gates said the accomplishments of India's vaccinators does not end with the eradication of polio alone.

"Now that they have found India's children, they can bring them and their families other vaccines, clean water, education, advice on maternal and child health, and support for agriculture, all the things that people need to live healthy and productive lives," he said.

Sending a caution note, Gates said the fight to end polio is not over, "not even in India.

"New polio cases emerging in the Horn of Africa and Syria underscore the importance of maintaining funding and commitment to eradicate the disease globally within six years," he said.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation began working in India a decade ago, when the Microsoft co-founder said many feared the country would become a flashpoint for HIV/AIDS.

"Melinda and I have seen many examples of India's poor making dramatic contributions. Experts predicted that polio would be eliminated in every other country before it was eliminated in India," Gates said in the essay.

"But nowhere has this power been demonstrated more clearly than in the fight to end polio, " Gates said recalling that he first began travelling to India in the 1980s, drawn by a fascination with this ancient country that cherishes its history and harbours great ambitions for the future.

"By the mid and late 1990s, the Americas were polio-free followed by China and in Europe but India was one of the last nations left that still had polio cases.

This was no surprise.India's urban centres are among the world's most densely populated. Its rural communities are dispersed across a vast and often inaccessible terrain. The country suffers from poor sanitation, he said in the essay.

"But India surprised them all. The country has now been polio-free for more than two years. The key has been the participation of the humblest, most vulnerable members of the Indian population," he said.

Gates said for any campaign of this magnitude to be successful there has to be a "clear goal, a comprehensive plan and precise measurements of progress.

"The heart of the plan was a simple and inspiring mission, to find the children. To defeat polio, it is essential to achieve up to 95 per cent vaccination coverage in afflicted areas.

"There is no way to measure whether you're meeting that mark unless you know how many children there are, where they are and whether they've been vaccinated," he said.

According to Gates, India responded to the challenge with an army of more than two million vaccinators, who canvassed every village, hamlet and slum.

"Vaccinators took the best maps they had and made them better. They walked miles every day and worked late into the night."

"They found children in the poorest areas of Uttar Pradesh and in the remote Kosi river area of Bihar, an area with no electricity that is often flooded and unreachable by roads.
They found the sons and daughters of migrant workers in bus stations and train stations, accompanying their families on their way to find work," Gates said.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Iran presses for nuclear deal, warns that talks will move on to later round

GENEVA: A proposed first-stage deal on Iran's nuclear programme needs to be reached on Saturday or talks will move on to a later round, Tehran's lead negotiator was quoted as saying.

"The negotiations will not go on tomorrow. Either they end tonight or there is another round," Iranian news agencies quoted deputy foreign minister Abbas Araqchi as saying after crucial talks in Geneva stretched into a third day.

"Serious consultations have been held on the text of the final deal, (but) there are still questions that require more negotiations," he said.

Araqchi's comments came amid hopes that world powers and Iran will manage to seal a breakthrough in the decade-long dispute after US secretary of state John Kerry and his Russian, British, French and German counterparts all rushed to Geneva to lend weight to the negotiations.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Drug-related gang war behind Nigerian's killing: Goa govt report

NEW DELHI: Ministry of external affairs on Friday said it has received a report from the Goa government in which preliminary leads indicate infighting between possible drug- related gangs behind the killing of the Nigerian in that state last week.

"We have received the report which is a 'factual description' of the incident, action taken by the police and the status of the investigation," the spokesperson in the MEA said.

He also said as per the report, "preliminary leads indicate infighting between the possible drug-related groups leading to the killing."

The report also gives details of the aftermath of the incident, including detention of the 52 Nigerians involved in blocking the highway when the body was being taken for the postmortem, the spokesperson added.

The state police had also arrested a Goan youth in connection with the killing of the Nigerian national on October 31 which sparked protests by his fellowmen.

The special investigation squad had earlier this week arrested a Goan youth in connection with the killing of Obodo Uzoma Simeon on October 31.

Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar has already termed the murder as a drug related crime.

The MEA, which is in touch with the Nigerian high commission here, will now share the elements of the state government report with the mission.

The high commission, while raising the issue with the India, had expressed "concern and anguish" over the killing of its national.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Militants kill two BSF jawans in Meghalaya

SHILLONG: Militants on Friday shot dead two BSF personnel at a remote border outpost along Indo-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya's South West Khasi Hills district.

Heavily-armed militants raided Ketakona Border Outpost in Bagli area, nearly 140 km from Shillong in Borsora police station at around 10:30am, killing two border personnel on the spot, the police said.

The attack came close on the heels of militants attacking a police vehicle in neighbouring South Garo Hills district on Tuesday killing five policemen.

Meanwhile, the BSF, which is manning the Indo-Bangladesh border in the state, stated that a huge arms consignment was seized on Thursday night in South Garo Hills.

A 9 mm carbine machine, one 7.65 mm Italian-make Barreta pistol, one China-make 7.65 mm pistol, all with ammunition, wireless set with signal booster, two mobile phones, sports shoes and other items were seized from the Angratoli reserve forest in the district, a BSF spokesperson said.

While no one was arrested in last night?s midnight operation, the BSF said the arms were meant for tribal militants operating in the state.

Meghalaya shares a 443-km border with Bangladesh, part of which is still unfenced and hence porous coupled with bad terrain areas which are difficult to man.

These unfenced pockets are the prime areas for infiltrators in the form of illegal immigrants, smugglers and many a times militants.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

ISRO could have taken more time, done homework for MOM: PM's scientific adviser

BANGALORE: Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister C N R Rao on Friday said the Indian Space Research Organization (Isro) could have taken more time and "done homework" on the country's maiden mission to Mars.

"Mars mission is a very good thing; they could have taken more time and done homework. They have done something and I feel I should congratulate," he told reporters here when asked about the Rs 450 crore Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM).

"....but you can always say they could have done many things, they should do more. Whatever they have done is a good thing," he said while briefing about the silver jubilee celebrations of Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research here of which he is the founder president.

The MOM was successfully launched on November 5 with PSLV rocket injecting the spacecraft precisely into an intended Earth orbit in India's first-ever historic inter-planetary odyssey.

Flaying the highly critical comments about the MOM by former Isro chairman Madhavan Nair, who is sceptical about the mission, Rao said, "It is unbecoming of Nair to make such comments. I'm critical of an Indian who makes such statement.

"For a country like India Rs 450 crore is nothing; ....Rs 450 crore the government doesn't even count," he said rejecting voices questioning the need for spending Rs 450-500 crore on MOM when the country was facing hunger and poverty.

To a query on the technical aspects of the project, Rao said, "Let us not discuss about the scientific part- then I will have many things to say. Whatever might have been said and done- they have done something and that needs to be appreciated."

"....you can say there should have been circular orbit instead of elliptical orbit- those things we will see later, right now we will have to wait till next September for the real success. I hope it will be successful. Because it has to go to the Mars orbit and that will be only in next September. We shall keep our fingers crossed," he added.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Madras high court stays suspension of Pondicherry University’s ‘ragging victim’

PUDUCHERRY: Madras high court on Friday stayed the suspension of a girl student at Pondicherry University, who had lodged a complaint of sexual harassment and ragging against a senior boy student.

While granting the interim stay, justice KK Sasidharan observed that this was a case where the complainant was made an accused at a later point of time. The judge pronounced that there shall be an interim stay on the impugned order dated November 1 as far as the petitioner, M Kavya (first year MA mass communication), is concerned.

The court directed Pondicherry University not to ask the girl students to vacate the hostels. "It is made clear that none of the girl students who are suspended must be sent out of the hostel," the justice said.

The court directed the university registrar to submit to it all records relating to the inquiry conducted into the issue and posted the case to November 15 for further hearing. The petitioner's counsel, Stalin Abhimanyu, told TOI that other six suspended students would also seek legal remedy in the course of time.

Meanwhile, the health condition of Kavya, who has been on an indefinite fast seeking the university to revoke the suspension of seven students including her, deteriorated on Thursday night and a doctor shifted her for treatment to government general hospital in the presence of police officials. She called off the fast after the high court stayed her suspension orders on Friday evening.

Pondicherry University, which probed into the ragging and sexual harassment complaints lodged by Kavya and T Vidya Appukuttan, first year MA (English), against K S Sreejith alias Jiththu, second year MPEd, suspended the two complainants and the accused student for six months (next semester, from December 2013-May 2014).

The varsity also suspended for next semester the accused student's friend M Aneesh, first year MPEd, and the girls' supporters -- N C Monu, first year MA (Mass Communication), PV Abhijith and B Abhijith, first year MA (English), Rony Paulose, second year MSc (Electronic media and communications), and K Jyotish, third year MSc (physics five-year integrated course) — who launched the anti-ragging protests on the campus.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Invest in girls' education to break cycle of poverty: UNICEF

NEW DELHI: Investing in education of girls, especially the most marginalized, is required to make progress on most social indicators in India, according to UNICEF.

To mark the second International Day of the Girl Child, UNICEF on Friday organized a meeting with top Urdu editors in the capital.

Speaking at the event, Urmila Sarkar, chief of education UNICEF, said, "Innovation in girls education will be instrumental to female empowerment and breaking the cycle of poverty and deprivation."

The focus of the meeting was on the crucial role that media can play to create a sustained discourse and highlight innovations that get more girls to school, keep them in school and improve the quality of learning for all children.

In India, the number of out-of-school children stands at 8.1 million, of which 4.5 million are girls. For every 100 boys enrolled, 88 girls are enrolled in secondary school. The main causes of school dropout among girls are child marriage and child labour, the UNICEF said.

Giving examples of how communities have arranged for safe school transport for girls in hard-to-reach areas from Udaipur, Rajasthan, Sarkar stressed on innovation in girls education and highlighted the importance of gender sensitization.

"Teachers who have undergone gender sensitization training have made a significant difference for adolescent girls in schools," she said.

The conference was chaired by the vice-chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University Mohammed Miyan and director general, Doordarshan News, S M Khan.

The participants shared examples of how technology coupled with media outreach, has increased access to education for out-of-school girls and improved the quality of learning for every child.

They urged Urdu media to dedicate media space and build capacities of reporters to highlight issues and innovations in education, especially of girls.

Civil society representatives from Shikhar, Prof Rihan Khan Suri and Ambarish Rai of the RTE Forum spoke on how civil society efforts can build on the momentum created by a conducive educational policy framework and ensure that girls have access to quality learning environments.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Russia launches rocket carrying three astronauts and Olympic torch

BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan: Russia on Thursday launched a rocket carrying Russian, Japanese and US astronauts and an Olympic torch for the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi from its Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, mission control said.

The Soyuz-FG rocket and Soyuz-TMA capsule, emblazoned with the symbols of the Sochi Games and the Olympic rings, blasted off on time at 8:14am (0414 GMT), mission control said.

Two Russian astronauts will take the unlit torch on a space walk on Saturday.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Muzaffarnagar riots: BJP MLA Suresh Rana's judicial custody extended till November 20

MUZAFFARNAGAR: The judicial custody of BJP MLA Suresh Rana, arrested for allegedly inciting communal violence in Muzaffarnagar by making provocative speeches, has been extended till November 20 by a local court here.

Additional chief judicial magistrate Narendra Kumar on Wednesday extended the judicial custody of the MLA from Thana Bhawan in riot-affected Shamli district for another 14 days.

Rana was arrested in Lucknow on September 20 on charges of making a provocative speech to incite the riots in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining areas, which claimed over 60 lives and displaced thousands of others.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Fresh snowfall in higher reaches of Gulmarg

SRINAGAR: Higher reaches of the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir received fresh snowfall on Thursday even as the minimum temperature in other parts of the valley remained several degrees above the freezing point.

Gulmarg received a fresh snowfall on Thursday morning. The resort registered a minimum temperature of minus 0.7 degrees Celsius as compared to the previous night's 1.2 degrees Celsius, a MeT Department official said.

The south Kashmir tourist resort of Pahalgam recorded a temperature of 2.8 degrees Celsius and received a rainfall of 11.6 mm, the official said.

The mercury in Srinagar settled at a temperature of 6.7 degrees Celsius, over three notches above the normal during this part of the season, he said, adding the summer capital of the state received a rainfall of 3.1 mm.

The official said rain also lashed other parts of the valley following which the mercury remained several degrees above the freezing point.

Kargil, in Ladakh region, was the coldest recorded place in the state with a minimum temperature of minus 2.0 degrees Celsius, while the mercury settled at a low of minus 1.5 degrees Celsius in the nearby Leh town, he said.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Fund raising via primary market drops 72% in September: Sebi

The author has posted comments on this articlePTI | Nov 7, 2013, 02.22PM IST

NEW DELHI: Fund raising by Indian companies through the primary market route plunged by 72% to nearly Rs 1,500 crore in September over the preceding month.

This has left the cumulative fund mobilisation by companies for the first six-month period (April-September) of the current fiscal at Rs 9,130 crore as compared to Rs 8,987 crore raised during the year-ago period.

According to data available with market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), companies mopped up a total of Rs 1,477 crore in September, a slump from Rs 5,269 crore mobilized in August.

Out of Rs 1,477 crore raised in September, a major chunk of the amount (Rs 1,386 crore) was garnered through debt route and the remaining Rs 127 crore via issuance of equity shares.

The amount raised through the equity segment during the month included five initial public offerings (IPOs) - ACE Tours Worldwide Ltd, R J Bio-Tech, Satkar Finlease, Newever Trade wing and Subh Tex (India) Ltd - listed on the small and medium exchange (SME) platform.

Also, a total of Rs 90 crore was mopped-up through rights issues by three firms - Peirce Leslie India, Waterbase and Uniphos Enterprises.

Market experts said fund raising dropped in September over the preceding month due to volatile equity market conditions and most of the money was garnered through debt route.

The decline in fund mobilisation coincided with a four per cent surge in the 30-scrip sensitive index ( sensex) during the period under review.

"During September 2013, Rs 1,477 crore were mobilised in the primary market (equity and debt issues) by way of 10 issues as compared to Rs 5,269 crore mobilised through 11 issues in August 2013, showing a decrease of around 72% from the previous month," Sebi noted.

In financial year 2012-13, companies had raked in Rs 32,455 crore via the primary market, the lowest since 2008-09 when they had garnered Rs 16,220 crore.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

YSR Congress Party stages road blockade for second day

VIJAYAWADA: Several YSR Congress Party activists were arrested as they continued their agitation against bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh for the second day here by blocking roads at many places in Krishna district.

Party cadres staged sit-ins on highways at Jaggaihpet, Vijayawada, Kaikalur, Hanuman Junction and other places, which held up traffic for several hours between Vijayawada and Hyderabad as well as between Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam.

Police used force and arrested many agitating YSRCP leaders to clear the way for the stranded vehicles on national highways.

Among those arrested by the police were former legislators Uday Bhanu, Jaleel Khan, J Ramesh.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

NIA to question Italian witnesses through video conferencing

NEW DELHI: NIA is likely to question four Italian marines, who were witness to the killing of two fishermen off Kerala coast in 2012, through video conferencing after their refusal to come to India for deposition and home ministry's reluctance to send any team to Rome to quiz them.

Notwithstanding India's consistent request to send the witnesses, Italy has made it clear that the four will not go to India to appear before investigators in connection with the case in which two Italian marines are accused.

After Italy's refusal, the home ministry has sought the opinion of the attorney general to suggest the way forward.

With the top law officer advising the government against sending a National Investigation Agency (NIA) team to Italy, the ministry is left with the only option of questioning the four witnesses through video conferencing after getting a Letters Rogatory from a court.

Official sources said the witnesses may be called to the Indian Embassy in Rome from where the four will appear before the investigators for questioning through video conferencing in presence of a magistrate.

Indian investigators in the past have questioned foreign witnesses through video conferencing.

A witness was questioned by CBI through video conferencing in the 1995 urea scam from Indian High Commission in London.

India has already conveyed to Italy that delay in questioning the witnesses is only jeopardising the future of Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, accused of shooting dead two Indian fishermen off Kerala coast on February 15, 2012. Both the accused are now lodged in the Italian Embassy in New Delhi.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Don't delay Light Combat Aircraft project: Anthony to DRDO

NEW DELHI: Defence minister A K Antony on Wednesday directed the DRDO to ensure that the operational deadlines for the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, first sanctioned 30 years to replace the ageing MiG-21s, are not delayed yet again.

Addressing the parliamentary consultative committee on defence, Antony said the under-development indigenous fighter's initial operational clearance (IOC) planned for next month and the final operational clearance (FOC) in December 2014 should be ``completed on schedule''.

With DRDO currently handling as many as 532 projects, the minister asked DRDO to ``mainly concentrate on high-end research, particularly in critical and strategic areas''. DRDO should invest more time and resources in fundamental research, lay more emphasis on major mission-mode programmes for the armed forces and pool together resources and talent available in academic and other R&D institutions, he said.

The long-running developmental sagas of the Tejas fighter and Arjun main-battle tank have come to symbolize the huge delays and cost-overruns dogging virtually all major projects of DRDO. While the MPs lauded DRDO's success in the field of missiles, they were ``bitterly critical'' of the delay in such projects.

As earlier reported by TOI, the single-engine Tejas is unlikely to become fully combat-worthy anytime before end-2015. When the Tejas project was first sanctioned in 1983, the initial project cost was pegged at Rs 560 crore. The overall programme will now cost upwards of Rs 25,000 crore if the naval variant, trainer and the failed Kaveri engine are also taken into account.

It was in January 2011 that Tejas got IOC-I, which was initially heralded as the ``full and final IOC'' by the combine of DRDO, Aeronautical Development Agency and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd till better sense prevailed. The fighter can be certified as fully airworthy only after it passes the IOC-II stage.

The light-weight Tejas will be ready to go to war only after the FOC, which will include integration of all weapons and other systems to ensure it can fire guns, rockets, laser-guided bombs and BVR (beyond visual range) missiles as well as undergo air-to-air refuelling.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pakistani opposition holds own 'session' outside parliament

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani opposition lawmakers on Wednesday held their own "session" outside parliament to protest a disparity in figures for civilian casualties in US drone attacks and terror strikes.

Despite a request from minister of state for water Chaudhry Abid Sher Ali, the opposition refused to enter the Senate or upper house of parliament and chanted "Shame, shame, shame".

The opposition lawmakers said they would discuss a 10-point agenda during their "session" outside parliament, including interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan's "attitude", a power tariff hike, inflation and the law and order situation in the financial hub of Karachi.

"The ( casualty) figures submitted by the interior minister were incorrect and were justifying the drone attacks conducted by the US," Pakistan People's Party (PPP) lawmaker Raza Rabbani said.

The interior minister recently said 2,160 militants and only 67 civilians were killed in US drone strikes. However, the figures were contested by opposition parties and rights groups.

Even the defence ministry told the media that these figures were wrong, Rabbani claimed.

"The records should be corrected immediately and the interior minister should withdraw figures pertaining to casualties in terrorist activities that he had presented in the upper house," Rabbani demanded.

He said the opposition did not have any other way but to hold a session outside parliament.

Meanwhile, leader of the house Raja Zafrul Haq, a senior leader of the ruling PML-N, informed the Senate about progress being made by a parliamentary committee to reconcile with the opposition.

He said the committee held two meetings with opposition members but they decided to carry on with their protest. The treasury benches are making efforts to bring the opposition back to the Senate and something positive will hopefully emerge from the meetings, he added.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

National Commission for Women seeks report on domestic help's death in Delhi

NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Women (NCW) has sought a report from the Delhi Police on the death of a domestic worker in BSP MP Dhananjay Singh's residence.

NCW chairwoman Mamta Sharma said that the report was expected in 10 days. Expressing concern at the recent incidents of torture and ill-treatment of domestic workers in Delhi homes, Sharma said, "The incidents that have come to light show that the employers are educated ... but their treatment of workers is worse than illiterates. It is a mindset to treat poor people like this."

Singh and his wife have been arrested following witness accounts that the domestic help was beaten up by the latter. Sharma also demanded stringent punishment for the accused and hoped that the duo is not released on bail.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Charles, Camilla begin nine-day trip to India with a trip to Rishikesh

LUCKNOW: Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, paid an official visit to Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh as the first destination of their nine-day visit to India on Wednesday.

Arriving just before sunset, the royal highnesses took part in the sacred evening 'aarti' ceremony (ritual of lights), which is an internationally-renowned highlight of Parmarth Niketan's daily activities. Prior to the 'aarti', they observed the final offering of a 'yagna' (fire ceremony) for world peace and environmental preservation, led by the president of Parmarth Niketan, Swami Chidanand Saraswati. Offering traditional herbs and seeds into the fire to the rhythm of ancient Vedic prayers, the royals took part in one of the most ancient rituals of the Indian tradition, performed on this occasion as a prayer for a healthy environment and peaceful world.

Following the yagna ceremony, they took part in a water blessing ceremony, led by Saraswati, in which waters from the world's sacred rivers were offered onto a large globe, symbolizing a prayer that all people across the world should have access to safe and sufficient water. Explaining the ceremony, Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati of Parmarth Niketan said, "Water is life. Tragically today, many of our brothers and sisters are living without access to safe and sufficient water. The Water Blessing Ceremony signifies a prayer and blessing that all beings and all creatures on Earth should have access to sufficient and safe, life-sustaining water."

Chidanand Saraswati is also the founder of Ganga Action Parivar, an environmental organization of scientists, engineers and activists working to clean the waters and banks of the Ganga, and the co-founder of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, an international, interfaith coalition of faith leaders working to bring water, sanitation and hygiene to all. In alignment with his life's work, Saraswati offered the royals a sacred tree sapling as a symbol of the trees being planted in the Himalayas, and a beautiful container of water from the source of the Ganga. Pujya Swamiji presented them with a sacred sapling, rudraksh malas and shawls made by Uttarakhand's tribal community.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mars mission is a historic achievement, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh says

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on November 5 hailed the launch of the Mars mission as a "historic achievement" and congratulated Isro scientists for the significant milestone.

Singh called up Isro chairman K Radhakrishnan to congratulate him and his team of scientists and extended best wishes for its successful future.

"I congratulate you and your team for this historic achievement," the Prime Minister told Radhakrishnan.

In a message later, Singh said, "I congratulate all scientists of the Indian Space Research Organisation for the successful launch today of the Mars Orbiter mission — the most complex space mission of the country."

"The successful launch is the first step towards a successful mission and is testimony to Isro's mastery of the launch vehicle technology."

He wished the Isro scientists all the best for the "delicate next steps in this ambitious and long mission to Mars which will be the most significant milestone in our space programme and I remain confident that they will do the country proud".

After the Cabinet gave its nod to the Rs 450-crore mission last year, the Prime Minister had said it will be a huge step for India in the area of science and technology.

"Under this mission, our spaceship will go near Mars and collect important scientific information," he had observed.

Information and broadcasting minister Manish Tewari also congratulated scientists who brought Mars Mission to fruition.

"This) underscores distinction, launch power of UPA qua lung power of a section of opposition," he tweeted.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Spying row shouldn't cloud US-EU trade talks, John Kerry says

WARSAW: European concerns about alleged electronic eavesdropping by US intelligence should not be allowed to cloud trade talks starting soon between the United States and the European Union, US secretary of state John Kerry said on Tuesday.

"This is a trade partnership. It has the ability to lift all of our countries," Kerry said on a visit to Poland.

He said the partnership "is really separate from any other issues that people may have on their minds," referring to allegations that US intelligence agencies spied on official communications of some EU states.

Kerry, speaking alongside his Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski, also said US companies, with government support, would compete vigorously to win major defence contracts being put out to tender by Poland.

He added that the US military's plans for missile defence in Europe, in which Poland will play a part, were "absolutely on target."

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Troops in Afghanistan safer after Mehsud killing: US lawmaker

WASHINGTON: The American troops in Afghanistan is much safer after the killing of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Hakimullah Mehsud, a top US lawmaker has said.

"It was a big deal," Congressman Mike Rogers, chairman, permanent select committee on intelligence, told the CBS news when asked about the death of Mehsud, against whom the FBI had announced a reward of $5 million.

"I feel a little safe - a little better for our troops today than I did before this event happened," Rogers said in response to a question, indicating that the operation was a result of the joint intelligence gathering by both the US and Pakistan.

"I'll tell you why it happened. And by the way, all of those intelligence agencies...contributed to leading up to what is a very difficult, long-term collection of all the sources of intelligence to make sure you can find an individual and do something about it," Rogers said.

He said that Mehsud, the leader of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is a bad guy and in 2007, he brought together all of the Pakistan Taliban.

"And they wanted to focus on, at that time, the Pakistani military. They have also made threats to the United States, especially Hakimullah Mehsud, who said, hey, listen, we're going to conduct operations in the United States," he said.

"There is a relationship between the gentleman that showed up in Times Square (in New York) and the individual that was taken off the battlefield not a long time ago.

"This is the guy that's trying to create the problems both for Pakistan - he relates with Afghanistan Taliban.

These are the folks that closed 500 schools, most of them girls' schools in the eastern provinces of Afghanistan," he said.

Rogers said that Mehsud is part of the Haqqani network, which is basically a giant organised crime group operating in the tribal areas of Pakistan. It has also been involved in supporting al-Qaida, Taliban and others.

Frederick W. Kagan, director, critical threats project, at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) said Hakimullah's importance to the TTP does not mean that his death is a crippling blow to the group and al-Qaida, however.

"The TTP has repeatedly bounced back from the death of its most senior leaders and is under less pressure in Pakistan now than it has been in the past."

"The TTP maintains close alliances with al-Qaida and other militant groups, alliances that do not appear ready to shift as the group deliberates on who will lead it next," he said.

Kagan said that the resolute ties mean the group will continue to be dangerous to both Pakistani and US interests in the future.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

​Sycophants change map, turn India into 'Modiland'

LUCKNOW: Sycophancy for Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi touched a new high in the politically crucial Uttar Pradesh, with party workers putting him at a level higher not only than the party, but even the country.

A large banner put up at the state headquarters of the Bharatiya Janata Party envisages making every state a Modi state on the lines of Gujarat. It reads, 'Har Pradesh ko Banaao Modi Pradesh' (Make every state in India a Modi state). It goes on to add 'Desh Bane Modi Desh, Aur Prithvi Ho Modi Kutumbkum'. The saffron background of the banner indicates that though Modi is banking on the development plank, his and the party's area of focus is Hindutva, the core vote-base of the party, which had enabled it to ride the wave of power in early 1990s.

The large banner also has a map of India and on every state 'Modi Pradesh' is inscribed. The makers of the banner have even inscribed Modi Pradesh on the yet to be formed state of Telangana, Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (clearly demarcated) and Aksai Chin (which is currently under Chinese occupation).

The banner also drops enough hints that the rays of development and prosperity originate from Gujarat, and would then reach the length and breadth of the country. The designers of the banner, however, seem to have forgotten inscribing Modi Pradesh in five states of Sikkim, Tripura, Goa, Puducherry and Delhi.

The banner attempts carrying the photo of BJP youth leader Saket Singh 'Sonu' attempts to mobilise the party workers for the party rally scheduled to be held in Bahraich on November 8. The banner also promises good governance, development and security, the three words on which Narendra Modi is banking his election campaign.

Rubbishing the allegations, party spokesperson Manoj Mishra said, "The banner put up by the party workers is certainly not an example of sycophancy. It is the love and affection of the party workers for Narendra Modi. In fact, through this banner, the party workers want to send out a clear message to the people of the nation that Modi factor will sweep the entire country in the coming general elections scheduled to be held in 2014."

Taking a jibe at the BJP workers, UP Congress Committee spokesman Amarnath Agarwal, said, "BJP is not in the grip of sycophancy as well as of intellectual bankruptcy." He further stated that BJP had confined itself to only three states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, and it is amazing that the party workers are not able to see any leader barring Narendra Modi. "His (Modi's) speeches are devoid of any substance and logic, and if they are analysed, it will only contain rhetoric," Agarwal added.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mortar shell hits Vatican embassy in Damascus, no casualties reported

DAMASCUS: Eyewitnesses say a mortar shell has slammed into a Damascus building that houses the Vatican's embassy.

It was not clear if the diplomatic mission was specifically targeted in the early morning attack on Tuesday, which damaged the roof.

The building is located on the edge of the upscale Damascus' district of Abu Roummaneh.

No casualties were reported.

There was no claim of responsibility for the attack, the latest in the string of assaults on foreign diplomatic missions in Damascus.

Rebels fighting to topple President Bashar Assad have frequently fired mortars into Damascus to disrupt life in the capital, where the government tries to portray the situation as normal despite the civil war raging well into its third year.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Six tourists killed in ferry accident in Thailand

BANGKOK: An overcrowded tourist ferry capsized and sank near a popular Thai seaside town, killing six tourists, including two Russians and a Chinese, police said. The rest of the roughly 200 people aboard were rescued.

The double-decker ferry, carrying Thai and foreign tourists, left Lan island for the 30-minute trip to the resort town of Pattaya on Sunday evening, said police Col. Suwan Cheawnavinthavat. Shortly after the boat departed, an engine problem sent the passengers on the first deck rushing to the second floor, causing the ferry to flip on its side and eventually sink.

"Witnesses said there were neither enough tubes nor life vests on the ferry. Some of those who cannot swim had to cling onto coolers or ice containers until rescuers came," Suwan said by phone.

He said the foreigners who died were a Russian man, a Russian woman and a Chinese man. Three Thais — two women and a man — also were killed. The rest of the passengers were rescued, including a 12-year-old Russian boy who was in intensive care at a hospital. None of the others were hospitalized.

Suwan said the ferry was operating over its capacity of about 130 to 150 passengers. He said police were looking for the ferry driver to investigate the cause of the accident.

Pattaya, which is about 100 kilometers (60 miles) southeast of Bangkok, has had several fatal boat accidents this year. Last month, an Indian tourist celebrating her wedding anniversary was killed in a parasailing accident off the town's coast. In August, two Chinese tourists were killed in a speed boat accident near Pattaya's main pier.

Lan island is a popular daytrip destination among tourists near Pattaya.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Indian troops arrive in China for joint military exercises

BEIJING: Indian and Chinese armies are all set to hold their third joint military exercises after a gap of five years, as a 150-strong Indian army contingent on Monday arrived in Chengdu city to take part in anti-terrorism drills.

The 10-day drill code named "hand in hand" would be formally inaugurated tomorrow at a designated area close to Chengdu city.

The annual exercises, which began in 2007, are being resumed after a gap of five years.

The first exercises were held in China's Kunming city followed by the second round at Belgaum in Karanataka in 2008.

The next round was called off by India following the denial of visa to a top General heading troops in Jammu and Kashmir on the grounds that the region formed part of disputed territory.

The two sides resumed contacts after China rescinded its decision and began issuing regular visas to residents of Jammu and Kashmir, a move that facilitated a broad engagement between the two giant neighbours.

However, border tensions flared up when Chinese troops pitched tents deep inside the Indian side of Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh region in April this year.

It was resolved subsequently ahead of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to New Delhi followed by return visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last month.

During Singh's visit, the two countries signed the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDCA) which both sides believe would effectively address a host of issues causing tension at the disputed border.

The military exercises were firmed up during defence minister A K Antony's visit here in July this year.

Significantly, the exercises focussing on anti-terrorism drills were taking place as China stepped up its campaign against terrorism after last week's suicide attack at the Forbidden City overlooking Tiananmen square here.

Following this China said it would up step anti-terrorism cooperation members of the six member Shanghai Cooperation Organisation consisting of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

India and Pakistan are observers in the grouping.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Indian troops reach China for joint military exercises

BEIJING: Indian and Chinese armies are all set to hold their third joint military exercises after a gap of five years, as a 150-strong Indian army contingent on Monday arrived in Chengdu city to take part in anti-terrorism drills.

The 10-day drill code named "hand in hand" would be formally inaugurated tomorrow at a designated area close to Chengdu city.

The annual exercises, which began in 2007, are being resumed after a gap of five years.

The first exercises were held in China's Kunming city followed by the second round at Belgaum in Karanataka in 2008.

The next round was called off by India following the denial of visa to a top General heading troops in Jammu and Kashmir on the grounds that the region formed part of disputed territory.

The two sides resumed contacts after China rescinded its decision and began issuing regular visas to residents of Jammu and Kashmir, a move that facilitated a broad engagement between the two giant neighbours.

However, border tensions flared up when Chinese troops pitched tents deep inside the Indian side of Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh region in April this year.

It was resolved subsequently ahead of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to New Delhi followed by return visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last month.

During Singh's visit, the two countries signed the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDCA) which both sides believe would effectively address a host of issues causing tension at the disputed border.

The military exercises were firmed up during defence minister A K Antony's visit here in July this year.

Significantly, the exercises focussing on anti-terrorism drills were taking place as China stepped up its campaign against terrorism after last week's suicide attack at the Forbidden City overlooking Tiananmen square here.

Following this China said it would up step anti-terrorism cooperation members of the six member Shanghai Cooperation Organisation consisting of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

India and Pakistan are observers in the grouping.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

India, US to kick off their naval wargames tomorrow

NEW DELHI: India and the US will kick off their next round of "Malabar" naval wargames in the Bay of Bengal on Tuesday.

The US Navy is deploying Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS McCampbell and P3C maritime patrol aircraft, among other platforms, for the exercise from November 5 to 11. India, in turn, will be participating with its stealth frigate INS Shivalik, guided missile destroyer INS Ranvijay and TU-142M maritime reconnaissance aircraft.

"The US and India share common values and seafaring traditions. Our navies are natural partners, and we look forward to continuing to strengthen the bonds and personnel relations between relationships between our navies through the conduct of the Malabar series of exercises," said an official.

"Malabar", a regularly scheduled bilateral naval field training exercise, has grown in scope and complexity over the years.

"The exercise will feature both ashore and at-sea training. While ashore training will include subject matter expert and professional exchanges, the at-sea portions will be conducted in the Bay of Bengal. They are designed to advance participating nations military-to-military coordination and capacity to plan and execute tactical operations in a multinational environment," he said.

"Events planned during the at-sea portions include professional exchanges and embarkations; communications exercises; Surface Action Group operations; leapfrogs; helicopter cross-deck evolutions; gunnery exercises; Visit Board Search and Seizure; and anti-submarine warfare," he added.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

BSP also demands ban on opinion polls during elections

LUCKNOW: The Bahujan Samaj Party is also in favour of banning opinion polls and surveys during elections.

In response to the letter of the Election Commission of India seeking views of the political parties on the proposal to restrict opinion polls during elections, BSP general secretary SC Mishra on Tuesday wrote to the principal secretary, EC, that his party's stand has been that the opinion polls should not be allowed to be published during elections as they do not and cannot reflect the correct opinion of the public/voter at large. He said that such surveys are conducted by different agencies which claim that they have taken view of the people but the fact is that the view taken is of a very limited and selective voters which cannot be said to the opinion of people at large.

The opinion polls are based on the views elicited from few hundreds people in a constituency where there are more than 20 lakh voters. It cannot be shown and depicted as a view of the entire constituency. Similarly, views obtained of few thousand people throughout the state cannot be shown as the opinion of the entire electorate of the state, Mishra said.

Further, Mishra said "There is no proper scientific method by means of which general view can be obtained from the electorate at large in a democracy where most of the voters do not like to reflect their view except through ballot that to in a secret manner. Such distorted opinions by agencies who are paid to conduct the polls are susceptible for being managed or purchased to confuse the voters and public at large just before the polls."

"Our party is of the view that no outside influence which may effect and confuse the minds of electors and the criteria of which has no uniform basis should not be permitted and opinion polls is one of them. It is therefore necessary for conducting free and fair elections that such opinion polls should be banned during the elections," Mishra said.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Nato soldier, 2 police officers killed in Afghanistan

KABUL: Nato says a foreign soldier has been killed in an attack in eastern Afghanistan, while authorities say two officers have been killed in separate shootings in the country's south.

A Nato statement says that the soldier was shot dead on Sunday. It did not say where the shooting happened, nor did it give the nationality of the soldier killed in the attack.

In southern Uruzgan province, police spokesman Fared Ayel said a group of insurgents attacked a police checkpoint in the Dehrawod district today morning. The spokesman says one officer and four insurgents were killed in the attack, which also wounded four.

In southern Kandahar city, governor's spokesman Javed Faisel said a police officer was shot and killed by two gunmen riding a motorbike.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Police record statement of Malayalam actor Shweta Menon in 'molestation' case

KOCHI: Leading Malayalam film actress Shweta Menon, who was allegedly molested by Congress MP N Peethambara Kurup at the president's boat race event at Kollam two days back, on Sunday gave her statement on the incident to police.

A police team from Kollam, including a woman circle inspector arrived here at 9am and recorded Shweta's statement at her residence. The actress reportedly broke down while the statement was being recorded.

The police team refused to disclose the details. Shweta is understood to have mentioned the names of two persons, including Kollam MP Kurup, who has denied the charge.

Last night Shweta had told reporters after meeting office bearers of various film industry bodies that she would send a detailed complaint to chief minister Oommen Chandy, whom she is likely to meet on Tuesday.

Her statement was recorded by police on a complaint by DYFI, the youth wing of CPM.

Shweta has so far not named her tormentor, saying all details are in the complaint and she was pained that collector B Mohan had "ignored" her charge when informed about it.

To this, Mohan had said she had not given any complaint, either orally or in writing.

He said he had ordered Kollam City police commissioner to enquire into the incident following an SMS complaint from Aisha Potti, MLA.

Shweta had also rejected Kurup's contention that the charge was politically motivated and said she would not back out from her complaint.

The incident has triggered strong protests from the film fraternity and women's outfits deploring 'failure' of the authorities to act against the MP.

While 73-year-old Kurup termed the charge as untrue, Shweta had said she stood by whatever she had stated on the incident that allegedly occurred at the venue of the President's Trophy boat race. TV footage showed the MP moving towards the actress and touching her.

Chandy had told reporters at Kottayam yesterday he had not received any complaint from the actress so far and that appropriate action would be taken after investigation if a complaint was received.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Kerry meets Egyptian counterpart, says Cairo a "vital partner"

CAIRO: US Secretary of State John Kerry met his Egyptian counterpart in Cairo on Sunday and said Egypt was a "vital partner" that Washington was committed to working with.

Kerry, the most senior US official to visit Egypt since the army overthrew Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in July, stressed the need for fair and transparent trials for all Egyptians.

Kerry's visit happened the day before Morsi and 14 other senior Muslim Brotherhood leaders were due to go on trial charged with inciting violence.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Indian Mujahideen fugitive wanted to start drug peddling business in Nepal

MUMBAI: Indian Mujahideen's suspected operative, Afzal Usmani, caught last week from the Indo-Nepal border, told interrogators that he wanted to start drug peddling from Nepal. Usmani, who had fled from Mumbai's Sessions court on September 20, was caught by the state ATS on October 27.

Usmani, now 37, is alleged to have participated in as many as over a dozen bomb blast cases. He was caught while he was trying to flee to Nepal where he wanted to settle down. "Usmnai told us that he had planned to steal cars and sell them in Nepal. Besides this, Usmani also knew some drug peddlers and said that he wanted to smuggle drugs between Indian and Nepalese peddlers since it's a profit making business," said a police source. The investigators said that Usmani told them that he had even planned to create special space in the four doors of the car to keep drugs. In each turn he could smuggle at least four to five kg drugs that would give a profit of more than Rs five lakh in each trip," the officer said. Usmani was first caught by the Mumbai crime branch in 2008 for his alleged role in stealing cars that were used for the Gujarat bomb blasts.

On October 27, had the state ATS personnel reached half an hour late at the Indo-Nepal border Usmani might have made his way into the Nepal. Loitering near the border, Usmani could see the Nepal entrance just from a distance of 250 meters but he ran out of luck. He was waiting for some families or group of people to mingle with before entering into Nepal. This was the time the Mumbai ATS spotted him, waiting impatiently, and caught him.

"At a time when he had planned his escape to Nepal and wanted to start a drug peddling business, he might have been in touch with some drug lords. We are now questioning him about their whereabouts and how did he came in touch with them. Generally, the drug money is also used in financing terror operations," the source added.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

24 inmates escape from East Timor's main prison

DILI ( EAST TIMOR): Twenty-four inmates escaped on Sunday from East Timor's main prison after attacking guards, and about half were recaptured, an official said.

The director of Becora prison, Joao Domingos, said the inmates escaped from the facility in the capital, Dili, after Mass on Sunday.

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao inspected the prison afterward and ordered security forces to capture the inmates as soon as possible. Hours later, 13 of them were recaptured in a hilly region on Dili's outskirts, Domingos said.

He said one of two guards who were attacked was hospitalized in critical condition.

Domingos said Juga Gama, a famous 24-year-old singer who was sentenced to 20 years last month in a drug case, was believed to be the mastermind of the escape. Gama escaped and is still missing.

It was the second escape from the prison since the August 2007 escape of rebel soldier Alfredo Reinado, who was imprisoned for deserting the army. Reinado was later fatally shot by presidential guards during a February 2008 attack on the compound of then-President Jose Ramos-Horta.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More