Statue attack sparks Hindu riots in Mumbai

Thousands of low-caste Hindus attacked police, vehicles and shut shops in India's financial hub Mumbai on Thursday to protest against the desecration of a statue of their leader and founder of the constitution.

Violence also flared in several towns across the western state of Maharashtra, where protesters burnt buses and threw stones at passing traffic, injuring dozens of people.

Protesters said they were angry that a statue of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, a low-caste Hindu who authored India's democratic constitution that prohibits caste-based discrimination, had been damaged on Wednesday in Uttar Pradesh state.

"We want police to arrest those who broke Baba Saheb's (Ambedkar's) statue. Otherwise, we will burn Maharashtra," a man shouted at reporters before being dragged away by police in Mumbai. Ambedkar was born in Maharashtra and Mumbai is the capital.

"There are reports of some sporadic incidents. However, things are under control," said Arup Pattnaik, Mumbai police joint commissioner.

But huge groups carrying posters and banners were seen closing shops and clashing with police in several areas of the city.

Witnesses said police used batons and fired tear gas shells to disperse unruly mobs in the city's Worli, Bandra and Chembur neighbourhoods. Police denied the reports but added "several" people had been arrested. Curfews were imposed in some towns.

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Source : Reuters

Live burning train video

Online Indian News TV : IBN 7

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Apple Mac Tablet PC and other products in Mid 2007

Apple researchers have built a full working prototype of a Mac tablet PC and three Companies in Taiwan are now costing a product for a potential launch in mid 2007.

Sources in Taiwan have said that the focus has been more on the home and the education environment than the enterprise marketplace. Several months ago It was told that Apple was exploring a neat new device that is basically a touch screen that links to various source devices including a brand new media centre that Apple is planning to launch next year.

The Mac tablet has been designed to handle third party applications such as home automation software that will allow users to control lighting, audio, entertainment devices and security feeds. It also acts as a full blown PC has wireless linking for a new generation of Wireless Hi Fi speakers that are currently being tested by Apple.

One set of speakers which are similar in size to the small Bose speakers have been developed by an Australian Company.

The new MAC tablet has Intel processors as well as a docking station that allows the device to link to screens with HDMI input. The docking station also has additional memo0ry capability so that users can stream content to either the tablet PC or the docking station or directly to a media centre if one is being used.

During the past year Apple has lodged several touch screen patents. They have also lodged patents for wireless devices. However three patents according to sources have been lodged by third part Companies who are licensing technology to Apple.

Quanta and Hon Hai Precision Industry are Taiwanese Companies that make notebooks and other devices for Apple. Both have signed confidentiality agreements with Apple for the Tablet Mac.

Source : SmartHouse, Engadget