The Hindu – Punjab police arrest top militant

Special Correspondent

Chandigarh, 28 February 2013. The Punjab police on Wednesday claimed a major success with the arrest of top militant Narain Singh Chaura by teams from the Tarn Taran and Amritsar district .

According to an official release from the office of the Additional Director-General of Police (Intelligence) here, Chaura was arrested from Jalalabad village in Tarn Taran and his associates Sukhwant Singh and Sukhdev Singh were nabbed from Pandori village under the Majitha police district of Amritsar. All three were arrested late on Tuesday.

The release claimed that following disclosures during initial interrogation of the three, the police raided a hideout in Kurali village of SAS Nagar district near Chandigarh and recovered arms and ammunition. The police have registered a case under various Sections of the law, including the Arms act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Chaura, who used various pseudonyms — Shamsher Singh alias Shera, Chamkaur Singh and Kapoor Singh Jamraudh — was wanted in around two dozen cases related to terrorist activity. He was associated with organisations such as the Akal Federation and the Khalistan Liberation Army. The police had placed a prize of Rs. 10 lakh for his arrest.

The release detailed that in 1984 Chaura crossed over to Pakistan and was instrumental in smuggling of large consignments of weapons and explosives into Punjab during the initial stages of militancy. While in Pakistan, he authored a book on guerrilla warfare and other “seditious” literature.

Chaura returned to India in 1986, went underground and again crossed over to Pakistan. In 1989, he came back to operate in India under assumed names. He was arrested for his alleged involvement in the sensational Burail jailbreak case here.

Though he was released on bail in the case in 2005, the police have alleged that in December, 2009 and January, 2010, he procured huge quantities of arms and explosives from Pakistan and distributed the same to terrorist modules in Punjab.

The police have commended the efforts of Sukhdev Singh, who is posted as Deputy Superintendent of Police (CID) in Tarn Taran, and Inspector Sanjeev Kumar, posted as SHO at the Civil Lines police station in Amritsar, for tracking and arresting the militants.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/punjab-police-arrest-top-militant/article4460061.ece

The Asian Age – Pune bomb blast; High alert did not deter attack

Dippy Vankani

Mumbai, 3 August 2012. In what clearly points towards the lax attitude towards security, the Pune blasts happened even as the city was on high alert. The alert was sounded following specific intelligence inputs in as early as May that Lashkar-e-Tayyaba would target busy places, including hotels and lodges.

State home minister R.R. Patil had admitted in the legislative council — a mere 15 days before the blast — that the security in Pune had been heightened in the wake of the intelligence report.

Replying to a question raised by Shiv Sena MLC Neelam Gorhe on July 16, the home minister said, “There was an intelligence input received on May 3 about the possibility of a terror attack at an important location’ in Pune and other places in Maharashtra by LeT.”

Mr Patil had further said, “An alert, stating that the terrorists can take advantage of the Gujarat coastline, was also received. Security measures have been taken to avert a terror attack in Pune and security-related information has been already given to the officials, along with those related to hotels, lodges and other crowded places in Pune.”

Ironically, Mr Patil’s claims of his men having briefed the hotels and lodges fell flat after the bombs exploded outside a McDonalds and Bal Gandharva Auditorium, among two other locations on the busy Jungalee Maharaja Road.

Furthermore, even the CCTV camera installed by Pune Municipal Corporation outside Dena Bank — right below which a bomb was planted — was found to be not functioning.

The camera footage would have been vital for the investigators to identify the bomb planter.

http://www.asianage.com/india/high-alert-did-not-deter-attack-419

Dawn – Sea change in atmospherics with India: Pakistan envoy

New Delhi, 16 July 2012. Pakistan’s new envoy in India Salman Bashir sees a sea change in the atmospherics with India and he told an Indian news channel on Sunday that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s likely visit to Islamabad would not only cement the ties but take them substantially forward.

“I think the atmospherics have witnessed a sea change,” Mr Bashir told TV anchor Karan Thapar a day after presenting his credentials to Indian President Pratibha Patil.

“Let me say that it was in Thimpu when both our prime ministers met and had a plus one-hour conversation and then later they called us and briefed us. And it was Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who said that we should invest in building trusts by having frequent visits, exchanges at all levels. I think that is happening and that is huge in terms of where we were.”

Mr Bashir reiterated Pakistan’s offer to help India with a joint probe into the Abu Jindal affair but described as incredible the Indian suggestion that the alleged Mumbai terror mastermind was helped in any way by Pakistani officials in plotting the outrage.

“As I said if our own army headquarters are attacked, if ISI offices are attacked then I think it is really unbelievable, incredible to allege that Pakistani state, institutes have been involved in this. We ought to look at the situation very objectively in our respect of national interests,” Mr Bashir said.

Pakistan was very serious about speeding up the stalled trial of the existing suspects in the Mumbai attack “and anything that has got to do with terror”. On the last count a court had intervened to set free a detained suspect. “And as you know Pakistan has a very independent judiciary, number one. Number two, I think, I ought to mention, you know, if we get to cooperate like this particular issue at least 25 plus documents have been exchanged by both sides, 12 dossiers from India, 13 from Pakistan. That’s the real stuff that is how we should proceed.

Now judiciary has its own parameters and the fact is that the prosecution that is the government has done its best and will continue to persist to ensure that justice finally prevails.”

He said while the courts could be tardy investigating agencies were not always sprinting.“The point is that some of these things like the Samjhauta thing that took place in 2007 is yet under investigation. And I think we ought to look at the spirit, we ought to be fixated on the objects that we need to achieve and not get into forensics of a particular situation.”

Mr Bashir played down the importance of any specific model for the India-Pakistan dialogue to pursue.

“You mentioned India-China model, there is also the Pakistan-China model, there is also the China-Japan model, you know we have models in the present day and age. I think the world has changed, changing fast, the region is changing fast. There are lot of opportunities between Pakistan and India.”

Responding to a question that many Indians looked at the recent joint statement issued by the foreign secretaries and saw Kashmir was point number six under terror. Did it indicate that both countries are learning to handle Kashmir with less acrimony and more accommodation? “I agree with you, I think yes,” Mr Bashir replied.

On the Indian prime minister’s possible visit, widely seen as likely this year, he said: “I certainly agree that a visit by the Prime Minister of India would go a long way in not only cementing, but also taking the relationship forward.”

http://dawn.com/2012/07/16/sea-change-in-atmospherics-with-india-pak-envoy/

The Tribune – Badal counters Chidambaram, says militancy revival unlikely

Archit Watts, Tribune News Service

Raniwala (Muktsar), July 14. A day after attending the 26th meeting of the Northern Zonal Council of Chief Ministers held at Chandigarh, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today countered the statement of Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram that threat of terrorism prevails in Punjab. “When not a single incident related to militancy took place in the state in the past couple of years, how does he foresee the unlikely situation?” he said.

Claiming that there was no chance of revival of militancy in the state, Badal said: “We are already taking preventive steps to maintain law and order in the state and recruited a huge number of policemen for the purpose.”

“Still, if Chidambaram sees the threat then why doesn’t the UPA government come forward to help us out?” Badal said while replying to a query in this regard after holding a sangat darshan programme in his Lambi assembly constituency. When asked about the Operation Bluestar Memorial, Badal said: “The opposition to the memorial by the Congress is part of its ‘divide and rule’ strategy, which they have been sticking to for the last several decades to attain power in the state”.

“The memorial will be built keeping in view religious sentiments of all communities. It is being constructed at a religious place and its purpose is also purely religious”.

Badal also termed the meeting of state Congress leaders with Chidambaram on the issue of vendetta a political gimmick. He said: “I have already replied them about such cases. The Congress leaders had brought 39 cases to my notice, which had nothing to do with vendetta”.

Asked about Haryana Chief Minister’s reaction on inter-state issues, he said: “Everyone knows that Punjab had been discriminated against. We are trying our best to get our share of everything from Haryana”.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120715/punjab.htm#3

The Hindu – Khap panchayat diktat undemocratic: Chidambaram

Special Correspondent

Chandigarh, July 13, 2012. Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Friday condemned a khap panchayat in Baghpat (Uttar Pradesh) for issuing a “diktat’’ against women and hoped that the State government would take action against such elements which tried to impose “undemocratic firmans like dress codes and so on.”

Talking to mediapersons here, he asserted that there was no place for such “illegal orders” in a democratic society.

Watch on Punjab

Replying to another question on terrorism, he said the Centre was maintaining a tight vigil to ensure that no untoward incident occurred. Even though no terrorist acts had taken place recently, especially in Punjab, reports of “groups or individuals trying to revive terrorism and recovery of RDX from Ambala” were a matter of concern.

A watch was also being kept in Punjab in the context of the “move to set up a memorial in the Golden Temple for those killed during Operation Blue Star.”

Reiterating that the government was fully vigilant at the national level regarding the terrorist threat, he exuded confidence that it would be “contained.” If anyone tried to foment any trouble, strong action would be taken.

Stating that 2012 had been the most peaceful year in the north-east, he asserted that peace and normality were returning to Jammu and Kashmir as the number of violent incidents this year had gone down to single digit. Nine lakh tourists and 3.75 lakh Amarnath pilgrims had already visited the State.

On the Maoist issue, he said there had been a palpable improvement in States such as West Bengal, while efforts were on to tackle the problem in other States, including Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3635371.ece?homepage=true

The Tribune – Pakistan Foreign Secy arrives, talks to separatists first; Krishna says Pakistan should do more on terrorism front

Ashok Tuteja, Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 3. Islamabad once again upset India on the eve of an important bilateral engagement as Pakistan Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani held parleys with Kashmiri separatist leaders before Foreign Secretary-level talks between the two countries tomorrow.

In a clear message to Islamabad, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna told reporters on his way back from Tajikistan that it was “a matter of regret that (26/11 mastermind Hafiz) Saeed was moving freely in Pakistan. “Pakistan has to do more on terrorism…But the issue of progress on terrorism has not held the dialogue process to ransom,” he said.

Jilani, who arrived here today, will lead the Pakistani delegation while the Indian side will be headed by Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai at the two-day talks. The two top diplomats will discuss peace and security, including confidence building measures (CBMs), Kashmir and promotion of friendly exchanges.

Talking to the media on his arrival here, Jilani sought to create a positive environment, emphasising that he had brought a message of goodwill, peace and prosperity from the people and the government of Pakistan.

”I am looking forward to a very constructive dialogue with my counterpart. I have been mandated by the leadership to move this peace process forward,” he said while being received by YK Singh, Joint Secretary (Pakistan) in the External Affairs Ministry and senior officials of the Pakistan High Commission.

He said Pakistan would want India to share with Islamabad details of the investigation of Abu Jundal, a key plotter of the Mumbai attack. ”Pakistan would support India in its fight against terrorism… criminals are criminals in Pakistan and in India.

We condemn any terrorist act,” he said.

New Delhi, however, does not seem prepared to share all investigation details, though it might hand over a dossier providing passport details and other factual information about Jundal to the Pakistani side.

Despite all the positive noises he made upon his arrival, Jilani sought to put the Kashmir issue on the front-burner in no uncertain manner by holding back-to-back meetings with Kashmiri separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik at the Pakistani High Commission.

”Pakistan should press India hard to resolve the Kashmir issue,” Geelani told reporters after the meeting.

Though it was nothing new since Pakistani leaders and officials have always consulted separatists ahead of talks with India at any level, New Delhi reacted sharply, saying such actions by Islamabad had the potential to vitiate the atmosphere.

”Holding such meetings with separatists even before talks between the two countries would serve no purpose,” sources said.

Jilani was declared persona non grata by India in 2003 when he was Deputy High Commissioner in New Delhi for allegedly funding Kashmiri separatists.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120704/main3.htm

The Tribune – From separatist hub to heritage site, Srinagar turns a leaf

Majid Jahangir, Tribune News Service. Srinagar, May 6. As you walk down the narrow, crowded lanes of Safakadal, Nowhatta, Khanyar or Rainwari of old Srinagar, picture this: old houses, crowded lanes – nothing much to write home about. Rewind to 2008: angry stone-throwers emerging from nowhere, triggering a cruel cycle of violence.

Fast-forward to a few years from now: old Srinagar landscape etched with a patina of its historical uniqueness.

A period of calm in Kashmir has had its positive spin-offs. The state government is all set to develop old houses and historical religious structures as major heritage sites.

“Those who visit Kashmir don’t want to see a concrete jungle. The old city is our heritage centre and we are working on a multi-pronged strategy to develop it as a heritage destination,” said Tourism Director Farooq Ahmad Shah. “The aim is to promote the uniqueness of the old city.”

The work has already begun and many heritage sites, which include monuments and religious places, are being renovated to attract high-end tourists. “Apart from renovating heritage sites, we are also creating basic amenities for the tourists,” Shah said.

The state government has woken up late, though. “Some European experts on a visit to the old city took keen interest in seeing the old buildings, mosques, narrow lanes and heritage sites. They advised us that the old city could be projected as a heritage destination,” said a tourism official.

The former DG of Tourism and present head of The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Saleem Beg, said a lot needs to be done. “We have to work on a number of things to attract tourists. We should not limit ourselves to only monuments’ upkeep. The stress should be on landscape, cleanliness and providing good transport,” he said.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120507/main7.htm

Dawn – Restoring 1973’s Constitution biggest achievement: Gilani

Islamabad, 11 March 2012. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday said that the passage of amendments to restore 1973 Constitution in its original form without having simple majority was the biggest achievement of his government.

Speaking to media representatives here at Prime Minister House, the prime minister said that restoration of 1973 Constitution was a challenging task when he took over as the chief executive four years ago.

The government accomplished the task with the support of other political parties by passing three constitutional amendments, he added.

He said it was the credit of this democratic government which had completed four years of its term and implemented 80 per cent of its manifesto to provide relief to the people.

He expressed the hope that the government would achieve consensus in the Parliament on the issue of Accountability Law like it had done with regard to the passage of the amendments.

The government had also succeeded in 80 per cent implementation of the Charter of Democracy (CoD) signed between Benazir Bhutto and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, he said.

Referring to other achievements, he said the government had taken decisions on foreign policy in the national interests, including access to the European Union market, election to the Security Council of the United Nations and improved relations with neighbours.

The prime minister said there was no political victimisation during his tenure, no arm twisting and no horse-trading to win political affiliations.

Talking about the challenges being faced by his government during the four years, the premier said energy crisis, extremism and terrorism remained the biggest challenges, which were inherited by it.

He said the government had been taking practical steps to face these challenges and provide relief to the people. He said the government would provide relief to the masses in the next budget in accordance with the available resources.

http://www.dawn.com/2012/03/10/restoring-1973s-constitution-biggest-achievement-gilani.html

The Tribune – Car found at Ambala with RDX was stolen from Ludhiana

Mohit Khanna, Tribune News service

Ludhiana October 18. The RDX-laden car, which was found abandoned from Ambala Railway Station on October 12, has a Ludhiana connection.

Inputs provided by the intelligence agencies have sent the local police in a tizzy, who are reluctant to share any information and termed the issue related to national security.

While the police remained tightlipped on the issue, Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal reassured faith in the working of the Police Department and claimed that terrorism was not reviving in the state.

Hectic activity was witnessed at the local police headquarters after it was found that the Tata Indica car bearing chassis number (67*600142CUZP39582*) and engine number (279001153804AR3) was stolen from the city.

According to police sources, they were coordinating with car dealers to know from whom the vehicle was purchased.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20111019/punjab.htm#17