National Democratic Front of Bodoland Expels founder For Assam blast

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Guwahati: The frontline Assam tribal separatist group National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) on Thursday expelled its founder president D R Nabla alias Ranjan Daimary for his role in the serial explosions in Assam in October which killed nearly 100 people.

The decision by the outlawed NDFB to expel its former president follows a confessional statement by arrested rebel leader Ajay Basumatary that the serial explosions October 30 in Assam were masterminded by Nabla.

"We are shocked and surprised that D R Nabla was directly involved in the series of explosions. The NDFB, therefore, unanimously decided to expel Nabla from the outfit as a disciplinary action," B Sungthagra, the new president of the NDFB, said in a statement.

"The act (serial explosions) is undoubtedly an act of terrorism and can never be part of a revolutionary struggle," the rebel statement said.

The NDFB replaced its Bangladesh-based president last month with a new leader and announced its decision to contest next year's parliamentary elections either 'directly or indirectly'.

The NDFB general assembly that met Dec 15, 2008 replaced its founder president Nabla and appointed his deputy Sungthagra alias Dhiren Boro as their leader.

The NDFB is a rebel group fighting for an independent homeland for the Bodo tribe with the outfit in a ceasefire with New Delhi since 2005. The ceasefire expired Wednesday but the central government is yet to extend it.

Home Minister P Chidambaram told journalists in New Delhi on Wednesday that the ceasefire extension with the NDFB would depend on the report of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) currently probing the Assam bombings.

"We have asked the central government not to extend the ceasefire with the NDFB," said Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Thursday.

Nabla last week claimed he was still the president of the NDFB despite the outfit's national assembly deciding to remove him from the post.

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P Chidambaram chairs first MAC meet, discusses modalities

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New Delhi: Home Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday chaired the first meeting of the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC), which has been given the legal backing for exchanging intelligence inputs among all intelligence agencies including that of the states.

He discussed with the chiefs of IB, RAW and Military Intelligence (MI) and other senior officials the modalities of the MAC related to the functions, powers and duties, which the Centre, established in the Intelligence Bureau, will now take up.

The meeting comes a day after an executive order was issued, under which the MAC is obliged to share intelligence with all other intelligence agencies, including agencies of the state governments and the Union Territories.

Chidambaram had yesterday said that there would be a "distinct improvement" in the gathering and sharing of intelligence relating to terrorism, terror threats and terror offences.

"The MAC, as the nodal centre on all intelligence relating to terrorism, has not been able to fully achieve its objectives. Hence, it was decided that a legal colour be given to the order establishing MAC," Chidambaram had said during his maiden press conference yesterday.

Subsidiaries of MAC have already been established in many state capitals and in due course these would be set up in every state capital.

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Egypt refuses full opening of Gaza crossing

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CAIRO: The Egyptian president says his country will not fully open its crossing into the Gaza Strip unless Mahmoud Abbas' Palestinian Authority is in control of the border post.

The speech Tuesday from Hosni Mubarak came despite criticism of Egypt in the Arab world over its refusal over the past year to open the Rafah crossing, which has helped complete an Israeli blockade of the territory.

Since Israel's offensive in Gaza began Saturday, Egypt has allowed some wounded to cross from Gaza for treatment and some humanitarian supplies to enter the territory.

But Egypt resists dealing with the Islamic militant Hamas because it opposes the militant group's 2007 takeover of the Gaza Strip and insists Abbas is the legitimate Palestinian leader.

Egypt, which has been blockading Gaza from its southern end, has come under pressure from the rest of the Arab world to reopen its border with the territory because of the Israeli campaign.

It has pried open the border to let in some of Gaza's wounded and to allow some humanitarian supplies to enter the territory. But it quickly sealed the border when Gazans tried to push through forcefully.

In a televised speech Tuesday, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak responded to critics, including the leader of the Lebanese militia Hezbollah, who have accused him of collaborating with Israel.

"We tell anybody who seeks political profits on the account of the Palestinian people: The Palestinian blood is not cheap," he said, describing such comments as "exploiting the blood of the Palestinians."

Mubarak said his country would not throw open the border crossing unless Abbas regains control of the border post. Mubarak has been rattled by the presence of a neighboring Islamic ministate in Gaza, fearing it would fuel more Islamic dissidence in Egypt.

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Iran says installed gas pipeline upto Pak Border

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ISLAMABAD: Tehran has said it has completed 18 percent of the work for the pipeline to bring gas from its South Pars field to the Iran-Pakistan border, adding that it will finalize the deal to sell gas to the neighboring country even if India walked out.

The statement was made by Iranian Minister of Energy Parviz Fattah who is leading a high level delegation of Iranian investors and heads of major power sector manufacturing companies during meetings with senior Pakistani officials.

The pipeline would initially carry 60 million cubic metres of gas daily to Pakistan and India, half for each country. The pipeline's capacity would later rise to 150 million cu metres.

Pakistan has yet to begin work on a 1,000 km (625 mile) stretch of the pipeline to link Iran with India.

Iran has the world's second-largest gas reserves after Russia. But sanctions, politics and construction delays have slowed its gas development, and analysts say Iran is unlikely to become a major exporter for a decade.

Fattah, stressing the need for enhancing bilateral cooperation, has also offered supply of more electricity to Pakistan to overcome energy crises.

He offered to export electricity from its port at Chabahar, which is nearest to Gwadar port where a power plant of 500 MW is being constructed by Iran and will be ready within next six months.

He said Iran is already supplying electricity to many countries including Syria, Tajikistan and Iraq and is keen to export the required electricity to Pakistan.

Iran also expressed its interest to build a dedicated 1000 MW Gas Power plant at Zahidan near Pakistan border for export of power to Pakistan.

The Iranian delegation was informed that the government will welcome such initiatives and will extend full cooperation and work out the modalities.

Pakistani officials said that government is interested to purchase more power transformers of various capacities from Iran with speedy delivery.

During visit both sides will discuss ways to promote investment in the power projects and import of 1000 MW electricity from Iran. The two countries will explore new opportunities for cooperation in power sector besides further strengthening their bilateral relations.

The Iranian minister and members of his delegation are holding meetings with representatives of various Pakistani bodies in power sector to discuss possibilities of investments with special focus on cooperation between private sectors of the two countries.

Several Iranian companies are interested in upgrading projects of transmission lines, investment in thermal and alternative energy projects and manufacture of power transformers and switch gears equipment along with transfer of technology.

Pakistan is currently importing 40 MW from Iran for coastal areas of Balochistan. The import of power is being enhanced by additional 100 MW for Gwadar port for which an agreement has already been signed.

The delegation informed that M/s. Sunir of Iran will construct the transmission line on both sides of the border for which negotiations on award of contract are in progress.

Both sides expressed interest and resolve to enhance bilateral cooperation and agreed on strict timeline and milestones to carry forward the already initiated projects in the shortest possible time.

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8 killed in Khyber military operation

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LANDIKOTAL: Security forces launched an operation against Taliban militants in the Khyber agency along the border with Afghanistan on Tuesday, shutting down NATO supply routes, ARY OneWorld reported.

Eight people -- two suspected Taliban militants and six civilians – reportedly died in the operation in the Khyber Agency that involved military helicopter gunships. The fighting was taking place near the town of Jamrud.

The Khyber Pass, a key transit link for NATO and U.S. military supplies from Pakistan to Afghanistan, has been closed as a result of the operation, said Tariq Hayat, Khyber's political agent. He said he didn't know when it would reopen.

Earlier this month, Taliban militants fired rockets at a supply terminal in Peshawar that sits along the route. The attack left two people dead, two others wounded and 12 trucks ablaze.

And last month, Pakistani officials suspended travel through the mountain pass, citing security concerns. They reversed their decision a day later.

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18 injured in Bangladesh in election day violence

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Eighteen people have been injured in election day violence in southwestern Bangladesh. The United News of Bangladesh agency reported Monday that clashes between supporters of rival candidates broke out in towns in Madaripur district, 72 km southwest of the capital of Dhaka. The fighting was the first report of violence as the country held its first election in seven years.

The much-anticipated poll is to restore democracy to this troubled nation after two years of emergency rule. Authorities have deployed 650,000 police officers and soldiers across the country to prevent violence and vote fraud in Muslim-majority Bangladesh, which has a history of military rule and political unrest.


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I had all the vision!

PPP led govt has no direction, no vision,
.... news zardeari says

Hundreds protest Gaza air strikes in Baghdad

thia news update by www.24hrsalert.blogspot.com
About 1,000 backers of Iraq's anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr are holding a protest against Israel's airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.

The demonstrators chanted and burned Israeli and American flags in the Monday gathering at a square in eastern Baghdad. A top aide to al-Sadr, Imam Abdul Hadi al-Mohammadawi, told the crowd that the whole world knows about ``the bloody history of Israel'' and the ``horrible crime'' they are committing in Gaza.

Separately, the party of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki issued a statement condemning the attacks and calling on Islamic countries to cut relations with Israel and end all ``secret and public talks'' with it.

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Saudi Imam urges attacks on Israel

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RIYADH (AFP) - A prominent Saudi Imam called in a fatwa on Sunday for attacks on Israelis everywhere in retaliation for the ongoing Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip.


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this news update by www.24hrsalert.blogspot.com

Mumbai: The identification parade of Mohammad Ajmal Amir Iman, the lone terrorist caught alive in the November 26 terror attack, continued for the second day on Sunday at the high security Arthur Road Jail where Ajmal was shifted on Saturday.

Officials of the Government Railway Police (GRP) and RPF visited the jail as witnesses to identify Ajmal.


In the wee hours yesterday, Ajmal was shifted from the lock-up at the Mumbai police headquarters in south Mumbai to the Arthur Road jail. According sources, the identification parade would be carried out over the next few days and around 33 witnesses have been lined up by the Mumbai crime branch against Ajmal.

The process would be conducted in the presence of a magistrate. Police officials said officers who had intercepted Ajmal and his slain partner Ismail Khan at Girgaum Chowpatty and officials from Cama hospital that was also attacked by the duo visited the jail yesterday.

Police constable Arun Kumar Jadhav, who was the only one to survive the ambush that killed three senior police officials including ATS chief Hemant Karkare, will be one of the prime witnesses.

Another witness in the case is Maruti Madhavrao Phad, a government driver who witnessed the terrorists firing at the three police officers.

S R Arasa, the owner of the Skoda car which was hijacked by the duo will also be called for the identification parade.

Last Wednesday, Ajmal was remanded to police custody till January 6.

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Governor Punjab Salman Taseer meets Chaudhry brothers

this news update by www.thearynews.com
LAHORE: Governor Punjab Salman Taseer met leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League–Q Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Chaudhry Pervaiz Ilahi and Chaudhry Monis Ilahi at their residence here on Sunday.

In the meeting the leaders discussed the political situation of the province; the political circles are giving importance to the meeting in the wake of current political situation.

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Suicide blast Near Colombo 8 killed

this news update by www.breakingalert.blogspot.com
A Tamil Tiger suicide bomber killed seven security personnel and a civilian at a base just outside Sri Lanka's capital on Sunday as troops mounted pressure on the rebels in the north, officials said. The male bomber infiltrated the base of the Civil Defence Force near a market in Wattala, a suburb of the capital Colombo, a police official at the scene said. "The suicide bomber managed to get through the first checkpoint and stage the bombing inside the CDF detachment," the officer said. "An officer and four men were killed on the spot." The wounded were taken to the main hospital in Colombo as well as a nearby medical facility, doctors said. Twenty people were taken to hospital, of whom three were dead on arrival.

Several vehicles at the nearby market had their windscreens shattered. Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said military reinforcements were rushed to the area to step up security and help with the investigations. It was the first attack near the capital since the Tigers were blamed for an abortive bombing against a government minister in early October when two bystanders were killed.

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Barack Obama, Rice discuss Gaza strikes

this news update by www.24hrsalert.blogspot.com
President-elect Barack Obama spoke with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Saturday about the violence in Gaza, which has left as many as 225 people dead, two transition aides told media. "The president-elect appreciated the call and the information from Secretary Rice," one aide said, adding that Obama initiated the eight-minute phone call. "He will continue to closely monitor these and other global events." Israeli airstrikes pounded targets in Hamas-ruled Gaza on Saturday and continued into the night, retaliating against Palestinian militants who have been escalating rocket attacks against southern Israel.

The fighting sparked eight days after a six-month Egypt-brokered cease-fire between Hamas and Israel expired. Obama has pledged to make Middle East peace a priority from the beginning of his presidency. Arabs are calling for a more even-handed approach than the Bush administration, but Israel is expecting Obama to stay true to the pro-Israel posture he showed during the campaign. But one analyst of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict cautioned against putting "dangerously high" expectations on the incoming administration.

"I think the tone of American politics will change: You're going to get a serious effort on behalf of the new administration," said Aaron David Miller, a public policy scholar at the Washington-based Woodrow Wilson International Center and a former adviser to six secretaries of state on Arab-Israeli relations. But, he told, "the fact is that unless the Israelis and Palestinians are prepared -- which they're not right now -- to take the political decisions required to overcome the gaps and to sell an agreement to their respective constituents, there's not much a new president, no matter how bold or charismatic he may be, is going to be able to do about that."

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Death toll in Israel air strike mounts to 230, over 700 injured

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As instructed by its political leadership, the Israeli army continued its military offensive against the Gaza Strip and shelled further targets raising the number of deaths among the residents to 230, and at least 700 residents were wounded, dozens seriously. The Qatar-based news Agency said that the simultaneous and ongoing Israeli strikes also targeted a mosque, the Palestinian Ministry of Detainees, and dozens of civilian homes and facilities. At least 40 security centers were simultaneously hit; some centers were repeatedly hit which increased the number of casualties as the residents and medics rushed to evacuate the wounded and the casualties before the Israeli force struck the same targets again AL Shifa hospital in Gaza, the main hospital in central Gaza, is overloaded with killed and wounded residents.


Dr. Hasan Khalaf, head of the hospital, said that the hospital had to use some ordinary rooms as primitive intensive care units due to the large number of injuries. Dr. Khalaf added that dozens of families were hit, members of the same family killed and wounded after the army shelled their homes. Dozens of children were also wounded as the shelling was carried out as school children were heading back home from school. In the west Bank thousands of residents marched in the streets calling for unity and demanding Arab countries to interfere and calling for ending talks with Israel. President Mahmoud Abbas contacted several Arab leaders asking them to intervene immediately and stop the Israeli assaults.

Also in the West Bank, the army violently attacked hundreds of protesters in villages and towns in east Jerusalem, Ramallah, Hebron and several other Palestinian areas. Arab leaders and Arab residents of Israel also took off to the streets protesting against the ongoing Israeli offensives in the Gaza Strip. Arab member of Knesset, Jamal Zahalka, participated in a protest in Nazareth and called for indicting the Israeli Defense Minister, Ehud Barak, for war crimes against the Palestinian people. Mohammad Nazzal, one of Hamas political leaders in Damascus, said that Hamas and all resistance factions are ready to defend the residents of the Gaza Strip, and added that the Israeli crimes in Gaza require a massive response from the resistance in retaliation to the “massacres in Gaza”.

Nazzal demanded Arab countries not only to slam the Israeli offensive, but to act on the ground by cutting their relations with Israel, by breaking the Israeli siege and opening the Rafah Border terminal. He also demanded the Arab countries and leaders to practice pressure on the international community to stop the Israeli offensive.

In Ramallah, Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Dr, Hanan Ashrawi, said that Europe and the United States are supporting Israel as Europe is upgrading its relations with Israel which is encouraging it to carry further attacks against the Palestinians while the US is sending more financial and military support to Israel. Ashrawi added that Arab leaders must be decisive in their response to the Israeli offensive and must act to stop these attacks.

In Bethlehem, Dr. Victor Batarsa, mayor of the city, said that the municipality decided to cancel all Christmas celebrations and to remove Christmas tree from the manger square in addition to removing Christmas lights and decorations.

Thousands of Palestinian refugees in Jordan along with Jordanian nationals took off to the street protesting against the Israeli attacks in Gaza and called on Jordan to cut its diplomatic ties with Israel. Massive protests were also reported in Egypt as the protesters calls for a response to the Israeli offensive and crimes against the Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Protests were also reported in refugee camps in Lebanon calling for unity among the Palestinian factions and demanding Arab unity in order to counter the Israeli crimes.

They also called on all resistance factions to step-up their retaliation against the Israeli offensive and to strike back in the occupied territories and in Israel.

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11 killed in Polling station Blast at Boner

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SWAT: A blast at polling station killed 11 and wounded at least 10 persons that occurred in a school located at Shalbanday of Boner area here.

Sources said that the intensity of the blast was so strong that it was heard far and wide, while parts of the bodies were found at quite a distance. The injured are being shifted to the local hospital at a place called Dagar. Sources said that this explosion was the result of a planted bomb exploded through time device, however, the police as yet have issued no statement in this regard. Ambulances reaching the scene have started the rescue and relief operation.

It may be recalled that following the death of ANP MPA, Abdul Mateen Khan this provincial assembly seat had fallen vacant on which the polling was underway since this morning. Security forces have cordoned off the area and a search operation has started, while polling has been suspended.

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