The dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the CPI(M)-led LDF and BJP separately in Kerala against the petrol price hike hit normal life across the state on Monday. The shut-down call crippled mobility of people as buses, taxis and autorickshaws were off roads throughout the state. For
people in the state capital this was second hartal in three days as LDF had called a similar protest on Saturday against alleged police repression on pro-Left youth activists who took to the streets against the fuel price hike.
Early reports said the hartal was total in urban areas where shops and business establishments remained closed.
The pro-Left transport unions have also given a one-day strike call for the day.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Justice D Sreedevi will visit tomorrow the convent at Poonkulam
Justice D Sreedevi will visit tomorrow the convent at Poonkulam, near Kovalalam, here where a nun was found dead in a water tank recently.Yesterday, the Commission had ordered an inquiry into the unnatural death of 48-year-old Sister Mary Ancy on Wednesday last, following a complaint from Mr Jomon Puthenpurackal, a social worker from Kottayam.
The nun, who hailed from Kottayam, was a teacher at the Holy Cross Lower Primary School and was an inmate of the convent near the school for the last 21 years.
The slab of the covered water tank was found displaced and this fuelled speculation of a murder, reminding people of Sister Abhaya who was found dead in her convent at Kottayam in 1992.
It was learnt Sister Mary Ancy was depressed after she developed some skin disease and had not been sleeping properly for the past few weeks due to the ailment.
The nun, who hailed from Kottayam, was a teacher at the Holy Cross Lower Primary School and was an inmate of the convent near the school for the last 21 years.
The slab of the covered water tank was found displaced and this fuelled speculation of a murder, reminding people of Sister Abhaya who was found dead in her convent at Kottayam in 1992.
It was learnt Sister Mary Ancy was depressed after she developed some skin disease and had not been sleeping properly for the past few weeks due to the ailment.
Sobha John is believed to be still in Kerala
The prime accused in the Varapuzha sex scam involving a minor girl, is believed to be still in the Kerala.The police are trying hard to reach her before she succeeds in getting out of the state or seeks legal help. The police got details about her movement after questioning those close to her, the other day. It also said that Sobha John is hiding behind influential people, including politicians and top police officials.
The girl was arrested along with a retired army official and another man hailing from Thiruvananthapuram on charges of immoral activities from a rented house at Varapuzha on August 4. During investigation, it was found that the girl was 17 years old and not 19 as claimed earlier.
The move to arrest Sobha John was initiated after the parents confessed to handing over the girl to her.
The girl was arrested along with a retired army official and another man hailing from Thiruvananthapuram on charges of immoral activities from a rented house at Varapuzha on August 4. During investigation, it was found that the girl was 17 years old and not 19 as claimed earlier.
The move to arrest Sobha John was initiated after the parents confessed to handing over the girl to her.
North Indian students attacked at AMU Malappuram
In an incident that may shock the proponents of AMU regional centres, about a dozen North Indian students were brutally beaten up by local students at the Malappuram (Kerala) study centre of Aligarh Muslim University on Wednesday (10th August). As the attack was allegedly led by son of a Muslim League leader, neither AMU nor district authorities have taken any action in the case. Student bodies have condemned the incident and demanded swift action from the authorities of AMU.
According to media reports, a group of local students of AMU Malappuram centre violently attacked on the students of Uttar Pradesh studying at the centre on regional animosity. More than 11 students were reportedly injured and 3 among them are in serious conditions. The seriously injured students are from Aligarh and Hathras districts of UP.
A section of Hindi media reported that the lead instigator of this violent clash is the son of a Central University VC and the son of a prominent Muslim League leader of the state. It is said that due to the local biasness and the case being linked with high profile academician and politician of Kerala, the Kerala Govt is not swift in taking action against the attackers.
According to media reports, a group of local students of AMU Malappuram centre violently attacked on the students of Uttar Pradesh studying at the centre on regional animosity. More than 11 students were reportedly injured and 3 among them are in serious conditions. The seriously injured students are from Aligarh and Hathras districts of UP.
A section of Hindi media reported that the lead instigator of this violent clash is the son of a Central University VC and the son of a prominent Muslim League leader of the state. It is said that due to the local biasness and the case being linked with high profile academician and politician of Kerala, the Kerala Govt is not swift in taking action against the attackers.
Work on Smart City to begin next month: Chandy
Work on the much-delayed Kochi Smart City IT project will begin September-end, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said Sunday.
Speaking to IANS, Chandy said that he has been told that the decision was taken at a meeting of the Smart City Dubai board in the emirate Sunday.
Yes, things are moving fast and work would begin next month according to our time table that we have drawn up when they were here after we took over. All the hitches are over and it is going to be on the fast track, said Chandy.
Incidentally it was Chandy who had first finalised the proposed mega IT project in his previous tenure. The succeeding Left Democratic Front, headed by V.S. Achuthanandan, laid the foundation stone for the project but nothing else happened during its rule.
We have got the news that they have included me, (state minister) K.Babu and (Middle East businessman) M.A.Yusuf Ali as special invitees on the board, added Chandy.
The road map for the mega project, which is expected to come up on a 250 acre plot in Kochi, is expected to provide close to 100,000 jobs.
Speaking to IANS, Chandy said that he has been told that the decision was taken at a meeting of the Smart City Dubai board in the emirate Sunday.
Yes, things are moving fast and work would begin next month according to our time table that we have drawn up when they were here after we took over. All the hitches are over and it is going to be on the fast track, said Chandy.
Incidentally it was Chandy who had first finalised the proposed mega IT project in his previous tenure. The succeeding Left Democratic Front, headed by V.S. Achuthanandan, laid the foundation stone for the project but nothing else happened during its rule.
We have got the news that they have included me, (state minister) K.Babu and (Middle East businessman) M.A.Yusuf Ali as special invitees on the board, added Chandy.
The road map for the mega project, which is expected to come up on a 250 acre plot in Kochi, is expected to provide close to 100,000 jobs.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Technopark companies promising employment and collecting money
Technopark has set up a helpline to check the credentials of companies advertising for jobs in the media. There had been complaints of companies conducting job interviews promising employment in Technopark and collecting money. Candidates may contact Abhilash D.S., Officer (human resource and administration), Park Centre, Technopark, on 0471-2700 222 to verify the authenticity of company advertising for jobs.
Strike against fuel price hike
Voicing protest:Activists of the Democratic Youth Federation of India staging a demonstration in front of the Head Post Office in Kozhikode city on Monday in protest against the increase in prices of diesel and LPG.
Gold jewellery and electronic equipment - Burglaries - THRISSUR
Gold jewellery and electronic equipment were reported missing from two houses in Kecheri and Chavakkad on Monday.
A computer, watches and electronic equipment were reported missing from the residence of Kamaruddin in Kecheri. The doors of the house were found broken open. He is employed in the Gulf. And his wife was on a visit to her parents' home.
Gold weighing three sovereigns reportedly went missing from the residence of Suresh of Kecheri.
A computer, watches and electronic equipment were reported missing from the residence of Kamaruddin in Kecheri. The doors of the house were found broken open. He is employed in the Gulf. And his wife was on a visit to her parents' home.
Gold weighing three sovereigns reportedly went missing from the residence of Suresh of Kecheri.
Investigations into all recent corruption scandals
Investigations into all recent corruption scandals in the country have a pattern. The UPA denies the charges when the scandal is uncovered and orders an investigation as protests mount. The Centre appoints a committee for inquiry and later denies its findings. Delay tactics are employed at every phase of investigation. During the process, most of the important documents related to the scandals go missing. The whole episode reveals the fact that corruption is perpetrated with the full knowledge of the Prime Minister,
Fake passport from sex-racket team
Sauda Bevi, 46, of Kulashekharapathi here, first accused in a sex-racket case in which women were allegedly taken to West Asian nations and exploited, had managed to obtain a fake passport in 1995 by furnishing false documents and address proof, V. Ajith, Assistant Commissioner of Police, who heads the special investigation team, said here on Monday.
He said the address given was of Kalluvila Veedu in the Pallickal police station limits in Thiruvananthapuram. The team would investigate this case too.
He said the address given was of Kalluvila Veedu in the Pallickal police station limits in Thiruvananthapuram. The team would investigate this case too.
Police to fire teargas shells to disperse the angry mob at KOTTAYAM
The march taken out by the Students' Federation of India (SFI) activists in the town on Monday turned violent. The police had to fire teargas shells to disperse the angry mob. At least six police personnel and five SFI activists were injured in the melee. The march taken out to protest against the police action against SFI activists in Thiruvananthapuram turned violent when it reached the collectorate gates where the police had put in extra security measures. The agitating students tried to jump over the barricades and the police resorted to lathi charging to disperse them.
Police resorted to lathi charge - 31 injured as students
A protest march taken out to the district collectorate here by the Students Federation of India (SFI) on Monday, demanding that the issues in the self-financing education sector be settled, turned aggressive after the police resorted to lathi charge. Both students and police personnel were injured in the violence that ensued.
Police said that they began to cane the students to disperse them only after the students started throwing stones at the police and attacked them with sticks. Five police officials, including two Circle Inspectors, and 26 students, two of them seriously, were injured.
Police said that they began to cane the students to disperse them only after the students started throwing stones at the police and attacked them with sticks. Five police officials, including two Circle Inspectors, and 26 students, two of them seriously, were injured.
Civil society leaders Swami Agnivesh and Arvind Kejriwal will lead a one-day fast
Civil society leaders Swami Agnivesh and Arvind Kejriwal will lead a one-day fast here on June 29 to mobilise support for their campaign against corruption.
The will also participate in a discussion on the Jan Lokpal at a function being held at the Chamber Hall here in connection with the fast from 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The programme is being organised under the aegis of the Kerala Against Corruption movement with the support of the North Malabar Chamber of Commerce (NMCC), organisers said at a press conference here on Monday.
The will also participate in a discussion on the Jan Lokpal at a function being held at the Chamber Hall here in connection with the fast from 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The programme is being organised under the aegis of the Kerala Against Corruption movement with the support of the North Malabar Chamber of Commerce (NMCC), organisers said at a press conference here on Monday.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Children, parents take out march for primary school
KANNUR: School students, parents and the people of Kalanki, a remote village in the hill area of the district, staged a march to the Collectorate on Wednesday demanding that a government primary school be started in the village.
Action committee leaders who organised the protest said the long-standing demand of the local people for setting up a government school in the village, about 70 km from here, was yet to materialise despite a resolution passed by the Ulikkal panchayat and the purchase of 50 cents jointly by the local people and the panchayat.
An unrecognised school had been started under the initiative of the parish church there in 1996 in view of difficulties of students going to a nearby school at Mattara, seven km from the village, they said adding that the school had later been included under the alternative school scheme of the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA).
Action committee leaders who organised the protest said the long-standing demand of the local people for setting up a government school in the village, about 70 km from here, was yet to materialise despite a resolution passed by the Ulikkal panchayat and the purchase of 50 cents jointly by the local people and the panchayat.
An unrecognised school had been started under the initiative of the parish church there in 1996 in view of difficulties of students going to a nearby school at Mattara, seven km from the village, they said adding that the school had later been included under the alternative school scheme of the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA).
Vigilance finds Rs.4.8 lakh unaccounted amount with VEO
ALAPPUZHA: A village extension officer (VEO) was allegedly found to be in possession of an unaccounted sum of Rs.4.8 lakh during a Vigilance raid at Pallipad, near Haripad, here on Wednesday.
Vigilance officials, following complaints that P. Rajan, VEO of Pallipad, was engaged in large-scale corrupt deals in connection with the EMS Housing Scheme, conducted the raid from 11 a.m. at the office and found that the official had Rs.4,80,930 in his possession. Since the official could not explain the source of the money, a case has been registered against him and further legal proceedings will be initiated from Thursday.
The Vigilance officials, led by Alappuzha Vigilance Deputy Superintendent of Police James Joseph, said they had attempted to raid Mr. Rajans office on several occasions following different complaints, but the office remained closed on most occasions. While, Rs.4.75 lakh was found from a bag he was carrying, Rs.5,000 was in his pocket and the rest, on his table. Mr. Rajan has been asked to appear before the DYSPs office at Alappuzha on Thursday for further interrogation, after which the proceedings recommending departmental action will be initiated, officials said.
Vigilance officials, following complaints that P. Rajan, VEO of Pallipad, was engaged in large-scale corrupt deals in connection with the EMS Housing Scheme, conducted the raid from 11 a.m. at the office and found that the official had Rs.4,80,930 in his possession. Since the official could not explain the source of the money, a case has been registered against him and further legal proceedings will be initiated from Thursday.
The Vigilance officials, led by Alappuzha Vigilance Deputy Superintendent of Police James Joseph, said they had attempted to raid Mr. Rajans office on several occasions following different complaints, but the office remained closed on most occasions. While, Rs.4.75 lakh was found from a bag he was carrying, Rs.5,000 was in his pocket and the rest, on his table. Mr. Rajan has been asked to appear before the DYSPs office at Alappuzha on Thursday for further interrogation, after which the proceedings recommending departmental action will be initiated, officials said.
Cyber Cell cracks lottery fraud
KOCHI: Timely intervention by the Cyber Cell of the City Police helped the victim of online lottery fraud to recover the money cheated out of her. Jyothi of Kumbalanghi, got a message on her mobile on August 4, saying that she was one of the seven winners from India for Rs.3 crore by London-based BBC-1.
Work on new bridge begins
KOCHI: The construction of the new bridge at Karanakodam on Thamannam-Pullepady road stretch began on Wednesday. Kochi Mayor Mercy Williams inaugurated the work.
The Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry is constructing the bridge for Kochi Corporation. The chamber will be allowed to display advertisement panels on the bridge in lieu of the money it spends for constructing the bridge. The work will be supervised by the officials of the Kochi Corporation.
The authorities had earlier promised to complete the construction of the bridge within 100 days. Earlier, the Kochi Corporation and the chamber authorities had signed a memorandum of understanding for the implementation of the work. The chamber had earlier constructed a bridge for the Greater Cochin Development Authority
The Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry is constructing the bridge for Kochi Corporation. The chamber will be allowed to display advertisement panels on the bridge in lieu of the money it spends for constructing the bridge. The work will be supervised by the officials of the Kochi Corporation.
The authorities had earlier promised to complete the construction of the bridge within 100 days. Earlier, the Kochi Corporation and the chamber authorities had signed a memorandum of understanding for the implementation of the work. The chamber had earlier constructed a bridge for the Greater Cochin Development Authority
Steps to check price rise will continue, says Minister
KOCHI: Food and Civil Supplies Minister C. Divakaran said on Wednesday that steps are being taken to ensure adequate supply of essential commodities during the ongoing festival season. He was inaugurating the Onam Metro Peoples bazaar, a special outlet of the Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited, here on Wednesday.
The Minister said the timely intervention of State government agencies and the strengthening of public distribution system were major steps for controlling the prices in the market. The measures would continue even after the festival season. The State government had submitted a project worth over Rs.330 crore for distribution of essential commodities and the Union government had given approval to it.
He said initiatives to weed out corruption in the public distribution system needed support from all parties. The State government was open to discussions on ways to control price rise.
The LDF government allowed a discussion when the issue came up in the Assembly, he said.
The Minister said the timely intervention of State government agencies and the strengthening of public distribution system were major steps for controlling the prices in the market. The measures would continue even after the festival season. The State government had submitted a project worth over Rs.330 crore for distribution of essential commodities and the Union government had given approval to it.
He said initiatives to weed out corruption in the public distribution system needed support from all parties. The State government was open to discussions on ways to control price rise.
The LDF government allowed a discussion when the issue came up in the Assembly, he said.
Mammon is the villain, says Srinivasan
KOCHI: Greed for money among film stars and lack of producers with creativity seem to be driving Malayalam cinema backwards, Srinivasan, actor, has said.
At a press conference after a preview of his latest movie, Atmakatha (slated for release on August 20), at the Ernakulam Press Club on Wednesday, the actor said the stars whose eight films bombed at the box office in a row thought that their ninth or tenth movie would click. If the ninth or tenth make it at the box office, they continued to retain their stardom, everyone easily forgetting the failure of the eight.
Recalling that the Malayalam film industry had renowned producers such as T. E. Vasudevan, M. O. Joseph, and Hari Pothan who had the courage to make movies that did not take the beaten path, Mr. Srinivasan said there were fewer such producers these days.
He said there was no point competing with �masala movies made in Tamil and Telugu. Malayalam films had earned repute not for big budgets but for aesthetic values.
Mr. Srinivasan denied allegations made by Thilakan, actor, that there was a ban on him. Asked if he feared that the industry would ban him for speaking the truth, he said the associations in the industry would not support him in times of a crisis if he spoke against them. But he continued expressing his views on various issues
At a press conference after a preview of his latest movie, Atmakatha (slated for release on August 20), at the Ernakulam Press Club on Wednesday, the actor said the stars whose eight films bombed at the box office in a row thought that their ninth or tenth movie would click. If the ninth or tenth make it at the box office, they continued to retain their stardom, everyone easily forgetting the failure of the eight.
Recalling that the Malayalam film industry had renowned producers such as T. E. Vasudevan, M. O. Joseph, and Hari Pothan who had the courage to make movies that did not take the beaten path, Mr. Srinivasan said there were fewer such producers these days.
He said there was no point competing with �masala movies made in Tamil and Telugu. Malayalam films had earned repute not for big budgets but for aesthetic values.
Mr. Srinivasan denied allegations made by Thilakan, actor, that there was a ban on him. Asked if he feared that the industry would ban him for speaking the truth, he said the associations in the industry would not support him in times of a crisis if he spoke against them. But he continued expressing his views on various issues
High Court directive to hand over case diary
Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday directed the State government and the police to hand over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in two days the case diary relating to the custodial death of Sampath, prime accused in the murder of Sheela of Puthur in Palakkad.
Justice V.Ramkumar issued the directive while disposing of a petition filed by the CBI seeking a directive to the police to hand over the case diary.
The CBI said the files were yet to be given to the CBI though a Division Bench dismissed an appeal filed by the State government against the single judges directive for a CBI probe on June 11. The investigation could be started only if the CBI received those files, the CBI said.
The government submitted that the police were not able to hand over the files, as the files were submitted to the Supreme Court in connection with the appeal filed against the High Court order. The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the appeal filed by the government.
In its appeal, the government had said the State polices impartial investigation had revealed that Sampath had died of torture and third-degree methods inflicted on him in custody by a police team . Twelve policemen had been suspended. When the investigation was going on in the right direction, the High Court had ordered a CBI investigation
Justice V.Ramkumar issued the directive while disposing of a petition filed by the CBI seeking a directive to the police to hand over the case diary.
The CBI said the files were yet to be given to the CBI though a Division Bench dismissed an appeal filed by the State government against the single judges directive for a CBI probe on June 11. The investigation could be started only if the CBI received those files, the CBI said.
The government submitted that the police were not able to hand over the files, as the files were submitted to the Supreme Court in connection with the appeal filed against the High Court order. The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the appeal filed by the government.
In its appeal, the government had said the State polices impartial investigation had revealed that Sampath had died of torture and third-degree methods inflicted on him in custody by a police team . Twelve policemen had been suspended. When the investigation was going on in the right direction, the High Court had ordered a CBI investigation
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