27 logs seized by SSB

27 logs seized by SSB

From a Correspondent

GOSSAIGAON, Feb 14: On an intelligence report the 31st Bn of SSB, Gossaigaon sent a patrolling party around 11.00 am and raided a village Damrugaon (Border Area), Kachugaon forest under Gossaigaon subdivision and seized illegal logs, yesterday. The logs were being stored in the place for the last few days and smugglers were preparing to supply it. 20 logs having market value of around rupees four lakhs were seized from the village. Simultaneously, another patrolling team of the SSB at around 3.00 pm raided the village Nabin Nagar, Takampur under Gossaigaon subdivision and seized another seven logs of Sal which were having market value of Rs 60,000. The seized logs have been handed over to the Kachugaon Range Office.

Centre mulling Rs 1cr reward for Pune blast clues

NEW DELHI: The Centre is mulling a reward of Rs one crore to anyone who gives clues about terrorists who may have planted the bomb in the German Bakery, a favourite eating joint of foreigners.

Top Home Ministry officials said the reward proposal is being considered at the highest level and may take a decision in favour of it soon.

"If we declare the reward, we will tell the people that whoever shares any information about the perpetrators of the blast, his or her identity would be protected. We would not even ask his name but give the reward. But information has to be correct," an official said.

The move is being considered in the light of investigators still groping for vital clues about the terrorists behind the powerful blasts.

PTI

Centre to review security for upcoming sports events

STAFF WRITER 17:32 HRS IST

New Delhi, Feb 15 (PTI) The Centre has decided to review the security arrangements for four major sporting events, including the Commonwealth Games, to be held in India this year in wake of the Pune blast, the first major terror attack in the country in 14 months.

The decision to review the already elaborate security arrangements for the World Cup Hockey beginning February 28, the Commonwealth Games, besides the Indian Premier League was taken as a result of the blast in the German Bakery in Pune's posh Koregaon Park, which killed nine people.

Home Ministry sources said the main concern is over World Hockey Championship as any terror incident in the run up to the event may lead to withdrawal of participating nations.

Home Secretary Gopal K Pillai said the government has put in place a very elaborate arrangement for the tournament.

Trial of Kasab to resume on Feb 20 for arguments

STAFF WRITER 15:48 HRS IST

Mumbai, Feb 15 (PTI) The trial of Pakistani gunman Ajmal Kasab and two Indians in the 26/11 terror attack case has entered a crucial phase with the prosecution and defence lawyers gearing up to submit arguments on February 20.

The court would assemble this weekend, nearly a month after it concluded recording of evidence.

Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam and Kasab's lawyer K P Pawar said they were ready to put forth their arguments. So also, the lawyer of co-accused Sabauddin Ahmed, Ejaz Naqvi, is all set to argue the case of his client.

However, the sudden killing of advocate Shahid Azmi, who represented co-accused Faheem Ansari, is likely to defer the arguments as Ansari would have to engage another lawyer who will have to go through the entire evidence which is time consuming.

Azmi was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in his suburban Kurla office last week.

Eight killed, 14 wounded in mishap in Tamil Nadu

STAFF WRITER 16:32 HRS IST

Theni (TN), Feb 15 (PTI) Eight women were killed and 14 injured when the van in which they were taking the body of a suicide victim, collided with a gravel-laden lorry while overtaking near here today.

Police said they were taking the body of Prabhu (27), who died after consuming poison last night, at the Government Medical College Hospital, 12 km from here, to Devathanapatti, the victim's native place.

The injured were also women.

All the victims were travelling in the van, police said.

Police said the overloaded van rolled over several times due to the impact. The driver of the van is absconding, they said.

Inflation rises to 8.56 per cent in January this year

TAFF WRITER 12:34 HRS IST

New Delhi, Feb 15 (PTI) Wholesale price-based inflation rose to 8.56 per cent in January, shooting past the RBI's forecast of 8.5 per cent for this fiscal end, as food items such as sugar, potatoes and pulses turned costlier.

Overall inflation in December was 7.31 per cent.

Sugar prices rose by 58.96 per cent in January year-on-year while potatoes turned costlier by 53.39 per cent and pulses by 45.64 per cent.

On monthly basis, prices of masur increased by 9 per cent, arhar by 6 per cent and wheat by 4 per cent.

Fuel index rose by 1.8 per cent due to higher prices of naphtha that rose 21 per cent. Furnace oil rose 6 per cent while bitumen, non-coking coal and light diesel oil rose 3 per cent each.

To tame inflation, the RBI, in its quarterly monetary review, had asked banks to keep aside more cash with them.