Gastro-enteritis claims 3 lives
ROHTAK, Aug 3 — Gastroenteritis has claimed three lives in the city in the past week.
Councillor held for assault
AMBALA, Aug 3 — The police has arrested a Congress municipal councillor here, Mr Dilip Chawla, alias Bittu, on the charge of assaulting Dr R.C. Jindal at the civil hospital last night.
Penalised for power theft
HISAR, Aug 3 — The HSEB has imposed a fine of Rs 25.25 lakh on an ispat ydyog here on the charge of power theft.
'Jail bharo' stir from Aug 13
SONEPAT, Aug 3 — The Sarv Karamchari Sangh Haryana will launch a jail bharo andolan from August 13.
Villagers protest against arrests
KAITHAL, Aug 3 — Tension mounted high in the town here as a large number of villagers protested here today against the registration of criminal cases against those allegedly involved in an attack on police personnel.
Gang of dacoits busted
JIND, Aug 3 — The Jind police has busted a gang of dacoits with the arrest of five members — Kuldeep, Rajinder, Ajmer, Satyavan and Joginder.
Roadways staff block traffic
SONEPAT, Aug 3 — Thousands of bus passengers were stranded at Sonepat and other Haryana Roadways bus depots when the roadways buses went off the road for more than two hours last evening.
No-trust move defeated
AMBALA, Aug 3 — The no-confidence motion against the vice-president of the Ambala Sadar Municipal Council, Mr Narendra Bengali, was defeated here today.
MC president removed
BHIWANI, Aug 3 — Municipal committee president of Charkhi Dadri Anil Jain has been removed from his post in view of the alleged irregularities committed by him during his tenure.

DGP reviews law and order situtation
Tribune News Service

GURGAON, Aug 3 — The top brass of the Haryana police today launched a major exercise of reviewing the law and order situation in the state to explore ways to make the law enforcement agency more responsive.

The Director-General of Police, Haryana, Mr S.K. Sethi, initiated the exercise here at a meeting of Senior Superintendents of Police of Gurgaon, Faridabad, Rewari and Mahendragarh districts — all falling under the Gurgaon range — and the DIG of the range, Mr P.S. Rathi. The meeting, presided over by Mr Sethi, was considered to be a marathon one in which all aspects of the crimes in the areas falling in this range were discussed.

Sources in the Haryana police said comprehensive guidelines to the police force in the state from the DGP to improve the law and order situation was on the cards. The guidelines were likely to be framed after the DGP had convened meetings of the authorities in all ranges, like the one held here, and after having assessed the law and order situation.

The law and order situation in Gurgaon and Faridabad — the two most industrialised districts falling in the vicinity of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh — came in for focus at the meeting. The DGP is said to have expressed satisfaction over the police efforts to checkmate crime in Faridabad district. He urged the pace should be kept up. He was of the view that the police should further intensify its campaign against the occurrence of crime in Gurgaon. He is reported to have stressed on a comprehensive action plan to stop the recurrence of theft, burglaries and robberies.

Mr Sethi directed the backlog of unsolved cases, especially in Faridabad district, should be solved on a priority basis. Although no time frame was set, the authorities of Gurgaon range assured him that efforts would be made to solve such pending cases by the year-end.

Concern was expressed at the meeting at the reported dumping of dead bodies from outside the state in Gurgaon and Faridabad. The authorities were of the view that murders took place in the bordering districts of the adjoining states and the dead bodies were thrown here. A number of such dead bodies were located by the police recently.

In an effort to solve such cases, a decision was taken to constitute a joint team of the district forces of Gurgaon and Faridabad. The team would visit the bordering districts of the adjoining states to identify such bodies.

Earlier, Mr Sethi along with the police chief of the district and the DIG of the range met representatives of the Gurgaon Industry Association and the Gurgaon Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The two organisations suggested the deployment of additional PCR vans for intensive patrolling, permanent police posting from 9.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. every day at the two banks — the State Bank of India on Mehrauli Road and the Punjab National Bank where the volume of treasury business was large — and augmentation of the police force.

The industrialists claimed in response to their suggestions Mr Sethi directed the police chiefs of the district to ensure that the officials in the Station House Office registered FIRs promptly. Mr Sethi was also claimed to have assured the industrialists of taking action against the truck operators unions' which harassed them.

Earlier, talking to TNS, Mr Sethi said he would visit all the range headquarters to review the law and order situation. He asserted the Haryana police was in tune with the changing times and was in a fighting-fit condition to meet any challenge.

Referring to the controversy arising out of the Delhi police authorities having reportedly made a comment to the effect that the criminals from Haryana were responsible for crime in the Capital and that a bomb which exploded in a Haryana Roadways bus at ISBT was allegedly planted at Murthal, Mr Sethi said this was not the case. He said he had taken up the matter with his Delhi counterpart and the matter was solved. He said the Haryana Police was also investigating into any possibility of the bomb being planted in the bus on the route from Safidon to Delhi. He indicated so far the investigation had revealed the bomb was not planted anywhere in Haryana.

Dry spell worries paddy growers
From Bijendra Ahlawat

ROHTAK, Aug 3 — The continuous dry spell for the past fortnight has been causing sleepless nights to paddy growers in the district as their crop faces irreparable loss due to inadequate rainfall and humidity. The rainfall is at least 21 mm below normal in this district after the end of the two months of the monsoon season.

According to Agriculture Department sources, the shortage of rainfall in the region during the end of July had been unexpected and if the spell continues for the next 15 days or so the surviving of the paddy crop would become extremely difficult as most of the farmers depend on the rainfall for effective germination of the crop. With the increase in day temperature and decrease in humidity level the farmers fear damage to the crop. They apprehend the crop might get totally damaged or the effect of the day temperature may lead to stunted growth and overall reduction in the per hectare production.

While the rainfall during this period last year had been around 117.6 mm, this year it has been about 116 mm. The last showers were recorded on July 20 when the district had about 88mm of rainfall. According to some experts, the dry spell had already damaged about 15 to 20 per cent of the crop in the region. Enquiries from several farmers revealed at least 30 to 40 mm of rainfall was required in the next few days for the survival and growth of the paddy crop.

There has been a continuous increase in paddy cultivation in the area in the past few years. The area under paddy cultivation which was 13,000 hectares in 1996 rose to 17,000 hectares in 1997. Good returns and favourable weather conditions prompted more farmers to take up the cultivation of the crop this year. It touched 22,000 hectares this year.

While a large number of paddy growers depend mainly on the rainfall and canal water for irrigation, several farmers have got the facility of the tubewell. The total irrigated land in the district has been about 1,20,839 hectares of which only 47,800 hectares of land is being irrigated with the help of the tubewells.

The shortage of power supply in the rural areas has increased the risk of the paddy growers who have to seek other alternatives for irrigating the land. The average day temperature in the past two weeks has been hovering between 35° C and 39° C which has been at least five to 10 degrees above what is considered ideal for paddy cultivation.

The loss of humidity also increases the risk of weeds and pests. As a result, the average cost of weedicides and pesticides per hectare rises to Rs 2000 to Rs 2500 instead of Rs 1200 to Rs 1500. It may be recalled the cropping pattern in the district has been a noticeable change in the past couple of years due to the risk in the underground watertable.

The alleged failure of the authorities to ensure remunerative prices for some of the traditional crops is also a factor. The area under sugarcane has reduced and farmers have started opting for oilseeds and paddy. The production of rice, bajra, cotton and rabi oilseeds has reportedly registered an increase of about 10 to 20 per cent recently.

But what is more surprising for meteorological experts is the less rainfall in Rohtak and Bhiwani districts in the ongoing monsoon season. According to departmental sources, while the average rainfall in the state has been about 50 per cent in excess it has been below normal in these two districts so far.

Plea to work unitedly to end instability
Tribune News Service

ROHTAK, Aug 3 — Mr Hari Jaisingh, Editor, The Tribune, has exhorted the people to work unitedly for ending political instability in the country.

Addressing a distinguished gathering here last evening, he blamed the ruling class for the worsening situation and said only collective efforts made by people could streamline the system. He said the ruling class had failed to effectively tackle the problems confronting the country and the people. This, he added, had led to a feeling of discontentment among the masses.

Mr Hari Jaisingh, however, was very optimistic about the future of the country. He pinned great hopes on the youth of the country. He said The Tribune and its sister publications were the voice of the people. "We attach more prominence to public opinion than political leaders".

Earlier, welcoming the Editor, Mr Subhash Batra former Minister of State for Home, said law and order in the state had worsened and people were feeling unsafe. The severe power shortage had made life miserable for the common man.

Prominent physician, Dr O.P. Gupta, alleged the murder of Dr Raman of Bhiwani had not been solved even after six months of the incident. He thanked The Tribune for introducing a special page on health, which had helped the private practitioners in updating their knowledge.

Dr Promila Batra, Reader in the Department of Psychology, Maharshi Dayanand University, pleaded for encouraging young writers and journalists.

Others present included former municipal committee chief P.C. Batra, Dr R.K. Keshwani, Dr Arun Narula, Mr Madhu Nanda, Mr Ramesh Vig, Capt Abhimanyu, Editor, Hari Bhoomi, Mr Vimal Minocha, Mr Vijyavir Singh, Mr Dalbir Singh Bangar, municipal commissioner, Mr Raj Singh Hooda, Col Shamsher Singh and Mr Anurodh Sharma.

The gathering congratulated Mr Hari Jaisingh for launching The Tribune website and thereby making the newspaper global. The Editor said the internet edition of The Tribune would carry even the smallest news published in its three editions. He said care had been taken to present social, political, economic and cultural developments pertaining to the region.

Gastro-enteritis claims 3 lives
From Vipin Sharma

ROHTAK, Aug 3 — Gastroenteritis has claimed three lives in the city in the past week. The victims, all residents of Kartarpura locality, are Baru (48) Mahendru (30) and a 15-year-old youth.

According to reports, the disease has affected a large number of people in the district and the neighbouring regions, especially the rural areas.

A large number of gastroenteritis patients have reportedly been admitted to the local Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Science (PGIMS) and various private clinics. The main causes for the spread of the disease are the supply of contaminated water and lack of cleanliness.

When this correspondent visited the worst-affected Kartarpura locality, having a population of about 4,000, he found at least one person in every house affected by the disease. A majority of the locality residents belong to the Scheduled Castes and Back ward Classes. They complained about the ‘casual’ attitude of the authorities in providing them with basic amenities.

The widow of Baru, Khajani, said her husband had a severe attack of vomiting and diarrhoea on the night of July 27 and he died the next day. He was a peon in a government school and the only earning member of the family. The rest of the five members of his family have also been affected by the disease.

Deepak, a five-year-old boy, also affected by the disease, is struggling for his life.

While the residents believe that the victims have died of Cholera, the officials of the Health Department do not accept this as they have not got the vomiting samples of the deceased tested. Dr B.D. Kalra, Civil Surgeon, told the correspondent that he had no information regarding the spread of the disease in any locality of the town. He said 107 samples of potable water were tested in the past month. Out of these, 21 were found unfit for consumption.

Meanwhile, Mr Gulshan Kumar Dhingra, a BJP leader, has demanded a probe into the deaths of the three persons and action against the municipal committee officials for their ‘failure’ to maintain cleanliness in the town.

Councillor held for assault
From Our Correspondent

AMBALA, Aug 3 — The police has arrested a Congress municipal councillor here, Mr Dilip Chawla, alias Bittu, on the charge of assaulting Dr R.C. Jindal at the civil hospital last night.

Dr Jindal alleged in his complaint he was treating an accident victim, Mr Manohar Singh, when Mr Chawla came to the hospital and misbehaved with him. He alleged Mr Chawla had also threatened him of dire consequences.

A delegation of doctors met the Deputy Commissioner and sought action against Mr Chawal who has been booked under Sections 332, 353 and 506 of the IPC.

Mr Chawla on the other hand said he had made a request to the doctors on duty to provide urgent relief to the accident victim but the treatment was delayed unnecessarily. He alleged the relatives of the patient were asked to pay some money, which led to the exchange of hot words. He said he had made a complaint to the Deputy Commissioner who had sent senior health officials to look into the complaint.

Penalised for power theft
From Our Correspondent

HISAR, Aug 3 — The HSEB has imposed a fine of Rs 25.25 lakh on an ispat ydyog here on the charge of power theft.

According to sources here today, a team of the HSEB raided Vidya Ispat Udyog in the industrial area and detected the power theft.

A case under Section 39 of the Electricity Act and 379 of the IPC has been registered against Mr Pramod Kumar Gupta, Director of the udyog.

'Jail bharo' stir from Aug 13
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Aug 3 — The Sarv Karamchari Sangh Haryana will launch a jail bharo andolan from August 13 in protest against the alleged anti-employees attitude of the HVP-BJP alliance in the state.

This was stated by Mr Janardan Prasad Kothari, president of the district unit of the sangh, at a meeting here yesterday.

He condemned the transfers of sangh leaders and appealed to the employees to join the andolan in large numbers. As many as 14 groups have been firmed for mobilising the employees.

Meanwhile, Mr Ved Vyas Arya, general secretary of the All-Haryana PWD Mechanical Workers Union, has extended his support to the sangh.

Villagers protest against arrests
From Our Correspondent

KAITHAL, Aug 3 — Tension mounted high in the town here as a large number of villagers, including women, protested here today against the registration of criminal cases against those allegedly involved in an attack on police personnel and workers of liquor contractors near Landar Peer Jada village three days ago, taking them to a gang of "kale kachhewalas".

The villagers who came from villages of the Guhla Assembly constituency of this district were led by Mr Dillu Ram Congress MLA, Mr Amar Singh, former MLA, and Mr Leela Ram, president of the district unit of the HLD (R) and some members of the zila parishad, sarpanches and panches. They marched to the camp office of the Deputy Commissioner raising slogans against the police and were demanding withdrawal of cases against about 50 persons for their alleged involvement in the said incident.

The villagers also raised slogans against the Finance Minister, Mr Charan Dass Shorewala, and alleged the police had registered cases against them on his insistence, a charge which has been denied by the minister. The villagers also alleged due to the patronage of the minister the liquor contractors had opened many illegal liquor sale points in the villages and the administration had not taken any action against such offenders. They pointed out the incident which took place three days ago was the result of mistaken identity as these persons were in a private vehicle. The crowd which gathered on getting information about these persons got suspicious and took them to be "kale kachhewale" gang members.

As the crowd continued shouting slogans, a deputation of the processionists called on the Deputy Commissioner Mr Jaiwanti Sheokand, and demanded withdrawal of criminal cases registered against the villagers. They pointed out the villagers in the Guhla area were living under constant fear of the gang.

However, when the DC asked them to give a single instance of the commission of any crime by this gang, the deputationists could not give any answer. However, after listening to the leader of the deputation, the Deputy Commissioner maintained the administration would examine all aspects and take suitable decision but would not bow under any pressure.

Gang of dacoits busted
From Our Correspondent

JIND, Aug 3 — The Jind police has busted a gang of dacoits with the arrest of five members — Kuldeep, Rajinder, Ajmer, Satyavan and Joginder.

Mr Ranbir Sharma, SP said the gang was involved in a number of dacoities in Bhiwani, Hisar and Fatehabad districts and in various parts of Rajasthan. He said the gang was responsible for stealing vehicles, committing robberies and looting petrol stations and liquor shops.

Mr Sharma said the police had received information that some armed youths had assembled at a deserted place near Uchana town and were preparing to commit a dacoity at the house of a textile mill owner at Uchana Mandi. A police party immediately rushed to the spot and nabbed five dacoits.

The police chief said five pistols and 10 cartridges were seized from the dacoits. He said the police also recovered a car and a motor-cycle from them. A case under Section 399 and 402 of the IPC has been registered against them at Uchana police station.

Mr Sharma said the gang members admitted to having committed 14 dacoities. The arrested are being interrogated.

Roadways staff block traffic
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Aug 3 — Thousands of bus passengers were stranded at Sonepat and other Haryana Roadways bus depots when the roadways buses went off the road for more than two hours last evening in protest against the manhandling and beating up of a conductor of a Haryana Roadways bus by a police constable and two of his friends.

According to a report, not a single Haryana Roadways bus moved out of the Sonepat bus depot during the strike by the drivers and conductors. The operators of private buses also joined the strike and a large number of buses were lined up near the bus depot. This led to a traffic jam outside the bus stand and the striking bus drivers and conductors lifted the blockade when they were assured by the district authorities that legal action would be taken against the alleged assailants involved in the incident.

Giving details of the incident, a spokesman for the Transport Department told mediapersons here today that two youths boarded Sonepat-bound roadways bus from Rohtak. They were to get down at Bohar village where the bus does not stop. This led to acrimonious exchanges between the youths and the bus driver and the conductor.

It is stated that the youths assaulted the conductor and gave him a severe beating. The youths were handed over to the police at Rohtak.

No-trust move defeated

AMBALA, Aug 3 — The no-confidence motion against the vice-president of the Ambala Sadar Municipal Council, Mr Narendra Bengali, was defeated here today.

Out of a total of 28 members, only 20 were present — 11 from the Congress, five from the BJP, two from the HVP and two from the Ambala Vikas Parishad. Out of 20 votes, 16 were polled in favour of the motion, one vote against it and three were declared invalid. The lone BSP member was not present and Mr Pyare Lal Bhardwaj of the BJP could not attend it as he was said to be indisposed.

MC president removed
From our Correspondent

BHIWANI, Aug 3 — Municipal committee president of Charkhi Dadri Anil Jain has been removed from his post in view of the alleged irregularities committed by him during his tenure. The action has been taken under the Municipal Committee Act.

The secretary of the committee Mr Balwan Singh Sangwan was appointed vice-president and Ms Sumitra Faugat working president yesterday on the direction of the Local Bodies, Haryana.

It is learnt that a notification will soon be promulgated for the election of the vice-president.

Mr Jain was removed after a hearing of two years following a complaint by Mr Nemichand Sharma, a resident of Gandhinagar in Dadri, alleging irregularities in the rent of few shops of the committee.

The notification said stern action should be taken against those responsible and that the financial loss should be recovered according to the rules.