Friday, November 13, 1998
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P U N J A B | |
Friday, November 13, 1998 |
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Mass
cremation case NHRC analysing CBI report NEW DELHI, Nov 12 — The National Human Rights Commission is analysing details of the CBI report relating to the case of alleged mass cremation of over 2,000 persons in Punjab by the security forces during the peak of terrorism. Centre has
failed to deliver goods: Pilot |
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 CPI to back Cong in Adampur JALANDHAR, Nov 12 — The CPI has announced its support for the Congress candidate for the Adampur byelection. However, the party will campaign separately and will not hold joint rallies or meetings with the Congress. |
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CBI asked to file reply in Khalra case PATIALA, Nov 12 — The District and Sessions Judge, Mr K.S. Grewal, today gave the CBI time till December 18 to file a reply to the charge of the prosecution that the CBI was delaying the trial in the case of disappearance and murder of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. Punjab's
forgotten promise Man
takes revenge on wife by 'dying' Gurbani
live on the Internet Recruitment
scam: Deaf woman made art teacher PCS
(J) appointments: decision on Monday Medical
college's lease cancelled Mann
rejects Sonia's "empty" overture Two
mahants shot dead |
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| Plea on water supply | |
Mother murders 4-year-old child |
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Punjab mass cremation case NEW DELHI, Nov 12 (UNI) — The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is analysing details of the CBI report relating to the case of alleged mass cremation of over 2,000 persons in Punjab by the security forces during the peak of terrorism. NHRC sources said today that in a recent hearing of the case, which was handed over to the NHRC by the Supreme Court on December 12, 1996, the commission chairperson, Mr Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah and member, Mr Justice V.S. Malimath, directed the Registrar (law) of the NHRC to examine and place an analysis of the CBI’s final-report, which had been sent by the Supreme Court under sealed cover, before them. Mr Justice Venkatachaliah said it was necessary to look into the report of the CBI, which had been ordered by the apex court to determine and establish issues like culpability of those responsible for the violation of human rights, before deciding the issue. They said: "The Registrar will also ascertain from the report of the CBI as to how and in what form the CBI invited the claims and complaints from the general public and with what response". Counsels for petitioner Paramjit Kaur, a relative of one of the victims, and the Punjab and union governments made their submissions regarding what they perceived as the proper scope of the inquiry that the NHRC was to undertake under the remit of the apex court. The petitioner’s counsel, Ms Nitya Ramakrishnan, and Mr Ashok Agrawal contended that the Supreme Court had desired the NHRC to inquire into all incidents of extra-judicial eliminations or deaths in what are described as "fake encounters" by the police in Punjab during the period in question. They stated that the scope of inquiry was not limited to cases of 585 identified bodies, 274 partially identified and 1,238 unidentified bodies allegedly cremated in a crematorium of Amritsar district. "These cases were intended to indicate the pattern of the human rights violations to establish the prima facie nature of the operations of the police and not as limitations on the scope of inquiry’’, they submitted. According to them the Supreme Court desired that all similar matters in Punjab involving extra-judicial eliminations should be inquired by the NHRC. They said: "The references in the memorandum of the writ petitions to the cremation of bodies as unclaimed were not limitations on the scope of the open and comprehensive inquiry which was intended but also as illustrative justifications for the need for such an inquiry’’. However, counsels for the Punjab and union governments said the remit was specific and precise and not an inquiry but were limited to the specific cases which were brought up after preliminary inquiry by the CBI. They quoted the September 10 order of the Supreme Court and said the apex court had first asked the CBI to conduct an inquiry and after its report, the court referred the matter to the NHRC which would imply that the scope of the matter before the commission was confined to the merits of the allegations of violations of human rights in respect of the 2,097 cases only. Earlier handing over the
case to the NHRC, the Supreme Court had termed the
unceremonious cremation of thousands of bodies by the
security forces with label unidentified as horrifying, it
had also set aside the objections raised by the union and
state governments about the limitation period of one year
which would have prevented the NHRC from inquiring into
the case as it had taken places several years ago and
said it would not apply here in view of the ‘special
nature’ of the Punjab cases. |
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Centre has failed to deliver
goods: Pilot ADAMPUR, Nov 12 — A former Union Minister and CWC member, Mr Rajesh Pilot, today said that the country would face 'crucial political times' after the November assembly elections. On a one-day tour to campaign for the party candidate in the Adampur byelection, Mr Pilot, while briefing mediapersons here, alleged that the Vajpayee government had totally failed to redress the problems facing the nation, whether it was the increasing crime rate, the steep hike in prices of essential commodities or providing relief to farmers. The former Union Minister said it was 'alarming' that for the first time a remote-controlled plane carrying RDX had landed and militant activities were on the increase in Jammu and Kashmir. He criticised the Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, for 'non-governance' and the deteriorating law and order situation. On the BJP's foreign policy with regard to the Pokhran test, he claimed that 'world opinion was never against us even though we had conducted a nuclear test before'. When the Congress party was in power it had sent then Opposition leader Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee to the UN to speak on the Kashmir issue to project the image that India was united on the external issues, he added. Mr Pilot said that Mr Advani's suggestion that states should enact special laws to deal with terrorism was an attempt to 'hide' the Vajpayee government's failure to curb anti-national forces. If the government had the will, legislation already available was enough to enforce the rule of law and check terrorism. But the BJP had presented "a model of complete non-governance," he said. Mr Advani had yesterday said in Lucknow that while the Centre was examining how the police could be given more powers to deal with terrorism, the states too should enact special laws for effectively tackling the menace. Answering a query on the Congress president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi's remark equating the 1984 riots with the Partition of the country in 1947, Mr Pilot said that it was a "national shame for us that such a sad and shameful incident took place in the history of the country" and admitted that the government in 1984 had failed in its administration. Asked if the guilty are being shielded by the Congress party by giving them party positions. He said he was of the firm belief that apologies were not enough to assuage the hurt and the courts should decide the cases and the guilty should be punished. Speaking on Punjab he said that the so-called 'pro-farmer' SAD-BJP government in the state had 'failed' the farming community. Non-availability of fertilisers and lack of remunerative prices for their crop was responsible for the economic doom in the state. Criticising Union Minister for Agriculture, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, Mr Pilot said the former had introduced an amendment to the Essential Commodities Act, whereby hoarders and blackmarketeers would be fined Rs 25000 and get three months' imprisonment. However, earlier a Rs 1 lakh fine and one-year imprisonment were provided for in the Act. Mr Pilot was accompanied
by the PPCC president, Mr Amarinder Singh, Mr Jagjit
Singh, Leader of the Opposition, Mr Kanwaljit Singh
Lalli, the Congress candidate for Adampur constituency,
and other state-level leaders and workers. |
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CPI to back Cong in Adampur JALANDHAR, Nov 12 — The CPI has announced its support for the Congress candidate for the Adampur byelection. However, the party will campaign separately and will not hold joint rallies or meetings with the Congress. Announcing the party's support, the general secretary of the CPI, Dr Joginder Dayal said that the decision has been taken after a meeting last night to support the Congress candidate as the SAD-BJP government had failed to redress problems faced by the people. Pre-poll promises of wiping out corruption a transparent administration and redressal of basic problems of the people have not been fulfilled. Instead the economy of the state is in a shambles with farmers hardest hit. Dr Dayal also alleged that the Punjab Government's estimate of paddy loss of Rs 1000 crore was inaccurate because it had not taken into account the selling of paddy by farmers at a rate much lower than the support price. He said that the loss was definitely not less than Rs 2000 to 3000 crore. The government has so far given no compensation to the peasantry. The condition of cotton growers is even worse. Referring to the recent statement of Mr M.S. Gill, the Chief Election Commissioner on the condition of the state economy, Dr Dayal alleged that due to non-governance, visionless planning and non-implementation of the right economic policies, Punjab had reached an all time low. However, Dr Dayal said that the Congress was the lesser evil and due to its secular image and its status as a national political party the CPI had decided to support the Congress. Still in favour of a joint front of the Congress, CPI, CPM and BSP to take on the SAD-BJP government, he said that the CPI had tried very hard to formulate a joint front candidate, but had failed. The CPI, in its independent campaign in Adampur constituency, will not however criticise the BSP. Speaking on the Peoples Commission he said that it should be banned as all sections of the society were affected during the militancy. In place of a Peoples Commission a judicial commission should be constituted to investigate the factors which led to terrorism, the role of political parties, and leaders. The CPI support to the
Congress in the Adampur byelections is a boost to the
Congress since the CPI has a substantial vote bank in the
constituency. Comrade Kulwant Singh has represented this
constituency thrice in the assembly in the past. The
state Congress president, Mr Amarinder Singh had been
hopeful of the CPI support for his party. |
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CBI asked to file reply in
Khalra case PATIALA, Nov 12 — The District and Sessions Judge, Mr K.S. Grewal, today gave the CBI time till December 18 to file a reply to the charge of the prosecution that the CBI was delaying the trial in the case of disappearance and murder of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. The prosecution had alleged in an application submitted in the court in August that the CBI was not producing the fresh statement of important eyewitness, SPO Kuldip Singh. It sought a direction to the CBI to present supplementary challans in the light of Kuldip Singh's statement accusing Mr K.P.S. Gill, a former DGP Punjab, and three other police officers of being conspirators to the crime. It also stated that even though the statement of Kuldip Singh was recorded in March this year and adequate security was provided to him, the CBI had not produced his statement which would necessitate the preparation of supplementary challans. When the District and Sessions Judge asked CBI counsel and the Investigation Officer to reply whether the statement had been recorded or not, counsel sought some time to file a reply. When the court met again, counsel requested for more time to file a reply. Subsequently, the hearing was posted to December 18 this year. The court also postponed the commencement of the examination of witnesses in the case which was scheduled for today and tomorrow. Nine witnesses were present in the court today. Prominent among those who were scheduled to be examined tomorrow included Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, SGPC President. It was Mr Tohra who, along with Mrs Paramjit Kaur Khalra, had moved the Supreme Court for the registration of a case against the police officers allegedly responsible for the disappearance of Mr Jaswant Singh Khalra who had exposed the mass cremations of nearly 2500 youths allegedly killed in fake encounters about six years ago. The Special CBI Magistrate, Mr Amarjit Singh, had last week issued non-bailable warrants against eight Punjab police officers and summoned them for November 30 in the hearing of 92 alleged cases of fake encounter. Meanwhile, Mrs Paramjit Kaur Khalra, widow of Mr Jaswant Singh Khalra, told mediapersons here today said that she was not happy at the slow pace of the trial and criticised the CBI for improper investigations. She said the case had
become a test case for the investigating agencies. |
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Punjab's forgotten promise CHANDIGARH, Nov 12 — This is a story of how the Punjab Government first decides, then delays and ultimately denies the very benefits it promises to give. The case in point is grant of retirement benefits: pension and gratuity in lieu of contributory provident fund to the staff (teaching and non-teaching) of privately managed aided colleges covered under 95 per cent grant-in-aid. In January, 1995, the then Finance Minister, Dr Kewal Krishan, conceded the long-drawn demand of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers' Union to extend the pension scheme applicable to schools and colleges as well. The cut-off date for implementation of the pension scheme was decided upon as April 1, 1992. The Council of Ministers (when Mr Harcharan Singh Brar was the Chief Minister) approved the pension scheme at its meeting on January 3, 1996. Detailed instructions on the subject were issued by the Department of Education to the Director, Public Instruction (Colleges), on February 14, 1996. Inter alia, the instructions explicitly said the orders were being issued with the concurrence of the Finance Department orders of January 5 and February 2, 1996. Having traversed through "proper channels" completing related "formalities" en route, a 32-page circular was finally issued by the D.P.I. (colleges) to all principals of private-aided colleges, affiliated to the universities concerned on December 18, 1996. The colleges and their managements, in return, gave "options" and passed appropriate "resolutions" to complete the requisite formalities. By then a ray of hope kindled among teachers, retired and retiring, that at last the government had shown grace. These hopes, however, were shortlived. There was a change of political guard: Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal's Government was replaced by the SAD-BJP combine. The new government did not do anything. "Flash" agitations by teachers began in August, 1997, demanding "gazette notification" of the scheme. Nothing moved the government except that at least thrice the union withdrew its agitations on assurances held by Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, the Minister in charge of Higher Education. The union was forced to go in for a more major action, when nothing happened. As many as 32 teachers, including the All-India General Secretary of the Federation of University and College Teachers, Mr V.K. Tewari, and a former PCCTU Secretary-General, Mr Charanjit Chawla, courted arrest. All 32 remained in custody between February 26 and March 3, 1998. Resentment started brewing in all 139-odd affiliated colleges. Meantime nearly 800 teachers have retired since April 1, 1992. Over 50 had even passed away. Yet the pension scheme has remained elusive. What is the latest position? The present Principal Secretary, Education, Mr G.P.S. Sahi, when contacted by TNS said the file had been submitted to the Chief Minister's office before he took over as Secretary recently. Incidentally, since the file on pension began its journey in 1995, following teachers' pressure, over half-a-dozen Education Secretaries have changed. A deputation of teachers had met Mr Sahi on Wednesday. It is learnt that the file in the form of a "memorandum" is now to be submitted to the Council of Ministers for final approval. This once again is the second time the Council of Ministers (earlier of the Congress Party and this time of the SAD-BJP combine) will reconsider the item already approved, even the executive approval of the Governor has been secured earlier, that was on April 2, 1998. All that is required is to formally issue a gazette notification of the approved pension scheme, which the bureaucrats do not think urgent. When Mr Sahi was asked why the process was restarted again, further delaying the scheme's implementation he had no answer. "I will get the case examined. I am also new to the Education Department". He held out a promise of an early solution. Meanwhile PCCTU leader, Mr
Chawla, told TNS that the union held the bureaucracy
responsible for the delay. |
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Man takes revenge on wife by
'dying' FEROZEPORE, Nov 12 — Manjit Singh (22) — a mechanic of Ghubaia village in Jalalabad subdivision of this district who had been missing since the past one month and taken for 'dead', made a dramatic appearance at a police conference here today. At the press conference, Ferozepore Police Range Deputy Inspector General Hardeep Singh Dhillon said that Manjit Singh had appeared before him through a Municipal Councillor of Malout, Mr Bakhshish Singh, on Wednesday afternoon. On October 13 this year a case of kidnapping was registered in police station Sadar at Jalalabad when the police found Manjit missing from his shop near the bus stand at Ghubaia village and blood splattered on and underneath his bed. Initially the police believed that Manjit had been killed with sharp-edged weapons and his assailants had later taken his body away. But, during investigations, the police found that Manjit was alive, but in hiding. The police pressured Manjit's relatives to disclose his whereabouts, and he had to eventually appear before the police. During his almost month-long disappearance, Manjit spent the maximum amount of time in Delhi, where he worked as a cleaner in tourist buses. The DIG said Manjit , who ran a mechanical shop for harvester combines at Ghubaia village, had strained relations with his wife. She had even filed a complaint against him at the all-women police station. Harassed by his wife, Manjit made a plan to make a clean break from her by the simple stratagem of 'dying'. He went to a clinical laboratory at Malout and got a bottle of his own blood filled for Rs 250 after failing to get other blood, and that night he sprayed the blood on and underneath his bed and in his shop at Ghubaia, then vanished. A since sobered by now repentant of his act, had done a commendable job in appearing before police, the DIG said. The police would now tell the real story in court so that it might take a lenient view of Manjit's `death'. Manjit has a child and his wife is about to give birth to another baby. Talking to reporters in the presence of the DIG and the SP (Headquarter), Mr Narinder Pal Singh, Manjit Singh said he had been pressured to marry the girl who was now his wife by relatives and was unhappy with her. The DIG said that the
police could never have anticipated that a person could
'do like this.' |
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Gurbani live on the Internet AMRITSAR, Nov 12 — Any Sikh sitting anywhere in the world will be able to hear kirtan or gurbani directly from Golden Temple and the daily Hukamnama on his computer shortly. This dream has come true following an agreement between the Internet committee of the SGPC and the Punjabi World Channel, which will put gurbani on the Internet with a hyperlink to the SGPC's Internet website. After formal inauguration of the World Punjabi Channel at the Golden Temple here today, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, President SGPC said that an agreement between the SGPC's Internet committee and World Punjabi Channel had been reached to make gurbani available on the Internet. On the other hand, telecast of shabad kirtan which was started on an experimental basis from Punjab Day (Nov 1) was inaugurated today. It may be mentioned here that an agreement had been signed by Justice Kuldip Singh retd Supreme Court Judge as president of the TV channel committee with Punjabi World Channel to start telecast of the gurbani kirtan programme recorded at Shri Darbar Sahib between 4.00 a.m to 7.00 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. 5.30 p.m. daily free of cost. In the first phase recorded programme shall be uplinked from Bangkok and telecast via Thaicom satellite from 4.00 a.m. onwards and from 4.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. The telecast may be repeated at a suitable time later in the day. Thaicom's footprint extends upto the Middle East. The channel's promoters said they were exploring a tie-up with other broadcasters to obtain time slots suitable for viewers in the Indian subcontinent, the UK and Europe and North America over the next year and also for live broadcasts from Darbar Sahib. The channel will also promote talent in Pakistani Punjab (West Punjab) to present composite Punjabi culture to more than 20 crore Punjabis all over the world. Mr Kishore Motiani, Chairman, Punjabi World Channel (PWC), while talking to the press here today said that Pakistan had potential for providing inputs for sustaining a round the clock Punjabi channel and could also be a major market for the channel. Pakistani singers and artists could perform on the channel and special arrangements would be made for them. Mr Pawan Malhotra, managing director of the channel, said that the channel would produce its own Punjabi feature films which would be premiered on the channel. We want that every village in Punjab have a antenna for viewing the channel. The response to the channel, which was started on experimental basis from November 1, was tremendous, he said. The chairman of the channel, Mr Motiani, however, clarified that though the WPC was a commercial channel it had decided not to insert any advertisement during the gurbani telecast. The channel would also be the official broadcaster of the SAD government for the 300th birth anniversary of the Khalsa Panth. It would start live broadcasts from the next year. From January, the channel
will also start giving news in Punjabi. All programmes,
including entertainment, would be family programmes and
the channel will promote local talent. |
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Recruitment scam AMRITSAR, Nov 12 — The Inquiry Officer, Mrs Usha Khadotra, Circle Education Officer (CEO), Jalandhar, has indicted the then District Education Officer, Jalandhar (Secondary) for allegedly recruiting teachers and 46 Class IV employees in violation of rules. The inquiry was ordered by Mr Tota Singh, Minister for Education, following numerous complaints about the alleged violation of rules while recruiting teachers and Class IV employees. In her report submitted to the state government, the CEO has said that several candidates had given 'fake addresses' of Jalandhar while actually belonging to Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Ludhiana, Patiala and Hoshiarpur districts. Had they given the actual addresses, they would not have been recruited as it is not within the powers of any district officer to appoint a person from outside the district. Interestingly, the report says, the then DEO had appointed an art and craft teacher who is 40 per cent deaf, as per the certificate issued by the Civil Surgeon. The teacher who belongs to Nawanshahr, is 44-year-old with about 43 per cent marks in the matriculation. Appointing a partially deaf person as a teacher was in violation of the rules. If a teacher cannot hear, how can she answer the queries of the students, the report questions. Similarly, a blind person was appointed a library attendant. Another art and craft teacher belonging to Amritsar was appointed by the then DEO after the person concerned furnished a wrong address of Jalandhar. The violation of rules was ascertained when the Inquiry Officer verified the original certificates of the handicapped teachers which mentioned their real addresses. In most cases, the certificates of the candidates were not verified by the official concerned. The inquiry report suggests that all appointments made by the then DEO should be verified to throw more light on wrong appointments. She confirmed that she had submitted the report to the state government, but refused to divulge the details. The above mentioned
appointments were made without inserting advertisements
in leading papers. Nor were they made through the
departmental committee constituted by the state
government. |
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PCS (J) appointments: decision
on Monday CHANDIGARH, Nov 12 — Punjab’s Chief Secretary, Mr R S Mann, who was summoned today to appear in the court of Mr Justice T H B Chalapathi of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today sought time up to November 16, from the court to place on record the Punjab Government decision regarding the appointments to the PCS (Judicial Branch) of the candidates belonging to the backward class category. The judge had on October 9, directed the state government and the high court to take a decision on the matter raised in writ petitions filed by Mr Surjit Singh and others and submit the decision at the next date of hearing. The petitioners had sought quashing of the Punjab Public Service Commission advertisement dated July 7, 1995, and the result of the selection and amendment of government instructions in view of 27 p.c. quota for the backward class category. Counsel for the petitioners had earlier contended inter alia that three candidates who were appointed in the backward class category should be treated as appointed as against general category candidates since they had secured more marks. The Punjab Government had referred the matter to the high court. The court had replied that the matter was under consideration. The judge yesterday summoned the Chief Secretary, to the court for not placing the government decision before him and for non-compliance of court orders. Appearing before the court Mr Mann explained that the government had written as far back as on June 28, 1997 seeking the court’s views in the matter. The court’s reply had been received on November 11 after reminders. Therefore, the government was handicapped in complying with the court orders dated October 9, and sought time to place the decision on record. The judge adjourned the
case to November 16, and directed the government to place
its decision on that date without fail. |
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Medical college's lease cancelled ABOHAR, Nov 12 — Mr B.S. Mangat, Additional Civil Judge (Sr Div) has rejected the appeal of the managing committee of Homoeopathic Medical College Hospital against cancellation of its 99-year lease of a prime plot. The large plot in the heart of the town was leased by the municipal council to the college for a period of 99 years on July 11, 1979. As per clause (1) of the deed the college authorities agreed that they would use the area for public welfare only and that the council would be at liberty to cancel the deed clause (3) if the plot was used for commercial purposes. Later the college reportedly constructed ten shops on the front of its hospital building and an area measuring 100 feet by 7 feet was even encroached upon for construction of the shops violating the conditions of the deed. Nor was permission taken from the municipal council. The council had filed an ejectment application against the shopkeepers in the court of the collector, Ferozepore, who vide orders dated November 30, 1995 ordered ejectment of the tenants. An appeal against this order was dismissed by the commissioner, Ferozepore on February 26, 1996. In compliance with the direction contained in the review order, demarcation of the land was got done. This confirmed that the managing committee, besides misusing the leased property, had also encroached on municipal land on Circular road. The college authorities had also not paid arrears amounting to Rs 70 thousand to the council and the shopkeepers were yet to pay Rs 6.30 lakh as directed by the collector. Mr B S Mangat has now dismissed the application for restraining the council from giving effect to the orders. Meanwhile, Mr S.P.
Khariwal, chairman of the consumer movement on Tuesday
demanded that the land be got vacated and put to open
auction as the council was passing through one of its
worst ever financial crisis. The council was not even
able to pay the provident fund of its employees as it had
been used for other purposes in the past. |
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Mann rejects Sonia's
"empty" overture JALANDHAR, Nov 12 — The SAD (Amritsar) rejecting the AICC president's statement of equating the 84 riots to partition has urged the Sikh community in Delhi to boycott the Congress enmasse. The president of SAD (Amritsar) Simranjit Singh Mann stated here today that any one projecting the Congress as a supporter of the Sikhs is a traitor to the cause of the minorities and the Sikh community is sick of empty concern. He said that nothing short of an unqualified apology in Parliament is acceptable. Mr Mann said that any attempt to persuade the Sikhs to look to the future and forget the past as suggested by Dr Monmohan Singh should be given a befitting reply. Dr Manmohan Singh should recollect how much compensation he had sanctioned for rehabilitation of the affected Sikh families while he was in power instead of empty sermons. The president of the SAD (Amritsar), has appealed to the electorate in Delhi to vote and support Janata Dal candidates. Reacting to the CPI's statement of support to the Congress in Adampur he said that the Communists of the state have always sold out interests of the state and Dr Joginder Dayal, general secretary of CPI had forfeited the right to speak on the state and Sikh affairs as for the last 15 years it had supported the oppressor rather than the oppressed. He also demanded a debate between the SAD-Badal, Congress, and SAD-Amritsar, on television and urged these parties to avoid unnecessary expenditure on liquor, opium and vehicles during electioneering. The Republican Party of
India has given its support to the common candidate of
SAD (Democratic) and SAD-Amritsar, Mr Anoop Singh Minhas
for the Adampur byelection. |
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Two mahants shot dead ABOHAR, Nov 12 — Two mahants, one each of Amritsar and Jalandhar, were allegedly shot dead this morning in this subdivision. Sources said Mahant Sant Sarup (66) of Akhara Brahm Buta, Amritsar, had left for Abohar at 6.15 a.m. today from Amritsar along with six others in a white Maruti Gypsy van. As the vehicle crossed Seeto Gunno village after crossing Abohar town, a white Maruti car chased them. Sources said two occupants of the car (PB-4444) allegedly started firing from a .12 bore rifle at the Gypsy (PB-14-5494) at 11 a.m. while the mahant was killed in the vehicle, driver Veeram Singh and other occupants ran into the fields. The assailants, age between 25 and 30, continued the firing, killing Mahant Sukhdev Dass (42) of Jalandhar. Mahant Goverdhan Dass, Mahant Bharati Dass and Mahant Mohan Dass escaped in the fields but Mahant Harvinder Dass of Adampur was injured seriously. The driver also received injuries. The assailants escaped after the shootout. Villagers rushed to the spot and immediately informed the police post at Seeto Gunno but it was alleged that the police reached at 1 p.m. DSP Gurmit Singh Randhawa
had gone to Bathinda in connection with PM's visit, DSP
Harbans Lal Sharma had been sent to the district
headquarters of Ferozepore. |
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Cong leader's plea on water
supply BATHINDA, Nov 12 — Mr Kewal Krishan Aggarwal, general secretary District Congress Committee (DCC), has urged the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, to make arrangements for drinking water supply and sewerage in the rural areas and towns of the district. Addressing a press conference here today, he said that inadequate drinking water supply and defective sewerage had made the lives of residents of Raman, Talwandi Sabo, Rampura Phul, Bathinda Town, Bhucho, Sangat, Goniana, Nathana and Maur Mandi, miserable. He claimed that the oil refinery project was started by the then Congress Government during the chief ministership of Mr Harcharan Singh Brar with the efforts of the local MLA, Mr Harminder Singh Jassi. He said that the Punjab Government should make arrangements for developing road infrastructure and other communication networks as vehicular population would increase due to the setting up of the oil refinery. He pointed out that traders and farmers were disappointed with the functioning of the SAD-BJP government due to the imposition of 1 per cent development cess and failure to supply DAP fertiliser to farmers for sowing the wheat crop. He claimed that due to the
failure of the government on all fronts, the candidate of
ruling Shiromani Akali Dal would lose in the Adampur
Assembly byelection. |
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Mother murders 4-year-old child AMRITSAR, Nov 12 — The Amritsar police has solved a case of alleged rape and murder of a four-year-old girl with the arrest of her mother Renu and the mother’s paramour Sukhdev Singh. According to a press release issued by the district police chief, Mr Gurdev Singh Sahota the child was killed by the alleged culprits after she (the deceased) witnessed the duo in a compromising position and said she would tell her father about it. Sukhdev Singh a distant relative. Mr Sahota said the father of the girl lodged a complaint with the police on November 6 at Rajasansi that his four-year-old daughter had been raped and killed by un-identified persons. The dead body of the deceased was found behind some bushes. However, when the police
investigated the mother of the deceased, it was found
that she and her paramour had murdered the child. As a
cover up the duo decided to inflict injuries on girls
anatomy to create an impression of rape followed by
murder. |
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Teachers' plea on pension scheme JALANDHAR, Nov 12 — The Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU) today criticised the delay in the clearance of the pension scheme by the Punjab Government. Dr V.K. Tewari, general secretary, PCCTU, stated here today that a deputation of the PCCTU met Mr G.P.S. Sahi, Principal Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Punjab, at Chandigarh on November 11 and discussed the problems of teachers. The Secretary assured the deputation that the process of implementing the revised scales for university and college teachers would be started. He would hold talks with the Finance Secretary, Punjab, to seek clearance of the backlog of salary grants, enhanced medical allowance, the Rs 700-1600 scale for DPEs from January 1, 1973, and Rs the Rs 2200-4000 scale for tutors. He said Mr Sahi also responded positively to condone the strike period and called upon the union to voluntarily plan the compensation for the loss of studies. The PCCTU demanded the
clearance of the scheme at the next meeting of the
Cabinet. |
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Former MLA Tara Singh dead AMRITSAR, Nov 12 — A former MLA, Mr Tara Singh died here yesterday evening after a prolonged illness. He was 86. Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra,
president Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, in his
condolence message said Mr Tara Singh had served the Sikh
panth throughout his life. He expressed sympathy with the
bereaved family. |
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Students burn CM's effigy MOGA, Nov 12 — Students of Lala Lajpat Rai Ayurvedic and Medical College, Moga, burnt an effigy of the Punjab Chief Minister in protest against the failure of the government to ask the management of the college to conduct the annual examinations which had not been held for the past two years. They also raised slogans
against the Chief Minister, the Education Minister and
the college management. |
||
Train accident averted AMRITSAR, Nov 12 — A major rail accident was averted on the Dera Baba Nanak and Amritsar railways line when the driver of a train died of a massive heart attack while in the driver's seat. The incident came to light
when railways officials noticed that train would not
leave Verka station despite the green signal. A driver
from Amritsar was then sent to Verka for bringing the
train here. |
||
Punjab Congress Kisan Cell CHANDIGARH, Nov 12 —
Mr Harinder Pal Singh Mann, Chairman of the Kisan Cell of
the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee has appointed Mr
Balraj Singh (Ghanaur) and Mr Jagdip Singh (Rode) as
General Secretaries of the cell. Mr Jasvir Singh Bajwa
(Patiala) has been appointed Secretary and Mr Gurdial
Singh (Assemajra) as Organising Secretary. |
||
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