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UT cops have saved me, says dance girl Chandigarh, November 10 The assertion of the girl has come as a shot in the arm for the police which had drawn flak for allegedly forcing the girls to come to Chandigarh against the will of few a of them. The girl is learnt to have told the police officers after recording her statement before a magistrate that the girls in her group had beaten up one of the accused, Rakesh Batalvi, when he allegedly made sexual advances in a drunken state in Bangalore. The girl, who claimed to be minor with her birthday falling in August, said she had earlier worked with one of the accused, Komal, in at least four Punjabi music albums. Komal had asked her to go to Bangalore for the same work and stage shows with a promise of payment of Rs 15,000 per month. She said in this connection she was introduced to Kuldeep and Baljeet who took them to Rakesh Batalvi. She said around 40 girls had gone to Rakesh Batalvi. Who introduced K. M. Muralidhar as a director of the album. The girl said when the group was decided, Komal went with Muralidhar in a flight while the other girls were sent by train to
Bangalore. She said on the first day, they were asked to dress for rehearsal of the music album and taken to Muralidhar's pub where they were persuaded to dance, saying that the album would have a scene of dancers and beer guzzlers. The girl said the second day also they were made to dance in the pub despite their protests. Later, they were told that they would have to dance for at least a month in the pub. The minor girl who has seven sisters and is illiterate, said, “I asked Muralidhar to send me back to Chandigarh as I did not like to dance before drunken men in a pub.” The girl said she and Simar then decided to escape from the clutches of the rackeers. While Simar succeeded in running away, she was caught by Murali, Batalvi, Kuldeep and Baljeet. The girl said she had lost hope of any rescue before the Chandigarh police team
reached to save them. The girl claimed that the other girls who later turned against the police had also wanted to be rescued when the police brought them to the city. The girl said she would never return to Bangalore but was still keen to work in albums. She said they used to be brought to the pub at 9 pm under heavy security and were forced to dance till 3 am. The girl said they were not in a position to reach out to the Karnataka police whose personnel were allegedly seen taking bribes from K. M. Muralidhar. The girl said her escape bid failed as she had no money to return and when she ran away, she approached a musician in the pub but was caught immediately. The girl’s narration, however, does not prove that the girls had been hired with an intention to be sexually abused with the investigating officer KIP Singh claiming “this intention can not be ruled out.” In a press conference addressed by the DSP (Crime), Mr Vijay Pal, DSP S.C. Sagar and Mr KIP Singh, the police said, the girls had been recovered in the presence of a Bangalore police officer, Ms Kavita. The police officers denied that the girls had been brought to the city forcibly. They said a large posse of policemen was arranged in Delhi to protect the girls. They said it had clues where the missing Simar could be recovered from. They claimed that the other girls also were ready to support the police. |
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Dance girls: accused produced in court Chandigarh, November 10 The accused — K.M Murlidhar, Rakesh Batalvi, Baljit and Kuldeep, Kapil — were today produced in the court of UT Judicial Magistrate, Mr S.K. Singla, after 10 days of police custody. Later, in the evening, the police produced a girl, Rajni, in the same court. The girl’s statement was recorded in the closed courtroom. The magistrate remanded the two accused — K.M. Murlidhar and Kuldeep — in one-day police custody. The other three were sent in judicial custody. Meanwhile the court has issued notice to the police for tomorrow to file a reply on the bail application moved by one of the accused, Rakesh Batalvi, in the case. Counsel for the accused alleged that the police had misled the court, as earlier police had sought the police custody of the five on the ground that all of them were taken to Bangalore to recover the girls. But only two — K.M. Murlidhar and Kuldeep — were taken to Bangalore for recovery, while the other three accused were kept in Chandigarh in violation of the court directions. When the magistrate asked the investigation officer about the allegations, he informed that two accused were taken to Bangalore to recover the girls and three were kept in Chandigarh to extract information related to the case. He added that after getting specific information from three accused, the UT police had raided several places. The counsel argued that the girls were not illegally detained as claimed by the police but they have been performing as per the agreement. And though the name of one of the accused was not mentioned in the FIR, he was taken in police custody, counsel further alleged. The Public Prosecutor sought further police remand of the accused, claiming that custody of the accused was required to recover two more girls. The police also informed the court that during the 10-day police custody of the accused, a team of police officials visited Bangalore and recovered girls who had been illegally detained there. |
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Dara predicts good days for Punjabi films Chandigarh, November 10 “Punjabi cinema is rising from its ashes,” says Dara Singh on the sets of “Aangan Tedha”. The 13-episode comedy serial, starring Dara Singh and comedy performer Jaspal Bhatti, is being prepared for Doordarshan. Speaking on the resurrection of Punjabi cinema, Dara Singh asserts, “The trend is changing. Already, you have so many movies released all over the country with impressive Punjabi songs enthralling the audience. Even at the international level, bhangra beats are a big hit not only with the Punjabis, but also with the others. No wonder, Punjabi movies are making a comeback. Big budget movies with the right blend of Punjabi culture, technology and good starcast are all set to make a difference”. Going into the background, he says, “There was a time when Hindi movie actors were playing major roles in Punjabi cinema. You even had the actors swaying in the fields to the rhythmic notes of melodious songs crooned by prominent singers”. He adds, “But the situation underwent a drastic change with militancy rising its ugly head in the state. Art and culture was, perhaps, the first casualty. Cinema also suffered a setback”. The situation, he says, slowly returned to normal, but cinema continued to limp for a long time. “Fortunately, now cinema is back on the road again. Recently some big budget Punjabi movies were a hit both in India and abroad also”, he adds. Smoothing his orange-yellow kurta-pyjama, Dara Singh says, “Besides advancement in technology and improvement in the cast, a change in the attitude of people is essential. They must avoid comparing Punjabi movies with Hindi films as the treatment of subjects in both is different”. As a Rajya Sabha Member, Dara Singh is also of the opinion that the film industry should get relaxation and benefits, like other industries. He started acting at the age of 32 after a successful career in wrestling. “It was just by chance that I got into acting. I had no intentions of becoming an actor, a producer just insisted and took me in”. His first movie was ‘King Kong’. ‘Rustam-e-Hind’ was one of his successful ventures. He has produced about 12 movies in Hindi and Punjabi. He also produced a serial for Doordarshan. His forthcoming movies include “Kal Ho Na Ho” starring Shah Rukh Khan. Two Punjabi movies — ‘Deh Shiva Var Mohe’ and ‘Mittar Pyar Nu Haal Muridan Da Kehna’ — are also in the pipeline. |
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Sharp fall in mail business Chandigarh, November 10 The department had launched computerisation of programme about a decade ago, but it has so far installed just 8,500 computers at 1,772 post offices across the country. During the Tenth Five-year Plan, the department has fixed a target to computerise just 5,595 postal
offices. It is pertinent to note that the department is running over 1.54 lakh post offices all over the country, including 26,000 sub-post offices, and about 850 head-post offices at the district level. As one of the major departments of the Central Government, the Department of Posts, had started computerisation programme, even before the Life Insurance Corporation of India and other financial institutions. Since the Central Government is showing no inclination to provide required funds to the loss-making department, it is finding itself helpless to modernise its post offices all over the country. Speaking to the TNS here today, Mr Vijay Bhushan, Member, Postal Services Board, other organisations, claimed that the department was trying to reinvent its role in the fast changing scenario. He was in the city to review the modernisation programme of the department, after releasing a stamp on the Indian Railways at Shimla yesterday. Commenting on the falling mail business, he said,”We are already witnessing a sharp fall in individual mail business. The entry of telephones, e-mails and SMS have changed the communication scenario. We are now making efforts to increase business through premium services and by offering additional utility services to the customers like e-post, distribution and collection of telephone and electricity bills.” Out of the total communication business, the share of postal mail had come down to 20 per cent, and was likely to further decline to 15 per cent, he added. Due to a large number uneconomical postal offices in the rural areas and lack of vision among the management to increase business, the department is suffering huge financial losses. It had incurred a deficit of Rs 1450 crore during the last fiscal year, which is likely to come down marginally this year. With a staff strength of over 5.69 lakh employees, he admitted, the mammoth organisation had to spend 91 per cent of its total income of Rs 3,697 crore on administrative costs, including pensions. |
BJP stir against property tax tomorrow Chandigarh, November 10 Satya Pal Jain, former local MP of the BJP, announced this at a press conference today. He was accompanied by the president of the unit, BJP Mr Yashpal Mahajan and the leader of the Opposition in the MC, Mrs Kamla Sharma, Mr Jain said the BJP at its meeting yesterday decided to oppose the Congress and start a jan andolan. Mr Jain distributed photocopies of the letter dated May 29 this year which has been sent from the MC to the Estate office. The letter says that the Land Acquisition Officer has been asked to give a date for an anti- encroachment drive. He said the Congress had no reason to blame the BJP for the demolition drive. The BJP demanded that the cases filed by the MC against local shopkeepers be taken back. He said the BJP had passed a resolution to criticise the move of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly for attacking ‘ The Hindu’ for its editorial as freedom of the press was essential.  |
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Welfare body seeks MC’s help Chandigarh, November 10 He said money released out from Mayor’s fund had been used to purchase furniture for the Community Centre of the sector and recarpeting roads in the internal markets. An amount of Rs 35 lakh, released from the Councillor’s Ward Fund, had been used for laying PVC pipes, lights in green belts, white washing and minor repairs in the community centres, he added. The association has, however, drawn the attention of the local Municipal Corporation (MC) towards the need to recarpet V4 and V6 roads , repair of walking tracks in Topiary Park construction of foothpath along V5 roads in subsectors C and D and low water pressure. The association chief said despite the sector being declared bin-free six months ago, no sehaj safai kendra had been constructed. This was resulting in poor sanitary conditions in the sector, he lamented. |
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Booster installed at Indira Colony Chandigarh, November 10 A spokesman for the corporation said the booster had been installed at a cost of Rs 13.41 lakh. Besides a generator set of 45 kilo watt had also been provided for backup in case of power failure. Mr Surinder Singh, said the facility would solve the problem of low water pressure in the colony, and adjoining areas of Subhash Nagar. In the evening, a project of laying mosaic tiles in Sector 35-C and 35-D market was inaugurated by the Mayor. The corporation has already installed new lights in the market. Work an the recarpeting of the parking area in the Sector- 35 market in progress, the Mayor said. |
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Scribes protest against TN Assembly orders Chandigarh, November 10 Raising slogans against the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms Jayalalithaa, the journalists demanded an immediate revocation of the arrest orders. Scribes from The Hindu, The Tribune group of newspapers, The Indian Express, The Hindustan Times, Punjab Kesari, Vir Pratap, PTI, UNI, Sahara TV, ANI and Siti Channel participated in the rally. The president of the CPUJ, Mr Vinod Kohli, said the orders by the Tamil Nadu Assembly were against the freedom of the Press. He said the scribes would not tolerate such repression. The President of the Chandigarh Press Club, Mr Sarabjit Pandher, said the arrest orders were worse than the black days of emergency. |
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PHSC fate depends on World Bank’s decision SAS Nagar, November 10 This was stated by Ramesh Chander Dogra, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, while talking to mediapersons here today after attending a prize distribution function organised by Sarvhitkari Vidya Mandir Model High School in Sector 71. Mr Dogra said the PHSC was not a separate entity but part of the Health Department. It had been set up because the World Bank wanted a separate organisation as far as the sanctioning of loan was concerned. After the formation of PHSC, the World Bank had sanctioned a loan of Rs 456 crore for secondary health care centres in the state. If the World Bank did not provide loan for the primary health care centres, the government would wind up the PHSC by March 31, 2004. When asked why the local Civil Hospital had not been upgraded to a 100-bed hospital even after expanding the building for the purpose, Mr Dogra said previous Akali government had constructed a number of buildings but did not upgrade the hospitals as it was unable to provide the sanctioned staff and equipment. There were a number of hospitals at the district and subdivisional levels that were awaiting upgradation. The government could not immediately upgrade all these hospitals as it was not in a good financial position. Without specifying any time, Mr Dogra said the local Civil Hospital would be upgraded when the financial position of the government improves. He said there were nearly 600 posts of doctors lying vacant and the department had referred the case to the Chief Minister. He said the department was interested in keeping doctors on contract basis. When asked why the building of the State Institute of Health and Family Welfare was lying in a state of neglect, the minister said the government had planned to spend some money and complete the pending work. After that it would be handed over to the department. He added that the spinal injury centre coming up in the town would be completed soon and made functional. |
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FAUJI BEAT THE 2 Mechanised Infantry 1 Jat (LI) was raised by Capt Samuel Wood on November 9, 1803 at Fatehgarh in Uttar Pradesh as 1st Battalion, 22 Bengal Native Infantry. The first Commandant of 22 Bengal Native Infantry was Lt-Col Kyan. The battalion is celebrating its bicentenary from November 14 to 16 somewhere in the Central sector. November 16, is an important day in the history of the unit becausse it earned the battle honour of “Festubert” on this day in France in the First World War. 2 Mechanised Infantry is the only battalion in the Indian Army which has two rare titles i.e. “Light Infantry” and “Royal Jats”. After the First Afghan War, the battalion returned to India in 1842. For having marched 1,100 miles in 33 days and for its distinguished service during the Afghan War, the title of Light Infantry was conferred on it on October 4, 1842. On February 10, 1921, His Majesty, the King, conferred the title of Royal on the unit for its commendable role in the First World War and more so for its heroic exploit in the battle of Festubert. Since its raising, the battalion has been re-designed 11 times and has earned 14 battle honours and nine theatre honours. It got its present designation — 2 Mechanised Infantry 1 Jat (LI) — in 1981. In its 200 years of distinguished history, the battalion has excelled in valour, sacrifice and excellence in all wars that it has fought. In the First Afghan War from 1838 to 1842, the battalion stormed Gazni Fort and retrieved the sandalwood gates from the tomb of Sultan Mahmud Gazni which he had looted from the temple of Somnath in 1024 A.D. These gates are now lying at Afra Fort. In 1843, the unit achieved a remarkable success in the Gwalior campaign. In 1846, Royal Jats took part in the First Sikh War and earned the battle honour of “Sabraon”. In the Second Afghan War, 1 Jat (LI) captured the fort of Ali Masjid on November 22, 1878. Then it went to Landi Kotal and Khyber Pass before coming back to Ali Masjid in 1879. Royal Jats were permitted to bear the words “Ali Masjid” and “Afghanistan 1878-79” on its Colours. To suppress the Boxer uprising in China, the unit went to Hong Kong on September 1, 1900 and after completing its task, it returned to India in July, 1901. In 1903, Royal Jats were entrusted with the task of organising “Delhi Durbar” at which Lord Curzon proclaimed the accession of India to the Crown. During the First World War, the battalion went to Europe as part of the 19 (Dehra Dun) Brigade of the Indian Expeditionary Force. It sailed on HMS Arankola and reached Marseilles on October 12, 1914. It also fought battles in Mesopotamia, Egypt and Iraq. In the Second World War, the battalion reached Rangoon in November, 1941 and was deployed at Mandlay Fort. In May 1944, it became part of the Lushai Brigade (V Force) and operated independently behind the enemy lines in the Arakans. It was actively involved in operations in Malaya (now Malaysia) and Burma (now Myanmar) during the war. In 1948, 1 Jat (LI) went to Delhi to provide ceremonial guard duties at Rashtrapati Bhavan and Red Fort. Thereafter, it took part in the Chinese conflict in 1962 in the northern sector of Chusul. In the 1965 war, 1 Jat (LI) had advanced to the Ichhogil canal, repulsed two Pakistani counter-attacks and destroyed seven Sherman tanks. When the militancy was at its peak in Mizo Hills (now Mizoram), 1 Jat (LI) was moved there from the Bomdilla sector (in NEFA) in October 1967. It was the first regular battalion to be inducted South of Lungle in the most inhospitable terrain. It achieved a remarkable success in the Mizo Hills by capturing and killing many militants. In one of the daring actions, Naib Subedar Man Singh was awarded the Shaurya Chakra. In 1971, while the unit was at Jhansi, it was one of the first six infantry battalions in the Indian Army to be converted into mechanised infantry. In the 1971 war, the battalion as part of 1 Armoured Division, remained deployed in the Muktsar area in Punjab. Two companies of the battalion took part in counter insurgency operations in South Kashmir and killed many militants. In operation Parakram, the performance of the unit was highly appreciated. The unit can boast of a large array of pre and post Independence gallantry awards. In sports, Royal Jats have brought credit to the Army and the country. To name only a few, Capt (now Brigadier retired) Labh Singh Sitara represented India in Olympics in triple jump in 1964, 1966 and 1970. Sube-Maj & Hony Capt Padam Singh represented the country in 20 km walk in the Asian Games in 1970. Subedar Attar Singh and Havildar Herender Singh have participated in the National Games in high jump and wrestling, respectively. Many sportsmen of the unit have won in the Services. New Colours were presented to the battalion at Jat Regimental Centre, Bareilly on November 23, 1967, by the then Pesident, Dr Zakir Hussain. Yet again, the battalion was presented with the Colours as 2 Mechanised Infantry 1 Jat (LI) by the then President Mr R. Venkataraman, at Mechanised Infantry Regimental Centre, Ahmednagar, on February 24, 1988. A large number of retired officers, JCOs and other ranks of the unit are likely to attend the bicentenary celebrations of Royal Jats. The Chief of the Army Staff, Gen N.C. Vij, and Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal S. Krishnaswamy, will also attend. Only five of the 13 living British officers are likely to attend the bicentenary celebrations. The rest have regretted their inability to attend due to old age and ill health. |
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ISKCON holds ‘Deepdaan’ ceremony Chandigarh, November 10 Today, ISKCON devotees organised a nagar sankirtan programme. A nicely decorated bullock-cart — a “mobile temple” — had a round of City Beautiful. The procession was joined by the people of all walks of life along with hundreds of ISKCON devotees who were dancing and chanting Hare Krishna mahamantra. The “mobile temple” was the main attraction of “Sril Prabhupada Sankirtan Padyatra”. This “mobile temple” has already gone around the country four times. |
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British Columbia
Premier buys shawls Chandigarh, November 10 According to Senior Deputy General Manager of Phulkari D.S. Chandhok, the Prime Minister purchased handicrafts, silk scarf and pashmina shawls. He also appreciated the rich collection of handicrafts at the emporium. |
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Bansal addresses
rally Chandigarh, November 10 He said he would take up the matter with the Chandigarh Administration. Demanding compensation for the victims, Mr Bansal said the additions done by the occupants had been raised in the courtyard. |
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Retreat on spirituality Chandigarh, November 10 Presiding over the camp, Northern Zonal Chief of Brahma Kumaris, Rajyogini B.K. Achal, said realisation of self-and super-consciousness would help in overcoming vices, failures and evils. |
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Tohra to address gurdwara seminar Chandigarh, November 10 Dr Anup Singh, former Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Technical University, Dr Inderjit Kaur, President, Bhagat Puran Singh Pingalwara Trust, Giani Harinder Singh of UP, President, Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Dr Brijpal Singh, President, Academy of Sikh Religion, Patiala, will preside over various sessions. |
Bharti awards northern HR team Chandigarh, November 10 According to Mr Vinod Sawhny, CEO and Director— North, “ The HR team has been recognised for myriad creative initiatives ranging from institutionalising group values to work environment, personal growth and development and welfare activities.” Last year, the award was given to Airtel— Chennai for mobility. He said whether it was the creation of ‘Greens’, the inhouse nursery or Sparklzz — the in-house cafe or Airtel Ashiana— the endeavour of educating the underprivileged or several other measures, this team had done it all. |
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