BSF hands over suspected ''spy hawk'' to forest department

From OneIndiaNews
Jaisalmer, Feb 10 (PTI) 
The BSF has handed over asuspected spy hawk, captured by jawans from near theIndo-Pakistan border, to the forest department here, officialssaid today.

"After primary examination, it seems that the birdflew in here hunting for prey. However, we have taken x-ray ofthe bird to know if it has some espionage devices inside andanything could be said only after the report comes out," saida BSF official said.

The BSF had captured the bird fitted with a transmitterlike instrument near the Indo-Pakistan border here on Tuesdayand suspected it be a spy hawk sent to Indian territory.

According to official sources, hawks trained forespionage purposes with antennae and other such equipment havebeen caught in the past too.
http://news.oneindia.in/2011/02/10/bsfhands-over-suspected-spy-hawk-to-forestdepartment-aid0126.html

BSF says infiltration in Kashmir on decline

From sify news
2011

Feb 10 (ANI): 

The Border Security Force ( BSF ) has said that infiltration bids from across the border have decreased.

BSF Inspector General, Siddharth Chattopadhyay said: "There were only two cases of firing in the last six months and three cases in seven months. Last year, from January to July, there were 36 infiltration cases. There were 14 cases of infiltration in January alone, this year it has reduced to two."

Last month, four infiltration bids were thwarted, along the border from Aknoor to Samba. (ANI)

http://www.sify.com/news/bsf-says-infiltration-in-kashmir-on-decline-news-national-lckqafjcjai.html

Still no trace of kidnapped WWF trio

From The Times Of India
 Feb 11, 2011
KOKRAJHAR: Hundreds of police, Army and BSF personnel are fanned out in the jungles of Haltugaon division in Kokrajhar district and in Manas National Park in Chirang district to search for the three male WWF-India volunteers who were abducted on February 6, but the boys still remain untraceable. The whereabouts of Gautam Kishore Sarma, Pranjal Saikia and Syed Naushad Zaman is not known for the past four days.

A total of six WWF field-workers, three of whom were girls and the rest boys, were kidnapped on Sunday evening last by suspected Bodo militants. The girls were released on Tuesday evening, but the boys remain in the militants' captivity.

The six young volunteers were part of the WWF team carrying out a tiger habitat occupancy survey in Manas Tiger Reserve in western Assam. Though the security forces have launched rescue operations in suspected areas by deploying the Army and paramilitay forces, including SSB and BSF, to rescue the three volunteers, they are yet to be traced.

A senior police official said the militants had whisked away the WWF-India activists for a huge ransom. A search operation had been launched in Ripu Chirang Wildlife Sanctuary bordering the foothills of Bhutan to rescue them. "The three WWF activists have been held captive somewhere along the Indo-Bhutan border. Efforts are on to rescue them," an SSB official said on condition of anonymity, adding they were trying level best to rescue them. All the forces have already been deployed, the official said.

A pall of gloom has descended on the families of the three boys, members of WWF-India and forest officials since the unknown Bodo militants kidnapped the WWF activists on Sunday evening. The conservation volunteers were kidnapped by a 20-member gang of Bodo armed militants at Ultapani reserve forest. An unknown Bodo militant group, ARONAI', is behind the kidnapping. It is worth mentioning that the abductors have reportedly demanded Rs 50 lakh for the release of the volunteers though the initial demand was of Rs 2 crore. Anupam Sarma, WWF-India in-charge, who is monitoring the search operations and negotiating with the abductors, said the incident left the members of the organization shocked. The young men and women were engaged in selfless conservation efforts and have no political affiliation. "We want the abductors to release them without any harm. We all are praying to God for their safety and have appealed to the kidnappers to release the three boys on humanitarian grounds," he added.

Sarma added that the kidnapping, which occurred at a time when conservation efforts are on in full swing, was most unfortunate. "This will surely hamper the progress of the elephant and tiger estimation in Manas Natiaonal Park," he said.

On the other hand, in an e-mail to the media, NDFB (anti-talk) general secretary N Dinthi Gwra again clarified the outfit's stand on the kidnapping episode, "While there has been speculation and NDFB has been blamed for the abduction of the six WWF volunteers from Ultapani in Kokrajhar on February 6 last, it is hereby clarified that the NDFB is not involved in any way in their abduction and hostage taking." 
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Still-no-trace-of-kidnapped-WWF-trio/articleshow/7471082.cms

Representation of People (Amendment) Act, 2010

From PIB Release

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Law & Justice

10-February-2011

Representation of People (Amendment) Act, 2010

The Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2010 (36 of 2010) which seeks to amend the Representation of the People Act, 1950 (43 of 1950) was enacted and published in the Gazette of India on the 22nd September, 2010. The amending Act confer voting rights to citizens of India who are absenting from their place or ordinary residence in India owing to their employment, education or otherwise outside India (whether temporarily or not). Vide the amending Act, they shall be entitled to have their names registered in the electoral roll in the Assembly/Parliamentary constituency in which their place of residence in India as mentioned in their passport is located.

The Central Government, in consultation with the Election Commission prepared and published the Registration of Electors (Amendment) Rules, 2011 on 3rd February, 2011 {S.O 244 (E)} dt. 03.02.2011} {S.O. 306 (E) dt 09.02.2011}. The Central Government has issued necessary notification bringing the Act into force on the 10th day of February, 2011. Accordingly, the rules have also come into force on the 10th day of February, 2011. The overseas Indians can now furnish the documents self attested by them.

Ministry of Law and Justice, (Legislative Department)
New Delhi, February 10, 2011, Magha 20, 1932

VL:PK:CP: pressnote (10.2.11)
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=69746

Baba Ramdev visits BSF Camp

From The Assam Tribune
Ramdev calls for rooting out corruptionCorrespondent
 TURA, Feb 9 – Yoga guru Baba Ramdev paid a day’s visit here on Tuesday and held an open air yoga session for close to three hours while simultaneously preaching against corruption in public life that has drained the country’s natural resources leading to widespread disparity and inequality.
The yoga guru arrived at the BSF headquarters at Dobasipara here and was greeted by a crowd of over five thousand yoga enthusiasts and well wishers.
He mentioned about the secret bank accounts abroad in which several thousand crores of rupees have been moved out from the country by individuals and groups and said a move must be made to bring it all back.
The yoga guru also informed that a move is underway in the country to put pressure on policy makers to bring back the stolen money.
He categorically stated that the money belonging to the country ought to be returned for the welfare and progress of the nation.
“There is a tendency among sections of the people to try and conceal monetary gains. We need to do away with that and instead embrace nature and simplicity of life,” said Baba Ramdev while expressing happiness with the pristine natural surroundings of Tura that reminded him of the Himalayan foothills.
Although the yoga programme was a success, there were moments of concern on the eve of the Baba’s arrival. Miscreants set on fire a welcome gate for the yoga guru at Rongkhon, the entry point to Tura. The Rongkhon Development Action Committee has condemned the burning down of the gate by vested interest groups and called for strong action against the guilty.
http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=feb1011/oth06

Situation in Darjeeling improves, two BSF companies moved

From IBM Live
PTI | 09:02 PM,Feb 09,2011

Kolkata, Feb 9 (PTI) The situation in violence-hit Darjeeling hills improved today with no untoward incident reported since last night even as two companies of BSF joined the five companies of CRPF personnel stationed there to maintain law and order."There was a requisition for the army last night, but it was neither withdrawn nor followed up since the situation is improving," ADG (law and order) S Karpurakayastha said here.He said one company of CRPF has been deployed in the adjoining Dooars region of Jalpaiguri district.The ADG said the death toll in police firing remained at two. The condition of one Gorkha Janmukti Morcha activist who has been admitted to hospital is, however, critical.Asked about any likely link of the Maoists in yesterday's violence and arson in Darjeeling hills, he said, "Our first priority is to restore law and order and after that other issues will be looked into." The administration, he said, had taken all steps to evacuate the stranded tourists from the hills to the plains.Tracing the root cause of violence, he said the GJM workers tried to set up tents at Sipchu by violating 144 CrPC which the police did not allow."The normal drill was followed during police firing and as in all cases of police firing, an executive inquiry will be held in this case too," he said."Police firing follows certain rules. During yesterday's violence, the police first warned the agitators, then lathi charged, fired teargas shells and finally opened fire."The police can open fire in self-defence and to save life and in this case both causes were there," the ADG said.Asked about the withdrawal of bodyguards of GJM president Bimal Gurung and its general secretary Roshan Giri, he said, "This was a decision taken by the local administration. Whether the threat perception is there or not, will be decided by the local administration only." PTI

http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/situation-in-darjeeling-improves-two-bsf-companies-moved/573032.html

BSF captures suspected spy hawk at Indo-Pak border

From DNA
FEB 10, 2011

The BSF has captured a hawk fitted with a transmitter-like instrument near the Indo-Pakistan border at Jaisalmer recently, an official said today. "We are verifying whether the bird was sent over for spying on Indian territory or accidentally flew in here. The instrument is also being examined," DIG BSF BR Meghwal said. According to official sources, hawks trained for espionage purposes with antennae and other such equipment have been caught in the past too. http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_bsf-captures-suspected-spy-hawk-at-indo-pak-border_1505586

Border intruders won't be shot, Delhi assures Dhaka

From Asian Age

Feb 9, 2011

Dhaka: Delhi has reiterated its assurance to Dhaka that its Border Security Force (BSF) will not shoot at Bangladeshis crossing the border.

Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna gave the assurance to his Bangladeshi counterpart Dipu Moni when they met on the sidelines of a two-day meet of the SAARC foreign ministers in the Bhutanese capital Thimphu Monday.

Krishna told Moni that ‘adequate steps were being taken to address the issue’, official news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) reported.

At the home secretary-level talks held in Dhaka last month, India regretted a January 7 incident in which a teenage girl, Felani, who was crossing the border along with her family, was shot dead by the BSF.

The family was returning from Delhi and the incident occurred at the border near Kurigram, northeastern Bangladesh.

‘New Age’ newspaper on Wednesday said tension mounted in Felani's village in Kurigram district as the local unit of the ruling Awami League announced a rally at the venue where supporters of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) were scheduled to hold a rally to protest Felani's killing.

"The local administration ordered a ban on gatherings in and around Felani's house for today (Wednesday), fearing trouble," the media report said.

Bangladeshi human rights body Odhikar claims that over 1,000 people have been shot dead by the BSF since 2001.

The BSF says its men shoot ‘in self-defence’ as intruders include armed men engaged in smuggling of humans, cattle, arms and drugs.

http://www.asianage.com/india/border-intruders-wont-be-shot-delhi-assures-dhaka-494

Situation in Darjeeling improves, two BSF companies moved

From U Nongsain Kolkata, Feb 9 The situation in violence-hit Darjeeling hills improved today with no untoward incident reported since last night even as two companies of BSF joined the five companies of CRPF personnel stationed there to maintain law and order. "There was a requisition for the army last night, but it was neither withdrawn nor followed up since the situation is improving,"ADG (law and order) S Karpurakayastha said here. He said one company of CRPF has been deployed in the adjoining Dooars region of Jalpaiguri district. The ADG said the death toll in police firing remained at two. The condition of one Gorkha Janmukti Morcha activist who has been admitted to hospital is, however, critical. Asked about any likely link of the Maoists in yesterday&aposs violence and arson in Darjeeling hills, he said,"Our first priority is to restore law and order and after that other issues will be looked into." The administration, he said, had taken all steps to evacuate the stranded tourists from the hills to the plains. Tracing the root cause of violence, he said the GJM workers tried to set up tents at Sipchu by violating 144 CrPC which the police did not allow. "The normal drill was followed during police firing and as in all cases of police firing, an executive inquiry will be held in this case too,"he said. "Police firing follows certain rules. During yesterday&aposs violence, the police first warned the agitators, then lathi charged, fired teargas shells and finally opened fire. "The police can open fire in self-defence and to save life and in this case both causes were there,"the ADG said. Asked about the withdrawal of bodyguards of GJM president Bimal Gurung and its general secretary Roshan Giri, he said,"This was a decision taken by the local administration. Whether the threat perception is there or not, will be decided by the local administration only.

http://nongsain.indiareport.com/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/994013/National/1/20/B

CMAS to take up peaceful agitation to educate tribals

from the hindu
feb 8, 2011

is People's representatives blamed for problems facing tribals

All major political parties as well as the local MP and MLA have completely turned a blind to the problems and plight of people of Narayanpatna block in Koraput district alleged Nachika Linga, leader of controversial Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS), who is claimed to be one of the most wanted persons for Orissa and Andhra Pradesh police.

Speaking to The Hindu over phone from Narayanpatna, Nachika claimed that he was living openly with his tribal brethren in Narayanpatna block, while police was wrongly terming him to be a fugitive. “It is a sharp contrast that Koraput MP Jayaram Pangi and local MLA of Laxmipur Jhinna Hikaka, who are both from the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) do not prefer to come over to meet and discuss with people of Narayanpatna to help them sort out their land rights related issues. But when I and my organisation take up the issues related to genuine rights of tribals we are being termed criminals,” he said. According to him these elected representatives have not visited people of Narayanpatna since past few years.

The CMAS activists have recently decided to motivate the poor tribal families so that they do not collect subsidised rice at Rs. 2 per kilogram from the administration as a mark of peaceful protest. Families in Tentulipadar, Bijaghati, Podapadar, Gumandi, Balipata, Borigi, Langulpeta panchayats are being motivated to take part in this new form of peaceful agitation.

“We tribals want our genuine legal rights over land we cultivate and we feel this subsidised rice is nothing but ‘alm' from the government to demean the tribal pride,” Nachika said. According to him large scale corruption continued in the distribution process of this subsidised rice and it was also being tactfully used by touts to destroy unity among tribals in villages.

‘Ground realities'

He categorically denied his links with Maoists, which is a major allegation against him by the police and administration.

“I and my organisation have always tried to refrain from violence and opt for peaceful agitation” he said. He alleged that in the name of Maoist links CMAS activists were facing atrocities in the hands of security personnel. Personnel of Border Security Force (BSF) who do not know anything about ground realities, local language and culture have become a menace, he alleged. It may be noted that CMAS is demanding removal of BSF camps from Narayanpatna area.

According to him all mainstream political parties had showed up their real colours in relation to Narayanpatna. He said he was least bothered about the hardship that he is facing now as he had faced much more than that since childhood.

According to him his family was bonded labourers of a landlord for generations and he used to earn only Rs. 5 per month as monthly wage, before he decided to oppose similar exploitation of tribals in his area by becoming leader of CMAS. Interestingly the house of the landlord who was involved in exploiting Nachika and his family at Podapadar village has now become a camp of the BSF, which is trying to track down Nachika.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/article1166757.ece

Naxal-hit states to supplement chopper fleet; plan big hiring

From The Hindu

New Delhi, Feb 8, (PTI) :
Five states hit by Naxal violence want to acquire additional fleet of helicopters for operation, planning to rope in private players to hire them as the government chopper fleet has ''limited'' flying hours and pilots.
The prominent states which need more helicopters to tackle the Naxal threat "effectively" are Orissa, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra while states like Jharkhand and Bihar also want to supplement their air fleet.
The states underlined their problems of dearth of the flying machines and their importance in Naxal-affected areas at the internal security conference of Chief Ministers with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held here recently.
"The BSF helicopter fleet, provided by the Centre and operated by the Indian Air Force, has many limitations. They have strict and limited time limit for sorties. The fleet has about two Mi-17 and four ALH Dhruv helicopters which are hard-pressed catering to six to seven Naxal-affected states," sources involved in anti-Naxal operations said.
"The Union Home Ministry has asked us to hire from private players and hence many states have formulated policies to hire these machines on a long-term basis," they said.
Speaking at the conference on February 1, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik asked the Centre to consider "placing dedicated military helicopters at the state capital Bhubaneshwar and in Koraput" to respond to any exigency and move into interiors for deep penetration operations.
He said as per the Home Ministry's advice, the state government was also negotiating with commercial organisations to avail dedicated helicopter services for security forces.
"The helicopters are the most vital equipment for combat forces in Naxal areas as they help in quick evacuation of injured policemen and others, while also assisting in sending reinforcements in case of emergency," sources said.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, during the conference, asked the Centre to make arrangements and send a helicopter, currently kept at Raipur in Chhattisgarh, to Nagpur for security and anti-Naxal operations.
The Chhattisgarh government has recently floated tenders to acquire two helicopters from private operators and position them at Jagdalpur for counter-Naxal duties.
Two heli-bases at Ranchi and Raipur are presently operational for Naxal duties and according to rules, the six helicopters -- two Mi-17 and four Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) 'Dhruvs' -- have a fixed time limit of flying for 80 hours in a month to cater to states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Orissa among others.
The BSF is also recruiting pilots and co-pilots for the wing and plans to complete the process by July this year.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/135943/naxal-hit-states-supplement-chopper.html

Rebels kidnap WWF volunteers in Manas

From The Times Of India

8 Feb, 2011

Kokrajhar/Guwahati: About 20 suspected militants of the anti-talks faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) abducted six WWF-India volunteers at gunpoint from the Labanyapur area of Ultapani reserve forest which falls under the Manas Tiger Reserve. The place where the incident took place straddles Kokrajhar and Chirang districts in the western part of Assam and is near the India-Bhutan international border.

The WWF-India volunteers, who were abducted on Sunday evening, were identified as Gautam Kishore Sarma, Pranjal Saikia, Syed Naushad Zaman, Sharavan Goswami, Tarali Goswami and Pallavi Chakrabarty. Except for Pallavi who is from Shillong, the rest are from Assam.

Four forest staff who accompanied the volunteers were, however, left free by the abductors. The volunteers were working in the area since last month, and were about to finish their work in the next couple of days.

The needle of suspicion pointed towards the proscribed anti-talks faction of NDFB. The NDFB (anti-talks), which recently sent feelers to the state government on its intention to hold peace talks, has a strong presence in Ultapani and its adjoining areas along the international border.

Naushad, a 25-year-old bachelor from Golaghat, did his Masters in tourism from Gauhati University. "He joined Aranyak at its Tezpur office two months ago," said his brother-in-law Syed Manzoor Kadir.

Security forces said the abduction could be a retaliation against the anti-insurgency combing operation in the area, which is about 60 km from Kokrajhar, the headquarters of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).

Sources said the abductors have refused to talk till the combing operation is withdrawn.

"We are in constant touch with the BTC and the state government for the release of the volunteers. We hope that some good news will reach us soon," said WWF-India programme director Sejal Woraj to TOI from New Delhi.

In the meantime, an intensive search operation has been launched for res-cuing the abducted volunteers. Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), which mans the India-Bhutan international border, has been alerted of the abduction incident along with Border Security Force (BSF) and the Bhutan government.

Kokrajhar superintendent of police P K Dutta, the BSF commandant and SSB officials are camping in the border area and monitoring the search operation to secure the release of the six volunteers.

Kokrajhar additional superintendent of police H Das said the search operation has been intensified. Das, however, did not name the militant group involved in the abduction. "We intensified our search operation soon after we received the complaint about the abduction from the forest department," Das added.

Transport minister Chandan Brahma along with speaker of BTC, Paniram Brahma, BTC deputy chief Kampa Borgoyari and BTC executive member James Basumatary on Monday visited Ultapani in a bid to win over the abductors and secure the release of the WWF volunteers.

The transport minister told mediapersons that the incident was most unfortunate as the volunteers have been working for the benefit of the BTC area and have no enmity with anyone. Rather, they have offered their services to the BTC forest department. He appealed for immediate release of the kidnapped WWF activists unconditionally.

Sources said BTC deputy chief Kampa Borgoyari has been able to contact the abductors over phone, possibly on Bhutan SIM cards (as the area does not have Indian network coverage), and directly appealed for their safe release. Though what transpired over the phone call was undisclosed, sources said the abductors have demanded the operation by security forces against them be halted so they can negotiate and release the volunteers.

Several conservation NGOs in the northeast have demanded the safe and early release of the abducted volunteers. In a joint statement, WWF-India, Wildlife Trust of India, Aaranyak, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Dolphin Foundation and EcoSystems-India, said the volunteers were students from the region who were engaged in tiger population estimation work in Manas Tiger Reserve as a part of an all-India exercise.

"These volunteers are innocent students. The conservation of wildlife and forests is of utmost importance for our society and these organisations have requested everyone's support in this regard," the statement said.

Ultapani, a 34-km drive from National Highway 31, is known for its en-demic golden langurs among other rare and endangered wildlife species. The place is also famous for butterflies.

In July last year, four SSB personnel including an assistant commander were ambushed and gunned down by the anti-talks NDFB faction in a for-ested area near the Bhutan border in Chirang district. The anti-talks fac-tion was also involved in the abduction and subsequent release of Ma-harashtra forest official V S Bardekar. He was abducted from a village in Arunachal Pradesh and later released at Dhekiajuli in Sonitpur district of Assam.

http://m.timesofindia.com/PDATOI/articleshow/7448018.cms

Snow, torrential rain lash Valley

From The Hindustan Times

Feb 8, 2011

Torrential rains, gusty winds and snowfall on Monday wreaked havoc in several parts in Kashmir and left one BSF porter dead and three security forces personnel injured at a forward post in Gurez. The rain, which started on Sunday evening, triggered avalanches in several parts of the valley and resulted in shooting stones on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, leading to its closure for traffic.

"An avalanche struck at a forward post at Kabul Gali, Gurez (in north-east of Srinagar) on the Gurez-Mushkoo-Drass side. A porter died and four others, including three paramilitary BSF men, were injured," Amir Ali, officer on special duty with Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, told the Hindustan Times.

An Air Force plane failed to make a sortie to the spot to airlift the injured. "But the injured are being treated at Kabul Gali only. They could not be airlifted due to adverse weather," said Ali.

Temperature in Kashmir valley Srinagar: 1.8 degree Celsius Gulmarg: minus 1.8 degree Celsius Pahalgam: minus 2.10 degree Celsius Kargil: minus 2.7 degree Celsius

Gurez is surrounded by Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's mountains on three sides and the highway connecting it with Srinagar remains closed in winters.

The victim of the avalanche was identified as Jamal Lone (45), a resident of Gujran, Gurez, more than 1gg km away from Srinagar. This has taken the death toll of those killed in avalanches to sic. On Sunday, five people were killed and five injured in rockslides triggered by snowfall at village Garkone in Batalik sector of Kargil district.

There was fresh snowfall in upper reaches in the valley, while the plains recorded both torrential rains and snow.

In its fresh warning, the government said a high danger avalanche warning existed in north Kashmir's Dhudhi, Machil and SM Hill areas. A medium danger avalanche warning stands in several upper reaches in north and north-east of Kashmir valley, including tourists spots like Khilanmarg and higher reaches of Gulmarg.

"People in these areas are advised to avoid movement during snowfall and avoid steep slopes. People are advised not to venture in avalanche prone areas," said Ali.

Rain also closed 300 km Srinagar-Jammu national highway, only road way connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country, for traffic.

Rain recorded in Kashmir valley Qazigund: 102 mm (highest). Srinagar: 10.7 mm Kupwara: 64.4 mm Kokernag: 34.7

"The highway was closed after reports of shooting stones at several places. We are clearing the stretches and might throw it open for the traffic in the evening," DIG south Kashmir H.K Lohai told the HT.

More than 200 vehicles are stranded on the highway. "We returned passenger vehicles but goods trucks have parked on the highway only," said Lohai.

Srinagar-based MeT official predicted "widespread rain and snow in the Valley and the Ladakh region in the next 48 hours due to huge depression caused by western disturbances".

Gusty winds, on throughout the Sunday night, uprooted many trees in several orchards in north and south Kashmir. "The gusty winds also took away tin roofs of houses in several areas," said an official.

There was a major power breakdown in downtown Srinagar after gusty winds caused damaged the wires supplying the electricity to Srinagar city. At several places lines were snapped because of fallen trees bringing down the wires.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Torrential-rains-leave-1-dead-in-Kashmir/Article1-659634.aspx

esulted in shooting stones on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, leading to its closure for traffic.

"An avalanche struck at a forward post at Kabul Gali, Gurez (in north-east of Srinagar) on the Gurez-Mushkoo-Drass side. A porter died and four others, including three paramilitary BSF men, were injured," Amir Ali, officer on special duty with Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, told the Hindustan Times.

An Air Force plane failed to make a sortie to the spot to airlift the injured. "But the injured are being treated at Kabul Gali only. They could not be airlifted due to adverse weather," said Ali.

Temperature in Kashmir valley Srinagar: 1.8 degree Celsius Gulmarg: minus 1.8 degree Celsius Pahalgam: minus 2.10 degree Celsius Kargil: minus 2.7 degree Celsius

Gurez is surrounded by Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's mountains on three sides and the highway connecting it with Srinagar remains closed in winters.

The victim of the avalanche was identified as Jamal Lone (45), a resident of Gujran, Gurez, more than 1gg km away from Srinagar. This has taken the death toll of those killed in avalanches to sic. On Sunday, five people were killed and five injured in rockslides triggered by snowfall at village Garkone in Batalik sector of Kargil district.

There was fresh snowfall in upper reaches in the valley, while the plains recorded both torrential rains and snow.

In its fresh warning, the government said a high danger avalanche warning existed in north Kashmir's Dhudhi, Machil and SM Hill areas. A medium danger avalanche warning stands in several upper reaches in north and north-east of Kashmir valley, including tourists spots like Khilanmarg and higher reaches of Gulmarg.

"People in these areas are advised to avoid movement during snowfall and avoid steep slopes. People are advised not to venture in avalanche prone areas," said Ali.

Rain also closed 300 km Srinagar-Jammu national highway, only road way connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country, for traffic.

Rain recorded in Kashmir valley Qazigund: 102 mm (highest). Srinagar: 10.7 mm Kupwara: 64.4 mm Kokernag: 34.7

"The highway was closed after reports of shooting stones at several places. We are clearing the stretches and might throw it open for the traffic in the evening," DIG south Kashmir H.K Lohai told the HT.

More than 200 vehicles are stranded on the highway. "We returned passenger vehicles but goods trucks have parked on the highway only," said Lohai.

Srinagar-based MeT official predicted "widespread rain and snow in the Valley and the Ladakh region in the next 48 hours due to huge depression caused by western disturbances".

Gusty winds, on throughout the Sunday night, uprooted many trees in several orchards in north and south Kashmir. "The gusty winds also took away tin roofs of houses in several areas," said an official.

There was a major power breakdown in downtown Srinagar after gusty winds caused damaged the wires supplying the electricity to Srinagar city. At several places lines were snapped because of fallen trees bringing down the wires.

Dhaka asks India to exercise restraint on border

From The Hindu
Feb 8, 2011
Sandeep Dikshit

THIMPHU: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will visit Bangladesh for the first time since the new government took over, with “tangible progress” having been achieved in nearly all issues, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni told journalists here. Dr. Moni is here to attend the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Foreign Ministers' two-day meet beginning Tuesday.

Manmohan's visit

While no dates have been finalised for the Prime Minister's visit, he is expected to arrive in Dhaka after the end of the monsoon season. This would be Dr. Singh's first standalone visit to Bangladesh during his two terms as the Prime Minister.

India-Bangladesh ties have been on the upswing since the Awami League-led government took power in Dhaka. However, the killing of Bangladeshis by the Border Security Force on the border is the sole sore point. Touching on this issue, Dr. Moni wanted the BSF to exercise “utmost restraint.” External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna assured her that adequate steps were being taken to address the issue.

According to a Bangladeshi human rights organisation, about 100 Bangladeshis have been killed every year on the border for the past 10 years. The toll was 74 last year, but the most poignant case was that of a 15-year-old girl. Her body hung from the barbed wire fence for hours after the BSF pumped bullets into her. India has ordered a probe into the firing.

But for this issue, Dr. Moni pointed to the many breakthroughs both sides have made in resolving issues of discord. Prime among them is the agreement to ink a 15-year accord on sharing the waters of common rivers Teesta and Feni which would lead to agreements on five other rivers. This was a result of reactivation of the Joint Rivers Commission after several years.

Forward movement

“We are satisfied over the forward movement on issues of bilateral interest and the initiatives taken during Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit. Both Mr. Krishna and Dr. Moni agreed on the need to maintain the momentum,” Foreign Office spokesperson, Vishnu Prakash, said. They also expressed satisfaction over the floating of tenders for projects envisaged in the $ 1 billion line of credit extended by India to Bangladesh, he added.

http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/08/stories/2011020855041200.htm

Delhi lines up Dhaka visits to firm up ties

From The Telegraph

ARCHIS MOHAN

SM Krishna Thimphu, Feb. 7: India today reiterated its desire to see a prosperous Bangladesh, having become conscious of efforts by the Sheikh Hasina government to normalise relations with Delhi. Of late, Bangladesh has been the only neighbour, besides Bhutan, which has had few complaints against subcontinent Big Brother India. Today, external affairs minister S.M. Krishna met his Bangladeshi counterpart Dipu Moni on the sidelines of the Saarc ministerial meeting in Thimphu and spoke of Delhi’s wish to see Bangladesh prosper. Indian officials said Delhi has noted the criticism that the Hasina government has faced from Opposition parties in her country for kow-towing to India. For once, it has also been pro-active. Foreign secretary Nirupama Rao is scheduled to visit Dhaka in March. Krishna will visit the Bangladeshi capital soon after, said an Indian official. New Delhi hopes the visits will keep up the momentum in bilateral relations and take forward the agreements reached between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Hasina when she visited India in January 2010. India wants to dispel the impression that the process initiated during Hasina’s visit has decelerated. Dipu Moni Rao and Krishna’s visits will be a precursor to Prime Minister Singh’s visit to Dhaka at the end of this year. Bangladesh hopes for some big-ticket announcement during Singh’s visit. The two sides are looking forward to an agreement on sharing the Teesta and Feni waters by that time and also resolve all boundary disputes. The Bangladeshi foreign minister today toldThe Telegraph that she was satisfied with the present momentum in the relations. The joint boundary working group of the two countries met in November, followed by discussions on sharing of the Teesta waters and a meeting between the two home secretaries. Power secretaries of the two countries are likely to meet later this month. Officials from both sides today said they were close to resolving their water- sharing and boundary disputes. Officials said a joint survey of the adverse possessions — little bits of territory that citizens have illegally occupied in each other’s country — has been done in Tripura and Assam and was in progress in Meghalaya and Bengal. Both countries will carry out a headcount of people living in their border enclaves in March. Bangladesh has 111 enclaves and India has 51. There was, however, one sour note at the meeting between Moni and Krishna. The Bangladeshi foreign minister raised the issue of the death of a 14-year-old girl near the border from BSF firing. Krishna assured her that the BSF had been asked to exercise extreme restraint.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110208/jsp/nation/story_13551619.jsp