Tuesday, November 9, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Tuesday, November 9, 1999 |
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Badal
outsmarts dissidents SDM ‘collects’ Divali
gifts |
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Mamta
absolves Kamal Sharma Legal Services Day on Nov 9
Body’s long wait in morgue SLR snatcher arrested
Duped Punjab youth in Moscow jail Sale of turban sparks off row 35 ill with food poisoning
3 cases in 3 years against cop Support for Badal |
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Amritsar shopkeeper burnt to
death AMRITSAR, Nov 8 — As Ajit Singh (45), a shopkeeper in Idh Market was burnt to death while trying to retrieve cash from his first floor office, plunderers had a field day. These shopkeepers, who were earlier uprooted from the adjoining market to Golden Temple after Operation Bluestar, fell victim to devastating fire on the eve of Divali which destroyed property worth over crores of rupees. Ajit Singh, running an artificial jewellery wholesale shop, was the only victim of fire which engulfed the entire complex within a few minutes at about 6 p.m. causing widespread damage. The grieving family of the shopkeeper told TNS that trapped Ajit Singh shouted for help but no one came to his rescue. instead bystanders and street urchins looted goods and cash which had been retrieved by the shopkeepers. Giving details of the fire, a spokesman for the police said on prima facie it seemed that a spark from the overhead electric cable fell on the cracker shop underneath which triggered the fire. After that there were blasts and the entire complex was on fire. The District Magistrate, Mr Narinderjit Singh had banned the use of fire crackers, "but not its sale" from November 5 till December 14. According to reports made available to The Tribune, the shopkeepers alleged that there was at acute shortage of water in the vicinity of the market. Fire engines requisitioned by the municipal corporation had to rely on sewerage water to extinguish the fire. A senior police officer, who was involved in the rescue operation, preferring anonymity said the market had no provision for fire safety arrangement while most of the shopkeeper had built additional floors illegally. He said these shops were virtually death traps without ventilation and even after 48 hours, the shops on the top floor were still smouldering. According to the Superintendent, of Municipal Fire Brigade, fire engines had to requisition the services of police drivers to run the vehicles. According to the president of the Punjab Beopar mandal, Mr Amrit Lal Jain, the estimated loss to property was over Rs 12 crore while the official estimate was about Rs 90 lakh. The SDM, Mrs Gurpreet Sapra, is making on-the-spot inquiries. Family members of Ajit Singh told TNS that stock worth over Rs 20 lakh was gutted and currency worth Rs 4 lakh was burnt. Kuldip Singh, another shopkeeper running a toyshop, had lost stock worth Rs 10 lakh and currency totalling over Rs 2.5 lakh. Other shopkeepers had been asked to present their claim with the SDM. Earlier, Minister for Agriculture Gurdev Singh Badal and Minister for Local Bodies Balramji Dass Tandon visited the family of Ajit Singh. FATEHGARH SAHIB: The main store of big shop was gutted today at Mandi Gobindgarh according to PTI. Two fire engine fought with the flames for more than an hour to douse the fire. According to the shopkeeper, the cause of the fire might be a cracker and he estimated the loss of about Rs 8.50 lakh. Besides, a house caught fire at Harlalpura village while the other fire incident took place on Amloh road at Mandi Gobindgarh. FEROZEPORE: A general merchandise shops was gutted at Chubi Chowk here last night a UNI report said. The fire was reportedly
caused by a flying cracker. The loss has been estimated
at Rs 3 lakh. There were, however, no causalities. |
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SDM ‘collects’
Divali gifts FATEHGARH SAHIB, Nov 8 —Resentment prevails among the traders of Bassi Pathana town in the district against the forcible collection of Divali gifts by the SDM. Various traders said that during Divali, the SDM had been making purchases from various shops and did not pay any one. Even the roadside cracker sellers were not spared, inspite of the fact that the government had issued strict instructions against forcible Divali gifts. A delegation of traders today met Mr Rajesh Paul Singh Lalli , a senior Akali leader and a close confidant of Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and demanded the immediate transfer of the SDM. The traders also held a meeting and threatened to start an agitation if no action was taken against the SDM. Mr Lalli said the SDM had been making purchases from jewellers, readymade garment shops and sweet shops, besides others, without making payment. He said when a jeweller insisted with her for payment, she returned three silver coins and took one with her. He further alleged that earlier she had helped certain people in taking forcible possession of municipal land in the town. In one case, she also provided police assistance for forcible possession of municipal land regarding which a case is pending in the court. Mr Lalli said when the matter was brought to the notice of the Deputy Commissioner, he served the SDM with a show-cause notice but her "misdeeds" did not stop. He said he, along with a delegation of traders, would bring this to the notice of the Chief Minister. The SDM was not
available for comments. |
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ST amendments to be
reviewed: Badal CHANDIGARH, Nov 8 — The Punjab Government has assured the traders that the recent amendments in sales tax laws that provide stringent punishment, including imprisonment, to evaders will be reviewed. Official sources here said Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal who holds the Excise and Taxation Portfolio had been flooded with requests that such vast powers in the hands of taxation officials would be misused and would demoralise traders. The sources pointed out that Mr Badal felt that there was need to reconsider and soften the measures. There had been, as usual, pressure from the coalition partner, the BJP also. In fact, some BJP Ministers and MLAs told Mr Badal that the government which had already lost much of the support among the trading community, should not be so harsh. Mr Badal, it is learnt, suggested, that the traders must stop evading the sales tax to the extent they were doing now. The state was starved of funds and tax collection had become very difficult in certain areas, the traders and their associations must suggest ways and means so that "at least a portion of the evaded tax is deposited with the government." Official sources pointed out that the sales tax wing of the excise and Taxation Department shared the same concern and senior officers felt that junior-level functionaries could misuse the powers, but they also pointed out that tough measures were the need of the hour. "We do not intend to kill the goose. But it must lay eggs, if not golden at least silver ones.", a senior officer commented. The amended law — Punjab General Sales Tax (Second Amendment) Act, 1999, which got the Governor’s assent on September 20 and was notified on September 29, provides powers to the officers to send the violators to jail up to two years. Detailed rules and regulations and powers have been defined of different officers. It also lays down that no court shall take cognisance of any offence punishable under this act or the rules made thereunder except with the previous sanction of the commissioner. This way judicial relief has been limited. And, even obstruction of any type that stops the commissioner is punishable up to one year imprisonment. Trade has termed it as a black law, but the government feels that sales tax evasion, almost 90 per cent, has reached such proportions that some surgery was the only answer. Now the changed view is that the government must soften the law and cover its fist with a velvet. The thieves should be caught, but the honest should not suffer is the argument. Meanwhile, the government’s efforts to put up nakas and seal the inter state border and provide computer network has run into some problems. The private contractors who would manage these information centres are yet to complete the task of installing computers. "We shall be able to start the networking within a couple of days", a senior officer here said. The idea behind this new
approach or the old approach couched in new style is ,
"to save the honest traders/industry from the
dishonest traders and officials of the department. The
honest trader will be able to compete better with the
outside traders in inter-state trade. Also it would lead
to a lot of relief to the traders in the state and avoid
harassment to them during the checking of goods in
transit within the state. Two important award schemes
have also been launched." |
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Badal outsmarts dissidents LUDHIANA, Nov 8 — The political storm which threatened to overtake the Badal ministry more than a week ago, appears to have blown over. A series of deft moves by the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, have not only contained dissidence within the ruling SAD-BJP coalition but also neutralised challenge from the rival SHSAD led by the former SGPC supremo, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra. The signature campaign launched by certain MLAs owing allegiance to the Tohra faction, who technically continue to be members of the SAD because of the anti-defection law, seeking a change in the leadership of the party in the wake of the drubbing at the recent parliamentary elections, has for all practical purposes come a cropper. Mr Ravi Inder Singh, a senior SAD leader, who spearheaded the dissident movement within the party, stands isolated. To his chagrin, he found himself cornered at the Political Affairs Committee meeting of the SAD held at Chandigarh on Saturday and had to storm out of the meeting hall when it was decided to serve a show-cause notice on him for anti-party activities. The SAD Legislature Party has a strength of 74 MLAs. The attempt of Mr Ravi Inder Singh and Mr Tohra, who was backing him, was to somehow secure signatures of 38 MLAs seeking a change in the leadership so as to split the party. But as things turned out, they could not reach anywhere near that figure. Mr Tohra commands the loyalty of 10 MLAs. Another MLA, Mr Prem Singh Lalpura, who is not happy with the Chief Minister, has also thrown in his lot with Mr Tohra. Besides Mr Ravi Inder Singh, three other members of the SAD who displayed signs of rebellion included Mr Baldev Singh Khiala, Mr Ranjit Singh Chhajjalwadi and Mr Sohan Singh. But Mr Ravi Inder Singh found that he could not count on more than 15 MLAs. Highly placed sources in the SAD say that the three MLAs, Mr Khiala, Mr Chhajjalwadi and Mr Sohan Singh have now given in writing to Mr Badal expressing full faith in his leadership, leaving Mr Ravi Inder Singh high and dry. Trouble began for Mr Badal about 10 days ago when Mr Tohra and the SAD dissidents felt that party’s poor performance in the parliamentary elections had considerably weakened the position of the Chief Minister within the party. Time had, come for a change in the leadership of the party. While Mr Ravi Inder Singh launched the signature campaign in the SAD, Mr Tohra’s supporters targeted the 18-member BJP group. Initially, there seemed to be some success for the dissidents. While Mr Ravi Inder Singh roped in a few Akali MLAs, Mr Tohra’s supporters secured the signatures of a couple of BJP MLAs on a vague statement emphasising the need for a debate on various issues, including poor performance in the elections. There were some threatening noises also at meeting of the office- bearers of the State unit of the BJP where it was emphasised by a couple of speakers that the BJP’s alliance should be with the SAD and not with a particular Akali leader. In the Badal Cabinet, Mr Ranjit Singh Brahmpura began demanding that Mr Balbir Singh Pannu should be nominated as the party candidate for the presidentship of the SGPC. Sensing trouble Mr Badal moved quickly. He first convened an informal meeting of the Akali Dal Legislature Party which reposed full faith in his leadership. It was attended by 61 MLAs. The 18-member BJP legislature group also met and expressed full faith in the leadership of Mr Badal. Later, Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, leader of the BJP Legislature Party issued a statement emphasising that the BJP’s alliance was with Mr Badal alone. Mr Ranjit Singh Brahmpura also changed his tune. Demanding that his close associate,Mr Balbir Singh Pannu, who hails from Majha region, should be the party nominee for the post of the SGPC chief, Mr Brahmpura announced that he had full faith in the leadership of Mr Badal and would abide by whatever decision was taken by the SAD chief with regard to the party nominee for the SGPC presidentship. It is a measure of his
regained self-confidence that Mr Badal took no time at
the political affairs committee meeting on Saturday in
announcing the name of Bibi Jagir Kaur as the SAD nominee
for the presidentship of the SGPC. |
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Mamta absolves Kamal Sharma LUDHIANA, Nov 8 — The Mamta Kulkarni abduction case, which had created a controversy in the city, has now fizzled out with the cine star absolving the two main accused — Kamal Sharma and Gurcharan Singh of trying to kidnap her during a visit to the city on October 30. In a fax message sent to the Senior Superintendent of Police, Ms Gurpreet Deo, cine star Mamta Kulkarni has stated that the two men — Kamal Sharma and Gurcharan Singh had made no attempt to kidnap me and had appeared to be polite and cordial. The police had registered an FIR on October 31 against the two for making an attempt to kidnap Mamta Kulkarni, criminal trespassing and for trying to entice her with intention of sexual offence. She was in Ludhiana to participate in a star nite organised at a local club on October 30. The two accused had been eluding the local police, which had been conducting raids at many places to capture them. It is learnt that senior BJP functionaries in the state had approached film star turned politician Vinod Khanna for approaching Mamta Kulkarni and getting the case closed, Kamal Sharma is the son of a local BJP councillor Rekha Sharma. Even though, Mamta Kulkarni, has now absolved Kamal Sharma and Gurbachan Singh. The police is likely to continue with the inquiry. The SSP, when contacted
said the police would withdraw the FIR after questioning
the two accused and confirming the facts with Mamta
Kulkarni. |
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Legal Services Day on Nov 9 CHANDIGARH, Nov 8 — The Punjab Government has decided to observe November 9 as the Legal Services Day to bring awareness among the masses about their legal rights and duties. According to the Executive Chairman of the Punjab Legal Services Authority, Mr Justice H. S. Bedi, this day commemorates the enforcement of the Legal Services Authority Act, 1987, in the country. He said various schemes for legal assistance to the needy and weaker sections of the society were under implementation in Punjab. Free legal assistance was given at the State’s expense in the form of services of advocates, expenses for court fee, witnesses, process fee and other incidental needs for litigation. To make the scheme broadbased, persons from a cross-section of society are benefited, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, women, children, those in custody, victim of trafficking in human beings or beggar, mentally retarded or otherwise disabled, victim of underserved want and industrial workman. So far 24,185 persons have been provided free legal assistance in the State. Besides, sittings of the permanent Lok Adalats at the District Headquarters were being held on every working Saturday. So far 1,108 sittings have been finally settled and awards amounting to Rs 92.95 crore were passed in these adalats as on September 30. The Punjab Legal
Services Authority has organised 991 seminars and
conferences to create awareness. |
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Home for the aged at
Hoshiarpur HOSHIARPUR: Keeping in view the pitiable plight of the elderly, the majority of whom are leading miserable lives these days, the Hindu Gau Rakshni Sabha has decided to set up a Vriddh ashram (senior citizens' home) at Hariana Road, near Shivpuri, adjoining the Gaushala complex here. A project was prepared with the help of Mr Har Ashok Sharma, Executive Engineer, Central Works Division, Hoshiarpur, and Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, was invited to lay the foundation stone of the building. Mr Badal laid the foundation stone and Rs 5 lakh for this purpose. Mr Vishnu Digamber Sud, general secretary of the Hindu Rakshini Sabha, told The Tribune that many aged persons had approached office-bearers of the sabha for setting up an ashram for aged persons who were either being ignored and maltreated by their children due to which they were humiliated and some of them even died, much before their natural death. This inspired the sabha to setting up the ashram at Hoshiarpur as there was no place for aged persons where they could spend the last days of their life peacefully and calmly. The entire project at a cost of Rs 1.50 crore would be completed within three years in two phases. The ashram would have 56 sets with all modern amenities to house 112 elderly persons. Besides, the ashram would have a library, dispensary, recreation room, physiotherapy centre and meditation room to keep the inmates busy during the day. The environment in the ashram would be made neat and clean with landscaping around the complex so that inmates who come here for spending their last few years would live much longer. Mr Sud said construction work of the first phase would be completed by the end of the current financial year. Construction of 28 rooms had been completed and final touches were in progress. He said the sabha had no regular source of income and was running the entire show through donations. He praised the district administration, especially Mr Iqbal Singh Sidhu, Deputy Commissioner, for cooperation and patronage to complete this noble work. He said as soon as the first phase of this project was completed, admission for inmates would start. Elderly persons who could pay a monthly bill would be admitted to the ashram. He clarified that the sabha would run this ashram purely on a no profit, no loss basis. The main aim for setting up of this ashram was to provide physical and mental rest to aged persons neglected by their children. The sabha already runs a
big gaushala on modern and scientific lines since 1903. |
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Body’s long wait in morgue LUDHIANA, Nov 8 — The body of 21-year-old Ram Bharose, has been lying in the mortuary at the Christian Medical College and Hospital for the last six days because of the failure of his relatives to clear the hospital bills. Ram Bharose, a factory worker, was admitted to the CMC with high fever on October 26 and was later diagnosed as suffering from dengue haemorrhagic fever. He died on November 3. The relatives of the deceased have alleged that in spite of their repeated pleas to the hospital authorities to handover the body "on humanitarian grounds". But the authorities have been asking them to clear the hospital dues first. The hospital authorities, however, denied these allegations and said it was "false propaganda" unleashed to "malign" the name of a reputed organisation committed to serving the suffering humanity." Dr T.M. Jason, Deputy Medical Superintendent of the hospital, said the relatives of the patient had left the body unclaimed for fear of having to pay the bill amounting to about Rs 38,000. Dr Jason said some relatives of the patient had approached the hospital authorities on November 5 and expressed their helplessness to pay the entire bill and they had been granted a concession of about Rs 8,000. He claimed that the patient had made no advance payment, in spite of getting treatment for about a week. The relatives of the deceased, however, refute these claims made by the hospital authorities and said they had said the hospital bill for the period for which Ram Bharose was admitted there. Mr Surinder Leel,
general secretary of the Inqualabi Kender, who brought
the case to light, claimed that the family members had
tried hard to arrange the money but to no avail. He said
the pleas of the family members to the Health Department
officials and the district administration had fallen on
deaf ears. |
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Khalistan movement
‘adventurist’ AMRITSAR: Terrorism in Punjab was not a secessionist force or a religious movement for Khalistan as propounded by its leaders, and a majority of those who took to arms did so more for some "a fun and adventure", says a new book. Ground realities greatly differed from the perceptions existing earlier about the motivations, traits and activities of the terrorists, say three academics who have carried out a detailed survey of rural Punjab. The access to arms only provided the powerless young men an ‘’entitlement to power,’’ say three professors of Guru Nanak Dev University, Prof Harish K. Puri, Prof Paramjit Singh Judge and Prof Jagrup Singh Sekhon who have written "Terrorism in Punjab: grassroots reality". "Shaukia" (for fun) was surprisingly a prominent expression used by the respondents as reason or motivation for taking to gun by the boys, says Dr Puri, noting that young boys were fascinated with modern weapons as holding arms provided a sense of being someone to reckon with. For the study a total of 323 participants in terrorist violence were identified by the respondents spread over 28 terrorist affected villages in the four police districts, as belonging to their villages. Three teachers visited these villages and had interactive discussions with the people in open. According to the study 38 per cent of the terrorists from these areas said they joined for adventure and thrill and 21 per cent due to influence or at the behest of terrorists. For 12 per cent of them, the moving impulse was smuggling, looting or making money. Khalistan was identified as the main reason only by five per cent of the respondents; the influence of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in the case of three per cent while only four per cent took up arms in an emotional response to Operation Blue Star and anti Sikh riots. The data also negates another prevalent notion that most of those who took to the gun joined as a consequence of the police atrocities on them or their kin as most of the terrorists were motivated by reasons of inter-family enmity or that of revenge. Open discussions with the participants and their families also indicated that terrorists groups were not well organised units and generally suffered from factionalism. There was no strong uni-linear structure in the party rank and file and there was no trust even within members of the same sect. More than 700 villages of Punjab had close encounters with terrorist violence although the number of villagers seriously affected by it constituted a small proportion — just about 268 out of the total 12,000 villages. A majority of them were from the four police districts of Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Batala and Majitha, according to a police assessment cited by the academics. Dr Puri observes that contrary to popular perception, 24 per cent of those who took to arms were illiterate while another 26 per cent had been to school only uptil the middle level and just two per cent of them were graduates. While a lot of religious fervour was accorded to the movement, the book points out that 90 per cent of the boys, including the baptised ones, had little familiarity with religious scriptures although they conferred on themselves honorifics such as ‘baba’ or ‘bhai’. "It was an opportunistic escapism that provided the boys an escape from the rotten world they were living in and also gave them religious legitimacy. In no way can they be called religious fanatics.’’ says the book. They were rather interested in weapons, property and women, says Dr Puri. "Practically no ‘fighter’ came to the notice of the villages for articulation of a political or religious issues except in terms of symbolic reference to the dominating presence of Singhs... The terror and violence related largely to matters of personal or family disputes, vendatta, mercenary interests, sexual gratification and general assertion of power and dominance in their villages, notes the author. However, atrocities committed by the police and killing of suspects in fake encounters disturbed the masses. Dr Puri affirmed that repeated references were made to terrorists becoming an industry for policemen. There was an underlying sense of relieve among the villages when the terrorists were killed by the police. Following the end of the terrorist violence what struck the people most was not only the collapse of the Khalistan movement but also the virtual disappearance of the logic of the struggle. Terrorism made little impact on the agricultural production in the state. And despite some incidents of mass killings of migrant labourers their regular influx to Punjab remained uninterrupted. And surprisingly there has been little evidence of cultural sympathy which failed insurgencies often evoke in the form of literature on battles, idealism, heroism or the vision of the fighters. The book states that the movement failed because it was removed from the ground realities of the masses and its grievances and, moreover, points out that hasty conclusions were drawn on the basis of it, which were not neccesarily supported by facts. "The ruling elite
is blind to the ground realities. Scholars and
mediapersons should also wake up and do good research on
a particular subject before reaching any
conclusion", warns the book. (PTI) |
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Duped Punjab youth in Moscow
jail CHANDIGARH, Nov 8 — Shankar Dass a broken man and his wife a shattered mother. A resident of Bahar Majra village of Nawanshehr district in Punjab, the father sold off his agricultural land, borrowed money to send his son abroad in the hope of getting settled there and a promise to the ones who lent him money to repay. But that was not to be. This is the story of a helpless father and his son, Harmesh Kumar (he will be 25 in December), now in jail in Moscow, courtesy his own countrymen. In a petition to the Minister of External Affairs, Shankar Dass has narrated the tale of sorrow. His petition has been supported by the Congress MP, representing Phillaur (reserve) constituency, Ms Santosh Chaudhary, who has urged Mr Jaswant Singh to intervene on behalf of her constituent whose son has been "falsely implicated in a kidnapping case in Moscow". Harmesh Kumar with a valid passport (No. V-02359) issued on September 19, 1995, by the Regional Passport Office, Jalandhar, went to Moscow on a tourist visa on June 9, 1998. He was accompanied by a travel agent, Ram Lobhaya. There, alongwith some other Indians, Harmesh approached one Mr Patel, who claimed to be an employee of the Indian Embassy in Moscow. Mr Patel promised to send them to a west European country. He was also allegedly given some money for the purpose. Since Mr Patel was delaying their travel to some other country, the Indians got suspicious and demanded their money back. An other Indian (Inderjit Singh), alleged to be an accomplice of Mr Patel intervened to get the money back on behalf of the group. He asked Harmesh Kumar and Baldish Rai to visit Mr Patel at his residence for taking their money back. On reaching Mr Patel’s residence, to their horror, they were arrested by the police and implicated for their bid to kidnap him. Ostensibly, the police and Mr Patel had connived. Both, Harmesh and Baldish, were tried and with no assistance from the Embassy were sentenced to three years in jail. Harmesh, is the only son of his parents. Since the news of his being jailed was conveyed to his parents, the mother has had fits. Life, the parents have learnt, was miserable for Harmesh in Moscow jail and language a problem. Shankar Dass wants the help of the Ministry of External Affairs. The petition even
carries the telephone no. (Moscow) of Mr Patel; will the
Ministry respond, investigate and help? |
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Sale of turban sparks off row PATIALA, Nov 8 — The sale of a royal turban belonging to a Patiala ruler, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, in London has stirred a fresh controversy for the family’s scion and pradesh Congress President Capt Amarinder Singh with senior Congress leader Birdevinder Singh today demanding the PPCC chief give a comprehensive explanation on the issue. In a statement here, Mr Birdevinder Singh, who is a General Secretary of the party and has been one of the main spirits behind the dissident activity in the state Congress, brushed aside the explanation given by Lok Sabha member and Capt Amarinder Singh’s wife Parneet Kaur that the family did not know of the sale of the turban or its existence. Mr Birdevinder Singh said what was intriguing was that Capt Amarinder Singh was in London during the period when the sale had taken place. He said the sale must have been reported in London papers also and in case the turban was a fraud, Capt Amarinder Singh should have denounced the sale or taken action against the Christie auction house for carrying it out. Urging that the truth be brought out, the Congress leader said steps should be taken to sue Christie International in case of a wrong sale. He said if, however, the turban of the late Maharaja had really been auctioned, steps to bring the turban back should be taken as it was a symbol of the pride of Patiala and the Phulkian dynasty. Mr Birdevinder Singh said he and others would support Capt Amarinder Singh to bring the turban back if it was a genuine piece of heritage by requesting the Punjab and the Central Government to assist in this regard. He, however, demanded that the Punjab Government as well as the Union Government must answer the people as to how the turban had reached London. Stating that the pride of the entire Sikh community was involved in the matter, he said never before in history had a Sikh turban been sold. He said: "The amount for which it has been auctioned is to a minuscule for the Sikh community when the disgrace brought about by the sale to Punjab and the country is considered". He gave the example of how Udham Singh, also a citizen of the Patiala riyasat, had gone to London to take revenge for the humiliation meted out to Lala Lajpat Rai. The Congress leader also said it needed to be investigated how the turban was not accounted for in the state collection after Independence. He said the family of Capt Amarinder Singh was also the custodian of holy relics associated with the Sikh gurus and it was not expected of it to be involved in any sale of other heirlooms with them. The Wall Street Journal
had recently reported that Christies had conducted a sale
of Indian jewellery in which a royal turban studded with
diamonds and rubies belonging to the late maharaja was
sold to an anonymous buyer for $ 1.70 lakh. |
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35 ill with food poisoning AMRITSAR, Nov 8 — At least 35 persons fell ill following food poisoning at Lumsdon Club on the eve of Divali here. The persons who fell ill included Mr Arun Verma and Mr Nirmal Singh, President and Secretary of the club, respectively, and members of their family. All of them rushed to private hospitals. However, Dr Rajinder Singh, Civil Surgeon, said he did not know the exact number of patients as nobody was admitted to any of the government hospitals. He, however, said Dr Sant Parkash Singh Dhillon, District Health Officer, had been directed to probe the matter. Others who had dinner at the club and complained of food poisoning included members of the family of Mr Bhag Singh Ankhi, Secretary (Honorary), Chief Khalsa Dewan — his wife, Ms Ajit Kaur, sons, Mr Bhalinder Singh and Mr Preet Inder Singh and daughter, Ms Prabhjot Kaur. Members of the family of Mr Nirmal Singh who were affected included Mr Harmeet Singh, Mr Kanwal and Mr Jasbir Singh. Others who were affected were Mr Raminder Singh, Mr Sharnjit Singh and his wife, Mr Om Verma, father of the President of the club, and Ms Vinti, among others. All the victims were
declared out of danger. It is learnt that non-vegetarian
food served at the club was contaminated. |
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SLR snatcher arrested JALANDHAR, Nov 8 — Jalandhar police claims to have solved over 10 cases of robbery with the arrest of Sarabjit Singh, alias Chhaba, a resident of Nurmahal. The SSP, Mr Gaurav Yadav said in a press conference here today that Sarabjit Singh, alias Chhaba, was involved in over a dozen cases of robbery committed in the past one month at Jagraon, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Banga and Nawanshahr. On a tip off received by the Bilga police that he was staying at Ludhiana in a rented room, a police party raided his hideout. He was arrested on November 6 when he was coming out of a cinema hall on Dhabba Road. The SSP said with his arrest over a dozen cases including the snatching of a revolver from a Head Constable at Ludhiana, snatching of an SLR from a constable at Nurmahal, freeing of an undertrial Gurdip Kumar from outside Nakodar courts, looting of petrol stations at Jagraon, looting of liquor shops at Banga and Nawanshahr and firing at a police naka at Jandiala had been solved. The SSP said Sarbjit Singh had a past criminal record and he was involved in criminal cases. He was released on bail in July 1999. The second phase of his criminal activities started on October 10 when he along with Baljit Singh snatched the revolver of Head Constable Bhupinder Singh at Ludhiana after stabbing him. In a period of 25 days Sarabjit Singh had committed various crimes, including nine robberies and had snatched seven cars from different places. The SLR snatched from constable Karni Singh on October 16 had been recovered from Sarabjit Singh. Two kilogramme of opium had also been recovered. The two accomplices of Sarabjit, Baljit Singh a resident of Faridkot, and Gurdip Kumar of Nath village in Nurmahal had absconded. The SSP said during preliminary interrogation of Sarabjit Singh revealed that his family had very little land holding. His father Jagat Singh was incapacitated due to asthma and the financial position of the family was not good. His mother Jeeto was living separately and had spent three two years in England after reportedly marrying another person. However, she was deported to India after the authorities found out that she had emigrated illegally. Sarabjit Singh indulged
in criminal activities with a view to raising funds to go
abroad. |
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3 cases in 3 years against
cop BATHINDA, Nov 8 — Budh Singh, Inspector, Punjab police, has created a history of sorts by getting three criminal cases registered against him in the past three years in different police stations. Budh Singh, who is already facing prosecution in two criminal cases, has been booked by the local police in a case of extortion and wrongful confinement under Section 384, 363 and 342 and under provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act. Budh Singh, has been booked in the above case on the complaint of Gurmit Singh of Chughe Kalan village. The case was registered following an inquiry by SP (Head Quarter), Mr Harbaz Singh, into the allegations levelled by Gurmit Singh into his complaint. Mr Harbaz Singh told TNS that other allegations made against Budh Singh was being looked into. He added that Budh Singh, who was posted in the Indian Reserve Battalion, was once dismissed from service 10 years ago but he was reinstated within two or three months. The SP said three years of service of Budh Singh was forfeited on certain charges in 1989 but this punishment was also cancelled within a few months by the authorities concerned . The other criminal case against Budh Singh was registered in the city police station here for stripping a Dalit woman, Amarjit Kaur, before her son in the CIA staff police station in 1997. He was suspended following rallies and protest by various social organisations but few days before the Lok Sabha elections in 1997, he was reinstated and posted in Muktsar district. Budh Singh was also
booked in a corruption case at Mansa police station, in
1998. |
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Vishwakarma Day celebrated LUDHIANA, Nov 8 — A function was organised at Vishavkarma Mandir, Miller Ganj, here today to celebrate the Vishwakarma Day. Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Savha, presided over the function. In his address, he said Lord Vishwakarma had taught dignity of labour and hard work and the hard work of artisans and technicians had enabled India to compete with other countries. He announced a grant of Rs 11,000 for the construction of Vishwakarma Mandir building. PHAGWARA: Thousands of devotees took part in Vishwakarma Day celebrations on Monday at Vishwakarma Mandir here and took holy dip in sacred sarovar at gurdwara Sukh Chain Sahib. Industrialists artisans, masons, carpenters, Ramgarhias and blacksmiths also worshipped their tools. FEROZEPORE: Industrialists, carpenters and others celebrated the Vishwakarma Day here on Monday with enthusiasm FAZILKA: Hundreds of mechanics, masons and artisans paid obeisance at Vishwakarma temple to celebrate the birthday of Lord Vishwakarma. Mr Surjit Kumar Jayani, Minister of State for Rural Development, Punjab, and Mr Bajrang Lal Gupta, President, Municipal Council, also joined the artisans and labourers. SIRSA: The
Vishwakarma Day was celebrated here on Monday and a
function was organised at Vishwakarma Mandir in this
connection. Reports of celebration of Vishwakarma Day
were also received from Mandi Dabwali, Kalanwali, Rania
and Ellenabad in the district. |
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Support for Badal CHANDIGARH, Nov 8 — Mr Ranjit Singh Chajjalwadi and Mr Sohan Singh Badal, both MLAs, have expressed full faith in the leadership of the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal. In signed statements issued separately, both MLAs said they were not associated in any anti-Badal political activity and reports appeared in the media were untrue. They said the steps taken by Mr Badal for the welfare for all sections of society were appreciable. Mr Kirpal Singh
Badungar, Secretary of the Shiromani Akali Dal, said here
today that both MLAs sent their statements to the party
office which were later released to media. |
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Brahmpura group backs Jagir Kaur AMRITSAR, Nov 8 — Even as the annual election to the SGPC will be held on November 10 at Teja Singh Samundari Hall here, Bibi Jagir Kaur who was re-nominated by the SAD, is likely to be re-elected 35th president as the Brahmpura group has extended support to her. Mr Balbir Singh Naushehra Pannua, Senior Vice-President, SGPC and a close confidant of Mr Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Cooperation Minister, who had supported the former to replace Bibi Jagir Kaur has withdrawn his claim to the post. Mr Pannua, talking to The Tribune said though he was aspirant for the post yet he would support Bibi Jagir Kaur as a "disciplined worker" of the party. "For me, the directive and decision of party President is final". He, however, said he had staked claim to the post on the basis of merit and sacrifice for the Panth. On the other hand, the
Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal led by Mr Gurcharan Singh
Tohra has not claimed that his party would contest the
election of the president. |
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Traffic disrupted as wagons
derail BARNALA, Nov 8 — Following the derailment and breaking of nine wagons, loaded with coal, of a goods train of Eastern Railway on Monday morning the rail traffic on the Bathinda-Dhuri section was disrupted as routes of all trains on this section had to be diverted either from Dhuri or Bathinda. The derailed train started from Barora railway station on Monday morning and was bound for Lehra Mohabbat thermal unit, about 8 km from Barnala railway station. Mr Vijay Kumar,
Divisional Railways Manager, Ambala, who was himself
supervising rescue and relief operations on the site,
said the wagons derailed in between Sekha and Barnala
railway stations. |
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Fire destroys marriage pandal PHAGWARA, Nov 8 — A fire broke out at a marriage pandal on the Phagwara-Banga road early morning today resulting in a big loss. Meanwhile, two minor
fires were also reported from Hargobind Nagar and Singla
Market. However, these fires were caused by crackers. |
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Forum criticises Divali mela PATIALA, Nov 8 — The Forum for Educational Action and Reform (FEAR) of Punjabi University today criticised the two-day Divali mela organised by the University calling it a waste of time, money and energy. In a statement here, forum president Amarjit Singh Dhillon said it was a matter of concern that the university Vice-Chancellor, Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, participated in gambling done at the fair in name of skill games. He said it was shocking that the Vice-Chancellor lost Rs 150 in the skill games. He said the forum felt that the Chancellor, the UGC and the Punjab Government should take cognisance of such activities and should advise the Vice-Chancellors to refrain from such unacademic and wasteful exercises in future. He said efforts should be made to increase the teaching days as per the UGC norms and the university should not be allowed to act as "an extension" of the North Zone Cultural Centre. The Forum president said
though nearly half of the academic session was over,
there had been hardly 30 days of teaching in most of the
departments of the university. |
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