Mahatma Gandhi's ashes immersed in Arabian sea

MUMBAI, Jan 30 (Agencies): The last known urn containing the ashes of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi was immersed in the Arabian Sea here this morning on the occasion of his 60th death anniversary.

Descendants of Gandhi, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Governor of Maharashtra S M Krishna and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra R R Patil were present at the ceremony held in South Mumbai this morning.

The Mumbai Police gave a ceremonial guard of honour prior to the immersion of the ashes at the historic Girgaum Chowpatty in South Mumbai.

After the immersion of ashes in rivers and oceans across the country following the assassination of the Father of the Nation in 1948, the last urn containing the ashes was kept at Mani Bhawan, where Gandhi lived while visiting the city.

This is the second instance in 60 years where an urn containing the ashes of Mahatma was found and later immersed.

In the first instance an urn was found in a bank locker in Bhubhaneshwar in 1997 and the ashes were immersed in Allahabad, Dhirubhai Mehta, head of the trust which maintains Mani Bhavan, said.

The urn at Mani Bhavan was donated by Bharat Narayan, a resident of Gujarat and grandson of industrialist Jamanalal Bajaj, who wanted the ashes to be preserved properly.

Militants attack private house of Congress MLA in Manipur IMPHAL, Jan 30 (Agencies): Unidentified militants attacked the private house of Congress MLA Govindas Konthoujam by opening several rounds of fire in interior Bishenpur district of Manipur, but no casualty was reported.

Official sources said today that some militants, who came in a car, fired at Konthoujam's house at Ningthoukhong area, about 40 kms south of here, last night and escaped under the cover of darkness.

The police said they recovered several empty cases of 9 mm ammunition from the spot and registered a case in this connection.

Konthoujam, a former water supply minister, was not present at the time of the incident because he stays at the official residence at Babupara VIP complex here.

The motive behind the incident was not immediately known.

Meeting to discuss poll-preparedness in Mizoram AIZAWL, Jan 30 (Agencies): Senior officials took part at a meeting on election-related in Mizoram where assembly polls are due in the later part of this year.

The meeting, chaired by Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Lalmalsawma, discussed change in polling stations in some districts for which nod from the Election Commission is being awaited.

As per the latest summary revision of the voters' lists, Mizoram will go to polls with an electorate of 5,97,639 which recorded an increase of voters by 2.85 per cent.

An estimated 83 per cent of the electorate had been covered by photo identity cards.

TN warns stern action against supporters of banned outfits CHENNAI, Jan 30 (Agencies): Under attack from its key ally Congress in the Tamil Nadu Assembly for 'failure' to rein in LTTE supporters, the DMK government today warned of stern action against those who speak in support of banned outfits.

"Any speech supporting the banned outfits or propagating their ideals is a crime under the Unlawful Prevention act and legal action will be taken against those who indulge in such acts," Law Minister Duraimurugan told the assembly today, without making a direct reference to the LTTE.

His statement assumes significance in the wake of the Congress demand for the arrest of Thol Tirumavalavan leader of the Viduthalai Chiruthigal Katchi (VCK), another DMK ally, for his speech at a public meeting recently, seeking revocation of the ban on LTTE.

Yesterday, Congress members walked out of the house, dissatisfied with the explanation offered by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on the LTTE issue.

The DMK is 22 seats short of a simple majority in the 234 member house.

The Congress, which has 35 members, is extending outside support.

Making a suo mato statement in the house today, Duraimurugan said a high level meeting, headed by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi was held at the Secretariat here in which finance minister K Anbazhagan.

Besides himself, Advocate General M Masilamani, Chief Secretary L K Tripathy and other top civil and police official were present.

The meeting discussed the possibilities of bringing a new act to prevent the activities of supporters of banned outfits, but it was decided that the action would be taken against those, who supported the banned organisations under the unlawful act prevention act, he said.

Yesterday Karunanidhi said in response to criticism from Congress members that he did not subscribe to Tirumavalavan's views and that it was a mistake on Tirumavalavan's part to criticise the Congress and AIADMK leader Jayalalitha.

But at the same time the Chief Minister quoted a Supreme Court judgement on a POTA case, saying a person could not be arrested for merely speaking in support of a banned organisation.

Karunanidhi had said he was even prepared to enact a law with legal experts to stop the activities of LTTE supporters.

Insurgents attack security post, no casualty reported IMPHAL, Jan 30 (Agencies): Rebels of the Manipur People's Army, armed wing of the United National Liberation Front, attacked a security post in interior Chandel district, but no casualty was reported.

Official reports said today that armed MPA insurgents fired at the security posts at Molcham and Khongjang bordering Myanmar yesterday.

The security personnel also returned the fire.

A UNLF spokesman told local media that security personnel, who had earlier opened posts at Old Somtal, Laijang and Chaljang - all border villages - have now vacated the area.

Official sources said that Assam Rifles and Army personnel, who had launched 'Operation Somtal Two' on November 18 last and concluded some days ago, had driven out MPA insurgents from border villages and were now loitering in the jungles of Myanmar border.