J&K not a separate State: RSS

-- RSS to sensitize people of India about J&K through information campaign

BHUBANESWAR: “There is a need of information campaign to sensitize people of the country about Jammu and Kashmir as the general perception on Kashmir today is dominated by myths like plebiscite, special status in the Article 370 and dispute over its accession, perpetuated by vested interests and international conspiracies,” said National Executive Body member of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and J and K study centre director Arun Kumar at a Press conference here on Monday.

Arun Kumar emphasised the need of deeper understanding and change of perception on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. Contrary to popular perception in the country that J and K is a separatist State, he said, out of a total geographical area of l,001,000 sq km of area 86 thousand sq km area comprising of Ladakh and Jammu have never ever seen an anti-Bharat protest or demonstration so far.

Whatever anti-Bharat protest that we are seeing on the media are confined to only Kashmir valley comprising of 15,000 sq km area. Which bears the testimony to the fact that a false perception has been created that the whole of J and K is seeking separation and the people are against Bharat, he added.

He also said the Shia and Gujjar Muslims who comprise 12 per cent and 18 per cent have never vented anti-Bharat views, neither any separatist leader have come up from these two sections, but the Kashmiri speaking Sunni Muslims, a small sect of the population in the valley are projecting themselves as the sole representatives of the people’s voice in Kashmir, which is creating problem, he added.

On the Article-370, he made it clear that the article originally was purported to be in effect for a temporary period of time and the constitution still is clear about it. But, massive frauds have been committed behind the cover of this article and there is a need to abrogate this provision, which is possible through a simple presidential order, he said.

He also said the Kashmir problem is created, nurtured and carried by politicians only as the politics of compromise and the politics of appeasement are going on in the country. “We want to do workshops and seminars across the country to make the citizens of the country well informed about the State,” he said adding, “J and K is not a separate State.”

State wont compromise with its self-respect: Naveen

--Biju jayanti observed in State

BHUBANESWAR: “We always give special place for the self-esteem of the State and its people for which we have been raising our voice against negligence of the Centre towards our State. We are always fighting for the cause of the State,” said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik while addressing the mass on the occasion of Biju Jayanti here on Monday.

He also said the State wont compromise with its self-respect as Biju Patnaik was always giving importance to the State and its people and he wanted the Odias to stay ahead of others. The people of the State should create a special identity and bring glory to the State with remarkable deeds, Naveen stated.

Recalling the memories of former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, he said, people of the State are now enjoying the fruits of the foresightedness of the legendary leader. The Paradip port is now one of the most important sea ports in the country, which was a dream of the leader and to make his dream come true, the BJD Government constructed another national-level port at Dhamra, he added.

“We are also trying to give emphasis on agriculture, infrastructure and industry like the legendary leader. Apart from that, we are giving importance on women empowerment, development of the SCs and STs, education and Human Resource Development like Biju babu,” he said.

He called on the party workers and the people of the State to be a part of the development process of the State.

Gracing the occasion veteran leader of Biju Janata Dal and Rajyasabha Member said, “If the Centre allots mines royalty to the State, our State will get benefit out of it and it will give a better platform for the implementation of the plans and schemes by the State.”

He also called upon the party workers for door to door campaign to connect with the people of the State and to heed their problems. To build relations with the common men, the peoples’ representatives should go to the doors of the poor men to realize their problems.

Among others, Health Minister Prasanna Acharya, Industry Minister Raghunath Mohanty, Finance Minister Prafulla Ghadei, former Minister AU Singhdeo, Damodar Rout, BYJD president Sanjay Das Burma, Narendra Swain, MP Baijayant Panda, MP Prasanna Patsani, MP Baishnav Parida, MLAs of Bhubaneswar and other party workers across the State were present.

Woman serious in criminals’ attack

KONARK: One woman sustained serious injuries when the miscreants attacked her in a sharp weapon by entering her house at Alasankha village under Ramchandi police station of Puri district on Monday.

She was identified as Kabita Biswal (26) daughter of Balunkeswar Biswal of Alasankha village and the miscreants were identified as Bishnu Charan Sahu (25) alias Gedu of Podtara village and Kuna Mangaraj of Chatol village under Ramchandi police station, informed Ramchandi IIC Rasbihari Rout. They were involved in many criminal offences including Balighai bombarding and firing incident happened on July 26 last year.

On the day of the incident, the miscreants went to Kabita’s house and asked about her brother Sarat by entering her house. Later they attacked her with an axe following an argument among them when the miscreants said they want to kill her brother. She was rushed to Puri Sadar Hospital and her condition is serious. Police is investigating into the matter. 

VHP opposes Azad’s release from jail

BHUBANESWAR: “Let him punished as he is involved in many criminal cases in Odisha including heinous murder of Swami Laxmanananda. Law and Order Machineries should make a hot pursuit of these law breakers. Either arrest them or eliminate them,” said Vishwa Hindu Parishad State president Durga Prasad Kar at a Press meet here on Monday.

Briefing the media persons Kar said just because his mother is on fast in front of the Jharpada jail here, the State Government should not give permission to release Azad from jail as he was one of the masterminds, who trained, prepared the tactical plan and supplied the weapons to the locals for committing the murder of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati. He was also involved in looting of Nayagarh Police Armoury and in the burning of R Udaygiri Police Station, he added.

“Now Azad’s mother is demanding for her son’s release, but she should realise that her son was involved in murder, looting, arson and he is punishable under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967,” he said.

Kar also said the State Government should learn from the West Bengal Government about their policy to counter Maoists, as a result Kishenjee was eliminated in police encounter in West Bengal. The Maoist top leaders, who were involved in heinous crimes, should not be spared in Odisha, he added.

“If the Government releases Azad from jail, we will come to the street and protest the Government. Even we will go to the court against the Government’s decision,” he said.

While, the mother of top Maoist leader Dunna Kesava Rao alias Azad, who was a member of the Odisha State Organising Committee (ORSOC), sat on dharna in front the Jharpada jail here on Monday in protest against the jail authorities who did not grant her permission to meet her son lodged inside the prison on security reasons. Azad's mother Dunna Kamulamma indicated that her son would start fast unto death inside the prison from Tuesday.

Sai Pragati scam: Investors’ money in film making

BHUBANESWAR: After the allegation against Triveni Mohanty and Naseer Khan, who had made films in investors’ money, officials of the Sai Pragati Assets and Properties came to lime light for allegedly making films in investors’ money after cheating them.

According to an investor Anirudha Mohapatra, Sai Pragati’s top official Aswin Das has made an Odia film ‘Hare Krushna Hare Ram’ in their money which is going to be released very soon. After proper investigation the whole truth will come out, he said adding, “If the fraudulent money will be confiscated, then we can get our lost money.”

Before, chit-fund scam mastermind Naseer Khan had allegedly made a bollywood film ‘Shadow’ in depositors’ chit-fund money. Similarly, Triveni Mohanty of Star Consultancy had also allegedly made an Odia film ‘Tu Tha Mu Jauchi Rushi’ in depositors’ money.

To get the deposited money, the depositors of the company are running to the Sai Pragati office and police stations. The depositors alleged that Suraj Sahu and Kamalakant Patnaik along with Sai Pragati CMD Debasis Mohanty and Ashwin Das like top management body members were involved in the scam.

On Sunday most of the depositors, who have lost their money in different fraud chit-fund organisations, came together to fight against the fraud companies. Ashwin Das is now absconding, whereas Debasis Mohanty is now in jail. The Commissionerate Police on Wednesday arrested Mohanty for allegedly defrauding people to the tune of crores of rupees. He was arrested from Khandagiri area in the city.

Engg students held for theft

BHUBANESWAR: The Commissionerate Police nabbed five engineering students on Sunday for looting bus passengers and conductor at Barmunda bus stand here on last Monday. Police also recovered sharp weapons which were used for looting along with other valuables during investigation.

According to the police, the culprits had looted two passengers and a conductor of a bus at Barmunda bus stand on February 27. After getting complaints from the passengers, the police had started investigation into the matter and nabbed them on Saturday night from a hostel near Barmunda in the city.

Police have recovered Rs 6,000 as cash, four knives, one Bhujali, three mobile sets and a Laptop from their possession during investigation. All five students belonged to a city-based engineering college, said the police.   

India-U.S. Women’s Empowerment Dialogue

WASHINGTON: The third meeting of the India-U.S. Women’s Empowerment Dialogue (WED) was held on Feb. 27, 2012 in New York.  The Dialogue was co-chaired by Neela Gangadharan, Secretary of India’s Ministry of Women and Child Development and Ambassador Melanne Verveer, Ambassador-at- large for Global Women’s Issues in the Department of State, who both attended the 56th session of the UN Commission on Status of Women in New York. Secretary Gangadharan and Ambassador Verveer discussed issues related to women’s social and economic empowerment, political participation of women, early childhood education, skill development of women and girls and strengthening of institutional linkages and exchanges.

They reviewed the progress that institutions in the U.S. and India have already achieved and discussed new ideas to take the dialogue forward. The two co-chairs agreed that issues related to women’s empowerment should be integrated into all aspects of the India-US Strategic Dialogue.