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| Thursday, January 24, 2002,
Chandigarh, India
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Big ones arrive on last day of nominations Ludhiana, January 23 The Congress nominee from Ludhiana North, Mr Rakesh Pandey, visited several localities in the constituency, including Madhopuri, Harbanspura, Chauri Sarak, and Salem Tabri, seeking support of the electorate. Mr Pandey, seeking re-election for the fourth consecutive term, assured the people that he was committed to the development of the area and redressal of grievances of the common people. A former Punjab Minister and Panthic Morcha candidate from Kila Raipur, Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, claimed massive response from the electorate. During a whirlwind first round of the constituency, Mr Grewal addressed a series of meetings and called upon the electorate to vote for the Panthic Morcha. He said following in the footsteps of previous Congress governments, the SAD-BJP government had not only promoted corruption but had failed to get any of the pending demands of Punjab accepted by the Centre, even though the SAD-B was an ally of the BJP-led NDA alliance at Centre. Former SGPC president Jagdev Singh Talwandi claimed that the SAD-BJP combine would score yet another victory in the Assembly elections and Mr Parkash Singh Badal will form the next government. Addressing a meeting to mark the opening of election office of Mr Ranjit Singh Talwandi, the ruling alliance candidate from Raikot assembly segment, he further said that the development works undertaken by the present government were far too many as compared to those taking place during 45 years of Congress rule. Mr Mal Singh Ghuman, chairman, Punjab Mandi Board, and Mr Jagjit Singh Ghungrana, Chairman, Punjab Agro Industries Corporation, were also present at the occasion. The election campaign of Congress candidate from Ludhiana west, Mr Harnam Das Johar, received a big boost as several bodies like Punjab State Pensioners’ Confederation, the Atam Raksha Sangh, Uttaranchal Kumaon Vikas Parishad and the Punjab Pardesh Ayurvedic and Unani Registered Medical Practitioners Association today announced their support to the Congress in the coming assembly polls. Mr Johar also interacted with members of trade and industry and assured that the party was committed to take up all their pending demands on priority basis. Mr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, President, All India Youth Akali Dal, has said that youth wing activists would extend their all out support to Mr Avtar Singh Makkar, the ruling combine nominee from Ludhiana west. Addressing a joint meeting of District Akali Jatha (Urban) and the Youth Akali Dal here, he cautioned the electorate against evil designs of Congress and the Panthic Morcha. The Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) district president, Mr Krishan Sharma, announced that the party would contest three seats in the city. While the party spokesman, Mr Pawan Sharma, had been fielded from Ludhiana North, Mr Parveen Mittal and Mr Parminder Singh were the party nominees from Ludhiana east and Ludhiana Rural, respectively. He said that rampant corruption during the
The Rashtriya Lok Dal and Kirti Samaj Party have decided to extend support to Mr Hira Singh Gabria, the Panthic Morcha candidate from Ludhiana rural seat. In a joint statement, Mr Gurdip Singh, Vice President of RLD and Mr Hardeep Singh, President of Youth Wing said Mr Gabria had worked tirelessly and with dedication for development of the assembly segment. Similarly, All India Kirti Samaj Party Chief Mr Kirpal Singh, announced the decision to campaign for Mr Gabria in the coming elections. The process of filing nomination papers was completed today with all the remaining candidates of various political parties filing their papers. Prominent among those who filed their papers today were the Minister for Technical Education, Mr Jagdish Garcha, of the Akali-BJP alliance from Kila Raipur, Mr Milkait Singh Dhaka from Dhaka (reserved), Mr Rakesh Pandey from Ludhiana North and several others, including those from the Bahujan Samaj Party and some Independents. Mr Dakha, who filed his nomination papers in the Mini Secretariat, was accompanied by hundreds of his supporters ahead of a caravan of vehicles. He claimed that he was receiving tremendous support from the public and hoped that he would win this time. Mr Dakha was accompanied by the local MP, Mr Gurcharan Singh Ghalib, and senior Congress leaders like Mr K.K. Bawa and Mr Pawan Dewan. Mr Garcha expressed confidence that he would retain the Kila Raipur seat as he had done a lot of development work in the area. Mr Rakesh Pandey from Ludhiana North claimed that he was not facing any major challenge. He was accompanied by Mr Harnam Dass Johar and several other senior leaders of the party. Mr Gurmail Pahalwan of the BSP filed his nomination papers from Ludhiana Rural. He was accompanied by a large number of supporters, who inlcuded a former MP, Mr Jagir Singh Dard, Mr Ashok kumar, Mr Kulwinder Singh, Ramesh Joshi, Ranjodh Singh Jodh and Ajit Pawar Jitta. The others who filed their nomination papers included Mr Ashok Prashar Pappi of the Nationalist Congress Party and Jaipal Singh of the BSP from Ludhiana East, Mr Jagjit Singh of the Lok Bhalai Party, Mr Piara Singh of the BSP, Mr Trilok Singh of Shiromani Akali Dal-Mann from Jagraon, Mrs Satinder Kaur of the BSP, Mr Harish Rai Dhanda and Harminer Singh, both Independents, from Ludhiana West, Mr Kartar Singh, Mr Hira Singh and Mr Harcharan Singh from Ludhiana Rural, Mr Kripal Singh of the SAD-M, Mrs Nirmaljit Kaur of the BSP, Mr Lakhwinder Singh, Independent, from Payal, Mr Gurtejpal Singh of the SAD-M and Mrs Satinder Kaur of the Panthic Morcha and Mr Kuldeep Singh of the BSP filed their nomination papers from the Samrala assembly segment. Amloh Jagraon Mr Paramjit Singh Sibia became the Congress candidate and his wife, Ms Charanjit Kaur, became the covering candidate. Mr Jagjit Singh Lopon got the Lok Bhalai party ticket and his wife, Mr Karamjit Kaur, filed her papers as a covering candidate for him. Mr Piara Singh Kaunke filed his nomination form as the BSP candidate and Mr Sukhchain Singh became his covering candidate. Mr Darshan Singh Brar, a former minister of Punjab who was denied the Congress ticket, has filed his nomination as an Independent candidate. Mr Tarlok Singh Dalla has become the SAD (Mann) candidate and Mr Darshan Singh has become the Lok Jan Shakti Party candidate. Ms Amarjit Kaur, wife of Mr Darshan Singh Brar, filed her nomination form as a covering candidate for her husband. This constituency has 1,42,503 voters, with 161 booths in all, out of which, 53 are in Jagraon. No area has been declared sensitive in this constituency. Khanna Senior leaders of all three parties of the alliance, sarpanches and panches of many villages and 12 municipal councillors were part of the procession. Mr Daya Singh, district head of the SAD (B), Mr Gurcharn Singh Raikhy, head of the Khanna unit of the SAD urban cell, Mr Major Singh Pallah, head of the Khanna unit of the SAD rural cell, Mr Raghbir Singh Badla of the Bahujan Samaj Morcha, Mr Sadhu Ram Nanda, head of the Arhtiya Association of Khanna, Mr Ranbir Sood, press secretary of the Punjab Arhtiya Association, and Mr Roop Chand Sedha, head of the Sarafan Bazar Association, also accompanied the procession. Mr Ram Dass Gogi of the Bahujan Samaj Party also filed his nomination papers here today. With this, the number of candidates reached eight today on the last day of filing nomination papers. Bibi Harbans Kaur Dullo had already filed her nomination papers as the Congress candidate, Mr Ranbir Singh Libra as the Panthic Morcha candidate and a former MLA, Mr Bachan Singh Cheema, and Mr Rulda Singh as Independents. Machhiwara “No one has filed nominations as an Independent candidate,” he said. |
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Waiting to be with his family again Ludhiana, January 23 According to Mr Jai Singh, general secretary of the committee, “Kaka Singh had been working for Sukhwinder Singh since May 5, 1997. He borrowed Rs 18,000 from him at interest rate of 4 per cent per month, at the time of joining. Though his yearly salary was fixed at Rs 18,000, it was never paid to him. His landlord used to give him only some petty amounts for day-to-day expenses. Moreover, every time he abstained from work due to illness or any other domestic reason, an unreasonable fine of Rs 100 per day and Rs 100 per night was imposed on him. Sukhwinder Singh also made an allegation of theft of Rs 30,000 against Gurmit Kaur, and threatened Kaka Singh to get them arrested. Not only this, he often used abusive language and beat him up mercilessly. Fed up with this ill-treatment and non-payment of his wages, Kaka Singh wanted to be relieved from the bondage of Sukhwinder Singh, but the latter demanded Rs 25,000 from him before setting him free.” Jai Singh adds that the NHRC had asked the DM, Patiala, to look into the matter, and the DM had assigned the job to the Police Department. However, the police, alleged to be siding with the landlord, has not registered any case in this regard as yet. One police officer, on the condition of anonymity, expressed his doubts over the allegation that Kaka Singh and his family had been kidnapped. They might have disappeared on their own to avoid paying back the debt, he said. Refuting this vehemently, Babu Singh says, “If that had been the case, I, too, would have gone away with them. Life has become a hell for me in the absence of my family as Sukhwinder Singh has been harassing me for the payment of money, he claims, Kaka owes him.” |
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Postmaster alleges harassment Ludhiana, January 23 Police repression is common in rural Panjab, where quarrels over petty issues are the order of the day. If one happens to have some money and a friend in the police, one can easily pick on anyone. It was a minor dispute that began with the neighbour’s dog trying to gnaw at a calf. The postmaster was beaten up and, then, “implicated” in a false case, as the attackers had an ASI friend. Then, one day, the ASI, Kulwant Singh, came to the post office and attacked Mr Lachhman Singh. He, then, registered a case against the post master for attacking a policeman on duty and tearing his uniform. When the postmaster lodged a complaint against the ASI with the DSP, the ASI “bashed up” the complainant. Then, his brother was also beaten up and taken to the police station. He submitted a second application to the DSP, to secure the release of his brother and seek action against the ASI. On September 12, 2001, he was beaten up with sticks. After receiving treatment in Civil Hospital of Ludhiana, he approached the ASI for lodging a report against the attackers, but the ASI allegedly refused to lodge any report. On the basis of one of his several applications, an inquiry was conducted by the DSP concerned, but nothing came out of it. He, then, approached the Chairman of the Panjab State Human Rights Commission, saying in his application that the ASI was the son-in-law of DSP Baldev Singh, so, the police inquiry report had been in favour of the ASI. He demanded an inquiry by an honest and impartial IPS officer. Mr Singh told the commission that policemen in plain clothes often visited his house and abused members of his family to pressurise them to withdraw the complaint. On July 28, 2001, the village Panchayat certified that the ASI had not convened any public meeting at the village as claimed by him. The Panchayat said whatever had happened between the ASI and Mr Lachhman Singh had happened inside the post office. The PSHRC had asked the SSP of Ludhiana to submit a detailed reply in this case by January 23, 2002. The commission had said a report in this regard would be given to the Home Department. |
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Courageous family donates body Ludhiana, January 23 Mr Krishan Bargari was the president of Tarksheel Society (based on reason) and had worked whole-heartedly to remove superstitions and baseless thinking from the minds of people. Mr Manjit Singh Boparai, press secretary of its international wing from Australia on a visit of India, informed that the family of Mr Bargari had shown exemplary courage in offering the body for scientific learning. Mr Bargari had worked tirelessly to uphold the principles of society. Mr Krishan had been preparing himself for dedicating his body for the benefit of mankind. He had signed an affidavit in which he had urged his family to donate his body to a hospital. Ravinder Bargari, the teenaged-son, was dry-eyed and calm. He said: “My mother Rajinder Kaur and my 12 year-old brother were prepared for this eventuality by my father and members of the society. All of us have been trying to come to terms with this ordreal last six months since his blood cancer was detected.” A large number of members of Taraksheel Society were present in the CMC Hospital, one of the members Ramswaran Singh said, “We the members do not believe in next life. Our sole aim in life is to help humanity in the present life only. We held no rituals at the death of our president and we are proud that we have been able to bid adieu to our most courageous leader in a befitting manner. We are proud that our society has set an example to the rest of the people.” Dr Molly Paul, Head and Professor of Anatomy and Human Genetics Department, addressing the members of Taraksheel Society said: “I sincerely sympathise with the family at the death of Mr Krishan. His loss has been great for all of you as he was your leader but you have converted the loss into a huge profit for mankind. Moreover, you have set a good example. We are going to use each and every organ for scientific learning. I will be able to teach the doctors to learn what went wrong and what caused the disease. Skin, blood, bones, all will be used to teach the future doctors to know the working of genetics”. No organ could be used for transplantation as he had blood cancer. Nonetheless, it is a great thing to offer one’s dead for scientific learning. |
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10-year-old girl crushed to death Ludhiana, January 23 She was crossing the road with her cousins, Payal and Ravi, when the vehicle coming with high speed crushed her to death. The other two received serious injuries and were rushed to hospital. The father of the victim is a rickshaw-puller and family lives in the Model Town area. The investigation are on and the police has registered a case under Sections 279 and 304-A of the Indian Penal Code at Model Town police station. |
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Cong promises single-window system for traders Ludhiana, January 23 The PCC president announced several trade and business-friendly measures, which he said, would be introduced after the Congress formed government in the state. He alleged the Akali-BJP government had ignored interests of all sections of the society, including traders and industrialists. He claimed that about 600 farmers had committed suicides in Punjab during the alliance regime. He said the Badal government had not fulfilled any of the promises it had made in its election manifesto. He alleged there was disillusionment among the youth, who were feeling frustrated as there were no job avenues. He promised a new era of peace and progress in the state after coming to power. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Jagmohan Sharma, president of the Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal, assured the support of trading community to the Congress. He said the community had suffered a great deal at the hands of the government as none of the promises made to them were fulfilled. He said even octroi was abolished at the last moment, when not more than two months were left for elections. Mr Surinder Dawer, Congress candidate from Ludhiana East, in whose support the function was organised promised the traders that he would plead their case with the government with all sincerity and commitment. Seeking support from trading community, he said, he was aware of their problems and would ensure that these were settled at the earliest. Among others, the function was attended by the acting District Congress Committee (DCC) president, Mr K. K. Bawa, senior youth Congress leader, Mr Pawan Dewan, Mr Gopal Bhushan Gupta, Mr Parminder Mehta and hundreds of traders and industrialists. |
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Digging of roads causes inconvenience
Ludhiana, January 23 Roads in the Bhadaur House, Deepak Cinema, Mata Rani Chowk, Brown Road, Samrala Road, Chandigarh Road and Subhani Building areas are in a poor shape due to the cable-laying process. A number of shopkeepers as well as residents of the area are having a tough time due to the open trenches. Mr Atul Kumar, a shopkeeper, at Deepak Cinema said that they had become used to such kind of nuisance. “We have become habitual now. After a few months, a new company emerges, digs up roads and causes inconvenience to us. The officials concerned never bother.” Ms Madhumita, a resident of Brown Road, said that due to her small kids, these open trenches had become very dangerous. “My kids go out and play. I have to keep an eye on them so that they are not trapped in these open trenches. If the company has to dig the roads, the relaying process should also be done immediately”, she said. Another resident of the Deepak Cinema road said that it was already a very narrow road and the digging process had created nuisance. “All the time, there is rush and sometimes there are traffic jams. We are forced to bear the noise of horns these days”, said the resident. Mr Rahul, a resident at Mata Nagar Chowk, however, said that it was a routine process. “We should feel good that the telephone subscribers will get many new facilities. The only thing is that the relaying process should be done immediately. If possible, the company should dig up the roads at night because of low traffic flow”. Mr Rajnish, Coordinator of the company, maintained that it was just two days’ process. “Ultimately, this will be helpful to the people. The company will provide the land lines as well as mobile facility. We have already taken permission from the Municipal Corporation and the relaying process will be completed in two days. Ninety per cent of the work has already been completed. Hundreds of men are at work for speedy relaying process”, claimed Mr Rajnish.
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NRI to get award
Ludhiana, January 23 The award will be presented at the 21st international congress, which is being organised from January 24 to 26 at Hotel Meridian, New Delhi. The NRI Welfare Society of India is organising the function. A large number of NRIs are expected to participate. Mr Sethi, who was in Ludhiana before leaving for New Delhi, said, “I have been informed by the society about the award for helping my fellow Indian engineers settled in the USA”. He was the first Indian born engineer who in 1972 became a manager in Brown & Root and led the team to design world’s largest nuclear plant. He has written over a dozen technical papers. In 1983 he organised Indo-American Chamber of Commerce and was its first elected president. It is a powerful organisation with 33 chapters all over world. Mr Sethi said, “We urge the Indian engineers to help in transferring the technology to our fellow Indians. I wish, we would help as much as Chinese do. I constantly urge the NRIs to help their countrymen. At the function, too, we are all going to think ways and means of helping our country and how to enhance country’s image in the world”.
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Young
Voice
AFTER completing a course in fashion designing, what would a young girl like to do? Of course, look for a career in fashion world, one would say. However, one is mistaken if one meets Ms Prabhjot Kaur (24), who has entered a totally different field after completing a course in fashion designing. She has joined the Peoples Vigilance Committee on bonded, child and migrant labour, an NGO of
Phillaur, which was earlier run by her father, Mr Jai Singh. She says, “After an attack on my father in 2000 by some landlords, I decided to quit fashion world, and decided to fully devote myself towards the cause of depressed labourers, who often approach us after being beaten by landlords and the local police.” Regarding her experiences in this field, she says,‘‘ It was my happiest moment when we recently succeeded in releasing a bonded labourer from the clutches of a landlord in Kaithal district, Haryana, with the help of a warrant officer of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). We have, though, taken up more than 300 cases with the NHRC, but the administration’s apathy towards the problems of depressed, illiterate, bonded and child labourers makes me sick. She is also associated with the Amnesty International, the Human Rights Watch and has participated in various seminars, marches and programmes of organisations such as the Voice of Dalit International, London and the Anti Slavery Movement. Regarding her future, Prabhjot says confidently that she has decided to work for these people at least till the State and Centre governments recognise bonded labour as a serious problem. |
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Attackers injure doctor couple Ludhiana, January 23 The Basti Jodhewal police has registered a case and started investigations. Rash driving The Salem Tabri police arrested two persons here on Monday for overspeeding and rash driving. Cases under Sections 279, 336 and 337 of the IPC has been registered against them. The arrested drivers are Ashok Kumar, a resident of Pandori village in Kapurthala district, who was driving a Tata Sumo, and Mohammad Rashid, a resident of Saharanpur district, who was driving a Contessa car. Meanwhile, the Jodhewal police arrested Amarjit Singh, a resident of Didar Colony of Balachaur on Monday for driving his Tata Indica car past a police checkpoint at Shiv Puri in spite of being signalled to stop. The case against him has been registered under Section 279 of the IPC.
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Allegations of fraud
against many Ludhiana, January 23 The complainant says that the accused prepared forged documents of his land and sold it. He came to know of the fraud, later. The Civil Lines police had registered a similar case here yesterday under Sections 406, 467, 468, 471, 418 and 120-B of the IPC on the statement of Mr Mohan Singh, a resident of Jamalpur Awana. The complaint was against G.S. Puri, M.L. Thapar and his wife Raj Rani. The complainant had alleged that the accused had prepared a fictitious document to sell his land. The Division Number 8 police registered a case here on Monday under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 of the IPC against Mukesh Kumar Bansal and Balraj Gupta, a resident of Ashok Nagar. The complaint says that the accused prepared forged registrations of vehicles, driving licences, insurance certificates and pollution certificates. |
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JE held for taking bribe Ludhiana, January 23 According to a statement issued by DSP Gurjeet Singh Romana, the accused was caught red-handed when he took Rs 3,000 for showing low electricity load of Hotel Pawan, near the railway station. He reportedly showed less than actual load in the records. The SP, Vigilance Bureau, Ludhiana unit, Mr R.P.S. Bajawa, disclosed that the accused was caught in the presence of two official witnesses, Sarwan Singh, Additional TO, Improvement Trust, Ludhiana, and Ashok Kumar, Senior Assistant, Veterinary Department, Ludhiana. Mr Bajawa, meanwhile, appealed to public that if any citizen had information about any corrupt government official, he could inform the Vigilance Bureau about it at telephone numbers 449053 and 449560. |
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