Panama City - Carlos Bares, the chief of Panama's national police told reporters that officials had arrested Arcangel de Jesus Henao Montoya, a top drug lord, along with some others (number not known), in the southern city of Torti, remote part of southern Panama. "This is a significant achievement in the fight against drug trafficking," Mr. Bares said. In December, the police captured Juan Carlos Montoya, another senior member of the cartel and brother to the alleged leader, Diego Leon Montoya. Both are wanted in the United States.

The Hindu - January 12, 2004.

Implement Police Commission Report: NHRC

New Delhi - December 29, 2003 - The National Human Rights Commission has urged the Central and State Governments to implement the recommendations of the National Police Commission to ensure independence of the police in the investigation of crimes. In its report for 2001 and 2002, the NHRC pointed out that the Police Commission's recommendations had not been acted upon and were pending with the Centre despite the best efforts of the NHRC to have the report implemented. In response, the Centre had informed the Commission that 'Police' being a State subject, the Centre at best could lead and give guidance. The Centre had also said that "crucial recommendations of the Police Commission relating to constitution of State Security Commission / selection of Director-General of Police, insulation of investigation from undue pressure etc. could not be implemented." The Commission said there was an urgent need for the State Governments to set up a credible mechanism for selection of police chiefs and the Centre must pursue the matter with the States. "It is shocking to hear, a matter of common knowledge, that in some States the tenure of Superintendent of Police is on an average only a few months and transfers are made for whimsical reasons. Apart from demoralizing the police force, it has also the adverse effect of politicizing the personnel." "The rot that has set in must be cured if the rule of law is to prevail," the report added.

The Hindu - December 30, 2003.

Fake Osama gets Past UK Security

London - January 18, 2004 - An undercover executive breezed through security at three British airports with a fake boarding pass in the name of prime terror suspect Osama bin Laden, by mingling with passengers. Each time the former security official proffered a forged British Airways card clearly showing the name of the world's most wanted man and sailed through checks. An airport security worker who was shown the pass simply said: "Have a nice flight, sir." The ease of the 42-year old's operation to expose the appalling security will shock British security officials.

The Asian Age - January 19, 2004

Terror's new haven: Bangla hosts nearly 200 camps

New Delhi - January 20, 2004 - New Delhi has identified 194 terrorist camps of various sizes in Bangladesh. Thirteen Indian insurgent groups are operating in Bangladesh and the total number of "hardcore" ultras are believed o be between 1470 and 1650. The ULFA, NSCN-IM, National Liberation Front of Tripura-B and All Tripura Tiger Force have the biggest presence - ULFA 200-250 and NSCN-IM 300-350 personnel. While these camps have been identified by India, there have been reports about the presence of Taliban and Al-Qaeda in Bangladesh. Officials said many Bangladeshis were also being trained there.

The Statesman - January 21, 2004.

LTTE recruited 700 children, says Unicef

Columbia - January 22, 2004 - More than 700 children, between the age of 10 and 15 years, were recruited as soldiers by Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels last year despite a ceasefire in the island's ethnic war, the UN children's agency said on Thursday. The issue is considered a litmus test of the sincerity of the LTTE. Unicef said the action plan had put systems in place to help children in the north and east areas badly ravaged by the war that has killed 64,000. The report said, "the LTTE must cease all recruitment of children."

The Asian Age - January 23, 2004.

Beant 'killers' burrow out of Burail jail

Chandigarh - In a daring jail-break, three (out of 9 being tried for the murder of former Punjab Chief Minister, Beant Singh) dreaded terrorists escaped from the high-security Burail prison by digging a 94-foot long and 14-foot deep tunnel, near the watch tower. The tunnel crossed three walls which had deep foundations. They used to dispose of the dug-out earth in two toilets attached to their cell and kept the taps running to flush the mud away. Five jail officials, including a deputy superintendent have been arrested in this connection.

Hindustan Times - January 23, 2004.

Notice to Centre on plea against CVC Act

New Delhi - January 23, 2004 - The Supreme Court today issued notice to the Central Government on a public interest litigation petition seeking stay of the "Single Directive" in the Central Vigilance Commission Act, under which the Central Bureau of Investigation is required to seek the Centre's prior approval for embarking on any enquiry or investigation against senior bureaucrats. The Court asked the Centre to file its response in four weeks and rejoinder, if any, by the petitioner in two weeks. The petitioner said the reintroduction of the "Single Directive", quashed earlier by the Supreme Court in the 'Vineet Narain case', was violative of the fundamental rights of citizens and derogative of the rule of law and hence liable to be quashed.

The Hindu - January 24, 2004.

Food for Thought

"The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible."

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Friendship consists in forgetting what one gives and remembering what one receives.

Alexandre Dumas the Younger
(1824-1895, French Writer)

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"You will never get a second chance to make a first good impression."