New Delhi, July 31: Shedding its dithering, the Congress and the UPA unanimously decided to create Telangana state out of Andhra Pradesh, a momentous decision that came in the face of stiff resistance from leaders from non-Telangana region.

The Congress Working Committee (CWC), the highest decision-making body, on Tuesday decided to recommend to the central government to form the 29th state which will comprise 10 districts.

Hyderabad, considered the crowning jewel of the Telangana region, will be the joint capital of the newly-proposed state and the other regions--Rayalaseema and Andhra--for a period of 10 years.

A new capital for Andhra will be identified Seemandhra region within this period.

"It is resolved to request the Central government to take steps in accordance with the Constitution to form a separate state of Telangana ......within a definite timeframe," said a resolution passed at an hour-long meeting of the CWC on Tuesday.

The CWC meet followed a meeting of the UPA which also unanimously favoured formation of Telangana.

The CWC acknowledged that it has not been an easy decision but it was taken after the widest possible consultations and taking into account the chequered history of the demand for a separate state.

The decisions by the CWC and the UPA came after hectic consultations for the last over a week on creation of the 29th state of the country that will have a geographical area of 10 of the 23 districts of undivided Andhra Pradesh.

The Union Cabinet will meet on Wednesday, apparently to consider formation of a Group of Ministers to go into economic issues on creation of the new state.

Tuesday’s decision also brings to fruition the announcement made by the then Home Minister P Chidambaram on 9th December 2009 for creation of Telangana. This is the first decision of the UPA to form a new state in the last nine years.

Contrary to speculation that the new state could be named Rayala Telangana, including a couple of districts of Rayalaseema, the districts that will be part of the new state will be Adilabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Mahaboobnagar, Medak, Nalgonda, Nizamabad, Rangareddy and Warangal besides Hyderabad.

At the moment the idea is to have 10 districts in Telangana but it will be for the Group of Ministers to consider demands for inclusion of more areas, AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh, incharge of Andhra Pradesh affairs in Congress, told a press conference after the CWC meeting on Tuesday.

Out of 42 Lok Sabha seats and 294 Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana is likely to have 17 Lok Sabha seats and 119 Assembly seats.

The party, however, made it clear that no demand for creation of any other state would be considered as it emphasised that this case cannot be compared with any other.

This assertion comes against the backdrop of demands for creation of separate states of Vidarbha and Gorkhaland.

While TRS, which has been spearheading the demand for separate state, welcomed the decision, supporters of united Andhra Pradesh stepped up protests against division.

At the CWC meeting, the Prime Minister said the decision would help the entire Andhra region.

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi gave a historical perspective on the issue to the CWC meeting in which Digvijay Singh moved the resolution. It was adopted unanimously.

Like last week end, when indications emerged that the Congress was veering towards formation of Telangana, ministers and MPs belonging to the non-Telangana regions made last ditch efforts to convince the Congress President and the Prime Minister to have a rethink on the issue.

Andhra state, the first entity formed on linguistic basis, was created in 1953 from out of the erstwhile Madras Presidency with Kurnool as the capital.

With the passing of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, there was a merger of Hyderabad state and Andhra state to be called Andhra Pradesh from 1st November 1956. Andhra Pradesh now has a population of over 8.5 crore.

The 2009 announcement, taken at the height of an indefinite fast by TRS leader K Chandrashekhar Rao, had ignited street protests in the non-Telangana regions and opposition from ministers, MLAs and leaders from within the party that forced the central government and the Congress leadreship to put the issue on hold.

The Centre held rounds of meetings with all parties from the state and set up a Commission under the chairmanship of Supreme Court Judge Justice Srikrishna, which had given a report suggesting various solutions.

Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, who was opposed to the division of Andhra Pradesh and was said to be thinking in terms of resigning, was called for consultations. He attended the UPA meeting.

However, he dismissed reports of resignation as rumours.

Similarly, Congress ministers in the Union government and the MPs gave enough indications that they would follow the party line.

LAMKA, July 30: The whole aganwadi workers and helpers of CCpur today took to the streets protesting against the failure of the government to pay their salaries and honorarium for 14 months.

The peaceful rally started from Hiagtam Lamka, Public Ground and headed towards the DC office around noon.

Placards saying “We demand 14 months of honorarium”, “Save the ICDS (CSS) employees” and others were displayed during the rally.

A memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner was also submitted by the Aganwadi workers of Ccpur in which they stated that though the Social Welfare Ministry had sanctioned two months honorarium, the same for 14 months have not been sanctioned which has only created trouble for the workers and helpers.

The memorandum also stated that if they are not getting any positive response from the authorities they will intensify their protest.

The president of Aganwadi workers in Ccpur, Veineilhing said that they are also demanding from the authorities for a mechanism that will ensure that the workers and helpers to receive their honorarium on a monthly basis.

ADC of CCpur Maniram Sharma, who received the memorandum in the absence of the DC, admitted that it was the duty of the administration to redress the genuine complaints of the Aganwadi workers; and further promised that he will forward their memorandum to the competent authority as soon as possible, amidst cheers from the workers.

The president of CDAA also said that no stone will be left unturned till the demand is met by the govt, which she said had been holdup by the state govt, though the center govt had already sanctioned it through the Integrated Child Development Service.

There are 10 blocks or Integrated Child Dev. Service (ICDS) project and 1010 numbers of Aganwadi center in Ccpur District whose workers and helpers took part in today’s rally. 

JIRIBAM, July 30: Jiribam sub division is a zoological gene pool of many rare animals and people sometimes accidentally capture rare animals but fail to hand over the captured animals in time to concerned authority owing to lack of opportunity or awareness to do so.

On July 30 howeevr, Soroikhaibam Lokendro Singh, the second OC of Borobekara police station which is 27 km away from Jiribam, handed over one rare animal to media reporter M Romeo Singh who went there to collect news information.

OC Lokendro handed over the rare animal to Romeo so as to hand over it to Manipur Zoological garden.

S Lokendro said that the animal was captured near the police station on the night of July 27 at 9: pm and further went on to add that he intended to hand over the animal to the Manipur Zoological garden.

M Romeo Singh said that he went to the Barak Circle to collect news on development issues of the area on July 28, 2013.

After having completed his duty, the president of the All Jiribam Working Journalist Union (AJWJU), M Joymangol Singh told him that a captured rare animal was in the custody of Borobekara police station and continued that the OC of the police wanted to hand over the captured animal to Manipur Zoological garden through AJWJU.

M Joymangal Singh, president of AJWJU said that the rare animal is at the office of the AJWJU and appealed to all concerned to collect the same animal from his office and to contact him, if necessary, on mobile numbers:9612 901 529 or 8974 381 686. 

IMPHAL, July 30: JAC members and family members of the rape case of a student of the Thamphasana Girl Higher secondary school stormed the District and Session Court Manipur complex and attacked the two main accused Yumnam William of Khagempalli Panthak, a driver of the Manipur Police Commando and Tongam Tarun of Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai, a Manipuri digital film actor when the two were being taken out to be produced before court today.

Speaking to the media persons, outside the Court Complex Ng Tejkumar Special Public Prosecutor said that the two main accused were being produced before the court today.

He said that the prosecution had already produced 20 witnesses who have given their statements before the Judge; and added that the final statement from the prosecution side was being submitted today.

He said the two accused will again be produced before the court on August 14 for further examination.

While adding that if the defense counsel wants to produce any other witnesses, then the Court will take their statement, the Special Public Prosecutor said that the case is nearing its end and the verdict could be out in another month or two.

It may be mention that a Class XII student of TG Higher Secondary School was allegedly raped in a restaurant at Changangei Uchekon along Imphal Airport road on October 20, 2012.

The two accused are presently lodged at Sajiwa Central jail under judicial custody under section 366/376 of the IPC under FIR number 460(10)2012. 

DIMAPUR, July 30 : The NSCN-IM has asked the Action Committee Against Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) to exist as a pressure and not otherwise.

In the last few months, ACAUT has been resorting to different modes of movement against the unabated taxation imposed on the business community and the people by underground organisations in Nagaland. ACAUT had also held rallies and bandhs in Nagaland last month in Nagaland in this regard.

On Tuesday, reacting to ACAUT’s activities, the NSCN-IM said, “The menace of unabated taxation falling out of having too many nationalist groups in Nagalim and the pressure thereupon to the tax payer is regrettable. Thus, NSCN has been doing its own course of action to stop illegal taxation as well as unauthorized collection from within and without. It is of the concern to the general public that, when Action Committee against Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) was formed with an objective to stop multiple taxation, we have given our support and have extended as much cooperation as possible even beyond the demands made by ‘ACAUT’ yet the organization concern instead of responding with the spirit of oneness and camaraderie have been hurling salvo of unabated allegation without any standard of decency again and again”.

“As expected, when we try to correct the ‘ACAUT’ from prowling in an area of having political implication, the serpent surfaced in the form of N. George former CFMG/CFSB chairman backing up their adopted child in no time (refer: Nagaland Post, 30th July 2013). This has made us question the credibility and sincerity of ‘ACAUT’” the NSCN-IM added. 

IMPHAL, July 30: Unidentified miscreants planted a Chinese hand grenade at a brick farm located near Phundrei Kombirei Pat under Kakching Police Station in Thoubal district following which the police retrieved the bomb this early morning.

The brick farm located about half kilometre north of 15th Assam Rifles post in Phundrei Hill, Khongjom belongs to one Elangbam Gopi, 43 son of (L) E Tomba of Mati Khongnang Leirak,Heirok Part 2 bazar.

Elaborating on the bomb threat, Gopi’s father said no outfit had served any monetary demand to the brick farm adding that the bomb was found wrapped in a plastic bag with a phone number scribbled on a piece of paper which says, “Gopi, you must communicate through the telephone no given shortly- KCP (Malemnganba)”.

Saying that the work on the brick farm was halted since the last four months following the destruction of the farm’s store room in a wind storm and that he has been staying in his home after instructing one chowkidar and mason to look after the farm, he further disclosed that the bomb was found by the chowkidar around 8 this morning planted near a makeshift tent inside the farm.

He came to know of the bomb only after the chowkidar informed him and later approached the Kakching police about the presence of the bomb through the local Panchayat Member, he said.

A team of Kakching Police retrieved the bomb around 10 this morning and a case has been registered in connection with the case, informed Kakching PS Officer-in-Charge Joykumar.

IMPHAL, July 30 : Voicing serious concern over the reported kidnapping of two labourers, who were engaged in the construction of SDO/BDO office building at Island Block under Saikul in Sadar Hills, by an underground group, the Kuki Inpi Saikul Gamkai today fervently appealed to the abductors to release the duo at the earliest on humanitarian ground.

Taking serious note over the abduction of the two labourers, the Kuki Inpi Saikul Gamkai in a statement asserted that it is not a positive trend and that such incidents will certainly hamper the work progress of the construction of the SDO/BDO office building.

It said that opening of the office has been the long-felt wish of the people of Island circle in Saikul sub-division adding that it is imperative for all right-thinking citizens and groups to extend all possible help for early completion of the construction works instead of causing disturbance to the development works meant for the area and the public.

Isaac Shinglai of Island village and Th Ibochou Singh of Khurai Konsam Leikai in Imphal East were reportedly abducted by suspected militants on the night of July 26 from Island village in connection with the construction of the SSDO/BDO office building at Island Block.

IMPHAL, July 30: The North-East India Confederation of Central University Teachers’ Association (NEICCUTA) has demanded mandatory spending of 10 percent of the central budget on higher education in Northeast India observing that spending is far less than what is mandated by Central Government.

In a statement, it urged the Ministry of HRD and the UGC and all other funding bodies such as ICSSR, ICHR, ICMR, ICCR, CSIR etc to ensure minimum spending of 10 percent of their total budget for Northeast India.

Saying that lack of funding is the most important constraint in ensuring growth of higher education with equity and access in Northeast India, the association further demanded setting up of a Common Inter-University Research Consortium for Northeast India that can take care of research funding in cutting edge areas by scholars, teachers and student of Northeast such that ‘the gap between national and regional standard’ can be bridged.

The Confederation further demanded that every faculty member of the Central universities of the region be given a seed money of Rs. 1.5 Lakhs to attend important international conferences so that the teacher-researchers are encouraged to carry out global standard research and a special package for attracting and retaining talents in Northeast Central Universities by asking for 25% of basic pay as a special pay for building up a sustainable base of higher education in the region.

While pointing out that if IAS, IPS and other civil service officers posted in the region can be given such a special package, it questioned why teachers are not given in the crucial sector of higher education, absolutely necessary for bridging the gap between the country and the Northeast.

The Confederation also decided to submit a memorandum to the President of India listing its demands. 

IMPHAL, July 30: A one day “Consultation and Interface on the status of the Right to Education in the Manipur” organised by the Manipur Alliance for Child Right was held at Hotel Imphal conference hall today.

The objective of the workshop was to assess the actual progress of the implementation of the Right of the Children to Free and Compulsory Education 2009 in the state.

Addressing the consultation program, Ashim Kumar Ghosh of Child Rights and You (CRY), Kolkata had said that after surveying 54 schools in 2011 and 42 schools in 2013 in Thoubal district for implementation of the Mid Day meal scheme the actual implementation of the scheme was found to be of an irregular nature.

He said that supply of food grains and salaries for the cooks were irregular in the schools which resulted in the improper implementation of the mid day meal in the schools.

The survey was conducted in 88 schools by the Manipur Alliance for Child Rights since December 2011 and the data from 65 schools were collected by CRY, he said.

He further said that the provision of drinking water in the state is almost negligible and it is more problematic in the hill districts.

There are no adequate toilet facilities in the government schools under SSA and RMSA in the state, he said.

Ashim however pointed out that the enrollment of Children With Special Needs have increased in Ukhrul, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Imphal West, Imphal East following the directives of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

Educational materials books, bags, uniform provided to the students under RTE have also been decreased from 88 percent in December 2011 to 86 percent in 2013, he said.

Speaking to media person K Pradipkumar, convenor MACR said that the funds provided to buy educational material under RTE is inadequate. 

IMPHAL, July 30: The Government of Manipur has challenged the bail granted to the seven accused including Army Public Relations Officer (PRO) Col Ajay Chowdhury in the Pallel Drug Seizure case in the High Court of Manipur.

A Special NDPS Court had on July 17 granted bail to three persons accused in the case, namely Ngairangbam Brojendro Singh, Ajay Chowdhury and RK Babloo, a few days after four other accused including Seikholen Haokip, the son of sitting Congress MLA, TN Haokip had been released on bail.

Sources have said that the state government has filed Criminal Revision Petitions against the bail orders in the High Court of Manipur.

It is also learnt that Y Rameshchandra Singh, Secretary (Law), government of Manipur of Secretariate, Law and Legislative Affairs had on July 24, 2013 issued an official notification No 5/32/2010-Case/1 (Pt) in this regard. Accordingly, the Public Prosecutor (High Court) while challenging the bail orders and representing the state government had filed the Criminal Revision Petitions on July 27 in the High Court of Manipur and the court has also declared a hearing date for the petition.

According to the official notification, the Kakching Police Station under Thoubal district had registered three separate cases in the Pallel Drug Case.

The cases are FIR No 26 (2) 2013 KCG PS u/s 21/25A/29/60/ND&PS Act & Section 140/136/170/465/34 IPC; FIR No 27 (2) 2013 KCG PS u/s 21/25A/29/60 ND&PS Act & Section 140/136/34 IPC and Fir No 28 (2) 2013 KCG PS u/s 21/25A/29/60 ND&PS Act & Section 140/136/170/465/34 IPC.

The cases on which the Judge of the Special Court ND&PS, Manipur had granted bail to one of the accused, Col Ajay Chowdhury in reference to the FIR cases registered by the Kakching Police Station are Criminal MISC (B) No 116 of 2013, Criminal MISC Case no 117 of 2013 and Criminal MISC Case No 118 of 2013.

All seven co-accused of the PRO Col Ajay Chowdhury had been granted bail following police substantiation on separate Criminal MISC Case, however, the order of the Secretary (Law) government of Manipur has directed the Public Prosecutor (High Court), Manipur to challenge the bail order of the ND&PS.

In the meantime, the Special Court (ND&PS), Manipur has rejected a petition from accused PRO (Defence) Col Ajay Chowdhury for permission to leave the state for a period from July 28 to August 1, informed a source.

One of the grounds on which the petition has been filed is that the son of the accused, namely Aditya Chowdhary has been selected for admission for the course of Marine Engineering at Tolani Maritime Institute, Induri, Talegaon, Pune for which counseling and admission process has to be undergone. 

Cairo, July 30: Europe's top diplomat shuttled between Egypt's rulers and the Muslim Brotherhood on Monday in an urgent mission to pull the country back from more bloodshed, but both sides were defiant and unyielding after 80 Brotherhood supporters were gunned down.

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, making her second visit in 12 days as one of the few outsiders still able to speak to both sides, made no public comment. Supporters and opponents of Mursi left no doubt about the depth of polarisation in the Arab world's most populous nation.

"It's very simple, we are not going anywhere," said Brotherhood spokesman Gehad El-Haddad, making clear the group intends to defy government orders to abandon a protest vigil of thousands of followers demanding Mursi's return.

"We are going to increase the protest," he told Reuters. "Someone has to put sense into this leadership."

Backers of the military that deposed Mursi on July 3 were equally unbending, despite Saturday's dawn carnage when security forces shot dead at least 80 Brotherhood supporters after a day of rival mass rallies.

"We asked her (Ashton), would you accept an armed sit-in under your roof?" said Mahmoud Badr, a leader of the Tamarud youth movement that mobilised huge protests against Mursi before the army moved against him.

"What if al Qaeda had a sit-in in a European country? Would you leave it be?" he asked reporters after meeting Ashton, echoing the army's branding of its opponents as terrorists.

Raising the prospect of more bloodshed erupting during Ashton's visit, the Brotherhood said it would march again on Monday evening from its month-old vigil at a mosque in northern Cairo towards offices of the Interior Ministry.

The violence has raised global anxiety that the army may move to crush the Brotherhood, a movement which emerged from decades in the shadows to win power in elections after Egypt's 2011 Arab Spring uprising against Hosni Mubarak.

Ashton met General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the head of the army and the man behind the overthrow of Egypt's first freely-elected president. She also held talks with members of the interim government installed by the army, and representatives of the Freedom and Justice Party, the Brotherhood's political wing.

Thousands of Brotherhood supporters have been camped out for a month at Cairo's Rabaa al-Adawiya mosque, demanding Mursi's reinstatement and defying threats by the army-backed authorities to remove them.

Ashton was expected to speak to reporters on Tuesday. Before arriving, she said she would press for a "fully inclusive transition process, taking in all political groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood".

 LIMITED LEVERAGE

Her leverage is limited. The United States is Egypt's chief Western backer and source of $1.3 billion in military aid, though the EU is the biggest civilian aid donor to the country, a strategic bridge between the Middle East and North Africa.

The EU has attempted to mediate in the political crisis over the past six months as Egyptians have grown increasingly suspicious of U.S. involvement.

Mursi has been in detention since he was ousted and the military-backed interim government has placed him under investigation on charges that include murder.

The handling of his case by the military suggests it believes it has the support of a big majority of Egyptians.

Army chief Sisi has emerged as the public face of the new order, enjoying fawning coverage in Egyptian media and sowing doubts about the military's promise to hand over to full civilian rule with a "road map" to parliamentary elections in about six months.

A banner stretched across a road in downtown Cairo declared: "The army, the police, and the people - one hand".

Security forces shot dead dozens of Mursi supporters at dawn on Saturday when they marched from their vigil.

The Health Ministry put the death toll on Monday at 80, up from 72. The Interior Ministry said one police officer had succumbed to his wounds on Monday. Nearly 300 people have died in violence since Sisi deposed Mursi.

Interim Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim has denied police culpability, saying his officers intervened with tear gas in clashes between the Brotherhood and angry local residents.

A group of Egyptian human rights groups called on Monday for his dismissal. The latest "massacre", they said, "joins a long list of killings documented by rights groups" since Mubarak's fall.

Saturday's bloodshed was the worst since July 8, when security forces killed more than 50 Brotherhood supporters outside a Cairo barracks. The army said its forces had fired back after being attacked; the Brotherhood said its partisans were praying.

The interim cabinet has vowed to clear the Brotherhood's mosque vigil after complaints from residents about the huge encampment on their doorstep. The Islamists vowed to keep marching.

"The danger we face because of the political situation and the coup is greater than the violence we face in marches," said Brotherhood member Islam Tawfiq, 26.

Tunis, July 30: Tunisia's authorities declared a general election for December following days of anti-government protests.  Starting from Tuesday, 30th July, it will observe three days of mourning for the soldiers killed by extremists.  
"This government will stay in office," Tunisian Prime Minister Ali Larayedh told state television. "We are not clinging to power, but we have a duty and a responsibility that we will exercise to the end," he added, proposing 17th December for general elections.

An official declaration of mourning came after the discovery of soldiers' bodies in the Mount Chaambi area, near the border with Algeria. Troops there have been hunting Al-Qaeda-linked fighters.

 The official defence ministry death toll was eight. Some of them had had their throats cut, sources added. State television ran pictures of the mutilated corpses of the victims.

In a televised address, President Moncef Marzouki, a secular politician allied to the ruling moderate Islamic Ennahda party, called for national unity after the soldiers' deaths.

"If we want to face up to this danger we have to face up to it united," he said. "I call on the political class to return to dialogue because the country, society, is under threat," he added.

Marzouki also referred to 25th July’s assassination of the senior opposition politician Mohamed Brahmi, the event that triggered the latest series of anti-government protests.

The government has blamed his murder on Islamist extremists and Marzouki regretted that this "tragedy" had divided the country rather than uniting it.

But the government's critics say the Ennahda-led cabinet has failed to rein in radical Islamists who have grown in influence and stand accused of a wave of attacks since the 2011 uprising.

Since Brahmi's death, around 60 politicians have pulled out of the work of the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) that is drawing up the country's new constitution.

NCA speaker Mustapha Ben Jaafar has called for "restraint" and urged deputies to return and resume work on the much-delayed constitution, one of the thorniest issues in post-revolution Tunisia.

Islamabad, July 30: Mamnoon Hussain, the India-born nominee of ruling PML-N, is set to become the 12th President of Pakistan on Tuesday, succeeding incumbent Asif Ali Zardari.

The election, which was preponed from 6th August, will see a one-to-one contest between Hussain and Imran Khan's Pakistan Tenreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate Justice (retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed.

Pakistan People's Party withdrew its candidate Raza Rabbani and boycotted the election in protest to the date of polls being changed.

Over 1,000 members of the national parliament and four provincial assemblies will cast ballots for largely ceremonial head of the state.

Khursheed Alam, a spokesman of election commission, said the polling will start at 10.00 am and continue with break till 3.00 pm. The results of the election will be declared Tuesday itself.

Hussain, 73, a leading businessman from the port city of Karachi, is expected to easily win the poll as the PML-N has a clear majority in the electoral college comprising members of parliament and the four provincial assemblies.

"I will be the President for everybody. I will resign from my party office if I become President," Hussain, a close aide of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, had said.

Born in the historic city of Agra, Hussain belongs to the Urdu-speaking ethnic group that migrated from India during partition in 1947.

Mumbai, July 30: The BSE benchmark Sensex on Tuesday recovered by over 27 points in early trade as funds and investors made selective buying ahead of the RBI's quarterly monetary policy review, amid a firming Asian trend.

Snapping its four-day long losing streak, the 30-share barometer gained by 27.29 points, or 0.13 percent, to 19,620.57 with capital goods, IT and banking sector stocks leading the recovery. The index had lost nearly 710 points in the last four sessions.

The wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty up by 11.85 points, or 0.20 percent, to 5,843.50.

Brokers said fresh buying by participants before the Reserve Bank's first quarter monetary policy review today, mainly attributed rise in stock prices.

Besides, a firming trend in the Asian region also supported the upside, they said.

In the Asian region, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index gained 0.69 percent, Japan's Nikkei up by 1.38 points in early trade on Tuesday.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.24 percent lower in the previous session.

Barcelona, July 30: Lithuanian breaststroke specialist Ruta Meilutyte on Monday became the first swimmer to break a world record at the 15th FINA World Championships as she won the 100 metres in one minute 04.35 seconds.

The time the 16-year-old Olympic champion swam in the semifinals in the Palau Sant Jordi pool in Barcelona on Monday was 0.10 of a second faster than American Jessica Hardy's record from 2009. Meilutyte had already broken the championship record in the heats.

There was disappointment for the strong US team in the medal races as it failed to pick up gold.

Sweden's Sarah Sjostrom and Australian Christian Sprenger won the women's and men's 100m breaststroke, while Brazilian Cesar Cielo continued his domination of the sprints with gold in the 50m butterfly.

The final gold medal of the day went to Katinka Hosszu in the women's 200m individual medley.

The Hungarian won in 2:07.92, with silver going to Australian Alicia Coutts, who had earlier also won silver in the 100m breaststroke.

China's Olympic champion Ye Shiwen surprisingly finished outside the medals as she came in fourth, more than a second behind Belmonte.

Cielo speeds away

In the 50m butterfly, Cielo showed that he continues to be the best sprinter in the world as he won in 23.01, beating American Eugene Godsoe from the United States by 23.05. Bronze went to France's Frederick Bousquet in 23.11.

In the two opening races Sjostrom and Springer came close to breaking world records, but fell just short.

Australian Sprenger was lying third at the turn in the 100m breaststroke, with leader Cameron van der Burgh well below the world record split, but as the South African fell behind on the final metres, Sprenger touched just before him.

The Australian won gold in 58.79, 0.18 seconds ahead of Olympic champion and world record holder van der Burgh.

In the women's 100m butterfly the 2009 champion Sjoestrom was lying second at the turn behind Dane Jeanette Ottesen Gray, whose time of 26.06 was 0.33 below the world record split.

Ottesen Gray faded on the second leg though and first had to allow Sjostrom, who finished in 56.53, Coutts, who took silver in 56.97 and bronze medal winner Dana Vollmer past.

The results:

Men: 100m breaststroke:

1. Christian Sprenger (Aus) 58.79s, 2. Cameron van der Burgh (RSA) 58.97, 3. Felipe Lima (Bra) 59.65

50m butterfly: 1. Cesar Cielo (Bra) 23.01, 2. Eugene Godsoe (USA) 23.05, 3. Frederick Bousquet (Fra) 23.11.

Women: 100m butterfly: 1. Sarah Sjoestroem (Swe) 56.53s, 2. Alicia Coutts (Aus) 56.97, 3. Dana Grant (USA) 57.24

200m Individual Medley: 1. Katinka Hosszu (Hun) 2:07.92 2. Alicia Coutts (Aus) 2:09.39 3. Mireia Belmonte (Esp) 2:09.45.

Romashina wins another gold in synchro swimming

Svetlana Romashina has won her third gold medal of the Barcelona world championships, winning the synchronized swimming solo.

Romashina easily took the top spot with 97.340 points, increasing her career haul to 13 world championship golds dating to 2005.

China’s Huang Xuechen won silver with 95.720, while Spain’s Ona Carbonell took bronze before the home crowd at the Palau Sant Jordi with 94.290.

Romashina added to her wins in the solo technical, where the top three were exactly the same, and the duet technical teaming with Svetlana Kolesnichenko.

Russia has won the first four synchronized events at these world championships and is heavily favored to duplicate its sweep of the golds in Shanghai two years ago.

China has taken three silver medals, while Spain has a silver and three bronzes.

Guwahati, July 30: The anti-talk faction of ULFA led by Paresh Baruah was behind the grenade blast at Paltan Bazar in the heart of the city that left 15 people injured, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said on Monday.

He said ULFA(I) had carried out the blasts on last night with help from outside agencies and directed officials to take necessary steps to prevent such incidents.

Gogoi admitted that there must have been some security lapse "otherwise the blast would not have taken place".

"Outside agencies do not want development in Assam and as such are pressuring insurgent outfits active in the state to carry out such blasts...If there is development in Assam, the problem of unemployment will end and youth will not join any insurgent outfit. As a result, these outside forces will lose ground," he said.

Director General of Police Jayanta Narayan Choudhury told newsmen at the blast site here that ULFA(I) top leader Drishti Rajkhowa was the mastermind of the blast.

"We got intelligence inputs that Paresh Barua-led ULFA(I) may carry out subversive activties in the run-up to Independence Day," he said.

With warnings of more such incidents, the government has put in place measures to prevent them while security has been tightened in vulnerable areas across the state. Checking, patrolling and intelligence gathering have been stepped up.

Noting that the grenade thrown on Sunday was of Chinese make, he said, "Chinese ones are easily available and their casings are made of plastic. Because of that the blast was less intense."

A National Investigation Agency team that carried out investigations at the blast site during the day too confirmed that it was a Chinese grenade.

A Unified Command Structure meeting was held with the chief secretary, 4 Corps commander, senior paramilitary forces and police officers said on Monday.

The meeting discussed the law and order situation in the state and the possibility of joint operations with other N-E states against militants, official sources said.

The Chief Minister has also convened a high level meeting to discuss the prevailing situation in the state. Meanwhile, all the 15 injured in the blast admitted to Gauhati Medical College Hospital are stated to be stable.

Three girls, who are members of a basketball team from West Bengal, have been discharged, hospital sources said.

Health Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said a team of doctors will take back to West Bengal the basket ball players of Kendra Vidyalaya - Priyanka Rai, Jharna Jha and Salma Banu.

The blast took place last Sunday night near Guwahati railway station adjacent to Paltan Bazar police station at around 7.55 pm. Two home guards were among the 15 injured.

The explosion was the fifth in the state in the last seven days. ULFA militants normally try to create trouble during the run-up to the Independence Day.

Last week six persons were injured in a grenade blast at a busy market area at Bokolia town in Karbi Anglong district.

Suspected anti-talk ULFA faction triggered three serial grenade blasts in Lakhimpur district injuring five persons in the high security Deputy Commissioner Court Road, Jail Road and Chawlkhowa areas.


Section 144 in Kamrup (M) after grenade blast

Kamrup (Metro) district administration, under which Guwahati city falls, has promulgated Section 144 Cr PC for safety, security and maintenance of public peace and tranquility.

The blast at Paltan Bazar in the heart of the city on Sunday left 15 people, including three sports persons from West Bengal, injured.

Official sources said riding of more than one person or pillion riding on any two wheeler has been prohibited in the district.

There are few exceptions like persons above the age of 60, ailing persons travelling to and fro from any hospital, personnel of police and armed forces in uniform, physically handicapped and school children in uniform.

The order will come into force with immediate effect and shall remain effective until further orders, the sources added.

He said ULFA(I) had carried out the blasts on last night with help from outside agencies and directed officials to take necessary steps to prevent such incidents.

Kolkata, July 30: West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress romped towards a massive victory in the rural polls, regarded as a curtain raiser to the next general elections and the biggest test of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's popularity since she came to power in 2011.

The Trinamool has won or is on the verge of winning majority of the gram panchayats and the panchayat samilties (the lowest and the middle levels, respectively, of the three-tier rural council system) in 12 of the 17 districts of the state.

 In the panchayat samities, the Trinamool's success story was more spectacular, as it was winning over 70 percent of the bodies overall, in contrast to about 60 percent in the gram panchayats.

As per latest results, the Trinamool had claimed 163 of the 225 samities, with the opposition Left Front bagging 51. The Congress got only 19. Some of the samities returned hung verdicts.

With counting almost over in the gram panchayats and majority of panchayat samities, the Mamata magic seems to be intact in bulk of the districts, notwithstanding the Sarada chit fund case, and other controversies which has dogged her government.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)-led Left Front, which had established its dominance in 13 districts in the previous elections held in 2008, suffered huge losses, particularly in south Bengal.

But it managed to do better in some of the northern districts, mainly benefiting from a triangular contest with the Trinamool cutting into the traditional bases of the Congress.

The LF finished as the single largest combination in the gram panchayats of Jalpaiguri district, and led in the samities. It also came up with a good show in Murshidabad, Malda and North Dinajpur districts, for long strongholds of the Congress.


Nadia district was seeing a close fight between the Trinamool and the LF, with the former in the lead in the gram panchayats, and the latter moving ahead in the samities. The Congress, which emerged third, seemed to have spoiled the Trinamool's party in the district.

The Congress bagged more than half of the gram panchayats in its citadel Murshidabad, but finished second in the panchayat samities.

However, in a tough three-way race with the Trinamool and the Left Front, the party slipped in its other strongholds Malda and North Dinajpur where it was running the zilla parishads for the last five years.

 The Trinamool was far ahead of its rivals in its belt of south Bengal, where it was picking up an overwhelming number of gram panchyats in nine of the ten districts, except Nadia.

The Trinamool also maintained its stranglehold over Singur of Hooghly district and East Midnapore's Nandigram, two rural areas where sustained and often violent farmers' protests led by the party against the then LF government's bid to acquire agricultural land for industries had scripted its resurgence in the state culminating in the assembly polls victory in 2011.

The LF, which was hoping for revival of its fortunes in some of the districts, suffered rude jolts in the former red forts of Burdwan, Bankura, Birbhum, North 24 Parganas, West Midnapore, Cooch Behar and Hooghly.

The massive democratic exercise with 1.69 lakh candidates in the fray - around 90,000 of them women - has 58,865 seats up for grabs.

The counting has just started for the zilla parishad seats.In 2008, the LF conquered 13 zilla parishads, followed by Congress and the Trinamool with two each.

Happy over the outcome, Banerjee dedicated the win to the people.

"People in the state have got back democracy through the panchayat polls.I dedicate this victory to the rural population of the state. It is the victory of Maa Maati Manush (Mother, Land and People)."

 On the other hand, LF chairman Biman Bose accused the Trinamool of conspiring with the police and some State Election Commission officials in carrying out rampant irregularities in the vote count.

Incidentally, the Trinamool won over 6,000 seats uncontested.

At least 24 people were killed during the five phased polls which began July 11, but no untoward incident, according to police, has taken place yet during counting.

IMPHAL, July 29: Several loaded trucks coming along the Imphal-Jiribam (NH-37) Highway have been stranded near the Barak Bridge.

It is learnt that the said trucks are all fully loaded and had left Jiribam for Imphal around 5.30 am today.

However, just before reaching Barak Bridge, the trucks could not continue any further following mechanical defects.

Several trucks encountered spring breakage around 2:05 pm today and had to stop their journey.

Meanwhile, other loaded trucks including fuel tankers which were coming behind the ill-fated trucks have also remained stranded.

On hearing of the incident, a team of BRTF equipped with JCB rushed in at the spot and tried to side off the trucks which got struck but failed to completely clear the trucks till late this evening.

It is also reported that there are around 400 trucks which had left Jiribam for Imphal today evening including 70 trucks loaded with petrol, diesel, kerosene and LPG bullet trucks.

Once the trucks which got struck due to mechanical failure are repaired soon, they could reach Imphal by tomorrow evening.

Meanwhile, altogether 918 loaded trucks including 182 trucks with FCI rice, 213 cement trucks, 16 medicine trucks, 26 LPG carriers , 26 petrol carriers , 16 diesel carriers, 30 trucks with urea, two trucks with oxygen, two with kerosene and other 405 loaded trucks have left Jiribam for Imphal with tight security escort today morning. 

IMPHAL, July 29: The state cabinet today failed to come to any definitive conclusion following a long discussion to convert all adhoc appointment under the state government to regular basis appointment, said government spokesperson M Okendro while briefing media persons after the end of a state cabinet this late evening.

Speaking further, M Okendro who is also the state Education Minister had said that the state cabinet had tabled nine agendas of which, one was deferred leaving just eight for discussion.

During the meeting, the cabinet approved the appointment of the Executive Officers for Thoubal, Kakching, Nambol and Moirang Municipal Councils under the Manipur Public Service Commission, he said.

The state cabinet had also approved the post creation of the Manipur Legislative Assembly Secretariat and to appoint MCS and MFS officers on deputation for the secretariat, the government spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, following discussion on the agenda “Due-diligence in defending government stand with respect to court cases by Administrative Secretaries and Head of Departments”, the state cabinet had also decided to ensure all proper and timely action in this regard.

The cabinet also decided to ensure a proper rules and regulations while allowing lodging at the Autonomous District Council guest house.

He had said that the longest discussion during today’s meeting was on the conversion of all adhoc basis appointments under all state Government departments to regular basis appointment.

He continued that the state cabinet had also discussed several problems faced by the state departments including the education department however since the discussions could not be completed today, it was decided to extend the agenda to the next cabinet meeting.

The state government is making necessary observation regarding the issue of the MBBS/BDS entrance test so as to resolve the issue at the earliest, said government spokesperson, M Okendro while briefing media persons after today’s cabinet meeting.

He said however, there is no change in this regard from the state cabinet decision of July 20, 2013.

The spokesperson further said that Govt does not take hasty decision in view of the legal implications. Moreover, Minister Okendro said that the opinion of legal experts are also sought while further adding that a final decision may be taken in the next cabinet meeting so as to save the career of the students.

IMPHAL, July 29: The 13 BSF has today said in a press release that an excursion trip cum environmental awareness programme was conducted on July 28, 2013 by BWWA 13 Bn BSF for children of Carmel Jyoti Orphanage, Luwangsangbam, Mantripukhri Imphal in the hill tracks of Langol forest.

Besides trekking, awareness about the need for preserving the forest and environment was emphasized to the children while adding that a plantation programme by the staff and children of Carmel Jyoti Orphanage was also done which was conducted as part of the BSF drive for the 4th edition of country wide campaign “My Earth My Duty” regarding environmental protection in which 80 children from Carmel Jyoti Orphanage and BSF wards participated, it said. 

IMPHAL, July 29: Three accused persons alleged involved in the killing of one Leishangthem Sanjoy of Mayang Imphal Kokchai Mamang Leikai arrested by the Lamphel police have admitted to hitting the deceased on the head during a confrontation, which is believed to have caused the death. The statement was made by the OC, Lamphel Police Inspector N Ingocha.

Sanjoy’s dead body was recovered on July 22 from Khongang ANi Karak near an oil pump.

The three arrested person have been identified as Kongkham Tomba (33), son of (L) Bheigyachandra of Nambol Kongkham Leirak, the main accused in the murder case and his two associates, Sagolsem Raju (39), son of Nanda of Moirang Sribon and Lairelakpam Jacky (38), son of (L) Ningthen of Lamlai Maning Leikai.

Speaking to the media, Inspector N Ingocha Officer In Charge of Lamphel Police said that the three accused person were arrested on the night of July 23.

During interrogation, the three had revealed that they were friends with the deceased and were all daily wage earners, he said.

They had also revealed that they used to frequently drink liquor with the victim, informed the police officer.

The three had further revealed that on July 21 around 9pm, the three alongwith the victim were at a rickshaw shed at Yengkhoiba Market Shed at Chingmeirong when the victim tried to take away a rickshaw parked at the shed which led to a confrontation between them, he said.

During the confrontation, the main accused Tomba hit the victim on the back side of his head with an iron chain which was used to lock the rickshaw, he said.

Meanwhile, hearing the commotion, two local youths came out and stopped them following which, all of them left for their rented places, the police officer said.

The next day the dead body was recovered, he said.

Police have managed to arrest all the accused with co-operation from the locals, he said. 

IMPHAL, July 29: The Sahitya Seva Samiti, Kakching has today said in a press release that the “Kabir Sahitya Mana” (Kabir Literary Award) and “Chandrashakhi Laishram Gold Medal” will be conferred from the year 2014 in addition to the usual awards of the Samiti such as “Yambem Mani Sahitya Mana” and “Yendrembam Surnalata Puruskar”.

The press release further said that the three awards out of the four are meant for the books of literature including criticism while the “Chandrashakhi Laishram Gold Medal” award will be conferred to individuals who have made major contributions in the field of literature.

IMPHAL, July 29: The Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has today in a press release urged the concern authority to hold the cancelled MBBS/BDS examination 2013 so as to save the academic calendar of the medical aspirants and soon resolve the issue.

The student’s body has further said that the state Govt could cancel the MBBS/BDS exam in a hasty decision based on ground Supreme Court order and now the same Govt is playing delaying tactics on the order of the same Supreme Court which rejected the NEET result while further urging the Govt the reason for not holding the much awaited MBBS/BDS exam.

It is further said that the state cabinet should act in accordance with the sentiments of the 6000 medical aspirants who had all invested their hard earn knowledge for the preparation of medical entrance test. At the same time, the parents of the medical aspirants should not rely on law court as it will only complicate the issue, it said. 

IMPHAL, July 29: The Manipur High Court has today issued a notification to take up a contempt of Court proceeding against the outgoing state Chief Secretary for failure to comply with the Court’s May 17, 2013 order to implement the recommendation of the review DPC regarding the promotion of MCS II within two months, informed a source.

According to the source, six senior officers had been superseded by their juniors in the promotion from Junior MCS (Senior Grade) to MCS (Selection Grade) out of 14 MCS officers recommended by a DPC conducted on February 17, 2010.

The 14 were recommended from 20 eligible officers, informed the source.

Following the development, the senior officers had also filed a case with the Gauhati High Court in 2010 following which the court had set aside the February 17 DPC proceedings and had on April 4, 2012 Justice BD Agarwal while citing manipulation of ACRs had directed for fresh DPC within four months, informed the source.

The post of Jr MCS (SI Gr) has been abolished and re-designated as MCS Gr II in the year 2012, the source informed.

Exactly four months after the court order of April 4, 2012, a review/fresh DPC was held on August 4, 2012 and recommended 14 fresh officers in which four junior officers recommended by the first DPC were dropped and replaced by four senior officers on the basis of the ACRs, the source informed.

However, the government has failed to issue promotion orders inspite of the court orders but still allowed the four juniors officers not recommend by the review DPC, to work in the capacity of MCS-II, which is gross violation of the court’s orders, said the source.

In the meantime, the state government had initiated a new DPC for MCS-II in the year 2013, which the High Court of Manipur in W.P.(c) No. 2013 of 2013 had stopped and again directed the state govt for compliance of the recommendation of the review DPC on May 17, 2013 within2(two) months.

Accordingly, the Government of Manipur held the review DPC for promotion of Jr MCS (Sr Gr) to Jr MCS (SI Gr) as per direction of the Gauhati High Court, however, recommendation made by the said review DPC has not been implemented by the concerned department, the source informed. 

IMPHAL, July 29: A section of the media who were to cover the oath taking ceremony of Dr Ashwani Kumar as the state Governor at the Imphal Raj Bhavan were refused entry by the Central Reserved Police Force personnel manning the Raj Bhavan gate. A press statement of the All Manipur Working Journalist Union in this regard lamented

the refusal of the CRPF personnel to allow entry to the media persons as unfortunate and uncivilized while further adding that the media persons were formally invited by the state Chief Secretary for the event; and that such a refusal from the CRPF personnel tantamounts to humiliation of the media persons.

It is also an act of humiliating the state Chief Secretary, the release said and added that the action indicates a lack of coordination amongst the organizers. 

IMPHAL, July 29: The All India Forward Bloc, Manipur State Council today held its second Manipur State Conference at Laipham Khunou Community Hall with Shymal Roy, Central Committee Member & North East in charge, All India Forward Bloc; Laishram Sotinkumar Singh, CPI leader; Kh Apanthoi Mangang, Chairman, All India forward Bloc, Manipur State Council; Khomdram Gyaneswor Singh, General Secretary, All India forward Bloc, Manipur State Council and K Manoranjan, Manipur State RSP leader on the dais.

While giving the general secretary’s report, Kh Gyaneswor Singh said that while the poor people of Manipur in particular and India in general is facing food shortage; however due to the failure of the public distribution system in the country, a large amount of food get spoiled, which are sold off to other countries at minimum rate for their animal consumption.

L Sotinkumar appealed before the gathering to strengthen left politics in Manipur so as to address the grievances of the people of Manipur and all.

He continued that there is robbery on the national highways in broad daylight in disguise manner of tax collection.

He further added that since business cannot be run with loss, the tax amounts collected illegally along the NHs are ultimately collected from the common people by the business people.

The present Govt has turned politics into a most profitable business while the Chief Minister of Tripura is the poorest CM in the country, Sotinkumar said.

He further continued to add that the Congress Govt of the state is projecting PPP as an alternative model for development while the reality of their interest in PPP is nothing but to invest their money in PPP.

Shymal Roy, the North East in charge of Forward Bloc has said that number does not matter in left politics but spirit of the people gathering in the meeting is more important than the number while reminding the establishment of Forward Bloc by Netaji Subhaschandra Bose and its related history with Manipur in the last World War.

He said that anti people policy should be denounced adding that it is the duty of Govt both at the Centre and State to make available PDS items and other essential commodities in times of natural calamities and when even the supply line remain cut off.

Shymal Roy further continued to inform the gathering that the commercialization of education is against the spirit of the Constitution of India before adding that Congress is diving people in the name of religion, in the name of caste, in the name of what they seem it favourable to them so that they could hold power of the people.

On the present scenario of the state, he said that the price of petrol at Rs 120 per litre is beyond all imagination and concluded his address by appealing to fight against the anti people policy.

IMPHAL, July 29: Even though it would take some time, government efforts are on to implement the National Food Security Act in the State at the earliest, said M Okendro, government spokesperson and Education and Consumers Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (CAF and PD) Minister.

The Minister stated that under the initiatives of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the State Government under the leadership of Chief Minister is chalking out action plans to implement the Act in the State.

He further said that the government would take some time as it needs to specify the number of beneficiaries who are going to enjoy certain privileges under the Act.

Other than this act till now the government has been providing benefits in the form of APL and BPL categories, he said.

However, the National Food Security Act is slated to provide 5 kgs of rice to every person that would be calculated to the total numbers of person in a family.

According to data reports of the government, there are 3, 75,920 APL families, 1,002,400 BPL families and 63, 500 families and according to census report of 2011, there are 5, 41,920 households in the State, he said.

Moreover, States where the Act will be implemented is also divided into three categories namely State-A, State-B and State-C, he said.

For States covered under State-A, the respective States would incur the required amount while for State-B, the Central Government would expense 50 percent share amount and for State-C, the central government would expense 75 percent share amount, he said.

The Minister further disclosed that the State Government would need to spend around Rs 1, 25, 000 crores yearly to implement the act effectively.

However, since the act is slated to be implemented in the State soon, an official proposal from the State Government side would be sent to Union Ministry.

Though some amount of time would take to implement the act, steps are being taken up to implement the act successfully in the State, he added.

KANGPOKPI, July 29: The Indian Ambassador to Myanmar, Gautam Mukhopadhaya on the sidelines of his visit to Manipur, paid a visit to his in-laws family today at Haipi Village and Kangpokpi in Sadar Hills.

The Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Gautam Mukhopadhaya is the husband of Nengcha Lhouvum of Kangpokpi, the first IFS officer among the Kuki community.

The Indian Ambassador to Myanmar while on his visit to Manipur on official duty also paid a visit to his brother in-law SL Boikho, a retd Principal of Churachandpur College at Kangpokpi and later went to the residence of the first IAF Officer among the Kuki community Late retd Wing Commander, Lamkhohen Misao, who was also an ex-member of MPSC, to condole his death.

He also paid a visit to the grave of the deceased.

At Haipi, the Ambassador was accorded a warm welcome by the Village Authority of Haipi, He planted an Ashoka tree saplings in front of the Village Community Hall, where the retd IAS Officer Kaikam Kipgen and former Kpi AC MLA Thangminlen Kipgen and others village elders including the village authority members accompanied him.

Madrid, July 29:The driver of a Spanish high-speed train that derailed was charged with 79 counts of homicide and released pending trial, after appearing before a judge on Sunday evening.

Francisco Garzon, 52, had been under arrest since Thursday, a day after the worst train crash in Spain's history.

He is suspected of driving the train too fast through a tight curve on the outskirts of the northwestern Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela.

Examining Magistrate Luis Alaez formally charged Garzon with '79 counts of homicide and numerous offences of bodily harm, all of them committed through professional recklessness.

Jerusalem, July 29: The Israeli Cabinet has voted in favor of release of 104 Palestinian prisoners to give a push to the Middle East peace process.

The proposal by the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks to free 104 Palestinian prisoners, including 24 Israeli Arabs.

The Israeli Cabinet also gave a go ahead for the bill which calls for a nationwide referendum before any agreement with the Palestinian Authority.

It implies that the government can approve any territorial exchange or land swap deal with the PA only after the approval of the Israeli citizens.

These measures are being seen as a part of goodwill gesture by Israel ahead of the negotiations which are likely to start on Tuesday in Washington.

Mumbai, July 29: The BSE benchmark Sensex on Monday  fell over 39 points in early trade, extending losses for the fourth straight session, due to increased selling by funds ahead of RBI's policy review Tuesday amid a weak trend in other Asian markets.

The 30-share barometer fell by 39.37 points, or 0.19 per cent, to 19,708.82.

The index had lost nearly 555 points in the previous three sessions.

Stocks of banking, FMCG, realty, metal and capital goods sectors were major losers, pulling down the benchmark Sensex.

The wide-based National Stock Exchange index, Nifty moved down by 16.19 points, or 0.28 per cent, to 5,869.30.

Brokers said selling by funds and other participants ahead of Reserve Bank of India's monetary policy review to be announced tomorrow and a weak trend in the Asian region, mainly dampened the trading sentiment here. In the Asian region, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index traded lower by 0.51 per cent, Japan's Nikkei Index fell 2.33 per cent, in early trade.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.02 per cent higher on Friday.

Harare, July 29: A disciplined India once again notched up a convincing victory over Zimbabwe (by seven-wickets) in the third One-day International to secure an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series in Harare on Sunday.

Amit Mishra scalped four wickets and skipper Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 88-ball 68 to emerge as star performers for India as they guided the visitors to their third straight victory in the series.

Mishra led a disciplined show by the bowlers as they dismissed Zimbabwe for a paltry 183 in just 46 overs after Kohli won the toss and decided to bowl.

The visitors overhauled the target in 35.3 overs, riding on Kohli's fifty and useful contributions from Shikhar Dhawan (35), Ambati Rayudu (33) and Suresh Raina (28 not out).

Kohli, who had scored a match-winning 115 in the first ODI, once again led from the front as he starred in three useful partnerships.

He added 40 with Dhawan for the second wicket, before forging a 64-run stand with Rayudu for the third wicket, while it was the unbeaten 56-run partnership off 32 balls with Raina which finally took India home.

Chasing 184 to win, openers Rohit Sharma (14) and Shikhar Dhawan (35) made a watchful start as pacers Brian Vitori and Michael Chinouya bowled in tandem.

Sharma's poor run with the bat in this series continued as he was the first batsman to be sent back to the pavilion when he fall to debutante Chinouya.

Sharma chased a widish length delivery from the pacer only to edge it wicketkeeper Brendan Taylor. The Mumbaikar had scored two fours in his 21 balls.

Dhawan, however, didn't allow Sharma's wicket to affect the run flow as he blasted Vitori over square leg for a four and then pulled him for another boundary in the same area in the seventh over.

First down batsman Virat Kohli took one over to get a feel of the wicket and then brought up his first boundary in the ninth over when he whipped Tendai Chatara across the deep backward square leg fence.

Dhawan then cut one across the cover in the same over to pick up easy runs. The left-handed batsman welcomed Prosper Utseya with a four through the leg side in the 12th over.

His stay was cut short by Chatara in the 15th over when trying to hit a length delivery off the front foot, Dhawan ended up hitting it straight to Sibanda at shortish cover.

Runs dried up after that as Kohli and new man Ambati Rayudu (33) tried to steady the ship, picking up ones and twos. In the 22nd over, Rayudu picked up a much-needed boundary when his thick edge off Utseya went flying past slip.

In the next over, Elton Chigumbura was introduced into the attack and Rayudu and Kohli hit him for two fours.

After the end of 29 overs, India took their batting powerplay but Rayudu lost his wicket when he chipped a pitched up delivery from Vitori straight to the bowler. His 54-ball innings had two fours.

In the 32nd over, Kohli sent Chinouya sailing over deep square leg for a boundary, while new man Suresh Raina too cleared the midwicket boundary in the next over.

Kohli brought up his fifty in the 34th over with a brilliant drive off the front foot, which bisected the mid off and extra cover before clearing the fence.

Three balls later, the India skipper danced down the wicket and smashed Chinouya over wide long off for the first six of Indian innings.

In the next over, Kohli and Raina picked up a couple of fours as India inched towards the win. It was Raina, who blasted a four off Chatara to bring up the final runs.

Earlier, Mishra took four for 47 to help India dismiss Zimbabwe for 183. Mohammed Shami (2/25), Jaydev Unadkat (1/24), Ravindra Jadeja (39) and R Vinay Kumar (1/32) were the other successful bowlers for India.

Sean Williams top-scored for Zimbabwe with 45 off 53 balls.

Leading 2-0 in the five-match series, Kohli's decision to bowl was vindicated as his pacers struck twice in the first two overs at the Harare Sports Club.

While R Vinay Kumar accounted for Vusi Sibanda even before the hosts could open their account, Shami sent back the other-wise reliable Sikander Raza when he had the opener caught behind by Dinesh Karthik.

Hamilton Masakadza (38) and skipper Brendan Taylor (23) added 65 runs for the third wicket to stabilise the innings before Jaydev Unadkat struck with the scoreboard reading 67 for three in the 16th over.

The Zimbabwean captain, who stood his ground after Shami leapt to his left from mid-off to pull off a catch, walked back after the third umpire upheld the on-field umpires' decision. Taylor hit three fours during his 44-ball knock.

Taylor's dismissal was the beginning of slide as Zimbabwe lost three more wickets quickly, with leg-spinner Mishra taking two of them off successive balls.

Coming in to bowl his first over of the match, Mishra tasted success immediately as Masakadza, trying to cut a short of length delivery, edged it to the keeper as the hosts lost their top four batsmen within the first 20 overs. The batsman struck five fours off 53 balls.

Malcolm Waller was out next ball as Mishra had the batsman trapped in front for a golden duck with a googly, leaving the Zimbabweans reeling at 80 for five in the 20th over.

Raindra Jadeja made it 89 for six as the slow left-arm spinner hit Elton Chigumbura on the pads with one that might have missed the leg stump because of the angle. PTI AH SHN
Williams then added 36 runs for the seventh wicket with Prosper Utseya (10), before the latter was snared by Shami.

Jadeja's flat throw from the square leg did Williams in as the batsman fell short short of the crease at the striker's end after battling it out for 79 minutes. Williams hit two fours and a six during his fighting knock.

New Delhi, July 29: A meeting of UPA Coordination Committee has been called on 31st July to take a view on the vexed Telangana issue, a CWC meeting is also expected to be held after the coordination committee meeting.

Senior party leaders from the state said that creation of a separate state appears to be a fait accompli but the party will gave to address complications attached with it.

With the top Congress leadership appearing to have veered towards creation of Telangana, Congress MPs from rest of Andhra Pradesh have opposed any division of the state while a party MP from Telangana region had said that the government should go ahead with the decision.

The six anti-Telangana MPs, including Union Ministers M M Pallam Raju, K S Rao, Chiranjeevi and D Purandeshwari (all hailing from coastal Andhra) and K Bapiraju and Anantarami Reddy had met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in a delegation to push for keeping Andhra Pradesh united.

The MPs told Prime Minister that there would be repercussions not only for the state but also for the entire country if Andhra Pradesh is divided.

Rao said after the meeting that any decision to split the state would create problems. It was not in the interest of the people nor the various regions of Andhra Pradesh, he said.

New Delhi, July 29: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will meet industry leaders in New Delhi on Monday to discuss a sharp depreciation of the rupee and measures to correct a wide current account deficit as the urrency touched a record low in recent times.

The meeting is likely to be attended by CII President Kris Gopalakrishnan, ICICI Bank MD and CEO Chanda Kochhar, HDFC Chairman Deepak Parekh, and Bharti group Chairman Sunil Mittal besides several others.

The Prime Minister's meeting comes against the backdrop of decelerating industrial production and the liquidity tightening measures undertaken by RBI to arrest decline in rupee.

RBI initiatives are likely to further choke growth.

CAD last fiscal was 4.8 per cent and the government intends to bring it down to 4.2 per cent this financial year.

The rupee slide is another concern for the government.

Earlier this month it fell to all-time low of 61.21 against the US dollar.

IMPHAL, July 28: The Manipur State Legal Services Authority has said in a press release that a Lok Adalat was organized today at Cheirap Court Complex while adding that 78 cases were brought up concerning compoundable electricity theft cases and 26 cases were listed concerning Motor Vehicle Insurance claims cases relating to National Insurance Co. Ltd.

The press release further said that two benches of Lok Adalat were constituted for the purpose of hearing and disposing the cases comprising of Ph Surendra Singh retired, District & Sessions Judge, Ch Momon Singh, advocate and Ph Binodini Devi, advocate in bench No.1; and M Manojkumar Singh, Judge, Special Court (NDPS), Manipur, L Bijoy Singh Advocate, K Manorama Devi Advocate in the bench No.2, it said.

The Lok Adalat settled 51 cases in total, it said.

There were 26 cases pertaining to motor vehicle insured claim out of which 11 cases were disposed of in the sitting. A total amount of Rs. 21,08,0001 was awarded as compensation. The highest compensation awarded in case of death was Rs.4, 50,000 and that of injury Rs. 3, 20,000. There were 40 electricity related cases disposed of and a total amount of Rs.1, 03, 1001 was collected as fine during the course of the sitting, it further said. 

JIRIBAM, July 28: Around 600 trucks loaded with petrol, diesel, kerosene, LPG, cement and other essential commodities and presently stranded along National Highway 37 (Imphal-Jiribam Road), will be leaving Jiribam for Imphal tomorrow with escorts, Addl SP O Menjor Singh informed the media today.

However, as the number of loaded trucks arriving to Jiribam for other parts of Assam keeps on increasing, the number of trucks leaving for Imphal could reach around 700, he said.

Meanwhile, a standby driver of a Tata truck bearing registration number MNO-5C-0817 died after he fell from the top of his truck at Leingangpokpi last night.

He was trying to tie the goods loaded on his truck when he accidentally slipped and fell on the road. He succumbed to his injuries at CHC, Jiribam at around 11 pm yesterday, his companions informed.

The deceased has been identified as Ingodam Amarjit Sigh (23), son of I Ibohal Singh, of Bamdiar village under Nambol PS.

On hearing about the news, representatives of the All Jiribam Road Transport Drivers’ Union extended a monetary help of Rs 1000 to the co-driver Kh Hemanta Singh. 

IMPHAL, July 28: The Manipur MBBS/BDS Entrance Examination Parents/Guardians Association has said in a press statement that it has to clarify on the Supreme Court order of July 18, 2013, considering the call from certain sections of the people to start counseling for admission for MBBS/BDS

“The phrase ‘actions taken so far including admissions already given’ is self-explanatory”, it said, while adding that there is no room in the order for future admissions and admissions yet to be given on the basis of NEET and as there is no room for future admission on the basis of NEET.

“There cannot be room for counseling selection etc on the basis of NEET. All actions on the basis of NEET after July 18 will violate Supreme Court Order”, it said.

“The press release said that the Supreme Court has disposed by a common judgment and order dated July 18, 2013 TC(C) No. 98 of 2013 and the bench holding inter alia that the MCI is not competent to issue the notifications. The said notifications are quashed. However, the Supreme Court has further held that the order shall not invalidate actions so far taken under the amended regulations including the admission already given on the basis of NEET conducted by the MCI, Dental Council of India and other private medical institutions, and the same shall be valid for all purposes”, it said. 

IMPHAL, July 28: A state cabinet meeting will be held tomorrow at 3 pm at Cabinet Secretariat presided by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.

According to reports, the meeting will discuss about the post creation of the Manipur Legislative Assembly Secretariat and also about the appointment of two posts each for Manipur Civil Service and Manipur Finance Service (MFS) on deputation.

Besides the appointment of two MCS and MFS officers each on deputation, the meeting will also discuss about the promotion of some selected officials in the Assembly Secretariat.

The agendas to be tabled in the cabinet meeting tomorrow include; appointment of Municipal Council executive officers (EOs) through Manipur Public Service Commission (MPSC), regularization of the Ad-hoc employees of the state government.

Others agendas include; correction of the names, addresses etc. in the National Highway-53 (Imphal-Jiribam Road) landslide victims list; discussion on whether to grant family pension or not to the families of work charged employees of Public Works Department (PWD); re-engagement of the post of state co-ordinator of Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) of the state Agriculture department on contract basis; and appointment of Advocate and Legal Assistant or officers on Special duty (OSD) in the Tribal Affairs and Hills Department.

IMPHAL, July 28: A two-month long “Mass Tree Plantation Programme” organised by the Assembly Youth Congress, Heingang ended today with a closing ceremony held at Soibam Lampak Community Hall, Laipham Khunou in Imphal East district.

It was graced by N. Biren, MLA of Heingnag AC; Nandalal Angomcha, president of H.B.C.C.; H. Benjamin, pradhan of Laipham Khunou Gram Panchayat and S. Somorjit, pradhan of Lairikyengbam Leikai Gram Panchayat as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Speaking on the occasion, N. Biren spoke about various developmental works being taken up under his constituency including mending of roads taking place and to be taken up later in the constituency.

He further said distribution of kerosene is still going on in the constituency and rice in the form of mobile sale would also be started through the hands of pradhans of the constituency while admitting that the Food Security Ordinance would not be suited to the State as peoples who are under Below Property Line (BPL) in the land is not clearly specified.

He also emphasized on the need for planting more trees as it would enhance the oxygen supply saying that two fully grown trees could supports the oxygen supply to every family of four members.

A Dhon Dholok Chollon, composed by late Y Kesho’s followers was also held during the ceremony by the artistes of Guru Angou and Ibotombi Memorial Meitei Pung Arts Centre, Laipham Khunou.

IMPHAL, July 28: In continuation of the protest against the State Cabinet’s June 22 decision to takeover the Royal Palace, the Film Forum, Manipur along with Lainingthou Nongshaba Haraoba Committee of Kwakeithel Heinoukhongnembi and the Kangleipak Womn Welfare Association of Keishampat today conducted the 36th meeting of the movement.

The demonstrating bodies further denounced and decried the government decision to take over the Royal Palace for renovation/re-construction works.

Speaking at the meeting, L Surjakanta, chair of the Film Forum Manipur stated that the decision of the State Cabinet to take over Sana Konung was very unfortunate and unacceptable.

He appealed the state government to withdraw its cabinet decision. 

IMPHAL, July 28: A new tourist spot has been developed at Tekcham Maning Ching (a hillock at the westward of Tekcham) by planting a variety of fruit bearing trees, seasonal flowers and also horticultural plants.

This tourist spot is named as Ningtam Engkhol.

It is reported that one Laishram Subhash has developed this tourist spot for the last two years in an attempt to maintain ecological balance in the area. This tourist spot was started with 50 numbers of saplings from the Forest Department.

Talkinging about his initiative about the spot, Subhash commented that people did not acknowledge his initiative at the beginning while adding that people are now extending cooperation to his enterprise. Subhash has planted a number of rare plants such as Shamba, Bokul, Manahei and also lemon, orange, mango, jack fruit, etc in the area of the hillock.

IMPHAL, July 28: The Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Gautam Mukhopadhaya today assured to speed up the process on certain issues between India and Myanmar including the provision of visa on arrival during a meeting at Shija Hospital, Langol today.

He further said the contribution made by the Shija hospital members who visited and treated the people of Myanmar will surely help in strengthening the relationship between India and Myanmar. 

IMPHAL, July 28: The fate of those aspirants of the State who are seeking admission in MBBS/BDS for the current year is lying in uncertainty as the matter has not found its place in the agenda list of State Cabinet’s meeting which is scheduled tomorrow to be presided by Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh at the Cabinet Secretariate around 3 evening.

Notably, the entrance examination for the admission to MBBS/BDS 2013 was supposed to be held on June 9 last for which the State Government had made all the necessary arrangement. Also, admit cards were also issued to a total number of 5723 aspirants for the said examination.

However, the entrance examination was halted by the State Cabinet following a ruling passed by the Supreme Court of India.

Again, in a ruling passed by the court on July 18 last, the same order was cancelled which resulted in paving a way to hold the examination by the State Government.

Given the grim situation, the State Government had held a brainstorming session discussing about the fate of the aspirants for admission for the said examination. However, a concrete solution could not be transpired from the deliberation which was attended by top officials of the concerned department of the State Government.

Later, it was decided that a final decision regarding the matter would be arrived in a State Cabinet meeting slated to be held soon along with taking opinion from legal experts.

According to reports received by the IFP, the matter was not included in the official approved lists of agenda of the State Cabinet meeting which is scheduled tomorrow. 

IMPHAL, July 28: The Police and Media needs to work with transparency and within professional ethics to bring about a positive change in the society, according to DGP, Y Joykumar. He mooted that an effective justice system can be delivered with co-operation amongst the Public, Police and Media.

Giving the valedictory address of a one day seminar for better relations with the media and police at 1st MR Banquet Hall, the DGP today continued on the line that such seminars give different perspectives to both bodies. He said that prevalent issues have been dissected at the seminar and new insights have been gathered. “This would be advantageous in rectifying working conditions of both estates and in rendering better service to the public,” he said.

The Seminar focused on our key issues of mob justice, crime against women, psychotropic substances, relations between media and police and representatives from various sections gave their views. The conclusion of the seminar will be publicized after three days, Joykumar added while making the point that more deliberations are needed to bring about a working conclusion as each topic is a vast one and equally hard to resolve quickly. He assured that more seminars on other topics with participation from the public will be held within the month of August.

Among the academicians, assistant professor of Mass Communication (MU), Natasha Elangbam and assistant professor of Maharaj Budhachandra College, Dr Homen Thangjam stressed that the autonomy of the media and police should be maintained and both needs to be critical of the other.

Natasha recommended for instituting of an independent body to redress complaints received against the police which can also monitor if the media is misinterpreting public opinion.

Speaking on mob justice, Times of India correspondent K Sarojkumar stated that a mob can be incited by a media report which affects not only the perpetrator but other family members also. He cited criminal cases where houses were burnt down and families of the accused were evicted. To avoid this, he advised caution and adherence to ethics by scribes while writing reports.

The seminar titled, “How Police and Media can work in tandem to deliver better justice to the people” was jointly organized by the Police department and All Manipur Working Journalists Union(AMWJU).

The inaugural function was attended by the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi ,minister in charge of Law, Th Debendra Singh, AMWJU President W Shamjai Singh and DGP Y Joykumar Singh.

The Chief Minister in his address dwelled on the sub-topics of the seminar. He said that mob justice violates the rights of the individual and that citizens should ponder whether such actions are acceptable. He accepted the fact that crime against women is increasing in the State and something has to be done timely. Ways and means to check such crimes is the need of the hour, he said.

He added that the other menace is substance abuse and despite stringent laws, there is rampant abuse. The role of the media is to bring awareness of these social evils to the general public and to deter criminal activity. The media, academicians and law enforcement agencies concertedly needs to evolve a means to confront the afflictions of our society, he said. 

IMPHAL, July 28: A discussion on “Amanba Yum”, a book of poetry written by Thangjam Munindro was held today at Kids Foundation , Ghari.

The discussion was organized by Patriotic Writers Forum, Manipur and the function was presided by vice –president of the Forum, Angam Jatung Chiru.

The reviewers included Arambam (O) Memchoubi Devi and Dr K Shantibala, columnist of Imphal Free Press, Khuraijam Bobo, Associate professor of Nambol Sanoi College, Shreema Ningombam and film maker OC Meira.

Munindro mentioned that he does not consider himself a poet but composes as he finds fulfillment in it. It may be mentioned that Munindro is the director of the State Planning Department.

Angam Chiru encouraged the writer to bring out more of his poems in future. 

IMPHAL, July 28: Continuing its yeomen service, the Lions Club of Imphal Greater today planted tree saplings inside the campus of Yaibilen Children Home in Keibi Sanapat in Imphal East district around 8 am.

The different tree saplings planted by the volunteers of the club are tree bean, amla, jackfruit, lemon, orange, mango, Pomegranate etc.

The volunteers also donated sport materials which consist of 12 dress suits, two badminton racket, one shuttle set, two football, two cricket bats, three stumbs and five cricket balls to the children of the home center.

A health camp was also organised where medicines was provided to ailing children at free of cost which was followed by a feast attended by the members, leaders of the club along with the children.

The volunteers of the club headed by its president Y. Shantikumar Singh also handed over eatable items along with other several materials to the children informing that the step was part of the club’s Permanent Adoption Programme.

The various items handed over to the center are three rice bags, 20 kgs of pulse, mustard oil, sugar, tea, spices, four dozen of exercise books, 25 ball pens, one torchlight, one looking glass, one comb and two nail cutters.

IMPHAL, July 28: A state cabinet meeting will be held tomorrow at 3 pm at Cabinet Secretariat presided by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.

According to reports, the meeting will discuss about the post creation of the Manipur Legislative Assembly Secretariat and also about the appointment of two posts each for Manipur Civil Service and Manipur Finance Service (MFS) on deputation.

Besides the appointment of two MCS and MFS officers each on deputation, the meeting will also discuss about the promotion of some selected officials in the Assembly Secretariat.

The agendas to be tabled in the cabinet meeting tomorrow include; appointment of Municipal Council executive officers (EOs) through Manipur Public Service Commission (MPSC), regularization of the Ad-hoc employees of the state government.

Others agendas include; correction of the names, addresses etc. in the National Highway-53 (Imphal-Jiribam Road) landslide victims list; discussion on whether to grant family pension or not to the families of work charged employees of Public Works Department (PWD); re-engagement of the post of state co-ordinator of Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) of the state Agriculture department on contract basis; and appointment of Advocate and Legal Assistant or officers on Special duty (OSD) in the Tribal Affairs and Hills Department.