M A I N   N E W S

MP’s aide among 7 held in Patna
Confesses to involvement in murder cases

Patna, March 22
In a major swoop, the police has arrested seven persons, including Sultan Mian, known to be a close associate of controversial Siwan MP Shahabuddin, and Zaved Siddiqui, son of a retired DIG of Police, the police said.

City Superintendent of Police O.N. Bhaskar said a police revolver, two country-made pistols, three cellular phones and a Maruti van were also recovered following the arrests yesterday.

Mr Bhaskar said the arrested persons had confessed to their involvement in several cases of murder, dacoity, kidnapping and bomb explosion.

Mian, a local resident, had told the police that he had taken shelter at the official residence of a Bihar minister. Mr Bhaskar said the “disclosure” by the gangster was being investigated.

The gang was believed to be behind the murders of RJD leader Dinsesh Gope, a CISF inspector, medicine dealer Harendra Rai, dacoity in a jewellery shop, bomb explosion in an apartment and theft of several motor cycles, the SP added.

Meanwhile, controversial RJD Lok Sabha member from Siwan Shahabuddin said today that complaint petitions had been filed for instituting a criminal case against former Police Superintendent B.S. Meena and 20 other policemen for raiding Pratappur village and “killing innocent people in fake encounter” on Friday.

Shahabuddin against whom a non-bailable warrant of arrest was issued when the police instituted a case of serious rioting in connection with Friday’s operation, said the complainants in their petitions filed in the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Siwan, charged the policemen with being “utterly brutal and murdering innocent people” during their operation.

Shahabuddin said, besides Meena, the complaint case had been filed against SDPO Sanjeev Kumar, probation DSP Ashwini Kumar and other policemen.

On the possibility of his surrender in connection with the case against him, Shahabuddin said, “Why should I surrender...We have filed a case of murder against the police. Until and unless the policemen against whom we have instituted case surrender, I will not give myself up. Accusing the police of behaving communally, Shahabuddin demanded structural change in the police force ensuring adequate representation to minorities. PTI

Balbir Singh Budha Dal chief: Vedanti
Lalit Mohan

Anandpur Sahib, March 22
The Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, today clarified the confusion over the real head of the Budha Dal. Talking to newspersons here today, he said Baba Santa Singh had appeared before Akal Takht as a humble Sikh and not as a Jathedar. Baba Balbir Singh had been recognised as chief of the Budha Dal during the tercentenary celebrations.

He was here to attend a joint meeting of the SGPC executive, the Dharam Parchar Committee and Jathedars of various Takhts.

The meeting was attended by Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar, Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar, Takht Shri Damdama Sahib, members of the Dharam Parchar Committee and eight SGPC executive members, besides the SGPC President, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi. Giani Puran Singh, Head Granthi, Golden Temple did not attend the meeting.

The Jathedars when contacted after the meeting declined to comment on the absence of Giani Puran Singh. It was for the SGPC executive to take a decision regarding him, they said.

Giving details of various decisions taken at the meeting, Prof Manjit Singh, said a resolution was passed to condemn yesterday’s incident of throwing pork in a mosque at Amritsar. These acts would disturb peace in Punjab and Sikhism was against huring the religious sentiments of any community, he said.

Asked about the decision on the definition of a Sikh, he said a resolution had been passed stating that any change in the definition should be carried out as per the provisions in the Sikh Rehat Maryada published by the SGPC. It states a Sikh should not use tobacco or any other narcotic. It had therefore been suggested that such provisions should be added in any amended definition of a Sikh.

To take a decision regarding the other controversial issues while the Nanakshahi calendar, Dasam Granth and the Sikh maryada, a committee of experts would be formed by the Dharam Parchar Committee.

It was also decided that in 2004, the tercentenary of the martyrdom of the sons of Guru Gobind Singh, would be observed. The tercentenary of the completion of the Guru Granth Sahib and the pentacentenary of Guru Angath Dev Sahib would be celebrated by the SGPC.

The issue of charges against Prof Manjit Singh and Giani Kewal Singh did not come up for discussion.

Giani Kewal Singh said decisions regarding the celebrations of Baisakhi at Takht Damdama Sahib next month were also taken at the meeting. A two-day saminar on “Sikh nari chetna” would be held at the Takht from April 7. On April 12 and April 13, the Shabad Guru chetna march and a march against drug addiction would be taken out. Asked about his statements in the Press regarding “patit” Sikhs, Giani Kewal Singh said it had been decided that a campaign would be started to bring them back into the fold.

Upon the demand of SHSAD members that the Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, should be summoned at Akal Takht for proposing a modern slaughterhouse in the holy city of Amritsar, the Jathedar of Akal Takht said there was no proposal to summon him. It had, however, been decided that the SGPC President, Mr Talwandi, would get a clarification in this regard form the said minister.

Later a separate meeting of the SGPC executive was held in the evening.