|
|
|
|
Manmohan’s rally cancelled
Mumbai attack may affect Delhi
Mumbai attack |
|
|
Cops all set for the D-Day
Voters in RK Puram want development
BJP holds a strong place in Trilokpuri
Kalkaji MLA counts on Punjabi support
1,027 booked for violating code
Campaigning ends
Fake milk floods markets in Noida, Gt Noida
Contest for students on sustainable tech venture
IGNOU exams from Dec 1
Dowry death suspected
Valuables worth lakhs stolen from
2 flats
MD murder accused surrenders
6 kids crushed by train at Ghaziabad
|
||||||||||||||
|
Manmohan’s rally cancelled
New Delhi, November 27 The DPCC president Ashok Agarwal announced cancellation of the rally. A senior leader of the Delhi Congress said that it was the first election rally to be addressed by the Prime Minister. Its cancellation is a major loss, he said. Agarwal said, “We are shocked at what has happened in Mumbai. Not only the PM’s rally, we have cancelled all public meetings to be addressed by Deepender Hooda, Haryana Congress leader; Bhupinder Hooda, Chief Minister of Haryana; Kapil Sibbal, Subodh Kant Sahai, union ministers; senior Congress leader Rashid Alvi and all meetings of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party has also cancelled its public meeting to be held at Jama Masjid. It was to be addressed by former union minister Shahnawaz Hussain and N. M. Joshi. Its spokesperson P. K. Chandla said that the party had taken permission from the area police. But this morning Shahnawaz Hussain received message from the assistant commissioner of police that the police had withdrawn the permission as the Mumbai shooting incident might have negative effect in the area. The police suspected communal riot if the BJP public meeting was addressed today, he said. Chandla said that other meetings and padyatras are being carried out according to schedule. Shahnawaz Hussain will address another meeting in Chhattarpur and Greater Kailash assemblies. Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu addressed five public meetings in Shahdara, Krishna Nagar, Chandni Chowk, Jungpura and Patparganj assemblies. He stressed development and control of terrorist activities. TV actress Smriti Irani addressed public meetings in Badarpur, Sangam Vihar, Ambedkar Nagar, Wazirpur. She is a star campaigner of the BJP. The spokesman said that a senior BJP leader Bhuvan Chand Khanduri addressed four public meetings in Burari, Rithala, Dwarka and Palam. Besides, scores of public meetings have been addressed by the local leaders. |
|
Mumbai attack may affect Delhi
New Delhi, November 27 There may be polarisation in assembly elections in the Congress-ruled states. A senior Congress leader said the incident had formed a negative picture of the government on the minds of people even though law and order are controlled by the centre in the national Capital. The Congress might lose the election in other states, he feared. The electorate may think of exercising its franchise in favour of the opposition parties. Mufti Mukarram, Shahi Imam of Fatehpuri Masjid said, “BJP’s slogan is ‘Atankwad hara’. As far as I understand politics after Mumbai incident there will be polarisation and the Congress will lose. Stories appeared in various periodicals that there was a threat to the chief of ATS, Mumbai. Now he is killed. According to news channels, 53 bombs were planted at various places. These things may affect the elections and it may damage the ruling party,” he said. Jamiat Ulema general secretary Mahmood Madni said, “People of our country are mature. They understand this. I do not think that they will change their mind while exercising the franchise.” Senior Delhi BJP leader P.K. Chandla said, “The Mumbai incident would certainly benefit the BJP. We are contesting the assembly elections on two issues – terrorism and inflation.” He said, “Mumbai incident is the current example of the Congress government’s failure. This has exposed the government in states as well as at centre.” He said, “People should understand that if they want to control terrorism, they should make a change in the government.” |
|
Mumbai attack
Gurgaon, November 27 At a meeting of the district officials held here today, Gurgaon district magistrate Deepti Umashankar directed the local police authorities to intensify patrolling to check the movement of anti-social elements in the district. The district magistrate directed the deputy commissioner of police Inder Singh Saini to keep the police force alert to meet any eventuality. She also directed the officials concerned to keep the fire engines also on alert. The health authorities were asked to ensure adequate availability of doctors in hospitals and blood in blood banks. Meanwhile, Gurgaon joint commissioner of police M.S.Ahlawat asserted that the security of big hotels, shopping malls and other high-rise buildings had been increased in view of the prevailing situation.
|
|
|
Cops all set for the D-Day
New Delhi, November 27 According to joint commissioner of police (New Delhi Range) Karnal Singh, about 34,000 police officials along with 18,000 Home Guards from Haryana and UP will be on election duty. “About 52,000 security officials, including Delhi cops and Home Guards will stand on duty on the voting day. Besides, 20 company will remain in reserve for any emergency situation,” said Singh. Delhi goes to polls for 69 assembly constituencies on November 29 with votes to be polled in 10985 booths located in 2509 premises across the capital. The election commission and Delhi police have recognized 226 ‘sensitive’ and 44 ‘hypersensitive’ booths which would have deployment of extra armed security men than the normal booths. While the maximum 50 sensitive booths fall in South East Police district, eight ‘hyper sensitive’ booths has been identified in North-East Police district. According to the Delhi police plan for the election day, each police station area would be divided into three parts with SHO, inspector (law and order) and inspector (investigation) directly responsible for their unit. Besides the ACPs, additional DCP and DCP would be keep the coordination (information/movement) of the units under their command. “There would be reserve companies stationed in each police districts under the command of DCP. Besides a company would also accompany DCP on his movement during the voting period,” said Karnal Singh. In addition, crime teams, bomb disposal squad, Delhi police ambulances and CAT ambulances will also be deployed to tackle any exigency. As the canvassing for the elections ends today, the police plans to increase night patrolling as this is the time when political parties indulge in distribution of liquor and cash. “We would peak up the night patrolling from tonight and thwart any attempt of liquor and cash distribution. With canvassing over, these are the two things which political parties generally indulge in till voting takes place,” said Singh. He said the border meetings had been held with border district chiefs to identify the source of illegal liquor into the capital. Regarding the akharas in Haryana, which are in high demand by politicians during the elections, the Haryana government has assured of compulsory attendance of the wrestlers at their individual akharas on November 29. The Delhi police will seal the capital borders from tomorrow 11 am. According to officials, the checking of all suspicious vehicles and person entering into the Capital will be strictly followed. |
|
|
Police asks hotels to step up security
New Delhi, November 27 Intensified checking and patrolling are being carried out at bus terminals, railway stations, airport, cinema halls and other public places while hotel authorities have also been asked to step up security at their establishments. The national Capital that goes to poll in the next 48 hours has full contingent of police force doing duty round the clock. “Our men have been briefed about the situation. Maximum police personnel have been deployed. Checking is being conducted at public places,” said a senior Delhi police official. He added that the Delhi police had been working throughout the night and provided information that their Mumbai counterparts demanded. Karnal Singh, joint commissioner of police said that the Delhi police had made arrangements keeping in view the current situation and could not reveal it to the media. “The terrorists can easily know our plans if shared. Therefore, the media should refrain from asking anything that could make terrorists better prepared,” added Singh. Meanwhile, he appealed to the public to maintain calm and not create panic. |
|
|
Voters in RK Puram want development
New Delhi, November 27 A diverse constituency, RK Puram, spreads across posh areas like Vasant Vihar and less developed villages like Vasant Gaon. In a two-sided contest, Congress nominee Barkha Singh is running for a total of 1,41,898 votes of the RK Puram seat against BJP’s Radhe Shyam Sharma. On the last day of the campaign today, it looked like outgoing MLA Barkha Singh fell on the backfoot as voters asked questions related to the development of the area. Before Barkha, her husband Ashok Singh won the seat. However, she stepped in last time as the seat was reserved for women. Asking for an account of the past 10 years of the couple’s work in the area, residents complained that no real issues had been addressed. Asking for electricity and potable water, residents complained that Barkha misused the development funds. “Instead of fixing the sewage in Munirka, she decided to put fancy streetlights where they were not even required,” said Rohini of Munirka. RK Puram is one of the constituencies with the least voter turnout. “Residents of this area are mostly government servants. We do not come out on the streets to voice our issues. We can only speak to our representative and the out-going MLA was the most inaccessible,” said Shruti from RK Puram. With his developmental promises, BJP candidate Radhe Shyam Sharma is expected to be gaining from the political equations. “I belong to Vasant Gaon and enjoy the support of the locals. Barkha is not a resident of this constituency and so is an outsider, unaware of the issues of this area,” said Sharma. BSP candidate Kulbir Ahlawat might also cause a dent on 15% SC votes that could have otherwise gone into Barkha’s kitty. Being a Jat, Ahlawat is also expected to get a substantial number of votes out of total 10,000 Jat votes of the area. |
|
BJP holds a strong place in Trilokpuri
New Delhi, November 27 Instead of giving ticket to sitting MLA, the Congress has given ticket to Anjana Parcha, but people are not satisfied. The sitting MLA is Brahm Singh who has been representing the constituency for the last 15 years. “There has been no improvement in the area. We have suffered the misrule of Congress and now we want change for good,” said Akhtar, 30, a resident of Trilokpuri. “I will vote for the BJP because we had seen congress in its tenure and the BSP candidate Ganga Ram is a new face for the people. Surely, this time BJP holds a strong place in Trilokpuri constituency,” said Preeti Juneja, resident of Mayur Vihar phase-I. “Though this area is surrounded by posh localities of Mayur Vihar and Patparganj societies, Dallupura is a very backward village. There is neither proper electricity nor water supply. Roads are in disrepair. It seems the fund allocated by the government to develop the village is not used for the purpose,” said Ankit Vishnoi, resident of Dallupura. This is a very sad state of affairs. Both the MLA and councillor are of Congress, but no development work has been done for the last 10 years. It is very surprising, the councillor, Anil Chaudhary belongs to Dallupura, he said. “During the time of elections, each candidate promises to eradicate problems, but after elections they forget them,” said Harvinder Singh, resident of New Ashok Nagar. “I have been living in Ashok Nagar for around 20 years but sadly no improvement is seen. We had trusted the Congress but it failed to solve the local problems. I will give my vote either to the BJP or BSP,” said Amar Nath, a rickshaw puller. “Special attention is required in maintaining schools and roads. The new meters run so fast that it becomes really difficult to pay the bill as most residents belongs to lower middle class,” said Sushil Kumar Yadav of Trilokpuri. “People do not have access to basic commodities here. There are some schools but their condition is poor. Things like fan, chairs, tables and water are not available in them. This affects the literacy level of the area,” said Harish Santosh, another resident of Dallupura. “Everybody has development as the main issue, but nobody works upon it. People are supporting me and I am sure Congress will win,” said Anjana Parcha,. “Water is the major issue in the area. The Delhi Jal Board pays no attention to the complaints launched by the residents and community members. One has to depend on Bisleri, but everybody cannot afford it,” said Sparsh Vyas, a senor citizen residing in New Ashok Nagar. |
|
Red-light area residents may give Sheila another term
New Delhi, November 27 Though Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has listed her developmental achievements in the campaigning, the red light area on Govind Ballabh road has hardly seen any improvement in the last 10 years of her government. With no hopes for any reform in their living standards, the inhabitants of this area are ready to give the Congress the thumbs up in this year’s election too, as they say they do not have any other option. According to them, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) might further upset their struggle to survive if it comes to power. “We have always voted for the Congress, whether it does anything or not. It is at least letting us survive. Otherwise, we will have nowhere to go,” said Nasreen, a resident. Voting was a distant dream for them until few months ago when their voters ID cards were made. “We were asked to pay Rs 2,000 each for getting our voter ID cards made. But this time it was made free of cost when the matter got reported,” said Mumtaz, another inhabitant of GB road. Dark, narrow and stinking stairs lead to their awful adobes at the first floors of the market which is spread all along the road on both the sides. They live in groups in small dim rooms where lack of sanitation looks palpable and the world to them is just what they see from small open area towards the road. Though, there are several non-government organisations working for their development, nothing has reached them yet. Patita Uddhar Samiti, an NGO that was granted money from the government for the welfare of these inhabitants did just a little for them. “They gave us sewing machines but what are we supposed to do with them unless are not taught stitching,” lamented Nasreen. |
|
Kalkaji MLA counts on Punjabi support
New Delhi, November 27 Hailing from a Punjabi community, the Congress candidate is counting on the strong support from 22% voters from among his community. Kalkaji has a majority of the Punjabi voters who were settled in the area after they came from Pakistan during the Partition. As the place is located near Nehru Place, the biggest commercial centre in the Capital, it has witnessed growth and progress. “A lot of development has been done in our area in last 15 years. Kalkaji is counted as the best in terms of civic amenities in south Delhi,” said Ravinder Singh of the area. “Roads have always been in good condition. The supply of water and electricity has remained undisturbed,” said Paramjit Singh Parmar, another inhabitant. With several JJ clusters adding to the constituency, new players have emerged in the political spectrum, giving Chopra a run for his money. The biggest spoiler in this Congress bastion is the emergence of the BSP. The vote bank from this cluster is sizeable 40,000, a factor that the BSP is looking to capitalise on. Whereas the BJP holds two municipal wards in East of Kailash and Srinivaspuri. “Kalkaji is a microcosm of Delhi. Slums to posh localities like Maharani Bagh are part of the constituency. I believe that people want change and that will be reflected in the polls,’’ said Jai Gopal Abrol, the BJP candidate from the area. |
|
1,027 booked for violating code
New Delhi, November 27 With the election campaigns ending today, the police would now concentrate on peaceful and fair elections. Karnal Singh, joint commissioner (New Delhi Range) said 735 people have been arrested for defacement in different parts of the Capital. Besides 15,303 hoardings, banners, posters and wall writings has been removed and seized. While 13 people were booked under the Arms Act, 227 cases were registered under the Excise Act leading to 238 arrests. |
|
Campaigning ends
New Delhi, November 27 |
|
Fake milk floods markets in Noida, Gt Noida
Noida, November 27 But its intake is extremely harmful for the human beings, according to doctors. Though raids are conducted and quantities of fake milk seized, these efforts of the authorities have proved insufficient in curbing the illegal sale of duplicate milk in Noida and Greater Noida areas. “On getting complaints, we launch campaigns to catch the adulterators and take action against them,” says chief medical officer. According to information, chemicals are being mixed in such a way that it looks and tastes like milk. Therefore, it is very difficult to suspect anything fishy. Urea, milk powder and duplicate ghee (butter) is mixed into it along with melamine chemical used in manufacture of plastic and resin. Making a fat profit is the only motive behind the abnormal increase in churning of duplicate milk, according to experts. The milk coming into Noida from other parts of UP is found to be adulterated. In raids conducted recently, 10 cases of adulterated milk were confiscated. Samples from the seized milk were sent to Lucknow labs for testing and cases have been registered against five adulterators, including three leading dairy owners in Bulandshahr, Eta and Aligarh. Besides, the cream produced by a well-known company in Greater Noida has also been found to be containing foreign elements, according health department sources. According to doctors adulterated and duplicate milk can cause stomach upsets, infection of intestines, swelling, weakening of digestive system. Dr Devinder Verma, a senior physician, says it can also cause allergy, gastroenteritis, ulcers and diarrhoea. It can also damage the kidney and urinary system as it can block veins and tubes in the human body. Worst affected are children and the elderly who drink it, say the doctors. |
|
Kids’ mela opens with message of harmony and peace
New Delhi, November 27 Transcending barriers of class, caste and religion the children from schools of Delhi and some from even the remotest parts of the country descended at the Nehru Memorial to learn and impart values of life and practical knowledge regarding various activities. Incidentally, encouraging active involvement with science, nature, culture and history, fostering values of harmonious living in a fun way that makes learning an enjoyable process are the aims with which Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) is holding its three-day annual Nehru Bal Mela from today. Titled Dhanak Din: Living Together in Harmony; the festival will continue on tomorrow and then on Sunday at NMML, Saturday being a break due to elections. On the very first day of the mela the festival brought forward a dazzling view of kids indulging in wide range of activities like pottery making, clay modeling, toy making, paper craft, free writing, mehndi applying, face painting, skipping, dancing, music and much more. While some of the activities required prior registration many others were open to all. Those who wished to participate could choose one registered activity and any number of unregistered/open activities. The community radio workshop proved to be one of the most eye-captivating event as children from remote villages of Rajasthan taught lessons of radio production to the urban kids. These students successfully managed the live broadcasting of the radio program in the premises. A small group of students were found deeply engaged in what they referred to as Kabaad se Jugaad, learning how make even earrings from junk. The activity encouraged people to experiment and make meaningful use of seemingly useless things. A large number of students also enjoyed t-shirt painting and brought various hues of the rainbow on t-shirts provided to them by the event-coordinators. Woven around the theme of peace, nature and creativity, the fair is inclusive, earth nurturing, peaceful and celebrates diversity with a wide range of learning oriented fun activities. It is the right opportunity to let your child free and have fun along with a deep meaningful engagement with his favourite activity. Dhanak Din, especially designed for the children between the age group of 5-18 years, also encourages the active participation of those who love to work with and for the children. Mridula Mukherjee director, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, said: “The mela simply reiterates that “fun is serious business’. It is, however, not a stand-alone event but the celebration of a longer process of deep engagement which we have encouraged through children and parent workshops throughout the year. For this mela in particular, we have planned a series of events including talks, film screenings, fun games, exhibitions, scientific experiments, nature trails, puppets, magic, theatre and music by and for children.” |
|
Contest for students on sustainable tech venture
New Delhi, November 27 Sustainable technology principles form the foundation of many new entrepreneurial ventures, and the competition aims to encourage students who want to create ventures that are financially and environmentally profitable. Contestants for the competition need to prepare a business plan that can meet traditional profitability and return-on-investment standards while also demonstrating eco-friendliness and eco-sensitivity by increasing sustainability. Students should highlight the specific sustainability benefits resulting from the project, such as climate change mitigation, energy efficiency, toxicity reduction, renewability, water security, etc while also spelling out the metrics by which these benefits could be quantified. The idea behind this event is that it will help promote and encourage scalable and replicable business models and technologies which, when combined with the power of the market, can support sustainability on the planet. A large number of entries have been received from engineering and management institutes across India. Shortlisted teams will present their business plans to a panel of distinguished judges including industrialists and venture capitalists on December 4 at IIFT, New Delhi. The finalists and semifinalists from India will earn a chance to participate in the March 2009 Sustainable Track Global Competition hosted at the Tepper School, Carnegie Mellon University and get cash awards of Rs 1,00,000 and Rs 70, 000 respectively, also a roundtrip airfare travel to USA. The finalists will also get an opportunity to interact directly with top-tier venture capitalists and entrepreneurs who can help turn their plans into reality. |
|
|
IGNOU exams from Dec 1
New Delhi, November 27 The university has established 650 examination centres which include 36 overseas centres and 15 centres in jail for jail inmates. Examination intimation slips (hall tickets) have been issued to 2,73,890 eligible students who had applied for appearing in the term-end examination. The detailed hall ticket status is also available on IGNOU website www.ignou.ac.in. Students may also download the hall tickets from the university website and appear in the examination. Examination centres have been instructed to allow students to appear in examination, even if they do not possess the examination intimation slips, but their names exist in the list of examinees for that centre. Students are advised to possess identity cards issued by the university during the examination and they should not carry mobiles with them inside the examination hall. Separate hall tickets will be issued to the students of BCA and MCA for term-end practicals. Students are advised to contact their respective regional centres in the last week of December for the practical examination. |
|
|
Dowry death suspected
New Delhi, November 27 The police said the husband, Vikas, called to inform that his wife Kiran, whom he had married on November 6, had hanged herself from the ceiling fan in their Sabzi Mandi house on Tuesday afternoon. “Vikas said when he returned from his work he found his wife had locked herself inside a room. When she did not respond to his calls, he broke open the door and found her hanging. He managed to get her down and informed us,” said an investigating officer. The woman’s uncle Shersingh said Vikas, his mother Sarla and bother Umesh were harassing her to bring a four-wheeler in dowry. “At the time of marriage, they had taken a two-wheeler and were now demanding a car. They have killed our daughter,” Shersingh told reporters. The police said they had registered a case under Indian Penal Code section 304 B (dowry death) and arrested Vikas and his mother. “We are waiting for the post-mortem report and a SDM is also conducting inquiry,” said deputy commissioner of police (North Delhi) Sagarpreet
Hooda. — IANS |
|
|
Valuables worth lakhs stolen from
2 flats
Noida, November 27 The houses belonged to Dr Dhirender Kumar, officer in the energy ministry, and Sanjay Srivastava, a bank officer, who live in Flat Nos. B-170 and B-169, respectively, in Kendriya Vihar Sector 51, Noida. Sanjay Srivastava had gone out of station for one week along with his family. When he came back early on Wednesday morning, he found the padlock of his house tampered with and household articles strewn around. When he went to inform his neighbour, he found that Dr Dhirender Kumar’s house had also been broken into and valuables from his house, including jewellery, stolen. Dr Kumar had left for Lucknow with his family two days earlier. Dr Kumar was informed about the theft on phone. According to the police, Dr Dhirender Kumar had left his house in the care of his maid, Lovely who was supposed to be at home. The police is quizzing her. There is only one entry-cum-exit gate in the colony, which is guarded by security staff round the clock. So police are suspecting the involvement of security guards in the thefts. |
|
|
MD murder accused surrenders
Greater Noida, November 27 It might be recalled that the sacked workers of the company had demonstrated on its premises demanding reinstatement of jobs on September 22. They had not only damaged the company office but had also attacked and killed Chaudhary. The Greater Noida police had arrested the accused . The Bisarakh police had obtained an attachment order from the court against these accused. One of them, Piyush, has surrendered while, Kunj Behari and Rajinder are still at large. |
|
|
6 kids crushed by train at Ghaziabad
Ghaziabad, November 27 The incident took place around 2 pm while the schoolkids were crossing the rail tracks near Ramprastha locality in Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh, adjoining the national Capital. The children were crushed by the Guwahati-Rajdhani superfast train which they failed to see approaching. The critically injured children were rushed to a nearby hospital where they were declared brought dead.
— IANS |
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Classified Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
New Delhi, November 27
