By U Sudhakar Reddy
Reports of steal ing medicinal plants are on rise in the state.
This has prompted the AP Bio-diversity Board to crack the whip against companies and foreigners. Recently, the Vishakapatnam task force sleuths caught a few tribals from Paderu who were trying to smuggle Nalla pasupu (black turmeric). The plant is used in HIV/AIDS drug research. Board chairman Dr R. Hampaiah said, “Nalla pasupu is found at Papikonda hills in East & West Godavari districts and at Paderu in Vishakapatnam.
It is in the endangered species list. In the International market, a kilogram of the Nalla pasupu costs Rs 20 lakh. The buyers were paying Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 to the tribals for each kg. A retired forester is allegedly helping them.” The plant has been sent for chemical examination, he added. The board is organising a national seminar at Dulapally on August 23 on bio-piracy.
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
Terror mails traced to Saudi Arabia
By U Sudhakar Reddy
Terror emails sent to local television channels in the city were traced to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, the police said.
Hoax calls on bomb threats were traced to the United Arab Emirates.
A senior city police officer said, “An email that was sent to a television channel threatening bomb blasts in Telangana districts was from Saudi Arabia. One of the calls was even traced to Fujairah in the Emirates.” Police said the aim of the callers was to create panic in the city.
“For all these years, the hoax calls were from the city. Now they have crossed international borders. Terror elements based in Saudi Arabia may have made the calls,” an official told this correspondent.
Terror emails sent to local television channels in the city were traced to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, the police said.
Hoax calls on bomb threats were traced to the United Arab Emirates.
A senior city police officer said, “An email that was sent to a television channel threatening bomb blasts in Telangana districts was from Saudi Arabia. One of the calls was even traced to Fujairah in the Emirates.” Police said the aim of the callers was to create panic in the city.
“For all these years, the hoax calls were from the city. Now they have crossed international borders. Terror elements based in Saudi Arabia may have made the calls,” an official told this correspondent.
9/11 at Nagarjuna Sagar Dam feared
By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy Security agencies are not too happy with the proposal to allow an aviation academy to come up near the Nagarjunasagar reservoir.
They feel that terrorists could replicate a September 11 model attack on the dam by making use of trainer aircraft.
Since the training flights are small, there is not much possibility of a major impact, but intelligence agencies are still concerned and expressed their fears when the state government sought their feedback on the proposed aviation academy.
The dam is already on the hit list of the Lashakar-eTayyaba and its security is a big concern.
In a meeting attended by the home minister, Mr K. Jana Reddy, the minister for irrigation, Mr P. Lakshmaiah, and the intelligence department head, Mr K. Aravinda Rao, on Monday discussed FlyTech Aviation Academy’s request for leasing out 90 acres of land near the airstrip at Nagarjunasagar.
Captain Mamata and Captain Gopal of the Academy also took part in the meeting. The airstrip was laid when Jawaharlal Nehru flew down for the inauguration of the dam.
Sources said the possibility of terrorists misusing the facility was also being discussed. “No decision has been taken yet,” said the source.
“The proposal will be referred to Director-General of Civil Aviation authorities.” “In the United States, terrorists enrolled in the flying academy and later hijacked flights to hit the twin towers of the World Trade Centre,” said a senior police officer. “We can’t ignore that possibility.” However, other police offiers dismissed the fears as unfounded.
In December 2004 an aircraft owned by DGCA and operated by AP Aviation Academy crash landed on the airstrip after minutes of flight.
Earlier, the government proposed to hand over the site situated 6 km from Nagarjunasagar dam to the tourism department to develop the third century Buddhist site and make it part of the pilgrim circuit.
FlyTech Aviation Academy has asked for the site as their flying zone was reduced after the Shamshabad International Airport became operational. The academy is situated on Nagarjunasagar Road.
They feel that terrorists could replicate a September 11 model attack on the dam by making use of trainer aircraft.
Since the training flights are small, there is not much possibility of a major impact, but intelligence agencies are still concerned and expressed their fears when the state government sought their feedback on the proposed aviation academy.
The dam is already on the hit list of the Lashakar-eTayyaba and its security is a big concern.
In a meeting attended by the home minister, Mr K. Jana Reddy, the minister for irrigation, Mr P. Lakshmaiah, and the intelligence department head, Mr K. Aravinda Rao, on Monday discussed FlyTech Aviation Academy’s request for leasing out 90 acres of land near the airstrip at Nagarjunasagar.
Captain Mamata and Captain Gopal of the Academy also took part in the meeting. The airstrip was laid when Jawaharlal Nehru flew down for the inauguration of the dam.
Sources said the possibility of terrorists misusing the facility was also being discussed. “No decision has been taken yet,” said the source.
“The proposal will be referred to Director-General of Civil Aviation authorities.” “In the United States, terrorists enrolled in the flying academy and later hijacked flights to hit the twin towers of the World Trade Centre,” said a senior police officer. “We can’t ignore that possibility.” However, other police offiers dismissed the fears as unfounded.
In December 2004 an aircraft owned by DGCA and operated by AP Aviation Academy crash landed on the airstrip after minutes of flight.
Earlier, the government proposed to hand over the site situated 6 km from Nagarjunasagar dam to the tourism department to develop the third century Buddhist site and make it part of the pilgrim circuit.
FlyTech Aviation Academy has asked for the site as their flying zone was reduced after the Shamshabad International Airport became operational. The academy is situated on Nagarjunasagar Road.
Polio(P3 strain) again in Andhra Pradesh
By U Sudhakar Reddy Migrant labour from UP and Bihar travelling to the state are seen as potential carriers of the polio virus, that struck in the state on Friday.
Also, locals from Mahbubnagar and Ranga Reddy migrating to Mumbai and Pune could be bringing back the virus.
Thanks to these groups, the wild polio virus of P3 strain though termed as weak has resurfaced in the state, particularly in urban areas. The P3 strain was first reported in Bihar in 2003 and has since spread to southern states. Bihar has reported over 1,300 cases of polio this year.
The family welfare commissioner, Mr Anil Punetha, said, that migrants do not vaccinate their newborns. “Due to lack of awareness they don’t approach health workers,” he said Health officials of the health department have decided to go for a subnational immunisation programme.
Mr Punetha agreed that in isolated cases, immunised children are also affected by the virus, as happened in Kakinada on Friday. “We will analyse the P3 strain,” he said.
Also, locals from Mahbubnagar and Ranga Reddy migrating to Mumbai and Pune could be bringing back the virus.
Thanks to these groups, the wild polio virus of P3 strain though termed as weak has resurfaced in the state, particularly in urban areas. The P3 strain was first reported in Bihar in 2003 and has since spread to southern states. Bihar has reported over 1,300 cases of polio this year.
The family welfare commissioner, Mr Anil Punetha, said, that migrants do not vaccinate their newborns. “Due to lack of awareness they don’t approach health workers,” he said Health officials of the health department have decided to go for a subnational immunisation programme.
Mr Punetha agreed that in isolated cases, immunised children are also affected by the virus, as happened in Kakinada on Friday. “We will analyse the P3 strain,” he said.
Gautam Express Fire Mishap: DNA tests for identification
By U Sudhakar Reddy Families of those who perished in the Gautami Express fire tragedy will have to wait at least a week to perform their last rites.
The skeletal remains will be handed over to the kin of the deceased only after skull superimposition and DNA tests.
Forensic experts from APFSL are not hopeful that the tests will be of much help in identifying all the bodies since they were charred beyond recognition. DNA can be extracted only from four or five bodies.
The experts will try to identify the bodies based on belongings such as gold jewellery and other articles.
In all, 29 charred bodies were found in S-10 coach and two persons died in the hospital. Unidentified bodies have been kept at MGM Hospital in Warangal .
Forensic experts have segregated the remains berthwise based on details such as sex, age and berth number in the reservation chart.
Doctors who conducted autopsy on the skeletal remains also segregated them into male and female based on the shape of the pelvis. Out of 18 bodies nine were identified as female, seven as male and two as children.
“DNA fingerprinting tests will take a week,” said Mr O.N. Murthy, director of the AP Forensic Science Laboratory. The Railway Superintendent of Police, Mr A. Ravichandra, said the remains could be handed over to relatives only after identification. “Otherwise it will lead to a controversy,” he said. Two passengers, Ms G Bhagyalaskhmi, 39, and Ms B. Sarita, 28, were identified and their bodies were handed over to relatives after autopsy.
Meanwhile, the SCR paid an initial ex gratia of Rs 15,000 to relatives of the deceased who have been identified, Rs 5,000 to the grievously injured and Rs 500 to those with simple injuries. Kazipet Railway Deputy Superintendent of Police Mr K Krishna Prasad is the officer in charge of identification and disposal of the bodies. He can be reached at 9440627512 and Inspector Shravan Kumar at 9440627517. Compensation will be made available through railway claims tribunal and special cell which monitors this can be reached at 040-27821923 and 040-27786296.
The skeletal remains will be handed over to the kin of the deceased only after skull superimposition and DNA tests.
Forensic experts from APFSL are not hopeful that the tests will be of much help in identifying all the bodies since they were charred beyond recognition. DNA can be extracted only from four or five bodies.
The experts will try to identify the bodies based on belongings such as gold jewellery and other articles.
In all, 29 charred bodies were found in S-10 coach and two persons died in the hospital. Unidentified bodies have been kept at MGM Hospital in Warangal .
Forensic experts have segregated the remains berthwise based on details such as sex, age and berth number in the reservation chart.
Doctors who conducted autopsy on the skeletal remains also segregated them into male and female based on the shape of the pelvis. Out of 18 bodies nine were identified as female, seven as male and two as children.
“DNA fingerprinting tests will take a week,” said Mr O.N. Murthy, director of the AP Forensic Science Laboratory. The Railway Superintendent of Police, Mr A. Ravichandra, said the remains could be handed over to relatives only after identification. “Otherwise it will lead to a controversy,” he said. Two passengers, Ms G Bhagyalaskhmi, 39, and Ms B. Sarita, 28, were identified and their bodies were handed over to relatives after autopsy.
Meanwhile, the SCR paid an initial ex gratia of Rs 15,000 to relatives of the deceased who have been identified, Rs 5,000 to the grievously injured and Rs 500 to those with simple injuries. Kazipet Railway Deputy Superintendent of Police Mr K Krishna Prasad is the officer in charge of identification and disposal of the bodies. He can be reached at 9440627512 and Inspector Shravan Kumar at 9440627517. Compensation will be made available through railway claims tribunal and special cell which monitors this can be reached at 040-27821923 and 040-27786296.
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