Mumbai not equipped to tackle terror, says Prithviraj Chavan - Times of India

MUMBAI: Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan's contentious statement that the Congress should have retained the home department has sparked off a row in political circles, particularly in the NCP, which holds the portfolio. State NCP president Madhukar Pichad and home minister R R Patil reacted sharply to the statement, calling it "unfortunate".

Chavan also said Mumbai was ill-equipped to tackle terror. He told TOI on Friday that for over 15 minutes after the bomb blasts, he was unable to get in touch with Mumbai police commissioner Arup Patnaik or any senior police officer or bureaucrat. "There was a complete jam in the mobile network," he said. "Even the wireless network was not functioning, since it works only within a limited radius. I have taken it up with the Centre. I am sure we will soon have a VHF dedicated network exclusively for the state government. We have decided to provide satellite phones to key IPS officials and bureaucrats."

What did he have to say about the blasts showing up the government's lack of preparedness? Chavan admitted that owing to rampant red-tapism and procedural wrangles, his government was not able to install around 5,000 CCTV cameras and was unable to procure sensitive weapons, bullet-proof jackets and security equipment. "We will install the CCTVs across the metropolis in a time-bound period," he said. "As far as the procurement of weapons and equipment goes, I have personally spoken to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and home minister P Chidambaram on Thursday."

The CM's politically volatile comment on the NCP controlling the home ministry came in an interview to TV channel. However, he told TOI, "I was quoted out of context."

I firmly believe that R R Patil's performance as home minister is good. There are no differences with either Patil or the NCP—we are working in perfect coordination. What I meant was that the formula on sharing of portfolios entered into by the Sena-BJP coalition government in 1995, when the home, finance and planning portfolios were allotted to the BJP, should have been reviewed by us in 1999 when we formed the government along with the NCP. In my opinion, the Congress should have staked its claim to the home, planning and finance departments. In most coalition-run governments, the key departments are with the Congress for better coordination."

One of the reasons for the delay in procuring weapons and equipment, said the chief minister, was that the officials involved in the process were afraid to deal with the tender process for fear of their decision being challenged. "Also, technology is constantly being upgraded," he said. "There appears to be a huge gap between placing an order and actual procurement, and in between if there is a change in technology, our equipment will be obsolete.'"

Chavan said he was personally monitoring the progress in the investigation into the bomb blasts. "So far, we don't have any specific leads," he said. "There were reports that there was a suicide bomber but we don't have specific information. It would be premature to comment without a forensic report. We were unable to draw any conclusions even from the CCTV footage."

The chief minister said there were no leads suggesting the involvement of a specific terror group either but his government had set up 12 special task forces to track down the terror groups active in Mumbai and Maharashtra. "We will take all possible steps to restore the confidence of the people. No stone will be left unturned to keep Mumbai safe," he said. However, he admitted that the Ram Pradhan committee report, which probed the terror attack on Mumbai on November 26, 2008, had not been implemented in toto. "Some of the recommendations have been implemented," he said. We will implement the rest after discussion with the Opposition."

Chavan reiterated that there were no intelligence inputs from the Centre and that the Mumbai police and crime branch had received no information on the possibility of a terror strike. "We had no information," he said. "But in view of the serial bomb blasts, we will redraft our strategy for gathering intelligence." Another thing he felt needed to be redrafted was protocol norms for visitors to hospitals during crises. "My senior cabinet colleagues had suggested some regulations so that visits to hospitals could be restricted. In the last two days, we found that hundreds of persons visited the hospitals where the blast victims were; as a result, the doctors were unable to concentrate on their work. We will soon come out with new norms," he said.

And finally, what about the politicisation of the police force, which, after the blasts, has been at the receiving end of criticism for having corroded the police? "I am not aware of the policy in the past, but after I took over the reins on November 11 last year, the entire process has been transparent," Chavan said. "There is absolutely no politics in postings and transfers."

Mumbai not equipped to tackle terror, says Prithviraj Chavan - Times of India

MUMBAI: Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan's contentious statement that the Congress should have retained the home department has sparked off a row in political circles, particularly in the NCP, which holds the portfolio. State NCP president Madhukar Pichad and home minister R R Patil reacted sharply to the statement, calling it "unfortunate".

Chavan also said Mumbai was ill-equipped to tackle terror. He told TOI on Friday that for over 15 minutes after the bomb blasts, he was unable to get in touch with Mumbai police commissioner Arup Patnaik or any senior police officer or bureaucrat. "There was a complete jam in the mobile network," he said. "Even the wireless network was not functioning, since it works only within a limited radius. I have taken it up with the Centre. I am sure we will soon have a VHF dedicated network exclusively for the state government. We have decided to provide satellite phones to key IPS officials and bureaucrats."

What did he have to say about the blasts showing up the government's lack of preparedness? Chavan admitted that owing to rampant red-tapism and procedural wrangles, his government was not able to install around 5,000 CCTV cameras and was unable to procure sensitive weapons, bullet-proof jackets and security equipment. "We will install the CCTVs across the metropolis in a time-bound period," he said. "As far as the procurement of weapons and equipment goes, I have personally spoken to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and home minister P Chidambaram on Thursday."

The CM's politically volatile comment on the NCP controlling the home ministry came in an interview to TV channel. However, he told TOI, "I was quoted out of context."

I firmly believe that R R Patil's performance as home minister is good. There are no differences with either Patil or the NCP—we are working in perfect coordination. What I meant was that the formula on sharing of portfolios entered into by the Sena-BJP coalition government in 1995, when the home, finance and planning portfolios were allotted to the BJP, should have been reviewed by us in 1999 when we formed the government along with the NCP. In my opinion, the Congress should have staked its claim to the home, planning and finance departments. In most coalition-run governments, the key departments are with the Congress for better coordination."

One of the reasons for the delay in procuring weapons and equipment, said the chief minister, was that the officials involved in the process were afraid to deal with the tender process for fear of their decision being challenged. "Also, technology is constantly being upgraded," he said. "There appears to be a huge gap between placing an order and actual procurement, and in between if there is a change in technology, our equipment will be obsolete.'"

Chavan said he was personally monitoring the progress in the investigation into the bomb blasts. "So far, we don't have any specific leads," he said. "There were reports that there was a suicide bomber but we don't have specific information. It would be premature to comment without a forensic report. We were unable to draw any conclusions even from the CCTV footage."

The chief minister said there were no leads suggesting the involvement of a specific terror group either but his government had set up 12 special task forces to track down the terror groups active in Mumbai and Maharashtra. "We will take all possible steps to restore the confidence of the people. No stone will be left unturned to keep Mumbai safe," he said. However, he admitted that the Ram Pradhan committee report, which probed the terror attack on Mumbai on November 26, 2008, had not been implemented in toto. "Some of the recommendations have been implemented," he said. We will implement the rest after discussion with the Opposition."

Chavan reiterated that there were no intelligence inputs from the Centre and that the Mumbai police and crime branch had received no information on the possibility of a terror strike. "We had no information," he said. "But in view of the serial bomb blasts, we will redraft our strategy for gathering intelligence." Another thing he felt needed to be redrafted was protocol norms for visitors to hospitals during crises. "My senior cabinet colleagues had suggested some regulations so that visits to hospitals could be restricted. In the last two days, we found that hundreds of persons visited the hospitals where the blast victims were; as a result, the doctors were unable to concentrate on their work. We will soon come out with new norms," he said.

And finally, what about the politicisation of the police force, which, after the blasts, has been at the receiving end of criticism for having corroded the police? "I am not aware of the policy in the past, but after I took over the reins on November 11 last year, the entire process has been transparent," Chavan said. "There is absolutely no politics in postings and transfers."

Mumbai not equipped to tackle terror, says Prithviraj Chavan - Times of India

MUMBAI: Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan's contentious statement that the Congress should have retained the home department has sparked off a row in political circles, particularly in the NCP, which holds the portfolio. State NCP president Madhukar Pichad and home minister R R Patil reacted sharply to the statement, calling it "unfortunate".

Chavan also said Mumbai was ill-equipped to tackle terror. He told TOI on Friday that for over 15 minutes after the bomb blasts, he was unable to get in touch with Mumbai police commissioner Arup Patnaik or any senior police officer or bureaucrat. "There was a complete jam in the mobile network," he said. "Even the wireless network was not functioning, since it works only within a limited radius. I have taken it up with the Centre. I am sure we will soon have a VHF dedicated network exclusively for the state government. We have decided to provide satellite phones to key IPS officials and bureaucrats."

What did he have to say about the blasts showing up the government's lack of preparedness? Chavan admitted that owing to rampant red-tapism and procedural wrangles, his government was not able to install around 5,000 CCTV cameras and was unable to procure sensitive weapons, bullet-proof jackets and security equipment. "We will install the CCTVs across the metropolis in a time-bound period," he said. "As far as the procurement of weapons and equipment goes, I have personally spoken to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and home minister P Chidambaram on Thursday."

The CM's politically volatile comment on the NCP controlling the home ministry came in an interview to TV channel. However, he told TOI, "I was quoted out of context."

I firmly believe that R R Patil's performance as home minister is good. There are no differences with either Patil or the NCP—we are working in perfect coordination. What I meant was that the formula on sharing of portfolios entered into by the Sena-BJP coalition government in 1995, when the home, finance and planning portfolios were allotted to the BJP, should have been reviewed by us in 1999 when we formed the government along with the NCP. In my opinion, the Congress should have staked its claim to the home, planning and finance departments. In most coalition-run governments, the key departments are with the Congress for better coordination."

One of the reasons for the delay in procuring weapons and equipment, said the chief minister, was that the officials involved in the process were afraid to deal with the tender process for fear of their decision being challenged. "Also, technology is constantly being upgraded," he said. "There appears to be a huge gap between placing an order and actual procurement, and in between if there is a change in technology, our equipment will be obsolete.'"

Chavan said he was personally monitoring the progress in the investigation into the bomb blasts. "So far, we don't have any specific leads," he said. "There were reports that there was a suicide bomber but we don't have specific information. It would be premature to comment without a forensic report. We were unable to draw any conclusions even from the CCTV footage."

The chief minister said there were no leads suggesting the involvement of a specific terror group either but his government had set up 12 special task forces to track down the terror groups active in Mumbai and Maharashtra. "We will take all possible steps to restore the confidence of the people. No stone will be left unturned to keep Mumbai safe," he said. However, he admitted that the Ram Pradhan committee report, which probed the terror attack on Mumbai on November 26, 2008, had not been implemented in toto. "Some of the recommendations have been implemented," he said. We will implement the rest after discussion with the Opposition."

Chavan reiterated that there were no intelligence inputs from the Centre and that the Mumbai police and crime branch had received no information on the possibility of a terror strike. "We had no information," he said. "But in view of the serial bomb blasts, we will redraft our strategy for gathering intelligence." Another thing he felt needed to be redrafted was protocol norms for visitors to hospitals during crises. "My senior cabinet colleagues had suggested some regulations so that visits to hospitals could be restricted. In the last two days, we found that hundreds of persons visited the hospitals where the blast victims were; as a result, the doctors were unable to concentrate on their work. We will soon come out with new norms," he said.

And finally, what about the politicisation of the police force, which, after the blasts, has been at the receiving end of criticism for having corroded the police? "I am not aware of the policy in the past, but after I took over the reins on November 11 last year, the entire process has been transparent," Chavan said. "There is absolutely no politics in postings and transfers."

Mumbai not equipped to tackle terror, says Prithviraj Chavan - Times of India

MUMBAI: Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan's contentious statement that the Congress should have retained the home department has sparked off a row in political circles, particularly in the NCP, which holds the portfolio. State NCP president Madhukar Pichad and home minister R R Patil reacted sharply to the statement, calling it "unfortunate".

Chavan also said Mumbai was ill-equipped to tackle terror. He told TOI on Friday that for over 15 minutes after the bomb blasts, he was unable to get in touch with Mumbai police commissioner Arup Patnaik or any senior police officer or bureaucrat. "There was a complete jam in the mobile network," he said. "Even the wireless network was not functioning, since it works only within a limited radius. I have taken it up with the Centre. I am sure we will soon have a VHF dedicated network exclusively for the state government. We have decided to provide satellite phones to key IPS officials and bureaucrats."

What did he have to say about the blasts showing up the government's lack of preparedness? Chavan admitted that owing to rampant red-tapism and procedural wrangles, his government was not able to install around 5,000 CCTV cameras and was unable to procure sensitive weapons, bullet-proof jackets and security equipment. "We will install the CCTVs across the metropolis in a time-bound period," he said. "As far as the procurement of weapons and equipment goes, I have personally spoken to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and home minister P Chidambaram on Thursday."

The CM's politically volatile comment on the NCP controlling the home ministry came in an interview to TV channel. However, he told TOI, "I was quoted out of context."

I firmly believe that R R Patil's performance as home minister is good. There are no differences with either Patil or the NCP—we are working in perfect coordination. What I meant was that the formula on sharing of portfolios entered into by the Sena-BJP coalition government in 1995, when the home, finance and planning portfolios were allotted to the BJP, should have been reviewed by us in 1999 when we formed the government along with the NCP. In my opinion, the Congress should have staked its claim to the home, planning and finance departments. In most coalition-run governments, the key departments are with the Congress for better coordination."

One of the reasons for the delay in procuring weapons and equipment, said the chief minister, was that the officials involved in the process were afraid to deal with the tender process for fear of their decision being challenged. "Also, technology is constantly being upgraded," he said. "There appears to be a huge gap between placing an order and actual procurement, and in between if there is a change in technology, our equipment will be obsolete.'"

Chavan said he was personally monitoring the progress in the investigation into the bomb blasts. "So far, we don't have any specific leads," he said. "There were reports that there was a suicide bomber but we don't have specific information. It would be premature to comment without a forensic report. We were unable to draw any conclusions even from the CCTV footage."

The chief minister said there were no leads suggesting the involvement of a specific terror group either but his government had set up 12 special task forces to track down the terror groups active in Mumbai and Maharashtra. "We will take all possible steps to restore the confidence of the people. No stone will be left unturned to keep Mumbai safe," he said. However, he admitted that the Ram Pradhan committee report, which probed the terror attack on Mumbai on November 26, 2008, had not been implemented in toto. "Some of the recommendations have been implemented," he said. We will implement the rest after discussion with the Opposition."

Chavan reiterated that there were no intelligence inputs from the Centre and that the Mumbai police and crime branch had received no information on the possibility of a terror strike. "We had no information," he said. "But in view of the serial bomb blasts, we will redraft our strategy for gathering intelligence." Another thing he felt needed to be redrafted was protocol norms for visitors to hospitals during crises. "My senior cabinet colleagues had suggested some regulations so that visits to hospitals could be restricted. In the last two days, we found that hundreds of persons visited the hospitals where the blast victims were; as a result, the doctors were unable to concentrate on their work. We will soon come out with new norms," he said.

And finally, what about the politicisation of the police force, which, after the blasts, has been at the receiving end of criticism for having corroded the police? "I am not aware of the policy in the past, but after I took over the reins on November 11 last year, the entire process has been transparent," Chavan said. "There is absolutely no politics in postings and transfers."

Triple 'terror' blasts kill 21 in Mumbai (AFP)

MUMBAI (AFP) – Three bombs ripped through India's commercial capital Mumbai on Wednesday, killing 21 people and injuring more than 100 in the deadliest attack in the city since the 2008 assault by Islamist militants.

The strongest of the coordinated blasts hit busy districts in the south of the city, the same area targeted two and half years ago by Pakistan-based militants who caused mayhem during a 60-hour siege that left 166 people dead.

Home Minister P. Chidambaram, who was on his way to the scene along with forensic experts and anti-terror commandos from New Delhi, told reporters that it was "a coordinated attack by terrorists."

The most intense devices exploded at a wholesale gold market and a district housing diamond traders and jewellery shops in southern Mumbai, while a third blast occurred in a middle-class area to the north.

"It is another attack on the heart of India," said the chief minister of Maharashtra state, Prithviraj Chavan, who described it as a "challenge to Indian sovereignty."

The home ministry gave the death toll and said 141 injured victims had been taken to 11 city hospitals, many of them in a serious condition.

All three bombs, which Chavan said had been detonated with timers, were reported within a 15-minute period, starting at around 6:50pm (1320 GMT).

Fashion photographer Rutavi Metha heard a "massive" explosion and ran towards the site of the bomb in the gold market area known as Zaveri Bazaar.

"There were bodies on the ground and a lot of blood. Local people were trying to help, picking up the injured and putting them in cars to drive them to hospital," she said.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condemned the blasts and appealed for calm.

No group claimed responsibility, though suspicions initially fell on two Islamist groups that have targeted India in the past: the home-grown Indian Mujahideen and the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

In November 2008, 10 militants from the LeT attacked multiple targets in Mumbai, including five-star hotels, in an assault known as "26/11" in India and often compared to the September 11 attacks on the United States.

A statement from Pakistan's foreign ministry condemned Wednesday's attacks and said President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had "expressed their deepest sympathies to the Indian leadership."

US President Barack Obama said the bombings were "outrageous", while Britain described the explosions as "deplorable acts of terrorism."

"The American people will stand with the Indian people in times of trial, and we will offer support to India's efforts to bring the perpetrators of these terrible crimes to justice," Obama said in a statement.

Eyewitnesses outside a diamond trader building in south Mumbai said a car bomb had exploded when the area was packed with office workers heading home.

Fire brigade floodlights showed the full extent of the damage in a claustrophobic side street in the Opera House area.

Sandals were abandoned among the muddy puddles and potholes overflowing with steady monsoon rain; roadside food stalls were overturned in the gutter; and the mangled remains of a car stood with its doors hanging off.

"More than 5,000 people pass through here every minute," said Jayesh Labdhi, a committee member of the Mumbai Diamond Merchants' Association, standing near the wreckage of a white car.

"There was a huge big blast. We didn't know what it was but after a couple of minutes we saw so much smoke everywhere. There were so many people lying on the ground just crying out and wanting help," Labdhi told AFP.

The last major bombing in India was in February last year in the western city of Pune, when a blast at a packed restaurant killed 16 people including several foreigners.

In 2006, a series of seven high-powered blasts on suburban trains in Mumbai killed 187 commuters and left 800 injured -- an attack that India also blamed on Pakistan-based militants.

India broke off a peace dialogue with Pakistan after the 2008 attacks, blaming Islamabad for failing to crack down on the LeT. Talks between the two nuclear-armed rivals only resumed earlier this year.

The Indian and Pakistani foreign ministers are scheduled to meet in New Delhi in the last week of July.

India, Bangladesh to fight terror jointly - Chandigarh Tribune

New Delhi/Dhaka, July 6
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna today embarked on an official visit to Bangladesh during which he is expected to convey India's commitment to forging an enduring relationship with the neighbouring country.

Asserting that India remains committed to a partnership in the development and prosperity of the people of Bangladesh, Krishna said that both the countries remain steadfast in their efforts to combat the scourge of terrorism.

?We are at a historic juncture. I am confident that through a forward-looking, progressive and pragmatic approach based on understanding and cooperation, we can achieve a mutually rewarding relationship that brings a brighter future, prosperity and development to the people of both countries,? said Krishna on his arrival at the Dhaka airport today.

"India remains committed to a partnership in the development and prosperity of the people of Bangladesh. Both the countries remain steadfast in their efforts to combat the scourge of terrorism,? he added

During talks with the Bangladesh leaders, Krishna will review the gamut of bilateral relations ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's September 6-7 visit. His three-day trip comes against the backdrop of Singh?s remarks last Wednesday about 25 per cent of Bangladeshis being anti-Indian which kicked up an uproar in that country.

The two sides are expected to sign several ?bilateral documents? on transit, a 15-year interim accord on Teesta river water-sharing, joint ventures in power sector and development projects under the $1billion Line of Credit extended by India in January last year during Hasina?s visit to Delhi.

Krishna's visit is part of the spadework to work out the ?deliverables? by India during Singh's visit to Dhaka when New Delhi is expected to come out with unilateral trade concessions, including further easing of Bangladeshi textile exports to the Indian market, and an agreement on border demarcation and adversely-held enclaves. ? PTI

Indo-Pak talks: Foreign secretaries discuss terror, CBMs and Samjhauta - Times of India

ISLAMABAD: Foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan got underway here on Thursday with foreign secretary Nirupama Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir focusing on terrorism and conventional and nuclear-confidence building measures (CBMs).

Even though the first set of talks between Indian and Pakistani home secretaries had focused almost exclusively on terrorism and Mumbai trials, the issue formed part of the discussions on Thursday. But in a nod to Pakistani concerns, there were also discussions on the Samjhauta Express case, where India has just filed the first chargesheet.

On Friday, the two sides will sit down for talks on Jammu & Kashmir, something that the Pakistanis are placing a great deal of importance on. Pakistani foreign office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua said the first session would focus on Kashmir.

While neither side was forthcoming on the subject of Thursday's discussions, the MEA spokesperson said, "All aspects related to peace and security have been discussed... Terrorism is an issue that is confronting both countries and has affected peace and security in both countries."

Describing the talks as "cordial, substantive and forward-looking", officials said Friday's talks would include CBMs related to J&K.

Rao landed at Chaklala airbase in Rawalpindi in the morning for the "penultimate" round of bilateral talks. While the resumed dialogue process between India and Pakistan does not appear to be the composite dialogue which India dumped after 26/11, the elements of the dialogue are exactly the same as it used to be. For all intents and purposes, this is the composite dialogue, even though it is not quite labelled as such.

Pakistan is centering attention on the J&K round, hoping to push for a solution. India is looking at a broader approach, of "reducing trust deficits" and, as Rao said, "working towards an eventual normalisation of relations".

In the afternoon, visa counselor from the Indian high commission in Islamabad Sohail Khan met the six Indian crew members of MV Suez which reached Karachi on Thursday. They will return to India on Friday. Rao said, "We want our boys back home soon." The general narrative on Pakistani TV channels through the day was about how Pakistan had come to the Indian sailors' rescue after the Indian government had abandoned them.

After PM Manmohan Singh intervened on the issue of release of Pakistani virologist Dr Khaleel Chishty from a Rajasthan jail, sources here expect that this could happen soon. Chishty has been stuck since 1992 and even now it took a prime ministerial intervention to release the ailing 78-year-old doctor.

Calling the dialogue "part of a process", Rao described the relationship as "complex" with a long history. "We need to learn lessons from that history," she said. But "the best opportunities present themselves in difficult situations," she continued, adding that she had come to Islamabad with an "open mind and constructive approach".

Earlier this week, foreign minister S M Krishna set in motion the message of caution. "Patience is something that is called for. We will have to be realistic, we will have to be positive in our approach," he told journalists in New Delhi this week.