PUNE: A month after a blast in Pune killed 17 people, city police commissioner Satyapal Singh on Saturday charged the staff of the German Bakery and its customers with "utter negligence" and said the bag with the bomb had been lying unnoticed for over 90 minutes.
"It was not a few minutes or 10-15 minutes, more than one-and-half hours and yet nobody bothered to notice it... This is sheer carelessness on the part of the people," he said, addressing a rally of over 1,000 students at the Azad campus here. The event was organised by the Sakal Social Foundation.
According to Singh, the presence of the bag was also brought to the notice of the cashier by some customers of the bakery, but he was "too busy" in his work to even take note of it or bother to inform the police.
"Barely 20 minutes later, the bomb exploded there. I am sure that if the German Bakery staff and its patrons had exercised more awareness, the blast could have been prevented and so many innocent lives could have been saved," Singh said.
The pre-Valentine's Day blast on Feb 13 in Koregaon Park killed 17 people, including five foreign nationals. Despite the multi-pronged investigations by several state and central agencies, the investigators seem to have drawn a blank in the motives behind the blast or its perpetrators.
State Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) chief K.P. Raghuvanshi said the investigations are progressing and they hope to crack the case soon.
"We are examining it from all possible angles, nothing is being ruled out. But I will not speculate on whom we suspect. As soon as we are through, it (details) shall be made public," Raghuvanshi said.
So far, over 100 suspects have been questioned and allowed to go.
Meanwhile, hundreds of Pune residents, including foreigners and students from scores of colleges participated in 'nirbhayta', or fearless, rallies in different parts of the city here Saturday. The people paid homage to those killed in the blast and took a pledge not to be cowed down by terror threats.
Don't want to waste time if the meet is 'fruitless': Qureshi
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday said he would address American concerns about the Lashker-e-Toiba during an upcoming visit to the US, a day after lawmakers asked the Obama administration to put more pressure on Islamabad to crack down on the LeT.
Gary Ackerman, chairman of the US House Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, yesterday described the Pakistan-based terror outfit LeT as a "group of savages" that ought to be crushed.
He said the LeT was "both tolerated by and connected to the Pakistani military".
In response to another question about the normalisation of ties with India, Qureshi said he was willing to hold talks with his Indian counterpart if such a meeting resulted in a tangible outcome.
"I have no objection to meeting (my Indian counterpart) but what is the purpose of such a meeting? If something comes out of the meeting, I am ready to meet him. I am ready to go there (for a meeting)," he said.
"If nothing will be achieved by such a meeting, I don't want to waste my time. I have no desire for a photo opportunity," Qureshi added.
"I sincerely want an end to tensions affecting ties and I sincerely want the resumption of the composite dialogue. I sincerely want an improvement in ties so that we can live like good neighbours," he said.
India and Pakistan have disputes and they had "decided on a mechanism to resolve these disputes", he said.
"We should move forward on this. We may not be able to solve them immediately but we can make progress. There are many issues on which there are bright chances of progress if there is political will and sincerity but I am not in favour of sitting for the sake of sitting and talks for the sake of talks," Qureshi said.
Deeply disappointed at Pak statement alleging Indian hand in Lahore blasts: India
NEW DELHI: "Deeply disappointed" over the charges by Pakistan regarding its involvement in blasts, India on Saturday said it was unfortunate that by repeating such "unfounded and unsubstantiated allegations" that country puts strain on the bilateral relationship.
"Unequivocally" condemning the allegations, India rejected charges of any involvement in such acts or activities and said Pakistan should "concentrate on dismantling the infrastructure of terrorism directed against India and adversely impacting on Pakistan itself".
India "unequivocally condemns the series of bomb blasts in Lahore on March 12, 2010 which claimed the lives of scores of people, including innocent civilians, and injured many more, among them women and children. Our condolences go out to the families of those killed by these acts of terrorism," external affairs ministry said in a statement.
"At the same time, government is deeply disappointed by statements emanating from Pakistan alleging an Indian hand in yesterday's attacks in Lahore, and other terrorist acts and disturbances elsewhere in Pakistan.
"We categorically reject, once again, the allegations of India's involvement in such acts or activities. Government has reiterated on several occasions, and at the highest level, that India has no interest in destabilising Pakistan."
Lalu ready to get marshalled out over Women's Bill
Patna: Toughening his stand against Women's Reservation Bill, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad said he would not get bowed down to any pressure and would continue fighting against the present form of the bill.
"We want that the bill should facilitate reservation for minorities, NREGA workers and other backward class women who deserve justice," he said adding he would take the battle to its "logical conclusion".
After a hue and cry raised over the present form of the bill, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had agreed to hold consultations on the issue with political parties, Prasad said.
He alleged that the Congress and BJP were trying to bring the bill in the Lok Sabha for "ulterior intentions" which would be fought with full vigour and strength.
Prasad also indicated that the Congress' recalcitrance over tabling the bill might lead to an early elections and asked his partymen to remain prepared for mid-term polls.
Business News
Sensex surges by 172 points
Mumbai: The market looked in a consolidation mode on lack of buying by foreign funds in select counters pushing up the benchmark Sensex by another 172 points to close at 17,166.62.
The 30-share BSE benchmark resumed higher at 17,034.92 and hovered in a range of 17,244.54 and 17,027.92 before ending on Friday at 17,166.62, a net rise of 172.13 points, or 1.01 per cent, from its last weekend's close.
Banking shares shot up sharply after Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee moved the State Bank of India (Amendment) Bill, 2010, allowing "reduction of shareholding of the Central Government from 55 per cent to 51 per cent consisting of the equity shares of the issued capital."
Credit growth rose by 15.5 per cent at Rs 31.78 lakh crore for the fortnight ended February 26, 2010, raising expectations that it could breach the Reserve Bank's projection of 16 per cent growth by March-end. The credit growth also boosted the market sentiment.
The country's Index of Industrial Production IIP grew by a robust 16.7 per cent in January led by a good show from the manufacturing sector.
Investment destinations: India in top 3
Washington: India is among the world's top three preferred investment destination, but equity caps limit the size of potential inflows, according to a Columbia University report.
The report cited liberalisation in FDI policy and several economic sectors, a globally competitive workforce, and rapid GDP and market growth as the main drivers of foreign investment in India.
Yet, it said equity caps limit the size of potential new inflows and national security concerns might prompt more oversight of FDI approval processes.
According to the 15-page report 'Inward FDI in India and its policy context' India is also the 13th largest in terms of foreign investment inflows, which have risen 15-fold since 2000.
The report said while investors initially concentrated on manufacturing, power and telecommunications, they now focus on services.
Among other visible trends, firms in developed countries dominated investment in the 1990s, but in the past decade developing country investors have also become significant, it said.
A third of the post-2000 inflow is invested around Mumbai, a manufacturing hub, and one-fifth around Delhi, a services hub.
M&M inaugurates new plant at Chakan
New Delhi: Auto major Mahindra & Mahindra inaugurated its Rs 5,000-crore new manufacturing plant at Chakan (Maharashtra) that will enable the company to produce its entire range of products under one roof.
The 700-acre facility will have an initial annual installed capacity of three lakh units and will manufacture products ranging from the 0.75-tonne Maxximo to the 49-tonne Mahindra Navistar truck and the sports utility vehicle (SUV) range it plans to launch in the US.
"The plant has been envisioned as the hub of innovation and technology for the Mahindra Group, with several new products, including our new SUV and pick-up line rolling out from here," Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) President (Automotive Sector) Pawan Goenka said in a statement.
He said the Chakan facility incorporates flexible features, which will allow the company to respond rapidly to changing customer needs.
The company has invested Rs 2,500 crore in the first phase of construction of the plant for a capacity of three lakh units, which will be scaled up to Rs 5,000 crore.
The plant was inaugurated in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and M&M Vice Chairman and MD Anand Mahindra.
Sports News
Pathan's ton goes in vain as Mumbai win cliffhanger
MUMBAI: Mumbai Indians survived a brutal assault by Yusuf Pathan, who struck a belligerent 37-ball century, to record a thrilling four-run victory over Rajasthan Royals in their opening match of the Indian Premier League on Saturday.
Yusuf slammed an astonishing nine sixes and eight fours while making exactly 100 runs to bring the Royals on the doorstep of a victory after Mumbai Indians made 212 for six. But after his dismissal, the Royals were stopped in their tracks.
Yusuf was run out brilliantly by R Satish whom he had treated with utter disdain during his superb 107-run partnership with the unheralded Paras Dogra (41 off 29 balls) for the fifth wicket to raise visions of a great come-from-behind victory.
But the marauder from Baroda was run out in the first ball of the 18th over and the rest of the batting order could not provide the finishing touch.
Needing 12 runs in the last over bowled by Lasith Malinga, the Royals ended at 208 for seven after losing Dogra and Amit Uniyal in the first two balls.
Dmitry Mascarenhas and captain Shane Warne could not complete the job.
Earlier fine half centuries from Ambati Rayudu (55) and Saurabh Tiwary (53) following a sound start piloted Mumbai Indians to their highest-ever IPL total.
Guntur-born Rayudu, an ICL returnee, cracked 55 in 33 balls studded with 6 fours and 2 sixes while Jamshedpur-born Saurabh Tiwary slammed a breezy 53 in the same number of balls, embellished with 4 fours and two sixes.
The fourth wicket duo put on 110 runs in only 63 balls to lift Mumbai Indians from 70 for three to 180 for four.
The duo's late order hitting, after the rollicking start given by openers Sanath Jayasuriya (23) and skipper Sachin Tendulkar (17) helped the home team end up with a 200-plus total amidst carnival atmosphere inside the famed Brabourne Stadium.
Left-handed Sri Lanka veteran Jayasuriya set the scorching run-scoring pace by lofting Dmitri Mascarenhas for three fours in the first over, two of them lofted shots in his typical fashion over covers.
The Royals commenced their chase to overhaul the record Mumbai Indians score on the wrong foot as they lost opener Swapnil Asnodkar in the second ball without facing a ball due to a misunderstanding with Graeme Smith.
Smith, who had to return home early at the end of the Test series against India after a finger injury, looked in good touch and was especially severe on Zaheer Khan by thumping the left arm pace bowler for three fours in his second over, two of them to the straight field.
Smith and wicket keeper Naman Ojha took the score to 38 when the latter departed caught in the deep off the first ball from left arm spinner Murtuza Ali for 12.
Netherlands beat England 4-3, finish third
New Delhi: The Netherlands scripted a remarkable come-from-behind victory to win the hockey World Cup bronze medal by defeating England 4-3 in a thrilling match here on Saturday.
The three-time champions had already won two silver earlier and with today's bronze was their seventh World Cup medal. This is also their first podium finish after their third place in 2002 when they beat South Korea in the bronze medal match.
Dutch captain Teun de Nooijer, who was outstanding in the field today, scored in his last World Cup match and equaled Pakistani Akhtar Rasool's record of most number of World Cup medals -- four -- having won one gold, one silver and one bronze earlier.
Rasool has won three gold and one silver. Teun de Nooijer (22nd), Taeke Taekema (48th), Klaas Vermeulen (56th) and Rogier Hofman (67th) scored for the Dutch. With today's goal -- his eighth -- star drag-flicker Taekema became the tournament top scorer.
He also became the joint second top scorer in the history of the World Cup with 21 goals, the same number as that of countrymate and current team manager Ties Kruize.
For England, who were playing in a World Cup medal match for the second time -- after their silver finish in 1986 at home-- Ashley Jackson struck twice (30th, 34th) while Alastair Brogdon scored the other goal in the 23rd minute.
Saina creates history in All England Badminton Championship
LONDON: Saina Nehwal became the first Indian woman to reach the semi-finals of the All England Super Series badminton championship when she defeated German Juliane Schenk in straight games in the quarter-finals.
The world number seven Indian beat Juliane 21-8, 21-14 in just 27 minutes to set up a tough semi-final clash with former world number one Tine Rasmussen of Denmark at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham.
Rasmussen beat world champion and sixth seed Lan Lu 16-21, 23-21, 21-11 in the first quarter-final.
"It is a fantastic victory," said former All England champion and national chief coach Pullela Gopi Chand.
Asked about the semi-final match to be played late on Saturday, Gopi Chand said Saina should have an edge, even though the Indian has a 0-2 record against Rasmussen.
"Saina is a much improved player than last year. She has been working on her strokes. She has the edge over Rasmussen," said Gopi Chand.
The Hyderabadi sensation had beaten Judith Meulendijks of the Netherlands and Korean Seung Hee Bae in the first two rounds before getting past Juliane in the quarter-finals.
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