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November 2001
Friday, November 30, 2001
Sankarady’s wife dead
KOCHI: Sharada, wife of cine star, the late Sankarady, died at the Indira Gandhi Co-operative Hospital here this evening. She was 62. She had been admitted to the hospital after her diabetes level shot up last week. She was not keeping good health after Sankarady’s death on October 8 this year. Sharada, daughter of Vadakkeveetil Narayana Menon and Cheruparambath Kuttiparu Amma, married Sankarady in her early forties a couple of decades ago after the thespian actor decided to tie the knot quite late in life. She will be cremated at the Ravipuram cemetery on at 12 pm.
Friday, November 30, 2001
Mediapersons attacked
ALAPPUZHA: The mediapersons who went to report the proceedings of the court of the Alappuzha additional district judge in connection with the Nelson Shine murder case were attacked by a mob on the court premises in front of the police. Earlier, journalists, who sensed danger, had asked the police for protection. When the accused were brought out of the court, around 15 persons covered the video and still cameramen and obstructed them from performing their duty. The violent mob, armed with weapons, even tried to destroy the camera of the Mathrubhumi lensman. When all these activities were going on on the court premises, the police who were at the scene remained mere spectators. When the journalists found asylum in the Press Club, the mob chased them and entered the Press Club building. The mob was heard asking their colleagues to attack the mediapersons who assembled on the court premises. The Alappuzha unit of Kerala Union of Working Journalists meeting condemned the attack on journalists. The meeting pointed out that the police have supported the goons to attack the mediapersons. The meeting urged the CM to take immediate action in nabbing the culprits. Memorandums were submitted to CM aand the Opposition leader in this regard.
Friday, November 30, 2001
All 4 accused found guilty in Shine muder case
ALAPPUZHA: Alappuzha additional district judge P S Gopinathan on Thursday found guilty all the four accused in the Arthunkkal Kunnel Veettil Nelson Shine murder case. The first four accused respectively are Arthunkkal Arresseril Veettil Jayan Charles, 31, Sajan Charles, 28, Rajan Charles, 26, and their mother Juliet alias Jolly Teacher, 62. The incident occurred on April 11, 1998 in connection with a land dispute. The judgment would be pronounced tomorrow. According to the prosecution, Nelson Shine was murdered when he tried to prevent the illegal construction of a road through his premises. The accused tried to construct the road when the direction of the Cherthala munsiff court banning them from entering and destroying the materials in the land was existing. The accused tried to unload mud from a lorry on the premises of Nelson Shine. When this was obstructed, the first accused, Jayan Charles, stabbed Shine to death using a sword in front of a large gathering of people. It is pointed out that when Shine tried to escape from the scene, the fourth accused Juliet, blocked him. The prosecution also said that it was Juliet who have prompted her sons to kill Shine. Around 21 witnesses were cross examined in the case. The accused were found guilty according to IPC section 302 - murder, 323 - encroachment, 341 - unnecessary blockade, 447 - criminal trespass, 427 - mischief and damage and 34 - common intention for murder.
Friday, November 30, 2001
Photo ID cards must in A-I flights
KOZHIKODE: The Air India has decided to demand photo identity cards (driving licence, club card, credit card with photo or electoral card) from passengers flying on its domestic sectors as part of beefing up the security at airports. The Air India has stated that passengers without carrying anyone of the above identity cards, travelling purely on domestic sectors, would not be accepted in the flights with immediate effect.
Thursday, November 29, 2001
No support from top brass, Cong union: Ganesh Kumar
KASARGOD: Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar said here today that the ‘Operation Save KSRTC’ programme initiated by him to bail out the Corporation from the crisis gripping it, was not getting adequate support from the top brass in the management and the trade union wing of the Chief Minister’s party. Without naming the INTUC, the workers’ outfit owing allegiance to the Congress, the Transport Minister disclosed that a creative proposal involving an offer of joint financial support from the workers made by the Kerala State Road Transport Employees Association (KSRTEA) and agreed upon by all other unions to assist the KSRTC to buy more buses, was shot down by the former. In accordance with the proposal, the workers had agreed to invest Rs 1,000 each in a phased manner to buy new buses as part of the expansion plan of the Corporation, but the scheme failed to take off since the pro-Congress trade union backed out of its offer. The Transport Minister made the controversial remarks as he was inaugurating an industrial seminar organised in connection with the State conference of the KSRTEA. Stating that serious mismanagement and over-politicisation were the reasons for the precarious state of the KSRTC now, Ganesh Kumar said that he hadn’t taken much time after assuming office as Transport Minister to realise that some of those belonging to the top management of the Corporation were bent on protecting the interests of the Tamil Nadu Transport Corporation and the private bus operators in the State rather than serving their own institution. According to Ganesh Kumar, a transport policy laying emphasis on protecting the interests of the travelling public and the KSRTC was being formulated by the Government with the co-operation of trade unions and that this would be announced within a year. Instead of the private bus operators choosing the routes and operating services along the routes selected by them, the Government would implement a ‘route formulation’ policy as directed by the High Court. He said nothing had been done by the governments that ruled the State to take up the responsibility of formulating routes in public interest instead of leaving it to the private bus operators, despite a court direction and an amendment to the rules made in this regard in 1994. Responding to a series of proposals made by the KSRTEA in its ‘Industrial report’ to save the KSRTC, the Transport Minister said that all transport depots in the State would be modernised within a year, besides setting up training centres for employees and drivers. Introduction of ticketing machines and the launching of parcel and courier services in collaboration with private companies were some of the other proposals being considered by the Government, he said. P K Gurudasan, State president of the Association, presided over the seminar. M Radhakrishnan Nair, general secretary of KSTEU, and C Gangadharan, secretary of the KST Employees Sangh, were among those who participated in the seminar. Earlier K K Divakaran, general secretary of the KSRTEA, welcomed the gathering and K Rajan, general convener of the organising committee, proposed a vote of thanks.
Thursday, November 29, 2001
Chakkulathukavu Pongala festival from Friday
ALAPPUZHA: The Pongala festival at the Neerettupuram Chakkulathu Sri Bhagavathy Temple, known as women's Sabarimala, will be held on Friday. Preparations for receiving around three lakh devotees have been completed. Special KSRTC buses will operate between Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram on that day. Chakkulathukavu is a model for religious amity, allowing all people, irrespective of their religion or caste, to enter the temple. The pongala will start at 9 am with mukhya karyadarshi Radhakrishnan Namboothiri transferring the agni to the pongal hearths. Manikuttan Namboothiri and Balakrishnan Namboothiri will give guidance for the pongala offering. Hearths will be lighted on the two sides of the Tiruvalla-Thakazhi road and Edathua to Tiruvalla KSRTC stand and up to Chengannur. The service of 1000 police and volunteers of various organisations will be rendered for the pongala. The uchadeeparadhana and divyabhishekam will be held after the pongala. The isthambham kathikkal will be held on the same day. M P Veerendrakumar will inaugurate the cultural meeting in connection with the pongala. K C Joseph, MLA, will preside over the meeting. The pandrandu noyambu festival of the temple will begin on December 16 and end on 27. Sapthaham and akhanda namajapa yagna will begin on December 14. Naari pooja will be held on December 21 and maha kalasam on 26.
Thursday, November 29, 2001
Wheel comes full circle for Yohannan family
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 29 Twenty-seven years ago T.C. Yohannan brought glory to the country when he won the gold medal in long jump in the 1974 Teheran Asian games. And when it was announced Wednesday that his 22-year-old son Tinu will represent India in cricket, the wheel seemed to have come full circle for the sporting Yohannan family. Tinu Yohannan became the first cricketer from Kerala to be selected for the Indian cricket team. Yohannan says it was his bowling coach and mentor T.A. Sekhar, a former India speedster, who gave him the best piece of news so far in his life. "He called up and told me that I had been selected for the Indian team for the Mohali Test. I said 'Are you joking, sir?'" the lanky fast bowler told . "Honestly I just couldn't believe what sir told me. Even though I had hoped that one day I would play for my country, I never expected that that day would come this soon. Now that my dream has come true I am really happy and excited and I think I would be included in the playing eleven," Yohannan says. Since Wednesday evening the telephone has not stopped ringing at the Yohannan residence in Kochi, some 185 km from here. Among those who called up to congratulate were state Chief Minister A.K. Antony and Sports Minister K. Sudhakaran. The senior Yohannan says that the biggest advantage that his son had was his fitness and his dedication. The father has no regret that his son did not become an athlete like him. "Tinu started thinking about cricket seriously after the South African side led by Hansie Cronje arrived in Kochi in 1998 and after seeing them he said to me that he wants to become a professional cricketer," says the proud father, whose long jump record of 8.07 meters at the Teheran games is still the best jump by any Indian so far. And since then Yohannan's only ambition had been to play for the country. He debuted for Kerala in 1999 and till now has played six matches in which he has taken 19 wickets at an average of 25.94. He says his favourite performance so far has been his tally of four wickets in the Irani Trophy match against Baroda. The senior Yohannan had a big contribution in his son's success. The father says he got his son admitted in a private college at Chennai so that he could pursue a better cricketing career there. The young cricketer soon got in touch with the MRF Pace Foundation where he learnt his lessons on the art of fast bowling from Dennis Lillee for almost four years. "Yes, I owe everything to MRF Pace Foundation and I was determined that, after coming this far, I would give everything to the game. I am prepared to work hard, which I already am doing," Yohannan says. He puts in almost eight hours' practice a day. Asked which of the two occasions -- the 1974 Asian Games and Wednesday's announcements -- was more happy, the senior Yohannan averted a direct reply, saying: "Cricket and athletics are vastly different. But I hope and pray that my son does well for the country." Though Yohannan is hopeful of finding a place in the playing eleven, the track at Mohali traditionally favours spinners. The Indian selectors have picked three spinners. Besides, with medium pacer Iqbal Siddique coming up with a fine performance against the visiting English side at Jaipur in Rajasthan, Yohannan is likely to have a fight on his hands to get his place in the final eleven.
Wednesday, November 28, 2001
‘80,000 Govt employees sitting idle’
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Planning Board Vice-Chairman V Ramachandran has said that over 80,000 Government employees are sitting idle in Government departments. Addressing a seminar on the present financial crisis here today, he said that one of the main reasons for the financial crisis was that funds allotted to productive sectors were diverted to unproductive sectors. He suggested that the Government should evolve a system in which only those who were doing their work properly should be paid. Congress leader Aryadan Mohammed, MLA, said that many political parties were not taking economic issues seriously. RSP leader A V Thamarakshan said that he was thinking of moving the court on the unnecessary borrowing by the State.
Wednesday, November 28, 2001
Fear of ‘mad December’ looms large over Kannur
KANNUR: The fear that ‘someone’ would break the seven-month truce and that Kannur would return to its bloody sport once again in the first week of December is giving sleepless nights to political leaders and the police who are keen to maintain peace in this politically sensitive district, which had witnessed bloody feuds and gruesome killings in the past. Opinions vary. For the Sangh Parivar, CPM and the police have their own speculations about this ‘someone’. While the BJP-RSS leaders point their fingers at the National Development Front (NDF), the CPM leaders say the Sangh Parivar should be blamed if there is yet another outbreak of violence. They (Sangh Parivar) are hellbent on turning Kannur into a trouble-ridden region by starting political as well as communal wars here, the CPM leaders allege. The police have information that there would be trouble in connection with ‘Jayakrishnan Balidan day’ (the second death anniversary of Yuva Morcha leader K T Jayakrishan, who was hacked to death inside a classroom at East Mokeri in Thalassery taluk on Dec.1, 1999), to be observed at Thalassery. However, they are not in a position to name the troublemakers though they too suspect that the NDF would try to break the peace. Fearing trouble from the NDF, the BJP-RSS leadership have directed their cadres not to be provoked by ‘small’ attacks – either on December 1 or even after that. ‘‘We have information that the NDF, which is keen to create trouble and confusion in the State, would try to rekindle the old feud between the cadres of BJP-RSS and the CPM in the Thalassery belt in the first week of December. (Remember that the people of Kannur call December ‘mad December’ – during which political clashes and bloodletting begins in the district. As many as six people were hacked to death during last December). Even a simple stone-throwing during the rally we are organising on December 1 could enrage our workers. So we have directed our cadres to exercise maximum restraint on the day,’’ said BJP district president O K Vasu and RSS Kannur district karyavahak P P Sureshkumar. The police agree. ‘‘We really believe that there would be trouble in December. But we cannot say who would be the troublemakers. It is true that the NDF is hellbent on creating trouble in the Thalassery-Nadapuram regions for specific reasons. And we really suspect that they would try to send the cadres of BJP-RSS and the CPM into pitched battles by rekindling the age-old feud which both the parties had agreed to forget for ever,’’ said a senior police official. He said the NDF has made much inroads in the Thalassery-Nadapuram belt of late. However, the police are not able to check their movements mainly because of noncooperation from the IUML people ever since the UDF government came to power. This was not the case when the LDF was in power, he added. Not prepared to ignore the warnings, the police have decided to deploy a heavy posse of force in the most sensitive areas within two days. Thalassery has always been the best harbour for fundamentalist and extremist groups. The Muslim League led by Mohammedali Jinnah had its first ever office in Kerala in Thalassery and it was here the fundamentalists killed a DYFI activist, Sugesh (this case was hushed up, thanks to the CPM-IUML cooperation in those days) a few years back. Krishnan, a CPM activist and auto driver was done to death at Talipramba by members of the same group last year. And it is a known fact that the fight in the Nadapuram belt is between the lumpen elements in the CPM and the NDF. The CPM, however, does not subscribe to this story. ‘‘They (BJP-RSS) are after us. They want to kill a top CPM leader to avenge the killing of Jayakrishnan. We have reports that they are bent on creating trouble in the district next month,’’ says CPM district secretary E P Jayarajan. He said the Sangh Parivar men were creating problems at various places in a bid to begin a large-scale political bloodletting.
Wednesday, November 28, 2001
Sabrimala goes hi-tech, launches Internet facility
PAMPA: The Pathanamthitta Telecom will launch Internet facility at Sannidhanam by this week-end. An Internet PCO at Pampa was also planned, Pathanamthitta Telecom Deputy General Manager C Rajendran told this website's newspaper. He said that at present 12 Telecom STD/ISD public call offices (PCOs) and 10 private STD/ISD booths were working at Sannidhanam and Pampa. More STD/ISD PCO licences would be provided to those who produce the required permission and clearance from the Travancore Devaswom Board. The BSNL had installed two telephone connections, 592100 and 593400, at Sannidhanam Devaswom Information Centres for the convenience of pilgrims of Lord Ayyappa, especially those from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Wednesday, November 28, 2001
Power failure at Sannidhanam, Pampa
PAMPA: Thousands of pilgrims offered prayers at the Sabarimala temple on the 12th day of the Mandalam season on Tuesday. POWER FAILURE: Sannidhanam and Pampa areas were affected by power failure for about two hours. The KSEB authorities said the power failure was due to urgent line repairs at Kochupampa. RESTING PLACE: Cochin Devaswom Board president Vijayaraghavan, who came here to have darshan at the temple, said that the Board would arrange basic facilities for Sabarimala pilgrims at Chottanikkara Devi Temple and Thrissur Vadakkumnathan Temple. At Chottanikkara, the pilgrims would be given free food by the Devaswom Board throughout the Mandalam and Makaravilakku seasons.
Tuesday, November 27, 2001
I-T returns: Last date extended
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The last date for filing income tax returns has been extended up to November 30. Addressing a Press conference here today, Income Tax Commissioner Radha Balakrishnan said a person was liable to file returns under the one-by-six scheme if he occupied a building with a floor area of 1100 square feet or more for residential purpose whether by way of ownership, tenancy or otherwise, or occupied a floor area of 175 square feet or more for commercial purposes or was the owner or lessee of a motor vehicle other than a two-wheeler or subscribed to a telephone or held a credit card or had travelled abroad or had paid for someone else’s travel or had a club membership. She said the returns were to be filed in a form called 2C, available at Aayakar Bhavan, Kawdiar, here. The scheme was applicable in 43 centres falling under the jurisdiction of the Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Thiruvananthapuram. According to her, those who are regularly assessed for tax and those who do not have taxable income need not file the returns. Those failing to file the returns will entail a penalty of Rs 5,000 with no right to appeal. SPECIAL COUNTERS: Special counters for the receipt of income tax returns under one-by-six scheme will be functioning at Ayakar Bhavan during working hours from November 26 to November 30, which is a holiday for Central Government offices~ENS
Tuesday, November 27, 2001
POTO: HC issues notices to Centre, AG
KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Monday issued notices to the Central Government and the Attorney General (AG) on a writ petition challenging the Constitutional validity of the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO), 2001. The bench comprising Chief Justice B N Srikrishna and Justice M Ramachandran issued the notices on a petition by K V Karunakaran, treasurer, Kerala Dalit Federation. According to the petitioner, the promulgation of POTO while the Parliament was in session, was suspicious and politically motivated. There is no clarity on several provisions. Hence there is chance for misuse. It is an encroachment on the legislative powers of the State, the petitioner said. Introduction of the Ordinance without constituting a special court and review committee was illegal, and giving it immediate effect was unconstitutional, he submitted.
Tuesday, November 27, 2001
After swallowing Rs 2.4 crore, Sabarimala sewage plant remains a monument
PAMPA: Ten days after the inauguration, the sewage treatment plant, and the incinerator at Cherianavattom in Pampa are yet to start working.Though the installation of this vital machinery was completed before the inauguration of the first phase of the sewage treatment plant on November 16, the first day of the Mandalam season, the real purpose has not been served. The plant remains a monument after swallowing up a whopping Rs 2.4 crore. Though the KSEB had installed a transformer near the plant before the inauguration, power connection to the plant is yet to be provided. When contacted, the Devaswom officials pointed out that due to technical reasons both plants got delayed and would start functioning soon. KSEB had promised to give power connection in a few days, they said. Vasco Environmental India, the Hyderabad-based company which bagged the contract for the installation of the sewage treatment plant and incinerators at Pampa and Sannidhanam, completed the work of the first phase of the sewage plant on the day of the inauguration itself, Vinod Menon, director of the company, said. He said that installation of the plant, which started in September 2000, was completed six months after the schedule on account of a court case. The plant, once becomes operational, could recycle 2.5 million litre liquid waste per day and process 300 kg solid waste per hour. The company personnel would operate and maintain the plant for another two Sabarimala seasons as per the contract, he said. The company also won the contract for the installation of two incinerators _ one at Cherianavattom and the other at Sannidhanam. The incinerators are being installed at a cost of Rs 35 lakh.
Tuesday, November 27, 2001
Medha Patkar gets rightful place; emerges stronger
KOCHI: Sukumar Azhikode said it right: If a woman in India, who is not a bigwig in politics, can make men bow before her in respect, it is only Medha Patkar. ‘‘She is Narmada, in the ancient concept of Mother River. And I came here especially to see her and draw energy from her,’’ he said. They all were sharing the dias at the seminar on the ‘‘Politics of Development,’’ at Ernakulam Town Hall. This ‘‘assembly of people’s struggle’’ was organised by National Alliance of People’s Movement. And Medha simply stole the limelight with her ‘‘battles are won, but the war has to go on’’ speech on the developmental issues of the country. She called for a national mass movement to protect people’s rights in matters of development. ‘‘We should think of setting up a parallel system for this, instead of going for the routine Government affair. Saying no to global trespassing should be the agenda no.1 in people’s movement. There should also be a decentralisation of politics and economics.’’ ‘‘We should have a new political perspective of development, where the people are not marginalised and where there is no discrimination. The major developmental programmes after 1947 were neither people-oriented nor democratic. And the fundamental rights remain a dream,’’ she said. On modern mass agitation, Medha said that people are demanding equality and justice through proper management of natural resources. ‘‘They have to assert their right to enjoy nature’s bounty. And they should have a role to play in the developmental activities; to intervene in matters regarding their lives. But the Government often forgets consultation as well as consent of the community’’. ‘‘We should rule out a Government that is communal and bows before European countries. But nobody has the courage to do so. We have to find a way to evolve a new strategy to fight the global powers,’’ said Medha. Justice V R Krishna Iyer said that people should fight against the powers which target their own profits in the name of development.
Tuesday, November 27, 2001
Polygamy cases leave women’s panel tizzy
MALAPPURAM: Scores of polygamy cases piling up before it in Malappuram is giving a tough time to the State Women’s Commission. ‘‘We are tired of these complaints from women in this district where bigamy and polygamy have become acceptable,’’ according to the Commission members who spoke to this newspaper. What compounds things is that the much-married men take care to fake their own addresses in the marriage registers kept in the mosques. ‘‘Often, the only option left for us is to offer legal assistance to pursue a case of cheating,’’ Commission member Prof P Gouri disclosed. That is not all. The Commission also has to put up with noisy verbal duels, when different women approach the Commission wishing to retain the same man for a husband and take to outshouting each other. Things really get out of hand if the gentleman concerned had married thrice or even four times, which is not entirely unknown. ‘‘Sometimes it gets to be a bit too much,’’ Commission members admit. It was no different at the hearing conducted here the other day. Two Muslim women, Kunhipathumma and Rukhiya let go at each other for their common husband, Kunhimohamed. The man himself had thought it prudent not to turn up though the Commission had summoned him too. Kunhipathumma had complained that her husband was living with Rukhiya, who had taken virtual control of him. ‘‘I have not kidnapped anyone. I am living with my husband,’’ retorted Rukhiya. To put the record straight, Rukhiya is Kunhimohamed’s second wife and Kunhipathumma is his wife number three. It took some bit of intervention by the Commission members before the wives cooled down. The Commission, interestingly, has noticed that many young brides were well aware before their marriages that their grooms weren’t doing it the first time. ‘‘In such a situation, there isn’t much that we can do,’’ a Commission member said. There are also several cases where men kept the dowry and ornaments after divorcing their wives, awaiting the Commission’s attention.
Monday, November 26, 2001
Gandhian values now irrelevant - Krishna Iyer
Kannur, Nov 26: Eminent jurist and former Supreme Court judge V R Krishna Iyer said Sunday that rampant consumerism had rendered Gandhian and Socialist values irrelevant. Such consumerism endangered India’s economic and cultural independence. “The people should restore the Gandhian value of Swaraj,” he said at a function to mark the third death anniversary of freedom fighter P M Kunhiraman Nambiar. Economic strength would be meaningless if the people did not have a Swadeshi sense. Gandhiji was now remembered only on October 2 and even those who claimed to follow the Swadeshi concept were betraying the country, he said. Later, Iyer presented an award, named after Nambiar, to the Bishop Emeritus of the Thalassery Diocese, Dr Sebastian Valloppilly. Kerala Forests and Sports Minister K Sudhakaran inaugurated the function. Veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister, Mullappally Ramachandran, presided.
Monday, November 26, 2001
Govt. to set up corporation for NRKs
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM The Government proposes to set up a corporation for the welfare of overseas Keralites and promotion of investment by them, the Minister for Non-Resident Keralites' Affairs (NoRKA), Mr. M.M. Hassan, said here on Friday. Addressing a press conference, the Minister said the proposal on this would come up for Cabinet approval shortly. Mr. Hassan said the corporation would draw up viable projects for investment by NRIs in Kerala. Asked about the inability of public sector units themselves to work viably and their ability to draw up viable projects, the Minister said many units were making profits. The corporation, he said, would replace the Non-Resident Keralites' Welfare Agency (NoRKWA) which had only scarce resources at its disposal. When a corporation is formed, it would be able to raise loans twice its paid up capital. Mr. Hassan said the Government was considering allocation of centres for entrance examinations, in the Gulf countries. He denied that this would lead to irregularities. He announced that a conference of organisations (Samagamam) of Gulf-returned Malayalis would be held here on December 18. About 230 organisations and individuals had already registered for participation in the conference. Those wishing to participate could register through the NoRKA Web site. Requests for participation could also be sent by post to NoRKWA along with the delegate fee. The conference would discuss proposals for rehabilitation of Gulf-returnees on the basis of the study by the Centre for Development Studies. Mr. Hassan said the Government was also planning a conference of non-resident Indians belonging to all States in Bangalore on January 19, 2002. The Chief Minister of Karnataka, Mr. S.M. Krishna, the Chief Minister of Kerala, Mr. A.K. Antony, the Union Minister of State for Railways, Mr. O. Rajagopal, and other leaders would participate. A reception committee headed by the former Chief Secretary of Karnataka, Mr. J. Alexander, had been formed for organisation of the conference named Samanuayam. Not more than two representatives from organisations of NRIs could attend the conference by registering before December 31. A sum of Rs. 250 would be the delegate fee, which is to be paid by cheque or draft drawn in favour of Samanuayam. He said the Central Government's assistance had been sought for conference. He said the Government was taking steps to carry out the recommendations of the NRK conference held in Kochi recently. A NoRKA cell had been set up in Delhi. Decision would be taken shortly designating NoRKA as the nodal department for NRK investments in the State. The conference had also called for reduction in air fares, introduction of a permanent shipping service to the Gulf and granting of voting rights to overseas Indians. The Chief Minister would be meeting the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and the Civil Aviation Minister shortly to represent the matter.
Monday, November 26, 2001
Come home for a holiday
A heritage resort recreated on the hills near Thiruvananthapuram brings back memories of a typical Travancore home. Vinson Kurien enjoys its ambience. Environmental Creations, the Thiruvananthapuram-based designing and architecture consultancy, has literally moved the earth to build a reputation for restoring and recreating flamboyant icons of Kerala's traditional architecture and converting them into cherished tourist attractions. `Adapting to earth' is the leit motif of their enterprise, as evidenced in a series of acclaimed resort/heritage projects that the `must-see' Kerala showcases. Among these are the Coconut Lagoon (Kottayam), Spice Village (Thekkady), Cardamom County (Thekkady), Pathiramanal Resorts (Alappuzha) and Ayurgram (Bangalore). T.M. Cyriac, the lead architect, of `Team Earth' at Environmental Creations, is now working on their latest project located on the Chowara Hills in the hinterland of the famed Kovalam beach resort. Old Travancore recreated Located 19 km from the Thiruvananthapuram international airport, `The Travancore Heritage' is being promoted as an authentic heritage resort that reflects the ethos and architectural splendour of Old Travancore. Recreated in the resort are an old palace and several elaborate vintage houses. Made of timber and sporting tiled roofs, these houses stand out for their exquisite craftsmanship. The houses include the traditional nalukettus that allow the occupants to live in perfect harmony with nature. Spread over eight acres of landscaped terrain, The Travancore Heritage showcases the many splendours that travel writers say go to make Kerala one of the best tourist destinations - the sun, the sea, the rolling green hills, the beach, the surf and the traditional architecture of the erstwhile Travancore region. According to Cyriac, the mere mention of Travancore Heritage conjures up images of opulence, grandeur, stateliness and history. Recreating this enduring architectural icon on the undulating Chowara terrain, he said, presented him with ``the challenge of his career''. A bird's eye-view Perched on a gradient, the resort overlooks a magnificent cliff and a palm-fringed beach beyond. Yes, the USP of Cyriac's latest project is the massive cliff running across the middle and which descends steeply to merge into a coconut garden, which rolls onto a private beach and into the waves... Ethnically furnished and air-conditioned, the resort offers all the modern conveniences including cable TV connections, a cybercafe, mini-bars and a fully-equipped Ayurvedic rejuvenation centre. The promoter of the project, T.C. Paul, struck upon the idea after he heard that innumerable vintage structures were being pulled down in the erstwhile Travancore region, to be sold off either as scrap or as furniture. In the course of extensive tours of the State over the last four years, Paul has acquired some of these antique pieces, often clinching on-the-spot bargains. An automotive entrepreneur by profession, Paul combines a passion for architecture with an eye for design. Though he admits that there was indeed a business motive to the project, Paul adds that he was genuinely concerned about these traditional structures and was keen that they were restored and maintained for posterity. He found in Cyriac a perfect ally who could give these dying structures a new lease of life. Aesthetics to the fore The talented team at Environmental Creations seem to think on their feet and have their ears to the ground. Terra firma, if you will. Cyriac likes to draw on `regional memories' which are articulated in suitable ``flavours'' in his creations. In the present instance, nalukettus and tharavadus with open-to-sky baths, have been recreated tastefully. The reception lobby, fashioned from a section of the Valiyamadam Palace, which was owned by the Edappally royal family and dating back 150 years, has been recreated with care and furnished with antique furniture. The rich carvings on the pillars, rafters and gables are a testimony to the craftsmanship of yore. The top floor is a guest activity centre, which affords a panoramic view of the entire resort and its surrounds, including the blue expanse of the Arabian Sea. The centre has a library, a reading room and a Net surfing centre, among others. A restaurant, with a 120-year-old carved timber roof culled from a typical Chettinad chieftain's mansion in southern Tamil Nadu, is another highlight. Holidayers can choose from three different classes of rooms - Pool Mansion Suites, Heritage Premium and Heritage Homes. Care has been taken to ensure a relaxing, noise-free atmosphere. The climate control powered by a centralised water-cooling system has done away with the need for fans. Air-conditioning is provided as an optional. Pool mansion suites comprise a bed-room, a drawing room and a spacious sit-out. All the rooms provide an excellent view of the landscaped surroundings. The rooms have been furnished with period furniture and have a min-ibar, telephone and cable TV. The resort has a swimming pool with a jacuzzi, a children's pool and a conference hall to seat 100. The ayurveda rejuvenation treatment centre houses two treatment rooms each, for ladies and gents under the management of a qualified ayurvedic doctor couple. According to Paul, a leading UK-based charter operator has confirmed bookings for a number of cottages starting this December. More bookings are expected to materialise once the resort is formally declared open later this month, according to P.C. Zacharias, General Manager (Marketing).
Saturday, November 24, 2001
Death of woman: Tension mounts in Kodungalloor
KODUNGALLOOR: Tension mounted in the town this evening when about 300 Yuva Morcha activists staged a demonstration protesting against the alleged police harassment which reportedly led to the death of an old woman last night. According to BJP mandalam president K D Jayadevan, a police sub inspector and two policemen went to the house of Yuva Morcha activist Janson in search of him in the wee hours on Friday and threatened his mother Reetha,65, and four sisters. Reetha collapsed and died due to the shock, he alleged. BJP called a dawn to dusk hartal in Kodungalloor assembly area tomorrow. According to Irinjalakuda Deputy SP Henry Johnson, police in search of Janson, had gone to his house. But returned when his sisters told them that Janson was not in the house and their mother, Reetha was seriously ill. Reetha died after police left that place. The Deputy SP said that Reetha had undergone treatment at the Medicare Hospital for brain tumor and was discharged last month as she was terminally ill. The death of Reetha was a normal one and has nothing to do with the search of the police, he added. Meanwhile the body of Reetha was buried at St Antony’s church cemetery on Friday evening.
Saturday, November 24, 2001
Miraculous escape for 400 passengers
KOCHI: About 400 passengers of the vessel `m.v.Tipu Sultan' on its way from here to Lakshadweep had a miraculous escape when a small blaze noticed in one of the engines was immediately brought under control on Tuesday night, delayed reports reaching here said. According to the police here, the ship had set sail from Kochi on Tuesday afternoon, and one of the engines caught fire later at night. The ship had set sail to the island administration after repairs carried out recently
Friday, November 23, 2001
Housewife beaten to death by husband
PALAKKAD: Parvathi, 44, was beaten to death by her drunkard husband--Gopalan--at their house located in Iyer Street of Kozhipara near Kozhinjampara on Wednesday. Gopalan, under the influence of liquor beat up his wife who fell against a pillar of the house. The accused also repeatedly beat up the woman after the fall. Though the neighbours came to the rescue of the woman and rushed her to a hospital, she could not be saved. The Kozhinjampara police have arrested Gopalan.
Friday, November 23, 2001
One killed, 45 hurt as bus turns turtle
KOCHI: One person was killed and at least 45 injured, two of them critically, when a speeding private bus overturned at Cusat Junction, Kalamassery, after ramming into an electric post on Wednesday morning. Rajappan of Chembu, Vaikom, who was admitted in a critical condition to the Ernakulam Medical Centre Hospital (EMCH) succumbed to his injuries. The other critically injured, T V Paulose, a KSRTC employee, and Annakutty, a manual labourer, have also been admitted to the ICU of the same hospital. All except 18 of the injured have been discharged. Most of the injured are students of St Paul’s College, Kalamassery. Others are office-goers and manual labourers. Bonny Manual of Njarakkal, a student of Angamaly Little Flower, who sustained head injuries, is being treated at the Medical Trust Hospital. Police said the bus overturned when the driver swerved it while attempting to overtake an autorickshaw. The driver and cleaner of the Aluva-bound bus fled the scene soon after the mishap. ‘‘The condition of the bus was not satisfactory. All tyres were worn out. No wonder the driver lost control,’’ said City Police Commissioner Y Anilkumar. The police are likely to charge a case against the bus owner for poor maintenance. An accident case has already been registered by the Edappally police. ‘‘It’s a miracle that we escaped with minor injuries,’’ said subedar Sasidharan working at the Naval Base. ‘‘I only remember the driver swerving the speeding bus to the right after attempting to overtake the autorickshaw through the left,’’ said Pushpalatha, senior assistant, National Assurance Corporation, Perumbavoor. The following are the injured admitted to the Ernakulam Medical Centre Hospital: Reshmi John, 20, Kakkanad, Pushpalatha, 33, Fort Kochi, Alagamma Poulose, 45, Chottanikkara, Poulose T V, 46, Thiruvankulam, Ambily, 20, Vaduthala, Unnikrishnan, 38, salesman, Johnson Peter, 27, Angamaly, E P Balan, 55, Perumbavoor, Rajappan, 4, Anuraj, 17, Thiruvaniyoor, Kumar, 30, Kalamasserry, Siyad, 12, Chullikkal, Binod, 23, Thumpoly, Jayasree K D, 33, Vaduthala, Nelson Pathure, 39, Cheranalloor, Noby D’Silva, 33, Palluruthy, Ipe Kutty, 56, Angamaly, Simja A G, 16, Vallarpadam, Zhivago K A, 32, Vaduthala, Hassan, 63, Edappally, Remya A F, 17, Chullickal, Sandhya S, 19, Kadavanthra, Shibu D, 27, Polakandam, Luxy, 27, Pachalam, Remya, 18, Thoppumpady, Rani, 24, Kakkanad, Suhana, 48, Vennala, Milna Suryan, 14, Irumpanam, Dhanya P N, Pattaman, Ambika Devi, 42, Kaduthuruthy, T V Mohanan, 42, Koovappadathil, Manu Jose 18, Fort Kochi, Prathibha K P, 18, Laly George, 18, Neethu Benty, 18 and Shwetha K S, 19, St Paul’s College, Sunil P V, Cherai, Soumya K K, 19, Thoppumpady, Sasidharan, 42, Vytilla, Shaji Thomas, 30, Aluva, Annakutty, Angamaly, Satish V K, 49, Johnson, 42, Thevara, Subedar Sasidharan, 48, Naval Base, Thomas M D, Angamaly.
Friday, November 23, 2001
2 Hurt in fresh violence at Nadapuram
KOZHIKODE: Two persons suffered stab injuries in the renewed political violence in two separate incidents at Narikkatteri near Nadapuram on Wednesday afternoon. Chalil Sameer, an IUML worker, was attacked by a group of alleged CPM workers at Narikkatteri town around 1.30 pm, police said. In an apparent retaliatory action, a group, allegedly IUML workers, assaulted Poyilil Kannan, a CPM sympathiser. Both of them have been admitted to the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, police added. A large contingent of police led by Rural SP Balakrishnan is camping in the area. District Collector Bishwanath Sinha, who rushed to the spot, had a round of meeting with the leaders of political parties. ‘‘It is a small problem. But we don’t want to take any chances. We have intensified police surveillance in the whole area to check the violence from spreading to other areas’’ the Collector told this paper. Another round of meeting of political parties will be held tomorrow at 3 pm at Narikkatteri, he added.
Friday, November 23, 2001
Youth’s death a clear case of drowning, say police
THRISSUR: The body of a youth found in a well near Peramangalam police station on Tuesday was a clear case of drowning, said Superintendent of Police Balramkumar Upadhyaya. Talking to this website's newspaper, he said that the post-mortem report submitted to the police on Wednesday clearly stated that there was no internal or external injury on the body and that death was due to drowning. Upadhyaya said that the deceased youth, Murleedharan (25) was a mentally unsound person with criminal tendencies and was involved in more than one petty case registered by the Peramangalam police. He said that the youth had gone to the Peramangalam police station on Sunday alleging that his neighbour, Soumini and her relatives had assaulted him on Sunday and had complained that his body was aching because of the beatings he had endured. The police then advised him to get himself admitted to a hospital for treatment and lodge a written complaint with the police. After he had left the police station, Soumini lodged a complaint with the Peramangalam police station that Murleedharan had assaulted her. On Monday a police team had gone to the residence of Murleedharan at Velappaya to enquire about the Soumini’s complaint. But Murleedharan was not at home and the police left after leaving a message that he should report to the police station. Murleedharan did not respond to the summons. The Superintendent of Police said that Murleedharan was not taken into custody by the police. However, a complaint to the SP by Murleedharan’s brother K.Mohandas after the body was found in the well, had said that on Monday police had telephoned the his and informed him that Murleedharan was in the police station. However, Upadhyaya said that on cross checking he found that the police had not communicated any message to the neighbour of Mohandas. While questioning Mohandas on Wednesday, when the Superintendent asked him why he did not check up with the police station if he had received such a message, Mohandas confessed that Murleedharan was not in the habit of coming home every day and therefore the family usually did not bother about his absence, added Upadhyaya. After the post-mortem the body was disposed of on Wednesay, police said.
Friday, November 23, 2001
Parties unite on Mullaiperiyar dam issue
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: All political parties in Kerala joined hands to protect the State's interests vis-a-vis the Mullaperiyar dam issue on Thursday and unanimously resolved at a meeting to oppose any move on the part of Tamil Nadu to increase the storage level of the controversial dam beyond the present 136 ft. The meeting, presided over by Chief Minister A K Antony, decided to adopt a resolution in the ongoing assembly session expressing its sentiments on the issue and forward it to the centre. The two-hour-long meeting also resolved that the Kerala government should not, at any cost, allow increase of the storage level of the dam. At the end of the meeting, the Chief Minister said political parties in Kerala could hammer out a common stand on the issue. Several suggenstions that came forward from different political parties in the meeting would be incorporated in the affidavit to be filed by the state in the supreme court. He said another all-party meeting would be convened here to discuss all aspects of the issue. Earlier, addressing the leaders of various political parties, including Leader of the Opposition V S Achuthanandan and BJP leader P P Mukundan, the Chief Minister said there used to be a casual approach to the issue in the past under the argument that the state had abundant water. But, the situation had changed and the State had to take up the Mullaperiyar and other river water sharing issues very seriously.
Friday, November 23, 2001
HC directs Govt to take decision on Muslim Calendar dispute
KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday directed the Government to take a decision on the dispute over Muslim Calender in Kambilipparamba A M UP School, Olavanna, Malappuram, after hearing all parties concerned. The PTA of this aided school, which was following the Muslim Calender, decided to follow the general calender and it was approved by the DPI. But the DPI’s order in this regard was stayed by the Government. It was in this circumstance that school Manager V Abdul Salam approached the High Court. Justice R Rajendra Babu directed that if the Government failed to take a decision before November 30, the stay order passed by the Government would stand suspended.
Friday, November 23, 2001
Govt employees strike work demanding DA arrears
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A section of the Kerala government employees belonging to the Left unions went on a strike on Thursday, demanding arrears of dearness allowance. Reports from different parts of the State said the functioning of government offices and educational institutions were affected due to thin attendance. The issue was raised in the State Assembly by Marxist member T K Balan during zero hour. Replying to the submission on the subject, Chief Minister A K Antony said the government owed five instalments of da to its employees starting from July one, 1999. Though the previous marxist-led government had assured to release two instalments, it could not keep up its promise due to the acute Financial crisis. The situation was no different now and it would not be possible for the government to sanction the da arrears during the current Financial year. However, the government would sanction the same during the next fiscal, he added. In this context, Antony reminded the striking employees that they were fortunate enough to get at least salaries every month. Their counterparts in many states were not getting their monthly salaries for six to ten months together. A few States had frozen the DA, he said. He said the striking workers should understand that the government had many responsibilities other than paying salaries to them. The government was duty bound to provide relief to the suffering sections of the society. The farmers were facing serious problems during the past four years due to crash in the prices of agricultural produce. ``What is the need for a government if it is just for giving salary to its employees,'' he asked.
Friday, November 23, 2001
Financial position has improved, says Muraleedharan
KOCHI: The Congress-led United Democratic Front in Kerala has succeeded in improving the financial position of the State in the last six months, KPCC president K Muraleedharan said on Thursday. He told reporters here that the Government had overcome some of the problems. However, much more remained to be done. Asked about increasing custodial deaths, he said the opposition was trying to exaggerate things, since they had no issue on which to attack the government. Such deaths had also occurred during the prevous left democratic ront rule, but the then government had not conducted any enquires. Muraleedharan said the kpcc executive meet would be held on Dec. 1, in which the government's performance and ministers would be discussed. On the war of words between Muslim League and Congress, he said it would not affect the relationship between the parties. He said about 300 delegates,including 140 from Kerala,would attend the political training camp for congressmen in the southern region. This would be the second camp in the South, the first being at Hyderabad two months back. Prior to this, two such camps were held in North India, he said. He said the objective of the camp,being held after a gap of several years, was to strengthen the Congress base in Kerala and create an awareness among congressmen on party policies. There were plans to hold camps in all constituencies in Kerala to strengthen the party in the state, he said, adding Congress representatives from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Pondicherry, Lakshadweep, Goa and Andaman and Nicobar would attend the camp, he said.
Thursday, November 22, 2001
50 injured in bus accident
Fifty persons, most of them school and college going students were injured, some of them seriously, when the private bus in which they were traveling went out of control and hit an electric post, south Kalamaseri this morning. The bus was its way to Aluva from Fort Kochi, police said. The injured have been hospitalized.
Thursday, November 22, 2001
CM appeals to staff to desist from strike plan
Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony today appealed to the govt staff to desist from their plan to strike work tomorrow demanding immediate release of an installment of dearness allowance. Talking to reporters after a cabinet meeting, Antony said the govt had not frozen D A but only deferred it in view of acute fiscal crunch. "Let the employees wait till next financial year. We have not frozen D A indefinitely. The fiscal position of the govt is such that if an installment of DA is released there will be treasury payment crisis". He said there was no pay cut of delay in disbursement of salary to the staff. Nor did it resort to retrenchment despite the fact that there was a surplus staff strength of about 50,000. Realizing these facts, the employees should give up their strike plan, he added.
Thursday, November 22, 2001
Multi-colour rain received at 52 places
The Rainbow is a magnificent admixture of seven vibrant colours, and it appears as if the rainwater received at various places in Kerala has nearly as many shades of colour. In the recent phenomenon that intrigued scientists and laymen alike, rainwater at many places in the state came in the Rainbow colours of Violet, Green, Yellow and Red, and also Black. Samples of such coloured rainwater had been collected from 52 places, Chief Minister AK Antony informed the state assembly today in reply to a question. The coloured rainfall was received in ten of the 14 districts of the state. It may be recalled that the scientific community was yet to come out with a concrete answer to the cause of the multi-colour rainfall in Kerala. Several theories were put forward by them attributing the colour to dust from a meteor explosion or to the presence of algae in the atmosphere. The Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS) and the Tropical Botanical Garden and Research Institute (TBGRI) at Palode, near Thiruvananthapuram, had expressed the view that the coloured rain was caused by lichen-forming algae. The rainwater samples contained huge quantity of the spores of genus. The rainwater samples contained huge quantity of the spores of genus 'trentopohila'. This particular genus of spores was usually found on rocks and trees. However, scientists were yet to say how such huge quantities of algae got injected into the clouds.
Thursday, November 22, 2001
Government ready for reinvestigation, says CM
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government does not have any objection to a re-investigation of the deaths of four ABVP activists at Pamba river near Parimala in pathanamthitta district in 1996, Chief Minister A K Antony said on Tuesday. Replying to the submission of Shobana George (Congress) that there should be a impartial enquiry into the incident, he said an appeal against the acquittal of the accused in the case was pending before the High Court. "All details are with the director of prosecution.The government has no objection to order a reinvestigation if there is no legal bar for the same" the case relates to a clash between ABVP-DYFI studying in Parimala college and the subsequent death of four ABVP activists in the Pampa river. The prosecution case was that DYFI activists allegedly threw stones at abvp activists trying to swim ashore after the latter waded in to escape the clash. This resulted in four ABVP workers being drowned
Wednesday, November 21, 2001
Opposition walks out of Assembly
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPI(M) led Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala on Wednesday walked out of the Assembly in protest against the rejection of their motion seeking adjournment of the House on the issue of death of a youth allegedly due to police torture in custody. During zero hour, Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan explained the circumstances that led to the death of one youth Muraleedharan of Velappaya in Thrissur district on Tuesday. He said the body of Muraleedharan, who was taken into custody by the police in connection with a case on November 8, was found in a well near the station on Tuesday morning. He alleged that the death was due to police torture and the body was dumped by the police after the death of Muraleedharan in the custody. Achuthanandan said custodial deaths during the past six months had increased and it was mainly due to the 'inefficiency" of Chief Minister A K antony and the police policy followed by his government. Speaking on the notice for motion, antony said government viewed incidents of police highhandness very seriousely and would take stringent action against the police personnel responsible for it, if found guilty. Antony said Thrissur RDO has been asked to make a detailed inquiry into the incident and as per a priliminary inquiry report on the matter, Muraleedharan was only summoned by the police relating to a case on attacking a women and was allowed to go, with an advice that he should take bail the next day. However, his body was found in the well near to the house of the station and a comprehensive probe into the incident was progressing. Antony categorically stated that it was not the policy of the government to encourage the use of 'third degree" methods by the police. Government took swift action against police personnel found responsible in police harrasement case occurred earlier, he said. 'The governemnt would not tolerate police highhandness and will take action irrespective of caste, creed and religion', Antony said. Not satisfied with the reply, Opposition members trooped out of the House.
Wednesday, November 21, 2001
Compensation to clash-hit areas to be stopped
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Congress-led UDF government was seriously thinking of putting an end to the practice of compensating losses suffered during political clashes, Chief Minister A K Antony told the State Assembly on Wednesday. Replying to a submission by benoy viswam (CPI) on efforts to find a lasting solution to recurrence of violence in Nadapuram in Kozhikode district, Antony said the experience had been that provision of compensation had not served as a deterrent to recurrence of political violence. However, the government would honour the committment to provide compensation to those who suffered losses in the nadapuram clashes, mainly involving the Muslim league and CPM, as that was part of the peace package. "Our experience has been that the practice of giving compensation has in no way helped discourage recurrence of violence. The government's approach is to stop this practice", he said. A four-member team, comprising industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty, KPCC Chief K Muraleedharan, CPI-M Deputy leader in the house, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and Nadapuram MLA Benoy Viswam had been effectively co-ordinating the peace initative in Nadapuram, he added.
Tuesday, November 20, 2001
Antony calls conference of senior police officers
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The series of incidents of torture in police custody points to the impunity with which Supreme Court guidelines on arrests and detention are being violated by the police and calls for the dire need to make policing more transparent and hold ‘erring’ cops accountable for their grave misdeeds. A ‘perturbed’ Antony has now convened a conference of senior police officers on November 25 for asking them to ‘reign’ in their men. Though the UDF Government had achieved major successes in settling Nadapuram issue amicably, keeping Kannur calm and maintaining communal harmony in the backdrop of September 11 strikes and the Afghan War, the instances of police highhandedness, though isolated, had caused serious embarrassment to the leadership. The incident at Rajakkad police station where a SNDP worker was allegedly made to eat human excreta, the custodial torture of a Dalit youth in Pathanapuram which drove him to suicide along with his pregnant wife, death of another Dalit youth in Nemom again due to alleged lock-up torture, were all instances of ‘abuse’ of power that has been going on within the four walls of police stations. With the police enjoying substantial powers to arrest, detain and investigate, the authority bestowed with them is often misused by ‘villainous’ cops. Detainees are held in custody for prolonged period as was evident in the case of Nemom victim Joy. If his relatives are to be believed, the youth was kept in custody for three days without being produced before the court. It is a known fact that most of the instances of torture and ill treatment occur during the first stage of detention in police custody when access to outsiders is denied. Though various National Police Commissions had pointed to the risk that the detainees face during detention, the State Government is yet to establish a system to curb such violations. Relatives and lawyers are generally denied access by police to those in custody. The enforcement of Supreme Court guidelines on detention and arrest, which provide certain safeguards to the detainees, is confined to papers in most police stations. However, DGP W J Dawson, disputes the charge of ‘blatant’ violation of human rights by police. ‘‘Strong deterrent action is taken whenever instances of police highhandedness are brought to our notice,’’ he said adding that specific directions have been given to the men to go by the rules. But human rights activists hold the lack of transparency and accountability in the day to day policing, largely responsible for the present degeneration.
Tuesday, November 20, 2001
Measures taken for more facilities to Sabarimala pilgrims
PATHANAMTHITTA: The Devaswom Special Commissioner for Sabarimala, D Sreevallabhan, has taken a series of measures to protect the sanctity of the temple and increase and improve the facilities for pilgrims. Sreevallabhan told this paper that directives had been issued to improve the quality of ``prasadam'', upkeep of temple premises and nearby areas especially by removing hotel waste and garbage at Sannidhanam, cleaning of the areas in front of the ticket and prasadam counters and the other side and the nadapandal, removing food and cool drink stalls near the VHP book stall and the eastern side of Nadapandal. After making a visit to manufacturing place of the aravana and appam, he asked the authorities to supply quality rice, jaggery, plantain, etc. to improve their quality, especially of appam. He said he had been holding daily meetings with TDB officials and maramath engineers for maintaining basic hygienic standards. The Special Commissioner was instrumental in taking steps to clean up Pampa banks and spreading sand on the ``manappuram'' for the convenience of pilgrims. For easing traffic congestion at Pampa and adjoining areas, Sreevallabhan said strict instructions had been issued to park the heavy vehicles at Nilackal after alighting the pilgrims at Pampa. At Pampa, facilities for parking would be available only to small vehicles. Regarding Sabarimala-based roads, he said that after making on-the-spot assessment of their condition he had directed the PWD to undertake the repair work of 17 identified roads on an urgent basis. He directed the Devaswom authorities to ban the use of donkeys in Pampa river zone, nadapandal and Sannidhanam because the animals were causing a lot of inconvenience to pilgrims on their trekking path and other environmental hazards. ACCOMMODATION AT SANNIDHANAM: At a meeting of Devaswom officials, he directed to maintain up-to-date register of the occupants at the accommodation facilities available at the TDB guest houses and accommodation centres. Directives have also been given to put up boards showing the name and address of the occupant at the counter as well as on the door of the rooms. Regarding the ``viri'' facilities at Sannidhanam, he directed the TDB authorities to instruct the contractors to display the charge, Rs 5 per person, at the entrance so that the devotees could not cheated. BEGGAR MENACE: Strict instructions were issued to ban beggars at Pampa and Sannidhanam and orders have been issued for frequent monitoring of their entry.
Tuesday, November 20, 2001
Murali bid to mend Cong-IUML ties
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The KPCC leadership has taken the initiative to mend the relationship between the Congress and the Muslim League that suffered a serious jolt with the attack on Aryadan Mohammed’s house in Nilambur recently and the Congress leader’s outburst against League supremo Panakkad Mohammed Ali Shihab Thangal. KPCC president K Muraleedharan on Monday met Industries Minister and Muslim League legislature party leader P K Kunhalikutty here to discuss the issue. According to sources, the talks did not make much headway. Muraleedharan later met Chief Minister A K Antony, who returned here on Monday, to inform him about the gravity of the situatuion. Although sources close to the KPCC president said that he was quite optimistic of finding a solution to the crisis, the signs were rather ominous. Aryadan Mohammed is reportedly sticking to his aggressive stand and Muslim League leaders, shocked at Aryadan’s ‘audacity’ in targetting their party supremo, want nothing short of an apology from the Congress leader. Meanwhile, the ‘I’ group in the Congress on Monday held a meeting here and decided not to shy away from criticising the Government in the Assembly. Those who attended the meeting also stressed on the importance of keeping the Muslim League in good humour and the consensus was that Aryadan had gone overboard in his attack on the Muslim League leader. Apart from Tourism Minister K V Thomas, Health Minister P Sankaran and Power Minister Kadavur Sivadasan, 15 MLAs too attended the meeting. In another development, the KPCC sub committee, which will decide the norms on the basis of which DCC office-bearers are to be picked, met here on Monday but could not arrive at any decision.
Tuesday, November 20, 2001
Guru statue damaged, Kalluvathukkal tense
KOLLAM: A tense situation prevailed at Kalluvathukkal on Monday following the damaging of the statue of Sree Narayana Guru last night by some anti-social elements. The hartal called by the SNDP branch at Kalluvathukkal on Monday was total. All shops and commercial establishments remained closed. There were no classes at the Kalluvathukkal Panchayat High School as the students boycotted classes. The functioning of a private cashew factory in the area was affected as the workers went on a strike in protest against the attack on the statue. Cracks have been found on the head portion of the statue. The damage to the statue was first noticed by a person residing near the mandir. He had donated to the SNDP branch No 1720 the land to set up the mandir. The same statue, situated on the eastern side of the NH 47 a few metres from Kalluvathukal junction on the way to Thiruvananthapuram, had been damaged in February 2000 too when a number of Guru statues were damaged in different parts of the district in a series of attacks following the controversial settlement of the SN College agitation. However, a new statue was installed in the same place after six months. Top police officials, including southern range DIG Hemachandran, Kollam SP P Sreenivasan and DySP Monilal visited the place. A dog squad and fingerprint experts were also brought to the scene. Leaders of various political parties, including Electricity Minister Kadavur Sivadasan, P Rajendran, MP, DCC president Sooranadu Rajasekharan have also visited the place. An emergency meeting of the Chathannoor SNDP Union condemned the damaging of the statue. In a joint statement Union president B B Gopakumar, vice-president L Prathapan and secretary K Reghunathan urged the government to take steps to arrest the culprits at the earliest. A protest march and a public meeting were held this evening at Kalluvathukkal. G Prathapavarma Thampan, MLA, SNDP Yogam assistant secretary G Sathyan, Mohan Sankar and Kalluvathukkal panchayat president Vasumathy were among those who addressed the public meeting.
Tuesday, November 20, 2001
Four cops suspended for torture of youth in custody
KOCHI: Four police personnel, including a sub-inspector, were on Monday suspended in connection with the recent alleged torture of an SNDP Yogam functionary while in police custody in Idukki district in Kerala. Placing the four under suspension, DIG central range, Vinson M Paul also ordered a detailed inquiry by the Idukki Deputy Superintendent of Police into the whole incident relating to the tourture of the youth and forcibly making him eat human excreta in the Rajakkad police station. Those suspended were: Sub-Inspector Mahesh Kumar, Head Constables Karunakaran and Vincent Joseph and Constable Javic Paul, police sources here said. The suspensions were made following a preliminary inquiry which revealed that prima facie there was misuse of official position by the police personnel, they said. Though the inquiry did not reveal any evidence pointing that the functionary, Madhu, had allegedly been forced to eat his own excreta, there were evidences of assault, the sources added. The issue had its echo in the State Assembly on Nov 15 when the CPI(M)-led Opposition staged a walkout expressing dissatisfaction over the government reply.
Tuesday, November 20, 2001
RCC probe report before cabinet
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The report of Dr Purvish Parikh commission that probed the alleged clinical tests of a banned drug by the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) here on cancer patients is expected to come up before the Kerala cabinet for consideration in its next meeting, official sources said. Confirming that the commission had submitted the report to the Principal Secretry, Health, three weeks, the sources, however, refused to divulge the contents. "The report is before the council of ministers. Also, the Asssembly is in session. The cabinet is expected to consider and make it public," they told when asked about reports in a section of the press here that the probe had found that the drug in question was not banned in the united states as alleged by two rcc doctors. A premier cancer treatment and research institute, RCC has for the last few months been in the midst of a controversy after the doctors lodged a complaint before the State Human Rights Commission alleging that a derivative of banned Nor Hidro Guaretic Acid (NDGA) was tested on unsuspecting patients as part of a research programme in collaboration with the US-based John Hopkins University. Dr Parikh, a Mumbai-based medical oncologist, was appointed by the Congress-led UDF government to inquire whether the tests involved banned drugs or violation of medical ethics.
Monday, November 19, 2001
Murali gives clean chit to UDF police policy
KOZHIKODE: Choosing to differ significantly from his father and senior Congress leader K Karunakaran, KPCC president K Muraleedharan, MP, said he does not see any need to change the police policy of the UDF Government, a demand raised by Karunakaran. In an exclusive interview to this website's newspaper on Sunday, Muraleedharan sought to put the blame on the CPM for the increasing incidents of ‘police high-handedness’ in the State, which according to him are the legacy of the previous LDF government, during whose reign ‘‘police stations were virtually transformed into party offices’’. ‘‘It would take some more time, say another six months, to cleanse the police force from the hangover of the CPM rule. The UDF policy is that the police should be allowed to function independently and impartially. But certain police officers took it as a licence to further their agenda. What happened in Kozhikode and Koyilandy are disastrous results of this attitude,’’ he said. Asked whether it was not the failure of the Government that the CPM still has influence on the police, he said the impact of the CPM rule on the police was so deep-rooted that it will take some time for Antony to salvage the force from the influence. ‘‘The arrest of DCC president M Veerankutty points to the need for reining-in the police officers who show over-enthusiasm. The KPCC has conveyed its feelings to the Government on the issue and the Government took some actions. It is for the court to decide whether arrest was justified or not,’’ he said making it clear that he do not expect Antony to take more actions in this regard. When his attention was drawn to the Antony’s claim that the transfer of police officers involved in the issue was not a punitive action, Muraleedharan said as the head of State Antony could not have said anything else. ‘‘But the KPCC considers it as a punishment. Otherwise why should an officer be transferred immediately for no apparent reason?’’ he asked. The KPCC president sought to play down the differences between Karunakaran and Antony saying it has not affected the performance of the UDF Government. ‘‘Karunakaran is senior leader with lot of experience. He has the right to point out the lapses. But his comments have never been an embarrassment to Antony’’. On asked about his rapport with the Chief Minister, he said KPCC will try to avoid confrontation with parliamentary party. ‘‘For the smooth running of the government, the KPCC and parliamentary party should function in unison. The KPCC is of the opinion that though there are some lapses, the performance of the UDF Government in the past six months has been, by and large, satisfactory. ‘‘The financial scenario has improved and the Government could implement at least a few things promised in the election manifesto. ‘‘There are some contentious issues like the toddy cooperative societies which needs more discussions. As there are divergent opinions on the issue, the KPCC has set up a sub-committee and the report of the committee will be discussed at the KPCC executive meeting scheduled on December 1’’. On the issue of disciplinary action against K K Ramachandran Master, Muraleedharan said the AICC president would take an appropriate decision. ‘‘Some people believe that they can keep afloat in politics only by creating dust and din. There is nothing more in it,’’ he said. Muraleedharan said he would ensure that the unhappy incidents that happened in Nilambur, involving the Congress and IUML workers, are settled immediately. ‘‘It is a local issue. But we do not want it to disturb the unity of the UDF. I have already talked to Industries Minister Kunhalikkutty and more discussions will be held in Thiruvananthapuram tomorrow’’. Muraleedharan, who completed six months in office as KPCC president, declined to give a direct answer to the question whether he has emerged from the shadows of his father to establish as a leader in his own right. ‘‘I could only say I have tried my best to unite Congress workers in the State even in the face of most tense moments,’’ he said.
Monday, November 19, 2001
KTDC ties up with railways to boost tourism
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a bid to boost tourism in the State, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) signed an agreement on Sunday with railways for introduction of a special three-tier AC tourist coach in the Mumbai- Thiruvananthapuram Nethravathi Express via the Konkan route. The pact was signed here by managing directors of KTDC Dr K Elangovan and Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) M N Chopra in the presence of Minister of State for Railway O Rajagopal and State Tourism Minister K V Thomas. Rajagopal said introduction of the weekly tourist coach was just a beginning as there was great scope for similar ventures to bring tourists from other parts of the country to Kerala. The maiden trip of Netravati with the special coach would be flagged off fromMmbai on December 15. On their arrival, the tourists would be taken care of by KTDC for a 10-day stay in different locations in the State, KTDC officials said.
Monday, November 19, 2001
Couple found dead in hotel room in Coimbatore
COIMBATORE: A couple were found dead in a hotel room in the City on Sunday morning, police said. After the hotel management informed police there was no response from the room for a long time, they entered the room through the rear door, only to find the couple lying dead on the floor. Some eatables, an empty insecticide sachet and a liquor bottle were found near the bodies, they said. Both bore cut injuries on their wrist and as per the hotel records, they belonged to Thiruvananthapuram and investigation was on, police said.
Monday, November 19, 2001
LDF to send team to village where youth was forced to eat faeces
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A delegation of the Marxist-led Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) will visit Rajakkad in Idukki District of Kerala where a youth was allegedly forced to eat human excrement by police personnel early this week. The delegation, consisting of representatives from all partners of the LDF, will be at Rajakkad on November 19 to collect first-hand information about the incident, LDF convener Paloly Mohammedkutty told newsmen here. The State Government should order a judicial inquiry into the incident to bring out the truth and expose the ``police excesses'' in the State. Mohammedkutty said the LDF would take out a march to the Rajakkad police station on a day before November 30. The exact date would be decided after the visit of the delegation. Opposition members alleged in the Assembly on Thursday that Madhu, a SNDP worker and a prohibition activist, was taken into custody by police personnel on November 13 to ''settle previous scores'' and was roughed up till he urinated and excreted. He was then forced to eat his excrement. The convener alleged that the A K Antony government had failed on all fronts during the first six months in office. He also accused the government of having failed to fulfil its election promises, including providing relief for farmers reeling under the impact of crash in the prices of agricultural produce and jobs to 1.5 million youth.
Monday, November 19, 2001
Scuffle in KC(M) meet; Youth Front leader injured
ALAPPUZHA: Youth Front(Mani) Alappuzha District General Secretary Joseph Paliyathu was allegedly attacked by his own partymen during a meeting of the district committee of the Kerala Congress (M) held here on Saturday. Injured Joseph Paliyathu was admitted to the Medical College Hospital here. Alappuzha south police have registered a case. According to sources, Joseph Paliyathu, during the committee meeting, raised corruption charges against Jose Koyipalli, State secretary, Youth Front. He alleged that the State secretary had accepted bribe in appointing a BJP activist, Thulasi Krishnan, as an Assistant Public Prosecutor. Agitated over the charges, Jose Koyipalli, along with other two leaders, Roy Kottaparamban and Joy Kanakamangalam, attacked Joseph Paliyathu. It is pointed out that after the recent split in the Kerala Congress(M), a section of the party activists in the district had leaned towards Indian Federal Democratic Party(IFDP), floated by expelled leader PC Thomas, MP. Sources said that when speculations were rife that Thomas would be inducted to the Union Cabinet, some of the partymen in the district had even tried to strike a deal with the expelled leader. Appointment of the APP was part of that deal. When P C Thomas's name did not figure in the list of the Ministers in the latest Union Cabinet reshuffle, pro-Thomas activists reportedly decided to stay with the KC(M). Saturday's incident in the district committee meeting is a fallout of this change.
Monday, November 19, 2001
First fast track court opened
KOTTAYAM: The first fast track court in the State was opened here on Saturday by High Court judge justice P K Balasubramayan. High Court judge Justice K A Abdul Gafoor presided over the function. In his inaugural speech, Justice Balasubramanyan called upon the State Government to appoint more prosecutors immediately, in tune with the objective of the fast track court for speedy disposal of cases. With the strength of existing prosecutors, it is impossible for the new court to function, he reminded. MLAs Oomen Chandy, Mercy Ravi, District Panchayath president Latika Subash, Municipal Chairman Sunny Kaloor, District Collector A Ajith Kumar and District Sessions Judge J M James spoke. The court will function near the District Sessions Court, on the ground floor of the Collectorate. It is the first in the series of 27 courts planned across the State.
Monday, November 19, 2001
KTDC ties up with railways to boost tourism
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a bid to boost tourism in the State, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) signed an agreement on Sunday with railways for introduction of a special three-tier AC tourist coach in the Mumbai- Thiruvananthapuram Nethravathi Express via the Konkan route. The pact was signed here by managing directors of KTDC Dr K Elangovan and Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) M N Chopra in the presence of Minister of State for Railway O Rajagopal and State Tourism Minister K V Thomas. Rajagopal said introduction of the weekly tourist coach was just a beginning as there was great scope for similar ventures to bring tourists from other parts of the country to Kerala. The maiden trip of Netravati with the special coach would be flagged off fromMmbai on December 15. On their arrival, the tourists would be taken care of by KTDC for a 10-day stay in different locations in the State, KTDC officials said.
Sunday, November 18, 2001
Antony completes six months, Karunakaran prepares to breathe fire
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony completing six months in office on Saturday, people are waiting to hear the verdict of his bogeyman K Karunakaran. Even though the Assembly is in session and no public debate evaluating the chief minister has been launched as yet, it appears everyone is waiting for Karunakaran, the Congress patriarch, to pronounce his judgement that will tell less about the performance of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government and more about what he thinks of Antony. Karunakaran, who very reluctantly handed over chief ministership to Antony in return for his son K Muraleedharan being made president of the state Congress party, has been a thorn in the chief minister's side with his constant criticism of his style of work. Three months ago, the veteran leader imposed a ban on self and declared he would open his mouth and give his verdict on Antony after he completed six months in office. But since then a lot has happened that would irk Karunakaran and would surely be grist to his criticism mill: the arrest of the Kozhikode district Congress president, a Karunakaran protege, early this month and violent protests by his supporters as well as the incident in Idukki where a Congress worker was made to eat human excreta at a police station. Soon after the arrest of the Kozhikode Congress chief, Karunakaran had lashed out at Antony telling him to either spell out his police policy or make sure his police force behaved properly. Reports indicate that Karunakaran would as expected openly come out soon with his assessment and could put Antony in a tight spot. Karunakaran's dislike of Antony goes back to decades and is common knowledge in the state where political awareness is exceptionally high. But his current ploy has been blunted by the rather tame attitude of his son Muraleedharan, who political analysts feel has matured into a responsible leader, aware of the importance of the post he holds now. If reports are to be believed, Karunakaran, the astute schemer that he is, has decided to make things a little difficult for his son by openly promoting his go-getter daughter Padmaja Venugopal among his loyalists who have been meeting at his residence thrice a week of late. On account of the group meetings, Muraleedharan is now forced to spend more time in the KPCC office, as he has time and again said the president should not be part of any group. To add to Antony's unease, a few of his longstanding supporters have openly expressed their unhappiness over the chief minister's assertion that the law of the land would be the same for all. These unhappy friends could make the going tough for Antony when the state Congress committee meets shortly to assess the government's performance. Antony was given a hint of things to come at a parliamentary meeting of Congress leaders last month, where a Karunakaran loyalist and first-time MLA attacked the chief minister. The political bickering notwithstanding, Antony could well take the credit for putting the state's badly ravaged economy on the path of recovery. The financial crisis facing the state may not be over yet, but problems such as ensuring payment of salaries every month has been overcome. Antony was able to settle for once and all the demand for land and money by the state's landless Adivasis who waged nearly a month-long protest. Similarly, Antony's bid to attract investments of Rs.500 billion in the next five years and the global investors' meet scheduled at Kochi next year for the purpose has received all-round praise. Among other initiatives of Antony that have borne fruit are the announcement of $250 million assistance by the Manila-based Asian Development Bank. The government's decision to open up professional education in the stae to the private sector a also been welcomed. But the biggest advantage to Antony has been the silence of the Left Democratic Front opposition led by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM), which seems to be still brooding over its defeat in the May assembly polls. Also the fact that the CPM is busy making preparations for the party state congress scheduled early next year would Antony some more breathing time. But, as things stand at present, members of the all the four factions of the Congress party are working overtime to finalise their group's strategy for the stormy KPCC meeting. Till then, Antony and company would have keep their fingers crossed.
Sunday, November 18, 2001
Century-old Nedungadi Bank in red for first time
KOZHIKODE: For the first time in its history, the century-old Nedungadi Bank Ltd has shown a loss of about Rs 67 crore, this year. The Capital Adequacy Ratio of the country’s oldest private sector bank has also plummeted to abysmal levels, way below the statutory minimum prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The bank, it may be recalled, had been consistently showing net profits and paying dividends in all preceding years. It had declared a 25 percent dividend in the financial year ending March 2000. Briefing newsmen here today, J R Prabhu, a former Executive Director of the RBI who now chairs the bank after the exit of A R Moorthy in the wake of the multi-crore share arbitrage scam, said that the accumulated Non Performing Assets (NPA) of the bank made it necessary for large allocations to be provided for. This, he observed, had led to the loss. The bank, he said, was now making all efforts to recover the money it had lent out in various places, which had culminated in huge NPAs. At present, 21.04 percent of its advances has been declared to be NPA. In Coimbatore, which was one of the places where the bank was badly mauled by several crores worth of bad loans, it has opened a branch exclusively to try and recover its assets. The bank, meanwhile, has also filed 223 cases to recover a total of Rs 151.33 crore worth of its loans thus far. It has also yet to recover Rs 21.10 crore of its money lying with the Mumbai share broker involved in last year’s arbitrage scam which violated RBI norms by far. The bank’s total deposits registered only a modest increase this year, though NRI deposits logged a 22.42 percent rise over last year. Prabhu said his single-point agenda for the year will be to recover the bank’s money in the market, and bring down the NPA level. He said he was fully confident that the bank, which now has 172 branches, can overcome the temporary difficulties, considering its intrinsic strengths and its infrastructure. ‘‘This is a common man’s bank, and the trust it has earned from them is its strongest point, apart from its cadre of young and dedicated staff,’’ Prabhu added.
Sunday, November 18, 2001
Peethambaran basks in glory as Kerala wins Santosh trophy
KOZHIKODE: Self-belief and sporting skills make a terrific concoction. A mixture that often defies odds and melts the opposition by its sheer intensity. Mangat Peethambaran should know it better. At Mumbai's historic Cooperage Stadium on Saturday, the state squad coached by Peethambaran, put the golden smile back on the frowning face of Kerala soccer, with a 3-2 win over Goa that earned them the coveted Santosh Trophy for the fourth time -- a win studded with a spectacular hat-trick by M A Abdul Hakeem. Peethambaran could not have forgotten the uneasy silence that decended on the jam-packed stands at Thrissur's Corporation Stadium, when the final whistle was blown on the 56th Santosh Trophy final between Kerala and Maharashtra in April last year. The scoreline read: Maharashtra 1, Kerala 0. "For days I could not simply recover from that nightmare," he was to admit later. "I still believe that it was Kerala's best team in a long time, and really deserved to win." Peethambaran, just a spectator at last year's final, hadn't the faintest notion then that, eighteen months later he himself would turn that nightmare into a sweet dream, one that would be etched forever in the hearts of the soccer fans in his State. The Mumbai triumph would indeed be a shot in the arm for Kerala soccer, which has been struggling to bring together a group of really talented footballers for quite a long time now. In fact, no pundits had rated the Sivakumar-led Kerala side as firm favourites to win the title this time, despite the 29-time champions Bengal fielding a depleted side. There were the reigning champions Maharashtra, spearheaded by stalwarts like Najeeb and Khalid Jameel, and Goa who lined up a galaxy of stars handpicked from formidable clubs like Churchill Brothers, Salgaocar and Vasco. Kerala, on the other hand, had been without the services of veterans I M Vijayan, Jo Paul Anchery, Jiju Jacob and V P Shaji, and were relying heavily on the prowess of fourteen players from the State Bank of Travancore, a team that had already been relegated to the second division of the National Football League. Small wonder then that Kerala Football Association had a trying time finding a coach for the team. The offer, strangely, didn't have many takers. "To be frank I don't want to risk my career by taking over this second-string, even if the association asks me to do so," said a veteran coach, who was incidentally keen to get the reins of the State side in the past. Finally the challenge was taken up by Peethambaran, the soft-spoken and unassuming coach, who had been virtually thrown into oblivion since guiding the State side to the National youth title six years back in Mannuthy. It was a decision that came as a shock to many. Peethambaran, on the eve of his departure to Mumbai, had cited the forward line as the team's strength. With the pint-sized Asif Saheer and a nippy Abdul Hakeem spearheading the attack, and Sylvester Ignatious operating from close behind, the Kerala strike force would be something to watch for, he believed. And the trio strove hard to justify their coach's prediction. Hakeem, who scored at will, with the flair of a magician producing rabbits out of his hat, was the pick of the three. With Saturday's breath-taking show, the 24-year old from Putuppalli Theruve in Palakkad, has joined the elite group of Bengal's Mohammed Habib (vs Services at Naugong, 1969), Kerala's T K Subramaniam (vs Railways at Ernakulam, 1973) and Inder Singh (vs Bengal at Jalandhar, 1974), players who have the distinction of scoring hat-tricks in the Santosh Trophy finals. The feeblest link in Peethambaran's gameplan was the deep defence, where the stoppers as well as the wing backs always struggled to scramble the ball out of danger. This had almost caused a heartbreak for Kerala in their semifinal against Tamil Nadu. The linkmen, Suresh Babu, Shabir Ali and Ajayan in particular, were a shade better, butthe team was still struggling to find a safe pair of hands under the crosspiece. The panic was evident in the way the goalkeepers were shuffled and reshuffled in virtually every match. In the final, however, everything fell in place. The attack regained its rhythm, after suffering an early shock, the midfield and the defence refused to cave in despite heavy pressure, and Purushothaman put up a gallant show under the crosspiece. Kerala had order, discipline and individual skills, which made the difference in the end.
Saturday, November 17, 2001
Govt made remarkable changes in last 6 months
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov. 17. The Kerala Finance Minister, K. Sankaranarayanan, said that the United Democratic Front (UDF) could revive the state from the deep fiscal crisis with six months of its rule. “Though we could not take the state to a period of fiscal prosperity, the government made remarkable changes in the fiscal position of the state. This could be attained by maintaining strict fiscal discipline as well as by the cooperation of other ministers”, he told a news conference here today. The Minister said intensification of revenue collections could help in make notable increase in the income of the exchequer. Intensified collection of sales tax alone contributed Rs. 104.55 core to the state in six months, where as the collection at check posts hiked by Rs. 3 crore during the period. He said that measures were also being taken to vacate the stays on revenue recoveries. Pointing towards the empty exchequer that was handed over to the UDF by the Left Democratic Front government, Sankaranarayanan said that bans on treasury, imposed by the previous government, should be lifted to the maximum extend. The crowding of irate employees and contractors before the treasuries were also avoided, he said mentioning that the huge dues to government contractors and other agencies like the HUDCO were settled to certain extend by the UDF government. This helped in curtailing the staleness in development activities, he said Listing the achievements of the six-month rule, he also mentioned the effective tackling of Adivasi agitations, fulfilling their demands. Measures were also being initiated to extend relief to farmers, the prominent of which being the debt relief ordinance as well as the concessions on rubber sector. He added that Rs. 5 crore was set aside for rubber procurement. The turn over tax proposed in the budget was also lifted to favour the trade sector. The government was also giving more emphasis on the development of information technology. The Minister justified the present foreign tour of tourism Minister to London, which incurs an expense of nearly Rs. 30 lakhs, by maintaining that “it is an effort towards ensuring a better tomorrow”. Though the government order regarding appointments read out by the Minister said that those posts lying vacant in government departments would be abolished, except in cases recommended by concerned Minister, Sankaranarayanan maintained that there was no restrictions on appointments. Restriction was imposed only on creation of fresh posts, he added. He also substantiated that the state Public Service Commission had made 4650 appointments during the six months. Sanakaranarayanan said the state could achieve this much at a situation when the whole country was also in a financial crisis. Though the reserve bank had predicted 6 to 6.5 percent annual fiscal growth, the growth during the three months stood only at 4.4 percent, he said. The foreign debt of the country had also reached an every time high, crossing 100 billion dollars. The trade deficit was also escalating and the federal government could only raise 23 percent of the expected revenue. He also pointed out that the only 32 percent of the plan estimate has been utilised by the federal government. He also pointed out that many states were also in acute fiscal crisis, which force them even to Raising hopes that the state could be brought back to the normal track in the near future, Sanakaranarayanan said that the fiscal discipline being maintained would continue. Over 80 percent of the plan estimates would be completed in the next six months, he said. Replying to a query he said that criticisms from with in the party on the functioning of the government would enhance the functions. He also maintained that the UDF Convener was responsible for acknowledging the government of the response of public, and it could be seen only as an advise and not as an interference on administrative matters.
Saturday, November 17, 2001
Ganesh Kumar, Yamini reunite
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar and his wife Yamini Thankachi were today reunited by the family court here, thus bringing to an end to a protracted legal battle during which Yamini had filed for divorce. It was a beaming Ganesh Kumar who left the family court premises this evening, along with his wife and son Aditya Krishnan. Driving his personal car, Ganesh drove to Yamini’s residence and dropped his wife and son there. The couple, along with their child, will resume their life together at the official residence of the Minister, Ushus, on an auspicious day to be decided by an astrologer. The reunion was made possible by efforts of Family Court Judge M Rajendran Nair who had held a few sessions of counselling for Ganesh and Yamini over the last four months. Yamini, this evening, withdrew the divorce petition that she had filed against Ganesh six months ago. Ganesh Kumar and Yamini also withdrew the petitions seeking the custody of their son. Before leaving the court premises, Ganesh Kumar told newsmen that he wanted to turn a new leaf in their married life from today. Yamini, who also looked happy said, ‘‘When I filed the divorce petition, I never thought that we would reunite. He has promised me that the incidents that hurt me a lot would not be repeated,‘‘ Yamini said. Yamini, had filed the divorce petition before the family court in March this year. Following this, she and Ganesh filed separate petitions seeking the custody of their son. The court, in its order two months ago, gave permanent custody of the child to Yamini but allowed Ganesh to take the child home during weekends. Ganesh’s reputation had soared recently when Chief Minister A K Antony complimented him for his performance. T N Jayachandran, former Additional Chief Secretary, is another person who had nice things to say about his performance as Minister.
Saturday, November 17, 2001
Case against Karunakaran: HC order to produce records
KOCHI, NOV. 16. The Kerala High Court on Friday orally directed the Public Prosecutor to produce the records relating to the disproportionate assets case filed against the senior Congress leader, Mr. K. Karunakaran, MP, before the Thrissur Vigilance Court. Mr. Justice K.A. Mohammed Shafi passed the oral directive when an appeal filed against the Thrissur Vigilance Court order accepting the final report filed by the Vigilance and dropping all further proceedings against Mr. Karunakaran, came up before the judge. The final report concluded that there was no evidence to show that Mr. Karunakaran had amassed wealth disproportionate to his known source .of income by misusing his position as public servant in his capacity as former Chief Minister, former Minister, former Leader of the Opposition, Member of Parliament and former Union Minister. The Vigilance Court had also dropped further proceedings in the case on the basis of the final report. In his appeal, Mr. Navab Rajendran pointed out that the Vigilance Court did not look into certain crucial aspects of the case. In fact, the Vigilance had not inquired into the allegations that he had spent around Rs. 47 lakhs for the treatment of his wife at a hospital in Washington. Besides, no investigation had been conducted into the source of income for clearing his telephone bill arrears to the tune of Rs. 20 lakhs. The allegation that he had invested a huge amount in a Kozhikode-based hospital under benami name had not been investigated
Saturday, November 17, 2001
Bomb scare in KSRTC
KOZHIKODE: An anonymous telephone message stating that a bomb had been placed at the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation bus station here on Friday created panic moments for some time, but search in the area proved that it was a hoax. Police said a message received at the station stated that a bomb would explode and asked the staff and passengers to vacate the area immediately. Bomb squad and sniffer dogs were brought in to search the area and they found nothing, police added.
Saturday, November 17, 2001
Rival groups clash over Laden posters
KANHANGAD: Posters condemning Bin Laden put up by a group of people and the action of another section who tore them off on the sly resulted in the two groups of people coming to clashes at Athinjal here on Thursday evening. The police used canes to disperse the two sections as they clashed near a mosque here. According to the local people, trouble started when posters condemning Bin Laden started appearing at Athingal and nearby areas since last one week. The posters were being destroyed by another section consisting of Laden fans. On Thursday evening when a few hoardings against Laden were being destroyed by the Laden fans leading to to clashes between the two groups. The police used canes to disperse the two groups, as tension began to build up in the area. The situation is now under control, according to police sources.
Saturday, November 17, 2001
Guruvayoor to be tourist centre
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 16: The Kerala government was considering to declare Guruvayoor, where the famous Sree Krishna temple is situated, and nearby areas as a tourist centre, state Electricity Minister Kadavoor Shivadasan told the assembly today. Replying during question hour for Tourism Minister, Shivadasan said Kovalam, Kumarakom, Fort Kochi and Munnar would de developed as special tourist spots in the state. “Neglected” Waynad district, which has vast tourist potential, would be given priority while carrying out tourist related development works, he added.
Friday, November 16, 2001
Goa, Kerala in Santosh final
Mumbai, Nov 16: Goa and Kerala will contest the final of the 57th National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy, to be played on November 17 at Cooperage here. Kerala made what should have been a comfortable victory a close encounter after leading 5-1 and let Tamil Nadu into the last half an hour of the first semi-final yesterday. Eventually Kerala won 5-3. Goa prevailed over Railways in the tie-breaker 4-2 after regulation time of 90 minutes and half an hour extra time failed to produce a goal. Both Goa and Kerala thus made their tenth national final. Each has won the trophy three times. Tamil Nadu stunned fancied Kerala with a goal in the ninth minute through culmination of fine work by right linkman Islam, who accepted a return pass from right back Chendur, moved past a rival into the penalty area and drove past Kerala goalkeeper Purshothaman to the far corner. Kerala had started well but the goal upset their rhythm, which gave the defensive Tamil Nadu encouragement to hold out. The Tamil Nadu deep defence and midfield gave little ground despite the Kerala midfield making most of the plays. Then, with Kerala being frustrated repeatedly, came the equaliser 16 minutes from the interval. A long throw by skipper and right stopper Sivakumar into the box was headed by Abdul Hakim into the goalmouth and Asif Saheer found the mark with a spectacular overhead volley. Seven minutes from half-time Tamil Nadu goalkeeper Felix Edward let slip out a shot by Ignatious and Abdul Hakim pounced on the chance to put Kerala ahead. Four minutes later Saheer accepted a gift from rival skipper Jeralad and made it 3-1. Hakim got the two second-half Kerala goals. Then Tamil Nadu made the most of Kerala relaxing their hold and with substitute Muthu, adding teeth to their attack made the final score respectable. International Sabir Pasha scored both the goals in the 62nd and 75th minutes. Goa's midfield dictated the trend of play, with Jose Colaco lending stability and allowing colleagues Rocky Barreto, Noel Wilson and Ratan Singh join the attacks. Their hold became more and more pronounced with Railways more intent on defence. But Goa, for all their efforts, could not break through to test rival goalkeeper Sangram Mukherjee and the match became a deadlock between the Goa attack and the Railways defence. It was clear the longer the match wore on in the second half, extra time and the tie-breaker would have to be resorted to. In the tie-breaker, Railways scored through Kasif Jamal and Surjeet Tigga, but skipper Asif Jamal and S R Choudhary failed. All four of Goa's kickers, Clifford Miranda, Noel Wilson, Rocky Barreto and Jose Colaco scored.
Friday, November 16, 2001
Students fall ill after meal
Kollam: At least 30 students were taken ill after they consumed mid-day meal at a private U P School at Pothuvilla here yesterday, police said. Students complaining of stomachache and vomiting were admitted to the district hospital here. The condition of all the students was stable, police said.
Friday, November 16, 2001
Sabarimala pilgrimage season begins
PATHANAMTHITTA: Pilgrims to the Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala are set to receive improved medical facilities, medicated drinking water and better sanitation facilities during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season which got off to a solemn start with the opening of the sanctum sanctorum by chief priest V.P. Sambha Vadhyar Namboodiri at 5.30 pm on Friday. Oxygen parlours at 12 locations on the trekking path from Pamba to Sannidhanam, cardiology facilities offered by the Chennai-based Apollo Group of Hospitals at Pamba, cardiology unit at Neelimala and the Intensive Coronary Care Unit attached to the General Hospital, here are among the new medical facilities available for the pilgrims during the season. However, lack of sufficient KSRTC buses and spareparts would cause problems for the pilgrims who are relying on KSRTC buses. District Collector P S Enos, told this website's newspaperthat arrangements for oxygen cylinders and other accessories for the parlours had been completed at all the 12 identified locations. He said that if needed more parlours would be set up in other locations too. A separate cell had been formed to review the working of the oxygen parlours and other medical facilities at Pamba and Sannidhanam. Trained personnel would be manning the parlours at different points. Twenty ambulances had been earmarked for this season and half of them had reached the specified locations. For the first time, the Chennai-based Apollo Hospitals was sending cardiology specialists to help the Sabarimala pilgrims. The Apollo unit would be at the service of the pilgrims for the full Mandalam and Makaravilakku season, Enos said. The Intensive Coronary Care Unit attached to Pathanamthitta General Hospital would be opened during the season. The installation of the new Cardiology Care Unit at Neelimala had been completed and medicines required for emergency cases had been arranged. During the season, about 217 doctors and 287 other medical and para-medical staff would render their service over and above the doctors of Apollo and the NSS-run dispensary at Sannidhanam. To ensure quality food at reasonable rates at the hotels at Pamba and Sannidhanam, a special panel had been set up by the District Collector. The panel had been given directive to ensure the quality of food. It had been asked to conduct random check on hotels, Enos said. Measures had been taken to keep the Pamba river clean. Instruction had been issued to release water from Kakki dam to maintain the specified water level in Pamba. Free medicated water would be supplied to the pilgrims at 25 points from Saramkuthi to Nadapandal where pilgrims would be queuing up during the peak season. About 200 personnel would supply water to pilgrims. The waste recycling plant which was commissioned at Cheriyanavattam near Pamba could process the entire waste accuring at Pamba since the capacity has been very high.
Friday, November 16, 2001
Travancore Devaswom not allowed to set up media centre
KOCHI: A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court declined permission to set up a media centre at Pampa Manalppuram on Friday. Based on an earlier High Court ruling that the Manalppuram should be left exclusively for the use of pilgrims, Sabarimala Special Commissioner in his report No. 1 of 2001-2002 had raised objection to the setting up of tents for using as media centre. Travancore Devaswom Board had sought permission for setting up of media centre at Manalppuram for this year. According to the Board, it had taken steps to make permanent structures near the Ganapathi Temple for housing the media centre. But it could not do anything on account of a ban imposed by the Supreme Court on construction of permanent structues in Periyar Tiger Reserve area. The High Court, however, did not give permission to make use of Manalppuram for the purpose of media centre.
Friday, November 16, 2001
Minister reviews arrangements for Ayyappa pilgrims
PATHANAMTHITTA: The Government has taken all possible steps to reduce hardships being faced by the pilgrims to the Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala, Devaswom and Cultural Minister G Karthikeyan said on Friday. Karthikeyan told newsmen at Pamba on Friday evening all arrangements had been almost completed for providing maximum facilities to the pilgrims. At the inter-department meeting held today, Karthikeyan reviewed the arrangements made by the different departments. Steps had been taken to reduce congestion at the toll gate at Chalakkayam by deploying more personnel and issuing token along with the parking location. Karthikeyans said that a special officer had been given the responsibility to ensure the quality of aravana and appam. He said that the first stage of waste treatment would be opened tomorrow. The final stage would be ready by December. A Maveli medical shop would be set up at Pamba and another one would be set up at Erumely. Special squads would be deployed to ensure quality of the food sold at the hotels at Pamba and Sannidhanam, Karthikeyan said. Devaswom Board president N Babu, member Charupara Ravi, commissioner C P Nair, Sabarimala chief coordinator J Lalithambika, IG V R Rajeevan and SP K Radhakrishnan Nair were present at the conference.
Friday, November 16, 2001
Sabarimala puja schedule
In Sannidhanam A.M. 04.00 Sanctum sanctorum to open 04.10 Abhishekam 04.20 Ganapathihoma 07.00 Ushapooja 12 Noon: Uchchapooja P.M. 1.00Sanctum sanctorum to be closed 04.00Sanctum sanctorum to reopen 06.30 Deeparadhana 09.30 Athazhapooja 10.00 Sanctum sanctorum to be closed.
Friday, November 16, 2001
Cops force youth to eat human excreta, officials transferred
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The alleged incident of police personnel forcing a Congress (I) worker to eat human excrement at Rajakkad in Idukki district rocked the Kerala Assembly on Thursday, culminating in the walkout by the Marxist-led opposition. Marxist member K K Jayachandran, who sought to raise the issue through an adjournment motion, alleged that D G Madhu of the Congress(I), branch seretary of the SNDP Yogam and a prohibition activist, was taken into custody by the police to ''settle old scores'' and roughed up mercilessly till he urinated and excreted. He alleged that Madhu was then forced to eat the excrement. The police also theatened to register a case of harassment of women if he revealed the ordeal to anyone, he added. Opposing the admissibility of the motion, Chief Minister A K Antony said there was no truth in the allegation as per the report given to him by the Idukki Superintendent of Police. At the same time, he did not want to go by the report of the SP alone. He said he would ask the Idukki district Collector to conduct an inquiry into the allegation which was raised on the floor of the House by an opposition member. He had also received separate complaints from A K Mony (Congress I), who represents Devicolam constituency where the incident took place, and P T thomas (Congress), who represents the neighbouring Thodupuzha constituency, levelling the same allegation. Antony assured the House that the government would take suitable action on the basis of the Collector's inquiry. Meanwhile, the Sub-Inspector of police and other personnel concerned would be transferred from Rajakkad till the completion of the inquiry, he added.
Friday, November 16, 2001
Cocks bleed to death as banned sport continues to entertain
PALAKKAD:The arrest of 65 persons in connection with the cock fight and the confiscation of 48 ``fighter cocks'' in Moolathara near Meenakshipuram on the border of the district on Deepavali day show the extent of gambling prevalent in these areas and how much people have been hooked to this banned, cruel sport. The arrested persons and the seized cocks which were brought in a van were produced before a First Class Judicial Magistra te in Chitr on Wednesday by the police. The seized cocks were later put on auction and were sold to the public. Any intervening holiday in the areas of Kozhinjampara, Moolathara, Vandithavalam, Meenakshipuram, Ozhalapathy, Vadakarapathy and Chittur calls for celebration and how better to do it than to bring their ``thoroughbred'' cocks for a fight as has been the tradition for centuries. Even though cock fight has been declared illegal and banned, it continues to be a ritual in many areas in the eastern parts of the district where the population consists of mostly Tamil-speaking people. Sometimes the bet may run into thousands of rupees and there have been instances when the rural folks pledge even household articles just for the kick of it. Acting on a tipoff, police rushed to Moolathara, 40 km from here, and surrounded the coconut grove where nearly a thousand onlookers were enjoying the ``fight'' from the sidelines. Nearly 50 two-wheelers in which the gamblers had come from far and near and also a van which was used to transport these cocks were taken into custody. Police also recovered Rs 10,000 from them. The gamblers were produced in the court today. However, the gamblers said the police had seized 120 cocks and were claiming now that there were only 48 cocks. They said the police at the time of arrest had spread a towel and had asked them to put all the money in their possession into the towel and this amount would be more than the declared amount. They have demanded that an inquiry to bring out the truth. The legs of the cock are tied with sharp edged blades and then it is led into the ``fighting ring.'' The festive atmosphere hots up as the cocks begin to bleed profusely and the betting rates are hiked by both the onlookers and the owners. People begin to cheer the cocks. Screams of encouragement and thunderous claps and applause are a feature of these fights. The crowd who engage in betting divide themselves by taking the sides of the either of the two cocks. It is usual for these fights to finally end up in fisticuffs since most of the people engaged in this sport come fully drunk. As for the owners of the cocks, they spend a fortune on the maintenance of these birds. Each cock costs up to Rs 1,500 and more. They feed the cocks with ragi, cereals and small fishes. The owner of the cock which wins the fight is also entitled to the defeated cock apart from the amount he had betted upon. On festive days like Deepavali, the ``victorious owners'' are also given expensive gifts. Says Marimuthu, a local: ``Many have become pauper by betting on cock fights which assume serious proportions as in the case of horse races. There have been instances of suicides in the past.'' He says that, in olden days, kings of Tamil Nadu had looked upon cock fight as a means of ``national entertainment'' and the Chola kings are reported to have named some towns as ``Kozhiooru'' which brings out the relevance of this sport. The heroic stories of Vadakkanpattu in Kerala also throws light on the prevalence of the cock fights preceding the sword fights of the Chekavars. However, the sheer cruelty of this sport is to be seen to be believed as cocks bleed profusely and die a painful death and therefore the law needs to be enforced more effectively to prevent it from recurring.
Wednesday, November 14, 2001
Rs 80 million heritage resort to open in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Tourism in Kerala is expected to receive a major boost when a Rs 80 million heritage resort overlooking one of its pristine beaches opens next month. The Travancore Heritage Resort sits on an |
