Jodhpur, September 30
Youths from the streets turned rescue workers rushed to the temple to help the victims. Pilgrims in the temple were the first to shift the injured to safer places.

While the police and health workers reached the spot an hour after the incident, by that time the devotees had already helped 125 injured reach the ground area from where they were shifted to different hospitals in the city.

As soon as the news of the stampede reached the city, able-bodied youths rushed to help those stuck in the temple.

They were stopped by police so as not to make more people victims of stampede, but several of them requested cops to allow them in as they wanted to help.

The youths physically carried the trampled devotees as there were no stretchers. They tore banners and tents to carry the injured.

"I looked for some wooden planks but there was nothing. Then I asked my friends to pull the tent down so that it could be used as a stretcher. Our group rescued many persons within less than an hour," said Bijay Chander Deora.

"Had the youths not come to aid, the toll would have been more. They took injured to hospitals just in time and arranged for oxygen cylinders," said a health worker.

Jodhpur, September 30
Torn clothes, footwear, bangles, coconut, eatables, wallets and flags lay strewn on the path to the Sun Fort temple. There was a deathly silence.

"You could only see rows of twisted bodies lying in a heap when the sun rose today," recalled Durga Dass Veshnav, who survived the stampede.

The temple was closed immediately after the stampede. The physically fit helped in shifting the injured, or removing the bodies.

Others, carried wailing children in their arms looking for their parents, consoling them with water and sweets.

Raghuwansh, was helping Nanhi locate her parents. "She doesn't know their names. I have visited all hospitals and the mortuary but she cant recognise them. Now I have returned to the fort hoping her parents are alive and may be looking for her", he said, breaking into tears while he tried making the child drink water.

He said about 2 km-long queue of devotees had formed by midnight. "The doors of the temple open at 4 am. It is believed darshan of the devi on the first Navratra fulfills all wishes."

At the mortuary, the scenes were heart-rending. A group of wailing women, beating their chest, ran from one body to another trying to find their loved ones. The rows of the dead seemed endless.

Every inch of the hospital floor was used to lay the injured there. Shortage of oxygen cylinders made doctors and relatives panicky.

Mumbai, September 30
The Maharashtra government today announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh for relatives of those killed in the Malegaon blast on Monday night.

In addition, Rs 50,000 would be given to those with serious injuries and an amount of Rs 25,000 to those with mild injuries, according to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's office.

Financial assistance will also be given to policemen and other government officials who were attacked by the public immediately after the blasts.

Four persons were killed and 79 others injured in the incidents following a bomb blast on Monday night.

The bomb, planted on a motorcycle, went off in the busy Bhikku chowk area. The incident happened at around 9.30 pm when scores of persons were outside observing iftaar after breaking their fast.

The blasts sparked off anger among the residents of the area and they pelted stones at policemen and damaged vehicles. The authorities then clamped a curfew till today morning to maintain peace.

Officials said the situation at Malegaon was under control. Senior officials, including Maharashtra deputy chief minister R.R. Patil and Nashik district guardian minister Chhagan Bhujbal, arrived here today to take stock of the situation.

Malegaon, a powerloom town near Nashik, has a history of communal violence.

Meanwhile, the situation in Thane, outside Mumbai, is under control hours after communal clashes between two groups left one person dead and 50 others injured.

According to police, the clash sparked over the installation of a pandal for Durga Puja which was objected by some. This led to violent clashes, police said.

The police had to fire 10 rounds in the air to control the rampaging mob.

Dehra Dun, September 30
Peetanjali Yog Peeth of Yoga Guru Ramdev has again courted controversy by claiming that it has finally found ‘Sanjeevani’, the famous mythological medicine brought by Lord Hanuman to revive Lakshman, younger brother of Lord Rama in the epic battle of Lanka as described in “The Ramayana”.

While Acharya Balkrishna, the right hand man of Guru Ramdev, claimed that during his recent six-day visit to Dronogiri mountains above 10,000 feet in Uttarkashi district he was able to find ‘Sanjeevani’ plant, botanists and scientists are in disagreement with the claims and even the BJP-ruled state that itself has been searching for the elusive herb is skeptical about the claims.

According to “The Ramayana”, Lord Hanuman looking for ‘Sanjeevani’ herb for treating Lakshman could not find it and instead took the entire mountain on his shoulders for the Ayurveda practitioners to find it.

"We have found ‘Mrit Sanjeevani’, one of the rarest of four kinds of ‘Sanjeevanis’ found in the higher Himalayas, during our search," Acharya Balkrishna told the media.

Meanwhile, Prof R. D. Gaur, former head of the botany department of HNB Garhwal University and an eminent taxonomist, rubbished the claim.

"The plants reportedly discovered namely 'Selinum Candolli and Saussurea Gossypiphora’ have been there in the Himalayas for ages. Although these medicinal plants have economic importance, they cannot be termed as ‘Sanjeevani’, he said.

He further said that according to “The Ramayana”, the ‘Sanjeevani’ has three qualities. First, it emits light, secondly, it can revive consciousness and thirdly, it is an energiser. "None of the qualities are there in the “discovered” plants," he added.

Prof A.N. Purohit, Padma Shri and an eminent expert of high-altitude medicinal plants, has termed the claims as totally wrong.

"These herbs are there for centuries and widely reported by scientists along with chemical properties of these plants. They are just trying to befool the gullible public for their profit," he told The Tribune.

Interestingly, while the scientists are unanimous in discrediting the claims, Uttarakhand BJP finds itself in a bind on the issue.

It was the state government that started a project three months ago to search for the elusive ‘Sanjeevani’, the dream project of Uttarakhand health minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.

A team was announced by the state health department to search or the herb. However, Guru Ramdevs' Peetanjali Yoga Peeth that runs a successful pharmacy from Hardwar outpaced the government to claim that it has found ‘Sanjeevani’.

"We will continue to look for the ‘Sanjeevani’ herb and a team would be sent to a higher altitude in October," said Uttarakhand health minister Nishank.

Guwahati, September 30
On being assured by the Assam government to facilitate development of tribal areas in South Assam’s Barak Valley districts, all 305 tribal militants from United Liberation Front of Barak Valley (ULFBV) led by their leader Pancharam Apeto gave up arms before Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today.

The militants deposited three AK47 assault rifles, one M16 rifle, 60 .12 bore guns and 158 AK series ammunition, among others.

State IGP (special branch) Khagen Sarma said with today’s surrender number of militants from different outfit who has given up arms during the last couple years, went up to over 13,000.

Welcoming the ultras to the mainstream, Gogoi said the government would help the former ultras to lead a dignified life with the assistance from the rehabilitation package for surrendered militants as approved by the Government of India. So far, the state government has facilitated rehabilitation of 8,626 surrendered militants.

“Some of your demands which include developmental works like building roads, health centre and educational institutions will be taken care of as the government has given added thrust to the backward areas including the border areas,” Gogoi assured the ultras.

Terming the surrender of ULFBV cadres as a welcome development, Gogoi hoped that leadership of the banned ULFA would also realise the futility of violence and return to the mainstream for the greater interests of the state.

“It has dawned on almost all militant groups, including two companies of the ULFA that violence begets violence and causes harm to everyone. Issues and difference could be resolved through dialogue, not through the barrel of the gun. I hope the ULFA leadership would also follow in the footsteps of the ULFBV to usher in lasting peace. I once more appeal to ULFA leaders to abjure violence and join in the peace process,” Gogoi appealed.

The ULFBV, which was established in 2001, has had its presence mainly in the Hailakandi and Karimganj districts of Barak Valley bordering Bangladesh and Mizoram. Most of the members of the outfit belong to Reang tribe community.

Kolkata, September 30
Three police officers Ajoy Kumar, former deputy commissioner (detective), Sukanti Chakraborty, assistant commissioner, and Krishendu Das, sub-inspector, were remanded in 14-day judicial custody in the Rizwanur’s death case today.

As per official rules, they were also suspended. Necessary legal action as per the court’s order was being drawn against former Kolkata police chief Prusun Mukherjee and deputy commissioner Gyanbant Singh for misusing power, leading to the death of Rizwanur Rahman.

But the four other prime accused, namely Asoke Todi, his brother Pradip, Anil Sarogi and Pappu, however, had still not been arrested.

They were summoned at the chief metropolitan magistrate’s court on September 27 following an order of the Supreme Court, where they had prayed for bail asking for quashing the Calcutta High Court order holding them responsible for the death of Rizwanur Rahman.

Rizwanur, who by profession was an electronic engineer, had fallen in love with Hindu girl Priyanka Todi, daughter of rich businessman Asoke Todi, and had married her under the Special Marriage Act on August 18, 2006. The Todi family did not approve of the marriage.

Today, Ajoy Kumar and two other police officials surrendered before the Calcutta Metropolitan Magistrate and prayed for bail.

But magistrate Madhumita Roy rejected their bail petitions and instead remanded them in 14-day judicial custody.

State home secretary A.M. Chakraborty said since these officials had been arrested, he had issued orders for necessary departmental action against them.

As per rules, these officers would be put under suspension till they were acquitted by the higher court.

New Delhi, September 30
As the Tata Motors small car project at Singur remains embroiled in controversy, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee today called on UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to seek Centre’s intervention in the matter under Aritcle 355 of Constitution.

Under Article 355, the Centre is duty-bound to protect a state from either external aggression or internal disturbance or send a directive to fulfil constitutional duties.

While discussing the fate of the Tata Motors project, Mamata urged Sonia Gandhi to ensure that the West Bengal government implements the original agreement between her and the West Bengal government earlier this month.

Seeking the Centre’s intervention in West Bengal during her 30-minute meeting with Somia Gandhi, the Trinamool leader said: “The Centre cannot keep mum. It must intervene to protect the interests of farmers as well as that of the industry.”

Mamata made a strong case for the farmers and said the Centre must make sure that locals did not suffer in the process of industrialisation.

She also said fertile agricultural lands must not be used for industrial purposes.

Mamata said: “The state government cannot unilaterally reject agreement reached in the presence of the Governor. There is constitutional sanctity to it (agreement). Therefore, it is better to use Article 355 against the state government.”

Mamata pointed out that under the September 7 agreement with the Trinamool, the West Bengal government agreed to return maximum land from within the Tata Motors car project site to the “unwilling” farmers.

She said her party wanted 400 acres from within the Nano plant area to be given back to the farmers, who did not want to part with it.

The Trinamool leader said she was not against industrialisation, but it should co-exist with agriculture.

“I am not concerned about a particular industry or a company. Both industry and agriculture should flourish side by side and not grow at the cost of one another,” she added.

She quoted Sonia Gandhi as saying she wanted this matter resolved at the earliest.

After meeting Sonia Gandhi, the Trinamool leader now plans to take her case to President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

She said she would meet the two leaders in the second week of October to draw their attention to this matter.

New Delhi, September 30
The stay on the trial of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal will continue till November 26, when the Supreme Court will hear further arguments on Capt Amarinder Singh's petition seeking the transfer of the corruption case from Mohali court to Delhi.

When the transfer petition came up before a Bench headed by Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan today, Capt Amarinder’s counsel, T.R. Andhiarjuna, said there was some misunderstanding over posting the case for the day and sought a fresh date.

At this, Badal's counsel, Ravi Shankar Prasad and Ajay Pal, said their client would like the apex court to allow the trial Judge at Mohali to resume recording of evidence to avoid delay.

As many as 59 of the 120 witnesses had been examined by the court in the disproportionate assets case filed against their client in 2003 by then government of Capt Amarinder. ''Evidence is there. Let the evidence go on,'' they pleaded.

The court, however, chose to ignore the plea, implying that the stay would continue until the transfer petition is disposed of.

Badal also sought an early hearing, some time in October, but the court said no date was available before November 26.

Capt Amarinder had moved the apex court seeking transfer of the case outside Punjab, alleging that the accused, after becoming Chief Minister, was misusing his official position to influence witnesses.

Also, the prosecution had dropped most of the key witnesses in a bid to get the accused acquitted in the case.

On March 24, 2003, soon after the Congress government led by Capt Amarinder Singh assumed office in Punjab, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau booked Badal, his son Sukhbir Singh Badal and other associates on the allegations of corruption, bribery and amassing wealth disproportionate to their income.

In his petition, Capt Amarinder had contended that prosecution in the case had collapsed since Badal assumed power in Punjab in February 2007.

The victim was killed during his posting in Mumbai. — PTI

New Delhi, September 30
Can ministers repeatedly use their discretionary powers and sidestep norms laid down for their own departments by the government?

Not once but 97 times since Independence, the Department of Posts (DoP) has allegedly violated the norm for issuing stamps on the death anniversary of famous people, claims RTI applicant Subhash Agrawal, a charge denied by the department.

The first alleged violation was made in the case of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948 when a stamp was issued seven months after his death while the latest being that of Congress leader Rajesh Pilot for whom a stamp was released in 2008, eight years after his death, he claimed.

Two separate RTI applications were filed by Agrawal who wanted to know whether the PMO knew about the alleged violations or not.

In his second query, Agrawal asked the DoP about the rules regarding the
issuance of stamps.

The DoP, in its reply, mentioned that there were no statutory rules for issuing the stamps. There were just “broad guidelines” issued by the department in this regard.

It said the union minister for communications could give administrative approval to any proposal for issue of postage stamps and there was no violation of rules.

Unsatisfied with the DoP reply, Agrawal has moved the Central Information Commission, which will hear his plea on the enquiry to the PMO tomorrow. — PTI

New Delhi, September 30
Buoyed by the Supreme Court's go-ahead for its anti-smoking notification, the union health ministry today launched a media campaign to make people aware of the ban on smoking in public places as well as the perils of second-hand smoke.

The government would bring out print and electronic media ads to make people aware of the new notification and also launch a website in collaboration with the World Lung Foundation and the International Union Against Tobacco.

The media blitzkrieg would also include putting up billboards on stores, hotels
and private offices.

"Second-hand smoke contains more than 4,000 known chemicals, more than 60 of them are known to be carcinogenic," health minister Anbumani Ramadoss said at a press conference here.

The minister said the government had brought out recent notification to implement the effective implementation of the rules prohibiting smoking in public places.

"The new rules clarify the scope of the term public place, open space and restaurants as it was found that there was some confusion and the law was not being effectively implemented," Ramadoss said.

“Thus, it has be to clarified that refreshment rooms, banquet halls, discotheques, canteen, coffee houses, pubs, bars and airport lounges are all public places.”

Denying that the law would result in return of ''Inspector Raj'', the minister said such propoganda was being carried out by the tobacco lobby.

People should realise that the law would provide them a right to health and safety.

He said the media campaign --Smoking Will Cost You-- had hard- hitting images conveying the health cost of smoking and hazards of second-hand smoke which contained 4,000 different chemicals of which 50 were known to cause cancer.

Exposure to second-hand smoke causes heart diseases and strokes. — UNI

Patna, September 30
Twentyone of the 26 columns of the Army were withdrawn as part of the Bihar government's plan for the withdrawal of the forces involved in relief and rescue operations by October 14 as the overall flood situation in the five worst-hit districts of the state registered a marked improvement.

"Twentyone columns of army personnel have been withdrawn, while the remaining five are still engaged to carry out relief and rescue operations," state disaster management additional secretary Pratyay Amrit said.

Despite continuous discharge of water from the Barah area in Nepal, Kosi continued to maintain a stable trend.

The water level of the Ganga, Burhi Gandak, Gandak, Mahananda and Bagmati rivers was also below the danger mark along their course in Bihar, official sources said.

The state government has planned to withdraw army columns from the affected areas by October 14.

As many as 1519 boats, including 83 motorboats, beside 399 NDRF personnel, continued to assist the relief operations, the additional secretary said, adding that so far 1,51504 quintals of foodgrains and Rs 38.33 crore in cash had been distributed among the identified affected families. — PTI

This would include compliance by persons holding licenses for the manufacture, stocking, sale and use of explosives, including ammonium nitrate.

It has also briefly covered, apart from the aspects of detailed planning, conduct of rehearsals and integration of special forces in the overall theatre plans.

It emphasises the need for providing timely, wholesome and accurate intelligence.

New Delhi, September 30
Even as the difference of opinion has emerged over the form of protest chosen by the armed forces after the sixth pay commission was notified, the defence minister A.K. Antony today met the three service chiefs - Admiral Sureesh Mehta, General Deepak Kapoor and Air Chief Marshall F.H Major - where the pay commission was again on the agenda. The three chiefs also met amongst themselves separately.

It is learnt the chiefs have conveyed that all the four core issues raised by the forces are important.

They expressed hope that the ministerial committee, of which Antony is also a member, will sort out the matter at the earliest.

It was also cleared that in no way was the signal of the forces to inform their subordinates any kind of defiance of the executive.

Retired officers have stoutly defended the Naval Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta and the other service chiefs.

A ministerial group was formed on Saturday to look into the demands of the forces. The civilian bureaucracy and also the polity are of the opinion that it was not expected from a disciplined force “to stall the implementation of a decision of the union cabinet.” This was like open defiance of the government.

The armed forces, on the other hand, say that Naval Chief, Admiral Sureesh Mehta’s act of sending a signal to inform the officers and men about the “latest position” about not accepting the sixth pay commission was totally in line with military manuals on leadership.

“It is clear that the force should be informed so that they do not fall prey to any rumour and hearsay.”

This is the normal practice to inform the force so that there is no misinformation and ranks do not fall prey to propaganda and speculation. It is to let truth be known.

Lt. Gen. V.R. Raghavan (retd.) says, “It is not a challenge to the government or authority. The chiefs are accountable to the Constitution and also their own troops.” Commodore Uday Bhaskar Second believes, “There is no defiance. Admiral Mehta did the right thing. This is not a stand off between the political leadership and the forces.”

Sources within the government said the defence minister A.K. Antony told the three chiefs not to stall a decision taken by the cabinet.

The act of the three chiefs is now being construed as if they were trying to cross their limits and run the entire 1.5 million strong force on their own.

On the other hand, after the sixth pay commission was notified, the forces pointed out serious ‘anomalies’ to the defence minister.

The minister took up the issue with the Prime Minister. It was only on Saturday morning that the PM formed a committee.

Since the matter was under consideration at the level of the PM the pay commission could not be implemented.

Chandigarh, September 30
Dr Gurdip Singh Randhawa, an associate of the Nurseryman of India, will be awarded the presitigious “Lifetime Achievement Award” in horticulture on October 30 in Delhi.

The award for Dr Randhawa, who is also the president of the Delhi Horticultural
Society, president of the Bougainvillea Society of India and vice-president of the
Rose Society of India, comes for his pioneering works in India and abroad in the
past six decades.

An outstanding student at Cornell from 1946-1949, Randhawa heeded to the advice of Mahatma Gandhi and returned to India as a vegetable specialist.

At the initiative of Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr Randhawa designed and landscaped several important projects, including the Buddha Jayanti Park.

Later, Nehru persuaded him to go to Nepal as a member and adviser of the horticultural department of the Nepal government. Dr Randhawa is the only civilian recipient of the “Gorkha Dakshins Bahu” of the Nepal government.

Later, as the adviser to the King of Bhutan, Dr Randhawa replicated the success of Nepal in Bhutan.

The research centre at Yusipang was inaugurated by Jigme Dorje Wangchuk, the King of Bhutan, in 1969.

Today, Bhutan exports fruit to India and Bangladesh. On his return to India, he joined Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI).

The then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi helped him create several landmarks, including Sunder Nursery, Mahavir Vanastham and Parliament House.

The government also deputed him to Oman where he designed the gardens of the Sultan of Oman.

While in Zanzibar, he was called upon to save a sapling (Messua Feria), planted in 1935 by Mahatma Gandhi.

He also designed and landscaped the garden at the city of Liverpool (UK).

Dr Randhawa has designed numerous gardens, resorts and landscaped institutions across the country; his latest being an Ayurvedic garden in Palghat.

He is now actively employed in research and experimentation at his own farm in Uttaranchal, besides helping local farmers with advice on latest technology.

BRIEFLY

Kids roped in to conserve UNESCO heritage sites
NEW DELHI: Soon children will be doing their bit to conserve the four UNESCO world heritage sites- Nandadevi, Kaeolodeo Ghana bird Sanctuary in Bharatpur, Assam’s Kaziranga national park and Manas wildlife sanctuary in India. From October, as many as 50 children each identified from the community living around the sites will be given scholarship of Rs 500 every month to spread the message for importance and preservation for world heritage sites. — PTI

UP cyber cafes under watch
ALLAHABAD: The recent spurt in terrorist activities and links connecting many of the suspects to Uttar Pradesh have brought cyber cafes and telephone booths across the state under police surveillance with the former asked to install CCTVs. “Police officials across the state have received instructions from the DGP to keep a tab on the cyber cafes and PCOs, which have become an integral part of modus operandi of terrorist groups,” Inspector-General of Police, Allahabad Zone, Pramod Kumar Tiwari said. — PTI

8 killed in road accident
MORADABAD: Eight persons were killed and 56 injured when a bus in which they were travelling fell into a deep gorge after it hit a tree near Sambhal, near here, official sources said on Tuesday. The mishap occurred on Monday when the bus was on its way to Tigri when the driver of the vehicle lost control over it. The injured were admitted to the government district hospital, said the chief medical superintendent. — PTI

Additional wheat release
New Delhi: In order to check inflationary trends of foodgrains in the open market, the government has decided to release adhoc/additional two lakh tonnes of wheat per month for APL category to various states and UTs from October to December. Agriculture ministry officials say the step is being taken in view of the requests from the state and UT governments and comfortable stock position of wheat in the the central pool. — TNS

IMA gets new Commandant
Dehra Dun: Lt-Gen Rajinder Singh Sujlana took over as the 42th Commandant of the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehra Dun, on Tuesday. He took over the command from Lt-Gen P.K. Rampal. Lt-Gen Sujlana was commissioned on June 13, 1971 from the IMA in the 9th Battalion of the Sikh Regiment. He was decorated with the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) in 2002 for his role during Operation PRAKRAM and with 'Ati Vishisht Seva Medal' (ASVM) in 2007. — TNS