By Adnan Alavi,
The arrest of right-wing militants in connection with the blast in Ajmer Dargah isn't surprising and is just another in the series of arrests of members of organisations ranging from Abhinav Bharat to Sanatan Sanstha who have committed a series of bombings in India from Malegaon to Goa.
Headlines in prominent newspapers and leading English channels read like 'Abhinav Bharat man caught', 'Ajmer blast suspects linked to Hindu groups' or 'Ajmer blast: Hindu group responsible'.
There is no mention of 'terrorism' and suddenly words like suspects and 'organisation member' are back in journalistic lingo. Just a recent example because public memory is short:
Bettig mafia respsosible for blast in Bagalore stadium during IPL!
During the Indian Premier League (IPL), bombs exploded in the stadium in Bangalore. Soon after, journalists who crave for breakthroughs and first page bylines, were mouthing names of persons involved in the blasts. There were reports that security agencies don't deny the role of particular persons.
A few days passed and the everybody has forgotten it. Now it seems that it was local betting mafia that was involved in planting bombs in the stadium, and we no longer read any follow-ups or any sort of news. So did it make it less serious if underworld or betting mafia is involved?
The classic case was in Assam where major bomb strikes in which dozens died were ignored when ULFA was involved but once minor blasts occurred and a news agency suspected 'Islamists' angle', it was suddenly prime time news and got repeatedly termed as terrorist attacks.
Just a day ago the Bangladesh government has handed DR Nabla alias Ranjan Daimary, the chief of the militant NDFB, that was involved in serial bombings in Assam in 2008 that caused over a 100 deaths. But the arrest didn't make big news despite the fact that a terrorist mastermind was caught.
Ironically media perceptions force police and investigative agencies to hurry up in investigations and they throw up names to evade intrusive journos by saying that such group's involvement is not ruled out. The casualty is truth.
Apart from inefficiency and political reasons, often the cases are not cracked because of these reasons. It's a fact that had there been a BJP government in Maharashtra, Goa or Rajasthan, the activists of Sanatan Sanstha or Abhinav Bharat may never have been arrested.
Upright officers, political will needed
Though Himanshu Panse's role in blasts in Marathwada had alerted security agencies, the investigation was closed. Firstly, some officers were soft on the group while others apparently didn't want to get into controversy. It took an officer of the calibre of Hemant Karkare to unravel this network.
Even in cases of blasts where there was a clear stamp of right-wing radicals, Muslim youths were arrested and put for months in illegal detentions. In Hyderabad, those protesting police action were fired at and many were killed.
The fact is that whether it is Hindutva-inspired fanatic or the Islamist militant, they are equally dangerous for the country. Terrorism and crime should be seen purely as a threat to the nation and not from the prism of religion.
Sadly, this doesn't happen. When some youths from Azamgarh were arrested, the entire district was demonised. When youths from a particular Muslims-dominated town were arrested, the name of the town 'Bhatkal' was added to their names though it was not their surname.
The aim was to defame the town. It was part of a strategy. Shouldn't Indore be also termed haven of Hindutva-wadis in India. This peaceful town in Central India has been linked to almost all the major cases of bomb blasts.
Should towns be defamed: Is Indore Hindutva-wadi's Azamgarh?
Either its Malegaon blast, Mecca Masjid or Ajmer terror strike, the accused are being arrested from Indore. The planning was done here. Even investigation trail in Samjhauta Express case has reached Indore. And the most wanted man, Ramji Kalsangra, whose arrest can unravel the entire group, also hails from here.
It is not that MP police were not aware of Sunil Joshi's shadowy organisation that was based in Indore. It was also aware of Samir Kulkarni's Abhinav Bharat that was functioning from MP. But the state police didn't act then even though local Hindi papers printed tonnes of material.
Kulkarni's role in planting bombs at Bhopal's major Islamic gathering of tablighi jamaat that attracts 1 million Muslims was also known but police under BJP rule didn't act. It is only when CBI and central investigative agencies reached Indore that the activity began.
The unfortunate aspect is that everything in India either gets politicised or communalised.
--
Adnan Alavi blogs at http://www.anindianmuslim.com
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Malaysia's first nuclear power plant expected to be operational by 2010
By NNN-Bernama,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysia's first nuclear power plant is expected to start operations in 2021, says Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Peter Chin Fah Kui.
His ministry has been given approval by the National Economic Council to start identifying suitable sites for the plant, he said here Tuesday, adding that the countdown for nuclear power began three weeks ago.
"Once the site is identified, we will roll out stakeholders' consultation," he told reporters after attending the Sustainable Buildings South-East Asia 2010 conference.
Declining to reveal the possible sites and the total power deliverable, Chin said the nuclear power plant needed to be built in an area with high power demand.
He said the lifespan of a nuclear power plant was between 50 years and 70 years.
"Building the first plant needs a lead time of at least 10 years. We need to look at the safety aspects, human resources and the location," he added.
The final decision on whether the plant would be built was up to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Chin said, adding that technology providers could come from South Korea, China, France or Japan.
Chin said a nuclear power plant was needed to meet the country's increasing demand for energy as a result of industrialisation and to ensure energy security.
"We have to look at energy security. No country can grow without energy, no gross domestic product can progress without energy," he added.
"Nuclear energy is the only viable option towards our long-term energy needs. Our energy generation mix is rather unhealthy at the moment because we are using too much gas and coal," he said.
As for the cost for a nuclear power plant, Chin said: "It is a costly exercise but we have no choice, rather than building many coal-fired power plants or gas-fired plants, which is going to cost even more going into the future."
The country must have 20 per cent power reserves, Chin said, adding that the current power usage was 14,000 megawatts (MW) while the country had a capacity of 23,000 MW.
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysia's first nuclear power plant is expected to start operations in 2021, says Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Peter Chin Fah Kui.
His ministry has been given approval by the National Economic Council to start identifying suitable sites for the plant, he said here Tuesday, adding that the countdown for nuclear power began three weeks ago.
"Once the site is identified, we will roll out stakeholders' consultation," he told reporters after attending the Sustainable Buildings South-East Asia 2010 conference.
Declining to reveal the possible sites and the total power deliverable, Chin said the nuclear power plant needed to be built in an area with high power demand.
He said the lifespan of a nuclear power plant was between 50 years and 70 years.
"Building the first plant needs a lead time of at least 10 years. We need to look at the safety aspects, human resources and the location," he added.
The final decision on whether the plant would be built was up to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Chin said, adding that technology providers could come from South Korea, China, France or Japan.
Chin said a nuclear power plant was needed to meet the country's increasing demand for energy as a result of industrialisation and to ensure energy security.
"We have to look at energy security. No country can grow without energy, no gross domestic product can progress without energy," he added.
"Nuclear energy is the only viable option towards our long-term energy needs. Our energy generation mix is rather unhealthy at the moment because we are using too much gas and coal," he said.
As for the cost for a nuclear power plant, Chin said: "It is a costly exercise but we have no choice, rather than building many coal-fired power plants or gas-fired plants, which is going to cost even more going into the future."
The country must have 20 per cent power reserves, Chin said, adding that the current power usage was 14,000 megawatts (MW) while the country had a capacity of 23,000 MW.
Time to question politics of terror bombings: Civil groups
By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,
New Delhi: What is the motive of terror bombings in India in the last one decade and who has benefited, politically, from these anti-national activities, asked civil and some political groups today here at a symposium and asserted that it’s time for citizens to ask the government on security lapses and why no punishment to officials for these lapses.
At the symposium titled “Politics of Terror” various speakers – civil rights activists, community leaders and politicians – said the citizens should gather courage and ask the government for all terror bombings and security lapses behind them and why no official has been punished for security lapses whether it is Mumbai terror attacks or Parliament attacks.
Firoz Mithiborewal (extreme right in blue shirt) and others taking part in a symposium on "Politics of Terror" in New Delhi
Dr Qasim Rasool Ilyas, executive committee member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board referred to statements of some top political leaders after Parliament attacks and Ahmedabad serial bombings. The politicians had indicated toward political angle behind such attacks as the ruling parties were in crisis when these incidents took place and successfully bailed out them by diverting nation’s attention. “When Muslim youths are being acquitted in terror cases one after another, it’s time to ask the government as to who actually is responsible for these attacks,” Ilyas said.
Mujtaba Farooq, political affairs secretary, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind while expressing relief over a little decline in hostility for the Muslim community following exposure of Hindu hands in Malegaon bombing said the civil groups should come out to demand the government for a thorough probe into all terror attacks in the country.
Abdul Khaliq, Secretary, Lok Janshakti Party, said it’s time to talk about which political party has got benefits from terrorist attacks in the country.
Noted documentary maker Shubhradeep Chakrabarty said terror attacks and bombings in India are new avatar of communal riots. The perpetrators know they can’t do Gujarat riots again and again. Like communal riots, terror bombings are being executed with planning and purpose. He also pointed out political and economic angle behind such terror attacks.
The symposium was organized by Awami Bharat and Bharat Bachao groups.
http://twocircles.net/2010may04/time_question_politics_terror_bombings_civil_groups.html
New Delhi: What is the motive of terror bombings in India in the last one decade and who has benefited, politically, from these anti-national activities, asked civil and some political groups today here at a symposium and asserted that it’s time for citizens to ask the government on security lapses and why no punishment to officials for these lapses.
At the symposium titled “Politics of Terror” various speakers – civil rights activists, community leaders and politicians – said the citizens should gather courage and ask the government for all terror bombings and security lapses behind them and why no official has been punished for security lapses whether it is Mumbai terror attacks or Parliament attacks.
Firoz Mithiborewal (extreme right in blue shirt) and others taking part in a symposium on "Politics of Terror" in New Delhi
Dr Qasim Rasool Ilyas, executive committee member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board referred to statements of some top political leaders after Parliament attacks and Ahmedabad serial bombings. The politicians had indicated toward political angle behind such attacks as the ruling parties were in crisis when these incidents took place and successfully bailed out them by diverting nation’s attention. “When Muslim youths are being acquitted in terror cases one after another, it’s time to ask the government as to who actually is responsible for these attacks,” Ilyas said.
Mujtaba Farooq, political affairs secretary, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind while expressing relief over a little decline in hostility for the Muslim community following exposure of Hindu hands in Malegaon bombing said the civil groups should come out to demand the government for a thorough probe into all terror attacks in the country.
Abdul Khaliq, Secretary, Lok Janshakti Party, said it’s time to talk about which political party has got benefits from terrorist attacks in the country.
Noted documentary maker Shubhradeep Chakrabarty said terror attacks and bombings in India are new avatar of communal riots. The perpetrators know they can’t do Gujarat riots again and again. Like communal riots, terror bombings are being executed with planning and purpose. He also pointed out political and economic angle behind such terror attacks.
The symposium was organized by Awami Bharat and Bharat Bachao groups.
http://twocircles.net/2010may04/time_question_politics_terror_bombings_civil_groups.html
Media has soft approach towards Hindutva terrorism: CPI (M) Kerala state secretary
By TwoCircles.net Staff Correspondent,
Thrissur: The media which should consider all types of terrorism in the same way have a soft approach towards the Hindutva terrorism, opined Pinarayi Vijayan, state secretary of the CPI (M). He was inaugurating the seminar on the topic ‘Religious extremism and the trial by media’ organized by the All India Lawyers’ Union at Kodungallore in Kerala’s Thrissur district.
Bin Laden, who is the icon of global terrorism, is the product of the American imperialism and the CIA. The US is protecting Headley, without even letting the Indian officials question him, out of fear that many secrets might come to light. All terrorist groups are getting very good financial aid. He also criticized those among the national media which describe the bloody hands of Narendra Modi as the hands of development.
N Madhavan Kutty (journalist), Dr MK Muneer (Muslim League state secretary), KT Jaleel (MLA), P Jayarajan and Baby John also spoke.
http://twocircles.net/2010may04/media_has_soft_approach_towards_hindutva_terrorism_cpi_m_kerala_state_secretary.html
Thrissur: The media which should consider all types of terrorism in the same way have a soft approach towards the Hindutva terrorism, opined Pinarayi Vijayan, state secretary of the CPI (M). He was inaugurating the seminar on the topic ‘Religious extremism and the trial by media’ organized by the All India Lawyers’ Union at Kodungallore in Kerala’s Thrissur district.
Bin Laden, who is the icon of global terrorism, is the product of the American imperialism and the CIA. The US is protecting Headley, without even letting the Indian officials question him, out of fear that many secrets might come to light. All terrorist groups are getting very good financial aid. He also criticized those among the national media which describe the bloody hands of Narendra Modi as the hands of development.
N Madhavan Kutty (journalist), Dr MK Muneer (Muslim League state secretary), KT Jaleel (MLA), P Jayarajan and Baby John also spoke.
http://twocircles.net/2010may04/media_has_soft_approach_towards_hindutva_terrorism_cpi_m_kerala_state_secretary.html
IDB offers interest-free loan to Muslims for medical, engg courses
By TCN News,
Patna: Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Jeddah has invited applications for scholarship cum interest-free education loan from meritorious but financially needy Indian Muslim students to help them to pursue professional courses such as Medical and Engineering.
This loan is for those students who have taken admission or intend to in academic year 2010-2011 in the first year of any degree courses of Medicine and Engineering including Homeopathy, Unani, Ayurvedic, Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, Food Technology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Law.
To get this loan it is necessary that aspirants should have obtained 60% marks in English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Mathematics in 10th class examination.
The applicants will be interviewed by a selection committee and selected ones will be provided with the cost of living, clothing, books, tuition fees and medical expenses during the courses.
It is to be noted here that as it is an interest-free loan, recipients, therefore, will have to refund the amounts in easy installments after they settle down in profession. So that others can get benefit to enjoy the same educational opportunity.
Islamic Development Bank started this program in 1983 to promote professional education among Muslim community in various countries including India. In India this program is operated and monitored through Delhi based NGO Students Islamic Trust (SIT). So far 1163 students completed their courses and settled down in their professions with the help IDB loan. At present there are 645 students who are getting benefits from it and pursuing professional studies.
Talking to TwoCircles.net from Delhi, Mohammad Saifullah Rizwan, Executive Secretary of SIT, said: “It is a golden opportunity for the talented Muslim students who are unable to do professional courses due to financial problem. The students who passed matriculation with minimum 60% marks and have desire to go in professional fields should get benefit from this program.”
On number of students who will be selected this year he said: “We will select 250 students through interview. The Selection committee formed for this purpose will interview the applicants in almost all the states, then we will issue the list of selected students.”
Asked about amount that will be given to the selected students he told: “Each student of Medical is given Rs.45000/ and student of Engineering is given Rs. 40000/ per month till they complete the courses.
“They will have to return the amounts they receive from IDB after the completion of courses or after they get settlement in their profession so that it can pave the way for other students belonging to the same category and who want to do similar courses” he added.
The last date for submission of application is 25th August 2010. Application forms can be downloaded from SIT website http://www.sit-india.org/scholarship.html or it can be obtained from SIT office.
Address:
Mohammad Saifullah Rizwan
Executive Secretary
The Student Islamic Trust
Abul Fazal Enclave, Jamia Nagar
New Delhi-110025
Contact: 91-9990630127, 91-11-26941028
Patna: Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Jeddah has invited applications for scholarship cum interest-free education loan from meritorious but financially needy Indian Muslim students to help them to pursue professional courses such as Medical and Engineering.
This loan is for those students who have taken admission or intend to in academic year 2010-2011 in the first year of any degree courses of Medicine and Engineering including Homeopathy, Unani, Ayurvedic, Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, Food Technology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Law.
To get this loan it is necessary that aspirants should have obtained 60% marks in English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Mathematics in 10th class examination.
The applicants will be interviewed by a selection committee and selected ones will be provided with the cost of living, clothing, books, tuition fees and medical expenses during the courses.
It is to be noted here that as it is an interest-free loan, recipients, therefore, will have to refund the amounts in easy installments after they settle down in profession. So that others can get benefit to enjoy the same educational opportunity.
Islamic Development Bank started this program in 1983 to promote professional education among Muslim community in various countries including India. In India this program is operated and monitored through Delhi based NGO Students Islamic Trust (SIT). So far 1163 students completed their courses and settled down in their professions with the help IDB loan. At present there are 645 students who are getting benefits from it and pursuing professional studies.
Talking to TwoCircles.net from Delhi, Mohammad Saifullah Rizwan, Executive Secretary of SIT, said: “It is a golden opportunity for the talented Muslim students who are unable to do professional courses due to financial problem. The students who passed matriculation with minimum 60% marks and have desire to go in professional fields should get benefit from this program.”
On number of students who will be selected this year he said: “We will select 250 students through interview. The Selection committee formed for this purpose will interview the applicants in almost all the states, then we will issue the list of selected students.”
Asked about amount that will be given to the selected students he told: “Each student of Medical is given Rs.45000/ and student of Engineering is given Rs. 40000/ per month till they complete the courses.
“They will have to return the amounts they receive from IDB after the completion of courses or after they get settlement in their profession so that it can pave the way for other students belonging to the same category and who want to do similar courses” he added.
The last date for submission of application is 25th August 2010. Application forms can be downloaded from SIT website http://www.sit-india.org/scholarship.html or it can be obtained from SIT office.
Address:
Mohammad Saifullah Rizwan
Executive Secretary
The Student Islamic Trust
Abul Fazal Enclave, Jamia Nagar
New Delhi-110025
Contact: 91-9990630127, 91-11-26941028
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