Terming the BJP as a party certified by Pakistan's spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the Congress on Friday demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the ISI-linked espionage ring busted in Madhya Pradesh.

The Congress said there should be a probe into the alleged BJP-ISI links as three of 11 persons arrested in Madhya Pradesh had alleged links with the ruling party.

The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Thursday busted an espionage ring in Bhopal and arrested 11 persons allegedly working for the ISI and passing sensitive information of strategic importance across the border.

The ATS also unearthed several clandestine telephone exchanges, thousands of SIM cards and a large number of mobile phones used for establishing contact with ISI officials.

"The spy network has passed sensitive and strategic information to the ISI and other agencies in Pakistan. When they were caught, it was revealed that the network has spread nationwide. Telephone exchanges have been established in four big cities.

The links of these anti-national elements have been found with the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the first political party in the world to become an ISI-certified party. This is the true face and character of the BJP," said senior Congress spokesperson Jyotiraditya Scindia.

"The inquiry and investigation into the matter should be handed over to the CBI and the Supreme Court should monitor the probe. The BJP has compromised with the national security. There can't be any kind of compromise on the internal security of the country," he said.

According to Scindia, at least three of the 11 arrested were associated with the BJP.

"Dhruv Saxena, who was caught from Bhopal, was a member of BJP's IT cell and Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha. He also had strong links with many BJP leaders. There are pictures of him with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP's national General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya," said Scindia.

"Jitendra Singh, who was arrested from Gwalior, also has close links with many BJP leaders.

Balram Singh, who is associated with the Bajrang Dal, is the mastermind of the spy network. The fund flow to the spies was executed through him. He was also involved in transferring foreign currencies to the spies from the ISI accounts," Scindia said.

"The fourth person is Ashish Singh Rathore, who is a member of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). The VHP had recently expelled him," he added.

Hitting out at the BJP, Scindia said the ruling party which talks about nationalism, had been found providing shelter to anti-national elements.

"A member of the Bajrang Dal, which talks about patriotism, has been found to be the mastermind of the spy network," he said.

Scindia also said the Madhya Pradesh government has completely failed in controlling jailbreaks in the state by the SIMI activists.

"ISI network is functioning under their nose, and they no information about it. Internal security in the state has collapsed," he added.

Posing a few questions to the BJP, Congress asked if a political party should do a background check of their members, if any member of the party is found to be a traitor, shouldn't there be an investigation against the party as well.

"Should the government be busy only with election campaigning and not on internal security of the county," asked Scindia.

Asked about Army Chief General Bipin Rawat's warning to Kashmiri locals against supporting militants, Scindia said: "Internal security is a very serious issue. But there should not any kind of torture on the innocents. Restraint should be maintained in handling such situations. 

"Nobody wants to give shelter to the militants.Those who are involved in wrongdoings, should be probed. But the manner in which children were blinded in Kashmir last year is unacceptable," he added. 

The total strength of judges in the Supreme Court on Friday rose to 28 with the swearing in of five new judges. The apex court is now short by three judges of its sanctioned strength of 31 judges, including the Chief Justice of India. 

President Pranab Mukherjee had recently signed Warrants of Appointment for the swearing in of Justice Sanjay Kishnan Kaul, Justice Naveen Sinha, Justice Mohan M Shantanagouder, Justice Dipak Gupta and Justice S Abdul Nazeer. They were administered the oath of office by CJI J S Khehar this morning.

Justice Kaul was the Chief Justice of Madras High Court; Justice Sinha was the Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court; Justice Shantanagouder was the Chief Justice of Kerala High Court; Justice Gupta was the Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh High Court and Justice Nazeer was a judge in the Karnataka High Court.

In a significant development, the Himachal Pradesh cabinet on Friday decided to consider the request of Yoga Guru Ramdev’s Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust to review its four-year-old order of cancellation of 28 acre government land allotted to it, provided the Trust withdraws the CWP filed in the high court.

The Trust, which had by then invested Rs.11 crore on the land allotted to it, had filed petition in the high court, alleging serious discrepancies in the state government’s move to cancel the lease in February 2013. On this, the high court had stayed the government action at the facility created on the land allotted to the Trust and had stopped the police to take possession of the land.

The lease of land to Ramdev’s Trust in Solan district by the previous BJP government was at the centre of state politics during the assembly polls in 2012.

The land was allotted in favour of Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) for establishing a branch of Yog and Ayurved-related Medical Science Research and Health, Tourism and production of herbal medicinal plants at Sadhu Pul in Solan. The lease agreement for 99 years involved a payment of Rs.17 lakh by the Ramdev Trust, along with a token payment of Rupee one per annum during the lease period.

However, as soon as the Congress party came to power in the state in December 2012, its government cancelled Trust’s lease agreement, causing furore in several sections of people, especially locals in surrounding villages.

The Congress party, while in opposition in Himachal, had listed this as a major point in its chargesheet against the then BJP government.

Cancelling the agreement in February 2013, the Congress government had claimed that the land rules were violated in the grant of lease to Ramdev’s Trust.

Earlier this week, Chief Minister, Virbhadra Singh had taken a ‘U turn’, holding that no irregularity had been found in the allotment of land granted on lease to Ramdev’s Trust.

Singh said the government had looked at the issue afresh and had reached on the conclusion that there was no violation.

 “The part of land where the Yoga Guru proposes to invest is barren. There is nothing wrong in it if the state gets some investment that benefits Himachal Pradesh and its people,” Singh said, as he recalled that he (Singh) hosted Ramdev’s yoga camp at Hamirpur at his personal expense and also attended it some years ago.

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger on Friday said he will continue to manage next season, even though he may not renew his contract with the London club.

Wenger faces the lowest point of his 20-year career with the Gunners after his team was beaten by Bayern 1-5 on Wednesday in the first leg of the Champions League last 16, reports Efe.

The Gunners are at fourth place in the Premier League, 10 points behind leaders Chelsea, after 25 weeks.

"No matter what happens I will manage for another season. Whether it's here or somewhere else, that is for sure," Wenger said.

The Frenchman, who finishes his contract this season, had previously declared that he will not decide his future until March or April.

However, the criticism he received after the match in Munich raised expectations he may announce his departure at the press conference before the FA Cup match with Sutton United.

"On a night like that, of course, I hate defeat and I hate to lose games. I want to do extremely well for this club and I feel a big responsibility. You do not stay somewhere for 20 years to then walk out after a defeat like that," he added..

"I am used to the criticism. I think in life it's important to do what you think is right and all the rest is judgment. I am in a public job and I have to accept that, but I have to behave with my values," he added.

The coach denied that there had been a confrontation with the players in the locker room at the Allianz Arena.

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger on Friday said he will continue to manage next season, even though he may not renew his contract with the London club.

Wenger faces the lowest point of his 20-year career with the Gunners after his team was beaten by Bayern 1-5 on Wednesday in the first leg of the Champions League last 16, reports Efe.

The Gunners are at fourth place in the Premier League, 10 points behind leaders Chelsea, after 25 weeks.

"No matter what happens I will manage for another season. Whether it's here or somewhere else, that is for sure," Wenger said.

The Frenchman, who finishes his contract this season, had previously declared that he will not decide his future until March or April.

However, the criticism he received after the match in Munich raised expectations he may announce his departure at the press conference before the FA Cup match with Sutton United.

"On a night like that, of course, I hate defeat and I hate to lose games. I want to do extremely well for this club and I feel a big responsibility. You do not stay somewhere for 20 years to then walk out after a defeat like that," he added..

"I am used to the criticism. I think in life it's important to do what you think is right and all the rest is judgment. I am in a public job and I have to accept that, but I have to behave with my values," he added.

The coach denied that there had been a confrontation with the players in the locker room at the Allianz Arena.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on Friday asked the Director Generals of all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to recruit women according to the reservation set by the government.

The minister expressed his views in a review meeting with the chiefs of all seven CAPFs — Central Industrial Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Sashastra Seema Bal, National Security Guard and Assam Rifles — here in the national capital. 

"The CAPFs should make efforts to meet the target of women reservation set by the government. The senior officers of the forces should also visit the Border Outposts and operational headquarters on regular basis to raise the morale of their personnel," Rijiju said.

Issues like raising of additional battalions, setting up of regional centres and hubs, cadre review of the forces, housing issues related to personnel, representation of women in forces, review of BSF Air Wing, training centers, filling up of vacancies, construction of roads in difficult areas and issues related to procurement of land, among others were also discussed in the meeting. 

The minister assured that the Home Ministry would look into the issues raised by the forces and try to do best possible in each case. 

He also emphasised on the due representation of women in the CAPFs. An action taken report on the previous meeting held on April 19, 2016 was also discussed.

Addressing the meeting, Rijiju said the government appreciates the dedication of the forces and is making all efforts to boost their morale by taking care of them.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on Friday asked the Director Generals of all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to recruit women according to the reservation set by the government.

The minister expressed his views in a review meeting with the chiefs of all seven CAPFs — Central Industrial Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Sashastra Seema Bal, National Security Guard and Assam Rifles — here in the national capital. 

"The CAPFs should make efforts to meet the target of women reservation set by the government. The senior officers of the forces should also visit the Border Outposts and operational headquarters on regular basis to raise the morale of their personnel," Rijiju said.

Issues like raising of additional battalions, setting up of regional centres and hubs, cadre review of the forces, housing issues related to personnel, representation of women in forces, review of BSF Air Wing, training centers, filling up of vacancies, construction of roads in difficult areas and issues related to procurement of land, among others were also discussed in the meeting. 

The minister assured that the Home Ministry would look into the issues raised by the forces and try to do best possible in each case. 

He also emphasised on the due representation of women in the CAPFs. An action taken report on the previous meeting held on April 19, 2016 was also discussed.

Addressing the meeting, Rijiju said the government appreciates the dedication of the forces and is making all efforts to boost their morale by taking care of them.

Two local policemen were injured on Friday in central Kashmir's Badgam district when militants hurled a grenade at a police party, officials said.

The evening attack, near Pohru Chowk in Nowgam area of Badgam district, left two constables injured.

The injured policemen have been shifted to hospital.

Two local policemen were injured on Friday in central Kashmir's Badgam district when militants hurled a grenade at a police party, officials said.

The evening attack, near Pohru Chowk in Nowgam area of Badgam district, left two constables injured.

The injured policemen have been shifted to hospital.

In a major development to the political issues in Tamil Nadu, the Election Commission (EC) has on Friday issued a notice to VK Sasikala over her nomination as general secretary of the AIADMK.

The notice was issued on a petition filed by V Maitreyan, challenging her nomination as general secretary of the AIADMK.

The EC has asked her to respond by February 28, 2017.

The notice was issued just a day after her loyalist Edappadi K. Palaniswami took oath as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu.

On Thursday, the O Panneerselvam faction of the AIADMK had moved the EC challenging the election of Sasikala as general secretary of the party, saying she was elevated in violation of the norms.

A 12-member delegation of the faction led by Rajya Sabha MP V Maitreyan met Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi and other top officials and submitted a memorandum demanding that it decline approval to her elevation to the top party post. 

In a major development to the political issues in Tamil Nadu, the Election Commission (EC) has on Friday issued a notice to VK Sasikala over her nomination as general secretary of the AIADMK.

The notice was issued on a petition filed by V Maitreyan, challenging her nomination as general secretary of the AIADMK.

The EC has asked her to respond by February 28, 2017.

The notice was issued just a day after her loyalist Edappadi K. Palaniswami took oath as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu.

On Thursday, the O Panneerselvam faction of the AIADMK had moved the EC challenging the election of Sasikala as general secretary of the party, saying she was elevated in violation of the norms.

A 12-member delegation of the faction led by Rajya Sabha MP V Maitreyan met Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi and other top officials and submitted a memorandum demanding that it decline approval to her elevation to the top party post. 

Sri Lankan Airlines, the island country's flag carrier, was named "the Best Airline in South Asia" by China's Top Travel magazine, the airline said on Friday.

Sri Lankan Airlines was recently crowned the World's Leading Airline Operating to the Indian Ocean Region at the prestigious World Travel Awards and Best Full Service Airline in Central and South Asia for the second consecutive year at the Future Travel Experience Asia Awards.

The airline was also last year named the Most Innovative Marketing Airline in China by Life Weekly magazine, Xinhua news agency reported.

Top Travel Chief Editor Wang Jianmei said: "The Award of Best Airline in South Asia that Top Travel bestowed upon Sri Lankan Airlines is well earned."

Sri Lankan Airlines Country Manager in China Ravindran Veeraperumal said: "This is a great acknowledgement and encouragement for our efforts to promote travel on Sri Lankan. We strive to maintain our highest standard and delight our customers."

China is Sri Lanka's second largest tourism market after India.

Sri Lankan Airlines, the island country's flag carrier, was named "the Best Airline in South Asia" by China's Top Travel magazine, the airline said on Friday.

Sri Lankan Airlines was recently crowned the World's Leading Airline Operating to the Indian Ocean Region at the prestigious World Travel Awards and Best Full Service Airline in Central and South Asia for the second consecutive year at the Future Travel Experience Asia Awards.

The airline was also last year named the Most Innovative Marketing Airline in China by Life Weekly magazine, Xinhua news agency reported.

Top Travel Chief Editor Wang Jianmei said: "The Award of Best Airline in South Asia that Top Travel bestowed upon Sri Lankan Airlines is well earned."

Sri Lankan Airlines Country Manager in China Ravindran Veeraperumal said: "This is a great acknowledgement and encouragement for our efforts to promote travel on Sri Lankan. We strive to maintain our highest standard and delight our customers."

China is Sri Lanka's second largest tourism market after India.

The number of telephone subscribers in India increased from 1,123.96 million at the end of November 2016 to 1,151.78 million at the end of December 2016 – a monthly growth rate of 2.48 per cent, data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Friday said here.

The urban subscription increased from 659.03 million at the end of November 2016 to 683.14 million at the end of December 2016, and the rural subscription also increased from 464.93 million to 468.64 million during the same period.

The overall tele-density in India increased from 87.81 at the end of November 2016 to 89.90 at the end of December 2016. 

Total wireless subscriber base increased from 1,099.51 million at the end of November 2016 to 1,127.37 million at the end of December 2016, thereby registering a monthly growth rate of 2.53 per cent.

The wireless tele-density in India increased from 85.90 at the end of November 16 to 88.00 at the end of December 2016.

The wireline subscriber base declined from 24.44 million at the end of November 2016 to 24.40 million at the end of December 2016, the data revealed.

During the month of December 2016, a total of 5.67 million requests were received for mobile number portability.

As per the reports received from the service providers, the number of broadband subscribers increased from 218.27 million at the end of November 2016 to 236.09 million at the end of December 2016, with a monthly growth rate of 8.17 per cent.

The number of telephone subscribers in India increased from 1,123.96 million at the end of November 2016 to 1,151.78 million at the end of December 2016 – a monthly growth rate of 2.48 per cent, data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Friday said here.

The urban subscription increased from 659.03 million at the end of November 2016 to 683.14 million at the end of December 2016, and the rural subscription also increased from 464.93 million to 468.64 million during the same period.

The overall tele-density in India increased from 87.81 at the end of November 2016 to 89.90 at the end of December 2016. 

Total wireless subscriber base increased from 1,099.51 million at the end of November 2016 to 1,127.37 million at the end of December 2016, thereby registering a monthly growth rate of 2.53 per cent.

The wireless tele-density in India increased from 85.90 at the end of November 16 to 88.00 at the end of December 2016.

The wireline subscriber base declined from 24.44 million at the end of November 2016 to 24.40 million at the end of December 2016, the data revealed.

During the month of December 2016, a total of 5.67 million requests were received for mobile number portability.

As per the reports received from the service providers, the number of broadband subscribers increased from 218.27 million at the end of November 2016 to 236.09 million at the end of December 2016, with a monthly growth rate of 8.17 per cent.

In a bid to connect important pilgrimage destinations of eastern India with the northeast at cheapest available rates, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Union Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain jointly flagged off Astha Circuit Train from Kamakhya Railway Station on Friday.

An innovative initiative of NF Railway and Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), this dedicated tourist train will take travellers to popular pilgrimage destinations starting from Kamakhya for Puri and Bhubaneswar with stoppage at Kolkata.

Hailing the central government's initiatives for bolstering communication network in the entire north-eastern region, the Assam Chief Minister said that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA government has taken pragmatic measures for improving surface, air, water and rail connectivity.

"This includes starting of 25 new trains, implementation of 20 projects for improving rail connectivity and sanctioning of another 24 new projects since 2014," Sonowal added.

Sonowal further stressed on the need for creating friendly working environment to ensure speedy implementation of all the ongoing and proposed projects.

Sonowal asked the railway authorities to regularly interact with the people living near the project sites for generating goodwill. He also requested the public to cooperate with the railways so that the projects sail through smoothly.

Asserting the state government's full support to ensure timely execution of the railway projects, the Chief Minister said that suitable directions will be issued to the deputy commissioners and superintendents of police to extend all necessary help to railways.

Union Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain while speaking on the occasion urged the people to take benefit of this pilgrimage train, which offers cheapest available tour rates.

The Union Minister also sought state government's support for popularising the new train for better tourist response.

This six nights and seven days tour from Kamakhya will cost Rs 6,161 per person for the entire trip including breakfast, lunch, dinner, sleeper class accommodation and visit to popular religious destinations, covering Gangasagar, Swamy Narayan Temple, Kalighat, Birla Temple, Jagannath Temple, Konark Temple and Lingaraj Temple.

The Astha Circuit Train will have various boarding stations including Kamakhya, Alipurduar, New Cooch Behar, New Jalpaiguri, Malda, New Farakka, Pakur, Rampurhat, Bolpur and Kolkata. Tourists can avail the services for booking through IRCTC website or through registered e-ticket agents or from any office of IRCTC.

In a bid to connect important pilgrimage destinations of eastern India with the northeast at cheapest available rates, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Union Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain jointly flagged off Astha Circuit Train from Kamakhya Railway Station on Friday.

An innovative initiative of NF Railway and Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), this dedicated tourist train will take travellers to popular pilgrimage destinations starting from Kamakhya for Puri and Bhubaneswar with stoppage at Kolkata.

Hailing the central government's initiatives for bolstering communication network in the entire north-eastern region, the Assam Chief Minister said that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA government has taken pragmatic measures for improving surface, air, water and rail connectivity.

"This includes starting of 25 new trains, implementation of 20 projects for improving rail connectivity and sanctioning of another 24 new projects since 2014," Sonowal added.

Sonowal further stressed on the need for creating friendly working environment to ensure speedy implementation of all the ongoing and proposed projects.

Sonowal asked the railway authorities to regularly interact with the people living near the project sites for generating goodwill. He also requested the public to cooperate with the railways so that the projects sail through smoothly.

Asserting the state government's full support to ensure timely execution of the railway projects, the Chief Minister said that suitable directions will be issued to the deputy commissioners and superintendents of police to extend all necessary help to railways.

Union Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain while speaking on the occasion urged the people to take benefit of this pilgrimage train, which offers cheapest available tour rates.

The Union Minister also sought state government's support for popularising the new train for better tourist response.

This six nights and seven days tour from Kamakhya will cost Rs 6,161 per person for the entire trip including breakfast, lunch, dinner, sleeper class accommodation and visit to popular religious destinations, covering Gangasagar, Swamy Narayan Temple, Kalighat, Birla Temple, Jagannath Temple, Konark Temple and Lingaraj Temple.

The Astha Circuit Train will have various boarding stations including Kamakhya, Alipurduar, New Cooch Behar, New Jalpaiguri, Malda, New Farakka, Pakur, Rampurhat, Bolpur and Kolkata. Tourists can avail the services for booking through IRCTC website or through registered e-ticket agents or from any office of IRCTC.