Unlit border gives safe passage to intruders

From The Times Of India
March 7, 2011
AHMEDABAD: There are no lights at the Indo-Pak border in Kutch district. For the last three years, a stretch of 203 km of the Indo-Pak border has been fitted with floodlights to check illegal infiltration.

Ironically, three years have passed since the lights were installed but these are yet to be switched on. Inspector general of BSF A K Sinha said: "The project has been completed with financial grant from the central government. We have little to do in this project. Now, the CPWD (Central Public Works Department) has to take over operations."

The reason is more political than technical - the state and central governments cannot come to a consensus on who should foot the electricity bill.

"Some three years back, the government took the decision to put up barbed wire fencing along the border. Then came the requirement for lights for better security. Floodlights were fitted in the 203 km that has been fenced. This is to ensure that security personnel can see for a greater distance in the night and are able to stop infiltration," said a source in the state government. Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Limited (PGVCL) was assigned the task for setting up infrastructure of power lines. The company has fitted the lights and set up a 66 KW unmanned power substation. But, that too is now plunged in darkness.

"It was a tough task for us since we had to set up this critical infrastructure in a coastal line. In different phases we completed the task for this unmanned substation. The next phase of the project about commissioning of substation and floodlights has to be completed by central PWD and BSF authorities," said PGVCL chief engineer Jagdish Parekh.

Government sources, however, say that the financial concerns have stalled the project from being taken any further. "Both the governments cannot decide on who will foot the electricity bill," said the source. 
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Unlit-border-gives-safe-passage-to-intruders/articleshow/7642814.cms

Peace talks with North East rebel leaders 'good': Pillai

From Sify News
March 6, 2011

Union Home Secretary GK Pillai has described the progress of the ongoing peace talks between the Government and the rebel outfits in the North East such as the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) as 'good'.

While interacting with the media at the Manipur Tribal Cultural Exchange Programme, in Imphal, Pillai said: " I don't think there is any setback to the talks. The talks have been going on with Muivah (General Secretary of NSCN (IM)) and also took place when he came to Dimapur yesterday."

NSCN (IM) General Secretary Muivah and President Isak Chishi Swu had come to Delhi on February 27 to hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in a bid to solve the Nagaland issue and had termed the talks as 'fruitful'.

Pillai has expressed hopes of more insurgents groups coming forth for amicable talks.

He said: " Security operations are underway, we are hopeful that more people will come forward for talks because it is not good to kill or beat people in jail. it is not something which anybody likes."

" I am hopeful that with the arrest of Meghan and other UNLF (United National Liberation Front) leaders, many of them will now start to come forward for talks like the other groups in the north east region," he added.

According to Home Ministry reports, the government's efforts to maintain peace with the insurgent groups is paying great dividends as the northeast had witnessed minimum violence in 2010.

About 20 security personnel, 94 civilians and 247 militants lost their lives in the northeast in 2010, which indicates that the scenario has improved as compared to previous years.

Thousands have died in three decades of violence since ULFA was formed in 1979 in Assam, demanding independence from India, which it accused of plundering the region's mineral and agricultural resources.

However, public support for the group has declined in the recent years. (ANI)

http://www.sify.com/news/peace-talks-with-north-east-rebel-leaders-good-pillai-news-national-ldgo4gjcead.html

‘Few separatists creating turmoil in J&K’

From Deccan Herald News Puttur. March 6, DHNS

The people of Jammu and Ladakh, 4 lakh Kashmir Pandits, 33,000 Sikhs and a section of Muslims who are the residents of Kashmir desire Jammu and Kashmir to remain as an integral part of India.

It is only the minority population of separatists who are creating the entire turmoil. There is a need to take a firm decision so as to retain Jammu and Kashmir in our nation, said RSS Sarsangh Chalak Mohan Bhagavat. He was addressing the RSS Swayamsevaks at a mammoth gathering ‘Sanghik’ organised at the premises of Vivekananda High School here on Sunday as a prologue to the annual meeting of Akhil Bharateeya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) to be held from March 11. Putting across his thoughts over the Kashmir issue, he said the issue has been complicated by the government. “Due to the wrong political decisions taken in the past, Kashmir became a sensitive matter. And the stand taken by us all these years, the way in which the problem has been addressed has augmented the problem rather than solving it. Perhaps India is the only nation in the world which is having uncertaininty over its own territory,” he lamented. Expressing his concern over the vote bank politics, he criticised a section of political parties for differentiating between the voters. Just for the sake of minority votes, a political party dares to call India as a nation with majority terrorists (Hindus). If Hindus themselves are called as terrorists in their own nation, then what we can expect from such parties? he questioned. Quoting the views of Noble laureate Rabindranath Tagore, Bhagavat said, Tagore in his essay on ‘Swadeshi Samaj’ has clearly said, a day will come when the Indians will find a way out to solve the problems prevailing between the Hindus and the Muslims in India and that solution will be in the form of Hindutva. “Hinduism is the strength of our nation. Despite Muslim kings ruling India for about 500 years, none of their tactics could weaken the spirit of Hindu culture. But as the former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam has said, the Hindus have remained as slaves because they refuse to use the power,” he opined. Bhagavat asked all the RSS workers to work towards an objective that is to reform and strengthen the country. Passing remarks on those who join RSS with an intention to get a ticket in the election he said, “If you are joining RSS with the selfish motives then it is not the right place.” RSS leader Suresh Joshi, Mangalore region Saha Sanghachalak Dr Vaman Shenoy, District-in-Charge Minister Krishna J Palemar, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLA Yogish Bhat and others were present on the occassion. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/143700/few-separatists-creating-turmoil-jampk.html

Bengal to release 37 Bangladeshi prisoners Tuesday

From Thaindian News
Kolkata, March 7 (IANS) The West Bengal government will Tuesday release 37 Bangladeshi nationals who were arrested for infiltrating into Indian territory, police said Monday.
“We will release at least 37 Bangladeshi nationals who have served their terms in Raiganj correctional home (in North Dinajpur district) for entering Indian territory without any valid documents,” Additional Director General of Police (correctional services) B.D. Sharma said.
“They will be handed over to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel at Changrabandha immigration check post in Cooch Behar,” Sharma said.
“We are also taking initiative to release 20 more Bangladeshi inmates who are languishing in correctional homes after completing their terms within two-three days,” Sharma told IANS over phone.
The initiative was taken after at least 46 Bangladeshi nationals lodged in the Raiganj correctional home fell ill after a three-day hunger strike to demand their immediate release.
“Several Bangladeshi inmates are languishing in correctional homes even after serving their terms. All these people lack valid documents and the process of sending them back to Bangladesh is quite lengthy.
“We need to maintain coordination among BSF (Border Security Force), BGB, Bangladesh Deputy High Commission and other agencies. Yesterday (Sunday), a deputy inspector general rank officer was sent to look into the matter.
“We have completed the liaison with the Bangladesh’s deputy high commissioner and BGB personnel and they have agreed to take back the 37 inmates,” said Sharma.


More at : Bengal to release 37 Bangladeshi prisoners Tuesday http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/bengal-to-release-37-bangladeshi-prisoners-tuesday_100511136.html#ixzz1FvDNjFe6

Jawans to stay connected through 'Rakshak' scheme

From Deccan Herald

Bikaner, Mar 6, 2011 (PTI)

Central Paramilitary force jawans can now stay connected with their families over mobile phones in any part of the country without spending a paise on call charges.

The Department of Telecommunication is launching a scheme called 'Rakshak' from tomorrow offering this facility to the soldiers defending the borders in far flung areas and tackling insurgents in Maoist affected areas. It will be launched by Minister of State for Communication and IT Sachin Pilot tomorrow at Barmer in Rajasthan.Under this scheme, CPMF troops will get two BSNL SIM cards by paying a monthly fee of Rs 299. "Rakshak scheme has been launched especially for the jawans of CPMF. By paying a nominal charge of Rs 299, the jawans will get two SIM cards, one of which he can give it to the family and the other he can keep it with himself in his place of posting. There will be no charge on the cost made between the two SIM cards," Sachin Pilot told PTI here. The facility will be provided to all the troops of BSF, CRPF, ITBP, CISF and SSB. The jawans will also get the facility of 200 free SMS per month on their mobile connection. Besides, to help jawans of CPMF who are deployed on the borders and in difficult terrains and in Naxal affected areas, the call of satellite phones have also been reduced to Rs 1 from Rs 5 for every minute by the Department of Telecom and Post. "The jawans of CPMF are posted in one of the harshest terrains where they don't have proper communication facility. The initiative has been taken by Department of Telecom and Post to ensure that they interact with their families on a regular basis without bothering about the cost," Pilot said. The minister will also provide 65 satellite phones to BSF solders deployed along Rajasthan border at Barmer tomorrow. Pilot is on a three-day visit to the border areas of Rajasthan to inaugurate seven head post offices and dedicate the 'Rakshak' scheme to the paramilitary forces. The Minister will inaugurate a head office in Tannot under Jaisalmer district through video conferencing while he will be inaugurating another head post office in Marwar junction in Pali district and in Jalore district. Replying to a question as to why all corruption cases are emerging from the present government only, Pilot said the Government was committed to weed out corruption. "Our party president Sonia Gandhi has herself spoken against it and we are determined to take necessary action. We should not politicise corruption. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has also said steps would be taken by the Government to weed out corruption," he said. Asked why the Government did to accede to the Opposition demand for a JPC into the 2G spectrum scam in the last Winter Session of Parliament, he said "JPC is not an investigating agency so the party did not accept opposition demand in last Parliament session". He also spoke about the Government's commitment to wipe out terrorism and increased defence allocation this time. Earlier, addressing a gathering of Bikaner Industry Association, Pilot assured necessary steps both by the Centre as well as the State Government to promote investment opportunities in Rajasthan in the fields of telecommunication, IT and solar energy. Asked for his reaction about the migration of 1.25 lakh BSNL mobile subscribers to other mobile services after the launch of mobile number portability scheme, the Minister said BSNL's job is also to ensure welfare and provide mobile services in the areas where private operators don't go. After the cloudburst in Ladakh last year, BSNL was the only service provider which airlifted 28 satellite phones and restored communication facility in Leh district, he said

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/143443/jawans-stay-connected-through-rakshak.html

Solution to Outstanding issues with Bangladesh

Press Information Bureau 

Government of India

Ministry of External Affairs 

03-March-2011

India and Bangladesh are working closely to strengthen cooperation in a range of issues. They are also in the process of implementing several important decisions taken at various high level meetings. All outstanding issues between the two sides are being addressed expeditiously. Considerable progress has been achieved in many areas including power cooperation, water sharing and related issues and connectivity. India facilitated electrification of Dahagram and Angarpota. The US $1 billion Line of Credit Agreement was signed in the presence of Finance Ministers of both the countries. Other areas of progress include signing of a MoU on Border Haat, India allowing the Nepalese trucks to enter 200 meters inside the Bangladesh border, designating Ashuganj in Bangladesh and Silghat in India as Ports of Call, holding of the meeting of the Joint Boundary Working Group in November 2010 and the Joint Rivers Commission in March 2010.

Article 1(12) of the India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement, 1974, provides for exchange of the Indian Enclaves in Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Enclaves in India. An agreed list of enclaves has been prepared and signed between the two sides in April 1997 to this effect. As per the agreed list, Bangladesh has 51 enclaves inside Indian Territory with an area of 7110 acres while India has 111 enclaves inside Bangladesh territory with an area of 17160 acres.

The Minister of State in the Ministry Of External Affairs Shri E. Ahamed gave this information in reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.

YSK/PM
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=70496

Solution to Outstanding issues with Bangladesh

Press Information Bureau 

Government of India

Ministry of External Affairs 

03-March-2011 18:18 IST

India and Bangladesh are working closely to strengthen cooperation in a range of issues. They are also in the process of implementing several important decisions taken at various high level meetings. All outstanding issues between the two sides are being addressed expeditiously. Considerable progress has been achieved in many areas including power cooperation, water sharing and related issues and connectivity. India facilitated electrification of Dahagram and Angarpota. The US $1 billion Line of Credit Agreement was signed in the presence of Finance Ministers of both the countries. Other areas of progress include signing of a MoU on Border Haat, India allowing the Nepalese trucks to enter 200 meters inside the Bangladesh border, designating Ashuganj in Bangladesh and Silghat in India as Ports of Call, holding of the meeting of the Joint Boundary Working Group in November 2010 and the Joint Rivers Commission in March 2010.

Article 1(12) of the India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement, 1974, provides for exchange of the Indian Enclaves in Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Enclaves in India. An agreed list of enclaves has been prepared and signed between the two sides in April 1997 to this effect. As per the agreed list, Bangladesh has 51 enclaves inside Indian Territory with an area of 7110 acres while India has 111 enclaves inside Bangladesh territory with an area of 17160 acres.

The Minister of State in the Ministry Of External Affairs Shri E. Ahamed gave this information in reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.

YSK/PM
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=70496

Time-Limit for Disciplinary Action Against Govt. Servants

Press Information Bureau 

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions 

03-March-2011 17:21 IST

The Government had appointed a three member Committee of Experts to examine and suggest measures to expedite the process involved in Disciplinary/Vigilance Proceedings. In its Report, the Committee has recommended that a time limit of two months may be prescribed for completion of minor penalty disciplinary inquiries and 12 months for major penalty disciplinary inquiries. The report of the Committee is under examination. As part of preventive measures for checking corruption, it is imperative that Disciplinary Proceedings are completed in time, and delinquent officers are punished. 

The matter related to amendment to the Article 311 of the constitution to remove the protection shield of Government servants is being examined by a Group of Ministers. 

This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Shri V.Narayanasamy in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today. 

***

RS/SR

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=70480

Jawans to stay connected through 'Rakshak' scheme

From Deccan Herald

Bikaner, Mar 5, 2011 (PTI)

Central Paramilitary force jawans can now stay connected with their families over mobile phones in any part of the country without spending a paise on call charges.

The Department of Telecommunication is launching a scheme called 'Rakshak' from tomorrow offering this facility to the soldiers defending the borders in far flung areas and tackling insurgents in Maoist affected areas. It will be launched by Minister of State for Communication and IT Sachin Pilot tomorrow at Barmer in Rajasthan.Under this scheme, CPMF troops will get two BSNL SIM cards by paying a monthly fee of Rs 299. "Rakshak scheme has been launched especially for the jawans of CPMF. By paying a nominal charge of Rs 299, the jawans will get two SIM cards, one of which he can give it to the family and the other he can keep it with himself in his place of posting. There will be no charge on the cost made between the two SIM cards," Sachin Pilot told PTI here. The facility will be provided to all the troops of BSF, CRPF, ITBP, CISF and SSB. The jawans will also get the facility of 200 free SMS per month on their mobile connection. Besides, to help jawans of CPMF who are deployed on the borders and in difficult terrains and in Naxal affected areas, the call of satellite phones have also been reduced to Rs 1 from Rs 5 for every minute by the Department of Telecom and Post. "The jawans of CPMF are posted in one of the harshest terrains where they don't have proper communication facility. The initiative has been taken by Department of Telecom and Post to ensure that they interact with their families on a regular basis without bothering about the cost," Pilot said. The minister will also provide 65 satellite phones to BSF solders deployed along Rajasthan border at Barmer tomorrow. Pilot is on a three-day visit to the border areas of Rajasthan to inaugurate seven head post offices and dedicate the 'Rakshak' scheme to the paramilitary forces. The Minister will inaugurate a head office in Tannot under Jaisalmer district through video conferencing while he will be inaugurating another head post office in Marwar junction in Pali district and in Jalore district. Replying to a question as to why all corruption cases are emerging from the present government only, Pilot said the Government was committed to weed out corruption. "Our party president Sonia Gandhi has herself spoken against it and we are determined to take necessary action. We should not politicise corruption. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has also said steps would be taken by the Government to weed out corruption," he said. Asked why the Government did to accede to the Opposition demand for a JPC into the 2G spectrum scam in the last Winter Session of Parliament, he said "JPC is not an investigating agency so the party did not accept opposition demand in last Parliament session". He also spoke about the Government's commitment to wipe out terrorism and increased defence allocation this time. Earlier, addressing a gathering of Bikaner Industry Association, Pilot assured necessary steps both by the Centre as well as the State Government to promote investment opportunities in Rajasthan in the fields of telecommunication, IT and solar energy. Asked for his reaction about the migration of 1.25 lakh BSNL mobile subscribers to other mobile services after the launch of mobile number portability scheme, the Minister said BSNL's job is also to ensure welfare and provide mobile services in the areas where private operators don't go. After the cloudburst in Ladakh last year, BSNL was the only service provider which airlifted 28 satellite phones and restored communication facility in Leh district, he said

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/143443/jawans-stay-connected-through-rakshak.html

BSF seize arms, ammunition near Indo- Pak border

From Sify News

March 6, 2011

The Border Security Force (BSF) has seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition near the India- Pakistan border in Ferozepur, Punjab.

Commander C .H. Sethura said suspicious movement of two people earlier on Friday (March 04) night had triggered a search operation in the area.

"In the new Gajniwala area, around 2 am at night, movement of two suspected people was seen in the area. So we kept the area under watch for the whole night and then searched it in the morning."

" While searching we found a bag hidden in a hut. We found five pistols, nine magazines and some rounds of ammunition in the bag. We had been getting continuous information about such activities for some time now, so we were alert and could find the ammunition," he added.

Sethura said that the arms and ammunition seized are suspected to be from Pakistan and China.

India shares a fragile relationship with Pakistan and Pakistani infiltrators carrying out illegal activities, in the border areas have been a continuous problem for India. (ANI)

http://www.sify.com/news/bsf-seize-arms-ammunition-near-indo-pak-border-news-national-ldgmuiegeij.html

Divorce granted by panchyat;HC comes to the rescue of BSF man

From MSN News

06/03/2011

Sanjeev Kumar

New Delhi, Mar 6 (PTI) "It is a conflict between ''Bharat'' and India." This is how the Delhi High Court described a situation in which BSF authorities sacked a constable on charges of bigamy without recognising the divorce validated by a village panchayat.

The High Court rapped the BSF for not being "pragmatic" and taking a technical view by not recognising the divorce granted by the panchayat to Shiv Ram on the ground that it was not in consonance with the Hindu Marriage Act having a stamp of approval from the court of law.

"Another instance of conflict between India and ''Bharat''. The social norms in rural India are not accepting the changes which the legislature intends to bring. Hindu Marriage Act 1955!

"It is observed more in breach rather than in compliance in rural areas. The reason appears to be that the rural society is not in sync with the modern ethos which the city bred propagates," a bench headed by Justice Pradeep Nandrajog said, while ordering reinstatement of Shiv Ram.

"We allow the petition and quash orders (of Inquiry committees) and direct petitioner (Shiv Ram) to be reinstated.
Sans wages, he would be entitled to consequential benefits," it said, asking BSF to comply with the order in six weeks.

Shiv Ram, a resident of Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh, married a girl of a neighbouring village in 2000.

As differences cropped up, a village panchayat allowed them to separate and asked Shiv Ram to pay alimony to her.
Later, Shiv Ram''s first wife re-married and he also wed another girl.
However, his woes began when his second wife and her parents complained to BSF authorities accusing him of bigamy as his customary divorce was validated by a ''panchyat'' and not by a court of law.
The first court of inquiry, instituted by BSF, ordered his suspension by opining that though his second wife was not forced to marry, he will have to furnish a decree of divorce from a court of law as the panchayt order was invalid.

However, the second inquiry took a "technical" view saying the subsequent filing of divorce plea in the court established bigamy that he re-married during subsistence of his first marriage. It also ordered his sacking.

"The finding of the First Court of Inquiry is in harmony with the social realities in India. Its acceptance by the Commandant was correct. Petitioner was rightly advised to regularise the technical wrongs. We see no reason why the petitioner should be made to suffer," the bench said. (More) PTI SJK RKS ABA

http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4999975

PULF cadre surrendered

From E-Pao
Imphal, March 05 2011: A cadre of PULF (Azad) faction has surrendered to the BSF authority today along with a 9 mm pistol with magazine containing four live rounds at Koirengei.

The PULF cadre identified as self styled private Md Imran Khan (23) of Keirao Makting Awang Leikai under Irilbung Police station, Imphal East laid down the arm before RK Thapa DIG (G) Frontiers HQ, M&C BSF in the presence of Madan Lal, Commandant 116 battalion BSF, RK Mishra, Commandant 13 battalion BSF and representatives of police at SHQ BSF CI (Ops) Koirengei today.

Welcoming the homecoming of the surrendered UG cadre to the main stream of civil society, DIG (G) RK Thapa assured his family members that BSF will arrange all the benefits to him as per policy laid down by the government of Manipur and India, stated a press release of BSF today.
http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=Snipp6..060311.mar11

UG surrender

From KanglaOnLine

IMPHAL, Mar 5: A PULF cadre (Azad) faction surrendered before BSF authority today along with a 9mm pistol with magazine containing four live rounds in it.

Md. Imran Khan (23), S/s Pte R/o Keirao Makting Awang Leikai, PS- Irilbung, dist Imphal East, laid down the arm before SH R.K.Thapa DIG(G) FTR HQ M&C BSF, in the presence of SH Madan Lal Commandant 116 bn BSF, SH R K Mishra commandant 13 bn BSF and representatives of police at SHQ BSV CL (Ops) Manipur Koirengei, Imphal.

During the ceremony DIG (G) FTR HQ M&C BSF welcomed the surrendered underground for comming to the main stream of civil society and also assured his family members that bsf will arrange all the benefits to him as per policy laid down by the government of Manipur/India.

http://kanglaonline.com/2011/03/ug-surrender/