Opposition calls for Tamil Nadu 'bandh' over police killings

Opposition parties on Thursday called for a 'Tamil Nadu bandh' on Friday and sought the resignation of the "BJP's puppet government" in the state over the death of 13 people in police firing in protests against the Sterlite company in Thoothukudi.

DMK leader Kanimozhi accused the Modi government of remote-controlling the Tamil Nadu government and alleged that the Sterlite factory was able to thrive because of the support it received from the central and state governments.

It is important to know who ordered the police firing that killed 13 protesters in Thoothukudi town, the MP said.

The police action followed mass protests against the factory that locals say was depleting the water table in the region and also causing health hazards.

Thoothukudi's new Collector Sandeep Nanduri said that since the government had ordered an inquiry committee to probe the various incidents, it would be improper for him to comment on the issue.

BSNL offer: Recharge with Rs 98, get 1.5GB data per day: What you must know

Taking on Reliance Jio, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has launched 'Data Tsunami' offer, under which users will get 1.5GB data per day for a period of 26 days with a charge of Rs 98. The state operator has also upped the FUP limit for its Rs 4,999 FTTH plan to stay put in the fibre connectivity competition. "BSNL provides efficient services at cheaper rates as per requirement of customers. This is a pure data STV which provides at a very economic rate at Rs 2.51 per GB," said RK Mittal, Director (CM), BSNL Board, in a press statement.

All you need to know about BSNL's 'Data Tsunami' offer
BSNL 1.5GB data per day pack
The new offer comes through the new data STV-98 pack that is available with immediate effect across all BSNL circles in India. Users will get 1.5GB data per day for a period of 26 days with a charge of Rs 98. With the fresh benefits that are available through the Rs 98 pack, BSNL is offering data at Rs 2.51 per GB. This is lower than what Jio is offering with its Rs 149 pack that has a validity of 28 days and offers 1.5GB data per day - which eventually costs Rs 3.5 per GB. Airtel also has a similar Rs 149 pack that brings the data benefits close to Rs 5.3 per GB. However, both Jio and Airtel are providing unlimited voice calls and 100 SMS messages per day that you won't get on the Rs. 98 BSNL pack. This Rs 98 pack offers only data, unlike the Rs 118 pack.

Dawood aide Takla deported by UAE, back in India: Why his return matters

Dawood Ibrahim's aide Yasin Mansoor Mohamed Farooq, alias Farooq Takla, wanted in the 1993 Mumbai blasts, was brought to India on Thursday after being deported from Dubai. According to the Interpol, the charges against him include criminal conspiracy, murder, attempt to murder, and voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means, among others.

He will be produced before a TADA court in Mumbai on Thursday, according to news agencies. Takla, against whom a Red Corner Notice was issued in 1995, had fled from India after the 1993 Mumbai blasts. At present, he is being questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
In what was described as a "big diplomatic win" for India by a news channel, Takla was deported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The Mumbai blast of March 12, 1993, resulted in 257 fatalities and over 700 were injured. The attacks were planned by Dawood Ibrahim, India's 'most wanted' fugitive, who also has his name prominently figuring on the 'most wanted' lists of the US and the Interpol.

1993 Mumbai blasts: Abu Salem gets life term, 2 others get death sentence

Extradited gangster Abu Salem was on Thursday sentenced to life imprisonment by a Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (TADA) court in Mumbai in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case.

Special Judge G A Sanap pronounced the death verdicts on convicts Mohammed Taher Merchant and Feroze Khan for their role in the blasts, said Special Public Prosecutor Deepak Salve.

Besides Salem, the special court awarded life sentence to Karimullah Khan and 10 years rigorous imprisonment to Riyaz Siddiqui.

The Special Judge also slapped varying amounts of fines on the convicts after finding them guilty on various charges, including murder, conspiracy to hatch the blasts, supplying arms and ammunition, and other serious offences, Salve told media-persons after the ruling.

A special TADA court had in June convicted six persons, including mastermind Mustafa Dossa and Salem, in the blasts case, 24 years after the attacks left 257 people dead in the country's financial capital.

It, however, let off accused Abdul Quayyum for want of evidence.
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