Chandigarh, December 21
Five Haryana Ministers and several other Congressmen today came out in support of their colleague, Mr Randeep Singh Surjewala, who is under attack from the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) on the Volcker issue.

The INLD has demanded his removal from the Cabinet following the release of Mr Surjewala’s letter by Mr Jagat Singh, son of the former External Affairs Minister, Mr Natwar Singh, introducing him (Mr Jagat Singh) as an office-bearer of the Indian Youth Congress. Mr Jagat Singh has interpreted the letter as his sponsorship to visit Iraq on behalf of the party by Mr Surjewala when he was the president of the Youth Congress.

The five Ministers, including the Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Chander Mohan, in a joint statement said: “Mr Om Prakash Chautala and his party cannot succeed in hiding their own misdeeds likely to come out during the investigation by the CBI by raising dust on such non-issues.” They said that “lame-duck protests” made by the eight INLD legislators in the state Assembly and “by their minions outside” were a panic reaction by the Chautalas to coverup their alleged corruption detailed by the Congress in its charge sheet which had now been sent to the CBI for investigation.

They said Mr Surjewala had been targeted by the INLD since he “valiantly fought the corruption...(and) Mr Chautala’s brand of politics.” By attempting to create an issue out of a non-issue, the INLD leaders would not escape penalty for their sins.

The statement, which has been signed by, besides Mr Chander Mohan, Health Minister Kartar Devi, Industry Minister Lachhman Dass Arora, Education Minister Phool Chand Mullana and Irrigation Minister Ajay Singh Yadav, said that “in any event, the head of any organisation is not responsible for the conduct of any worker/officer-bearer which may be outside the domain of his official duties.”

They said the Prime Minister and the Congress President had already ordered an investigation into the entire controversy by a committee headed by a former Chief Justice of India, Justice R.S. Pathak. “Randeep Singh Surjewala has no role to play in the investigation or in the entire controversy arising out of the Volcker episode,” they said.

At the organisation level, the Congress general secretary, Ms Sumita Chauhan; its secretary, Mr Sat Pal Kaushik; a general secretary of the Youth Congress, Mr Pawan Valecha; and the vice-president of the Kisan Mazdoor Cell of the HPCC, Mr Baljit Singh Malik, in separate statements charged the INLD leaders with attempting to divert the people’s attention from the alleged misdeeds of Mr Chautala.

Panipat, December 21
Workers of the INLD burnt the effigy of Transport Minister Randeep Surjewala, here on Wednesday morning. The agitated workers of the opposition party raised anti-Congress slogans and demanded action against Mr Surjewala whose role had come under controversy in the oil-for-food scam.

Starting from the local Palika Bazaar, the agitators raised anti- Surjewala slogans and took round of the town on the GT Road and burnt the effigies at Lal Batti Chowk.

Addressing the workers near Lal Batti Chowk, the district president of the INLD, Mr Sher Singh Kharab, alleged that the ministers had played a dubious role as the President of Indian Youth Congress in the past. He said Mr Surjewala should be dropped from the Cabinet and a case registered against him.

SONEPAT: A large number of students affiliated to the Indian National Students Organisation, held a procession here today to demand resignation of the Haryana Transport Minister, Mr Randeep Singh Surjewala, from the Cabinet for his involvement in the oil-for-food scam.

According to a report, carrying party flags and raising slogans against Mr Surjewala, the students marched through the main bazars of the city. A rally was held which was addressed, among others, by Mr Sandeep Gehlawat, president of the district unit of the organisation. They demanded that Mr Surjewala should resign from the Cabinet on moral ground.

According to another report, workers and activists of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) held a procession here to press the demand for the ouster of Mr Surjewala from the Cabinet. They burnt the effigy of the minister. They raised slogans against the minister, the UPA chair person Mrs Sonia Gandhi, and the Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda. 

Chandigarh, December 21
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today adjourned till tomorrow, the hearing of an application filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), seeking three months more to complete investigation in three separate cases involving the Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa.

In its application, the CBI has stated that due to fear psychosis generated by the dera management, people were not coming forward to assist it in the investigations. It, therefore, sought three more months to complete the investigations.

When hearing began today, the court was informed that the application filed by the CBI was still to be attached to the main file.

Thereafter, the Bench adjourned the hearing.

It may be recalled that the CBI had been directed by the High Court to probe three cases involving the dera.

While one of the cases being investigated by the CBI pertains to murder of journalist Ram Chander Chattarpati in 2003, another relates to the alleged murder of dera follower Ranjeet Singh.

Ranjeet's father, Joginder Singh, had sent a letter to the High Court, alleging therein that his son was killed after he tried to part ways with the dera.

The third case pertains to the anonymous letter sent by an alleged female resident of the dera, who alleged that women at the dera were being sexually exploited. After having received the letter, the High Court ordered investigation by the CBI in this case also.

On March 1, the High Court had given six more months to the CBI to complete investigations.

On September 16, the court again gave three more months to it to complete investigations. The Bench of Mr Justice Amar Dutt and Ms Justice Kiran Anand Lall had also directed the CBI to submit a report regarding the investigations by December 19.

Sonepat, December 21
Dabarpur village in this district continues to remain without electricity for the past three weeks following burning of the transformer and failure of the officials of the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) to replace it in spite of repeated representations made to them by residents of the village.

According to a report, the villagers today submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner demanding immediate replacement of the burnt transformer and action against officials of the UHBVN responsible for the delay in replacing the burnt electricity transformer. The residents said that the transformer was burnt on November 28 last and they had informed the officials concerned about it immediately.

According to another report, electricity gadgets worth several thousands of rupees were damaged on account of high voltage of power in Salarpur Majra, about 15 km from here, last night.

The angry residents held a demonstration in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office today and urged for giving compensation to them.

Jhajjar, December 21
The Independent MLA from Badli assembly constituency was roughed up by persons who were protesting against the arrest of the sarpanch of Badli panchayat here today.

According to the sources, the sarpanch was arrested by the police last night for assaulting a youth of the same village at a meeting called to resolve a dispute between two groups over a piece of land. Pintu son of Karnail Singh received a bullet injury fired by sarpanch, Jaipal. The police has booked 13 persons in this connection and arrested the sarpanch.

However, villagers gathered today morning and blocked all six roads leading to the village. People raised anti-administration slogans, demanding release of the sarpanch and transfer of Badli police post in charge Ashok Dahiya.

Supporters of the sarpanch suspected the hand of the local MLA in registration of the case and arrest of the sarpanch. As MLA, Naresh Sharma reached amid protesting villagers to extend his support, a person slapped him. It triggered more resentment and the MLA was given a dressing down.

He however escaped on the scooter of an associate. Policemen witnessed the incident.

Road blockade continued till 5 pm when senior police officials including the SDM and the DSP assured the protesters that the sarpanch would be released soon. Deputy Commissioner Mrs Suprabha Dahiya and Superintendent of Police KK Rao also arrived after the incident. Tension prevailed in the village. Injured Pintu who was shot at yesterday, is stated to be in a critical condition.

Meanwhile, the MLA has not lodged any complaint and the police has also not registered any case in this connection.

Chandigarh, December 21
A Congress MLA of Haryana, Mr Karan Singh Dalal, said today that the raid by a CBI team on his house was a blessing in disguise. He said during the raid on his rented accommodation in Chandigarh in April, the CBI got hold of a copy of the “charge sheet” prepared by the Congress on the assets allegedly amassed by Mr Om Prakash Chautala and his sons.

The Congress MLA produced copies of a letter written by a CBI SP, Ms Sonali Mishra, to the Director of the state Vigilance Bureau, Mr K. Koshy. The letter, dated July 20, said during the investigation of the JBT teachers recruitment case, the CBI got a copy of the charge sheet. Since the bureau was investigating the disproportionate assets of Mr Chautala, the charge sheet was being sent to it for the necessary action, the letter said.

Mr Dalal said this letter initiated the process of handing over the “charge sheet” also to the CBI for investigation. Mr Dalal lauded the Chief Minister for “handing over the case to the CBI”. He said Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda was the first Chief Minister to have asked a central agency to look into the wealth allegedly amassed by a former Chief Minister by misusing his power. He claimed he had a mass of material to help the CBI nail Mr Chautala.

When it was pointed out to Mr Dalal that the Chief Minister had only talked about providing information to the CBI, the MLA still insisted that the case had been given to the CBI.

A PTI report from Delhi also corroborated the MLA’s assertion. It said the CBI was all set to register a corruption case against Mr Chautala on the charge of amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income. The CBI had sought a notification from Haryana under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act so that it could widen its scope of investigation in the JBT scam and book the public servants concerned for other offences as well, the report said.

Mr Dalal’s house was raided by the CBI in connection with the JBT teachers’ recruitment scam.

The MLA had joined hands with the suspended Director of Primary Education, Mr Sanjeev Kumar, to expose the role allegedly played by the then Chief Minister, Mr Chautala, in preparing a “fraudulent list” of selected teachers. The CBI grew suspicious about Mr Sanjeev Kumar’s role also in the controversy. Mr Dalal’s friendship with the suspended IAS officer apparently set the CBI on him. Later, the CBI returned to Mr Dalal the cash confiscated from his house.

Sonepat, December 21
A 45-member action committee was formed at a meeting of the panchayat held at Datauli village, about 25 km from here, today for launching a “bhoomi bachao andolan” against the state government to prevent it from acquiring the land at cheaper rates for various development works.

According to a report, the meeting of the panchayat was held under the presidentship of Mr Ram Bhaj, and it was addressed by Sarpanch Nanak Giri and others. The panchayat resolved not to give any piece of land to the state government at any costs.

The panchayat decided to submit a charter of demands to the SDM of Samalkha and the Deputy Commissioner of Panipat tomorrow in this connection.

The panchayat pointed out that the Ganaur area was part of the National Capital Region (NCR) and the state government had planned for setting up of a city between Ganaur and Samalkha towns by acquiring several thousand acres of land in Chirashmi, Patti, Brahmanan, Datauli and Bega villages in Sonepat district and Patti Kalyana and Mahavari villages in Panipat district at cheaper rates.

The panchayat said it was not satisfied with the master plan of the state government in this regard and the farmers of these villages would continue their struggle till the master plan was deferred.

Panipat, December 21
The presence of Panipat Cooperative Sugar Mill in a residential area has led to resentment among residents of the town. The residents have demanded its immediate shifting to another place.

Located on the busy Panipat-Rohtak road, the sugar mill is one of the oldest in the state and was established in 1954. Over the years the township spread fast and a number of residential areas mushroomed around the sugar mill.

Talking to the correspondent, residents of the area complained that they were facing a number of problems due to the mill’s location.

Pollution and traffic bottlenecks were the biggest problem being faced by residents said Ramphal Singh, a resident. Another resident, Amarjit Kaur Sandhu, said during the crushing season, foul smell emitted from the mill. It becomes difficult even to breathe, rued a number of residents. Tracor-trailers and trucks laden with sugarcane cause traffic problem as they remained parked on the busy road, rued Mr Ramesh Miglani.

An official informed the TNS that the state government was looking for options to shift the mill. According to the sources, a committee constituted by the state government would soon decide upon a new site.

Yamunanagar, December 21
More than 350 children of Golni village, who had refused to attend their school in the neighbouring Sialva village, are currently attending classes under open skies in their own village. They may return to their school as the panchayat of Sialva village, through a resolution, has assured them of proper care and support.

More than 350 students (of Class VI onwards) of Golni village go to the senior secondary school of Silva village. Last week the children had refused to attend the school after some natives of Sialva had allegedly refused them entry in the school. The problem had arisen after some residents of the two villages had clashed on December 9. A case was registered against 19 residents of Silva. On December 12 the children did not appear for their examinations and instead had marched to the Deputy Commissioner’s office demanding upgradation of their village school from primary to higher secondary.

Meanwhile, residents of Golni had hired five persons of the village to teach the children. The children then attending classes in the ground of the villages primary school.

Sources said that now the panchayat of Sialva has passed a resolution that care would be provided to the children from Golni. The copy of the resolution has been reportedly sent to the District Education Office and the DSP. A copy would also be sent to the panchayat of Golni, said the sources.

The District Education Officer (DEO), Mr Rajinder Singh Dhankar, when contacted said the matter would be solved out soon and the panchayat of Silva had also the copy of the resolution of Golni panchayat.

Meanwhile, DSP Sajjan Singh and DEO Dhankar yesterday reached Golni and advised the villagers to again start sending their children to Silva’s school. 

Kaithal, December 21
To maintain law and order and in view of the public convenience, the district administration has identified the Jat School ground as venue for holding dharnas, rallies and processions by various political parties and other organisations.

According to an official press release, the Deputy Commissioner has fixed this ground for holding dharnas and rallies following suggestions made by the Inspector-General of Police, Ambala Range.

After the promulgation of the order there will remain a complete ban on holding processions, dharnas and rallies at any other place except the Jat School ground.

The release said processions, dharnas and rallies by employees' unions, students' bodies, trade organisations and political parties caused frequent traffic jams and resulted in great hardship to the public.

Jhajjar, December 21
Eight persons were killed when a jeep collided with two heavy vehicles near Kulana village on the Jhajjar-Rewari road here this morning. The driver of the jeep was trying to overtake a trailer but it got stuck between a truck and the trailer.

All victims were travelling in the jeep which was going to Rewari from Jhajjar. Six occupants were injured.

The driver of the jeep, carrying 14 passengers, tried to overtake the trailer. The driver could not spot the vehicle coming the opposite direction due to fog. The jeep tried to take a turn ahead of the trailer to avoid a head-on collision with the vehicle coming from front. It hit the trailer and got trapped between two vehicles.

The injured persons said the jeep skidded after the collision and most of the passengers fell off and got crushed under heavy vehicles. Residents of nearby Kulana village were the first to reach the spot and rush the injured to the Civil Hospital at Jhajjar. Policemen from the Kulana post also reached to help the accident victims.

Those killed in the accident were identified as Vikram son of Laskhmi Chand, , who was driving the jeep, his assistant Suryapal, son of Zile Singh, both of Sulodha village, Jaipal son of Chander Singh, of Ukhalchana village, Chameli Devi, wife of Mr Risal and Kanwal Singh son of Pratap, both from Machhroli, Om Prakash son of Mr Kanwar Singh, of Kheri Khummar, Ramesh son of Ramphal, of Vajirpur village and another victim could not be identified. 

Ambala, December 21
The recruitment of soldiers (general duty) in the Territorial Army (TA) will be undertaken here on January 6, 2006.

Col J.K. Nayyar said that the interested candidates could report at the Convoy Ground, Ambala Cantt, on January 6 at 6 am. He said that the soldiers in the Territorial Army were recruited part-time and their services were requisitioned two months in a year. During war or any other emergency, the service duration could be increased.

Col Nayyar said that the soldiers were recruited for a period of seven years and the tenure could be increased up to 15 years. The candidates should be between 18 and 40 years having a height of 160 cm and a minimum weight of 50 kg. The chest without expansion should be 77 cm and after expansion 
should be 82 cm. The candidate should be minimum Class X pass.