Film against Islam
Action against US film-maker sought
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
Uttarakhand's Muslim community has strongly condemned a western film portraying Prophet Mohammed in poor light. The community has also decided to send a memorandum to the United Nations Secretary General through Uttarakhand Governor seeking action against the film-maker.

Presiding over a meeting of the Muslim community at Jama Masjid in Dehradun today, Shahr Qazi Maulana Mohammed Ahmed Qasmi strongly condemned the making of anti-Islam film by the western world.

Qasmi said the countries like the United States and Israel wanted to defame the religion by propagating wrong things about Prophet Muhammed. "By making such films, the countries like the US and Israel wanted to spread hatred and create unrest across the globe", he pointed out.

Shahr Qazi Qasmi also appealed to the Muslims to maintain restraint against the American provocation.

Mufti Saleem Ahmed Qasmi too condemned anti-Islam film makers in strongest words and asked the Muslims to be cautious against such forces.

Another speaker Mufti Rayees Ahmed reminded that only some time back, someone had made a derogatory cartoon of Prophet Muhammed and now an anti-Islam film had been made to hurt the feelings of the Muslim community.

Earlier, Maulana Abdul Kadir started the meeting by reciting the verses from the Kuran. A large number of Muslim community members attended the meeting.

Villagers announce boycott of Nanda Devi worship
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, September 23
Angry at the heavy presence of police force on temple campus, villagers and four traditional heads living near Kotbhramari Temple at Garur in Bageshwar district have announced to boycott the traditional worship of Nanda Devi this year. "This is for the first in the last 250 years that the villagers would not worship their clan goddess Nanda Devi for which the obstinate and wilful tendency of the administration is responsible," said Shiv Singh Bisht, president of Kotbhramari mela committee at Garur in Bageshwar district.

According to Bisht, he had already conveyed the decision of the committee not to sacrifice animals in the open and do ritualistic sacrifices only, but the SDM concerned did not believe that promise. "The villagers were not given permission by the administration to bring ornaments of the deity from Bhagartola village and banana tree from Mavai village to make Nanda statue for the worship," said Bisht.

The administration has rejected the allegation and said that it had not prevented the villagers from bringing these ornaments but only deputed the police force on the temple campus to stop animal sacrifice, for which the High Court had given orders. " No devotee has been prevented from performing worship in the temple, and all the culture rituals are, as usual, performed," said V. Shanmugham, District Magistrate Bageshwar. 

PFA concerned over sacrifice of goats in procession
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
The People for Animals, Uttarakhand, an organisation working for the welfare of animals in the state, has expressed deep concern over the conduct of sacrifice during the inauguration of the Nanda Devi procession at Kholta in Almora district of the state.

In a memorandum submitted to Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Alok Jain, PFA Uttarakhand member secretary Gauri Maulekhi held that it was unfortunate that during the inauguration of the Nanda Devi procession, sacrifice of goats had taken place in the presence of a large number of people, including Nainital MP K C Singh Baba. She described the sacrifice as an act that was a contempt of court that had directed for a ban on such sacrifices.

Maulekhi asked the Chief Secretary to take immediate and effective action against all those responsible and issue necessary orders to file a case against those responsible for heinous act. "The people of Uttarakhand need to know that the rule of law still exists. We hope that your office will not humiliate itself by letting the offenders of law go unpunished", Maulekhi argued.

It is noteworthy that on September 17, the Nainital High Court had denied permission to conduct any animal sacrifice on a writ petition filed seeking relaxation in the ban on ritual of animal sacrifice.

Cong violating poll code to appease voters: BJP
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
Senior state BJP leader and former Vikasnagar MLA Munna Singh Chauhan has accused the Congress of resorting to serious model code of conduct violations in the Tehri parliamentary byelections.

Addressing a press conference at the state BJP office here, Chauhan said the Congress was resorting to serious model code of conduct violations to appease the voters. He pointed out that while the Food and Civil Supplies secretary was announcing the opening up of a bottling plant in Vikasnagar that falls in the Tehri parliamentary constituency, another government official was assuring the recruitment for 3,250 posts of teachers in the state.

“These government officials have made these statements at the behest of the Chief Minister and thus are collectively responsible for the violation of the code of conduct,” said Chauhan. Further, the Chief Minister has announced the constitution of the Tehri Lake Development Authority. He said the BJP would bring these violations to the notice of election commission and would ask the commission to take stringent action.

Chauhan accused the state government of misusing government machinery in favour of Congress candidate Saket Bahuguna, who, he said, was getting all favours by the virtue of being the son of Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna. He said the Congress candidate had crossed his election campaign expenses limit on the day of filing of nomination, taking into account the number of vehicles used by the Congress candidate on the nomination day.

Former BJP MLA Kuldeep Kumar, who was also present at the conference, refuted reports that he planned to join the Congress. “I have come across reports that I have plans to join the Congress. This is completely false as I am a committed BJP worker and under no circumstances can think of joining the Congress,” Kumar pointed out. He said it was a Congress conspiracy to defame him.

BSP leader Ajay joins Cong
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
In a major boost to the Congress in the run-up to the Tehri parliamentary bypoll in Uttarakhand, Bahujan Samaj Party leader Ajay Sood joined the party today. Ajay Sood unsuccessfully contested the last Assembly elections from Raipur Assembly constituency on BSP ticket, which is part of Tehri parliamentary constituency.

Ajay Sood joined the Congress in the presence of Sudha Bahuguna, mother of Congress candidate Saket Bahuguna, at a function held in Raipur today. In her brief address, Sudha Bahuguna said the Congress had been strengthened in Tehri parliamentary constituency by Sood's entry.

Uttarakhand Congress president Yashpal Arya said youths were the strength of the nation and asserted that Saket Bahuguna would turn out to be biggest strength of Uttarakhand in the days to come. Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Pritam Singh hoped for a big victory for Congress in the Tehri parliamentary bypoll. Congress Rajpur Road constituency MLA Rajkumar said the Congress would win the Tehri parliamentary bypoll with a handsome margin.

Meanwhile, later today, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna along with the Congress candidate Saket Bahuguna held public meetings in the Raipur region of Dehradun. The Chief Minister on the occasion reiterated his commitment to work for the development of the region.

Saket seeks blessings of mahant of darbar
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
Saket Bahuguna, Congress Candidate for the Tehri Lok Sabha byelection, met Mahant Devender Dass, Mahant of Guru Ram Rai Darbar, here today. Saket Bahuguna sought the blessings of the mahant for the election. He was accompanied by Rajkumar, Congress legislator from the Rajpur assembly segment.

Mahant Devender Dass wished him good luck. Earlier, a few days ago, Maharani Mala Raj Laxmi Shah, BJP candidate, had also met the mahant to seek his blessings.

Acid attack victims discharged from hospital
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
Two women inmates of the NGO Samadhan, who were injured in an acid attack by a motorcycle-borne man near Blind School in the city, had been discharged from Max Hospital. The women, Nandini Sharma and Seema Chaudhary, were instantly provided medical relief by the city police. The acid fell more on the clothes down the neck. Chaudhary received more injuries than Sharma.

Sharma has accused her husband, a Delhi-based advocate Vijay Anand, for masterminding the attack. She has been living separately for the past four years, owing to estranged relations. She is teaching at Scholar’s Home in the city.

According to the owner of the NGO, Renu D Singh, Sharma was going to complain to the Senior Superintendent of Police about the threats given by Anand. She was waiting for the bus with Chaudhary, councillor in the NGO, when this incident happened.

Anand toom in a press conference held some time ago, had levelled serious allegations on the credibility of the NGO and its founder.

He also put his wife in the dock for the distortion of facts. A FIR has been registered against Anand in the case.

Relief material flagged off

Dehradun, September 23
Hans Foundation, a charitable organisation, today sent relief for the Rudraprayag cloudburst victims.

Flagging off the van carrying the relief material in Dehradun, former Chief Minister BC Khanduri appealed to the public to donate benevolently for the calamity victims. He appreciated the Hans Foundation’s efforts towards the collection of relief material.

The relief material comprised of food material and clothes. —TNS

518th birth anniversary celebrations of Chandracharya Maharaj begin
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 23
The celebrations of the 518th birth anniversary of Acharya Jagadguru Bhagwan Chandracharya Maharaj have begun in the city. Various religious functions will be organised to mark the anniversary of the revered spiritual guru.

A royal religious procession was carried out in the city, which drew a large number of spectators.

Tableaux of Guru Chandracharya along with Lord Shiva, deity Parvati, Lord Ganesha and Radhe-Krishan were major attractions of the procession.

Yog guru Swami Ramdev also took part in the royal procession, extending his wishes to the organisiners, Bada Udasin Nirvani Akhada.

Swami Ramdev highlighted the role of the guru in life, saying: "He had have always guided us to the right path, and taught us to make sincere efforts to achieve our goals."

While Mahant Gyan Dev Shastri said that Mata Sulakshana's son Chandra Bhagwan was the avatar of Lord Shiva, whose 518th anniversary was being celebrated as Jayanti Mahotsava.

Chief of Jay Ram Ashram Braham Swaroop Brahamchari, Shri Mahant Raghu Muni, Mahamandaleshwar Kapil Muni, Surendra Muni, Swami Bhagwat Swaroop, Swami Santoshanand and Mahant Prakash Muni, among others, were present. District Magistrate Sachin Kurwe also took blessings midway of the religious procession, remarking that he along with the residents of Haridwar felt blessed as such religious-spiritual functions kept faith alive in God.

Transport corp plan to purchase 200 new buses yet to materialise
Seema Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
The tall promises made by the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) of buying 200 new buses have not been fulfilled as yet. The existing fleet of 1170 buses is plying on the roads. When a few months ago, a bus in Tyuni hill area of the state fell into a gorge, which led to the death of more than 20 people, the demand for new buses had been made. It was said that the tragedy had occurred because of the bad condition of the bus and poor service of the buses in the hills. Buses in the hill areas remain overloaded with people.

Officials as well the State Transport Minister had assured of purchasing new buses and replacing the worn-out ones, but nothing changed beyond empty rhetoric.

Among 1170 buses, some 800 buses are somewhat functional but not in good condition. Most of them are old and require repeated repairs.

General secretary, UTC Employees' Association, Ravi Pauchari, said: " “Only 300 buses are plying in hill areas, most of which are not in good condition. The bus service is poor. People have to wait for hours to catch one bus. They have no option but to opt for private ones, which charge more but give frequent service.” There are six hill depots throughout the state - at Dehradun, Lohaghat, Pithoragarh, Almora, Bhavali and Ranikhet. Those running in the plains have a similar saddening story. “The buses remain parked in workshopa for frequent repairs. They consume a lot of diesel. The state government must auction them and buy new ones in their place,” he said.

When the state was carved out 11 years ago, it had got 955 buses from the Uttar Pardesh government. The government has not done much to increase either the strength or the service of buses to ply within and out of the state. At present, there are only 45 hi-tech buses, 40 AC and just 22 Volvo buses. General Manager, UTC, Deepak Jain, said : “Uttarakhand Transport Corporation has already sent a proposal before the state government regarding the purchase of new buses. We are hoping to get new buses shortly. Such matters, however, take time.” He also admitted that the corporation needed to act fast in doing away with old buses by auctioning them. The revenue thus generated will be utilised in buying spare parts or sprucing up workshops.

The bus workshops have not been updated with changing times.

The old redundant equipment and methodology are syill being used. The plan chalked out by the then Managing Director, UTC, Ranjit Sinha, to build a new high-tech workshop near the bus-stand has not seen light of the day in the last two years. “There is acute shortage of spare parts. The buses remain lying in workshops for days together for want of small spare parts. The technical staff is less and vacancies are not being filled, ” Pauchari said. At present, there were 4300 regular employees and 2500 daily wagers, he added.

Woman strangled to death: Report
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
The postmortem report of Beena (25), who was found dead in her house at Workshop Colony on Saturday, has confirmed that she died of strangulation.

Her body was found lying on a bed with foam coming out of her nose and mouth. Marks of strangulation with a rope were also found. The police is yet to arrest anyone in this case. The police said members of her family were being interrogated.

Beena hailed from Haskoti village, Chamoli, and had been staying alone in a rented accommodation at Workshop Colony, Dalanwala. She was preparing for competitive exams. Her husband is in the ITBP and is at present posted in Ladakh.

Members of her family said when Beena did not answer their calls on Saturday, they asked one of their relatives to go and check. However, when he reached there, he found Beena's body.

Protest against STP's construction

Dehradun, September 23
Members of the Indira Nagar Residents' Association have taken their protest against the construction of a sewerage treatment plant (STP) near Indira Nagar to the National Green Tribunal in New Delhi. General secretary of the association LP Juyal said the tribunal had given directions to maintain the status quo over the site and not to undertake any more construction. He said the state government was doing nothing to stop the construction of the STP within the boundaries of residential colonies.

"The STP was being provided in violation of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution ) Act 1974, the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, and the City Development Plan, Dehradun, under the JNNURM. On the three sides of the structure is complete human settlement, and on the fourth side is ITBP Central School, having more than 1000 schoolchildren and a residential complex," he said. — TNS

Picnic for grandparents
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
A picnic for elderly people associated with the Day Care Centre was organised here today. The picnic as part of the recreation for grandparents was co-sponsored by HelpAge India.

About 36 elderly people participated in the picnic programme at Buddha Temple at Clement Town. It was the first time these elderly people had ever gone on a picnic as a group.

The participants organised games, group singing and presented a group dance on the premises of the Buddha Temple for public as well for the Buddhist monks.