Rains lash south Mumbai; evidence may be washed off

MUMBAI: The probe into the synchronized blasts which rocked south and central Mumbai on Wednesday may hit a stumbling block as heavy rains lashed the area, triggering fears that crucial evidence may be lost before being collected by the forensic experts.

Forensic experts of Maharashtra and from Central Forensic Laboratory Delhi have reached here and were working to loca

te the vital clues of these blasts when the downpour started.

“It may not have much effect but some evidence may be washed away,” a police officer said.

Anti-Terror Squad of Mumbai police armed with sophisticated gadgets and sniffer dogs swamped the area and sleuths were trying to ensure that no damage be done to forensic evidence including blood and explosive samples.

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NDMA to conduct 'mock drills' at all nuclear facilities

NEW DELHI: As part of India's preparedness to handle nuclear disasters, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has decided to conduct 'mock drills' at all nuclear facilities across the country. The exercise will be done “to review the off-site emergency plan” of different authorities.

This was announced by the Union home ministry on Tuesday, the day NDMA began its groundwork for the drill at the Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS) at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu. The two-day drill – which is the second such exercise — will conclude on Wednesday.

The first mock drill was conducted at Tarapur in Maharashtra on June 10-11 i

n the wake of the recent disasters in Japan. At present, the country has 18 nuclear facilities in six different states. NDMA will conduct such an exercise one-by-one at all the facilities.

Besides officials of the nuclear facilities, personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police, Civil Defence and Home Guards will take part in the drill.

“In the event of potential radiological consequences in the public domain, the authorities at the level of district, state and Centre are to play a vital role in its mitigation mechanism and therefore, there is a need to review off-site emergency plan”, the home ministry said in a statement.

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Manohar hits out at Modi

Mumbai, June 5 — Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Shashank Manohar hit out at suspended Indian Premier League (IPL) boss Lalit Modi on Saturday, saying he was trying to ‘malign the image’ of the Board and interim IPL chairman Chirayu Amin by alleging that Amin was part of the failed bid for the Pune IPL team. Manohar alleged that Modi himself had asked the bidders to get Amin to be part of the consortium.

After reports emerged on Friday of NCP chief Sharad Pawarar’s possible links with the IPL, Modi had defended Pawar and claimed that Amin was part of the consortium led by City Corporation’s Aniruddha Deshpande, who bid for the team. Deshpande is Pawar’s close aide.

Manohar said, “The truth is that it was Mr Modi himself who sent a message to the Pune franchisees through Mr Ajay Shirke, President, MCA (Maharashtra Cricket Association), asking them to contact Mr Amin and ask him to be a part of the consortium.” Modi, who has already charged Manohar and BCCI secretary N Srinivasan with bias in the ongoing inquiry into his running of the IPL, had further alleged on Friday that Manohar had neither informed him nor the IPL Governing Council about Amin’s letter seeking permission to be part of the consortium.

Making Amin’s March 17 letter public, Manohar said Amin had informed the BCCI that he would make an investment of up to 10 per cent if he joined the consortium. Amin had also stated that if City Corp won the bid, he would seek formal sanction from the Board to invest, Manohar pointed out.

“First and foremost, Mr Amin’s letter was not for asking permission to bid

Sharma to file nomination tomorrow in Jaipur

New Delhi, Jun 6 (PTI) Union Commerce Minister Anand Sharma will be filing his nomination for the Rajya Sabha elections in Jaipur tomorrow. Sharma, who has been made the Congress nominee for the elections to the RS from Rajasthan, would be reaching Jaipur today for early filing of his nomination tomorrow.

Later, he will be proceeding to Turkey to attend an international conference on security. The Congress High Command yesterday ended suspense over his nomination by fielding him in the Rajya Sabha polls from Rajasthan, two months after the expiry of his term in the House.

57-year old Sharma, who hails from Himachal Pradesh, shifts to Rajasthan as his party was not in a position to get him re-elected from his home state, where BJP runs the government. His term expired on April 2 and since then there was speculation over fielding him from Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Sharma”s shifting to Rajasthan resulted in dashing the hopes of former Union Minister Santosh Bagrodia who failed to get renomination. This will be Sharma”s third term in the Upper House.

Advani skips party convention

Uttan (Maharashtra), June 6 (IANS) Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani Sunday skipped the ongoing two-day party convention being held here due to ill health, a party official said.

Advani was scheduled to make a concluding speech Sunday afternoon but his trip was postponed at the last minute, the official told IANS.

In his place, opposition leader in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj was to make the concluding remarks on the charter of ‘National Convention on Good Governance’.

The convention has been a closed-door affair, conducted in the sylvan surroundings of Uttan, a village on the Arabian Sea coast, around 40 km north of Mumbai.

The morning session Sunday was addressed by senior party leaders M. Venkaiah Naidu and Ananth Kumar, among others.

A total 83 delegates were invited for what is billed as the ‘first of its kind convention involving so many state leaders on the vital issue of good governance’.

Besides party president Nitin Gadkari, who was present on the opening Saturday, the convention was attended by five chief ministers of BJP-ruled states. However, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Kumar could not make it as he lost his father a day before the event.

Two deputy chief ministers, including Sushilkumar Modi from Bihar and 73 ministers, besides the party chiefs of eight states also marked their attendance.

This is the first major convention of the BJP being held in Maharashtra after Gadkari, who hails from Nagpur, took over as party chief last year.

Silver foil making artisans battle for survival amidst diminishing profits

Jaipur, June 6 (ANI): The silver-foil making artisans of Jaipur are facing an unprecedented lean period and there seems to be no end in sight.

The famous ‘Vark’ makers of the Pink City have been registering poor collections because the price of their craftsmanship remains stagnant while that of its raw-material, silver, keeps fluctuating and has skyrocketed in the past few months.

“When the rate of silver goes high, then we face problems …the wage decreases…because the rate of silver may go up whereas the labourers” wages are fixed and the income decreases,” said Attah-Ullah Padal, owner of a silver foil making unit.

Silver prices in Jaipur almost touched rupees 30000 (640 US dollars) for a kilogram as compared to rupees 25000 (around 534 US dollars) over the past couple of months.

Ayurdvedic and Unani preparations also contain ‘Vark’ as it is believed that the silver possesses healing properties.

“There are many pharmaceutical companies such as Charak, Baidyanath, and other so many companies where the silver foil is used for medicinal purposes and foil from Jaipur is supplied to these companies,” said Gulam Ali Khan, supplier.

The popular ‘Vark’ has its biggest consumer base in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat.

The 2,500 ‘Vark’ making artisans live in a colony named Pannighar first set up by Maharaja Jai Singh who ruled Jaipur around three centuries ago. (ANI)

Congress renominates Ambika Soni, Mohsina Kidwai for Rajya Sabha polls

New Delhi, June 4 (ANI): The Congress party has renominated Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni from Punjab and All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Mohsina Kidwai from Chhattisgarh for the biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha.

“Four other candidates renominated include Vijay Darda and Avinash Pandey from Maharashtra, EMS Natchiappan from Tamil Nadu and Dheeraj Prasad Sahu from Jharkhand,” an AICC release said on Friday.

Earlier on Thursday, Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh was given a ticket to contest the Rajya Sabha elections from Andhra Pradesh.

The elections are being held for the 55 Rajya Sabha seats. The voting for 49 seats from 12 states will take place on June 17, while polling for six Andhra Pradesh seats will be held on June 14. (ANI)

Nagpur residents reel under heat wave

Nagpur, May 26 (ANI): Residents of Nagpur, Maharashtra, are reeling from heat wave that has thrown normal life completely out of gear.

Temperatures in the Nagpur are hovering around 47 degrees Celsius mark.

In Vidarbha, the temperature is 47.7 degree Celsius.

Temperatures across Maharashtra are at an all time high, compelling locals to stay indoors.

For those moving out, it has been a difficult time.

“It has become very difficult to go out. We have to cover our head and face with handkerchief and cloth and also wear sun glasses, every time we want to go out,” said Vasant Sathe, a Nagpur resident.

People are consuming lemon soda and fruit juices prepared byroadside vendors whose business is roaring in the hot weather.

“My body feels as if it is burning. Evenings are a little better. I don”t want to go out in the sun but I have to,” said Ramesh Hajare, a resident. (ANI)

Oscar winner Resul Pookutty”s autobiography released

Mumbai, May 14 (ANI): An autobiography of Oscar winning Bollywood sound designer Resul Pookutty was released here on Thursday.

Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan launched the book with music maestro A. R. Rehman and acclaimed Bollywood lyricist Gulzar receiving the first copy of the book.

Written in Malyalam, ”Shabdatharampadam” (Way of Sound Track), is an oral narrative which is an interesting mix of music, technology, philosophy and humour.

The book is a travelogue of an ordinary person who confronts extraordinary situations.

Talking to mediapersons, Pookutty said that he wrote the book as he had a lot to say.

“I don”t think age has anything to do with stories that you want to tell, and as long as the story touches you, as long as it can touch people”s mind, it should be told. You can call it an autobiography or a biography, a short story or a novel, whatever it is. I think I had something to say and I put it down and it ran into pages; that”s because I had a lot to say,” he added.

He said though he is not sure whether to take up writing as a profession, but he would surely write in future if he feels something needs to be told.

“I do not know if I am going to continue writing as a profession but obviously if there are things that touches my heart and needs to be told, I will write again,” he added.

Pookutty won the Academy Award for Best Sound Mixing for ”Slumdog Millionaire”. He has worked for Hollywood, Bollywood and Malayalam film industries. (ANI)

Maharashtra Premier League appoints KyaZoonga.com as its official ticketing partner

Mumbai,May 10 (ANI-Business Wire India): Tickets to the Maharashtra Premier League can now be booked on KyaZoonga.com, India”s first and largest entertainment and sports ticketing company.
The Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) and Sakal, the promoters of the league have appointed KyaZoonga as their exclusive ticketing services partner.

The partnership will enable T20 fans to simply log on to www.kyazoonga.com and book tickets for MPL cricket matches that will be played at the D.Y. Patil stadium and cheer their favorite team live!
Retail outlets and venue box-office sales will also go live shortly.

Announcing the partnership and commencement of ticket sales, Ajay Shirke, President, MCA said, “The Maharashtra Premier League Twenty20 Tournament was extremely well received in the state last year and our idea was to scale up the event considerably.”

“Through our association with KyaZoonga, we are looking to reach out to a large section of cricket fans that would like to book tickets to their favorite games from the comfort of their homes,” he added.

“KyaZoonga pioneered cricket ticketing in the country and has successfully ticketed all forms of the game. Our choice of ticketing partner was obvious once we decided to expand the scale of the MPL,” he said.

“We believe, KyaZoonga”s deep and wide experience in end-to-end ticketing will prove very useful in making this tournament a grand success. Tickets are very reasonably priced so that fans can attend as many games as they wish,” he added.

Neetu Bhatia, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO, KyaZoonga.com, said:”We are very excited to be associated with MCA and Sakal for the Maharashtra Premier league Twenty20 Tournament. After the huge success of the MPL last year, a much bigger event has been planned this time, and it promises to be an absolute extravaganza.”

“India is a nation of cricket lovers, and we are happy to be a part of an event that promises to bring much delight to everyone who watches it. The partnership further underscores KyaZoonga”s commitment to making exciting events easily accessible to consumers,” she added.

“On a personal note, as a former Maharashtra player and captain, cricket in the state is extremely close to my heart. We are extremely excited to be bringing our innovative technologies and services to the game in the state,” she said

To book your tickets and participate in exciting contests, log on to www.kyazoonga.com. (ANI)

Geoscientists resolve water crisis in villages in Aurangabad District

Aurangabad, May 10 (ANI): Using revolutionary technological innovations, a team of geoscientists in the drought-prone Marathwada region of Maharashtra has claimed to have resolved the acute water crisis prevailing in the region.

Nearly 73 villages in Aurangabad district, which were facing a severe scarcity of water, have benefited from the unconventional techniques developed by a team of geoscientists from the Groundwater Survey and Development Agency (GSDA).

According to E E Shah of the regional GSDA office, the innovative experiment has opened up sources of water by blasting decade old wells.

“In view of harnessing groundwater supply in the region, unconventional measures have been adopted nearly 20 years ago. One of them is bore-well blasting,” said Shah.

It was first tried out in Kachnapur village where the wells had dried up and residents had to travel for miles to get water.

When the geoscientists from GSDA surveyed the region, they found that even though the well was dry, there was water below the surface of the ”dried” well.

To resolve this, they dug up 17 borewells in the vicinity of the ”driedup wells” and blasted them up after filling it with explosives.

Water filled up the well, and solved the predicament of the villagers.

Highlighting this tapping of water from ground sources, Shah added, “The borewells around the wells were filled with explosives and blasts were carried out. The groundwater came out almost immediately because it got channelled towards the well.”

Later, this innovative technique conceptualised by GDSA was tried out successfully in Pendphal village of Vaijapur Block.

Residents claim that the level of water in the well now is the same as it is when rainfall is good.

The GDSA scientists put massive pressure on the bore-wells near the village well, and made liquefied cement to flow in them. This considerably restricted the flow of groundwater and thereby the wastage, and groundwater began to collect within the well.
This technique, known as fracture seal cementation, has also eased the problems in areas where water is scarce. (ANI)

Karnataka farmers take to Grape farming

Bangalore, May 8 (ANI): Karnataka farmers are making good profits out of grape farming, as in the last five years, the farming of grapes has increased manifold and high profits has encouraged more farmers into this trade.

The grape farming culture began in Karnataka in the early sixties; prior to sixties Karnataka had one traditional Bangalore Blue quality of grapes.

Karnataka still has monopoly in the Bangalore Blue quality of grapes, as it is the only State that grows the black grape used basically for brewing wine and spirit.

With the increase in demand, farmers started growing other qualities of grapes like Anobi, Sopi, Dilkhus, Red Globe, Sarad and Sarad Krishna.

“Bangalore Blue is a quality grape. Anobi and Dilkhus are main crops in Bilapur area, and Seelus in Bijapur area. We also produce Sarad Krishna, Red Globe, but in small quantity,” said Narayan Swamy a farmer in Bangalore.

“Our main production is of Bangalore Blue and Dilkhus, with Anobi we make juice out of it and with these grapes we prepare juices, wines, spirit,” he added.

The production of resins (Kishmish) is another profit making aspect of grape growing.

Karnataka Government is going all out to promoting grape farming in the State.

” Karnataka Government has set up a board to have the wine production; they are encouraging farmers to grow certain varieties that are set to be imported from France, said P.Venugopal, a former horticulture official.

“There are about 19 varieties, which have grown in a pocket of Bangalore and in some areas of Bijapur district,” he added.

The way grape farming is growing in Karnataka, it aims to trounce neighbouring Maharashtra as the largest grape producing state in the country. (ANI)

Tigers get more space in Maharashtra”s forest reserves

Chandrapur (Maharashtra), May 7 (ANI): Wildlife experts at Tadoba-Andheri Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Maharashtra have welcomed a state government decision to issue notice for a buffer zone around its currently existing area.

Keeping in mind the increasing population of the tigers in the reserve, the state government on Thursday issued the notice along with the permission to run Tiger Conservation Foundations (TCFs), which supports the management and conservation of tigers, in the three tiger reserves of Melghat, Pench and Tadoba.

Four newborn cubs were spotted in the reserve on April 12, and with the newly allotted land, wildlife experts said the tigers would enjoy more space and protection.

“The cubs are taking birth in the reserve; they (authorities) have released a notification based on their population. This will give a benefit to tigers as the area will increase and they will have more space and protection,” said Kundan Hate, wildlife expert.

Hate opined that the government should now pay attention to the staff related problems of the reserve.

“The protection becomes more crucial as there is lack of staff, as people are not joining. Now the staff-related problems of Tadoba should be solved,” he added.

The Wildlife Protection Amendment Act, 2006, Section 38(10), provides for the establishment of TCFs in each tiger reserve to facilitate and support management, apart from taking initiatives for involving people in conservation.

As per the Section 38(5) of the WPA (1972), buffer zones around tiger reserves are mandatory. (ANI)

Hailstones damage mango crop in Maharashtra

Aurangabad, May 6 (ANI): Farmers are lamenting the damage to their mango crops in various regions of Maharashtra due to hailstones and early rainfall.

Every year Aurangabad district exports around 70 tons of Kesar Mangoes to USA.
But earlier this week, due to hailstorms and unexpected rainfall, the mangoes have been damaged, and developed holes and bruises.

“Almost all the mango crops in this area have been affected by rain and hailstones. Some officials from the agriculture and revenue department came to inspect the crops,” said Vinayak Pathrikar, mango farmer.

The farmers fear that they will not be able to meet the export targets.

“The quality of the mango crops has now deteriorated for the purpose of export. That is why this year we won”t be able to achieve the export targets. Especially in Gangapur…and Aurangabad, hailstorms have damaged the crops to a large extent, especially the Kesar mango crops,” said Trayambak Pathrikar, Secretary, Mango Growers Association, Aurangabad.

Farmers receive Rs 70,000-75, 000 for every ton of mangoes exported to the US, and make an annual profit of Rs 4.5 million.

Kesar Mango has a unique sweet taste and is characterized by its golden colour with green overtones. The fruit is slightly smaller compared to the Alphonso variety. (ANI)

Gujarat, Maharashtra ink pact on interlinking rivers

New Delhi, May 4 (ANI): With an aim to provide water to arid and water deficit areas, Gujarat and Maharashtra have signed a pact with the Central Government to prepare project reports to inter-link several rivers in their region.

The tripartite MoU was signed by Gujarat and Maharashtra Chief Ministers Narendra Modi and Ashok Chavan respectively, and Union Water Resources Minister P K Bansal in the presence of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh here on Tuesday.

The agreement has been culmination of the joint efforts of the Central Government and the governments of Gujarat and Maharashtra to initiate the process of preparation of Detailed Project Reports of these two links for providing benefits to the people of the areas at the earliest.

The proposed Damanganga-Pinjal and Par-Tapi-Narmada links are two Inter Basin Water Transfer links concerning Gujarat and Maharashtra.

While the Damanganga-Pinjal link mainly benefits Maharashtra, the Par-Tapi- Narmada link would mainly benefit the regions in Gujarat.

Dr Singh hailed both the State Governments for undertaking the task to address the water problem of the region.

“The signing of this MoU is a shining example of co-operation and mutual understanding between the riparian states in addressing water requirements. I hope that this positive step will be progressively built upon for the greater good of the people of the country,” he said.

The agreement would help in irrigating around 175000 lakh hectares of agricultural land in Gujarat.

“This agreement would help in irrigating around 175000 lakh hectares of agricultural land in Gujarat…a detailed project report (DPR) and feasibility report will be ready by the year 2011 and only after that we will decide the further strategy,” said Modi. (ANI)

Maoists blast newly built police station in Bihar

Chapra (Bihar), Mar 25 (ANI): The Maoists blew up a newly built police station at Bhelbi in Bihar”s Saran district.

Sources said over 50 armed Maoists surrounded the building at around 11: 45 p.m. on Wednesday night and fired indiscriminately before triggering a dynamite blast.

The Bhelbi police station was to shift in the newly constructed building.

No casualty was, however, reported in the incident.

The Maoists left behind a note asking the State Government to halt Operation Green Hunt and set free its top leaders lodged in various jails.

There are reports that the local police are conducting raids in order to apprehend the rebels.

The Maoists had earlier shot dead a private security guard, a truck driver and looted weapons from a government toll collection point at Bihar”s Mahapur village in Gaya district.

On Monday and Tuesday, the Maoists had called for a 48-hour shutdown in Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and three districts of Maharashtra protesting against the Central Government”s operation to deal with Maoists menace. (ANI)

Maoists kill two people, loot arms in Bihar (up date)

Mahapur (Bihar), Mar 24 (ANI): The Maoists shot dead a private security guard, a truck driver and looted weapons from a government toll collection point at Bihar’s Mahapur village in Gaya District.

According to Bihar Police the gruesome incident took place late on Tuesday night.

Police added that over 150 armed Maoists attacked the toll gate and started firing and hurling bombs killing one of the guards and a truck driver.

The Maoists also looted over sixteen weapons, including rifles, carbines and several rounds of ammunition.

On receipt of information the police rushed to the spot.

There was also an encounter between the police and the Maoists, which lasted for over 20 minutes.

Police claimed that during the encounter some of the Maoists were killed but while fleeing from the spot they took away the dead bodies.

“On the occasion of a strike call given by Maoists they struck a toll plaza and killed a truck driver and a security guard and took away his weapons,” said Ranjan Kumar, Superintendent of Police, Gaya District.

Police said that the Maoists also set the toll plaza on fire before leaving the spot.

On Monday and Tuesday, the Maoists had called for a 48-hour shutdown in Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and three districts of Maharashtra protesting against the Union Government”s operation to deal with Maoists menace. (ANI)

Maoists kill a private security guard, loot arms in Bihar

Mahapur (Bihar), Mar 24 (ANI): The Maoists shot dead a private security guard and looted weapons from a government toll collection point at Bihar’s Mahapur village in Gaya District.

According to Bihar Police the gruesome incident took place late on Tuesday night.

Police added that over 150armed Maoists attacked the toll gate and started firing and hurling bombs killing, one of the guards.

The Maoists also looted over sixteen weapons, including rifles, carbines and several rounds of ammunition.

On receipt of information the police rushed to the spot.

There was also an encounter took place between the police and the Maoists, which lasted for over 20 minutes.

Police claimed that during the encounter some of the Maoists were killed but while fleeing from the spot they took away the dead bodies.

“On the occasion of a strike call given by Maoists they struck a toll plaza and killed a truck driver and a security guard and took away his weapons,” said Ranjan Kumar, Superintendent of Police, Gaya District.

On Monday and Tuesday, the Maoists had called for a 48-hour shutdown in Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and three districts of Maharashtra protesting against the Union Government”s operation to deal with Maoists menace. (ANI)

Journalism has a vital role to play in progress of a nation: Kapil Sibal

New Delhi, March 22 (ANI): Union Minister for Human Resources Development Kapil Sibal on Monday said that the journalism has a vital role to play in the progress of a nation.

Addressing during a programme related to the giving away of IPI-India Awards for Excellence in Journalism for the year 2009 in the national capital, Sibal said that the two key entities for democracy were Free Press and Free Judiciary.

On the aspect of freedom of speech, Sibal reminded the journalists that it does not merely mean passing adverse comments on any issue, event or a person but speaking for those millions who do not have the voice to express their grievances and make them heard.

In the same vein, Sibal also had a dig at politicians when he mentioned that a majority of the leaders do have the voice to say that they rarely use and it is the media that lets them speak. That is how he would define freedom of speech, Sibal stated.

Touching about the ‘Trial by Media’, Sibal said it has emerged due to the failure of the obligatory machinery of law.

Further, Sibal regretted the fact that these days several editors assign beats to journalists who lack the basic knowledge of the subject matter.

As such, he suggested, the journalists should cultivate commitment, passion, and attitude in their profession.

Earlier, Dr. Justice A. S. Anand, former Chief Justice of India had raised the topic of trial by the media.
He said that two odd trends in the media of late are against journalistic ethics namely; the media trial and the paid news.

The IPI-India Award for the year 2009 were presented to Bidisha Ghosal of The Week magazine for her in-depth coverage on sexual exploitation of the widows in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra after their farmer husbands had committed suicide.

The other award winner was Indian Express. It was conferred for the daily’s exposition of radical Hindus being the masterminds in the Malegaon blasts.

IPI-India is the Indian chapter of the Vienna-based International Press Institute, a forum of editors, media experts and journalists, and it is committed to free press. (ANI)

Maoists call for two-day shutdown in six states

Kolkata, Mar 22 (ANI): A two-day shutdown called by Maoists across the six states of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhatisgarh, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh as well as three districts of Maharashtra begins on Monday.

The shutdown is in protest against the Union Budget, which the rebels claim is anti-poor and prepared under the dictates of the World Bank.

The shutdown has been called to create public opinion against Operation Greenhunt launched by the Central Government against the Maoists.

The Maoists have also warned Union Home Minister P Chidambaram that there would be large-scale violence if the police continue to hunt down its cadres and kill innocent people.

All the six states have been put on high alert following the shutdown.

Maoists had on Saturday morning abducted nine people in Jharkhand including seven government officials, but later released them after three hours due to the pressure imposed on them by the local police.

Chidambaram had on February 12 defended the use of force against Maoists, saying it was a legitimate right of the Government to establish law and order, build infrastructure and set up welfare measures.

He expressed confidence that the Centre would be able to get rid of the Maoist menace over the next four years; thereby assuring that once the areas are cleared of Maoist elements, development work can be pursued expeditiously.

Referring to the reported offer of talks made by the Maoists through the media recently, Chidambaram said, “Why aren”t the Maoists making a simple statement that we abjure violence?”

The Maoist rebels are apparently waiting for a respite from a security force”s operation against them. (ANI)