The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Gyan Godri Gurdwara issue gains momentum Sikhs to stage protest in Dehradun to press govt to allot land for building gurdwara near Har-ki-Pauri Sandeep Rawat Tribune News Service Haridwar, February 26 The Gyan Godri Gurdwara issue seems to be gaining momentum once again with several Sikh organisations quite firm on constructing the gurdwara in Haridwar near Har-ki-Pauri only. A special Minority Commission team had visited the site a few months back and observed that the proposed gurdwara be put up near Har-ki-Pauri. The Sikh organisations had claimed that it was a gurdwara that Guru Nanak Dev had visited during his stay in Haridwar. The Sarva Pradesh Gurdwara Mahaprabandhak Committee has decided to bring other Sikh organisations under one banner giving a one-month ultimatum to Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank to take a decisive stance on the issue. Apprising The Tribune about the move, committee national president Jagjit Singh Jhindae said if in one month’s time the state government didn’t take a decision on the Gyan Godri Gurdwara issue as per the wishes of the Sikh community, they would stage a massive protest in the state capital Dehradun. “Keeping the religious-historic sentiments of the Sikhs, the state government should grant land as well as permission to build a gurdwara near Har-ki-Pauri where once the Gyan Godri shrine existed,” said Jagjeet Singh. Inderjeet Singh Chug, national chief of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prachar Committee, said a request letter had also been sent to the Prime Minister, and at the state level efforts were on to make a favourable environment towards constructing the gurdwara at the very place near Har-ki-Pauri where it existed a few centuries back. Citing religious cause, Inderjeet said this was not only a matter concerned with the Sikh community, but also related with the society as Guru Nanak Dev was revered by people from across religious sects. Inderjeet related it with the Lord Rama temple at Ayodhya saying that as the significance of constructing the temple at Ramjanmabhoomi site was imperative, so was the construction of the gurdwara of Gyan Godri at the said site at Har-ki-Pauri. Notably as per the Sikh frontal organisations, till the mid-’70s Gyan Godri Gurdwara used to exist, but was shifted near Har-ki-Pauri in the memory of Guru Nanak Dev who visited Har-ki-Pauri in 1504-05 and observed “sadhna” and had an interaction with local teerth purohits too. But in the ’70s it was demolished in the name of renovation and later handed to Bharat Scouts and Guides, which still houses their office at the same place. Since then Sikh organisations have been demanding allocation of the same place to them so that they can construct a gurdwara.
	Cong leaders face wrath of Hakmans’ tenants Our Correspondent Mussoorie, February 26 Chaotic scenes marred the meeting called by Congress workers at the Congress Bhawan, near Jhoola Ghar, here today. The residents of the Hakmans compound cornered the leaders attending the function and sought justice. The residents have been ordered to evict their houses by the judiciary. The meeting was called in the wake of the forthcoming Assembly elections. While the leaders, including Mussoorie MLA Jot Singh Gunsola, Subodh Uniyal and Dinesh Agarwal, were being introduced to the workers from the Mussoorie constituency, the residents of the Hakmans compound entered the Congress Bhawan and demanded that they be heard first. The Congress leaders suggested that they meet them later. This angered the mob and they started creating a ruckus inside the hall. The senior Congress leaders were shocked at this outpouring of emotions that they had to stop their programme in the middle and hear the problem of the residents of Hakmans compund. The residents alleged that Mussoorie MLA was not taking any interest due to ulterior motives. “As the land had been usurped by the land mafia from the Congress, Gunsola is neglecting our genuine problem,” they alleged. Shanti (name changed) further said these leaders had betrayed them, despite seeking votes continuously for the past 30 years. Sharda, another housewife from the compound, demanded justice as the owner had given them one-month time. She said if their demands were not met, they would be forced to take an extreme action. The Congress leaders tried to pacify the mob and said they were sympathetic towards their cause. Lakshman Chowk MLA Dinesh Agarwal, later speaking to mediapersons, said the Congress was moved by the situation of the compound residents and of the view that since it was a judicial matter, action should be taken according to the law. He also said the state government, the Municipal Council or any other government agency should also assist these families in finding shelter. The Hakmans Hotel compound victims also started raising slogan against certain Congress leaders who allegedly were involved in the sale deal of the hotel property. Gunsola, speaking to the mediapersons, on the allegation that he was also with the land mafia, said he never in his political career had faced such a charge. Meanwhile, Dinesh Agarwal, addressing the Congress workers, said the BJP government had failed on all fronts. Subodh Uniyal also lambasted the BJP Government and said the time had come to oust the corrupt government and bring back the Congress.
	Electricity Bill Payments 288 connections cut in 2 dists Tribune News Service Dehradun, February 26 The Uttarakhand Power Corporation has launched a special drive in Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar districts for the realisation of payments from those consumers who have been evading the payment of their electricity bills due to one reason or the other. The drive commenced in Udham Singh Nagar on February 21 and due to the panchayat elections, in Haridwar on February 24. Alarmed with the increasing number of defaulters and tremendous loss of revenue, the drive has been launched under the supervision of UPCL Vigilance officer PP Thakur with help of the police of both the districts. Under this drive, 232 defaulter connections have been disconnected and Rs 12.78 lakh realised in the Rudurpur electricity division of Udham Singh Nagar, whereas Rs 4.82 lakh has been realised and 56 connections have been disconnected in Haridwar. Besides, eight persons were found indulging in electricity theft and an FIR has been lodged against them. Thakur said the programme had been highly appreciated by people, as it gave them an opportunity to get their electricity-related problems rectified by power corporation officials at their doorstep. Keeping in view the law-and-order problem, a Sub-Inspector and four constables have been appointed for the purpose. Inspector (Vigilance) Pardeep Dobhal in Haridawr and HB Sen in Udham Singh Nagar are assisting them. The programme will continue till March 31 and it is expected that line and theft losses will come down to a great extent.
	Play staged at Prem Dham to cheer elderly Tribune News Service Dehradun, February 26 A play “Swang Multinational”, an adaptation from Hans Christian Anderson’s story, “Emperor’s New Clothes”, was staged at Prem Dham, an old-age home, here today. Artistes from the Aaina Centre for Performing Arts and Multimedia enacted the play scripted by Alaknandan. Talking to The Tribune, Abhinav Goel, director of the play, said, “We are staging this small play to entertain the old residents. It is an initiative to provide happiness and affection to the elderly folk who have been disowned by their children at such a stage of life”. Residents of the old-age home witnessed the play along with some guests and enjoyed the show. They blessed the artistes for spending time with them and thanked them by presenting hand-made bouquet of flowers.
	Raiding team attacked by illegal miners Nainital, February 26 Helplessness of the administration in checking illegal mining in the region once again came to the fore when a raiding team was attacked with impunity by those involved in illegal mining at Ramnagar. The 16-member team, comprising officials from the Police, Revenue and Forest Departments, was attacked. The miscreants also freed the confiscated vehicles successfully and went ahead to even snatch the rifle from a Forest Department personnel. The team was attacked with stones. Five persons were injured in the stone pelting and one of them had to be referred to a medical centre for treatment. Subsequent raids at the places where the attackers were supposed to be hiding yielded no results. According to information, the team had carried out a series of raids in the Ramnagar range. However, when the team confiscated the vehicles involved in the illegal mining from the Kosi river near the Banjari road, it was attacked by at least 50 persons. The confiscated vehicles included three dumpers, one tractor trolley and two motorcycles. It was learnt that the vehicles did not bear the registration numbers. The attackers pelted stones at the officials and fired in the air. They damaged two four-wheelers being used by the officials. After injuring five persons, the attackers managed to flee with all the vehicles except the tractor trolley. A case has been registered against the accused, identified as Gurmej Singh, and his accomplices. —TNS
	Kumaon Briefs Ranikhet observes complete bandh Ranikhet observed a complete bandh on Friday in support of a call given for making it a full-fledged district. The call for the bandh was given by the Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti. Tourists visiting the place had a tough time as even the vehicular traffic had come to a standstill for the day. A public meeting was organised at the Gandhi Chowk, where speakers accused the government of ignoring their demand for creating a separate district of Ranikhet. They threatened to launch a massive agitation if their demand was not addressed at the earliest. Raids conducted on LPG godowns Raids at LPG godowns by the administration in Sitarganj have yielded evidence of malpractices. It is learnt that the cylinders meant to be supplied to consumers were found to be containing less gas than the specified weight. The gas agency owners have been warned to adhere to the norm of home delivery, failing which they will be penalised. The agency owners informed that they were adhering to all the norms and claimed that the supply of domestic use cylinders to commercial establishments was almost negligible. Govt officials told to upkeep documents State Information Commissioner Prabhat Dabral has called upon the Public Information Officers (PIOs) and Appellate Officers (AOs) to work towards achieving the goals for which the RTI has been enacted. Interacting with the PIOs and AOs here on Saturday, Dabral said the PIOs must work with complete transparency. He said the RTI was an effective tool for laying the foundation of a corruption-free administration. He also called upon government officials to upkeep the documents, so that there was no problem in furnishing any sort of information. Auction farm produce properly, says DM Udham Singh Nagar DM BVRC Purshottam has ordered officials of Mandi Samitis to auction the agriculture produce being brought by farmers in a proper manner. He has urged the farmers to get their produce being brought in tractor trolleys weighed at different weighing centres, as getting the produce weighed only at one centre leads to traffic problems. Purshottam was chairing a meeting of the mandi secretary, rice millers and commission agents held at Rudrapur on Saturday. He listened to the problems being aired by representatives of all these segments.