Grand alliance Known anti-Cong forces, including BJP, come together at INLD rally Anti-incumbency, non-Cong alliance stare Congress in the face Rao Inderjit cosying up to the INLD Badal may play mediator for INLD-BJP alliance

Chandigarh/Kurukshetra, November 1
New political alignments seem to have started shaping up in Haryana ahead of next year’s parliamentary and state assembly elections.

In an ominous development for the Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led Congress Government, facing anti-incumbency ahead of the polls, “anti-Congress” forces have revived the idea of a grand alliance comprising INLD, BJP and Congress detractors.

A clear indication came from the Samman rally of the INLD at Kurukshetra today. The presence of BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi gave credence to the reports that the saffron party was in touch with the Chautalas to oust the Hooda government. Currently, the BJP has an alliance with the HJC, led by Hisar MP Kuldeep Bishnoi.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s assertion at the rally that he wanted to see the anti-Congress forces, especially the BJP and the INLD together again, fuelled speculation of a possible alliance between the two parties. The BJP has an alliance with SAD in Punjab and an influential section of the BJP thinks the INLD-BJP alliance would replicate the success of the SAD-BJP alliance. In the past, both leaders of BJP and HJC have rubbished reports that there was any difference of opinion about the alliance between them.

Badal’s closeness with the Devi Lal clan is well-known. His open declaration today that he would be instrumental in forging an alliance between the BJP and INLD portends ill for Hooda, who is trying for a third term in office. This, coupled with certain leaders, especially Gurgaon MP cosying up to the INLD, indicates the new political alignments in the state.

Though Rao Inderjit Singh today sought to play down his presence at the rally claiming he was there to pay homage to old family friend Devi Lal, he seemed to have pushed the Congress on the back foot insofar as his next political movement is concerned. The influential Ahir leader, who could be instrumental in turning the electoral tide in at least a dozen assembly segments and three parliamentary constituencies of Gurgaon, Bhiwani-Mahendragarh and Rohtak in the Ahirwal region of Southern Haryana, seems to have decided that he wanted to go the anti-Congress way.

In fact, the call for a united front to oust Congress from power given by leaders of all the regional parties, including SAD, the Telugu Desam Party, the Asom Gana Parishad, the Republican Party of India and certain Congress rebels is certainly a cause of worry for the beleaguered Hooda, who is under attack for his alleged discriminatory attitude in development of the region. Even senior state Congress leaders have criticized him. This coupled with the Modi factor may make going the tough for the Congress.

Fatehabad, November 1
Her tragedy could not be more pronounced. A motherless 13-year-old girl and the eldest of three sisters, Krishna (name changed) was raped for five long months by a 60-plus roadside vendor. He is behind bars, serving a seven-year term for his shameless act.

But that is little consolation for Krishna. She was thrown out of the government school at Khai after her rape became public knowledge and pressurised into leaving Nangal Dhani where she lived.

No societal support Krishna (name changed), a motherless 13-year-old girl and the eldest of three sisters, was raped for five months by a 60-plus roadside vendor She was thrown out of the government school at Khai after her rape became public knowledge and pressurised into leaving Nangal Dhani where she lived

Her childhood is lost forever, her innocence is in tatters, her conscience is irreparably scarred and her confidence is completely shattered.

The trauma of being violated and used is bottled up and Krishna, the girl, lies abandoned inside her. She can’t afford to be a victim of the past nor let tears wash her pain. She claims she doesn’t look over her shoulder at her past because grieving serves no purpose.

For Krishna, her poverty is a bigger tragedy and sleeping each night on a full stomach the biggest challenge. She is a homemaker, forced into the role after the only woman in the family -- her grandmother -- passed away three months back leaving on her young shoulders the responsibility of two younger sisters and a penniless father.

“I haven’t gone to school often after being asked to discontinue at Khai. What will I do studying when there is nothing to eat in the house and two younger sisters to look after? Without food to eat everyday to sustain life, rape seems something rather inconsequential. The bigger battle is having foodgrain in the empty cans on the kitchen shelf and a little money in the pocket,” she says as she readies to leave with her father and sisters for Punjab and Rajasthan to earn money by picking cotton.

As she negotiates the various curves and corners of life, Krishna is confused if a term of seven years in jail is enough punishment but she is very clear that it can’t bring food or money, the two things they desperately need.

Her father, with a forlorn look on his face, still hasn’t come to terms with being pressurised into leaving their village and moving to Nangal. “We were not to blame for what happened. My daughter too was naive. However, we were still not acceptable to the people who believed my daughter — by being around — would be a bad influence on other girls. Displaced earlier this year, we have never really settled down since then,” he rues.

He says that he is forced to “drag” his daughters along when he goes in search of work. “I went to Bathinda, then to Rajasthan and they accompanied me. Where can I leave them? And, after what happened to Krishna, I can’t trust anybody with my daughters. Between education and earning, I prefer having additional hands to pick cotton during the season and bring in money to ensure two square meals,” the father explains.

Though he has never had the courage to ask his daughter of the nightmare she lived, he is well aware of her suffering despite her silence on the subject. “Only a mother can help her daughter overcome such pain. With my wife dead and my mother no more, the girls have nobody to lean on for emotional support. And, the state of our finances is in front of them. They know that no work means no food. Justice, trauma and wallowing in self-pity is something you can afford on a pocket full of money. We are poor and live in no such illusion,” he admits.

The family, presently in Rajasthan for cotton-picking, finishes each day and is done with it because tomorrow is a new day with a bigger fight for survival.

Rohtak, November 1
With the local police still awaiting a formal complaint on the alleged stripping of six minor Dalit school children at a private school here last week, the Amnesty International has come forward to take up the matter.

The rights body claimed the incident amounted to violation of human rights and equality. The parents and the victim students’ relatives had staged a protest in the school demanding action against the teacher on Friday last.

A spokesperson for the Amnesty International India told this correspondent the international rights watchdog wanted a thorough probe into the matter.

A private school teacher at Shora Kothi locality here had allegedly stripped half-naked six minor students in the school as punishment for creating disturbance in their class last week, triggering a protest.

Satish Kumar, a relative of a girl victim, said the local police’s behaviour was discouraging them to file a complaint. He said victims’ families would keep their protest alive until they get justice. He said fear-stricken students (aged between 8 and 10 years) had been shifted to another school.

Another family member of the victim, who did not wish to be identified, said a local policeman had threatened them on the day of the demonstration in the school. “The families fear the police might implicate them if they approached them again,” she said.

Anil Rao, IG Rohtak Range, said: “How can the police act on basis of media reports only?” He said the police’s initial investigation had failed to find any substantial evidence.

The IG said the parents could contact the Deputy Commissioner or the Education Department, if they had any complaint about the school administration.

Sonepat, November 1
A married Dalit girl was allegedly raped by two persons here recently. On the complaint of the victim, a resident of Deepalpur village, a case was registered at the Rai police station against the accused last evening.

However, no one has been arrested so far. In her complaint, the girl alleged that she was raped by Monu, a resident of Pinana village, and an unknown person.

The victim said she was staying with her parents after her strained relations with her husband. About three months ago, woman social activist Ramesh Antil, a resident of Mukinpur village, came in contact with her family and she allegedly told her parents to solve her family problems.

However, Ramesh Antil allegedly sent her with Monu and Kala to village Pinana where some rituals of her marriage with Monu were performed. The girl stayed with Monu at the village for three days and there she was allegedly raped by him.

When she realised that she had been cheated, she escaped from the village and came back to her parents. The girl lodged a complaint with the police, but Ramesh Antil intervened and forced her family to reach a compromise.

The girl further alleged that on October 6, she was sent by Ramesh Antil to meet a person in Shubhash Stadium at Sonepat in connection with preparing a BPL card for her family. However, she was raped by the person in the stadium. When she protested, Ramesh Antil threatened her with dire consequences. Fearing for her life, the girl lodged a complaint with the police.

DSPolice Satish Sharma said a case had been registered against the accused. 

Chandigarh, November 1
On Haryana Day, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today announced special remission to the prisoners.

The CM said convicts sentenced for 10 years or more would get a remission of 60 days, those sentenced for five years or more, but less than 10 years would get a pardon of 45 days and those sentenced for two years or more but less than five years would get amnesty of 30 days.

Also, convicts sentenced for less than two years would be granted remission for 15 days. He said the reprieve would not be granted to the convicts who were on bail on the day of granting remission.

Hooda said no remission would be granted to persons convicted of rape, dowry death, abduction, murder of a child below the age of 14 years after his abduction, dacoity and robbery. Also, no remission will be granted to persons convicted under the TADA Act, Official Secrets Act, Foreigners Act, Passport Act, Section 2 and 3 of Criminal Law Amendment Act and Section 121 to 130 of Indian Penal Code.

Hisar, November 1
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has stayed the ongoing process to recruit faculty positions in Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology (GJUST) here.

The university had conducted interviews for the post of assistant professors, associate professors and professors earlier this week and the results were likely to be announced in next few days.

In the meantime, an applicant, Rahul Raj Chaudhary, approached the High Court alleging that ineligible candidates had been interviewed for the posts in the department of computer science and engineering.

Guru Jambheshwar University Teachers’ Association president NS Malik had also raised questions over the recruitment process alleging that the university authorities did not set criteria for the posts of associate professor and professor, leaving the applicants confused.

Meanwhile, the GJUTA secretary refuted the allegations of the president. While welcoming the decision of the university to recruitment faculty members, the secretary demanded action against the association president for allegedly misusing the platform of the association.

University Registrar RS Jaglan said there was no favouritism or violations of any norm in the recruitment process. “The university authorities got a letter of objections from the teachers’ association president but his allegations are baseless. The recruitments are being made as per the UGC norms,” he said.

Chandigarh, November 1
Governor Jagannath Pahadia administered the oath of office and loyalty to three new State Information Commissioners at the Haryana Raj Bhawan here today.

These three include Samir Mathur, Yoginder Pal Gupta and Hemant Atri. While Mathur retired as Home Secretary from the Haryana Government, Gupta and Atri were journalists.

Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda was present on the occasion.With their induction, the total number of members of the State Information Commission has reached eight, including Chief Information Commissioner Naresh Gulati.

Sirsa, November 1
Befriending a stranger on social networking site Facebook has cost a woman associate professor of Government National Postgraduate College here very dearly.

The friend with whom she used to communicate on the social website has duped her of Rs 6.86 lakh by asking her to deposit the amount in a bank account for the “release of Rs 84 lakh sent to her and presently held up with the customs authorities at an airport.”

The police has registered a case under various sections of the IPC in this regard. Senior Superintendent of Police Saurabh Singh said they were very close to solving the case.

The associate professor, who is a widow, has informed the police that a FB friend, who had introduced himself as an officer in merchant navy, told her during chat messaging that he had a cash amount of over Rs 80 lakh and some other valuable items with him which he wanted to sent to her address through parcel, as he was apprehending attack by Somalian pirates on his way back.

He told the woman that he would take back the parcel from her after his return to India. The woman readily agreed to his request.

On October 28, a person called on her mobile phone to inform her that a parcel in her name had been received at the Mumbai International Airport and upon its scan, it had been found containing Rs 84,86,019 in Indian currency and some other valuable articles.

The caller asked the woman to deposit Rs 6.86 lakh in any of the two bank accounts given by him so that the parcel could be released.

The woman deposited the money the next day.

A day after it, she received another call asking her to deposit Rs 12 lakh more in the same account.

Now, she got suspicious and shared the matter with one of her colleagues.

The colleague told her that she had been duped and she should approach the police.

Police investigations have revealed that the money deposited by the woman has been withdrawn from a city in Rajasthan. Police teams have been dispatched for Rajasthan to investigate the matter further.

Sirsa, November 1
As many as 65 policemen have got promotion orders as Diwali gift. SSP Saurabh Singh today issued the promotion orders to 38 ASIs and 27 constables.

Promoted as Sub-Inspectors: Vinod Kumar, Kailash Chander, Karan Singh, Vijay Singh, Ramesh Kumar, Chanan Singh, Karamvir Singh, Bhalle Ram, Jagdish Chander, Ran Singh Dharam Pal, Mahinder Kumar, Shamsher Singh, Radhe Sham, Jasbir Singh, Sube Singh, Chabil Dass, Lal Chand, Ram Singh, Hans Raj, Amar Singh, Karambir Singh, Rajinder Singh, Daya Krishan Brij Lal, Jagdish Chander, Bhup Singh, Bhana Ram, Gopala Ram, Prithvi Singh, Krishan Kumar, Kuldeep Singh, Shiv Rattan, Raj Kumar, Ravinder Singh, Swaran Jit Singh, Kanshi Ram and Jagdish Chander.

Promoted as head constables: Falel Singh, Amit Kumar, Sunil Kumar, Labh Singh, Bajrang Dass, Sunil Kumar, Jasbir Singh, Sushil Kumar, Satbir Singh, Sugriv Singh, Ram Phal, Sukhchain Singh, Ajit Singh, Satpal Singh, Satyadeep Singh, Harpal Singh, Kuldeep Singh, Sunil Kumar, Dharam Vir, Sandip Kumar, Surjeet Singh, Krishan Kumar, Styavan Singh, Ram Pal, Chanden Singh, Pradeep Kumar and Himmat Singh.— TNS

Sonepat, November 1
District and Sessions Judge Inderjit Mehta today sentenced Satya Narain of Dhurana village to life imprisonment for murdering his 44-year-old wife Krishna, the mother of three children, on July 5, 2012.

According to a complaint lodged by Krishna’s brother at the Sadar police station in Gohana on July 5, 2012, Krishna had strained relations with her husband and number of times used to stay with her parents at Busana village.

Krishna had returned to Dhurana to participate in the marriage of her daughter. On July 5, when she was grinding condiments with a wooden stick, she had a quarrel with her husband. In a fit of anger, Satya snatched the stick from her and hammered her to death. — OC

Chandigarh, November 1
To clear festival rush, the Northern Railway has decided to start two special trains from Ambala Cantt to Saharsa and Darbhanga railway stations in Bihar. The special train to Darbhanga will start on November 11 and Saharsa on November 13.

As per the schedule, the Saharsa train will have four trips from November 13 to 24. The train will halt at Saharanpur, Moradabad, Gorakhpur, Muzaffarpur and Khagaria. Also, the Darbhanga train will have four trips from November 11 to 22. The train will halt at Saharanpur, Moradabad, Gorakhpur, Muzaffarpur and Smastipur.

Rewari, November 1
Six armed miscreants looted a truck laden with iron rods from the Bhiwadi-Dharuhera road in the district last night.

The miscreants, who were travelling in a car, intercepted the truck at gunpoint and took it away along with the material as well as Rs 27,700 from truck driver Rajesh Singh. — OC