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| Thursday, February 14, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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Driver beaten up by woman SI Ludhiana, February 13 The incident took place when the driver, Sanjiv Kumar, stopped his vehicle to drop some people outside the polling booth situated inside the college. As he was about to start his vehicle, SI Surinderjit Kaur took away the keys of his vehicle, asking him why he had stopped his vehicle there. As Sanjiv Kumar tried to argue, she asked for documents. When the driver produced all documents, she asked Constable Joginder Kumar to challan him for wrong parking. At this, the driver tried to argue since he was having all the documents with him. This infuriated Surinderjit Kaur. She dragged him out of the vehicle and started slapping him. She was joined in this manhandling by one of the constables. Although people watched angrily, nobody dared to intervene or question her. Some scribes, including this reporter, were also witness to this brutality. The incident was also recorded by a national private television channel, which had set up its ODB vehicle outside the college. The incident led to resentment among the people standing there. They complained that the SI, Surinderjit Kaur, had been misbehaving with them since morning. A shopkeeper alleged that he was forced to close down his shop by her early in the morning. “She not only threatened us, but also used foul language,” he claimed. The driver of the vehicle was so terrified that he did not dare narrate anything to the mediapersons covering the election. He broke down when asked about the incident. He only wanted back the registration documents which had been kept by the SI. As Surinderjit Kaur noticed the scribes talking to the driver, she quietly handed over the documents to the owner of the vehicle, Mr Lekh Raj Dhanda, and fled from the scene in a white Tata Sumo along with another sub-inspector, a head constable and a constable. |
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Refusing help, he came on his own to vote Kila Raipur, February 13 Bhiri, as he is known in the village by this nickname, was too diplomatic to accept any offer from anyone. Nor was he prepared to comment as who of the three main contestants namely Mr Jagdish Garcha of the SAD, Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal of the Panthic Morcha and Ms Gurdial Kaur Khangura of the Congress was going strong in the village, lest it may betray his inclination towards a particular candidate. “Everyone seems to be placed on a par against each other,” he remarked diplomatically, while adding, “only the results will declare the winner.” Like hundreds of others in this villages known all over the region for the Rural Olympics, Bhiri started from his home, more than a kilometre from his house on the rickshaw driven by his employee, early in the morning lest he may have to wait in a queue outside the booth, which he could not. He pointed out, “If I would have come in anybody’s vehicle, I would obviously have been identified with that person and party which I do not want. Because, right to vote is the highest right with an individual, which cannot be shared with anyone.” However, Bhiri seemed to be among the few exceptions only who did not avail the transport facilities provided by supporters of various candidates. Otherwise, about four vehicles, with stickers of Mr Garcha, were making frequent rounds from the booth to the village ferrying voters for casting their votes. Even the voters did not mind ‘taking lift’ offered to them. Ms Harbans Kaur, who appeared relatively more conscious and acted like the leader of her group, asked, “What is wrong in accepting the lift from any of the candidates. It does not mean that we will cast vote in his favour. They are bringing us here but they are not accompanying us inside the booth.” It was calm and quiet in an otherwise sensitive village. However, the scene outside booths was like that of festivity, with workers of different candidates camping outside the booths, cracking jokes on each other. Outside the Government Secondary School booth, supporters of all four main candidates had set up tables offering slips and voter list numbers to voters. They would even share each others food also. Supporters of Mr Garcha were jokingly telling supporters of Ms Khangura that they would be getting ‘food’ from a five-star hotel. Ms Khangura’s family owns Hotel Majestic Park Plaza in Ludhiana. And one of her supporters retorted back, “You are welcome to share that food with us. Let us hope it comes.” |
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On duty, they miss their voting right Ludhiana, February 13 These employees included police personnel, school and college teachers and those employed in marketing committee, insurance and excise departments, PWD and other government offices. Most of such employees were deputed far from their polling booths and they could not even think of moving to their booths to vote. With the government having made no provision for such employees, most of them said they were deprived of their democratic rights. An official of the marketing committee on poll duty at Arya Senior Secondary School, Sabzi Mandi, said his polling booth fell in Seedan village and it was impossible for him to go to his polling station to cast his vote. He said he had to reach the school by 6:45 a.m. and he could not leave his duty till 5 pm. An official in the insurance department in the same polling station said he could not cast his vote though he was deputed in the same constituency. He said his polling booth was located near Christian Medical Hospital, but he could not go away from his duty. He said the government should have made some provision for personnel on polling duty. He said the whole system was haphazard. He added that he had
Hundreds of police officials deputed at various polling stations or moving on rounds with supervisors and election observers also could not cast their vote. All the six police personnel standing outside the polling booth at the electricity board office opposite Chowni Mohalla said they did not vote. They said their constituencies fell in villages outside Ludhiana district and they were on duty since last night, due to which they could not cast their vote. They, however, said the government should have provided them with postal ballots like in defence services. The police personnel, other employees and supervisor on poll duty at the Municipal Corporation office at Mata Rani Chowk said they could not cast their votes as they were on poll duty. They said they were so busy with duty they did not even bother about casting their own vote. Hundreds of teachers of government and aided school and colleges said they could not cast their vote. Prof K.B.S. Sodhi, president of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union, who was on duty at Bal Vidyalaya, near Shivaji Nagar, said the government should have provided postal ballots for everyone on poll duty. He said with the government making no provision for such employees, most of them were denied their fundamental right.
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Impersonation, omissions — the day had it all Ludhiana, February 13 There were reports of similar nature from most places in the district. In places like Raikot and Qila Raipur, minor scuffles and skirmishes were reported over the issue. One common factor throughout was that the victims were those who were staunch supporters of candidates other than those of the ruling alliance. “Despite having a voter identity card, I was not allowed to vote at the polling station on Rani Jhansi Road as my name did not figure in the voter list. My family and I have voted here in every election over the past 40 years”, Ms Shashi told Ludhiana Tribune. She said none of her family members could vote as their names had been dropped from the voting list this year. Surprisingly for her, nearly half a dozen names of her neighbours figured against her address. Another relative of hers, who went to cast her vote at the same booth, said she found the situation chaotic. It was after careful scanning that the family members realised that their
Dr Kuldeep Singh, an educationist, from BRS Nagar, despite in possession of a voter identity card, could not exercise his franchise. His name did not figure in the voter list. He had cast his vote several times from there. While quite a substantial number of persons could not vote because there names were missing from the electoral rolls, a large number of persons whose names were included in the list were still in for a shock when they discovered that their votes had been cast much before they went to the polling booths. One such person was a local journalist, Varinder Parmod, who found that someone had cast his vote early this morning. Mr Pran Nath Sood, a local businessman, was shocked when he was told that he was trying to impersonate the man who had cast his vote. While city residents showed their helplessness over such incidents, ugly scenes were reported from several rural areas in the district. Mr Mohammad Iqbal, whose vote had been made for the first time at Raikot, reported a similar incident. Such incidents were also reported from other parts of the state.
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Excitement missing on polling day Ludhiana, February 13 Going round the Chaura Bazar and adjoining areas it was noticed that most of the shops were closed. But the usual excitement of the polling day was missing as most of the people went about doing their routine work without showing much interest in choosing a government that would rule them for the next five years. On account of the closure of the shops most of the shops and roads wore a deserted look and youngsters could be seen playing cricket in the lanes of the bazaar. Even the teeming lottery bazaar near Ghanta Ghar Chowk was deserted even though some of the shopkeepers had opened their shops defying the orders. Talking to Ludhiana Tribune shopkeepers who had opened the shops said they were willing to take a risk. While some others could be seen waiting to see whether the administration took any action against those violating its orders. Most of the shopkeepers said they were not much interested in voting as no candidates was “worthy of their vote”. Some of the shopkeepers were not too happy about the holiday notice. Pankaj Sharma, owner of
Veer-Di-Hatti, said, “When so much security personnel have been deployed, why are we being ordered to close shops? We have incurred huge losses by closing our shops. At least they should have allowed us to open the shops for half day. “While another group of shopkeepers said, “Orders are orders. So what if we have to close the shops for a day after five years, it does not matter.” However, restaurants, fast-foods joints, chemist shops were open but they did not have many customers. Fruit and vegetable vendors too were not in a mood to cast their votes, as one said, “First let us make money for our living, then we will see whether we have time to cast vote. Another one said sarcastically “whom shall we vote for? The party that was in power was a party to thieves, and the party that will come to power will be of thieves too. We have no desire to cast votes.” Agent of various parties with the party logos and tables set up near polling booths to give ‘voting slips’ were sitting idle as very few voters were seen inquiring at their tables. Most of the shops on the Mall Road were with the exception of some big stores. Select shops like card shops, eating joints, gift shops were open and youngsters were buying gifts for Valentine’s Day. “In almost all the areas, a few daring ones had defied the orders and kept their shops open. This, however, caused resentment among those shopkeepers who had complied with the district administration’s orders. However, in some areas like Ghumar Mandi policemen made those who had opened their shops to down their shutters.
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VGRM condemns use of
religion for wooing voters Ludhiana, February 13 An advertisement had been published on the front page of a vernacular daily, in which the picture of Guru Ravidass and that of the Congress candidate had been shown together. The candidate had vowed in the advertisement that if the electorate voted for Congress, she would work for betterment of commoners which was also the dream of Guru Ravidass. The president of
VGRM, Mr Shiv Ram Saroay, has said in a press note issued here today, “An excerpt from Guru Granth Sahib has been misinterpreted in the advertisement to woo the voters. Moreover, the picture of the Guru Ravidass has been used in the advertisement which is objectionable.” He further said in no case the picture of the Guru could be used for political motives. Mr Saroay said, “The Congress candidate has hurt the feeling of people by misinterpreting the gurbani and using the picture of the guru for grabbing an MLA’s seat.” He said the VGRM would take legal action against the candidate and the publishers of the advertisement. He stated, “If any political party or a candidate want to improve the living conditions of commoners, then they should not exploit religion sentiments of the people. Instead of concentrating on their election campaigns, they should work seriously and honestly.” But, Ms Gurdial Kaur Khangura denied this allegation through another advertisement in a vernacular daily here today that neither she nor any of her party workers had given any such advertisement. It was mentioned in the advertisement that she respected all religions and she could not defame the respected gurus. However, it is an admitted fact that during the election no political advertisement could be published without an undertaking from the candidate concerned or the representative of the candidate. But if Ms Khangura was not responsible for publishing this advertisement, then the question is who did this? The recent poll has seen a lot of mud slinging in the form of advertisements in newspapers by all parties. There is a need for probe after Ms Khangura has denied the incident.
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Sena threats fail to deter lovers Ludhiana, February 13 Valentine’s Day, though traditionally not an Indian festival, has assumed importance among the youth. On February 14 each year, flowers and gifts are exchanged with the loved ones, all in the name of Saint Valentine. According to a legend, Valentine actually sent the first ‘Valentine’ greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl — who may have been the jailer’s daughter — who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is said that he wrote her a letter, which he signed ‘From Your Valentine’, an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legend is murky, the stories certainly emphasise his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and most importantly, a romantic figure. Many believe that Valentine’s Day began in various ways. Some trace it to an ancient Roman festival called Lupercalia. While some others connect the event with the early Christian church. There are some who link it with an old English belief that birds chose their mates on February 14. Valentine’s Day probably came from combination of all three sources — plus the belief that spring is a time for lovers. People in the western countries celebrate the Valentine’s Day on February 14. The schools hold Valentine’s parties’ while students decorate their classrooms. Old and young alike exchange gifts and greeting cards with their friends. Scholars have found Valentine notes in records that date back to fourteenth century. In India, people send greeting cards to their sweethearts, friends and members of their families. Most of these cards bear romantic verses while others have humorous pictures and sayings. Ms Deepti, a housewife, says that she will get a nice cake for her husband and have a candlelight dinner with him. “Well, I will certainly give him red roses”, she said. Ms Pooja maintained that the celebrations should be full of fun’n’frolic. “I will go on a long drive with my boyfriend and will give him lots of chocolates”, said Pooja. However, the Shiv Sena has been opposing this festival for the past several years. This time, a greeting card company has moved court for protection from possible attacks by Shiv Sena and other outfits. |
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Doctor in active politics Ludhiana, February 13 She is married to an IPS officer. She feels that there is great scope for good people in politics. “If good people do not join politics, only bad people will rule over us,” she points out, justifying her decision to join active politics. Notwithstanding the widespread cynicism about the political system in the country, she is optimistic. She substantiates, “There are good people in all political parties, with a clean image and a commitment towards public cause.” She states that due to differences among local leaders over the allotment of party tickets, some of them are not actively participating in the campaign. “It was slightly difficult to cajole and convince them,” she says, adding that “It took some more than routine efforts to make them join the campaign”.
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Coal merchant missing Ludhiana, February 13 Mr Krishan Gopal Aggarwal, his brother, told Ludhiana Tribune today that Mr Hem Raj had left Chandigarh at around 12 noon and had assured his family members that he would be back in the evening. Since Mr Singla did not turn up, family members started making enquiries from friends and relatives. All
parking at the general bus stand at Chandigarh and the rest of the city were searched to find the scooter Mr Singla was riding. Finally, the scooter was found parked at a scooter stand at Zirakpur, which was still parked there, according to Mr Aggarwal. Enquiries were also made at hospitals in and around Chandigarh. Enquiries with Mr Tarsem Chand Jindal, son of Mr Mohan Lal Jindal, a resident of Dashmesh Nagar near Gill Chowk, whom the missing coal merchant was to call upon on Sunday, were also made. Mr Jindal reportedly told them that he had made the payment to Mr Singla and had left him the same day at around 4 p.m. at Gill Chowk, from where he could get a bus for Chandigarh. Initially, the cops refused to entertain any complaint in this connection, but on the intervention of the Deputy Commissioner, a missing-person report was finally lodged yesterday at the division number six police station by Mr Bhupinder Singla, son of the missing businessman. An interesting part of the FIR states that neither the complainant nor his family has any suspicions about the involvement of anybody in the disappearance of his father. The same sentence goes on to say further that the complainant does not want any action to be taken against anybody. When the attention of Mr Aggarwal was drawn to these lines, he said the cops had assured them that if the missing businessman was not found in the next three or four days, a subsequent application naming Mr Jindal as a suspect could be given. On the basis of this, the police would interrogate him to know the details of the business transaction between him and the missing merchant. |
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Bank employees threaten stir Ludhiana, February 13 Mr Dharshan Singh, its secretary, said the Haryana unit had already organised a dharna in front of the regional office yesterday. He said their major demands were promotion of at least 3,500 clerks to Scale I grade; promotion of clerks to Scale I after completing an age of 55 or 30 years of service; promotion of steno clerks to steno officers; increase in housing loans; and appointment of sub-staff employees on vacant posts. He said the members would go on strike only if the management failed to accept their demands by that time. |
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One killed in land dispute, two booked Amloh, February 13 According to the FIR, Mr Ajaib Singh son of Sardara Singh, who is the real uncle of the accused, had a peace of land measuring 25 acres and was unmarried. While his nephews had no land as their father had sold his share earlier and thereafter died. When their uncle refused to part with the land, they struck him with an iron rod on the night of February 10 and killed him. |
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