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| Saturday,
February 9, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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Bride, mother-in-law clubbed to death Ludhiana, February 8 A dowry dispute is said to have led to the killings. In this case, the old woman tried her best to save her daughter-in-law before she, too, was killed. The young woman, Harpal Kaur, died on the spot, while her mother-in-law, Harjit Kaur, died in Dayanand Medical College and Hospital here today. According to Avtar Singh, brother of young woman, his sister used to be harassed and tortured for dowry ever since her marriage to Sukhjiwan Singh of Ishar Singh Nagar about a year ago. Last night, Sukhjiwan and his father Ranjit Singh, first beat her up, but when she refused to concede to their demands, Ranjit Singh, allegedly, hit an iron rod on her head several times. Meanwhile, her husband kept kicking her repeatedly. The woman wailed loudly, but the father and son showed no mercy. Her mother-in-law, Harjit Kaur, who always used to protect her, tried to stop the accused, but she, too, was hit on the head with the iron rod. As the two women collapsed in the house, the father and son ran away. According to the FIR, Avtar Singh received an anonymous telephone call that the father and son were beating up his sister. Avtar lives in Shimla Puri, from where he rushed to the spot and saw the women being hit by an iron rod and kicked. He rushed to the women’s aid and took them to the hospital, while the accused escaped. In the hospital, his sister was declared brought dead. The police has registered a case under Sections 302, 304-B and 34 of the IPC against the husband and father-in-law of the young woman. Several places are being raided in search for the accused. According to the police, the scene of the crime presented a ghastly sight, as there was blood smeared all over the room. There was a pool of blood on the floor. Some neighbours of the family told the police that the young bride used to be repeatedly harassed for dowry ever since her marriage. The incident attracted quite a crowd in Ishar Singh Nagar. Senior police officials, including the Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr Harpreet Singh Sidhu, also rushed to the site. Residents of the colony were angry at the killings and demanded that the accused be arrested soon. |
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AirTel operations launched Ludhiana, February 8 Preity Zinta was also accompanying him and was the centre of attraction. Almost all the bigwigs of the industry had gathered at the launching ceremony. Later, addressing a press conference, Mr Mittal said, ‘‘It is a true homecoming and an opportunity for Bharti to contribute to the Punjab economy. The Bharti’s mobile footprint already covers 92 per cent of all mobile phone users in India cutting across 1.8 million km in 15 licence areas touching a total population base of approximately 600 million people. It currently has a customer base of over one million.’’ He claimed that the AirTel is the first cellular network in Punjab with 2.5G and GPRS capacity. The AirTel switch enables better call completion rate and increased operational efficiency, which will result in handling higher number of calls during peak hours. In the first phase, the network will cover 40 towns and cities forming the main corridor of traffic through Punjab. Following this, in the second phase AirTel will cover another 41 towns by March 31, 2002. This state of the art network with over 150 cell sites will bring enhanced quality of coverage to the people of Punjab. The company would provide various value plus services such as immigration consultation, gurbani and vet-online to cater to the specific needs of the people. It will also shortly provide the largest roaming service in Punjab covering over 700 cities and the largest international roaming service in over 60 countries across seven continents and 100 networks, Mr Mittal added. |
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Central
forces for Kila Raipur, Raikot, Dakha Ludhiana, February 8 Kila Raipur has the largest number of “very sensitive” polling booths, numbering 57 apart from another 34 sensitive polling booths. The district administration is reviewing the booths where there is a possibility of poll violence. There have been reports of candidates tearing flags and banners of rival candidates leading to tension at several places in the district. Only yesterday an ugly situation was averted at Tusse village , about 25 km from Ludhiana. Similar reports have also been received from Raikot. It is learnt that the presence of some of the influential and powerful candidates in Kila Raipur and Raikot has forced the Commission to deploy central forces here. In Kila Raipur, the Minister for Technical Education, Mr Jagdish Garcha, is finding it hard to hold his ground in the face of tough competition from the Panthic Morcha and Congress candidates. Tension has already gripped the area after Mr Garcha
reportedly distributed posters and pamphlets reviving the memories of 1984 riots. This has been objected to by the supporters of Congress candidate Bibi Gurdial Kaur Khangura. Similarly in Raikot, Congress candidate Harmohinder Singh is seeking re-election. He is contesting against Ranjit Singh Talwandi, son of former SGPC chief Jagdev Singh Talwandi. Since both have strong pockets of influence and are locked in a tough contest, there are apprhensions of violence in the constituency. Ranjit Talwandi was last year acquitted of the murder charges by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Mr Harmohinder Singh is an influential liquor contractor enjoying the support of the strong and powerful liquor lobby of the state. Dakha (reserve) constituency has 41 ‘very sensitive’ and 48 sensitive, while Raikot has 38 ‘very sensitive’ and 17 sensitive polling booths. The large-scale distribution of liquor and other intoxicants in these constituencies has further aggravated the possibility of violence. Several candidates have written to the Election Commission apprehending booth capturing and bogus voting by the ruling party candidates in these constituencies. |
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Labourer
buried alive as well caves in Ludhiana, February 8 According to the police, the incident took place when Gurnam and three other labourers had been digging a well in the house of a farmer called Ajaib Singh. Gurnam was in the well, while the other labourers were standing outside when the well collapsed from the top, burying the labourer under tons of earth. The Sadar police and officials of the district administration rushed to the site and cranes of the local Municipal Corporation were also pressed into service, but the body could be extricated today
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A martyr behind the veil Latala (Ludhiana), February 8 The statue of Captain Ravinder Singh (1942-1965) of the 18 Cavalry Regiment was built by villagers and Ms Surinder Kaur, 82, mother of the Captain Ravinder, who lives in the village. She had taken the initiative after waiting for long for the state government and the Soldiers Welfare Department to dedicate a memorial to the martyr. The woman has long ago stopped making repeated visits to offices of the district administration and the Sainik Welfare Board for getting 10 acres promised to the martyr’s family by the state government in 1965. The old woman is still disgusted with officials, even after the statue has been built. She is waiting ever since for officers of her son’s regiment, now based in Jodhpur, to come and unveil the statue. In spite of several correspondences to the regiment, her request has not been accepted, so far. Many politicians pass near the statue during their campaigns, but no one does anything about it. This reporter saw the veiled statue and learnt of the reason after enquiries. Ms Surinder Kaur, mother of Captain Ravinder, said she was thankful to villagers for helping her erect the statue. Captain Ravinder Singh was born on December 5, 1942, and selected for the Indian Army when still a second-year science student. He was soon sent to Jammu and Kashmir in the 1965 war, where he achieved martyrdom while fighting the enemy. At that time, the Army and political leaders had promised her a memorial dedicated to the martyr and 10 acres in the village, but no promise was fulfilled. As age caught up with her, she turned to villagers for helping her build the memorial at least. In a choked voice, the woman said she was tired of making requests to the officials concerned. She said her son had died a bachelor and she was his only surviving relative. She said she was not certain of seeing the statue unveiled in her life and this was pretty much the story of the families of all martyrs in the country. |
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Man kills sister Ludhiana, February 8 The incident took place in the house of Satpal Singh. Charanjit Kaur was married to a youth 14 years ago but the couple had fallen apart recently. They were fighting a divorce case in a city court. According to the Division No 4 police, the woman's husband met her yesterday and both almost agreed for a reunion. The woman told this to her sister who in turn revealed the news to Satpal Singh. However, the brother was angry at the sister's decision for not taking him into confidence. According to the police, he barged into the room of the sleeping sister and stabbed her several times in the neck. The accused then ran away. |
Free and natural flow of liquor Ludhiana, February 8 In Kila Raipur, the Minister for Technical Education, Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha, is locked in a tough three-cornered contest with Bibi Gurdial Kaur Khangura of the Congress and Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal of the Panthic Morcha, who are giving him sleepless nights. Mr Garcha’s younger brother, Mr Mann Singh Garcha, is a leading liquor contractor of the state. Both Mr Grewal and Bibi Khangura have been accusing Mr Garcha of supplying liquor in the area. Mr Garcha has repeatedly denied these charges. In fact the death of party worker is also being attributed to the consumption of liquor supplied by the same candidate. Mr Garcha is also trying hard to shun that image and trying to focus on developmental works, he claims to have got done in the area. Similarly, Mr Amrik Singh Dhillon, the sitting Congress MLA from Samrala, who is seeking re-election form here is also a top liquor contractor of the state. In fact liquor business spills over into the neighbouring states of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh also. Initially, he was refused the ticket for his alleged involvement in a fertiliser scandal, but he succeeded in procuring the party nomination using his clout. Though, Mr Dhillon belongs to the Congress, he is closely related to Mr Jagdish Garcha. Besides, both of them do the liquor business in ‘perfect understanding with each other.’ Another liquor contractor in the fray is the sitting Congress MLA, Mr Harmohinder Singh, who is contesting the Raikot seat once again. During the previous elections he had defeated Mr Ranjit Singh Talwandi, son of senior Akali leader and former SGPC chief, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi. At that time he had won despite a massive Akali wave. He is also known across the region for his massive stakes in the liquor business and enjoys strong support of the liquor. It is not just because of the presence of these three liquor barons that the liquor is flowing so freely in elections in Ludhiana. Reports from different parts of the district suggest that candidates belonging to all parties, including even the Bharatiya Janata Party, which would otherwise enjoy a different image, are supplying liquor to the party workers involved in the campaign. A party worker admitted to The Tribune that liquor was being offered to tired campaigners in the evenings, but added that no one was being lured through supply of liquor. “So there was nothing wrong in it”, he argued. The three liquor barons have however consistently been maintaining that why should they be targeted just because they were in the liquor business. They claim that it is just like any other business as it has been accepted legally. “What is wrong in liquor business?” a supporter of Mr Harmohinder Singh asked. Interestingly, several liquor cartels antagonistic to these political leaders are actively participating in these elections. Their prime objective is to settle scores by ensuring the defeat of these leaders. The liquor syndicates in Ludhiana have been divided between the supporters of Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, son of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, and the Chief Minister’s son-in-law, Mr Adesh Partap Singh Kairon. Mr Garcha belongs to Mr Sukhbir Badal’s camp and the confrontation was witnessed in Ludhiana last year when the auction had to be postponed on several occasions. It was ultimately held at Patiala. Much to the dismay of those indulging in the supply of liquor, a recent survey conducted by a social organisation in liaison with Guru Gobind Singh study circle (GGSSC) has indicated that people supplying liquor and other intoxicants may actually find voters going against them. |
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Religious
heads’ help sought on drug abuse Ludhiana, February 8 The president of the Krishna Mandir Committee, Shastri Nagar, Mr Hakumat Rai, the senior vice-president, Mr Tarsem Chand Gupta and the secretary, Mr Om Parkash Mahajan, said that use of all types of drugs was prohibited in the Hindu religion. All the members of the mandir committee and saints appealed to the masses to shun use of drugs during the election process. They also promised cooperation to the study circle in its ongoing movement against alcohol and other drugs. The delegation also met Atr-ur-Rehman, state president, Indian Muslim Council, Punjab, and Head Jama Masjid, Ludhiana, who appealed to all Muslims and non-Muslim population not to fall prey in the greed of alcohol while casting their votes. The Rev Ram Lal (priest in charge) Kalvari Church, CNI, Mission Compound, Brown Road, Ludhiana, promised that a movement for drug abuse prevention will be started in each village of the state. He said that till the downtrodden were not educated about the ill effects of drugs, this menace could not be controlled effectively. He appealed to all Christian organisations to educate the masses to use their votes without any lurement of alcohol or other drugs. |
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Amarinder
assails Badal govt Ahmedgarh, February 8 Among others who addressed the rally were Mr Arjun Singh former Governor, Mr Balbir Singh Rajewal general secretary, BKU, Mr Talwinder Singh, MLA, Mr Jasbir Singh, former minister, Mr Sultan Singh, former Governor, Manipur State. |
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Elections
don’t change anything for voters Ludhiana, February 8 Just a look at the Manchester of India — our own city Ludhiana — puts us to shame with overflowing garbage, choked drains, the
’Buddha Nala’ spewing black venom and causing stench most foul. The newly illegal constructed localities with no basic facilities where the sewerage pipes get mixed with hastily-laid water pipes and cause jaundice make headlines in newspapers and then are conveniently forgotten. Do we have a public transport worth its name in the city. Are the residents getting healthy and unadulterted food? Has any manifesto of any political party seriously aimed to solve the common yet important problems of its residents? “The
problems if sorted out can make a difference between a decent living and a “living hell”. The political parties are fighting and courting arrests to show resentment against each other. When we find no unity among the party members, how can we expect them to concentrate in running the government?” say voters of Haibowal. “If one looks around, practically every political party has dissidents. Earlier the parties used to project a united front but now-a-days they air their differences openly. If the candidate doesn’t get the ticket, he/ she leaves the party and stands as an Independent candidate. So the bruised candidates are trying to break into the vote bank of their ex-party. So it seems the parties are trying to grasp power not for good governance for the benefit of common people but for getting power. With political power in their hands, they can make a lot of money. Their families can have unlimited powers, can have free trips abroad for almost negligent ailments, oblige those who helped them win the elections. Nothing will improve for the common man. He will continue to live in sub-human conditions, slightly better than animals,” said ex-Major (retd) Kalia. The housewives of Field Ganj are up against the political parties. They say, “ Parties may come and parties may go but for the last three decades our living conditions have not improved. Before elections they make promises, tell us that living conditions will improve. They will improve sanitation, roads, but nothing changes. We have decided not to cast our votes. We read in the papers that Capt Amarinder Singh checks in five star hotels in Delhi and carries his canvassing from there. The blue blood royal perhaps doesn’t probably know “‘what ails common people.” Why should we vote and bring useless parties to rule over us for the next five years?” |
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DCC election process Ludhiana, February 8 In a statement, Mr Kashyap claimed that the party had received good response from the public. He said the DCC had tried to contact the maximum number of people in the Ludhiana-West constituency and had found that most people wanted to get rid of the current government. |
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Pawan Dewan IYC district president Ludhiana, February 8 Mr Dewan replaced Mr Parminder Mehta, who was appointed president of the District Youth Congress last year. Mr Dewan had been appointed chairman of the Urban Development Cell of the Indian Youth Congress. Another Youth Congress leader, Mr Akshay Bhanot, has been appointed general secretary of the Pradesh Youth Congress. |
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YOUNG VOICE A postgraduate in mathematics as well as in education, Tejinder Pal Singh is in favour of broadening the base of the education system where stress should be on value-based education. “Education plays a vital role in handing down tradition, culture, skill and knowledge from one generation to another. But the present system of education fails to inculcate values of our rich culture among the children,” he says. He feels that development of personality, national values and dignity of labour have been ignored in this system. Presently teaching in a school, Tejinder says the standards of teaching are not up to the mark in majority of government schools, especially in schools which are located in the border areas of Punjab. So the system needs an overhaul otherwise we will fail to identify our future generations with ourselves, he adds. He is of the opinion that it is the responsibility of the state to impart basic education to every citizen as education is the key to the holistic development of a nation. He dreams of a situation in which every Indian is literate and contributes to the development of the nation.
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Crackdown
on beggars and ticketless passengers Ludhiana, February 8 The drive was launched after Divisional Railway Manager, J.S. Marwah inspected the railway station yesterday. A senior railway official said that the checking of the ticketless passengers was stepped up and all the beggars and vagabonds, responsible for littering on the premises were told to move out of the station. The tickets checking staff and the Railway Police Force were employed for the job. |
Industrial revival must: study THE situation of the Indian economy at the close of the third quarter of the current fiscal year remained gloomy, increasing the urgency to revive industrial activity in the country — only saving grace being the agricultural sector which registered a robust growth. Observing this, the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) in a study, highlighted the performance of the various sectors of the economy. The study revealed that not only manufacturing, but the services sector — which had been witnessing a high growth rate earlier, evidenced a slowdown with a growth of 4.8 per cent during April-September 2001 compared to 6.14 per cent growth during the corresponding period last year. Though the growth rate for financial services—real estate, financing, insurance and business services was encouraging, in case of construction, trade, hotels, transport and communication and community social and personal services the scenario was again gloomy. According to the study, with revenue receipts during this period remaining stagnant, the government was likely to face a shortfall in the coming days. While the net tax revenue dropped by 9 per cent during this period, resource mobilisation from indirect tax especially customs duty, also suffered a setback. Non- tax revenue, however, witnessed a growth of 19.8 per cent over the last year, which was primarily on account of Rs 9,350 crore dividend paid by the Reserve Bank of India and Rs 820 crore paid by the Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited. “The current year (2001-02) was to have initiated the process of cutting back the revenue and fiscal deficit, but it is becoming increasingly evident that in the present milieu, there will again be a slipping in the budgeted fiscal deficit which has been targeted at 4.7 per cent of the GDP”, stated the PHDCCI. The policy of reducing interest rates and expanding liquidity, instead of making funds available for productive investment has only given easy access to cheap funds to the government and these funds have been utilised largely to finance revenue deficit. “At the same
time, decline in the interest rate on deposits showed a delirious impact on household savings which showed a meagre growth of 0.71 per cent compared to 17.73 per cent in the same period last year”, the study revealed. Within industry, three sub-sectors — manufacturing, mining and electricity registered a fall
in growth. The growth in the manufacturing sector was 2.3 per cent between April 2001 and November 2001 compared to 6.3 per cent during the same period last year. |
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Cowa condemns price hike by pay channel companies Ludhiana, February 8 According to a press release issued here today by Mr Sonu
Sehgal, president, COWA, this was decided at a meeting that the cable operators all over the state would not broadcast the various channels of the companies. The meeting was attended by a large number of cable operators from different parts of the state. All the cable operators have appealed to the union government to intervene. Mr Sehgal said, “the multinational companies are determined to destroy the business of the small cable operators by making comfortable arrangement among them.” This is the time when all small cable operators should unite to fight against this movement of multinational companies. It was also at the meeting that a delegation of the COWA would also meet the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister to stop this act of multinational companies. |
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These forces have been summoned here from Allahabad. More paramilitary forces are to arrive in Punjab tonight, it is learnt. The forces have been deployed in the district after some candidates made applications before the Election Commission to deploy the forces apprehending misuse of official machinery by the ruling party candidates. 
