Shimla, May 29
The Sadbhavna Marathon organised by the state police to mark World Tobacco Day evoked a massive response with people from all walks of life turning out to participate in the event in strength.

The historic Ridge, venue of the event, wore a carnival look with colourful flags fluttering all round and anti-tobacco slogans dotting the Anarkali railings. The weather god smiled on the participants with brisk showers which brought down the mercury to comfortable levels, particularly for long distance running.

The marathon was flagged off by Chief Secretary Rajwant Sandhu who appreciated the initiative of the police in spreading a social message by organising such an event. She also wrote her message on the “Message Board” kept for public to record their anti-tobacco sentiments and slogans.

The objective of the marathon was to create awareness among all sections of society, particularly the youth, about the ill-effects of tobacco and drugs on the health and well-being so that the Dev Bhoomi of Himachal Pradesh continues to be free from such social evils.

Director General of Police (DGP) DS Manhas presented a green memento in the shape of a beautiful bonsai to the chief guest in line with the motto of good health and environment.

Additional DGP and Chairman of the Organising Committee Somesh Goyal said the participation of eminent runners and people of Shimla far exceeded the expectations as an estimated 5,000 people turned up for the “Run to Shun Tobacco” despite rain. Rakesh Kumar of Mandi bagged the first position in 21.5-km half-marathon carrying a cash reward of Rs 31,000. He was followed by Hari Shankar Sharma (CPRF) and Tiku Ram (CRPF) who got Rs 21,000 and Rs 11,000 for the second and third positions.

In the women’s category, Chaoba Chanu (CRPF) won the first place in the half-marathon, followed by Wahida Rahem (CRPF) and Rita Thakur (Hamirpur).

In the 10-km mini-marathon Vikas Kumar (CRPF) bagged the first position, followed by Shrinath Singh (Kinnaur) and Kamal Singh (Army), while Sandhya, (CRPF), Asha Rani (Punjab Police) and Nivedita Singha (Shimla) bagged the top three positions.

Mandi, May 29
A cloudburst washed away four houses, two cowsheds, two fish ponds and flooded the Chuni Bazaar in Thunag tehsil in Seraj at 11.30 pm last night.According to residents, the flood water entered the bazaar and washed away parts of the shops and rooms belonging to Dhani Ram, Raj Kumar and Nirmal.

Naib tehsildar, Thhunag, went to the spot and gave Rs 10,000 each as an immediate relief to the affected families.

The total loss is being assessed, he added.

Meanwhile, the rain continued to lash the Mandi region in the morning and late evening today, sending the mercury down.

Showers cool Kangra valley

KANGRA (OC): The Kangra valley today experienced respite from scorching heat following showers this afternoon with a cool breeze dropping the mercury.

The valley had been experiencing hot weather for some days, but today the sky was overcast with dark clouds and it started raining.

Reports of the rains were also received from Haripur, Dehra, Mallan, Gaggal, Shahpur and Dharamsala. 

Mandi, May 29
Acting on the recommendations of the Onkar-Sharma high-powered committee to check forged certificates, the HP Education Board has withheld the results of over 2,000 students who came from the CBSE-affiliated schools and appeared in the board examinations for senior secondary (plus II) class.

After facing the public outcry when a series of scams, from the previous Congress regime to the present regime, including the fake certificates scam, hogged the headlines, the HP board this time has chosen a cautious path before issuing the board certificates to the candidates under the scanner of the board for procuring the fake certificates for the examination.

The board withheld the results of over 2,000 students this time. After a close scrutiny, it has asked over 50 CBSE-affiliated school students to get their certificates countersigned by the Deputy Director, CBSE, Panchkula, and then countersigned by the State Education Director.

A lecture association said the CBSE and the HP board should take the decision in the interest of the students. “There are students whom the CBSE, Panchkula, has refused to countersign the certificates as the CBSE Plus I examination is in-house and as such it is conducted by the CBSE-affiliated schools themselves, not by the board”, teachers said.

Secretary, HP Board, Prabhat Sharma told The Tribune that the results of over 2,000 students were withheld out of which now only about 560 students had been left whose result was not declared as they had not deposited their dues.

Sharma said the board would not issue the certificates till they got the countersigned certificates from the students. “Last year, a high-powered committee detected 11 fake CBSE certificates. We are only implementing the committee’s recommendations,” he added.

Kangra, May 29
The Kangra police today constituted a special investigation team to investigate the rape case registered against the Ranital Police Post In charge, ASI Baldev Singh, against whom a woman, who was caught with him in a room at Dharghata village on May 24 last, lodged a complaint that she was allegedly raped by him.

Disclosing this here today, OP Jamwal, Kangra District Additional Police Chief, said to maintain transparency in the case, the case had been shifted out of Dehra and handed over to a special investigation unit at Dharamsala.

Jamwal said the accused ASI and complainant woman were locked up in a room of her house by her husband Gian Chand and both came out in the presence of village pradhan, the police and villagers.

He said as it was a non-cognizable offence and the police, started investigation under Section 497, IPC, on the basis of a complaint lodged by the woman’s husband. Jamwal said the woman in the beginning had stated that nothing had happened with her. However, her husband had complained that his wife and the accused police officer had physical relations.

ASP Jamwal said the woman had now lodged a complaint that she was raped by the accused police officer.

He said the police had now registered a case under Section 376, IPC. When asked about the arrest of the accused ASI Baldev Singh, ASP Jamwal said it depended upon the outcome of the investigation and the decision of the investigating officer whether the accused was to be arrested or not.

Jamwal, however, said till today the accused police officer had not been arrested.

Meanwhile, the departmental inquiry was also in progress and the officer was under suspension for his misconduct. 

Dharamsala, May 29
The Dalai Lama endorsed all amendments approved by the House of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile here today.The House completed the procedure regarding the amendments to the Charter (Constitution) on devolution of the political powers of Dalai Lama to the elected leadership here late last night.

Tenzin Norbu, spokesperson for the Tibetan Parliamentary Secretariat-in-exile, said, “The proceedings of the House ended late last night. All amendments were unanimously approved by the General Assembly and the grafting committee”.

He further said the powers would be delegated among the Tibetan PM-in-exile, the speaker, the deputy speaker, the House and the joint justice commission.

Norbu confirmed that the Dalai Lama had also endorsed all amendments approved in the House. Also that a total of 43 elected members of Parliament to the 15th Parliament-in-exile would take oath on May 30.

The Tibetan Parliament-in-exile started the three-day additional session on Thursday. The purpose of the session was to approve the amendments of the Charter after it was recommended during the Tibetan national general meeting.

Nurpur, May 29
The use of only pencil in the written test for the recruitment of clerks in the Kangra Central Co-Operative Bank held today in the state raised a question mark over the transparency and credibility of the exam.

Around 50,000 candidates appeared in the test. There is a lot of resentment among candidates in lower Kangra district comprising Nurpur and Jawali subdivisions.

State Congress general secretary Ajay Mahajan maintained that the use of pencil in the written test was suspicious as it could lead to backdoor appointments ignoring the meritorious candidates.

“Even in the AIEEE or IIT-JEE tests, only ball pens are allowed, but the bank management had allowed only lead pencil which certainly raises doubts among the candidates,” he asserted.

In this connection, Sandeep Kumar, MD of the bank said the bank management had conducted this test through Mumbai-based banking personnel recruitment agency.

Dispelling doubts, he said the agency had allowed the use of pencil with a motive to give a chance to change answers of multiple choice questions to the candidate. The agency had earlier allowed using ball pen in the written test, but following candidates’ plea, it allowed only pencil, he added.