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Delhi woman found dead in Shimla hotel
Translocation of simians may not
Snowfall, rain in Himachal
Nepalese youths held for killing |
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Evolve scientific approach to social order: Governor
No ‘regional bias’ in jobs
HC summons Secretary
(Forests)
Wildlife Act impedes widening of highway
Commission agents fleece apple growers
Revenue subdivisions sans offices
Dhumal backs 2-kid norm
Manimahesh pilgrimage begins
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Delhi woman found dead in Shimla hotel
Shimla, September 15 The woman had booked into the hotel with a 30-year-old man on the morning of September 13. She had booked into the hotel as the wife of Mr Rajinder Singh, resident of A-64, Tagore Garden, New Delhi, who stayed with her in the room for two days. Suspecting it to be a case of poisoning, the police has registered a case under Section 302 of the IPC. The Superintendent of Police, Mr Jog Raj Thakur, said hotel staff told the police that the man, who had identified himself as Rajinder Singh in the hotel register, gave them the room keys at 7
am today saying that he was going for morning walk. He told them that his wife was still sleeping in the room. The hotel staff got suspicious when after making repeated calls on the intercom there was no response from the room, where the woman was sleeping. When they went to the room, they saw that the woman was lying in bed with froth coming out from her mouth. The police said since there were no bullet or any other injury marks on the body, it could be a case of poisoning. The body has been sent for post-mortem while the forensic experts have taken all finger prints and other details from the room. The clothes and make-up kit of the woman was lying in the room. The identity of the woman was established when the police made calls on two numbers written on a travelling bag lying in the room. “The number happened to be that of the victim’s neighbour, who identified himself as 65 year old Rajinder Singh, whose name and address the man with Harpreet had used,” said Mr Thakur. It is this neighbour of the victim who identified her after the police gave him details about Harpreet. The police later called up Mr Trilochan Singh Chaddha, husband of the victim, who runs a shop in Delhi. “He told the police that his wife had left Delhi for Amritsar along with five other persons to visit the Golden Temple and he did not know how she reached Shimla and who was accompanying her,” said Mr Thakur. Working on different theories the police is trying to establish the identity of the man who was accompanying the victim. In the past also there was a double murder in a city hotel, where two women were found dead. Since then the need for having certain rules and identification criteria for those booking into hotels has been felt. The police had suggested that the Tourism Department should make it binding on those booking into the hotel to produce either PAN card or driving licence or any other valid document, so that proper record can be maintained. |
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Translocation of simians may not bring respite
Shimla, September 15 Spurred by the intervention of the high court, the local Municipal Corporation in collaboration with the Wildlife Department has over the past three weeks trapped about 900 monkeys and released them in deep forests far away from human habitations. It is not for the first time that such an exercise has been undertaken. A large number of monkeys were captured from the town in 1990 and released in various parts of the state. Local people where the animals were released resented and alleged that the monkey nuisance had been shifted to their area. In 2000 a similar exercise was carried out in Kangra town and as many as 442 monkeys were trapped and released in Baba Baroh area. Subsequent monitoring by the Forest Department revealed that the territory vacated by the translocated animals was soon occupied by more aggressive troops of monkeys from the surrounding areas. Consequently, instances of monkey bites increased and one victim even died. Moreover, the study of translocated monkeys has, shown that the wild monkeys also tended to adopt the commensal and semi-commensal habits from the translocated animals. Thus, the department has for reasons best known to it, opted for a strategy, which failed to deliver in the past. There are other important issues, which have been ignored while carrying out translocation. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) have laid down a protocol for release of animals in the wild. Besides, taking care of issues like carrying capacity, vegetation, availability of food ,water and overall suitability of the environment of the forest where the animals are to be released, they required to be given a thorough veterinary check-up to ensure that they were not carriers of diseases which could spread to other wild animals. The relationship of the native wild animals with that of the translocated species had also to be taken into consideration to ensure their peaceful coexistence. In this regard it is pertinent to mention that in October 2002 the Union Ministry of Environment mooted a proposal to translocate about 1000 monkeys from Delhi to Himachal Pradesh after their sterilization. However, the wildlife wing cautioned the government that it would require a lot of planning and thought as the IUCN protocol and various connected issues would have to be taken care of. The protocol has not been strictly followed while translocating the monkeys, though Mr A.K.Gulati, the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Wildlife, maintains that due care had been taken. He maintains that the protocol is observed strictly while releasing animals in protected wildlife areas like sanctuaries and national parks. Regarding the carrying capacity of forests where the animals were being released, he said the areas where the population of the simians was less had been selected for release. Experts feel that the department should have properly planned the exercise and sterilized the monkeys before releasing them in deep forests. The first head count of simians undertaken in December 2003 had revealed a population of about 800 in the main Shimla town but more monkeys had already been trapped and sent to distant places. Mr Gulati explained that there were about 1300 monkeys in the peripheral areas who could have moved into the main town. As such it is quite obvious that the people of the city will get only a temporary reprieve form the monkey nuisance. |
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Snowfall, rain in Himachal
Shimla, September 15 Moderate to heavy rains lashed many parts of Himachal Pradesh, bringing down the temperature in the region. The high altitude areas of Lahaul and Spiti districts experienced snowfall till this morning, according to a report received here. Shimla and its adjoining areas had been lashed by heavy rain since last night. The city recorded 15.3 mm rainfall till noon, meanwhile Sundernagar in Mandi district recorded 49.2 mm rain and Bhuntar in Kulu district recorded 7 mm rain, according to Met office here. However, the lower regions had also received intermittent rain since last night. Heavy rain lashed various parts of Hamirpur and Mandi districts last night bringing down the temperature. Electricity, water and telecom services were affected due to heavy rain in certain parts of Hamirpur district, the reports said. HAMIRPUR: Normal life in the district has come to a near standstill due to heavy rain lashing the region since last night. Faces of farmers were full of cheers with the hope that the rain will definitely save their kharif crops. PALAMPUR: Palampur and its adjoining areas have experienced heavy rain while the higher reaches of the Dhauladhar had first round of snowfall today. The rain had completely disrupted the normal life in the valley. Telecommunication, power supply and road had also been hit. |
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Nepalese youths held for killing bank manager
Shimla, September 15 The two youths, Kiran and Sushil Thapa, were arrested by the Rampur police from Khaneri village, where they had approached a contractor for a job. The police said on interrogating the youth it was found that a bank robbery was the main motive behind the murder. The police was able to get details and photographs of the two Nepali youths, in their early 20s from the Uttaranchal police, where they were registered with the police during their stay there. The two had been absconding after allegedly murdering the assistant manager of the SBI, Suresh Kumar Dhingra. While Kiran was a resident of Masina village in Dung district and Sushil Thapa hailed from Ranipur-Aura, Anchal Beri in Nepal. |
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Evolve scientific approach to social order: Governor
Shimla, September 15 He said ‘Varna vyavastham’ which remained undisputed social classification based on division of labour since centuries had, with the passage of time, become distorted. Addressing participants of the ‘Symposium on varna vyvastha and its contemporary relevance with special reference to the philosophical thought of Dr B.R. Ambedkar at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, here today, he said the old varna system was based on scientific approach. ‘Varna’ was not a water-tight compartment in society. It was flexible and there was sufficient room for those belonging to the lower ‘Varnas’ to rise. Referring to the philosophical thought of Dr Ambedkar’s ‘Varna’ system, the Governor said Dr Ambedkar opposed the “varna vyavastha” as he perceived it to be impractical and oppressive. Dr Yogendra Singh, an eminent sociologist and Professor Emeritus at Jawaharlal Nehru University, said Ambedkar’s ideals were philosophical but were rooted in the historiography of India. Mr Bhagwan Das, an expert on Ambedkar, also spoke on the occasion . The Governor also conducted the proceedings of the symposium and chaired both the sessions. |
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No ‘regional bias’ in jobs
Shimla, September 15 In a joint statement here yesterday, they said that the charge of regionalism in recruitment was “false, mischievous and politically motivated.” Veterinary pharmacists had been selected on the basis of a written test conducted by Chaudhary Sarvan Kumar University, Palampur. Similarly, a written test was held for the posts of conductor and selection made amongst candidates from all over the state on merit. Besides, all other formalities like reservation in various categories, were followed. The selection was made on the sub-divisional basis and there was no question of regional bias. The ministers said the government had inherited a loan of Rs 15,000 crore from the Dhumal regime. |
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Local youth plays Ajay Devgan’s brother
Shimla, September 15 Sushmita, who drove to Shimla from Chandigarh last evening, is expected to shoot for Harry Baweja’s film here for more than a fortnight. A song was shot on Ajay Devgan and other artistes on the Ridge and Christ Church in the morning, despite a drizzle. Ajay, who plays the role of a mentally retarded person, works as a waiter in a cafeteria and is seen singing a song with a little girl. However, the biggest star attraction for the locals was Anupam Kher. Being from Shimla, Kher has spent his entire childhood here till he moved out to pursue a career in acting. He enjoyed a stroll on the Mall with his parents and brother who live here. Ajay Devgan has been shooting here for the past three days. The crowd, especially young boys and girls, kept standing at the Ridge throughout the day, hoping that they might be picked up for a small role or would atleast figure in the background. However, they were not as lucky as a local artiste, Sanjay Sood, who can’t believe that he has been picked up to play the role of Ajay Devgan’s friend. “Since I am interested in films and theatre, I went to meet Harry Baweja along with a friend when this offer came my way,” he says. He has been taking out time for theatre even as he is busy with a job. He says the script has not been disclosed to him but today he played the role of Ajay Devgan’s friend, who too, is mentally retarded. Sanjay said he had not been told for long he would be required and if he would have to go outside Shimla for the shoot. “By the grace of God, this offer has come my way, which could ultimately prove to be the stepping stone for a full-fledged career in films,” he adds. |
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HC summons Secretary
(Forests)
Shimla, September 15 A Division Bench headed by Chief Justice V.K. Gupta observed that despite the assurance given by the Central Government counsel to provide the necessary sanction under the Forest Conservation Act for development of the new site, nothing had been
done till date. The order was passed on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Mr Trisha Sharma, wherein it was averred that the bio-degradable plant at Shimla had become defunct, but the respondents had taken no action in this regard. |
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Wildlife Act impedes widening of highway
Chamba, September 15 The state Public Works Department (PWD) has made repeated attempts to widen this patch of the highway. The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) had also given funds to the state PWD for widening of this road, but the Wildlife Protection Act and the Forest Conservation Act prohibit the widening of the highway. According to official information, this patch of the highway falls in the Kalatop-Khajjiar wildlife sanctuary. The habitat does not permit any construction work on the highway. Hence, any plan drawn up for widening of the highway does not succeed and is ultimately shelved. Residents of this area have approached their representatives on the matter, pleading for amendments in the forest conservation laws. “We elect representatives for making laws and changing those which are against public interest and impede development,” they argue. Is any law more important than human lives, they ask. |
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Commission agents fleece apple growers
Mandi, September 15 The growers have urged the state Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, to take up the matter with the Delhi Chief Minister, Ms Sheela Dixit, to redress their problems as the touts are fleecing them at the Kundli border where it takes them seven to eight days to get clearance to unload fruit trucks in the Azadpur Mandi. With the arrival of Kashmir apples, markets face a further slump that will ruin them, the growers feared. According to the apple growers from the apple-belt of Kullu-Mandi-Shimla, over 300-400 trucks carrying apples get stuck at the Kundli barrier daily, taking five to seven days to get the fruit unloaded in the market in Delhi. “It took me seven days last week to take the consignment from the Kundli barrier and get the fruit unloaded in Azadpur market in Delhi”, rued Mr Nakul Khullar, orchardist from Naggar in the Kullu valley. “Commission agents sell the fruit much below the price and the ruse is that the fruit is ripening and reaches late in the market”. The growers told The Tribune that touts at the Kundli barrier fleeced them and work in nexus with commission agents, who continue to charge the 8 per cent rather than the fixed 6 per cent commission from them. “We have taken up the matter with the APMC, Azadpur and Agriculture Minister Raj Krishan Gaur, but the growers are still being exploited by touts and agents”, said Mr Mohinder Upadhaya, president, Upper Kullu Valley Fruit Growers’ Association. “The rates have come down from Rs 350 to Rs 220 per carton just because the fruit gets ripened as a result of glut at the Kundli border”, rued Mr B.S. Thakur, grower from the Karsog area in Mandi district. The growers remain at the mercy of the commission agents, be they in Delhi or Chandigarh markets. “I took select 300 apple cartons in the Sector 26 market last week, but the commission agent sold it just at the rate of Rs 250 per carton, pleading that the fruit was ripening”, rued Mr Deepak Banchta, grower from POD, Chopal, in Shimla district. “Commission agents fleece small and marginal growers and reward bigger ones even if the quality is the same”, they alleged. Worsening the plight of growers, the apple from Jammu and Kashmir has started entering the market that can push the sagging markets further down. Over 30-35 per cent of the apple crop was yet to be harvested in the state, but the Kashmir apple would hit the state fruit further, the growers feared. |
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Revenue subdivisions sans offices
Chowari (Chamba), September 15 This has not only been an impediment in the way of speedy development of the areas, but also a cause for inconvenience to the people. On the other hand, there is no dearth of divisional and other offices in Dalhousie and Chamba revenue subdivisions. |
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Dhumal backs 2-kid norm
Hamirpur, September 15 Talking to The Tribune today, he said people of Kangra district were disillusioned with the Congress for its 'anti-people' and 'anti-Kangra' role. Mr Dhumal said all sorts of developmental activities had come to a standstill and law and order situation worsened in the state in general and Kangra district in particular, where cases of child lifting were an increasing. The BJP leader said the party would jointly contest the election and inflict a crushing defeat on the Congress party. He denied any rift in the party over the ticket issue. He said a panel of three names was jointly finalised and whosoever got the ticket would be extended full support by all the party leaders and workers. The BJP leader said those who had more than two kids should not be given the party ticket in future. Mr Dhumal said even leaders of the Congress and the Muslim community were now in favour of population control. |
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Manimahesh pilgrimage begins
Chamba, September 15 The pilgrims will start their return journey the same day after seeing Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva at an altitude of 5,656 metres. Sadhus of Dashnam Akhada, local residents and officers of the civil and police administration accompanied the ‘chhari mubarak,’ led by the insignia of Manimahesh and ‘trishul’ of Lord Shiva, along with homeguards and local traditional bands. According to Mr N.D. Sharma, Additional Superintendent of Police, Chamba, the holy chhari of Manimahesh will halt at various places and reach Manimahesh Lake on September 21 for a holy dip on September 22 morning. The district administration has made adequate security arrangements for pilgrims, especially those from the Bhadarwah area of Jammu and Kashmir. All necessary arrangements such as regulation of traffic, parking lots, medicines, fuel, water and electricity facilities for devotees on their way to Manimahesh have been made. Meanwhile, security arrangements on the border of Chamba district adjoining terrorism-affected pockets of Jammu and Kashmir have been beefed up and a strict vigil is being maintained for the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage. |
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