Obituary: Sir John Hermon
The longest-serving chief constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary during Northern Ireland's Troubles, Sir John Hermon, who has died aged 79, led the force through the 1980s - a decade of unrelenting terrorist violence. His time in the UK's toughest policing post was dominated by controversies over the supergrass system of informers, "shoot to kill" operations and the fury of loyalists denouncing the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement.Protestations by Hermon that he was an impartial upholder of law and order did not prevent republicans and civil rights campaigners from portraying him as the embodiment of the establishment, selectively bending security rules. Unionist leaders turned on him following the Hillsborough Accord as they attempted to suborn the police service.But Hermon was a forthright defender of his officers, having been steeped in the constabulary's embattled culture since his earliest professional life. In the ranks, he was known simply as "Jack" or "JC".Born in Larne, County Antrim, and educated locally, Hermon trained and worked as an accountant for four years until he joined the RUC in 1950. In 1963 he became the first RUC officer to attend what is now the Police Staff College, Bramshill in Hampshire. On his return, promotion was rapid. He was appointed district inspector and, in 1967, deputy commandant of the RUC training station in Enniskillen.By 1976, he had risen to deputy chief constable. Attachment to Scotland Yard in 1979 was a further sign of approval and he became chief constable the following year. His era opened with a sharp escalation in the level of IRA violence as H-Block hunger strikes further polarised the divided province.Hermon had little love for politicians, whom he blamed for tearing society apart. That distrust dated back to a critical incident in 1964 when the Rev Ian Paisley inflamed opinion over the presence of an Irish tricolour flag in republican west Belfast. The ensuing riot embittered relations between the police and nationalist community.Perceived by critics as an abrasive disciplinarian, Hermon fell out at times with both the Northern Ireland police authority and the Police Federation, which passed a motion of no confidence in him after he upbraided them for discussing revival of the disbanded B Specials. He was knighted in 1982.His reform of the RUC, which transformed it into a more independent force, shorn of its worst sectarian sympathies, enabled it to resist the onslaught of loyalist violence against officers and their homes in the aftermath of the Anglo-Irish Agreement. That resilience protected the developing political process.But it was the row over police "shoot-to-kill" operations in County Armagh during 1982 and the subsequent inquiry by the deputy chief constable of Manchester, John Stalker, that overshadowed his period in office. The two senior policemen clashed repeatedly. Stalker later claimed that during their first meeting Hermon sketched out Stalker's family tree on the back of a cigarette packet, highlighting the Irish Catholic ancestry on his mother's side - some of whom Stalker himself did not know.The Stalker Affair, which fuelled allegations of official cover-ups and conspiracies, degenerated into a vendetta between the chief constable and the media. Despite efforts to dissuade him, Hermon privately pursued three legal actions to clear his name.In 1984, Stalker had been appointed to investigate the shooting by police of six men - five of them republican suspects. He had striven to obtain access to a secret MI5 tape recording of one of the shootings. But he was abruptly removed from the inquiry and suspended for supposedly consorting with criminals - only to be reinstated three months later.Hermon was said to have tossed Stalker's report across the room in fury when he read the document. Stalker later revealed that, for five months, Hermon had refused to allow him to send a report, recommending the prosecution of a number of officers, to the director of public prosecutions.But he did not believe Hermon had been entirely responsible for the obstructions. "I think the architects of my removal were on this side of the water," he told a court in 1995.Hermon's well-publicised views on the work of the murdered Belfast lawyer Patrick Finucane, shot dead by loyalists in 1989, added to his unpopularity with the civil rights lobby. The chief constable later insisted: "Pat Finucane was associated with the IRA and he used his position as a lawyer to act as a contact between suspects in custody and republicans on the outside."Hermon was ahead of his time in calling for the police to renounce their powers to adjudicate on parades during the annual marching season. In 1986, following violence in Portadown, he reported: "Unless parading organisations face the reality that population changes can result in areas once receptive becoming hostile, then the public order tasks of the RUC will become increasingly difficult."According to his autobiography, Holding the Line 1997, he left his bomb-proof office in east Belfast disillusioned. The appointment of his successor, Sir Hugh Annesley, commended as a team player, was seen as a reproach to his style of leadership.On retirement in June 1989, he became a consultant to Securicor. His first wife, Jean, had died from cancer, but he subsequently married Sylvia Paisley, a law lecturer at Queen's University. They had met after she wrote a paper criticising his refusal to allow women officers to carry firearms.In 2001, she was persuaded to stand as the Ulster Unionist Party candidate for North Down. She held the seat again in 2005, becoming the sole UUP representative at Westminster. Lady Hermon declined, however, to lead the party because her husband was suffering from Alzheimer's disease: she felt she could not "let him down in his hour of need". She survives her husband, as do two sons from their marriage, and a son and a daughter from Hermon's first marriage.Northern IrelandPoliceNorthern Irish politicsguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2008 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
2008-11-08 02:21:40Protesters alleging torture lay siege on West Bengal police station
NAT90National/Terrorism/CrimeProtesters alleging torture lay siege on West Bengal police stationKolkata, Nov 7 IANS Irate locals lay siege Friday to a West Bengal police station and blocked roads in West Midnapore district protesting against alleged torture and arrest of "innocent" students following Sunday's landmine blast.The blast was triggered by suspected Maoist ultras on the convoy of two union ministers and West Bengal Chief Minister Budhhadeb Bhattacharjee. "About two to three hundred locals staged a demonstration at the Lalgarh police station demanding release of three arrested students," state Inspector General of police Law and Order Raj Kanojia told IANS here."We have arrested three people for creating disturbances," Kanojia said.Reports from the district claimed that the angry protesters have disconnected the power supply in the area and dug roads, but the police did not confirm this."Police are beating us mercilessly. They are raiding our villages at all odd hours. We are very scared," a middle aged woman told reporters at Lalgarh. "The road blocks have been organised against the police brutalities," said a protester in the area.Meanwhile, the three students were released on bail after furnishing personal bonds of Rs.300 each. Three others - including a school teacher and a public phone booth owner - suspected to be Maoist linkmen, have been remanded to police custody by the magistrate.Bhattacharjee and central ministers Ram Vilas Paswan and Jitin Prasada had a narrow escape in the blast, which occurred as they were returning after groundbreaking ceremony of the JSW Bengal Steel project in Salboni.Six policemen in Paswan's pilot vehicle were injured in the blast near the Kalaichandi culvert at Bhadutala, three kilometers from Midnapore town. Police are on the lookout for Karan Hembram who they said was the brain behind the blast. The administration, on a tizzy after the incident, is holding hectic meetings to beef up the security of the chief minister and other ministers. --Indo-Asian News Servicessp/sk/vt348 Words07112228
2008-11-07 12:09:11Cablevision sends us a little scare package
Cablevision is using subtle scare tactics to gain subscribers in a commercial that uses a federally mandated switch to digital TV transmission for local stations as a tease to get people...
2008-11-07 12:00:00Chhattisgarh Congress candidate named for bribing voters Lead
NAT64National/Politics/Elections/CrimeChhattisgarh Congress candidate named for bribing voters LeadRaipur, Nov 7 IANS The police Friday filed a case against senior Congress leader Mahendra Karma, who is contesting from Dantewada in Chhattisgarh, for allegedly offering cash for votes for the Nov 14 polls. Karma denied bribing voters, saying he was only "paying people" hired for election work.The FIR was lodged at Dantewada police station on the instruction of district election officer S.P. Sori."We have taken a suo motu cognizance of a media report that he tried to bribe some voters. The FIR has been registered under Section 171d of the Indian Penal Code and section 123 1 of Representation of the People Act," Sori told IANS by phone.He said that the police would probe the case and take appropriate action soon.Karma, a former minister, is Leader of Opposition in the outgoing state assembly. He is seeking re-election from Dantewada seat and hoping to make it a hat-trick from one of the most insurgency-hit seats in the state. Meanwhile, Karma said he was "paying money to persons hired for banners and posters for election work, not for votes as claimed in the media". The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party BJP has refused to comment on the matter, saying it was "studying the issue". But Manish Kunjam, a senior Communist Party of India state-level leader and party candidate contesting against Karma, said: "I have asked the Election Commission to always keep a person around Karma as he is distributing cash in several villages as a last hope to win the seat, which he is set to lose."--Indo-Asian News Service suj/rn/vt289 Words*07111934
2008-11-07 09:00:00Man wanted in nearly two dozen cases arrested in Uttar Pradesh
NAT57National/CrimeMan wanted in nearly two dozen cases arrested in Uttar PradeshLucknow, Nov 7 IANS A man who was wanted in nearly two dozen criminal cases and was absconding for the last 15 years was arrested in Uttar Pradesh's Kanshi Ram district after a shootout and a gun and several live cartridges were seized from him, the police said Friday. "Acting on a tip-off, we arrested Chandra Pal in Sahavarpur town in Kanshi Ram district," police inspector Ratendra Singh told IANS over phone.With nearly 24 criminal cases pending against him in different police stations of the state, Pal was arrested Thursday night after a shootout on Bodar road, he said. Kanshi Ram district is about 350 km from here.Pal was also involved in criminal activities in neighbouring states, including Uttaranchal and Madhya Pradesh, the police alleged. --Indo-Asian News Serviceasit/rd/jg142 Words07111917
2008-11-07 09:00:00For want of jobs, boys opt to become eunuchs for living
By Shafqat AliGirl thrown to dogs, killedA 17-year old married girl was left to fight several hungry dogs in Pakistan’s Khairpur district late in the month of October. After, the dogs had brutalised her, she was shot several times to finally end her life.The eight-month pregnant Taslim Solangi was first forced to give birth to her baby prematurely before the cruel act.The baby was immediately thrown into the nearby Ubhal Wah canal after her killer father-in-law passed a judgement that the child was illegitimate and did not deserve to be allowed to live. The decision to eliminate her was taken by her father-in-law Zamir Solangi, she was taken to a local midwife Mrs Badshaan alias Baashi for forced delivery of the child. Soon after the delivery, the baby was thrown into the nearby canal and later the mother was put to death.Before the girl was put to death, she was staying at her parents’ place. Her father-in-law Zamir Solangi after taking the girl to his home, completed the inhuman act.Zamir Solangi had earlier forced his son Ibrahim Solangi to declare that his wife was aali having illicit relations with somebody.According to police, Solangi asked his son it was better that he confessed to the police that he had killed his wife for being aali as it would be easy at the later stage to get him out of jail after some compromise, as it happens in the cases of honour killing. Ibrahim Solangi went to the police station and confessed to have killed his wife in the name of honour.Pakistani boys turning eunuchsMany Pakistani boys are opting to become eunuchs to earn their living, thanks to the growing unemployment and economic crises. "The boys are opting to become eunuch, as they are unable to get any jobs after their studies. They are becoming eunuch because they cannot commit any crime or harm anyone, and that is the most harmless way to earn their living," says a local Non-Govermental Organisation NGO, working for the issue. "Some of them are getting themselves operated in the cheap clinics and lose their manhood. They say that it’s impossible for them to get married, so why keep the manhood and die hungry", the NGO report says.At present, there are 1,050,427 eunuchs in the country. Some 2,020,12 of the total are the eunuchs by birth, while 6,020,00 are fake eunuchs and 2,30,101 are the operated eunuchs.The man-turned-eunuchs say that by becoming eunuchs, they are earning satisfactorily. They dance in the wedding ceremonies and other functions. They also don’t have to worry about taxes anymore.Pakistani Hindus celebrate DiwaliThe small Pakistani Hindu community recently celebrated Diwali Festival of Lights. They arranged special rituals and programmes to observe one of the most sacred events of the Hindus.The Hindus and Diwali participants lit special lamps diya at their homes and worship places to mark the day. The Diwali spirit seemed to have survived the global financial crisis with the Hindus splurging on luxury sweets, lamps and gifts and getting together to celebrate the festival of lights. The shopping centres were swamped by the Hindu families. As the shoppers piled everything from clay lamps and fireworks to sweetmeats and fancy lighting into their cars, shopkeepers rubbed their hands in glee.Quake survivors wait for aidA powerful earthquake in Pakistan’s Ziarat district on October 29 left over 300 dead and scores of others homeless. The surviving villagers wait for aid in freezing conditions after the 6.4 magnitude quake flattened mud-brick houses and triggered landslides.International and Pakistani agencies are struggling to get help to survivors who are mostly spending nights in the open, with rescuers discovering more victims as they reached remote villages that had still not seen any aid. Officials said at least 6,000 and possibly twice as many had been made homeless.Coup General diesFormer Rawalpindi Corp Commander, Lt. General retd. Jamshed Gulzar Kayani, who led the coup in October 1999 to dislodge Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government died on November 1. General Kayani had held several posts and when former President Pervez Musharraf assumed power in 1999. He was Rawalpindi Corps Commander when the elected government was removed and it was under his supervision that all the operation was completed.Following the retirement, he was made the chief of Public Service Commission and it was during this period he had developed some differences with Pervez Musharraf. He later resigned.General Kayani had made some startling disclosures relating to Kargil fiasco. He told a television channel in June that the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif did not know anything about the Kargil episode and the then army chief was the sole man in-charge. "He Nawaz Sharif was never thoroughly briefed on the same. I support holding of a probe into the Kargil fiasco. I had briefed Nawaz Sharif and told him that it was a very sensitive issue and he could not unveil all the details to him. He was only apprised of the ongoing situation. Nawaz time and again asked about the truth from senior officials including Sartaj Aziz who was the foreign minister. He also tried to persuade the chief of army staff Mr Musharraf", said the late General. The statement created a storm and the then President Musharraf came out in the public to rebuke General Kayani.The war of waterPakistan, these days, is furious with India for not releasing enough water from Chenab river which is badly affecting the agriculture sector. Indus Water Commissioner IWC Jamaat Ali Shah says that India had failed to provide the required data to Pakistan about water storage and release of the Baglihar Dam.Pakistan has the right to claim compensation amount from India for the losses, which it faced due to water shortage, the Indus Water Commissioner said and hoped that India would abide by the Indus Water Treaty.ÂÂ
2008-11-06 09:12:33Liddy: Obama concentration camp will serve "ham hocks and turnip greens"
On the November 4 broadcast of his nationally syndicatedradio program, G. Gordon Liddy spoke to a caller who stated: "I'mready to go to the concentration camp...
2008-11-06 03:07:36Seven West Bengal police officials served notices for security lapses
NAT76National/CrimeSeven West Bengal police officials served notices for security lapsesKolkata, Nov 5 IANS The West Bengal government Wednesday issued notices to seven police officials for security lapses during Sunday's landmine blast that targeted Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and two union ministers, the police said."Two district deputy superintendent of police, a district intelligence officer, the sub-divisional police officer SDPO, the officer-in-charge of Salboni police station, the circle inspector and one additional police superintendent have been issued notices," Inspector General of Police Raj Kanojia told reporters here. "Explanation has been sought regarding their negligence in supervising the security set up Sunday at Salboni," he said.Bhattacharjee and central ministers Ram Vilas Paswan and Jitin Prasada had a narrow escape in the landmine blast, which occurred near a culvert as they were returning after the groundbreaking ceremony of the JSW Bengal Steel project in Salboni.Six policemen in Paswan's pilot car were injured in the blast.--Indo-Asian News Servicebs/vdm/vt160 Words05112012
2008-11-05 12:03:11Man charged after heroin seizure
A 36-year-old man is charged with drug offences after heroin is recovered at a Tyneside service station.
2008-11-05 07:00:00Client shoots sex worker dead, kills himself
NAT34National/CrimeClient shoots sex worker dead, kills himselfKolkata, Nov 5 IANS A man who used to visit a sex worker regularly shot her dead before killing himself at her residence in the city's largest red-light district of Sonagachi, police said Wednesday. The incident took place in the north Kolkata area under the jurisdiction of Battala police station. "Shika Singh was shot dead by Dilip Patihar early Wednesday at her residence at Sonagachi. After shooting Singh, Patihar shot himself in the head. Police recovered both bodies from Singh's bedroom," Deputy Commissioner north P.K. Ghosh told reporters. According to police, Patihar, a plastic dealer from Howrah town, used to visit Singh regularly. "Neighbours heard a heated altercation between the two late Tuesday night over Singh's pregnancy. They also heard some loud sounds, but didn't pay attention," said a senior police officer of Battala police station.Police said around 4 a.m. Wednesday Patihar shot Singh in the chest and then shot himself. "Singh's neighbour Tara sent a boy to call her for breakfast in the morning. He found both the bodies lying in a pool of blood," police said. --Indo-Asian News Servicebs/pg/jg213 Words05111613
2008-11-05 07:00:00
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