Nainital, January 10
A move initiated by residents of Uttar Pradesh villages located on the border of Uttarkhand for their merger into state continues to gather steam. Yesterday, thousands of villagers from Bijnore, adjoining Jaspur in Udham Singh Nagar, staged a massive demonstration at Jaspur seeking their inclusion in Uttarakhand.

The protesters belonged to 61 bordering village panchayats and Badhapur township. They have threatened to seal the roads going to Uttarakhand on January 14, the day when the first auspicious bath of the Maha Kumbh begins in Haridwar, if their demands are not taken up by the Uttarakhand government seriously.

Marching under the banner of the Seemavarti Sangharsh Samiti, the agitators held a public meeting at the tehsil headquarters. They said for the past 62 years they had been denied basic facilities like potable water and power supply. They too had participated in the movement for the creation of Uttarakhand and had taken the blows of lathis besides going to the jail for the cause.

The agitators conveyed to the Uttarakhand administration that they would go to any extreme to get themselves included in the new state. Almost 40 per cent of the agitators comprised women. The agitators warned that they would seal the Uttarakhand border on the Gaindikhatta stretch on January 14 as a mark of protest.

This is the second time in the last one month that such a demonstration has taken place on the borders of the state. In mid-December there had been a similar protest on the areas bordering Kotdwar.

There has been a persistent demand from the people of villages bordering Uttarakhand, who have been facing a lot of difficulties since the formation of the new state from Uttar Pradesh on November 9, 2000, to get into Uttarakhand, but without any success.

However, their struggle has got an impetus with the clamour of formation of smaller states and demand by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati to divide the state into smaller states of Harit Pradesh, Bundelkhand and Poorvanchal.

When the state was being formed, a committee of the Uttar Pradesh government, headed by senior ruling BJP leader Kalraj Mishra, had come to Dehradun to assess such demands from the neighbouring areas of Uttar Pradesh. A representatives’ delegation of the people of Saharanpur district had also called upon him and had demanded inclusion of the bordering district in the new state.

However, their demand was rejected outrightly. The political class of the forthcoming state, particularly of the ruling BJP and RSS, were wary of the idea of inclusion of Saharanpur district into the state as they felt that it would disturb the demographic equation of the new state, as the plain district has a large Muslim population.

At present, while the state government and the Opposition Congress have shown a sympathetic attitude towards the protesters, the only regional party Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) has vehemently opposed the idea. The party says the inclusion would defeat the very purpose of the creation of the state

According to its leaders, the purpose for which Uttarakhand was created was to bring about development in the hill regions, which had been left behind in the country’s march towards development. The state has been nowhere near achieving this goal over the past nine years and 85 per cent of the state is still far behind on the parameters of development.

Senior UKD leaders say because of its primarily hill topography and related economy, Uttarakhand has been getting some special benefits from the Centre. They further point out that the inclusion of these villages in the state will also lead to a change in demography of the state. The agitators at Jaspur attacked the UKD for its politics of “opportunism” and raised slogans against the party. 

Dehradun, January 10
Activists of the Citizens for Green Doon today staged a dharna at Connaught Place, Dehradun, protesting the large-scale felling of trees in the area.

Led by Nitin Pandey, Citizens for Green Doon members, while accusing the Forest Department of facilitating trees felling alongside the city road, raised the issue of axing of trees at Cannaught Place in particular.

Pandey said it was strange that the trees at Connaught Place, barely 100 metres from the DFO office, had been felled despite local shopkeepers’ protest. Anil Baloni said the department had failed to protect the greenery of Dehradun.

Pitthoragarh, January 10
The historic Uttarayani Mela to be held in Bageshwar from January 13 will be inaugurated by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. “But it is subject to weather conditions as the Bageshwar valley has been in the grip of dense fog for the past 15 days,” said Subodh Lal Shah, Chairman of the Bageshwar Nagar Palika.

“We have completed preparations for this year’s Uttarayani fair. We have levelled the bank of the Saryu river to enable it to bear a crowd of more than 50,000 and also completed the construction of four temporary bridges on both the Saryu and Gomati rivers besides providing sufficient street lights in the mela area,” said Shah.

The historic fair, that starts from the day of Uttarayani, not only has cultural significance but is also important as on this day in 1921 gram pradhans from all over Kumaon threw the yoke of forced labour “begaar” (work without payment) and vowed not to work for the British.

“This tradition is well reflected by the political parties which even today hold their public meetings,” said Shah.

The Kumaoni culture is well reflected in Uttarayani from time immemorial. The Kumaoni folk songs like jhora, chappli and fag, which used to be important means of entertainment in old days, have now been replaced by performances of the cultural troupes from the state as well as outside. “This year we have invited cultural groups from Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Gujarat, besides local and those based in Dehradun,” said Shah.

The Bageshwar district administration is expecting some 4-5 lakh devotees during the 10-day fair. “As the foggy conditions remains up to 9 am, we have requested to the Chief Minister to land for the inauguration of this fair at nearly 11.30 am,” said DS Garbiyal, District Magistrate, Bageshwar.

The Uttaryani fair also happens to be a traditional market for products of local artisans.

Agricultural instruments used in Kumaon have traditionally been sold at this fair.

“Even this year we have invited 70 departments to put up their stalls at the exhibition ground besides more than 60 shops at the sangam of the Gomati and Saryu,” said the District Magistrate.

Dehradun January 10
The PBOR Purv Sainik Welfare Association celebrated its first founder’s day at Gorkhali Sudhar Sabha, Garhi Cantt, here today. The function was organised to pay homage to the martyrs of the Army.

Dr Rakesh Jain was the chief guest on the occasion. He inaugurated the function by giving away shawls to family members of martyrs as a token of honour and felicitation.

Dr Jain said, “We are proud to have brave soldiers in our country who sacrifice their lives for the country. After the war at the battlefield is over, we seldom talk about their work and martyrdom. But he promised to help the families of martyrs in future.

On the occasion, Vinita Bisht, widow of Hawaldar Gajender Singh Bisht (Ashok Chakra, martyr, Nariman House, Mumbai) was also present as a special guest.

Other eminent guests present at the function were KK Goyal, legal advisor, advocate Anil Kumar (Pandit), member of Bar Council, Sherjang Thapa, NK Chetan Khadka, VK Pant, Gautam Lama, branch president, BR Thapa, Krishna Bahadur Chhetri and many more. 

Roorkee, January 10
Shutdown at two power stations, though temporarily, in the region has caused a severe power crisis in the area.

Whereas rural areas have been reeling under staggered power cuts of nearly 12 hours a day, urban areas witness cuts as long as nearly seven hours.

Due to extreme weather conditions, the Kalagarh Hydro Power Station of the state and Uttar Pradesh’s Singroli Thermal Power Station have stopped generating power for the past two or three days, severely affecting power supply to the area.

Deputy General Manager of the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd Madhu Sudan Chandola said from the Singroli plant, the state got 4.29 per cent share in power.

“Owing to the recent shutdown at these two stations, the entire state has been reeling under a severe power crisis,” said Chandola. Even the timings of power cuts in the local industrial areas have been increased by two or three hours per day, said Sunil Kumar Pokhriyal, SDO, Bhagwanpur.

Due to these emergency cuts, the people in the area, mainly farmers, have to use expensive modes for irrigation purposes.

On the other hand, the power authorities expressed helplessness on the issue. “What to talk about the situation, we don’t even know about the timings of power cuts,” said Chandola, adding that the rostering on power cuts was being looked after by the state’s Power Transmission Corporation Ltd and the two departments (UPCL and PTCL) lack in coordination entirely.

Dehradun, January 10
Situated in the hustle and bustle of the Innah Mullah building area of Dehradun, Rajdhani Chicken Point has many takers for its non-vegetarian delacacies.

Started by Jamshed Ahmed, a foodie by nature, Rajdhani Chicken Point was opened with an idea to provide chicken lovers a place where they could relish quality food. “I was basically a transporter by nature, but as I am fond of eating, around 28 months ago I opened my outlet. Initially I was only serving chicken, but now with such a good response I have incorporated mutton and fish items in the menu,” said Ahmed.

With common items such as butter chicken, chicken korma, Rajdhani over these months has gained immense popularity for its chicken changezi, a speciality, which was started by Phalwaan Changezi in Delhi. “This dish owes it credit to Phalwaan Changezi, a man who started cooking it in Delhi almost 15 years ago. With Delhi joints serving it regularly, in Mumbai too people are very fond of it,” informed Ahmed.

Priced nominally at Rs 120 half plate and Rs 220 full plate, spicy changezi chicken is cooked on a big pan with perfect concoction of rich spices, gravy and eight chickens at one point of time. From 5 pm till 10 pm, people from every nook and corner of the city gather to either eat it on the spot or get it packed for a wholesome dinner. However, for those who are on a lookout for dry and tasty appetisers, there’s chicken tandoori, chicken malai tikka and fish tikka.

“With 26 items in chicken itself, we maintain hygiene levels and have employed cooks who are from Delhi and understand the taste buds of our customers,” added Ahmed.

“I love the chicken changezi of Rajdhani as it’s not only mouth watering, but gives a good quantity at feasible prices,” said Shweta, a localite.

Roorkee, January 10
On expected lines, an unannounced price war to procure sugarcane has started among sugar mills here.

Irrespective of the price of Rs 215-220 per quintal, a consensus on which had been arrived at between farmers’ bodies and the mill authorities a few days ago, local mills have started picking the produce at rates as high as Rs 250-255 per quintal to meet their demands.

RBN Sugar Mill at Laksar was the first one to offer the latest price from January 8. Following the suit, Iqbalpur Sugar Mill and Uttam Sugar Mill also announced an increase in sugarcane price for procurement the other day.

This is not the first time that the local mills have increased prices of the sugarcane for procurement this season. In the last week of December, the sugar mills have announced an increase of Rs 7 in the already set prices for the produce. But the farmers were demanding a minimum Rs 250 per quintal for their produce that time.

This time, the increase in the price offered by mills is as much as Rs 25-30. But, it seems that the local cane producers are still not satisfied as now many of them have started raising the demand for Rs 300 per quintal as price for their produce.

“Just look at the shooting prices of sugar in the market. When they are earning huge profits, why should not we be given the ‘good prices’ for our produce?” questioned Mir Alam, a local cane grower.

He further added: “We know that the mills are facing a virtual no-cane situation of late. And to meet their demand they (the mill authorities) are purchasing the produce from Uttar Pradesh farmers clandestinely. It is our right to get maximum prices and it (the prices) should be no less than Rs 300 per quintal”.

The mills have been facing a shortage of cane these days. This season the sugarcane yield is lesser than that of previous years as many farmers have changed their priorities. Even the official data showed that the area under sugarcane has shrunk here.

The latest survey report of District Sugarcane Development Office reportedly showed that this year the land under cultivation of cane has gone down by 2.27 per cent in Haridwar district only compared to the figures of last year. Whereas last year the crop was sown on a total of 53,580 hectares in the district, this year only 52,365 hectares has been used for growing sugarcane.

Delayed payments to cane growers by the sugar mills and nonsupporting policies of the state government are said to be the reasons behind lesser area under sugarcane.

Dehradun, January 10
A 21-day-long National Handloom Expo concluded here today. In spite of recession and prices of commodities soaring high, the net profit share of the expo compared to previous years turned out to be favourable for the exhibitors as well the organisers this year. As many as 125 stalls, with around 50 from Uttarakhand, showcased variety under one roof.

It’s been six years since the handloom expo has been running and over these years it has provided numerous choices to customers to come again and pick up their favourite items.

“This is one time of the year when the customers ask us about the exhibitors’ next visit so that they can buy genuine quality products. We are glad that despite some hurdles like recession and other local exhibitions giving us a tough competition, it turned out to be profitable for us,” informed Deputy Director (Industries) GC Pandey.

While in the previous year the net profit was around Rs 3 crore and Rs 10 lakh, this year it was Rs 3 crore and Rs 55 lakh touching almost the set target of Rs 4 crore.

Attracting customers from every nook and corner of the city, there were beautiful pashmina shawls, ethnic saris, bedsheets, footwear and exquisite handicrafts from different parts of the nation.

“The saris of West Bengal, Orissa and zari work of Muradabad were a hit among the crowd. The stall of Muradabad particularly attracted maximum number of customers. However, to provide a feel of Uttarakhand under the brand name of Himadri, we separately displayed the domestic products of the state,” added Pandey.

From the facility of stalls, the exhibitors were provided lodging facility with provision of electricity, water and other necessary items. Rajasthani and Garhwali cuisines, the chapali and Pandav dance of Uttarakhand performed on Saturday night were enjoyed by Doonites.

“Since the beginning of the new year, the response has been very good. As per the budget, customers purchased wedding as well as ordinary saris,” said Sunder, a salesman at Sri Raghavendra Silk Handloom, Karnataka.

Dehradun, January 10
In order to make the state polythene free, the Dev Bhumi Vikas Sansthan organised a polythene alleviation programme today at MDDA Colony, Kedarpuram. The programme was presided over by Agriculture Minister Trivender Singh Rawat.

The volunteers from the organisation helped in collecting polythene bags lying at the roadside and in drains.

Rawat urged people to lend support to the movement and launch a campaign against use of polythene. “Polythene is damaging our water sources. We need to arrest the damage by not using polythene products in the state,” the minister said.

He further said the garbage that got collected from houses, most of which consisted of polythene, usually found way in Bindal, Rispana and Song rivers reaching the Ganga. “If we want to save the river Ganga, we need to ensure that our rivers are clean and for this purpose we will be requesting the Central government to start a cleanliness programme that includes these rivers,” Rawat said.

The minister added that the state government would soon bring a law that would ban the use of polythene in the state.

He said on January 12 a marathon would be organised to motivate the cause of polythene alleviation that would start from Ring Road, Nehrugram. 

Dehradun, January 10
The police has formed different investigation teams and raided nearby slum areas, besides questioning vendors in connection with theft incidents happened at three places simultaneously in Miyanwala on the intervening night of January 8 and 9.

The police questioned the vendors and particularly those coming from outstation.

The investigation police teams are carrying raids in slums and conducting verification drives in nearby areas.

Circle Officer (CO) Sahajahan Ansari told The Tribune that, “The modus operandi of the thieves suggest that they are low-profile thieves and can commit thefts even for Rs 100.

There are other thefts of this sort committed earlier and we are verifying the incidents with those also to get some lead in the case”.

The CO said even the shopkeeper, who had claimed that Rs 80,000 was stolen from his cash counter, today admitted that only Rs 80 or Rs 100 was there in the shop.

In view of the shopkeeper’s admission, the officer reiterated today that it was only a theft attempt which is contrary to the media reports that over Rs 1 lakh was stolen from three places, including Rs 80,000 from this shopkeeper’s shop only.

“These sort of thefts are normally committed by outsiders who just put up vegetable and fruit stalls and keep an eye on their targets and flee from the particular stand after committing crime.

“We are also tracing old thieves, who have come out after completing their sentence, and if needed we will send our investigation teams to other nearby states,” added the CO.

The thieves had struck at Jaideep Gas Agency, Panwar Hardware and a grocery store.

The police maintained that it was just a theft attempt and only the shutters were broken.