Islamabad, Dec 30, 2012: Twenty-one Pakistani security personnel kidnapped by the Taliban from check posts near Peshawar were gunned down by the militants on Sunday, police officials said.

The bullet-riddled bodies of the policemen were found in Jabai area of Frontier Region Peshawar, located a short distance from the capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, shortly after midnight.

They were reportedly shot dead at a cricket ground.

Two more kidnapped security personnel escaped and one of them was seriously injured.

One of these personnel alerted local authorities, who found the bodies.

The Taliban had kidnapped 23 personnel of the Levies militia after overrunning three check posts early on Thursday.

Over 200 militants armed with assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades had attacked the posts.

Two security personnel were killed in the attack.

The attackers, who were wearing uniforms of security forces, had taken away weapons and vehicles from the check posts.

The political administration had asked tribal elders of Frontier Region Peshawar to help recover the 23 kidnapped personnel.

The Darra Adam Khel faction of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan had claimed responsibility for the attack on the check posts.

Police officials had earlier said that the elders had established contact with the militants and started negotiations for the release of the kidnapped personnel.

The Taliban have carried out a string of high profile attacks in Peshawar and its surrounding areas this month.

Leading anti-Taliban politician Bashir Ahmad Bilour and eight others were killed by a suicide bomber last week.

IMPHAL, December 30, 2012 : The first Miss Kangleipak contest 2012 for best physique (women) was held today at the Gandhi Memorial Hall. All together 9 women participated in the competition organized by the  Manipur Amateur Body Builders’ Association which was sponsored by the Janaki Barbal Club and Lamyanba Meetei Gym.

Oinam Sophia of Janaki Barbal club was adjust as winner of the women's physique competition while the 1st runner up position went to Thangjam (O) Sarita Devi  of Royal Fitness Gym, Thoubal and 2nd runner up position to Wangkem Jamuna Devi of Royal Fitness Gym, Thoubal

The winner, 1st runner up, 2nd runner up were awarded with a trophy, certificate, medal and cash rupee of 20 thousand, 15 thousand and 10 thousand respectively while all other participants were given a consolation prize of 500 each.

Karachi, Dec 30, 2012: At least 19 people were killed and 25 others injured on Sunday in a car bomb attack that targeted a bus taking Shia pilgrims to Iran in Pakistan's restive southwest, hours after 21 soldiers abducted by Taliban from check posts near Peshawar were gunned down by militants.

Explosives planted in a car parked by the roadside were detonated by remote control when the bus was passing through Mastung district of Baluchistan province, Deputy Commissioner Tufail Baloch told reporters.

"Nineteen people were killed and 25 more injured," he said.

Other officials said the wounded, many of them with burn injuries, were taken to two hospitals in the provincial capital of Quetta.

Officials of the bomb disposal squad said an estimated 80 kg of explosives were used in the attack.

No group claimed responsibility for the incident though the banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi has been blamed for earlier attacks on Shias in Balochistan.

The vehicle that was targeted was part of a convoy of three buses carrying Shia pilgrims from Lahore, Jhang and Multan in Punjab province, to neighbouring Iran.

The buses were headed for the Taftan border crossing.

Baloch said the buses had been provided an escort in view of earlier attacks on Shia pilgrims.

The route taken by the buses is usually cleared in advance but the attack occurred near a market where several vehicles were parked by the roadside, he said.

The explosion triggered a fire in the bus. Witnesses said several persons were burnt alive.

Footage on television showed that the bus was reduced to smouldering metal.

Damascus, Dec 30, 2012: Syrian troops bombarded rebel bastions near the capital on Sunday, a day after at least 32 civilians including 11 children were killed by air strikes and artillery fire in the Damascus area, a watchdog said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the children and two women were among the victims of bombardments focused on southwest and northeast Damascus suburbs and outlying towns yesterday.

Overnight, regime forces battled rebels in the opposition stronghold of Harasta northeast of Damascus and bombarded the town of Moadamiyet al-Sham to the southwest and Bait Saham near the airport road to the southeast, it said.

The Local Coordination Committees, a network of activists on the ground, also reported artillery fire today on residential neighbourhoods in Moadamiyet al-Sham coming from the direction of Mazzeh military airport.

In the southern province of Daraa, considered the cradle of the rebellion, troops and rebels clashed in the town of Sheikh Maskeen and battled for control of several small border crossings on the regime-controlled border with Jordan.

Syria and Jordan share a 370-kilometre-long border which hundreds of people cross on foot every day to escape the bloody civil war which the Britain-based Observatory says has killed at least 45,000 people.

Two rebels were also reported killed in clashes with troops in the central province of Hama, where a series of blasts also rocked the provincial capital.

In neighbouring Homs province, the army pounded the rebel-controlled area around the Crac des Chevaliers crusader castle, a UNESCO-listed world heritage site.

Dozens of casualties were also reported in Homs city after a fierce regime assault ended in the army seizing the Deir Baalbeh district yesterday, according to the Observatory.

The watchdog, which gathers its information from a network of activists and medics in civilian and military hospitals, said the final death toll had not yet been documented because of communications difficulties in the area.

One video released by the Syrian Revolution General Commission showed the bodies of nine male victims from Deir Baalbeh lying on the ground, their faces bloody and mutilated.

Its authenticity could not be immediately verified.

NEW DELHI, December 30 (agencies): Congress in a draft bill for a tougher law to check crimes against women has proposed imprisonment of up to 30 years which could also include chemical castration in rare cases.

The final draft of the Congress' bill, which is to be submitted to Justice JS Verma-led committee set up by the Centre in the wake of the horrific gang rape of the 23-year-old girl, who died yesterday, has not been readied yet, sources said today.

Some of the provisions of this tougher law includes imprisonment up to 30 years for rape convicts and setting up of fast track-courts to decide the cases within 3 months were discussed in the presence of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on December 23 when she met a group of people protesting against the gang-rape incident a week earlier.

There is also a suggestion to re-define the Juvenile Act and lower their age.

One of the accused in the rape case is a juvenile and aged a few months less than 18 years. A view has been expressed by a section that only those below 15 years should be described as juvenile.

Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council, which has framed and helped frame many landmark legislations like RTI is likely to be involved in the whole exercise.

Sources said the women and child development ministry, headed by Krishna Tirath, held a marathon meeting with stakeholders on this issue on Friday during which several suggestions have been made.

The ministry will prepare a summary of suggestions received and will submit it to the Justice Verma-headed three-member committee set up to review existing laws and make recommendations for changes in them to effectively check crimes against women.

"There is no government draft till now. The summary that we submit to JS Verma committee will be the first written document on which the new law will be based," sources told.

At the meeting with the protestors at her 10 Janpath residence, Gandhi had favoured fast track courts for trying rape cases with a 90-day cap while party spokesperson Renuka Chowhdary made a strong pitch for chemical castration to rape convicts. Chowdhary such a punishment is already in vogue in various countries and that it had a deterrent effect, sources said.

IMPHAL, December 30: A “Convention for Peace” was organized today at Tarung Community Hall, Thangmeiband organized by the Thangmeiband Block Congress Committee and Langol Tarung Youth Club.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Minister PHED and Labour I Hemochandra Singh, Minister Works and Transport Dr Kh Ratan Kumar Singh, Parliamentary Secretary YAS and Tourism M Prithivraj Singh, MLA Tamei A/C Z Kikonbou, and Secretary MPCC Jyotin Waikhom attended the function as chief guest, guests of honour and president respectively.

Speaking at the convention, RK Lokendrajit, Advisor Thangmeiband Block Congress Committee said the convention was being organized to bring peace and harmony in the state, keeping in view the December 18 Chandel incident and its resulting affect of bandhs from December 22 and also to bring back peace and harmony in the state.

Appreciating Jyotin Waikhom, Secretary MPCC  for conceiving the idea of the peace convention, Prof Gangmumei Kamei  said that the hill and valley people have been coexisting with love and peace for more than 2000 years.

AMWJU President, A Mobi speaking at the convention said the Chandel incident has ended up triggering anger following a series of misdeeds committed by NSCN (IM) and that there is no hatred between communities residing in Manipur. He further said that, many blame came for the media for not publishing their views on the Chandel incident "but considering the seriousness of the issue we avoided those views which will harm public interest."

Speaking at the function, Khiadem Mani Secretary of Manipur Senior Citizens said, the issue which has come up following the Chandel incident do not belong to any particular community. "It is about the issue which is against humanity. The general strikes which were held a few days back is a culmination of anger following the killing of Dr Kishan, Token, Rajen who were killed by the NSCN (IM) etc and negligence by the Government towards the public. He further said that there is a need to deliver a political dialogue whenever conflict occurs.

Speaking to the Media, Minister Works & Transport, Manipur, Kh Ratan Kumar Singh said the peace convention is a unique way to bring all the communities together.

Deputy Chief Minister, Giakhangam who spoke on the occasion said that he condemned the incident of Chandel and Napetpali. He further  said that those who are against the law or against humanity will be punished.

He added, "We must learn how to reconcile among ourselves. The valley people should have their concerns for the hill people and vice versa," and made a point that criminals should be treated as criminals and should not be attached with one's community.

A resolution was also made during the function not to break the brotherhood which have been in place bound for more than 2000 years. the gathering further expressed its condemnation over the incident of Chandel and Napatpali.

IMPHAL, December 30: The United Naga Council has in a press release acknowledged the cooperation and solidarity of the Naga public towards the successful observation of the 72 hours bandh with effect from the midnight of 26th December, 2012 and which ended at midnight of 29th December, 2012 which had been called in Naga areas.

It further said that the peaceful and democratic response of the people in spite of the Christmas season and many scheduled community programs speaks loud and clear of the sentiments of the people.

Regretting the bandh which was called at short notice, thereby inconveniencing various activities and observations of the people, it further said that the spirit of sacrifice and involvement with which inconveniences and difficulties had been borne by the people has sent out a clear message to the world.

IMPHAL, December 30: The 67th Birth Anniversary of Professor Naorem Sanajaoba was observed today at Manipur University Court Room, Canchipur. The Ojha Sanajaoba Memorial Lecture with the theme ‘Human Rights and Humanitarian Laws Contemporary Issues in the NE Region’ was also held at the same venue. The observation function was organized by the Ojha Sanajaoba Memorial Trust (OSMT).

During the observation function, the collected bibliography of Ojha (Prof.) Sanajaoba was released by the Chief Guest of the function Vice Chancellor of Manipur University Prof. H Nandakumar Sharma. The function was also attended by President OSMT, Prof. N Rajmuhon of Manipur University.

Prof. H Nandakumar Sharma delivering his speech said that Prof. Sanajaoba was known to him during the student movement in 1960s especially AMSU. He further said that Prof. Sanajaoba, popularly known as Ojha during his tenure was seen writing books most of the time. He said that Ojha had moved from place to place including domestic and abroad spreading the messages of Human Rights.

Guest of Honour, Prof. Romesh Chandra Borpatra Gohain said that Prof. Sanajaoba was associated with Gauhati University for a long time. He further said that Prof. Sanajaoba was also associated with him and his writing reflects how he was associated with the common people at the grass root level. He lauded Prof. Sanajaoba saying that he was loved by common people.

NEW DELHI, December 30, 2012 (agencies): Amid an outpouring of anger and grief in the country, the body of the 23-year-old medical student who was brutally gang-raped in a moving bus in Delhi, was flown to the national capital from Singapore early this morning and cremated within hours.

The parents of the student and her body were flown to Delhi in a special Air India aircraft. After landing at 4:15 am at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, the plane was taken to its technical area, where Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi were present. Dr Singh and Mrs Gandhi spoke to the family members and consoled them.

The body was then taken to the student's Delhi residence, before being cremated. Minister of State for Home Affairs R P N Singh, West Delhi MP Mahabal Mishra, Delhi BJP chief Vijender Gupta were present at the cremation. The family had sought privacy and the media was not allowed at the crematorium.

The woman was gang-raped and tortured by six men in a moving bus in south Delhi on the night of December 16, a Sunday. A male friend escorting her back home after watching a movie at a mall was also beaten badly by the men on the bus. The attackers then threw the couple out of the bus at a flyover, where they were found by a passer-by who called the police.

The young woman fought hard to survive. In the Intensive Care Unit of the Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi she scribbled messages while on life support to tell her family that she wanted to live. She also asked if her assailants had been caught. The six men accused of the horrific assault have been arrested and were yesterday charged with murder. The government has promised daily hearings in the trial, which is expected to begin this week on January 3.

A team of top doctors, who attended to the girl praised her for her grit and fighting spirit. But the damage to her body was too severe. In India she underwent three major surgeries in 10 days - including one in which her intestines had to be removed - and also suffered a cardiac arrest. Last Wednesday, as her condition worsened, she was taken in an air ambulance to Singapore and was being treated at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital, which specialises in multi-organ transplant facilities.

But the hospital said that the best efforts of a team of eight doctors could not help the young woman, so grievous were her injuries. She died early on Saturday morning, after severe organ failure. Her parents were by her side.

India woke up on Saturday to the news that the young woman had died; while she fought for life in hospital for 13 days, there were massive protests in the capital and in other cities demanding speedy justice, more stringent anti-rape laws and better security for women. Demonstrations turned violent last weekend when the police tried to stop protesters from marching towards Rashtrapati Bhavan.

When she died, the protesters went silent in mourning. Thousands of people poured out onto the streets yesterday to light candles; some lay on the roads with black bands across their mouths and some just marched. All of them grieved.

IMPHAL, December 23: Sr Advocate N Kumar singh addressed a press meet at his residence today regarding the establishment of a New High Court of Manipur in the state and demand for appointment and absorbtion of the judges. Elaborating on the violation of the quota for Manipur in the appointment of judges of the High Court and why the High Court Bar Association, Manipur  launched the agitation for abstention from attending court works with effect from November 8, he said that no Judges from the Common Gauhati High Court can be absorbed in the High Court of Manipur except thetwo elevated from Manipur. He also said the High Court of Manipur should be installed to be a High Court consisting of 7(seven) Judges for rendering effective administration of Justice.

Kumar also revealed that despite various representations to th authorities concerned including the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, Union Minister Law & Justice,Chief Minister Manipur, Minister Law, Manipur and others, the Bar has not got a reasonable assurance regarding the demands from the authorities concerned.

N Kumar further requested the authorities concerned to consider and  address the grievances of the Bar in public interest at an early date so that the members of the Bar could resume the Court Works without further delay.

New Delhi, Dec 30, 2012: A series of peaceful marches and protests held in the capital, including one at Jantar Mantar, to mourn the death of the 23-year-old gangrape victim even as India Gate and Raisina Hill were kept out of bounds for people.

People from different sections of the society and from different corners protested at Jantar Mantar to mourn the passing away of the brave heart.

They are demanding stricter laws against the rapists.

Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit requested Home Minister SushilKumar Shinde to lift restrictions on holding peaceful demonstration in memory of the victim in and around India Gate.

The students announced that they will hold a night vigil at the same spot on New Year Eve demanding strong laws to punish sexual offenders.

Activists of Left parties staged a peace march from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar led by CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat.

She said there was a need for fixing accountability.

"Unless we do this, such incidents will repeat," she said.

Asked about sexist comments by politicians, she said it shows the mindset of people and that "action should be taken against them in Parliament".

At Jantar Mantar, a number of people sat on a silent protest.

However, later there were sloganeering and demands for immediate punishment of the culprits.

The mourners also protested against the security lock down of India Gate and Raisina Hill where violent demonstrations were witnessed last weekend over the rape.

People started gathering at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi at around 10 AM and sat in silence.

5 out of 10 Metro Stations reopen
Five out of the ten metro stations in Central Delhi, that were closed down for an indefinite period in the wake of the death of the gangrape victim, were opened this afternoon.


The stations which opened are Pragati Maidan, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, Rajiv Chowk and Patel Chowk.

However, Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhawan, Race Course, Jor Bagh and Khan Market stations will remain closed till further orders.

However, inter-change facility will be available at the Central Secretariat station, DMRC officials said.

The decision to close down the Metro stations was taken by the Delhi Police which is making all out efforts to prevent protesters from reaching India Gate.

They have already cordoned off the entire India Gate area.

Police had last week as well closed down Metro stations to prevent protesters from reaching the protest sites.

IMPHAL, December 30: “The Chief Minister's announcement of a new policy towards bringing about an equal development in hill and valley districts and an egalitarian development among all ethnic groups in Manipur, and to set up a body which will have representatives from all the ethnic communities including intellectuals and representatives from various fields on the occasion of the 127th Foundation Day of Indian National Congress on the 28th December 2012 at the Congress Bhavan, Imphal is truly a welcomed step. It is a historic announcement with a new vision for Manipur. It shall be a New Year's Gift of 2013 of the SPF Government to the people of Manipur,” said the Council of Tribal Languages & Literature Societies, Manipur in a release.  

The council further appealed Chief Minister and the state government to ensure that the state budget of the Education Department should not continue to be discriminatory. "There is no fund for tribal languages in the State Budget of Education Department, Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (BOSEM), Council of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur (COHSEM), etc. since the inception Manipur state. 10 tribal languages out of 34 were approved for introduction in the school without providing fund for them,” it said.

New Delhi, Dec 30, 2012: Seven more persons fell prey to biting cold wave in UP where death toll due to the harsh weather touched 69 on Sunday, while most other parts of North India also shivered and fog disrupted rail and air traffic.

The National capital had a gloomy weather as the fog returned after four days, and the maximum temperature was recorded at 17 degree Celsius, a drop of four notches.

The minimum was recorded at 7.7 deg C. The fog also affected the schedule of about 50 flights, according to airport sources.

However, the meteorological department today forecast a clear sky with mist in the morning for tomorrow.

In Uttar Pradesh, severe cold wave claimed seven more lives pushing the death toll this winter to 69.

Two people died in Barabanki district and one each in Gonda, Deoria, Ballia, Banda, and Hamirpur districts.

Maximum temperature continued to be below normal by 6 to 11 deg C in parts of the state and the lowest minimum temperature was 0.7 deg C at Lucknow airport.

Normal life in most parts of Punjab and Haryana was crippled due to the fog, which threw rail and road traffic out of gear.

However, minimum temperature in the region rose due to cloudy sky.

While most of the flights from Chandigarh airport were cancelled or re-scheduled, several trains criss-crossing the region were running hours behind the schedule due to low visibility.

Hisar was the coldest place in the plains of Punjab and Haryana with a low of 2.2 deg C, four notches below normal.

Mercury plummeted in northern parts of Rajasthan with Shri Ganganagar freezing at a low of 0.6 deg C, 4 degrees below normal.

Himachal Pradesh remained under the grip of cold wave as night temperatures dropped by one to three notches.

Keylong in tribal Lahaul and Spiti district and Kalpa in adjoining tribal district of Kinnaur recorded minimum temperatures at minus 7.6 degree and minus 3.8 degrees respectively.

Chennai, Dec 30, 2012: The Indian cricket team capped off the year with another loss, going down by six wickets to Pakistan in the first ODI between the two sides at the Chepauk in Chennai on Sunday.

India, put in to bat in trying conditions, managed 227 for six, largely thanks to a superlative unbeaten century from captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (113 not out).

Nasir Jamshed (101 not out) and Younis Khan (58) made light work of the chase as Pakistan scored 228 for four with 11 balls to spare.

Things though could have been different for the hosts had they held on to the catches and if a few decisions had gone their way.

Nevertheless, it was a ruthless performance from a Pakistan side boasting of many youngsters.

Pakistan's chase got off to the worse possible start as they lost Mohammad Hafeez on the very first ball of their innings.

Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, who impressed in the two-match Twenty20 series a few days ago, again gave India the breakthrough with an inswinging delivery

With the new ball jagging around, Pakistan batsmen were put under tremendous pressure.

Azhar Ali, playing his 12th ODI, failed to handle the pressure and lobbed an easy catch to Rohit Sharma off the bowling of Bhuvaneshwar Kumar.

With Pakistan reeling at 21 for two, in walked Younis Khan and showed his experience stringing a match-winning 112-run partnership with Jamshed.

India removed Younis and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (16) to put the cat among the pigeons.

Jamshed too could have been dismissed but a rare dropped catch from Yuvraj Singh gave him another chance.

Lady luck was with the visitors as Shoaib Malik (34 not out) was caught behind on a no-ball.

After that the Pakistani batsmen didn't leave anything to chance and slowly but surely reached the target without any more hiccups.

Earlier, India made a disastrous start to their innings but were rescued by a heroic innings from Dhoni.

India crumbled to 29 for five by the 10th over, with four batsmen being bowled by pacer Junaid Khan.

Mohammed Irfan (1/58) and Junaid Khan (4/43) took advantage of a fairly green wicket and damp and moist conditions in the morning to rattle the Indian top-order.

Their excellent opening spells saw India's five top-order batsmen -- Gautam Gambhir (8), Virender Sehwag (4), Virat Kohli (0), Yuvraj Singh (2) and Rohit Sharma (4) -- fail to get into double figures.

However, from thereon, Suresh Raina (43) and Dhoni tried to stabilise the innings and struck a slow but steady 73-run partnership to get the hosts out of trouble.

After steadying the ship, Raina also departed when he was bowled by spinner Mohammed Hafeez with the score reading 102/6 in the 34th over.

In came local boy Ravichandran Ashwin (31 not out) who struck a record unbeaten seventh wicket partnership of 125 runs off 100 balls with his skipper to see India past the 200-mark. This was India's best seventh wicket partnership so far.

Dhoni displayed his big-hitting prowess in the death overs destroying the figures of Irfan and Junaid. He hit seven boundaries and three sixes, including one to reach his eighth ODI ton.

Despite tiring out, he stuck there eventually taking his team to a fighting total.

This was India's final match of a year that has seen them win just two series -an ODI series against Sri Lanka and a Test series win over New Zealand.

London, Dec 29, 2012: Oxfam, an international organisation intending to eliminate poverty, has criticised the way in which Africa is depicted to United Kingdom (UK) audiences. In a press release, the charity said the continent was being portrayed in an "overwhelmingly negative" way which is "undermining popular support for efforts to bring an end to hunger on the continent". Dame Barbara Stocking, CEO of Oxfam, has said the way in which the continent is being depicted to UK audiences "is obscuring the progress that is being made towards a more secure and prosperous future".

Oxfam cited a survey of 2000 people conducted by marketing research company YouGov, suggesting three fifths of people have become less sensitive towards footage containing persons suffering from such problems as drought, disease and hunger, while 23% avoid looking at footage of this nature upon sighting it. Oxfam said the way in which broadcast media portrays developing nations, including those in Africa, was perceived to be "depressing, manipulative and hopeless" by those surveyed. Stocking believes "it’s a natural instinct to turn away from suffering when you feel you can do nothing to alleviate it."

47% of respondents considered hunger to be one of the three largest issues for Africa next year. 43% of respondents thought media portrayal of conditions for persons living in developing areas suggested no hope for improvement. In the 2011 Human Development Report, published by the United Nations Development Programme, over three fourths of the 46 countries ranked under the 'Low Human Development' category — the lowest-ranking category in the Human Development Index — were African. The Democratic Republic of the Congo ranked lowest on the list; the other fourteen entries in the bottom fifteen of this category were all African nations. Stocking has said Oxfam does not mean to "gloss over" issues surrounding African citizens at a significant risk of harm and stressed that malnutrition rates "remain stubbornly high".

However, of people surveyed only one fifth believed they could actively assist in eliminating food poverty in Africa. Meanwhile, 74% believed it is possible to eventually resolve the issue of hunger in Africa.

"[W]e’ve come a long way since the 1980s and Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas?," Stocking said. Band Aid, a charity supergroup created by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, was formed following the broadcasting of footage of Ethiopian citizens experiencing a famine in the mid 1980s.

"We need to shrug off the old stereotypes and celebrate the continent’s diversity and complexity," Stocking said, concluding: "If we want people to help fight hunger we have to give them grounds for hope by showing the potential of countries across Africa".

IMPHAL, Dec 29: The State Government has decided to give a compensation of Rs five lakhs to the family of late Thangjam Dwijamani and also appoint his wife as a Primary Teacher.

Thangjam Dwijamani (Nanao) was killed in police firing while on duty covering a protest demonstration against molestation of a film actress and firing at two other male artistes by one S/S Lt Col Livingstone of NSCN-IM at Chandel district head- quarters during a musical concert.

A decision to this effect was adopted at a Cabinet me-eting presided by Chief Mi- nister O Ibobi this evening.

Already, one ASI, and Constable driver of Lamphel Police, and nine VDF personnel have been placed un- der suspension in connection with the killing of Dwijamani.

speaking to media persons after the meeting, Government spokesman and Education Minister M Okendro said that the Cabinet has given its consent to offer a Government job of Primary Teacher to Thangjam (O) Narmada, wife of late Dwijamani.

It was also agreed to extend service period of national awardee teachers by two years and state awardees by one year and a half as ack-nowledgement of professional excellence.

Taking serious note of the Justice Wardhwa Commission’s observation that politi- cians and UG groups have been denying PDS facilities to the common people of Ma-nipur, the Cabinet meeting resolved to streamline and strengthen PDS in the State.

New measures outlined by the Cabinet meeting for strengthening PDS included selection of transporters through open tender, appointment of eight Inspectors, five Delivery Assistants, 43 computer operators, 64 drivers and two stenographers (Grade 2) on contract basis.

These drivers who would be appointed anew would deliver PDS goods to consumers directly and their vehicles would be fitted with GPRS equipment, said Okendro who also holds the portfolio of CAF&PD Department.

The Cabinet meeting further agreed to a plot of 2.26 acres to Industries Department for developing a trade cum exhibition centre. The said plot located at Hafiz Hatta was earlier leased out to a private society. It was also agreed to provide another plot of 168.06 acres located at Kakching Kuraopokpi to Industries Department for developing second timber park of India.

Certain other resolutions about opening joint accounts and counter signatures for better implementation of MGNREGS in hill districts were also adopted at the Cabinet meeting, Okendro conveyed.

IMPHAL, Dec 29, 2012 : In the backdrop of unrest over separate cases of molestation, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam vehemently condemning the Chandel and Napetpalli incidents claimed that strong instructions have been given to all the police stations to remain strict vigil for preventing recurrence of such incidents.

Insisting that any attempt to outrage modesty of womenfolk/girls will not be tolera- ted, Gaikhangam, who also holds the Home portfolio opined that a strong and vigilant police force has become inevitable to thwart devilish acts of anti-social elements.

Responding to queries from newspersons on the sidelines of the 156th birth anniversary celebration of patriot Bir tikendrajit at Congress Bhavan here today, he described as both unfortunate and regretful that crime against womenfolk including rape and molestation frequently taking place not only in the State but throughout the world.

The birth anniversary celebration organised by Mani- pur Pradesh Congress Committee was also attended by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and his council of ministers as well as CLP members.

Noting that in some middle east countries, rapists are promptly given death sentence, the Deputy CM strong- ly mooted that a stringent legislation to check or discourage crime against women is needed in the State.

asserting that the Government is determined to tackle crime against women in an effective manner, Gaikhangam confided that relevant official procedures to enact such a law is already under process.

Hinting at framing an effective law that would deter crime against women, he pointed out that law enforcement agencies have an im- portant role to play to protest modesty of the womenfolk in the State.

To another poser on steps to free the National Highways from frequent bandhs/blockades, the Home Minister maintained that consequent to the Supreme Court ruling against bandh/blockade the State Government too is against disruption caused to vehicular movement.

Informing that CRPF units are being stationed at various strategic points of the National Highways to prevent highway sabotage, he exuded confidence that in case the Government's plan to recruit about 2000 State forces materialises security environment along the National Highways would significantly improve.

The fresh recruitment, if successful, will enable the Government to deploy/station State security forces in all the hill district headquarters and effectively sanitise the highways from disruptive elements as well as provide logistic support for expeditious completion of ongoing projects such as rail-line construction and Loktak Downstream programme, explained the Deputy CM.

Conceding that hill district police stations are facing shortages of security force man-power, Gaikhangam said in some of these police stations security personnel are not provided arms due to apprehension of being overpowered by armed insurgents.

In other to address existing law and order problems and boost the security mechanism all out efforts are being made to recruit more State security force personnel despite financial problems besetting the State Government, he said.

With regard to the ongoing tussle in the Imphal Municipal Council on the issue of removing the Council Chairperson, the State unit Congress chief confided that meetings with individual Councillors are underway to assess the situation and consider their respective viewpoints.

Inspite of hinting that a change of guard is inevitable, Gaikhangam declined to comment on who the new incumbent would be.

Meanwhile, Newmai News Network quoted the Deputy CM as saying that two freedom fighters from Manipur - Bir Tikendrajit and Rani Gaidinliu - have been selected by the All India Congress Committee to honour them in connection with the 127th anniversary of the Indian national Congress.

Two freedom fighters each from every state of India has been selected by AICC to pay respect to the late freedom fighters by the respective state Congress parties, he informed.

Both Bir Tikendrajit and Rani Gaidinliu fought against the British to safeguard Manipur, he said and added Gaidinliu was imprisoned for 14 years in jail for being repellent against the British.

MPCC observes the birth anniversary of Tikendrajit to pay homage to him, Gaikhangam said, adding birth anniversary of Rani Gaidinliu will also be observed by MPCC in January next year.

Cuba, dec 29, 2012: Ailing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez today said he is "fighting for his health" in Cuba as he recovers from cancer surgery.

"During this Christmas season... I have had to fight for my health again, in order to continue devoting myself completely for the happiness of Venezuela," Chavez said in a message read by Vice President Nicolas Maduro.

He thanked the "commitment and loyalty" of his supporters "in this very difficult time."

Maduro announced that he was heading a government delegation to Cuba to visit Chavez for the first time since the December 11 surgery, saying Electricity Minister Hector Navarro would assume the vice presidency during his absence.

Maduro did not specify how long the group would stay in Havana. Chavez, 58, the face of the Latin American left for more than a decade and a firebrand critic of US "imperialism," has been in power since 1999.

He won another six-year term in October's presidential election, and is scheduled to be sworn in on January 10, but his health has raised concerns over the future of his leftist movement -- and whether he will even be well enough to attend the inauguration.

On Monday, the Venezuelan government said there had been a "slight improvement" in his condition as he recovers from a post-operative respiratory infection.

Officials have never disclosed the type or severity of Chavez's cancer, which was first diagnosed in June 2011, and he only designated a political successor -- Maduro -- earlier this month.

The Venezuelan leader had, in fact, asserted before embarking on his arduous re-election campaign earlier this year that he was cancer-free. But he was later forced to admit he had suffered a relapse.

IMPHAL, Dec 29: Though there were reports of arson on the first two days of the 72 hours bandh called by the United Naga Council (UNC), no such incidents were reported on the third day and it culminated on a peaceful note.

Barely one hour before the bandh came into effect, two rice laden trucks were set ablaze near Senapati ADC office. Three more vehicles were also set ablaze yesterday at Chawangkining under Kangpokpi police station yesterday.

Even as UNC maintained that all these cases of arson were not related with their bandh, police claimed that those miscreants which torch-ed three vehicles at Chawang- kining were suspected to be bandh supporters.

Apart from these two sepa-rate cases of burning five vehicles, there were no other reports of more untoward incidents during the 72 hours bandh.

Meanwhile, the Risophung Island and Leishiphung Joint Action Committee which was constituted in the wake of the reported molestation of a minor girl at Napetpalli on December 24 evening has handed over the same case to the UNC and Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) for further action.

For further course of action, UNC and TNL are consulting the matter between them. As of now, no definite decision has been taken, informed a source.

Singapore, Dec 29, 2012: The 23-year-old victim of the brutal gang rape and assault in Delhi that had triggered an outrage across India died early Saturday morning in Singapore after putting up a brave battle for life for nearly a fortnight.

The body of the victim was flown to the Indian capital shortly after midnight, hours after she died at a Singapore super speciality hospital.

The body was ferried to Delhi in a chartered Air India plane AIC-380A that took off around 12:30 AM local time (10:00 PM IST), Indian High Commission officials said.

The girl, who was shifted to Singapore on December 27 from the Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, breathed her last at 4:45 AM (2:15 AM IST), at Singapore's Mount Elizabeth Hospital, where she was treated.

On the chartered plane, sent by the Indian government, were her family members who have been in Singapore since the girl was brought to the hospital here in an extremely critical condition.

The victim, who underwent three surgeries at Safdarjung Hospital, was gang-raped and brutally assaulted on December 16 by six men in a moving bus in Delhi. The assault had damaged her internal organs. She also suffered a cardiac arrest and brain injury.

"We are very sad to report that the patient passed away peacefully at 4.45 AM on 29 Dec 2012 (Singapore time)," the Singapore hospital's Chief Executive Officer Dr Kelvin Loh said in a statement.

"Her family and officials from the High Commission of India were by her side. The Mount Elizabeth Hospital team of doctors, nurses and staff join her family in mourning her loss," the statement said.

Indian High Commissioner T C A Raghavan told reporters that the girl, who was conscious, fought a brave battle till the end.

He said the final few hours was a trying time for the girl's family and they bore the entire process with a great deal of fortitude and courage.

New Delhi, Dec 29, 2012: Promising swift and fitting punishment for the Delhi gang-rape accused, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Saturday said the nation's "beloved daughter" will get justice and her fight will not go in vain.

"As a woman and mother, I understand how you feel. I appeal you to remain calm and help strengthen our collective resolve to fight the menace of violence against women," Gandhi, who is also the UPA Chairperson, said in a televised address.

"Today all Indians feel as they have lost their own beloved daughter, their cherished sister, a young woman of 23 whose life full of hope, dream and promise was ahead of her. Our hearts go out to her parents, family, the whole country shares their pain," she said.

Appealing for peace and calm in wake of the tragic incident, Gandhi said, "Today we pledge that she will get justice and that her fight will not go in vain".

The Congress President said that the tragedy "strengthens our resolve to fight with all our might and with all the powers of our laws and our administration for the safety and protection of all women of our country and to ensure swift and fitting punishment for the perpetrators of such acts. "It deepens our determination to battle the pervasive shameful social attitudes and mindsets that allow men to rape and molest women and girls with such impunity."

As people hit the streets expressing their outrage over the tragedy, Gandhi said "to all of you who have expressed their anger and anguish publicly, who have poured out in her support, I want to assure you that your voice has been heard."

Gandhi had on Friday sought speedy action against the perpetrators of the "barbarous" attack and had hoped the victim undergoing treatment in Singapore recovered. Choosing to skip her customary New Year wishes on the sidelines of the 127th Foundation Day of Congress at AICC headquarters, Gandhi had said.

Rahul condoles death of rape victim, calls for introspection

As people's anger over the death of Delhi gangrape victim spilled out into the streets, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi calls for introspection and resolve to ensure the security and dignity of women.

"My heart goes out to the family of the young girl and millions of young Indians, families who work, hope and pray for a better India. We as a nation must reflect on the events of the days gone by," Rahul said, offering his deep condolences to the young girl's family.

As citizens, we must resolve to respect the dignity of women and follow the laws of the land, he said.

"I join my mother and sister in offering deep felt condolences to the young girl's family, My thoughts and prayers are with the family," Rahul said in his message.

Chennai, Dec 29, 2012: Honours shared in the T20 series, arch rivals India and Pakistan are now set for what is likely to be an exhilarating three-match ODI series showdown but weather gods could prove to be the dampener in the opening clash in Chennai on Sunday.

If the Twenty20 matches were any indication, the ODI series is bound to leave the fans asking for more but the only concern is the rain that has lashed the city and is not expected to relent even on Sunday.

It has been raining in Chennai since last night and the met office has predicted light to heavy showers for Sunday, which raises the possibility of the day match being called off without even a ball being bowled.

But if the weather gods do smile, the two teams could set the temperatures soaring given that their key players seem to be in good form.

For India, the biggest positive to emerge from the two Twenty20 games gone by was Yuvraj Singh's fantastic form.

The left-hander was nothing short of inspiring with the bat smashing a 36-ball 72, which included seven sixes, in the second T20 and is set to be back in the ODI fold after the Player of the Tournament-winning show in the 2011 World Cup.

But the top-order would be a concern given that both the openers -- Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir -- have not been in the best of touch in the recent past. Both of them struggled immensely in the demoralising Test series defeat to England.

Virat Kohli, at number three, has also not been in form to an extent and these three would have to get their act together for India to be dominant in the batting department.

In the middle-order, it could be a toss up between Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma while Yuvraj and Suresh Raina are expected to make the rest of the batting line-up.

On the bowling front, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who made a dream T20 debut by grabbing 3/9, could be handed an ODI cap as well for his impressive show in the shortest format.

After a decent outing in the T20s, Ishant Sharma would be leading the pace attack with Ashok Dinda and Bhuvneshwar as his likely partners.

The spin department would be spearheaded by local star R Ashwin in all likelihood, even though he has been far from impressive of late.

For Pakistan, it would be a change of leaders as Misbah-ul-Haq would be captaining the ODI side.

The temperamental side, which is exceptional one day and ordinary the other, also has solid performers in the line-up and should prove quite a handful for the hosts.

The openers -- Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed -- have settled down nicely into their roles. Hafeez, in fact, has been calmness personified in a mercurial team, as was evident from his Man of the Series-winning performance in the T20s against the arch-rivals.

Old warhorse Younis Khan would lend the much-required stability, while the Akmal brother --Umar and Kamran -- will provide the spark in a strong middle-order.

Pakistan have the clear edge over India as far as bowling is concerned with Umar Gul being the most potent pacer. Saeed Ajmal's spin has always troubled the Indians even though the hosts did take him to task in the second T20.

New Delhi, Dec 29, 2012: Iconic football club Mohun Bagan was on Saturday handed a two-year ban from the I-League by the All India Football Federation for abandoning the violence-marred derby match against East Bengal on December 9.

The decision was taken by the I-League Core Committee, which also declared all of club's matches in the "I-League Competition 2012-2013 cancelled and considered null and void."

"The I-League Core Committee of the AIFF received the detailed Report dated 26th December 2012 of the Hon'ble Justice A K Ganguly relating to I-League Match No. 68 between Kingfisher East Bengal (KEB) and McDowell Mohun Bagan (MMB) played at Yuba Bharati Stadium, Salt Lake City Kolkata on 9 December 2012," the AIFF said in a statement.

"Justice Ganguly in his report has concluded that the decision of MMB for not playing the match after the interval cannot be supported on the grounds of Force Majeure and accordingly MMB has breached Regulation 22 of the I-League Regulation 2012-2013.

"The I-League Core Committee endorsed the decision of Justice A K Ganguly that MMB was in breach of I-League regulations and therefore in terms of regulation 22(c) the mandatory and automatic impositions on MMB (i) of being considered to have withdrawn from the I-League Competition 2012-2013 (ii) to have all its matches in the I-League Competition 2012-2013 cancelled and considered null and void (all points, goals scored and goal against being taken away); (iii) being disqualified from taking part in the next two (2) editions of the I-League Competitions; (iv) to return to the I-League any financial stipends that had been paid to it by I-League throughout the Competition 2012-2013 or forfeit the right to the same, are hereby notified to have been imposed upon and effective with immediate effect," the statement said.

The more than century-old club, the most famous in the country with a rich history behind it, that was in some way also connected with India's rise in nationalism in the initial phases of freedom struggle, however, would be allowed to play in Federation Cup -- India's premier knock-out tournament -- and other domestic tournaments, including the local league.

Mohun Bagan will also not get a direct entry to the I-League first division and will have to come through the second division league, a top AIFF official told a news agency.

This will effectively means that Mohun Bagan will lose four I-League seasons, including the current one (2012-13) in which it has played nine matches before the fateful derby, as it will have to play in the 2015-16 I-League second division to qualify for the 2016-17 top division.

"Mohun Bagan's ban will continue till 2014-15 season and they can play in the 2015-16 second division I-League to qualify for 2016-17 I-League first division," I-League Chief Executive Officer Sunando Dhar said.

Another top AIFF official said that Mohun Bagan cannot appeal to the Asian Football Confederation or the world governing body FIFA against the AIFF's decision.

"I don't think Mohun Bagan can appeal to AFC or FIFA. They can appeal to the AIFF Executive Committee. Of course, they can go to a civil court against the AIFF decision," the official said.

The Kolkata giants had refused to take the field in the second half of their match against East Bengal citing 'security fears' after their key player Syed Rahim Nabi was hit on the face by a stone hurled from the stands. The star India player underwent a surgery to set right two fractured bones, and will be out of action for at least six weeks.

The decision to ban Mohun Bagan for two seasons was the harshest handed to any football club in the country, old timers said.

"I have never come across any such long ban to any club in the country. There were bans on players and short ban, say one match or two match like that, never such a long ban. It is a bit harsh," one football expert said.

Sydney, Dec 29, 2012: Former England captain and celebrated commentator Tony Greig passed away after losing his battle with lung cancer in Sydney on Saturday.

Greig was 66. He breathed his last at a hospital here after being brought in a "critical condition".

He was diagnosed with lung cancer in October this year after undergoing treatment for what was initially thought to be bronchitis in May.

He underwent tests after the World Twenty20 Championships in Sri Lanka and it was revealed that there was a small lesion at the base of his right lung.

"On his return to Australia he had fluid removed from the right lung and testing revealed he had lung cancer," the 'Sydney Morning Herald' reported.

Greig's son Mark told a newspaper that his father's cancer had progressed to "stage four".

While commentating during the coverage of the first Australia-South Africa in November, Greig spoke about the disease.

"It's not good. The truth is I've got lung cancer. Now it's a case of what they can do," Greig had said.

Born in Queenstown, South Africa, Greig qualified to play for England due to his Scottish parentage. His father was a Scot.

In his 58-match Test career, Greig scored 3,599 runs and picked up 141 wickets. In 22 ODIs that he played, Greig scored 269 runs and managed 19 wickets.

Greig was a leading international all-rounder for England. Considered a controversial figure, he helped Kerry Packer start the World Series Cricket by signing up many English as well as some West Indian and Pakistani cricketers.

The move ended up costing him England's captaincy.

The best performance of Greig's captaincy career came in 1976-77, when England toured India for a five-Test series.

The team had not won there for 15 years but went on to score one of their most convincing triumphs when they clinched the first three Tests by huge margins.

Greig turned into a successful commentator following the end of his playing career in 1977 and was forthright with his views.

He was one of the most bitter critics of BCCI's opposition to the Decision Review System.

IMPHAL, December 29, 2012: Tension runs high at Kamjong in Ukhrul district as the dead bodies of the two hunters lie in state amidst series of meetings carried out by all the frontal organizations of Ukhrul districts. The dead bodies of K. Kuma (48) and Ramshang (40), both from Kongkan village will be taken to Ukhrul district on Sunday morning and will be followed by a public meeting. The two hunters were killed by gunmen yesterday.

Meanwhile, Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) President Yangmi Kapai said though tension is running high, they are appealing for calm. “We are appealing everyone to restrain themselves from indulging in any violent activity,” said Yangmi Kapai. He said the situation has been tense in the aftermath of the indefinite bandh in the valley districts as a result of the Chandel incident. “Yesterday’s killing incident has added fuel in the fire,” the TKS chief stated.

Meanwhile, the Assam Rifles claimed that not long back it had come to the rescue of two warring villages Phungyar and  Sihai at the picnic spot between the two villages.

“This time again the Assam Rifles ventured into thick jungles in proximity to IB ie Khongkhan area on December 27 after firing shots were heard by villagers of Khongkhan. Police party being lesser in number and the area being believed to be highly frequented by undergrounds of all hues, the Assam Rifles with the usual gusto rushed out along with police personnel,” the Assam Rifles said today.

In the incident, two Tangkhul villagers of Khongkhan (near Kamjong /Chassad) were allegedly shot by valley based insurgents on December 27, the Assam Rifles alleged.  “The villagers had gone for hunting deep inside the jungles prior to the incident. Exact details are still being ascertained. The incident assumed significance especially in light of the Livingstone issue which has already allegedly caused rift between the communities. The molestation incident had let to bandhs and the counters bandhs in the Imphal Valley,” the Assam Rifles added.

“Consequent to the incident, the AR Bn at Kamjong, Chassad engaged the locals, prominent people and headmen.
All were requested to refrain from violent activities, remain peaceful and true to earlier spirit and traditions of Assam Rifles, harmony was retained. The Police was extended full assistance by the Assam Rifles to recover the bodies of the deceased. As a supporting gesture, protection was provided to about eight valley trader families who are working in Chassad. Frontal organizations in Ukhrul, the district administration, Police and Assam Rifles are coordinating efforts for peaceful resolution of the situation. Investigations are presently on to ascertain the exact cause of the incident. Assam Rifles continues to maintain calm and peace in the area and coordinate and assist various agencies in resolving the issue as in the past,” the Assam Rifles said.

Johannesburg, Dec 28: The South African government has reported that former President Nelson Mandela has been discharged from a hospital in Pretoria, where he was hospitalised December 8. Mandela received hospital treatment for gallstones and a lung infection.

Presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj said Mandela "will undergo home-based high care at his Houghton home until he recovers fully".

Mandela was hospitalised for eighteen days, his longest hospitalisation since 1990, when he was released from prison after 27 years.

Current president Jacob Zuma visited Mandela in hospital this past weekend. Zuma visited Mandela again on Christmas, as did Graca Machel, Mandela's wife.

Mandela has been hospitalised three times since the start of last year. In January 2011, Mandela received hospital treatment for an acute respiratory infection.

Mandela, aged 94, has a history of health problems. Work at a Robben Island limestone quarry, where he was imprisoned for sixteen years during South Africa's Apartheid, damaged his eyes and lungs. During the 1980s, while still a prisoner on Robben Island, he developed tuberculosis.

Maharaj, once a political prisoner alongside Mandela during Apartheid, expressed thanks for public and media support and allowing Mandela privacy. On behalf of the government, Maharaj also asked for a "continuation of the privacy in order to allow for the best possible conditions for full recovery".

Chennai, Dec 28: President Pranab Mukherjee calls for improvement in quality of higher education in the country in his address at SRM University in Chennai.

President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday presided over the 8th Convocation of the SRM University, Chennai.

Addressing the students and faculty he said, "The private sector has played a key role in higher education in other countries across the world. Many top universities including Harvard, Yale and Stanford are the result of efforts of the private sector. There is no reason why Indian private sector cannot achieve similar results."

The President said universities must satisfy the cause of education and not just to look for their private profit.

"There is a clear view that higher education needs a systematic re-look, so that India can educate much larger numbers without diluting academic standards. The objectives of reform and change in our higher education system must be expansion, excellence and inclusion," he said.

He also stressed on the importance of skilled man power in the country's economic progress.

The President presented the degree to the students, at the Convocation on Friday.

The President also presented the Honorary degree (D. Sc) to Dr P.R. Goyal, an Eminent Physician, at the Convocation.

The Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri K. Rosaiah also attended the convocation.

Mumbai, Dec 28: The BCCI on Friday shifted the third match of the upcoming India-Australia Test series from Kanpur to Hyderabad, citing construction work at the original venue which was criticized for being under-prepared by a Cricket Australia inspection team.

"The Tour, Programme and Fixtures Committee of the BCCI has decided to shift the third Test of the forthcoming AIRTEL Test series between India and Australia from the Green Park, Kanpur to the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad. This change is as per the rotation policy of the Board," BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale said in a statement.

"The change was necessitated because the ongoing construction activity at the Green Park, Kanpur, would not have been completed in time for the Test," Jagdale added.

The BCCI's decision came after a Cricket Australia inspection team expressed dissatisfaction with Green Park's facilities.

"Neither the ACA or Cricket Australia is keen on playing in Kanpur. We've made that known to the BCCI (Indian board) but we haven't received a definitive response yet," the Australian Cricketers' Association chief Paul Marsh had stated.

"The change-room facilities are not up to international standard and there are various issues with the outfield and the pitch. The main thing is there are certain facilities they haven't got that we would expect to be in place for international cricket," Paul added.

India will take on Australia in a four-match Test series, and the other three matches will be played in New Delhi, Mohali and Chennai.

The revised match-schedule is as follows:

First Test -- Delhi (February 22 to 26)
Second Test -- Mohali (March 2 to 6)
Third Test -- Hyderabad (March 14 to 18)
Fourth Test -- Chennai (March 22 to 26).

Doha, Dec 28: India ended the year on a sordid note as they failed to defend their title, losing 4-5 to arch-rivals Pakistan in a high-soring final of the second Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament in Doha on Thursday.

Sans experienced players, a young Indian outfit put up a brave fight before surrendering before their much-experienced opponents, whom they had defeated 2-1 in the round robin stages of the tournament.

It was a neck-and-neck battle between the two sub-continent hockey giants as both the teams scored goals at will before Pakistan used their experience to good effect to emerge as the winners.

By virtue of this win, Pakistan have avenged upon their loss at the hands of India in the title clash of the inaugural edition of the event last year in Ordos, China.

Muhammad Waqas (7th minute, 57th) and Mohammad Imran (48th, 64th) scored a brace each for Pakistan while Shafqat Rasool (42nd) sounded the board once.

For India S V Sunil (9th), vice-captain V R Raguunath (21st), Gurvinder Singh Chandi (55th) and Rupinder Pal Singh (59th) scored a goal each.

The match started on a fast paced note with both the teams going for attack from the onset.

However, it was Pakistan who took the lead when Waqas deflected home from their first penalty corner in the seventh minute after Raghunuath blocked Mohammad Rizwan Sr inside the circle.

But the lead was short lived as Sunil equalised through a field effort, his fourth goal in the tournament, two minutes later.

Raghunath rose to the occasion and beautifully converted a penalty corner in the 21st minute to see India go into the breather with a 2-1 lead.

Mumbai, Dec 28: The BSE benchmark Sensex on Friday closed 121 points higher on buying in energy stocks following reports of a gradual hike in fuel prices amid a firming global trend.

Led by energy major Reliance Industries and ONGC, the Sensex closed 121.04 points up, or 0.63 per cent, to 19,444.84.

The broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty spurted by 38.25 points, or 0.65 per cent, to 5,908.35.

Brokers said energy majors like RIL, ONGC, Indian Oil and Bharat Petroleum remained on the fore-front following reports that the government might gradually increase the diesel price next year to cut subsidies.

They said the uptrend was further supported on a firming global trend as US lawmakers arranged talks with political parties before a budget deadline.

In 30-BSE index kitty stocks, 22 closed with gains while eight surrendered moderate ground led by banking sector on profit-booking from recent upsurge.

The oil and gas sector index gained the most by 2.38 per cent.

The information technologies sector was second best performer by rising 1.21 per cent, while banking sector index declined 0.01 per cent as investor booked profits from the recent surge.

IMPHAL, December 28: The 127th foundation day celebration of the Indian National Congress was observed at Congress Bhavan, Imphal. Speaking at the function, Chief Minister of Manipur Okram Ibobi during his speech as chief guest in PCC Delegate’s Convention said that the state government will set up a policy for holitic development of the State.

The Chief Minister assured that an independent body with a retired Judge as its chairman will be set up soon for a policy towards bringing  about an egalitarian development among all ethnic groups in Manipur.  He mentioned that the policy will empasize on bringing about equal development in both hill and valley districts. The body will have representatives from all the ethnic communities including intellectuals and representatives from various fields, he said.

The Chief Minister regarding the observance said that  the 127th anniversary of INC is being celebrated so to make it relevant to the present generation about the Congress party as well as the political history of India.

He further said that experienced economists from MU, retired judges and other senior scholars will frame a policy for the state government to collect data and statistics for the development of the state. The CM said that despite many hurdles, the congress party came out with 2/3 of the people's mandate reaffirming the faith in the party by the people of Manipur. He stated that the party will work out from all levels to bring development in the state and that the 127th year of the party's existence is apt for remembering the party leaders and founders who fought for the cause of the country.

Presiding over the function of the 127th foundation day celebrations, Deputy Chief Minister and President of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, MPCC Gaikhangam said that the Congress party in India is one party which has been in existence before the independence of India and that it is among one of the oldest 10 political parties in the world. Gaikhangam noted that the Congress party has come out as the most powerful party in the country because of the support of the people and maintained that the party works for peace, unity and prosperity setting aside the differences of colour, race, language and religion. He further said that the foundation day celebration was supposed to have been observed in a big way but due to the current situation in Manipur, the celebration was scaled. In his speech, the Deputy CM said that new and young leaders of the party must follow the footsteps of late congress legends. He also said that the congress party stands for peace and unity in the state. He said that being a Mani
puri, one must think about the state as a whole. He said that both the hill and valley people need to appreciate one another.

Veteran Congress party leader Rishang Keishing who was also present in the function said that that leaders today must not think on an individual basis and that party members and leaders who do not work for the good of the organization should rectify themselves. He observed that the Congress party has now grown weaker and shrunk because the party is full of corrupt people and leaders.“We should love others like we love ourselves and tag along with the footprint of the late leaders of the party in order to strengthen the party,” the octogenarian Congress leader suggested.

Congress ministers, MLAs and a swarm of Congress workers also took part at the function. Later, a convention of the delegates of the Pradesh Congress Committee (PPC) was also organized as part of the anniversary. A condolence session was also held in honor of  Congress workers who were victims of underground elements during the last 10th Manipur general election, 2012.

IMPHAL, December 28: The Manipuri community in Bangalore representing the Manipuri Meitei Association, Bangalore has expressed its regards to all the state media for its kind consideration and mature help in dealing with all the events which directly or indirectly affected the Manipuri community in and around Bangalore specially, during the last North East exodus.

According to release of the association, “As the population of Manipuri community staying outside Manipur is increasing day by day and a very large number of Manipuris already settled outside Manipur. The Manipuri community in Bangalore urged the government of Manipur to draft a special policy for the welfare of this population. There should be strong mechanism to address the concerns and grievances of Manipuri communities staying outside the state.”

“The Manipuri Meitei Association, Bangalore, representing all the communities from

Manipur and staying in Karnataka, pressed strongly the government of

Manipur to set up a MANIPUR BHA V AN in Bangalore,” it further said.

“Thousands of people from Manipur visit Bangalore every year in connection education, employment, diagnosis, pilgrimage, etc. Besides, considering the safety as in the case of North East Exodus of the thousands of Manipuri communities staying in Karnataka, it is an utmost importance to set up Manipur Bhavan in Bangalore,” it said.

“As Manipur is already affected by the influx of foreign nationals, MMAB also supports

the sincere effort to ascertain foreigners in Manipur for taking necessary measures to protect the indigenous Manipuri people. The association also requests all the concerned organizations to consider the proper criteria of foreigners. Some undesirable incidents may cause great difficulties to the lives of thousands of Manipuri communities staying outside Manipur,” it said.

“The association also condemned the recent incident at Chandel. Any uncivilized act of defying woman's respect is extremely regrettable. We also urge the government of

Manipur to bring the anti-social elements involved to book,” it added.

IMPHAL, December 28: A team consisting of various women bodies, church leaders and other organizations visited Riso Phung village to show their support to the victim of the Napet Palli incident.

The team included  of M. Sobita, Co-convenor of United NGOs Mission Manipur; Women Committee and secretary of WAD; Anwari Noorjahan, President of United Manipur Muslim Women Development Organization; Theikho representative of Naga People’s Organization; Daniel, Senior advocate High Court; Panti Gonmei, President of Rongmei Lu Phuam; Namga Gangmei, Church Pastor of Rongmei Lamphel Church; Aphung Siro, Chief of Risophung village and Siro Singyui, advisor of the JAC formed against the Napet Palli incident.

The team strongly condemned the Napet Palli incident in which a young girl was allegedly molested and an attempted rape took place on December 27 evening by three persons who self claimed to be KCP cadres. The team also demanded befitting punishment for the culprits.

Speaking to media persons, Aphung Siro the village chief of Risophung strongly condemned the incident and also appealed to every section of the society not to turn it into a communal issue.  

WAD secretary, Sobita termed the incident as very unfortunate and said that many a times, those accused in rape and molestation cases often get away under the influence of money and power. These kinds of crime against women will continue until and unless the culprits are given befitting punishments. The Napet palli incident and Chandel incident are of the same kind and we should strongly condemn it, she added.

Meanwhile, All Manipur Students’ Union, in a release, has also strongly condemned Napet Palli incident.

IMPHAL, December 28:  A sit in protest was organised today at Iboyaima Sanglen at Hapta Kangjeibung by Film Forum Manipur, Manipur State Sumang Lila, All Manipur Matam Isei Kanglup (AMMIK) and Civil Society Organisation in continuation of protesting against the Chandel incident on December 18. The sit in protest also resolved that further sit in protests and rallies would be held in various parts of the state and demanded that the accused should be booked under the law of the law and be punished. Calling upon the Central Govt and the State Govt to rid of the designated camps of NSCN (IM) from the state, the gathering also called for further investigations into the 24 Dec incident at Napetpalli and that the accused should be booked under the law and punished.Further, it was stressed that the photograph of the NSCN (IM) cadre who has been announced as wanted should be widely circulated in mass media including local cable TV channels and that public protests should be carried out in a democratic manner at the residences of the 60 MLAs and 3 MPs of the state.

Speaking at the program, FRENDS President, Sapamcha Jadumani, said that the Indian Government and the state Government must  immediately remove the NSCN (IM) camps from the state. "If the Government don't take any steps now, then many such incidents will arise in the future," said Jadumani who pointed out that since the the NSCN (IM) and the Central Government are in a peace talk, the culprit can be booked.

Jodhachandra Sanasam, President AMIK who spoke at the sit in protest said, the Government of India sees the state government as timid which clearly shows in the order from the Union Home Minister to Manipur CM to control the Dy CM as reported on  Dec 24 in the Hindu Newspaper. "It clearly depicts that Indian government has a clear cut knowledge about the designated NSCN (IM) camps in our state," he said.Adding that the hill and the valley must join together to make Manipur peaceful while realizing the political tool of divide and rule policy which made by the Indian Government. He also said that the protests against the incident at Chandel is not aimed any particular community but is against the NSCN (IM).

Speaking at the function, UCM President, Nabachandra, said that the state Chief Minister is helpless and cannot take any stand on his own even when it was a matter of the interests of the state. "Even the police force is helpless at the hill areas. They cannot perform any official tasks in the hills but in the valley, they are so powerful that they beat up people protesting peacefully," he said.

Speaking at the function, AMUCO President  KT Rehaman also validated that the issue of protest  is not against any particular community but was the result of pent up emotions of the people over numerous cases of assault committed by the NSCN (IM).

He further requested the public to co-operate and to support protests that would be taken up in both the valley and hill areas.

IMPHAL, December 28: Two hunters were found killed by unidentified persons at a jungle stretch located in between Laishang and Koukang villages in Ukhrul district today evening.  According to police, the two dead persons found today are among the four hunters who had gone for hunting with the other two hunters still missing.

The incident took place at Phungyar sub-division in Ukhrul district under Chassad police station. The exact location where the incident took place is around 8 kilometres away from Chassad police station in a jungle stretch, the police said. Today evening at around 5, villagers of Laishang and Koukang went towards the jungle area after they heard firing of several rounds of bullets and found the two dead bodies.

The two deceased have been identified as K Kumar Tangkhul (54) son of Lethaorhei and K Ramshang (40) son of K Ramyao, both residents of Koukang village. After hearing the news, a combined team of police and 44 Assam Rifles rushed to the area and conducted a spot inquiry and collected the bodies. A case has been registered at Chassad police station in regard to the incident.

New Delhi, Dec 28: Home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said on Friday that the government will take a decision on the Telangana statehood within one month after an all party meet on the issue.

"The meeting was very cordial. Some representatives said decision should be given as early as possible and some said that it should be taken within a month," Shinde told reporters.

He said that he has full faith that there will be a solution to the problems being faced by people of Andhra Pradesh.

Stating that the Friday meeting was the last time all parties would discuss the Telangana issue, Shinde said, "There will be a good decision."

Representatives from eight major political parties from Andhra Pradesh were likely to have attended the meeting on the four-decade-old demand for Telangana. The demand to carve a new state out of the economically less developed part of Andhra Pradesh gathered momentum after the Congress party-ruled government accepted the demand in-principle.

So far, 33 Congress, Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), Praja Rajyam Party and Independent lawmakers hailing from the Telangana region have resigned from parliament as well as the Andhra Pradesh state assembly.

The demand for the separate state has seen violent protests and political power play, with more than 300 people killed between 1969 and 1972.

Srinagar, Dec 28: Northern Railways made history as the first train chugged through India's longest railway tunnel through the Pir Panjal mountain range, connecting Kashmir Valley to Banihal town on Srinagar-Jammu National highway.

The train on a trial run, arrived at Banihal station from Qazigund in Anantnag district of Kashmir, was witnessed by hundreds of local residents of this highway town.

The train chugged in at the station amidst thunderous applause from the people, who had assembled here to witness the historic achievement of Indian railways.

The trial run was scheduled to be conducted on Thursday but had to be postponed following protests by residents of villages falling along Qazigund-Banihal railway link, who were demanding a one-minute halt station for the train at Hillad village.

The protesters, backed by a local politician, tried to block the track on Friday again but were persuaded by the civil administration officials to allow the train to pass. A P Mishra, member of the Railway Board, said the train services between Banihal and Kashmir Valley will start in February or March next year while the entire railway project connecting the Valley with the rest of the country will be completed by 2017.

While the Baramulla-Srinagar-Qazigund link is functional for the past four years, this was the first time that a train has crossed the mighty Pir Panjal Mountain range.

The highlight of the Qazigund-Banihal link is the 11.21 km tunnel the longest railway tunnel in India, which has reduced the distance between the two towns by half.

The tunnel, which was constructed by Hindustan Construction Corporation (HCC), will reduce the travel distance between Qazigund and Banihal from 35 kilometres (by road) to just 17.5 kilometres (by train).

The Pir Panjal tunnel, which is the second longest in Asia, is a vital link in the Railway dream project of connecting Kashmir to Udhampur in Jammu region.

The tunnel is 8.40 metres wide with a height of 7.39 metres. There is a provision of a three metre wide road along the length of the tunnel for the purpose of maintenance and emergency relief.

The rail link will provide an alternative link between Kashmir and rest of the country as Srinagar-Jammu National Highway gets blocked regularly due to heavy snowfall during winter months.

Pune, Dec 28: Ratan Tata, an iconic corporate leader, retired as Chairman of Tata Group after a 50-year run on Friday but kept away from office on his last day at the helm of one of country's oldest business empires.

Tata, who turned 75 on Friday, is in Pune for his birthday, sources at Bombay House, headquarters of the salt-to-software conglomerate, said.

Chairman-designate Cyrus Mistry, who made a visit to Bombay House on Friday, will take charge of the new assignment on Saturday, sources in Tata Sons said.

Mistry was groomed for the assignment by Tata for a year.

The group had earlier announced that he has been appointed chairman with effect from Saturday.

Mistry chose the group company Tata Motors entry-level sedan Indigo Manza to travel to work on the important day, marking an end to an era.

The narrow lane leading to Bombay House, one of the oldest buildings in the heritage Fort area of south Mumbai, has heavy media presence since this morning in anticipation of Tata visiting Bombay House.

Ratan Tata, who helmed the group for 21 years after being chosen successor by his uncle, the iconic JRD Tata, in 1991, is credited with transforming the group through bold decisions including large global acquisitions, even as some of its peers struggled to stay relevant post economic liberalisation.

Mistry, who has been with the group since 2006 in various capacities hails from the Shapoorji Pallonji family, the largest private share holder of the group's holding company Tata Sons.

Born on July 4, 1968, Cyrus Mistry completed his graduation in Civil Engineering from London's Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine and followed it up with a masters in Management from the London Business School.

He was chosen by a 5-member panel last year to succeed Ratan Tata.

During Ratan Tata's tenure, the group's revenues grew manifold, totalling USD 100.09 billion (around Rs 475,721 crore) in 2011-12 from a turnover of a mere Rs 10,000 crore in 1991.

Tata led the group into some notable acquisitions, starting from Tetley by Tata Tea for USD 450 million in 2000, to steelmaker Corus by Tata Steel in 2007 for GBP 6.2 billion and the landmark Jaguar LandRover in 2008 for USD 2.3 billion by Tata Motors.

Courtesy the acquisitions, over half of the salt-to-software group's revenues are derived from outside the country.

Not limiting himself to big-ticket acquisitions, Tata also displayed sensitivity to the needs of the burgeoning middle class with the launch of the Rs one lakh Nano battling the odds in West Bengal. The group was forced to shift the project from Singur, where he was invited by Marxist Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, to Sanand in Gujarat at the invitation of Narendra Modi. Although Nano could not live up to the expectations after its initial worldwide acclaim, the small car will still be remembered as Tata's desire to provide a "safer" option to many Indian lower-middle class families riding two-wheelers.

In a recent interview to a news agency, Tata has said that Singur was a "great disappointment" because he went there "in a leap of faith" thinking that part of the country was being ignored industrially.

Tatas will still go to West Bengal someday, he has said. Under Tata, the group also made great strides when it capitalised on the sunrise industry of information technology in the 90's.

With revenues of over USD 10 billion in 2011-12, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is today India's largest IT company, ahead of giants in the field like Infosys and Wipro.

On his post-retirement plans, Tata, a bachelor, has said he will spend time on technology which is quite a passion with him. He will brush up on his piano, which he learnt as a school boy and pursue flying, apart from his focus on philanthropic activities.