India to move Portuguese court on Salem's extradition, HC told

India will approach the Constitutional Court of Portugal challenging the decision of that country's Supreme Court which recently confirmed the decision to terminate the extradition of fugitive underworld don Abu Salem to face trial in various cases here.

"Whole extradition process is in jeopardy. The CBI is going before the Constitutional Court of Portugal against the decision of the Supreme Court of that country," Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Haren Raval told Justice Mukta Gupta in the Delhi High Court on Wednesday.

 

Raval, who was representing the Delhi Police, was seeking an urgent hearing of its petition seeking withdrawal of stringent charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against the extradited gangster Salem.

Justice Gupta, however, refused to hear the matter, saying that she had once appeared before the high court as a lawyer in a connected case against Salem.

"I had once appeared in this case. I know this is an urgent matter but I recuse myself and refer this matter to be listed before some other bench," Justice Gupta said while recusing herself from hearing the case.

During the brief hearing, the ASG apprised the court about the developments in the case at various judicial fora in Portugal and said that urgent hearing was required in the matter as the entire process of extradition was in jeopardy.

The Supreme Court of Portugal had recently rejected India's appeal and upheld the decision of a high court of that country terminating the extradition of Salem, the ASG said.

M S Khan, counsel for Salem, however, told the court that he has "no objection whatsoever" if the bench hears and decides the plea of the Delhi Police as it is a unique case where both, accused and the investigating agency, want the charge to be withdrawn.

Portugal's Supreme Court had on 14^th January upheld an order of Court of Appeal in Lisbon which on Salem's petition had canceled his extradition holding that by slapping new charges under MCOCA, which attracted death penalty, there was breach of deportation rules and Rule of Speciality.

46-year-old Salem, a key accused in 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case, and his girl friend Monica Bedi were extradited to India on 11^th November, 2005, after a marathon legal process in Portugal lasting three years.

The extradition of Salem, who was also wanted in various cases including the murder of noted film producer Gulshan Kumar, came after an assurance by the Indian government to Portugal that he would not be given death penalty, a key requirement for extradition from European countries.

The Delhi and Mumbai Police forces, however, slapped charges which attracted death penalty leaving the government and the CBI red-faced.

The Delhi Police had then moved the Delhi High Court seeking withdrawal of MCOCA charges against Salem.

Obama calls for an comprehensive immigration reform

President Barack Obama on Wednesday called for a comprehensive immigration reform, in particular for quick citizenship pathway to highly skilled professionals and investors, saying US should support everyone who aspires to become the next Steve Jobs.

"We should be working on comprehensive immigration reform right now. But if election-year politics keeps Congress from acting on a comprehensive plan, let's at least agree to stop expelling responsible young people who want to staff our labs, start new businesses, and defend this country," Obama said in his State of the Union Address to the Congress.

"Send me a law that gives them the chance to earn their citizenship. I will sign it right away," Obama told the Congress.

"Let's also remember that hundreds of thousands of talented, hardworking students in this country face another challenge: The fact that they aren't yet American citizens. Many were brought here as small children, are American through and through, yet they live every day with the threat of deportation," he said.

"Others came more recently, to study business and science and engineering, but as soon as they get their degree, we send them home to invent new products and create new jobs somewhere else. That doesn't make sense," Obama said.

Obama said the US should support everyone who's willing to work; and every risk-taker and entrepreneur who aspires to become the next Steve Jobs.

"After all, innovation is what America has always been about. Most new jobs are created in start-ups and small businesses. So let's pass an agenda that helps them succeed. Tear down regulations that prevent aspiring entrepreneurs from getting the financing to grow," he said.

"Expand tax relief to small businesses that are raising wages and creating good jobs. Both parties agree on these ideas. So put them in a bill, and get it on my desk this year," he said.

Noting that innovation also demands basic research, Obama said on Wednesday, the discoveries taking place in our federally-financed labs and universities could lead to new treatments that kill cancer cells but leave healthy ones untouched.

"New lightweight vests for cops and soldiers that can stop any bullet. Don't gut these investments in our budget. Don't let other countries win the race for the future."

"Support the same kind of research and innovation that led to the computer chip and the Internet; to new American jobs and new American industries," Obama said.

January Aurora Over Norway

What's that in the sky? An aurora. A large coronal mass ejection occurred on our Sun five days ago, throwing a cloud of fast moving electrons, protons, and ions toward the Earth. Although most of this cloud passed above the Earth, some of it impacted our Earth's magnetosphere and resulted in spectacular auroras being seen at high northern latitudes. Pictured above is a particularly photogenic auroral corona captured last night above Grotfjord, Norway. To some, this shimmering green glow of recombining atmospheric oxygen might appear as a large eagle, but feel free to share what it looks like to you. This round of solar activity is not yet over -- a new and even more powerful solar flare occurred yesterday that might provide more amazing aurora as soon as tonight.

Image Credit & Copyright: Bjorn Jorgensen
http://www.nasa.gov/

Our security interests are intertwined with Myanmar: Krishna

Seeking deeper bilateral ties in strategic areas between Myanmar and India, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on Tuesday said New Delhi's security interests are "intertwined" with that of Nay Pyi Taw. 

"We have traditional and civilisational relationship with Myanmar. Our trade links have been very ancient and our security interest are intertwined with Myanmar," Krishna said while welcoming Myanmar Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin in New Delhi.

His comments came in the backdrop of the "17th National Level Meeting to Strengthen Border Issues" between the two countries that was concluded at Nay Pyi Taw last week.

In a statement issued by the Union Home Ministry today, it said both sides discussed in detail security related issues like presence of Indian Insurgent Groups (IIGs) along Indo-Myanmar border, exchange of intelligence information and arms smuggling.

Home Secretary R K Singh, who led the Indian delegation mentioned about IIGs camps and training facilities in Myanmar and sought Myanmar's cooperation in dealing with the IIG's activities.

On his part Lwin, who is here on an official visit, said it was a pleasure and honour for him to come to New Delhi.

"We have a very historic and long tradition of bilateral relations between our two countries".

"I look forward to future bilateral discussions about the strengthening and enhancing the existing bilateral relations in the field of political, security, social and economic development of the two countries," he said.

Incidentally, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari will embark on a two-day official visit to Myanmar today where he will call on pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and hold talks with the country's top leadership.

Lwin also met with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the day.

He also held talks with Krishna during which the two sides "positively" assessed the development in bilateral relations after the "landmark" state visit of the Myanmar President Thein Sein to India in October last year.

India welcomed the steps taken by Myanmar towards national reconciliation and democratic transition.

"Both sides discussed measures to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation, including in the areas of trade and commerce, security, agriculture, health, culture, science and technology, human resource development and capacity building".

"The Indian side reiterated its continued support for infrastructure development and cooperation projects for the benefit of the people of Myanmar," a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said.

The two Foreign Ministers underlined the significance of such projects which could improve connectivity between India and the other countries of South East Asia through Myanmar.

"India welcomed the steps being taken by the government of Myanmar towards national reconciliation and democratic transition".

"India also expressed its support for Myanmar to continue playing its due role among the comity of nations," it said.

Sonia launches scathing attack on SAD-BJP in Punjab

Launching a scathing attack on the SAD-BJP govt in Punjab, UPA Chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi has accused it of using central funds for their own benefits rather than for the progress of the state.

Refuting the allegation that the central government had always given a step-motherly treatment to the state, Gandhi said the UPA government under the leadership of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had given sufficient grants to Punjab for its progress and development.

She added that the money sent by the Centre was used by the Akalis for their own benefits rather than for progress of the state.

Castigating the SAD-BJP alliance for not properly utilising funds available under centrally sponsored schemes, Gandhi said, "the SAD-BJP rule destroyed Punjab...there have been scandals and embezzlements all round and corruption is at its peak".

She said that the UPA government provided grants to states irrespective of which government is ruling them.

"The UPA gave packages to Punjab for improvement on economic fronts, but the Akalis never bothered about Centre sponsored schemes," she said in Gurdaspur on Tuesday.

Listing out the shortcomings of the Akali regime, Gandhi at a public meeting at this border area of Punjab, said that the common man in the state felt insecure in view of the poor law and order situation in the state.

"Youths are taking to drugs as there are no employment avenues in Punjab," she said adding that the health care in the state was in a bad condition.

It was Gandhi's second visit to Punjab which goes to polls on 30^th January. She visited Kapurthala last week.

Noting that there was acute power shortage in Punjab, she said that there was no electricity for farmers, industry and the common man in the state.

The Congress President said that politics and power are used by her party for the upliftment of poor and weak people in society.

Gandhi named centre-sponsored schemes, including MNREGA, JNURM, Rajiv Gandhi Vidyut Nigam Yogna, Rajiv Gandhi Savasthya Mission and mid-day meal schemes which UPA launched for the benefit of all sections of the society.

She said that under the Congress regime dams, power houses were set up in Punjab.

Besides, green revolution was brought by the Congress in the state, she added. She said that the UPA government had given lot of money and projects for the development of border areas.

Computer training centres have been set for providing training to youths, she said.

Talking about industry, she said that the UPA under a scheme had given crores of rupees to the sulking industry in the state so that entrepreneurs invest money here but the Akalis never implemented the Central scheme.

Rushdie's video address cancelled

The much-anticipated video address by controversial writer Salman Rushdie was cancelled at the last moment on Tuesday because of fears of violence as Muslim organisations staged protests.

The decision to call off the video address by the Satanic Verses writer came after a meeting festival organisers had with leaders of Muslim organisations during which the protesters told them "even seeing his face is intolerable".

Announcing the cancellation of Rushdie's address, one of the organisers Sanjay Roy said police had told them that people had got inside the venue to disrupt proceedings and cause violence.

"Some organisations have threatened violence. This is unfortunate, but necessary to avoid violence. It is a fairly iditoic situation. We are once again stepping down from the fight for freedom of expression. We have been pushed to the wall again," Roy said.

"It is unfortunate that we are being bullied again and we had to step down...We had no other way but to listen to save the people here, our children and everyone here," he added.

Earlier, Assistant Commissioner of Police Virendra Jhala said the owners of the venue had conveyed to them they will not allow the video address fearing repercussions.

After their meeting with organisers, the protesters also offered namaz at the venue.

The Rushdie session -Midnights Child - was planned for 3.45 pm where the 65-year-old India-born author was to discuss his childhood, his work, problems faced in the past years and the adaptation of his novel Midnights Children into a film.

Largest surrender by militants in North East to HM

In one of the largest surrender ceremonies in the North East region, 1855 militants belonging to nine groups on Tuesday bid a farewell to arms before Union Home Min P Chidambaram and received roses for weapons turned in.

Among them were five major ethnic groups of the Adivashi Santhal outfits operating in upper Assam and three belonging to the Kukis besides a Hmar group inhabiting central Assam.

"Today is a historic day. It is not often that one witnesses a day when so many groups which had earlier taken to the path of militancy decide to take the path of peace, reconciliation and brotherhood," Chidamabaram said in Guwahati on Tuesday.

"I want to assure all of you that the governments of India and Assam will treat you as equal citizens of India with honour and dignity. The Government of India has welcomed the militants back to the fold. We believe we are a republic and a democracy where every voice deserves to be heard. Everyone is entitled to live with honour," said Chidamabaram at the function where Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Army GoCs of 3 and 4 Corps, and Director General of Police Jayant Narayan Chowdhury were also present.

"All differences can be settled through talks, consultations, efforts and endeavour. No knot can be left untied through patience," the home minister said.

The underground groups were Adivashi Peoples Army (APA), All Adivashi National Liberation Army (AANLA), Santhal Tiger Force (STF), Birsa Commando Force (BCF), Adivashi Cobra Military of Assam (ACMA), Kuki Liberation Army (KLA)/Kuki Liberation Organisation (KLO), Hmar Peoples Convention (HPC), United Kukigam Defence Army (UKDA) and Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA).

Already in ceasefire agreement with the government, the nine groups fighting either for secession or for greater autonomy submitted charters of demand to the government.

Led by chairmen and 'commanders', the militants surrendered 201 assorted arms and ammunition.

"Leave the past behind and look at the future positively. We will reach out to you. You must look forward to the future with hope, cheer, optimism and love for brotherhood," Chidamabaram said.

"You have many years of useful life, build a family, build India, contribute to the the future of India and Assam. I welcome you all on behalf of India and wish you a prosperous life," said the minister.

"In the last few years we have reached out to a large number of groups proving the vitality of our democracy," he said.

He also exhorted the surrenderees to remember the words of Mahatma Gandhi, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad, Sardar Vallabbhai Patel and that all Indians were one and that India had a place for all.

Chidamabaram said the ULFA and NDFB were participating in the peace process and negotiations with other militant groups were nearing conclusion portending well for the country.

The chief minister said "You have realised the futility of continuing with an armed struggle. It is a good message to the whole country that militancy will not benefit anybody. Problems can be solved only through the democratic process," Gogoi said.

Stating that the doors were open for all militants for talks, Gogoi renewed his appeal to hardliner ULFA 'c-in-c' Paresh Baruah to negotiate for peace.

"I also urge those contemplating to take up arms not to do so. We will firmly deal with those going against the interest of the state and country, he said."

The chief minister said that militants had grievances and the path they chose had led to hardship for their families and the state.

"So many innocent people, your cadres and your family members lost their lives. We don't want conflict. You are all are our brothers and sisters," he said.

Talking to reporters, ACMA chairman Javerez Khaka said, "We have realised the futility of an armed struggle and so decided to join the mainstream with the sincere hope that our grievances will be resolved through negotiations with the government."

The militants dressed in battle fatigue and bandanas recounted their hard life in jungles and their acts of violence and said that they regretted the loss of innocent lives caused by their actions.

Guns, pistols, ammunition and grenades were on display at the surrender ceremony.

Official sources said the weapons were yet to be classified and some were country-made.

BSF officer killed, 6 missing after avalanche in Kupwara

A BSF officer was killed while six other security personnel went missing after being hit by an avalanche near the LoC in Kupwara district on Tuesday.

Sub-Inspector Narendra Kumar died while five armymen and a BSF constable were missing after the avalanche struck Tuesday morning, a BSF spokesman said.

"A snow avalanche struck Furkian top in Kupwara at 7.20 AM. Five armymen and two BSF jawans were hit by the avalanche and are yet to be traced," Defence Spokesman Lt Colonel J S Brar said.

He said the joint team of Army and BSF were clearing snow between their camp and an outpost when the avalanche occurred.

"Rescue teams from local camp and Gulmarg have been rushed to the spot to trace the missing soldiers," he said.

Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) has declared higher reaches of Kashmir Valley, especially areas falling close to the Line of Control, as avalanche prone in view of the heavy snowfall in the first fortnight of this month.

Sensex touches 17k level; gains 244 pts on RBI policy

The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex on Tuesday crossed the 17,000 mark before easing a bit to close the day 244 points up as investors cheered RBI move to cut cash reserve ratio to infuse liquidity in the system.

 

The Reserve Bank announced 0.5 percentage point cut in CRR, a move that would inject Rs 32,000 crore into the system, but left lending rates unchanged which was largely on the expected lines.

The 30-scrip Sensex crossed the crucial 17k mark before ending 244.04 points, or 1.46 per cent, up at 16,995.77.

The 50-issue National Stock Exchange index Nifty regained the crucial 5,100 level, adding 81.10 points and closed at 5,127.35.

Capital goods and banking and interest-sensitive stocks supported the rally. SBI, RIL, L&T, ICICI Bank and Hindalco made strong gains.

The capital goods sector index gained 3.30 per cent to 10,208.70, followed banking index -- 3.21 per cent at 11,286.43. The metal index rose 1.78 per cent to 11,162.65 and auto index by 1.53 per cent to 8,998.04.

Top Sensex heavyweights - RIL and Infosys gained 1.58 per cent and 0.78 per cent. The two carry around 20 per cent weight on the index.

ATS arrests two from Bihar in 13/7 Mumbai blasts

Maharashtra ATS on Monday claimed to have made a major breakthrough in the July 13 triple blasts in the city last year that claimed 27 lives, with the arrest of two of the accused hailing from Bihar.

Naqi Ahmed Wasi Ahmed Sheikh (22) and Nadeem Akhtar Ashfaq Sheikh (23) were arrested on January 12 but the mastermind of the crime Yasin Bhatkal, a top Indian Mujahideen operative, and the planters of the IEDs used in the blasts are still evading arrest, Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Rakesh Maria told reporters.

Maria said while Naqi came to Mumbai in September 2010, Nadeem, his co-villager, from Bihar's Darbhanga district, was living in Antop Hill area of the city.

Naqi, according to Maria, came in touch with Ahmed Zarar Siddibappa alias Yasin Bhatkal alias Imran in 2008. He said Nadeem was called to Delhi by Bhatkal and handed over a cloth packet containing the explosive and detonators used in the blast that was handed over to Naqi.

Naqi, he said, was given Rs 1.5 lakh by Bhatkal as commission for the crime in which at least Rs 10 lakh, received through hawala channels, was used. He said Naqi and Nadeem had stolen two Activa scooters that were used for carrying out the explosions. Two motorcycles also stolen by them and kept for future use have also been recovered from Bihar.

Rubbishing media reports that Naqi was innocent and that he was being tortured in police custody, Maria said he was aware of Bhatkal antecedents. Naqi not only assisted Bhatkal in scouting for an apartment in Habib Building in Byculla but also paid the money for accommodation, the ATS chief said.

Maria said while Bhatkal and two others, who had planted the explosives and whose names he refused to divulge lest it would hamper investigations, were eluding the police dragnet, another accused in the case--Haroon Rashid Naik--had already been arrested by ATS in a counterfeit currency case.

Naik, he said, had been arrested in August last year and ATS would on Monday seek a transfer warrant for him from the court.

"We need the custody of Naik from Mumbra for investigation of economic trail and conspiracy in the case," he said.

Maria trashed media reports that Bhatkal was in the city for several months after the blasts and that he was to visit the landlady of the Byculla apartment when he got the whiff of impending action by Mumbai police due to lack of coordination between Delhi police's special cell and Maharashtra ATS and escaped.

"Bhatkal was in the city in June and for some time in July. He left on July 13 and did not come back," he said.

The ATS chief said several articles including computer and clothes of the inmates of the Byculla room have been seized for forensic examination.

"We have asked for a forensic analysis of the room as we believe that the IEDs used for the blasts were assembled in the room," he said.

Maria said 40 officers and over 100 men of the ATS had visited 18 states as part of the ongoing investigation and examined 12,373 witnesses. The ATS chief also junked reports about any tiff or lack of coordination with Delhi police in carrying out the probe, saying investigators from Mumbai were getting all cooperation from their Delhi counterparts.

"Competition is good and it should be there. Which police will not want to crack the case, but there is no rivalry," he said.

Maria said he would have liked to go to the media only after wrapping up the investigation but decided to hold the press conference owing to "speculative reporting and rumour mongering".

Meanwhile, the police produced Naqi and Nadeem before a Mumbai court which granted their custody to ATS till February 2. Terror had struck Mumbai on July 13, 2011 when three near simultaneous blasts ripped through crowded areas in the city in a grim reminder of the deadly 2008 Mumbai attack.

All the explosions were triggered by Improvised Explosive Devices(IED).

The first explosion rocked Zaveri Bazar, a bustling jewellery market, at 6.50 pm and a minute later another blast shook the busy business area Opera House. A third blast ripped through crowded Dadar area in Central Mumbai at 7.04 pm. The blasts at Opera House and Zaveri Bazaar were of a higher intensity than the one at Dadar.

Though no group claimed responsibility for the blasts, Mumbai police all along suspected the hand of home-grown terror outfit Indian Mujahideen.