Hindu groups linked to terror, Parliament rocked

New Delhi: For the first time ever, the issue of Hindu groups being involved in the recent terror attacks in Gujarat and Maharashtra was brought up in Parliament on Thursday.
Rajya Sabha was adjourned following heated protests over the alleged involvement of Hindu “terrorist groups” in the explosions in Malegaon and Modasa on September 29.
Hindu groups have been accused of being involved in similar acts of terror in Maharashtra in the past, often with the support of their families
Samajwadi Party MP Rashid Alvi and the CPM’s Brinda Karat brought up the issue in the Upper House but the BJP reacted violently to the argument and raised slogans.
CNN-IBN was the first to report that extremist Hindu groups were behind the Malegaon and Modasa blasts that took place during the holy month of Ramzan.

Japan and India reaffirm partnership against terror

Tokyo:  Reaffirming their commitment to fight terrorism and transnational crimes, India and Japan on Wednesday signed a joint declaration on security cooperation that will intensify interaction between their militaries and expand the scope of strategic dialogue between the two Asian powers.

Cooperation between coast guards, defence dialogue, coordination on issues relating to disarmament and non-proliferation and disaster management are some of crucial elements of the security cooperation pact signed here by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Japanese counterpart Taro Aso.

Disaster map

According to the joint declaration, mechanisms will be underlined whereby there will be a strategic dialogue at the level of foreign ministers, the defence ministries and periodic consultations by the national security advisors of the two countries.

The coast guards in the two countries will cooperate in maritime security and safety. Bilateral consultations will be intensified to enhance cooperation in the crucial area of counter-terrorism. Japan has also agreed to help develop a tsunami disaster map in India. There will also be cooperation between the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency in the field of disaster management.