Syed Shah Geelani, Shabir Ahmad Shah under house arrest
Srinagar, June 8 (PTI) Police today placed under house arrest leader of the breakaway faction of Hurriyat Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Democratic Freedom Party Chief Shabir Ahmad Shah.
A police posse took positions outside the house of Geelani at Hyderpora and informed him that he had been placed under house arrest and would not be allowed to move out, police sources said adding his telephone connections were also snapped.
Policemen were also deployed at the Rawalpora residence of Shah and he too was not allowed to move out, the sources said.
Criticising the action, Shah told PTI over phone that he was intending to visit Jamia Masjid to participate in the Nimaz-e-Jinazah of Moulvi Mushtaq, Awami Action Committe leader who fell to the bullets of militants.
"I was also planning to visit Lar Sharief to interact with Gujjars during the annual Urs and Badgam to participate in the funeral procession of two militants killed there," he said.
Shah said "it is a duty of every Muslim to participate in funeral prayers and restricting them from doing their religiou duty is a direct interference in one's religious matters".
Flaying Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Shah said "on one hand he is propogating dialogue with all for resolution of Kashmir issue and on the other he is placing restrictions on the movement of political leaders to keep them away from doing their religious duties and meeting the public".
Elsewhere, a former commander of Hizbul Mujahideen Abdul Aaziz Dar alias General Mousa, who heads Tehreek-e-Kashmir (TEK), was arrested by police from Khanyar area of downtown Srinagar yesterday, police sources said today. PTI
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Punjab CM acted like super-judicial body in SYL issue: SC
New Delhi, Jun 8 (PTI) In a stinging criticism of Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh in the Sutlej Yamuna Link canal case, the Supreme Court has remarked the Chief Minister and officials instead of obeying the Court directive "arrogated themselves the power of sitting as a super-judicial body over this Court".
The Court, while rejecting the Punjab Government's plea for review of its January 15, 2002 directive to complete the SYL canal within a year, had on Friday asked the Centre to take up the construction work in Punjab portion of the canal.
A Bench comprising Justice Ruma Pal and Justice P V Reddi said "Punjab was required to complete the canal by January 15, 2003 by the decree. Instead of accepting the decree in good grace, every possible step has been taken to thwart the decree."
Recounting the manner in which the Punjab Government delayed the implementation of the Court decree passed in favour of Haryana, the Bench said "the correspondence and the record of minutes show that the Chief Minister as well as the Government officials named in the correspondence have arrogated themselves the power of sitting as super-judicial body over this Court." PTI
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I&B ministry to file caveat against publication of IHT
New Delhi, Jun 8 (PTI) The Information and Broadcasting Ministry will file a caveat in the Delhi and Andhra Pradesh High Courts to prevent Midram Publications from getting an ex-parte order against any government action stopping the printing and publishing of International Herald Tribune in India.
According to sources in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, the caveats will be filed to ensure that the government's viewpoint is taken into consideration before any order is passed.
Senior officials of the ministry have said they were caught off guard with the publication of the paper from Hyderabad, terming it as "complete violation" of existing guidelines.
Following a flurry of meetings initiated by Information and Broadcasting Minister S Jaipal Reddy after the news of the paper being published came to be known, the ministry said that it was not approached about the publication from Hyderabad at all and there was "enough case" to stop it.
The sources have also written to Midram Publication Private Limited and International Herald Tribune, which is part of the New York Times Group, immediately about the "violation" of rules.
Earlier, editor of the newspaper M J Akbar had contested the government stand saying that there was nothing wrong in going ahead with the publication and he had taken legal advice on the issue.
He had said if it was unacceptable then why RNI had given the clearance for the publication. PTI
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Charanjit Singh Atwal to be Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha
New Delhi, Jun 8 (PTI) Akali Dal member Charanjit Singh Atwal is all set to be unanimously elected Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha tomorrow with NDA proposing his candidature and the ruling coalition supporting it.
67-year-old Atwal was the only candidate left in the fray for the post, which was offered to the Opposition, at the close of nominations with over a dozen of papers filed by both government and opposition members on his behalf.
The election is slated for tomorrow. PTI
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Govt reconstitutes CCEA, Cabinet Committee on WTO
New Delhi, Jun 8 (PTI) Government has reconstituted the Cabinet Committees on Economic Affairs and WTO, and both the bodies will be headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
While CCEA will have 10 ministers and a special invitee, the Cabinet Committee on WTO will have nine ministers with two special invitees. Both the committees will have Planning Commission Deputy Chairperson as a special invitee.
Minister of State in Prime Minister's office, Prithviraj Chavan, will be the second special invitee in the Cabinet Committee on WTO.
Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath, Steel and Fertiliser Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh and Communication & IT Minister Dayanidhi Maran figure in both the committees.
Other members of CCEA are Railways Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav, Shipping and Road Transport Minister T R Baalu and Power Minister P M Sayeed.
Textiles Minister Shankarsinh Vaghela and Minister of State for Science and Technology Kapil Sibal figure in the Cabinet Committee on WTO. PTI
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Marquez-Ruarte new human resources director of IMF
Washington, June 8 (PTI) The International Monetary Fund has appointed Jorge Marquez-Ruartea as the new director of its Human Resources Department.
IMF Managing Director Rodrigo de Rato has named Marquez-Ruarte as Director of the HRD to succeed Margaret Kelly, a national of Australia, who is retiring after more than 30 years of service with the IMF.
Marquez-Ruarte, a national of Argentina, has been Deputy Director of Human Resources since February 2004. Prior to that time he served as Deputy Director of the Western Hemisphere Department and Deputy Director of the former European II Department, which deal the countries that comprised the former Soviet Union. PTI
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Rupee weakens slightly against US Dollar in early trade
Mumbai, May 8 (PTI) The rupee weakened slightly against the US currency early today on light dollar demand at sharply lower levels but sentiments remain positive for a renewed rally.
In moderately active but cautious trade at the Interbank Foreign Exchange Market here this morning, the rupee is currently quoted at Rs 45.06/07 per dollar, lower from the overnight finish of Rs 45.04/05. The rupee, however, opened on a positive note at Rs 45.03/04 per dollar.
Despite a mild downward correction for the rupee early today, the outlook for the currency remains upbeat due to sustained foreign fund inflows and a weak dollar against major currencies, a forex dealer said.
However, rising global oil prices will weigh on rupee value, he added.
Oil prices shot up to $ 38.80 per barrel in early Asian trade at the NYMEX from overnight levels of $ 38.36 after fears of fresh militant attacks.
The rupee spurted to a nearly one month peaks of Rs 45.04/05 per dollar yesterday and has appreciated by over 43 paise in six trading sessions, driven up by robust trade and capital investment inflows amidst negligible demand.
Meanwhile, in cross currency trades, the Euro was quoted at Rs 55.45/48, Pound Sterling at Rs 82.73/75 and Japanese Yen (100) at Rs 40.96/98. PTI
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Dabur fixes record date for issue of shares of hived Pharma
New Delhi, Jun 8 (PTI) FMCG major Dabur has fixed June 22 as "record date" for issuance of shares for its hived off entity Dabur Pharma even as the issue of getting clearance from market regulator SEBI for listing hangs fire.
The parent company -- listed at National, Mumbai and Calcutta stock exchanges -- informed the bourses about its decision while it would also use the record date for giving 140 per cent dividend to the shareholders of Dabur India, the outgo of which amounted to about Rs 58 crore.
When contacted Head of Corporate Communication of Dabur India, Sharad Goel told PTI that promoters of parent company hold 78 per cent stake in the new company and all the share holders would get one share of Dabur Pharma for every two shares held in the parent company.
After getting necessary approval from Delhi High Court, Dabur India had hived off Dabur Pharma late last year but the Securities and Exchange Board of India had not cleared the listing, saying the parent company had not complied with its mandated 25 per cent equity for the public.
However, the company informed the regulator that if it was given the approval, it would take necessary steps to comply within three months.
Dabur Pharma has also declared 10 per cent dividend for its shareholders though it has not yet decided on the "record date" and the quantum of dividend outgo.
The consolidated net profit of Dabur showed 37 per cent increase in net profit to Rs 109.32 crore and sales went up by 12 per cent to Rs 1,329.6 crore during 2003-04. PTI
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US Justice Department memo says torture " may be justified"
Washington, Jun 8 (PTI) The US Justice Department advised the White House in an August 2002 memo that torturing al-Qaeda terrorists in captivity abroad during interrogation in the war against terrorism "may be justified", according to a media report.
The memo, leaked by the Washington Post, also said that international laws against torture "may be unconstitutional if applied to interrogations" conducted in President George W Bush's war on terrorism.
If a government employee were to torture a suspect in captivity, "he would be doing so in order to prevent further attacks on the US by the al-Qaeda terrorist network," the Justice Department's office of legal counsel said in the memo written in response to a CIA request for its legal guidance.
The 50-page memo said that arguments centering on "necessity and self-defence could provide justification that would eliminate any criminal liability" later, the Post said.
The Justice Department memo, said the Post, seems to counter the pre-Sept 11, 2001 assumption that US government personnel would never be permitted to torture captives. It was offered after the CIA began detaining and interrogating suspected al-Qaeda leaders in Afghanistan and elsewhere in the wake of the attacks on New York and Washington, according to government officials familiar with the document.
The legal reasoning in the 2002 memo, which covered treatment of al-Qaeda detainees in CIA custody, was later used in the March 2003 report by Pentagon lawyers assessing interrogation rules governing the Defence Department's detention centre at Guantanamo, Cuba. PTI
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UNSC appears to have reached compromise on Iraq resolution
Dharam Shourie
United Nations, June 8 (PTI) The UN Security Council appeared to have reached a compromise over the new draft resolution seeking to give international legality to the interim government in Iraq and establishing a multinational force under American command.
It came after the US and the UK agreed to add the text that the US-led forces would consult the Iraqi interim government on major military actions, a key demand by France.
The Council is expected to vote late today on the resolution.
Both French and German diplomats said they considered the draft a great improvement over the original submitted by the sponsors.
France's U.N. Ambassador Jean-Marc de La Sabliere said "there are a lot of improvements" and "the text is going in the right direction now." "I think we have reached a stage where the resolution has a very good text," Germany's U.N. Ambassador Gunter Pleuger said. "My feeling is we have found a compromise." US Ambassador John Negroponte said he expected the Security Council to approve the resolution today and council diplomats said the vote could be unanimous.
"We think this is an excellent resolution. It marks the fact that Iraq is entering into a new political phase, one where it is reasserting its full sovereignty," he said.
The Council members were awaiting final instructions from their capitals. Generally, the members are given 24 hours for the purpose once the sponsors call for vote. PTI
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Buddhist monks mauled in Sri Lanka parliament
Colombo, June 8 (PTI) Two Buddhist monk legislators were hospitalised here after they were beaten up by government legislators in an unprecedented brawl in Sri Lanka's parliament, officials and witnesses said.
New MP Akmeemana Dayaratne and fellow monk MP Kolonnawe Sri Sumangala, both from the opposition National Heritage Party (NHP), were admitted to the Jayewardenepura hospital, officials said.
The ruling Freedom Alliance of President Chandrika Kumaratunga was furious with Dayaratne, who was selected to replace a fellow monk legislator who had broken ranks to support the shaky minority government.
Officials said a mace, a symbol of parliamentary authority, was stolen during the brawl, holding up proceedings, and that it was later found in a lobby used by government MPs.
Parliament sittings were disrupted by the brawl, but the new monk MPs managed to take his oath.
Kumaratunga's Freedom Alliance won April 2 elections but has so far mustered only 108 seats, five short of a simple majority in the 225-member assembly.
"I have never seen such disgraceful behaviour," a parliament official told reporters. "This is a disgrace to parliament." The monks' party condemned the attack saying they were not surprised after the behaviour of government MPs during the three previous sittings of the House when the Freedom Alliance MP's threw files and paper balls at monks. PTI
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Panchsheel principles still relevant in international affairs: China
Anil K Joseph
Beijing, June 8 (PTI) While stressing that Panchsheel is relevant even today, China has said it would cooperate with India to explore how the five principles of peaceful co-existence could play its 'due role' in the establishment of a new international economic and political order.
The five principles of peaceful co-existence, in the past 50 years, have played an important role in handling state-to-state relationships and solving international issues, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said today.
The five principles, jointly initiated by India, China and Myanmar in 1954 include mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit and peaceful co-existence.
"Even today, the five principles are still significant," Liu told reporters while responding to a question on the upcoming celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of Panchsheel.
He said China and India will jointly sponsor a series of events to mark the 50th anniversary of the initiation of the principles. PTI
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ICC summit in Dubai on Zimbabwe crisis
Kolkata, Jun 8 (PTI) In a bid to resolve the Zimbabwe imbroglio, the International Cricket Council has convened a special two-day meeting of cricketing heavyweights, including BCCI chief Jamgohan Dalmiya, in Dubai tomorrow.
Confirming his participation, Dalmiya said the ICC as well as the parties involved in the dispute wanted him to attend the extra-ordinary meeting, called by ICC President Ehsan Mani.
Apart from Dalmiya, Cricket Australia's Bob Merriman, United Cricket Board of South Africa President Raymond Mali and some of the leading Zimbabwe players would be attending the meeting.
The meeting would also give an opportunity to Dalmiya to discuss with UCBSA president the "confusion" over the itinerary of the South African team's tour of India in November this year.
Last month also Dalmiya had been invited to mediate in the Zimbabwe crisis but after hectic telephonic discussions the crisis could only be averted temporarily with the Zimbabwe-Australia Test series scrapped at the eleventh hour to avoid the series being stripped of Test status by ICC. PTI
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Pak pacer Shoaib pleads selectors to consider him for Asia Cup
Islamabad, Jun 8 (PTI) Controversy-prone Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has urged selectors to reconsider their decision of resting him for the Asia Cup cricket tournament next month, saying he was fit and raring to have a go.
"I am making a satisfactory recovery from my rib cage injury and it is not giving me any serious problems now. I am keen to play in the Asia Cup if the Board reconsider their advice to the selectors," said Shoaib, who is currently playing for English county Durham.
The PCB had advised the selectors not to consider Shoaib for selection for Asia Cup, starting in Sri Lanka on July 16, as he was not fully fit and even Durham had asked it to use the bowler sparingly.
But Shoaib said he had resumed playing matches for Durham and was feeling much better.
"I am playing in only selected matches but I am not feeling any pain. I have made good progress under the supervision of specialists and trainers," he was quoted as saying from Durham in local daily 'The News'.
The fast bowler also defended his decision to bowl in the last two matches for Durham despite having said before that he would only bat as he did not want to exert himself too much.
"I want to make a name for myself as an all rounder. But I am bowling without any problems," he said.
Shoaib scored 45 against Somerset in a one-day match as a batsman yesterday. PTI
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Pace bowlers undergo training at camp in Bangalore
Bangalore, Jun 8 (PTI) A five-day fitness specific camp for pace bowlers commenced here today under the stewardship of physical trainer Gregory Allen King.
Zaheer Khan, whose name did not figure in the list announced by BCCI earlier, joined the camp being held at the premises of National Cricket Academy.
The injury-hit Baroda left-arm seamer has returned home after a short stint with Surrey in England and the bowler would now be looking to regain top fitness.
Others attending the camp include Ashish Nehra, Ajit Agarkar, Irfan Pathan, L Balaji, Avishkar Salvi and Amit Bhandari.
Emphasising that the focus would be on fitness, King said the bowlers would undergo normal training involving core stability, flexibility, cardio-vascular and endurance exercises. "The guys will do a bit of bowling and throwing," he added.
King said he would also take stock of the fitness levels of the bowlers, and the progress they made during the off-season.
He said since the bowlers had taken a break, their fitness levels had gone down a bit which was normal and expected.
Four trainees of NCA -- V R V Singh, R P Singh, D K Mungraj and Saurav Sarkar -- have also joined the camp.
Others attending the camp are: Siddarth Trivedi, D T Kumaran, Munaf Patel, Sree Santh, S S Paul, S Mathur, N C Aiyappa, Gagandeep Singh, Joginder Sharma and Fazil Mohammed.
Earlier in the day, the bowlers had an hour-long Yoga session. PTI
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