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| Saturday,
October
11, 2003,
Chandigarh, India
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Thousands attend farmer’s bhog Maur Charat Singhwala (Bathinda), October 10 Addressing the gathering at the rally, representatives of various farmer organisations said they would announce their next mode of agitation on October 12. The leaders of political parties alleged that the Congress government in the state was responsible for the increasing number of suicides being committed by farmers. Dr Joginder Dyal, state secretary of the CPI, Mr Hardev Arshi, a former MLA, and other leaders held the Punjab Government responsible for the death of Gurdev Singh. Dr Dyal alleged that farmers were being subjected to torture by policemen on the diktats of the Congress government. Mr Bhan Singh Bhora, MP from Bathinda, and Mr Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu, MLA from Talwandi Sabo, expressed their sympathies. Mr Harminder Singh Jassi, Chairman, Markfed, had gave some money to the bereaved family yesterday. Mr Mohit Gupta, president of the Bathinda district unit of the BJP, alleged that Punjab had been facing anarchy under the Congress rule. He said the BJP had demanded that at least Rs 10 lakh be given as compensation to the family of the deceased. The Association for Democratic Rights, Bathinda unit, in its report released to mediapersons today alleged that the Punjab police and the Railways were responsible for what had happened on September 30 and October 1 at Bhai Bakhtaur railway crossing and the civil hospital at Bathinda. The association demanded strict punishment for the police officials responsible for the happenings and adequate compensation for the family of the deceased and those who had suffered injuries in the lathi charge. |
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Farmers manhandle Bhan Singh Bathinda, October 10 Mr Bhora was manhandled while proceeding towards the house of the late Gurdev Singh after attending the rally. The only security guard, who was accompanying him, intervened and escorted him to his vehicle, which was parked outside the pandal. Mr
Bhora was manhandled for stating in his speech that some leaders of
farmers’ organisations had entered into a compromise with the police
after the Jethuke firing incident, which took place about four years
ago and which claimed two lives, by taking money. Mr Bhora made a
general statement and did not disclose the name of any representative
of the farmers’ organisations. Agitated over this, some farmers stopped Mr Bhora and insisted that he give a clarification from the stage that his remarks were not true. When Mr Bhora refused to do so, saying that his remarks were true, the farmers started raising slogans against him. They even manhandled him. Mr Bhora said he had informed the district police chief, Mr Ishwar Singh, about the incident, who had assured him that action would be taken against the guilty. Meanwhile,
Mr Lachhman Singh, general secretary, Pendu Majdoor Union, Punjab,
said the district administration had released Mr Joginder Singh
Ugrahan, president, BKU, Ekta (Ugrahan), this evening, who reached
Maur Charat Singhwala village of Gurdev Singh and addressed the
gathering of the farmers. |
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Captain doing all this at Sonia’s behest, says Badal Chandigarh, October 10 “Whatever Vigilance Bureau is doing with me and my family members has been directed by Ms Sonia Gandhi and Capt Amarinder Singh is only obeying his leader,” Mr Badal told Chandigarh Tribune while coming out of a local court after an appearance in a defamation case filed against the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh. Mr Badal also blamed the Congress for the Operation Bluestar and alleged that it had always adopted “anti-Sikh” and “anti-farmer” policies. Terming vigilance bureau action as illegal and against law, Mr Badal further alleged that during the pendency of the case Capt Amarinder Singh had no right to ask for vigilance inquiry against him and it was against the law. Critcising the vigilance action, Mr Badal said this type of dictatorship would be termed as a “black spot” in the history of the Punjab. He added that the action was not even appreciated by Congress MLAs. Reacting to Capt Amarinder Singh’s action, Mr Badal said he did not even appear in the court for five minutes despite the court orders. “I am also busy being the head of the Akali Dal and yet appearing in the court regularly”, he said. Talking about the increase in the number of political cases in the court, Mr Badal added that it was unfortunate that political leaders had to appear in courts to seek remedy. He blamed Capt Amarinder Singh for starting a trend that needed to be resolved in courts. While commenting on Capt Amarinder Singh’s plea to exempt him from personal appearance in the case on the ground of
security threat, Mr Badal said Captain Amarinder, unlike him, was not even among those 13 persons who had been provided Z-plus security on the basis of threat perception. |
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Justice has been done, say Sodhi’s parents Passiawal (Kapurthala), October 10 “My son Harjit Singh called up in the morning from Arizona to inform us about the court’s decision. He said the killer, Frank
Siliva, had been sentenced to death by way of hanging”, said Mr Jaswant Singh Sodhi (80), father of Balbir Singh. “We have no grudges. Justice has been done to us by the US system”, he added. What President George W. Bush had promised to us during a meeting organised at the White House to mourn the death of our son has been fulfilled,” said Mr Jaswant Singh, adding that “God has bestowed justice upon us and I think this is a victory of all Sikhs in the USA”. The news has brought us peace of mind,” said a sobbing Inderjit Kaur (75), mother of Balbir Singh. “The decision cannot bring our son back, but it has definitely brought a lot of satisfaction to us. It will help contain hate crimes in the USA and elsewhere in future, said Mr Jaswant Singh. He was all praise for political parties in India. “Cutting across party lines everyone came to our aid. Mr Badal came to our place to express condolences and so did Capt Amarinder Singh. Former Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral and AICC chief Sonia Gandhi also extended help and expressed concern over the death of our son. I am thankful to Jalandhar MP Balbir Singh, who did a lot for us, particularly by pursuing the matter with the Indian Government. Earlier, a paper had written that we were annoyed with the Congress, but it was wrongly attributed to us. We did not say so,” said Mr Jaswant Singh. He demanded that a picture of his son should be displayed in the Assembly of the state. “The management of the Patna Sahib gurdwara has also asked us to bring a picture of Balbir Singh,” said Mr Jaswant Singh. |
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SGPC panel suspends Harbeant
Fatehgarh Sahib, October 10
While talking to The Tribune after the meeting, Jathedar Gurcharan
Singh Tohra, SGPC President said the certificates of Harbeant Singh
were found to be bogus. He neither appeared before the sub committee
appointed by the SGPC, nor before the medical board. He said the
sub-committee even gave him a chance that if he can not appear before
Akal Takht he could sent a certificates through a representative. But
as Harbeant Singh failed to turn up the committee decided to suspend
him. Answering a query about the Editor, he said the committee had
taken a serious note of his writings as he had attacked Sikh tenants,
traditions, the institution of baptism, the Panj Piaras and even
questioned the recitation of “ Gurbani” and authenticity of
“ardas”. |
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Vedanti honours sacked Jathedar Manjit Singh
Amritsar, October 10
The event gave clear indications that the Jathedar had not accepted the version of Mr Badungar that Prof Manjit Singh had indulged in any ‘anti-Sikh activity’ or violated ‘maryada’. |
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Tripura girl returns
from Pakistan Wagah (Amritsar), October 10 However, none of her family members were present to receive her. She was received by an official of the Indian Embassy from Delhi, an executive magistrate along with Mr
D.K. Sharma, Commandant, Border Security Force. While talking to newsmen, Yakia said that she was sent to Pakistan on a ship from Kolkata along with a Bangladeshi girl by two Bangladeshi agents in January, 2000. She said the agents promised to provide them with lucrative jobs in Pakistan. “As I belong to a poor family, I immediately accepted the offer”, she said. She further disclosed that after a few days she along with other (Bangladeshi) girls reached Karachi and were taken to a ‘Bangladeshi colony’ in Karachi. Yakia said the agents kept the Bangladeshi girl in the colony but took her to a hotel. Yakia said later she came to know that the agents had sold her for Rs 1.20 lakh to a Pakistan resident. However, the police got an information in this regard, raided the hotel and arrested the two travel agents along with her. She added that she was sentenced to the jail and released about eight months ago. She said during her imprisonment she was kept in Quaita jail and Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore. |
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SSP directed to shift SHO Chandigarh, October 10 Taking serious view of a complaint in this regard, along with other incidents allegedly involving the SHO, Mr Justice Nirmal Singh of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has now directed Patiala’s Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) to shift William Jaijee to a post where there was no public dealing till the petition was decided. The SSP was also directed “to hold an inquiry personally with regard to the torture of Harjit Singh when William Jaijee was posted as SHO of Rajpura police station”. The officer was also asked to get Harjit Singh “medically examined to find out whether he had become permanently dumb”. In his detailed order, Mr Justice Nirmal Singh ruled: “The court today received a complaint from
V.K. Khanna for taking action against William Jaijee for torturing five persons in police custody. In the complaint, it has been mentioned that he has not only tortured five persons, but he has also tortured so many other innocent persons”. The judge further ruled: “It has been mentioned that when William Jaijee was posted as in charge of Rajpura police station in September, 2001, he picked up Harjit Singh, aged about 18, in some minor offence and demanded money from him. When the demand for money was not met, he tortured Harjit Singh for eight to 10 days to a frightening extent.... He became enraged to such an extent that he throttled Harjit Singh”. The judge added: “When Harjit Singh was about to get unconscious, the SHO took him to a hospital where the doctors saved him, but he became dumb permanently. When Harjit Singh’s condition was deteriorating, William
Jaijje, in order to save his skin, registered a false case of theft against him on September 13, 2001. Harjit Singh’s father made representations to the human rights commission, but his grievance was not met out”. Giving further details, Mr Justice Nirmal asserted, “Mr Sharma has also annexed, along with his complaint, news reports appearing in Chandigarh Tribune and Punjabi Tribune on September 27 that 20-year-old Karamjit Kaur was tortured inhumanly by William
Jaijee. She was asked to remove her clothes by Punjab police personnel. Out of the persons tortured, two were women”. The judge concluded: “Taking into consideration a warrant officer’s report, it has become necessary in the interest of justice to direct the SSP to immediately shift him....” |
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GND varsity don beaten up Amritsar, October 10 Dr Bhalla alleged that some unidentified persons attacked him, Naresh Devgan and Pardip Khanna, his student and friend, respectively at Katra Bhai Sant Singh chowk (near the college) when he was getting his scooter repaired. He said when these persons tried to harass his student he intervened. All this they pulled my hair and beat me up in full public view”, he alleged. Dr Bhalla who sustained injuries on his nose, legs and other part of his body said he had informed the university authorities regarding the alleged attack. Dr Bhalla has also lodged a report with the ‘D’ division police station. The police has rounded up some persons in this connection. GND varsity law
festival concludes Amritsar, October 10 Amritsar bagged top positions in seven of the 22 events held. Kunal Arora and Gurpreet Singh of GND University stood first in web-designing. Shelkha Jaitley of Apex College, Amritsar, stood first in cartooning, while Priyanka of GND University was first in flower-arrangement (dry). Henna of GND University stood first in the fresh-flower category. Poonam Sharma of GND University bagged the top position in mimicry. Following are the toppers in various events: On-the-spot-programming: Balwinder Singh, Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh. Project Development: Punjabi University, Patiala, Web designing: Kunal Arora and Gurpreet Singh, GND University. Paper presentation: Nandani Nehru, PEC, Chandigarh, Group discussion: Suchi Anand, Punjabi University, Patiala, Group dance; Apex College of IT, Debate: Punjabi University, Patiala, Quiz: DAV College, Abohar. Choreography: Khalsa College, Amritsar, Rangoli: Niti, Punjabi University, Patiala, Mehndi: Pooja, DAV College, Abohar, Collage-making: Ritesh, APJ College, Jalandhar, Sketching; Panchok, GCET, Jammu, Twisted ads: Doaba College, Jalandhar. Solo song; APJ College, Jalandhar, Group song: APJ College, Jalandhar, Solo dance: APJ College, Jalandhar, and Nautanki; Doaba College, Jalandhar. |
Complaint against ETO registered Sunam (Sangrur), October 10 Mr Ram Lal, a local trader, in his complaint alleged that the ETO and other staff members of the Taxation Department had “misbehaved” with his family members at his residence the previous day and later “harassed” him under the influence of liquor at his shop. In his complaint, he has demanded police action against the Taxation officials. Succumbing to the pressure of the traders, the police registered the complaint, made by Mr Ram Lal. Earlier in the morning, the shopkeepers gathered at the Mal Godown chowk, and proceeded towards the local ITI chowk on the Sunam-Patiala road, raising slogans against the police and Taxation authorities, demanding strict action against the erring officials. They blocked traffic at the ITI chowk for about an hour. On the complaint of Mr Ominder Singh, ETO, the local police has registered a case against Mr Ram Lal, Mr Rajinder Kumar and Mr Gora Lal, all traders, under Sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharging duty), 307 (attempt to murder), 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of Rs 50), 379, 186, 148 and 149 of the IPC last night. The local traders have also formed an action committee, comprising 15 members. |
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Wagah retreat ceremony to be pleasant now JALANDHAR: People crossing over to Pakistan or coming from that country or curious onlookers who visit the Wagah joint checkpost (JCP) daily to see the evening retreat ceremony may soon not be greeted by stiff postures of jawans on both sides as the BSF authorities have decided to go in for a unilateral initiative to dilute postures of its jawans to a more pleasant level with the hope that its counterparts would reciprocate and contribute to the ongoing bilateral relationship improvement exercise. The postures of jawans taking part in the daily drill during the retreat ceremony had turned more stiffer and even hostile on both sides, particularly for about two years in the wake of the Army build-up and tension on the Indo-Pakistan border. Though the element of hostility in gestures had crept in among jawans on both sides, especially during the retreat ceremony, the Pakistan Rangers, it was learnt, had even went a step ahead of shaking hands in a very cold and hasty manner by introducing some “unpleasant” sounds and acts like putting their thumbs upwards in their drill and parade. Even on the Indian side, almost similar but lesser signs of hostility, continued to reflect (except the sound and signals) among jawans during the retreat ceremony till receding of tension and subsequent end of the Operation Prarakaram on May 31 this year when the BSF authorities had started hammering out an initiative towards putting an end to at least “hostility of gestures” in a gradual manner and “keeping in view of intensity of reciprocation by Pakistan”. The objective behind the exercise was to avoid sending wrong signals among people, particularly those Indian, Pakistani and foreign tourists who visit the JCP to see the half-an-hour long retreat ceremony during which jawans of the Pakistan Rangers and the BSP go in for a 10-minute drill, followed by their brief handshake. The priority area for the BSF, according to Mr R.S. Gill, Inspector-General, BSF (Punjab Frontier), was to make the existing handshake process more pleasant and dignified. At present, the jawans of both sides shake their hands in a very brisk manner which results in just touching of fingers of each other and which in itself indicate towards presence of an element of hostility. “We feel that the handshake should convey the traditional warmth ingrained in the act to visitors. I have already conveyed it to our people there to make this more dignified,” said Mr Gill. He said he had also directed the commanding officer at the JCP to take the matter up with his counterpart. The BSF authorities, however, were in favour of retaining the stiff eye-to-eye contact style as “this was part of looking smart”. The BSF’s Punjab Frontier Headquarters here have already taken up the matter with the higher authorities in Delhi and attained the “go-ahead” signal for further improvement of gestures of its jawans. “We are optimistic that the other side would also follow and stop the hooting-like sound and style of lifting feet by jawans during the drill and other uncalled for gestures which convey bitterness,” said Mr
Gill. |
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Sikh woman challaned for not wearing helmet
Jalandhar, October 10 Mr Pawan Rai, SP (Traffic), said it depended upon an individual and the entire force could not be blamed for it. He said the ASI and traffic personnel might not be knowing the “convention” that the Sikh women were not to be challaned.
Parvinder Kaur, said she was signalled to stop and was challaned for not wearing a helmet. When she told them that since she was a Sikh and she didn’t have to wear a helmet, they said they were unaware of it. George urged
to shift ammo dump Sangrur, October 10 Thousands of persons living in the 700-metre radius of the military ammunition dump here have been fearing demolition of their houses. The matter is now in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Mr Avinash Sharma, co-convener of the committee, who accompanied the other members of the deputation, said here yesterday that Mr Rattan Singh Mehal, convener of the committee, apprised the Defence Minister of the present situation. Mr Fernandes assured the deputation that he would procure a detailed report from the defence authorities regarding the ammunition dump. Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister, gave detailed information in this regard to Mr Fernandes on the occasion, he said. |
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Balmiki Jayanti celebrated Kapurthala, October 10 Addressing a state-level function organised in the local Shalamar Garden today in connection with the birth anniversary of Maharishi Balmiki. Mr Hanspal accused the BJP of politicising the issue. He thanked the Chief Minister for giving Rs 1 crore for the development of Ram Tirath Temple at Amritsar after assuming the office. Mr Hanspal urged the safai sewaks of the country to give up the profession of lifting the night soil and adopt other professions to improve their standard of living. He urged the Dalits to avail the loan facilities from financial institutions to become self reliant. Capt Amarinder Singh who was to preside over the function failed to turn up as he had to rush to Delhi and in his place Mr Jagjit Singh attended the function as the chief guest. |
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Children’s film fest from Nov 21 Gurdaspur, October 10 The district administration and Children Film Society of India have decided to organise the film festival in this district from November 21 to November 26. Eight cinema houses in different cities in this district have been chosen for display of films. Mr KAP Sinha, Deputy Commissioner, yesterday said that Mr Avtar Singh, District Education Officer (Secondary), had been made the nodal officer to organise the films. Arrangements for transportation of the schoolchildren to the cinemas and to their destinations back would be made by the district administration. Mr Sinha said that Hindi Film ‘Karamati Coat’ would shown at MSP Cinema Pathankot, ‘Main Phir Aaoonga’ in Pushp Palace Pathankot and ‘Tri Yatri’ in Jagat Cinema Pathankot. ‘Kabhi Pass Kabhi Fail’ would be displayed in a cinema hall at Gurdaspur, ‘Laadli’ in a cinema hall at Batala, ‘Sixer’ in a cinema hall at Dinanagar, ‘Bhaago Bhoot’ in a cinema hall at Qadian and ‘Sajjre Phul’ in a cinema hall at Dhariwal. The films would be shown from 8 am to 10 am. Martyr cremated Tarn Taran, October 10 Medical camp Amritsar, October 10 |
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Protest against Togadia’s visit
Amritsar, October 10 |
Amarinder asked
to appear in court Chandigarh, October 10 While partly allowing the application moved by Capt Amarinder Singh for exemption, in his six-page order Mr Mohal said, “I partly allow the application filed on behalf of accused and allow his personal exemption for October 9 and October 10. And do not find any ground to grant blanket exemption from appearance in the court and direct the accused to appear in the court on October 22. Thereafter, the accused may choose to file such an application after his appearance in the court”. Giving details the CJM said, “Personal exemption should only be granted to a person who has come to the court after covering a long distance or the accused otherwise cannot appear in the case due to some unavoidable reason”. But in the present case, the accused was residing and having his office in Chandigarh at a distance of only 2 km, therefore, he can well appear in the court. |
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Badal aide sent in judicial custody till Oct 23 Kharar, October 10 Mr Jatinderjeet Singh Punn, public prosecutor, pleaded for a police remand of the accused as information was yet to be obtained from him about the various bank accounts and FDRs. He also moved applications for the issuance of search warrants of the residence of the accused, a cold storage and a rice mill. The court fixed October 13 as the date of hearing of these applications. The defence counsel stated that the accused had been falsely implicated. |
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Litigants suffer as posts of judge lie vacant Jalandhar, October 10 The situation, according to the Jalandhar District Bar Association, is such that each court has to deal with more than 2000 cases, for beyond the 700 cases specified for a court by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. “The pendency of cases has particularly affected interim relief cases. |
Notices issued to 6 officers Faridkot, October 10 Being public servants the senior officers were bound to serve the common masses on priority basis, the Deputy Commissioner said. In a press note issued here today he directed the officers to ensure their presence in ‘khula darbars’ so that the visitors may not face any hurdle in resolving their problems. Most of the villagers of Pipli, Kothekehar Singh Wala, Jhokesarkari, Sandhwan, Machkikalan and Menuana had complained against these officers. As many as 33 complaints were resolved on the spot and the rest were sent to the respective departments with a special note to take the issues on priority basis and report in this connection be sent to the Deputy Commissioner within a week. |
Head Constable hurt in clash Fazilka, October 10 According to an FIR lodged with Sadar police, a police team today reached Ghattianwali village on a complaint of Ram Krishan, a Panchayat member of the village, to arrest Joginder Singh, alias Billu, Mohinder Singh, Dalip Singh and Kala Singh, all brothers. When the police team reached the village, Joginder Singh and his companions allegedly attacked them with sharp-edged weapons and sticks. In the clash Prempal Singh, Head Constable, received injuries. On the other hand the villagers say that the police team raided the house of Joginder Singh to take revenge because he had got Kashmiri Lal, ASI and in charge of Roranwali police post, arrested in a bribe case by the Vigilance Department on Thursday evening. |
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One killed as mini-truck,
train collide Hoshiarpur, October 10 The deceased was identified as Sonu Mehta of Talwara, the driver of the mini-truck. The injured was identified as Krishan Chand of Talwara. He was admitted to the civil hospital at Mukerian in a serious condition. Another occupant of the mini-truck was unhurt. According to railway sources, traffic on the Jalandhar-Jammu railway section remained suspended for more than an hour. According to police sources, the mini-truck was carrying domestic goods and was going from Talwara to Pathankot.
— PTI |
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Man held for father’s murder Pathankot, October 10 |
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One stoned to death Phillaur, October 10 |
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45 hurt in bus mishap Abohar, October 10 Fifteen passengers have been admitted to the local Civil Hospital. Those hospitalised included Mrs Rajni Setia, her daughter Deepika, Mrs
Savitri, Mehar Chand, Sita Ram, Puran Chand Sharma, Rameshwar and Sonu. Driver Gurcharan Singh, alias
Channi, had fractured his leg. A case has been registered against the driver of the bus. |
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ASI held on bribe charge Fazilka, October 10 According to the FIR Mr Joginder Singh of Ghattianwali village wanted to lodge a complaint regarding a dispute with Mr Ram Krishan and others and the ASI had allegedly kept the issue pending, demanding bribe for registering an FIR. Mr Joginder Singh had reportedly the matter to the Vigilance staff which caught Mr Kashmiri Lal red-handed.
— OC |
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