Saturday, August 14, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Saturday, August 14, 1999 |
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Pak plan
to revive militancy in Punjab Punjab unable to probe police
killings |
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Long wait
for son, daughter-in-law Factionalism puts byelection to
shade Where political scene changes fast Rebels for Lal Singh’s
expulsion Punjab plea rejected Punjab to be computer savvy Six cops sent to judicial lock-up Kenyan released on bail Khalsa files papers for Ropar seat 3 file papers for Jalandhar seat Cong leader’s complaint to EC Son held for man’s murder |
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Pak plan to revive militancy
in Punjab DERA BABA NANAK, Aug 13 — In a desperate move the ISI of Pakistan has reactivated Sikh militancy by establishing a camp at the Dera Saheb Kartarpur gurdwara merely 6 km away from the international border at Dera Baba Nanak in the Gurdaspur sector. Addressing mediapersons taken on a tour of the 16.2 km belt of international border across the river Ravi the Additional Director General of the Border Security Force, Mr S.K. Dutta said that there were authentic intelligence reports of hardcore militants, Paramjit Singh Panjwar — Khalistan Commando Force (Panjwar) and Mr Wadhwa Singh of Babbar Khalsa International visiting the historic gurdwara in Narowal district. The BSF believes the Pakistan-based Sikh militant leaders are under tremendous pressure by the ISI to sneak into India or send their emissaries to establish contacts with dormant Sikh militant sympathisers in Punjab and revive militancy and sabotage in the state. He said Sikh militants in Pakistan are reported to have established contacts with notorious Pakistani smugglers. The Inspector General of the Border Security Force, Punjab Frontier, Mr A.S. Aulakh said that the ISI had asked the militants to target VIP installations in Punjab before and during the coming elections. Pak based Sikh militants, actively assisted by Pak intelligence officials, have been carrying out reconnaissance of border areas to spot gaps and weak points in the border fencing. The BSF has information that 24 camps to train militants have been established and a meeting was held in the Sialkot sector some time back between the Pak intelligence agencies and Sikh Militant leader Paramjit Panjwar who is reported to have requested the ISI to instruct Jammu and Kashmir militants. To extend help to the Sikh militants leaders in their bid for reviving militancy in Punjab. With fundamentalism on the rise and the lower sections of society in Pakistan turning to Taliban fundamentalists the viability of fanatic Muslim youth trained at the Narowal/Sialkot sector, crossing the border is not being ignored by the BSF and the intelligence agencies. The BSF has 6 border observation posts: Nungle, Ganike, Basantar, Kassowal forward Kassowal, and Saharan across the Ravi, accessible only by boats, since there is no bridge. During the past 3 years the BSF has foiled several attempts to infiltrate and recovered a huge amount of arms explosives — narcotics and fake Indian currency. The IG, BSF, Punjab Frontier, while giving statistics said that in 1997, 39 Pak nationals were apprehended, 36 in 1998 and 21 till July this year. During the year 1998-99 Rs 3.29 lakh has been spent by the BSF in different welfare activities for the population along the border for distribution of books/stationery/sports items and furniture items for school in the border villages and distribution of medicine etc. Besides, 13 medical camps were held in the border villages. Regular monthly co-ordination meetings are held by all units with the border population for the redressal of grievances. However, the condition of the villagers is pathetic. Retired school teacher Mohan Singh alleged that the 1400 strong population of Giankar village sans medical facilities, since the doctor, 2 nurses, ANM and other staff of the lone dispensary never come. The villagers are also agitated that the middle school of the village was ‘demoted’ to primary school in 1965 and children have to travel 12 km to attend school. Independence has brought
us nothing they say. |
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Punjab unable to probe police
killings CHANDIGARH, Aug 13 — The Union of India and the Punjab state today expressed their inability in the Punjab and Haryana High Court either to amend the Protection of Human Rights Act or to constitute a commission under the Commission of Inquiries Act to probe the alleged killings by the Punjab police while combating terrorism. The stand of the respective governments was disclosed before a Division Bench comprising Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice Amar Datt, before whom the writ petition filed by Mr Sudarshan Goel, against the People's Commission is pending. The arguments in the case concluded in April. However, the Bench asked counsel for the Union of India and the Punjab state to enquire from the respective governments whether they were prepared to create a mechanism for looking into allegations of state excesses during the days of terrorism. Mr Goel had questioned the setting up of the People's Commission for the avowed purpose of inquiring into such cases of police excesses or the alleged disppearences of persons in allegedly fake encounters. The People’s Commission, a voluntary body, also held its sittings and issued notice to the "indicted" police officials. It was submitted by the petitioner that the so-called People’s Commission had illegally assumed judicial functions and was meant to revive terrorism in the state. However, on behalf of the Committee for Coordination on disappearances in Punjab (which constituted the People's Commission) defended it by pleading that the commission was only meant to collect evidence and create a public opinion for punishing the guilty and constitution of the commission was in exercise of the fundamental Rights guaranteed under Article 19(1) of the Constitution. Today when the case came up before the Bench, counsel for central government stated that the government had again rejected the proposal of the Punjab government for amending the protection of Human Rights Act to extend the period of limitation for taking cognisance by the commission. The Advocate-General, appearing for the state of Punjab, also made a statement that the state government had taken a policy decision not to constitute a commission under the Commission of Inquiries Act. The Bench adjourned the
case for September 9, for further orders. |
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Long wait for son,
daughter-in-law LUDHIANA, Aug 13 — Throughout his life, Swaran Singh Azad, a postman at the General Post Office here, has derived immense satisfaction after delivering letters of loved ones and seeing the recipients joyful faces. However, for the past two years, this 58-year-old postman is a tormented man as he waits endlessly for news of his son and daughter-in-law, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances on April 3, 1997. Swaran Singh’s 24-year-old son, Jatinder Singh, had married Manvinder Kaur of Mari Pannva village of Gurdaspur district on December 7, 1996. After the marriage, Manvinder insisted that she had committed to pay obeisance "chowkis" at the Dera Baba Mehanga, Devidaspura, Majitha, for seven consecutive Thursday. According to Swaran Singh, for the first three Thursdays, Manvinder’s parents took her to the dera for offering prayers. For the next two Thursdays, Swaran Singh and his wife took their daughter-in-law to the dera. Swaran Singh alleged that he was aghast when the Baba Mehanga gave his daughter-in-law liquor and meat as "parsad." He objected to his daughter-in-law having the "parsad", but Manvinder was too much in awe of the Baba to refuse. When Swaran Singh and his wife came back with Manvinder the second time, they told their son about their reservations in going there and asked him to accompany his wife for the sixth "chowki." A distraught Swaran Singh told this correspondent that he last saw Jatinder Singh and Manvinder on April 3, when they left for Devidaspura. Swaran Singh stated that he went to the dera to inquire about the whereabouts of his son and daughter-in-law, he was informed by some devotees at the dera that the couple had been seen there. But no one knew where it went after visiting the dera. The harassed family got an FIR registered with the police on April 12, 1997, at the Salem Tabri police station in Ludhiana. The case was later transferred to the Majitha police. However, two years have passed since the couple went missing and the police has been unable to trace the whereabouts of the couple. "I do not even know if Jatinder and Manvinder are alive or not", says Swaran Singh. "I have repeatedly appealed to the police to investigate the case and reach its logical end, but my appeals seem to be falling on deaf ears", he remarked. "I am a messenger
of both good and bad news because of my profession as a
postman. But at least I bring some information to the
people. I am sick of waiting endlessly for the fate of my
son and daughter-in-law. Whatever has become of my
children should be brought to my family’s
knowledge", he said bitterly. |
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2-cr grant for PAC
recommended CHANDIGARH, Aug 13 — The Department of Culture, Punjab, has recommended to the Ministry of Human Resources Development (Cultural Wing), Government of India, a one-time grant of Rs 2 crore to the Punjab Arts Council (PAC), Chandigarh, for setting up a “modern” cultural complex-cum-auditorium at the Punjab Kala Bhavan, Rose Garden, Sector 16. This was revealed by Mr H S Bhatty, Secretary General, PAC, in a press note issued here today. The PAC had announced in March its intentions to embark on an ambitious project of “making the last dream of Dr M S Randhawa (the founder chairman of the council) come true”, which was the setting of a two-phased project. The project would include the building of a multi-cultural complex in its premises and the setting up of a portrait gallery. According to the council, the project for the proposed complex would include a fine arts exhibition foyer, music recording and training rooms and an auditorium with a capacity of 314 persons. The complex would be an extension of the administrative block, located on about one acre, that had been granted by the Punjab Government free of cost. The extension would cover an area of 10,000 square feet, and together with its installations, would cost around Rs 2 crore. The council had written to the Central Government for a grant of Rs 1.87 crore for the project. It started the preliminary work with Rs 10 lakh from its savings. Meanwhile, a veteran
novelist and MP, Dr Kartar Singh Duggal, has written to
the council, offering to help them in the setting of the
cultural complex and provide funds for the entire
expenditure from his MP’s Local Area Development
Fund. |
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Factionalism puts byelection to shade LUDHIANA, Aug 13 — Factionalism and antagonism fuelled by an unbridled political ambition among both Congress and BJP leaders are threatening to undermine the electoral prospects of the candidates fielded by the two parties for the Ludhiana(North) constituency of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. As things stand today, leaders in the two parties are more worried about containing opposition within their own outfits than meeting the challenge from the rival party. The constituency is scheduled to go to the poll on September 5 along with the 13 parliamentary constituencies in Punjab. The by-election to the Ludhiana (N) has been caused by the unseating of the sitting Congress MLA, Mr Rakesh Pande, by the Supreme Court in a petition filed by the BJP candidate, Mr Sunil Mehra. Mr Mehra’s nomination papers were rejected by the returning officer on technical grounds which were challenged by him, in the high court and then the Supreme Court. Both courts upheld Mr Mehra's plea and declared the seat vacant. The Congress has renominated Mr Pande as its nominee for the Ludhiana(N) constituency even though the Punjab PCC chief, Capt Amarinder Singh reportedly favoured Mr Surinder Dawar, an influential local businessman and former president of the District Congress Committee (Urban). Mr Dawar was replaced by Mr Pande as the DCC(U) chief by Capt Amarinder Singh a few months ago. Now along with the renomination of Mr Pande as the party candidate, the Congress has also replaced Mr Pande with Mr Dawar as the DCC(U) chief. This has upset Mr Pande who feels that there is neither any reason nor occasion for the change. He plans to lodge a protest with Capt Amarinder Singh and take up the matter with the High Command in Delhi if need be. Son of the late Punjab Congress leader, Joginderpal Pande, Mr Rakesh Pande was elected to the Vidhan Sabha for the first time in 1992. He was re-elected February, 1997, when he beat Mr K.L. Ahuja, an independent supported by the BJP by over 20,000 votes. The BJP has fielded Mr Rajendra Bhandari, a lecturer in the commerce department of the local Arya College, as its candidate for Ludhiana(N). A newcomer to power politics, Mr Bhandari is a member of the Senate and Syndicate of Panjab University, Chandigarh. His nomination has upset Mr Mehra who feels that his efforts in pursuing a costly court litigation to get the seat vacated have gone waste. Mr Mehra was expelled from the BJP last year for six years for alleged anti-party activities. In a deft move, the state BJP chief, Mr Daya Singh Sodhi, while announcing the candidature of Mr Bhandari yesterday, also revoked the expulsion of Mr Mehra from the party. But this has failed to mollify Mr Mehra. As a matter of fact, he regards it as an elaborate conspiracy to prevent him from contesting the byelection. Mr Mehra says that he is under great pressure from his friends, and supporters to contest as an Independent. A large number of bodies including traders’ organisations will meet here tomorrow to discuss the next course of action. "I will do whatever they direct me to do", he told TNS. The state BJP leadership is aware that Mr Mehra can seriously undermine the electoral prospects of the official BJP candidate if he decides to contest as an independent. The BJP insiders say that several BJP leaders including Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal and Mr Daya Singh Sodhi are trying to assess the situation and try to prevent a split in the BJP vote bank. The Ludhiana(N) seat has
traditionally been a Congress stronghold. It has been
represented in the past by Dewan Jagdish Chand, Lala Dina
Nath, Mr Sardari Lal Kapoor and Mr Sat Prashar (all
Congress) Lala Lajpat Rai (BJP) and Mr Kapoor Chand
(Janata Party). |
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Where political scene changes
fast FARIDKOT, Aug 13 — With sitting SAD MP and Union Industry Minister, Sukhbir Badal and Congress candidate Jagmeet Singh Brar joining the fray again from this politically prestigious parliamentary constituency, the attention of the people has been drawn to this contest. In an expected neck and neck fight, the political scene in this constituency, comprising Faridkot, Moga and Muktsar district, is fast changing with leaders and other functionaries having a change of heart which has become a routine feature in elections here. After the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections, two major political developments took place in this constituency which are likely to influence the outcome of the poll in which the prestige of Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal is at stake. Mr Mantar Singh Brar, who won from the Kotkapura Assembly segment in 1997 as an Akali rebel candidate by defeating the official candidate of the SAD, Mr Mohinder Singh Brar, changed the scene of the elections by joining the SAD again a few days ago. Mr Mantar Singh Brar, who is related to Jagmeet Brar, supported the latter in the 1998 Lok Sabha elections and succeeded in getting 5,500 votes more than Mr Sukhbir Badal for Mr Jagmeet Brar. However, the entry of Mr Mantar Singh Brar gave rise to revolt among supporters of Mr Mohinder Singh Brar and Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal had a tough time to pacify party workers. After Mr Brar's entry into the SAD, Mr Jagmeet Brar paid Mr Badal in the same coin by getting the support of Mr Teja Singh, paternal uncle of Mr Parkash Singh Badal. The opening of the election office of Mr Jagmeet Brar by Mr Teja Singh and the announcement of his support, he again changed the election scene in this important constituency known for "free flow of liquor and money" during the elections. Mr Sanjam Singh Dhillon, a close relative of Mr Parkash Singh Badal and sarpanch of Badal village, had defeated Mr Joginder Singh Goggi, a candidate supported by Mr Parkash Singh Badal in the panchayat elections with the support of Mr Teja Singh. The era of a "change of heart" was started here by Mr Paramjit Singh known as Lalli Badal, the first cousin of Mr Parkash Singh Badal, by joining the Congress in the 1996 Lok Sabha elections when Mr Sukhbir Badal (who made his debut in the election arena) was facing Ms Kanwaljit Kaur, daughter of former Chief Minister, Mr Harcharan Singh Brar, as the Congress candidate and Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar as an Independent. In 1998, Mr Baldev Singh Balamgarh, former MLA and chairman of the Punjab Scheduled Caste Corporation, and Mr Baljit Singh Machaki, a senior BSP leader, joined the SAD during the Lok Sabha elections. Mr Vijay Sathi, former state president of the Janata Dal, who played a key role in the 1996 parliamentary elections by wooing the Hindus in Moga and Baghapurana Assembly segments in favour of Mr Sukhbir Badal, joined the bandwagon of Congress candidate, Jagmeet Brar in the 1998 Lok Sabha elections and opposed Mr Sukhbir Badal. With each passing day, the campaign of both Congress and SAD candidates is picking up. Mr J.M. Lingdoh, Election Commissioner, has stated that there is possibility of use of money and liquor in this constituency to woo the voters. He has suggested the appointment of more than three central observers to check the violation of the code of conduct. In the past Lok Sabha as
well as Assembly elections, many workers of different
parties have changed their political affiliations to earn
"prize" postings for their near and dear. |
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Rebels for Lal Singh’s
expulsion PATIALA, Aug 13 — Congress dissident leaders of this district, who had been keeping away from the election campaign of the party candidate, Mrs Parneet Kaur, today used the pretext of the alleged beating up of a Congress worker by the son of former minister and Pradesh Congress chief Lal Singh to demand expulsion of the culprits from the party. The dissidents held a meeting at the residence of former minister Brahm Mohindra today morning and released a note to the press signed by former minister Prem Gupta. The note condemned the alleged beating up of Amritpal Singh Bittu, brother of Punjab Mahila Congress vice-president Rana Shergill two days back near Sanaur. The note said Ms Shergill, who was present in the meeting, briefed the leaders about the attack. It said the involvement of the personal vehicle of Mr Lal Singh and his son Rajinder Singh, who is also vice-president of the state Youth Congress, was ample proof of the involvement of the former minister in the incident. They demanded that the PPCC president should expel the culprits from the Congress to distance the party from such elements. Former MPs Mr Surinder Singla and Mr Sant Ram Singla were among those who attended the meeting. Ironically Ms Shergill had been actively campaigning for the candidature of Mrs Parneet Kaur. But her rivalry with Mr Lal Singh in Dakala assembly segment, from where she is also a potential candidate, sparked off the incident. The withdrawal of Ms Shergill from the campaign for the present will have a limited effect in Dakala and in Patran where she was made co-incharge. The dissidents themselves have not been able to form any strategy to counter the candidature of Mrs Parneet Kaur after being snubbed by the Congress high command. Yesterday's incident seems to have galvanised them and they are holding a meeting tomorrow evening to finalise their collective strategy. Dissident leaders told TNS that they had not been approached by the pradesh Congress chief for campaigning for the Congress candidate. They even boycotted yesterday's extended pradesh Congress meeting at Chandigarh. Meanwhile, Mr Amritpal
Singh, who was injured in the alleged attack yesterday,
fell unconscious today and has been admitted to Rajindra
Hospital. The police has already registered a case under
sections 307/148/149 of the IPC against Mr Rajinder
Singh, son of Mr Lal Singh. |
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Punjab plea rejected CHANDIGARH, Aug 13 — The Election Commission has rejected the Punjab Government's proposal to observe shaheedi divas of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal on August 20 as a state function. The state government had submitted the proposal to the EC for clearance. The commission has taken the plea that as money would be spent on the state function from the exchequer it will be a violation of the model code of conduct. The function is to be used by politicians for making speeches. Meanwhile, the EC has
directed the government not to issue any advertisement
from the state exchequer on August 15 for deriving
political advantage by the ruling parties. |
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Punjab to be computer savvy CHANDIGARH, Aug 13 — The process of computerisation has been initiated in a number of departments of the Punjab Government. Stating this here today Mr Rajan Kashyap, Principal Secretary of the recently created Department of Information Systems and Administrative Reform, explained that while all departments would be responsible for the adoption of information technology in their working, they would be provided full support for ensuring an open, transparent and people-friendly administration. To begin organisations with scientific orientation including the Punjab Pollution Control Board, the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, the Punjab Energy Department Agency, the Department of Information System and Administrative Reform the Department of Technical Education and Industrial Training and the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration will serve as models of electronic governance. According to Mr Kashyap the essence of the reform process is to provide quick and prompt service in a transparent manner to the public. Thus the Punjab Pollution Control Board has designed a state-of-the-art programme whereby everyone of the 15,000 odd industries in the state would have access to every stage of decision making by the board which on its part would review the status of pollution caused by industry on a continuing basis. The board is creating a website which the public could reach at anytime through the Internet. The professionally designed action plan has to be fully operational by December 31. The Department of Environment has invited the views of the Confederation of Indian Industry as well as industrial associations for implementing the interactive system. Each of the other
scientific and technical organisations are also creating
similar websites. An individual should be able to
approach the organisations on the Internet and submit
applications on-line for processing and decision making.
Mr Kashyap explained that each organisation would have a
local area network to be further connected through a wide
area network and would be connected with high speed
Internet connectivity through their independent websites. |
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Six cops sent to judicial
lock-up PATIALA, Aug 13 — Additional Sessions Judge B.C. Rajput has sent six police personnel, including an Inspector, to judicial lock-up for not complying with the conditions under which they were granted bail. According to a copy of the order received here today, the Additional Sessions Judge cancelled the bail bonds granted to the accused on July 29 for failing to deposit their passports and failing to satisfy the court that they would seek postings outside Sangrur and Patiala districts. The accused — Harinder Pal Singh, Station House Officer Bhawanigarh, Jaswant Singh, Assistant Sub-Inspector, Kulwant Singh, Head Constable, Balkar Singh, Constable and special police officers, Harjinder Singh and Gurchran Singh, had been granted bail in a case under Section 120 B read with Section 202 and Section 218 of the Indian Penal Code. The case had been registered against the accused following a writ petition filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court which directed the CBI to investigate the case of picking up of Maninder Singh alias Dally from his residence in Saharanpur by a police party in March, 1993. An inquiry was also conducted by the District and Sessions Judge, Patiala, who submitted a report in June, 1994, concluding that Maninder Singh had been eliminated by a team of the Bhawanigarh police led by SHO Harinderpal Singh. The report revealed that SHO Harinderpal Singh took Maninder Singh from the police lock-up in April, 1993 for recovering some arms from him. According to the police, Maninder escaped when the party was attacked by militants. The police claimed a body was found with its face blown off. It was sent to the Civil Hospital. The accused had been
given bail on the presentation of the surety of Rs 25,000
and had directed to submit their passports, besides
moving applications for their transfer outside Patiala
and Sangrur districts. |
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Kenyan released on bail AMRITSAR, Aug 13 — A Kenyan national, Grace Chelgat Maiyo, who was arrested by the Civil Lines police on charges of assaulting and injuring Dr Ruchi Sharma of Government Medical College has been released on bail by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, according to police officials. Meanwhile, Dr O.P. Mahajan, Principal, medical college, today refuted the charges of Dr Neeraj Gill, President, Junior Doctors Association, that he (Dr Mahajan) remained a "mute spectator", while Dr Sharma was being beaten by Mr Maiyo. Dr Mahajan claimed the alleged culprit was first pushed away by her husband, Mr A. Phillip, when she suddenly assaulted Dr Sharma. Dr Mahajan said he and his colleagues who were conducting an inquiry into the circumstances which led to the death of the newly born child of Ms Maiyo also intervened to save the situation. He further claimed that he immediately brought the matter to the notice of the Secretary, Health, and Director, Research and Medical Education, who directed him to lodge an FIR without delay. Subsequently, Ms Maiyo
was arrested and the strike by junior doctors was called
off. |
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Khalsa files papers for Ropar
seat ROPAR, Aug 13 — On the third day for filing of nomination papers for the Ropar (Reserved) parliamentary constituency, Mrs Balbir Kaur Khalsa, widow of Basant Singh Khalsa, a former MP, today filed her nomination papers as a candidate of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD) at the office of the Returning Officer here. Dr Harpreet Kaur, the daughter of Mrs Balbir Kaur Khalsa, also filed nomination papers as the covering candidate. Mrs Khalsa is the only candidate to have filed nomination papers so far. A large number of SHSAD and BSP leaders went with her for filing papers including Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Mr Surjan Singh Thekedar, Mr Karnail Singh Panjoli, Mr Ujjagar Singh Wadali (all SHSAD leaders), Mr Mann Singh Manherra and Ms Surinder Kaur, both state-level BSP leaders. Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, president of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD) today stated that the election manifesto of his party would be released after the allotment of symbols. Talking to newsmen here today, Mr Tohra said the SHSAD had selected three symbols car, bus and kursi (chair). He said, the kursi was the third choice of his party. The SHSAD had sent a written request to the EC to allot a symbol to its candidates and the EC had assured it that preference would be given to the SHSAD candidates at the time of allotment of symbols. Mr Tohra said talks with both Communist parties on a poll alliance had failed as they preferred to contest with the help of the Congress. He accused Mr Badal and
Mr Barnala of exploiting religion for political purposes
and said Mr Badal had opened doors for the future
governments to intervene in the affairs of the Akal
Takht. |
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3 file papers for
Jalandhar seat JALANDHAR, Aug 13 — Four nominations for Jalandhar and Phillaur constituencies were filed here today. From the Phillaur
parliamentary constituency, Mr Vijay Hans of the Bahujan
Samaj (Ambedkar) filed his nomination for the Jalandhar
seat, Mr Kuldeep Singh Wadala of the Sarb Hind Shiromani
Akali Dal, Mr Baldev Raj of the Bahujan Samaj (Amedkar)
and Mr Kishan Pal of the All-India Jan Sangh, filed their
papers. |
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Cong leader’s complaint
to EC AMRITSAR, Aug 13 — Congress leader and former PPCC vice-president Brij Lal Goel, in a communication to the Chief Election Commission has complained that in gross violation of the model code of conduct, certain "communal parties" were exploiting the religious sentiments of voters. In a statement here yesterday, Mr Goel said the commission should keep a strict vigil on the activities of leaders of the BJP and the SAD like Mr Simranjit Singh Mann who would raise communal issues to woo voters. Mr Goel also strongly criticised Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, president, Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, for his statement that BSP supremo Kanshi Ram is the future Prime Minister of the country. Mr Goel claimed that
despite minor differences within the party, the Congress
would defeat the "communal forces" in the
forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. |
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Son held for man’s
murder AMRITSAR, Aug 13 — the Majitha police has arrested Kashmir Singh of Khilchian police station and his two accomplices in connection with the murder of Kashmir Singh’s father. According to a press
note issued by Mr S.S. Brar, SSP, Majitha, Mohinder Singh
was found murdered, a year ago and his son, Kashmir Singh
had lodged an FIR in this regard. However, when the
police questioned his wife, Sawinder Kaur, the murder
mystery was solved. Kashmir Singh confessed that he,
along with his two accomplices, had killed Mohinder Singh
as he had allegedly developed illicit relations with his
daughter-in-law and relatives of two other suspects. |
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Brar elected PAUTA president LUDHIANA, Aug 13 —
Dr Hari Singh Brar defeated Dr R.K. Batra by a margin of
255 votes in the election for the post of President,
Punjab Agricultural University Teachers Association
(PAUTA), for a consecutive second term. The others who
were elected on the occasion were Dr J.S. Brar as
Vice-President, Dr M.L. Gupta as Secretary, Dr Ramesh
Kumar as Joint Secretary and Dr S.K. Singla as the
Treasurer. |
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Youth murdered PHAGWARA, Aug 13 (UNI) — Parminder Singh (32) of Kanna Desian village was found murdered in the nearby fields of Paurwa village yesterday, the police said here. Kulwinder Singh brother
of the deceased alleged that his brother was poisoned by
some of his known persons, who took him away from our
village on Wednesday. The police has registered a case
under Section 302 of the IPC. |
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33 p.c. of world's blind in
India LUDHIANA, Aug 13 —
Population of blind in India has crossed the 12 million
mark with more than one third of the total blind
population of the world being here in India according to
a recent survey. This was disclosed by Dr S.K. Chopra,
eye surgeon and professor of opthalmology, Christian
Medical College and Hospital in a press note here
yesterday. Dr. Chopra said that the population of blind
in the country was increasing with every day. He
clarified that cataract continued to be major cause of
blindness and corneal blindness was also a main health
problem. On the main causes of this type of blindness, he
said corneal ulcer due to infections, trachoma, ocular
injuries and Vitamin 'A' deficiency led to blindness. |
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Cong ex-servicemen cell chief
joins SAD (Tohra) GURDASPUR, Aug 13 —
Subedar Saroop Singh, chairman, Ex-Servicemen Cell Punjab
Pradesh Congress Committee, yesterday resigned from the
Congress and joined the Sarv Hind Shiromani Akali Dal.
The announcement was made in the presence of Mr Sucha
Singh Chhotepur, general secretary Sarv Hind Shiromani
Akali Dal. Earlier the Subedar was a senior member of the
SAD (Badal) before joining the Congress party during last
Lok Sabha election. |
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Master Kundan Singh dead HOSHIARPUR, Aug 13 — Master Kundan Singh former MLA of Hoshiarpur died at his village Punge 8 km from here yesterday. He was 84 and had not been keeping good health for the past one year. He is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters. Master Kundal was
elected MLA from Hoshiarpur Assembly seat in 1972 and
1980. He also remained MLC, president District Congress
Committee, Chairman Zila Parishad Hoshiarpur and member
of the AICC. |
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Fire breaks out in new
locomotive PHAGWARA, Aug 13 — New engine of a train with new coaches caught fire here yesterday evening. Fire broke out suddenly in the engine hauling 23 new coaches from the Railway Coach Factory Kapurthala. Engine Driver Arjun
Singh said that trackside weed, two fire extinguishers
and local fire tenders along with public help saved other
coaches from the fire, which was brought under control
one and half hours. Train from Jalandhar to Jaijjon was
held up at Chaheru and its Engine was used to push the
new train from outer signal up to the local Railway
station. It disrupted traffic. |
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Bathinda to have new phone
exchange BATHINDA, Aug 13 — A new telephone exchange having a capacity of 8000 TAX lines and 7000 telephone lines will be installed in the city shortly. In a press note issued here today, Mr Rakesh Kapur, General Manager, Telecom, said with the setting up of the new exchange subscribers would get better and efficient ISDN and Internet services. Mr Kapur said at present there was no waiting list for new telephone connections as the new connections were being given within seven days of the registration of demand. He added that telecom authorities would set up 17 new exchanges in the region soon. He said customer service
centres were being strengthened to help subscribers. |
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