Indian Homeland Security Watch

[RAM]

Terms Of Re-engagement


To turn a metaphor around, what can't be endured must be cured. Trust is the key curative ingredient in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's nuanced strategy of structured re-engagement with Pakistan. And yet the meetings between home minister P Chidambaram and external affairs minister S M Krishna with their Pakistani counterparts on June 26 and July 15 respectively mark a fundamental shift in the balance of diplomatic power between India and Pakistan.

Pakistan's decades-long attempt to acquire parity with India is over. Despite the Pakistani army's braggadocio, its deployment of over 1,00,000 troops in the recently renamed Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa region (formerly known as the North West Frontier Province) has significantly weakened both its fighting capabilities on the LoC and its morale. The economic disparity between the two countries is growing. India's GDP is now nearly 10 times Pakistan's. Power shortages are crippling industry and everyday life in Pakistan. The entire country generates a mere 11,800 MW of electricity per day on average (Maharashtra alone generates more) and faces a daily shortfall of nearly 4,000 MW.

While the inevitably long drawn out appeal process against the death sentence given to Mohammed Ajmal Kasab will continue to cause public disquiet in India, the arrest of failed New York bomber Faisal Shahzad has seriously weakened Pakistan's ability to run with the Taliban hares and hunt with the American hounds. Washington has woken up.

The prime minister's strategy of re-engaging Pakistan couldn't be better timed for three other reasons. One, the eighteenth constitutional amendment has given Pakistan's National Assembly greater parliamentary power than it has had since the time of Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in the early 1970s. General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani may still be the power behind the throne but on the throne sits a significantly empowered prime minister.

Two, ISI-created terror groups in north Waziristan led by Sirajuddin Haqqani are being relentlessly pursued by the US following the interrogation of Shahzad. Washington is forcing Islamabad to dismember Pakistan's "strategic terror assets" designed by Rawalpindi GHQ to remote control a Talibanised Afghanistan after the Americans leave. That strategy now lies in tatters.

Three, India's conventional military strength is being quietly burnished. The Indian navy has already commissioned an advanced stealth ship (INS Shivalik) and two more stealths (INS Satpura and INS Sahyadri) are expected to enter service next year. The navy has begun a two-year sea trial of INS Arihant, its first indigenously built ATV nuclear submarine, and will have a fleet of six by 2020. A nuclear-tipped supersonic cruise missile, BrahMos, is under classified development and will join the Agni-III whose range is 5,000 km. The navy's aircraft carrier (INS Vikramaditya) and nuclear submarines, supplemented by land-based and air-fired missiles, form a deadly triad of offensive military capability.

The prime minister is a pacifist but knows that to win the peace you must first possess the means to win a war. He now has those means and they immeasurably strengthen his negotiating position. But while talks with Pakistan are necessary, they must serve one clear purpose: a permanent end to state-sponsored terrorism by Pakistan. From this will emerge a modus vivendi on Kashmir and water, closer economic cooperation, stronger trade ties, easier travel and more people-to-people contact.

The Indian home minister's mandate at the SAARC home ministers' summit beginning in Islamabad on June 26 is to carry the prime minister's dual strategy forward. The first part of that strategy is to narrow the trust deficit with Pakistan's civilian government through purposeful re-engagement between the two countries' home and foreign ministers. The second part of the strategy is to assess whether the Pakistani army's adversarial mindset has changed significantly.

The influence of General Kayani, whose tenure ends on November 29 and may not be extended, is waning as Pakistani civil society, a reinvigorated judiciary and the democratically elected government reassert themselves. Washington no longer trusts him, especially after Shahzad's handlers were traced back to the ISI. New economic and geopolitical realities have shrunk the ambitions of even the hawks within the ISI who have long made a profitable living out of Pakistan's adversarial relationship with India.

Chidambaram's iron fist may be clothed in velvet as he meets Pakistan's leaders in Islamabad this weekend but he will leave them in no doubt about India's intent: peace is a prize to be won for the entire subcontinent. It is a prize necessary for India to pursue its expanding global agenda without being distracted by a renegade neighbour. And it is necessary for Pakistan so that it can extricate itself from decades of misguided military adventurism and state-sponsored terrorism that have cost so many innocent lives.

Talking to, and trusting, Pakistan is vital for long-term peace in the subcontinent. But peace, like any other prize worth winning, carries collateral obligations. It is, for instance, the constitutional obligation of a government to protect its citizens and, in the event of a terrorist attack against them, bring the perpetrators to book. The prime minister, as his government re-engages Pakistan across a raft of issues, must honour that principal obligation by ensuring that terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Dawood Ibrahim are brought swiftly to justice.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...erms-Of-Re-engagement/articleshow/6079660.cms

 

[ajtr]

Bhopal is also about security​

Ajey Lele

June 21, 2010
The Indian media is abuzz with news on Bhopal gas tragedy. The debate is mainly concentrated on fixing the blame for allowing the perpetrator of the crime to leave the country. However, this 'opportunity' provided by the lack of justice in Bhopal gas tragedy and the nationwide debate thereon should not be wasted in only scoring political brownie points. While it is important to know the truth behind the escape of the then Union Carbide chief, it is also important to widen the scope of debate to check whether in the 21st century the nature of threat has changed and if so who are the new actors?

Spilling of gas from a chemical factory can happen because of multiple reasons: from accidental release to sabotage. In this era of terrorism such threats need to be reviewed on a much broader canvas. Industrial disasters could be made to happen intentionally. Also, poisonous gases could be spread intentionally to damage crops or kill animals. For this terrorists could use certain type of chemical weapons to create mayhem. In the past they have done this in some parts of the world and there is a no guarantee that they may not do it again. Unfortunately, chemical terrorism is one aspect of terrorism which is rarely discussed in spite it being a part of the most dreaded terror threat called Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Terrorism, with the other two being nuclear and biological terrorism.

Commonly used chemical weapons like Mustard agents came of age as early as World War I, and nerve agents were discovered in the mid-1930s. Chemical weapons were also used during the 1980s by Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq war. Various types of chemical agents like hydrogen cyanide, mustard gas, sarin, VX, etc, are available or could be manufactured easily. For a state like North Korea the presence of chemical weapons is very important in order to boost its conventional military power. Presently, North Korea is believed to be the world's biggest possessor of chemical weapons. In its present standoff with South Korea it is believed that in case of necessity Pyongyang may even use these weapons by using various delivery platforms including Taepodong-2 long-range ballistic missiles.

There are some non-state actors who are believed to have developed interest in chemical weapons. The LTTE was supposed have acquired know how of these categories of weapons though they were never used by the group. US intelligence sources believe that an Egyptian called Midhat Mursi Al Sayyid Umar, a chemical engineer by profession is known to be currently leading the chemical, biological and radiological weapons programme for Al Qaeda. During 1995 a chemical substance called sarin was used by a religious cult called Aum Shinrikyo in a Tokyo subway which killed five people, severely injured many and caused temporary blindness of thousands. In 1997 in a Sydney shopping mall two chlorine bombs were exploded hurting some people. These could be isolated incidences, but they demonstrate the nature of the danger confronting us.

It is mostly felt that for terrorist groups chemical terrorism is a not viable option. This is because it could be difficult to hide their intentions. Probably no major chemical terrorism incidents have occurred till date because vast quantities of agents would be required to successfully mount a mass casualty attack. Perhaps that is why terrorists are still on the lookout for suitable options for delivering such poisonous gases effectively on the target of their choice. Analysts feel that one of the options which the terrorists may opt for in the future is to insert poison gas into a building through its ventilator system. In 2002, Russian authorities had used this technique to subdue Chechen terrorists who had besieged a theatre in Moscow. A gas called fentanyl was used to flush out the terrorists. Unfortunately, the gas also caused the death of hundreds of civilians.

India, a victim of terrorism and internal unrest, hence needs to factor in issues like Chemical Terrorism in its security discourse. The Indian administration and Indian armed forces are aware of these threats and have done some initial work towards addressing them. Last year Defence Minister A. K. Antony had stated while releasing the national guidelines compiled by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on the management of chemical terrorism disaster that the terrorists are using more aggressive means to spread terror and can resort to chemical weapons in future.

However, all current Indian efforts are more 'reactive' in nature - if any untoward incidence happens we know how to address it. Even for this we lack the basic infrastructure to undertake disaster management particularly in terms of medical facilities. The issue is, what have we learned from Bhopal? Do we know from where the threat from terrorism is likely to emanate and in what from? Have we profiled the terrorist groups operational in India and their international 'supports' in terms of their interest in such weapons? Is the possibility of sabotage in chemical industry factored into our risk assessment?

Presently, the Indian chemical industry is witnessing an explosive growth. It has major segments like petrochemicals, organic and inorganic chemicals, drugs, paints, agrochemicals, etc. India is involved in exports worth $US 7 to 8 billion a year. The problem with the Indian industry is that it is highly fragmented and hence difficult to regulate. It consists of both big as well as small players and has a large domestic market. At many places industries are situated in the heart of the city and are surrounded by residential colonies. Such places could become potential targets for sabotage or a terrorist group may even launch an attack on chemical stores in the factories by using explosive devices. Today, even the basic identification of industries which may pose danger has not been done. There is a lack of credible database in regard to the toxic gases and chemicals that are traded and used by the chemical industry. Also, every state within the country is wooing major chemical industrial houses to make investments in their states. In this mad rush for getting FDI, are we doing the security audit for them scrupulously?

Bhopal is beyond politics, it is about human security. More than 15,000 people have died and many are living dreadful lives reminding us of what a chemical disaster can do. In this era of terrorism such disasters could also be human made. The momentum created by the Bhopal verdict should not be wasted. It is essential to learn more about chemical terrorism in the Indian context.

 

[ajtr]

LeT a threat to Commonwealth Games: Stratfor​

The Commonwealth Games face a threat from Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Toiba and other militant outfits, which, according to a US think-tank, may be planning an attack during the event.

Vice-President of Tactical Intelligence, Stratfor, Scott Stewart replied in affirmative when asked whether the sporting event scheduled in October faces any terror threat.

"Yes. Two days after the February 13, 2010 blast in Pune, Ilyas Kashmiri (wanted al-Qaeda terrorist) threatened the Field Hockey World Cup, the Indian Premier League cricket competition and the Commonwealth Games," Stewart said in an interview said.

In support of his claims, the Stratfor analyst quoted a warning of "continue attacks all across India until the Indian army leaves Kashmir" posted by Kashmiri via the Asia Times Online on February 13 this year.

In his message, Kashmiri had also warned the world against sending participants to upcoming global sporting events - including the Field Hockey World Cup, the Indian Premier League international cricket competition and the Commonwealth Games - to be held in India this year.

"If you are a militant group planning an attack, the last thing you want to do is to provide a distinct warning and place the security forces on high alert.

"... There are, however, many different militant outfits (such as the LeT) that have an interest in hitting India and it is possible that one of them may be planning something," Stewart said.

He, however, added, "Again, we would not expect to hear a threat from a group that was planning an attack, especially the closer we edge to the event they want to attack. They would be very quiet.

"Publicised threat statements made by militants are not a reliable way to judge the true threat to an event," said the Stratfor analyst.

Over 70 countries are likely to participate in the mega sporting event scheduled from October 3-14 this year. Delhi Police and Central security agencies are striving hard to ensure fool-proof security for the event, which is being hosted by the country for the first time.

 

[ajtr]

I think this was one case modi govt. was dragged to court for fake encounters terming Ishrat as innocent girl by teesta or arundhati roy.

Ishrat Jahan was an LeT fidayeen: Headley​

NEW DELHI: Pakistani American terrorist David Headley has said that Ishrat Jahan, the Mumbai girl who was killed along with three alleged terrorists in 2004 in a police encounter, was indeed a Lashkar-e-Taiba fidayeen.

Sources said Headley told interrogators from the National Investigation Agency that Ishrat, a resident of Mumbra in Thane, was recruited by top Lashkar commander Muzammil who was in charge of LeT's operations in India till 2007.

The statement, while confirming that Headley is a trove of information on Lashkar's plans against India, corroborates the version of Gujarat police as well as the Centre in what has turned into a controversial case because of doubts about the veracity of the police version.

Importantly, Headley's statement tallies with claim of Gujarat cops and the Centre that Muzammil had sent Ishrat and her accomplices to Gujarat on a terror mission as part of Lashkar's plan to attack the Indian hinterland and target VIPs.

Headley's visits to India for reconaissance missions for Lashkar started in 2006, sources said, when Muzammil was Lashkar's chief commander in India.

Lashkar had owned up Ishrat immediately after the encounter, with its Lahore-based mouthpiece 'Ghazwa Times' describing her as an LeT activist and taking umbrage at the action of Indian cops in removing her veil. In 2007, however, Lashkar, in its fresh incarnation as Jamaat-ud-Dawa, disowned her, by issuing an apology to Ishrat's family for calling her an LeT cadre.

The timing of the apology was significant. It came just before Gopinath Pillai, father of Javed Sheikh alias Pranesh Pillai who was killed along with Ishrat, filed a petition in the Supreme Court, demanding a CBI probe into the encounter.

Headley's statement that Ishrat was recruited to be a fidayeen undercuts Lashkar's attempt to disown her, though it may not settle doubts about the genuineness of the encounter in which she was killed.

Ishrat and Javed were killed along with two Pakistani nationals -- Amjad Ali and Jishan Johar Abdul Ghani -- both alleged LeT terrorists, on June 15, 2004. According to the police version, they were intercepted on the outskirts of Ahmedabad when they were about to enter the city in a blue Indica on a mission to eliminate chief minister Narendra Modi.

In her petition to the Gujarat High Court, Ishrat's mother Shamima Kausar had disputed the version of the Gujarat police as well as the Centre, claiming that her daughter was a saleswoman working for Javed Sheikh who dealt in perfumes. Javed's father told the SC that his son was innocent and sought a central probe.

Both Gujarat police and Centre pointed to infirmities in their version. Centre told Gujarat HC that Javed had been recruited by LeT when he was in Dubai. Gopinath Pillai had not disclosed criminal cases pending against his son, or the fact that he had obtained a different passport using his original name even though the one issued to him was still valid.

The Centre also disputed the claim of Gopinath Pillai, supported by Ishrat's mother, that he was in the business of perfumes and that this required him and Ishrat to travel across the country.

The Gujarat HC had set Monday as the deadline for all parties concerned to submit their replies to the petitions from the parents of Ishrat and Javed, seeking a CBI probe into the alleged encounter.

The case has taken on significance after a CBI probe established that Sohrabuddin, an alleged gangster, was killed by Gujarat cops in a fake encounter. It has also established that Tulsidas Prajapati, a small-time criminal who helped Gujarat cops nab Sohrabuddin, was also eliminated by the police to wipe out evidence.

Headley's account underlines his importance as a repository of crucial information on Lashkar and its plans on India. His statement to the NIA team that LeT founder Hafiz Saeed was engaged with the 26/11 attackers all through the plot has reinforced India's demand that Pakistan take action against the Lashkar chief. Sources described the information given by the Pakistani American terrorist as "vital inputs".

 

[ajtr]

High drama on IGI as 27 detained for travelling on fake visa​

s
NEW DELHI: The IGI Airport witnessed high drama on Tuesday evening when 27 passengers from two different flights were detained for attempting to travel to Dubai on fake visas. Information on the passengers had come via anonymous phone calls to the call centres of Kingfisher Airlines and Jet Airways claiming that a certain number of Bangladeshi nationals would attempt to hijack the evening flights from Delhi to Dubai.

Sources revealed that the first call was received in the Pune call centre of Kingfisher Airlines sometime in the afternoon. The caller claimed that 12 Bangladeshi nationals would be travelling on IT 041 to Dubai and would attempt to hijack the flight. The caller identified the PNR number of each of the passengers who he claimed would be involved in the act.

Later in the day, a similar call was received in the Delhi call centre of Jet Airways. The caller made identical claims, saying that 16 Bangladeshi nationals and a couple of north Indians would attempt to hijack their flight to Dubai. He too identified them by their PNR numbers. While he did not give details about the flight, officials narrowed down on one flight, 9W 548 that leaves for Dubai at 7.50pm. [/size]
A total of 27 passengers, 12 travelling on Kingfisher and 15 on Jet Airways, were found to be travelling on fake visas,'' said Rohit Katiyar, spokesperson, CISF.

Those nabbed belonged to various states in the country. While no weapons were found on them, the callers had identified each of them correctly through their PNR numbers. Officials said that the callers probably only wanted to bust a fake visa operation and had made claims about the hijack only to heighten the scare and get the attention of the security agencies.

 

[RAM]

Report Card of Ministry of Home Affairs for June 2010

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=62933

 

[ajtr]

Raid on PFI activists' houses continues​

Police sources said they had taken many people into custody at various places for interrogation in connection with the attack on Thodupuzha Newman College teacher T J Joseph.

It has been learnt that the Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing the attack case, has taken three persons into custody for allegedly providing fake SIM cards to those who attacked Joseph.

Police have also strengthened security on the premises of the Aluva Judicial First Class Magistrate Court where the incriminating documents and CDs seized from the residences of the PFI activists have been kept.

Meanwhile, top police officials denied certain reports that the city police had asked the military intelligence to inquire into the failed attempts made by the PFI activists to attend various Defence functions in Kochi.

Navy authorities also said they were not aware of any development in this regard.

Police sources said they would take up their operations against the PFI in a much larger way to unearth any vital leads that might help the police to take the investigation in other terror related cases to new dimension.

Meanwhile, the Panangad police, headed by sub inspector Sibi Thomas conducted massive raid at the houses of the leaders of the PFI and SDPI. In the intensive raids conducted on Sunday, the police team recovered CDs containing provocative speeches and leaflets containing terror-spreading messages.

The police also conducted raids at the houses of local SDPI leader Kalankode Sulaiman, Nettoor Kunnothu Parambil Abdu, Periyad Sudhiyan, and Siddique. The police recovered lethal weapons from some of these houses.

"We are waiting for the outcome of the full contents of the CDs seized from these houses. In wake of the new developments happening in the state the police team is planning to intensify the ongoing raids to prevent the spreading of terror activities in and around Panangadu.

It is learnt that even teenagers are attracted by the terror groups.

 

[ajtr]

Bombs, weapons seized at Edakkad​

In extensive raids on Monday, the police seized lethal weapons, including country-made bombs and sharp-edged weapons, from the premises of buildings used by the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its political arm, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), at Edakkad and Thalassery.

Ten powerful country-made weapons, 12 swords, two axes, two knives, one cycle chain and a few iron pipes were unearthed by the police. They seized a pair of gloves, campaign posters and notebooks from the building. The raid which started at 9 a.m. following an anonymous tip-off continued till afternoon. Most of the weapons were recovered from a building near a mosque at Manappuram near the Muzhappilangad beach in the Edakkad police station limits.

A large posse of the police, including those from a bomb detection squad, led by Deputy Superintendents of Police T.C. Tom and K.V. Santhosh, Circle Inspector Ratnakumar and Edakkad Sub-Inspector Sunil Kumar, searched every nook and corner of the premises. Inspector-General of Police (kannur Range) Sudhesh Kumar visited the spot during the raid.

The raid was also a sequel to an investigation into the seizure of 300 detonators and 96 metres of fuse wire from a Kozhikode-Payyannur private bus at Edakkad on July 9, a day before the visit of Vice-President M. Hamid Ansari to Kannur. The seizure of weapons from Edakkad assumes significance in the backdrop of fact that the arrest of a few persons from Edakkad had unravelled the case of recruitment of youths from different parts of the State to terrorist outfits based in Jammu and Kashmir.

Nine of the 10 country-made bombs were unearthed from a room in the building allegedly used by local PFI/SDPI activists. The bombs were found in plastic buckets buried under the floor. The swords and knives were found from an almirah in a nearby building. The police said that the premises were suspected to be storerooms of the outfits.

The IG told reporters that the culprits would be nabbed soon. The police would extend its investigation in the wake of the seizure. The police tried to drain a nearby tank following suspicion that more weapons could have been hidden there. The operation was stopped after a part of the side bricks of the tank caved in.

The police also raided another premises used by the PFI/SDPI near the old bus stand at Thalassery in the afternoon. The raid was conducted on Karuna, a charity institution run by the outfits. The police recovered a few iron pipes from a well nearby.

 

[ajtr]

Steps intensified to tackle terrorism: Kodiyeri​

Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said on Monday that investigation into the incident of sawing off the brake pipes of a train at Nilambur station would be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

He was replying to a special discussion in the Assembly under Rule 50 of the Rules of Procedures of the House. Mr. Balakrishnan said the government was of the view that further investigation was necessary and since the incident had taken place in the domain of the Railways, the NIA would be better equipped to handle the probe.

Regarding the seizure of explosives in Kannur on the eve of the Vice-President's visit, Mr. Balakrishnan promised to seek the Union government's assistance to prevent misuse of the Explosive Act. There were several loopholes in the Act. Though the authorities could gauge the stock-pile with licensees, it was finding it difficult to tackle inter-State transport, he said.

On the alleged circulation of fake money by terror outfits, Mr. Balakrishnan said there were various Central agencies to check their inflow. The State government did not have the powers to find out the source of foreign funding. The Kerala police were in the process of implementing a Kochi City Plan to address terror concerns from the sea. This was being done by coordinating the private and public sector, over and above the surveillance of the Coast Guard, Navy and the Police. He said the Union government had decided to constitute Coastal Vigilance Committees (Jagratha Samithis) in other coastal States modelled after the ones set up in 73 coastal police stations in Kerala. The Centre had also decided to issue identity cards to fishermen who put out to sea.

In forest areas, the State government had already decided to set up forest vigilance committees with the involvement of the departments of Forest and Police and the local tribal population.

The Home Minister cautioned the people about the emergence of banned organisations such as the Students Islamic Movement of India and their activists under new banners and outfits. He said there were several instances of political terrorists and religious terrorists coming together in the name of protecting human rights. This was a new trend and all political parties should resolve not to extend support to these elements.

He said recruitment to the India Reserve Battalion had been completed and two companies would be set up. The government also proposed to revive the Special Investigation Team to handle terror-related cases. The earlier SIT had become defunct when the NIA took over some of the terror cases it was probing.

The Home Minister rose to the occasion by wholeheartedly accepting the Opposition's cooperation in efforts to tackle terror activities. But the Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan made it clear that he had a different perception about the Opposition offer, in the light of its veiled criticism of his government. "We are willing to accept your cooperation, only if it is sincere," he told the Opposition members. He took exception to the Opposition members not referring to the RSS and the BJP while mentioning the names of communal outfits, besides forgetting some of the lapses of the Centre in relation to the investigation of terrorism cases.

 

[ajtr]

Collectorate blast: police facing extradition problems​

Though the Special Investigation Team probing into the blast at the District Collectorate on July 10 last year have almost zeroed in on the main suspect, the case is nowhere near closing.

The investigators have traced the suspect, believed to be having a direct link with Lashker-e-Taiba, to Oman.

But he could not be extradited as India does not have an extradition treaty with Oman.

A senior police official involved in the investigation said that the chances of bringing him over weigh mostly on the National Investigation Agency, by including him as a suspect in cases of terrorism already being probed.

This could be done as main suspects are linked to all activities.

PLANNED ATTACK

A low intensity, high-decibel explosion was made on the fifth floor of the District Collectorate at Kakkanad on July, 2009, afternoon, inflicting a minor injury on an employee.

The attack was planned and executed with minimum persons, only two or three.

This makes it vital to get to the main suspect, as only he could lead to other suspects involved in the crime.

The intensity of the explosion was kept deliberately low as it was more of a sort of challenge to the law-keepers, announcing the presence of the group, police sources said.

The security at District Collectorate was stepped up, though not to fool-proof level, after the incident.

 

[ajtr]

Kerala: Is Church boycotting Muslim shops in Muvattupuzha?​

Kerala's influential Catholic church has planned a silent boycott of Muslim-run shops in Muvattupuzha, Kothamangalam and Thodupuzha areas following the chopping of Professor T D Joseph's palm by alleged Popular Front activists.

Sources in Muvattupuzha rediff.com say there is a silent movement spearheaded by the local parish with the support and connivance of the higher-ups in the community to boycott certain shops belonging to Muslims.

Sources in Thodupuzha said even without the Church's backing, the Roman Catholics of the area have stopped calling cabbies driven by Muslims and are even boycotting shops belonging to the Muslim community.

A senior police officer in Muvattupuzha said that unless immediate action is taken, communal polarisation could happen, which would have wider ramifications across the state.

More than the attack, what hurt the community was the way the Popular Front has praised the barbaric action. While a section of the community wants a tit-for-tit reply, the majority seeks to boycott the Muslim community.

A person, who attended the Sunday mass at the Nirmala Church in Muvattupuzha , the place were Prof Joseph was attacked, told rediff.com that the situation was grim and the priest had given a Sunday message, which included "everything but not attacking anyone openly".

 

[ajtr]

SIMI activists arrested​

Manas Dasgupta
AHMEDABAD: Two activists of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), which was allegedly involved in several bomb blasts and other terror attacks in Gujarat and other parts of the country, were arrested by the Crime Branch in Ahmedabad on Monday.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch), Himanshu Shukla, said the police acted on a tip-off and arrested the two SIMI activists from the Prem Darwaja locality adjacent to the minority-dominated Dariapur area.

He said the police have recovered an air gun, a pistol, and 20 live cartridges.

The two activists were identified as 43-year-old Hasib Raza alias Shamim Saiyed, who hails from Patna, and 34-year-old Abu Fakir Siddiqui, from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh. They had been living in the city with their families for some time now.

 

[ajtr]

Terror: House fails to take united stand​

Debate on terrorist activities
: Even as everyone seemed to agree to the need for a concerted response to what is being widely perceived as the rising tide of terrorism in the State, the debate on the subject in the Assembly on Monday clearly showed that there was no meeting point on the magnitude of the problem, its causes and actors or ways to address it.

From Congress member Aryadan Mohammed, whose adjournment motion was accepted by the government during zero hour thereby facilitating the discussion, to Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy who brought the debate to a close, everybody in the Opposition was unanimous in their view that the State has a major problem on hand and it called for a collective response.

Although the Opposition offered full-hearted support for any step that the government proposed to take in the matter, they were sceptical about the success that the government had achieved so far in tackling the problem and, worse, its sincerity in doing so. The Opposition leaders were of the view that the State's intelligence machinery had failed in fathoming the depths of the problem and its links within and outside the State.

The House also saw Mr. Chandy declaring that the Congress and the Opposition UDF would have nothing to do with outfits indulging in terrorist activities and that their word on this would hold good even at the time of the elections.

Mr. Chandy said he was pained that the House could not present a united stand on the issue of terrorism and offered all support to any step that the government proposed to take to tackle terrorism of the religious and political kinds.

The treasury benches, on the other hand, felt that the Opposition bid was to place the entire blame for the problem of terrorism on the Muslim community and to exclude the extremist elements in the Hindu community from any blame. From P. Jayarajan (CPI-M), who initiated the arguments of the ruling LDF, to his party colleague A.C. Moideen, who spoke last from the treasury benches, they were of the view that the Congress and its allies were trying to either blow the issue out of proportion or gloss over its crucial dimensions such as the role of Hindu fanatics in fomenting terrorist violence in different parts of the country.

Initiating the discussion, Mr. Mohammed asked the government to take serious cognisance of reports that Kerala was becoming the recruitment centre of terrorist outfits. The police, he felt, had failed in gathering information about terrorist activities in the State and wanted the government to do an introspection on what had gone wrong.

Mr. Jayarajan said Mr. Mohammed's attempt was to place the entire blame for terrorism on the shoulders of Muslims. Kerala, he said, was still not a haven for terrorists and added that such talk was an insult to the people of Kerala. G. Karthikeyan (Congress) said what was on view in the State was total failure of the State intelligence to understand the full dimension of the terrorist threat. C. T. Ahamedali (IUML) said there must be a permanent mechanism to tackle terrorist elements and offered the support of his party for all such efforts.

 

[ajtr]

One "K"(Kashmir) is replaced by other "K"(Kerala).....Its gonna be second kashmir like battleground soon.

 

[ajtr]

Explosives, weapons seized near Kerala mosque​

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In continuing crackdown on Muslim fanatic groups following the recent barbaric attack by alleged Popular Front of India activists on a Kerala lecturer, police on Monday recovered a sizeable quantity of explosives and other crude weapons from a vacant building in the premises of Manappuram mosque at Edakkad in Kannur district.

"Ten country-made bombs, swords, knives, cycle chains and rods were found in the building,'' Edappad SI KP Sunil Kumar told TOI. PFI flags and objectionable materials were recovered, he added.

Bomb disposal experts said the explosives were of high-intensity and could cause largescale damage. Only last week, police had seized 300 detonators and fuse wires from a private bus in Edakkad.

Raids on some PFI activists last week revealed that the outfit tried to infiltrate its men into an exhibition organised by Navy in Kochi. It was also found that PFI took undue interest in a mock anti-terror drill jointly conducted by Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Kerala Police in October 2009. Maps of at least three temples and CDs of Al-Qaida and Taliban training were also seized.

Kerala assembly on Monday discussed the recent spurt in terror activities. Participating in the debate, home minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the state would ask NIA to take up the probe into the recent sabotage attempt on a train in Nilambur. The trains brake pipes were found broken on July 8, just before it was to leave Nilambur for Shornur.

Congress leader Aryadam Mohammed said Taliban-style courts were operating in the state and that one such court had ordered chopping off of lecturer TJ Joseph's right hand. Chief minister VS Achutanandan called a high-level meeting which is expected to discuss the formation of a new anti-terror squad in the state.

 

[ajtr]

Naval officials collect details of PFI meeting​

Staff Reporter
KOCHI: Commodore M.R. Ajayakumar, Naval Officer in-charge, Kerala, and Commanding Officer, INS Venduruthy, along with Commander V.B. Naik of the Naval Police, met senior Kerala Police officials and collected information about a recent meeting of the Popular Front of India (PFI) held in Aluva. The visit came in the light of information that the minutes book of the PFI meeting had mentions about the Navy fest here and about public access to the Naval base during that period. The Naval officers came over to collect the information, after they were alerted to the book's contents.

The naval officials met City Police Commissioner Manoj Abraham and then proceeded to Aluva. The Aluva police had found the book during a search for suspects involved in the assault on T.J. Joseph, Professor at Newman College, Thodupuzha.

The inquiry made by the Navy will provide a national angle to the ongoing investigation against suspected seditious activities of the PFI, a senior police official said.

The police said the PFI meeting was learnt to have discussed issues such as the starting of a Police Commissionerate here, which would provide magisterial powers to the City Police Commissioner. The participants at the meeting seemed to have discussed the impact of a decision to give the right to issue gun licence to the City Police Commissioner under the new system, thereby blocking the possibility of seeking licence from different offices as it is now.

 

[ajtr]

Punjab wants 'Sikh radicals' off blacklist​

In a significant but secret move, the Punjab government has recommended deletion of the names of 46 people from the Centre's 'black list', including top Khalistan protagonists and former militants, who have been found to uninvolved in any criminal case. Of these, 39 are Punjab-origin foreign


nationals who were denied the Indian visa because of their pro-Khalistan activities since the '80s, while seven are ex-militants residing in Punjab.
Notables among them are US nationals Gurmit Singh Aulukh and Ganga Singh Dhillon, long-time campaigners for a separate Sikh state; Canada-residents Ajaib Singh Bagri, a Babbar Khalsa International (Parmar) activist who was tried for the Kanishka bombing and Avtar Singh alias Tari of Khalistan Liberation Force; and Shingara Singh and Resham Singh, both top Babbar Khalsa leaders residing in France and Germany respectively.

The de-listing recommendation is in response to blacklisting of 169 names that the Ministry of Home Affairs had forwarded to Punjab on May 17. HT is in possession of the 'secret' official communication.

The Shiromani Akali Dal's demand for scrapping the black list is seen as an attempt to pander to the Sikh radicals in

the wake of upcoming high-stake Shiromani Gurdawara Parbandhak Committee elections.

The MHA had sent to Punjab the consolidated and updated blacklist ( as on 14/05/2010)" of 185 names for a review and recommendation. However, the review revealed there are actually 169 blacklisted names.

Punjab has also asked the Ministry to provide it the complete addresses of another 84 persons on the blacklist.

For the remaining 11, belonging to other states, Punjab has recommended comments be sought from the authorities concerned.

 

[ajtr]

Cong leader accused of funding Assam militants​

+

New Delhi: A senior Assam Congress leader and an IAS officer have reportedly colluded with militants in the massive Rs 1000 crore scam in North Cachar Hills. Money was siphoned off from Central funds allotted to North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council with the National Investigative Agency saying the scam could be funding terror.
Central Bureau of Investigation has unearthed huge amount of money while zeroing in on the North Cachar Hills scam. But CNN-IBN has clinching evidence that at least one Congress leader from Assam and an IAS officer were involved in the alleged siphoning of money from the Rs 1,000 crore Central development funds over the past five years.
The North Cachar Hills Council members were channelling the money to terror groups such as the Dima Halan Daogah and its leader Jewel Garlosa.The Congressman suspected to be involved in the scam is the all powerful chief executive member of North Cachar Hills - Depolal Hojai. Hojai defected to the Congress in December 2008 ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
A letter written by Hojai clearly shows how the Congress leader ordered the release of at least Rs 8 crore to contractors for road construction, ignoring all tendering norms. His party chief and Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi defends him, saying there is no evidence to link his party or him to the scam.
"The allegation is there. Let them prove it. NIA has never said it. If charges are proved, I will not only quit chief ministership, I will quit politics," says Gogoi.
Surprisingly Hojai's name does not figure in the FIRs given to the CBI by the Assam government. The NIA says it has evidence of Hojai's disproportionate assets. The FIRs also fail to mention senior IAS officer Anil Kumar Baruah, then deputy commissioner of North Cachar Hills.
Another letter orders the release of Rs 18.5 crore to the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council without giving a reason. The Union Home Ministry has got the Comptroller and Auditor General to audit the North Cachar Hills accounts.
"I have written to the CAG. He's asked AG Assam to audit NC Hill accounts. Hundreds of crores have been appropriated. I Hope the NIA, CBI get to the bottom of this scam," says Union Home Secretary GK Pillai.
Even as Gogoi says his government and party are clean, the question being asked is why then has only some of the FIRs in the scam are been handed over to the CBI. Is it as the NIA suggests that the case could have wider political ramifications?

 

[Pintu]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...-gunbattle-in-Manipur/articleshow/6200261.cms

Ten Kuki militants killed in gunbattle in Manipur
PTI, Jul 22, 2010, 01.14pm IST

IMPHAL: Ten militants were killed and four injured in a fierce gunbattle between two Kuki groups at a remote area in Manipur, police said on Thursday.

The gunfight between the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) and Kuki National Front-Presidium (KNF-P) took place in interior Seijang hill area on the border between Imphal East and Senapati districts on Wednesday and lasted for five hours, they said.

The gunbattle could be the result of a fight for territorial control of areas inhabited by the Kuki tribes, police said.

The injured were brought to a private hospital here and the condition of some was stated to be critical.

Security personnel have rushed to Seijang hill area. Official sources said both KNF-P and KLA were signatories of the suspension of operation (SOO) agreement with the state government and security agencies for initiating the peace process.

Under the agreement, which was signed about a year ago, police and security personnel have suspended operations against the militant outfits.

Under the agreement, the militants were not allowed to carry arms.

Manipur chief minister O Ibobi Singh had on Wednesday warned another signatory of the SOO agreement, the Kuki National Army (KNA), for allegedly violating ground rules and threatened to take action against them.

While the KNA wants a 'Kukiland' to be formed by integrating Kuki-settled areas of Manipur and Myanmar, KNF-P and KLA wants a 'Kukiland' by carving out Kuki-inhabited areas of Manipur.

 

[ajtr]

Pak boat with 8 persons on board apprehended off Gujarat coast​

Ahmedabad: A Pakistani boat with eight persons on board was today apprehended after it entered Indian waters off the Gujarat coast.Eight Pakistani nationals were apprehended with their fishing boat about 35 nautical miles from Mithapur coast in Jamnagar district, Coast Guard officials said.

The arrested persons along with their boat are being brought to Okha port where they will be handed over to the police for further interrogation, they added.

"The Pakistani boat seems to have drifted into India waters due to rough sea. It has been apprehended by us and is being brought to Okha coast," the officials said.

Primarily, it appears to be a fishing boat as some fish was also found on the vessel, they added.

It could have drifted into the Indian territory due to rough weather in the Arabia sea, officials said.