By U Sudhakar Reddy
Reports of steal ing medicinal plants are on rise in the state.
This has prompted the AP Bio-diversity Board to crack the whip against companies and foreigners. Recently, the Vishakapatnam task force sleuths caught a few tribals from Paderu who were trying to smuggle Nalla pasupu (black turmeric). The plant is used in HIV/AIDS drug research. Board chairman Dr R. Hampaiah said, “Nalla pasupu is found at Papikonda hills in East & West Godavari districts and at Paderu in Vishakapatnam.
It is in the endangered species list. In the International market, a kilogram of the Nalla pasupu costs Rs 20 lakh. The buyers were paying Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 to the tribals for each kg. A retired forester is allegedly helping them.” The plant has been sent for chemical examination, he added. The board is organising a national seminar at Dulapally on August 23 on bio-piracy.
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
Terror mails traced to Saudi Arabia
By U Sudhakar Reddy
Terror emails sent to local television channels in the city were traced to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, the police said.
Hoax calls on bomb threats were traced to the United Arab Emirates.
A senior city police officer said, “An email that was sent to a television channel threatening bomb blasts in Telangana districts was from Saudi Arabia. One of the calls was even traced to Fujairah in the Emirates.” Police said the aim of the callers was to create panic in the city.
“For all these years, the hoax calls were from the city. Now they have crossed international borders. Terror elements based in Saudi Arabia may have made the calls,” an official told this correspondent.
Terror emails sent to local television channels in the city were traced to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, the police said.
Hoax calls on bomb threats were traced to the United Arab Emirates.
A senior city police officer said, “An email that was sent to a television channel threatening bomb blasts in Telangana districts was from Saudi Arabia. One of the calls was even traced to Fujairah in the Emirates.” Police said the aim of the callers was to create panic in the city.
“For all these years, the hoax calls were from the city. Now they have crossed international borders. Terror elements based in Saudi Arabia may have made the calls,” an official told this correspondent.
9/11 at Nagarjuna Sagar Dam feared
By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy Security agencies are not too happy with the proposal to allow an aviation academy to come up near the Nagarjunasagar reservoir.
They feel that terrorists could replicate a September 11 model attack on the dam by making use of trainer aircraft.
Since the training flights are small, there is not much possibility of a major impact, but intelligence agencies are still concerned and expressed their fears when the state government sought their feedback on the proposed aviation academy.
The dam is already on the hit list of the Lashakar-eTayyaba and its security is a big concern.
In a meeting attended by the home minister, Mr K. Jana Reddy, the minister for irrigation, Mr P. Lakshmaiah, and the intelligence department head, Mr K. Aravinda Rao, on Monday discussed FlyTech Aviation Academy’s request for leasing out 90 acres of land near the airstrip at Nagarjunasagar.
Captain Mamata and Captain Gopal of the Academy also took part in the meeting. The airstrip was laid when Jawaharlal Nehru flew down for the inauguration of the dam.
Sources said the possibility of terrorists misusing the facility was also being discussed. “No decision has been taken yet,” said the source.
“The proposal will be referred to Director-General of Civil Aviation authorities.” “In the United States, terrorists enrolled in the flying academy and later hijacked flights to hit the twin towers of the World Trade Centre,” said a senior police officer. “We can’t ignore that possibility.” However, other police offiers dismissed the fears as unfounded.
In December 2004 an aircraft owned by DGCA and operated by AP Aviation Academy crash landed on the airstrip after minutes of flight.
Earlier, the government proposed to hand over the site situated 6 km from Nagarjunasagar dam to the tourism department to develop the third century Buddhist site and make it part of the pilgrim circuit.
FlyTech Aviation Academy has asked for the site as their flying zone was reduced after the Shamshabad International Airport became operational. The academy is situated on Nagarjunasagar Road.
They feel that terrorists could replicate a September 11 model attack on the dam by making use of trainer aircraft.
Since the training flights are small, there is not much possibility of a major impact, but intelligence agencies are still concerned and expressed their fears when the state government sought their feedback on the proposed aviation academy.
The dam is already on the hit list of the Lashakar-eTayyaba and its security is a big concern.
In a meeting attended by the home minister, Mr K. Jana Reddy, the minister for irrigation, Mr P. Lakshmaiah, and the intelligence department head, Mr K. Aravinda Rao, on Monday discussed FlyTech Aviation Academy’s request for leasing out 90 acres of land near the airstrip at Nagarjunasagar.
Captain Mamata and Captain Gopal of the Academy also took part in the meeting. The airstrip was laid when Jawaharlal Nehru flew down for the inauguration of the dam.
Sources said the possibility of terrorists misusing the facility was also being discussed. “No decision has been taken yet,” said the source.
“The proposal will be referred to Director-General of Civil Aviation authorities.” “In the United States, terrorists enrolled in the flying academy and later hijacked flights to hit the twin towers of the World Trade Centre,” said a senior police officer. “We can’t ignore that possibility.” However, other police offiers dismissed the fears as unfounded.
In December 2004 an aircraft owned by DGCA and operated by AP Aviation Academy crash landed on the airstrip after minutes of flight.
Earlier, the government proposed to hand over the site situated 6 km from Nagarjunasagar dam to the tourism department to develop the third century Buddhist site and make it part of the pilgrim circuit.
FlyTech Aviation Academy has asked for the site as their flying zone was reduced after the Shamshabad International Airport became operational. The academy is situated on Nagarjunasagar Road.
Polio(P3 strain) again in Andhra Pradesh
By U Sudhakar Reddy Migrant labour from UP and Bihar travelling to the state are seen as potential carriers of the polio virus, that struck in the state on Friday.
Also, locals from Mahbubnagar and Ranga Reddy migrating to Mumbai and Pune could be bringing back the virus.
Thanks to these groups, the wild polio virus of P3 strain though termed as weak has resurfaced in the state, particularly in urban areas. The P3 strain was first reported in Bihar in 2003 and has since spread to southern states. Bihar has reported over 1,300 cases of polio this year.
The family welfare commissioner, Mr Anil Punetha, said, that migrants do not vaccinate their newborns. “Due to lack of awareness they don’t approach health workers,” he said Health officials of the health department have decided to go for a subnational immunisation programme.
Mr Punetha agreed that in isolated cases, immunised children are also affected by the virus, as happened in Kakinada on Friday. “We will analyse the P3 strain,” he said.
Also, locals from Mahbubnagar and Ranga Reddy migrating to Mumbai and Pune could be bringing back the virus.
Thanks to these groups, the wild polio virus of P3 strain though termed as weak has resurfaced in the state, particularly in urban areas. The P3 strain was first reported in Bihar in 2003 and has since spread to southern states. Bihar has reported over 1,300 cases of polio this year.
The family welfare commissioner, Mr Anil Punetha, said, that migrants do not vaccinate their newborns. “Due to lack of awareness they don’t approach health workers,” he said Health officials of the health department have decided to go for a subnational immunisation programme.
Mr Punetha agreed that in isolated cases, immunised children are also affected by the virus, as happened in Kakinada on Friday. “We will analyse the P3 strain,” he said.
Gautam Express Fire Mishap: DNA tests for identification
By U Sudhakar Reddy Families of those who perished in the Gautami Express fire tragedy will have to wait at least a week to perform their last rites.
The skeletal remains will be handed over to the kin of the deceased only after skull superimposition and DNA tests.
Forensic experts from APFSL are not hopeful that the tests will be of much help in identifying all the bodies since they were charred beyond recognition. DNA can be extracted only from four or five bodies.
The experts will try to identify the bodies based on belongings such as gold jewellery and other articles.
In all, 29 charred bodies were found in S-10 coach and two persons died in the hospital. Unidentified bodies have been kept at MGM Hospital in Warangal .
Forensic experts have segregated the remains berthwise based on details such as sex, age and berth number in the reservation chart.
Doctors who conducted autopsy on the skeletal remains also segregated them into male and female based on the shape of the pelvis. Out of 18 bodies nine were identified as female, seven as male and two as children.
“DNA fingerprinting tests will take a week,” said Mr O.N. Murthy, director of the AP Forensic Science Laboratory. The Railway Superintendent of Police, Mr A. Ravichandra, said the remains could be handed over to relatives only after identification. “Otherwise it will lead to a controversy,” he said. Two passengers, Ms G Bhagyalaskhmi, 39, and Ms B. Sarita, 28, were identified and their bodies were handed over to relatives after autopsy.
Meanwhile, the SCR paid an initial ex gratia of Rs 15,000 to relatives of the deceased who have been identified, Rs 5,000 to the grievously injured and Rs 500 to those with simple injuries. Kazipet Railway Deputy Superintendent of Police Mr K Krishna Prasad is the officer in charge of identification and disposal of the bodies. He can be reached at 9440627512 and Inspector Shravan Kumar at 9440627517. Compensation will be made available through railway claims tribunal and special cell which monitors this can be reached at 040-27821923 and 040-27786296.
The skeletal remains will be handed over to the kin of the deceased only after skull superimposition and DNA tests.
Forensic experts from APFSL are not hopeful that the tests will be of much help in identifying all the bodies since they were charred beyond recognition. DNA can be extracted only from four or five bodies.
The experts will try to identify the bodies based on belongings such as gold jewellery and other articles.
In all, 29 charred bodies were found in S-10 coach and two persons died in the hospital. Unidentified bodies have been kept at MGM Hospital in Warangal .
Forensic experts have segregated the remains berthwise based on details such as sex, age and berth number in the reservation chart.
Doctors who conducted autopsy on the skeletal remains also segregated them into male and female based on the shape of the pelvis. Out of 18 bodies nine were identified as female, seven as male and two as children.
“DNA fingerprinting tests will take a week,” said Mr O.N. Murthy, director of the AP Forensic Science Laboratory. The Railway Superintendent of Police, Mr A. Ravichandra, said the remains could be handed over to relatives only after identification. “Otherwise it will lead to a controversy,” he said. Two passengers, Ms G Bhagyalaskhmi, 39, and Ms B. Sarita, 28, were identified and their bodies were handed over to relatives after autopsy.
Meanwhile, the SCR paid an initial ex gratia of Rs 15,000 to relatives of the deceased who have been identified, Rs 5,000 to the grievously injured and Rs 500 to those with simple injuries. Kazipet Railway Deputy Superintendent of Police Mr K Krishna Prasad is the officer in charge of identification and disposal of the bodies. He can be reached at 9440627512 and Inspector Shravan Kumar at 9440627517. Compensation will be made available through railway claims tribunal and special cell which monitors this can be reached at 040-27821923 and 040-27786296.
IP spoofing by Indian Mujahideen Terrorists
By U Sudhakar Reddy Terrorists are spoofing Internet Protocol addresses to mask their true identity and to befuddle the police.
Pranksters and eve-teasers are also resorting to spoofing of IP address as well as email.
Police find it very difficult to crack such cases. For instance, Cyber Crime cops believe that the Indian Mujahideen mail, which landed after the recent blasts in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad may have been sent from a spoofed IP address.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr B. Prasada Rao, asked the public to be cautious about such mischief by cyber criminals.
“IP spoofing is one form of online camouflage,” said a cyber forensic expert. “An attacker gains unauthorised access to a computer or a network and sends the message by spoofing the IP address of that machine. It is like impersonation.” Sleuths have noted that fired employees, rivals, pranksters, hackers and junk mailers mostly use the spoof technique.
A senior police officer said that terrorists were using the new method since sleuths had traced them when they used internet cafes for chatting and mailing.
“Now they are spoofing IP address in addition to email spoofing to mislead the police,” he said.
Experts say IP spoofing attacks can be limited through network filtering at the router. Encryption and authentication will also reduce spoofing threats.
“In email spoofing falsified headers are used to mislead the recipient on the origin of message,” said an expert.
“This is mostly done by spammers. Sometimes users receive undelivered messages which they had never sent. This shows that the email was spoofed and a message was sent to others,” the expert said.
Pranksters and eve-teasers are also resorting to spoofing of IP address as well as email.
Police find it very difficult to crack such cases. For instance, Cyber Crime cops believe that the Indian Mujahideen mail, which landed after the recent blasts in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad may have been sent from a spoofed IP address.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr B. Prasada Rao, asked the public to be cautious about such mischief by cyber criminals.
“IP spoofing is one form of online camouflage,” said a cyber forensic expert. “An attacker gains unauthorised access to a computer or a network and sends the message by spoofing the IP address of that machine. It is like impersonation.” Sleuths have noted that fired employees, rivals, pranksters, hackers and junk mailers mostly use the spoof technique.
A senior police officer said that terrorists were using the new method since sleuths had traced them when they used internet cafes for chatting and mailing.
“Now they are spoofing IP address in addition to email spoofing to mislead the police,” he said.
Experts say IP spoofing attacks can be limited through network filtering at the router. Encryption and authentication will also reduce spoofing threats.
“In email spoofing falsified headers are used to mislead the recipient on the origin of message,” said an expert.
“This is mostly done by spammers. Sometimes users receive undelivered messages which they had never sent. This shows that the email was spoofed and a message was sent to others,” the expert said.
Maoists dream government: Women's Utopia
By U Sudhakar Reddy Documents seized by intelligence sleuths reveal that Maoists are aiming to convert areas under their control into a women’s utopia of sorts.
According to the Maoists, their ‘government’ will set up laundries, crèches and kitchens for the public to liberate women from the chains of domestic toil and to ensure their participation in social production.
The left wing extremists have also decided to rehabilitate sex workers and ensure them social respect.
Some of these concepts have already been implemented in the Dandakaranya forests of Chhattisgarh where the Maoists are running a parallel government.
“The Maoist government will put end to discrimination against women and will strive to end male domination and patriarchy,” says the document.
“It is an idealistic society according to the documents,” said a police officer involved in antiMaoist operations.
“They have been implementing prohibition and social farming in villages they control.” Maoists are also aiming to confiscate banks, business enterprises and companies of “imperialist capital”. They will confiscate land belonging to landlords and religious institutions and redistribute it among the landless poor.
Maoists term their promised land “Voluntary Union of Peoples Democratic Federal Republics of India”.
In the 'voluntary Union of Peoples Democratic Federal Republics of India' of Maoists the marriages shall be on the basis of mutual love and agreement. The age limit for marriage would be 20 years and all child marriages are banned.
"Widow marriages will be encouraged and women shall have a right to abortion. Divorces are granted if both husband and wife wish and if only one them asks for the Maoist state makes investigation and announce the decision, In cases of children men must take two third parts and women one third part of the responsibility. It is the responsibility of men to repay the loans after marriage," says the document.
Peoples governments are formed at district and village levels.
Maoist have also decided to set up museums with the belongings of the martyrs and special care to be taken to the families of those who laid down their lives in red revolution. The documents also speak about the election and structure of the government.
According to the Maoists, their ‘government’ will set up laundries, crèches and kitchens for the public to liberate women from the chains of domestic toil and to ensure their participation in social production.
The left wing extremists have also decided to rehabilitate sex workers and ensure them social respect.
Some of these concepts have already been implemented in the Dandakaranya forests of Chhattisgarh where the Maoists are running a parallel government.
“The Maoist government will put end to discrimination against women and will strive to end male domination and patriarchy,” says the document.
“It is an idealistic society according to the documents,” said a police officer involved in antiMaoist operations.
“They have been implementing prohibition and social farming in villages they control.” Maoists are also aiming to confiscate banks, business enterprises and companies of “imperialist capital”. They will confiscate land belonging to landlords and religious institutions and redistribute it among the landless poor.
Maoists term their promised land “Voluntary Union of Peoples Democratic Federal Republics of India”.
In the 'voluntary Union of Peoples Democratic Federal Republics of India' of Maoists the marriages shall be on the basis of mutual love and agreement. The age limit for marriage would be 20 years and all child marriages are banned.
"Widow marriages will be encouraged and women shall have a right to abortion. Divorces are granted if both husband and wife wish and if only one them asks for the Maoist state makes investigation and announce the decision, In cases of children men must take two third parts and women one third part of the responsibility. It is the responsibility of men to repay the loans after marriage," says the document.
Peoples governments are formed at district and village levels.
Maoist have also decided to set up museums with the belongings of the martyrs and special care to be taken to the families of those who laid down their lives in red revolution. The documents also speak about the election and structure of the government.
AP: Thermal power plant and SEZs a threat to Bioheritage sites
By U Sudhakar Reddy Biological her itage sites in the state are facing serious threats because of the upcoming Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and thermal power plants.
Wildlife experts are concerned about the deathblow to the bird preservation sites in the state due to the units.
Sites such as the Naupada swamp, Telineelapuram in Srikakulam, Veerapuram in Anantapur, which are home to pelicans, Kondakarla Ava in Visakhapatnam abode of grey lapping, marsh fin foot, Uppalapadu in Guntur, which is a habitat for migratory birds are likely to be affected.
A thermal power plant at Naupada swamp is seen as biggest threat to the local ecology. Ornithologist Mr K. Mrityenjaya Rao said, “Naupada swamp is the largest in the state. At least 120 species of migratory birds come here. I wrote to the government regarding the ill effects of the plant,” He added, “Naupada swamp is a passage route for migratory birds from Central Asia, East Europe, Himalayas to South India. Pelicans, painted storks, white necked storks, Sarus crane are also frequent visitors.”
Wildlife experts are concerned about the deathblow to the bird preservation sites in the state due to the units.
Sites such as the Naupada swamp, Telineelapuram in Srikakulam, Veerapuram in Anantapur, which are home to pelicans, Kondakarla Ava in Visakhapatnam abode of grey lapping, marsh fin foot, Uppalapadu in Guntur, which is a habitat for migratory birds are likely to be affected.
A thermal power plant at Naupada swamp is seen as biggest threat to the local ecology. Ornithologist Mr K. Mrityenjaya Rao said, “Naupada swamp is the largest in the state. At least 120 species of migratory birds come here. I wrote to the government regarding the ill effects of the plant,” He added, “Naupada swamp is a passage route for migratory birds from Central Asia, East Europe, Himalayas to South India. Pelicans, painted storks, white necked storks, Sarus crane are also frequent visitors.”
The proposed 1,300 MW thermal plant at Polatitippa in the vicinity of Machilipatnam port in Krishna district would be posting threat to Krishna estuary.
The AP Bio Diversity Board also took up the issue of Veerapuram pelican site in Anantapur district as it violated the bio diversity Act. An official of the AP Forest Department said, “The bird site is more than 70-years-old. Villagers have sent petitions to the government. The board had also written to the government.” “Due to the industries in the SEZs, pollution increas es. The surrounding water bodies get contaminated,” said the official.
In Visakhapatnam, Kondakarla Ava, which is a habitat of rare migratory bird and the catchment area of this will be affected due to the proposed economic zone. An SEZ is proposed in Mangalagiri mandal in Guntur district where Uppalapadu bird sanctuary is situated.
Forest officials, wildlife experts and bird watchers have asked the state to conduct environmental assessment before they go ahead with the SEZs.
The AP Bio Diversity Board also took up the issue of Veerapuram pelican site in Anantapur district as it violated the bio diversity Act. An official of the AP Forest Department said, “The bird site is more than 70-years-old. Villagers have sent petitions to the government. The board had also written to the government.” “Due to the industries in the SEZs, pollution increas es. The surrounding water bodies get contaminated,” said the official.
In Visakhapatnam, Kondakarla Ava, which is a habitat of rare migratory bird and the catchment area of this will be affected due to the proposed economic zone. An SEZ is proposed in Mangalagiri mandal in Guntur district where Uppalapadu bird sanctuary is situated.
Forest officials, wildlife experts and bird watchers have asked the state to conduct environmental assessment before they go ahead with the SEZs.
Did Azam Ghori's IMMM inspired Indian Mujahideen?
By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy- Anti-terror experts have claimed that the Indian Mujahideen was formed with the inspiration of AP’s Jihadi leader Azam Ghori’s Indian Muslim Mohammedi Mujahideen (IMMM).
- Raziuddin Nasir
Ghori, who was allegedly trained by the Taliban in Afghanistan, was killed in an encounter in 2000 at Jagityal in Karimnagar.
The IMMM was responsible for several blasts in the state at the behest of the Laskhar-E-Tayyaba (LeT). A senior police officer said, “We strongly suspect that hardcore activists of Simi, who floated the IM, were inspired by the IMMM.
The group was involved in four murders and exploding bombs in three cinema halls at Begumpet, Nizamabad and Karimnagar in 2000.” He added, “Ghori closely worked with another terror operative Abu Hamza. Ghori, who served the Peoples War Group, was injured in an encounter and took shelter in Saudi Arabia. He was recruited by the LeT and trained in Afghanistan.” In an earlier case, 16 IMMM operatives were convicted in a conspiracy case and sentenced to life for murdering businessman Mahaveer Prasad Modi in the city.
Meanwhile, Raziuddin Naser, son of Moulana Naseeruddin, the former chief of TTSEI, had confessed that he opted to fight US soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq. According to sources in the police headquarters, Naser’s offer was rejected by his handlers in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.
A police officer said, “Naser, who went to Saudi Arabia, left for Pakistan and received training in bomb making along with DJS chief Mehboob Ali’s grandson Najiullah. He came here in June 2007 and after the twin explosions fled to Hubli.” A city police officer probing the twin blasts said, “Naser was arrested in Hubli by Honnali police. Now the investigations are leading to Hubli and Udupi in Karnataka where the bombs were prepared. Now we have to verify all these links.”
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