Karnal, December 26
Tension ran high among the Muslim population here today after allegations that the Chand Sarai mosque, located near the railway station, had been sold off to a businessman who was planning to build a showroom on the site after demolishing the mosque.

Muslims, who were in an agitated mood, gathered at the Kalandri Gate mosque to voice their resentment against this move of the Wakf Board. They said the mosque was a part of the Muslim heritage and selling it off in parts had hurt their sentiments.

They also alleged that officials of the Wakf Board were pocketing the proceeds from the sale of the land and warned that an agitation would be launched in this connection.

An official of the Wakf Board refused to come on record on the issue and said the Haryana Wakf Board was the right authority to comment on the matter.

Panipat, December 26
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today said the state government would made provisions to allot plots in Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) residential sectors to those lawyers who don’t own plots to construct houses.

Hooda was here today to lay the foundation stone of a lawyers’ complex at the upcoming mini-secretariat complex near the GT Road.

The five-storeyed building would have 471 chambers and the cost of construction would be borne by advocates, said Rajbir Kadyan, president of the District Bar Association.

Judges from the Panipat district courts, MLAs and the Karnal MP were other prominent persons present at the stone-laying ceremony.

Recalling the contribution of Shaheed Udham Singh to India’s freedom struggle, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today paid tributes on his 108th birth anniversary.

He said Shaheed Udham Singh was a perfect blend of communal harmony and patriotism who made the supreme sacrifice for the sake of the nation.

Lauding the role of advocates in the freedom struggle, Hooda spoke about Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Maulana Azad’s contribution in particular.

Addressing a gathering this evening, he said the state “has grown as the most preferred state in the county for investors”.

Hooda said the fair judicial system in India was the key to its flourishing democracy.

He said due to the investor-friendly policies of his government in the past three years, Haryana had jumped from the 14th place to the number one slot in per capita investment. He said wheat production had also increased manifold in the state.

Chandigarh, December 26
In order to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the consumers, the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam has completed the setting up of of high voltage distribution system (HVDS) and low voltage distribution system (LVDS) in 15 villages and residential colonies in Panipat district.

A spokesman of the nigam said work had been completed at Khalila Majra, Naya Nara, Osri, Garhi, Tagian, Haldana, Jeetgarh (Beholi), Garhi Nawaban, Bilaspur, Ramra Aar, Tamshabad and Subhash Colony, Binjhol Phatak, Gohana Phatak, Janak Garden-I and Janak Garden-2.

He said work was in progress at Jeetgarh (Madloda), Pavty, Garhi Kewal, Nangla Aar, Nangla Paar, Saini Colony and Anaj Mandi area. The nigam would replace all wires, distribution transformers and erect new cement poles to strengthen the distribution system in these areas.

He said the nigam would bring the entire area under HVDS. The loss-making feeders had been identified, the spokesman said. Field officers had been directed to contact sarpanches and prominent persons of the area and explain to them that the new system would provide interruption free supply of power, he said.

The spokesman said there was a significant reduction in consumer complaints relating to break down as well as damage of distribution transformers in the area already covered by the new system. 

Yamunanagar, December 26
Two uncles of a minor girl, who was a state-level wrestler, allegedly raped her, and to hide their act drowned her in the western Yamuna canal here. The victim, Rinkle (15) of Amadalpur village, was missing from her house since the evening of December 20. Her body was found in the canal this morning.

The incident has created a wave of shock in the area, as people were finding it difficult to ‘believe’ the incident. However it was not clear yet, how the girl was taken away from the village and murdered.

The police has booked four persons, including the two uncles, for rape and murder. One of the uncles Naresh and another accused Akbar, a resident of Sugh village here have been arrested. Other uncle Rimpa, a resident of Sambhli village of Karnal, and fourth accused Kana Ram were absconding.

Rinkle was allegedly raped by the two uncles during the second week of December when the former had gone to visit Naresh at his home. The victim’s family was away to attend a function at the time of the incident.

As per father of the victim Jagpal Singh, Rinkle had told her mother and sisters that she was raped by the two uncles about two weeks ago.

“We noticed that she was undergoing a mental turmoil as she kept crying. On persistent enquiry she told her mother and sisters that she was raped by Naresh and Rimpa at the house of Naresh”, said Jagpal Singh. Doctors performed autopsy on the body at the civil hospital of Jagadhri.

The victim’s family had started investigations at its own level when the girl told about the rape. Jagpal Singh said, “Naresh denied the allegations.”

Rinkle, who had gone to deliver meal to her grandfather, who lives at a distance from her house in the village, on December 20, went missing. All efforts to trace her failed and the matter was reported to the police. The body was noticed struck in the canal this morning. On basis of suspension the police arrested Akbar and uncle Naresh.

Autopsy report suggests that the death took place due to drowning. Viscera has been sent to a forensic laboratory for chemical examination.

The police suspects that when the family started investigations regarding the rape allegations, the uncles and Akbar and Kan Ram killed the girl to escape any allegations of rape. However, it was yet not clear why Akbar and Kana Ram connived with the uncles.

Chandigarh, December 26
The newly formed state coordination committee of the ruling Congress party in Haryana will be holding its first meeting at Haryana Niwas here on January 8.

The meeting will be presided over by Margaret Alva, AICC general secretary, who is looking after party affairs in Haryana. This will be Alva’s first visit to the state after she was given the assignment of Haryana.

According to Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) spokesperson Ved Parkash Vidrohi, during her visit to Chandigarh on January 8 the AICC general secretary would first attend a special general body meeting of HPCC at the state Congress headquarters here. All Congress MPs from the state, party MLAs, office-bearers of district Congress committees, AICC members from Haryana, pradesh Congress committee delegates and former party MPs and party MLAs have been invited to take part in the meeting.

Issues that would be discussed in the meeting include enhancing the membership of the party. The party has done away with the system of having a two-tier membership system consisting of active and primary members.

According to the new system, the party would be directly recruiting active members. An active member would be offered membership for a period of three years. Each year a member would give Rs 300 to the party as membership fee. Margaret Alva, it is expected, will ask the participants to enroll as many active members in the party as possible.

The meeting of the coordination committee, though, is likely to be the most important item on the AICC general secretary’s agenda during her visit to the city. The coordination committee has been set up to act as a bridge between the ruling party and the government. In other words, its function is to ensure that Congress workers get the attention of the government when necessary.

Many a times Congress workers have expressed the feeling that government officials do not pay heed to their requests despite the party being at the helm of affairs in the state. HPCC chief Phool Chand Mullana and Congress MLA and chief of AICC’s farmers cell Shamsher Singh Surjewala are both members of the coordination committee. The two of them are likely to take up in the meeting the issue of the indifference shown towards Congress workers by officials.

While Margaret Alva is the president of the eight-member committee, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Deputy Chief Minister Chander Mohan, HPCC vice-president Kuldeep Sharma, deputy chairperson of the state planning board Ranjit Singh and Congress MLA Prasanni Devi are the other members of the committee.

The previous coordination committee had disgruntled Congress leaders and MLAs Bhajan Lal and Dharampal Malik as members. This committee, which did not hold a single meeting, was dissolved sometime back and the new coordination committee was set up by the party leadership.

Fatehabad, December 26
The standoff between the followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda and members of the Guru Granth Sahib Satkaar Sabha over the holding of akhand path at the residence of a dera follower was resolved today after a son of the dera follower agreed to adopt Sikhism.

Members of the satkaar sabha had taken strong exception to the holding of akhand path at the residence of a dera follower Bal Kishan Kamboj, yesterday.

They had threatened to take away the Guru Granth Sahib to gurdwara in case the dera follower did not sever ties with the dera and adopted Sikhism by accepting a siropa in the village gurdwara.

Tension had mounted in the village after the dera follower refused to give in to the demand of the satkaar sabha and villagers backed him. Police had to be deployed to prevent any untoward incident. However, normalcy returned after some village elders convinced the dera follower and members of the satkaar sabha to reach a compromise.

Eventually, the impasse was resolved after Des Raj, a son of the dera follower announced his decision to sever ties with the dera and accepted siropa presented by the satkaar sabha in the village gurdwara.

Yamunanagar, December 26
A parameter has been set for the free allotment of 100 sq yd plots to poor people belonging to Dalit communities and it is not necessary for the beneficiaries to have their names on the 
BPL list.

Prof Virender Singh, political adviser to the Chief Minister, stated this while addressing a meeting of Congress workers organised by district Congress president (rural) Zakir Hussain in Ganoli village here last evening. He said opposition parties were misleading the public on the BPL issue.

He claimed that the government’s announcement of free plots was a historic step and would go a long way in improving the their living standard. The state had witnessed large-scale protests after the draft of the BPL survey was released.

The political adviser claimed that the government was committed to making the state number one in all fields. He said of the total available power in the state, 875 MW was being received from Bhakra board.

He claimed that the state, under the leadership of Hooda, had become number one in the country in terms of per capita investment (Rs 78,500) and per capita income (Rs 44,151) and number two in gross domestic product (GDP) growth.

He said the government was committed to providing adequate power to people in the state and Rs 13,784 crore would be spent on the production and strengthening of power supply in the state during the 11th Five-Year Plan.

He said the process of setting up of a third unit at Deen Bandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant was under consideration.

Bhiwani, December 26
To run the mining work at Khaanak under its supervision, the district administration today kept tight vigil in the area.

The administration had taken over the mines yesterday following dispute between the lease partners of the quarry and also appointed a receiver. Besides, it promulgated Sections 144 and 145 of the CrPC to avert any untoward incident.

Today, a spell of meetings of high officials continued for the entire day. But reports of issuing coupons and royalty slips were received from the area and labourers under different banners held dharnas and staged demonstration.

It is mentionable that a dispute among lease holders of Khaanak, Dadum and Kharkari Sohan aroused about a fortnight ago and police force had to be deployed in the area.

Bhiwani Deputy commissioner also visited Tosham in this connection today, but his presence reportedly could not prevent the illegal mining. Report said one of the groups of lease holders even delivered coupons among tractor drivers to bring the stones from quarries.

Besides, mixed reports of transportation of trollies loaded with stones from mining area were also received. Though the administration had prohibited mining operation at the Khaanak area, but blasts were done despite orders.

It is also mentionable that no private person could operate mining work under Section 145 of the CrPC and it should be undertaken only under strict supervision of the government.

Official sources said since the government had undertaken the mines of Khaanak, Dadum and Kharkari Sohan under Section 145 and now only government employees had been authorised to charge royalty.

Sources said royalty would be charged at the rate of Rs 240 and out of this Rs 144 would be deposited in the government treasury, and remaining amount to the account of Baba Mungipa Mines and Minerals company.

Deputy commissioner said mining operation would be resumed under official supervision from December 27.

Meanwhile, Haryana Janhit Congress leader Kamal Singh alleged that the government was attempting to oust the contractors just to appease its own men.

Chandigarh, December 26
The state government has increased the income limit of dependents of state government employees for medical reimbursement.

Earlier, a person with an income of Rs 750 per month or less, could qualify as a dependent for the purpose of medical reimbursement provided by the government to its employees. Now the income limit has been pushed to Rs 3,500 per month from the earlier Rs 750.

A directive issued by the government also clarified that fully dependent sisters staying with a government employee would be included in the definition of family for giving medical reimbursement.

It also added that employees would be entitled to claim medical reimbursement of spouse irrespective of whether the spouse was having his/her own income or not.

Jind, December 26
A gang of thieves and robbers specialising in the theft and loot of steel and iron material used in construction work is reportedly active in the district. While steel worth about Rs 50,000 was stolen last night from a nearby village, at least two such incidents have already taken place in the district in the past four weeks.

A group of armed robbers had struck at another village on Monday night and had decamped with material worth over Rs 4 lakh. The looted material was meant for the construction of a sports stadium.

According to reports, the gang made a steel trader at Nagura village their target last night. They took away iron bars and rods kept in the open outside a shop. It is reported that the robbers came in a mini-truck and fled away after loading the material kept in front of the shop - Dalal Cement Store - at the village. The weight of the stolen material has been stated to be around five quintals.

Construction material, including a large quantity of steel, was looted at gunpoint in Igrah village in the district on Monday night from a makeshift store built at the site of the under-constriction stadium. It is claimed that a group of about 15 persons descended at the site around 1 am. They had come in a truck and were able to flee without any resistance after about one and a half hours of operation.

It is stated that the accused locked the watchmen in a room and threatened to shoot them if they tried to raise the alarm. Steel material worth over Rs 3 lakh had also been looted in a similar manner about four weeks ago from the site of the under-construction Regional Study Centre of Kurukshetra University at the Rohtak bypass here.

“Main roads and a majority of the residential colonies in the town lack streetlights due to which robbers strike at will without being caught,” claimed R.S. Punia, a local resident.

He said the authorities should focus on lighting the sensitive areas and providing round-the-clock patrolling on all main roads to check the movement of anti-social elements. 

Sonepat, December 26
Suresh (45), a resident of Gumar village under the Ganaur police station, was allegedly murdered by his elder son Inderjeet with a sharp-edged agricultural implement in their house last night. A dispute over property is stated to be the cause of the murder.

On the complaint of the victim’s second wife Babli, a case of murder has been registered against the alleged accused who is reportedly at large after committing the crime.

Inderjeet (23) was born to the victim’s first wife Darshna, who died just after three years of her marriage.

Later, Suresh married Babli, and they had a son, Pawan, and daughter Sonu. The entire family used to reside in a house constructed in the fields.

In the complaint, it has been alleged that Suresh and Inderjeet slept in the same room, but in the morning Babli found her husband murdered.

She reported the incident to the panchayat and the police. The Ganaur DSP, along with the SHO, visited the spot. The body was sent to the civil hospital here for a postmortem.

Rewari, December 26
On a tip-off, the Rewari district police on Monday conducted a raid at Jatoli village of Gurgaon from where it apprehended a proclaimed offender Udai Singh (34) who had been facing charges of cheating by impersonation, unlawful act and disobedience to quarantine rule.

Subsequently, the accused was produced in the court of Sub-divisional Judicial Magistrate Virender Singh Malik at Kosli, who remanded him in judicial custody.

Sources said Udai Singh, a resident of the Gautam Buddha Nagar area of Uttar Pradesh, who was reportedly a quack and not even possessed the licence of a medical practitioner, had been running his private dispensary at Asia Ki Gorawas village under Rohrai police station of the district.

Following complaints about his objectionable medical practice, a raid was conducted at his dispensary in September last year by the chief medical officer of the district following which the Rohrai police had then registered a case under Sections 419, 269, 270 and 271 of the IPC against the accused.

However, Udai Singh then reportedly went into hiding and when the police failed to trace his whereabouts, it conveyed its inability to the court, which eventually proclaimed him as an offender.

However, recently when Udai Singh came to see his sister at Jatoli village, some one made the revelation to 
the police.