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Security forces wrap up terror war in Mumbai
Mumbai, Nov 29 (PTI) The war on terror in Mumbai was today wrapped up by the security forces who eliminated three terrorists in Taj hotel after 60 hours of intense battle with the band of ultras who struck the country's financial capital killing 183 people.
"All operations are over. The NSG has formally reported that the operations are complete and now Taj, Oberoi and Nariman House are being sanitised. There are no more terrorists now in Mumbai. All have been liquidated or captured alive," M L Kumawat, Special Secretary in the Union Home Ministry told reporters in Delhi.
The magnitude of the attack by suspected Lashkar-e- Taiba elements, who are believed to have come by the sea route from Karachi, could be gauged from the statement of Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra R R Patil who said with the ammunition the terrorists had, they could have killed 5,000 people.
The elimination of the three terrorists in Taj came this morning after intense battle between the commandos, who believed there was a lone gunman holding out, and the terrorists who kept exploding grenades at periodic intervals.
Of the 183 killed, civilians alone accounted for 141 including 22 foreigners, two NSG commandos, 15 Maharashtra police personnel, one RPF constable and two Home Guards. Six NSG personnel were injured.
In all, nine terrorists were killed while one was captured alive in "Operation Tornado" executed by the NSG alongwith the army and naval commandos and Maharashtra police.
The security forces rescued 250 people in Oberoi, 300 in Taj and 12 families of 60 people in Nariman House. PTI
Dawood gang provided logistics to Lashkar militants
Sumir Kaul
Mumbai, Nov 29 (PTI) Underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's henchman, suspected to be a Colaba-based businessman, handed over arms and explosives to Lashkar-e-Toiba militants for carrying out attacks in Mumbai, in what is emerging as the first major joint operation by the Karachi-based gangster and the banned outfit, official sources said here.
Ajmal Amin, the only militant arrested during the operation, told interrogators that the dozen ultras who sailed from Karachi had come to Sasool dock from where they were taken first to Cuff Parade and later to Gateway of India in boats arranged by a front man of Dawood, who runs several custom clearing houses in Mumbai, the sources claimed.
Mumbai police and central security agencies have launched a massive manhunt for the businessman considered as a henchman of Dawood, who has been listed as Global Terrorist having links to Al-Qaeda by teh United States.
The suspect looks after some customs clearing mechanism and also indulges in diesel smuggling for the underworld don, the sources claimed.
After getting into waiting boats arranged by Dawood's gang in Mumbai, arms, ammunition and plastic explosives were quickly transferred to the waiting boats that took the terrorists to the Gateway of India which was had been marked as launching pad for the terror strike, the first of its kind in the country terrorism history.
The Intelligence agencies had sent a warning note to Coast Guard to keep a watch for an unidentified Pakistani trawler sailing from Karachi port which may enter into Indian waters. While the coast guard was looking for a Pakistani or unidentified vessel, the terrorists hijacked Indian fishing trawler "MV Kuber" killing its crew and entered the Mumbai seas. PTI
15 foreigners among 195 killed in terror attacks: officials
Mumbai, Nov 29 (PTI) The death toll in the Mumbai terror attacks has risen to 195, including 15 foreign nationals, BMC, the local civic body, said.
"We are still compiling figures since more bodies are being brought in. So far the death toll is 195 while 295 persons have been injured," officials of Disaster Management Cell of the BMC told PTI.
Among the 295 injured, 23 were foreign nationals, they said.
The toll could rise further since more bodies were being brought to the hospitals from the Taj Hotel, which was flushed out only this morning.
Meanwhile, bodies of fifteen foreign nationals have been brought to the mortuary of the J J Hospital, sources said, adding eight of the bodies had been claimed.
A group of terrorists carried out attacks and held people hostage at the Taj and Oberoi hotels as well as at the Nariman House in south Mumbai. PTI
51 pc polling by 4 pm in Delhi
New Delhi, Nov 29 (PTI) An estimated 51 per cent voters exercised their franchise in the national capital till 4 pm today.
The polling that started at eight in the morning got momentum in the afternoon when voters came in large number to cast votes.
A minor scuffle was reported in a polling booth in Wazirpur between a polling agent and an election officer, which was contained by police before it escalated.
"Around 51 per cent of the voters have cast their votes till 4 p.M. The polling has so far been peaceful and there were no reports of any untoward incident," officials at the Delhi Chief Electoral Office said.
Among the early voters were Vice President Hamid Ansari, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi and BJP's chief ministerial candidate V K Malhotra.
Belaying apprehensions that Mumbai terror attacks will cast a shadow on the polling, people were coming out enthusiastically, especially in North-West, South-West and Outer districts.
There were reports of malfunctioning of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in some parts of the city but they were rectified, election officials said.
Polling was smooth in Jamia Nagar, which was in news after Batla House encounter in which two suspected terrorists were killed.
Elaborate security arrangements were made in the capital with the deployment of about 52,000 police personnel who kept a tight vigil. PTI
Pak takes U-turn, not to send ISI chief to India
Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, Nov 29 (PTI) Hours after agreeing to send ISI chief to India to "cooperate" in investigations into the Mumbai terror strikes, the Pakistan government today did a U-turn apparently under pressure from the powerful army and decided to depute a senior official of the spy agency.
The decision to backtrack was taken at a special meeting attended by President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani that spilled well into the wee hours.
The Prime Minister later also chaired a special meeting of his cabinet to review India's allegations of a Pakistani link to the terrorist strikes as well as the proposal to send an ISI representative to assist in the probe into the attacks.
Sources said the cabinet meeting also discussed bilateral relations and the impact of the Mumbai attacks on the regional and domestic security situation.
Gilani had yesterday agreed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's demand to fly the ISI chief to Delhi after India suspected involvement of Pakistani elements in the Mumbai terror attacks that left nearly 200 dead.
The government's decision to send a senior official of counter-terrorism directorate of the ISI instead of the spy agency's chief Lt Gen Shuja Pasha had been conveyed through diplomatic channels to India, Dawn News channel reported.
However, sources in the Indian High Commission told PTI that the mission had not been contacted by the Pakistan government in this regard. PTI
US must stand with India to defeat terrorism: Obama
Washington, Nov 29 (PTI) US President-elect Barack Obama has sent his "deepest condolences" to the loved ones of the American citizens who died in the outrageous terrorist attacks in Mumbai and said that America must stand with India to defeat the "hate-filled ideology".
"Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the American citizens who lost their lives in the outrageous terrorist attacks in Mumbai," Obama said in a statement yesterday, following reports that a Virginia man and his daughter had been killed along with a rabbi from New York.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with them, and with all who have been touched by this terrible tragedy," Obama said.
Stressing that the terrorists who targeted innocent civilians could not defeat "India's great democracy", nor "shake the will of a global coalition to defeat them", Obama said, "The United States must stand with India and all nations and people who are committed to destroying terrorist networks, and defeating their hate-filled ideology." Claiming there was only "one president at a time," Obama said, "We fully support the Bush Administration's efforts to protect American citizens and assist the government of India during this tragic time." The future White House occupant, however, was receiving regular updates from Bush's administration.
"I will continue to closely monitor the situation on the ground in Mumbai and am grateful for the cooperation of the Bush administration in keeping me and my staff updated." Obama was also in touch with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as well as with Indian Ambassador Ronen Sen over the latest development in Mumbai. PTI
Pak backtracks on sending ISI chief to India
Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, Nov 29 (PTI) Pakistan today backtracked on sending ISI chief Shuja Pasha to India in connection with the probe into the terrorist attacks in Mumbai and instead deputed a representative of the spy agency for the task.
The decision was taken within hours of Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani agreeing to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's demand to fly the ISI chief to Delhi.
At a meeting here early today, President Asif Ali Zardari, Gilani and Army chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani decided against sending Pasha to India which suspected involvement of Pakistani elements in the Mumbai terror attacks that left over 160 dead. PTI
Pak cabinet reviews situation after Mumbai attacks
Islamabad, Nov 29 (PTI) Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani today held crisis talks with his cabinet to review India's allegations of a Pakistani link to the terrorist strikes in Mumbai and the impact of the attacks on regional and domestic security situation.
The cabinet meeting began hours after Pakistan's civilian government did an about-turn on its decision to send the chief of the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence to India for sharing information on the attacks in Mumbai.
Gilani had initially accepted his Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's request to send ISI chief Shuja Pasha to New Delhi and said modalities would be worked out so that the visit could happen "at the earliest".
Following a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, which was also attended by Gilani, Pakistan announced that a representative of the ISI would visit India instead of the spy chief.
Sources said the cabinet meeting discussed the proposal to send an ISI representative to India, bilateral relations and the impact of the Mumbai attacks on the regional and domestic security situation.
Gilani, who had yesterday travelled to the eastern city of Lahore, cancelled his engagements there and rushed back here last night. He also sent his special aircraft to India to bring back Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi for the cabinet meeting.
On his return, Qureshi briefed Gilani on his interactions with Indian leaders.
India has said elements in Pakistan were linked to the coordinated terrorist attacks in Mumbai. PTI
We will not rush to a decision on returning to India : KP
London, Nov 29 (PTI) The BCCI may make "every single effort" to salvage England's Test series but captain Kevin Pietersen insists that his team will not rush to a decision and carefully mull whether it is worth risking the lives of players by returning to India.
"I do think the BCCI will make every single effort to get us back here playing Test-match cricket in India. There are TV rights and financial considerations and they run world cricket don't they? But we will not come back to India if it's not safe. My life means more to me than anything else and I won't come back if it's not safe," Pietersen said.
"It will be a security decision and then we'll be guided by the ECB. Reg Dickason (team security adviser) will return here (India) next week for a risk assessment and he'll ring me and tell me what's going on," he said.
Pietersen said the team had a hard time in pacifying their families that they were safe.
"I bet all the guys lost a whole battery on their mobiles with calls from friends and relatives and kids saying 'Daddy where are you, what's the story?' 'he was quoted as saying by the 'The Guardian'.
Steve Harmison, who has four daughters, and father-of-three Andrew Flintoff were among those reassuring their children that daddy was fine.
"We'll make a decision on it over the next 48 to 72 hours. Our decision will be guided by security, the ECB and Reg Dickason, our security advisor", Pietersen said. PTI
England should go back to India for Tests, say former captains
London, Nov 29 (PTI) Former captains Bob Willis and David Gower have joined Ian Botham and Mike Atherton in urging the English team to return to India and play the two-Test series next month.
Willis and Gower backed the decision to abandon the one-day series but felt if England do not return to India for the two Tests the same treatment could be meted out to them by visiting sides when such a situation arises in the country.
"If India is deemed safe before first Test in Ahmedabad on December 11 and the second in Chennai, they should go and play. Otherwise no one will come to England -- teams will say we are as much a terrorist target as any country. I hope that within a fortnight, things will have settled down," he said.
Yesterday, former captains Ian Botham and Mike Atherton had urged England and Wales Cricket Board to continue the Test series scheduled to start on December 11 in Ahmedabad.
Willis gave an example of the England squad, including himself, continuing to tour India in 1984-85 when former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated.
"England players stayed on in 1984-85 when Mrs Gandhi and Percy Norris, the deputy British High Commissioner, were assassinated. But I can understand reluctance of any cricketer to go into areas where there have been terrorist attacks. As Westerners are being targeted, it is sensible for the team to leave," Willis was quoted as saying by 'The Times'.
Skipper of the English squad in that 1984-85 tour, Gower, said, "I would understand if there are doubts about staying on but I would expect that if the players went back to different areas of the country, they would be fine. I would almost suggest that if they go back to Bombay, they would be fine. India will provide full security, even though they will find it hard to get this out of their minds." PTI
Economy to grow close to 8 pc by 2008-09 end: Chadha
Chandigarh, Nov 29 (PTI) India would achieve close to 8 per cent growth by the end of the current fiscal despite the global downturn adversely impacting certain sectors of the domestic industry, Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council Member G K Chadha today said.
"The GDP of the country will touch close to 8 per cent growth by 2008-09...Although some sectors like textile, pharmaceuticals and IT have been hit hard due to the global recessionary pressures," Chadha told reporters at Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development conference here.
It may be mentioned here that Indian economy clocked 7.6 per cent growth in the second quarter of current fiscal and is expected to see a dip in the second half of the year due to slowdown in manufacturing and services.
Stating that the global downturn may stay for a while affecting other countries' economies as well, he asked the industry to capitalize on the current downturn observed in US and other markets.
"This is the best time for the country to cash in on this (slowdown) situation in other countries by catering to these markets in a big way," he said. PTI
Markets overcome terror strike, week ends in the green
Mumbai, Nov 29 (PTI) Showing greater resilience, Indian bourses concluded the terror-struck week on a positive note as key indices bounced back from their three-year lows after the US proposed fresh rescue plans for the financial sector as well as the country's 7.6 per cent GDP growth in the second quarter.
The bounce at mid-week was triggered by growing optimism that many governments, including India, would follow a rate- cut by China and fresh steps by the US to heal the ailing financial markets and stem the economy from longer recession.
After closing at a three-year low of 8,695.53 on Tuesday, the Bombay Stock Exchange 30-share barometer recovered smartly and ended the week at 9,092.72, a net rise of 177.51 points or 1.99 per cent, over last weekend's close.
The broader 50-share Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also gained 61.65 points, or 2.29 per cent, to end the week at 2,755.10 from its previous weekend's close.
The US government unveiled a fresh rescue package of USD 800 billion with a view to augment consumer loans after a multi-billion-dollar bailout package to troubled banking giant Citigroup.
The latest package was in addition to the USD 700-billion rescue plan, which was cleared after several rounds of intense debate in the US Congress.
Analysts said the American government's new steps and China's fresh rate-cut during the week raised anticipation of another set of monetary measures by the Reserve Bank at home.
The markets, however, withstood a violent terror strike on the country's commercial capital Mumbai, forcing the authorities to keep bourses shut for a day on Thursday.PTI
Over Rs 4,000 cr loss incurred during terror attacks
Mumbai, Nov 29 (PTI) The 60-hour terror ordeal that struck Mumbai on Wednesday night caused a blow of nearly Rs 4,000 crore to the financial capital of the country, industry experts said today.
"It is an overall loss of the economy as hotels, shops and all businesses were closed. A minimum of Rs 1,000 crore per day is lost when such a shut-down takes place," Assocham Secretary D S Rawat told PTI.
"If you take the impact for four days due to the siege, then the overall loss could be over Rs 4,000 crore," he added.
On Thursday the Bombay Stock Exchange, National Stock Exchange and Commodity exchanges were shut and many of the corporate offices had reported skeletal staff presence as security forces tried to overcome terrorists, who struck at different parts of the city.
Combined daily turnover of the BSE, NSE and the commodity exchanges is about Rs 32,710 crore.
The attack on the city, which is also the entertainment hub of the country, has greatly affected the television and movie industry with a loss of about Rs 10 crore, estimated during the last three days of terrorist attacks.
According to a film producer, who did not wish to be named said the biggest hit was the theatre business losing about Rs eight crore due to closure of screens.
"TV and film production business is anyway affected and has suffered a loss of about Rs two crore," he added. PTI
Mumbai terror: Tata-AIG, Oriental Insurance to take major hit
New Delhi, Nov 29 (PTI) Insurance companies Tata-AIG and Oriental Insurance will take a major hit on account of damage to the properties suffered at iconic Taj and Oberoi-Trident during the terrorist violence that ended earlier in the day.
Both the five-star hotels, which witnessed major casualties and excessive property loss during the past three days, were insured against terrorism and hence the insurance companies will have to bear the burden towards reconstructing and refurbishing the damaged hotels.
Although the extent of damage to hotels is yet to be ascertained, industry sources said, while Tata-AIG General Insurance Company was the lead insurer in case of Taj hotel, the Oberoi-Trident was insured with a consortium led by state-owned Oriental Insurance Company.
Besides the cost of reconstructing the damaged properties, the insurers will also have to compensate the owners for loss of business.
Apart from the lead insurer, in case of Taj Hotel 30 per cent insurance cover was provided by ICICI Lombard and 5 per cent by Iffco-Tokio General Insurance. Part of insurance cover in case of Oberoi-Trident was provided by Chennai-based United India Insurance.
Terrorism cover in the country is offered by general insurance companies through a common pool which presently has a corpus of about Rs 1,000 crore.
The terrorism cover, which comes alongwith with the fire insurance, takes care of material losses on account of terrorism activities.
For premium of Rs 1,000 the policy holder is required to pay additional Rs 0.25 for terrorism cover, said Optima Risk Management Director Rahul Aggarwal. PTI
Shocked Amitabh, Aamir Khan blog on Mumbai terror
Mumbai, Nov 28 (PTI) The feeling of helplessness and shock in Bollywood was evident in the blogs of megastars Amitabh Bhachchan and Aamir Khan, two of the most prolific bloggers of Mumbai's film industry.
The actors, in their effort to reach out to the public in the hour of crisis, described their numbness at the events that unfolded in their beloved city.
"My pain has been the sight and plight of my innocent and vulnerable and completely insecure countrymen, facing the wrath of this terror attack. And my anger has been at the ineptitude of the authorities that have been ordained to look after us," says Big B in his new blog post.
Similarly, Aamir says he feels, "Shocked, heartbroken, helpless and angry" and writes he felt sick while watching the TV images of a terrorised Mumbai.
"I have been watching television since yesterday and to see various locations in Mumbai turned into a war zone is shocking and heartbreaking to say the least," he wrote.
""My heartfelt condolences to families of persons killed and taken hostage. I was feeling sick inthe stomach when the fire broke out at the Taj," he added.
Superstar Amitabh Bachchan confessed that he has been living in a constant fear since the attacks.
"Last night, as the events of the terror attack unfolded in front of me I did something for the first time and one that I had hoped never ever to be in a situation to do. Before retiring for the night, I pulled out my licensed .32 revolver, loaded it and put it under my pillow. For a very disturbed sleep," he wrote on his blog.
Both stars expressed their solidarity with the slain police officers and offered their condolences. PTI
Film industry in shock over Mumbai terror strikes
Mumbai, Nov 27 (PTI) The Indian film industry today expressed a deep shock over the nightmare that unfolded on Wednesday night as terrorists targeted various important locations in the Bollywood capital of Mumbai.
The industry people also appealed for sanity and called for unity after one of the biggest terrorist strikes rattled the country's financial and dream city.
"Terrible! terrible situation!," a shaken Amitabh Bachchan wrote in his blog.
"Mumbai under terrorist attack!! Several locations bombed and terrorist firing all over the city. Major hotels under siege. Taj hotel battle going on inside the hotel," says Bachachan, whose post reads like a doomsday account.
In one of the most audacious terror attacks in Indian history, at least 100 people have been killed and nearly 300 injured.
Two five star hotels, hospitals and the city's CST Railway station were among the key targets of the terrorists, who entered the city through boats at Gateway of India, just opposite the heritage Taj hotel.
"I am scared! shocked! I don't have words to describe my feelings. It seems unreal to me almost like a film. I don't know who are they and why they have resorted to such ruthlessness," film director Anurag Kashyap, who is in Goa to attend the IFFI told PTI over phone.
"They just enter the city like that and hold it hostage. It is unbelievable. Obviously Mumbai will bounce back but it has been hurt badly and it will take time to heal," says Kashyap, who has directed films like 'Black Friday' based on the 1993 terror strike and the ensuing riots. PTI
Live Earth India concert called off
Mumbai, Nov 29 (PTI) The Live Earth India concert, which was scheduled to be held here on December 7 featuring top singers and actors including Amitabh Bachchan, has been called off in the wake of the terror attacks in the metropolis.
A statement issued here today by the organizers said everyone involved with Live Earth India "is stunned and distraught by the tragic events of the past few days in the host city, Mumbai".
"We were all in the course of finalizing plans for Live Earth India, scheduled for December 7, when we were struck with the news," the statement said.
"Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are saddened to announce that Live Earth India has been called off", it added.
The concert was conceptualised by the Live Earth foundation, Wizcraft and Dr R K Pauchari's TERI.
Amitabh Bachchan was scheduled to perform with several international artistes at the show. PTI
Digest of domestic news for the week Nov 22-Nov 28
Saturday Amritsar: Avtar Singh Makkar is re-elected President of Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) for the fourth time in a row in the annual general polls of the body, which also saw a member from Haryana getting into its executive committee.
Dharmshala: Tibetans in exile supported Dalai Lama's "middle way" approach of talks with Beijing to gain autonomy for the Himalayan region, but says they would be forced to demand full independence if efforts did not yield any result.
Sunday Srinagar: Braving extreme cold conditions and ignoring separatists' boycott call, large number of people, especially women and first-time voters, turn up at the polling stations to exercise their franchise in the second phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh does some plain-speaking before the heads of the country's police forces telling them that the impartiality, capabilities and fairness of the police are being questioned.
Monday Mumbai: In a setback to Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad in Malegaon blast case, a MCOCA court rejects the agency's plea for granting it the custody of accused Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, Lt Col Prasad Purohit and Ajay Rahirkar after they alleged physical torture and threat to strip and kill them.
Raipur: A policeman is killed in a land-mine blast triggered by suspected naxalites who were involved in several skirmishes with security forces in Maoist-infested Bastar division where repolling is held at 33 booths.
Mumbai: After spending two months in their hijacked merchant ship, five of the 18 Indian sailors freed by pirates return home to en emotional welcome and recounted their "nightmare" when they were held at gun-point on the bridge of the ship round the clock. Tuesday Panaji: Legendary painter M F Husain's short film is not screened at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) after it was withdrawn following pressure from Hindu right wing groups sparking angry condemnation from eminent filmmakers.
Chennai: Heavy rains accompanied by gusty winds sweep parts of Tamil Nadu forcing authorities to close schools and colleges in Chennai and three other districts.
Wednesday Mumbai: ATS chief Hemant Karkare, two senior police officers and 78 others are killed when terrorists strike with impunity in Mumbai in coordinated multiple blasts and gunfire in a dozen areas including at iconic landmarks CST railway station and two five star hotels--Oberoi and Taj.
New Delhi: India justifies its naval action sinking a 'mother' pirate ship which was actually a hijacked Thai "fishing trawler" as well within the requisite "rules of engagement", as Bangkok took up the matter with New Delhi seeking "clarifications" over the incident.
New Delhi: In a decision which will bring temporary relief to tobacco producers, Government defers the December one deadline to have pictorial warnings on cigarette and bidi packets by another six months.
Thursday New Delhi: Former Prime Minister V P Singh, who formed the first non-Congress coalition government at the Centre dethroning Rajiv Gandhi-led Congress in the 1989 elections, dies here after prolonged illness.
Mumbai: The luxury Taj Mahal hotel is cleared of terror threat after an unspecified number of them holed up in the iconic landmark were killed in a commando raid while a final assault on the besieged Trident Oberoi is underway, a day after the audacious terror strike in Mumbai in which the death toll rose to 127.
Bhopal: The second and last phase of assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh witness an estimated 60 per cent turnout and was by and large peaceful but for stray incidents like stabbing of a presiding officer and disruptions and later the killing of a BJP candidate.
Mumbai: Indian Navy and the Coast Guard activate their warships and surveillance aircraft to search the high seas in and around Mumbai for a merchant vessel, suspected to be the 'mother ship,' which most likely ferried the terrorists to the metropolis.
Friday Mumbai: The terror war on Mumbai was on the verge of ending with security forces securing the 5-star Oberoi hotel and a Jewish Centre but a lone gunman continued to hold out inside the Taj hotel at the end of pitched combat that left 30 hostages dead.
Chennai: The toll in the heavy rains caused by cyclone Nisha in the past three days in Tamil Nadu rises to 86 as flood waters inundated several low-lying parts, including many localities here, rendering thousands homeless.
Shillong: With authorities in neighbouring Assam ordering culling of poultry after suspected cases of bird flu in its Kamrup district, Meghalaya sounds an alert to prevent outbreak of the disease in the state. PTI
Mumbai terror - live action unfolds on blogs, sms
Annie Samson
New Delhi, Nov 28 (PTI) As the terror drama unfolded in the country's financial capital Mumbai, social networkers and bloggers rapidly posted pictures of the ongoing events and sent sms-es over phone to whet the growing hunger for information and reports of live unedited action.
Vinukumar Raganathan, who lives close to the Nariman House in Mumbai posted pictures of the airdropping of the NSG commandos on his blog.
"It was early morning when I heard loud sounds so I just just grabbed my camera and took my bike out to the place. The place is a densely populated residential area and there were probably only 10 cops or so."
"I was standing in a petrol bunk close by and saw the commandos being airdropped and the copters landing on the makeshift helipad. The focus of the action was on the two hotels and not many people were around the Nariman House."
Nariman House is one of the three places where terrorists were holed up. The other two being the luxury hotels -the Taj and the Trident-Oberoi.
Others like Vikas Goyal used the opportunity to send out sms which read, "Enough is enough. The terrorists have not only attacked Mumbai but our national pride." Comments ranged from discussions on the perpetrators to answering queries on the helplines and persons that relatives and friends can contact to get more details.
An sms paid tribute to the slain Mumbai police officers. "Thousand salutes to Mr Hemant Karkara, Mr Vijay Salaskar and Mr Ashok Kamte. Please pay homage to our great warriors. Send this to all Indians," it said.
Another one circulating questioned the whereabouts of those behind the recent anti-north Indian and Bihari agitations in Mumbai. "Your Mumbai needs you for fighting against the 'Real outsiders,'" it read. PTI
Poll takes a backseat, fear grips national capital
New Delhi, Nov 27 (PTI) After a night of terror in Mumbai where terrorists targeted ten places gunning down over 100 people, Delhi woke up with terrifying memories of the recent blasts in the capital, the heat generated by the polls giving way to fear and caution.
With newspaper headlines screaming with news of the attacks and television channels showing minute by minute coverage of the encounter between terrorists and security personnel along with live footage, people began calling up friends and relatives based in the financial capital.
"Please now stop all the regional and religion differences. I am not concerned about which party wins. But will they be able to give us security? These politicians make such a lot of hue and cry if their 'Z' security cordon is withdrawn. Where is the security to the common man?" asks Ramsh Lal, a retired government official.
Till yesterday, the talk on the street centered around the upcoming elections. The moods debating and comparing various candidates today changed to sombre with almost everybody talking about the Mumbai attack.
"We are very sure that despite attacks like this the situation is not going to change with all the political parties blaming each other for the security lapses. We need a man with iron face to improve situations," says Rajesh Kumar, a private bank employee while traveling in the city's metro train. PTI
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