Nation celebrates Independence day

CHENNAI: TN Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has asked people to boycott organisations supporting extremism on Thursday on the occasion of the In...

CHENNAI: TN Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has asked people to boycott organisations supporting extremism on Thursday on the occasion of the Independence day adding certain forces in the country were in league with international terrorist organisations. Stating that such forces were raising their heads in the garb of language, caste and region, Jayalalithaa said despite knowing this certain political parties were supporting these organisations.

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Independence day 2002

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister A.K. Antony said on Thursday the main objective of the state government is to create an ‘‘investor friendly’’ climate and lay a solid foundation for the formation of a ‘‘new Kerala’’. Speaking after hoisting the national flag at the Central stadium here, Antony said: ‘‘The old Kerala model of development had lost its relevance .’’

JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said on Thursday the pace of the state’s development would be accelerated despite recurring famine, drought and border problems which had been weakening the economy of the state. The government was committed to list Rajasthan in the developed states category and ensuring 100 per cent literacy, self-reliance in energy generation and infrastructure creation in all sectors, Gehlot said at the Independence day function at the SMS stadium here.

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Extremists strike in Bihar and Jharkhand

Like the rest of the country, it was Independence Day in Bihar and Jharkhand. But there was little to celebrate. Trains and I-Day functions became targets of extremists, even man-made tragedy.

GARHWA: Four students were buried alive and 22 injured when a school building collapsed during Independence Day celebrations in Garhwa district of Jharkhand, police said.

KHAGARIA: A policeman was killed and another injured when at least two dozen gunmen fired at a function in Beldour, Khagaria district of Bihar. The attackers, officials said, ran away with two rifles and bullets.

PAKUR: Fifteen passengers were injured when three crude bombs went off inside the 803-UP Rampurhat-Barharwa train near Kotalpukur railway station in Jharkhand’s Pakur district. SP Sashinath Jha said the bombs, which were hidden in bags, were being taken for use elsewhere. Nine of the injured are in Pakur hospital.

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GIRIDIH: Sub-divisional Officer of Giridih, Rajeshwar Das, had unfurled the Tricolour, done the salute and thought everything went according to plan.

Till the goof-up was realised, the flag had been tied upside down. It had to be brought down, repositioned and unfurled again. One employee was suspended.

NAWADA: Two government schools in Bihar’s Nawada district had to call the police as Maoist Communist Centre activists put up black flags atop their buildings. The Tricolour could be hoisted only after police reached Sughari village and removed the MCC flags. (Agencies)

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh celebrated the 56th Independence day on Thursday, amid tight security arrangements. Governor Vishnu Kant Shastri unfurled the tricolour at Raj Bhawan while Chief Minister Mayawati hoisted the national flag at the Assembly here. Mayawati said the government was committed to uplift the downtrodden and create an atmosphere of social and communal harmony.

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AIZAWL: Chief Minister Zoramthanga called upon the people of Mizoram on Thursday to renew their commitment to peace and development and strive for making the state an example for others to follow.

Unfurling the national flag at the Assam rifles ground here, Zoramthanga said in order to address the problems of backwardness and unemployment, Mizoram Intodelhna Project (MIP), or the project for attaining self-sufficiency, has been launched to implement various family-oriented schemes.

BHUBANESWAR: Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday expressed concern over the severe drought situation in the state.

‘‘Orissa has been repeatedly facing such natural calamities but the government is committed to work for the development,’’ Patnaik said in his address.

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SHILLONG: Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr F.A. Khonglam said on Thursday it ‘‘seems impossible’’ to contain militancy in the state using forces and reiterated that his government was keeping the doors open for dialogue with any group on its grievances.

Unfurling the national tri-colour at the J.N. stadium here amid tight security, Dr Khonglam said, ‘‘we tried our best and it seems impossible. Let’s forget killing and fighting’’.

GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Thursday expressed hope that different militant groups, honouring people’s aspirations, would come forward with an open mind to the negotiating table.

KOHIMA: Unfurling the national tri-colour here at the local ground, Nagaland Chief Minister S.C. Jamir said the efforts made by the Centre, state, various NGOs and individuals have yielded a positive result. This is for the first time since independence that Nagaland celebrated I-Day without a boycott call by rebels.

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PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi announced on Thursday that the state government would recruit nearly 45,000 shiksha mitras in the state to promote mass education and eradicate illiteracy.

BANGALORE: Describing the drought situation in the state as ‘‘far more grim’’ than in last year, Karnataka Chief Minister S.M. Krishna said on Thursday he would undertake an intensive tour of affected parts to accelerate relief works.

BHOPAL: The MP government is committed to implement the dalit declaration formulated in January this year, Chief Minister Digvijay Singh said.

Unfurling the national flag at a function at Motilal Nehru stadium here, Singh said that his government had till now distributed 2,38,000 hectares of land to SC/STs.