Internal Security Watch

Pranav · Post by **Pranav** » 09 Sep 2009 22:10

Now the central government Babus involved with the affidavit are being put to the rack.

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Law ministry official removed in Ishrat affidavit row
http://www.timesnow.tv/Law-ministry-off ... 326944.cms

9 Sep 2009, 1909 hrs IST
The Ishrat Jahan killing in an alleged fake encounter took a new turn with a senior official in the Law Ministry removed from his post in the wake of controversy over the Centre's affidavit in the Gujarat High Court while the Home Ministry stuck to its guns that the four were suspects.

As a controversy raged over the killing of the four suspected terrorists by the Gujarat police in 2004, the Union Home Secretary G K Pillai, however, said that "terrorists cannot be killed in cold blood."

Highly-placed sources in the Law Ministry said that the Law Officer, who had failed to bring the affidavit to the notice of the ministry, has been removed. The sources, however, did not not explain the nature of the action against the official.

The sources also said that the Home Ministry did not not get the affidavit vetted by the Law Ministry before it was filed in the High Court in case arising out of a petition filed by Ishrat's mother against the police.

A magisterial probe into the killing of the four people in June, 2004 on the outskirts of Ahmedabad had on Monday concluded that the encounter was fake.

The Gujarat government had yesterday claimed that the encounter against the four alleged operatives of Lashkar-e-
Toiba (LeT) was carried out on the basis of information given by central intelligence agencies.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 11 Sep 2009 00:44

The release of the Ishrat jan investigation could be related to this.

Cong, BJP claim edge in Gujarat

Rathin Das | Ahmedabad

Byelections for the seven Assembly seats in Gujarat concluded peacefully on Thursday evening.

According to preliminary estimates, about 60 to 62 per cent of the total 12.52 lakh voters in the seven constituencies have exercised their franchise. The ruling BJP’s election in-charge Bhupendrasinh Chudasama said that the high polling figures indicate the voters’ overwhelmingly support for the party. He claimed that the BJP may make considerable gains in the seven seats where votes were cast on Thursday. Of the seven seats, six were held by the Congress while one was with the BJP.

Confident of a better performance, Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee president Siddhartha Patel said that his party would sweep all the seven seats, including Kodinar which was won by the BJP in the 2007 Assembly election.

The byelections were held in Dehgam (Gandhinagar), Sami Harij (Patan), Danta (Banaskantha), Chotila (Surendranagar), Jasdan (Rajkot), Dhoraji (Rajkot) and Kodinar (Junagadh). Votes will be counted on Sept 14.

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AnimeshP · Post by **AnimeshP** » 11 Sep 2009 08:15

India taps US for a security boost

Excerpts ...

American security experts have been tapped to revamp security in New Delhi, where the South Block (ministry quarter), president's house and parliament are all located in close vicinity, making them a potentially easy target for militants.

The aim of the security upgrade is to replicate security systems installed at the Pentagon in South Block, which also houses the prime minister's office, the Defense, Foreign and Home ministries and the headquarters of the armed forces.

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 11 Sep 2009 10:43

I have a few questions regarding the Ishrat Jehan case, can somebody throw some light on this

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news ... 56/514758/

The report also points to other contradictions: while the police FIR said the cops had fired 70 rounds from their service revolver, sten guns and AK-47, the FSL had recovered only 50 used cartridges from the scene of the crime and that too of AK-56 rifles. Not a single used cartridge of sten guns and service revolvers was found from the spot.

Tamang says, “according to my investigation, police had not at all fired in self defence”, as the FSL had not found any used cartridges of such guns from the spot. “The Crime Branch and police officials might have fired these cartridges elsewhere but not at the scene of crime,” Tamang says in the report.

The report says that according to forensic evidence, Javed alias Pranesh Pillai, was killed by an AK-56, and adds, “That means the AK-56 was not with the accused, but with the police.” Zeeshan Zohar alias Abdul Gani alias Janbaaz was also found to have died of AK-56 bullets. “According to my investigation, the unlicensed AK-56 was planted by police,” Tamang says.

Small Arms experts, does the AK-47 and Ak-56 fire different bullets? if not then this report is nothing but a clear attempt at inciting communal hatred.

THE DEATHS

The report says that on June 14, 2004 Javed was killed between 8.30 pm and 9 pm, while the others were killed between 11 pm and midnight.

“They were shot at from close range. The Indica car (which the police said the four had used) was either towed or driven to the declared spot of the crime. Amjad’s body was dragged out and positioned on the road divider. The left rear tyre of the car was fired at by the police. The police then fired 50 AK-56 rounds — the used cartridges of which were found from the scene. The police then planted what it later claimed were recovered weapons in the car,” says the report.

Can a judge speculate in a judical report?

THE DISCREPANCIES

The police in the inquest panchnama did not mention about the recovery of 90 live cartridges of AK-56, but the FSL report mentions having recovered them from the scene of crime. It means that the police must have planted them on the spot of crime, the report says.

Behind the rear seat of the Indica, a blue coloured bag and 81 live cartridges of AK-56 were found according to the panchnama, but this is not mentioned in the FIR. This means that the police had planted them to prove they were terrorists, the report says. Similarly, from the car boot, 17 kg of sulphur and urea powder was recovered from a jute bag, according the spot panchnama. But this was also not mentioned in the FIR.

In the car boot, in a black suitcase, Rs 2,06,610 was found; again this was mentioned in the FIR. The police had planted the money it got from other sources to prove that they had received this amount from Laskhar-e-Toiba to spread terror, the report says.

This money was recovered from a bag that had a number lock, but the lock was open. It is difficult to believe that anyone would keep a bag unlocked if there was so much money in it, the report says. The FIR does not mention that the police had recovered from the suitcase a Thuraya brand satellite phone, its extra battery, charger, refill using card and a hand free speaker. But these were detailed in the panchnama.

Given the Honarable judge has never questioned the policeman, isn't FIR filed immediately and the Panchnama filed later.
Regarding the money the Honarable judge has aldready concluded that police had planted the money and they have received this money from other sources, given that he judge never questioned the policeman and took 25 days to write his report, he seems to have very good sources

“In the post mortem report, rigor mortis (stiffening of the muscles after death) was detected in the body as well as half-digested food. ...Rigor mortis sets in 2-3 hours after death during the month of December, beginning leg upwards and taking a time frame of 12 hours,” says the report.

According to the report, rigor mortis had set in and developed properly on the entire body of all the four dead. Therefore, death might have occurred 12 to 24 hours earlier as was reported in the post-mortem report that took place on June 15 at 3.40 pm. “If we account for that time, it means they might have died somewhere between 3-4 pm, June 14 and 3 am of June 15.”

The report says that the FIR has not mentioned about any tip-off about a woman terrorist. But the police detained Ishrat along with Javed and others. She was also killed because she would have revealed the police plans and would have foiled the police conspiracy, the report adds.

“All the policemen involved had hatched a conspiracy and illegally detained Ishrat Jahan Raza because she was a Muslim from Mumbai, saying she was LeT fidayeen terrorist. She was detained illegally with others on June 12 sometime between 12.30 afternoon and 9 pm.

They were taken to some place different from the spot of crime on 14 June 2004, and Ishrat was killed between 11 pm and midnight in cold blood, very cruelly, shot at very short range, the report says.

Given that the Magistrate never questioned the accussed policeman and has given details as to what evidence he has to state that the Kidnapping happenned in MUmbai. The report raises more questions than it answers.

Can a more knowledgable person than me comment on these matters how these things work. For a lay person some of the items mentioned in the report like 'Police arrested her because she was a Muslim"etc. (there are 50 lac muslims in Gujarat), kidnapped in Mumbai seem to speculation at best and worst Fiction. I can understand an Arvind Adiga writing a fictional book but can Magisterial reports include such? WHy cant we have a debate on these points in our Media, Or is it OK like Barkha Dutt said at 10PM on NDTV day before yesterday that

We know what the BJP/and the accused will say so we don't need to call them, so we need to hear only Shabnam Hasmi

an acceptable form of Public Debate. How does NDTV conclude on anther person's behalf and why one on one interviews with Shabnam Hasmi( the new Teesta Sevtalnad). Is it time just like mutual dunds we require a statutory requirement that Newspapers/ TV channels say " News represents a point tof view, it will includes Half truths lies and inconvienient news from our point of view will be ignored"

ashish raval · Post by **ashish raval** » 11 Sep 2009 11:56

I received this report in my email today. It is an alarming compilation of what Missionaries are doing.
I would request someone on here to keep uploading. I will do so too.
http://rapidshare.com/files/278442741/I ... y.pdf.html

Avinash R · Post by **Avinash R** » 12 Sep 2009 11:57

Waiting for the day when ELM which shows these pictures on their channels and have a debate on "Maoist terrorists : When will they stop killing Indian civilians"
http://i32.tinypic.com/210hnwg.jpg

Removed the inline image and keeping only the link. What have we come to, people get angry seeing dead bodies but wont express anger towards those who killed them.

viveks · Post by **viveks** » 12 Sep 2009 16:15

Mr Avinash...please refrain from posting such graphic images in future. Mods plz c that this photo is taken out. Too disturbing!!!

sanjaychoudhry · Post by **sanjaychoudhry** » 12 Sep 2009 19:53

India's first anti-terror armoured vehicle unveiled

http://news.rediff.com/slide-show/2009/ ... veiled.htm

Dilbu · Post by **Dilbu** » 12 Sep 2009 20:15

Three killed in Srinagar blast

SRINAGAR: Two policemen and a woman were killed and nine policemen injured in a powerful car bomb blast outside the central jail here on Saturday
evening, officials said.

Police officials, who rushed to the spot in Kathi Darwaza area, said the bomb targeted a police bus that was returning after dropping detainees at the jail.

The blast was so powerful that it could be heard in most parts of this summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. The bomb exploded at 6.30pm while many people were preparing to break their Ramzan fast.

"Three people including an assistant sub-inspector of police, a constable ad a bystander woman were killed when militants triggered a car bomb explosion, targeting the police vehicle," a police official said.

It is an IED explosion using cars.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 12 Sep 2009 20:48

South India: Lashkar's next terror target

Central intelligence agencies have picked up intercepts that militants groups such as the Lashkar-e-Tayiba [ Images ] have come up with a new plan to target cities in the south of India.

The intercepts have been picked up on the basis of the movement of some cadres from Kerala [ Images ] and Karnataka in Pakistan occupied Kashmir [ Images ]. Intelligence Bureau sources told rediff.com that it is clear that these men were sent in from the southern states so that they could be trained in order to carry out strikes in this part of the country. The cops have also been intimated and asked to keep a thorough vigil to ensure that LeT cadres do not regroup in the south. The Lashkar leadership is interested in regrouping in the south, the IB says.

This is the reason that is the modules down south are directly connected to the Gulf modules which are a major money spinner for the militant groups.

Why South is important?

It is now a confirmed that many southern modules carried out the serial blasts in the country. Following the blasts there was a major crackdown on the cadres and sleeper cells. Even the interrogation of various terrorists revealed that the southern module carried out the blasts.

The most important factor that came out during the interrogation was that the entire southern module was directly linked to the Gulf module. However, the recent crackdown has had a disastrous effect on the Lashkar's plans. Sources say that the south modules were being majorly financed by the Gulf module.

IB sources say that the main link between the southern and the Gulf modules was Sarfaraz Nawaz. He was primarily in charge of money transfer and was doing so until he was apprehended with the help of the Research and Analysis Wing and brought down to Bengaluru [ Images ].

The IB says that the link between the Gulf modules and the southern modules has almost snapped following the recent spate of arrests. The biggest concern for the Lashkar was that the monetary link was snapped.

Prior to the arrests, modules in the Gulf were able to send in several crores of rupees into India and this was coordinated by the members of the southern module. However now, the monetary transcation has come down drastically and hence it is becoming difficult for these groups to operate the modules.

In the next phase of the plan, the Lashkar aims at rebuilding the southern module. Not only does the Lashkar need men in the south to carry on monetary transactions, but also wants the cadres to undertake recruitment on a largescale. The recruitment, according to security agencies, will help them undertake operations both in the Kashmir valley as well the rest of the country.

pgbhat · Post by **pgbhat** » 13 Sep 2009 20:46

* Two more locations traced where Pak threw rockets

sanjaychoudhry · Post by **sanjaychoudhry** » 14 Sep 2009 00:16

Chopper talk amid search for hostages
Helipads coming up in Palamau, Chatra
Ranchi, Sept. 11: Jharkhand will soon initiate a pilot project to build helipads at police stations in Palamau and Chatra districts to regain strategic advantage in the fight against Maoists who have so far managed to use the region’s dense forests and hills to their advantage.

“The helipads will be used for anti-Maoist operations,” director-general of police (DGP) V.D. Ram told The Telegraph, indicating that once ready, the helipads would help in the movement of security forces.

Police officers point out it was extremely difficult to move about in the deep forests as Maoists had riddled it with landmines. The geographical terrain of both the districts, they said, put the extremists at a distinct advantage which the helipads would ultimately negate, adding the state could well plan more such helipads in other districts.

There are 15 police stations in Palamau and 13 in Chatra.

State police spokesperson S.N. Pradhan said Jharkhand had received three Dhruv helicopters to launch anti-Maoist operations and arrangements had to be made for their use. “Police stations could be the best place to construct helipads where the choppers on either anti-Maoist or rescue operation could land,” he said.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090912/j ... 484020.jsp

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 14 Sep 2009 21:37

BJP flays PC’s remarks on encounter deaths

Accusing the Gujarat Government of staging false encounters is political opportunism, the BJP leader said. “Assuming that Ishrat was not a terrorist, what about the three persons who were with her? What about Javed Sheikh alias Pranesh Pillai who is said to have had two passports and had gone to Oman and met LeT cadres there,” Naidu asked.

Naidu said the IB report stated that Ishrat and Javed went to Lucknow, Agra and a few other cities as husband and wife. “If she is a college student in Mumbai, what was she doing in a car in Ahmedabad?” he said.

Although the affidavit has now become politically inconvenient to the Congress, the document exhaustively lists the evidence against Ishrat Jahan, her associate Javed aka Pranesh Pillai and two known Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists — Zeeshan Johar and Amjad Ali of Pakistan. It points out that Javed obtained a passport (S-514800) in the name of Mohd Javed Ghulam Shaikh from Mumbai passport office on June 28, 1994. It was on this passport that Javed travelled to Dubai, where he was co-opted by the LeT recruiters. Javed then obtained another passport (E-6624203) in the name of Pranesh Kumar Manaladythekhu Gopinatha Pillai from Cochin passport office on September 16, 2003. The new passport was procured from Kerala despite Javed having never lived in the state and his earlier passport valid till June 2004.

...........

The affidavit says that Javed’s father Gopinatha Pillai has suppressed all these facts in his petition before the Supreme Court. Father Pillai also concealed that Javed had travelled to Oman just two months before the encounter and that he had lived in Mumbra for many years.

The affidavit quotes the disclosure of Shahid Mehmud, LeT’s chief operational commander in central Kashmir, and his Pakistani associate Zahid Ahmed (arrested in June 2004) to say that Amjad Ali had entered India under instructions from LeT’s boss Muzammil to organise terror networks. Ali was in touch with Javed and was also treated for a bullet injury in Delhi in May 2004. The affidavit banks on Javed’s association with Ishrat on the one hand and with LeT, on the other, to prove that the four were part of the LeT network while refraining from any comment on the police action.

Masaru · Post by **Masaru** » 15 Sep 2009 07:20

Apologize if OT, but when the country has leaders like these, why blame outsiders to split the country in 10000 ways.

Demand for caste-based census

The minister's suggestion to the PM in a letter last month seeks to revive the exercise which had been discontinued as it was felt that the "Imperial method" of recording a caste headcount would be inimical to efforts to discourage casteism.

So the British (and Jinnah) proposal of separate electorates was after all very well justified. It's just that SDREs (as usual) took 60 years to realize the scientific merit behind demographic classification and patronage distribution.

Sources said Moily rebuffed the argument that caste census would be divisive, saying not including the caste category in successive census had not weakened the pernicious practice in last six decades. On the other hand, he has placed his advocacy for an OBC count in the context of welfare objectives, saying a correct numerical estimate would help in better targeting of benefits for backward groups.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 15 Sep 2009 12:38

News has been emerging of the linkage between Malappuram, LeT and Madani and how Keralite youth have been recruited to undergo training in LeT camps in Pakistan. News has also emerged of how Madani was involved in the serial bombing of Coimbatore of 1998 on the eve of Advani's arrival in the city, killing 58 people. Madani was given a pampered treatment when DMK came to power and was eventually released. Now, to celebrate Late C.N.Annadurai's (Anna) 100th birthday, DMK is planning to release the rest of the Al Ummah cadres in jail. And, here we have the Home Minister talking about cells in India helping LeT & JeM ! Why can't the Home Minister ask DMK, whic is after all its poll partner, not to release these terrorists ?

Avinash R · Post by **Avinash R** » 15 Sep 2009 13:41

^ Same thing was being tried in AP of trying of get convicted terrorists released.

It seems bomb blasts, deaths and loss of property was not enough. The govt wants more of it by letting loose these murderers back onto the street.

PIL challenges Andhra govt's decision to release lifers
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news ... 886576.cms
TNN 13 August 2009, 03:47am IST
...
A PIL filed by an advocate alleged that the Y S R Reddy government has taken a decision to release prisoners flouting all rules and appeared ready to release naxalites and terrorists who have been sentenced to life imprisonment on being convicted for waging war against the state.
...
The state had issued an order on July 24 declaring its intention to release prisoners who have been convicted by court for life on August 15 and the chief minister had told media that about 1,000 prisoners undergoing life sentence could benefit from the decision, petitioner G Sateesh alleged.
...

kriish · Post by **kriish** » 15 Sep 2009 14:07

SSridhar wrote:News has been emerging of the linkage between Malappuram, LeT and Madani and how Keralite youth have been recruited to undergo training in LeT camps in Pakistan. News has also emerged of how Madani was involved in the serial bombing of Coimbatore of 1998 on the eve of Advani's arrival in the city, killing 58 people. Madani was given a pampered treatment when DMK came to power and was eventually released. Now, to celebrate Late C.N.Annadurai's (Anna) 100th birthday, DMK is planning to release the rest of the Al Ummah cadres in jail. And, here we have the Home Minister talking about cells in India helping LeT & JeM ! Why can't the Home Minister ask DMK, whic is after all its poll partner, not to release these terrorists ?

Tamil nadu is a state with a political ideology which says the easy way to prevent cast based discrimination is to convert st/sc's to Christians and Muslim, there is a problem i fear we are not understanding is, as we are socially under developed country, in the near future when these converted Christians and Muslims produce their next generation and if they remain undeveloped it may lead to religious discrimination, right now for the next 30 years until we develop socially we cannot afford to reduce the ratio of religion in this country.

Sachin · Post by **Sachin** » 15 Sep 2009 16:46

shyamd wrote:Father Pillai also concealed that Javed had travelled to Oman just two months before the encounter and that he had lived in Mumbra for many years.[/b]

The local Mallu papers (as expected to prove their secularism) was going ga-ga over Father Pillai's ramblings as if it was God's words. Now that the Gujarath Govt. have shot down his claims, he and the papers seems to have gone silent.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 15 Sep 2009 18:31

Terrorists getting help from within, Chidambaram warns

Jail with top terrorists opens into fields

This is scandalous considering Lucknow prison has a total of 22 terrorist inmates supposedly under maximum security. These include hardcore members of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkatul-Jehad-e-Islami (HuJI), who were in high security isolation wards in the old prison. There are no provisions for keeping such prisoners isolated in the new jail and they are, at the moment, free to mingle with pickpockets and sundry undertrials.

There are several breaches in the new jail's security. From the left of the main entrance, the TOI team trekked along the boundary wall to reach the first watch tower, which is under construction. There was nobody to stop or question the scribes. Another 1.5 km of walk through the fields and muddy ponds took the team to the place where the claims of the government that the construction work at the site was complete stood exposed: All that was there was some length of 4x5 metres of the outer wall.

Shockingly, the middle and inner boundary walls of the building, too, are incomplete. One can see the barracks from where the TOI team stood. The TOI photographer clicked merrily for over 15 minutes inside the premises. Feeling extraordinarily privileged, this correspondent walked all around the jail as there were at least four openings with unrestricted entry. Anybody could walk in and walk out through the farm fields even reach the barracks without being stopped.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 15 Sep 2009 22:49

Shoes which leave no footprint is the latest strategy of smugglers

JAIPUR/JAISALMER: The arms smugglers from across the border, working with the tacit support of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), have
devised a new strategy to cross into the Indian border without being caught -- they use footwear whose sole is made of sheep's wool, which leaves no footprint on the sand. .....

Even the border guards, who conduct patrol on vehicles during night, failed to spot the entry and exit of the smugglers in border areas.

BSF officials suspect that in the latest incident, the smugglers might have used shoes with woolen sole to cross the border for delivery of the consignments. That could be the reason why security personnel failed to spot their movement.

.......

A senior BSF officer said the possibility of informers' playing the spoilsport could not be ruled out. There were more than 12 informers of BSF, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and Military Intelligence (MI) arrested in the past for passing on confidential documents and information to Pakistani agencies, he said. He also said that the informers, who are sent from Indian side, act as double agent' and pass on secret information from India to their counterparts in Pakistan.

sanjaychoudhry · Post by **sanjaychoudhry** » 15 Sep 2009 23:00

Over 360 militants surrender with hi-tech arms

Haflong (Assam), Sep 14 (PTI) Over 360 militants belonging to Dima Halam Daogah (DHD-Jewel) have surrendered along with a huge cache of hi-tech foreign made weapons ahead of tomorrow's deadline for laying down the arms.

Official sources said today that those surrendered include 138 armed cadre of DHD-J, commonly known as 'Black Widow', led by the outfit's deputy chief Daniel Dimasa and senior leader Daku Sing.

The arms surrendered included 37 AK series assault rifles, ten M-16 rifles, 11 US carbines, two each of Self-Loading Rifles (SLR) and M-21 rifle, one each of Insas rifle, sten gun, 40-mm gun, Universal Machine Gun (UMG), Rocket Propelling Gun (RPG) and 9-mm pistols.

The militants also surrendered 7,303 grenades and over 10,000 assorted ammunition before the CRPF and local police.

While 193 cadres had surrendered yesterday, sources said about 171 have surrendered today.

http://www.ptinews.com/news/281233_Over ... -tech-arms

Pranav · Post by **Pranav** » 16 Sep 2009 06:17

Another illustration of the nexus between EJs, YSR group and Maoists: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090914/j ... 491543.jsp

Apparently the claims regarding the number of post-YSR suicides in AP came from an NGO with Maoist links.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 16 Sep 2009 10:05

In retrospect the Central ministers travelling economy class is good for austerity and their well being as there is safety in numbers. Its a good thing.

KarthikSan · Post by **KarthikSan** » 16 Sep 2009 10:12

Apologies if this is a repost. IMVVHO the YSR thread should be opened up again as we are going to see more of these gems in the near future.

Families paid to claim YSR shock deaths

Andhra Pradesh Congressmen are going to extreme lengths to show how scores of people in the state had died of shock following former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy's tragic helicopter crash.

Ever since Reddy's body was found in the Nallamala forests on September 3, there have been reports sourced to the Congress party of deaths from heart attacks and suicides from all parts of the state.

However, cross-checking some of these cases revealed an uncomfortable truth that many had suspected all along - that these people had died of natural causes and their deaths could not be linked to Reddy's accident. The investigation also exposed how cynical local Congress leaders, and in one case allegedly a state minister, had paid the families of those who had died from natural causes since September 3 to say the deaths were due to shock following the former chief minister's accident.

The money was evidently used to buy their silence on the actual cause of death of their kin.

These facts expose the local Congress unit's elaborate effort to spread lies about the deaths so that a myth could be created around Reddy and, many believe, also boost the chief ministerial prospects of his ambitious son, Jaganmohan.

The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) has periodically released 'bulletins' on the number of deaths due to heart attacks and suicides to the media, attributing them to Reddy's sad end.

The latest such 'bulletin' from the CLP says 462 people have died since Reddy's death was confirmed on September 3, 402 of heart attack while 60 committed suicide. According to these details, East Godavari district accounted for the highest number of 58 deaths, followed by 48 in Warangal district and 46 in Karimnagar district.

Hyderabad City recorded one YSR shock death.

Telugu Desam Party Warangal district unit president and Narsampet MLA Revuri Prakash Reddy said, "It is surprising that not a single person died of grief or shock in YSR's hometown of Pulivendula. But in my Narsampet constituency, four people died. I can confidently say that these were all natural deaths. It is a media hype perpetrated by Congress leaders. It is sad that Congress politics has stooped to such an extent."

Gandra Venkataramana Reddy, former Warangal district Congress committee president and Congress MLA said, "There might be some instances of false claims, but there are certainly some genuine cases of deaths and suicides of people due to shock and grief over the death of YSR in the initial days." However, even the Congress leader admits that there have been some false claims recently.

"There is no truth in the reports regarding the latest incidents of deaths. They might have been fabricated by the media for sensationalism," he said.

Inquiries made by Mail Today in a quick survey in parts of Warangal district revealed the charade perpetrated by local Congress leaders to build the former chief minister's image.

Families of the "victims" admitted that they were paid Rs 5,000 each by Congress leaders for funeral and other expenses. In return, they were told not to disclose how these people actually died. The Congress leaders also reportedly promised to secure the release of ex-gratia to the families once Jaganmohan became CM. Take, for instance, the death of 70-year-old Uppalaiah, a potter from the remote Lakshmipuram village of Parakala mandal. His poverty-stricken family stays in a small hut. On September 3 afternoon, a few hours after Reddy's death was confirmed, Uppalaiah died.

His son Mallaiah claimed the old man had "suddenly died" of a heart attack on the day Reddy's body was found. But, his wife Lakshamma said that Uppalaiah had been ailing for over a month and was suffering from breathlessness.

Inquiries revealed how local Congress leaders had got into the act to show the old man had died of shock following the news of Reddy's accident. A local Congressman had called up a reporter of Sakshi television channel, owned by Jaganmohan, to say that Uppalaiah had died of a heart attack after watching the news of Reddy's death on television.

Within minutes, this appeared on the scrolling on Sakshi TV. Then, other media organisations too picked up the news. The YSR shock deaths myth was slowly being built. But, it was founded on a cruel lie because Uppalaiah's desperately poor family does not own a television set.

Similar stories emerged from other areas as well. Congress leaders reportedly had little trouble in learning of these deaths because they had mostly occurred in party strongholds.

On September 4, 40-year-old B. Srihari, a registered medical practitioner, died of a heart attack in neighbouring Nagaram village. His brother Ramesh said that Srihari had participated in a rally organised by the local Congress workers in Reddy's memory. He had returned to his clinic and treated a few patients, before collapsing. "Srihari died before we could take him to hospital. We informed the local Sakshi reporter, who carried the news on the channel," Ramesh said.

He also said, "Minister for Women and Child Welfare Konda Surekha called on us and paid us Rs 5,000. She also promised all help to us once Jaganmohan took over as chief minister," Ramesh said.

At Kowkonda village, Chukka Sayamma, an 80-year-old woman died in her sleep on September 4. But her death was linked to Reddy's helicopter crash.

In another instance, 45-year-old Rajamouli of Kamareddypalle village died after allegedly consuming poison in his fields on September 5. His daughter Padma did not say how the death had occurred.

However, his neighbours said that Rajamouli had been drinking heavily the night before after participating in a Congress rally. He had quarrelled with his wife at night and was found dead the next morning. His name was reportedly put on the list of those who "gave up their lives" for Reddy because he had taken part in the Congress rally.

The death of 25-year-old Teegala Chiranjeevi at Peddammagadda in Hanamkonda is interesting. Local residents said he was a vagabond and mentally deranged. On September 5, he committed suicide by setting himself on fire.

Since there was no one to take care of him, local NSUI workers informed the media that the man had immolated himself demanding that Jaganmohan be made chief minister. The police, however, registered the case of suicide.

"We know that 90 per cent of these deaths are natural. But nobody would speak the truth either out of respect towards YSR or fear of reprisal from Congress leaders. The family members of these victims too do not reveal the facts because they have been promised ex gratia by the leaders," a mandal parishad member said.

Muppalla · Post by **Muppalla** » 16 Sep 2009 14:55

Even before this India Today report came, I confidently wrote that it is all fishy about YSR death related suicides. I again repeat - there is no such popularity for YSR and he only scraped thru the elections with just EIGHT extra seats. Andhras are not that stupid to go crazy over some thug who just happended to rule the state for few years. Life is not that cheap to take it for YSR.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 16 Sep 2009 20:22

Tackling Left-wing extremism requires more nuanced strategy - Man Mohan Singh

Observing that left-wing extremism required a nuanced strategy as it could not be treated simply as a law and order problem, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the movement managed to retain the support of a section of the tribals and the poorest of the poor in many areas. Dr. Singh was speaking at the annual conference of Directors-General and Inspectors-General of Police here.

“It has influence among sizeable sections of civil society, the intelligentsia and the youth. It still retains a certain élan. All this adds to the complexity of the problem.”

shaardula · Post by **shaardula** » 16 Sep 2009 20:26

muppala gaaru,
mine is not as informed a hunch as yours, but even i could sense that this was a manufactured aura.

yvijay · Post by **yvijay** » 17 Sep 2009 01:46

I don’t think even the lay man believed those suicide death reports. I think they clubbed every death as suicide for YSR. By the way , the count is now above 440.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 17 Sep 2009 16:29

x post

Distance lessons in terror

Illus: P K Job
M P Prashanth
First Published : 17 Sep 2009 01:19:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 17 Sep 2009 07:58:07 AM IST

KOZHIKODE: The distance education centres of some universities in Kerala, situated in west Asian countries, have become recruiting centres of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).

Sources told Express that some of these centres were managed by C A M Basheer, one of the most wanted terrorists operating from the Gulf countries. He recently shifted his base from Sharjah to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia when the intelligence agencies tracked down his hub. Security agencies suspect that Basheer still frequents the state using a Canadian passport. Sources said the SIMI network was very active in West Asia.

Youngsters who join the distance education institutes are lured into the network. They later become modules of the network which operates in India with the active support of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Harkat- ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI).

It may be recalled that the the email message sent to some media organisations in the state from an obscure outfit called Malabar Mujahid had its origin in Sharjah.

The sender, who introdued himself as the commander of the outfit, threatened to orchestrate blasts in Kerala if the demands of the organisation were not met. Sarfaras Nawas, who was picked up from Muscat for his involvement in the Bangalore blasts, has detailed the working of the SIMI network in the Gulf countries. (We really have to thank His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Lt. General Malek Bin Sulaiman Al Ma'amari (head of the Royal Police in Oman) for shutting down the Lashkar network in Oman and handing over Sarfraz Nawaz)

It was the Malayali SIMI network in the Gulf that enabled him to contact the Lashkar operatives and seek their help for operations in India.

Security agencies have identified another SIMI activist from the State who is a vital figure in the terror network.

A former student of a private college in Malappuram, he was the one who arranged a meeting of bomb expert E T Sainudheen and Indian Mujahideen leader Riyaz Bhatkal at Kuttippuram in Malappuram. It was after the meeting that Sainudheen made the bombs suspectedly used in the Delhi blasts in 2008. The person believed to have shown the path of jihad to Sainudheen is now operating from Dubai. (You will not get this guy arrested. Sheikh Mo is not supportive of India's anti terror drive. Only way I suppose is Gandhi scions speak to him whom he deeply respects.)

The non-cooperation shown by some of the governments in West Asia is proving a major hindrance in busting the SIMI modules there. (i.e KSA, UAE)

Many of the governments are hostile to Indian intelligence agencies, who work through diplomatic channels.

The leaders of the module operate in these countries for years with complete impunity.

I also wanted to bring to the attention to readers, that Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman did not offer congradulations to TSP on its independence day, but gave a big message to Shri Pratibha Patel on India's independence day. This coming from a country that sends cables of congradulations even to Kim Jong Il!

Handing over Sarfraz Nawaz has almost stemmed the flow of money from GCC into India.

CAM Basheer was operating out of Sharjah with fake ID papers. I don't think that the Canadian govt provided Basheer with a passport, many of the gulf nationals especially in the UAE/KSA live and have obtained Permanent residency in Canada and some have citizenship there too. Its easy for someone to alter a passport after a point. Sounds like Sharjah authorities probably told him to leave after India enquired into his presence there. Now MMS is expected in KSA sometime this year I believe. So, perhaps you might see some friendly gestures then.

------------------------
The latest news on the Gulf IM modules.

26/7 blasts plotter's secret visit to state rings alarm

AHMEDABAD: Iqbal Bhatkal visited Ahmedabad and Surat just last week. Iqbal and his younger brother Riyaz Bhatkal are two of the most wanted
criminals who have been accused of triggering a number of serial blasts across the country, including Gujarat.

Iqbal's recent clandestine visit to the state has set the alarm bells ringing in Gujarat police agencies. "In a similar fashion, Riyaz had paid a secret visit to Ahmedabad from Pune in July 2008. Later that month, Ahmedabad witnessed a string of 19 blasts on July 26 killing 59 people," said police sources.

Riyaz is now hiding in Pakistan, say Gujarat police sources. When he was in India, his whereabouts and phone number were also being tracked by central intelligence agencies. "While scanning Riyaz's phone, they found out that he speaks regularly to Iqbal who is now hiding in India," said a senior police official of the state police.

While monitoring conversations of the Bhatkal brothers', the intelligence officers realized that Iqbal had visited Gujarat last week! Central intelligence agencies have tipped off Gujarat police in this regard. "He was in Ahmedabad and Surat to hold some secret meetings. Gujarat police officials now believe that the meetings may have been with some terror sleeper cells," said senior police officials.

A fortnight back, the central intelligence agencies had sent another alert that SIMI, in a different guise, is again getting active. And, just last week, the US government too had warned its Indian counterparts that during Eid or Diwali terror strikes could take place here.

Central intelligence agencies have sent alert messages to Gujarat government in this regard. The missive also advices tracking down of sleeper terror cells in the state.

Why India can't ask Interpol to trace Riyaz Bhatkal

Sources say Bhatkal has fled India and is now hiding in Dubai [ Images ], beyond the reach of Indian security agencies as no red corner notice has been issued against him.

Indian procedure dictates a red corner alert can be issued only against criminals who have a history of cases lodged against them. Bhatkal has no cases lodged against him.

Bengaluru [ Images ] Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Alok Kumar confirmed this in a conversation with rediff.com

"There is a procedure to be followed before asking the authority concerned to issue a red corner notice," JCP Kumar said. "Bhatkal has no previous crime history. His name has not figured in any case before the Bengaluru blasts. In fact, Bhatkal was questioned by the police as a suspect a couple of times."

Sources say this procedural obstacle helped Bhatkal flee the country.
........
Usually sporting jeans and a T-shirt, Bhatkal is said to be a big fan of superstar Shah Rukh Khan [ Images ], whose name he once adopted as an alias.

shravan · Post by **shravan** » 18 Sep 2009 00:06

Israelis in India warned of possible terror attacks
Published: 09.17.09

The Counter Terrorism Bureau (CTB) issued a stark travel advisory for Israelis in India Thursday, warning them to refrain from visiting crowded tourist hubs that are not secured by armed guards. Israelis were also advised not to travel to Jammu and Kashmir, India's northernmost state.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 18 Sep 2009 00:29

same issue is in haaretz, jerusalem post etc

Warning: Terror group planning attacks on Israelis in India
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Israel news, Mumbai, terror

Israel's Counter Terrorism Bureau issued a severe travel warning on Thursday over fears that terrorist groups may try to attack Israelis across India.

The warning comes just as the Chabad houses across India plan numerous events for the celebration of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year. Last year, a large scale terror attack in Mumbai targeted a Chabad house, among other targets.

According to the Counter Terrorist Bureau, the same organization that orchestrated last year's Mumbai attacks was planning to carry out several attacks across India, including areas frequented by Western and particularly Israeli tourists.

The travel warning is based on a concrete and very serious threat to Israelis. The Counter Terrorism Bureau has recommended to Israelis currently in India to avoid crowded areas, especially tourist areas, which have no apparent armed security.

In addition, due to reports of potential terror attacks across the entire country, Israeli travelers are advised to take precautions and remain alert.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 18 Sep 2009 01:07

Its on the headlines in international news channels.

Masaru · Post by **Masaru** » 18 Sep 2009 01:13

Singha wrote:same issue is in haaretz, jerusalem post etc

Warning: Terror group planning attacks on Israelis in India
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Israel news, Mumbai, terror

Same story in ToI
Israel warns of impending attacks in India

sum · Post by **sum** » 18 Sep 2009 09:33

The non-cooperation shown by some of the governments in West Asia is proving a major hindrance in busting the SIMI modules there. (i.e KSA, UAE)

KSA i can understand but UAE??

WTF is UAE's problem with Desh?

RayC · Post by **RayC** » 18 Sep 2009 10:08

AK-47 and Ak-56 fire different bullets?

AK 56 or Type 56 is the Chinese copy of AK 47.

AK 56
AK 56

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 18 Sep 2009 10:41

RayC-> I was just pointing out how the lack of knowledge in the genral public in India was being exploited, by deliberately saying that only Ak-56 ammunution was found and not AK-47 ammunition.

This is suppossed to be even called an investigation? I think it should be treated a good work of fiction. And this is supposed to be crucial factual evidence?

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 18 Sep 2009 12:12

sum wrote:KSA i can understand but UAE??

WTF is UAE's problem with Desh?

sum, when it is a choice between India & Islamic Ummah, UAE has always chosen the latter. For a long time, it has allowed Indian criminals to thrive in UAE and allowed the ISI to manipulate them while not conceding to Indian requests. It had always denied the presence of Indian criminals on its soil though the truth was to the contrary. Its uncooperative attitude in the IC814 episode is a case in point. Besides, there is a huge dependence on Pakistani service personnel by the UAE.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 18 Sep 2009 15:08

Be aware that there are different rules in each emirate. Some more stricter/supportive than the other. Sh. Mo is the Dubai king. To be honest, there have been instances of support to India, please note that the Gandhi name does carry weight with him.

Dubai is also used as a major operations hub for Raaw as well, so we can't really complain too much. Meanwhile, HH Sh. Mo. has good relations with D company, and Dawud does visit now and then.

----------------
Regarding the Israeli threat. Its to ALL parts of India. Special warning was sent to Chabad houses. Some have hired Israeli private security firms.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 18 Sep 2009 16:09

shyamd wrote: Meanwhile, HH Sh. Mo. has good relations with D company, and Dawud does visit now and then.

How do you reconcile the above with being friendly to India ? After all, Dawood is the most wanted terrorist in India against whom Red Corner Notice is pending by Interpol. His right hand, Anees Ibrahim was arrested in Dubai but before India could file an extradition request, he was hurriedly released and packed off to Karachi even though India and UAE have an extradition treaty. Abu Salem was similarly allowed to quietly slip away using his Pakistani passport after asking India to file all documents relating to his crimes. No doubt, it has also extradited an Aftab Ansari but that was because he was involved in bombing the US embassy in Kolkatta and US pressure worked in his extradition. The only other two notable criminals extradited were Kaskar and Ejaz Pathan of the Dawood Gang, probably more as a sop and under some pressure, after 9/11. UAE does indeed have 'good relations' with India in so far as trade, investment, manpower are concerned because they work to its advantage.

I agree with you that different emirates may have different perceptions. For example, the late Amir of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayid was more friendly to India while Dubai always felt Pakistan as a counterweight to Iran.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 18 Sep 2009 16:20

SS don't get me wrong, you are right. I have pointed out the same issue of Anees release and flying to Karachi before. I meant that the Sh. Mo does allow us to do certain things there that most nations wouldn't probably allow. They are more pro pak than India for sure.

-------

India in touch with Israel over new attack tipoff

"We are regularly in touch with them, sharing intelligence and news about any threats. But we have not heard anything specific about the latest alert," said K.P. Raghuvanshi, head of Mumbai's anti-terrorism force.

Two other Indian officials, who are not authorised to speak to reporters, said Indian intelligence agencies were liaising with Israel on the latest threat.