Woman police chief transferred after spat with Haryana health minister A...

Fatehabad, Haryana: IPS officer Sangeet Kalia, SP of Fatehabad district, was on Saturday shunted out, a day after a spat with Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij during a meeting, triggering angry reactions against him from the opposition and on the social media.

The minister had on Thursday stormed out of a meeting of the District Grievances and Public Relations Committee after the police officer refused to follow his order to leave the venue following heated exchanges between them. The video of their spat went viral on social media. Official sources said government has decided to transfer Kalia from her current post as Fatehabad SP, adding formal orders will be issued soon.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar earlier today told reporters in Karnal that he had taken cognizance of the matter and it will be dealt with appropriately.

The spat issue drew sharp reactions from various quarters, with opposition slamming Vij over his comments with a lady officer, while Chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Castes, P L Punia, demanded that the Minister should be sacked.

Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that the Minister should have maintained decorum while speaking to a lady officer and deprecated his behaviour with her.

Notably, Vij, who is known for his outspoken nature even taking on his own government, said that he had been getting complaints of drug mafia and liquor mafia being active.

"Yesterday, one NGO complained to police, but she (Kalia) shouted back at the NGO telling it

Following it with a tweet, Vij said that he is ready to pay any price and even ready to make sacrifice to ensure justice to people who are oppressed due to indifferent attitude of administration.

"I have spoken to the CM. I want to make one thing very clear that I will continue to fight against those officials who do not work," he said.

The incident drew sharp reactions on social media, with several coming out in support of Kalia, saying the Minister should have exercised restraint.

In another tweet, the minister said, "I am ready to pay any price and make any sacrifice for getting justice for people who face harassment at the hands of administration".

Vij was slammed for his tweet by the people on social media.

One tweet said, "Fatehabad SP is an honest officer, who is stopping illegal work that comes to her notice. You (Vij) are being misguided by wrong people. I was not expecting this from a leader like you".

"Her only fault lies that she cares two hoots for power brokers. She has been working honestly and during her time crime graph has come down," he said.

Another tweet reminded the Minister that he was occupying a "constitutional post".

"You should not speak through your tongue (asking SP to get out..)," he tweeted.

The confrontation between Vij and Kalia took place during a meeting of the District Grievances and Public Relations Committee in Fatehabad yesterday, where the minister questioned Kalia regarding a complaint pertaining to an unauthorised sale of liquor in villages.

Deputy Commissioner N K Solanki was also present in the meeting. Vij asked the SP what the police was doing regarding multiple sale points of liquor opened in villages.

The officer explained the responsibilities of the police in this regard and mentioned that 2,500 cases had been registered in connection with the Excise Act in the past 10 months, which was a record.

The minister was, however, not satisfied with SP's response. As the exchange between the duo continued, the minister by now enraged asked the SP to "get out" of the meeting. The lady officer, however, refused to leave the meeting as she felt she was not in the wrong, and even objected to the minister's manner.

The minister then left the meeting in a huff. All BJP workers and committee members followed suit. The officer declined to comment on the incident, saying everything happened before media and that she would not like to add anything further.

Congress leader Manish Tewari said the minister acted in a crude manner. For the simple reason, you don't behave with a lady in this manner irrespective of whether she is an officer or not. There is certain decorum, which you must observe. If this had happened in some other party senior party Digvijay Singh said, "It displays arrogance and ego of the BJP. This will continue till such things are not eliminated.”

"This is punishment without any inquiry. The Haryana government has initiated action against the SP without going into details and without conducting any inquiry,” another leader Shakeel Ahmed said.

Shots fired accidentally outside prime minister's residence

Shots were fired “accidentally” by a Delhi police constable during a shift change outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 7, Race Course Road residence here on Wednesday night, sending security officials into a tizzy.

The police constable was handing his AK-47 rifle over to his colleague when it accidentally went off. The rifle went off due to a mechanical glitch and has been sent for forensic examination.

Around three to four rounds were accidentally were fired from the rifle. A senior police official said that no one was injured in the incident that occurred at about 8.30 pm during change of duty in the media parking lot opposite the Prime Minister’s residence in the posh Lutyens’ bungalow area.

“The police constable was posted with the PCR. His shift was about to get over and he was about to hand over his gun to his colleague when it went off accidentally,” the official said.

He added that an inquiry was immediately initiated into the incident and action would be taken if the said constable was found guilty. According to highly-placed sources, Intelligence Bureau and other agencies will probe the incident

Mumbai court allows Headley to be made an accused in 26/11 case

US terrorist David Coleman Headley 

David Coleman Headley, the Pakistani-American LeT terrorist serving time in the US, must be produced in the 26/11 case on December 10 by video-conference, a Mumbai court directed today while allowing a plea by Mumbai police to make him an accused.

"Your exhibit (application) is allowed," said judge GA Sanap.

The court also issued a summons to Headley and directed that he be produced before the court via video-conferencing on December 10.

The Mumbai police on October 8 had moved an application before the court saying that Headley (who is currently serving 35 years in an American prison for his role in the terror attacks) deserves to be tried by this (Mumbai) court together with 26/11 key plotter Sayed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal as both of them are conspirators and abettors behind the dastardly strikes on November 26, 2008.

The court is presently trying Jundal for his alleged role in the case.

Speaking to PTI, special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said, "David Headley has been joined as an accused along with Abu Jundal (in the 26/11 case) and the court has taken cognisance of offences against Headley."

The police had pleaded that the (Mumbai) court may kindly issue a Letter of Request to US District court of Illinois to produce Headley before this (Mumbai) court through video-conferencing.

The offences with which Headley is likely to be charged by this court are distinct and separate than the offences with which he had been charged and punished in USA, police said.

The police had prayed that court may proceed (the trial) against Headley after taking cognizance of the offences committed by him.

In the application, the Mumbai police had said that from the judgement passed by the US court against Headley, it was clear that he was a member of LeT and he had played an active role in the criminal conspiracy in the terror attack.

The application also said that Headley has entered into a plea agreement with US in 2010 and thereby willingly and voluntarily agreed that he has committed the conspiracy.

‘Will kill one hostage every 5 minutes’: Chilling last minute details of Paris attacks revealed

London: Describing the scene within the Bataclan theatre as something out of Dante's Hell, accounts from the survivors and the police officers involved, reveal terrible details of the two-hour long siege of the concert hall.

Revealing how the attackers used the hostages as human shields and promised to kill one hostage every five minutes, a report in DailyMail described the final moments on the attacks.

"We are going to make you go through what the innocents in Syria are suffering," one of the victims reportedly quoted the attackers as saying, and added, "We will massacre the innocent. We want you to tell everybody."

The attackers issued threats of killing one person every 5 minutes and throw bodies out of the window, which could have prompted the swift raid that followed. One of the survivors also recalls that the attackers spoke in French and that one of them looked Algerian. They also wanted to talk to reporters, he said, adding that the attackers wanted media attention to spread their toxic brand of Islam. They also asked him to burn cash in a protest of western capitalism. 

The police used battering ram to break open the door, and threw in stun grenades. The ISIS terrorists had placed two human shields by the door but they were unhurt despite the force.

One of the terrorists blew himself up when the first officer arrived at the theatre at 10 pm. Following the storming in later on at 10.15, the remaining terrorists fled upstairs and continued shooting. An hour later, the terrorists, who were by now holed up behind a door with hostages, yelled out that they would blow up everything if the forces tried to break in the door.

No police or hostages were killed in the three minutes of gunfire exchange that followed, which left both the terrorists dead. One of them detonated the suicide vest, while the other was killed in the gunfight. Images of a bullet ridden riot shield surfaced on Wednesday, showing the intensity of the atatcks. 

The police officer, describing the hostages who were free, said "They emerged from the most extraordinary hiding places and came out like Zombies. They were in a terrible state and could hardly walk."

Meanwhile, another report indicates that the attackers could have been under the influence of drugs. Citing a video showing the insides of the filthy rooms that they rented out before carrying out the attacks, the report says that a pile of used syringes, a set of short needles and plastic tubing were found scattered on the coffee table of the room. The video also showed leftovers of Pizza and chocolate cakes.

The police have also found that the suicide bomber Ibrahim Abdeslam rented a safe house 15km away.

Asaram has been 'framed' in false case; will seek bail for him: Subramanian Swami

buy clomid online malaysia wikipedia reference malaria doxycycline india can you buy dapoxetine home New Delhi: BJP leader Subramanian Swami on Monday alleged that godman Asaram had been "framed in a false case" and said he would approach court for his bail after Diwali.

"Asaram has been framed in this false case at the behest of Sonia Gandhi following his drive in Gujarat against religious conversions by missionaries," alleged Swami.

The godman has been in jail since last two years in connection with an alleged rape case. Swami, who met Asaram in jail for about an hour this morning, termed the entire case "bogus" and said he would be moving court once again for his bail.

"I would be coming back after Diwali and would plead for his bail in the court," he told reporters.

Swami had first visited Asaram in jail on April 23 this year before finally deciding to move to the court with a bail plea in June. His plea, however, was rejected by the trial court. He said he discussed various aspects of the case with Asaram in jail today.

"I am sure that this entire case would not stand in the court and Asaram would walk out of jail very soon with full dignity," Swami claimed.

Dog remark: Shatrughan Sinha hits back, says 'haathi chale Bihar, bhaunken hazaar'

Patna: Actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha on Tuesday reacted sharply to party colleague Kailash Vijayvargiya's dog analogy on him even as more disgruntled voices emerged from within BJP over its massive defeat in Bihar polls.

"People want my reaction to Vijayvargiya's remark. My reaction to small or big flies in any party is "Haathi chale Bihar... bhaunken hazaar" (many bark but the caravan moves on)," Shatrughan Sinha said in his tweet message as a sharp riposte to BJP general secretary's remark.

BJP Lok Sabha member from Patna Sahib, Sinha popularly known as "Bihari Babu", been vocal throughout Bihar elections raising weakeness of the party and praising CM Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad which left party leaders in a difficult situation.

On Monday, he went to meet Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD President Lalu Prasad to congratulate them on grand secular alliance landslide victory in elections. Sinha's utterances triggered vicious comment from senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya who likened the sulking MP to a dog.

Meanwhile, BJP MP from Begusarai Bhola Singh said, "BJP not only lost in Bihar but got drowned in knee deep water."

Team Mamata reaches out to Nitish's strategist

One of the directors of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), the advocacy group led by Kishor, had shown interest

Kolkata: As Bengal warms up for Assembly elections next year, it will look to go the Bihar way. According to a Telegraph report, Mamata Banerjee’s aides have approached Prashant Kishor, the election strategist who drove Nitish Kumar to victory in Bihar.

According to the report, source told the newspaper that one of the directors of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), the advocacy group led by Kishor, had shown interest. "The Mamata Banerjee camp has evinced interest in seeking the services of our organisation for the 2016 Bengal Assembly polls," the source was quoted as saying.

However, Mamata Banerjee chose to keep it under wraps. "There hasn't been any discussion with him as of now.... How can I tell you?" she said.

Nitish Kumar on Monday called up his West Bengal counterpart and invited her to attend his swearing-in ceremony. According to sources, Kumar first thanked Banerjee for her support and congratulatory message and then requested her to attend his swearing-in ceremony which is likely to be held after Diwali and Chhat festivals. “The Bihar chief minister will send the formal invitation card/letter to Didi after the finalisation of the date of swearing-in,” sources added.

While the five-phase Assembly elections were in progress, Banerjee had asked the voters of Bihar to vote for Nitish Kumar-led Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance). “Request you all in Bihar to please vote to re-elect Nitish Kumarji as the chief minister for greater need of our country and development in the state,” she had tweeted ahead of the third phase of the poll.

On Sunday, when it became clear that the Grand Alliance was going to win, she tweeted again. “Congratulations Nitish Kumarji, Laluji and your full team, and all my Bihar brothers and sisters. Victory of tolerance, defeat of intolerance,” she said. Her party spokesperson Derek O’Brien went a step further and claimed that BJP was defeated and India was saved.

2 Armymen killed in firing by Pakistan in north Kashmir

An Army soldier looks towards Pakistan from the Indian side of the Line of Control in Kashmir.

Two army jawans were killed on Monday as Pakistani troops pounded Indian positions with mortars and machine guns in Gurez sector in Kashmir along the Line of Control (LoC) in yet another ceasefire violation.

"The Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire by opening firing in Gurez sector at 12.30 pm which lasted till 2.00 pm," an army spokesman said here.

He said two jawans were killed in the firing by Pakistani troops, who used automatic rifles, machine guns and mortars to target the Indian posts.

"Our troops responded to the unprovoked aggression in equal measure," he added.

The ceasefire violation comes five days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled to visit to Jammu and Kashmir on November 7. 

Modi speaks to Nepal PM, expresses 'shock' over killing of Indian national

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed "shock" over the unfortunate killing of an Indian due to police firing in Nepal on Monday and requested for details from his Nepalese counterpart K P Oli even as India summoned that country's envoy over the incident.

"The Prime Minister has expressed shock and condemned the unfortunate killing of a youngster from Bihar due to police firing in Nepal," the Prime Minister's Office said here.

During the telephonic conversation, Modi expressed concern over the incident and requested for details, it said.

19-year-old Ashish Ram of Raxaul in Bihar was killed after he received a bullet shot in his head when police opened fire on protesters at Shankaracharya Gate near Birgunj Customs, Nepal Home Ministry sources said in Kathmandu.

However, Modi assured the Nepalese leader that there was no obstacle from the Indian side on supply of fuel and other essentials.

"At the same time, the Prime Minister urged Nepalese leaders to work towards ensuring an early and effective solution to the crisis," the PMO added.

India also summoned Nepal Ambassador Deep Kumar Upadhyay and told him that it is "deeply concerned" over firing incidents in Birgunj.

He was also told that issues facing Nepal are political in nature and cannot be resolved by force and that the causes underlying the present state of confrontation need to be addressed by the government of Nepal credibly and effectively.

Earlier, the External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson said India has asked its freight transporters to exercise caution and not put themselves in danger. The advisory may deepen the supply crisis to the Himalayan nation.

He said Indian freight forwarders and transporters have voiced their worries again today about the deteriorating situation across the border.

"We are advising them to exercise caution and not put themselves in danger. We are monitoring the situation carefully," he added.

Since the promulgation of the Constitution in Nepal in September, the Indian-origin Madhesi population has been agitating as they believe the country's new Constitution discriminates against them, denying them equal standing with other Nepalis.

The agitation obstructed supply of essential commodities including petrol thereby creating a crisis in Nepal, which accused India of imposing an "economic blockade", a charge denied by India.

India maintained that the supply was obstructed due to protests on the Nepalese side and asked the Nepal government to have political resolution of issues facing that country which should have broad-based ownership and acceptance of the Constitution by all section of the society including those disaffected agitating forces. 

Telugu Desam corners Telangana Rashtra Samithi on unkept promises

Hyderabad: Indicating that it intends to corner the TRS at every given opportunity in the run-up to the Warangal LS bypoll, TS TD on Sunday posed a series of questions designed to leave the ruling party leadership squirming.

TD politburo member and former MP Ravula Chandrasekhar Reddy and party spokesperson Rajaram Yadav demanded the TRS leadership explain to people of Warangal on what ground was it seeking votes in the byelection.

“It’s quite amazing on the part of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao to avoid facing the Constitutionally obligatory bypoll for the Sanathnagar and other Assembly constituencies held by Opposition MLAs who have switched over to the TRS and are facing disqualification, but force a bypoll for the Warangal LS,” they said.

The TD leaders accused Mr Rao of forcing elected MP Kadiam Srihari to resign solely to settle scores with former Deputy Chief Minister T. Rajaiah.

“You will have to explain why should the people of Warangal vote for the ruling party? Is it for flouting the double-bedroom housing scheme and converting it to make one model house in each village in TS?” they asked.

“Should the people vote for the failure of the government to address farmer problems and being responsible for the suicides of 1,700 farmers at the rate of 100 per month, during the TRS’ 17-month rule? Or is it for the failure to provide three acres of land to each Dalit and Dalit Christian family in the state? Is it for not implementing the free KG to PG education? Is it for increasing chain snatchings and atrocities on women in Hyderabad, having promised security to the women?” they questioned.

“We will raise all these issues during the Warangal bypoll campaign and see that the people insist on answers from the Chief Minister,” Mr Chandrasekhar Reddy said.

Talasani Srinivas Yadav: Son wrongly named in assault case

Hyderabad: Denying that his son was involved in the assault case at Marredpally, minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav on Sunday said that the complainant had wrongly named his son in his police complaint in place of another person with the same name being involved in the fracas.

“I and my son have no involvement in that quarrel,” Mr Yadav said, accusing the media of unnecessarily highlighting the issue.

He agreed that a fight broke out near his house between Abhinav Mahendra, the complainant, and a group led by one Mahendra Nath Reddy.

“There was a person named Sai Kiran among them. Abhinav named my son instead of that Sai Kiran,” Mr Yadav said.

Meanwhile, Mahendra Nath Reddy’s daughter Bhuvana, who had married Abhinav without her parents’ consent, alleged that that her husband had been torturing her for weeks.

Bhuvana, a state-level tennis player, and her father lodged two separate complaints against Abhinav in the women’s police station and with the Marredpally police.

Her relatives alleged that Abhinav had sought Rs 3 crore for her release, and had beaten up Mahendra Nath Reddy.

Bhuvana and her parents claimed that they have audio evidence to prove that Abhinav demanding Rs 3 crore from them in dowry.

Telangana to list 210 mandals drought-hit

Hyderabad: The TS government is all set to declare the list of drought-hit mandals in a day or two. Officials identified 210 mandals in all the districts in the state, barring Hyderabad, which recorded deficit rainfall and where crops were badly damaged during the kharif season (June-September 2015).

Incidentally, this is for the first time that drought-hit mandals are being declared in TS.

The list has been sent to the CMO where Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is expected to approve it on Monday. It will be then sent to the Centre, seeking special financial assistance to drought-hit mandals.

“The CM is expected to approve the list in a day or two after holding meetings with ministers and officials,” said state agriculture minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy.

Though several mandals faced severe drought during the last kharif in 2014, the government avoided declaring a drought after Mr Rao said that hardly any substantial help could be expected from the Centre once drought is declared. He had said that central teams would take months touring mandals to assess the situation.

Though the Opposition raised a hue and cry over the issue, the government ignored it.

However, farmer suicide being reported for the past few months, changed the government’s mind.

2 TS farmers end life

Two more farmers committed suicide in TS on Sunday due to crop failure and indebtedness. In Adilabad district, Mengani Rayamallu, 40, of Kadem mandal hanged himself from a tree. He suffered financial losses after his crop on six acres withered due to drought.

According to his family members, he had a debt burden of over Rs 5 lakh and was worried over repayment of loans.

In another incident, Gundeboyina Yadaiah, 40, of Marriguda mandal in Nalgonda district, committed suicide by consuming pesticide.

According to his family members, Yadaiah sowed cotton crop in 10 acres which was damaged due to drought. He took loans of over Rs 12 lakh for the purpose.

Child rights panel takes up murder of 3-year-old girl at Pallecheruvu

Hyderabad: The State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights has taken suo motu action on the alleged murder of a three-year-old girl at Pallecheruvu.

“It was brought to the notice of the commission that a three-year-old girl named Lakshmi was allegedly tortured by her stepfather Bala Swamy and mother Jayamma. We saw reports that the girl was allegedly murdered by them on October 30,” said Mr Achyuta Rao, a member of SCPCR.

The State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights has issued a notice to Shamshabad DCP and asked him to send a report within two weeks on the incident

Hyderabad Metro will follow old alignment in city areas

Hyderabad: The buzz in government circles is that the old alignment will be followed as L&T Metro Rail is being given the go ahead verbally. Reliable sources in the state government said, “The survey has revealed details of the utilities which will have to be shifted and government departments connected with that have been asked to cooperate in the execution of the works. Details of waterlines, sewage lines and electric cables which cross project areas are being collected.”

The old alignment is in the middle of the road where yellow markings are seen on the road. But both L&T Metro Rail and Hyderabad Metro Rail are not confirming or commenting on the issue. A senior officer said, "No work can begin till written orders are received. We are waiting for that.”

Work on Hyderabad Metro Rail slows down

Hyderabad: The acquisition of properties for Metro Rail at Begumpet and Ameerpet has seen a major slowdown in the last two months. The demolition machine has been lying on the road since the last four months near RAK Ceramics in Begumpet to demolish the building but the process of acquiring the land is still not complete.

Similarly, there are government properties at Ameerpet and Madhapur which have still not been acquired despite several reminders.

A senior government officer said, “The works have been pending for long. Chief Secretary Rajeev Sharma has asked twice for a meeting for the acquisition of properties and for discussing and clearing hurdles. But the list of properties to be acquired is not forthcoming. Since the last two months only two properties have been acquired. All others are pending.”
L&T Hyderabad Metro Rail has been raising issues connected with acquisition from time to time at meetings. According to a senior officer, “We have been constantly referring to the Padma Hansa Apartments at Secunderabad, Sree Sampata Building at Hi-tech city and other government properties which have not been handed over. These blocks are creating a major problem and bringing work, man and machinery to a halt. Once machines are brought to the worksite it is not possible to take them back until the works are completed. So there is no option but to keep them around. This is escalating costs. Hence there is constant pressure to acquire the properties.”

The weekly meetings have now become less due to the festival season and also due to time constraints of senior officials.

This has halted updates on the acquisition process and officers allege that it will make the departments further lax.

Hyderabad Metro Rail MD N.V.S. Reddy refused to comment on the delay in the process to acquire properties slated for demolition.

Tamil Nadu Congress flays arrest of folk singer; will stage protest on November 2

 Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President EVKS Elangovan on Saturday slammed the arrest of a folk singer campaigning for closure of state-run liquor outlets and said his will stage a demonstration here on November 2 in protest against the police action.

Terming the arrest of Kovan at Tiruchirappalli for alleged sedition yesterday as a "murder of freedom of expression", he said such an action amounted to 'authoritarian rule.'

"Protesting the police action, the party will stage a demonstration here outside the Head Post Office at Anna Salai on Monday," he said in a statement.

Kovan, a 54-year-old propagandist singer of ultra Left arts and literary outfit 'Makkal Kalai Ilakkiya Kazhagam', was arrested for alleged sedition, uploading defamatory electronic content against Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and disturbing public peace.

Flaying the BJP government at the Centre, Elangovan said already "instances of intolerance" leading to killings of writers and scholars such as MM Kalburgi and Narendra Dabholkar had taken place, against which academicians, historians and artistes had shown their opposition by returning awards.