Delhi Police nab terrorists planning siege at New Delhi airport

     New Delhi: Delhi Police today arrested four extremists armed with hi-tech arms and ammunition and details of New Delhi's airport today. They were nabbed on the outskirts of New Delhi after a nearly month-long operation for tracking their whereabouts. Police say the terrorists opened fire on being stopped at a police barricade, forcing them to retaliate but there were no major injuries. Police said the recovery of four Chinese pistols, one hand grenade and over 50,000 fake Indian currency notes and an army combat uniform indicated their plans for a major strike in the capital. "We recovered a Tata Indica Car, a Chinese Star pistol, 18 cartridges and 35 additional cartridges of AK-47, a sketch of the Palam airport and an army combat uniform from them," Ravinder Yadav, Deputy Commissioner of Police for South West Delhi, told a news conference. Yadav added that the kingpin of the gang, a notable figure in state politics, had direct relations with Pakistan's Inter- Services Intelligence (ISI) and was using his clout to gather classified information. "Zahid was in touch with an ISI officer. This man is involved in politics, that was his cover up. He even fought an election against Kashmir's top leader Mehbooba Mufti. He has been given three personal security officers by the Jammu and Kashmir government," he said.

Goan shrub gives petrol a run for money (Go To Top)

     Panjim: Jatropha, a bio-diesel plant, is gaining popularity as an alternative to highly-priced petrol in Goa. Jatropha, a shrub which can grow on any soil including marginal saline, acidic and alkaline soils, has started a bio-fuel energy revolution across the country. Goa and Chattisgarh are the pioneers in this regard. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh recently became the first head of a state government to use jatropha diesel to power his official car. He has also announced that Jatropha diesel will power all state government vehicles within three months The Jatropha plant needs very little care and irrigation. The most unique thing about this plant is that its seeds are used to extract liquid bio fuel. In Goa, Father Inacio Almeida, residing in Pilar Seminary has taken the initiative and has planted Jatropha on two hectares of land. He is also organizing seminars on the benefits of Jatropha cultivation and eminent scientists are being invited to enlighten the people on the advantages and the purposes of such cultivation.

      Father Inacio Almeida plans to provide fuel to the people at a cheaper rate and use the non chemical for growing coconuts. "I will remove that oil. I will give it to the people at a cheaper rate and I will get that extract which is an organic maneuver. And that I will put for my vanilla for the coconut which I can grow without the chemicals," said Father Inacio Almeida, Pilar Seminary Goa, and Agricultural pioneer. Jatropha is a valuable multi-purpose crop to alleviate soil degradation, desertification and deforestation, which can be used for bio-energy to replace petro-diesel, for soap production and climatic protection " It is quite viable in the sense that it will serve 2 purposes when we plant it all on the fence , it will act as a sort of bio fence and that way we can drive away the stray cattle. It's almost evergreen and it has got good productivity and the seeds can be used as bio fuel. And when you talk about organic cultivated crops, this can organically produce bio fuel which can actually mitigate the problem, particularly the chocking of our skies with smoke and things of this nature," said Dr. Korikanti Math, Director, Indian Council for Agricultural Research, old Goa. The Jatropha plants can as well help to increase income from plantations and agro-industries. Technically called Jatropha Methyl Ester, this fuel has been tested to run cars.It gives mileage just like fossil diesel and is stable in high temperatures. Moreover, this fuel is cheaper than fossil diesel. Around 3.5 kg of Jatropha seeds yield 1 litre of bio fuel and the whole process makes it cost about rupees 24 per litre. Further, the animals do not eat Jatropha plants and so they can be used to secure the hedges from stray cattle. Similarly, the plants can be used for infertile lands and bring extra income to the farmers. Jatropha can help to increase rural incomes, self-sustainability and eradicate poverty for women, men and small farmers.

Landslide kills 11, halts pilgrims' progress in Uttaranchal (Go To Top)

      Govind Ghat (Uttaranchal): A cloudburst that unleashed heavy rains and flash floods triggering landslide in the Govindghat area in Uttaranchal has left 11 dead and many are feared trapped in the area. The landslide occurred in the wee hours of Thursday (July 30), burying alive the people who were sleeping inside hotels and shops. Only seven dead bodies have been recovered so far. Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and army have been roped in for relief and rescue operations. "Since today morning, the ITBP (Indo-Tibet Border Police) relief personnel have been working along with some Sikh pilgrims and local people for relief and rescue operations and we are trying to get out the remaining four bodies from the rubble as well," said A S Nambiyal, District Magistrate, Chamoli. The area was abuzz with pilgrims en route to Hemkund Sahib, the holy shrine of Sikhs. Efforts are on to clear the debris in order to restart the pilgrimage. Locals recalled the horrorific landslide. "We had a 2-floor hotel up on a hill. It has been completely destroyed. There were nearly 200 scooters were buried under the rubble. Around 3-4 dead bodies have still not been located yet," said C S Pawar, a local. Earthquakes, landslides and avalanches are common in the settlements in the Himalayan mountain ranges. Environmentalists say the spate of landslides can be traced to the rampant deforestation and indiscriminate construction of roads in the ecologically fragile region.

Saudi Crown Prince to broker Nawaz-Musharraf deal? (Go To Top)

      Islamabad: Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has reportedly been successful in persuading Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah in brokering a unification of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML) by involving exiled Premier Nawaz Sharif. The Nation quoted Pakistani officials as saying that Musharraf's hurried visit to Saudi Arabia, earlier this week was prompted by positive indications from the Crown Prince, who had indicated his willingness to broker a rapprochement between him and Nawaz Sharif. Sources said that Nawaz Sharif who was appropriately briefed by the Saudi royal family about the Abdullah-Musharraf meeting in Riyadh, is now currently engaged in intensive consultation with his family members. Musharraf, sources further said also took Pakistan Muslim League chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Rao Sikandar Iqbal, the defence minister on his trip. There is also speculation that Rao is joining the unified Muslim League where he has been promised an important slot. Musharraf's efforts to reach out to Nawaz Sharif has been running parallel to similar efforts at reaching an understanding with PPP Chairperson and former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Sources further said that Sharif's possible return to Pakistan following rapprochement between him and Musharraf, is expected to be worked in a way that the Chaudhry's don't lose their political interests in Punjab. The arrangements with Sharif are also expected to take shape after the Chaudhry's strengthen their hold in the local bodies election. This, they believe will enable Musharraf and the Chaudhry's to negotiate with Sharif from a position of strength.

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