Lalgarh revolt rows, Centre asks LF to act

Lalgarh, which has been a CPI(M) bastion for almost 30 years, continued to burn on Wednesday as the much-awaited Central forces were unable to flush armed Maoist cadres out of the so-called "liberated zone" in West Midnapore district of West Bengal.

Mobs allegedly led by Maoists went on a killing spree in neighbouring Jhargram, slaughtering three CPI(M) cadres. West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattcharjee is expected to discuss the situation with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday.

As violence escalated in the state, under Marxist rule for three decades, Union home minister P. Chidambaram said it was time the state administration took action. The Centre said while paramilitary forces might provide a supporting role, it was primarily the job of the state police to tackle the situation in Lalgarh.

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Obama seeks a new beginning with Islam

Quoting from the Quran for emphasis, US President Barack Obama on Thursday called for a “new beginning between the United States and Muslims” and said that together, they could confront violent extremism across the globe and advance the timeless search for peace in West Asia.

“This cycle of suspicion and discord must end,” Mr Obama said in a widely anticipated speech in one of the world’s largest Muslim countries, an address designed to reframe relations after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the US-led war in Iraq.

The White House said Mr Obama’s speech contained no new policy proposals on West Asia. He said American ties with Israel are unbreakable, yet issued a firm, even handed call to the Jewish state and Palestinians alike to live up to their international obligations.

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Lalu warns Mumbai: Stop, or I’ll halt trains

In a veiled threat to the Maharashtra government over continuing violence against North Indians in Mumbai, railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav on Wednesday virtually “threatened” to seriously consider stopping train services in parts of the state.

“The railways are a soft target for any kind of protesters as it easy to attack our property. It is the responsibility of the state government to protect rail assets. We will seriously consider blocking services to violence-affected parts of Maharashtra if the violence continues,” he said.

Railway ministry sources said train services were halted in parts of Bihar too following widespread attacks on railway property recently, but political watchers said Mr Yadav’s remarks were a “clear warning” to Maharashtra.

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