Monday, December 21, 1998
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P U N J A B | |
Monday, December 21, 1998 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Stage set
for motorable road to Hemkunt Sahib Registration
of case ordered Tohra
talks to former PM Torture
case: evidence recorded |
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 Train mishap averted PHAGWARA, Dec 20 — A train mishap was averted today when the coupling drawbar joining two coaches of the Amritsar-Barauni Express broke near here and an alert driver quickly brought the train to a halt.
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Medical
research centre planned Sarvdharma
chetna march ends Bhagat
Puran Singh mela a big draw Kainth
for more free power for SCs |
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Stage set for motorable road to
Hemkunt Sahib CHANDIGARH, Dec 20 — The dream of having an electrified motorable road to Hemkunt Sahib in UP appears to have become a reality. The foundation stone of the Rs 50 crore project for a 30 km long road linking the holy gurdwara will be laid by the "Panj Pyaras" on January 5 to coincide with the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh. The road when completed will also shorten the distance to the holy shrine by 4 km. According to Sant Baba Pritpal Singh, chairman of the Shiromani Sant Khalsa International Foundation, a convoy of 100 vehicles led by the "Panj Pyaras" will leave for Pandu Keshar, about 2 km from Gobind Ghat, on the Badrinath road on December 31. A meeting of the foundation was held last night in which it was decided to invite Jathedars of all the five Takhts besides a number of saints for the inaugural ceremony. The Sant Khalsa International Foundation had been working for the past four years to get the project executed. Mr Madan Lal Khurana, Parliamentary Affairs Minister, played a significant role in seeing the project through. In this connection an agreement has been signed between the UP Government and the foundation under which the PWD will execute the project in three years. The Executive Engineer of the PWD, Gopeshwar (Chamoli), wrote to the chairman of the foundation on December 3 confirming the terms of the contract under which the foundation was asked to deposit the first instalment of Rs 91 lakh. The foundation deposited two drafts worth Rs 9 lakh on December 15. The next instalment of Rs 2.5 crore has to be deposited within three months. According to Sant Pritpal Singh, the PWD will execute the project on behalf of the foundation. Blasting of the road will start this season itself whereas the actual laying of the road will start when the route opens after winter. The Rs 50 crore project involves the laying of a 30 km road besides the construction of a serai, a hospital and a vast parking lot for 400 vehicles. Mr Harbhajan Singh who designed the Royal Palace at Thimpu for the Bhutan King, has been entrusted with the job of designing a Sikh emblem of khanda (a double-edged sword) to be constructed at Pandu Keshar. Besides, UP Chief Minister
Kalyan Singh and Forest and PWD Minister Kalraj Mishra,
Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee, Union Ministers S.S.
Barnala and Madan Lal Khurana, invitations have also been
sent to former a former Prime Minister, Mr I.K. Gujral,
former minister Buta Singh and a former Chief Minister,
Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal. |
Undertrial branded PATIALA, Dec 20 — Chief Judicial Magistrate Birender Singh has ordered the registration of a case at Nabha Sadar police station on the basis of a complaint of an undertrial prisoner, Tarlochan Singh, that he was branded by officials in the Nabha jail on October 19. In his order passed on December 9, a certified copy of which was obtained by this reporter today, Mr Birender Singh directed that the complaint along with his statement should be sent to the SHO of Nabha Sadar police station within whose jurisdiction the offence was stated to have been committed for investigation. The complainant, who was present in the court along with his counsel, had earlier in a statement alleged that he had been highlighting atrocities committed allegedly by certain jail officials in the Central Jail. He said he had also complained about a large number of deaths in the jail to an inquiry officer who had visited it on September 24. Following this, Tarlochan said he was shifted to the Nabha maximum security prison in October. On Divali night he was taken to a secluded place, tortured and branded by certain jail officials. He said he would be able to recognise those who branded him. Meanwhile, Mr Brijinder
Singh Sodhi, in a separate statement issued on behalf of
the Human Rights for Democracy Forum, said that he would
submit a document in court on behalf of Tarlochan Singh
to highlight the "casual manner in which security
was thrown to the winds in the maximum security prison
with no record being kept of the visits of officials from
outside". |
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Tohra talks to Chander Shekhar JALANDHAR, Dec 20 (UNI) — Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) president Gurcharan Singh Tohra, sought to be politically marginalised by the camp followers of the Chief Minister and SAD President Parkash Singh Badal, held telephonic conversation with former Prime Minister Chander Shekhar last evening and met Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Kanshi Ram at Chandigarh this morning. Samajwadi Janata Party (SJP) state president Darshan Singh Jidda, who arranged the telephonic conversation between Mr Tohra and Mr Chander Shekhar, confirmed this to UNI on the telephone from Bathinda today. Mr Kanshi Ram himself confirmed his meeting with the SGPC supremo during a conversation with a section of the press at Dadu Majra village on the outskirts of Chandigarh this afternoon. Mr Kanshi Ram had come to address a Balmiki rally in the village, according to BSP sources. While Mr Jidda said he was not aware of the identity of the owner of the house from where the telephonic conversation between the SGPC chief and the former Prime Minister took place around 5.00 p.m. last evening, UNI learnt that it took place from the house of Tohra loyalist Sukhjinder Singh Bhaur, located on Phagwara-Nawanshahr road. Significantly, Akali Dal (Panthic) president Jasvir Singh Rode, a former jathedar of the Akal Takht, was also present in Mr Bhaur’s house when the 20-minute conversation took place. Mr Jidda told UNI that the former Prime Minister impressed upon Mr Tohra the need for maintaining Akali unity, adding whenever Akalis got disunited it led to "political instability’’ in the sensitive border state. He also impressed upon the Akali stalwart that the SAD should work in tandem with political parties which were "pro-minorities and pro-region". The former Prime Minister
also urged Mr Tohra to avert further deepening of the
crisis as it would neither benefit the SAD nor the people
of Punjab and the nation. Instead weakening of the ruling
Akali Dal could lead to political instability in Punjab. |
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Evidence
recorded in torture case KAPURTHALA, Dec 20 — Mr Jaspal Singh, Chief Judicial Magistrate on Saturday recorded the statement of Mr Jaimal Singh, a member of the SGPC and president of the Municipal Council, Sultanpur Lodhi in a case of alleged torture of Sarabjit Singh, an employee of the PSEB posted at Sultanpur Lodhi. Sarabjit Singh, a resident of Shah Sultan mohalla of Sultanpur Lodhi had filed a writ in the Punjab and Haryana High Court through his council, Mr Ranjan Lakhanpal, alleging that police officials had picked him up from his house on April 7, 1992 and taken him to the Army camp at Sultanpur Lodhi, where he was stripped and tortured. Because of prolonged torture the lower part of his body was severely damaged and he was rendered impotent. In response to the writ, Mr Justice KK Srivastva of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, in his order dated May 13, 1998, directed Mr Jaspal Singh, Chief Judicial Magistrate, to investigate. Captain Rashim Bali of the Army and Manohar Singh, a head constable of the Punjab police are being investigated in the case. Sarabjit Singh said following pressure mounted by union leaders of PSEB and citizens of Sultanpur Lodhi he was freed on June 8, 1992. Sarabjit Singh had sought the intervention of the High Court for registration of a criminal case and to demand suitable compensation. Mr Jaspal Singh later
adjourned hearing to December 23. |
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Medical
research centre planned CHANDIGARH, Dec 20 — The Government Medical College (GOMCO) Patiala Alumni Association plans to set up a research foundation in the region, Dr Harry Sahota, president of the North America unit of the association, informed here today. Talking to The Tribune on the last day of the Indo-US GOMCO International--'98 at the IMTECH in Sector 39 here, Dr Sahota said the main objectives of the foundation were to give a boost to the research-related activities and help in the upgradation of the knowledge of the Indian medical community by close association with their foreign counterparts. Later, during a talk on the balloon angioplasty, Dr Sahota spoke on the use of the perfusion balloon, popularly called the "Sahota balloon". This balloon has given heart surgeons longer time for operations in case of the blockade of the artery than the ordinary balloons. The balloon has been approved by the Federal Drug Administration of the USA and is being used all over the world, claimed Dr Sahota. Dr KK Talwar from AIIMS, New Delhi, dwelled on the latest developments in the implantable devices in the heart patients. Dr Talwar and Dr Sahota were of the view that in spite of the lack of facilities in the country, the research level in India was on a par with the world. Terming the laparoscopic surgery as a safe option, Prof Kuldip Singh from Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, informed that diet with a lot of cholesterol damaged the gall bladder. The disease was very common in north India on account of "wrong" dietary habits, he informed. Professor Singh, who is the Vice-President of the Indian Association of Laparoscopic Surgery and a pioneer of this kind of surgery, said contrary to popular belief patients could lead a normal life after the removal of the gall bladder. Speaking on the current management of spinal injuries, Prof Raj Bahadur, Head of the Department of Orthopaedics, Government Medical College and Hospital(GMCH), Sector 32, stressed the need for training the paramedical staff to transport spinal injury patients to a recognised spinal injury centre. He said within eight hours, the physicians should give high doses of methyl prednisolone (a steroid), besides resuscitation to reduce the swelling the of spinal cord. Since it was not certain that which fracture was unstable, he advocated that the patients should be fixed plates and screws. The stability of the fracture enhanced the early mobilisation which prevented bed sores, chest infections and urinary infections, which were the major causes of death in these patients. He claimed that the GMCH was emerging as a major centre for the treatment of spinal injuries in the region with over 200 patients from the region including UP and Jammu and Kashmir, having been operated upon. Prof SBS Mann, Head of the Department of ENT of the PGI, informed that about 10 per cent of the country's population — 100million — suffered from various levels of deafness. Talking about noise
pollution, Professor Mann advocated the use of ear
protectors for factory workers, use of seat belts and ban
on multi-horns. |
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Sarvdharma
chetna march ends ANANDPUR SAHIB (Ropar), Dec 20 — The three-day sarvadharma chetna march, organised in connection with the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of Khalsa from Jammu to here, culminated in the evening today on a colourful note with religious fervour and fanfare. The march was welcomed by Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Giani Tarlochan Singh, Head Granthi of the takht, and Sikh sangats near the takht. The Head Granthi later performed ardas at the takht and presented siropas to the Panj Pyaras, who led the march. The Panj Pyaras who belonged to Jammu were Jathedar Gurdeep Singh, Bhai Balbir Singh, Bhai Ravinder Singh, Bhai Gurcharan Singh and Bhai Lakhbir Singh. Today's march was the fourth one since November 22 when the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Khalsa Heritage Memorial Complex here was held. On the day, a march was taken out from the takht to the complex site. Later, under the patronage of Akal Takht the Sant Samaj with the cooperation of the SGPC also took out a Khalsa march from here to Fatehgarh Sahib on December 5 and 6. A few days ago, another Khalsa march also arrived here from Jammu, which was taken out by the AISSF and other organisations. This march, which passed through Dhariwal, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Machhiwara, Chamkaur Sahib and Kiratpur Sahib, covered about 600 km. In this march, thousands of pilgrims in hundreds of vehicles took part from 12 districts of Jammu and Kashmir. The convener of the march was Mr Sucha Singh Langah, state Minister for Industries, Punjab. The organisers of the march included Mr HS Rana, president of the Jammu unit of SAD, Mr JS Mehta, president of the Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, Sri Nagar, Mr Charan Singh Bali, Mr Basant Singh Khalsa and Mr Mohan Singh Taralwale, all leaders of SAD from the Kashmir unit. Talking to newsmen after the culmination of the march, Mr Langah, said in this march people from all religions took part. It was welcomed at various places by Christians, Ahmediyas, Muslims, the Bajrang Dal the Hindu Vishav Maha Parishad and Sanatan Dharam people. Mr Langah also announced
that 501 akhand paths each of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and
Sri Ram Charit Manas besides 501 prayers each in mosques
and churches would be held for the progress of the Panth
in various parts of the state before April 1999. |
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Train
mishap averted PHAGWARA, Dec 20 — A train mishap was averted today when the coupling drawbar joining two coaches of the Amritsar-Barauni Express broke near here and an alert driver quickly brought the train to a halt. The coupling broke this morning near the Phagwara-Chaheru section, about 2 km from here and separated six coaches at the rear from the rest, Station Superintendent S.L. Sharma said. The driver, Mr Amarjit Singh, said since the train was at a "dead slow" speed at the outer red signal, he was able to notice the "sudden jerk" and apply the brakes. The 2596 Amritsar-Mumbai Deluxe Express, which was following the Brauni-bound train, was allowed to pass through the uptrack. The Barauni Express resumed its journey after the drawbar was changed at 10.30 a.m., the Railway authorities said. Traffic on the Ludhiana-Jalandhar section remained suspended for two hours due to the mishap. The Delhi-bound Deluxe Mail and the Dadar Express which were detained at Chaheru station later resumed their onward journey. A departmental inquiry has
been ordered. |
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Condom-vending
machines damaged FEROZEPORE: Incidents of causing damage to condom-vending machines and thefts of condom and coins from them have raised a question mark over the success of the scheme under which these machines were installed here in November. A total of 22 machines were installed at different public places, including petrol stations and outside chemist shops, both in the local municipal and cantonment areas. The purpose was to control population and check AIDS. This was part of the campaign being run under the family welfare programme by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, throughout the state. A maximum of 120 condoms under the brand name "Tarang 1" are filled in every machine. The machine gives out a condom to the interested buyer when he or she inserts Re 1 coin in it. Such machines are also proposed to be installed in other parts, including Abohar, Fazilka, Jalalabad, Guruharsahai, Makhu, Mallanwala, Dharamkot, Kotisekhan, Zira and Mamdot of the district. Dr V.K. Bassi, Civil Surgeon, here has sought permission from the Ferozepore Divisional Railway Manager, Mr N.K. Goel, to instal such machines at the railway stations too. Unfortunately, some bad elements are creating problems in the smooth functioning of such machines. Since the installation four machines have so far been damaged. In one incident, owner of the shop where a condom-vending machine was installed, allegedly threw away the machine. In other three incidents, some mischievous elements not only damaged the machines, but, even stole condoms and coins from them. Talking to The Tribune, the Civil Surgeon said he had reported this matter to the Senior Superintendent of Police who had been asked to take necessary action against the persons responsible for causing damage to machines and committing thefts of coins and condoms. Regarding response to
these machines, Mr Butalia says that both men and women
are seen buying condoms from the machines which require
full safety from bad elements. This is possible if full
cooperation provided by the administration, he adds. |
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Bhagat
Puran Singh mela a big draw SAS NAGAR, Dec 20 — Despite the evening cold, residents poured into the venue of the Bhagat Puran Singh yadgari sabhyacharak mela in phase VIII here to hear well-known singer Hans Raj Hans and others. The mela, organised by the Panj Dariya Sabhyacharak Manch in collaboration with the Punjab Public Relations Department and the North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala, began in the morning. Hans Raj Hans started with Bulle Shah da kalam, "Zindgi di hai to jeene ka hunar bhi de do...Suni maalka ve meri kook paphie wali", drawing applause from the audience. He continued with Shiv Kumar Batalvi's kalam, "Thabak zulfan waliya...asan rog dil noo la layia", and later "Mainu ki manauna si toon, aap rus chaliyon". The mela was inaugurated by Mr Harinder Pal Singh Billa, Municipal Council President. Three persons were honoured on the occasion — Hans Raj Hans, Bhatti Bhariwala (song writer) and Dr KRK Raman (environmental scientist). Throughout the day the entertainment went on. Racchpal Raseela and Mohini Raseela presented a duet, "Batan pa mitra, teri patlo bhare hungara". Mohini presented several items, including "Mirza", "Mainu heere heere akhe hai nee munda lambran da" and "Bari vich baitha munda..." The audience demanded more but time was short. Manpreet Akhtar, who sang a song for the film "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai," was also in town to regale the audience. She started with "Ho lal meri pat rakhiyo" and went on to "Kuriyo nee lage na dil mera". She also presented "Mirza". Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Punjab Minister for Public Relations, who was the chief guest, emphasised that one should not forget one's culture. Such melas, he said, brought one closer to one's culture. Baljit Kaur Mohali presented "ve tere mukhre da noor channa denda eh saroor". Baljinder Kaur Dhillon sang "Chuni lai de sat rang di". Comedian Gurdev Dhillon gave a hillarious time to the audience. A collection was made for the pingalwara started by Bhagat Puran Singh in Amritsar. Mementoes were presented to a number of artistes. Among others who took part
in the mela were Satwinder Bugga, Sarabjeet Cheema,
Rajinder Mohini and Kuldeep Toor. |
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injured in clash at Kharar KHARAR, Dec 20 — Six persons were injured, two of them seriously, in a firing incident which at the local civil hospital premises here on Saturday night. Four of the injured were later discharged from the civil hospital while one person was admitted for treatment and another referred to the PGI in a critical condition. The injured have been identified as Saminder Singh, Amresh Singh and Satnam Singh, class IV employees and a driver, respectively, of the Health Department, Harbans Singh, a local resident employed with Markfed, Darshan Singh, who runs a tea stall outside the civil hospital, and Rittho, who lives near the civil hospital. A Maruti car was badly damaged in the incident. Doctors of the civil hospital said that Satnam Singh sustained serious injuries during the firing is under observation. Harbans Singh, who sustained head injuries, has been referred to the PGI. Personal enmity between
two groups was behind the incident, according to Harbans
Singh, who is related to both groups. It is learnt that
the police has rounded up four persons and recovered a
.12 bore rifle. |
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ITI
principal booked for fraud TARN TARAN, Dec 20 — A case under Sections 467, 468, 471, 420 and 120B of the IPC has been registered against Jaswant Singh Jakhmi, Principal, Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Patti and his daughter Sunita Shahi for defrauding the government. Sources said here today
that Jaswant Singh Jakhmi as a Principal of the ITI
Sarhali had appointed his daughter Sunita Shahi, a
dresser (class IV employee, in ITI Sarhali while at the
same time she was working a teacher in Guru Gobind Singh
Public School, Sarhali, Principal Jakhmi appointed his
daughter Sunita Shahi on July 1, 1996 on 89-day basis and
her services were extended up to December 29, 1996. Later
her service was regularised. The police on the complaint
of Jagtar Singh son of Mr Gurcharan Singh resident of
Sarhali, who was class IV employee in Sarhali ITI and
whose services later on were terminated by Principal
Jakhmi. He alleged that Jakhmi cheated the department and
with his connivance Sunita Shahi marked her attendance in
Sarhali ITI and in the school thus defrauded the
government by drawing salary from two posts at the same
time. Both accused were produced in the court of Mr
Ravinder Singh, Sub Judge (senior division) here on
Saturday. Sunita Shahi was sent to judicial custody and
Principal Jakhmi was given judicial remand till December
21. |
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Halwai
and Bakery Union strike today NAWANSHAHR, Dec 20 — Sweets and bakery traders will observer a strike tomorrow to protest against the proposed legislation of the Punjab government to levy 5 per cent sales tax on sweets, bakery and confectionery products. Giving this information, in a press release here on Sunday, Mr Ashawani Kumar, district president of the Halwai and Bakery Union strongly criticised the government and said that the move went counter to its policy to end inspector raj. Moreover, the raw material
used by halwais and bakers was taxed at the first stage
and a further sales tax was unfair. Milk vendors too have
decided to withhold milk supplies in support of the
strike. |
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Residents
seek compensation PATIALA, Dec 20 — Residents of the 66 kv grid PSEB colony here have demanded compensation for the damage caused to their electrical gadgets, due to high voltage on December 4. Mr NK Kalra, general
secretary of the Residents Welfare Association of the
colony, said in a statement here today that besides
compensating the affected residents, the board should
also take action against the erring staff. |
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Declaration
of results sought BATHINDA, Dec 20 — Candidates who were interviewed for granting permits to ply buses on different routes by the state transport authorities about six months ago have urged the authorities concerned to declare results immediately. Mr Narinder Kumar Gupta,
one of the applicants in a press note issued here today
said that candidates were perturbed over the inordinate
delay in declaring the results by the authorities. |
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HC
judge visits jail FEROZEPORE, Dec 20 — Mr Justice B. Rai of the Punjab and Haryana High Court yesterday visited the local Central Jail and listened to grievances of inmates. He ordered the release of nearly 150 inmates on bail and 50 on probation. He was accompanied among
others by the District and Sessions Judge, the Deputy
Commissioner and the Jail Superintendent. |
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Kainth
for more free power for SCs JALANDHAR, Dec 20 — On the eve of first annual foundation day of the Bahujan Samaj Morcha, its president Satnam Singh Kainth, Member of Parliament from Phillaur, pleaded for employing more SCs/BC's so as to clear the backlog of vacancies. Mr Kainth, addressing a rally of Bahujan Samaj Morcha workers here today demanded that the Chief Minister earmark Rs 100 crore in his budget for the uplift of SCs and BCs. He alleged that the Badal government had failed to tackle the problems of the samaj. Speaking on the occasion he also made a demand for increasing free power from 30 units to 100 units for SCs/BCs. Observers felt that Mr
Kainth, who made his way to Lok Sabha with the help of
the SAD now feels disenchanted with the Badal government. |
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