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November 28, 2002, Chandigarh, India |
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Hundreds of SAD activists rounded up Ludhiana, November 27 Responding to the jail bharo agitation, party activists from all over the district assembled at the Model Town Extension gurdwara early in the morning where speakers flayed the anti - people policies being pursued by the Congress and the lack of development in the state. At noon, a jatha of SAD workers, including a large number of women, marched to the secretariat but were “detained” en route near the railway crossing. The workers initially resisted, but were told to remain peaceful by the leaders and were taken to an undisclosed destination in the waiting vehicles. The policemen were kept on their toes till late noon by the spate of
detentions all over the city. Senior police officers could be seen rushing to places where Akali workers had assembled. There were instances when the workers proceeding towards the secretariat were detained at various nakas set up on the outskirts of the city. Those who were rounded up included SAD vice-president A.S. Bhatia, MLAs Bhag Singh Malla , Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal and Ranjit Singh Talwandi, local unit chief A.S. Makkar, youth wing chief Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, former MP A.S. Aliwal, SGPC members G.S. Sangowal and H.S. Gill, besides other leaders and activists. Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, the leaders condemned the policies and said the people were fed up with the non-performance of the government. They also alleged that the city had been turned into a police cantonment and that hundreds of workers had been detained at various nakas on the outskirts. It is a murder of democracy since the government was bent on muzzling the opposition and the right to expression of the people, they alleged. Meanwhile, Transport Minister Tej Parkash Singh, MP Gurcharan Singh Galib and MLAs M.S. Dakha, M.S. Birmi and Surinder Dawar have thanked the farmers for ignoring the jail bharo stir call by the Akalis. They said the SAD was trying to divert the attention of the people from the high levels of corruption indulged in by the Akalis. They were now using the people to pressurise the government to go slow on the anti-graft drive of the government, they added. Mr Badal should learn a lesson from this failed attempt to hoodwink the people and stop playing with the sentiments of the people for his own narrow gains. They had earlier too tried to disrupt the harmony in the state by making ‘marjeevaras’ which later on resulted in the rule of terror in Punjab for more than a decade, they added. |
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While there was a sea of blue turbans at some places in the city where Akalis were being rounded up, blue turbans otherwise remained elusive from the city roads. As the police was keeping a tab on every Akali, who was potent of creating trouble today, the city residents sensing trouble in the morning came out of their houses only after deserting the blue turbans. Not even a single person was spotted on roads donning the colour blue. ‘Badal gave us free power’ Issues other than politics dominated the minds of various workers who were being rounded up following the call by the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) here today. As the Akalis were raising slogans against the Congress-led government in the state and taking a seat in the trucks and buses specially arranged for arresting them, one of the members of a jatha when asked about his participation quipped; “Asi tan Badal sahib naal isse layee chalde han kyonki uhna ne saanu bijli mufat ditti si, Je Captain di sarkar vi eh de dendi tan asi kade na aonde girfatarian paon.” (We are with Mr Badal because his government had provided us with free electricity. Had the Captain-led government also given us the same we would have never courted arrest).
Women remain away Jail Bharo Andolan remained a show of menfolk only as the women Akali workers remained missing from the agitation today. Less than 100 women were seen courting arrest at various places in the city while there were thousands of men. One of the workers said: “May be it was the condition of jails that kept most of the women away otherwise we have the support of many women workers.”
Jail Bharo Andolan, virtual show of strength of the Akalis, remained mostly a damp squib in the city today as the number of agitators was much less than the expectations. A worker who preferred to stay away from the show for some reasons summed up the feeling like this: “Now with the Akalis it is like, “Jeeyenge saath saath, marenge khaas khaas”.
Bad day for transporters The day of show of strength by Akalis remained a bad day for the local transporters who had to loose their business today in order to transport the agitating Akalis. Many tempos, trucks and buses that were being used for the job were privately owned. Even the public had to suffer as the district administration had impounded buses of the public transport. The buses carrying the plates of the names of various local stations Haibowal to CMC etc were interestingly carrying the Akalis.
‘Only 20 courted arrest’ The most interesting part of the jail bharo morcha was the press release by the District Public Relations Officer when he claimed that the agitation of the Akalis failed miserably as only 20 people courted arrest in the city. This, despite the fact that thousands of workers courting arrest at different places were photographed by the media photographers.
Police stations deserted Police stations in the city wore a deserted look in the city today as all the cops were deputed on the streets to control the agitating Akalis. Smooth traffic was also the biggest casualty due to the andolan as at various places the Akalis had gathered and the police had to cordon off the area leading to traffic chaos causing inconvenience to hundreds of commuters. |
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City Congress leaders a worried lot Ludhiana, November 27 With their fingers crossed, all important party men in the district are anxiously waiting for the announcement of the new list of office-bearers and members of the executive of the PPCC, after it is cleared by party president Sonia Gandhi. According to sources, the new list will include the names of party's new urban and rural district presidents. The bitter taste of the fizzled-out Congress rally in the city on November 18 where PPCC president H.S. Hanspal was to be given a grand reception, is said to be one of the reasons for the reshuffling at the district level. Not only the two leaders but the other party men of the district are also worried over the new list as their fate also hangs in balance. It is learnt that the state party chief gave enough dressing down to the local functionaries and MLAs recently after the poor show on November 18. The new list might include the names of certain women leaders and some young faces. While a section of the Press had mentioned that the party high command had sought resignation from the district presidents of urban and rural units of the party as a prelude to the change of guard, DCC (Urban) president Krishan Kumar Bawa termed the reports as wrong, baseless and motivated. He said certain vested interests in the party were behind such misleading propaganda to create confusion. Mr Bawa, however, made it clear that he was a loyal worker of the party and would continue to serve the organisation in whatever capacity the leadership desired. Meanwhile, several people are claiming that they have found their way into the list of the office-bearers with most people trying to exert pressure through their godfathers in the party high command. The Namdhari headquarters at Bhaini Sahib has seen a lot of activity in the past few days in this regard as Mr Hanspal belongs to this sect. |
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New housing scheme in city Ludhiana, November 27 However, the acquisition of another 10.75 acre land for development under a commercial scheme in an adjoining pocket could not materialise as the period of two years from the date of notice for acquisition expired on November 21and the award for the land required for the scheme could not be announced in the intervening period. Giving details, the Administrator of the LIT, Mr Raminder Singh, told Ludhiana Tribune that notifications for acquisition of both chunks of land, located in village Jawaddi, were issued in November, 1999. After completion of the process of inviting objections under Section 38(1), the government had duly approved the schemes and notifications under Section 42 of Punjab Town Improvement Act were issued on November 21, 2000. While the LAC had issued mandatory notices and completed the legal process for acquisition of land for the 8.80-acre scheme, the same could not be done for the other scheme in time. He said despite best efforts by the LIT administration, the lawful process for acquisition of land for the other scheme could not be completed because the post of LAC in the Improvement Trust had remained vacant for more than six months this year. The post was filled on November 12. The fact that the residential-cum-commercial scheme could not materialise was solely due to the delay in appointment of the LAC by the government, he said. The residential scheme, according to Mr Raminder Singh, had initially been planned with around 150 plots of different dimensions, but in the wake of acute scarcity of housing in the mega city, the need was being felt to construct blocks of multi-storied residential flats. The case, seeking approval for the change in scheme, would be taken up with the government in the next couple of days and work would commence soon thereafter. Though the LIT Administrator had denied that the 10.75-acre commercial scheme was allowed to lapse deliberately, motives were being attributed to certain past and present officials, who had allegedly scuttled the move for their personal benefits. There were unconfirmed reports that as the land prices had gone up in the area after the process for acquisition was initiated, some close relatives of the LIT officials had made a fortune by purchasing big chunks of land and reselling the same in the form of small plots. According to sources, the officials, who were carrying out business of property dealing in this area themselves or through their close relatives, had played an important role in ensuring that mandatory notices under Sections 11 (iii) were not issued in time. |
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NRI alleges harassment by land grabbers Ludhiana, November 27 Mr Balwant Singh, a resident of Ontario, Canada has alleged that a group of land grabbers allegedly patronised by a local BJP leader had tried to grab at least 4, 840 square yards of prime property, situated on the National Highway on the Ferozepur-Ludhiana road, within the revenue estate of Barewal Awana village in 1985, failing which they had started threatening him with dire consequences during his recent visit to the city. The NRI has alleged that the land grabbers at the behest of certain influential people tried every possible way to grab the prime land. A case was also registered against the accused after intervention of the High Court in 1995 under Sections 420,467,468,471 and 120B of IPC. He alleged that the case was taking too long and the High Court had given a direction to expedite the matter. Now when they have not been able to get anything from the court of law, they have started resorting to other means like threatening him. When he came to India on November 17, the accused threatened him with dire consequences if he did not withdraw the case from the court. He further alleged that the accused were threatening him and his family members with death if he went ahead with the case against them, Mr Baldev Singh said that he was feeling totally horrified and was in a state of terror when he decided to meet the Chief Minister and tell his tale of woes. He said that he had sought the appointment with the CM but had not succeeded as yet. Through the press he has appealed to the CM to help him in protecting his life and property from the hands of landgrabbers. Giving an account of the assurances given by various Prime Ministers of the country regarding the interests of the NRIs, he has said that he should be given justice. He has also appealed to the BJP headquarters to take appropriate action against the suspects. |
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Morcha flays govt
on relief package Ludhiana, November 27 He announced that the morcha would soon launch a plan to bring more than 12,000 villages in Punjab as a role model on the map of the country. “The BJP wants to ensure that the farmers, should remain prosperous and agriculture should take new strides.” Mr Grewal, however, pointed out that as a result of “anti-farmer policies” of the Punjab government, the farming community, which was already reeling under a heavy debt of over Rs 10,000 crore, would have to bear additional financial burden. Claiming that the BJP-led coalition government at the Centre had launched massive development schemes, the morcha functionary said under a new plan all villages in India would be linked by road and basic amenities would be provided there by 2004. He charged former Congress governments at the Centre with deliberately neglecting the development of villages. “Even after over 50 years of Congress rule, more than 80,00 villages are devoid of electricity, another 2 lakh do not have proper roads and water supply and 2.30 lakh villages are without the telephone facility.” The BJP vice-president, Mr Balbir Chand Kapila, said the party would take up with the government the issue of setting up food zones in the country which would ensure remunerative prices of farm produce to the farmers. Mr Mehnga Singh Khera, president, of the Backward classes cell of the BJP, the district (rural) president, Mr Vipin Chander Pal and the district president of the BJP Kisan Morcha, Mr Major Singh Dewatwal, also addressed the meeting.
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A Thai encounter Ludhiana, November 27 Mr Tapinder Pratap Singh, an associate of sanjeev Kapoor, has specially come from Mumbai bringing the ingredients used for Thai cooking. He said, “We consulted the Thai Embassy and procured beautiful posters which really has enhanced the beauty of the place. The waiters are dressed in Thai uniforms. Bamboo mats are being used, bamboo lamps, and other Feng Shui items found in Thai restaurants have all been put in.” The food was served in different exotic baskets. The banana leaf was cut in a very aesthetic manner, placed in a bamboo basket and noodles served on it. Even the sauces were served in small baskets. The chef Thapa had also specially come from Mumbai to give Ludhianivis real good Thai food, prawn dishes, appetising soups, light and flaky starters and lovely curries. For non- vegetarians, there is more dishes to choose from. |
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Cyber
kid at the age of 3 Ludhiana, November 27 Now at the age of three, Astha can independently operate her personal computer. Though she cannot read or write, her photographic memory, keen observation, speedy pick-up and receptivity, have made her adept in recognising the commands and pull down menus under windows environment. She can also handle window platform, paintbrush and multimedia on her own. She loves to draw various shapes on the screen and is extremely fond of educational CDs which teach her the alphabets and numbers. A promising child, Astha is fond of story-telling. She is good at reciting poems, colours and is the best dancer of the class, claim her parents.
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READERS WRITE Following the decision of the municipal corporation in 1999 to hand over public parks to non-government public societies for maintenance under which the corporation was to pay them maintenance charges at the rate of Re 1 per sq metre and had promised to provide infrastructure like boundary wall, grills, gate,
paint, water supply, street lights, footpath. We formed the Welfare Environment Society, Church Road, to maintain four parks in our area and entered into an agreement with the corporation. We regret to point out that from the very beginning, the office of the Executive Engineer (Horticulture) has been uncooperative on one issue or the other. Besides, the infrastructure promised by the corporation has not been provided so far despite our best efforts. We are even harassed for the maintenance charges and have not been paid for the period- November,2001, to May, 2002. A tree which fell in one of the parks, has not been removed by the corporation despite our repeated requests. We have now decided to withdraw our services for the maintenance of the parks on Church Road. Radhe Shyam Gupta
Defaulters want leniency Residents of Urban Estate, Dugri, are an anxious lot following the PUDA move to initiate legal action against defaulters who have not paid their instalments against their plots/flats for the past several years. Not only this, it may also take action to get the flats vacated forcibly in case of failure to remit the dues within the stipulated time. The New Millennium Club condemns this harsh and unjustified step towards the defaulters who are not solely responsible for the lapse. In fact, the authorities never reminded the owners about their dues. After many years, the authorities sent notices of huge accumulated amounts to the defaulters with a warning to pay these within a stipulated time, which is a big punishment for them. The owners are also required to pay interest and penalty which is a matter of serious concern. The defaulters are ready to pay the dues, but for this purpose the authorities should adopt a lenient attitude. In case of stern and unjustified action, they would be compelled to move court. We, therefore, advise PUDA that it can recover all dues provided these are collected in easy instalments. The penalty/interest amounts should be waived which would be a great relief to them. This could be done under an amnesty scheme. If that is not possible, then a simple interest may be charged on the amount. Kuldip Singh Kreer
Beggary menace With reference to the publication of our views on beggary in Ludhiana Tribune on November 21, 2002, we express our gratitude to you and the correspondent concerned for raising the issue for the consideration of readers. Resurgence India is committed to the cause of abolition of beggary from the city and possibly from the state. We are in touch with the authorities concerned at various levels in this regard. It is our endeavour to take the issue to its logical conclusion in public interests. Hitender Jain
Cheated villagers With reference to the news item published in Ludhiana Tribune on November 12, 2002, under the heading “Cheated villagers lose houses - demolitions of illegal.....”, it is always the weak and the poor who suffer whether they are at fault or not. The District Collector has admitted in his recent statement that the land mafia is responsible for selling government land to the innocent and illiterate labour class, which is ignorant about the law and yet he has ordered the demolition of their structures. A more rational action by the administration should have been the arrest of the mafia first whose names and identity are known to it, and the recovery of the fraudulently collected money, its disbursement to the allottees so as to enable them to buy alternative plots. However, the land mafia, which enjoys high political connections, will get away from the mess and the administration, having no guts to stand up to the political pressure, will meekly croak that it is helpless ! The highly connected defaulters, violators and encroachers will go scot-free and, as in the past no action will be taken against them. I will quote a not so old case to support my argument - that of the owner of house number 451-B, BRS Nagar, who violated building bylaws in connivance with politicians and the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation authorities (“MC mute witness..” Ludhiana Tribune, dated August 3, 2002). Though the case has been proved against him, even then the illegal structure stands, refracting the callousness and indifferent attitude of the local administration/local bodies. Let the district authorities, the Deputy Commissioner, the Municipal Commissioner, and the chairman, Ludhiana Improvement Trust, act with guts for a change and demolish the illegal structure put up by the aforementioned person and prove their bonafides. Major S.S. Khosla
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Combined
Zone wins overall trophy Ludhiana, November 27 The meet was held on November 25 and 26, 2002, at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur. Competitions in six disciplines relating to professional policing namely- scientific aids to investigation, computer skills, police photography, Videography, dog Squad and anti-sabotage checking- were conducted during the two- day meet. Police teams from Border Zone, Patiala Zone-I, Jalandhar Zone-II, PAP zone and Combined Zone consisting of GRP, Intelligence and PPA, participated in the meet. The inaugural ceremony was presided over by the Deputy, Director (Indoor), PPA, Phillaur Dr S S Chauhan. The winners of different events will be selected to represent the state police in the 43rd All-India Police Duty Meet scheduled to be held in in
Bangalore from December 10 to 15, 2002. |
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Communal
harmony week Ludhiana, November 27 After the relocation of troops of the Army, the foundation organised various programmes to make people aware of the importance of communal harmony and national integration. |
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Ex-Registrar of PSMC dead Ludhiana, November 27 He is survived by four sons and four daughters. |
110 arrested in police drive Khanna, November 27 According to the note, Ashwani Kumar of Rewari, Asru Deep of Nuh village in Gurgaon, Kamal Jit Singh and Jupinder Singh of Lalheri, Sukhwinder Singh of Majra and Jaswinder Singh of Barewal in Ludhiana district were arrested and various vehicles were seized from their possession. Two women Gurmeeto and Preeto were arrested from Sher Majra and a gold chain was recovered from them. The police also claimed to have arrested 44 persons involved in drug peddling and seized 5.9 kg of opium, 580 kg of poppy husk and 628 bottles of wine from their possession. It also busted a gang of robbers and arrested 15 of its members. The arrested persons were Rajinder Kumar of Bihar, Gopal Sharma and Bal Krishan of Baghalpur in Bihar, Shiv Kumar of Machhiwara, Jaswant Singh of Thana Jodhewal Basti, Mandip Singh and Kamal Kumar of Kuldeep Nagar, Ludhiana, Vikram of Rajasthan, Raju, Sanjay and Rajinder Singh of Faridabad, Vijay of Bikaner, Hans Raj of Doraha and Arjun of Delhi. One truckload of wheat, four truck tyres, one TV set and some pistols and ammunition were seized. A satta operating business had also been unearthed in the city with the arrest of 19 satta operators, the press note said.
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Man booked for killing mother-in-law Ludhiana, November 27 According to information, Surjit Kaur (75), who lived in the Krishna Nagar, had married her daughter to Sukhdev Singh living in Jagraon a few years ago. Since her daughter, who teaches in a college here, had to commute between Jagraon and Ludhiana, the couple came to the city and started living with the old lady. On the night of November 17, Sukhdev Singh reached home late in the night under the influence of liquor. He ordered his wife to serve food and in the meanwhile got into an altercation with his mother-in-law. The accused then allegedly picked up an iron rod and hit the old lady in the face as a result of which her jaw was broken. She was rushed to Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital where she died yesterday. Earlier, a case under Section 325 of the IPC had been registered against the accused on the statement of his wife Manjit Kaur. One held:
Fraud:
Held for theft:
Mr Prem Sagar Aggarwal had complained to the police that the accused, who was in his employment, had been caught with some stolen goods. Father, son hurt:
According to information, Joginder Singh had been deprived of all property rights by his father, Mr Balwant Singh, and a case in this regard was pending in a court. Yesterday, Joginder Singh collected some accomplices and attacked his father and his elder brother. Both of them have been admitted to the Civil Hospital. Booked:
Jagraon The accused was earlier arrested on
November 23 near bridge drain on Malak Road and the police seized from him 18 bottles of country liquor and was released on bail on November 25. 1480 injections seized:
The police arrested the accused, impounded the car and registered a case under Sections 22, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act. Later the accused was remanded in police custody till November 29 by Mr H.S. Grewal, JMIC, Jagraon. |
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Patwari
booked on graft charge Amloh, November 27 According to Mr Paramjit Singh Khera, DSP (Vigilance), Fatehgarh Sahib, a case has been registered against the accused under the Prevention of Corruption Act. |
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