Shugden controversy dogs convention
DHARAMSALA, Aug 25 — The United Cholsum Organisation of the Tibetans today declared that it would in no way be responsible for any untoward incident at their convention beginning here on August 27, where Shugden activists have decided to come uninvited.
Kashmiris 'under scrutiny'
KASAULI, Aug 25 — Hundreds of Kashmiri labourers working in many parts of the district have come under police scrutiny following reports that Kashmiri militants disguised as labourers and shawl-hawkers were trying to hide themselves in areas other than Chamba district.
Mahajan flays HP Govt for transfers
NAHAN, Aug 25 — Mr Sat Mahajan, president of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee, criticised the state government and Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal for the mass transfers of government employees while "throwing all principles and norms to winds."
Sat Mahajan making 'false' statements
SHIMLA, Aug 25 — Mr Suresh Chandel, president of the state unit of the BJP, has charged the Pradesh Congress Committee chief, Mr Sat Mahajan with issuing misleading statement to divert the attention of the people from the leadership crisis plaguing the party.
CPM protest against rising prices
HAMIRPUR, Aug 25 — At least 100 activists of the CPM today took out a procession through the main bazar here in protest against the alleged growing lawlessness and increasing prices of various essential commodities. The processionists were led by Mr Lakhanpal Sharma, the district secretary of the party.
Czech national gang-raped
KANGRA, Aug 25 — A foreign national was allegedly gang-raped by four youths in forests near Rajiana on Sunday night, according to delayed reports

Probe request to ‘please’ HVC
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Aug 25 —The leader of the Congress Legislator Party (CLP), Mr Virbhadra Singh, has told the Governor, Mrs V.S. Rama Devi, that the Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, has asked the Centre to order a CBI probe against him only to placate the Himachal Vikas Congress (HVC).

Mr Virbhadra Singh is learnt to have sent a detailed letter to the Governor denying the allegations contained in the 41-point "chargesheet", which was prepared against him by the HVC. These allegations were referred to the Centre by Mr Dhumal yesterday for ordering a CBI probe.

Mr Virbhadra Singh wrote a letter to Mr Dhumal yesterday saying that the allegations prepared by such persons who were themselves accused of corruption were solely motivated by personal vendetta. It is a crude attempt at character assassination and personal harassment, he said.

Mr Dhumal referred these allegations to the Centre yesterday after Mr Sukh Ram fixed a deadline for continuing his party’s support to the BJP which had been delaying a CBI probe into the "chargesheet".

The action of Mr Dhumal to seek a CBI probe evoked sharp criticism from the Congress leaders. Mr Harsh Mahajan, a sitting MLA, said Mr Dhumal had proved to be a weak Chief Minister as he had sacrificed propriety, fairness and justice at the alter of political expediency to save his chair.

Mr Mahajan said, Mr Dhumal was not so much worried about the outcome of the inquiry if held, but was more worried about the HVC which had threatened to withdraw its support in case he did not send the "chargesheet " for inquiry by the CBI.

In his letter, copies of which were released to the Press, Mr Virbhadra Singh told Mr Dhumal that the complainants were deliberately avoiding to go to the "Lokayukta" as there they were required to furnish affidavits which would make them liable for criminal action in case the allegations were proved false.

Mr Virbhadra Singh had written to the Chief Minister that it was publicly claimed that his government was dependent on the support of the HVC and the complaint had been submitted by the same political party, the important functionaries and office-holders of which were his and his party’s known adversaries and enemies.

He pointed out that most of the charges listed in the chargesheet had already been decided and dismissed by various courts.

He said these allegations might be got examined from the Lokayukta. This would avoid any controversy and allegations of bias, mala fides and favouritism.

In a statement, Mr Manoj Adhikari, president of the Shimla District Youth Congress, said that the BJP leadership was trying to bully its rivals by instituting CBI inquiries against them.

Shugden controversy dogs convention
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, Aug 25 — The United Cholsum (3 Province) Organisation of the Tibetans today declared that it would in no way be responsible for any untoward incident at their convention beginning here on August 27, where Shugden activists have decided to come uninvited.

In a statement issued here today, the United Cholsum Organisation levelled a number of charges against the Shugden supporters. "We are convinced that the purpose of the Shugden supporters to come to the convention is to cause trouble amongst the Tibetan community which serves the Chinese purpose", the statement said. They alleged that the Shugden supporters had indulged in violence, including the house burning of the former abbot of Jangtse College of Ganden Monastery, in South India and were also involved in a triple murder. They hinted that the local Tibetans were still outraged by the triple murder and could get agitated by the inflammatory remarks and disrespect shown to Dalai Lama, the supreme spiritual and political leader.

The Cholsum organisation also refuted claims of Shugden supporters that they had no connection with the Chinese, as their actions, like staging demonstrations, whenever Dalai Lama goes abroad, fall in line with Chinese designs. They disclosed that the Shugden society had already been informed that it had not been invited to the convention, so they should not disrupt the proceedings.

The organisation also termed hollow the claims of the Shugden activists, that they were keen to solve the cult issue through discussion as several attempts made in the past to initiate discussion with them had been categorically rejected by them.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson of the Tibetan government-in-exile, Mr Thupten Samphell, said that it was solely the decision of the Cholsum Organisation whether to let the Shugden activists attend the convention or not, as it was a NGO, which had nothing to do with the government.

On the other hand the local authorities here are making efforts to dissuade the Shugden delegates from coming to the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile at McLeodganj, to attend the convention. Adequate police force has been called here from outside to meet any eventuality. It is reliably learnt that the Shugden activists are firm on coming to Dharamsala so that they can at least distribute literature amongst the people and present their view point if they are not permitted inside the convention hall.

Kashmiris 'under scrutiny'
From Our Correspondent

KASAULI, Aug 25 — Hundreds of Kashmiri labourers working in many parts of the district have come under police scrutiny following reports that Kashmiri militants disguised as labourers and shawl-hawkers were trying to hide themselves in areas other than Chamba district.

According to highly placed sources, no chances are being taken with the ever-increasing Kashmiri labourer force which is spread in all parts of the state, including interior areas. The number of Kashmiri labourers has swelled doublefold in the recent past following the increase in insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir, Solan, Kasauli, Dharampur Subathu and Parwanoo towns, which already have a sizeable chunk of Kashmiri labourer population, continue to get new faces everyday.

Inquiries reveal most of the Kashmiri migrants are engaged as daily wage earners. Some even work as construction contractors and fruit and vegetable vendors. Interestingly enough, some with the help of local leaders have even secured franchise rights in the district. A few of them are graduates and postgraduates who do not get government jobs. One young Kashmiri graduate, who is working as a labourer, said getting government jobs in their home state was a herculean task as corruption was rampant.

A highly placed sources confirmed that the authorities which till the Chamba carnage had turned a blind eye to the pouring in of Kashmiri labourers were now busy in screening Kashmiris. All Kashmiri labourers working in various parts of the district have been asked to produce identity cards. Solan city alone has about 300 Kashmiri labourers followed by Kasauli which has 70 registered Kashmiri labourers.

Intelligence reports in the aftermath of the Chamba carnage have confirmed Kashmiri militants could sneak into other parts of the state to disturb peace. Inquiries confirm the Kashmiri labourers regularly visit their home state. Kashmiris work as quacks, shawl hawkers and herb vendors and frequently visit these towns. A Kashmiri labourer said in Kasauli stranger had come to stay with them on August 21.

He was not allowed to stay due to "scarcity of accommodation "in the town. A highly placed police source said the activities of the Kashmiri population were under watch.

Police sources have confirmed the religious institutions of the minority community are also being kept under strict vigil. It even confirmed the alleged visit of a Tablik party (religious party) which recently toured the Muslim dominated areas of the district to preach religion and open madarsas. Police sources, however, did not confirm the alleged drive to open madarsas in and around Solan by a maulvi who originally hails from Kashmir.

Mahajan flays HP Govt for transfers
From Our Correspondent

NAHAN, Aug 25 — Mr Sat Mahajan, president of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC), criticised the state government and Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal for the mass transfers of government employees while "throwing all principles and norms to winds."

Mr Mahajan, who was talking to mediapersons here last evening, said the Chief Minister was a perfect gentleman but was a novice in the art of governance. He alleged Mr Dhumal was being guided by a coterie of frustrated politicians who were defeated in the last assembly elections, which would cost him dearly.

Mr Gangu Ram Musafir, MLA from Pachhad and a former minister, who was also present, alleged during his tenure as a minister for 15 years the number of transfers ordered by him was insignificant as compared to the mass transfers ordered by the present government in the past four months.

Mr Mahajan, who is touring the state to revitalise the Congress and apprise himself of the problems being faced by the party at the grassroots level, congratulated the Sirmaur District Congress Committee and its workers for their unity and dedication which returned Congress nominees from all five assembly constituencies in this district during the last elections.

He said the Congress in the state had no place for dissidents. He attributed dissidence as the main cause of the party's poor performance in the last elections.

Parrying questions regarding his plans to dethrone the present BJP government in the state, Mr Mahajan claimed he had a plan up his sleeves but was not in favour of divulging it. Regarding the question of leadership in case the present government was toppled, he said all MLAs were with Mr Virbhadra Singh and he was the leader of the Congress Legislature Party. It would be the prerogative of MLAs to elect their leader.

Mr Mahajan said Himachal had a high tradition of respecting the opposition. Instead of adhering to the pressure of vindictive advisers Mr Dhumal should go down in history as a fair-minded Chief Minister, he added. He alleged Congress workers, their relatives and supporters were being harassed in the state. He asked the Chief Minister to put a stop to this.

The HPCC chief came down heavily on the failure of the government to check the sky-rocketing prices of essential commodities. He said the Congress would hold rallies throughout the state on September 21 in protest against rising prices.

Earlier, Mr K.D. Sultanpuri, MP criticised the state government for failing to maintain law and order. He said Mr Maheshwar Singh and he had met the Prime Minister after the firing by militants in Chamba district and apprised him of the situation.

He also criticised the transfer of Renuka investigation division of the HPSEB from Dadahu in this district to Larji construction division. He asked the state government to cancel these orders.

Sat Mahajan making 'false' statements
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Aug 25 — Mr Suresh Chandel, president of the state unit of the BJP, has charged the Pradesh Congress Committee chief, Mr Sat Mahajan with issuing misleading statement to divert the attention of the people from the leadership crisis plaguing the party.

Addressing a press conference here today, he said that the Congress was in no position to bring down the coalition government and the party was itself divided on the issue. Mr Mahajan also knew this and he was talking of toppling the government only to cover up the tussle in the party.

Mr Chandel said the party was organising two camps, one at Kasauli and the other at Una, from August 26 to 29, to impart training to ministers, legislators, office-bearers of the state and district units and various frontal organisations. Mr Kushabhao Thakre, All-India president of the party, and other central leaders like Mr Sangh Priya Gautam, Mr Narinder Modi, Mr O.P. Kohli would address the delegates at these camps.

The party would organise district-level conventions in September and October.

CPM protest against rising prices
From Our Correspondent

HAMIRPUR, Aug 25 — At least 100 activists of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) today took out a procession through the main bazar here in protest against the alleged growing lawlessness and increasing prices of various essential commodities. The processionists were led by Mr Lakhanpal Sharma, the district secretary of the party.

The party also handed over a memorandum to the state government through the Deputy Commissioner, Hamirpur, demanding immediate halt to the growing prices and strict action against the hoarders and black-marketeers.

At a rally, the party leaders blasted the state government for its failure to implement its election manifesto and solve the problems being faced by the general public. The party decided to raise public opinion against the state government through dharnas and rallies throughout the district.

Czech national gang-raped
From Our Correspondent

KANGRA, Aug 25 — A foreign national was allegedly gang-raped by four youths in forests near Rajiana on Sunday night, according to delayed reports.

According to an FIR lodged by the victim, Czech national Lagnerova Gabriela (25), reached Kangra bus stand on Sunday in the evening by bus. She wanted to catch a bus for Jammu from Kangra. Four youths offered her lift in a blue-coloured Maruti car for Jammu.

In her report before the police, she said she was taken to a forest by a link road where she was gagged with her own clothes and raped by all four.

She was later taken in the same vehicle and left on a highway at around 3.30 a.m.

She went to Dharamsala and lodged an FIR with the Dharamsala police station. As the incident had taken place in the Kangra police station area, she was reported to Kangra last evening.

She was sent for medical examination to Dharamsala as Kangra hospital had no lady doctor.