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| Monday, July 30, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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Chaos
marks electronic meter demonstration
Inspector,
four other cops booked Drive to
protect animals against diseases |
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Stir
against state govt soon: MLA Fined for
supplying poor quality seeds
3 killed
as truck hits scooters 4 pulled
out of debris Former
sarpanch shot dead Six
highway robbers held Killer of
four arrested Murder case
accused held Sonepat
powerless for a day Naik
cremated with honours Rs 13.38
cr for pension scheme: DC Woman
doctor commits suicide 7-yr jail
term for raping minor Steps to
develop Bhiwani Breaches in Ghaggar canal flood fields Differences
on Mayor’s election
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Chaos marks electronic meter demonstration Kurukshetra, July 29 The UHBVN authorities had fixed old (mechanical) and new (electronic) meters on a raised wooden plank to display their working but before they could do so it started drizzling and the tent under which the audience was seated started leaking. However, the audience was shifted to a nearby verandah. An electronic meter company engineer explained the working of the new electronic meters and the drawbacks of the electromechnical meters. The moment, he invited the audience to ask questions, Mr Ram Lal Bhatt, municipal councillor, reacting to the UHBVN authorities’ statement that new meters were being installed to check theft of electricity, said the electricity was being stolen by the Electricity Department employees. The Superintending Engineer, Mr A.R. Gupta, announced that the seminar was arranged for interaction among the nigam, public representatives and consumers for explaining various apprehensions prevalent in the mind of the public regarding the functioning of electronic meters and not for political speeches. He declared that no extra money would be charged for installing new meters. An HVP activist, Mr Prithvi Singh Turk, and Mahila Congress district president Ms Sona Devi alleged that the seminar was convened to befool the public. They asked old mechanical meters were running perfectly then when where was the need to replace them by electronic meters. They declared that they would continue their agitation and would not allow the UHBVN authorities to install new meters. A municipal councillor, Ms Sumitra Devi, said the authorities should not install the electronic meters forcibly. They, along with others, raised slogans against the government and marched in a procession towards the main bazar of the town. They declared to continue their agitation in protest against forcible installation of electronic meters. Among others, City Magistrate, Mr R. Goyal, six municipal councillors and the UHBVN authorities were present at the seminar. |
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New power meters soon: DC Jind, July 29 He said it was a wrong propaganda that new meter run very fast and the consumers have to pay inflated bills. He claimed that new meters were showing accurate consumption of electricity. Mr Dhankhar said those who indulge in power thefts were opposing the installation of new meters. The Haryana Vidyut Parsaran Nigam has recently organised a demonstration on the performance of old and new meters. The demonstration had revealed that new meters were accurate. |
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Were the first signs of the 1857 uprising Ambala, July 29 Did the action of the Indian soldiers posted in Ambala precede those of Mangal Pandey and were the series of arson fires in Ambala related to the then newly introduced cartridges? Several questions have come up following the scrutiny of certain documents dating back 1857 in the regional repository at Ambala. A letter written on May 4, 1857, by Captain EWE Howard, Cantonment Joint Magistrate, to Mr G.C. Barnes, Commissioner and Superintendent, states: “It will be perceived that the first attempt at arson occurred with a view to burning the property and a hut of Sub Harbuns Singh, 36th Regiment Native Infantry, attached to the Musketry Depot lately formed at this station.” This happened on March 26 and during that period just when reports among the native population of this station began to spread, relative to the new cartridge introduced at the Musketry Depot, the using of which, it was said, the sepoys considered an innovation derogatory to their caste and religion. This native officer had previously come forward and pubicly stated his willingness to fire with such cartridges, and saw no objection to them. I am induced particularly to remark on this as it will be sent that with this first fire was disclosed the “animus” existing between the government and the men comprising the Rifle Depot, more particularly on those who did not object to cut or break the newly introduced cartridge, the letter states. Although even then it was supposed to be the act of an incendiary, still there was no proof whatever to say it was such. A second small fire broke out in the same lines on April 13 and it was followed by yet another fire on April 15, an attempt on some outhouses in a compound in the 60th Native Infantry Lines. This was followed on the 16th by two fires in one night with great loss to Government property, estimated at about Rs 30,000. The letter clearly highlights the fact that there was a person or a group of persons who were resorting to arson at a time when there were rumblings to discontentment among the Indian soldiers over the newly introduced cartridges. “It was strange that the stables of a house in the 60th Regiment Native Infantry Lines should have been set on fire and burnt — strange because the house was then occupied by three officers, Lt Craigie, Ross and Corfield, all attached to the Musketry Depot.” The letter points out that “the emanating cause of the arson at this cantonment I conceive originated with regard to the newly introduced cartridges, to which the native sepoy shows his decided objection, it being obnoxious to him from a false idea that the innovation of this cartridge is derogatory both to his caste and religion. That such is actually the cause is apparent from the evident disaffection amongst the sepoys generally on this point throughout the whole native army, similar burnings and conflagrations having it appears occurred at Barrackpore, Oude, Meerut and Lahore, all owing to the supposed impure and tainted cartridge.” A relevant observation made by the officer is “that this has led to the fires at this cantonment in my own private mind I am perfectly convinced, and were it the act of only one or two or even a few persons, the well disposed sepoys would at once have come forward and forthwith informed; but that there is an organised leagued conspiracy existing I feel confident, and though all and every individual composing a regiment may not form part of the combination, still I am of opinion that such a league in each corps is known to exist.” A telegram from the Deputy Commissioner to Sir John Lawrence, Chief Commissioner, Punjab, on May 10, 1857, states “this morning the 60th and 5th regiments were in an excited state and under arms on their parade ground. Cavalry and artillery ordered out, but no actual row. The guard over one treasury turned out under arms and were in an excited state. I ordered the Police corps to be in readiness and in their own lines. I have consulted with the General, who has sent an officer of the 5th to the Treasury Guard to dismiss the men to their lines, if necessary.” |
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Inspector, four
other cops booked Fatehabad, July 29 Surender Singh of Saniana village in the district has lodged an FIR with the Bhuna police station alleging that the accused had kept him and his servant Kalu Ram under illegal confinement. The FIR said Surender Singh was sitting in his cycle repair shop and his servant Kalu Ram was working on July 21 when at least seven vehicles stopped in front of his shop and Suresh Kumar, an Inspector in the Excise Department, Om Parkash and Kharaiti Lal, both liquor contractors, alighted from the jeeps and began to search his shop. When they could not find anything from the shop, they took him and his servant to a liquor vend and beat them up with a leather belt and then took them to the Bhuna police station. Their hands were, then, tied behind their back and they were hit on their private parts. The police blamed that they were involved in the illegal trafficking of liquor. The FIR alleged that the police later demanded Rs 15,000 and 12,000, respectively, for their release. Surender Singh had further alleged that while the police had released Kalu Ram after he paid the money, the police framed him under fictitious charges. The police has booked Om Parkash, Kharaiti Lal, Sub-Inspector Madan Lal, ASI Om Parkash, constables Bittu and Jagdeesh and Excise Inspector Suresh Kumar under Sections 342, 330, 451 and 323 of the IPC. |
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Drive to
protect animals against diseases Yamunanagar, July 29 Mr Disodia, after inaugurating the special campaign of “Mass Deworming and Infertility Camps” at Thaska village in Sadhaura block of the district yesterday said the animal husbandry sector played an important role in any rural development programme for the benefit of small and marginal farmers, landless agricultural labourers and unemployed youth. Besides, it also offered a good employment generation potential, if adopted on a large commercial basis. Mr Disodia further said such camps were also being organised at Raipur Rani and Naraingarh. Mr Rajiv Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Yamunanagar, while welcoming the chief guest said in this area because of water shortage animal husbandry could be a good earning project. Dr K.S. Dangi, Director, Animal Husbandry Department, Haryana, said with the onset of rains green fodder and water gets polluted with all kinds of parasites. The Department of Animal Husbandry has therefore launched the campaign to control the spread of parasites so that losses to livestock industry in the state are minimised to a great extent, he said. He said during the fortnight treatment to animals free of cost would be provided at the camps. Ms Renu Phullia, SDM, Jagadhri, Mr H.S. Lohan, Project Director, Kandi, Dr R.V. Vig and Dr S.N. Bansal, both Directors, Dr Bisla, veterinary specialist at HAU and Mr Amilal, Chairman, Zila Parishad, were present on the occasion. |
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Stir against
state govt soon: MLA Faridabad, July 29 Talking to The Tribune here today Mr Dalal claimed that troubled with the ‘anti-people’ policies of the Chautala government, residents of the area had pinned their hopes on Mr Ajit Singh and the morcha to raise the issues concerning them in view of the ‘weak Opposition’ in Haryana. Stating that the inclusion of Mr Ajit Singh in the Union Cabinet was a sign of the victory of the ‘democratic forces’ and ‘defeat’ of the move launched by Mr Om Prakash Chautala to prevent it. He claimed that Mr Ajit Singh had come out ‘stronger’ and would be able to thwart any move of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) to build influence in the western UP. According to Mr Dalal, the morcha and Mr Ajit Singh would now strengthen the base in this part of the state and expose the ‘failures’ of the present government. He said the INLD would not get even a single Assembly seat in the next elections on its own. He said his supporters would greet Mr Ajit Singh at Palwal tomorrow. |
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Fined for
supplying
poor quality seeds Bhiwani, July 29 Sajjan Singh of Birhi Kalan village had lodged a complaint with the forum that he had purchased 24 kg cotton seed of quality RG-8 and 777 at a cost of Rs 720 for sowing on 4 acres from Mittal Agricultural Store on May 5, 1998, and had sown the seeds the very next day. When they did not sprout after a week of sowing he complained to the agent, who refused to give new seeds and he suffered a loss of Rs 50,000. The complainant had complained to the higher officers in the Agriculture Department also, who got the seeds tested in a laboratory at Karnal. Replying to the claim the agent said the name of the father of the complainant was not registered in the receipt and the seeds might have been purchased from another shop. He also said since the seeds in wholesale had been supplied by two firms of Rohtak and Hisar so they should also be asked to pay the fine. Accepting the arguments of both parties, the forum said the complainant had purchased the seeds from the said store and it had been proved through the laboratory report that the seeds were poor quality. |
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To ‘please’ God pierce yourself with hooks, rods Ambala, July 29 A shobha yatra was organised by the devotees of Sheetala Mata on the occasion of the annual mela which is held here at Bandhu Nagar in Ambala Cantonment. The devotees showed their religious fervour and devotion by piercing their cheeks with sharp rods and by pulling a car with hooks attached to their back. A number of people watched intently as the shobha yatra passed through Bandhu Colony. The devotees, who had pierced their cheeks, did not even flinch as they walked on the streets, followed by a number of other devotees. The accompanying devotees said that it was the strong faith which enabled a devotee to pierce his cheeks and opined that this defied scientific assessment. Some of the devotees pulled a car for a long distance with hooks attached to their backs. Some devotees said that the devotees, who were pulling the car, were able to do it because of the blessings of the Sheetala Mata. The organising committee president said that a kund had been prepared at the mela place in which devotees would walk over hot embers at night. |
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3 killed
as truck hits scooters Faridabad, July 29 Ramla Devi (85), Tejpal and Shakuntala Devi were killed when a dumper truck hit two scooters near Pakhal village last evening. Ramla, Shakuntala and Devender were on one scooter and Tejpal and Dharampal were on the other scooter. Sushila was run over by a train while crossing the railway line near Mujesar village yesterday. A few days’ old child died under ‘mysterious’ circumstances at Santosh Nagar here. The parents alleged that the police was harassing them unnecessarily although the child had died due to sickness. In another incident, an unidentified body was found from Sector 14 here. |
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4 pulled
out of debris Fatehabad, July 29 According to reports, the victims, Sukhdev Singh, Jagdish Singh, Amrik Singh and Hans Raj, were trying to deepen a 20-feet-deep well at Badalgarh village as the water-level had gone very low. While Jagdish and Hans Raj were working in the well, the other two were supplying them bricks and other construction material. The bricks, cemented on the walls of the well, suddenly, started falling on the labourers working in the well. The other two who tried to save them were also buried under the debris. Some persons standing on the accident site informed other villagers and the Mahmada police post and civil administration at Rattia. Fire tenders and a doctor from the general hospital were rushed to the site. The buried persons were rescued after four hours. The injured were admitted to the local general hospital in a serious condition. Their condition is stated to be out of danger. |
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Former sarpanch shot dead Rohtak, July 29 Strangely, the assailants opened fore on one of their accomplices when he failed to kick start the motor cycle after committing the crime. Both died on the spot. According to police sources, Omprakash was standing in front of a sweet shop in the main market of Sampla. Three motor
cycle-borne youths reached the spot and showered bullets on him. The victim sustained three bullets in his head and fell on the ground. The eyewitnesses said one of the assassins hurriedly tried to start the bike to escape but failed in his attempt. Meanwhile, passers-by started gathering near the spot which perturbed the assailants. They shot at their accomplice who was trying to kick start the bike. Some villagers said the assailants shot dead their accomplice as they supposed him to be identified by some of the people surrounding them. The dead assassin has been identified as Ashok of Isamila village. The assailants reportedly snatched a tractor to escape. But later, they took away a scooter at gun point and escaped. |
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Six highway robbers held Hisar, July 29 Acting on the information, a police party conducted a raid and arrested six of the criminals three of their accomplices escaped.
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Killer
of four arrested Sonepat, July 29 The Superintendent of Police, Mr Paramjit Singh Ahlawat told mediapersons here today that Joginder belonged to Katlupur village in the district. The culprit, he said, was moving under suspicious circumstances, when he was nabbed by the police on the GT Road near Bhigan village. He said during interrogation, Joginder told the police that he along with his accomplices, had murdered Anita in the urban estate at Jind, Manoj a property dealer near a cinema house at Gurgaon, Baba Krishna Giri, a priest of a ‘dera’ and another sadhu at Rampura Beri village in Churu district of Rajasthan within a period of 15 months. According to the SP, the police had recovered a country-made pistol and 200 grams of charas from him and a case had been registered against him. Further investigations were in progress, he added. The police had arrested another criminal Sadhu Ram, a resident of Sisar village in Rohtak district, while he was moving under suspicious circumstances on the Sonepat-Gohana road near Barwasni village the SP said. The police, he said, recovered a revolver and four live cartridges from him. |
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Murder case
accused held Sirsa, July 29 According to the district police chief here today, a young boy Chaitnya, had been murdered with sharp-edged weapons and the body thrown into a canal on May 23 when he was going to the fields with his maternal uncles, who had a land dispute with their cousins. The police had registered a case on a complaint by Mr Mani Ram and arrested Banwari, Rajpal and Rameshwar. Rameshwar’s son had absconded. He was arrested last night by the Ellenabad police. |
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Sonepat
powerless for a day Sonepat, July 29 Thousands of residents remained powerless almost throughout the day and this caused great inconvenience to them because of hot and humid weather. However, the power supply, drinking water supply, telephones and telegraph was maintained. Mr
R.K. Gupta, Superintending Engineer (Operation) of the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam
(UHBVN) said the fault was removed by officials and the power supply had now become normal. According to another report, two transformers of a 33 KV sub-station were burnt at Kharkhauda town, 19 km form here, yesterday and residents had to go without power for the whole day. This paralysed the normal life. Many residents said they did not receive a drop of drinking water for the whole day. Officials of the UHBVN were busy in replacing the damaged transformers and the work is likely to complete by today. |
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Naik cremated
with honours Hisar, July 29 The 32-year-old Balbir Singh joined the Army in 1988. People of Kharkari turned out in large numbers to pay their last respects to the martyr. The ruling INLD MP, Mr Surendra Singh Barwala, MLA Puran Singh Dabra, Chairperson of State Women’s Commission Sheila Bhayan were among those who paid tributes to the martyr. Balbir, who was serving in 3 Jat Regiment, is survived by his wife and two sons.
UNI |
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Rs 13.38 cr for
pension scheme: DC Faridabad, July 29 The Deputy Commissioner said about 82,208 persons have been benefited by various pension schemes and Rs 4.93 crore have been spent in the current financial year. In the old-age pension category about 57,437 persons got Rs 1.14 crore as pension in the above said period. As many as 180 new beneficiaries had been identified during last month by the committee set up for the purpose. He said the government had also been providing financial help to widows. While Rs 5.12 crore had been kept for this account, he said Rs 1.30 crore had been spent benefiting about 21,710 persons. |
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Woman doctor
commits suicide Faridabad, July 29 According to information, Dr Neeru Sharma, wife of Dr Keshav Sharma, took poison after a dispute with her husband. She was rushed to Escorts Medical Centre here. But died soon after. Dr Neeru had been running a nursing home, along with her husband, after her marriage. She is survived by her husband and two children. |
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7-yr jail term for
raping minor Hisar, July 29 According to the prosecution, Gobind raped a 16-year-old girl while she was sleeping on the roof of her house. He will have to undergo further imprisonment for six months if he fails to deposit the fine.
PTI |
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Steps to
develop Bhiwani Bhiwani, July 29 The Director of Urban Development, Mr Sanjeev Kaushal said the citizens had been authorised to make an assessment of tax themselves and added that rebate would be provided on house tax of old houses. He said a sum of Rs 6.51 crore would be fixed for public facilities in Bhiwani city. The Deputy Commissioner disclosed that a sum of Rs 5 crore had been sanctioned under the Accumulated Small and Medium Urban Development Scheme run by the Central and state governments for the development of Bhiwani city and of this amount Rs 1 crore had already been received by the municipal committee. He told that shopping complexes near railway overbridge on the Loharu road, Aggrasain Chowk and MC Ground would also be constructed. |
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Breaches in Ghaggar canal flood fields Sirsa, July 29 According to information received today, some farmers of Kussar village at Rania in the district noticed three breaches in the canal at pillar No. 17, 21 and 26 yesterday. Although they tried to plug the breaches and informed the officers of the Canal Department, paddy crop over several acres got submerged in water. The farmers complained that the canal had received water beyond its capacity. Besides, its banks had become weak because of the non-removal of silt from the canal. |
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Differences on Mayor’s election Faridabad, July 29 Out of two groups of elected members, one owes allegiance to the Cooperation Minister, whereas the other is loyal to Bhajan Lal supporter Amarjit Singh. Mr Badhana wants that the Mayor should be from the Gujjar community whereas the Congress leaders feel otherwise. |
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