Friday, January 15, 1999

Gunman’s death: NHRC for fresh CBI probe
NEW DELHI, Jan 14 — The National Human Rights Commission has directed the Haryana government to order a fresh probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into a case of alleged assault which claimed the life of a gunman.

Don't let criticism bother you: Advani
NEW DELHI, Jan 14 — Home Minister L.K. Advani today asked his Cabinet colleagues to continue working for national development without bothering about criticism by political opponents or the media.

Memorial to G.L. Nanda
NEW DELHI, Jan 14 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, has proposed that a befitting memorial to commemorate the life and work of Gulzari Lal Nanda and his ideas and philosophy should be erected in Kurukshetra, which had been the former Prime Minister’s “karam bhoomi”.

• Cabinet expansion after R-Day
• UNI Bureau Chief, DGM dead
• Cop beaten up, hospitalised

Rebels step up drive against Patnaik

NEW DELHI, Jan 14 (PTI) — Despite the Congress high command ruling out immediate removal of Orissa Chief Minister J.B. Patnaik over the Anjana Mishra incident, dissident state leaders continued their campaign against him ahead of the CWC meeting on Saturday.

Dissidents led by Deputy Chief Minister Basanta Kumar Biswal, who are camping in the Capital, met senior party leaders, including CWC members P.A. Sangma, Pranab Mukherjee and Rajesh Pilot.

Party president Sonia Gandhi, whom the dissidents met on Tuesday night, has summoned Mr Patnaik on January 16 to seek a detailed report on the incident that has sullied the image of the government and the party.

Meanwhile, AICC spokesperson, Girija Vyas, parried questions whether the leadership had given a "clean chit" to Mr Patnaik.

When told that continuance of Mr Patnaik as Chief Minister might hamper a free and fair inquiry into the incident, she merely said "everyone should have faith in the judicial probe."

Meanwhile, state PCC president Hemanand Biswal, will brief the leadership about the situation in the state.

AC(M) claims support of 36 MLAs

ITANAGAR, Jan 14 (PTI) — Arunachal Congress (M), formed after the split in the Arunachal Congress (AC), today claimed the support of 36 MLAs in the 60-member House, even as AC chief Talor Doye alleged that several AC MLAs were under "illegal confinement" of some political leaders.

The AC(M) spokesman, Mr L. Wanglat told mediapersons that Chief Minister Gegong Apang should honourably resign and pave the way for an alternate government.

He claimed that apart from 24 legislators of the AC(M), eight Independents and four MLAs of the Congress were supporting AC(M) leader Mukut Mithi for forming a new government.

Mr Wanglat alleged that the minority Apang ministry was taking some vital decisions and it should be stopped forthwith.

He charged Mr Apang with creating a "fear psychosis" among the people by promulgating the "National Security Act" for the entire state which was earlier in force only in Rirap and Changlang districts bordering Nagaland and Myanmar.

He said Mr Mithi had written to the Inspector-General of Police for safety and security of those who were not with Mr Apang.

Arunachal Congress president Doye alleged that several AC legislators were "illegally confined" by some political leaders and urged Governor Mata Prasad to intervene.

In a letter to the Governor, he alleged that party MLAs were in confinement since January 9.

He asked the Governor to intervene in the matter and ensure their stay at their respective official residences, or else there might be a law and order problem.

Mr Tony Pertin, general secretary of the Arunachal Congress, in a statement, contested the claim that AC leaders of Dibang Valley district had resigned en masse. He said only district president Makel Pertin had resigned from the party.

Meanwhile, Arunachal Congress Lok Sabha member Wangcha Rajkumar has requested the Lok Sabha Speaker to treat him as member of the Arunachal Congress(M). Mr Wanglat released to the press a copy of the letter written to the Speaker by Mr Rajkumar on January 12.

The other Lok Sabha member of the Arunachal Congress is Mr Omak Apang, eldest son of Mr Gegong Apang, who is Minister of State for Tourism in the Vajpayee-led government.

Don't let criticism bother you: Advani

NEW DELHI, Jan 14 (PTI) — Home Minister L.K. Advani today asked his Cabinet colleagues to continue working for national development without bothering about criticism by political opponents or the media.

"Our focus should be on strengthening the administration and using it to meet the needs of the people," Mr Advani said while launching one of the latest and modern air traffic management system (ATS) at Indira Gandhi International Airport here.

In an obvious reference to criticism on the recent incidents in Gujarat, Mr Advani asserted that no communal riots had taken place after the BJP-led coalition took over the reins of power. "Though there have been some minor incidents, we should keep on doing our work without bothering about criticism in the media or by political opponents," he said.

Stating that the 20th century had seen pathbreaking scientific developments taking place in leaps and bounds, he sought increased stress on manpower development along with induction of sophisticated technology saying that the man behind the machine was more important than the machine.

"Despite having the best of equipment, airports in New York and Chicago were closed early this month due to snow and fog," Mr Advani said while referring to the "flak" faced by the Civil Aviation Ministry in the recent delays and diversions of flights to and from Delhi due to fog.

Such developments in infrastructure like the new ATS technology would have a positive impact on tourism, Mr Advani said.

Tourism cannot succeed unless and until the people are tourist-friendly, he said, adding, "Tourists make up their mind about the country not just by watching the Taj Mahal but by interacting with people like taxi drivers, waiters or hotel owners".

Civil Aviation Minister Ananth Kumar, who presided over the function, said the ATS in Delhi would be upgraded to category-III level by this November, while category-II level operations would begin within the next fortnight.

He said the latest system installed by a US company, Raytheon, which was formally launched today, would be gradually integrated with the global system of air traffic management, communication and navigation.

Despite criticism about "non-performance", Mr Kumar said the BJP government within nine months of its existence had three major achievements in the aviation sector — opening of a new passenger terminal for Indian Airlines, a cargo complex in Delhi and launching of the new ATS system.

Describing air traffic controllers as "vayudevatas", he said operationalisation of MATS-BD (modernisation of air traffic system in Bombay and Delhi) would result in doubling the capacity of handling incoming and outgoing flights.

Gunman’s death: NHRC for fresh CBI probe
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, Jan 14 — The National Human Rights Commission has directed the Haryana government to order a fresh probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into a case of alleged assault which claimed the life of a gunman.

The Commission was apprised of the matter by the National Commission for Minorities, which received a complaint from the gunman’s widow. In her complaint, Mrs Santo alleged that Munshi Khan who was on duty at Devli Gate, Palwal had closed the gate as the train was expected to pass. During this time, Mr Anand Sharma, an MLA along with his gunman arrived there and demanded that the gate be opened to let his car pass.

Mrs Santo Devi alleged that when Munshi Khan refused to open the gate, he was assaulted and his body dragged and thrown on the railway track.

Retrospective leaves impact
From Gurbachan

HYDERABAD, Jan 14 — Several films of indifferent quality in the ‘Cinema of the World’ section notwithstanding, one does come across quite a few which are noteworthy and leave an indelible impression. The festival this year, as in previous years, is depending mostly on the foreign retrospectives. This year’s biggest catch is the Greek film maker, Theo Angelopoulos, whose highly acclaimed Ullyses’ Gaze, an award-winner at Cannes, was screened in IFFI ‘96 at Delhi! Angelopoulos’ three films are scheduled to be screened to the expectant crowd of delegates. But, in the meantime, here is the catch of the films screened in the world cinema which deserve a certain regard.

“Sekal has to Die”: (Czech Republic/France/Slovakia) Set in the German-occupied Czechoslovakia, the narrative veers round an embittered young man, Sekal, born out of wedlock denied natural growth in his early life, and tormented by other village folks who call him the bastard of the village. Now that the Germans are around, Sekal, driven by his neurotic hatred for the world around him, becomes an informer and grabs the farmland of three villagers who have been sent to the concentration camp. He becomes a terror for everybody and a law unto himself.

The village elders hold meetings to find ways of getting rid of Sekal till Jura Baran, a farmer wanted by the Gestapo escapes from his home elsewhere and reaches the village. The villagers threaten to expose him if he does not kill Sekal as a bargain to have a safe stay in the village. A duel between Sekal and Jura Baran takes place on a quiet night in which Sekal gets killed and the latter is seriously wounded. The villagers first decide to save Jura Baran, but hounded by their fears, lest they are implicated by the Gestapo, betray him and let him die.

The film is a gripping narrative of how during war, violence and strife, human beings lose their normal bearings, and driven by fear and survival instinct, damn their own conscience to behave brutally. The village folks, in such a situation, turn out to be no different from their tormentor Sekal.

“Spring in my Hometown” (South Korea): The film, though acclaimed abroad, has come as a surprise. Directed by Lee Kwangmo, and set in the early years of the Korean war of 1953, with the American GIs prowling out in the countryside, the narrative spins round the impressions of a teenaged boy whose mother occasionally sleeps with an American soldier for money and with the consent of her husband. Nothing much happens in a dramatic way but the unfolding of the storyline is brutal enough for the young sensitive boy to experience inner turmoil.

The Pear Tree (Iran): Of the five films from Iran only this film has been screened so far. It focuses on the life of a poet who wishes to stay away from the inanities of daily life. The poet, in spite of his best efforts, faces a creative block and is unable to identify this being with the flights of imagination.

The Dinner Game (France): This film is a pointer that France is where the best comedies are made. This was evident in Thiruvananthapuram at IFFI ‘97, and now with this film it is easy to surmise that human frailties and idiocies, very much a part of our life, can be turned into a cinema with exciting results.

Interestingly, nearly the entire film is shot within the confines of a single set and is restricted to a very limited number of characters. Yet its movement is relentlessly absorbing.

Memorial to G. L. Nanda
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, Jan 14 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, has proposed that a befitting memorial to commemorate the life and work of Gulzari Lal Nanda and his ideas and philosophy should be erected in Kurukshetra, which had been the former Prime Minister’s “karam bhoomi”.

Mr Bansi Lal was speaking at a meeting of the national committee constituted to celebrate the birth centenary of Gulzari Lal Nanda at New Delhi today. The Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, presided over the meeting, a state government release said today.

The Chief Minister elaborated this memorial would be constructed adjacent to the sacred Brahm Sarovar at Kurukshetra on a four-acre piece of land and will have a library and research complex specialising in the spheres of special interest to Nanda like labour relations, rural planning, Gandhian thought and establishment of a corruption-free polity. It will also have a memorial hall bringing alive the life and times of the former Prime Minister and displaying his memorabilia.

Mr Bansi Lal indicated this memorial would be conceived in ancient Indian architectural style. The project is likely to cost Rs 3.5 crore out of which Rs 1 crore will be spent by the Haryana Government. The remaining amount is expected to be the Centre’s contribution. The Prime Minister has evinced great interest in the project.

Mr Bansi Lal urged the concluding function of the centenary celebrations should be held at Kurukshetra on July 4, 1999.

Malik for lean, mean & balanced Army

THE Chief of Army Staff, Gen V.P. Malik, has said that apart from deployments in the mountains and the insurgency-infected areas there is scope for reduction of manpower and the creation of a leaner, meaner and balanced Army of the future.

In an exclusive interview with Asian Defence News International (ADNI) for Army Day on January 15, he said the focus would be on acquisition of force multipliers, consolidation and upgradation, and human resource development so that the fighting man is able to cope with modern warfare requirements.

A critical input in modern warfare was information technology because any nation that could pass through the observe, orientation, decision and action (OODA) loop of the electromagnetic spectrum in a swift and integrated manner would be successful on the battlefield. And that is why the focus was on human resource development because the officer, the JCO and men must be able to cope with modern warfare requirements. “Because of information technology you are capable of moving faster through this loop and so it has a more profound impact on warfare”, General Malik pointed out.

“With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the cold war it is seen that ethnic conflicts and low intensity conflicts have come to the fore, particularly in Asia. India too has been a target of proxy war but in 1998 we have had more successes and that is why you see greater normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir. In the North-East the situation is fairly controlled and we could have a political dialogue if people are prepared to talk.

“Pakistan is trying to upgrade the proxy war by pushing in foreign militants and giving them better communications equipment and better weapons but the Indian Army and the paramilitary forces have been able to control the situation. The proxy war continues and I am quite hopeful — we cannot lay down any timeframe — that we will be able to control it totally,”General Malik said.

The Indian Army is more professional today than it was 40 years ago. The advent of women in its ranks had seen them adjust and adapt themselves to Army life very well “We are quite satisfied with their performance”, he said.

The following are excerpts from the interview:

Q. It is more than four decades when you joined the Army. What changes have taken place in the Army since then?

A. There are many changes that have taken place in the last 40 years during which period we have fought many wars. The size of the Army has expanded and the equipment profile has changed considerably. I see much greater professionalism in the Army today. So I think, all in all, there have been profound changes in the Army in the last 40 years.

Q. Keeping in view the advancement in technology, do you think you are getting the right calibre in the Army.

A. We have no complaints about the calibre of people joining the Army because all the boys who join the Army, as I see them, they are doing well. We have not diluted our standards for their induction. I think that the youngsters of today are more aware, they are more active, and they are capable of coping with any technological requirement.

Q. How do you grade the Army career today as compared to yesteryears.

A. Well, in one word I would say that the Army today is a lot more professional.

Q. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the cold war situation has gripped Asia. What are the reasons for this tension.

A. We were living in a bipolar world earlier and that does not exist any longer. Since the end of the cold war one finds that more ethnic problems have come to the fore. There are small wars taking place on account of borders not being settled. I think that the number of low intensity conflicts have increased over these years. Of course, we have also seen one or two major wars like the Gulf war where the multinational forces participated. But, all in all, there has been an increase in low intensity conflict all over the world particularly in Asia.

Q. India has been a target of proxy war for the last ten years; what future do you foresee for such state-sponsored terrorism.

A. We have been combating proxy war for some time now. We have not been able to get over it completely but in 1998, I think, we have had more successes and that is why you see greater normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir. Even in other areas also we have been able to keep their heads down. This is a challenge before us. But as I always say state-sponsored militancy is a double-edged weapon. It can affect both the affected party as well as the initiator. I would not like to say anything more than that.

Q. We have the third largest Army in the world. Objectively, how do you grade our Army.

A. Well, the Indian Army is well known for its discipline, for its bravery, its dedication, and for the manner in which it has always been prepared to sacrifice to gain its objective. It is famous all over the world. Today all those qualities still exist and one is very proud of them. I still consider the Army soldier is the best that you can get in the world. Our soldier is the best. We have some shortcoming in terms of equipment which we are looking into and, hopefully, we will be able to get over those shortcomings soon.

Q. How is the performance of lady officers in the Army.

A. Those girls have been doing quite well, I must say that, and they have been able to adjust and adapt themselves to Army life very well. Today they are doing just as well as the men. We are quite satisfied with their performance.

Q. What are the plans for modernisation of the Army.

A. We have some plans. The focus is on force multipliers. There is going to be no expansion of the Army but we are focussing on consolidation and upgradation. That means that where we make up our deficiencies, we make up with more modern weapons and as I said, the focus is more on force multipliers and the focus is also on human resources development because the officer, JCO, and men must be able to cope with modern warfare requirements.

Q. What is the security scenario in J&K and the North-East.

A. Well, as you know proxy war is going on in J & K. As far as the north-east is concerned we have insurgencies in some of the states. So far as J & K to concerned there have been greater efforts on the part of Pakistan to upgrade the proxy war by pushing in foreign militants and giving them better equipment, better weapons, and better communication equipment but our Army and paramilitary forces, I think, have done quite well and they have been able to improve the situation considerably.

We have an elected government which was elected a few years ago. Since then the economic situation, the development, has improved. There is more tourism and there is greater normalcy. The situation for some time south of the Pir Panjal had deteriorated but that also is now under control.

As far as the North-East is concerned the situation has improved considerably and just the other day I had mentioned when I was in the North-East that the situation is fairly contained and we could have political dialogue if people are prepared for talks.

Q. Pakistan has been accusing us of human rights violations. What is your comment.

A. Well, the accusation of human rights violations is also part of the proxy war. We must understand that these kinds of accusations both in India and in international fora is also part of the proxy war but I think the whole world knows how the Indian Army personnel conduct themselves and our track record as far as human rights is concerned is very well known. I can proudly say it is the best not only in India but it is so even when we have been out on peacekeeping missions. There are some aberrations sometimes because of the nature of conflict that is going on but we have always dealt severely with people indulging in such aberrations. We have our National Human Rights Commission and we are always in touch with them. Whenever they have asked us any question we have been answering them.

Q. In the next century what will be the equipment and manpower profile.

A. It is going to be a lean and mean Army. It is not going to be manpower intensive. You require manpower for the mountains and for the low intensity conflict and insurgencies and counter-insurgency operations but at other places, with the kind of weapons systems and equipment that is available, one can afford to reduce manpower. So, as I said, it is going to be a balanced, lean, mean Army. I will not say that we are going to be equipment intensive but, yes, the equipment that we will have in the future will be qualitatively better.

UNI Bureau Chief, DGM dead

NEW DELHI, Jan 14 (UNI) — Mr V. Ganapathy, Deputy General Manager of the United News of India (UNI), died of a massive heart attack early this morning.

He was 55.

Mr Ganapathy leaves behind his wife and daughter.

LUCKNOW: Mr R.N. Dwivedi, Lucknow Bureau Chief of United News of India, also died early this morning after a brief illness. He was 58.

He is survived by his wife and two daughters.

Cabinet expansion after R-Day
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, Jan 14 — The Cabinet expansion which was deferred last night, is now likely to take place on or after January 27.

Though there is no official confirmation to this effect, political sources said the expansion which has been put off twice by the Prime Minister may ultimately take place towards the last week of January.

Pulls and pressures both from the allies and also from within the BJP are said to be the reason behind the decision to put off the expansion.

Official sources had indicated that the expansion was deferred since the Prime Minister would be busy with the Republic Day activities.

Cop beaten up, hospitalised
From Our Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Jan 14 — A Delhi police constable Mr Ashok Kumar and his brother were beaten up by five persons in Vishnu Garden area of West Delhi last night.

The constable, who was posted at Indira Gandhi International Airport, was returning home from duty along with his brother at about 9.30 pm. An altercation broke out as the suspects who were reportedly celebrating Lohri had lit a bonfire blocking the road.

Sources said the Lohri function was being held at the residence of the sister of an MLA. One of the suspects who beat the constable was reportedly a bad character of Patel Nagar.

The constable and his brother were taken to RML hospital. The condition of the former was said to be serious.