Uttar Pradesh News Archive: September 2007

Mulayam says he is ready to pull down UPA govt

Sunday, September 30, 2007 | MP
Lucknow, Sept 29 (ANI): Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav today said that his party is ready to face the mid-term polls and would help in pulling down the UPA government if the Left Front agrees to.Speaking to reporters here, Yadav said: "If the Left brings 'No Confidence Motion' against the UPA Government, we will oppose the Government, without any doubt."Samajwadi Party, which is part of the newly constituted United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) or the Third Front, had withdrawn its support from the UPA Government just before the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.Mulayam also said that the Indo-US nuclear deal has led to divisions among the UPA constituents, which will become visible soon, and narrated the similarities between UNPA and the Left Front. "Both UNPA and Left is concerned about farmers' plight in the country and have been opposing the UPA government's agriculture policies," Yadav said. (ANI)

Over 60 kids fall ill after eating midday meal

Friday, September 28, 2007 | MP
Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh), Sept. 28 (ANI): At least 60 children were taken ill after eating a mid-day meal served at a school in Behalolpur village in Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad District.The children, who are undergoing treatment at the district hospital, had started vomiting after having the meal.D K Gupta, Chief Medical Superintendent, Moradabad District Hospital, said: "Around 61 children have been brought here on Thursday out of which 37 have been given saline water. All the children are better now," he said.The children had the symptoms of nausea and dizziness after they returned home on Thursday.“I had puri and potato curry at school. When I reached home after school I was feeling dizzy and then I started vomiting," said Sushila, a student.An enquiry is being carried out into the incident and action will be taken against those involved in preparing and serving the meal, officials said.India runs a huge midday meal scheme for children, with 120 million signed up to receive one hot, nutritious meal free on every school day.According to media reports, corruption has marred implementation of the scheme in some States. One report in 2006 said that in Uttar Pradesh the ready-to-eat food, was diverted to feed cattle. (ANI)

Ex Chief Secy remanded to 12 days CBI custody

Wednesday, September 26, 2007 | MP
New Delhi, Sept.26 (ANI): Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Akhand Pratap Singh, who was arrested on Tuesday in connection with a two-year-old disproportionate assets case, was remanded to 12 days CBI custody. Special judge I K Kochhar sent Singh to the custody of the agency till October 8 as the CBI sought his custodial interrogation to take him to different states where Singh allegedly owned properties. While the probe agency had sought for 14 days custody, Singh's counsel had opposed CBI's contention to seek the custodial interrogation of his client. Singh, a high-profile former bureaucrat, who was once voted the most corrupt officer by the Uttar Pradesh IAS Association is accused of amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income through corrupt means. According to the corruption case registered against him in 2005, Singh acquired as many as 84 immovable properties in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand worth Rs 200 crore. He was also accused of forging the signatures of his dead father and a friend for transferring the properties and routing financial transactions through fictitious bank accounts. After the case against Singh was registered, the CBI had in 2005 also conducted raids at 16 places and allegedly found huge properties in his name and in the name of his daughter. He was arrested by the agency sleuths from his Vasant Kunj farmhouse while he attempted to flee from there. His arrest was made since he was not cooperating with the investigations and further there was proof suggesting that he had tampered with the evidence pertaining to the case, the CBI had said.(ANI)

CBI arrests former UP Chief Secretary

Wednesday, September 26, 2007 | MP
New Delhi, Sept 25 (ANI): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today arrested Akhand Pratap Singh, who was the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh during the previous Mulayam Singh Yadav regime, for his alleged involvement in the 2005 disproportionate assets case.Singh, a 1967 batch IAS officer, was arrested from his Vasant Kunj farmhouse, said CBI.The former UP Chief Secretary allegedly tampered with evidence, influenced witnesses and did not cooperate with the CBI in investigation of the case registered in March 2005.Singh, who retired in 2003, allegedly indulged in forgery of documents as was revealed during investigation, the CBI said.Singh has been charged with converting his ill-gotten earnings into immovable assets acquired in the names of his family members, relatives, friends as well as some private limited companies, a CBI release said.The probe so far has led CBI to lay its hands on Singh's 84 immovable properties in prime areas of Delhi, NOIDA, Ghaziabad, Greater NOIDA, Lucknow, Bahraich and Nainital, the CBI claimed.Over 100 bank accounts having huge deposits have also been found besides large investments in shares, debentures and luxury vehicles, the CBI said.Singh, while working as Vice Chairman of the Lucknow Development Authority, acquired 10 plots in the names of various persons for which documentary evidence in his own handwriting has been found, the CBI claimed. (ANI)

Homeo preparations replace pesticides in UP

Wednesday, September 26, 2007 | MP
Soraav (Uttar Pradesh), Sept 25 (ANI): Homeopathic medicines, which were so far being used for curing human diseases, are now being used by farmers in Uttar Pradesh as a substitute for chemical pesticides.Homeopathic medicines cost much less then chemical based medicines, and according to farmers, it also gives better results.Swami Parmanand's homeopathic medicines for crops have become popular among the farmers living around Soraav division of Allahabad District."Earlier, we used to utilize pesticides and manure worth around 1000 rupees on about one acre land. But now, we use only homeopathic medicines worth rupees 200 or 250," said Jeet Lal, a farmer.Swami Parmanand, a Bachelor of Science, says he has learnt the formula of making the homeopathic medicines from hermits living in the Himalayas."These homeopathic medicines should be used in the way you put urea and other sprays on the crops. They give good results, and do not have any harmful effect on the crops. It also improves the taste of the vegetables," said Parmanand.Introduced in 2004, the popularity of these medicines has even made scholars from the state-run Agriculture University to do a research on it."The research on this medicine is going on four universities of the state. A test was completed last year on potato and wheat, and the results were satisfying. It has good effect on environment and mud," said B.B. Rai, Director of the Allahabad Agricultural Institute.The state-run Agriculture University is conducting some more research on the medicine to find its effects on other crops. (ANI)

Ghaziabad authorities to tackle bull menace

Monday, September 24, 2007 | MP
Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh), Sep 22 (ANI): Civic authorities in Ghaziabad have unleashed a 'cattle catching squad' to capture stray bulls posing a danger to pedestrians."The stray bulls walking on the streets are really dangerous. They sometimes attack vehicles, people and block traffic. Civic authorities do not reach the place on time to control them," said Virendra Munna, a social activist. “This cattle-catching squad will identify the bulls that are most ferocious. At the moment, we don’t have a place to keep them," said Ajay Shankar Pandey, a Mayor of Ghaziabad. The agency has also sought the help of the police in this exercise.Stray animals like cattle and dogs moving freely in the various parts of the country.(ANI)

Vrindavan celebrates 'Radha Ashtami'

Saturday, September 22, 2007 | MP
Vrindavan (UP), Sept 21 (ANI): The holy city of Vrindavan celebrated the 'Radha Ashtami', the birthday of Goddesses Radha, with great fervour.Hundreds of thousands of devotees flocked to the temples in the holy city to participate in the grand celebrations on Thursday.Celebrated 15 days after 'Janmashtami', the birthday of Lord Krishna, the birthday of Radha is locally known as 'Radha Ashtami'."The birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated in Mathura and Nandgaon in a grand way. But in the rest of Brij, Goddess Radha is considered superior to Lord Krishna. In Vrindavan, birthday of the Goddess is celebrated in a grand way," said Acharya Rajendra Goswami, a priest.The festival was marked with singing, dancing and spraying of saffron milk mixed with curd at each other."We have been coming here for last 25 years. The celebration here is much more grand than the celebrations anywhere in the world," said Snehlata Aggarwal, a devotee, who came from Kolkata.According to Hindu mythology, Krishna is the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the Preserver and one of the trinities of the Hindu pantheon.The tales of Krishna-Radha love are depicted in Indian architecture and paintings; and their relationship is often interpreted as the quest for union with the divine. (ANI)

Rahul criticises ban on college election in UP

Friday, September 21, 2007 | MP
Amethi (UP), Sept 20 (ANI):Congress MP Rahul Gandhi today criticised the Uttar Pradesh Government’s decision to scrap the student's union election in all the colleges and universities of the State. Rahul, who is in a three-day visit of his constituency, said: “Scrapping off the students' union elections by the Uttar Pradesh Government is not right, and it's an attack on the democratic rights of the students." On September 7, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati had slapped a state-wide ban on student union elections in universities and colleges, citing that the ban would help in “improving law and order on campuses”."Union elections are not only vitiating academic atmosphere on the campuses but also creating a law and order problem and causing immense misery to the people," Mayawati had then said.The ban, which came into immediate effect in the State, sparked criticisms from different sections, but at the same time many students also welcomed it as they argued that college elections were ‘politicising’ the universities and were doing nothing for the betterment of students. This is not the first time that such ban has been imposed in the State. Earlier, on three occasions, such ban was imposed, beginning from 1967.Since elections in colleges became platform for budding politicians, muscle and money power became synonyms to such polls. This led to the Supreme Court directing all the State and Central Government to implement the Lyngdoh Committee report on college election that had laid down stringent measures to make polls free from corrupt practices.Mayawati’s predecessor in the State, Mulayam Singh had earlier directed the colleges and universities in the State to hold the polls as per Supreme Court directives. (ANI)

Security tightened along Indo-Nepal border

Friday, September 21, 2007 | MP
Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh), Sept. 20 (ANI): Security has been tightened along the 1700-kilometre long Indo-Nepal border in the wake of recent political developments in Nepal. The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) in charge of border security have been put on alert after the Nepal Maoists pulled out from the coalition government.Security forces manning the border have also been equipped with modern technological devices like Global Positioning System (GPS) that would help them in countering the insurgents who use the long porous border to enter into India."We have introduced GPS which identifies the longitudes and latitudes, thus making map reading easy for us. We have also got night visibility equipments which will help us in carrying out the night operations in an effective manner," said L K Puri, Area Organiser in Siddharth Nagar.SSB was deployed along the Indo-Nepal border in 2002, and since then they have been given the status of a border security force. "There are many groups that enjoy spreading terror. And they are ever ready to upgrade their operations, methods and gadgets. Why should we lag behind them? We have decided that to counter their activities," said S. Bandopadhya, Director General of SSB of Gorakhpur range.The latest devices issued to the SSB include the GPS, night vision gadgets, fake currency detectors, mind detectors, digital cameras and close circuit monitoring for the border infiltration. (ANI)

Babri mosque demolition case hearing today

Wednesday, September 19, 2007 | MP
Rae Bareli, Sept. 19 (ANI): A district court hearing the Babri Masjid demolition case against senior BJP leaders L K Advani, M M Joshi and six others, will today pronounce its order on applications moved by a VHP leader and two others on whether they could be tried by the same court. The applications were filed by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Ram Vilas Vedanti and two more persons, against whom trial in connection with the cases are pending in a court in Lucknow. They have sought the transfer of their cases to the district court here so that they can be tried along with Advani. Former BJP President L K Advani, former Union Ministers M M Joshi and Uma Bharti, BJP General Secretary Vinay Katiyar, Senior VHP leaders Ashok Singhal, Acharya Giriraj Kishore and Vishnu Hari Dalmiya and Sadhvi Ritambhara are the eight accused facing trial in the matter. The demolition of the 16th century mosque in Ayodhya on Dec 6, 1992, had triggered nationwide communal frenzy that took a heavy toll of human lives. The ramifications of that movement are still being felt. Advani is among those accused of inciting communal passions by making inflammatory statements. After razing the Babri mosque, Hindu activists put up a makeshift temple at the site that they contend is the birthplace of Hindu god Ram. (ANI)

3,964 policemen of Mulayam regime sacked in UP

Wednesday, September 19, 2007 | MP
Lucknow, Sept 18 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati today sacked 3,964 police personnel recruited during the previous Mulayam Singh Yadav government in the state. The BSP government also suspended six senior IPS officers, including two DIGs, on charges of irregularities in selection. (ANI)

Rahul Gandhi on three-day tour to Amethi

Wednesday, September 19, 2007 | MP
Amethi, Sep 18 (ANI): Congress MP Rahul Gandhi is on a three-day tour to his Parliamentary Constituency of Amethi, during which he will launch the Amethi Gram Congress Project apart from his other engagements. The Amethi Gram Congress Project would be implemented in 16 development blocks of Amethi from Tuesday. The launch comes as an extension of the Congress MP's emphasis on taking along members from Dalit, backward classes and minority communities. It envisages the appointment of one worker per 50 families. About 8, 000 such workers would be appointed for 16 development blocks in the district and they would be given a ten-day special training in Delhi. Rahul today took stock of the Milk Procurement Units at Thakurganj, Raniganj and Gunnaur. "When I go to the other parts of the country, I try to get ideas on how can Amethi be developed, what new can be done for the constituency. We pressurized NDDB and now nearly 20,000 people are getting benefit of the programme being run by NDDB,” said Rahul A scheme called Navin Sahkarita Prayas was also launched in the constituency, under which various freezing points have been made to save the milk from getting spoilt. He also met the workers at these procurement units and discussed about the developments and the well being of the scheme. He laid the foundation stone of a project under the Pradhanmantri Gramin Sadak Yojna in Lalganj. He also inaugurated the new building of the Bar Association in Mushafirkhana. (ANI)

Eight killed in UP road mishap

Tuesday, September 18, 2007 | MP
Budaon (Uttar Pradesh), Sept 17 (ANI): At least eight persons were killed and four were injured in a road accident near Sahswan in Uttar Pradesh’s Budaon District this morning. According to the police, the tragedy occurred when a bus proceeding from Delhi to Budaon, collided with a ‘Jugar’, a locally assembled auto rickshaw. The passengers were returning to Sahswan after attending a fair.The injured are in hospital. (ANI)

Over fifty-eight pieces of human bone recovered from UP village

Tuesday, September 18, 2007 | MP
Bhagwanpura (Uttar Pradesh), Sept. 17 (ANI): Over 58 pieces of human bone have been retrieved from a well in Bhagwanpura Village in Uttar Pradesh’s Etawah District.The bones were found by villagers on the look out for a missing person.The police has sought the fire department’s help in combing operations of the well and surrounding areas, amid apprehensions that the area could be a serial killer’s den. "A report has been prepared and filed. We have lodged cases under the appropriate laws. We are carrying out investigations around the well now. It will be dug up shortly,” said Ajay Mishra, Senior Superintendent of Police, Etawah.Of the 58 bones retrieved, one of them is a skull. An additional 264 bones have also been recovered and are being tested. (ANI)

Mayawati pitches for reservation for upper caste poor

Monday, September 17, 2007 | MP
Vadodara, Sept 16 (ANI): With an eye on Gujarat Assembly polls, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati today pitched for reservation for poor among the upper castes, and accused both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress party for not paying attention to this.Mayawati told a party rally here that she had met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanding reservations for the upper caste poor and told him that her Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) would support the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) to make an amendment in the Constitution."However, the Prime Minister had replied in the negative about the BSP's proposal," Mayawati added.Mayawati said that 10 per cent reservations each for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, minorities and weaker sections of upper castes have been made in new industrial units or projects in the State after her party came to power."If it can be done in UP, then why it cannot be done at national level?" she added.Mayawati further said that both the Congress and the BJP are closer to corporate houses and capitalists; and they will oppose the reservation for upper caste poor.She said that her party will have no tie-up with any political party for Gujarat Assembly polls and will put up candidates for all the 182 seats. (ANI)

Vermicelli's sale goes up during Ramadan

Monday, September 17, 2007 | MP
Bijnore (Uttar Pradesh), Sept 16 (ANI): With the beginning of Ramadan, the sale of sevayian or vermicelli, a sweet must during the holy month, has gone up significantly.Vermicelli-making factory owners say the month commonly ushers in brisk business."We are preparing five to six quintals of sevayian (vermicelli). It sells a lot during this one and half months of Ramadan...the business is good this time. We pack it in 100 grams, 150 grams and 250 grams packets," said Mohammad Aabid, a factory owner in Bijnore.Oriental delicacies such as "Khajla" and "Pheni", small pancakes and vermicelli soaked in milk with sugar, are important items in the menu.Millions of Muslims across India began marking the fasting month on September 14, after the sighting of new moon.During Ramadan, Muslims do not take food or water from dawn to dusk. They also devote their time to worship and studying of the Quran. They eat a pre-dawn meal, called Sehri and at the end of the day, called Iftar.People buy supplies of meat and vegetables to make huge feasts traditionally prepared to break each day's fast at sunset.More than one billion Muslims across the world are expected to observe the holy month, which ends with the festival of Idul Fitr.The Muslims are required to refrain from indecent acts and improper thoughts, nor may they make offensive gestures or unkind words during the period.They seek the blessing of Almighty for peace and prosperity of the Islamic Ummah on the occasion, and give alms to the needy. (ANI)

Bodies of 12 Kanwarias recovered from Saryu River

Friday, September 14, 2007 | MP
Gonda (Uttar Pradesh), Sept 14 (ANI): The bodies of 12 Kanwarias, who were crushed to death by an Express train near the Saryu Ghat Railway Station of Uttar Pradesh on Thursday night, have been recovered from the Saryu River. At least 16 Kanwarias were reportedly killed in the accident. The search operation was carried out by divers of the paramilitary Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC). “The tragedy took place on the Lucknow-Gorakhpur route when Kanwarias travelling in the Lucknow-Gonda train got off in a bid to take water from the Saryu River, for offering at a temple at Karnailganj,” said Northern Railway Divisional Magistrate, Ashima Singh. When the Kanwarias were crossing the track, another train, the Gorakhpur-bound Intercity Express, crushed them to death, Singh added. Following the accident, a mob of Kanwarias set cabins of the railway station, some kiosks and a fire tender on fire. The Deputy Inspector General at Devi Patan, Sanjay S Tarde, said that the situation at Karnailganj and surrounding areas is returning to normal. No reports of any untoward incident have been witnessed from anywhere so far, Tarde said.The movement of trains, which came to a halt on the Lucknow-Gorakhpur section, are now moving on time. Trains from Lucknow, however, were running late. (ANI)

Recovery of human skeletons triggers panic in Uttar Pradesh

Friday, September 14, 2007 | MP
Bhagwanpura, Etawah (Uttar Pradesh), Sept. 13 (ANI): Over a dozen human skeletons recovered from a well in Uttar Pradesh’s Etawah District have triggered panic among villagers.The skeletons were recovered on Thursday from a well in Bhagwanpura village in Jaswant Nagar area. The villagers, who were looking out for a missing person, found the skeletons in the well.Villagers complained that the police did not act promptly on their information. "The police didn't help us. My neighbours and media persons have helped me. Police came here, but they are not ready to take any action," said Hakim Singh, whose son is missing.The police have launched an investigation, said G.S. Sirohi, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Etawah. (ANI)

Allahabad HC judge's observation over Gita sparks controversy

Wednesday, September 12, 2007 | MP
Allahabad, Sept 11 (ANI): An observation by Justice S N Srivastava of Allahabad High Court that it is the duty of the State to recognise the Bhagvad Gita as 'rashtriya dharma shastra' (national religious doctrine) has sparked a controversy.The constitutional circuits outraged by the statement said this dictum is against the Constitution."If we interpret Article 25 of the Constitution, then there is no scope of delivering such a judgement, saying a particular religious book can be a guiding force or be accepted as a national religious doctrine. This dictum is against the principles of Article 25 of the Constitution and also the promise of secularism in the Preamble of the Constitution," said F M A Kazmi, a legal luminary.However, some lawyers have welcomed the ruling, saying the Gita truly represents the unity amidst diversity of India."Our honourable judge observed that the Bhagwad Gita is a religious doctrine of the humanity as a whole. There is no discrimination in the book. It is not a book of a community or a caste but of everyone. It is a book representing unity," said I. N. Singh, an advocate.While hearing a case of dispute over a temple on August 30, Justice Srivastava passed an order that "it is the duty of every citizen of India under Article 51-A of the Constitution - irrespective of caste, creed or religion - to follow the dharma propounded by the Bhagvad Gita".Giving this ruling on a writ petition by S R Mukherjee, Justice Srivastava said the Gita was a "dharma shastra" of India. His argument being that if India can have a National Flag and National Anthem, Bhagvad Gita can also be considered as national 'dharma shastra' (religious doctrine).The Bhagwad Gita is a Sanskrit text, part of epic Mahabharat. It is a conversation between Lord Krishna and warrior prince Arjuna in the battlefield, prior to the start of a climactic war.Justice Srivastava had stirred a furore earlier this year, when he ruled that Muslims were not a minority group in the State and educational institutions run by them were not entitled to benefits. (ANI)

Mayawati suspends 12 top UP police officials

Wednesday, September 12, 2007 | MP
Lucknow, Sept 11 (ANI): The Mayawati-led Government in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday suspended 12 top police officials for their involvement in State's police recruitment scandal during the previous Mulayam Singh Yadav regime.Among the senior IPS officers suspended are eight Director General of Police (DIG) and two Inspector General (IG).Besides, the State Government has cancelled recruitment of 6,504 police constables.The government has also decided to lodge FIRs against the IPS officers and 18 ASP rank officials and 40 circle officers.The Government has taken action based on the inquiry report submitted by a committee headed by Additional Director General Shailja Kant Misra about the irregularities in the recruitment of around 22,000 by 14 out of 55 recruitment boards.The recruitments were reportedly made during 2005-06 Addressing a press conference, Principal Secretary (Home) J N Chamber and State's Director General of Police Vikram Singh said the inquiry into recruitment by the remaining 41 boards would be completed by September 30. (ANI)

Water logging spurts Encephalitis cases in UP

Tuesday, September 11, 2007 | MP
Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh), Sept. 11 (ANI): Fresh cases of Japanese Encephalitis have been reported in Uttar Pradesh, pushing the death toll up to 98.The latest spurt follows incessant monsoon rains in the region. Water logging has created a major sanitation problem in small towns and villages.Several residential areas around Gorakhpur remain submerged weeks after the last substantive shower. "Our children are coming down with all sorts of diseases. Their fever is not going away. There is no visible way the water can drain out," said Rajendra Singh, a resident. Hospitals are full of Encephalitis patients, mostly children, from the region and Nepal."The doctors say all these children are suffering from the same disease. My son’s condition is still serious. He has been unconscious for four days now," said Kanhaiya Prasad, a father. A health official said pig sties have been identified as a major source for the spread of the disease. "The pig sties cannot be removed. Our department, however, is fogging and spraying them with the required chemicals," said R.K. Gupta, Additional Director, Health, Gorakhpur. Last year, Encephalitis killed over a thousand people in Uttar Pradesh.Since January 2007, over 200 have died across India, with Uttar Pradesh and Assam accounting for a bulk of the cases.The disease is caused by a virus spread by mosquitoes and affects the brain. Symptoms include high fever, severe headaches and convulsions and can lead to paralysis, coma and death.According to health officials, Japanese Encephalitis has a fatality rate of between 30 and 60 percent. But many who survive are physically or mentally handicapped because of damage to the brain and other parts of the nervous system. (ANI)

Security beefed up in Allahabad following students' protest

Sunday, September 9, 2007 | MP
Allahabad (UP), Sept 9 (ANI): Security has been tightened in Allahabad in the wake of students going on a rampage to protest a ban on university elections.Large number of police force has been deployed in the University area and near the hostel campuses to prevent occurrence of any untoward incident.On Friday, the State Government led by Chief Minister Mayawati ordered a ban on students' union elections in all state universities and colleges affiliated to them.The ban was justified by the Chief Minister who said that it was done to improve the educational atmosphere on campuses, since elections disrupt the academic atmosphere in colleges.However, disgruntled with the move, agitated students took out protest demonstrations and set ablaze two state-run passenger buses on Saturday to vent their anger against the move.Students, however, said elections to college unions are their legitimate right, and blamed the police for triggering violence."Police and the state chief have accused us (students union) of behaving as 'goondas' facilitating 'goondaraj', rule of the goons whereas the students are being subjected to police highhandedness. We are protesting against the ban to hold student election, elections are legitimate," said Ajay Singh, a student leader.Police has arrested more than a dozen agitating students.A conductor of the torched bus had a near escape when some students torched it.Recounting the horror, the bus conductor, Indramani Mishra, said: " They (the students) did not say anything. Four to five boys got into the bus carrying bottles of some liquid, maybe kerosene or petrol and set it ablaze." In 2006 the a university in the State capital, Lucknow, was embroiled in student protests over implementation of the report of a panel appointed by the Supreme Court of India, which spelled out specific guidelines for holding and contesting elections to student bodies in universities. (ANI)

Uttar Pradesh runaway couple shows size doesn't matter when it comes to love

Friday, September 7, 2007 | MP
By Girish Kumar Dubey Ghorwal (Sonbhadra) Uttar Pradesh, Sept.6 (ANI): Standing barely two feet and seven inches, Kallu eloped with his heartthrob Dhanpati, almost twice his height, and added an unforgettable chapter to their sweet memories of love. Residents of Imlia Village in Uttar Pradesh, Kallu and Dhanpati had to run away from their homes after Kallu’s father opposed their plans for marriage. Aged 24, both married at a family court in Ghorawal in Uttar Pradesh's Sonbhadra District. They met each other for the first time about four months ago while working at a construction site. Kallu said: "We had been meeting each other for the past couple of months and after that we thought of getting married. We decided to get married in court and did it. We are very happy now." Veer Kisan Yadav, the head of Imlia Village, ensured safe passage for the couple to the family court. Vir Kisan Yadav said: "We decided to go with him (Kallu) for his wedding," The sub-divisional magistrate of Ghorawal Tehsil S.P. Rai termed it as a very interesting marriage because the girl wished to get into the wedlock with someone much shorter than her. (ANI)

Alleged Lucknow rapist lynched by mob

Wednesday, September 5, 2007 | MP
Lucknow, Sept 4 (ANI): A rape accused, who was on bail, was lynched by an angry mob in Lucknow’s downtown locality after his neighbours found the dead body of a three-year old child in his room who had gone missing.Shiv Mohan, died at a city hospital where he was brought today morning after people of his locality lynched him. The mother of the deceased two and half-year-old girl child today received a call at around 0830 IST where she was assured by the caller that her child would reach home by 1000 IST.However, the neighbours got suspicious.On tracking the call, it was found that the caller was Mohan who had made the call from a local PCO. The neighbours raided his house and found the baby wrapped in a cloth with her throat slit.“Villagers located him, and the body was soon recovered. Angry villagers then beat him up. Shiv Mohan succumbed to injuries,” said Inspector General of Lucknow Zone, Arvind Jain.The body of the child has been sent for the post mortem and test will be conducted to find whether the child was raped by Mohan. “Whether the girl was raped or not is not yet clear. We are waiting for the post-mortem report,'' Jain added. Shocked people of Wazirganj locality are finding it difficult to believe that one of their neighbours had done this gruesome act of “raping and killing” the small child. ''He used to take my child for outings and bring her sweets. We never thought that our neighbour would do this to us,'' said the mother of the victim. (ANI)

Miniature Guru Granth Sahib in Agra draws awe-struck believers

Tuesday, September 4, 2007 | MP
Agra, Sept. 4 (ANI): It is unbelievable. The holy book of the Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib, is just an inch long, and this is drawing awe-struck believers to Agra’s Gurdwara Maithan. "We have Guru Granth Sahib of 1 x 1 inches long. The holy book was specially made by the British for the convenience of Sikh soldiers during World War I, as they could not carry a normal sized book in the battlefield to pray. It was manufactured in Germany," said Kashmir Singh, the head cleric of Gurudwara Maithan. The book was handed over to the shrine by a lady in Goa some fifteen years ago."This Guru Granth Sahib has been here for the past 15 years. All devotees, who come here, pray to the book and take its blessing," said Daljit Singh, a devotee.The Sikhs belief that the book contains the actual words spoken by Sikh Gurus and saints from other religions. The Sikh religion originated with Guru Nanak (1469- 1539 AD), who was succeeded by nine other prophets, Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708 AD) being the last. (ANI)

Muslims in Varanasi design crowns for Hindu deities

Tuesday, September 4, 2007 | MP
Varanasi, Sept 4 (ANI): Islam may treat idol worship as a sin against the prophet, but Muslim artisans in Varanasi see the making of crowns for Hindu deities as a labour of love.The crown making business starts ahead of Janmasthami, the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna.Idols are normally made of clay, but Hindus and Muslims work together to adorn it."The stitching and designing of a crown is done by Muslims, whereas the finishing and the selling of crowns is done by Hindus. 50-50 work is shared by both Hindus and Muslims," said Krishna Prasad Mahendra, a crown exporter.About 20,000 Muslim families depend on crown making for their livelihood."There is no difference between our religion and their (Hindus) religion. All the religions are one and there is greatness in oneness," said Sayeed Ansari, a crown maker.The crowns are made in various sizes ranging from 22 to 50 inches, depending on the size of the idols, some of which are embedded with stones and semi- precious jewels.These crowns are then sent to Vrindavan, Mathura, Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Surat and Ahmedabad.Varanasi’s artisans tame the demon of communalism by promoting brotherhood and harmony. (ANI)

BSP wrests two Assembly seats from rival SP

Monday, September 3, 2007 | MP
Lucknow, Sept 3 (ANI): The good electoral days for Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) have not worn off as the party continued its winning streak today by wresting two assembly seats from arch rival Samajwadi Party (SP).In the three assembly seats that went to polls on Friday, BSP won two assembly seats- Farrukhabad and Swar Tanda, while SP managed to retain Gunnaur assembly seat, which was vacated by SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav as he had also won from Bharthana during the recent Assembly elections.Samajwadi Party, which lost power in the last Assembly elections, had more bad news as the party not only lost the two seats to BSP but also failed to take the second position in the votes polled.State Health Minister Anant Kumar Mishra, representing the BSP won the Farrukhabad seat defeating his nearest Congress rival Vijai Singh by over 14,500 votes.In Swar Tanda Assembly seat, BSP candidate Kazim Ali Khan, who left SP to join Mayawati's party, defeated his nearest BJP rival by over 49,000 votes.The only consolation for the SP was its candidate, Pradeep Yadav, winning the Gunnaur assembly seat.He defeated his nearest BSP rival by 13, 500 votes. (ANI)

Mathura, Vrindavan ready for Janmashtami festivities

Monday, September 3, 2007 | MP
Agra, Sep.3 (ANI): A large number of Hindus devotees are gathering at Vrindavan and Mathura on the occasion of “Janmashtami”, the birthday of Lord Krishna on Wednesday. Vrindavan , in the Mathura District of Uttar Pradesh, is about 15 kilometres away from Mathura city. All Krishna temples are being decorated, with ardent devotees visiting the main temples People in Vrindavan have been busy for the last many days preparing special dress and ornaments to be sent to far off places. They have been receiving orders from abroad too. Minnilal Sharma, a dress-designing artist, said: “Ahead of Janmashtami master dress designers or artists are engaged to attend to the orders from abroad. It remains the busiest time of the year for us.”Amidst preparations, the echoes of religious hymns and chants of Mahamantra—Hare Rama Hare Krishna—have filled the air. Vrindavan is visited by a large number of pilgrims throughout the year by devotees who profess a number of religious traditions such as Gaudiya Vaishnavism and Vaishnavism, and Hinduism in general.The place houses around 5,000 temples many of them centuries old.In Mathura, there is a high demand for colourful, little-sized dresses for Lord Krishna idols, as devotees like dressing up idols with embroidered colourful dresses and ornaments. Krishna is said to have spent a long time in Rasleela (fun n frolic) activities with His beloved Radha and Gopis (cowherd girls) as a friend. Jagdish Sharma, a local resident, said: "We, the Brijwasis (or, people of Brij region) consider Krishna, a friend and a child. This is the main difference between “Janmashtami” being celebrated here.”Sharma said: “On Krishna’s birthday, we bathe him, decorate him and adorn hi statutes with beautiful jewels and new clothes like a child of our family. That’s why everyone here is busy making Radha-Krishna idols and clothes to adorn them." Many artists prepare Krishna idols of different materials and swings (used for a newborn to sleep). Popular artist Vishnu Prasad is adept at preparing alloy idols of Krishna, prepares “Ladoo Gopal”, the child Krishna who relishes sweets. He prepares only alloy idols of Krishna through out the year. Vishnu Prasad says: For me the ability to prepare Shri Krishna’s statue as “Ladoo Gopal” is that ultimate joy what I feel is nothing less than Lord’s special blessing on me.” (ANI)

Agra footwear industry facing Chinese heat

Monday, September 3, 2007 | MP
Agra, Sep 2 (ANI): Agra, known for Taj Mahal world over, has an enormous leather industry, catering to the huge demand of footwear in the country for decades. But the industry is today witnessing perhaps the toughest time since its existence, due to challenge posed by Chinese footwear. A large number of people related to the local footwear industry for generations today fear closure of the factories due to dumping of the Chinese footwear here. The local workers associated with factories say that the imported Chinese products have triggered a cut-throat competition in local markets with buyers being inclined for Chinese products. Vijendra Singh, a worker, said: "We are finding it hard to the beat Chinese products. Earlier, we used to work the whole year, but now we are left with just two-and-a-half months of work. Thousands of people are involved with this work and have sleepless nights due to this." The Chinese goods are relatively cheap and thus have been able to badly-affect the market for Indian footwear. The footwear industry here was showing impressive growth until the arrival of low-cost Chinese footwear in the market. Indian footwear industry is labour intensive and is concentrated in the small and cottage industry sectors. Cottage industry authorities say the industry needs immediate government intervention before it is thoroughly ruined.Dharmendra Soni, Treasurer of the Small Scale Shoe Factory in Agra, said: “The workers here come from far off places and facing the brunt of it (Chinese goods). Things have changed and making it tough to arrange daily meal due to loss of work.” Agra’s cottage, small scale and medium scale footwear units manufacture over 1.5 lakh pairs of shoes every day. There about 60 organised footwear units, 3,000 tiny manufacturing units and about 30,000 household artisans units. There are a large number of ancillary industries, supporting footwear industries in Agra. About 65 per cent of the total domestic requirement of shoes in the country is fulfilled from Agra.There are around 70 export units in Agra in which two golden cards holders and three silver cardholders units. Total export turnover stands at about Rs. 450 crore.The footwear industry is a significant segment of the leather industry in India, which has brought considerable export revenues and officials hope to take it to the four billion dollars mark by 2010. (ANI)

'Tense' Allahabad limps back to normalcy

Monday, September 3, 2007 | MP
Allahabad (UP), Sep 2 (ANI): Curfew was relaxed today in Allahabad, which witnessed large scale rioting over alleged desecration of Koran on Saturday.Scores of Muslims in Allahabad went on rampage on Saturday, pelting stones and destroying public property in the communally sensitive town after they found a torn and damaged Koran in a mosque.Police were forced to place certain areas under curfew to curb large-scale vandalism.With tempers ebbing on Sunday, police lifted curfew in certain areas for two hours for locals to buy their daily essentials. The two-hour relaxation saw hundreds of people queuing up outside chemist shops, milk shops and vegetable vendors.Police said no untoward incident was reported during the relaxation of curfew and a further two-hour relaxation would be given in other areas."Overall the relief (from curfew) was peaceful. People brought the things according to their requirements and we have not heard of any untoward incident," said I.K.D. Trivedi, Inspector General of Police, Allahabad.However, the sudden violent incident and the curfew that followed made life harsh for people. Locals complained that curfew had made their daily life difficult. "We were locked up inside our homes. None could buy anything, be it milk or vegetables," said A Prasad, adding, " We do not always have things at home; we buy it everyday from the market." Additional forces have been deployed to prevent another flare up. A strong posse of security personnel, including PAC officers, policemen and the Rapid Action Force, have been deployed in the tense areas.The curfew was clamped in Kareli, Shahganj, Khuldabad, Kotwali and some parts of Dhoomanganj, areas of the town.Meanwhile, the District Magistrate and the leaders of social organisations have appealed to people to maintain peace, and not be misled by rumours. (ANI)

Security forces carry out safety drills in tense Allahabad

Sunday, September 2, 2007 | MP
Allahabad, Sep 1 (ANI): Security forces on Saturday carried out safety drills in Allahabad after a Muslim mob resorted to vandalism over the alleged desecration of the Quran.Police had placed certain quarters of Allahabad under curfew on Friday after scores of Muslims went on rampage, pelting stones at others in the communally-sensitive town after they found a torn and damaged Quran inside a mosque.On Saturday morning, the police carried out a safety drill in the curfew-imposed areas to infuse a sense of security among residents.Additional forces had to be deployed to prevent another flare up. A strong posse of security personnel, including PAC officers, policemen and the Rapid Action Force, have been deployed in the tense areas."We are just trying to ensure that anti-social elements do not take advantage of the situation. The curfew will be relaxed as the situation gets back to normal. We are trying that it happens as early as possible," said Ashish Goel, District Magistrate of Allahabad. The violence spread to other areas of the city and curfew was later imposed in Kareli, Shahganj, Khuldabad, Kotwali and some parts of Dhoomanganj.Meanwhile, the District Magistrate and the leaders of social organisations have appealed to people to maintain peace and not be misled by rumours. (ANI)

Curfew in Allahabad following 'desecration' of Koran

Sunday, September 2, 2007 | MP
Allahabad, Sep 1 (ANI): Curfew has been imposed in five police station areas of Allahabad after a Muslim mob indulged in acts of vandalism over the alleged ‘desecration’ of the Koran. The five areas under curfew are Kareli, Khuldabad, Shahaganj, Atarsuiya and Kotwali. Troubled started at the Kareli Police Station area last night where Koran was allegedly found desecrated inside a place of worship. As news of the desecration spread, angry mob surrounded the police station and pelted it with stones. Several policemen were injured in the incident. Police had to resort to a baton charge and opened fire in the air to bring the situation under control. "We fired shots in the air. We have so far not received any reports of any injured due to this,” said K. S. Pratap, Acting Senior Superintendent of Police, Allahabad. "Some people tried to disrupt the peace. But, the situation is now under control," said Ashish Goyal, District Collector. The Rapid Action Force has been deployed in the area to prevent untoward incidents. Additional security personnel from other districts have also been requisitioned. Educational institutions are closed for the day as a precautionary measure. (ANI)

Encephalitis strikes UP again; claims 80 lives

Saturday, September 1, 2007 | MP
Gorakhpur, Aug 31 (ANI): Japanese Encephalitis has once again surfaced in Uttar Pradesh, claiming over 80 lives following heavy flooding after monsoon rains in recent months. The paediatrics ward of the state-run B.R.D. Medical College in Gorakhpur is teeming with children hit by encephalitis, as doctors grappled to fight the spread of the disease. Over 500 patients suffering from the virus have been admitted to the local hospital. "There are more than 500 patients suffering from encephalitis admitted here…because of the rains there is an increase in the number of cases…I think at least 80 children have died of the disease," said K. P. Kushwaha, a paediatrician at the B.R.D. Medical College. Officials said of the cases received so far, 21 were of Japanese Encephalitis, which has claimed five lives. The hospital is struggling to cope with the outbreak, as many of the patients are in a semi-comatose state or in coma. Jokhan Prasad, whose son is admitted to the hospital, said he feared for his child's life. "I am afraid because something might happen to my child. So, there is always this heavy feeling of fear, as two to four children are dying everyday. Just a while back one more child died," he said. The virus is widely prevalent in the eastern belt of Uttar Pradesh and in the border areas of eastern Bihar. In the last few years, it has assumed epidemic proportions. The first symptoms of the virus are severe headache, followed by unconsciousness. (ANI)

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