1400 HRS.

30 November, 2013

THE HEADLINES

• A Goa Court adjourns hearing of Tarun Tejpal's anticipatory bail petition in sexual assault case till 4.30 PM. 
                       
• Government asks National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Ranjan Daimary group) to submit their Charter of Demands within three months.

• At least two policemen were killed in an exchange of fire with Maoists in the Nuapada district of Odisha 

• Curtains to come down on the 44th International Film Festival of India in Panaji this evening.

• Violence and arson in Bangladesh mar the 72-hour blockade called by 18-party BNP-led Opposition combine., 

• P V Sindhu to meet China's Qin Ching in the semi-finals of Macau Open today.

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The hearing on Tarun Tejpal's anticipatory bail petition today resumed in a District and Sessions court in Panaji, Goa. Tejpal's lawyer Geeta Luthra argued that Tejpal is ready to stay in Goa till the time it is required by the investigating agency. She said, Tejpal will also not visit Mumbai, where the victim is currently residing. Luthra also ruled out the possibility of Tejpal fleeing the country saying he has not fled before the FIR or after that. Wrapping up her arguments, Luthra said false allegation of rape can bring distress to the accused and cause equal damage to him as to the complainant. Public Prosecutor Saresh Lotlikar argued that prima facie a case is established against Tejpal and so the police want his custodial interrogation. He noted that the victim has been consistent in her statements. Lotlikar said the CCTV footage of the hotel in Goa where the incident occurred early this month gives enough hints confirming the allegation of rape. The public prosecutor also argued that Tejpal was not available for Goa Police and appeared only after getting interim relief from court. Now, the court has adjourned hearing and will decide on the plea after 4:30 PM. Ahead of hearing on his bail petition, Tejpal visited the Crime Branch office this morning and said he was cooperating in the investigation. Police sources said Tejpal was not quizzed and he stayed there for 10 minutes.

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The Government asked the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Ranjan Daimary group) to submit their Charter of Demands within 3 months. Talking to AIR News, Assam Home Secretary G D Tripathi said that peace process will start on the basis of charter of demands. Our correspondent reports that the Centre and the Assam government have signed Suspension of Operation treaty with the outfit yesterday in Guwahati:

There will be no arms operation from either side for six months. The treaty will be reviewed after 6 months. The Home Secretary said, government will also consider to club the peace talk of the Ranjan Daimary faction with the Progressive faction of National Democratic Front of Bodoland, depends on the demand charters. On the other hand out of 579 cadres, the married members of the outfit can stay with their families while rest will have to live at 2 designated camps. Government will provide them skill development training and monthly stipend. The leaders of the militant outfit seek more time to deposit their remaining arms as they have deposited 40 weapons to the police. The outfit leaders have expressed satisfaction and hoped that their demands will be addressed through dialogue. Manas Pratim Sarma, AIR NEWS, Guwahati

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Still with Assam, counting of votes of the Rabha Hasong Council poll is underway amidst tight security in Goalpara and Kamrup district. Rabha Hasong Joint Action Committee is leading so far. Kamrup Deputy Commissioner J Balaji said that 5 independent candidates supported by the Rabha Hasong Joint Action Committee have won. Another seat has been won by an independent candidate in Kamrup. Rabha Hasong Joint Action Committee has also won 3 seats in Goalpara district. A total of 176 candidates are in fray for 36 seats. Congress, BJP and Asom Gana Parishad are also contesting. It may be recalled that polling was held for the first time amidst protests from several non-Rabha organizations.

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Barring seven Assembly constituencies within Imphal Municipal area, the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 will be extended for another year ininsurgency-hit Manipur from tomorrow. The decision to extend the act was taken in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh. The Act has been enforced in the state for more than two decades. The Act gives extra powers to security forces to deal with insurgents.

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All arrangements have been made for free and fearless polling in 199 out of 200 seats in the Rajasthan Assembly elections tomorrow. Polling parties have reached at all 47223 polling stations. Ruling Congress and main opposition Party BJP are contesting on all seats while BSP has fielded its candidates in 195 seats, CPM on 38,CPI on 23,NCP on 16 seats. 666 candidates of other parties and 758 independents are also in fray. Our correspondent reports, all the candidates are today busy in door to door contact with voters. 

The Election Commission has taken all possible measures for free and fearless polling in the state. Borders of Gujarat, MP, UP and Haryana have been sealed to check movement of liquor and anti social elements during election. During last one month police has warned more than 2 lakh persons and executed 44 thousand non bail able warrants. 12 Crore Rupees cash and 27 Crore Rupees liquor was also seized. 1 lakh 19000 security personnel including 509 companies of central para military forces have been deployed in the state this number is 3 times higher than the previous election. In this election 45 lakh new voters have been included in voter lists of them 16 lakh will use their voting right for the first time. Election commission has decided live web casting from about 1000 polling stations. 5 mobile polling booths will also work to facilitate scattered population in desert district of Jaisalmer. Anurag Vajpeyi, AIR News, Jaipur

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Poll-bound Delhi is witnessing intense campaigning with political heavyweights engaging themselves in canvassing for their candidates. As campaigning wrapped up in Rajasthan, top leaders of Congress, BJP and other parties have now been fielded in the national capital to address public rallies. Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, senior BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj and Nitin Gadkari are slated to address rallies in the metropolis today. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Congress leaders Kapil Sibal, Salman Khurshid, Ajay Maken and Raj Babbar will also address rallies during the day. Besides, BSP Chief Mayawati, Aam Aadmi Party Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar will be addressing rallies today. Our correspondent reports, voting in Delhi will be a triangular contest this time with Congress, BJP and Aam Aadmi Party vying for power. Till date, Congress and BJP used to face each other at the ballot box. Introduction of None of the Above or NOTA option is likely to raise polling percentage in the national capital which has produced low voter turnouts over the years. Delhi Chief Electoral Office's voter awareness campaign- Dil Mein Hai Dilli Vote Karenge- is also expected to bring more youth to polling booths to exercise their adult franchise.

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In Uttar Pradesh, filing of nomination papers for bye elections for two vacant seats to the Rajya Sabha will begin from December 3 with the issuance of notification. Polling will be held on December 20. Quoting Election Commission sources AIR Allahabad correspondent reports that December 10 is last date for filing nominations while December 13 is last date for withdrawal following scrutiny of papers on December 11. Bye elections have been necessitated following death of Samajwadi Party Member Mohan Singh and disqualification of Congress MP Rasheed Masood.

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At least two policemen were killed in an exchange of fire between the police and the Maoists in the Nuapada district of Odisha yesterday. The deceased include one jawan of the District Voluntary Force and one SPO. According to police sources, the incident took place near Datunama village in the Sunabeda Sanctuary last evening when the policemen were returning to their base camp after patrolling. The bodies of the victims have been recovered from the site. Police have intensified a search operation in the area to nab the culprits. The Maoists attack is being seen against the backdrop of the recent protests by the villagers of the Sunabeda Sanctuary area who rose in arms against the Maoists.

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In Uttar Pradesh, rail traffic was disrupted on Allahabad- Lucknow section following derailment of Allahabad bound Haridwar express this morning near Nigoha railway station on Lucknow Raebareli rail section. An official spokesperson from Northern Railway told our correspondent that four coaches of the train were derailed in the wee hours. He said there is no report of any causality and injury to any passenger in the accident. He said senior officers from Lucknow railway division have reached on the spot and efforts are on to restore traffic on the route. He said ill-fated train was halted for some time after the accident. The train resumed its onward journey after detaching derailed coaches. Two passengers have received minor injuries.

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Arson and violence continues in Bangladesh as the 18-party BNP-led Opposition combine enforces yet another spell of 72- hour country-wide road-rail-waterways blockade beginning today. Opposition is demanding that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina steps down, and elections be postponed till agreement on election-time government  is reached. Our correspondent has filed this report:

Rail communications on Dhaka-Chittagong and Chittagong-Syhlet routes have been snapped as blockaders barricaded rail tracks this morning. At least 10 have been injured in clashes between police and barricaders. Police have also arrested two people with over 400 rounds of bullets in Chittagong this morning. In Rajshahi five trucks and 2 minibuses were torched, and protestors barricaded roads ds with burning tyres. A BNP office was torched in Ghazipur. In capital Dhaka crude bombs explosions took place in several places. Melinda Dias for AIR News, Dhaka

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United Nations has called for more international support to Lebanon to tackle the Syrian refugee crisis. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres visited the Lebanese border town of Arsal, in the eastern Bekaa Valley yesterday and said the situation is alarming. Guterres launched the Child Protection Report on Syrian refugee children in Lebanon. Our West Asia correspondent has filed this report:

Lebanon and Jordan host the largest number of Syrian refugees around 60 percent of the total number in the neighboring countries. According to the latest Child Protection Report on Syrian refugee children in Lebanon, children represent 52 per cent of the total Syrian refugee population. Their number exceeds 2.2 million, and 75 percent of them are under the age of 12. It warns that around 2 lakh school-aged Syrian refugee children could remain out of school at the end of the year. The report says hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugee children are vulnerable in their new homes and exposed to dangerous exploitation besides being at the risk of missing out on an education. Hence there is an urgent need to reach out to them. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees said the International Support Group for Lebanon is working out ways and means to increase the assistance to cope up with the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon. Atul K Tiwary, AIR NEWS, Dubai

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The on-going 44th International Film Festival of India at Panaji in Goa comes to an end this evening. Hollywood actress Michelle Yeoh will attend the closing ceremony as the chief guest. Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom directed by Justin Chadwick and written by William Nicholson will be the closing Film at the festival.  Our Correspondent has filed this report:-

The closing ceremony of the 44th international film festival of India (IFFI), might not witness the presence of glittering Bollywood celebrities as expected. Popular film director Rohit Shetty will be present to accept an award from Goa government for extensively filming his movies in the state. Legendary actress and dancer Asha Parekh and Telugu star Sumanth Kumar have agreed to be a part of the closing event. Bollywood baddie Gulshan Grover and off-beat film star Jimmy Shergil have also confirmed their attendance. “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom “directed by Justin Chadwick and written by William Nicholson will be the closing Film at the festival. There are prizes amounting to 13.2 crore to be won by competing films. Balaji Prabhugaonkar, AIR News, Panaji.

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India's rising shuttler PV Sindhu will play her semi-final match of the Macau Open Badminton tournament today. She will take on China's Qin Ching. In the Women's Singles quarterfinals yesterday, Sindhu, who is the top seed in the tournament, defeated Hong Kong's fifth seed, Tsz Ka Chan, 21-17, 21-12, while unseeded Ching beat her sixth placed compatriot, Xuan Deng, 21-16, 15-21, 21-16. Sindhu is the only Indian left in this competition.