 |
Friday,
August 30, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
|
Centre may deploy BSF in J&K Professor
Geelani’s ‘fair trial’ sought Conflict
not about territory: George Govt
looking for emissary Gujarat poll: SC for
early hearing BJP flays attack by
Cong men |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
NHRC to
consider population policy Trinamool
MLAs annoy Shah 35 CBI
officers awarded Ranvir
Sena chief held Dhirendra
Singh Hindujas’
plea dismissed Cotton
grading machine lies unused
|
|
Centre may deploy BSF in J&K New Delhi, August 29 The move, well-placed sources here said today, is aimed at not only holding free and fair poll but also to demonstrate to the world community the Vajpayee government’s commitment to hold elections free of rigging or any other electoral malpractices. This would be the next best option for the Centre after Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah torpedoed the idea of holding elections under the Governor’s rule. If this move fructifies, only the BSF would be on election duty on the polling days and the state police would have no role. Moreover, the BSF would be on election duty and guarding polling stations only on polling days. The response of Dr Abdullah in this regard would be worth watching. Meanwhile, Hizb-ul Mujahideen militants, operating from Jammu and Kashmir have increasingly been showing disillusionment with the Pakistani Government and Pakistan-based Hizb-ul leadership and criticised their attempts to disrupt the elections. The security agencies have intercepted telephone conversations corroborating this. A militant leader based in the valley was heard loudly protesting to another militant in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir against the threats being issued by Syed
Salahuddin, head of the United Jehad Council and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to Hurriyat leaders against participation in elections.
Salahuddin has accused them of disrupting normalcy and peace when steps are being taken for improving the situation. The wireless intercepts reveal that Hizb-ul militants are in favour of elections and said that they need leaders like Abdul Ghani. Comparing the treatment of Kashmiris by Pakistan and India, the militants expressed praise for India for the liberty and freedom given to Kashmiris. The militants, who are predominantly locals, came down heavily on foreign terrorists. They said the foreign terrorists were given instructions to disrupt the election process and said they would kill them if they were to implement their plans. |
|
Professor Geelani’s ‘fair trial’ sought New Delhi, August 29 Berating the authorities for foisting unfounded charges on Professor Geelani, social scientist and human rights activist Dr Rajni Kothari said the December 13 attack on Parliament had become the first major trial in Delhi under the “infamous” Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO), now an Act. Dr Kothari, chairperson of the All-India Defence Committee for Geelani, said, “We are especially concerned that an innocent man accused under this Act has slim chances of proving his innocence.’’ Addressing a press conference, the professor said Professor Geelani appeared to have been singled out by the government and its agencies. “He told several people who visited him in jail, including some members of this committee, that he had been tortured, but the court refused to record this fact, denying him a basic safeguard under POTA.” He said the charge sheet revealed that no arms, ammunition or any incriminating evidence was found either during Geelani’s search or of his house. The only piece of evidence for the prosecution against Geelani, a professor of Arabic, was an intercepted phone message on his mobile on December 14, 2001, done in flagrant violation of the law, he held. While Professor Geelani had been denied the protection available under the provisions of ordinary law, he was also denied safeguards under POTA.
UNI |
|
Conflict
not about territory: George New Delhi, August 29 Speaking at the International Conference on Federalism in Switzerland, the Defence Minister said while the world was worried about the continuing tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, not many were aware that the issue was not so much one of territory, “but the conflict between the two diametrically opposed models of government that the two countries represent — theocracy vs secularism”. In the secular model, no official religion exists as a state policy. Religion forms the social framework in civil society, he said. The minister said while India continued to be a secular republic, secularism to some had become a supremely contested concept. On the one hand, supporters of secularism argued that the Indian state had not been secular enough and that the state had pitched its stand in favour of the majorities. On the other hand, critics of secularism accused the state of practising psuedo-secularism and of pampering the minorities. The failure of the state to enact a uniform civil code is cited as an example of this amoral papering. “The balance sheet of Indian secularism is, however, very positive,” he asserted. The minister said it must be clear to all that the Indian policy was based on granting freedom to the minorities and that under no circumstances would any coercion or repression of them be tolerated. India has followed a principle of “unity in diversity”. This unity is based on democracy, federalism, tolerance and secular character of the state. Many societies have sought to hide their diversities and refuse to accept their heterogeniety and have paid a high price. The key to India’s success as a federal democracy is the recognition of its diversities. Acceptance of all religions and different ways of life is the cornerstone of India’s civilisational heritage and polity. While stressing on freedom for the minorities, the minister said as far as the question of religious minorities in India was concerned, the Indian Constitution had provided a paradigm which had worked well. The Preamble to the Indian Constitution says India is a ‘secular’ state. Right to freedom of religion is guaranteed under Fundamental Rights and Indians of all religious persuasions have the freedom to profess, practise and propagate their religion. India’s freedom movement provides insights into how the main pillars of the Indian Constitution — democracy, secularism, social justice and fundamental rights — have been forged over a period of time. The freedom movement forged unity among various groups living in isolation. The underlining message of the freedom struggle under Mahatma Gandhi was that no group was privileged even if it happened to be in majority and that minority groups — religious, linguistic and socio-cultural — would be protected against majoritarian agendas, the minister said. |
|
Govt looking for emissary Bangalore, August 29 Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister D. B. Chandre Gowda told newspersons here today that the Government was willing to send someone into the forests and had even contacted “some persons’’ in this regard. He, however, did not reveal any names, stating that the stage had not been reached yet. “We can’t send Tom, Dick or Harry’’, he said to a question. He said the government was sincere in its attempts to secure the safe release of the Janata
Dal (U) leader, whom he described as “a man of our fraternity’’. Meanwhile, Chief Minister S. M. Krishna elaborated the steps taken by his Government to secure the release of Mr Nagappa to the latter’s son Dr Preetam Nagappa and other family members, who called on him here today. Mr Krishna, who returned here from New Delhi last night after seeking Central assistance to end the Veerappan menace, held discussions with Home Minister Mallikarjuna Kharge and other senior ministers on the steps to be initiated for freeing Mr Nagappa. A report from Mysore said special task force personnel were continuously combing the forests around the M. M. Hills, especially in Gundal and Burude forest areas. Several high-level officials, who were involved in STF operations in the past, were also camping in the area. Director-General of Police V. V. Bhaskar was supervising the operations. Life in Hanur, near Kamagere, was paralysed today following the bandh call given by the people, seeking early intervention of the government to put an end to the Veerappan menace. Kamageri: She takes leave of the crowd saying that she will come back after recording. With anxiety writ large on her face, she sits before a tape recorder and in a choked voice appeals to forest brigand Veerappan not to harm her husband and release him as early as possible. She has a word of advice, too, for her husband: “Take care of your health and don’t forget you are a sugar patient”. She comes down from the first floor of her farm house after conveying her message to Veerappan and her husband H Nagappa. This is the poignant profile of 50-year old Parimala, wife of JD (U) leader Nagappa.
UNI, PTI |
|
Gujarat
poll: SC for early hearing New Delhi, August 29 Adjourning the matter to Monday as many of the states have not received the notice issued by the Apex Court on August 26, a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice B.N. Kirpal asked the Centre to ensure that notices reached the state governments. Solicitor-General Harish Salve submitted that as many state governments had made their appearance before the court, a time-schedule could be drawn out today itself for hearing of the Reference. However, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Indian National Congress, objected to the same saying that it would not be proper to draw a time-schedule for the hearing without the service of the notices being complete in the Court’s record. The Bench, also comprising Mr Justice V.N. Khare, Mr Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Mr Justice Ashok Bhan and Mr Justice Arijit Pasayat said though elections were held every year, “the reference raises several important issues which needed to be decided as expeditiously as possible.”
PTI |
|
BJP flays attack by Cong men
New Delhi, August 29 “It is a matter of concern that any party could react to a peaceful demonstration in such a violent manner,” party spokesperson Arun Jaitley told newspersons here. Warning the Congress against indulging in “undemocratic means”, Mr Jaitley said “even Congress leader Ambika Soni had held a demonstration of Congress workers in front of BJP office last week with regard to Shivani murder case...But we did not attack them.” “Holding demonstrations and raising slogans are well within the rights of political activity, adopting violent means does not augur well for a party which has been taking a very moral stand on the criminalisation of politics,” Mr Jaitley said. Giving his version of the incident, Mr Jaitley said first the BJP Yuva Morcha workers held a demonstration in front of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit’s residence on the Corporator murder issue and subsequently, BJP’s Mahila Morcha workers numbering about 70 led by its chief Kanta Nalwade, held a peaceful demonstration outside Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s residence. When they were “peacefully” demonstrating, Congress workers led by its leaders Ambika Soni, Mukul Wasnik and Oscar Fernandes attacked them in the process Ms Nalwade had a head injury and some others were injured. “The BJP Mahila Morcha members were outnumbered by the Congress workers and the timely intervention of the police saved them. The Mahila Morcha workers were taken to Parliament street police station under police protection,” he said adding that subsequently 30 to 40 IYC workers in cars and other vehicles reached the BJP headquarters and started pelting stones and tried to damage the signboards. However, when BJP Yuva Morcha workers, who were holding a meeting in the party headquarters, challenged them and the police also reached the spot, the Congresspersons fled the scene leaving behind a car, Mr Jaitley said.  |
|
NHRC to consider population policy New Delhi, August 29 The commission had received a petition from representatives of women and health groups highlighting discrepancies in the population policy of the country. The petitioners pointed out that several state governments had announced population policies which allegedly violated the letter and spirit of the National Population Policy. The commission issued notices to the ministries of Health, Human Resource Development (Department of Women & Child Development) and the National Commission on Population. It also asked the National Commission on Population to confirm the veracity of the allegation that the government was considering a strategy paper to review the National Family Welfare Programme and Policy. The NHRC also took suo motu cognisance of a news report which stated that several states were taking measures to use coercive population control methods in complete violation of the National Policy. The report further said that Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh had prepared policies which proposed various disincentives, including denial of free ration and education to the third child. The commission has issued notices to the aforesaid states. Meanwhile, the commission has received reports from the Health Ministry and the National Commission on Population. On receiving the remaining reports, the commission will consider the entire issue. All reports are expected to reach the commission by September 2. |
|
Trinamool
MLAs annoy Shah Kolkata, August 29 They met the Governor to lodge a formal complaint against the government’s failure to handle law and order situation. But before the MLAs could lodge their protest with the Governor, they themselves received complaints from Mr Shah for levelling false allegations against him, Mr Banerjee disclosed and added that the Governor’s attitude had surprised them. Mr Shah was an important office-bearer of the BJP’ s central committee and a long-term Rajya Sabha MP, before becoming the Governor. Of late, TMC leaders and workers have started criticising the Governor for his life-style and his way of functioning in the public. TMC MLAs had also raised questions in the Assembly criticising the governments for unnecessary expenditures at Raj Bhavan. But the MLAs without ascertaining the fact had been making allegations in the Assembly that the government was misusing the funds, the Governor had pointed out to the delegations. The MLAs tried to explain to Mr Shah that they did not want to hurt him. What they intended to criticise was the government’s wrong handling of the financial matters. But their explanation could not satisfy Mr Shah. |
|
35 CBI officers awarded New Delhi, August 29 Mr Pandey, an Inspector with the Special Investigating Unit of the CBI, had probed several sensitive matters with political ramifications and disproportionate asset cases involving senior government officials. Among the cases handled by Inspector Pandey was the murder of Shashinath Jha, Personal Secretary of JMM MP Shibu Soren. The awardees for the Police Medal for Meritorious Service, announced on the occasion of the Republic Day and the Independence Day, included Deputy Director A K Gupta and DIGs Vijay Kumar, Lok Nath Behera, Abhay and O P Galhotra. Mr Behera was awarded for his role in the investigation of the 1999 hijacking of an Indian Airlines plane. He was also credited with setting up a cyber crime cell. Praising the independent and impartial stance of the CBI in investigating important and sensitive cases, Ms Raje said the country reposed great trust in its sleuths. Other personnel awarded medal for Meritorious Service were Nand Kishore, James Kurian, Randhir Singh Punia, R D Kalia, V K Raghukumar, Kedar Singh, A K Sreekumaran, Mohan Singh, Virender Singh, Jagdish Chand, S K Kashyap, Ram Pujan Tiwari, S R Bandhopadhyay, G M Bhosle, K Madhav Murthim Ishwar Chand, T R Balasubramaniayam, Kehar Singh, Mathura Dutt, Lok Nath Behera and Mukurdhan Ram. |
|
Ranvir
Sena chief held Patna, August 29 Additional Director-General of Police (Patna zone) Ashish Ranjan said that Ranvir Sena chief, who carried a reward of Rs 5 lakhs on his head, was arrested by a three-member special taskforce from a hotel, here, and he offered no resistance. Senior Superintendent of Police (Patna), Sunil Kumar, who headed the STF, told a press conference in the presence of Brahmeshwar Singh that the raid in the hotel on the busy Exhibition Road was conducted following a tip-off. The ADG (Patna zone) said the state government might consider booking Brahmeshwar Singh under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA).
PTI |
|
Dhirendra
Singh New Delhi, August 29 While Mr Dhirendra Singh is Additional Secretary, Department of Defence Production and Supplies, Mr Mehta is working as Adviser in the Planning Commission, an official press note said here today. The committee has decided to upgrade the rank and pay (to the level of Secretary) of Mr Wajahat Habibullah, Director, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, and also Mr J. Vasudevan, Chairman and Managing Director, India Trade Promotion Organisation. |
|
Hindujas’ plea dismissed New Delhi, August 29 Special Judge Prem Kumar fixed September 2 for arguments in the case pending since the FIR was filed in January, 1990. Mr Prem Kumar in the 74-page order said, “It may be pointed out that graft in high places undermines the rule of law and moral basis of the polity. In my view, I do not find any merit in the applications of
Hindujas-Srichand, Gopichand and Prakashchand- for dismissal of the charge sheet.”
UNI |
|
Cotton grading machine lies unused Hanumangarh, August 29 In June, 2000, the Cotton Technology Mission operating under the textile industry of the Central Government had opened this laboratory for the benefit of cotton cultivators. A computerised cotton grading machine costing nearly Rs 14 lakh was bought. This machine gives reports of tests of cotton samples instantly, thus saving time. On the basis of these reports, various government agencies and private industrial units find it easy to categorise the cotton and decide on purchasing. Due to inadequate publicity by the administration, the cultivators of the area are not aware of the existence of such an instrument, which can provide them the proper amount for their yield. So, they continue to sell their produce according to the will of the commission agents. The machine was bought to ensure that the farmers and commission agents do not face a loss. Apart from cotton, the machine can test samples of many other mixed cotton varieties. It was purchased from a Coimbatore-based company which had trained two persons to run it. While the government spent Rs 25 lakh on setting up the laboratory for testing the quality of cotton free of cost, due to lack of publicity by the district administration, it has been rendered useless. |
|
Hearing on
Sharma’s bail plea on Sept 2 Dehra Dun, August 29 Sessions Judge B.C. Kandpal’s fixed the date after
Sharma’s counsel J.D. Jain moved in court a bail application for the
suspended IPS officer, who was remanded to 14 days’ judicial custody on Friday. PTI |
|
Jaya drops 2 ministers Chennai, August 29 The ministers relieved are Mr C. Durairaj and Mr R.
Vilwanathan. Durairaj had already announced his resignation on the ‘child burial’ episode in Madurai district.
PTI |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | In Spotlight | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 122 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Videos
