rajnath-singh-terms-bail-granted-to-lakhvi-as-unfortunate-hopes-that-pak-govt-will-appeal-against

Rajnath Singh terms bail granted to Lakhvi as 'unfortunate', hopes that Pak govt will appeal against

New Delhi, Dec 18 (ANI): Home Affairs Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday termed the bail granted to 2008 Mumbai attack accused and LeT commander Zaki ur Rehman Lakhvi as 'very unfortunate'. Singh hoped that Pakistan government will appeal in a higher court so that the bail is cancelled. Meanwhile, India is also working with its mission in Pakistan to prepare a strong response against granting of bail to LeT commander Lakhvi. The decision comes a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif pledged to announce a 'national plan' to tackle terrorism within a week. Dec 18, 2014
after-snowfall-himachal-police-asks-tourists-not-to-visit-manali

After snowfall, Himachal Police asks tourists not to visit Manali

Shimla/ Bhopal/Amritsar, Dec 18 (ANI): Incessant snowfall and cold wave over the last five days have thrown normal life out of gear in Himachal Pradesh including the popular tourist resort town of Manali in the Kullu valley. Police has issued an advisory requesting the tourists not to visit Manali for the next few days as a two to three feet snow cover is there. The dip in mercury due to snowfall in the upper reaches has even impacted northern states such as Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Officials of meteorological department in Himachal Pradesh state have forecast similar weather conditions for the week. Meanwhile, dense fog has disrupted life in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh states. Flights and trains are running late due to low visibility. Dec 18, 2014
pak-court-grants-bail-to-26-11-accused-lakhvi-india-condemns

Pak court grants bail to 26/11 accused Lakhvi, India condemns

New Delhi, Dec 18 (ANI): Top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, accused of plotting the 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai in 2008, has been granted bail by an anti-terror court in Pakistan. The decision came a day after Pakistan's Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif pledged to root out terrorism. Meanwhile, cutting across party lines, political leaders in India condemned the decision and said this shows the double face of Pakistan. Dec 18, 2014
india-calls-pak-courts-decision-to-grant-zaki-ur-rehman-lakhvi-bail-incorrect

India calls Pak court's decision to grant Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi bail 'incorrect'

New Delhi/Mumbai, Dec 18 (ANI): India on Thursday called Pakistan court's decision to grant 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accussed Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi bail 'incorrect'. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said that the decision taken by the Pakistan court is not right. Mumbai Terror Attack Public Prosecutor Ujjawal Nikam appealed the Pakistan prosecution agency to put a stay on the decision of bail and said that Pakistan is being double faced with their distinction of Taliban and the terrorists involved in 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. Dec 18, 2014
stones-hurled-at-navjot-singh-sidhus-caravan-in-jammu

Stones hurled at Navjot Singh Sidhu's caravan in Jammu

Bohr Camp, Dec 18 (ANI): People on Thursday pelted stones at former cricketer and BJP leader Navjot Singh Sidhu's caravan in Jammu and Kashmir. The angry crowd also vandalized a car and the security personnel were injured. People even shouted against Sidhu. According to the reports, Sidhu remained unhurt in the brawl. Sidhu was attacked while campaigning in Bohr camp today apparently over a statement he gave in Uttar Pradesh a month back. On Wednesday, Sidhu had reportedly appealed to the people of Jammu to 'disband' the Congress, People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the National Conference (NC) from the state, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had envisaged a vision for the state in which Jammu and Kashmir would compare favourably with Gujarat. Dec 18, 2014
rajnath-and-sitaram-yechury-in-war-of-words-over-pms-reply-in-rs-over-conversion-issue

Rajnath and Sitaram Yechury in war of words over PM's reply in RS over 'conversion issue'

New Delhi, Dec 18 (ANI): Home Affairs Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday made a statement over conversion issue and said that the prime minister did not speak at the Rajya Sabha over the issue because of disruptions by the opposition. Singh said that since he deals with issues of internal security, he would have given the reply to the debate. He went on to say that there was a possibility that the PM could also have intervened had the discussion taken place before lunch. Reacting on the same, CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury said that the opposition was ready for discussion before lunch and they only asked for the prime minister's reply on the debate. Dec 18, 2014
bjp-team-to-probe-conversion-of-five-bihar-families-to-christianity

BJP team to probe conversion of five Bihar families to Christianity

Bhagalpur, Dec 18 (ANI): Five members of an extremely backward caste family were converted to Christianity at a local church in Bhagalpur district of Bihar. Though the members said they willingly accepted Christianity, villagers suspected that they were converted under "allurement of getting medical treatment". All the five members are poor and suffer from some diseases. Though the family refuted any allurement, the villagers alleged they were guaranteed that their medical expenses would be borne if they convert into Christians. The BJP unit in Bihar will be sending a fact-finding team to Kharaiah village to probe the conversion incident. Dec 18, 2014
tamchon-football-tournament-attracts-many-spectators-in-new-delhi

Tamchon Football Tournament attracts many spectators in New Delhi

New Delhi, Dec 18 (ANI): Thousands of football lovers from the national capital flooded the Dr Ambedkar stadium in Delhi to witness the closing ceremony of the eighth Tamchon Football tournament. A total of 16 teams, comprising of players from the northeast, participated in the tournament to promote peace, friendship and unity among the youth of the country. The final match between Hmar FC and Siamsinpawlpi (SSPP) attracted a large crowd. The event was organized under the aegis of Tanghkul Naga Society, Delhi with support from various government and private agencies. Such events help to make Delhi'ites aware of sporting talent from the Northeast. Hmar FC won by 6-5 over SSPP by penalty goal. The winning team received the winning Trophy along with a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh while the SSPP FC bagged the runners-up trophy with a cash prize of Rs 3 Lakh. Dec 18, 2014
mayawati-taunts-naidus-delhi-remark-says-bjp-may-change-constitution-next

Mayawati taunts Naidu's Delhi remark, says BJP may change Constitution next

New Delhi, Dec 18 (ANI): Taking a jibe at Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu for his suggestion to change the capital's name from Delhi to Indraprastha or Hastinapur, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati said on Thursday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) might also change the Indian Constitution. During a discussion in the Parliament on the National Capital of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill earlier this week, Naidu had suggested that Delhi should have been named either Indraprashtha or Hastinapur. Dec 18, 2014
gun-battle-between-militant-and-army-ends-in-kashmir

Gun battle between militant and army ends in Kashmir

Kupwara, Dec 18 (ANI): The brief encounter between militant and security forces ended in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, in which one militant was killed. The encounter began this morning after security forces received a tip-off about the presence of a foreign militant in a house in the village. The identity of the militant was not ascertained immediately. The attack comes just days ahead of the fifth phase of polling in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday. Dec 18, 2014