1400 HRS
27th January , 2013

THE HEADLINES:

• Cross-LoC trade and travel with Pakistan at Chakan-Da-Bagh in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir to resume tomorrow.

• Security intensified in Goalpara district of Assam, following two low intensity blasts last night.

• In Egypt, army deployed in Port Said, as death toll in clashes goes up to 36; Government invites Opposition for dialogue.

• India set a target of 227 for England in the fifth and final ODI at Dharmshala.

• Andy Murray takes on World Number One Novak Djokovic in title clash of Australian Open today.

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In Jammu and Kashmir, the cross-LoC trade and travel to Pakistan will resume tomorrow from Chakan-Da-Bagh in Poonch district. The custodian of the Cross LoC Trade, Mr. Krishen Lal said, the tension on the LoC have eased and the routine trade and travel between the two countries would resume from tomorrow.

"The bus service and cross border trade, which was suspended on January 8th, due to an incident on LoC, will resume from tomorrow, which includes the passenger bus service Rah-e-Milan. We got the confirmation from the higher authorities yesterday. Day before yesterday, we got the message from Pakistan that they are willing to resume it."

Earlier, Secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan on water sharing, scheduled tobegin in Islamabad tomorrow, were put off. A Pakistan Foreign Ministry official told PTI in Islamabad that new dates for the talks are yet to be decided.

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In Assam, security has been intensified in Goalpara district following two low intensity blasts, last night. No casualty has been reported. Goalpara Deputy Commissioner Preetam Saikia said that six additional companies of Central para-military forces are being deployed in the district to maintain law and order.

"Three companies of the Central para-military force have already been deployed while the rest are likely to arrive by evening. Senior police officials have visited the spot and recovered a bomb like substance at Jaleshwar. No casualty has been reported. The Deputy Commissioner has not ruled out involvement of any insurgent groups behind the blast. One person was beaten to death by angry mob after the incident for allegedly throwing a bomb. District administration has maintaining a close watch and urged all maintain peace. Investigations are on. Manas Pratim Sharma, AIR News, Guwahati."

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The All Bodo Students Union, ABSU has appealed to the government to resolve the Bodoland issue on the basis of legitimacy, geographical and administrative convenience, comprising the 32 tribal belts and blocks in the northern part of the Brahmaputra river. The ABSU has organised a 12-hour hunger strike across the state in support of its demand. Participating in the strike at Raazmela ground in Kokrajhar, ABSU President Promod Boro appealed to the government to organize a political dialogue immediately including all the Bodoland demand movement groups, to resolve the Bodoland issue.

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In Andhra Pradesh, agitations continued in favour of both demands for statehood for Telangana and for maintaining the State's Unity today. Tension prevailed in Hyderabad after several agitators, including MLAs, were taken into custody in separate incidents while approaching the Samara Diksha Dharna site, for which police did not give permission. Demanding their release and permission to hold Samara Dikhsa, the Telangana Joint Action Committee and the Telangana Rastra Samithi leaders are holding protest demonstrations.

Osmania University Students were also taken into custody when they tried to take out a protest rally to Raj Bhavan. The Telangana JAC has called for the 36-hour long Samara Dikhsa Dharna for which the TRS has also extended solidarity. On the other hand, demonstrations continued in Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra regions in favour of maintaining the State's Unity. The Joint Action Committee members held protest demonstrations seeking Ministers to resign in favour of a united state.

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In Bihar, Naxalites abducted eight persons engaged in a road bridge construction in a village in Jamui district, late last night. Police said that a group of Naxalites suddenly swooped on Badaldiah village and abducted eight persons, including six labourers and a village guard. Deputy Superintendent of Police, Virender Sahu told our Jamui correspondent that Naxalites also set fire to their shanty huts. He said that combing operations have been launched to nab the culprits.

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Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office, V Narayanasamy has urged playback singer S. Janaki to accept the Padmabhushan award announced by the central government. Talking to reporters in Tirunelveli, he said that the central government is not showing any discrimination towards artists while announcing awards.

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In Egypt, Army has been deployed in Port Said and has taken control of the Suez canal, as the death toll in the clashes in Port Said has gone up to 36, while more than 300 have been injured. The clashes were sparked off by announcement of death sentence to 21 local people to death over football riots in February last year, which left 74 people dead. The supporters of the accused tried to storm the city prison which led to gunfire. Two police officers outside the prison were among the killed in the violence.

Meanwhile, the National Defence Council, the country's apex security agency, chaired by President Mohammed Mursi and top army generals has appealed for calm. It also urged the opposition to come for a national dialogue, as violent clashes spilled over to the suburbs of Cairo today. The Council held an emergency meeting to take stock of the situation.

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In Philippines, nine persons were killed, when gunmen ambushed a truck carrying policemen and village guards in a mountainous central province today. A police official said that a policeman and eight others, mostly village guards, were killed by unidentified men before dawn in La Castellana town in Negros Occidental province. Two other policemen were wounded.

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The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC will hold a three-day open hearing session in Nagpur from tomorrow. An official press release says that over 570 cases related to alleged atrocities against members of Scheduled Castes in Maharashtra, are likely to be heard in the session. The Commission had invited complaints for the open hearing, which elicited about 1,400 applications. Of these, 571 cases were short-listed for calling reports from the authorities. On the 31st of this month, the Commission will hold a meeting with the representatives of NGOs in Mumbai, followed by a meeting of senior officers, including Maharashtra Chief Secretary and DGP.

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Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde is reaching Dhaka tomorrow on a two-day visit to Bangladesh at the invitation of the Bangladesh Home Minister MK Alamgir. Soon after his arrival, Mr. Shinde is scheduled to hold discussions with the Bangladeshi counterpart, after which the two sides are expected to sign an extradition treaty and a revised travel agreement. Mr. Shinde is also scheduled to call on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and hold discussions with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni on the second day of his visit.

"The extradition treaty which is expected to be signed during the visit of Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde is a step towards strengthening the existing legal framework for co-operation in security matters between India and Bangladesh. The extradition treaty is expected to help both countries in the process of nabbing militants, terrorists and most wanted criminals who try to escape the law by crossing borders. In addition to this, both sides are expected to sign a revised travel agreement during the Union Home Minister's visit which is expected to liberalise the visa rules for businesspersons, senior citizens and medical treatment cases. This is Senthil Rajan, AIR NEWS, DHAKA."

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The numbers of tigers in Maharashtra has gone up from 169 to 200, since 2010. However, 14 tigers have died in 2012 and 3 tigers have died in just less than one month of this year. However, Maharashtra Chief Minister Pritiviraj Chavan said that the state government is taking strong steps to curb poaching of tigers and other wild animals. This issue figured prominently in the meeting of state board for wildlife held recently in Pune under the chairmanship of Chief Minister.

"Poaching of wild animals is a major concern and it has been found that tigers are being poached by electrocution. To prevent poaching of tigers by electrocution, two proposals came up before the state wildlife board. The first proposal was to consider whether high tension lines can be laid underground, and the second proposal was whether any rubber coating can be used for the lines passing through the sanctuaries. No decision has been taken yet, but the Chief Minister announced setting up of a co-ordination group of electricity and the forest department to work out a proposal whether any joint patrolling team can be deployed along the overhead power lines. Mahesh Iyengar, AIR NEWS, Pune."

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As a step to extend the Direct Cash Transfer Scheme, DCTS to all State welfare programmes, the Puducherry Government has set up a Unique Identification Implementation Cell in the Union Territory. Our correspondent reports that Puducherry is among the districts chosen for the first phase of Central government's DCTS.

"The Unique Identification Implementation Cell in the Union Territory will function under the Department of Planning and Research and will co-ordinate with the nodal officers of various departments and agencies, implementing welfare programmes, in carrying out the Aadhar Enabled Payment Services. The cell will also communicate the instructions received from Unique Identification Authority of India to the departments and agencies concerned. THIS IS RATNAM, AIR NEWS, PUDUCHERRY."

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In Uttar Pradesh, bathing is going on peacefully under tight security arrangements at Allahabad on the occasion of Paush Purnima, the second bathing festival of Maha Kumbh Mela. The Divisional Commissioner Allahabad and nodal officer of the Mela Mr. Devesh Chaturvedi told our correspondent that devotees have thronged the Sangam and other bathing Ghats across all sectors of the Mela. He said, in addition to the Sangam, 18 bathing Ghats have been developed on the banks of the river Ganga for pilgrims.

"Hundreds of thousands of devotees have come from across the country and even abroad to take holy dip on this occasion. About 30 companies of PAC and central Para military forces have been deployed in the Mela area. About 50 Close Circuit TV Cameras have also been set up for keeping eyes on the movements of anti-social elements and miscreants. Adequate security measures have also been taken at bathing Ghats and barricading is erected at deep water at all Ghats. Entry of heavy vehicles into the Allahabad town is restricted and no vehicle is allowed into Mela area. Railways and UP State Transport Corporation has made special arrangements to ferry the pilgrims. Sunil Shukla, AIR News, Kumbh Mela, Allahabad."

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In Sports News,

Chasing a target of 227 runs set by India, England were 24 for no loss in 6 overs, in the fifth and final ODI Cricket match at Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, when reports last came in. Alistair Cook on 13 and Ian Bell on 9 were at the crease.

After a poor start, hosts were all out at 226 in 49.4 overs. Suresh Raina was the highest scorer with 83 runs. Earlier, England won the toss and elected to field. For visitors, Tim Bresnan was the highest wicket taker claiming 4 wickets.

India has already clinched the 5-match series.

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World Number One Novak Djokovic of Serbia will today lock horns with Briton Andy Murray in the Men's Singles title clash of the Australian Open Tennis tournament at Melbourne. With Djokovic looking to create history by bagging the title for the third consecutive time and Murray leaving no stone unturned to end Britain's 79-year wait for a Australian Open Men's Singles title, today's much awaited final promises to be a high voltage affair.

In the Mixed Doubles final match today, the Aussie team of Jarmila Gajdosova and Matthew Ebden defeated the Czech pair of Lucie Hradecka and Frantisek Cermak 6-3, 7-5.