ZAHID FAROOQ KILLING: BSF PLEA SEEKING STAY IN CIVIL PROCEEDINGS

From Greater Kashmir
Srinagar, Nov 11: A local court on Thursday reserved its verdict on Border Security Forces plea, seeking stay in civil proceedings into the killing of teenager Zahid Farooq at Nishat on outskirts of Srinagar on February 5.  
 Sources told PBI that counsel for defence and prosecution completed their arguments before the court of chief judicial magistrate Srinagar, Yashpal Bourney. After hearing the contentions, the court reserved its verdict and listed the case on November 16.
 Earlier, in his arguments, counsel for BSF said the accused BSF personnel opened fire in self-defense after attacked by a stone-pelting mob on the fateful day. The counsel contended that the accused were on active duty. He also referred to BSF Act and said it had been incorporated to provide concurrent jurisdiction to the Security Force Courts in the case of civil offences. “In-fact, Sec 80 and 81 of the BSF Act have made suitable provisions to avoid a conflict of jurisdiction between the Criminal Courts and the Security Force Courts (Court Martial). Sec 80 provides that in the case of a civil offence where both the Courts have jurisdiction, the Director General or the Inspector General or the Deputy Inspector General will have the option to decide before which ‘Court’ the proceedings shall be instituted,” the BSF said, adding in the Zahid Farooq case, the DIG, BSF Srinagar while submitting application in the court had already exercised the option in terms of Sec 80.
 The counsel for family said the application moved by BSF was not maintainable because the offences for which the charges have been presented by the prosecution were exclusively triable by ordinary criminal court.
 On April 6, the BSF through Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Brig (Retd) R M Painuly, had moved an application before the CJM, seeking stay in the civil proceedings and transfer of case to the BSF court under section 80 of BSF Act of 1989.
 BSF Commandant RK Birdi and his sub-ordinate Lakhwinder Kumar are accused in killing of Zahid Farooq in an unprovoked firing near teenager’s residence at Nishat in city outskirts.
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2010/Nov/12/zahid-farooq-killing-bsf-plea-seeking-stay-in-civil-proceedings-46.asp

Bangladesh News:Bangladeshi shot dead by BSF in Lalmonirhat

From Daily Star Bangladesh
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Indian Border Security Force (BSF) shot dead a Bangladeshi cattle trader along Burimari border in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat Tuesday night.
The victim was identified as Mottal Hossain alias 'Goru' Mottal, 40, son of Panta Mahmud Chowkidar of Dangabari village in the upazila.
BDR sources said a patrol team of BSF opened fire on Mottal at around 10:00pm when he was crossing the border, leaving him dead on the spot.
BSF men took away the body of Mottal to their camp.
Subedar Sayeed, company commander of Burimari BDR camp, said Bangladesh Rifles sent a protest letter to the BSF Panisala camp commander at night.
“BSF will return the body within 24 hours after autopsy," he said.
Contacted, Commanding Officer of Lalmonirhat 31 Rifles Battalion Lt Col Aslam Hossain also confirmed the matter to this correspondent over mobile phone.
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=162136

HC rejects petition of dismissed BSF official

From The TribuneDS
Chauhan

Jammu, November 11
The action of the Commandant 80 Bn BSF, Ramtirath,
Amritsar, in ordering the dismissal of Tilak Raj from service vide order dated
March 22, 2003, got a boost when Justice Sunil Hali of the J&K High Court of
Jammu Judicature dismissed the writ petition of the delinquent official.
An appeal preferred against the said order too was dismissed by the
Headquarters, Punjab Frontier, BSF, Jalandhar Cantt (Punjab) vide a
communication of November 4, 2003.
The respondents challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the
writ petition contending that no cause of action had accrued to the petitioner
at Jammu and all that had been done was the communication of the dismissal order
at Jammu.
The High Court, while dismissing the writ petition, observed that “Be that as
it may, the decision of the Commandant 80 Bn BSF, Ramtirath, Amritsar, in
exercise of the power vested in him under Section 11 of the Act, having taken
beyond the jurisdiction of this court, may not provide any cause of action to
the petitioner to file the petition in this court merely because the decision of
the Commandant had been conveyed to the petitioner in the state of Jammu and
Kashmir.
The communication of the decision of the Commandant to the petitioner within
the jurisdiction of this court is not a material fact which would entitle the
petitioner to a judgement in his favour.
All those things that are required to be proved by the petitioner to get a
judgement in his favour having happened beyond the territorial jurisdiction of
this court, the additional factor of the communication of the dismissal order,
cannot be said to have provided the cause of action or part thereof to the
petitioner within the territorial jurisdiction of the court.”
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20101112/j&k.htm#13

Manmohan's dinner diplomacy a hit with Obama

From The Hindu

NEW DELHI, November 8, 2010

SIDDHARTH VARADARAJAN

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi greets U.S.President Barack Obama as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh looks on during a dinner hosted by the latter at his residence in New Delhi on Sunday. Photo: PTI

Any doubts Barack Obama might have had about the political pecking order in India is likely to have been settled by the seating arrangement at the private dinner Prime Minister Manmohan Singh threw for the visiting U.S. President at his residence on Race Course Road on Sunday night.

The 50 Indian and 20 American invitees were sprinkled across 10 tables arranged under a high-domed, open tent on the lawns just outside the bungalow once known as “7 RCR” that serves as the Prime Minister's residential camp office.

Among the high-profile invitees were Ministers, politicians, film stars, captains of industry, bureaucrats and the odd academic, environmentalist and even journalist. And at the head table, alongside the two principals and their spouses, pride of place was given to three politicians whose importance for the current and future state of the government is just a notch below that of Dr. Singh: Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and the member of Parliament from Amethi, Rahul Gandhi.

If Ms. Gandhi's place at the high table needs no explanation or comment, Mr. Mukherjee's presence there — especially when his American counterpart, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, was seated elsewhere — sent a clear message about his status as the primus inter pares of senior Ministers, several of whom (S.M. Krishna, A.K. Antony, P. Chidambaram) were also present at the dinner . As for Mr. Gandhi's slot on the high table, Mr. Obama could be forgiven for thinking this was part of some sort of grooming exercise. If I win a second term as U.S. President, he must surely have asked himself, is this the man I might be dealing with in India in 2014?

Whatever the future portends, however, Mr. Obama knows Dr. Singh is the man who calls the shots on the bilateral front for now. The two leaders spent nearly an hour closeted together in a meeting without aides or note-takers, giving the assembled guests a chance to freely mingle over endless glasses of pomegranate and mousambi juice. What they discussed is not known. Shortly after 8 p.m., everyone was asked to get into a U-shaped line by the SPG chief, B.V. Wanchoo. The Prime Minister and the U.S. President then walked in with their spouses. Mr. and Mrs. Obama proceeded to shake hands and exchange a few words with each of those present.

No one from the Left parties appears to have been invited. But the Prime Minister did invite Arun Jaitley and L.K. Advani from the Bharatiya Janata Party, as well as the former National Security Adviser, Brajesh Mishra. The other Ministers present were Sharad Pawar, Kapil Sibal, Salman Khursheed, Anand Sharma and Prithviraj Chavan.

The tables at which guests were seated were named after prominent Indian-Americans or American individuals with a strong India link like Dalip Singh Saund (the first and only Indian to be elected to the U.S. Congress) and Norman Borlaug of the Green Revolution. Live entertainment was provided by the Navy band and the BSF's camel band.

Apart from Mr. Gandhi, the Prime Minister invited several young MPs to the dinner including Meenakshi Natarajan, Priya Dutt, Harsimrat Kaur and Kanimozhi. The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, suggested Mr. Obama take the time to visit his State, an invitation the U.S. President said he would take up when he was able to find time to travel a bit more in the region. Among the film personalities present were Aamir Khan and Shabana Azmi. Chess wizard Viswanathan Anand was also there, as were atomic energy stalwarts Anil Kakodkar and Srikumar Banerjee. The industrialists present included Anu Agha of Thermax, Ratan Tata, Azim Premji, Swati Piramal and N.R. Narayana Murthy. Top bureaucrats included National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister T.K.A. Nair, Cabinet Secretary K.M. Chandrasekhar, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, Media Adviser to Prime Minister Harish Khare and Culture Secretary Jawhar Sircar.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article872989.ece

The Lowering of the flags ceremony at Wagah border:Video Link

http://www.indiavideo.org/punjab/travel/evening-ceremony-wagah-2950.php

PM, Obama spend quality time before private dinner party

From DNA
Published: Monday, Nov 8, 2010, 

By Anil Sharma | Place: New Delhi | Agency: DNA

The uplifting tune of the all-time Waqt hit O meri zohra jabeen, tujhe maloom nahin wafted across the lush green lawns of 7 Race Course road.

Moments before, the navy and BSF Camels band played Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite bhajan Vaishnav jan to tene kahiye jay peerh paraaye janney ray. In rapt attention was Barack Obama, a self-confessed disciple of the Father of the Nation.

This was the milieu at the sprawling residence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s dinner for the US president. The chemistry between the two has become stronger. First, the PM broke protocol to receive the US first citizens at the airport. Then, Obama reached 7 Race Course half an hour ahead of schedule.

Both leaders spent a fairly long time in a one-on-one meeting, which has been officially described as a stock-taking exercise. Sources said the nitty-gritty of the ticklish parts of the visit was discussed. Also being worked out behind closed doors is the content of the joint statement to be issued today.

The two then sat down for dinner at the high table with US first lady Michelle, the PM’s wife Gursharan Kaur, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and her son Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, and Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee.

On the guest list, among the usual politicos and bureaucrats, were the PM’s personal choices: industrialists Azimji Premji, Ratan Tata, Narayana Murthy and Swati Piramal; Bollywood personalities Aamir Khan, Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi; world chess champion Viswanathan Anand; and environmentalist Sunita Narain.

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_pm-obama-spend-quality-time-before-private-dinner-party_1463586

Pak not to tone down flag-lowering ceremony

Press Trust of India
Tags : Wagah, Pakistan, Maj Gen Muhammad Yaqoob Khan
Posted: Mon Nov 08 2010,

Islamabad:

Barely a week after announcing that they would do away with aggressive gestures and orchestrated boot-stomping that are part of the flag-lowering ceremony at Wagah, the Pakistan Rangers have had a change of heart.

The Rangers said on Sunday that they will continue their daily parade as part of the flag-lowering and hoisting ceremonies “in the traditional enthusiastic style without any change”, except the revival of the formal handshake between Indian and Pakistani soldiers.

Maj Gen Muhammad Yaqoob Khan said at the biannual meeting between the BSF and the Rangers in Lahore last month, it was decided the parade commanders from both sides would shake hands while the rest of the parade “will continue in line with the existing practices”.

The Rangers also dismissed the BSF’s apprehensions about their “hostile gestures” as baseless. “These practices are not gestures of aggression, but just part of drills,” Maj Gen Khan said.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Pak-not-to-tone-down-flag-lowering-ceremony/708039

Camel riding BSF men earn wrath of animal lovers

From Mid-Day
By: Shashank Shekhar Date: 2010-11-08
The beasts were allegedly transported from Jodhpur to Gurgaon under inhuman conditions

When Barack Obama and his wife Michelle reached the residence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi for dinner on Sunday, among the line-up present to welcome them were 30 camel-mounted Border Security Force Personnel (BSF). While the Obamas may have been taken in by the majestic rides of these security men, animal lovers are clearly not impressed. 

In fact, several activists recently filed a complaint with Gurgaon police, claiming that 60 of these animals were transported in a truck from Jodhpur to a camp near the millennium city for the Republic Day parade, under unmerciful conditions.

"Two of these trucks (licence plate numbers RJ-19G-8544 and RJ-19G-8191) were identified at Khedkidaula police post area of Gurgaon. We called the local police demanding legal action against the offenders. Around 24 camels were brought to Chhawala camp under such cruel conditions. As a truck cannot accommodate a tall animal like a camel, so their legs are tied and they are forced to sit on the floor of the truck," said Naresh Kadyan member of International Organization for Animal Protection (OIPA).

 "We received the complaint about camels being brought to Gurgaon and we inspected a vehicle. It was a BSF truck carrying camels after which we let them go. For quite long, the BSF has been transporting animals like this," said DCP south Gurgaon Pala Ram. A legal notice was sent to DIG BSF at Bikaner and DGP Haryana police.

Ship of the desert

For three months, a hundred camels and 200 men who come from Jodhpur to camp in Delhi, undergo rigorous training for the Republic Day parade. Defying the fog and the bitter chill, the day begins at 4.30 for them.These men play a dual role, as dedicated soldiers of the BSF and as devoted musicians.

http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/nov/081110-Camel-rides-BSF-men-animal-lovers-angered-news-Delhi-Jodhpur-Gurgaon.htm

BSF Camel riders welcome Obamas

From ThaiIndian

New Delhi, Nov 7 (IANS) Around 30 camel-mounted Border Security Force (BSF) personnel welcomed US President Barack Obama and his wife as they arrived at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s residence for dinner Sunday, an official said.

The contingent regaled the Obamas by playing bugles and trumpets in tune with the tinkling bells on their camels, a BSF official told IANS. A folk song was also performed.

“The BSF camel contingent’s march showcases our legacy and tradition. It is a mix of heritage and modernity,” the official added.

The uniforms the men wear is traditional and has not changed since the camel contingent was raised by Maharaja Ganga Singh, the then ruler of the erstwhile of princely state Bikaner, in the early 1900s.

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/bsf-camel-riders-welcome-obamas_100456208.html

Kashmiri militants plan joint campaign to breach LoC

From Pakistan Blogs

November 8, 2010 by ghalibsultan

Roshan Mughal
MUZAFFARABAD: **** (POK)-based militant organisations have initiated a joint campaign with the support of different politico-religious parties to mobilise the people for an en masse breaching of the Line of Control to protest India’s refusal to grant the right of self-determination to the people of ******  Kashmir.

The famous bridge at the LoC, which the organisers plan to cross

The Line of Control (LoC) is the de facto border that separates ****** (Kashmir) and Pakistani (Occupied Kashmir)

Pakistani teenager nabbed after crossing border

From Siasat.com

Amritsar, November 07: A Pakistani teenager was today nabbed by BSF troopers after he allegedly crossed over the international border to the Indian side, official sources said.

The boy revealed that he was a resident of Chandpura district of Lahore in Pakistan belonging to a poor family, they said.

Meanwhile, the teenager's interrogation was still in process as he is scared after being caught, BSF sources said.

"Esju Khan, 14, is mentally sound but quite reluctant to answer the queries as he is still in a state of shock," they said.

He had left his house after a minor altercation with his parents and reached the Indo-Pakistan border, they said, adding that he then crossed over to this side of the border.

The boy claimed that his father Jasim Khan had a small business and he never thought that his curiosity to see the border fence would land him under such situation.

--Agencies

http://www.siasat.com/english/news/pakistani-teenager-nabbed-after-crossing-border

India celebrates Diwali on border

From NDTV





Diwali across LoC: Indian Border Security Force (BSF) Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Sanjeev Bhanot (R) along with BSF Commandant Sumer Singh (L) present boxes of sweets to Pakistani Rangers Major Shah Nawaz (C) on the occasion of Diwali festival at the India-Pakistan Wagah Border on November 5, 2010. Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated as Hindus decorate their homes with flowers and diyas (earthen lamps) to mark the homecoming of Hindu god Ram after he vanquished the demon king Ravana and to honour wealth goddess Lakshmi. (AFP PHOTO)
Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/album/detail/india-celebrates-diwali-8534/5?cp

Pak Rangers may again continue with aggressive postures during daily drill

From The Times Of India
Yudhvir Rana, TNN, Nov 7, 2010
AMRITSAR: Pakistan Rangers may not keep their words of toning down the daily drill carried out during flag lowering ceremony held simultaneously between the jawan's of Border Security Force (BSF) and Pak Rangers at Indo Pak joint check post at Attari ( India) and Wagah (Pakistan). 

According to reports the top brass of Pakistan Rangers has announced to continue with the aggressive style of drill while brushing aside the BSF's request to mellow down the drill. 

This is second time when Pak Rangers had ignored the BSF's request to do away the aggressive gestures including thumb showing, shoulder high kicks, boot stomping, staring etc. Earlier , the then BSF Inspector General , Frontier, Arvind Ranjan in November 2006 had unilaterally decided to mellow down the shrill drill on the plea that the present form of drill was not the part of real drill but a drama enacted by both sides to appease the crowd. BSF had also requested to Pak Rangers to match the drill with BSF but Pak Rangers rejected to BSF's appeal and continued with aggressive postures. 

Most recently during the biannual meeting held between BSF and Pak Rangers from October 26 to 30 at Lahore, Pak Rangers director-general, Punjab Major-General Muhammad Yaqoob Ali Khan had agreed to tone down the drill on the request of BSF officials. 

BSF Inspector General, Frontier, Himmat Singh expressed ignorance about any such reports. However he said sometime a Pak Rangers' resort to aggressive gestures even after reaching at an agreement during last meeting. He said following the meeting jawan's shake hand with a smile and they had also done away the thumb showing gestures. "Even if Pak Rangers resort to aggressive postures in the drill BSF will continue with the toned down version of the drill" said he.

Read more: Pak Rangers may again continue with aggressive postures during daily drill - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Pak-Rangers-may-again-continue-with-aggressive-postures-during-daily-drill/articleshow/6884093.cms#ixzz14gqjfsn4

BSF, Pak Rangers exchange Diwali greetings along IB

From Yahoo News
Sat, Nov 6 06:34 PM

Jammu, Nov 6 (PTI) BSF troops and Pakistani Rangers today exchanged sweets and Diwali greetings along the International Border at Balar Post in Samba sector of Jammu division. The BSF team led by Commanding Officer O P Upadhya and Pakistani Rangers represented by Lt Col Zulfkar Ali Khan and Lt Col Shahid Raza met at forward Balar Post and exchanged boxes of sweets and Diwali greetings, a BSF spokesman said here.

Both the sides assured to maintain peace and tranquility along the borders, he said.

http://in.news.yahoo.com/20/20101106/1416/tnl-bsf-pak-rangers-exchange-diwali-gree_1.html