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Crime on the rise in Haryana
Sharp rise in number
of drug addicts
12 gangs busted in one year
Haryana all set to have
record cotton crop
Construct SYL canal at the earliest: BKU
Leaf from History
Foster Indian values in youth, says |
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Air Force Day flypast to witness ‘Alaska formation’
Coop sugar mill bags two prizes
Togadia hints at floating new party
Open School exam fee structure announced
Bhadra Talab to get
new lease of life People called upon to
preserve wildlife
Changing audience’s minds in positive way
Man throws wife, sister from 3rd floor; 1 dead
3 docs among four killed in accident
2.88 lakh looted from trading firm cashier
Youth died after falling from train
Rahul Goel clears talent test
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Crime on the rise in Haryana
Karnal, October 4 On October 2, Sultan Singh killed his 70-year-old father Alkha Ram at Bichparhi village in Shahjadpur block of Ambala district following a row over property transfer. The neck of the cancer-ridden old man was chopped off by his own son. On September 29, Inder Kumar killed his 13-year-old sister Neelam at Nimli village in the Charkhi Dadri area when she tried to stop him from beating their father. In a statement recorded before the police, the father Ram Kishan said his son Inder Kumar was a “loafer” with a criminal mentality. He often used to sell household items to meet his demands. “He wanted to take away the only milch buffalo from the house and sell it to a trader. When I opposed him, he took out a stick and started beating me. My daughter Neelam tried to stop him and shouted for help. Inder fled from the spot, but late in the night he returned and chopped off Neelam’s neck while she was sleeping”, said the broken-hearted old man. On September 27, Kamal Singh, husband of Lakshmi resident of a slum area in Faridabad, allegedly chopped off his wife’s nose. She was immediately rushed to the local Badshah Khan Hospital. In a statement recorded before the police, Lakshmi said her husband was a drunkard and often beat her on minor issues. “When I demanded money to visit his mother, who is in poor health at Aligarh, he cut off my nose with a sharp knife”, she told the local police. On September 26, Shravan killed his wife Krishna Devi in the Chattargarh Patti area of Sirsa. He confessed the crime and surrendered before the police. The deceased, Krishna Devi was married to Shravan six years back. They were poor and it was difficult for them to make both ends meet. They often quarrelled over money, as she demanded money to buy food for their four children. On the same day, a tenant Shashikant killed his 70-year-old landlord Banarasi Das at Sadora in Yamunanagar district. He suspected that the landlord had illicit relations with his wife. He fled from the spot, but was later nabbed by the police in a state of drunkenness. On September 25, Sanjiv, his mother and brother allegedly killed Shalini at Karnal for bringing insufficient dowry. Sanjiv, mother-in-law Bhagwani Devi and brother-in-law Arun Kumar have been arrested by the police. These crimes have posed a challenge to social scientists on how to face the increasing negative tendencies that are threatening the social structure of society. There is a need for an effective social awareness campaign from NGOs or dedicated social workers, supported by well-framed policies of the government, asserts Mr Vikas Arora, Superintendent of Police, Karnal.
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Sharp rise in number
of drug addicts
Karnal, October 4 The figures of people seeking treatment for drug addiction from the district de-addiction centre of the Red Cross indicate that a high number of people were addicted to more than one drug. The proportion of drug users seeking treatment in the drug de-addiction centre who used two or more drugs had increased from 199 to 211 in the year 2003-2004 as compared to the previous year of 2002-2003. This indicates that most of the addicts were not confined to consumption of one drug; rather, they preferred other types of drugs also to get a kick. The main drugs for which the treatment was sought were opium, alcohol and smoking.Opium was the most preferred drug among the addicts as 410 patients thronged the district drug de-addiction centre for treatment during the year 2003-2004, showing an increase of 196 patients as compared to the previous year of 2002-2003. The alcohol addicts also continue to throng the drug de-addiction centre in large numbers. At least 183 patients had sought treatment in the year 2003-2004 as compared to the year 2002-2003. These figures indicate that a majority of the alcohol addicts were in the age group of 31 and 40. The abuse of alcohol in urban areas and opium in the rural areas had emerged as the two most commonly used drugs. Interestingly, the alcohol addicts were usually educated and employed/self-employed while a majority of those consuming opium were uneducated rural folk. No doubt the state government had banned ahatas but one could find people drinking on the roadside dhabas on the national highway or even sitting in the cars outside the liquor vends, particularly in Karnal town. The number of smokers who had sought the help of medical experts in the drug de-addiction centre in the year 2003-2004 was 204 persons--an increase of 100 per cent as compared to the previous year of 2002-2003. Apart from this, two addicts of charas, 13 of stimulating capsules, 16 of injections, 7 of smack and 20 addicts consuming other types of drugs had thronged the drug de-addiction centre for medical help. The figures of the district drug de-addiction centre also indicate that all types of drugs were illegally available in the district despite the tall claims of the local police. Sources revealed that opium, charas and smack were being smuggled into the district from the neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh. On the other hand, drug addiction has resulted into a social stigma, as 80 per cent of the males who had committed suicides in the district during the current year were addicts of alcohol. In most of the cases of 13 dowry deaths reported during the year in the district, the husbands of the deceased women were addicts of alcohol.
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12 gangs busted in one year
Hisar, October 4 Stating this while talking to mediapersons here today, Mr Attar Singh Ahlawat, SSP, said the prominent gangs busted by the police included the notorious Pradeep Jamawari gang, Baljit Pokhari Kheri gang, Mintu and Raju gang and Sonu gang. The SSP admitted that many persons released on bail or parole were committing crimes, which was a matter of serious concern. He, however, maintained that this would not be allowed to happen any more. He said now the top priority of the police would be to ensure that no criminal could get bail due to any lapse. Mr Ahlawat claimed that following the busting of these gangs and arrest of criminals, the crime chart had come down significantly in the district. He said of the 4,733 criminal cases registered during the past year, 4,438 had been worked out. The SSP said the “most wanted” criminals arrested by the police included Hatti of Badshahpur, Sunil Tarkhan, Pradeep Jamawari, Baljit Pokhari and Naveen, alias Sonu. He said with the busting of gangs and arrest of gangsters, 46 cases of murder, dacoity, looting, kidnap, attempt to murder and vehicle theft had been worked out.
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Haryana all set to have
record cotton crop
Panchkula, October 4 After a bad crop for several years, the expected cotton yield this year is an all time high 470 kg lint per hectare. As desi variety of cotton has started arriving in the mandis, cotton production in the state is likely to cross 16. 57 lakh bales as against 14. 05 lakh bales produced last year. The initial reports received from mandis (in the cotton belt comprising Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar and Bhiwani, and parts of Jind, Rewari, Jhajjar, Rohtak and Sonepat) by the Department of Agriculture show that the farmers are getting a price of Rs 2,000 to Rs 2700 per quintal of desi cotton, compared to the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 1,760. Officials in the Directorate of Agriculture say that there has been a substantive increase of almost 19 per cent in area under cotton cultivation. “Last year, there was a marginal increase in the area under cotton — from 5.19 lakh hectares to 5.26 lakh hectares, and the yield per hectare increased from 340 lints to 454 kg lints per hectare. This year, the area under cotton cultivation has increased from 5.26 lakh hectares to 6.26 lakh hectares, and the expected yield is 470 kg lint per hectare. So far, the highest cotton yield in the state has been 451 lints per hectare, in 1992,” informs a senior Agriculture official. Officials say that farmers in the state were bolstered by the success of the crop last year, and large areas have been brought under cotton cultivation. Last year, as against the MSP of Rs 1725 of desi cotton, the cotton crop sold at almost Rs 2200 to Rs 2500 per quintal. This was in sharp contrast to the year 2000-1, when cotton production in the state had declined to 7.22 lakh bales, mainly because of heliothis (American bollworm) attack. Agricultural scientists say that a long dry spell coupled with high temperature in April and May, and timely sowing of crop by farmers ensured that there was no heliothis attack on the crop this year. "Though, we did have a mild attack of spotted bollworm, but it never crossed the economic threshold level (ETL), and could be managed with a judicious use of pesticides" informs a senior Agriculture Department official. The use of insecticides has also been reduced by almost half this year. As compared to eight to 10 sprays of pesticides on the crop each year, the dry spell in the initial two months of the crop, and dry weather conditions in July ensured that the cycle of heliothis was broken, and just four to five sprays of pesticides were needed this year. Officials say that the farmers' profits would be more this year as the farmers in the state have spent an estimated Rs 156. 50 crore on pesticides, as compared to an estimated Rs 263 crore spent last year. |
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Construct SYL canal at the earliest: BKU
Sonepat, October 4 Mr Hari Singh Khokhar, president of the state unit of the BKU, said today that the SYL canal was the lifeline of Haryana farmers and they could not remain mute spectators on this issue in view of the apex court’s verdict. He also condemned the Punjab Government, particularly the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, for scrapping the river water agreement and described it unconstitutional, unjust and unwarranted. He also criticised the Indian National Lok Dal government for its failure to press the Punjab and Central government for the early completion of the canal. He declared the union had decided to organise dharanas in front of residence of the MLAs and MPs of Haryana who had failed to support farmers on the SYL issue. Mr Khokhar also condemned the Central government for not fixing the remunerative price for the farmers’ produce. He said the increase in the minimum support price (MSP) declared every year for the kharif and rabi crops was a cruel joke on the farmers. He demanded that the MSP should be declared at the time of sowing of rabi and kharif crops to enable to farmers to sow the crop of their choice. |
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Leaf from History Rahul Das Tribune News Service AMBALA: A newly opened museum at the Ambala Air Force station is a treasure trove of historical information pertaining to the Indian Air Force. The museum was opened during the silver jubilee celebrations of the induction of Jaguar aircraft into the IAF a few weeks ago. It contains rare photographs, memorabilia and nuggets of information which reflect the glory of the Air Force. A prized possession of the museum is a machine gun which was seized during the Indo-Pak war of 1971. The 14 Squadron took over the Jessore air base during the war and the machine gun is a war trophy. The machine gun belonged to East Pakistan Rifles. Photographs at the museum show that a number of dignitaries have visited the base from time to time. Former prime ministers Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Morarji Desai and Rajiv Gandhi have visited the airbase. Besides them, the then Indonesian Prime Minister, Dr Hatta, visited the airbase on October 31, 1955, and King Mahendra of Nepal visited the base on November 13, 1955. Lady Mountbatten has also signed the visitor’s book. The photographs of 1965 clearly show the devastation of the historic St Paul church in bombing by Pakistani aircraft. The history of Tuskers Squadron has been written on a plaque. It states that the squadron was formed at Pune on November 2, 1948, with B 24 Liberators. The No 5 Squadron crest ‘Tusker’ was as appropriate to its role and strength as any emblem envisaged on September 1, 1957. The Tuskers became the first squadron to be re-equipped on modern Canberra jet bomber aircraft at Agra. The squadron pioneered the development and operational expansion of the Canberra fleet in the IAF. In 1961, Tuskers were selected to provide a six-aircraft detachment under the command of Wing Commander A. Suraes for service with United Nations Forces in Congo. In the 1965 Indo-Pak war the Tuskers, led by Wing Commander P.P. Singh, rallied to the defence of the country. In the 1971 Indo-Pak war the Tuskers once again proved formidable and played into the Pakistani territory. No. 5 Squadron Tuskers was awarded the President’s Colour on April 9, 1975. In August 1981, the squadron was re-equipped with Jaguar and re-located at Ambala under the Command of Wing Commander J.S. Sisodia. The squadron took part in Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka. It also took part in Operation Safed Sagar in May, 1999.
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Foster Indian values in youth, says Governor Agarwal
Rewari, October 4 The Governor , who was the chief guest of the function , called upon teachers and guardians to come forward to discharge the responsibility of moulding their young wards who were quite prone to the vicious aspects of western culture. Stressing upon the need to follow the teaching and ideals of Maharaja Agrasen, the Governor exhorted the members of the Agarwal Samaj to make their contribution towards the betterment of the depressed and weaker sections of the society. Mr Ram Das Agarwal, national president of the Vaish Mahasammelan and a former member of the Rajya Sabha , who presided over the school function, lauded the Vaish Samaj’s contribution made in the domains of education. Mr Rajat Lal, managing director of Sir Shadi Lal Enterprises, who was a guest of the function, presented a bankdraft of Rs 2 lakh to the school. Students, who had excelled in studies and sports, were also honoured by the Governor. Principal Kedar Singh Gupta read out the annual report of the school while Mr Ratnesh Bansal, president of the school managing committee, thanked the guests. Earlier the Governor, Mr Sudershan Agarwal, inaugurated a blood donation camp organised by the Rewari Rotary Club Main at Makhan Lal Ki Dharamshala here. Recalling his four decade long association with the Rotary club, the Governor said blood donation was a great service to humanity. Dispelling misconceptions regarding blood donation he regretted that many lives were lost on account of paucity of blood. As many as 202 persons, including Mr Hanif Qureshi, SP, Rewari, donated blood at the camp.
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Air Force Day flypast to witness ‘Alaska formation’
Ambala, October 4 Termed as ‘Alaska formation’, a gigantic IL-78 tanker aircraft will carry out mid-air refuelling of two Jaguar aircraft even as two more Jaguar aircraft fly in close formation. The formation has been called ‘Alaska formation’ as it has been inspired by the success of Jaguar aircraft at the recently concluded multi-national exercise Cooperative Cope Thunder held at Eilson airbase in Alaska. The Jaguar aircraft had to carry out mid-air refuelling during its long transatlantic leg of the journey to Alaska. Air Officer Commanding, Air Force base Ambala, Air Cmdr
L.K. Malhotra, said preparations had been completed for the flypast. “Indian Air Force will be celebrating its 72nd anniversary on October 8,” he said. The Air Force Day parade, consisting of 51 aircraft, will commence with three Mi-17s leading in a Vic formation at a height of 60 m trooping the Air Force ensign. This will be followed by Vic formation of three Mi-35 attack helicopters flying at a speed of 210
kmph. The fighter aircraft flypast will be led by five Jaguars in arrowhead formation at a height of 150 and a speed of 780
kmph, closely followed by arrowhead formations of Bison3de, MiG 23, MiG 29 and Mirage aircraft. Thereafter, a formation of one IL-78 tanker with two Jaguar fighter aircrafts plugged in and two Jaguars in echelon in ‘Alaska formation’ will fly past. At the end of the parade, there will be a formation involving a Su-30 MKI and two MiG 29 aircraft. The Su 30 will carry out a vertical Charlie manoeuver while the two MiG 29 aircraft on either side will peel off outwards. The finale will be a display by nine Surya Kiran aircraft carrying out aerobatic display. While one team of Jaguars will be led by Wg Cdr Tejinder Singh, the other will be led by Wg Cdr K.
Khera. Gr Capt Sandeep Puri explained that IL-78 tanker aircraft can carry up to 70 tonnes of fuel. “It takes a lot of skill to carry out mid-air
refuelling. While it has been conducted by Sukhois, it is being done as a formation flying by Jaguars for the first time,” he said. He said for the ‘Alaska formation’, two hoses will be released by the IL-78 aircraft and the Jaguar pilots will have to attach their probe to the hoses. “The refuelling takes barely a couple of minutes,” he said. “It is an advanced technology and few air forces in the world have this capability,” he added. Sq Ldr Chauhan, during a presentation about Jaguars, said these were one of the best fighter aircraft. He said Jaguars were
twin-engined with air-to-air refuelling capability. “The weapon suite of Jaguars, coupled navigation and weapon-aiming system make it at a lethal aircraft,” he added. He said, Jaguar aircraft has laser technology, a large radius of action, new generation of weapons and tactical reconnaissance. “A Jaguar aircraft can carry out accurate navigation at low level and has computerised weapon delivery system,” he said. |
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Coop sugar mill bags two prizes
Sonepat, October 4 According to a report, the mill has bagged the prizes for the third consecutive year. The mill had won first prize in cane development in 2001-02 and second prize for technical efficiency in 2002-03. The mill’s sugar recovery has been the highest amongst all cooperative sugar mills in the state i.e. 10.66 percent. This has been the highest since the inception of the mill in January, 1977. Besides, the mill has undertaken a co-generation project during this year. Apart from power generation for self-use, it will supply up to 1 MW electricity to the nearby villages through Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited.
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Togadia hints at floating new party
Rohtak, October 4 Talking to mediapersons here before addressing VHP workers, he said the VHP was prepared to give these parties some more time to change their outlook. However, if they continued to pursue their current policies then the VHP would not hesitate to float a political party. However, he refused to elaborate. Mr Togadia said it had given the Centre time till Divali to solve the Ayodhya issue. However, if it failed to do so then, the sadhu samaj would frame its time table for temple construction. He criticised the Haryana Government for creating a new district in Mewat area. Asked about his reaction to the taking over of temple managements in Kurukshetra, he said the VHP would consult top seers in this regard and then finalise a plan to stop government interference in temple administration.
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Open School exam fee structure announced
Bhiwani, October 4 Stating this today, a spokesman for the Board said the last date for submitting forms for secondary and senior secondary examinations was November 2 and with late fee of Rs 300 up to March 2, 2005. For secondary examination, a fee of Rs 1680 would be charged, which included Rs 1200 for admission and Rs 480 as examination fee. Similarly, for senior secondary examination, a fee of Rs 1800 would be charged, which included Rs 1400 as admission fee and Rs 400 as examination fee. He stated that the girl students would have to pay Rs 200 less for these examinations. They would have to pay Rs 1480 for secondary and Rs 1600 for senior secondary examintions. He said those who are appearing in any additional subject in the secondary examination, would be charged a fee of Rs 200 while for senior secondary examination it would be Rs 250 per additional subject. Besides this, Rs 80 would be charged as examination fee for each subject. He said the students, who had already passed the open school examinations, could also submit their application forms for improvement and re-evaluation with a fee of Rs 80 per subject. He said that the students would also be allowed to change the subject, for which a fee of Rs 150 per subject would be charged. He said the students, who had failed in matric and senior secondary examinations, except in one subject, could also appear in the open school examination under credit transfer policy, for which they would have to pay Rs 250 as registration fee and Rs 80 as examination fee per paper. He clarified that the students were required to pass six subjects in the secondary examination and five subjects in the senior secondary examination after which they would be issued certificates. He said in the supplementary examination of Haryana Open School, 45,000 students had appeared.
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Bhadra Talab to get
new lease of life
Sirsa, October 4 The administration has chalked out an ambitious multi-crore-beautification project in association with HUDA to landscape the area. According to folklore, the town was once located on the banks of the Saraswati. The pond ghats were regarded as sacred as those of the Ganga. Spread over hundreds of acres, there are more than 40 religious places, including temples and sarais, around the pond. Owing to the apathetic attitude of the authorities, the ghats had been in a state of neglect. One such ghat, used exclusively by womenfolk, stands witness to the glorious past, but is in poor shape now. Talking to the TNS, Deputy Commissioner Balraj Singh said the administration had started work on the ambitious project. “Certain structures that had come up at the site have been removed and the administration is planning to get back its old beauty and grandeur,” he said. The authorities plan to grow medicinal and ornamental plants in the proposed lawns. They also plan to tap rainwater reaching the area due to natural flow for use in fountains. “We decided to chalk out the plan to redevelop the lake as commercial and residential areas around the spot had distorted its landscape. By landscaping the area, we will make it clean and green and maintain the sacredness of the pond,” he said. Located in the heart of the township, once an integral part of the town, the pond has virtually become an eyesore. With the passage of time, the pond has turned into a home for animals attracted by its filthy surroundings. “Due to poor maintenance, the bed of the pond is covered with over 10 feet of silt,” said a resident.
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People called upon to
preserve wildlife Pinjore, October 4 He was addressing a function to mark the Wildlife Week celebrations at Forest Complex here. He said that disaster awaits us in case we disturb the ecological balance, so it is important to not only protect the endangered species, but also work for raising the population of these species. Mr Salins rued that human development had spelt doom for wild life all over the world. “The Japanese hunted whales, and now this species is on the verge of extinction. In India, a mere 300 tigers remain in the wild, as others have fallen prey to hunters. Humans, by invading the natural habitat of the wild life, have been forcing them to retaliate and this clash between the humans and animals means doom for the latter,” he added. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Wildlife Warden, Haryana, R.D. Jakati, pointed out that a few centuries ago, there were 30 lakh species of animals in the world, of which merely 14,000 species remain in the world. The Wildlife Department had organised painting competition and quiz on wildlife for school children. The winners of various competitions — Varinder Kumar, Hiteshwari and Krishan Murari in Quiz competition, Narendra, Pooja and Manjit in painting competition- were given away prizes. |
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Changing audience’s minds in positive way
Hisar, October 4 Agarwal, who is based in Mumbai, was in the town in connection with a bhajan programme. Talking to mediapersons, he observed that bhajan was a means of social change. He said he had always strived for bringing a positive change in the mindset of the audience. Born in Delhi in 1955, Agarwal shifted to Mumbai in 1962 along with his family. When he was eight, he was initiated into satsangs by his elders. At 12, he learnt to play harmonium. He started singing bhajans in 1978. When he was 24, he met Swami Mukund Hari of Bathinda, who became his guru.
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Man throws wife, sister from 3rd floor; 1 dead
Rohtak, October 4 The incident took place around noon when the market was bustling with people. Suddenly, a young woman’s body hurtled to the middle of the road. Before the shopkeepers could react, another young woman’s body landed on the road with a thud. The first to fall was Kalu’s wife, Neena, who died on the spot as her head smashed against the road. The second to fall was Kalu’s sister, Suman. She was seriously hurt and was rushed to the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences where she was admitted to the intensive care unit. Kalu, who was arrested minutes later, disclosed to the police that his wife had illicit relations with a young man belonging to a minority community. He alleged that the youth belonged to a notorious gang of criminals based in Mumbai.
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3 docs among four killed in accident
Sonepat, October 4 According to a report, a bus, a truck, a jeep and a Sumo van were involved in the accident. The victims were Dr Preeti Madan (60), Dr Rekha Bhandari, and Dr Sabharwal (65), all residents of Karnal, and Samar Singh, jeep driver of Raipura village in Karnal district. All the doctors were going in the Sumo to Delhi. The police has registered a case and sent the bodies for a post-mortem examination. |
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2.88 lakh looted from trading firm cashier
Rohtak, October 4 The police has registered a case, but no arrests have been made so far. Shopkeepers of the area downed their shutters in protest against the incident. |
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Youth died after falling from train
Panipat, October 4 Rajbir boarded the train at Rohtak for Panipat. He was taken to the Rohtak PGI hospital after the fall. However, he was declared brought dead.
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Rahul Goel clears talent test Ambala, October 4 Principal of the school Jyothsna Sachdeva said that this was the first time that a student from Ambala had been able to qualify the NTSE. She said that the school had also provided special coaching to Rahul. Rahul who is the student of XI class had achieved 95 per cent marks in the Matriculation. He said that he wanted to be an astronaut like Kalpna Chawla.
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