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4] The HIndu, January 14, 2005, Friday Achuthanandan denies Pinarayi's `allegation' PALA, JAN. 13. The Leader of the Opposition and CPI(M) Polit Bureau member, V.S. Achuthanandan, has denied that the decision to exonerate the IUML leader, P.K. Kunhalikutty, was taken during a high-level meeting which included him, during the tenure of the last LDF Government. To a question on the reported statement by the CPI(M) State secretary, Pinarayi Vijayan, to that effect allegedly during the discussions at the Kollam district conference of the party, Mr. Achuthanandan said: ``I have read the newspaper reports. But there is no likelihood of Mr. Vijayan saying so. That has not happened.'' The Opposition Leader was speaking to mediapersons at a press conference today. He said that during the period when the then party secretary Chadayan Govindan was alive, there was a meeting in which he (Achuthanandan) was involved. That was to settle the bitterness between the then Advocate General M.K. Damodaran and the Director General of Prosecution, Kallada Sukumaran. ``The then Chief Minister (E.K. Nayanar) had called a meeting of the two, in the presence of (party secretary) Chadayan (Govindan). I was also invited.'' They were told to bury the hatchet and that ``both would have to be removed'' if they continued to quarrel. They were also asked to take care of the interests of the Government, Mr. Achuthanandan said. http://www.hindu.com/2005/01/14/stories/2005011407650400.htm ------------------------------------------------------------ The Hindu, January 14, 2005, Friday Nalini Netto case: lower court order set aside By Our Staff Reporter KOCHI, JAN. 13. The Kerala High Court today set aside the Judicial First Class Magistrate III, Thiruvananthapuram, order closing the proceedings relating to taking evidence from the defence witness in the case relating to the alleged sexual harassment of the IAS officer Nalini Netto by the former Minister A. Neelalohitadasan Nadar. Justice K. Padmanabhan Nair passed the judgement while disposing of a writ petition filed by Mr. Nadar challenging the Magistrate order. According to the petitioner, the court had earlier directed the magistrate court to issue summons to the witness Shaik Ahammed, a former assistant private secretary of Mr. Nadar and now employed in the Sultanate of Oman, by registered post. The court also ordered that the witnesses should be asked whether he was willing to cooperate with the proceedings and prepared to come down to Thiruvananthapuram. If he had no plan to visit the State, he should state whether he was ready to have him examined through video-conferencing, the court had ordered. Nadar's contention Mr. Nadar said that though the witness had replied that he would be coming to the State on January 25 and was prepared to be examined, the magistrate had closed the proceedings in the case and announced that he would pronounce the judgement on January 13. In his reply, Mr. Ahammed said that he was not interested in examining him through video-conferencing. He said that he was coming to Thiruvananthapuram on January 25 subject to the availability of leave. Mr. Nadar said that the magistrate should have waited till January 25 before closing the proceedings. The magistrate, in his order, said that the reply indicated that he was not inclined to appear before the court. So, the magistrate came to the conclusion that the proceedings could be closed. Court directive The court today directed the Judicial First Class Magistrate II to examine the witness on January 25 if he appeared before the court on the day. The directive was issued to the Judicial Magistrate II since the judge presiding in the court had been promoted and transferred as sub-judge. The court made it clear that if the witness did not appear on the day, the magistrate could close the proceedings. If he appeared before the court, the case could be adjourned to January 28 for taking evidence. http://www.hindu.com/2005/01/14/stories/2005011407630400.htm ------------------------------------------------------------- 5] Newindpress.com/PTI, Jan. 15, 2005, Saturday Naxals kill Congress sarpanch, peace talks suffers setback HYDERABAD: The peace talks between Andhra Pradesh government and Naxalites suffered a major setback with killing of a Congress sarpanch by extremists in Karimnagar district on Saturday in a first incident targeting a ruling party functionary since Congress took over reins eight months ago. As the news of gunning down of sarpanch of Rudrangi village Rajalingaiah sent shock waves in political circles, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy did some tough talking saying the second round of peace talks was possible only when Maoists give up arms and put an end to violence and extortion. "What is the hurry for second round (of talks)? They have to give up arms as only police have the right to carry weapons in a democratic set-up. What purpose are they (Naxalites) serving by eliminating an innocent sarpanch who was neither in favour nor against Naxalism?" Reddy asked. Asking Maoists to 'change their approach' and desist from carrying weapons to villages, the Chief Minister said it was the responsibility of the elected government and the police to maintain law and order. "How can Naxalites say that they will target policemen and politicians if police parties enter villages?," he wondered. Stating that during the first round of talks, held in October last year, Naxalite groups had raised the issues of land distribution to the poor and self-employment opportunities for rural youth, Reddy said " on both these fronts, my government has been taking initiatives in a big way. It is not proper on Naxalites' part to vitiate peaceful atmosphere." http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEL20050115050114&Page=L&Title=B+R+E+A+K+I+N+G++++N+E+W+S&Topic=0& ------------------------------------------------------------ Newindpress.com/IANS, Jan. 15, 2005, Saturday 14 Indian Army Gurkhas abducted by Maoists: Report KATHMANDU: Fourteen Nepalese Gurkhas working in the Indian Army are reported to have been abducted by Maoist insurgents. The soldiers belonging to the Indian Gorkha regiment and posted in Jammu and Kashmir were abducted from far-western Nepal while returning home on leave, the Kathmandu Post daily reported on Saturday. The incident occurred in Chuha in remote Kailali district near the Indian border, a hotbed of insurgent activities that has been in the news of late for clashes between Communist guerrillas and security forces, the Post said. The men were reportedly going home to districts where the outlaws have a strong presence like Dang, Syangja, Kaski and Nuwakot. The Post did not specify when the abductions took place. The incident could not be immediately confirmed. Indian defence authorities in Kathmandu said they were looking into the report. On Friday, three Indian vehicles were set ablaze by the Maoists in western Nepal. The rebels had called a shutdown in Nawalparasi district near the Indian border. Two jeeps and a mini truck bearing Indian number plates were heading for Kathmandu from Sunauli along the Mahendra highway when they were stopped by the guerrillas, who ordered the men to get out and torched the vehicles. The Communist outlaws, who had earlier been trying to reach an understanding with India, have started showing increasing aggression towards the neighbouring country, along with the US, for providing support to the Royal Nepalese Army to crack down on insurgency. The Maoists want India and Britain to stop recruiting Gurkhas and had in the past abducted a British Army official from a recruitment camp. He was later released unharmed. http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEL20050114233010&Page=L&Title=B+R+E+A+K+I+N+G++++N+E+W+S&Topic=0& ---------------------------------------------------------------- 6] New Indian Express, January 15, 2005, Saturday Now insurance cover for abodes of gods KOCHI: Sensing a gold mine of opportunity, insurance companies are now eyeing temples to add to their expanding list of customers. The general insurance companies have initiated efforts in this direction to provide protection to temples, which have huge deposits of wealth, from burglary and loss due to accidents. In addition, they are also coming out with insurance protection for temple festivals. A customised version of public liability policy was being used for insuring temples earlier. But now United India Insurance has introduced an exclusive product, the Temple Package Insurance Scheme. Other insurance companies are expected to follow suit. The package offers an all-comprehensive insurance that covers fire and allied perils, including terrorist attacks on temple structures and articles. The scope of the scheme has also been extended to burglary or theft of valuables, including gold and silver articles and gems. ??????The scheme envisages coverage of money insurance, personal accidents, mediclaim and fidelity guarantee insurance for the employees of the temple, machinery and electronic equipment insurance, elephant or livestock insurance for animals owned by the temple, including coverage against third- party damage caused by such animals. Further, devotees are also protected by a public liability insurance,??™??™ says K.Sanath Kumar, regional manager, United India Insurance Company Ltd. The idea of insurance coverage for temples became popular after the terrorist attack on Swaminarayan Temple in Gujarat. United India itself has insured the Tirupati Devasthanam, Madurai Meenakshi Temple and Palani Sree Subrahmanya Swamy temple etc. In Kerala, Guruvayur Sreekrishna Temple is under insurance protection. The insurance firms have begun talks with the Devaswom Board authorities for insuring more temples. ??????Negotiations are on to insure the Sabarimala temple,??™??™ Sanath Kumar said. United India??™s temple festival insurance is a combination of public liability and personal accident insurance under which the liability per person is limited to Rs 2.5 lakh. The personal accident death policy is of Rs 1 lakh per person. In all, 220 persons engaged in various activities in connection with a particular insured festival will have the benefit. ??????The personal accident cover is for temple employees, percussionists, priests, mahouts, electricians, persons engaged in fireworks, cooks etc,??™??™ says S.S.Nathan, branch manager of United India Insurance. http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IER20050114220432&Page=R&Title=Kerala&Topic=0& ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 7] New Indian Express, Jan. 15, 2005, Saturday CM lends an ear to women prisoners??™ woes KANNUR: The Kannur Central Prison witnessed heart-rending scenes as women prisoners poured out their grievances to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Friday. More than 25 women prisoners came out of their cells and crowded around the Chief Minister as he reached the jail to inaugurate a roof water harvesting system set up by the district administration and the Kannur Water Conservation Society at the prison compound. The main grouse of the women prisoners was that they were being denied parole following adverse reports often recorded by the police. Many of them broke into tears as they told the Chief Minister that they couldn??™t meet their dear ones, including aged relatives, as a result of the refusal of the authorities to grant them parole. Incidentally, the reporter of a private TV channel, E.M. Renjith Babu, who tried to record the scenes, was roughed up by the Jailer. The Chief Minister inaugurated the water conservation project at the prison compound later. K. Sudhakaran MLA presided. K.C. Joseph MLA offered felicitations. Earlier, Krishnanadha Pai, secretary of the Kannur Water Conservation Society, welcomed the gathering. http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IER20050115012039&Page=R&Title=Kerala&Topic=0& ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
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