Independent Media
A Bill seeking to make divorce easier in case of “irretrievable breakdown of marriage” was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
The Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill, moved by the Union law minister, Mr M. Veerappa Moily, aims at mitigating hardships by allowing divorce in cases of complete failure of marriages.
At present, the petition for a divorce on the ground of mutual consent could be presented by the spouses together before the court under the Hindu Marriage Act 1955, and the Special Marriage Act 1954.
While both parties have to move a motion jointly before the court between six and 18 months of the original petition, it has been observed in several cases that one of them does not turn up.
This leads parties desirous of obtaining decree of divorce hapless and remediless.
In order to mitigate such hardships and to allow divorce in cases of complete failure of such marriages, the Bill seeks to amend the Hindu Marriage Act and the Special Marriage Act.
The condition of moving the motion before the court subsequent to the first petition would be done away with, it said.
However, in case the wife happens to be the respondent to the petition, she is entitled to oppose it on the ground that the dissolution of marriage would result in grave financial hardship to her.
5.8.10
24.7.10
Coach Kaushik told me it's good to have sex: Ranjitha
Independent Media
Times Now spoke with T S Ranjitha, who was allegedly sexually harassed by coach M K Kaushik. Excerpts from her statement to the TV channel.
“One day during the camp in Bhopal, Kaushik sir called me to his room and asked me whether I have had sex. I was quiet for a while, then he said it's good to have sex. Then I told my senior that Kaushik sir spoke to me in a disgusting manner. Still I remained quiet. Kaushik sir used to have one-on-one meetings with everybody for 10-15 minutes, but with me he used to always take an hour. He used to repeatedly say that I am beautiful. Can I talk to you whenever I feel like? And this kind of a conversation used to take place very often. One day it just went out of limit. During our tour to China one night, he called me to his room and started talking about my game. Soon he started talking about all sorts of things. He said you are pretty, you stay in Mumbai alone, you must be having a lot of fun. He even said that he was available 24 hours for me. He did not say it once or twice, he repeated it at least 5 times and that too pointing at the bed. I always thought he would stop on his own. I kept forgiving him. He was about to go to Germany, and he asked me tell me if you want something from there. He even offered me something another team member had asked for, saying that if I wanted it I should meet him the next day....”
Times Now spoke with T S Ranjitha, who was allegedly sexually harassed by coach M K Kaushik. Excerpts from her statement to the TV channel.
“One day during the camp in Bhopal, Kaushik sir called me to his room and asked me whether I have had sex. I was quiet for a while, then he said it's good to have sex. Then I told my senior that Kaushik sir spoke to me in a disgusting manner. Still I remained quiet. Kaushik sir used to have one-on-one meetings with everybody for 10-15 minutes, but with me he used to always take an hour. He used to repeatedly say that I am beautiful. Can I talk to you whenever I feel like? And this kind of a conversation used to take place very often. One day it just went out of limit. During our tour to China one night, he called me to his room and started talking about my game. Soon he started talking about all sorts of things. He said you are pretty, you stay in Mumbai alone, you must be having a lot of fun. He even said that he was available 24 hours for me. He did not say it once or twice, he repeated it at least 5 times and that too pointing at the bed. I always thought he would stop on his own. I kept forgiving him. He was about to go to Germany, and he asked me tell me if you want something from there. He even offered me something another team member had asked for, saying that if I wanted it I should meet him the next day....”
21.7.10
Maharashtra tricks TD men to board aircraft: Marta politics
Independent Media
On Tuesday morning, the Maharashtra police scuffled with the TD MLAs and forcibly shifted them to a van which sped to Aurangabad. It was believed that they were being taken to a jail but in the end, it turned out to be a tactic of the Maharashtra government to pack them off to Hyderabad.
When the entourage was near Aurangabad, the Nanded superintendent of police filed a petition before the magistrate who sentenced them to judicial remand stating all cases booked against were withdrawn.
The Maharashtra government also kept an aircraft ready and deployed a huge contingent of police around the airport before the convoy carrying the TD leaders reached the airport at 7.30 pm after a gruelling seven-hour journey.
However, Mr Naidu and his MLAs created a scene at the Aurangabad airport for over an hour, staging a dharna on tarmac and refusing to board the flight No IC 021. They raised slogans against Maharashtra government and police.
“Our demands are genuine and our stand is correct,” Mr Naidu said. “Police harassed us and also beat up my MLAs. Why did you bring us to the airport? You were supposed to take us to jail.”
He accused the police of playing with the lives of the TD MLAs who had taken ill because of the stay at the ITI centre.
Police pleaded with Mr Naidu to get into the aircraft since the situation outside was tense. Pro-Babli irrigation project groups and Shiv Sainiks had reportedly gathered at the Aurangabad jail, where Mr Naidu and his team were supposed to be brought.
When all attempts to persuade Mr Naidu and his team failed, police swooped on them and forcibly pushed them into the plane.
“We won’t leave Maharashtra before seeing the
Babli project,” Mr Naidu told this correspondent. “We have a clear right over the waters. Maharashtra is stealing the state’s waters. We will continue our agitation till the Centre and State governments protect Andhra Pradesh’s interests,” Mr Naidu said.
On Tuesday morning, the Maharashtra police scuffled with the TD MLAs and forcibly shifted them to a van which sped to Aurangabad. It was believed that they were being taken to a jail but in the end, it turned out to be a tactic of the Maharashtra government to pack them off to Hyderabad.
When the entourage was near Aurangabad, the Nanded superintendent of police filed a petition before the magistrate who sentenced them to judicial remand stating all cases booked against were withdrawn.
The Maharashtra government also kept an aircraft ready and deployed a huge contingent of police around the airport before the convoy carrying the TD leaders reached the airport at 7.30 pm after a gruelling seven-hour journey.
However, Mr Naidu and his MLAs created a scene at the Aurangabad airport for over an hour, staging a dharna on tarmac and refusing to board the flight No IC 021. They raised slogans against Maharashtra government and police.
“Our demands are genuine and our stand is correct,” Mr Naidu said. “Police harassed us and also beat up my MLAs. Why did you bring us to the airport? You were supposed to take us to jail.”
He accused the police of playing with the lives of the TD MLAs who had taken ill because of the stay at the ITI centre.
Police pleaded with Mr Naidu to get into the aircraft since the situation outside was tense. Pro-Babli irrigation project groups and Shiv Sainiks had reportedly gathered at the Aurangabad jail, where Mr Naidu and his team were supposed to be brought.
When all attempts to persuade Mr Naidu and his team failed, police swooped on them and forcibly pushed them into the plane.
“We won’t leave Maharashtra before seeing the
Babli project,” Mr Naidu told this correspondent. “We have a clear right over the waters. Maharashtra is stealing the state’s waters. We will continue our agitation till the Centre and State governments protect Andhra Pradesh’s interests,” Mr Naidu said.
Rama Raju got bail as records were safe: Satyam saga continious
Independent Media
Justice Raja Elango took into consideration the arguments on behalf of Rama Raju, Vadlamani Srinivas, G. Ramakrishna, Ch. Srisailam and D. Venkatpathy Raju in the Satyam fraud case that they would not be able to tamper with the records as most of the documents were with the court. Justice Elango ruled that the accused should submit two sureties of Rs 20 lakh each and they present themselves before the investigating officer every day. Ramalinga Raju’s bail plea was rejected by the SC and the HC.
However, the HC granted bail to Pricewaterhouse auditor S. Gopalakrishnan and former internal auditor Prabhakar Gupta a week ago. A lower court in March 2009 granted anticipatory bail to B. Suryanarayana Raju, another brother of Ramalinga Raju.
However, the HC granted bail to Pricewaterhouse auditor S. Gopalakrishnan and former internal auditor Prabhakar Gupta a week ago. A lower court in March 2009 granted anticipatory bail to B. Suryanarayana Raju, another brother of Ramalinga Raju.
Sex scandal rocks Indian hockey; coach resigns
Independent Media
Rattled by allegations of sexual harassment, Indian women's hockey coach M.K. Kaushik on Wednesday withdrew from the team's upcoming tours even as Hockey India sacked the videographer Basavraj whose photographs with a prostitute plunged the game into a moral crisis.
Kaushik has withdrawn himself from the Asian Champions Trophy in Korea from July 27 pending an inquiry into the sex scandal by a four-member panel comprising Rajiv Mehta (chairman), former players Zafar Iqbal and Ajit Pal Singh and Sudharsan Pathak.
"I must talk to the coach and the girl who has made the allegations of sexual harassment separately. Kaushik has withdrawn his name because he wants his name to be cleared," HI president Vidya Stokes said.
"In the meanwhile, the assistant coach will travel with the team. Hopefully, everything would be sorted out by today," she said.
"We will have to look for a new coach and that would be done after consulting the Sports Authority of India," added HI's Secretary General Narinder Batra.
HI will also form a five-member committee as per Supreme Court guidelines on sexual harassment cases.
"As per the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court, we will have a panel in which at least half or more than half the members would be women. This would be done by tomorrow and hopefully it would give its recommendations before next month's World Cup in Argentina so that we can either have a new coach or reinstate Kaushik if he is found innocent," Batra said.
Batra said he received an anonymous mail on last Friday, in which allegations had been levelled against Basavraj for having been involved with prostitutes during the tours of Canada and China.
He said five photographs of the videographer with the prostitutes had also been mailed to him. Batra said the Sport Ministry has been apprised of the complaints.
"The inquiry committee was constituted soon after I got a mail from the hockey team. After a meeting on July 19, it was decided that the videographer should be suspended and the rest of staff against whom the allegations have been made should be issued notices," he said.
"The videographer is basically a SAI employee and it is upto them now, how they want to act against him. On our part we have sacked him," Batra said.
Asked what punishment HI would hand out to the coaching staff if found guilty, Batra said, "The best we can do is impose life bans but if we can take up the matter with the police and take it to the logical conclusion, we can do that as well."
Kaushik will attend the probe panel's meeting this afternoon.
Meanwhile, the defunct Indian Hockey Federation chief K.P.S. Gill said HI was trying to hush up the matter.
"There should be a proper police inquiry into it. The Supreme Court has stated that whenever a lady makes a sexual harassment allegations, her complaint should be taken on face value," he said.
"This inquiry is an eyewash. It should be handed over to the police. I know these people, at the end of the inquiry they will come out and say, nothing happened," he alleged
Rattled by allegations of sexual harassment, Indian women's hockey coach M.K. Kaushik on Wednesday withdrew from the team's upcoming tours even as Hockey India sacked the videographer Basavraj whose photographs with a prostitute plunged the game into a moral crisis.
Kaushik has withdrawn himself from the Asian Champions Trophy in Korea from July 27 pending an inquiry into the sex scandal by a four-member panel comprising Rajiv Mehta (chairman), former players Zafar Iqbal and Ajit Pal Singh and Sudharsan Pathak.
"I must talk to the coach and the girl who has made the allegations of sexual harassment separately. Kaushik has withdrawn his name because he wants his name to be cleared," HI president Vidya Stokes said.
"In the meanwhile, the assistant coach will travel with the team. Hopefully, everything would be sorted out by today," she said.
"We will have to look for a new coach and that would be done after consulting the Sports Authority of India," added HI's Secretary General Narinder Batra.
HI will also form a five-member committee as per Supreme Court guidelines on sexual harassment cases.
"As per the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court, we will have a panel in which at least half or more than half the members would be women. This would be done by tomorrow and hopefully it would give its recommendations before next month's World Cup in Argentina so that we can either have a new coach or reinstate Kaushik if he is found innocent," Batra said.
Batra said he received an anonymous mail on last Friday, in which allegations had been levelled against Basavraj for having been involved with prostitutes during the tours of Canada and China.
He said five photographs of the videographer with the prostitutes had also been mailed to him. Batra said the Sport Ministry has been apprised of the complaints.
"The inquiry committee was constituted soon after I got a mail from the hockey team. After a meeting on July 19, it was decided that the videographer should be suspended and the rest of staff against whom the allegations have been made should be issued notices," he said.
"The videographer is basically a SAI employee and it is upto them now, how they want to act against him. On our part we have sacked him," Batra said.
Asked what punishment HI would hand out to the coaching staff if found guilty, Batra said, "The best we can do is impose life bans but if we can take up the matter with the police and take it to the logical conclusion, we can do that as well."
Kaushik will attend the probe panel's meeting this afternoon.
Meanwhile, the defunct Indian Hockey Federation chief K.P.S. Gill said HI was trying to hush up the matter.
"There should be a proper police inquiry into it. The Supreme Court has stated that whenever a lady makes a sexual harassment allegations, her complaint should be taken on face value," he said.
"This inquiry is an eyewash. It should be handed over to the police. I know these people, at the end of the inquiry they will come out and say, nothing happened," he alleged
Gay Activists Arrested in Reid Protest on Vegas Strip
Independent Media
AS VEGAS (July 20) -- In a rare incidence of civil disobedience in this destination's tourism corridor, eight activists protesting Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's inaction on gay rights legislation were arrested for blocking traffic at one of the Strip's busiest intersections today.
As they were being handcuffed and taken to police cars, the eight continued to chant that the Nevada Democrat had broken several vows to bring theEmployment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) to a vote. The act would bar workplace discrimination against people based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
"We're being arrested because gay and transgender people in America are being denied their equal rights," shouted Lt. Dan Choi to passers-by as he was led in handcuffs to a spot near the front driveway of the New York-New York Hotel-Casino. "I want you to remember that as you hang out in Las Vegas today."
The protesters were booked on one count each of blocking the roadway and obstructing a police officer, both misdemeanors punishable with a fine. They expected to post $400 bail a piece and be released by dinnertime, a GetEQUAL spokeswoman told AOL News.
The protest began about 1 p.m. in a grueling 106-degree heat when members of the gay rights group GetEQUAL unfurled a banner reading "REID: PASS ENDA NOW" on a pedestrian walkway that crosses over the Strip and connects the New York-New York to the MGM Grand casinos. Minutes later, other protesters walked into the street and held up a banner that read "REID NO ONE CAN DO MORE" and that spanned four lanes of traffic.
Several motorists became irate, including a limousine driver who got out to scream at protesters, but there was no violence.
"This does not happen very much at all," Las Vegas Metro Police spokeswoman Barbara Morgan said. "The last one I can remember was 15 years ago and, honestly, I can't remember what it was for."
In all, about 20 GetEQUAL activists participated, primarily people from out of state who are in Las Vegas for Netroots Nation, a convention this of liberal bloggers and activists. In addition to those standing on the pedestrian crosswalk and in the street, other protesters chanted and carried signs at the base of the scale model of the Statue of Liberty that stands sentry outside the New York-New York resort.
Reid, Nevada's senior senator, is facing a tough re-election battle against tea party idol Sharron Angle, a Republican who opposes any laws promoting gay civil rights. Reid is scheduled to speak Saturday at Netroots Nation, where GetEQUAL organizer Paul Yandura vowed he will be asked to explain why ENDA has not been brought for a vote.
"This not is about anyone else but Harry Reid and him standing up to the promises that he's already made for the community," Yandura said. "Later today, we're putting up a timeline and showing that for the last year, every month we've been told it was coming up for a vote and then it didn't. It's really not about him and his Republican opponent, it's about him standing up."
Reid spokesman Thomas Brede did not address why the bill has not come up for a vote but provided AOL News with this statement: "Sen. Reid supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and believes that employment decisions should be based only on relevant matters such as performance, ability and conduct in the workplace."
The fact that such events are unusual for Las Vegas may help explain why police took 20 minutes to arrive and remove protesters. Morgan said her records show the call came in at 1:08 p.m. and bike patrol cops arrived at 1:14 p.m., but eyewitnesses' time-stamped Twitter dispatches and photosshow police did not enter the roadway to deal with the situation until at least 1:25 p.m.
The lag amused protesters but alarmed local gay activist Chris Miller.
"My concern is that as a citizen of Las Vegas, what if that was a terrorist in the middle of the street?" Miller said. "Would it have taken them as long to get out here?"
Several of those arrested are veterans of civil disobedience actions. Choi was arrested in March for chaining himself to the White House fence to protest President Barack Obama's failure at the time to end the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. Another activist, Jimmy Gruender, was arrested in a sit-in at Sen. John McCain's office to highlight the military policy.
Today's action focused attention on Nevada, which has a mixed record on gay rights. The state barred same-sex marriage in 2002 but in 2009 created a same-sex domestic partnership registry that bestows all the same state benefits of marriage to gay couples.
In 1999, Nevada became the 11th state to pass a statewide ENDA law, and most Las Vegas casino companies have had such policies for years. In fact, MGM Resorts International, owner of both the MGM Grand and New York-New York, was the first on the Strip to provide health benefits to the same-sex partners of employees. The company heavily markets the New York-New York hotel as a gay-friendly destination.
Still, the Vegas backdrop was good for publicity, said Michelle Wright, GetEQUAL's liaison between the police and protesters.
"I feel like it was successful because people stopped on the pedestrian crosswalk," she said. "Even if it starts them questioning what is ENDA and gets them to look it up online to find out what the heck happened, then that's a victory."
16 legislators suspended from Bihar assembly
Independent Media
Patna, July 21 (IANS) Sixteen opposition legislators in Bihar were suspended for unruly behaviour in the assembly Wednesday, prompting a member to hurl a shoe at the speaker.
Speaker Uday Narain Choudhary suspended the 16, mostly from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), while they demanded Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's resignation over alleged financial irregularities.
The assembly opened to fresh protests at 11 a.m. after being adjourned Tuesday afternoon following clashes between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and opposition members.
The opposition members trooped towards the speaker, shouted slogans against their suspension and demanded the resignation of Nitish Kumar. A member even hurled a sandal at the speaker.
The suspension will remain effective during the ongoing monsoon session till July 24.
Protests continued outside the house also. A woman legislator created ruckus by breaking flower pots in the premises.
On Tuesday, 14 opposition members of the Bihar Legislative Council were suspended for their unruly behaviour in the house during their protest against alleged financial irregularities.
RJD-LJP workers Wednesday morning burnt an effigy of Nitish Kumar in front of the main gate of the state assembly and continued their protest.
Seventy-six legislators continued their overnight sit-in inside the state assembly and three protested outside the main gate.
RJD state president and legislator Abdul Bari Siddiqui told IANS over the phone that opposition members spent the night in the assembly while protesting the attack on them by ruling members.
LJP legislator Maheshwar Singh, who spent the night outside the assembly premises, said Nitish Kumar behaved like a dictator by trying to suppress the voices of opposition members who raised the issue of his involvement in looting of crores of rupees.
Nitish Kumar is among the 47 people named in a complaint alleging irregularities of Rs.11,412 crore. Petitioner Arvind Kumar pointed to financial irregularities in the use of development funds during 2002-2008 in Bihar.
The Patna High Court has ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged financial irregularities, a decision the state government has appealed against.
Speaker Uday Narain Choudhary suspended the 16, mostly from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), while they demanded Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's resignation over alleged financial irregularities.
The assembly opened to fresh protests at 11 a.m. after being adjourned Tuesday afternoon following clashes between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and opposition members.
The opposition members trooped towards the speaker, shouted slogans against their suspension and demanded the resignation of Nitish Kumar. A member even hurled a sandal at the speaker.
The suspension will remain effective during the ongoing monsoon session till July 24.
Protests continued outside the house also. A woman legislator created ruckus by breaking flower pots in the premises.
On Tuesday, 14 opposition members of the Bihar Legislative Council were suspended for their unruly behaviour in the house during their protest against alleged financial irregularities.
RJD-LJP workers Wednesday morning burnt an effigy of Nitish Kumar in front of the main gate of the state assembly and continued their protest.
Seventy-six legislators continued their overnight sit-in inside the state assembly and three protested outside the main gate.
RJD state president and legislator Abdul Bari Siddiqui told IANS over the phone that opposition members spent the night in the assembly while protesting the attack on them by ruling members.
LJP legislator Maheshwar Singh, who spent the night outside the assembly premises, said Nitish Kumar behaved like a dictator by trying to suppress the voices of opposition members who raised the issue of his involvement in looting of crores of rupees.
Nitish Kumar is among the 47 people named in a complaint alleging irregularities of Rs.11,412 crore. Petitioner Arvind Kumar pointed to financial irregularities in the use of development funds during 2002-2008 in Bihar.
The Patna High Court has ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged financial irregularities, a decision the state government has appealed against.
Congress woman flings flower pots:Bihar Assembly in chaos
Independent Media
Patna, July 21 (ANI): Amid chaotic secenes in the Bihar Assembly, Jyoti Singh, a woman MLC belonging to the Congress, threw several flower pots around, as the Opposition continued with their protests demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar after a CAG report alleged financial irregularities in the State.
Bihar Assembly Speaker Udai Narain Choudhry suspended 67 Opposition MLAs on Wednesday for the rest of the session for their unruly behaviour in the House.
The MLAs were marshalled out of the house by the watch and ward staff after a slipper was thrown at the podium of the Speaker.
Those suspended included ten RJD MLAs, two from LJP, one each from the CPIM and CPI-ML and two independents.
The proposal to seek the suspension of the MLAs was brought in the House by state parliamentary affairs in-charge Brijendra Prasad Yadav, which was passed by voice vote amid protests by opposition members.
On Tuesday, the Opposition attacked - physically and verbally - members of the government, demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and his deputy, Sushil Kumar Modi over the Patna High Court order for CBI probe into an alleged financial irregularities in development schemes.
"We will not lift the agitation till this corrupt government resigns," said RJD deputy leader in the Assembly Shakeel Ahmad Khan.
He said that the agitation in both the Houses would continue till the demand was met.
On Monday, the state government sought a stay on the Patna High Court order for a CBI probe into alleged financial irregularities in development schemes from 2002 to 2008, pleading that CAG report on the issue was pending for "consideration" before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the state assembly.
The CAG report was presented in the state assembly on July 14, 2009 after the approval of the state governor and subsequently, referred to Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the house for consideration. (ANI)
Bihar Assembly Speaker Udai Narain Choudhry suspended 67 Opposition MLAs on Wednesday for the rest of the session for their unruly behaviour in the House.
The MLAs were marshalled out of the house by the watch and ward staff after a slipper was thrown at the podium of the Speaker.
Those suspended included ten RJD MLAs, two from LJP, one each from the CPIM and CPI-ML and two independents.
The proposal to seek the suspension of the MLAs was brought in the House by state parliamentary affairs in-charge Brijendra Prasad Yadav, which was passed by voice vote amid protests by opposition members.
On Tuesday, the Opposition attacked - physically and verbally - members of the government, demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and his deputy, Sushil Kumar Modi over the Patna High Court order for CBI probe into an alleged financial irregularities in development schemes.
"We will not lift the agitation till this corrupt government resigns," said RJD deputy leader in the Assembly Shakeel Ahmad Khan.
He said that the agitation in both the Houses would continue till the demand was met.
On Monday, the state government sought a stay on the Patna High Court order for a CBI probe into alleged financial irregularities in development schemes from 2002 to 2008, pleading that CAG report on the issue was pending for "consideration" before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the state assembly.
The CAG report was presented in the state assembly on July 14, 2009 after the approval of the state governor and subsequently, referred to Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the house for consideration. (ANI)
20.7.10
Saif to marry Kareena in a year
Independent Media
Saif Ali Khan hates the casanova’s tag and longs for a steady healthy relationship with his partner. When Saif’s career started rocketing, he left wife Amrita Singh and fell for Italian model Roza. When Roza parted ways, Saif was seen a lot with Bipasha. There were rumours that something was on between Saif and Yana Gupta.
And now Kareena’s in his the latest entrant in his life.
According to a close buddy of Saif, “He has found his true mate in Kareena and the two of them plan to marry each other in a year. Saif does not want to stay this way.”
TD president N. Chandrababu Naidu, right, interacts with a policeman as other party members sit around, during a protest against the Babli project
Independent Media
TD president N. Chandrababu Naidu, right, interacts with a policeman as other party members sit around, during a protest against the Babli project in Dharmabad, Maharashtra on Monday evening.— AP
TD president N. Chandrababu Naidu, right, interacts with a policeman as other party members sit around, during a protest against the Babli project in Dharmabad, Maharashtra on Monday evening.— AP
Cast member Angelina Jolie, right and Brad Pitt arrive at the premiere of "Salt" in Los Angeles
Independent Media
Cast member Angelina Jolie, right and Brad Pitt arrive at the premiere of "Salt" in Los Angeles, on
Cast member Angelina Jolie, right and Brad Pitt arrive at the premiere of "Salt" in Los Angeles, on
Monday.— AP
Bollywood actors Neil Nitin Mukesh and Deepika Padukone
Independent Media
Bollywood actors Neil Nitin Mukesh and Deepika Padukone during a press conference and music launch of Yash Raj’s upcoming film 'Lafangey Parindey' at Yash Raj Studio in Mumbai on Monday.— AP
Bollywood actors Neil Nitin Mukesh and Deepika Padukone during a press conference and music launch of Yash Raj’s upcoming film 'Lafangey Parindey' at Yash Raj Studio in Mumbai on Monday.— AP
19.7.10
Ex CM of Andhra Pradesh Naidu’s arrest triggers protests
Independent Media
Some took out cycle rallies, some organised candlelight demonstrations, some started indefinite fasts while others stalled traffic by organising dharnas. TD legislators also decided to fast along with Mr Naidu to put pressure on the Maharashtra government for the immediate release of their leader and for allowing him to inspect the Babli project.
Seven TD activists from Hyderabad started a fast-unto-death at Ramanthapur to protest Mr Naidu’s arrest. Former mayor Mr T. Krishna Reddy and former minister Mr T. Srinivasa Yadav organised a motorcycle rally on the city roads while the Telugu Desam youth wing held a candlelight protest at Lower Tank Bund.
TD city leaders also organised demonstrations at RTC cross roads, Paradise Centre, Ameerpet, Kukatpally, MJ Market, Bahadurpura, Guljar House and at Nampally.
Raising slogans against the Maharashtra government they demanded the immediate release of Mr Naidu. Effigies of the Maharashtra Chief Minister, Mr Ashok Chavan, and the home minister were also burnt.
TD activists blocked roads at several places in the state and all district headquarters witnessed dharnas by local leaders. TD leaders in Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Ongole, Nellore, Khammam and Ananthapur districts also organised protest marches and submitted memorandums to officials demanding Mr Naidu release.
The CPI and CPM have extended support for TD’s bandh call for Monday and the TD leadership has decided to intensify the agitations to bring pressure on the state government.
The Telugu Desam president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu’s decision to go on a fast on Monday to protest against his detention in Dharmabad by the Maharashtra police sent ripples across the state as party activists took to the streets on Sunday.
Some took out cycle rallies, some organised candlelight demonstrations, some started indefinite fasts while others stalled traffic by organising dharnas. TD legislators also decided to fast along with Mr Naidu to put pressure on the Maharashtra government for the immediate release of their leader and for allowing him to inspect the Babli project.
Seven TD activists from Hyderabad started a fast-unto-death at Ramanthapur to protest Mr Naidu’s arrest. Former mayor Mr T. Krishna Reddy and former minister Mr T. Srinivasa Yadav organised a motorcycle rally on the city roads while the Telugu Desam youth wing held a candlelight protest at Lower Tank Bund.
TD city leaders also organised demonstrations at RTC cross roads, Paradise Centre, Ameerpet, Kukatpally, MJ Market, Bahadurpura, Guljar House and at Nampally.
Raising slogans against the Maharashtra government they demanded the immediate release of Mr Naidu. Effigies of the Maharashtra Chief Minister, Mr Ashok Chavan, and the home minister were also burnt.
TD activists blocked roads at several places in the state and all district headquarters witnessed dharnas by local leaders. TD leaders in Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Ongole, Nellore, Khammam and Ananthapur districts also organised protest marches and submitted memorandums to officials demanding Mr Naidu release.
The CPI and CPM have extended support for TD’s bandh call for Monday and the TD leadership has decided to intensify the agitations to bring pressure on the state government.
Train Accident in West Bengal 50 feared dead, 150 injured
Independent Media
At least 50 people were killed and 150 injured after a speeding Sealdah-bound Uttar Banga Express rammed into three coaches of the stationary Bhagalpur-Ranchi Vananchal Express at Sainthia station in West Bengal's Birbhum district, about 190 km from Kolkata, early on Monday, railway authorities said.
The railway minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, confirmed the 49 deaths, expressed regret, saying she was "sorry to see two incidents (railway accidents) in West Bengal in two months."
The eastern railway chief public relations officer, Mr Samir Goswami, said the dead included 39 men, eight women and two children. The accident took place around 2.15 am, rudely jolting hundreds of sleeping passengers. Among the dead were the driver and assistant driver of the Uttar Banga Express and the guard of the Vananchal Express.
Chief Security Commissioner of Eastern Railway, Mr S. Sahoo, told IANS: "We fear that more than 50 have died."
The accident occurred 52 days after the Gyaneshwari Express tragedy in which 148 people died as the Maoist guerillas cut open the pandrol clips (used to fix the rail to the sleeper) near Jhargram in West Midnapore district. After the Mumbai-bound Gyaneshwari Express derailed May 28, a freight train approaching from the opposite direction rammed into five derailed coaches, resulting in the high casualties.
Bodies from the accident spot have been sent to the district hospital in Suri, the headquarters of Birbhum district, Sainthia Government Railway Police (GRP) sources said.
"About 150 of the injured have been shifted to hospitals in Suri and Sainthia," Additional Director General of Police, (Railways) Mr Dilip Mitra, said.
Five medical teams and an accident relief team have reached the spot, authorities said. The site of the accident is 191 km from Howrah on the Bolpur-Rampurhat section of Eastern Railway's Howrah division.
An Eastern Railway spokesman said the Vananchal Express was at platform 4 when the Uttar Banga Express, coming from New Coochbehar, hit it. The engine of the speeding train ploughed through three coaches of the stationary express from the rear. All three coaches were badly mangled by the severity of the collision with one of the coaches shooting up from the tracks and careening into the footbridge above.
Local people were the first to rush in for the rescue as cries of the injured passengers, many of whom had lost their limbs, rent the air.
The authorities, facing allegations of a delayed start to the rescue efforts, were using gas-cutters to cut open the coaches and bring out the dead and rescue the injured.
"We have managed to extricate the bodies from two of the three compartments so far," Birbhum Police Superintendent, Mr Humayun Kabir, told IANS.
"Many of the bodies have got pasted in the coaches. We are only managing to extricate body parts, rather than whole bodies," said a rescue worker. "We were sleeping. Suddenly we were awakened by a loud sound. The train was dark. For a few minutes we were dumbfounded. Then I gathered my wits and came out of the train," said Mr R.N. Ghosh, a passenger of Uttar Banga Express.
"The station was also dark. I saw people running in panic. Then I found that Uttarbanga has hit another train. Three of the rear bogies of this train (Vananchal) were devastated," he said. The eastern railway general manager, Mr V.N. Tripathy, said an enquiry has been ordered into how both the trains came on to the same line.
Train movement on the down line has been disrupted in the Bolpur-Rampurhat section. The down Malda-Howrah Intercity Express were among several trains cancelled and many trains were stranded on the down line.
A railway official said other than the thee coaches that were hit, the remainder of the Vananchal Express was brought to Burdwan en route to Ranchi. The Uttar Banga Express has been brought to Rampurhat after replacing the damaged engine.
At least 50 people were killed and 150 injured after a speeding Sealdah-bound Uttar Banga Express rammed into three coaches of the stationary Bhagalpur-Ranchi Vananchal Express at Sainthia station in West Bengal's Birbhum district, about 190 km from Kolkata, early on Monday, railway authorities said.
The railway minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, confirmed the 49 deaths, expressed regret, saying she was "sorry to see two incidents (railway accidents) in West Bengal in two months."
The eastern railway chief public relations officer, Mr Samir Goswami, said the dead included 39 men, eight women and two children. The accident took place around 2.15 am, rudely jolting hundreds of sleeping passengers. Among the dead were the driver and assistant driver of the Uttar Banga Express and the guard of the Vananchal Express.
Chief Security Commissioner of Eastern Railway, Mr S. Sahoo, told IANS: "We fear that more than 50 have died."
The accident occurred 52 days after the Gyaneshwari Express tragedy in which 148 people died as the Maoist guerillas cut open the pandrol clips (used to fix the rail to the sleeper) near Jhargram in West Midnapore district. After the Mumbai-bound Gyaneshwari Express derailed May 28, a freight train approaching from the opposite direction rammed into five derailed coaches, resulting in the high casualties.
Bodies from the accident spot have been sent to the district hospital in Suri, the headquarters of Birbhum district, Sainthia Government Railway Police (GRP) sources said.
"About 150 of the injured have been shifted to hospitals in Suri and Sainthia," Additional Director General of Police, (Railways) Mr Dilip Mitra, said.
Five medical teams and an accident relief team have reached the spot, authorities said. The site of the accident is 191 km from Howrah on the Bolpur-Rampurhat section of Eastern Railway's Howrah division.
An Eastern Railway spokesman said the Vananchal Express was at platform 4 when the Uttar Banga Express, coming from New Coochbehar, hit it. The engine of the speeding train ploughed through three coaches of the stationary express from the rear. All three coaches were badly mangled by the severity of the collision with one of the coaches shooting up from the tracks and careening into the footbridge above.
Local people were the first to rush in for the rescue as cries of the injured passengers, many of whom had lost their limbs, rent the air.
The authorities, facing allegations of a delayed start to the rescue efforts, were using gas-cutters to cut open the coaches and bring out the dead and rescue the injured.
"We have managed to extricate the bodies from two of the three compartments so far," Birbhum Police Superintendent, Mr Humayun Kabir, told IANS.
"Many of the bodies have got pasted in the coaches. We are only managing to extricate body parts, rather than whole bodies," said a rescue worker. "We were sleeping. Suddenly we were awakened by a loud sound. The train was dark. For a few minutes we were dumbfounded. Then I gathered my wits and came out of the train," said Mr R.N. Ghosh, a passenger of Uttar Banga Express.
"The station was also dark. I saw people running in panic. Then I found that Uttarbanga has hit another train. Three of the rear bogies of this train (Vananchal) were devastated," he said. The eastern railway general manager, Mr V.N. Tripathy, said an enquiry has been ordered into how both the trains came on to the same line.
Train movement on the down line has been disrupted in the Bolpur-Rampurhat section. The down Malda-Howrah Intercity Express were among several trains cancelled and many trains were stranded on the down line.
A railway official said other than the thee coaches that were hit, the remainder of the Vananchal Express was brought to Burdwan en route to Ranchi. The Uttar Banga Express has been brought to Rampurhat after replacing the damaged engine.
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