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Clues indicate ULFA-NDFB combine behind Assam blasts
Achinta Borah
New Delhi, Nov 9 (PTI) More than a week after serial blasts rocked Assam, investigators have found clues that ULFA and NDFB carried out the deadly explosions with the help of Bangladesh-based HuJI's expertise.
Home Ministry sources said the investigators have found enough evidence that the banned ULFA had carried out the October 30 serial blasts with the help of dominant Bodo militant group NDFB.
This comes in the wake of the Centre expressing concern over the "paradigm shift" in the northeast militancy.
Some people have been detained by police and central security agencies who had provided logistical support including procuring cars used in the blasts that left over 80 people dead and more than 400 injured, the sources said.
The people have an allegiance with the two banned outfits, the sources said.
Interestingly, NDFB is currently under truce with the security forces and is engaged with the government in peace negotiations.
"We have found that the Bangladesh-based HuJI has provided the expertise to ULFA and NDFB as none of them has the technology to explode such devastating bombs which claimed more than 80 lives," a Home Ministry official said.
Home Ministry sources said the government is worried over the fact that the northeast militants has started using a deadly mixture of RDX, ammonium nitrate and plasticised explosives to carry out explosions which led to greater casualties which was never seen in the past. PTI
Arunachal Pradesh an integral part of India: Pranab
Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh), Nov 9 (PTI) Rebuffing China's claim on Arunachal Pradesh, India today asserted that the north eastern state is its integral part and ruled out ceding any of its part.
"China is often making claims on Arunachal Pradesh, but Arunachal Pradesh has a special place in our heart," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee Mukherjee, who visited the 400-year-old Buddhist monastery here in this border town, the second in importance to the one at Lhasa, Tibet, said.
"People of Arunachal Pradesh regularly elect two representatives to the Lok Sabha and there is an elected state assembly carrying out the responsibility of administration like any of other 27 states. The question of parting company of Arunachal or any of its part does not arise," he said amidst defeaning cheers.
Mukherjee's rejection of the Chinese claim on Arunachal Pradesh follows recent declaration of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during a visit to the state that Arunachal was 'our land of rising sun'.
Addressing as chief guest at the 8th Buddha Mahotsava, Mukherjee said "both India and China are seeking a peaceful solution to the border dispute. The special representatives of the Prime Ministers of both India and China have completed 12 rounds of talks. There are problems in identification of land between the two countries.
Amidst loud applause from thousands of people gathered on the occasion, Mukherjee said one of the parametres India was insisting on sorting out the boundary issue was that no settled population could be exchanged. PTI
We need early breakthrough by Zaheer, Ishant tomorrow: Dhoni
S S Ramaswamy
Nagpur, Nov 9 (PTI) Having set a target of 382 for the Australians to win the fourth and final Test here, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said a victory for the home team would hinge on how in-form pace duo of Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma provide the early breakthrough tomorrow.
"It's not only about Harbhajan but also about Zaheer and Ishant who have bowled well throughout the series and the sort of start they give us tomorrow morning. We need to get a good start by the pace bowlers," he said.
Dhoni said Australia's task, though not impossible, was a formidable one on a fast deteriorating fifth-day track.
"We lost some quick wickets but in the end we were happy with the amount of runs. Our plan from the beginning was to set them a target of around 360 to get in ninety overs," said the swashbuckling wicketkeeper after India recovered from 166 for six at tea to finish with a second innings total of 295.
"Given the fact that we lost six wickets in a heap, chasing four runs per over on a fifth day track is not going to be easy. The ball would also go soft and there would be wear and tear on the wicket. It's quite a difficult (task) but not impossible (to achieve)," he said.
The home team captain, who hit a half-century (55) and put on a century stand with Harbhajan Singh, who made 52, to rescue India from a difficult situation, was full of praise for the batting skills of the feisty off-spinner.
"It was a great effort. Harbhajan has scored consistently against Australia." PTI
At least 20 killed on Russian nuke sub-marine for India
Vinay Shukla
Moscow, Nov 9 (PTI) At least 20 people including four sailors were killed and 21 injured in a gas leak accident on board a brand new nuclear-powered Nerpa submarine to be leased to India during a sea trial in the Pacific Ocean.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered a high level probe into the major accident, the worst since the 2000 Kursk mishap.
"The accident took place last night when the automatic fire extinguishing system was activated accidentally filling the two compartments with a highly toxic gas killing those inside," NTV reported quoting Naval spokesman Capt Igor Dygalo.
According to Capt Dygalo there was no radiation leak and the sub, 'K-152 Nerpa,' is returning to the base independently with its reactor working in normal mode.
There were 208 people - 81 of them servicemen - on board the vessel at the time of accident. Among those killed were shipyard workers and naval personnel.
Meanwhile, 21 people, some seriously injured, have been evacuated from the submarine.
The distressed Nerpa submarine, escorted by an anti-submarine ship 'Admiral Tributs' and a rescue vessel 'Sayany', is moving to a temporary base.
Capt Dygalo said the vessel has not been damaged. Further tests to be conducted on it have since been cancelled on the order of the Navy commander-in-chief.
NTV channel reported that the nuclear submarine was to be commissioned later this year and an Indian crew was expected to arrive to take the charge of the vessel.
Christened as INS Chakra the deadly submarine was to be leased to India for ten years. PTI
Hu, Obama discuss global issues over phone
Beijing, Nov 9 (PTI) Chinese President Hu Jintao and US President-elect Barack Obama discussed major global issues of common concern, including the financial turmoil, with the Communist leader saying the two countries should "accommodate each other's concerns" and appropriately settle "sensitive" issues like Taiwan.
The two leaders spoke over phone yesterday, their first conversation since Obama's victory in the November 4 Presidential polls.
Hu told Obama, the first Afro-American to be voted to the White House, that China and the US should "respect each other and accommodate each other's concerns," and "appropriately" settle "sensitive issues", particularly the Taiwan question, to promote the bilateral ties of constructive cooperation to a higher level, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
Hu also appreciated Obama's emphasis in his campaign speeches on the great importance of Sino-US ties and strengthening of bilateral cooperation in jointly responding to international challenges and in sharing global development opportunities.
"Hu pointed out that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries 30 years ago, bilateral relations have generally kept developing despite setbacks, scoring hard-earned achievements and bringing about tangible interests to both nations," the report said without mentioning who made the call and how long it lasted.
Describing China as a great nation, Obama said that China's development and success meet US interests.
"On today's international arena, US-China relations are relations of vital importance. The development of US-China relations is not only in the interest of both nations, but also benefits the world," Obama was quoted as saying. PTI
PM asks Oman to invest in Indian infrastructure sector
Ammar Zaidi
Nov 9 (PTI) Grappling with economic slowdown as a result of global financial crisis, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asked energy-rich Gulf countries to invest their surplus funds in the nation's key infrastructure sectors.
Asia's third largest economy is looking at boosting spending to prevent the economy from going under.
"I would call upon captains of Oman's industry and financial companies to invest surplus liquidity into key infrastructure sectors in India. We are determined to create a hospitable climate for investment, particularly foreign investment from friendly countries like Oman," Singh said addressing Omanese business community here.
The global financial crisis is likely to slow the pace of economic growth in India to 7.5 per cent in the year ending March 31, 2009 and it may record a rate of between 7 and 7.5 per cent next fiscal. The growth rate comes on back of 9 per cent acceleration in 2007-08 fiscal.
"Against the background of the current international economic and financial situation, I suggest there is an even greater need for us to join hands to shape counter-cyclical growth strategies by focusing on real economy," he said.
"India and Oman are well placed to convert this challenge into an opportunity. We count on you to be the architects of this magnificent change," he added.
The two nations yesterday evening signed an agreement to set up India-Oman Joint Investment Fund with an initial seed money of USD 100 million, that would eventually go up to USD 1 billion, for investments in infrastructure, tourism, health, telecom, utilities, urban infrastructure and other sectors.
"Our infrastructure financing needs are estimated to be USD 500 billion in the next five years," he said. PTI
India to sign defence, security agreements with Qatar
Ammar Zaidi
Muscat, Nov 9 (PTI) India and Qatar will sign landmark defence and security agreements when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visits the gas-rich nation this evening.
Singh, on his first trip to the energy-rich Gulf region in four-and-a-half years as Prime Minister, will meet Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr al Thani for delegation level talks on enhancing trade, defence and energy cooperation, officials said.
The defence cooperation agreement would include issues of maritime security, while the pact on security and law enforcement would cover issues like common threat perceptions and sharing of data.
The security cooperation agreement would meet Qatar's security concerns, but would be short of stationing of troops, an official said, adding that the two nations under the agreement would safeguard each others security interests.
The pact would entail joint training exercises.
Singh would tomorrow call on the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani, who is also hosting a private lunch for the Prime Minister and his wife Gursharan Kaur.
New Delhi is keen on buying an additional 2.5 million tonnes of LNG from Qatar to meet the growing energy needs of industry.
Qatar being home to the world's third-largest gas reserves, discussions there may feature a proposal of state-run gas utility GAIL India Ltd to set up a mega petrochemical plant in a joint venture with Reliance Industries.
The GAIL-Reliance joint venture had earlier this year sought rich gas from Qatar for the petrochemical plant, but Doha had made no commitments, saying all its current production was tied up. PTI
Diwali releases brings cheer at box office
Mumbai, Nov 7 (PTI) There were Diwali cheers for Bollywood this year with 'Golmaal Returns' and 'Fashion' raking in the moolah at the box office.
Though the excitement and curiosity was much less compared to last year, when big-budgeted movies 'Om Shanti Om' and 'Saawariya' were released, the successes brought respite to the industry which was going through a dull phase following poor box office response to big budgeted movies like 'Drona' , 'Karzzz' and 'Roadside Romeo' just before the festive season, trade sources said.
Sources said that 'Golmaal Returns' earned Rs 72 crore gross in the opening week worldwide, while 'Fashion' generated more than Rs 33 crore worldwide.
Both films were released on Wednesday, unlike the customary Fridays, last week to cash in on the Diwali-mania.
'Golmaal Returns', produced by Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd and directed by Rohit Shetty, is a sequel to 'Golmaal' which was one of the biggest grosser of 2006.
Talking about the film, Shetty said that the the box office response to "Golmaal Returns" had been bigger than the original film.
'Golmaal Returns' ran to packed houses for three days, he said. "'Chitra' theatre in central Mumbai beat all records for the past nine years for the opening week and was booked houseful in advance for the second week as well," Shetty said.
Exhibitors and distributors are thrilled with the film's response not just in the Mumbai circuit but all over India too, he added. PTI
Kerala village declared first litigation-controlled panchayat
N Muraleedharan
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 9 (PTI): After its pioneering efforts in universal literacy, Kerala has scored another first with a sleepy hamlet of Cheriyanad in Alappuzha district being declared the country's maiden litigation-controlled and legal-literate panchayat.
Starting on a modest note in 1988, the campaign for the case-free panchayat has seen about 1500 disputes settled since then, which included 676 cases disposed off through conciliations by the specially set up panchayat court.
The civic body has received the support of the judges of the Kerala High court, the state Legal Services Society and several serving and retired legal luminaries in the quest for making the village virtually litigation-free.
"The cases settled included both civil and criminal. Many of them we could settle within the panchayat itself, where a specially designated sub-committee heard both sides and brought about conciliations. In the end, those who came as foes would disperse shaking hands over a cup of tea", Cheriyanad Panchayat President V K Vasudevan, told PTI.
A predominantly agrarian panchayat of about 7000 families, the process had been generally welcomed by the people though many of them had initial doubts about its success. "Now they know that they had been able to save money and time which would have wasted on if they went for litigation over petty disputes", a panchayat official said. PTI
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