Friday, May 21, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Friday, May 21, 1999 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Tohra
faction snaps ties with Badal |
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Takht
chief ‘paid employee of SGPC’ Cong men slam Pawar Sangma, Anwar Resigns post in solidarity Brick-kiln owner arrested IHRO supports Baba Darshan Singh IPS officer's plea on reversion
dismissed Rape of college girl: one arrested Govt blamed for Bhakra breach Protest against SDM’s
‘interference’ Students' plea to hold exam again Move on ration cards flayed Balmiki morcha to 'liberate'
shrine Scribe dead |
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Tohra faction snaps ties with
Badal CHANDIGARH, May 20 — The Tohra faction will not recognise Mr Parkash Singh Badal as President of the Shiromani Akali Dal, from today onwards. This was made clear here today by Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, a close confidant of Mr Tohra, after holding a meeting of intellectuals and other opinion leaders associated with the Tohra camp. "For us Mr Badal is no more president of the Shiromani Akali Dal", Mr Chandumajra said. Among those who were present at the meeting were a former Minister, Mr Sukhjinder Singh, Principal Bharbhur Singh, Mr Jaswant Singh Kanwal, Mr Gurdarshan Singh Grewal, Mr Jasmer Singh Bala, Mr Bharbhur Singh Balbir, Mr Shamsher Singh Maloya, Mr Ujjagar Singh Wadala and Mr Kartar Singh Takkar. Mr Chandumajra said that Mr Badal had been requested to appear before Bhai Ranjit Singh, whom the Tohra faction recognises as Jathedar of Akal Takht. But Mr Badal did not appear. Mr Chandumajra said from now on the Tohra faction would start a full-fledged attack to "expose" the government headed by Mr Badal. He said the Badal Government had got a massive mandate but it failed to live up to the expectations of the people. He said neither any new road had been constructed nor 'inspector raj' had been abolished. All sections of employees were unhappy with the government as they were given a shabby treatment by the government. He alleged that Mr Badal had played a role to belittle Sikh institutions. A resolution was also passed in this connection. Mr Chandumajra and
others also discussed the strategy to be adopted in the
coming days. |
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Gurdwara commission adjourns
hearing AMRITSAR, May 20 — The Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission today adjourned the proceedings till May 27 in the case filed by the pro-Tohra SGPC member, Mr Sarup Singh Dhesi, against 10 pro-Badal SGPC office-bearers and members as the defence counsel asked for time for submitting written reply in the case. Mr Dhesi had filed a petition under Section 142 of the Sikh Gurdwara Act on February 1 against the Senior Vice-President, Mr Balbir Singh Pannu, the General Secretary, Mr Hardalbir Singh Shah, and eight others, Mr Kewal Singh Badal, Mr Bhagwant Singh, Mr Satnam Singh, Mr Suba Singh, Mr Mal Singh Ghuman, Mr Gurpal Singh Gora and Mr Jog Singh seeking their disqualification. The respondents were members of the former executive committee which was disbanded with the removal of SGPC President Gurcharan Singh Tohra. The judicial commission is also to take up on that day the petition of these pro-Badal SGPC members against Mr Tohra, former Senior Vice-President, Mr Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, and three pro-Tohra former executive members — Mr Surjit Singh Cheema, Bibi Kuldip Kaur and Mr Shampur for their disqualification as SGPC members. Meanwhile, the defence counsel on behalf of pro-Badal office-bearers and members has opposed the plea of Mr Sarup Singh Dhesi for the restoration of application dismissed in default by the commission filed on February 11. Mr Dhesi in his application had challenged the decision taken at the SGPC executive committee meeting held on the directions of the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission on February 10 in which Jathedar of Akal Takht Bhai Ranjit Singh was placed under suspension and Giani Puran Singh was appointed as acting jathedar. The defence counsel in his written reply on the application said that there were no sufficient reasons mentioned in it for the restoration of the application and as such the application was liable to be dismissed. The counsel specifically denied that it was prayed that case be adjourned as the senior counsel for applicant had been attacked and harassed by one of the respondents He denied that an
application was filed by the senior counsel for the
adjournment of the case. As the applicant and his counsel
was not present in the court, the case was dismissed by
default by the commission on March 4. |
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Bhoma, three others ‘expelled’ from AISSF JALANDHAR, May 20 (PTI) - The All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) faction led by Mr Manjit Singh Bhoma today split with its senior vice-president Chet Singh Dulonangal expelling Mr Bhoma for six years from the party for his alleged ties with ousted SGPC chief G.S. Tohra and the Congress. "Bhoma was involved in conspiracies to weaken the government of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and was hand in glove with Congress leader and the Tohra camp "Mr Dulonangal told mediapersons here after a meeting of the party’s leadership. Three other associates of Mr Bhoma, Mr Amarjeet Singh, Mr Paramjit Singh Gorenangal and Mr Harbakash Singh Bhola were also expelled for six years each for "anti-party activities". Both Mr Bhoma and Mr Dulonangal are involved in a game of expulsions and counter-expulsions with each professing loyalty to Mr Badal and accusing the other of being in league with "enemies of the Badal government". Interestingly Mr Dulonangal who claimed to back Mr Badal said if the Chief Minister failed to give him the ruling Akali Dal ticket from Tarn Taran and did not field his daughter, Ms Parneet Kaur, either then he would contest the elections "even against Badal’s candidate." The AISSF, which shot into prominence in mid-eighties for persuing a militant but metamorphosed into a moderate organisation with the return of peace in Punjab, split in the last few years into umpteen factions, each claiming loyalty towards either Mr Badal or Mr Tohra. Interestingly none of the factions is led by a student even though all of them claim themselves to be a students’ organisation. Political observers here
say the splits and expulsions within various factions of
the AISSF have their origin in a bitter turf-fight for a
share of the spoils of power with the pie getting
increasingly small. |
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Takht chief ‘paid employee of SGPC’ AMRITSAR, May 20 (UNI) — The Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Puran Singh, today acknowledged the supremacy of the SGPC over the Sikh clergy. Talking to mediapersons here, he said the Akal Takht Jathedar was appointed by the SGPC and was a paid employee of the shiromani committee. "I am a paid employee of the SGPC", he added. The opinion expressed by Giani Puran Singh is completely different from that of the "sacked" Jathedar, Bhai Ranjit Singh, who held the view that Akal Takht was supreme. Giani Puran Singh opined that the SGPC was the chief appointing and dismissing authority of the Akal Takht Jathedar. It was only when the SGPC was not in existence that the "Sikh sangat" took decisions on the Jathedar. Now the "sangat" was represented by the SGPC members who were its elected representatives, he added. Bhai Ranjit Singh was
sacked because he had taken certain decisions which were
not in the interests of the Panth, The Jathedar added:
"If I take wrong decisions, the SGPC can sack me
also," he added. |
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Cong men slam Pawar Sangma,
Anwar FATEHGARH SAHIB, May 20 — Congressmen of the district have resigned en masse from their respective posts to express their solidarity with Mrs Sonia Gandhi. In a press note issued here today, Mr Hari Krishan, former president, DCC, Mr Gurdaman Singh, Joint Secretary, PPCC, and Mr Makhan Lal Lallka, a former Chairman, Improvement Trust, have demanded action against the three Congress leaders. Mr Sikander Singh and Mr Surjit Singh Sahi, president and secretary, DCC, said the DCC had passed a resolution in this regard and expressed solidarity with Mrs Sonai Gandhi. PHAGWARA: The swearing-in of Mr Mahendra Chaudhary as Fiji's first ethnic Indian Prime Minister should serve as an eye-opener for those Congressmen who have joined the BJP and raised the foreign origin issue of Mrs Sonia Gandhi and questioned her candidature for prime ministership. This observation was made here today by senior Congress leaders, including Mr Joginder Singh Mann, a former Punjab Minister, Mr Harjit Singh Parmar, PPCC executive member, Mr Sarabjit Singh Sahbhi, Mr Harbax Singh, DCC, vice-presidents, and Mr Madan Mohan Bajaj, block Congress president. They demanded action against the trio. BILASPUR: Mr Ramlal Thakur, member, All India Congress Committee, and vice-president, Himachal Congress Committee has urged Mrs Sonia Gandhi to respect ardent desire of Congress members and lead the Congress in the coming Lok Sabha elections. In letter faxed to Mrs Sonia Gandhi, copy of which has also been sent to Himachal party in charge Mr R.K. Drawn, he criticised the three leaders. Meanwhile, meeting of the District Congress Committee presided by district President Ratanlal Soni here on Thursday adopted unanimous resolution urging Mrs Sonia Gandhi to withdraw her resignation and lead the party to victory. NANGAL: Mr Ram Prakash Bali, organising secretary, PPCC, at a meeting of the Block Congress Committee on Thursday condemned the three Congress leaders, Mr Sharad Pawar, Mr P.A. Sangma and Mr Tariq Anwar for creating a divide in the party. The Congressmen present at the meeting urged Mrs Sonia Gandhi to withdraw her resignation. Mr Upinder Sharma,
general secretary, PPCC criticised the BJP for raising
Mrs Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin issue. |
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Resigns post in solidarity CHANDIGARH, May 20 — Mr Shamsher Singh Rai has resigned from the convenership of the SC and ST cell of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee to express solidarity with Mrs Sonia Gandhi, who had recently resigned from the presidentship of the party. Mr Rai in his resignation letter sent to president of the PPCC said he was shocked by the act of Mr Sharad Pawar and his associates. Mrs Sonia Gandhi was capable enough to lead the party as well as to be the prime minister of the country. He said Mr Pawar's action was intolerable and he along with Mr P. Sangma and Mr Tariq Anwar should be removed from the party. Meanwhile, Youth
Congress leaders who are on an indefinite fast in front
of the PPCC office here today burnt the effigies of Mr
Pawar and others to protest against their action. |
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Brick-kiln owner arrested ROPAR, May 20 — The police here has arrested Kulwant Singh Gill, a brick kiln owner and resident of the local Giani Zail Singh Nagar, for opening fire on Mr Jasbir Singh and his nephew Bikram Singh and wounding the latter seriously last night. According to the police, the incident occurred following a minor altercation between Kulwant Singh and Jasbir Singh in the town last evening. After the altercation, Jasbir Singh along with his nephew went to the house of Kulwant Singh to express resentment. This allegedly provoked Kulwant Singh who fired twice from a .12 bore double barrelled rifle one in the air while the second hit Bikram Singh near the left shoulder. The police said, when this incident occurred, the SHO of the city police station Mr Harjinder Singh had been patrolling the Zail Singh Nagar area. He reached the spot and arrested Kulwant Singh and confiscated the gun along with two empty cartridges. The injured Bikram Singh was sent to local civil hospital where doctors after giving first aid referred Bikram Singh to the PGI for further treatment. Meanwhile, the police
yesterday produced Kulwant Singh in a court which
remanded him in police custody for one day. |
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IHRO supports Baba Darshan
Singh LUDHIANA, May 20 — The International Human Rights Organisation (IHRO) has asserted that Tapovan Dhakki Sahib, Muk Sudra, of Baba Darshan Singh, now in jail, is virtually under siege and aimed at teaching the Baba a lesson for his recent religio-political activities under the aegis of Akal Takht and the Sant Samaj led by Baba Sarbjot Singh Bedi. The IHRO Chairperson, Mr
D.S. Gill, and general secretary Mr Mohinder Singh
Grewal, in a statement here yesterday, also asserted that
the Sant was approached through Sikh Students Federation
(Mehta-Chawla) faction leaders before and after his
arrest to recognise Giani Puran Singh as Jathedar of Akal
Takht by honouring upon him with a "siropa"
whereas Baba Darshan Singh had flatly refused to obliged. |
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CAT CHANDIGARH, May 20 — The local Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal, dismissed the O.A. filed by Dr Rajwant Singh, an IPS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, whose services were requisitioned in the state of Punjab during the peak of militancy. He had challenged his reversion to his parent state cadre. The O.A. was dismissed in limine by a Bench comprising Mr J.S. Dhaliwal and Mr V.K. Majotra. In the original application, it was pleaded that since he was engaged in sensitive and secretive anti-terrorist operations and since his case for inter-cadre transfer to Punjab had been recommended by successive Chief Ministers, his transfer from one cadre to another could be ordered under the Indian Police Service cadre Rules, 1954, and under Rule 6 of the Indian Police Service (Regulation of Seniority) Rules, 19954. Besides, the authorities have never considered his case for transfer from one cadre to another under these rules and the reversion order was passed. The IPS officer had earlier filed a writ petition and SLP in the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Supreme Court respectively, both of which were dismissed. He had also made a representation to the President of India, which is still pending. He filed the instant O.A. of direction to the President to decide his representation in the light of above quoted rules. His earlier O.A. challenging his reversion had been dismissed by The Tribune. The Bench observed that "there being unfounded allegations against the High Court, we shall not issue a direction to the respondents." The present O.A. by the
applicant is after the judgements of three courts. No
grounds were given for either reopening the issue for
non-consideration of such transfer under any particular
rules or for issuance of any direction prayed for by him. |
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Rape of college girl: one
arrested LUDHIANA, May 20 — The police has arrested Subir Mohammad, an employee of the office of the Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) of Police here who is a suspect in the gangrape of a college girl on May 11 at the residence of a former justice of Supreme Court, Mr A.D. Koshal. According to the information available from police station division No 5, Subir was arrested yesterday, but other suspect Surjit Singh, a gunman on duty at the residence of the retired justice, is still at large. The victim, a resident of a village near Ludhiana, had come to the city for her college examination on May 11 and had decided to stay with her friend, Harpreet Kaur, who has also been booked in the case and has absconded. The two were joined by Subir, a friend of Harpreet and from there they left for Surjit Singh's residence where he was on guard duty. Later the two men beat
up and raped the victim. |
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Govt blamed for Bhakra breach CHANDIGARH, May 20 — Mr Ajit Inder Singh Mofar, MLA and senior leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), in a statement here today blamed the Punjab Government for the breach in the Bhakra mainline canal near Samana in Patiala district a few days ago. Mr Mofar said he had made it known to the state government about the poor condition of the canal banks. He claimed that he even raised the issue in the last session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. Urging the state government to give full compensation to farmers affected, Mr Mofar said if compensation was not given he would knock the doors of the court. Mr Mofar said the Punjab
Chief Minister had made a statement recently that nearly
20 km of roads in each constituency would be built on the
recommendation of the MLA concerned. But now fresh
instructions had been issued to construct roads on the
recommendations of Deputy Commissioners instead of the
MLA concerned. |
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Protest against SDM’s
‘interference’ ROPAR, May 20 — Members of the District Muslim Welfare and Roza Committee, Manakpur Sharif, today held a rally in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office here in protest against the SDM Kharar for his alleged interference in their religious places. The rally was addressed by Mr Raunak Ali, member of the district committee, Mr Gurcharan Singh, sarpanch of Mianpur village and Maulvi Abdul Rashid Nuri, Head of the Muslim Biradari, Shayampura. They submitted a memorandum to the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mr Khushi Ram, against the SDM Kharar for his alleged interference in the religious matters. In the memorandum, it was alleged that the SDM handed over the supervision of Dargah Lalan Wala Pir at Tarapur (near Mianpur Changer) to the non-Muslims. In another memorandum,
they highlighted the problems of Muslim Colony at
Shyampura village near here. They demanded water and
power supply in the colony and setting up of Madrassa,
Idgah and graveyard. |
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Students' plea to hold exam again MALERKOTLA, May 20 — Students of MA(I) Political Science of Punjabi University in a letter to the Vice-Chancellor, have urged the university authorities to allow them to take the paper which was scheduled for May 8 but was cancelled due to the preparation of voters' lists on that day. The paper was subsequently rescheduled for May 15. The students alleged that they were misled by the Centre Superintendent of the local Government College. The alleged that when they went to the Centre Superintendent on May 13 to enquire about the new date of paper, the Centre Superintendent asked them to enquire after one week. However, the examination was conducted on May 15. These students have
appealed to the Vice-Chancellor to hold the examination
again, otherwise they would lose one year. |
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Move on ration cards flayed AMRITSAR, May 20 — The district unit of the CPI has criticised the move of the Department of Food and Civil Supplies to issue new ration cards with group photographs of the family instead of the photo of the head of the family. The secretary, Mr Amarjit Singh Asal, in a letter to the Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, objected to this move as he felt that as and when there was some change in the family due to marriage or death a new group photograph had to be submitted which would be an expensive affair and add to the woes of poor families. He suggested that the
government should call an all-party meeting to discuss
the issue of new ration cards which it planned to prepare
from July 1. Mr Asal pointed out that the government
should simplify the procedure for obtaining duplicate
ration cards. |
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University to start course for
women AMRITSAR, May 20 — Guru Nanak Dev University, in collaboration with the Community Polytechnic, Palahi, will start a one-year course in dress designing, cutting and tailoring for unemployed women at the Department of Adult, Continuing Education and Extension of the University from July1. Stating this, Mrs Satnam
Kaur Sekhon, Assistant Director of the department, said
matric pass, unemployed women would be eligible for the
course. Those interested in applying for the course could
submit their applications by June 15. |
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Encroachments removed LUDHIANA, May 20 — The Forest Department has removed illegal encroachments from prime land in Salempura on the Mattewara-Rahon road following a directive by the state government. Mr Jarnail Singh,
Divisional Forest Officer, said here today that several
villagers were illegally occupying the land. He said
after getting the possession, the land had been fenced
with a barbed wire and saplings planted. |
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Balmiki morcha to 'liberate' shrine JALANDHAR, May 20 (PTI) — The Balmiki Dharam Yudh Morcha, a forum claiming to represent Dalits' interests, said yesterday that it would give a direct action programme to its vigilantes' army on August 15 to liberate a controversial shrine in Amritsar from "Manuvadi forces." "Large scale recruitment for the morcha's "karo ya maro" (do or die) sena is on and Valmiki youth have sworn to liberate the Valmiki shrine in Amritsar" morcha President Devi Das Nahar said in a statement here. He also warned those religious leaders and cultural artistes "who were using objectionable language about Bhagwan Valmiki" to mend their ways. Mr Nahar said the morcha would celebrate the Independence Day as "slavery day". He said the Government
had failed to implement the pact reached in a tri-partite
meeting among Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Chief
Minister Parkash Singh Badal and morcha representatives
on May 12 last year regarding the controversial shrine in
Amritsar. |
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Scribe dead AMRITSAR, May 20 — Veteran journalist Bachan Singh ‘Bandhavi’, who was one of the founder Editor of Punjabi newspapers and wrote against colonialism before the partition died here. He was 90. He was one of the founders of Akali Patrika, Parbhat 'Akalite Pardesi' and 'Akali'. He was a contemporary of Master Tara Singh, Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir and Kartar Singh Qaumi. He also served as
manager, gurdwara press of the Shiromani Gurdwara
Parbandhak Committee. He was also a manager of various
educational institutions. |
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Grenade found in garbage heap HOSHIARPUR, May 20
— An un-exploded hand grenade was found in a garbage
heap at Premgarh Mohalla of the Hoshiarpur City
yesterday. According to police sources the grenade seems
to be 50-year old. It has been sent to BSF laboratory
Kharkan for test. |
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Milk vendors block entries to
city HOSHIARPUR, May 20 — Milk vendors of Hoshiarpur did not allow milkmen of rural areas to bring milk into the city today in protest against the fixing of rates of milk and its allied products by the district administration. The milk vendors blocked
entries to the city early this morning, as a result
majority residents did not get milk. |
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B. Com entrance test on
July 1 PATIALA, May 20 —
Entrance test for admission to B. com (1) course run by
colleges affiliated to Punjabi University, Patiala, will
be held on July 1, 1999. Giving this information
coordinator B. Com. entrance test said that last date for
the receipt of applications is June 7, 1999. Prospectus
will be available with the publication bureau of the
University. |
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Veterinary officers meet minister CHANDIGARH, May 20 — Dr Rattan Singh, Punjab Animal Husbandry Minister, has assured a deputation of the Punjab State Veterinary Officers Association, which met him here today, that all demands of the association would be implemented within 15 days. Dr G.S. Chahal, president of the association, after meeting the minister, said the emergency meeting of the association which was to be held on May 23 in Ludhiana had been cancelled in the light of the assurance by the minister. The demands of
association include fixation of higher pay scales after
four, nine and 14 years of service, implementation of the
recommendations of the Fourth Pay Commission regarding
three increments to postgraduate and academic allowance. |
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Cantt Board staff not paid
salary FEROZEPORE, May 20 — Resentment prevails among Class III and IV employees of the local Cantonment Board over the non-payment of salary. Mr Sohan Lal Sethi and
Mr Sanjay Kumar general secretary of the Harijan Workers
Union and the Cantonment Board Employees Union said today
that funds for the payment of salary against military
head of the Cantonment Board budget had not been released
since September 1998. They added that besides Rs 80 lakh
payable towards GPF had also not been received. They said
in case these amounts were not paid in a fortnight by the
authorities concerned both unions would be forced to go
on strike. |
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Pensioners want additional relief JALANDHAR, May 20 — Resentment prevails amongst lakhs of Central government pensioners and family pensioners as they have been denied the payment of additional dearness relief of 10 per cent of basic pension with effect from January 1994, which the Union Finance Minister, Mr Yashwant Sinha had announced on April 6 this year. The All-India Central
Government Pensioners Association (north zone) has in a
telegram urged the finance ministry for immediate issue
of the payment orders to all pension disbursing officers,
banks and Post Offices in respect of 33 lakh central
government pensioners. |
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