Maldives Update; September 26, 2007.

“We are still short of about seventy to eighty million dollars to complete tsunami reconstruction projects,” says Finance Minister.
Ajay Makan, Government Short Of Money For Tsunami Projects: Gasim, Minivan News, September 25, 2007.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has predicted a massive slowdown in growth for the Maldives economy.
Maldives Expenditure Unsustainable: Asian Development Bank, Minivan News, September 20, 2007

IDP's Election Pledge is to Punish Drug Offenders with Death Sentence.

Deep distrust between the government and opposition means election results in the Maldives may always be disputed.
Ajay Makan, Referendum Lessons Must Be Learnt, Minivan News, September 22, 2007.

Kaushik Basu, Time to give Saarc a facelift, BBC News, September 24, 2007.

Sri Lanka Update: September 25, 2007.

If the government is able to come up with a political solution that is acceptable to the moderate majorities in the ethnic communities, there will be immense pressure on the LTTE from both the Tamil people and the international community to decommission their weapons and end the ethnic war for all time.
Will a military solution yield a political solution? Daily Mirror, September 25, 2007.

"Prabhakaran's destruction through military action would only result in his becoming a more dangerous legend among the Tamil people than he was already", says Dr Rajan Hoole, a Tamil rights activist.
PK Balachandran, Military solution will only make Prabhakaran a legend, Hindustan Times, September 24, 2007.

"The expulsion of the LTTE from the east and the recent sinking of several LTTE ships carrying arms and other provisions mark important military successes," says Robert Blake.
Sri Lanka conflict end in sight but dangers ahead, says US, LBO, September 25, 2007.

It is a sad part of the Sri Lankan history that the Tamils found themselves fighting the State in an unequal war.
N Sathiya Moorthy, Begin at the Beginning, Daily Mirror, September 24, 2007.

Despite the attacks on the ground, at sea and by air, Tiger guerrillas retain a military capability.
Iqbal Athas, Great military victories but Tigers still a threat, Sunday Times, September 23, 2007.

New Chaitanya Guide on Sethusamudram

Chaitanya's new resource guide on the Sethusamudram project and its politics is online.

Sethu Row, September 19, 2007.

The BJP is now engaged in a strident campaign against the canal project, arguing that it would end up in damaging the Ram Sethu.
BJP ministers selected Sethusamudram route: Baalu, M&C, September 19, 2007.

The BJP is now trying to put the ruling alliance on the mat over DMK leader M Karunanidhi’s reported remarks on Ram.
Karunanidhi’s remarks more offensive than affidavit: BJP, Indian Express, September 19, 2007.

Karunanidhi was only articulating the current mood among the secularists for whom the Hindu opinion just does not count.
P R Ramesh, Troubled bridge, Economic Times, September 19, 2007.

Although two ASI officials were suspended for the affidavit, the internal wrangles in the Congress over the issue are surfacing.
Ram Sethu widens schisms in Congress, India Interacts, September 18, 2007.

The Sangh Parivaar says as Chief Minister Karunanidhi had written a foreword to the Gazetteer of the Ramanathapuram district in 1972 citing the Adam's Bridge as an authentic proof of the culture and tradition of Tamil Nadu.
Ram Setu debate: Karuna flip-flops for the past 35 yrs, IBN, September 17, 2007.

Sri Lanka Update: September 17, 2007.

The call by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to give up the hunger strike was rejected by Nedumaran on Saturday insisting that he should be allowed to sail to Jaffna.
Ananth Palakidnar, Nedumaran making S. Indian fishermen 'a scapegoat', Sunday Observer, September 16, 2007.

Top local defence officials feel the LTTE had cultivated the Thai authorities over a long period of time, while the Sri Lankan Embassy there in the past had not been effective enough.
Senpathi, ‘Peter Ibrahim’ arrest triggers KP controversy, The Nation on Sunday, September 16, 2007.

It will be worthwhile for the government to consider a “quasi-federal system” for devolution of powers and meeting the aspirations of all sections: N. Ram

If a President were to declare that he was elected to office only by only one section of the voters, and not the rest, and as such would be their President, and not for all of Sri Lanka, it is potent prescription for adding to the troubles of a troubled nation.
N Sathiya Moorthy, Defender of the faith, Daily Mirror, September 17, 2007.

Government forces have achieved an intelligence advantage over the LTTE, and used it to foil LTTE attempts to go on the offensive.
The Great War At Sea, Strategy Page, September 17, 2007.

Indian spymaster speculates whether KP whisked away by FBI

Also See:
Alastair Reynard, Global terrorism funded by bogus organizations setup by terrorists, Global Politician.

Sri Lanka Update: September 12, 2007.

The Sri Lankan government is awaiting official confirmation of the arrest of top LTTE arms procurer and smuggler, Kumaran Pathmanathan.

PK Balachandran, Colombo awaits confirmation of top LTTE arms procurer's arrest, Hindustan Times, September 11, 2007.

India asked Thailand to extradite a leader of Sri Lanka's Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, saying he may provide information on the 1991 assassination of former Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Paul Tighe and Anusha Ondaatjie, Sri Lankan Rebel Arrested May Be Linked to Gandhi Assassination, Bloomberg, September 12, 2007.

Sri Lankan navy claims it has destroyed much of the Tamil Tiger's arms smuggling network after sinking three large ships.
Tamil Tiger 'smuggling lines hit', BBC, September 11, 2007.

Human rights defenders, community leaders, and humanitarian workers are under attack in Sri Lanka. In September, figures published by a respected human rights organization showed that 43 humanitarian workers had been killed in Sri Lanka since January 2006.

The Internet has become a very effective venue through which terrorist organizations can spead their messages.
Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury, The Internet as a Terrorist Propaganda Tool, Cyber terrorism, September 12, 2007.

Maldives Update; September 12, 2007.

A report released by a Peoples' Majlis committee alleges that the have authorities mismanaged the notorious Hussein Salah case.
Authorities Damned in Hussein Salah Case, Minivan News, September 10, 2007.

Constitution Drafting Committee to meet twice a day amidst concerns of missing November 30th deadline, MDP, September 11, 2007.

Today, the international community needs no further proof if they are genuinely interested in helping the people of Maldives by replacing the current dictatorial regime with a democratic government.
Ahmed Moosa, Rigging the referendum is a blessing in disguise, Dhivehi Observer, August 29, 2007.

The International Press Freedom Mission to the Maldives has sent a letter to the Minister of Information urging immediate amendments to the draft Press Law currently before parliament.

To increase the efficiency of the Police service, an independent survey has been constituted, to find out public opinion about the local police force.
Independent survey planned to find out public’s opinion of Police, Haveeru Online, September 12, 2007.

People’s Special Majlis have submitted a petition to the Government to confront the spiraling drugs crisis among young people.
Government Urged To Confront Drugs Crisis, Minivan News, September 6, 2007.

Also See:
Praful Bidwai, Sanctifying mass destruction, Frontline, September 8, 2007.

Sri Lanka Update: September 9, 2007.

The President has gone on to say in a manner indicative of his profound pragmatism and compassion towards all Lankans, almost contemptuous of his opponents that he recognises the legitimate historic grievances of the Tamil people on the basis that they too are Sri Lankans.

Our CFA was only between two warring parties and totally excluded other interests such as the Muslim community and other Tamil groups independent of the LTTE.So the CFA was flawed from the beginning. Moreover, there were other loopholes which allowed the LTTE to commit so many violations, far exceeding those by the armed forces, and there was no punitive action by a powerless SLMM which only made noises now and then.
Neville de Silva, The cogent case should drown the raucous din, Sunday Times, September 9, 2007.

The total war strategy is capital intensive; therefore it requires an astronomical hike in defence expenditure. At the same time it undermines the country’s capacity to obtain international assistance. A permissive attitude towards civilian casualties and human rights violations is an integral component of the total war strategy.
Tisaranee Gunasekara, The Emerging Sri Lanka, Asian Tribune, September 9, 2007.

How did Sri Lanka get their MiG-27s so cheap?
James Dunnigan, MiGs That Earn Their Keep, Strategy Page, September 8, 2007.

As far as the international community, including the Indian establishment, is concerned, it is clear that the Government is pursuing a military solution.
Senpathi, Govt. suing for peace while pursuing war, Nation on Sunday, September 9, 2007.

What the government would want to do is to share power with the Tamils to satisfy the international community with the concurrence of India, so that it could solicit the support of international and regional powers to exert pressure on the LTTE to accept the solution arrived at.
Ravana, Military push halted in favour of devolution package?, Nation on Sunday, September 9, 2007.

The LTTE is also trying to use food shortages up north, where LTTE gunmen block many roads, to elicit international sympathy. This hasn't worked very well, but the tactic of using human shields has had some success.

Also See:
Deportations to Sri Lanka are continuing, Indymedia, September 9, 2007.

Terrorism in India and the Statistics of the America, NDTV Blogs, September 7, 2007.

Southern states Update; September 9, 2007.

With the countdown to the leadership change having clearly begun, the voices of discord are becoming increasingly apparent. The BJP is increasingly nervous and watching every action/statement of the JDS with caution.
Sandeep Shastri, Coalition Contradictions: Emerging Political Scenario in Karnataka, Mainstream, September 9, 2007.

The BJP’s allies are likely to help the NDA hang on to its current position in Orissa, Punjab and Bihar, but the alliance in Karnataka does not seem to be yielding much dividends for the Lok Sabha elections.
Yogendra Yadav, Rajeeva Karandikar, Sanjay Kumar, No one wants an election now but if there’s one, Left and BJP will lose the most, Indian Express, September 9, 2007.

Police have been blamed for the rising criminal activities of hoodlums in Belgaum. Police department too has been jolted out of its inertia when a wealth of evidences the alert media produced in the aftermath of the rape-and-murder of Sheetal Chougule last month.
Unholy nexus between cops and criminals, New Indian Express, September 9, 2007.

The BJP leadership is apprehensive about the JD (S) ditching its coalition partner in Karnataka. Unwillingly or deliberately, Venkaiah Naidu has expressed his fears that JD(S) might deny the BJP its rightful claim to Chief Ministership under an agreement.
Hari Shankar Vyas, No one ready to contest, The Pioneer, September 9, 2007.

Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Janardhana Reddy and his wife N Rajyalakshmi, the education minister of the state, escaped unhurt while three Congress workers were killed in a Maoist attack in Nellore district.
Maoists down, but certainly not out in Andhra, Sify News, September 7, 2007.

The intelligence wing had alerted the SPs of the districts in August itself to be extra cautious in ensuring security for VIPs. However, the intelligence wing could not identify the Maoists’ target.
Cops foxed again? Times of India, September 8, 2007.

In the global hunt launched to kill and destroy terrorist leaders, sympathisers and recruits, the US and its allies have not only deepened the religious divide but also created a rallying point for Muslims hurt and incensed by real and imaginary humiliations and fears.
Wilson John, Club Extreme, The Pioneer, September 9, 2007.

Also See:
Charul Shah, Petition for Naxal accused, Cybernoon, September 07, 2007.

Madhu Chandra, Salwa Judum - India's Unreported Hidden War, Desicritics, September 09, 2007.

Southern States Update; September 6, 2007.

If private initiative within the state system, a very diluted form of public private partnership, is not working well for the poor and the better off are cornering the subsidies, what works?
Subir Roy, Elusive healthcare for the poor, Business Standard, September 5, 2007.

A lack of transparency and frequent smuggling of the food grains allotted under the Public Distribution System (PDS) are adversely affecting the scheme’s impact in Tamil Nadu.
Ananth Krishnan, Report finds problems in PDS in Tamil Nadu, The Hindu, September 5, 2007.

Objecting to the government's decision to clear a titanium project in Tuticorin district, a group of farmers has taken the Tamil Nadu government and the Tatas to court.

Historically in India, record keeping in employment generation schemes has been very poor and is not available for public scrutiny. Moreover, most projects would be implemented through contractors who would take a cut, ensuring that wages never reached the labourer.
Debaki Nandan Mandal, Social Audit Of Employment Guarantee Scheme, The Statesman, September 6, 2007.

Also See:
Major political parties, including the Congress, however, are clearly rethinking the anti-Iran issue in the nuclear pact, and it would be churlish to dismiss this as minority appeasement.
Sandhya Jain, India doesn't need 123 pact, Pioneer, September 6, 2007.

Sri Lanka Update: September 5, 2007.

Sri Lankan forces have targeted bases of the LTTE's naval unit since the army captured the eastern region in July after 14 years of fighting.
Paul Tighe, Sri Lanka Says Captured Rebel Base Was Weapons Transit Center, Bloomberg, September 4, 2007.

Minister Rambukwelle has said that there was no land area that belonged to the LTTE, although demarcated in the CFA, adding that what existed now was only a “temporary measure” as all areas belonged to the government and the people of Sri Lanka.

Mr. Nedumaran has announced that he was determined to enter Jaffna unlawfully by crossing the Palk Strait on September 12 with boatloads of food, medicine and other essentials for the civilians in the Jaffna and Vavuniya districts.
Sunil Jayasiri, Diplomatic stir over Nedumaran’s Jaffna landing threat, Daily Mirror, September 5, 2007.

Reports reveal that Nedumaran is now joined forces by Dr. S. Ramadoss, Leader of the Pattali Makkal Kadchchi (PMK), Vaiko, Leader of the Marumarchchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, who have come forward to participate and inaugurate the propaganda rallies in connection with the proposed illegal boat journey to Sri Lanka.

The government is being urged to ratify the United Nations Convention for the Protection of All Persons from enforced disappearances to demonstrate its commitment to the protection of Human Rights in the country.
Ayesha Zuhair, Rights activists tell Govt. to ratify UN convention on enforced disappearances, Daily Mirror, September 5, 2007.

Also See:
Eastern Province elections will be held before the end of the year, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

Maldives Update, September 5, 2007.

The increase in xenophobia could also be related to the rise in organized crime and the proliferation of gangs in Malé. A large percentage of youth in the Maldives are brown sugar addicts.
Nihan Zafar, Inhumane Treatment of Migrant Workers, Global Voices, September 3, 2007.

Around 20 percent of the island nation's residents under the age of 15 are using banned substances, according to the National Narcotics Control Bureau.

The HRCM has not always been in the government’s good books, however. Saleem has frequently angered the Gayoom administration by speaking out against human rights abuses.
Paul Roberts, Referendum “Generally Fair” – Human Rights Commission, Minivan News, August 27, 2007.

In a referendum in the Maldives, voters supported a proposal for a presidential system, seen by the government as an endorsement of the president, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who has been in power for 29 years. The opposition alleged rigging, and the foreign minister became the latest reformist to quit Mr Gayoom's cabinet.
Stephen Abbott, Voters choose presidential system in Maldives referendum, Guardian, August 22, 2007.

Simon Gardner, Maldives Foreign Min quits over reform pace, Reuters, August 22, 2007.

Asia's longest-serving leader will run for re-election at the island cluster's first multi-party presidential elections next year.
Simon Gardner, Maldives President sees reforms complete in 2-3 yrs, Reuters, August 20, 2007.

However, it was unclear how the opposition, which backed a British-style parliamentary government rather than the presidential system favoured by Gayoom, would react to the president's olive branch.
Maldives strongman wants to rule on into fourth decade, AFP, August 20, 2007.

Journalists, reporters and photographers working for dissident websites and magazines are continuously being harassed and even detained, but fortunately Gayyoom is no longer capable of shutting us down because the public is not afraid to stand up against this tyrant.
Ahmed S. I. Moosa, Maldives dictator versus the free media, Asia Media, August 20, 2007.

Sri Lanka Update: September 2, 2007.

A United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee (USSFRC) report has revealed that Eritrea was providing direct military assistance to LTTE.
Sri Lanka should not ignore Eritrean aid for LTTE terrorism, African Path, September 1, 2007.

The bigwigs of the Foreign Ministry cannot be unaware of the fact that UN Human Rights Commission which was established 60 years ago shortly after the birth of the UN, worked out of Geneva as does its successor body, the Human Rights Council.
Neville de Silva, On the flight path to diplomatic lunacy, Sunday Times, September 2, 2007.

Holding elections without evolving a proper mechanism to resettle all the IDPs would be a crime and this would certainly boomerang on President Mahinda Rajapakse when the time comes for him to stretch his arms again, seeking for votes to extend his office for another term.
Wilson Gnanadass, Where do the IDP’s go from here? Nation on Sunday, September 2, 2007.

One key factor contributing towards increasing the national security, under the present administration was the shutting down of all the possibilities available with the LTTE to bargain on issues threatening to keep the national security at a risk.
Forces launch humanitarian mission to liberate 6,000 population in Silavatura, Nation on Sunday, September 2, 2007.

The subcontinent achieved independence due to a few thousand mutinies. We achieved it peacefully and went onto create a few thousand mutinies.
Nikhil Mustaffa, Long walk to freedom, Daily Mirror, September 1, 2007.

Also See:
Tamil people are in LTTE’s bondage, Hard news, September, 2007.

Separate state leads Tamils to extinction - Prof. Hoole, Sunday Observer, September 2, 2007.

Blasts in Hyderabad: News and Analysis Round-up, September 2, 2007.

Since 1998, the terrorist activities are going on in South India but these continuous incidents show now terrorists are in search of striking at the pleasant atmosphere of communal harmony prevalent in South India.
Tanveer Jafri, Terrorists New Attack on Communal Harmony in India, American Chronicle, August 27, 2007.

Indian intelligence agencies say a new terror channel has emerged that begins in Pakistan, passes through Male in Maldives and then goes to the southern Indian cities that have direct flights to Male.
Siddharth Srivastava, Bomb attacks raise new Indian fears, Asia Times, August 28, 2007.

HUJI's violent past apart, several Bangladeshi officials express surprise at the Indian government's propensity to blame the group for terror acts even before these are investigated. It happened in Varanasi, it has again happened in Hyderabad.
Julfikar Ali Manik, Growth Of A Cancer, Outlook, September 10, 2007.

No one here is fooling themselves that some Bangladeshis spent days and nights plotting to kill Indian civilians in Hyderabad. Most people believe the origins of the ghastly act lie in the city itself.
Saikat Datta, Charminar's Curse, Outlook, September 10, 2007.

In many ways the sites targeted by terrorists in the second attack in the City in a little over three months were also symbols of co-existence—the Gokul Chat Bhandar, where 32 people were killed, situated in the Old City was popular with almost everyone and the Lumbini Park a proud Hyderabadi tourist attraction.
Johnson T A, Target Hyderabad, Indian Express, September 2, 2007.

Also See:
After every bomb blast or terrorist incident, security "experts," analysts and media channels repeat similar things that people accept as the gospel truth. However, I have many questions and doubts that need to be cleared before I can accept the explanations given by these "experts."
Nasiruddin Haider Khan, Some questions related to Muslims and India, India Muslims, August 31, 2007.

Major terror attacks in India - A Profile, IPCS.