Rama Devi meets bereaved families

Check price rise, say Cong leaders

Two killed in road mishap

Breach in highway

Congress blamed for Kalaban massacre
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Aug 10 — The state government has blamed the callous attitude of the previous Congress regime for the spilling over of militancy from Jammu and Kashmir into Himachal areas.

The state Cabinet, which reviewed law and order situation in the wake of Kalaban massacre in Chamba district here today, took serious notice of the fact that the strength of security forces was reduced in the sensitive areas bordering the trouble-torn Doda district at a time when militancy was increasing in the neighbouring state.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting Mr P.K. Dhumal, Chief Minister, said three companies of the India Reserve Battalion, which had been deployed in the area since June 1996, were withdrawn and placed at the disposal of Delhi Police in December 1997. Similarly, the number of police posts specially set up to combat militancy came down from 23 to 15.

He said the decision was surprising as at that time reports of militants intensifying their activities in Himachal were in circulation. In fact as president of the BJP, he himself had had drawn the attention of the Virbhadra Singh government to such reports in November 1997 and urged it to take preventive steps. However, some Congress leaders like Mrs Asha Kumari, who hailed from Chamba district, accused his party of misleading the people to gain political mileage.

Mr Dhumal said that it had been brought to his notice that certain politicians in the previous regime stalled proper investigations into the activities of militants for fear of losing votes. Had effective steps been taken in time, the Kalaban massacre could have been averted.

The police record showed that activities of militants in Chamba were first noticed in May 1991 which led to the setting up of police posts at Kehar, Sanghani, Langhera and Telka in 1992. In the following year four cases under the TADA and four other cases of looting and one attempted murder involving alleged militants took place. Besides two police men and one militant were killed in separate incidents. Thereafter state armed police was deployed in the Tissa Kehar and Pangi areas subsequently, two companies of the CRPF remained in position from June to October 1994, when the Punjab Armed Police took over. In March 1996 they were replaced by companies of the India Reserve Battalion. Which guarded the border till they were placed at the disposal of Delhi Police in December 1997.

Reports of militants frequenting the deras of Gujjars kept pouring in 1996-97 and in June 1997 as many as 23 villagers who had gone to high ranges for collecting herbs, were made hostages. They were released on a ransom of Rs 11,500.

Referring to the efforts made by his government to tackle the situation he said after taking over he approached the Centre for additional forces, besides recalling the three companies of the India Reserve Battalion.

He said a mechanism was being worked out to ensure complete coordination between the security forces in the two states. The government had also decided to recruit 70 special police officers, from civilians to assist the security forces. Mr Dhumal said an exercise was on to strengthen and restructure the police set up with latest weapons, communication equipments bullet-proof jackets and other necessities were being procured.

The government would deploy securitymen in adequate strength to guard the no-man-land, in the high ranges dividing Doda and Chamba and see to it that villagers kept away from the sensitive zone.

The communication network in the area was also being improved by the Telecom Department on the request of the state government.

N-blasts to affect economy : Yechury
From Our Correspondent

SHIMLA, Aug 10 — A convention against nuclear armament was held here yesterday at the local Kalibari Hall. Mr Sitaram Yechury, CPM politbureau member, and others addressed the convention.

Mr Yechury laid emphasis on making right use of science. Science today should not be used for making nuclear bombs but for the uplift of farmers and aid of millions of poor children, he added.

The common man now would have to pay from his pocket for the nuclear blasts conducted by the government. The Indian economic and social structure would be the casualty, he said. After 1988 when India improved relations with China Rs 3,000 crore was being saved every year. "With the present BJP policies and increasing tensions in the area we will lose those savings which were used for the poor of the country", Mr Yechury informed.

Talking at length about international relations, he said India by becoming nuclear had lost the opportunity for leading the non-aligned movement of the Third World for all times. India had lost the image of being a peace-loving country, he said.

On the economic front, Mr Yechury said we would soon lose our economic sovereignty. As many as 68 MNC were given licences within three days of conducting the nuclear tests. The government share in different ports had been reduced to 10 per cent whereas to decide a particular port policy at least 24 per cent share was required. "Now our ports will be manned by different MNCs", he said.

Dr Javeed Alam, eminent academician, said India had now lost the long-time advantage of conventional superiority of weapons over Pakistan.

A three-point resolution was passed at the end of the convention, which was attended by at least 300 persons. First, India would not be the first to make use of nuclear weapons. With all nuclear options open, technology would be updated and used for peaceful purposes. Secondly, India would not accept treaties like the NPT and the CTBT. Last but not the least, the country would advocate universal nuclear disarmament.

Seminar highlights social issues
From Our Correspondent

SOLAN, Aug 10 — Nivedan a local social service organisation, held a state-level seminar here yesterday to highlight issues relating to unemployment, quality of education, rapidly deteriorating ecology, unscientific exploitation of natural resources, disturbing trends in crimes against women, disintegration of the joint family norm and the widening gap between the haves and have-nots.

Prof. Anand Kumar, convener of the All-India Lok Shakti Abhiyan and a leading don of Jawahar Lal Nehru University, New Delhi, who was the chief guest, blamed the educated classes whose dreams today centred on obtaining status, wealth and immigration to the West for most of the ills of the society.

Mr Virendra Kashyap, president of the district BJP, expressed concern over the social upheaval created by the breaking up of the traditional joint family system which was adversely affecting the state’s economy by shrinking land holdings.

Mr Subhash Medhapurkar, Director of Sutra, an NGO activist in Kasauli area, Mr Sandeep Kumar, vice-president NSUI, Himachal Pradesh, Dr Sohan Lal Gautam, Prof Hargopal, Mr D.C. Guleria, Mr Narindra Parihar, Mr Jagmohan Malhotra, Mrs Sheila, all representing different political parties, also spoke .

Mr Rabi Rai former Speaker of the Lok Sabha, on the occasion released a book, "Meri Diary ke Panne" by Mr Munilal Verma, former Chairman, Punjab and Himachal State Marketing Boards.

HP to spend 35 lakh on Sanskrit
From Our Correspondent

HAMIRPUR, Aug 10 — "Sanskrit is the mother of all languages in the world and we shall try our best to develop it further." This was stated by the HP Education Minister, Mr Ishwar Dass Dhiman, while presiding over the state-level Sanskrit Day function here yesterday.

He said, "It is a matter of great concern that despite being the oldest language of the world and widely spoken in the country in ancient times nothing concrete has been done by the successive governments in India to preserve and spread its network further".

The Education Minister announced the state government would spend Rs 35 lakh this year for the development of Sanskrit. He alleged the previous Congress governments had spent lakhs of rupees on Pahari and thus downgraded Sanskrit. He said the state government would consider making Sanskrit a compulsory language in the schools up to class X.

He said two Sanskrit scholars would be honoured in the state every year. A high-level committee of Sanskrit scholars would be formed to suggest the names of two scholars, he added.

Earlier, he lit the candle to mark the two-day-long Sanskrit samaroh. Mr Baldev Sharma, MLA, also spoke on the occasion.

Mr Prem Sharma, Director, HP Art, Language and Culture welcomed the guests and gave details about the programme.

Dhumal govt will fall: Mahajan
From Our Correspondent

HAMIRPUR, Aug 10 — The HP Congress Party Chief, Mr Sat Mahajan, today predicted the downfall of the state government in near future. The days of this government are numbered and it will fall due to its own weight, he told reporters here this evening.

When asked whether, the HVC Chief, Mr Sukh Ram had agreed to withdraw support to the BJP government, he said, no comments. He said Mr Sukh Ram is my best friend and he would act as per my advice.

Mr Mahajan blamed the BJP government for mass transfers of the government officials and officers in the state. He said that bureaucracy stands politicised and the time had come to halt the transfers.

The Congress chief alleged that all development works had come to a near standstill and the state government was sleeping over it. He said that the Congress party would fight for the rights of the people and justice for them.

Rama Devi meets bereaved families
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Aug 10 — Mrs V.S. Rama Devi, Governor, visited Tissa in Chamba district yesterday and consoled the bereaved families of the labourers who were gunned down by militants at Kalaban and Satrundi.

She gave a patient hearing to their woes and problems, she expressed deep sympathies with them. She assured them of help.

The governor distributed clothes and blankets among the bereaved families.

Earlier, Mrs Rama Devi visited the district hospital, Chamba and enquired about the health and welfare of five injured persons, who sustained bullet injuries in the indiscriminate shooting and were undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Check price rise, say Cong leaders
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, Aug 10 — Congress leaders and workers of Dehra today took out a procession against rising prices.

Led by Mrs Viplove Thakur, party workers marched from the Dehra ground to the SDM's office to submit a memorandum. They demanded that the government should take immediate steps to check the steep increase in prices. The common man was feeling burdened by hike in prices, they said.

Mr Yograj from Pragpur, and the District Congress President, Mr Mela Ram Sawar, also took part in the procession.

Two killed in road mishap
From Our Correspondent

MANDI, Aug 10 — Two persons were killed and four others injured when a truck (No HP34-5454) rolled down 150 feet as the retaining wall gave in near Dhalwan on the Sarkaghat-Mandi road today. The truck was going to Manali.

Both Pritam Chand (driver) and Ishwar Dass died on the spot. They belonged to Ghor Majhwar village.

Two of the injured persons who were brought to the hospital here have been identified as Chiranji Lal and Lakshari Ram.

Breach in highway
From Our Correspondent

MANDI, Aug 10 — The Pathankot-Mandi national highway was breached by a big landslide at Gumma near Jogindernagar today due to incessant rain last night.

A large number of passengers, including an European tourist group, have been held up at Jogindernagar.

Mr D.K. Sharma, S.E. PWD, said about 60-metres portion of the road had been washed away by the landslide and slush was flowing down along with boulders making the restoration work tough and risky. He said efforts were being made to open the national highway by tomorrow.