Car robbers escape after shootout
SOLAN, June 11 — Dharampur police arrested one person believed to be the member of an inter state gang of car snatchers, after an armed encounter near Jabli, about 25 km. from here on the Kalka-Shimla national highway last night.

Phone counselling for drugs
SHIMLA, June 11 — Mrs V.S. Rama Devi, HP Governor, inaugurated the state's first telephone counselling service named "Dost" to help drug addicts, here today.

Scheme to benefit widows launched
NURPUR, June 11 — The Central Social Welfare Board has launched a new scheme for the rehabilitation of widows of five states — Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir and Tamil Naud.

Two CPI members resign
KANGRA, June 11 — A state council member of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and district spokesman of the CPI have resigned from the primary membership of the party in protest against the non-action of the party high command against those party workers who had been violating the party principles.

Dalhousie illegal constructions
13 booked for land law violation
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, June 11 — In a crackdown on illegal constructions in the tourist spot of Dalhousie, the Himachal Vigilance Department has registered cases against 13 persons, for violating Himachal land laws.

While some of the persons against whom cases have been registered are government employees, others include influential businessmen of Punjab, who acquired land and built multi-storeyed hotels in Dalhousie, in violation of Section 118 of the HP Tenancy and Land Reform Act.

Name of a former secretary of the Dalhousie Municipal Committee, Mr Kuldeep Mahajan, figures in five of the six cases registered by the Vigilance Department. He has been charged with colluding with businessmen to help them acquire land illegally and construct buildings in violation of building laws. Like other hill stations of Kasauli, Shimla and Manali, even Dalhousie has been witnessing indiscriminate construction of multi-storeyed buildings turning it into a concrete jungle.

In a case pertaining to the construction of Golden Height Apartments, the Vigilance Department has recommended that the property be vested in the name of the HP government, as there has been violation of the Section 118 of the HP Tenancy and Land Reform Act. It has also been alleged that the Municipal Secretary, misused his powers, to tamper records and prepare false documents, on the basis of which the map was passed. Two persons, Hargovind Singh and Kuldeep Mahajan have been booked under Section 420, 467, 468, 471 of the IPC and 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

In another case filed against Maninder Singh, it has been alleged that he got an eight-storey hotel built, whereas not more than three storeys are permitted in Dalhousie. In this case also the Committee Secretary has been accused of preparing false record to help the accused. In yet another case of Bombay Palace, it has been alleged that a land which was in one person's name on leave was transferred, which is not permissible under the law. The two other cases pertain to a person belonging to Pathankot and another place, where land was bought in complete violation of the HP Tenancy and Land Reform Act, with the help of the former Municipal Secretary.

In a different case the Vigilance Department has registered a case against Mr Ashish Kumar, Mr Jai Ram, a former Patwari, and Mr B.D. Sharma, a Naib Tehsildar. In this case it has been alleged that Mr Ashish Kumar, obtained a fake OBC certificate, with the help of these two government officials, to get seat as pharmacist trainee in the Animal Husbandry Department. Here the two government officials have been accused of misusing official authority to cause wrongful gain to themselves and loss to the government, by indulging in forgery of documents.

The SP, Vigilance, Mr B.N.S. Negi, said that in three other cases detected by the department, it had been recommended that the government should direct the Deputy Commissioner to initiate vestment proceedings so that these properties can be acquired and vested in the name of the HP Government. He said in such cases there had been 'benami' land deals, which fall outside the purview of the Vigilance Department. He disclosed that to deal with all violations and illegal transactions, action could be taken against some other persons as well.

Car robbers escape after shootout
From Romesh Dutt
From Our Correspondent

SOLAN, June 11 — Dharampur police arrested one person believed to be the member of an inter state gang of car snatchers, after an armed encounter near Jabli, about 25 km. from here on the Kalka-Shimla national highway last night.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Rakesh Aggarwal, told newspersons here today that he had ordered special surveillance of the national highway after two recent cases of car snatching at night on that particular stretch of road.

He said that in the both cases a white Gypsy fitted with red lights was used and the occupants of the vehicle posed as government officers detailed to inspect vehicles plying the national highway.The car snatching gangs’ modus operandi consisted of parking their vehicles at a convenient point near the state border at Parwanoo: stopping vehicles at random; overpowering the driver as soon as he got out to show the documents; dumping the victim near some culvert and escaping with the victim’s vehicle.

After a thorough perusal of the modus operandi, the specially set up police night patrols were instructed to question occupants of any white Gypsy found parked in suspicious circumstances.

When the police patrol of Dharampur police station found a white Gypsy parked at a point near Hotel Rock Rose, Jabli, at about 1 a.m., they stopped to investigate . After fielding a few questions, one of the three persons sitting outside the Gypsy pulled out a pistol.

He fired a shot at the police party but a constable and a home guard, who were part of the patrol, pounced on him. Even as the scuffle was on, the two men sitting inside the Gypsy and the two others outside tried to flee in their vehicle. At this Head Constable Surendra Kumar fired at the tyres of the fleeing vehicle puncturing it and forcing it to stop.

However, the SP said that four members of the gang who were in the Gypsy escaped into the jungle taking advantage of the darkness. A combing operation has been launched and all the possible exit points are being guarded. The person who was over powered has been arrested.

The Gypsy along with a ‘Beretta’ pistol, was recovered and been taken into possession. Cases of robbery, attempted murder and under the Indian Arms Act had been registered.

Lt Kalia's family bitter, angry
From Pratibha Chauhan
Tribune News Service

PALAMPUR, June 11 — While the grieving family of 22-year-old Lt Saurabh Kalia is proud to have sacrificed its brave son for the nation, the failure of the government to get him released while he was in the captivity of Pakistanis has left it bitter and angry.

Mrs Vijay Kalia, the weeping mother of the young officer, said that despite giving her son to the Army for the sake of the nation, the government and the Army made no efforts to get him released from Pakistan's captivity. "I will seek justice for my son's death till the last minute, as he did not die due to injury, but was tortured to death by the Pakistanis", she said.

She is a heart patient and had suffered two attacks following the uncertainty regarding the whereabouts of her son. "Had the Indian Army contacted the Pakistani Army through the Red Cross, as was done in the case of Flt Lt K. Nachiketa, I wouldn't be waiting today for the body of my son," she regretted.

The younger brother of Lt Kalia, Vaibhav, an engineering student who was in constant touch with Army Headquarters in Delhi, is highly critical of the handling of the situation by the authorities. "What has hurt us most is that while the media was kept informed about my brother's status ever since he was reported missing, we were kept in the dark till the last minute," he said. "It was through newspapers that we learnt that he was missing. When we asked the Army authorities, they told us not to believe the reports as we would be the first to be informed about his status. When we had given our son to the Army, knowing full well that he could die, the least the Army could do was to divulge the truth to us before telling it to the media," he said in a choked voice. Had the government made efforts for his and others' release after Radio Skardu of Pakistan mentioned that six Indian soldiers had been captured, I would have congratulated my brother on his 23rd birthday, which falls on June 29, he said.

Lt Kalia's father, Dr N.K. Kalia, regretted that had the Army publicised the captivity of his son, it might have been possible to get him back alive. Lt Kalia's brother was told by one of the Army officers that it appeared that he died only three or four days ago, which means he was in captivity for about 20 days.

It was only yesterday that his parents received the first official confirmation that their son was missing. They apprehended that it was a backdated letter. They pointed out that had they not pressurised the Army authorities, they would probably have known of his death only when the body arrived home.

Relatives, friends and classmates of the brave soldier, who was the first to detect infiltration in the Kargil sector, are angry over the manner in which the Army handled the situation. They were of the view that had sincere efforts been made, they would not have been grieving for him. His father tells them not to weep as his son has become a martyr by making the supreme sacrifice for the country. The mourners want Lt Kalia to be remembered as the "Saviour of Ladakh".

All shops and commercial establishments here were closed today in honour of the brave soldier, who had done them proud. His body will be brought by road to Palampur where it is expected to reach tomorrow morning. It will be kept at Pragati Maidan, to enable people to pay their homage before being cremated with full military honours.

Finding a mate for Rozy
From S.P Sharma
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, June 11 — Eleven month old Rozy, an inmate of the Himalyan Nature Park at Kufri, may have to travel all the way to Darjeeling to find herself a mate. Rozy is a show leopard, the only specimen of her almost extinct species in captivity at the park.

The director of Darjeeling Zoo, Dr D. Biswas, who was here in person on Wednesday to see Rozy and decide whether she could be provided a mate from the Darjeeling Zoo said that Rozy should be taken to Darjeeling instead. Besides Darjeeling, Kufri is the only other zoo with a snow leopard population.

A final decision on the matter will be taken by the Central Zoo Authority.

Special care shall have to be taken if Rozy is to be taken to Darjeeling as the snow leopard population of Darjeeling Zoo has manifest serious genetic problems due to inbreeding. All of Darjeeling Zoo's population of eight snow leopards, three male and five female, are the progeny of two pairs of snow leopard of European breed brought to Darjeeling in 1984 and 1987. The snow leopard population of that zoo has increased by only four so far as many cubs have died.

Dr Biswas is learnt to have told the wildlife authorities here that a pair of snow leopard cubs could be sent here after Rozy mated in Darjeeling. He also suggested changes in her cage. But the authorities here are non-committal about just how Rozy will be transported to Darjeeling. Snow leopards, whose natural habitat is above the snowline, are very susceptible to heat.

The wildlife authorities are also uncertain about whether it would be proper to send Rozy, the only specimen of the almost extinct species carrying the Himalyan Bloodline to Darjeeling, where the inbreeding problem has assumed alarming proportions.

Zoo authorities at Darjeeling have had to separate male and female snow leopards to prevent further inbreeding following the death of a new born cub. Experts point out that genetic problems generally arise due to the absence of cross breeding. The snow leopards of Darjeeling are of a single bloodline.

Although Rozy will be ready for mating only once she reaches the age of the wildlife authorities are already worried by the logistics of finding a mate for Rozy, who has been with them ever since she was a month old.

Rozy, abandoned by her mother near Keylong in the tribal area of Lahaul, was discovered by local inhabitants and brought to Kufri. The Central Zoo Authority is also monitoring Rozy, with its doctor, Dr B.M. Arora, having visited recently.

Phone counselling for drugs
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, June 11 — Mrs V.S. Rama Devi, HP Governor, inaugurated the state's first telephone counselling service named "Dost" to help drug addicts, here today.

Speaking on the occasion she underlined the need to adopt an integrated approach by making counselling on alcoholism, psychiatric problems, family matters and AIDS part of the service. She cautioned that we should not blindly ape western methods and must evolve methods based on "our" own psyche.

She said drug addiction was an emerging social problem along with alcoholism. Addicts who felt shy of discussing the problem in person because of the social stigma attached to these malaises can now call the service.

She said there was urgent need for family counselling to prevent families breaking up. Divorces were on the increase and the trend must be reversed.

Mr Shamsher Singh, Financial Commissioner-cum-Secretary Welfare, said a collective effort was needed to combat the menace of drug addiction.

Mr Ram Subhag Sing Deputy Commissioner, said the need for the service was felt after a local youth died after an overdose of drugs.

The service, Phone no 201301, is being run with the help of the Red Cross, Welfare Department and Yuvsatta, a voluntary organisation.

Scheme to benefit widows launched
From Our Correspondent

NURPUR, June 11 — The Central Social Welfare Board has launched a new scheme for the rehabilitation of widows of five states — Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir and Tamil Naud.

Ms Malvika Pathania, Chairperson of the Himachal Pradesh Social Welfare Advisory Board, while talking to reporters here today, pointed out that under this scheme emphasis would be laid on the rehabilitation of young widows of 20 to 35 years of age. They would be made economically self-reliant so that they could had a dignified life.

Ms Pathania said these socially oppressed women would be imparted vocational training according to their aptitude. She added that special vocational training courses would also be started for aged widows.

Two CPI members resign
From Our Correspondent

KANGRA, June 11 — A state council member of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and district spokesman of the CPI have resigned from the primary membership of the party in protest against the non-action of the party high command against those party workers who had been violating the party principles.

In separate letters, to the secretary, District Committee here, Mr Saligram, state council member, and Mr Ashwani Soni, district spokesman, alleged that no action was taken against those party members who were working against party interests.

A letter has also been sent to the party's General Secretary, Mr A.B. Bardhan.