Dehradun, February 10
The alleged murder of Sachin (15), a Dalit youth, over a trivial issue during a cricket match, became a contentious issue with the Dalit community today accusing the district police administration of trying to hush up the matter.

Sachin, a resident of Karanpur, was allegedly beaten to death in broad daylight today. The suspects thrashed Sachin’s friend, Anit, before fleeing from the spot.

Anit, a resident of Karanpur, said that he, Sachin, Rahul, Sunil, Ajay, Akash and other boys from their area played cricket with some students of DAV College at the college playground yesterday.

“There was a minor scuffle between the two teams over a trivial issue,” he said. He alleged that he was assaulted by members of the opposing team today.

Om Parkash Sisodia, representative of the Dalit community, claimed that Sachin, along with his friend Ajay, was passing from Maansingh Wala near DBS College at around 11.30 am today.

“Some miscreants thrashed Sachin following which he died while Ajay managed to escape,” he said. Anit alleged that after beating him, the suspects left him at the Dalanwala police station.

“The culprits not only slapped me in front of the cops but also shook hands with the police personnel at Dalanwala police station,” he alleged.

Accusing the police of not initiating timely action as a result of which the suspects managed to flee, the Dalit community staged a protest at the Dalanwala police station and blocked traffic at Survey Chowk in the afternoon.

They accused the police of trying to hush up the matter by linking the incident with an accident. They threatened to gherao the District Magistrate and SSP in case the culprits were not arrested soon.

Dalit leader Arun Valmiki said that in case the police doesn’t nab the culprits, they will launch a massive protest from Wednesday.

He also demanded that the policemen, in front of whom Anit was beaten, should be dismissed. SP City Pushpak Jyoti rubbished the allegations.

At the time of filing of this report, the process of registration of FIR at Dalanwala police station was under way. He said that investigation is on and culprits would be brought to book.

Dehradun, February 10
Newly formed Uttarakhand Lok Panchayat (ULP) today made a case for early resumption of construction work on two state-owned hydro projects.

The state government had stopped work last year in deference to demand by environmentalists led by Professor GD Agarwal who sat on fast against such projects on the Ganga river.

The organisation consisting of people with varied social and political backgrounds is of the view that the government action amounted to denial of economic benefits, including employment opportunities, which such projects would have offered to the people of the state.

“We will start a Uttarakhand Bachao Abhiyan to counter such moves by vested interests who are creating hurdles in matters related to development and economic welfare of the people who made sacrifices during the struggle to have a separate state. We are in process of setting up units in every district to create awareness among masses,” said chief coordinator, ULP, Narender Singh Rawat.

As part of its action plan, the ULP has decided to write an open letter to all state MLAs and MPs to know their stand on these projects irrespective of the party stand.

“We will circulate the letter delineating various aspects of both projects as well as direct and indirect losses, including the revenue, to the state government,” said secretary, ULP, Prakash Tewari.

Based on the feedback to its delegation which visited Uttarakashi district recently, the elected representatives at grassroot level as well general public wanted both projects should be revived immediately, he added.

Showing all respect for the religious sentiments, the ULP activists said not only the Ganga river the natural flow and purity of all the rivers of the country should be priority of any government and people.

“We want that these life-giving rivers to become sources of material welfare and development of the people as well. Nobody should be allowed to exploit religious sentiments for their own interests. Besides reviving both projects, we also want that the state government should ensure proper compensation, employment as well as royalty from the income generated by any such project,” they said.

Dehradun, February 10
Work on proposed Astha Path, which will be an extension of the existing footpath, as well as a new ghat on the bank of Ganga river at Muni Ki Reti is likely to begin shortly as the Central government has released funds for the purpose.

The project, which is part of the Haridwar-Rishikesh-Muni Ki Reti-Swarag Ashram mega project, to be completed before the start of the forthcoming Maha Kumbh in January 2010.

Under this, several development works related to construction, renovation and beautification of ghats and facilities for tourists and pilgrims are to be undertaken.

According to chief engineer, Irrigation Department, Sagar Chander, the work on proposed new footpath named Astha Path and ghat along the right bank of Ganga river would likely to be started within a week. It comes under the Kumbh Mela area.

The proposed project of Rs 10 crore provided by the union government was to be originally executed by Rajkiya Nirman Nigam, Uttar Pradesh, but now the Uttarakhand Irrigation Department has been given this responsibility in view the credibility earned by it for construction works in the past.

This 4-metre wide proposed footpath will be one-and-half-km long covering area between rest house of the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam and Ram Jhula.

As the first step, a retaining wall of the corresponding length would be constructed. The area between the wall and the riverbank will be filled with riverbed material.

It will be followed by construction of the new ghat extending from the wall towards the river. As part of its beautification, fancy lights and benches will be installed along its entire length.

With this agreement, getting a loan for purchasing a car would not be a tough task any longer.

Uttaranchal Gramin Bank general manager NK Handa and regional manager (Dehradun) of Maruti Suzuki India Limited Munish Bali signed the agreement.

Haridwar, February 10
The elections for the sub-committees of the Haridwar Municipal Corporation have been cancelled for the third time.

The elections for the nine sub-committees were scheduled for Monday but without any specific reason, municipal officers cancelled the elections indefinitely.

Insiders said that it was the lack of understanding between the ruling ward members that forced the chairman to cancel the elections as it would have cost the ruling party the elections.

On December 22 and January 2, sub-committee elections had been scheduled. On both occasions, due to ruckus in the MC, the elections were cancelled.

Discrepancies in the election process had been cited as the reason for postponing the formation of sub-committees.

The three board meetings held after the new committee took charge have been marred by violence and ruckus.

The situation had reached such a level that Minister for Urban Development Diwakar Bhatt had to interfere and calm the members down.

Executive officer Harshwardhan Mishra refuted that factionalism in the ruling committee members was the reason behind the cancellation of the elections.

He said that due to the preparations for the Palika board meeting, the nine sub-panel elections of the committee have been cancelled.

After the board meeting, the election process will be resumed. Meanwhile, the Opposition has termed the decision as a blow on democracy.

“The people voted for the BJP to do developmental work in the city. Instead, they are postponing everything and this will prove costly in the coming parliamentary elections,” Sanjay Sharma, Leader of Opposition.

He added that if the election procedure did not start soon, the Opposition would have to take the agitation route. The Congress, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party were united in this matter.

Haridwar, February 10
The Gorkha community is planning to field a Gorkha leader for the Haridwar constituency in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Gorkha leaders allege that despite supporting major political parties for years, they have not been given their due.

At a meeting of the Gorkha Samaj Kalyan Samiti, members discussed the positives of having a candidate from the community and asked interested candidates to give their names.

Gorkha Democratic Front (GDF) vice-president Pooja Subbha said that as there were a substantial number of Gorkhas in Haridwar constituency, the front was thinking of a Gorkha candidate.

She said that it would be better for the people of Haridwar and the Gorkha community in particular, if a Gorkha is elected as he would know the problems faced by the people better.

He would be more accessible to the common man than the candidates of the major political parties.

Kusum and Jamuna were saved and were taken to the district hospital. They failed to find the body of Mamta. Later heavy rain in the city toughened their task of finding the body.

Dehradun, February 10
Intermittent rains today have led to a fall in mercury levels by as much as five degrees creating cold conditions in Dehradun yet again.

Rains were reported from other plains areas of the state, while snowfall was experienced in the higher reaches.

“Snow in the upper reaches and rains in the plains areas of Uttarakhand along with hail at some places are likely to continue for the next 24 hours,” said Anand Sharma, director of the meteorological department.

He said north-western disturbances were approaching Uttarakhand and being monitored by met officials.

“A few days of clear sky is likely to be followed by another spell of rain and snow,”
said Sharma.

However, Mussoorie is yet to experience the season’s first snowfall, which usually takes place by the end of December or early January.

Haridwar: After a prolonged dry spell, the city witnessed heavy rainfall today, which started at around two in the afternoon and continued till late evening.

Due to the ongoing sewer line work in the city, major roads of Old Haridwar and areas of New Haridwar, including Jwalapur and Arya Nagar, were flooded with water. The heavy downpour choked drains, which led to major traffic snarls.

Garment shop owners, however, welcomed the development. “We had put on sale winter garments, but I think with this rain we will get back to normal rates for a week or so,” said Jaipal, owner of a garment store in Jwalapur.

Dehradun, February 10
Rains after a long dry spell are a precursor to several diseases, children usually fall ill during certain change of weather.

Preventive measures like washing hands every time, breast feeding and drink boiled water can be of great help, says Dr DP Joshi, paediatrician, Doon Hospital.

“Besides hygiene has to be maintained at all cost, 90 per cent of the risk is cut down if adequate precautions are taken,” said Dr Joshi.

Sudden shift in weather also poses risk to the health of children and the aged. “The sudden fluctuation in temperature create problems for those suffering from paralysis, arthritis and sciatica,” said Dr SK Tyagi, physiotherapist, Doon Hospital.

The seasonal variations notwithstanding, other medical experts say, everything depends on individual’s immunity, and body resistance’s and response to changes.

“A healthy body will not be affected by climatic changes, however, people suffering from asthma usually have trouble whenever there is extreme rise and fall in temperature, said Dr RS Chauhan, senior ENT, Doon Hospital.

Dehradun, February 10
Terracotta items in novel designs are drawing the attention of large number of people at the ongoing International Trade Fair in Dehradun.

The hand-made items in unique designs are of fine quality and lends aesthetic value to the living area.

Be it a lamp stand or water bowl, the attractive pieces are a must buy for interior decoration. Terracotta is a red stone, out of which these exquisite pieces are made.

With good quality the terracotta items are light in weight and is affordable too. “The price of the items varies from Rs 250 to Rs 1,200. With other products our water bowls are very much in demand as now a days, people like to decorate their outdoors with rose petals in it for adding aroma and beauty,” said Babu Ram.

However, in spite of the ongoing meltdown people in the city are buying these items in a large number.

“Whenever I have come to the city people have appreciated our hard work and this year also the response is pretty good,” said Babu Ram.

“As we don’t get these items in the city, I purchase it whenever they are here, I absolutely loved their stand of Rajasthani bride and groom,” said elated Shivani, an admirer of terracotta products.

“First we crush the stone with a crusher and then melt it for further use. We have got deer face stand, flower bowl, lamp stand, bells in silver and copper colour, mirror stand and many other such products,” informed Babu Ram, a potter from the past 40 years at Alwar, Rajasthan.

Dehradun, February 10
Cadet Abindu Dhar of Chandragupt section of Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) bagged the first prize in the senior’s category of the inter-section English debate held in the Bhagat Hall of RIMC, here yesterday.

The competition was divided into junior and senior categories. The topics for the junior semifinal debate were “Violent games should be banned” and “Mankind should invest in space exploration”. The Pratap and Chandragupt section teams qualified for the finals of the junior’s category.

The topics for the senior’s semifinal debate were “It’s tough at the top” and “Indians hate politics”. It was again the Pratap and Chandragupt section teams that qualified for the finals.

In the junior’s category finals between Pratap and Chandragupt sections, the topic was “Aping the west is a threat to the Indian culture.”

The topic of the debate for the senior category final was “Compulsory military training is a must to curb terrorism”.

In his speech, the chief guest, principal of Moravian School Reverend Thsespal Zhiwa Kundan, praised the participants for their excellent performance.

In his vote of thanks, RIMC Commandant Col H. Dharmarajan appreciated the efforts of the cadets.

Results: Individual seniors: 1 Cadet Abindu Dhar (Chandragupt), 2 Cadet Piyush Kumar (Pratap), 3 Cadet Archit Gupta (Chandragupt); Individual juniors: 1 Cadet Prateek Prasoon (Chandragupt), 2 Cadet Rishabh Raj (Chandragupt), 3 Cadet Akshay Chugh (Chandragupt); Overall positions: 1 Chandragupt, 2 Pratap.

Dehradun, February 10
Superb bowling display by Little Star laid the foundation for their team’s thumping eight wickets victory over the Young Boys Club (YBC) at the 57th District Cricket League organised by the Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU) at Survey Stadium, Dehradun, here today.

Batting first, the Young Boys Club could never recover from the bad start and went on losing wicket at regular intervals.

Rohit was the only batsman for the YBC who played a steady knock of 33 runs. Other batsmen failed to adjust themselves to the tight line and length of the Little Star bowlers as the whole team was all out for a score of 95 runs.

For the Little Star the combination of Anil and Vishal rattled through the batting line up of YBC sharing nine wickets stand among them. Anil clinched five wickets in his five-over spell, whereas Vishal took four wickets.

In reply, the Little Star team reached that target with eight wickets in hand. Deepak gave a flying start to the team scoring 30 runs off 22 balls.

Anil supported him well and smashed 32 runs off 9 balls. The Little Star team comfortably reached the target with eight wickets in hand.

Meanwhile in another match, ONGC batsmen beat OFD by six wickets. Batting first, OFD made a score of 138 runs in the allotted 30 overs. Deepak was the top scorer with 34 runs.

Vipin chipped in with 30 runs. Balwant was the pick of the bowlers for ONGC team as he went on to clinch 5 wickets in his six-over spell.

He was supported well by Sanjay Bhatt who claimed four wickets. Chasing a victory target of 139 runs, it was a shaky start for ONGC.

They lost their first wicket at the score of 10 runs. Thereafter Nadeem along with Satender reached the target with six wickets in hand.