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Writer, editor held for controversial writeup
15 tourists injured as mini-bus overturns
Two killed as four-wheeler falls into gorge
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Strike by Forest Staff
Six-hour power roistering for Doon industry
Video CD on Ganga launched
Students to get tips on fire extinguishing
BHEL bags Rs 6,300 cr thermal power
project
Businessman shot dead in Haldwani
School not to hike fees for 2 yrs
Mussoorie civic body reviews development works
Students have fun-filled annual day
DM for security to power staff
State IPS cadres join service
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Writer, editor held for controversial writeup
Nainital, April 19 A ‘vigilant’ police force claims to be active in The latest in this series has been the circulation of a publication in Lal Kuan on Friday in which a writeup had been published that aimed to hurt the sentiments of Muslims. Interestingly, the writeup in the weekly, “Bhasha Setu”, was published under the byline of Hafizuddin. Through his piece the writer had questioned internationally acclaimed painter Maqbool Fida Husain, who has been targeted by Hindutva elements, as to why did he portray religious characters from the Hindu mythology in his works and why did he not do the same with Islamic characters? The piece had no continuity and the leaders of both the Hindu and Muslim communities gauged the fact that it was an attempt to foment trouble since the publication was circulated in Muslim-dominated areas. Investigations have revealed that the weekly paper has neither been registered in Nainital district and nor has there been any declaration from its editor that such a publication having its headquarters elsewhere is being brought out from here. Taking up the matter “We are very clear that no such attempts will be allowed in the region,” said IG Jeevan Chandra Pande. Last month while the district of Bareilly was the theatre of communal clashes that led to the imposition of curfew for several days following the arrest and release of Maulana Taqeer Raza for allegedly making an inflammatory speech, there were attempts in Rudrapur and Haldwani to stir up trouble. In the first instance, activists of Hindutva organisations took out a protest march in Haldwani without intimating the authorities when the trouble was at its peak. This was followed by dumping of a carcass of an animal on the premises of a religious shrine in the Bhadaipura area of Rudrapur by some miscreants. With the Hindu festival of Chaitra Navratras round the corner, this had led to the police stepping up vigil across Kumaon and deployment of personnel at various religious places. Timely intervention and foresight of the administration had prevented the situation in Rudrapur from going out of control. Pande said: “We have prepared a list of elements who may create trouble and are keeping a constant watch on them. We are extra vigilant on these accounts.” Intelligence agencies have also been asked to pull up their socks and keep an extra vigil. Prior to this there had been a series of protests by Muslims across the region against a multi-national shoe company for having embossed something inflammatory on the sole of some shoe. Interestingly no one had possessed or seen the said shoe. It was inferred that some mischievous elements might have spread a rumour that led to the protests and demonstrations.
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15 tourists injured as mini-bus overturns
Dehradun, April 19 The injured persons were taken to the Doon Hospital where some of them were released later on after treatment. The brakes of the bus reportedly failed and the driver couldn’t control it. However, a big tragedy was averted as the bus didn’t fall into the gorge. The tourists in the mini-bus were from Rajasthan and had come here for sightseeing. The bus was coming from Mussoorie to Dehradun when the accident happened.
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Two killed as four-wheeler falls into gorge
Nainital, April 19 Nainital-Kaladhungi road last night. The accident occurred near Ghatgarh when the driver lost control on the vehicle.Two of the 11 persons injured died while being taken to Haldwani for the treatment. The deceased persons have been identified as 33-year-old Pankaj Aggarwal and 35-year-old Varsha Sharma. |
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Strike by Forest Staff
Dehradun, April 19 Headed by Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Srikant Chandola, the committee comprises senior forest officers Rakesh Shah, Jairaj and Rekha Pai. The committee was constituted after two rounds of marathon talks between the agitating forest guards and state forest officials. The forest guards stir had caused much worry with the Forest Department higher officials, who are already struggling with the forest fires menace. The senior state forest officials’ termed the stir as “most irresponsible” for being held at a time when forest fires are already on a high. Meanwhile, the strike entered the fourth day today. Uttarakhand Forest Guards Association general secretary RR Painuily said the forest guards were still very much hopeful that their issues linked to promotional prospects and revised salary would be addressed at the earliest. Significantly, forest guards have also threatened to force closure of the Rajaji National Park and the Corbett National Parks if their concerns were not addressed by the month end. As many as 3,650 forest guards are boycotting all routine works due to the stir and leaving Uttarakhand forests more vulnerable. These guards argued that while there were a lot of vacancies in higher category posts, forest guards were not being given opportunity to serve in these posts thus forcing them to go for stagnation.
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Six-hour power roistering for Doon industry
Dehradun, April 19 With this announcement the industries will encounter power cuts for six hours only. Perturbed at the losses that the industries were incurring due to power cuts, today the members of the Industries Association met Uttarakhand Power Corporation MD Jagmohan Lal and demanded relief from power cuts. The members were forced to take up the issue as they were left out in the new reduced roistering scheduled announced by the corporation for the city. “The relief has been given as the industries in Dehradun cannot use generators and are solely dependent on power supply. The industry has incurred losses to the tune of Rs 60-70 crore in the past 98 days, with worsening of situation in the past couple of days,” said Pankaj Gupta, president of the association and led the delegation that met the MD. The industry was losing on two shifts with only one peak hour shift for which they had to shell 150 per cent of the normal power tariff. The power situation may improve with the Uttarakhand Power Corporation planning to buy 100 MW of electricity from Haryana, another 100 MW as allocated quota from the central pool and 100 MW through case-1 bidding by April 28. “By May 1, the corporation is hopeful of getting 300 MW of electricity that will bring some improvement in the power scenario,” said Gupta. On the issue of use 15 per cent of electricity on sanctioned load that the industries were using even during power cuts and that has been withdrawn, Gupta said, “The corporation has asked us to use it for lighting the premises only and it should be self regulatory. The discussions on this issue are still on,” Gupta added. The industry is also working on concessions that could be offered to micro-industries if roistering continues unabated. Cong holds rally against power cuts
Protesting against the worsening power situation, City Congress Committee members held a demonstration outside the Power Corporation office here today. Later, hundreds of Congress members submitted a memorandum to AK Jauhri, Director, Project Operation, Uttarakhand Power Corporation, demanding an end to power cuts. Harish Virmani, president, City Congress Committee, said work in the industries had come to a standstill. Students sitting for various examinations were facing a great deal of hardship and the problems had escalated as the Electricity Department had failed to come up with a credible policy. While shedding light on the failures of the Power Corporation, MLA Dinesh Agarwal said resentment was brewing in the public against the corporation and it’s incompetent ways. Deep Vohra, general secretary, City Congress Committee, said the government had failed on all fronts. Tomorrow the committee members will hold demonstrations against power cuts at different substations as per the programme chalked by the state Congress chief Yashpal Arya. The demonstrations will be held at Kanak Cinema, Matawala Bagh, Vasant Vihar, Dhamawala, Araghar, Sahastdhara, Rajpur, Patel Road, Prem Nagar and Bindal substations. |
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Video CD on Ganga launched
Dehradun, April 19 While addressing mediapersons, Thapli said the Ganga was the greatest resource of life and it was the responsibility of the mankind to conserve it as a heritage. He also invited more and more people to join hands with the noble cause. Guru Prasad Tiwari, vice-president of the Cantt Board, Ajay Chhetri, Meenu Ale, Buddhiram Thapa, Vimal, Shekhar Verma, Pooja Chauhan, Neelam, Dr Vidhu Saxena and others were present at the function.
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Students to get tips on fire extinguishing
Dehradun, April 19 The students will distribute fire-related pamphlets among people.DGP Subhash Joshi instructed schools and educational institutes to check the fire extinguisher instruments put up at their respective places. He also exhorted people to cooperate them in this cause. While Dehradun SSP Abhinav Kumar today pinned the fire extinguisher service flag to the DGP and also presented a slogan “Aag Se Mukat Samaj” forthe fire extinguisher service week.
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BHEL bags Rs 6,300 cr thermal power
project
Haridwar, April 19 contract worth Rs 6,300 crore in Karnataka. This is the single largest contract for the BHEL which envisages design, engineering, manufacturing, supply, erection and commissioning of two coal fired thermal units of 800 MW each in Raipur district of Karnataka. Significantly, this is the first order for a power project, bagged by BHEL through the JV route as the order has been placed by the RPCL, which is a joint venture of Karnataka Power Corporation Limited and BHEL. This has been set up on to build, own and operate thermal plants.Notably, this company has commissioned about 4,300 MW of power generating sets in the state, which include thermal as well as hydro units of various ratings. |
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Businessman shot dead in Haldwani
Nainital, April 19 It was at that moment that someone fired at his head twice from a very close range killing him on the spot. This led to a commotion. The owner of the general store informed the police of the incident. Uday, who was also known as Lala, owned JCB machines which he used to give out on hire. It is learnt that he was also into property dealing. It is being assumed that the killer was a sharp shooter. The police has got onto the task
of nabbing the killer and ascertaining the motive behind the murder. |
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Inter-school debates begin
Dehradun, April 19 A total of 16 teams are participating in the debates. The debates are divided into four phases: knock-out rounds, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals. Schools from all over the country are participating. The winners of the knock-out rounds are St Joseph’s Academy, Welham Boys’ School, Welham Girls’ School, Mayo College Girls’ School, St George’s College, Bishop Cotton School, The Doon School and the RIMC. These teams have entered the quarterfinals and will debate to secure their positions in the semifinals. Col H Dharmarajan, SM, Commandant, RIMC, presented tokens of appreciation to the esteemed judges and thanked them for sparing their valuable time for the event. Other dignitaries present were Lt Col R Nathawat, KS Ahlawat, CS Vishwakarma, DN Thapliyal and escorts from various schools. Co-ordinators of the event were Rakhi Chamola and Rachna Malhotra.
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School not to hike fees for 2 yrs
Dehradun, April 19 Speaking to agitated parents, Shashi Gulati, Principal of The Montessori School, stated that as per the norms of the ICSE Board, the management of the school could increase 10 per cent to 15 per cent as annual tuition fees, but promised not to increase the amount of computer and examination fees and stationery fees for the next two years. The management also agreed to provide the directives of the ICSE Board that states the policy of increasing 10 per cent to 15 per cent tuition fees annually. The meeting was held in the presence of Dr D Kumar, general secretary of the Parents Federation. The management presented all documental data at the meeting and assured the parents of facilitating their wards with the utmost modern technical aids in the school according to the fees charged.
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Mussoorie civic body reviews development works
Mussoorie, April 19 Napchayal also directed officials to maintain law and order and employ police force in a large number, especially on the route from Dehradun to Mussoorie, and curb anti-social elements effectively. It was also decided in the meeting to provide two local buses for the town soon. Transport Secretary Vinod Sharma apprised that 200 news buses would be inducted for tourists in the state. He also said all vehicles completing 12 years would not be allowed to ply
on roads. The Chief Secretary gave orders to open the route from the Cart Mackenzie Road to Company Bagh via LBS Academy for tourists. He also gave directions to initiate the Hardy Fall project to provide safe drinking water to the town. He directed officials to finish the Kolti project in the stipulated time. Napchayal warned them against any delay. Speaking on the parking issue, he directed the officials to initiate re-survey of the soil in the Gaddi Khana area for parking from the Geo-survey Department and prepare a detailed project. When questioned by the media on the toxic gases emitance from the open garbage dumping ground at Gaddi Khana, he said he himself had seen smoke coming out and directed Nagar Palika to initiate the Solid Waste Management Project and a viable dumping yard on the lines of Nainital. Tourism Secretary Rakesh Sharma said his department would provide money for the DPR so that a solid waste management unit was established in the town. SSP Abhinav Kumar apprised that all necessary arrangements had been done fortraffic control and law and order in the town for the tourist season. Traders Association members also demanded that Mussoorie be kept out of electricity rostering in the coming tourist season. The Chief Secretary directed the officials to look into matter seriously. Mussoorie MLA Jot Singh Gunsola and Palika President OP Uniyal also suggested many development works to be completed. The Chief Secretary said a review meeting would be held under various officials within 15 days once again. Palika members along with officials from various departments were present on the occasion. |
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Students have fun-filled annual day
Dehradun, April 19 The main attraction of Grafest was traditional Garhwali and Nepali dances and the skits presented by students of MCA and BCA. They also presented a colourful cultural event and western dance on the occasion. Brig Samarjeet Singh, Deputy GCO, Clement Town, was the chief guest who inaugurated the second day show. Students enthusiastically participated in the games such as badminton, table tennis, carom and chess. The eminent members from the varsity Prof KP Nautiyal, Chancellor DR DP Giridhar, Secretary SC Sharma, Chief Patron RC Ghanshala and other faculty members were also present at the event.
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DM for security to power staff
Nainital, April 19 The decision has apparently been taken keeping in mind the growing public anger which may lead to a law and order problem at any of the offices. In the past few days people have been agitating on the water and power crises in different parts of the region and there have been instances of agitators locking up offices. |
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State IPS cadres join service
Dehradun, April 19 Renuka Devi has been deputed in Dehradun, Nivedita Kukreti Kumar has joined in Udham Singh Nagar and Barjinderjit Singh in
Haridwar. |
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About 15 passengers got injured when the mini-bus they were travelling in overturned after its brakes failed near Kothalgate on the Mussoorie road today.
Dehradun, April 19
Dehradun, April 19
