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# The Global Intelligence Files

On Monday February 27th, 2012, WikiLeaks began publishing The Global Intelligence Files, over five million e-mails from the Texas headquartered "global intelligence" company Stratfor. The e-mails date between July 2004 and late December 2011. They reveal the inner workings of a company that fronts as an intelligence publisher, but provides confidential intelligence services to large corporations, such as Bhopal's Dow Chemical Co., Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and government agencies, including the US Department of Homeland Security, the US Marines and the US Defence Intelligence Agency. The emails show Stratfor's web of informers, pay-off structure, payment laundering techniques and psychological methods.

## STRATFOR India Country Brief - September 12, 2011

Released on 2012-08-25 09:00 GMT

Email-ID | 5280627
Date | 2011-09-12 15:59:00
From | Anya.Alfano@stratfor.com
To | fred.burton@stratfor.com, Declan_O'Donovan@dell.com, John_McClurg@DELL.com, Anders_De_La_Motte@Dell.com

Basic Political Developments
o Hard-line Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Monday
rejected the Truth and Reconciliation Commission proposed by Chief
Minister Omar Abdullah.
o The Congress on Monday said the Supreme Court''s decision could not be
seen as a clean chit for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi or his
government.
o The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday said the Supreme Court
directive to a trial court to hear a case against Gujarat Chief
Minister Narendra Modi in the killing of former Congress MP Ehsan
Jafri during the 2002 riots was a "victory" for the chief minister and
he would now play a bigger role in national poitics.
o The Supreme Court order on the Gulberg Society case is by `no means'
exoneration of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi but will lead to
the expansion of the charge-sheet against him through the inclusion of
additional complaints, the CPI-M said on Monday.
o The Sakalajanula Samme beginning on September 13 is expected to bring
the Telangana movement back on the centre-stage after being in a state
of limbo for quite some time.
o The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has welcomed Supreme Court's decision
to direct a Gujarat trial court to examine the alleged role of Chief
Minister Narendra Modi and other officials.
National Economic Trends
o Industrial growth fell to a meagre 3.3 per cent in July this year.
Business, Energy or Environmental regulations or discussions
o Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Monday that good road
infrastructure was crucial to achieving nine percent growth, targeted
for the next Five Year Plan (2012-13 to 2016-17), and adequate
investment would be made towards that.
o India will have a new companies act next year to replace the existing
law passed in 1956, union Corporate Affairs Minister Veerappa Moily
said on Monday. "The ministry has reworked the Companies Bill 2009
after the standing committee suggested as many as 300 amendments to
it. The new bill has been fine-tuned accordingly," Moily told
mediapersons on the sidelines of a meeting on the national competition
policy.
o The Manipal Group, one of the single largest Indian investors in
Nepal, to warn that it could suspend its hospital services in view of
continued disruptions.
o Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal has given in-principle approval to draft
National Frequency Allocation Plan-2011.
o After a day's halt, work at the proposed Posco steel plant site in
Orissa's Jagatsinghpur district was in progress on Monday with
people's cooperation.
Activity in the Oil and Gas sector (including regulatory)
Militant Activity/Terrorism (Particularly in Bangalore, Mumbai, Noida, Chennai,
Coimbatore)
o The rural development ministry is consulting the collectors of the 60
Left-wing extremism (LWE)-affected districts at a day-long meeting in
Delhi on Tuesday.
o Karnataka Chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda has urged prime minister
Manmohan Singh to extend central assistance to Karnataka to tackle the
Naxal menace.
o The Chhattisgarh police has begun a probe into the alleged nexus
between some industries and Naxals in insurgency-hit Bastar region.
Labor/Social Unrest
o A major women's association in Manipur today appealed to the
organisers of economic blockades on two national highways in the state
to lift it immediately as it could lead to a 'civil war'.
o With two more persons succumbing to injuries at a hospital, the death
toll in the police firing on a stone-pelting mob of Dalits in Tamil
Nadu.
o Workers of Maruti Suzuki India's first plant at Manesar today
approached district authorities in Gurgaon seeking intervention to
bring an end to the impasse that has resulted in production being
affected since August 29.
Full Text
Basic Political Developments
Geelani rejects Omar's Truth and Reconciliation Commission
http://www.rediff.com/news/report/geelani-rejects-omars-truth-and-reconciliation-commission/20110912.htm
Hard-line Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Monday
rejected the Truth and Reconciliation Commission proposed by Chief
Minister Omar Abdullah and demanded a United Nations-appointed factfinding
mission to probe the unmarked graves in Jammu and Kashmir.
"We vehemently reject the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as we do
not expect justice from the system which is perpetuating human rights
violations in the state," Geelani, who is under house arrest, told
reporters at his Hyderpora residence.
Omar had reiterated his suggestion for setting up a Truth and
Reconciliation Commission after the investigative wing of the State Human
Rights Commission admitted the existence of over 2,700 unmarked graves at
38 sites in north Kashmir.
The Hurriyat leader said none of the victims of human rights violations in
the state has got justice from the system "which is based on fraud and
cheating".
Asked about the demand for an Income Tax probe against him made by Union
Minister Farooq Abdullah, Geelani said, "One should laugh at his comments
and sometimes cry too. A man who does not know what he is talking about
should not be taken seriously."
Abdullah on Sunday sought a probe into the money allegedly collected by
Geelani and other separatists at the time of reconstruction of the
Chrar-e-Sharief shrine in 1995 and last summer's unrest.
Supreme Court has not given any clean chit to Modi: Congress
http://www.newkerala.com/news/2011/worldnews-65436.html
New Delhi, Sep 12 : The Congress on Monday said the Supreme Court''s
decision to refer the 2002 Gulbarg Society massacre case to a Gujarat
magistrate''s court, could not be seen as a clean chit for Gujarat Chief
Minister Narendra Modi or his government.
"We should all respect the judgment of the Supreme Court and I should also
say that the court has not given any clean chit to Narendra Modi and they
have sent the report to the lower court and the lower court will look into
it and then give its suggestions," said Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi.
"Definitely justice should be given and I hope that they will get justice.
It is difficult to wipe or remove the taint from Modi''s forehead," he
added.
In a relief to Modi, the apex court earlier in the day refused to pass any
order on his alleged inaction to contain the 2002 Gujarat riots after the
Godhra carnage and referred the matter to the concerned magistrate in
Ahmedabad for a decision.
A three-judge apex court bench headed by Justice D K Jain directed the
SIT, which is probing the riot cases, to submit its final report before
the magistrate who was asked to decide whether to proceed against Modi and
63 others, which includes senior government officials.
The bench made it clear that there was no need for it to further monitor
the riot cases.
The bench, which also comprised Justices P Sathasivam and Aftab Alam, said
in case the magistrate decides to drop proceedings against Modi and
others, he has to hear the plea of slain MP Ehsan Jafri''s widow Zakia
Jafri, who had filed a complaint against the Gujarat Chief Minister.
The apex court passed the order on a petition by Zakia Jafri alleging that
Modi and 62 top government officials deliberately refused to take action
to contain the state-wide riots, triggered by the February 27, 2002 Godhra
train carnage.
Gujarat riots: Supreme Court decision a victory for Narendra Modi, says
BJP
Published: Monday, Sep 12, 2011, 17:23 IST
Place: New Delhi | Agency: PTI
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_supreme-court-decision-a-victory-for-narendra-modi-bjp_1586269
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday said the Supreme Court
directive to a trial court to hear a case against Gujarat Chief Minister
Narendra Modi in the killing of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri during the
2002 riots was a "victory" for the chief minister and he would now play a
bigger role in national poitics.
"It is not just a relief for Modi, but a victory for Modi," BJP
spokesperson Balbir K Punj said. BJP leader Arun Jaitley said there was no
evidence against Modi.
Punj said Modi will now "play a much larger role in the national political
scene".
The apex court order came on a petition of Zakia Jafri, the widow of
Ehasan Jafri, urging a probe into Modi's role in the Gulberg Society
carnage and the trial of the case by a special court outside the state.
"The BJP had always said that the allegations made against the Gujarat
chief minister in relation to 2002 riots were absolutely false and there
is not a shred of evidence," said BJP leader Arun Jaitley.
He said the trial in the case is in final stages and there is no evidence
against Gujarat chief minister.
"There is no evidence to connect him (Narendra Modi) with any of this
crime. Propaganda and falsehood can never be a substitute for hard
evidence... we are glad this is now being accepted. I am glad that the
apex court came to a conclusion that trial in the state of Gujarat can be
fair and free," he said.
In the 2002 mob attack on Gulberg Society, 37 people, including former
Congress MP Jafri, were killed. The rampaging mob targeted members of
Muslim community in the Ahmedabad neighbourhood during the riots.
Zakia Jafri has alleged inaction of 63 people, including the cnief
minister, ministers and high-ranking officers, in the incident
Supreme Court order will lead to more charges against Narendra Modi: CPI-M
Published: Monday, Sep 12, 2011, 18:33 IST
Place: Ahmedabad | Agency: PTI
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_supreme-court-order-will-lead-to-more-charges-against-narendra-modi-cpi-m_1586332
The Supreme Court order on the Gulberg Society case is by `no means'
exoneration of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi but will lead to the
expansion of the charge-sheet against him through the inclusion of
additional complaints, the CPI-M said on Monday.
Observing that the apex court has directed the trial court to consider the
various reports including the ones prepared by the SIT and the amicus
curae and other affidavits, the party politburo said the court's direction
"means that the complaint filed by Zakia Jafri and co-petitioner Citizens
for Peace and Justice before the Supreme Court, including the specific
role of Modi, will be included as part of a now expanded charge sheet in
the case."
"This can by no means be considered exoneration of the chief minister's
role as is being claimed by Modi and his party," the CPI-M said in a
statement.
Maintaining that nine years had passed since the "horrific genocide" in
Gujarat, it said, "If victims and family members like Zakia Jafri, the
widow of Ahsan Jafri who was brutally killed, still await justice, it is a
sad commentary on the delays in the judicial system in which even such
cases of mass killings are not dealt with in a time-bound manner."
The major Left party said it was essential for the trial court to expedite
the case to ensure that "justice is not further delayed and thereby
denied."
Telangana in strike mode for Sakalajanula Samme
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/telangana-in-strike-mode-for-sakalajanula-samme/183254-60-121.html
HYDERABAD: The Sakalajanula Samme beginning on September 13 is expected to
bring the Telangana movement back on the centre-stage after being in a
state of limbo for quite some time.
To set the stage ready for people from all sections of society to be part
of the strike, employees of the state government in particular, the
Telangana Rasthra Samithi (TRS) will organise a massive public meeting,
Telangana Jana Garjana, at Karimnagar on Sept12, to blow the conch for a
sort of showdown with the state government and the Centre on the demand
for statehood for Telangana.
TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao will arrive in Karimnagar from Hyderabad in
a convoy of 300 vehicles.
And, as announced by Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC) chairman M
Kodandaram, there will be a total shutdown in Telangana region from Sept
13.
The crucial meeting of the TJAc on the Sakalajanula Samme was held at the
Telangana Film Chamber hall in Secunderabad on Sept 9 where leaders
discussed several aspects of the agitation.
o attract national attention to the movement, the TJAC has given a call to
all the organisations supporting the cause to arrive at specific centres
in the district and mandal headquarters to hold protests and rallies.
The strikers plan to force the closure of state government offices,
educational institutions and courts until the Centre makes an announcement
on separate Telangana.
According to Telangana Film Chamber president Vijayender Reddy, all the
450 cinema halls in Telangana districts will remain shut on Sept 14 and 15
due to which the state government would incur loss in taxes to the tune of
`4 crore.
Meanwhile, the TJAC pilloried the Congress for the lip sympathy it was
showing for the cause.
"Without taking an active part in the agitation, what purpose would empty
announcements of solidarity with Sakalajanula Samme serve," asked
Kodandaram and said the Congress owes an explanation to the people on when
it would announce T and the way in which it is basing its process
`consultations' with leaders of Telangana and Seemandhra leaders.
The Employees JAC is also interested in participating in the strike
despite the pressure and the measures that the governnment might initiate
to water down the strike.
They said the strike would continue until the political leadership opens
its eyes to the reality of T demand.
BJP hails Supreme Court's decision in Gujarat riots case
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/bjp-hails-supreme-courts-decision-in-gujarat-riots-case/articleshow/9956327.cms
NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has welcomed Supreme Court's
decision to direct a Gujarat trial court to examine the alleged role of
Chief Minister Narendra Modi and other officials during the 2002 communal
riots in the state.
BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said: "The Supreme Court's decision is
very important and I feel that the decision taken has been made under the
law. People who are anti-Modi can be disappointed with the decision but
justice can only function under law. And that is why the Supreme Court's
judgment is viewed as logical under law."
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court today refused to pass any order on
the petition alleging inaction on the part of Modi to contain the 2002
riots after the Godhra carnage.
The bench presided by Justice D K Jain, Justice P Sathasivam and Justice
Aftab Alam noted that in case the magistrate decides to drop proceedings
against Modi and others, he has to hear the plea of slain MP Ehsan Jafri's
widow Zakia Jafri, who had filed a complaint against the Gujarat Chief
Minister.
A Gujarat trial court would monitor both the reports of SIT (Special
Investigation Team) and the amicus curae, which incidentally differs from
the observations of the SIT.
"For the last ten years, some forces are purposely trying to taint
Narendra Modi and his government. But, every time they have failed and
today's judgment is also a jolt to them," added Javadekar.
In 2008, Zakia Jafri, widow of Ehsan Jafri had knocked at the doors of the
apex court alleging that Modi and other politicians ensured that the riot
victims did not receive any kind of help.
In February 2002, a rioting mob, allegedly affiliated to right-wing Hindu
groups, attacked the Gulbarg society in Ahmedabad, killing 69 people,
including Ehsan Jafri, who was set ablaze in his own house.
Meanwhile, India's ruling Congress party also termed the Supreme Court's
judgment as one that is in tune with the law and hoped the trial court
would hasten in complying with the apex court's directive.
"We should all respect the judgment of the Supreme Court and I should also
say that the court has not given any clean chit to Narendra Modi and they
have sent the report to the lower court and the lower court will look into
it and then give its suggestions," said Rashid Alvi, Congress party
spokesperson.
The Congress leader also said that justice would prevail sooner or later
and quipped to say the crimes committed by Narendra Modi can't be eclipsed
or washed away.
"Definitely justice should be given and I hope that they will get justice.
It is difficult to wipe or remove the taint from Modi's forehead," added
Alvi.
The Supreme Court, in April 2009, ordered a probe by the federal
investigation agency, the CBI, into the alleged inaction by law enforcing
authorities, including the state chief, which led to the massacre.
The riots took place after a train with Hindu devotees was set on fire in
Godhra Railway Station, which had set off some of the country's worst
communal riots since independence in 1947.
The Sabarmati Express was carrying Hindu devotees returning from the site
of the Babri mosque in Ayodhya. More than 2,500 people, mostly Muslims,
were killed in the subsequent riots in Gujarat.
Critics say Modi and his party, the BJP, which rules Gujarat, did little
to stop the violent aftermath of Godhra incident.
National Economic Trends
Industrial growth falls to 3.3 per cent in July
http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/article2446619.ece
Industrial growth fell to a meagre 3.3 per cent in July this year on
account of poor performance mainly by capital goods, manufacturing and
mining sectors, reflecting sluggishness in the economy.
Growth in the factory output, as measured in terms of the Index of
Industrial Production (LIP), had stood at 9.9 per cent in July last year.
During the April-July period of this fiscal, IIP growth stood at 5.8 per
cent, as against 9.7 per cent in the corresponding four-month period last
year.
Output of the manufacturing sector, which constitutes over 75 per cent of
the index, grew by only 2.3 per cent in July compared to 10.8 per cent
expansion in the same month last year, according the official data
released today.
Production of capital goods declined by 15.2 per cent in July, in
comparison to a growth of 40.3 per cent in the same month of 2010.
The growth in mining production was 2.8 per cent in the month, down from
8.7 per cent in the same month last year.
Production of intermediate goods fell by 1.1 per cent during the month
under review against a growth of 8.5 per cent in July 2010.
Consumer durables grew by 8.6 per cent in July as compared to a growth of
14.8 per cent in the corresponding month of last year.
However, electricity production improved witnessing a growth of 13.1 per
cent in July this year as against a growth of 3.7 per cent in July, 2010.
Non-durable consumer goods (FMCG) production also grew by 4.1 per cent in
July, compared to a decline of 0.9 per cent in the same month last year.
Meanwhile, the industrial growth number for June this year has been
maintained at the provisional figure of 8.8 per cent. However, the IIP
numbers for April has been revised downward to 5.3 per cent as per the
final revision from the previous estimate of 5.7 per cent.
The fall the industrial production numbers, as shown by the latest data,
suggest continuation of the sluggishness in the economy, experts said.
The IIP had expanded by 5.9 per cent in May but there was brief revival in
June with industrial production growing by 8.8 per cent.
India's economy grew by 7.7 per cent in the April-June period, the slowest
in six quarters.
India Inc had attributed the slowdown to rising interest rates which have
led to an increase in the cost of borrowings, thus hindering fresh
investments.
The Reserve Bank has hiked interest rates 11 times since March 2010 to
tame inflation. Headline inflation has been above the 9 per cent mark
since December last year.
Business, Energy or Environmental regulations or discussions
After ITC closure, Manipal Group warns service halt in Nepal
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/cons-products/tobacco/after-itc-closure-manipal-group-warns-service-halt-in-nepal/articleshow/9956138.cms
KATHMANDU: A month after Indian tobacco giant ITC's joint venture in Nepal
shut down its garment factory due to workers' militancy, now it is the
turn of the Manipal Group, one of the single largest Indian investors in
Nepal, to warn that it could suspend its hospital services in view of
continued disruptions.
The Manipal College of Medical Sciences run by the Manipal Group in
Pokhara city in central Nepal has run into fresh trouble since Sunday with
a group of junior Nepali doctors going on strike, alleging discrimination
between the pays of local and expatriate doctors.
The strikers refused to attend a meeting called in Kathmandu Monday with
the medical regulatory body, Nepal Medical Council, as well as the
management and Nepal Medical Association.
The college also runs a 700-bed teaching hospital and despite the strike,
the authorities have continued to provide services to patients.
"However, if this continues, I have informed the chief district officer
that we will be forced to suspend hospital services," said B.M. Nagpal,
dean of the college.
Soon after its inauguration in 1994, the college and hospital has been
facing union unrest, illegal strikes and an adverse media campaign.
"The allegations that there is a pay disparity between Indian and Nepali
doctors are false," Nagpal said. "We are a business organisation. Why
should we employ doctors from outside at a higher pay?"
However, Nepal is still unable to provide the number of senior doctors and
specialists whose presence is mandated by the regulator.
"Till that is rectified, we have to get doctors from India," Nagpal said.
"And if you get them from outside, you have to pay them an expatriate
allowance to cope with additional expenses in a new country. That is the
universal accepted norm."
All multinational organisations follow the principle, including the UN and
European Union and even the Kendriya Vidyalaya run by the Indian
government in Kathmandu.
However, Manipal is being targeted for a smear campaign that says the
organisation discriminates against Nepali doctors.
"The strikers are saying expatriates receive higher pay, giving the
examples of doctors who were brought from India on contract," Nagpal said.
"A contract is not the same as employment. If you don't get the
specialists and senior doctors you need in Nepal, you have to get them
from outside. And for that, you have to pay them more."
Nagpal points out that Manipal has been grooming its students, training
them and absorbing them. Currently, there are 120 faculty members out of
whom 52 are from Nepal.
Hospital sources say the strikers have been abetted by the Maoist trade
union. In the past, the union triggered cut-throat rivalry among the other
trade unions at Manipal, causing frequent illegal strikes demanding pay
raises in contravention of agreements signed with the management.
Some of the local doctors have been running private practices in violation
of their service agreement and in spite of drawing a non-practice
allowance.
The Manipal crisis comes after ITC's joint venture, Surya Nepal, the
republic's biggest tax payer, was forced last month to shut down its
garment factory in eastern Nepal that produced ITC's John Players and
Springwood brands of clothing.
The closure came after militant workers, mostly women, vandalised the
state of the art factory and took management staff captive, holding them
without food and water for 24 hours.
India to invest $1 trillion in infrastructure over five years, says PM
Manmohan Singh
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/india-to-invest-1-trillion-in-infrastructure-over-five-years-says-pm-manmohan-singh/articleshow/9953234.cms
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Monday that good road
infrastructure was crucial to achieving nine percent growth, targeted for
the next Five Year Plan (2012-13 to 2016-17), and adequate investment
would be made towards that.
At the same time, he insisted that the awards on private sector were
placed in a fair and transparent manner so as to dispel any fear or
charges that the government was resorting to any form of favouritism or
arbitrary decisions.
"Infrastructure will play a key role in achieving our growth target of of
nine percent. Our effort is to double the investment of $500 million in
the 11th Five Year plan to around $1 trillion in the 12th plan," the prime
minister said.
"It is also necessary to ensure projects are awarded in a fair and
transparent manner to avoid suspicion of favouritism," he told a
conference on 'challenges and opportunities in public-private partnership
in national highways'.
According to Road Transport and Highways Minister C.P. Joshi, the
government will award contracts under public-private partnership to lay
around 7,800 km of national highways worth an estimated Rs.50,000 crore
($11.1 billion) by the end of this year.
"Contracts worth Rs.21,000 crore have already been awarded in the first
four months," he said, hoping that the target of 20 km of national
highways every day would be met
New Companies Act likely in 2012: Veerappa Moily
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/new-companies-act-likely-in-2012-veerappa-moily/articleshow/9956296.cms
MUMBAI: India will have a new companies act next year to replace the
existing law passed in 1956, union Corporate Affairs Minister Veerappa
Moily said on Monday.
"The ministry has reworked the Companies Bill 2009 after the standing
committee suggested as many as 300 amendments to it. The new bill has been
fine-tuned accordingly," Moily told mediapersons on the sidelines of a
meeting on the national competition policy.
Moily said he expected to obtain the approval of the union cabinet on it
soon. After that, it would be be introduced during the winter session of
parliament.
He said that the new bill seeks to promote greater shareholder democracy
and improve corporate governance in the country.
Telecom Ministry approves NFAP-2011 for better spectrum management
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/telecom/telecom-ministry-approves-nfap-2011-for-better-spectrum-management/articleshow/9956654.cms
NEW DELHI: Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal has given in-principle approval to
draft National Frequency Allocation Plan-2011, which would help in
efficient spectrum management and higher mobile penetration in rural
areas.
"Minister has given in-principle approval to new National Frequency
Approval Plan-2011 (NFAP) draft that will surely help in better spectrum
management and will also increase mobile penetration in rural areas," a
source in the Department of Telecom (DoT) said.
The Plan (NFAP 2011) aims to give a boost to domestic manufacturing of
telecom equipment and efficient utilisation of spectrum.
The Wireless Planning Commission (WPC), the spectrum allocation wing of
DoT, had issued the draft on NFAP in March.
"The draft will now go to a Group of Ministers with a month and then it
will be send to the Cabinet for approval," the source added.
Various government departments, telecom operators and telecom industry
bodies COAI and AUSPI had expressed disagreement to the DoT on the various
clauses under the National Frequency Allocation Plan for 2011.
Although, the final draft has rejected the concerns of these
organisations.
"The objections raised by organisations concerned have no technical and
regulatory base," the NFAP document said.
Work at Posco site resumes after Sunday holiday
http://zeenews.india.com/business/news/news_content.aspx?newscatid=3&newsid=30215
Paradip: After a day's halt, work at the proposed Posco steel plant site
in Orissa's Jagatsinghpur district was in progress on Monday with people's
cooperation, official sources said.
"Work at the proposed Posco site was continuing smoothly. There is no
tension in the area and no police force had been deployed", Paradip
additional district magistrate Surjeet Das said.
Work like tree felling, which had resumed on Saturday after remaining
suspended for 25 days, was halted Sunday on account of it being a Sunday
and for other related preparatory operations, the sources said.
Meanwhile, in anticipation of forcible removal of bamboo gates erected by
Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (PPSS) in Gobindpur panchayat, anti-Posco
activists were maintaining a strict vigil in the area.
A dharna was also continuing at Nuagaon by Bhitamati Surakshya Manch (VSM)
in support of their charter of demands which included enhanced
compensation to land losers.
Another dharna was going on at Mahal under Gobindpur panchayat protesting
construction of a coastal road. The local residents had protested the
construction work as they thought the proposed road would facilitate entry
of Posco officials and government machinery to the area.
Activity in the Oil and Gas sector (including regulatory)
Militant Activity/Terrorism (Particularly in Bangalore, Mumbai, Noida, Chennai,
Coimbatore)
Government to announce special package for LWE-affected districts
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/government-to-announce-special-package-for-lwe-affected-districts/articleshow/9950341.cms
NEW DELHI: Development and land rights are the new weapons in the
government's war against Naxals. To forge an effective response, the rural
development ministry is consulting the collectors of the 60 Left-wing
extremism (LWE)-affected districts at a day-long meeting in the Capital on
Tuesday.
In the past, development programmes have failed to take into account the
ground realities in these districts. This has contributed to ineffective
programme implementation in these backward areas.
Recommendations on changes in development schemes arising out of the
consultation will be presented to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Rural
Development Minister Jairam Ramesh said that a special package for
LWE-affected districts would be announced on Tuesday.
The move away from a primarily security-based response to the Naxal
problem relies on effective implementation of development-oriented schemes
and addressing issue of entitlements, particularly land rights. Ramesh,
who heads the department of land records, sees redress of land rights as
central to an effective response to Naxal influence. "The main problem is
related to land.
Tribal land has been transferred to non-tribals. When land issues are not
resolved, the Naxals make their way in, provide instant justice and win
over the tribals. The state needs to step in provide legal aid to resolve
cases thereby increasing faith in the government's ability and intent to
deliver," Ramesh said.
In a similar vein, Tribal Affairs Minister Kishore Chandra Deo stressed
that primary cause of unrest in these districts is the failure to give
people their land rights. "It is not a question of more focus but
understanding that settling the rights of the tribals and other forest
dwellers is a pre-condition for any other activity in these areas.
There are practical and logistical issues that need to be taken into
account but that is not an excuse for not addressing the basic question of
rights," Deo said.
The tribal affairs minister will be attending the meeting as would Deputy
Chairman Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Roads Minister CP
Joshi.
"An incentive package would be required to ensure states carry out this
exercise," Ramesh said. The three-year long exercise in rural Nizamabad in
Andhra Pradesh, involving aerial and ground surveys, cost nearly 30 crore.
"This is of fundamental importancea|We have to document these cases and
provide legal assistance to tribals who are fighting land alienated
disputes," Ramesh said.
Over the last two months, Ramesh has visited LWE-affected districts in
Chattisgarh, Bihar, Orissa, and Andhra Pradesh. Collectors and elected
representatives in these districts have highlighted the need to rework
norms to address development needs, particularly the rural roads
programme.
Suggestions to be presented would include allowing IED-proof cement and
concrete roads and waving the population criteria for connecting
habitations under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna, allowing higher
administrative costs for programmes such as the Mahatma Gandhi National
Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme-increasing the cap from the current 6%
to 10% etc.
Sadananda Gowda seeks help from Centre to fight Naxals
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_sadananda-gowda-seeks-help-from-centre-to-fight-naxals_1586057
Chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda has urged prime minister Manmohan Singh
to extend central assistance-similar to the assistance provided to Andhra
Pradesh-to Karnataka to tackle the Naxal menace.
Naxal activity in Karnataka has been witnessed in the bordering districts
of Andhra Pradesh such as Gulbarga, Raichur, Bidar and Tumkur during the
1980s and 1990s, which spread to Malnad in the Western Ghats recently.
It is feared that this menace will spread to the tri-junction of
Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, said Gowda in his address to the
National Integration Council meeting.
Since Karnataka does not receive central funds to fight Naxals, the state
is using its own resources by adopting a two-pronged strategy through
consistent police action and increased developmental initiatives, he said.
Karnataka has also formulated and implemented a Surrender and
Rehabilitation Policy for Naxals and this has proved to be very useful in
bringing some of them back into the mainstream, he added.
However, since Andhra Pradesh has now been brought under the Central
Special Schemes to tackle Maoists, it's expected that the Naxal menace
will spread further south.
There is, therefore, a need to bring Karnataka under the special
assistance scheme to deal with the problem, said the chief minister,
making a plea for liberal central assistance.
C'garh probes firms' Naxal link
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/nation/north/c%E2%80%99garh-probes-firms%E2%80%99-naxal-link-126
The Chhattisgarh police has begun a probe into the alleged nexus between
some industries and Naxals in insurgency-hit Bastar region in the state
following recent arrest of two people on charges of transferring money to
ultras "on behalf of a Dantewada-based private firm", a senior police
officer said on Sunday.
"Earlier, there were talks that some industries operating in south Bastar
have become major funding sources of outlawed CPI (Maoist). The Friday's
incident, in which two people were arrested while channelising `15 lakhs
to rebels in a Dantewada village market, has prompted us to launch a probe
into alleged link of some industries in Bastar with Maoists," the police
officer confided with this newspaper requesting anonymity.
Sources said a local contractor of Kirandul area under Dantewada district
had been under surveillance of the police ever since the whistleblower
WikiLeaks had last fortnight leaked US cables saying that a big company
was paying "protection money" to Naxals to secure its business operations
in south Bastar.
The police got suspicious when the contractor - B.K. Lala (50) - withdrew
a huge cash of `15 lakhs from his account in a SBI branch in Kirandul on
Wednesday.
Acting on a tipoff that two Naxal leaders of Darbha division committee -
Vinod and Raghu - were camping in Palanar forest to receive huge money
from a businessman and the transfer would be done on Friday, the police
stepped up vigil in the area.
"Lala was spotted coming in a Bolero jeep, bearing registration no CG 18 H
0968, at Palanar at around 12 pm. The police laid a trap for him. When he
was handing over the cash to two Naxals at Palanar weekly market,
policemen deployed there pounced on them," a senior Dantewada district
police officer said.
While Lala and an alleged Naxal sympathiser Lingaram Kodupi were caught
"on the spot", another alleged woman ultra Sodu Soni managed to escape.
.
Labor/Social Unrest
Economic blockade may lead to 'civil war' in Manipur: International
Manipuri Mothers' Association
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/economic-blockade-may-lead-to-civil-war-in-manipur-international-manipuri-mothers-association/articleshow/9957540.cms
IMPHAL: A major women's association in Manipur today appealed to the
organisers of economic blockades on two national highways in the state to
lift it immediately as it could lead to a 'civil war'.
The blockades on Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati (NH39) and Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar
(NH53) should be immediately lifted as it might lead to a civil war and
division among different communities in the state, chief of International
Manipuri Mothers' Association ( IMMA) R K Khumanleima told reporters here.
It appeared that attempts were being made to divide communities in the
state, she said, adding that fulfilment of the demands might not be in the
hands of the state government and the Centre should be approached.
The state has been witnessing an indefinite economic blockade on the two
national highways since August 1 after Sadar Hills District Demand
Committee (SHDDC) has launched the blockade to demand conversion of
Kuki-majority Sadar Hills area in Naga-majority Senapati district into a
full-fledged district.
Opposing SHDDC's demand, the United Naga Council launched economic
blockades on the both highways from mid-August.
Paramakudi police firing: toll rises to seven
http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2446414.ece?homepage=true
With two more persons succumbing to injuries at a hospital, the death toll
in the police firing on a stone-pelting mob of Dalits, who indulged in
violence following detention of their leader John Pandian, has risen to
seven, police said on Monday.
Two persons identified as Teerpukani and Vellaichamy succumbed to injuries
late on Sunday night.
Officials have suspended bus services to the rural areas in the sensitive
districts, including Ramanathapuram, Madurai, Sivaganga and Virudhunagar
as a precautionary step.
Additional police reinforcement has been brought from Tiruchirappalli,
police said.
Violence broke out on Sunday after news spread that Mr. Pandian had been
detained at Tuticorin en route to Paramakudi when he was on his way to pay
homage to Dalit leader Imanuel Sekar on his death anniversary.
Police used tear gas and batons before firing at the crowd at Paramakudi.
Several people and police officials, including DIG Sandeep Mittal and SP
Senthil Velan and DSP Ganesan were injured in the stone pelting. More than
15 vehicles were set ablaze in the violence.
Police said they had arrested 57 persons in Tirumangalam and more than 50
in Paramakudi for indulging in violence.
Local Dalit leaders blamed police for not making proper arrangements to
manage the huge crowd expected for paying homage to the Dalit leader.
However, defending the police firing, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had on
Sunday blamed some people for disrupting law and order "for their own
political gains."
"The protesters indulged in large-scale violence and torched police
vehicles. Police opened fire in self defence and to protect public
property", Ms. Jayalalithaa, who announced Rs 1 lakh compensation to the
next of kin of those killed, said.
Maruti's Manesar workers stage rally, approach district authorities
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/auto/automobiles/marutis-manesar-workers-stage-rally-approach-district-authorities/articleshow/9956392.cms
GURGAON: Workers of Maruti Suzuki India's first plant at Manesar today
approached district authorities here seeking intervention to bring an end
to the impasse that has resulted in production being affected since August
29.
Around 1,500 workers also took out a protest rally near the mini
secretariat here demanding that the company management should not force
them to sign a good conduct bond.
Representatives of the workers met Additional Deputy Commissioner V K
Hooda and apprised him of the situation at the plant and submitted their
demands.
"We are willing to work but will not sign the good conduct bond," a worker
representative said, adding the dismissed and suspended colleagues must
also be reinstated by the management.
The workers' demand for forming a new union, Maruti Suzuki Employees Union
(MSEU) must also be allowed, he added.
On August 29, the company management prevented workers from entering
factory premises at the Manesar plant unless they signed a good conduct
bond.
The bond required the workers to declare that they would "not resort to go
slow, intermittent stoppage of work, stay- in-strike, work-to-rule,
sabotage or otherwise indulge in any activity, which would hamper the
normal production in the factory".
During the first two days of the stand-off, MSI dismissed five permanent
workers. In addition, it suspended 26 permanent workers and discontinued
the services of another 18 trainees on charges of sabotage and causing
quality problems in cars.
As of Saturday last week, 81 workers have signed the bond but majority of
them have refused to sign it. MSI has about 2,500 workers at the first
plant in Manesar and around 1,000 of them are permanent.
The management has been taking a tough stand against the workers and had
refused to meet their demands. In fact, it is understood that management
has decided to recruit new workers from tomorrow onwards to replace the
existing permanent workers unless they signed the good conduct bond.