Crime Watch – Newsletter for February 22, 2010

Monday, February 22, 2010

Maoists blow up school in Bihar

PATNA – Suspected Maoists blew up a school building in Bihar’s Jamui district, police said Monday.

According to police, Maoist guerrillas Sunday night surrounded and blew up a state-run school building at Maheshwari village in Jamui district, some 150 km from here.
The guerrillas used dynamite to blow up the building which was badly damaged … Read more »»».

Two CPI-M activists shot dead in West Bengal

KOLKATA – Two Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) activists were shot dead by suspected Maoists in West Bengals Purulia district early Monday, police said.

The incident took place at Dulukti village when a group of Maoist ultras abducted the duo – Baleswar Singh Sardar and Karali Mahato – from their homes and shot them dead in …. Source  : Two CPI-M activists shot dead in West Bengal.

India condemns ‘barbaric’ beheading of Sikh in Pakistan

NEW DELHI – India Monday strongly condemned the “barbaric” beheading of a Sikh man by suspected Taliban militants in Pakistan.

“We condemn the barbaric act of Taliban,” External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna told reporters here following reports of the beheading of Jaspal Singh in Pakistan’s Peshawar city.
Jaspal Singh and his two companions were abducted … Read more >>.

Beheading of Sikh in Pakistan condemned in India

NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH – The beheading of a Sikh man in Pakistan was Monday widely condemned in India with the government being asked to put diplomatic pressure on Islamabad over the safety of the minority community in that country.

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) — a Sikh organisation that manages gurdwaras, the ruling Congress and the … Original article on : Beheading of Sikh in Pakistan condemned in India.

Wife of slain Olympian bronze medalist killed him in defense after years of abuse, lawyer says

Wife claims abuse led her to kill Olympian husband

OXNARD, Calif. – Dave Laut was the idolized local boy who did his hometown and nation proud.
A stellar shot-putter who scored a bronze medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics, Laut married his high school sweetheart, Jane, settled down in the coastal community where he was raised and …. Original article  : Wife of slain Olympian bronze medalist killed him in defense after years of abuse, lawyer says.

Closing arguments to being in trial for Calif. serial murder suspect representing self

Trial winds down for serial murder suspect

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Rodney Alcala spent weeks making his case to jurors in a trial accusing him of five gruesome Southern California slayings. He will soon know if his risky bid to represent himself paid off.
Closing arguments begin Monday in the guilt phase of a potential death penalty …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Closing arguments to being in trial for Calif. serial murder suspect representing self.

India should talk to Pakistan over Sikh beheading: Congress

NEW DELHI – India needs to talk to Pakistan over the beheading of a Sikh near Pakistan’s Peshawar city, the ruling Congress said Monday.

“It is a serious issue and there is a need to talk to Pakistan. It also sends a message to world powers who are trying to differentiate between good and bad Taliban,” … Original article on : India should talk to Pakistan over Sikh beheading: Congress.

India’s high growth will weather all challenges: President (Roundup)

NEW DELHI – Articulating the government’s focus on aam admi, the common man, President Pratibha Patil Monday sought to play up India’s growth story in spite of adversities and assured all possible steps to ease the hardship due to high prices.

With the opposition making its intentions clear on attacking the Manmohan Singh government for rising … Read more : India’s high growth will weather all challenges: President (Roundup).

SGPC, Punjab government condemn Sikh beheading in Pakistan

CHANDIGARH – The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Punjab government Monday condemned the beheading of a Sikh near Pakistan’s Peshawar city and sought the central government’s intervention to ensure the safety of Sikhs in the restive tribal region.

Reacting to reports of the beheading of a Sikh, Jaspal Singh, by Taliban elements after his …. Original article  : SGPC, Punjab government condemn Sikh beheading in Pakistan.

Senseless Maoist violence strengthens our resolve: Patil

NEW DELHI – President Pratibha Patil Monday said that incidents of senseless violence by left wing extremists (Maoists), resulting in the death of innocent people, strengthens the government’s resolve to meet their challenge.

Left wing extremists continue to indulge in senseless violence, as in their recent attacks in West Bengal, where a large number of …. Original source  : Senseless Maoist violence strengthens our resolve: Patil.

Infiltration in Kashmir up: President Patil

NEW DELHI – Militant incursion from Pakistan into Jammu and Kashmir had gone up, President Pratibha Patil said Monday while also stressing that the security situation in the state had improved “significantly” in the state as well as in the northeast.

President Patil was addressing the joint session of parliament at the beginning of the … Read : Infiltration in Kashmir up: President Patil.

Zero tolerance of terrorist activities: Patil

NEW DELHI – The government had a “zero tolerance” policy towards terrorism and remained vigilant against all forms of challenges posed by the threat, President Pratibha Patil Monday said.

“Zero tolerance of terrorist activities is our principled policy. We have to keep constant watch and innovate against global terrorist groups,” Patil said, addressing a joint …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

President conveys condolences to Pune blast victims

NEW DELHI – President Pratibha Patil Monday expressed condolences to the families of the victims of the Feb 13 Pune terror blast in which 15 people were killed and several injured.

I wish to convey my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in the recent terrorist act in Pune, said …. Source article  : President conveys condolences to Pune blast victims.

Killing of top Filipino militant notorious for kidnappings cripples Abu Sayyaf: military

Filipino militant’s killing cripples Abu Sayyaf

MANILA, Philippines – A young, brash militant who gained notoriety after posing for cameras with three Red Cross hostages became the latest casualty of U.S.-backed Philippine military assaults that have slowly eliminated the country’s most wanted terrorist suspects.
Albader Parad is best remembered as head of a faction of the al-Qaida-linked …. Source  : Killing of top Filipino militant notorious for kidnappings cripples Abu Sayyaf: military.

Orissa cops issue lookout notice for Maoists – with photos

BHUBANESWAR – Police in Orissa have for the first time circulated photographs of two Maoist leaders, allegedly involved in over 30 criminal cases including the killing of Hindu leader Laxmanananda Saraswati, and announced rewards for information on their whereabouts.

Hundreds of posters with photographs of Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) leaders Sabyasachi Panda and Duna Keshab …. Original source  : Orissa cops issue lookout notice for Maoists – with photos.

New Zealand to play in hockey World Cup despite terror threat

WELLINGTON – New Zealand’s hockey team will leave for India later Monday to take part in the hockey World Cup that begins in New Delhi next Sunday. Officials had earlier put the team’s departure on hold following an Al Qaeda threat to international sports events in India. But they have now decided in favour of …. Original article  : New Zealand to play in hockey World Cup despite terror threat.

Oregon head coach dismisses WR Jamere Holland following expletive-filled Facebook posting

Oregon coach boots receiver after Facebook posting

EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon coach Chip Kelly announced Sunday he had dismissed Jamere Holland from the team, hinting it was because of the wide receiver’s expletive-filled post on the player’s Facebook page.
Kelly said in a statement released by the school that Holland was dismissed for violating team rules, but …. Source article  : Oregon head coach dismisses WR Jamere Holland following expletive-filled Facebook posting.

New Zealand to compete in hockey World Cup despite terror threat

WELLINGTON – The New Zealand team is go to India for the hockey World Cup scheduled to start in New Delhi Sunday despite a reported terrorist threat, officials said.

Hockey officials, who put the team’s departure on hold following last week’s threat, said Monday they had assessed advice from the New Zealand government and an independent … Read this article on Gaea Times at : New Zealand to compete in hockey World Cup despite terror threat.

Beheaded body of a Sikh found in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI – One of the three Sikhs abducted by Pakistani Taliban was found beheaded in Pakistan’s restive tribal region, a media report said.

The victim was identified as Jaspal Singh, who was kidnapped along with two other Sikh residents by Taliban militants from Tirah valley in Khyber Agency near the provincial capital Peshawar, the DownNews … Read more »».

Venezuela creates militias to protect peasants, raising concerns among ranchers

Venezuela’s ranchers warn against arming peasants

CARACAS, Venezuela – President Hugo Chavez’s socialist government is creating peasant-based militias throughout Venezuela’s rural, agricultural-rich regions, raising fears of confrontation among the country’s cattle ranchers and landholders.
The armed groups, organized by Venezuela’s military, will be responsible for protecting poor farmers from vigilante groups allegedly organized and financed by cattlemen [..] Read the original article: here.