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February 21, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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FOLLOW-UP New Delhi, February 20 The pro-Tohra Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi) said the fresh delimitation would delay the polls and amount to backtracking on the commitment made by the Delhi government in the High Court. The Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), which now controls the DSGMC, has demanded fresh delimitation to instill parity between different wards in the National Capital Territory. The Directorate of Gurdwara Elections has already begun the process of enlisting new voters who have turned 18. Sources said the delimitation process would take at least a fortnight to complete; with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi elections slated for March 24, the Directorate is working within severe constraints. Most of the registration officers of the Directorate have also been assigned duty for the civic polls which, the sources, said was already hampering the enlisting. The Directorate has given three weeks’ time to the new Sikh voters to register themselves for the DSGMC polls and another three weeks for raising objections and preparing the final roll. The Directorate had recently enlisted voters who turned 21. Sources said, around 35,000 new voters had been enlisted, taking the total number for the gurdwara polls to over three lakhs. The general secretary of the pro-Tohra group, Mr Harvinder Singh Sarna, said: “The fresh delimitation demand is a blatant attempt to delay the polls. The SAD (Badal) groups is resorting to all possible tactics to delays the polls, which are due for more than two years.” Stating that they would like the general elections to be held on time, the SAD (Badal) Delhi unit chief, Mr Avtar Singh Hit, said: “We want the Directorate to hold the polls on time. We are not demanding the creation of fresh wards. We only want the Directorate to ensure that all the wards are proportionately equal to one another.” There is disparity in the 46 wards of the DSGMC. For instance, Ward number 20 (Sahibpura) has 16,500 registered voters, the largest number. On the other hand, Ward number 1 (Chandni Chowk) has 2,500 registered voters, the smallest number. The average number of registered voters in each ward is about 6000. The DSGMC comprises 56 members and the general elections are held for 46 wards in the National Capital Territory. Four members from the Singh Sabhas, one from the SGPC and the Jathedars of the five Takhts are members of the committee. Except for the five Jathedars, all others have voting rights. The last election to the committee was held in 1995 after 17 years. The committee is elected for four years and the existing committee had completed its term two year ago. Meanwhile, the spat between the two Akali factions continued today with Mr Avtar Singh Hit asking the pro-Tohra Shiromani Akali Dal Delhi president, Mr Paramjit Singh Sarna, to withdraw his demand for an audit of DSGMC accounts and its allied institutions by income tax authorities. By demanding this, he said, “the pro-Tohra group has openly welcomed the interference of the government in the affairs of the gurdwara, which would not be tolerated by the Sikh community.” The pro-Tohra group has contended that the audit was necessary to root out the rot in the religious institutions. “We are conscious of our demand. We have done this to let the people know the financial conditions under which the DSGMC is functioning,” Mr Sarna said. |
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Faridabad SSP to probe case of ‘tainted’ PA
Faridabad, February 20 Although the probe report, which has now been submitted to the DC, has recommended an in-depth vigilance enquiry, the District Commissioner, Mr Arun Kumar, has asked the SSP to probe the case further. The main accused in the case has been Ravi Mangla who had been working as a personal assistant to the Deputy Commissioner. He was placed under suspension and an enquiry was ordered against him by the DC, Mr Arun Kumar, in the first week of January. The action was taken after the accused had allegedly offered ‘hush’ money to Mr Kumar. The money was collected by Mangla in his official capacity from various sources. The DC, Mr Arun Kumar, asked the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mr Mehtab Singh, to hold an enquiry into the matter within two months. It is learnt that Mr Mehtab Singh, in his report, has stated that since no person, who might have offered money to the PA, had come forward during the proceedings, a definite conclusion was difficult to arrive at. TNS
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A million-strong army out to save the Ranthambore tiger
Ranthambore, February 20 The “human chain” that has its origins in the school contact programme of a corporate player has grown in less than two years into a million-strong army of wildlife enthusiasts with the war cry, “We can and we will save the tiger.” Their mission: To mobilise public opinion and sensitize people to the dangers posed by indiscriminate urbanisation and depletion of forest cover. “It will be like an adjunct to the Project Tiger and World Bank-sponsored Eco-Development Project,” says conservationist Fateh Singh Rathore of the novel campaign. Where once the tiger population numbered a healthy 45, the figure has been dropping substantially over the years. Opinion is divided over the reasons with conservationists attributing the decline to a host of factors ranging from an imbalance in sex ratio of the tiger population to depletion of water resources and forest cover. Quoting recent census figures, an official of the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve says, after adding two new families – two tigresses with seven cubs – the figure barely crosses the 30-mark. To meet the challenges posed by the threats to the tiger habitat, the foresters are currently engaged in the World Bank-sponsored Eco-Development Project that endeavors to reduce the villagers’ dependence on forests for fuel wood, etc, and provide them with alternate avenues of employment. “The objective,” says GV Reddy, Deputy Field Director of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, “is to make the villagers, particularly the Meena and other tribes, stake-holders in the conservation of water and forest resources.” Among the initiatives undertaken as part of the Eco-Development Project is making available 8,000 cooking gas connections in the 30-odd villages adjoining the Ranthambore National Park. “By investing about Rs 1.2 crore in providing gas connections we have reduced per capita fuel consumption by a little less than a kilogram,” says Reddy. “Also invested is a sum of Rs 19 lakh toward erecting a concrete wall for protecting the farmers’ crop in the villages of Harada, Khandar and Bodal,” alternate employment to men and inducing the farmers to shift to cultivation of cash crops. Project Tiger officials and volunteers of the `Kids for Tigers’ campaign are counting on a Domino effect that will extend the reach of the Save Tiger movement to other parts of the country, and to quote a conservationist, “places where forests are being used as an open treasury by poachers.”  |
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No clues to ‘abduction’ of MNC
executive Ghaziabad, February 20 Nitish Kataria was abducted from a marriage reception in Kavi Nagar on early Sunday morning. Mrs Neelem Kataria, in her report to the Kavi Nagar Police, disclosed that her son was sitting with his friends, Gaurav Gupta and Bharat Divakar, when he was called out by two persons. When Nitish did not return for some time, Divakar informed his parents about it. Gaurav and Bharat were Nitish’s classmates in MBA at a local management training institute from 1998 to 2000. Mrs. Katara has stated in her report that Nitish’s friendship with a woman classmate might have led to her son’s abduction. She said that she “feared something untoward might happen as sons of a prominent UP politician with criminal background were believed to be involved in the abduction.’’ The police have raided various places in Delhi, Ghaziabad and Bulandshahar, but without result. The Katarias live on the Chelmsford Road, New Delhi. |
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Gurgaon contractor waylaid, robbed Gurgaon, February 20 As he reached near Leisure Valley about 12 noon on his motorcycle, registration No. HR-06 B 1740, a red-coloured Maruti car overtook his vehicle and forced him to stop it. As Rakesh Kumar halted, three youths came out of the car while one kept sitting on the driving seat. One of them then took out a revolver and pointed it towards him. They warned him to hand over the cash bag, otherwise they would kill him. A scared Rakesh Kumar handed over the bag to them. He has mentioned in the complaint lodged with DLF Police Station that two of the criminals were wearing jeans and all of them were speaking in local Hindi dialect. He claimed that he could identify all of them who were in their late twenties. The police have lodged the FIR under Section 392 against the criminals and started the investigation. |
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Woman’s semi-nude body
found Rewari, February 20 Circumstantial evidence points at a sexual assault, followed by murder. The body was later left in the field by the assailants. The Bawal Police have registered a case of murder and the report of her medical examination, conducted at the community health centre, was awaited. It is reported that she had gone to the field at about 11 a.m. to collect fodder for the cattle. But when she did not return home till late in the afternoon, her worried mother-in-law, Santra Devi, went to the field and began looking for her. The District Police Chief, Mr Manjit Singh Ahlawat, sent for forensic as well as finger print experts from Madhuban and Gurgaon and also requisitioned a dog squad, which was deployed at the site on Tuesday. However, the dog squad could not provide any clue owing to the fall during the night. In another incident, a nine-year-old girl of the Guwaria tribe was allegedly raped on the outskirts of Kund town, about 24 km from Rewari, by a youth of the Bawaria caste on Monday. The Khol Police have registered a case of rape under Section 376 of the IPC and also arrested one Maman Chand, son of Fateh Chand Bawaria, resident of Manethi village near Kund, in this connection. It is reported that the girl, along with two other women, was grazing animals when she strayed and was allegedly sexually assaulted by the youth. Hearing her shrieks, the two women also rushed to the spot. Instantly, the youth abandoned the girl and fled. Later, the girl’s father, Sharwan Kumar, lodged a complaint, which led to the arrest of the accused. |
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First unit of Pragati project commissioned New Delhi, February 20 Present on the occasion were Cabinet ministers, the Leader of Opposition in the assembly, Prof Jagdish Mukhi, the former Power Minister, Mr Narendra Nath, and several legislators. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) had been awarded the turnkey contract in May 2000 and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) was retained as the engineering consultant for the project. The Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, had laid the foundation stone of the project in June 2000. On the occasion, the Chief Minister said 104 MW would be available for supply within a week. The second unit of 104 MW would be commissioned by April and by November the project would add 300 MW of power. She said the Government of NCT of Delhi would take up the Bawana Power Project on a priority basis if the Centre honours its commitment of supplying gas to the project. Ms Dikshit said the commissioning of the first unit of the Pragati Power Project was an outstanding achievement for the Congress-ruled government of Delhi. “What this government promised two years back has been fulfilled,” she noted while adding that the project was a shining example of the firm political commitment and the collective efforts of bureaucrats and technocrats alike. She said Delhiites could now look forward to enjoying some relief this summer. Highlighting the many firsts to the credit of the Pragati Power Project, the Chief Minister said it was environment friendly with the emission of oxides of nitrogen (NOX) being limited to 35 parts per million, which is the lowest in the country, for which special technology was used by installing dry low NOX combustion engine. Also, treated sewage water was used instead of fresh water. The Power Minister, Mr Ajay Maken, said the Pragati Power Project was similar to the Kayamkulam Power Project executed by BHEL in Kerala. The Pragati Project, he said, had been executed in a relatively small area of 17 acres on two sides of the existing IP Extension 220 KV grid station and with a storage area of 45 acres. The project costing about Rs 1,100 crore, he added, would consist of two 104 MW open cycle gas turbines and a 122 MW combined cycle steam turbine. The project is being executed and managed by a Government of NCT of Delhi-owned company called the Pragati Power Corporation Limited. |
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THE ACHIEVERS Open yourself to nature and let its beauty fill your eyes. Open your heart and let nature’s sweet music resound within you. Welcome nature; enthrone nature in your heart of hearts. Before long, you will recognize that your guest is God Himself: Osho. Nidhi fully agrees with it. A young sculptor of 23 years, she started her career just two years back and since then she has not looked back. She has displayed her work in Mumbai and Delhi. The garden of her house is fully decorated with beautiful sculptures carved by herself. Even her drawing room is decorated with them. Her exquisite sculptures drew everyone’s attention towards them and tempted them to purchase one. Her mother explains that as a child, Nidhi was always very creative. Inspired by her mother, she followed the footsteps of her mother, Prabha Jain, who is a social worker as well as involved with different associations. Nidhi has done extensive studies on zodiac signs and chosen zodiac as her theme to work on. She said, “I am not only limited to carving stones. I have tried my hand in canvas also with oil and that was supposed to be my best creation. I named it ‘Astrol Links’ and it was a combination of brass with wrought iron having zodiac signs at every end. The 6x6 feet of painting was colourful as the concept was related to the movement of stars and planets. Everything goes through constellations.” The girl of vivid imagination also involves nature in her creation. She has maintained a gallery at her residence in which she has exhibited more than 12 pieces of her choice. The sculptures are related to Adam and Eve, eating the forbidden apple, men pulling each other’s leg to achieve height, soldiers climbing heights to prepare themselves for war and many more. Nidhi has read a lot to get the basis of zodiac and to co-relate it with nature and life. She has experimented with black marble, stones, metal, fiber, clay, wood and even glass. She added, “I had carved lion embracing the man on a stone, which is 2tonnes of weight. It took me three and a half months to complete it. And I got it transported from my college through crane. Yes it was a tough job as one mistake can ruin your whole creation and efforts. We have to go step by step that includes drawing outline, making blocks, measurement, cutting out edges, strips and then carving out details. Even a minor mistake can spoil the whole work.” Nidhi further said, “I just wanted to achieve the point where people will say ‘Wow! This is the collection’ and appreciate my work. I enjoy everyone’s work and believe in semi-abstract art because it is a bit realistic.” She also agrees that compatibility of a sculptor and viewer should match, then only the work gets recognition but at the same time, the product should be made visually attractive and beautiful also. The field of art is facing a tough competition, but she with her determination, believes that no one can promote anyone without seeing one’s work and talent. She laughingly said, “I wanted to be a pilot but now I am flying with my art to catch up new concepts and present them to people in different shapes. Like everyone, I also want to make my mark in this field.” Nidhi has completed her BFA from the College of Arts, New Delhi and received academic scholarship, certificate and first prize for her performance in the college. Nowadays, she is working as a teacher in Shri Ram School, Vasant Vihar to teach clay art and also associated with Frazer and Haws, a London-based company for their projects. |
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SMS hits sales of
second-hand cars New Delhi, February 20 The SMS was launched to prevent the misuse of second-hand cars and other four-wheelers as these vehicles in the past had reportedly been used in the incidents of crime and terrorist attacks. This was highlighted during the investigation into the Parliament attack case. The Ambassador car used by the militants was reportedly purchased from Karol Bagh. It had earlier been stolen from the parking lot of the India Habitat Centre. Several other vehicles were purchased from Delhi and used in the terrorist activities in the Valley. Mahender Aggarwal who deals in sale and purchase of the second-hand vehicles, said that the sale of the second-hand cars had come down from just after the announcement of the SMS. “Before the announcement of the scheme, I used to sell five to six vehicles a month. It is very difficult to sell two cars these days. Earlier, people had faith in us. Now, they enquire minutely before purchasing a car,” he said. Gambhir Singh, who has his office in Okhla, said that after the announcement of the scheme, people have stopped purchasing cars from the dealers. They do not have faith in dealers. They generally purchase cars from the persons known to them. I have another office in Faridabad where I am doing well. I purchase vehicles from the Capital and sell them in Haryana, he said. However, on the other side, the police claim that the scheme has helped control the incidents of crime, particularly those relating to the sale of stolen vehicles. Since the dealers find it difficult now to sell the vehicles, the auto thieves now have to look at the markets outside the Capital. Last year alone, more than 200 cars, stolen from the Capital, were sold in Jammu and Kashmir where these vehicles were reportedly used by the subversive elements. |
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Row over affront to Kiran Choudhry blows over
New Delhi, February 20 Denying the allegations levelled against him by Deputy Speaker, C. Targay told ‘NCR Tribune’ today that after reviewing the security apparatus of the Secretariat, the government had mandated that all vehicles barring the official vehicles of the Chief Minister, Cabinet ministers and Chief Secretary would have to have get prior clearance of the Secretary, General Administration, for gaining unrestricted access from Gate No 3 to the porch at Level 2. This matter, he said, had been appended in the circular issued then and applied to the vehicles of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Leader of Opposition, Parliamentary Secretary and Chief Whip. He, however, said that in his reply to the notice from the Speaker about the alleged breach of privilege, he had stated that inconvenience or hurt caused to the Deputy Speaker was “inadvertent.” TNS
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NCR BRIEFS Faridabad, February 20 According to a complaint, her husband Narayan Dass, who was away on work, found his wife, Sunita (25), lying in a charred state in a room locked from inside when he returned home. It is suspected that the woman could have burnt herself to death. However, the cause of the incident is not known. In another incident, a youth, Jitender of Palwal town, was run over by a train near new town railway station last evening. The victim was crossing a railway track when the incident occurred. In still another case, a contractor of Parmeshwar Colony here has been booked in connection with a murderous assault on two brothers running a dhaba.
One dies in clash Jhajjar According to the police sources, the deceased, Mahender Singh, along with his son, Virender and brothers, Hardev and Rishal Singh, went to the house of Surajbhan to complain against the latter pushing stray animals into their field. Soon, a verbal duel ensued which subsequently turned into a violent scuffle and Surajbhan along with his three sons and their wives attacked the complainants with lathis and sharp-edged weapons. While Surajbhan succumbed to injuries on the way to the hospital, the other three were admitted to a Dadri hospital. The police have registered a case under Sections 302/148 and 149 of the IPC against Surajbhan and six of his family members.
Loans extended Sonepat The Deputy Commissioner told mediapersons here today that Rs 30.42 crore had been advanced to such persons in the district during the last month alone. He said that the bank had given a loan totalling Rs 132.91 lakh to the farmers under the Kisan Credit Card Scheme during the current financial year so far. This included Rs 23.08 lakh advanced during the last month alone. He disclosed that the bank had advanced Rs 1.02 crore to the small artisans during the current financial year for launching self-employment ventures and another Rs 3.48 crore to the petty shopkeepers for the purpose.
SGPC voters The Election Commissioner of India has extended the date for enrolling voters for the elections to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to be held later on. According to an official press release, the last date has been fixed as March 27. This step has been taken in view of the demand of the people from certain quarters, an official press note said.
Power
connections The Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) gave 222 new power connections in various sectors in the Sonepat circle during the last month. The Deputy Commissioner told mediapersons here today that these included 55 connections in urban areas and 167 in rural areas. The remaining power connections would be given on a priority basis to the consumers. The UHBVN has granted 63 power connections in Sonepat city, 27 in the industrial area 64 in Model Town, 53 in Kundli and 15 in the Rai areas of the district during the month under review.
Commits suicide A 30-year-old widow, Rajesh, and her 21-year-old paramour, Rajiv, committed suicide by consuming sulphas tablets near Bahalgarh Chowk on the G. T. Road, about 10 km from here, yesterday. According to a report, the youth belonged to Baghpat district in Uttar Pradesh and the widow belonged to Kundli village of the district. Both had an affair but their parents had opposed their decision to marry each other. The widow had three children, including two daughters.
Fatal fall A passenger fell down while trying to board a moving train and died at the railway station here yesterday. The victim was identified as Deen Dayal of Kaithal. He was to travel by the Amritsar-bound Paschim Express from Mumbai to Kurukshetra.
Cash snatched Two unidentified motorcycle-borne youths reportedly snatched wristwatches and cash from two employees of a private nursing home near the railway over-bridge here last night. According to a report, both were on their way home when they were stopped by the culprits who posed themselves as policemen. They snatched the cash and wristwatches from them and fled. According to another report, a man was caught red-handed while stealing electric cables from the yards of the railway station here yesterday. However, he was let off after being warned by the officials of the Railways.
Murder solved The Ganaur police today claimed to have solved the alleged murder of Amar Singh whose body was found in the fields of Pugthala village on January 24 with the arrest of his wife. The victim was the resident of Sardhana village. According to a report, the police had arrested Kamla Devi, wife of Amar Singh, in this connection and launched a hunt to apprehend one Updesh, son of her sister, and his three friends, including Raj Swaroop and Kuldeep, who are allegedly involved in the crime. It is alleged that a love affair between the woman and her sister’s son was the main cause of the murder.
Youth kidnapped The son of a jeweller, Abhishek Verma (16), was reportedly kidnapped by some persons from near Subhash Chowk in the Model Town area here last night. According to a report, the youth was returning home when the incident occurred. The police have registered a case against a youth of Malikpur-Tajpur village and launched a hunt to apprehend him in this connection. |
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Mother, daughter end lives Rewari, February 20 A student of the B.A.I. of Government College, Nahar, returned home from her college in the evening. Her mother asked her to lend her a hand in doing household chores. This reportedly led to a quarrel which ultimately led them both to take the extreme step. After consuming the pills, they started vomiting which attracted the attention of the son. He immediately informed his father Jagdish who was in the field at that time. Jagdish returned home and took them to a hospital at Charkhi Dadri. However, they died. Their bodies were handed over to the family after the post-mortem examination this morning. The Kosli police have treated it as a suicide case. |
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Pirated NCERT books seized from Shahdara New Delhi, February 20 A large quantity of printed and semi-printed books of science, mathematics and English books of class 10 worth Rs 3 lakh was seized from the printing press. Gang busted:
The accused, Sultan, Rizwan, Ashik Ali, Pappu Khan and Mohammad Naeem, were arrested while they were trying to rob Sardar Ravinder Singh of Rs 5,500. Eight burglars held The accused, Shekar of Sultan Puri, Vijay alias Monu of Prem Nagar, Satish of Prem Nagar, Gautam and Jitender of Mangol Puri, Pradeep Sharma alias Boby Praveen and Yogender alias Dhillo, both residents of Karala, were arrested and further interrogation is on to ascertain their involvement in other cases. Robbers nabbed:
The police said that Dhananjay Singh (23) of Pratap Garh, Uttar Pradesh, hired an autorickshaw (DL-1RG-6219) from Dhaula Kuan to New Delhi Railway Station. He found that already a passenger was sitting inside and on the way two more joined the group. Later, all the four including the auto driver snatched Rs 340 from him when the vehicle reached near the RML subway and fled from the spot. When the victim raised an alarm, Head Constable Rambeer Singh and Constable Joginder Singh, who were on patrolling duty, chased the snatchers and nabbed them. Two commit suicide:
A 30-year-old person and a father of three daughters reportedly committed suicide by hanging at his workshop today morning. The deceased, Bhawant Singh (30), resident of Swaroop Nagar, committed suicide as he was disappointed over his loss in business. The Samaipur Badli police are initiating inquest proceedings. In another incident, Ambika (21) committed suicide yesterday evening by hanging at her uncle Ram Dayal’s house at Sector 7, Rohini. The deceased was reportedly residing at her uncle’s house after the death of her parents and brother. |
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Woman member of Mangat Ram family held with heroin New Delhi, February 20 In the first case, Kamlesh of Mangol Puri, who is in the wanted list of the Delhi Police Narcotics Branch, was arrested yesterday with a huge consignment of the contraband when it was about to be delivered to a customer. Kamlesh belongs to the notorious family of late Mangat Ram, who was an infamous drug peddler. The grandson of late Mangat Ram, Pankaj alias Bunty, was recently arrested by the narcotics branch. The police nabbed Kamlesh when she was waiting to deliver as much as 260 gm of heroin to an unknown customer at the back gate of Sanjay Gandhi Hospital, Mangol Puri. The police seized the contraband and booked her under the Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. She disclosed to the police that she had planned to deliver another big consignment, if she was not nabbed. She said that she had been getting the supply from Bhiwani Mandi in Jhalabar district of Rajasthan. In another case, the police arrested Firoz, resident of Amroha, from M. B. Road in South district and recovered 500 gm of fine quality heroin. Firoz (22) told the police that he entered the trade for making easy money. He has been remanded to police custody to identify his source of supply to break the entire chain. |
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