RAILWAY SAMACHAR

SC refuses to extend stay against transfer of Godhra case

New Delhi : Tuesday, Feb 24 2009 : The Supreme Court today refused to extend the stay granted by the Gujarat High Court against transfer of cases from POTA court to the sessions court in the February 2002 Godhra train carnage in which 59 kar sevaks were killed and 200o thers injured. A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices P. Sathasivam and J M Panchal, however, fixed March six for hearing of the petition challenging the High Court judgement upholding the recommendations of POTA review committee appointed by the Centre for reviewing all POTA cases in Gujarat. The Supreme Court in December last had directed that POTA charges will bedropped against all the accused as per the recommendations of the committee. The apex court had also directed that cases of all such accused shall be transferred from special POTA court to sessions court for their trial under the sections of IPC. Gujarat High Court had however stayed the transfer of such cases from POTA courtfor 15 days and the deadline is expiring on February 26 due to which thepetition was mentioned today before the Supreme Court for urgent hearing. With today's order, POTA cases can be transferred to sessions court with effect from February 27. POTA charges were dropped against 116 accused.

Guvernor dedicates toy train to Arunachalees

Itanagar : Tuesday, Feb 24 2009 : Much to the jubilation of kids of the capital city, Arunachal Pradesh Governor Gen. (Retd) J J Singh today dedicated the first toy train to the people of the state at Nyokum Lapang festival ground here.He also switched on the public highmast lighting system installed in thefestival ground on the occasion.The Governor had conceived the idea of converting the Nyokum Lapang ground intoa full-fledged children's park, with the toy train running in the outer circumference. In his address, Gen Singh said the project was a symbolic reflection of the future that would connect the state capital both by air and rail. ''We can take pride in having the first toy train in the entire north-east, which is like a dream come true,'' he added. While extending gratitude to the people involved in installation of the toy train, the Governor lauded the central Nyokum Committee led by former Rajya Sabha member Nabum Rebia and his secretary Vijay Sonam. ''It is their untiringco-operation that we have accomplished our mission. The role played by the Indian Army, the state PWD, the district administration and all other members ofthe Nyishi community are indeed praiseworthy,'' he said.The Governor also took a ride of the toy train. Exhorting the people tocontribute their share of hard work and dedication, Gen Singh said he was confident that 'Team Arunachal' would rise to face every challenge and give its people a pride of place in the country.Earlier, the Governor hoisted the flag to mark the beginning of Nyokum Yullo festival of the Nyishi tribe.