Gurgaon, October 16
Gurgaon - the city of malls, multiplexes, corporate houses, MNCs, industrial units, housing societies and other high-rise buildings - also specialises in traffic jams, road rage and poor roads, making it all the more vulnerable to fire mishaps.

Still, the millennium city remains ill-equipped to tackle a major fire mishap, the chances of which rise considerably during the Diwali season.

While the local fire stations continue to remain understaffed and unequipped, the authorities concerned prefer to look the other way.

If there is some saving grace, it is due to certain big industrial units like Maruti and Hero Honda and the local Air Force base, which provide the timely help in the event of a fire incident.

Some other big corporate and mall owners have installed the latest fire-safety equipment and trained their staff to use these.

As the awareness on the sensitive issue grows, the security-service providers have also started training their personnel about tackling such incidents.

“We train our men to use the “first-aid” fire extinguishers available at the site and take other necessary steps. In case of a major fire, they have been provided with a list of fire brigade and other emergency telephone numbers,” says Ram Prasad, the proprietor of Umaria Corporate Services, which provides security services for offices, factories and residences.

Fire officer Hanuman Sihag said in view of Diwali, they had requested the building owners to ensure fire safety. “The entire fire staff will not be given holiday on Diwali…the windows of the upper-storeyed flats should be kept closed and proper care should be taken in installing lighting and other electrical equipments for the festival,” he maintained.

Meanwhile, a rally of schoolchildren was organised here today on the eve of Diwali by the Haryana State Pollution Control Board, Gurgaon region, to create awareness regarding the hazards of using firecrackers on Diwali.

Nearly 300 students, carrying banners and placards bearing messages and slogans, participated.

The schoolchildren took an oath to celebrate a firecracker-and-pollution-free Diwali to conserve the environment.

The rally was flagged off by Chand Saini, Regional Officer, Haryana State Pollution Control Board, Gurgaon, and Kamlesh Malik, principal, Government Senior Secondary School (boys), Gurgaon.

Sirsa, October 16
The heavy turnout of voters in the October 13 assembly polls in Haryana is giving sleepless nights to candidates as well as leaders of political parties.

All are worried about the possible fallout of a record number of electorate exercising their voting right. Haryana recorded the highest ever polling of 72.71 per cent in these elections breaking the previous record of 72.65 per cent in 1967.As many as 84.18 per cent voters exercised their voting right in Sirsa, with Dabwali in Sirsa recording an 87.25 per cent polling, the highest in any assembly segment in Haryana.

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda views the high turnout as a healthy trend. “This is confirmation of people’s belief in the state government and the democratic process, which my government has strived hard to strengthen,” Hooda said.

He reiterated that the heavy turnout meant the people had reaffirmed their faith in his government.Former Chief Minister Om Parkash Chautala held that a heavy turnout was almost always an ill omen for the party in power.“People came out in large numbers to express their anger against the Congress government,” he maintained.

Sampat Singh, a former minister, who contested on the Congress ticket from the Nalwa assembly seat said the elections this time were the most fiercely contested and, hence, there was more mobilisation of voters.

Sushil Indora, a two-time MP and former MLA from Ellenabad, who recently quit the INLD and contested on the Congress ticket from Kalanwali, where 83.55 per cent voters turned out for polling, said heavy polling meant that the farmers, Dalits, the poor and the downtrodden had voted in large numbers.“Votes of these sections will go to the Congress as they have benefited directly from the welfare policies like NREGA, hiked pension and allotment of plots free of cost,” Indora claimed. Ranjit Singh from Rania echoed Indora’s sentiments and said he had mobilised voters to ensure a turnout of 86.99 per cent in his constituency.

Indora’s main rival Charanjit Singh of the SAD maintained that the large number of SAD workers who descended here from Punjab ensured heavy polling in his constituency.“October 22 noon vekhna meri balle balle ho jani ae (you will see on October 22 I will emerge the victor),” he claimed, adding that the heavy turnout would go in his favour.

Vinod Mehta, who manages a television news channel, feels the increase in the number of parties was responsible for greater mobilisation of voters.

“The meticulous manner in which the electoral rolls were prepared in my district is responsible for the high vote percentage,” said Yudhbir Singh Khyalia, DC-cum-district election officer of Sirsa.

Gurgaon, October 16
Despite the high education level of voters in the millennium city of Gurgaon, the polling percentage has constantly shown a diminishing trend. Voters here seem to have little interest in voting as is evident from the 54.25 turnout in the assembly elections this time.

The polling percentage in Gurgaon was 55 per cent in 2000. In the just-concluded elections, Gurgaon recorded 54.25 per cent polling because of the not-so-serious attitude of those residing in plush areas like the DLF, Sushant Lok and Ardee City where the turnout was just 25 per cent.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) undertook a special survey in Gurgaon for registration of eligible voters. The administrative machinery remained busy in this herculean task of house-to-house survey, but it did not bear any fruit as even lesser numbers came out to cast their vote. The voting percentage in Gurgaon this time was far behind the 72 per cent turnout at the state level.

The polling percentage has shown a downward trend in Gurgaon since 1967. In the first Vidhan Sabha elections in 1967, about 73 per cent cast their vote. This is the highest record in this assembly. The number gradually started to reduce and went down to 56 per cent in 1968, increased to 65 per cent in 1972, again dipped to 61per cent by 1977, increased to 67 per cent in 1982 and 72 per cent in 1986.

It once again slipped to 62 per cent in 1991, 61 per cent in 1996, 55 per cent in 2000, 47 per cent in 2005 and 54.25 this year.

Sohna constituency, which falls in Gurgaon district, has seen a lot of ups and downs every election. The polling in the Sohna assembly constituency was 68 per cent in 1967 , 69 per cent in 1968, 70 per cent in 1972, 64 per cent in 1977, 67 per cent in 1982, 73 per cent in 1986, 67 per cent in 1991, 70 per cent in 1996, 69 per cent in 2000 74 per cent in 2005, and 69.8 per cent this year, marginally high than 68 per cent in 1967.

The Pataudi seat, the lone reserve seat in Gurgaon, has witnessed a mixed trend. The polling percentage in Pataudi was 79 in 1967 and 69 per cent in 1968.

It went up to 77 per cent in 1972. After this, the percentage dipped to 56 per cent in 1977.It again rose to 64 per cent in 1982 and 65 per cent in 1986. It fell to 57 per cent in 1991 and increased to 62 per cent in 1996.

It was 66 per cent in 2000, 62 per cent in 2005 and 61per cent in 2009 (less then 79 % in 1967).

Karnal, October 16
Eleven persons were injured in a clash between villagers of Kamala and Gadhi Multan in Gharaunda constituency here today.

The clash was fallout of verbal exchange between supporters of the BSP and the Congress that took place on the polling day on October 13. A common booth was set up for voters of both the villages in Kamala that led to a heated exchange between the supporters and a minor scuffle.

The police had called residents of both the villages to sort out the matter.

While the people of the two villages were on their way to the police station, two groups of villagers clashed with sharp-edged weapons at Gadhi Multan.

The clash left 11 persons injured, two of them seriously. The injured included Sompal, Naresh, Raj Singh, Kawar Singh, Sher Singh and Satpal of Gadhi Multan and Rishipal of Kamala.

The clash assumed caste colour as Kamala village is a Rod-dominated while Gadhi Multan village has a majority of Rajputs.

Karnal Deputy Commissioner JS Ahlawat and SSP KK Rao rushed to the spot to pacify the clashing villagers. The villagers heeded to the advice of the district administration and peace was restored.

ASP Ved Prakash Godara said the situation was under control and the injured had been admitted to the trauma centre, Karnal, and the Gharunda Civil Hospital.

A 21-member panchayati committee comprising members of both the villages has been set up to resolve the issue. 

Sirsa, October 16
Several supervisors appointed for the smooth conduct of polls on October 13 have reported that videographers hired by the authorities were not present at their respective booths. Chief Election Commissioner Naveen Chawla, on his visit to Haryana, had said that all District Magistrates had been directed to appoint micro observers at sensitive booths, ensure video-recording of polling and retain the films for 45 days after the elections.

At certain booths of the Narnaund assembly segment in Hisar, irregularities could be detected only because of video-recording. However, the sources said the supervisors appointed for the purpose had reported that video cameramen were missing at several booths in the district, particularly those under the Sirsa and Dabwali assembly seats.Dabwali was one of the most fiercely contested seats with INLD secretary-general Ajay Singh Chautala pitched against Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s aide KV Singh. Dabwali recorded the highest polling at 87.25 per cent.

“The police held some of my cameramen in Dabwali as they were not issued proper identity cards. Some of them in Sirsa could not make it to their polling booths due to family reasons,” claimed Ashok Kumar, proprietor of Bhagwati Studio, who was entrusted with the task of videography.

The District Election Officer-cum-DC, Yudhbir Singh Khyalia, however, denied any complaints in this regard.“No such complaint has come to my notice,” he said.

Chandigarh, October 16
For the 1,221 candidates in fray for 90 seats of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha, Diwali celebrations are on hold till October 22 when the counting takes place.

Though only one in 14 of these candidates will make it to the 12th Vidhan Sabha of the state, yet all will be fingers crossed till the final count.

How many sitting legislators will make it to the next House and will the number of successful women candidates cross the unlucky number of 13 are some of the questions that await answers.

Elections to the 12th Vidhan Sabha have been unique for more reasons than one. Not only they were these held six months in advance, but also recorded the highest-ever voting percentage of 72.71 in 42 years.Another interesting aspect has been the voting pattern.

For example three of the state’s showcase cities, Gurgaon, Faridabad and Panchkula, went the Mumbai way, recording a low turnout. Mumbai saw a poor turnout despite the fact that Mumbaikers have been venting their anger after the 26/11 terrorist attack.

While 14 of the assembly segments polled more than 80 per cent votes, these three constituencies did not touch the 60 per cent mark and were the lowest in the list.

This is all the more intriguing since these are the three constituencies that have witnessed either maximum investment or the highest expenditure in infrastructure development.Thirtysix assembly segments witnessed a polling of 75 per cent or more. Only six constituencies polled less than 60 per cent, the other three being Kharkauda (57.17), Ballabgarh (59.63) and Badkhal (55.73).

Another unique feature of the 12th Vidhan Sabha elections is that it saw five major parties, national and regional, contesting on their own without alliances.

The only alliance, a minor one, was between the SAD and the INLD.

The BJP, the BSP and the HJC, the Congress and the INLD virtually contested every seat. Also, the SAD made its debut in electoral politics in Haryana by contesting Ambala City and Kallanwali seats under its own election symbol.

And when the results are declared on October 22, one of the Lals that dominated the state political scenario ever since it came into being in 1962, would be there in the House.

Last of the Lals - Bhajan Lal - is now a member of the Lok Sabha. His wife, Jasma Devi and son, Kuldip Bishnoi, have their political fortunes locked in the EVMs of the Nalwa and Adampur constituencies.

His other son, Chand Mohammad, alias Chander Mohan, could not contest with the Congress denying him the ticket.The other two Lals, Devi Lal and Bansi Lal, are no more but their progenies are in the race to make it to the 12th Vidhan Sabha.

Jind, October 16
Suicide by a middle-aged woman and her 24-year-old son at their house here on Wednesday has failed to move the police so far. It is suspected that the duo had taken the extreme step in protest against the police inaction in the murder case of Manjeet, woman’s another son, in February this year.

The family, especially the mother and brother of Manjeet, had been in distress and dissatisfied with the progress made by the police in arresting the accused involved in the crime, according to Ramdiya, husband of the woman.

The mother-son duo identified as Dayawanti (45) and her Sandeep had ended their life by consuming celphos at their residence.

Ramdiya said the family had even resorted to stage a dharna outside the DGP’s office in Panchkula on July 21. The dharna was removed forcibly by the police on August 11 and they were lodged into jail after slapping a “false” case of attempt to suicide against them, a kin said.

The police case against them for sitting on dharna added to their miseries. “After coming out of the jail on bail, we had to go to Panchkula for appearance in court on each date that broke us financially and mentally. My wife and son were upset due to the undue harassment,” said Ramdiya.

They ultimately ended their lives on October 12, he added.

No action has been taken into the allegations of the victims’ kin as no formal complaint had been received by the police, said a senior police official.

Though the victim’s husband had blamed the police in his statement, he had not lodged any written complaint, it is claimed. 

Yamunanagar, October 16
Tension prevailed between two communities in Khijrabad area here today following the kidnap of a minor girl was kidnapped.

Alleging police inaction, members of one of the communities demanded immediate arrest of the accused - Sarafat Ali - who had allegedly abducted the minor girl of the other community a few days ago by luring her for marriage. They threatened that if the police failed to arrest the accused in the stipulated time period they would again launch an agitation.

Residents of Haidarpur village had blocked the NH-73-A yesterday, as despite repeated promises the police had failed to arrest the accused.

The victim’s parents and villagers rued that the girl was abducted on September 30, but the police had failed to arrest the accused. They had gheraoed the police station on October 9. However, it seemed to have no effect on the police, the villagers said.

A police official said a case under Sections 363 and 366 of the IPC had been registered against the accused and teams had been sent to Paonta Sahib and other areas to arrest the accused.

In yet another case, a minor girl was today allegedly kidnapped from Maheshwari village while she was on her way to her relative’s house. She was allegedly kidnapped by a resident of Jamanawala village along with an accomplice.

The police has booked four persons, including Khalif, on the charge of kidnapping acting on the complaint of Saukat Ali of Sadhaura. 

Manesar (Gurgaon), October 16
The counter-terror force NSG, that turned 25 today, got a dedicated anthem penned by noted lyricist Gulzar and rendered by Shankar Mahadevan of the Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy group.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram released the CD of the anthem in the presence of the composer and the singer at a function here today to mark the 25 years of the force.

Gulzar thanked the force for saving hundreds of lives during the Mumbai attacks in November last year.

The force has seen several operations, including black thunder in Amritsar in 1986 and black thunder-II in 1988, operation cloud burst close to the Indo-Pak border in Tarn Taran and Majitha in 1993, operation Vajrashakti in Askhardham temple in 2002 and operation Black Tornado.The NSG also unveiled a new dog squad that will be used exclusively for searches in aircrafts. These dogs have been trained to bark on sensing explosives.

The Home Minister, while addressing the NSG, assured that high-tech and sophisticated weapons would be delivered soon.

He said the country would never forget the supreme sacrifice made by the NSG commandos during the Mumbai terror attacks and made a special mention of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan and Havildar Gajender Singh, who lost their lives during the Mumbai attacks.

He recollected how he was associated in a small way when the NSG was originally formed. The Home Minister also presented medals to the NSG commandos. Jai Bhagwan was adjudged the best black cat commando.

Later, while talking to mediapersons, Director General of the NSG NPS Aulakh said the Indian Army had been sending its men and officers for the new hubs in Mumbai and Hyderabad.

They are coming in phases, he said in reply to a question that if the Army, which is overstretched in counter insurgency operations in Kashmir and northeast, was sending its men regularly to the NSG.

He denied that the government had asked the NSG to be ready for nay anti-naxal operations that are planned in the immediate future. 

Bhiwani, October 16
The Board of School Education, Haryana, has made all arrangements to conduct the semester examinations commencing from October 24 free from the menace of copying.

Board secretary Mandip Singh Brar said stern action would be taken against those found indulging in copying and its abettors.

He said the Deputy Commissioners would promulgate Section 144 of the CrPC around the examination centres in their respective districts to control outside disturbance.

Police force would be deputed in adequate number at examination centres. In order to check leakage of question papers, a ban would be imposed on photostat shops near the examination centres. He warned that strict action would be taken under Section 188 of the IPC against the violators.

He said 11,74,012 candidates would be appearing at 1,886 centres in the state, which included 4,21,726 candidates of middle, 4,08,532 of secondary level, 2,25,747 candidates of the senior-secondary level and 1,18,007 candidates of the open school. For the conduct of these examinations, 1,886 centre superintendents and 16,000 supervisors had been deputed.

He said for the effective inspection of the centres, 365 flying squads had been formed, adding that 21 squads of Deputy Commissioners, 50 squads of Subdivisional Magistrates (civil), 21 squads of district education officers, 51 squads of block education officers, 20 of the Rapid Action Force, 21 of the special task force, 129 sector officers, 51 Squads of board officers and one each squad of board chairman, secretary, director, deputy secretary (conduct) and two squads of assistant secretary (conduct) had been formed.

He said for effective monitoring of examinations, five control rooms had been set up in Gurgaon, Rohtak, Fatehabad and Kurukshetra besides at the board headquarters in Bhiwani. 

Chandigarh, October 16
More than 12.87 lakh tonnes of paddy arrived in various mandis of Haryana till Wednesday and the entire paddy has been purchased by various procuring agencies and millers.

A spokesman for the Food and Supplies Department said of the total arrival of paddy, more than 11.8 lakh tonnes of paddy was leviable.While procuring agencies had purchased more than 10.98 lakh tonnes of paddy, millers and dealers procured over 1.89 lakh tonnes of paddy. He said the minimum support price for the common variety of paddy was Rs 950 per quintal and that of Grade-A, Rs 980 per quintal.

He said Kurukshetra district was leading in paddy arrivals where 4.82 lakh tonnes of paddy had arrived in the mandis, followed by Karnal (2.60 lakh tonnes). Kaithal district recorded an arrival of 1.60 lakh tonnes of paddy, Ambala 88,308 tonnes, Fatehabad 83,865 tonnes, Yamunanagar 55,452 tonnes, Panchkula 19,629 tonnes, Sirsa 16,040 tonnes and Jind 15,600 tonnes.

The Haryana Food and Supplies Department had purchased 4.37 lakh tonnes of paddy, Hafed 4.48 lakh tonnes, the Agro Industries Corporation 1.07 lakh tonnes, Confed 76,265 tonnes, the Food Corporation of India 4,913 tonnes and the Haryana Warehousing Corporation 22,884 tonnes, he added.