Raghvendra Rao
New Delhi : The recovery of a heavy-duty motorised cutter from the recently destroyed Maoist camp located atop a hill in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district has led the security agencies to suspect the involvement of this Naxal contingent in the May 28 derailment of the Howrah-Kurla Jnaneswari derailment. The derailment was executed by cutting off a portion of the railway track.
Sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that this is the first time this kind of cutter has been recovered from a Naxal camp. “We suspect that some members of this particular Naxal party could have used this machine to cut the rails in Jhargram. The recovery of such a sophisticated cutter also indicates that other Naxal groups could have similar machines with them,” a MHA source said.
Besides 20 claymore mines, three plastic bags containing slurry explosives and six bags of ammonium nitrate, underlining the Naxals’ growing fire power, were also recovered from the hilltop camp located under the Bandgaon police station.As much as 300 kg of dried fish and rice were also recovered from the camp. “Not only were they staying here for a long while, but they were also well-equipped,” a source said.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Animal-like: Govt on photos of dead Naxals
Raghvendra Rao
New Delhi : The release of photographs showing bodies of Naxals, including women, being carried by securitymen, their hands and feet tied to bamboo poles, following an anti-Naxal operation in West Midnapore, West Bengal, came in for sharp criticism on Thursday with even the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) expressing disapproval over the “animal-like” manner in which the bodies were carried.
“We understand that deep inside forest areas, the security forces, at times, do not have any other option of carrying back bodies than the one that has been shown in the pictures. But once they come out of the forest area and are closer to habitation, they should use stretchers to carry bodies,” said a senior official in the MHA.
“The way those bodies were being carried was simply inhuman. A few years ago, we had expressed outrage over the undignified treatment of dead bodies when similar pictures of Bangladesh Rifles carrying dead BSF men had appeared,” another MHA official said.
The MHA, sources said, had already communicated its displeasure to the CRPF and the West Bengal police for both the inhuman treatment of the bodies and for allowing the release of these photographs. “There is still some doubt on whether the CRPF men were carrying those bodies or the Bengal police and on whether an official photographer took these pictures or many photographers were allowed. While those details are being ascertained, the forces concerned have been told to be more careful in such matters,” sources said.
CRPF Special DG Vijay Raman, who is heads the anti-Naxal operations, called the photographs “gruesome”. “I was very unhappy after seeing those photos. I feel ashamed about what has happened and whoever has done it. I need to cross-check whether our boys were involved,” Raman said.
New Delhi : The release of photographs showing bodies of Naxals, including women, being carried by securitymen, their hands and feet tied to bamboo poles, following an anti-Naxal operation in West Midnapore, West Bengal, came in for sharp criticism on Thursday with even the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) expressing disapproval over the “animal-like” manner in which the bodies were carried.
“We understand that deep inside forest areas, the security forces, at times, do not have any other option of carrying back bodies than the one that has been shown in the pictures. But once they come out of the forest area and are closer to habitation, they should use stretchers to carry bodies,” said a senior official in the MHA.
“The way those bodies were being carried was simply inhuman. A few years ago, we had expressed outrage over the undignified treatment of dead bodies when similar pictures of Bangladesh Rifles carrying dead BSF men had appeared,” another MHA official said.
The MHA, sources said, had already communicated its displeasure to the CRPF and the West Bengal police for both the inhuman treatment of the bodies and for allowing the release of these photographs. “There is still some doubt on whether the CRPF men were carrying those bodies or the Bengal police and on whether an official photographer took these pictures or many photographers were allowed. While those details are being ascertained, the forces concerned have been told to be more careful in such matters,” sources said.
CRPF Special DG Vijay Raman, who is heads the anti-Naxal operations, called the photographs “gruesome”. “I was very unhappy after seeing those photos. I feel ashamed about what has happened and whoever has done it. I need to cross-check whether our boys were involved,” Raman said.
Won’t let Muivah enter state, says Manipur govt
Raghvendra Rao
New Delhi : As the 66-day-old economic blockade in Manipur appeared to be heading towards an end, with the Centre firm on moving the first convoy of trucks under security cover starting June 19, the Manipur government has made it clear that it will not allow NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah to enter the state under the present circumstances.
“After what has happened over the past two months, we will not allow Muivah to visit Manipur,” Manipur minister and government spokesperson N Biren Singh told The Indian Express. “Muivah’s proposed visit to his native village Somdal was not a homecoming for the simple reason that his programme schedule which was sent to us by the Ministry of Home Affairs clearly stated that he would hold public meetings in Ukhrul and Senapati. How could we allow that?”
Muivah, who is currently engaged in talks with Centre’s interlocutor R S Pandey, had wanted to visit his ancestral village in Manipur but was denied permission by the state.
Accusing the Centre of adopting a “soft stance” towards the NSCN-IM, Singh said the Central forces were acting as a “mute spectator” to the “free run” which this Naga outfit was having in the state. “NSCN-IM cadres move around in Manipur carrying weapons and recruiting fresh cadres. It is a very volatile situation.”
He added that despite having to pay exorbitant sums of money to purchase essential commodities, there was no anti-India sentiment in Manipur. “But if blockades like these are allowed to happen, underground separatist forces which have been lying low for a while may try to take advantage of the situation by whipping up passions against both the Centre and the state governments,” he said.
New Delhi : As the 66-day-old economic blockade in Manipur appeared to be heading towards an end, with the Centre firm on moving the first convoy of trucks under security cover starting June 19, the Manipur government has made it clear that it will not allow NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah to enter the state under the present circumstances.
“After what has happened over the past two months, we will not allow Muivah to visit Manipur,” Manipur minister and government spokesperson N Biren Singh told The Indian Express. “Muivah’s proposed visit to his native village Somdal was not a homecoming for the simple reason that his programme schedule which was sent to us by the Ministry of Home Affairs clearly stated that he would hold public meetings in Ukhrul and Senapati. How could we allow that?”
Muivah, who is currently engaged in talks with Centre’s interlocutor R S Pandey, had wanted to visit his ancestral village in Manipur but was denied permission by the state.
Accusing the Centre of adopting a “soft stance” towards the NSCN-IM, Singh said the Central forces were acting as a “mute spectator” to the “free run” which this Naga outfit was having in the state. “NSCN-IM cadres move around in Manipur carrying weapons and recruiting fresh cadres. It is a very volatile situation.”
He added that despite having to pay exorbitant sums of money to purchase essential commodities, there was no anti-India sentiment in Manipur. “But if blockades like these are allowed to happen, underground separatist forces which have been lying low for a while may try to take advantage of the situation by whipping up passions against both the Centre and the state governments,” he said.
To keep N-E lifelines open, Delhi plans to deploy 2,000 men permanently
Raghvendra Rao
New Delhi : Learning from the 65-day old economic blockade of two National Highways which has crippled Manipur, the Centre is planning to permanently deploy nearly 2,000 paramilitary personnel along NH 39 and NH 53 to ensure these key arteries remain open through the year.
“Two Central paramilitary battalions will be deployed as a National Highway Protection Force on these national highways,” said an official in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Manipur had sought “permanent security” on both NH 39 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH 53 (Imphal-Silchar). “We have asked the Centre to provide permanent security by deploying forces on both the national highways,” Manipur minister and spokesperson N Biren Singh told The Indian Express.
Union Home Secretary G K Pillai met Manipur Chief Secretary D S Poonia and Nagaland Additional Chief Secretaries A Jamir and Toshi Aier today to discuss matters relating to movement of vehicles through both highways.
“While the blockade has been lifted in Nagaland territory, it is still in place in Manipur. We have asked the Nagaland government to try and persuade the All Naga Students Association of Manipur to lift the blockade,” said an official of the MHA.
New Delhi : Learning from the 65-day old economic blockade of two National Highways which has crippled Manipur, the Centre is planning to permanently deploy nearly 2,000 paramilitary personnel along NH 39 and NH 53 to ensure these key arteries remain open through the year.
“Two Central paramilitary battalions will be deployed as a National Highway Protection Force on these national highways,” said an official in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Manipur had sought “permanent security” on both NH 39 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH 53 (Imphal-Silchar). “We have asked the Centre to provide permanent security by deploying forces on both the national highways,” Manipur minister and spokesperson N Biren Singh told The Indian Express.
Union Home Secretary G K Pillai met Manipur Chief Secretary D S Poonia and Nagaland Additional Chief Secretaries A Jamir and Toshi Aier today to discuss matters relating to movement of vehicles through both highways.
“While the blockade has been lifted in Nagaland territory, it is still in place in Manipur. We have asked the Nagaland government to try and persuade the All Naga Students Association of Manipur to lift the blockade,” said an official of the MHA.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Naxal reveals ‘links’ with NE groups
Raghvendra Rao
New Delhi : The interrogation of a senior Naxal leader caught recently by the security forces in Bihar has reportedly revealed a link between them and insurgent groups in the Northeast. Shambhu, a member of the Naxal ‘Central Military Commission’, is believed to have been active in Bihar and Jharkand.Delhi has long suspected such a link, and hopes to find out whether it extends from training to supply of arms and ammunition from Shambhu’s interrogation.
As per sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the 48-hour bandh called by Maoists in Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Orissa was primarily prompted by the arrest of Shambhu and Chandrashekhar Gorebale, a member of the CPI (Maoist) state committee who was recently caught in Andhra Pradesh.
Apart from this, say sources, the Maoists had also been rattled by other successes by security forces recently, including a raid by the CRPF in Gaya jungles in Bihar yielding a large amount of explosives and the destruction of a Maoist camp near the Jharkhand-Orissa border. Security forces have also arrested several Naxal leaders and activists recently.
As per sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the 48-hour bandh called by Maoists in Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Orissa was primarily prompted by the arrest of Shambhu and Chandrashekhar Gorebale, a member of the CPI (Maoist) state committee who was recently caught in Andhra Pradesh.
Apart from this, say sources, the Maoists had also been rattled by other successes by security forces recently, including a raid by the CRPF in Gaya jungles in Bihar yielding a large amount of explosives and the destruction of a Maoist camp near the Jharkhand-Orissa border. Security forces have also arrested several Naxal leaders and activists recently.
Delhi moving forces to end blockade of Manipur, Nagas say will relax curbs
Raghvendra Rao
New Delhi : Waking up to the 64-day-old blockade of two critical National Highways that has crippled the supply of essential commodities to Manipur, the Centre today decided to use paramilitary forces to end the blockade. A few hours later, Naga leaders, after meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, decided to temporarily “relax” the blockade.The Prime Minister told members of the Nagaland Students’ Federation (NSF) delegation that they were like his “own children”, that the country belonged to all and “brothers should not fight”.
After the meeting, the NSF announced it had decided to temporarily relax the blockade in response to the PM’s appeal for a peaceful resolution. The NSF also clarified that its move was not in reaction to “threats of use of force” but because of the fact that it respected the PM.
Over 2,200 security personnel of the CRPF — 22 companies — will be used to deal with blockade on NH 39 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH 53 (Imphal-Silchar), said officials in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
“We have decided to send Central forces to remove the blockade,” said Union Home Secretary G K Pillai.
Both highways have been blocked by different Naga groups since April 12 in protest against Imphal’s decision not to let NSCN leader Thuingaleng Muivah visit his ancestral home in Manipur.
The NSCN has been demanding a Greater Nagaland, seeking integration of Naga-inhabited areas of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh with Nagaland.
After the meeting, the NSF announced it had decided to temporarily relax the blockade in response to the PM’s appeal for a peaceful resolution. The NSF also clarified that its move was not in reaction to “threats of use of force” but because of the fact that it respected the PM.
Over 2,200 security personnel of the CRPF — 22 companies — will be used to deal with blockade on NH 39 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH 53 (Imphal-Silchar), said officials in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
“We have decided to send Central forces to remove the blockade,” said Union Home Secretary G K Pillai.
Both highways have been blocked by different Naga groups since April 12 in protest against Imphal’s decision not to let NSCN leader Thuingaleng Muivah visit his ancestral home in Manipur.
The NSCN has been demanding a Greater Nagaland, seeking integration of Naga-inhabited areas of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh with Nagaland.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
India to press Pak for voice samples of Saeed, Lakhvi
Raghvendra Rao
New Delhi : India will seek to press Pakistan to hand over the voice samples of Lashkar-e-Toiba founder Hafiz Saeed and commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi when Union Home Minister P Chidambaram meets Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rehman Malik in the bilateral engagements between the two neighbours during the SAARC Interior Ministers’ Conference later this month.
As per sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), India is expected to renew its demand for voice samples of the key LeT operatives so that it can match them with the voices of the handlers of the 10 terrorists who attacked Mumbai on November 26, 2008. “All we want is the voice samples of people like Hafiz Saeed and Lakhvi so that we can match them with voices of those who were supervising the terrorists on the phone during the 26/11 attack,” said a government functionary. “What could be Pakistan’s objection to that?”
India also plans to convey to Pakistan that intelligence and information-sharing between the two countries needs to be dealt with as a priority and handing over the voice samples of LeT operatives to India would go a long way in promoting security cooperation between both the countries. Further, New Delhi believes that if it can match the voices of the key LeT men and recordings made during 26/11, it would strengthen India’s case against the LeT.
With National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials, who are currently in the US to interrogate Pakistani-American terror suspect David Coleman Headley, expected to return well in time before Chidambaram flies down to Islamabad, the Indian security establishment is hoping to arm itself with fresh information about the LeT’s role in 26/11.
The Indian side will also raise the issue of increasing infiltration attempts that are being made from across the border. “Everyday, our security forces are encountering more and more attempts to infiltrate across the LoC. We hope to raise this matter strongly during our interactions,” an official said.
Choppers for anti-Naxal fight on CCS agenda today
Raghvendra Rao
New Delhi : With differences between the Home Ministry and the Defence Ministry over the Army deployment in anti-Naxal operations still unresolved, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which meets on Thursday, is likely to limit itself to focusing mainly on the procurement of more helicopters for use in these operations and setting up of a unified command like the ones in J&K and the Northeast.
As per sources, procurement of over two dozen choppers is likely to top the agenda of CCS meeting given the ever-growing realisation that Central Paramilitary Forces needed these to ferry troops to the areas of operation. Officials say having dedicated helicopters at their disposal will give the much-needed edge to security forces in terms of the time taken to reach a given location as well as by saving them from the trouble of travelling through heavily-mined forests. Less than half a dozen choppers are currently being used in the anti-Naxal operations.
Sources say a final call on whether the Army should be deployed in fight against the Naxals is not likely to be taken at least at this CCS meeting. With the Army having already pointed out that its troops cannot be deployed for active operation without implementing the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, sources say the government is likely to leave this discussion for a later day.
Past experience shows the government has not been able to withdraw the Army from a conflict zone even years after it was first sent in. “This fact has to be carefully considered if a final decision to use the Army against the Naxals has to be taken,” says a source. The government is also weighing the “collateral damage” that may occur as a result of roping in the Army to fight the Naxals.
T-3: The Terminal is here
Raghvendra Rao
New Delhi : In three weeks from now, India will unveil its biggest airport terminal, Terminal 3 or T-3, at the Delhi Airport. As July 3 nears, the day Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inaugurates the new terminal, the finishing touches to the Rs 12,700 crore mega-structure that will handle 34 million passengers annually, are on at a frantic pace. And with the Commonwealth Games just over 100 days away, the sense of anticipation of showcasing what is being dubbed as the country’s most-modern terminal to a world audience is unmistakable.
“International” is probably the word that best sums up what T-3 is all about. From the time one drives onto the Departure level, that has a huge 300 meter-long “meet and greet” area just before the entry gates, to the Departure Hall that houses a staggering 168 check-in counters mounted on six islands, to the 92 automatic walkalators (a.k.a travelators) and the 78 aerobridges, Terminal 3, which integrates the domestic and international terminals at the Delhi airport for the first time ever, throws up a sight that is commonly associated with some of the best airports across the globe.
T-3, in addition, will offer some facilities to passengers that have never been offered in India. Probably one of the most significant facilities T-3 will provide will be the one enabling a passengers to ask for a change of seat at the Boarding Gate. Installation of sophisticated communication equipment at the Boarding Gates will allow authorities to change seats of passengers, in case a possibility exists, just before they board the plane.
When construction was at its peak, close to 50,000 workers were working day and night on the T-3. Helping them out were 300-odd foreign nationals who have also worked for months on this project. In fact, the list of countries from where foreigners came to work on T-3 includes Germany, UK, Italy, Australia, Singapore, China, Malaysia, Sweden, Canada, US and Thailand.
Even today, groups of Chinese nationals actively engaged in fixing the last-minute glitches can be seen all over the terminal. “This is a very big terminal. And if not better, it is certainly as good as the Beijing airport,” says Hagel Hui, a Chinese national currently working on the aerobridges being installed by ThyssenKrupp. Hui, however, clarifies with a smile that it is his loyalty towards his country that is preventing him from not calling it better than what they have at Beijing airport.
With the Operational Readiness and Airport Transfers (ORTA) checks currently on, both the Departure and the Arrival halls of T-3 are flooded with luggage of all shapes and sizes. Thousands of bags and suitcases are being run through the baggage handling system that has a capacity to handle 12,800 bags per hour. There are two dedicated belts for oversized bags , says DIAL’s Rommel Valles.
To maintain an Indian character, the makers of T-3 have put in place wall-mounted giant-sized palms depicting various mudras in the Arrival area. A lot of artwork on the glass facades, too, is clearly reflective of the Indian ethos.
While the granite for flooring was sourced from Saudi Arabia, as much as 16,500 square meters of carpets was purchased from carpet major Brinton. Similarly, chairs installed in the waiting areas have come from Italy.
Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), the company that successfully delivered this mega piece of concrete and glass structure in a record 37 months, in fact, has already started thinking in terms of making Delhi airport a “hub” airport and not just remain the origin and destination airport it currently is.
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