VHP launches a mass agitation against land transfer row

New Delhi August 10 2008 Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Sunday threatened a "second Ayodhya" type agitation on shrine land row as it announced launching a mass agitation in New Delhi to press for transfer of land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB)।

Thousands of seers took to the streets in New Delhi on Sunday announcing their anger against the revocation of land transfer order and shouted slogans against N।N. Vohra, governor of Jammu and Kashmir.

Praveen Togadia, the leader of VHP said that the 100 acres of land should be handed over to the SASB in Kashmir failing which the organization would hold an all India road blockade on August 13 in support of the agitation।

He even threatened to launch an Ayodhya type agitation (that led to demolition of Babri mosque) to press for their demand।

"Until now, the agitation and protests were confined to Jammu। At the (on) 13th August, it will be expanded throughout the country and if need arises, we will be forced to give a call like Ayodhya, ''Chalo Amarnath, Chalo Jammu," said Togadia.

Meanwhile, an 18-member all-party delegation headed by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil met in Srinagar to assess the situation in the wake of the continuing agitation in Jammu over the Amarnath land transfer controversy।

The meeting was held a day after Patil had a meeting with the Shri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti (SASS), who is spearheading the agitation in Jammu।

The visit is being undertaken after deliberations in the all-party meeting chaired by Prime Minister Dr। Manmohan Singh to discuss the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

The dispute began after the Kashmir government had promised to give forestland to the trust that runs Amarnath shrine। Many Muslims were enraged.

The government then backed down on its decision enraging many Hindus in turn who have launched a mass agitation in Jammu region for the past five weeks.

UN plans another meet to end Russia-Georgia stalemate

United Nations, 10 agast (PTI): Unable to find a consensus statement on ceasefire to end the fierce fighting between Russia and Georgia in the breakaway South Ossetia province, the UN Security Council plans to meet on Sunday, the fourth time in three days.
The diplomats of 15-member council trying to draft a presidential statement calling for ceasefire were presumably continuing their labour despite their failure on Saturday night.
During the previous three meetings, the council was unable to find consensus with the United States and Britain strongly backing the pro-west Georgian government and Russia responding that it was only reacting to the attack by Georgia.
The latest council meeting comes in the backdrop of the Russian troops taking control of most of the capital of the South Ossetia.
The trouble in the sensitive region which has oil pipeline began when Georgia tried to take control of the tiny breakaway South Ossetia, saying that it was only asserting sovereignty over the area.

Rains wreak havoc in Konkan, Andhra

Pune, 10 Agast-Heavy rains have thrown life out of gear in Pune, many parts of the Konkan region and Andhra Pradesh.
The Pune-Mumbai intercity trains have been cancelled and many trains, including the Mumbai-Banglore Udyan Express and the Mumbai-Nagarcoil Express have been diverted.
Heavy waterlogging has been reported from Chiplun, Rajapur, Khed and Mahad with some villages in one-two feet water. All the trains towards Pune have been stopped near Karjat and at least 70 villages have been cut off. Kolhapur itself has recorded 1,266 mm rain overnight.
Meanwhile, the flood situation in Andhra Pradesh continued to be grim on Sunday with continuous rains claiming as many as 53 lives over the past five days. Weather officials have predicted more showers.
Heavy rains and flash floods since Tuesday caused widespread devastation in Hyderabad and eight other districts in coastal Andhra and the Telangana region. Around 40 people have died since Friday and hundreds have been rendered homeless.

Official: Musharraf to face strong impeachment

Islamabad, August 10, 2008, President Pervez Musharraf will be accused of misconduct and violating the constitution in impeachment proceedings, Pakistan's law minister said on Sunday। Ruling coalition officials met on Sunday to finalise the list of charges against the embattled president, Law Minister Farooq Naek said in comments broadcast on Geo TV.

The lower house of Parliament is expected to convene on Monday to begin impeachment proceedings against Musharraf। The former army chief has resisted calls to resign, and his allies say he will fight the claims against him.

Naek said the charge sheet will detail ways that Musharraf violated the constitution and "the gross misconduct that the president has done।"

Musharraf dominated Pakistan for eight years after taking power in a 1999 military coup, but has been largely sidelined since his foes won February parliamentary elections.

NDTV, Aaj Tak, bag honours at television awards

New Delhi: NDTV 24X7 has bagged the most popular English news channel award while the top honour for best popular Hindi news channel has gone to Aaj Tak at the annual News Television awards ceremony।

TV Today Group editor-in-chief and chairman Aroon Purie was honoured with the News Television Lifetime Achievement award for his contribution to the TV news industry।

CNN-IBN was adjudged the Numero Uno English News Channel of the year while Times Now was conferred with the best News Channel Critics Award (English)।

The Numero Uno Hindi News Channel of the year award went to NDTV India।

CNBC TV18 bagged the Best Business News Channel (critic) award।

CNBC TV18, NDTV Profit and CNBC Awaaz shared the Numero Uno Business Channel of the year honors।

NDTV 24X7's prime-time show 'India 60 Minutes' was voted the best daily newscast 'The Car and Bike Show' was adjudged the best auto show।

The NDTV group got a total of 25 awards in all।

IBNLive won the best news website award and CNN-IBN's Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai won the best news anchor award।

NDTV 24x7's Poonam Aggarwal was awarded best TV news reporter of the year (English)।

Face the Nation, the show on CNN IBN won the best presented popular news show trophy and Devil's Advocate, the Sunday interview show hosted by Karan Thapar on the channel, won the award for best current affairs show।

Among others who attended the function included BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy, former IPS officer Kiran Bedi, former test cricketer Madan Lal and fashion designer Ritu Kumar.