LAHORE ATTACK

Conspiracy theories abound post-Lahore attack
--> Conspiracy theories abound post-Lahore attack-->
Wed, Mar 4 05:36 PM
Islamabad, March 4 (IANS) Did the police in Pakistan's Punjab province warn that Indian spy agency RAW would stage an attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team? Was the attack linked to the action being taken against jehadi outfits in the wake of the Mumbai mayhem?
This apart, who was the unknown individual who made a telephone call that prompted a change in the route being taken by the bus carrying the Sri Lankan players, taking them directly in the line of fire of the attackers?
These are just three of the conspiracy theories doing the rounds here in the wake of the Tuesday attack on the Sri Lankan team bus that killed eight Pakistanis including six security personnel, and injured six cricketers.
According to a report in The News, the Crime Investigation Department (CID) 'had accurately warned the Punjab government on Jan 22, 2009 about an Indian plan to target the Sri Lankan cricket team during its visit to Pakistan'.
The CID, while referring to a source report, said the terrorist attack would be carried out by RAW, especially while the Sri Lankan team would be travelling 'between the hotel and stadium or at hotel during their stay'.
The CID report tagged 'SECRET/IMMEDIATE' with subject 'SOURCE REPORT' reads:
'It has reliably been learnt that RAW (Indian intelligence agency) has assigned its agents the task to target Sri Lankan cricket team during its current visit to Lahore, especially while travelling between the hotel and stadium or at hotel during their stay.
2. It is evident that RAW intends to show Pakistan a security risk state for sports events, particularly when the European and the Indian teams have already postponed their proposed visits considering it a high security risk to visit Pakistan.
3. RAW has also collected photographs of leaders of Jamaatud Daawa (proscribed) and its establishments to target them.
4. Extreme vigilance and heightened security arrangements indicated.'
'And the incident, which the whole world saw on March 3, precisely happened the same way, raising a hundred-million dollar question as to why the Punjab government, under Governor Salmaan Taseer, let it happen so easily despite a clear warning from the intelligence agencies of the country,' The News said.
According to another report in the same newspaper, many in Pakistan's security establishment suspect the possible involvement of jehadi elements from Punjab in the Lahore assault.
The attack was a well thought-out plan orchestrated by Punjabi militants upset over the actions taken by the government in the aftermath of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, especially the arrest of several leading jehadi leaders who were set to face trial, security experts felt.
'These elements believe the double-edged blood-spattered attack was aimed at damaging the credibility of the government for such a grave security failure, besides releasing the rising pressure that had mounted over the Jehadi elements in Pakistan after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
'Sources in the security establishment added the Jehadis might be thinking that the 3/3 attacks would force India to go on the back foot, as had been the case with Islamabad after the Mumbai attacks and the ensuing allegations of a Pakistani hand,' The News said.
A third report in the newspaper said that a telephone call from an unknown phone number by an unknown man just before the Sri Lankan team started its journey towards the Gaddafi Stadium 'was the sole reason behind the sudden change of route earlier fixed for the visiting team, which landed all of them in the deadly trap'.
Quoting information obtained from interior ministry sources, The News said that just as the police escort was ready to take the Sri Lanka team to the stadium, 'an unknown caller told the cops to change the route and use the Gulberg road instead of the earlier fixed route of the Ferozpur road.
'The police, without verifying the identity of the caller, followed the new route. But they soon realised that they have fallen into the trap. These cops bore the brunt of the firing but saved the lives of the Sri Lankan players,' the newspaper added.

Mangalore incident is Talibanisation of India: Renuka

Mangalore: Nearly 40 men allegedly affiliated with the Hindu hardliner group Sri Rama Sena gatecrashed into a pub in Mangalore and beat up teenagers.
Eight girls were injured, two of them seriously.
The Government has realised sharply to the incident with Women and child development minister Renuka Chowdhury likened the incident to Talibanisation. "This is Talibanisation of India, it will not be tolerated. I will approach the EC to disenfranchise the organisation involved in this and those associated with it. It is unfortunate that this incident comes two days before the girl child day. These people are not ready for the Republic of India."
The Sena says it will repeat such attacks despite the huge public outcry across the country.
"There are some activities going on here that spoil Hindu tradition. We've just shown our frustration at that assault on Indian tradition. We don't like such indecent behaviour and tried to stop it,” said Sri Rama Sena spokesperson, Dinakar.
But Congress sought to play it down. Part spokesperson Veerappa Moily said, “I can’t call it as a Hindu group. It’s an act of hooliganism. No people will be allowed to do that. Taking the law into their own hands won’t be allowed”.
The Mangalore police have arrested more than 10 people on charges of physical assault and criminal intimidation. The National Commission for Women has also stepped in
Mangalore has seen an increase in moral policing over the past one year, blotting the cosmopolitan image of this coastal city.

Attack on hotel: Sena MP held, released on bail
28 Jan 2009, 0229 hrs IST, Ambarish Mishra, TNN

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, who was arrested by the Mumbai police on Tuesday for creating a mayhem in a suburban five-star hotel last week,
has accused civil aviation minister Praful Patel of putting pressure on the Maharashtra government to get him behind bars. ‘‘Patel and a lobby of capitalists brought pressure on the Maharashtra government to get me arrested,’’ Raut told TOI after he was released on bail. Earlier in the day, he was arrested for ‘‘leading an attack’’ on Hotel Intercontinental in Andheri on January 21. He reportedly led a contingent of Bharatiya Kamgar Sena, the labour wing of Shiv Sena, activists to the hotel to take up the issue of the 21 sacked employees. The police produced Raut before the Andheri metropolitan magistrate who sent him on judicial remand till February 5. However, a bail application subsequently came up before the same court and Raut was released on bail on a personal bond of Rs. 5,000. Said Raut,‘‘The capitalist lobby which controls the Central and the state government as well is keen on scuttling the trade union movement in the country. The BKS has been fighting for the legitimate rights of the 21 employees of Hotel Intercontinental. But, Patel and his capitalist friends are oblivious to workers’ woes.’’ ‘‘The BKS had intimated the hotel management that the union activists, led by me and Suryakant Mahadik (BKS chief), wished to call on the personnel officials and hold talks with them. The management didn’t care to reply to the letter. Worse, the gates were closed on our faces. The BKS activists went on a rampage under extreme provocation from the management,’’ he said, adding, ‘‘I will repeat the offence if it helps the workers.’’

OBAMA RULE

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration will not finalize new auto fuel efficiency standards, as it had planned, due to historic uncertainty gripping U.S. manufacturers, officials said on Wednesday.
The Transportation Department had intended to complete the regulation laying out annual mileage targets from 2011-15 by year's end, but will now hand the matter over to the incoming Obama administration.
"The recent financial difficulties of the automobile industry will require the next administration to conduct a thorough review of matters affecting the industry," the agency said in a statement.
The rule must be finalized by April 1 to allow automakers time to incorporate tougher mileage standards in their design plans, but uncertainty about industry prospects and other factors could alter the timetable.
"Now more than ever automakers need certainty and this decision only further delays their ability to finalize future product plans," the industry's chief lobbying group, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers said in a statement.
The administration approved a $17.4 billion bailout of General Motors Corp and Chrysler LLC in December to avert the threatened near term collapse of one or both of them.
Ford Motor Co did not seek a bailout, but also is struggling financially. It would like a government line of credit to tap if its condition worsens more than expected this year or next.
Automakers receiving assistance must accelerate restructuring and show the government by the end of March that they can be financially viable or risk potential bankruptcy. Although the aid infusion eased fears of immediate failures, U.S. manufacturers still face serious uncertainty. Continued...

OBAMA RULE

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration will not finalize new auto fuel efficiency standards, as it had planned, due to historic uncertainty gripping U.S. manufacturers, officials said on Wednesday.
The Transportation Department had intended to complete the regulation laying out annual mileage targets from 2011-15 by year's end, but will now hand the matter over to the incoming Obama administration.
"The recent financial difficulties of the automobile industry will require the next administration to conduct a thorough review of matters affecting the industry," the agency said in a statement.
The rule must be finalized by April 1 to allow automakers time to incorporate tougher mileage standards in their design plans, but uncertainty about industry prospects and other factors could alter the timetable.
"Now more than ever automakers need certainty and this decision only further delays their ability to finalize future product plans," the industry's chief lobbying group, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers said in a statement.
The administration approved a $17.4 billion bailout of General Motors Corp and Chrysler LLC in December to avert the threatened near term collapse of one or both of them.
Ford Motor Co did not seek a bailout, but also is struggling financially. It would like a government line of credit to tap if its condition worsens more than expected this year or next.
Automakers receiving assistance must accelerate restructuring and show the government by the end of March that they can be financially viable or risk potential bankruptcy. Although the aid infusion eased fears of immediate failures, U.S. manufacturers still face serious uncertainty. Continued...