Hoshiarpur, June 18
With the arrest of Ashwani Dadwal, alias Sonu, alias Jangali son of Chaman Lal of the local Indira Colony, the Hoshiarpur police has broken the back of Babbar Khalsa International in the district. The police seized 1 kg of RDX and two detonators from him.

Senior Superintendent of Police Lok Nath Angra stated here today that Ashwani Dadwal had visited Australia, Cypress and Thailand and was trained as militant by ISI sleuths in Pakistan.

He said Ashwani Dadwal was an unemployed youth who went to Australia in 1998 in search of a job. He had gone on study visa in Calendar Business College, Sydney. He slipped college and went to Twinsland as farm labourer. He came in contact with Harpreet Singh of Chahal village, district Nawanshahr, there. They become friends. After staying in Australia for two years, both of them returned to India. Harpreet Singh introduced Ashwani to Jaspal Singh, alias Raja, son of Hardip Singh Saini of Simbli village in Garhshankar. Jaspal Singh was in the foreign currency business and allured Ashwani with promises of a bright future and luxurious life. He had been continuously visiting Jaspal Singh in Nawanshahr and both of them made a strong band of gangsters who were involved in the business of muscle power on hire.

Ashwani again managed to go to Cypress on a study visa in 2002. He was contacted by Jaspal Singh from Thailand through a common friend. Jaspal Singh told Ashwani that he knew a person who would help them go to any European country. Ashwani agreed to the proposal. He was given 1600 euros in Cypress.

The SSP further said that on interrogation and checking of his passport, it was found that Ashwani left Cypress on June 20, 2003 for Bangkok (Thailand) but did not reach there for 40 days and landed in Bangkok on July 30. Ashwani confessed in interrogation that during those days he remained in Pakistan. He disclosed that Jaspal Singh was already in Pakistan. His mentors had purchased a ticket for Ashwani from Cypress to Bangkok via Lahore and Dubai. When his flight reached Lahore, an ISI agent met him at the airport and cleared him out of the airport without any entry on the passport. Jaspal Singh and two other persons who were later known to be Kaka, son of Wadhawa Singh, Chief of Babbar Khalsa International, and Baba from Germany received him outside the airport. He was taken to hotel Lahore Continental where he had a comfortable stay with Jaspal Singh. Jaspal Singh told him that if they did some work assigned to them, these persons would manage their settlement in European country. He agreed to his suggestions.

The next day Wadhawa Singh met him in the hotel. He impressed upon him that they were working for a great cause by killing the enemies of humanity in India. For joining their organisation and helping them accomplish their goals, he was promised settlement abroad and secure future.

Intensive training in militancy was given to Jaspal Singh, Baba and Ashwani for 30 days. They were daily taken from hotel in a land cruiser by one ‘Jaffar Sahib’ for training in nearby range in the forests. They were trained for target fire with pistol. They were trained to fire with automatic weapons like AK-47 and other sophisticated weaponry. They were also trained with telescopic rifles sitting in safer position and hiding in a deep ditch. They were trained for the use of RDX with the help of battery. Mock exercises for explosions in the open area and in the bungalows were given to them. They were trained for making bombs in toys like cricket bats and cricket balls. They were given $ 1000 each after the training. They were given briefing on targets for India.

Mr Angra further said that after the training, he was dropped in Bangkok by the Pakistan Airlines. Jaspal Singh had left Pakistan two days before him. Both of them met in Thailand and reached Delhi on August 4, 2003. Jaspal Singh hired a room in Rajinder Nagar, Delhi, and made some other accomplices. They later shifted to Inder Puri, Narina in Delhi. Jaspal Singh started getting consignments of weapons and RDX which he would pass to other members of Babbar Khalsa. Jaspal Singh had become his leader in India. Jaspal and some other members of the gang attended the marriage of his sister and he also attended the marriage of his cousin Shinder in February, 2004.

Jaspal Singh used to get instructions from his mentors through Germany. He used to get assignments of weapons, RDX and fake currency through Jammu and Kashmir. Ashwani admitted that in March, 2004, he had gone with Jaspal Singh in a jeep to receive a consignment from Jammu. Jaspal had given him a part of this consignment to be kept hidden and waited for instructions to use it, he added.

Jaspal Singh allegedly, masterminded bomb explosions in two cinema houses in Delhi on May 22, 2005, and was later arrested with Jarnail Singh Hawara, chief of Babbar Khalsa in India.

Sangrur, June 18
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) will release its much-awaited ‘white paper’ in the first week of July this year against the “misdeeds” allegedly committed by the Amarinder government during the past more than three years of its regime. Earlier, this ‘white paper’ was to be released on May 15.

Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, secretary-general of the SAD and MP from Sangrur, today said the committee preparing the ‘white paper’ under the convenership of Mr Balwinder Singh Bhunder, had sought 15 days to submit its report. Paper includes the alleged corruption in the Amarinder government, recruitment of nears and dears in government departments, and police excesses against the Akalis and common masses etc.

He said Mr Parkash Singh Badal, president of SAD, would release the ‘white paper’ at a function in the first week of July.

Mr Dhindsa further said the SAD was a secular party and had never demanded “Khalistan”, but it had always demanded more powers for the states. He also said the “Shaheed-e-Minaran” in the Darbar Sahib complex would be constructed in memory of all those who had laid down their lives in the “Parikarma” of Harmandir Sahib from the periods of the Mughals, British, and Independent India.

With regard to the recent militancy related activities in the state, Mr Dhindsa held Capt Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister, responsible. He said during the five years regime of the SAD-BJP, nothing had happened. But now both brothers-in-law, Mr Simranjit Singh Mann and Capt Amarinder Singh, were promoting such activities in connivance with each other, which might spoil the peaceful atmosphere of the state. In support of his charges against Capt Amarinder Singh and Mr Mann, he said it was a matter to note that the Ropar Deputy Commissioner had taken such a person to the Ludhiana jail in his car, against whom a sedition case had been registered by the state government, and this could not happen without the knowledge of the Chief Minister.

Mr Dhindsa clarified that Mr Parkash Singh Badal and Bibi Jagir Kaur had not met the Prime Minister to get a case registered against Mr Simranjit Singh Mann. They met the Prime Minister as per an earlier scheduled programme to discuss various Sikh issues, including the ban on turban in France and maintenance of gurdwaras in Pakistan.

Mr Dhindsa also termed the Punjab Government’s proposal, regarding free power supply to tubewells up to August 15, as a “political stunt” in view of the coming Assembly elections.

Nangal, June 18
The people of North India will not face a water shortage this year unlike last year as the water level of the Bhakra Dam today was 75 feet higher than that last year. The rise in the water level is attributed to the continuous increase in the inflow of the water in the dam following the melting of the snow in the higher mountains in its catchments area. The water level of Bhakra was 1542 feet today compared to 1467 feet last year.

Senior officials of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) told The Tribune that following the rise in the water level, the total outflow of the water was 24,700 cusec these days which would be divided among Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan as per their share. Last year, the outflow was about 15,000 cusec.

Since the filling period of water in the dam began on May 20, the BBMB had stored 1 lakh cusec more water in comparison to last year. Similarly, from the Pong Dam, the outflow of the water was 15,000 cusec to these states against 8000 cusec last year.

The water-filling period of the Bhakra dam began on May 20 and will end on September 20. During this period, the water is stored in the dam from the melting of the snow from higher mountains and subsequent rain.

The sources said at present, the water supply to Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan was as per their demand.

Reports from various parts revealed that the residents of these states still facing water shortage in some parts due to a rise in the demand triggered by the rise in the temperature. The supply of water to consumer states would also depend upon the rainfall during the monsoon.

Meanwhile, the power cuts in Punjab will continue as there is still a shortage of about 130 lakh units in the state. While the supply of power from all sources is 1207 lakh units, the demand was 1330 lakh units everyday. At present, the power supply from all thermal units to the state is 417 lakh units, from hydel projects 369 lakh units and from the central grid 460 lakh units.

Sources said as the demand of the power has increased manifold these days, the power cuts in the state would continue unless, the PSEB overcame the crisis by making alternative arrangements from other states.

Chandigarh, June 18
B.Ed aspirants are a harried lot. They turned up in large numbers at Panjab University today to get their roll numbers for the B.Ed entrance test, which is scheduled for June 22.

While the candidates in centres in Punjab are already agitated for the delay in issuing roll number cards by the university, the students who came here to collect their roll numbers had to apply for duplicate roll number cards by shedding another Rs 40.

Meanwhile, taking into account the hiccups in the smooth delivery of roll number cards, the university, which has sent teams to all district headquarters in Punjab for personal delivery of the roll number cards has extended the stay of these teams till Sunday.

In a fresh statement issued today, the PU examination Branch has said that in case students do not receive the roll number for the B Ed entrance test, they can get the information about their examination centres on phone (0172)-2541066 and 2534829 from 9 am to 4 pm, starting Sunday. Such candidates will be delivered their roll numbers in the examination centres on June 21 and 22. The Chandigarh candidates have been instructed by the university to collect their duplicate roll numbers from the university office (new enquiry) on June 20 and 21 against a written request with photograph and acknowledgement and proof of having the form submitted.

Sangrur, June 18
In protest against the arrest of Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), and other leaders of the party, the district unit of the party under the leadership of Bhai Ram Singh, convener, and Mr Jaskaran Singh, general secretary, of the party will take out a protest march here on June 20.

A resolution to this effect was passed at a meeting held under the presidentship of Mr Jeet Singh Alloarkh, district president, of the party at Gurdwara Jyoti Sarup here yesterday.

Mr Alloarkh said the protest march would start from Gurdwara Singh Sabha here and would culminate at the complex of office of the Deputy Commissioner. A memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner would also be submitted he added.

Mr Alloarkh said the agitation would continue till Mr Mann and other leaders of the party were released. He said the party would also organise protest marches at Bathinda (June 22), Faridkot (June 24), Halwara Airforce base (June 26), Amritsar (June 27), Jalandhar (June 28), Patiala (June 30) and Ludhiana (July 4).

Fatehgarh Sahib, June 18
The Congress and the SAD are playing a “friendly match” and are conspiring to destroy the hard-earned peace in the state for petty political gains, Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra, president of the SAD (Longowal), said talking to media persons at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib today.

He said though his party had differences with Mr Simranjit Singh Mann on certain issues but his arrest and humiliation was a great danger to democracy. He said his party condemned the arrest of Mr Mann, which had been “connived by the Government, Mr Badal and Bibi Jagir Kaur.

He said both so-called Sikh organisations had failed to protect the rights of Sikhs in the country and could not get any issue faced by the Sikhs abroad solved.

He said Government had failed on all fronts, including the power crisis. He said instead of promised eight-hour power supply to farmers, power was being supplied only four to six hours.

He said the thermal plants were generating only 60 per cent of their capacity.

Mr Karnail Singh Panjoli, SGPC member, Mr Bharpur Singh Rajindergarh, district president, Mr Lakhbir Singh, youth president, and Mr Kulwant Singh Khara also spoke. 

Chandigarh, June 18
While the Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta) has urged the Punjab Government to announce free power for farmers immediately, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) said on Thursday that it would oppose the power tariff hike announced on June 14.

The president of the Punjab unit of the BSP, Mr Avtar Singh Karimpuri, said the tariff hike would hit the poor sections hard. While the tariff had been increased, people were suffering because of prolonged power cuts in all parts of the state. He accused the Amarinder Singh government of being pro-rich.

The BKU (Ekta), in a separate statement, said that at the behest of the state government, the PSEB was disconnecting the power connections of farmers who were unable to pay their electricity bills. He said injustice was being done by a government which had promised to give free power to the farm sector.

Mr Joginder Singh Ugrahan, president of the BKU (Ekta), said that farmers would hold dharnas in the state on June 20 in protest against the indifferent attitude of the government towards their problems.

Amritsar, June 18
The Shiromani Khalsa Panchayat has demanded that the Punjab Government should withdraw cases of sedition filed against various political leaders and should stop harassing the people associated with Jagtar Singh Hawara.

Mr Rajinder Singh, convener of the Shiromani Khalsa Panchayat, while talking to mediapersons here today alleged that after the arrest of Hawara, about 300 innocent youths on suspicion had been arrested and tortured by the police.

He said Mr Simranjit Singh had not said anything which is against the country. Mr Mann had only repeated the words of former Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, who had said that a separate state should be developed for the Sikhs. He said the Constitution had provided the right to freedom of speech.

He alleged that when the police failed to arrest Avtar Singh Jalalabad, the police arrested his (Avtar) 90-year-old father.

Ropar, June 18
Residents of Railumajra village today protested against death of pregnant woman of their village allegedly due to the negligence of a doctor running a private clinic on the hospital road in the city. The body of Punita was placed in front of the doctor’s clinic and villagers, including women, started raising slogans against him.

The husband of the deceased, Vikram, said his wife had been getting herself examined from this private clinic. On June 7, she was brought to the hospital after she complained of severe pain. The doctor gave her injection and send her back. Later, during night when her condition deteriorated, the doctor told them over the phone to take her to the PGI in Chandigarh.

“I have taken my wife to the CMC, Ludhiana, where doctors said the child had already died and removed it. Thereafter, the doctor referred my wife to the PGI. Now, today morning my wife died” Vikram said.

He alleged that due to the negligence of the doctor, who had given wrong injection, he had lost his wife and a child. He had requested the SHO, city, to register a case against the doctor.

Meanwhile, the Ropar Doctors Association today held meeting over the issue and closed all clinic in protest. The president of the association, Mr R.S. Parmar, said the doctor of the private clinic, Dr Ravinder Pannu, had not done anything wrong. Nowadays, private clinics have become soft target despite the fact that patients was also examined in another hospital. The association and Dr Pannu has denied the allegation levelled against him. No case has been registered till the filing of the report.

Patiala, June 18
The MC authorities have decided to install the statues of Baba Ala Singh, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh and Maharaja Yadwindra Singh, both ancestors of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, for their contribution in different fields.

Official sources said the MC authorities, in a resolution passed in a meeting late last evening, decided to install the statue of Baba Ala Singh to recognise his contribution with regards the foundation of the city. The statue of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh would be installed for his contribution to bring the city on the world map in sports while the statue of Maharaja Yadwindra Singh would be installed for his service for the rehablitation of those who were uprooted during the Partition.

Abohar, June 18
Nearly 191 tricycles, 86 wheelchairs, 82 crutches, 56 calipers, 26 hearing aids and one brail slate were given to physically challenged children at a Viklang Sahayata Camp organised under the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan at the Government Senior Secondary School for Boys here today.

SDM Jaskiran Singh, while handing over the aid, exhorted parents to ensure that the beneficiary children went to school regularly and get education atleast up to Matric or Class XII level. “This will not only relieve the parents of burden but also develop self confidence and urge for self employment among the physically challenged children,” he said.

The basic purpose of presenting such aid, in collaboration with Kanpur-based Alimco, was to check drop out rate in the age group of 3-10 from schools and make them self-dependent. Earlier such efforts were made under the rehabilitation of disabled persons programme of the District Red Cross Society but the plan had been modified under Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan, he added.

Registration of the beneficiaries was started this morning. Chaos marked the distribution ceremony. Bharat Vikas Parishad served meals to all the visitors, some of them had arrived from villages located near the Indo-Pak border and had to traverse more than 50 km distance but the organisers explained that as an austerity measure, joint function of Abohar and Fazilka subdivisions was held here.

Dr Rakesh Arora, district secretary, PCMS Association, and his colleagues had shortlisted the aspirants at a camp held here in January. Accordingly, material was arranged.

Some of the recipients them hailed from villages where the Army was deployed Operation Prakram. Children had lost their limbs when they stepped on landmines .

A spokesman of the Abhiyan said the next camp will be held at Jalalabad West on June 27, the area that had been heavily mined and suffered many casualties after retreat of the troops.

The department plans to construct ramps in schools where physically challenged children were studying to ensure easy use of wheelchairs and tricycles.

Hoshiarpur, June 18
A mock fire drill as per an off-site emergency plan in the presence of members of the District Crises Group, Hoshiarpur, was conducted by the HPCL with the district administration to assess the preparedness and capability of handling any eventuality for the safety of man and property here today. It was carried out under the chairmanship of Mr G.K. Sabharwal, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Hoshiarpur, and in the presence of Mr Jatinder Singh Bhatti, Assistant Director of Factories, Dr Manjit Kaur, Civil Surgeon, and Mr D.S. Josan, Fire Officer, Hoshiarpur.

Representatives from the Indian Air Force, Adampur, M/s Appollo Fibres, Mahavir Spinning Mills and International Tractors Limited participated in the fire drill as mutual aid team members.

The mock fire drill was co-ordinated by Mr Dilbagh Rai, Plant Manager, Hoshiarpur LPG Plant, under the supervision of Mr Chhater Singh, Chief Regional Manager, Hoshiarpur LPG Regional Office.

Mansa, June 18
To solve monetary disputes between farmers and commission agents, a district-level community loans committee was inaugurated on Friday. Mr Rajinder Singh, IGP, Bathinda zone, inaugurated the committee. Speaking at the occasion, Mr Rajinder Singh said the committee would solve the disputes between farmers and commission agents.

AGRICULTURE

BKU wants 1,100 farmers freed
Tribune News Service

Sangrur, June 18
An emergency meeting of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Sidhupur) was held under the presidentship of Mr Pishora Singh Sidhupur, president of the union, at Mastuana Sahib, near here, yesterday. The meeting chalked out a one-day agitation programme to protest against the arrest of about 1,100 farmers in connection with the June 10 Tapa rally of the union and demand their unconditional release from the jail.

Talking to The Tribune, Mr Sidhupur said the meeting had decided to stage a peaceful protest dharna on June 21 in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner here to demand unconditional release of about 1,100 farmers from the jail and punishment for those arhtiyas of Tapa who injured eight farmers on June 2. He said no provocative slogan would be raised at the dharna.

Mr Pishora Singh also expressed his concern over the inadequate power supply to the tubewells during the current paddy season. He said the government should ensure at least eight-hour power supply to the tubewells. He demanded that the hike in the domestic power tariff should be withdrawn. He urged the state government not to attach the properties of those defaulter farmers who were now in jails as part of the farmers’ agitation.

Among others who participated in the meeting were Mr Mani Singh and Mr Pritam Singh Bolewal, vice-president and secretary, respectively, of the BKU (Ekta-Sidhupur); and leaders of the various district units of the union.

Pathankot, June 18
Illegal fishing in the reservoir of Ranjit Sagar Dam (RSD) continues even after a blanket ban has been imposed by the District Magistrate. Fishing in the dam reservoir poses a serious threat to the dam security. The RSD lake, named after Maharaja Ranjit Singh, had been formed upstream of the dam extending up to 22 km with a maximum width of 5 km and a depth of 150 metre. The dam project is an embodiment of the inter-state relationship and cooperation amongst the states of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

The entire area surrounding the dam had been declared sensitive due to security reasons and continuous threats by militants. Even tourists were not allowed to visit the dam without the prior permission of the authorities concerned. But members of the fish mafia have been indulging in the illegal activity unabatedly, sources said.

The RSD Chief Engineer, Mr P.L. Saini, said fishing was completely banned at the lake. He denied that illegal fishing was taking place there.

According to villagers, mafia members have hired jeeps and boats, and more than 50 persons are helping them in the illegal operation of catching fish from the prohibited lake area. The mafia members have created terror in the area. As a result, no one complains against them, said an elderly person of Phangota village.

The local police has booked five persons for illegal fishing in the past year and seized boats used for the purpose.

According to well-placed sources, the police has beefed up security in and around the dam after spotting the presence of some foreign militants in the hilly terrain.

Jalandhar, June 18
The district police booked two young tenants for committing the murder of an old landlady and stealing gold ornaments from her house here today.

Ashish, alias Shiv Kumar of Rohtak, and his accomplice, Reena of Hisar, were nabbed by the police from Gurgaon in connection with an incident that took place last month when Satya Devi was strangulated to death while she was alone at home.

The duo had stolen her gold ornaments and run away. The police recovered Rs 5,000 cash and gold ornaments. A .32-bore revolver was also recovered from his possession.

The preliminary inquiry revealed that Reena was abducted from Hisar by Ashish last year. The SSP said the accused were being produced in the court of Illaqa Magistrate where the police remand was being sought.

Bathinda, June 18
Two persons, including the Sarpanch of Malkana village in Talwandi Sabo block, were murdered early today. The other deceased was a dismissed policeman.

According to sources, the village Sarpanch, Amarjit Kaur, who was also a market committee member, reportedly had illicit relations with Balkaran Singh, a dismissed cop, for the past many years.

Jagdeep Singh, son of Amarjit Kaur, came to know about their relationship and conspired to eliminate both of them.

Today at around 6 am, Jagdeep Singh along with three aides attacked Amarjit and Balkaran Singh with sharp-edged weapons when they were together at the former’s home.

On getting information, the police rushed to the crime scene, but the accused continued to hit both of them in the presence of the police. Balkaran Singh had two daughters and a son, while Amarjit had three sons.

On the basis of the statement of Balkaran’s wife, Jasvinder Kaur, a case has been registered against Jagdeep Singh, Amba Singh, Baljit Singh and Birbal, under Sections 302, 120B and 34, of the IPC. All of them have been arrested. 

Bathinda, June 18
Two persons were killed while another was injured when a car collided head-on with a PRTC bus on the refinery road near Sekho village today.

Sources said the accident occurred when ASI Saroop Singh, his wife Lakhbir Kaur and their son Surjit Singh were on their way from Mandi Dabwali to Talwandi Sabo. Their car collided with a bus that was on its way from Rama Mandi to Bathinda leading to the couple’s death. Their son was rushed to the Civil Hospital, where his condition is reported to be out of danger.

The sources said both vehicles were proceeding at a great speed at the time of collision and the bus dragged the car to a distance leaving it badly crushed.

Moga, June 18
The Kot Ise Khan police has arrested a person who allegedly forced a minor Dalit girl to elope with him last month.

Sources said the accused, Raju, was working at a shop in Fatehgarh Panjtoor. He misled the girl and fled with her on May 24.

The police nabbed him from Mandar village yesterday. In her statement, the girl stated that Raju threatened her with dire consequences and took her away. She also accused him of raping her.

A medical examination of the girl was conducted, after which a case was registered against the accused under Section 376 of the IPC.

Budha Dal students want sponsors
Tribune News Service

Patiala, June 18
Students of Budha Dal Public School, who have once again done the city and the country proud by qualifying for the 12th International Space Settlement Design Competition (ISDC) slated to be held at Kennedy Space Centre, Florida, USA, from July 15 to 18 are finding their future bleak. Neither the government nor any other organisation has come forward to support them.

Last year the school had brought laurels to the city when its students presented a model on space settlement on the moon. The students, who are burning midnight oil to once again to prove themselves in the competition, fear that their labour might go down the drain if no sponsor comes forward to fund their trip.

Last year the Department of Space, Science and Technology and the Punjab Government had jointly sponsored the boarding and lodging of the team, according to the Mr Abhishek Aggarwal, event organiser and instructor. However, this year students were finding difficulty in locating sponsors despite the fact that they were constantly in touch with the state government and other NGOs.

Mr Abhishek added no government functionary seemed to be interested in meeting students despite the fact that when the US Secretary of State came to India she especially met them at the US Embassy.

Mr Amrit Aujla, Principal of the school, said the state government had failed to support students on the pretext of financial crunch. She said the young scientists had tried to meet the Chief Minister and the local MP, but so far, all their efforts have been in vain.

The competition is aimed at teaching the industrial skills to young students who are below 19 years of age. The participating teams will prepare designs for cities in space where over 10,000 people can live.