Security at malls is usually manned by security personnel from private firms. A routine check of visitors is conducted before the entry point, but this check is rudimentary at best. Moreover, the personnel from private security firms lack the expertise to check terror elements. The vehicles entering the mall's parking space are never checked. After parking, the visitor has to enter the mall through the staircase at the back, where there are absolutely no security checks.
CM Naveen Patnaik met Home Minister Shivraj Patil and submitted a memorandum for financial help.The state has also urged the Centre to immediately release at least 12,000 kilo litre of kerosene to be distributed among the 40 lakh affected people.
"I understand your pain," Singh, who rushed to the city from Delhi, said during his meeting with some of those injured in the terror attacks that have left 125 dead
The Prime Minister's Office said Singh was in touch with Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and was monitoring the situation. The Centre has immediately decided to dispatch National Security Guard commandos to supplement the efforts being made by local police and CRPF, Deshmukh said.
The principal Opposition party said an immediate cut in petrol and diesel prices was required in the larger interest of the nation. The BJP also demanded that interest rate on housing loans be brought down to 6 per cent and a real push be given for infrastructure development to 'avoid a catastrophe'.
The government will 'modify' the Bill if necessary by incorporating suggestions, said Patil.
The Union Cabinet held a special meeting on Wednesday night to discuss terrorism and approved certain measures like strengthening of intelligence gathering by the states to effectively combat the menace.After a nearly three hour meeting convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee came out with a brief statement, but there was no word whether a minister for internal security is being appointed as widely speculated.
PM meets senior leaders over Natwar issue
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Home Minister Shivraj Patil arrived in Purnea in Bihar on Thursday for a visit to the flood-hit districts. Dr Singh, Gandhi and Patil will undertake an aerial survey of the flood-affected districts in an Indian Air Force helicopter.Dr Singh is scheduled to review the relief and rescue measures at a high-level meeting with senior officials of the state government, before returning to Delhi.
Nitish Kumar conveyed his concern over the attacks to Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Wednesday night, sources in his secretariat said on Thursday.
PM, Advani pay tribute to Vallabhbhai Patel
At an all-party meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, it was felt that all the groups concerned from Jammu as well as the Kashmir valley should work together for restoring peace and normalcy in the sensitive border state.
The 18-member all-party delegation headed by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil arrived in Jammu on Saturday to review the situation following recent violent protests, but the Shri Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti, which is leading the agitation over land transfer issue, refused to hold talks with the team members.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Singh said that Ram Jethmalani was a maverick with a difference.
Stating that the GJM was seeking appointment with the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and the Leader of the Opposition L K Advani, Gurung told PTI from Darjeeling that a delegation, comprising GJM central committee members, would meet MPs of different political parties.
Various political leaders and other VIPs who have been enjoying security cover for unjustified reasons for a long time may find it tough to avail this government facility any longer, as they Government is going to keep a check on it.
Azad has been making clear that the proposals needed to be discussed thoroughly and there should be synchronisation between public posturing and the stand taken at the negotiating table.
Prominent personalities from Mumbai have appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to interfere in the forest land issue in the city suburbs, where over 1 lakh families will be displaced if the government adheres to a court order.
There have been a "few isolated cases of subversion" of security force personnel but it would be inappropriate to draw any general conclusion of any nexus with terrorists, government told the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. "There is no nexus between personnel of security forces including para-military forces and terrorists," Home Minister Shivraj Patil said in reply to questions.
The governement is planning to rope in the services of around 50 lakh private security guards in the country for information gathering to boost its intelligence network.
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal along with 25 legislators and members of Parliament, both past and present, called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh late on Monday night and asked him to do justice to Punjab farmers who toil hard to provide 50 per cent of the foodgrains for the people of the country.
The Director General also expressed concern over recent attempts by Pakistan-based terrorists to enter the country through low-key Rajasthan and Punjab sectors.
Terming the troublemakers as 'anti-national', Lalu said no one has the right to violate the fundamental rights of the people. About MNS leader Raj Thackeray, Prasad said, "He is desperate and such type of leader will never be successful in the country. The Government should take action against him and his supporters".
United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee started their one-day visit to the flood-affected regions of Gujarat on Thursday morning.
Serial bomb blasts in Uttar Pradesh rocked the Rajya Sabha on Monday leading to adjournment of the House till noon.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has condemned the Uttar Pradesh serial blasts that killed 13 people and injured many more.
India has informed Bangladesh about the existence of terrorists and their training camps on its soil, but Dhaka is yet to take effective action to curb anti-India activities, Home Minister Shivraj Patil said on Wednesday.
"The Central Bureau of Investigation has issued lookout notices against 14 accused, 13 of whom are still absconding," Home Minister Shivraj Patil told the Lok Sabha.
In the wake of repeated faults in planes carrying Haj pilgrims from Srinagar, the Union home ministry on Monday summoned civil aviation officials following a strong protest by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.
Thakur is likely to meet the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and submit his report.
"Here is a Home Minister who is terrorizing the people of the country by going on record that the government has information about possible terror strikes during the festival season. He should have taken security measures that would have led to the arrest of terrorists before they could strike," the BJP leader said.
Angry traders clashed with police and Municipal Corporation of Delhi officials in several places of Delhi Saturday as the civic body continued sealing of commercial establishments functioning in residential areas with full vigour.
Centre's pointsman N N Vohra is visiting Kashmir next week to attend the Indo-European Union round table conference in Srinagar and is likely to meet Hurriyat Conference leaders during his three-day stay.
Kalam begins his tour with a three-day visit to Singapore.
Sources said the officials told the meeting that a strict watch is being maintained to uphold human rights and efforts were on to achieve the 'zero tolerance' of rights abuses as envisaged by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The toll in the serial blasts in New Delhi rose to 21 on Sunday with a 15-year-old girl succumbing to injuries, but the terror strike failed to dampen the spirit of Delhiites who carried on with their normal life. While people continued with their daily chores and public transport normally plied in the city, an eerie silence prevailed in the blast-hit Karol Bagh and Connaught Place areas a day after the terror attack.
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