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Taslima can live in India as long as she wants: says Pranab
Kolkata, Dec 22 (PTI)External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee today said Taslima Nasreen is free to stay in the country "as long as she wants" and asserted that the controversial Bangladeshi writer was not under house arrest.
Mukherjee also said the government's policy for foreign nationals seeking shelter in the country was also applicable to Nasreen.
The minister's remarks came two days after Nasreen said she was told by government officials that she would not be allowed to return to Kolkata for now and that she was virtually under house arrrest in Delhi where the writer is staying in an undisclosed location.
Asked by reporters what advice had been given to her by the Centre, he said, "We have communicated to her that she can stay in the country as long as she wants, which is our rule here." The Indian visa of Nasreen expires on February 17 next.
To a query about possible restrictions about her return to Kolkata from Delhi, Mukherjee said, "whether she will come to Kolkata or go to Chennai...She is not under house arrest." The government's policy was to make all appropriate arrangements for the safe and secure stay of a guest, he said.
Stating that he had already made a statement in Parliament on the matter, he said, "The government's policy is that we never send a guest. If any guest wants to stay, we make all arrangements for it. I had said at the same time that our guest should not do anything that may hurt the sentiments of any segment of the population in the country." "There has been trouble over her in different parts, including Kolkata and we have put her in a place where she can stay securely," Mukherjee said.
He said those looking after Nasreen had been asked to redress any problem that she might face during her stay. PTI
EC pulls up Modi and Sonia for violating model code
New Delhi, Dec 22 (PTI) The Election Commission today pulled up Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Sonia Gandhi for violating the model code of conduct by their speeches during the election campaign and expressed displeasure over that.
The Commission made these observations in its communication to Modi and Gandhi on their response to its notice on their controversial remarks over the fake encounter killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh and "merchants of death" respectively.
Closing the case, the Commission made no reference to the impugned remarks but was giving its order on the complaints made by activist Teesta Setalvad against Modi and Gujarat BJP leader Jayanti Lal S Barot against Gandhi.
"The Commission, after careful consideration of all aspects, has come to the conclusion that in the instant case, the model code of conduct has been violated.
"The Commission, therefore, has conveyed its displeasure and advised you to be more cautious in future so that the salutary provisions of model code of conduct are adhered to and duly observed in letter and spirit", the three-member Commission said today after considering their replies to its notice," it said in its communication to Modi.
However, in its letter to Gandhi the Commission has not used the word "cautious in future", a point the BJP took exception to. PTI
Govt will complete its term irrespective of poll results:HP CM
Shimla, Dec 22 (PTI) Supporting the writ petition filed by one his ministerial colleagues in Himachal Pradesh High Court seeking postponement of counting, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said his government would function till March nine, when the terms of present assembly ends, irrespective of the poll outcome.
"There is no doubt in that (continuance of government till the end of present assembly term). We will even call winter session of the Vidhan Sabha," he told reporters here.
The counting of the recently concluded assembly election will take place on December 28.
Singh said though the petition was filed by senior minister Sat Mahajan in his individual capacity, he supported the writ seeking postponement of the counting to sometimes in March.
"It is our Constitutional right and nobody can deny it," he said adding even if the Congress returns to power the new government would be formed only after expiry of the present House's term.
"His (Mahajan's) petition is logical...This (rescheduling of counting date after completion of House term) should have been done by the Election Commission," Singh said.
On the BJP's requests to the Governor and the EC to use their special powers to terminate the Congress rule after the results are declared on December 28, the chief minister said "the Governor can act only on the advice of the council of ministers".
Singh referred to an incident in 1967 in Tamil Nadu when the ruling party lost the election but continued till the end of the House term.
He asked the media not to read too much on the government calling a meeting of the State Cabinet on December 24 as it is a "routine" matter. PTI
RSS seems disinterested about Gujarat Assembly poll outcome
New Delhi, Dec 22 (PTI) RSS, which had earlier decided not to extend organised support to the BJP in Gujarat Assembly elections, appears disinterested about the outcome of the crucial polls and refuses to predict who will win.
"Whatever has to happen, will happen. So I am not going to predict anybody's victory or loss," RSS chief K C Sudarshan told PTI here when asked to comment on the outcome of Gujarat elections on the eve of the counting of votes.
On the organisation's earlier decision not to back the BJP, the Sarsangchalak said, "RSS never asks or compels its cadre and supporters to vote for any particular political party. They are always free to vote according to their will." RSS was apparently miffed with infighting in the Gujarat BJP and state Chief Minister Narendra Modi's style of functioning.
Sudarshan said Sangh is completely committed to Hindu ideology and "RSS is only for Hindutva." "So we don't support any political party or any political movement," he said last night on the sidelines of a book release function here. PTI
IAF plane crashes in Orissa, pilot safe
Bhubaneswar, Dec 22 (PTI) An Indian Air Force plane caught fire and crashed during take off at the Biju Patnaik airport here today but its pilot escaped with minor burns.
The 'Surya Kiran' aircraft caught fire when it skidded off the runway and crashed into a ditch during take off after refuelling at the airport, Khurda Collector N C Jena told PTI at the accident site.
"The entire aircraft was burnt and parts were spread over an area of 30 to 40 metres radius," said Superintendent of Police Amitabh Thakur, who rushed to the spot.
The plane was among the four IAF aircraft which had landed here for refuelling on their way from Kalaikunda to Vishakhapatnam, Jena said, adding IAF was informed of the incident.
Its pilot Wing Commander Rajat Tyagi, who came out of the aircraft on his own, sustained minor burn injuries on both legs and was given medical treatment, Addititonal Superintendent of Police B N Guru said adding that two fire tenders were pressed to extinguish the fire.
The three other planes flew safely.
The sky was clear when the mishap occured and though preliminary findings indicate that the accident could have occurred due to technical snag, a probe has been ordered to find the exact reason, Jena said.
Two women, who were working in a nearby paddy field at the time, said they suddenly saw thick dark smoke billowing out of a ditch after two aircraft flew over their heads.
"When we realised a plane had caught fire in a ditch, another aircraft flew past with a defeaning sound," said Malati, one of the women. PTI
Yoga, martial arts dominate day two of Sino-Indian war games
Raghavendra
Kunming(China), Dec 22 (PTI) Indian troops today shared their expertise in Yoga with their Chinese counterparts and learnt martial arts skills from them on the second day of their first-ever joint military exercise in this capital city of southwestern Yunnan province.
The Red Army men filled the air with "Chek De, Chek De" cheers as they inspired the Indian soldiers during the exercises. And, a well done one earned the Chinese appreciation with the Hindi word "Shabash".
The gesture was reciprocated in good measure by the Indian army personnel who sought to raise the spirits of the PLA soldiers shouting "Chayo, Chayo (come on, buck up)", and "Pancha, Pancha (well done, well done)".
"Chinese have now learnt to say Chek De, Chek De and 'Shabash'. Our boys have also learnt how to say buck up in Chinese," the battalion commander Col J S Budhwar said, looking pleased with the bonhomie "that has gone beyond our expectations".
The day's training began with the Chinese soldiers being taught Yoga exercises by instructors from the Indian Army, kindling great interest in them on techniques to keep mind calm, an Indian military officer said.
The Indian troops, in turn, were given training in martial arts, both defensive and offensive skills, in an unarmed combat by the Chinese after which they went through exercises basically designed to overcome psychological barriers and instill team spirit. PTI
Nepal top leaders set to seal pact to end deadlock: report
Kathmandu, Dec 22 (PTI) The top leaders in Nepal are in the final stages of sealing a pact to end the deadlock over a new political and electoral system that has stalled the peace process in the country, a news report said today.
The leaders of the three major parties of the Seven-Party Alliance (SPA) have reportedly evolved a consensus on some of the major divisive issues, including the electoral system for the Constituent Assembly elections and the formation of a steering committee to run the coalition government.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, Communist Party of Nepal-UML (CPN-UML) General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist) Chairman Prachanda met today to end the deadlock that has stalled the landmark peace process in the country.
The three top leaders also agreed on a new date for the twice-deferred assembly polls, sources said. A meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow to give final touches to the agreement.
CPN-UML standing committee member Amrit Kumar Bohara was quoted as saying by the Kantipur online today that the parties have agreed to hold the assembly elections under a mixed electoral system.
As per the informal agreement, 60 percent of the Constituent Assembly members will be elected under the proportional representation system and rest under first-past-the-post system.
CPN-Maoist has been pushing for fully proportional electoral system as against the mix voting system preferred by the Nepali Congress, the country's largest party led by Prime Minister Koirala.
Bohara was reported as saying that the parties, however, continue to be divided over the leadership of the proposed steering committee to run the government. PTI
LTTE denies Prabhakaran was injured in Lanka air raid
T V Sriram
Colombo, Dec 22 (PTI) The LTTE today stoutly denied that its leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran was injured in a Sri Lankan Air Force attack late last month in Killinocchi.
"Our leader (Prabhakaran) is like a sun. Can anybody even think of extinguishing him? Do you think we will ever keep our leader in such a place where he is vulnerable to attacks. He is leading us from the front. He is not injured," an LTTE spokesman said following a rush of reports quoting government claims that the elusive leader was wounded in raids by the country's air force.
When asked about the state of health of Prabhakaran, the spokesman merely said, "He is eating well. I met brother (Prabhakaran) three days ago." On the attacks by Sri Lanka Air Force and the Army, the LTTE representative said there was an attack on November 27 on the Voice of Tigers (VOT) Radio station and one on November 28. "I don't remember the one on November 26. Since there is a a confrontation almost every day, we can't say and don't generally keep a count." Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror in a report quoting military intelligence today said the LTTE supremo may have suffered only a minor bruise in his right shoulder during the Sri Lankan Air Force attack last month.
"The underground bunker, in which Prabhakaran was hiding at the time, was partially destroyed. During this attack, part of the camouflaged bunker at his safe house situated in a housing scheme, had fallen on Prabhakaran's right shoulder, injuring him," the newspaper said. PTI
2007 - Year of wrinkles in moods in Indo-Russian ties
Vinay Shukla
Moscow, Dec 22 (PTI) The year 2007 will go down in the history of the Indo-Russian ties as one that both countries would like to forget.
It started auspiciously with Russian President Vladimir Putin's New Delhi visit in January, where he was Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations, but ended on a low key with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's whirlwind Moscow tour in November, with India refusing to sign a key nuclear deal.
The superlative lingo, characteristic of the "ideal strategic partners" at the start of the Indo-Russian political year, was discarded due to "wrinkles in the moods" as a Russian Deputy Foreign Minister put it in November ahead of Singh's visit.
A lot of water had flown in Jamuna and Moskva rivers between the two visits to wash away "a broad national consensus" on the importance of bilateral ties in both the countries as India and Russia were too busy in their own affairs, while the problems in ties continued to accumulate.
For the first time two senior members of Indian Cabinet, who had flown in October to pave the ground for "yet another highly successful" summit, failed to make their way to the Kremlin.
External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, except for co-chairing the joint commission on trade and economic ties with his Russian counterpart Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov, was not granted a customary audience by President Vladimir Putin and his Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was too busy to chat with him.
Mukherjee and Lavrov finally met in Harbin, China, on the the sidelines of the third trilateral meeting of Foreign Ministers of India, China and Russia in late October. PTI
Indira desires better Indo-US ties, Kissinger had told US Prez
Sridhar Krishnaswami
Washington, Dec 22 (PTI) In spite of her "almost pathological need" to criticise America, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi desired to see an improvement in Indo-US relations on a "more equal" basis, then Secretary of State Henry Kissinger had told President Gerald Ford in 1974.
"I met this morning in the royal splendour of the former British Viceroy's palace in New Delhi with Prime Minister Gandhi in private and with Foreign Minister (Y B) Chavan for a brief word in private," Kissinger said in a memorandum put up for the President by his National Security Advisor Brent Scowcroft, recently-released State Department documents show.
The talks were "frank but very warm" and it was evident that "they are very pleased by the visit and our recognition of India as an important country in the world and the predominant power in the sub-continent," said the former top official of Richard Nixon and Ford Administrations.
"Despite Mrs Gandhi's almost pathological need to criticise the United States, she, too, desires to see relations between us improve on this new and more equal basis," Kissinger had wanted to be conveyed to the President of his meeting with Gandhi in October 1974.
He said he had raised the concerns over India's nuclear policy, telling Gandhi "very frankly" that "their nuclear explosion was a bomb no matter how India described it" and her undertaking not to produce nuclear weapons did not mean the next government would not do so.
Kissinger told Gandhi that the US was not interested in "recriminations" but in how to prevent further proliferation.
"By our second meeting, she seemed to have reflected on this and asked if we had any specific proposals. I have asked (then Ambassador Daniel P) Moynihan to follow up this possible opening with her," he said. PTI
Sensex, Nifty down 4.5 pc
Mumbai, Dec 22 (PTI) Stocks: stocks corrected downwards pulling key indices benchmark Sensex and Nifty by nearly 4.5 per cent as Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) pulled out heavily to meet their redemption pressure.
FIIs pulled out over Rs 5,400 crore (including Friday's provisional number) in equity and also sold shares worth Rs 2,445 crore in the Futures & Options segment in the initial four days of the week.
The Bombay Stock Exchange 30-share Sensex logged the second biggest fall of 769 points in absolute terms on Monday, reacting negatively to global meltdown and thereafter, could hold the crucial support at 19,066.
The BSE barometer ended the week at 19,162.57, a net fall of 868.26 points or 4.33 per cent from last weekend's close of 20,030.83.
The broad-based S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also plunged by 281.20 points or 4.65 per cent to close the week at 5,766.50 from previous weekend's close of 6,047.70.
The Sensex and Nifty has corrected by about 8 per cent each after hitting new intra-trade peaks on December 13. However, they bounced from their support levels, indicating stability in bourses.
According to technical analysts, the market will witness heavy sell-off if the Sensex closed below the 19,660 support level as another trading support is quite far at 18,182.
FIIs were largely accumulating funds due to approaching end of their financial year. But domestic institutional investors bought shares worth Rs 1,196 crore in four days. PTI
Hic Hic Hurray! Raise a toast to 2007
Trideep & Deepak Sharma
New Delhi, Dec 22 (PTI) As the sun sets on 2007, tipplers will be raising a toast to a year which gave them a plethora of global brands to choose from. For every peg they gulp down, they would be thankful to the year which saw the prices of imported spirits going southward, as the government removed additional customs duty.
Wider choices of purchasing point, with many of the liquor firms (both domestic and multinational) tying up with big retailers to take advantage of the booming sector, gave the consumers another cause to cheer.
While Diageo entered into arrangements with Reliance Retail, other players like UB Group and Champagne Indage were scouting for partnerships with the likes of Shoprite and the Future Group.
With brands like Bouvet Ladubay, Romanov diet Vodka, Four Seasons (from United Spirits); Nillaya Blossom Hill and Piat-d'or (Diageo); Masterstroke (Diageo Radico); Bourbon Whiskey and DYC Whiskey (Beam Global) and Apple Rum (Bacardi) making their debut in the Indian market, the choice was wider than ever for consumers.
Moreover, domestic players like Globus Spirits also forayed into Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) segment with a range of brands, while Champagne Indage launched Tiger wines.
In the beer segment, the market saw the entry of global players such as Carlsberg, Budweiser and Heineken, while other prominent brands such as Molson Coors and Kirin are also seen exploring opportunities in India.
When it came to expanding the horizons, it was the King of Good Times -- Vijay Mallya who walked away with the honours after United Spirits successfully acquired Scottish whisky company Whyte & Mackay for 595 million pounds (Rs 4,819 crore. PTI
Shot selection crucial in Australia series: Tendulkar
Ashish Shukla
Melbourne, Dec 22 (PTI) Shot selection will be the most important aspect in Australia, according to Sachin Tendulkar who has advised his fellow batsmen to be wise with their shot selections if India wished to record a rare series triumph Down Under.
"I guess the shot selection is the most important issue in Australia. Technique is fine but it is more of a mental thing," Tendulkar said today.
"We have some fine batsmen and once they have settled in and their nerves have calmed, they would be able to cope with it," the former captain said during an interaction with the media at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Tendulkar, for whom this is the fourth tour Down Under, cited an example from his own vast experience.
"When I toured here first in 1991-92 series, I didn't make any adjustment initially. I chose the same weight of bat, the same swing but as the tour went on, I realised I should not attempt a few strokes at least in the initial part of my innings." There is a lot of speculation about Wasim Jaffer's opening partner for the first Test starting December 26, but although Tendulkar did not divulge any inside information, he claimed it was not a matter of great concern.
"I don't think we have figured it out (openers for the first Test). But as long as the replacement is solid, it shouldn't matter. Anyway, I am not the one to comment on it." PTI
Vijay calls for Paes-Mahesh combo in Olympics
Mumbai, Dec 22 (PTI) The on court chemistry between Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi still makes them tough competitors and they should combine forces for the India's sake in Beijing Olympic Games, former Davis Cup captain Vijay Amritraj today said.
"I don't think they have a choice but to play together for two weeks at the Games for the sake of the country. If they just stand on the same side of the court, it will simply put pressure on the other side," the former Indian Davis Cup captain told reporters here today.
Amritraj gave a clarion call to Paes and Bhupathy to bury any differences, if they have any.
"What they have done (by winning a host of Grand Slam doubles crowns) is nothing short of outstanding. They will now have to come together for the country's sake and aim for a medal in the Olympics," Amritraj said on the sidelines of the Good Earth Super Series juniors tournament.
Amritraj felt that though it would be an ideal scenario if the 'Indian Express' could be together and play in a few tournaments ahead of the Beijing Games, it would still work out for the pair if they are unable to do so because of the understanding they have exhibited in the past on court.
"They are young and fit. They should get along like a house on fire," he said.
Amritraj also praised the performance of India's top woman player Sania Mirza, saying "She has not rested on her laurels and works very hard at her game. It's not easy to repeat what she did in her first year in the second, but she has done it. We all pray she stays healthy". PTI
Digest of domestic stories for the week Dec 15-Dec 21, 2007
Saturday Moga (Punjab): Eighteen people, including seven children, are killed and 11 others injured when the Satluj Express tore into a private mini bus carrying mostly students and teachers in thick fog at a manned railway crossing in the district.
New Delhi: Offering a slew of concessions on nursery admissions, the Supreme Court allows private schools to have unlimited interaction with parents and freed them from getting their admission criteria approved by Delhi government.
Sunday New Delhi: CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat denies reports that he had threatened elections on the issue of the Indo-US nuclear deal and felt such reports in recent days were an attempt to create an "atmosphere of insecurity" about the Central government.
Bhopal: Ruling BJP in Madhya Pradesh suffer a major setback when it lost both Khargone Lok Sabha and Sanver assembly bypolls to Congress.
Monday Raipur: 299 inmates including 105 naxal activists escape from the Dantewada jail in Chattisgarh after prison guards are overpowered in a daring jailbreak in which three guards and two undertrials were injured.
Ahmedabad: Polling for Gujarat Assembly elections ends with an estimated 63 to 65 per cent of voters today casting the ballots in the second and final phase in the Northern and Central districts of the state which was at the eye of the 2002 communal riots.
Tuesday Cuttack: The CPI(M) vows to oppose Indo-US nuclear deal and military collaboration with the United States and any move to make New Delhi a strategic ally of Washington.
New Delhi: Financial Services secretary Vinod Rai will be the new Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), the country's top official audit watchdog.
Mumbai: 19 months after the sensational murder of senior BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, his younger brother Pravin is convicted of killing him in cold blood by a local court.
Wednesday Mumbai: Pravin Mahajan sentenced to life imprisonment for the cold blooded murder of his elder brother and senior BJP leader Pramod Mahajan but the prosecution said it would appeal pressing for the maximum death penalty.
New Delhi: Over 30 people, including one each from Italy and Sri Lanka, are awarded the annual "Hindi Seva Samman Awards" by President Pratibha Patil for their contribution towards the language.
Patna: Over 350 maoists lodged in the high-security Beur jail go on a rampage and clash with prison guards and other inmates after a naxal allegedly commits suicide and police resorted to a lathicharge to restore order.
New Delhi: Rejecting the CBI's report seeking closure of a 1984 anti-Sikh riot case against former Union Minister Jagdish Tytler, a Delhi court directs the agency to re investigate it.
Thursday Chennai: The teenaged son of a city-based businessman accused of being behind the wheels of the luxury car involved in a hit and run case in which three persons were killed surrenders, a week after the accident.
New Delhi: The CBI files four fresh cases while probing the Nandigram massacre of people on March 14 against local CPI(M) leaders and police officials for allegedly raping women and holding them hostages. New Delhi: The talks between the Chief Ministers of Kerala and Tamil Nadu on the vexed Mullaperiyar dam issue yields no breakthrough with both the sides deciding to meet again.
Friday Nandigram: The CRPF finds eight graves in the CPI(M) stronghold of Khejuri adjacent to Nandigram, three of which might contain human remains.
New Delhi: Amid concerns over growing Left-wing extremism, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh gives a tough message to states asking them to "choke" naxal infrastructure and "cripple" their activities through a dedicated force to eliminate this "virus". PTI
New Delhi, Dec 19 (PTI) Tenga, Pitika, thupka and Rumba along with a host of other delicacies from the northeast are now making waves across the world.
Though a piece of the pan-Indian cuisine, food from the Northeast is only recently making its presence gradually felt both in the country as well as in the global market.
"The not-so-much-talked-about Northeastern food with its pristine flavours and pure taste of nature is slowly making inroads to global palates," Bakshish Dean, executive chef at a five star hotel in the capital, told PTI.
The eight Northeastern states has a very rich culinary heritage, says Dean who in joint collaboration with Institute for Environmental Management and Social Development (IEMSD), had organised a eight-day northeast food fest here recently.
To look at the diversity of NE cuisine is sometimes an unfathomable proposition. The cooking styles and flavours of each and every state in the region is unique and differs from each other with considerable influence of Bengali, Nepali, Thai, Bhutan, Tibetan, Myanmar and Chinese cuisine, he says.
According to foodie, traveller, social scientist and filmmaker Dr Ashish Chopra, Assamese and Tripurian cuisine have adopted various nuances from Bangladesh. "The Bengali influence is strong and the ingredients and recipes are more or less similar. The only difference is that Assamese cuisine is much less spicy and less oily. The staples are rice and fish." "Bamboo is used extensively in cuisine of Tripura," says Dr Chopra who has also authored a book called 'NE Belly'. The traditional cuisine 'Mui Borok' and a key ingredient in Tripura cuisine is 'Berma', dried and fermented 'puthi' fish.
International students flock Delhi for school education
Ashwini Kumar Srivastava New Delhi, Dec 18 (PTI) The capital, which has been a sought after destination with students for pursuing higher education, is now increasingly seen as an equal favourite with foreign students who are seen flocking to the city's schools, say experts.
"Every year as many as 200 students of foreign origin come to Delhi and surrounding areas to pursue school education," says Nalin S Kohli, former director ISOMES (International school of media & International studies).
The capital receives students mainly from South Korea, Thailand, Nepal and Canada, said Nalin, adding that good English education, security, cultural integrity, the city's cosmopolitan culture and bilateral relations with neighbouring countries are the main reasons behind their move.
"Public schools in our country are not so good. Also, we can't learn good English there. That is the reason why I chose to fly Delhi," said Jaemocho, who has come from Seoul, South Korea, studying at the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) I at Vidya Sanskar international school.
"I enjoy being in this school. The quality and teaching pedagogy here are of international standard. I feel I should have a secure career after completing my course," said Pop, from Bangkok, pursuing International General Certificate of Secondary Education - Commerce.
There are many like these students who are now seeking admission in international schools in Delhi. These schools have also to mould themselves to provide world-class education to the students along with providing career guidance. PTI
Blasts prompt police in Puducherry to gear up
Puducherry, Dec 17 (PTI) Two successive bomb blasts here recently have stirred the police to reengineer its strategies and action plan to ensure that Puducherry's reputation of being a peaceful territory does not become a thing of the past.
The slogan 'Peaceful Puducherry, 'Give Time a Break,' brought out by the Tourism Department of this former French colony signifies the crux of the sustained plea of most political parties who call for maintaining and guarding of peace and tranquility here.
However, the crude bomb blasts in Vanrapet block almost in quick succession in Uppalam constituency close to North Bouleward here on December 1, which claimed the life of two of the four boys had caused tremors in the territory's law enforcement machinery.
The first blast occurred when certain unidentified persons allegedly hurled the bomb at the residence of a local AIADMK activist in the wee hours of December 1.
Even though nobody was injured in the blast, police was virtually taken aback by this surprise development.
Some 10 hours after the first blast, a second one claimed the life of one boy and injured three others. The explosion took place when a group of boys playing near their house happened to open a bundle containing a bomb in the shape of a coconut.
Police swung into action and combed most areas and launched door to door search operations but failed to unearth lethal weapons or bombs anywhere in the area.
Cases were registered under different sections of the IPC and Explosive Substances Act 1907. In a phased manner, 13 of the 16 persons allegedly involved in the incident have so far been arrested. PTI
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