http://www.ipcs.org/ipcs/ipcsNewsReportsIndia.main.jsp, 13 May 2008

Nandigram: Home Ministry seeks report Special Correspondent NEW DELHI: The Union Home Ministry on Monday sought a detailed report from the West Bengal government on the first phase of the panchayat polls, particularly the situation in Nandigram where the Central Reserve Police Force and police were reportedly involved in a clash with the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) cadres. ???The Home Ministry has sought a detailed report from the State government on developments in Nandigram,??? a Home Ministry spokesman said. After getting the report, the Ministry is likely to hold a high-level meeting with senior officials to take stock of the situation. The first phase of the panchayat polls in five districts on Sunday was marred by a confrontation between CPI(M) MP Lakshman Seth and CRPF???s DIG Alok Raj. During the polling, which was by and large peaceful, Maoists detonated a landmine in Purulia, killing a BSF jawan and injuring 11 others, while CPI(M) cadres allegedly blocked supporters of the Trinamool Congress from casting their vote at some villages in Nandigram in East Midnapore district. A large contingent of paramilitary forces, including the CRPF and the BSF, was deployed in the areas where polling took place on Sunday. Repoll in four booths Kolkata Special Correspondent reports: Sporadic incidents of violence involving Trinamool Congress and CPI(M) activists were reported from parts of Nandigram on Monday. Leaders of the two parties traded allegations of instigating violence in the Balrampur and Gorchakrabera areas in which rival supporters were injured in clashes and some houses destroyed, forcing their occupants to seek shelter elsewhere. The State Election Commission has ordered a repoll for Tuesday in four booths in the Nandigram area following complaints of irregularities during Sunday???s elections, an official said here. Inspector-General (Western Range) Rakesh Gupta arrived in Nandigram to inquire into the incidents which led to the alleged assault by CRPF personnel on the officer in charge of the Nandigram thana, Debashis Chakravarty, and into the molestation charge against Mr. Alok Raj. Mr. Gupta is also expected to inquire into allegations of excesses by some CRPF personnel on locals at Gokulnagar while patrolling the area ...

http://www.hinduonnet.com/, 11 May 2008

Five hostages rescued in Jammu Jammu (PTI): Security forces on Sunday stormed a house in Sambha district in Jammu region and rescued all the five hostages, including three women, from militants' clutches, official sources said. The militants, who had sneaked from across the boder ... Jammu (PTI): Security forces on Sunday stormed a house in Sambha district in Jammu region and rescued all the five hostages, including three women, from militants' clutches, official sources said. The militants, who had sneaked from across the boder ... ...

http://www.ipcs.org/ipcs/ipcsNewsReportsIndia.main.jsp, 13 May 2008

Bangalore: Missiles such as the Agni that was test-fired last week could receive a bigger boost to their range thanks to a technological innovation by scientists at the Indian Institute of Science. By coating the nose of the missile with a layer of chromium, scientists at the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry have demonstrated how the missile???s range could be increased by 30 per cent ??? without any increase in fuel expenditure. The chromium coating reduces the aerodynamic drag encountered by the vehicle by up to 47 per cent, said K.P.J. Reddy from the Department of Aerospace Engineering. He led the team of scientists in this project. He said: ???As the chromium coating evaporates with the enormous frictional heat generated during hypersonic flight, it reacts with the oxygen atoms present in the atmosphere and produces chromium oxide. This reaction is exothermic, that is producing more heat, thereby decreasing the density of the air around the nose of the missile. As the pressure reduces, so does the drag force, which in turn enables the missile to increase its range.??? While the nose of the missile is conventionally blunted in order to reduce the problem of heating, this increases drag, which considerably reduces the range. ???Large amounts of fuel are needed to compensate for the drag and to give the vehicle thrust. With this technology, we increase the range without using additional fuel.??? ......

http://www.ipcs.org/ipcs/ipcsNewsReportsIndia.main.jsp, 13 May 2008

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan was plunged into political uncertainty on Monday after the former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, announced that his party was pulling out of the Federal Cabinet following differences with the Pakistan People???s Party over the reinstatement of judges sacked by President Pervez Musharraf last year. Mr. Sharif said the Pakistan Muslim League (N) was driven to this decision by the ruling coalition???s failure to reinstate the judges as promised through a resolution in the National Assembly on May 12. ???Our Ministers will meet the Prime Minister tomorrow [Tuesday] and submit their resignations,??? Mr. Sharif said, after three days of talks in London between him and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on the issue ended in a deadlock. Indicating the difficulties in breaking away within just three months of the election that brought democratic political parties into office, the PML(N) leader said his party would remain in the ruling coalition and provide outside support to the government on an ???issue to issue??? basis. The PPP dismissed speculation that the ruling coalition was coming apart. In a statement, spokesman Farahtullah Babar said the ministries vacated by the PML(N) would not be filled, except for the Finance portfolio because the Ministry needed direction for the upcoming budget session of Parliament. Mr. Babar said: ???The course of dialogue will be pursued to resolve the issue amicably and in a spirit of accommodation and mutual trust.??? The PPP has also decided to stay on in the PML(N)-led Punjab government. Describing the decision by the PML(N) as ???only a pause in the process and not a break in the purpose of restoration of judges and strengthening the Parliament???, Mr. Babar said there was no disagreement on the reinstatement of the judges, but only on the modalities. However, the PPP appeared to be preparing for a possible break-up of the coalition by reaching out to the Pakistan Muslim League (Q). ......