Friday, April 16, 2010

Massive robbery in jewelry; 18 kg stolen

KASARGOD: Giving a shock to the nerves, a massive theft happened in a jewelry here in Kanhangad during daytime.

The robbery happened in Rajadhani Gold Super Market near bus stand at one in the afternoon. The burglary remained closed between 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm since it was Friday. It was only after 2.30 pm that they recognized there have been something lost from the shop.

Many gold ornaments of about 18 kg kept at the ground floor was also stolen

Film producers in Kerala stops production

TPURAM: The Kerala Film Producers Association has stopped producing films indefinitely from April 16 ( Friday) demanding that the stars co-operate with its attempt to cut the cost of production.

The decision was taken at the associations General Body meeting on April 6. The meet decided that production costs should be cut at any cost, association General Secretary G Suresh Kumar said Friday.

We no longer can suffer the whims and fancies of stars and those who accompany them. We are the ones who have to spend money for this paraphernalia, he had told PTI here.

He had also said the Kerala Film Chambers recent directive to actors not to appear on TV reality shows should not be mistaken as a move against them.

The real issue is being diverted by the artistes.

Action on DGP\'s report on IG soon, says CM

TPURAM: Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan Friday said action would be taken soon on the reports on DGP and ADGP over the foreign trip of IGP Tomin J Thachankary, without prior permission from higher-ups.

I have the reports of ADGP Sibi Mathews and DGP Jacob Punnose. They are being examined. Soon, action would be taken on the basis of these reports, VS told reporters after a cabinet meeting Friday.

Achuthanandan had last week directed the ADGP to find out if Thachankary, now Kannur range IG, had violated service rules by going to Gulf countries without prior permission.

Thachankary, who had often been the focus of controversies, is reported to be close to the CPI-M faction loyal to the state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan.

On his return to Kannur, Thachankary denied having violated service rules and held that it was a personal trip and he had not met any political leader from Kerala in the Gulf, as alleged by certain quarters

Thachankary shifted from post

TPURAM: Kannur range IG Tomin J Thachenkery was shifted from his post Friday after Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan received a report that he had violated rules by going on a foreign trip without permission.

Sudheesh Kumar has been appointed as the new inspector general, while Thachenkery is yet to get a new posting.

This decision came hours after VS told reporters here that he got a report from Additional ADGP Siby Mathews, whom he had asked to probe the matter after learning that the official had gone abroad, and a report from state Director General of Police Jacob Punnoose Friday.

The chief minister confirmed that both the reports had indicted Thachenkery for violating rules by going on a foreign trip without taking permission.

A decision on the report will be taken soon and it can happen anytime, said VS.

Bombs hurled at police station

KOZHIKODE: An unidentified gang hurled bombs at Chombal police station in Wadakara, just two kilometers away from Minister of State for Home Mullapally Ramachandrans residence. The incident happened last night at 11.20 pm.

No casualty has been reported. The bombs were aimed at Chombal sub inspector Jayan. Four out of the five bombs were hurled at the inspector�s room and the fifth one on to the road in front of the station.

All the five bombs exploded in a loud voice. The sub inspector and his team were on patrolling duty at the time of the incident. It is not clear who is behind the incident.

Two youths drown in sea

PARAVOOR: Two youths, who went for a bath in the river last evening, have been drowned. Those dead have been identified as Kunhumon (30), son of Ibrahim Kunju of Thiruvananthapuram and Shibu (37), son of Thahim. They were washed away even though their friends tried to save them. The bodies were recovered Friday morning

Chamber for explanation from Srinivasan

KOCHI: Film Chamber will ask an explanation from actor Srinivasan for making a statement against their decision, said its general secretary Evershine Mani. If those in the film chamber lacks knowledge, they why did the actor cooperate with them, asked Mani. He said he came to know about the statement through media

Feasibility study on Kochi-Coimbatore industrial corridor

TPURAM: The state government has asked the State industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) to conduct a feasibility study on Kochi-Coimbatore industrial corridor project.

This was disclosed by Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan during his weekly cabinet briefing Friday.

The proposal involved development of a string of industry support infrastructure along the National Highway between Keralas business hub Kochi and Tamil Nadus industrial and business city Coimbatore.

The proposal was mooted in the Governors policy address to the state assembly earlier this year.

Meanwhile, the cabinet entrusted work on the Container Freight Station at Kalamassery near Kochi with Kerala State Industrial Enterprises Board

Rs 5 lakh solatium to jawan killed in Dantewada

TPURAM: The state government Friday announced a solatium of Rs 500,000 to the next of kin of CRPF jawan K Rajesh, killed in Maoist carnage at Dantewada in Chattisgarh on April 6.

The decision was announced by Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan after a state cabinet meeting.

Rajesh, who hailed from Ernakulam district, was the only Malayali among the 75 CRPF personnel killed in the Dantewada tragedy.

Rs.836.88 cr revenue for T\'puram Railway division

TPURAM: Southern Railways Thiruvananthapuram Division earned Rs 836.88 crore in 2009-10 fiscal compared to Rs 755.66 crore for the same period the previous yea, an increase of 11 per cent.

Divisional Railway Manager Rajiv Dutt Sharma told reporters here there was an increase of Rs 35 crore in revenue from passenger traffic, compared to the previous year with total earnings of Rs.546.04 crores.

Freight traffic registered an all time high, carrying 3.54 million tonnes and revenue of Rs 231.43 crore, he said.

Railways planned to replace all passenger trains with Main Line Electrical Multiple Unit (MEMU) running in Kerala in the coming years, a top Railway official said Friday.

The first memu train between Thiruvananthapuram-Ernakulam would commence service by the last quarter of this fiscal.

Police station attacked, partially damaged

KOZHIKODE: Unidentified persons hurled country made bombs at a police station near Vatakara in the district, partially damaging it, police said Friday.

The miscreants hurled around five to six crude bombs outside the office of the Sub Inspector at Chombala late Thursday night, damaging the walls, they said.

No one was injured in the incident, they said.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Protest rage against Lalit Modi in Tvm

TPURAM: The Youth Congress activists burned the effigy of the IPL Chairman Lalit Modi in connection with the controversies raised against Shasi Tharoor. The activists alleged that Modi was trying to defame Tharoor by raising controversies. The agitation was lead by the Youth Congress District Committee,the effigy was burned in front of Secretariat.

The activists of the BJP �Yuva Morcha� burned the effigy of Shasi Tharoor in front of Secretariat alleging that Tharoor was misusing his post as the Minister for External Affairs. Activists demanded Tharoor�s resignation since the controversies had come up against him. They also alleged him to prove his innocence.



Thachankary sends legal notice to Jacob

KANNUR: IG Tomin Thachankary today sent a legal notice to Kerala Congress leader T M Jacob for his statement defaming the former.

The notice has sought a compensation of Rs 10 lakhs for defaming him. The IG said that if the statement is not withdrawn, he would approach the court.

A hidden agenda of Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and Pinarayi Vijayan lies behind the appointment of Thachankary, said Jacob

Probe on Sheela murder case almost complete

PALAKKAD: The police investigation in the Sheela murder case is almost complete. The investigating report and the charge sheet will soon be filed in the court. The police have completed collecting evidence in the case.

A police team led by DySP M K Pushkaran brought the two accused-- Kanakaraj and Manikandan to the house of the dead in Puthur to collect evidence.

When the police brought the two to the shop in Puthusseri where the two bought a pair of dress before fleeing to Tamil Nadu, the shop keeper identified them.

Two killed in accident

ALAPPUZHA: Two persons were killed in an accident which happened near the Cherthala railway station. Out of the two dead, only one person has been identified. He is a native of Thiruvalla. The car in which they were traveling collided with a lorry and the bodies were taken out with the help of the fire force personnel.

B R Ambedkar remembered

TPURAM: Rich floral tributes were paid to Dr B R Ambedkar, architect of Indian constitution, on the occasion of his 120th birth anniversary here today.

Devaswom Minister Kadannappally Ramachandran and Assembly Speaker K Radhakrishnan and senior officials of the government garlanded the statue of Dr Ambedkar at the Assembly complex here.

Leaders of various political parties, including Congress, CPI (M) and CPI, and representatives of several Dalit organisations also garlanded the statue to mark the occasion

Final decision on SmartCity Project shortly: Sarma

KOCHI: Minister for Registration S Sarma, who is also the Chairman of SmartCity, Kochi, today said the government would shortly take a final decision on the Rs 1,500 crore IT project, which was stalled due to difference of opinion with the projects Dubai-based promoters TECOM.

Speaking to reporters here today, Sarma said the government was pursuing legal advice in the matter as TECOM did not recognise the explanations given by the government on the demand for freehold rights by the promoters.

The promoters were insisting on sales rights of land, which was not in the agreement and this clearly shows that they are deviating from the agreement, he said. The government will take a final decision on the matter and legal advice had been sought on the matter, he added. On the upcoming LNG terminal project, which was slated to be commissioned in 2011, Sarma said the government would be convening two meetings to sort out certain pending issues.

The first meeting, to be held in the third week of this month, would be chaired by Mr Sarma to sort out local issues relating to the project. The second meeting, to be held in the first week of next month, would be chaired by Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and attended union government agencies to discuss certain matters relating to the project

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Thilakan issue: rights panel orders probe

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) has directed the Labour Commissioner to conduct a detailed inquiry into the ban imposed by the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) on actor Thilakan.

Commission member K.E. Gangadhanran issued the order on Tuesday on a petition filed by Sreekumar Nooranad against the office-bearers of the organisation alleging violation of Mr. Thilakans fundamental right to work.

The Labour Commissioner has been asked to submit his report in two weeks.

According to a statement of the KSHRC, the petitioner had contended that the organisations decision not to cooperate with Mr. Thilakan in films amounted to violation of a citizens right to livelihood.

The petition, the statement said, had also demanded cancellation of the organisations registration and an examination of the minutes of the organisations meetings

Mismanagement in KSRTC, says CAG report



KOTTAYAM: The Comptroller and Audit General (CAG) report reveals that there is total mismanagement in KSRTC.

It finds there is absence of timely analysis of the functioning of Director Board Corporation. KSRTC does not display the efficiency in achieving its objectives, in finding out the facts behind a problem and in taking proper remedial measures.

The report brought out on March 12 says the KSRTC can compensate its loss if it enhances its efficiency.

Sounds� owner commits suicide

ATTINGAL: Sabu (41), owner of S S Sounds, Altharamoodu, committed suicide due to financial liability. He was found hanging at his residence Monday night. He leaves behind his wife.

Two murdered in state

TPURAM: Two persons were murdered in two separate incidents in the state Tuesday. When a middle-aged man was murdered in Kovalam, a youth was murdered in Kayamkulam.

The middle aged man, who had an illegal relation with a woman, was murdered by the latter�s children. The youth in Kayamkulam was killed and hanged.

The man murdered in Kovalam Monday night has been identified as Padma Kumar (48) of Kovalam. The police version is that Padma Kumar, a bachelor had a close relation with Susheela (50), a widow. Her sons, who opposed this relation, hid in her house Monday night, chased and murdered him. Though he was taken to the hospital, his life could not be saved.

The person murdered in Kayamkulam has been identified as Nishadi, native of Ramapuram. The motive behind the murder is not known. The police have registered a case and are investigating.

Panchaloha idols missing from temple

KASARGOD: Three panchaloha idols were allegedly stolen from Eriyal Sri Durga Parameshwari temple in this northern district of the state Tuesday.

Police quoting first information report said idols of Sri Durga Parameshwari, Lord Shiva and Lord Ganapathi, were found missing between 2000 hrs Monday and 0600 hrs Tuesday morning.

A dog squad was pressed into service as part of investigation, police added.

One more held in Santhosh murder case

ERATTUPETTA: With the arrest of one more person in connection with the murder of Santhosh, the probe is into its final stage. The police have so far arrested five persons in connection with the incident. After getting the result from the forensic science laboratory, the case will be forwarded to the court, said DySP N M Thomas investigating the case.

The last person arrested has been identified as Biju (36) of Vellikkulam. Biju and Reji (40), arrested earlier are the main accused in the case. Josekutty (46), Somashekaran (44) and Sivaprasad are the other accused.

Santhosh (28) was found dead under mysterious circumstances on January 29.

Kodoth Govindan Nair leaves Karunakaran

KASARGOD: Kodoth Govindan Nair has left the Karunakaran group. Nair was with senior leader K Karunakaran when he left the Congress party and formed a new party and when the leader returned back to the party, he too returned.

Nair has decided to be with the group led by KPCC chief Ramesh Chennithala and Sudhakaran. Nair left the group led by Karunakaran as the latter is not active in politics. Leaving the party is quite natural during organizational polls.

Case against man for misbehaving towards woman

TPURAM: The Museum Police Tuesday registered a case against industrialist B J Paul for misbehaving towards a woman, who came to attend a function at a famous club in the capital city. The woman was assaulted when she came to attend the function hosted by a private bank on Saturday night.

The industrial in an inebriated condition misbehaved towards her when she rejected to accompany him in his car. He assaulted the woman and even tore her dress. A few persons present there saved the woman from the man�s wrath and sent her off in an auto.

A case has been registered against the man after a complaint was lodged by the woman and the office bearers of the club.

Actor Santhosh Jogi found dead

THRISSUR: Actor Sathosh Jogi was found dead in his flat in the district. He has acted in many films including July 4, Big B, Mayawi and Keerthichakra. He was 36

Will not opine in any subject, says Suresh Gopi

KOCHI: Two days after the statement aired by Suresh Gopi became controversial, the actor Tuesday said that from now on he will not opine in any subject. The actor had on Sunday stated that actors getting good remuneration should not partake in TV shows.

The actor said, �India is a democratic country. I intervened in the issue as everybody is free to air their opinion. I dont know in which context Jagadheesh turned against me. I don�t have any grudge towards anybody. I�d acted with the actor from Kollam last month. Ive come as a judge in reality shows without accepting any remuneration. What I said was actors should give top priority to films

Malayalam TV channels float joint forum

TPURAM: Malayalam TV channels have come together to float a joint forum to collectively take up issues concerning the visual media in the state.

After a meeting of executives of channels, Congress leader and Managing Director of Jaihind TV M M Hassan Tuesday said the organisation has been named as Kerala Television Federation.

The Federation has been floated with three objectives -- jointly face problems and challenges of the visual media, to coordinate for taking up common issues faced by media and to strive to uphold social responsibility of channels, he said.

The formation of such a body assumes significance with the Kerala Film Chamber, the organisation of producers and exhibitors recently directing cine artistes to refrain from appearing as presenters of programmes in television channels

KCA backs Tharoor on Kochi franchise controversy

TPURAM: Kerala Cricket Association Tuesday backed Shashi Tharoor in his public spat with Lalit Modi over Kochi franchise with its president TC Mathew saying if it was not for the minister the state would not have dreamt of owning an IPL team.

Tharoor found himself in a controversy after IPL Commissioner Modi publicly disclosed the names of some of the owners of a consortium that recently bought the Kochi franchise for a whopping USD 333.33 million.

Rendezvous Sports World private limited, the company that led the consortium, received 25 per cent free equity. But out of this free equity, 19 per cent is said to have gone to Sunanda Pushkar, a Kashmiri beautician closely linked to Tharoor who is reportedly planning to marry her after divorcing his second wife, a Canadian.

But Mathew said the KCA was strongly behind Tharoor in his hour of crisis

Sibi Mathew submits report on Thachankary\'s foreign trip

TPURAM: Assistant Director General of Police (ADGP) Sibi Mathew, who inquired into the allegations over the foreign trip by IG Tomin Thachankary, submitted his report to the chief minister Tuesday.

It is known that the report mentions that the official had violated laws.

Following media reports over the foreign tour by controversial Inspector General of Police (Kannur Range) Tomin J Thachankary, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan had ordered an inquiry into his foreign trip allegedly without the governments permission.

However, Thachankary, who returned to the state, claimed that he had visited four Gulf countries with his family and senior police officials in the department were orally informed by him about the tour.

He also claimed that he had not availed the Leave Travel Concession (LTC) benefits under the department rules

Foreign Trip: VS holds talks with DGP

TPURAM: Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan Tuesday held talks with DGP Jacob Punnoose to decide what all steps to be taken against IG Tomin Thachankary for his unofficial foreign trip.

Steps would be taken against him only when Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan arrives at Thiruvananthapuram.

DGP Jacob Punnoose later telephoned Thachankary to give details immediately on his foreign trip

Monday, April 12, 2010

CMC Cochin: Illegal money withdrawn using Cash Cheque

TPURAM: The sum of Rs 7 crore collected as capital fees at Co-operative Medical College, Cochin, has been withdrawn by cash cheque.

There is no record at Co-operative Academy of Professional Education (CAPE) about the person in whose name the money was withdrawn. The college is governed by the Co-operative Academy of Professional Education (CAPE).

Three killed in jeep-lorry collision

KOTTAYAM: Three of a family including a nine-month old baby was killed after a tanker lorry and a jeep collided at Kannadichalil on the Thazhathangadi-Kumarakom Road.

The jeep carrying 15 persons, natives of Idukki, was on a pilgrimage tour. Initial reports said the jeep traveling on a narrow road was over speeded and overloaded.

The incident happened early Monday morning at 1.30 am. The tanker lorry was returning after supplying drinking water to many places in the district and the jeep was from Cherthala.

The dead has been identified as Theyya, Rashi and nine-month old baby Arya Nandan.

The other 12 persons injured have been admitted at Kottayam Medical College Hospital.

IPL Kerala team sends legal notice to BCCI

MUMBAI: The owners of the IPL Kochi team Monday served a legal notice to the BCCI for making public the details regarding the shares of the team by IPL chairman Lalit Modi.

The details revealed by Modi are false, said the owners of the team.

The notice also requested the BCCI to publicize the details of share of all the teams in the IPL.

12 acquitted in Marat riot case

KOZHIKODE: A Special Court here Monday acquitted 12 people in a murder case relating to the first Marad violence that claimed five lives in the coastal village in Kozhikode, nine years ago.

Special Judge K P Prasanna Kumari set free Thekkethodi Praju (36), Thekkethodi Muthu alias Kailas (32), Choichantakath Kishore (35), Kannantepurayil Sivadasan (53), Arayachantakath Prahladan (33), Arayachantakath Prasad (32), Kelappantakath Sajeevan alias Venkitan (34), Thekkethodi Devan (32), Choyichantakath Krishna Kumar (30), Arayachantakath Ambu alias Swarup (33), Kothantakath Vibeesh (37), Arayachantakath Rajan (40) as prosecuation failed to prove their involvement in the murder of Pallithodi Unoose on January 3, 2002.

The Judge had earlier awarded different quantum of punishment to many people in separate cases in this connection.

As a sequel to the first violence, nine people were killed in the ghastly second Marad riot in the predominantly fishermen inhabited village a year later.

Suresh Gopi�s statement on film stars untimely, says Jagadheesh

ALAPPUZHA: Actor Jagadheesh Monday came down heavily at Suresh Gopi for his statement favoring the film chambers directive.

Jagadheesh said the statement of the actor was not made at the appropriate time.

Talking to a private channel, Jagadheesh criticized Suresh Gopi for supporting the Chambers decision to bar film stars participating in television programmes.

Suresh Gopi, who is also participating in reality TV shows, was targeting a Kollam-based film star through his statement, Jagadheesh alleged.

Though nine out of ten directions by the Film Chambers were against Suresh Gopi, his statement against film stars participating in TV programmes was untimely and unnecessary, Jagadheesh opined.

The recent decision of Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce, the apex body of producers, distributors and exhibitors in Mollywood, was claimed to protect the film industry from a crisis

Thachankari admits going abroad

\\KANNUR: In the wake of a probe ordered by Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan on the foreign trip of IG Tomin Thachankari, the official who reached the state Monday furnished an explanation.

He admitted that he had visited Bahrain, Muscat and Kuwait. In his explanation, he had claimed that the expenses of the travel were met by him and had not met any political leader during his visit.

Thachankary said that he had informed his senior official and obtained permission also. But had not applied for leaver transfer concession, he said.

The official said that he left for Bahrain with his family as he wanted to visit his mother-in-laws grave in Bahrain. Thachankari said that he didn�t inform the government as he hadn�t decided which all places to visit

\'Census-2011\' begins in state

TPURAM: Census-2011, the biggest exercise to record the socio-economic-cultural profile of the people in the state, began here Monday.

Governor R S Gavai and his household were first enumerated by the Census officials, including Kerala Census Operations Director Dr V M Goplala Menon, according to official sources here.

Census-2011, aimed at creating House listing and Housing Census and National Population Register (NPR), is said to be a treasure house for planning development work.

The Census operation, in two phases, would be completed in 45 days in all the 14 districts in the state. The first phase would complete on May 27 next.

The second phase would begin on February 5 and conclude on March 5 next year.

Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and opposition leader Oommen Chandy would be enumerated on April 16.

About 58,000 enumerators and around 10,000 supervisors were assigned for the task, the sources added.

The Census of India, which began on April 1, is the most massive operation for compiling statistics anywhere in the world.

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