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Pandemonium in Lok Sabha

     New Delhi: Both the members of the opposition as well as members of the treasury bench traded charges on each other immediately after former Defence Minister George Fernandes's remarks, apparently on Sonia Gandhi that she had nothing to do with national security. The opposition demanded that the government should table, before the house, the reports of Phukan Commission and CVC, before allowing any debate to take place on the defence deal. Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee objected to making public the CVC report. He said that when NDA was in power they had refused to release the report, then now why are they demanding it now. Later, George Fernandes, defending himself over the defence deal, and indicating towards Sonia Gandhi, said that these people had no concern for national security. After this statement of the former Minister, members of both opposition and treasury benches stood up and started shouting. Nothing could be heard during the pandemonium.

Bihar recruitments claim life of two  (Go To Top)

     Patna: Two aspirants died while several other were hospitalised after appearing for physical examination for the recruitment of sub inspectors of police in Bihar. For the 1500 posts announced, over 1,70,000 aspirants queued up at the physical test centres in the gruelling heat. Temperatures here have already crossed the 40 degree Celsius mark. In most states, the physical test is held after candidates pass the written tests. But the large number of candidates made the authorities decide to change the rules. But unfortunately the timings decided by them was not right. The candidates, earlier, complained that the heat was very strong and the ground was so hot that it was impossible to step on it. They are now asking for a change of timings of the physical test to stop any future accidents. "After the death of two candidates, we are all the more tense. He died because of the burning heat during the day. We are all of the thought that the government should change the timings from 6 am to 8 am with less people participating in one day. We have no problems if the number of days are increased," said Shambhu Narain Sinha, an aspirant at the S.I recruitment camp.

     Two people have already died during the physical test, one each in Bettiah and Saharsa. They both died of excessive dehydration during the physical examination. Most aspirants are undeterred by the threat to their lives but sadly for the job seekers they have no alternative. The authorities however are talking to the government to give some relief to the candidates. "I have already given instructions to the authorities. But it is not possible to postpone the exercise for a couple of months or more than that. We can only change the timing by limiting the morning exercise till 11 am and then starting again at 3 in the evening. We will also be arranging for drinking water and Tea, also tents will be put up if necessary. We will try to give them all possible facilities," said K.A.H Subhramaniam Chief Secretary, Government of Bihar. The recruitment exercise has clearly been a combination of a lack of foresightedness on the part of the government and insensitivity towards human suffering. The Government has agreed on easing the timings as per the demands of the candidates. But the candidates do not look very satisfied with the decision. They are now appealing to the Governor of the state hoping for some relief.

Firecracker industry blast claims 14 lives (Go To Top)

     Srikakulam: At least 14 people were killed and over 50 injured when firecrackers stored in a house went off on Tuesday. The blast occurred in Nuvarevulu village 100 kilometres away from Srikakulam district headquarters. Three houses, including a government school and a community hall, were used to store firecrackers, and were completely destroyed in the blast. Authorities retrieved 14 bodies from the debris, including those of three children. The injured has been admitted to Government hospital. "Some fire crackers have been stored in a house, unfortunately something went wrong causing the blast. Fourteen people were killed among them three were children," said Vikram Panda, an official. Officials said the toll might go up as the condition of some of the injured was critical. Appa Naidu, who lost all his family members in the blast, said that it was difficult for him to overcome the trauma. "I lost all of my family members and I don't know how to overcome this trauma," said Appa Naidu. The firecrackers, brought from neighbouring Orissa state, were illegally stored in the house for sale during Ramnavami festival, which was celebrated Monday. It was not clear as to how the firecrackers caught fire. Ninety per cent of the villagers have migrated from the neighbouring Orissa State.

Blast in Sopore kills two, injures 15 (Go To Top)

     Sopore (Kashmir): Suspected Muslim rebels hurled a grenade into a crowded market in Soporeon Wednesday, killing two people and wounding 15. The grenade was apparently aimed at a security patrol, but it exploded on the street in Sopore town, about 50 km north of Srinagar, police said. "Suddenly there was a blast, it was probably a grenade. Four or five people were injured and two died," said Altaf ahmad, one of those injured in the incident. Shaukat, an eyewitness said: "The incident happened around 10 in the morning near the marketplace. The grenade missed its target and exploded." Violence increased in Kashmir in the run-up to this month's launch of a historic bus service between the Indian and Pakistani sides as Muslim militants vowed to carry on their fight against Indian rule despite the high-level peace moves. The rebels said Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf -- who held landmark talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi this week -- had sold out on the Kashmir cause. Wednesday's attack underlined what Singh and Musharraf said was the threat militants posed to the peace process.

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