New Delhi, May 2
The BJP’s call for a nationwide bandh in protest against the price spiral today evoked a mixed response in Delhi with traders in some parts of the city downed shutters. 

While shops in Sadar Bazar, Chandni Chowk, Khari Baoli, Loha Market Ajmeri Gate, Nai Sarak, Bhagirath Place and Vikas Marg downed shutters, those in many other areas like Lajpat Nagar, South Extension, Seelampur, Shahdara remained open. There was a curfew-like situation in Nabi Karim Paharganj and Sadar Bazar markets. Children were seen playing cricket.

BJP activists led by its Delhi chief Harsh Vardhan, carried out demonstrations against the sharp hike in prices of essential commodities in many parts of the state. The workers of all the 16 districts and 280

‘mandals’ under the leadership of their seniors toured all the prominent markets and appealed to the traders to close their business. There was unprecedented zeal among the traders in wholesale markets.

Carrying party flags and placards, the activists appealed to the traders to close shutters of their shops in support of the bandh call.

The people along with BJP workers raised anti-Congress government slogans and demanded the resignation of the UPA government at Centre and Congress government in Delhi.

Ramesh Kumar, a shopkeeper in Khari Baoli, said prices are rising due to the anti-people policies of the government. Now raids are being conducted by the food supplies department just to show that the government is making efforts to control prices. The price has risen not only in Delhi, it has risen all over. The government is conducting raids here, what about other states, he asked.

Rohit Khandelwal in Sadar Bazar said that this government is against traders as it is doing nothing for their betterment. Traders have already suffered a lot due to the sealing drive. They will try their best to overthrow the Congress government in Delhi.

In Lajpat Nagar and South Extension, markets were open. When asked, a few shopkeepers expressed their dissatisfaction with the government’s policies.

Delhi chief Harsh Vardhan said the Congress government claimed that it has controlled the price spiral which is not true. Today, the inflation increased to 7.57 per cent which is a record and it is the highest inflation during the UPA rule. In spite of claims of record foodgrain production, the government could not bring down the price spiral even by one per cent, Vardhan pointed out.

The workers of all the mandals of Karol Bagh, Mayur Vihar, Chandni Chowk, Keshav Puram, Sadar, Shahdara, Naveen Shahdara, East Delhi, Narela, New Delhi, South Delhi, West Delhi, Punjabi Bagh, Bawana, Najafgarh and Mehrauli BJP districts took out rallies, he said.

According to the Karol Bagh district president Ravinder Gupta, Karol Bagh, Patel Nagar Market, Rajender Nagar, Paharganj, Shankar Market, Ajmal Khan Road Market remained completely closed.

In Chandni Chowk, the BJP national general secretary Vijay Goel took out a march and called upon the traders to make the strike successful.

Under the leadership of Chandni Chowk district president Virender Sachdeva, the traders of Loha Market, Chawri Bazar, Pipe Market, Ajmeri Gate, Sarva Vyapar Chandni Chowk, Furniture Market, Jhandewalan, Kinari Bazar, Khari Baoli, Saree Market and Nai Sarak participated in the bandh and kept their shops closed. 

New Delhi, May 2
Most of the major wholesale and commercial markets remained closed in the Capital today, as part of the protest against the ongoing sealing drive.

More than five lakh traders participated in the strike bringing commercial activity to a halt said a spokesman of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT).

The traders appealed to the government to intervene and protect their livelihood.

Trade leaders from different markets of Delhi gathered at Rajghat and protested in shorts, vests and ties. They claimed that it symbolised sealing, price rise and likely eviction from shops that had virtually forced well-off traders to struggle for survival. They also paid tribute to the Father of the Nation. They said that sealing had left them with no option but to hold shops on pavements.

Raising slogans like — “Vyapari rahe samman se, vyapar kare swabhiman se,” they took out a protest march in their respective markets.

All major wholesale and retail markets including Connaught Place, Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Kamla Nagar, Karol Bagh, Kashmiri Gate, Khari Baoil, Naya Bazar, Bhagirath Palace, Rajouri Garden, Jail Road, Rohini, Ashok Vihar, Pitampura, Lajpat Nagar, South Extension, Kirti Nagar, Patel Nagar, Naraina, Uttam Nagar, Vikaspuri, Kalkaji, Tughlaqabad, Yusuf Sarai, Vikas Marg, Mandawali, Gandhi Nagar, Shahdara, Bhajanpura, Jagatpuri, Mayur Vihar, Preet Vihar, Kamla Market, Ajmeri Gate, Shradhanand Marg remained closed.

The drive being carried out by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) violates certain provisions of the MCD Act. The MCD is allegedly carrying illegal sealing, as it is violating the statutory provisions of the MCD Act, 1957. Under Section 345 of the Act, it is mandatory to send individual notice before taking any penal action. While on the other hand, as per Section 471, the MCD Commissioner can initiate proceedings only within six months from the date of first information of the misuser and after the lapse of the period the MCD loses the right of any penal action.

Though the civic body was familiar with the mushrooming of commercial establishments, no action was taken by the MCD under Sections 407, 408, 409 and 410. Moreover, the commissioner never declared any area as prohibited for carrying out commercial activities as per Section 419 of the MCD Act. Therefore, the sealing conducted for last two years is illegal. The rights of traders have been encroached and the principle of natural justice has been flouted, the leaders alleged. 

New Delhi, April 2
Five incidents of fire were reported from different parts of the Capital today. The incidents left three persons dead while seven injured. The first incident was reported from the Khichdipur area of East Delhi at around 2 a.m. where a three-storeyed building caught fire. 

Three out of eight members of a family including Roza, 30, Karan Singh, 40 and Nutan 20, died. Others have suffered 50 to 60 per cent burns. They have been admitted to the Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital. A short-circuit in the fuse is believed to be the cause of the fire. Property worth lakhs has been destroyed.

Meanwhile, local residents allege that delay in the arrival of fire brigade caused excess damages. “I called the fire office but the vehicles reached here only after 20 minutes,” said Netram who lives near the building that caught fire. He added that by the time fire vehicles arrived, locals had rescued people from the second and third floors. However, fire officials have denied any carelessness or delay on their part.

The second incident was reported from the Kabul Nagar area in East Delhi at around 5 a.m., where a plastic factory caught fire. Two persons have received minor injuries. Eight fire tenders were sent to control the situation. It took more than an hour to bring the situation under control. The cause of fire and the amount of loss are yet to be ascertained.

A similar incident was reported in a paperboard factory near Tikona Marg in the Madipur area around 6.30 a.m. No loss of life or property has been reported. The fire was controlled in over 30 minutes.

The fourth incident took place at Pan Mandi in Sadar Bazar, where fire broke out at around 8.20 a.m. in a basement used for making electronic goods. Goods and electronic items worth lakhs were destroyed. The cause of fire is yet to be ascertained. However, some people said that a lighted matchstick left by a worker had caused the fire. While others blamed a spark in the wiring.

A minor fire was also reported at Barista restaurant of Greater Kailash-II market around 1.40 p.m. According to fire officials, the fire was caused due to spark in the generator and inventor fittings. No injury has been reported. The situation was brought under control in few minutes.

New Delhi, May 2
With the arrest of two persons — Satender and Ravinder of Aligarh, the Delhi Police has busted an interstate gun racket. They were arrested from near the Apollo Hospital in Sarita Vihar.

Six pistols (one .315 bore double barrel specially modified), six .32 bore and three .315 bore live cartridges have been recovered.

According to the police, the weapons were smuggled into the Capital and then were delivered to gangsters and robbers operating in Delhi and NCR.

The two, in the age group of 18 to 20 years, had arrived near the Apollo Hospital in Sarita Vihar on a red colour Pulsar motor cycle with ‘police’ inscribed on the wiser.

Over a week ago, head constable Raj Kumar learnt that the weapons were manufactured in Aligarh and the two would come to Delhi. A police team was soon deputed to Aligarh. It was found that weapons were being manufactured and supplied by organised racketeers. They were also being supplied to some major gangs in Western Uttar Pradesh. 

The two disclosed of being involved in the gun racket since the past two years and that the kingpin is based in Agra. The weapons are manufactured in Agra and Aligarh.

Those who run the racket in UP and Delhi have also been identified. Ravinder has been involved in four cases under Arms Act, theft.

Noida, May 2
Hearsay among people in Uttar Pradesh has led to the high incidence of polio in the state. A team which went to administer polio drops to under five children here, met with a considerable resistance from parents.

“These drops will make our children paralytic”,said some parents in Harola village. Dr. Anil Kumar ,who led the team ,tried to convince the parents,but could not. Later, Dy CMO Dr. P.K. Singh was able to persuade the parents to bring out their children for polio drops.

Earlier, in a number of villages parents asked the mobile teams to return, and the police had to intervene. Police officer said due to ignorance and prejudic many parent don’t want their kids to be given polio drops. Many parents feel that polio drops would make their children blind or ill.

‘Though the quality of polio vaccine and drops in government dispensaries was of much better quality, most urban people still take their kid to private clinics or hospitals for polio drops’, said Dr. P.K. Singh. In most hospitals the vaccine was available at a lower price than the market.On an average, in some city hospitals 20 to 25 kids get polio drops daily.

New Delhi, May 2
The Amity International Schools have launched the Amity International Children’s Science Foundation in order to promote scientific talent among the children and emphasise the importance of climate and clean environment.

The first initiative of the Foundation, “Vasudha- Amity Children’s Science Congress- 2008” with the theme “Our Earth: explore, share and care” was launched last week and is aimed at disseminating information on the importance of green earth and natural resources.

A series of activities would take place under “Vasudha-Amity Children’s Science Congress- 2008”. The selected students from all Amity International Schools- Noida, East Delhi, Saket, Pushp Vihar, Gurgaon, will prepare projects on different scientific themes, which will be exhibited in July 2008.

In September 2008, Amity International Schools will conduct School Level Children’s Science Congress. Thereafter, the best projects will compete with the projects of students of District Level Congress of NCSC (National Children’s Science Congress) and State Level Congress of NCSC in October 2008 and November 2008 respectively. After a thorough scrutiny at these levels, the best projects from all over the country will be brought together in December 2008 when students will share their learning and celebrate the scientific spirit.

Giving details of the Foundation,Amita Chauhan, chairperson, Amity International Schools, emphasized the prime objective of the Foundation, which is to inculcate scientific attitude, inquisitiveness and creativity amongst the students. The Foundation will encourage children to envision the future of the nation and help build a generation of sensitive and responsible citizens. She called upon the students to utilize the resources provided to them in the best way and bring glory to their school and country.

Inaugurating Amity International Children’s Science Foundation and its first initiative, P.S, Goyal, secretary, ministry of earth sciences, applauded the efforts of Amity International School for taking such an “awakening initiative” which will create scientific awareness amongst younger generation.

Talking about the all-pervasive nature of science, Goyal said that science is a way of life and it is all around us. Even in trivial daily routine, one can see the application of science.

Ashok K Chauhan, founder president, Amity, blessed the students and motivated them to work towards bringing laurels to the country in science and technology. He expressed his belief in the capabilities of the students and hoped that with their contribution, India will become the biggest contributor of science and technology in the world.

Other initiatives planned under Amity International Children’s Science Foundation are Amity International Animation Film Festival on Environment, Plantation of Herbal Garden and Dhananajay Mohan Science Debating Competition.

Ghaziabad, May 2
In about two months admissions will start in all prestigious universities, but Chaudhary Charan Singh University’s students would still be waiting for their results. Without their result cards in hand, they will not be able to secure admission in any other university. Perforce these students will have to save their year by seeking admission in Chaudhary Charan University only or wait for the next year.

In about 222 affiliated colleges of this university 50,000 students are taking final year examination for BA, B.Sc, B.Com, MA, M. Com, etc.

According to university officials, these exams will continue till mid June. After which evaluation will take another three months. That means results will be declared by September 2008 and students will get their result card by September end. By then it will be too late for final year students to get admission in any other college or university.

According to sources, this year too admission in JNU and Delhi University will be over by July end. Even though some students may secure a place in the merit list, they will not be able to get admission in these universities without their result cards. This was the story last year also when hundreds of CCS university students had to forgo admission in Delhi university and JNU for want of result cards.

CCS University, it is learnt plans to announce the final year results on priority basis. But according to Nand Kishore Gujjar, President of students union, S.D. College, University may make any claims, but it will be impossible to declare the results before September. 

New Delhi, May 2
Providing temporary relief to a senior citizen, Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to supply him drinking water as long as there was water shortage in the Capital.

Justice Kailash Gambhir directed DJB to supply water to Nawal Singh, 68, who approached the court after knocking doors of various agencies for adequate supply of water in the Dwarka area.

The court also issued notice to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and DJB on Singh’s plea.

Singh in his petition stated that the water situation had been very bad in Dwarka’s Sector 6 since 2006. He said that despite several complaints to DJB, no action had been taken.

Singh also stated that he had to walk for 50 metres every day to fetch water.

However, the agency blamed the installation of illegal booster pumps in the area for the poor water supply. — IANS

Noida, May 2
Three workers were killed at a construction site here on Friday when a lift carrying them came tumbling down from the fifth floor after its cord suddenly snapped.

Jaideep, 18, Mazloom, 40, and Sunil, 25, died instantly in the accident at Sector 62 of the IT Park at Noida, adjoining the Indian capital, superintendent of police Sadhna Goswami said.

Police said a criminal case had been slapped against three persons, including the chairman of the construction company, an engineer and the trolley operator. — IANS

New Delhi, May 2
Three women and a man were arrested yesterday for selling children across several states.

The Tilak Marg police here had received information that a woman called Jyoti was looking for someone who could buy a three-day-old female infant from her. A woman constable was used as a decoy customer and Jyoti was called at Bengali Market to fix the deal. When Jyoti, along with her accomplices arrived, the constable dressed in civilian clothes approached her. Jyoti demanded Rs 50,000 for the child. During the course of the transaction, a raid was conducted and two women were caught red-handed while the infant was recovered.

Two more persons, a man and a woman, were also arrested during investigation. It was revealed that this racket of selling children had been carried out for some years. They have also sold children in Delhi and other states like Rajasthan, Punjab.

New Delhi, May 2
A special cell team has arrested three persons— Sunil, Praveen Walia and Vipin in connection with the loot of a car and the murder of its driver Upender in January this year. The trio have confessed to their crime. The police has recovered driver’s credit card, coat and mobile from them.

The three said that they killed Upender for the car but failed to sell it. Fearing that they might get caught, they then abandoned the car.

On January 7, Bhim Singh, a travel agent in Rohini, was approached by Sanjay Chaudhry for a car to Mussourie. Bhim Singh sent Upender along with an Innova car. However, after some days when Singh called Upender, his mobile was switched off. Meanwhile, his another driver saw the same Innova car parked in Agra. Fearing that Upender had run away with the car, Singh lodged a complaint against him. But a few days later Upender’s dead body was found from Dehradun while the car was recovered from Morni in Haryana.

The mobile number, which Sanjay Chaudhry had given to Bhim Singh, was found to be disconnected. However, after checking the phone records the police questioned two polytechnic students Ajay and Arjun in Bhivani, Haryana. Ajay told the police that his friend Mukesh had brought Sunil and Vipin there on January 9. Vipin turned out to be Sanjay Chaudhry. He was caught from Mahendergarh along with Parveen. Sunil was caught from Chirag Delhi yesterday.

Sunil earlier worked in a private security company while Parveen had suffered huge loss in betting.