[Onthebarricades] Pro-democracy, human/civil rights protests - India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka - October 2008

[global resistance roundup]

PAKISTAN

* Protests over chief justice continue
* JI protest PPP government
* PPP leaders protested for victimisation
* Party protests alleged killings by rivals
* Strange protest - in favour of cop

BANGLADESH

* Opposition activists protest irregularities

SRI LANKA - INDIA

* Wave of protests against killing of Tamils in Sri Lanka
* DMK human chain in Chennai
* Tamil protests also reach South Africa and Australia

SRI LANKA - TAMIL EELAM

* Protest in Jaffna against Tamil Tiger attack on merchant fleet

INDIA

* Tamil Nadu - police killing in "freak accident" leads to protest
* Karnataka - Dalits protest atrocities
* AP - TDP protests alleged corruption
* Malegaon - shutdown to protest police beating
* Tamil Nadu - AIADMK protest corruption in corporation
* Kerala - clerk appointments become focus for protests
* Tamil Nadu - MDMK protest arrest of leader
* West Bengal - Trinamool protest against CPI(M) government
* Orissa - villagers blockade police in protest over lathicharge
* Kerala/Delhi - ministers stage sit-in against centre policies
* UP - Congress plans long march
* Meghalaya - airport launch cancellation protested by politicians
* Karnataka - communalist comments protested
* Karnataka - Muslim League members protest against leaders





http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=140794

Deposed CJ’s fan in unending state of protest Monday, October 13, 2008
by Malik Ayub Sumbal

Rawalpindi

Pinning the picture of deposed chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry 
on his collar, Latif Mughal, aged 75, is still in a state of protest and 
quite hopeful for his restoration.

Latif Mughal belonging to Kahuta travels throughout the city including 
far-flung areas by carrying clippings of newspapers, placards and the 
pamphlets about the deposed CJ.

His only hobby is to make files of press clippings of deposed judge’s 
issue. He collects news stories and pictures from various news sources 
and updates his file on the issue. He actively participated in all the 
protests staged by the lawyers’ movement from the very first day.

While taking to ‘The News’ Latif Mughal said, “I have dedicated rest of 
my life to the deposed chief justice and I will be in a state of protest 
until the deposed CJ is restored.” He gets up early in the morning and 
travels throughout the city with his belongings, which are the pictures 
of Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and Dr A Q Khan.

He said, “I love the pictures of Dr A Q Khan and Iftikhar Muhammad 
Chaudhry, the reason is because they are my heroes.” Latif Mughal 
witnessed a lot of tragedies in his life, as his young son and wife had 
passed away which put him in distress.

He said, “Some time I start weeping after seeing the pictures of my son 
and beloved wife... I miss them very much... because they left me 
alone.” Latif Mughal was a renowned athlete of his time and awarded a 
lot of medals in bodybuilding competitions. He was also a progressive 
member of Khaksar Movement and still serving as divisional president of 
the movement.

He said, “I am living with a hope of restoration of the deposed CJ and 
that day is not far off now.”






http://www.dawn.com/2008/10/07/rss.htm#e7

Jamat-e-Islami protest against PPP govt's failures HYDERABAD: Ameer 
Jamat-e-Islami Sindh chapter, Moulana Asadullah Bhutto has said that his 
party has launched a train march from Peshawar today against the price 
hike, rampant lawlessness, massive unemployment, military operation in 
the northern areas, American aggression against Pakistan and other 
issues. Speaking at a news conference at the press club here on Monday, 
he said, the main objective of the train march was to highlight the 
problems confronting the country and the masses. (Posted @ 05:49 PST)






http://www.dawn.com/2008/10/07/rss.htm#e4

Protests held against PPP leaders for victimization DADU: Supporters of 
Dadu Ittehad Panel (Jatoi group) staged demonstration in Mehar on Monday 
to protest against PPP MPA Fayaz Butt and his supporters for occupying a 
patrol pump and other property of Sikandar Butt. Butt alleged that PPP 
leaders and MPA Fayaz Butt were victimizing the Dadu Ittehad Panel 
leaders and pressing them to change their loyalty from the former 
minister Liaquat Jatoi group to PPP. (Posted @ 04:49 PST)






http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=142675

ST chalks out protest plan against targeted killings Thursday, October 
23, 2008
By our correspondent

Karachi

Sunni Tehreek (ST) has chalked out a phase-wise protest plan across the 
country against what they said the targeted killing of its activists 
allegedly by Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

The party took this decision at a meeting chaired by ST chief Mohamed 
Sarwat Ejaz Qadri at its headquarters on Wednesday.

The meeting also decided to stage protest demos on main arteries of the 
country and blocking roads to vent their anger against the continuous 
wave of terrorism that has claimed the lives of several ST workers. The 
party leaders have asked their workers to remain vigilant against 
terrorist activities, “as the government has adopted a non-serious 
attitude towards ST”.

In the initial phase, Sunni Tehreek will hold protest demos outside the 
press clubs of the country on October 24, when the local leaders will 
also stage demonstration outside the Karachi Press Club after Friday 
prayers.

The meeting decided to present a memorandum to the rulers of the country 
after consulting with all the opposition political parties against 
terrorism. In its memorandum, the ST will ask the political parties to 
raise this issue on the floor of the parliament.

In the second phase, the ST workers will observe hunger strike outside 
the press clubs of the country. The detailed programme of phase-wise 
protests will be announced on Thursday.






http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=141818

It’s strange when people protest in favour of a cop! Sunday, October 19, 
2008
By Rauf Klasra

ISLAMABAD: The people of Okara district have sharply reacted to the 
removal of honest District Police Officer (DPO) Ehsan Sadiq, who was 
stripped off his position by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for defying 
political interference by three MPs of the area in the functions of the 
police.

These “pampered” MPs of the area had recently joined the ranks of the 
PML-N in the Punjab and got the honest cop transferred as part of their 
secret deal with Shahbaz Sharif.

The action was against the claims of the CM Punjab and the reaction is 
something unprecedented as†the public in general and lawyers in 
particular are showing their open support for a police officer.

Earlier, a large number of people, having no idea how to react to the 
shocking news of Ehsan Sadiqís transfer, gathered outside the press 
club. People had tears in their eyes and expressed solidarity with the 
outgoing cop.

Ehsan Sadiq had a lucrative job at the Asian Development Bank and was 
getting salary in dollars, but he quit after he was given a firm 
assurance by Shahbaz Sharif that political consideration would not be 
allowed to interfere in his work at the district level.

Major (retd) Ejaz, who lost the recent election on the PPP ticket, 
blasted the removal of Ehsan Sadiq and said the transfer of an honest 
officer had disappointed everyone in the area. He said Sadiq had earned 
the respect of the people within a very short time.

Talking to this correspondent, some journalists of the city said Ehsan 
Sadiq was highly regarded in the area because of his honest and 
professional dealings and most importantly the defiance to political 
elites.

One of the reporters of an Urdu television channel said Ehsanís removal 
had genuinely shocked everybody, as it had greatly demoralised the 
common citizens, who were given respect and justice by the top cop.

Former president of Deepalpur Tehsil Bar Niaz Ahmad Phularwan told The 
News from Okara that the five former presidents of the bar and senior 
lawyers were also against the removal of the honest cop. He said honest 
police cops within the Police department had found a caring officer, who 
had given full protection to them. He said actually the three MPs of the 
area, who had recently joined the PML-N had played a major role in the 
removal of Ehsan Sadiq. He said the cop had refused to oblige their 
attempts to register fake cases against their opponents as it was 
usually done in the rural areas.

Afzal Ahmad Watoo, advocate, also condemned the removal of Ehsan Sadiq 
and said the cop had become a new ray of hope for the crime-hit district 
within a short time. He said the people were seriously disappointed to 
see an honest officer becoming a victim of political considerations.

Tahir Hashmi advocate, the former president of the bar, also condemned 
the transfer of Ehsan Sadiq. “Let me tell you clearly that Ehsan Sadiq’s 
transfer is against the will of the people. This is simply a political 
revenge,” he commented.

A technical staff officer, Imran Khan, said the whole district was 
protesting against removal of Ehsan Sadiq. “We appreciate his efforts to 
introduce good governance in the district,” he said.

Meanwhile, talking to The News, Pervez Rashid, the CM’s adviser on 
media, lost his temper over this issue and said the transfer of any 
police officer was not a very serious matter to be discussed, asked or 
even replied.

“Listen, Mr Rauf, you are just making it an issue. Otherwise, its not 
worth reporting at all. Posting and transfer of any officer is just a 
routine matter. Don’t give it any importance,” Rashid said in an 
aggressive tone.







http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=57465

Published On: 2008-10-06
Metropolitan
Puja Mandap
100 Ansar, VDP men protest irregularities in Rajshahi
Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi

Over 100 members of Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) staged a 
demonstration in Rajshahi yesterday protesting alleged irregularities in 
recruiting security men for Puja Mandaps in the city.

They alleged that the authorities cancelled their appointments at Puja 
Mandaps only a day before the Puja without any reasonable grounds and 
recruited people in exchange for bribes of Tk 50 to Tk 100.

The Ansar and VDP members came from Paba and Boalia upazila to join 
their duty but laid a siege to the district office when they learnt that 
their appointments were cancelled.

They said some 265 Ansar and VDP members were appointed on September 25 
for 319 Puja Mandaps in the city.

The demonstrators, however, withdrew their agitation programme after 
senior officials assured them of assigning duty to them in future.

When contacted, Ansar VDP District Adjutant Hira Miah said he will look 
into the matter. "Action will be taken if anyone was found involved in 
such irregularities," he added.







http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/DMK_human_chain_protest_for_pro-Tamil/rssarticleshow/3635853.cms

DMK human chain protest for pro-Tamil support
24 Oct 2008, 0948 hrs IST, Times Now
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NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu is gearing up for a huge show of solidarity for 
Tamils caught in a military conflict in northern Sri Lanka. The DMK along

with its allies is leading a 60 kilometre long human chain to focus 
attention on the Tamils caught in the fighting between Liberation Tigers 
of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Sri Lankan army. ( Watch )

Political parties in Tamil Nadu have urged the Centre to stop military 
aid to Sri Lanka. In fact, MPs belonging to UPA's key ally the DMK have 
threatened to resign, if the government does not take up the cause of 
Sri Lankan Tamils.

But when asked about the lifting of the ban on LTTE, Tamil Nadu chief 
minister M Karunanidhi evaded a direct reply saying that it's for the 
Centre to decide on LTTE's ban. Speaking exclusively to TIMES NOW the 
DMK supremo said, "The central government will decide on whether the ban 
on LTTE has to be lifted or not."

But even as Tamil Nadu politicians take up the issue of Tamils in Sri 
Lanka, they don't want to be seen as LTTE sympathisers. MDMK leader 
Vaiko's arrest on Thursday for making a pro-LTTE speech has drawn sharp 
reactions.

While the Congress has welcomed the action against Vaiko, AIADMK chief J 
Jayalalithaa has termed Vaiko's arrest as politically motivated.

Describing MDMK leader and her ally Vaiko's arrest as "politically 
motivated," AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa questioned the rationale behind 
the arrest, when other leaders and some Tamil film directors who had 
made speeches supporting the LTTE, similar to that of Vaiko, were left 
"scot-free."

In a statement in Chennai, she also questioned the locus standi of DMK 
government for ordering arrest of Vaiko citing the eulogy penned by 
Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on the death of "members of the banned 
organisation," in an apparent reference to SP Tamilselvan, then 
political advisor of the LTTE, who was killed in a Sri Lankan Air raid 
last year.

Describing the action against Vaiko as "half-baked", she said the law of 
the land be applied to all and demanded action against the film 
directors-- Bharathiraja, Seeman and Ameer.

Recalling a Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi conference in January this 
year, Jayalalithaa said pro-LTTE remarks were openly made by party 
founder Thol Thirumalavan, a DMK ally and wondered why no action had 
been taken on him so far.

And even as Tamil Nadu politicians jostle to take up the Tamil cause, 
Tamil rebels seem desperate to gain acceptance. Speaking exclusively to 
TIMES NOW, LTTE's political voice B Nadesan said that India should 
realise LTTE is its true friend.

When asked what is LTTE's message to Sonia Gandhi and the Indian 
government on if they should intervene in the matter, Nadesan said, "At 
this juncture all must realise who are the true friends of India and 
Indian people. And thus remove the ban on our movement and recognise us. 
They must also stop the military aid to Sri Lanka."






http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/index.php?sid=418126

Activists protest killing of Tamils in Sri Lanka
________________________________________

ANI Tuesday 14th October, 2008
Coimbatore, Oct 14 : Thousands of Tamil activists here staged 
demonstration against Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and 
protested against the killing of Tamils in the country.

Shouting slogans, the protesters later torched an effigy of Rajapaksa.

They demanded the intervention of the Indian Government to save the life 
of "innocents".

"As a mark of protest today, we urge the Indian Government to take back 
all the arms given to Sri Lankan army. Military experts sent to Sri 
Lanka should be withdrawn immediately, no military training programmes 
should be conducted with Sri Lankan army on Indian soil, and financial 
aid should be halted to Sri Lanka," said Ramakrishnan, a leader of the 
Thandai Periyar Dravida Kazhagam.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa's Government in January accused the 
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) of using a ceasefire brokered in 
2002 to re-arm itself, and threw out the truce both sides had mostly 
ignored for two years.

He has vowed to militarily wipe out the Tigers, which are on U.S., E.U. 
and Indian terrorism lists, and retake the northern territory the group 
has fought since 1983 to claim as a separate homeland for Sri Lanka's 
Tamil minority.

The LTTE says it is fighting to create a separate homeland for Sri 
Lanka's minority Tamils, who have complained of marginalisation by 
successive governments led by the Sinhalese majority since independence 
from Britain in 1948.






http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1199806

Human chain protest postponed due to heavy rains
PTI
Tuesday, October 21, 2008 11:04 IST

CHENNAI: The DMK announced postponement of its human chain protest, 
scheduled here on Tuesday to urge the Centre to prevail upon Sri Lanka 
to end the sufferings of Tamils in the island nation.
The human chain, which was to stretch from Chennai to its suburbs, was 
postponed on Tuesday following heavy rains, DMK sources said.
The human chain agitation would now be held on October 24, they said.
Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday announced holiday for 
schools and colleges across the state as rains have been lashing the 
state for the past few days.








http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/18/stories/2008101859621000.htm

National

Advocates stage demonstration
Staff Reporter
Coimbatore: A group of 20 advocates took out a procession inside the 
District Sessions Court complex here on Friday and burnt an effigy of 
Defence Minister A.K. Antony.
Court boycott
About 2,000 advocates in the sessions and other sub-ordinate judiciary 
courts have been on a two-day court boycott condemning the “genocide of 
the Tamil race in Sri Lanka.”
On the second day, the advocates raised slogans against the Defence 
Minister and the National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister M.K. 
Narayanan, for “helping” Sri Lanka militarily.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/13/stories/2008101355470300.htm

Tamil Nadu

Demonstration staged to condemn attack on Tamils in Sri Lanka
Staff Reporter
Cadres arrested while trying to burn the Sri Lankan President in effigy
— Photo: N. Bashkaran

For a cause: Members of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Party staging a 
demonstration in Krishnagiri on Sunday.
KRISHNAGIRI: As many as 62 cadres of Vidhuthalai Chiruthaigal Party were 
arrested while trying to burn the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa 
in effigy, here on Sunday.
The demonstration was part of the party’s state-wide agitation 
condemning the attack on Tamils in Sri Lanka.
The cadres staged a demonstration at Five Road junction in Pudupettai.
Mr. R. Kovendan, District Secretary of the Vidhuthalai Chiruthaigal 
Party and Deputy Secretaries Mr. V.P. Sitrarasu and S. Asokan led the 
demonstration.
A team of police led by the Krishnagiri Town Police Inspector Mr. 
Arulmozhi Arasu prevented them from burning the effigy.
After the demonstration the cadres went to the nearby marriage hall, 
where they were arrested by the police.
The members demanded that the Central Government should stop the supply 
of arms to Sri Lankan army, which is on warpath against the Tamils.








http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/index.php?sid=422504

Tamils in Chennai protest against ongoing conflict in Sri Lanka
________________________________________

ANI Saturday 25th October, 2008
Chennai, Oct 25 : Hundreds of Tamils marched on the streets of Chennai 
on Friday to protest against the ongoing conflict in Sri Lanka, as a 
regional political group pressured the Indian Government to stop the war.

Protesters braved heavy rains and linked arms shouting slogans "Save the 
Tamils, stop the battle."

"This human chain is formed to protest against the Army's atrocities on 
innocent Tamils. All the parties from Tamil Nadu - CPI, CPI (M), DMK - 
and others, participated in the 60-km long human chain. It indicates 
that Tamils are united against Sri Lanka's atrocities and this problem 
has to come to an end," said Naganathan, senior leader of Dravida 
Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK).

On Friday, the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) staged 
a walkout from the Rajya Sabha demanding arrest of Tamil Nadu Chief 
Minister M Karunanidhi over his alleged support to the separatist LTTE 
in Sri Lanka.

Earlier, 13 MPs, including six ministers of Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam 
(DMK) had handed their resignation letters to Karunanidhi on October 17 
demanding action from the Central Government.

Sri Lanka has vowed to crush the LTTE militarily.






http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Rain_protest_bring_Chennai_to_knees/rssarticleshow/3638855.cms

Heavy rain, human chain bring city to its knees
25 Oct 2008, 0344 hrs IST, TNN

CHENNAI: Traffic on the arterial Anna Salai in the city was thrown into 
chaos on Friday due to the pouring rain and the human chain formed by

Police officer stands in front of a protest march in Chennai. (Reuters)
More Pictures

political parties to express solidarity with Tamils caught in the war in 
Sri Lanka.

The chain, broken though it was at many places despite school and 
college students forming captive links, added to the misery of those 
stuck in traffic jams.

Rain lashed the city from 3 pm, inundating not just the usually 
vulnerable areas, but even roads and plots usually safe from flooding. 
As roads went under sheets of water and the human chain took shape on 
Anna Salai, vehicles moved bumper to bumper on many of the main roads.

Vehicles which tried to take a detour added to traffic jams on 
Nungambakkam High Road, Triplicane High Road and Arcot Road. The city’s 
entry points remained clogged from afternoon. The worst-affected were 
school children returning home, as the downpour and the political 
roadshow held up their vans for several hours.

“My son, who usually comes home at 4.30 pm from his school in RA Puram, 
today reached home at 8.10 pm. Like him, 15 other children in the van 
were on the verge of collapse as they had no food or water for several 
hours,” said Bhavani of Adambakkam.

Flooding of rails near Guindy delayed the suburban train services. Air 
passengers complained that they missed flights because they could not 
reach the airport in time.

As yet another political show rolled out on Chennai's arterial roads, 
all hell broke loose. The human chain to express solidarity with Sri 
Lankan Tamils weaved through the arterial Mount Road throwing traffic 
out of gear, and leaving commuters, office-goers, students and even 
young children stranded for hours on the road.

Over the years, politicians have used public utilities, main roads and 
streets to promote their parties and propagate their cause, but the 
human chain which stretched from Tambaram to Kamaraj road would still 
count among the biggest crowd-mobilising exercises seen in Chennai.

Although there are no clear judicial directives with regard to the 
organising of such events, , it was only last June that the Madras high 
court had placed restrictions on public meetings so that they caused as 
little inconvenience as possible to the public and did not disrupt 
traffic during the rush hour.

Ensuring that roads were not blocked and sufficient space was given for 
free movement of vehicles and pedestrians was a key element in the ruling.

Even though a human chain programme may not strictly fall under the 
category of public meetings, the spirit of the order was that the people 
were not put to great hardship during political gatherings.

These directives were clearly flouted on Friday as thousands of 
political activists and students were mobilised for the human chain.

Civic activists are of the view that the rally could have easily been 
organised at a location less inconvenient to residents to achieve the 
same effect. Instead, the show, which had clear political overtones, saw 
even chief minister M Karunanidhi's family members standing in the human 
chain, unmindful of being drenched in the rain.

“The most pitiable was the plight of schoolchildren and college students 
who stood shivering in the rain, intimidated by teachers, waiting for 
the chief minister to pass by,” said a motorist on condition of anonymity.

While the heavy rains may have contributed to the traffic chaos on 
Friday, the question on many people's minds was whether such protests 
really achieve the purpose for which they are held.






http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=6102949

Indian Tamils in Human Chain Protest Over Sri Lanka
By S. Murari
October 24, 2008

CHENNAI, India (Reuters) - Hundreds of Tamils marched in the streets of 
a southern Indian city Friday to protest against the ongoing conflict in 
Sri Lanka, as a regional political group pressured the Indian government 
to stop the war.
Protesters braved heavy rains and linked arms in Chennai, the capital of 
Tamil Nadu state. "Save the Tamils, stop the battle," they shouted.
Sri Lanka's intensifying offensive against the LTTE, which it has fought 
since 1983 in one of Asia's longest insurgencies, has roiled India's 
political scene and prompted heated diplomatic exchanges between the two 
neighbors.
Two Tamil politicians were arrested Thursday by the Indian police for 
speaking publicly in support of the LTTE rebels.
Last week, a group of Indian lawmakers, whose support is crucial to the 
government, handed their resignation letters to their party chief, 
saying they could not continue in a government that was not reacting to 
the sufferings of the Tamils.
The Indian government urged Sri Lanka to solve the issue through dialogue.
But the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party (DMK) which organised Friday's 
rally has called regular protests, and thousands of people from the 
Tamil film industry also thronged to an island in the state this week to 
protest against Sri Lanka.
The lawmakers' resignation could force a vote of confidence in Prime 
Minister Manmohan Singh's government if the letters reach the speaker in 
India's parliament.
But experts have described the threats to resign as only political 
posturing.
"By resigning, they are playing to the galleries and putting pressure on 
the government, which is very unfortunate," Bhaskara Rao, a political 
analyst said in New Delhi.
The Tigers in Sri Lanka figure on U.S., European Union and Indian 
terrorism lists for widespread bombings and assassinations.
In 1991, they were charged with killing India's former Congress Prime 
Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Sri Lanka has vowed to crush the Tamil Tigers 
militarily.
India sent peacekeepers to the island nation in 1987, only to withdraw 
them after losing more than 1,200 men in battle and facing allegations 
of human rights violations.
India now follows a policy of non-interference in Sri Lanka's internal 
problems.


(Writing by Bappa Majumdar; Editing by Alistair Scrutton)





http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asia/india/2008/10/25/180313/Indian-Tamils.htm

October 25, 2008 11:21 am TWN, By S. Murari, Reuters
Indian Tamils protest over Sri Lanka conflict
CHENNAI, India -- Hundreds of Tamils marched in the streets of a 
southern Indian city on Friday to protest against the ongoing conflict 
in Sri Lanka, as a regional political group pressured the Indian 
government to stop the war.
Protesters braved heavy rains and linked arms in Chennai, the capital of 
Tamil Nadu state. “Save the Tamils, stop the battle,” they shouted.
Sri Lanka’s intensifying offensive against the LTTE, which it has fought 
since 1983 in one of Asia’s longest insurgencies, has roiled India’s 
political scene and prompted heated diplomatic exchanges between the two 
neighbors.
Two Tamil politicians were arrested on Thursday by the Indian police for 
speaking publicly in support of the LTTE rebels.
Last week, a group of Indian lawmakers, whose support is crucial to the 
government, handed their resignation letters to their party chief, 
saying they could not continue in a government that was not reacting to 
the sufferings of the Tamils.
The Indian government urged Sri Lanka to solve the issue through dialogue.
But the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party (DMK) which organised Friday’s 
rally has called regular protests, and thousands of people from the 
Tamil film industry also thronged to an island in the state this week to 
protest against Sri Lanka.
The lawmakers’ resignation could force a vote of confidence in Prime 
Minister Manmohan Singh’s government if the letters reach the speaker in 
India’s parliament.
But experts have described the threats to resign as only political 
posturing.
“By resigning, they are playing to the galleries and putting pressure on 
the government, which is very unfortunate,” Bhaskara Rao, a political 
analyst said in New Delhi.
The Tigers in Sri Lanka figure on U.S., European Union and Indian 
terrorism lists for widespread bombings and assassinations.
In 1991, they were charged with killing India’s former Congress Prime 
Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Sri Lanka has vowed to crush the Tamil Tigers 
militarily.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/27/stories/2008102753450300.htm

Karnataka - Hubli-Dharwad

Silent protest against ‘killings’ of Tamilians
Staff Correspondent
HUBLI: Members of various organisations staged a demonstration and took 
out a silent protest march in Hubli on Sunday against “killings” of 
Tamil minorities in Sri Lanka.
The protest was organised by the Dharwad district unit of the Karnataka 
Tamil’s Federation. The protesters held placards with messages 
condemning the “killings” of Tamilians and urging for steps to save the 
minorities in Sri Lanka.
Led by the office-bearers of the federation, the protesters staged the 
demonstration in front of B.R. Ambedkar’s statue near the Head Post Office.
Later, they took out the protest march
Members of the Hubli Tamil Sangam, Buddhist Association, Sri Subramani 
Samaj, Muttu Mariamma Yuvaka Mandal, Sri Vairamalai Murugan Temple Trust 
and Baba Saheb Ambedkar Youth Federation were among those who 
participated in the protest.





http://article.wn.com/view/2008/10/12/Tamil_film_industry_joins_protests_on_Lanka/

Tamil film industry joins protests on Lanka The Statesman
N Ravikumar CHENNAI, Oct. 12: Confirming the trend in Tamil Nadu that 
any emotional issue moves to the film arena after it takes the 
centre-stage in politics, Tamil film industry joined the protests on the 
Sri Lankan Tamils’ issue and announced that all the film stars and 
technicians would wear black badges “condemning the genocide of island 
Tamils”.






http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Tamil_film_stars_stage_protest_to_show_solidarity/rssarticleshow/3616497.cms

Tamil film stars stage protest to show solidarity
20 Oct 2008, 0106 hrs IST, TNN

RAMESWARAM: Over 2,000 members of the Tamil film industry staged a rally 
in this coastal temple town on Sunday to protest against alleged

genocide against Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka, but the event was robbed 
of its sheen because of the absence of glamourous stars.

Initially, the industry had planned a massive show of support to the 
Tamil cause, but logistical constraints over transporting hundreds of 
popular actors to the small town
made the organisers think otherwise. Actor-politician Sarath Kumar, 
president of the South Indian film artistes' association, said top 
actors would stage a fast in Chennai on November 1 on the same issue.

The Tamil industry, which has in the past taken to the streets to take 
up the state's cause in the Cauvery water dispute and Hogenakkal 
drinking water scheme, wanted to rally around the political parties in 
support of Tamils in Lanka, too.

Speakers at the rally urged the Centre to take immediate steps to stop 
the 'massacre' of civilians in the island. Large crowds gathered in 
Rameswaram to witness the mega-protest, but many were disappointed that 
the protesters comprised largely of directors and film distributors, and 
that their favourite stars, even those from the small screen, were not 
present.

President of the film producers' council, Rama Narayan, directors 
Bharathiraja, Vijaya T Rajender, Seeman, Ameer, Santhana Bharathi and 
others came by a special train to Rameswaram. People lined up along the 
road to the venue of the demonstration to welcome the film stars.

Speaking to reporters, Bharathiraja said the protest was aimed at 
expressing solidarity with the suffering Tamils. Some of the protesters 
visited the nearby Tamil refugee camp at Mandapam and distributed 
clothes and food items to the residents.










http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/25/stories/2008102556351200.htm


Tamils protest in South Africa
PRETORIA: Hundreds of Tamils settled here took out a march on Friday 
protesting against alleged human rights violation during the ongoing 
conflict in Sri Lanka.
“Our primary aim is to show that we are concerned about the mass 
killings of Tamil civilians by the Sri Lankan government soldiers in the 
north and east of the island country,” said the spokesperson of Tamil 
Coordinating Committee of South Africa — PTI






http://www.greenleft.org.au/2008/771/39777

Sri Lankan foreign minister met with protests

Farida Iqbal
18 October 2008

Around 600 members of the Australian Tamil community converged on 
Canberra on October 14 to protest Sri Lankan foreign minister Rohitha 
Bogollagama’s visit to Australia to meet with foreign minister Stephen 
Smith. Bogollagama was addressing an invite-only audience of Australian 
journalists inside the National Press Club.
Protesters demanded an end to the restriction of press freedoms within 
Sri Lanka, in particular the assassination of journalists by the Sri 
Lankan government and the ban on journalists visiting areas controlled 
by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The Sri Lankan government has recently intensified its military 
operations in an attempt to regain LTTE-controlled territory. Activists 
also condemned Smith’s October 13 announcement that Australia would 
consider listing the LTTE as a terrorist organisation. The LTTE has led 
the struggle for Tamil self-determination.

The chairperson of the Australian Federation of Tamil Associations 
addressed the rally. “There is war going on in Sri Lanka. The Tamils 
want to be recognised, have the right of self-determination. We should 
rule ourselves”, he said. “We want the Tamils to have their own nation, 
and to live in dignity.”

An October 15 Tamilnet.com article quoted a protester saying: “A Sri 
Lankan government representative is addressing Australian journalists 
while the Sri Lankan government has banned journalists from visiting 
areas where there are more than 200,000 internally displaced, and where 
Colombo’s embargo on essential food is driving the IDPs [internally 
displaced people] towards a humanitarian crisis.”

Australian media representatives questioned Bogollagama on the issue of 
press freedom. Mark Dodd from the Australian asked how the Sri Lankan 
government, given its own record of human rights violations, could ask 
the Australian government to ban the LTTE.

Bogollagama had told Smith that the Sri Lankan government would not 
negotiate with the LTTE until they laid down their arms.

A second protest was held in Sydney on October 15 as Bogollagama 
addressed the Sydney Centre for International Law. Several hundred 
people protested outside to condemn Sri Lanka’s failing judicial system.







http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/24/stories/2008102456101800.htm


Protest against LTTE in Jaffna
B. Muralidhar Reddy
COLOMBO: Jaffna’s civil society, along with business establishments, the 
administration and many educational institutions on Thursday observed a 
hartal to protest against the ‘cowardly’ LTTE suicide attack on two 
ships with food supplies to the peninsula on Wednesday, said Minister 
and Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) leader Doughlas Devananda.
“The cowardly action of the Tigers targeting two ships carrying 
essential items to the Jaffna Peninsula has angered the people so much 
that it led to a spontaneous protest,” Mr. Devananda told The Hindu.
A group of Tamil parties — the EPDP, PLOTE, TMVP, EPRLF-P and TULF — 
opposed to the LTTE have decided to observe October 28 as a ‘protest 
day’ in the north and eastern provinces, where the LTTE is “holding 
civilians hostage” in the warzones.
The sea route between the peninsula and the mainland provides essential 
goods to Jaffna. Any attempt to disrupt the supplies’ flow must be 
condemned, said Mr. Devananda. Due to the attack, services in Jaffna 
were disrupted as there were no transport facilities, he said.
Separately, the military said “counter-terrorist offensives” continued 
as it encountered stiff resistance from the LTTE in Wanni. The military 
claimed the LTTE’s casualties might soar following fresh fighting.
Meanwhile, 13 civilians from LTTE-held areas in Mullathivu district 
sought the military’s protection on Thursday. They used sea routes to 
reach Pulmuddai after escaping from LTTE-held Veththalakerni. “The 
escapees have told that they have to undergo untold hardships as a 
result of LTTE activities, including extortion and conscription of 
youngsters. However, signs emanating from Wanni indicate that civilians 
are ready to flee the clutches of the LTTE at any moment as dozens of 
civilians are fleeing Wanni on a daily basis,” said the Defence Ministry.





http://www.newkerala.com/topstory-fullnews-35928.html

Shutdown in Jaffna to protest LTTE attack on merchant ships
Colombo, Oct 23 : Life came to a standstill in Sri Lanka's northern 
Jaffna peninsula Thursday in response to a shutdown called to protest a 
suicide attack by the Tamil Tiger rebels on two cargo vessels a day ago.
A Sri Lankan cargo vessel was damaged when the Tamil Tiger rebels 
Wednesday carried a pre-dawn-suicide boat attack targeting two 
government merchant vessels off the Kankesanthurai harbour in the north.

Reports from Jaffna said that normal activity in the northern peninsula 
was badly affected Thursday with schools, government departments and 
business institutions closed. Public transport was also off the roads.

However, the Jaffna Teaching Hospital remained functional.

The anti-LTTE Eelam People Democratic Party (EPDP), which organised the 
shut down, said people in the Jaffna peninsula 'have expressed their 
condemnation to the LTTE attack on ships carrying essential supplies to 
the north, by extending their fullest support to the hartal'.

The ex-militant EPDP is an ally of the ruling coalition and its leader 
Douglas Devananda is a key minister in President Mahinda Rajapaksa's 
cabinet.

Commenting on the latest confrontation at sea, Devananda charged that 
the LTTE suicide attack on the ships was 'clearly aimed at crippling the 
essential supplies to the north by sea', which has become the lifeline 
after the closure of the Jaffna-Kandy main supply route in 2006.

'The ships were not military targets as they were deployed to transport 
to essential supplies, including dhal, flour and sugar. The hartal was 
organised to demonstrate democratically the people's condemnation on the 
LTTE attack,' Devananda, an open critique of the LTTE, told IANS.

The Sri Lankan Navy said that three explosive-laden suicide boats of the 
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) targeted merchant ships Ruhuna 
and Nimalawa off Kankesanthurai (KKS) harbour at 5.10 a.m. Wednesday.

Claiming that the LTTE attempt was thwarted by sailors providing 
security on board the targeted vessels, the navy however, said that 'one 
of the suicide boats has exploded in close proximity to Merchant Ship 
Nimalawa causing considerable damage to the ship's hull'.

The pro-rebel Tamilnet website quoting LTTE sources claimed that the Sea 
Tigers carried out a 'Black Tiger attack on Sri Lankan ship MV Nimalawa, 
which carried military and other supplies, in the Sri Lankan naval 
harbour in Kankesanthurai, Jaffna.

'The supply ship was sunk and another vessel, MV Ruhuna, sustained heavy 
damage,' the Tigers said Wednesday, adding that two senior LTTE cadres, 
including the deputy leader of the Sea Tigers' female wing had carried 
out the suicide attack.

The LTTE claims were flatly denied by defence ministry.
--- IANS











http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/11/stories/2008101159490300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

Freak accident on busy highway leads to protest
Special Correspondent
Motorcyclist loses control after stopped by police
MADURAI: Traffic on the busy Tirupparankundram Road came to a grinding 
halt after the public resorted to a road blockade protesting against the 
death of a motorist.
The agitators said that Suresh alias Suresh Kumar (32) of Chokalingam 
Nagar, who was proceeding towards Tirupparankundram, was allegedly 
stopped by a policemen at the Pasumalai check-post. Suresh lost control 
and a bus coming in the opposite direction hit the two-wheeler. He died 
on the spot.
As the news spread, some colleagues of Suresh Kumar, working in a 
private company, and passers-by gathered near the check-post and shouted 
slogans against the policeman. A few among the crowd pelted stones at 
the check-post and at the bus involved in the accident.
After 90 minutes of traffic hold-up, the police assured of action 
following which the crowd dispersed.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/14/stories/2008101452290300.htm

Karnataka - Belgaum

DSS protests against atrocities
Staff Correspondent
Belgaum: The district unit of the Dalit Sangarsh Samiti (DSS) on Monday 
took out a procession to protest against the alleged atrocities on a 
Dalit woman in Kadoli village of Belgaum taluk.
The DSS workers, led by district president Ashok Inavar, submitted 
memorandums to the Superintendent of Police and the Deputy Commissioner 
demanding immediate action against the persons responsible for 
humiliating 50-year-old Susheela Myageri.
Mr. Inavar told presspersons that a group of youths from the village had 
accused Ms. Myageri of going against the decision taken by the residents 
of the village not to sell liquor there. He said that the residents had 
decided to stop the sale of liquor on Sunday. Liquor was being sold by 
four or five persons, including Ms. Myageri. Some workers engaged in 
constructing her house were seen consuming country liquor. On learning 
about it and suspecting that she was going against the decision, the 
youths attacked Ms. Myageri. Later, she was handed over to the Kakti 
police station.
Mr. Inavar said the people had no right to humiliate or insult her in 
that manner. He said they could have lodged a complaint with the police.







http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/27/stories/2008102752150300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Kurnool

Unique protest
KURNOOL: TDP leader Bangi Ananthaiah staged a protest with currency 
against alleged corruption in Congress government. True to his style, 
Mr. Ananthaiah stuffed wads of currency in the mouth and wore notes on 
the shirt and head here on Sunday. He said corruption had reached its 
height during the Congress rule, with even Ministers levelling charges 
against each other.
— Special Correspondent






http://story.indiagazette.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/701ee96610c884a6/id/422016/cs/1/

Shutdown in Malegaon to protest alleged police beating
India Gazette
Thursday 23rd October, 2008
(IANS)
An all-party shutdown was observed in Malegaon Thursday to protest the 
'savage beating' of five Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) office 
bearers, allegedly by the police, three days ago.

The MNS functionaries have filed a court complaint against the police, 
stating that on Tuesday they were encircled by about 25 commandos and 
severely thrashed after being deceitfully taken to a spot outside the 
town where they had enforced a road blockade earlier protesting their 
leader Raj Thackeray's arrest in Ratnagiri that day.

'We were told to get down at the road blockade spot, encircled by the 
commandos who were ordered to beat us to death,' said Shriram Sonawne, a 
functionary whose hand was fractured in the alleged beating.

The five, who have suffered fractures in their hands, legs and ribs, 
were taken to the government hospital in Nashik Wednesday after their 
statements were recorded by the local court in Malegaon.

The court has ordered the Nashik district civil surgeon to examine the 
wounds and submit a report within two days, Gawli said.

While additional superintendent of police Sanjay Patil denied the 
allegations, superintendent of police Nikhil Gupta told IANS that 
appropriate action will be taken against whoever is found guilty in the 
incident being probed by the court.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/13/stories/2008101352020400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

AIADMK demonstration
CHENNAI: The AIADMK’s Madurai Corporation unit will organise a 
demonstration tomorrow (October 13) to condemn irregularities in the 
corporation.
In a statement here party general secretary Jayalalithaa alleged that 
corporation employees were being recruited on contract basis and farmers 
who brought their produce for sale at the corporation markets were 
forced to pay commission.
“Instead of increasing the revenue of the corporation through the best 
possible ways, the corporation has burdened the people by hiking 
property tax, commercial tax and industrial tax,” she added. — Special 
Correspondent







http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/25/stories/2008102554550400.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

TDB holds interview amid protests
Special Correspondent
DYFI, AIYF workers hold demonstrations
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A tense situation prevailed at the Travancore 
Devaswom Board (TDB) headquarters here on Friday morning when interview 
for lower division clerks was held.
Board sources said that interview for 91 candidates was scheduled for 
two days. While TDB president C.K. Guptan and member P.K. Sumathy Kutty 
Amma reached the office for the interview, another member P. Narayanan 
chose to keep off. As many as 21 candidates were present for the interview.
Eight candidates were interviewed while protest was raging outside the 
office.
Though a huge posse of police were posted to avoid untoward incidents, a 
group of Democratic Youth Federation of India activists rushed to the 
office and staged a dharna before the president’s office. All India 
Youth Federation activists also attempted to storm the office.
The youth activists raised corruption charges against the Board and said 
that Mr. Guptan and Ms.Sumathy Kutty were trying to select candidates 
who were short-listed by the previous Board which had allegedly taken 
huge amounts from them.
Bharatiya Janata Party workers also marched to the office, but they were 
stopped at the gate.
Interview postponed
After interviewing eight candidates, Mr. Guptan fell ill and was taken 
to hospital. A Board release later said that the interview of the 
remaining candidates had been postponed and the new date and time would 
be announced later.
Earlier, Mr. Guptan told reporters that he was conducting the interview 
as per the decision of the Board and also to avert contempt of court 
proceedings against the Board.





http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/26/stories/2008102651910300.htm

Tamil Nadu

They protest
— Photo: E. Lakshmi Narayanan

For their leader: MDMK cadres staging a demonstration in Salem on 
Saturday condemning the arrest of their leader Vaiko in Chennai.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/26/stories/2008102654380500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

MDMK workers stage protest
Special Correspondent
Demand release of Vaiko, Kannappan
CHENNAI: Members of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam staged a 
protest all over the State on Saturday, demanding the immediate release 
of party general secretary Vaiko and presidium chairman M. Kannappan 
arrested on sedition charges.
Demonstrations were held in all district headquarters, where the workers 
raised slogans condemning the Centre for providing military support to 
the Sri Lankan army in its operations against innocent Tamils.
Leading the agitation at Nagercoil, senior party functionary Nanjil 
Sampath accused Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi of succumbing to the 
pressure of the Congress to arrest Mr. Vaiko and Mr. Kannappan. The 
Centre had admitted to having given training to the Sri Lankan army.
“Thousands of innocent Tamils are homeless in the war-affected areas, 
without food or medical aid. The human chain agitation organised by Mr. 
Karunanidhi is only an eyewash. The Government of India has not 
withdrawn its military assistance to Sri Lanka,” Mr. Sampath said. The 
arrest of Mr. Vaiko and Mr. Kannappan was an attempt to stifle the 
freedom of expression.
In Chennai, a large number of workers staged a demonstration in front of 
the memorial hall. Led by deputy general secretary Mallai Sathya, they 
demanded the release of the leaders.
In Coimbatore, more than 750 workers staged a demonstration.
More than 300 activists in Coimbatore and 150 in Tirupur were removed by 
the police when they attempted to move on to the road, after staging the 
demonstration near Hotel Tamil Nadu. The Police prevented some of them 
from blocking traffic. While district secretaries R.T. Mariappan and 
R.R. Mohan Kumar led a demonstration in Coimbatore, Marumalarchi Labour 
Front leader S. Duraisamy led the agitation at Tirupur.
MDMK MP from Pollachi C. Krishnan also took part in the demonstration in 
the city. All of them were released in the evening.
MDMK workers, led by the district office-bearers, assembled near the 
Collectorate in Salem. The police removed 116 persons in Salem and 76 in 
Namakkal district. In Krishnagiri, 165 members, led by district 
secretary T. Mathaiyan, were removed when they tried to defy a police 
ban on the demonstration. In Dharmapuri district, 125 members were 
removed when they tried to stage a demonstration.
Participating in the stir, Madurai urban district secretary M. 
Boominathan, MLA Veera Illavarasan, M.D .Chinnachellam and labour wing 
secretary Mahaboob John condemned the killing of innocent Tamils and 
demanded the release of their leaders. They urged the Centre and State 
governments to protect the lives of Tamils.
The police said 250 workers were arrested on North Veli Street in 
Madurai and detained in a kalyana mandapam. Later in the evening, all 
the arrested, including five women, were released.






http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=NLetter&id=509c24d7-9556-4aee-a6a2-e5381a85d545&&Headline=Mamata+to+begin+fresh+protests+against+CPI-M

Mamata to begin fresh protests against CPI-M
First Published: 21:47 IST(25/10/2008)
Last Updated: 21:53 IST(25/10/2008)

The Trinamool Congress will begin a series of fresh protests in West 
Bengal from November to protest against the alleged inaction of the 
Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)-led state government in 
tackling major political issues like Nandigram and Singur.
Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee Saturday told reporters here that her 
party would hold rallies after Diwali against the administrative failure 
in sanctioning compensation to families of missing villagers in 
Nandigram and giving back land taken from farmers in Singur.
"We've decided to hold rallies and public meetings Nov 2 in Singur in 
demand of the land which was forcibly acquired by the state government 
for the Tata Motors Nano project," Banerjee said.
She said similar protests would be held in Nandigram in East Midnapore 
district, the region that flared up last year over a notice of land 
acquisition for a chemical hub project by Indonesia's Salim group.
"We'll demand compensation for the family members of those who went 
missing after the CPI-M sponsored terrorism in Nandigram. We'll also 
protest the police atrocity all across the state," Banerjee added.
She said that between Nov 10 and 20 the Trinamool Congress would hold 
demonstrations and lay siege on the offices of the district 
superintendents of police all over the state.





http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/21/stories/2008102155451000.htm

Protest in Kandhamal
— Photo: AFP

Anger against CRPF: Villagers block the entry of Central Reserve Police 
Force personnel at Raikia in Kandhamal district, Orissa on Monday. At 
least seven persons were injured when police lathi-charged a group of 
agitating women, who were demanding the withdrawal of the CRPF personnel 
from the district. They were also opposing police action against their 
menfolk.






http://story.indiagazette.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/701ee96610c884a6/id/419479/cs/1/

Kerala ministers stage protest in Delhi, opposition back home
India Gazette
Friday 17th October, 2008
(IANS)
New Delhi/Even as Kerala ministers staged a sit in Friday in front of 
the Indian parliament to protest against the economic policies of the 
Manmohan Singh government, leader of Opposition Oommen Chandy led a 
similar protest in front of the state secretariat against the 'poor 
governance' of the state government.

While Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said what Chandy and his 
men were doing was 'shameful', Chandy said while inaugurating the sit in 
that what Achuthanandan was doing in New Delhi 'will show Kerala and its 
citizens in poor light'.

The Congress alleged close to Rs.30 million has been spent by 
Achuthanandan to stage the protest in New Delhi. The chief minister said 
that Chandy 'goes around the state and speaks against the government 
using government money'.

Achuthanandan and his cabinet has been saying that the Manmohan Singh 
government despite several requests is not taking favourable actions to 
mitigate the issues of Kerala.

The state government has said that the central government has cut the 
supply of ration to the above poverty line category drastically and also 
reduced the supply of electricity from the central pool.

Another issue that they have raised is the request for an Indian 
Institute of Technology in the state.

State secretary of the Communist Party of India Marxist Pinarayi Vijayan 
lashed out at the opposition and said that they too should have joined 
the team led by Achuthanandan and should have expressed their feelings 
in New Delhi.

'They have no guts to express their feelings in Delhi and instead they 
are joining hands with the central government to make life miserable for 
people here,' said Vijayan while inaugurating a sit in of Left activists 
in front of the Kerala governor's residence here.

Chandy, however, said the 'drama being enacted in Delhi is to cover up 
the state government's lack of effective governance'.

'You should know that when they say the central government has cut the 
ration, they have actually sold rice that has to be given for free and 
what they are doing in Delhi is a blot on Kerala,' said Chandy.





http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/18/stories/2008101861270100.htm

New Delhi

VS leads protest march in Delhi
Special Correspondent
Accuses Centre of neglecting the State
— Photo: V. Sudershan

For State’s cause: Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan along with 
his party MPs and MLAs during their Parliament march and dharna at 
Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Friday.
NEW DELHI: Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan led a dharna by his 
Council of Ministers, legislators and members of Parliament from the 
Left Democratic Front (LDF) and other like-minded persons here on Friday 
to protest against the “gross negligence” shown by the Central 
government towards the State.
Addressing the dharna at Jantar Mantar, Communist Party of India 
(Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat said it was not usual for 
Chief Ministers to come and agitate in this fashion in the capital for 
their genuine demands. Stating that the Public Distribution System (PDS) 
of Kerala was a role model for other States, he said the Centre was 
trying to destroy it.
‘Over-centralisation’
Of the view that the Central government was misusing its powers and 
critical of what he described as “over-centralisation” of power, Mr. 
Karat called for a re-definition of Centre-State relations. Referring to 
the pressure from the Centre on Kerala to trifurcate the Kerala State 
Electricity Board (KSEB), he said such a decision should be left to 
State governments.
Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) general secretary T.J. 
Chandrachoodan said the dharna was a reflection of the sorry state of 
affairs in the State. Further, according to him, the Centre was being 
negligent towards Kerala as the Left parties had withdrawn support to 
the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. Referring to the 
protest action by the United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala against 
the dharna, G. Devarajan of the Forward Bloc said this meant that the 
UDF was against the people of the State getting relief on their 
long-pending demands from the Centre for which the LDF was protesting.
Rice quota
A key demand of the agitators was restoration of Kerala’s quota of rice 
for distribution through the PDS to the Above Poverty Line card-holders. 
First reduced to 17,056 tonnes a month in April 2008 from 21,334 tonnes 
in April 2007, the allocation has been completely stopped since 
September this year; resulting in a rise in the rice price in the open 
market.
Another plea of the State that has not been addressed pertains to 
Kerala’s share of electricity from the Central pool. According to the 
State government, Kerala is to get 1,188 MW electricity a month from the 
Central pool. This includes 145 MW from the unallocated share from the 
Central generating stations. The Central allocation has been reduced 
from 764 MW in June 2008 to 745 MW in July and 667 MW in August; 
resulting in a severe power crisis in the State.
Other demands included a Peninsular Railway Zone, an Indian Institute of 
Technology and relief for natural calamities. On all counts, the State’s 
charge is that the Centre has done nothing but make empty promises.





http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1198830

Cong plans protest march from Lalganj to Lucknow
Javed M Ansari
Friday, October 17, 2008 2:03 IST


NEW DELHI: The Congress-BSP battle in Uttar Pradesh shows no signs of 
abating, with neither side willing to take a step back. A day after UP 
chief minister Mayawati announced plans to hold a rally in Sonia 
Gandhi's stronghold of Rae Bareli; the Congress announced plans of a 
protest march from Lalganj to Lucknow, the heart of Mayawati's power base.
The march to Lucknow will be preceded by protest rallies in each 
assembly segment of Rae Bareli against the cancellation of land 
allotment for the proposed rail coach factory. Rae Bareli residents will 
even present the district magistrate a memorandum demanding setting up 
of the rail coach factory.
According the AICC general secretary in charge of UP, Digvijay Singh, 
the party will also highlight all the schemes sanctioned by the UPA 
government for the area, especially Rae Bareli and Amethi, and also 
educate the people on how the UP chief minis3ter had tried to scuttle 
them. The protest march will be led by Digvijay Singh and UPCC chief 
Rita Bahuguna, besides other senior leaders from UP. "We will not bow 
before her vindictiveness. She can put all of us in jail if she wants," 
said Digvijay Singh.
The Congress party has decided on a calibrated approach to take on the 
BSP. Rather than make it into a Mayawati versus Sonia Gandhi fight, the 
party plans to adopt a political approach by raising issues and 
highlighting the vindictiveness of the BSP supremo's approach.
"She has been riding roughshod over everybody in the state. We want to 
involve all those who have been victims of her high-handedness," says 
Pervez Hashmi, the AICC secretary in charge of UP. The plan is to take 
the fight right into her power base by puncturing her claims to be the 
only representative of the dalits.




http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081017/jsp/northeast/story_9977330.jsp

Meghalaya protests scrapping of airport
OUR CORRESPONDENT
Shillong, Oct. 16: The Meghalaya government will write to the Centre, 
protesting against the cancellation of the inauguration of Baljek 
Airport in West Garo Hills by President Pratibha Patil on October 23.
Chief minister Donkupar Roy today said the government had received a 
communiqué from the President’s office yesterday about the change.
“We don’t know the exact reason for the cancellation, but there are 
reports from the Centre that Baljek airport is too small a project for 
the President to inaugurate,” Roy said.
However, after the President’s arrival in Shillong on October 22, she 
will attend the centenary celebrations of the Laban Bengali Girls High 
School.
“I have asked chief secretary Ranjan Chatterjee to write to the 
President’s office and ask whether the inauguration of Baljek Airport is 
more important thana school function,” Roy said.
The change of decision was announced to at a meeting chaired by the 
chief secretary in Shillong yesterday.
The President will attend a civic reception in Tura on October 23.
The Centre said no aircraft was available on the day of the inauguration 
to make the airport functional. This was the reason given for the 
cancellation of the inauguration yesterday.
A government official who attended yesterday’s meeting also said the 
private airlines were unwilling to operate flights there because of less 
traffic.Power minister Conrad Sangma opposed the Centre’s decision at 
the meeting.
He wanted to know the reason for the last minute change in the 
programme, as the airport was “ready for use since last December.”





http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/17/stories/2008101761240300.htm

Karnataka - Mangalore

Okkoota stages protest
Staff Correspondent
MANGALORE: The Jatyateeta Sanghatanegala Okkoota, a federation of 
secular organisations in the district, staged a protest in front of the 
Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Thursday against some alleged 
derogatory statements that appeared in a Kannada daily.
The article, which was written by a popular Kannada novelist, is said to 
have contained some “communally charged” comments.
Urge
The agitators urged that the media be non-partisan and reconciliatory in 
its representation, especially in view of the communal strife witnessed 
in the region, quite recently.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/19/stories/2008101952340400.htm

Kerala - Kozhikode

Protest against IUML leadership
Special Correspondent
Leader from Tamil Nadu threatens to hold agitation
________________________________________
Wants disqualification of Ahamed from Lok Sabha
To get in touch with League supporters
________________________________________
Kozhikode: M.G. Dawood Miakhan, general secretary of the Indian Union 
Muslim League (IUML) in Tamil Nadu, has warned that he will organise an 
agitation against the new leadership of the IUML since in his perception 
its national president E. Ahamed and all-India secretary K.M. Khader 
Mohideen “cannot neither constitutionally nor morally claim to be 
members of the IUML.”
Mr. Miakhan, who is the grandson of the IUML founder-leader Quaide 
Milleth Mohammed Ismail, said in Kozhikode he had sought 
disqualification of Mr. Ahamed from the Lok Sabha.
He released in Kozhikode photocopies of a letter from the Election 
Commission which, in response to a request made under the Right to 
Information Act, stated that there was no member in the present Lok 
Sabha from IUML. It stated there was “a lone-member-party in the present 
Lok Sabha, namely Muslim League Kerala State Committee, which is 
represented by E.Ahamed, MP.” As per the commission’s records, Muslim 
League Kerala State Committee and the IUML are separate registered 
political parties. Mr. Ahamed had got elected to Parliament as a member 
of the Muslim League State Committee and not as a member of the IUML, 
Mr. Miakhan said. Mr. Khader Mohideen got elected under DMK’s election 
symbol. Mr. Miakhan has in a representation appealed to the Election 
Commission not to take cognisance of the election of Mr. Ahamed and Mr. 
Mohideen as office-bearers of the IUML. He would get in touch with 
likeminded Muslim League supporters to organise “a true and genuine IUML.”





http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/26/stories/2008102654440500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore

MDMK cadres stage demonstrations
Staff Reporter
Coimbatore: More than 300 cadres of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra 
Kazhagam (MDMK) were removed by the police on Friday when they attempted 
to stage a demonstration at Gandhipuram in protest against the arrest of 
their party General Secretary Vaiko and presidium chairman M. Kannappan. 
A few also tried to block the road.
Mr. Vaiko and Mr. Kannappan were arrested for making speeches at a 
public meeting in Chennai supporting the Liberation Tigers of Tamil 
Eelam (LTTE).
The cadres were led by the party district secretaries R.T. Mariappan and 
R.R. Mohan Kumar. Pollachi Constituency MP C. Krishnan joined the 
demonstration later.
The demonstrators raised slogans against the State Government. Some 
protesters tried to squat on the busy Nanjappa Road before they were 
removed by the police.
Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam activists were removed by the police when they 
staged a demonstration near the Red Cross Society Building on Huzur Road 
in the City.
Tirupur: More than 150 MDMK cadres, led by the Labour Front leader, S. 
Duraisamy, were removed by the police when they tried to stage a 
demonstration in the hosiery town.
Salem: Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) activists staged a 
demonstration in Salem on Saturday condemning the arrest Vaiko and 
Kannappan. All of them were arrested.
They came to the Collectorate and raised slogans against the Tamil Nadu 
Government. They also urged that both the leaders be released 
immediately. The police prevented them from taking out a procession.
District’s frontline office bearers took part in the agitation. Later 
the police arrested them and took them to a nearby marriage hall. 
Traffic in the area was affected for nearly 45 minutes.
Erode: MDMK cadres staged demonstration in Erode in protest against the 
arrests of General Secretary Vaiko and presidium chairman M. Kannappan.
Krishnagiri: About 290 MDMK party workers were arrested in Krishnagiri 
and Dharmapuri districts on Saturday when they tried to hold 
demonstrations in protest against the arrests of party leaders Vaiko and 
Kannappan.
MDMK district secretary T. Mathaiyan led the demonstrations at 5 Road 
junction. About 165 persons, including 12 women, were arrested.
About 250 members of Kongu Vellalar Peravai held demonstrations against 
the killings of Tamils in Sri Lanka. District treasurer Mr. Rajendran 
led the demonstration before the Revenue Divisional Office.
Dharmapuri: MDMK cadres tried to hold demonstrations near Rajagopal 
Gounder Park. District secretary M. Sampath led the demonstration. 
Dharmapuri town police have arrested 125 party workers, including 25 women.
Udhagamandalam: MDMK activists staged a demonstration in Udhagamandalam 
on Saturday.