Dharamsala, August 17
To win over the support of those seeking complete independence of Tibet and not approving of the Dalai Lama’s “middle-path” approach, the Central Tibetan Administration of the government-in-exile has now launched a special programme for spreading awareness among the Tibetan community in McLeodganj.

Organisations like the Tibet Youth Congress (TYC) have been vocal in expressing their reservations about the “middle-path” approach and continue to stick to their demand of complete independence.

“The ‘middle-path’ policy aims at achieving a genuine autonomy for all Tibetans living in the three traditional provinces of Tibet within the framework of the People’s Republic of China. It is a non-partisan and moderate position that safeguards the vital interests of all parties concerned,” reads a booked released by the Department of Information and International Relations as part of the programme.

A seminar was also organised in McLeodganj today with Mr Samdhong Rinpoche, Prime Minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile, elaborating on the “middle-path” approach.

He said the approach was not formulated suddenly by the Dalai Lama and thrust upon the Tibetan community. A series of discussions were held on the issue with suggestions from different quarters.

Mr Jigme Tsultrum, media co-ordinator, said to gauge the support for the approach, an opinion poll was conducted in 1994 in which more than 64 per cent of the Tibetans expressed that they would support it, or whatever decision the Dalai Lama takes from time to time, in accordance with the changing political scenario in China.

On the other hand, Mr Kalsang Phuntsok Godrukpa, president of the Tibetan Youth Congress, said the very fact that the Tibetan government-in-exile was forced to launch this awareness drive to remove confusion from the minds of people was indicative of the failure of the approach.

“Tibetans do not whole-heartedly support it and want complete independence. The approach has a future till the time the Dalai Lama spearheads it and people would continue to follow him irrespective of the results,” he said.

Negotiations with the Chinese authorities are definitely important, even for seeking complete independence, but the other aspects of the approach do not conform to the aspirations of the general Tibetans.

“Every year, we visit the nearly 30 Tibetan settlements in 12 countries and people whole-heartedly support the demand for a complete independence,” he said.

As part of the “middle-path” approach, the Central Tibetan Administration, without seeking independence for Tibet, strives for the creation of a political entity, which should enjoy a status of genuine national regional autonomy governed by the popularly elected legislature and executive through a democratic process.

As soon as the Chinese government agrees upon the above status, Tibet would not seek separation from, and remain within, the People’s Republic of China, said an official.

Mandi, August 17
A large number of monkeys are on the prowl, plundering crops and fields, particularly in Dhrune, Chatra, Khuddar, Balh and Chauntra villages in Jogindernagar subdivision.

Though the affected residents have pleaded to the wildlife and Forest Department to solve the menace in the villages, the plea has fallen on deaf ears.

The villagers told The Tribune that monkeys are being dropped in trucks at night in the areas from other parts of the district and outside. “As a result, the monkey pupolation has swelled to over 4000 in the areas over the last one year. They now have started attacking women and children”, they rued.

“We cannot sow the fields, as the monkeys eat up the grains before they sprout”, complained Mr Ranjit Katoch, a retired governement servant - cum- ex-serviceman from Dhrune village, where over 200 monkeys are on the prowl.

The villagers alleged that the monkeys were being dumped in the area by the Forest Department. “The Forest Department is not doing anything to control their population”, they rued.

Until three years ago, the number of monkeys was insignificant, said Mr Katoch. “But over the past one year, the menace has assured alarming proportions,” he informed.

The Forest Range Officer, Jogindernagar subdivision, Mr Roop Lal, said monkeys were being lured to the villages as forest produce had been plundered by villagers. “The number has increased to over 3000 in the area in recent times as they have no food left in the forest”, he claimed, blaming the villagers for the menace.

Admitting that they had received complaints from the villagers, Mr Lal said a method to check the monkey population was being tried in Shimla and if successful it would be tried here as well. “We have no information that monkeys are being dumped there from outside”, he claimed.

Kulu, August 17
A Canadian national has been reported to be stranded somewhere in the Parbati valley, according to the Canadian High Commission. It has also informed the Director of Tourism, Himachal Pradesh in this regard. Mr Francisco had reportedly given an SOS to his embassy in Delhi on satellite phone that he was stranded somewhere in the valley at Lukong Sansari Mundai in Chheor Nullah of the Parbati valley in the district.

Mr Anand Pratap Singh, Superintendent of Police, here said there was no official information from the Canadian High Commission. However, they have despatched a search party to the area.

The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr Prem Chand, said the police here did not have any message or information of the stranded foreigner. He, however, confirmed that the District Tourism Officer (DTO) received details of the person. He further said they had requested the search party searching for the Australian national, Mr Daniel Mount Whitten, who had been reported missing since August 2 in the Parbati valley to look out for Mr Francisco.

The DTO, Mr Kamal stated that he had received a telephone call from Delhi regarding the stranded Canadian, but did not give any details till the filing of the story.

Meanwhile, the sister of the missing Australian national returned today to Delhi after an intensive search for two weeks. She tried to go to the Parbati valley for an aerial search for the brother, but could not reach the forest area due to bad weather.

Shimla, August 17
The Himachal government today ordered the merger of 50 per cent dearness relief in the basic pension of the pensioners.

As per the orders, in the case of existing pensioners and family pensioners, dearness relief equal to 50 per cent of the present pension will be merged with pension with effect from April 1, 2004, and shown distinctly as dearness pension. The dearness relief from April 1, 2004 would be payable at the rate of 11 per cent on the basic pension

To ensure that the government servants retiring between April 1, 2004, and January 31, 2005, do not face any loss in fixation of pension, dearness allowance equal to 50 per cent of basic pay will be treated as basic pay for the purpose of computation of pension in respect of the basic pay received by them prior to April 1, 2004. Consequently, the element of dearness pension will exist only for pensioners retired from service up to March 31, 2004.

The order will also be applicable to employees who on permanent absorption in public sector undertakings continued to draw pension separately from the government.