Kaithal, May 10
The Sarv Jati Sarv Khap Mahapanchayat which had threatened to lay a siege to the house of local MP Navin Jindal today abandoned its plan, saying the MP had already expressed support for its demand to ban same gotra marriages and had been “compelled” to attend the mahapanchayat.

However, the mahapanchayat at its meeting at Hooda Park vowed to intensify its agitation for amendment to the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (5) to ban marriages in the “same gotra, mother’s gotra, same village and adjoining village”. It declared that units of the khap panchayat would be set up at the village level to give impetus to their agitation.

The Khap Mahapanchayat at Pai on May 2 livid at Navin Jindal skipping its meeting had threatened to lay a siege to his house today. Jindal assured the mahapanchayat that he would take up the issue of banning same-gotra marriages with the government. This cooled down tempers.

However, the Khap Mahapanchayat insisted that Jindal reiterated his support publicly and forced him to attend its meeting today.

Talking to mediapersons, Jindal said: “I have accepted the memorandum and as a representative of the people, it’s my duty to convey the sentiments of my constituents to the government.”

Jindal said he saw reason in the age-old tradition that prohibited marriage within the same gotra. Medically too such practice was undesirable, but he was dead opposed to “honour killings”.

Jindal said he would take up the demand with the Union Government and his party but was mum if he would raise the matter in Parliament

He parried queries on the “abuse” of the girlchild and said the khap should ponder over the issue.

Jindal took a promise from the khap that the latter would support his crusade against female foeticide and dowry.

President of the Sarv Jati Sarv Khap Mahapanchayat, Mewa Singh Chhatar, made a strong plea for banning same-gotra marriages. He said if this was not done, the age-old tradition would be in tatters.

He expressed concern over vulgarity on the TV and the increasing tendency among the youth to imitate “semi- clothed” stars.

He thanked Rajya Sabha members Shadi Lal Batra and Ram Prakash for espousing their cause.

He said soon memoranda would be submitted to all MPs, the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers and others who mattered to take their struggle to its logical end.

“All members of Parliament of Haryana must take up cudgels on our behalf by May 25 or face the ire of the khap, “ he warned, he warned.

Chandigarh, May 10
Following a series of reports by The Tribune on school education in the state going awry in the absence of a monitoring mechanism, the education department has finally got its act together.

It has issued 200 show-cause notices to its officers in the field for failing to carry out any inspection in government schools. The notices have been served on all District Education Officers (DEOs), Deputy District Education officers (DDEOs) and Block Education Officers (BEOs) . Earlier, the government had posted an all-new team in the department comprising three young officers, Pankaj Yadav (Director, Primary Education), Mohammad Shayin (Director and Joint Secretary, Secondary Education) and Mandeep Brar (State Project Director, Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan).

The department has now decided to divide all 21 districts among the three officers to carry out surprise inspections and be wholly responsible in matters pertaining to school education in the districts allotted to them. Waking up to the need for bringing in some semblance of discipline into education, plagued by staff shortage, truant teachers, lack of infrastructure, and absence of an evaluation system for children, the department got down to checking its in-house inspection reports.

To the utter surprise of officials, from nearly every district, barring two blocks, the department drew a blank and decided to penalise the field staff for “dereliction of duty”. The notice has nailed the officials for violating the inspection policy which lays down that they are to inspect schools in such a way that each school is covered at least once.

Despite repeated reminders directing them to send inspection reports regularly, no such report was received by the head office for the last academic session. The officials have been given a fortnight to explain their position failing which they will be proceeded against by the department.

The government has not only got cracking but also replaced the entire team in the school education department. Sources maintain that “fresh faces” have been brought in for a fresh perspective on dealing with all that ails the system despite the government pumping in funds into this high-priority sector.

Chandigarh, May 10
The government has decided to transfer principal and three lecturers of Government Elementary Teachers Training Institute (GETTI), Ferozepur Namak (Mewat), with immediate effect.

Surina Rajan, Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary, School Education Department, along with Director, SCERT, Gurgaon, conducted a surprise checking on the GETTI on April 26 and found some lecturers absent. The absentee lecturers were shown either on official or on exam duty

On inquiry, the version of the principal in charge was found misleading. Hence, it was decided to shift the principal and the three lecturers and initiate disciplinary action against them.

Nangal Kheri (Panipat), May 10
An 11-year-old boy, Ajay, was found hanging from a tree on the premises of the village high school under mysterious circumstances after the lunch break here today.

According to school headmistress Madhu Nagar, Ajay, a class III student, had attended all his classes prior to the recess.

However, after the recess, his classmates told the teacher that Ajay had not returned to the class. She said due to heat, most of the students preferred to stay inside their classroom and only a few students had gone out to have lunch.

Ajay’s classmates and teachers found him hanging from a tree in one of the corners of the school. His neck had been tied with a long scarf, while his feet touched the ground.

The school authorities immediately reported the matter to the police and a team of officials reached the spot and initiated a preliminary probe. However, the motive behind the incident could not be ascertained till the filing of the report.

ASI Ratti Ram, who is deputed as the investigating officer (IO) to look into the incident, said it was too early to comment on the issue as the investigations were still on.

“Whether it was a suicide or a crime committed by someone is yet to be ascertained,” he said. However, many villagers, who had assembled on the school premises, ruled out the possibility of suicide by an 11-year-old boy.

Ajay’s father Jagbir Singh said he had no enmity with any of the villagers. He alleged that there was certainly some foul play involved in his son’s death.

Jind, May 10
A woman and her two nieces were murdered by unidentified persons while they were asleep on the rooftop of their house in Khokri village here last night. A five-year-old boy was grievously injured in the attack in which sharp-edged weapons were used.

Relatives and residents of the village, who had come to the Civil Hospital here, blocked traffic on the main road in protest against the incident. They demanded the arrest of the accused. The police has registered a case against three residents of the village - Sammat, Haripal and Rakesh. However, no arrest has been made so far.

The incident took place around midnight when the victims, identified as Mukesh Kumari (30) and her nieces - Seema (15) and Tamanna (11) - were asleep on the rooftop of their house. Mukesh was married and had come to her parental house here. Rajbir, elder brother of Mukesh, was on the ground floor of the house along with his wife while her second brother Rajesh had gone out of the village along with his wife when the incident took place.

When Rajbir went to wake them up, he was shocked to find all four lying in a pool of blood. He and the other family members took them to the Civil Hospital, where Mukesh, Seema (daughter of Rajbir) and Tamanna (daughter of Rajesh) were declared brought dead. Gaurav, minor son of Mukesh, survived the attack but was stated to be in a critical condition.

Seema’s body was found in a half-naked condition leading to the suspicion that an attempt might have been made to rape her. Old enmity may be the cause of the incident.

Jhajjar, May 10
At least 10 students residing in the hostel of the St Thomas Institute of Management at Jahangirpur village here today suddenly fell ill after having lunch. The students, most of them belonging to Rajasthan, have been admitted to the Civil Hospital here where their condition is stated to be out of danger. Health officials have taken samples of the food for examination.

The police has initiated investigation into the matter following a complaint lodged by some students in this connection. They have accused three students of the hostel of mixing some “injurious substance” in the food.

The students started vomiting and complained of loose motions just after taking the food in the afternoon. One of them informed the police about the incident on getting suspicious that someone may have mixed some substance in the food.

The police, along with health officials, rushed to the hostel and took the ill students to the Civil Hospital after giving them first aid there. Those Those who were taken ill include Atul, Harsh Rathi, Sonia, Saakid, Ranjan, Neeraj, Bhawana, Navdeep and Rajeev.

The Jhajjar Civil Surgeon, Dr Bharat Singh Bishnoi, said it was a case of food poisoning.

“There is no cause for worry as the students have started responding to treatment,” said the Civil Surgeon.

Meanwhile, Jhajjar SHO Mohammad Hussain said the ill students suspected that three students of the hostel might have mixed something in the food.

“The investigation is on and the statements of the ill students have been recorded. A case will be registered if anybody is found guilty,” said the SHO.

Sirsa, May 10
Factionalism in the Congress deepened further in Sirsa as the group opposed to minister Gopal Kanda today released a list of the party’s candidates for 24 of the 31 wards of the Sirsa Municipal Council.

Ajit Rattan Singh, senior vice-president of the block Congress, today released a list of 24 candidates of the party before mediapersons here.

Levelling allegations of ignoring committed party workers against Kanda, district Congress president Hoshiari Lal Sharma and block Congress president Bhupesh Mehta, he claimed that the new list had the support of MP Ashok Tanwar, former minister LD Arora, former State Planning Board chairman Ranjit Singh and CM’s former aide KV Singh.

However, both Ranjit Singh and KV Singh denied knowledge of any such list.

In an identical reply, both leaders said HPCC chief Phool Chand Mullana had categorically stated that the party was not contesting the municipal poll on the party symbol.

They said they would support the candidates who believed in the policies and programmes of the party.

LD Arora’s son-in-law Rahul Setia, however, said the list issued today had the backing of the former minister.

Setia, who is also president of the Punjabi Sena, said the factionalism in the party would cause damage to its poll prospects.

Without naming Kanda, he alleged that an independent MLA had created bickering in the party by announcing a list of candidates unilaterally.

Tanwar, who had disapproved the list released by Kanda on May 6, said all Congress workers contesting the poll should seek the blessings of the electorate rather than from leaders. Meanwhile, 97 candidates have been left in the fray for 21 wards of the Fatehabad Municipal Council, where 30 candidates withdrew their nominations today.

Chandigarh, May 10
The government has notified a public holiday on May 20 in the offices, educational and other institutes of the government, boards and corporations to enable the employees to cast their vote for the civic elections.

May 20 shall also be observed as holiday under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881, in private establishments, factories, commercial establishments and shops.

Meanwhile, Excise and Taxation Commissioner Anurag Rastogi has ordered that liquor shops or vends within the jurisdiction of areas where the municipal elections are to be held and areas adjoining the jurisdiction will remain closed from May 19 to 21. Also, storage of liquor on unlicensed premises will not be allowed.

Chandigarh, May 10
Taking up a petition for the registration of a criminal case against Minister of State for Home Gopal Kanda and others, Justice Gurdev Singh has observed the court need not interfere in the matter, as the appropriate remedy lies under Sections 156 (3) and 200 of the CrPC.

According to Section 156 (3), the magistrate can order the police to investigate a case regarding which a complaint has been filed before him.

The state has also been asked to reply on the next date of hearing, June 30, on the issue of deciding a representation from one of the petitioners for protection of life and liberty.

Appearing on Kanda and his brother’s behalf, advocate Vikram Jain contended the petition was a counterblast, as an FIR for attempt to murder and other provisions of law had been registered against the petitioners at the City police station, Sirsa.

The petitioners are seeking registration of a criminal case for alleged murderous assault on them and attempt to kidnap one of them on April 3. The petitioners, Mahabir Bagri, Pardeep Godara and Yogesh Sharma, had alleged that Sirsa residents had given a call for bandh to protest against the erratic power and water supply on April 3 when the Haryana Chief Minister was scheduled to visit the area.

Kanda passing by on his official vehicle suddenly stopped and assaulted three persons. Kanda also directed the police accompanying him to fire at them and pick up Pardeep Godara. As people reached the spot, the kidnapping was foiled.

Later, a criminal case of assault and other offences under the provisions of the IPC and also under the prevention of insult to national honour, was registered against them and others for allegedly causing damage to the National Flag on Kanda’s vehicle.

Chandigarh, May 10
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued notice to SC Girhotra, father of deceased Ruchika Girhotra, asking him to show cause why the bail granted to him in a corruption matter should not be cancelled.

Justice TPS Mann issued the notice as Girhotra failed to turn up in the court even through counsel for the hearing of a petition filed in the matter by him only. He has been asked to furnish his reply in the matter on June 30. A former manager with UCO Bank, he was convicted by a CBI court in 1994. On his appeal against conviction and sentence, he was granted bail. His appeal was also admitted for hearing by the high court. But, Girhotra failed to appear before the court several times. — TNS

Sonepat, May 10
Inder Singh of Bhawar village, an alleged accused in a murder case, was absolved of all allegations by a village panchayat held here yesterday after he committed suicide on April 16.

Even those who levelled the allegations of murder on him confessed in the panchayat that their allegations were false and begged a pardon for levelling the allegations of murder of Bhagtu of the same village.

Bhagtu’s body was recovered from a well on the Holi festival and Inder Singh was accused of his murder by Bhagtu’s family.

However, Inder Singh felt so depressed over the allegations of his involvement in the murder that he committed suicide on April 16. A panchayat of residents of the village was held here yesterday, in which Ajai, Ram Pal, Kalawati, Prithvi and Raju of the same village and Raja of Mokhra village in Rohtak district confessed to have committed a mistake and begged a pardon for this in writing.

Swaran Kumar, son of Inder Singh, said his father was so perturbed over the allegations that he committed suicide.