GUWAHATI: Days after al-Qaeda issued a video threatening to carry out its campaign in India, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said the terror group is trying to set up base in the state and had “tacit understanding” with ULFA.
“We have got some information that al-Qaeda is trying to gain access to Assam. We have taken steps to prevent any such development and asked all concerned to remain cautious,” Gogoi told a press conference here.
The global terrorist outfit had earlier too tried to set up links in the north east and Assam in association with insurgent groups here but failed to do so, he said.
Asked specifically if al-Qaeda has any link with the banned ULFA, Gogoi said, “I think they have links. Even if there is no direct link as of now, they have tacit understanding … They never criticise each other.”
The Chief Minister said security forces have received intelligence report that there are possibilities of some incidents during the forthcoming Durga Puja.
Asked if repeated violence in Bodoland Territorial Area Districts and other parts of the state, where primarily one community has been affected in recent years, are to be blamed for Islamic fundamentalist groups like al-Qaeda’s possible entry to Assam, Gogoi said “These are in any case disturbing factors. These incidents help them.” ..
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said Indian Muslims will live and die for the country and would not dance to the tune of al-Qaeda.
On September 4, the Centre had sounded a country-wide alert after an al-Qaeda video surfaced in which the terror outfit threatened to carry out campaign in India and the initial assessment of Intelligence Bureau found the tape to be genuine.
The US media and intelligence agencies had said al-Qaeda has established a new branch to wage ‘jihad’ in India, return the Islamic rule and impose sharia in the Indian sub-continent
SRINAGAR: At a time when almost the entire healthcare infrastructure in Srinagar city has been rendered ineffective by the devastating floods, the Army’s 92 Base Hospital here has saved the lives of more than 300 people including 35 newborns.
The army doctors without caring about their own houses and families affected by the floods have been working day and night at the 600-bed facility, the biggest army hospital in the entire Kashmir Valley.
The family of Riyaz Ahmed, whose three-month-old daughter was suffering from encephalitis, was preparing to face the worst as the doctors at the district hospital in Anantnag gave up hope of saving the infant.
“Doctors in Anantnag told us that they won’t be able to save our daughter and that we should take her home and be prepared for the worst,
” Riyaz who is a driver by profession told PTI. However, after flood waters entered his village, an army helicopter rescued the family. “They brought us at the army hospital here and since then the treatment of my daughter is on,” Riyaz said.
The doctors treating the infant say that she has fully recovered and was now out of danger.
“She was brought here in a critical condition but the baby girl is fine now and we will discharge her in a day or two,” said Brigadier NS Lamba, the commander of the 92 Base Hospital located at the Badami Bagh cantonment area.
Riyaz said that the army doctors have performed a miracle by saving the life of his daughter. “Even if I have to give my life for them a thousand times, I will happily do that.
“These men here have given a new lease of life to my entire family,” Riyaz said.
Brigadier Lamba said that as soon as the water started entering the GB Panth children hospital in the Srinagar city, the army hospital opened its doors for the infants who were undergoing treatment at the hospital and had to be rescued.
“The babies coming to our hospital from the GB Panth hospital were in the age group of one day old to a few months old.
“They were undergoing treatment for various diseases. Some of these babies were brought in critical condition as some were cases of pre-mature deliveries and had to be kept in ICU,” he said.
Despite the floods, he said, the army doctors have been regularly reporting on duty to save the lives of the patients who were brought to the hospital.
“The houses of 17 of my officers including doctors and paramedics are still under water, but they are regularly coming to save the lives of the patients who were brought to this hospital,” Brig Lamba said.
Ghulam Rasool (70), a resident of Nowgam whose 27-day- old grandson is undergoing treatment at the ICU of the base hospital, said that he was indebted to the army for their timely help.
“They haven’t charged us a single penny and besides providing free treatment, medicines to the sick baby they are also taking caring of our family by giving us food and shelter here,” Rasool said.
A press note issued by AAP against the false allegations on Mayenk Gandhi regarding sexual harassment complaint lodged by a female volunteer during the campaign of Lok Shabha Elections.
Real News of India will however investigate the matter and bring the truth to its readers.
False, baseless and malicious campaign to defame AAP leader Mayank Gandhi,
Aam Aadmi Party totally decries the attempts to malign the character to Mayank Gandhi on completely unfounded and baseless allegations. We caution all news channels and publications to cease and desist from carrying news items without checking their veracity. They any are advised to check the case and understand that NO COMPLAINT OF SEXUAL HARSSMENT OR MOLESTATION has been filed against Mayank Gandhi or any AAP member.
During the election campaign Mayank Gandhi was approached by a young female volunteer from his constituency with a complaint of harassment by a male colleague. Without going into any details of the case, based on his strong support to women and belief in ensuring a good work place environment for them, Mayank Gandhi without hesitation suspended the male volunteer immediately. He then connected the young lady to Preeti Sharma Menon, member of the national committee on sexual harassment. Preeti had a brief conversation with the lady and asked her to file a police complaint. The girl was reticent so Preeti promised her an internally inquiry. Many local volunteers too told the girl to file a police complaint but she was not willing. Preeti mentioned the case to the National Committee on Sexual harassment and then asked the Maharashtra State Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC) to conduct an inquiry under the Vishakha guidelines. The inquiry in under progress.
It is shocking that the same lady has today turned the harassment case into a molestation case and has chosen to file a complaint in which she has falsely alleged that Mayank Gandhi threatened her to refrain from filing a complaint at the police. It is to be noted that she HAS NOT ALLEGED ANY HARASSMENT OR MOLESTATION against Mayank Gandhi or any member of AAP.
AAP has advised the police to do a thorough investigation against the accused and punish him thoroughly if found guilty. But we are shocked and dismayed that the police could so easily include the name of national political leaders in a case without a shred of evidence. The police has admitted that the case against Mayank Gandhi is limited to the allegation that he prevented the victim from lodging a complaint (which is anyway false). They have also promised a fair investigation and strict action if the case if proven as false.
AAP is a party that has encouraged women participation, especially in Maharashtra where Mayank Gandhi and Praful Vora created an atmosphere that encourage Anjali Daminia, Medha Patkar, Meera Sanyal and many other women to take centre stage. It is a shame that political motives of some MLA aspirants are trying to destroy the only party that truly stands for gender justice.
Hrithik Roshan, considered one of the best dancers in Bollywood is seen doing some high octane dance moves in his next ‘Bang Bang’ and his co-star Katrina Kaif says she had to try hard to match up to the actor.
The 31-year-old actress is playing the female lead in the action thriller, which is the official remake of the Hollywood film ‘Knight and Day’ starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz.
“Dancing with Hrithik was the biggest challenge. His flexibility is incredible. It is at a different level altogether. You have to be really good to match up to his energy. He has natural energy when he dances. It comes to him so effortlessly,” Katrina said during the launch of the title track of the film here last night.
When asked who was the better dancer in the song among the two, the ‘Dhoom 3’ actress said till the time of the rehearsals she was doing fine, but Hrithik just blew everyone away during the final shoot.
Kat
“I was ok during rehearsals because Hrithik was not dancing! Finally when we danced on the sets, we all know who danced better,” said the actress, adding the title song ‘Bang Bang’ is one of her favourite tracks.
‘Bang Bang’ has been directed by Siddharth Raj Anand, who has previously helmed ‘Salaam Namaste’, ‘Ta Ra Rum Pum’, ‘Bachna Ae Haseeno’ and ‘Anjaana Anjaani’.
Siddharth is returning behind the lens after a gap of four years and the director says ‘Bang Bang’ is a very important project for him as he has invested a lot in the movie.
“It has been a journey of blood, sweat and tears for me and a very difficult one. I am very emotional right now and might cry because this is the first time I am talking about all of it. But I am feeling happy now,” he said.
Hrithik is all praise for the director and said he is happy that he chose to do this film, which he considers one of his best movies till date.
“Normally I want to know every aspect in a film before saying yes. But this time I didn’t. This is the first film in my life which surprised me. This film truly belongs to one man – Sid. Everything he has done in this film is simply amazing.
“‘Bang Bang’ is one of my best films. I just saw the final rushes of the film and am very happy,” Hrithik said.
The film also stars Danny Denzongpa, Jaaved Jaffrey and will hit theatres on October 2
Traffic police launches smart safe stickers plan in Thane
Thane: Pushing for greater passenger safety, Thane Police Commissioner Vijay Kamble on Thursday launched Smart Safe Stickers (SSS) project under which travellers can get full information of the vehicle and driver by clicking picture of the sticker.
Launching the project here Kamble said under the project smart safe stickers with a QR Code, which will contain information like vehicle registration number, owner’s name and address, photo, which will be affixed on the rear of driver’s seat.
By clicking picture of the sticker through smartphone, data will be stored in mobile, which can be prove to be useful for passenger from security point of view.
He said auto rickshaw unions have also welcomed the project and are cooperating in its implementation.
It has been launched as a pilot project and nearly 5,000 rickshaws will be covered first, Kamble said, adding, if the pilot project is successful, it will be extended to other areas later.
Kamble has also asked traffic police officials to register complaints regarding the project.
DCP Traffic Rashmi Karandikar at the launch said that the idea was conceived after a 24-year-old techie Swapnali Lad jumped to safety from a moving auto-rickshaw in Thane when the driver allegedly tried to kidnap her, keeping in mind the safety of women passengers.
Incheon: Bolstered by a better-than-expected performance in the Commonwealth Games, Indian athletes would now look to assert themselves against the sporting might of continental powerhouses such as China and Japan in the 17th Asian Games commencing here tomorrow.
A total haul of 64 medals in the CWG held in July-August, which included 15 of the golden hue, should act as the ideal springboard for the Indian contingent to better the medal tally claimed at Guangzhou, China, four years ago.
However, the reality is that Asian Games is far tougher to excel in than CWG, barring a few disciplines, especially with the Chinese juggernaut set to roll once again followed by the might of South Korea, Japan and a few other countries, including the ones belonging to to the erstwhile Soviet Bloc.
In 2010, the total medals scooped by the Indian contingent at the Asiad was 65 — comprising 14 gold, 17 silver and 34 bronze — a month after a record haul of 101, including 38 gold, in the CWG held in New Delhi.
The sizeable heist in Guangzhou piloted the country to a highly creditable sixth spot on the table which was topped by hosts China with a staggering haul of 199 gold medals.
The sixth place finish in Guangzhou was India’s best in Asian Games history after the fifth spot it grabbed when hosting the pan-Asian sports spectacle in 1982 at New Delhi.
India ended up eighth in 2002 when South Korea previously hosted the Games and retained it four years later in Doha, Qatar, before improving it by two rungs in Guangzhou, leading to the current optimism that the country has the capability to finish even in the top five.
This time the government, on September 9, pruned down the size of the contingent, from what was sent to it by the Indian Olympic Association. The contingent is now 679-strong -– including 516 athletes — from the initial 942 comprising 662 athletes and the rest officials.
The size of the contingent is still quite big and would be seen in action in aquatics, archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, canoeing and kayaking, cycling, equestrian, football, golf, gymnastics, handball, hockey, judo, kabaddi, rowing, sepaktakraw, shooting, squash, taekwondo, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, wrestling, wushu, weightlifting, and yachting.
Deepika Padukone‘s move to blast off TOI for unsolicited reporting on her is the latest talk of the town. It seems while the whole fraternity is up against the newspaper and supporting Deepika wholeheartedly, there are certain people who think it is nothing but a gimmick. We try to figure out why for a woman, it can never be a subject of gimmick.
First of all, putting up pictures of her cleavage from unflattering angles at a press event and posting it up on their website sayings, Deepika’s cleavage show. It is most definitely is a way to outrage someone’s modest. Deepika isn’t wrong to feel violated as a woman and lash out. She didn’t wear anything untoward, it was the camera angles which deliberately painted a wrong picture for cheap gains.
Deepika Padukone is one of the most sought after heroines of the industry today. She doesn’t have to resort to cheap thrills for publicity. All this while, withought even doing any ‘cleavage show’ intentionally, she has bagged some of the biggies of Bollywood. She already has a plethora of films in her kitty. Every director wants to work with her. Even directors like Imtiaz Ali and Homi Adajania, who don’t really believe in repeating their actresses, worked with Deepika twice.
The alliance seemed to be in trouble as Shiv Sena was not ready to accept the BJP’s demand for equal seat sharing in Maharashtra assembly polls.
MUMBAI: Days after a squabble over the seat-sharing in the upcoming assembly polls in Maharashtra, the Bharatiya Janata Party has bowed down to Shiv Sena’s demand of 135 seats, and sent a list of 119 seats to the central leadership, CNN IBN reports.
The BJP-Sena alliance seemed to be in trouble as the Uddhav Thackeray-led party was not ready to accept the BJP’s demand for equal seat sharing and insisted that the chief minister should be from the Shiv Sena.
Senior BJP leaders from Maharashtra, including Devendra Fadnavis and Vinod Tawde, met union minister Nitin Gadkari at his New Delhi residence to discuss the issue.
Both parties have reportedly had heated seat-sharing discussions in the last few days.
Also, the dismal performance in the recently-concluded by-polls in ten states could be one of the reasons for the BJP’s climb-down.
The Shiv Sena on Wednesday described the Sep 13 by-poll results as an “unexpected shock and surprise” and said there are lessons to be learnt from it for the forthcoming Maharashtra assembly elections.
“Don’t take the voters for granted… They are very intelligent. Keep your feet on the ground and don’t indulge in sword-fights from the air… Otherwise, the people will skin you,” the party said in an oblique reference to ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in an edit in the party organ ‘Saamana’.The edit came a day after the BJP suffered a setback in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan by-polls. (With inputs from agencies)
London- Britan is under 72 hours away from a once-in-a-lifetime vote on Scottish independence that could break up the 307-year-old United Kingdom, splitting apart one of America’s key global allies. With polls suggesting that a Scottish split from the rest of Britain is a real possibility, lawmakers including Prime Minister David Cameron are making urgent appeals to save Britain its biggest constitutional upheaval since the Wars of Independence that led to the creation of the United States.
What will be voted on?
More than 4.2 million people in Scotland — or 97 percent of the adult population — have registered to vote on whether or not to remain part of the United Kingdom.
Scotland was an independent country until 1707, when the Act of Union with England led to the creation of Great Britain and, ultimately, the United Kingdom — which also includes Northern Ireland.
It retained its own separate legal and education systems and was granted its own devolved parliament in Edinburgh in 1999 but control of defense, borders and taxation remain with the U.K. parliament in London’s Westminster and ultimate authority lies with Queen Elizabeth II.
Britain’s government agreed to recognize the referendum, gambling that a likely ‘No’ vote would kill off the issue of Scottish independence for decades. But with polls now putting a ‘Yes’ vote within reach, the U.K. faces the serious prospect of a break-up.
How likely is Scotland to become independent?
Within two generations, Scottish independence has gone from an eccentric fringe movement to a dominant political force that is on the cusp of victory.
Until last month, the pro-Union Better Together ‘No’ campaign enjoyed a consistent and comfortable lead in opinion polls but a sudden surge in support for the pro-independence ‘Yes’ side has all but eliminated the gap. A “poll of polls” published by ScotCen on Monday puts ‘No’ at 51 percent and ‘Yes’ just two points behind, at 49 percent. “In a vote where the winning side needs 50% + 1 of votes cast, it is clear that neither side can now be completely confident of victory,” the research organization said.
A major YouGov poll last week gave the ‘Yes’ side a slim majority, spooking the global markets and causing the pound sterling to sink by 1.3 percent on foreign exchange markets before recovering. British lawmakers, who previously vowed to stay out of Scotland’s national debate, have been making urgent visits to Scotland to implore voters to save the United Kingdom.
What is the case for independence?
The ‘Yes’ campaign is led by First Minister Alex Salmond, whose Scottish National Party has governed since 2007. It says Scots should have total control of their own affairs and that revenue from Scotland’s offshore oil fields would sustain the country’s economy. Support for independence was boosted by the election in 2010 of a Conservative British government, angering voters in Scotland where the Conservative party remains deeply unpopular.
How star-studded has the campaign been?
Edinburgh-born James Bond actor Sean Connery has been a decades-long supporter of Scottish independence, alongside Gerard Butler (“The Bounty Hunter”), Brian Cox (“The Bourne Supremacy,” “Braveheart”) and Alan Cumming (“The Good Wife”). Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood has also said a ‘Yes’ vote would be “great.”
What happens if Scotland votes ‘No’?
No matter what happens, Scotland’s relationship with the rest of the U.K. will change. In a last-ditch attempt to persuade Scots to vote ‘No’, Cameron last week promised future extra powers for Scotland’s existing devolved parliament if Scots chose to vote ‘No’. However, this olive branch may be too late to change Thursday’s result; Cameron had rejected extra powers as a middle-way option on the ballot paper, gambling that most voters would choose ‘No’ if given a straight Yes/No question on independence. Offering more devolved government at such a late stage has been dismissed by the ‘Yes’ side as a panic measure.
And whatever the outcome, the 18-month campaign has left social divisions as supporters on both sides trading acrimonious barbs over social media using the hashtag #indyref. Thursday’s poll has become a topic to avoid in bars and family gatherings. Fiona Scott, whose father taught Salmond at school, wrote in an open letter to The Herald newspaper on Saturday that the referendum “has succeeded in creating divisions across Scotland that were not there before and will still exit after the referendum, no matter which way the vote goes.” She added: “Relationships between neighbors are now threatened if you indicate which way you are voting.”
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