The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Sikh Federation sends memo to PM Tribune News Service Dehradun, January 9 The Uttaranchal Sikh Federation (USF) activists today staged a protest demonstration at the District Magistrate office. The protesters were demanding that Indian government should take immediate steps for the release of Capt Jaspreet Chawla, convicted by South Korean High Court, in the Hebei Spirit oil spill case. The family members of Capt Chawla including his mother and father Bhupinder Kaur and Manjit Singh, respectively said Korean government had done injustice with Capt Chawla and it is the responsibility of the Indian government to help its citizen. The USF members also submitted a memorandum in this regard to the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh through District Magistrate, Amit Singh Negi. The memorandum, a copy of which was released to the press reads, “On December 7, 2007, a tug towed crane barge owned by Samsung Heavy Industries struck the anchored Hong Kong registered very large crude carrier Hebei Spirit in South Korea, which resulted in leaking tons of oil in the sea. Subsequently, Capt of Hebei Spirit, Jaspreet Chawla and chief officer, Shyam Chetan were made the scapegoats.” Giving the details of the matter in chronological order, the memorandum further mentioned that in no way Jaspreet Chawla and Shyam Chetan were at fault and hence both of them should be set free. “A very strong voice has been raised in favour of the two Indians and against the South Korean government in International Markets of Shipping Associations in the world. It is a matter of great concern that why the Indian government is yet to take up the matter seriously,” the memorandum further reads. The USF members also stated that since matter is related to a foreign country, only high-level efforts by India could help the two innocent Indians. Meanwhile, the USF president Gurdeep Singh Toni said on January 10, their Federation activists along with the family members of the Capt Jaspreet Chawla would be holding a protest demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
	Muslims protest against Palestine attacks Tribune News Service Dehradun, January 9 On a call given by Madrasa Islamia Aqnwar-ul-Uloom and Ulma-E-Deen, Dehradun, the Muslim Community in Dehradun today staged a dharna in protest against the Israeli offensives against the innocent Palestinians, at the Municipal Corporation, here today. Addressing the protesters, Maulana Mohammad Ahmad Kazmi said Israel is committing a heinous crime by killing innocent Palestinians. While terming the act as highly condemnable, he demanded that Indian government should snap all ties with Israel with immediate effect. “UN should intervene immediately in order to ensure that Israel stops its offensives in the Gaza strip”, he said. He also said so far 650 innocent Palestinians, majority of whom were women and children, had lost their lives in Israeli attacks. “The Manmohan Singh government should lodge its protest against the mass carnage. Having any kind of ties with Israel is a matter of shame,” added Kazmi. The protestors also condemned the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and demanded action against those trying to disturb the peace in the country. A senior leader of Uttarakhand Kranti Dal, Latafat Hussain said Israel has crossed the limits of brutality and hence Indian government must take strong steps against Israel. Meanwhile, the protestors also took out a peaceful procession from Municipal Corporation to the District Magistrate office. They also submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and UN officials. Lawyers strike work DEHRADUN: Work in the district courts remained suspended as the lawyers under the banner of District Bar Association (DBA) observed a day’s token strike against the proposed amendment in CrPC, here today. The lawyers went around the court complex raising slogans against the Union government’s move to entrust more power to the police to give bail to the arrested at the police station itself, for the offences which are punishable under relevant sections and entail imprisonment of upto seven years. DBA secretary Prithviraj Chauhan, member bar council of Uttarakhand Razia Beg and prominent lawyer Surat Singh Negi led the protesters. Notably, DBA is the largest organisation of lawyers in the state and has around 2,000 members. Chauhan said the proposed amendment was against the interests of the public as it would amount to arbitrary use of power by police officials, even as the Union government was said to be mulling the step to provide relief to all those languishing in jails due to delay in conviction. “The DBA would respond to further protest plan given by the national or state-level lawyers’ bodies on the issue,” he added.
	Strike off but panic persists Tribune News Service Haridwar, January 9 Although officials of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) called off their strike today, the situation in Haridwar remained grim with a majority of petrol stations displaying a “no stock” board. People continued with panic buying. From early morning till late evening serpentine queues were seen at various oil stations in the city. Pankaj Sehgal, owner of a filling station near the bus stand, said: “The sale has doubled as compared to normal days. We used to sell about 3,000 litres of fuel but from the past two days, the sale has doubled.” “Hundreds of customers are enquiring despite the fact that we have put up ‘no stock’ board,” said the owner of a pump at Ranipur-Chowk, one of the busiest filling stations in Haridwar. Notably, there are 87 petrol pumps in the district and almost 70 per cent have put up ‘no stock’ boards. Dehradun: Panic buying was the order of the day in Doon today, even as the strike by truckers and oil sector officials entered the third day. However, officials of Hindustan Petroleum (HP), the only non-striking company, instructed its dealers to strictly observe rationing to prevent stockpiling. “We have almost doubled supply but people would do well not to go for fuel stocking as it would create artificial shortage,” said a top HP official. HP dealers have been instructed not to sell fuel worth more than Rs 100-200 to owners of two-wheelers and Rs 500-1000 to four-wheelers. As stocks at outlets of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Bharat Petroleum (BP) were almost exhausted by today evening, HP has turned out to be saviour. “In the emerging situation, HP is our lifeline. We have today asked its officials to maintain or even augment the supply and they have assured to do that,” said officiating District Magistrate KK Nirala. Notably, the three companies meet 165 kl daily consumption at their 74 outlets in Dehradun alone. As on today, HP increased supply of petrol to 123 kl from the normal 70 kl at its 18 outlets in the district. To prevent black marketeering, the administration has ordered owners of all the outlets not to put up ‘out of stock” notice without verification of their stocks by the district food and civil supplies officer. Double Whammy Roorkee: Even as the strike by truckers and officials of the oil sector entered the third day, problems for the general public increased further as gas agencies here were forced to shutdown their business due to suspension of supply. Further bookings were not being made at the local gas stations. “As there is no supply of LPG here, we have closed further booking temporarily. The supply would become normal only after the strike is called off otherwise the situation would turn ugly in the coming days,” said Narendra Singhal, an owner of a gas agency here. Meanwhile, out of eight petrol pumps here, six have been closed due to due to lack of supply. People could be seen making a beeline at the Hindustan Petroleum gas stations since early morning. At Kumar Petrol Filling Station (HPCL gas station) here, there was over half-a-km long queue of vehicles.
	Election process of nine committees cancelled Sandeep Rawat Tribune News Service Haridwar, January 9 All the opposition members of the Haridwar municipal committee today jointly took out a rally against the alleged favouritism in the election process to elect various sub-committees of the municipality. The election process for the nine committees was cancelled indefinitely following allegations by the opposition members. Interestingly, Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party have made a united front against the BJP led municipal committee headed by Kamal Johra. Opposition members took out a rally from Jwalapur to New Haridwar that concluded at Ranipur Chowk where the members addressed the gathering. “The unity among all the opposition parties itself speaks about the injustice and unfair election process started by the BJP-led municipal committee. We want development of Haridwar but it can’t be achieved when such people are at the helm,” said Sanjay Sharma, Opposition leader in the MC. While, Bahujan Samaj Party’s Radhe Krishna termed the present BJP ruled Haridwar municipality as killers of democracy. “They are resorting to all means to ensure they curb our voice but we are united and will also see that development work doesn’t get hindered in the city,” he added. Meanwhile, the ruling BJP members are silent on the issue and resorting to wait and watch policy due to the internal factionalism in the BJP led ruling committee. Meanwhile, Haridwar municipal committee chairman, Kamal Johra is contemplating terminating the membership of the opposition members. “The behaviour of the opposition members is not according to the positions they hold. Whether it be municipal board meetings or the election of sub-committees, they have resorted to unfair means to hamper the process and what can one expect from those who throw chairs and stationery items as seen in the second board meeting,” commented Kamal Johra on the behaviour of the opposition members.
	Real issues still unresolved: Mahila Manch Tribune News Service Dehradun, January 9 Uttarakhand Mahila Manch today held a meeting at the collectorate in remembrance of the state agitation that started in 1996. Addressing the workshop, Kamla Pant said since the state has come into inception, there have been little efforts made to fulfil the aims which were the basis to create the state. She said the issues of permanent capital of Gairsen and other issues linked to people still stood unresolved. She said unemployment is a big problem in Uttarakhand, but the government in power has failed to come up with solutions to this challenge. “The issues linked to women have also not been redressed,” she added. Pant on the occasion reiterated the Manch commitment to continue with the struggle on pro-people issues. Nirmala Bisht, Bhubnewshwari Kahtait and Madhu Balodi were prominent participant of the meeting.
	Murder accused killed in encounter Umesh Dewan Tribune News Service Dehradun, January 9 A murder accused, Ajay, was killed in a police encounter in Khatima area of Udham Singh Nagar, here today. Khatima circle officer Amit Srivastav said Ajay was having an affair with Maya since a long time. “Maya’s sister Chandra, although married in Bagulia area, was having illicit relations with Sita Ram and used to stay at her parents house in Khatima. Because of this Ajay was finding it difficult to meet her. Three days back, Ajay and Maya murdered Sita Ram,” he said Although Ajay managed to flee, the police arrested Maya. “Ajay got disturbed after Maya’s arrest. He held Chandra responsible for it and decided to eliminate her too,” said Srivastav. “Ajay came to Chandra’s residence today and her at gunpoint. Although the villagers gheraoed him and police also reached the spot. Ajay fired at Chandra. In retailiation, cops fired at Ajay and he was killed on the spot,” he added. Chandra was rushed to the hospital and her condition is said to be stable.
	Hockey: Doon Hawks crush Garhi Shyampur in semis Vishal Thakur Dehradun, January 9 Unable to repeat their previous day’s magic performance, Gahri Shyampur was crushed out of the District Hockey League losing to Doon Hawks by 5-2 in the semifinal match at SFS Ground in the FRI premises here today. Doon Hawk displayed some outstanding coordination and control to take the lead in the 11th minute of the match through a field goal done by Bhanu. Buoyant with initial success, Doon Hawk, hit another field goal just one minute later making the score 2-0. Nadeem hit the second goal in the 13th minute of the match by a perfect cross from the left. Thereafter, Pankaj Rawat gave another jolt in the 15th minute of the match to put Gahri Shampur team on the defensive to make it 3-0. For Gahri Shampur team, Yunis scored in the 33rd minute of the game to reduced the lead to make the score 3-1 just two minutes before the half time. In the second-half Doon Hawk team went on to score two more goals to take their tally of goals to five. It was Doon Hawk’s forward Ravi who opened the account for his team in the 10th minute of the second-half to make it 4-1. Kharag Thapa, pushed in with another goal for Doon Hawk in the 46th minute to give his team an invincible lead of 5-1. In the closing minute of the match Gahri Shyampur’s Kaushal scored in the 68th minute of the match just to reduce the lead making it 5-2.
	Valley Boys outshine Young Boys Club Vishal Thakur Dehradun, January 9 Superb bowling display by Valley Boys’ Sachin and Vipin created magic as their team ripped through Young Boys Club team’s top order bating line to romp home victorious at the 57th District Cricket League match here today. Valley Boys won the toss and elected to field. Their decision proved right as their bowlers used the morning dew condition with Sachin and Vipin causing the early damage. Sachin bold-out Young Boys Club’s opening batsman Rohit for 12 and Vipin got Shubham LBW at the score of 13 runs. Vipin stuck again to claim his second wicket in the form of Aydesh who contributed two runs. Sachin too bowl a superb spell claiming two wickets in the same over leaving Young Boys Club team struggling at 122 runs for nine wickets. Sachin and Vipin picked three wickets each to put Valley Boys in a commanding position. Young Boys Club team scored 156 runs in their allotted 40 overs. For Young, Deepak was the only batsman who showed some resistance to hit 32 runs of just 46 balls. In reply, Valley Boys began on bad note with both their opening batsmen gone for a duck. But Valley Boys fought back through Kalam, who hit a fine knock of 60 runs of 75 balls to give stability to the otherwise falling inning of Valley Boys team. Sandeep supported him well on the other end to make 48 runs. In the end, Valley Boys won the match by six wickets.