ATS practising inhuman methods on Malegaon suspects: Thackeray

Wed, Nov 12 12:58 PM

Pune, Nov 12 (PTI) After declaring his intention to defend 'sadhvi' Pragya Thakur, an accused in Malegaon blasts, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray today charged the state Anti-Terrorism Squad with torturing the suspects in the case and trampling upon human rights. "On the pretext of investigation, the ATS officials are riding roughshod adopting arbitrary methods while dealing with the suspects.

If a similar posture was adopted in case of Muslim suspects, the likes of Gurudas Kamat (Congress campaign committee chief in Mumbai) would have raised a hue and cry on violation of human rights," Thackeray said in the editorial of party mouthpiece 'Saamana'. Taking strong exception to the investigating methods of Maharashtra ATS, Thackeray alleged that a telecom engineer picked up by the squad for interrogation was subjected to third degree treatment, paraded in public and later let off.

"The ATS officials are dancing to the tune of government indulging in Muslim appeasement. No offence has so far been proved against any of the accused booked in the Malegaon bomb blast case.

But the tone and tenor of the investigation shows that the ATS has already made up its mind to convict and hang Lt Colonel Purohit." Thackeray said the ATS should also find out the source of money that flows from foreign countries to finance Muslim terrorists in India.

PTI.

US-India strategic relationship 'very important', Obama tells PM

Wed, Nov 12 10:42 AM

New Delhi, Nov 12 (IANS) The new US administration would like to work with India on all global issues, US president-elect Barack Obama said in an early morning phone call to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday.

While Manmohan Singh said Obama's victory was a source of inspiration for oppressed people, the US president-to-be praised his contribution to India's progress, first as a finance minister and now as prime minister, said an official in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

'The US-India strategic relationship is a very important partnership,' an official quoted Obama as saying.

'The new administration wants to work with India on all global issues,' Obama added in his phone call.

Manmohan Singh, according to the PMO official, said India-US relations were very good but 'we couldn't be satisfied with the status quo'.

He also wished Obama success in dealing with the new challenges that he faces and invited him and his wife Michelle to visit India.

Just a day earlier, while returning from a two nation visit to the Gulf, Manmohan Singh had said that Obama had wanted to talk to him a couple of days earlier but could not establish contact since he was travelling.

Soon after his victory, Obama had called 15 world leaders, including Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.