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Online games take a reality check

June 6, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

India, June 5 — Sach mein Kasab ko toh public ke hawale hee de dena chahiye (Kasab should be handed over to the public to make a decision) says aarti1234. Jai hind, says jp_cnet.

This isn’t a patriotic conversation between two people on instant messenger; these are the comments that the Hang Kasab game has generated over the past few weeks. Launched on May 7, this game now gets over one-lakh hits a day, according to its creator Maruthi Shankar, MD 7seas Technologies Ltd.

Plus, he says, it’s based on a real incident and is a great outlet for people to express their opinions. Based on real-life situations, online games like these are becoming popular with the youth.

Whether it’s a game to ensure that the Delhi metro is ready in time for the Commonwealth Games, or a game that makes you the real hero of 26/11, the verdict is simple – it’s the topicality of these games that are making them so popular. Also the reason why games like Head-butt Zidane and Throw a shoe at Bush had become overnight successes.

Human resources professional Kaushik Saha, who has played the Delhi Games 2010 several times over the last two months, believes games that are made from anecdotes of the common man are certainly more fun. “Since they are relevant to the current day-to-day life, it’s fun to see the result,” says this 24-year-old, who spends at least half an hour building roads and constructing bridges on this game.

“And they are great place to vent your anger. I mean, if you’re angry with the construction enroute home, you can see what happens if the railway tracks collapse, at least virtually.

” So why do current affairs make great games? For starters, it’s because people, especially the youth, seem to be responding better to these games. According to Alok Kejriwal, CEO of games2win, a popular gaming site, news is generally consumed in a passive format but, like he says, “These games are great awareness creating tools, especially since the concept writers often put a story and a message while creating it, which people can relate to,” he says.

“Gaming is a language that the youth listen to and therefore communicating through games definitely gets the message across.” Of course, because of their popularity games get ‘viralled’ very easily.

That is, those who like these games often link it to their statuses on Facebook and Gtalk, making the game very popular within a few hours of its launch.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: 7seas, Cnet, common man, commonwealth games, Constructing Bridges, Creating Tools, Delhi Metro, Great Games, Head Butt Zidane, kasab, lakh, last two months, Life Situations, online games, Overnight Successes, Reality Check, saha, shankar, toh, Topicality

Delhi Govt. backs SC’s verdict on Afzal Guru

May 18, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 18 (ANI): Faced by Bharatiya Janata Party’s criticism of the Congress party, the Sheila Dikshit-led Delhi government on Tuesday decided to back the Supreme Court’s verdict to hang Afzal Guru, an accused in the Parliament attack case.

However, while backing the SC’s verdict, the Delhi government has reportedly maintained that it will need to examine the law and order implication in case Afzal was hanged, an NDTV report quoted sources as saying.

The Delhi government has been sitting on the file for nearly four years and the capital punishment awarded to Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab in the Mumbai attacks case brought the issue under fresh focus.

Guru was awarded death sentence by a Delhi court on December 18, 2002 after being convicted of conspiracy to attack Parliament on December 13, 2001, waging war against the country and murder.

The death sentence was upheld by Delhi High Court on October 29, 2003 and his appeal was rejected by the Supreme Court two years later on August four, 2005.

A sessions court also fixed the date of his hanging on October 20, 2006 in Tihar jail.

Following this, Afzal filed a mercy petition with the President, who forwarded it to Union Home Ministry for its comments.

The Union Home Ministry had sent the file to Delhi Government”s Home Department for its comments, as per the laid out procedure.

The 2001 Indian Parliament attack, led to the death of a dozen people; five terrorists, six policemen and a civilian). It also caused increased tensions between India and Pakistan resulting in the 2001-2002 India-Pakistan standoff.

On that day, a group of gun-and grenade-wielding terrorists who stormed the seemingly impregnable Parliament House premises, were stopped dead in their tracks by security men as the nation watched in disbelief. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: ajmal, bharatiya janata party, congress party, death sentence, delhi court, delhi government, delhi govt, delhi high court, India and Pakistan, India-Pakistan, Indian parliament, kasab, law and order, mercy petition, ndtv, Pakistan Standoff, parliament house, security men, Sheila Dikshit, Union Home Ministry

Kasab’s confessional statement presented before Pak Supreme Court

May 12, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Islamabad, May 12 (ANI): The confessional statement of Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving gunman of the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks was presented before the Pakistan Supreme Court.

Khawaja Sultan Ahmed, lawyer for Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, a suspect in the Mumbai terrorist attacks case, presented the statement on Tuesday before a three-member SC bench – comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

The apex court bench adjourned the hearing for two weeks after receiving Kasab’s statement, which is in English and Hindi.

The court observed that it required time to go through the long confessional statement, the Daily Times reports.

The bench was hearing an appeal filed by Lakhvi, one of the seven suspects being tried by an anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi.

In his confessional statement, Kasab named Lakhvi as the ringleader in connection with the Mumbai terror attacks.

Ahmed however argued that Kasab’s confessional statement had no legal value in Pakistan.

“The statement was not given in a Pakistani court, so Lakhvi cannot be named as a co-accused in the case or be tried,” he said. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: ajmal, apex, apex court, chief justice of pakistan, confessional statement, court bench, gunman, Islamabad, kasab, Khawaja, muhammad, Mumbai, pakistan supreme court, rawalpindi, rehman, ringleader, Seven Suspects, Sultan Ahmed, terror attacks, terrorist attacks

Kasab’s death sentence would not hinder talks with Krishna: Qureshi

May 8, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Islamabad, May 8 (ANI): The death sentence awarded to Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone surviving November 2008 Mumbai carnage gunman, would not affect any future talks between New Delhi and Islamabad, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said.

Talking to reporters here, Qureshi clarified that the Mumbai special anti-terror court’s judgement against Kasab would not hinder the proposed talks between the foreign ministers of the two neighbouring countries.

He said the date and venue of the meeting would soon be finalised.

Qureshi said Pakistani experts were yet to review the judgement in the Kasab case.

It may noted that during their meeting on the sidelines of the XVIth South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit in Thimpu last month, both Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani had mandated their respective foreign ministers and foreign secretaries to meet and work out the modalities for resuming deliberations between the two estranged countries.

Condemning the ghastly Mumbai terror attacks, in which 166 people were killed and over 200 injured, Qureshi said Pakistan has also been a victim of terrorism.

“Those who lost their relatives in terror incidents in the country could feel the pain of people who suffered in the Mumbai attack,” The Daily Times quoted Qureshi, as saying. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: amir, carnage, death sentence, deliberations, Dr. Manmohan Singh, foreign ministers, gilani, islamabad pakistan, kasab, krishna, manmohan, Manmohan Singh, mehmood, modalities, neighbouring countries, qureshi, sidelines, south asian association, south asian association for regional cooperation, terror attacks

Islamabad, May 7 (IANS) Pakistan’s English media Friday front-paged but did not lead with the death sentence awarded to Ajmal Amir Kasab for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, focusing instead on an emerging dispute between the government and the judiciary on reopening a graft case against President Asif Ali Zardari.

May 7, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

London, May 7 (IANS) Indian origin Labour candidate Manish Sood, who called his Labour party leader Gordon Brown ‘the worst prime minister’, has lost badly in the Norfolk North West constituency in Britain.

Sood had hit out at Brown a couple of days before balloting. But the offensive did not help him in Thursday’s balloting. According to the BBC, Sood got 6,353 votes and finished third.

The seat was won by Conservative Henry Billingham who polled 25,916 votes while Liberal Democrat William Summers stood second.

Sood had said during campaigning: ‘Immigration has gone up which is creating friction within communities. The country is getting bigger and messier. The role of ministers has gone bureaucratic and the action of ministers has gone downhill – it is corrupt.

‘The loss of social values is the basic problem and this is not what the Labour Party is about. I believe Gordon Brown has been the worst prime minister we have had in this country. It is a disgrace and he owes an apology to the people and the Queen,’ Lynn News newspaper had quoted him as saying.

Following his comments, David Collis, chairman of the North West Norfolk Constituency Labour Party, had called Sood a ‘dreadful candidate’.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: Asif Ali Zardari, Billingham, campaigning, Constituency Labour Party, David Collis, death sentence, Democrat William, Gordon Brown, Graft Case, indian origin, Islamabad, kasab, Labour Candidate, Labour Party Leader, liberal democrat, Lynn News, North West Norfolk, Social Values, sood, William Summers

Kasab’s verdict is a message to terror elements: Antony

May 7, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 7 (ANI): Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Friday said the verdict against lone surviving Pakistani terrorist of the 26/11 attacks, Ajmal Amir Kasab, is a “clear message” to terror outfits in Pakistan.

Interacting with media on the sidelines of Golden Jubilee celebration of the Border Road Organisation (BRO) here, Antony said the verdict has proved that India can take strong action against criminals and terrorists.

“It (verdict) is a clear message to the terrorists outfits, organizations and groups working there across the border”, Antony said.

It has been proved by this judgment… under the present law itself… if there is a will we can take strong action and we can send a proper message to all the criminals and terrorists,” he added.

Antony said the verdict also showed that the present law is sufficient to punish criminals and culprits like Kasab.

Commenting on Pakistan using U.S.—supplied weapons in a military exercise focusing on India’s western borders, Antony said the Americans had already been warned of the possibility that the equipment supplied by it to fight the Taliban would be diverted to target India.

“We have already conveyed our concern about transfer of (U.S.) equipment to Pakistan. We told them (Americans) our fear, even though US is giving equipment to Pakistan to fight against Taliban,” he said.

“We feel there is every possibility of (Pakistan) diverting most of them to the Indian borders. We told the U.S. that they have to be careful about that,” Antony added.

Commenting on alleged involvement of an army major in cyber security, Antony said the investigation is on.

An Amry officer was interrogated by Military Intelligence (MI) and other intelligence agencies.

This is a clear cut case of cyber security breach but espionage has not been proved.(ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: antony, Border Road, BRO, criminals, culprits, Cyber Security, Defence Minister, espionage, Golden Jubilee Celebration, intelligence agencies, kasab, military exercise, military intelligence, New Delhi, Present Law, Proper Message, security breach, sidelines, Taliban, western borders

Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan”s father hails Kasab”s death sentence

May 7, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Bangalore, May 7 (ANI): K. Unnikrishnan, the father of late Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan who was martyred during the 26/11 Mumbai attack, has termed the death sentence awarded to Pakistani gunman Ajmal Amir Kasab, as a symbolic punishment and wished the sentence is executed at the earliest.

Major Sandeep, an officer of Indian Army and deputed to the National Security Guards, the crack commando outfit, died fighting militants outside the Taj Hotel in Mumbai.
“There is no question of satisfaction, but this is a symbolic punishment with a symbolic judgement. We can”t bring any victim back, that”s the tragic thing, and we definitely have to do much more, to at least to have…this is just the first step, second step should be to reduce the time,” said Unnikrishnan.

In Kakra Dubwal, an obscure village in Allahabad district, the family members and friends of Phool Chand, a taxi driver who was shot dead by the Mumbai attackers also welcomed the judgement.

However, Sanju Devi, the widow of Phool Chand said that she would be satisfied only when Kasab is hung.

“I will be satisfied only when I see that he (Kasab) is hanged,” she added.
Judge M L Tahiliyani awarded a death sentence to Kasab for waging war against India, murder, conspiracy to murder, and participating in an act of terror under Unlawful Activity Prevention Act (UAPA).

Judge Tahaliyani felt that Kasab”s crime fell under the judicial definition of “rarest of rare” cases.

Judge Tahiliyani also awarded a life term to Kasab on five other counts.

Judge Tahiliyani also felt that having Kasab alive could pose perpetual danger to the nation.

He also added that Kasab was a menace to society.

Immediately after pronouncement of the death sentence, Judge Tahaliyani sent his order for confirmation to the Bombay High Court.

The death penalty will not be implemented immediately as it has to be confirmed by the High Court.

Kasab has the option of appealing to higher courts, and can also file a mercy petition for the consideration of the President of India.

Earlier, Kasab was pronounced guilty on Monday and the prosecution and defence ended their arguments on the quantum of sentence to be handed out on Tuesday. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: act of terror, attackers, Bombay High Court, death sentence, Hotel in Mumbai, indian army, judgement, kasab, Menace To Society, Murder Conspiracy, obscure village, phool chand, prevention act, pronouncement, Rare Cases, sandeep, security guards, Taj hotel, taxi driver, UAPA

Pak’s latest flip-flop, says it never demanded Kasab’s extradition

May 7, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Islamabad, May 7 (ANI): In yet another flip-flop, Pakistan has denied asking India to handover the lone November 2008 Mumbai attacker Ajmal Amir Kasab to it.

Talking to reporters after a special anti-terror court in Mumbai awarded death sentence to Kasab, Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said Islamabad had never asked for his extradition.

When asked about Kasab’s death penalty, Basit said Pakistan maintains that it was important to bring the perpetrators of the dastardly act to justice.

“Pakistan has strongly condemned the horrific attack. It’s important that the culprits are brought to justice,” The Daily Times quoted Basit, as saying.

“We would appreciate that our legal experts go through the detailed judgement,” he added.

It is worth mentioning here that days ago Pakistan had handed over six dossiers to India regarding developments made in the 26/11 probe and sought the extradition of Kasab, and Fahim Ansari, an Indian accused of conducting recce of places targeted by terrorists.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik had also said India should give Pakistan access to Kasab to facilitate the trial of seven terrorists arrested in the country in connection with the Mumbai attacks.

“Kasab’s statement is of paramount importance in the Mumbai attack case… it is an important document for the court and we need it,” Malik had said earlier.

During a meeting with Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Sharat Sabharwal last month, Malik had stressed that Kasab should be extradited to Pakistan after his trial in India is over, as his statement would prove to be of great importance in the prosecution of the seven suspects, including Lashkar-e-Taiba’s (LeT) operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: attacker, culprits, Dastardly Act, Death Penalty, death sentence, extradition, fahim, flip-flop, foreign office, indian high commissioner, interior minister, kasab, Lashkar-e-Taiba, legal experts, office spokesman, paramount importance, perpetrators, recce, rehman malik, Seven Suspects

Kasab’s conviction must not lead to complacency

May 6, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 6 (ANI): Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone Pakistani terrorist caught alive in the aftermath of the 26/11 terrorist attack at Mumbai has been found guilty of 80 out of 86 charges by the special court of Judge ML Tahilyani and has been sentenced to death.

The trial that was completed in a record 525 days has been hailed as a triumph for of the Indian judiciary since every possible opportunity of defence, including a lawyer, was provided to the accused whose complicity in the terror strike was well established at the very outset.

The fact the two alleged co-conspirators of Indian origin, Fahim Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed, have been acquitted on grounds of lack of evidence adds to the stature of the honourable Court.

The euphoria being generated with respect to the judicial process and the high moral threshold attained by Indian democracy are justified.

However, this is an apt time to determine whether we are more secure and better prepared now than we were when the attack took place.

P Chidabaram, who took over as Home Minister after the debacle, has worked hard to revitalize the internal security apparatus of the country.

His effort deserves appreciation, but the attack on the German Bakery at Pune serves as a grim reminder of the fact that we are a long way from attaining foolproof security.

The pressure exerted on Pakistan in the aftermath of the attack had a salutary effect for some time.

The country put a top commander of LeT, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, under arrest and some effort was made to contain the activities of terrorist groups targeting India. Unfortunately, subsequent events and action bear testimony that the efforts were temporary face-saving gimmicks.

Top leaders like Hafiz Saeed, Syed Salahuddin and Mohd Azgar are not only roaming free, but are also propagating anti-India sentiment with impunity.

On February 6, on the occasion of the so-called Kashmir Solidarity Day celebrated every year across Pakistan, the banned Jamat-ud-Dawa was allowed to hold public rallies in Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Banners in support of Jihad were openly hung along the Mall Road in Lahore and CD’s in favour of Jehad were freely distributed.

None other than Hafiz Saeed whose arrest has been repeatedly demanded by India addressed the participants. All this was happening just a few days after the proposal for foreign secretary level talks was mooted at the behest of none other than Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, this not an exception but a common place happening in Pakistan.

Many precious lives have been lost in the last few months due to aggressive bids by terror organizations operating, in concert with the Pakistan Army, to increase infiltration along the line of control in Jammu and Kashmir and to revitalize terror groups operating within the state.

Terror is terror, and while articulating its effect, no distinction can be made between Mumbai and Kashmir or any other part of the country.

Kasab got what he deserves, but the challenges that the country faces due to export of terrorism from Pakistan will not abate with his conviction.

In fact, we have to be prepared for a possible retaliation. Pakistan’s professed determination to stop the proliferation of terror from its soil is no more than lip service, and the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is testimony to this fact.

Under the circumstances there is no room for complacency while addressing internal security challenges. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: ajmal, ansari, Apt Time, Banne, conspirators, foolproof security, grim reminder, Hafiz, Home Minister, Indian Democracy, indian judiciary, indian origin, internal security, kasab, lack of evidence, salutary effect, security apparatus, syed salahuddin, terrorist attack, terrorist groups

Surviving Mumbai gunman facing execution

May 4, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

A Pakistani man faces a possible death sentence after being convicted by an Indian court in connection with the 2008 terrorist attacks on Mumbai.

Mohammad Ajmal Kasab was the only gunman to survive the siege, which left more than 160 people dead after a three-day rampage through some of Mumbai’s best known landmarks, including two luxury hotels and a Jewish centre.

Prosecutors said Kasab was caught on tape strolling through Mumbai’s main train station carrying an AK-47 rifle and a knapsack. Nearly 60 people were gunned down in the crowded station.

Kasab, wounded by police and arrested on the first night of the attacks, initially admitted his role but then said he had been framed.

Under the glare of the world’s media in a packed court room inside a maximum security prison, judge ML Talayhani read through the lengthy indictment of 86 charges.

He found Kasab guilty on each one, including waging war against India and murder which carry the death penalty.

Kasab sat with his head bowed as the guilty verdicts were read out.

The trial lasted more than a year and the judge took more than a month to consider all the evidence.

The widely expected verdict came after the prosecution said there was overwhelming evidence against Kasab, including photos and 610 witness statements.

There has been pressure on India to be seen to be delivering justice in this case.

Sentencing has been adjourned until Wednesday but several of his convictions, like waging war against India and murder, carry the death penalty.

Two Indian nationals accused of being members of the Pakistani militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and of conducting reconnaissance in Mumbai before the attack were acquitted of all charges.

The Mumbai attack prompted New Delhi to break off peace talks with Pakistan, saying Islamabad must first act against militants operating from its soil, including the LeT, of which Kasab is accused of being a member.

India had charged 38 people in connection with the attack, most of them living in Pakistan.

The verdict comes days after the prime ministers of India and Pakistan held talks in Bhutan and asked their officials to take steps to normalise relations, signalling a thaw in ties that analysts say should not be affected by the verdict.

One risk to normalising relations is another major militant attack in India and the ensuing political pressure that could force the government to break off the dialogue process.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: ajmal, ak 47 rifle, Death Penalty, death sentence, Guilty Verdicts, indian nationals, indictment, jewish centre, kasab, Knapsack, Lashkar-e-Taiba, luxury hotels, Main Train Station, Maximum Security Prison, militant group, Overwhelming Evidence, pakistani man, peace talks, s media, witness statements

Kasab”s quantum of punishment to be decided on May 6

May 4, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Mumbai, May 4 (ANI): A Mumbai Special Court on Tuesday fixed May 6 as the date to announce the quantum of punishment to Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

Earlier, Mumbai Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam formally demanded the death penalty for Kasab, who was found guilty of waging war against India.

Nikam said that Kasab wanted to inspire others to take part in fidayeen or suicide attacks.

He also called Kasab a killing machine manufactured in Pakistan.

The court-appointed defence lawyer for Kasab, K P Pawar, is now expected to seek leniency for his client.

On Monday, it pronounced a verdict in a courtroom at the Arthur Road Jail here. Judge M L Tahiliyani declared Kasab guilty of all 86 charges filed against him.

The charges against Kasab include waging war against India, murder, abetting to murder, attempt to murder, violation of the Arms Act, Explosives Act, the Unlawful Activity Prevention Act (UAPA) and others.

However, in an unexpected move, the court found two Indian co-accused– Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed – not guilty and said they must be acquitted of all charges due to lack of evidence.

For the first time in Indian judicial history, it was established in a court of law that Pakistan was involved in an act of terrorism and of waging war against India.

Judge Tahiliyani said the way the ten terrorists countered the elite National Security Guards (NSG) clearly established that they were trained to fight a war.

Though no direct evidences were mentioned against Lashkar-e Taiba leader Hafiz Saeed and Zakir -ur -Rehman, the court found them guilty based on Kasab”s confessional statement.

The court also accepted Kasab”s confessional statement.

The court also said the DNA test conducted on the seven dead terrorists matched prints collected from the boat ”Kuber”.

It said the evidence proved that Additional Commissioner of Police Ashok Kamte had died of a bullet fired by terrorist Abu Ismail, while it was not established who killed Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare and encounter specialist Inspector Vijay Saluskar.

The trial, perhaps the fastest in a terror case in India, commenced on May 8, 2009.

Judge Tahaliyani recorded 3,192 pages of evidence after examining 658 witnesses on 271 working days. Thirty witnesses in the court identified Kasab as the man who had opened fire on them.

Nikam submitted 1,015 articles seized during investigations. He had also filed 1,691 documents to support the case.

He had also argued that Pakistan”s security apparatus was used by the terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

The prosecution also tabled CCTV footage of the terrorists moving about with guns and firing at people.

The images were captured on CCTV cameras fitted at CST Railway Station, the Times of India building, and the Taj Mahal and Oberoi Hotels.

Photographs of Kasab shot by photojournalists Sebastian D”souza and Sriram Vernekar were also placed before the court.

Kasab is a native of Faridkot, in Pakistan”s Punjab Province.

He along with nine other terrorists, who were killed during the gun battle with security forces in Mumbai have been charged with killing 166 people, including 25 foreigners. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: ansari, arthur road, commissioner of police, confessional statement, defence lawyer, dna test, fidayeen, Hafiz, Judicial History, kasab, Killing Machine, Lashkar-e-Taiba, leniency, nikam, Pawar, prevention act, public prosecutor, suicide attacks, UAPA, Unexpected Move

Mumbai prosecutor Nikam demands death sentence for Kasab

May 4, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 4 (ANI): Mumbai Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam on Tuesday formally demanded the death penalty for the lone surviving terrorist of the 26/11 attacks, Ajmal Amir Kasab, who was found guilty of waging war against India.