India - WikiLeaks



INDIA COUNTRY BRIEF

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Basic Political Developments

• Union Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday said that Congress Party is in seat-sharing talks with ally, Trinamool Congress (TMC) for the upcoming civil polls in West Bengal. Elections for the 82 municipal bodies are likely to be held in the middle of 2010.

• Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday said the party has always worked for the upliftment of the weaker sections of society, adding that the Congress has never compromised on its ideology.

• Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Varun Gandhi delivered a fiery speech in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday, calling for a ban on cow slaughter. He also targeted Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati and his cousin Rahul Gandhi whom he called a 'handsome face'.

• Congress leader and Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni on Monday hit back at Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for his 'Taliban' comments, saying it was a 'frustrated' outburst after his long questioning by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) over the 2002 riots.

• Senior BJP leader Akhand Pratap Singh rejoined the Congress today in Madhya Pradesh. The inclusion of Mr Singh into Congress was approved by the All India Congress Committee (AICC).

• Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today came out in support of film star Amitabh Bachchan whose presence at a government function in Mumbai triggered resentment among Congressmen as he was brand ambassador of Gujarat and seen to be close to the Chief Minister.

• Over 200 BJP activists, including three BJP MLAs, were in Jammu today arrested while they were carrying out an anti-government demonstration over the issue of banning of inter-district recruitment and clashed with the police.

National Economic Trends

• An official statement said the Union government today approved 23 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) proposals worth over Rs 2,325.21 crore, including that of broadband services provider Tikona Digital Network and auto components maker Bharat Forge. "The Union Government has approved 23 FDI proposals amounting to approximately Rs 2,325.21 crore."

• Reserve Bank of India sources today said it will sell 2.87 trillion rupees ($64 billion) of bonds in the first half of 2010/11, 63 percent of its recordKnow what is monetary policy full-year target, less than market expectations, sending yields down. On an average, Rs 110-150 billion of issuance would come to the market every week.

Business, Energy or Environmental regulations or discussions

• Bajaj Electrical today said it has bagged two orders worth Rs 215 crore from the Power Grid Corporation of India and M P Poorv Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company for power and transmission related works.

• Larsen and Toubro (L and T) sources on Monday said it has bagged a Rs.1,400 crore oil refinery project from state-run Indian Oil Corp. "L and T has secured a major order valued at Rs.1,400 crore from Indian Oil Corporation for a 4.17 million tonnes per annum FCC (fluidised catalytic cracker) Reactor Regenerator project of a grassroots fuel refinery at Paradip, Orissa. "

• Nagarjuna Construction Company Ltd in a statement today said it has secured new orders aggregating Rupees 971 crore from different clients. The company has bagged two orders for Rs 492 crore from Integrated IIQ of MOD ( Army), New Delhi for construction of various dwelling units at Visakhapatnam and Cooch Behar.

• IVRCL Infrastructures and Projects Ltd today said it has obtained orders worth Rupees 867.57 crore from different states.

• Construction firm Gayatri Projects today said it has bagged a road project worth Rs 602 crore from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The company has bagged the contract for six laning of 45 km stretch on Indore-Dewas national highway on build, operate, transfer (BOT) basis.

• Supreme Court has pulled up multinationals Alstom Hydro and Voith Hydro, which had bided for second phase of Tehri hydropower project, saying their litigation was delaying the crucial project and causing loss to the nation.

• Templeton Strategic Emerging Markets Fund (TSEMF) today said it has concluded a Rs 93.4 crore ($20.6-million) investment in Shiv-Vani Oil & Gas Exploration Services.

• Ranbaxy Laboratories said in a statement today that it has entered into a pact with US-based Pfenex Inc for developing biosimilars-- drugs manufactured with the use of biotechnology. "Under the terms of the agreement Pfenex is eligible to receive maintenance fees, milestone payments as well as royalty payments on any product sales derived from the agreement."

• Hindustan Dorr-Oliver said on Monday it won orders worth Rs 2.67 billion from various sectors. It also includes a Rs 1.80 billion order from Indian Oil Corporation The company has an order book postion of Rs 15 billion, of which Rs 6 billion is from the environment sector and Rs 7.50 billion from the mineral sector and remaining from manufacturing and other sectors.

Activity in the Oil and Gas sector (including regulatory)

Militant Activity/Terrorism (Particularly in Bangalore, Mumbai, Noida, Chennai, Coimbatore)

• Police seized a huge cache of arms, ammunitions and belongings of Maoists after destroying their hideouts In Bihar's Gaya District on Sunday. The police seized arms, detonators, hydrogen lights, water tanks, electric wires and daily items used by the Maoists.

• Armed Maoists blasted two schools at a village in Bihar's Kaimur district on Monday. Both the schools were badly damaged after the blasts and t no injuries or casualties were reported in the attack.

• Indian Army today said nearly 2500 armed militants are ready in Pakistan training camps to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir. "2000 to 2500 armed militants in Pakistan training camps are ready to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir."

• The Tamil Nadu Government today told the Madras High Court that it has rejected the plea for premature release of Nalini, serving a life term in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

Labor/Social Unrest

• Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah told the state assembly today that with situation in the old Hyderabad remaining tense after communal clashes, the government has deployed additional forces, including nearly 1000 paramilitary personnel, to restore peace in the trouble-hit areas. The situation continued to be tense following the clashes that erupted last evening. At least 36 people were injured in stone-pelting and 70 others taken into custody after the clashes between two communities in Hyderabad.

Full Text

Basic Political Developments

Congress is in seat-sharing talks with TMC: Pranab



Mon, Mar 29 02:30 PM

Kolkata, March 29 (ANI): Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday said that Congress Party is in seat-sharing talks with ally, Trinamool Congress (TMC) for the upcoming civil polls in West Bengal. Elections for the 82 municipal bodies are likely to be held in the middle of 2010.

Congress-TMC tied up in West Bengal for last year's general elections for Lok Sabha, and gave a blow to the ruling Communists in their bastion.

Congress has never compromised on its ideology: Sonia Gandhi



Mar 29 04:45 PM

New Delhi, Mar 29 (ANI): Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday said the party has always worked for the upliftment of the weaker sections of society, adding that the Congress has never compromised on its ideology.

Speaking after inaugurating the National Convention of All India Congress Seva Dal at Mavlankar Hall here today, Gandhi urged the seva dal workers to fight the forces of communalism.

Varun targets Maya, Rahul, calls cow slaughter crime



Mar 29 04:28 PM

Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh), March 29 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party MP Varun Gandhi delivered a fiery speech here Monday, calling for a ban on cow slaughter. He also targeted Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati and his cousin Rahul Gandhi whom he called a 'handsome face'.

Hundreds of men, women and even children sweated it out to listen to the 30-year-old Gandhi's 20-minute high voltage speech at Gandhi Park - his first public rally after being appointed the BJP secretary this month.

The MP from Pilibhit called for a 'more intense war' against cow slaughter. 'It is a social crime. It is a legal crime. Why don't you wake up and fight this more intense war against cow slaughter? It is not for Hindus only, but for the nation's pride,' he said.

'Jai shri ram' was his slogan. And the crowd of men, women and children, some of whom had been waiting since 8 a.m., repeatedly responded likewise.

'I know people in western Uttar Pradesh don't compromise with self-esteem. I am asking you, don't stay calm, don't tolerate. Wake up and fight. I want warriors in my troupe, who can fight for your self-esteem.'

Gandhi, who stirred a political storm with a communal speech during the Lok Sabha election campaign last year, this time chose to weigh his words carefully.

The young BJP leader thundered: 'If somebody targets my mother, what would I do? I will stand and save her, isn't it? Likewise, you should get up, gather and save our mother cow.'

He criticised Mayawati over her garlands of currency notes and said the cash should have been used for the welfare of poor farmers and unemployed youth of Uttar Pradesh instead.

'But don't worry, two more years to go,' he said, pointing to the 2012 assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh which, he added, the BJP was confident of winning.

'Then there is another party which has young handsome faces. They have a mission, but don't worry, we will win,' he said, referring clearly to his estranged cousin Rahul Gandhi and the Congress.

'I know, I am also on this stage with my Gandhi surname. Had I been Varun Chowdhury or Sharma, I would not have been here. But this name comes with responsibility, responsibility towards the poor, towards you,' he said.

Fighting for the poor of the nation is a long struggle that people from 'well-off families' are not interested in, he said. 'I want to produce at least one lakh Varun Gandhis who will fight that war,' he said.

Modi's Taliban comments a frustrated outburst: Congress



Mar 29 04:50 PM

New Delhi, March 29 (IANS) The Congress Monday hit back at Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for his 'Taliban' comments, saying it was a 'frustrated' outburst after his long questioning by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) over the 2002 riots.

'Modi is feeling very frustrated because for the first time, a chief minister was made to stand before the Special Investigating Team for about 10 hours in a question and answer session,' Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said on the sidelines of a Congress Seva Dal function here.

Responding to questions about Modi describing those critical of Amitabh Bachchan's decision to be brand ambassador of Gujarat as 'Talibans of public life' in his blog, Soni said Modi should not use the word Taliban in a 'light and flippant manner' as those who had lived under the rule of the fundamentalists know what it is like. She said Modi should make statements only after due deliberation.

Modi wrote in his blog that 'a great artist with legendary humility and even taller achievements' like Amitabh Bachchan has 'chosen to celebrate the glorious heritage of Gujarat while facing a lot of criticisms'.

'These people, while brandishing Mahatma Gandhi's name are busy creating a new viciousness in the flow of our public life. These 'Talibans of Untouchability' have lost all their sensibilities in their pursuit of anti-Gujarat attitudes,' he said.

Congress leaders in Maharashtra had protested over the presence of Bachchan at the inauguration of the Bandra-Worli seak link extension function last week, saying they were upset over 'his association with Modi'.

Bachchan had accepted Modi's offer to be the brand ambassador of the state.

BJP leader rejoins Cong



Mar 29 2010 IST

Senior BJP leader Akhand Pratap Singh rejoined the Congress today in Madhya Pradesh.

The inclusion of Mr Singh into Congress was approved by the All India Congress Committee (AICC). The leader's return to the Congress is expected to help the party strenghten its position in Bundelkhand, a release issued by Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) here said.

Narendra Modi comes out in support of Bachchan



Ahmedabad, Mar 28 (PTI) Narendra Modi today came out in support of Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan whose presence at a government function in Mumbai triggered resentment among Congressmen as he was brand ambassador of Gujarat and seen to be close to the Chief Minister.

Writing on his blog, Modi lashed out at those criticising Bachchan for promoting the cause of the state, dubbing them as Talibans.

Modi described Bachchan as a great artist with legendry humility and even taller achievements who has chosen to celebrate the glorious heritage of Gujarat and her ?asmita? (identity) even while facing a lot of criticism from many quarters. This is inspiring, he said.

He said, the anti-Gujarat game plan behind the opposition and the controversy over Bachchan stood exposed in broad daylight now.

"These ?Talibans of Untouchability? have lost all their sensibilities in their pursuit of anti-Gujarat attitudes," he added.

Over 200 BJP activists arrested during demonstration



Jammu, Mar 29 (PTI) Over 200 BJP activists, including three BJP MLAs, were here today arrested while they were carrying out an anti-government demonstration over the issue of banning of inter-district recruitment and clashed with the police.

Over 900-1000 BJP activists, led by BJP Legislative Party leader Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, marched towards Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, raising anti-government and anti-CM slogans.

The BJP activists, including two other MLAs prof Garu Ram and Bharat Bhushan, were intercepted by the police at Shalimar Chowk, leading to a clash between the two sides.

They were not allowed to move towards Civil Secretariat and in violation of section 144, police arrested over 200 activists, including the 3 MLAs, police said, adding, "we did not use force or canecharge".

"We warn government not to ban inter-district recruitments. It would be considered as anti-Jammu and anti-SC decision," Ram told reporters here today.

National Economic Trends

Govt approves 23 FDI proposals worth over Rs 2,300 cr



New Delhi, Mar 29 (PTI) The government today approved 23 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) proposals worth over Rs 2,325.21 crore, including that of broadband services provider Tikona Digital Network and auto components maker Bharat Forge.

"The Union Government has approved 23 FDI proposals amounting to approximately Rs 2,325.21 crore," an official statement said.

The highest FDI of Rs 1,142.21 crore is likely to come into Tikona Digital Network from convertible debenture and share sale, followed Kalyani group company Bharat Forge's proposal to raise Rs 576 crore by issuing warrants to overseas investors and medical device maker Opto Circuits' Rs 376.27- crore proposal.

Also, the government has deferred eight proposals, including Essar Capital Holding, Verizon Communications and Etisalat DB Telecom, besides rejecting six FDI proposals.

However, Star India Holding has withdrawn its Rs 324.59- crore proposal, the statement said.

Government to borrow record $64 bn in H1 of FY-11: Finance Secretary Ashok Chawla



29 Mar 2010, 1610 hrs IST,REUTERS

NEW DELHI: Reserve Bank of India will sell 2.87 trillion rupees ($64 billion) of bonds in the first half of 2010/11, 63 percent of its recordKnow what is monetary policy full-year target, less than market expectations, sending yields down. On an average, Rs 110-150 billion of issuance would come to the market every week, Shyamala Gopinath, a deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), told reporters after officials of the central bank and the finance ministry met to finalise the first-half borrowing schedule.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year government bond fell 1 basis point to 7.83 percent on the news. Gopinath said the central bank would try to smoothly conduct the government's borrowing programme. The RBI will provide later in the day details on the size and the maturity of the bonds to be auctioned.

Traders are looking for a higher portion of three to five year maturities, which could push up short-term rates and flatten the yield curve.

India's gross borrowing in 2010/11 is set to rise an annual 1.3 percent to 4.57 trillion rupees to fund a fiscal deficit that is projected at 5.5 percent of the gross domestic product.

The RBI has said managing the government's debt programme this year would be a challenge as last fiscal year's net debt supply was significantly lower than the net borrowing on account of a $13.6 billion buy-back of bonds by the central bank.

This year the RBI may not buy back as many bonds as it did last year as it would not like to increase liquidity when inflationary pressures are mounting. The RBI is also constrained by the fact that it has nearly exhausted its stock of Market Stabilisation Scheme bonds which are used to absorb liquidity from the markets.

Headline inflation was near 10 percent in February, prompting the RBI to unexpectedly raise its key lending and borrowing rates by 25 basis points each on March 19. The central bank has said it is imperative to anchor inflationary expectations and analysts have forecast another rate hike during the policy review on April 20.

Business, Energy or Environmental regulations or discussions

Bajaj Elec bags Rs 215 cr orders for power related works



Mumbai, Mar 29 (PTI) Bajaj Electricals today said it has bagged two orders worth Rs 215 crore from the Power Grid Corporation of India and M P Poorv Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company for power and transmission related works.

The engineering and project business unit has secured these order under the portfolio of transmission and power distribution, Bajaj Electricals said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

The Rs 114 crore order is secured by the company from Power Grid Corporation of India to install transmission line.

The work is to be completed in 17 months, the filing added.

The second order worth Rs 101 crore is received from M P Poorv Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company under Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojna for power distribution, it said.

Shares of Bajaj Electricals were trading at Rs 221.50 on BSE, up 6.01 from previous close.

L and T bags Rs.1,400-crore order from Indian Oil



Mumbai, March 29 : Engineering major Larsen and Toubro (L and T) Monday said it has bagged a Rs.1,400 crore oil refinery project from state-run Indian Oil Corp.

"L and T has secured a major order valued at Rs.1,400 crore from Indian Oil Corporation for a 4.17 million tonnes per annum FCC (fluidised catalytic cracker) Reactor Regenerator project of a grassroots fuel refinery at Paradip, Orissa," said the company in a regulatory statement.

The project will be executed on a lumpsum turnkey basis. It is expected to start by July 2012, the statement said.

Shares of L and T were trading 0.89 percent higher during mid-day trade at Rs.1,650.05.

Nagarjuna Construction bags orders worth Rupees 971 crore



New Delhi, Mar 29 : Infrastructure firm Nagarjuna Construction Company Ltd today said it has secured new orders aggregating Rupees 971 crore from different clients.

The company has bagged two orders for Rs 492 crore from Integrated IIQ of MOD ( Army), New Delhi for construction of various dwelling units at Visakhapatnam and Cooch Behar, a company statement said.

The order is to be completed in 25 months, it added.

It has also obtained another order from Chennai based Nagarjuna Oil Corporation Limited for construction of various civil and structural works at Cuddalore worth Rs 249 crore and the project is to be completed in 24 months time.

Nagarjuna has also secured three orders from Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) for construction of various buildings at Paradip, Orissa valued at Rs 230 crore.

The contract it is to be completed in a time frame of 20 months, the statement said.

IVRCL Infrastructure bags orders worth Rupees 867.57 crore



New Delhi, Mar 29 : Infrastructure major IVRCL Infrastructures and Projects Ltd today said said it has obtained orders worth Rupees 867.57 crore from different states.

The first order is from the Office of Chief Engineer, Water Resources Department, Birpur, Bihar worth Rs 322.91 crore.

The order is for extension, renovation and modernisation of Eastern Kosi Canal system including settling basin, repairing and construction of building airport.

The work is to be completed by March 31, 2012, a company statement.

The second order aggregating Rs 235.67 crore is for MADAM Master balancing reservoir and allied works of Hogenakkal Water supply and Flurosis Mitigation project from Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage board.

The order is to be executed in 30 months.

The company has bagged another order from Bangalore Water supply and sewerage board valued Rs 210.61 crore which is to be completed in 24 months, the statement said.

Another order worth Rs 98.38 crore is for providing sewerage system to erstwhile Bommanahalli CMC areas ( zone 4E and zone 4F) under KMRP from Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board.

The total completion period for zone 4E is 36 months and zone 4F is 24 months.

Gayatri Projects bags contract worth Rs 602 cr from NHAI



29 Mar 2010, 1504 hrs IST, PTI

MUMBAI: Construction firm Gayatri Projects today said it has bagged a road project worth Rs 602 crore from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

The company has bagged the contract for six laning of 45 km stretch on Indore-Dewas national highway on build, operate, transfer (BOT) basis, Gayatri Projects said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

"The company has agreed to pay a premium of Rs 24.10 crore to the NHAI annually and has a right to collect toll on the existing four lane highway through its SPV," it said.

Shares of Gayatri Projects were trading at Rs 385 on BSE, down 1.52 per cent from its previous close.

SC pulls up Alstom, Voith for delaying Tehri power plant



29 Mar 2010, 0119 hrs IST, PTI

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has pulled up multinationals Alstom Hydro and Voith Hydro, which had bided for second phase of Tehri hydropower

project, saying their litigation was delaying the crucial project and causing loss to the nation.

The court’s observation came while delivering its judgement in the case between Voith Hydro, a joint venture between two German giants Voith and Siemens, and Alstom Hydro, a part of French engineering major Alstom, over bids submitted to Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC).

A bench comprising justices V S Sirpurkar and Mukundakam Sharma said such litigations delay important projects of the country and cause loss to nation.

“We are pained to note that a very important project like the present one is being stuck in a legal battle between the two multinational companies. Till today, even the contract has not been finalised. All this would invariably cause loss to the nation,” the court said. The court further said: “Contractual rights of these companies are not more important than the national interest.”

The court has directed a panel of experts formed by THDC to consider the objection raised by the companies and make a recommendation by end of April 2010 over the bids submitted by them. “Panel of experts should be allowed to consider the objections and express its opinion. That opinion shall then be considered by the appellant which would take the final decision on that basis,” the court said.

The bench said: “It should be completed by the end of April 2010. Then, without loss of time, a decision will be taken, considering the report of the panel of experts regarding the award of contract.”

The court’s direction came on a petition filed by THDC, Alstom and Voith. THDC had invited bids for Tehri Pump Storage Plant, phase-II in 2007 in which three bidders, Alstom, Voith and Japan-based Sumitomo Corporation, were declared qualified.

Later, a dispute arose and Alstom approached the Uttarakhand High Court contending that Voith was not technically qualified and it had submitted two price bids which was in contravention of the terms and conditions.

However, the high court had held that Voith was qualified. Later, this was challenged in the Supreme Court. Following an earlier direction of the apex court, the government formed a three-member committee and evaluated the bids submitted by them. The committee held the bids of Alstom as “non-responsive”, following which it raised objections against the manner in which a decision was taken.

TSEMF concludes Rs 93.4 crore investment in Shiv-Vani



29 Mar 2010, 1433 hrs IST, PTI

MUMBAI: Templeton Strategic Emerging Markets Fund (TSEMF) today said it has concluded a Rs 93.4 crore ($20.6-million) investment in Shiv-Vani Oil & Gas Exploration Services.

TSEMF III, which invests in listed and unlisted companies in emerging markets, is the third strategic equity fund managed by Templeton Asset Management, an investment management company incorporated in Singapore.

Shiv-Vani is one of India's largest on-shore oil and gas services provider focused on deep well drilling and seismic services. It provides end-to-end services in drilling, extraction, compression and dispatch of gas in its coal bed methane (CBM) business, a statement issued by the company here said.

"This association will fuel our aggressive growth plans and strengthen our position as a global player in the area of oil & gas exploration services," Shiv-Vani's Joint Managing Director Padam Singhee said.

Ranbaxy with US firm for developing biosimilars



New Delhi, Mar 29 (PTI) Drug firm Ranbaxy Laboratories today said it has entered into a pact with US-based Pfenex Inc for developing biosimilars-- drugs manufactured with the use of biotechnology.

"Under the terms of the agreement Pfenex is eligible to receive maintenance fees, milestone payments as well as royalty payments on any product sales derived from the agreement," Ranbaxy Laboratories said in a statement.

Ranbaxy and Pfenex scientists will collaborate to develop production strains and commercial making of biosimilar product. They will also join hands in development of process that will be used to produce products.

The agreement is for biosimilar products to be developed on 'Pfenex Expression TechnologyT' platform, a technology that uses recombinant protein expression of bacteria, pseudomonas.

Hindustan Dorr-Oliver gets orders worth Rs 2.67 billion



29 Mar 2010, 1446 hrs IST, REUTERS

MUMBAI: Hindustan Dorr-Oliver said on Monday it won orders worth Rs 2.67 billion from various sectors. It also includes a Rs 1.80 billion order from Indian Oil Corporation, it said in a statement. The company has an order book postion of Rs 15 billion, of which Rs 6 billion is from the environment sector and Rs 7.50 billion from the mineral sector and remaining from manufacturing and other sectors.

Activity in the Oil and Gas sector (including regulatory)

Militant Activity/Terrorism (Particularly in Bangalore, Mumbai, Noida, Chennai, Coimbatore)

Huge cache of Maoist arms busted in Bihar



Mar 29 02:20 PM

Gaya (Bihar), Mar 29 (ANI): Police seized a huge cache of arms, ammunitions and belongings of Maoists after destroying their hideouts In Bihar's Gaya District.

In a joint operation of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Combat Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) on Sunday, eight hideouts of Maoists were destroyed in Dhakanchuan jungle of Gaya district.

One of the hideouts was their manufacturing unit of arms and ammunitions.

The joint forces also seized arms, detonators, hydrogen lights, water tanks, electric wires and daily items used by the Maoists.

According to the CRPF personnel, the Maoists were using these hideouts as training camps. The cache of arms and their belongings were seized from only six hideouts.

"We have destroyed many caves of theirs but we have received this huge cache from only six caves. These caves here are their hideouts, where they used to stay along with their daily use products," said Vijay Kumar, Commandant, 159 battalion of CRPF.

Earlier, the Maoists had called for a 48-hour shutdown in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh, and three districts of Maharashtra, protesting against the Union Government's Operation Green Hunt.

The Maoist rebels had on February 22 offered a conditional 72-day ceasefire through the media, and said they are willing to talk to the government if it aborts Operation Green Hunt. Many believe the truce offer is a ruse to regroup.

The Maoists contend they are fighting for the rights of the poor, marginal farmers and the landless labourers.

Maoists blast two schools in Bihar



March 29, 2010 11:33 IST

Armed Maoists blasted two schools at a village in Bihar's Kaimur district on Monday, police said.

Over 200 ultras raided the Duddha village and confined the villagers within their houses in the wee hours of Monday before blasting a government and a church school with dynamites.

Both the schools were badly damaged after the blast, the police said adding that no injuries or casualties were reported in the attack.

After carrying out their operation, the Maoists later vanished into the forests.

Patrolling by security forces was intensified as tension ran high in the area even as raids are on to apprehend the ultras, the police said.

Nearly 2500 armed militants ready to infiltrate: Army



Jammu, Mar 29 (PTI) Army today said nearly 2500 armed militants are ready in Pakistan training camps to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir.

"2000 to 2500 armed militants in Pakistan training camps are ready to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir," Brigadier General of Staff (BGS), 16 Corps, Brig Gurdeep Singh told reporters at Nagrota Corps headquarters here.

He said there were approximately 42 training camps across the border out of which 34 are active.

Brig Singh, who displayed the Pakistan-made recoveries from two slain Lashker-e-Toiba militants in Rajouri district on Saturday before the media, said, "it shows complicity of our neighbour. Who has provided the two Pak militants Thuraya Satellite phone? Who Provided militants Global Positioning System (GPS)?"

"They are registered with government and are not available in market so easily," he said.

TN govt rejects Nalini's plea for premature release



Chennai, Mar 29 (PTI) The Tamil Nadu Government today told the Madras High Court that it has rejected the plea for premature release of Nalini, serving a life term in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

The government's decision, taken on March 24, was conveyed to the court by Advocate General P S Raman.

The Prison Advisory Board, constituted by the government to consider Nalini's representation, has rejected her plea on eight grounds and the state government has accepted it, Raman told a division bench of the court.

The bench comprising Justices Elipe Dharma Rao and K K Sashidaran was hearing a petition by Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy challenging a September 2008 order by a single judge directing the state government to constitute the advisory board to consider the release of Nalini, who is in prison for the last 19 years.

Labor/Social Unrest

Hyderabad tense; govt deploying additional forces



Hyderabad, Mar 29 (PTI) With situation in the old city remaining tense after communal clashes, the Andhra Pradesh government today said that additional forces, including nearly 1000 paramilitary personnel despatched by the Centre, were being deployed to restore peace in the trouble-hit areas.

The situation continued to be tense following the clashes that erupted last evening, Chief Minister K Rosaiah told the state assembly.

"We are constantly monitoring and reviewing the situation and also talking to the Centre on this. The Centre has sent 10 companies (about 1000 personnel) of paramilitary forces on my request to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram," he said.

At least 36 people were injured in stone-pelting and 70 others taken into custody after the clashes between two communities in the old city.

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