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Curfew Continues in Old City Hyderabad

Curfew in old city today : The situation remained peaceful in riot-hit parts of the old city of Hyderabad Monday while the indefinite curfew continued for the second day, police said. According to police, no untoward incident took place overnight in any part of the communally sensitive old city, where alleged desecration of a place of worship triggered group clashes Sunday. The indefinite curfew continued in Madannapet and Saidabad police station limits of East Zone. A police officer said a decision on relaxation or lifting of curfew would be taken later in the day after a review of the situation.  

Upcoming Bypolls More Crucial For TDP

The upcoming bypolls for 18 assembly seats in AP are going to be more crucial for Telugu Desam party than the Congress and Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSRCP. These byelections are not only going to decide the fate of YSRCP and Kiran Kumar's chief ministership, but also are a precursor for TDP's prospects in 2014 general elections. It is to be recalled that, among the recent bypolls held in 7 constituencies, only 1 seat was in seemandhra region and other six were in Telangana. While Telangana sentiment ruled the rooste in six constituencies, the lone Kovur seat was won by YSRCP. Now the situation is totally opposite, there are 17 seats in seemandhra region and only one in Telangana (Parakala, Warangal district). Moreover, all the 17 seats (Except Chiranjeevi's Tirupathi) belonged to Congress previously and were vacated for siding with Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSRCP. The interesting part of these bypolls is, previously the electorate was split into Congress, TDP and PRP parties in these constituencies. Now it will be split into Congress, TDP and YSRCP. That is to say, Jagan will invariably eat into Congress and PRP combine vote bank. Now it is for the TDP to cope up with the situation. Firstly, it has to keep its vote bank intact and see that Jagan won't make his way into it. Secondly, it should be able split the Congress-PRP votes in its favour. Going by present situation, it seems very difficult for TDP to stop Jagan from making a dent in its vote-bank, particularly because of the SCs' sway towards YSRCP in north coastal districts. Any decrease in TDP vote-base now, will certainly hamper its prospects in 2014.  

IPL 5 2012: Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Match highlights

The statistical highlights from Match 8 of IPL 5 between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders at Jaipur. Ashok Menaria (40 off 30 balls) has recorded his highest innings for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. Manoj Tiwary (59 off 49 balls) posted the only fifty of the match - his fourth for Kolkata Knight Riders at the IPL. Rajasthan Royals' deserving 22-run win is their fourth in nine matches against Kolkata at the IPL.  Rajasthan Royals became the first side to have won both their matches in the present competition. Kolkata Knight Riders became the first team to lose both their games in the current edition of the IPL.  Hodge and Menaria shared a stand of 64 for the fourth wicket - Rajasthan's highest against Kolkata.  Brett Lee (2/29) recorded his best bowling performance for Kolkata at the IPL. Lee (25 off 11 balls) posted his highest innings for Kolkata Knight Riders at the IPL.

Indian Cricketer Yuvraj Singh Returns to India

Indian Cricketer Yuvraj Singh returned home on Monday morning following his treatment of a rare germ cell cancer in the United States. Media persons and fans gathered at the Delhi airport where Yuvraj arrived after a his treatment of a rare germ cell cancer in US.   Yuvraj, who underwent three cycles of chemotherapy in Boston Institute of Cancer Research between Januaray to March, spent time in London before returning home. "Finally the day has come ! i am going home tomorrow ! cant wait , excited to see my friends and family ..see you india!! mera bharat mahan!" Yuvraj tweeted on Sunday.

Communal Riots In Hyderabad Old City

Communal violence in Hyderabad Old City: As many as 12 persons were injured, one of them seriously and about two dozen vehicles including a dozen RTC buses damaged following groups clashes between Hindu and Muslims in parts of Old city on Sunday. The situation continues to be tense in the Old city forcing the police to clamp prohibitory orders. While curfew has been imposed in Saidabad and Madannapet police sttaion limits, prohibitory ordres under section 144 have been imposed across the city. Rumours are flying high with miscreants disseminating false information saying communal riots have started in so and so area and residents of Old city were reeling under fear, sources said. Trouble began on Sunday morning after some miscreants dumped the legs of an animal, suspected to be of cow, in the premises of Hanuman temple at Kurmaguda. Even as police convinced the residents of Kurmaguda that immediate action would be initiated into the matter, the news spread to other parts of the city and angry crowds started to gather near the temple, sources said. According to the police, a section of the crowd started pelting stones at RTC buses and shouted slogans leading to retaliation from the other community people. Incidents of communal nature such as stone pelting, attack on properties were reported from Pusala Basti and Sapotabagh areas of Saidabad police station limits. Sources said the community that retaliated to the sloganeering by the other community, took control of the situation and attacked innocent passersby after identifying their community. As many as 12 persons were injured in the attacks, while one of them, identified as Murali, 17, of Madannapet area suffered grievous stab wounds. His condition is stated to be critical. Addtional forces were rushed to the disturbed areas and police resorted to lathi-charge and tear gas shelling to bring the situation under control. However, miscreants continued stone pelting from the by-lanes of the localities and vanished by the time police reached the area. This forced the police to impose curfew in Madannapet and Saidabad police station limits from 2 pm. Police, however, said students going for SSC exam would be permitted to go to their exam centres along with one attendant by showing hall tickets. The police constable recruitment scheduled for April 9 and 10 at Goshamahal, Amberpet and Petlaburj has been postponed and further dates would be informed later.      Police said as many as 17 criminal cases (Saidabad PS 6, Madannapet PS 5, Kanchanbagh PS 1, Hussainialam PS 2, Moghapura PS 3) were registered in connection with the communal incidents and special investigation teams formed to investigate the cases. As many as 57 persons were taken into preventive custody. Director General of Police V Dinesh Reddy visited the disturbed areas along with other senior officials, while the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and Home Minister P Sabita Indra Reddy reviewed the situation in separate meetings with the officials.            

Kiran and Botcha Begin Groundwork For By polls

Ap Assembly By polls 2012: The ruling Congress has started an exercise to prepare party functionaries and leaders in districts for the ensuing by-elections to 18 Assembly constituencies in the State. Following reports that an election notification will be issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) early for the by-polls, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and PCC president Botcha Satyanarayana held district-wise review meetings at the CM’s Camp Office, Begumpet with the DCC presidents, MPs, MLAs, MLCs and In-charge ministers of 12 districts which were going for by-lections. The by-elections will be conducted for 18 Assembly constituencies in 12 districts in the state.   The DCC presidents, MPs, MLAs, MLCs and In-charge ministers of Warangal, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Guntur and Prakasam districts were present at the review meetings. Congress MP Rayapati Sambasiva Rao of Guntrur district was conspicuously absent at the review meeting of his district. Minister for Health Dr D L Ravindra Reddy was also away from the review meeting citing health problems. The district-wise review meetings have focused on the selection of candidates and political situation prevailing in the 18 Assembly segments. The Chief Minister and the PCC chief discussed with the district leaders about the steps to be taken to ensure victory to Congress candidates in the by-elections. They exhorted the district level leaders to work together for a landslide victory to the party candidates. They also reminded that the party was taking the by-elections as prestigious.  

By election Announcement Upset Congress Plans

The announcement made by Chief Election Commissioner that the by-elections to 18 assembly seats and Nellore Lok Sabha seat will be held before July is believed to have upset all the plans of the Congress party. The initial impression given by the Election Commission officials in the state was that the by-polls would be dragged till last week of August, so that it would give a lot of breathing time for the Kiran Kumar Reddy government to woo the electorate with some pre-election sops. Since the Congress high command has clearly told Kiran and PCC president Botsa Satyanarayana that they would retain their posts only if the party wins at least half of the number of seats, the sudden announcement by the CEC came as a big jolt for them. On Saturday, the Congress party’s coordination committee had to meet hurriedly at the CM’s camp office to chalk out the strategy.Since there is hardly any time to formulate a new scheme and announce the same, the party has to work out a new strategy. However, the selection of candidates itself is a big task and it will take at least three to four weeks. And by that time, the election schedule is likely to be announced!  

AP 18 Assembly By polls 2012 Before July

AP 18 by polls 2012: Election Commission of India has declared that the by-elections to 18 assembly seats and Nellore parliamentary seat would be held much before the election of President of India, which is scheduled to take place in July. This was stated by none other than Chief Election Commissioner S Y Qureshi in New Delhi on Friday. He said the by-elections for both the assembly and parliamentary seat at a time would be held at a time. So the ambiguity over the Tirupati by-election is also over. Interestingly, assembly speaker Nadendla Manohar has not yet accepted the resignation of Rajya Sabha member Chiranjeevi from the Tirupati assembly seat.Going by Qureshi’s statement, the by-elections would have to be held at least by the last week of June or at the most first week of July.According to reports from New Delhi, the presidential elections are likely to be held on July 19; which means, the new MLAs should be ready by that time

IPL 5 2012: Deccan Chargers take on Wounded Chennai

Deccan Chargers open their campaign against defending champions Chennai Super Kings. In the absence of Kumar Sangakkara, that is going to be a tough challenge. Super Kings were a bit rusty when they played Mumbai Indians two days ago, especially in their batting, something that the Chargers think-thank would have made notes on. Apart from Suresh Raina, no other batsman allowed themselves time to settle in. Super Kings will be eager to score their first points tomorrow. Chargers captain Cameron White has an experienced group of bowlers at his disposal. Amit Mishra and Dale Steyn led the wickets tally last year for the team. Steyn bowled with a lot of pace and was well supported by an equally menacing Ishant Sharma, who created problems with his bounce. However, with no Ishant this year, Steyn will need to guide someone like Manpreet Gony to raise his game. Gony appeared to be in good form in the knockouts of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the domestic Twenty20 competition, in which he picked up eight wickets in three games. A tall man, he has the ability to extract bounce from any surface. Super Kings' batsmen, however, have the ability to run in top gear throughout the innings and much will depend on how Steyn, and later Mishra, keep them under control. Chargers will be boosted with Parthiv Patel coming in at the top of the order with Shikhar Dhawan, Chargers' top-scorer from last season. Super Kings create pressure with their spinners, and a lot will depend on how Chargers handle the spin menace. The trio of R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Shadab Jakati failed to make an impact against Mumbai Indians, and MS Dhoni would hope that last performance was a blip rather than a sign of things to come.

Nigerian Students Beat up Policemen!

Like in Tollywood movies, a bunch of Nigerian students beat up the policemen in Hyderabad. The incident took place at Langar Houz police station around Thursday midnight. On receiving information that some youngmen in the nearby Salarjung Coloney are engaged in a street fight, Langar Houz policemen went to the spot and rounded up 10-12 students, mostly Nigerian nationals. They were brought to the police station and were locked up in a cell. Around midnight, the students somehow broke the lock-up door and attacked the policemen present in the station. They beat the policemen indiscriminately and damaged the furniture. Luckily, some rowdy-sheeters brought there by police in view of the Hanuman Jayanthi the next day, saved the policemen. Otherwise there would have been a couple of casualities, say the reports .    

Nayeem: Reason Behind CBI Laxminarayana Security Enhancement

Renegade maoist Nayeemuddin is said to be the real reason behind enhancing security to the regional joint director of CBI VV Laxminarayana. It is well known that the JD is handling several sensitive and sensational cases like OMC mining, APIIC-Emaar, Jagan illegal assets and several other cases at present. Recently his security was upgraded to 'Y' category due to a threat perception to him. Incidentally, it happened immediately after filing of chargesheet in Jagan's case and people mistook it as threat to Laxminarayana from Jagan. Contrary to this, VV Laxminarayana is said to be facing threat perception in Sohrabuddin Sheikh case, in which Nayeemuddin is suspected to be the key figure. Due to non-cooperation from the Andhra Pradesh police in tracking renegade Maoist Nayeemuddin, CBI has taken up the matter itself and entrusted the job of ferreting out Nayeemuddin to Lakshminarayana. In turn, the CBI joint director has detailed a team headed by an inspector rank officer. Lakshminarayana who completed six years in Hyderabad is presently on a two-month extension and CBI sources expect that Nayeemuddin will be located before his term runs out. Nayeemuddin who runs a network of contract killers might try to harm the CBI joint director, it is perceived. Meanwhile, the CBI is questioning IPS officer N Balasubramanyam, because it is suspects that this officer had provided support to the Gujarat police team which came to Hyderabad in November 2005 to abduct Sohrabuddin Sheikh. The CBI had summoned him to its office in Gandhinagar for questioning and told that he would be questioned again. There is also the likelihood of his being arrested. CBI perceives that the AP police is stalling the pursuit of Nayeemuddin because if nabbed he may reveal things that may put some police officers in the state in jeopardy. It is well known in AP circles that Nayeemuddin was used privately by some police officers to source information and for other works. CBI sources feel that Balasubramanyam should have been transferred out with his promotion. CBI sources also said that they were 'on track' as far as the case was concerned and there was no way that they would retreat from investigating the AP angle. "We know that a strong lobby in AP police would want us to step back," CBI sources say.

Hanuman Jayanti Celebrations Today

Hanuman jayanti 2012: Hanuman Jayanti would be celebrated at various Hanuman temples on Friday.The avatar of Lord Shiva is worshipped with offerings of sesame oil, banana, blue flowers and vermilion. Goswami Tulsidas' Hanuman Chalisa narrates the various episodes that exemplify the singular devotion showed by the monkey god for his master, Ram. After the battle of Lanka was won and the demon king, Ravan, was slain, it was time for Ram's coronation in Ayodhya. Each of the generals in battle had received prizes and honour when Sita's attention was drawn to Hanuman who stood silently by. Urging him forward, she gave him her own necklace made of the choicest pearls. However, to her astonishment, Hanuman began to take it apart with his teeth, breaking open each pearl, peering closely, then casting it aside with a look of disappointment. When she asked why, Hanuman said he was seeking the image of his beloved Ram inside them but because he saw nothing, they became worthless. A sharp courtier interjected to ask if Hanuman saw Ram within himself. To everybody's amazement, the monkey king rended his chest to show the image of Ram and Sita embedded in his heart. It is this supreme love that holds devotees in thrall to this day.

Sachin Tendulkar Deserves Bharat Ratna: Virat Kohili

Virat Kohili joined the growing calls to award Bharat Ratna to Sachin Tendulkar, saying that no cricketer deserves it more than him. "Yes, 200 per cent, because he is an ideal candidate, he has served the country for 22 years with a few more to come. As a cricketer, you know, if he doesn't get it, then I don't think there's anyone who'll get the Bharat Ratna ever," Virat said, after signing as Brand Ambassador to Toyota Kirloskar Motor. The clamour for honouring the Little Master with Bharat Ratna intensified after Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan told the state Assembly that his government would recommend Tendulkar's name for the highest civilian award. The demands for the award have found a vocal support across all sections of the society, both national and international.  

Hyderabad Hanuman Jayanthi Rally Under Tight Security

Hyderabad is all set to celebrate Hanuman Jayanthi today amidst tight security. Heavy police bandobust has been put in place for the Hanuman Jayanthi Rally in view of the permission given to Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Praveen Togadia to address the gathering at two places. Special police pickets have been posted near mosques and churches to prevent any untoward incident. About 10,000 police personnel, including the Hyderabad police, 32 battalions of AP Special Police (APSP), four companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF) and 500 police personnel from other districts, would be monitoring the rally. At a press conference here on Thursday, VHP state joint secretary Yaman Singh said they were expecting over two lakh members to participate in the bike rally. "The participants are requested not to cover their faces and not to hide the vehicle registration numbers with stickers," Singh said. VHP supremo Praveen Togadia would flag off the rally and deliver speeches at Gowliguda and Tadban Hanuman temples. The rally is scheduled to start at Gowliguda Hanuman temple at 10 am and pass through Putlibowli, Sultan Bazaar, Ram Kote, Kacheguda crossroads, Narayanguda, Chikkadpally, RTC X Roads, Ashok Nagar X Roads, Gandhi Nagar, Kavadiguda, Praga Tools, Bible House, Bata, Paradise and reach Tadbun Hanuman temple in the evening. Police identified 18 mosques, chillas and five churches on the rally route where static police pickets headed by an official of not less than sub-inspector (SI) rank would be in place. In view of the stone pelting incident at a place of worship during the Hanuman rally in 2010, the RTC crossroads-Musheerabad crossroads stretch would be blocked throughout the day and traffic would also be diverted accordingly. In addition to the main rally, several small rallies would be taken out in their localities in the Old City. In South Zone, rallies would be taken out at Upparabasti in Madannapet, Ghansi Bazaar area in Charminar police limits and Moosabowli Hanuman temple in Moghulpura. Several similar rallies would be taken out from Dhoolpet and Mangalhat. Since Good Friday is also being observed on the same day, the police have sought cooperation from all quarters including organisers of the processions and religious leaders through meetings.  

Kiran Asks PM More Gas, Funds For State

AP chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy on Thursday met the Prime Minister and asked for allocation of more gas and funds for the state. He also sought, in addition, Rs 3,000 crore assistance for drought relief and Rs 1,028 crore for the upcoming Conference on Biodiversity. Further, he lobbied the PM for national status for the Polavaram and and Pranahita-Chevella projects. The chief minister requested an allocation of 3 mmscmd more of gas from the NELP blocks to enable generation of an additional 700 MW by the state’s gas-based power projects. For the Conference on Biodiversity, the state wants the government of India to hand out Rs 1,028 crore to take up beautification works in Greater Hyderabad. The chief minister pointed out that the Centre allotted special funds to Delhi for the Commonwealth Games. As for the two irrigation projects, Kiran Kumar told the PM that the Polavaram project, to be built at a cost of Rs 16,010 crore, on the Godavari would benefit various regions of the state as well as the neighbouring states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Since the project is already getting 25 percent central assistance under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), accordance of National Project status would make it eligible for 90 percent central assistance and lead to timely completion. The chief minister also said the Central Water Commission has already given in-principle clearance to the Pranhita-Chevella project costing Rs 38,500 crore and consisting of 28 packages. The project would serve areas that fall under the Prime Minister’s relief package for distressed districts and envisages creating an ayacut of 6.7 lakh hectares in nine districts in Telangana, apart fropm supplying 30 tme ft of water to Hyderabad and Secunderabad and 10 tmc ft of water to villages and industries en route.

IPL 5 2012: Pune Warriors vs Mumbai Indians

IPL 5 2012: Pune Warriors face a difficult opening match as they kick off their Indian Premier League (IPL 5 ) season five campaign against title favourites Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday. Sahara Pune Warriors might have ignited the new way of promoting the team and brand by making the headlines for all wrong reason at first then drawing everyone attention thereafter till the start of IPL season 5. They got special permission and needless to say they got special attention in media over the last three months beginning from their name of captain to new signings. It’s time for Pune to show it on the field and make the news for right reasons. Mumbai is well settled unit and they got no problems on deciding their playing XI since they got players to field two competitive IPL teams if needed. On the other hand, Pune and Ganguly got lot to ponder on their final line-up mainly in all-rounder department. Angelo Mathews injury doesn’t help their case either. Ganguly need to decide whether he needs more batting power or bowling options when it comes to deciding the 4 overseas players to play. Harpeet Singh might get the node but if Dada decides to go for experience, then Mishra and Manhas are the options. The pitch at the Wankhede Stadium is batting paradise but might get drier as the tournament goes into the month of May. But for now, you can expect a true wicket where batsmen are given a license to play all the shots in their book and bowlers need to be smart. A high scoring game is on the cards. Dew is expected to come, so win the toss and bat second is better option. Teams: Mumbai Indians: 1 Sachin Tendulkar/T Suman, 2 Richard Levi, 3 Ambati Rayudu, 4 Rohit Sharma, 5 Dinesh Karthik (wk), 6 Kieron Pollard, 7 James Franklin, 8 Harbhajan Singh (capt), 9 Lasith Malinga, 10 Abu Nechim, 11 Pragyan Ojha Pune Warriors India: 1 Sourav Ganguly (capt), 2 Mohnish Mishra, 3 Robin Uthappa (wk), 4 Manish Pandey, 5 Callum Ferguson, 6 Marlon Samuels, 7 Wayne Parnell/Nathan McCullum, 8 Alfonso Thomas, 9 Murali Kartik, 10 Rahul Sharma, 11 Ashok Dinda

4 Cong MPs May Join TRS

Lately Congress MPs from Telangana region started behaving in a peculiar way. They started putting greater pressure on the Center than in the past about taking a favourable decision towards formation of separate Telangana. It seems, results of recent bypolls in the state have baffled them to such an extent that they started worrying what would be their fate in 2014 election. It is very likely that they are weighing options - whether to remain in the party or to join the TRS. In highly placed circles, it is heard that at least four of T-cong MPs - Ponnam Prabhakar, Rajaiah, Vivek and Sarve Satyanarayana are likely say goodbye to the party and join TRS. Secret negotiations to this effect are going on for sometime now, say the sources. It is said that these leaders have come to the conclusion that Center shall never give in to the separate state demand, keeping seemandhra people's interests on stake. For this, they are even preparing to face the byelections, if necessary. in their view, they can easily win the byelections riding on T sentiment and in 2014, if TRS gives them tickets, it would be a cakewalk for them to the parliament. What is bothering them more is, if they remain in Congress party, it would be very difficult to win 2014 elections, even if Congress gives them tickets.  

Jharkhand Former CM Madhu Koda Out on Bail

Jharkhand former chief minister Madhu Koda has been granted bail by the Jharkhand High Court on Thursday. Koda was in jail for over two years in connection with illegal investments and hawala transaction case. Koda was an Independent MLA and had led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in Jharkhand. His alleged aides Binod Sinha, Vikas Sinha and three others are now in judicial custody in connection with the same case. Madhu Koda ruled over Jharkhand between 2006 and 2008, was arrested by the officers of Jharkhand Vigilance Bureau from Chaibasa after the October 2009 countrywide raids by Income Tax and Enforcement Directorate in 69 premises. The IT had alleged that documents relating to illegal investments and hawala transactions worth Rs.2,500 crore were seized during the raids on premises of Koda and his alleged associates. Later, CBI took over the case and along with the ED, charged him with making illegal investments and indulging in hawala transactions with others during his chief ministerial term for 23 months.  

Tara Chowdary Case: The Complete Story

With the arrest of a starlet Tara Chowdary by the Banjara Hills police on charges of allegedly forcing a girl from Vizag into prostitution, has opened a pandora's box. Day by day more skeletons are tumbling out of cupboard exposing her nexus with politicians, businessmen, IAS and police officers. During the probe so far, the police could unearth startling details of her nefarious activities of flesh trade and blackmail. Through the CDs, phone-call list and laptop seized from her, police could come to the conclusion that: * Tara Chowdary has a network of brothels spread far and wide. * She spread her tentacles across to lure VIP clients. * She cheated young girls into sex trade. * She had contacts with bigwigs. * MPs and political leaders were her clients. * Top businessmen too were her regular customers. * Tara was shooting the sex acts by installing spy cams.. * She blackmailed politicians threatening to expose their sexapades * The brothel madam collected Rs 25 lakh from an MP (?) * She has connections with underground mafia * She gave a supari to kill a businessman from Kurnool No doubt the Tara episode is sending shivers among the VIP clientele of hers. Many of the politicians, IAS officers, businessmen and police officers, whose mobile numbers were found in her call-list, are a worried lot nowadays. The case has already created a huge sensation, but no one can say what would happen to it subsequently. It is to be waited and seen, whether the VIPs involved will be exposed or like many other cases, Tara Chowdary episode will also go into the oblivion.