RSS for alternative fuel
ROHTAK, Oct 1 — Apprehending a grave petroleum crisis in the 21st century Mr K. Sudarshan, Sar Sangh Sanchalak (chief), Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh stressed that India should seriously think of a substitute for petrol.

• Chautala calls for balanced reporting
• Tehsil office computerised
• Dhan Mela held

MAHENDERGARH, Oct 1— The police authorities and the administration still in the dark with regard to the whereabouts of the dreaded 14 undertrials even about 80 hours after their escape from the district jail.

In all, 15 undertrials escaped, but only one of them, Aman Negi, was nabbed from near the jail on Wednesday night. The state government has suspended the Jail Superintendent, Mr H.S. Gothwal, and his deputy in this connection.

The Deputy Commissioner, Mr V.Raja Shekhar, said that nothing could be said till more arrests were made. However, he admitted to TNS that there had been a security lapse and said that the home guard on duty on that night had stated that he was dozing at the time the criminals escaped. The district police chief, Mr Manjit Singh Ahlawat continued to evade newsmen. Several calls by newsmen from Mahendergarh to the district headquarters, Narnaul, at his residence, elicited only one response from his phone attendant: “buzzer kharrab hai. Phone ander nahi ja sakta.” (The buzzer is out of order. Hence, he could not be connected.

The commonman, like the administration, continues to be criminals, which poses a security threat to all.

Meanwhile, the incident has raised suspicions about the possible complicity of security personnel in the escape of the criminals. Besides, the ventilator’s size is such that it is difficult for a healthy person to pass through it. In any case, the blood from any possible cuts would have spilled over, but no such blood stains were found at the site.

The authorities had made the nabbed undertrial demonstrate how he escaped. He did it with great difficulty, but sustained injuries in the process. Therefore, even if the version that all escaped through the ventilator is accepted, each of the inmates could have taken not less than two to three minutes to escape.

However, enquiries reveal that a number of the undertrials who escaped are far more bulky in size than the one who was nabbed, ending some credence to the present official theory.

In addition, the rods of the ventilator could have been cut with a saw, as is being made out by the authorities. The saw theory is credible after examining the way the rods have been cut. But, according to experts, cutting each of the rods would have consumed not less than 10.15 minutes, i.e. another hour. And this would have led to a lot of noise, causing an alarm.

Even if the theory that the rods were cut is accepted, the million dollar question is how did the instrument reach the undertrials in the jail. There is another angle that somebody from outside may have cut the rods. The question again is who is that person.

A jail bursting at its seams
Tribune News Service

AMBALA, Oct 1 — Small but significant changes are gradually taking place in the Central Jail here.

A yoga camp was recently organised on the jail premises for the benefit of the prisoners.

The 10-day camp dealt basically with introducing the prisoners to yoga which would help them both in body as well as in mind.

These commendable efforts are, however, in sharp contrast to the tough situation faced by the jail staff where on an average more than 2,000 prisoners are lodged, against a sanctioned strength of 1,000 prisoners. The jail staff face an uphill task in a scenario where attempts to escape has to be checked an eye has to be kept on the prisoners who are capable of creating trouble.

Despite the tight security by the jail authorities, there have been instances where prisoners have managed to escape.

On April 1 this year, an undertrial, lodged in the jail, escaped after he was admitted to the Civil Hospital, here. He was, however, later nabbed by jail officials. The undertrial, Sanjay Kumar, after being admitted in the hospital, went to a toilet located on the third floor of the hospital. After about 15 minutes, the guard realised that the undertrial had escaped. Sanjay had escaped through the ventilation window of the toilet after removing the glass pane.

On April 12, an undertrial escaped when he was being brought back to the jail from Jagadhari.

On May 22, a prisoner escaped by crossing the 20-foot-high boundary wall early in the morning. Five other prisoners, who were also involved in the attempt, were nabbed by the jail officials on the spot. Phoola Singh of Panipat, after being chased by the prison guards entered into the nearby Air Force area by crossing the fence. The security guards there immediately nabbed him.

The jail authorities beefed up the security following this.

Even fights breaking out among prisoners is a problem for the jail staff. On April 20, Bajir Singh, an undertrial lodged at the same jail, succumbed to his injuries at the PGI Chandigarh. Two days prior to his death, five prisoners lodged in the jail were injured allegedly in a scuffle between two groups.

A serious problem is of drug peddling. On June 26, jail warden Sandeep Kumar was apprehended with 980 tablets which were to be used by drug addicts. On July 6, barely two weeks after the warden’s arrest convict Prem Kumar was caught by the jail security officials with drugs.

The jail officials had to tackle a major issue during August when prisoners went on a fast to press for their various demands. The strike came to end after hectic deliberations and number of prisoners was transferred.

The prisoners had submitted a memorandum to the district authorities demanding the reduction of period in life imprisonment, remission of fresh verification for every parole, implementation of minimum wages and release of the prisoners crossing the age of 60 and speedy disposal of cases.

A jail official said that double the number of sanctioned prisoners are lodged in the jail. “It is an extremely tough work to ensure that the jail functions smoothly in such a difficult situation. People point out our mistakes, little realising that we are putting in our best in ‘challenging’ conditions,” he said.

Minister’s kin takes on BKU
From Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service

FATEHABAD, Oct 1 — The FIR lodged against Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) activists here by a nephew of Mr Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Cooperation Minister, sparked widespread protests in this town, with BKU workers threatening to launch a statewide agitation unless the “fabricated cases” registered against its activists were withdraw.

Mr Jagdish Kumar Mittal, district police chief, Tarn Taran, has directed the police to proceed as per the evidence. Talking to TNS, Mr Mittal said he had directed the police station concerned to investigate the matter before arresting anyone.

Meanwhile, the BKU has sent telegrams to state the Human Rights Commission, the Director-General Punjab Police and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the Punjab and Haryana High Court against lodging of the FIR.

The FIR was lodged on behalf of Mr Gurinder Singh, alias Tony, Chairman, Cooperative Bank, and nephew of the minister who alleged that some BKU leaders had assaulted him when he passed the venue of their dharna against the non-procurement of paddy. The BKU leaders also tried to take away his vehicle, the FIR alleged.

Criminal cases have been registered against Barinder Dayal Singh, alias Shery, state member BKU and son of state BKU vice-president Chranjit Singh, one Ghona and Kuldip Singh Bhatta of Fatehabad under Sections 323, 324, 382, 511, 427, 34 of the Indian Penal Code.

Activists of the BKU, Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, district Congress committee, CPI and CPM have been staging a dharna for more than a week. Mr Shery said the nephew of the minister had tried to break their traffic blockade and dharna on September 28. He claimed that the protest was non-violent and Mr Tony, nephew of the minister, had man-handled activists of the BKU and other opposition parties. But instead of apologising, he lodged an FIR against them.

Meanwhile, the BKU lifted its week-long dharna because of the inconvenience to the general public. Mr Charanjit Singh, state vice-president, BKU said the union would adopt some other ways to lodge protest against the non-procurement of paddy.

In another incident, the Tarn Taran police has lodged an FIR against three farmers who allegedly assaulted a Punsup inspector which led to a boycott of paddy purchase in the local grain markets.

Coop societies: CM orders probe
From Our Correspondent

JIND, Oct 1 — Presiding over a meeting of the District Grievances Committee here today, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, Chief Minister, Haryana, said the Haryana Government had received complaints regarding irregularities in the advancing of loans to people by cooperative societies. He directed the district authorities to conduct an inquiry into the matter and submit a report at the next meeting of the committee.

Mr Chautala also directed the executive engineer of the Haryana Urban Development Authority to make arrangements for draining out rain water from the local Urban Estate and Defence colonies.

Earlier, Mr Chautala laid the foundation stone of Ramkali minor at Kinana village in the district. The minor will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 4.71 crore and will irrigate 7,392 acres in 11 villages of the area.

Mr Chautala also laid the foundation stone of the second phase of the local mini-secretariat, to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 3.7 crore.

A shrine of universal love
From Rakesh Bhardwaj

PANIPAT: Even today the shrine of Bu Ali Shah Kalandar in this town draws people of all faiths to seek the fulfillment of their wishes.

Mubarak Khan was a spiritual friend of the Kalandar. Even in his spiritual bliss he remained sincere to his friend. Alas! the friend passed away in youth. Baba was grieved by the loss. He asked his followers to dig his grave in the direction of the feet of his friend. The followers fulfilled the Kalandar’s wish. The old friend lies buried under the feet of his young friend. Believers first visit the grave of the friend and then of the Baba.

It is said ancestors of the Baba were Jats who emigrated from Haryana to Iraq. His grand father was renowned in West Asia for his learning. The Baba was born in this family about 650 years ago. He settled in Panipat and performed penance for many years in nearby jungles. Oracle asked Baba’s his wish. The Baba replied that he wanted to be a prophet. Every time he repeated the wish. The reply was “there can’t be another prophet, but you would be closest to him.”

Thereafter the Baba detached himself from worldly activities, including namaz. A conference of 70 maulanas forbade Muslims from dealing with the Kalandar. A scholar from Iraq Khawaja Malik Ansari was proceeding to Delhi passed through Panipat in connection with his business. The Khawaja had to seek permission from the king to enter Delhi.

A copy of the diktat was also sent to the Khawaja. He was told that the Kalandar moved about naked uttering “Haq, Haq”, the Khawaja desired to meet the him. The Kalandar met the Khawaja at Panipat. The Kalandar requested the Khawaja to settle down at Panipat. The Khawaja stayed at Panipat for a few days before leaving for Delhi. The Delhi king granted the fiefdom of Panipat to the Khawaja who then settled there.

After the demise of Kalandar his disciple Nawab Mukarar Khan, a resident of Kairana and a minister of Jehangir, built a tomb on the grave. The tomb was called “Dargah Bu Ali Shah Kalandar. Many Hindu motifs like lotus, the trunk of an elephant and sun and Muslim motifs like the moon and stars were engraved on the tomb.

The dargah is being looked after by Hindu and Muslim devotees. During the annual days Hindu devotees arrange food and sweet water for devotees. The dargah has four touchstone pillars. There is also a water tank full of many hued fish. Muslims wash their hands and feet before offering namaz.

The office of local Wakf Board, which manages the dargah, is near the mosque. There is also arrangement for food and lodging for visitors during the Urs.

Abid Arif Naumani arranges annual urs near Lahore. Baba’s songs are sung and colours sprinkled among devotees and the urs site is illuminated. On the north of the dargah near the Devi Temple is Maiji, the mazar of parents of the Baba.

In a corner of the dargah was buried Nawab Mukarar Khan. The grave of Mulana Altaf Hussain Hali is also in the premises of the dargah. A library named after Hali is run from here. The librarian, Maulana Bilal Ahmad, said the library was established three years ago by the Punjab Wakf Board. The library keeps English, Hindi, Urdu newspapers and magazines and books on Khawaja Altaf Hussain Hali, Ghalib and other poets Islamic theology and history. There is a move to set up a Hali research centre here, he added.

Paswan: JD has lost its entity
From Our Correspondent

HISAR, Oct 1 — The Communication Minister, Mr Ram Vilas Paswan, today alleged that the Janata Dal ship had “sunk” and that it was no longer political entity.

Talking to newspersons here today after laying the foundation stone of a telecom staff quarters, he alleged that all three presidents of the party who assumed office after Mr V.P. Singh had only worked against the interests of the party. This had led to the decline of the party that was once a leading political force in the country, he claimed.

Mr Paswan alleged that the NDA leaders who had joined hands with Mr Laloo Parsad Yadav in the name of “development” were working against the people of Bihar. They had been opposing Mr Yadav throughout. How could they now ensure the development of Bihar with Mr Yadav’s help, he asked.

The newly formed Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited would function smoothly as all apprehensions of the employees had been cast aside, he claimed and added that the Nigam would usher in a telecom revolution in the country.

All six lakh villages of the country would be linked by telephone by the end of 2002, the minister said. The Internet dhabas planned by the nigam would provide all modern facilities. If these incurred any losses, these would be met out of the Universal Service Obligation Fund, Mr Paswan added.

RSS for alternative fuel
From Vipin Sharma

ROHTAK, Oct 1 — Apprehending a grave petroleum crisis in the 21st century Mr K. Sudarshan, Sar Sangh Sanchalak (chief), Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh stressed that India should seriously think of a substitute for petrol.

He was addressing a ‘shivir’ of RSS activists at Vaish College Ground here last evening. Thousands of activists of Rohtak, Jhajjar, Sonepat and Jind attended the ‘shivir’.

Mr Sudarshan said world petrol resources would last only 20 to 25 years, during which time the prices of petrochemical products would be increased day-by-day. He cautioned that these frequent hikes would wreck the economy of developing countries. He felt it was time India developed an alternative to oil.

The RSS chief suggested that fuel could be made from molasses as was being done in Brazil. He claimed that Rs 5,000 crore could be saved through this alternative.

Giving details he said gasohol used in vehicles in Brazil. It contained one pant of alcohol and three pants of petrol. Ether, Benzene or Tetralin were used as solvents.

Applauding the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi in the freedom struggle but had blundered in selecting Mr Jawahar Lal Nehru for the post of the first Prime Minister of the nation by sidelining Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel.

In his one-hour-long speech the RSS chief said the sangh which was going to complete 75 years, had spread to over 30,000 villages in the country.

Commenting on the use of chemical fertilisers he suggested that the farmers should opt for bio-fertilisers for better crops and hygiene.

Chautala calls for balanced reporting
From Our Correspondent

HISAR, Oct 1 — The Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, has appealed to journalists to set new standards in fair and balanced reporting. Inaugurating the Hisar edition of a Hindi daily, Jagran, here today, he said the mass media had the power to usher in social changes quickly. The power, he said, should be used for positive purposes in the public interest.

Tehsil office computerised
From Our Correspondent

KAITHAL, Oct 1— The local tehsil office was computerised at a function yesterday. Documents relating to sale deeds, mortgage deeds, wills decrees and power of attorneys will be registered through computers. Land records of Kaithal tehsil will be kept in floppies for the public to get copies of records in the shortest possible time.

Dhan Mela held
From Our Correspondent

KAITHAL, Oct 1 — The Paddy Research Institution, Kaul, organised a Dhan Mela at Kaul in collaboration with the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kaithal, yesterday. The Vice-Chancellor, HAU, Mr Vinay Kumar, inaugurated the mela. Speaking on the occasion he said farmers should grow crops which would make them earn move profits. He stressed upon the need for mechanisation of agriculture to reduce expenses and increase production. He called upon the farmers to avail themselves of the services of the Krishi Vigyan Kendras set up at the district level. He congratulated the farmers and scientists for setting new records in the production of wheat. Dr Lehna Singh Suhag, Director, Extension Education, said it was praise worthy that the farmers were adopting the latest techniques in farming. Dr S.S. Dahiya, Chief Scientist, KVK, Kaithal, also addressed the farmers.