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Maoist shutdown in Warangal

     Warangal: Shops were closed and streets looked deserted in Warangal today in the wake of the shutdown call given by the Maoists. The bandh was called in protest of the killings of Maoist caders by the police. Police had last week shot dead 10 Maoist guerrillas as they destroyed a railway station since peace talks between the state government and the rebels collapsed in January. Since the failure of talks, more than 60 people, mostly Maoists, have been killed. The police, meanwhile, are not taking any chances and a massive security cover was thrown over the town, particularly in and around the key government establishments. According to the police, the bandh partially affected the district. Giving details, Warangal DSP Liaqat Ali Khan said: "Due to the strike, we are on full alert in the Warangal town. We have deployed pickets at important places including government offices. All government and private offices registered a good percentage of attendance. Cinema halls too were open," said. An angry state government has warned it could re-impose a ban on the Communist Party of India (M), prompting an even more defiant retaliation by the guerrillas, who have threatened more flare- ups. Fear-struck locals said continuing violence and shutdowns shattered them financially. "It is very difficult when there is a shutdown. Bandh creates lots of problem and due to such strikes the daily earners and the traders find it difficult to earn their living," said Nawab, a local resident. Talks with the government failed two months ago after the rebels accused authorities of not addressing its demands for a written truce, release of prisoners and redistribution of land.

Karunakaran to go ahead with Kochi rally (Go To Top)

     Kochi: Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Kerala, K Karunakaran will hold a rally in Kochi as planned despite the unhappiness expressed by the Party High Command. The senior leader said that the "I" faction rally would be a big success. Karuna also added that despite some reports, he was able to convince the Congress High Command about the power of his group, which cannot be ignored. For the past few weeks, with Karunakaran opening a front against the state Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy. The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has also taken it to the streets to take on Karunakaran's might. The KPCC official brass, in an attempt to keep the party men united, organised its first public meeting in Kottayam. Although the rally was meant to commemorate the Dandi March, it turned out to be a platform for the anti-Karunakaran group to parade its strength. Addressing the rally, the chief minister of the state, Oommen Chandy lashed out at veteran leader, without taking his name, warning him against anti-party activities. "No one should think that he can do anything and get away with it and there would be no one to question him in the Congress. This situation cannot be allowed to continue and this is the overwhelming sentiment of the Congressmen in Kerala," said the Chief Minister. The rally was supposed to be organised in reply to two well- attended rebel rallies held by Karunakaran. The anti-Karunakaran camp sources said that the Kottayam rally was just start and three more massive rallies have been planned in Kozhikode, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram to give the Karunakaran faction a fitting reply.

India, Pakistan to exchange bus passenger lists tomorrow (Go To Top)

     Islamabad: Lists containing the names of passengers travelling on the first bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad will be exchanged on Tuesday. Officials of Pakistan and Indian administered Kashmir are expected to meet tomorrow to exchange applications of intending visitors for verification after which permits would be issued to them for the much awaited journey on April 7. Muzaffarabad Deputy Commissioner Liaqat Hussain, according to Pakistani dailies, has been given "the authority" to exchange the applications with his Indian counterpart, who will in all probability be the Regional Passport Officer at Srinagar. Hussain, according to the Dawn newspaper, would meet his counterpart on the Indian held soil, some 61 kilometres from Muzaffarabad at around 2 p.m. (Pakistan Standard Time) on Tuesday.

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