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ELECTION 99
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December 20 Final set of Bofors papers arrives in Delhi The external affairs ministry said the papers reached India despite some last-minute measures by the appellants to block the papers from leaving Switzerland. Suicide bomber almost got Kumaratunga Providence rescued the Sri Lankan president from certain death on Saturday night. Her bullet-proof car stood between her and the bomb blast and hence bore the maximum brunt. December 19 Lankan president hurt in bomb blast Chandrika Kumaratunga was injured in a powerful bomb blast at an election rally in Colombo. She was rushed to hospital where she was reported to be out of danger. Last batch of Bofors papers may turn out to be a damp squib There is a fear now that if the papers do not help the CBI get sufficient evidence, the courts will give the benefit of the doubt to the accused. Hollywood moguls target South India In the last one year, Columbia has penetrated the smaller towns in the region, which it says has responded wonderfully to its 40-50 English releases. UP government to move SC over Taj restriction This follows a stay granted by the apex court on the proposed re-opening of the monument for night viewing from December 22. Gujarat takes precautionary steps in the Dangs State Home Minister Haren Pandya rushed to south Gujarat to review the law-and-order situation in the area and held meetings with Hindu and Christian leaders. Naxals on the rampage in Andhra Pradesh In the 100-odd violent incidents since December 2, private and public properties suffered a loss of over Rs 100 million. Atmosphere unsuitable for talks: Pak "We believe a conducive atmosphere will be created when India stops its state terrorism against the Kashmiris," foreign ministry spokesman Tariq Altaf told the media. Pak sends envoy to talk to Mohajir chief General Pervez Musharraf has sent a high-ranking army officer to London to hold talks with Altaf Hussain who is living in exile. THE REDIFF INTERVIEW 'Several communities, who may have been backward once, taking advantage of such a policy, are not backward any longer' 'This has opened the floodgates! It means any community can go up to the commission and demand OBC status, be it a Brahmin community or a Shudra community,' says Prof D L Sheth in the second and concluding part of his interview. BLOOD IN THE SNOW: DAY 10 How much longer? A decade of bloodshed... yet the end is not in sight. THE GREAT LOTTERY SCAM -- III He had Vijayawada's rich and mighty eating out of his hand 'He [Kola Mohan] even took some of his friends abroad, went around London and other cities in a Rolls Royce car, and visited some banks and brokers to establish his credibility...' THE REDIFF COLUMNIST The view from Kashmir 'It looks as if when it comes to India, almost all Kashmiris join hands. The realisation that Islamabad is in no position to force any solution on New Delhi makes them feel helpless. And then they pick on India all the more,' says Kuldip Nayar. December 18 Vajpayee meets Sonia on CTBT Briefing newspersons after a one-and-a-half-hour meeting, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh said the Congress president had told the government that she would get back to them after holding detailed consultations with other party colleagues. Kalyan floats Rashtriya Kranti Party In what is seen as a tactical move the former UP chief minister categorically declared that at Ayodhya both a Ram temple and a mosque should be built. Rajni prepares for a political avatar The Superstar of the South does not need any publicity. Not when the entire Tamil film industry is celebrating his 25 years in the movies with a 12-day festival, which started on December 12 -- his birthday. Judge may be arrested over Chotta Shakeel connection The Bombay high court has found prima facie evidence relating to extortion and threat against a sitting judge of the sessions court. CAG drops a bombshell on DRDO An extensive audit of some of the important Defence Research and Development Organisation projects undertaken by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for the period ending March, 1988 has brought to light investments running into billions that are unlikely to yield the desired results. No tabling Bofors papers, says Jaswant Singh The MEA minister said the latest papers received from the Swiss authorities would be used only for the purpose they had been received. They cannot be revealed to the public as it would amount to using them for political gain. Pressure mounts on govt over women's bill 'If the government did not wait to build consensus on other crucial measures like the insurance and patents bills, the Women's Reservation bill also should be introduced in the current session and debated on the floor of the House,'' NCW chairperson Vibha Parthasarthi said. HC commutes death sentence in anti-Sikh riots case The Supreme Court Friday upheld the conviction of two persons for killing four members of a family in East Delhi in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, but commuted into life imprisonment the death sentence awarded to them by the trial court. AP CM vows to end Naxal violence 'The government will take firm action against the Naxalites and put down such acts with an iron hand,' said Chandrababu Naidu. K L Sharma passes away A bachelor, he was taken to the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital on Thursday night after he complained of chest pain. He breathed his last at 0300 hours. Hyderabad to get Rs 2 billion amusement park Chandrababu Naidu interacted with eminent architect Charles Correa in Hyderabad on Thursday to discuss the outlines of the master plan, which envisages the creation of an amusement park, rock garden, convention centre, commercial complexes, food courts, parks and a separate railway line laid around Hussainsagar connecting all these spots. Defence Ministry awaits payment for Antony's airlift Four years after the swift political move by the Congress high command, the bill from the defence ministry is shuttling between the Kerala government and the Prime Minister's Office, with both refusing to own it up. Orissa greens oppose coastal highway In a bid to convince the government not to go in for the proposed project, they have suggested that a green belt of two to three kilometres depth be created throughout the coastline. Theatre thrives in troubled Assam For eight months in a year, between September and April, at least 20 drama companies, simply known as theatre in the local parlance, tour across the vast state, staging plays come winter, spring or early rains. THE REDIFF INTERVIEW 'Let me tell you that all are not angels in the CBI' 'When I took up that case [the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case] there was nothing to work on. The case was blind and the culprits had carefully removed all the clues. But we kept on working. I guess most of us worked for almost twenty two hours a day,' says the former CBI joint director D R Karthikeyan. 'Extensions to more communities might well make the concept of reservations meaningless' 'Any community that has numerical strength and is conventionally backward but not really backward seeks reservation for itself,' says Prof D L Sheth, member of the first National Backward Classes Commission. BLOOD IN THE SNOW: DAY 9 Operation Rescue Saving Kashmir's economy will be tougher than saving Private Ryan. THE GREAT LOTTERY SCAM -- II The 'Great Gambler' who never won Vijaywada Police Commissioner Sudeep Lakhtakia says Kola Mohan was a pathological gambler. Betting, playing cards and races were a way of life for him. THE REDIFF COLUMNIST Our Leader of the Opposition 'I think the Congress should start looking for a new leader. To date, Sonia Gandhi's performance in the Lok Sabha has ranged all the way from the merely inconsequential to the truly pathetic,' says T V R Shenoy. December 17 Naxalites kill Madhya Pradesh minister Likhiram Kavre was brutally murdered by assailants belonging to the People's War Group on Thursday morning at his native village Sonpuri in Balaghat district. Maximum alert in MP following murder Precautions are being taken to prevent further Naxalite attacks, including landmine blasts targeting police parties during the search operations. Five of a family killed in AP blast A senior district police officer said a 38-year-old tailor Narayana, his wife Chandrakala, and three children -- Antosh (15), Sapna (10) and Sai Kiran (2) -- tenants of the house owned by Mandal Praja Parishad president Gopikishen, died in the blast. J&K policemen rattled by militant attacks At a series of high-level meetings, it has been decided to change the 'pattern of deployment'. And to instil confidence among the local police, they are being provided with bulletproof vests. Assam governor's report stirs hornet's nest The influx of illegal migrants is turning the lower Assam districts into a Muslim-majority region and it will be a matter of time before they demand merger with Bangladesh, Lt Gen (retd) S K Sinha has warned. THE REDIFF INTERVIEW 'No one looks at the problem from the national interest angle' 'Migration is still going on and the districts of Dhubri and Goalpara in lower Assam have a large number of migrants. At one stage, they will want to merge with Bangladesh.' Assam's Governor, Lt Gen (retd) S K Sinha, rings the alarm bells. OTHER REPORTS Surayya caught in the eye of a storm "When we are living in an atmosphere where those who stand for reforms are physically threatened and even eliminated, Surayya, as a responsible writer, should have made her statements carefully," Pouran, a noted human rights activist, said. Bomb scare at Lata's London felicitation A function to honour the Nightingale of India on becoming a Rajya Sabha member was disrupted by a bomb scare. Released Indian prisoners recount Pak torture Naveen Sharma was lodged in Muzaffarabad central jail where he was often singled out and thrashed by jail officials. AIR, DD to counter Pak propaganda along border areas Several steps -- enhancing the power of existing transmitters, setting up new ones and airing better programmes -- are under implementation. India will appeal to UAE against Indian's imprisonment Mohammed Abdul Kaleem Bahadur was sentenced to 10 years in jail for possessing khus-khus, an aromatic fibrous root said to contain opium. Orphaned by the cyclone, spurned by prejudice Few families in Orissa appear willing to adopt children rendered destitute by the catastrophe. Indian embassy in UAE summons Win Chadha Embassy sources said the summons was sent to Chadha at his designated post box number. BJP denies its leaders met Kalyan Spokesman Venkaiah Naidu lambasted the Opposition for raking up the Ayodhya issue again and again for political mileage. Cautious optimism on new probe into anti-Sikh riots "I think there is collusion between the Congress and the BJP on this matter. Maybe they want to bury this once and for all," Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, former Minorities Commission member, said. JMM splits vertically, Soren 'expelled' According to a senior leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, who gets the bow-and-arrow symbol will determine the support of legislators who are sitting on the fence right now. Islamic university to be set up in J&K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah said Education Minister Mohammad Shafi would visit Deoband, Delhi and other places to interact with renowned Muslim scholars and evolve a concept paper for the purpose. Moon will shine brightest on Dec 22 The last time this phenomenon occurred was on December 21, 1866. Now the fading century will give a unique gift to mankind, which will be fondly remembered in the next millennium. CRPF to build intelligence network in Tripura Asserting its resolve to wipe out militancy from the north-eastern state, the Central Reserve Police Force has decided to set up special operation groups in each battalion there. BLOOD IN THE SNOW: DAY 8 'Why was I born a Kashmiri?' Murder, rape, abduction... Violations continue in the valley. THE GREAT LOTTERY SCAM -- I Crime of the millennium and how Naidu fell for it Kola Mohan was able to convince several gullible moneylenders, top banks and the state's ruling party that he had won the Euro Lottery and was waiting to complete a few formalities before the millions were transferred to his account in India. THE COLUMNISTS Prophet-sharing 'For years we have been looking for signs telling us when to convert. Besides, we are against the Hindu way of cremating the dead; we do not want our body to be burnt.' Varsha Bhosle on Kamala Das's conversion to Islam. Editor the Great 'She walked into the hotel lounge at the appointed hour. Editor the Great was in fine form. "You're looking beautiful," he said. "Thanks," she said, hoping the nightmare would pass.' Krishna Prasad on a young correspondent's experience with a great editor. December 16 Army captain, 5 top militants killed in Kashmir A proactive attitude -- highly placed sources in the Union home ministry reveal -- on the part of the security forces has led to the intensification of the conflict in J&K. The inevitable corollary has been increased casualties on both sides. DSP killed as militants fire rockets Jammu and Kashmir police sources said the killing was a serious setback to anti-militancy operations in the area. Airport mishap: Elevator did not have safety sensors As details of the accident emerge, it is becoming clear that there were glaring shortcomings in the maintenance of the elevator and the airport's emergency services. Advani is feeling suffocated: Kalyan Kalyan Singh declared that once his party is formed, many senior leaders in the BJP would join him. Shahabuddin opposes celebration of Ananda Math anniversary "The campaign is misconceived and calculated to redefine patriotism in Hindu terms and separate the Muslim youth from the process of national integration," the former MP wrote to Vajpayee. Need to develop powerful cyclone-warning radars: Kalam A three-day symposium in Bangalore, attended by over 220 scientists and engineers, and experts from 11 countries, will discuss the latest trends in radar technology. A hero looks back Lt Gen Jagjit Singh Aurora reminisces on the events leading up to December 16, 1971, when his Pakistani counterpart surrendered in Dhaka with 91,000 troops. Naxalites blow up rail tracks near Guntur The People's War Group is seeking to implement a two-day general strike in Andhra Pradesh to protest against the killing of some top leaders in an alleged fake encounter ten days back. 'Coup has not changed Pak stance on India' The recent statements made by the military regime also indicate Pakistan's continued assertion of territorial claims on the state of Jammu and Kashmir, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh said. Over 2,627 Pakistanis overstaying in India Minister of State for Home Vidyasagar Rao informed the Rajya Sabha that 2,627 Pakistanis, who entered India on proper visas, have overstayed and are untraceable. Bhopal gas case to be expedited in Jan The chief judicial magistrate will hold day-to-day hearings from January 10 in the 15-year-old case. RJD wants I-T notice to Laloo withdrawn RJD members walked into the well of the House during zero hour when Prime Minister Vajpayee declined to respond to their demand. Four ex-PMs asked to clear IAF's dues While in Gandhi's case the respondent is his wife and Congress president Sonia Gandhi, in other cases respective political parties have been sent the notices. Debt-ridden farmer loses moustache BJP legislator Narendera Birthare and former MLA Omprakash Khatik submitted a memorandum to the Kolaras magistrate in connection with the alleged shaving of a farmer's moustache by a tehsildar after he failed to clear his bank dues. Country prepares to take the fight against AIDS into the next millennium Inaugurating the project, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission K C Pant said the foremost task is to build mechanisms to integrate AIDS programmes with the ongoing health initiatives at the district and state levels. JMM's moment of truth A meeting in Ranchi will decide whether the section led by suspended vice-president Suraj Mandal declares itself 'the real JMM' and announces the expulsion of president Shibu Soren from the party. BLOOD IN THE SNOW: DAY 6 'We realise the UN can do little' Big Bro's been watching the fray since India complained. Will he jump in? PHOTOFEATURE When devastation struck Erasama 'Even after several days cremating or burying carcasses -- human and animal -- many were still lying about, easily seen... Perhaps these photographs will give you an idea of what happened.' Dilip D'Souza's moving photoessay on the aftermath of the cyclone in Orissa. December 15 Kalyan woos Khurana, Sahib Singh Verma While his attempts to muster support in Uttar Pradesh had left the BJP leadership in Lucknow unruffled, Kalyan Singh's success in initiating a dialogue with two important politicians in the capital seems to have aroused concern at the highest levels. Chautala calls for mid-term election Haryana Governor Mahabir Prasad dissolved the assembly 17 months before the expiry of its five-year term on the chief minister's recommendation, paving the way for a mid-term election in February-March next year. 'Imposition' of Tamil angers students, teachers Years after the anti-Hindi agitation rocked the state, it is the turn of the Tamil language to face the music, not from politicians, but from school-going kids and their teachers. SC pulls up Bombay high court for acquitting child rapist The Supreme Court passed strictures on the lower court for giving a clean chit to the accused who had been awarded the death penalty by the sessions court for the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl. Three farmers killed in police firing in Gujarat The injured included five policemen and three women. They were removed to a local hospital where the condition of three of them was described as serious. Cong agrees to a fresh inquiry into1984 riots Though Jaswant Singh did not say when the inquiry would be instituted, he assured Rajya Sabha that all aspects of the issue would be considered seriously. When the temptress dons the purdah... 'I have been lonely all through my life. At nights, I used to sleep by embracing a pillow... Islam is the only religion in the world that gives love and protection to women.' Noted poetess Kamala Das has shocked Malayalee society once again by becoming a Muslim. Lok Sabha adjourned twice over Ayodhya The Lok Sabha was adjourned for one-and-a-half hours till 1400 IST following pandemonium, as the Congress and other opposition parties attempted to raise the Ayodhya issue. Walkout in RS over Women's Reservation Bill External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh, who is also the leader of the House, said the NDA government was committed to introducing the bill and that there should be no doubt about it. Central team arrives in J&K The team led by T R Kakkar, special secretary (Jammu and Kashmir) in the home ministry, arrived in Srinagar to review the law-and-order situation. Non-bailable warrant for Win Chadha Adjourning the case to February 3, 2000, the special judge also issued fresh summons to AB Bofors and its former president Martin Ardbo as both had refused to accept the summons in their present form. NHRC asks Orissa to take relief measures The state government has been asked to initiate disciplinary action against the officials who failed to discharge their professional duties in the aftermath of the super cyclone. Instability continues to haunt Goa Rumours are doing the rounds that Ravi Naik, newly elected Congress Legislature Party leader, is trying to topple the coalition government by trying to woo back former colleagues who recently split the Congress. Appeal to be filed in Delhi HC in Mattoo case Minister of State for Personnel Vasundhararaje Scindia revealed this in the Lok Sabha. Airport mishap: Minister to make a statement Civil Aviation Minister Sharad Yadav told Rajya Sabha that an inquiry had already been ordered, which would be conducted by two high-ranking officials of the National Airport Authority. Now, reconversions in Orissa People behind these re-conversions - mostly members of Hindu organisations supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party - are facing the same charges that were earlier levelled against Christian missionaries by them. Women are safe only in their houses in Pakistan According to the Islamabad-based Progressive Women's Association, every second woman in Pakistan is a victim of direct or indirect form of mental or physical violence. Benazir to be tried in absentia for '96 killing The former Pakistan prime minister went into exile last year to evade arrest following her conviction on several counts of corruption. THE REDIFF SPECIAL Homeless in their homeland What will it take to bring Kashmir's migrant Hindus home? PHOTOFEATURE A wedding in the family Glimpses of the pomp and pageantry at the wedding of Laloo Prasad and Rabri Devi's eldest daughter Misa Bharati. THE REDIFF DIARY Goans are not drunks! Cleona Lira attacks Hindi cinema for misrepresenting her home state. THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS A phenomenon called Rajni 'So far Rajnikant has shied away from putting his face where his vote is. But it is a matter of time before he is forced by his manrams to chase a larger destiny,' says Saisuresh Sivaswamy. Towards Justice: through 'fast forward', not slow-motion farces 'Vajpayee has got his priorities wrong. The PM and his law minister, last year's and this year's, have been indifferent about appointing the judges recommended by the Chief Justice's team. This indolence is reason enough to remind the PM, tending to be forgetful nowadays, of his own words...,' says Arvind Lavakare. December 14 8 killed, 16 others injured in attacks on J&K cops Srinagar's historic Lal Chowk square resounded with the sounds of gunfire and a powerful explosion as militants launched simultaneous attacks on the state police. A senior officer confirmed that seven policemen, including two officers, were killed. Surayya, nee Kamala Das, is VHP's new hate object M D Nalapat said his mother's decision did not surprise him since their family had close connections with the Muslim community. Supreme Court strikes down Kerala Backward Classes Act In a major setback to the state government and legislature, the court declared that there is no "creamy layer" among the Other Backward Classes in Kerala. Girl killed in freak mishap at Delhi airport Passengers were coming down the escalator into the arrival area after alighting from a flight that had come in from Dubai at 0215 hrs when the tragedy occurred. Opposition walkout over Ayodhya in LS The prime minister said the government had no secret agenda as was being alleged by the Opposition. Kalyan's expulsion painful: Sushma The former Union minister denied that she was being made a state governor. TDP against further delay of women's bill Yerran Naidu told the government during zero hour that it should bring the legislation at the earliest as the main opposition party, the Congress, has already supported it. Congress too join the chorus for President's rule in Bihar The party had opposed the imposition of President's rule in the state by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government a year ago. Jharkhand bandh peaceful The dawn-to-dusk Jharkhand bandh called by the pro-state forces today evoked a largely spontaneous response. Gen Malik briefs French on Pak-inspired militancy Development of co-operation between the Indian and French defence forces and the state of Indo-Pakistani relations dominated the meeting between the chief of army staff and French Defence Minister Alain Richard. Mild tremor in Haryana A tremor measuring 2.6 on the Richter scale was experienced in some parts of the state on Monday morning. No talks with Pak till Lahore pact is implemented: PM Vajpayee said a meeting of all political parties was being convened to reach a consensus on signing the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Walkout in Maharashtra assembly over university registrar's death Nagpur University's registrar of examinations Jayram Shende, a prime accused in the marks scandal that rocked the university earlier this year, was found dead in his house on July 19. Sharief says charges are 'cooked up' Sharief, his brother Shahbaz, the former chief minister of Punjab province, and five others have been accused of criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, attempted murder and hijacking -- a charge that could lead to a death sentence. Sharief's indictment deferred again The court asked the defence and the prosecution to bring experts on December 20 to settle a dispute over whether copies of key audio and video evidence should be given to the defence before the laying of formal charges. THE REDIFF SPECIAL Victims of the gun They were killed... just because they were there. THE REDIFF COLUMN Crime of Passion 'Has Bukhari ever ridden a plane to drum up passions about what is certainly the greatest cause of Muslim misery, "greater even than a dilapidated mosque: poverty"?' asksVarsha Bhosle Archives |
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