 |
Friday,
December 13, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
|
Uproar in
LS over police firing on Basti farmers We’ll
defeat proxy war: Shekhawat
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
India, Canada for greater cooperation 41 flight tests on
LCA done: George NORTH INDIA IN
PARLIAMENT Clemency
for Tibetan leader, attendant sought 8 kids
die of mysterious disease
Brar plea
on tribal communities 40 hurt in
violence during eviction drive Music
album of Dev’s film released
|
|
Uproar in LS over police firing on Basti farmers New Delhi, December 12 Responding to the issue raised by agitated opposition members, who had stalled the question hour protesting against yesterday’s police firing on sugarcane farmers in Basti (UP), the Prime Minister said the government was collecting information in this regard and would make a statement later in the day. If the police was found to be guilty, it would be punished, he assured the members. He had already talked to the Chief Minister and other authorities in this regard, Mr Vajpayee said, adding that he was told that the police had only fired in the air but “there is a dispute whether there was police firing”. A body was recovered 15 km away from the site but it was not yet clear whether he was a victim of police firing, he said. Newspaper reports, however, say three persons were killed and many injured, he said. As regards the dispute over the minimum support price for the sugarcane to farmers, he said the court had ordered that the state government could not pay more than what had been fixed by the Centre. “If the court’s order is a hurdle, let all of us sit together and decide the issue,” the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister responded as soon as the House reassembled after a 30-minute
adjournment. JD (S) leader and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda suggested that Mr Vajpayee should immediately convene a meeting of chief ministers to discuss the matter and a find a solution as the matter could not be left to the judiciary. “The fixation of minimum support price cannot be done by the court. It has to be decided jointly by the Centre and State governments,” he said. Seeking the Prime Minister’s immediate intervention, CPM leader Somnath Chatterjee supported Mr Deve Gowda’s view and asked the government not to treat it as “a routine matter.” Congress Deputy Leader Shivraj Patil endorsed the suggestion made by the former Prime Minister and Mr Chatterjee. Earlier, amid pandemonium over police firing on farmers, the Lok Sabha was adjourned for half an hour with agitating Samajwadi Party and RJD members adamant on admission of their notices for adjournment motion on the issue. As soon as the House assembled this morning, Mr Akhilesh Singh of the Samajwadi Party raised the issue and pleaded with Deputy Speaker P M Sayeed for suspension of the question hour and admission of their notices for adjournment motion. Failing to get any response from the chair, Mr Akhibsh Singh along with his party colleagues and RJD members stormed the well. Shouting slogans “anti-farmer government, murdabad” and “tanashahi sarkar nahin chalegi (authoritarian government will not be allowed to function)” , the members said there was no justification for peaceful conduct of proceedings when farmers were being killed. |
|
We’ll defeat proxy war: Shekhawat New Delhi, December 12 Addressing a function organised by the All-India Anti-Terrorist Front (AIATF) here today to honour the families of soldiers who laid down their lives for the country, Mr Shekhawat said the international community should come together against the country sponsoring terrorism. Referring to the statement of Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani daring Pakistan to fight a direct war instead of resorting to a proxy war, Mr Shekhawat said no one could say when the situation between India and Pakistan would deteriorate. He said Pakistan was resorting to proxy war as it could not fight a direct war with India. “The whole world knows of Pakistan’s involvement in terrorism, but no one has risen to take action.” “We have defeated Pakistan in the ’65 and ’71 wars ... it must remember that it can never win,” he said. The menace of terrorism had enveloped the entire world and even powerful nations like the USA and Russia had become its victims, Mr Shekhawat said, mentioning the twin tower bombings and the recent Chechen hostage crisis in Moscow. Referring to the December 13 terrorist attack on Parliament last year, Mr Shekhawat said had it not been for the brave security personnel many MPs might have been killed. He complimented AIATF chief M.S. Bitta for imbibing the spirit of patriotism in the youth. Mementos were given to 17 family members of security personnel who lost their lives in the December 13 terrorist attack on Parliament, the Akshardham temple attack and some other anti-terrorist operations. An automatic wheelchair was given to ANI correspondent V.S. Bisht who was injured in the attack on Parliament. Speaking on the occasion, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah said those shaking hands with terrorists to remain in power were “betraying” the motherland. In a veiled attack on the PDP-led coalition government on the release of militants, Mr Abdullah said, “I have seen a lot of officers and men lay down their lives for the Tricolour. But to win elections, I have seen people shaking hands with terrorists. Parties should keep the nation’s interests above theirs.” “Pakistan thinks we will give it Kashmir on a platter. We will not budge.... In fact, we will take what is rightfully ours in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir,’’ he said. India was alone in its fight against terrorism and must not depend on US support, he added. Former Punjab DGP
K. P. S. Gill said today that the fight against terrorism would remain blunted so long as personnel engaged in counter-terrorism were later “victimised.” In an apparent reference to the post-militancy prosecution of Punjab police officers on charges of human rights violations, Mr Gill said it was a slur on the country and parties that “those who fought (terrorism) were later victimised as part of a conspiracy.” Backing Mr Gill, Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh said his party would “fight” the cases of such prosecuted officers. He announced Rs 5 lakh for the families of the martyrs. Others who addressed the function included eminent jurist L.M. Singhvi and former Maharashtra Governor P.C. Alexander. |
|
Fresh attack on
House feared New Delhi, December 12 Intelligence reports have specifically mentioned that the next one week is crucial from this point of view, particularly tomorrow, the first anniversary of terrorist attack on Parliament House, and December 16 when the special court trying the case is to give its verdict on four persons accused of conspiring in the attack. The Vajpayee government has taken these warnings seriously and does not want to take any chances, well-placed sources in the government told The Tribune today. It is understood that the Indian Air Force has been specially sensitised to foil any airborne threat from terrorists. |
|
India, Canada for greater cooperation New Delhi, December 12 The two countries also decided to continue full cooperation in the ongoing Kanishka Jetliner bombing investigation, including any legal proceedings. This was decided at the two-day fifth meeting of the India-Canada Joint Working Group on counter-terrorism, which concluded here today. The two countries also decided to: * initiate training programmes by carrying out requirement analysis to strengthen capacity in areas such as terrorist finances, forensic science, transportation security, immigration control systems, etc, * exchange ideas on cyber security and cyber terrorism. Joint Secretary Jayant Prasad of the Ministry of External Affairs hosted the meeting. |
|
41 flight
tests on LCA done: George New Delhi, December 12 He said in a written answer that the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) of the LCA was expected to be obtained by 2005-06 for induction in the Indian Air Force. The unit fly-away cost of the LCA during manufacturing was estimated at Rs 85 crore. Talking about the government’s efforts to reduce air crashes in the IAF, Mr Fernandes said 47 of the 84 recommendations of the Abdul Kalam Committee on fighter aircraft accidents had been implemented, while 26 were under various stages of implementation. The minister informed that 11 suggestions of the committee were not accepted. On the much-talked about Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier, the minister said negotiations with Russia were in progress, but it was not possible to lay down the time limit for such a “major” acquisition. Mr Fernandes stated that the Coast Guard was in the process of institutionalising a position reporting system named INDSAR for all ships, including foreign ones, wherein the ships would be required to give their positions as soon as they enter the Indian Search-and-Rescue Region which would enhance surveillance in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone. The Laser Designated Pod which gives precision strike capability, would be installed on the upgraded Jaguar aircraft. |
|
NORTH INDIA IN PARLIAMENT New Delhi, December 12 LPG connections: As many
as 3.82 lakh LPG connections were released in Punjab in 2001-02,
against 6.13 lakh connections in 2000-01 and 4.03 lakh connections in
1999-2000, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas told the
Lok Sabha. The number of LPG connections released was 2.20 lakh in
Haryana, 0.55 lakh in Himachal Pradesh and 1.14 lakh in Jammu and
Kashmir , the minister told the House. Power Projects: Ms
Jayawanti Mehta, Minister of State for Power told the Lok Sabha that
the Power Finance Corporation had given Rs 1,557.52 crore to Punjab
till November 30, (since inception) ; Rs 1,981.6 crore to Haryana; Rs
720.99 crore to Himachal Pradesh and Rs 82.35 crore to Jammu and
Kashmir. Providing details of losses sustained by electricity boards
in various states, the minister said the losses were Rs 1,633 crore in
Punjab; Rs 1,537 crore in Haryana; Rs 48 crore in Himachal Pradesh and
Rs 1,141 crore in Jammu and Kashmir. She also informed the House that
Punjab was given Rs 5.99 crore and Haryana Rs 11.85 crore under the
Accelerated Power Development Programme for renovation and
modernisation of the existing power infrastructure during 2000-01. Bio-gas
plants: All 20 bio-gas plants in Punjab, 17 out of 20 plants in
Haryana and 12 of the total 20 in Himachal Pradesh have been
commissioned, said Mr M. Kannapan, Minister of State for
Non-Conventional Energy Sources. Train accidents: Mr Bandaru
Dattatraya, Minister of State for Railways, told the Lok Sabha that
the number of train accidents in the Northern Zone was 49 in 2002-03
(up to November 2002- provisional figures) in which 52 persons were
killed. The number of accidents in the zone in 2001-02 was 79 and 70
persons were killed (provisional figures), the minister told the
House. Agro and rural industries: The government has set a
target of creating 28,877 additional employment opportunities in
Punjab in 2002-03 under the Rural Employment Generation Programme,
Minister of State for Agro and Rural Industries told the Rajya Sabha.
The target set up for Haryana is 17,877; Himachal Pradesh 15,810 and
Jammu and Kashmir 8,575, the minister told the House. Child
labour: Minister of State for Labour Mr Ashok Pradhan told the
Rajya Sabha that as per the 1991 census, the number of working
children in Punjab 1,42,868, in Haryana 1,09,691 and in Himachal
Pradesh was 56,438. |
|
Clemency
for Tibetan leader, attendant sought New Delhi, December 12 While Dhondup has been sentenced to death by the Karze Intermediate People’s Court for ‘inciting separatism’, ‘causing explosions,’ and ‘illegal possession of guns and ammunition’, Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche has received the death sentence with a two-year suspension for ‘causing explosions’ and ‘inciting separatism.’ Tenzin Deleg was officially recognised by the Dalai Lama as the reincarnate Lama during his stay in India from 1982 to 1987. They have been charged with complicity in a series of bomb explosions in Kardeze perfecture, where one person was killed. Expressing outrage at the death sentence pronounced on the two Tibetans this month by the Karze Intermediate People’s Court ‘Tibetan Autonomus Perfecture’ (TAP) in Sichuan province, the TCHRD said it had brought the matter to the notice of the Amnesty International and the Special Rapporteur for Extra Judicial Summary and Arbitrary Killing. It said the Amnesty International had appealed for urgent action and intervention of all human rights organisations and Amnesty chapters around the world. The TCHRD further stated that this tightening of repression came at a time when the Chinese Government was hell-bent on branding political activities as acts of terrorism following the September 11 attacks.’’ The Amnesty International appeal, dated December 6 and titled ‘Fear of imminent execution/death penalty/unfair trial,’ says Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche (also known as Ngawang Tashi or A An Zha Xi) and his attendant have been sentenced to death in an apparently unfair trial. While voicing its concern over the imminent execution of Lobsang Dhondup, the Amnesty International has invited appeals recommending action. The Amnesty International has stated that the death penalty is used in China extensively, arbitrarily and frequently as a result of political interference. Sources in the TCHRD pointed out that the death sentence came at a time when China was boasting of improved human rights record. Ms Youdon Aukatsang, senior programme officer, TCHRD, said here on Tuesday that the Chinese criminal law granted defendants the right to appeal within 10 days of the sentence, but success of appeals were almost non-existent. She said the senior religious leader was taken into custody on the night of April 7, 2002, along with four other attendants. He was held completely incommunicado for eight months until the day of the trial. “We believe that China has framed Trulku Tenzin Deleg as a criminal mastermind only to counter his popularity among the masses. It is widely believed that religious leaders due to their ability to influence the local people, have in recent times become prime targets for oppression. This pattern of perceiving religious leaders as threat has resulted in a series of arrests of revered Lamas, including Geshe Sonam Phunstok and Khenpo Jigme Phunstok,” she said. Jamyang Tenzin, nephew of Trulku Tenzin Deleg and distant relative of Dhondup, said here that the Chinese authorities never liked Trulku Deleg and always wanted to discredit him. He recalled how his uncle had turned down the request of the visiting Chinese authorities to denounce the Panchen Lama recognised the Dalai Lama in 1995. This had enraged the officers. |
|
8 kids
die of mysterious disease Patna, December 12 Medical staff attending the affected has not so far confirmed the disease causing the deaths. Dr K.K. Singh and Dr. S N Singh who attended the ailing children said today that the affected kids showed symptoms of a viral infection that may well be encephalitis. Pneumonia was not also ruled out. |
|
Kalam mourns
Palkhivala’s death New Delhi, December 12 “I knew him personally and interacted with him on a number of issues ranging from implementation of vision of developed India to the emergence of India as a knowledge superpower”, the President said in a condolence message. Expressing grief, Finance Minister Jaswant Singh, in his message said, “Nani Palkhivala’s passing away, after a full and highly creative life, is an irreparable loss to all.... The best tribute to him would be to endeavour to follow his high principles”. MUMBAI:
The last rites of eminent jurist Nani Palkhivala, who passed away last evening, were performed at a simple and solemn function at Albless Bungli in south-Mumbai early this morning. The ‘payadast’ rituals began at 7.40 am with the ‘dastoors’ or Parsi priest reciting prayers from the ‘gathas’ and chanting verses from holy scriptures. The mortal remains of the famous economist were subsequently carried up to the Tower of Silence, where it was consigned to birds as per the Parsi tradition. Among those who attended the funeral included, industrialists Ratan Tata, Simone Tata, Adi Godrej, eminent lawyer P.R. Vakil and politician Bakul Patel.
PTI |
|
Brar plea on tribal communities New Delhi, December 12 Raising the issue during zero hour in the Lok Sabha, Mr Brar, MP from Faridkot, prayed that these left-out tribal communities should be declared a distinct group. He suggested the new group to be known as denotified and nomadic tribes (DNT) group. Mr Brar urged the House to fix quota for the proposed DNT on the basis of population in various government services and plans arguing that “dominant groups left nothing for them”. |
|
40 hurt in violence during eviction drive Kolkata, December 12 This was the second day of the drive which the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and the police had launched jointly as per a cleaning programme of the Beliaghata canal under the Asian Development Bank’s assistance scheme at a cost of Rs 150 crore. On the first day, around 800 illegal constructions near the canal were pulled down and around 2,000 dwellers were forcibly evicted. But yesterday, the police had to face a strong resistance as the Congress, the Trinamool Congress and SUCI supported slum dwellers in their protest against the drive. As the drive began in the morning, local people along with workers of these parties attacked the police party with brickbats, lathis and iron rods. Some women and children lay down on the road. The police lathicharged the violent mob injuring several persons. The situation, however, soon came under control and the police continued its operation. About 1.5-km area from Manicktala to R.G. Kar Hospital along the canal had been vacated in this phase, claimed the State Minister for CMDA, Mr Asoke
Bhattacharyya. |
|
Music album of Dev’s film released New Delhi, December 12 Acknowledging the evergreen hero’s intoxicating presence by reciting a couplet in Urdu, Mrs Swaraj said Dev Anand figured among the leading heroes of her young days. Wishing the film the very best, Mrs Swaraj hoped that it is more than a box-office hit. Speaking on the occasion, Dev Anand said the film had a September 11 theme (terrorist strike on World Trade Center towers in New York) and is set in Times Square. “It is a Hindustani story in an international backdrop”. |
 |
| 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
