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Police aim is to keep peace, not fight crime, says DGP
Nainital witnesses spurt in illegal construction
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BSP can spring a surprise in
hill areas of Uttarakhand
Bird-watching camp concludes today
Appoint separate observers for counting postal ballots: MP
Mobile health unit providing free check-up facility to patients
Oak Dew mineral
water from Pithoragarh for East Asia
Sunny SIngh
Haridwar school kick boxers win 8 medals in national event
Results of boxing championship
Inter-school cricket tourney begins
Team wins on better run rate
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Police aim is to keep peace, not fight crime, says DGP
Dehradun, February 4 “All the bad practices have been included in the Uttarakhand Police Act (2007), which was primarily brought in to escape the vigil of the Supreme Court and its ruling, asking states to implement radical reforms in police that were ignored,” said Navaz Kotwal, programme coordinator, Commanwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), at a conference on “Towards Better Policing and Accountability” in Uttarakhand, organised today by Rural Litigation Entitlement Kendra (RLEK). She said the new state could have taken a lead and set itself on the path of reforms pertaining to increasing accountability, better policing and ushering in professionalism. “As the police is a state subject, the governments have to initiate reforms but it seems the politicians are not willing to give up their control on the police and are, therefore, not in favour of reforms,” said Navaz. However, while skirting the issue on police reforms, DGP (Uttarakhand) J.S Pandey said lopsided expectations from the police amid the public’s expectation were creating problems. “The role of the police is of peace-keepers and not crime fighters; the perception among the masses that the police is meant to fight crime was in turn responsible for pushing them into committing acts of misconduct. I think we need to introduce reforms in this area,” he said. He also spoke about the harassment caused due to registration of false FIRs. “There are several instances when petty squabbles could have been resolved through holding talks between the parties but there is a general tendency to lodge FIRs even though these may not be true at times, becoming a source of harassment of the innocent,” said Pandey. On the other hand, Adhash Kaushal, chairperson of RLEK, said the community policing should be given impetus. The police should not shirk from it’s primary responsibility of making the citizens feel safe and secure. He also urged the police to adopt better policing methods. Dr Priya Zadu, human rights specialist, RLEK also gave a presentation on crime against women and custodial torture. |
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Nainital witnesses spurt in illegal construction
Nainital, February 4 Although the officialdom has finally woken up to the threat being posed by those involved in illegal construction, a lot of damage has already been done. The town has witnessed rampant illegal construction in the areas that have been declared safe, unsafe and green belt zones. Moreover, the construction activity has been carried out right under the nose of the officials and that too when there have been no maps passed or any other permission obtained. Ironically, a large number of people claim that the land purchased by them in the green zone has duly been registered. And now when the Lake Development Authority (LDA) has started issuing notices to them, a turmoil is being witnessed. According to sources, many influential people are involved in this activity. Many of them have carried out the activity in the name of being a mediaperson or a retired bureaucrat or someone holding other position of influence in society. Those being penalised claim that it is only the poor and those with no influence who are being targeted. A meeting of the LDA was convened on Friday afternoon to look into the state of affairs. Secretary, LDA, VC Kaushal told mediapersons that no illegal construction would be allowed in the town. He said the structures that had come up in the green belt would either be sealed or demolished. He further said there would be no compounding of these structures. Some of the people have already received notices to evacuate the property while power and water connections are being withdrawn. The question that still remains to be answered is whether the LDA will demolish or seal the illegal structures built by “influential” people of the town. |
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BSP can spring a surprise in
hill areas of Uttarakhand
Pithoragarh, February 4 The increasing influence of BSP could be a worry for the Congress as the BSP spreads its influence. “The Congress in the hills is likely to face the challenge of BSP which has spread its influence in the hilly region,” said Gopal Dutt Ojha, a former MLA from Didihat and a senior Congress leader of Kumoan region. According to Ojha, BSP influence can only spread in hills if it takes away the traditional vote bank of Congress. “BSP has now begun to polarise the Dalit votes in the hills after it did well in the last two Assembly elections,” said Ojha. “This year the BSP has a strong presence in nearly a dozen seats of Kumoan hills, including those of Dharchula, Didihat, Gangolihat, Bageshwar, Almora, Ranikhet and Champawat, where it has given tickets to Thakur candidates mostly and expects to garner Thakur and Dalit votes,” said Dr Pangti. According to observers, more than 12 per cent votes of the BSP in the hill seats during the last election could increase this year owing to political situation in which the able candidates are bargaining on anti-incumbency votes in these seats. “In the last elections, two seats of Sitarganj and Gadarpur were won by BSP in Kumoan region but it has a strong presence in Khatima, Jaspur, Ranikhet and Bageshwar seats, where it secured 11.66, 8.83,18.37 and 6.37 per cent votes, respectively,” said Dr Ramesh Bisht , another political observer in Ranikhet. Dr Bisht added that this year the BSP tally may spread up to Dharchula, Didihat and Champawat seats where it had negligible presence during the last election. “We are surely winning 4 seats in hill areas of Kumoan and 6 in Terai region this year and emerging as king maker in the state,” claimed B.R. Dhauni, BSP candidate from Bageshwar and party’s state acting president. Dhauni said that in the last elections of 2007, the BSP secured only 2.42 per cent of votes in Didihat, 6.96 in Dharchula and 5.70 per cent votes in Champawat, which would increase this year. Some political observers felt that BSP would suffer in Terai region in Udham Singh Nagar district and Haridwar but in Kumoan hills the BSP is surely going to make a dent in the traditional Congress vote bank. |
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Bird-watching camp concludes today
Dehradun, February 4 Chief Information Commissioner N S Napalchiyal will be the chief guest on the closing ceremony. The camp is being conducted by Dr Dhananjai Mohan from the Wildlife Institute of India and Dr Raman Kumar from the Nature Science Initiative. Nature guides from the Asan Conservation Reserve, Koti Kanaser, Rajaji National Park and Forest Department staff from the Chakrata forest division are participating in the camp. Lectures on different aspects of bird watching are also being delivered to increase the knowledge of the participants. The event has been organised as part of the Uttarakhand’s bird-watching programme to promote this activity within the state. “ We hope that increased awareness regarding bird conservation and better identification skills will attract birdwatchers to Uttarakhand and promote eco-tourism,” said Rajiv Bhartari, head (eco-tourism), Forest Department. The bird-watching camp at Asan is the first in the series. Similar camps will be organised at Chhoti Haldwani, Marchula and the Rajaji National Park in the next few weeks. Each camp will be of a three-day duration and conducted by experts. |
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Appoint separate observers for counting postal ballots: MP
Dehradun, February 4 In a letter written to Chief Election Commissioner Y S Qureshi, Congress leader Maharaj said the observers should have full knowledge about the procedure for counting of postal ballots so that counting of illegal postal ballots can be checked. He said the last elections’ experiences have revealed that the procedure of counting of postal ballots lacks transparency and the polling officials that undertake counting of postal ballots are under pressure of ruling party. Garhwal MP Maharaj said that as per rules, an election officer must get postal ballots in return within 15 days after casting of the votes. “But in case of Uttarakhand, as polling was held in January 30 and the counting will now take place on March 6, it thus involves a total of 36 days. It is now the responsibility of the Election Commission to issue the necessary directions as uptil what date postal ballots should be accepted,” he observed.
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Mobile health unit providing free check-up facility to patients
Haridwar,February 4 More than 600 villagers have so far been medically checked up and given primary treatment by free of cost by the mobile health service run by a charitable trust, Mahima International Charitable Trust. Today the medical team visited villages of Jagjeetpur, Missirpur, Dhanpura, Ajeetpur, Panjanhedi and then held a camp at Anganbadi centre in Dhanpura. A medical team led by Dr RK Khetarpal checked the patients and after diagnosing them prescribed them medicines free of cost. Trust chairman Manoj Singh said that in rural areas villagers have almost negligible access to health facilty and they need such medical facilitites as being provided by the trust on regular basis. The ongoing medical health camp is being done with the help of women social activists of the trust. In some serious cases the trust also bears all the medical expenses, particularly with women and young ones. Trust project officer Nitu Sharma said that some of the poor children having heart problems have been identified in this ongoing rural visit and they will be later be taken to New Delhi for medical treatment on trust’s expenses only. She further added that women in large numbers are coming forward for check-ups and majority of them are suffering from nutritional deficiency. Village head Missirpur Babita Saini acknowledged the efforts of the trust and is helping the medical team by generating awareness among rural villagers of making sure to get medical check-up from the trust’s mobile van. |
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Oak Dew mineral
water from Pithoragarh for East Asia
Pithoragarh February 4 According to chairman of the company Colonel Devendra Singh
(retd), the plant, Om Radha minerals, established at Jarapani, near Gangolihat town of the district in April 2011 with the investment of Rs 1
crore, is supplying mineral water, Oak Dew, to Rajasthan and some parts of Delhi at present. “If the collaboration with the Kolkata company takes place, the plant will produce 25,000 liters of mineral water per day from February 15, to be supplied to these countries,” said Singh. The first ever mineral water plant in the district established with the help of district industries centre is providing local employment to more than 100 persons of local villages.
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Face of the week
Dehradun, February 4 While spending his life in luxuary, he made sure to keep his sense of purpose alive, which was to give a new lease of life to the girls of the surrounding villages. Poor condition and prejudiced approach toward girls moved him deeply. In 2006, he took the first step towards girls’ education by teaching English and computer studies to six girls. With his constant efforts, the strength has now reached up to 53 girls He provided computers, hired staff, higher education and employment avenues to the girls he was teaching. His endeavours are bearing brilliant results. Daughter of a gardener, Dipika, has cleared her MA (English) exam and now works as his secretary and a computer teacher. Shruti, has also completed her MA (English) and now works at FRI. Both of them are earning above Rs 8,000 per months, which is more than the salary of their fathers. Many others have been on the receiving end of the help he has offered. His children, who are now married, have also started to appreciate his work after the recognition that he has got. Besides extraneous help, he knows girls also need strong values and self-independence to lead life on their terms. Villagers, who earlier used to take loan of Rs 50,000 at 10 per cent interest to marry off their daughters, are now happy to get all dowry items from him for free. They also welcome his intervention in selecting the best match for their daughters. To his credit is also an establishment of Ton’s Valley Education Trust where he receives regular donations from his wealthy acquaintances. His eyes well up while reminiscing his past experiences where provided education to three girls from a Muslim family in Makkawala village. His efforts paid off and the girls finished their graduation successfully. With their graduation degree in hands, they created a history by becoming the first to get such higher qualification in the entire village. This time around, Singh wishes to go an extra mile by starting ‘Palna Project’ to provide shelter to abandoned newborn girls. He considers himself the happiest man on earth and thanks the Almighty for His benevolence. |
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Haridwar school kick boxers win 8 medals in national event
Haridwar, February 4 Students of Anand Swaroop Vidya Mandir won two gold medals and six bronze in the 4th National Kick Boxing Championship held at Rajiv Gandhi Indoor stadium in the Capital. In view of the splendid performance by kick boxers of the district, a felicitation ceremony was held wherein the students were awarded with prizes and certificates by Haridwar Kick Boxing Association. Secretary of the association Vipin Kumar said that the achievements by the junior kick boxers is first of its kind in the whole state and bodes well for the future of this new sport for the country. Talking to TNS, gold medalist Nancy Sajwan said that she had been practising this sport for the past five years and was quite confident of winning the gold medal owing to her hard work. Similarly, other medallists Aditi Rana,Lavi Rana,Shristhi Chaudhari,Mrinalika,Kanika Chaudhari,Tanvi Chaudhari and Mukul Bisht exuded confidence from their overall performance in this national level championship and want to make a career in this He further added that of the 35 players from Uttarakhand contingent, 16 hailed from this school only, with the school management trying its best to provide state of the art facilities and coaching to the players. Another gold medallist Aditi Rana apprised that kick boxing is a Japanese origin martial arts game based on kicking-punching that needs high level of physical fitness, practice, concentration, stamina and flexibility. |
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Results of boxing championship
Dehradun, February 4 The results of girls’ section up to 45 kg category: Deeksha (Army Public School) beat Suman (Army Public School) 3-0. Up to 54 kg category: Kanishka (Army Public School) defeated Anita (Birpur) 2-1. Up to 56 kg category: Nandini (Parade Ground) beat Shilpa Thapa ( Parade Ground) 3-0. The results of boys’ section up to 48 kg category:Rahul (Parade Ground) beat Saurav (Birpur) 3-0. Up to 54 kg: Amit Singh (Army Public School) beat Sandeep Rawat (Parade Ground) 3-0. Up to 57 kg: Harsh Singh Rawat (Parade Ground) beat Khem Bahadur Pun (Birpur) 3-0. Up to 60 kg: Manjeet Singh (Parade Ground) defeated Narender (Clement Town) 3-0. Above 75 kg: Saurabh Thapa (Parade Ground) beat Ajeet (DAV) 3-0. — TNS
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Secretariat XI beat Vidhan Sabha team
Dehradun, February 4 In the first match, Secretariat XI defeated Vidhan Sabha XI by eight wickets. Vidhan Sabha XI scored 125 runs all out in 30.4 overs after electing to bat first. Shivam was the top scorer with 31 runs while Sandeep made 25 runs. Anil Negi took four wickets for 10 runs for the Secretariat team. In reply, Secretariat XI scored 130 runs at the loss of two wickets, thus winning the match by eight wickets. Opener Lalit Joshi remained unbeaten on 59 runs while TH Khan scored 43 runs. TPS Rawat took both the wickets for 7 runs. In the second match, Rising Star Cricket Club defeated Doon County Club by two wickets. Doon County Cricket Club, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, scored 146 runs all out. Opener Rickey scored 32 runs. Vishal took four wickets for 34 runs. In reply, Rising Star Cricket Club scored 148 runs for the loss of eight wickets to win the match by two wickets. Vishal was the top scorer with 29 unbeaten runs. Sunny took four wickets for 37 runs. |
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Inter-school cricket tourney begins
Dehradun, February 4 The tournament was conducted for all section teams in boys and girls. The president of the PPSA, Prem Kashyap, flagged off the tournament. He exhorted to the budding cricketers to uphold the pride and dignity of the game. He extended his best wishes to all participating team. The boys’ teams were divided into four pools while girls’ in two. In boys’ category, the first match was between Asian School and Gautam International School. The latter won the toss and elected to ball first. Asian School’s batsman Sayam presented a wonderful show of batting by scoring 28 runs in 17 balls. Ashirwad of Asian School, however, helped his team take a lead. No bowlers made much of an impression on Ashirwad as he easily scored 57 runs for his team in just 30 balls. At the end, Asian School had a score of 111 runs in the stipulated 10 overs. The Gautam International team was 7 wickets down for 59 runs in 10 overs. Ashirwad was declared the man of the match. |
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Team wins on better run rate
Dehradun , February 4 The Raja Ram Mohan Roy Academy team scored 88 runs all out in 16 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat first. Ikshannt Sikka was the top scorer with 17 runs. Anshul Tomar took three wickets for 12 runs. In reply, St Jude’s School scored 88 runs for six wickets in 20 overs. Deepinder Singh was the top scorer with 21 runs. However, Raja Ram Mohan Roy Academy was declared the winners on the basis of the score in the first 10 overs. |
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To circumvent the Supreme Court’s directives (2006) on police reforms, Uttarakhand, along with other states, have sought refuge in a new police Act.
Villagers who normally don’t have access to private medical facilities in Haridwar rural district are availing the benefit from a mobile health unit from New Delhi, which is providing free of cost check-up facility to these patients.
More than 600 villagers have so far been medically checked up and given primary treatment by free of cost by the mobile health service run by a charitable trust, Mahima International Charitable Trust. 
Face of the week
Showing their prowess in the sporting arena, a contingent of kick boxers of a school in Haridwar district won eight medals in a national event held recently in New Delhi.
