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Jyoti basu is dead

Dr.B.R.Ambedkar

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Excuse of Unilateral War Agaist Aboriginal Indigenous Rural India,India is 'losing Maoist battle'Resultant in CORPORATE Monopoly on Natural Resources and National revenue!

Excuse of Unilateral War Agaist Aboriginal Indigenous Rural India,India is 'losing Maoist battle'Resultant in CORPORATE Monopoly on Natural Resources and National revenue!

Troubled Galaxy Destroyed Dreams,Chapter 376

Palash Biswas


Pl read:

The Hindu Business Line : Saturday, September 19, 2009

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Cobra's hunt fells 24 rebels
SHEENA K.

Raipur, Sept. 18: At least 24 rebels were gunned down in the strongest attack on Maoists launched by security personnel in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh since last night.

While 10 bodies of Maoists have been recovered so far, an assistant commandant of the CRPF's elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (Cobra), Manoranjan Singh, was killed in action.

Five jawans were said to be missing and a combing operation has been launched to search for them.

This was Cobra's maiden operation in Chhattisgarh and it involved some 600 personnel, so far the biggest movement of forces in any rebel operation in the state.

Senior police officers have denied that the operation, code name Green Hunt, was a part of the Union government's larger plan of launching a massive anti-Naxalite operation across states.

"It was part of the state's ongoing offensive against insurgency," the inspector-general of police (headquarters), R.K. Vij, told The Telegraph.

Security personnel raided a rebel camp located at Palachalam, 600km south of Raipur, under Kisteram police station area on Thursday evening.

The forested and hilly area adjoining Andhra Pradesh often doubles up as a rebel hideout because of its inaccessibility. Additional director-general of police Girdhari Nayak said that jawans surrounded the area from all corners and then attacked the camp. Rebels retaliated and a gun battle ensued, continuing for the better part of the night.

Nayak added that 10 bodies were recovered and security personnel had destroyed an arms factory being run at the hideout.

During the gunfire, the assistant commandant from Manipur was killed on the spot, while four jawans were injured. The government rushed two helicopters to evacuate the injured. Sources said the condition of all those injured and admitted to Jagdalpur government hospital was critical.

The personnel then launched a massive combing operation to search for the missing jawans.

The operation coincided with the arrival of senior IPS officer Vijay Raman, 58, recently promoted by the Centre as special director-general of police to deal with the Maoist menace.

The 1973-batch officer will co-ordinate with directors general of police of seven Maoist-hit states and will be based in Raipur.

Raman landed here yesterday evening and met chief minister Raman Singh and top police officers who refused to divulge details of the meeting. He was supposed to return to New Delhi this morning, but after being informed about the operation he landed in Nagpur and rushed to Dantewada.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090919/jsp/frontpage/story_11515486.jsp

Terror strike? Blame public mood across border
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
The Taj hotel on fire during the Mumbai attacks

New Delhi, Sept. 18: Terrorism is more likely when people of one country disapprove of the leadership or policies of another, a new study has suggested, challenging the idea that terrorists represent fringe groups outside mainstream society.

A new analysis of public opinion in one set of countries and terrorist incidents against targets from another set of countries has revealed a strong association between public opinion and acts of international terrorism.

The study by researchers at Princeton University in the US and Charles University in the Czech Republic indicates that the greater the levels of public disapproval in one country over the leaders or policies of another country, the higher the incidence of terrorism from the first country against targets from the second country. The study appears in the journal Science today.

"Public opinion appears to be a useful predictor of terrorist activity," Alan Krueger, professor of economics at Princeton said in a statement issued through the university. "This is the first study to relate public opinion across countries to terrorism."

Krueger, who has applied rigorous statistical techniques to analyse terrorism, was unavailable for additional comments on the study as he is currently with the Barack Obama administration as assistant secretary for economic policy in the US treasury department.

The study analysed 952 terrorist attacks documented by the US National Counterterrorism Center between January 2004 and August 2008, among which 841 were perpetrated by groups from Pakistan against targets from India.

Krueger and his co-worker Jitka Maleckova from Prague analysed public opinion obtained through polls in 18 Middle Eastern and North African countries, including Pakistan, and counted the number of terrorist attacks from these countries directed against people or property from nine powers — the US, the UK, Russia, Germany, France, Canada, Japan, China, and India.

"A 20 percentage-point increase in the disapproval level of a country's leaders... was associated with a 93 per cent increase in the number of terrorist attacks," they wrote in their research paper.

They dropped the Pakistan-India pair in the analysis describing it as an "outlying observation", but point out that the findings of the correlation between terrorist incidents and public opinion are similar if the pair is included.

"This doesn't appear surprising — negative public opinion in a society may enable terrorists to find recruits," said Alok Bansal, a senior fellow at the Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis, New Delhi.

But Krueger and Maleckova have cautioned in their report that their findings do not allow them to infer whether terrorists are responding to public opinion or whether they are responding just as the larger public in their own countries. But the results suggest that countries can try to reduce the risk of terrorist attacks by seeking to mould public sentiment in other countries.

The study has also indicated that richer countries with higher level of civil liberties are more likely to be targets of terrorist attacks. But, contrary to popular notions, terrorism is not associated with poverty in a country.
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http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090919/jsp/frontpage/story_11516172.jsp

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  • Major Maoist leader arrested from Lalgarh
  • The combined forces were on the lookout for Jatin Pratihar (52), a homeopathic practitioner, ever since they marched to Kantapahari on June 29 during the course of their flush-out ...
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  • Maoists on back foot, planning human shields?
  • By Sujeet Kumar, Dantewada (Chhattisgarh), Sep 19 : In the face of a sustained assault by security forces, Maoist leaders have begun fleeing their landmine-protected hideouts in ...
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  • Chhattisgarh: Bodies of 5 cobra officers found
  • Raipur: Police Saturday recovered the bodies of five policemen of elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (Cobra) in jungles where rebels and police battled throughout Friday ...
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  • Cops launch assault on Naxals, kill 30
  • A combined team of the elite anti-Naxal force, the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (COBRA) and the Chhat-tisgarh police killed around 30 Maoist rebels on Friday in Dantewada ...
  • Hindustan Times
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  • Eight detained for interrogation in Lalgarh
  • Eight persons, including suspected Maoists, were detained on Friday for interrogation after arms and ammunition seized from them during anti-Maoist operations in West Midnapore ...
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This IPO will be game-changer: Pipavav

19 Sep 2009, 1355 hrs IST, DEV CHATTERJEE,ET Now

In an exclusive interview, Pipavav Shipyard chairman Nikhil Gandhi spoke on the IPO receiving such a good response. IPOs that performed well | Best performing stocks
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Air India flight leaves 25 confirmed passengers behind
19 Sep 2009, 1540 hrs IST, IANS

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19 Sep 2009, 1655 hrs IST, REUTERS

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Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:12:08 GMT

Navratri, most colorful dance festival begins on Saturday


Navratri

Women in traditional attire pose for photographs as they practice the Garba, a traditional dance of Gujarat state, ahead of the Navratri festival in Ahmadabad on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. The annual festival of Navratri, or nine nights, where thousands of youth dance the night away in traditional costumes begins from Saturday, September 19.


http://news.in.msn.com/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=3235460

19/09/2009

Nanavati Commission seeks phone details from Modi's office

Ahmedabad: The Nanavati Commission probing the 2002 riots in Gujarat Saturday asked the staff of Chief Minister Narendra Modi to provide details of their phone conversations with ministers during the riots that killed over 1,000 people, most of them Muslims.

Mukul Sinha, advocate for the NGO Janshangharsh Manch, said: "The commission has sought details of telephone conversations between the chief minister's staff and other ministers, and Jaideep Patel," then a leader of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, affiliated to the state's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

The role of the Narendra Modi-led government has been under the scanner, with many victims and rights groups alleging complicity of its ministers in the riots. But despite the plea of the Manch, the commission had still not issued any summons to Modi or his staff to appear before it, Sinha told TV news channel NDTV 24x7.

Source: IANS


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19/09/2009

Media hype on China can be dangerous, warns NSA

New Delhi/ China: Seeking to downplay recent incursions by Chinese Army along the Line of Actual Control, National Security Advisor M K Narayanan today cautioned that media "hype" could lead to "unwarranted incident or accident" that could create problems with the neighbour.

Media hype on China can be dangerous, warns NSA

He acknowledged that incursions were taking place but said there was "hardly any increase" in these activities and situation was not "alarming".

The NSA disagreed that China was trying to put pressure saying "India of 2009 is not (India) of 1962" and said both nations are keen to maintain peace and transquility at the border.

"In terms of number of incursions, there has been hardly any increase. Occasionally inroads are a little deeper than what it might have been in the past. I don't think so that there is anything alarming about it. I think we have a good understanding about the whole issue," Narayanan told Karan Thapar on his 'Devil's Advocate' programme on CNN-IBN.

Israel warns of threats to India

An Indian soldier surveys the Taj Mahal Palace Tower Hotel in Mumbai, during the attack in November
Major hotels and a Jewish centre were among the targets in Mumbai

Israel is warning that Islamist militants are preparing attacks in India similar to those in Mumbai last year, media and officials have said.

Israel's counterterrorism unit said the group that launched the Mumbai attacks was planning to target Western or Israeli tourists, AFP news agency said.

Israeli television also reported that a travel advisory would warn Israelis against travelling to India.

India has blamed Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba for the Mumbai attacks.

"The terrorist group that carried out the serious Mumbai attack in India is planning to carry out a number of attacks across India, particularly against concentrations of Western or Israeli tourists," AFP quoted the counterterrorism unit as saying.

The attacks last November left more than 170 people dead, including nine gunmen.

Targets included a Jewish centre run by the New York-based orthodox Lubavitch organisation.

The Israeli statement said the planned attacks could target other Lubavitch centres in India.

The warning was based on "a concrete, very serious threat", it said.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8262110.stm

Excuse of Unilateral War Agaist Aboriginal Indigenous Rural India,India is 'losing Maoist battle'Resultant in CORPORATE Monopolyon Natural Resources and National revenue!


Orissa is given away to Pasco and Tatas. Chhattisgarh is Captured by Reliance! Bengal Property is undecided and to be decided in a Civil War in between CPIM and TMC Factions killing only Black Untouchables!

Aboriginal scheduled Coastal areas have been captured by Private oil companies including Reliance!

Urban slums and Semiurban Underclass dens have to be gifted away to Realty Sector. Agrosector and realty Market have to be shared by Chemical MNCs and Retail Chain!

Refugees of all kind, tribes most aboriginal have to be ejected out so that all MINES and Land may be owned and used for Development and Infrastructure, Industries and urbanisation, so Citizenship Amendment Act was passed! It was publicised as Dual Citizenship for foreign capital Inflow as well as Urgency for national security and Integrity! Bengali refugees and Muslims being Deported, the SHOWCASE was Complete with Hidden Agenda of India Incs! Then Nandan Nilekani of Infosis enters as Cabinet Ranked with data base Unique identity Number Project!

Twin Teror Acts were introduced to curb Insurgency and Terrorism! Infact branding and Isolating Minorities, nationalities and Popular Insurrections as anti National Subvertive Activities, Extremism and Terrorism with AFPSA, Military option and ZERO Intolerance ENABLED, complete Sovereignity for MNCs, LPG Mafia, Promoter and Builder raj, corporate Monopoly in absence of Virtual Resistance due to Idelogical betrayal ENSURED as had been ensured BRAHMIN Bania Raj with Power Trasfer to Manusmriti apartheid zionis Hegemony since partition of Indian Geopolitics!

Haterd Muslim and Pakistan Phobia with Kashmir Problem made all the Space for Defence deals, Weapon Market and swiss bank accounts! Indo Us Nuclear deal has opened allthe Floodgates of US Corporate Imperialism making and tagging India with Recession Inflicted US War Economy! Colonisation is complete as Governance and Policy Making have been invested in Extra constitutional elements violating parliamentary  Democratic Norms and Killing Constitution! Economic Reforms meant for Mass Destruction.Neo Brahamin Zionst Upsurge of Blind Hindu nationalism makes India live in super power Nuclear Fantacies experimenting in False MOON Mission and DUDDED Nuclear EXPLOSION! Inflated Economy hyped false Recession with limited Indices Swings due toENHANCED FIIs and FDI! Fiscal and Monetary Policies tilted in favour of Tax Code to bail Out the Authortarian capitalism, the Greedy Killer Money Machine! Oil Economy, Energy Miss Management and IT bbom kiled Indigenous Production system! defence Hike disbalanced balance of Payment and Politics Corrupted national network of Welfare, utility and Industry! Simply Privatisation is OPTED discarding Socialist Mdel of Development and neoliberalism introduced to put the nation and its Properties on Sale! disinvestment Drive is ON. Jobloss and Land Acquisition in Full Swing! Farmers Commit Suicide and rural India devastated with Displacement, repression, Ethnic Cleansing and exodus!

Excellent landsape and humanscape to Escalate Maoist Naxal menace and interstingly it COINCIDES with Neo Liberal Age, Projected NGO Rule and Nuclear armament amidst War against Terrorism while Internal security is vested into Cia and MOSSAD with Strategic realliance in US Israel lead!

Now Anti Nepal campaign and China Security Threat Hyped TUNING with Maoist Menace so that the maistream Masses may be isolated from Popular Insurrection and resistance ENABLING Military Option and Zero Intolerence!

lalgarh Phenomenon is apparently a classic example how the rebel Masses may be Branded as Maoist!

Media Homwork for Nation Wide Anti maoist Campaign,thus, happens to be the Post Modern ASHWA Medha Yagya of Corporate India against Indigenous Aboriginal India and it is MONOPLISTIC Aggressin on Indian People in general colored otherwise!


Hence, it is aired that Worried after the massive assault launched by security forces and warned of more in the coming days, top Maoist leaders have started fleeing their landmine-protected hideouts in the Chhattisgarh jungles and are planning to put up human shields to thwart the troopers, top officials said Saturday. At least two dozen ultras were killed in the attacks Friday.

Reports that the government is preparing for the biggest assault on the Maoists has unsettled the rebels, the officials say.

The Maoists hold sway over much of the iron-ore rich Bastar region - spread over 40,000 sq km in the five districts of Dantewada, Bijapur, Narayanpur, Kanker, and Bastar.

India-Maoist polit


Reports coming in from the interiors of restive Bastar region - where the ultras have set up a massive infrastructure to carry out insurgency in several states - indicate that the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) politburo members, including general secretary Ganapathi, have started moving out from their base in the Abujhmar forest to cross over to Andhra Pradesh to avoid an aerial attack the government may be planning.


On Friday, in one of Chhattisgarh's biggest drives against Maoist insurgents, over 500 policemen led by the elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (Cobra), an anti-Maoist force drawn from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), attacked rebel hideouts in several locations in Bastar's Dantewada district. Officials claimed to have killed at least two dozen insurgents though some 10 bodies have been recovered so far.


An assistant commandant of the Cobra battalion, Manoranjan Singh, and five other personnel were also killed in the operation.

"The CPI-Maoist politburo members have instructed their military wing, People's Liberation of Guerrilla Army (PLGA), to avoid a direct fight with troopers to prevent losses of their skilled fighters and put up human shields before the forces in order to make the battle a long-drawn-out affair," a top police officer involved in drawing up the anti-Maoist combat strategy told IANS. He was speaking after receiving fresh inputs from the Maoist-controlled Bastar jungles.


The source said: "They (Maoists) have begun to put up boys and girls drawn from their two units - the Krantikari Adivasi Mahila Sangh and the Krantikari Adivasi Balak Sangh - to prevent troopers from moving into the territory commanded by ultras and also give a chance to their urban sympathisers and human rights activists to whip up a global campaign over the killing of minors and abuse of human rights."


A CRPF commandant posted at Bijapur's war zone remarked: "Maoists know they can't withstand the attacks of Indian troopers for a long time. Once their armed force is shaken, the Maoists will be reduced to the strength they had almost two decades back. So the only option left before them is to engage child soldiers recruited forcibly in the past five years to make the battle a lengthy one."


A top counter-terrorism expert said: "The forces should not go to the jungles just to hunt and recapture the areas being held by Maoists. After pushing back the Maoists, the government must have a quick plan to create livelihood for the local populace being misled by the rebels for years. This is a must to erase the sympathy among them for the ultras.


"Once you capture the Maoist bases in Chhattisgarh which are deprived of economic prosperity, the government must take care of the socioeconomic problems in the area, improve infrastructure, set up police stations and strengthen governance mechanism; otherwise the rebels will regain the bases once the forces retreat."


Haryana cops, forensic experts probe attack on Rahul's train!

Police and forensic experts in Haryana were Wednesday questioning people and searching villages to identify those who pelted stones at

the Amritsar-New Delhi
 Shatabdi Express in which Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi was travelling.

The incident took place Tuesday night near Gharaunda town, about 20 km from Panipat town and 100 km from the national capital.

"We are investigating the matter based on various clues. People in nearby villages are being questioned about who was behind this incident," said Rohtak range Inspector General of Police V. Kamaraj.

Though no one was injured, three coaches, C-2, C-4 and C-7, were damaged.

One stone actually pierced the twin toughened glass of the Shatabdi express and landed inside coach C-4. The glass panes of two other coaches suffered damage as well.

Police officials said they were trying to identify whether the miscreants were youth or children and also whether the attack was deliberate or just another incident of stone throwing on trains.

The attack is being viewed seriously by Haryana police as well Railway Protection Force (RPF) officials as the train had a VIP guarded by the Special Protection Group (SPG) on board.

Incidentally, none of the stones hit the C-3 coach in which Rahul Gandhi was seated on a window seat.

The SPG did not allow the train to stop at Panipat station.

Rahul Gandhi, who chose to make his Delhi to Ludhiana and return journey in an air-conditioned chair car coach instead of flying in a helicopter or taking an executive-class seat on the train, alighted from the train at the New Delhi station just after 11 p.m. Tuesday. He looked unperturbed.

However, fellow passengers said the incident had left them disturbed.

"A child who was sitting next to the smashed window could have been hurt. If this has happened because of Rahul travelling on this train, it would be better if such VIPs don't travel with the public. The stone hit the window like a bullet and landed in with glass pieces," one passenger said.

Rahul Gandhi had made the day-trip to Punjab's industrial city of Ludhiana to participate in a training camp for Youth Congress leaders. He took the train early from New Delhi station and returned late in the evening.

The Congress MP from Amethi followed his mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi in travelling economy class. The 38-year-old Congress leader chose to travel by train as part of the party's austerity drive because of the drought in many parts of the country.

Sonia Gandhi had Monday travelled by a routine Delhi-Mumbai flight on an economy-class seat as part of the austerity drive.

Left-wing Extremist group

Maoist Communist Centre (MCC)

1. Formation

The outfit came into existence, in its earlier version, on October 20, 1969, as Dakshin Desh. When the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) was formed with the merger of several Maoist groups in 1969, one left-wing extremist group, Dakshin Desh, did not join and decided to retain its independent identity. In 1975, the outfit was renamed as the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC).

2. Objectives

Like other left wing extremist groups, the purported objective of the MCC is to establish a 'people's government' through 'people's war'. It traces its ideology to the Chinese Communist leader Mao Tse Tung's dictum of organised peasant insurrection.

3. Leadership and Command Structure

Amulya Sen and Kanhai Chaterjee were the leaders of the Dakshin Desh. After the death of Kanhai Chaterjee in 1982, factional differences surfaced within the outfit. A new leader, Shivenji, entered into a dispute with his deputy Ramadhar Singh, ostensibly over the issue of individual annihilation. In the days that followed, the latter broke ranks with the MCC and joined the CPI-ML. In the second half of the 1980s Pramod Mishra and Sanjay Dusadh emerged as the most formidable leaders of the MCC.

The MCC consists of an underground party unit — Krantikari Kisan Committee (KKC), the Red Defense Corps and the Youth and Women Fronts. The General Secretary is the top functionary of the organisation. He also heads the Central Committee, the top decision making body of the outfit. Apart from that, there are Zonal Committees, Sub-zonal committees, Regional committees and Village committees. The outfit also has a military wing. It has an estimated 50 squads each consisting of some 20 cadres. The MCC has also formed several front organisations, including the Naujawan Pratirodh Sangharsh Manch, Krantikari Budhijivi Sangh, Krantikari Sanskritik Sangh, Krantikari Chhatra League, Communist Yuva League, Naari Mukti Sangh and Mazdoor Mukti Sangh.

4. Area of Operation

In its early years, Dakshin Desh was active mainly in the Jangal Mahal Area of Burdwan district, West Bengal. Sunderbans, 24 Parganas, Hooghly and Midnapore districts of West Bengal.

At present the MCC has a presence in Bihar, Orissa (Sundargarh, Keonjhar) and Jharkhand. In Bihar, the MCC is primarily active in Gaya, Aurangabad, Camoor (Bhabhua), Rohtas, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Bettiah and Sitamarhi districts. In the newly created State of Jharkhand, the group is active in Chatra, Daltangonj, Hazaribagh, Palamu, Giridih, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Ranchi, Garhwa, Lohardaga, Gumla, East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum and Latehar districts.

The MCC is also trying to expand its activities in Burdwan, Nadia, and Howrah and North 24-Pargana districts of West Bengal. In Uttar Pradesh, the MCC has been making fervent attempts to gain a foothold in Mirzapur, Chandauli and Sonbhadra districts.

5. External Linkages

The MCC maintains close relationship with the Maoist insurgents in Nepal. On July 1, 2001, Nine Naxal outfits of India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka joined hands to form an umbrella organisation, the Coordination Committee of Maoist Parties and Organisations (CCOMPOSA) with a purpose to unify and coordinate the activities of the Maoist Parties and organisations in South Asia. It is believed that the MCC along with the PWG and the Maoist insurgents in Nepal has been instrumental in the formation of the CCOMPOSA for a greater cooperation and understanding among the Naxalite groups of India and Nepal. Recently, the MCC, mainly active in Central Bihar and Jharkhand, has been active in North Bihar areas bordering Nepal. It is suspected that the MCC has moved to the North Bihar region to get closer to the Maoists in Nepal and to facilitate the exchange of men and material.

Also, the MCC has acquired the technology for manufacturing and implanting landmines from the People's War Group (PWG), which had picked up the techniques from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) of Sri Lanka.

6. Major Incidents

2004

  • July 29: A group of 60 armed cadres of the MCC kill a civilian at Kaima village in the Latehar district of Jharkhand.

  • July 18: MCC cadres kill a resident of Ambatola village in the Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand.

  • July 12: MCC cadres kill Parmeswar Pathak, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, at Sarhari village in the Sarguja district of Chhattisgarh.

  • July 10: MCC cadres kill two persons near Kharira village in the Gaya district of Bihar.

  • June 30: MCC cadres kill two private security guards of a stone crushing company at Chahawan village in the Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh.

  • June 22: Six Jharkhand Armed Police personnel, including an Assistant Sub-Inspector, are killed in a landmine explosion triggered by suspected MCC Naxalites near Rania in the Ranchi district of Jharkhand.

  • April 29: The United States adds Maoist Communist Centre and the PWG in its Terrorist Exclusion List.

  • April 26: A group of around 100 MCC Naxalites kill two police personnel at Simra police station in the Aurangabad district of Bihar.

  • April 26: MCC cadres kill two police personnel near Jori village in the Gumla district of Jharkhand.

  • April 20: Naxalites of the outlawed MCC kill a Patrolling Magistrate, identified as Ajay Kumar Sinha, during a landmine blast in the Dhanbad district of Jharkhand.

  • April 7: 26 police personnel are killed during a landmine blast triggered by the MCC at Saranda forests in the Chaibasa area of Jharkhand.

2003

  • December 31: Police arrest six suspected MCC informers during a combing operation from the Burmu and Chanho areas in Ranchi district of Jharkhand.

  • December 25: Four police personnel are killed and three more sustain injuries in an MCC ambush at Pithoria in Jharkhand's Ranchi district.

  • December 5: MCC Naxalites demand Rupees 7crore from the management of the SAIL-owned Meghahatuburu mine in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district.

  • November 23: Bihar Government orders a crackdown on all Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) with links to the left-wing extremists outfits-Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) and People's War Group (PWG) in the State.

  • November 18: Six MCC cadres, including a 'sub-zonal commander', are killed during an encounter with the security forces at Banaru forests in the Chatra district of Jharkhand.

  • November 12: Approximately, 300 MCC Naxalites attack a police patrol party near Rerha village in West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand.

  • October 14: Naxalites of the MCC kill one person and injure four police personnel at Demotar in the Hazaribag district of Jharkhand.

  • October 11: MCC Naxalites kill a police officer and injure four others with a powerful landmine near Katajhora in the Purulia district on the West Bengal-Jharkhand border while they were on patrol.

  • September 12: Two Naxalites of the MCC, including an 'area commander', are killed in an encounter at Sijang under the Palkot police station-limits, Gumla district. Another Naxalite is killed in an encounter at Chhotka Khantga in the same district.

  • September 13: Jharkhand Police arrests an 'area commander' of the MCC near Konar dam in the Giridih district.

  • September 11: Two MCC Naxalites, including an 'area commander', are killed in an encounter at Sijang under the Palkot police station-limits in the Gumla district of Jharkhand. Another Naxalite is killed in an encounter at Chhotka Khantga in the same district.

  • September 8: 11 police personnel and a civilian are killed in a landmine blast triggered by the PWG and the MCC, in a joint operation, in the dense forests of Kaimur range in the Rohtas district of Bihar.

  • September 4: MCC Naxalites kill two persons in Tundahuli village under the Ormanjhi police station-limits in the Ranchi district of Jharkhand. Separately, MCC Naxalites abduct and later kill two persons in Serak village under the Chandwa police station-limits in Latehar district.

  • August 24: Jharkhand Police raids a place under the Bhandari police station-limits in Garhwa district and arrests four MCC Naxalites.

  • August 22: An MCC 'area commander' is killed during an encounter near Chouki village under the Ramanujganj police station-limits in Sarguja revenue district of Chhattisgarh. In Jharkhand, MCC Naxalites kill two persons and critically injure one of the same family in Kangar village under the Raidih police station-limits in Gumla district.

  • August 21: MCC Naxalites kill two civilians in the Veeru village of Simdega district in Jharkhand.

  • August 10: Naxalites of the MCC kill four persons, including a police personnel and a village headman, in the Jamui district of Bihar.

  • August 6: MCC Naxalites abduct and later kill three persons on the borders of Chandauli and Mirzapur districts in Uttar Pradesh.

  • July 27: While a Naxalite of the MCC is killed, the Bhojpur district police chief has a narrow escape during an encounter near Gataria bridge under the Piro police station limits in Bihar.

  • July 26: Naxalites of the MCC blow up the newly constructed building of the Govardhanana Police Station on the Indo-Nepal border in Bihar's West Champaran district with dynamites.

  • July 22: A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel is killed when MCC Naxalites ambush a patrol party at Baruhatu hills, Ranchi district, on the first day of their 48-hour long Jharkhand bandh (general shutdown).

  • July 16: Approximately MCC 200 Naxalites abduct three persons and later kill two of them in Pehera village of Giridih district in Jharkhand.

  • July 15: Naxalites of the MCC cause large scale damage to railway tracks leading to derailment of at least three trains and uprooting of signals and points as part of their Tirhut-Mithinanchal (Northern Bihar) bandh (general shutdown).

  • July 9: MCC Naxalites abduct 15 engineers of the Larsen and Toubro and Hindustan Construction from Kosama village, approximately 100 kilometres from Ranchi, capital city of Jharkhand. In Gumla district of Jharkhand, Naxalites of the MCC kill three persons in Dari village.

  • July 6: Naxalites of the MCC abduct and later kill a person in Badani area in Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand.

  • July 5: Naxalites of the MCC take captive the entire staff of Hehegarha railway station in Jharkhand's Latehar district, disrupting train services for over 10 hours on Garhwa Road-Barkakana Section of East Central Railway.

  • July 2: Three police personnel are killed and three others injured when Naxalites of the MCC attack the Paraiya police station in Gaya district of Bihar.

  • July 1: Naxalites of the MCC kill three persons at Lutidih under the Simaria police station-limits, Chatra district in Jharkhand.

  • June 30: Naxalites of the MCC kill six persons in separate incidents in Latehar and Gumla districts of Jharkhand.

  • June 20: A couple is lynched for alleged involvement in the killing of a three-year-old girl after MCC's 'People's Court' (kangaroo court) awards them death penalty in Barhi village, Latehar district of Jharkhand.
    In Bihar, MCC Naxalites kill two persons in the Roh police station limits of Nawada district.

  • June 17: An MCC Naxalite is killed during a clash with the rival CPI-ML (Liberation) near Pithiaon village, Rohtas district of Bihar.

  • June 14: MCC Naxalites blast the newly constructed building of Tilothu police station in Rohtas district, Bihar.

  • June 11: MCC targets railway property at various places on the second day of the Jharkhand bandh (strike).

  • June 10: Normal life is affected in the State of Jharkhand on the first day of the two-day bandh called by the MCC to protest against alleged police atrocities.

  • June 7: Eleven MCC Naxalites surrender before the District Magistrate in Darbhanga, Bihar.

  • June 4: Three personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the driver of the vehicle are killed when MCC Naxalites trigger a landmine at Karo mines under the Bermo sub-division, Bokaro district in Jharkhand.

In Chatra district, Jharkhand Naxalites kill two persons branding them police informers.

  • June 2: MCC Naxalites attack the office of a private company engaged in executing the Sone canal project setting ablaze dumpers, vehicles and furniture at Nawadih village in the Rohtas district of Bihar.

  • May 30: MCC Naxalites abduct six persons in Narayanbeda village, East Singhbhum district of Jharkhand.

  • May 25: Three Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel are killed after MCC Naxalites attack Simultalla railway station in Bihar's Jamui district.

  • May 24: MCC Naxalites ambush two tractor-trailer loads of villagers near Banwari Champapur village in Bihar's West Champaran's killing two persons and injuring three others.

  • May 15: Unidentified assailants kill two MCC Naxalites, including an 'area commander', in the Umarakoling area of Gumla district in Jharkhand.

  • May 12: Jharkhand police launches 'Operation Hilltop' in Jhumra hills, Bokaro district, to flush out MCC from the area.

  • May 10: Police arrest an MCC 'area commander' in the Patrahi village of Aurangabad district in Bihar.

  • May 6: Normal life is affected in several parts of Jharkhand during the bandh (strike) called by the PWG and MCC against alleged police atrocities.

  • May 5: MCC calls for a strike in six districts of Jharkhand to protest against alleged police atrocities.

  • May 4: Two MCC Naxalites are arrested in the Saranda forest near Digha, Sundergarh district, Orissa.

  • May 2: Naxalites of the MCC abduct and later kill an activist of the Jharkhand Sangharsh Jan Mukti Morcha (JSJMM) in Anjan village, Gumla district.

A 'sub-zonal commander' of the MCC is killed in an encounter in Goriyadih village under the Ghaghra police station-limits in Gumla district, Jharkhand.

  • April 30: Two MCC Naxalites, including a 'sub-zonal commander', are killed in an encounter at Nava Jaipur in the Daltonganj district of Jharkhand.

  • April 27: Seven MCC Naxalites are arrested after an encounter in Nawadih village, Saranda forest areas, West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand.

  • April 25: An MCC Naxalite, allegedly involved in the killing of the erstwhile king of Vijaygarh near Rampur village, Sonebhadra district, Uttar Pradesh on February 25, 2003, is arrested from Kusumha village, under Robertsganj police station limits, in the same district.

  • April 16: MCC Naxalites escape into the Saranda forests in West Singhbum district, Jharkhand, after looting an unspecified quantity of explosives from Roxy, Kevland police station-limits, Sundergarh district in Orissa.
    Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda offers to hold talks with the MCC.

  • April 15: MCC Naxalites kill eight police personnel and injure three more by setting off a landmine blast and also loot six Self Loading Rifles, two other rifles, a revolver and several rounds of ammunition from them before fleeing from the spot in the forests of Cherki valley, Nawada district in Bihar.

  • April 14: Naxalites of the MCC attack a police outpost at Chandrapura railway station, Bokaro district in Jharkhand and loot 23 rifles and several hundred cartridges.

  • April 7: Naxalites of the MCC set ablaze a house of the Forest department at a village in the Sundargarh district of Orissa.

  • April 8: A MCC training camp is unearthed and three cadres are arrested in Balubhang village, Latehar district in Jharkhand.

  • April 6: Naxalites of the MCC kill three alleged criminals in Hazaribagh district, Jharkhand.

In Orissa, Naxalites of the MCC set ablaze a house and a truck of a forest guard in San Ramloi village, Birsa police station limits, Sundergarh district.

  • April 1: Naxalites of the MCC kill one person and injure another in Tamad near Ranchi on the first day of the 48-hour bandh (strike) called by them and the PWG to protest the US-led attack on Iraq and alleged police high-handedness in the State of Bihar and Jharkhand

  • March 30: MCC Naxalites kill three persons near Lavalong, Chatra district in Jharkhand.

  • March 28: Two Naxalites of the MCC and a personnel of Bihar Military Police (BMP) are killed and as many injured when in a Naxal attack on the Bednagarh picket of Chenari police station, Rohtas district in Bihar.
    In Jharkhand, the MCC Naxalites kill a former colleague in Kasiyat village, Chatra district.

  • March 18: Naxalites of the MCC injure three police personnel and loot 15 rifles and 1000 bullets in an attack on a police post in Lodipur village, Gaya district in Bihar.

  • March 5: Naxalites of the MCC kill a farmer in Laxmipur village, Palamu district in Jharkhand.

  • February 25: Naxalites of the MCC kill the erstwhile king of Vijaygarh and a member of his escort team in the jungles near Rampur village, Manchi police station-limits, Sonebhadra district, Uttar Pradesh.
    In a joint operation, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Special Task Force (STF) personnel of Bihar Police unearth the nerve center of the MCC and arrest three MCC Naxalites and five Nepalese Maoist insurgents in Patrakar Nagar locality, Patna, Bihar.

  • February 16: Naxalites of the MCC attack the motorcade of Janata Dal (United) [JD-U] Jharkhand State unit chief Gautam Sagar Rana near the forests of Marhara, Hazaribagh district.

  • February 13: Naxalites of the MCC attack several villages and loot guns and cartridges in Jamui district, Bihar.

  • February 10: Six security force personnel and four Naxalites of the MCC are killed near Chiro village, Latehar district during the 48-hour bandh (general strike) called by the MCC in Jharkhand.

  • February 8: Naxalites of the MCC abduct five persons from Dumaria police station-limits, West Singhbhum district in Jharkhand. While three of them are killed, the Naxalites chop off a hand of each of the remaining two before setting them free.

  • February 7: Two persons are beaten to death by Naxalites of the MCC at Pipra village, Gaya district in Bihar.

  • February 3: Naxalites of the MCC attack the crusher unit of the Golden Quadrilateral Highway project in Aurangabad district in Bihar.

  • January 28: A self-styled sub-zonal area commander of the MCC is arrested in a raid at a hideout in Simaria police station area, Chatra district in Jharkhand.

  • January 26: Three Naxalites of the MCC are arrested in Burmu near Ranchi in Jharkhand.

  • January 13: Naxalites of the MCC abduct four businessmen from Hussainabad block, Palamu district in Jharkhand.

  • January 8: In Jharkhand, a police driver is killed and five security force personnel injured in a landmine blast set-off by the MCC, near Kasmar village, Palamu district. In Bihar, five Naxalites of the MCC are arrested for the January 4-killing of three persons in Tilai village, under Sanjhauli police station-limits, in Rohtas district.

  • January 4: Naxalites of the MCC kill three members of a family in Tilai village, under Sanjhauli police station-limits, Rohtas district in Bihar.

2002

  • December 31: Suspected Naxalites of the MCC kill Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI)--the youth wing of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI-M--local-level leader Lakshmi Bag, in Jangipara, Hooghly district, West Bengal.

  • December 23: In a release issued in Gaya, Bihar, the Bihar-Jharkhand-Bengal Special Area Committee of the MCC claims responsibility for the December 20-Saranda forest ambush and warns of similar 'operations', if security agencies did not stop torturing innocent farmers and labourers on the pretext of curbing extremism.
    In Jharkhand, police arrest 10 suspected MCC cadres in Manoharpur police station-limits, West Singhbhum district.

  • December 20: Naxalites of the MCC lay an ambush on a convoy of police personnel, in Jharkahnd, killing 18 police and injuring 20 more in Saranda forests, at Bitkilsoya, Manoharpur police station-limits, West Singhbhum district, bordering Orissa. They also loot an unspecified number of arms and ammunition and set ablaze 11 vehicles in the convoy.

  • December 19: Naxalites of the MCC kill a village headman in Manoharpur village, West Singhbhum district in Jharkhand.

  • December 16: Approximately 60 Naxalites of the MCC and PWG lodged at Midnapore Central Jail, West Bengal, begin an indefinite hunger strike to press for their unconditional release.

  • December 13: A Naxalite of the MCC is arrested and booked under POTA in Srijan village, West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand.

  • December 2: Naxalites of the MCC kill two persons in separate incidents in Latehar district.

  • November 20: Naxalites of the MCC attack the Central Coalfields Limited's (CCL), Piparwar office, in Jharkhand's Chatra district, and snatch away three guns from private security guards.

  • November 18: Jharkhand police arrest 19 Naxalites of the MCC in Ranchi.

  • November 17: Jharkhand police arrest four MCC Naxalites and recover explosives in Gumla district.

  • November 15: The MCC and PWG issue a call to boycott the celebrations to mark the second anniversary of the formation of Jharkhand State.

  • November 10: Naxalites of the MCC attack Harsidpur village, in Bihar's Nawada district, and kill two persons.

  • November 7: 37 Naxalites of the MCC surrender with weapons to Chief Minister Babulal Marandi, in Bokaro district.

  • October 26: An estimated 550 supporters and sympathizers of the MCC are detained in Jharkhand and West Bengal States while on their way to participate in a convention organized by the Struggling Forum for People's Resistance (SFPR), a front organization of the MCC, in Kolkata, starting on the day.

  • October 18: Three activists of the Struggling Forum of People's Resistance, a front organization of the MCC, are arrested from Bandagaon, West Singhbhum district, and been booked under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA).

  • October 12: Two Naxalites, including a 'sub-zonal commander' of the MCC, are arrested in Madanpur village, Aurangabad district, Bihar.

  • October 9: Suspected Naxalites of the MCC make an abortive bid to loot firearms in an attack on a police picket in the Kashichak police station area, Nawada district, Bihar.

  • October 7: Four Naxalites of the MCC are arrested from Bokaro district, Jharkhand. A huge quantity of arms and ammunition is recovered from their possession.

  • October 5: Naxalites of the MCC kill a local leader of the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bokaro district, Jharkhand.

  • September 24: Nine Naxalites of the MCC are arrested and a huge cache of arms is seized in Prasangan village, Latehar district, Jharkhand.

  • September 22: A huge quantity of arms and ammunition is recovered in a village in Muzaffarpur district in Bihar, after an encounter with Naxalites of the MCC.

  • September 13: West Bengal police arrest five Naxalites of the MCC from Singhahore village, Bankura district.

  • September 9: Police arrest an 'area commander' of the MCC and two of his associates on the outskirts of Ranchi, capital of Jharkhand.

  • August 16: Two persons are killed and six others injured in an attack by Naxalites of the MCC in at bazaar in Bagha, West Champaran district, Bihar.

  • July 15 A suspected Naxalite of the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) is arrested from Dakshin Kashilya village, Birbhum district, West Bengal.
    During the 24-hour bandh (general shutdown) called by MCC in Jharkhand, Naxalites attack a goods train with heavy gunfire between Hehegada and Chhipadohar stations, Dhanbad division, and kill a security force personnel, besides injuring five others.

  • June 12: Four Naxalites of the MCC arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA). One among them reportedly played a key role in the October 31, 2001-massacre in Topchanchi, Dhanbad, in which 13 police personnel were killed by the MCC.

  • July 10: Police arrest an 'area commander' of the MCC in Omkaleshwar, Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh.

  • July 9: Three MCC Naxalites killed in separate encounters in Chandauli and Sonebhadra districts, Uttar Pradesh.

  • July 1: 14 Naxalites of the MCC surrender at a 'Janata Darbar' (People's Court) in Chiata village, East Champaran district. Bihar.

  • May 20: Bharatiya Jananta Party (BJP) local-level leader killed, elder brother Injured in an MCC attack at Chanlaso village, Jharkhand.

  • May 7: On the second day of the two-day economic blockade of Jharkhand, an estimated 15 police personnel and a Naxalite of the MCC are killed in a landmine blast at Mthadih, Koderma district.

  • May 6: On the first day of the two-day economic blockade called jointly by the MCC and the People's War Group (PWG), MCC Naxalites attack a police patrol party near Kamundi, Latehar district in Jharkhand.

  • April 27: Supreme Court approves death sentence to four Naxalites of the MCC, who killed 35 persons in Bara village, Gaya district in Bihar in 1992.

  • April 13: The Jharkhand police submit chargesheet against eight MCC Naxalites, accused of killing 13 personnel of the Jharkhand Armed Police at Topchanchi, Dhanbad district on October 31.

  • April 10: One CRPF personnel and one MCC Naxalite killed in an encounter in Vishrampur Saraiya village, Aurangabad district in Bihar. Separately, the Special Task Force (STF) demolish an MCC bunker and arrest two of its Naxalites in Koriari village, Kaimur district.

  • April 2: A police personnel killed and four others injured when the MCC Naxalites ambushed a vehicle of the State Bank of India near Lara village, Hazaribagh district in Jharkhand.

  • March 5: A police personnel killed when the MCC Naxalites attacked a police station in Arwal district in Bihar

  • February 26: 24 Naxalites of the MCC surrender in East Champaran district of Bihar.

  • February 20: The MCC Naxalites killed four persons during the 2—hour general strike called by the MCC and the PWG in Jharkhand.

  • February 16: 12 Naxalites of the MCC including their 'zonal commander' surrender in Darbhanga

  • February 15: The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Shahabad forest division in Bihar was abducted and later killed by the MCC Naxalites in Rohtas district.

  • February 4: Naxalites of the MCC attack a police party and killed 9 police personnel at Jorighat, Chatra district in Jharkhand

  • January 6-7: Seven Naxalites of the MCC killed in different encounters in Rohtas district in Bihar

2001

  • December 31: Five MCC Naxalites arrested after an encounter in the Palkot police station area, Gumla district in Jharkhand.

  • December 21: Two personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) killed and four others injured in a landmine blast triggered by Naxalites of the MCC, in the forests, 3 km away from the Chinia police post, Garhwa district in Jharkhand.

  • December 10: MCC holds a Jan Adalat (Kangaroo Court) in Bhagwanpur village, Sarguja district in Chhattisgarh. They execute three persons after four hours of 'public trial' on charges of misusing the outfit for monetary gains.

  • December 5: Union government bans MCC under Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO).

  • November 12: The MCC Naxalites kill two local-level leaders of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Latehar district in Jharkhand.

  • October 31: The MCC killed 13 police personnel near at Topchanchi near Dhanbad in Jharkhand.

  • October 4: Four police personnel, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), were killed and four others seriously injured in a landmine blast triggered by the MCC Bargarh, Garhwa district in Jharkhand.

  • September 29: Naxalites of the MCC burnt alive a police personnel in Kodarma district in Jharkhand.

  • September 24: MCC Naxalites attacked the Giridih district police chief when he was returning to Giridih from Hazaribagh after attending the meeting of police chiefs of Naxal-affected districts.

  • September 23: 12 CRPF personnel were killed by a landmine blast triggered by the MCC at Abroj forest area in the Hazaribagh district in Jharkhand.

  • September 6: Five persons including two police personnel were killed by the MCC at Pathki Latehar distirct, Jharkhand

  • August 6: MCC Naxaltie ambushed police patrol party at Chilgo forest near Bokaro in Jharkhand. One guard-cum-jeep driver was killed and one police personnel seriously injured in encounter.

  • June 24: The MCC Naxalites attacked a police picket at Dhekuli, Sheohar district in Bihar and looted six rifles and a large quantity of ammunition. Three police personnel were also injured in the incident.

  • June 7: Approximately, 100 MCC Naxalites attack a passenger train at Haurbera station near Jamshedpur in Jharkhand and looted arms and ammunition. Six Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel injured in the incident.

  • May 27: One police personnel was killed and five others seriously injured when more than 100 MCC Naxalites attack Mali police station, Aurangabad district in Bihar.

  • May 21: The MCC Naxalites attack a police team and loot four rifles from them in Hembrom Bazar, Ranchi in Jharkhand. Four police personnel injure in the attack.

  • April 14: Fourteen persons were massacred by the MCC at Belpu village, Hazaribagh district in Jharkhand. Those killed belonged to the Gram Suraksha Dal (Village Protection Force) which the villagers had raised three years ago to guard against MCC attacks.

  • April 5: Eight police personnel were injured in an attack by the Naxalites of the MCC in Ranja Gahti, Gumla district in Jharkhad.

2000

  • December 18: The MCC looted six self-loading rifles and two carbines from the police in Muzaffarpur district in Bihar.

  • November 12: In Jharkhand, the MCC killed the wife of the Hazaribagh Deputy Commissioner.

  • October 5: In the State of Jharkhand, the MCC killed the Lohardaga district Superintendent of Police, Ajay Kumar.

  • February 12: The MCC killed 22 persons including 19 police personnel in a landmine blast in Palamu, Jharkhand during the first phase of State Legislative Elections.

1999



  • November 18: The MCC killed 12 persons Latu village, Palamu in Jharkhand.

  • March 18: The MCC massacred over 34 upper caste Bhumihars in Senari village, Jehanabad in Bihar.

1992

  • February 12: The MCC massacred 37 members of the landowing upper caste Bhumihar community at Bara village, Gaya district in Bihar.

1987

  • May 29: The MCC massacred 42 persons belonging to an upper caste Rajput family at Dalelchak-Baghaura village in Aurangabad district, Bihar.

1986

  • October 7: The MCC killed 11 persons belonging to the upper caste Rajput community in Darmia village Aurangabad district in Bihar.


http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/terroristoutfits/MCC.htm


IAF buzz on China border
- Landing strip reopens after 45 years
SUJAN DUTTA

New Delhi, Sept. 18: The Indian Air Force today landed a troop-carrier aircraft to reopen a forward landing strip after 45 years near a disputed border with China.

Defence headquarters, however, maintained this was part of a policy to upgrade infrastructure in the frontier and had nothing to do with current tensions.

The reopening of the Nyoma advanced landing ground — on the cards since November 2008 — will allow the UPA government to demonstrate resolve in the face of criticism from the BJP that it was timid when confronted by an aggressive China.

Key officials in the security establishment, including the top brass of the military, however, acknowledge that "transgressions" by border patrols of India and China are bound to occur because the boundary is not demarcated.

This time, though, the presence of the top commanders of the army and the air force added more muscle to the event than the reopening of two previous advanced landing grounds.

"This is at best a demonstration of ability, not intent," one senior officer said. "It gives us an alternative supply route in bad weather but I doubt how effectively it can be used to move large loads (such as troops and hardware) because of weight and time restrictions at that altitude."

Speaking about the experience, an air force officer on board the AN-32 transport aircraft told The Telegraph: "It was awesome, the way the ground rushed up at us when we were landing at dawn. The pilot had to do a lot of manoeuvring among the hills before the aircraft touched down."

The pilot chosen for the task — Group Captain S.C. Chafekar — is from the IAF's Chandigarh-based 48 "Camels in the Sky" squadron.

The Nyoma advanced landing ground (ALG) in eastern Ladakh is the third forward strip to be reopened in the Ladakh frontier since May 2008. At 13,300ft, it is lower than the other two.

On the banks of the Indus, Nyoma is about 23km from the Line of Actual Control. It is also closer to the Chumar Sector where a Chinese patrol was seen by Indian military observers to have "crossed over" into Mount Gya, in territory claimed by India, and spray-painted boulders claiming that the area belonged to China.

The Indian Army chief, General Deepak Kapoor, who was taking over as the chairman, chiefs of staff committee, on July 31 acknowledged that "there have been several transgressions" of the Line of Actual Control in recent months but did not give details of the incident purported to have taken place in Chumar.

The two top commanders of the air force and the army, responsible for the territory and airspace over the northern region, were in the aircraft. Western Air Commander Air Marshal N.A.K. Browne and Northern Army Commander Lt Gen P.C. Bhardwaj were among the passengers.

Nyoma was to be made operational by the end of 2009 but orders were sent out to hasten the work.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090919/jsp/frontpage/story_11516144.jsp


19/09/2009

Top 100 brands: Coca Cola, Microsoft, IBM retain lead

New York: The financial crisis has wiped out billions of dollars from the top 100 global brands, especially from the financial services sector but the top five — Coca-Cola, IBM, Microsoft, GE and Nokia — managed to hold on to their positions despite a challenging year, says a survey.

Top 100 brands: Coca Cola, Microsoft, IBM retain lead

According to a survey by leading brand consultancy Interbrand, Coca-Cola retained the top slot for the ninth year in a row.

While, there are no Indian company in the league of top 100 most valued global brands, most of them have a significant presence and brand recognition in the country.

The top gainers in this year's BusinessWeek and Interbrand's annual ranking include -- Google (25 per cent), Amazon (22 per cent), Zara (14 per cent), Pepsi (3 per cent) have all prospered during a challenging year for marketing executives.

But the year that was spelt gloom for brands in the financial services sector, UBS slipped dramatically down the list, falling 31 places to the 72 position, losing half of its brand value.

Seven brands mainly from the financial services sector fell right off the list including Merrill Lynch, AIG, ING after huge subprime losses.

Another major outcome of the survey is that there has been no change in the top five spots despite difficult times.

At a time when big banks and auto brands fared the worst, food brands benefited as consumers began eating more at home.


19/09/2009

Community selling: Airtel offers STD, local calls at 50 paisa per minute

New Delhi: Bharti Airtel announced offering both local and STD calls at a flat rate of 50 paisa per minute to its 110 million subscribers.

The 'Airtel Advantage' initiative is aimed at offering the added advantage to this significantly vast Airtel community to be in touch with each other at a remarkably affordable rate of 50 paisa per minute-- be it a national long distance call (STD) or a local call, the company release said.

"The Airtel customer community of over 110 million enjoys the special and exclusive benefits of being on the largest Network of over 100,000 towers and availability across 1.5 million outlets making it the most compelling service to be on," Bharti Airtel Mobile Services President Atul Bindal said.

"Airtel Advantage is a further step to reward all our valued customers. We launch the Airtel Advantage of 50 paise calling benefit to all our customers across the country," he added.

Airtel has the largest telecom network and distribution in India covering 4.25 lakhs towns and villages. With more than 100,000 BTS sites and over 1.5 mn retail and distribution outlets, the brand reaches out to nearly every corner of the country.

The Indian market currently has over 400 million mobile subscribers out of which nearly every fourth customer is on the Airtel networks.

"Our consumer usage analysis indicates that over 95 per cent of Airtel mobile customers make a local call or STD call to another Airtel mobile number.

"Also with increased urbanisation and migration from distant parts of the country to the cities, long distance calling has been on the rise across the country. Therefore, the 'Airtel Advantage' Plan will serve as a tremendous value proposition to the large Airtel community of over 110 million customers," it said.

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India is 'losing Maoist battle'

Maoist rebels in Chhattisgarh
Maoists have a presence in almost 200 Indian districts

India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh says his country is losing the battle against Maoist rebels.

Mr Singh told a meeting of police chiefs from different states that rebel violence was increasing and the Maoists' appeal was growing.

The rebels say they are fighting for the rights of the poor.

They operate in a large swathe of territory across central India, and in some areas have almost replaced the local government.

More than 6,000 people have been killed during their 20-year fight for a communist state.

'Going up'

"I have consistently held that in many ways, left-wing extremism poses perhaps the gravest internal security threat our country faces," Mr Singh told a conference of Indian police chiefs in the capital, Delhi.

"We have discussed this in the last five years and I would like to state frankly that we have not achieved as much success as we would have liked in containing this menace."

The prime minister said that despite the government's best efforts, violence in Maoist-affected areas was going up.

The prime minister admitted that the Maoists had growing appeal among a large section of Indian society, including tribal communities, the rural poor as well as sections of the intelligentsia and the youth.

Mr Singh said a more sensitive approach was necessary in dealing with the Maoists.

"Dealing with left-wing extremism requires a nuanced strategy - a holistic approach. It cannot be treated simply as a law and order problem."

The rebels operate in 182 districts in India, mainly in the states of Jharkhand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal.

In some areas they have virtually replaced the local government and are able to mount spectacular attacks on government installations.

The rebels say they are fighting for the rights of poor peasants and landless workers.



Clashes at Maoist 'area' in India

Protesters fell trees to construct roadblocks to prevent the paramilitary forces from entering the villages of Lalgarh in the Midnapore district, some 200km west of Kolkata on June 18, 2009
Protesters have blocked roads with trees to keep the authorities out

Indian security forces have clashed with protesters in the Lalgarh region of West Bengal state, where Maoist rebels have taken control.

Hundreds of baton-wielding police charged and fired tear gas shells at a crowd of almost 3,000 in Pirakata.

Villagers backed by the rebels have blocked roads to prevent security forces from entering Lalgarh.

The state government has called in more than 1,000 paramilitary troops to retake the area after police fled.

Meanwhile, the bodies of four more communist workers have been found, taking the number of party workers killed in recent violence to 10.

The four bodies were found outside Lalgarh. The men were among six party workers who police suspect were kidnapped by the rebels.

Maoist-linked violence has killed 6,000 people in India over the past 20 years.

'Bloodbath' fears

Reports from Lalgarh say tension is running high in the area as the villagers have formed "human shields" to prevent the security forces from moving in and wresting control of the area.

Map

West Bengal interior minister Ardhendu Sen has appealed to villagers to allow the security forces to enter Lalgarh.

"Please don't get used by the Maoists. Please move away. We don't want a bloodbath," Mr Sen said in an appeal to the villagers.

Separately, rebel leader Kishanji told the BBC in a telephone interview that the federal and state governments should stop troops from entering the area.

He said the government should hold meetings with the local people to learn about their grievances.

The tribespeople-dominated Lalgarh area in West Bengal's West Midnapore district has been under the virtual control of the rebels since November.

Armed rebels are now reportedly patrolling roads there.

Over the past few days, villagers backed by the rebels have taken over more villages in the area and burnt down and demolished offices belonging to the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPI(M).

'Liberated zone'

The BBC's Amitabh Bhattashali in Calcutta says hundreds of CPI(M) workers have left Lalgarh in recent days.

A Communist party office set on fire by villagers in Lalgarh
Communist party offices have been set on fire by villagers in Lalgarh

Maoists claimed it as their first "liberated" zone in West Bengal.

Our correspondent says that taking control of Lalgarh is part of a long-term plan for the Maoists.

The area encompasses vast tracts of the forests of West Midnapur, Purulia and Bankura districts of West Bengal and adjoins parts of the states of Jharkhand and Orissa.

Violence in Lalgarh began last November after West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya narrowly escaped a landmine blast blamed on the rebels.

Protests were launched when a number of locals were arrested on suspicion of attempting to assassinate him.



Maoist 'rampage' in West Bengal

Violence in Lalgarh
The house of a communist party leader was attacked

Hundreds of Maoists backed by thousands of villagers have seized the ruling party's last stronghold in a troubled part of India's West Bengal state.

Armed rebels are reportedly patrolling roads around the village of Dharampur in the Lalgarh area after police fled. Three people were killed, reports say.

Rebels have been entrenching themselves in Lalgarh since last November and now have almost total control of the area.

Maoist-linked violence has killed 6,000 people in India over the past 20 years.

The rebels operate in more than 180 districts across east and central India and are seen as a major threat to national security. Last week more than 20 police were killed in the eastern state of Jharkand.

The Maoists say they represent the rights of landless farmhands and tribal communities.

'Ransacked'

The BBC's Amitabha Bhattasali in Calcutta said that as hundreds of workers from the state's ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPI(M), fled the Lalgarh area, Maoists claimed it as their first "liberated" zone in West Bengal.

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Maoists set fire to an abandoned police post

One of the police posts was later set ablaze and the Maoists were reported to have demolished the house of a local communist leader.

"The Maoists went on a rampage yesterday in Dharampur village and ransacked our zonal secretary's home and party office before setting it on fire. Three of our men are dead and six more still missing," a CPI(M) official said.

The village of Dharampur was the last bastion for the ruling communist party in Lalgarh. Other villages in the area had been under Maoist control since November.

Our correspondent says that taking control of Lalgarh is part of a long-term plan for the Maoists.

The area encompasses vast tracts of the forests of West Midnapur, Purulia and Bankura districts of West Bengal and adjoins parts of the states of Jharkhand and Orissa.

Arrests

Lalgarh has experienced considerable unrest for a number of months.

The violence began last November when police arrested some local residents on suspicion of attempting to assassinate the chief minister of West Bengal state, Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, after he narrowly escaped a landmine explosion set off by suspected Maoist rebels.

A Peoples' Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA) was subsequently formed to protest against the arrests. They launched violent protests and strikes against the local police.

The police and state administration have been virtually non-existent in most of Lalgarh since then. Polling booths could not be set up for recent general elections so voters had to cast ballots outside the area.

Our correspondent says the insurgents and the CPI(M), which has been the state's dominant political force, have been fighting a turf war.

In the past few years, he says, the Maoists have extended their influence with guerrilla commanders camping in the area and providing basic military training to local youths.


India admits 2010 Games problems

Commonwealth games site

Commonwealth Games fiasco

India needs to take immediate steps to ensure that it is in a position to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games, a top sports official has said.

The Indian Olympics Association secretary general, Randhir Singh, said some of the concerns raised over the progress of preparations were valid.

His comments follow a warning from the Commonwealth Games chief that Indian plans were severely behind schedule.

There are also concerns over security arrangements and housing for guests.

In a letter to the local organising committee, Commonwealth Games Federation chief Mike Fennell is reported to have warned that India's preparations were behind schedule.

He said it was "reasonable to conclude that the current situation poses a serious risk to the Commonwealth Games in 2010".

The Games are due to be held in the Indian capital, Delhi, from 3-14 October next year.

Behind schedule

A federal government report a few months ago found that work on 13 out of the 19 sports venues was running behind schedule.

Commonwealth games site
India says venues will be ready on time despite delays.

Mr Singh told the BBC that some of Mr Fennell's concerns were valid and "things had to be worked out".

However, he said the infrastructure would be ready on time despite the delays.

"There is not a lot to be fixed, but we have to get it activated," Mr Singh said.

Earlier, he told The Indian Express newspaper that Games authorities needed to "wake up, decentralise, ensure our concerned departments and stakeholders come together. Knowing the capabilities that we have, there is no reason why we can't deliver".

Mr Singh said there were 23 committees looking into various organisational aspects of the Games, but "the chairmen of those committees hardly meet".

"So first, we have to ensure they come together more often. We also need to give these committees more powers so that they don't have to run to the chairman of the organising committee for every small thing," he said.

"At the moment, these committees only have an advisory role - but they must have the power to take decisions."

Mr Singh said there would be "no problems" with security at the games.

"We just have to reassure the Commonwealth Games Federation that we can host the best games ever," he said.

Preparations for the Commonwealth Games to be held in Delhi have long been plagued by controversy.

There were also doubts about the future of the venue of the Games village for 8,500 athletes after environmentalists went to court protesting against its location next to the River Yamuna.

But the Supreme Court threw the case out and allowed work on the village to continue.


Race 'not behind health protests'

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'Race is such a volatile issue in this society'

President Barack Obama has said that some Americans may oppose him because of race, but that this has not been the main factor behind healthcare protests.

He suggests, in TV interviews to be broadcast on Sunday, anti-government sentiment was the key reason for angry protests against healthcare reform.

Former President Jimmy Carter said this week that much of the vitriol against reform plans was "based on racism".

Many felt "that an African-American should not be president", he said.

Mr Carter made the point after Republican lawmaker Joe Wilson shouted "You lie!" while Mr Obama was delivering an address on healthcare to Congress last week.

'Volatile issue'

Recent protests against Mr Obama's healthcare reform plans have included angry town hall meetings and a taxpayers' demonstration in Washington last weekend.

Are there some people who don't like me because of my race? - I'm sure there are
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Some have accused Mr Obama of tyranny and promised to "reclaim America".

In comments to ABC, Mr Obama said race was a "volatile issue" and "it becomes hard for people to separate out race being a sort of part of the backdrop of American society versus race being a predominant factor in any given debate".

"Are there some people who don't like me because of my race?" he said. "I'm sure there are.

"Are there some people who voted for me only because of my race? There are probably some of those too.

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But he added that he thought some were "more passionate about the idea of whether government can do anything right.

"And I think that that's probably the biggest driver of some of the vitriol."

In a separate interview with CNN, Mr Obama said he did not think race was the "the overriding issue here".

He also said he was not the first president to come up against angry protests.

"The things that were said about FDR [Franklin Roosevelt] were pretty similar to the things that were said about me - that he was a communist, he was a socialist," Mr Obama said.

"Things that were said about Ronald Reagan when he was trying to reverse some of the New Deal programmes were pretty vicious as well."



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India's 'Twittering Minister' is in a spot of trouble















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India's 'Twittering Minister'

Soutik Biswas | 12:41 UK time, Friday, 18 September 2009

Comments (19)

Shashi TharoorTo tweet or not to tweet is the question that Mr Shashi Tharoor must be asking himself these days.

India's junior foreign minister is a former UN diplomat, a prolific writer, a political debutant and an inveterate Twitter-er. Some are already calling him, rather uncharitably, India's 'Twittering Minister', and skewering him for "wasting time" with his "frivolities" on the social networking site. His supporters - and there are over 160,000 people following him on Twitter - say that Mr Tharoor is not your average staid, fuddy-duddy Indian politician; and his thriving online social networking skills make him refreshingly different.

His political colleagues may not agree. It all began when Mr Tharoor got ticked off by the government for staying in a luxury hotel in Delhi as his official bungalow was not ready to move in. He promptly moved out and Twittered about how it didn't make much sense to him because he was paying for his hotel room, not the taxpayer. It was bad timing. The Congress government says it is on a major austerity drive in these pressing times, though many feel that it is mere tokenism - ministers may travel economy class and Rahul Gandhi may travel by train but they invariably do so with a retinue of sullen faced security men and fawning officials, which ends up inconveniencing other passengers.

Matters came to a head earlier this week, when Mr Tharoor, provoked by a follower on whether he would travel "cattle class" on his next trip to his constituency in Kerala, Twittered back: "Absolutely, in cattle class out of solidarity with all our holy cows!" He earned an immediate reprimand from his Congress party. "The party strong disapproves the statement of the minister," a spokeswoman said. "It is unacceptable, not respecting political or any other sensibilities." Delhi's chattering class debated whether the Twittering Minister was poking fun at economy class passengers by alluding to the "cattle class". And whether he was raising the hackles of the stuffy political class by calling them "holy cows".

Twittering back, Mr Tharoor has negotiated the "cattle class" slight uncomfortably, arguing that it was a "silly expression" not meant to disrespect economy travellers. Instead, he says, it was airline companies who "herded passengers in like cattle".

He also came up with a somewhat revisionist and semantic take on the phrase "holy cow". "Holy cows are NOT individuals but sacrosanct issues or principles that no one dares challenge. I wish the critic would look it up," he writes. "Now I realise that I shouldn't assume people will appreciate humour and I shouldn't give those who would wilfully distort your words an opportunity to do so."

As far as my limited knowledge goes, "holy cow" is mostly used as an exclamation, in American slang. In my part of the world, people use the phrase loosely as a mild pejorative.

It is time for scholars to now join the merry fray and decode Mr Tharoor's use of the phrase. And political pundits to find out whether the 'Twittering Minister' was taking a dig at the starchy party bosses while saying that humour doesn't always find many takers. Come to think of it, why not deploy a team of psychologists to ascertain if Mr Tharoor was being supercilious in wondering whether Indians, by and large, are a humourless people.

Should a member of the cabinet be using popular social networking tools to network with people? The jury is still out on this, but when I scan Mr Tharoor's tweets I find most of them to be harmless, constipated takes on cricket, traffic jams in Delhi, Patrick Swayze, Roger Federer and so on. They are unexceptional, unexciting and largely irrelevant - like most of stuff on social networking sites. He's also a frenetic Twitter-er: on Friday, a working day, he sent out 10 tweets in less than three hours.

No one should take away Mr Tharoor - or anybody's - right to use this social networking device to voice his or her opinions. But does Shashi Tharoor trivialise his office and work with his manic tweeting? Should he slow down and write his words more carefully before sending them out all over the world? Or should he tweet on regardless? What do YOU think?

PS: Mr Tharoor may have earned a bit of reprieve after his party admonished him and one of its leaders sought his resignation over his "cattle class" tweet. This evening, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said his junior minister's remark "was a joke." I suspect most party members don't share Mr Singh's view.

'We are like this only'

Soutik Biswas | 05:04 UK time, Wednesday, 16 September 2009

Comments (18)

Work at a Commonwealth Games sporting venue in DelhiIn the early days of music television in India, one channel ran a zany Curry Western spoof. A rotund man in garish cowboy attire walks into a kitschy hick town bar, orders a whisky and a dosa, spews expletives and challenges a co-drinker to a fight after the unusual meal. As the spoof winds down, a punch line rolls up: 'We are like this only'.


I am reminded of the line when I read and hear about the mess over preparations for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi next year. Commonwealth officials are panicking over the slow pace of work and wondering aloud whether the games will take off. A smug Indian official in charge says there is nothing to worry about. All will be fine, he says, and the games will be among the finest ever. The subtext of his message: this is the Indian way of doing things, silly. The stadiums will be eventually built, and we will have a jolly good Games. We are like this only. And sab chalta hain (everything goes), another of our favourite alibis.

But this time the bluff may be called sooner. There is little doubt that India has approached its first major international sports event in nearly three decades with characteristic lack of planning. A report by the federal government's own auditing arm says work on 13 of the 19 sports venues is behind schedule. There aren't enough hotel rooms yet to house guests - another government estimate reckon that only 35% of the additional hotel rooms planned for the games will be completed in time. Commonwealth Games Federation chief Mike Fennell is skittish: he wants to meet the PM now for an assurance that the games will held in time. In an internal note, the Commonwealth Games Association of Canada says in desperation: "Verbal assurances [from Indian officials] are no longer sufficient." A telling comment comes from a foreign engineer who is working at an unfinished stadium site. "The people over here are very careless and the mentality is very lazy," he says. "If one person works, the other five want to just stand around him and watch. They all waste time."

Wasting time and procrastination is a national pastime, so why blame India's poor, underpaid and overworked construction workers. The games are being planned by an organising committee along with two dozen committees - whose heads apparently hardly meet - stacked with bureaucrats, politicians, sports administrators, who are often politicians themselves, and so on. One person I know who was a member of the organising committee quit after he found out to his dismay that nothing was moving on his front in the year he was there. In one meeting called to shortlist some contractors for a job, he found a bureaucrat on the selection committee who had joined it a day before from some nondescript ministry. Friends who have been involved with international sporting events tell me it is not so much about completing work on the stadiums, but of ensuring that the "operationals" are in place - hotel room bookings for athletes, the state of preparedness for the media, transport hubs to take the media and guests to the stadia and back and stuff like that.Workers at a Commonwealth Games site in Delhi

Nothing much has moved along on these fronts, they say. The games village is being built on a controversial environmentally sensitive site - the banks of a dying river which skirts the capital. The less said about the infrastructure, the better. The games, according to its website, will leave behind "a city much more beautiful and charming than it currently is". It talks about how a colonial city centre has been "given a new façade and is experiencing a resurgence", and how the city's monuments are being "cleaned and revitalised".

I don't know how much truth there is in these claims. But I do know that if it rains during the event, Delhi's roads will overflow with water and sewage or cave in. If there is a gale, electricity lines will snap, trees will fall and block the roads, and roofs will fly. The organisers must have been delusional to award the games to a city with such utterly shambolic infrastructure. Also, since there will be no separate lanes for the venues-bound traffic, I see huge gridlocks, and traffic being stopped to let the games traffic pass. Slums are expected to fenced off with bamboo, and beggars are to be rounded up. The 12-day, 17-discipline sporting event is all set to become the biggest nightmare for Delhi's denizens.

It also could turn out be India's biggest shame. Already workers have died at the construction sites, and human rights groups are up in arms about how workers at venues are being underpaid and have flimsy security. I spotted a picture where women workers wore tatty rubber sandals at a site where the signage indicates they should be wearing boots. It's the same old story - apart from a few shining exceptions like the Delhi Metro- of brazen disregard for basic safety norms, woeful planning and exploitative contractors.

And we have revulsion for real change. We remember how an indoor stadium roof leaked in the monsoon rains and players quit wet tables when the world table tennis championship opened in Calcutta decades ago. We remember how we sat on drying paint at an upgraded cricket stadium and endured its stinking, overflowing rest rooms to watch an international game. We see our politicians taking over sports organisations and do to sport what they have done to politics in the country. We laugh it all away every time. We are like this only. Sab chalta hain. Why do we have no shame?


Why austerity is a joke in Indian politics

Soutik Biswas | 16:28 UK time, Wednesday, 9 September 2009

Comments (30)

Shashi TharoorIndia's Grand Old Party, the Congress, has asked two of its ministers to abandon a life in luxury. This happened after news washed up that foreign minister SM Krishna and his deputy Shashi Tharoor were living in two upscale hotels in Delhi because their official bungalows were not yet ready for them to move in. Both ministers say they are paying for the pricey hotel rooms from their own pockets.

But apparently embarrassed by the report, the party high command has ordered the two men to leave the hotels and move into more modest dwellings because their lifestyle "flew in the face of party's emphasis on austerity in public life." One of the two luxury loving ministers, Shashi Tharoor, is bristling with anger. "I would be ashamed if I was spending the people's money. But I'm not - I'm spending my own savings," he Twittered. Mr Tharoor, a former aide to ex-UN chief Kofi Annan, said he "needed a gym and some privacy" and the hotel gave him both.

But the newspaper that broke the story explained that it had a case against the two ministers staying temporarily in a luxury hotel even if they were paying. It wrote: "That two high-profile UPA ministers, one of cabinet rank, have been staying at five-star hotels for more than three months is not, this newspaper will maintain, a case for moral or legal rebuke. Anybody with the requisite means is within his rights to stay at a five-star hotel or build a palace unto himself. But External Affairs Minister SM Krishna at the ITC Maurya and his Minister of State Shashi Tharoor at the Taj sit against the stark backdrop of Congress exhortations on "austerity" and "sacrifice". Congress MPs are being asked to part with a fifth of their salary for drought relief (itself a meagre amount, but that's another matter) as their colleagues in the Ministry of External Affairs are running up, presumably, bills that beggar those salaries manifold. Perhaps it's pertinent to ask who should be more embarrassed - the two ministers or the party itself?"

The problem with this argument is that we are taking Congress - or any party in India - exhortations to maintain austerity seriously. Indian politicians love to preach what they don't practice. The Congress - and most national parties - have a long history of pleading its members to practice austerity, but citizens have never seen any evidence of that in real life.

So the more things change, the more they remain the same. What about the long, expensive cavalcades carrying ministers and the red and blue beacon bearing cars carrying their minions with party flags painted illegally on their number plates muscling in and out of traffic? What about the glittering political receptions? What about the wasteful adverts with pictures of ministers and lawmakers announcing the opening of a railway station or a city flyover? What about the politicians with a bevy of hangers-on travelling business class? Why then the austere righteousness over two ministers who are paying for their own accommodation in posh hotels?Shanties in front of a palace in India

The bit about Congress MPs being asked to part with a fifth of their salary is a bit of a joke anyway. "There are two ways of making politics one's vocation," sociologist Max Weber once said. "Either one lives for politics or one lives off it". In India, politicians live off politics for the most part. Apparently, the Congress party is distressed with the "extravagant lifestyle of its ministers". Do Indians even take such sanctimonious piffle seriously in a patronage-driven democracy ravaged by brazen political corruption?

Nobility cloaked in hypocrisy is the bane of Indian society. Blame should not be placed at the politicians' door alone. In a depressingly hierarchical society where the past casts a long shadow over the present, ostentation is encouraged, accepted and practised with a vengeance by the rich and the middle class alike.

People vie with each other to host flashy and vulgar weddings and functions as beggars fight for their pickings outside, reminiscent of Ryszard Kapuscinski's description of a reception that the Ethopian emperor Haile Selassie threw for visiting leaders that he attended. A sumptuous feast was on inside the venue. Outside, Kapuscinski writes, "in the thick of the night, a crowd of barefoot beggars stood huddled together. The dishwashers working in the building threw leftovers at them. I watched the crowd devour the scraps, bones and fish heads with laborious concentration." In rich and middle class India, scenes like these are tiresomely routine. Those who practice ostentation often condemn it the most. Doublespeak and hypocrisy is a national affliction; and talk is cheap. And people get the politicians they deserve.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/soutikbiswas/

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