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| Wednesday,
December 27, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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HC tells Punjab to compensate land owners Crime roundup-2000 Raids continue on Golden Forests Oil refinery project |
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CBI gets hold of Harpreet’s
diary Hike commission on stamps’ sale:
vendors Remove Giani Puran Singh:
jatha
Badal not concerned about farmers:
Tohra
Dosanjh’s advice to
Punjabis ‘Abhimanyu’ to protect
juveniles SGPC opposes
Sikh Sangat using gurdwaras Tributes paid to
Udham Singh 4 killed, 14 hurt in
jeep-truck collision 12 sheep killed in accident Removal of encroachments
demanded Marketing fruit
on Internet
10 Punjab officers
reshuffled 
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HC tells Punjab to compensate land owners CHANDIGARH, Dec 26 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court has come down heavily on the Punjab Government for depriving land owners of their property without paying them compensation, which it is bound to pay before taking possession of the land as per the provisions of Sections 17(3) and 3A of the Land Acquisition Act. A Division Bench, comprising Mr Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta and Mr Justice Mehtab Singh Gill, voiced its concern over this practice while disposing of a writ petition filed by 29 land owners of Muktsar district, whose land was acquired by the government for constructing a drain. While issuing a notice of motion to the respondents for October 30 when the petition had come up before the Bench on July 26 last, the Judges had directed the respondents to determine the amount due to the petitioners and bring cheques for that amount in court on that date. The directions were not complied with. Even a reply was not filed on October 30. The case was adjourned to December 20 with the direction that the July 26 order should be complied with. But even on that day, nothing was done. The Bench directed the Land Acquisition Collector and the Executive Engineer, (Drainage), Muktsar, to appear in court on December 22 and to show cause why proceedings under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, should not be initiated against them. After that things moved at the speed of lightning. The SDO, (Drainage), Muktsar, deposited Rs 40,25,404 with the Land Acquisition Collector on December 21. The amount was tendered in court the next day along with the details of the amount due to each petitioner. Noting that under the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, 80 per cent of the compensation had to be paid to the land owner before taking the possession of his property, Mr Justice Gupta, who wrote the judgement on behalf of the Bench, said in the present case it was clear that there had been complete indifference to the plight of the petitioners at the hands of the state government and its officers. This indifference had continued despite the directions given by the Bench on July 26 and October 30. “It was only when the two respondents were summoned that payment was made. No satisfactory explanation whatsoever for the failure to make the payment at an earlier stage had been given. Equally, no explanation for not carrying out the court’s directions has been given.” Mr Justice Gupta went on to note that “this is not the solitary case where the state government and its officers have been found wanting. During the past two months, we have come across a number of cases where land has been acquired and compensation has not been paid. People are being forced to come to the courts for getting their rightful due.” Cautioning the government that this tendency not only resulted in harassment of the people and was also a point of criticism of the State Government and its officers, Mr Justice Gupta said: “People begin to suspect that the delay is being caused for ulterior considerations. It is time that the state government should pay some heed to the needs of the people and pay money to those who have been deprived of their land. We hope that the needful shall now be done without any avoidable delay.” The Bench also directed the Punjab Government to fix responsibility for the failure to make the payment in time. Imposing a Rs 30,000 as costs on the respondents in favour of the petitioners, the Judges directed that the cost be recovered from the officer found responsible for the delay. The contempt proceedings against the two officers were dropped after the court accepted their apology. |
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Crime roundup-2000 CHANDIGARH, Dec 26 — An upward trend in violent urban crime notwithstanding, Punjab made several advances to achieve self reliance in policing during 2000. The state, after reeling under two decades of turbulence , had only six incidents of militant violence that claimed 20 lives this year. Like elsewhere in the region, crime against children and women increased. The incidence of murder, attempt to murder, rape, burglary and theft witnessed an upward trend. The most disturbing was the killing of minor children in captivity. The smuggling of contraband drugs, too, witnessed a phenomenal increase. Of the six incidents of militant violence, the most damaging was a blast in a Delhi-bound bus. The incident, which took place on March 3, left nine persons dead and seven others injured. In the second incident related to militant violence was a bomb blast in a kiosk at Jalandhar on June 28 in which two persons were killed and three others injured. The second major militant incident was on July 24 which claimed seven lives, besides leaving 23 others injured after a Pathankot-bound bus from Jalandhar was bombed. Another bomb explosion took place in a train from Bathinda to Sirsa on October 26 resulting in the death of two passengers. Thirtyone others were injured in this explosion. While the police claimed several successes in its fight against militants by gunning down two hardcore militants in Batala, 35 others were nabbed while three others surrendered before the security forces. The security forces recovered 10 AK-47 or AK-56 rifles besides 61 pistols, two revolvers, 20 hand grenades, 68 detonators and more than 63 kg of RDX and 8 kg of PETN. At the fag end of the year, the security forces were back in full alert after the Red Fort shootout incident and increased militant violence in Jammu and Kashmir during unilateral ceasefire declared by the Union Government. There were attempts to infiltrate from across the border. The police had a major success when it rounded up an all-Pakistan gang from the Baba Bakala sector which was carrying highly sophisticated arms and ammunition. The security forces were also worried at deliberate attempts from across the border to step up militant violence in Punjab and nearby areas too. Another major worry was the smuggling of narcotics from across the border. Against 4.808 kg of heroin seized during 1999, the police had taken in its possession 126.244 kg of this drug during the current year until yesterday. The seizure of opium almost doubled from 393.290 kg in 1999 to 674.315 kg this year. In case of puppy husk, the recoveries this year touched almost 1200 quintals against 900 quintals in 1999. On the heinous crime front, killing of a minor brother and sister in captivity in Jalandhar and killing of several other children, including in Ludhiana, Khanna and Hoshiarpur police districts, had the security forces on the mat. Most of these killing were attributed to first timers in crime but the police failed to track down the killers in some of the cases. The increased involvement of migrant labour in violent urban crime was also a disturbing trend in the state. In several instances, tribal gangsters allegedly killed inmates before decamping with valuables from several houses in Sahnewal, Nakodar and other areas. The most serious political crime was killing of a prominent Congress leader in Moga police district. Against 762 murders in 1999, Punjab had until yesterday 824 murders this year showing an increase of 62 murders which comes to almost 8 per cent. Similarly, attempt to murder cases increased from 513 in 1999 to 606 this year. The major worry of the state police has been the increased use of arms and ammunition in committing crime like murder, robberies, thefts, burglaries and even at the time of kidnapping and abductions. The incidence of rape, too, has shot up. Against 260 incidents of rape in 1999, there have been 304 cases this year so far. Similarly kidnapping went up marginally from 457 cases in 1999 to 472 cases this year so far. There have been a spate of burglaries throughout the state this year. Against 1350 reported cases of burglary from throughout Punjab during 1999, the number has risen to 1604 now. The number of thefts, too, has increased to 2318 this year against 2212 last year. Interestingly, the major centres of violent urban crime are Patiala, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and, to a extent, Amritsar. Some of the new police districts were given additional companies of India Reserve battalions to check the increased incidence of violent urban crime. While the fight against crime is on, the state police appears to have attained self reliance in certain areas. The protection of all nationalised banks and their currency chests has been taken over by India Reserve battalions to relieve the Indo-Tibetan Border Police of this additional responsibility and to save the state from precarious financial resources. Similarly, the security cover at Punjab Bhavan in New Delhi has also been given to the India Reserve Battalion after withdrawing it from the Central Reserve Police Force. So much so that the state has been requested by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to send 10 companies of its police to Allahabad for the Kumbh Mela for two months beginning early next month. Crime graph dips in
Kapurthala: SSP KAPURTHALA, Dec 26 (PTI) — The crime graph in the district has shown a downward trend in 2000 as compared to 1990. This was disclosed here today by the SSP, Mr Iqbal Singh, while talking to mediapersons. He claimed that of the 16 murder cases registered in the district, 15 had been solved. The Kapurthala police had seized 56 kg of heroin amounting to Rs 56 crore in the international market during the year, he said. The SSP said six gangs of thieves had been busted and stolen goods worth over Rs 55 lakh seized from their possession in 2000. |
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Raids continue on Golden Forests JALANDHAR, Dec 26 — Continuing its crackdown on the Golden Forests, which has allegedly duped around 25 lakh investors to the tune of Rs 4,000 crore, for the third day today, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau conducted a raid on the offices of the company of Mani Majra and Lalru and seized computers, floppies and records of the transactions. Highly placed sources in the bureau said the simultaneous raids, involving dozens of officials, at the two places continued for about five hours, during which office records, including computers, were confiscated. The records have been seized with a view to know about the details and amount of the total transactions of the company, even as the initial estimates have put the figure at Rs 4,000 crore. Eight top bosses of the company, including A.L. Sayal, R.K. Sayal, Promilla Sayal, H.K. Sinha, Meena Sayal, Promilla Sinha. Lehmbar Singh and Harbhajan Singh Padal, had been arrested and remanded to police custody by different courts of Ropar, Jalandhar and Patiala. Though there was no major breakthrough during the interrogation of the accused, it was learnt that the three of the accused — Vinod Mahajan, Lehmbar Singh and Harbhajan Singh Padda — had formed the Golden Land in 1989 after differences with founders R.K. Sayal and his brother Rajesh Sayal, who is already in the jail since last year for allegedly defrauding people after forming another agro-forestry company. The bureau where complaints by investors have started trickling in after the arrest of the top functionaries of the company, according to sources, was planning to approach the court to seek production warrants of Rajesh Sayal so that he could be made to join the ongoing investigation into the case. Complainants from across the state have started approaching the bureau, which has found that though the company had promised to transfer land, the land was never transferred even as the company had developed vast pieces of land in the region. The modus operandi of the company, according to bureau sources was to allure people by claiming that it was offering an interest between 18 per cent and 20 per cent on investments, against the standard 10 per cent offered by various banks. The company had also been accepting deposits with claims that it would double the amount in three years. |
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Oil refinery project PHULOKHARI (Bathinda), Dec 26 — Even as two years have passed since the foundation stone of the Punjab mega-refinery project was laid by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on November 13, 1998, only the boundary wall encircling 2000 acres of land and a small site office have come up so far. The work of setting up the Rs 10,000-crore oil refinery project which was to be commissioned within 48 months of the foundation stone laying ceremony has been getting delayed for the reasons best known to the authorities concerned. At present, only three engineers of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) are managing the affairs at the site which bears a deserted look. Official sources said HPCL which had got the nod from the Central Government to implement the project on its own if it failed to find any partner for the joint venture, had floated tenders for a 18-km road. The HPCL authorities were to implement the project in joint venture with the PSIDC and the PSIDC was to be replaced with any foreign partner that consented to participate in this project. So far, the talks of the HPCL with Exxon company, a subsidiary of ESSO, and Saudi Armaco (both of the USA) and Totalfina, a France-based company, regarding the joint venture have failed after reaching a very advance stage. The implementation of the mega oil refinery project for Punjab, which was conceived during the previous government of the Congress party, has been delayed due to various political and other factors. The project was cleared following the efforts of the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, about two years ago. On June 2, 2000, Mr Ram Naik, Union Petroleum Minister, performed the brick-laying ceremony at the site after the Central Government approved an expenditure of Rs 300 crore for site development and tankage facilities. Sources said the HPCL had also floated tenders for a 1006-km pipeline for crude oil from Mundra (Gujarat) to Bathinda. Though the officials were tightlipped, it has been learnt the HPCL authorities would have to revise the estimated cost of the project because of the inordinate delay in its implementation. Sources said that no change had been made in the design of the refinery which would have a capacity of 9 million tonnes. The refinery would be commissioned shortly after the completion of the civil work. |
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CBI gets hold of Harpreet’s
diary PHAGWARA, Dec 26 — The CBI in its fourth swoop in a fortnight at sprawling Jasdil Mansion in Taru da Wara Nigahan mohalla, Mehligate, here yesterday, succeeded in securing Harpreet’s diary. However, it again failed to trace Bhag Mall, husband of detained Satyadevi, the domestic helper of Dalwinder Kaur Dhesi, and Raksha, mother of Harwinder Kumar, detained driver of Dalwinder Kaur, in connection with the Harpreet Kaur death case probe. The team also could not contact wife of the driver. It found the house of Harwinder Kumar in Nigahan mohalla locked as usual. Bhag Mall and driver’s wife used to stay at the mansion but they too had reportedly gone into hiding and the CBI team had taken strong notice of it, it was learnt further. The team wanted to question the three for corroborating the already gathered facts and collecting fresh information in the controversial death of Harpreet, the teenaged daughter of Bibi Jagir Kaur, the former SGPC president. Harpreet’s diary is considered very vital since she used to daily record the events in the diary which can throw further light on the case. It was learnt Kamaljit Singh, who claims to be Harpreet’s husband siring her aborted child, and his sister Manjit Kaur also came to Jasdil Mansion for helping the CBI. The team saw the spot from where Harpreet had once escaped from the otherwise fortified palatial mansion. It searched again some rooms of the mansion. The team consisted of eight members and was headed by a DSP. It is in the final stage of the probe into crucial Phagwara-link in the Harpreet episode since Harpreet had stayed at Jasdil Mansion before her death on April 21. The team is haunting this area for zeroing in on Bibi Jagir Kaur, the main accused in the case. The CBI is reportedly working overtime to get her anticipatory bail rejected for her subsequent custodial interrogation. While Dalwinder Kaur Dhesi, owner of Jasdil Mansion, was arrested from New Delhi, her brother-in-law Paramjit Singh Raipur, three helpers Satyadevi, Sanjiv Kumar and Harwinder Kumar were arrested from Jasdil Mansion on October 4. The Dhesis are close confidants of Bibi Jagir Kaur. |
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Hike commission on stamps’ sale:
vendors MANSA, Dec 26 — The local stamp vendors union has urged the Punjab Government to enhance the stock of stamps and other judicial documents from Rs 1,000 to Rs 20,000 and raise the commission of vendors on the sale of stamps and documents from 4 per cent to 10 per cent. In a press note issued yesterday, Mr Madan Lal Gupta, president of the union, said as per the existing laws they were required to get their licences renewed after each year, causing great inconvenience to them, whereas arms and ammunition, notary and driving licences were renewed after three years. Mr Gupta said when they had to get stamps and other judicial documents they had to stand in queues for hours to get new stamps deposited and there they had to wait for a long time at the treasury office in the court. He further demanded that the procedure of getting the stocks of stamps or judicial papers be simplified and that they be saved from unnecessary harassments and inconveniences. Mr Ramesh Kumar Jindal, secretary of the union, said there previous requests to the higher authorities concerned had evoked no response. He demanded that the payment of stamps should be deposited in the treasury itself and not at the banks to save time. He also demanded a hike in their commission from court fee, which was just 1 per cent to 5 per cent. Both union leaders sent separate letter to Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, and Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, and the Finance Commissioner to accept their demands. |
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Remove Giani Puran Singh:
jatha AMRITSAR, Dec 26 — Even as the SGPC has been making efforts to arrange an informal meeting between Giani Puran Singh, Head Granthi of the Golden Temple, and other four Sikh high priests, the Akhand Kirtani Jatha
(Prabandhki Panchayan) has threatened to stage a dharna in front of Akal Takht if the Sikh clergy accepted any ‘wrong decision’ of the
SGPC. The Prabandhki Panchayan of the Akhand Kirtani Jatha reiterated that Giani Puran Singh who was sacked as Jathedar of Akal Takht and suspended as priest of the Golden Temple on March 28 for his ‘anti-Panthic’ edicts could not be accepted as Head
Granthi. “The jathedars should not succumb to the pressure of the SGPC which wanted to implement the
anti-Panthic decision of the appointment of Giani Puran Singh”, the jatha
stated. Jathedar Joginder Singh Talwara, confidant of the Jathedar of Akal Takht and member of the Akhand Kirtani
Jatha, said the jathedars should not behave like employees of the SGPC. He said his status as
Jathedar, Akal Takht, was higher. Members of the jatha say that if the Sikh clerics accept the appointment of Giani Puran Singh, they too would be answerable to the Sikh
sangat. The jatha says that the charge sheet issued by the SGPC to Giani Puran Singh on March 28 by the SGPC had not yet been withdrawn. Serious charges were levelled against Giani Puran Singh by the SGPC executive at that time. These charges were endorsed by the five Sikh high priests, including Giani Joginder Singh
Vedanti, Jathedar Akal Takht, in their directive issued on March 29. After the appointment of Giani Puran Singh as Head
Granthi, this for the first time that any Panthic organisation has openly come forward with a step against the
SGPC. Jatha members say that they cannot tolerate violation of maryada. They say that the Sikh sangat would not tolerate any step which deviates from the age-old traditions of Akal
Takht. The jatha also took exception to the non-implementation of the directives issued by Akal Takht on March 29 to the
SGPC. The directive of Akal Takht reads, “The SGPC should immediately formulate rules and regulations for the appointments and removal of jathedars of various
takhts”, however, nothing has been done in this direction in the past nine months. Members of the jatha say that the only way out of the current crisis was that the SGPC should rectify its own ‘wrong’ decision by removing Giani Puran Singh as Head Granthi instead of imposing it on the entire
Panth. |
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Badal not concerned
about farmers: Tohra FETEHGARH SAHIB, Dec 26 — While Mr Badal has no concern for farmers who committed suicide due to indebtness and did not declare any compensation for their families, he had announced Rs 25 lakh on the death of the father of Bibi Jagir Kaur, alleged Mr G.S. Tohra, president, SHSAD, while addressing a political conference organised by his party at the Jor Mela here today. Interestingly, Mr Tohra attracted larger gathering this time. Refuting the allegation of Mr Badal that he and his party was hand in glove with the Congress, he said he has no links with the Congress or any Congressmen, whereas Mr Badal’s relatives were Congressmen. He alleged that Mr Badal had ma e a secret deal with the Congress that for five years, he should be allowed to rule the state and loot the public, and the next term would be given to the Congress to rule and loot the public. He said that’s why he has not booked even a single corrupt Congressman during his tenure. He said when any farmer commits suicide, the Chief Minister counters by asking who advised him to take the loans. He said BDPOs were recruited by the government by taking Rs 15 lakh each, executive officer by Rs 8 lakh, SDO Rs 5 lakh, inspectors Rs 3 lakh and clerks by taking Rs 2 lakh in various department and now all have been removed by the high court orders. |
Dosanjh’s advice to
Punjabis JALANDHAR, Dec 26 — British Columbia Premier Ujjal Dosanj elevated himself to a higher platform today when he advised the Punjabis that if they did not want to be discriminated against in the West, they should start treating migrant labourers from other states at par with themselves in Punjab itself. This was stated by Mr Ujjal Dosanjh, while addressing the gathering at the residence of Dr Lekh Raj, veteran Congress leader and later a gathering at Desh Bhagat Yaadgar hall here this morning. Attributing his success to the progressive people out there in Canada, he said everybody should strive towards the formation of a society based on equality. Addressing the problem faced by NRIs regarding usurpation of their properties back home in India, Mr Dosanjh suggested that the Government of India should protect everybody’s property whether the person was an NRI or a common Indian. He indicated that he was not in favour of NRIs demand that they should be granted dual citizenship, particularly in respect of his province and Canada, and said the proposed Person of Indian Origin card would serve the purpose. On the issue of review of the black-list of wanted terrorists by the Union Home Ministry, Mr Dosanjh said he was assured by the Union Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, and the Union External Affairs Minister, Mr Jaswant Singh that the process of revision of the list had already begun. He said he had observed when he was here that a big section of people in Punjab demanded abolition of voting rights for migrants labourers which was wrong and against the very principles of their struggle in the West to achieve a society based on equality. He said, like thousands, he was also an escapist and like them could not confront the atmosphere here. The British Columbia Premier was all praise for the Canadian society and its ongoing struggle for attainment of equality and said it was impossible for him to be the Premier without their support. He expressed his dislike for the Indian politics saying that there was no charm in being re-elected as an MLA or an MP on the basis of false promises. Mr Dosanjh accompanied by his wife Raminder and son Amber, was welcomed by Dr Brajinder Singh Hamdard, Mr Amarjit Singh Samra, MLA and Mr Umrao Singh, former MP among others. He also inaugurated a legal seminar organised by the local NRI Sabha at the Red Cross Bhavan, here. Our Amritsar Correspondent adds: Mr D.S. Pannun, former High Commissioner and Ambassador to West Africa called on Mr Ujjal Dosanjh. Exchanging views about development of Punjab, Mr Dosanjh said he was keen to see Punjab on road to progress. Mr Pannun brought to his notice some of the impediments in the development of state and hoped his good offices will expedite the development in the state. |
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Numbers of Dosanjh’s cars
changed JALANDHAR, Dec 26 — While Mr Ujjal Dosanjh, the British Columbia Premier, was attending a tea party hosted by senior Congress leader Lekh Raj at his Mota Singh Nagar residence, officials of the Punjab police were busy instructing drivers of the fleet of chartered Mercedes cars to replace the white taxi number-plates of the vehicles with black ones to show that the vehicles were private and not taxis. While some Transport Department officials said it was a violation of the Motor Vehicle Act, according to some police officials, it might have been done due to security reasons. Talking on the condition of anonymity, a police officer maintained that since the white number-plate had been prescribed for taxis to differentiate them from the others, changing the colour of the plate was illegal. As the cavalcade of the Premier reached Mota Singh Nagar and dropped Mr Dosanjh and other dignitaries at the residence of Dr Lekh Raj, drivers were seen replacing the white number-plates with black ones. A car driver said they were following the instruction of the DSP, Mr R.S. Cheema. A senior official, who maintained that it could have been done due to security reasons, was at loss of words when asked why the number plates were not changed when the vehicles went through exhaustive security check at the police lines, where they were parked during the night. |
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‘Abhimanyu’ to protect
juveniles BATHINDA: The local police is fast shedding its image of being hard hearted and unfriendly towards the people. It has launched a protect named “Abhimanyu” to protect the rights of the children. They will educate the people about the child abuse, child labour, juvenile delinquency etc. Dr Jatinder Kumar Jain, SSP, stressed on the need to protect the children against all sorts of evils and abuses. According to him, it is at this age that mental and physical faculties of the children get shaped up. The childhood experiences rule the minds throughout their life and they ultimately become what they learn at this age, Mr Jain added. The project is named “Abhimanyu” keeping in mind mythological character of Abhimanyu. The idea behind it is that as the Abhimanyu had to struggle to come out of the “Chakravyuh”, the vicious circle, the children are facing more difficulties and the police will help them to break the circle. The vicious circle traps the children through drugs, sexual abuse, delinquency, dropout, begging, child labour etc. The police will help those delinquent/neglected juveniles who get trapped in these vices. Under the project a juvenile cell has been established at the district headquarters and it will remain open for 24 hours. The helpline will comprise the Deputy Superintendent of Police (headquarters), SHO of Women police station, Principal, Police Public School, doctor (police hospital), an expert in drug de-addiction and a District Welfare Officer. The helpline will be assisted by an officer of the rank of the ASI, one head constable and four constables. The juvenile helpline will listen to the grievances of the children and provide them justice. It will also educate the children about the hazards of the drugs. The helpline will also curb the illegal detention of the children. They will also educate the police personnel about the importance of the protection of rights of the children and educate them to be sensitive towards children. Under the special classes started at Police Public School 13 dropouts of the various slums have been adopted by the district police. The students will be given free education, books, uniform etc. The SSP said care would be taken so that these kids complete at least primary schooling. If the police succeeds in its efforts, it will set an example for the society also. |
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SGPC opposes
Sikh Sangat using gurdwaras AMRITSAR, Dec 26 — The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee won’t allow the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat, an offshoot of the RSS, for using gurdwaras for their activities. Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, president, SGPC, has already warned the RSS for intervening in Sikh affairs. It may be mentioned here that as part of its national campaign the Rashtrya Sikh Sangat planned to propagate Sikhism from Sikh shrines also. The RSS had already sent its activists in the countryside which was objected by the Sikh scholars and representatives of some Sikh organisations. Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht, had already taken strong exception to the activities of the RSS. He had warned the RSS and other non-Sikh organisations for interfering in Sikh affairs. |
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Tributes paid to
Udham Singh SUNAM, Dec 26 — Rich tributes were paid to Shaheed Udham Singh on his 101st birth anniversary at a function organised by the Shaheed Udham Singh Yadgari Committee at Rose Garden here
today. Mr Raj Vashist, Chairman of the organising committee, Mr Hardev Singh
Hanjhran, president of the local municipal committee, Mr Pawan Kumar general secretary of the
PPCC, Mr Gurbachan Singh, district president of the SAD, and Mr Pritpal Singh, block president of the SAD were among the prominent persons who paid tributes to the martyr.
SIRSA: The birth anniversary of Shaheed Udham Singh was celebrated here on Tuesday in which leaders of all political parties and social workers paid their homage to the martyr. Speaking on the occasion the Chairman of the Haryana Swatantrata Samman Samiti and a veteran freedom fighter, Mr Pat Ram
Verma, called upon the people to acknowledge the value of the freedom for which many brave sons of India had laid down their lives. An organising committee was constituted with representatives from all political parties and social organisations to celebrate the birth and death anniversary of the great patriot collectively. |
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4 killed, 14 hurt in
jeep-truck collision ROPAR, Dec 26 — Four persons were killed and 14 injured in a head-on collision between a Mahindra jeep and a TATA-407 on the Nangal-Chandigarh road, near Ajoli village, early today. According to the police, 18 persons were returning from Kotla after attending a marriage party at Nangal in the Mahindra jeep (PB-12C-5227) when their vehicle had a head on collision with the TATA-407 (HP-20-1168) coming from the opposite direction. Those killed were Gurmeet Singh, the driver of the TATA-407, Deepak Kumar the driver of the Mahindra jeep, Sheweta and Usha Rani. Six injured persons — Ved Lal Raja Ram, Vicky, Jagtar Sodhi, Bimla and Gudoo — who were seriously injured have been taken to the PGI, Chandigarh. The other injured persons — Parveen Kumar, Urmilla, Ranu, Deepihas, Sumitra, R.K. Chabra, Chand and Bhavani Prashad have been admitted to BBMB Canal Hospital. |
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12 sheep killed in accident PHAGWARA, Dec 26 — A thick blanket of fog here today caused poor visibility leading to an accident involving many vehicles. Six persons were injured, two seriously, and 12 sheep killed on the GT road near Bone Mill, Chaheru, 6 km from here. A truck carrying 200 sheep collided with a truck carrying tin boxes killing 12 sheep. Then a bus rammed into the trucks and a Contessa car into the bus. The injured persons were identified as Amrik Singh, Shiv Kumar, Jaswinder Singh, Jasmel Singh, Bhola and Jai Parkash. They were admitted to the local Civil Hospital. |
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Removal of encroachments
demanded BATHINDA, Dec 26 — The Public Grievances Association (PGA) has demanded that encroachments should be removed from the roads in the city. Mr Dharamveer Walia, president, PGA, in a press note issued here yesterday said if the encroachments were removed, the number of road accidents would be reduced. Training camps should be organised to educate the public about the traffic rules and special arrangements made for the parking of vehicles at various points in the city, he added. |
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Marketing
fruit
on Internet HOSHIARPUR, Dec 26 — Chhauni Farm of Hoshiarpur has received an order for the supply of its fruit through the e-mail for the first time. Farmers Bazaar Company of Bangalore has placed an order on the Internet to the farmhouse for the supply of its sunglow kinnows and oranges. Mr Khushwant Singh, Chief Executive of Chhauni Farm, says the Farm Bazaar site enables the seller to submit a request for inspection of his fruit and specify the minimum selling price for his produce. The company’s inspection team certifies the produce after appraisal at an appointed hour and the buyers come to the Farmers Bazaar kiosks located at mandis in various places and bid for the produce on the Net. The first buyer to offer a price that is acceptable to the seller wins the auction. |
10 Punjab officers
reshuffled CHANDIGARH, Dec 26 — The Punjab Government today effected the following administrative reshuffle involving 10 IAS officers. Mr N S Rattan is the new Principal Secretary Medical Education and Research vice Mr Surjit Singh, who goes as Principal, Secretary, Programme Implementation. Mr V N Ojha will replace Mr Rattan while, Mr D S Jaspal succeeds him as Secretary of Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development. Mr A Didar Singh goes to Delhi as Secretary, Non-Resident Indians and Industrial Liaison, Mr R C Nayyar is the new Secretary for Civil Aviation, a post earlier held by Mr Jaspal. Mr Rahul Bhandari is the new Additional Development Commissioner (Development), Muktsar, vice Mr A K Sinha, who goes as Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development), Ludhiana, against a vacant post. Mrs Rakhee Gupta Bhandari is new Additional Deputy Commissioner, Muktsar, against a vacant post, while, Mr Vikas Garg has been posted as Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Malout, vice Mr Bhupinderjit Singh. The posting orders about SDMs of Barnala, Rampura Phul and Dhar Kalan will be issued later, says a press note. The earlier posting orders of Mr Vivek Partap Singh as ADC, Muktsar, have been cancelled He will continue as ADC, Hoshiarpur. |
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