New Delhi, October 24
With another person succumbing to the dreaded disease in one of the hospitals, the death toll rose to 50 today. A total of 69 fresh cases were reported in various hospitals of the National Capital Territory of Delhi but health officials attributed the increase to under-reporting during the festival weekend.

The falling temperatures have already sounded the death knell for the dengue causing Aedes Aegypti mosquito. The mercury dipped to a minimum of 16.5 degrees Celsius in the Capital, a temperature at which the Aedes mosquito cannot breed.

According to experts, the mosquito breeds less vigorously in temperatures ranging between 18 degrees and 24 degrees Celsius and stops breeding completely once the mercury dips below 18 degrees.

Snowfall and rains in north India led to a dip in the temperature in Delhi, which recorded a low of 16.5 degrees Celsius today, the weather office said. The weatherman, however, said winter was yet to set in and lower temperatures were due to regional disturbances in the weather conditions.

With 69 fresh cases, the total number of dengue patients in the Capital this year rose to 2,173. On Sunday, 56 fresh cases were reported in the Capital, while 53 patients with dengue were admitted to various hospitals yesterday. “The increase in the number of patients is primarily due to non-reporting of dengue cases by smaller hospitals over the past three days on account of Divali holidays,” an MCD official said.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Office has forecast a mainly clear sky likely to become partly cloudy towards the evening and thundery development in some areas of the Capital during the next 24 hours.

The weathermen have forecast another spell of rainfall in the coming week due to a fresh western disturbance.

“A fresh western disturbance is likely to affect the western Himalayan region and the adjoining northern plains from October 25 to 27,” the weathermen said.

The weather office has forecast an increase in rainfall activity in northwest India, especially in the western Himalayan region from tomorrow onwards.

New Delhi, October 24
An illness saved a newborn baby from being separated from his parents as the police arrested two youths who had allegedly kidnapped the boy for selling him to an issueless widow.

The 17-day-old baby boy, who fell ill after he was kidnapped, was rescued after the kidnappers abandoned him, leading to their arrests and a recovery of Rs 2.9 lakh received as advance from one of the accused.

Kaushik Chakravarti (26), belonging to Sonepat in Haryana, and Mohd Raja (25) from Bawana in Delhi were arrested for allegedly kidnapping the boy for selling him to Parkashi of Hisar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North-West) Manish Agrawal said today.

A case was registered on October 20 after the baby’s father, Gopal, complained to the police his newborn baby was missing from his JJ colony residence in Bawana.

Two days later, Chakravarti reported to the Kharkhoda police in Haryana a drunken man had abandoned a baby. Suspecting that the infant might be the same boy, they informed the Delhi police, the DCP said. Later, Gopal identified the baby as his son.

Meanwhile, the police, suspicious of the statement made by Chakravarti, put him under sustained interrogation.

A panic-stricken Chakravarti abandoned the baby as he fell ill before he could hand it over to his client.

Chakravarti was approached by Parkashi, an issueless widow, who wanted to adopt a newborn so that he could inherit her property, Mr Agrawal said.

Parkashi’s husband and father-in-law were murdered last year. Chakravarti, who was paid an advance of Rs 2.9 lakh for the baby, conspired with his friend Raja. The latter lifted the baby from Gopal’s house in Bawana on the intervening night of October 19 and 20.

Raja was paid Rs 10,000 by Chakravarti for committing the crime, the DCP said, adding that the two were subsequently arrested and the amount was recovered from them. 

Gurgaon/Faridabad, October 24
The first phase of the ambitious Common Integration Police Application (CIPA) was launched at the Sadar police station in Gurgaon today.

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), Haryana, Dr John V. George, inaugurated the programme here. Under the programme, all the police stations of the state would be computerised and integrated with each other.

According to officials, five police stations in Gurgaon, namely Sadar, City, DLF, Udyog Vihar and Sector 5, will be covered under the first phase of the programme.

In the second phase, all police stations in the district as well as those falling in the National Capital Region will be covered. In the final phase, the police stations in the state will be linked with others, numbering about 15,000, across the country.

The officials present on the occasion said that the final phase would be completed within three years.

The programme was also launched at Sarai Khwaja police station in Faridabad where the ADGP announced that six new police stations would also be set up in Faridabad district in the near future. He added that the police force in the NCR would also be strengthened and for this, at least 50 new vehicles had already been sanctioned with adequate number of police personnel to man them.

He claimed that the computerisation process would help in maintaining proper records, which could be easily revised on time. He added that this would also increase the working capacity of all the police stations, besides reducing paper work.

The new computerisation system would be developed on a special software and each computer would be linked with the office system of the SSP and DSP concerned so that the senior officials could check and counter-check criminal records and cases recorded by the department within a certain time period at any time.

There are 19 police stations in the district, including 12 in Faridabad city and five in Faridabad Rural whose head office is located at Palwal.

An official of the rank of SP had recently been posted for Faridabad (Rural), besides the SSP, at the district headquarters here.

However, of the sanctioned strength, there is a shortage of about 910 personnel in the police department in the district.

A total number of 2,360 police personnel are posted in urban, while 390 are deployed in the rural areas. Besides 19 Police Control Rooms, there are 29 riders for patrolling in the district.

New Delhi, October 24
Delhi Government is planning to expand and upgrade the Centralised Accident and Trauma Services (CATS) to provide international-level healthcare facilities during Commonwealth Games 2010.

The existing fleet of 50 CATS ambulances is inadequate for the population of Delhi, especially considering the likely requirements during the prestigious international games to be held in the Capital four years from now, a senior functionary of the Health Department said.

He pointed out that the government had plans to acquire 450 new-generation ambulances, which would have adequate space in the cabin where patients could be provided credible pre-hospital care.

New Delhi, October 24
A day after the Centre assured that all derogatory remarks against any community found in the textbooks published by the NCERT would be removed with immediate effect, the Central Board of Secondary Education has notified all affiliated schools to drop the portion from the history syllabus that was found offensive by the Jats.

In a communication to all schools, the board has said the offending portion on page 18 of the history textbook for class XII, “Modern India”, published by the NCERT, should not be taught in classrooms.

Members of the Jat community had raised objections to certain portions of the text which, they alleged, were derogatory. A delegation headed by Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda had urged Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh to remove the derogatory remarks against the Jat community in the class XII textbook.

The paragraph which now stands deleted from the syllabus reads, “After the death of Aurangzeb, they created disturbances all around Delhi. Though originally a peasant uprising, the Jat revolt, led by zamindars, soon became predatory. They plundered all and sundry, the rich and the poor, the jagirdars and the peasants, the Hindus and the Muslims. They took active part in the court intrigues at Delhi, often changing sides to suit their own advantage.”

The board has now asked schools not to teach the said portion in the classrooms or ask questions based on it in any examination.

Mr Arjun Singh assured Mr Hooda here last evening any derogatory remarks against any caste or community found published in NCERT books would also be removed.

New Delhi, October 24
Following Delhi Government’s notifications, making the use of solar heating and CFL bulbs mandatory in commercial buildings, BSES has announced an innovative scheme to mark the ongoing festival season.

Under the scheme, a BSES customer buying a CFL bulb, backed by a one-year replacement warranty, will get another of the same wattage free of cost. Explaining the dynamics of the offer, a BSES official said, “All a customer has to do is visit our 33 customer care centres and 32 select cash counters and show a copy of the last paid bill (from September 1 onwards) to avail the offer. Also, there is no restriction on the number of bulbs a customer can buy”. 

New Delhi, October 24
With the Group of Ministers on the sealing issue virtually ruling out intervention to cease the court-ordered MCD drive, a group of traders today met chief minister Ms Sheila Dikshit, in yet another bid to save their shops from the municipal action.

“We have urged the chief minister to put pressure on the Central Government to give a general relief to the traders who have been running their business establishments in the residential areas till December 31, 2005,” said Mr Praveen Khandelwal of the Confederation of All India Traders.

He claimed that Ms Dikshit, whom they had met at her official residence here, was sympathetic and “assured all possible help by talking to the Home Minister on the issue as it would also result into a law and order problem in the city.”

“We have also urged the chief minister to apprise the Center of the economic crisis the state would possibly face if sealing is resumed in the city from November 1,” he said, adding that “The Delhi Government will incur huge revenue loss as VAT earnings will drastically reduce.”

“The Union Urban Development Minister had promised to bring an amendment in the Constitution in the Parliament last session. It’s high time that he keeps his promises,” Mr Khandelwal asserted.—PTI

New Delhi, October 24
In ruins after having been neglected for decades, Nicholson’s cemetery in the Capital—a heritage site dating back to the Colonial times— has undergone major restoration work.

The cemetery, believed to be the second oldest in Delhi, has been renovated by the British High Commission along with Group 4 Securicor (G4S), a company providing security services.

British Army General John Nicholson, along with several other soldiers, was buried here during the 1857 uprising. Nicholson was one of the key figures in the 1857 rebellion and he led the British Army in retaking the regime of Delhi.

“So far, nobody had taken the initiative for renovating the site spread in almost nine acres,” G4S regional president David Hudson said.

British High Commissioner Michael Arthur today visited the renovated historical site, where Rs five lakh have been spent on renovation and the work is still under progress.

Sir Arthur said he was happy with the renovation work done at the cemetery and said the High Commission is looking forward to restoring many other Commonwealth war graves.

The site was proving to be the safe haven for anti-social elements and drug addicts, creating security problems in the area. About seven feet of grass covered the whole site and most of the tomb stones were ruined and vandalised.

Nicholson’s tomb was broken at several places and it was really hard to locate the place two years back. The grave has been restored especially and the tombstone is now surrounded with iron grills for safety. Other tombstones have also been cleaned and the grass surrounding them has been trimmed neatly to give a clean look to the site.

New Delhi, October 24
In order to explore the opportunities and challenges inherent in the ongoing process of dialogue between India and Pakistan, Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace (WISCOMP) will bring together 30 of its alumni from India and Pakistan to participate in the Fifth Annual Conflict Transformation Workshop, ‘Collaborative Explorations’, scheduled to be held from October 28 to November 4 at India International Centre.

The workshop will include various sessions focusing on regional security and peace building between India and Pakistan. It will seek to go beyond the framework of the composite dialogue and the role that civil society can play in processes of peace-building. The participants will be encouraged to consider the possibilities for cooperation offered by collaborative mechanisms for combating terrorism besides viewing religion as a resource for peace.

The workshop will also look at issues of regional security, including the management of nuclear capabilities, energy security and water security. It will include a session on the Kashmir conflict and facilitate a discussion on the issue in order to put forth concrete recommendations, particularly on the themes of territoriality, sovereignty, autonomy and borders.

Through the format of film screenings, the participants will be sensitised to issues such as displacement, impact of conflict on women’s lives and the need to engage in dialogue. Some films which will be screened during the workshop include ‘Khamosh Pani’, ‘Autumn’s Final Country’, ‘Paradise on the River of Hell’ and ‘Crossing The Lines: Kashmir, Pakistan, India’.

New Delhi, October 24
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) plans to showcase its many technological capabilities at a three-day international exhibition and conference to be held here tomorrow. BHEL has a massive Rs 1,600 crore facility modernisation and capacity augmentation programme, which is currently under way.

BHEL’s capacities will be featured at their pavilion at the Powergen India and Central Asia 2006 expo, which will especially highlight the company’s capabilities in the power sector, using pictorial displays of thermal and hydro power stations, combined cycle power plants and gas turbines alongside references, comments on success stories and an impressive track record which BHEL holds in the domestic and overseas markets. The exhibition is likely to be inaugurated by the Power Minister, Mr Sushil Kumar Shinde.

New Delhi, October 24
Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Iswariya Viswa Vidyalaya is going to organise a 10-day world peace festival at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium starting from October 27. The event is part of its platinum jubilee celebrations on entering the 70th year of its inception.

Mr Shivraj Patil, Union Home Minister, will inaugurate the function. The Chief Minister, Ms Sheila Dikshit, will also grace the occasion. More than 20,000 people from different walks of life across the globe are expected to participate in this mega carnival.

“As an international initiative to celebrate the spirit of peace, which lies at the core of every human heart, this mega event aims at promoting the values of peace as an active force and essential experience in human awareness, in interaction and work, for creating and spreading a culture of peace, truth, tolerance, understanding and amity on earth,” said Mr B. K. Sushant, national convenor of the organisation, at a press conference here today.

An all-India campaign against female foeticide will be launched by the organisation during the event, which will be inaugurated by Congress president Sonia Gandhi on November 4 at a function at Siri Fort Auditorium. The Delhi Mayor, Mr Farhad Suri, will felicitate the head of this organisation, Dadiji, for her selfless service.

New Delhi, October 24
Id-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy, fasting month of Ramzan, was celebrated with the usual fervour and gaiety in the Capital today.

Thousands of people dressed up in new clothes descended on the Capital’s markets after offering the traditional prayers at various mosques. The biggest congregation was seen at the historic Jama Masjid.

Coinciding with Id today was the Hindu festival of Bhaiya Dooj, where women greet their brothers and pray for them.

With a large number of people out on the streets to celebrate, traffic in the Capital was thrown out of gear. Snarls were reported from various parts of the Capital despite the fact that the government had declared a holiday today with all government offices and banks remaining closed.

The police said most of the traffic comprised people and families travelling to visit their relatives to exchange greetings. The situation eased a little by late evening.

Meanwhile, the police said a strict vigil was maintained in all areas of the Capital, particularly the markets of the walled city, to prevent any untoward incident.

New Delhi, October 24
The Delhi Pradesh BJP president, Dr Harsh Vardhan, has demanded a public holiday on October 28 and 29 on the occasion of Chhat Puja, a festival which is celebrated by people hailing from Bihar and Poorvanchal.

In a statement issued here today, he said more than 40 lakh people from the region lived in Delhi and most of them had a harrowing time going home for the festival. He said to meet the rush of travellers to Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, even the special arrangements made by the Railway Ministry were not adequate.

Demanding that the government should take the initiative to declare a public holiday on the occasion of Chhat festival every year, he said this had been a long-standing demand of the people as well.

On the occasion of Chhat Puja, men and women pay obeisance to the Sun God and offer prayers on the banks of water bodies.

New Delhi, October 24
Two youths charged with abducting and raping two sisters have been let off by a sessions court after one of the girls claimed that she willingly married one of the accused.

“Both the girls have not supported the prosecution case as regards their inducement or rape,” the court observed, while absolving the two friends Rajiv and Ram Kumar of the charges of rape, kidnapping and illegal confinement. The court also noted that no incriminating material had come up against the accused, while there was also no indication that the girls were forcibly detained by them.

A case was registered against the two youths – Rajiv from Bareilly, UP, and Ram Kumar, a resident of Sultanpuri here, under Sections 363 (kidnapping), 366 (kidnapping to compel marrige), 368 (keeping in confinement abducted persons) and 376 (rape) of the IPC following a complaint by one Raghubir Singh with Sultanpuri police station on April 16, 2003.— PTI

New Delhi, October 24
Three relatives of a driver, who allegedly took away a car and Rs 15 lakh from a property dealer here, have been arrested from Gopal Ganj in Bihar.

Driver Babu Hasan, 28, however, was still on the run. His sister-in-law, mother-in-law and maternal uncle have been arrested and Rs 11.40 lakh recovered from their residences in Gopal Ganj

Satpal Rathi, a property dealer, had complained to the police Hasan took away his car and Rs 15 lakh from his office in Najafgarh on October 11. A case was registered. During the course of investigation, the car was recovered from Bahadurgarh on October 12, the police informed today.

On a tip-off, a Delhi Police team, which was stationed at Gopal Ganj, raided the houses of Hasan’s relatives, sister-in-law Naheed (35), mother-in-law Mamoon Nesa (52) and uncle Gausula Ajam (55).—OC

New Delhi, October 24
Four persons have been arrested by the North-West Delhi police for allegedly killing a 17-year-old boy after kidnapping him and then demanding a ransom of Rs 10 lakh from his father.

According to the police, Sanjay, a resident of Gagan Vihar, had lodged a complaint with the Mongolpuri police on Saturday that his son, Anil, had gone to his shop in F-Block on October 20 and had been missing since. On Saturday, Mr. Sanjay also got a call on his mobile phone from Anil’s mobile phone in which the caller told him that his son was in their custody and that he should pay Rs. 10 lakhs in ransom for his son’s safety.

Following investigations, the police managed to trace Vijay alias Monty, who was very close to Anil.

The police questioned him hoping to get some clues about Anil’s whereabouts. During the questioning, some contradictions appeared in Vijay’s version of the sequence of events. He was then questioned at length following which he allegedly confessed to having kidnapped and killed Anil. At his instance, three of his alleged accomplices — Vijay, Azim and Nahid — were also arrested.

The accused had dumped the body in the Hindon river.

The Sahibabad police had recovered the body on Saturday night. The police have also recovered the weapon of offence. 

Gurgaon, October 24
The police claimed to have busted a gang of robbers targeting industrial units at night.

Addressing mediapersons here yesterday, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) said that seven robbers led by one Amar Singh, alias K P Singh, alias Prem Bahadur, allegedly entered Haryana Roadways Engineering Works at Behrampur at about 2 am yesterday.

Armed with a countrymade gun and knives, they allegedly overpowered and tied up a private agency’s security guard posted there.

Their accomplices then drove in with a truck and loaded costly aluminum and copper components worth Rs 3 lakh, kept in the compound before fleeing towards Delhi.

The guards untied themselves after a while and informed the police, which intercepted the vehicle near Udyog Vihar, about five kilometres from the scene of the crime.

Amar Singh allegedly tried to jump from the speeding vehicle, but was caught. Four of his arrested accomplices were identified as Keshar, Budh Sen, Yaseen and Vishanu. Budh Sen and Yaseen belong to Uttar Pradesh, while the others hail from Nepal, the DSP said.

Two of them managed to escape from the spot.

Amar Singh was allegedly sentenced in 2000 to six years of imprisonment for committing a robbery in Rewari. The gang allegedly admitted to their involvement in various robberies in Noida, Sohna, Bhadurgarh and Gurgaon areas, the police claimed.

Faridabad, October 24
A foreigner and his daughter were found dead in mysterious circumstances in a house here, police said today.

Bilfred Norman and his daughter Shipra were living in a rented house in Sector 23. Both of them were found dead in their bedrooms, sources said.

An FIR was lodged with the Mujesar police station and the bodies were sent for post-mortem. The investigations are on to nab the culprits, the police said.—UNI