M A I N   N E W S

Dalal’s kin shot dead
From Our Correspondent

FARIDABAD, Oct 27 — A senior leader of the Haryana Nirman Morcha and a relative of former minister, Mr Karan Singh Dalal, was shot dead, allegedly by four personnel last night, in his native village of Dudhala, about 25 km from here.

The assailants have been identified but no arrest has been made so far.

The deceases, identified as Zaildar Araam Singh, was a former sarpanch of the village, who is convener of the morcha. Mr Singh was actively associated with the activities of the morcha and reported to be quite close to Mr Dalal.

According to reports reaching here, the victim was allegedly shot at by four persons identified as Sohan, Nepal, Ganga and Jagbir, residents of the same village at about 10.30 last night. While the police is investigating the case, some dispute over land is stated to be the immediate cause of the murder. Mr Araam Singh died on the spot.

Mr Dalal, in a statement, described the murder as a “political killing” and said the incident was a part of the ongoing conspiracy against political opponents. He claimed incident was an attempt to demoralise him and his supporters in order to deter him from his campaign of exposing the “misdeeds” of the Chief Minister. He alleged that the police administration had become ‘ineffective’ in saving the life and property of the common man.

Giani’s widow without source of income
From Our Correspondent

PHAGWARA, Oct 27 — In a trip down memory lane, Ms Pardhan Kaur, widow of former President Giani Zail Singh, today reminisced over her days of “Raj-Bhag” (political power). In a chat with this reporter at the local Vishvakarma Mandir, the 82-year-old Pardhan Kaur expressed her disappointment with the powers that be saying ever since the death of Gianiji, she had been totally ignored.

No one bothers about us — no sarkar, not even the party pardhan. I have neither a pension nor security nor any facility, she says looking even older than her age. She endorsed the demand by the widow of late President Shankar Dayal Sharma for granting pension to widows of former Presidents. Even Gianji’s friends have forgotten us, she said. The Delhi Government even wants us to vacate Gianiji’s government residence near Chanakyapuri. We had to get a stay on the vacation orders from court. 

Her daughter, Manjit Kaur, helped her mother who is short of hearing answer questions. Her son Joginder Singh, helped her unveil portraits on Gianiji and Jassa Singh Ramgarhia at the Vishvakarma Mandir.