Thursday, January 6, 2011

Three rustlers shot dead by BSF

From IndiaReport.Com
Berhampore (WB), Jan 6, 2011
(PTI) Three rustlers were today shot dead by the BSF at Mohanganj village in Murshidabad district on the Indo-Bangladesh border.
The three were smuggling cattle to Bangladesh when they were intercepted by the BSF and did not heed warnings from the BSF to halt, BSF sources said.
Meanwhile, police recovered the body of a CPI(M) worker Santu Sheikh with bullet wounds from a village under Raghunathganj police station area during the day.
http://www.indiareport.com/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/972579/National/1/20/1

Fake BSF officer: Force orders probe into trespassing


From Indian Express
Thu Jan 06 2011
Admitting lapses in its internal security, the Border Security Force (BSF) has launched an inquiry into trespassing by a Jalgaon resident, who reportedly visited the Force’s Gandhinagar campus often by faking the identity of a BSF officer.
Ravindra Babu Chaudhary (23), a resident of Chopra taluka in Jalgaon district of Maharashtra, was held by the BSF while he was allegedly trying to enter the security force’s office in Gandhinagar last week. He was later arrested by the Gujarat ATS.
While the ATS is yet to find out as to who helped Chaudhary enter the camp and what was the motive behind this, the BSF has ordered an inquiry into the incident.
“We have ordered an inquiry to know about his associates, his connections in the BSF and also his background. We have left it to the ATS to find out the purpose behind faking the identity of a BSF officer and why was he living close to our campus. We are questioning everyone in our campuses to know his connections here (if at all),” said BSF IG Arun Sinha.

Report Card of Ministry of Home Affairs for December, 2010

PIB Release
Press Information Bureau 
Government of India
Ministry of Home Affairs 
04-January-2011


The Union Home Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram presented the Report Card of the Ministry of Home Affairs for December, 2010 here today.  Following is the text of his statement:

“I present before you the report of the Ministry of Home Affairs for the month of December, 2010.  I shall also take this opportunity to highlight some of the major developments in calendar 2010.
       
        The year that has gone by has seen ups and downs.  The highlight of the year has been the dramatic change in the situation in the North East.  The decline in violence witnessed in 2009 continued in 2010.  Twenty security personnel, 94 civilians and 247 militants lost their lives during the year.  While this is a matter of regret and concern, I may point out that this is the lowest level of violence witnessed in many years.  Barring Assam and Manipur, the other States have shown remarkable improvement.  No civilian was killed in Nagaland and Mizoram; no security personnel was killed in Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram.  Most insurgent groups are in talks with the Government or are poised to commence talks.  In 2011 I look forward to agreements being reached with many of the groups and bringing them into the mainstream of politics and society.

        As regards Jammu & Kashmir, the situation was improving until the beginning of June, 2010.  The three month period of agitation was an unfortunate and deeply regrettable chapter.  However, after the visit of the all-party parliamentary delegation and the appointment of Interlocutors, there has been a significant improvement in the law and order situation. In particular, the Interlocutors have been able to change the discourse and have been able to persuade a number of stakeholders to offer suggestions for a political solution.

        On terrorism, we continued to build capacity and successfully neutralised a number of terror modules.  However, there were two blots on the record during the year – one in Pune on February 13, 2010 and the other in Varanasi on December 7, 2010.  We live in a troubled world and a troubled neighbourhood that has witnessed numerous acts of terror last year.  In 2010 there were at least 35 major acts of terror in a number of countries.  India is no more – but no less – vulnerable than any other country.  Our security lies in maintaining constant vigil, augmenting intelligence gathering and taking pre-emptive action.

        The situation in the Left Wing extremism affected States continues to remain a matter of grave concern.  The loss of lives in Silda, West Bengal (February 15, 2010); Dantewada, Chhattisgarh (April 6, 2010); Bijapur, Chhattisgarh (May 8, 2010) and Dhaudhai, Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh (June 29, 2010) were the low points during the year.  713 civilians were killed by the naxalites (as against 591 in 2009).  The security forces lost 285 personnel (as against 317 in 2009) and were able to neutralise 171 extremists (as against 219 in 2009).  It will be apparent that the naxalites have not only spurned the offer of talks but have also escalated the conflict. 

Visit to States
        On December 8, 2010, I visited Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh and inspected the site of the explosion at Sheetla Ghat which left 2 people dead and 31 injured.

        On December 14, 2010, I visited NEPA, Shillong and took the salute at the Passing Out Parade of cadets belonging to the North Eastern States. 

        On December 14-15, 2010, I visited Imphal, Manipur and reviewed the security situation with the Chief Minister and other officials. I also visited Sendra, Teikot and Churachandpur and met community leaders and the public.   At my invitation, the Chairman and members of the Autonomous District Council, Churachandpur called on me on December 15, 2010 and presented a memorandum on the changes that they seek in the functioning of the ADCs as well as their demand for devolution of funds, functions and functionaries to the ADCs.

        On December 27, 2010, I visited Minicoy, Lakshadweep to inaugurate the Coastal Police Station and the Refueling Station and reviewed the progress on several matters concerning the administration of the Union Territory.

        On December 28, 2010, I visited Gadchiroli, Maharashtra and reviewed the security and law and order situation with the Home Minister of Maharashtra and senior officers of the State police force and the CRPF.                      

        On December 31, 2010, I visited Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh to inaugurate the new office of the Deputy Commissioner and the Ropeway.  I also addressed Government Officials, Public leaders and students at Kalawangpo Convention Hall.

Internal Security
        The mandate of the Empowered Group of Officers to modify norms/guidelines in implementing developmental projects has been extended to all 60 districts that have been identified by the Planning Commission under the Integrated Action Plan for LWE affected districts.

        The enabling provision for diversion of forest land for certain activities to be carried out by the Government Departments, involving not more than 2 ha, was extended to all 83 LWE affected districts on December 14, 2010.

        A sum of ` 18 lakh was sanctioned as assistance to 6 beneficiaries at the rate of ` 3 lakh each under the Central scheme of assistance to the victims of terrorist/communal/naxal violence.

Jammu and Kashmir
          On December 9, 2010, a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee was held to discuss matters relating to Jammu and Kashmir.

        The interlocutors for J&K visited the State for the third time from December 17 to 23, 2010. During the visit, they met the Governor and the Chief Minister of J&K, senior leaders of mainstream political parties, and senior administrative and police officials. They also met 130 delegations in Jammu City, Poonch, Rajouri, Srinagar and Langate.

        The Special Task Force for Jammu undertook field visits to various districts of Jammu region between December 21 and 24, 2010.

North East                     
        On December 30, 2010, orders were issued to exclude the entire area of Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland from the Protected Area regime under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order 1958. These instructions will be initially valid for a period of one year, subject to certain conditions, and have come into force with effect from January 1, 2011.

        It has been decided to extend the SoO Agreements for a period of six month up to June 30, 2011 with the National Democratic Front of Boroland/Pro-talk (NDFB/PT) and the Dima Halam Daogah/Nunisa (DHD/N).

        The 16th National Level Meeting between India and Myanmar was held at New Delhi from December 27 to 31, 2010. Issues concerning activities of the Indian Insurgent Groups operating along the India-Myanmar border, need for strengthening of Intelligence Sharing Mechanism between the two countries, arms smuggling, drug trafficking, border management, border trade etc. were discussed at the meeting.

        The Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) between India and Myanmar, which was signed on July 27, 2010, came into force with effect from December 30, 2010.

CPOs/CPMFs
        ` 964.52 crore (76.24% of budget provision) has been released to the States under the MPF Scheme for State police forces in FY 2010-11. This includes ` 240.41 crore released to 16 States in December, 2010. Of this,
 
` 9.99 crore for J&K (over and above the normal allocation for FY 2010-11) and ` 7.49 crore for Andhra Pradesh were sanctioned from HM’s contingency fund of the MPF scheme for the procurement of non-lethal weapons.
        Sanctions worth ` 5.99 crore were issued for the purchase of arms and ammunition for the following CPMFs:

         CRPF
640 nos. 12 Bore Pump Action Gun with Cartridges
:      ` 3.50 crore
         CRPF
161 nos. of Tear Gas Gun with Tear Gas shells and Tear Smoke munitions
:      ` 1.09 crore
         ITBP
266 nos. Glock-17/19 pistols
:      ` 1.40 crore

         Total                                                         :      `  5.99 crore

        Sanctions amounting to ` 4.86 crore were issued for payment of lease charges and acquisition of land for the construction of residential and office accommodation for the following CPMFs:
ITBP                                          :       `   0.05 crore
BSF                                           :       `   2.65 crore
NSG                                          :       `   2.16 crore

Total                                                :        `  4.86 crore

Lump sum ex-gratia compensation amounting to ` 2.12 crore was sanctioned to the next of kin of 20 deceased CPMF personnel.
On December 8, 2010, sanction was issued for the creation of 174 posts in the CISF for induction at the Juhu Airport.

For implementation of the CCTNS project, additional grants-in-aid of ` 34.93 crore was released to 8 States. Further, Project Implementation and Monitoring (PIM) reports were received from 33 States/UTs.

Border Management
India-Bangladesh Border: 22 kms of fencing and 25 kms of road works were completed in December, 2010 under phase II of the project. 30 kms of fencing were replaced in December, 2010 under phase III of the project. Poles for floodlighting were erected on a length of 70 kms and cables were laid on 25 kms stretch in December, 2010.

India-China Border:  Construction of 21 roads totaling 653.40 kms is in progress.  15.12 kms of formation works and 4.01 kms of surfacing works were completed in December, 2010.

Coastal Security: In December 2010, 7 boats were delivered and 9 more are ready for delivery. Against the target of 204 boats, 176 boats have been supplied so far.  Delivery beyond December, 2010 amounts to slippage.  Every endeavour is being made to ensure completion of delivery of 204 boats by February, 2011.

Border Area Development Programme (BADP): The total amount released to 17 States under BADP in the current financial year till the end of December, 2010 stands at ` 519.15 crore (81.75% of the total allocation of ` 635 crore). Additional funds of ` 56 crore under BADP has been approved in the Revised Estimates for release to 5 States namely Assam
(
` 15.76 crore), Nagaland (` 13.00 crore), Sikkim (` 8.00 crore), Tripura
(
` 8.08 crore) and West Bengal (` 11.16 crore).

Immigration
During the month of December 2010, 3 ICPs at Porbandar (Gujarat), Dallu (Meghalaya) and Srimantapur (Tripura)were networked with Central Foreigners’ Bureau (CFB), taking the total of CFB-networked ICPs to 73 out of a total of 77.

Tourist Visa-on-arrival facility, which was introduced for citizens of five countries viz. Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Singapore with effect from January 1, 2010, has been extended to the citizens of Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Philippines with effect from January 1, 2011.

In December 2010, Government of India released and repatriated 52 Pakistani fishermen and 24 Pakistani prisoners to Pakistan after completion of their sentences. So far, in 2010, Government has released and repatriated 163 Pakistani fishermen and 130 Pakistani prisoners to Pakistan.

IPS Cadre
Empanelment of IPS Officers of 1990 batch for IG-level posts at the Centre was notified on December 9, 2010.

Union Territories
On December 5, 2010, the President gave her assent to the Puducherry Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2008.  

On December 21, 2010, the meeting of Home Minister’s Advisory Committee for the UT of Lakshadweep was convened to discuss various administrative and developmental issues.

Under Demand No. 96-Chandigarh, ` 80 crore was obtained through the second batch of Supplementary Demands 2010-11 and provided to Panjab University.

Sanctions for release of ` 79.75 lakh to UT of Daman & Diu and ` 85.93 lakh to Dadra & Nagar Haveli were issued on December 29, 2010 and December 31, 2010 respectively under the Police Modernisation Scheme for the UTs.

Disaster Relief
In the month of December 2010, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams comprising 388 personnel and 68 boats were deployed for emergency response and rescue in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

On December 21, 2010, an agreement between the Government of India and Government of Russian Federation was signed on Cooperation in the field of Emergency Management.

NIA
Prosecution sanction was accorded in the following cases that are being investigated by NIA:
a.   On December 1, 2010, sanction for prosecution was accorded for prosecuting two accused in Case Nos. 07/2009 and 08/2009 dated  16.10.2009 of NIA relating to a bomb blast at Margao City, Goa and recovery of an IED at Sancoale, Goa, respectively.

b.   On December 7, 2010, sanction for prosecution was accorded for prosecuting thirteen accused in Case No. 05/2010 dated 09.09.2005 of NIA for burning of a TSRTC Bus.

c.   On December 16, 2010, sanction for prosecution was accorded for prosecuting seventeen accused in Case No. 03/2010 dated 15.08.2006 of NIA for organizing a secret meeting of the banned organization SIMI in order to spread terrorism in the country.

Census 2011 and National Population Register (NPR)
66% scanning of NPR has been completed in all the States/UTs.

The field survey for the Annual Health Survey is in progress in
279 districts in nine States. Out of the total 20,694 sample units, field work in respect of 14,728 sample units has been completed and is in progress in 1535 units. 

Judicial
The President’s assent was received in respect of the following State Legislative proposals:
                a)     The Payment of Wages and Minimum Wages (Maharashtra
Amendment) Bill, 2010.

b)     The Code of Criminal Procedure (Tripura Eighth
Amendment) Bill, 2009.

Other issues
28,000 pension records of freedom fighters were computerized/digitized in December, 2010. The database now has 2,90,000 records.  The drive to implement the judgments of Courts continued.  17 judgments were implemented in December 2010 and 86 judgments are pending for implementation. 

The data relating to freedom fighters for dependents who are drawing pension through the public sector banks has been uploaded on the MHA website.

71,000 records of claims and compensation paid to displaced persons were computerized in December, 2010. The database now has 3,25,000 records.

In the month of December 2010, detention under NSA 1980 was revoked in 33 cases and rejected in 14 cases.

On December 13-14, 2010, negotiations on MLAT (Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty) and Extradition Treaty were held with Indonesian delegation. Text for the treaty was finalized and initialed by both sides at official level.

On December 10, 2010, I launched a Certificate Course in Human Trafficking which will be offered by IGNOU in partnership with MHA. The aim of this course is to train law enforcement officials, prosecutors, NGOs etc. for competence building and sensitization in the area of Anti-Human trafficking. 

I wish to close the report for every month with a more detailed exposition of one subject.  This month, I shall take up the situation of crime in Delhi and wish to make a few observations in this regard.   The universally accepted measure of the incidents of crime is ‘number of crimes per 100,000 population’.  The total number of crimes recorded in Delhi in 1999 was 58,701.  In subsequent years it declined marginally.  In 2009, the total number was 50,251 and in 2010, it was 51,292.    Crime per 100,000 population has also shown a significant decline.  The population of Delhi has increased from 134.18 lakhs in 1999 to 182.31 lakhs in 2010.  Taking all IPC crimes together, the ratio has declined from 437.48 per 100,000 (in 1999) to 281.34 (in 2010).  The ratio of heinous crimes has declined from 19.72 (in 1999) to 11.44 and the ratio of non-heinous crimes has declined from 417.76 to 269.91.  For example, the ratio of murder has declined from 4.84 to 3.10; of rape from 3.00 to 2.78; of dacoity from 0.47 to 0.18; of burglary from 25.56 to 8.24; and of fatal accidents from 14.67 to 11.54.

Policing in Delhi has improved significantly.  We have added 41 new police stations and we have recruited 14,565 personnel in the last two years.  We have also inducted 130 patrol cars and 775 motor-cycles for better policing.  A state-of-the-art control room is functioning since September 30, 2010.  Many other innovations and improvements have been brought about in the Delhi Police.  I would request the people of Delhi to support their police force.  In a few days, I shall address the media together with the Commissioner of Police”.

*****

RS/KKA

Additional Charge Arrangements Approved by ACC

PIB Press Release
Press Information Bureau 
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions 

04-January-2011
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the following additional charge arrangements, for a period of three months or until further orders, whichever is earlier: 

1. Shri A.E. Ahmed, IAS (MT:76), presently Secretary (Border Management), Ministry of Home Affairs, to hold additional charge of the post of Secretary, Natinoal Disaster Management Authority, Ministry of Home Affairs.

2. Shri R.S.Gujral, IAS(HY:76), presently Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to hold additional charge of the post of Chairman, National Highways Authority of India under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

3. Shri R.C.Mishra, IAS(MT:78), presently Additional Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development to hold additional charge of the post of Vice-Chairman, Delhi Development Authority under the Ministry of Urban Development.

***


RS/SR
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=68861

Curfew continues in Meghalaya areas, BSF stages flag march

From Sify.com
Shillong, Jan 4 (IANS) The Border Security Force (BSF) Tuesday staged a flag march in areas put under curfew in Meghalaya following an ethnic clash a day earlier, even as the situation remained tense.
Curfew was imposed in Mendipathar and its adjoining areas of East Garo Hills district Monday night after a clash between the Garo and Rabha tribal groups.
More than 2,000 Rabha families have been displaced after more than 200 houses were allegedly torched by Garo tribals at Rabha-dominated villages in retaliation to the recent attacks on Garos by Rabha youths, police said.
The displaced people have been temporarily accommodated in four relief camps in Mendipathar area.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma rushed to the affected areas and reviewed the law and order situation with the district authorities and top Meghalaya police officials.
'I have assessed the law and order situation in the areas and instructed the district authorities to restore normalcy and maintain a strict vigil to ensure that there is no scope of escalation (of violence),' Sangma told IANS.
He also appealed to both the warring tribes to maintains peace and to cooperate with the district authorities to restore normalcy.
East Garo Hills District Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi said BSF troops staged a flag march in the areas under curfew in Mendipathar and its adjoining areas.
More BSF troops and personnel of the Sikh Light Infantry would be deployed Wednesday morning to assist police in maintaining the law and order situation in the area, he said.
'We have decided not to relax the curfew in Mendipathar and its adjoining areas as the situation remains tense,' Bakshi said.
Meghalaya Home Minister H.D.R. Lyngdoh appealed to both the tribes to restore peace and normalcy in the area.
'They (Garo and Rabha) should not get swayed by elements instigating violence,' Lyngdoh said.
Meghalaya's Leader of Opposition Conrad K. Sangma said: 'The situation is very tense and it might flare up, especially after the All Rabha Students Union also imposed a 500-hour road blockade on NH-51 and NH-61 and other roads connecting Assam and Meghalaya (Garo Hills region) from today (Tuesday),' Sangma said.
The Garo Students' Union (GSU) is scheduled to hold a meeting with the All Rabha Students' Union (ARSU) to constitute a peace committee.
'We will convince the ARSU leaders to constitute a peace committee to restore normalcy between the tribes (Garo and Rabha),' said GSU president Tengsak G. Momin.

Video:Pak violates border rules again, builds new bunkers

From The Times Of India
05 Jan 2011
Link http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/news/Pak-violates-border-rules-again-builds-new-bunkers/videoshow/7224426.cms

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Major Blaze Destroys Bandipur Market

From kashmir Observer
Srinagar, Jan 03, KONS: In yet another major blaze in north Kashmir, 38 shops were gutted in a fire in the main market of Bandipur on Monday, leaving property worth crores in ashes and scores without a livelihood. 
The locals vent their ire on the local administration and the fire services for their allegedly tardy response to the emergency, besieging the deputy commissioner of the district, but thanked the army and the BSF for their assistance in the fire-fighting operation. 
The blaze broke out in the Bandipur market early morning today, reportedly from a barber’s shop, and soon spread to other parts with flames that could be seen from a large distance, reports said. 
Though two fire tenders arrived on the scene immediately, they ran out of water shortly afterwards, holding up efforts to douse the massive blaze, locals said. 
The BSF and the army rushed their tankers to control the flames, but huge damage had been done by then, they said. 
Locals held demonstrations against the fire services and the district administration. 
They said that some unscrupulous elements had illegally occupied the Gadar canal, because of which the fire tenders had to go Papachan five km away to refill their tanks with water. 
The slogan shouting crowds in the gutted market besieged the deputy commissioner of the district , Manzoor Ahmad Lone, forcing him to take shelter in a nearby hotel where he was held up for nearly three hours before being rescued by his security guards. 
Meanwhile, an army officer’s residential quarter was completely destroyed in a fire in Anantnag.
http://www.kashmirobserver.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6565:major-blaze-destroys-bandipur-market&catid=2:local-news&Itemid=3

Forest Four off to dart border jumbo - 350km truck journey for elephants

From The Telegraph
Alipurduar/Balurghat, Jan. 3: Four kunkisstarted for South Dinajpur from Jaldapara to help foresters capture an elephant which has been running around in the border villages since Saturday.
The divisional forest officer, Raiganj, Apurba Sen, has been camping in South Dinajpur since the elephant was spotted by BSF jawans at dawn on Saturday on the other side of the fencing at Tapan’s Arjunpur. The area is about 90km from district headquarters Balurghat.
“For the past two days, the elephant has been on the move most of the time and we are keeping a watch on it. However, it crossed the fence into Indian territory yesterday morning and entered the Tilon area of Tapan. It then went north towards Gangarampur and has crossed innumerable rivers and creeks, constantly hounded by villagers. It entered the Kusmandi area this afternoon,” Sen said.
The divisional forest officer said he was more worried about the harm the humans could inflict on the animal. However, till now the elephant has not caused any harm, he said. He said the elephant had possibly from the forests in Jharkhand and had entered the district after crossing over from Malda.
“We had called in a wildlife squad from Sukna that arrived this morning and they are helping us monitor the movement of the elephant. But now, we have called in kunkis from north Bengal so that the animal can be tranquillised and captured,” Sen said. Kunkis are pet elephants of the forest department.
Back in Jaldapara, Dhupjhora and Gorumara, the patawalas or assistant mahouts painted patters on the foreheads of the four kunkis with coloured chalk before they were loaded onto the trucks for the 350-kilometre night-long journey to Kusmandi. Mahouts believe a decorated animal augurs well for any operation undertaken by them.
The four elephants which are to be pressed into service tomorrow are Sambhu and Laxmi from the pilkhana (where pet elephants are kept) in Jaldapara wildlife sanctuary, Surjya from Dhupjhora and Shilabati from Gorumara National Park. All four forests are in Jalpaiguri district.
According to forest sources in Jaldapara, both Sambhu and Laxmi were well experienced in the task and had already been successful in capturing wild elephants in West Midnapore and Cooch Behar.
The divisional forest officer of wildlife III, Om Prakash, said the four kunkiswould reach Kusmandi by tomorrow morning. “We will have to assess the situation and decide what to do tomorrow, if necessary we will have to tranquillise the animal and try and release it in the forest,” he said.
Sen said all throughout Saturday and yesterday there was an apprehension that the elephant might cross over to Bangladeshi territory. “The BSF has been in constant touch with the Bangladesh Rifle to try and keep the animal within our territory. So far, they have been successful,” he said.
Sen said it would have been impossible to dart the elephant on Bangladeshi territory as there was no way that a truck could be taken to the other side to load the animal since there were no inter-border roads available.