2100 HRS

06-08-2013

 

THE HEADLINES

• The killing of five Indian soldiers in Pak firing at LoC in Poonch Sector of Jammu and Kashmir, rocks Parliament; New Delhi summons Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan to register its strong protest. 
• Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh to visit Poonch tomorrow to take stock of the situation. 
• Supreme Court directs government to provide all necessary information to CBI in coalgate probe without delay. 
• Chief Economic Advisor Raghuram Rajan appointed new RBI Governor. 
• Sensex plunges 449 points, to close at 18,733. 
• In Cricket: India's Under-19 team beat hosts Sri Lanka in the second Youth ODI at Kurungala. 

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Five Indian soldiers were killed in Pakistani firing at the LoC in Poonch Sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The issue rocked both the Houses of Parliament as Members cutting across party lines, demanded strong action against Pakistan. Some of them alleged that Government looks helpless in this case. Defence Minister A. K. Antony informed the Lok Sabha that a group of 20 armed men alongwith Pakistani troops ambushed a patrol party early in the morning, killing five soldiers.

I can only say that 20 heavily armed terrorists alongwith persons dressed in Pakistan Army Uniform. That is the confirmation so far we got it.

The incident disrupted proceedings in the Lok Sabha and the House was adjourned for the day after repeated adjournments. The issue was also taken up in the Rajya Sabha for discussion. Mr Antony told the Rajya Sabha that India has launched a strong protest with Islamabad and assured the members that Indian Army is fully ready to take all necessary steps to uphold the sanctity of LoC.

Responding to members queries, the Defence Minister informed that the number of infiltration bids has doubled this year compared to corresponding period last year. Mr. Antony said, Indian armed forces are highly capable of protecting the country's sovereignty at all times. He said that New Delhi's action will depend on the signal we get from Pakistan and that the Government will continue to strengthen armed forces to protect security and national sovereignty.

A question of national security comes, nation comes, this House is one to rise as a nation . India will rise together as one that is more than any thing that is a strongest answer to our enemy according to me.

Participating in the debate, leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitly asked the Government to spell out its plan to ensure the country's security after the withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan next year. He criticised the Defence Minister's statement on Pak firing.

You are almost providing in this sentence an opportunity to Pakistan to create a possible defence, that you are not state actors as far as Pakistan concern.

Echoing similar sentiments, CPIM leader Sitaram Yechury asked the government, what steps it has taken so far on the increasing number of ceasefire violations and infiltration attempt. CPI leader D Raja said, India should act like a matured and strong nation while dealing with its neighbours. BSP Chief Mayawati called for tough stand against neighbours. Several members called for a review of Defence and foreign policiesand expressed their concern over repeated cross border attacks and Chinese incursion.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi urged the Government to take appropriate measures in view of the incident. Mrs. Gandhi said, India can not be cowed down by such blatant acts of deceit.

The Congress party has condemned the killings and asked the Government to take strong measures to deal with the situation. Briefing reporters in New Delhi, party spokesman Bhakta Charan Das said that Congress President Sonia Gandhi has sent her condolences to the families of the martyrs, saying the entire country stands by them.

I assure the House that our army is fully ready for all necessary steps to uphold the sanctity of law. Government of India conveys its condolences to the families of the martyrs who made supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.

Taking a tough stand New Delhi today summoned the Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan to register its strong protest against the killings. Official sources said that Mansoor Ahmad Khan was summoned by the Ministry in South Block and delivered a strong message.

The Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh will tomorrow visit Poonch to review the security situation there. Army official sources said in New Delhi that the Army Chief is scheduled to visit the Division headquarters at Rajouri and the 93 Brigade headquarters to take stock of the security situation there. He is also expected to meet the Commanding Officer and troops of the units whose troops were killed in Pakistan's Border Area Team action.

Official sources added that Director General of Military Operations Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia will speak to his counterpart in Pakistan Maj Gen Asfaque Nadeem to raise the issue of killing of the five Indian soldiers in the cross-LoC attack in Jammu and Kashmir.

Of the five troops killed today, four belonged to the 21 Bihar regiment while one of them is from the 14 Maratha Light Infantry battalion.

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In Jammu and Kashmir, during a wreath laying ceremony organised at Army Hospital, Poonch this evening, the soldiers and officers of the Indian Army paid their tribute to the five jawans who were martyred during patrolling on LoC early this morning. The bodies of Naik Prem Nath Singh, Lance Naik Shambu Suran Rai, Sepoy Ravinand Prasad, Sepoy Vijay Kumar Rai and Kuleen Mannae belonging to 21 Bihar Regiment were brought to the Army Hospital earlier today. The martyrs were given the customary guard of honour, following the arrival. Tomorrow morning, their bodies will be sent to their native places.

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The Supreme Court today directed the Centre to provide full co-operation to CBI in its probe in coal block allocations scam by providing it with all necessary information and files without any delay. A Bench headed by Justice R M Lodha asked the concerned authority to provide full cooperation to the agency. The apex court which is monitoring the probe into the coalgate, directed CBI to furnish a fresh report by August 29 on the status of investigation upto August 25.

The Bench, also comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and Kurian Joseph, passed the order after one of the petitioners alleged the Ministry of Coal was not co-operating with CBI in supplying complete documents. However, the charge was denied by the agency. The Apex Court also once again challenged the government's insistence on sanctioning the interrogation of senior officers.

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The suspension of Uttar Pradesh IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal who had cracked down on illegal sand mining, today reached the Supreme Court with the filing of a public interest litigation seeking quashing of all proceedings against her. The UP government and the Centre have been made respondents in the petition filed by advocate M L Sharma.

Contending that the action taken against Nagpal was arbitrary, unconstitutional and malafide, the PIL has sought quashing of all proceedings against the 2010 batch IAS officer who had clamped down on the mining mafia in Gautam Budh Nagar area of UP.

Meanwhile, UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today expressed dissatisfaction over the manner in which the media is handling the suspension issue of IAS officer Ms. Nagpal. Talking to reporters at his official residence in Lucknow today, the Chief Minister said that a section of media is blowing the issue out of proportion. He also said that whoever will falter, will be punished in future as well.

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Agitating against the decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh, Samaikyandhra supporters today continued with their week-long protest across coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions. Protesters belonging to different organisations supporting united Andhra Pradesh, took out rallies and resorted to road blockades at several places as the protests entered the seventh day today. In Anantapur, agitators stopped a passenger train at the railway station. In Kurnool and Nellore districts, the protesters cooked food on roads besides taking out massive rallies and blocking roads. A rally involving heavy vehicles, tractors and auto rickshaws was held in Chittoor district while some protesters burnt tyres on the roads.

In Assam, normal life was hit in lower areas of the State for the second day today in three bandhs called to press for Bodoland and Kamtapur, while Karbi Anglong which had erupted over statehood demand on the lines of Telangana, was slowly limping back to normalcy. The UPDF has suspended its 1500 hour strike from tomorrow, while AKRSU reduced the duration of its bandh from 36 to 31 hours and ABSU from 60 to 48 hours, in view of the coming Id-ul-Fitr. In Karbi Anglong, the situation is slowly returning to normal with curfew relaxed from 8 am to 5 pm, as situation remained peaceful.

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Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari today favoured compensation payments for damages caused to people by false media reports. At a debate on media regulation in New Delhi, Mr. Tewari said, there is a need for adequate compensation to be paid to correct the wrong done by damaging a person's image. He said that over the last 15 years, right to privacy, right against slander and right to free trial under Article 21 of the Constitution have been trampled upon on several occasions.

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Chief Economic Advisor Raghuram Rajan has been appointed new Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. He succeeds incumbent D Subbarao who retires in September. Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today approved the new Governor's appointment for a period of three-years. Mr Rajan had earlier served as Chief Economist of International Monetary Fund.

Making a statement after his appointment Dr. Rajan said, the Government and the Reserve Bank are working together to address the challenges being faced by Indian Economy. He also said that the RBI is a great institution with a tradition of integrity, independence and professionalism.

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NEWS FROM THE BUSINESS WORLD:

The Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange plunged 449 points, or 2.3 percent, to close below the 19,000-mark, at 18,733, on all-round selling, today, on intra-day rupee weakness. The Nifty plummeted 143 points, or 2.5 percent, to 5,542.Stock markets in Japan, China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore ended mixed. The rupee plunged to all-time intra-day low of 61.80 against the dollar, but then recovered smartly, to close 11 paise stronger, at 60.77 against the dollar. Gold fell 130 rupees, to 28,620 rupees per ten grams in Delhi. But silver rose 20 rupees, to 42,095 rupees per kilo. And Brent crude oil futures stood above 109 dollars a barrel, while US crude rose 55 cents, to 107.11 dollars a barrel. Pradeep Kumar, AIR News)

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The Rural Development Ministry has joined hands with an NGO to carry out developmental activities which will benefit thousands of families, mostly tribals, in Naxal-affected states.

Talking to reporters after the signing of the MoU with the NGO, in New Delhi today Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh said the scheme will be implemented in Naxal-hit districts of Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha in the first phase.

Mr. Ramesh said two projects will be taken up initially by setting up the National Rural Livelihoods Mission support organisation on livelihoods, besides extensive training of women self help groups.

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India's Under19 cricket team beat hosts Sri Lanka by 22 runs in the second 'Youth ODI', today. At Kurunegala, batting first, India put on board a fighting 240 and then bundled out the hosts for 218 in 47 overs. With the win, the Indian team has taken a one-nil lead in the three-match ODI series.

This is the first victory for the Indian Colts in the current tour.

Earlier, the two Youth Tests were drawn and the first Youth ODI did not yield any result after being abandoned due to rain.

The third and final ODI will be played at Dambulla on Thursday.

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All India Radio is going to start a new serial PRIYA from 8th of this month. The 12 episode serial is about a village girl who succeed to transform the village through her will and makes her dream true. The serial reflects the dreams and aspirations of the youth in the country.

The serial will be broadcast on Vividh Bharati, FM Gold, FM Rainbow and Indraprasth Channel.