Heroin smugglers caught by DRI

Friday, 04 July 2008
Based on intelligence reports officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Bangalore, intercepted two passengers, viz., Ms. Khaektet Thitaree, a Thai National, aged 23 years and Mr. Mwinshehe Shabani Selemani, a Tanzanian National, aged 36 years, while they were attempting to smuggle out Heroin through the Bengaluru International Airport during the wee hours of July 2, 2008. Ms. Khaektet Thitaree, who is a Thai National was intercepted while she was about to board the Malaysian Airlines Flight No. MH 0193 at 00.50 hrs on July 2, 2008. The examination of her two checked-in baggage resulted in the recovery of 2080 grams of Heroin concealed in the false bottom of the baggage. The contraband valued at Rs.7 crores approximately at International Market was seized. She actually travelled from New Delhi to Bangalore by Jetlite flight on July 1, 2008, and reached Bangalore on 21.25 hrs and was taking the connecting flight to Kuala Lumpur at 00.50 hrs on July 2, 2008. On interrogation, she further stated that she is a student and has come to India for a short visit. She carried the baggage containing Narcotic Drugs for a remuneration of USD 2000 and a free flight ticket as promised by some persons whom she met during her stay at Delhi. Later she was arrested under the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and was produced before the Magistrate, who remanded her for Judicial Custody.
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Rs.85 billion central grant sought for Bangalore

Thursday, 03 July 2008
Karnataka Wednesday sought a special package of Rs.85 billion (Rs.8,500 crore) from the central government to meet the infrastructure needs of Bangalore. The state’s request for the huge assistance was made to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi by Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, who led a delegation of ministers, representatives of small parties and leading Kannada writers. The Congress and the Janata Dal-Secular did not join the delegation as the main purpose of its visit to New Delhi was to raise the issue of alleged central government’s failure to meet the state’s fertilizer needs.
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Dont Penalise Clients - Sex Workers

Wednesday, 02 July 2008

Over 500 sex workers, both male and female, took part in a mammoth two-hour rally in Bangalore City on Tuesday evening to protest against the changes incorporated in the Immoral Traffic Prevention Amendment Bill 2006.

A major grouse voiced out by the sex workers was the move to penalise their clients for they feared it would result in a deathblow to their livelihood.

“Our children and parents are financially dependent on us” said Guru Kiran, a volunteer of the Karnataka Sex Workers Union.

Any move made to penalise clients would also ensure that the sex business goes underground. “It would result in an increase in incidence of HIV as it would be very difficult for us to distribute condoms openly as is being done now,” Kiran said.

Bangalore heading for fuel shortage

Wednesday, 02 July 2008
Is the city heading towards a dry-out scenario? It is already facing a fuel shortage of 30%. Plus oil companies have "unofficially" asked bunk owners to go slow on "regular" petrol/diesel and focus on "premium" products. The rationing has started and regular petrol is out of stock, say many consumers. Confirming the shortage, Bhushan Narang, president, Bangalore Petroleum Dealers' Association and Akhila Karnataka Petroleum Dealers' Association, said: "The reason is purely economical. Oil companies are unable to source sufficient quantity of oil. This has led to a 30% decline in supply, while the demand for fuel is growing day by day. It's a matter of time before the shortage scenario turns worse in the city and across the country. This could be avoided if the government revises prices."
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Indian activists march in Delhi, Bangalore and Kolkata

Monday, 30 June 2008
More than a thousand people took to the streets of three major Indian cities to celebrate Pride this weekend. The largest turnout was in Bangalore, where 600 people marched. An estimated 300 LGBT people took part in New Delhi's first ever Pride parade, while 400 marched in Kolkata. Fears that the events would be targeted by religious groups proved to be unfounded. Some participants wore masks to protect their identities in a country where homosexual acts are illegal. "More of the youth are coming out to join groups of gays and lesbians in the city. Others said they were moved that the watching crowds had welcomed them.
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