Stop blaming states, CPI-M tells Chidambaram

NEW DELHI – The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Wednesday flayed Home Minister P. Chidambaram for criticising state governments over Maoist violence and said the central government was to blame for the displacement of tribal people due to rampart mining.

Condemning the massacre of 76 security personnel in Chhattisgarh Tuesday, the CPI-M said the attack “is …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Stop blaming states, CPI-M tells Chidambaram.

Armed forces not trained to combat Maoists: air chief

GANDHINAGAR – Indian Air Force chief Air Marshal P.V. Naik Wednesday said he did not favour using armed forces in operations against Maoist insurgents.

All the armed forces – air force, army and the navy – are trained for lethal operations. We are not trained for limited lethality. Use of the air force in such … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Armed forces not trained to combat Maoists: air chief.

Two-three years for war against Maoists to succeed: Chidambaram

JAGDALPUR – Appealing for calm, union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said Wednesday that it would take two-three years for the war against Maoist guerrillas to succeed and clarified that there was no plan to use the army to crush the rebellion.

“We must remain calm and hold (our) nerve; it will take two-three years to get [..] Read the original article: here.

There is no ‘Operation Green Hunt’: Chidambaram

RAIPUR – Home Minister P. Chidambaram Wednesday insisted that there was no Operation Green Hunt against Maoists — as has been widely reported.

There is no Operation Green Hunt, Chidambaram told reporters here.
Chhattisgarh police officials say they had coined the term for one successful drive against the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) in the state. … Read more >>.

Sister: Man charged with threatening to kill Sen. Murray didn’t have history of intimidation

Sister: Man in Murray threat wasn’t an intimidator

SEATTLE – The sister of the Washington state man charged with threatening to kill Democratic Sen. Patty Murray over her support for health care reform said her brother has no history of intimidation.
Helen Evans was at the federal court in Yakima, Wash., Tuesday when 63-year-old Charles Alan Wilson …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Sister: Man charged with threatening to kill Sen. Murray didn’t have history of intimidation.

Has ULFA lost its relevance?

GUWAHATI – The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) was formed in Assam in 1979 to fight for an independent homeland. More than three decades down the line, the outlawed outfit is still waging a war, but with a seemingly dwindling support base.

On its foundation day (April 7) Wednesday, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi … Read more : Has ULFA lost its relevance?.

Sonja Larson Crime Scene Photos Release Case Remembered

LOS ANGELES (GaeaTimes.com)- The case about the release of the crime scene photos of Sonja Larson has come into the forefront again as her mother, Ada Larson, has decided to voice her protests in a similar case. In regards to some recent cases that have been creating an uproar, concerning the release of …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Sonja Larson Crime Scene Photos Release Case Remembered.

Alaska bear lover who was featured on Animal Planet pleads guilty to illegally feeding game

Alaska man who fed wild bears pleads guilty

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Alaska authorities say a man featured in a television series about his life among wild bears at his Alaska cabin has pleaded guilty to illegally feeding the bears dog food and cookies.
Assistant state Attorney General Andrew Peterson says 71-year-old Charlie Vandergaw pleaded guilty to eight …. Source article  : Alaska bear lover who was featured on Animal Planet pleads guilty to illegally feeding game.

Not all terrorism: Obama sets new approach toward Muslim world, nixing ‘Islamic radicalism’

Not all terrorism: Obama tries to change subject
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama’s advisers plan to remove terms such as “Islamic radicalism” from a document outlining national security strategy and will use the new version to emphasize that the U.S. does not view Muslim nations through the lens of terrorism, counterterrorism officials …. Original source  : Not all terrorism: Obama sets new approach toward Muslim world, nixing ‘Islamic radicalism’.

Jharkhand government should quit, says Congress

RANCHI – The Congress Wednesday asked the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) government to resign after a minister sensationally said that no one was safe in the state.

In response to Agriculture Minister Mathura Mahto’s statement, state Congress general secretary Shailesh Sinha told IANS: “Congress leaders are being targeted by Maoists and the government has adopted a …. Read the original article  : Jharkhand government should quit, says Congress.

We won’t allow Maoists to succeed, says Chidambaram

JAGDALPUR – Home Minister P. Chidambaram pledged Wednesday that the government would never allow Maoist guerrillas to succeed.

We cannot and shall not allow them to succeed, Chidambaram said here after paying homage to 75 paramilitary troopers massacred by the rebels in Chhattisgarh Tuesday. A police head constable was also killed.
Calling the attacks brutal act … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : We won’t allow Maoists to succeed, says Chidambaram.

Russia creates special force to combat terrorism

Moscow, April 7 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia has created a special task force to combat crime and terrorism in the north Caucasus region, the Kremlin said Wednesday.

President Dmitry Medvedev ordered the creation of the unit, which would be operational from April 19.
The president also ordered officials to prepare a new programme to combat crime and … Read more >>.

Santa Barbara authorities plan to sink annual beach party near university

Authorities plan to sink Santa Barbara’s Floatopia

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Authorities say they plan to close access points to popular beaches near the University of California, Santa Barbara in an effort to shut down a massive beach party known as Floatopia.
As many as 12,000 revelers gathered last year in what the Santa Barbara County parks … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Santa Barbara authorities plan to sink annual beach party near university.

Grief, resolve as cops, Chidambaram pay homage to CRPF martyrs

JAGDALPUR – There were tears and grim resolve Wednesday as policemen joined Home Minister P. Chidambaram in a ‘martyrs ceremony’ to pay homage to the 76 security personnel massacred by guerrillas in the worst attack since the Maoist rebellion began 43 years ago.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and Governor Shekhar Dutt were also present at …. Original source  : Grief, resolve as cops, Chidambaram pay homage to CRPF martyrs.

High alert along Orissa-Chhattisgarh border

BHUBANESWAR – Security forces intensified combing operations along the Orissa-Chhattisgarh border Wednesday, a day after the massacre of 76 paramilitary troopers by Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district, an official said.

“The area where Maoists launched their attack in Chhattisgarh Tuesday is located about 30-40 km from the border of Orissa’s Malkangiri district,” Deputy Inspector General … Read more : High alert along Orissa-Chhattisgarh border.

Maoist violence ’social terrorism’, says legendary Naxalite

KOLKATA – Ashim Chatterjee, one of the leading figures of the bloody Naxalite revolt of the late 1960s, says the mass massacre Tuesday of security personnel in Chhattisgarh is “social terrorism” and blamed Maoists for causing “meaningless” bloodshed.

Chatterjee, who was one of the confidants of Communist Party of India-Marxist Leninist (CPI-ML) founder Charu Majumdar, said …. Source article  : Maoist violence ’social terrorism’, says legendary Naxalite.

Chidambaram in Chhattisgarh to mourn troopers, review security

JAGDALPUR – Home Minister P. Chidambaram reached this Chhattisgarh town Wednesday to attend a ‘martyrs’ ceremony’ for the 76 security personnel massacred by guerrillas in the worst attack since the Maoist rebellion began 43 years ago.

State Governor Shekhar Dutta and Chief Minister Raman Singh were also at Jagdalpur, the district headquarters of Bastar district, …. Source  : Chidambaram in Chhattisgarh to mourn troopers, review security.

Al Qaeda behind Peshawar blasts: Pakistan senator

Islamabad, April 7 (IANS/AKI) The Al Qaeda was behind the attack on the US Consulate in Peshawar and was seeking to provoke a serious political crisis, a Pakistani senator has said.

“If you remember, similar attacks were carried out when president Asif Zardari delivered his first presidential speech,” senator Haji Adeel, senior vice president of the …. Read the original article  : Al Qaeda behind Peshawar blasts: Pakistan senator.

Financial crisis panel may have surprises up its sleeve for Greenspan, Citi execs

Citi execs may be in for surprises at crisis probe

WASHINGTON – Former executives of Citigroup Inc. could be in for some surprises when they appear before a panel investigating the roots of the financial crisis.
Commissioners and staffers for the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission are readying pointed questions for eight former and current Citigroup executives due …. Source  : Financial crisis panel may have surprises up its sleeve for Greenspan, Citi execs.

Reports: US authorizes killing of radical US-born cleric believed acting in terror plots

Reports: US OKs radical US-born cleric for death

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration has authorized the killing of a radical Muslim cleric, Anwar al-Awlaki, an American citizen believed to be hiding in Yemen and thought to have shifted from encouraging attacks on the U.S. to participating in them, according to published reports.
Al-Awlaki has emerged as a …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Reports: US authorizes killing of radical US-born cleric believed acting in terror plots.