Uttarakhand to bring Ordinance for Lokayukta Act
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 13
The government will soon issue an ordinance substituting two provisions in the Lokayukta Act 2014. This comes as the search committee is unable to nominate the first Lokayukta (chairperson) and other members of the state Lokayukta.

The 180 days’ time period for operationalisation of the Lokayukta will come to an end on August 24 this year.

The Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly is empowered to bring amendments in the Act, but is not in session. The government will move an Ordinance for which Governor Dr Aziz Qureshi has already granted permission.

The Uttarakhand Lokayukta Ordinance 2014 calls for substituting sub-section 3, section 1 of Part I of the Lokayukta Act 2014 stating that “the provisions of the Act shall come into force from the date of appointment of the Lokayukta”, thereby replacing the time period of 180 days within which the Act will be operationalised from publishing of securing of assent.

The Ordinance also calls for substitution of provisions of sub-section 3 of section 4 with “provided that for the selection of the first chairperson and member of the Lokayukta as per the direction of the selection committee, the search committee shall be constituted,” thereby replacing the constitution of search committee before 45 days from the application of the Act.

“The substitution through Ordinance was necessitated due to delay in selecting the chairperson and members of the Lokayukta due to general and Assembly elections. Besides, the government is keenly watching the response of the BJP government at the Centre to the Act, as our state Act has been modelled on the Central Act,” he said.

Sealing of ashram vendetta: Satpal Maharaj

Dehradun, August 13
Former Union Minister and BJP leader Satpal Maharaj has termed sealing of his Haridwar ashram as an act of political vendetta on part of Congress government in Uttarakhand.

In response to the sealing, Satpal Maharaj asserted that his more than three decades old Haridwar Sarvdharam Mandir Ashram got damaged during the rain disaster and was being repaired when it was sealed by the Haridwar authorities.

He said the authorities have citied ashram’s close proximity to Ganga as reason behind the sealing, accusing the ashram of disposing of its sewer in Ganga. “The sewer water from my ashram goes to treatment plant before getting disposed into Ganga,” Maharaj pointed out.

He said there were several ashrams from Gangotri to Haridwar in Uttarakhand along the Ganga that dispose of their sewage directly into Ganga but have been kept away from any action by the Haridwar authorities. — TNS

Irshad panel grapples with inadequate info
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 13
The one-man Justice Irshad Commission constituted to give its recommendations on the issue of reservation in promotion in government jobs is grappling with incomplete and inadequate information owing to the “non-cooperative” attitude of state government departments.

Constituted in 2012, the commission has failed to get adequate information on the representation of members belonging to the SC and ST communities in 64 government departments/organisations.

Out of a total of 98 departments/organisations/institutions from which information regarding the exact representation of both communities in different posts was sought, 31 have managed to provide clear information so far.

Out of the 64 departments that were asked to provide complete information in this regard, 20 departments have managed to rectify the mistakes while 16 departments have provided incomplete information.

Notably, the commission has to submit data to the government about the representation of both communities in various posts in the state departments. After getting this information, the panel would submit its recommendations to the government whether they should be given the benefit of reservations in promotion.

The commission has directed the Commissioner (Disability); the Department of Social Welfare; the Uttarakhand Poorv Sainik Kalyan Nigam; State Medical College; the Bipin Tripathi Kumaon Industrial Organisation, Almora; the Pant College of Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand Technical University; State Education Planning and Management; non-aided junior and middle schools; Uttarakhand Forest Studies University, Bursar; Uttarakhand Health and Family Welfare Society; Railway Magistrate Court; the Department of Urban Development and the Secretariat to provide complete information.

In 2012, a stir against reservation in promotion had created fissures among state government employees forcing the government to set up a commission to look into the problem. The commission’s tenure has been extended till October 2014. It has already got two extensions this year.

Three spots en route declared high-danger zones
The stretch was inspected by a 32-member team from National Institute of Mountaineering
Parwinder Sandhu
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 13
In the wake of the Himalayan tsunami in June last year, the state government is making all efforts to ensure the safety of pilgrims and trekkers participating in the forthcoming three-week Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra.

A team, which was sent to do the recce of the yatra route, has shortlisted three spots and categorised them as high-danger zones. These areas are prone to falling rocks, moss-covered slippery ground and cliffs.

The route was inspected by a 32-member team from the Uttarkashi-based National Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) and was led by its principal, Col Ajay Kothiyal.

In a report submitted to the state government, the team said among the three dangerous zones, a 3- km patch on the Zoragalli-Sheelasamundar route laden with grass, stone and moss is the deadliest. “There is a strong possibility that the stretch will lead to dangerous fall of pilgrims with chances of sustaining fatal injuries,” the report states.

A flat ridge on the Roopkund-Zoragalli route is another dangerous spot identified by the team, where the pilgrims will have to face a narrow passage ridge to cross a distance of 30 m. A rockfall-prone area on the Bhagubasa-Roopkund is the third dangerous spot identified on the route. During the last yatra held in 2000, two pilgrims lost their lives when some boulders fell on them on the stretch.

Colonel Kothiyal said they had submitted suggestions to offer protection on the dangerous spot. “For the slippery patch on the Zoragalli to Sheela Samundar route, we have recommended the construction of a cemented trek for the pilgrims. On the 30 ft ridge on the Roopkund-Zoragalli route, we will be fixing concrete ladders and ropes for the pilgrims’ security. In the rockfall-prone area, the only precaution is the immediate medical treatment of the victim,” he added.

As part of precautionary measures to tackle any emergency situation arising either due to natural constraints or otherwise, the NIM team has also recommended the setting up of four temporary helipad grounds at Vedni Bugyal, Patar Nachaunia, Bhagu Basa and Sheela Samundar.

Nanda Devi Raj Jat Committee secretary Bhuwan Nautiyal said among the entire stretch, the last spots on the route were the most difficult.

“Five halts after Wan are the most challenging due to their remote locations and the absence of any habitat. Providing facilities to the pilgrims at these places is the biggest challenge.”

The three-week yatra carried out to send Nanda Devi back to her husband’s home at Mount Kailash starts from Nauti village in Chamoli and reaches Homkund via the picturesque locations of Bedini Bugyal, Roopkund and Zoragali pass. Upon reaching Homkund, the idol of the deity is immersed in Homkund after offering special prayers.

Also known as the kumbh of the Himalayas, the yatra is slated to begin from August 18. It starts from Nauti village and pilgrims cover at least 10-25 km everyday to complete the yatra in time.

CM reviews preparations
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 13
Chief Minister Harish Rawat held a meeting to overview the preparations being carried out for the forthcoming Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra.

The Chief Minister said the trek route ahead of Vedni should be completed in time.

“Teams from the police, forest, National Institute of Mountaineering and Tourism will work in unison to repair the route ahead of Vedni. It should be ensured by all departments that the pilgrims do not feel any discomfort during the arduous trek. ITBP and SDRF personnel would be deployed all along the trek route,” he added.

“Proper arrangements for food and water on the route would be made. Special emphasis would be laid on maintaining the hygiene on the entire trek route so that biodiversity would not be affected. Arrangements for medical emergencies would also be made by Health Department teams posted on the trek route,” said Rawat.

Rishikesh-Badrinath highway closed
Rivers across the state in spate
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 13
Normal life was disrupted as rain lashed Dehradun today. The major Char Dham roads were blocked due to landslides. While the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway was closed at Lambagad due to landslides, the Rishikesh-Gangotri highway was closed due to blockage at Ganganani.

Water at the Ganga touched 292.20 m mark at Haridwar. The water level of the Bhagirathi stood at 1,119.37 m at the Tiloth bridge in Uttarkashi district.

The water level of Saryu in Bageshwar stood at 866.10 m. The water level of the Gomti in Bageshwar district stood at 862.90 m while the water level of the Sharda in Champawat stood at 219.55 m.

The areas hit by heavy rain included Darshan Lal Chowk, Dharampur, Nehru Colony, Subhash Road, Buddha Park, Prince Chowk, EC Road and Mokhampur areas.

Pawalgarh to host spring bird watching festival
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 13
Pawalgarh, the newest conservation reserve of Uttarakhand, is set to get a major fillip with the second Uttarakhand Spring Bird Festival set to take place at Pawalgarh Conservation Reserve early next year.

According to Chief Conservator of Forests Eco Tourism Rajiv Bhartari, Pawalgarh Conservation Reserve will be the venue of the second Uttarakhand Spring Bird Festival 2015 slated to take place from February 4 to February 8. He said the Second Uttarakhand Spring Bird Festival 2015 was aimed at promoting the Pawalgarh Conservation Reserve as a bird-watching destination not only in Uttarakhand but the entire country. The Pawalgarh Conservation Reserve, situated close to Kaladhungi and Ramnagar in Nainital district of Uttarakhand, is famous for its floral and faunal biodiversity.

He disclosed that the eco-tourism department was laying emphasis on increasing awareness about birds and mobilising public support for bird conservation. It also aims at improve birdwatching skills of bird guides, rural tourism operators and researchers. “We want to promote community-based tourism enterprises and provide an opportunity for networking to bird guides,” Bhartari pointed out.

The festival will bring together around 3,000 participants including bird guides, forest staff, visitors, local community ventures, students and general public. The participants, apart from Ramnagar, Nainital and Haldwani and other parts of Uttarakhand, will also come from Delhi, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

Foreigners will be among the participants too.

Binsar Sanctuary
Opposition over declaration of eco-sensitive zone
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, August 13
Opposing declaration of a sensitive zone within 10 km radius of Binsar sanctuary, residents of villages surrounding the sanctuary today demonstrated at the sanctuary’s gate. They boycotted the meeting called by the Forest Department to talk to the villagers about the declaration.

“If the government declares 10 km radius area as eco-sensitive zone, lives of several villagers will be affected,” said Ishwar Joshi, leader of the demonstration and member of Uttarakhand Sansadhan panchayat, a pro-people organisation based at Almora.

The villagers who organised a demonstration at the sanctuary’s gate at Ayarpani, said in the meeting that followed the demonstration, that despite declaration of Binsar as a bird sanctuary years ago, the Forest Department could not save the dense Binsar forest from poachers, but hardship had been caused to villagers who were deprived of route collection from forests.

“Survival could be difficult in absence of forest produce essential for hill life,” said Ishwar Joshi.

The forest officers who have called a meeting to get villagers’ nod for the proposal said they would convene another meeting of villagers in this connection.

New Zealand exchange programme at Unison School
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 13
Delegates from New Zealand concluded their one-month-long stay at Unison World School as part of an international exchange programme here today. During their stay, they visited places such as Rishikesh, Nanaksar, ancient Shiv Temple, Ramakrishna Mission Ashram and Buddha Temple at Clement Town.

They visited Mussoorie and were enraptured by its natural beauty. At Sharp Memorial School for the Blind, they learnt about Braille and teaching methodologies being followed by teachers for teaching visually impaired children.

The Unison World School organised workshops on art, craft and music to provide hands-on experience in Indian traditional art and music to the international delegates.

According to Unison World School, the exchange programme acquainted the delegates with the country’s culture and strengthened the bond between the two nations.

It was a world beyond textbooks which gave them a better understanding of Indian traditions and life in India.

Panel to look into reasons behind BJP’s defeat in Assembly byelections
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, August 13
The BJP has started reviewing the reasons behind its defeat in the recent Assembly byelections in the state. It has nominated senior leaders to find out the reasons. It was felt there was no need to review the defeat in the recently concluded panchayat elections as these were perceived to have been manipulated by the ruling Congress by misusing the government machinery. This was stated by state BJP president Tirath Singh Rawat here today.

He told reporters that three senior leaders of the party, Bachi Singh Rawat, Bishen Singh Chufal and Puran Sharma had been deputed by the party leadership as leaders of the fact-finding team for Dharchula, Someshwar and Doiwala Assembly respectively. “These leaders will visit their Assembly segments and find out what caused the party’s defeat in these seats in the byelections,” said the BJP president.

According to the BJP president, the party had a clear view of the defeat in the panchayat elections as the ruling party had misused government machinery in these elections to secure victory. “The case of Champawat Zila Panchayat election is indicative of the government’s design to win the panchayats by misusing government machinery or by using forced abductions,” said BJP state president.

The state BJP president has said his party is going to the people to drive home the reality and it hopes to mobilise people against the designs of the Congress government, which, he said, had done nothing for people after taking over two years ago.

Harish Rawat seeks Rs 400 cr from Centre for sugarmills
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 13
Chief Minister Harish Rawat has sought special package to the tune of Rs 400 crore from the Centre for making prompt payment of cane arrears to famers in the state.

He said farmers while on one hand were facing inconvenience due to delay in payment, the sugar mills in the state were also facing a tough time due to the falling sale of sugar in the market.

In a letter written to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Harish Rawat said the state had to pay cane arrears to farmers before the start of crushing season 2014-15 and thus, special package to the tune of Rs 400 crore was urgently needed.

He, however, said the state government was trying to give several concessions to both farmers and sugar mills.

He said there had been instances in the past when such packages had been given to the state from the Centre to help farmers and sugar mills in the state.

Villagers complain of staff crunch in schools, hospitals
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, August 13
The first meeting of Pithoragarh zila panchayat was held under the chairmanship of Prakash Joshi here today.

Residents of Pithoragarh apprised the chairman of the problems being faced by people in the disaster-hit areas. He was also informed about the shortage of staff in schools and hospitals in the rural areas.

They said buildings of a few schools were damaged, while shortage of doctors in hospitals was causing a lot of inconvenience to residents.

“The residents raised questions on the construction work being carried out on the banks of the Kali in Dharchula and Jauljibi areas,” said JP Arya, a zila panchayat officer.

“Taking a note of problems being faced by villagers, we have asked all department heads to be present in the next panchayat meeting,” said Prakash Joshi, chairperson of the Pithoragarh zila panchayat.

In Champawat district, zila panchayat chairperson Kushal Singh Adhikari said he would visit all villages of the district to get stock of the problems being faced by the villagers. “We have instructed all district-level officials to take part in the meeting,” said Adhikari.

Residents said besides health and education, Adhikari was apprised of problems related to dumped debris on the Manch Tamli road, removal of non-viable persons from the BPL category, deputation of auxiliary nurses and midwives (ANM) at Tarkuli village and erection of protection walls at AamBag town in Tanakpur to save the locality from increasing erosion of the Sharda,” said Sher Singh Pargai, upper Mukhya Adhikari, zila panchayat, Champawat.

AAP activists demand security for women
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 13
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) activists protested at the district headquarters campus today. The agitators demanded from the state government to take effective steps to provide security to women in the country. They threatened to start an intense agitation if the state government did not take effective steps to fulfil their demands.

The activists gathered on the district headquarters campus today. They submitted a memorandum to administrative officer Chandresh Yadav. They demanded security for working women, girl students, appointment of women teachers in government schools, construction of public toilets for women and setting up of women force.

Shailesh Tiwari, Uma Sisodiya, Soniya Beniwal, Puja Bhalla, Sunita Singh, Somesh Budakoti, Rajendra Singh Negi, Mayank Naithani, Dinesh Negi, Dheerandra Gusain and JC Mishra were present.

Protest against anomalies in food security scheme
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 13
Activists of Rashtriya Valmiki Krantikari Morcha protested at the district supply office today against anomalies in food security scheme.

The activists have threatened to intensify their agitation if the department does not take effective steps to address their grievances.

They demanded from officials to take effective steps to distribute ration cards to beneficiaries. They lamented that residents are not getting benefits of food security scheme.

They expressed concern that the government had cancelled atal khadyan yojna for those residents who are living below poverty line in the state. The activists demanded from the state government to take effective steps for the distribution of ration cards to the needy. They also threatened to intensify their agitation if the department did not take effective steps to address their grievances.

Minister inspects waterlogged areas

Dehradun, August 13
Cabinet minister Dinesh Aggarwal today visited Turner Road and Clement Town area to assess problems related to waterlogging.

The minister checked the progress of the ongoing work of constructing a drainage approved by the MDDA and PWD. He instructed Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Harak Singh Rawat to maintain sanitary conditions in the city.

“The overflowing garbage goes into drains resulting into choking. As a result, the problem of waterlogging gets worse and causes a lot of inconvenience to the public. Areas facing waterlogging problems should be taken on priority by the DMC,” said the minister.

He asked MDDA officials to expedite work and construct a lane road in the area where road construction work was being carried out. Instructions were given to power corporation officials to install new electricity poles and transformers. “The hanging power cables should be repaired at the earliest,” he added. — TNS

ABVP’s statewide agitation against merit-based admissions today
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 13
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) will organise a statewide protest tomorrow over the increasing controversy about merit-based admissions in degree colleges in the state.

Addressing a press conference, Devendra Rana, state secretary, ABVP, said, “The state government should have intervened into the matter and taken steps in the interest of students, who were seeking admissions in colleges, but are now left in limbo following the High Court order regarding the cap on admissions beyond the sanctioned allotted seats.”

He said the state government should revise the sanctioned seats in the colleges as present seats were finalised before Uttarakhand came into existence.

ABVP leaders opposed the state government’s decision to allow private educational institutions to come up in the hill state. Ramamkant Shirivastav, ABVP leader, said, “The state government’s decision to hold evening classes in the colleges in the hills is not going to succeed. The government should increase the sanctioned seats in the colleges.”

Diploma engineers submit memo to CM
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 13
A delegation of Uttarakhand Diploma Engineers Association met Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat here today. The delegation apprised them about the grievances being faced by them.

A memorandum was submitted to Chief Minister Rawat highlighting their demands, which are promotion of assistant engineers, pay anomaly, sanctioning of land for construction of association office etc.

Chief Minister Rawat assured the delegation that effective steps would be taken to address their grievances. He requested them to expedite in pending development related works. He told them to complete all pending works in the given time frame.

US Mahar, SP Nautiyal, Naveen Kandpal, Kailash Uniyal and RC Sharma were present. 

Illegal clinics sealed
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 13
Stepping up its operations against quacks and unregistered medical practitioners, the Chief Medical Office today sealed 13 illegal clinics in Vikas Nagar, Rishikesh and Mehuwala and Sewlakala rural pockets on the outskirts of Dehradun.

The drive was carried by Dr SK Shah, Dr S Bhandari and local administration in the rural belt of Dehradun comprising Dakrani, Kunjawala, Mehuwala, Sewlakala and Rishikesh.

Yesterday the CMO had initiated a drive in Rishikesh and Dehradun and had sealed nine establishments. At the end of the drive a total of 22 illegal clinics have been sealed.

On being confronted the persons were unable to present registration papers.

“We will now undertake a surprise raid, so that quacks are caught off-guard because the drive was carried continuously for two days, many of them were alerted and they ran away,” said Dr BS Jangpangi, CMO, Dehradun district.

Awareness drive on avenues in Merchant Navy

Dehradun, August 13
Capt Puneet Malhotra, Assistant General Manager, Anglo-Eastern Ship Management India, said today that the company would launch a massive awareness campaign in Uttarakhand to make students aware of scope in merchant navy vessels, popularly known as cargo ships.

He said the company was offering job opportunities to the youth of the state. Young and aspirant mariners could earn nearly Rs 1.65 lakh tax free salary per month at an average age of 21-22 years.

Captain Malhotra said nearly 1.25 lakh Indian mariners were employed on 50,000 cargo ships across the globe. He said Indians working in merchant navy generate foreign exchange worth over $10-12 billion every year. Capt Deepak Mehra said the Anglo-Eastern Maritime Academy had trained 100 students from Uttarakhand so far at Karjat, Maharashtra. — TNS

College mulls ban on former student
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, August 13
The administration of St George’s College is contemplating removal of a former student, who was booked on charges of creating ruckus and misbehaving with the vice-principal under the influence of liquor in Mussoorie.

Deep Singh Siddhu, who is a close aide of a senior official of Commonwealth Games Committee from Punjab, was booked here yesterday.

Principal Tommy Varghese while taking a tough stand on the issue said the ruckus created by the former student, who is also a member of the Old Boys Association called “Manorites”, was disturbing.

“The management was contemplating a ban for life on his entry in the school,” said the Principal.

He said the decision to ban Deep Singh Sidhu from entering college and banning him for life from the Manorite Association, including the Chandigarh chapter of the association, would be taken in a meeting tomorrow.

Varghese said this should be a lesson for those who try to destroy the basic fabric and discipline of the school.

According to some old students, Deep Singh Sidhu has been creating nuisance in the Old Boys Association meetings held in Chandigarh in the past and a strict action against him had become necessary. Meanwhile, the court granted bail to Deep Singh Sidhu late evening.

RBI to hold inter-school quiz at RIMC

Dehradun, August 13
The Reserve Bank of India will organise an inter-school quiz competition at Rashtriya Indian Military College on September 5.

Shradha Thakur, Assistant General Manager, RBI (Dehradun), addressing a press conference, said the All-India Inter-School Quiz was introduced in 2012 to make schoolchildren aware of the role of RBI in banking and finance. She said of the 62 centres for the RBI quiz- 2014, Dehradun had been chosen in the north zone. Students of classes IX to XII could participate in the competition.

After completion of the first stage, semifinals and finals would be held at a national-level competition in Mumbai in November. — TNS

Cleanliness issue discussed
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, August 13
A workshop under the decentralised watershed development project was organised at Kelki village in Thatyud block of Tehri district today.

The issue of cleanliness and hygiene was discussed at the meeting. Project sub-director BS Shukla said the department was creating awareness among villagers towards maintaining hygiene.

Shukla said the department was making efforts to construct tanks near water sources so that villagers could receive clean drinking water.

CPU rescues injured woman
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 13
The human side of City Patrol Unit was once again at display today when motor cycle-borne cops provided first aid to one woman who fell on road from her scooter after getting unconscious while driving at Beni Bazaar chowk here today.

The City Patrol Unit comprising Sub-Inspector Anshumali Gupta and constable Manvendra Singh gave her first aid before calling the 108 emergency ambulance, and was then rushed to the hospital.

Bar assn calls off strike

Dehradun, August 13
Following assurance of the District Judge Ram Singh of necessary steps in resolving issues, the bar association of Dehradun called off its strike here today.

For the past two days, the lawyers under the banner of the association were staging a protest demonstration against the ill-treatment of the lawyers by judicial officers in courts. — TNS

Theft cases solved with arrest of two
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, August 13
The police claim to have solved several theft cases with the arrest of two persons today.

A team comprising the SHO, Jwalapur, sub-inspector Dil Mohan Bisht, constables Raghuveer Sharma, Ajay Tyagi, Tarsem, Jitendra and Ankit Kavi arrested Amit, alias Kallu, and Tansen, both residents of Haridwar, from Jwalapur railway station and recovered stolen ornaments from their possession.

The accused were on their way to Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh to sell the ornaments allegedly stolen from the house of one Sanjeev Dutta, a resident of Jwalapur, on August 9.

The stolen items comprised one gold necklace, one pendant, one chain, two gold rings, three gold bangles, a pair of earrings, three silver chains, 10 silver coins, two silver bracelets and two silver bangles.

SP (city) Surjeet Singh Pawar said the accused had admitted to having committed a theft at a house at Friends’ colony on August 9. They had also named two other persons, Chotan and Raja, in the case.

Vehicle impounded

A vehicle (UK 08 CA 5206) taking four cows allegedly for slaughtering was impounded by a Kotwali police team near the Dudhiyabandh power substation last evening. The team also arrested Alam, a resident of Salempur in Ranipur, while his three accomplices managed to flee.

Theft bid foiled

A patrolling team arrested two persons from Hanuman Chowk late last evening while they were trying to commit a theft in the area. Vijay, a resident of Badshahpur village, and Manish, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, have confessed to their involvement in various thefts in Haridwar in the past few months.

The team also recovered two face masks, sharp blades, knives and screwdrivers from their possession. A stolen motorcycle (UK 07 AJ 0371) was also recovered from them.

Two booked

The Roorkee police have arrested two persons, Lucky and Dinesh, for illegall possession of a country made revolver and a sharp knife. The duo has been booked under the Arms Act.