US Cong men take up Jaspal Dhillon’s case
WASHINGTON, Aug 1 (UNI) — As many as 23 Congressmen have urged US President Bill Clinton to take up with India the reported arrest in Punjab of Mr Jaspal Singh Dhillon, a human rights activist.In their joint letter, which was released to the press last night, they wanted the President to take up Mr Dhillon’s case.

Tehsildar files damages suit against SP
FAZILKA, Aug 4 — Mr G.D. Gaba, Tehsildar, Jalalabad, has filed a suit for recovery of Rs 30 lakh against Mr R.K. Mittal, former S.P. (Vigilance), Inspector Kahan Singh, Mr Gurjit Singh, Sub-Inspector (Vigilance), Mr Mukhtiar Singh, SDO PWD Bathinda, Mr Amar Lal, clerk, tehsil office, Abohar, Mr Kashmir Singh and Mr Harjit Singh for allegedly implicating him in a case of bribe on July 20, 1995, when he was posted as Tehsildar at Fazilka.

Corporation rebuilds shop after CM's intervention
JALANDHAR, Aug 1 — After the intervention of the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, the municipal corporation is rebuilding the controversial shop run from a house in Adarsh Nagar here which was demolished by the corporation on June 4 last.

Record-setter extraordinaire
CHANDIGARH, Aug 1 — Each of us nurtures a dream. Very few realise it. Surinder Singh Azad, Superintendent, Customs and Central Excise, Amritsar, is among those few who followed his dreams, and followed them right into the record books.

Rights activist, lawyer remanded for a day in Burail jail blow-up conspiracy
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 1 — The Judicial Magistrate, Mr A.K. Bishnoi, today remanded D.S. Rajput, a local lawyer, and Jaspal Singh Dhillon, a human rights activist, in police custody for a day.

Mr Bishnoi granted "reasonable access" to counsel for Rajput and Dhillon during their interrogation by the police. However, counsel had been directed not to interfere in the interrogation.

Both Rajput and Dhillon were earlier arrested by the Ropar Police in connection with the ongoing investigation into the Burail jail blow-up conspiracy case. The Chandigarh Police had obtained their production warrants for taking the custody of these suspects. They were produced in the court of Mr Bishnoi this afternoon.

According to the prosecution, Rajput was instrumental in the purchase of a mobile telephone which was allegedly smuggled into the Burail jail. A mobile phone and two SIM cards were purchased from a local dealer in Sector 22 at the behest of this suspect. The office of the local telephone dealer is housed in the same building which houses the office of Rajput.

The prosecution further alleged that the money for the purchase of the mobile phone was given by Rajput. The bills of the mobile telephone were also allegedly footed by him.

The plea of the defence, on the other hand, was that Rajput had been subjected to sustained interrogation by the Ropar Police for three nights. During interrogation, the Ropar Police did not recover anything from him. The Chandigarh Police was seeking police remand of Rajput on the same allegations.

The defence pleaded with the court that Rajput had not been named in the FIR registered by the police. The main aim of the police for seeking custody of Rajput was to harass him, simply because he had filed a suit against the Director-General of Police Punjab, for damages of Rs 10 crore for destroying his reputation. The case was registered on June 11. Rajput continued to attend the court and he was provided security by the local police. However, he was not arrested until he filed the suit against the DGP. Moreover, the allegations levelled against him were vague.

As for Dhillon, the prosecution stand was that he had distributed Rs 3.33 lakh to families of militants through SP Mishra and Jaswinder Singh, a former Assistant Superintendent of Burail jail and a constable of the jail, respectively.

The money for the purchase of pizzas for other suspects was also paid by Mishra on the asking of Dhillon.

The argument of the defence was that Dhillon could only be booked under FERA. He could not be implicated in the Burail jail blow-up case.

Defence further argued that Dhillon had been in police custody at Ropar since July 23. He was intensely interrogated during all these days.

A missed opportunity for Congress
From A.S. Prashar
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Aug 1 — The Punjab Congress may have missed a golden opportunity to re-establish its credentials with the urban population of the state by failing to highlight properly the popular discontent over the hefty 33 per cent hike in power tariff by the Akali-BJP government which was later partly withdrawn.

The Congress has lost every election it has fought in Punjab since the February 1997 assembly poll which brought the Akali-BJP combine to power in the state. So strong has been the grip of the ruling coalition on the masses that it has shown impressive gains in the parliamentary poll, assembly byelections, elections to the local bodies as well as the panchayats.

As a matter of fact, it was this continuous string of poll debacles more than anything else which led to a change in the Congress leadership in Punjab. But the popularity graph of the ruling combine took a nosedive when it announced a 33 per cent across-the-board increase in power tariff in the state last month.

The protest against the hike by trade, business and industry was spontaneous. But while various organisations launched agitations, including strikes, bandhs, dharnas, "jail bharo" stirs and even a social boycott of the ministers and bureaucrats the Punjab Congress did little more than issue a few condemnatory statements on the issue.

Party sources here say as the main opposition party in the state the Congress leadership should have moved in quickly to cash in on the popular sentiments and launched an agitation. They, however, explain the inability to do so may be because the newly appointed president of the Punjab Congress, Capt Amarinder Singh, is still in the process of settling down in his new office. Although a month has elapsed since Capt Amarinder Singh was appointed the party chief in place of Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, the party's other office-bearers and the executive is yet to be announced.

For some time past, various party leaders have been making a beeline for Chandigarh and New Delhi to lobby for a "suitable slot" for themselves in the organisational set-up.

The Punjab Congress has announced plans to launch an agitation later this month over a host of issues, including price rise, but the issue of power tariff hike has been defused by the government by partly withdrawing the increase. Unlike his predecessor, Mrs Bhattal, against whom all main leaders, including Mr Harcharan Singh Brar, Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar and Mr Santokh Singh Randhawa, had joined hands to secure her ouster, there is no dissidence in the state Congress against Capt Amarinder Singh so far. This is primarily because he is a nominee of Ms Sonia Gandhi.

But it is clear he has to get his act together quickly if he has to take on the powerful Akali-BJP combine.

The popularity of the BJP too took a beating after the announcement of the power tariff. Even the die-hard BJP supporters turned against the party leadership for failing to oppose the hike. This is what forced the BJP chief, Mr Daya Singh Sodhi, to distance himself from the power tariff hike decision. Although the partial withdrawal of the hike has controlled the damage, the BJP's image has taken a beating.

As regard the Akali Dal, it was the spectre of a rural-urban divide more than anything else which forced it to partially retrace its steps on the power tariff hike.

Frustration in SAD circles
By P.P.S. Gill
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 1 — There is growing frustration in an influential section of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). This is on two accounts: one, due to the "poor housekeeping in Punjab" by the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal; and two, due to a "non-responsive" central leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The restlessness in the rank and file on not being heard is spilling over the surface. Senior Akali leaders are anguished because the outstanding problems of Punjab remain unattended by the BJP, which, perhaps, has its own perceived perceptions of the critical issues crying for attention.

The alliance between the SAD and the BJP is under stress. The relationship between the two parties stands stretched, but may not reach breaking point. Under focus of the critics, within the SAD, is the style and functioning of the Chief Minister in attending to certain issues, particularly those pertaining to administration and the bureaucracy. Failure to shore up finance for development projects is also being mentioned in this context.

Despite being in office for 17-odd months, there seems to be no impact of the government, which, in essence is an Akali outfit with the BJP enjoying the piggyride. The political executive is working in the shadow of the bureaucracy, which has outwitted and outsmarted the jathedars. One source said even Ministers learn of important decisions from the administrative secretaries.

On a number of occasion several suggestions were given to Mr Parkash Singh Badal, who is also the SAD President, in respect of governance as well as attending to the organisational wing of the party. The response had been lukewarm. A senior leader said jathedars, MLAs and Ministers were working at a tangent with no one knowing what was happening where, how and why.

For months neither the Working Committee nor the Political Affairs Committee of the SAD has met. The last time the PAC met was on July 5 to discuss the Udham Singh Nagar issue. A resolution "warning" the Centre was passed. Thereafter, Mr Parkash Singh led a delegation to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister.

The "cold and indifferent" attitude of the BJP leaders has become a "hot" topic of discussion. If the BJP cannot respect the "sentiments" of the SAD, of what use it is be allies? asked a leader requesting anonymity. Even "legal opinion" on some aspects of Udham Singh Nagar submitted after consulting constitutional experts has been pushed under the carpet, he rued.

The manner in which even the "common minimum programme", framed by the SAD and the BJP, has remained unimplemented rankles in the mind of the influential section. There is, thus, neither discipline nor accountability in political administration.

Those owing allegiance to the party President counter these allegations. They maintain that from the crack of dawn to late into the night, Mr Parkash Singh works like a "workalcholic", always concerned about the state and how best to develop its economy. The populist measures announced by the government, the opening of new universities etc are listed among the "achievements". But critics say development is being taken care of in selected pockets.

There is no serious attempt to govern with "firmness" and "fairness". For being misunderstood despite best of intentions some of the leaders prefer to keep quiet and maintain a low profile rather than create difficulties for the SAD and the BJP whose relations are wrinkled. "Given an opportunity we will like to air our grievances. Acting like one-man army by the Chief Minister alone is of little help. We can all contribute". No one doubts the "sincerity and hardwork" Mr Parkash Singh puts in.

All know the government has not been able to give the state a "corruption-free" administration; its response to needs of the Punjabis is slow; freedom from fear psychosis is a far cry and respect for the rule of the law needs more attention. Rather than being a government which "cares", it is the one which "delays and dithers" and where ad hocism is all pervasive.

No sex education in Punjab schools
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 1 — Punjab has slipped to the 17th position in the field of education in the country due to the indifferent attitude of the authorities concerned. Earlier, the state was placed at the seventh position.

This was disclosed here today at a press conference by the Punjab Education Minister, Mr Tota Singh. Blaming the previous Congress Government for the mess in the Education Department, Mr Tota Singh said that over 1,000 schools were upgraded by the previous government on political ground at the fag end of its tenure without bothering about the availability of teaching staff and other infrastructure required for this purpose.

He said the previous government recruited teachers violating all rules and regulations. Subsequently, the teachers were removed from service by the courts. Now the SAD-BJP government was facing an agitation launched by these "removed" teachers though this government was in no way involved in their selection, appointment or removal.

Requesting the agitating teachers to leave the path of agitation, which according to Mr Tota Singh has been prompted by trade union leaders, he said that teachers should come forward to help the government to find a solution to their problem.

Mr Tota Singh said on its own the Punjab Government was making its best effort to accommodate the removed teachers and several steps, including giving them relaxation in age for reapplying for teaching job, has been taken by the government. The matter had even been taken with the Himachal Pradesh Government as that government had devised a way out to adjust trained teachers who had passed their graduation in the 80s.

Replying to a question, Mr Tota Singh said that sex education as a subject would not be introduced in Punjab schools. He said that there was a proposal to club primary schools with middle schools by creating a Directorate of Elementary Education and by winding up the Directorate of Primary Education.

He said that the Punjab Government was firm on introducing English as subject in government primary schools and already the process to train teachers in this regard had begun. Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Punjab Chief Minister, would inaugurate the introduction of English in primary schools some time later this month.

He said that the government would examine the proposal of introducing Punjabi as compulsory subject in the schools affiliated with the CBSE in Punjab.

Mr Tota Singh said he was opposed to putting school teachers on duty for conducting elections, census and other such jobs as it affected teaching in schools.

JD drive to focus on price rise
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Aug 1 — The Punjab Janata Dal will launch a state-level 'jan jagran abhiyan' from August 9 at all district headquarters in which dharnas, rallies and demonstrations will be held.

The campaign will focus on price rise, failure of the state government on all fronts, human rights violation, police excesses, and suicides by farmers etc, according to Mr Harish Khanna, convener of the Dal.

Murder case of two children solved
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR, Aug 1 — The police here today claimed having solved the murder of two minor boys whose bodies were found in the swimming pool of the local Doaba college here on July 26.

Briefing the media today the SSP Mr Paramjit Singh Gill said that during interrogation by chowkidar of the Doaba College Harka Bahadur and Satpal Singh confessed having committed sodomy on Vatin and Ravi Deep in bathrooms near the swimming pool. The SSP said that Santokh Singh aged (11) and eye witness to the despicable act helped the police solve this double murder. According to Santokh Singh both boys had come to the pool for a swim around 6 p.m. on July 26 whereupon both Satpal Singh and Harka Bahadur forcibly stripped them and took them to separate cubicles. Harka Bahadur took Ravi Deep while Satpal Singh was with Vatin. Santokh Singh was sitting on stairs near the gate and heard cries for help from the children. Scared stiff he remained rooted to the place. After about half an hour the accused came out with the children who were sweating profusely Harka Bahadur tied a rope around Ravi Deep's waist and Sat Pal tied another rope to one hand of Vatin. They threw both children into the swimming pool who came to the surface of water once before drowning.

The SSP said that the police has registered a case under Section 302, 201, 377, 34 of the IPC against the culprits who are under arrest. Regretting that the police force took five days in solving the murder case.

Later Mr P.C. Dogra, Director General of the Police addressing the media claimed that since last one year the police arrested 70 persons connected with recovery of 68 kg of RDX, 73 assault mausers, 69 rockets, 75 handgrenades, 445 revolvers and pistols, 2 kg cyanide two bottles of flouthine, 3 quintals of heroin.

The DGP disclosed that of the 70 arrested, three were Pakistani nationals including one ISI agent.

Corporation rebuilds shop
after CM's intervention
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR, Aug 1 — After the intervention of the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, the municipal corporation is rebuilding the controversial shop run from a house in Adarsh Nagar here which was demolished by the corporation on June 4 last.

Mr Tarlok Singh Malli had bought it in 1994 from Mr Om Parkash and Ms Santosh Kumari and a teacher was a tenant in garage from where she was running a grocery shop. Mr Tarlok Singh approched the municipal corporation as according to corporation laws, shops cannot be run from residential houses.

Ms Santosh Kumari along with her supporters met the Chief Minister on June 10 after which Mr Badal instructed the corporation officials to rebuild the shop at it cost and restore it to her. While the rebuilding was in process on July 29, a scuffle took place and the police had to fire into the air.

Mr Malli alleged here today that due to political pressure, he was being harassed by the police and a false case had been registered against him and others. He was demanded and independent inquiry into the episode.

Ministerial staff stir threat
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, Aug 1 — The Punjab State Ministerial Services Union today said it would strike work in government offices from August 4 onwards if its demands were not accepted by then.

Disclosing this here, association president Raj Kumar Arora, said though the government had invited the association for talks on August 3, it would abide by its decision to create complete standstill in government offices from August four onwards if all their demands were not accepted on that date itself.

The demands of the ministerial staff include time-bound promotion after four, nine and 14 years, grant of 15 per cent house rent and remodification of down-graded scales. They have been agitating since the announcement of the Fourth Pay Commission awards.

Doctors seek action against quacks
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, Aug 1 — Punjab Indian Medical Association (IMA) legal cell Chairman O.P.S. Kande today urged the Punjab Government to implement the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to remove quackery.

In a joint statement here along with the PCMS Association, Mr Kande said by implementing the court orders, the state government would be saving innocent people from the clutches of unqualified practitioners who use modern techniques without being aware of the implications.

Dr M.S. Randhawa and Dr Manjit Singh of the PCMS Association urged the state government to take effective steps to check quackery.

They said any move to legalise practice by unqualified medical practitioners by imparting them short-time courses in medicine would be dangerous. They also alleged that due to political considerations, the government was encouraging unqualified practitioners which was against public interest.

Paddy worth 76 lakh found missing
From Our Correspondent

FEROZEPORE, Aug 1 — The Department of Vigilance has detected a shortage worth about 96 lakh in the stocks of paddy and rice, relating to PUNSUP and FCI at Muktsar.

Stating this here today, the SP of the Ferozepore Range Vigilance Bureau, Mr Tara Chand Sharma, said the godwon of the rice mill at Muktsar was raided and paddy worth about 76.65 lakh was allegedly found missing. As many as 2,488 bags of rice, worth about Rs 19.55 lakh, were also missing.

He said this large-scale bungling had allegedly been done by officers of department concerned with the connivance of proprietors of the rice mill.

Tehsildar files damages suit against SP
From Our Correspondent

FAZILKA, Aug 4 — Mr G.D. Gaba, Tehsildar, Jalalabad, has filed a suit for recovery of Rs 30 lakh against Mr R.K. Mittal, former S.P. (Vigilance), Inspector Kahan Singh, Mr Gurjit Singh, Sub-Inspector (Vigilance), Mr Mukhtiar Singh, SDO PWD Bathinda, Mr Amar Lal, clerk, tehsil office, Abohar, Mr Kashmir Singh and Mr Harjit Singh for allegedly implicating him in a case of bribe on July 20, 1995, when he was posted as Tehsildar at Fazilka.

In a writ petition filed on July 30, this year before Mr Amarjot Kaur, Civil Judge, Senior Division, Fazilka, Mr Gaba has contended the raiding party entered his official residence on July 20, 1995, in the evening and the then S.P. (Vigilance), Mr Mittal, introduced himself as SDM, Barnala. Mr Mittal allegedly started beating him and falsely implicated him under the Prevention of Corruption Act for accepting bribe of Rs 3000/- from Kashmir Singh of Mohar Khiva village in Fazilka sub-division for issuing a sale deed of land.

It has been further alleged in the petition that he was taken to some unknown place, tourtured for the whole night and paraded through the market while being taken to court compound in handcuffs. He was not hospitalised despite doctors' instructions and was remanded in judicial custody. On July 22, 1995, he was again referred to the Civil Hospital for treatment from where he was referred to the PGI Chandigarh, and admitted there.

It has been mentioned in the petition that later the case was entrusted to the DSP (Vigilance), Ferozepore, who in his report said the case against him was not based on true facts and was registered with malafide intention hence not fit for presenting a challan in court. The Punjab and Haryana High Court accepted the report. A probe by the Deputy Commissioner, Ferozepore, into the incident in his report said the act of the raiding party was highhanded and they had no business to beat Mr Gaba or handcuffing him.

Ultimately, the State of Punjab vide its letter dated December 29, 1995, directed the Director-General, Vigilance, Punjab, to withdraw the case against him. In view of the reports and the court decision, Mr Gaba has filed a suit for damages against the raiding party.

Bodies recovered from canal
From Our Correspondent

ABOHAR, Aug 1 — The bodies of Mahabir Prasad, an assistant engineer, and his son Balwant (16) were recovered from a canal link channel on the Abohar-Sriganganagar road yesterday. However, Saroj Rani (19), daughter of the deceased, was rescued by MES employees and some shopkeepers who had rushed to the site after learning about the incident from a motorcyclist.

Saroj Rani who was admitted to a nearby hospital said they had stopped the scooter for a little while. While on way to Machianwali village when a jeep halted there and its occupants caught her. When she cried out for help, the miscreants allegedly threw her, father and her brother in the canal.

No police officer was available for comment or further detail.

Marriage palace opposed
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, Aug 1 — Residents of Minocha Colony are agitated over the construction of a marriage palace in one portion of the local Panchayat Bhavan by a businessman.

In a representation to the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, the residents have pointed out that the construction of a marriage palace in their colony would create noise pollution and traffic problems.

They alleged that despite the drive of "Green Bathinda, clean Bathinda" launched by the district administration, the greenery on the Panchayat Bhavan premises had been destroyed to build the marriage palace.

They said that the state government could not give its land or building to a private person for constructing a marriage palace on rental basis.

8 personalities of Punjab honoured
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 1 — Eight personalities from Punjab who have achieved excellence in their respective fields were honoured with various awards on the first day of a two-day conference of the Bharatiya Dalit Sahitya Akademi (Punjab and Chandigarh) here today.

The conference was inaugurated by Master Mohan Lal, Forest Minister of Punjab.

Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha, gave away the awards.

Siri Ram Arsh was given the state-level Guru Ravi Dass award for composing an epic "Agammi noor" on life and mission of Guru Ravi Dass. The Kala Shree award was conferred on Bhag Singh; Mr Jhalkari Bai award was given to Tirlochan Sumnakshar; Mr Hari Krishan Chopra award to Tri Bhawan Nath; the Engineering Technology award to H. Paul Singh; the Social Service award to Kundan Singh Sohal; and Dr Sadhu Singh Hamdard award to Satnam Singh Manak (in absentia).

Legal aid counsel scheme opened
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, Aug 1 — In order to provide speedy and inexpensive justice to the underprivileged and weaker sections of society, the Legal Aid Counsel Scheme was launched today in Punjab by Mr Justice H.S. Brar, Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and Executive Chairman of the Punjab Legal Services Authorities.

Addressing the gathering at the local SSD College for Girls here after formally launching the scheme, Mr Justice Brar said a legal aid counsel would be appointed in all the courts of magistrate in the state for providing effective and meaningful assistance to the needy.

The duty of the legal aid counsel would be to oppose the remand applications, secure orders of bail and move miscellaneous applications according to the requirement of the case.

He said Bathinda was chosen for launching this scheme as it had a low literacy rate, including legal literacy as compared to other districts of Punjab.

Mr Justice Brar pointed out that every person belonging to a Scheduled Caste or scheduled tribe, a victim of human trafficking woman or child, mentally ill or otherwise disabled persons, a victim of mass disaster, an industrial workman and a person in custody was entitled to free legal service, irrespective of income, under the scheme. Any person whose income from all sources was less than Rs 18,000 per annum was also entitled to free legal services.

Mr Justice Brar said that legal service could also be provided in all matters where such service was aimed at an amicable settlement of the dispute by bringing about a conciliation between the parties to the dispute as well as for rendering assistance in complying with various legal requirements in order to secure the benefits under the legal schemes.

He pointed out that the judicial system in the country was burdened and it required a lot of time and money to seek redress of grievances through ordinary courts in order to lighten the burden of the courts and provide speedy and expeditious justice to the people, lok adalats had been given statutory powers.

The awards passed by the lok adalats were now deemed to be decrees of the civil court which were final and binding on all the parties to the dispute.

He stressed the need of earmarking a separate room in every District Courts complex for receiving files relating to the cases which were to be settled in the lok adalats. One such room had been earmarked in the local District Courts complex.

From 1990-91 to 1997-98, more than 63,000 cases had been disposed of through lok adalats and monetary compensation to the tune of Rs 65 crore was granted in the motor accident claims and other cases.

Mr H.S. Bhalla, District and Sessions Judge, said the local 'Rajinama Kendra' was rendering a meaningful service to the people.

Mr S.R. Ladhar, Deputy Commissioner, said that district administration had adopted the quick grievances disposal scheme for the benefit of the people. He said the Legal Aid Counsel Scheme would be popularised in the rural areas and sarpanches and panchayat members motivated to take maximum benefit off this scheme.

Commissionarate registers growth
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, July 1 — Mr A.M. Prasad, member of the Central Board of Excise and Customs, said today that the current year would be a turning point in the recession-hit Indian economy.

Talking to newsmen here, Mr Prasad said all revenue indicators pointed towards better days ahead. In Ludhiana, revenue receipts of the Central Excise and Customs were up by 9 per cent in the first quarter of the current financial year. In the Punjab Commissionarate, there was a 13 per cent growth during the same period.

He said the government had set a target of 15 per cent growth in revenue this year, which was based on expected industrial growth. The positive trends showed that the Union Budget had been able to give a kick start to the Indian economy.

Earlier, Mr Prasad inaugurated Central Excise Division-II of Ludhiana. Mrs Sangeeta Sehgal was posted as the first Assistant Commissioner. Both Division I and II will have 550 units under them. While one unit will look after areas falling south-west of GT Road, the other will look after the areas falling in the north-east of the road.

Mr Prasad said the revenue growth in Ludhiana during the past three years had been impressive. From Rs 152 crore in 1995-96, it had risen to Rs 173 crore in 1996-97 and Rs 183 crore in 1997-98.

US Cong men take up Jaspal Dhillon’s case

WASHINGTON, Aug 1 (UNI) — As many as 23 Congressmen have urged US President Bill Clinton to take up with India the reported arrest in Punjab of Mr Jaspal Singh Dhillon, a human rights activist.In their joint letter, which was released to the press last night, they wanted the President to take up Mr Dhillon’s case.

In a separate letter, Congresswoman Constance Morella also protested against the arrest of Mr Dhillon. “I hope that your administration will urge the Indian authorities to undertake an independent investigation of these cases”, she added.

Probe ordered into chowkidar's death
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Aug 1 — A high-level probe has been ordered into the alleged custodial death of a chowkidar of a local TB and chest hospital in the Sultanwind police station today.

The inquiry was ordered following public pressure when the body of Mukhtiar Singh (50) was found in front of the police station.

Mr Gurdev Singh Sahota, Senior Superintendent of Police, who categorically denied the custodial death said the Superintendent of Police (City), Mr J.S. Kahlon, had been deputed as inquiry officer. Mr Sahota said he had already written to the District Magistrate for conducting a magisterial inquiry and post-mortem by a board of doctors. A case has already been registered at the Sultanwind police station under Section 302 of the IPC.

Various unions here have alleged that Mukhtiar Singh was tortured to death at the police station itself. He had reportedly approached the police with an affidavit that he had no relation with his son who had allegedly committed some crime for which the police was "harassing" the family of the deceased. Mukhtiar was allegedly taken into custody on July 30 where he succumbed to his injuries.

Death of youth:commission issues notice
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 1 — The Punjab State Human Rights Commission has taken suo-motu notice of a news appearing in these columns on July 24 on "custodial death of a youth".

The order passed by the commission has directed the department of home affairs and Justice and the I-G, Litigation, to furnish all details on the news. The case will come up for next hearing on August 27.

The commission has sought from the government complete record and report, including enquiries made under the orders of the District Magistrate, Bathinda, and by the police authorities against the delinquent officers.

The order is signed by the Commission Chairman, Mr Justice V.K. Khanna, besides Justice Mr J.S. Sekhon, Mr M.S. Chahal, Mr T.S. Cheema and Mrs Maninder Kaur Mattewal, all members.

The news report in question "youth dies in custody" was from Bathinda, where Baljit Singh (24) was allegedly illegally detained in Maur Mandi police station and died under mysterious circumstances. He was picked up on July 21 by an Assistant Inspector of Police, Mr Bhavkhand Singh, and two home guard jawans, the report said.

3 labourers fall from tower, die
From Our Correspondent

FAZILKA, Aug 1 — Three labourers, engaged in the construction of Asia's second highest television tower, died here yesterday. C. Vinod (25), Sudhakaran (24), both from Kerala, and Narinder Kumar of Uttar Pradesh fell while working at a height of 50m. Two of them died on the spot while Narinder Kumar died on way to Ludhiana. According to sources, the supervisory staff was allegedly absent at the time of the accident and no safety measures were reportedly taken. Several social organisations have demanded a probe into the incident.

Record-setter extraordinaire
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 1 — Each of us nurtures a dream. Very few realise it. Surinder Singh Azad, Superintendent, Customs and Central Excise, Amritsar, is among those few who followed his dreams, and followed them right into the record books.

"Everyone, generally, tries to emulate. I wanted to be unique," says Azad. His records, which have gained entry into the Limca Book of Records, are sure out of the ordinary.

Azad entered the Limca Book for the first time in 1990 for being able to expand his chest by nine inches (22.8 cm). Normal expansion is only around 6.3 cm. This feat of his is also a world record, he claims.

His other records include driving his Bajaj Chetak scooter non-stop from Amritsar to Pinjore (534 km) in the fourth gear. He has been driving his scooter in that gear since 1979. "I had an accident and could not shift gears. I had no choice but to drive in the fourth gear," says Azad.

On October 27, 1996, he accomplished four records: fastest clapping — 10,354 times in one hour; fastest snapping — non-stop 11,510 times in one hour with the fingers of his right hand. He also snapped his fingers 246 times in one minute. He has improved this to 278 now.

On the same day, he travelled 200m in 4 min 53 sec (2.65 km per hr) on his scooter to set a record for the slowest scooter driving in the fourth gear. He has improved this record too by driving at a speed of 2.35 km per hour.

His amazing "Hamara Bajaj" scooter has been a part of the unusual feats. No wonder then that it has baffled engineers at the Bajaj Auto Ltd. Azad's record for the highest fuel efficiency on his Chetak — 70 km per hour — set in June, 1986, took 11 years to be endorsed by Limca. "They could not believe a 20-year-old scooter giving that average," quips Azad.

Nicknamed "Mr Record" and "Chest man of the world", he does not believe in sitting on his laurels. On October 19,1997, he innovated and set a record for 6,500 (13,000 together) clapping and snapping simultaneously for one hour. Later, that day he carried a record number of 10 passengers on his never-failing scooter. These records are to appear in the latest edition of the Limca Book.

When asked what inspired him to go in for these unusual "sport", he says it was a dream. In the dream-meeting, a white-robed saint told him he had something hidden in him which he should try and discover. "I dismissed the dream for a couple of days but then one day my friend noticed the remarkable expansion of my chest during physical training. This triggered a desire within me to go for the extraordinary. The dream said so too, "he says. And it sure has been a dream come true for him, literally.

He follows a tough physical regimen and sometimes carries on practise way into the night. "I get full support from my family members especially from my wife, who has encouraged me at every step," says Azad. "Also, one has to have a passion for what one does," he adds.

He attempts has feats in October as the weather is most favourable then.

Deep breathing exercises and weightlifting have enabled him to develop phenomenal lung power that has thrilled sport lovers all over. He was also invited to Singapore in 1987 to demonstrate his skills. ''If one does clapping and snapping on a regular basis the spinal cord can never become weak. Yoga has proved that," adds Azad.

For someone who has achieved so much, any further ambitions? Yes. Even at 56, Surinder Azad's thirst for records is far from quenched. He holds 10 national records and aims to improve upon/set 10 more records. The ultimate, however, is recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Even for one who has a way with records, it will be no mean task, this. But for Azad, born on Quit India Day, quitting just does not figure in his vocabulary.

Protest march by PSEB unions
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR, Aug 1 — The joint action committee comprising of all leading associations and trade unions of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) held a protest march here today and submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner in support of its demand for the dismissal of DSP Vigilance, Jalandhar and quashing the false corruption cases against Mr Anil Uppal, AEE Adampur and Mr Rakesh Luthra, consumer clerk of Patel Chowk Sub Division of the PSEB. A rally was also organised at Shakti Sadan here.

The action of the DSP Vigilance for humiliating PSEB officials was criticised and alleged that he had misused his official position.

In a joint statement it sought the intervention of the Chief Minister, Punjab to maintain industrial peace disturbed by the action of the DSP vigilance.

Teacher waits in vain for pay
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, Aug 1 — Mr Krishan Kumar Sharma, a retired teacher from the local SSD Senior Secondary School, has been running from pillar to post for the past many months to get his salary but without any success.

Mr Sharma was suspended by the management of the school on April 5, 1976, and he was reinstated on August 31, 1979, after the management's order of suspension were not confirmed by the then Deputy Commissioner. Later, the management's appeal against the order of the Deputy Commissioner was dismissed by the then Commissioner, Ferozepore division.

Mr Sharma then filed a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court to get his salary for the suspended period and it was allowed. However, the management of the school allegedly tried to delay the payment of arrears on one pretext or the other.

Mr Sharma again filed an appeal in the Punjab and Haryana High Court which was decided on January 19, 1998. The high court held Mr Sharma should be paid the arrears along with fixation of pay within a period of four months of the submission of certified copy of the order.

Mr H.K. Arora, Principal, SSD Senior Secondary School, when contacted on phone said the case of fixation of pay had been sent to the District Education Office and the payment of arrears would be made to Mr Sharma shortly.

GRP constable held for rape
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, Aug 1 — The General Railway Police (GRP) has arrested Subash Chander, a constable of the Railway Protection Force (RPF), for illegally detaining and raping a woman of Bihar on July 28.

Police sources said the woman, who stopped at the local railway station for getting train for Sriganganagar, was picked up by Subash Chander and other constable of the RPF, Pavitar Singh, at about 10 p.m. She was taken to their official quarter and raped.

A case under Section 376, 342 and 34, IPC, has been registered against them. Pavitar Singh was absconding, the police added.

Drain desilting brings relief
From Prem Goyal

SANGRUR: The open dirty drain is the only existing source to remove the town's rain water because sewer lines from Sunami Gate onwards have not been laid so far for want of funds.

According to official sources, over Rs 1 crore is required and there are no funds.

The open dirty drain from Sunami Gate to Balian drain is nearly 5800 feet long, five feet deep and between four to five feet wide.

After a little rain, several low-lying areas of Sangrur town, including the thickly populated Prem Basti, a leading senior secondary school and the local Ranbir Club, where mostly gazetted officers reside, get flooded during the monsoon. In some areas, floodwaters even enter houses submerging them under three to four feet water. Besides, financial loss and inconvenience, the stagnant water makes the surroundings stink and it becomes a health hazard.

The reason is simple. Between three to four feet sludge had settled in the 5-ft deep open dirty drain reducing the flow of rain water from five feet to one feet. Besides on the settled sludge, weeds and congress grass freely grew to block the flow of water.

The rain water near Sunami Gate is the maximum because incomplete sewer lines laid in Sangrur town end near Sunami Gate in an open dirty drain and as a result, rain water collects at this point.

But the open dirty drain which was full of sludge, weeds and congress grass was unable to carry the rain water further to the Balian drain in its present form. It has resulted in flooding the areas, especially in the vicinity of Sunami Gate.

But Mr Anirudh Tewari, Deputy Commissioner, respecting the sentiments of town residents, called a meeting of the Water Supply and Sewerage Board officials. Mr Tewari stressed upon them the need to immediately desilt the dirty drain to augment the flow of rain water to save the town, especially the residential areas from floods in the course of the monsoon this year.

The desilting work was assigned to the local Water Supply and Sewerage Board. Requisite funds for the purpose have been provided by the district administration.

Desilting operations were taken up on a war-footing and desilting done both mechanically and manually, say official sources.

The drain has been completely desilted, much to the relief and pleasure of the town residents.