Rift in Congress
comes to fore
SHIMLA, Aug 24 — Differences in the Congress came to the fore when Mr G. S. Bali, MLA and a close confidant of Mr Virbhadra Singh, leader of the Congress Legislative Party, said the party was in no hurry to topple the BJP-HVC coalition.

Manimahesh yatra begins
CHAMBA, Aug 24 — "Chhari Mubarak" of the famous Manimahesh pilgrimage began from Chamba, the district headquarters, this afternoon under tight security in view of the situation arising out of the recent killings by militants at Kalaban,Satrundi and Sappa Cholu on the borders of Chamba district.

• Congress leader joins HVC
• More ammunition recovered
• Kangra police's gesture
• ADM to probe uprooting of saplings
  

Rift in Congress comes to fore
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Aug 24 — Differences in the Congress came to the fore when Mr G. S. Bali, MLA and a close confidant of Mr Virbhadra Singh, leader of the Congress Legislative Party, said the party was in no hurry to topple the BJP-HVC coalition.

The views expressed by Mr Bali at a press conference here today were diametrically opposite to the stand taken on the issue by the Pradesh Congress chief, Mr Sat Mahajan, who had said that his main objective was to bring down the Dhumal government and the help of Mr Sukh Ram could be sought to achieve it.

The Congress leader from Kangra said the party would adopt the wait-and-watch policy. The BJP-HVC combine was a fragile coalition which would come down by its own weight.

Regarding seeking Mr Sukh Ram's help to form a government, he said there was no material change in the situation since the former Telecommunications Minister was expelled from the party. The cases against him were still pending. He said this issue would be discussed only when the party decided to form a government.

Mr Bali asserted that Mr Virbhadra Singh would continue to head the CLP. The party high command would take him into confidence while taking all important decisions.

He alleged that the law and order situation in the state had worsened in the past six months and the cases of murders and atrocities on women were on the rise. He said a number of murder cases had been reported as cases of suicides. He said a woman at Sera Thana village, in her dying declaration, had stated that she was given poison but still the police treated it as a case of suicide.

He said his party would organise rallies in all districts to highlight the deteriorating law and order situation and rising prices. He urged the Chief Minister to seek more funds from the Centre to modernise the police.

Regarding the byelection to the Baijnath Assembly seat, he said winning prospects of the candidate would be the main consideration while allotting the ticket.

Manimahesh yatra begins
From Our Correspondent

CHAMBA, Aug 24 — "Chhari Mubarak" of the famous Manimahesh pilgrimage began from Chamba, the district headquarters, this afternoon under tight security in view of the situation arising out of the recent killings by militants at Kalaban,Satrundi and Sappa Cholu on the borders of Chamba district, adjacent to Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The "chhari" will reach Manimahesh lake at an altitude of 4,170 metres on August 29. The devotees will take a holy dip there on August 30 on Radha Ashtami day and view Mount Kailash (the abode of Lord Shiva) at an altitude of 5,656 metres. The devotees will start their return journey the same day after the holy dip. The "chhari" started from the historic town of Chamba.

Pilgrims hailing from various parts of neighbouring states and district officers took part in the procession. Manimahesh falls in the snow-clad Bharmour tribal glen of Chamba district in Himachal.

Though the devout from Bhadarwah in Jammu and Kashmir were being brought with proper security arrangements yet they were apprehensive about militant activities.

Meanwhile, a police spokesman has informed security arrangements have been beefed up and information centres set up for the facility of the pilgrims to avoid any instance of militancy.

'Throw open' Annandale to public
by Kanwar Yogendra

SHIMLA: A town which was conceived for just 25,000 people is today inhabited by about 1.5 lakh residents. Shimla today is bursting at the seams. Every nook and corner is occupied by people and houses are made in congestion. No place is left for any type of social gatherings or celebrations of any kind. There is no open space available for residents for any creative activity.

In such circumstances, surprisingly there is still a huge ground which can be opened to residents of Shimla in shape of Annandale ground, just 2 km from town. But unfortunately this ground remained with the British elite before Independence and later with the Indian Army and was never opened for use by the general public.

The British made it a recreational centre after taking it away from farmers who are still scattered in nearby villages. No commoner was allowed inside then.

At present the Army runs a physical training school on the sprawling ground spread over hundreds of bighas. Whereas a small portion of the ground can meet the needs of Army P.T. school and the rest of the massive ground can be left for public use. Thousands of Shimla residents and their children can get a respite from the congestion in this wide open space.

No researchers, travellers or students are allowed entry to this ground, what to talk of locals. When this correspondent approached the Colonel in charge for permission to see the ground he was told to come with an application after 10 days after the superiors' consent.

Most residents feel that this ground should be given to some any other government department. Nominal taxes can be imposed and it should be thrown open to locals to celebrate their fairs and festivals, for social gatherings and sports. Revenue can also be earned for the state by allowing tourists to visit the 200-year-old Gymkhana Club.

Annandale offers a picturesque spot charmingly adapted for recreation during the Raj. Today it affords a pleasant change from the perpetual slopes above and also an overcrowded feeling which people avoid and come to Shimla.

It was a focal point of Shimla's society in the early 20th century and a great venue for gymkhana races, cricket, polo and picnics. Every recreation season in Shimla started with a gymkhana or two at Annandale. In the olden days Annandale was to the Gymkhana Club what Gaiety Theatre was to the ADC.

Approached by a sharp descent, Annandale is the largest stretch of level ground in Shimla even today. Once focused only by the elite, it became popular for everyone when helicopters and small planes started landing on it. Even now it is the only helipad in the town but with landing facilities available only for defence personnel and VVIP choppers. For commercial aircraft, there is a separate small airport made at Jubbarhatti a few kms out of the town.

The first Durand Cup football was held here aptly named after Sir Mortimer Durand, the then Foreign Secretary who donated the trophy. This oldest football tournament in the country is now India's prime national soccer tournament. No tournaments or championships take place here now.

Lord Curzon and Francis Younghusband drew up the Tibet expedition while A.O. Hume mooted the idea of the Indian National Congress while watching the gymkhanas here.

The name Annandale may have come from a valley of the same name at Dumfrieshire, Scotland, or as Lieutenant White reported in 1838, "during the sojourn of Lady Barnes and Brynt, a fancy fair was held in a romantic glen, named Annandale from the lady who first graced its solitude".

Lord William Beresford, Military Secretary to Lord Dufferin took keen interest in racing and was instrumental in forming the Annandale Club. He improved the racecourse at a cost of Rs 80,000. The club house had a library, sitting, dining and dressing rooms. There was a tennis court, a nine-hole golf course, a shooting range and a cricket pitch. Lady Dufferin made some interesting descriptions of the events at Annandale in the 1880s. Simla weekly, a magazine, then also gave detailed gymkhana reports. Many old residents of the town still remember the horse races at Annandale.

Annandale was once a very thick grove of fir trees, which could not be pierced by sunlight. It is still surrounded by thick forests. But now a large number of trees are being cut by none other than Army men. One can spot many axed stumps in the adjoining forests. Logs can often be seen being transported in Army trucks, says a resident.

The only water source available is also used by the Army, with not a drop given to the locals, he added. The nearby farmers and original owners of Annandale now purchase grass from the Army for their cattles.

In the interest of general public and to get the feeling of being in the hills, this magnificent ground should be handed over to the civic body as the people deserve it most, says an officer. A small walk down the hill gives one a feeling of freshness while the lush green grounds give a sense of space.

Annandale ground is surrounded by a township now. There is a regular bus service to the town after every hour.

Blind stage demonstration
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Aug 24 — Members of the State Federation of the Blind staged a demonstration here today in protest against the failure of the government to address their grievances.

They marched to the state secretariat and submitted a memorandum to the Welfare Minister, Mr Mansa Ram. About 60 blind persons participated in the demonstration.

Mr Deva Singh Negi, president of the federation, said that the government was reluctant to accept even the demands which had already been implemented in other states. The Central Government had reserved 1 per cent jobs for the blind but no such quota was available in Himachal. He urged the government to constitute a high level committee under the Chief Secretary to enforce reservation for the blind. Besides, educated unemployed persons be given a monthly allowance of Rs 1,000.

The federation also demanded opening of a senior secondary school for the the blind with the facility of vocational training. It demanded a fresh survey to know the exact number of the blind and an increase in their stipend.

Congress leader joins HVC
From Our Correspondent

BILASPUR, Aug 24 — Mr Purushottam Dutt, a prominent Congress leader of the Ghumarwin area, near here, and member of the Ghumarwin Panchayat Samiti, has resigned from the Congress and joined the Himachal Vikas Congress (HVC) led by Mr Sukh Ram along with his supporters.

This was stated by Ghumarwin Vikas Congress unit president Gian Chand Rattan here. He also said that Mrs Meena Thakur, president, Marhana Gram Panchayat, and her husband Mr Prithvi Singh Thakur, who was earlier president of the panchayat, had also resigned from the BJP and joined the HVC.

Fisheries project for Bilaspur
From Our Correspondent

BILASPUR, Aug 24 — Himachal Industries and Fisheries Minister Kishori Lal has said a Rs 2 crore fisheries project will be set up at Bilaspur soon.

Inaugurating a Rs 43.10 lakh Himachal Fisheries Directorate building here yesterday, the minister said the government was aware of the difficulties of Bhakra Dam oustees and fishermen of Gobind Sagar.

Projects were launched in phases for their economic uplift, he said.

The government had released Rs 20 lakh to the Gobind Sagar Fisheries Cooperative Federation to pay the accumulated fish price as the federation had incurred heavy losses.

A proposal had already been sent to the central government for giving financial assistance to those fishermen who could not work due to old age.

Communists support teachers' demands
From Our Correspondent

SOLAN, Aug 24 — The United Communist Party of India has criticised the Union Human Resource Development Ministry for not accepting the recommendations of the UGC regarding the pay scales of college and university teachers and said it was "tantamount to subversion of the Constitution".

Mr Hargopal Singh, a member of the political committee of the party, said here yesterday that the UGC was a statutory body and all previous governments had been accepting its recommendations without reservations.

He said his party supported the demands of the teachers and condemned the Centre's attitude towards them.

Meanwhile, the indefinite strike by the teachers of the Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry entered the sixth day on Saturday.

83 cases decided at lok adalat
From Our Correspondent

BILASPUR, Aug 24 — Eightythree cases were decided on the spot at the lok adalat held here on Saturday.

About 123 civil and criminal cases were presented at the adalat which was presided over by the District and Sessions Judge, Mr L.N. Sharma. Mr Sharma said Rs 9,800 was realised as fine and Rs 14.64 lakh paid as compensation against road accident claims.

More ammunition recovered
From Our Correspondent

CHAMBA, Aug 24 — In the second joint operation conducted by the Himachal police and other security forces more ammunition has been recovered in Khundi Mural and Padhari area bordering Chamba district of the state adjoining Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir where the militants struck again after the massacre of Kalaban and Satrundi on August 3.

Disclosing this to mediapersons here today, Mr I.D. Bhandari, Deputy Inspector-General of Police, north range, Dharamsala, said that 20 cartridges of AK-47 assault rifle and an empty magazine were recovered from these mountain hideouts of the militants.

The other belongings, including dresses of militants, who used to visit these areas to extract money from the local residents. Eye-witnesses were now enthusiastically cooperating with the security forces in their operation. The police was now getting more information from the local people.

Kangra police's gesture
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, Aug 24 — Kangra police personnel have helped seven inmates of the Nagrota Bagwan Handicapped Centre obtain artificial limbs.

Informing this here yesterday, the SP, Mr K.C. Sadyal, said while it was mandatory for gazetted officers to contribute Rs 100 per month, it was optional for the other staff.

He said that more contributions would be made to help the inmates of Panchrukhi Orphanage and the old-age-home.

ADM to probe uprooting of saplings
From Our Correspondent

MANDI, Aug 24 — Kesri Devi, president, Mahila Mandal, and Uttam Chand, president, Yuvak Mandal, Majhan, today led a deputation to the Deputy Commissioner complaining that over 5,000 trees planted by them had been destroyed by the president gram panchayat, Saroa and his supporters.

They alleged that neither the Range Officer nor the Divisional Forest Officer had taken cognizance of their complaint.

The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Prabodh Saxena, directed the Additional District Magistrate to hold an on-the-spot inquiry so that the guilty could be brought to book.

Meanwhile the Divisional Forest Officer, Gohar, Mr Ashok Kumar Komal, when contacted said he had deputed Range Officer to go into the complaint. He said there was a group rivalry between people of different villages of the same panchayat.