H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

CPM seeks probe into DFO’s death
Shimla, June 30
The CPM today demanded a CBI probe into the death of Nalagarh DFO R.L. Thakur, who died under mysterious circumstances, alleging that he was being pressurized by top government officials to clear the file pertaining to the setting up of the Hero Honda project at Baddi.

Jail conditions bad, alleges village pradhan
Kalpa (Kinnaur), June 30
Overcrowding, lack of basic amenities and abusive conditions of confinement are complaints of inmates of the two-cell jail situated in this village. Some of them are lodged here in judicial custody for a short period and some of them have been put behind the bars for a longer period.

CPM seeks probe into DFO’s death
Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 30
The CPM today demanded a CBI probe into the death of Nalagarh DFO R.L. Thakur, who died under mysterious circumstances, alleging that he was being pressurized by top government officials to clear the file pertaining to the setting up of the Hero Honda project at Baddi.

In a statement issued here today, the member of the state secretariat of the CPM, Mr Tikender Singh Panwar, said that it was only a thorough probe which would reveal the truth behind the death of an upright and honest officer. He said that the body of the DFO was found with 40 per cent burns, whereas the vehicle had not caught fire and there were no traces of fire anywhere around.

The CPM leader said the deceased officer was under tremendous pressure to hasten with the file for the setting up of the Hero Honda project at Baddi. “Why was the government so keen to lease out land worth Rs 360 crore for just Rs 17 crore to Hero Honda, he quipped. He said 8,000 fully grown trees and 48,000 saplings would have to face the axe for the coming up of the Hero Honda project on forest land

He said what was more surprising was the manner in which the file was cleared immediately after the death of the DFO, Nalagarh, by giving the charge to his Kunihar counterpart. “What was the exigency to clear the file the same day. Whereas it was only the Secretary, Forest, who was competent to give charge, in this case it was Conservator who gave charge to the DFO, Kunihar,” said Mr Thakur.

He alleged that out of the last four calls received by the DFO, one was from a senior Hero Honda official based in Panchkula.