Net policing comes to India

Mumbai - The Government of India has outlined an official procedure for blocking websites. "This is the first formal step towards Internet censorship in Indian law," warns Somasekhar Sundaresan, a lawyer who specializes in technology issues. Interestingly, the Information Technology Act, 2000, only provides for the blocking of pornographic websites and the monitoring of websites which endanger public order, the integrity and security of the nation and relations with other countries. According to the order, various agencies - including central and state home departments, the courts, CBI, IB, police and the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission - can submit a complaint to the director of Cert.In. a new organization which has been set up by the government to address IT security issues. This will then be examined by a committee comprising bureaucrats from Cert.In., the department of Information and Technology and the Law or Home ministries.

The Times of India - August 1, 2003

Russia builds world's deepest submarine

Moscow - August 10, 2003 - Russia has built the world's deepest and most silent nuclear submarine. It is a top secret project and few details are available about its characteristics apart from the fact that it can sail at a depth of over 6,000 meters and is the most silent and hard-to-detect submarine in the Russian Navy. The new submarine is designed for "special operations" and can also rescue crews of other submarines at great depths. Two years ago the Russian Navy inducted its first nuclear submarine, Gepard (Cheetah in Russian), after the break-up of the Soviet Union, and embarked on the rearmament of older submarines with the new long-range nuclear missile, Bulava-30.

The Hindu - August 11, 2003.

Delhi Police Advisory: Let's Fight Terror Together

Identifying a Terrorist -

By Clothes unsuited for the time of the year e.g., wearing a coat or jacket in summer; a person trying to blend with his surroundings by his dress and behaviour, though he doesn't belong to the group; anything protruding unnaturally under his clothings as these could be arms or explosives.

Identifying a suspicious vehicle -

License plate looks 'improved' or mismatched (different front and back plates); a vehicle parked suspiciously for a prolonged time in a central place or in a no-parking area; the vehicle's rear part sags noticeably.

In case you suspect something -

Call 100 at once and give as many details as possible about the suspect or the vehicle; while giving information to the police on telephone number 100, try to keep an eye on the suspect of vehicle from a safe distance; wait for the arrival of police force.

During a Terrorist Attack -

Leave the site immediately, moving to an open space or a protected area; avoid as best you can, proximity to tall buildings, glass windows and vehicles; obey police instructions.

As soon as incident is over -

If police have not arrived yet, call 100 immediately; follow instructions of police and rescue teams; do not form or join a crowd; leave the area immediately, there may be additional explosives planted around; make way for rescue vehicles; observe your surroundings and report to the police immediately any suspects or additional explosives charges; if you have any information that may help apprehend suspects or locate a vehicle involved, report to the police.

You can help: -

Satisfy yourself about the bonafides of both parties, particularly the buyer before finalizing the deal and more so if the buyer is from outside Delhi; by insisting on identification documents, photocopies of which should be retained by you; by being particularly careful while organizing a deal involving Ambassador cars and motorcycles as they are most likely to be used for terrorist incidents.
If you are a landlord or a property dealer -

By not letting your premises without satisfying yourself about the antecedents of the tenant; by reporting to the nearest police station or 100 about any suspicious person trying to rent out premises.

If you own a guest house, lodge or a hotel -

By insisting on identification documents before giving a room to a guest; by reporting to the nearest police.

Every common citizen can help -

By reporting unclaimed hand bags, packets or other objects to the Police Control Room or 100; by reporting about suspicious persons.

Hindustan Times - August 27, 2003

Our Comment:

: IISSM thanks Delhi Police for issuing such an educative Advisory.

: We shall urge them to keep it up on as many fronts as possible.

: IISSM pledges its support to them in such ventures.

---------------

Food for Thoughts

"Real leaders are ordinary people with extraordinary determination."

***

"Every job done is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Autograph your work with excellence."

***

Some people dream of success... while others wake up and work hard at it. "