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South Asia
Statement:2009
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Date
Incidents
January - 1 
Claiming a major breakthrough on the third day of the ongoing operation against the militants and outlaws in Khyber Agency, the political authorities on January 1 indicated at reopening the Pakistan-Afghan Highway by January 3, The News reported. Authorities said 80 per cent of the targets were achi
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Claiming a major breakthrough on the third day of the ongoing operation against the militants and outlaws in Khyber Agency, the political authorities on January 1 indicated at reopening the Pakistan-Afghan Highway by January 3, The News reported. Authorities said 80 per cent of the targets were achieved as several notorious criminals were either arrested or surrendered to the administration. Some 13 houses, used for anti-social activities, were also demolished. The encroachments along the Jamrud Bazaar and the adjoining areas were removed. Sources said 15 more wanted criminals were arrested on January 1, bringing the tally of those arrested during the last three days of the operation to 43. A total of 33 structures, including houses and guest houses, were demolished in the operation. The NATO supplies snatched earlier were also recovered during the operation. The looted items were recovered from the house of Adam Jee in Wazir Dhand area, prompting the troops to demolish the house after retrieving the snatched goods. Briefing the media, Political Agent of the Khyber Agency Tariq Hayat said that on the third day of the operation, militants’ hideouts and criminal dens in Ghundi, Shahkas and Wazir Dhand area were targeted with artillery shells before the troops moved in. He also said that known kidnappers and looters were arrested during the operation and a large quantity of arms and ammunition and looted goods recovered from different places. Tariq reiterated that the operation named ‘Daraghlum’ (Here I come) was not aimed at any single entity or group but against a host of groups that had made the entire region insecure. “Lawlessness in Jamrud Tehsil [revenue division] has direct implication on the law and order situation in Peshawar, which experienced one of its worst periods during the last quarter of the year 2008,” the administrative head of the agency said and added 37 people were kidnapped and 16 vehicles lifted from Jamrud during the last three months. He also informed that during the same period, a total of 100 people were abducted from Peshawar and all the kidnappings had direct links to the tribal territory, where the operation was in progress now. Besides, the area was also used to launch rocket attacks on Peshawar and hundreds of vehicles, including that of the NATO, were targeted.
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January - 1 
Pakistan on January 1 dismissed criticism that some elements in the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) were involved in acts of terrorism and were not in control of the Government, The News reported. “Pakistan’s Government and state institutions are committed to the war against terror. Therefore, vil
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Pakistan on January 1 dismissed criticism that some elements in the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) were involved in acts of terrorism and were not in control of the Government, The News reported. “Pakistan’s Government and state institutions are committed to the war against terror. Therefore, vilifying Pakistan or for that matter any of its state institutions on this score is unwarranted and unacceptable. In Pakistan’s view, in the given situation, what is needed is more accurate alignment in the perception and interests of Afghanistan, Pakistan, US/NATO and countries in the region that have stakes in the struggle against terrorism,” said the spokesman at the Foreign Office at an online media briefing. The spokesman also denied charges of any terrorist infrastructure on the Pakistani soil. “There is no terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan. Terrorism is a global issue. Terrorist elements are found in every society and religion. Pakistan, India and other countries of the region need to follow a cooperative, and not accusatory, approach to jointly deal with this menace,” he said.
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January - 1 
According to The Hindu, at least 12 Pakistan nationals are wanted for their alleged involvement in funding and assisting the perpetrators of November 26 multiple terrorist attacks in Mumbai, a senior Police official said in Mumbai on January 1. Mohammed Ajmal Amir Iman alias Kasab, the lone terroris
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According to The Hindu, at least 12 Pakistan nationals are wanted for their alleged involvement in funding and assisting the perpetrators of November 26 multiple terrorist attacks in Mumbai, a senior Police official said in Mumbai on January 1. Mohammed Ajmal Amir Iman alias Kasab, the lone terrorist arrested during the attack, had revealed that around 12 Pakistani nationals had assisted, financed and communicated with the terrorists during the three-day operation, Rakesh Maria, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), said, adding “We have their names. We are examining the role of each person.”
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January - 1 
National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) expelled its founder president, Ranjan Daimary alias D.R. Nabla, days after replacing him with B. Sungthgra alias Dhiren Boro as its new chief, according to Telegraph. The new NDFB president, Sungthgra, criticising the alleged involvement of Daimary in th
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National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) expelled its founder president, Ranjan Daimary alias D.R. Nabla, days after replacing him with B. Sungthgra alias Dhiren Boro as its new chief, according to Telegraph. The new NDFB president, Sungthgra, criticising the alleged involvement of Daimary in the October 30 serial bomb blasts in Assam, said on January 1 that the NDFB would have no truck with the former chief and his accomplices. “The NDFB, in a unanimous decision of the national council, has expelled D.R. Nabla and his associates with immediate effect as a disciplinary action,” he stated. “We are shocked and surprised that Mr. D.R. Nabla alias Ranjan Daimary, as per the statement of Ajay Basumatary, who has been recently arrested along with three others in Goalpara district, is proved to be directly involved in a series of bomb blasts in Assam on October 30 where many innocent civilians were brutally killed without any reason. The killing was inhuman and unfortunate which reveals nothing but his love for sadism. He not only committed crimes against humanity but also violated the ceasefire which he himself declared unilaterally on October 8, 2004. The act is undoubtedly an act of terrorism and can never be part of revolutionary struggle,” the NDFB statement said, according to The Hindu. The expulsion came a day after the cease-fire between the NDFB and the Centre expired.
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January - 1 
Superintendent of Police (SP) in Khammam District, Mahesh M. Bhagwat, said while launching a special programme to encourage surrender of the left-wing extremists that some 159 left-wing extremists, including 60 Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) commanders and squad members, were arrested
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Superintendent of Police (SP) in Khammam District, Mahesh M. Bhagwat, said while launching a special programme to encourage surrender of the left-wing extremists that some 159 left-wing extremists, including 60 Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) commanders and squad members, were arrested in the District during 2008, The Hindu reported. 42 left-wing extremists, including eight underground activists of the rank of the District and zonal secretaries and three dalam commanders and 29 dalam cadres, were among those who surrendered in 2008, he said, adding, the Praja Pratighatana faction of the CPI-ML accounted for the highest number of 28 surrenders and 56 arrests and the Godavariloya sub-faction of the Praja Pratightana faction of the CPI-ML was more or less non-existent with the surrender of some important members on December 31.
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January - 1 
Telegraph reports that more than 60 people were injured in the attacks. The report quoting Police sources mentioned there was prior information about ULFA’s plan to trigger explosions. After the October 30, 2008-serial blasts, Security Forces (SFs) had indicated that they had information about possi
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Telegraph reports that more than 60 people were injured in the attacks. The report quoting Police sources mentioned there was prior information about ULFA’s plan to trigger explosions. After the October 30, 2008-serial blasts, Security Forces (SFs) had indicated that they had information about possible attacks. In December 2008, the Unified Command structure said it had inputs about “subversive activities” in December 2008 and January 2009. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, while visiting the bomb blast site at Bhangagarh area, admitted that it was a failure on the part of the SFs. The Chief Minister, however, mentioned that it was really difficult to think that someone could plant a bomb in a small shop. “All we have to do now is improve our intelligence network and for this we will need the support of the people,” he said.
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January - 1 
According to India's Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon, less than two weeks after it was banned by the United Nations, the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) front Jama’at-ud-Da’awa is active, CCN-IBN reported. Menon said the Jama’at-ud-Da’awa (JuD) is now operating under a new name. He also said the JuD has
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According to India's Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon, less than two weeks after it was banned by the United Nations, the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) front Jama’at-ud-Da’awa is active, CCN-IBN reported. Menon said the Jama’at-ud-Da’awa (JuD) is now operating under a new name. He also said the JuD has a new website, which is being used to collect money to fund terrorist activities. Speaking to the All India Radio, Menon rejected Pakistan's offer of joint investigation into the Mumbai terror attacks on November 26. He said India has shared evidence with Pakistan several times, but without any results. Menon added that even the Joint-Anti Terror mechanism set up by India and Pakistan has yielded no results so far.
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January - 1 
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik said on January 1 that the writ of the Government had already been established in four sub-divisions of Bajaur Agency, and Charmang and Mamoond sub-divisions would be under the complete control of the Government by the end of this month.
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Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik said on January 1 that the writ of the Government had already been established in four sub-divisions of Bajaur Agency, and Charmang and Mamoond sub-divisions would be under the complete control of the Government by the end of this month.
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January - 1 
Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party (TMLP) decided to withdraw its support to the Government. Hridayesh Tripathi, co-chairman of the TMLP, said, "We have withdrawn the support we extended to the Government due to its continued apathy toward Madhesh issues."
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Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party (TMLP) decided to withdraw its support to the Government. Hridayesh Tripathi, co-chairman of the TMLP, said, "We have withdrawn the support we extended to the Government due to its continued apathy toward Madhesh issues."
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January - 1 
Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka told Daily News on January 1 that the fall of Kilinochchi is imminent within the next 48 hours as Security Forces have already entered Kilinochchi town from the South, West and North of Kilinochchi. According to him: “The Task Force I troops are operating ju
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Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka told Daily News on January 1 that the fall of Kilinochchi is imminent within the next 48 hours as Security Forces have already entered Kilinochchi town from the South, West and North of Kilinochchi. According to him: “The Task Force I troops are operating just one kilometre short of Kilinochchi railway station… They have advanced beyond the Iranamadu junction and are fast advancing towards the heart of Kilinochchi. There are signs that the LTTE will flee from Kilinochchi as troops advance towards the heart of Kilinochchi. But troops will have to engage in fierce battles in areas such as Ramanathapuram in the east of Kilinochchi.”
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January - 1 
Baloch Republican Party Chief and militant leader Nawabzada Bramdagh Bugti has urged the Baloch nationalist groups to abandon parliamentary politics and form a united front in their struggle for 'freedom', Dawn reported. In a telephonic press conference from an unknown location on January 1, he reje
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Baloch Republican Party Chief and militant leader Nawabzada Bramdagh Bugti has urged the Baloch nationalist groups to abandon parliamentary politics and form a united front in their struggle for 'freedom', Dawn reported. In a telephonic press conference from an unknown location on January 1, he rejected the idea of holding negotiations with the Government to resolve the Balochistan issue. He said the Baloch people did not trust state elements, which he claimed had deceived them in the past. He said the Baloch leaders, Khan of Kalat Ahmed Yar Khan, Price Agha Karim and Nawab Nauroz Khan Zarakzai, had also held talks with rulers but it proved aimless as the 'usurpers' were reluctant to recognize the national rights of the Baloch people. Bramdagh Bugti said the Baloch people were passing through a critical phase of their history and in such situations it was the responsibility of the Baloch masses, especially the political forces to realize the gravity of situation and strive for a collective struggle. He maintained that the only way to get sovereign rights was to join an armed struggle against the 'usurpers that have occupied their motherland'. He alleged that the troops in Balochistan were using missiles from the United States and Britain against their resistance movement and added that the Balochs would still be able to defeat the state forces that were killing people in military operations. Bugti also stated that tribalism, individualism and self-interest of opportunists were the main hurdles in the unity of the Baloch people.
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January - 2 
Sabyasachi Panda, secretary of the Vansadhara Committee of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist), in a statement said there was no splinter group in their party called M-2 as there had been no split in the organisation, reports The Hindu. The statement was received by some media organisat
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Sabyasachi Panda, secretary of the Vansadhara Committee of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist), in a statement said there was no splinter group in their party called M-2 as there had been no split in the organisation, reports The Hindu. The statement was received by some media organisations in an audio-tape on January 2.
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January - 2 
The pro-talks group of the ULFA has given up the demand for sovereignty, reports Assam Tribune. In a press meet held at the designated camp at Kakopathar on January 2, the pro-talks group leader Mrinal Hazarika said they would now sit for talks with the Government within the framework of Indian Cons
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The pro-talks group of the ULFA has given up the demand for sovereignty, reports Assam Tribune. In a press meet held at the designated camp at Kakopathar on January 2, the pro-talks group leader Mrinal Hazarika said they would now sit for talks with the Government within the framework of Indian Constitution.
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January - 2 
Leaders of the proscribed Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM) have reportedly indicated that militants operating in Swat and Bajaur would quit militancy if the Government announced the enforcement of Sharia (Islamic law) in the Malakand region and Bajaur, according to The News. Senior TNSM
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Leaders of the proscribed Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM) have reportedly indicated that militants operating in Swat and Bajaur would quit militancy if the Government announced the enforcement of Sharia (Islamic law) in the Malakand region and Bajaur, according to The News. Senior TNSM members close to the founding chief of the outfit, Maulana Sufi Muhammad, claimed that Maulana Fazlullah and Maulana Faqir Muhammad had not only shown their willingness to give up the militancy but had also formally conveyed their messages to the TNSM leadership. Fazlullah, the son-in-law of Sufi Muhammad, has been commanding the militants in Swat, while Faqir Muhammad is the deputy chief of the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an umbrella organisation of all the militant groups operating in the tribal agencies and settled Districts of the NWFP. “Yes, they (Fazlullah and Faqir) have sent messages to Maulana Sufi Muhammad that they were willing to stop the armed struggle and rejoin the TNSM if the Sharia is enforced. His (Sufi) hands are tied as the inordinate delay in enforcement of Sharia has been the major impediment in his way to initiate efforts for restoring peace,” they said.
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January - 2 
The banned Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) rejected on January 2 a report that one of its leaders had acknowledged the group’s involvement in the multiple terrorist attacks in Mumbai on November 26, 2008, The News reported. The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed officials, reported on December 31 that Pakist
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The banned Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) rejected on January 2 a report that one of its leaders had acknowledged the group’s involvement in the multiple terrorist attacks in Mumbai on November 26, 2008, The News reported. The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed officials, reported on December 31 that Pakistani authorities had obtained a confession from a senior LeT member. The suspect, identified as Zarar Shah, allegedly told investigators he had played a key role in the planning of the November attacks. “Lashkar-e-Toiba rejects the Wall Street Journal report,” its spokesman Abdullah Ghaznavi said in an email statement. “India has failed to furnish any evidence of Lashkar-e-Toiba’s involvement in the Mumbai attacks and America is now trying to help it out,” he claimed. No evidence could be found “on the scene of the crime, and now there is an effort to manufacture evidence thousands of miles away,” he added.
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January - 2 
Acknowledging the loss, the pro-LTTE TamilNet website in a report said that the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) “has entered a virtual ghost town as the whole civilian infrastructure as well as the centre of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam had shifted further northeast.” TamilNet claimed that the LTTE, wh
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Acknowledging the loss, the pro-LTTE TamilNet website in a report said that the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) “has entered a virtual ghost town as the whole civilian infrastructure as well as the centre of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam had shifted further northeast.” TamilNet claimed that the LTTE, who had put up heavy resistance, kept their casualties low in the defensive fighting, according to The Hindu. "It is the first time after a decade the Sri Lankan forces have been able to take control of the town after several months of fierce fighting that has claimed hundreds of combatants on both sides of the war," Tamil Net reported.
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January - 2 
In a special address to the nation on state television hours after the troops captured Kilinochchi, President Mahinda Rajapaksa described the action as a “major victory in the world’s battle against terrorism.” He reiterated the resolve of his Government to continue the fight till the LTTE was “full
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In a special address to the nation on state television hours after the troops captured Kilinochchi, President Mahinda Rajapaksa described the action as a “major victory in the world’s battle against terrorism.” He reiterated the resolve of his Government to continue the fight till the LTTE was “fully and finally defeated,” and asserted it was “the final message to the LTTE, to lay down their arms and surrender.” Stating that the capture of Kilinochchi should not be viewed as the victory of one community or region over the other, Rajapaksa maintained that it was a dream of all Sri Lankans who are opposed to separatism, racism and terrorism and strived for peace, freedom and democracy. He said his Government would continue the fight against the LTTE until the “final act of this false Eelam struggle is played to its finish” in the small territory of jungle in Mullaithivu it is confined to today. The LTTE took control of Kilinochchi in 1990 when the SLA withdrew its garrisons after the departure of the Indian Peace Keeping Force. The SLA gained control of the town following operations Sathjaya I, II, and III in September 1996. The town was again captured by the LTTE in September 1998, and ever since it has been designated as the LTTE’s “administrative and political headquarters.”
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January - 2 
On January 2, the Sri Lanka Army captured Kilinochchi, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) political and administrative headquarters, reports Sri Lanka Army. The troops are reported to have launched simultaneous attacks from three directions in Paranthan, Iranamadu and Adampan before captu
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On January 2, the Sri Lanka Army captured Kilinochchi, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) political and administrative headquarters, reports Sri Lanka Army. The troops are reported to have launched simultaneous attacks from three directions in Paranthan, Iranamadu and Adampan before capturing the town in the early hours of January 2. Kilinochchi town, which lies about 334 kilometres (255 miles) north of capital Colombo, remained the LTTE’s most strategic logistic base, from which almost all the decisions were made upon by the exclusive command of the outfit’s leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran and his top-rung leadership. The LTTE kangaroo courts, ‘Police’ Headquarters, ‘Eelam’ banks, luxurious LTTE peace secretariat complex, all operated from Kilinochchi, their de-facto capital of ‘Eelam’ lying on the Jaffna-Kandy (A-9) main supply route. The Defence Ministry in a statement said troops of 57 Division entered the highly defended stronghold from the southern and south-western boundaries while Task Force 1 troops marched in from the north and the northwest, The Hindu reported. The Army had taken the Jaffna-Kandy A-9 highway on the Omanthai-Paranthan stretch. The military had crossed into Kilinochchi District on August 4 and has since been engaged in clashes with the LTTE.
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January - 2 
Speaking at a special function in Colombo to announce the military success in Kilinochchi, Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka, over 1500 LTTE militants were killed during the past two months in the north, reported Colombo Page. He said there are small numbers of LTTE cadres in Wanni and the S
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Speaking at a special function in Colombo to announce the military success in Kilinochchi, Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka, over 1500 LTTE militants were killed during the past two months in the north, reported Colombo Page. He said there are small numbers of LTTE cadres in Wanni and the Security Forces could neutralise them in the near future. Meanwhile, the defence ministry said, "There is no option available for the LTTE rebels other than to flee towards the jungle patches in Puthukuduiruppu and Vishvamadu in the East of Iranamadu tank as troops aggressively advanced towards the heart of Kilinochchi in all fronts," reports Times of India.
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January - 4 
Assam Police arrested a United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) cadre, Sanjeev Talukdar, from Rangiya, reports Assam Tribune. He is suspected to have supplied the explosives which were used in the January 1 serial bomb blasts in Guwahati. Folllowing Sanjeeb’s confession, several other militants were
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Assam Police arrested a United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) cadre, Sanjeev Talukdar, from Rangiya, reports Assam Tribune. He is suspected to have supplied the explosives which were used in the January 1 serial bomb blasts in Guwahati. Folllowing Sanjeeb’s confession, several other militants were arrested. The report adds that he used to act as a carrier for the ULFA’s ‘709 battalion’ and handed over the explosives to the main suspect of the blasts, Pranjal Deka, near Adabari bus station, days before the explosions took place in Guwahati. Police claimed that the deal between Pranjal and Sanjeeb was being co-ordinated by Khagen Kalita, self-styled ‘Sergeant Major’ of the outfit’s ‘709 battalion’ over phone.
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January - 4 
The Director General of Police (DGP), Vishwa Ranjan said that the State Government has planned to raise an Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) by training 1,000 Policemen to tackle terrorists. "We have decided to convert State Police's third battalion into an Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) that will be purely us
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The Director General of Police (DGP), Vishwa Ranjan said that the State Government has planned to raise an Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) by training 1,000 Policemen to tackle terrorists. "We have decided to convert State Police's third battalion into an Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) that will be purely used to tackle terror attacks," he said, adding, "The ATS commandos will be kept ready purely for anti-terror operations and to be employed in operations against Maoists only in emergency cases." The DGP also said that the ATS commandos, selected from Policemen below 30 years, will be given "tough training in a phased manner in the State, and then the central Government will be requested to arrange their highly specialised commando training".
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January - 4 
Balochistan National Party (BNP) Information Secretary and former senator Sanaullah Baloch has disclosed that the supporters of Taliban have captured land worth PKR Two billion in the eastern and western parts of provincial capital Quetta with the covert support of the ‘establishment’ in order to un
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Balochistan National Party (BNP) Information Secretary and former senator Sanaullah Baloch has disclosed that the supporters of Taliban have captured land worth PKR Two billion in the eastern and western parts of provincial capital Quetta with the covert support of the ‘establishment’ in order to undermine the Baloch nationalist movement and promote Talibanisation in Balochistan. In an interview with Daily Times on January 4, the former senator said the Government had failed to establish its writ in Quetta, where the Taliban and their supporters were consolidating their grip. Several parts of the provincial capital have become ‘no-go areas’ where the Taliban and their supporters have consolidated their position, he said. He said the Government was fully aware of these encroachments but it was deliberately silent because the Taliban enjoy the support of the Government and its intelligence agencies who wish to pit the religious elements against the Baloch nationalists. “We are surprised why the Government does not undertake a military operation against these elements who have openly challenged the writ of the Government. Military operations were carried out in Dera Bugti and Sui areas by the Government on the pretext of establishing the writ of the Government, but the state machinery does not move against the Taliban and their supporters who have illegally and forcefully captured large areas of land in Balochistan,” he said. Sanaullah said the Government was trying to patronise the Taliban elements in Quetta and its outskirts in order to undermine the power of the actual democratic forces. The Afghan refugees, besides being a burden on the economy of Balochistan, have become the biggest cause of lawlessness and terrorism in the country’s largest province, he added.
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January - 4 
Three armed groups in Balochistan on January 4 announced the formal end of a four-month-old unilateral cease-fire in response to the Security Forces’ continued military operation in the province, Daily Times reported. Declaring the end of the truce, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) spokesman Bi
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Three armed groups in Balochistan on January 4 announced the formal end of a four-month-old unilateral cease-fire in response to the Security Forces’ continued military operation in the province, Daily Times reported. Declaring the end of the truce, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) spokesman Bibarg Baloch said the BLA, the Balochistan Republican Army and the Balochistan Liberation Front were disappointed by the Government’s ‘lacklustre’ response to the cease-fire. The three ‘pro-independent Balochistan’ groups announced the cease-fire in September 2008. Bibarg told Daily Times they had decided to unconditionally halt their operations last September, hoping the Government would concede to the Baloch demands. He said the three groups had sincerely adhered to their pledge of not launching attacks, but alleged the Government continued the military operation, exploiting Baloch resources and killing innocent people. “We have decided to end the cease-fire in the wake of fresh attacks in Dera Bugti and Sui areas which have killed more than 50 people, mainly women and children,” said Bibarg, claiming the situation in the conflict areas was worse than what was being reported in the media, as the media had limited access to the areas. Bibarg also said the Government took the truce as an opportunity to expand the military operations to Gwadar, Turbat, and Mashky. He said the Baloch wanted to convey to the world that Islamabad would not review its policy towards Balochistan in any case.
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January - 4 
President Mahinda Rajapakse expressed satisfaction that his ‘Zero Civilian Casualty Policy’ was implemented perfectly by the Armed Forces during the operations to liberate Kilinochchi during his telephonic with The Hindu in the evening of January 4. He also expressed concern over the LTTE not releas
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President Mahinda Rajapakse expressed satisfaction that his ‘Zero Civilian Casualty Policy’ was implemented perfectly by the Armed Forces during the operations to liberate Kilinochchi during his telephonic with The Hindu in the evening of January 4. He also expressed concern over the LTTE not releasing the tens of thousands of Tamil civilians it holds “virtually as prisoners.” He also warned the organisation that it would face a ban if it continued to deny Tamil civilians, their freedom and human rights. It is understood that the ban could come within a week. President Rajapakse said some of the LTTE cadres were surrendering to the Armed Forces. His Government was aware that there was a possibility of some suicide bombers trying to come out as refugees. The Government was doing its best to apprehend and neutralise the LTTE’s suicide bombers, possibly 15 to 20 of them, who are believed to have infiltrated into Colombo and its environs.
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January - 4 
The pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) website Tamil Net claimed that at least 53 Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were killed and more than 80 sustained injuries during heavy fighting that erupted on January 4 when the SLA launched an offensive push through 2nd Mile Post on the Paranthan-Mull
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The pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) website Tamil Net claimed that at least 53 Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were killed and more than 80 sustained injuries during heavy fighting that erupted on January 4 when the SLA launched an offensive push through 2nd Mile Post on the Paranthan-Mullaitivu Road on two fronts.
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January - 5 
According to Telegraph, Assam Home Department said that the State Government had pointed out to Union Government that several outfits, including ULFA, All Adivasi National Liberation Army (AANLA) and Black Widow (BW), were taking refuge in the camps of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland - Is
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According to Telegraph, Assam Home Department said that the State Government had pointed out to Union Government that several outfits, including ULFA, All Adivasi National Liberation Army (AANLA) and Black Widow (BW), were taking refuge in the camps of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland - Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland - Khaplang (NSCN-K) in the neighbouring State of Nagaland. While some senior ULFA cadres were carrying out their activities from NSCN-K camps, militants belonging to the other two outfits were being hosted by the NSCN-IM in its camps. “However, given that the government is in a ceasefire with the two Naga outfits, it is Delhi’s responsibility to ensure that their camps are not misused,” a source said.
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January - 5 
Indian Government handed over evidence of Pakistani involvement in the Mumbai multiple terrorist attacks to Pakistan on January 5 (today), reports Indian express. "The material is linked to elements in Pakistan," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement adding "It is our expectatio
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Indian Government handed over evidence of Pakistani involvement in the Mumbai multiple terrorist attacks to Pakistan on January 5 (today), reports Indian express. "The material is linked to elements in Pakistan," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement adding "It is our expectation that the Government of Pakistan will promptly undertake further investigations in Pakistan and share the results with us so as to bring the perpetrators to justice."
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January - 5 
The Chhattisgarh Governor, E. S. L. Narasimhan, said on January 5 that the State Government would set up an Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and also take a slew of other measures to strengthen the security apparatus to effectively fight terror and the Maoist threat, Zee News reported. Addressing the firs
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The Chhattisgarh Governor, E. S. L. Narasimhan, said on January 5 that the State Government would set up an Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and also take a slew of other measures to strengthen the security apparatus to effectively fight terror and the Maoist threat, Zee News reported. Addressing the first session of the newly-elected State Legislative Assembly, he termed terrorism and left-wing extremism as the worst internal security problems being faced by the country today. He also said the proposed ATS, which would consist of highly trained commandos, would be deployed at the State as well as the District headquarters. He also said the State Government had decided to convert a Chhattisgarh Armed Forces battalion into a Commando unit. Narasimhan said the Government would also establish Anti-Terrorist Control Rooms and Analysis Group at the State and District headquarters to compile, analyse and share information relating to terror elements with the Security Forces of neighbouring States and Central agencies.
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January - 5 
Jihad will be mandatory for the Pakistani nation in case India attacks the country, a joint communiqué issued in an All Parties’ Conference said on January 5, according to Daily Times. The conference, held at Jamia Naeemia in Lahore, was attended by a number of noted religious scholars and heads of
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Jihad will be mandatory for the Pakistani nation in case India attacks the country, a joint communiqué issued in an All Parties’ Conference said on January 5, according to Daily Times. The conference, held at Jamia Naeemia in Lahore, was attended by a number of noted religious scholars and heads of various religious and political parties, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, the Tehreek-e-Insaaf, the Sunni Tehrik, the Mustafai Tehrik, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan, the Minhajul Quran, the Nizam-e-Mustafa Party and the Jamaat Ahle Sunnat. The participants demanded the Government immediately convene an emergency session of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC). The participants also demanded the OIC issue a declaration condemning India and expressing solidarity with the people of Palestine. Chairing the meeting, Federal Minister for Zakat and Ushr Pir Nurul Haq Qadri said the two major political parties of the country should not create difficulties for each other, as that would worsen Pakistan’s current crises.
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January - 5 
Pakistan said on January 5 it was reviewing a dossier India handed over regarding the terrorist attacks in Mumbai on November 26, 2008, according to Dawn. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said the Government remained committed to punishing Pakistani nationals accused of taking part in the Mumbai at
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Pakistan said on January 5 it was reviewing a dossier India handed over regarding the terrorist attacks in Mumbai on November 26, 2008, according to Dawn. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said the Government remained committed to punishing Pakistani nationals accused of taking part in the Mumbai attacks if ‘credible’ evidence is given against them, AFP reported. Gilani made the comments during talks with Richard Boucher, the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, who arrived in Islamabad early on January 5. In Islamabad, a foreign ministry spokesman confirmed that Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India had received the file in New Delhi on January 5 and had sent it to authorities back home. “The material has been received in Pakistan now and is being examined by concerned authorities,” the spokesman said. “It is our duty, my duty to examine the dossier carefully, understand it and be truthful to myself, to my country and the neighbourhood,” Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told Reuters.
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January - 5 
Two US choppers, carrying American troops, reportedly intruded into the Pakistani tribal territory and landed at the Bange Dar village of North Waziristan Agency (NWA), bordering the Khost province in Afghanistan, and abducted three nomads in the night of January 5. However, Government officials and
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Two US choppers, carrying American troops, reportedly intruded into the Pakistani tribal territory and landed at the Bange Dar village of North Waziristan Agency (NWA), bordering the Khost province in Afghanistan, and abducted three nomads in the night of January 5. However, Government officials and security authorities based in Miranshah denied violation of Pakistan’s airspace by the coalition forces. “We have our troops deployed along the border with Afghanistan but none of them reported any such violation by the foreign forces,” a military officer said. Major General Athar Abbas, Director-General of the Inter-Services Public Relations, denied reports about violation of Pakistan’s airspace by the US choppers. “No, I don’t have any kind of such report. I am in touch with senior military officials but none of them talked about this issue, which I am sure would not have taken place,” explained Abbas.
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January - 5 
Security Forces on January 5 reached Elephant Pass with the 58 Division troops capturing the entire southern part of it and further advancing towards the North to capture it the entirely, Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka said, according to Daily News. The troops captured Thamilamadam, the
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Security Forces on January 5 reached Elephant Pass with the 58 Division troops capturing the entire southern part of it and further advancing towards the North to capture it the entirely, Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka said, according to Daily News. The troops captured Thamilamadam, the causeway to the south of the Elephant Pass, adds Sri Lanka Army (SLA). “They are in the process of advancing further north to take full control of the Elephant Pass area soon,” a senior military official told Daily News, adding, “With the capture of Elephant Pass South the troops are now in control of the entire Jaffna lagoon. They are in full control of the lagoon front from Pooneryn to Paranthan and Paranthan to Elephant Pass on the A-9 road. They have been left with only the coastal road from Cheminpiyanpattu to Mullaitivu which gets flooded most of the time.” Heavy fighting erupted in the East of Paranthan and Elephant Pass South for the past two days as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) made their maximum effort to stop the advance of the troops towards Elephant Pass and Murusamudai, East of Paranthan. According to military sources, 10 soldiers were killed and 23 others injured in the fierce battle in Elephant Pass and Murusamudai areas.
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January - 5 
Sri Lankan Navy had expand its coast guard security to the maximum point within the country's territorial waters drawing attention to prevent any possible LTTE infiltration as well as to block the LTTE fleeing from the North, reports Daily News. Navy spokesman Commander D.P.K. Dassanayake said, "Nav
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Sri Lankan Navy had expand its coast guard security to the maximum point within the country's territorial waters drawing attention to prevent any possible LTTE infiltration as well as to block the LTTE fleeing from the North, reports Daily News. Navy spokesman Commander D.P.K. Dassanayake said, "Naval patrols and coast guards have placed barriers on the territorial waters, enhanced security and vigilance to tackle the LTTE and outside infiltration in our territorial waters. Special attention was paid after the Kilinochchi liberation and therefore, the LTTE has the choice of either dying in the jungle or fleeing from the sea route." He asserted that the coastal belts were extended in three lines to strengthen the security in the North and the East. The "closer land line, Middle line and Outer barrier lines were established to strengthen surveillance in the coastal area", he added. Commander Dassanayake stressed that the Navy is fully prepared to face any eventuality. "In a routine procedure, we check arriving civilians from the un-cleared areas to the Government controlled areas", three times, he further added. According to the Sri Lankan mission in Chennai (India), the Tamil Nadu (southern Indian State) Navy and coast guard had intensified monitoring missions in the Southern sea. "There is "talk" among people in Chennai of the LTTE fleeing to Tamil Nadu. The Chennai police, however denied any LTTE infiltration in to Tamil Nadu", sources said. Meanwhile, several media have reported that security agencies on the south-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu and marine agencies in Kerala have intensified their vigil and surveillance following the fall of Kilinochchi, observing that fleeing LTTE cadres might try to take shelter in the area.
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January - 6 
Addressing the Chief Minister's conference on internal security in New Delhi on January 6, the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said the banned Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and other terrorist groups associated with it are trying to spread their networks in the State and some top
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Addressing the Chief Minister's conference on internal security in New Delhi on January 6, the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said the banned Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and other terrorist groups associated with it are trying to spread their networks in the State and some top operatives of these outfits have even made "confidential visits" to its prominent cities in this connection, reports The Hindu. "We are aware that SIMI and other terrorist organisations associated with it are secretly trying to entrench themselves in Chhattisgarh and top operatives of these organisations have made confidential visits to the state's big cities like Raipur, Durg and Bilaspur in past few years," Singh said. Although no terror attack has been executed in Chhattisgarh so far, Raman Singh informed at the meeting that the State Government has decided to convert one battalion of Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) into a Commando Battalion for countering such attacks in urban areas. "Setting up of Anti-terrorist Control Room and Analysis Group in all Districts of the state is also going on for collecting intelligence inputs, its analysis and sharing of information with other states and the Centre," he added.
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January - 6 
Addressing the Chief Ministers’ conference on internal security in New Delhi on January 6, the Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said that insurgent groups have been using Bangladesh as a safe haven to carry out militant activities in the Northeast, according to Sentinel. “We have been giving def
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Addressing the Chief Ministers’ conference on internal security in New Delhi on January 6, the Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said that insurgent groups have been using Bangladesh as a safe haven to carry out militant activities in the Northeast, according to Sentinel. “We have been giving definite information about the existence of terror infrastructure in Bangladesh, details of cross border movement of these groups and their training with the ISI [Inter-Services Intelligence]”, said the Chief Minister. “Sealing of border effectively is of prime importance to prevent cross border movement of insurgents. Arrangements like flood lighting, speedy completion of barbed wire fencing and strengthening of BSF [Border Security Force] along the border should be accorded highest priority”, he mentioned. “It is experienced that in few areas, the fencing could not be taken up due to trouble created by some groups having vested interests”, he pointed out. “People should rise above their narrow interests and assist in expediting the ongoing work of barbed wire fencing as it will greatly help in reducing the incidence of cross border movements”, he said.
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January - 6 
Addressing the conference of chief ministers in New Delhi on January 6, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that a INR 2.91 billion proposal for modernizing the Police in Bihar was submitted to the 13th Finance Commission recently but the Centre was not releasing funds as the previous State Government
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Addressing the conference of chief ministers in New Delhi on January 6, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that a INR 2.91 billion proposal for modernizing the Police in Bihar was submitted to the 13th Finance Commission recently but the Centre was not releasing funds as the previous State Government had not submitted utilization certificates for four years from 2001. Nitish Kumar said his Government would appoint 13,000 constables and Assistant Sub Inspector to increase the Police-population ratio in Bihar. Times of India reported that the Bihar Government has also sanctioned a sum of INR 70 million from the Bihar Contingency Fund to be spent on acquisition of 133.28 acres of land meant for the Bihar Police Academy. Two battalions of Bihar Military Police (BMP) would be raised in Bettiah (BMP-15) and Saharsa (BMP-12) for which process of land acquisition is already continuing. Since the 65 Panchayats (village-level self-Government institutions) of seven Districts are Maoist-infested, the State Government is focusing on the recruitment among the constabulary rank, besides making special efforts to modernise the Police force.
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January - 6 
Assam Accord Implementation and Revenue Minister Bhumidhar Barman informed the State Legislative Assembly on January 6 that a total number of 29,100 foreigners were detected and deported from the State since the signing of the Assam Accord in 1985. As many as 26,857 Bangladeshi nationals were detect
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Assam Accord Implementation and Revenue Minister Bhumidhar Barman informed the State Legislative Assembly on January 6 that a total number of 29,100 foreigners were detected and deported from the State since the signing of the Assam Accord in 1985. As many as 26,857 Bangladeshi nationals were detected and deported from the border itself, said the Minister, adding that out of the total Bangladeshi national detected, 1,587 were deported under the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act, 1983, while only 696 were detected under the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964. Admitting that fresh infiltration from Bangladesh through the porous international border cannot be ruled out, the Minister said, “From 2003 to 2008, as many as 1,149 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants have been identified and deported by the police.” Barman informed the House that the Union Government had sanctioned a total of INR 5490 million for implementation of clauses of the Assam Accord, out of which INR 5220 million had already been spent.
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January - 6 
On January 6, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh said the left-wing extremists are posing challenges of a "different" nature because of change in their ethos, The Hindu reported. "Left-wing extremism has been in vogue for four decades now, but the danger is that over time the nature of the movement ha
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On January 6, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh said the left-wing extremists are posing challenges of a "different" nature because of change in their ethos, The Hindu reported. "Left-wing extremism has been in vogue for four decades now, but the danger is that over time the nature of the movement has substantially altered. From an ideologically driven movement it has been transformed into one in which military ethos has become predominant," Singh said while addressing the conference of Chief Ministers in New Delhi. He also said the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) “is perhaps the only militant organisation in the country which has its own guerrilla army, though as yet, this is of modest proportions. It is perhaps the only militant body today which has a rigid organisational structure. They also have some rudimentary capabilities to manufacture arms. They show increasing sophistication in the way they carry out attacks.”
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January - 6 
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has blamed the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) for the Mumbai terrorist attack and pointed out that there was enough evidence to show that the attack was executed with military precision and also had the support of some official agencies of Pakistan, reports Th
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Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has blamed the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) for the Mumbai terrorist attack and pointed out that there was enough evidence to show that the attack was executed with military precision and also had the support of some official agencies of Pakistan, reports The Hindu. Speaking at a conference of Chief Ministers on internal security in New Delhi on January 6, the Prime Minister said terrorism was largely sponsored from outside the country, mainly from Pakistan, which “utilised terrorism as an instrument of State policy.” “We must convince the world community that States that use terrorism as an instrument of foreign policy must be isolated and compelled to abandon such tactics. We must engage vigorously in debates to press the point that ‘soft’ support for terrorism cannot any longer be endorsed,” Dr. Singh stated. While admitting that India’s problems were compounded by the fact that “we have a highly unpredictable and uncertain security environment in our immediate neighbourhood,” he said the Governments in some of our neighbouring countries “are very fragile in nature.” He cautioned that the “more fragile a Government, the more it tends to act in an irresponsible fashion. Pakistan’s responses to our various demarches on terrorist attacks are an obvious example.” Emphasising the need for co-operation with the States and allaying their apprehensions, Dr. Singh assured the Chief Ministers that all anti-terror initiatives would be undertaken with the “closest possible interaction” with the State Governments and their apparatus. “We do recognise that it is not possible to effectively fight terror without the whole-hearted co-operation of the Police machinery at all levels,” the Prime Minister said, adding, an effective coastal command was also being created.
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January - 6 
Reviewing the progress of the Pradhanmantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY, Prime Minister’s Village Road Construction Scheme), the Minister for Panchayat (village-level self-Government institution) and Rural Development, Ram Vichar Netam, said in capital Raipur the State Government is facing difficulties
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Reviewing the progress of the Pradhanmantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY, Prime Minister’s Village Road Construction Scheme), the Minister for Panchayat (village-level self-Government institution) and Rural Development, Ram Vichar Netam, said in capital Raipur the State Government is facing difficulties in implementing the PMGSY in the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) affected areas, leading to delay in taking up construction of 441 roads in the State, reports Indian Express on January 7. “Construction of roads in remote Naxalite (left-wing extremist) areas has to be taken up on a priority basis. We will seek the help of Police and para-military personnel to provide Security cover, wherever necessary,” Netam said. More than INR 3.09 billion has been earmarked for the construction of these 441 roads under the PMGSY in the Maoist affected areas but the work either did not begin, or had to be abandoned at some places following threat from the insurgents.
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January - 6 
The Union Government received “total and unconditional” support from all the Chief Ministers in carrying on the fight against terrorism. Some Chief Ministers, however, expressed concern over certain aspects of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code. Man
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The Union Government received “total and unconditional” support from all the Chief Ministers in carrying on the fight against terrorism. Some Chief Ministers, however, expressed concern over certain aspects of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code. Many chief ministers reportedly favoured the setting up of a separate intelligence cadre of State Police to strengthen intelligence gathering mechanism. The conference was told about security related measures taken post November 26, Mumbai attacks such as setting up a Multi-Agency Centre to boost intelligence sharing mechanism, expediting Crime and Criminal Tracking Network, registering all fishermen, fishing boats, vehicles, identity cards in border and coastal Districts and maintaining a strict control of immigration, Union Minister of Home Affairs P. Chidambaram said, adding, “there is also agreement that no State is today insulated from terrorism and every State must, therefore, remain fully prepared to deal with a terrorist attack and coordinate its response in this respect”.
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January - 6 
The Government ‘emphatically rejected’ on January 6 an allegation by Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh that Pakistan was involved in sponsoring terrorism in India, Dawn reported. It said India had embarked on a ‘propaganda offensive’ and such allegations would jeopardise chances of co-operatio
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The Government ‘emphatically rejected’ on January 6 an allegation by Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh that Pakistan was involved in sponsoring terrorism in India, Dawn reported. It said India had embarked on a ‘propaganda offensive’ and such allegations would jeopardise chances of co-operation against terrorism. According to sources, the Indian allegations were rejected during a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani held soon after Dr Singh’s statement on January 6. Zardari urged the Indian leadership to refrain from hurling allegations about involvement of official agencies in the Mumbai attacks, because this could only escalate tension. He said Pakistan would itself take action against ‘non-state actors’ involved in the Mumbai attacks and there was no question of their extradition to India. Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq quoted President Zardari as saying: “Instead of responding positively to Pakistan’s offer of co-operation and constructive proposals, India has chosen to embark on a propaganda offensive. The approach is fraught with grave risks… Vilifying Pakistan, or for that matter any of its state institutions, on this score is unwarranted and unacceptable. This is a sure way to close avenues of co-operation in combating the menace (of terrorism).” While claiming that Pakistan did not sponsor terrorism, Sadiq said “our civilian and armed forces’ causalities over the past year in terror attacks and in countering terrorism have been far more than those of India.” The spokesman added: “Pakistan is also carrying out investigations on its own. We reiterate our call for a pragmatic and cooperative engagement between the two countries to fight terrorism which is a region-wide phenomenon and the common enemy of our people.”
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January - 6 
A senior leader of the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist) and Minister of Information and Communications, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, said, “The Nepal Army (NA) can fill vacant posts, but new recruitment cannot be carried out.” He added that the issue of recruiting personnel in NA had been unn
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A senior leader of the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist) and Minister of Information and Communications, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, said, “The Nepal Army (NA) can fill vacant posts, but new recruitment cannot be carried out.” He added that the issue of recruiting personnel in NA had been unnecessarily exaggerated in recent days. A day earlier, Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa had said in Chitwan that the Chief of Army Staff Rookmangud Katawal had defied the Government's directive to stop recruitment in the NA.
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January - 6 
The Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) central committee condemned the Young Communist League (YCL) attack on party cadre Bibek Devkota from Jitpur Village Development Committee (VDC) on January 6, reports The Himalayan Times. The CPN-UML also prevented vehicular movement fo
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The Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) central committee condemned the Young Communist League (YCL) attack on party cadre Bibek Devkota from Jitpur Village Development Committee (VDC) on January 6, reports The Himalayan Times. The CPN-UML also prevented vehicular movement for an hour in the capital Kathmandu. According to party sources, Devkota was critically injured in the attack and doctors amputated his left leg.
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January - 6 
In Colombo, the Police said more than 29,000 people from the northern, eastern and the central provinces — living in the western province for employment and business activities — registered themselves under a programme initiated by the Civil Community Police, reported The Hindu. Police spokesperson
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In Colombo, the Police said more than 29,000 people from the northern, eastern and the central provinces — living in the western province for employment and business activities — registered themselves under a programme initiated by the Civil Community Police, reported The Hindu. Police spokesperson Ranjith Gunasekara said 100 men from the north and east who failed to establish their identities were detained for questioning. This is the second head count by the Police of people from the north and east living in and around Colombo on the ground that it is necessary to ensure security of the civilian population.
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January - 6 
Major General N.A.J.C. Dias, General Officer Commanding of the 57th Division, told reporters, "as per our estimates as many as 4073 LTTE fighters have been killed in the past 14 months, while the LTTE intercepts admit they have lost 3447 cadres with injuries to another 2197 of their fighters", repor
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Major General N.A.J.C. Dias, General Officer Commanding of the 57th Division, told reporters, "as per our estimates as many as 4073 LTTE fighters have been killed in the past 14 months, while the LTTE intercepts admit they have lost 3447 cadres with injuries to another 2197 of their fighters", reports Rediff.com.
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January - 6 
Member of Parliament and leader of the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Koddani (TMVK), Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias Karuna Amman, said Prabhakaran cannot win the battle in the North. Speaking in the Parliament, he said the LTTE chief is now running everywhere as they have lost strength to face th
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Member of Parliament and leader of the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Koddani (TMVK), Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias Karuna Amman, said Prabhakaran cannot win the battle in the North. Speaking in the Parliament, he said the LTTE chief is now running everywhere as they have lost strength to face the heavy attacks of Government forces. He added that the LTTE has less than 1,500 cadres presently. The LTTE leader has tried to recruit 5000 new cadres, but he managed to recruit only 150 members in the past few months, Karuna claimed.
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January - 6 
The Government on January 6 declared in Parliament that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has links with al Qaeda and used their ‘freedom struggle’ to dabble in the narcotics trade, according to South Asian Media Net. Speaking during the extension of the emergency debate, Prime Minister Ra
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The Government on January 6 declared in Parliament that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has links with al Qaeda and used their ‘freedom struggle’ to dabble in the narcotics trade, according to South Asian Media Net. Speaking during the extension of the emergency debate, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said the LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran’s drug ring is being investigated by India. Citing a south Indian magazine report, he said a group of LTTE leaders had visited Kabul to purchase weapons. He said the report further highlighted that the LTTE was involved in smuggling drugs into Sri Lanka through Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
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January - 6 
Troops of the 53rd and 55th Divisions operating on the Jaffna front captured the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) FDLs (Forward Defence Lines) in Kilali and Muhamalai, some 600 metres ahead of the Security Force’s FDLs on January 6, Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said, accor
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Troops of the 53rd and 55th Divisions operating on the Jaffna front captured the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) FDLs (Forward Defence Lines) in Kilali and Muhamalai, some 600 metres ahead of the Security Force’s FDLs on January 6, Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said, according to Daily News. “There was less resistance from the LTTE compared to earlier occasions and they are in the verge of withdrawing from the area as troops captured Tiger defences”, the spokesman added. According to Brigadier Nanayakkara, the troops in the Muhamalai front could advance some 20 kilometres to the south along the Jaffna-Kandy (A-9) Road to link up with the 58th Division troops operating in the south of Elephant Pass. The 58th Division was in reportedly consolidating their positions in the south of Elephant Pass as of January 6 after they captured the area a day earlier. Another military official told Daily News, “troops are advancing towards the LTTE’s third line located in Palali area which is a kilometre away from the present position.” LTTE militants operating in Jaffna are reportedly entrapped between two fronts, Muhamalai from the North and Elephant Pass in the south, and have links with the southern part only through the road leading through the Eastern coast of Jaffna peninsula. According to military sources, the LTTE had shifted many of their military assets in Jaffna. “The LTTE artillery threat to the advancing troops have reduced drastically by yesterday’s operation and they are resisting the advancing troops with their mortars”, military officials added.
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January - 6 
US Embassy in a press statement issued on January 6 on the liberation of Kilinochchi said that the US does not advocate that the Government of Sri Lanka negotiate with the LTTE, a group designated by the US since 1997 as a foreign terrorist organization. The statement said, however, the US believes
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US Embassy in a press statement issued on January 6 on the liberation of Kilinochchi said that the US does not advocate that the Government of Sri Lanka negotiate with the LTTE, a group designated by the US since 1997 as a foreign terrorist organization. The statement said, however, the US believes that a broad range of other Tamil voices and opinions must be brought into a political process to reach a political solution that Tamils inside and outside Sri Lanka see as legitimate. This will help assure Tamils that their rights are protected, it said.
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January - 6 
While indicating that Kilinochchi was where the Sri Lanka military has suffered previous historic debacles, the political wing leader of the LTTE, Balasingham Nadesan, in an interview with the pro-LTTE Website Tamil Net on January 5 dismissed the occupation of the town as an insignificant setback i
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While indicating that Kilinochchi was where the Sri Lanka military has suffered previous historic debacles, the political wing leader of the LTTE, Balasingham Nadesan, in an interview with the pro-LTTE Website Tamil Net on January 5 dismissed the occupation of the town as an insignificant setback in the context of a liberation struggle, and said, Tamil people’s support has always been LTTE’s strength, and with the moral backing of the global Tamil community the movement will surmount current and future challenges. He said: "We have taken forward our struggle for more than 30 years, solely relying on the support of our people," and reiterated that the Tigers were spearheading the Tamil struggle, which was based on legitimate political aspirations as defined by the democratic mandate in the elections of 1977.”
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January - 6 
Assam Tribune quoting Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi reports that the Union Government has extended the cease-fire agreement with the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) for a period of six months. While talking to journalists in New Delhi, Gogoi said "the agreement of suspension of op
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Assam Tribune quoting Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi reports that the Union Government has extended the cease-fire agreement with the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) for a period of six months. While talking to journalists in New Delhi, Gogoi said "the agreement of suspension of operations with NDFB has been extended by six months." He also said the NDFB would have to abide by the ground rules with letter and spirit and should not engage in violence. "If they involve in any violence in future we will be forced to take action against them", he added, Shillong Times reported.
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January - 7 
Sri Lanka Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka said any kind of a war victory to the LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran in future is a daydream, reports Colombo Page. According to the Army Chief, nearly 15,000 LTTE militants were killed by the Security Forces (SFs) during the last two and half y
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Sri Lanka Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka said any kind of a war victory to the LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran in future is a daydream, reports Colombo Page. According to the Army Chief, nearly 15,000 LTTE militants were killed by the Security Forces (SFs) during the last two and half years. In the same period nearly 2,000 SF personnel were also killed, Lt. General Sarath Fonseka pointed out. He said that the LTTE had managed to strengthen their cadres as well as the military equipment during the cease-fire from 2002 until its abrogation in 2007. He added the number of LTTE militants increased to 15,000 as a result of the truce. The militants only possessed two artillery guns captured from the Army before the cease-fire, but Machine guns, Dvora-like fast boats and three fixed wing airplanes were added to their strength during the cease-fire, he added, according to Daily Mirror. They established banks, courts, police and customs to generate income, the Army Commander further said.
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January - 7 
The Government said on January 7 that the Cabinet had taken a unanimous decision, in accordance with a memorandum submitted by President Mahinda Rajapakse, to proscribe the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which continued to engage in blatant human rights violations, according to Daily News.
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The Government said on January 7 that the Cabinet had taken a unanimous decision, in accordance with a memorandum submitted by President Mahinda Rajapakse, to proscribe the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which continued to engage in blatant human rights violations, according to Daily News. The Proclamation of the President proscribing the LTTE under Chapter 40 of the Public Security Ordinance gave several reasons for the proscription. They included inter alia committing acts of terrorism and other forms of violence, with the aim of establishing a separate state of Tamil Eelam in the Northern and Eastern parts of Sri Lanka, engaging in armed conflict with the Security Forces and the Police, assassination of persons of high political office, members of the security forces and the Police and civilians, causing death and destruction to lives and property, threatening the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic, failure to eschew violence, lay down arms and, surrender and participate in the democratic process, keeping civilians in the North and East as hostages and using them as human shields, preventing humanitarian relief reaching the population, illegal procurement and smuggling of arms, using child soldiers, and adversely affecting international and regional peace. At a media briefing attended by several Cabinet Ministers, Minister Maithripala Sirisena noted that the Cabinet had taken the decision as repeated requests to the aforesaid organization to eschew terrorism and participate in the democratic process had failed. The Minister said the LTTE continued to recruit children and women against their will, and also kept denying free movement to civilians using them as a human shield, leaving no option for the Government but to go for a ban. He further said that the proscription did not mean that the Government had closed the door for negotiations, but would engage in dialogue if the LTTE comes to the table after laying down weapons. Defence spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said it would provide effective support by laws coming into effect where any organization or individual convicted of helping the banned LTTE could face up to 20 years of imprisonment, adds Daily News. At the same media briefing, Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe urged the LTTE to release trapped civilians in Wanni. He also said the Government would continue to provide all possible assistance to civilians who are been forcibly kept by the LTTE. The LTTE was first banned in 1998, after it bombed the Dalada Maligawa. The ban was lifted in September 2002, ahead of the peace talks following the Cease-fire Agreement.
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January - 7 
The Sri Lankan military on January 7 claimed to have captured Murasumoddai town on the way to Mullaitivu amid stiff resistance from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants, reports The Hindu. A statement from the Defence Ministry said, “gaining control over the Murasumoddai junction, l
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The Sri Lankan military on January 7 claimed to have captured Murasumoddai town on the way to Mullaitivu amid stiff resistance from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants, reports The Hindu. A statement from the Defence Ministry said, “gaining control over the Murasumoddai junction, located along the Paranthan-Mullaitivu main road, 5 km east of Paranthan, would be strategically vital for the troops as it creates new escaping routes for the Tamil civilians under LTTE hold.” The Ministry said that the Murasumoddai junction had direct access routes to Kilinochchi, Vaddakkachchi and Uriyan. Many civilians from Murasumoddai and its surrounding areas had reached the Security Forces “escaping LTTE’s grip,” it added.
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January - 7 
Troops advancing both from the north and south of Elephant Pass have trapped the LTTE militants on the thin strip of land connecting the mainland to Jaffna peninsula inflicting heavy casualties upon the militants, the military said, according to Colombo Page. Troops of the 53 and 55 Divisions amid h
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Troops advancing both from the north and south of Elephant Pass have trapped the LTTE militants on the thin strip of land connecting the mainland to Jaffna peninsula inflicting heavy casualties upon the militants, the military said, according to Colombo Page. Troops of the 53 and 55 Divisions amid heavy LTTE gunfire advanced about two kilometers further south from the LTTE frontline, which was captured on January 6, closer to the strategic Palali town centre, about 5.5 kilometers south of Muhamalai, on January 7, defence reports said. Defence Ministry said troops destroyed several key LTTE command centres, including the Kilaly’s ECHO-9 Base, Muhamalai area command bases GOLF-7, ECHO-3 and DELTA-2 and set ablaze a huge LTTE ammunition dump. A large cache of weapons and LTTE armaments kept hidden and sealed inside concrete-made underground hideouts were also recovered by the troops, the Ministry added. Reports said that the LTTE have used the Palali area and recently captured Pooneryn to position heavy guns to repeatedly attack targets in Jaffna.
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January - 7 
17 out of the 30 districts of Orissa are affected by left-wing extremist violence at present, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said at a meeting of the Chief Ministers of seven Maoist-affected States at New Delhi on January 7, Kalinga Times reported. While Patnaik claimed that his Government had taken
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17 out of the 30 districts of Orissa are affected by left-wing extremist violence at present, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said at a meeting of the Chief Ministers of seven Maoist-affected States at New Delhi on January 7, Kalinga Times reported. While Patnaik claimed that his Government had taken a series of measures to contain the insurgency, he said that there was an upsurge in Maoist violence during 2008. The Chief Minister requested the Centre to provide a dedicated helicopter to Orissa for aerial reconnaissance of Maoist-affected areas and for evacuation of injured troops and quick movement of the Security Forces. He also requested the Centre for deployment of six more battalions of the Central Reserve Police Force in the Maoist-affected Districts to effectively control the problem.
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January - 7 
Speaking in favour of the Salwa Judum (anti-Maoist vigilante movement) campaign, Chief Minister Raman Singh said the State Government would continue giving protection to tribals who were involved in the "anti-Maoist" movement in the State.
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Speaking in favour of the Salwa Judum (anti-Maoist vigilante movement) campaign, Chief Minister Raman Singh said the State Government would continue giving protection to tribals who were involved in the "anti-Maoist" movement in the State.
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January - 7 
The Pioneer reports that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, while speaking at the meeting of the Chief Ministers of seven Maoist-affected States in New Delhi on January 7, said the State Government was planning to set up a counter-insurgency and jungle warfare training centre near capital Bhubaneswar.
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The Pioneer reports that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, while speaking at the meeting of the Chief Ministers of seven Maoist-affected States in New Delhi on January 7, said the State Government was planning to set up a counter-insurgency and jungle warfare training centre near capital Bhubaneswar.
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January - 7 
Vigilance along the southern coast of Tamil Nadu has been stepped up by the Police in collaboration with other security agencies to prevent possible infiltration of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants in the wake of the fall of the outfit's de facto capital Kilinochchi in Sri Lanka
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Vigilance along the southern coast of Tamil Nadu has been stepped up by the Police in collaboration with other security agencies to prevent possible infiltration of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants in the wake of the fall of the outfit's de facto capital Kilinochchi in Sri Lanka. "Right now, there is no security threat to the stat... however, we have asked the police and other agencies to be on alert and post more police personnel in the coastal areas such as Rameswaram, which are in close proximity to Sri Lanka," sources told PTI. Coast Guard officials confirmed that the agency had stepped up vigilance in the wake of the recent development. "We have increased patrolling to ensure extra vigilance," a Coast Guard official said. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, who was represented by State Public Works Department and Law Minister Duraimurugan, in a written statement at the Conference of Chief Ministers on Internal Security in New Delhi on January 7 said, "the state government is taking all out efforts to organise intensive patrols and effective screening of the refugees entering the country to avert infiltration of anti-national elements. It (patrolling and screening) has become more imperative due to the existence of long International sea border and the ongoing sensitive developments in Sri Lanka… Tamil Nadu continues to remain free from any major crisis."
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January - 7 
Information Minister Sherry Rehman told Daily Times that “Ajmal Kasab is a Pakistani. Further investigations are under way.” Earlier, a high-ranking Government official told Dawn that the preliminary investigation had provided enough information to conclude that the man at present in India’s custody
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Information Minister Sherry Rehman told Daily Times that “Ajmal Kasab is a Pakistani. Further investigations are under way.” Earlier, a high-ranking Government official told Dawn that the preliminary investigation had provided enough information to conclude that the man at present in India’s custody was from a Punjab village, and perhaps belonged to a militant group that was bent upon destabilising the region by undermining the peace process. Answering a question about consular access to Kasab, a senior official said the militant had damaged Pakistan ‘like no other’. “We are not yet sure when to ask for consular access. We may not ask for it. He is involved in a heinous crime,” the unnamed official said.
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January - 7 
On January 7, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani sacked his National Security Adviser Major General (retd) Mehmud Ali Durrani for giving a statement on Mohammad Ajmal Amir alias Ajmal Kasab, the lone Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant arrested during the Mumbai terrorist attacks on November 26, 2008, wit
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On January 7, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani sacked his National Security Adviser Major General (retd) Mehmud Ali Durrani for giving a statement on Mohammad Ajmal Amir alias Ajmal Kasab, the lone Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant arrested during the Mumbai terrorist attacks on November 26, 2008, without taking him into confidence, The News reported. Before the formal announcement, Prime Minister Gilani told Geo News on telephone that Durrani had given a statement to an Indian news channel regarding Ajmal Kasab without taking him into confidence. Gilani said that Durrani’s statement had tarnished the country’s image. “So I decided to sack him,” he told Geo News.
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January - 7 
The Pakistani Government confirmed on January 7 that Mohammad Ajmal Amir alias Ajmal Kasab – the lone Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant arrested during the Mumbai terrorist attacks on November 26, 2008 – is a Pakistani. “The initial investigations have confirmed that Ajmal Kasab, involved in the Mumbai
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The Pakistani Government confirmed on January 7 that Mohammad Ajmal Amir alias Ajmal Kasab – the lone Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant arrested during the Mumbai terrorist attacks on November 26, 2008 – is a Pakistani. “The initial investigations have confirmed that Ajmal Kasab, involved in the Mumbai terrorist attacks, is a Pakistani national. Further investigations are under way,” Foreign Office Spokesman Muhammad Sadiq said, Daily Times reported. Sources in the foreign ministry said security agencies analysed the information India had gathered and shared with Pakistan, and concluded in a preliminary probe that Kasab is a Pakistani. Pakistan had earlier said its National Database and Registration Authority had no record of the man. Sadiq confirmed that the Interior Ministry had given the information to the Foreign Office. But he denied Pakistan would provide official support to Ajmal Kasab. “Kasab has committed a heinous crime. He will not be provided any official support or consular access,” the spokesman said.
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January - 8 
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Guwahati, Pradip Chandra Saloi, said Police arrested 12 suspects in connection with the serial bomb blasts, including an ULFA cadre Sanjib Talukdar, who confessed to have planted the bomb at Bhutnath area. "Sanjib has confessed that he had planted the bomb at
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Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Guwahati, Pradip Chandra Saloi, said Police arrested 12 suspects in connection with the serial bomb blasts, including an ULFA cadre Sanjib Talukdar, who confessed to have planted the bomb at Bhutnath area. "Sanjib has confessed that he had planted the bomb at Bhutnath while we have got the information that Pranjal alias Bjiu Sarania has assembled the other two IEDs [improvised explosive devices]—one dumped in the garbage bin at Birubari and the other planted at Bhangagar in the city," the SSP added.
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January - 8 
The head of al Qaeda in Pakistan and his lieutenant were killed in the past few days, a US counter-terrorism official told AFP late on January 8, reportedly struck by a missile fired from an unmanned drone, Dawn reported. The men are believed to be Kenyan national Usama al-Kini, described as al Qaed
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The head of al Qaeda in Pakistan and his lieutenant were killed in the past few days, a US counter-terrorism official told AFP late on January 8, reportedly struck by a missile fired from an unmanned drone, Dawn reported. The men are believed to be Kenyan national Usama al-Kini, described as al Qaeda's chief of operations in Pakistan and his lieutenant Sheikh Ahmed Salim Swedan. "There is every reason to believe that these two top terrorist figures are dead," said an unnamed source, adding that the duo was killed "within the last week." The counterintelligence source did not say how the men died, but according to Washington Post, which first reported the story, the duo was killed in a January 1 missile attack near Karikot in South Waziristan. The militants died after being struck with 45 kilo Hellfire missile fired from a pilot-less Predator drone operated by the Central Intelligence Agency, Washington Post reported. Officials believe al-Kini was behind the September 2008 car bombing of Islamabad's Marriott Hotel that killed 60 people. He is also linked to a suicide attack on late Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's convoy as it traveled through Karachi upon her arrival in Pakistan on October 18, 2008. The two men are also on the FBI's most wanted list for links with the 1998 bombings of US embassies in East Africa.
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January - 8 
The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said that the peace process in Nepal "remains a fragile one," which will continue to need United Nations assistance, reports Nepal News. In a report he presented before the Security Council on January 8, the Secretary-General said that the "critical a
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The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said that the peace process in Nepal "remains a fragile one," which will continue to need United Nations assistance, reports Nepal News. In a report he presented before the Security Council on January 8, the Secretary-General said that the "critical agreements" on the integration of former Maoist combatants with the Nepal Army still remains to be implemented and expressed his disappointment at having to "report so little progress" regarding the issues most relevant to the mandate of United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), the special political mission tasked with helping advance the peace process in Nepal.
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January - 8 
The Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama on January 8 reiterated that the Government does not believe in a military solution to address the genuine grievances of the minority communities and is firmly committed to a political solution to the ethnic conflict, reports The Hindu. At a briefing of the d
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The Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama on January 8 reiterated that the Government does not believe in a military solution to address the genuine grievances of the minority communities and is firmly committed to a political solution to the ethnic conflict, reports The Hindu. At a briefing of the diplomatic corps based in Colombo on the decision of the Sri Lankan Government to ban the LTTE, he said acts of terrorism by the LTTE and its orchestrated campaign to collect funds to commit acts of terrorism and its activities relating to the procurement or smuggling of arms, ammunition and explosives, had the potential of adversely affecting international and regional peace and the security and law and order of other sovereign nations. He told the diplomats that India’s decision to proscribe the LTTE and renew the ban periodically also stems from the threat that the outfit poses to the territorial integrity of India.
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January - 9 
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on January 9 emphasised that development held the key to resolution of the problems of insurgency and terrorism in Assam. Replying to the debate on the Governor’s address in the State Legislative Assembly, he reiterated that terrorism in Assam had a foreign connection. He
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Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on January 9 emphasised that development held the key to resolution of the problems of insurgency and terrorism in Assam. Replying to the debate on the Governor’s address in the State Legislative Assembly, he reiterated that terrorism in Assam had a foreign connection. He further said the election of Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh would help Assam resolve the problem.
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January - 9 
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on January 9 Friday that premier intelligence agencies of the United States and Pakistan had been working closely to investigate the multiple terrorist in Mumbai on November 26, 2008, and recently the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had provided a detailed re
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Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on January 9 Friday that premier intelligence agencies of the United States and Pakistan had been working closely to investigate the multiple terrorist in Mumbai on November 26, 2008, and recently the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had provided a detailed response to questions and issues raised by US investigators on behalf of their Indian counterparts, Dawn reported. “Our ISI has given its feedback, which has been forwarded to India,” he told reporters after addressing a seminar in Islamabad. He gave no details of the contents of the dossier or the response formulated by a committee, but said Pakistan would co-operate if more information was required. He said India had provided a 52-page dossier to the CIA which was passed on to Pakistan. The dossier was also handed over directly by India to Pakistan. Gilani also said Pakistan was ready to share information sharing with the CIA.
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January - 9 
A senior defence official said, “the Sri Lankan Navy has been put on alert to prevent any attempt by Tiger chief Velupillai Prabhakaran or other senior LTTE leaders from fleeing the country… The naval blockade has been imposed in northern Mullaitivu, the only remaining stronghold of the LTTE after t
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A senior defence official said, “the Sri Lankan Navy has been put on alert to prevent any attempt by Tiger chief Velupillai Prabhakaran or other senior LTTE leaders from fleeing the country… The naval blockade has been imposed in northern Mullaitivu, the only remaining stronghold of the LTTE after the fall of their de facto capital of Kilinochchi and the strategic Elephant Pass," reports PTI.
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January - 9 
Colombo Page reports that following the capture of Elephant Pass, the Government has restored the access through the A-9 highway, the main land route to Jaffna from the mainland. At a special news briefing held at the Presidential Secretariat, Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silv
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Colombo Page reports that following the capture of Elephant Pass, the Government has restored the access through the A-9 highway, the main land route to Jaffna from the mainland. At a special news briefing held at the Presidential Secretariat, Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said now the citizens of Sri Lanka can move freely from southernmost point of Devundara Thuduwa (Dondra Point) to the northernmost Point Pedro. Minister de Silva said the opening of the A-9 main route will facilitate the free and quick movement of people and goods among all parts of the island which will result in an increase in commerce and reduction of prices of essential items in the Jaffna peninsula. He also said this is the first time in many years people can travel through A-9 without paying “taxes” to the LTTE. Even when the A-9 was opened during the cease-fire period, the LTTE was collecting illegal taxes and ransom from the people, he said.
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January - 9 
Foreign Minister Rohita Bogollagama said on January 9 that Sri Lanka would positively consider handing over LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran to India alive if the Indian Government made a request to do so, according to Daily Mirror. Responding to a question at the special United People's Freedom Al
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Foreign Minister Rohita Bogollagama said on January 9 that Sri Lanka would positively consider handing over LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran to India alive if the Indian Government made a request to do so, according to Daily Mirror. Responding to a question at the special United People's Freedom Alliance news briefing following the capture of Elephant Pass, Bogollagama said there was no extradition treaty between India and Sri Lanka. “But if the Indian Government makes a request to hand over the LTTE leader to India in the event he is arrested alive by the security forces, Sri Lanka would consider it positively under the existing law as he is a murder suspect in India,” Bogollagama said. The Indian Government is yet to make such a request, he said, adding that only some individuals in India had requested Sri Lanka to do so.
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January - 9 
Security Forces (SFs) captured the Jaffna-Kandy (A-9) highway connecting the south with the Jaffna peninsula after 23 years, reported Daily News. Troops of the 53rd, 55th, and 58th Divisions captured the strategically important Elephant Pass by the afternoon of January 9, President Mahinda Rajapakse
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Security Forces (SFs) captured the Jaffna-Kandy (A-9) highway connecting the south with the Jaffna peninsula after 23 years, reported Daily News. Troops of the 53rd, 55th, and 58th Divisions captured the strategically important Elephant Pass by the afternoon of January 9, President Mahinda Rajapakse announced. The President said the SFs are now able to connect people in Dondra Head with people in Point Pedro after 23 years in an environment sans terrorism making a bridge of peace between the South and North. The 53rd and 55th Division advancing from Muhamalai and Kilali linked up with troops of the 58th Division who had taken control of the Elephant Pass south by January 6. The 58th Division cleared the path for the 53rd and 55th Division to move towards the south of Jaffna peninsula compelling the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants to vacate many of the areas they held in the southern part of the Jaffna peninsula. With the capture of Elephant Pass, the troops were able to clear a 96 kilometre stretch of the A-9 road between Omanthai and Muhamalai after two years of military operations in Wanni and in the north. Military officials said this is the first time the A-9 road is open till Jaffna under military control after the SFs lost control of it after the departure of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in the late 1980s. The SFs lost control of Elephant Pass in April 2000 when 353 soldiers were killed and over 2,500 injured. “It is after nine years troops are taking control of Elephant Pass from the clutches of the LTTE,” the President stated.
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January - 9 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has asked India to "stop providing military assistance" to the Sri Lankan Government and vowed to take back it de facto political headquarters Kilinochchi, PTI reported on January 10. "India should stop all military assistance to Sri Lankan Army and recogn
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has asked India to "stop providing military assistance" to the Sri Lankan Government and vowed to take back it de facto political headquarters Kilinochchi, PTI reported on January 10. "India should stop all military assistance to Sri Lankan Army and recognise our struggle for liberation", the LTTE political head Balasingham Nadesan told the Tamil bi-weekly Junior Vikatan in an e-mail interview. On whether India seemed to be close to Sri Lankan Government than to the LTTE, Nadesan said, "this causes us deep anguish. We have been reiterating that India should understand its true friends are Tamils.” Conceding that the outfit was "upset" over the loss of Kilinochchi, Nadesan said it was however not a "setback" and the LTTE has recaptured the town on earlier occasions. "This is not the first time that Kilinochchi has been captured by the Lankan Army. We have retrieved Kilinochchi from the army several times and had it under our control for long periods. This is history. We do not see this as a setback", Nadesan said. "We are of course upset (on losing Kilinochchi). But only buildings have been affected. Our doors to liberation remain strong", he added. On why the LTTE is not retaliating in many places in the ongoing confrontation with Sri Lankan Security Forces, which on January 10 took over the crucial Elephant Pass, Nadesan said, "To withdraw is a war strategy to ensure minimum casualties. The Sri Lankan government wants to eliminate the entire Tamil race. But Eelam Tamils are not orphans; the most important message conveyed to this world and the Lankan government is the seven crore Tamils of Tamil Nadu will not remain mute spectators to sufferings of Eelam Tamils… We would retrieve the lands and construct our buildings. I would also like to mention that police department, banks and finance departments have been functioning despite being relocated.” He also said residents of Kilinochchi who have left the town have been relocated to safer places in Wanni. “When situation is favourable to us, we would recapture Kilinochchi and let people live there,” Nadesan said. On the situation in areas under LTTE control, Nadesan stated that “facing the consistent military actions and continuous relocations, our people hope to retrieve the lost lands. All our people have been making huge sacrifices for this cause.” On whether it was possible to get the ban on LTTE revoked, Nadesan said the support rendered “to our struggle by the global Tamil community in unison proves that it is possible.” Nadesan also said that several countries "especially Pakistan and China" have been sending ammunition to Sri Lanka by ships. "This has been confirmed by media in Colombo," he said. Asked if the relief supplies sent from India has been distributed in a fair way, Nadesan replied in the affirmative. "The relief material has been distributed through the International Red Cross society functioning in our regions. They have been doing the distribution in a fair and complete way. Tamils are our umbilical cord relatives and this timely help will remain etched in our memory," Nadesan added.
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January - 9 
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on January 9 expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in eastern Sri Lanka with increased number of killings. It said the UN recorded 24 civilian deaths in the Batticaloa district in November 2008 alone.
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The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on January 9 expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in eastern Sri Lanka with increased number of killings. It said the UN recorded 24 civilian deaths in the Batticaloa district in November 2008 alone.
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January - 9 
News.lk reports that the Highways Minister, A. L. M. Athaulla, on January 9 called on the Government to resettle all those Muslims who were evicted from Jaffna in July 1991 and are now living in refugee camps in Puttalam or with their relations in the South. Addressing a press conference at the Pres
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News.lk reports that the Highways Minister, A. L. M. Athaulla, on January 9 called on the Government to resettle all those Muslims who were evicted from Jaffna in July 1991 and are now living in refugee camps in Puttalam or with their relations in the South. Addressing a press conference at the Presidential Secretariat, he said Muslims have also undergone severe hardship due to the LTTE and the time had come for those wrongs to be rectified. "Muslims owned land and property in the North and all that should be returned to them," Athaulla said, adding, that it cannot be said the LTTE existed to liberate the Tamil people.
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January - 10 
On January 10, the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, Raman Singh, speaking on the vote of thanks on the Governor’s speech in the State Legislative Assembly, said that Salwa Judum (anti-Maoist vigilante movement) is the answer to get rid of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) menace in the St
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On January 10, the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, Raman Singh, speaking on the vote of thanks on the Governor’s speech in the State Legislative Assembly, said that Salwa Judum (anti-Maoist vigilante movement) is the answer to get rid of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) menace in the State, reports Times of India. He further said that Salwa Judum began as the people of Bastar region wanted to stop Maoist atrocities and this movement would continue till the menace is eradicated.
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January - 10 
The house arrest of Jama’at-ud-Da’awa (a front for the Lashkar-e-Toiba [LeT]) founder Hafiz Mohammed Saeed has been extended for another 60 days, Punjab Additional Home Secretary Usman Anwar said on January 10, Daily Times reported on January 11. “His house has already been declared a sub-jail where
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The house arrest of Jama’at-ud-Da’awa (a front for the Lashkar-e-Toiba [LeT]) founder Hafiz Mohammed Saeed has been extended for another 60 days, Punjab Additional Home Secretary Usman Anwar said on January 10, Daily Times reported on January 11. “His house has already been declared a sub-jail where he will spend the rest of the detention period,” Anwar said, adding that the Punjab Government extended the detention on orders from the federal Government.
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January - 10 
Colombo Page reports that the troops of the 59th Division, now advancing towards Mullaitivu, captured another LTTE airstrip located five kilometres west of the Mullaitivu lagoon in the afternoon of January 10, the military said. The Defence Ministry said the airstrip was about 2.5 kilometres long an
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Colombo Page reports that the troops of the 59th Division, now advancing towards Mullaitivu, captured another LTTE airstrip located five kilometres west of the Mullaitivu lagoon in the afternoon of January 10, the military said. The Defence Ministry said the airstrip was about 2.5 kilometres long and 100 metres wide. This is the fourth LTTE airstrip captured by troops in the recent past, military spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said. Troops operating in the Mullaitivu area captured this airstrip together with two empty hangars, he added.
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January - 11 
In a four-page statement signed by commander-in-chief Paresh Barua that was faxed on January 11 to a section of the media, the ULFA claimed that an “infamous” “gang of six” police officers was responsible for the January 9 blast in the Maligaon locality of Guwahati city to malign the outfit’s image.
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In a four-page statement signed by commander-in-chief Paresh Barua that was faxed on January 11 to a section of the media, the ULFA claimed that an “infamous” “gang of six” police officers was responsible for the January 9 blast in the Maligaon locality of Guwahati city to malign the outfit’s image.
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January - 11 
Legislator of the opposition Congress party from the Konta constituency, Kawasi Lakhma, said that “since early 2005, neither Police nor Government officials nor I myself have dared to visit the 60 villages where insurgents have total monopoly,” IANS reported. “People’s life in my segment is like hel
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Legislator of the opposition Congress party from the Konta constituency, Kawasi Lakhma, said that “since early 2005, neither Police nor Government officials nor I myself have dared to visit the 60 villages where insurgents have total monopoly,” IANS reported. “People’s life in my segment is like hell; they have nothing to eat. About 50,000 innocent tribals in my constituency alone have migrated to neighbouring Khammam District of Andhra Pradesh since June 2005 when the fight between Salwa Judum [anti-Maoist vigilante movement] cadres and Maoists began. Due to fights between Salwa Judum cadres and the rebels, the local weekly market system, which was a lifeline for the entire Dantewada District, has almost become non-existent,” he said.
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January - 11 
Quoting the Director General of Police of Chhattisgarh, Vishawa Ranjan, Times of India reported on January 12 that commandos of the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Chhattisgarh, which came into existence on January 10, will not only tackle terrorist attacks like those witnessed in Mumbai, but will als
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Quoting the Director General of Police of Chhattisgarh, Vishawa Ranjan, Times of India reported on January 12 that commandos of the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Chhattisgarh, which came into existence on January 10, will not only tackle terrorist attacks like those witnessed in Mumbai, but will also be employed for anti-Maoist insurgency operations during any emergency. He said, "ATS came into existence January 10. The ATS commandos are now ready to respond to any terror challenge at very short notice," adding, "tough training" will be provided by the State Government to the commandos in a phased manner. In addition, the central Government will be requested to provide their "highly specialised commando training". Commandos up to the age of 30 years will be employed in the ATS. "Anti-terrorist control rooms have also been set up in all the 18 Districts to deal with possible terror attacks and Maoists," said home department officials.
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January - 11 
Sri Lankan Police held the second phase of a special census started earlier to register persons who have come to capital Colombo from the North, East and Central Provinces since January 1, 2003. Police spokesperson Ranjith Gunasekara said the second phase was held throughout the day at selected Poli
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Sri Lankan Police held the second phase of a special census started earlier to register persons who have come to capital Colombo from the North, East and Central Provinces since January 1, 2003. Police spokesperson Ranjith Gunasekara said the second phase was held throughout the day at selected Police stations in the Western Province. The first phase was held on January 4, 2009, and accordingly over 25,000 persons registered with the Police. The main goal of the census is to document people’s reasons for moving to the Western Province from the North, East or Central Provinces in the last five years. Police have also arrested 10 persons who were unable to provide a reason for coming to Colombo from the North or East.
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January - 11 
The Government said that around 3,000 soldiers have been killed in battle with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the last three months and not 15,000, as alleged by the Opposition. Foreign Employment Minister and Defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told Sunday Island that the figure
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The Government said that around 3,000 soldiers have been killed in battle with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the last three months and not 15,000, as alleged by the Opposition. Foreign Employment Minister and Defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told Sunday Island that the figure of 15,000 soldiers was exaggerated and incorrect. "According to our estimates, around 3,000 soldiers have been killed in action, since October 2008." Asked where he thought LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran might be hiding, Rambukwella said, "he is in Mullaitivu and being guarded by the 2,000 cadres that the LTTE has left. It is a matter of time before its last bastion is also overrun." Asked if he thought the remaining LTTE cadres could regroup and operate as an effective guerrilla organization, he said, "no, they might be able to cause some damage occasionally, but the LTTE, as an organization, has lost its effectiveness and the morale of their cadres is very low. They can no longer pose a serious threat." There has been no official request from India as yet for a captured Prabhakaran to be handed over to them, he said, adding, "Prabhakaran is wanted in both Sri Lanka and India for the atrocities he has committed. The Sri Lankan High Court has already convicted and sentenced him to 200 years in jail."
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January - 12 
Describing the Mumbai terror attacks as a "direct strike" at India's economic development, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on January 12 warned the hydrocarbon sector to protect assets from the risks from "state or the so-called non-state actors," reports Indian Express. "The recent terro
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Describing the Mumbai terror attacks as a "direct strike" at India's economic development, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on January 12 warned the hydrocarbon sector to protect assets from the risks from "state or the so-called non-state actors," reports Indian Express. "The recent terrorist attack in Mumbai was a direct strike at India's economic development. This unpardonable criminal attack only underscores the risk all countries face from economic sabotage, irrespective of whether these acts are authored by states or merely carried out by so-called non-state actors," Mukherjee said inaugurating the Petrotech Conference. Cautioning that the global hydrocarbon sector would increasingly be even more vulnerable to such threats, he said, "protecting these assets would not simply be a law and order problem for an individual country, whether an energy exporter or a consumer." He asked the global community to co-operate to protect the supply routes and hydrocarbon assets to ensure stability of energy supplies.
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January - 12 
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked a special committee, set up earlier to come out with measures to strengthen local intelligence gathering units, to act fast by strengthening local intelligence gathering units, in the wake of the Mumbai terror attack, reports PTI. The committee for
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The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked a special committee, set up earlier to come out with measures to strengthen local intelligence gathering units, to act fast by strengthening local intelligence gathering units, in the wake of the Mumbai terror attack, reports PTI. The committee for strengthening the Special Branches of Police forces was constituted by former Union Minister of Home Affairs, Shivraj Patil, and included the Directors General of Police of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Delhi Police Commissioner and senior Intelligence Bureau officials. "There is a focused scheme for strengthening the Special Branches of the State Police forces and ensuring their systematic structuring, which is now lacking. The central Government is providing all help to the States in this regard," MHA sources said. The Government has advised State Governments to form and sanction a dedicated fund (up to 5 per cent of their annual allocation) under Modernisation of Police Forces scheme for strengthening of Special Branches. "All State Governments have been asked to submit their action plan and action taken report in this regard. Most of the Naxal-affected States have submitted their plans. The central Government has also released funds based on their approved Action Plans. We have advised State Governments to hire retired Policemen and other professionals to strengthen the intelligence gathering mechanism," MHA sources said.
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January - 12 
News.lk reports that the Government is venturing on a crash development programme in Kilinochchi town in the wake of recent military victories with the objective of getting civilians to return and begin a new life. The immediate priorities would be improving schools, hospitals and developing roads a
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News.lk reports that the Government is venturing on a crash development programme in Kilinochchi town in the wake of recent military victories with the objective of getting civilians to return and begin a new life. The immediate priorities would be improving schools, hospitals and developing roads and the transport sector. SLR 30 million was allocated to improve facilities for the displaced persons, Government officials said.
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January - 12 
The Government on January 12 reiterated that it was fully prepared to handle the mass exodus of civilians from Wanni, and Vavuniya was being readied as a humanitarian assistance hub to cater to their needs. “Arrangements are underway to provide relief for those coming from un-cleared areas seeking s
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The Government on January 12 reiterated that it was fully prepared to handle the mass exodus of civilians from Wanni, and Vavuniya was being readied as a humanitarian assistance hub to cater to their needs. “Arrangements are underway to provide relief for those coming from un-cleared areas seeking shelter and safety,” the RDRS Minister Rishard Bathuideeen said. Authorities have also taken steps to clear an 80 acre land in Vavuniya to construct temporary shelters. RDRS Secretary A. C. M. Razik said the Government had already allocated SLR 30 million as an initial sum to expedite relief measures through the Government Agent in Vavuniya.
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January - 13 
Addressing a mass meeting on January 13, Prime Minister and chairman of Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist) Prachanda warned of a 'people's revolt' if the current Maoist-led Government is forced to quit, reports Nepal News. "This government is not a repetition of past ones. If it is overthr
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Addressing a mass meeting on January 13, Prime Minister and chairman of Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist) Prachanda warned of a 'people's revolt' if the current Maoist-led Government is forced to quit, reports Nepal News. "This government is not a repetition of past ones. If it is overthrown our party will spearhead a people's revolt from the next day and capture power… Nothing in the world will stop us," he said. The meeting was organised in Kathmandu to make the formal announcement of unification between the CPN-Maoist and Communist Party of Nepal-Unity Centre (Masal). Prachanda heads the united party which has been named as Unified CPN-Maoist. The party will have a 175-member central committee that includes 38 members from the Unity Centre (Masal).
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January - 13 
Jay Krishna Goit led Akhil Terai Mukti Morcha (ATMM), formerly known as Goit faction of the Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM-G), Pawan Giri-led Samyukta Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (SJTMM) and Jwala Singh faction of the Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM-J) formally announced the unificatio
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Jay Krishna Goit led Akhil Terai Mukti Morcha (ATMM), formerly known as Goit faction of the Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM-G), Pawan Giri-led Samyukta Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (SJTMM) and Jwala Singh faction of the Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM-J) formally announced the unification of the three parties and decided to name the unified front as Terai Janatantrik Party (TJP), reports Kantipuronline. A meeting of the three fronts held at an undisclosed location in Siraha district took the decision to this effect. The unified party will be chaired by Jaya Krishna Goit and Pawan Giri will be the vice chairman, while Jwala Singh will be the general secretary. Likewise, Aajad has been appointed the chief of Terai Government of the newly formed alliance and Khudiram will be its organisational department chief, said a statement issued by Goit. "The three groups have been merged in order to strongly push the demand for a 'free Terai' as it has been overshadowed due to disintegration among the Terai groups," the statement read, adding that the process for the unification with other groups has been initiated. The outfits led by Jawala Singh and Pawan Giri had earlier separated from the Jay Krishna Goit-led group.
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January - 13 
All Party Representative Committee (APRC) Chairman Tissa Vitharana urged Sri Lanka's opposition parties, the United National Party (UNP) and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), to rejoin the APRC process to reach a solution for power devolution. Vitharana said all APRC members have agreed that the prov
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All Party Representative Committee (APRC) Chairman Tissa Vitharana urged Sri Lanka's opposition parties, the United National Party (UNP) and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), to rejoin the APRC process to reach a solution for power devolution. Vitharana said all APRC members have agreed that the province as the unit of devolution and it would be offered to the Tamil National Alliance as a solution to the ethnic issue. “For a southern consensus to be reached, it is imperative that the UNP and JVP rejoin the APRC process. I am in discussion with both parties and have urged them to come back and assist in concluding a broad agreement. Thereafter, we can present a set of proposals to the Tamil National Alliance," the Chairman said. There are currently 13 political parties represented in the APRC, but not the main opposition party UNP or JVP. There are only two parties from the opposition - the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and the Western People's Front led by parliamentarian Mano Ganeshan.
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January - 13 
Civilians started converging into the cleared areas (area under Government control) in Kilinochchi and Jaffna as troops took full control of the Jaffna peninsula, Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told Daily News. 655 civilians reached the Security Forces (SFs) controlled areas of Kevil
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Civilians started converging into the cleared areas (area under Government control) in Kilinochchi and Jaffna as troops took full control of the Jaffna peninsula, Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told Daily News. 655 civilians reached the Security Forces (SFs) controlled areas of Kevil and Murusamoddai from the midnight of January 13, the Brigadier added. "Many of these civilians walked into Security Forces controlled areas after escaping from the LTTE’s grip whilst a group of 47 people reaching Murusamoddai area in a boat from the lagoon in the East of Elephant Pass", Nanayakkara informed. "There will be a sharp increase in the number of civilians arriving in the Security Forces controlled areas as troops are fast moving into Dharmapuram and Vaddakkachchi areas where the LTTE is holding a large number of civilians", he added.
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January - 13 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is reported to have carried out 168 suicide attacks between 1984 and 2006. This is the highest number of suicide attacks by a terrorist organisation during this period, said the Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, according to Daily
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is reported to have carried out 168 suicide attacks between 1984 and 2006. This is the highest number of suicide attacks by a terrorist organisation during this period, said the Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, according to Daily News. "The LTTE carried out 346 attacks targeting innocent civilians in many parts of the country and they assassinated 3,262 civilians during 1984 to 2006. They have killed 2,252 Sinhala civilians, 309 Tamil civilians and 701 Muslim civilians in these attacks and have seriously injured 3,494 people including children, women and even pregnant mothers,” de Silva said while addressing an election meeting at the United People's Freedom Alliance party office in Kurunegala Town on January 10. The Minister also said the LTTE killed 50 political leaders, including President Ranasinghe Premadasa, United National Party Presidential election candidate, Gamini Dissanayake, Ministers D.M. Dassanayake and Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and veteran politician Lakshman Kadirgamar. They also tried to assassinate former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, he added.
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January - 13 
The Army has, meanwhile, successfully cornered the LTTE to a 600 square kilometres area with the present progress in operations killing almost 15,000 militants within the past three years, Army Commander Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka said on January 13, Daily News reported. “Today the Army is st
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The Army has, meanwhile, successfully cornered the LTTE to a 600 square kilometres area with the present progress in operations killing almost 15,000 militants within the past three years, Army Commander Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka said on January 13, Daily News reported. “Today the Army is strong with 180,000 personnel where as a few years ago, we had just 116,000 people. We elevated ourselves not just with man power but with well trained, sharp and skilled professionals,” he stated.
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January - 14 
Telegraph reports that cadres of the Bru Liberation Front of Mizoram (BLFM) have decided not to accept the housing assistance to be given to them by the Mizoram Government. "Cadres of BLFM will not accept INR 3,000 each as housing assistance in protest against the decision to resettle around 300 for
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Telegraph reports that cadres of the Bru Liberation Front of Mizoram (BLFM) have decided not to accept the housing assistance to be given to them by the Mizoram Government. "Cadres of BLFM will not accept INR 3,000 each as housing assistance in protest against the decision to resettle around 300 former Bru rebels in Lunglei and Kolasib District," the outfit’s secretary Rothangliana said. The outfit wants all its cadres to be settled in the Mamit District. But the Mizoram Government insisted that only around 500 would be resettled in the Mamit District while the rest would be rehabilitated in the Lunglei and Kolasib Districts.
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January - 14 
According to IANS, the Orissa Government has tightened security in Paradip port, one of the major ports along its Bay of Bengal coast, in view of the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, officials said on January 14. Authorities have reportedly installed at least 20 Close Circuit Television Cameras i
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According to IANS, the Orissa Government has tightened security in Paradip port, one of the major ports along its Bay of Bengal coast, in view of the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, officials said on January 14. Authorities have reportedly installed at least 20 Close Circuit Television Cameras in the Paradip port area in Jagatsinghpur District, about 100 kilometres from the State capital Bhubaneswar, at a cost of INR 40 million.
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January - 14 
Chhattisgarh Police has said the CPI-Maoist cadres are recruiting minor girls as part of a stepped-up drive to get members for the Krantikari Adivasi Mahila Sangh, a women's wing of the CPI-Maoist. "Maoist militants are now on a stepped-up drive to recruit minors, mainly female adolescents, because
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Chhattisgarh Police has said the CPI-Maoist cadres are recruiting minor girls as part of a stepped-up drive to get members for the Krantikari Adivasi Mahila Sangh, a women's wing of the CPI-Maoist. "Maoist militants are now on a stepped-up drive to recruit minors, mainly female adolescents, because it's easier to brainwash them. The forced recruitment drive in the Bastar hinterland is now basically to fill up hundreds of slots vacated due to mass desertion of Communist Party of India-Maoist cadres due to relentless Police pressure and exposure of the myth of Maoist ideology," Pawan Deo, a senior Special Intelligence Branch officer said. The Director General of Police, Vishwa Ranjan, stated that, "some 30 percent or 15,000 of a total of 50,000 armed rebels are female insurgents who actively participate in carrying out major strikes against civilians and Police forces."
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January - 14 
Indian Coast Guard has also beefed up security measures along the 480 kilometre coastline of the State by regular patrolling as well as deployment of additional ships and aircraft for better surveillance, State Home Secretary A.P. Padhi said, adding one coast guard ship remains deployed at all times
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Indian Coast Guard has also beefed up security measures along the 480 kilometre coastline of the State by regular patrolling as well as deployment of additional ships and aircraft for better surveillance, State Home Secretary A.P. Padhi said, adding one coast guard ship remains deployed at all times off the coast of Orissa and West Bengal to monitor maritime activity. The State Government has also decided to ask the owners of all fishing boats to install Global Positioning System (GPS) sets in their vessels. An estimated 9200 fishing trawlers and boats are operating along the State coast can be brought under surveillance with the devices, he stated. The central Government has also sanctioned money to set up at least five marine Police stations in the State and out of them three are expected to be functional in the next two months, Padhi added.
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January - 14 
The pro-talks Dima Halim Daogah (DHD) on January 14 made it clear that its cadres, living in at least five designated camps in the North Cachar Hills District, must be allowed to hold on to their arms for self-defence. Referring to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s statement in Shillong on January 3 t
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The pro-talks Dima Halim Daogah (DHD) on January 14 made it clear that its cadres, living in at least five designated camps in the North Cachar Hills District, must be allowed to hold on to their arms for self-defence. Referring to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s statement in Shillong on January 3 that all the militant groups in the Northeast, including those who are pro-peace, must first lay down their arms to facilitate talks, the DHD chief Dilip Nunisa said such a step would be very "unfortunate". Nunisa said his cadres without arms would be left "vulnerable" to attacks in both North Cachar Hills and adjoining Karbi Anglong Districts, especially in view of the threat from the rival Black Widow outfit.
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January - 14 
Hundreds of young women are being trained at several terrorist camps in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and in Pakistan, Indian as well as American intelligence agencies have confirmed, Asian Age reported. Asiya, a 24-year-old Pakistani woman who was recently arrested while trying to sneak across t
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Hundreds of young women are being trained at several terrorist camps in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and in Pakistan, Indian as well as American intelligence agencies have confirmed, Asian Age reported. Asiya, a 24-year-old Pakistani woman who was recently arrested while trying to sneak across the Line of Control into India, has reportedly revealed during interrogation that several terror camps where women are being trained are in the Bimar, Kotli and Sensa areas of PoK. During interrogation, she reportedly revealed that a large number of young women "mujahids" were being trained at these camps. "There are intelligence inputs that terror camps of the Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, Hizbul Mujahideen and Al-Badr are located at several places in PoK. We have reports that women are also being trained at these camps to carry out operations in India," a senior official of the US Central Intelligence Agency was quoted as saying. "The terror camps are located in Muzaffarabad, Attock, Oghi and Mansera areas of PoK. While the Lashkar training centre is located in Muzaffarabad, the JeM is training new recruits at Attock. Besides, Lashkar has a training camp at Mansera. Al-Badr has its own training centre at Oghi," the official said, adding that all available inputs indicate that most of those trained at these camps were young women. The official said that even after renewed Indian and international pressure on Pakistan following the terrorist attacks in Mumbai on November 26, 2008, these camps continued to function. Some are reportedly close to major Pakistani cities such as Islamabad-Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala and some of Lahore’s outskirts.
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January - 14 
The Himalayan Times reports that Jwala Singh, president of the Jwala Singh faction of the Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM-J), said on January 14 that his party would sit for talks with the Government only if the latter met four pre-conditions. Speaking on phone at a programme organised by Freed
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The Himalayan Times reports that Jwala Singh, president of the Jwala Singh faction of the Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM-J), said on January 14 that his party would sit for talks with the Government only if the latter met four pre-conditions. Speaking on phone at a programme organised by Freedom Forum, he reiterated that the JTMM-J had adopted maximum flexibility for talks and accused the Government of not becoming serious about addressing its demands. The JTMM-J has been demanding the release of its detained activists, withdrawal of 'fake cases' against its activists, declaration of cease-fire and guarantee of security for its leaders. The Government has released one of its central members to create an environment for the talks, while two other central members, Karan Singh and Sitaram Chaudhary, are still in detention. Commenting on the unification of his outfit with the outfits led by Jaya krishna Goit and Pawan Singh, he said only the process for unification had begun. "Goit's Morcha wants all armed groups to be unified. We have been talking with the two groups. The parties may unite in the future," he said.
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January - 14 
President Mahinda Rajapakse said that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and its chief Velupillai Prabhakaran are presently confined to a minuscule area of 30 kilometres in length and 20 kilometres in breadth in the north-eastern district of Mullaitivu, according to Express Buzz. Over the l
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President Mahinda Rajapakse said that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and its chief Velupillai Prabhakaran are presently confined to a minuscule area of 30 kilometres in length and 20 kilometres in breadth in the north-eastern district of Mullaitivu, according to Express Buzz. Over the last few days, the LTTE lost about 1,000 square kilometres, shrinking area under their control rapidly. Interacting with foreign journalists on January 12, Rajapakse said Mullaitivu town had all but fallen because it was being attacked from the west, south and the north giving the LTTE no chance to stem the assault. Asked when the war would be over, he said he hoped to end it in about two-and-a-half months. The President accused the LTTE of holding Tamil civilians in Mullaitivu District as hostage to be used as a human shield. He claimed that civilians had to pay SLR 100,000 to the LTTE to migrate to the Government-held areas. Although there were only about 1700 to 1900 LTTE cadres now, the outfit was guarding all the exit points to prevent civilians from fleeing, he said. When pointed out that so far only 1168 persons had come away from the LTTE-held areas, the President said that it was unthinkable that any civilian would want to stay on in a war-zone. The LTTE was exaggerating the number of civilians who were trapped, Rajapakse maintained, adding, "it is not 300,000 but less than 100,000." He also said, "once the LTTE is defeated, we’ll hold elections in those areas. Let the people vote for who they want." The military is reported to have stated that it has killed at least 14,000 militants and estimates there are fewer than 2000 LTTE cadres now left cornered into a triangular area of about 45 sq km.
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January - 15 
Army’s Northern Command chief said in Akhnoor on January 15 that cross-border infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir has been on a decline since 2004, but approximately 600 to 800 militants are active in the State. "About 600 to 800 militants are active in Jammu and Kashmir as per the assessment of vario
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Army’s Northern Command chief said in Akhnoor on January 15 that cross-border infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir has been on a decline since 2004, but approximately 600 to 800 militants are active in the State. "About 600 to 800 militants are active in Jammu and Kashmir as per the assessment of various security agencies," General Officer Commanding in Chief (GOC-in-C), Northern Command, Lt Gen P. C. Bhardwaj, told reporters. He also said militants and their leadership are under severe pressure due to the neutralization of their top cadres. Due to this cumulative effect, 335 militants have been killed in joint operations during 2008, he added. Referring to cross-border infiltration, General Bhardwaj said, "Infiltration is on decline since 2004 due to multi-tier deployment of security we have taken along LoC.”
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January - 15 
Quoting Police sources, Zee News reported on January 15 that activities of the Communist Party of India (CPI-Maoist) have declined in Maharashtra as the insurgents in the Gadchiroli, Chandrapur and Gondia Districts of the State are facing a shortage of cadre following zero-recruitment in the last fe
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Quoting Police sources, Zee News reported on January 15 that activities of the Communist Party of India (CPI-Maoist) have declined in Maharashtra as the insurgents in the Gadchiroli, Chandrapur and Gondia Districts of the State are facing a shortage of cadre following zero-recruitment in the last few years. There is a drop in the CPI-Maoist related crime as well their activity over a period due to cadre shortage and increase in the number of arrests as well as surrenders, the Additional Director General of Police (Anti-Naxalites Operation), Pankaj Gupta, said. Further, major heads in Maoist related crime including blasts, attack on Policemen and civilians, arson, kidnapping, dacoity and robberies, sabotages and other offences have shown a downward trend since the last four years, Gupta said. According to statistics, only 85 such offences were recorded in 2008 against 114 in year 2007, 128 in 2006 and 134 in 2005. Besides, the number of encounters with Maoists was 24 in 2008 dropping from 34 and 40 in 2007 and 2006 respectively against 24 in 2005, he added. About 320 Maoists have surrendered since August 29, 2005 when the State Government came out with a Maoist Surrender Policy, the Police official said. Also, a record number of 145 CPI-Maoist cadres have laid down arms during 2008 against 93 in 2005, 67 in 2006 and 39 in 2007, he stated. As per the surrender scheme, the State Government extended financial assistance to the tune of INR 16. 3 million to them, depending on their rank in the outfit. Speaking on the crime scenario, Gupta said Police succeeded in killing as many as 41 Maoists between 2005 to 2008, including a highest number of 22 in 2006 and 11 in 2008. The figures of extremists arrested in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 (302, 93, 138 and 123) are impressive considering the stiff resistance and indiscriminate use of firearms by them, he claimed. Six Policemen were killed in 2008, three in 2007, four in 2006 and 25 in 2005, he added.
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January - 15 
Telegraph reports that the Karbi Longri NC Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF) has threatened to withdraw its unilateral ceasefire “if the security forces continue their intensified operation” against the outfit. “We will be forced to withdraw the unilateral cease-fire from February 1,” said Rijak Dera,
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Telegraph reports that the Karbi Longri NC Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF) has threatened to withdraw its unilateral ceasefire “if the security forces continue their intensified operation” against the outfit. “We will be forced to withdraw the unilateral cease-fire from February 1,” said Rijak Dera, publicity secretary of the KLNLF in a press release. “We want peace in Karbi Anglong and NC Hills, hence we declared unilateral ceasefire on January 1, 2009 to pave the way for normalcy. On the contrary the security forces intensified their operation against us”, he added. The KLNLF has also called for a 36-hour shut down in the Karbi Anglong District beginning from 5 am on January 16 to 5 pm on January 17 in protest against the killing of ‘corporal’ Longki Timung by the Security Forces on January 12.
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January - 15 
Union Government has sent 2000 additional para-military Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel to Assam. “Twenty-two additional companies of the CRPF are being sent to Assam in view of the security situation during Republic Day celebrations in the state,” a Home Ministry official said. The de
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Union Government has sent 2000 additional para-military Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel to Assam. “Twenty-two additional companies of the CRPF are being sent to Assam in view of the security situation during Republic Day celebrations in the state,” a Home Ministry official said. The deployment of total Central forces in Assam has increased to 142 companies, the official said.
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January - 15 
The Government said on January 15 that it had shut down five training camps of the outlawed Jama’at-ud-Da’awa (JuD) and Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), banned their seven publications and blocked all their websites, Dawn reported. The authorities have reportedly detained 124 people, several leaders and offic
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The Government said on January 15 that it had shut down five training camps of the outlawed Jama’at-ud-Da’awa (JuD) and Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), banned their seven publications and blocked all their websites, Dawn reported. The authorities have reportedly detained 124 people, several leaders and officials of the organisations among them. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Interior Affairs, Rehman Malik, assured India that Pakistan would do its utmost to bring the people involved in the Mumbai attacks to justice. Giving details of a crackdown, Malik said that training camps had been closed down in Punjab and Pakistan occupied Kashmir. He said members of the banned groups who had been detained included their founder Hafiz Mohammed Saeed, LeT ‘operations commander’ Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, Mufti Abdur Rehman, Col (retd) Nazir Ahmed and Ameer Hamza. “We have arrested a total of 124 mid-level and top leaders of JuD in response to a UN resolution — 69 from Punjab, 21 from Sindh, eight from Balochistan and 25 from the NWFP — blocked six websites associated with the organisation and closed down its five relief camps,” the adviser said. He said 20 offices, 87 schools, two libraries, seven seminaries and a handful of other organisations and websites linked to the JuD had also been shut. He also said authorities had closed several relief camps of the organisation after the UN Security Council had passed the resolution. The publications banned are Mujalatud Dawa, Zarb-i-Taiba, Voice of Islam, Nanhay Mujahid, Ghazwa and Al Rabta. Assuring India that sincere efforts were being made to take all non-state actors involved in the attacks to the task, he urged New Delhi to provide access to Pakistani investigators to the scenes of the crimes and jointly investigate the incident so that all those involved could be brought to justice. He also announced the formation of a special investigation team headed by an additional director-general of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to examine, “without any prejudice”, all aspects of the Mumbai attacks and the information provided by India. The team will include two officers with counter-terrorism experience. “Information has been provided by India and we have formed an investigation team to reach the culprits,” he said. He said India had handed over information comprising 19 pages. Malik, however, ruled out handing over any Pakistani suspect to India. He said Pakistani laws allowed for prosecution of citizens who might have committed crimes elsewhere. He added that results of the investigation being conducted by the FIA would be made public and nothing would be concealed.
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January - 15 
Nepal News reports that the Samyukta Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (SJTMM), one of the three major Terai-based armed outfits, denied reports of a merger with the ATMM and JTMM-J. Sources said the SJTMM leader Kautilya told a press conference in Janakpur that there had been no unification between th
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Nepal News reports that the Samyukta Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (SJTMM), one of the three major Terai-based armed outfits, denied reports of a merger with the ATMM and JTMM-J. Sources said the SJTMM leader Kautilya told a press conference in Janakpur that there had been no unification between the three largest and most important underground armed groups operating in Terai and said they have no plans to merge with other two groups either.
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January - 15 
An airstrip around 1,100 metres long and 40 metres wide inside the dense Iranamadu jungle was captured by the SFs following intensive fighting. Brigadier Nanayakkara said the LTTE runway was surrounded by massive bunker lines and trenches, as well as laid with landmines and booby traps, adding, “A h
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An airstrip around 1,100 metres long and 40 metres wide inside the dense Iranamadu jungle was captured by the SFs following intensive fighting. Brigadier Nanayakkara said the LTTE runway was surrounded by massive bunker lines and trenches, as well as laid with landmines and booby traps, adding, “A hanger was also found in the vicinity which was damaged by fleeing LTTE cadres.”
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January - 15 
The courageous political leadership given by President Mahinda Rajapakse and the correct military leadership given to the Security Forces were the principal reasons behind the historic victories achieved in the struggle to defeat terrorism, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said on January 15, a
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The courageous political leadership given by President Mahinda Rajapakse and the correct military leadership given to the Security Forces were the principal reasons behind the historic victories achieved in the struggle to defeat terrorism, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said on January 15, according to Daily News. There was tremendous external and internal pressure brought on President Rajapakse, especially at the initial period of the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the Defence Secretary explained. Some foreign powers not only told him that the LTTE was invincible but also wanted him to stop the war, he said. “There were also difficulties in procuring necessary arms and equipment for the prosecution of the war. It was through the untiring efforts of the President that Sri Lanka could obtain the required military hardware from China, Pakistan and other friendly countries,” he added. The Defence Secretary also revealed that it was the changed strategy and tactics in the battle front that facilitated the military victories. The use of small groups, formation of wide fronts as well as simultaneous offensive operations from several locations, the use of special task forces and commando groups were some of these new strategic and tactical measures, he explained. The Sri Lanka Navy also developed new strategies, some of which were engaging the enemy at deep sea far off from our shores, the use of small crafts in combating LTTE boats, he said. Similarly, the Sri Lankan Air Force which could aim more precisely at targets identified by ground and air surveillance helped the advance of the army, he opined. The myth of LTTE invincibility has been shattered and the victories were achieved with stunning rapidity, the Defence Secretary revealed.
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January - 16 
Owais Ahmad Ghani, the Governor of North West Frontier Province (NWFP), is reported to have told a delegation of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) in Peshawar on January 16 that there are approximately 15,000 militants in the tribal belt, who have no dearth of ration, ammunition and equ
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Owais Ahmad Ghani, the Governor of North West Frontier Province (NWFP), is reported to have told a delegation of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) in Peshawar on January 16 that there are approximately 15,000 militants in the tribal belt, who have no dearth of ration, ammunition and equipment. The Governor said that a militant was normally given PKR 6,000 to PKR 8,000 per month while their leaders got PKR 20,000 to 30,000 per month.
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January - 16 
Ruling out a general amnesty for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said on January 16 that the outfit’s chief Velupillai Prabhakaran and his chief lieutenants would be tried for crimes they had committed, both in Sri Lanka and abroad. Even if they sur
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Ruling out a general amnesty for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said on January 16 that the outfit’s chief Velupillai Prabhakaran and his chief lieutenants would be tried for crimes they had committed, both in Sri Lanka and abroad. Even if they surrendered to the army, the Government would go ahead with legal proceedings, he told The Island. Rajapakse said that although ordinary LTTE cadres would be rehabilitated to facilitate their return to civilian life, the top LTTE leadership shouldn’t expect clemency. He also said Prabhakaran and Pottu Amman couldn’t be handed over to India as they had to first face charges in Sri Lanka.
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January - 17 
A son of Osama bin Laden who spent years under Iranian house arrest has left Iran and is now probably operating inside Pakistan, a senior American intelligence official said on January 17, The News reported. Saad bin Laden is one of a number of senior al Qaeda operatives detained inside Iran in rece
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A son of Osama bin Laden who spent years under Iranian house arrest has left Iran and is now probably operating inside Pakistan, a senior American intelligence official said on January 17, The News reported. Saad bin Laden is one of a number of senior al Qaeda operatives detained inside Iran in recent years. Mike McConnell, the Director of National Intelligence, told reporters that Saad bin Laden was probably in Pakistan. He gave no details about whether bin Laden had escaped from custody, whether his departure reflected a deal between Iran and al Qaeda or whether he was simply allowed to go by Iranian officials. McConnell’s announcement came as the Treasury Department imposed financial sanctions on January 16 on Saad bin Laden and three other people believed to be al Qaeda operatives and thought to be in Iran. Saad bin Laden is one of Osama bin Laden’s older sons and is believed by officials to have been captured in Iran while escaping Afghanistan after American troops invaded the country in 2001. In addition to bin Laden, the Iranians have also been holding Saif al-Adel, a Qaeda operations chief, under house arrest.
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January - 17 
During the meeting between President Mahinda Rajapakse and the visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon in Colombo, Sri Lanka committed to moving on to a political resolution process after the military campaign, reports Times of India on January 18. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs
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During the meeting between President Mahinda Rajapakse and the visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon in Colombo, Sri Lanka committed to moving on to a political resolution process after the military campaign, reports Times of India on January 18. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said, "The foreign secretary urged early movement towards a peacefully negotiated political settlement in the island, including in the North. He reiterated the importance of a political understanding within the framework of a united Sri Lanka, wherein all communities, including the Tamil community, live in peace and dignity." Further, the Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said the Government has not discussed any kind of agreement with the Indian Foreign Secretary on a possible cease-fire with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Colombo Page reported.
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January - 17 
The Japanese Embassy in Colombo announced that the Japanese Special Peace Envoy for Sri Lanka, Yasushi Akashi, will arrive in the country on January 21 to discuss, among other issues, the current situation, including the human rights and problems faced by the internally displaced people in Wanni.
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The Japanese Embassy in Colombo announced that the Japanese Special Peace Envoy for Sri Lanka, Yasushi Akashi, will arrive in the country on January 21 to discuss, among other issues, the current situation, including the human rights and problems faced by the internally displaced people in Wanni.
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January - 17 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran may have already fled Sri Lanka with the army moving swiftly towards the outfit’s final strongholds, Army chief General Sarath Fonseka said, reports Times of India. He also predicted victory in a matter of months as the LTTE re
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran may have already fled Sri Lanka with the army moving swiftly towards the outfit’s final strongholds, Army chief General Sarath Fonseka said, reports Times of India. He also predicted victory in a matter of months as the LTTE resistance was weaker than expected. "Prabhakaran is a man who loves food, a man who loves his family, so I don't think he would wait until the military got so close to him. He must have already escaped through the sea," Fonseka told reporters on January 17. He, however, declined to speculate on where Prabhakaran would have fled to. Fonseka also said that Prabhakaran would neither commit suicide as he exhorts his followers to do with cyanide capsules worn around their necks, nor allow himself to be captured like former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein. Meanwhile, Express Buzz reports that Sri Lankan troops have launched a search to arrest Prabhakaran, believed to be hiding inside a 35-meter deep bunker in Mullaitivu District, the State radio Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation said on January 17. Fonseka also said the LTTE now hold an area of 30 kilometres by 15 kilometres and said troops had marched 17 kilometres toward Mullaitivu in as many days. "When the war started, I used 50 map sheets to plan it. Now I only need one sheet to plan it," he noted.
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January - 18 
Assam Tribune reports that four anti-terror training schools will be set up in Assam. Director General of Police, G. M. Srivastav, said, “The training schools would certainly add teeth to the anti-terror operations in the State and the implications of the same would be there to be seen in other Stat
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Assam Tribune reports that four anti-terror training schools will be set up in Assam. Director General of Police, G. M. Srivastav, said, “The training schools would certainly add teeth to the anti-terror operations in the State and the implications of the same would be there to be seen in other States of the North East.”
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January - 18 
The federal and NWFP Governments will use their powers to ensure that the girls’ schools affected by the Taliban in Swat are reopened by March 1, Information Minister Sherry Rehman said on January 18, Daily Times reported. Talking to reporters in Karachi, she said the Government would also ensure pr
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The federal and NWFP Governments will use their powers to ensure that the girls’ schools affected by the Taliban in Swat are reopened by March 1, Information Minister Sherry Rehman said on January 18, Daily Times reported. Talking to reporters in Karachi, she said the Government would also ensure protection of all female students in Swat and all other restive areas. “Along with our ally in the NWFP, the Awami National Party, we will get the girls schools reopened. No ‘non-state actor’ will be allowed to burn female educational institutions,” Sherry told reporters.
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January - 18 
The outlawed Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) announced on January 18 it would support a peaceful and democratic struggle to liberate Kashmir, according to Daily Times. In a statement issued in Srinagar, capital of the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir, LeT spokesman Abdullah Gaznavi said his group took up arm
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The outlawed Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) announced on January 18 it would support a peaceful and democratic struggle to liberate Kashmir, according to Daily Times. In a statement issued in Srinagar, capital of the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir, LeT spokesman Abdullah Gaznavi said his group took up arms when the world did not respond to the Kashmiris’ peaceful struggle for more than four decades. “If the world listens to our cries and plays its role in resolving the Kashmir issue, there is no point in continuing fighting,” he said. “Our struggle is only confined to Kashmir and we have no relations or association with armed groups operating at the international level. We have no global agenda. We just want the freedom of Kashmir and if it comes though peaceful means, we will welcome it,” he stated. He said the groups did not believe that an armed struggle was the only way to achieve political objectives. According to him: “We had only responded to the cries of our Kashmiri brethren and had no choice but to call the world’s attention to their suffering through arms… If the world listens to our appeals and the Kashmir issue is resolved, there will be no reason for us to fight.” He also said it was ‘unfortunate’ that British Foreign Secretary David Milliband had blamed the LeT for the Mumbai attacks. “We don’t have a global agenda. We have done nothing [in the UK], and we don’t have any such plans. The British government should be careful in accusing someone,” he said.
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January - 18 
Officials said the morgue in Vavuniya hospital is packed with bodies of slain LTTE militants, reports Colombo Page. 31 unclaimed dead bodies are lying at the hospital morgue currently. Security Forces (SFs) have handed over another 12 LTTE dead bodies, including five of female cadres, to the hospita
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Officials said the morgue in Vavuniya hospital is packed with bodies of slain LTTE militants, reports Colombo Page. 31 unclaimed dead bodies are lying at the hospital morgue currently. Security Forces (SFs) have handed over another 12 LTTE dead bodies, including five of female cadres, to the hospital in the evening of January 18. Dead bodies of LTTE militants are also reportedly piling up in other hospitals in the region, including Trincomalee, Mannar and Anuradhapura. More than 75 dead bodies of militants have so far been buried with the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) last week in cemeteries of Vavuniya, Trincomalee, Mannar and Anuradhapura Districts. The ICRC resumed its transport duties on January 16 after a brief interruption due to the unavailability of security guarantee from both sides.
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January - 19 
"Naxalism (left-wing extremism) has increasingly become analogous to acts of terrorism which are characterised by outrightly irrational and heinous conduct, and are completely devoid of any semblance of human rationality," said Justice M. M. Punchhi, chairman of the Commission on Centre-State Relati
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"Naxalism (left-wing extremism) has increasingly become analogous to acts of terrorism which are characterised by outrightly irrational and heinous conduct, and are completely devoid of any semblance of human rationality," said Justice M. M. Punchhi, chairman of the Commission on Centre-State Relations (CCSR), while addressing policy-makers from six States in the central and eastern region at a two-day workshop in Bhubaneswar, Samaylive.com reported. At the same venue CCSR member V. K. Duggal said that the Centre has prepared an INR 120 billion scheme for dealing with the extremist problem.
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January - 19 
All seven States affected by left-wing extremism (LWE) have agreed on a "joint action" to confront the menace "firmly and decisively" and the Centre will provide them full support in terms of Security Forces and funds, said the Union Minister for Home Affairs (MHA), P. Chidambaram, during a meeting
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All seven States affected by left-wing extremism (LWE) have agreed on a "joint action" to confront the menace "firmly and decisively" and the Centre will provide them full support in terms of Security Forces and funds, said the Union Minister for Home Affairs (MHA), P. Chidambaram, during a meeting with the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh in Raipur on January 19, Indian Express reported. He said Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and West Bengal had so far adopted different approaches but what was needed was a joint plan where the "principal focus is on confronting the extremists." "Left wing extremists have to be confronted squarely and boldly. We have to deal with them firmly and decisively,” he added, saying, "I will be visiting all these States to know better about the problem of left wing extremism, Chhattisgarh being the first where I have visited today."
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January - 19 
People’s United Liberation Front (PULF), in a press release on January 19, condemned all incidents of terrorism in the State. It also mentioned that the Nagaland-based National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) is presently supporting a splinter group of the PULF, which is indulgin
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People’s United Liberation Front (PULF), in a press release on January 19, condemned all incidents of terrorism in the State. It also mentioned that the Nagaland-based National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) is presently supporting a splinter group of the PULF, which is indulging in terrorist activities. The press release said there is no place for terrorism in Islam and Muslims who indulge in it are acting against the tenets of the religion.
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January - 19 
ULFA on January 19 denied using Bangladesh as a launch pad for its activities in Assam. A statement issued by the outfit’s chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa said allegations about the outfit using Bangladesh soil was an attempt to brand it as a terrorist organisation before the international community. Raj
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ULFA on January 19 denied using Bangladesh as a launch pad for its activities in Assam. A statement issued by the outfit’s chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa said allegations about the outfit using Bangladesh soil was an attempt to brand it as a terrorist organisation before the international community. Rajkhowa claimed that the Government of India was trying to use the outcome of the recent Bangladesh elections as an anti-ULFA weapon.
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January - 19 
President Mahinda Rajapakse said on January 19 that military operations in the North are not only to capture the territory held by the LTTE but also to free people in the areas under LTTE control and reinstate peace, freedom and democracy to the Tamil people of the North, according to Colombo Page.
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President Mahinda Rajapakse said on January 19 that military operations in the North are not only to capture the territory held by the LTTE but also to free people in the areas under LTTE control and reinstate peace, freedom and democracy to the Tamil people of the North, according to Colombo Page. Addressing a work shop at the Presidential Secretariat, he said the LTTE is now facing a certain defeat and the Government forces will capture the final rebel bastion, Mullaitivu soon.
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January - 20 
Home Minister K. Jana Reddy has said that patronage to left-wing extremists has come down and recruitment into the extremist movement has completely stopped in the State. People stopped sympathising with extremists. Instead, they were supporting the Government and its policies.
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Home Minister K. Jana Reddy has said that patronage to left-wing extremists has come down and recruitment into the extremist movement has completely stopped in the State. People stopped sympathising with extremists. Instead, they were supporting the Government and its policies.
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January - 20 
On January 20, in a press statement released jointly by the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO), Manipur People’s Liberation Front (MPLF), Tripura People’s Democratic Front (TPDF) and United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), the militant groups called for a general strike on January 26, the Indian
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On January 20, in a press statement released jointly by the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO), Manipur People’s Liberation Front (MPLF), Tripura People’s Democratic Front (TPDF) and United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), the militant groups called for a general strike on January 26, the Indian Republic Day. The outfits said that Indian policy towards the northeast region has been one of promoting a colonial “divide and rule” strategy.
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January - 20 
The Union Government has sanctioned the raising of 29 more new battalions of the Border Security Force (BSF), reports Shillong Times. Director General of the BSF, Mahendra Kumawat, who is on a visit to Guwahati informed that at least a dozen of the newly raised battalions would be deployed along the
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The Union Government has sanctioned the raising of 29 more new battalions of the Border Security Force (BSF), reports Shillong Times. Director General of the BSF, Mahendra Kumawat, who is on a visit to Guwahati informed that at least a dozen of the newly raised battalions would be deployed along the India-Bangladesh border in the North East. "As raising of these new battalions will take at least two years, more forces will be deployed along the frontiers in the North East by withdrawing personnel from theatre in other parts of the country," he informed. The BSF chief claimed that there had been sharp fall in cross-border movement of militants as well as infiltration from Bangladesh along the 4096 kilometre Indo-Bangladesh border.
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January - 20 
Two Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) militants, including their leader, were arrested by a combined force of Manipur Police, Army, Delhi Police and Bangalore Police in Bangalore city on January 20, according to Sentinel. The Army said, "Pursuant to its drive against the KCP cadres, the 57 Mountain D
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Two Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) militants, including their leader, were arrested by a combined force of Manipur Police, Army, Delhi Police and Bangalore Police in Bangalore city on January 20, according to Sentinel. The Army said, "Pursuant to its drive against the KCP cadres, the 57 Mountain Division, Manipur Police and Bangalore Police apprehended Leader of the KCP (City Meitei) in Bangalore yesterday." The militant leader confessed his identity as chief of City Meitei faction and Mobile Task Force of the KCP, Naorem Brojen. His confession led to the arrest of another cadre of City Meitei, identified as Naorem Ramesh Meitei, at Hennur Road in Bangalore on the same day.
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January - 20 
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani tasked ally Maulana Fazlur Rehman to aid talks between the Government and the Taliban in Swat during a meeting on January 20, Daily Times reported. “Force is being used as a last option,” a private TV channel quoted President Zardari a
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President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani tasked ally Maulana Fazlur Rehman to aid talks between the Government and the Taliban in Swat during a meeting on January 20, Daily Times reported. “Force is being used as a last option,” a private TV channel quoted President Zardari as saying. According to the channel, the leaders discussed national and regional security and “other important matters” in the meeting at the President’s House that also included Interior Adviser Rehman Malik. Another news channel, however, said Fazlur Rehman, the chief of his own faction of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, had denied he was assigned such a task but said he would play his part in the peace efforts if he was given the responsibility.
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January - 20 
The NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti offered dialogue to the Taliban on January 20 to restore peace in the troubled areas. He said the dialogue offer was still intact, asking the Taliban to come to negotiate without weapons as problems could not be solved by force.
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The NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti offered dialogue to the Taliban on January 20 to restore peace in the troubled areas. He said the dialogue offer was still intact, asking the Taliban to come to negotiate without weapons as problems could not be solved by force.
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January - 20 
An unnamed senior military official said on January 20 that speedy moves by the Security Forces from all fronts have confined the LTTE into an area North of Paranthan–Mullaitivu (A-35) road between Dharmapuram and Mullaitivu, further shrinking the areas under the outfit’s control to less than 400 sq
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An unnamed senior military official said on January 20 that speedy moves by the Security Forces from all fronts have confined the LTTE into an area North of Paranthan–Mullaitivu (A-35) road between Dharmapuram and Mullaitivu, further shrinking the areas under the outfit’s control to less than 400 square kilometres, according to Daily News. ”The LTTE has also come under immense pressure as troops of the 58 and 57 Divisions are also poised to enter into a decisive phase of the battle in Vishvamadu with these two Divisions entering into LTTE nerve centre in Vishvamadu where LTTE is keeping innocent Tamil civilians by force”, the sources added.
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January - 20 
Government planned to start an intercity bus service from Colombo to Jaffna shortly. A spokesman for the Transport Ministry told Daily News the Government would streamline the passenger bus service in the recaptured areas of the Northern Province with immediate effect. The spokesman said the Governm
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Government planned to start an intercity bus service from Colombo to Jaffna shortly. A spokesman for the Transport Ministry told Daily News the Government would streamline the passenger bus service in the recaptured areas of the Northern Province with immediate effect. The spokesman said the Government would rebuild the Jaffna-Kandy (A-9) road which it had taken full control of after 23 years. A passenger transport service is planned from Vavuniya to Jaffna as well. At present, the Vavuniya depot is operating buses on 19 routes in the north.
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January - 20 
Government said that not a single civilian was killed in the conflict between Government forces and the LTTE in Mullaitivu District, according to BBC. The Minister in charge of Human Rights, Mahinda Samarasinghe, accused the BBC of carrying out 'false information' on civilian casualties in the battl
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Government said that not a single civilian was killed in the conflict between Government forces and the LTTE in Mullaitivu District, according to BBC. The Minister in charge of Human Rights, Mahinda Samarasinghe, accused the BBC of carrying out 'false information' on civilian casualties in the battlefield in northern Sri Lanka. Samarasinghe told journalists in Colombo that the media should verify information they receive from hospitals in Wanni with health ministry officials in Colombo. Athula Kahandaliyanage, secretary to the ministry of health, pointed out that although the BBC usually contacts him, there was no call from the BBC on this particular incident. An International Committee of the Red Cross official also confirmed that not a single patient was killed in attacks, he added. Earlier on January 18, BBC quoting Paddikkudiyiruppu Hospital Medical staffs had reported that at least 18 civilians were killed during the weekend as the military continues its offensive on the northern bases of the LTTE. Hospital officials had said the number killed in fighting around Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu could be much higher.
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January - 21 
Addressing the Statehood day function at the 1st Manipur Rifles parade ground in Imphal, the Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh announced that the peace process with 20 militant groups in the State was making “good progress,” reports Telegraph. He renewed his appeal to the rest of the outfits
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Addressing the Statehood day function at the 1st Manipur Rifles parade ground in Imphal, the Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh announced that the peace process with 20 militant groups in the State was making “good progress,” reports Telegraph. He renewed his appeal to the rest of the outfits to join the process. “I am happy to announce that the peace process with some militant groups is making good progress. I appeal to the rest of the groups to come to the democratic process and contribute in making a new Manipur,” he said.
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January - 21 
Assam Government has decided to institute a commission of inquiry to probe links between some senior members of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous District Council and the Black Widow (BW), according to Telegraph. It also directed the police to register cases against those facing specific charges. Go
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Assam Government has decided to institute a commission of inquiry to probe links between some senior members of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous District Council and the Black Widow (BW), according to Telegraph. It also directed the police to register cases against those facing specific charges. Government spokesman Himanta Biswa Sarma said that at least three ruling members of the council - chief executive member Debulal Hojai, executive member Mohit Hojai and former Member of Parliament Prakanta Warisa - allegedly have ties with the BW.
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January - 21 
Seeking doubling of Central force deployment in extremist-infested areas of the State during the consultation meeting of the Commission on Centre State Relationship (CCSR) in Bhubaneswar on January 21, the Orissa Government has described the left-wing extremist problem to be "much bigger" than cross
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Seeking doubling of Central force deployment in extremist-infested areas of the State during the consultation meeting of the Commission on Centre State Relationship (CCSR) in Bhubaneswar on January 21, the Orissa Government has described the left-wing extremist problem to be "much bigger" than cross-border terrorism, The Hindu reported. As the problem was serious, it was unjustified to leave the responsibility of tackling the menace on the State Government alone, Orissa Panchayati Raj Minister Raghuath Mohanty said, while presenting the State's case favouring a two-fold increase in deployment of Central forces in the Communist Party of India- Maoist (CPI-Maoist) infested areas. He said, "In many ways, Naxal (left-wing extremist) problem is much bigger than cross border terrorism...Therefore, the nation should tackle it with the same degree of seriousness as in case of terrorism. It was shocking to find that the Centre reduced the funds meant for modernisation of Police in Orissa." The Minister also said that the amount had come down to INR 350 million from previous year's allocation of INR 600 million. He added that it has become difficult to arrange executing agencies and contractors to implement road connectivity works in Maoist affected Districts. He also mentioned that the Maoists try to ensure that no connectivity programme was implemented in tribal areas which have turned into havens for the outlawed outfits. "Executing agencies and contractors are unwilling to work in Naxal-infested Districts", he said, adding, efforts to provide road connectivity to all such areas had failed.
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January - 21 
The new US administration will increase non-military aid to Pakistan, but hold Islamabad accountable for security along the border region with Afghanistan, according to a US foreign policy document released soon after President Barack Obama assumed office, Daily Times reported. The document– availab
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The new US administration will increase non-military aid to Pakistan, but hold Islamabad accountable for security along the border region with Afghanistan, according to a US foreign policy document released soon after President Barack Obama assumed office, Daily Times reported. The document– available on the White House website – says, “Obama and [Vice President Joe] Biden will increase non-military aid to Pakistan and hold them accountable for security in the border region with Afghanistan.” It also says that Obama and Biden would ‘refocus’ American resources on the “greatest threat to our security – the resurgence of Al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan”. “They will [also] increase our troop levels in Afghanistan, press our allies in NATO to do the same, and dedicate more resources to revitalise Afghanistan’s economic development. Obama and Biden will demand the Afghan government do more, including cracking down on corruption and the illicit opium trade,” it adds.
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January - 21 
Nine journalists were killed and 27 others were assaulted in Sri Lanka since January 2006, the Government said on January 21, according to Colombo Page. The chief Government whip Dinesh Gunawardena said in the Parliament that during the same period five journalists were abducted by unidentified grou
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Nine journalists were killed and 27 others were assaulted in Sri Lanka since January 2006, the Government said on January 21, according to Colombo Page. The chief Government whip Dinesh Gunawardena said in the Parliament that during the same period five journalists were abducted by unidentified groups in the country. But four out of them were found later, the Minister added. According to him, the Labour Minister Mervyn Silva’s name was also in the records of Cinnamon Grand Police with regard to the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation attack on December 27, 2007. M.G. Nuwan Gunathilaka alias "Kudu Nuwan", a main supporter of Minister Mervyn Silva has been released on bail by the courts on the issue, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena informed the House.
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January - 21 
The Sri Lanka Army on January 21 assigned new un-cleared area (area not under Government Control) in the Mullaitivu District as a Safe Zone and urged civilians to move into the area as soon as possible, reports Colombo Page. The Media Centre for National Security said the Army has immediately demarc
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The Sri Lanka Army on January 21 assigned new un-cleared area (area not under Government Control) in the Mullaitivu District as a Safe Zone and urged civilians to move into the area as soon as possible, reports Colombo Page. The Media Centre for National Security said the Army has immediately demarcated an expanded Safe Zone within areas yet to be liberated and appeals those besieged civilians to move into those areas. The Safe Zone borders a four kilometers stretch of the Puthukkudiyiruppu–Paranthan (A-35) main road from Udayankattu junction to the Yellow Bridge on the south and extends northwards to Iruthumadu and Thevipuram. The demarcated area touches the A-35 road giving civilians access for easy movement. The Army has formally requested the International Committee of the Red Cross officials in Vavuniya to enlighten the trapped civilians in Wanni about the demarcation of the new Safe Zone and encourage them to seek protection within that Zone.
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January - 22 
Germany on January 22 held the Pakistan-based terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) responsible for the November 26, 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack but refrained from stating if other groups having al Qaeda links could also be involved, reports The Hindu. "Based on whatever investigations we have con
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Germany on January 22 held the Pakistan-based terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) responsible for the November 26, 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack but refrained from stating if other groups having al Qaeda links could also be involved, reports The Hindu. "Based on whatever investigations we have conducted till now, we feel it is Lashkar that is responsible for these attacks," president of Germany’s Federal Police, Joerg Ziercke, told journalists In New Delhi. Ziercke also said that the LeT was active in Germany also but it did not pose any "operative risk". Adding there were two or three persons with suspected links with the LeT, who had undergone training in tribal areas of Pakistan but no investigation could be conducted there. Ziercke also conformed that Germany’s elite commando unit GSG9 would cooperate with its Indian counterpart, the National Security Guard, (NSG) in training of personnel and counter-terrorism efforts. On the investigation of the attack, Ziercke told that Germany would be interested in the outcome of the investigations as three German nationals were killed in the Mumbai carnage, saying, "The Federal Prosecutor-General of Germany has already initiated legal proceedings."
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January - 22 
NSCN-K announced that its "deputy finance secretary", Heyito Lala, was captured by the NSCN-IM cadres near Walford Colony on January 22.
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NSCN-K announced that its "deputy finance secretary", Heyito Lala, was captured by the NSCN-IM cadres near Walford Colony on January 22.
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January - 22 
ISPR Director General, Major General Athar Abbas, said on January 22 that the peace deal signed with the Taliban in Swat has provided them an opportunity to re-emerge in the area, and the Sharia (Islamic law) imposed by them is terrorism. Talking to a private TV channel, Abbas said the Taliban had r
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ISPR Director General, Major General Athar Abbas, said on January 22 that the peace deal signed with the Taliban in Swat has provided them an opportunity to re-emerge in the area, and the Sharia (Islamic law) imposed by them is terrorism. Talking to a private TV channel, Abbas said the Taliban had regrouped in Swat as the SFs had changed their strategy after the peace deal, Daily Times reported. He said the Government’s writ was intact in the areas where SFs were present.
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January - 22 
The Himalayan Times reports that Jhala Nath Khanal, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), on January 22 warned of retaliation if anyone attacked leaders and cadres of the student wing of his party. Speaking at a press meet organised by the Dang chapter
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The Himalayan Times reports that Jhala Nath Khanal, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), on January 22 warned of retaliation if anyone attacked leaders and cadres of the student wing of his party. Speaking at a press meet organised by the Dang chapter of Press Chautari Nepal, Khanal said, "If there were any violent attacks on the students affiliated to our party, the students would be forced to retaliate." Khanal's remark came a day after a clash between ANNISU-R and ANNFSU, student wings of the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist) and CPN-UML respectively at Prithvi Narayan Campus in Pokhara.
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January - 22 
According to Daily News, Military spokesman Brigadier Nanayakkara on January 22 said that 2,959 civilians had arrived in the cleared areas from the LTTE territory from January 1 to January 21.
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According to Daily News, Military spokesman Brigadier Nanayakkara on January 22 said that 2,959 civilians had arrived in the cleared areas from the LTTE territory from January 1 to January 21.
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January - 22 
At least 100 persons were killed in artillery exchanges between military and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the last one week, an unnamed Government official working in the area controlled by the LTTE said on January 22. "Around 30 people died in the morning today. Personally I saw t
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At least 100 persons were killed in artillery exchanges between military and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the last one week, an unnamed Government official working in the area controlled by the LTTE said on January 22. "Around 30 people died in the morning today. Personally I saw that nearly 100 people have died from Saturday [January 17] up to today. More than 300 have been injured," Mullaitivu District Government Agent Emelda Sukumar told Reuters. Sukumar, who spoke from Mullaitivu, is in charge of Government services in the LTTE-held area, said, "When people occupy particular places, the LTTE send shells from that area, and then army also targets the same area. So people cannot escape from the shelling." As reported earlier, the pro-LTTE Website Tamil Net on January 22 claimed that 66 civilians were killed and more than 200 wounded in Sri Lanka Army’s artillery fire within the last three days in Mullaitivu District. Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara denying this said, "Today we stopped firing and took 46 patients from that hospital through the Red Cross, so that kind of humanitarian operation is underway. We didn't fire into the safe zone because we wanted civilians to come." Earlier, on January 21, the military had announced a 32 square kilometers Safe Zone near Mullaitivu and dropped leaflets urging civilians to go there.
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January - 22 
Police have requested public to be vigilant and take extra precautions as 14 LTTE suicide cadres have been deployed to carry out destructive missions in the South, according to Daily News. Police spokesman Gunaskera said intelligence following arrest of several LTTE suspects in the South have reveal
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Police have requested public to be vigilant and take extra precautions as 14 LTTE suicide cadres have been deployed to carry out destructive missions in the South, according to Daily News. Police spokesman Gunaskera said intelligence following arrest of several LTTE suspects in the South have revealed that 16 LTTE cadres have been deployed to carry out suicide missions in the South. Two of the 16 missions have been accomplished and there are14 remaining. Recalling the series of bomb blasts carried out by the LTTE in the South during January-February 2008, Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said the public should be alert and pay extra attention in the coming days as the country is preparing to celebrate Independence Day (February 4). He also said that the latest ruse adopted by the LTTE is to manufacture claymore mines covered with fibre glass resembling milestones, adds The Island. "Tigers are adopting every conceivable method to deceive the troops but they are not taking any chances," he added.
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January - 22 
Reuters reports that the United Nations (UN) said on January 22 that the LTTE had violated international law for refusing to allow local staff and their families to leave Sri Lanka's war zone. The UN in Sri Lanka in a statement said it had "issued its strongest possible protest to the LTTE for their
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Reuters reports that the United Nations (UN) said on January 22 that the LTTE had violated international law for refusing to allow local staff and their families to leave Sri Lanka's war zone. The UN in Sri Lanka in a statement said it had "issued its strongest possible protest to the LTTE for their refusal to allow U.N. national staff and dependents" to leave the war zone in a convoy." The LTTE's denial of safe passage is a clear abrogation of their obligations under international humanitarian law," the statement said, adding that the convoy had been stuck in the war zone since January 16. Meanwhile, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that around 230,000 people have been displaced due to the fighting during the second half of 2008. Since early October UN convoys have brought approximately 7,000 tons of vital food and relief supplies to displaced population, OCHA added.
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January - 23 
The three cadres of the ‘Alpha’ and ‘Charlie’ companies of ULFA’s ‘28 battalion’ who had managed to escape from their designated camps in the night of January 23, said oppression and ill-treatment by their leaders, specifically Jiten Dutta, forced them to desert the pro-talks group, reports Telegrap
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The three cadres of the ‘Alpha’ and ‘Charlie’ companies of ULFA’s ‘28 battalion’ who had managed to escape from their designated camps in the night of January 23, said oppression and ill-treatment by their leaders, specifically Jiten Dutta, forced them to desert the pro-talks group, reports Telegraph. The cadres said they had been expelled because they had opposed Dutta’s “autocratic” ways.
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January - 23 
In an improvised explosive device attack in the Takhtaband area of Mingora town in Swat District on January 23, three civilians, including a woman, were killed and a soldier sustained injuries, The News reported. The militants reportedly intended to target a convoy of the Security Forces but failed
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In an improvised explosive device attack in the Takhtaband area of Mingora town in Swat District on January 23, three civilians, including a woman, were killed and a soldier sustained injuries, The News reported. The militants reportedly intended to target a convoy of the Security Forces but failed in their bid. The Taliban claimed responsibility and warned of more attacks. "As long as bullets are fired at us, such attacks will continue to take place," a spokesman for the Swat chapter of the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan threatened.
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January - 23 
NWFP Minister for Science and Technology addressed a press conference in Gul Kada in Swat on January 23, reiterating the Government’s resolve to give amnesty to those laying down their arms. Ayub Asharay said that the Government was ready to announce a general amnesty if the militants abandoned thei
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NWFP Minister for Science and Technology addressed a press conference in Gul Kada in Swat on January 23, reiterating the Government’s resolve to give amnesty to those laying down their arms. Ayub Asharay said that the Government was ready to announce a general amnesty if the militants abandoned their armed movement and stopped challenging the writ of the Government.
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January - 23 
The newly elected president of the Madheshi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), Upendra Yadav, said the second general convention of the party held recently in Birgunj has adopted social democracy as the political ideology of the party.
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The newly elected president of the Madheshi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), Upendra Yadav, said the second general convention of the party held recently in Birgunj has adopted social democracy as the political ideology of the party.
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January - 23 
Japanese special peace envoy Yasushi Akashi, who is on visit to Sri Lanka, on January 23 said, “I believe an environment in which all could live in peace and harmony in the near future will dawn in Sri Lanka under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.” Akashi during his meeting with Preside
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Japanese special peace envoy Yasushi Akashi, who is on visit to Sri Lanka, on January 23 said, “I believe an environment in which all could live in peace and harmony in the near future will dawn in Sri Lanka under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.” Akashi during his meeting with President Rajapaksa at Temple Trees said his Government would provide its maximum support to Sri Lanka’s efforts to develop the North as large-scale development projects were implemented in the East. Akashi expressed his satisfaction at the efforts undertaken by the Government to safeguard the civilian population in the north. He expressed his confidence in the All Party Representative Committee as a viable mechanism through which to bring about devolution of power and to build a pluralistic Sri Lankan society. He stated that Japan was fully conscious of the Sri Lanka Government’s commitment to finding a political solution to the conflict, and expressed the hope that the political process would continue. Referring to the concerns expressed by the international community, Akashi emphasised that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) should not be allowed to use civilians as a human shield.
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January - 23 
Malaysia has sounded an alert for Prabhakaran after reports that he may have entered the country as Sri Lankan troops were closing in on his remaining stronghold of Mullaitivu, PTI reported. Police chief Musa Hassan said he had ordered a nationwide alert following reports that Prabhakaran may have f
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Malaysia has sounded an alert for Prabhakaran after reports that he may have entered the country as Sri Lankan troops were closing in on his remaining stronghold of Mullaitivu, PTI reported. Police chief Musa Hassan said he had ordered a nationwide alert following reports that Prabhakaran may have fled here or to Thailand, a media report said on January 22. "If Prabhakaran is not here, my men will be monitoring all entry points into the country to ensure he does not enter," Musa told The New Straits Times. "We are also using our local intelligence network to ascertain if he is already in the country," he said. The action by the Malaysian police follows the Sri Lankan Army chief Lt Gen Sarath Fonseka's comments that Prabhakaran might have fled the country.
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January - 23 
Sri Lanka’s donor group Co-chairs – the United States, European Union, Norway and Japan -- while backing the ongoing humanitarian operations are in constant touch with the Government with the common objective of bringing a speedy solution to the ethnic conflict, the Foreign Affairs Minister said on
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Sri Lanka’s donor group Co-chairs – the United States, European Union, Norway and Japan -- while backing the ongoing humanitarian operations are in constant touch with the Government with the common objective of bringing a speedy solution to the ethnic conflict, the Foreign Affairs Minister said on January 23, according to Daily Mirror. “We are continuously briefing the US, the EU, Norway and Japan through our missions in these countries and their representatives in Colombo on the humanitarian operations in the North. They are keen to see the start of the flow of development aid once normalcy is restored in the North,” Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said. He said the Sri Lankan government was never pressured either by India or the Co-chairs to halt humanitarian operations as they understood the situation.
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January - 23 
Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) leader and the Member of Parliament Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan said on January 23 that the Government would put an end to the child soldiers’ issue in the Eastern Province within the next three months under a joint agreement signed by the Government, UNI
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Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) leader and the Member of Parliament Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan said on January 23 that the Government would put an end to the child soldiers’ issue in the Eastern Province within the next three months under a joint agreement signed by the Government, UNICEF and the TMVP. “According to the agreement, we have to finish the entire task of rehabilitating child soldiers within three months. We have already done a lot for the welfare of these children,” he told a media briefing at the Parliamentary complex. Muraleetharan said the TMVP handed over 14 underage cadres to the new Child Welfare Office opened in Batticaloa on January 22. The TMVP will hand over another 20 cadres within the next two weeks. The TMVP does not have any child soldiers at present. The TMVP in collaboration with the Government and the UNICEF has arranged a rehabilitation program for the welfare of these children. A new Child Welfare Office was also opened in the Government Agents office, Batticaloa for the welfare of these children. After these children are rehabilitated, they can join the Army, go abroad or join the society, he said. Muraleetharan said, “The TMVP does not have any of its own Armed Force as the Government has provided adequate security to all TMVP representatives. Earlier we had a small force of our own security.” The TMVP is working closely with the Government and the UNICEF to rehabilitate the children. The Government has done much for the welfare of these children. In addition, the UNICEF has also arranged a series of programs for the benefit of these children, he said. Philippe Duamelle said the Government and the TMVP has made a firm commitment to put an end to the child soldier issue. Concrete action has been taken on this issue under the new agreement signed on December 7, 2008, Duamelle said.
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January - 23 
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on January 23 called on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to release thousands of civilians including as many as 75,000 children entrapped in the war zone along with nearly 100 child soldiers recruited by the outfit, reports Colombo Page. Philip
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The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on January 23 called on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to release thousands of civilians including as many as 75,000 children entrapped in the war zone along with nearly 100 child soldiers recruited by the outfit, reports Colombo Page. Philip Duamelle, the Sri Lanka resident representative to the UNICEF said the situation in the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka is worrisome, with thousands of civilians entrapped in the battle fields and used as human shields. Duamelle said the UNICEF was deeply concerned about the children trapped in conflict areas and those serving as underage combatants within LTTE ranks. "We are very concerned of the situation in Wanni as large numbers of children are trapped in a small area without proper access to shelter and food. The LTTE must realise the situation and I call upon them to release these people,” he said.
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January - 23 
Velupillai Prabhakaran, the elusive leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), is still hiding in the jungles in northern Sri Lanka, his former deputy and leader of the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias Karuna told reporters on January 23, acc
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Velupillai Prabhakaran, the elusive leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), is still hiding in the jungles in northern Sri Lanka, his former deputy and leader of the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias Karuna told reporters on January 23, according to Colombo Page. 'It will be difficult for him (Prabhakaran) to survive, now that the army is after him,' he said, adding that the LTTE leader might be hiding in the jungles in the north.
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January - 24 
Speaking at a seminar on challenges of internal security, the Director-General of the Border Security Force, M. L. Kumawat, said on January 24, “Pune is one of the top targets that Naxals (left-wing extremists) had zeroed on, according to documents seized during recent investigations,” Sakaal Times
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Speaking at a seminar on challenges of internal security, the Director-General of the Border Security Force, M. L. Kumawat, said on January 24, “Pune is one of the top targets that Naxals (left-wing extremists) had zeroed on, according to documents seized during recent investigations,” Sakaal Times reported.
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January - 25 
According to Dawn, the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has asked its members to stop attacks on Government installations, kidnapping for ransom, bank dacoities and car snatching across the country. A statement purportedly issued by the TTP chief Baitullah Mehsud on January 25 said: “All organ
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According to Dawn, the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has asked its members to stop attacks on Government installations, kidnapping for ransom, bank dacoities and car snatching across the country. A statement purportedly issued by the TTP chief Baitullah Mehsud on January 25 said: “All organizers and workers are directed that Mujahideen will not damage government property, commit highway robbery, bank dacoity, kidnap people for ransom or snatch vehicles from today… All such activities would be prohibited. No excuse that an activist had permission from the Ameer (Chief) to carry out such acts would be accepted... From now on, all previous permits meant for attacks on government installations and other activities would stand cancelled.” This is the first time the TTP has released a statement urging its workers to stop anti-Government activities. A special force has reportedly been created to put hand on those elements violating these instructions and they would be strictly dealt with and punished for their acts.
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January - 25 
The Security Forces (SFs) now engaged in the final battle against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the Mullaitivu District achieved one of the major victories in the afternoon of January 25 after 59th Division troops captured the Mullaitivu Town, the LTTE’s most prestigious military st
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The Security Forces (SFs) now engaged in the final battle against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the Mullaitivu District achieved one of the major victories in the afternoon of January 25 after 59th Division troops captured the Mullaitivu Town, the LTTE’s most prestigious military stronghold in the Eastern coast, military officials told Daily News. The troops entered Mullaitivu by 1 pm (SLST). Earlier, on January 23, the 59th Division made a major breakthrough in their battle to capture Mullaitivu with the capture of the earth bund located four kilometres south of Mullaitivu centre. “The LTTE strongly held this defence line in the North of Alampil even after 59 Division troops captured Mulliyavalai and Thanniattu towns located on the Mullaitivu-Oddusudan A-35 road”, military officials added. The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) fighter jets and MI 24 helicopter gun ships gave strong support for the ground troops to capture this earth bund to open the gateway of Mullaitivu. Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka announced this victory to the nation in the evening in a special message telecast live. “The Tiger stronghold of Mullaitivu fell under Security Forces control after 13 years with the 59 Division troops under the command of Brigadier Nandana Udawatta entering this strategic stronghold last afternoon”, military officials said. Mullaitivu was among the most prestigious and strategically important townships such as Kilinochchi, Paranthan, Pooneryn and Elephant Pass, the LTTE had controlled during the two and half decades long conflict. The LTTE has lost all these strongholds within the past two months with the fall of Pooneryn on November 15, 2008. The Army last controlled this isolated Army camp located in Mullaitivu in 1996 and it was overrun by the LTTE on July 18, 1996 which went down in military history as one of the major debacles losing a large haul of weapons including long range artillery and mortars and more than 1,000 soldiers. The SFs which commenced military operations to liberate the Wanni in February 2007 launched the 59th offensive Division under the command of Brigadier Nandana Udawatta in January 2008 from Welioya with the objective of liberating Mullaitivu from the LTTE. It achieved this major victory after capturing the entire Mullaitivu jungle, including the Nitthikaikulam, Thanimurkkuulam, LTTE’s 14 Base complex, Nayaru, Kumulamunai, Alampil and Mulliyavalai areas. With the capture of Mullaitivu which was famous as one of the strongest Sea Tiger (sea wing of the LTTE) bases, the LTTE has now been confined to 280 square Kilometres of territory in the Puthukuduiruppu and Visuamadu areas. The LTTE is also on the verge of losing Puthukuduiruppu junction and the road stretch of the A-35 between Visuamadu and Puthukuduiruppu as troops attached to Task Force II, Task Force III and Task Force IV were poised to capture the road further confining the LTTE to North of the Puthukuduiruppu and Vishvamadu areas with six offensive Divisions surrounding this territory from the West, South and East as of January 25-evening.
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January - 26 
A day after 43 officials were summoned to Taliban courts for opposing the group, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on January 26 that a parallel Taliban judiciary is unacceptable, Daily Times reported. “We will not accept a policy like this,” Gilani told reporters after attending the inaugural
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A day after 43 officials were summoned to Taliban courts for opposing the group, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on January 26 that a parallel Taliban judiciary is unacceptable, Daily Times reported. “We will not accept a policy like this,” Gilani told reporters after attending the inaugural session of a conference in Islamabad. He admitted that the situation in Swat and Balochistan was not normal, but said he had sought a report on developments in these areas to make future plans. On January 25, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Swat chapter, had issued a list of 47 ‘wanted persons’, including former and serving federal and provincial ministers, incumbent Members of National Assembly and Members of Provincial Assembly, deputy parliamentary leader of the PML-Q in the National Assembly, district Nazim and other prominent political and social figures, asking them to appear before the Taliban court or face dire consequences. “The decision was taken at a Shura meeting with Maulana Fazlullah in the chair. Around 50 members of the Shura participated in the meeting and there was consensus on the names of 45-47 people declared as wanted for opposing the Taliban. All of them will have to appear before the Taliban court, otherwise they will face action,” Swat TTP spokesman Muslim Khan told The News by phone from an undisclosed location.
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January - 26 
Colombo Page reports that Sri Lanka health unions on January 26 urged the Government and International Committee of Red Cross to intervene to get the health workers who are currently in LTTE custody released. Saman Rathnapriya, chairman of the All Ceylon Health Service Union, said there are nearly 1
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Colombo Page reports that Sri Lanka health unions on January 26 urged the Government and International Committee of Red Cross to intervene to get the health workers who are currently in LTTE custody released. Saman Rathnapriya, chairman of the All Ceylon Health Service Union, said there are nearly 100 health workers being held captive at various places in Mullaitivu.
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January - 26 
The Government, meanwhile on January 26, banned the Voice of Tigers (VoT), the so-called official radio of the LTTE, Director General of the Media Center for the National Security, Lakshman Hulugalle, told The Island. A special gazette was issued on January 27, he said. The Telecommunication Regulat
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The Government, meanwhile on January 26, banned the Voice of Tigers (VoT), the so-called official radio of the LTTE, Director General of the Media Center for the National Security, Lakshman Hulugalle, told The Island. A special gazette was issued on January 27, he said. The Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) had terminated the broadcast license granted to the VoT by the Media Ministry of the last Government under Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. The TRC Chairman, Priyantha Kariyapperuma, told The Island that following the outfit’s proscription, the ban of their radio was mandatory.
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January - 26 
United Nations (UN) said that dozens of civilians have been killed or injured in fighting between troops and the LTTE in the north-east in the past few days. UN spokesman Gordon Weiss told BBC that shells exploded very close to civilian areas in Mullaitivu District, adding, "The shells landed on the
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United Nations (UN) said that dozens of civilians have been killed or injured in fighting between troops and the LTTE in the north-east in the past few days. UN spokesman Gordon Weiss told BBC that shells exploded very close to civilian areas in Mullaitivu District, adding, "The shells landed on the A35 road inside the no-fire zone declared by the army. Some shells landed close to a local UN office. Many civilians have been killed or injured. Our staff members witnessed the death of civilians. But we cannot determine where the fire came from." Another UN spokesman, the resident coordinator Neil Buhne, told Associated Press, "There have been many civilians killed over the last two days. It's really a crisis now." However, Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told BBC that the Army had no need to fire at civilian areas and strongly denied allegations that the military was responsible for the attacks.
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January - 27 
Telegraph reports that the pro-talks group of the ULFA, under the leadership of Jiten Dutta, accused the Indian Army of trying to derail the peace process by luring its cadres away from the designated camps to surrender. Sources said the pro-peace cadres, who managed to escape from the designated ca
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Telegraph reports that the pro-talks group of the ULFA, under the leadership of Jiten Dutta, accused the Indian Army of trying to derail the peace process by luring its cadres away from the designated camps to surrender. Sources said the pro-peace cadres, who managed to escape from the designated camps, have either taken shelter with the army or have returned to the jungles to rejoin the outfit, dealing a severe blow to the peaceniks in their mission to bring permanent peace to the state. “We have definite information that some cadres, including those who had fled with weapons from our designated camps, are with the army and are likely to surrender in the days to come,” Jiten Dutta added further. However, the Army rejected the allegations. The General-Officer-Commanding (GOC) of the Dinjan-based Second Mountain Division, Major General Jatinder Singh said: “These are all loose talk and the army never gets entangled in such issues.”
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January - 27 
The authorities have imposed an indefinite curfew in the main city of Swat, said a statement by the army’s media centre on January 27 - hours after the Security Forces (SFs) launched the third phase of a military operation in the valley, Daily Times reported. Military sources said the third phase of
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The authorities have imposed an indefinite curfew in the main city of Swat, said a statement by the army’s media centre on January 27 - hours after the Security Forces (SFs) launched the third phase of a military operation in the valley, Daily Times reported. Military sources said the third phase of Operation Rah-e-Haq had been launched in light of a list released by the Taliban which contains names of officials ‘wanted’ by the group. After the operation began – five civilians were killed by artillery and mortar fire. Locals said a man, a woman and three children were killed when mortar shells hit four houses in Mangalawar area of Charbagh sub-division in the night of January 26 as SFs targeted Taliban positions. After the start of the intensified operation late on January 26, official sources and locals told Daily Times on January 27 that the Government had already imposed curfews in Nengolai, Bara, Koza Banadai, Shakar Dara and Charbagh towns for an indefinite period, and issued shoot-at-sight orders for violators. The curfew in Mingora was imposed after about 100-150 Taliban militants stormed the streets of the town displaying arms. While no violence was reported, a private TV channel said the Taliban had taken over bus stands in Mingora town.
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January - 27 
The United States will continue to carry out missile strikes against al Qaeda in Pakistan, Defence Secretary Robert Gates said on January 27, Daily Times reported. He was responding to questions on the issue and Pakistan’s complaints at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “Both preside
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The United States will continue to carry out missile strikes against al Qaeda in Pakistan, Defence Secretary Robert Gates said on January 27, Daily Times reported. He was responding to questions on the issue and Pakistan’s complaints at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “Both president Bush and President Obama have made clear that we will go after al Qaeda wherever it is and we will continue to pursue that,” Gates said.
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January - 27 
According to Colombo Page, the ICRC said a major humanitarian crisis is unfolding in the North as civilians are caught in the crossfire between the Army and LTTE. In a statement released on January 27, the ICRC said hundreds of people have been killed and scores of wounded are crowded in ill-equippe
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According to Colombo Page, the ICRC said a major humanitarian crisis is unfolding in the North as civilians are caught in the crossfire between the Army and LTTE. In a statement released on January 27, the ICRC said hundreds of people have been killed and scores of wounded are crowded in ill-equipped and understaffed medical facilities in the North. "People are being caught in the crossfire, hospitals and ambulances have been hit by shelling and several aid workers have been injured while evacuating the wounded. The violence is preventing the ICRC from operating in the region," said Jacques de Maio, the ICRC head of operations for South Asia, in Geneva. According to the ICRC, an estimated 250000 people are trapped in a 250 square-kilometre area and they are in need of protection, medical care and basic assistance. "It's high time to take decisive action and stop further bloodshed because time is running out," de Maio said. The ICRC urgently appealed to both sides to allow and facilitate the safe and voluntary movement of civilians out of the combat zone. The ICRC, the only international aid agency to remain permanently in Wanni, said they are determined to stay as long as possible in Wanni, but the parties must respect its presence and its work. In response to the crisis, the ICRC is stepping up its support for Puthukkudiyiruppu Hospital in Wanni, the statement added.
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January - 27 
Commander of the 59th Division, Brigadier Nandana Udawatta, said on January 27 that troops advancing from the north of Mullaitivu town succeeded in capturing a stretch of two kilometres amidst stiff resistance by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), according to Daily News. He added that the
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Commander of the 59th Division, Brigadier Nandana Udawatta, said on January 27 that troops advancing from the north of Mullaitivu town succeeded in capturing a stretch of two kilometres amidst stiff resistance by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), according to Daily News. He added that the Security Forces (SFs) are advancing towards Puthukuduiruppu. Troops operating in Mullaitivu town also recovered a LTTE defence line which consisted of a massive earth bund and a ditch.
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January - 27 
Daily News reports that Disaster Management and Human Rights Ministry Secretary Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha on January 27 said over 6000 civilians have arrived to the No War Zone declared by the Government since January 22. The Government declared a no war zone to facilitate civilians in uncleared to ent
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Daily News reports that Disaster Management and Human Rights Ministry Secretary Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha on January 27 said over 6000 civilians have arrived to the No War Zone declared by the Government since January 22. The Government declared a no war zone to facilitate civilians in uncleared to enter cleared areas.
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January - 27 
Government said on January 27 that a manhunt was on for Prabhakaran and if captured alive he would not be extradited to India but first tried in Sri Lanka on charges of crimes committed by him. Defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told Daily Mirror that despite an Indian Government request for the
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Government said on January 27 that a manhunt was on for Prabhakaran and if captured alive he would not be extradited to India but first tried in Sri Lanka on charges of crimes committed by him. Defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told Daily Mirror that despite an Indian Government request for the extradition of Prabhakaran to stand trial for the killing of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Prabhakaran would be first tried in Sri Lanka where there was a 200-year sentence for his involvement in the Central Bank bombing. He said the Government had asked Malaysia and India to hand over Prabhakaran to Sri Lanka if he was caught in either of those countries. He said the Government was certain that the Prabhakaran was still in hiding in some section of the un-cleared area (area not under Government control) in Mullaitivu and a manhunt was in operation to capture him.
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January - 27 
Mukherjee said that India has no sympathy for terrorist organisations, but wants Sri Lanka to ensure that civilians are not victimised in the conflict between the armed forces and the LTTE. “I will go to Sri Lanka and have discussions with the President and other authorities there and see what best
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Mukherjee said that India has no sympathy for terrorist organisations, but wants Sri Lanka to ensure that civilians are not victimised in the conflict between the armed forces and the LTTE. “I will go to Sri Lanka and have discussions with the President and other authorities there and see what best can be done in this situation,” he told journalists in New Delhi , adding, “We are for fighting terrorists and all sorts of terrorism. Therefore, we have no sympathy for any organisation indulging in terrorist activity, particularly the LTTE, which is a banned organisation in India. However, we shall have to see how civilians can be protected and [we can ensure that] they do not become hapless victims of the situation.”
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January - 27 
President Mahinda Rajapakse told the visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on January 27 that he was extending a personal invitation to the Tamil Nadu (Southern Indian State) Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader Jayalalit
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President Mahinda Rajapakse told the visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on January 27 that he was extending a personal invitation to the Tamil Nadu (Southern Indian State) Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader Jayalalithaa to visit Sri Lanka to persuade the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to lay down arms and join the democratic mainstream. Mukherjee, who made an unscheduled visit to Colombo, said the humanitarian situation in the war zone came up for discussion and the President assured him that his Government would respect the areas demarcated as safe zones and minimise civilian casualties.
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January - 27 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran is still in Sri Lanka and leading his fighters on the battlefront in Mullaitivu, B. Nadesan, political head of the outfit, told BBC, according to Times of India. Describing as "malicious propaganda" reports that Prabhakaran has
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran is still in Sri Lanka and leading his fighters on the battlefront in Mullaitivu, B. Nadesan, political head of the outfit, told BBC, according to Times of India. Describing as "malicious propaganda" reports that Prabhakaran has fled the island, Nadesan claimed that he (Prabhakaran) "is with our people", and is still leading the "freedom struggle" and ruled out LTTE cadres laying down arms and entering negotiations with the Government. "We took up arms to safeguard our people. We need a guarantee of living with freedom, dignity and sovereignty...until that we will continue fighting," he said. Talking about the reverses suffered by the outfit, he said "in a liberation war it is normal for a force to lose territory and regain the same." He also said in the past LTTE had withdrawn many times and bounced back to achieve big victories.
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January - 28 
The National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) on January 28 said that its objective is to open a camp at Siroy in the Ukhrul District.
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The National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) on January 28 said that its objective is to open a camp at Siroy in the Ukhrul District.
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January - 28 
16 more people, including seven militants, were killed and 23 others injured in the Swat District on January 28, even as Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani vowed to establish the writ of the Government, The News reported. On the eve of the COAS’s visit to Swat, the military spokesman, Major
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16 more people, including seven militants, were killed and 23 others injured in the Swat District on January 28, even as Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani vowed to establish the writ of the Government, The News reported. On the eve of the COAS’s visit to Swat, the military spokesman, Major Nasir Ali said the military operation would be “decisive and final” and the militants would be completely crushed, while their strongholds would be destroyed or captured. The spokesman claimed that Security Forces (SFs) had killed seven militants and injured 11 others in Manglawar and Sanghota towns during a ground action backed by helicopters. “The two were strongholds of the militants but we have completely secured them now,” he claimed. Earlier, General Kayani made an unannounced visit to the Swat valley and issued fresh directions about the operation.
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January - 28 
Meanwhile, the Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs in North West Frontier Province, Malik Zafar Azam, said in Peshawar that registration of Madrassas had begun in the province and 720 religious seminaries had been registered thus far.
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Meanwhile, the Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs in North West Frontier Province, Malik Zafar Azam, said in Peshawar that registration of Madrassas had begun in the province and 720 religious seminaries had been registered thus far.
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January - 28 
The militants’ commander and presenter on FM Radio channel, Maulana Khalil, who recently replaced Shah Dauran, claimed to have killed 35 SF personnel in Qambar. As an indefinite curfew remained in force in Manglawar near Mingora, six people were reportedly killed for curfew violation. Those shot dea
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The militants’ commander and presenter on FM Radio channel, Maulana Khalil, who recently replaced Shah Dauran, claimed to have killed 35 SF personnel in Qambar. As an indefinite curfew remained in force in Manglawar near Mingora, six people were reportedly killed for curfew violation. Those shot dead by the SFs were reportedly attempting to migrate from the troubled area.
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January - 28 
Addressing a gathering called by the Unified CPN-Maoist on charting out new strategies for Terai to re-establish its power, Prime Minister Prachanda claimed the foreign powers are playing with the fluid situation in southern districts.
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Addressing a gathering called by the Unified CPN-Maoist on charting out new strategies for Terai to re-establish its power, Prime Minister Prachanda claimed the foreign powers are playing with the fluid situation in southern districts.
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January - 28 
Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Kedar Nath Upadhyaya, said on January 28 that the Government has failed to establish the rule of law in the country, reports Kantipuronline. Speaking at an interaction programme organised at the NHRC office in Dhangadhi District, Upadhyaya sai
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Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Kedar Nath Upadhyaya, said on January 28 that the Government has failed to establish the rule of law in the country, reports Kantipuronline. Speaking at an interaction programme organised at the NHRC office in Dhangadhi District, Upadhyaya said, “There is no rule of law at the recent time as impunity is escalating in the nation.”
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January - 28 
Tharuhut Autonomous State Council, a Terai based ethnic group, has mobilised its armed militants at Deukhori of Dang District to takeover the soil, water and forest resources, reports Kantipuronline. The Council has been struggling for separate Tharu statehood with the right to self determination an
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Tharuhut Autonomous State Council, a Terai based ethnic group, has mobilised its armed militants at Deukhori of Dang District to takeover the soil, water and forest resources, reports Kantipuronline. The Council has been struggling for separate Tharu statehood with the right to self determination and rights over the soil, water and forest resources." We deployed our soldiers as the Government turned a deaf ear to our demands," said Yogendra Chaudhary, the Council's vice chairman. The Council claims to have imposed a ban on the transport of stones, sand, timbers, coal and other resources of Dang District to the outer Districts. On January 28, the Tharuhut cadres had held 15 trucks laden with timber and coal at Lamahi. Meanwhile, the Tharuhut cadres have forced closed three VDC offices in the district for not inviting the Council members at important meetings and not providing donation. All works at Halbar, Gadawa and Gangaparaspur VDCs in Dang have been halted due to the closure. Saran Chaudhary, District Chairman of the Council said, "Our mother party Sanghiya Loktantrik Morcha must be invited in all VDC meetings and the VDC offices must pay us the donation sum that we demand."
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January - 28 
On January 28, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed said her Government would not hesitate to take stringent measures to curb militancy in the country. In her first question-answer session in the ninth Parliament, she said, “Whenever action is taken against militants, it is described as an attack on I
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On January 28, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed said her Government would not hesitate to take stringent measures to curb militancy in the country. In her first question-answer session in the ninth Parliament, she said, “Whenever action is taken against militants, it is described as an attack on Islam. But it is not right. The militants have no religion and operate beyond boundaries... I have already directed all ministries and the authorities concerned to find out the militants' patrons, financers and sources of illegal arms and ammunitions to root out militancy.” Terming militancy a major problem in the country, Hasina said she has already asked the authorities concerned to take necessary steps to form 'South Asian Anti-terrorism Taskforce' in line with the Awami League’s election manifesto for curbing cross-border terrorism.
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January - 28 
Nearly 13,000 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants have been killed during the past two years of conflict in Sri Lanka since the operations to liberate the Northern region began in July 2006, the military said on January 28, according to Colombo Page. Over 3700 soldiers have died in the
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Nearly 13,000 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants have been killed during the past two years of conflict in Sri Lanka since the operations to liberate the Northern region began in July 2006, the military said on January 28, according to Colombo Page. Over 3700 soldiers have died in the ongoing battles, during the same period, the Army spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said. Over 1500 LTTE cadres have been killed during the clashes in the past two months alone. Nearly 150 Government soldiers have also been killed in the same period, the spokesman added.
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January - 28 
Sri Lankan Government, responding to an "appeal" for medical supplies in the media and diplomatic circles claiming that 300 Tamil civilians were killed and 1,000 injured in Suthanthirapuram Udaiyaarkaddu and Vallipuram areas of Mullaitivu, in a statement released on January 28, termed the "appeal" a
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Sri Lankan Government, responding to an "appeal" for medical supplies in the media and diplomatic circles claiming that 300 Tamil civilians were killed and 1,000 injured in Suthanthirapuram Udaiyaarkaddu and Vallipuram areas of Mullaitivu, in a statement released on January 28, termed the "appeal" as a "hoax" and "a total fabrication", according to PTI. It said Dr. Thurairajah Varatharaja, the Regional Director of Health Services Mullaitivu, who is purported to be the originator of this "appeal" has denied any association with it and stated that its contents are false and exaggerated. "It has not originated from him or his office, and that he does not agree with its contents," the statement said. Athula Kahandliyanage, Secretary in the Health Ministry, said "the 2009 first quarter of drugs to Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi has been sent. The Mullaitivu supplies are awaiting road clearance and will be delivered soon."
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January - 29 
According to Asian Age, Pramod Muttalik, the founder of Hindu vigilante group Sri Ram Sene, who is currently in the custody of the Mangalore Police, could be interrogated by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) for his possible and alleged involvement in the September 30, 2008 Malegaon blast.
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According to Asian Age, Pramod Muttalik, the founder of Hindu vigilante group Sri Ram Sene, who is currently in the custody of the Mangalore Police, could be interrogated by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) for his possible and alleged involvement in the September 30, 2008 Malegaon blast. A three-member ATS team was dispatched to question Pramod Muthalik in Mangalore, where he was produced in a court on January 29. "We have sent a team of officials to Mangalore to interrogate Mr Muttallik. It is likely that he is known to some of the key accused in the Malegaon blast including Lt. Col. Purohit, who he met in Pune. Mr Muttalik has reportedly also condoned the role of Sadhvi Pragya in the blast. We would like to know if he is in any way involved in the blast. So far we have not got any fresh leads," an unnamed senior Maharashtra ATS officer told Asian Age.
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January - 29 
People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) declared that it has imposed a temporary ‘ban’ on all gas agents for allegedly duping the consumers as well as for not heeding to the outfit’s call to talk over the issue, according to Sangai Express.
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People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) declared that it has imposed a temporary ‘ban’ on all gas agents for allegedly duping the consumers as well as for not heeding to the outfit’s call to talk over the issue, according to Sangai Express.
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January - 29 
Darra Adamkhel unit of the Tehrik-i-Taliban on January 29 issued a one-week deadline to the NWFP Government to accept their demands and in case of non-compliance they would kill the kidnapped Polish geologist. A Taliban spokesman told Dawn: "We cannot wait more as the government has taken acceptance
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Darra Adamkhel unit of the Tehrik-i-Taliban on January 29 issued a one-week deadline to the NWFP Government to accept their demands and in case of non-compliance they would kill the kidnapped Polish geologist. A Taliban spokesman told Dawn: "We cannot wait more as the government has taken acceptance of our demands (in return) for the release of Polish geologist Peter (Stanczak) very light. So, our Shura has decided to wait till Feb 4 evening for a positive reply from the government and in case of refusal we will kill him." The spokesman, who identified himself as Mohammad, said they had demanded from the Government complete withdrawal of SFs from tribal areas and release of their captured associates. He also said, "We are not interested in ransom and just want the government to accept our two longstanding demands." The Polish geologist working for the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) is in the custody of the Taliban reportedly at a place near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. He had been kidnapped from an OGDCL facility near the Jand town of Attock district in Punjab province four months ago. He had been shifted from Attock in a boat through the Indus River to Kohat and then taken by the Taliban to their hideout. The Taliban had released his video in which the victim had appealed to his Government to request Pakistan for acceptance of demands of the Taliban to save his life.
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January - 29 
Police in Rawalpindi claimed to have arrested nine suspected terrorists and seized 100kg of explosives, detonators and other material during a raid on January 29, Dawn reported. According to City Police Officer (CPO) Rao Iqbal, the suspects belonged to a group formed by a Kenyan national who himself
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Police in Rawalpindi claimed to have arrested nine suspected terrorists and seized 100kg of explosives, detonators and other material during a raid on January 29, Dawn reported. According to City Police Officer (CPO) Rao Iqbal, the suspects belonged to a group formed by a Kenyan national who himself was killed during a terrorist attack. Addressing a press conference, he said the arrests were made when police and elite force personnel raided a house in the city’s Dhoke Lakhan area. They also seized four motorbikes, one car, detonators with wires, nut and bolts weighing 20 kg, one timer, four hand-grenades and eight pistols. One of the detained suspects is Dr Abdul Razzaq of the Cantonment Hospital who has been missing for some time and his case is in the Lahore High Court in Islamabad. The CPO said the terrorist gang had indirect links with the militant group of Baitullah Mehsud in Wana. He said they had confessed to having carried out a number of terrorist attacks, including the RA Bazaar bombing in which seven army personnel were killed, assassination of Lt-Gen Mushtaq Ahmed Baig, Melody suicide attack on police force, blast outside the Danish embassy and heinous attack on Italian restaurant. The terrorists, Rao Iqbal said, were planning a suicide attack during the March 23 Pakistan Day parade. The terrorists were identified as Mohammad Ilyas alias Qari Jamil, Mohammad Rizwan alias Shamasul Haq, Faisal Ahmed Khan, Zeeshan Jaleel, Mohammad Sarfraz, Mohammad Naeem Shakir, Mohammad Nadeem and Osama Bin Waheed, besides Dr Abul Razzaq.
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January - 29 
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Interior Affairs Rehman Malik told the Senate on January 29 that a new strategy had been worked out to combat militancy in Swat, Dawn reported. While he did not divulge details of the new strategy, the adviser said the situation in Mingora had been brought under control i
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Prime Minister’s Adviser on Interior Affairs Rehman Malik told the Senate on January 29 that a new strategy had been worked out to combat militancy in Swat, Dawn reported. While he did not divulge details of the new strategy, the adviser said the situation in Mingora had been brought under control in four to five days through the new policy. He said the groups behind the insurgency in Swat included al Qaeda, the Tehrik-i-Taliban led by Maulana Fazlullah, Tanzeem-i-Islami, Tora Bora group and Qari Mushtaq group. He said that a Taliban ‘commander’, Qari Hussain Ahmed, ran a training camp for suicide bombers in Waziristan and Maulana Naamdaar had a role in bringing suicide bombers from Waziristan to Swat. Qari Hussain was reported killed in January 2008 when his house was destroyed in an air strike. Malik said the objective of the militants was not to enforce Sharia (Islamic law), but to destroy Pakistan. He told the Senate that around 1,200 civilians had been killed and 2,000 injured in violence, while 189 military personnel had lost their lives. He said 123 Government schools and 10 private schools had been destroyed and many CD shops and barbers’ salons set ablaze. He also said a so-called ‘Taliban court’ had ‘summoned’ 40 people.
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January - 29 
Colombo Page reports that Sri Lanka Government, regretting a recent statement made in Geneva by the ICRC, said the organization fails to note current ground realities in Sri Lanka. Issuing a special statement the ICRC, appealed to "the both sides, Sri Lanka government and LTTE" to allow and facilita
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Colombo Page reports that Sri Lanka Government, regretting a recent statement made in Geneva by the ICRC, said the organization fails to note current ground realities in Sri Lanka. Issuing a special statement the ICRC, appealed to "the both sides, Sri Lanka government and LTTE" to allow and facilitate the safe and voluntary movement of civilians out of the combat zone. The Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights today said that the ICRC staff in Colombo is well aware of current situation that the LTTE has barred the movement of civilians to government controlled areas. The fact that Geneva seems oblivious to all this suggests either wilful ignorance or naiveté, the Government said.
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January - 29 
President Mahinda Rajapakse said on January 29 that they have declared a safe-zone for civilians, according to Daily News. "I urge the LTTE within the next 48 hours to allow free movement of civilians to ensure their safety and security. For all those civilians, I assure a safe passage to a secure e
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President Mahinda Rajapakse said on January 29 that they have declared a safe-zone for civilians, according to Daily News. "I urge the LTTE within the next 48 hours to allow free movement of civilians to ensure their safety and security. For all those civilians, I assure a safe passage to a secure environment. I also assure all those living in the North and conflict areas in particular, that vacating LTTE held areas will ensure their physical security and enable peace, freedom and rights for all citizens of this country," the statement said. He said his Government was committed to ushering in peace so that all people of Sri Lanka, especially those in the North and the East would have the opportunity to choose their leaders through election, adding, "However, all efforts for finding solutions peacefully for outstanding issues in the North and the East were repudiated by the LTTE and I was compelled to take measures to combat the terrorism unleashed by the LTTE on the people of Sri Lanka. In the efforts to eradicate terrorism and in the humanitarian operations to free civilians from suffering and insecurity, the Government and the Security Forces have been conscious of the welfare of civilians, their lives and property at all times."
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January - 29 
The political wing leader of the LTTE, Balasingham Nadesan, said on January 29 that the outfit has been urging the United Nations (UN), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other international actors through all available offices to facilitate transportation for the wounded civilians
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The political wing leader of the LTTE, Balasingham Nadesan, said on January 29 that the outfit has been urging the United Nations (UN), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other international actors through all available offices to facilitate transportation for the wounded civilians in need of medical treatment to the Vavuniya Hospital, according to Tamil Net. "We have been very clear that any individual who wishes to leave the combat zone has an individual right to move anywhere. We have not imposed any restriction on individuals. But, we will not be organising any 'organised exodus' against the collective will of the people who have sought refuge away from a genocidal military," he said, adding, "We are urging responsible top officials of the UN and other international agencies to immediately visit the 'safety zone' and to obtain the views of the civilians and make independent assessment of the needs and concerns of the civilians."
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January - 29 
The LTTE released the two UN expatriates they were holding and allowed to return the Government controlled areas but detained the 13 local staff further, the military said, reported Colombo Page. The LTTE has detained the two expatriates and 13 local staff of the UN aid convoy travelled to the LTTE-
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The LTTE released the two UN expatriates they were holding and allowed to return the Government controlled areas but detained the 13 local staff further, the military said, reported Colombo Page. The LTTE has detained the two expatriates and 13 local staff of the UN aid convoy travelled to the LTTE-held areas to deliver food and other essential items to the civilians in the Puthukkudiyiruppu area since January 16. The UN office issued a request on January 22 to allow the staff and dependents travelling with the UN aid convoy safe passage to return to the Government controlled area.
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January - 30 
According to Times of India, the Maharashtra Government on January 30 rejected Pakistan's claim that the lone captured Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorist, Mohammad Ajmal Amir Iman alias Kasab, is dead. The Additional Chief Secretary Chitkala Zutshi said: "Kasab is very much alive and in custody of Mumb
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According to Times of India, the Maharashtra Government on January 30 rejected Pakistan's claim that the lone captured Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorist, Mohammad Ajmal Amir Iman alias Kasab, is dead. The Additional Chief Secretary Chitkala Zutshi said: "Kasab is very much alive and in custody of Mumbai Police." Officials in the State Government said Pakistan was making such statements to divert attention from the main issue. Mumbai Police Commissioner Hasan Gafoor told Times of India that "Kasab is safe and sound with us." An unnamed Crime Branch officer pointed out that the Mumbai Police could provide a Compact Disc of Kasab to Pakistan. "Police officers and investigators from some countries have seen Kasab. It is an utter lie that he is dead," the officer added.
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January - 30 
A Pakistani investigation into the Mumbai terrorist attacks of November 2008 has shown they were not planned in Pakistan, the Pakistani High Commissioner to Britain told an Indian television news channel on January 30, Daily Times reported. "Pakistani territory was not used so far as the investigato
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A Pakistani investigation into the Mumbai terrorist attacks of November 2008 has shown they were not planned in Pakistan, the Pakistani High Commissioner to Britain told an Indian television news channel on January 30, Daily Times reported. "Pakistani territory was not used so far as the investigators have made their conclusions," Wajid Shamsul Hassan told NDTV in an interview. Hassan said the nationality of Ajmal Kasab, the lone Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant arrested during the attacks, did not necessarily prove the hand of Pakistan in the attacks. "He does come from Pakistan, that doesn’t mean that Pakistan has sponsored whatever he carried out in Bombay… We are waiting for the report to be finalised, and once the report comes, it will make everything crystal clear. We do not think that evidence is credible," said Hassan. Hassan also said Pakistan’s examination of the Indian dossier would show its ‘non-involvement’ in the attacks and questioned the veracity of the Indian information, saying it ‘could be fabricated’.
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January - 30 
Prime Minister Prachanda said the concept 'One Madhesh, One Autonomous Province' goes against the Madheshi people and it does not fully represent the entire Madhesh. "We will announce programmes shortly that will advocate 'One Madhesh-Various States' policy," a CPN-Maoist source quoted him as saying
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Prime Minister Prachanda said the concept 'One Madhesh, One Autonomous Province' goes against the Madheshi people and it does not fully represent the entire Madhesh. "We will announce programmes shortly that will advocate 'One Madhesh-Various States' policy," a CPN-Maoist source quoted him as saying. "Rest assured that this will be for the benefit of all Madheshis." Prachanda assured his party cadres on the second day of the two-day discussion held to draft the party's Madhesh policy.
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January - 30 
All Party Representative Committee (APRC) has finalized its report recommending a power devolution formula to solve the ethnic conflict, the Government announced. APRC chairman and Minister Prof. Tissa Vitharana said all 13 parties in the APRC attended the final meeting. An interim report based on t
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All Party Representative Committee (APRC) has finalized its report recommending a power devolution formula to solve the ethnic conflict, the Government announced. APRC chairman and Minister Prof. Tissa Vitharana said all 13 parties in the APRC attended the final meeting. An interim report based on the consensus reached so far between the parties has been handed over to the party representatives for observations and suggestions. Once the report is finalized by the 13 parties it will be handed over to the President. Despite failing to reach an agreement over the character of the state in the proposed devolution package, the parties have reportedly agreed to abolish the concurrent list, and introduce two lists outlining powers to be vested in the provincial councils and the central Government. The APRC was mandated by the President in 2006 to prepare a set of proposals that would be the basis for a solution to the conflict.
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January - 30 
Government rejected calls for a cease-fire with the LTTE and vowed to continue the military operations until the North is completely liberated. Human Rights and Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said in a press briefing, "There will be no cease-fire. We will continue with our militar
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Government rejected calls for a cease-fire with the LTTE and vowed to continue the military operations until the North is completely liberated. Human Rights and Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said in a press briefing, "There will be no cease-fire. We will continue with our military operations and we will continue to liberate areas which had not been liberated so far. We are determined to eradicate terrorism in Sri Lanka.'' Earlier, on January 29, President Mahinda Rajapakse urged the LTTE to release the civilians within 48 hours and allow them to move to safety in the Government-controlled areas. The Government has set up a special no-fire zone in the LTTE-held area. However, the LTTE stressed that only a permanent cease-fire would resolve the conflict. "Only a permanent cease-fire mooted by the international community and negotiations followed by it would resolve the conflict as envisaged by the Tamil people and the LTTE," the outfit’s political leader, B. Nadesan, was quoted as saying by the pro-LTTE Website Tamil Net on January 29.
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January - 31 
The AR in a press release stated that it gave adequate opportunities to the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) cadres to vacate Siroy village in the Ukhrul District, despite their belligerent stance to continue keeping their armed cadres in that area, reports Imphal Free Pr
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The AR in a press release stated that it gave adequate opportunities to the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) cadres to vacate Siroy village in the Ukhrul District, despite their belligerent stance to continue keeping their armed cadres in that area, reports Imphal Free Press.
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