H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

Cong: Sukh Ram proposed seat adjustment
Shimla, January 13
Mr Satyajit Gaikwad, secretary of the All-India Congress Committee, has refuted the BJP charge that the Congress was soft on terrorism and categorically stated that the Mufti government in Jammu and Kashmir had not released any terrorists till date.

Lok Jan Shakti youth wing chief joins BJP
Shimla, January 13
Mr Devendra Bushairi, President of the youth wing of the Lok Jan Shakti, today joined the BJP along with his supporters. He announced his decision at a press conference. Mr Ganesh Dut, spokesperson for the state BJP, was also present.

Three die as jeep falls into gorge
Mandi, January 13
Three persons were killed and three seriously injured when a Mahindra jeep (HP-33-8223) carrying six persons fell into a 150-foot-deep gorge at Gararu, about 5 km from Rewalsar, on the Rewalsar-Kalkhar road last evening. The ill-fated jeep was going from Kalkhar to Rewalsar.

Cultural mahotsava concludes
Nurpur, January 13
The week-long 14th International Himalayan Cultural Mahotsava concluded at Rey, a remote bordering village of Kangra district. It was organised by a local national award winning non-government organisation, Friends Club. A cultural events competition with the participation of over two dozen cultural troupes from various states was also said.

Cong: Sukh Ram proposed seat adjustment
Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 13
Mr Satyajit Gaikwad, secretary of the All-India Congress Committee, has refuted the BJP charge that the Congress was soft on terrorism and categorically stated that the Mufti government in Jammu and Kashmir had not released any terrorists till date.

Addressing a press conference here today, he said the allegation made by Mr Arun Jaitley, the BJP spokesperson, against the Congress was false and politically motivated. The Congress never opposed POTO but only objected to certain provisions which could be misused. Subsequently, some amendments were made on the recommendations of an all-party parliamentary committee and the legislation was passed by Parliament to replace the ordinance by POTA. He said the Congress had enforced the Act only in the states where it was needed. There was no logic in implementing the Act in states which were free from the menace of terrorism.

He denied that terrorists had been released by the Jammu and Kashmir Government or that any Act had been diluted, adding that some persons who had been in custody for more than a year without any charges framed against them were set free or granted bail on the recommendation of the Central POTA Board.

He said the previous Farooq Abdullah government had enforced the Act and it was in force in the BJP-ruled Gujarat, yet the Akshardham attack could not be prevented by the government.

Replying to a question, he said a proposal from Mr Sukh Ram, the Himachal Vikas Congress supremo, for seat adjustment was under the consideration of the party high command and it would take a decision after consulting the senior party leaders of the state. He said the party had not conducted any survey keeping in view the HVC. The survey was solely regarding the winning prospects in various constituencies and the anti-establishment factor in each district. The outcome of the survey was yet to be discussed by the AICC.

Regarding the selection of candidates, he said their winning prospects would be the sole criterion which would be applied to the sitting legislators too. He said a large number of youth had applied for the party ticket and this would be reflected in the final selection.

He said the Chief Minister would be chosen by the legislators in consultation with the party high command. Mr Virbhadra Singh’s long experience as the Chief Minister of the state would come in handy for organising the poll campaign.

Lok Jan Shakti youth wing chief joins BJP
Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 13
Mr Devendra Bushairi, President of the youth wing of the Lok Jan Shakti, today joined the BJP along with his supporters.

He announced his decision at a press conference. Mr Ganesh Dut, spokesperson for the state BJP, was also present. He expressed confidence in the leadership of Mr P.K. Dhumal, Chief Minister, and the policies and programmes of the BJP.

He alleged that Mr Virbhadra Singh, who ruled the state for 12 years, did nothing for the state and plunged it into a debt trap by his wrong fiscal policies.

Mr Ganesh Dut said the decision of Mr Bushairi reflected the upswing in the BJP’s popularity. He said the success of the “vishwas yatra” had unnerved the Congress and it was urging the Election Commission to stop it.

Three die as jeep falls into gorge
Our Correspondent

Mandi, January 13
Three persons were killed and three seriously injured when a Mahindra jeep (HP-33-8223) carrying six persons fell into a 150-foot-deep gorge at Gararu, about 5 km from Rewalsar, on the Rewalsar-Kalkhar road last evening. The ill-fated jeep was going from Kalkhar to Rewalsar.

Two persons died on the spot while the third (driver) succumbed to injuries in the Zonal Hospital here.

The injured were first rushed to the Primary Health Centre, Rewalsar, which was found locked.

They were then rushed to the Zonal Hospital, Mandi, where the driver died. The dead have been identified as Beli Ram (43), Nek Ram (30), both brothers, of Chadhi village and driver Om Prakash of Kalkhar village.

According to the injured, the accident occurred when the driver lost control while negotiating a sharp curve. The bodies have been handed over to the relatives by the police after post-mortem.

Cultural mahotsava concludes
Our Correspondent

Nurpur, January 13
The week-long 14th International Himalayan Cultural Mahotsava concluded at Rey, a remote bordering village of Kangra district. It was organised by a local national award winning non-government organisation, Friends Club. A cultural events competition with the participation of over two dozen cultural troupes from various states was also said.

The mahotsava is organised every year on the occasion of Swami Vivekananda Jayanti. The club awarded Himalaya Putra Award to Mr D.N. Chowdhary, a retired Income Tax Chief Commissioner for his meritorious social services. Friends Universal Awards and Lala Jagat Narayan Awards were also given by the club for distinguished services in different spheres.

Mr I.D. Bhandari, Inspector-General, CID, Himachal Pradesh, while presiding over the valedictory function on Sunday gave away prizes to winners of the competition.

Power cut imposed on Hamirpur
Our Correspondent

Hamirpur, January 13
A power cut has been imposed in various parts of Himachal Pradesh from today. The power cut ranged from one hour to three hours.

No senior officer of the HPSEB was available for comments.

However, department sources said the power cut had been imposed due to less power generation owing to poor rainfall.