Nikam favours death sentence, Kasab's lawyer prefers lifer

Mumbai, May 18 (PTI) Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal
Nikam and lawyer Abbas Kazmi defending Pakistani gunman
accused in November 26 terror attack case are not only in
opposite camps but also hold divergent views on capital
punishment.

While Nikam said capital punishment should be awarded
to convicts in serious crimes like terror cases and should be
expedited, Kazmi opined that punishment should be reformative.

Nikam said death penalty is awarded where there is no
scope for reversal and a convict is unlikely to be reformed in
society. But if appeals against death penalty are kept pending
in courts for a long time, then capital punishment would lose
its significance.

Kazmi, however, maintained, "I am against capital
punishment because if we as human beings cannot give life to
anyone then we do not have the right to take life also."

"Look at Valmiki (a Hindu saint) who reformed himself
from a dacoit to a saint... punishment should be reformative
and every convict should be given a chance to reform himself,"
Kazmi opined.

The prison conditions are such that life imprisonment
would be the harshest for any convict. In death penalty, a
convict does not suffer after he is hanged but in case of
lifer, he dies every day in jail because of hardship, he said.

The perpetrators of terror attacks should be given
stringent punishment, Kasab's lawyer said. PTI SVS
PMR
NNNN

LD ADVANI
Advani to continue as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha

New Delhi, May 18 (PTI) Grappling with the aftermath
of the parliamentary election defeat, India's main opposition
BJP Monday persuaded L K Advani to continue as Leader of the
Opposition in the Lok Sabha probably with a view to avoiding
jockeying for the post among its next rung of leaders.

81-year-old Advani, who had decided to step down from
the post after his bid for Prime Minister's post failed, was
"requested" by the party to stay on in the new Lok Sabha.

BJP president Rajnath Singh said Advani has agreed to
continue as Leader of BJP's Parliamentary Board. "Therefore,
it is understood that he will also be the Leader of the
Opposition in the Lok Sabha," he said.

On Saturday, as the results trickled in Advani had
expressed his desire not to become the Leader of the
Opposition. He had asked the Parliamentary Board to choose
another leader but it did not agree with his request and
keeping in view his insistence, the party president was
authorised to talk to him to change his decision.

"Since the party felt that it needed the leadership
and guidance of Advani, it requested him to agree to be the
Leader of the Party in the 15th Lok Sabha," Singh told
reporters.

"When Advani was informed that the party needed his
leadership and guidance to rebuild itself to meet the
challenges of the future, as it suffered a setback in the Lok
Sabha elections, he agreed not to persist with his
suggestion," Singh said. PTI NAB
PMR
NNNN

3RLD LANKA
LTTE chief Prabhakaran dead

T V Sriram
Colombo, May 18 (PTI) LTTE Supremo Velupillai
Prabhakaran, who led a ruthless movement for a Tamil Eelam in
Sri Lanka that decimated a score of Sinhalese and Tamil
leaders and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, was Monday
killed by the army bringing curtains on the 30-year-old war
that has claimed over 70,000 lives.

Prabhakaran was shot dead by Sri Lankan special forces
as he tried to stage a dramatic breakout from the army
encirclement, a military spokesman said.

The news of Prabhakaran's death also came along with
reports of bodies of his son Charles Anthony and three other
top leaders -- Pottu Amman, Soosai and Nadesan being found.
Prabhakaran and his top aides were driving in an
armour-plated van accompanied by a clutch of rebels in a bus
and approaching the Special Forces. A two-hour exchange of
fire followed and the forces fired a rocket at the van brining
an end to the battle, army sources said.
Prabhakaran's body was pulled out from the van and
identified, they said. Prime Minister Ratnasri Wickramanayake
said the army says they have killed him.
"The next step would be the development in the north
(Tamil areas)," he said.
Celebrations broke out in the capital here as news
spread of the death of Prabhakaran, who led the longest armed
struggle in South Asia for nothing less than a separate
homeland for Tamils.
Prabhakaran, who had seen many a battle, could not
survive the sustained assault from the Sri Lankan forces that
began in November last year leading to displacement of the
Tigers from their long-held de-facto capital of Kilinochchi
and then from Mullaitivu.
Prabhakaran founded the LTTE in the late 1970s and
carried out his first political murder against the mayor of
Jaffna, Alfred Duraiappah, a fellow Tamil, by shooting him at
point blank range while he was about to enter Hindu temple at
Ponnaalai.
The LTTE, which was angry over IPKF role in the Tamil
areas in the aftermath of the Rajiv Gandhi-Jayawardane accord,
assassinated Rajiv Gandhi in Sriperumbudur near Chennai in
1991 during election campaign by a women suicide bomber.
The death of top LTTE leaders came a day after the
Tamil Tigers conceded defeat saying the decades-old battle has
reached its "bitter end" and they have decided to "silence"
their guns.
Earlier in the morning, military spokesman Brigadier
Udaya Nanayakkara had said that Prabhakaran was still alive
but completely encircled by advancing Sri Lankan forces in a
tiny jungle area north of Vellamullivaikkal after most of the
LTTE's top leaders were found killed.
The army said that its special forces had encircled
Prabhakaran, Pottu Amman and Soosai who were boxed into a 100m
x 100m area.

The killing of Prabhakaran came as officials confirmed
that more than 220 frontline rebel cadres, including his elder
son Charles Anthony, LTTE political head Balasingham Nadesan
and LTTE peace Secretariat chief S Pulidevan had been killed
in fierce battles in the last 12 hours.

The other top LTTE leaders slain include Black Tigers'
chief Ramesh, Tigers' police wing chief Ilango and senior
leaders Sundaram and Kapil Amman.

The body of 24-year-old Anthony, chief of LTTE's air
wing, was found during mopping up operations in the last
rebel-held territory in the no-fire zone this morning, the
defence ministry said.

Nadesan, a former constable of Sri Lankan police, was
heading the political wing of the Tamil Tigers. S Pulidevan
was the head of "LTTE peace secretariat" while S Ramesh was
the chief of Black Tigers.

According to the defence sources, the body of Anthony
was found after an unsuccessful attempt by the Tamil Tigers to
evacuate their leader's son early this morning.

Anthony was known to be the head of Information and
Technology department of the LTTE. PTI TVS
PMR
NNNN


LDALL STOCKS
Pro-UPA mandate takes market to a dizzy high; trading halted
Y
Mumbai, May 18 (PTI) India's stock markets Monday broke
all records driven by the pro-UPA mandate in the polls and
rallied by an unprecedented 2,111-points in just a minute of
trading, forcing authorities to suspend business for the day.
Eager buyers were left gaping and the day was over even
before they could formulate their thoughts of a buy order in a
frenzied market that witnessed an appreciation of Rs 6.5 lakh
crore in market capitalisation as the BSE-Sensex surged to
14,284.21 points.

Trading was first halted at 0955 hrs for two hours and
subsequently for the day within 30 seconds of commencement
each time because of buying frenzy, a sentiment that was in
sharp contrast to a panic selling-driven halt in trading
around the same time in 2004 days before UPA came to office.

The story was no different at the National Stock
Exchange, where a minute of trading in two sessions saw prices
breaching all records of a single day jump, although
transactions were limited. NSE's Nifty closed the day higher
by 651.5 points at 4,325.15 points.

Marketmen said they would not be surprised if the circuit
breaker is applied once again tomorrow while not ruling out
BSE Sensex breeching 15,000 points mark.

Shares of less than 1,000 companies could be traded
Monday and the two exchanges recorded a turnover of just Rs
300 crore, a meagre two per cent of their average transaction.

The Finance Ministry was not perturbed, saying regulator
Securities and Exchange Board of India was keeping a vigil on
the situation to guard against any foul play.

Sebi called a meeting of exchange authorities to take
stock of the situation and discussed all possible steps that
may be needed to ensure proper functioning of the market. The
authorities, in turn, decided to continue with the current
system of circuit breakers to check excessive movement.

Circuit breaker is a mechanism, wherein trading is
automatically halted for one hour if the benchmark indices
rise or fall by 10 per cent of the closing level of the last
quarter. A movement of 20 per cent halts the trading for the
entire day.

Market leader Reliance Industries was the singularly
largest gainer recording an appreciation of Rs 70,000 crore in
wealth for stakeholders in an all round increase in share
prices, but there were few unfortunate scrips like K Sera
Sera, Cinemax India and Adhikari Brothers TV that lost value.

Analysts across the board felt that the 'unheard' of
market response was a response to the UPA getting a new term
in office and the stability that comes along with it in terms
of pursuing reforms without having to bother about Left
parties like in the past.

Markets are most likely to scale the 15,000 mark
tomorrow, at which point of time there might be selling
activity, say analysts.

"Market is most likely to remain neutral. It may see
small movement of 500-700 points. It may, however, witness
15,000 mark in intra-day trade at which point of time it may
see sell-off," Keynote Research Senior VP Nitin A Khandkar
said.

Tata Asset Management Managing Director Ved Prakash
Chaturvedi, however, said: "It needs to be kept in mind that
whatever has happened in the last 48 hours does not change the
earnings momentum trajectory for the next few quarters. The
global environment is still in the process of limping back to
normalcy."

Short term euphoria can take market valuations to
stretched levels and investors need to be cautious about this
near term euphoric state, though clearly the long term
economic view is bright, Chaturvedi added.

Kejriwal Research and Investment Services Head Arun
Kejriwal said: "What happened in the market is pure euphoria.
There is no justification for a 2,000 point rally with such
low turnover both in equities and futures.

"It is an artificial rally fuelled by speculative buying.
But whatever happened in the market is not good."

The economic atmosphere in the world as well as India has
not changed. Today India is one of the most costliest markets
among emerging markets and prices have to cool off before
money starts to flow in, Kejriwal added. PTI DRR
PMR
NNNN


KASAB-LD TRIAL
Map used by terrorists shows Malabar Hill was target

Mumbai, May 18 (PTI) A hand-drawn map, showing Malabar
Hill area in South Mumbai as one of the targets of LeT
militants for terror attacks on November 26 last year, was
Monday identified in the court by a witness who said this
document was recovered from a slain terrorist.

The official residences of most Maharashtra ministers,
including Chief Minister, Raj Bhavan and other top officials
of the state secretariat are located in Malabar hill.

It is the case of the prosecution that two terrorists,
Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab and Abu Ismael were proceeding in a
Skoda car towards Malabar hill but were stopped by police at
Chowpatty. While Ismael was killed, Kasab was captured alive.

The prosecution has also alleged that the map was drawn
in English by co-accused Faheem Ansari and handed over to LeT
conspirators in Pakistan by another accused, Sabauddin Ahmed.
Both of them are facing trial along with Kasab.

When the map was placed in the court by special public
prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, the witness, Shivaji Shivekar, said
it (the map) was recovered by police in his presence from the
clothes of slain terrorist Abu Ismael.
Asked how he could say that this was the same map
which was recovered from the terrorist's trousers, the witness
told the Judge M L Tahaliyani he had signed it on the reverse.

Shivekar, who had drawn the panchnama of the map, is the
first witness in this case to depose against Faheem. The
earlier witnesses have tendered evidence against Kasab only.

The witness also identified Kasab in the court, saying an
identity card was recovered from his (Kasab's) clothes. The
I-card carried Kasab's photograph and was issued by a
Bangalore college in the name of Samir Chowdhary.

Prosecutor Ujwal Nikam alleged that the terrorists had
made fake I-cards to hide their Pakistani identity.

The witness also identified Kasab's clothes and said that
Rs 5,400 was recovered from his trouser.

At this juncture, defence witness urged the court to
allow this money to be deposited in Kasab's jail account.

However, judge M L Tahaliyani, said he would not pass an
order because the money was the property seized in the case
and tabled as "mudemal" (seized goods) before the court.

The witness further said that another Identity card,
bearing slain terrorist Abu Ismael's photograph, was found
from the latter's trousers and he drew a 'panchnama' of the
I-card.

The witness identified the photo of Ismael saying he is
the same person whose body he had identified in Nair hospital
on November 27 last year.

The witness also identified blue trousers and grey
coloured T-shirt of Ismael which was shown to him when the
'panchnama' was drawn.

The clothes were stained with blood and had holes
(indicating that bullets had passed through Ismael's body).
PTI SVS
PMR
NNNN


LANKA-RELIEF
India to send 25 tonnes of medicine to Sri Lanka

New Delhi, May 18 (PTI) With the Sri Lankan army's
offensive against LTTE almost over, India will send 25 tonnes
of medicines worth over Rs three crore to help the internally
displaced population in the northern parts of the island
nation.

"An Indian Air Force IL-76 aircraft carrying about 25
tonnes of medicines is scheduled to leave Delhi for Colombo on
May 22 (Friday). This will be disbursed among the sick,
wounded and internally displaced people in northern Sri
Lanka," Defence Ministry officials said here Monday.

In March this year, Indian Armed Forces had set up a
fully equipped 50-bed hospital close to a relief camp at
Pulmodai town on Sri Lanka’s northeastern coast.

During its presence there, the 60-member Indian medical
team, comprising specialists, surgeons and paediatricians, has
treated over 3,000 people mainly war wounded, trauma and
fractures, in the two months since the hospital came up.

The Sri Lankan government, officials said, has lauded the
humanitarian work done by the team of Indian army doctors in
the war-ravaged parts of the country.

After a request by Sri Lankan government, Indian armed
forces will soon shift the field hospital to Manik Farms
in Vavuniya to widen scope of the humanitarian assistance.

"A need was felt for including a gynaecologist in the
team of doctors but experts said since the field hospital
lacks specialized medical equipment and support staff, this
would not be feasible at the moment," officials said.

A lady Medical Officer present in the team was handling
women patients. PTI AJD
PMR
NNNN

2NDLDALL RUPEE
Forex market hails UPA mandate; dollar cheaper by 152 paise

Mumbai, May 18 (PTI) Foreign exchange markets in India
Monday saluted the mandate for the UPA government as the
dollar became cheaper by 152 paise during the day, the highest
in over two decades, signalling a higher inflow of foreign
funds in India.

Reflecting the buoyancy in the market, the rupee
gained 3.02 per cent to a five-month high of 47.88/89 against
the dollar on hopes of heavy capital inflows, which the
analysts say is the single-largest appreciation of the Indian
currency since 1986.

In the process, the rupee breached the 48 level for the
first time since December 19, 2008.
A stronger rupee will make imports cheaper, thereby
giving a fillip to firms whose manufacturing process depends
on equpment shipped from overseas, analysts say.

Besides, imports of finished products from India's rivals
like China will also turn more cheap, creating greater
competition in the domestic market.

The Indian benchmark zoomed by 2,110.79 points or 17.34
per cent in response to the emerging political stability in
the country after the general elections.



The Interbank Foreign Exchange (forex) market witnessed
fairly active trade this morning as the local equity markets
hit the upper circuit filter, leading to suspension of trading
twice after the election mandate generated euphoric conditions
in Indian markets.

The Indian unit moved in a range of 47.75 and 48.65 after
resuming with a wide gap of 92 paise at 48.48/52 a dollar from
its previous close of 49.40/42 a dollar.

Forex dealers said the exchange market was in an upbeat
mood with strong indications of heavy portfolio investments,
which analysts estimated at about USD 50 billion through FDI,
ECB and equity.

The government is expected to push forward the reforms
agenda paving the way for increased capital inflows, the prime
driver for the rupee.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) fixed the reference rate
for the US dollar at Rs 48.17 and for the euro at Rs 64.81.

Rupee premiums on the forward dollar ended sharply lower
on sustained receivings from exporters.

The benchmark six-month forward dollar premium payable in
October ended at 52-1/2-54-1/2 paise, lower from 63-65 paise
on last Friday, and the far-forwards maturing in April also
finished lower at 93-95 paise from 108-110 paise previously.
]
In cross-currency trade, the Indian rupee firmed sharply
against the pound sterling, the euro and the Japanese yen.


The domestic currency strengthened against the pound
sterling to end the day at Rs 73.17/19 from the last weekend's
level of Rs 75.01/03 and spurted against the euro to Rs
64.48/50 from Rs 66.97/99 previously.

It also rose against the Japanese yen to settle the day
at Rs 49.91/93 per 100 yen from the last closing level of
Rs 51.98/52.00 per 100 yen. PTI RSU
PMR
NNNN

FLU-INDIA
Fellow passengers of swine flu patient hospitalised
New Delhi, May 18 (PTI) Two fellow passengers of the
lone positive case for swine flu in India have been
hospitalised with symptoms of the dreaded disease.
The resident of Hyderabad, capital of southern state
of Andhra Pradesh, who had tested positive for swine flu after
returning from the United States is being treated with
Oseltamivir and is presently stable, a senior health ministry
official said here Monday.
Two of his contacts, who travelled in the same flight,
were found to have cough and sore throat and as a matter of
abundant precaution they are presently admitted in the
identified hospital at Hyderabad, he added.
Meanwhile, so far samples of 66 people have been
tested, including one which tested positive for swine flu. The
rest have been found negative for the disease.
The screening of passengers coming from affected
countries is continuing in 21 International airports.
A total of 39,991 passengers have been screened till
date out of which around 14,245 passengers were from affected
countries. One passenger disembarking at Delhi Airport has
been referred to the identified health facility.
The World Health Organisation has reported 8,480
laboratory confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1 infection from
39 countries. PTI SPC
PMR
NNNN

POLL-CHAWLA
EC submits list of new MPs to President; 15th Lok Sabha formed

New Delhi, May 18 (PTI) India's Election Commission
Monday submitted the list of all elected representatives of
the recently concluded Parliamentary elections to President
Pratibha Patil, leading to the formation of the 15th Lok
Sabha (Lower House of Indian Parliament).

"We met the President and gave the formal list of all
elected representatives to the 15th Lok Sabha. With this, the
constitution of the Lok Sabha is completed," Chief Election
Commissioner Navin Chawla told reporters here.

The model code of conduct also comes to an end, Chawla,
flanked by the other two Election Commissioners -- S Y
Quraishi and V S Sampat -- said.

"Now the 15th Lok Sabha is formed," Quraishi said.
A Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesperson also said Chawla,
accompanied by the two ECs, submitted a copy of notification
issued by the Election Commission containing names of the
members elected to the House following the general elections
to the 15th Lok Sabha to the President.

Chawla said once the list of elected MPs was given to the
President, the entire process of the Lok Sabha election comes
to an end.

"The President will now go for the government formation,"
he said.
The CEC said the Commission was "extremely satisfied"
with the poll process and its successful completion.

Chawla said though the Lok Sabha poll has come to an end,
election to several state Assembly would come soon and the
Commission would continue its normal work.

He said the EC would like to see that the work on photo
identity cards is completed with 100 per cent success.

"So far we have completed 83 per cent work on photo
identity cards," he said adding, "We have also received a
large number of letters from people giving general suggestions
which we would also like to go through."

The five-phased Lok Sabha polls started on April 16 and
was completed on May 13. The results were declared on May 16.
PTI ACB
PMR
NNNN


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