Minister threatened by VOH members

Prithviraj Putten, minister of Local government and Rodrigues, was interrupted during a regional meeting in his constituency by Voice of Hindu(VOH) members, who violently threatened him. The latter, who has been a minister for only 3 months, identified his assailants and made a statement at the Quatre Bornes police station. He claims that they wanted favours from him but he had refused to be manipulated. Navin Unoop, one of the VOH leaders, admits responsibility for the incident but denies having claimed any favour from the minister. He declared that Prithviraj Putten has disappeared from his constituency and made promises that he has not kept.

BAI buys over Iframac

Iframac, one of the leaders in the car industry, has been taken over by British American Investment (BAI), the holding company of British American Insurance. BAI will acquire the whole of Iframac?s capital by 15th May for Rs 400 million. The negotiations between the two Iframac shareholders, Haral Mallac and Ireland Blyth, and BAI are over. They are now entering the technical phase of the transaction. One condition is that the new owners keep the same management team.

Dev Hurman?s ?gathering of truth?

Barrister and MP Dev Hurnam has won his appeal against the intermediate court that had condemned him to a six-month imprisonment term. The ruling quashed by the Supreme Court has been followed by outbursts of protest from several quarters demanding the MP?s resignation.

He organised a public ?gathering of truth? last Sunday in his constituency in Triolet to denounce those who do not ?respect their legal oath? and the ?injustices prevailing in the system?. Dev Hurnam declared his innocence and explained the circumstances around the case. He blamed the first unfavourable court judgment on persecution in a system that ?demands reform?.

?Preferential treatment and favouritism prevail in rulings and the symbolism of ?blind justice? has gone to the dogs?, said the lawyer. Denying allegations of being a thorn in the flesh of the two majority partners, the MP said it was high time for a reform of the judiciary and the reintroduction of trial by jury.