Monday, August 31, 1998
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P U N J A B | |
Monday, August 31, 1998 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Tension
after clashes in Ludhiana Manha
turns Mohinder for 'kar seva' Copies
of Ajit, Editor's effigy burnt |
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 Ex-MLA
alleges police inaction Racket
in sale of computers |
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No new PSEB posts to be
created SAD,
SGPC ignoring "real" issues Show
results or quit, Amarinder tells Badal Bandh
over killing of safai sewak's son Running
from pillar to post for FIR |
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Tension after clashes in Ludhiana LUDHIANA, Aug 30 — Tension prevails in the CMC Chowk area after clashes between two groups of Christians over a piece of prime land measuring 664 sq yards at Mission Compound. The land, which had been allotted to one Mr Afzal Masih Chaudhary by the Bishop of Chandigarh Diocese in 1981 for a token sum of Rs 100 per sq yard and to some other people, became a bone of contention among them and the Diocese of Chandigarh. Yesterday, a congregation which had gathered at Ludhiana, led by the Rt Rev Joel V. Mal went to these persons camping on the said land and asked them to vacate it. As a result of the heated argument, clashes broke out between the two parties. The police was called in and the matter was settled with the SDM declaring it a disputed property. However, the administration at the Diocese of Chandigarh office has alleged that this land belongs to the church and is the proposed site for the construction of the diocese office. They claim the actual land allotted to these people by the church was another piece of land near the old playground area. They have also alleged that the police refused to intervene and also manhandled the Bishop, Rt. Rev. Joel V. Mal, and threatened them. However, the SP (City) Mr P.S. Virk denied this charge. The diocese has now sent a
memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Arun Goel, to
conduct an investigation into this matter and has also
urged the SSP, the Chief Minister , Punjab, the Governor,
Punjab, the Prime Minister and the Minorities Commission
to look into the matter. They have also threatened to
close down all institutions being run by Christians for a
period of two days and then indefinitely, if the issue is
not resolved at the earliest. |
Ex-MLA alleges police
inaction BATHINDA, Aug 30 — Mr Harbans Singh Jalal, a former MLA and founder of the Manav Roohani Mission, alleged today that more than 2,000 religious books, including the ‘bir’ of Guru Granth Sahib and Bhagavadgita, were burnt after being taken away from his local ashram by an Inspector of the Punjab Police. Addressing newsmen here, he alleged that household articles worth about Rs 5 lakh and other important documents had also been stolen from his ashram. He alleged this was done by relatives of two senior leaders of the ruling Akali Dal. These two senior leaders, he alleged were trying to grab the ashram and the surrounding piece of land which was worth Rs 3 crore. Mr Jalal alleged that on August 26, he noticed stranger in his ashram and he approached the SSP in this connection. On the instructions of the SSP, he went to the city police station and narrated the whole incident to SHO Dinesh Kumar, Mr Jalal said. While he was given three security men, Mr Dinesh Kumar proceeded towards ashram with cops. Mr Jalal was asked to stay outside ashram. Mr Dinesh Kumar told him after visiting the ashram that the stranger had been detained. However, the stranger could be arrested only after the registration of an FIR in the case. He went to the police station but no FIR was registered, Mr Jalal said. Mr Jalal alleged that when he was proceeding towards the city in his car, a gypsy with policemen started chasing him and he had to seek shelter in the house of the Additional Sessions Judge. Mr Jalal said he met the SSP for taking action in the matter. The SSP ordered the registration of an FIR. Even after the registration of an FIR, the police had taken no action, Mr Jalal said. Mr Dinesh Sharma, SHO,
said policemen did not chase the car of Mr Jalal. The
case, the SHO said, had been sent for legal opinion. |
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Manha turns Mohinder for 'kar
seva' KHADOOR SAHIB (Amritsar), Aug 30 — Baba Mohinder Singh (60) is one of those hapless persons who was separated from his family during partition. Born in a Muslim family at nearby village of Bhail and named Manha. Now known as Baba Mohinder Singh has devoted his life to "kar seva" at gurdwaras. He said his father Haji Mian died when he was three. During the partition, his elder brother Jahna was killed. With a view of saving him from frenzied mobs his mother put him in the house of a Sikh farmer. His mother, sister-in-law and two nephews migrated to Pakistan. After a few days, he came to the 'dera' of Baba Uttam Singh. He was 10 years old then. Baba Uttam Singh's affection made him to stay there. He embraced Sikhism and made the "kar seva" of constructing Sikh shrines and buildings his life mission. Baba Mohinder Singh said his mother wrote to him a letter in 1965 asking him to see her. In this reply to her he promised to visit her. Due to the 1965 Indo-Pak war his visit to Pakistan got deferred. His two uncles, he said, visited him at the 'dera' in 1978 and asked him to go with them to Pakistan. He was in a dilemma. Baba Uttam Singh persuaded him to go with them. He did so, but on reaching Tarn Taran, he gave them a slip and returned to Khadoor Sahib. Baba Mohinder Singh accompanied Lieut Col Partap Singh Gill (retd), the chairman of the Indo-Pak Parwar Milap Trust, to Pakistan on April 17 last with the hope of seeing his mother. He carried her letter with him. He was taken to village Chak No 140-R in Khanewal district in a vehicle provided by the Pakistan Prime Minister, Mr Nawaz Sharif. On reaching the address given by her mother in the 1965 letter he learnt about her demise. He, however, met his sister Bibi Jano and a nephew. They insisted him to stay with them, but he returned the same day. He had received a letter from his sister and the nephew inviting him to visit them. He is a bachelor like
other residents of the 'dera'. |
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Copies of Ajit, Editor's effigy
burnt AMRITSAR, Aug 30 — Nearly 50 Sikh youths burnt the copies of the Punjabi daily Ajit near Hall Gate here today in protest against its alleged blasphemous editorials and vilification campaign against Akal Takht chief Bhai Ranjit Singh. They also set on fire the effigy of its Editor, Mr Barjinder Singh Hamdard, who was elected a member of the Rajya Sabha with active support of the Shiromani Akali Dal. The youths raised slogans against Mr Hamdard and the daily Ajit besides performing his "siapa". They blocked traffic near Hall Gate for 15 minutes. They were carrying banners with the slogans" Akal Takht Mahan Hai, Sikh-Panth Di Shan Hai", 'Jo Akal Takht naal takrayega, choor choor ho jayega" and demanding the resignation of Mr Hamdard from the Rajya Sabha, and his apology from Akal Takht. Meanwhile, the USA-based Akal Takht Support Committee alleged that the 'communal Hindu fundamentalists" in league with Sikh "fellow travellers" were conspiring to tarnish the "image, the majesty, the awe and the supremacy" of the institution of the Akal Takht, and its tradition of issuance of "hukamnama" unquestioned obeisance to which religious command had been obligatory on every "Gursikh" for centuries "no matter where they live and no matter what the circumstances." The committee criticised the Sikh leadership in Punjab for tolerating the "unmitigated impudence of an intrigant" Editor of the Jalandhar-based Punjab newspaper Ajit, Barjinder Singh Hamdard, "who is in cahoots with some communal BJP Hindu fundamentalists, had fanned a challenge (from within) to the 'reverable authority of Akal Takht Sahib and its 'hukamnamas" issued by its Jathedar, Bhai Ranjit Singh. The committee resolved to defend the majesty of the Akal Takht, and reverence of the "hukamnamas" and "let the world know that integrity of the great Sikh religion, its institutions and its "hukamnamas" will be defended, no matter what, by the prosperous, wide-awake three million strong Sikh diaspora living free in different countries of the world." The statement issued by Mr
Shamsher Singh, was circulated here today by the
supporters of Bhai Ranjit Singh. |
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Racket in sale of computers GURDASPUR, Aug 30 — A scandal involving the purchase of substandard computers has come to light. Mr Bhupinder Singh Mann, a former MP, in 1996 announced a grant for the purchase of 10 computers for Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Batala, seven computers for Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Tugalwal, and one computer each for GGS Senior Secondary School Bhagowal, Government Senior Secondary School, Wadala, Granthia, Government High School, Jaura Chhitra, and Government College, Kala Afgana. Computers were to be purchased under the MP Local Area Development Scheme. Tenders in favour of software engineering firm at Pathankot were accepted on February 19, 1995, with the condition that computers would be supplied by March 1997. The payment of approximately Rs 11.5 lakh was made to the party by the office of the ADC (Development). The scandal came to the notice when the Subdivisional Magistrate during the Lok Sabha poll requested the management of the Khalsa School, Batala, to lend them a computer for expediting the election work. The school management provided a computer which had not been installed so far. The SDM sent an expert who found that the computer did not have software printers and key-boards. So much so that one pack was found empty. The matter came to the notice of Mr Mann who raised the issue with the Deputy Commissioner who on inquiry detected that the supply was inadequate and material supplied substandard. The ADC (Development)
issued a notice to the dealer in August to immediately
install the computers complete in all respects or a
police case would be registered. The dealer promised to
complete the task by August 10 but nothing has been done
so far. |
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No new PSEB posts to be
created CHANDIGARH, Aug 30 — There will be no fresh recruitment in the Punjab State Electricity Board as its newly appointed chairman, Mr S.K. Tuteja, has banned the creation of the new posts in this heavily over-staffed organisation with immediate effect. Mr S.K. Tuteja told TNS that only internal adjustments would be made to fill vacant posts in the board and no new post would be created. In due course the number of posts in various wings of the board would be reviewed. The PSEB has more than one lakh employees on its rolls and its annual salary bill is more than Rs 500 crore. Recently there was a lot of hue and cry in the board following creation of new posts of Chief Engineer and Superintending Engineer. Allegations were levelled that posts have been created at the top level to accommodate close relations of some top politicians of Punjab and to please VIPs. Taking strong exception to the posts created at the top level, the PSEB struggle committee had urged the board to abolish the posts created at the top level as the board had become too "top heavy". Already one post of the Chief Engineer (Vigilance) had been abolished. Other posts created at the top level might be abolished in due course. The board has about 30 Chief Engineers and around 125 Superintending Engineers. Those SEs who have completed three years of service in the post have been redesignated as Deputy Chief Engineers. The struggle committee consisting of Mr H.S. Minhas, Mr Mukhwant Singh Sidhu, Mr Surinder Singh, Mr Joginder Singh Jindu, Mr Mohinder Singh, etc had urged the PSEB Chairman to create more posts of staff at the lower level to rationalise the workload. They had objected to the cut imposed on posts at the lower level. The board has issued instructions to all officials concerned that no request for posting an incumbent against a vacant post, declared surplus, should be entertained. Keeping in the view the number of posts lying vacant at present, each head of the department should carry out a detailed exercise to identify that bare number of posts (category wise) required to be filled. The balance posts should be kept vacant. Informed sources say that an internal arrangement would be made to fill such vacant posts by diverting staff from surplus to deficient wings in the board. The officials charged with postings had been told to fill vacant posts in the Bhakra-Beas Management Board falling under the PSEB quota. If for any post, willing officers or officials are not available, consent may be obtained from senior most employees in the lower cadres and they should be posted in the BBMB after promotion. Wherever the quantum of
the work is not sufficient to justify the manpower,
efforts should be made to transfer the incumbents for
proper utilisation in other wings and the number of
surplus posts should be intimated to the board. Cases
pertaining to deputation of officers and officials should
be dealt with more liberally. |
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SAD, SGPC ignoring "real"
issues CHANDIGARH: Can the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) absolve itself from its responsibility of not intervening in the controversy involving the head priests ? Is crisis management of such a nature the sole responsibility of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee? Afterall both, SAD and the SGPC, have a symbiotic relationship. SAD claims to articulate the political and socio-economic aspirations of the Sikhs. The SGPC is considered a repository of Sikh religious sentiments looking after the management of gurdwaras. Propagation of Sikh faith is also its domain. Both organisations, SAD and the SGPC, adhere to the doctrine that religion and politics are inseparable. The mix of the two, however, rather than cleansing politics has politicised religion. The institution of Akal Takht — has often been used (rather misused) by SAD and SGPC leaders to settle their political scores. The institution of Head Priests (jathedars) come into the limelight in the wake of "Operation Bluestar" in 1984, when all senior Akali leaders were in jail. This institute comprises jathedars of Akal Takht, Takht Keshgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib, Takht Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo and the Head Priests of Akal Takht and the Golden Temple. The slanging match between a section of Head Priests in recent days has hurt the sentiments of the Sikhs. The two issues — the manner of serving "langar" and seeking of accounts of funds collected in the name of the World Sikh Council — have divided the Sikhs, both at home and abroad are these two the only issues? There is more to it than meets the eye to "resolve" the present crisis, there is a need to understand the genesis of the present crisis in a wider perspective. As a result of what has clouded the Head Priests there is subterranean resentment in the Sikhs. These developments have diluted the sanctity of the Akal Takht, which symbolises high "moral" authority. Symbols have become more important than substance even if the SAD and the SGPC succeed in resolving the crisis will the two issues at stake also get sorted out? Can these visible and other invisible issues be ignored with impunity on the pretext that eruption of such unpleasant happenings will eclipse the celebration of founding of the Khalsa Panth next year? The tercentenary is in 1999. At a time when there should be jubilation and enthusiasm over the celebration of the event, the Sikh clergy and the politician is embroiled in squabbles. TNS talked to a cross-section of Akalis on the issue. The common refrain was "It is time to introspect which of the Sikh institution has faltered and why? Where lies the remedy? How to meet the challenges of the 21st century?" These Akalis wanted a "mechanism" to be evolved to operationalise the "collective" will of the Khalsa Panth when it comes to the functioning of the SGPC, appointment of Head Priests, propagating Sikh religion, management of gurdwaras and how to free them from factional politics and corruption. "Cleansing the religio-political institutions should be an internal affair of the Sikhs". These Akalis regretted that the leadership of SAD and the SGPC has lost sight of the "real" issues which were at the centre-stage in a decade of bloodshed in which people from all walks of life suffered in Punjab. Why, these Akalis asked in anguish, no one, either in the SGPC or SAD, now speaks about upholding the "dignity" of the Sikhs or restoring their "self-respect" in the eyes of the national and international community? The blame for such a sorry pass must be apportioned to the Akali politicians and those who claim to protect the religion. There is need for a healthy debate within the community on the whole gamut of religio-political affairs and to remove the perceived notions of persecution in Sikhs. The Akalis also see the present crisis as a "collective" failure of the SPGC, which is often called Sikhs' mini-parliament. The growing cult of apostasy among Sikhs, these leaders said, should also be a matter of concern to the Akali leadership, which has failed to provide direction to the community because of its own poor housekeeping, may it be in respect of gurdwara politics or election to the Assembly or Parliament. Will removal of the head
priests help? Or, only a patch-work will do to
temporarily tide over the situation? Definitely the
crisis can affect the state government at any point of
time. The embarrassment caused by the happenings should
be a matter of concern as much to the entire Akali
leadership (irrespective of factionalism) as it is to
ordinary Sikhs, said several Akali leaders. |
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Show results or quit, Amarinder
tells Badal GURDASPUR, Aug 30 — Capt Amarinder Singh, president, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, addressing a largely attended rural mela at Babshali, five km from here, today suggested to Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, either to show results or resign. The PPCC president said the law and order situation in the state has deteriorated. Incidents of rape, robbery and murder were on the increase. At least one murder a day was being reported at Patiala. Rape cases have become frequent. Three girls were recently raped at Ludhiana. The Chief Minister did not even bother to issue a statement, he said. He reiterated that funds on rural development, land reclamation were being diverted to Malout and Muktsar, with the sole objective of preparing political ground for Mr Badal’s son in expected mid-term poll for the Lok Sabha. He said as mush as Rs 300 crore and Rs 700 crore were diverted to these areas during last year and the current year, respectively. Mr Amarinder Singh said the industry at Mandi Gobindgarh and Khanna was facing slump. Steel manufacturing factories were facing closure. The 30 per cent of the textile factories in Punjab had been closed. He said since the start of Mr Badal’s tenure as the Chief Minister not a single factory has been set up. He said setting up of industrial units in Punjab was not competitive due to frequent hikes in power tariff and difference in sales tax vis-a-vis neighbouring states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. He feared an increase in unemployment. Capt Amarinder Singh said paddy in more than 1.25 lakh acre in districts of Amritsar and Gurdaspur has been hit by a mysterious disease. Paddy plants have turned yellow and the grain has stopped growing. This is likely to result in fall of paddy production. Capt Amarinder Singh said the SAD-BJP leadership has so far made no concerted effort to raise Punjab issues in the Parliament. He said the Congress will continue to fight for the pending demands of Punjab. Referring to division of river waters, he said riparian law does not allow sharing of river waters with Haryana. Moreover, Punjab cannot spare even a drop of water particularly when the table of water had already fallen. He accused Mr Parkash Singh Badal and members of his family of massive corruption. Ministers and MLAs are only following foot steps of the Badal family. He said Mr Badal failed to implement promises made in the SAD-BJP manifesto. Octroi has not been abolished and the old-age pension scheme and other social welfare measures announced by the SAD-BJP Government have not been fulfilled so far. He said a loan of Rs 8500 crore has not been waived so far as was being claimed by the SAD-BJP leadership. Earlier, addressing newsmen at Batala Capt Amarinder Singh said Mr Badal has planned no strategy to save farmers from committing suicides due to their falling in debt trap. As many as 133 farmers have committed suicide. Answering a question Capt Amarinder Singh said change in leadership of the Congress Legislature Party is the jurisdiction of the AICC president. He said he will give his opinion only if asked to do so. The AICC president has not asked him to give his views on the issue so far, he said. Capt Amarinder Singh said the government was silent about the strike resorted to by college and university teachers. He said the government should immediately intervene to resolve the issue because it involves the career of one crore students. He said the Punjab Government was running on 11 days over-draft from the banks. Mrs Sukhbans Kaur Bhinder,
Mr Raghunath Sahai Puri were also present on the
occasion. |
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Sarup Singh cremated JALANDHAR, Aug 30 (UNI) — Body of Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister Sarup Singh, who died in Chandigarh yesterday, was cremated with full state honours in his hometown here today. His eldest son Kuldip Singh lit the pyre as Punjab Armed Police (PAP) personnel fired volleys of shots into the air to the accompaniment of sounding of the last post by PAP buglers at the Model Town cremation grounds in the city. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, camping in city since yesterday, visited the residence of the Minister in the city again this morning. He was joined by several of his ministerial and party colleagues and MLAs of the ruling Akali-BJP combine in paying homage to Mr Sarup Singh by placing wreaths on his body wrapped in the national tricolour. Deputy Commissioner Som Parkash laid a wreath on behalf of Punjab Governor Lt-General (retd) B.K.N. Chhibber, Congress Legislature Party deputy leader Choudhary Jagjit Singh offered floral tributes on behalf of state Congress president Amarinder Singh. Bharatiya Janata party state president Daya Singh Sodhi, Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) acting president Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, SGPC president’s son-in-law and Punjab Minister Harmel Singh Tohra besides city Mayor Suresh Sehgal also paid homage. Chief Minister’s brother Gurdas Badal and Congress former MPs Umrao Singh and Iqbal Singh and state Congress vice-president Avtar Henry besides Health Minister Manoranjan Kalia also laid wreaths on the body. Earlier, the body of Mr Sarup Singh was taken to the cremation ground on the truck-trailer decked with flowers. Mourning family members sat by the side of the body. While passing through the city, the trailer halted for a while in front of gurdwaras on the way. Prominent among those who
attended the cremation were Speaker of Punjab Assembly
Charanjit Singh Atwal, and Rajya Sabha MP and Managing
Editor of the leading Punjabi Daily ‘Ajit’,
Barjinder Singh Hamdard. |
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Bandh over killing of safai
sewak's son FATEHGARH SAHIB, Aug 30 — A complete bandh was organised and traffic blocked at Bassi Pathana town in protest against the killing of Sonu Sikandar (21) son of a widow safai sewak of the town last night by the three car-borne persons who allegedly claimed to be cops. According to Mr R.N. Goyal, Mr Jagdish Bhalla, Mr Daulat Ram, Mr Hari Chand and Mr Surinder Babba, local leaders of Balmikis, the marriages of both Sonu's and his sister were fixed for next month. Sonu's brother, Mr Mohal Lal went to an STD booth for making calls for the preparation of marriage. The three persons, who claimed to be the police Inspector, ASI and SPO were also making calls. These persons asked the Balmiki boy to leave the booth. When he refused to do so they beat him up with the butts of revolver and injured him. The boy rushed to his mohalla and informed the people about his manhandling. These Balmiki leaders claimed that when they were on their way to the police station to lodge an FIR. They were challenged by the same car-borne persons and ordered them to hand over Monu. When the leaders said that there was no Monu among them one of the car-borne persons shot dead Sonu who resembled Monu. A bullet pierced through his head and he died on the spot. These Balmiki leaders alleged that they continued firing . After the incident when Balmiki leaders reached the police station to inform about the killing, these three persons were present there and fled after seeing them. Mr Surinder Kaura, ex-president, M.C. Bassi Pathana, Mr Ramesh Gupta, M.C. and Mr Ashok Gautam, Congress leader alleged that these persons used to reside in Haveli Mohalla on rent and claimed to be police personnel. They had a wireless set with them. They usually drink in the day and remain mostly out at night. People identify them as police officers. Meanwhile, Mr Madan Lal Ballu, president, Punjab Pradesh Balmiki Sabha expressed concern over the incident and demanded that till the culprits were arrested and compensation paid to the affected family their struggle will continue. In the afternoon Mr T.R. Sarangal, Deputy Commissioner and Mr Paramraj Singh, SSP held consultations with the 11-member action committee and reached on an accord. Both officers addressed those on dharna and assured the people that the culprits would be arrested at the earliest and announced grant of compensation and job to one of the family members of aggrieved family. The dharna and blockade was lifted thereafter. The SSP said that all
three persons have been identified and none of them was
police employee rather they were former terrorists on
bail. He said they would be arrested and action taken
against the erring police officials. He said a case under
Section 302 IPC had been registered and police parties
sent to nab them. The body was cremated in the evening
after a post-mortem examination. |
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Recounselling for BAMS on September 10 PATIALA, Aug 30 — Dr
P.C. Kansal, Chairman-cum-Principal of Government
Ayurvedic College, Patiala, said here today that
recounselling for the BAMS (Ayurvedacharya) course,
scheduled for August 31, would now be held on September
10. |
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Follow 'hukamnama', says WSC CHANDIGARH, Aug 30 — The interim committee of the World Sikh Council today met with Justice Kuldip Singh, president of the council, in the chair. Among other things the committee took cognisance of the developments in recent weeks and appealed to the Sikhs that they implement in letter and spirit the "hukamnama" (edicts) issued by Akal Takht in line with past traditions. The controversy over the "hukamnamas" was unfortunate and uncalled for. The committee, according to the Secretary-General, Brig Gurdeep Singh (retd), also condemned the Jalandhar daily Ajit for siding with those who were finding fault with the Akal Takht hukamnama. The paper's role had harmed the dignity and respect of the Takht itself, it felt. The press note clarified
that till date the past office-bearers had not submitted
any statement of accounts to the council. Therefore it
was satisfied over the maintenance of accounts. |
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Tributes
paid to Beant Singh PATIALA, Aug 30 — Tributes were paid to Beant Singh, a former Chief Minister of Punjab, at his third death anniversary organised by the district Congress committee (urban) here today. Mrs Jaswant Kaur, widow of Beant Singh, his son Tej Parkash, MLA, and daughter Gurkamal Kaur also attended the function held at a statue of the former Chief Minister in Chhoti Baradari market. The speakers demanded that the birth and death anniversaries of Beant Singh should be observed on the pattern of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal. Mrs Parneet Kaur, wife of
Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh, Mr Gurcharan Singh
Galib, Mr Lal Singh, both vice-presidents, and other
office-bearers of the state unit also paid homage to the
departed leader. |
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Protesters
block traffic MOGA, Aug 30 — More than 2000 persons, including members of the Congress, the CPI, the CPM and other opposition parties blocked traffic on the Moga-Kotkapura and Nihalsinghwala-Mudki crossing on Baghapurana, 15 km from here yesterday for an hour. They were protesting against price rise and landgrab by certain influential persons. Addressing a rally, leaders of various parties, including vice-president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, Jagmeet Singh Brar and legal adviser of the Baghapurana Sangharsh Committee Nasib Singh Bawa, and others criticised the administration for its failure in taking action against the persons who had illegally occupied government land. They also blamed the
government for deteriorating law and order situation.
They said that all opposition parties would launch a
state-wide agitation if the government failed to check
price rise and maintain law and order in the state. They
urged the district administration to take immediate and
necessary action against those who had grabbed the
government land. |
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Running from pillar to post for
FIR KOT KAPURA, Aug 30 — Mr Bihari Lal Sehgal (65), has been running from pillar to post to get an FIR registered against "local goons" who allegedly attacked members of his family at his house on August 26. In the telegrams given to Mr P.C. Dogra, DGP, Mr G.S. Mann, DIG (Faridkot), and Mr H.S. Sidhu, SSP (Faridkot), Mr Bihari Lal alleged that a local Akali leader, along with his son and six guards, attacked his house on August 26, but the police has not registered any case. He further alleged that even his statement was recorded only on the telephonic instructions of the DIG, Mr Mann. He has sought security for him self and members of his family. Earlier some "goons" had attacked his son and daughter-in-law on August 11, he alleged. Mr Jagjit Singh Bawa, SHO,
city police station, said the statement of the victim had
been recorded. The case had been sent to the prosecution
branch for legal opinion for registering an FIR. |
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Changes in colleges’
prospectus opposed CHANDIGARH, Aug 30 — The changes in prospectus of medical and dental colleges, both government and private, introduced for 1998-99 academic session are against the interests of the students belonging to backward classes and minorities, says a press release of the "front" representing these classes. The Backward Classes and Minorities Front president, Mr Ishar Singh Lang, in a statement today said this was more so in respect of private dental colleges in Punjab. While the front noted dental colleges at Patiala and Amritsar had made reservations as per the prospectus, the remaining three medical or dental colleges had already filled 30 "free" seats and no reserved seat has been filled, though there is a provision for 25 and 5 per cent reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, respectively. The press note says this
was a violation of the Constitution itself. The
government must make amends. Since Guru Ram Das Institute
of Medical and Research, Amritsar has received formal
recognition from the MCI admissions now can be made as
per the prospectus. |
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JE held on theft charge GURDASPUR, Aug 30 (UNI) — The police today announced the arrest of junior engineer Ulfat Rai of the Ranjit Sagar dam project following the recovery of barbed wire allegedly stolen from the dam stores. SSP Gaurav Yadav said when the police learnt that the engineer had been stealing and selling dam's stores by striking deals in a restaurant at Jogial township near the dam site, they raided his residence at Jogial Colony and recovered barbed wire allegedly stolen from the stores. A case under section 409,
IPC, has been registered against him. |
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GURDASPUR, Aug 30 (UNI) — The police today claimed to have busted a gang of thieves allegedly headed by Dida village sarpanch Banwari Lal and recovered stolen goods worth Rs 1.71 lakh from them. Stating this at a press conference here, SP (Headquarters) Gurpreet Deol said besides the sarpanch, three other members of the gang arrested were Bodh Raj of Singhwal, Buta Ram of Baburji and Vijay Kumar of Jangla village. She claimed that the sarpanch allegedly participated in each of the eight thefts committed by the gangsters in Hoshiarpur district and Gurdaspur town. One of the two scooters intercepted near the milk plant on the outskirts of the town last night had been stolen by them from Jalandhar city bus stand. The goods recovered from them included gold and silver ornaments, television sets, wrist watches and clothes. A case has been registered
against all four accused. |
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