H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

Dhumal, Shanta factions prepare for Advani’s visit
Mandi, September 1
State’s BJP factions-led by Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, a former Chief Minister and Mr Shanta Kumar, a former Consumer Affairs Minister — have geared up for the visit of President L.K. Advani to Palampur on October 9, where he would address a rally in respect of completion of 15 years of Ayodhya declaration.

Varsity dept head in spot over unchecked answersheets
Solan, September 1
The role of the head of department of Post Harvest Technology (PHT) of Dr Y.S.Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, has come under a scanner with an inquiry into unchecked answersheets pointing to glaring irregularities.

Carrying of night soil to end by Dec: Chowdhary
Nangal, September 1
The National Commission of Safai Karamcharis has fixed December 31 to end the carrying of night soil or any sanitation work by safai karamcharis in the states.

Gandhi Gate being neglected
Chamba, September 1
The one-time glory and grandeur of Gandhi Gate has now been confined by structures, hanging electrical and telephone wires. The temporary khokhas and concrete shops, which have sprung up on its western slope, are giving it an ugly look. The monument is in a deplorable state.

Mystery over girl’s death
Nalagarh, September 1
A minor girl from Khera village near here died under mysterious circumstances yesterday. Puja (12) who was adopted by her uncle had woken crying at around 5 a.m. yesterday. She was sleeping along with her family members on floor. She complained of pain in her throat.

Three held for murdering woman
Kangra, September 1
A 27-year-old housewife Reenu Bala, allegedly throttled to death by her in-laws during the intervening night of August 30 and 31 in Bhanwala village falling under the local police station. Her in-laws were arrested on the charges of murder, the police said here today.

Newly-born baby found in apple orchard
Reckong Peo (Kinnaur), September 1
A newly-born baby girl was found lying abandoned in an apple orchard at Meeru village in Nichar subdivision of the district, yesterday. The baby was left abandoned by a Kinnauri Jomo, (Buddhist nun), who gave birth to her, last week.

2 burnt alive as hut catches fire
Nahan, September 1
Balbahadur (56) and his wife, Rajkumari (52), were burnt to death last night as their hut caught fire at Sarva village under Rajgarh subdivision. As per information received here this evening, Bal Bahadur was employed as chowkidar in the Forest Corporation and was posted at Sarva village. He was living there with his wife, Rajkumari, in a hut, which caught fire last night.

Dhumal, Shanta factions prepare for Advani’s visit
Tribune News Service

Mandi, September 1
State’s BJP factions-led by Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, a former Chief Minister and Mr Shanta Kumar, a former Consumer Affairs Minister — have geared up for the visit of President L.K. Advani to Palampur on October 9, where he would address a rally in respect of completion of 15 years of Ayodhya declaration.

Party president Suresh Bhardwaj said the function had been fixed at Palampur because the BJP had made the Ayodhya declaration at Palampur, but party circles are agog with speculations that Mr Shanta Kumar had plunged into the state politics and he was Mr Advani’s supporter. Speculations assume credence because Mr Shanta Kumar had been touring the Kangra — Kulu belt over few months to strengthen his ties with his supporters including the once estranged former Mandi MP Maheshwar Singh, former Kulu MLA Kunj Lal and sitting BJP Banjar MLA, Khimi Ram.

Mr Maheshwar Singh has not severed ties with Mr Dhumal, but Mr Shanta Kumar’s second private visit to Kulu yesterday indicated that Mr Kumar was out, garnering support for himself within the party.

Mr Shanta Kumar has few supporters in 10-member Mandi district as Mr Dhumal holds sway here, said party sources. Chachiyot MLA Jai Ram Thakur is Mr Kumar loyalist, but Dharampur BJP MLA Mohinder Singh Thakur, Sundernagar MLA Rup Singh Thakur and former Speaker Gulab Thakur are with Mr Dhumal, they disclosed.

Mr Shanta Kumar’s lobby which once hit the rock bottom in state’s BJP has made its presence felt as both camps are out flexing their muscles.

Though the states BJP has kept both camps in balance, but Mr Shanta loyalists are finding a lot of meaning to Mr L.K. Advani’s visit to Palampur, Mr Shanta Kumar’s hometown.

Convener of the jubilee function of the Ayodhaya declaration at Palampur would be Shanta Kumar, while Mr Dulo Ram, BJP’s Gaddi leader, a pro-Shanta Kumar would be the co-convener.

The state BJP is divided among the core RSS cadre-trained leaders, gathered under Mr Shanta Kumar, a RSS pracharak and the non-RSS-trained leaders, who have rallied behind Mr Dhumal, a non-RSS cadre, revealed party sources.

But Mr Maheshwar Singh stands in the middle and switches sides at will as he nurtures a dream of becoming the CM, but he has no leaders to support this former royal of defunct Kulu kingdom, revealed party sources.

Varsity dept head in spot over unchecked answersheets
Ambika Sharma

Solan, September 1
The role of the head of department of Post Harvest Technology (PHT) of Dr Y.S.Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, has come under a scanner with an inquiry into unchecked answersheets pointing to glaring irregularities.

A three-member inquiry committee comprising the Registrar, Director, Research, and Dean, College of Horticulture, had seized unchecked answersheets from the office of the head of the PHT Department, Dr S.P.S Guleria, on August 3. The case came to the fore after an anonymous complaint made to the Vice-Chancellor mentioned that marks had been awarded to three Ph.D students without their answersheets being checked. Moreover, these students had been promoted to the next semester. Though the Vice-Chancellor had granted seven days times for completion of the inquiry the report could not be compiled even after one month.

Highly placed sources in the university revealed that the three students had been awarded 94, 86 and 84 marks respectively. This raised eyebrows within the department and an anonymous complaint was lodged with the Vice-Chancellor. Each answersheet is required to be signed by a co-teacher as well as a head teacher teaching the subject. Moreover, the inquiry committee had issued letters to all seven faculty members to explain their position in the case.

These faculty members have, however, pleaded innocence. They have reportedly stated that they had neither been directed to submit any questions for the semester examination by the head of the department nor any questions from their syllabus had appeared in the question papers. They had, therefore, merely signed the answersheets in the capacity of co-teachers as directed by the department head.

The faculty members further quote the academic rules as a safeguard which states that in case of any lapse the co-teacher would not be held responsible and the onus would rest on the head teacher.

They rued that all nine disciplines were being handled by Dr Guleria in violation of the norms which state that no faculty member could handle more than three courses. The argument given for this lop-sided arrangement was seniority of the head of department.

Carrying of night soil to end by Dec: Chowdhary
Tribune News Service

Gandhi Gate being neglected
Balkrishan Prashar

Chamba, September 1
The one-time glory and grandeur of Gandhi Gate has now been confined by structures, hanging electrical and telephone wires. The temporary khokhas and concrete shops, which have sprung up on its western slope, are giving it an ugly look. The monument is in a deplorable state.

The monument, which today stands desolated needs conservation and preservation from the vagaries of the weather and wild growth, otherwise, it will crumble.

Gandhi Gate, earlier known as Delhi Gate, was built in 1900 to welcome Lord Curzon, British Viceroy. Situated adjacent to Hari Rai Temple on the northwestern corner of the historic Chowgan, the stone structure has been coated with saffron colour in the recent years.

The massive gateway, which leads to the famous landmark Akhandchandi Palace, is neither protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) nor by the state archaeological department.

Residents are hoping for an improvement but the gate is in a poor condition. The “khokha culture” is an eyesore to tourists frequently visiting Chamba, besides illegal encroachments by the local Telephone Exchange located close to the gate.

Unfortunately, this gate has escaped the attention of the local administration, too. The gate has remained unattended for years together, which has become fertile for wild growth. Creepers have grown on the top of the gate and its roots have run deep into the foundations of the gate causing fissures and peeling off the paint.

It is indispensable to declare the ancient gate as a part of national heritage. The wild vegetation and the creepers on the gate require to be eradicated through chemical devices to protect the gate.

Mystery over girl’s death
Our Correspondent

Nalagarh, September 1
A minor girl from Khera village near here died under mysterious circumstances yesterday. Puja (12) who was adopted by her uncle had woken crying at around 5 a.m. yesterday. She was sleeping along with her family members on floor. She complained of pain in her throat. She was admitted to a private clinic here. Later she was taken to Government Medical College, Sector 32, Chandigarh, where she breathed her last at around 2.30 p.m.

Her death has come as bolt from blue for her family who was already mourning death of her uncle, Het Ram who had adopted Puja. While going to bed Puja appeared to be normal .The family members including Puja and the relatives who were in home to mourn death of Het Ram had gone to bed at around 10 p.m. after having their dinner.

Intially her family members thought that she might be upset over her uncle’s death. However, they, sought medical help when her condition deteriorated. However, as per initial reports, it appeared that Puja might have bitten by some poisonous snake or scorpio, the police said. Meanwhile, the police has started investigation under Section 174 of CrPC. The post-mortem examination of the body has been conducted.'

Three held for murdering woman
Our Correspondent

Kangra, September 1
A 27-year-old housewife Reenu Bala, allegedly throttled to death by her in-laws during the intervening night of August 30 and 31 in Bhanwala village falling under the local police station. Her in-laws were arrested on the charges of murder, the police said here today.

Additional District Police Chief, Mr Kapil Sharma, said Reenu Bala (27) mother of two children and a resident of Bharwala village was allegedly throttled to death. He said brothers of the deceased woman informed the police yesterday about the alleged murder. He said the body was taken in custody and was sent for a post-mortem examination.

Mr Sharma said the complainant alleged that the husband of the deceased, Kalki Ram and her father in law and mother-in-law, Sharan Dass and Semro Devi, respectively, were harassing her.

They further alleged that they were responsible for her murder.

The police has registered a case and arrested Kalki Ram Sharan Dass and Semro Devi today.

Newly-born baby found in apple orchard
Tribune News Service

Reckong Peo (Kinnaur), September 1
A newly-born baby girl was found lying abandoned in an apple orchard at Meeru village in Nichar subdivision of the district, yesterday. The baby was left abandoned by a Kinnauri Jomo, (Buddhist nun), who gave birth to her, last week.

Preliminary investigations by the police revealed that the baby was abandoned by a 27-year-old, Jomo, a resident of Yolo village of the district. She was arrested by the police after medical examination.

Police sources said Mr Parveen, sarpanch of Meeru village, found the baby lying in his apple orchard. He called the police.

The police handed over the baby to the Principal of Tibetian school.

2 burnt alive as hut catches fire
Our Correspondent

Nahan, September 1
Balbahadur (56) and his wife, Rajkumari (52), were burnt to death last night as their hut caught fire at Sarva village under Rajgarh subdivision. As per information received here this evening, Bal Bahadur was employed as chowkidar in the Forest Corporation and was posted at Sarva village. He was living there with his wife, Rajkumari, in a hut, which caught fire last night.

The cause of the fire could not be known immediately as the police party which rushed to the spot this morning has not reported back.