Naxals had recently put up posters in Bastar region calling for boycott of the Assembly polls. File

Raipur, October 27

Four personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed and two injured after Naxals blew up a mine-protected vehicle (MPV) in poll-bound Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district on Saturday, police said.

The incident occurred around 4 pm near Murdanda camp of the CRPF under Awapalli police station, when its 168^th battalion was out on “area domination” operation, Bijapur Superintendent of Police Mohit Garg said.

When the MPV carrying six personnel was around 1 km away from the camp, ultras triggered a powerful land mine blast, he said.

“Four paramilitary personnel were killed and two others were injured in the blast,” he said.

Reinforcement was rushed to the spot immediately and the injured personnel were being evacuated, the official said, adding they were retrieving the bodies from the site.

The attack took place on a day when Chief Minister Raman Singh launched the ruling BJP’s campaign for the first phase of polls on November 12 in neighbouring Sukma district.

The first phase of election will cover 18 constituencies in eight Naxal-affected districts — Bastar, Kanker, Sukma, Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur, Kondagaon and Rajnandgaon.

Naxals had recently put up posters in parts of Bastar region calling for boycott of the polls. PTI

Photo for representation only.

Tribune News Service

Jaipur, August 23 
A 60-year-old ex-Army man allegedly committed suicide in police custody on Thursday in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur district, hours after he was arrested on charges of being drunk.
The SHO along with seven policemen have been shifted from Bharatpur’s Kumher Thana to police lines.
According to police sources, Prahlad, died by tearing his blanket to make a rope and hang himself in the Kumher police station.

A huge crowd staged a noisy protest outside the police station as the news spread. His family alleged that police beating forced him to take his own life.
Inspector General of Police Malini Agrawal and Superintendent of Police Kesar Singh Shekhawat visited the police station amid the tension.
Agrawal told IANS that Prahlad’s body had been brought to the Bharatpur District Hospital for autopsy. — With IANS

Imphal, October 19

In a move to strengthen bilateral ties, the Indian Army has handed over 15 trained horses to its Myanmarese counterpart at a ceremonial function at Moreh town in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district, along the India-Myanmar border, an official release said.

The ceremony, organised by the Assam Rifles on Thursday, was aimed at enhancing “mutual trust and bonding between the armies” of the two Asian neighbours, the release issued by the paramilitary force said. The horses, which reached Moreh town on Wednesday from Hempur in Uttarakhand, were selected by a Myanmarese delegation during their visit to Remount Training School and Remount Veterinary Corps in the northern state in September. They were “provided on sale to the Myanmar army as part of defence foreign co-operation measures” between the two nations, the release said.

The Hempur establishment has a “rich experience of 240 years” in breeding and training of horses and dogs for the Army and its counterparts  in other countries. — PTI

he Congress said that both the prime minister and Union defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman “lied” to the nation in order to favour Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Infrastructure Limited.

New Delhi: With merely eight months left for the general elections, the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets – worth Rs 60,145 crore – is gradually becoming the biggest political thorn in the side of the Narendra Modi government. Days after Rahul Gandhi accused the Union government of hiding facts about the controversial fighter jet deal during the no-confidence motion in parliament, the Congress on Friday released a new set of documents to back up his claim that the Rafale purchase is one of the most blatant incidents of cronyism in independent India’s history.

Alleging multiple violations in the deal that could compromise India’s national security, the Congress said that both the prime minister and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman “lied” to the nation in order to favour the Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Infrastructure Limited.

The Rafale deal was shrouded in mystery from the very beginning, ever since the prime minister announced the purchase during his visit to France in 2015. Subsequently, it came to light that the then defence minister Manohar Parrikar had gotten to know about the deal only a week before it was announced in a foreign land – a convention-defying act by the prime minister. Such deals have to compulsorily be approved by the cabinet committee on security but Modi unilaterally concluded the agreement.

Then, it became evident that the Modi government bought each plane at more than Rs 1,600 crore while the previous UPA government had negotiated the deal with Dassault at only Rs 526 crore.

The controversy became worse when it emerged that a joint venture company between Reliance Defence Limited (RDL) – a subsidiary of the Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Infrastructure Limited (RIL) – and Dassault Aviation secured the offset deal at Rs 30,000 crore. This raised eyebrows as the public sector defence company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) had landed the offset contract in the deal that the UPA government had struck with the French aviation company.

That RIL had no experience in manufacturing planes in contrast to HAL, whose sole occupation is manufacturing defence planes, ruffled many feathers last year. In addition, the clause which required Dassault to transfer its technology to HAL also found a quiet burial as the public sector company was denied its biggest ever offset contract.

Since then, the government has only said that the Congress was “shameless” in alleging a scam as the government bought the planes in an emergency situation because the UPA wasted many years in implementing the previous deal. However, according to estimates, the first plane to land in India should take another five years. Despite persistent allegations by the opposition, the government has been shying away from letting out significant details of the agreement. There has been no factual rejoinder by the defence ministry yet. Sitharaman has only said that the cost of the planes cannot be divulged because of a secrecy clause in the deal.

However, the matter assumed significance again when Gandhi on the floor of the parliament said that there was no secrecy clause and that the defence minister was misleading the nation to prevent the truth from coming out. Congress leaders since then have also alleged that none of the allegations made by the Congress over the past year found any response from the government.

New documents

On Friday, however, the documents released by the Congress made multiple points that the government will have to answer.

Although the offset contract given to the Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited – a joint venture between RDL and Dassault – is worth Rs 30,000 crore, the Congress released RIL’s papers which claimed that “a consequent Lifecycle Cost Contract” of Rs 1 lakh crore was also awarded to it.

In this context, Randeep Surjewala, chief spokesperson of the Congress said, “What is surprising is that one of the biggest defence offset contracts went to a company, Reliance Defence Ltd, which was constituted only 12 days before (March 28, 2015) the announcement of purchase of 36 Rafale aircrafts by PM in France on 10th April, 2015. The company Reliance Defence Ltd. did not have the license to manufacture fighter aircrafts at that time.”

Surjewala placed records of the ministry of corporate affairs, RIL’s press releases and company records to make his point that the Modi government had gifted the Anil Ambani-owned company a huge defence contract despite the fact that it neither had any industry experience nor any required assets.

The Congress then trained its guns at the defence minister. Surjewala said that the ministry of defence had issued a press release on February, 7, 2018, which said, “…no Indian Offset Partner for the 2016 deal for 36 Rafale Aircrafts has been so far selected by the vendor (Dassault Aviation) because as per the applicable guidelines, Dassault Aviation is free to select the Indian Offset Partners and provide their details at the time of seeking offset credits, or one year prior to discharge of offset obligation”.

However, he said that RIL had issued a press release a year earlier on February 16, 2017, to announce that it had secured the offset contract in the Rafale deal. “Even Dassault Aviation in its Annual Report 2016-17 has claimed that ‘offset contract’ is being executed by Reliance.” Surjewala said.

“Simple question is, who is lying – Defence Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman or Reliance/Dassault Aviation,” he asked.

He further said that if Dassault was free to choose its offset partner, as the defence ministry claims, it would be a clear violation of guidelines in such matters.

The defence ministry set up a permanent ‘Defence Offset Management Wing’ (DOMW) and issued ‘Defence Offset Contract Guidelines’ for all ‘offset contracts’ in 2016. Surjewala said that multiple clauses in these guidelines made by the Modi government warrant all offset proposals and their progress will have to be approved and monitored by the defence minister and the “acquisition manager” in the defence ministry. The guidelines also said that six-monthly audits have to be conducted by ministry officials.

“My questions to the government are as follows: Can Reliance and Dassault Aviation sign an ‘offset contract’ of Rs.30,000 crore without the approval of the defence minister? Has the ‘offset contract’ been countersigned by the ‘acquisition manager’ of the defence ministry? Why have the six-monthly audits by DOMW not been conducted? Has the ‘Acquisition Wing’ submitted an Annual Report to ‘Defence Acquisition Council’? Can a private corporate entity and supplier of the defence equipment in the largest defence deal of the country be permitted to wholly gloss over the Defence Offset Contract Guidelines/Instructions,” Surjewala asked, alleging that none of these regulations were followed in the offset deal.

To substantiate his charge that the Rafale deal was a case of cronyism, he highlighted a separate contract around the same time of the Rafale deal in which RDL’s sister company, Reliance Aerostructure Ltd benefitted.

“Another subsidiary of RIL, Reliance Aerostructure Ltd (RAL), was given the license to manufacture fighter aircraft in 2016 around the same time when RDL got the offset contract in the Rafale deal. Intriguingly, Reliance Aerostructure Ltd. was given the license to manufacture fighter aircraft by the Defence Ministry but it did not own any land or building on the date (it was awarded) the license February 22, 2016. What is even more surprising is the fact that even Reliance Aerostructure Ltd was incorporated on April 24, 2015, i.e 14 days after the announcement of purchase of 36 Rafale aircraft by PM in France on April 10, 2015,” Surjewala said.

He alleged that RAL was granted an Industrial Licence for Category A, High Security Defence Production in violation of several rules and acts like the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951, the Registration and Licensing of Industrial Undertaking Rules, 1952 and new Arms Rules, 2016.

“In its license application for manufacturing fighter aircrafts, Reliance Aerostructure Ltd. has given its address and location as ‘Survey No. 589, Taluka Jafrabad, Village Lunsapur, District Amreli, Gujarat’. At that time, these premises were not owned by Reliance Aerostructure Ltd. The aforesaid address belonged to ‘Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering Co. Ltd.’ Even on the date of license i.e 22.02.2016, Reliance Aerostructure Ltd. did not own the land or building at the aforesaid address. It was Reliance Defence Ltd. that acquired the company only on 18.01.2016 and name was then changed to Reliance Defence and Engineering Limited.”

He cited the company’s annual report 2015-16, page number 5 to substantiate his allegation. Similarly, he said even RAL was allotted 104 acres in Mihan SEZ, Nagpur, Maharashtra on 28 August 2015 for around Rs 63 crore, which was paid only in July, 2017. “So when the RAL was awarded the license to manufacture fighter aircrafts, it technically had no assets of its own. Is the Modi government serious about our country’s security?”

Calls to two BJP leaders went unanswered at the time of writing. The story will be updated if and when the BJP’s response comes. Until now, although the Rafale deal has been a point of discussion in the public domain for over an year, the government has yet to give a factual rejoinder. The Congress’s allegations have opened a can of worms. If the government still chooses to be unresponsive, the Rafale deal may very well prove to be BJP’s own Bofors scam.

The new Assembly is a motley crowd. It includes an ex-President, ex-PMs, seasoned Speakers, Punjabis with ambition, Sindhis with demands, Baluchis with recriminations and Pakhtuns with hopes

Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 18

Lt Gen Paramjit Singh, General Officer Commanding, White Knight Corps, visited the Surankote sector and the Counter Insurgency Force (Romeo) at Palma on Thursday.

During the visit to the Counter Insurgency Force headquarters, The General was briefed on the prevailing the security situation and the conduct of the recently held urban local bodies elections in the region and the forthcoming panchayat polls.

He was also briefed on the actions being taken to ensure a robust counter-terrorist grid to enable continued peace and stability in the region.

The General complimented the troops for ensuring the situation remains stable and lauded the local population, especially the Gujjar abd Bakerwal community, for their support in bringing peace to the region. He appreciated the civil administration and other security forces for their synergised efforts, which resulted in the successful conduct of the urban local bodies elections.

The General also interacted with soldiers and complimented them for displaying high standard of professionalism. He was appreciative of the measures and the standard operating procedures instituted by the units and formations in their area of responsibility and for the conduct of operations without causing inconvenience to the locals.

Our Correspondent

Anantnag, July 21

Militants on Saturday carried out attacks on security forces in Anantnag and Kulgam districts of the state, the police said.In the first incident, security forces were targeted in the Mattan area of Anantnag district along the Khannabal-Pahalgam road. The road is heavily guarded these days in view of the ongoing Amarnath yatra. There was, however, no pilgrim movement along the road when the attack took place, sources said. No loss of life or injuries was reported.Altaf Khan, SSP, said the attack took place around 1 pm. “They fired at a joint party of the police and the CRPF. The fire was retaliated. No one was injured. A hunt to nab the militants is on,” said Khan.In the second incident, militants opened fire at an Army patrol in Havoora village of Kulgam around 3:30 pm.“No one was hurt in the firing,” a senior police officer said, adding that a hunt had been launched to nab the militants.Gunfight along LoC in TangdharA brief gunfight broke out near the LoC in the Tangdhar sector in Kupwara district on Saturday when a group of infiltrating militants fired at an Army patrol in the Balthedyan area. “The Army has launched a massive combing operation in the sector,” sources said. Meanwhile, two overground workers of the Lashkar-e-Toiba were arrested in Sopore on Saturday, the police said. TNS/PTI

Our Correspondent

Zirakpur, September 17

“We will not allow anyone incriminated in any case of religious desecration to go scot-free”. This was stated by Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh here today.

The Punjab Chief Minister was speaking after inaugurating Cine Plaza near McDonald’s in Zirakpur. He lashed out at the Badals for fanning communal hatred, warning that nobody involved in the sacrilege cases would be spared.

Capt Amarinder Singh also flayed Akali veteran Parkash Singh Badal for trying to divert the people’s attention from the findings of the Justice Ranjit Singh Commission, which had squarely blamed the previous regime for the desecration of holy scriptures.

He reiterated his firm resolve to bring to book all culprits involved in various sacrilegious acts, saying that the SIT team would thoroughly investigate nearly 200 incidents of sacrilege of holy scriptures, including Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Gutka Sahib, Srimad Bhagwad Gita and Quran Sharif.

To a query on the proposed Congress rally in Parkash Singh Badal’s home ground Lambi, Capt Amarinder said he would expose the malicious intent of the Badals to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere in the state.

Capt Amarinder said his government had planned to develop Zirakpur town as one of the best cities in the state with ultra-modern facilities and civic amenities. The Chief Minister also stated that Zirakpur had only a few scattered houses and had, over the years, grown into one of the fastest growing satellite towns as an integral part of the tricity.

Highlighting the revived positive investment sentiment in the state ever since the Congress government took over, the Chief Minister said construction activity in Zirakpur had recently picked up, resulting in the sale of nearly 28,000 new houses in the area.

On the issue of Dashmesh canal, Capt Amarinder Singh said as the matter of river waters was with the Supreme Court, the state government would explore the feasibility of constructing Dashmesh canal in due course of time.

Prominent among other who were present on the occasion included senior Congress leader Kewal Singh Dhillon, Mohali Deputy Commissioner Gurpreet Kaur Sapra and SSP Kuldeep Singh Chahal.

Govt has planned to develop Zirakpur as one of the best cities in state, says CM

Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh said his government had planned to develop Zirakpur town as one of the best cities in the state with ultra-modern facilities and civic amenities. The Chief Minister also stated that Zirakpur had only a few scattered houses and had, over the years, grown into one of the fastest growing satellite towns as an integral part of the tricity.

Tribune News Service

Mandi, August 11

An Indian Air Force car-cum-bike rally for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan reached Manali on Saturday.Participants of the rally also distributed dustbins and pamphlets to people to encourage them for cleanliness.The rally is being headed by Air Vice-Marshal AK Singh. He said the rally began from Delhi via Manali to Leh and Thoise on August 10, which will culminate on August 24. During that period, it will cover 2,372-km distance.He said the objective of the rally was to promote the Prime Minister’s noble mission of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. It aimed at spreading awareness among tourists and locals to maintain cleanliness in the mountain and make these garbage-free zones.The team has planned to collect garbage for its disposal at the designated places. It is also planned to carry out cleanliness campaign at Leh and Thoise.