Dehradun, January 24
The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) has announced that it would contest from all the five parliamentary constituencies in the state. With the BJP unlikely to give any seat to the Dal, speculations were rife that the latter might field its own candidates.

However, a formal announcement in this regard was made today on the concluding day of the Dal’s annual convention in Dehradun.

Confirming the development, state spokesman of the Dal Virinder Mohan Uttarakhandi said, “In view of the suggestion put forward by a major chunk of party activists, the Dal president Dr Narain Singh Jantwal has announced to field candidates from Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal, Haridwar, Almora and Nainital constituencies.”

Uttarakhandi said in case the BJP approaches their party for a possible tie-up, then they may consider a change in the decision.

“A tie-up with BJP is still possible, but only if it agrees to give two parliamentary seats — Nainital and Tehri — to the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal,” he said.

Uttarakhandi said the party incharge for the five constituencies have been appointed, asked to assess their chances of winning and submit a report at the earliest. Those who have been appointed include Diwakar Bhatt (Haridwar), BD Raturi (Tehri), Dr Narain Singh Jantwal (Nainital), Puran Singh (Pauri) and Kashi Singh Airi (Almora).

Meanwhile, as many as 16 resolutions were passed on the concluding day of the convention today.

One of them was regarding extending the benefits of the Sixth Pay Commission to the employees of the municipal corporations and committees.

Dehradun, January 24
Thieves stole a brass idol and two canopies made of gold and silver from a temple in Jain Dharamshala on Gandhi Road last night.

The police were informed in the morning. Kotwali incharge JP Juyal said they were investigating. Juval said the watchman said he didn’t come to know of the theft.

Meanwhile, members of the Jain community blocked traffic in protest against the theft.

Dehradun, January 24
The four accused, Nitayi Mohan Aggarwal, Himanshu, Deepak Saklani and Ashish Sharma, in the gang-rape case of a minor schoolgirl were remanded to 14-day judicial custody by a CBI court here today.

Police officials said that the medical examination of the victim has confirmed the rape. SP City Pushpak Jyoti said that the fifth accused Vicky Rawat, who is still at large, would soon be behind bars.

IG Garhwal MA Ganapathy said, “It is a heinous crime but it cannot be categorised as a day-to-day crime. Such crimes come under the category of ‘chance’. Spotting a girl in a secluded place, they committed rape.”

The IG said that none of the accused had any criminal record adding, “The accused belong to the lower middle class.”

On April 19, 2008, a 23-year-old Dalit woman was allegedly gang raped in a resort in Rajpur, Dehradun.

Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) has strongly condemned the state government for the increasing crime.

The state president and media incharge of Congress Yashpal Arya and Suryakant Dhasmana, respectively, alleged that the law and order situation in the state has collapsed.“As many as six rape cases have been reported in the state during the past two years. Statistics indicate that the fear of the police does not exist in the minds of the lawbreakers,” said Arya and Dhasmana. They said that the Congress would make the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the state as a major issue in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Haridwar, January 24
PNB registered a victory against Northern Railway with a margin of 2-1 at the final match of the 77th Swami Shraddhanand All-India Hockey Tournament played here today at the Dayanand Hockey Stadium.

Ravi Bharti scored a goal for Northern Railways in the 4th minute, while in the second half Ravindra Singh of PNB equalised the score in the 47th minute.

Both the teams tied at 1-1 in the stipulated time. In extra 15 minutes, Satpal of PNB scored the goal in the 8th minute making PNB bag the title.

At the presentation ceremony Vice Chancellor, Gurukul Kangri University, Swatantra Kumar gave away prizes to both teams. Former Olympian, Hardayal Singh urged youngsters to opt for the national game.

Dehradun, January 24
Contender Club won the match against Doon Warriors by 29 runs at the 57th District League at Survey Stadium, here today.

It was a poor bowling display by Doon Warriors team as its bowlers gave away 47 runs in the form of extras to help Contender Club pile a modest total of 204 runs. Warriors had a steady start as opening pair of Tarun and Apoorva scored 22 runs in the first four overs.

Thereafter, Deepak smashed 28 runs of 23 balls. Gaurav was the top scorer for his team as he scored 31 runs of just 21 balls helping his team cross the two hundred run mark in allotted 40 overs.

Chasing the target, for Doon Warriors’ Sonu was the only batsman who showed some resistance against some tight bowling display by Contender Club. Sonu 50 runs of 45 balls striking three fours and two sixes in his inning. In the end, Rohan made some valiant efforts but it was of little help for Doon Warrior as it failed to reach the target. Rohan made 17 runs of 12 balls. Contender Club’s Deepak demolished Doon Warriors top order batsmen as he went on to claim five wickets in his seven overs and gave away eleven runs only. Gaurav and Apoorva supported Deepak they bundled Door Warriors at the score of 175 runs.

Dehradun, January 24
Shah Satnam, Buland Shahar, and Vishwakarma, Sirsa teams have stormed into the final of the 3rd All-India SP Singh Memorial u-13 Cricket Tournament at Indian Public School ground.

In the first semifinal match between National Cricket Club and Shah Satnam, National Cricket Club won the toss and elected to bat. Their batsmen failed to put up a good show and were all out for 104 runs in allotted 20 overs. In reply, Shah Satnam batsmen achieved the target in just 17 overs.

In the second semifinal between Vishwakarma Cricket Academy and Indian Public School (IPS), Vishwakarma registered a five-wicket victory over IPS. Batting first, IPS scored 109 runs in 20 overs. For IPS team, Vishal smashed 54 runs and Azim made 29 runs. Chasing the target, Vishwakarma Cricket Academy achieved the target with five wickets in hand.

In the third-place play-off, IPS beat National Cricket Club by 62 runs.