Saturday, March 26, 2011

For the paramilitary, all’s in a new name

From The Telegraph
Saturday , March 26 , 2011
New Delhi, March 25: Before paramilitary forces get the right weapons, they must be rid of the “wrong” name.
P. Chidambaram has decided that five central paramilitary forces (CPMFs) will now be officially called central armed police forces (CAPFs), the move prompted by the need to remove the impression, especially among foreign leaders and rights representatives, that the troops are part of India’s military.
The Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) will now be described uniformly as CAPFs.
“Henceforth, in all references to the forces mentioned above, a uniform nomenclature of central armed police forces (CAPFs) shall be adopted,” said a circular issued by Chidambaram’s home ministry. The change takes effect immediately.
At present, government officials and documents use terms such as central police organisations (CPOs), CPMFs, paramilitary forces (PMFs) and central police forces (CPFs) interchangeably.
Assam Rifles and the National Security Guard will not be covered by the new nomenclature. While the former is under the operational control of the army, the latter is drawn from the army and paramilitary forces.
Chidambaram is known to be a stickler for the right word. Earlier this week, the Rajya Sabha passed a bill on the exchange of international prisoners — Repatriation of Prisoners (Amendment) Act 2011 — which had been brought to Parliament merely because the minister was unhappy with one word, “martial”, in the law and wanted it replaced with “military”. “It sounds jarring. We are a democracy,” Chidambaram had said about “martial”.
The name-change circular was issued on Tuesday and was sent to the President’s office, Prime Minister’s Office, Parliament and the Election Commission, among others.
“This (the words central paramilitary forces) creates an incorrect perception and the expectations from the forces become unrealistic,” the circular says.
A big concern, however, is unwanted international glare. In some countries, “paramilitary” refers to militant groups while in others, it is perceived to be related to the military, officials said.
Sending the right picture abroad assumes significance at a time India has become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Rights concerns are another factor. This week, European Union representatives along with the UK high commissioner and other European ambassadors reviewed India’s rights record in Kashmir, the Northeast and in Maoist-hit states, sources said. In all these areas, the forces have been accused of rights violations.
But former BSF chief E. Ram Mohan said the name change would have little effect on the forces’ efficiency.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110326/jsp/nation/story_13768094.jsp

Sacked BSF man gets HC relief


From The Indian Express
Posted: Sat Mar 26 2011
Dismissed after failed suicide attempt, punishment modified
Removed from services after attempting suicide following a failed love affair, constable of the Border Security Force (BSF) finally found succour, with the High Court on Friday modifying his punishment.
Adopting a merciful view, a Division Bench headed by Justice Pradeep Nandarajog modified constable Sachin Kumar’s punishment from “dismissal” to “removal” so that he could procure a job outside the forces.
“We water down the penalty from one of dismissal from service to removal from service for the reason that the penalty of dismissal would be a bar for the petitioner from seeking public employment... If the petitioner could find a job that does not require him to carry arms, it should be fine for him,” held the court.
The court, however, refused to entertain the Kumar’s plea regarding his re-instatement in the services after noting that his reaction to the situation was unbecoming of an officer carrying arms and ammunition for paramilitary force.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

From BD Press:4 Bangladeshis held in Tripura

From bdnews24
Wed, Mar 23rd, 2011

Agartala, Mar 23 (bdnews24.com)—Four Bangladeshi nationals have been arrested in the Northeast Indian state of Tripura for not having valid documents, Tripura police have said.

They said the Border Security Force (BSF) apprehended Sudhir Sarkar, Siva Sarkar and Farukh Mia in possession of Tk 90,000 and 3 voter ID cards from Nandipara village in Khowai area of West Tripura Monday night.

None of them had any valid document for crossing the border, they said.

In another incident, West Agartala police arrested one Noman Bin Sayyed Russel of Dhaka at a hotel in Agartala on Monday night.

Officer in-charge of West Agartala police station Manindra Debnath said they also seized Tk 1.36 lakh, 12,000 Indian rupees (Rs), a Bangladeshi passport, a laptop and two bags from him.

He said Noman was placed before the court with an appeal for his police remand.

Noman claimed that he had paid a man some money to arrange valid travel documents for him to visit Tripura.

The man helped him to cross the border and dupe him afterwards, police quoted Noman as saying.

On Mar 15, four Bangladeshis were also arrested at Agartala airport for not carrying passports.

bdnews24.com/corr/sht/1030h
http://www.bdnews24.com/details.php?id=190643&cid=2

Alarm over sat phone use in border districts


From The Times Of India

Vimal Bhatia & Ashish Mehta, TNNMar 23, 2011,

JAISALMER/JAIPUR: For the past fortnight, the security agencies are on a high alert in the border districts of Barmer, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur after tracing satellite phone signals.
The agencies have taken steps to ensure safety at the state's border districts. An investigation is on to find out whether foreign tourists visiting these districts are unknowingly using satellite phones or the drug and arms peddlers are becoming active.

Spurt in Assam blasts shows peace is a far cry: Prafulla Kumar Mahanta


From Mail Today
Prafulla Kumar Mahanta
Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, Asom Gana Parishad leader.




  | Guwahati, March 23, 2011
Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, the tallest Assam Opposition leader, has claimed the ruling Congress's "politics of peace" can lead the insurgency-ravaged state towards a catastrophe.
His comments come at a time when the state is gearing up for a two-phased assembly poll next month.
Mahanta, who had created political history in 1985 by becoming the youngest CM of India, told Mail Today in an interview on Tuesday that Assam CM Tarun Gogoi's experiment of peace with the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) could be dangerous for the state.
"The recent spurt of explosions in Guwahati, and that too at the Congress headquarters, is an indicator that peace is a far cry in Assam," the veteran Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) leader said, adding that the " pick-and-choose" peace initiative could be risky.
During the last few months, the Congress-led government in Assam has claimed to have restored peace in the state as a section of Ulfa leaders, led by chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, has been engaged in peace negotiations with New Delhi. Senior pro- talks Ulfa leaders even met PM Manmohan Singh and vowed to resolve their political demands through peaceful negotiations.

BSF court hears Kashmir teenager killing case

From IndiaBlooms.Com

Srinagar, Mar 22 (IBNS) 


To record the statements of the witnesses in the Zahid Farooq murder case in Jammu & Kashmir, the Border Security Forces (BSF) Court here on Tuesday called several doctors and officials and enquired about the incident.


Those who appeared before the court included, Dr Ruby Reshi, Dr Bilal, Dr Kaunsar and a dotor from police headquarters.

While talking to IBNS the father of the slain youth, Farooq Ahmed said that he is satisfied the way BSF officers are conducting the proceedings.

प्रापर्टी डीलर ने बीएसएफ जवान पर हमला किया

दैनिक भास्कर से
मार्च २४, २०११ 
जम्मू। दोमाना थाना अंतर्गत उदयवाला क्षेत्र में पैसों के लेनदेन को लेकर एक प्रापर्टी डीलर ने बीएसएफ जवान पर तेजधार हथियार से हमला कर दिया जिसमें वह गंभीर रूप से घायल हो गया। घायल जवान को जीएमसी में भर्ती करवाया गया है।

मंगलवार को बीएसएफ का जवान सुभाष चंद्र निवासी उदयवाला किसी काम से बाजार जा रहा था। तभी रास्ते में उसी क्षेत्र में रहने वाले प्रापर्टी डीलर संजय राना ने रोका।

दोनों में किसी बात को लेकर कहासुनी हो गई। जिस पर संजय राना ने तेजधार हथियार निकाला और जवान पर कई वार कर दिए। जब मौके पर लोग जमा होना शुरू हो गए तो हमलावर मौके से फरार हो गया।

लोगों ने पुलिस को सूचना दी और घायल जवान को जीएमसी में पहुंचाया गया। मौके पर आई पुलिस ने घायल जवान के बयान लिए जिसमें उसने हमलावर के बारे में बताया।

पुलिस को जांच में पता चला कि दोनों में पैसों का लेनदेन था। उसी को लेकर प्रापर्टी डीलर ने जवान पर हमला किया है। पुलिस ने प्रापर्टी डीलर के खिलाफ मामला दर्ज कर लिया है।

http://www.bhaskar.com/article/JK-property-dealer-attacked-the-bsf-men-1955525.html

Borders on alert as World Cup faces terror threat


From Daily Bhaskar
March 24, 2011
Jodhpur: The BSF has stepped up the security at the India-Pakistan border along Rajasthan following the terror threat that looms over the cricket World Cup.
The Home Ministry has instructed the BSF to keep extra vigil in the Barmer sector in wake of the threat.
Special security arrangements have also been made at the Jaisalmer and Bikaner border.
It must be noted that the Babbar Khalsa group had two years back brought explosives from Pakistan through the Barmer border.
The explosives used to attack the Calcutta Trade Centre and Ludhiana cinema hall were also brought this way.

RMC to arrange for fans, coolers for jawans on Pak border


From IBN Live

PTI | 09:03 PM,Mar 23,2011

Rajkot, Mar 23 (PTI) With BSF jawans posted on the border battling scorching heat with not even a pedestal fan at their disposal, the Rajkot Municipal Corporation has decided to call for donations from public to arrange for appliances like water coolers and fans for them. RMC Commissioner Dinesh Brahmabhatt has called for donations from the public to provide pedestal fans, refrigerators, air coolers, water coolers and television sets to Border Security Force (BSF) jawans posted at Tharad Desert near Palanpur in North Gujarat. Brahmabhatt recently visited the border area located about 130 km away from Palanpur where three companies of BSF are posted and from where Pakistan is just 15 km away. During his visit to the place, the Commissioner observed that the jawans did not have basic necessities like a fan to fend the heat where the temperature goes upto 50 degrees Celsius during summer or television set for entertainment. "Following my call for donation, I have got good response and few industrialists and builders have come forward to donate the appliances." the commissioner said adding that he plans to provide jawans with 50 pedestal fans, 50 television sets, five refrigerators, five air coolers and five water coolers within a fortnight. Nearly 100 students from different schools would be accompanying the Commissioner when he goes to the border to hand over these products, Brahmabhatt added.

BSF soldiers wearing traditional Punjabi dress

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers wearing traditional Punjabi dance as they celebrate 'Holi' at their headquarters in Srinagar on March 20,2011. The 'Holi' festival of colours marks the onset of spring across the country.Getty Images logoFrom  GETTY IMAGES
Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers wearing traditional Punjabi dance as they celebrate 'Holi' at their headquarters in Srinagar on March 20,2011. The 'Holi' festival of colours marks the onset of spring across the country.


Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Cabinet approves 6% dearness allowance hike for central government employees

From The Times Of India
March 22, 2011
NEW DELHI: Nearly 50 lakh central government employees and 38 lakh pensioners can look forward to a 6% increase in their dearness allowance with the Union Cabinet approved the proposal on Tuesday.

If the move is approved, the dearness allowance, which is linked to the consumer price index, will rise from 45% currently to 51%, triggering a further change in the allowance structure. For instance, payments like conveyance allowance and children's education allowance will also increase by 25%.

Further, special compensatory allowance for those posted in remote areas such as the north-east and Jammu & Kashmir as central government employees in these areas are entitled to a Special Compensatory Allowance. Their special allowance goes up by 25% the moment the 50% trigger is breached.

While the move will provide some relief to government employees and pensioners whose salaries and pension are usually revised once a decade, the increase will cost the exchequer Rs 1,500 crore annually. Households have been combating high inflation, which in recent weeks was led by rising fruit and vegetable prices. Wholesale price index-based inflation is expected to be around 8% at the end of March.
Sources said the additional installment of DA will be released with effect from January this year. Typically, the increase takes place in two installments effective January 1 and July 1.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Cabinet-approves-6-dearness-allowance-hike-for-central-government-employees/articleshow/7758807.cms

Re-classification of cities / towns for grant of House Rent Allowance (HRA)


No.2(13)12008-E.II(B)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
*****


New Delhi, 4th March, 2011.


OFFICE MEMORANDUM


Subject: Decision of the Government on the recommendations of the sixth Central Pay Commission relating to re-classification of cities/towns for grant of House Rent Allowance (HRA).

The undersigned is directed to refer to para 6 of this Ministry’s O.M. of even number dated 29.08.2008 on the above mentioned subject, vide which the special dispensation for grant of HRA has been allowed to continue to (i) Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Noida & Gurgaon at “X” class city rates and (ii) Jalandhar Cantt., Shillong, Goa & Port Blair at “Y” class city rates and to state that the special dispensation allowed to Panchkula for grant of HRA at par with Chandigarh vide this Ministry’s O.M. No.2(2)/2001E.II(B) dated 16.06.2003, shall also continue.

2. In this context, it is also clarified that any other similar special dispensation allowed by this Ministry in the past in respect of other cities for grant of HRA at higher rates and not specifically mentioned in this Ministry’s O.M. of even number dated 29.08.2008, shall continue to apply, if the same has not been superceded / dispensed with or the existing classification of such city has not been revised to a higher classification on account of the population criteria, vide O.M. dated 29.08.2008.

3. These orders shall be effective from 1st September,2008.

4. All other conditions governing grant of HRA under existing orders shall continue to apply.

5. In so far as the persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders issue in consultation with the Comptroller & Auditor General of India.

6. Hindi version is attached.


(Anil Sharma)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India


http://finmin.nic.in/the_ministry/dept_expenditure/notification/hra_cca/reclass_cities_HRA.pdf

Three Bangladeshi nationals apprehended by BSF in Tripura


From DNAIndia
Mar 22, 2011
The Border Security Force (BSF) has apprehended three Bangladeshi nationals from Nandipara, a border village in West Tripura district on the charge of illegally crossing the border, police said today.
Deputy inspector general (Police Control) Nepal Das said they were apprehended yesterday and identified as Siva Sarkar (30), Sudhir Sarkar (31) and Farukh Mia and a cash of ninety thousand Bangladeshi Taka and voter identity cards were seized from their possession.
The DIG said Sudhir and Farukh were involved with cross-border smuggling and stealing of motorcycles from Indian territory.
Earlier on March 15 last, four suspected agents of ISI were arrested from Agartala airport for not carrying passports.

BSF Sub Inspector exam fraud case: Culprits get three years’ jail term


March 21, 2011
Jodhpur: A special CBI court on Friday sentenced two men to three years jail term for practicing fraudulent measures in the entrance exams for sub-inspectors in Border Security Forces (BSF).
Additional Chief Magistrate Jagdish Jani awarded three years of jail term to Ganeshdaan and Vasudev on Friday. Vasudev had written the applied for and cleared the entrance examination for sub inspector’s post in the false name of Ganeshdas.

Fake Indian currency smuggled from Pakistan seized


From punjabnewsline

Jagmohan Singh

Monday, 21 March 2011

Amritsar
Sleuth of Special Operation Cell (SOC) of Punjab Police here today seized Fake Indian currency smuggled from Pakistan Rs. 1.20 lakh having denomination Rs. 500 with the arrest of accused Shinder Singh.
 
Confirming the arrest of accused Shinder Singh and seizure of Fake Indian currency smuggled from Pakistan, AIG SOC Manminder Singh said that arrest of accused matured with the joint operation with BSF (Indian Border Security Force). The accused was arrested outskirt of the city.Accused was booked under section 489A, B, C, 420, 120-B IPC.

ULFA, NDFB trying to create instability ahead of Assam polls


From sify.news
21 March, 2011
Ahead of assembly elections in Assam, the anti-talk faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) are desperately trying to spread instability in the state.
While the Paresh Barua-faction of the ULFA recently triggered a blast at the state Congress headquarters, the NDFB attacked a convoy of Border Security Force personnel in Kokrajhar, killing eight and injuring several others.
Earlier, Baruah's men had threatened to disrupt the assembly election process due on April 4 and 11.

Police hockey


From The Telegraph
March 21, 2011
Guwahati: BSF, Guwahati won the title defeating Punjab Police via golden goal in the second half of extra time after a 2-2 draw at regulation time in the final of the 59th All India Police Hockey Championship at Maulana M. Tayebulla Hockey Stadium on Saturday. Bhupinder Singh of BSF and Jugraj Singh of Punjab Police were named the Man of the Match and Best Payer of the championship. Uttar Pradesh Police were awarded the Fairplay trophy. CRPF beat CISF 3-1 in the third place playoff.
Stalemate
Guwahati: The fate of the Nuruddin Ahmed Trophy senior inter-district plate group cricket tournament final between Goalpara and Karbi Anglong at Nehru Stadium remained undecided after the match was abandoned on Saturday because of rain. The Assam Cricket Association will take a call on the winners, a match official said. Karbi Anglong were 90 for four in 38 in their first innings in reply to Goalpara’s first innings total of 290 when play was called off.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110321/jsp/northeast/story_13741359.jsp

Youth turns burglar to fund picnic; arrested

From zeenews.com
21 March, 2011
New Delhi: A youth, who turned to burglary to fund a picnic, was arrested in the capital after he allegedly robbed the house of a BSF jawan in south-west Delhi, police said on Monday.
Gulshan Bhagat, son of a CRPF Head Constable, was apprehended from the city yesterday soon after he burgled the house of a BSF jawan in Dwarka, A K Ojha, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South-West), said. 

Bhagat, hailing from Ranchi in Jharkhand, had allegedly stolen jewellery and cash from the house of the BSF personnel when his wife was not present. The BSF jawan is posted outside Delhi.

"Immediately after finding out about the burglary, the woman informed police. Police came to know that the burglar is still hiding within south-west Delhi and was looking for suitable buyers for the stolen goods," Ojha said.

During questioning, Ojha claimed, Bhagat told police that he wanted to go on a trip with his friends and to meet the expenses, he indulged in the crime.

"Bhagat used to select a housing society randomly and gains entry in the guise of a relative of one of the residents. Thereafter, he breaks into any house/flat which is not securely locked," Ojha said.

PTI

Read more: http://www.zeenews.com/news694742.html#ixzz1HJjA53jh

http://www.zeenews.com/news694742.html

BSF organises awareness programme on AIF/AIDS


From newkerala.com
Shillong, Mar 21: An HIV/AIDS Awareness programme was organised by the BSF Frontier Headquarters in Shillong on March 19.
BSF sources said today the function was graced by Mr P S Raghav, DIG and Principal Staff Officer of the frontier as the Chief Guest.

Dr V K Singh, DIG (Medical), Composite Hospital BSF, Shillong informed the audience about the spread of HIV/AIDS and the importance of making the people aware of this disease.

BGB-BSF celebrate Holi along border

From (bdnews24.com)
Akhaura Land Port, Mar 21 —
Taking a break from their security duties, border guards of India and Bangladesh have celebrated Holi at a frontier check post near Agartala as a symbol of communal harmony. 

Monday, March 21, 2011

Security Forces Celebrate Holi in Kashmir

From The Outlook
Srinagar March 20, 2011

Security forces posted in the Kashmir Valley today celebrated Holi, the festival of colours, with traditional fervour and gaiety.

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) had organised a Holi function at its 117 battalion headquarters at Wazir Bagh.

"Many jawans availed leave to be with their families on Holi, but we organised this function for those jawans who were not able to go home," public relations officer of CRPF Prabhkar Tripathy told PTI.

Border Security Force (BSF) also organised a similar function at Humhama Subsdiary Training Institute of the force while Army jawans celebrated Holi at the Badamibagh cantonment here.

The minuscule Hindu population living in the valley, mostly traders and labourers from various parts of the country, also celebrated the festival.

Family members of Indian Border Security Force (BSF) celebrate 'Holi'

From Getty Images
Family members of Indian Border Security Force (BSF) celebrate 'Holi' at their headquarters in Srinagar on March 20, 2011. The 'Holi' festival of colours marks the onset of spring across the country.Getty Images logoGETTY IMAGESFamily members of Indian Border Security Force (BSF) celebrate 'Holi' at their headquarters in Srinagar on March 20, 2011. The 'Holi' festival of colours marks 



http://themes.thestar.com/photo/0fm6b7R2BQ65I

Hussainiwala to be major tourist spot



From The Tribune
Hussainiwala, March 19
To make Hussainiwala village a major tourism destination, both the Centre and Punjab government have taken up a number of projects.
While the Punjab Tourism and Heritage Development Corporation hasbeen carrying out the preservation of the local rest-house and railway station, set up during the Raj, the Union Home Ministry has decided to set up a big viewers’ gallery with an artistic look at a cost of Rs 14 crores. Earlier, the cost of viewers' gallery with the capacity of 3000 persons was to be built at a cost of Rs. 6.22 crores. The foundation stone for this gallery was laid by Home Minister P. Chidambaram in October last year. "Now, the cost of viewers' gallery will be around Rs 14 crores as Home Ministry wants it to be big and of international standard. The CPWD, which was supposed to construct it, has prepared fresh designs,” disclosed DC KK Yadav.

(Assam) NDFB Christian terrorists own up to massacre of 8 BSF troopers


from VivekJyoti Assam

date Sun, Mar 20, 2011KOKRAJHAR: The anti-talks faction of NDFB on Tuesday claimed responsibility for the ambush on the BSF convoy near Ultapani about 50 km from Kokrajhar near the Indo-Bhutan border on Monday evening at around 7 pm on Monday. Eight BSF troopers were killed and ten injured in the bloodiest attack on security forces in Assam this year.

BSF distributes sports items

From Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, March 12: In an effort to reach out to the people of remote localities and facilitate them with items of various kinds so that all round development can take place, a civic action programme was organizedunder the aegis of 13 Bn BSF at Island village, Senapati District.

According to a release the function was graced by Sh. Angom Shamoo, DIGSector Headquarter CI (OPS) Manipur. The programme encompassed distribution of rain harvesting kits , solar panel and sports items to 14 villages. Such efforts to help the poor inhabitants of remote localities will continue in future also.