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Mon, 05 March 2018
Discordant note by BJP ally in Meghalaya before swearing-in
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23:54 Discordant note by BJP ally in Meghalaya before swearing-in
The Hills State Peoples Democratic Party, a constituency of the National People's Party-led coalition that would form government in Meghalaya, today said the Bharatiya Janata Party should have been kept out of the alliance as the regional parties together had the required number.
A party meeting also decided that the two MLAs it has will not take part in the swearing-in ceremony of Conrad K Sangma as chief minister tomorrow, HSPDP president Ardent Basaiawmoit told reporters in Shillong.
The HSPDP has won two seats in the election, but its president has lost to an independent candidate by only 76 votes.
"Our stand right from before the election was to have a non-Congress non-BJP government. We now see there is a possibility to have such a government where the NPP-led coalition could have easily been formed with 32 MLAs," Basaiawmoit said.
In the 60-member Assembly with an effective strength of 59, at least 30 seats is required to form majority. Conrad K Sangma has the support of 34 MLAs - his own party the NPP (19 seats), the BJP (2), the UDP (6), the PDF (4), the HSPDP (2) and an Independent.
The Congress was the single largest party bagging 21 seats.
The HSPDP chief said the regional parties together had the required number to form government. The party's two MLAs are signatories to the letter of support to the NPP-led coalition government.
Basaiawmoit led central executive leaders of the party to the residence of United Democratic Party president Donkupar Roy expressing 'disappointment and disagreement' to the proposal made by the UDP that Conrad should be the CM.
The HSPDP had a pre-poll alliance with the UDP.
"This decision was taken unilaterally by the UDP and without consulting us. It is the job of the alliance to decide who should lead the government," he said. He said the HSPDP is waiting for a response from the UDP on the expressions made by the party. The party also prefers an elected MLA of the NPP to take the post of the chief minister and Conrad K Sangma who is an MP, he said. -- PTI
A party meeting also decided that the two MLAs it has will not take part in the swearing-in ceremony of Conrad K Sangma as chief minister tomorrow, HSPDP president Ardent Basaiawmoit told reporters in Shillong.
The HSPDP has won two seats in the election, but its president has lost to an independent candidate by only 76 votes.
"Our stand right from before the election was to have a non-Congress non-BJP government. We now see there is a possibility to have such a government where the NPP-led coalition could have easily been formed with 32 MLAs," Basaiawmoit said.
In the 60-member Assembly with an effective strength of 59, at least 30 seats is required to form majority. Conrad K Sangma has the support of 34 MLAs - his own party the NPP (19 seats), the BJP (2), the UDP (6), the PDF (4), the HSPDP (2) and an Independent.
The Congress was the single largest party bagging 21 seats.
The HSPDP chief said the regional parties together had the required number to form government. The party's two MLAs are signatories to the letter of support to the NPP-led coalition government.
Basaiawmoit led central executive leaders of the party to the residence of United Democratic Party president Donkupar Roy expressing 'disappointment and disagreement' to the proposal made by the UDP that Conrad should be the CM.
The HSPDP had a pre-poll alliance with the UDP.
"This decision was taken unilaterally by the UDP and without consulting us. It is the job of the alliance to decide who should lead the government," he said. He said the HSPDP is waiting for a response from the UDP on the expressions made by the party. The party also prefers an elected MLA of the NPP to take the post of the chief minister and Conrad K Sangma who is an MP, he said. -- PTI
22:33 New Tripura CM to be picked tomorrow; IPFT demands 'respectable' posts
Newly elected MLAs of the Bharatiya Janata Party and its ally, the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura, will meet in Agartala tomorrow to elect their leader amid hard bargaining by the tribal ally, which demanded 'respectable' positions in the new ministry.
Tripura BJP president Biplab Deb, considered a front runner in the race for the chief minister's post, said tomorrow's meeting would be held at the state guest house in the presence of Union minister Nitin Gadkari.
BJP spokesperson Mrinal Kanti Deb said Union minister Jual Oram would also be present.
The swearing-in of the new ministry is likely to be held on March 8 at the Swami Vivekananada Maidan in the heart of the town. It is likely to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, many Union ministers and chief ministers of BJP-ruled states, Biplab Deb said.
Meanwhile, the IPFT today mounted pressure on the BJP, saying it would support the new government from outside if it was not given 'respectable' positions in the ministry.
IPFT chief N C Debbarma also demanded that the chief minister be chosen from the indigenous MLAs.
It is a tradition in the northeast that a chief minister is selected from the indigenous community, he added.
The IPFT would also seek a separate block for its MLAs in the Assembly if it was not given 'respectable' positions in the cabinet, he said.
Asked what he meant by respectable positions, Debbarma said it meant proportionate representation of IPFT MLAs in the cabinet and allocation of major departments to them.
"There is an apprehension that we may not be given proper representation in the cabinet and important portfolios would not be allocated to us as the BJP, the major constituent, has alone secured 35 seats," Debbarma told PTI.
The BJP and the IPFT, he said, had fought the elections in an alliance with the sole target of defeating the CPI-M and it was achieved.
"Now if we are not given respectable positions, we will support the government from outside," he said.
The BJP leadership did not make any comment on the IPFT's demand.
The IPFT had forged an alliance with the BJP before the elections on the basis of a common minimum agenda, which included formation of a high-power committee with representations from the central and state governments and the indigenous community to address the problems of the tribals.
The tribal party had come into being in the late '90s and had campaigned for a separate state for tribals by carving out the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) on the plea that the indigenous people had become marginalised due to the huge migration of people to this state after partition of the country in 1947.
The tribal council area comprises two-third of the state's territory and the tribals form one-third of the population. -- PTI
Tripura BJP president Biplab Deb, considered a front runner in the race for the chief minister's post, said tomorrow's meeting would be held at the state guest house in the presence of Union minister Nitin Gadkari.
BJP spokesperson Mrinal Kanti Deb said Union minister Jual Oram would also be present.
The swearing-in of the new ministry is likely to be held on March 8 at the Swami Vivekananada Maidan in the heart of the town. It is likely to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, many Union ministers and chief ministers of BJP-ruled states, Biplab Deb said.
Meanwhile, the IPFT today mounted pressure on the BJP, saying it would support the new government from outside if it was not given 'respectable' positions in the ministry.
IPFT chief N C Debbarma also demanded that the chief minister be chosen from the indigenous MLAs.
It is a tradition in the northeast that a chief minister is selected from the indigenous community, he added.
The IPFT would also seek a separate block for its MLAs in the Assembly if it was not given 'respectable' positions in the cabinet, he said.
Asked what he meant by respectable positions, Debbarma said it meant proportionate representation of IPFT MLAs in the cabinet and allocation of major departments to them.
"There is an apprehension that we may not be given proper representation in the cabinet and important portfolios would not be allocated to us as the BJP, the major constituent, has alone secured 35 seats," Debbarma told PTI.
The BJP and the IPFT, he said, had fought the elections in an alliance with the sole target of defeating the CPI-M and it was achieved.
"Now if we are not given respectable positions, we will support the government from outside," he said.
The BJP leadership did not make any comment on the IPFT's demand.
The IPFT had forged an alliance with the BJP before the elections on the basis of a common minimum agenda, which included formation of a high-power committee with representations from the central and state governments and the indigenous community to address the problems of the tribals.
The tribal party had come into being in the late '90s and had campaigned for a separate state for tribals by carving out the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) on the plea that the indigenous people had become marginalised due to the huge migration of people to this state after partition of the country in 1947.
The tribal council area comprises two-third of the state's territory and the tribals form one-third of the population. -- PTI
22:32 New Tripura CM to be picked tomorrow; IPFT demands 'respectable' posts
Newly elected MLAs of the Bharatiya Janata Party and its ally, the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura, will meet in Agartala tomorrow to elect their leader amid hard bargaining by the tribal ally, which demanded 'respectable' positions in the new ministry.
Tripura BJP president Biplab Deb, considered a front runner in the race for the chief minister's post, said tomorrow's meeting would be held at the state guest house in the presence of Union minister Nitin Gadkari.
BJP spokesperson Mrinal Kanti Deb said Union minister Jual Oram would also be present.
The swearing-in of the new ministry is likely to be held on March 8 at the Swami Vivekananada Maidan in the heart of the town. It is likely to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, many Union ministers and chief ministers of BJP-ruled states, Biplab Deb said.
Meanwhile, the IPFT today mounted pressure on the BJP, saying it would support the new government from outside if it was not given 'respectable' positions in the ministry.
IPFT chief N C Debbarma also demanded that the chief minister be chosen from the indigenous MLAs.
It is a tradition in the northeast that a chief minister is selected from the indigenous community, he added.
The IPFT would also seek a separate block for its MLAs in the Assembly if it was not given 'respectable' positions in the cabinet, he said.
Asked what he meant by respectable positions, Debbarma said it meant proportionate representation of IPFT MLAs in the cabinet and allocation of major departments to them.
"There is an apprehension that we may not be given proper representation in the cabinet and important portfolios would not be allocated to us as the BJP, the major constituent, has alone secured 35 seats," Debbarma told PTI.
The BJP and the IPFT, he said, had fought the elections in an alliance with the sole target of defeating the CPI-M and it was achieved.
"Now if we are not given respectable positions, we will support the government from outside," he said.
The BJP leadership did not make any comment on the IPFT's demand.
The IPFT had forged an alliance with the BJP before the elections on the basis of a common minimum agenda, which included formation of a high-power committee with representations from the central and state governments and the indigenous community to address the problems of the tribals.
The tribal party had come into being in the late '90s and had campaigned for a separate state for tribals by carving out the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) on the plea that the indigenous people had become marginalised due to the huge migration of people to this state after partition of the country in 1947.
The tribal council area comprises two-third of the state's territory and the tribals form one-third of the population. -- PTI
Tripura BJP president Biplab Deb, considered a front runner in the race for the chief minister's post, said tomorrow's meeting would be held at the state guest house in the presence of Union minister Nitin Gadkari.
BJP spokesperson Mrinal Kanti Deb said Union minister Jual Oram would also be present.
The swearing-in of the new ministry is likely to be held on March 8 at the Swami Vivekananada Maidan in the heart of the town. It is likely to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, many Union ministers and chief ministers of BJP-ruled states, Biplab Deb said.
Meanwhile, the IPFT today mounted pressure on the BJP, saying it would support the new government from outside if it was not given 'respectable' positions in the ministry.
IPFT chief N C Debbarma also demanded that the chief minister be chosen from the indigenous MLAs.
It is a tradition in the northeast that a chief minister is selected from the indigenous community, he added.
The IPFT would also seek a separate block for its MLAs in the Assembly if it was not given 'respectable' positions in the cabinet, he said.
Asked what he meant by respectable positions, Debbarma said it meant proportionate representation of IPFT MLAs in the cabinet and allocation of major departments to them.
"There is an apprehension that we may not be given proper representation in the cabinet and important portfolios would not be allocated to us as the BJP, the major constituent, has alone secured 35 seats," Debbarma told PTI.
The BJP and the IPFT, he said, had fought the elections in an alliance with the sole target of defeating the CPI-M and it was achieved.
"Now if we are not given respectable positions, we will support the government from outside," he said.
The BJP leadership did not make any comment on the IPFT's demand.
The IPFT had forged an alliance with the BJP before the elections on the basis of a common minimum agenda, which included formation of a high-power committee with representations from the central and state governments and the indigenous community to address the problems of the tribals.
The tribal party had come into being in the late '90s and had campaigned for a separate state for tribals by carving out the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) on the plea that the indigenous people had become marginalised due to the huge migration of people to this state after partition of the country in 1947.
The tribal council area comprises two-third of the state's territory and the tribals form one-third of the population. -- PTI
20:48 Tamil Nadu needs a leader, I'll fill that vacuum: Rajini
Rajinikanth's address at Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute in Chennai
- I know the political journey is not easy. It is a journey through struggles and hurdles but I can give governance which they (MGR) gave to common people and I trust I can do that too.
- After having close relationship with M Karunanidhi, G K Moopanar and others I learned a lot about politics. Politics is a way where there are snakes, thorns and difficulties.
- Jayalalithaa is no more and Karunanidhi is ill. Tamil Nadu needs a leader. I will come and fill that vacuum. God is in my side.
- The present government and politicians are asking why are actors leaving their makeup and coming to take over their jobs as politicians. I am 67 years now, since you are not doing your duty I am stepping in. -- ANI
- I know the political journey is not easy. It is a journey through struggles and hurdles but I can give governance which they (MGR) gave to common people and I trust I can do that too.
- After having close relationship with M Karunanidhi, G K Moopanar and others I learned a lot about politics. Politics is a way where there are snakes, thorns and difficulties.
- Jayalalithaa is no more and Karunanidhi is ill. Tamil Nadu needs a leader. I will come and fill that vacuum. God is in my side.
- The present government and politicians are asking why are actors leaving their makeup and coming to take over their jobs as politicians. I am 67 years now, since you are not doing your duty I am stepping in. -- ANI
20:38 Rajini unveils MGR statue, delivers debut speech after floating party
Amid his next keenly awaited move in politics, veteran star Rajinikanth today unveiled a statue of late Chief Minister M G Ramachandran at a private medical college in Chennai in the presence of a huge crowd.
He is now addressing the gathering at Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute in Chennai.
"I think my fans have erected banners, disturbing free flow of public movement is violation of High Court orders. I request the fans not to indulge in such activities," he said.
Arriving to a grand reception by fans and supporters and accompanied by some prominent faces from the Kollywood, the superstar unveiled the statue located at the premises of ACS Medical College and Hospital in Chennai.
Actors Prabhu, son of late thespian Sivaji Ganesan, and Vijayakumar were amongst those from the film industry present on the occasion.
This is Rajinikanth's first major public engagement since he revealed his political intentions on December 31, 2017.
The 'superstar' had then announced that he will join politics, and field candidates in all 234 assembly segments in the next general elections.
The road leading to the function venue was dotted withbanners and posters hailing and welcoming the actor.
Rajinikanth gave away awards to some students on the occasion.
His event today comes days after contemporary Kamal Haasan launched his political party Makkal Needhi Maiam.
Observers feel that by unveiling the statue of Ramachandran, popularly known as MGR -- also a matinee idol who held sway over the masses of Tamil Nadu, Rajinikanth is apparently seeking to invoke his legacy. -- PTI, ANI
He is now addressing the gathering at Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute in Chennai.
"I think my fans have erected banners, disturbing free flow of public movement is violation of High Court orders. I request the fans not to indulge in such activities," he said.
Arriving to a grand reception by fans and supporters and accompanied by some prominent faces from the Kollywood, the superstar unveiled the statue located at the premises of ACS Medical College and Hospital in Chennai.
Actors Prabhu, son of late thespian Sivaji Ganesan, and Vijayakumar were amongst those from the film industry present on the occasion.
This is Rajinikanth's first major public engagement since he revealed his political intentions on December 31, 2017.
The 'superstar' had then announced that he will join politics, and field candidates in all 234 assembly segments in the next general elections.
The road leading to the function venue was dotted withbanners and posters hailing and welcoming the actor.
Rajinikanth gave away awards to some students on the occasion.
His event today comes days after contemporary Kamal Haasan launched his political party Makkal Needhi Maiam.
Observers feel that by unveiling the statue of Ramachandran, popularly known as MGR -- also a matinee idol who held sway over the masses of Tamil Nadu, Rajinikanth is apparently seeking to invoke his legacy. -- PTI, ANI
19:55 Sunjawan attack mastermind Mufti Waqas killed by Army
Security forces today killed Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Mufti Waqas, believed to be the mastermind of last month's Sunjuwan terror attack, during an encounter in South Kashmir's Awantipora, officials said in Srinagar.
Acting on a specific intelligence input, a small team of the Army along with the elite Special Operations Group cordoned off the Hatwar area in Awantipur and carried out a 'surgical attack' on a house, the Army said.
Jaish-e-Mohammed's operational commander Waqas, the mastermind of the terror attack on the Sunjawan Army camp in Jammu and the suicide attack on a Central Reserve Police Force camp in South Kashmir's Lethpora, was killed in the surgical operation, it said.
There have been no civilian casualties or collateral damage, the Army said.
Waqas's killing has dented the designs of the JeM as it comes after the elimination of the terror group's operational commander Noor Mohd Tantrey in the same area on December 17.
According to officials, Waqas, a Pakistani national who had infiltrated into the Kashmir Valley in 2017, was functioning as the operational commander of the terror outfit and had sent 'fidayeens' (suicide attackers) from Tral in South Kashmir to Jammu where they had carried out the strike on the Army camp on February 10.
Five Army men, including two junior commissioned officers (JCOs), and the father of a soldier were killed in the attack by the terrorists who struck at the sprawling camp of the 36 Brigade of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JKLI). All the three terrorists were killed in retaliatory action.
Waqas was also responsible for radicalisng local boys Fardeen Khandey and Manzoor Baba who had carried out a suicide attack on a CRPF camp in South Kashmir's Lethpora on the intervening night of December 30 and December 31 last year. -- PTI
Acting on a specific intelligence input, a small team of the Army along with the elite Special Operations Group cordoned off the Hatwar area in Awantipur and carried out a 'surgical attack' on a house, the Army said.
Jaish-e-Mohammed's operational commander Waqas, the mastermind of the terror attack on the Sunjawan Army camp in Jammu and the suicide attack on a Central Reserve Police Force camp in South Kashmir's Lethpora, was killed in the surgical operation, it said.
There have been no civilian casualties or collateral damage, the Army said.
Waqas's killing has dented the designs of the JeM as it comes after the elimination of the terror group's operational commander Noor Mohd Tantrey in the same area on December 17.
According to officials, Waqas, a Pakistani national who had infiltrated into the Kashmir Valley in 2017, was functioning as the operational commander of the terror outfit and had sent 'fidayeens' (suicide attackers) from Tral in South Kashmir to Jammu where they had carried out the strike on the Army camp on February 10.
Five Army men, including two junior commissioned officers (JCOs), and the father of a soldier were killed in the attack by the terrorists who struck at the sprawling camp of the 36 Brigade of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JKLI). All the three terrorists were killed in retaliatory action.
Waqas was also responsible for radicalisng local boys Fardeen Khandey and Manzoor Baba who had carried out a suicide attack on a CRPF camp in South Kashmir's Lethpora on the intervening night of December 30 and December 31 last year. -- PTI
18:50 BJP used 'big money' to create 'opportunistic alliance': Rahul
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi accuses Bharatiya Janata Party of 'usurping' power through proxy in Meghalaya, using big money to create 'opportunistic alliance'.
'With just 2 seats, the BJP has usurped power in Meghalaya, through a proxy. Like in Manipur & Goa, showing utter disregard for the mandate of the people. Obsessed instead with grabbing power, using big money to create an opportunistic alliance,' Rahul tweeted.
'With just 2 seats, the BJP has usurped power in Meghalaya, through a proxy. Like in Manipur & Goa, showing utter disregard for the mandate of the people. Obsessed instead with grabbing power, using big money to create an opportunistic alliance,' Rahul tweeted.
18:33 Irrfan Khan suffering from a 'rare disease'
Irrfan Khan today said that he is suffering from 'a rare disease' and will share details when there is a 'conclusive diagnosis'.
In a Twitter post, the 51-year-old actor said he and his family were jolted by the knowledge of his illness, and requested his fans and followers not to 'speculate' about his health.
'Sometimes you wake up with a jolt with life shaking you up. The last fifteen days, my life has been a suspense story. Little had I known that my search for rare stories would make me find a rare disease. I have never given up and have always fought for my choices and always will.
'My family and friends are with me and we are working it out the best way possible. In trying times, please don't speculate as I will myself share with you my story within a week - ten days, when the further investigations come with a conclusive diagnosis. Till then, wish the best for me,' Irrfan wrote.
On February 21, the actor's spokesperson had released a statement, saying that he has been diagnosed with a 'severe case of jaundice'.
Next day, director Vishal Bhardwaj, who was scheduled to begin the shoot of his next, starring Irrfan and Deepika Padukone, postponed the filming of the project citing health concerns of his lead actors. -- PTI
In a Twitter post, the 51-year-old actor said he and his family were jolted by the knowledge of his illness, and requested his fans and followers not to 'speculate' about his health.
'Sometimes you wake up with a jolt with life shaking you up. The last fifteen days, my life has been a suspense story. Little had I known that my search for rare stories would make me find a rare disease. I have never given up and have always fought for my choices and always will.
'My family and friends are with me and we are working it out the best way possible. In trying times, please don't speculate as I will myself share with you my story within a week - ten days, when the further investigations come with a conclusive diagnosis. Till then, wish the best for me,' Irrfan wrote.
On February 21, the actor's spokesperson had released a statement, saying that he has been diagnosed with a 'severe case of jaundice'.
Next day, director Vishal Bhardwaj, who was scheduled to begin the shoot of his next, starring Irrfan and Deepika Padukone, postponed the filming of the project citing health concerns of his lead actors. -- PTI
17:50 Why the Congress is miffed with AIADMK
AIADMK MPs were wearing angavastrams in the colours of the party flag in Parliament today.
But it was not their sartorial choices that caught the attention of Congress MPs. The AIADMK MPs disrupted proceedings in the Rajya Sabha over the Cauvery water issue much to the chagrin of the Congress MPs who say the AIADMK is the B-team of the BJP as the Nirav Modi issue could not be raised as the house had to be adjourned.
But it was not their sartorial choices that caught the attention of Congress MPs. The AIADMK MPs disrupted proceedings in the Rajya Sabha over the Cauvery water issue much to the chagrin of the Congress MPs who say the AIADMK is the B-team of the BJP as the Nirav Modi issue could not be raised as the house had to be adjourned.
17:39 BJP's RS Prasad calls Manmohan 'so-called economist'
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad addressing the media at the BJP HQ at New Delhi. Highlights of his briefing.
"Under the so-called economist Prime Minister Manomhan Singh, the entire banking system went haywire due to all kinds of interference with it. Congress party has issues with technology since technology brings transparency.
"Rafale deal is in discussion these days. It is very surprising that Congress party which is drowned in corruption in Bofors among other purchases of weapons system, is raising questions on the Rafale deal. It couldn't execute Rafale deal for 10 years.
Time and again we have stated that not a single loan given under our govt is NPA. In 2008, the total advance to people given by the banks was Rs 18.06 lakh crore. By March 2014, the amount went up to Rs 52.15 lakh crore. The stressed asset identified out of this was only 36%. Now the stressed asset has risen to 82% out of that advances made in the UPA govt. This means for more than one occasion, the correct data could not make it to the records of the banks under the UPA govt.
"There was a Scheme 80:20 introduced in August 2013 & repealed in November 2014. On 16th May 2014, the date of the declaration of results, the then Finance Minister gave 'aashirvaad' to 7 pvt companies under 80:20 Scheme.
"One of those companies was Gitanjali (Mehul Choksi's company). Chidambaram and Rahul Gandhi must answer why was this passed on the day of results to benefit these seven pvt companies? Chidmabaram swayam nahi kar rahe theyy seedha aashirwaad tha.
"Congress, UP, Haryana, Jharkhand, Kashmir mein haari. Hum ummid karte the ki North-East mein Cong ki pakad hai. Par Cong Tripura aur Nagaland mein 0. Nagaland mein BJP ne 20 candidates utare, aur 12 jeete. Hume 15% vote mile, aise pradesh mein jahan 88% Christians hain.
"Under the so-called economist Prime Minister Manomhan Singh, the entire banking system went haywire due to all kinds of interference with it. Congress party has issues with technology since technology brings transparency.
"Rafale deal is in discussion these days. It is very surprising that Congress party which is drowned in corruption in Bofors among other purchases of weapons system, is raising questions on the Rafale deal. It couldn't execute Rafale deal for 10 years.
Time and again we have stated that not a single loan given under our govt is NPA. In 2008, the total advance to people given by the banks was Rs 18.06 lakh crore. By March 2014, the amount went up to Rs 52.15 lakh crore. The stressed asset identified out of this was only 36%. Now the stressed asset has risen to 82% out of that advances made in the UPA govt. This means for more than one occasion, the correct data could not make it to the records of the banks under the UPA govt.
"There was a Scheme 80:20 introduced in August 2013 & repealed in November 2014. On 16th May 2014, the date of the declaration of results, the then Finance Minister gave 'aashirvaad' to 7 pvt companies under 80:20 Scheme.
"One of those companies was Gitanjali (Mehul Choksi's company). Chidambaram and Rahul Gandhi must answer why was this passed on the day of results to benefit these seven pvt companies? Chidmabaram swayam nahi kar rahe theyy seedha aashirwaad tha.
"Congress, UP, Haryana, Jharkhand, Kashmir mein haari. Hum ummid karte the ki North-East mein Cong ki pakad hai. Par Cong Tripura aur Nagaland mein 0. Nagaland mein BJP ne 20 candidates utare, aur 12 jeete. Hume 15% vote mile, aise pradesh mein jahan 88% Christians hain.
17:27 NPP chief Conrad Sangma says Meghalaya Guv invited him to form govt
NPP president Conrad Sangma today said that he has been invited by Meghalaya Governor Ganga Prasad to form government in the state. He said the swearing-in of the new ministers would take place tomorrow.
"The governor has invited me to form the government since I have the numbers", Sangma said.
Meghalaya threw up a fractured mandate on Saturday with the Congress emerging as the largest party, marginally ahead of its rival, the National People's Party, an ally of the BJP at the Centre and in Manipur.
The Congress, which has been in power in the state for the last 10 years, won 21 seats out the 59 that went to polls last month. The party is 10 seats short of a simple majority. Sangma had met the governor last evening and staked claim to form the government in the state, with the support of 34 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly. -- PTI
"The governor has invited me to form the government since I have the numbers", Sangma said.
Meghalaya threw up a fractured mandate on Saturday with the Congress emerging as the largest party, marginally ahead of its rival, the National People's Party, an ally of the BJP at the Centre and in Manipur.
The Congress, which has been in power in the state for the last 10 years, won 21 seats out the 59 that went to polls last month. The party is 10 seats short of a simple majority. Sangma had met the governor last evening and staked claim to form the government in the state, with the support of 34 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly. -- PTI
17:25 Jaitley takes a dig at Rahul
Congress leader Kamal Nath was the butt of jokes in the Central Hall of Parliament today. As you may recall, the Congress party had sent Kamal Nath, Mukul Wasnik and Ahmed Patel to Meghalaya to ensure there would not be a repeat of Goa in the state where it had secured a majority. That, as we know, did not quite work out, with the BJP-supported NPP set to form government in the state.
So, in the Central Hall today, Arun Jaitley asked who were the AICC observers being sent to Italy as the elections in Rome were underway.
The jibe, of course, was meant for Congress president Rahul Gandhi who set off to visit his grandmother in Italy, just a few days before the NE results were announced.
The laughter of BJP MPs rang out in the Central Hall.
So, in the Central Hall today, Arun Jaitley asked who were the AICC observers being sent to Italy as the elections in Rome were underway.
The jibe, of course, was meant for Congress president Rahul Gandhi who set off to visit his grandmother in Italy, just a few days before the NE results were announced.
The laughter of BJP MPs rang out in the Central Hall.
17:15 Shopian firing: Yasin Malik detained
Police today detained Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Yasin Malik after he tried to stage a protest against the alleged killing of civilians in Shopian firing.
Malik, along with his supporters, reached Budshah bridge here and tried to march towards Lal Chowk, officials said. They were stopped and taken into preventive custody, the officials added.
Six people, including two militants, were killed in last night's shootout in Shopian's Pahnoo area. While the Army has said the deceased were militants and their alleged overground workers, police said they are investigating the matter. -- PTI
Malik, along with his supporters, reached Budshah bridge here and tried to march towards Lal Chowk, officials said. They were stopped and taken into preventive custody, the officials added.
Six people, including two militants, were killed in last night's shootout in Shopian's Pahnoo area. While the Army has said the deceased were militants and their alleged overground workers, police said they are investigating the matter. -- PTI
17:08 Global trade war fears spook investors; Sensex tanks 300 pts
Indian equities extended their fall for the fourth straight session today, with the BSE Sensex plunging by over 300 points and the NSE Nifty by nearly 100 points after fears of a global trade war rattled investors.
The benchmark Sensex slipped to a near two-week low of 33,747 as market participants weighed the likely impact of US President Donald Trump's plans to levy stiff tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, triggering a free fall in metal stocks.
The benchmark Sensex slipped to a near two-week low of 33,747 as market participants weighed the likely impact of US President Donald Trump's plans to levy stiff tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, triggering a free fall in metal stocks.
16:48 NiMo's woman employee moves HC against arrest after 8 pm
An employee of diamond merchant Nirav Modi's firm today moved the Bombay high court contending that the CBI arrested her in the multi-crore Punjab National Bank scam in violation of law, reports PTI.
Kavita Mankikar, in her petition, claimed that she was arrested on February 20 at 8 pm by officials of the Central Bureau of Investigation, contrary to the provision of law which says a woman cannot be arrested after sunset.
She was arrested along with five others, including Vipul Ambani, the president (finance) of Modi's Fire Star Diamond. Mankikar was remanded in CBI's custody till today.
Mankikar was Modi's executive assistant and authorised signatory of three of his group firms -- Diamond R US, Stellar Diamond, Solar Exports.
"The petition seeks the high court to hold the petitioner's (Mankikar) arrest as illegal and unconstitutional as it was done in gross violation of the provisions of law," her lawyer Vijay Agarwal said.
Agarwal mentioned the petition before the single bench of Justice N W Sambre which posted it for hearing on March 12. According to the CBI, Mankikar had fraudulently signed the applications for issuance of Letters of Understanding.
On January 31 this year, the CBI had registered a case against Modi, his uncle Mehul Choksi, the owner of Gitanjali Gems, and several others including PNB officials.
In its FIR, the CBI had listed eight fraudulent transactions worth over Rs 280 crore.
But, based on further complaints from the bank, the agency said the quantum of amount in the first FIR was over Rs 6,498 crore, involving 150 LoUs allegedly issued fraudulently.
The remaining 150 fraudulent LoUs worth over Rs 4,886 crore issued for Gitanjali group of companies were part of the second FIR registered later by the agency against Choksi and his companies Gitanjali Gems, Nakshatra Brands and Gili.
16:14 Armed and ready with evidence, Jatley tells Karti's lawyer
The second part of the Budget session of Parliament began today, but was adjourned for the day soon after.
As MPs converged upon the Central Hall of Parliament, the conversation after initial pleasantries, veered towards the arrest of Karti Chidambaram, former union minister P Chidambaram's son.
Interestingly, Arun Jaitley told Karti's lawyer, Abishek Manu Singhvi, that the the government had a solid case against Karti and the CBI had the best legal team.
Jaitley said the government depended on four pieces of evidence and not just on one statement by Indrani Mukherjee. The CBI recorded Mukherjee's statement before a Magistrate, under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code, where she said that she and her husband Peter Mukerjea met the then finance minister P Chidambaram in his office in North Block seeking clearance for foreign investments.
Jaitley added that during the trial, the government will bring out more evidence which is in the possession of the CBI. Singhvi replied that he had acted on the basis of a brief from his client and did not depend on outside evidence.
As MPs converged upon the Central Hall of Parliament, the conversation after initial pleasantries, veered towards the arrest of Karti Chidambaram, former union minister P Chidambaram's son.
Interestingly, Arun Jaitley told Karti's lawyer, Abishek Manu Singhvi, that the the government had a solid case against Karti and the CBI had the best legal team.
Jaitley said the government depended on four pieces of evidence and not just on one statement by Indrani Mukherjee. The CBI recorded Mukherjee's statement before a Magistrate, under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code, where she said that she and her husband Peter Mukerjea met the then finance minister P Chidambaram in his office in North Block seeking clearance for foreign investments.
Jaitley added that during the trial, the government will bring out more evidence which is in the possession of the CBI. Singhvi replied that he had acted on the basis of a brief from his client and did not depend on outside evidence.
15:41 Rahul returns to India after NE debacle
Congress President Rahul Gandhi returns to India after his visit to Italy. Gandhi left for Italy on Thursday, March 1, to "surprise" his maternal grandmother and spend the Holi weekend with her. @OfficeOfRG tweeted: My Nani is 93. She's the kindest soul ever. This Holi weekend, I'm going to surprise her! I can't wait to give her a hug.... #HappyHoli to all of you. Have a joyful celebration."
Leaving as he did ahead of the north-east polls where the Congress lost Meghalaya, the BJP made sure to take a dig at him.
BJP president Amit Shah on Saturday made a jibe at the Congress president, saying that elections are ongoing in Italyy. "Mujhe WhatsApp pe message aaya hai ki Italy mein chunaav hai (I received a message on WhatsApp that elections are currently on in Italy)," said Shah while addressing a press conference on his party's performance in the Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya elections.
Union minister Giriraj Singh, too, today declared Gandhi a "master election strategist" - purportedly for leaving the country at a time when election results in three states were due.
It was left to Congress leader Ahmed Patel to defend his leader. Patel hit hit out at Singh, demanding to know if it was a "crime for someone to visit his own grandmother."
Leaving as he did ahead of the north-east polls where the Congress lost Meghalaya, the BJP made sure to take a dig at him.
BJP president Amit Shah on Saturday made a jibe at the Congress president, saying that elections are ongoing in Italyy. "Mujhe WhatsApp pe message aaya hai ki Italy mein chunaav hai (I received a message on WhatsApp that elections are currently on in Italy)," said Shah while addressing a press conference on his party's performance in the Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya elections.
Union minister Giriraj Singh, too, today declared Gandhi a "master election strategist" - purportedly for leaving the country at a time when election results in three states were due.
It was left to Congress leader Ahmed Patel to defend his leader. Patel hit hit out at Singh, demanding to know if it was a "crime for someone to visit his own grandmother."
15:29
Lenin peers down upon a CPM review meeting in Agartala after the party's loss in the Tripura election. Spot the happy face in the room.
15:09 TRS chief plans to take forward 'non-Cong, non-BJP front' idea at national level
A day after proposing a "non-Congress, non-BJP front", Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao is planning to initiate a consultation process from a national perspective to take his idea forward.
According to a release issued by the Chief Minister's Office today, Rao's idea is that all those who have been thinking about the nation in various ways are to be made participants in the process of qualitative change in politics.
Rao, who heads the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, yesterday said a non-Congress and non-BJP front should be formed in the country, for the betterment of farmers and Dalits. On Saturday, the chief minister said he was keen to participate in the national politics to bring about "qualitative changes" in governance.
Several leaders, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and two MPs from Maharashtra, have extended support to Rao's proposal. -- PTI
According to a release issued by the Chief Minister's Office today, Rao's idea is that all those who have been thinking about the nation in various ways are to be made participants in the process of qualitative change in politics.
Rao, who heads the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, yesterday said a non-Congress and non-BJP front should be formed in the country, for the betterment of farmers and Dalits. On Saturday, the chief minister said he was keen to participate in the national politics to bring about "qualitative changes" in governance.
Several leaders, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and two MPs from Maharashtra, have extended support to Rao's proposal. -- PTI
14:46 Rachel Shenton uses sign language to deliver acceptance speech
Rachel Shenton, who today took home the Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film for "The Silent Child", used sign language in her acceptance speech. The 30-year-old actor stars in the short about a child Libby, played by Maisie Sly, who lives a silent life until a social worker (Shenton) teaches her to communicate through sign language.
Shenton, who also wrote the film, used gestures to help Sly talk on the Oscars stage. "I made a promise to our six-year-old lead actress that I'd sign this speech. My hands are shaking so I apologise," she said. The actor added "Our movie is about a deaf child being born into a world of silence.
"It's not exaggerated or sensationalised for the movie, this is happening, millions of children all over the world live in silence and face communication barriers and particularly access to education."
Shenton has become the fourth female actor to deliver their Oscar acceptance speeches in sign language. In 1976, Louise Fletcher signed to her deaf parents when she took home the golden Best Actress for "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest", which was followed by Jane Fonda using the language in her address as she accepted the Best Actress award for "Coming Home" three years later.
In 1987, Marlee Matlin, who is deaf, delivered her acceptance speech using gestures on winning Academy Award for Best Actress for "Children Of A Lesser God". -- PTI
Image: Reuters
Shenton, who also wrote the film, used gestures to help Sly talk on the Oscars stage. "I made a promise to our six-year-old lead actress that I'd sign this speech. My hands are shaking so I apologise," she said. The actor added "Our movie is about a deaf child being born into a world of silence.
"It's not exaggerated or sensationalised for the movie, this is happening, millions of children all over the world live in silence and face communication barriers and particularly access to education."
Shenton has become the fourth female actor to deliver their Oscar acceptance speeches in sign language. In 1976, Louise Fletcher signed to her deaf parents when she took home the golden Best Actress for "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest", which was followed by Jane Fonda using the language in her address as she accepted the Best Actress award for "Coming Home" three years later.
In 1987, Marlee Matlin, who is deaf, delivered her acceptance speech using gestures on winning Academy Award for Best Actress for "Children Of A Lesser God". -- PTI
Image: Reuters
14:35 Rahul breaks his silence on NE: Will win back people's trust
Breaking his silence on the party's defeat in three northeast states, Congress president Rahul Gandhi today said he respected the mandate of people in the region and was committed to winning back their trust.
Gandhi's reaction came two days after results for assembly elections in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland were declared on Saturday. The Congress lost Meghalaya and failed to score a single seat in Tripura and Nagaland.
The party won 21 seats in Meghalaya, where it was in power, and could not garner the support of regional outfits to cobble together a coalition government.
Top party leaders Ahmed Patel and Kamal Nath rushed to Shillong to talk to regional parties but to no avail.
"The Congress party respects the mandate of the people of Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya. "We are committed to strengthening our party across the North East and to winning back the trust of the people.
"My sincere thanks to each and every Congress worker who toiled for the party," Gandhi said on Twitter. Gandhi had announced on Thursday that he would visit his 93-year-old grandmother in Italy over the Holi weekend. Top party leaders had refrained from making any comment on the results.
-- PTI
Gandhi's reaction came two days after results for assembly elections in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland were declared on Saturday. The Congress lost Meghalaya and failed to score a single seat in Tripura and Nagaland.
The party won 21 seats in Meghalaya, where it was in power, and could not garner the support of regional outfits to cobble together a coalition government.
Top party leaders Ahmed Patel and Kamal Nath rushed to Shillong to talk to regional parties but to no avail.
"The Congress party respects the mandate of the people of Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya. "We are committed to strengthening our party across the North East and to winning back the trust of the people.
"My sincere thanks to each and every Congress worker who toiled for the party," Gandhi said on Twitter. Gandhi had announced on Thursday that he would visit his 93-year-old grandmother in Italy over the Holi weekend. Top party leaders had refrained from making any comment on the results.
-- PTI
14:28
Dimapur: BJP's Himanta Biswa Sarma, National BJP General Secretary (Org) Northeast in-charge Ajay Jamwal and NDPP's Neiphiu Rio in discussion over the formation of govt in Nagaland.
14:23 Security forces launch search ops along LoC in Rajouri
Security forces here have launched a cordon and search operation in forest areas along the Line of Control after some "suspected movement" was reported in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, an official said today. The search operation was launched after locals here informed the forces about suspected movement in Nikka and Panjgrain areas along the LoC in Manjakote belt yesterday, he said. Nothing has been recovered so far, the official said. -- PTI
14:19 SP, BSP tie-up for by-polls is act of desperation: BJP
The BJP today said the "tie-up" between the SP and and the BSP for the Phulpur and Gorakhpur Lok Sabha by-elections in Uttar Pradesh was a "deal for personal gains" and an act of desperation as people had discarded both parties.
Though Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati yesterday ruled out an alliance with the Samajwadi Party, she said her party's workers would work for a candidate that could defeat the BJP.
Local BSP leaders in Gorakpur and Phulpur have also formally announced their support to SP candidates.
"Their tie-up is an act of desperation as they are discarded by the people. Their deal is for personal gains and they have nothing to do with the interests of common people," senior BJP leader and cabinet minister Srikant Sharma said.
He added that the people of the state are "politically mature" and would once again discard the casteism and nepotism practised by the SP and the BSP.
"The deal is for Legislative Council and Rajya Sabha seats. The people of the state will give them befitting reply for this deal by electing BJP candidates in both Phulpur and Gorakhpur," Sharma said.
The BJP's ideology is "sabka saath sabka vikas" and the people of the country have understood that only this party could work for them, he said. -- PTI
Though Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati yesterday ruled out an alliance with the Samajwadi Party, she said her party's workers would work for a candidate that could defeat the BJP.
Local BSP leaders in Gorakpur and Phulpur have also formally announced their support to SP candidates.
"Their tie-up is an act of desperation as they are discarded by the people. Their deal is for personal gains and they have nothing to do with the interests of common people," senior BJP leader and cabinet minister Srikant Sharma said.
He added that the people of the state are "politically mature" and would once again discard the casteism and nepotism practised by the SP and the BSP.
"The deal is for Legislative Council and Rajya Sabha seats. The people of the state will give them befitting reply for this deal by electing BJP candidates in both Phulpur and Gorakhpur," Sharma said.
The BJP's ideology is "sabka saath sabka vikas" and the people of the country have understood that only this party could work for them, he said. -- PTI
13:46 NPP's Conrad Sangma to be sworn-in as Meghalaya CM tomorrow
NPP president Conrad Sangma says he has been invited by Meghalaya governor to form government. The swearing-in ceremony will take place tomorrow, reports PTI.
13:39 J-K govt's U-turn: Major Aditya NOT named in Shopian firing FIR
The Jammu and Kashmir government today told the Supreme Court that Major Aditya Kumar's name was not on the FIR filed against Army personnel involved in the Shopian firing.
The apex court was hearing the plea of Lt Col (retd) Karamveer Singh, Major Aditya Kumar's father, seeking to quash the FIR.
In a status report to the court, the J&K government said that the Army officer had not been named when the police lodged an FIR to investigate the firing incident, rendering Singh's plea unnecessary.
A three-judge bench stayed the investigation into the Shopian firing, and by extension Major Aditya's role or lack thereof in it, till the next date of hearing on April 24.
"Major Aditya is an army officer and cannot be treated like ordinary criminals by the J&K police," the SC said.
In his plea, Singh stated his son, a Major in 10 Garhwal Rifles, was "wrongly and arbitrarily" named in the FIR. He said the incident relates to an Army convoy that was on bona fide military duty in an area under the AFSPA and was isolated by an "unruly and deranged" mob pelting stones, causing damage to military vehicles.
The Army, too, contends that Major Aditya of the 10 Garhwal Rifles was leading the "administrative convoy" and was some distance away from the site where the firing occurred at Ganwapora in late January.
Representational image
The apex court was hearing the plea of Lt Col (retd) Karamveer Singh, Major Aditya Kumar's father, seeking to quash the FIR.
In a status report to the court, the J&K government said that the Army officer had not been named when the police lodged an FIR to investigate the firing incident, rendering Singh's plea unnecessary.
A three-judge bench stayed the investigation into the Shopian firing, and by extension Major Aditya's role or lack thereof in it, till the next date of hearing on April 24.
"Major Aditya is an army officer and cannot be treated like ordinary criminals by the J&K police," the SC said.
In his plea, Singh stated his son, a Major in 10 Garhwal Rifles, was "wrongly and arbitrarily" named in the FIR. He said the incident relates to an Army convoy that was on bona fide military duty in an area under the AFSPA and was isolated by an "unruly and deranged" mob pelting stones, causing damage to military vehicles.
The Army, too, contends that Major Aditya of the 10 Garhwal Rifles was leading the "administrative convoy" and was some distance away from the site where the firing occurred at Ganwapora in late January.
Representational image
13:27 BJP's dangerous games could destabilise northeast: Congress
Spotlighting the differences between the BJP and its coalition partners in the northeast, the Congress today accused the party of playing a "dangerous game' of destabilising the region through its "blind quest for power at any cost'.
The differences are on key issues such as the bifurcation of Tripura and Meghalaya, Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala said in a series of tweets as the BJP was set to form government with its partners in the northeast states of Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland.
"BJP is following a dangerous game of destabilisation, subversion and usurpation of power in North East, unmindful of the stability, security, peace and progress. Hope Modiji had cared to learn from Rajivji who put 'Nation First' and brought peace to the region by Assam and Mizo accords,' he said.
Every Indian, he added, is concerned that assumption of power 'at any cost' and 'by any means' by the BJP doesn't blind it into destabilising the entire region.
"Tell tale signs of BJP's blind quest for power superseding the stability of region, propagation of democracy, nipping the separatist tendencies and ignoring core issues of region are already visible,' Surjewala said.
The differences are on key issues such as the bifurcation of Tripura and Meghalaya, Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala said in a series of tweets as the BJP was set to form government with its partners in the northeast states of Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland.
"BJP is following a dangerous game of destabilisation, subversion and usurpation of power in North East, unmindful of the stability, security, peace and progress. Hope Modiji had cared to learn from Rajivji who put 'Nation First' and brought peace to the region by Assam and Mizo accords,' he said.
Every Indian, he added, is concerned that assumption of power 'at any cost' and 'by any means' by the BJP doesn't blind it into destabilising the entire region.
"Tell tale signs of BJP's blind quest for power superseding the stability of region, propagation of democracy, nipping the separatist tendencies and ignoring core issues of region are already visible,' Surjewala said.
13:24 Deeply distressed by killing of civilians in Shopian:Mehbooba
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today said she is deeply distressed by the killing of civilians in "crossfire" in Shopian district in Srinagar. Six people, including two militants, were killed in a firing incident last night in south Kashmir's Shopian district after the ultras fired upon a joint check-point of the security forces.
"Deeply distressed by more deaths of civilians caught in the crossfire in Shopian. My heartfelt condolences to the deceased's families," Mehbooba said in a tweet.
After the incident, schools and educational institutes, which were to open today after two-month-long winter break, were closed as a precautionary measure in the Valley. PTI
"Deeply distressed by more deaths of civilians caught in the crossfire in Shopian. My heartfelt condolences to the deceased's families," Mehbooba said in a tweet.
After the incident, schools and educational institutes, which were to open today after two-month-long winter break, were closed as a precautionary measure in the Valley. PTI
13:23 Shopian firing: PDP MLA condemns 'civilian' killing, demands judicial probe
Ruling PDP MLA from Shopian Mohammad Yousuf Bhat today condemned the killing of "civilians" in the Shopian firing incident and demanded a judicial probe into it.
Six persons, including two militants, have been killed in last night's firing in Shopian's Pahnoo area. The Army has alleged that the slain persons were militants and their overground workers.
"When your heart bleeds and you are emotionally amputated, no condemnation is enough. I have no words to condemn these killings at Shopian," Bhat was quoted as saying in a tweet on Peoples Democratic Party PDPs official Twitter handle.
The ruling PDP MLA said civilian killings cannot be justified under any circumstances which can "vitiate the peaceful atmosphere".
Six persons, including two militants, have been killed in last night's firing in Shopian's Pahnoo area. The Army has alleged that the slain persons were militants and their overground workers.
"When your heart bleeds and you are emotionally amputated, no condemnation is enough. I have no words to condemn these killings at Shopian," Bhat was quoted as saying in a tweet on Peoples Democratic Party PDPs official Twitter handle.
The ruling PDP MLA said civilian killings cannot be justified under any circumstances which can "vitiate the peaceful atmosphere".
13:04 Parrikar to go to Mumbai for checkup, may go abroad for treatment
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar will go to Mumbai today for a health check-up and if needed, may even go abroad for further treatment, his office said.
Before heading to Mumbai, he called a meeting of his government's senior ministers at his private residence in Dona Paula near Panaji and formed a cabinet advisory committee to take administrative decisions in his absence.
Parrikar was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai on February 15 where he received treatment for a pancreatic ailment. He was discharged on February 22, and on the same day attended a session of the Goa Legislative Assembly, where he presented the budget and made a brief speech. The session was truncated to four days owing to Parrikar's illness.
On February 25, the chief minister was admitted to Goa Medical College and Hospital after he suffered mild dehydration. He was discharged from the hospital on March 1.
Ahead of his Mumbai visit, Parrikar met senior ministers -- Sudin Dhavalikar of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), Francis D'Souza of the BJP and Vijai Sardesai of the Goa Forward Party (GFP). The chief minister formed a cabinet advisory committee comprising Sardesai, Dhavalikar and D'Souza, which would advise the state administration on important matters and financial sanctions, GFP leader Sardesai said. The MGP and the GFP are allies of the BJP-led Goa government. -- PTI
Before heading to Mumbai, he called a meeting of his government's senior ministers at his private residence in Dona Paula near Panaji and formed a cabinet advisory committee to take administrative decisions in his absence.
Parrikar was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai on February 15 where he received treatment for a pancreatic ailment. He was discharged on February 22, and on the same day attended a session of the Goa Legislative Assembly, where he presented the budget and made a brief speech. The session was truncated to four days owing to Parrikar's illness.
On February 25, the chief minister was admitted to Goa Medical College and Hospital after he suffered mild dehydration. He was discharged from the hospital on March 1.
Ahead of his Mumbai visit, Parrikar met senior ministers -- Sudin Dhavalikar of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), Francis D'Souza of the BJP and Vijai Sardesai of the Goa Forward Party (GFP). The chief minister formed a cabinet advisory committee comprising Sardesai, Dhavalikar and D'Souza, which would advise the state administration on important matters and financial sanctions, GFP leader Sardesai said. The MGP and the GFP are allies of the BJP-led Goa government. -- PTI
12:51 Hero's welcome for Amit Shah in Parl after N-E win
With the BJP putting up an impressive performance in the north east, party President Amit Shah received a rousing welcome by party MPs and ministers when he arrived in the Rajya Sabha today.
Wearing a Tangkhul Naga haora muffler, Shah walked in when Hishey Lachungpa of the Sikkim Democratic Front was taking oath after being re-elected to the Upper House. As he walked towards his allocated seat, BJP members and ministers began thumping their desks. Some even rose from their seats to welcome Shah.
While the BJP trounced the CPM to win the Tripura Assembly polls, it is in alliance with local parties which won elections in Meghalaya and Nagaland. Law and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and some others in the ruling dispensation too where sporting the traditional Naga muffler.
Shah was seated in his chair by the time Lachungpa finished taking oath in Hindi and signed off with "Jai Hind". Members also thumped their desk to welcome Lachungpa. -- PTI
File pic.
Wearing a Tangkhul Naga haora muffler, Shah walked in when Hishey Lachungpa of the Sikkim Democratic Front was taking oath after being re-elected to the Upper House. As he walked towards his allocated seat, BJP members and ministers began thumping their desks. Some even rose from their seats to welcome Shah.
While the BJP trounced the CPM to win the Tripura Assembly polls, it is in alliance with local parties which won elections in Meghalaya and Nagaland. Law and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and some others in the ruling dispensation too where sporting the traditional Naga muffler.
Shah was seated in his chair by the time Lachungpa finished taking oath in Hindi and signed off with "Jai Hind". Members also thumped their desk to welcome Lachungpa. -- PTI
File pic.
12:39 Del Toro double-checked his envelope
Everyone knows what happened the last time Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway presented at the Oscars together, which is why Guillermo del Toro appeared to double check his Best Picture envelope before celebrating the win for the Shape of Water, the Independent reported.
12:28 China just announced it's defence budget and it's thrice India's
China today announced a 8.1 per cent hike in its defence expenditure for this year to a whopping USD 175 billion, which is over three times higher than India's defence budget, as it seeks to further advance an ambitious modernisation drive for its military.
The 8.1% increase is higher than last year's announcement, when China upped military spending by 7% over the previous year. According to a budget report to be submitted to the National People's Congress (NPC) today, the 2018 defence budget will be 1.11 trillion yuan (USD 175 billion).
The 8.1% increase is higher than last year's announcement, when China upped military spending by 7% over the previous year. According to a budget report to be submitted to the National People's Congress (NPC) today, the 2018 defence budget will be 1.11 trillion yuan (USD 175 billion).
12:17
@SunnyLeone Just so there is no confusion Asher and Noah are our biological children. We chose surrogacy to complete our family many years ago and it's now finally complete :) so happy!
The actress had tweeted a picture this morning. with her husband Daniel Weber, daughter Nisha and two baby boys. Scroll down for details.
The actress had tweeted a picture this morning. with her husband Daniel Weber, daughter Nisha and two baby boys. Scroll down for details.
12:06 Shrimp risotto, macaroni with truffles... the menu at the Oscars Guv Ball
Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck and his team has prepared a scrumptious menu for the stars attending the 2018 Oscars Governors Ball at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
The A-listers attending the post-Oscars event such as host Jimmy Kimmel, Nicole Kidman and Armie Hammer will be feasting on dishes like chicken pot pie, macaroni and cheese with truffles, eggplant confit with salsa verde, ravioli and risotto with shrimp.
The 68-year-old chef revealed, "You won't go home hungry! We have 300 people in the kitchen. Thank God I am not alone! 900 waiters in the dining room. They make 7,000 mini chocolate Oscars," Us Magazine reported.
So, what is the cost of the wide-ranging menu? "We'll find out tomorrow," the restaurateur quipped.
Puck, who walked the red carpet with a chocolate tower and a few of his edible statuettes, also explained that any leftovers will be donated to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank."People who don't really get anything, they're going to have a meal just like the biggest stars in the world," he said. -- ANI
The A-listers attending the post-Oscars event such as host Jimmy Kimmel, Nicole Kidman and Armie Hammer will be feasting on dishes like chicken pot pie, macaroni and cheese with truffles, eggplant confit with salsa verde, ravioli and risotto with shrimp.
The 68-year-old chef revealed, "You won't go home hungry! We have 300 people in the kitchen. Thank God I am not alone! 900 waiters in the dining room. They make 7,000 mini chocolate Oscars," Us Magazine reported.
So, what is the cost of the wide-ranging menu? "We'll find out tomorrow," the restaurateur quipped.
Puck, who walked the red carpet with a chocolate tower and a few of his edible statuettes, also explained that any leftovers will be donated to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank."People who don't really get anything, they're going to have a meal just like the biggest stars in the world," he said. -- ANI
12:01 SC to hear Karti's plea against ED summons tomorrow
The Supreme Court will tomorrow hear a fresh plea from Karti Chidambaram, son of former Union minister P Chidambaram, seeking quashing of the Enforcement Directorate's summons against him in the INX Media case.
In his fresh writ petition, Karti Chidambaram has challenged the summons on the ground that the ED has no jurisdiction to issue such notices based on the FIR lodged by the CBI. The plea was mentioned today by his counsel before a bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, which agreed to hear it along with related pending matters scheduled for hearing tomorrow.
The apex court is likely to hear tomorrow the anticipatory bail plea of Karti Chidambaram, who is presently in CBI custody in the case. The top court had earlier refused to stay the summons issued by the ED, saying he could make a request in this regard to the competent authority.
It had posted the matter for hearing today after senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Karti Chidambaram, had sought time to file a proper application to challenge the ED proceedings.
An FIR, filed on May 15 last year, had alleged irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 when P Chidambaram was Union finance minister.
The apex court was hearing pleas, including the CBI's appeal, challenging the Madras High Court order staying a lookout circular (LOC) issued against Karti. -- PTI
In his fresh writ petition, Karti Chidambaram has challenged the summons on the ground that the ED has no jurisdiction to issue such notices based on the FIR lodged by the CBI. The plea was mentioned today by his counsel before a bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, which agreed to hear it along with related pending matters scheduled for hearing tomorrow.
The apex court is likely to hear tomorrow the anticipatory bail plea of Karti Chidambaram, who is presently in CBI custody in the case. The top court had earlier refused to stay the summons issued by the ED, saying he could make a request in this regard to the competent authority.
It had posted the matter for hearing today after senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Karti Chidambaram, had sought time to file a proper application to challenge the ED proceedings.
An FIR, filed on May 15 last year, had alleged irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 when P Chidambaram was Union finance minister.
The apex court was hearing pleas, including the CBI's appeal, challenging the Madras High Court order staying a lookout circular (LOC) issued against Karti. -- PTI
11:59 Shopian firing: Strike called by separatists hits normal life in Valley
Normal life in Kashmir was affected today due to a strike called by separatists to protest last night's firing incident in Shopian, in which six people, including two militants, were killed.
Schools, colleges and other educational institutes remained closed due to the strike called by Joint Resistance Leadership. Public transport was off the roads in most parts of the Valley, but some private vehicles and cabs could be seen plying. Train services from Baramulla to Banihal have been suspended as a precautionary measure, a railway spokesperson said.
Authorities have imposed restrictions in areas falling under seven police stations of the city as a precautionary measure, officials said, adding these police station areas include Rainawari, Khanyar, Nowhatta, M R Gunj, Safa Kadal, Kralkhud and Maisuma. Kashmir University has postponed all examinations scheduled for today, a spokesperson of the university said.
Last night, a joint MVCP (mobile vehicle check post) near Pohan in Shopian had signalled a car to stop, but it did not. The armymen were fired upon and they retaliated, in which six people, including two militants, were killed. While the militant was found dead on in the site of the incident, bodies of three young men were recovered from a car. Another man was found dead in another car near the scene of the shootout, while the body of another militant was found in Saidapora area of Shopian several km away.
The Army alleged that apart form the militants, the four persons killed in the firing incident were overground workers of militant groups.
Schools, colleges and other educational institutes remained closed due to the strike called by Joint Resistance Leadership. Public transport was off the roads in most parts of the Valley, but some private vehicles and cabs could be seen plying. Train services from Baramulla to Banihal have been suspended as a precautionary measure, a railway spokesperson said.
Authorities have imposed restrictions in areas falling under seven police stations of the city as a precautionary measure, officials said, adding these police station areas include Rainawari, Khanyar, Nowhatta, M R Gunj, Safa Kadal, Kralkhud and Maisuma. Kashmir University has postponed all examinations scheduled for today, a spokesperson of the university said.
Last night, a joint MVCP (mobile vehicle check post) near Pohan in Shopian had signalled a car to stop, but it did not. The armymen were fired upon and they retaliated, in which six people, including two militants, were killed. While the militant was found dead on in the site of the incident, bodies of three young men were recovered from a car. Another man was found dead in another car near the scene of the shootout, while the body of another militant was found in Saidapora area of Shopian several km away.
The Army alleged that apart form the militants, the four persons killed in the firing incident were overground workers of militant groups.
11:37 Death toll in Shopian firing incident climbs to 6
The situation in South Kashmir's Shopian district was tense after the police today recovered two more bodies, raising the death toll in last night's firing incident on a vehicle to six.
"Two more bodies were recovered in Shopian district this morning," a police spokesperson said. Police recovered the body of another militant, identified as Ashiq Hussain Bhat of Lashkar-e-Taiba, seven km from Pahnoo where the Army had fired upon two vehicles when they tried to flee from a Mobile Vehicle Check Post. They also fired on the Army and policemen, officials said.
Bhat was a resident of Rakh Karpan. Besides this, body of a civilian -- Gowhar Ahmed Lone of Chitragam in Shopian -- was recovered from another vehicle near the firing incident. The Army alleged that he was an overground worker of militant groups.
A Lashkar-e-Taiba militant and three civilians, also alleged to be overground workers for the militant group by the Army, were killed in a firing incident last night in south Kashmir's Shopian district after the ultras fired upon a joint check-point of the security forces.
A police official said a joint MVCP (mobile vehicle check post) near Pohan in Shopian had signalled a car to stop, but it did not. The Army men were fired upon and they retaliated, in which a militant was killed. Police rushed to the spot and identified one of the deceased as Amir Ahmed Malik, who had joined the LeT militant group in July last year. -- PTI
"Two more bodies were recovered in Shopian district this morning," a police spokesperson said. Police recovered the body of another militant, identified as Ashiq Hussain Bhat of Lashkar-e-Taiba, seven km from Pahnoo where the Army had fired upon two vehicles when they tried to flee from a Mobile Vehicle Check Post. They also fired on the Army and policemen, officials said.
Bhat was a resident of Rakh Karpan. Besides this, body of a civilian -- Gowhar Ahmed Lone of Chitragam in Shopian -- was recovered from another vehicle near the firing incident. The Army alleged that he was an overground worker of militant groups.
A Lashkar-e-Taiba militant and three civilians, also alleged to be overground workers for the militant group by the Army, were killed in a firing incident last night in south Kashmir's Shopian district after the ultras fired upon a joint check-point of the security forces.
A police official said a joint MVCP (mobile vehicle check post) near Pohan in Shopian had signalled a car to stop, but it did not. The Army men were fired upon and they retaliated, in which a militant was killed. Police rushed to the spot and identified one of the deceased as Amir Ahmed Malik, who had joined the LeT militant group in July last year. -- PTI
11:31 Sunny Leone blessed with two adorable boys
Actress Sunny Leone tweets a picture with her husband and three kids. That's right, three.
As we know, the Webers had adopted a girl Nisha Kaur Weber in June last year, but this picture has Nisha seated with her parents holding two bundled up infants.
Sunny tweets to say that on June 21st 2017, she and her husband Daniel Weber found that they would possibly be having three children in a short while. She writes to say that she and her husband had planned and tried to have a family and after many years their family was complete.
She introduces her two baby boys -- Asher Singh Weber and Noah Singh Weber -- with their proud and beaming sister Nisha Kaur Weber.
She said the babies were born a few weeks ago, but were "alive in their hearts and eyes for many years".
Congratulations, Sunny!
As we know, the Webers had adopted a girl Nisha Kaur Weber in June last year, but this picture has Nisha seated with her parents holding two bundled up infants.
Sunny tweets to say that on June 21st 2017, she and her husband Daniel Weber found that they would possibly be having three children in a short while. She writes to say that she and her husband had planned and tried to have a family and after many years their family was complete.
She introduces her two baby boys -- Asher Singh Weber and Noah Singh Weber -- with their proud and beaming sister Nisha Kaur Weber.
She said the babies were born a few weeks ago, but were "alive in their hearts and eyes for many years".
Congratulations, Sunny!
11:11 Krishna outside Parliament
Delhi: Telugu Desam Party MP Siva Prasad dressed as Lord Krishna during TDP protest demanding 'Special Category Status' to Andhra Pradesh outside parliament. The second part of the budget session of parliament begins today.
10:50
PM Narendra Modi arrives in parliament, welcomed by BJP Chief Amit Shah and union ministers.
10:44 Left's demise will be a disaster for India: Jairam
Highlighting the necessity to have a strong Left in the country, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the party's demise will be a disaster for India.
Delivering a keynote address at the centenary celebration of iconic architect Laurie Baker in Trivandrum, Ramesh said that even after being a political rival, he believes that India can ill-afford the demise of the Left.
"The Left has to be strong in India; the demise of Left will be a disaster for India. We are political rivals, but I am the first to say that India cannot afford the demise of the Left," Ramesh said.
He said that the Left has to change its mind as per the aspirations and the ongoing change in the society. -- ANI
Delivering a keynote address at the centenary celebration of iconic architect Laurie Baker in Trivandrum, Ramesh said that even after being a political rival, he believes that India can ill-afford the demise of the Left.
"The Left has to be strong in India; the demise of Left will be a disaster for India. We are political rivals, but I am the first to say that India cannot afford the demise of the Left," Ramesh said.
He said that the Left has to change its mind as per the aspirations and the ongoing change in the society. -- ANI
10:41 UP: Deranged woman hides in 'Holika' bonfire, burnt to death
A 35-year-old deranged woman was burned to death in a bonfire on 'Holika Dahan' on Thursday after she hid herself inside it in Gulauli village in Kanpur, the police said. Seema Devi's remains were found at the site two-days after the ceremony.
The body was sent for post mortem and conducted by a panel of three doctors, Superintendent of Police Ratankant Pandey said. The post-mortem report confirmed that Devi died due to suffocation, he said, adding she was apparently deranged and had hid herself inside the bonfire.
The incident came to light on Saturday when people found the woman's body while collecting ashes from there. No foul play is suspected, the police officer said. -- PTI
The body was sent for post mortem and conducted by a panel of three doctors, Superintendent of Police Ratankant Pandey said. The post-mortem report confirmed that Devi died due to suffocation, he said, adding she was apparently deranged and had hid herself inside the bonfire.
The incident came to light on Saturday when people found the woman's body while collecting ashes from there. No foul play is suspected, the police officer said. -- PTI
10:31 Modi won't remain PM in 2019, claims TMC
All India Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien on Sunday predicted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would deliver his last speech as the prime minister from the ramparts of Red Fort in Delhi on August 15, 2018.
"First tackle 2019 and then imagine about Bengal. This is our clear message to the BJP. If their target is Bengal, then our target is Lal Qila (Red Fort). I make it clear that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not deliver his address from Lal Qila on the Independence Day in 2019," O'Brien said while addressing the media, a day after the saffron party swept Tripura, and for the first time bagged more than 10 seats in Nagaland.
Challenging the prime minister, Brien asked all the opposition parties to come together.
He also asked as to why BJP was so happy by winning Tripura and highlighted the party's performance in Rajasthan Lok Sabha bypolls.
"The results of the bypolls in Rajasthan came out only 15 days ago. It included Alwar seat where the BJP won by a margin of 2.80 lakh votes in 2014. But this time the BJP's margin of 2.80 lakh votes has gone down to minus 1.50 lakh," said the TMC leader.
On Saturday, the BJP ended the CPI(M)'s 25-year-long rule in Tripura and registered their first win in the northeastern state by winning 35 seats out of 60, while the left party managed to take only 16.
"First tackle 2019 and then imagine about Bengal. This is our clear message to the BJP. If their target is Bengal, then our target is Lal Qila (Red Fort). I make it clear that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not deliver his address from Lal Qila on the Independence Day in 2019," O'Brien said while addressing the media, a day after the saffron party swept Tripura, and for the first time bagged more than 10 seats in Nagaland.
Challenging the prime minister, Brien asked all the opposition parties to come together.
He also asked as to why BJP was so happy by winning Tripura and highlighted the party's performance in Rajasthan Lok Sabha bypolls.
"The results of the bypolls in Rajasthan came out only 15 days ago. It included Alwar seat where the BJP won by a margin of 2.80 lakh votes in 2014. But this time the BJP's margin of 2.80 lakh votes has gone down to minus 1.50 lakh," said the TMC leader.
On Saturday, the BJP ended the CPI(M)'s 25-year-long rule in Tripura and registered their first win in the northeastern state by winning 35 seats out of 60, while the left party managed to take only 16.
10:21
Delhi court grants bail to RJD leader Lalu Prasad's daughter Misa Bharti and her husband in the money laundering case.
10:14 Nirav Modi, Choksi, PNB to dominate Parl proceedings
As the second part of the Budget session resumes on Monday, the Opposition parties are likely to corner the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government on recently unearthed banking scams.
The Parliament could see disruptions on diamond businessman Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi allegedly defrauding the Punjab National Bank (PNB) and other banks of Rs. 22,000 crore.
Both houses of Parliament will meet after a month-long break in the Budget Session.Meanwhile, Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill and the triple talaq bill will be high on the government's agenda.
On March 1, the Prime Minister Modi-led Union cabinet approved the proposal to introduce the offenders bill 2018 in the Parliament.
The bill has been brought to confiscate the assets of a fugitive, including Benami assets.Parliament will also take up a discussion on the Union budget, which was tabled in the first half of the session, and pass it.
The government has listed a few bills for consideration and passage in both Houses.In the Lok Sabha, it intends to bring The Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2017, and The Specific Relief (Amendment) Bill, 2017, on March 5, and The Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2017, on March 6.In the Rajya Sabha, the government has listed
The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2017, and The State Banks (Repeal and Amendment) Bill, 2017, for the first day of the session. -- ANI
The Parliament could see disruptions on diamond businessman Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi allegedly defrauding the Punjab National Bank (PNB) and other banks of Rs. 22,000 crore.
Both houses of Parliament will meet after a month-long break in the Budget Session.Meanwhile, Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill and the triple talaq bill will be high on the government's agenda.
On March 1, the Prime Minister Modi-led Union cabinet approved the proposal to introduce the offenders bill 2018 in the Parliament.
The bill has been brought to confiscate the assets of a fugitive, including Benami assets.Parliament will also take up a discussion on the Union budget, which was tabled in the first half of the session, and pass it.
The government has listed a few bills for consideration and passage in both Houses.In the Lok Sabha, it intends to bring The Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2017, and The Specific Relief (Amendment) Bill, 2017, on March 5, and The Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2017, on March 6.In the Rajya Sabha, the government has listed
The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2017, and The State Banks (Repeal and Amendment) Bill, 2017, for the first day of the session. -- ANI
09:24 China increases defence budget to USD 175 bn, 3 times higher than India's
China today announced an 8.1 per cent increase of its defence expenditure for this year amounting to USD 175 billion, which is over three times higher than India's defence budget.
China will raise its defence budget by 8.1 per cent in 2018, according to a budget report to be submitted to the national legislature today, which is up from last year's seven per cent.
The 2018 defence budget will be 1.11 trillion yuan (USD 175 billion), state-run Xinhua news agency quoted the official documents submitted to the National People's Congress.
China last year increased the defence budget to USD 150.5 billion. China is the second largest spender on defence after the US. The defence budget of the US which is the highest in the world amounted to USD 602.8 billion.
The increase of China's defence budget to 8.1 per cent this year, is three times higher than India's latest defence budget of about USD 52.5 billion.
Though China announced its military spending at about USD 150.5 billion last year, observers say it is considerably higher, considering it is now building two more aircraft carriers in addition to the one already in service as well as addition of new jet fighters, including stealth fighter J-20.
Chinese Navy also expanded its global reach with flotilla ships sailing through the far-off oceans to expand China's influence.
The official media justified the increase to USD 175 saying that, although slightly higher than the previous two years, the growth rate is the third time to dip into the single digit since 2013, following 7.6 per cent in 2016 and 7 per cent in 2017.
China's defence budget takes up a smaller share of its gross domestic product (GDP) and national fiscal expenditure compared with other major countries, Zhang Yesui, spokesperson of the NPC told media here yesterday.
Its military spending per capita is also lower than other major countries, Zhang said.
"A large part of the growth of the defence budget is to make up for the low military spending in the past and is mainly used to upgrade equipment and improve the welfare of servicemen and women and the living and training conditions of grassroots troops," he said. -- PTI
08:49 LeT terrorist, 3 others killed in J-K's Shopian
A Lashkar-e-Tayiba terrorist and three civilians, termed overground workers for the terrorist group by the army, were killed in South Kashmir's Shopian district, officials said.
According to the army, two vehicles were asked to stop by a mobile checking squad of the force in this insurgency-affected area near Pohan.
However, the squad was fired upon from inside a car.
Troops retaliated effectively, resulting in the death of the vehicle's occupants, they said.
Police rushed to the spot and identified one of the deceased as Amir Ahmed Malik, who had joined the LeT terrorist group in July last year.
The bodies of the others were handed over to their legal heirs, a police spokesman said.
"Weapons have been seized and legal proceedings initiated," he said.
However, Srinagar-based defence spokesman Col. Rajesh Kalia said the three were overground workers and accomplices of the slain terrorist.
The three were residents of Trenz, Pinjoora and Imamsahib areas of Shopian.
In a related development, separatist amalgam under the banner of Joint Resistance Forum has called for a Kashmir bandh tomorrow to protest the killings in Shopian. -- PTI
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