February 21
Toll in MP Naxalite attack rises to 23
This was the second major attack by Naxalites in Madhya Pradesh since 1991 when 18 persons were killed in Dantewada district.
Pakistan expels 3 Indian high commission officials
The announcement came two days after India expelled three staff members of the Pakistani high commission in New Delhi and mimicked India's statement almost to the letter.
Sharad Yadav, Paswan's brother injured in attacks by RJD workers
While Yadav sustained injuries on his leg and hand, Paswan received minor wounds. Yadav's pilot was also injured and the windscreen of his aircraft was smashed.
February 20
18 killed, 15 hurt in fire on Punjab Mail
The police said the fire broke out at about 0330 IST in the pantry car of the train travelling from Bombay to Ferozpur in Punjab.
Naxals kill seven policemen in AP
Members of the People's War attacked the Darakonda police outpost near Sileru in the dense Chintapally forests and fled with arms and ammunition.
Sonia is a big hit in Jhajjar
Party managers had pulled out all stops to make her public meeting a success. And it was.
HDW should be dropped from blacklist: navy
It asked the government to bow to pressure from international arms lobbies to keep the submarine programme going.
The flight of capital
Rs five million is a hell of a lot of money to burn on choppers during electioneering, says Chindu Sreedharan.
More statues disfigured in Kerala
The police are yet to arrest anyone for the damage done to the statue of Sree Narayana Guru in Athinad though this is the fourth such case in Kollam district.
Frenchman dies mysteriously in Baripada
Porcu Sebastian Dominque was found gasping for breath, with injuries on his stomach and a broken tube light lying near him.
February 19
Vedrine backs Clinton's offer on J&K
'If US mediation can shift the situation, then we understand the US desire (to mediate),' the French minister said.
9 security personnel killed in Tral mine blast
Five of the men in khaki were from the Central Reserve Police Force while the others were from the Special Operations Group of the Jammu & Kashmir police.
3 Pakistani high commission officials expelled
Mohammad Khalil, Rana Mohammad Saghir and Mohammad Amin have been ordered to leave India before February 25.
Governor accepts Rajasthan finance minister's resignation
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will retain all the portfolios -- finance, taxation, excise and Indira Gandhi Canal project -- held by Chandan Mal Baid.
Police still to file espionage FIR against Shah
"We have been working on various leads provided by Shah during the course of his interrogation. Since there is too much of investigation involved, which will take the investigating teams all over India and even abroad, it is better that the Central Bureau of Investigation takes up the case," Joint Commissioner of Police (southern range) Amod Kanth told rediff.com
Railway Board goes in appeal in gang-rape case
The Eastern Railway's chief public relations officer K Mukhopaddhyay said since the act complained of had not been performed in course of the official duty, the railway should not have been held responsible.
ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS
The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
Chindu Sreedharan catches up with Biju Janata Dal leader Naveen Patnaik on the campaign trail.
Development did Laloo in: experts
He actually improved roads and the power condition, and changed society. But the realisation of what it's been missing made electorate resentful, say social scientists.
OTHER REPORTS
Defiant Bajrang Dal shows up schism in Sangh Parivar
Police burst teargas shells and used force to drive out a violent group of Dal activists who stormed Bhopal's Dussehra Maidan and unfurled a saffron flag in defiance of a ban imposed by the Madhya Pradesh government.
Government plans to clip CVC's wings
It plans to make the commission a three-member statutory body, to check the growing threat posed by Chief Vigilance Commissioner N Vittal.
When treasure is nothing but trouble
Those who buried it couldn't recover it; those who recovered it can't keep but now also have to face an administrative inquisition for not handing it over.
THE REDIFF SPECIAL
'Mehdi Hasan is God's miracle'
'Mukesh was an original... Hemantda's voice was like a deep ocean... Didi sings brilliantly...' Asha Bhosle on her favourite singers.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
Proud to be Simple-Minded
'It is not to say that being "proudly Indian and proudly Hindu" is a curse, or that this view should be "diluted". Hardly. But is it enough? Is pride enough? Is it enough to build a country on?' asks Dilip D'Souza.
Bill Clinton's visit cannot lead to any miracles
'There is not a single substantive measure that will come about as a result of President Clinton's visit. Let us not pretend that this will do anything to deepen any understanding between India and the United States,' says T V R Shenoy.
February 18
14 hurt in bomb blast on Gomti Express
The bomb exploded when the superfast train was passing through tiny Jhijhak station, about 80 kilometres short of Kanpur.
ICHR spikes big history projects, sparks row
Authoritative sources confirmed that the new ICHR, comprising mostly pro-Sangh Parivar historians, has scrapped several other projects while withholding the distribution of several recently published books, including a two-part series on India's Partition.
7 killed in second phase of Bihar election
About two dozen notorious gangsters were in the fray. But polling was far more peaceful in the constituencies where they were contesting, mainly because security forces took additional precautions there.
Naidu calls for abrogation of Art 356
The Andhra Pradesh CM also supports former Lok Sabha speaker PM Sangma's view that foreign-born nationals should not be allowed to hold the key posts of President, vice-president and prime minister.
Rajasthan workers give in, end 64-day strike
Expressing happiness at the decision, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, however, repeated his government's resolve to adhere to the 'no work, no pay' rule for the period of the strike.
Extortion is big business in the northeast
The funds enable them to finance the visits of their leaders abroad, purchase sophisticated arms and communication equipment and run the organisation. Of course, most of them term the process as "tax collection."
Vedrine, Jaswant protest American domination of culture
The French foreign minister said that while India, due to its rich culture, had managed to escape the overweening American influence, Europe was completely swamped by it.
Army needs officers in a hurry: Gen Malik
The army chief admitted the reason for the IMA course being pruned was the shortage of young army officers, especially at the operational ranks of lieutenants, captains and majors.
Padamsee to evolve cost-effective promotional mix for AP
Alyque Padamsee has offered his services free of cost to the Andhra Pradesh government.
Bofors papers may fail to nail culprits
'The scrutiny will be completed soon and a report will be submitted to the home ministry. But we doubt the papers reveal any hard evidence to fix the guilty in a court of law,' a CBI officer told rediff.com
Pro-India militant chief killed
Fayaz Mir, chief of the pro-government Ikhwanul Muslemoon, was killed along with an associate in a mine blast at Asham in north Kashmir.
ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS
Nawanshahr by-elections crucial for Punjab politics
A loss here could be fatal for SAD leader and CM Parkash Singh Badal; a win could consolidate the position of Congress leader Capt Amarinder Singh.
First phase passes peacefully in Orissa
Election Commission office sources said there was only one case of violence, when ballot papers were snatched in Malkangiri constituency.
OTHER REPORTS
US expresses concern to Pak over terrorist activities
It was concerned that terrorist groups like the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen operate in Pakistan, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said.
Freeze on seats a victory for DMK
The southern party was the only one to point out that representation based on electorate size would hit states with better population control measures.
A peep into the past
New Hyderabad museum to commemorate silver jubilee of nizam's coronation.
Congress braces for the worst from Constitution review panel
The party feels this is a deliberate attempt to prevent party chief Sonia Gandhi from contesting top posts in the country.
THE REDIFF SPECIAL
'The weaknesses are not of the Constitution but of the system and of the state'
'If we are not able to implement the Directive Principles, if we cannot send all our children to school, then these are not the weaknesses of our Constitution. Why blame the Constitution?' Former Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral on the Constitution review.
The question, 'should Bill Clinton visit Pakistan', is the wrong one
'Pakistan is an important enough country that Bill Clinton should HAVE visited long ago; perhaps a few months after a visit to India. All of this should have taken place in 1994 or 1995 at the latest,' says Professor Stephen P Cohen.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
Today defence spending is being linked to national pride and patriotism
'Both countries of the subcontinent are so obsessed with their defence apparatus that it is sometimes difficult to perceive what they are trying to defend. Is it the largest poverty stricken population in the world?' asks Admiral J G Nadkarni (retd).
What counts, India or ties to a family?
'The nation will not forgive another betrayal by the tired old men who rule over its destinies. This will come when Clinton insinuates his country into the Kashmir cauldron,' says Monu Nalapat.
February 17
Cops react in anger as militants kill 3 security personnel
The killings were followed by a rocket attack on the heavily guarded Shaheed Gunj police station. The rocket missed the building and hit an adjacent mosque, which was extensively damaged.
Sarkaria, Abid Hussain, Rajinder Singh await a letter from government
All three said they have no idea what the terms of reference of the commission are.
Kerala orders judicial probe in Netto case
The CM said the inquiry into the charges of sexual harassment against former transport minister A Neelalohithdasan Nadar and actions as per law could proceed simultaneously.
In Oriya please, Mr Patnaik
The Doon School-educated son of Biju Patnaik had promised when he entered politics that he would pick up Oriya as soon as possible. He has not kept his promise.
Intelligence agencies advise government to replace Rs 500 notes
Home ministry sources indicated that once the new series hit the market, the old ones could be withdrawn in a phased manner. A sudden announcement to withdraw the notes could set off panic in the market.
Former TN health secy gets 1 year RI
The judge held that the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption had proved beyond doubt that K Inbasagaran had amassed wealth to the tune of Rs 5.44 million during 1978-1993.
'If a film or a book can tarnish our culture, which is more than 5,000 years old, then what kind of culture is this?'
'The human spirit cannot exist in an environment of repression. Certain groups create an impression that they are the sole repository of Hindu culture. Of course, they have the right to differ, to protest. But to express your disagreement there is a platform, there is a legal procedure,' says filmmaker Govind Nihalani.
Army's Kargil inquiry indicts Brig Surinder Singh
The report says there were major lapses on the part of one of the three battalions manning the LoC. According to sources, the inquiry by Lieutenant General A R K Reddy has nailed the brigadier for his failure to act when the intrusions were detected.
ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS
Factions could decide Sirsa result
Leaders of both the BJP-INLD combine and the Congress are busier pacifying rebels than concentrating on the electioneering.
Of pride, prejudice and by-elections
Family honour is the major factor in campaigning for the by-elections in Pratapgarh.
Straight fights between Congress and BJP in four MP seats
The Congress had won Rajim and Sohagpur in the last assembly elections while the BJP had bagged Jabalpur (Central) and Bhojpur.
It sounds like a Bollywood potboiler
Politicians talk like C-grade goons in the films as campaigning reaches its pitch in Kannauj.
OTHER REPORTS
Purulia accused challenge court verdict
They filed a petition before the Calcutta high court claiming they were not part of the conspiracy to drop arms.
Centre takes steps to fence borders after blasts
Police to set up additional checkpoints, railways asked to fence stations to make things difficult for terrorists.
Not guilty
Judge acquits actresses, saying the charges of obscenity made against them were vague.
Shorter course to induct more officers: Gen Malik
The quicker induction of officers would give them more exposure and faster, the army chief said.
THE REDIFF SPECIAL
India may not be China, but neither is it an insignificant 'Third World' state
'India has been neglected by American policymakers, but correcting that error should not mean neglecting Pakistan, which is not only nuclear-armed, but by 2002 will be the world's sixth largest state, and perhaps once again its fourth largest democracy,' says South Asia expert Professor Stephen P Cohen.
'India's future is certainly brighter than her disgraceful present'
Abject poverty will disappear except in pockets... At least three Indians will win the Nobel Prize in Literature by 2050... India hosts the Olympics before 2050. Rajeev Srinivasan's ten predictions for the next 100 years.
THE REDIFF COLUMNIST
The strings to Clinton's visit
'Fifty-two years of Independence have made us more confident and we now look other nations straight in the eye. We are beginning to be conscious of our identity. This is what I fear America has not realised,' says Kuldip Nayar.
MESSAGE BOARD
'Intolerance is not
far beneath the skin'
The 'Fire over Water' message board responses. And, post your own message.
February 16
Basu won't let BJP disrupt Water shooting in WB
Basu had invited Mehta's unit to shoot in the state when actress Shabana Azmi had a telephonic conversation with him.
Church groups oppose Constitution review
In a letter to President Narayanan and Prime Minister Vajpayee, Delhi Archbishop Alan de Lastic demanded an immediate meeting of the National Integration Council to discuss the proposed review and expressed "grave apprehensions" about the government's intentions.
Pawar lets Sangma have his way
The NCP chief, who came to dissuade, seeing he was fighting a losing battle, decided to endorse the former speaker's decision to join the constitution review panel.
Rao denies charges in bribery case
He alleged that witnesses had deposed in the court under political pressure and denied knowledge of any details relating to the bribe money allegedly brought from Bangalore.
Cadres resent CPI-M move to launch TV channel
The party has decided to raise Rs 500 million from its cadres for meeting the capital requirement of the venture aimed at spreading its ideology and views.
Congress refuses to ease up on CRC
'Some of the panel members are BJP sympathisers and Congress bashers whose only ambition is to use the Constitution Review Committee to continue their political battle against our party president,' Pranab Mukherjee told rediff.com
ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS
Campaigning for first phase ends in Orissa
Although there were about 15 political parties in the fray, the main battle should be between the ruling Congress and the BJP-BJD combine.
Poll strains in Orissa threaten NDA
Samata Party, Trinamool upset at non-inclusion in Orissa; Murli Manohar Joshi calls their participation undesirable.
Electorate sick of lying politicians in Bolangir
Promises are all they have, say voters who still have to get the basic amenities promised over the years.
Political guns fall silent in Bihar
Workers have retreated to their party offices to plan for Thursday when the polling is scheduled to take place.
Campaigning ends in Bellary
The main contenders this time are Kollur Basavanagouda of the Congress and K S Veerabhadrappa of the BJP-JD (U) combine. Veerabhadrappa, a former Congressman, joined the BJP recently.
TDP banks on sympathy to win Gudivada
Chandrababu Naidu also sought to evoke the sentiments of the people of the constituency, saying that Gudivada was the home town of N T Rama Rao.
Mulayam's son stands in for dad
But despite the Samajwadi Party chief's efforts to win the seat by proxy, his son, environment engineer Akhilesh Yadav, doesn't have the heart for battle.
OTHER REPORTS
India shouldn't make a big thing of Clinton visiting Pakistan: Farooq
The chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir says India should concentrate on improving relations with the US during the American president's visit.
SC gives new dimension to Krishna dispute
Says the suit was not maintainable in view of Article 262 of the Constitution, which barred the jurisdiction of courts in inter-state river disputes.
Independent security force for airports soon
The new force, which would make extensive use of sniffer dogs and x-ray machines, would be called the Civil Aviation Security Force.
ASI chief Ajay Shankar dead
The senior IAS officer passed away following a road accident last night while on his way to Shirdi in Maharashtra.
THE REDIFF SPECIAL
America's engagement in the Kashmir dispute needs to be raised several notches
'What makes Kashmir such a difficult issue is that it is not only about contested territory and populations but because it also touches upon competing national identities: India as a nuclear state, Pakistan as an Islamic one,' says South Asia expert Professor Stephen P Cohen.
THE REDIFF COLUMNIST
Sonia Gandhi's march to history
'Soniaji should quickly fly to New York to stage a dharna before the mighty UN for forsaking the sacred secularism of India and instead advocating our nation to embrace the uniform civil code,' says Arvind Lavakare.
February 15
No plans to let govt employees join RSS: PM
No changes contemplated in the current laws, says Vajpayee.
PMO rejects charges against constitution review panel
Officials rejected the Opposition's assertion that the induction of former Lok Sabha speaker Purno A Sangma had damaged the neutrality of the panel.
13 officials punished for Sangli blinding tragedy
Maharashtra State Health Minister Digvijay Khanvilkar said the action came after a preliminary inquiry held the officials responsible for blinding 13 villagers last month.
Party rebels attack Laloo
Reports reaching here said though Laloo was not hurt, his chopper suffered extensive damage forcing him to resume his campaign tour in a car.
Sangma to raise foreign origins issue
The former Lok Sabha speaker P A Sangma said the Constitution Review Committee is free to discuss the issue since it was not part of the basic structure of the Constitution.
Navy to lease nuclear-capable bombers from Russia
The navy proposes to lease at least four Tu-22M3 planes to make up for the absence of its long-range and medium-range reconnaissance aircraft, which are slated to return to Russia for upgradation.
BJP-TDP seat-sharing talks fail
The BJP spokesman said his party was keeping its options open for contesting all the municipalities going to the polls on March 9.
The evil that envelopes Orissa
Caste, that unashamed meddler in most things Indian, has made its presence felt in the ensuing Orissa election.
Jaswant Singh's absence from official functions sets tongues wagging
Adding frisson to Singh's absence is the resounding silence from him over the recent interview on Doordarshan with Pakistan's chief executive, General Pervez Musharraf. "This is most un-Jaswant-like," said a top government source.
Rebels queer the pitch for both Congress, BJD-BJP
Though the Congress has fewer rebels in the fray, it is nevertheless believed to be fighting a losing battle. In all, the Congress has 25 rebels, of whom 21 have been expelled, the BJP has 41, while the BJD has 52.
OTHER REPORTS
Judicial probe against Kerala minister opposed
Opposition parties are of the view that there is no need for a judicial inquiry as the case falls within the purview of the Indian Penal Code.
Basu assures all help for shooting of Water
West Bengal chief minister reacts positively to actress Shabana Azmi's appeal.
Ten killed in Kashmir violence
Security forces also averted a bomb blast in the valley today.
Patnaik projected as future CM despite state BJP opposition
Asked whether the BJP would get the top job if it wins more assembly seats than the BJD, Union Information Technology Minister Pramod Mahajan said it might not be possible as the latter is contesting 84 assembly seats as against the BJP's 63.
Tribals of western Orissa will decide Biswal's fate
The wind that blows across western Orissa, better known as "drought and starvation land", bodes ill for the ruling Congress.
AP shelves Greater Hyderabad plan
Consequently, the Election Commission will hold elections to the nine municipalities around Hyderabad -- Rajendranagar, L B Nagar, Uppal Kalan, Kapra, Malkajgiri, Alwal, Qutubullahpur, Kukatpally and Seri Lingampally.
Will Vinod Khanna's charm save BJP in Manipur?
The film star turned politician, Bharatiya Janata Party national secretary P B Acharya and general secretary of Nagaland unit Dooth Singh will lead the party's campaign in the state.
Congress fields 27 women in Bihar elections
The party has given women maximum representation; the Samajwadi Party the least, with not one woman candidate.
Opposition splits in Sri Lanka
United National Party strongman Sirisena Cooray has formed a new party to contest against Ranil Wickremesinghe in the coming election.
Lankan president presents Budget
With this Chandrika Kumaratunga broke a 22-year-old tradition.
Tiger kills man in Bhubaneswar zoo
It is not certain how the tiger escaped but a staff member said the enclosure door might not have been properly locked.
THE REDIFF INTERVIEWS
'We have made the President a dummy'
'The President takes an oath to defend the Constitution and protect the welfare of the people. The oath has no meaning at all when he has no powers whatsoever to take any initiative.' Former Union minister C Subramaniam on the Constitution review.
'I have a double sympathy factor going'
'I was so surprised by Balasaheb's kindness and upset that the Congress had let me down that I didn't think about the communal attitude of the party,' says Dinaz Patrawala, Shiv Sena candidate for the assembly by-election in Colaba, Bombay.
THE REDIFF SPECIAL
The need for a fresh look at US policies in South Asia
'Both India and Pakistan have demonstrated an ability to resist outside pressures perceived as inimical to their vital interests. Washington's policy-makers need a better understanding of both the opportunities for and the limitations on American power in the area,' says South Asia expert Professor Stephen P Cohen.
MESSAGE BOARD
'India was proud to have you...'
Tribute to Allah Rakha from our readers.
'One-sided application of the law will only get the contempt of people'
Readers respond to our 'Fire over Water' Message Board.
THE REDIFF COLUMNIST
Old foes, new friends?
'Believe it or not, the Soldiers Initiative for Peace between India and Pakistan, established for the first time in the history of the two nations, was publicly decrying war. And these soldiers were not old boys from pre-Partition schools going through the motions of a reunion,' says Major General (retd) Ashok K Mehta.
Archives
|
