Indiainfo.com -> News -> India

JK braces up for 2nd phase of polls amidst threat
Some of Kashmir's most violence-prone areas are due to vote on September 24 for the state Assembly in polls New Delhi hopes will pass peacefully and be a slap in the face for arch-rival Pakistan.

Full Story >>

Headlines Now

NATIONAL
Attack aims to destroy nation�s secular fabric: Kalam
New Delhi: Condemning the terrorist attack on Swaminarayan temple in Gandhinagar, President A P J Abdul Kalam on September 24 said it was cowardly act intended to destroy the country's secular fabric.

CBI awaits Portuguese govt�s word on Salem
New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is awaiting green signal from the Portuguese authorities to send its team to negotiate underworld don Abu Salem's extradition or deportation but the agency categorically said his companion and Bollywood starlet Monica Bedi was not wanted by it.

VHP calls for Bharat bandh against Guj attack
New Delhi: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on September 24 night called a "Bharat bandh" on September 26 in protest against the attack on the Swaminarayan Temple in Gandhinagar even as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) urged the people of Gujarat to maintain peace and not to fall prey to the designs of anti-national terrorists.

500 devotees evacuated from temple complex: Advani
New Delhi: Around 500 people were evacuated safely from Swaminarayan Temple complex in Gandhinagar where terrorists opened fire on devotees on September 24 evening, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani said on September 24 night.

Sonia condemns temple attack, urges speedy relief
New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on September 24 night strongly condemned terrorist attack on Swaminarain temple in Gandhinagar and asked the government to take urgent steps to evacuate all the pilgrims trapped in the temple as also to nab those responsible for the crime.

Temple attack shows Pak�s frustration: BJP
New Delhi: Describing the terrorist attack on the Swaminarayan temple in Gandhinagar as a "frustrated reaction" of Pakistan following the successful Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP tonight urged people to exercise restraint and defeat Islamabad's conspiracy to disrupt communal harmony in the country.

Guj attack, 'deliberate design' of enemy: Advani
New Delhi: Hinting at Pakistan's involvement in the temple attack in Gujarat, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani on September 24 night termed it as "a very deliberate design" to divert attention from the "positive developments" in Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of on-going Assembly polls there.

Advani briefs President, PM on attack on temple
New Delhi: President A P J Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee were on September 24 night briefed by Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani on the terrorist attack on Swaminarain temple complex in Gandhinagar.

Army officials should have been probed: Bofors
New Delhi: Swedish arms manufacturer A B Bofors on September 24 questioned the rationale behind CBI's decision not to prosecute the Army officers involved in the selection of its 155mm Howitzer guns, saying they should also have been chargesheeted if the contract was wrongly awarded to it.

Christina Rocca arrives on four-day visit
New Delhi: US Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca arrived in New Delhi on September 24 on a four-day visit coinciding with the second phase of polling in Jammu and Kashmir.

'EC view on Central rule in Guj perfectly valid'
New Delhi: Supporting the Election Commission's (EC) observations on imposition of President Rule in Gujarat as perfectly valid, Congress on September 24 submitted before the Supreme Court that it was the only way to ensure free and fair elections in the state ravaged by riots.

VHP to fight Maharashtra govt against ban move
New Delhi: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on September 24 said that it would oppose "tooth and nail" any move by the Maharashtra government to ban it and its youth wing Bajrang Dal.

KASHMIR
Poll turnout does not reflect political future: HC
Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference (HC), boycotting the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, on September 24 said that the polling recorded in some areas of the state reflected religious beliefs of people and had nothing to do with the political future.

42 pc turnout in 2nd phase of JK polls: EC
New Delhi: An estimated 42 per cent of the nearly 20 lakh voters exercised their franchise in the second phase of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir covering Jammu, Srinagar and Badgam districts on September 24, the Election Commission said.

'Democracy has emerged triumphant with JK polls'
New Delhi: The BJP on September 24 said Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir have dealt a severe blow to Pakistan-sponsored terrorist activities and Indian Democracy has emerged "triumphant".

PM praises JK people for voting in large numbers
Male (Maldives): Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on September 24 praised the people of Jammu and Kashmir for coming out in sizeable numbers to exercise their franchise in the Assembly elections ignoring the risk to their lives.

30 per cent turnout in second phase J-K polls
Srinagar: About 30 per cent of the electorate in 28 constituencies voted in the second phase of polling in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections on September 24, which was peaceful as Srinagar witnessed a low turnout compared to Jammu.

3 ultras have returned safe to hideouts: JuM
Srinagar: Pro-Pakistan Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen (JuM) on September 24 claimed three of its four militants engaged in the gunbattle with security forces at Gogjibagh in uptown Srinagar have returned to their hideouts safely.

7 Pak ultras killed in 3 separate JK encounters
Jammu: Security forces gunned down seven Pakistani ultras in three separate encounters in Rajouri and Poonch districts since September 23 evening, official sources said on September 24.

JK ultras attack booth, house of 2 candidates
Srinagar: Militants on September 24 attacked a polling station in Chadoora constituency of Badgam district in Central Kashmir to disrupt polls, official sources said.

J&K security forces slay 4 Pakistani ultras
Jammu: Security forces on September 24 gunned down four Pakistani militants in border village of Mandi in Poonch district of Jammu division, official sources said.

Jammu records brisk polling, dull in Kashmir
Srinagar: Amidst heightened security and stepped up militant violence, Jammu and Kashmir went for the second phase of Assembly elections in three districts on September 24 with Jammu recording brisk polling, while voting in the valley was reported to be on a dull note.

Talk of anti-incumbency wave is just a myth: Farooq
Ganderbal (J&K): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on September 24 dubbed the talk of anti-incumbency wave in voting in the ongoing Assembly elections as a propaganda and was confident that the National Conference (NC) would retain power.

JuM claims responsibility of Gogjibagh encounter
Srinagar: Pro-Pakistan militant outfit, Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen (JuM) on September 24 claimed that its four activists including two Pakistanis were involved in the gunbattle with security forces at Gojgibagh in uptown Srinagar in which three policemen, including two officers were taken hostage on September 23 night.

Second phase of polls begin in Kashmir
Srinagar: Polling for the second phase of the crucial Assembly elections spread over three districts of Jammu, Srinagar and Budgam comprising 28 constituencies began on September 24 morning amidst a general strike called by the separatist Hurriyat Conference and threats from militant groups.

3 cops held hostage by J&K ultras rescued
Srinagar: In a swift operation, three policemen, including two officers, taken hostage by suspected Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants in uptown Srinagar were rescued by security forces in the wee hours of September 24, director general of police A K Suri said.

JK cop trapped in crossfire comes out unhurt
Srinagar: A policeman trapped in the crossfire between militants, holding three police officials hostage, and security forces in a residential area of here came out on September 23 night amidst intermittent gunfire, official sources said.

NORTH
Temple attack 'anti-Islamic', says Bukhari
New Delhi: Shahi Imam of Delhi's historic Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari on September 24 condemned the attack on Swaminarayan temple in Gandhinagar terming it as "anti-Islamic" but said Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's "gaurav yatra" could have provoked it.

'Summoning Paramhans to court, an insult to Hindus'
Kanpur: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on September 24 said summoning of Ram Janma Bhoomi Nyas chief Ram Chandra Paramhans to a court in a contempt case amounted to "insulting" the Hindu community.

CBI may approach Special Court on Ayodhya: UP
New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh government, having decided not to issue fresh notification on the trial of top Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders including Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani in the Ayodhya demolition case, has informed the Supreme Court that if the CBI wanted the trial to commence, it could approach the special Court at Rae Bareli.

Delhi police files caveat against R K Sharma
New Delhi: The Delhi police on September 24 filed a caveat in the Supreme Court to pre-empt suspended senior Haryana police official R K Sharma, prime accused in the Shivani Bhatnagar murder case, from obtaining any possible ex-parte anticipatory bail order.

SOUTH
Chandrababu Naidu condemns terror attack in Guj
Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on September 24 strongly condemned the terrorist attack in the famous Swaminarayan temple at Gandhinagar.

Protest continues in Mandya, traffic improves
Mandya: Protests by different organisations and farmers on the Cauvery issue continued in Mandya on September 24 but the vehicular traffic between Bangalore and Mysore improved after being badly hit on September 23.

Drought intensity severe in Karnataka: Ajit Singh
Bangalore: Union Minister for Agriculture, Ajit Singh on September 24 said the government has permitted drought-hit states, including Karnataka, to utilise Centrally sponsored schemes funds to meet cash component requirement to implement "food for work" programme.

Exclusive METSAT reaches its space home
Bangalore: India's first exclusive meteorological satellite, METSAT, on September 24 reached its space home at 74 degree East longitude at 36,000 KM altitude achieving its intended geo-stationary orbit.

K'taka MPs endorse govt's action on Cauvery
Bangalore: A meeting of all party MPs convened by Karnataka Chief Minister, S M Krishna on the Cauvery water crisis on September 24 unanimously endorsed the steps taken by the state government so far in protecting the interest of farmers.

Minister Maran admitted to Chennai Apollo hospital
Chennai: Union Industries Minister Murasoli Maran, admitted to the Apollo Hospital on September 23 night for a routine check up, was being treated for 'minor damage' in the area where he underwent surgery last month, doctors said.

K'taka Houses defer debate on Cauvery, adjourn
Bangalore: The emergent session of both Houses of Karnataka Legislature on September 24 decided to defer the debate on the contentious Cauvery river water issue and other burning drought situation to a later date and adjourned sine die.

Cauvery Monitoring Committee meet begins in B'lore
Bangalore: Amidst boycott by Tamil Nadu, the emergency meeting of the Cauvery Monitoring Committee began in Bangalore on September 24.

Ukraine President to visit B'lore for 2 days from Oct 4
Bangalore: The President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma is arriving in Bangalore on October 4 on a two-day official state visit.

Jayalalithaa seeks postponement of CMC meeting
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on September 23 said her government has sought postponement of the meeting of Cauvery Monitoring Committee scheduled for September 24 in Bangalore.

EAST
Mamata condemns temple attack, appeals for peace
Kolkata: Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee on September 24 night condemned the terrorist attack on Swaminarayan temple in Gandhinagar and appealed for communal harmony and peace.

'Trishul' successfully test-fired from Balasore
Balasore: The country's most sophisticated short-range missile "Trishul" was successfully test-fired from the Interim Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea, about 15 kms from Balasore on September 24.

Jharkhand bandh evokes partial response, 305 held
Ranchi: The 12-hour state wide pro-domicile bandh called by the Jharkhand Disom Party (JDP) on September 24 evoked partial response with 305 JDP activists, including its founder member, Salkhan Murmu, BJP MP and his wife taken into preventive custody.

Gastroenteritis affects 400 people in Kolkata
Kolkata: Over 400 persons have been afflicted by gastroenteritis that broke out in Barasat area of North 24-Parganas in West Bengal as the state Health Department embarked on preventive measures on war footing to prevent further spread of the disease.

JDP sponsored 12-hour bandh begins in Jharkhand
Ranchi: The 12-hour statewide bandh sponsored by the Jharkhand Disom Party (JDP) began on September 24 morning amidst heavy security bandobast with police rounding up 30 members of the JDP, including its founder members, Salkhan Murmu and his wife Sumitra Murmu.

WEST
Guj Cong calls for state-wide bandh on Sept 25
Ahmedabad: Gujarat Congress on September 24 called for a state-wide bandh on September 25 to protest the terrorist attack at Aksardham Swaminarayan temple at Gandhinagar in which at least 23 people were killed.

Modi appeals for peace in wake of Guj attack
Gandhinagar: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi said the state government has taken all necessary steps to combat the "dastardly" act of attack in the Akshardham temple on September 24 and appealed to the people to maintain peace and poise.

Nation on high alert in wake of Guj temple attack
New Delhi: The nation on September 24 was put on a state of high alert to deal with any fallout of the attack on a famous temple in Gandhinagar as political and religious leaders appealed for calm and not to fall prey to rumours.

Temple attack: poor light hampers rescue work
Ahmedabad: The fall of night has compounded the task of security forces to rescue the trapped people in the temple complex and go on a hot pursuit of the militants who attacked the place of worship on September 24 evening.

'Red alert in M'shtra in wake of temple attack'
Mumbai: Maharashtra government on September 24 sounded a red alert across the state in the wake of terrorist attack on Swaminarian temple at Gandhinagar in neighbouring Gujarat, Minister of State for Home Kripashankar Singh said.

Mumbai police to seek seizure of Salem's account
Mumbai: Mumbai police would seek seizure of the controversial account, allegedly held by underworld don Abu Salem in a local bank.

Temple attack: 44 killed, militants still holed up
New Delhi: Forty four people were killed when gunmen went on a shooting spree in Swaminarayan temple complex in Gandhinagar in Gujarat on September 24 evening, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani said.

No religious overtones to attack: Muslim leader
Ahmedabad: In an apparent bid to ensure that there was no communal backlash after the attack on the Swaminarain Temple in Ahmedabad, a prominent Muslim leader on September 24 said the incident should not be seen as having "religion" overtones.

Terrorists attack Guj temple, 6 killed
Gandhinagar: Suspected militants stormed the famous Swaminarain temple complex and indulged in a shooting spree killing at least six devotees and injuring 40 on September 24 evening, police sources said.

Tapes bare alleged nexus of Rizvi, Shakeel
Mumbai: Two audiocassettes were on September 24 played in a special court, which bared the alleged nexus of film producer Nasim Rizvi alias Rajasaheb with Pakistan-based gangster Chhota Shakeel in a telephonic conversation between the duo.

Gujarat riot victims still in shock: NRI team
Hyderabad: An NRI delegation from United States, which is on a "sadbhavana mission", on September 24 said the people of strife-torn Gujarat were still in a state of shock and there was lot to be done to infuse confidence among victims of communal violence.

Court defers framing charges against Dawood aides
Mumbai: A local court on September 24 deferred till October 9 framing of charges against six alleged members of Dawood Ibrahim gang in a case of criminal conspiracy to kill politicians including Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani.

Three BJP men held, firearms seized in Anand
Ahmedabad: Three Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including a corporator of Anand municipality, were arrested in connection with seizure of firearms at Sarsa village under Khambholaj police station in Anand district of Gujarat on September 23.

NORTH EAST & SIKKIM
'Arunachal youth may take up arms over APCOCA'
Guwahati: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) on September 24 said that the possibility of students and youth taking up arms could not be ruled out against the "repressive and oppressive" Arunachal Pradesh Control of Organised Crime Act (APCOCA), enacted by the Arunachal government to combat organised crime.

Tripura CM seeks restoration of Army security
Agartala: Tripura Chief Miniser Manik Sarkar has requested Lt Gen J S Varma, general officer commanding-in-chief (GOC) of the Eastern command, to release adequate Army battalions in the state which were withdrawn during the Kargil conflict, official sources said on September 24.

Bus stir to cut off Manipur from rest of country
Imphal: Manipur will remain cut off from the rest of the country as a local transport committee has decided to suspend bus services on the Imphal-Jiribam highway (NH 53) from September 25 in protest against the government's failure to provide adequate security along the highway.

Search Keywords