Priest’s murder takes new turn
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR, June 16 — Murder of Ashish Prabash described as a Christian priest has taken a new turn with the formation of a fact-finding team to probe the matter by the Bishop’s House, which has denied that the deceased was a priest of any particular church.

Father Michael Ani Chairman of the team said the issue of murder of Ashish Prabash was blown out of proportion by certain vested interests, particularly some politicians who had “hijacked” the whole issue. On the other hand the police has denied that four persons were arrested by them in connection with the murder which took place in Kanianwal village on the outskirts of city on June 11. Body of Ashish Prabash with stab marks was found in his one-room rented accommodation and a few Christian organisations had dubbed it as a handiwork of some fanatic Hindu fundamentalist organisation.

The fact-finding team, in a statement issued from the Bishop’s House today said after inquiring in the background of the deceased. It had found that “he was not a priest of any particular church (Christian denomination) but was only a voluntary youth worker (campus crusader). At time of murder his activities were limited to displaying religious films at different gatherings.”

The team according to Father Ani was working without interfering into the investigation being conducted by other agencies.

Talking to The Tribune Father Ani said the deceased was not a renowned man particularly in the field of preaching. “We at the church did not know him. We never met him. But we want that whosoever has committed the crime should be brought to book”. He said he was of the view that the whole issue had been hijacked by certain politicians and other elements who wanted to make hay while the sun was shining. Asked whether the murder could be a handiwork of any particular organisation, Father Ani said “I cannot say this with surety, but we are deadly against fomenting any communal tension in the city which had no background of communal hatred particularly in respect of Christians.” While agreeing to the contention of some quarters that had any fanatic organisation wanted any mileage by murdering a priest it would have attacked some renowned functionary of the Church. He said the team was busy gathering more details about the life and activities of the deceased.

On the other hand Mr Gaurav Yadav, SSP, said the murder was a routine crime and had no communal angle to it. He said the police had not arrested four persons in connection with murder as has been reported in a section of press.

Christian leaders’ memo to Governors
Tribune News Service

In particular the statement expected that the government gives adequate protection to Christian institutions and members of the community; that the police should be more vigilant in order to prevent such crimes and atrocities; order impartial inquiries into the cases cited above; take appropriate action against the culprits and compensate for damages done to the property. 

Dal Khalsa flays RSS activities
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, June 16 — The Dal Khalsa today came down heavily on the RSS offshoots for targetting the minority communities either by force or by design. Criticising the recent incidents of violence directed at Christians, the organisation alleged that the BJP leaders were providing the state patronage to the culprits.

Blaming the offshoots of the Sangh Parivar for unleashing an era of “cultural terrorism” against the minorities, the Dal Khalsa Vice-President, Mr Satnam Singh, and the Secretary, Mr Kanwar Pal Singh, today declared that the organisation would not allow the “divisive and expansionist” agenda of the Hindutva forces to succeed.

They appealed to leaders of both Christian and Muslim communities to forge an united front along with the Sikhs to resist the Sangh Parivar’s alleged onslaughts. They also demanded a high-level inquiry into the killing of the Jalandhar based Christian preacher Ashish Prabash last week. The disappointment of Christians over the way the city police was handling the case was shocking and serious, they added.

Punjab’s poor horsemanship
By P.P.S. Gill
Tribune News service

CHANDIGARH, June 16 — Other day one saw the Punjab Government on a "fast gallop" in full-page advertisements in leading newspapers. The SAD-BJP coalition had been likened to a horse. The mount was eulogised as "dynamic, sagacious and far-sighted".

One had to literally "trot" to keep pace with the "gallop". This required stamina and strength. One had to take a deep breath, shoal up energy , patience and perseverance to read the claimed achievements.

It made an impressive reading. But did it etch on the gray-cells ? The adrenalin got activated. Mind raced. Fingers reached out and nimbled through a slim five-page document "Common Minimum Programme" (CMP) published at the start of the "trot" in 1997. Memories came alive. One went over the "promises" made therein. Have they got trampled under the hoofs ?

One really ought to have horse-sense to figure out what went wrong, where and why. Forget how to right it. A comparative study of the "gallop" across the newspaper pages and the " promises" held-out shows that while "moving into an era of peace and prosperity" the same were lost in the dust kicked up by the horse .

The document "CMP" says: "The last five years of Congress rule have witnessed a galloping increase in corruption..." As one "gallops" alongside the SAD-BJP "stead" one wonders what happened to the" special commission of inquiry to expose the Congress' hand behind the violence in Punjab" ? Why the commitment to provide a "clean, responsive and people-friendly administration" eludes the track followed by the "galloping" horse ?

It was to be "mandatory" for all legislators to declare their assets within 90 days of being elected. Have they declared any increase in their assets and the same "accounted for annually" ? as made out in the CMP.

Yes, the law was "amended" to provide "full powers to the Lok Pal to probe allegations of corruption against those holding public office, including the Chief Minister". But where is the Lok Pal? For an answer the best place to look for is the judgement of the High Court on the issue .

On some of the key issues , the advertisement may be silent (covered under the cloak of dust kicked up by the "gallop" ) but the CMP remains vocal and clear. One wonders how many cases of "corruption have been dealt with expeditiously and the guilty punished without any delay " ?

The commitment to enforce the rule of law has , perhaps, been kept. The daily kidnapping , killing of small, little children, rape, custodial deaths, policemen acting as human vultures , the attacks on Christians, the incidents of snatching ,daylight daring robberies et al are all testimonials of what the CM P promised.

The promise of better "infrastructure" still stands. The upward revision of power tariff is being "negotiated" with captains of industry . Information technology and allied fields await erasing of Clause 19 in the terms and conditions outlined by the DoT before Punjab can look beyond the VSNL and the STPI. The lack of broad band width connectivity remains an issue. Even as small and medium industry cries for attention the advertisement only talks of the oil refinery and the huge investments in projects and institutions procured from New Delhi.

The sound of the "gallop" has drowned the voice of the youth . The CMP is emphatic: " We will pay special attention to the problems faced by the youth....especially the educated unemployed. Towards this end , every effort will be made to generate more jobs and provide incentives for self-employment schemes". The advertisement is silent on any youth policy. As a "facilitator" and a "catalyst" neither the "trot" nor "gallop" has made much of a difference to the future of the youth .

The "gallop" has resulted in a deafening silence when it comes to "Centre-State relations" or "outstanding disputes". The States have still not got "more powers", recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission remain unimplemented, the balance of resources in favour of States remains unrestored, the Article 356 continues to be misused and States are seldom consulted on the appointment of Governor.

Have Punjabis, by the way, missed out on the "avenues of peaceful political endeavour" for redressal of the grievances of the people the government may have tried ? Primarily these were (a) Punjab's claim on river waters in accordance with riparian principles; and (b) inclusion of Chandigarh and other Punjabi speaking areas outside the State in Punjab.

Not wishing to trip the leisurely "gallop" one just wonders what happened to the net-working of the social-welfare schemes aimed at ameliorating the economic lot of the have -nots ? Did you say that all through the "trot" and "gallop" ,since February 1997, the octroi was abolished and sales tax simplified ? Of course those officials who harassed the traders were to be dealt with severely. But then the rollbacks, concessions and incentives and cohesive functioning between "inspectors" and traders does not hassle the government.

Remember the "innovative" clauses in the March 22 Budget for 2000-01, whereby, a dedicated social security fund (Rs 200 crore) was created and even a voluntary retirement scheme introduced? Notifications in respect of these and other such schemes are still awaited.

Horse-sense says Punjab received a Special Term Loan of Rs 5799.92 crore from New Delhi (1984-85 to 1993-94) to "combat insurgency". It was this loan which has been waived . The advertisement quotes a wrong figure of Rs 8,500 crore.

In "slow trot" one could see the route and direction" Punjab" was following. By turning into a "fast gallop" it has all four feet in the air (off the ground?). Punjab needs a government with both feet (as well as ears) tuned to the ground. Galloping away in a make-belief world at tax payers' cost, talking of "prosperity" and forgetting promises will not do. It has miles to go.

Promises mean nothing. Perceptions must match means so should political will and bureaucratic commitment. Going from "slow trot" to" fast gallop" and loosing track of the "trotted" path is poor horsemanship! 

Jagir Kaur faces popularity test

JALANDHAR, June 16 (PTI) — SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur, who reeled for long under severe criticism of her detractors following the mysterious death of her daughter in April, is facing a sort of popularity test in her constituency Begowal where the Nagar Panchayat elections are scheduled for next Saturday.

Apart from Begowal, the Notified Area Committees (NAC), or Nagar panchayats, of Bholath and Dhilwan are also going to the polls on Saturday and electioneering in the area ended only this evening.

Though the candidates in 11 wards each of the three NACs are not fighting on party symbols, the main fight is between the nominees of ruling Akali Dal and the Congress. Many in Begowal see the local body polls as a test for Jagir Kaur’s popularity.

Each of the NAC has an electorate of 6000 to 7000 voters. Of the 11 wards of Begowal, candidates of two have been declared elected unopposed. These include Captain (retd) Balbir Singh of the Akali Dal (Badal) and the Sardari Lal of the Congress from ward numbers four and six, respectively.

Two of the ruling Akali Dal candidates were declared elected unopposed in the Bholath NAC poll which too has 11 wards.

Another important fight is on in Nadala where panchayat elections are scheduled for Saturday. With an electorate of nearly 4500, Nadala voters would elect directly a sarpanch from among Mr Avtar Singh of the ruling Akali Dal and Mr Jarnail Singh of the Congress. Mr Jarnail Singh seems to have an edge as he has been a sarpanch for nearly 25 years and also a former chairman of the Nadala Market Committee.

Mr Sukhpal Singh Khehra, Congress leader and bete noire of Bibi Jagir Kaur, told PTI that his party had lodged strong protests with the administration for not providing them with the final lists of voters for the NAC polls. “This gives rise to apprehensions of the poll process not being free and fair,” Mr Khehra said, adding he has repeatedly brought the matter to the notice of senior officials and even Deputy Commissioner V. K. Singh.

Asked whether the polling would be seen as a popularity test, Mr Khehra said, “this would have been the case if we were sure of a free and fair poll process but the absence of the final voter lists till even 48 hours before the election has raised our doubts”.

Begowal is Bibi Kaur’s native constituency where she heads the influential dera of Sant Baba Prem Singh ji Muraleiwale holding real estate worth crores.

Mr Khehra and his father, former Punjab Minister Sukhjinder Singh were accused by Jagir Kaur of being behind the allegations regarding the death of her daughter which is now the subject of a court-ordered CBI probe.

The high-pitch campaigning in the three NACs remained mostly in the shape of street corner meetings and bigger ward meetings. The region saw a sudden splash of wall posters and hand bills. The parties used the local cable networks extensively in the last few days to pitch for their candidates.

Jagir Kaur herself is leading the charge from the front and held public meetings yesterday for her party’s Jathedar Dalip Singh (ward number 1), Sheel Kaur (ward 2), Jagir Singh (ward 3), Giani Sangat Singh (ward 7), Amarjit Kaur (ward) and Mahant Tara Singh (ward). She kept her guns trained on the Congress’, charging the party of ignoring the interests of the state.

Mr Khehra said his partymen have refrained from mentioning the issue of death of Bibi Kaur’s daughter but added, “rumblings are there among the people on account of the issue as the incident is too recent to fade away from public memory.”

Asked about his role in the criticism of Bibi Kaur, Mr Khehra said, “teenage Harpreet was Bibi Kaur’s daughter who died in mysterious circumstances. Begowal youth Kamaljit Singh, who demanded a CBI probe into the death from the high court claims to be a son-in-law of Bibi Kaur. Where are we in the picture?”

Quashing of case against Mann, Bindra questioned
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 16 — On a petition against Punjab Chief Secretary R.S. Mann, Principal Secretary I.S. Bindra and three others, for quashing the Special Judge’s order allowing the closure of a criminal case pertaining to the transfer of government land to the Punjab Cricket Association, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued notice of motion for August 18.

Accusing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) of filing the cancellation report under “political pressure”, Bar-at-Law Mr Karam Chand in his petition had earlier stated that the premier investigating agency and “the officers responsible for the probe had apparently been asked to go slow or else drop the issue by finding a way out”.

Claiming subtle attempts were made to close the investigation in favour of certain officers, the petitioner had also stated that the stand regarding the whole transaction having the oral sanction of the Punjab Governor was “never in existence”.

Challenging the Special Judge’s orders, the petitioner had stated that the Court had “failed to take into consideration political mala fide and lack of political bonafide to faithfully conduct the inquiry into the transaction”.

The inquiry, he had added, would have revealed embezzlement of large sums of money, besides “private benefits” derived by the officials concerned”.

He had also stated that the Court had failed to take into consideration the State Government’s efforts “to protect the officials against whom the inquiry had been marked to the CBI”.

Giving details, he had stated that two writ petitions had also been filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court as “the investigation of the case was not being conducted seriously and political masters wanted to scuttle it”.

The reason for the same, the petitioner had added, “was that Chief Secretary Mr R.S. Mann and Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Mr I.S. Bindra were accused”.

The High Court, he had stated, had also “taken a note of the fact that the officials were interfering and scuttling the process of law. So much so, senior officers of the CBI — a DIG, an SSP and investigating officers connected with the cases — were transferred”.

In his 11-page petition, Mr Karam Chand had also stated that the State Government, in order to “wreck vengeance”, had issued a false charge sheet against then Punjab Chief Secretary Mr V.K. Khanna “who had referred the matter for investigation”.

Allowing the closure of the case, UT District and Sessions Judge had earlier observed: “On conclusion of the investigations, the CBI has reported that no evidence is forthcoming to prove criminal misconduct of I.S. Bindra (PCA President).... Similarly, the CBI has reported that no irregularity on part of R.S. Mann has come to light during the investigations”.

The Sessions Judge had also observed: “On going through the record of the investigation, report submitted by the CBI / Investigating Officer and after hearing the Special Public Prosecutor for the CBI and Deputy Advocate General Punjab for the complainant and for the Punjab State, one feels inclined to agree with the report of the CBI”.

The case, it may be recalled, was registered by the investigating agency against “unknown officials and others” under Sections 120-B and 420 of the Indian Penal Code, besides under the Prevention of Corruption Act, on February 25, 1997, on the written complaint of the Punjab Chief Secretary”.

The CBI was required to investigate into the transfer of about 15 acres of government land in S.A.S. Nagar by the Sports Department to PCA, besides looking into “other matters connected with the utilisation of land and funds granted by the government to the PCA”. The CBI was also required to “see if any culpable offence or attempt, abetment and misuse of official position had been made for private benefit”.

Ward 7 residents set an example in Sanaur 
From Jangveer Singh
Tribune News Service

Sanaur (Patiala), June 16 — For the residents of ward number seven in this small town, 5 km from Patiala, tomorrow will be just another day. Though elections to the town Municipal Council are being held tomorrow, it won’t have much effect on them as they have already chosen their representative unanimously.

The ward, which consists of mostly government employees, decided much before campaigning began to field only Mrs Sunita, wife of former Council President Sanjiv Kumar alias Babbi. Her victory is certain as no one else filed papers against her.

A ward resident said they had tried to set an example for others by choosing their representative unanimously. He said there were two contenders but the people decided that only one should stand for election and the decision was accepted by the other party. He said this had ensured that the candidate from the number seven ward would not have to spend any money on campaigning and specially on liquor to woo the voters.

Bhagwan Das, a businessman, said most of the voters of number seven ward were graduates. They had decided to ensure that the culture of wooing voters through liquor did not occur in their ward and they decided on only one candidate.

However, the example seems to be lost on other wards in the town which go to the poll tomorrow. A contest would be held tomorrow for 12 wards in the town. The elections are being fought with gusto in all the wards with liquor and its attending problems ruling the roost. Only last night there was a clash between two groups in ward number 12 which resulted in injuries to members of one group. One person, Goldy, has been seriously injured following a stab wound and has been admitted to the Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala. Sources said the clash had occurred after darkness between rival factions after one faction stopped another from entering a certain locality. Several person were slightly injured in the incident.

Though the elections are held on individual symbols , they have been politicised. Punjab Finance Minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh has played an active role in the election and blessed certain candidates. He was also instrumental in making Tohra confidant and former Council President Chiman Lal, who is also a candidate this time, join the Akali Dal (Badal ) .

A tour of the town revealed that the candidates were not campaigning on any issues or promising any specific development work. All the candidates hope to romp home on caste considerations only. It is this factor which is at work in all the wards, said a resident Mohan Lal.

Meanwhile Officiating Deputy Commissioner R S Randhawa today issued prohibitory orders banning the carrying of firearms in the district till June 21 as a precautionary measure in view of the municipal elections.

POLITICS

‘Vedanti acting in partisan way’
Tribune News Service

Mr Tohra alleged that the state had turned out to be “mafia state” as killers and kidnappers were being hired, the crime graph was on the rise.

COMMUNITY

1 cr released under pension schemes
From Our Correspondent

FATEHGARH SAHIB, June 16 — The government has released Rs 1 crore for the pensioners and the pensions of all the beneficiaries of various pension schemes would be cleared till June, said Mr B.S. Sudan, while addressing a “sangat darshan” programme at Amloh town of the district today, organised by Mr Balwant Singh Sahpur, MLA, Amloh.

He said 17,065 beneficiaries are getting pensions under various schemes and the verification of certain cases would be completed in 10 days. He said the Sub Divisional Magistrate had been directed to conduct surprise check in schools and dispensaries.

Reacting to the demands of villagers he said that the pending cases of 24-hour electricity supply should be taken up with the PSEB, however, in case the panchayats were ready to bear the entire expenditure for the installation of infrastructure, such cases should be forwarded to the Board for taking it up on priority basis.

Addressing the gathering Mr Balwant Singh Sahpur, MLA, highlighted the various problems of his constituency. He urged the police to take action against the culprits. He demanded more grants and funds for the area.

Mr Mohinder Singh Bagrian, Vice-President, State Youth Akali Dal, Mr Karamjit Singh Bhagrana, Akali leader and Mr Gurmail Singh, Vice-Chairman, Market Committee, Amloh, also addressed the gathering.

On the occasion cheques worth Rs 21 lakhs were distributed among various panchayats.

Thein Dam units to open on July 15
From Our Correspondent

HOSHIARPUR, June 16 — The four power houses of the Thein Dam would start generation from July 15, for which preliminary tests are being carried out.

This was announced by Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, at a press conference at the residence of Mr Varinder Singh Bajwa, President of SAD’s district unit, here today. He said that all four power houses of the Thein Dam would start generating 600 MW of power daily from July 15 and this would normalise the electricity position during the peak season in July, August and September.

In case of any power deficit it would be purchased from the neighbouring states. He said power would be supplied for at least 10 hours daily to the farmers for sowing of paddy crop in the state. The second phase of the Lehra Mohabat would be started from the next year.

He said that power was still cheaper in Punjab as compared to neighbouring states. There was a proposal to enhance power tariff which would be finalised at his meeting with Chief Minister and the PSEB authorities on June 19. He said that there was no proposal to withdraw the facility of free water and power to the farmers in the state. The Punjab Government had already given loan of Rs 4000 crore to the PSEB.

He said that there was no extra water with Punjab for giving to other state. However, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, had recently raised the issue for transferring Chandigarh and the Punjabi-speaking areas of Haryana to Punjab before the Prime Minister. He said that the SAD would make every effort to get Chandigarh and the Punjabi-speaking areas of Haryana transferred to Punjab.

SDE’s resolve on hospitality to dept high-ups
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR June 16—No lavish hospitality will be given to officers and high-ups of the Punjab Public Health Department during their field visits.

A decision in this respect was taken by Sub-Divisional Engineers (SDEs) affiliated with the Punjab PWD Public Health Sub-Divisional Engineers’ Association here today. The objective of the decision is to press the government for conceding various demands of the SDEs.

Addressing a press conference here today, Mr K.S. Saini, president and Mr Mohd. Ishfaq, general secretary of the association, said in future the minister and other high-ups of the department would not be extended extraordinary treatment and they would be treated as per norms and rules laid down by the Punjab government. They said the decision to observe the “work to rule” stir had been taken in view of indifferent attitude of the authorities towards their demands, particularly pertaining to promotions, removal of stagnation and putting an end to mismanagement in the department.

The association has also decided that the officers found deviating from the decision would be punished by the association. Mr Saini said the association members would not use special messengers and faxes for the purpose of sending and receiving routine messages from headquarters. Besides this, officers would not resort to diversion of government revenue for payment of official vehicle repairs, purchase of stationery and payment of electricity bills. Similarly, the SDEs would not execute any scheme or work without prior technical sanction regarding the same.

ETC to relay Gurbani from Golden Temple
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, June 16 — ETC television channel has beaten the Star and Zee TV by obtaining the exclusive relay of Gurbani from the Golden Temple for millions of viewers who used to wake up after listening to the sacred chants of Gurbani from Sri Harmander Sahib.

ETC Channel Punjabi that started beaming from June 3 has brought Gurbani for a daily transmission in the morning and evening.

The channel is making efforts to create and include Punjabi oriented streams of spiritualism and worship. Whereas, the entertainment section is a mix of tradition and modernity through feature films, folk songs and Punjabi art and culture.

The soaps or plays are maintained to reflect the life styles of Punjabi, through socially relevant, romantic, comedy and action oriented programme, according to Mr Rajiee Benhur Nagpal Shinde, Head of programming.

Mr Rabindra Narayan who drew the concept of the first ever Punjabi channel in the world “Punjabi World” has joined as President. According to Mr Rabindra Narayan, the ETC Channel Punjabi will reflect the hopes, heritage beliefs of Punjabi along with propagating the Indian way of life in synchronisation with the latest technological advancement.

The channel endeavours to offers something for every Punjabi viewer aptly reflected through the channel identity line “Dil Apna Punjabi”.

SGPC to accept e-donations
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, June 16 — For global accessibility with an Internet connection round the clock the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) is now all set to open a new vista of “e-donation” website for Sikh devotees at home and abroad.

A base line of 24 hour service has been procured for the purpose from Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL).

On line donations would be accepted from a card payment. Besides that, the site would also be used for 24-hour booking of akhand paths from the Golden Temple. The bookings of sarais and rooms would also be undertaken by the website.

Prof Bikram Singh Virk, website advisor to the SGPC, says that the whole programme has been chalked under the aegis Bibi Jagir Kaur, SGPC President, who has been instrumental in procuring financial assistance for the ambitious project.

Seminar on AIDS
From Our Correspondent

FATEHGARH SAHIB, June 16 — Health welfare committees at the district, subdivision and block levels would be constituted for the welfare of the people. This was announced by Mr B.S. Sudan, Deputy Commissioner, Fatehgarh Sahib while addressing a seminar on AIDS awareness and child health at Sanghol village today.

Mr Sudan stressed the need to educate women as they played role in health and family welfare. He expressed concern over female foeticide after sex determination tests. Ultrasounds, which were introduced to detect ailments only, were being misused, Mr Sudan said, adding that the birth rate in Punjab (23 pc) was high.

He said the need of the hour was to organise group discussions at the village level to make people more aware about health and AIDS. In Punjab there are 500 cases of AIDS, out of which 13 HIV cases are in Fatehgarh Sahib district. Precaution was the best way to prevent AIDS, he said.

Kabir’s birth anniversary
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR June 16—The 602nd birth anniversary of Saint Kabir was celebrated here today with fervour.

Hundreds of devotees participated in a function organised at main temple in New Siraj Ganj locality. Mr Mohinder Bhagat was the chief guest while Mr Rajesh Bhagat presided over the function. They urged people to follow teachings of Saint Kabir. Langar and Chabeels were also organised on this occasion.

CRIME

Woman held for smuggling drugs
From Varinder Singh
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR, June 16 — A woman narcotics carrier landed in the police dragnet along with an accomplice when the duo was out to deliver about 500 gm of heroin, worth Rs 50 lakh in the international market, to one of its young contacts in the city this morning.

Though a few women had been found indulging in smuggling and peddling of drugs in the past, too, normally their activities had been revolving around stocking and transporting opium and liquor only. It is probably for the first time in the state that a woman smuggler of highly priced narcotics, particularly heroin, has been nabbed.

Kanchan Sharma and her accomplice, Balbir Singh, alias Bagga, residents of Hardokhanpur village in Hoshiarpur district who had been acting as carriers for a Srinagar-based smuggler for the past two years, were nabbed by a police party headed by Mr Jatinder Singh, DSP, while they were travelling on a scooter near Bhundian village, near Bhogpur this morning. About 500 gm of heroin, was recovered from Kanchan’s purse.

Mr Gaurav Yadav, SSP, said Kanchan, who had three unsuccessful marriages, had been acting as a carrier for Charanjit Singh, hailing from Kathar village near Adampur. Charanjit Singh is a notorious smuggler who has been operating from Srinagar for long. Charanjit allegedly sent consignments of narcotics, like opium and heroin, through trucks to contacts like Kanchan, who distribute them further among their users, mostly youth.

Kanchan’s was initiated into the world of narcotics when her second husband, Lakhwinder Singh, had gone to Austria and remarried there about two years ago. In his absence, she allegedly developed an illicit relationship with Charanjit Singh. Balbir Singh, a criminal against whom a number of cases have already been registered, was lured into the business by her later to help her transport consignments of narcotics to different parts of the Doaba region.

For the delivery of every consignment, Balbir Singh and Kanchan used to get Rs 50,000 each.

According to the police, Kanchan and Balbir had been evading the police by resorting to use of link roads instead of main routes. Mr Jatinder Singh, DSP, said they mainly used to deliver narcotics to college students in Jalandhar city. Mr Yadav said the investigation into the case has been entrusted to Mr Jatinder Singh and police parties have been despatched to different parts of Jammu and Kashmir to nab Charanjit Singh.

DGP favours police dists
Tribune News Service

SANGRUR, June 16 — Claiming that terrorism in the state was virtually non-existent, the Director-General of Police, Punjab, Mr Sarabjit Singh today disclosed that the matter relating to the disbanding or retention of six police districts was under the consideration of the government and no decision had been taken in this regard so far.

Addressing a press conference at the police lines here, Mr Sarabjit Singh further said the police would present its point of view at the time of a review of the police districts but a final decision would be taken by the state government.

During days of militancy in the state, six police districts were created at Khanna, Barnala, Batala, Jagraon, Tarn Taran and Majitha to deal with terrorism in an effective manner.

However, Mr Sarabjit Singh opined that there was no need to disband police districts at Tarn Taran, Batala and Majitha in the border-belt as these police districts were playing an effective role in controlling the terrorist crime there.

Admitting that morale of the police during militancy era was low, but added it was very high now.

Regarding terrorist crime in the state during the past one year, the DGP said the state had not seen any major crime besides two bomb blasts at two different places including Fatehgarh Sahib. However, he claimed the normal crime rate in the state had not increased. he said during 1999 the normal crime rate remained the same as it was in 1998.

Regarding the functioning of women police stations, the DGP said this experiment could not prove effective in the state because these were not declared as police stations by the government. So, these did not have any legal status, these could only work as reporting centres for crimes, committed against women.

Mr Sarabjit Singh added that to deal with crime against women, he would make efforts to post five/six women police employees, including officers in urban police stations. These women police officials would be able to investigate cases of crime, committed against women, effectively.

The DGP in reply to a question answered that the migrant workers as well as local people were prone to the crime equally. He said in the recent past no migrant worker was involved in major crimes. However, he stressed upon the need for employing migrant workers after proper verification.

Regarding the case of death of Harpreet Kaur, a daughter of Bibi Jagir Kaur, the DGP said a very senior officer was investigating the case but the family of Kamaljit Singh was not cooperating. He said Kamaljit had not given us his blood sample for a DNA test on the foetus which had been found from Phagwara.

To another question, Mr Sarabjit Singh said no police official, barring a few cases, who had been given out-of-turn promotions during the peak of militancy, was demoted as they had been found fit for promotion on account of seniority later.

During his visit to the district, the DGP also inaugurated buildings of two police stations at Mehlan and Kohrian villages, yesterday. He also inaugurated a flood light basketball ground in the local Police Lines last night.

3 truck thieves arrested
From Our Correspondent

Mohammed Amin disclosed that charas was brought for selling to Vipin Kumar at Adda Jaintipura from where they were arrested.

Two killed in Bathinda
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, June 16 — Two persons, including a youth and an old man have been allegedly murdered in the district during the past two days.

Police sources said that Vijay Kumar, 20-year-old youth of Partap Nagar locality, was allegedly murdered by Ruby, a resident of the same locality last night. Personal enmity was said to be the motive behind the murder.

Vijay Kumar, who did diploma in computer from a local Polytechnic College, was standing on the road near his house when he was attacked by Ruby. Vijay Kumar, however, managed to reach his house. He died on his way to the hospital.

In another case, Jallaur Singh of Naruana village was allegedly shot dead by his kin when he was getting his hair cut done at a barber’s shop located near the bus stand. The murder took place at 8.30 a.m. this morning.

Police sources said in both cases, the accused had absconded and cases registered in this regard.

EDUCATION

Mayor’s kin suspended from college
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, June 16 — Taking serious view of the alleged unruly behaviour of Rajiv Sharma and Rajbir Sharma, son and nephew, respectively, of the city Mayor, Mr Subhash Sharma, the managing committee of DAV College for Boys suspended them from the college.

The boys allegedly misbehaved and hurled threats at the college Principal, Mr M.L. Aeri.

The Principal said that the trouble arose when both boys allegedly beat up a classmate, Suhail, who is a son of a teacher in the same college, after the latter refused to help Rajbir in the gradation test held on June 13.

Both of them later waylaid Suhail and allegedly beat him. He was saved by the college securitymen.

The Principal said that the boys’ parents were summoned to the college but instead of feeling sorry for the incident, the boys allegedly hurled threats.

BUSINESS

FCI blamed for substandard rice
From Our Correspondent

The Minister said that the concern of the Punjab Government was to keep its storage places empty so that the millers could mill fresh paddy. He also expressed hope that Mr Shanta Kumar would stem the rot in the FCI to improve the quality of rice procured in Punjab.