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One more probe for manhole victim’s case
Ludhiana, August 18 The inquiry has been ordered under section 17 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. The inquiry has been ordered for a second time after the victim, Mr Rakesh Talwar, had raised an objection to the earlier report. In the fresh orders, the PSHRC has maintained that ‘‘the allegations of the complainant need a deeper probe than the one done by the SDM (East), Ludhiana. Accordingly, investigation pertaining to the inquiry is directed to be done through Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, who may depute an officer not below the rank of Additional District Magistrate, belonging to the IAS cadre.’’ The PSHRC then asked the DC to submit his report to the commission as to whether Mr Talwar suffered the injuries while falling in the uncovered sewerage manhole and if so, up to what extent he has suffered the injuries and who is ultimately liable for the same. Mr Talwar had raised objections over the earlier report that had given a clean chit to the MC. The report submitted by Ms Amritpal Kaur, SDM(E), had quoted the statement of Superintending Engineer (O and M cell), of the MC that none of the manholes were found opened on the rainy day after a Junior Engineer had surveyed the area. The last inquiry was ordered in April this year only. The victim had been alleging that the district administration, instead of conducting an independent inquiry into the matter, had washed its hands off the controversy by submitting a letter by the MC that on May 10, 2000, an Assistant Engineer and an Executive Engineer of O and M cell had given a report that on that rainy day, the sewer supervisor posted in the dhobi ghat area had inspected the road and found that all the manholes were covered soon after the rain. The report was signed in 2000 while Mr Talwar had suffered injuries in 1998. He has been running from pillar to post all these years waiting to get justice. The assertion made by the officials in the report that ‘‘all manholes were covered that day and if the complainant had sustained any injury it cannot be caused by an open manhole and the complaint seems to be a fake story, concocted out of some malicious designs’’ had angered the already suffering victim.
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PSEB at its callous best
Ludhiana, August 18 Despite several complaints by residents in this area to replace loosely hanging electricity wires with multiple joints, the PSEB has failed to take any action so far. This despite the fact that only a few days ago the Deputy Commissioner ordered strict action against officials of PSEB and several other departments for causing death of six persons due to electrocution in the Sidhwan Canal in June this year. “A month ago, two of the hanging wires even fell down when it was drizzling. One end of the wires recoiled and remained hung in front of our house and the other end fell in the middle of the street posing great danger to inhabitants and passersby,” said Mr Sunil Kapoor, a resident. The residents said when they complained to the department, all the PSEB did was send two linemen who installed the same wires that had multiple joints and resumed electricity supply. “We have been asking them to put new wires as we are scared particularly after learning about incidents of electrocution. However, the electricity board has not done anything so far,” a resident rued. Narrating the scary incident, Ms Meenu, another resident, said: “There was a huge blast and we all came out. For two hours, till the linemen came, we kept standing outside so that the wire may not harm any passers by. Since the road is busy, the danger increases manifold.” The residents were disappointed when the linemen reinstalled those old wires. “The wires are still loose. We can still take precaution and avoid passing from near those wires, but what about the passersby who are not even aware of this danger,” questioned Mr Narinder Kumar Khosla, another resident. Scared by electrocution incidents, residents are keeping their children indoors. “We do not want to risk our lives and that too in the rainy season when such hanging wires with joints pose great danger. The department immediately replace these wires.” “It is height of callousness that we apprised them of the dangerous situation a month ago and even then nothing has been done about it,” said Mr Khosla. The worried residents, who have complained to local officials, have now written to the Chairman of the PSEB. Disappointed with PSEB, they have also urged the Punjab State Human Rights Commission to take up the matter.
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A treacherous trail
Ludhiana, August 18 With heavy rains lashing the city for the past two days, the roads dug at various places have become virtual deathtraps as the company has failed to do anything to repair the roads. The workers move ahead after laying the cables and filling the pits with sand which sinks due to rainwater, leaving gaping holes in the roads. The trenches dug by the company to lay the cables are filled with water making it difficult for the commuters, especially at nights, to anticipate the danger. Angry residents said it was strange that the company was resorting to digging work during monsoon season and reason that it could have advanced or delayed the work in view of the season. Roads have been dug up in almost half of the city areas. Residents of Model Town, Sarabha Nagar and BRS Nagar are the worst hit as the roads caved in some places with rainwater filling the pits. The piles of dug out earth are also lying on the roadsides not only blocking the road but also causing inconvenience to commuters. This is leading to traffic bottlenecks and jams on different roads. “It is impossible for the commuters to anticipate open pits on the roads at night. So there is every possibility falling in the ditches and getting injured”, said Mr Taranjeet Singh Lovely, a shop owner in Model Town market. Mr Amit Grover, another resident, said the company was not taking required measures before digging a road. “A government agency or a private contractor, who carries out any work on a road is required to put red flags to give a clear indication. Moreover, caution boards like “Men At Work”, “Work in Progress”, “Diversion” and “Drive Carefully” are required to be put for the safety of the workers as well as commuters.” The shopkeepers said if they had to do the work they could have undertaken the repair as soon as possible. “But they are not bothered. They think that they can hold the entire city to ransom.” A worker of the contractor, assigned for the job, said they had been assigned the job of digging only. His work would be finished after the cables were laid. Then the company would hire somebody else for the repair of roads. The issue of laying cables has been giving a tough time to the residents as well as to the Municipal Corporation. Some time ago, the MC had refused give permission to a private telecom company for road cutting. After an inspection carried out by the MC Engineers and other officials of the civic body, it was found that restoration work done by a private telecom company after laying cables, was shoddy and sub standard. A lot of hue and cry was raised then by the company.
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Muslims write to Manmohan
Mandi Ahmedgarh, August 18 In a communication addressed to Dr Manmohan Singh, and the Home Minister, a group of local Muslim pilgrims accused the authorities in UP and Rajasthan of discriminating against and harassing the Muslims in particular and other minorities in general. They have just returned from a pilgrimage to Sirhind Sharif, Kaliar, Delhi and Ajmer Sharif. According to Mr Munir Mohamad, president, Muslim Youth Front, a team of Transport Department officials of the UP Government had harassed them unnecessarily and humiliated them at a naka on the Chhutmulpur-Hardwar road on August 8. “A team led by a DTO intercepted the vehicle we were travelling in and started harassing us because we belonged to the Muslim community. We were allowed to leave the place after paying Rs 1,500 as bribe. One of his gunmen had boasted that he had never allowed a Muslim to go without paying a bribe,” said Mr Mohammad. The pilgrims felt worse when none of the officers and leaders in that area bothered to listen to their grievance. “We were once again trapped by a team of the road transport authorities when we were passing through Haryana. A dhaba owner called a team of officers and policemen when we objected to being served dirty water and we were made to stay on the road for the whole night without any reason,” said Mr Mohammad. The pilgrims were allegedly ill-treated in Rajasthan also. The pilgrims have now urged the PM and the Home Minister to India to check the discrimination and harassment of members of a minority community and ensure that the guilty are punished for tarnishing the image of the state governments.
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Shopkeeper booked for
pilfering LPG
Ludhiana, August 18 The inspecting party recovered seven big cylinders, 12 small cylinders and four pins from the premises.
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Passing Thru
What do you say about the status accorded to freedom fighters by the state government?
It is sad that the government has a lackadaisical attitude towards freedom fighters. It was during the Beant Singh government that freedom fighters were honoured. We have sent several requests to the government for which we never got a response. The government should treat those who struggled for the Independence with respect. And what about the present state of social and political affairs? It is pain to see how vices like corruption are growing unabated. The fact is that people today have forgotten the struggle for freedom, that is why they do not even realise the difference between slavery and Independence. What should be done? There is a strong need to inculcate values and build love for the nation. Children should be taken care of and people should try to be less materialistic. —
Shveta Pathak |
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Sena Medal for Lieut Tejinder
Jagraon, August 18 He, along with his men, captured two militants who were involved in many killings.
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Rakhi contest
Ludhiana, August 18 In Rakhi-making contest, Anita Gupta was the winner while Neena Jain and Kiran Aggarwal came second and third. In thali-making contest, Anita Gupta came first, Shruti was declared second while Kiran Aggarwal was adjudged third.
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