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Tuesday,
January 8, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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Human rights violations on rise in Tibet: report Kashmiri held during
combing operation 2 soldiers cremated with full honours HVC to contest all Vidhan Sabha seats |
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Aakshi crowned Winter Queen HVC vice-chief greeted with black flags HC notices to three mine contractors Govt notice to cinema houses
BADDI DIARY Plea to upgrade govt high school Spiti, Pooh cut off Shiva temple desecrated
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Human rights violations on rise in Tibet: report Dharamsala, January 7 Addressing a press conference here today on the occasion of the release of the annual report of TCHRD, Ms Youdon Aukatsang regretted that during the past 12 months, the number of persons held for exercising the right to freedom of opinion, expression and religion had risen to 254. “The Buddhist institutions faced increased restrictions imposed by Chinese Communist ‘work teams’, besides the expulsion of 9804 religious practitioners and the closure of some institutions,” she stated. Those found to be in possession of pictures, video or audio tapes of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, were also arrested. “In the light of the events following the September 11 attacks, it is more vital than ever for the international community to respect human rights and not violate them in the name of ending terrorism, as China has done with regard to Tibetans,” observed Ms Aukatsang. She said the annual report of the centre had been documented using the framework of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Drawing primarily on testimonies of recently arrived refugees from Tibet, the report turns the spotlight on Chinese claims of having improved the living conditions of the Tibetan people through the government’s “modernisation” programme. Ms Aukatsang said the report showed that the kind of development taking place inside Tibet, was based on the political needs of the Chinese Government and did not respect the needs or interest of the Tibetans. She regretted that Beijing’s claims of having developed Tibet seemed to have been accepted by the international community, as indicated by the entry of China into the WTO in 2001 and the success of its bid to host the Olympic Games in 2008. She said the Communist regime was encouraging population transfer from China even though the Tibetans were struggling to eke out an existence . The Tibetan children were unable to get education as very high fees were being charged and the medium of instruction was Chinese, she said. International studies have revealed that the level of malnutrition , tuberculosis and poverty-related diseases is on the rise in Tibet, she added. For the first time the annual report also examined the rights of Tibetan refugees who flee Tibet to escape human rights abuse. A total of 1375 Tibetans fled to India, while about 2500 of them were arrested on the Tibet-Nepal border by the Nepali police. “The cases of Tibetans being returned to the Chinese police is a worrying departure from the Nepali Government’s policy of allowing Tibetans to pass through Nepal on their way to India,” Ms Aukatsang said. She said the arrest, imprisonment and torture of those caught while trying to cross over to Nepal causes further trauma to Tibetans. |
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Kashmiri held during
combing operation Dharamsala, January 7 With the police and security agencies setting up their base camp at Lahdoo Chowk on the Nurpur-Chamba border, the shawl vendor was arrested when he was moving towards the forest area carrying packets of dry fruits. He has been taken for interrogation to the Nurpur police station. The ITBP, CRPF, the Punjab and Himachal police today condoned off the area around the forests on the Nurpur-Bhattiyat border, from where reports have been received about the movement of suspected militants. Police sources said vital information had been extracted from two youths rounded up yesterday by the police. The youths, belonging to Dhruma village, near Lahdoo, told the police that 12 persons had come to their village asking for food on the night of January 5. They told the police that while two men were in black Pathani suits, 10 others were attired in Army uniform. Believing them to be Army soldiers, villagers gave them food. Senior police officials today visited the Sanjhi nullah jungle after the sound of firing was heard from the forests. Panic spread among residents of the Dhangu Pir area when two armed youths reportedly took away grocery items at gunpoint from a shop this morning. According to the police, the shopkeeper said the youths came on a white scooter not bearing any number. Police officials from the Indora police station are investigating the matter. |
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2 soldiers cremated with full honours Shimla, January 7 Surinder Singh died in Pakistani firing on Indian positions in the Poonch sector of Jammu. His body was brought to his native village here for cremation. He has left behind his 23-year-old widow, aged parents and two brothers. Wreaths were placed on the coffin on behalf of the Governor, Dr Suraj Bhan, and Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal. The Minister of State for Horticulture, Mr Narendera Bragta, and former Chief Minister Ram Lal were also present at the funeral. Reports said that about 6000 persons from the surrounding villages collected at Sundail when the martyr’s body was brought in the morning. The slogans rent the air as the last post was sounded. CHAMBA: Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar of the Himalayan Regiment, who was posted on the Indo-Tibet border in Kinnaur district, was crushed to death by a boulder which fell from hill-top on the patrolling party last week, delayed reports said. Dinesh Kumar (32), belonged to Bhagdotra village of Bhatiyat subdivision in Chamba district and had joined duty a few days ago after spending holidays. The dead body of Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar was brought to his native village and cremated with full military honours on Sunday. The Himachal Industries Minister has expressed sympathies with the bereaved family. |
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Soldier cremated with honours Nurpur, January 7 He was killed in an explosion on the Attari Chabbal road near the Pakistan border on Saturday when landmines were being unloaded from a truck. Capt Amit Bhardwaj laid a wreath on the martyr’s body on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff while Mr B.S. Atri, SDM, did so on behalf of the Governor of Himachal Pradesh. |
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HVC to contest all Vidhan Sabha seats Mandi, January 7 During an informal talk with the reporter he admitted that he as an alliance partner had not much say in many controversial decisions taken by the government. He had expressed his opposition against the hike in power tariff, bus fares and water charges but added that he was not in a position to prevail upon the government. He praised the Chief Minister for having initiated the work on Parbati and Kol Dam hydel projects, which former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh could not do over a decade. Mr Sukh Ram differed with the government on the question of purchasing power at the generation cost, which he claimed was much higher than our sale price of electricity in the state. He lamented that clauses incorporated in the agreements with the private parties engaged in power generation in the state did not adequately safeguard employment for the people. The HVC leader reiterated his opposition to the setting up of cement plants in the state, adding that these would pollute the environment and devastate the green valleys which would adversely hit tourism and power potential of the state. When asked what he had done over the past three-and-a-half years as Chairman, employment generation, he said, “I have submitted four reports during this period to the government. It is for the government to implement them”. He expressed concern over the huge debt burdening the state and added that no government could function under such circumstances. |
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Aakshi crowned Winter Queen Manali, January 7 The results of other competitions are: Personality contest (Men) Pawan, Parayas Kala Sangam, 1; Rohit Sharma, Kala Suman, Taran Taran, 2; and Supnil Sahu, Jabalpur, 3. Folk dance: Sutar Dhar, Kala Sangam (Kulu), 1; St Gegorious College (Mumbai), 2 and Kala Suman (Tarn Taran), 3.
Film song: Natraj Kala Sangam, 1; Mulund College (Mumbai), 2; and Sutardhar Kala Sangam (Kulu), 3.
Film dance (Group): Jammu and Kashmir Rang Manch (Jammu), 1; Friends Dancing Institute, 2; Lala Lajpat College (Mumbai), 3.
Film dance (Film dance (Solo): Yuva Kirti Manch, 1; Partibha Manch (Jammu), 2; and St Gegorius (Mumbai), 3.
Fashion Show: St Gegorius, 1; Paryas Kala Manch, 2; and Rhythm Entertainment, Jammu, 3.
Fancy dress: Sutar Dhar Kala Sangam (Kulu, 1; Natraj Kala Manch, 2; Muktsar Kala Manch, 3.
Group songs: Government Gandhi Memorial College (Jammu), 1; Natraj Akash Sangam (Kulu, 2; and Sutardhar Kala Sangam (Kulu), 3.
Classical dance: St Gegorius, 1; Royal Academy (Manipur), 2; and Paryas Group (Jabalpur), 3. Skit: Muktsar Kala Manch, 1; Kala Suman (Tarn Taran), 2; and Ashian Social Cultural Association, 3.
Street play: Kala Suman (Tarn Taran), 1; Muktsar Kala Manch, 1; and Sutardhar Kala Sangam (Kulu), 3. Jhanki: Ashian Kala Manch, 1; Muktsar Kala Manch, 2; and Jagriti Kala Manch (Manali), 3. The overall trophy was won by St Gegorius College of Mumbai. The best behaviour team award went to the Royal Academy of Manipur. The concluding function was presided over by Mr Maheshwar Singh, MP. He announced a grant of Rs 1.25 lakh for the winter carnival. |
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HVC vice-chief greeted with black flags Mandi, January 7 It may be recalled that Mr Mansa Ram, Food and Supplies Minister, and Mr Prakash, who was elected on HVC ticket, had been made to formally join the BJP to avoid defection to the Congress when the BJP-HVC government came to power in 1998. |
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HC notices to three mine contractors Shimla, January 7 She has alleged that the authorities have illegally allowed the mine contractors to extract sand from the mines near her house. This damaged her home and caused great inconvenience to her. She further stated that in a decision the high court had already given a direction to the state government not to grant any permission for mining work near residential sites, school or hospital sites. Despite that the Industries Department gave permission to contractor, which is totally illegal. She further alleged that she wrote letters to the police and the district administration in this connection but no positive response was received by her. She was even threatened by a certain mining officer of the area with dire consequences. She had two disabled sons and alleged that mining work had no fixed working hour. Due to that they cannot sleep in night peacefully. In the letter she requested the court to ban the mining work in the area. |
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Govt notice to cinema houses Shimla, January 7 The department has issued notices to errant cinema house owners who did not pass on the benefit of withdrawal of entertainment tax to the customers. The government had issued a notification waiving the tax with effect from April 1 on May 26 last year. However, certain cinema house owners neither reduced the price of the ticket by half after the withdrawal of hundred per cent tax nor deposited the tax with the department. Now the department has asked the cinema house owners to deposit the tax collected by them and also to pay a penalty at the rate of Rs 2000 a day. The cinema house owners maintain that they had invested the amount in renovating and upgrading the facilities for the benefit of customers. Mr Sahil, owner of Shahi cinema maintains that the basic price of the ticket had been doubled. The additional earnings had been utilised to improve the condition of theatres, which were in bad shape due to prolonged neglect. Mr Sanjiv Gupta, the Excise and Taxation Commissioner, however, contests his claim and asserts that the basic price of the ticket was not doubled. Under the state Cinematography Act the District Magistrate was empowered to fix the rates of admission fee. However, in the case the rates were never got revised from the prescribed authority. Moreover, the hundred per cent tax was still mentioned on the tickets. Thus, despite the waiving of entertainment tax, the future of cinema houses, which have been hit hard by cable television, remains uncertain. The owners want stern action against cable operators who illegally show latest films. The administration has not been taking any action against them, they allege. |
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BADDI DIARY Baddi Stating this at a public gathering after inaugurating two tubewells at Sherawalli village of Nalagarh tehsil, the Minister of Town and Country Planning, Mr H.N. Saini, stated that the government was according top priority to the farming community. The scheme, being funded by Nabard, would benefit the farmers of the Changar area and irrigate about 900 bighas of arable land. A sum of Rs 65 lakh has been spent on the scheme. Felicitating the people on the occasion of New Year, the minister said that a number of developmental works had been undertaken in their area which included construction of about 120 km length of roads at a cost of Rs 8 crore. In addition to this more money had also been made available for the repair of various link roads and bridges in the Nalagarh subdivision by the state government. In order to facilitate the students of far-flung areas studying at Nalagarh Degree College Rs 1.25 crore had been sanctioned for the construction of a 90-room hostel and its construction would soon begin. The minister also informed that a 100-bed additional building had already been constructed in Nalagarh hospital for the benefit of the people. It would soon be made functional after being inaugurated by the Chief Minister. The minister stated that in order to spread green revolution in the Changar area of the subdivision 40 tubewells had been installed here which will benefit the farmers. The government was undertaking development works in the Nalagarh constituency in a planned manner. He also lauded the efforts of the officials of Irrigation and Public Health Department as well as Electricity Department for the developmental works being done in the area. Govt incentive for unemployed The Director (Industries), Mr P.C. Dhiman, and the Managing Director, Himachal Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation, Mr R.D. Dhiman, visited this industrial area on Friday. They also visited various industrial units, including Unichem Laboratories and Birla Industries. They also inspected a 700-bigha site close to the Vardhman Mills, which is proposed to be acquired by the government for setting up of an apparel unit. The state government, which is providing a number of incentives to the industrialists to invest in the state, was attracting investors by providing a five-year tax holiday. The government was encouraging the unemployed youth in the state by generating employment avenues in the form of small scale ventures. The setting up of more industries in the area would open more employment avenues for the local and the state government had made it mandatory for the industrial units to provide at least 65 per cent jobs to the Himachalis. Stress was also being given to promote units using locally available raw materials like fruits which grow plentiful all over the state. DCM staff protest The employees of the DCM Tools and Dies Unit have refused their salaries for December as a protest against the non-settlement of the dispute arising out of the illegal closure of the unit on December 22. The matter has been referred to the Labour Commissioner at Shimla. A number of employees have now been rendered jobless with no other avenue to make both ends meet. They presented their resentment against the failure of the management to act in a responsible manner after shutting the plant, which was done without seeking the relevant permission. |
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Plea to upgrade govt high school Shimla, January 7 In a letter to Mr Dhumal, he said the nearby schools at Kuftu and Sairi, which became high schools in 1984, were upgraded to the senior secondary level in 1997. However, the Koh Baag school, which was upgraded to a high school in 1969, had not been granted senior secondary status so far. He said students of Halog, Ghanahatti and adjoining areas had to daily cover long distances to attend plus two classes. He said the school building, for which Rs 34 lakh were sanctioned in 1995-96, had not been completed so far. |
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Spiti, Pooh cut off Shimla, January 7 According to the Deputy Commissioner, Kinnaur, Mr Onkar Sharma, a truck loaded with wheat was crossing the bridge when it collapsed. The driver and clearner of the truck were rescued and were reported to be out of danger. The Deputy Commissioner, who visited the site along with the Officer Commanding of the GREF, Regional Manager of HRTC and officers of the Public Works Department, said a rope bridge would be constructed by tomorrow for pedestrians and the National Highway along the old alignment would be repaired and made traffic-worthy from Kharo to Khadra to enable the buses to ply up to the nearest point. He said in addition to this, a temporary bailey bridge would also be constructed and 500 m of diversion road would be constructed in the next 25 days. He said the road between Pangi and Tholan was also being repaired on a war footing and was expected to be opened to light vehicular traffic by tomorrow. Arrangements for transhipment of passengers were also being made, he added.
PTI |
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Shimla, Kulu airports to be expanded Shimla, January 7 Stating this at the inauguration of a private hotel at Dehra in Kangra district last evening. The Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, said the government had taken various steps to give boost to tourism in the state and a 10-year tax holiday has been given to the entertainment industry, which was an integral part of tourism.
PTI |
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Shiva temple desecrated Hamirpur, January 7 There are different versions about the incident. While some say that it is the handiwork of innocent children, others say that it was the work of some unidentified miscreants who were sighted by a woman in the nearby Solah Singi Dhar yesterday. Meanwhile, a sense of scare prevails in the area over the sighting of two persons suspected to be Kashmiri. Since a number of Muslims live in the nearby villages, the arrival of Muslims from Jammu and Kashmir and even Pakistan is not ruled out in the area. The Hamirpur and Una Police forces are combing the Solah Singi area. |
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