Gandhi scion kicks off poll campaign of Thangso Baite, Rahul Gandhi bats for Manipur integrity

IMPHAL, Apr 2 : Negating the announcement at Sena-pati on April 1 that sitting MP from the Outer seat Mani Charenamei voted for the UPA during the trust vote motion in Parliament, since the Centre had agreed that it would drop the clause of the Common Minimum Pro-gramme which said that the territorial boundaries of the North East States would not be redrawn, AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi today proclaimed that no changes would be effected in the political boundaries of the North East States.

Striking the right chord with the people of Manipur, the Gandhi scion during the kick off election campaign of Outer Congress candidate Thangso Baite at Churachandpur district headquar- ters and attended by about 4000 people today said that there would be no compromise on the territorial sanctity of Manipur and added that the Congress and the UPA would work in the interest of the people.

Rahul, who landed at Churachandpur on a helicopter amid tight security was accorded a red carpet reception by the people and a host of Congress leaders including Chief Minister O Ibobi, MPCC (I) president Gaikhangam and others turned up to receive him.

The Chief Minister and Gaikhangam greeted the young Congress leader with a traditional head gear.
Asserting that the Congress led UPA Government has initiated a number of projects for the welfare of the poor and common people, Rahul Gandhi said that the successful implementation of the NREGA is testimony of the priority of the UPA during its five years stint at the Centre. Under the NREGA villagers are provided 100 days of employment in a year.

The passing of the Right to Information Act is another feather in the cap of the UPA, he declared.

Addressing the gathering, Rahul Gandhi said that the many developmental pro-jects seen in Manipur is a result of the close co-ordination between the Congress led SPF Government here and the UPA at Delhi.

Mentioning the achievements of UPA during the last 5 years, Rahul said that Manipur University has been upgraded to the status of a Central University and added that a series of measures to combat HIV/AIDS have been initiated in the State. Kangla has also been handed over to the people during the time of the UPA Government, he added.

Appealing to the people to support the Congress candidates in the Inner and Outer seats so as to ensure the victory of the UPA at Delhi, Rahul said that only the UPA can bring peace and prosperity to the country.

Reiterating that the State Govt will not brook any attempt to compromise with the territorial integrity of Manipur, Chief Minister O Ibobi, while addressing the meeting said that the Oppositionhas been whipping up non-issues.

It was the Congress led SPF Government which lifted the Disturbed Area Act from seven Assembly segments which in turn led to the lifting of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, said the Chief Minister and added that once the law and order situation becomes normal then AFSPA would be lifted from the entire State. The Opposition is merely trying to whip up the issue just for electoral gains, he added.

Despite the myriad of problems besetting Manipur all the communities are living together peacefully, said Ibobi and mentioning the list of achievements of the SPF Government, he said that Kangla has been handed over to the people and a National Sports Academy has been set up. The Chief Minister also urged the gathering to vote for the Congress candidates in the two seats so as to strengthen the UPA at Delhi and ensure development.


Source: http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/

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G-20 meets, India warns against protectionism

From M K Razdan | London, Apr 1 (PTI) Looking for supply of "oxygen of confidence" to the battered global economy, divided leaders of world's top 20 rich and emerging economies will meet here tomorrow with India calling for a more concerted effort to deal with the crisis and warning that the world would go into a downward spiral if "we give in to protectionist pressures".

US President Barack Obama, who will be at the centrestage when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other leaders gather at London Docklands amidst massive security, today sought to rally the participants by stating that the challenge can be met together and dismissing reports of divisions among them as "vastly overstated".

Obama's optimism, however, flew in the face of sharp differences highlighted by the tough stand taken by France and Germany on some of the key issues with French President Nicolas Sarkozy insisting today that the Summit should agree to crack down on tax havens and evolve a tough new regulatory mechanism on global finance.

Sarkozy claimed endorsement for this stand from German Chancellor Angela Merkel with whom he had spoken. PTI


PM, Obama concerned over growing terror hold in Pak, Afghan

M K Razdan
London, Apr 1 (PTI) Setting the tone for their first meeting, US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today voiced deep concern over the growing hold of terrorist elements in Pakistan and Afghanistan with the Indian leadership getting increasingly worried over the dangerous situation in its neighbourhood.

Singh, who will meet the new American leader here tomorrow immediately after the conclusion of the G-20 summit, said that "the epicentre of terrorism" was in Pakistan and "the world community has to come to grips with this harsh reality".

While he had not studied Obama's recently-announced strategy to stabilise Afghanistan and Pakistan, now known as "AfPak" plan, Singh expressed the hope that "whatever the world community plans to do they will pay adequate attention that terrorism ceases to be a problem in Afghanistan as well as Pakistan." The Prime Minister's remarks come in the backdrop of the audacious terror strikes in Lahore during the past one month, including Monday's attack on a police training school, about 15 km from the border with India, which is now deeply concerned at the "really dangerous situation" so close to it.

Recognising that terrorists were making frontal attacks on the security forces, India has stepped up its vigil. PTI


Clashes, arrests mark first day of G-20 protests

Prasun Sonwalkar
London, Apr 1 (PTI) Angry protestors clashed with police, stormed into a Royal Bank of Scotland branch and smashed its windowpanes today as thousands converged here to vent anger over economic meltdown and climate change on the eve of the G-20 Summit that brings top world leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, together.

The RBS is one of the beleaguered banks that has been rescued by millions of pounds of state funds. Protestors also demonstrated before the Bank of England in thousands, raising slogans such as 'Swindlers List', 'Financial Fool's Day' and 'Storm the Banks'.

A security officer was injured when a protestor hit him with a large pole, while at least eight people were arrested in various parts of London. No serious injuries were reported.

The protests were mainly prompted by anger at bankers' role in the global economic meltdown, resulting in job cuts and major losses in value of savings and pensions. Protests were also held outside the US embassy against the Iraq war.

Some protestors stormed into the RBS branch and smashed windowpanes while others spray-painted "class war" and "thieves" on the side of the building. Central London was jammed as protstors swelled in numbers.

The largest demonstration was held outside the Bank of England, where four protest marches converged.

A group of officers was forced to retreat behind metal crowd barriers outside the bank, apparently because of the crush of the crowd in front of them. PTI

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