By U Sudhakar Reddy
Seven years after the scooter bomb blast in Saroornagar Sai Baba temple, the trial has begun in the special court for Jubilee Hills car bomb blast at Nampally.
Though this court was set upto exclusively try the Jubilee Hills blast case, other important cases too have been referred there.
Nine persons who were injured in the Sai Baba temple blast have appeared as witnesses in the court so far.
The Crime Investigation Department (CID) said that the case is split against four accused -- Abul Nayeem of Saidabad, Altaf Ahmed, Irfan Ali Khan and Abdul Razak Masoor -- and they are being tried. The other key accused like Abdul Bari alias Abu Hamza and his aides are absconding and are suspected to be hiding in Pakistan. A CID official said, "There are nine suspects. Two of the accused -- Azam Ghori and Syed Aziz -- were killed in separate encounters in Ranga Reddy and Karimnagar."
Charges were framed against the accused on the allegations of attempt to murder, murder read with Sections 3, 4 and 5 of Explosive Substance Act and Section 3 of the POTA.CID said there is no criminal conspiracy charge against the four who are being tried.
Abdul Razak, who allegedly has links with the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba (LeT) was arrested by the Delhi police and he was shifted to Hyderabad. Razak, a native of Nizamabad, had been to Dubai. Saroornagar blast took place on November 21, 2002, killing two persons and injuring 20 others. The terrorists had set off a time bomb near the parking lot of the Sai Baba temple.
Monday 23 November 2009
Dad `sentiment' can't get you licence for gun : Hyderabad police
By U Sudhakar Reddy The state home department has decided not to issue gun licences to those who claim that they have inherited the weapon, unless there is a real threat to the life of the applicant.
Recently, the home department rejected several such appeals from sons who said the weapon was used by their fathers when alive and they want to keep it for "sentimental reasons."
The principal secretary of the home department, Mr Gautam Kumar, said, "Sentiment will not be a criterion. Sentiment may be for the person but not for the police. We will see whether the applicant already has a licence and has a threat perception and a report by the local police."
For instance, one Mr Abul Ala Ashraf, son of Dr Ahmed Ashraf, a resident of Talabkatta, had asked the home department to reconsider his request for a fresh arms licence so that he could retain a 0.32 revolver belonging to his father.
The Hyderabad commissioner of police had said there was no specific threat to the life of the applicant and hence his request was rejected. Mr Ashraf appealed to the home department which rejected the appeal.
Recently, the home department rejected several such appeals from sons who said the weapon was used by their fathers when alive and they want to keep it for "sentimental reasons."
The principal secretary of the home department, Mr Gautam Kumar, said, "Sentiment will not be a criterion. Sentiment may be for the person but not for the police. We will see whether the applicant already has a licence and has a threat perception and a report by the local police."
For instance, one Mr Abul Ala Ashraf, son of Dr Ahmed Ashraf, a resident of Talabkatta, had asked the home department to reconsider his request for a fresh arms licence so that he could retain a 0.32 revolver belonging to his father.
The Hyderabad commissioner of police had said there was no specific threat to the life of the applicant and hence his request was rejected. Mr Ashraf appealed to the home department which rejected the appeal.
Naxals to get reward for surrendered arms too : Andhra to implement centre's policy
U Sudhakar ReddyThe state government has decided to implement the Centre's amended policy of Maoists surrender and rehabilitation.
As part of the amended policy, cash rewards will be given for weapons and ammunition surrendered by the Maoists apart from the reward they carry on their heads.
If a Maoists gives up an AK-47 or AK-56, he will be given Rs 15,000 apart from the reward on his head. A pistol or revolver will fetch him Rs 3,000 while a rocket will make him richer by Rs 1,000.
Similarly, the government will give a Maoists Rs 500 for surrendering a grenade and Rs 3 for a round of ammunition.
For an improvised explosive device, a Maoists will get Rs 1,000 and Rs 3,000 for mines. A satellite phone will fetch him Rs 10,000 while a VHF communication set will earn him Rs 5,000. Any Maoist who lays down a UMG or a sniper rifle will get Rs 25,000.
However, this incentive will be kept in the form of a fixed deposit in the name of surrendered Maoists and the state government nominee.The Maoists will get the amount only after three years of surrendering, subject to good behaviour.
The surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy is on the lines of the package offered in Jammu and Kashmir and NE states.
The new guidelines are applicable to Maoists who surrender with or without arms. "The eligibility of surrender Maoists for assistance under the scheme would be scrutinised by the screening-cum-rehabilitation committee constituted by the state government.The Centre will reimburse the funds to the state," a police official said.
The surrendered Maoists will be eligible for a monthly stipend of Rs 2,000 each for a maximum period of 36 months and an immediate grant of Rs 1.5 lakh. The Maoists will also be given free legal service after the surrender.
Mumbai terror attack anniversary: Double tragedy for Hyderabad victim's family
By U Sudhakar ReddyFor people who lost their loved ones in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks almost a year ago, the pain is yet to go away.
Three persons from the state lost their lives in the attacks, and their family members have not recovered from the shock.
Vijay Rao Banja, the executive chef of Taj Hotel was one of the people killed by the Pakistani terrorists.Delivering a double blow to the family, Vijay's death took a toll on his wife Fareeda, who too died of a heart attack on September 10. The couple is survived by 18year-old son Rohan.
Vijay's mother, Ms Saroja Rao, said, "Fareeda who used to work with blind kids at the Xavier Resource Centre in Mumbai, had been suffering silently.
Fareeda's death is the second tragedy for our family."
Ameena Begum, 20, of Nizamabad too fell prey to the terrorists' bullets at the Chhatrapati Sivaji Terminus (CST) while trying to protect her niece.
Her father, Mr Abdul Rasheed, who also sustained bullet injuries, said they were on their way back after visiting the Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai. The family says, they miss Ameena each day.
The third victim, Laxminarayan Goel, a chartered accountant, was killed when his taxi was blown up near Vile Parle.
Goel had missed his train and was returning to a relative's home. Goel is survived by his wife and four daughters.
Corrupt officials left scot free : ACB hands tied up by Andhra Pradesh Government
By U Sudhakar ReddyThe corrupt officials are left scot free with the State government denying the criminal prosecution though the Anti Corruption Bureau has been recommending legal action against those found to have amassed crores of rupees of worth assets and caught red handed taking bribe.
Most of these cases are ending up with minor penalties as part of departmental action preferred by the government instead of allowing ACB to prosecute them in the special courts.
Thanks to the increased political interference and bureaucratic connivance that is allowing the corrupt officials to roam free instead of sending them to the jails.
Under section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, prior sanction of the government is required to prosecute government employees. But increasing political interference and bureaucratic connivance has ensured that corrupt officials go scot-free instead of being held accountable.
Even when prosecution has been allowed, the conviction rate has come down.In 2008, the overall conviction rate in trap, disproportionate assets and criminal misconduct cases was 69 per cent.
In 2009 it is down to around 60 per cent, according to the latest ACB statistics. Of the 106 trap cases, 42 ended in acquittal in 2009. In disproportionate assets cases, two of the six cases disposed of by the courts ended in acquittals. In criminal misconduct cases out of 12 cases brought to the courts, five ended in acquittal. As many as 834 cases of corruption are pending in higher courts.
High Court advocate Mr D. Linga Rao who has filed a public interest litigation against the government for exonerating corrupt senior officials says, "After the ACB conducts raids and registers cases and collects evidence, it seeks permission of the government for prosecution of the erring officials.The government either sits on the files or orders disciplinary action instead of criminal prosecution. In some cases, government orders are issued to drop criminal action. In many instances individuals involved in ACB cases have continued in focal posts.Some of those convicted in corruption are continued in service on the ground that sentence of imprisonment is suspended by an appellate court.
The state government has been delaying prosecution of All India Service officials central government against whom the ACB and CBI have found evidence regarding commission and omission. For instance, the government has dropped disciplinary proceedings against senior officials in the ITI scam while allowing criminal proceedings against junior level staff.
In the Special Protection Force DIG Yesuratnam case, another PIL was filed against the government's decision. Though both the ACB and the Vigilance Commission had written to the government asking for criminal prosecution, the government ordered departmental action.
Usually, when the ACB and vigilance commission both agree on prosecution, the file has to be circulated at the level of the Chief Minister and a representative of the ACB shall sit in the committee meeting that decides on prosecution but in a majority of cases, these procedures are not followed.
The state government is also not pursuing the Central Bureau of Investigation's request for action against IAS officials against whom the agency found fault in the Volkswagen scam. The revenue department and the municipal administration department, particularly the GHMC, which are branded the most corrupt departments are also trying to evade criminal prosecution, ACB officials said.
Legal experts say that such an attitude on the part of the government defeats the very purpose of setting up the ACB.
"We have to point a finger at the general administration department which has been playing a key role in exonerating the key accused involved in corruption cases and scams. There is a selective dropping of criminal prosecution. Regarding conviction, ACB officials should collect evidence, but if the investigator himself is dishonest he suppresses the relevant material evidence which results in acquittal," said Mr Linga Rao. Even vigilance commission reports are not implemented by the state government causing huge losses to the exchequer. In one such case, government employees in Mancherial town have been drawing 20 per cent of HRA instead of 12.5 per cent by producing false certificates related to the distance and allegedly misrepresenting facts before the AP Administrative Tribunal. They claimed that Mancherial town is situated within a radius of 8 kilometres from Ramagundam municipality, when the records show that Ramagundem is 24 km from Mancherial and 21 km for Godavari Khan, so the employees in Mancherial are not eligible for 20 per cent HRA. Dismissal of corrupt officials from service, too, has declined. In 2007, 82 officials were dismissed from service; in 2008 the figure was 57.
However, ACB officials say their conviction rate is far better than that of the state police. "The conviction rate of the CBI in the country was 66.2 per cent in 2008. We are on par with them. Our investigators are following up cases regularly.As there are designated courts for trial of ACB cases, the conviction rate is more when compared to regular cases of crime," said an ACB official. But the ACB has its problems. For one, it is short staffed. "There are more retirements and no new posts are sanctioned.Recently, the special incentive given to ACB staff was reinstated. This has to be increased further to encourage police officials working for ACB," an official said.
Even when prosecution has been allowed, the conviction rate has come down.In 2008, the overall conviction rate in trap, disproportionate assets and criminal misconduct cases was 69 per cent.
In 2009 it is down to around 60 per cent, according to the latest ACB statistics. Of the 106 trap cases, 42 ended in acquittal in 2009. In disproportionate assets cases, two of the six cases disposed of by the courts ended in acquittals. In criminal misconduct cases out of 12 cases brought to the courts, five ended in acquittal. As many as 834 cases of corruption are pending in higher courts.
High Court advocate Mr D. Linga Rao who has filed a public interest litigation against the government for exonerating corrupt senior officials says, "After the ACB conducts raids and registers cases and collects evidence, it seeks permission of the government for prosecution of the erring officials.The government either sits on the files or orders disciplinary action instead of criminal prosecution. In some cases, government orders are issued to drop criminal action. In many instances individuals involved in ACB cases have continued in focal posts.Some of those convicted in corruption are continued in service on the ground that sentence of imprisonment is suspended by an appellate court.
The state government has been delaying prosecution of All India Service officials central government against whom the ACB and CBI have found evidence regarding commission and omission. For instance, the government has dropped disciplinary proceedings against senior officials in the ITI scam while allowing criminal proceedings against junior level staff.
In the Special Protection Force DIG Yesuratnam case, another PIL was filed against the government's decision. Though both the ACB and the Vigilance Commission had written to the government asking for criminal prosecution, the government ordered departmental action.
Usually, when the ACB and vigilance commission both agree on prosecution, the file has to be circulated at the level of the Chief Minister and a representative of the ACB shall sit in the committee meeting that decides on prosecution but in a majority of cases, these procedures are not followed.
The state government is also not pursuing the Central Bureau of Investigation's request for action against IAS officials against whom the agency found fault in the Volkswagen scam. The revenue department and the municipal administration department, particularly the GHMC, which are branded the most corrupt departments are also trying to evade criminal prosecution, ACB officials said.
Legal experts say that such an attitude on the part of the government defeats the very purpose of setting up the ACB.
"We have to point a finger at the general administration department which has been playing a key role in exonerating the key accused involved in corruption cases and scams. There is a selective dropping of criminal prosecution. Regarding conviction, ACB officials should collect evidence, but if the investigator himself is dishonest he suppresses the relevant material evidence which results in acquittal," said Mr Linga Rao. Even vigilance commission reports are not implemented by the state government causing huge losses to the exchequer. In one such case, government employees in Mancherial town have been drawing 20 per cent of HRA instead of 12.5 per cent by producing false certificates related to the distance and allegedly misrepresenting facts before the AP Administrative Tribunal. They claimed that Mancherial town is situated within a radius of 8 kilometres from Ramagundam municipality, when the records show that Ramagundem is 24 km from Mancherial and 21 km for Godavari Khan, so the employees in Mancherial are not eligible for 20 per cent HRA. Dismissal of corrupt officials from service, too, has declined. In 2007, 82 officials were dismissed from service; in 2008 the figure was 57.
However, ACB officials say their conviction rate is far better than that of the state police. "The conviction rate of the CBI in the country was 66.2 per cent in 2008. We are on par with them. Our investigators are following up cases regularly.As there are designated courts for trial of ACB cases, the conviction rate is more when compared to regular cases of crime," said an ACB official. But the ACB has its problems. For one, it is short staffed. "There are more retirements and no new posts are sanctioned.Recently, the special incentive given to ACB staff was reinstated. This has to be increased further to encourage police officials working for ACB," an official said.
Wednesday 18 November 2009
In Andhra Pradesh 39 persons commit suicide a day
AP number 2 in India : National Crime Records Bureau Andhra Pradesh now has the dubious distinction of ranking second in the country in the number of reported suicides. On an average, 39 people a day end up killing themselves in the state.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), out of 1.22 lakh suicides every year in the country, Andhra Pradesh records around 14,224.
The large number of suicides among students and employees of IT companies has to do with increasing competition in the education and employment sectors, say experts.
NCRB analysts observe that while social and economic causes lead to most of the suicides committed by men, women are driven to suicide by emotional and personal causes.
According to the NCRB, in the past decade, there has been a 28 per cent increase in the number of suicides. Maharashtra accounts for the largest share at 12.4 per cent, followed by Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal at 12.1 per cent each.
Dr V. Pramod Kumar, the superintendent of the Mental Health Hospital, Erragadda, says, “Due to the changing economic scenario in the South, there is more competition to grab employment opportunities. Disappointed youth are developing suicidal tendencies. Mental illness can also cause people to commit suicide. The reason can also be genetic.” The NCRB report says that AP has been recording higher numbers of suicides in the past few years. The causes can vary from unemployment, to not being able to have children, to problems at work and non-settlement of marriage.
Osmania Medical College forensics department head, Dr M. Narayana Reddy, says that stress in students, failure in love affairs among the youth, poverty of farmers, unemployment, as among weavers, are “leading to frustration and the person takes recourse to death rather than life.”
Within the state, Karimnagar district has recorded the highest number of suicides, with 1,363 persons ending their lives in 2008, and 840 till September 2009. Adilabad registered 1,334 suicides and next was Kurnool. Srikakulam with 158 suicides was the lowest.
The problems that Gulf immigrants face could account for the large number of suicides in Karimnagar which has a large population of men employed in the Gulf, surmises CID IGP, Mr S. Umapathi.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), out of 1.22 lakh suicides every year in the country, Andhra Pradesh records around 14,224.
The large number of suicides among students and employees of IT companies has to do with increasing competition in the education and employment sectors, say experts.
NCRB analysts observe that while social and economic causes lead to most of the suicides committed by men, women are driven to suicide by emotional and personal causes.
According to the NCRB, in the past decade, there has been a 28 per cent increase in the number of suicides. Maharashtra accounts for the largest share at 12.4 per cent, followed by Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal at 12.1 per cent each.
Dr V. Pramod Kumar, the superintendent of the Mental Health Hospital, Erragadda, says, “Due to the changing economic scenario in the South, there is more competition to grab employment opportunities. Disappointed youth are developing suicidal tendencies. Mental illness can also cause people to commit suicide. The reason can also be genetic.” The NCRB report says that AP has been recording higher numbers of suicides in the past few years. The causes can vary from unemployment, to not being able to have children, to problems at work and non-settlement of marriage.
Osmania Medical College forensics department head, Dr M. Narayana Reddy, says that stress in students, failure in love affairs among the youth, poverty of farmers, unemployment, as among weavers, are “leading to frustration and the person takes recourse to death rather than life.”
Within the state, Karimnagar district has recorded the highest number of suicides, with 1,363 persons ending their lives in 2008, and 840 till September 2009. Adilabad registered 1,334 suicides and next was Kurnool. Srikakulam with 158 suicides was the lowest.
The problems that Gulf immigrants face could account for the large number of suicides in Karimnagar which has a large population of men employed in the Gulf, surmises CID IGP, Mr S. Umapathi.
Abetment to suicide legal implications
In most abetment to suicide cases, the state police has failed to catch the abettors. Abetting a suicide is a punishable offence under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code.
The woman boxer Amaravathi, who ended her life on November 4 by consuming poison in the L.B. stadium, was alleged to have done so because she was harassed by her coach, but the police have not taken any action against the coach.
Similarly, in a recent incident where four students of Villa Marie College allegedly drove their classmate Anusha to suicide, the city police have made no headway in establishing the guilt of the four students.
In another case, that of the agricultural officer B. Rajeswari of Devarakadra in Mahbubnagar, who ended her life allegedly because of harassment by the Telugu Desam MLA Seeta Dayakar Reddy, there is no progress as the courts have stayed the matter.
Mr S. Umapathi, IG of CID says, “The abetment to suicide section is a serious one. The burden of proof lies with the accused.”
The police claims that it is difficult to establish abetment to suicide and hence very few arrests are made.
Criminal lawyer, Mr P. Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, says that “in an abetment to suicide case, there must be a clear malicious intention where an abettor should reap a benefit out of the death of the person. If a sensitive person ends his life because he is unable to bear remarks against him, and there is no ill motive, the accused shall not be prosecuted.”
The woman boxer Amaravathi, who ended her life on November 4 by consuming poison in the L.B. stadium, was alleged to have done so because she was harassed by her coach, but the police have not taken any action against the coach.
Similarly, in a recent incident where four students of Villa Marie College allegedly drove their classmate Anusha to suicide, the city police have made no headway in establishing the guilt of the four students.
In another case, that of the agricultural officer B. Rajeswari of Devarakadra in Mahbubnagar, who ended her life allegedly because of harassment by the Telugu Desam MLA Seeta Dayakar Reddy, there is no progress as the courts have stayed the matter.
Mr S. Umapathi, IG of CID says, “The abetment to suicide section is a serious one. The burden of proof lies with the accused.”
The police claims that it is difficult to establish abetment to suicide and hence very few arrests are made.
Criminal lawyer, Mr P. Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, says that “in an abetment to suicide case, there must be a clear malicious intention where an abettor should reap a benefit out of the death of the person. If a sensitive person ends his life because he is unable to bear remarks against him, and there is no ill motive, the accused shall not be prosecuted.”
Suicides by hero worshipping fans
Suicides by hero-worshipping fans of film stars and politicians have also increased. Around 261 people in the country killed themselves last year for this reason, according to police records.
More frightening are the mass suicide pacts, in which entire families commit suicide. Kerala has the highest number of these cases followed by Andhra Pradesh with 34 cases this year involving 83 people.
In 2009, there were several suicides in AP by distraught followers of chief minister Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy following his death in an air crash.
In May 2009, N. Narayana Giri, a fan of Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi committed suicide after the poor showing of Chiranjeevi’s Praja Rajyam Party in the Assembly and general elections. Most of this type of suicide occurred in the 15 to 29 age group, according to police statistics.
More frightening are the mass suicide pacts, in which entire families commit suicide. Kerala has the highest number of these cases followed by Andhra Pradesh with 34 cases this year involving 83 people.
In 2009, there were several suicides in AP by distraught followers of chief minister Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy following his death in an air crash.
In May 2009, N. Narayana Giri, a fan of Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi committed suicide after the poor showing of Chiranjeevi’s Praja Rajyam Party in the Assembly and general elections. Most of this type of suicide occurred in the 15 to 29 age group, according to police statistics.
Friday 13 November 2009
Guerilla warfare: Jungle Craft Range in Andhra Greyhounds Academy
By U Sudhakar Reddy With the motto 'Fight a guerrilla like guerrilla' the Jungle CraftRange coming up at Greyhounds training institute in Premavathipet in City outskirtswould soon be a feather in the cap of the elite anti naxal force
Taking lessons from Indian army and from Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan the Jungle CraftRange would train the Greyhounds and other police personnel in jungle warfare againstPeoples Liberation Guerrilla Army fighters of CPI Maoists.Union Home Minister P Chidambaram earlier laid foundations stone to this jungle craftrange to train anti naxal forces as masters in jungle craft like hit-and-run guerrilla strikesand ambushes, and how to use the thick jungle terrain to their advantage.A senior police official of State police headquarters said ,"all the experiences includingour own Greyhounds, North East and Punjab and elsewhere in the world are taken intoconsideration while designing the jungle craft range. This would further improvethe Greyhounds personnel who are already trained to survive in jungles for nearly aweek living on the rations they carry," Every commando carrying a haversack weighing nearly 20 kg and weapons andammunition is trained to take long patrols.Sources said that the jungle craft range is basically designed on the lines of the CounterInsurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS) of Indian Army in Vairengte in Mizoram.The troops will be trained to survive from poisonous snake bites and techniques totackle wild life attacks.A police official said ,"the troops are taught to live in difficult and hostile terrain, eat andsleep like the guerrillas and strike as silently as the guerrillas. Element of surprise inattacks , selecting the site for counter ambush, observing the discipline of when exactlyto open fire, how to remain undetected, and improvising within a given situation will bepart of that,"Jungle reflexive shooting and how to prevent cross fire are part of the jungle craft range.Jungle atmosphere with thick canopy, water holes, surprise traps will be part of itsources said.Home Minister P Chidamarbam during his recent visit to Greyhounds was keen to knowabout the jungle craft range. Greyhounds is already training the anti naxal commandosof various naxal infested states like Chattisgarh, Orissa and Jharkhand and centralparamilitary forces like COBRA battalions.
NISA India: CISF Marine commandos to guard seaports
By U Sudhakar ReddyAround 200 marine commandos trained in National IndustrialSecurity Academy in city are now ready for deployment in sea ports across the countryto prevent Mumbai September 11 type attacks.The Central Industrial Security Force marine commandos were trained at NISA with thehelp of Indian Navy to guard the ports across the country.NISA Director Mr Anurag Sharma told this newspaper ,"these marine commandos trainedto guard the ports are yet to be deployed. They are expertise to defend the ports fromattacks,"NISA marine commandos are defensive force unlike National Security Guard(NSG) whichis a strike force. The marine commandos will be deployed to strengthen the security inmajor ports of the country like Mumbai, Chennai, Vishakapatnam, Pradeep alreadyguarded by CISF. Indian Navy has MarCos(marine commandos) unit the elite force whichwas part of Operation Black Tornado in Mumbai. The expertise of MarCos was used intraining CISF marine commandos.Intelligence agencies earlier alerted that there is a serious threat to the ports across thecountry.As there is huge demand for CISF security post Mumbai terror attacks the Ministry ofHome Affairs has decided to increase the strength of the force drastically.Mr Anurag Sharma said ,"At present the CISF strength in the country is 1.05 lakh. In thenext three years this would go up to 1.45 lakh. At present recruitment is on with hugeintake.
Though we have requirement from private sector this force would be needed onlyfor the Public Sector undertakings,"He added that Delhi Metro which is already given CISF security will be requiring furtherforces as the other phases are under construction.CISF cover is already given to IT giant Infosys at Bangalore in private sector andReliance has been requesting the CISF to give security cover. Taj Group of Hotels worsthit in Mumbai terror attacks also asked for the CISF security. The security of PublicSector Units like Nalco in Orissa and in naxal infested areas like Jharkhand, Bihar,Chattisgarh, Orissa are being strengthened on the wake of mass attacks from Maoists.NISA in the city has Fire Service Training Institute and National Disaster Response Forcetraining units. Officials said NISA is the country's nodal centre offering training inNuclear Biological and Chemical disaster management.
Sunday 8 November 2009
Tarantulas of AP in Red List of IUCN : Gooty Tarantula critically endangered
By U Sudhakar Reddy Two tarantulas (spiders) from Andhra Pradesh areplaced in the Red List of International Union for Conservation ofNature (IUCN) as critically endangered species. Smuggling of thespiders out of the country is posing a serious threat to the survival ofthe spiders.Gooty Tarantula found in the Nallamala in Kadapa and Regal Tarantulafound in the Eastern Ghats are in the list.
The Red List of threatened species released in World ConservationCongress at Barcelona found that out of 53 species of Tarantulas inIndia 14 are in the list of which eight are threatened with extinction andrest are either data deficient or least concern species.IUCN Central India Co-ordinator and Zoologist Mr C Srinivasulu said,"These spiders are integral part of the biodiversity and control insectpopulations including agriculture pests. In human dwellings they helpin controlling pests like cockroaches, flies and mosquitoes.Large-bodied spiders called tarantulas are in trade and many westernerskeep them as pets.Till October 2008, the Indian large-bodied tarantulas were notprotected as a result there had been cases involving smuggling of thesespecies from India to cater to world market.In Andhra Pradesh as per the Red List, the Gooty Tarantula is criticallyendangered, Regal or King Tarantula is Least Concern and NallamalaTarantula and Anantagiri Tarantula are Data Deficient species. The Gooty Tarantula has been reported from a very few locations inSouthern Nallamala Hills, Kadapa, the Regal Tarantula is known frommany locations in the Eastern Ghats of the State, while the NallamalaTarantula is restricted to certain locations in Central Nallamala Hills inKurnool district, while the Anantagiri Tarantula seems to be commonin the northern Eastern Ghats of the State."We have asked AP Biodiversity Board to include them as threatenedspecies in Andhra Pradesh as per section 38 of AP Biodiversity act.They will be given protected status then." said Dr Srinivasulu.
Maoists spread out in 'Red corridor' to engage security forces
By U Sudhakar ReddyCPI Maoist armed cadres are now distributed in different key areas of the "red corridor" in India, in order to make it more difficult for the police who have to engage them simultaneously in different war zones.
Sources in the state police said that platoons of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) and others are now scattered in different states to launch an offensive simultaneously.
The Centre has given additional paramilitary forces, the COBRA and CRPF, to the states and their deployment has begun. An official at the state police headquarters explained, "When we analyse their documents over the past four to five months, we find that they are deployed in more places to see that the security forces are not concentrated in a specific area like Dandakaranya."
The recent offensive and killings in North Telangana indicate their strategy. Says a senior IPS official involved in anti-Naxal operations, "They don't want to face the police in the Andhra-Orissa border (AOB), so they have started an offensive in North Telangana. AOB, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, the Jharkhand-Bihar border, Gadchiroli in Maharasthra and North Telangana are now the key areas where trouble from Maoists is anticipated."
The tactical retreat and movement of Naxal companies to less affected areas is part of the strategy says the police. "They want to resort to one or two murders and get out," observed an official. There are six to eight companies of the PLGA in Dandakaranya in Chhattisgarh and on the AOB. "The hype over the Abhujmad operation in Chhattisgarh may be another reason for distribution of Maoist forces," said the official.
Maoists have been claiming that 4,000 CRPF, BSF and STF and Greyhounds forces and 400 commandos of COBRA are now engaged in an offensive in Dandakaranya. CPI Maoist central committee spokesperson Azad says that a unified command was set up to co-ordinate the police forces of seven states besides the central forces. (Include West Bengal in Map)
Civic criminal negligence case studies: Bholakpur and Panjagutta
By U Sudhakar Reddy Criminal negligence on the part of civic authorities should not go unpunished.
Accordingly, the police is booking cases against erring officials in cases like the Bholakpur tragedy and Punjagutta flyover collapse.
There is a clear case of criminal negligence underlying each of the many tragedies that have recently occurred in the state.
The cholera outbreak, a flyover collapse, train mishaps... in each case there has been criminal negligence on the part of civic authorities and government officials.
The police department, which earlier shied away from booking such cases, has finally shaken off its reluctance and is charging erring officials under relevant Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Legal experts are optimistic that booking a case of “negligence leading to death” against the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB), for the death of 13 persons at Bholakpur, will go a long way in the fight against “civic negligence.” Police had earlier filed chargesheets against the accused officials in the Valigonda train mishap, which claimed 116 lives, and the Panjagutta flyover collapse case. In an encouraging development, police has now registered cases related to the Bholakpur deaths as well as the Kurnool highway bridge collapse. In the Bholakpur case, for the first time the police is insisting on a postmortem examination.
The CCS police booked a case of negligence under Sections that deal with actions of officials endangering public safety and leading to infection.
The Institute of Preventive Medicine (IPM), the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases as well as the report by the GHMC revealed that water contaminated with faecal matter led to diarrhoea cases and the outbreak of diseases like cholera. Supreme Court senior advocate and Padma Bhushan award winner Mr P.P. Rao said, “The water board is supposed to supply clean and treated potable water. If they fail in their duty, not only individual officials, but also the civic body can be treated as accused and sued.” The Central Crime Station (CCS) sleuths, who are also probing the September 9, 2007 Panjagutta flyover collapse case, filed a chargesheet against the contractors, as well as senior employees of the water board. CCS detective department inspector of police, Mr S. Sarath Kumar, the investigating official in the Panjagutta flyover collapse case said, “The chargesheet was filed against the accused under Section 304 A (negligent act leading to death) 336, 337 and 338 for causing injuries due to the collapse of the under-construction flyover.” CCS officials collected substantial evidence against Gammon India Limited, Tanikella Integrated Consultants and also the water board in the Panjagutta case.
Investigations found that the water board officials had dug up trenches on the road on which the flyover was under construction. The GHMC had directed the water board to fill the excavated trenches with stone quarry dust, as a standard procedure.
However, the officials filled them with loose soil, and the site was handed over to the construction agency without proper compacting.
The accident occurred due to sliding of pre-case cement segments onto the road after a heavy downpour. In spite of intermittent rains during the period, Gammon India and TIC failed to take proper precautions to prevent rain water from entering the construction site.
The enquiry by technical experts revealed that the accident occurred due to the negligence of Gammon, TIC and the water board. The Gammon India Limited AGM, Mr T.N.V.S. Ratnaji; site engineer, Mr Sanjay Bhattacharjee; TIC project manager, Mr B.S.R. Laxman Rao; quality assurance and project engineer, Mr G.S.N. Madhusudhana Rao; HMWS&SB Circle-2 DGM, Mr M. Dharma Reddy and manager, Mr M Brijesh, were all charged by the police for criminal negligence.
Senior advocate of AP High Court, Mr C. Mallesh Rao said “In death cases similar to Bholakpur or the Panjagutta incident, police has to take cognisance of whether the act was willfully or intentionally done.
Civic authorities were fully aware that a mixture of water and faecal matter would result in a disease outbreak. Despite being conscious of the consequences, they didn’t do their duty.” Instead, the complaints by the locals about contaminated water were ignored. In the Bholakpur case there is ample evidence available with the police. Officials always try to blame natural calamities and pass off “deaths due to negligence” as natural deaths. In the 2005 Valigonda train mishap, which claimed the lives of 116 passengers of the Repalle Delta Passenger coming to Secunderabad — the mishap occurred due to alleged negligence of railway officials. Government Railway Police filed a case against the gang-man and the permanent way inspec tor who failed to guard the railway track which was washed away in the floods.
Secunderabad railway district superintendent of police, Mr Venugopala Rao said, “The case is now in trail. Witnesses are being examined in court.”
Accordingly, the police is booking cases against erring officials in cases like the Bholakpur tragedy and Punjagutta flyover collapse.
There is a clear case of criminal negligence underlying each of the many tragedies that have recently occurred in the state.
The cholera outbreak, a flyover collapse, train mishaps... in each case there has been criminal negligence on the part of civic authorities and government officials.
The police department, which earlier shied away from booking such cases, has finally shaken off its reluctance and is charging erring officials under relevant Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Legal experts are optimistic that booking a case of “negligence leading to death” against the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB), for the death of 13 persons at Bholakpur, will go a long way in the fight against “civic negligence.” Police had earlier filed chargesheets against the accused officials in the Valigonda train mishap, which claimed 116 lives, and the Panjagutta flyover collapse case. In an encouraging development, police has now registered cases related to the Bholakpur deaths as well as the Kurnool highway bridge collapse. In the Bholakpur case, for the first time the police is insisting on a postmortem examination.
The CCS police booked a case of negligence under Sections that deal with actions of officials endangering public safety and leading to infection.
The Institute of Preventive Medicine (IPM), the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases as well as the report by the GHMC revealed that water contaminated with faecal matter led to diarrhoea cases and the outbreak of diseases like cholera. Supreme Court senior advocate and Padma Bhushan award winner Mr P.P. Rao said, “The water board is supposed to supply clean and treated potable water. If they fail in their duty, not only individual officials, but also the civic body can be treated as accused and sued.” The Central Crime Station (CCS) sleuths, who are also probing the September 9, 2007 Panjagutta flyover collapse case, filed a chargesheet against the contractors, as well as senior employees of the water board. CCS detective department inspector of police, Mr S. Sarath Kumar, the investigating official in the Panjagutta flyover collapse case said, “The chargesheet was filed against the accused under Section 304 A (negligent act leading to death) 336, 337 and 338 for causing injuries due to the collapse of the under-construction flyover.” CCS officials collected substantial evidence against Gammon India Limited, Tanikella Integrated Consultants and also the water board in the Panjagutta case.
Investigations found that the water board officials had dug up trenches on the road on which the flyover was under construction. The GHMC had directed the water board to fill the excavated trenches with stone quarry dust, as a standard procedure.
However, the officials filled them with loose soil, and the site was handed over to the construction agency without proper compacting.
The accident occurred due to sliding of pre-case cement segments onto the road after a heavy downpour. In spite of intermittent rains during the period, Gammon India and TIC failed to take proper precautions to prevent rain water from entering the construction site.
The enquiry by technical experts revealed that the accident occurred due to the negligence of Gammon, TIC and the water board. The Gammon India Limited AGM, Mr T.N.V.S. Ratnaji; site engineer, Mr Sanjay Bhattacharjee; TIC project manager, Mr B.S.R. Laxman Rao; quality assurance and project engineer, Mr G.S.N. Madhusudhana Rao; HMWS&SB Circle-2 DGM, Mr M. Dharma Reddy and manager, Mr M Brijesh, were all charged by the police for criminal negligence.
Senior advocate of AP High Court, Mr C. Mallesh Rao said “In death cases similar to Bholakpur or the Panjagutta incident, police has to take cognisance of whether the act was willfully or intentionally done.
Civic authorities were fully aware that a mixture of water and faecal matter would result in a disease outbreak. Despite being conscious of the consequences, they didn’t do their duty.” Instead, the complaints by the locals about contaminated water were ignored. In the Bholakpur case there is ample evidence available with the police. Officials always try to blame natural calamities and pass off “deaths due to negligence” as natural deaths. In the 2005 Valigonda train mishap, which claimed the lives of 116 passengers of the Repalle Delta Passenger coming to Secunderabad — the mishap occurred due to alleged negligence of railway officials. Government Railway Police filed a case against the gang-man and the permanent way inspec tor who failed to guard the railway track which was washed away in the floods.
Secunderabad railway district superintendent of police, Mr Venugopala Rao said, “The case is now in trail. Witnesses are being examined in court.”
Deadly diseases re-emerge in Andhra Pradesh
U. SUDHAKAR REDDY
Due to official negligence, diseases that were on the verge of eradication, have surfaced in number of districts posing threat to lives.
Diseases suppos edly on the verge of eradication have reared their deadly head in the state. A cholera epidemic in Bholakpur, an anthrax outbreak in Visakhapatnam and the recurrence of polio cases, are the recent reminders that yesterday’s deadly diseases are still in our midst.
Official apathy in providing safe drinking water and sanitation, is adding to increased microbial resistance and the spread of mutant strains of bacteria to new geographical areas.
Changing temperatures have also lead to the reemergence of the disease, say experts.
Cholera and polio are water-borne diseases, spreading due to contamination of the water with human faecal matter. Anthrax is a zoonotic diseases that spreads from contact with cattle. According to the director (health), Dr D.Ramesh Chandra, as on May 12, 2009, at least three people have died of anthrax in Visakhapatnam, and another 56 have contracted the disease.
Most of the deaths occurred in the tribal mandals of Munchingupet and Chintapalli.
“The deaths occurred due to cutaneous and intestinal anthrax in Visakhaptnam.
Earlier in Chittoor a few cases were reported. Once our teams move out, the tribals dig up the diseased animal that was buried by us, and sell it. People should not consume the meat of diseased cattle. The form of anthrax here is only cutaneous and intestinal, and there is no pulmonary anthrax,” said Ramesh Chandra.
Anthrax cases are being reported at the Prakasam district as well. In 2008 there were no cases. Rural and agency areas in districts like Visakhapatnam, East Godavari and Khammam, and urban slums like Bholakpur in the city, are the worst affected by re-emerging diseases.
The JNTU Institute of Science and Technology director, Dr M. Laxmi Narasu said, “These diseases haven’t gone anywhere. The outbreaks are caused by factors like faecal matter mixing with drinking water. The government should allocate more funds for water pipeline maintenance.” He adds, “Overuse or abuse of antibiotics has resulted in drug resistance of the causative agents. New strains are emerging. Microorganisms change their genetic make up as we use newly developed drugs against them.” Cholera is one of the six diseases identified by WHO in the list of re-emerging diseases.
“Cholera is endemic to Hyderabad but cases are increasing in the past few years. Vibrio cholera is in a state of constant flux, resulting in the re-emergence and displacement of serotypes inaba and ogawa. In Hyder abad, it was identified as the strain of eltor vibrio,” said the National Institute of Cholera Enteric Diseases deputy director, Dr Dipika Sur. Around 13 deaths of cholera were reported in the city this year. The number of cases increased to 66.
According to the Epidemics Cell, around 74 cases were reported in the state in 2007.
“In 2008, Hyderabad had the largest number of cholera cases in the state (107 out of 153 cases),” said an official of the Epidemics cell. Over the last two years, polio has also re-surfaced in the coastal districts.
On July 16, 2008, a polio case was identified in the state. Joint-director (immunisation), Dr V. Nirmal Kumar said, “The police mellitus virus wild strain has come to the state via the migrant population. It has come from Karnataka. This year there have been no cases reported. We have conducted around 12.19 lakh oral polio vaccine immunisations this year, across the state.” Human genetics expert of AP Forensic Science Laboratory, Mr N. Venkanna said, “Disease outbreak is linked to changes in climatic conditions. High temperatures are conducive for the growth of bacteria. The resistance of the human body decreases when exposed to high temperatures.” Mass chemoprophylaxis, and high dosage of antibiotics and vaccines also lead to the development of resistant strains, which wreak havoc when they strike for the first time, he said.”
(published in 2008)
Saturday 7 November 2009
India SVP National Police Academy security stepped up
Udumula Sudhakar Reddy Security has been tightened at the Sardar Vallabhbhai National Police Academy, the premiere training institute for IPS officers, after intelligence reports that it was likely to be targeted by terror groups.
Armed guards have been posted on the top of the academy building following the unravelling of a terror plot to attack National Defence College in New Delhi. Sources in the Intelligence Bureau said that the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba was plotting to target police and army colleges in the country. The Union home minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, who was here to attend the passing-out parade of IPS officers, however, refused to disclose to mediapersons whether there were any possible targets in Hyder- abad.
"IPS officers are protecting the nation so they have to be protected. NPA must be a secured place and IPS officers should be protected well," he said. "We are going to strengthen the CISF securi ty."
Sources in Cyberabad police commissionerate said that patrolling and frisking operations had been intensified around the NPA in Shivarampally after they received an alert.
"Top people who visit the academy will be vulnerable in normal security and so we will increase the CISF guards," said the National Industrial Security Acade my director, Mr Anurag Sharma.
Officials said that the Army and Air Force were also asked to beef up secu rity in their training insti tutes located at Dundigal, Hakimpet and other parts of the city.
Armed guards have been posted on the top of the academy building following the unravelling of a terror plot to attack National Defence College in New Delhi. Sources in the Intelligence Bureau said that the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba was plotting to target police and army colleges in the country. The Union home minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, who was here to attend the passing-out parade of IPS officers, however, refused to disclose to mediapersons whether there were any possible targets in Hyder- abad.
"IPS officers are protecting the nation so they have to be protected. NPA must be a secured place and IPS officers should be protected well," he said. "We are going to strengthen the CISF securi ty."
Sources in Cyberabad police commissionerate said that patrolling and frisking operations had been intensified around the NPA in Shivarampally after they received an alert.
"Top people who visit the academy will be vulnerable in normal security and so we will increase the CISF guards," said the National Industrial Security Acade my director, Mr Anurag Sharma.
Officials said that the Army and Air Force were also asked to beef up secu rity in their training insti tutes located at Dundigal, Hakimpet and other parts of the city.
However NPA sources stated that there is no alert and security threat.
Maoists to strike big: PLGA company moves to AOB from Chattisgarh
By U Sudhakar Reddy Police suspect that a major attack by the Maoists is on the cards with a company of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army reaching the Andhra-Orissa Border from Dandakaranya and joining another company already stationed there.
There are around 70 armed Maoists in the new company and sleuths feel they may be planning a big attack like the one on the Nalco bauxite mine.
"The threat is more to Orissa than for us but we are on high alert," said the Vizianagaram superintendent of police, Mr Y. Gangadhar. "We have information that a platoon has moved to the area and is planning a major attack."
In April, around 200 naxals attacked Nalco Bauxite mine in Orissa's Koraput district. It took a nine-hour gun battle to secure the mine and eight Central Industrial Security Force personnel and four Maoists were killed in the operation.Maoists raided the mine to loot weapons.
"Usually when Maoist platoons migrate from area to another we can anticipate a major attack," said a police source." There are around 150 activists and they will have cover of local militia also.
Intelligence sources said that AOB special zonal committee secretary, Mr M.Balakrishna, and other top leaders were suspected to be planning a major strike under the guidance of Central Military Commission.
"But the AP police knows most of the Maoist tactics so they will not be falling prey to them," said a senior cop.The police believes that at least 400 Maoists of Andhra Pradesh are still underground.
A platoon of 30 armed Maoists from both AP and Chhattisgarh, lead by divisional secretary Vepa Narayana alias Haribhushan, is operating in the Karimnagar-Khammam Warangal belt and two platoons from Chhattisgarh and Orissa are active in Visakhapatnam and East Godavari districts.
There are around 70 armed Maoists in the new company and sleuths feel they may be planning a big attack like the one on the Nalco bauxite mine.
"The threat is more to Orissa than for us but we are on high alert," said the Vizianagaram superintendent of police, Mr Y. Gangadhar. "We have information that a platoon has moved to the area and is planning a major attack."
In April, around 200 naxals attacked Nalco Bauxite mine in Orissa's Koraput district. It took a nine-hour gun battle to secure the mine and eight Central Industrial Security Force personnel and four Maoists were killed in the operation.Maoists raided the mine to loot weapons.
"Usually when Maoist platoons migrate from area to another we can anticipate a major attack," said a police source." There are around 150 activists and they will have cover of local militia also.
Intelligence sources said that AOB special zonal committee secretary, Mr M.Balakrishna, and other top leaders were suspected to be planning a major strike under the guidance of Central Military Commission.
"But the AP police knows most of the Maoist tactics so they will not be falling prey to them," said a senior cop.The police believes that at least 400 Maoists of Andhra Pradesh are still underground.
A platoon of 30 armed Maoists from both AP and Chhattisgarh, lead by divisional secretary Vepa Narayana alias Haribhushan, is operating in the Karimnagar-Khammam Warangal belt and two platoons from Chhattisgarh and Orissa are active in Visakhapatnam and East Godavari districts.
Tiger Authority to take up census as states fudge figures
By U Sudhakar Reddy The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has decided to conduct the 2010 tiger census itself in the wake of allegations that states are fudging the tiger figures.
NTCA will collect only raw data from the state forest departments and compile its own figures using various techniques.
The last all-India tiger census was carried out in 2006 and now it will be conducted again after four years in January 2010.
An official of the AP state forest department's wildlife wing said that officials from all the southern states will be trained at Bandipur from November 10 to 12.
The training programme will basically be about the various methods used to collect data for the census. Data is collected by studying pug marks, taking digital photographs, examining droppings, herbivore kills, vegetation, terrain, cattle disturbance, human disturbance etc.
"It is a complicated process. Mapping by camera traps will be of immense use. 30 to 40 cameras will be set up and animal movements over a period of three months will be analysed.This exercise is being done as several states inflated the figures of tiger population," said the official.
It will take at least three to six months to process the data and furnish an authoritative figure for the fast dwindling tiger population in the country.
NTCA will collect only raw data from the state forest departments and compile its own figures using various techniques.
The last all-India tiger census was carried out in 2006 and now it will be conducted again after four years in January 2010.
An official of the AP state forest department's wildlife wing said that officials from all the southern states will be trained at Bandipur from November 10 to 12.
The training programme will basically be about the various methods used to collect data for the census. Data is collected by studying pug marks, taking digital photographs, examining droppings, herbivore kills, vegetation, terrain, cattle disturbance, human disturbance etc.
"It is a complicated process. Mapping by camera traps will be of immense use. 30 to 40 cameras will be set up and animal movements over a period of three months will be analysed.This exercise is being done as several states inflated the figures of tiger population," said the official.
It will take at least three to six months to process the data and furnish an authoritative figure for the fast dwindling tiger population in the country.
Finally, Ansu rests in peace in Kerala : Dad gets a part of 'justice'
By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy The body of Ansu Kuruvilla, who died under mysterious circumstances three-and-half-years ago in the city, was reburied on Sunday after her father won a long legal battle.
Ansu, an employee of an MNC in Madhapur, had died under suspicious circumstances in her house in 2006. Her husband Ribu was subsequently arrested though he denied any involvement.
The case which was handled by Banjara Hills police was transferred to the Crime Investigation Department and then to the CBI.The CID had converted it to a case of dowry death.
In Kerala, the church authorities refused a religious burial as it was alleged that it was a case of suicide. Ansu's father contended that it was a case of murder and that her body had to buried as per religious rituals.
The family finally secured the court's support on Saturday. Mr Kuruvilla, who is from Kottayam, said, "The Marathoma Syrian Church has allowed the burial. The court said that I can take up reburial if the CBI did not have any objection."
Ansu's exhumed body was taken from the Lingampally cemetery, where it was buried without proper religious rituals, and buried in accordance with the rituals in Kerala.
Ansu, an employee of an MNC in Madhapur, had died under suspicious circumstances in her house in 2006. Her husband Ribu was subsequently arrested though he denied any involvement.
The case which was handled by Banjara Hills police was transferred to the Crime Investigation Department and then to the CBI.The CID had converted it to a case of dowry death.
In Kerala, the church authorities refused a religious burial as it was alleged that it was a case of suicide. Ansu's father contended that it was a case of murder and that her body had to buried as per religious rituals.
The family finally secured the court's support on Saturday. Mr Kuruvilla, who is from Kottayam, said, "The Marathoma Syrian Church has allowed the burial. The court said that I can take up reburial if the CBI did not have any objection."
Ansu's exhumed body was taken from the Lingampally cemetery, where it was buried without proper religious rituals, and buried in accordance with the rituals in Kerala.
(For backgrounder read 'Dad fights for justice for dead daughter' in the same blog)
Thursday 5 November 2009
Kalakarshana of Sri Sushameendra Teertha Swamy at Mantralayam Raghavendra Swamy Mutt
By U Sudhakar ReddyKalakarshna of Sri Sushameendra Teertha Swamy was conducted at Mantralayam on November 4th in which tens of thousands of devotees took part and had darshan of the preserved body of Swamiji.
Backgrounder
The ‘Kalakarshana’ a holy ritual of installing permanent Brindavan with the preserved mortal remains of immediate past Pontiff of ‘Sri Madhvyacharaya Moola Maha Samsthana Raghavendra Swamy Mutt’ Sri Sushameendra Teertha Swami in Mantralayam was indefinitely postponed after the Tungabhadra flood ravaged the temple town.Kalakarshana a rare religious ritual conducted after a few months of the death of the Pontiffs of the mutt is supposed to be held on October 6th.It was expected by the mutt authorities that 1.5 lakh devotees from across the country to have the darshan of preserved body of Sri Sushameendra Teertha who passed away in April 2009.All arrangements made for the event including three crore rupees worth of food grains and other material stocked for making prasadam perished in the floods. The mutt authorities are still cleaning up the slush in the temple premises.The Brindavan of Guru Sri Raghavendra Swamy is the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. There are five other sacred permanent Brindavans of the past Pontiffs of Sri Madhavacharya lineage and that of Sushameendra will be the seventh one where it is believed that the pontiffs guide and guard the devotees.Mr R Prabhakar the former DGP and honorary administrator of the holy mutt said ,”we were expecting devotees even from United States for Kalakarshana of Sri Sushameendra Teertha to be conducted from October 4th for three days with darshan on 6th. Sri Sushameendra Swamy passed away in April and his mortal remains are kept in temporary brindavan after preserving the body as per sashtras . Several of the disciples and devotees of Sushameendra who may not had an opportunity to have darshan of his mortal remains in April are supposed to have the darshan on 6th,”He added that the the present Pontiff of the mutt Sri Suyateendra Teertha Swami( who came back from Karnataka on October 6th after airlifted from the temple on October 3rd) and archakas and pandits will decide on the next date of Kalakarshna.Mr Raja H Srinivasachar one of the organisers at the Mutt says ,”the body of Sri Sushameendra Teertha Swamy was preserved using salt, karpuram, mustard seed powder, patika and it remains intact. The Swamijis will be a guiding spirit for the devotees from these Brindavans,”
Wednesday 4 November 2009
Is Chelation therapy an alternative to bypass surgery?
Udumula Sudhakar ReddyCity cardiologists have come out strongly against chelation therapy promoted by some practitioners and said that there was absolutely no evidence of it being a viable alternative to coronary bypass surgery and angioplasty. The therapy involves a series of intravenous infusions of the organic chemical ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) and various other substances to cure ailments.
Some practitioners advertise chelation therapy as a cure for cardiovascular disease, autism, and many other diseases. However, cardiologists warned that it has not been proven to effectively treat multiple blocks.
Scientifically speaking, chelation has been found to be of use only in certain cases of heavy metal poisoning. "The American College of Cardiology has clearly stated that it has no scientific basis," says Dr J. Shiv Kumar, an interventional cardiologist of Hrudayam Clinic. "It is being practised in parts of North India where people are reluctant to undergo a bypass. But it is not scientifically proven."
While chelation therapy treats arterial blocks as impurities that can be leeched out, Dr Kumar pointed out that blocks occur because of fat deposits in the internal layers of the arteries and also fibrous deposits.
"They cannot be termed either an infection or impurity though they can trigger infection," he said. "They can be cleared mechanically either by balloon angioplasty or by-pass surgery with a graft." However, Dr Dhananjay Shah of Malad in Mumbai, who practises chelation therapy, insists it was legitimate. "I am the member of the American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM) and have been undertaking this therapy for the past eight years," he says. "A mixture of drugs is infused intravenously. It takes one hour 20 minutes and can be used to remove blocks."
He added that chelation therapy was effective in treating bad cholesterol, heavy metal poisoning and fibrosis. "It is a holistic approach and can be used for several ailments including diabetes," he said. "The number of dosages depends on age, severity of disease and the patient's habits," says the doctor who claims to have treated a patient with a cancerous tumour in the brain. "She had undergone both chemotherapy and radiotherapy when she approached me. I treat her using chelation therapy in which each sitting costs Rs 2,500. Now she's leading a perfectly normal life thanks to chelation therapy," says Dr Shah. He added that the therapy is also useful in treating impotence.
The ACAM, which promotes chelation therapy, says the hardened arteries can be softened if the calcium is removed. "Chelation therapy has not yet been proven in clinical trials," says Dr A. Ravikanth, consultant cardiologist of Yashoda Hospital. "There is no scientific data available either."
The American Heart Association's Clinical Science Committee has reviewed the available literature on the use of chelation (EDTA) in the treatment of arteriosclerotic heart or blood vessel disease and found no scientific evidence to demonstrate any benefit. It also warned that this unproven treatment may deprive patients of the well-established benefits of many proven methods
Climate justice in Copenhagen: Deal or No deal for India
U Sudhakar Reddy India faces tremendous pres sure to sign the deal in Copen hagen. But experts feel that climate change is about sharing atmospheric space and economic growth. The rich have to cut carbon emission so the rest can grow and there shall not be cli mate injustice. Even by 2020, with almost one-fifth of the world's population residing in India, the country's share of greenhouse gas emissions is expected to rise by just seven per cent.As the pressure is building up on developing nations, including India, to seal the deal at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December, noted Indian environmental experts are cautioning that no deal is better than a bad deal when it comes to crucial cuts in carbon emissions.
Substantial cuts in greenhouse gas emissions -- the prime cause of climate change -- is seen as stunting a country's economic growth. India is far behind the United States and the European Union in per capita carbon emissions. India, with its many poor people, also uses less electricity and fuel due to the high prices and the Indian lifestyle.
Stanford University, Indian Institute of TechnologyChennai, and the energy NGO Prayas have come out with an overview of Indian energy trends, which highlights India's low carbon growth pattern and the development challenges it faces. The challenge before India at Copenhagen is not to be seen as a "deal breaker" and yet at the same time to protect its own interests.
Though India is the fourth largest emitter of greenhouse gases, after China, the United States and Russia, the per capita CO2 emission is only 1.3 tonnes, which is well below the world average of 4.4 tonnes. In terms of per capita emissions, one US citizen is the equivalent of 19 Indians and 107 Bangladeshis.
Even by 2020, with almost one-fifth of the world's population residing in India, the country's share of greenhouse gas emissions is expected to rise by just seven per cent.
Mr Girish Sant of the Prayas Energy Group in Pune says, "The drivers for this situation is our low carbon lifestyle pattern such as vegetarianism, high use of non-motorised modes of transport and public transportation, high industrial energy prices, energy efficiency improvement in select industries and use of renewable energies." India's electricity tariffs are the highest in the world and gasoline and diesel cost more than they do in the US and China. The transportation sector in India is responsible for only about 15 per cent of total commercial energy consumption; globally, transportation makes up about a quarter of total energy demand.
Ms Sunita Narain, director of the Centre for Science and Environment, says that climate change is "real and urgent and it needs us to act quickly and drastically. But climate change is linked to economic growth."
If annual emissions remain at today's level, greenhouse gas emissions would be close to 550 ppm by 2050 and this would mean a rise in earth's temperature of 3 to 5 degrees centigrade, with disastrous consequences.
Developed countries have been saying that they will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050, but want developing countries too to accept emission reduction targets.
"Now there is pressure on India and China. Climate change is about sharing atmospheric space and economic growth. The rich have to reduce so the rest can grow and there shall not be climate injustice. Cooperation demands equity and fairness which is the pre-requisite for an effective climate agreement. The trajectory of growth has been to first pollute, get rich and then clean up. We are being asked to clean up before we get rich! Then, again, technologies that exist are expensive."
Ms Narain says industrialised countries have to make deep cuts (40 per cent by 2020). The emerging rich and the rest have to participate not by taking legally binding cuts but through a strategy to avoid future emissions.
"We need an effective climate agreement. We need a balanced climate agreement.Asking for it is not wrong.We must not mind being hated in the rich man's world," she said.
Dr Prodipto Ghosh, India's climate change negotiator said, "Developed countries have to be responsible to the historical accumulation and current levels and must be sincere in their discussions.They should stick to the Bali action plan. There is not the slightest change in India's stand. The Indian and Chinese delegations stood by each other in discussions and will continue to do so."
Substantial cuts in greenhouse gas emissions -- the prime cause of climate change -- is seen as stunting a country's economic growth. India is far behind the United States and the European Union in per capita carbon emissions. India, with its many poor people, also uses less electricity and fuel due to the high prices and the Indian lifestyle.
Stanford University, Indian Institute of TechnologyChennai, and the energy NGO Prayas have come out with an overview of Indian energy trends, which highlights India's low carbon growth pattern and the development challenges it faces. The challenge before India at Copenhagen is not to be seen as a "deal breaker" and yet at the same time to protect its own interests.
Though India is the fourth largest emitter of greenhouse gases, after China, the United States and Russia, the per capita CO2 emission is only 1.3 tonnes, which is well below the world average of 4.4 tonnes. In terms of per capita emissions, one US citizen is the equivalent of 19 Indians and 107 Bangladeshis.
Even by 2020, with almost one-fifth of the world's population residing in India, the country's share of greenhouse gas emissions is expected to rise by just seven per cent.
Mr Girish Sant of the Prayas Energy Group in Pune says, "The drivers for this situation is our low carbon lifestyle pattern such as vegetarianism, high use of non-motorised modes of transport and public transportation, high industrial energy prices, energy efficiency improvement in select industries and use of renewable energies." India's electricity tariffs are the highest in the world and gasoline and diesel cost more than they do in the US and China. The transportation sector in India is responsible for only about 15 per cent of total commercial energy consumption; globally, transportation makes up about a quarter of total energy demand.
Ms Sunita Narain, director of the Centre for Science and Environment, says that climate change is "real and urgent and it needs us to act quickly and drastically. But climate change is linked to economic growth."
If annual emissions remain at today's level, greenhouse gas emissions would be close to 550 ppm by 2050 and this would mean a rise in earth's temperature of 3 to 5 degrees centigrade, with disastrous consequences.
Developed countries have been saying that they will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050, but want developing countries too to accept emission reduction targets.
"Now there is pressure on India and China. Climate change is about sharing atmospheric space and economic growth. The rich have to reduce so the rest can grow and there shall not be climate injustice. Cooperation demands equity and fairness which is the pre-requisite for an effective climate agreement. The trajectory of growth has been to first pollute, get rich and then clean up. We are being asked to clean up before we get rich! Then, again, technologies that exist are expensive."
Ms Narain says industrialised countries have to make deep cuts (40 per cent by 2020). The emerging rich and the rest have to participate not by taking legally binding cuts but through a strategy to avoid future emissions.
"We need an effective climate agreement. We need a balanced climate agreement.Asking for it is not wrong.We must not mind being hated in the rich man's world," she said.
Dr Prodipto Ghosh, India's climate change negotiator said, "Developed countries have to be responsible to the historical accumulation and current levels and must be sincere in their discussions.They should stick to the Bali action plan. There is not the slightest change in India's stand. The Indian and Chinese delegations stood by each other in discussions and will continue to do so."
Meat cut or carbon cut: Vegetarian India good for climate
U Sudhakar Reddy The fact that large numbers of the Indian population are vegetarians has reduced India's impact on climate change.
The meat industry and livestock sector contribute 18 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Indians consume only 1/11th of the meat eaten by an average Chinese and 1/25th of that eaten by an American.
China consumes the most meat at 71.8 million tonnes per year, followed by Europe at 54.2, and the United States at 36.3. India's total meat consumption is 5.6 million tonnes annually. "Despite growing meat consumption in the country, India's aggregate meat consumption is a mere fraction of both the other countries. If we transit to less meat or even a complete switchover to plant based protein food, it will have a dramatic impact on land use," says Mr Girish Sant, environmental expert with Prayas.
Livestock emit the greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide in the process of digesting their food. The additional principal conservator of forests (environment cell) Ms C.S.Ramalakshmi says, "Livestock farming is the key reason for the climate change.
India being a low meat consuming country is thus good for us. Recently we, along with local organisations have conducted a walk to promote vegetarianism in Hyderabad."
The vegetarian movement has to be taken up on large scale, she says.
The meat industry and livestock sector contribute 18 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Indians consume only 1/11th of the meat eaten by an average Chinese and 1/25th of that eaten by an American.
China consumes the most meat at 71.8 million tonnes per year, followed by Europe at 54.2, and the United States at 36.3. India's total meat consumption is 5.6 million tonnes annually. "Despite growing meat consumption in the country, India's aggregate meat consumption is a mere fraction of both the other countries. If we transit to less meat or even a complete switchover to plant based protein food, it will have a dramatic impact on land use," says Mr Girish Sant, environmental expert with Prayas.
Livestock emit the greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide in the process of digesting their food. The additional principal conservator of forests (environment cell) Ms C.S.Ramalakshmi says, "Livestock farming is the key reason for the climate change.
India being a low meat consuming country is thus good for us. Recently we, along with local organisations have conducted a walk to promote vegetarianism in Hyderabad."
The vegetarian movement has to be taken up on large scale, she says.
Climate Change: Himalayan glaciers melting fast
U Sudhakar ReddyHimalayan glaciers are receding continuously and significantly says glaciologist Mr Rajesh Kumar of the Birla Institute of Technology (BIT) who conducted a major study on the Himalayas.
Witnessing Change: Glaciers in the Indian Himalayas, a report by WWF-India and BIT, researches the retreat patterns of two glaciers of Uttarakhand -- Gangotri (30-km long) and Kafni (4.2-km long) -- in the last couple of years.
The Gangotri is one of the largest ice bodies in the Himalayas and is a major source of fresh water.
A comparative analysis of the glacier snout position carried out using data for the past three decades found that not only the main trunk of the glacier recede, its length also reduced by 1.5 km in 66 years with an average retreat rate of 22.1 metres per year.
"The plausible reasons linked to this retreat is reduction in snowfall and increase in local temperature. There is an average loss of 0.279 square kilometre of area of glacier," Mr Kumar said.
In the past 64 years, the total area reduced is 17.84 square kilometres. This amounts to 25.33 per cent of the total glacier area since 1942.
Mr Kumar said, "This is a continuos process, though the rate of retreat fluctuated during different intervals of time."
According to the study, the Kafni glacier also retreated. "The average retreat of Kafani glacier is 16.5 metres per year in the last three decades. But it decreased later and then again increased to 15.55 metres per year in 200809," said Mr Kumar.
"The dynamics of the monsoon are influenced by the Himalayan system which acts as a reservoir to sustain agriculture, providing freshwater and ground water recharge, and is home to a unique ecosystem with many endemic species," Mr Kumar says.
Satellite images clearly show the shift in the location of glaciers since 1937, reiterating the point that 450 glaciers across the Himalayas are melting fast.
The Himalayan glaciers have reduced from 2,000 sq km to 1,600 sq km which is a reduction of 21 per cent! Glaciers such as Kafni in Himachal are shrinking at an alarming rate. Melting of these glaciers has led to drastic climatic changes such as rise in temperature and decrease in snowfall.
Witnessing Change: Glaciers in the Indian Himalayas, a report by WWF-India and BIT, researches the retreat patterns of two glaciers of Uttarakhand -- Gangotri (30-km long) and Kafni (4.2-km long) -- in the last couple of years.
The Gangotri is one of the largest ice bodies in the Himalayas and is a major source of fresh water.
A comparative analysis of the glacier snout position carried out using data for the past three decades found that not only the main trunk of the glacier recede, its length also reduced by 1.5 km in 66 years with an average retreat rate of 22.1 metres per year.
"The plausible reasons linked to this retreat is reduction in snowfall and increase in local temperature. There is an average loss of 0.279 square kilometre of area of glacier," Mr Kumar said.
In the past 64 years, the total area reduced is 17.84 square kilometres. This amounts to 25.33 per cent of the total glacier area since 1942.
Mr Kumar said, "This is a continuos process, though the rate of retreat fluctuated during different intervals of time."
According to the study, the Kafni glacier also retreated. "The average retreat of Kafani glacier is 16.5 metres per year in the last three decades. But it decreased later and then again increased to 15.55 metres per year in 200809," said Mr Kumar.
"The dynamics of the monsoon are influenced by the Himalayan system which acts as a reservoir to sustain agriculture, providing freshwater and ground water recharge, and is home to a unique ecosystem with many endemic species," Mr Kumar says.
Satellite images clearly show the shift in the location of glaciers since 1937, reiterating the point that 450 glaciers across the Himalayas are melting fast.
The Himalayan glaciers have reduced from 2,000 sq km to 1,600 sq km which is a reduction of 21 per cent! Glaciers such as Kafni in Himachal are shrinking at an alarming rate. Melting of these glaciers has led to drastic climatic changes such as rise in temperature and decrease in snowfall.
Monday 2 November 2009
Hyderabad 6th most polluted city in India: Krishna and Godavari water unfit for drinking
U. SUDHAKAR REDDYNONE OF THE WATER SOURCES IN THE STATE ARE SAFE FOR DRINKING OR BATHING
Climatic conditions in the state are clearly worsening.
In fact, environmentalists say that the state capital is the sixth worst polluted city in the country.
Alarmingly, the Krishna and Godavari rivers, that contribute around 90 per cent of the state’s surface water resources, are polluted with sewage, discharge of untreated effluents from industries and agriculture run offs.
The rapidly increasing air pollution and water contamination levels in Hyderabad and other cities, pose a grave risk. In it’s report, State of Environment in AP, the Environmental Protection Training and Research Institute (Eptri), says that none of the water sources in the state are safe for drinking or bathing without treatment.
The EPTRI clarifies that Godavari river water is within safe limits till Manchiryal, but further downstream, the water is very polluted. Kolleru and Pulicat lakes are in a worse condition. According to the Water Conservation Mission, the state will move from a “scarcity of water” situation to a “severe scarcity of water” situation by 2020. This will be the result of over exploitation of surface water resources and indiscriminate tapping of ground water.
In 36 mandals of East Godavari, West Godavari and Krishna, ground water is unsuitable even for irrigation.
Studies reveal that bulk drug industries in LB Nagar.
Uppal, Bollarum, Jeedimetla, Sanatnagar and Balangar, are polluting the ground water.
Eptri experts point out that even a major city like Hyderabad does not have total sewer system coverage, and barely one-third of sewage is treated. The rest flows into the Musi river.
The present sewage system covers about 70 per cent of the GHMC jurisdiction, excluding former municipalities and a small portion of the LB Nagar sub-circle.
The remaining eight former municipalities do not have a sewage system in place.
This situation results in the spread of diseases like cholera.
Mr. T. Sagar Reddy, an environment activist says, “The AP Water Land and Trees Act, 2002, enacted for water conservation and tree cover, and to regulate the use of ground water, is not implemented properly.” Hyderabad is struggling to deal with severe air pollution as well. According to the APPCB, Panjagutta, Abids, Charminar and Paradise, are the worst traffic junctions where carbon monoxide levels reach 4-5 mg per metric cube during peak hours, as against a “below 2mg per metric cube” tolerable mark.
APPCB senior environmental engineer, Mr T.Rajendra Reddy said, “Air pollution is touching the highest levels during peak hours at traffic junctions.
Vehicular pollution and traffic jams are the major factors for increased air pollution.
Idling engines, and very low average speeds result in vehicles emitting more unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide.
9.30 am to 11 am, and 6 pm to 7.\30 pm, are the worst hours.” Suspended particulate matter is already at 300 micro grams per cubic metre, way over “must not exceed 200” norms. Places like Uppal, Jeedimetla, Shameerpet and Kukatpally have high levels of suspended particulate matter due to industrial activity and heavy vehicular traffic.
It’s a similar grim scenario in cities like Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada.
Over the past 10 years, temperature in the city increased by 4ºCelsius. The Industries Department has been resolutely uninterested in environmental issues.
Eptri recommendations to the state government, have been ignored.
Sacred groves : Land sharks encroach gods' gardens
U. SUDHAKAR REDDY Sacred groves which used to grow endangered species of plants in and around temples, dargahs and churches are being plundered by greedy realtors to make a fast buck.
The “Gardens of the Gods” are being ruthlessly uprooted and destroyed. Traditional ‘sacred groves’ at places of worship which used to grow endangered species of plants, are now endangered themselves.
Groves that date back hundreds of years, are vanishing across Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and other urban and semi urban areas. With rampant and unauthorised felling of trees, there is no safety in rural areas either. Realtors and land grabbers have moved with their usual well-oiled efficiency to appropriate all the land they can, while a complacent government has not yet got around to notifying the sacred groves as protected areas under the Biodiversity Act. The groves are encroached on and trees cut down to allow for buildings and roads in their place. Sacred groves are gardens, spread across a few acres of land, in and around temples, dargahs and church premises. Several varieties of plants and trees grow here which are also worshipped along with the deities.
There are around 750 listed sacred groves, including six in Hyderabad and 10 in Ranga Reddy. With buildings and other construction work underway, many of these precious groves have already been destroyed.
The Osmania University campus, Nowbath Pahad near Secretariat, the Moula Ali Dargah, Babasharfuddin Pahada near Mir Alam Tank, Guruvayur temple in Lala Bazaar are the sacred groves in the city.
The endowments department silently watches as groves are vanishing before their eyes. Groves situated in private land and around temples owned by individuals and trusts are the worst affected.
Experts warn that the loss of sacred groves outside forest areas is leading to ecological imbalances, depletion of water levels and erosion of lung space.
The sacred grove in the area around the Temple Alwal no longer exists. A new temple was constructed and the grove disappeared as buildings came up around the temple.
According to the AP forest department, the Vaishnava temple is said to be about 2,000 years old and had a very old ficus tree that was listed during the 1996 census.
Mr Vamsi Krishna, the priest of the temple says, “The ficus trees was removed when we constructed the new temple.” The Thumbura Theertham grove in the forest areas of Chittoor is also under threat from red sanders smugglers and poachers. The groves in Pandavulamitta near Peddapurma in East Godavari are impacted by quarrying in the vicinity. The AP forest department environment cell chief conservator of forests, Mr P Raghuveer, said, “Sacred groves are patches of natural vegetation situated mostly around mandirs where people spend some time after their prayers. They are the lungs of towns and villages. Those situated inside reserve forests or notified sanctuaries and national parks are well protected. But many are situated in non-forest lands. Not much has been done on this front, other than in places like Kotappakonda in Guntur which has been converted into an ecopark by the tourist department.” Groves around burial or cremation grounds are also deteriorating.
Mr Raghuveer said, “We have to revive the whole process by giving these sacred groves a special status. They can be protected by notifying them under the Section 37 of the AP Biodiversity Act. Once notified, the sacred groves can’t be destroyed and they will become the property of the community.” Closer to the city, sacred groves can be found at the Majeedpur Venkateswara Temple on the Keesragutta hill. The landmark to look for is the Shamirpet lake.
The Rayalseema region has the maximum number of sacred groves. Kurnool has 107 sacred groves,Chittoor 102 and Kadapa has 66 groves.
Nellore also has 88 sacred groves. The groves provide an ideal habitat for a wide variety of birds. AP Biodiversity board chairman, Dr R. Hampaiah says, “These groves have several medicinal plants and herbs collected by locals for daily use.
Nobody was allowed even to collect firewood from the groves. Limited human interference allowed flora and fauna to flourish in these mini ecosystems.
They present the last refuge of endemic species of a geographic region.”
The “Gardens of the Gods” are being ruthlessly uprooted and destroyed. Traditional ‘sacred groves’ at places of worship which used to grow endangered species of plants, are now endangered themselves.
Groves that date back hundreds of years, are vanishing across Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and other urban and semi urban areas. With rampant and unauthorised felling of trees, there is no safety in rural areas either. Realtors and land grabbers have moved with their usual well-oiled efficiency to appropriate all the land they can, while a complacent government has not yet got around to notifying the sacred groves as protected areas under the Biodiversity Act. The groves are encroached on and trees cut down to allow for buildings and roads in their place. Sacred groves are gardens, spread across a few acres of land, in and around temples, dargahs and church premises. Several varieties of plants and trees grow here which are also worshipped along with the deities.
There are around 750 listed sacred groves, including six in Hyderabad and 10 in Ranga Reddy. With buildings and other construction work underway, many of these precious groves have already been destroyed.
The Osmania University campus, Nowbath Pahad near Secretariat, the Moula Ali Dargah, Babasharfuddin Pahada near Mir Alam Tank, Guruvayur temple in Lala Bazaar are the sacred groves in the city.
The endowments department silently watches as groves are vanishing before their eyes. Groves situated in private land and around temples owned by individuals and trusts are the worst affected.
Experts warn that the loss of sacred groves outside forest areas is leading to ecological imbalances, depletion of water levels and erosion of lung space.
The sacred grove in the area around the Temple Alwal no longer exists. A new temple was constructed and the grove disappeared as buildings came up around the temple.
According to the AP forest department, the Vaishnava temple is said to be about 2,000 years old and had a very old ficus tree that was listed during the 1996 census.
Mr Vamsi Krishna, the priest of the temple says, “The ficus trees was removed when we constructed the new temple.” The Thumbura Theertham grove in the forest areas of Chittoor is also under threat from red sanders smugglers and poachers. The groves in Pandavulamitta near Peddapurma in East Godavari are impacted by quarrying in the vicinity. The AP forest department environment cell chief conservator of forests, Mr P Raghuveer, said, “Sacred groves are patches of natural vegetation situated mostly around mandirs where people spend some time after their prayers. They are the lungs of towns and villages. Those situated inside reserve forests or notified sanctuaries and national parks are well protected. But many are situated in non-forest lands. Not much has been done on this front, other than in places like Kotappakonda in Guntur which has been converted into an ecopark by the tourist department.” Groves around burial or cremation grounds are also deteriorating.
Mr Raghuveer said, “We have to revive the whole process by giving these sacred groves a special status. They can be protected by notifying them under the Section 37 of the AP Biodiversity Act. Once notified, the sacred groves can’t be destroyed and they will become the property of the community.” Closer to the city, sacred groves can be found at the Majeedpur Venkateswara Temple on the Keesragutta hill. The landmark to look for is the Shamirpet lake.
The Rayalseema region has the maximum number of sacred groves. Kurnool has 107 sacred groves,Chittoor 102 and Kadapa has 66 groves.
Nellore also has 88 sacred groves. The groves provide an ideal habitat for a wide variety of birds. AP Biodiversity board chairman, Dr R. Hampaiah says, “These groves have several medicinal plants and herbs collected by locals for daily use.
Nobody was allowed even to collect firewood from the groves. Limited human interference allowed flora and fauna to flourish in these mini ecosystems.
They present the last refuge of endemic species of a geographic region.”
Jails in Andhra are death traps: Rs 132 spent a day on prisoner
U. SUDHAKAR REDDYOn an average, only Rs 132 is spent a day on each prisoner. No wonder cases of inmates dying in the state prisons due to lack of medical facilities is on the rise. In fact, the state is only behind UP and Bihar in terms of prison deaths.
The state prisons, which claim to be the most advanced by the authorities, are turning into death traps with year-on-year increases in mortality rates.
As many as 123 prisoners died last year. Of them, 56 died of heart disease. Relatives of victims and rights groups, allege that prisoners are losing their lives en route to hospitals or in the prison, due to the absence of medical facilities. A delay in providing an escort to a prisoner in need of medical attention, has also lead to fatal consequences.
During the recent visit of the home minister, Ms Sabita Indra Reddy, to the Chanchalguda prison it was revealed that though first aid is given immediately to prisoners, police escorts could not be provided immediately.
The jail officials disagree and instead claim that of 123 cases, 120 prisoners died in government hospitals after being shifted from the prison, and three committed suicide in prison. The state police has expressed its reservations over the claims of the prisons department. A senior IPS official said, “Most of them die in jail, or on the way to hospital. Doctors declare them ‘brought dead to the hospital’.Saying that the deaths occurred in hospitals, is like passing the buck. Whether the death took place in the hospital or jail is not the question. The issue is whether prisoners are dying due to lack of proper medical care. In heart attack cases, the patient should be attended to immediately.
Forensic doctors who conduct autopsies, conveniently conclude that death occurred due to cardiac arrest. The second largest killer in state jails is tuberculosis then lung diseases, multi organ failures and AIDS. A meagre Rs 65 lakh, of the Rs 31 crore budget, is spent on medical facilities for prisoners. On the parametre of number of deaths in prisons, according to the national crime records bureau, Andhra Pradesh is in the dubious company of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Ms Reddy said, “I have been told by officials that there are good health facilities for prisoners. Even outside a jail, it takes time to shift a patient to hospital in an ambulance. There is no negligence on the part of the jail officials.” Central prisons are said to have well equipped medical facilities, with full time medical officers and support staff. Regardless, even more deaths (around 77) are reported from the seven Central prisons.
Officials say there is no restriction on the purchase of medicine for the treatment of prisoners. Recently, the prisons department spent around Rs 4 lakh on the former leader of Janashakti Mr Kura Rajanna.
The outgoing additional inspector general of the prisons department, Mr M.R.Ahmed, said: “Last year, we spent lakhs of rupees on a dialysis patient. He was doing well in jail. After he was released he couldn’t bear the expenses and died within a few months.
Almost, 90 per cent of the time, an escort is provided to prisoners.” At the time of admission all prisoners are medically screened. Those who require special treatment, are referred to outside hospitals.
In a study of jails in the state, the commonwealth Human Rights Initiative found that the director of medical and health services (who is a member of the board of visitors of all the prisons), had never visited a prison in the state. In districts, the medical and health officials rarely visit the jails.
The number of medical officers appointed is well below the levels prescribed by the All-India committee on prison reforms.
The sanctioned strength of medical staff including doctors, nurses and other paramedical staff in the state, is just 130, for around 14,000 prisoners. There are no psychologists or psychiatrists on duty in jails.
India's bioterror law has 33 germs
U. SUDHAKAR REDDYThe government has decided to include 33 microorganisms including virus, bacteria and fungi which could be used to wage biological terror attacks, in the new Epidemic Diseases ActExperts have identified 16 viruses, 15 bacteria and two fungi as potential bio-terror threats. These include agents causing anthrax, small pox, plague, cholera and botulism. Enterotoxins (toxins released inside the body by microorganisms) and mycotoxins (poisonous substances produced by fungii) are also listedUnder the new law, the government can notify an area as affected, restrict movement of people or quarantine them, enter any premises to take samples of suspected materialsThe bill lists 33 epidemicprone diseases like kala azar, chikungunya, yellow fever, food poisoning, HIV/AIDSThe move to amend the 112-year-old legislation gained momentum follow ing the outbreak of swine flu recently, and avian flu and Severe Acute Respi ratory Syndrome earlierThe Centre is in touch with the state health depart ment to suggestions to make the new legislation, to be known as the Public Health Act, more stringentAn official of health department said the Epidemic Act of 1897 is to be replaced by the new act The threat of bio-terrorism is also to be addressed in this act,” the National Institute of Communicable Diseases and the Indian Council of Medical Research have played a key role in drafting the billThe guidelines to fight bioterror were framed by the National Disaster Management Authority has issued guidelines to fight bioterroism. The National Industrial Security Academy (NISA) at Hakimpet and the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) at Ramanthapur in the city are already involved in training the fight against bio-terrorThe CFSL has created a laboratory facility for nuclear, biological and chemical warfare and is equipped to meet any eventuality arising of a bioterror attack. NISA has been training law enforcing agencies on fight biochemical attacks.
Sunday 1 November 2009
Maoists get on FM Radio
U. SUDHAKAR REDDYHYDERABAD
STATION COVERS 50-KM ZONE OF DANDAKARANYA RED BASTION The FM radio broadcasts revolutionary songs, folk songs and instrumental music played by Adivasis as well as the speeches of the Maoist top leaders
The CPI Maoists have set up a FM radio in in their fortress Abujmad in the Dandakaranya forests of ChhattisgarhSetting up of the station was masterminded by Satyanarayana Reddy alias Kosa, a top Maoist from AP who is special zonal committee secretary in DandakaranyaMaoists who are running a “parallel government” in Dandakaranya already have a public distribution systemThe FM radio broadcasts revolutionary songs, speeches by top Maoist leaders and reports on Maoist “success stories.” Entertainment is in the form of Advasi folk songs and instrumental music The station covers a 50km radius in the thick jungles of DandakaranyaPolice suspects that the radio equipment is also used to intercept police communications“Policing and administration is affected in Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur, Bastar and Kanker districts that comprise the Dandakaranya zone,” said an intelligence officerThe police hasn’t made much of a breakthrough in the Abujmad area of Chhattisgarh near the Maharashtra border. Several Maoists including AP top guns are stationed in Dandakaranya. “Abujmad is for the Maoists what Jaffna was for the LTTE,” said the officialIn 2006, the Medak and Nizamabad police in a joint operation foiled a naxal plan to start an FM station in Andhra Pradesh. The police had then arrested arrested N. Raji Reddy, who holds diploma in electronics, and two others.
Maoist blogs fox cops
U. SUDHAKAR REDDYANONYMOUS BLOGS GIVE SECURITY AGENCIES SLEEPLESS NIGHTS
The Maoist blogs are put into several mirror sitesMaoists can host a replacement if law enforcing agencies hack or block the original. The police had earlier blocked two naxal websites
Maoists and their sympathisers are resorting to anonymous blogging using the latest software that disguises the Internet Protocol address. This is giving sleepless nights to the intelligence agencies in tracking the bloggersThe anonymous blogging lessons are also taught on pro-Maoist blogs like www.naxalrevolution.blogs pot.com and bloggers have cautioned the “revolutionary supporters” to use hushmailThe Maoist blogs are put into several mirror sitesThey can easily host a replacement if law enforcing agencies hack or block the original. The Intelligence Bureau and the AP state police earlier blocked the Peoples’ March website and naxalrevolution.blogsp ot.com. Sources in the state intelligence department said the naxals are looking for techies with hacking skillsA document available with this newspaper states, “We should make use of computer and Internet to further the military objective of the revolution. We should set up units to damage the military and other important networks of the enemy. This depends on development of urban mass movement and ability of urban party to draw in comrade with those required skills.” There are several maga zines of the pro-Maoists like the CPI(Maoist) Information Bulletin, Peoples’ Truth carrying the interviews of top naxal leaders and analysis of the movements in the country and the state available online on bannedthought.netSources said data is being tapped and intercepted by the reactionary governmentsAs part of Internet security, the posts on the site will guide on how to secure the means of communicationA cyberforensic expert of AP Forensic Science Laboratory said, “Hushmail keeps online communications private and secureEach message is uniquely encoded. Even the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Carnivore project or the state police sniffer software can’t detect the communicationWithout an order from the Supreme Court of British Columbia and Canada, www.hushmail.com will not give information to the agencies.
Maoists and their sympathisers are resorting to anonymous blogging using the latest software that disguises the Internet Protocol address. This is giving sleepless nights to the intelligence agencies in tracking the bloggersThe anonymous blogging lessons are also taught on pro-Maoist blogs like www.naxalrevolution.blogs pot.com and bloggers have cautioned the “revolutionary supporters” to use hushmailThe Maoist blogs are put into several mirror sitesThey can easily host a replacement if law enforcing agencies hack or block the original. The Intelligence Bureau and the AP state police earlier blocked the Peoples’ March website and naxalrevolution.blogsp ot.com. Sources in the state intelligence department said the naxals are looking for techies with hacking skillsA document available with this newspaper states, “We should make use of computer and Internet to further the military objective of the revolution. We should set up units to damage the military and other important networks of the enemy. This depends on development of urban mass movement and ability of urban party to draw in comrade with those required skills.” There are several maga zines of the pro-Maoists like the CPI(Maoist) Information Bulletin, Peoples’ Truth carrying the interviews of top naxal leaders and analysis of the movements in the country and the state available online on bannedthought.netSources said data is being tapped and intercepted by the reactionary governmentsAs part of Internet security, the posts on the site will guide on how to secure the means of communicationA cyberforensic expert of AP Forensic Science Laboratory said, “Hushmail keeps online communications private and secureEach message is uniquely encoded. Even the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Carnivore project or the state police sniffer software can’t detect the communicationWithout an order from the Supreme Court of British Columbia and Canada, www.hushmail.com will not give information to the agencies.
Hyderabad performs family planning on unmarried men, ragpickers
U SUDHAKAR REDDYHYDERABAD
SPECIAL: BROKERS LURE JOBLESS MEN WITH CASH
A state-run health unit in the city has conducted vasectomies on impoverished unmarried men to boost family planning figures. This journalist tracked the beneficiaries and found that many of them were unmarried youth, jobless men, substance abusers, rag-pickers and even petty thieves. They were subjected to the No Scalpel Vasectomy at Boggulakunta Urban Primary Health Centre (PHC), which was awarded for conducting 1,384 vasectomies in 2008-2009, the most in the stateIt has already performed 384 vasectomies this year, mostly on men who could not even sign their nameThe men undergo the surgeries for the Rs 1,450 incentive that the government pays them. They are lured by brokers, who are men paid Rs 200 to motivate men to undergo FP surgery. This correspondent tried to trace out the men but most of the addresses they provided were fake: Most of them live in the Public Gardens at NampallyA 23-year-old unmarried man, Vikram, told this correspondent: “I was bought here by Raju (a broker) who told me that I would be given Rs 1,100.”Brokers Raju and Srikanth said they bring the men to the Boggulkunta Urban Primary Health Centre for money. “We were operated here and got the incentive. We now get Rs 200 for bringing each youth.” The city has 35 PHCs which together conducted 3,263 vasectomies in 200809, according to the statistical officer Mr RajendraThe Boggulakunta medical officer, Dr Prasanna Kumari, denied the charges and, “I even discourage men having one child. We ask them whether they are married or not. They tell us that they are married and the motivator attests to that.” That is proof enoughRegarding the fake addresses, Dr Kumari said the officers ensure that they are from the area covered by the motivatorShe said there was no pressure to meet targets. “When some patients who already got operated tried to come back Dr Sridhar Rao pushed them out.” She said she had noticed her staff taking money from the menA hospital staff, Ms Varalakshmi, is alleged to be the person who runs the operation with the brokersShe said she is not taking money from the patientsThe district medical and health officer, Dr ChJayakumari, said, “It may not be happening in all PHCs in the city. I will order a probe into this and punish those involved.” Primary health centres are given monthly targets that need them to complete a particular number of vasectomy surgeries. The health officials are resorting to irregularities to reach the targets.
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