Prepared to discuss all issues in accordance with rules:PM

New Delhi: As the month-long monsoon session of Parliament got underway, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the government is prepared to discuss any issue in accordance with rules and hoped the opposition would cooperate
in tackling legislative business before the two Houses.

'Our government is prepared to discuss any issue in accordance with the rules and procedure,' he told reporters
while entering Parliament on the first day of the monsoon session.

Asked about the adjournment motion BJP plans to move in Parliament on ethnic violence in Assam, Singh said, 'We
welcome Parliament as a forum for dialogue'. 

He said a decision on his statement on Assam violence would be based on what happens in Parliament.

Singh said he hoped all political parties would cooperate with the government in smooth functioning of Parliament during
the monsoon session.

'I sincerely hope that all political parties will cooperate with the government in ensuring that this session
moves forward smoothly to tackle the many legislative questions which are now before the two Houses,' Singh said.
PTI

Prepared to discuss all issues in accordance with rules:PM

New Delhi: As the month-long monsoon session of Parliament got underway, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the government is prepared to discuss any issue in accordance with rules and hoped the opposition would cooperate
in tackling legislative business before the two Houses.

'Our government is prepared to discuss any issue in accordance with the rules and procedure,' he told reporters
while entering Parliament on the first day of the monsoon session.

Asked about the adjournment motion BJP plans to move in Parliament on ethnic violence in Assam, Singh said, 'We
welcome Parliament as a forum for dialogue'. 

He said a decision on his statement on Assam violence would be based on what happens in Parliament.

Singh said he hoped all political parties would cooperate with the government in smooth functioning of Parliament during
the monsoon session.

'I sincerely hope that all political parties will cooperate with the government in ensuring that this session
moves forward smoothly to tackle the many legislative questions which are now before the two Houses,' Singh said.
PTI

Karipur airport runway: contractor arrested
Kochi: The main contractor in the construction of the Karipur airport runway was arrested by the CBI. B R Arora from Delhi was arrested for causing a heavy loss when building the Rs 17-crore runway. The CBI began investigation and had seized fake documents and detected Rs 52 lakh loss in the initial probe. Some were even arrested.
The CBI had found that the contractor had created bogus bills and documents for purchasing cement to a non-existant house in Manjeri. A cement contractor had given the fake bills to the accused.
The accused had also produced false bills of an oil company. The CBI are investigating this too. In the CBI probe it was found that bills for buying paints from Malappuram and Kozhikode were also forged. It is learnt that the number of accused may rise.

Karipur airport runway: contractor arrested
Kochi: The main contractor in the construction of the Karipur airport runway was arrested by the CBI. B R Arora from Delhi was arrested for causing a heavy loss when building the Rs 17-crore runway. The CBI began investigation and had seized fake documents and detected Rs 52 lakh loss in the initial probe. Some were even arrested.
The CBI had found that the contractor had created bogus bills and documents for purchasing cement to a non-existant house in Manjeri. A cement contractor had given the fake bills to the accused.
The accused had also produced false bills of an oil company. The CBI are investigating this too. In the CBI probe it was found that bills for buying paints from Malappuram and Kozhikode were also forged. It is learnt that the number of accused may rise.

Kidneys, liver fail, Vilasrao Deshmukh on life support

Mumbai: Union science and technology minister Vilasrao Deshmukh was admitted to hospital in Chennai on Monday in a critical condition. 'Deshmukh is on life support. His condition is critical as he is suffering from a serious liver ailment and multiple organ failure,' said a doctor attending to him.
Doctors were closely monitoring the condition of Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh who has been admitted to the Global Hospital here with a liver ailment,.
'Deshmukh is in the intensive care unit (ICU). He has been admitted for liver ailment. Doctors are attending to him in the ICU which is out of bounds for others,' a Global Hospital official told IANS on condition of anonymity. 

According to him, Deshmukh, 67, was rushed to the hospital Monday evening from Mumbai's Beach Candy hospital in an air ambulance.
'From the Chennai airport he was brought to our hospital in our ambulance,' the official said.
Renowned liver specialist Mohammed Rela is attending to the former Maharashtra chief minister.

Hospital officials said a proper medical bulletin would be issued and many of the media reports are speculative in nature.
The union minister's family members are with him.
Deshmukh, who had been complaining of abdominal pains for a while, had been taken to Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital last week for what was described as 'a routine check-up'.
For the last few months, Deshmukh has been taking light assignments to avoid strain on account of his health condition, a Congress official indicated.. 

Kidneys, liver fail, Vilasrao Deshmukh on life support

Mumbai: Union science and technology minister Vilasrao Deshmukh was admitted to hospital in Chennai on Monday in a critical condition. 'Deshmukh is on life support. His condition is critical as he is suffering from a serious liver ailment and multiple organ failure,' said a doctor attending to him.
Doctors were closely monitoring the condition of Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh who has been admitted to the Global Hospital here with a liver ailment,.
'Deshmukh is in the intensive care unit (ICU). He has been admitted for liver ailment. Doctors are attending to him in the ICU which is out of bounds for others,' a Global Hospital official told IANS on condition of anonymity. 

According to him, Deshmukh, 67, was rushed to the hospital Monday evening from Mumbai's Beach Candy hospital in an air ambulance.
'From the Chennai airport he was brought to our hospital in our ambulance,' the official said.
Renowned liver specialist Mohammed Rela is attending to the former Maharashtra chief minister.

Hospital officials said a proper medical bulletin would be issued and many of the media reports are speculative in nature.
The union minister's family members are with him.
Deshmukh, who had been complaining of abdominal pains for a while, had been taken to Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital last week for what was described as 'a routine check-up'.
For the last few months, Deshmukh has been taking light assignments to avoid strain on account of his health condition, a Congress official indicated.. 

Kerala seeks central permission for four hydroelectric projects

New Delhi: The State government has sought permission of the central government for four hydroelectric projects. The ministerial-level team led by Chief minister Oommen Chandy began pressurizing the central government for sanctioning the projects including the Athirapilly, which was frozen due to protest. The four projects include one in Anakkaym with 7.5-megawatt capacity, one in Peringalkuthu with 24 MW and in Achankovil and Kuttiyadi. 
The ministerial-level team was in Delhi to acquire funds for various development projects.

During the meeting with central railway minister Mukul Roy, a consensus was reached that the coach terminal for memu trains in Kottayam would be set up by December.
Railway minister also gave assurance that the surveys for the work of Angadippuram-Ottappalm, Kollankodu –Thirssur lines and rail doubling in Kanyakumari-Thiruvananathapuram will begin soon.

Kerala seeks central permission for four hydroelectric projects

New Delhi: The State government has sought permission of the central government for four hydroelectric projects. The ministerial-level team led by Chief minister Oommen Chandy began pressurizing the central government for sanctioning the projects including the Athirapilly, which was frozen due to protest. The four projects include one in Anakkaym with 7.5-megawatt capacity, one in Peringalkuthu with 24 MW and in Achankovil and Kuttiyadi. 
The ministerial-level team was in Delhi to acquire funds for various development projects.

During the meeting with central railway minister Mukul Roy, a consensus was reached that the coach terminal for memu trains in Kottayam would be set up by December.
Railway minister also gave assurance that the surveys for the work of Angadippuram-Ottappalm, Kollankodu –Thirssur lines and rail doubling in Kanyakumari-Thiruvananathapuram will begin soon.

LONDON (Reuters) - China's Deng Linlin beat her compatriot Sui Lu, the world champion, to the Olympic balance beam title on the final day of artistic gymnastics at the London Games on Tuesday.

Deng, herself world champion on the apparatus in 2009, gave China their fourth gymnastics gold medal of the Games, an hour after Feng Zhe had won the parallel bars title.

Sui, competing first, pulled off a difficult routine but cried on her coach's shoulder after Deng surpassed her by 0.1 points with a score of 15.600 at the North Greenwich Arena.

Aly Raisman snatched the bronze medal from 2004 champion Catalina Ponor of Romania on a tiebreak after the judges increased the difficulty element of her score following a review requested by the United States team, upping her final mark.

While Ponor, who came out of retirement last year, left the arena stony-faced after being demoted to fourth, the American was all smiles having just missed out on all-around bronze because of the same tiebreak rule last Thursday.

Introduced at the behest of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to rule out double medals, the system takes into account execution scores to separate two gymnasts who accumulate the same total. The rule gave the edge to Raisman by 0.3.

Gabby Douglas, who dazzled to win the all-around title here, finished seventh after missing her footing on a half-turn and swinging underneath the 10-centimetre wide beam before falling off.

All-around silver medallist Victoria Komova also came off, remounted and then sat down on landing. She finished last of the eight finalists, with 13.166.

Larisa Iordache, who helped Romania to win team bronze, came into the final as a replacement for injured compatriot Diana Bulimar but she also fell, toppling off the end of the apparatus as she finished sixth. (Reporting by Clare Fallon; Editing by Mark Meadows)

LONDON (Reuters) - China's Deng Linlin beat her compatriot Sui Lu, the world champion, to the Olympic balance beam title on the final day of artistic gymnastics at the London Games on Tuesday.

Deng, herself world champion on the apparatus in 2009, gave China their fourth gymnastics gold medal of the Games, an hour after Feng Zhe had won the parallel bars title.

Sui, competing first, pulled off a difficult routine but cried on her coach's shoulder after Deng surpassed her by 0.1 points with a score of 15.600 at the North Greenwich Arena.

Aly Raisman snatched the bronze medal from 2004 champion Catalina Ponor of Romania on a tiebreak after the judges increased the difficulty element of her score following a review requested by the United States team, upping her final mark.

While Ponor, who came out of retirement last year, left the arena stony-faced after being demoted to fourth, the American was all smiles having just missed out on all-around bronze because of the same tiebreak rule last Thursday.

Introduced at the behest of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to rule out double medals, the system takes into account execution scores to separate two gymnasts who accumulate the same total. The rule gave the edge to Raisman by 0.3.

Gabby Douglas, who dazzled to win the all-around title here, finished seventh after missing her footing on a half-turn and swinging underneath the 10-centimetre wide beam before falling off.

All-around silver medallist Victoria Komova also came off, remounted and then sat down on landing. She finished last of the eight finalists, with 13.166.

Larisa Iordache, who helped Romania to win team bronze, came into the final as a replacement for injured compatriot Diana Bulimar but she also fell, toppling off the end of the apparatus as she finished sixth. (Reporting by Clare Fallon; Editing by Mark Meadows)

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Kim Dotcom, the founder of the Megaupload online file-sharing site embroiled in U.S. piracy and fraud investigations, said on Tuesday New Zealand police punched and kicked him during a raid on his mansion.

Dotcom, a German national who is fighting extradition to the United States from New Zealand, said he was terrified during a raid in January by armed police using helicopters.

He said when he heard shouting and banging he went to a safe room, where police found him.

"And then they were all over me. I had a punch to the face, boots kicking me down to the floor," Dotcom said in court.

"I was screaming and I was in pain ... I told them there was no need for punching me or hurting me and please stop."

Acting on a request from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), New Zealand authorities raided Dotcom’s rented estate outside Auckland, confiscating computers and hard drives, art work and luxury cars.

However, the raid and seizure of evidence has since been ruled illegal and the court hearing this week is to determine what should happen to the seized material.

The FBI says Dotcom led a group that has netted $175 million since 2005 by copying and distributing music, movies and other copyrighted content without authorisation.

Lawyers for the flamboyant entrepreneur say the company simply offered online storage.

Dotcom and three others were arrested in the raid. Dotcom was kept in custody for a month before being granted bail.

The hearing is scheduled to last until Thursday.

A New Zealand court is due to hear an application from U.S. authorities to extradite Dotcom on internet piracy, money laundering and breach of copyright charges in March.

(Reporting by Gyles Beckford; Editing by Robert Birsel)

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Kim Dotcom, the founder of the Megaupload online file-sharing site embroiled in U.S. piracy and fraud investigations, said on Tuesday New Zealand police punched and kicked him during a raid on his mansion.

Dotcom, a German national who is fighting extradition to the United States from New Zealand, said he was terrified during a raid in January by armed police using helicopters.

He said when he heard shouting and banging he went to a safe room, where police found him.

"And then they were all over me. I had a punch to the face, boots kicking me down to the floor," Dotcom said in court.

"I was screaming and I was in pain ... I told them there was no need for punching me or hurting me and please stop."

Acting on a request from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), New Zealand authorities raided Dotcom’s rented estate outside Auckland, confiscating computers and hard drives, art work and luxury cars.

However, the raid and seizure of evidence has since been ruled illegal and the court hearing this week is to determine what should happen to the seized material.

The FBI says Dotcom led a group that has netted $175 million since 2005 by copying and distributing music, movies and other copyrighted content without authorisation.

Lawyers for the flamboyant entrepreneur say the company simply offered online storage.

Dotcom and three others were arrested in the raid. Dotcom was kept in custody for a month before being granted bail.

The hearing is scheduled to last until Thursday.

A New Zealand court is due to hear an application from U.S. authorities to extradite Dotcom on internet piracy, money laundering and breach of copyright charges in March.

(Reporting by Gyles Beckford; Editing by Robert Birsel)

New York: The 65-year-old head of the small US town Gurudwara turned out an unlikely hero of the Wisconsin shooting incident as he confronted the 'neo-Nazi' gunman with his kirpan to save dozens of women, children and other worshippers from being shot down. 

Sadwant Singh Kaleka's, the head of the Wisconsin Gurudwara, unequal battle may not have lasted long as the 40-year-old former US Army 'psy-ops' veteran Wade Michael Page killed him mercilessly by his 9mm handgun. 

But his heroism slowed down the racist killer, providing vital moments for women and children to flee the attacker and bolt themselves in rooms round the complex, US media reports said. 
The women and children who were preparing meals for the congregation were in direct line of attack of the the gunman, but Kaleka's brave effort to stab Page to slow him down has won widespread acclaim and praise in Wisconsin. 

"He turned into an unlikely hero to save the place which he had devoted to build," said Amardeep Kaleka, his son. 

"Whatever time he spent in that struggle gave the women time to get cover," he said. 

Relatives said Kaleka was widely regarded as the founder of the Oak Creek temple that was attacked by Page, a disgraced former US army soldier and racist, who is widely thought to mistaken bearded and turban-wearing Sikhs for Muslims. 

As Kaleka confronted the gunman, Page had already shot at least one person in the temple's car park. He then went on to kill six Sikh worshippers before going back outside to ambush the police when he heard approaching sirens. 

The killer was then "put down" in a gunfight after severely wounding one police officer. 

Kaleka and his family came to the United States from India in 1982. He built a successful business, and devoted every extra dollar he earned into building the Oak Creek Gurudwara. 

Parishioners described him as the kind of man who, if you called him at two in the morning to say a light had gone out at the temple, would be there at 2:15 am to change the bulb. 

In stark contrast, Page, 40, was a disgraced soldier, in the army from 1992 to 1998, before being discharged for a "pattern" of misconduct including drunkenness and going Awol. 

Pictures show him heavily tattooed. Neighbours said that he had a tattoo commemorating the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on his right arm, a common indicator of far-Right and anti-Muslim affiliations.  

New York: The 65-year-old head of the small US town Gurudwara turned out an unlikely hero of the Wisconsin shooting incident as he confronted the 'neo-Nazi' gunman with his kirpan to save dozens of women, children and other worshippers from being shot down. 

Sadwant Singh Kaleka's, the head of the Wisconsin Gurudwara, unequal battle may not have lasted long as the 40-year-old former US Army 'psy-ops' veteran Wade Michael Page killed him mercilessly by his 9mm handgun. 

But his heroism slowed down the racist killer, providing vital moments for women and children to flee the attacker and bolt themselves in rooms round the complex, US media reports said. 
The women and children who were preparing meals for the congregation were in direct line of attack of the the gunman, but Kaleka's brave effort to stab Page to slow him down has won widespread acclaim and praise in Wisconsin. 

"He turned into an unlikely hero to save the place which he had devoted to build," said Amardeep Kaleka, his son. 

"Whatever time he spent in that struggle gave the women time to get cover," he said. 

Relatives said Kaleka was widely regarded as the founder of the Oak Creek temple that was attacked by Page, a disgraced former US army soldier and racist, who is widely thought to mistaken bearded and turban-wearing Sikhs for Muslims. 

As Kaleka confronted the gunman, Page had already shot at least one person in the temple's car park. He then went on to kill six Sikh worshippers before going back outside to ambush the police when he heard approaching sirens. 

The killer was then "put down" in a gunfight after severely wounding one police officer. 

Kaleka and his family came to the United States from India in 1982. He built a successful business, and devoted every extra dollar he earned into building the Oak Creek Gurudwara. 

Parishioners described him as the kind of man who, if you called him at two in the morning to say a light had gone out at the temple, would be there at 2:15 am to change the bulb. 

In stark contrast, Page, 40, was a disgraced soldier, in the army from 1992 to 1998, before being discharged for a "pattern" of misconduct including drunkenness and going Awol. 

Pictures show him heavily tattooed. Neighbours said that he had a tattoo commemorating the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on his right arm, a common indicator of far-Right and anti-Muslim affiliations.  

Cop shifted to jail. THRISSUR: Subramanian, a police officer arrested in a molestation case, was shifted to Viyyur special sub-jail on Monday. Subramanian, a circle inspector with the Rapid Rescue Response Force unit in Malappuram, had been absconding ever since he was granted bail by the First Class Judicial Magistrate in Wadakkancherry. But Thrissur District Court revoked his bail. Subramanian was arrested when he was admitted to a private hospital in Thrissur following high blood pressure and infection in the ear. The police officer is charged with trying to molest a woman in a bus on the Shoranur-Thrissur route on July 18. She was returning after conducting Vavu Bali rites for her husband at Cheruthuruthy..

Woman dies as auto falls on her. ALAPPUZHA: A woman died when an auto fell on her at YMCA Junction Monday morning. Moly (55), wife of Pushkaran of Netaji in Mannancherry near here, was walking on her way to the ESI Hospital with her husband. The driver of the speeding auto lost control of the vehicle when he tried to stop it to pick up a person. The vehicle then fell on Moly. Though the local people rushed her to the nearby General Hospital, her life could not be saved. 65 bikes gutted in fire. KANNUR: Sixty five motorcycles worth Rs 27 lakh were gutted when the lorry on which they were loaded caught fire at Koothuparamaba. According to Koothuparamaba police, the incident occurred when the container lorry carrying Kinetic Honda came in contact with an electric wire at Powerloom motta near Mamparam in the district. All the bikes were fully damaged in the fire. The Haryana registration lorry (HR 55 N A 3445) carrying the two wheelers was bound to Thiruvananthapuram from Mangalore. Police and three fire fighting vehicles from Koothuparamba and Thalassery rushed to the spot and put out the fire..

Cop shifted to jail. THRISSUR: Subramanian, a police officer arrested in a molestation case, was shifted to Viyyur special sub-jail on Monday. Subramanian, a circle inspector with the Rapid Rescue Response Force unit in Malappuram, had been absconding ever since he was granted bail by the First Class Judicial Magistrate in Wadakkancherry. But Thrissur District Court revoked his bail. Subramanian was arrested when he was admitted to a private hospital in Thrissur following high blood pressure and infection in the ear. The police officer is charged with trying to molest a woman in a bus on the Shoranur-Thrissur route on July 18. She was returning after conducting Vavu Bali rites for her husband at Cheruthuruthy..

Woman dies as auto falls on her. ALAPPUZHA: A woman died when an auto fell on her at YMCA Junction Monday morning. Moly (55), wife of Pushkaran of Netaji in Mannancherry near here, was walking on her way to the ESI Hospital with her husband. The driver of the speeding auto lost control of the vehicle when he tried to stop it to pick up a person. The vehicle then fell on Moly. Though the local people rushed her to the nearby General Hospital, her life could not be saved. 65 bikes gutted in fire. KANNUR: Sixty five motorcycles worth Rs 27 lakh were gutted when the lorry on which they were loaded caught fire at Koothuparamaba. According to Koothuparamaba police, the incident occurred when the container lorry carrying Kinetic Honda came in contact with an electric wire at Powerloom motta near Mamparam in the district. All the bikes were fully damaged in the fire. The Haryana registration lorry (HR 55 N A 3445) carrying the two wheelers was bound to Thiruvananthapuram from Mangalore. Police and three fire fighting vehicles from Koothuparamba and Thalassery rushed to the spot and put out the fire..

WASHINGTON: Two US drug firms say they will stop development of an Alzheimer's drug because it failed in two late-stage clinical trials. Bapineuzumab, made by Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson, was designed to halt build-up of plaque in the brain. But it failed to improve cognitive or functional performance compared with a placebo in certain patients. Both firms announced on 23 July that the first clinical trial of the intravenous (IV) version of bapineuzumab had failed. In that study, patients with a gene that is associated with a greater risk of Alzheimer's were tested. But results with the group were largely the same as with those who did not have the gene, who were tested in the second study. The second trial's end means that additional studies on the IV version will not take place; however, Johnson and Johnson said a study of subcutaneous use would continue. A similar drug being developed by Eli Lilly, solanezumab, is also considered a long-shot to succeed, but results of the trials will not be available until later this year.

WASHINGTON: Two US drug firms say they will stop development of an Alzheimer's drug because it failed in two late-stage clinical trials. Bapineuzumab, made by Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson, was designed to halt build-up of plaque in the brain. But it failed to improve cognitive or functional performance compared with a placebo in certain patients. Both firms announced on 23 July that the first clinical trial of the intravenous (IV) version of bapineuzumab had failed. In that study, patients with a gene that is associated with a greater risk of Alzheimer's were tested. But results with the group were largely the same as with those who did not have the gene, who were tested in the second study. The second trial's end means that additional studies on the IV version will not take place; however, Johnson and Johnson said a study of subcutaneous use would continue. A similar drug being developed by Eli Lilly, solanezumab, is also considered a long-shot to succeed, but results of the trials will not be available until later this year.

RANCHI: Posters put by an outfit in the Jharkhand capital have threatened acid attacks on girls and women who wear jeans or do not wear a dupatta.

The police said it could be a case of mischief.

The handwritten posters, put up by Jharkhand Mukti Sangh at several points in the city, including St. Xavier's College and Albert Ekka roundabout, read: "From 20/8/2012 (Aug 20), jeans have been banned for girls. Any girl will be found wearing jeans and moving without dupatta will be attacked with acid."

The poster also warns against displacing people for industrialisation.

"Companies involved in land acquisition will be attacked," it said.

RANCHI: Posters put by an outfit in the Jharkhand capital have threatened acid attacks on girls and women who wear jeans or do not wear a dupatta.

The police said it could be a case of mischief.

The handwritten posters, put up by Jharkhand Mukti Sangh at several points in the city, including St. Xavier's College and Albert Ekka roundabout, read: "From 20/8/2012 (Aug 20), jeans have been banned for girls. Any girl will be found wearing jeans and moving without dupatta will be attacked with acid."

The poster also warns against displacing people for industrialisation.

"Companies involved in land acquisition will be attacked," it said.

SANGRUR: Manpreet Kaur, a resident of Kanjhla village,hired five persons to do away with her parents and sibling.

She, along with the killers, is under arrest.

The girl, Manpreet Kaur, wanted to kill her parents and brother as they objected to her decision of getting married to one Gurmeet Singh who is already married.

 She hired five contract killers with an assurance of paying them a sum of Rs 5 lakh.

The  killers tried to kill their targets twice but failed to succeed and  they killed their domestic Jarnail Singh help instead.

Calling it a blind murder, the police have constituted a special investigating team to probe the incident.

The killers were identified as Karamjit Singh, Sukhwinder Singh, Satgur Singh of Bora Kalan village, Paramjit Singh, Ratandeep Singh.

During questioning, the accused owned up their misdeed.

The police is investigating the role of Manpreet's beau Gurmeet Singh in the case.

SANGRUR: Manpreet Kaur, a resident of Kanjhla village,hired five persons to do away with her parents and sibling.

She, along with the killers, is under arrest.

The girl, Manpreet Kaur, wanted to kill her parents and brother as they objected to her decision of getting married to one Gurmeet Singh who is already married.

 She hired five contract killers with an assurance of paying them a sum of Rs 5 lakh.

The  killers tried to kill their targets twice but failed to succeed and  they killed their domestic Jarnail Singh help instead.

Calling it a blind murder, the police have constituted a special investigating team to probe the incident.

The killers were identified as Karamjit Singh, Sukhwinder Singh, Satgur Singh of Bora Kalan village, Paramjit Singh, Ratandeep Singh.

During questioning, the accused owned up their misdeed.

The police is investigating the role of Manpreet's beau Gurmeet Singh in the case.

GANGOTRI: Rains continued to wreak havoc in Uttarakhand for the fourth day on Tuesday as 80 tourists were stuck between Bhatwari and Sukitop after a bridge collapsed. The tourists were stuck without any phone network or essential supplies.

The administration didn't have any information about it. The minister in-charge assured help after CNN-IBN informed the authorities. The place is 10 km from Gangotri and there is no way to reach there.

Rains in Uttarakhand led to cloud bursts and landslides. The death toll has reached 34. Seventy villages remain cut off from the Uttarkashi district headquarters. An estimated 20,000 people have been affected.

Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has demanded Rs 600-crore relief package for the affected region.

GANGOTRI: Rains continued to wreak havoc in Uttarakhand for the fourth day on Tuesday as 80 tourists were stuck between Bhatwari and Sukitop after a bridge collapsed. The tourists were stuck without any phone network or essential supplies.

The administration didn't have any information about it. The minister in-charge assured help after CNN-IBN informed the authorities. The place is 10 km from Gangotri and there is no way to reach there.

Rains in Uttarakhand led to cloud bursts and landslides. The death toll has reached 34. Seventy villages remain cut off from the Uttarkashi district headquarters. An estimated 20,000 people have been affected.

Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has demanded Rs 600-crore relief package for the affected region.

NEW DELHI: Former civil aviation secretary Syed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi was Tuesday appointed an election commissioner by President Pranab Mukherjee.

"The president has appointed Syed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi as the election commissioner with effect from the date he assumes the office," a statement issued here said.

Zaidi, a 1976 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Uttar Pradesh Cadre, retired as the civil aviation secretary July 31. He will be India's election commissioner till 2017.

He had earlier worked as Director General of Civil Aviation and was India's representative in the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

He has also held the post of joint secretary in the civil aviation ministry.

The vacancy in the three-member poll panel was caused after chief election commissioner (CEC) S.Y. Quraishi retired June 10 and V.S. Sampath took charge as CEC.

H.S. Brahma is the other election commissioner.

NEW DELHI: Former civil aviation secretary Syed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi was Tuesday appointed an election commissioner by President Pranab Mukherjee.

"The president has appointed Syed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi as the election commissioner with effect from the date he assumes the office," a statement issued here said.

Zaidi, a 1976 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Uttar Pradesh Cadre, retired as the civil aviation secretary July 31. He will be India's election commissioner till 2017.

He had earlier worked as Director General of Civil Aviation and was India's representative in the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

He has also held the post of joint secretary in the civil aviation ministry.

The vacancy in the three-member poll panel was caused after chief election commissioner (CEC) S.Y. Quraishi retired June 10 and V.S. Sampath took charge as CEC.

H.S. Brahma is the other election commissioner.

KOZHIKODE: A 4 year old boy was killed in a landslide triggered by torrential rains and flash floods at Kodaikkattupara near Pulloorampara in Kozhikode on Monday. He is identified as Kuttan, son of Biju from Thundathil. Four members of Biju’s family have gone missing. Many houses were swept away in floods. Landslides were reported at Iritty in Kannur as well.

KOZHIKODE: A 4 year old boy was killed in a landslide triggered by torrential rains and flash floods at Kodaikkattupara near Pulloorampara in Kozhikode on Monday. He is identified as Kuttan, son of Biju from Thundathil. Four members of Biju’s family have gone missing. Many houses were swept away in floods. Landslides were reported at Iritty in Kannur as well.

KOZHIKODE: Nine persons have died in landslips and flash floods triggered by heavy rains in the hill region of Pulloorampara in Kozhikode district while six persons are reported missing, police said on Tuesday.

It includes a family whose house was swept away by the flood.

Thundathil Biju lost his wife Lisie, father Ousep,mother Elikutty and sons Kuttoos(4) and Joel(2).

Other casualties include Palathodi Gopalan, Padannamakkal Binu’s daughter Jyothsna (9), Puthenpurayil Varkey(73), Palathodukayil Gopalan(76)

Search for the missing persons is going on, but the heavy rain that has been lashing the hill region is hampering relief work, sources said.

Many houses have been washed away in flash floods.

The downpour caused four landslips in Pullorampara and several roads were swept away while large boulders and stones fell on the roads.

Two small bridges connecting the region to Kuttiyadi and Mananthavadi have been submerged.

There was a let-up in the rains that have been lashing Iritty in Kannur district since Monday. Low lying areas, including 50 shops in Iritty town, were inundated, sources said.

Kozhikode city was also experiencing heavy rain since Monday night and district authorities have opened control rooms at the Collectorate.

KOZHIKODE: Nine persons have died in landslips and flash floods triggered by heavy rains in the hill region of Pulloorampara in Kozhikode district while six persons are reported missing, police said on Tuesday.

It includes a family whose house was swept away by the flood.

Thundathil Biju lost his wife Lisie, father Ousep,mother Elikutty and sons Kuttoos(4) and Joel(2).

Other casualties include Palathodi Gopalan, Padannamakkal Binu’s daughter Jyothsna (9), Puthenpurayil Varkey(73), Palathodukayil Gopalan(76)

Search for the missing persons is going on, but the heavy rain that has been lashing the hill region is hampering relief work, sources said.

Many houses have been washed away in flash floods.

The downpour caused four landslips in Pullorampara and several roads were swept away while large boulders and stones fell on the roads.

Two small bridges connecting the region to Kuttiyadi and Mananthavadi have been submerged.

There was a let-up in the rains that have been lashing Iritty in Kannur district since Monday. Low lying areas, including 50 shops in Iritty town, were inundated, sources said.

Kozhikode city was also experiencing heavy rain since Monday night and district authorities have opened control rooms at the Collectorate.

KOZHIKODE: At least 17 shops were gutted in a major fire at Valiyangadi near the second railway gate in Kozhikode. However, no casualty was reported in the accident in the week hours, police said. They said ten fire service units from the district and Malappuram took two hours to extinguish the inferno, adding the cause of the same was yet to be ascertained..

KOZHIKODE: At least 17 shops were gutted in a major fire at Valiyangadi near the second railway gate in Kozhikode. However, no casualty was reported in the accident in the week hours, police said. They said ten fire service units from the district and Malappuram took two hours to extinguish the inferno, adding the cause of the same was yet to be ascertained..

Landslides in Kozhikode: Toll rises to three

Kozhikode/Kannur: The toll in the landsldies occured in high range regions of Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kannur distrcits, rose to three. Landslide occured in five places in Kozhikode and Kannur. The deceased include on kid too and three are stil missing. Many houses were also destroyed in the heavy downpour and mudslide. 

The deceased are Gopalan from Palathodi, Kutoos, son of Biju from Anakkampoyil Kozhikode and Varkey from Puthanpurakkal were died. Kutoos died on Monday and the dead bodies of Gopalan and Varkey were recovered on Tuesday morning. The landslides, besides causing heavy damage to several houses, crops and business establishments, also unleashed flash floods in Vaniyambara and Vallithode.

Landslides in Kozhikode: Toll rises to three

Kozhikode/Kannur: The toll in the landsldies occured in high range regions of Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kannur distrcits, rose to three. Landslide occured in five places in Kozhikode and Kannur. The deceased include on kid too and three are stil missing. Many houses were also destroyed in the heavy downpour and mudslide. 

The deceased are Gopalan from Palathodi, Kutoos, son of Biju from Anakkampoyil Kozhikode and Varkey from Puthanpurakkal were died. Kutoos died on Monday and the dead bodies of Gopalan and Varkey were recovered on Tuesday morning. The landslides, besides causing heavy damage to several houses, crops and business establishments, also unleashed flash floods in Vaniyambara and Vallithode.

West Bengal moves apex court on Singur land law

New Delhi: The West Bengal government Monday moved the Supreme Court challenging the Calcutta High Court verdict holding the Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Act as unconstitutional and void.
The state government's petition sought the extension of the two months' period allowed by the high court to challenge its decision, so that status quo could be maintained.

The law was enacted by Mamata Banerjee's government to reclaim the land so that it could be returned to the farmers who had resisted the takeover of their lands and had not even accepted the compensation in lieu of that.
The high court had struck down the act June 22. However, the high court suspended the operation of its verdict for two months so that the government could move the apex court in appeal. 

The farmers, who collectively owned 269 acres of land, did not take compensation in lieu of acquisition and initiated litigation for the return of their lands.
It was in aid of these farmers that the West Bengal government stepped in and enacted the Singur land law.
The land was acquired by the West Bengal Industrial Development Corp and given to Tata Motors for the Nano small car project. 

The West Bengal government then headed by the Communist Party of India-Marxist-led Left Front in 2006 acquired 997.11 acres, of which Tata Motor was given 645.67 acres.
Tata Motors moved out of Singur later and on the invitation of Gujarat government set up their plant in Sanand near Ahmedabad.
The West Bengal government contended that 'despite possession being handed over to Tata Motors and its approved vendors, the small car project could not be set up by them'.
The division bench of the high court, which set aside the Singur land law, also reversed its earlier decision upholding the Singur statute

West Bengal moves apex court on Singur land law

New Delhi: The West Bengal government Monday moved the Supreme Court challenging the Calcutta High Court verdict holding the Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Act as unconstitutional and void.
The state government's petition sought the extension of the two months' period allowed by the high court to challenge its decision, so that status quo could be maintained.

The law was enacted by Mamata Banerjee's government to reclaim the land so that it could be returned to the farmers who had resisted the takeover of their lands and had not even accepted the compensation in lieu of that.
The high court had struck down the act June 22. However, the high court suspended the operation of its verdict for two months so that the government could move the apex court in appeal. 

The farmers, who collectively owned 269 acres of land, did not take compensation in lieu of acquisition and initiated litigation for the return of their lands.
It was in aid of these farmers that the West Bengal government stepped in and enacted the Singur land law.
The land was acquired by the West Bengal Industrial Development Corp and given to Tata Motors for the Nano small car project. 

The West Bengal government then headed by the Communist Party of India-Marxist-led Left Front in 2006 acquired 997.11 acres, of which Tata Motor was given 645.67 acres.
Tata Motors moved out of Singur later and on the invitation of Gujarat government set up their plant in Sanand near Ahmedabad.
The West Bengal government contended that 'despite possession being handed over to Tata Motors and its approved vendors, the small car project could not be set up by them'.
The division bench of the high court, which set aside the Singur land law, also reversed its earlier decision upholding the Singur statute