H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

HC takes suo motu notice of German girl case
Solan, April 12
Taking suo motu note of the news item, “ German student sexually assaulted”, appearing in The Tribune today, the High Court has served a notice on the Superintendent of Police here to conduct an inquiry into the matter and submit his report to the High Court within seven days.

HC notice to Chief Secy on economic zones
Shimla, April 12
The HP High Court today issued notice to the Chief Secretary of the state on a petition filed by Trisha Sharma for the establishment of special economic zones in the state for the development of industries.

Tea factory re-starts production
Dharamsala, April 12
The Sidhbari co-operative tea factory has become functional again, bringing cheer to about 2,000 families involved in tea production in Dharamsala and surrounding areas. A total of 25 regular workers of the factory have been provided employment after a lapse of more than one year.

Four held, illicit liquor seized
Kangra, April 12
Four persons were arrested in the past 24 hours in different parts of the district and illicit liquor seized from their possession, the police said here today.

Dalai Lama leaves for US tour
Dharamsala, April 12
Spiritual leader of Tibetans the Dalai Lama yesterday left for one month long foreign tour. He will visit France, Canada and the USA.

• Sessions Judge takes charge

HC takes suo motu notice of German girl case
Ambika Sharma

Solan, April 12
Taking suo motu note of the news item, “ German student sexually assaulted”, appearing in The Tribune today, the High Court has served a notice on the Superintendent of Police here to conduct an inquiry into the matter and submit his report to the High Court within seven days.

Clarifying its position in the incident involving a Class IX German girl studying in Lawrence School, Sanawar, the school authorities today said not only was the girl a habitual drinker but had undertaken a rehabilitation course before joining the school in February this year. These facts came to light during an inquiry conducted by the Parwanoo Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr Surinder Verma in the school today.

According to officials in the police department the school authorities revealed that the girl had shown normal behaviour in the first month but had later developed certain problems due to her past alcoholic indulgence. Regular communication by the school authorities with her mother in Germany were centered around her problems regarding adjustment at the school. The girl who had made up her mind to leave the school also had met the Superintendent of Police, Mr Abhishek Trivedi, on March 18 and told him about her decision to leave the school.

The inquiry conducted by the DSP also established the fact that the girl had been allowed to go out on March 21 after her local guardians came to take her. This was after receiving permission from her mother claimed the school authorities. She however managed to give her guardians a slip and reached a local hotel at Kasauli where she met the four boys. The school authorities came to know of the incident after the girl was dropped there by the policemen on March 21 at 2:30 p.m. A medical test conducted at the school hospital established the fact that the girl was under the influence of liquor that day. It also established the guilt of another boy, a Class IX student. The school authorities then informed their respective parents about the incident. While terming their behaviour as a breach of discipline their parents were directed to withdraw their wards.

Officials further said the school adopted a lenient posture as any strict action would have adversely affected the future prospects of the students. While the girl left the school on March 24 the boy left a few days later revealed the inquiry.

The SP said since no formal complaint had been lodged in the matter there was little the police could do in the matter. More so the girl had already left the country. 

HC notice to Chief Secy on economic zones
Our Correspondent

Shimla, April 12
The HP High Court today issued notice to the Chief Secretary of the state on a petition filed by Trisha Sharma for the establishment of special economic zones in the state for the development of industries.

Petitioner alleged in her petition that even though the state government had done well in certain areas where rapid development had been carried out, the state was still an industrially backward area due to the lack of facilities. The state has not provided any infrastructure to attract the investor to promote rapid industrialisation of the state, which is essential to provide employment avenues to the ever increasing numbers of unemployed youths.

The petitioner further alleged that it was essential to provide for the establishment of special economic zones by providing basic and essential amenities, including roads, water supply, power supply.

Tea factory re-starts production
Our Correspondent

Dharamsala, April 12
The Sidhbari co-operative tea factory has become functional again, bringing cheer to about 2,000 families involved in tea production in Dharamsala and surrounding areas. A total of 25 regular workers of the factory have been provided employment after a lapse of more than one year.

The Kangra tea industry had been facing one of its worst crises since the WTO made tea imported from Sri Lanka and Indonesia cheaper as compared to local brew. Rising input costs and falling tea prices had rendered the industry uneconomical.

Out of the four co-operative tea factories in Kangra, those at Bir, Baijnath and Sidhbari (Dharamsala) had pulled down shutters. The factory at Palampur had been unable to make payment to tea planters.

Four held, illicit liquor seized
Our Correspondent

Kangra, April 12
Four persons were arrested in the past 24 hours in different parts of the district and illicit liquor seized from their possession, the police said here today.

During a raid at Amlaila village last evening, the police arrested Joginder Pal and recovered 15,000 ml of illicit liquor. Sukh Dev Singh was arrested at Lab village and 5,000 ml of illicit liquor recovered.

The police arrested Vipin Singh of Garlie and Surender Kumar of Mandal last night and recovered 6,625 ml of country liquor. Cases under the Excise Act were registered.

Dalai Lama leaves for US tour
Our Correspondent

Dharamsala, April 12
Spiritual leader of Tibetans the Dalai Lama yesterday left for one month long foreign tour. He will visit France, Canada and the USA.

The Buddhist leader will visit France for a day and Canada in the last week of this month where he is expected to participate in Kal Chakra ceremony. He will return to India on May 10.

Sessions Judge takes charge

Hamirpur, April 12
Mr T.N. Vaidya today took over as the new District and Sessions Judge of Hamirpur. He succeeded Mr Dharam Chand Chaudhry, who has been posted President of the Consumers Forum, Mandi.