Top India News Stories of 22nd October 2008

Daily news summary

Lok Sabha adjourned for 3rd consecutive day over food quota for Kerala, Raj issue
For the 3rd consecutive day, the speaker Somnath Chatterjee had to adjourn the Lok Sabha over demands by Left MPs for adequate foodgrain quota and electricity supply for Kerala, besides Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) asking for action against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray. The speaker asked CPI-M leader from Kerala A.P. Abdullakutty to leave the house and suspended him for the day as he raised a protest placard in the house. Left MPs held protest outside the house before the beginning of the session and condemned the negligence of the central government towards Kerala.

SC rejects archbishop’s CBI probe plea into nun rape case
A bench of Chief Justice of Supreme Court KG Balakrishnan has rejected the Cuttack’s archbishop plea for a CBI probe into a nun’s rape in Kandhamal district of Orissa. The Court has also asked the government to provide compensation for burnt houses and churches. According to the SC, the government should take this ‘generous step’ despite the policy of secularism preventing the state to give monetary aid to any place of worship. Orissa has witnessed a surge in anti-Christian violence after the killing of VHP leader and his four aides allegedly by Maoists. The apex court also directed the state government to "set up fast-track courts" to decide the cases of communal violence, and further asked the central government to keep the paramilitary forces in the state till December.

Maharashtra DGP, chief secretary get NHRC notice
Taking suo-motu cognizance of attacks on north Indians by the supporters of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) led by Raj Thackeray, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to Maharashtra's director general of police (DGP) and chief secretary and asked to explain their stand on the issue in two weeks. NHRC has also taken notice of Raj Thackeray's row with the Bachchan family. The commission in its notice has observed that various hate speeches by MNS chief if true, raise serious issue of violation of human rights of the citizens of the country.

Trains set ablaze, public property damaged in Bihar to protest MNS attack
At least three trains were set ablaze and public property damaged in several parts of Bihar by angry mobs in protest against assaults on Biharis by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) activists in Maharashtra. The police said the protesters targeted Patna, Jehanabad, Barh, Khusrupur, Fatuha, Saharsa, Ara, Sasaram, Purnia and Bhagalpur railway stations. Protestors on the rampage vandalized the Saharsa, Fatuha and Ara railway stations, and broke glass panes of windows of government offices at different places. Meanwhile, as many as 14 long-distance trains were cancelled by the Eastern Railway (ER) today after violence in Bihar.

Now, Narayana Hrudayalaya to set up medical college in Gujarat
Bangalore-based Narayana Hrudayalaya hospital has decided set up a medical college at Ahmedabad in Gujarat at an investment of Rs.2.5 billion. The project includes a 1,500-bed hospital. “We are working on the project and focusing on getting necessary approvals,” said Chandil Kumar, medical administrator of Narayana Hrudayalaya.

Tamil Nadu withdraws levy on extra electricity consumption
The Tamil Nadu government withdrew, within 48 hours of the announcement, a controversial order levying 50 percent extra fees on households consuming over 600 units of electricity during every bi-monthly billing cycle. The move was withdrawn following protest from opposition. The government had also announced power cuts lasting four hours in cities for households, about eight hours in rural areas and industrial hubs. Leader of Opposition J. Jayalalitha, the Left, Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S. Ramadoss and actors-turned politicians Vijaykanth and Sarath Kumar slammed the move saying it would bring industrial production to a grinding halt and cause untold misery to households. Jayalalitha also said that the government was trying to cover up the electricity board, which was running huge losses, by using the alibi of power shortage in the state.

Unidentified miscreants set church afire in Madhya Pradesh
In an yet another incident of hate campaign against Christians, unidentified miscreants today set fire to a Catholic church in Madhya Pradesh. Anti-Christian violence has marred parts of India in the past two months. "It appears the church was set on fire early in the morning after pouring kerosene or some other inflammable substance," a police official said. Police have registered a case. "We have ordered a high level enquiry to probe the matter and also identified all the churches in the district for the purpose of providing security," Sushanti Saxena, Tikamgarh police superintendent said. The incident is being seen by Christians as an attempt to target the community ahead of the November assembly polls.

3 killed in landmine explosion in West Bengal
Three people were killed in a landmine explosion in West Bengal's West Midnapore district. Those killed included a doctor and a nurse The blast took place near a forested area of Belpahari village, about 250 km from Kolkata. The victims were traveling in their vehicle when it was blown up by a landmine around 3 pm today. "It seems that the blast was planned and executed by the Maoists. But we have to complete our investigation before arriving at a definite conclusion. No one has been arrested so far," Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Raj Kanojia said.

Come polls, it’s feasting time for displaced tribals in Chhattisgarh
With the announcement of polls, it’s been a feast for the thousands of displaced tribal families. With an eye on the vote bank, politicians are vying with each other to provide the tribals with their favourite food 'bakra bhat' (mutton rice). The estimated 20,000 voters in the camp will play a deciding role in three constituencies of Konta, Bijapur and Dantewada. Dozens of politicians from Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, Communist Party of India, besides several Salwa Judum planning to contest as independents or having contracts for ensuring votes for a particular leader have been booking feasts for the tribals. The elections for the 90-member assembly will be held in two phases. Polls for 39 seats will be held on Nov 14, and the rest on Nov 20.

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