Sunday, December 20, 1998
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P U N J A B | |
Sunday, December 20, 1998 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Feud to
harm Panth's interest , says Jathedar Police
gets modern equipment |
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2 Afghan
nationals arrested Memorial
to BSF martyrs Thein
dam to be on stream by February 12 GND
varsity exams advanced Babbu
replaces Dimpa as state YC chief |
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Feud to harm
Panth's interest , says Jathedar NEW DELHI, Dec 19 — Akal Takht head priest Jathedar Ranjit Singh today said the ongoing feud in the Shiromani Akali Dal would harm the interests of the Sikh Panth and pleaded for its early resolution. Speaking to reporters here, he said the two Sikh leaders, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and SGPC President Gurcharan Singh Tohra should sink their differences and work together as they had been doing in the past. He said the present rift in SAD would only benefit the Congress and said it was after a long struggle that the party could come to power in the state. Jathedar Ranjit Singh said he urged both leaders to work together and ensure that the historic occasion of the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of Khalsa took place in an atmosphere free of acrimony. He likened the current problem and situation to the one that existed during the last days to the Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The Akal Takht chief said he felt the genesis of the current problem was "ego" and is irrespective of whether one individual were to gain or lose in this situation it was the community which would stand to lose. He also criticised the
role of the Editor of a prominent Punjabi daily accusing
him of playing one against the other. He also suggested
the person in question should either stick to politics or
his profession and not mix roles. |
Critics not chastened, regrets Tohra JALANDHAR, Dec 19 (PTI) — A beleagured SGPC president, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, today said he had not done anything to weaken the Panth or the SAD-BJP government and regretted that no action was being taken against those making caustic statements against him. "I or my associates have neither done nor would do anything which could weaken the Panth or the state government," he told mediapersons at Makhoo in Ferozepore. Reiterating that he was prepared to quit the top SGPC office if asked to do so by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Mr Tohra said, "If Mr Badal asks me, I will even go beyond the seven seas." Asked to comment on the demand by a majority of SGPC executive members for his immediate resignation and the show-cause notice issued to him by the disciplinary action committee of the ruling Akali Dal, Mr Tohra said he would not say anything which could possibly violate the appeal for restraint issued by Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh to both sides. The Badal and Tohra camps have been at loggerheads since the past few days over a reported demand by the SGPC chief that Mr Badal should quit the Akali Dal presidentship and concentrate on governance. The SGPC chief also said it was a matter of extreme regret that responsible persons were making statements derogatory to him but no action was being taken against them. Asked about the eventual fate of the two-year-old Badal government, Mr Tohra said the government which had been established after many sacrifices by the Panth could not be "sacrificed at any cost. "Presidentships and ministries can be sacrificed for the sake of the Panth and its government but not the other away around," he said. Former state minister Inderjit Singh Zira, who was also present, said he would continue working as an "ordinary worker" of the Akali Dal. "I quit because I could no longer take the humiliation being meted out to a senior leader like Mr Tohra," he said. Mr Kirpal Singh Libra,
Chairman of Punsup, was also present. |
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Khalsa
March organised AMRITSAR, Dec 19 — A march was organised from Jammu which was received here today as part of tercentenary celebrations of Khalsa Panth. This march would reach Anandpur Sahib today evening. While, Mr Harminder Singh Gill, president All India Sikh Students Federation and protege of Mr GS Tohra, was one of the organisers of the first Khalsa March, commenced from Jammu on December 16 Mr Sucha Singh Langah, State Minister who belongs to the Badal camp was the main organiser of the "Sarv Dharm Chetna March" taken out under the banner of the Punjabi Ekta Manch. The Sarv Dharm Chetna
March was received by Mr Langah, Mr Baldev Raj Chawla
Deputy Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Mr Daya Singh Sodhi,
MP and state president of the BJP, Mr Gurcharan Singh
Tohra, SGPC president, gave siropas (robe of honour) to
the organisers of the march today.
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Plea
to sink differences AMRITSAR, Dec 19 — The Chief Khalsa Dewan president, Mr Kirpal Singh, has urged Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, and Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, SGPC, chief to sink their differences in the larger interest of the panth. In a press statement,
issued here today, Mr Kirpal Singh said if both the
leaders failed to sink their differences, it would pave
the way for bringing the same party into power which had
done irreparable damage to Punjab in the past. |
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Punjab
police gets modern equipment CHANDIGARH, Dec 19 — The Punjab Police chief, Mr P.C. Dogra, said here today that the Punjab police had been equipped with an array of modern security equipment, communication network and computers for making it a more efficient outfit and to provide it long-term logistic support. He said that the process of computerisation of the entire police crime records, personnel management and accounts was in progress at a fast pace. The police districts in the state had been provided with adequate number of computers for this purpose. He said that for speedy transfers of files and faster communication through electronic media the wireless control had been provided a network through modems in all districts. Telecom hotlines were also being pressed into service for round-the-clock assured connectivity between the police headquarter and district units. He said that the modem based connectivity now provided the police department with the capability and resources of receiving and sending information to any part of the country and the world as per the need. This network would be later integrated with polnet facility when the Union Government provided a transponders on the communication satellite. He said that close circuit TV cameras with control stations at vital places had been installed for VVIP security. Photo visitor card system had been introduced and x-ray equipment with conveyor belts had been installed at the civil secretariat and other places. Fourteen explosive detection and handling squads had been raised. The squads had been posted at each range headquarters besides two squads with GRP and three squads with CM security. Three latest hightech bomb disposal suits had been given to government railway police for Ludhiana and Pathankot. He said that the I-cards which would be issued to Punjab police personnel were being processed. Such cards would have security features like holograms and magnetic codes. Besides, 1000 high-tech
mobile wireless sets in VHF range had been inducted in
the police set-up in the state. |
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AFFORD
accuses police of inhuman treatment MOGA, Dec 19 — Dalwinder Singh, an accused in the Amarjit Singh Sodhi murder case surrendered in the court of judicial magistrate Ranjit Singh, here on November 19 through his advocate, Narinder Chahal. He was medically examined and found hale and hearty. He was remanded in police custody by the judicial magistrate with a direction to the police that Dalwinder Singh should be interrogated in the presence of his advocate. On November 21, Dalwinder Singh was taken from city police station by the CIA staff and allegedly tortured severely for half an hour. Policemen allegedly gave electric shocks to his private parts and pulled his legs spread eagle. In another case Jasvir Singh, a minor whose name did not figure in the FIR registered in connection with the murder of Amarjit Singh Sodhi also allegedly faced police torture. He along with his uncle Darshan Singh was picked up by a police party from his village on November 4 evening. He and his uncle were severely tortured and given electric shocks. They were freed after seven days from police custody. Faridkot and Moga units of the Association for Democratic Rights (AFFORD) in its probe report on the conduct of Moga police in the Amarjit Singh Sodhi murder case, made these revelations. According to the copy of report released to the press here today, the Moga police unleashed terror on members of the "Manawan Katal Kand Virodhi Action Committee" and on the relatives of deceased Rup Singh and Tej Singh after the murder of Amarjit Singh Sodhi in the city market on November 4. The report said that Amarjit Singh Sodhi was facing trial for murder in Sessions court, Ferozepore for the murder of deceased Rup Singh and Tej Singh allegedly done to death by him one and half years ago. The case against Amarjit Singh Sodhi, who had considerable influence in the region, was registered only after a long-drawn struggle by various organisations including the "Manawan Katal Kand Virodhi Action Committee". He was on bail. The report said that after the murder of Amarjit Singh Sodhi, the police allegedly picked up 10 persons and had given them third degree treatment. Mr Jarnail Singh Dhaliwal,
SP (D) Moga, when contacted on phone denied the use of
third degree methods by the police in the Amarjit Singh
Sodhi murder case. He said that the few persons,
suspected to be involved in the crime were questioned by
the investigating officer. He said that the police was
only after those persons whose name figured in the FIR. |
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Afghan nationals arrested BATHINDA, Dec 19 — The police here has arrested two Afghan nationals from MSD School chowk when they were moving under suspicious circumstances yesterday afternoon. Police sources said that Afghanistani nationals identified as Mumtaj Hussain and Gulam Rasool both first cousins and residents of Karabah village of Gazni district of Afghanistan tried to escape after seeing a police gypsy approaching them. However, a police party of Kotwali police station overpowered them. Sources said that a packet of cigarettes made in Pakistan, a religious book, a letter written in Pushto and one watch was recovered from their possession. Mr Dinesh Sharma, Station House Officer, when contacted said that during interrogation, both Afghani nationals confessed that they had crossed the Indo-Pakistan border from the Anoopgarh sector to enter into India on December 15. After crossing the border, they boarded a truck and came to Bathinda. From Bathinda they were planning to go to Assam. They said that they left their country as law and order situation in that country was bad. Mr Sharma said that one of the Afghanistani national was speaking Punjabi while the other was speaking Pushto. He added that both of them came to Pakistan first from Afghanistan. He said that a case under Section 13 and 14 of the Foreigners Act and 3 and 4 of the Indian Passport Act had been registered against them and both would be sent to Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC), Amritsar. Mr Sharma said that after
the arrest of these two Afghan nationals, raids were made
at various places in the city where outsiders
particularly people from Jammu and Kashmir who used to
come here to sell woollens generally live in winter. |
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Thein
dam to be on stream by February 12 KHANNA, Dec 19 — Thein Dam power project would start functioning from February 12 of next year, disclosed Union Minister of State for Industries Sukhbir Singh Badal at a function here today. He said, at present, the state was producing 3000 MW of power against the actual need of 4000 MW. He said that various other power projects would also start working soon and there would be surplus power in the state to run industrial projects. However various other leaders speaking on this occasion decried the Tohra group but Mr Sukhbir Badal maintained silence over the controversy. Mr Sukhbir Badal said that wrong policies of the previous government had created economic crisis in the state. The Congress never brought any big project to the state. Only two big projects working in the state were established during the Janta Dal regime. He said that some big houses like Mahindra and Mahindra, HMT, Gujrat Ambuja and Apollo Tyres going to estabilsh projects in the state. He further disclosed that a Rs 100 crore food processing project was being established in the Khanna area. Mr Sukhbir Badal, criticising the Congress said that they had no leader among the Indians to lend them so they had appointed a foreigner to lead the Congress. None from the Tohra group attended this function organised here to honour Mr Sukhbir Badal for industrial development of the state. Local Parliament member Sukhdev Singh Libra also a Tohra supporter, did not attend the meeting. Meanwhile, Former Congress Minister Shamsher Singh Dullo alleged the misuse of government machinery for the function. MP Satiwinder Kaur, Punjab
Minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon and MLA Bachan Singh Cheema
also attended the function. Local Akali leaders Didar
Singh Bhatti, Iqbal Singh Bachan Singh Cheema honoured Mr
Sukhbir Singh. |
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Memorial
to BSF martyrs MAMDOT (Ferozepore): Raja Mohtam Memorial in the memory of those nine personnel of the BSF, who laid down their lives during the 1971 Indo-Pak war while recapturing Raja Mohtam border outpost (BOP), has been built at the BSF complex in Mamdot, a border village. A priest, first of all, performed pooja at the memorial, on December 11, and, following this, Brig J.K.S. Saraon, Deputy GOC, of an infantry division, inaugurated it by laying a wreath. The memorial has been built at a cost of about Rs 1.50 lakh over a 10 sq ft area. One of the objectives of setting up the memorial is to motivate the local people to work for the motherland. The names of the gallant BSF men have been engraved with golden letters on a pillar of the memorial. The personnel are R.K. Wadhwa, Sucha Singh, Iqbal Singh, Ram Singh, Bhagwant Singh, Om Parkash, Ram Parkash, Sardul Singh and Tahal Singh. For the supreme sacrifice, R.K. Wadhwa, Assistant Commandant of 31 BSF Bn, was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, the highest gallantry award to any paramilitary officer. Constable Ram Singh and SI Iqbal Singh were awarded Sena Medal, while constable Sucha Singh was decorated with President’s Police Medal for Gallantry (posthumously). In the conflict, the enemy left behind two dead while one was captured. A huge number of arms, ammunition was also left behind by the enemy. This was the largest booty captured in this area. After the war, a small memorial was set up at Raja Mohtam BOP. Till last year, the BSF had been holding functions on December 11 annually at this BOP to pay homage to the BSF men. But, the local civilians had been facing hardships in attending the function as BOP is situated in a remote area, 10 km from here. In view of this, the BSF
decided to set up a new memorial — Raja Mohtam
Memorial here, at the BSF complex. The work for the
construction of the memorial was started about two months
ago. The inaugural function was attended among others by
the DIG, (BSF), Mr Rao Brijendra Singh. |
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smugglers held BATALA, Dec 19 — The Batala police has arrested four smugglers — Amrik Singh, alias Mika, Lakha Singh, Lakha Singh, and Muni Lal — and seized 7 kg of opium from them, Mr Lok Nath, SSP, Batala police district, said here yesterday. The accused used to purchase opium at Rs 10,000 a kg and sell it for Rs 18,000 a kg in retail. Cases had been registered
against the accused who were in police custody. |
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GND
varsity exams advanced AMRITSAR, Dec 19 — Guru Nanak Dev University has decided not to conduct any examination from April 9, 1999, to April 15 in view of the Khalsa Panth tercentenary celebrations, Dr R.S. Bawa, Registrar of the university, said here yesterday. As a sequel to this decision, the BA (part I, II and III) examinations for private candidates have been preponed. These examinations will now commence on March 5 instead of March 10. All other examinations will start on March 24, 1999, instead of April 3. The practical examinations would be held after the theory examinations. The university will
conduct the UGC test for research fellowship and
lecturership on December 27. Dr Bikram Singh Ghuman,
coordinator for the test, said the university had
despatched the roll numbers to all eligible candidates. |
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GND
varsity not to fill posts AMRITSAR, Dec 19 — Even as the state government has paved the way for lifting the four-month-old ban on filling of vacant posts in universities, Guru Nanak Dev University has decided not to fill any non-teaching post till March 31, 1999. Talking to TNS here today, Dr Harbhajan Singh Soch, Vice-Chancellor, said this decision was taken by the Syndicate here on December 15 in view of the financial crunch being faced by the state government. More than 100 teaching and 30 non-teaching posts are lying vacant in the university. Dr Soch, however, said same posts would be filled on a "daily wages" basis so that the working of the university was not hit. He said no post in the non-teaching departments would be filled even in case of retirement of employees till the end of the financial year. Dr Soch said some of the
vacancies sanctioned by the University Grants Commission
would be filled shortly. However, senior posts in
teaching departments were not likely to be filled. |
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Babbu replaces Dimpa as state YC chief JALANDHAR, Dec 19 (PTI) — Mr Devinder Singh Babbu was today made president of the Punjab Youth Congress, replacing Mr Jasbir Singh Dimpa. Indian Youth Congress president Manish Tiwari announced the appointment of Mr Babbu in a statement here after consultations with Punjab Congress president Cap Amarinder Singh. Mr Babbu thanked Ms Sonia Gandhi and Cap Amarinder Singh for reposing their trust in him and announ-ced that the organisational set-up of Youth Congress would be restructured soon. "It would have a compat executive body," he said. A revolt had been brewing since long against Mr Dimpa within the organisational ranks and a change was expected. AMRITSAR (TNS): Mr Jasbir Singh Dimpa has resigned as president of the Punjab Pradesh Youth Congress following his elevation as general secretary of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. In a press statement
issued here, Mr Dimpa said he had been rewarded with
general secretaryship by the PPCC president, Capt
Amarinder Singh, due to his role in the Adampur
byelection. |
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